Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

2/5

Moonrise Kingdom is probably my least favorite Wes Anderson movie. I don't know what it is, but I just don't find it compelling at all. The story is about two strange kids who have a mutual attraction to each other (for no discernible reason whatsoever) and take it to unhealthy boundaries in a disturbing island environment. With a gnome-like narrator. Maybe it's me and my distaste of child acting or children's tales, but I couldn't get into it. And if you're not into the story, then you're just watching unusual events unfold in an unusual way on screen. That's Anderson's modus operandi I guess.

Honestly, I have nothing very positive to say about this movie. It's fine. It exists. It's a movie. It's not offensive. It's got its quirks and funny moments, it's got great actors impressing me with their talent, but all of these elements cannot bring the movie to life for me. It's a futile attempt to create fire out of sparks--the problem is there's no tinder, no content underneath it all.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1748122/

License to Wed (2007)

3/5

As you probably know from the trailers and immediately forgot, License to Wed is about a young couple (John Krasinski and Mandy Moore) who go through a premarital counseling course run by the insane Reverend Frank (Robin Williams). The very insane Reverend Frank. He gives them creepy robot babies to test their parenting skills, he bugs their house to make sure there's no sex before the wedding, and he makes them drive blindfolded to practice communication skills. (Don't worry, I'm not revealing anything that isn't in the trailer.) Yes, it is preposterous and you know how it's going to end, but is that really why you're watching this movie? Naw, you see it for that feel-good moment, and after 90 minutes it comes, as expected. (Although, not as I expected, in a Michael Bay, rapidly-rotating camera shot.)

Nothing about this movie is exceptional or painful. It is solidly, forgettably mediocre. One thing did rub me the wrong way. Robin Williams's character is a bit sexually risqué for me. It just seems odd to have so much of his adult, male humor in this otherwise teenage girlie movie. But there were also little gems I really enjoyed. For example, Reverend Frank has a chubby kid protégé who's pretty hilarious. And it was great seeing Mindy Kaling, Brian Baumgartner, and Angela Kinsey in supporting roles. And of course John Krasinski in the lead. I love it when I see The Office actors pop up in random movies. They're not enough to make a movie good, but they are enough to make this movie more than watchable! Recommended for those who want to see The Office actors in something they haven't already seen (but Robin Williams fans will be disappointed).

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0762114/

Ghost World (2001)

3/5

Ghost World is a bizarre, angst-filled, social-outcast teen comedy starring Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson. After finally graduating high school, they decide to play a mean prank on Steve Buscemi, quite the middle-aged loser, after which Birch forms a strong bond with him. Their relationship forms the backbone of the story. Overall, it's a very fun and enjoyable movie. Most of the cinematography, shot compositions, and editing were spot-on and quite a joy to watch. I loved the blunt, comedic dialogue, the quirky attitude of the three main eccentrics, and the subtle jabs at "normalcy." The script is great except for some minor pacing and progression issues. I found the emotional aspects touching, although not particularly groundbreaking or new. All the acting, however, was amazing; I especially loved Steve Buscemi and Bob Balaban. There was one great scene with Birch in art class that I found flawless; she just deflates for a couple frames when her teacher dismisses her drawings as simple, light-hearted entertainment. Actually, that reminds me: every single scene in the art studio was absolutely hilarious. Also, I really liked the ending, even though it was predictable.

Thora Birch has a face that makes her look twelve and boobs the size of Greenland; it's really quite a striking and not altogether normal physique that distracts from her acting. She's really whiny in this movie, all the characters are, and their emo-ness is funny to laugh at at first, but after a while it just gets a bit old. Scarlett is really young, but still really hot, which almost makes me feel like a pedophile, but not quite. The unique story is not for everyone, and the Harold and Maude relationship between Birch and Buscemi stumbles into real pedophilia, although a romantic kind and not really a disgusting kind. There are a lot of minor characters that have greater meaning like Norman, but also a lot of worthless, throwaway ones like Josh. Same with side stories and events. And I'm not really sure what the time period was supposed to be. Anyway, check out this movie if you want a little smarter comedy about misfits.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0162346/

Deconstructing Harry (1997)

4/5

Deconstructing Harry is a hilarious foray into a neurotic writer's life and mind. Harry Block travels to upstate New York where he's going to be honored by his old college. On the way, he gets a chance to reflect on the choices he's made, both in his writing and in his life. His stories and the characters that inhabit them stem from real people and real events, which has often caused anger and resentment by those whose secret and personal lives he's put on display through his work. I love this movie because it is both meaningful and entertaining. I found myself laughing the entire time. But it also made me think about this writer's life, how he took advantage of it, and what his creations (or are they merely alterations?) mean to himself and to others. Deconstructing Harry is an absolutely wonderful and delightful fantasy about real life that is witty, nostalgic, and philosophical all at once. I loved the acting by all parties and especially enjoyed spotting soon-to-be-famous actors in small roles (Tobey Maguire, Paul Giamatti, Jennifer Garner, etc.). I am in love with the way he made Robin Williams (and himself, later) blurry and out of focus while the rest of the scene was crisp and sharp. I wish I knew how he did it. You can see Allen's creativity positively brimming and overflowing in this movie (although not as profusely as in Annie Hall).

I fail to understand the purpose of the neurotic editing, except perhaps as a banal and gimmicky way of putting the director's own flightiness and anxiety into his work, as Harry Block replicates his life in his writing. Using this editing style to start the movie was extremely off-putting. Some scenes feel rather pointless, without adding much to the table in terms of plot, humor, or pathos. Also, most of the movie is told from Harry Block's point of view, and as such takes on a cynical and misogynistic quality, which obviously may not be for everyone (take his version of Hell, for example). Otherwise, though, a thoroughly fantastic movie that I enjoyed and appreciated from start to finish.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0118954/