The Film Chronicles

Play the Game

Play the Game, 2008, Comedy
Plot: A ladies man who knows the secrets to getting women (fact: no man can understand ANY woman) gives his lonely grandfather advice.

Thoughts: This film had Doris Roberts on it, so that’s a win in my column. It was enjoyable and the romance of it was believable. I was surprised to see as many sex jokes as there were, that player Andy Griffith doesn’t mess around when it comes to the fairer sex. Still, there were just a few too many in my book.

The depiction of some of the women were a little strange, but I guess this movie would be that way since it wasn’t written by a woman. I enjoyed the little twist at the end.

2.9/5

A Night in Casablanca

A Night in Casablanca, Comedy, 1946

Plot: A play on the classic movie “Casablanca” the Marx brothers humorously foil the plans of Nazis.

Thoughts: Good movie, it was a standard “Marx” brothers movie and didn’t really amount to more than that. With that said, it was funny, entertaining and creative. I wish comedies were modeled after this instead of the late-night romps you commonly see.

2.8/5

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1967, Drama
Plot: A young woman from an affluent white family brings home someone she plans to marry who happens to be black.

Thoughts: Starring the ultimate black actor, Sydney Pottier, this film takes a step in the direction of race relations. I thought that the film would have been more controversial, but Stanley Kramer (the director) really watered the situation down in the following ways:

1) Sydney Pottier and Katharine Houghton (the interracial couple) have only met about a week ago. If I were Spencer Tracy, I’d be a little hesitant to allow my daughter to marry someone whom she has only recently met. It seemed that he was faced with the decision to either let his daughter marry this mystery man or be considered a racist for thinking it too soon.

2) Pottier’s character was a doctor who did nothing but selfless acts for mankind and was extremely articulate. It was like Houghton was bringing home some grown man that goes by “Pookie”.

and

3) There wasn’t a huge cultural difference. In fact, the only difference was skin tone and melanin production. (Maybe this is what Kramer was trying to get across).

Despite these little irritants, the film was wonderfully done. I enjoy the stable scenery, only two or three times was the setting outside of the house. By far, the black housekeeper was the most irritating part of this movie. I was waiting for Pottier to slap her as he did to the man on “In the Heat of the Night”.

All in all this was a great overall film and was very advanced for its time (when something of this nature was strictly forbidden in parts of the country at that time).

4.1/5

Karas: The Prophecy

Karas: The Prophecy, 2005, Anime/ Action

Plot: Some people have to stop some demons from eating everyone’s brains, dehydrating them and stuff…I think.

Thoughts: Some anime’s are really confusing but for good reason. The director usually has something up his sleeve but in this case it was confusing from start to finish. I didn’t have a clue as to what was going on at all (chalk that up to my underdeveloped American brain, I guess).

I enjoyed the 2-D animation but the cheesy computer generated animation left much to be desired. There’s a part 2 of this movie and it’s also based on an anime. Many say that both will help with the understanding of this movie…I don’t know if I have the patience to try this a second time.

1.3/5

Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave

Wallace & Gromit: A Close Shave, 2001, Comedy
Plot: In a set of thrree short films, A Close Shave has Wallace & Gromit are in the middle of another mystery as someone is abducting all of the sheep.

Wallace & Gromit in Three Amazing Adventures

Thoughts: Not as good as the Baker’s Dozen but it was still entertaining nonetheless. It was pretty sad to see Gromit in jail because he’s by far the most lovable character of the short film genre. Wallace was his usual “fall for the mildly unattractive woman” self. I also like the introduction of Shaun the Sheep! Good short film with beautiful animation.

3.6/5

Hellboy: Animated: Blood & Iron

Hellboy: Animated: Blood & Iron, 2007, Action/ Horror
Plot: Hellboy is back and this time the story takes place in a haunted mansion. They are trying to find a vampire who kills off young women to steal their youth.

Thoughts: MUCH better than the other Hellboy movie I watched. This movie succeeded in bringing the true quality of Hellboy with its mixture of action/ horror/ and comedy. The story was well written, giving us good looks at the lives of the members of the team while keeping a good pace and not giving unnecessary information.

3.4/5

Blood: The Last Vampire

Blood: The Last Vampire, 2000, Horror/ Sci-Fi

Plot: A young woman works for an agency that’s goal is to kill all of the hideous, bloodsucking vampires before they can kill humans.

Thoughts: For only a 48 minute movie, it really packs in a lot of information. The visual style and artwork were very well done (it’s an Anime by the way). It had it’s cheesy and cliche moments but the action was well placed and the dialog kept to a minimum. Some scenes were generally thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Great movie done in such a short amount of time.

3.9/5

Hellboy: Animated: Sword of Storms

Hellboy: Animated: Sword of Storms, 2007, Action

Plot: Hellboy and Co. have to battle against demons in another realm while on Earth a man is possesed by a by a demon that wants to break a sword to release the evil gods of thunder and lighting.

Thoughts: This movie was alright, I really enjoyed the animation and the use of the cast from the live action film that gives the series a nice consistency. The movie was also produced by Guillermo del Toro (who directs both live action films). The movie was very much a popcorn flick and did a decent job of converting the weirdness of the world of Hellboy into a 90 minute story.

3.1/5

The Parking Lot Movie

The Parking Lot Movie, 2010, Documentary
Plot: This film chronicled the lives of several parking lot attendants at a parking lot in Virginia.

Thoughts: The film started off pretty slow, but when it picked up I enjoyed it. It was more of a social commentary than anything else and was worth the time spent watching. Everyone that works the parking lot is intellectual so you don’t see the stereotypical “college kid looking for a quick buck”.

Deep things are discussed, like the egalitarian views of the parking lot as well as power shifting and struggles. A movie that goes beyond what I thought it would be.

3.6/5

World’s Greatest Dad

World’s Greatest Dad, 2009, Comedy
Plot: After an English teacher’s son dies awkwardly, he attempts to cover it up and make it appear to be a suicide. After writing the note, it gets much recognition and his love for writing it renewed.

Thoughts: A very dark film that covered sensitive subjects at the time. I must admit, however, that I was glad to see Robin Williams back in action. He played the role of middle-aged man with no control over his life. It was pleasing to see his rise to stardom as many people deified his son (who’s one of the easiest people to hate).

Very intriguing social commentary and indie film.

4.0/5