Movie Monday: Disaster Movies

I'm making an early return from my hiatus for a quick run down of my three favorite (not best) Disaster Movies, and a couple crazy underrated entries. Without further ado, in honor of Hurricane Irene:

3. Deep Impact (1998)

Maybe I have a thing for asteroids, or meteors, or space junk hitting the earth, but two of these three movies involve something from space possibly hitting the Earth and ending life as we know it. Deep Impact slides into the third spot because while it's still a terrible more, it takes itself much too seriously. It succeeds at times with emotional moments like the scene with the old couple succumbing to their fate as the tsunami rolls on to coast. It's the only story line that has legitimate closure. Unlike the awful  Elijah Wood and Leelee Sobieski ending with them running up a hill to safety with a baby.

Tagline sums it up best: Oceans Rise. Cities Fall. Hope Survives. (vomit)

Verdict: Good movie to watch if there's not much else on. Plus you get an over the top acting performance from Tea Leoni, which is almost as bad as Bad Boys.

2. The Day after Tomorrow (2004)

Great visuals. Good Acting. Emmy Rossum is actually tolerable in this role, and Jake Gyllenhaall is as dreamy as every. I love the science talk in this movie, I don't know if it's true or not, but they make it sound good.

Verdict: If you are worried about global warming, don't watch this movie. If you're worried about people thinking you have a thing for Jake Gyllenhall, then tell 'em you watch for Dennis Quaid Emmy Rossum.

1. Armageddon (1998)

Bruce Willis. Billy Bob Thornton. Steve Buscemi riding a nuclear war head. Some guy who won an Oscar with Matt Damon. If you haven't seen this movie, you are a communist.

Verdict: Rent this masterpiece movie yesterday. Great campy fun, and it doesn't take it self seriously at all. You will not stop once you start.'

Underrated: Miracle Mile and The Night of the Comet

If you haven't seen Miracle Mile, check it out because the story is sorta interesting but it's so 80's fantastic that it doesn't matter. It stars Dr. Mark Greene Anthony Edwards, and that other chick from St. Elmo's Fire. An it's about nukes and maybe commies, I'm not sure but it's worth at least one viewing if you enjoy 80's "films".

Night of the Comet is just pure, unadulterated insanity. I'm not sure if you could classify it a disaster movie, but I don't care. I've seen this movie dozens of time, but I still don't know how the movie got produced. My only guess is that it was made in the 80's and apparently people would see anything in the 80's.

Must Watch Actresses Update: Sophia Bush sits at No. 4 now because of my Hurricane Irene viewing of One Tree Hill Season 3 and Van Wilder. Great raspy voice (I think you guys have figured out my type). If you want to see an actress put in top level work while dealing with a personal problem (with her TV boyfriend and real-life Ex-husband), watch OTH Season 3. The girl pull some serious raw emotions out during the season finale. She should get more recognition than she does. I will watch anything with her in it, including that awful remake of the Hitcher.

Movie Monday: The Help Review

Movie: The Help

Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer

Run Time: 137 Minutes

Short Synopsis: A look at what happens when a southern town's unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship.


Before I start with the review of the actual movie, this movie tackles some sensitive issues, but it's a movie produced by DreamWorks under its new deal with Disney, so I was not expecting a complete accurate representation of history and neither should you. If you buy a ticket for The Help, understand that it is a work of fiction, not a documentary. It does somethings right, and somethings wrong, but don't expect it to be considered alongside Roots as an accurate depiction of White-Black relations in America.

The movie opens with the beginning of Skeeter's (Emma Stone) interview of Aibileen Clark (Viola Davis), as these two characters are the crux of the narrative. Davis' performance of the stoic, yet displeased Clark is one of the best I've seen this year. Her quiet intensity, as the maid of Stone's character best friend, should get her strong consideration for the Academy Award for Best Actress. You are glued to her every second she is on screen, and you are emotionally invested in each of her scenes, especially when she has to walk home through the White neighborhood.

Stone, once again brings her charm and top-notch comedic timing to a role that could very easily have been overshadowed by the larger than life performances by Bryce Dallas Howard (Queen Bee racist, Hilly Holbrook), and Clark's best friend and fellow maid, Minny Jackson (Octavia Spencer). But her ability to really ground a character and make her seem real, is one of the reason's this film is balanced. She never overacts, nor does she come off as boring, yet she is noticeable. The one thing that was lacking from Stone was her scene stealing ability. Her two real emotional scenes away from Davis, Spencer, and Howard really fell flat. Now, whether it was the lack of a build up, bad writing, or she had a bad day, can be debated, but despite that, it was another solid effort from the future A-list actress. She has the potential to be the next Julia Roberts.

After plodding along at a good, but not remarkable pace, the film hit its best stretch when Minny went to work for town outcast Celia Foote (the lovely, Jessica Chastain). From the moment Chastain's ditsy, well-meaning Celia began to get screen time, she stole the movie. For me, it's the little things that help steal a scene and/or a movie. From her shaking of the chicken bag to her innocently wanting to eat with Minny (which was a big no-no in 1967 Mississippi), and especially her quiet scene in the garden, Chastain just had that pitch perfect connection to a character that makes you want to follow her instead of the main story arc. She was able to do what Matthew Lillard has made a career out of.

The best compliment I can give a movie is that it made me laugh, think, and tear up, while still being entertaining. It wasn't too light for the subject matter, but it was still enjoyable enough to not feel like I was sitting through a lecture. Some may find it offensive, some may find it disheartening because it wasn't as graphic, or raw as they think all period pieces should be. To those people I say, what did you expect from a movie with Disney's imprint on it? They weren't going to show the sexual abuse some maids went through, or the fear that was instilled by the KKK during its peak around this time, they expected the audience to understand these underlying issues, and see the movie with that in mind.

The Help is a movie about the courage these maids showed in a terrible time in this country, and showed how telling their stories were a part of their own personal freedom during the Civil Rights Era.

Rating: 4 out of 5. Davis should get at least an Oscar nomination for her role as Aibleen.

Movie Monday: Concerts on the Big Screen

With this week's release of Glee the 3D Concert spectacular money grab or whatever its called, I thought about the new phenomenon that popped up in recent years. The snowball began with the Miley Cyrus 3D movie, which lead to the Jonas Brother, then, naturally to Justin Bieber. I have to admit, to Bieber's credit, his movie was actually watchable if you didn't like his music because his story is one of those amazing once in a lifetime occurrences.

While the 3D aspect of these "movies" is new, the concept of filming a concert and the charging a fee to watch it is nothing new -- especially in my family. There is probably a VHS of the famous New Kids on the Block pay-per-view concert (along with a few Wrestlemanias) from 1990 stashed somewhere in my childhood home. The teeny boppers of their day had their legions of fans just like Bieber and Cyrus, including one especially obsessed sibling of mine. So shelling out money to watch a concert outside of an arena is not a new phenomenon.

So, why the sudden uptick these types of movies?

The obvious answer is money. Disney, and Nickelodeon to a lesser extent, is a teen idol making machine. They are essentially the golden era movie studios of today. Each performer has to be able to sing, dance and act. OK, so maybe it's just two out of three. While each performer is talented, they are processed through the machine and then discarded when they are too old. At Disney, there was Cyrus, then Selena Gomez, then Demi Lovato and now, Bridget Mendler. And Nick has Miranda Cosgrove, Victoria Justice, and those two special kids dancing. So these concert movies are a classic strike while the irons hot business decision.

But the real issue is that pre-teens have become more obsessed with these stars then the were back in the late 80s/early 90s. Sure, both generations bought the pins, stickers, magazines, puzzles, and whatever other kind of merchandise is for sale. But with the age of the Internet, kids can sit on their computers all day and obsess over whichever star is their favorite. It becomes scary (and lucrative) when the obsession is part of anti-social behavior because the kids become mini hoarder and will watch or buy just about anything involving their crush. I'm no psychologist, but 20 years ago, girls (and boys in some cases) would gather in a friend's bedroom and discuss which member of the band they liked best, or which pop stars hair style they wanted, and that was good because at least there was a chance they were socializing outside their bedroom and computer.

I know it's ironic that I discuss my concerns with sitting and reading things on the Internet, while I write a blog, but reading things on the Internet is not the problem, it's the constant need to watch, say, all things Bieber. Personally, I'm afraid it becomes an addiction, one which the movie companies feed into by creating these concert movies.

Now I may be completely wrong and people were just as obsessed and addicted to Tiffany or Debbie Gibson like they are with Bieber and Gomez. But it feels more dangerous and emotional now. Maybe it's because I grew up during the NSYNC and Britney Spears era, and I didn't feel that the girls I knew were as obsessed as my four-year-old niece is with Bieber. As long as these movies are successful, they will continue to be released. They only way they will stop is if parents decide that they don't want to shell out almost $100 to see something that could be cheaper live. But I bet today's kids wouldn't like a live concert as much because it is not on a screen of some kind.

Introduction

Hello, Everyone!

This first post will explain what to expect each day from this blog. I will be updating it Monday through Friday, and each day will have a theme.

Let's start with...

MOVIE MONDAYS

Starting next week (not tomorrow), this post will either contain a review of a movie in theaters, a rant of some kind, or thoughts on a phenomenon in the movie industry.

Tomorrow's post will explain the list you see in the sidebar.

DVD TUESDAYS

This will be dedicated to three things: Reviews of popular movies that were released on DVD/Blu-ray that week, a recommendation of a previously released DVDs that you may have missed, and a special monthly segment called, "Why Do I Own That?!!," where I write about a DVD in my personal library which is either embarrassing or a guilty pleasure.

TV THURSDAYS

Obviously, this is when I discuss all things on the small screen. There will be reviews of new series, recommendations of current, cancelled, or classic series and a special split post titled "How Did/Didn't that show get cancelled?" Also, within each post I will dedicate a section for the rant/observation/opinion of the week. Sort of like Jerry Springer's final thoughts.

SPORTS FRIDAY

I will lead you into the weekend with my thoughts on the sports stories of the past week, and a look ahead at the week to come.

When college football begins, I will also include my "Game of the Week." A segment which will discuss and predict the most noteworthy contest of the week, and will continue through March Madness, covering only college athletics (except the Super Bowl, of course).

The weekend will be for special posts or for answering questions for you, the loyal readers. Also, look out for the podcast that will be added for Sunday in the near future!

No, I didn't forget Wednesday. If you read the poll below, I'm allowing you to vote on it. The first Wednesday post will be for the week of the 8th.

Finally, I hope you decide to come along on this journey with me as I trek into the world of blogging. I look forward to reading all suggestions, questions and/or snide remarks. Also be sure to follow me on Twitter @offthemarktweet.