Author Archive for Chalupa

Run Fatboy Run

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 17, 2008
in British, Comedy, Feel Good, Marriage, Romance and Sport
. 0 Comments

When I saw that Simon Pegg was involved in another film, how could I say no?  Especially when said movie was called Run Fatboy Run?  If you’re not not sure who Pegg is, you might recognize him from his collaborations with Nick Frost in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.  One surprise was to see the film was directed by David Schwimmer.  I’ve never been too hip on his acting skills.  He just always seems to play Ross from the TV show Friends.

Anyways, back to the movie.  This reminded me a lot of About a Boy.  The plot really isn’t the same, but there is a child involved and a man is trying to impress a woman.  Oh, and there are the British accents as well.  Pegg plays Dennis Doyle, a bit of a loser, who had the girl of his dreams but freaked out the day of the wedding and literally ran off.  Libby, played by Thandie Newton, is said girl who several years into the future is now set to marry Whit, played by Hank Azaria.  Doyle sees there only one thing he can do to prove he’s more of a man than Whit, and that is to run a marathon.

I’ll agree this film may be a bit cheesy, but it’s one of those “feel-good” stories, and probably something most of the family can enjoy.  With the holidays coming up, I always start thinking about movies that aren’t too annoying that would be appropriate to watch with the family.  There are some usual Pegg antics and hilarity in here, especially with his Indian landlord.  Hank Azaria has been good in every role I’ve ever seen.  Strong cast, good story, and funny to boot.  You should probably check this out.

Rating: ★★★½☆

The Counterfeiters

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 12, 2008
in Based on a book, Based on a true story, Drama, Foreign, Germany, Jewish, WWII and War
. 0 Comments

Fälscher, Die, or The Counterfeiters is based on the true story of Operation Bernhard, the largest counterfeiting operation in history.  During WWII, the Nazis had a great idea in 1936 to destroy the economies of their foes by counterfeiting large amounts of currency and flooding the markets.  By 1945 the Germans had successfully created 8,965,080 British banknotes valued at £134,610,810.  Their efforts were then turned towards the US dollar, but due to some sabotage on the part of the Jewish prisoners and Allied Forces winning the war, large amounts of US currency were never printed.

This film follows the story of Salomon Sorowitsch, the best counterfeiter at the time, and Adolf Burger, an expert printer, as they simultaneously try to stay alive and foil the Germans plans.  Housed at Sachsenhausen, these special prisoners were kept apart from the rest of the camp.  They were given nice clothes, plenty of food, real beds to sleep in, showers, and even had music playing all day long.  I am by no means an expert on the Nazi camps, but I had never heard of this kind of treatment before.

Towards the end of the war the countfeiters at Sachsenhausen were moved to Ebensee, but the operation was never started back up again before the camp was liberated.  Many of the banknotes were thrown into a nearby lake and were recovered by divers years later.

This is another great film for any history buff.  Very interesting and enjoyable.  Some of the special features even include interviews with Adolf Burger.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Reno 911!: Miami

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 6, 2008
in Based on TV Series, Comedy and Crime
. 0 Comments

If you’ve seen the TV show, Reno 911, you have a pretty good idea what this movie would be about.  Written and directed by Robert Ben Garant, otherwise known as Junior, this film seemed to just do everything they couldn’t do on television.

The story is a bit ludicrous, yet not that far from the truth.  If you’ve watched any of the COPS shows, you’ll know just how stupid some people can be.  Here we have the whole Miami police force locked down because they’ve all be contaminated with something biological.  Luckily the Reno Sheriff’s Department is there to save the day.

It was all fun and silly until they lost me with the gratuitous nudity and sex jokes.  I’m all for a raunchy film.  I love Kevin Smith’s work, however, there’s a time when stuff is just pointless and meaningless.  It’s hard to explain, but that’s the way I feel.  Definitely don’t want to watch this one again.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Mongol

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 6, 2008
in Asia, Assassination, Based on a true story, Biography, Drama, History, Romance and War
. 0 Comments

Here’s an amazing story that has really been needing a film - Ghengis Khan.  Mongol is an amazing film that chronicles that story of Temudjin, who eventually became known as Ghengis Khan.  One reason this is somewhat feasible is because there are many written accounts about this man and how he ruled the Mongols.

The story is really amazing how the young son of a slain ruler is kidnapped, enslaved, and jailed - yet never gives up.  He just keeps getting back up.  I can’t really comment on how Temudjin really was, I’m sure the peoples he conquered weren’t exactly happy to be conquered.  He seemed to be just in what he did though, and he didn’t forget those who were kind and who helped him.  Some parts of the film really personified “an eye for an eye.”

I’m not exactly what language was being spoken in the film, but I assumed it was the native Mongol tongue.  That’s always something I enjoy about films.  Not so great though for those of you who detest subtitles.  To that I say you should get over it cause you’re missing out on some good films.

One aspect I wasn’t sure what to expect was the war factor.  I’m glad to say this wasn’t turned into an action flick.  That would be interesting to watch, but this was mainly focused on Temudjin’s life and his relationships with people, including his best friend who eventually became his enemy.  Definitely rent this and check it out if you’re into historical films, like history, or are into Asian culture.

Rating: ★★★★☆

August Rush

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 6, 2008
in Drama, Music and Romance
. 0 Comments

I had high hopes for this movie.  It just looked so “feel good.”  That’s probably why I was disappointed with it.  The cast was promising touting big names like Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Keri Russell, and the talented Freddie Highmore.  It also looked like it could be good like the popular indie flick Once.

I think the hardest aspect for me to buy in to was the magical realism portrayed in the story.  You have a very musically talented man and woman who fall in love and “make a baby” one fateful night.  The girl’s father decides she doesn’t need a child because she has her career as a cheloist.  So the baby boy is given up for adoption and has been living in an orphanage.  So one day the boy is exposed to music and he turns into Mozart on steroids.  He believes the music he creates will bring his parents back together and reunite them as a family.  That’s what made me roll my eyes at this movie.

Performances were ok.  Everything seems very much like a Charles Dickens’ story.  Highmore did pretty well and the music was interesting.  You have to remember though, that musicals rarely float my boat.  They’re just not my thing.  Maybe that’s why I couldn’t get into the story very well.  I’d be interested to see what other think.  I’m kinda feeling like maybe the movie wasn’t so cheesy, but just not my style as with Across the Universe.  I’d love to hear any thoughts anyone else has.

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Rambo

Published
by
Chalupa
on November 6, 2008
in Action, Kidnapping, Sequel, Thriller and War
. 0 Comments

Before I even start, I must admit that I had been avoiding the 4th Rambo installment for a while.  It just seemed a little ridiculous to me that Sylvester Stallone would be doing another Rambo and another Rocky movie.  It was only after several friends tried to assure me it was good, that I decided to add it to my Netflix list.  Now, after seeing it, I must admit that Rambo totally redeemed Rambo III.

I think one of the big factors contributing to the worth of this film was Stallone stepping in as a writer, and directing the film.  He’s obviously had a lot of experience acting, writing, and directing and was aware “the people” would not abide more of the same considering what happened with Rambo III.  Another contributing factor was Stallone trying to shed some light on the atrocities currently happening in Burma.

Action.  If there’s one thing this movie has, it’s action.  I’m pretty sure Robin would say something along the lines of, “Holy belt-fed machine guns, Batman!”  Liz walked in and saw a short clip during one of the featurettes on the DVD and uttered, “gross!”  I must say I wasn’t grossed out, I actually thought it was kind of cool.  That must be the little boy in me.

The story was pretty general.  Rambo helps some people, against his initial instinct, and eventually ends up saving them.  I really appreciated the “wandering warrior” theme that has prevailed throughout the series.  Parts of the original score were also worked into this score which reall tied the films together.  The execution of the story is really what made it work for me though.  Stallone really pulled off the Rambo character as an older version, still searching for meaning in his life and slightly enraged at the atrocities around him.

If you’re even a tiny bit a fan of First Blood, I highly suggest you check this one out.  It’ll be well worth your time.  I only hope Rambo V builds off of the success of Rambo.

Rating: ★★★★☆

W

Published
by
Chalupa
on October 26, 2008
in Biography, Comedy, Drama, Family, Politics and War
. 0 Comments

Last night Liz and I saw Oliver Stone’s latest film, W.  This is probably the most neutral of Stone’s American president flicks.  This also came out not only while George W. Bush is still alive, but he’s also still in office.  While watching, we noticed several couples get up, put their coats on, and walk out during the film.  I guess they were offended?  One woman was even talking to me, in the lobby, before the movie started.  She asked what movie I was seeing and after I said, “W,” she replied with, “I don’t like him!” and that was the end of that conversation.

I think the greatest attribute of this movie is people with different opinions concerning the current president’s performace can watch this movie and come out thinking it backs up their viewpoints.  I was trying to explain this yesterday and wasn’t doing a very good job of it.  I’d be interested to see if anybody agrees with me.

The second greatest attribute would have to be the acting.  I don’t think this film has what they call an “ensemble cast,” but there were definitely a lot of noticeable faces.  We have Josh Brolin playing George W. Bush, Elizabeth Banks playing Laura Bush, James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn playing George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney, Scott Glenn as Donald Rumsfeld, Toby Jones as Karl Rove, Bruce McGill playing George Tenet, Thandie Newton playing Condoleeza Rice, Jeffrey Wright as Gen. Colin Powell, and Stacy Keach as Rev. Earle Hudd to name a few.  The only performance I was disappointed with was Condoleeza Rice.  I was able to pick out most cabinet members and key players in this film before their names were ever mentioned.  They played their parts that well.  Newton as Rice just came off as an SNL performance to me.  It seemed as if she was playing the caricature, and not owning the role.  It’s kind of like when a musician plays someone else’s music.  They can play it like a cover band or put their own spin on it.

I was in the 4th grade when Desert Storm happened and watching this movie brought back a lot of memories from then.  I also remembered hearing things like President Bush’s son owned the Texas Rangers.  I’m sure other scenes would be much more meaningful for those who weren’t quite so young at the time.  It’s weird watching movies about “historical” things that have happened during my lifetime.

I wouldn’t say President Bush was painted in a bad light, but I also wouldn’t say he was painted in the best of lights either.  I don’t know for sure, but I assumed any of the public speeches he gave were probably word-for-word.  I’m sure some think the president is a bit of an idiot and I can’t say I wholly agree with them.  He is college educated.  I think he probably surrounded himself with not the best of people.  One thing I was left wondering about was Barbara and George H. W.  I never would have guessed George W. called his father “poppy.”  There was also one scene where H.W. explained the difference in two pronunciations of Saddam.  I thought that really showed an understanding of language and culture.  I also loved the scenes were George W was eating.  I’m pretty sure it showed him eating bologna sandwiches on more than one occasion.  He also seemed to be a fan of Cheetos, the crunchy variety, and he also had an affinity for Dr. Pepper.

To those of you who think this movie is making fun of Bush, I disagree because I wasn’t sitting in the theater laughing throughout the film.  To those of you who think this movie glorifies Bush, I also disagree because he was in no way made out to be the best President ever.  I say you should probably give this movie a chance and see what you think of it for yourself.

Rating: ★★★½☆

The Foot Fist Way

Published
by
Chalupa
on October 12, 2008
in Comedy, Film in film, Independent and Martial Arts
. 0 Comments

The first time I saw the trailer for The Foot Fist Way I knew I had to see it.  It immediately brought back images of Rex Kwon Do from Napoleon Dynamite.  That guy looked just like Rex.  Well, that guy just happens to be Danny R. McBride.  Recently he has gotten a lot of work in films like Superbad, Tropic Thunder, and you’ll most likely remember him as the drug dealer in Pineapple Express.

McBride’s character, Fred Simmons, is a little hard to take.  He’s a Grade A jerk to pretty much everybody in his life.  His trophy wife is just that…a trophy wife, and when you take that away you’re left with not much more than a late model, cheap sports car, and his small martial arts business.  When everything seems to just be not going Simmons’ way, he meets up with his #1 hero, Chuck ‘The Truck’ Wallace.

The film is full of laughs, but has also definitely earned it’s R rating.  The langauge gets to be a bit much here and there.  It’s not that what they’re saying is so bad, it’s just the time and place if you know what I mean.  I wouldn’t call this a grown-up Napoleon Dynamite, but I would say it’s maybe a peak into Rex Kwon Do.  You could also look at it as a man whose life takes a nose dive, but is saved by Tae Kwon Do…sort of.

Rating: ★★★½☆

Shane

Published
by
Chalupa
on September 6, 2008
in Based on a novel, Civil War, Drama and Western
. 2 Comments

Released in 1953, Shane is one of the “classic” Westerns that a lot of people know about.  The first time I was aware was in 1998 when The Negotiator came out.  If you haven’t seen it, Spacey and Jackson reference this in the film.  I’ve always wondered what the film was about and I finally saw it.

This isn’t the kind of Western you’d see when thinking about a classic Clint Eastwood or Charles Bronson film.  It’s also not one of the Western musicals that I can’t stand.  It’s just one of those wholesome stories that’s common of that era.

Checking out IMDB, I saw that Shane is played by Alan Ladd who also starred in the show Branded.  That’ll mean something to all of you Lebowski fans.  Van Heflin was in the original 3:10 to Yuma and Jack Palance, the fitness guru, is also in this film.

I have to admit I wasn’t super impressed , but I didn’t dislike it either.  A guy named Shane comes to town and starts helping out the Starrett family.  Shane then stands up for them when some “bullies” start pushing them around.  Eventually everything comes to fruition and there’s a gun battle at the end.  Pretty much your standard Western flick.

I’d say definitely watch this if you want to know what people are talking about if the film is ever mentioned.  If you’re not really into Westerns, older films, or just don’t care, you might not get into this one.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

The Dark Knight

Published
by
Chalupa
on August 4, 2008
in Action, Based on a comic, Black Comedy, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sequel and Thriller
. 0 Comments

Liz and I were able to catch the latest installment in the Batman series over the weekend.  We’re both glad we were able to catch it on the big screen.  After all the buildup, hype, and raving reviews, we finally got to see what everyone was talking about.


I was very impressed with Batman Begins and I wasn’t in any way disappointed with The Dark Knight.  I’m already looking forward to the next one.  Heath Ledger did an amazing job with The Joker.  I was reading someone’s comments somewhere and they were talking about how they’ve never been a Ledger fan until now.  They also never realized how menacing and diabolical the Joker could actually be, and after thinking about Jack Nicholson’s portrayal from 1989, they realized that Nicholson was just delivering the same role he had been for the previous 20 years or so.  You may or may not agree with that, but it was a little mind blowing to me.  Maybe I haven’t seen enough of Nicholson’s films, but I’ve never quite understood why people are so enamored by him.  Yeah, he has some good films out there with great performances, but I’ve never been that impressed.  It’s really too bad Ledger isn’t with us anymore for any follow-up films.

Often times in sequels, it’s hard to make something that lives up to the original.  I think Christopher Nolan did a good job in raising the bar by bringing in the Joker, but there’s always room for some improvements.  I don’t think Christian Bale had to really act that much this time around.  The gutteral “batman voice” got a little annoying and old, but it makes sense he was talking differently to try and hide his identity.  Aaron Eckhart did a decent job.  I’ll always remember him as Nick Naylor from Thank You for Smoking.  It’ll be interesting to see if he makes a comeback in the future.

I think Gary Oldman had a much more active role this time around.  He’s such a great actor and it’s nice to see him able to spread his wings a bit.  I liked Maggie Gyllenhaal more than Katie Holmes in the role of Rachel Dawes.  She also fit in pretty well.  It wasn’t like some films where actors change for a particular character and the whole time you’re confused as to who exactly that person is.  Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman were wonderful as usual.  Some friends of mine complained after the first film that they were grossly underutilized.  I kind of agreed, however, it was nice to actually have a “real” actor play the role of Alfred for a change.  I was just happy to have a live body in the role.

Some of the scenes with the Joker are a bit disturbing, but this is rated PG-13, so there’s not a whole lot to worry about.  They cut away at just the right moments in certain scenes.  Liz and I both said we got a little bored in the middle, but overall we thoroughly enjoyed it.  I would highly suggest getting out and seeing this one before it leaves the theaters.  You won’t be sorry.

Rating: ★★★★½