Pop Culture Buzz

“THE HOUSE BUNNY”

GRADE: A-

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
When Shelly, a Playboy bunny, is tossed out of the mansion, she has nowhere to go until she falls in with the sorority girls from Zeta Alpha Zeta. The members of the sorority - who also have got to be the seven most socially clueless women on the planet - are about to lose their house. They need a dose of what only the eternally bubbly Shelley can provide… but they will each learn on their own to stop pretending to be what others want them to be and start being themselves

MOVIE REVIEW:
“The House Bunny” caught me by total surprise. I was expecting to watch a “Legally Blonde” rip-off and instead I was treated to a light fluffy surprise filled with witty jokes and spot on acting by the always charming lead Anna Farris. Though the premise may sound familiar and all too “sitcom-y” for some, the actual film is filled with fresh zingers, great sight gags and top notch physical comedy by the fresh faced cast.

The crisp and naughty jokes peppered through out this film keep it going at a steady pace with plenty of belly laughs and well written jokes that are instantly quotable. For instance, I can’t stop repeating; “the eyes are the nipples of the face”. That line alone had me laughing for days!

This movie is not just for teenage girls, this is a great comedy for young adults and grown ups alike. The majority of this film’s best moments are credited to Anna Farris’s gut busting delivery. The script has enough new material to keep you entertained through out multiple viewings. I can’t say enough about this cute little winner, go rent it and watch it with a group of people, I dare you not to crack up!

“GHOST TOWN”

GRADE: B

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Bertram Pincus is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen. That puts Pincus squarely in the middle of a triangle with spirited result.

MOVIE REVIEW:
“Ghost Town” may not have the non-stop laughs of most modern day comedies but its quaint story and cute cast keep it from falling by the way side into DVD obscurity. Even though the plot is similar to that of other films such as “Ghost” and “All of Me”; Ricky Gervais proves that he can carry a movie, even when playing a character similar to himself.

The comic timing between Gervais and Greg Kinnear reminded me of classic Hollywood comedies starring Clark Gable and Cary Grant. The chemistry between the two actors keeps this movie from sinking into familiar territory while charming the socks off of you. The short running time and supporting work by Tea Leoni also make this film a sleeper hit, even if it failed at the box office.

“Ghost Town” is one of those little films that slips by audience’s radar but should have a new life on DVD. The romantic and at times silly premise is the perfect type of story for a weekend video night when it is rainy and cold outside. This film may not be as creative and dirty as most hit comedies that Hollywood puts out these days, but it does its job of making you smile and keeping you entertained for an hour and a half.

EAGLE EYE

GRADE: C+

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Jerry and Rachel are two strangers thrown together by a mysterious phone call from a woman they have never met. Threatening their lives and family, she pushes Jerry and Rachel into a series of increasingly dangerous situations, using the technology of everyday life to track and control their every move.

MOVIE REVIEW:
“Eagle Eye” wants to be a trippy psychological thriller but it can’t get past its silly set up and cheesy convoluted ending. All the loud explosions and heart pounding car chase scenes in the world couldn’t save this film from its heavy handed script and fast paced frenetic energy. Even though it has its moments of fun, this film just has too much energy for its own good and there’s not enough substance to make it a great action film.

As much as he would like to be, Shia Labeouf is not the next big action star. His all too familiar delivery and snarky teen demeanor hamper this film from being a good DVD rental. I wouldn’t say this film is terrible but it is far fetched and silly at times. The plot device comes off as a cop out and the eventual “pay off” at the end leaves you feeling empty. It’s as if the screenwriters were taking bits of other films and mashing them together to make a vehicle just for Labeouf’s rising star.

This film is not un-watchable but it does plod along and you can guess each twist before it even hits the screen. That said, there are some cool camera angels and a few snazzy car chase scenes that will entertain you enough to keep you involved until the movie ends. It’s the movie’s final act that will have you scratching your head and laughing at the implausible ending. If you’re easily entertained by loud noises and colorful explosions then you will enjoy this piece of junk food for the eyes.

GRADE: C+

“Wanted” is loosely based upon Mark Millar’s graphic novel series and is helmed by stunning visual director Timur Bekmambetov, the creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the “Night Watch” series. The film tells the story of one apathetic nobody’s (played by James McAvoy) transformation into an enforcer of justice who has the abilities to bend and control the speed and angle of bullets. We follow his character as he picked from obscurity to become a high powered hit man by a secret society of henchmen.

Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman play members of the elite group of assassins who are able to perfect a special technique that helps fight crime and uphold justice. Even though there are some nifty special effects, camera tricks and creative plot twists in “Wanted” the film can’t sustain the energy from the first half and it ultimately crashes towards the end. All of the whiz bang car crashes and chase scenes aren’t enough to keep the viewer interested and we get lost in the loud choppy editing.

I for one am tired of over stylized action films based on comic books and graphic novels. “Wanted” is the latest in a slew of cartoonish R-rated action films to come out of Hollywood except this one stars Angelina Jolie as (and this is a stretch folks) a half naked femme fatale. “Wanted” tries to be sleek and sexy but at its core it is just the big screen equivalent of junk food. The tricky camera angles and slow motion effects have a tired “been there, done that” kind of feel to them, there really is nothing new to see here.

James McAvoy is the one thing that keeps this movie from slipping into some seriously cheesy territory. His perfectly sculpted body balances out the multiple close ups of Jolie’s lips and legs that are endlessly edited through out the movie. Even though we don’t buy the sexual tension between the two leads their comedic banter and snappy dialogue were the highlight of this film. In the end though the drawn out romance and convoluted ending are really what hamper this film from being original and entertaining. If this film were half as clever and sexy as the “Bourne” films it would be worth all the hype that surrounds it, as it stands this is a mild piece of movie fluff that most teen boys and young men will drool over.

GRADE: D

Will Smith’s latest blockbuster tries to represent itself as a summer super hero flick but shortly after the film ends you can’t help but feel ripped off at the fake manufactured feeling of “Hancock”. The first 20 minutes of this film take a fresh approach to the played out comic book movie formula but soon after it becomes redundant, silly and completely uninspired. Smith’s wooden performance only confirms that he took this job just for the paycheck.

Smith plays an alcoholic and clumsy super hero who is the most hated person in Los Angeles. In spite of saving lives, he also destroys properties causing high cost to the city to fix his damages. When Hancock saves the life of a PR agent (played by the always cute Jason Bateman) from a train, Bateman’s character feels indebted to him and he decides to change his image as a way to say thank you. What he doesn’t know is that his wife and Hancock have a tumultuous past. Unfortunately for the viewer, this is where the film breaks down and becomes a mess.

I was hoping that Charlize Theron would be able to salvage this stinker but the “surprise twist” that involves her character bogs the film down with over sentimental hooey. The spiritual under tones in “Hancock” are what make “Hancock” feel contrived and sappy. This movie doesn’t know what it wants to be; a super hero film, a spiritual love story or a family film. The convoluted storyline and hammy performances only confirm how awful this movie is. It’s as if the director and screenwriter were painting by numbers.

“Hancock” cannot even be called a “popcorn flick” because it can’t even muster up an original idea and it barely entertains you. The special effects are the only thing in the film that make you perk up and pay attention. The gritty cinematography of this movie gives it an amateurish and over stylized look that only heightens it’s negative tone. “Hancock” may not be the worst film of 2008, but it does have the distinction of being the worst super hero of the year that is for sure!

GRADE: B-

In general I usually don’t like Adam Sandler films. I can honestly say that only two of his films have really won me over after watching them and they are “30 First Dates” and “The Wedding Singer”. I was surprised to find “Zohan” not as crass and grating as “The Waterboy” or as annoyingly stupid as “Little Nicky”. “Don’t Mess with the Zohan” turned out to be a pretty decent movie rental. I’ve even shocked myself by giving it a mild recommendation.

The brainless plot is 100% ridiculous and over the top, but Sandler seems to thrive in these bizarre stereotypical characters. Sandler plays an Israeli spy who is desperate to live out his dream of becoming a hairstylist in America. The rest of the plot follows him as he adapts to American society while trying not to blow his cover. When he is discovered by a terrorist cell the mayhem begins culminating in a far fetched and gut busting ending that is not for the easily offended.

“Don’t Mess with the Zohan” is immature and it has it’s moments of pure absurdity, but it does have some truly funny moments too. There is no way I would ever go pay $10 for an Adam Sandler film on opening night, which is why I am surprised this film won me over. Sure there are too many big dick jokes and way too many scenes of “Zohan” screwing old ladies, but it all kind works in a zany way. Mariah Carey even gets a few laughs in her hilarious cameo. I wouldn’t recommend this film to people who hate childish humor and fart gags. This movie is brainless entertainment that is perfect for lazy weekends.

NO STARS

The critics tore apart this film when it was released this past summer and I agree with every review that says this movie is a big turkey and almost unwatchable. Mike Meyers vanity project suffers from stale jokes and Meyers own inflated ego which has become uncomfortably unfunny since doing the awful movies “Cat in the Hat” and “Shrek 3″. At least those two films were hits; “The Love Guru” will now go down with “Howard the Duck”, “Hudson Hawk”, “Ishtar” and “Battlefield Earth” in history as one of the biggest flops in cinematic ever.

The pacing and spoof like story line is this movie has already been done in much better films like “Austin Powers”, “Wayne’s World” and more recently in “Hamlet 2″. All the material and dialog in this stinker is familiar and after a while it becomes grating on the nerves. You slowly start to feel sorry for Meyers as you watch him go in and out of a bad Indian accent telling offensive jokes followed by a fart or poop gag. Mike Meyers uses the same old tricks that made him famous over and over; word play, sight gags, obvious product placement, racist humor and crude fat jokes.

For some reason Meyers thinks the movie going public is so interested in Vernon Troyer that we needed to make fun of his size in another slapstick comedy. It would be a shame to hear that Meyers was interested in reviving the “Austin Powers” franchise, because this film might as well have been another movie in the series. And what would a crappy movie be with out the presence of Jessica Alba as over acting? Most of the acting in this film is hacky and absurd. Justin Timberlake’s supporting role even comes off like a bad “Saturday Night Live” skit.

All of the “newer” material used in “The Love Guru” fell flatter than the tired musical numbers peppered through out this ridiculous mess. I just can’t trash this film enough so believe me when I tell you to not even rent it! Maybe (and I mean maybe) if you are sick and falling in and out of a nap you should watch it on cable. It is in your best interest to avoid this movie at all cost if you have fond memories of Mike Meyers in better roles. This movie is not only the brain child of an ego-maniac it is nasty, boring, scattered brained and just plain sad to watch. Mike Meyers star has crashed and burned in the most horrific way.

NO STARS

“What Happens In Vegas” is the worst cornball romantic comedy I have seen in many years. It is one of those movies where you realize within the first 5 minutes the actors involved were just cashing a paycheck without reading the script. The premise is right out of an amateurish sitcom where everything is just a big misunderstanding and it all gets resolved in the end with a big cheesy love-fest that is unrealistic.

Watching Cameron Diaz mug for the camera gets pretty sad real fast. I mean she has been nominated for an Academy Award for Christ’s sake! We have come to depend on Ashton Kutcher to ham it up as the lame character that has nothing to offer but being a hot annoying goof ball with no brains, so there are no surprises with this latest over the top performance.

The obvious character set up and tired “rom-com” plot are so predictable you know within the first few frames how the movie will play out. Not even usually brilliant character actors like Rob Corddry (in ANOTHER crude “best friend” role) or SNL’s Jason Sudeikis can save this lame duck from coming off as just “run of the mill” and ploddingly simple. The physical humor and fart jokes are ridiculous and embarrassing to watch. The whole film crumbles within the first 15 minutes making the rest of the film basically unwatchable.

This film has many bad things going for it; painful acting, horrible screenwriting, insulting humor and offensive jokes. There is not one original thought or sincere moment in this movie. So far this film is the worst movie I have seen all year, and I am sure nothing else is likely to make me want to vomit in my mouth as much as “What Happens in Vegas” did. Yuck!

GRADE: A

Michel Gondry is a Director who has the ability to make everyday living things look animated and larger than life. His music videos with Bjork are monumental pieces of artistic eye candy. His film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is one of my favorite “quirky” films of all time. Along those same lines as his past films “Be Kind, Rewind” is a modern adult fairy tale with some surprisingly sweet and sincere moments made for movie lovers.

If you LOVE movies then this movie is chock full of pop culture and movie references for you to gobble up. I nearly pissed myself watching Jack Black’s character try to sing the “Ghostbusters” theme, his role in this film adds a childlike exuberance to the screen that very few actors can portray. Even when he is the bumbling fool he can bring a smile to your face. His accidental prone paranoid character in this movie adds a sense of glee to the film.

Mos Def has slowly but surely become one of the best actors around today. His genuine and down to earth acting style make you fall in love with his character within the first few frames he is on screen. Him and Jack Black have some great old school Hollywood moments ala’ Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in the “The Odd Couple”. Mia Farrow and Danny Glover also give warm and fuzzy performances in this movie that reminds you what great actors they truly are.

The plot behind “Rewind” centers on Black’s conspiracy theorist character Jerry who tries to sabotage the local power plant, but he accidently receives an electric shock, causing him to become magnetized. The next day, when Jerry goes to the “Be Kind Rewind” video store to see his friend Mike (Mos Def) his magnetized body erases all the tapes in the store.

The best part of this film is obviously Gondry’s colorful interpretation of Hollywood hits; he adds a level of detail that is completely original. His creative technical skills when it comes to cartoonish over the top set pieces and costumes adds a youthful style to this film that reminded me a lot of Tim Burton. As the characters try to recreate movies to replace the ones they accidently erased (they coin the phrase “sweded” to describe the new movies), you can hardly wait to see which film they will lampoon or recreate next.

“Be Kind Rewind’ is already one of my favorite comedies of the year. This sweet modern fairy tale won me over within the first moments it started. The dialog is uproariously funny and real to life. The images and movie re-enactments are non-stop fun. This is one film that movie fans can watch over and over and find something new hidden in the mountain of details with each viewing.

WATCH THE “BE KIND REWIND” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “SWEDED” TRAILER OF “BE KIND REWIND” BELOW:

HOUSEKEEPING (1987)

“Housekeeping” set in the 1950s, it is a faithful adaptation of Marilynne Robinson’s book. The plot centers on two orphaned girls who fall in love with their happy-go-lucky Aunt Sylvie (Christine Lahti) when she comes to live with them. However, the girls discover she has a reputation for being eccentric in her small town and they struggle with adapting to their new life.

This period piece is Lahti’s best film in my opinion; she should have been considered for an Oscar nomination. “Housekeeping” was marketed as a comedy but it a serious drama with glorious performances by the female leads. This is a great rainy day Netflix rental for people that love a smart emotional “chick flick”.

PARADISE (1991)

“Paradise” is a 1991 film written and directed by Mary Agnes Donoghue. Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson (at the time married to each other) play Lily and Ben Reed, a young couple torn apart by a family tragedy. With help from a summer guest named Willard (played by Elijah Wood) they are able to overcome their grief and rekindle their love.

I never thought I’d say these words but, this film highlights Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson real acting skills. Their subtle performances pull at the heart strings without coming off like a made for TV movie on the Lifetime Network. The great performances by the young cast and a tender plot make this not just another run of the mill tear jerker.

TESTAMENT (1983)

“Testament” is a 1983 drama film directed by Lynne Littman and starring Jane Alexander. Originally produced for PBS television’s American Playhouse series, it was given a theatrical release instead (although PBS did subsequently air it a year later).

The film tells the story of how one small Bay Area town near San Francisco slowly falls apart after a nuclear war destroys outside civilization. As a child this movie hit close to home. I was the same age as the young actor Lukas Haas who stars in this film and his performance make this film heartbreaking and eerily too real.

LEAP OF FAITH (1992)

Leap of Faith is 1992 film starring Steve Martin as a fraudulent Christian faith healer named Jonas Nightengale who uses his revival meetings, in Rustwater, Kansas, to bilk believers out of their money. He eventually sees the error of his ways after a hilarious and touching revelation.

This is one of Steve Martin’s biggest big screen flops to date and I find it a little miracle. A strong performance by Debra Winger (where is she these days??), a fabulous soundtrack and Steve Martin’s humble charm keep this film from slipping into oblivion. I often recommend this movie to people who want to find a small movie with big heart.

GRADE: F

While I am on the subject of spoofs I might as well review this stinky turkey while it fresh in my memory. “Meet the Spartans” chooses to make fun of macho historical epics like “300″ and romantic comedies like “Meet the Parents” (sounds bad already, I know). But all we get are old jokes that include parodies of Britney and Kevin, “Deal or No Deal” and “America’s Next Top Model”. They are as unfunny as they sound.

“Meet the Spartans” spends a lot of time trying to be funny by winking and nodding at the camera. It also seems like the same gay joke is told over and over. Apparently, Carmen Electra has become the current parody movie “go to actress” (she is also starring in the upcoming “Disaster Movie” which is a farce about, duh…disaster pictures which has a bad title already going against it). Electra’s acting is just as wooden as it was when she was in “Scary Movie 4″, “Epic Movie” and “Superhero Movie”.

“Meet the Spartans” gives this genre a bad name. It’s too bad this genre has more stinkers than classics in it’s history on the big screen. Rent Mel Brooks’ “The History of the World, Part 1″ if you want to see an adult comedy that pokes fun at bloated Hollywood period pieces using original jokes. This movie is just another insult to comedy fans by the Hollywood machine.

WATCH THE TERRIBLE “MEET THE SPARTANS” TRAILER BELOW:

GRADE: A

I wish I would have seen this fabulously creepy film in theaters. The attention to detail and the intelligent script make “The Orphanage” a stand out spooky movie with genuine chills and moments of real tension. This movie belongs in the ranks of “The Sixth Sense” and “The Others” as one of the most effective ghost stories ever filmed.

Right off the bat the atmosphere and story start to build up in “The Orphanage”. A lot of the mood and chills in this film come from what is not seen as your imagination runs wild. Leading lady Belen Rueda gives an electric performance as the haunted mother who returns to her childhood orphanage to start a life with her husband and newly adopted son.

The twists and plot devices in this scary picture are refreshing and creative. The dark tone of this movie is highlighted by the vibrant cinematography and uber intelligent script. I was completely mesmerized by every scene in this film up until the films jolting shocking ending.

If you love a good ghost that doesn’t use gore or run of the mill familiar gags to elicit scares, then this fresh adult film is what you have been waiting for. “The Orphanage” is a brilliant work of horror film making and it is already a classic that deserves a cult following for years to come.

I will be the first to admit I have strange taste in movies. Below I have posted some of my favorite genre flicks of all time. Each of the movies posted below has a special place in my wide array of “varying favorite films”.

“Gummo” has to be the most bizarre and disturbing film I have ever talked about on this blog. It is not an easy movie to watch. With a plot that is hard to describe because it plays out like real life, “Gummo” is a strange trip indeed.

“They Live” is in hindsight a low budget cheese fest, but below it’s 80’s camp exterior there is a smart genre defining creepy premise that has been duplicated numerous times by other such mind bending films such as “The Matrix” and “Dark City.” Check it out if you like a good Sci-Fi film and can get over the low production values and bad special effects.

“Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me” is the perfect movie to watch if you are not familiar with the series. Watch this film first, then the 2 hour TV series pilot AND then the complete TV series on Netflix (in that order) and you will appreciate the kooky love affair geeks have had with this show for years.

“Heavy Metal” is a classic with animation fans, late 70’s early 80’s heavy metal enthusiasts and stoners for years. In case you have never seen or heard of this it is not for kids! The animation may seem crude compared to Pixar masterpieces but the adult humor and themes are pretty cool. Animated drug references, exaggerated gore and nudity have a place in animation if done right…and this cartoon does it well.

“JOHN CARPENTERS THEY LIVE” (1988)

“GUMMO” (1997)

“TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME” (1992)

“HEAVY METAL” (1981)

GRADE: F

Well folks, I waited for this turkey to come out on DVD just so I could place it on my list of one of 2008’s worst disasters. Man, is this dud a downright bomb or what? Let me save you the time and money by letting you know it gets no better than one of the chipmunks eating there own poop. Even though this is already one of the biggest comedies of all time and one of the top 5 grossing films of 2007, this film is a waste of celluloid.

The Chipmunks we all grew up with and have loved for over 50 years are completely gone in this movie. In their places are CGI lifeless modern rodents with attitude and fart jokes galore. The plot of this film is absolutely ridiculous and at times even bizarre. Having Dave played by a live action human, while Alvin and his brothers become recording stars, is creepy and absurd, even for a kid’s film.

I am baffled as to why any family or parent would go see this movie, let alone make it a 200 million plus grossing blockbuster. The state of family films is pretty dire if this is a harbinger of what is to come. What happened to the smart, silly and vibrant family films of the past? It is a sad state of affairs when a rotten gross film like this becomes huge.

GRADE: A+ (BOTH FILMS)

“Lake of Fire” is a riveting and sometimes jarring 2006 documentary film that graphically depicts both sides of the abortion debate in the United States. This movie along with “For The Bible Tells Me So” (reviewed below) are two of the most important documentaries I have ever seen and I can’t stress how much people should see these movies. Both films show the current cultural war being waged by fundamentalists across the United States in a fair handed and even manner with frightening results.

“Lake of Fire” was filmed entirely in black and white. Director Tony Kaye (American History X) gives equal time to those on both sides of the debate, as well as showing the grim realities of what it means to actually get the procedure done. After making this film Kaye has said that he still does not know his own personal feelings about abortion.

At 152 minutes, his film doesn’t seem long, because at every moment something absorbing, disturbing, depressing or infuriating is happening. The decision to use black and white was smart because, as with “Schindler’s List,�? too much red might well have sent audiences fleeing from theaters. One lesson of “Lake of Fire�? is the galvanizing power of the visual image and there is plenty to soak up in this movie.

WATCH THE “LAKE OF FIRE” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW

“For The Bible Tells Me So” explores the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the U.S. and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community. The film looks deep into the hearts of several families–a few of them quite famous–that have struggled with making sense of having a homosexual son or daughter in the fold.

Dan Karslake’s provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible. As the film notes, most Christians live their lives today without feeling obliged to kill anyone who works on the Sabbath or eats shrimp.

This is an extremely informative, heartbreaking documentary about intolerance and manipulation, sadly and assuredly never to be seen by the people who need this info the most. I cannot stress how much I recommend this movie to people struggling with religious and sexual issues.

WATCH THE “FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW

GRADE: C+

Let me just say right off of the bat that I hate romantic comedies. “Rom-Coms” as they are called in the “business” usually have a forced and over the top sitcom feel to them that just don’t sit well with me. “Dan In Real Life” doesn’t avoid those familiar settings and plot devices but it has a level of originality to it that is worth recommending to fans of the sweet as pie genre.

Steve Carell plays a widowed father of three girls aged 9, 14, and 17. When the family decides to leave home for the weekend and spend it with extended family at a reunion, things begin to get a bit “sitcom-y”. While in town buying groceries Dan meets an attractive woman he suddenly falls for (Juliett Binoche). Later on it is revealed that she is none other than his brother Mitch’s (played by Dane Cook) girlfriend. The rest of the film explores Dan and Marie’s suppressed interest in each other with mildly sweet results.

I guess it is the ridiculous premise and all too convenient ending that made me not love this film. I know there is a place for happy endings and sugary films in cinema but I can’t find anything redeeming about the genre except that it is light and frothy and doesn’t require much thinking. “Dan In Real Life” doesn’t try to be a smart comedy but it is obvious it is trying to be a “chick flick” which is cute for what it is.

If you like movies that are the equivalent of cinematic junk food then “Dan In Real Life” is the kind of mindless sweet natured comedy that is worth checking out. If anything it is worth a viewing to see the cute chemistry between Oscar winner Juliet Binoche and Carrell. Also, you get to witness Dane Cook actually doing some credible acting that has to be seen to be believed. As far as a DVD rental goes, I would recommend this film to girls, moms, sisters and softies everywhere who like romantic comedies.

GRADE: D

I have been anticipating Sean Penn’s adaptation of John Krakauer’s novel “Into The Wild” since it was released last fall, but I never got a chance to see it. Critic’s across the board have applauded “Wild’s” breathtaking scope and the great acting by lead, Emile Hirsch, and supporting actor Oscar Nominee Hal Holbrook. When I rented the film this past weekend I could hardly wait to watch it.

Sadly though, as I watched this film unfold I couldn’t help drawing parallels to a movie about another “naturist” named Timothy Treadwell in a brilliant 2006 documentary titled “Grizzly Man.” I will not debate whether this film is gorgeous to look at or that the performances are tender and finely-tuned, because I agree on those points. My issue is that I cannot get past the self-absorbed point of view of Emile Hirsch’s character, Christopher McCandless.

The idea that a man may know better than nature or that nature will always provide for man, is indeed an egotistical way of thinking about our vast untamed world. In “Into The Wild” we are asked to sympathize with a privileged young white man who has been given every opportunity in life, and chooses to shun the mold of society for the open country of Alaska.

There was nothing I could relate to in this character. I often wanted to scream at the screen and tell him to “get over his daddy issues.” I am a huge lover of the outdoors and thought that many of McCandless’ passions for nature were spot on, but his views on some things were just completely ludicrous. The scene in which he jumps into the river without a helmet in a kayak, disregarding his personal safety, wasn’t rebellious in my eyes but it was just plain stupid.

The other problem I had was how McCandless was portrayed to be a roaming guru or emotional healer for the various vagabonds he bumps into. His entry into their lives is just as short as it is ridiculous and implausible. I was not buying all the hippie love that was being portrayed on the screen. I have no doubt that there is a great movement in this country to “be one with nature” but McCandless’ extremes only ended what could have been the brilliant and intriguing life of smart young man. Too bad his pride and ego got in the way.

It pains me to write these words because I can see so much potential in telling a story like this without glamorizing the silly lifestyle choices of a confused and hurt young boy. The melodramatic scenes with William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden are just as unbearable as Eddie Veder’s pretensions yodeling on the score and soundtrack.

I look at this picture as an ego piece made by egotistical men, about a very misguided and selfish young man. You can almost hear Veder and Penn patting eachother on the back. I know some people will rip my review of this movie to shreds, but it is hard for me to sympathize with a character/real life person who is so lost in the wilderness of the real world that he couldn’t even save himself. How sad.

WATCH THE “INTOT HE WILD” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW:

WATCH THE “GRIZZLY MAN” MOVIE TRAILER BELOW: