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G_Squared
Reviews
The Carter (2009)
A fantastic journey into the bizarre mind of the hardest working artist in the industry.
First and foremost let me clarify all the bias and ignorant, yet frequent, comments that are swirling around "The Carter": this film does not glorify Lil Wayne. Period. What it DOES glorify, however, is his addictive and downright inhuman work ethic. The man does not stop...ever. Recording over 1000 songs in the year 2008 alone is a perfect example of his constantly-creating lifestyle, in which he somehow manages to raise an adorable (and loving) daughter, all while forever-high off his choice of drugs: Promethazine syrup and lots and lots of marijuana. It is inarguable that Wayne is far from a normal, functioning human being...and if that isn't an engaging film premise, I don't know what is.
The film begins with montages of Wayne recording songs in his tour bus and hotel room, places that only HE manages to make music in. It's safe to say that, along with Wayne himself, his manager Cortez Bryant is the "narrator" of the film, sharing his opinions and love for the artist through interviews and footage of his constant phone-calling and dollar sign negotiations.
The film is very "Tyson"-esque in the sense that you are brought into the mind of this bizarre individual by the individual himself. When asked the question "What would you do if you were President?", he answers "I would put cocaine back into Coca-Cola, I would legalize marijuana first AND second. Then I would eliminate all drug-use laws in sports: if you wanna take steroids, that's cool with me...as long as you playin' good." You can't help but laugh at the sheer foolishness of the man's comments, however Wayne has no shame in being downright immature; this is HIS world that he's explaining. We just all live in it.
As "The Carter" dives into his self-destruction drug addictions, we see a darker side of the artist, a side that his manager barely even comments on for he is "too heartbroken to see him like that." Once again, no one in Wayne's extensive clique of assistants and errand-runners support or enjoy his addiction...and he doesn't expect them too. "Who gives a f--k what I'm drinking or what I do or what's in my cup? It's in MY cup!" This is practically common sense to Lil Wayne, confused as to why everyone cares what he does. He's going to do it either way, whether we like it or not. We might as well all just accept it now.
The film doesn't shove anything in your face or add unnecessary melodrama. It doesn't portray the addicted martian-like rapper as an icon or role model whatsoever. It simply takes you for a ride into the world and mentality of Lil Wayne, such a bizarre, conceited, and uncomfortable place that it is ultimately somewhat of a wonder. This film exposes us to the real Lil Wayne, one of the most interesting characters ever put on video.
Observe and Report (2009)
A surprising blend of comedy, action, (a little) drama, and flat-out fun.
It seems as though the only comedy you can find nowadays is cheap toilet humor throughout a typical PG-13 cookie-cutter storyline. Sure, you have the occasional wannabe-risqué ti tty comedy (EG The House Bunny) that sends adolescent boys flocking to the theaters to spend their parents' hard-earned $12.50 on a film that was made solely to promote...well...boobs. I think everyone with any type of hope for the future of film and comedy is with me when I say...THANK GOD FOR ROGEN/APATOW/CO.
This group of comedic geniuses has proved that they can make films that are crude, sexual, and filled with marijuana...yet consist of moral lessons and situations that almost every audience can relate to. 40 Year Old Virgin is a classic, Knocked Up was fantastic, and Superbad was just plain groundbreaking. They can make films that are mass-appealing, we know that...now it's time to have a little fun.
In Observe And Report, you can tell that Seth Rogen and Jody Hill are getting slightly bored with the whole comedy thing...but just slightly. It's hysterical, and I knew it would be going in...but I didn't expect action sequences that had me cheering in my seat. I also didn't expect myself to be kind of...sad when Ronnie Barnhardt was sad. The film was about as bipolar as Rogen's character is...but it works.
As for the supporting characters, Faris is perfect, Pena is hysterical, and it was good to see Liotta back on screen. Everyone from the Yuen brothers to the infamous flasher is perfect in the film and fits the script (no pun intended).
The film is basically a gigantic smoothie of film genres that really shouldn't work at all but does. After this film and Pineapple Express, I'm very intrigued and actually kind of want these guys to ditch the comedy thing for once and go for straight action (maybe The Green Hornet will satisfy my delusional wants). Nonetheless, it seems as though Rogen and Co. has created a new genre of films...and Observe and Report was certainly a Comedramaction.
The Departed (2006)
Mediocre at best. Don't get your hopes up...
OK....I'm preparing for my death on these message boards but here goes...
Am I really the only one that thought this film was incredibly overrated and definitely not one of Scorsese's best? I'm sorry, but I've seen it 3 times, each time praying I will somehow see the "amazing Oscar-winning-film" that everyone rants and raves about but no: I see a somewhat waste of an amazing cast, a crappy script, and Scorsese after having a little too much sex with Hollywood. NOW before you murder me, please read some of my reasons below:
The Script: was ridiculous at times. Some of the dialogue was almost unbearably fake to me, and at times laughable (especially with DiCaprio).
Cinematography: was amazing at points, but by the 100th "zoom-in-really-quick-on-a- character-when-they're-talking" I was bored of it.
DiCaprio: was unoriginal....point blank. It doesn't take much to be an aggravated, obnoxious, and mean little goatee-ed man who is hooting and hollering all of the time, a role that seems to be DiCaprio's favorite type. As much as I respect Leo shedding his pretty boy skin and doing ACTUAL roles, I'm getting pretty sick of the same character he plays in every film.
The Story: was incredibly unbalanced. There were a few choice scenes that would fall in the "Brilliant" category for me, but a good 60% of the film was nothing more than mediocre.
The Ending/last shot: was stupid. How much skill and creativity does it take to kill everyone in your cast? NONE. It was an easy cop-out. And let me be the one to say that the last shot was comedic. "GABEGOMEZ4, YOU DON'T GET THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RAT AND THAT SHOT!!! YOU'RE SUCH AN AMATEUR WHO IS BLIND TO EVERYTHING GENIUS ABOUT THE ENDING!!!!" is what I'm sure all of you are thinking/typing as we speak but please...it doesn't take a *beep* rocket-scientist to get the symbolism of a god damned rat.
Scorsese's talent: was missing in this film. His true talent and love for the film was simply un-evident in The Departed. I miss the Meanstreets' Scorsese, and the Goodfellas' Marty. Personally I feel that it was slightly disrespectful to Scorsese to give him the statue for this film. The academy was basically saying "Hey, sorry about the past and overlooking your works-of-genius, but since you made a bloody Irish-mob film with some of the most talented actors in the business never mind how mediocre it was, we'll give this one to you!" Please....Scorsese, please go back to your roots.
Look don't get me wrong, I don't think this film is terrible. It has fantastic parts, and you can't really go wrong with Matt Damon. In reality, I'd give it a solid 7. But given the circumstances, I feel the need to call it out on it's faults.
Thanks for reading and remember, it's just an opinion.
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Visually stunning.
Pros- "Slumdog Millionaire" was a fantastic film. The cinematography was incredible and resembles that of "City of God". The performances were great and will definitely put these budding actors on the map.
I felt that the use of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" was extremely risky and daring, but done in a very unique and interesting way.
Cons- I felt as though it had many cheesy tendencies. Im not criticizing anything but the writing. I definitely feel like it could have done without many lines such as "You are my destiny," and so forth.
As great and fun as the dancing at the end was, I feel like it did NOT fit at all. Unnecessary and somewhat of a cop-out for Boyle.