60/60 Review #57: The Goonies.

This is one of those films I'm upset at myself for not having seen as a child. It's basically the perfect kid's adventure film... but does it hold up for an adult seeing it for the first time? The basic idea is that an entire living area is being demolished to expand a country club (or something), and a group of friends stumble upon an old treasure map and start an adventure in order to get the money to save their home. You got Mikey (Sean Astin) and his older brother, Brand (Josh Brolin). Then there's Mikey's clumsy, gluttonous, fibbing friend Chunk (Jeff Cohen). There's also big talker Mouth (Corey Feldman), inventor Data (Ke Huy Quan), and Brand's friends Stef (Martha Plimpton) and Andy (Kerri Green). Unfortunately, in getting to the treasure, they run across escaped convicts, Jake (Robert Davi), Francis (Joe Pantoliano), Mama (Anne Ramsey), and the deformed Sloth (John Matuszak).

On the positive side, like I said, it really is a perfect adventure film for kids (ironically, another on the list could be Temple of Doom, which also co-stars Ke Huy Quan). It's fun, has kids doing crazy things, and it isn't dumbed down. The kids cuss, the danger is (mostly) realistic, and there's a great mystical element to it, yet still steeped in moderate reality. In other words, it's quite a blast.

On the negative side, its flaws are equally blatant. First and foremost, there is an insane amount of product placement. In the first half of the film, there's probably a Pepsi or Pepsi symbol in every single scene. Then director Richard Donner makes a connection to his earlier film, Superman (which wouldn't have been as obvious with a different director and without the previous advertisements strewn through the film). Then you have the characters that are a little too over-the-top or bothersome in one way or another. Data makes huge faces and movements to every little thing. Chunk is just kind of annoying in the "never shuts up" kind of way, though I know that's his character. Finally, Data's inventions are a bit too cartoonish and unrealistic in an otherwise more "realistic" film. They just felt out of place.

There was a lot of talent behind this film, as well. Besides an outstanding cast, the people behind the scenes are excellent. It's directed by Richard Donner, based on a story by Steven Spielberg, and written by Chris Columbus. Though at the same time, with Spielberg and Columbus' involvement, it shouldn't have been surprising how cheesy and sappy the ending was. And... it really was.

But that's not to say I didn't enjoy the film. Quite the opposite, really. My negative feelings didn't detract from the whole thing. I know I've talked a lot of negative in this review, but I did really, really like the movie. Like I said at the beginning, this is a movie I'm sad I didn't become acquainted with as a kid. As a kid, I would have eaten this up and then the nostalgic factor today would let me see past all the issues (at least for the most part). But I didn't, so it's only just really good to me instead of really great.


A Keanu 'Whoa'

TRUE GRIT.

Warning: Mild spoilers.

-------------------------------

As I come to the end of Western Month, I'd like to end with the film all of this was leading up to (though not as a part of 60/60, mind you). True Grit tells the story of Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a 14-year-old girl whose father was killed in cold blood by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). With quick wit and a sharp mind, she eventually hires Marshall Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to hunt Chaney down and bring him to justice. Along for the ride, however, is Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) who wants to bring Chaney in for the death of a politician back in Texas. The film also includes Barry Pepper as "Lucky" Ned, the outlaw that Chaney is riding with.

The most notable thing about this film is how it showcases the humor of the Coen Brothers. There is a lot of dialogue in this movie, and at least half of it (if not more) is quite funny. The interactions between the characters, particularly between Mattie and, well... anyone else... was always delightful to watch. The first 2/3s of the movie didn't really have any action at all, but it just flew by thanks to the sharp writing and great acting.

And the acting really is fantastic. The three leads of Steinfeld, Bridges, and Damon are superb. I don't typically pay attention to awards until the final nominations are revealed for the Oscars, but I have heard that Steinfeld is only up for supporting actress, which is ludicrous. The girl was in practically every frame of the film, more than any other character. She is not only the lead actress, but the lead character. To grant her supporting actress is like a slap in the face. And she deserves that lead nomination. She was absolutely fantastic. However, despite the fantastic acting here, the acting (and partially directing) is where the film falters.

Like with the Coens' other western--No Country For Old Men--this film sinks in its third act. Once Tom Chaney and gang are introduced, everything just starts getting... strange. Now, I haven't seen the original, so I can't compare. But here, Brolin acts Chaney like he'd rather be playing Lennie in Of Mice And Men. It doesn't go (to quote Tropic Thunder) "full retard," but there's something amiss with Chaney that completely threw me off. And then you have another member of his outlaw gang that walks around making animal noises... and that's it. That's his sole purpose in the movie: animal noises. Chickens, cows, you name it. It wasn't funny... it was stupid, and I'm not exactly sure what the Coens were thinking. Then, to top it off, the film's antagonist switches to Barry Pepper's Lucky Ned, despite having only heard of the guy maybe twice in the entire film prior and never in more than an offhand comment or question (the most we hear about him is during the "cabin" sequence, and we're only hearing about him because he's riding with Chaney, their main target). But the big showdown in the film isn't even with Chaney, but between Cogburn and Lucky Ned. Granted, Pepper does a great job with the character, but it just feels strange spending the entire movie going after Chaney and then having a finale hardly focusing on the guy (which might have been for the better anyway).

Still, the third act wasn't a complete waste. Unlike No Country, there were some redeeming factors in its finale. And the overall film was definitely worth seeing. Between the writing and humor, the good cinematography, and the (mostly) great acting and directing, True Grit is a fine western. Was it my favorite western I'd seen this month? No, but it wasn't the worst, either. I say it's pretty far up there in the most enjoyable, though.


A Keanu 'Whoa'

Short Review: Nightwatch.

Premise: A law student takes a job as a night guard at a morgue, and he starts to notice odd things happening. Meanwhile, a serial killer continues his streak of murder.

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Nick Nolte, Josh Brolin, Patricia Arquette, Lauren Graham, and John C. Reilly.

My Reaction: How can a movie with such a cast be so… bland? The first half is pretty good with some decent suspense/spookiness, but if you’ve had any experience with any thriller ever, you know that the person being set up as the killer is so freaking obvious it can’t be him, which takes away all the mystery (because you then know who it has to be). And because of that, along with the second half of the movie, everything turns into a venture into the non-logical and plot holes. I would rate it pretty average, and I can’t understand how it has such an above-average score on imdb. And I only rate it as high as I do because of some pretty entertaining scenes early on, some particularly creepy moments, and some good acting from Josh Brolin in particular.

Stop Saying Okay! Okay.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN.

You know the drill: Oscar Movie + Small Town = Me Going ASAP. This time it was No Country for Old Men. This movie is about Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) who, while out hunting one day, stumbles upon a drug deal gone badly, as well as a couple million dollars in a suitcase. He does everything he can do to keep the money, but he’s being pursued by a crazy killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), who is leaving bodies in his trail. However, local police officer Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones) is also trying to find him, but to protect him.

For the most part, this movie was excellent. The acting was great, the story was good, and it was overall intriguing. There was very little music, but that was okay. The acting was good on all accounts, although Javier Bardem was very intimidating all on his own (he even made me nervous). And Anton’s air gun thing was an awesome weapon.

There’s only one real downer, and that’s the last 15-20 minutes or so of the movie, whenever the motel thing occurs and everything after that. It’s just like “that’s it? That’s how it ends? That’s lame.” It reminded me of Sunshine, except less confusing; it was just really disappointing. I guess you could call it anti-climactic, in more ways than one. And I'm pretty sure I understand what happened. I think I was able to put everything together (if you want my theory, hit me up in the comments). I still think the ending sucked.

Honestly, that’s about all I have to say about it. Great acting, great characters (and I almost laughed when Woody Harrelson appeared, because I totally wasn’t expecting it), and a decent story. It did remind me a bit of Fargo, but much better. Fargo annoyed the crap out of me. I couldn’t stand that movie when I watched it (I know, blasphemy). Anywho, I guess I’ll just score it, then…

A Keanu 'Whoa'

(Edit: After going back and reading Fletch from Blog Cabins' review of the movie, I have to say it's quite funny that our reviews are actually insanely similar, even down to mentioning Sunshine.)