360.

Another V.O.D. review of a movie with only 3 digits in the title? I was on a roll, huh? This film is an ensemble piece looking at the theme of sex in all forms and the relationships built from it. There are a bunch of characters whose stories intersect all around the world. Mirka (Lucia Siposova) is a new prostitute for Rocco (Johannes Krisch), while her sister Anna (Gabriela Marcinkova) wants better for her. Michael (Jude Law) almost cheats on his wife, Rose (Rachel Weisz), with Mirka, but realizes how much he actually cares for his wife. Rose, however, was having an affair with Rui (Juliano Cazarre), who was cheating on his own girlfriend, Laura (Maria Flor), who finds out and leaves him. While on a plane to the states, Laura meets an Older Man (Anthony Hopkins) whose daughter has been missing for years. She also meets Tyler (Ben Foster), a young man who was just released from prison for sexual assault and is having a hard time coping with the open world. And then there's an Algerian Man (Jamel Debbouze) who struggles with his Muslim religion as he copes with the fact he's fallen for one of his co-workers, who just happens to be married. And stuff.

There's a lot of stuff going on in this movie, and it all does eventually tie together. But it's very loosely tied and there's no real overarching story. It's mainly a connection of vignettes that are tied together thematically. When all is said and done, it's like if they took Love, Actually, made it darker, and merged it with something like Crash and Closer. And much like any film that's more like an anthology or collection of vignettes, some are stronger or more interesting than others.

Honestly--and this isn't just bias talking--the section with Maria Flor, Anthony Hopkins, and Ben Foster is by far the best and most interesting section. Each are compelling characters, and the whole bit has the most tension as you're not quite sure if Ben Foster is gonna snap or keep to his reformed self. Outside of my nature to gravitate towards Foster, Anthony Hopkins is just fascinating to watch. And there's a whole bit with him near the end of this section where he has this epic monologue that's probably the best part of the film.

I'm not saying the other sections were necessarily bad. They just weren't as interesting. The top billing and biggest name actors went to Jude Law and Rachel Weisz, but they honestly have such small roles that's they're not really worth mentioning. In fact, they're more of a transitional story needed for the plot. Jude Law is needed to branch the prostitution story to everything else, while Rachel is needed to introduce Rui, who is only in the film long enough to know about Laura to build up to the aforementioned best section of the film. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that this was a concept film where the concept drove the "story" instead of the "story" using the concept to expand itself... if that makes sense.

And... there's not much else to say. The acting is solid all around and probably the main reason to see the film. It's an interesting enough movie to see at least once. I do like the "everything's connected" concept, but it has been done better elsewhere. If you're going to check it out, do so for the Flor/Hopkins/Foster section of the film. The rest is interesting, too, but everything could have been a little stronger altogether.


I Am McLovin!

50/50 Review #23: Titus.

A couple weeks ago, Nolahn wished me luck with this movie, telling me only to think of it as "the Bard does torture porn." And I must say... that's a rather apt description. Titus (Anthony Hopkins) returns home from war with some slaves, including Queen of the Goths, Tamora (Jessica Lange), and her sons, Chiron (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and Demetrius (Matthew Rhys). Titus is offered the role of emperor, but instead nominates the elder son of the former emperor, Saturninus (Alan Cumming), who accepts. And not only does he accept, but he spurns his younger brother, Bassianus (James Frain), by demanding his wife (and Titus' daughter), Lavinia (Laura Fraser), to be his own. Of course this doesn't happen and Titus ends up taking Tamora instead, and Tamora, along with her Moor slave lover, Aaron (Harry Lennix), plan revenge on Titus and his family, including Titus' son, Lucius (Angus Macfayden), and brother, Marcus (Colm Feore). And a bunch of really messed up stuff follows.

When I say this story is messed up, I'm not being hyperbolic. (Warning: The following is pure spoilers.) For instance, there's a moment where Chiron and Demetrius kill Bassianus and then rape his wife--Titus' daughter--Lavinia. After they rape her, they cut out her tongue and then cut off her hands and replace them with twigs from trees. And later, they demand one of the guys cuts off his hand to release the hostages that are Titus' other sons... and this happens... only to realize they were lied to and his sons had already been decapitated and special delivered to Titus, along with his hand. So eventually, Titus pretends to have gone crazy and gets the emperor and Queen to come to a special dinner... where he kills his own daughter and feeds everyone (including Tamora and Saturninus) the bodies of Tamora's sons baked into a meat pie. And then everybody proceeds to kill everyone else. That's not even including any of the random orgies or any of the bizarre crap that goes on in this movie. (End Spoilers)

All of that being said, I really liked the story. Strangely, it didn't feel like a Shakespeare story to me at all, but that's probably because it was done so early in his career. The language was there, but it didn't have that same poetic flair that his other, more popular plays had. I've also read that the play itself is full of so many problems and plot holes and confused motivations, making it rather unpopular. But things seemed to have at least somewhat smoothed themselves out for this adaptation. The characters of Titus and Aaron, in particular, are really fascinating. Titus borders on sanity and insanity, while Aaron the Moor is probably one of Shakespeare's most dastardly, evil, and overall greatest villains. This guy is seriously demented.

And what really helped with that was the acting. As usual in these types of adaptations, the acting was done very well. Harry Lennix, who played Aaron, was superb. And, of course, Anthony Hopkins played crazy very well. But he still kept you wondering "...is he really crazy?" Finally, I was incredibly surprised with Colm Feore, who seemed to fit into this world perfectly and was rather fantastic in his relatively small role. So while everyone was great on the whole, those three were the standouts to me.

However, I can't talk about this movie without saying one thing: it's freaking weird. First and foremost, the film starts off with a boy in his kitchen playing with action figures. Then it's like bombs start going off and the house is collapsing and these roman soldiers burst in and grab him. They take him out into this random colosseum where there's some strange interpretive dance number, but with marching and spears instead of dance. It's very bizarre. And all of this goes on for about 10 minutes. And everything just seems to clash with the last setting-wise, and I was just so confused and fascinated at the same time.  The weird doesn't stop there. A lot of the visual cues are just out-there. I can't really describe it. But this is a Julie Taymor movie we're talking about.

The visuals are weird, as well, in the fact that it's mainly set in this strange fantasy realm where multiple timelines exist simultaneously, so outfits can be ancient, modern, or futuristic, there can be talk of swords and knives and others can use guns, among other things (using cars and horses, etc.). That being said, despite its weirdness and confusing nature, it's all gorgeous. As I said, this is a Julie Taymor movie, so it all looks fantastic. It's some truly beautiful cinematography and whatnot. To top it off, it has one hell of a music score to back it up. Even letting the DVD menu play for a while, the score had me hooked in and ready to start it based on that alone.

I can't in sound mind recommend this movie to everyone. It's definitely not for everyone. The Shakespeare language is there, but the biggest downfall of that is that there isn't the usual wit and poetic flow that he tends to have that makes it worth listening to. But the story is really interesting, especially if you like revenge stories or just really messed up stories. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Chan-wook Park ever decided to make a version of this. It seems to be right up his alley theme-wise. So yeah, it has the story, characters, visuals, and score that are really going for it. But for me, the biggest thing that brings it down is the fact it's over 2.5 hours of Elizabethan English that isn't interesting to listen to--at least for the most part (there are some great speeches in the second half of the movie, but they're few and far between). But if it sounds interesting to you, by all means, check it out. There are far worse ways to spend 3 hours.


A Keanu 'Whoa'

THOR.

With all the big "superhero movies" coming out this summer, I knew my reviews were going to be just one in a crowd of thousands saying the same thing. I almost thought I shouldn't even bother reviewing them, considering the near-pointlessness of it. But then something happened. I was contacted by sources that will remain undisclosed that I would have the amazing opportunity to interview important people connected to the film. However, I was also told they don't like us to refer to them as movies, but rather biopics, considering how they're giving us the close-to-true stories of their own lives. So without further ado, I'll give you my personal interview with the god of thunder himself: Thor.

NICK: Thank you for speaking with me today. I know you're known by many names at this point. Do you have a preference?

THOR: That is correct. I am The Mighty Thor. Thor Odinson. The Thunder God. Donald Blake, MD. But I suppose you may call me Thor.

NICK: Well, Thor, I know when this mo--biopic--was first announced, there was some thought that it might not be all that "Mighty," so to speak. People haven't followed your life as much as other heroes. In other words, they didn't think the film would do all that well.

THOR: Yes, I have heard such things. Ignorant mortals think that just because nobody has heard of you that your life's story will mean nothing. But I am the god of thunder, for Odin's sake! Entire populations worshiped and feared me.

NICK: No offense, but that was a long time ago. And this film is based more on your serialized biography than the events themselves.

THOR: That is true. But the point remains, human, that there should have been no worry that my story would have been any less received. Just look at my friend Tony Stark.

NICK: Yes, that's a good point. Iron Man more or less exploded at the box office. Now, you mentioned he's your friend--

THOR: Correct.

NICK: --Well, I wanted to talk about your upcoming exploit The Avengers. I noticed quite a few nods to the upcoming, um, biopic in your film.

THOR: Yes! The Avengers is by far our greatest accomplishment, and we like to build the anticipation for this particular quest in our respective biopics.

NICK: Yeah. Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, and Iron Man 2 have already given us some insight, and Captain America is the last scheduled to arrive prior to the big one itself. However, do you feel that it's beginning to be too much? For instance, a lot of people disliked Iron Man 2 because of how it was more an Avengers prequel than a proper Iron Man story. What's to stop your story from falling into that same trap?

THOR: That is a good question. While Stark's second venture might have kept its focus on the Avengers aspect, my story is merely surrounded by it without being overwhelmed. For instance, if you have a good eye, you will notice a brief cameo by Hawkeye to set up his position in S.H.I.E.L.D. And if you pay attention, you will also note a brief, though unnamed reference to a Mr. Bruce Banner. Otherwise, only Agent Coulson--a man who has appeared in the other films--is a major connection to the Avengers storyline.

NICK: Yes, I did catch those things. I actually have to say I enjoyed the fact that it wasn't overwhelmed with Avengers storylines while still being there enough to keep it grounded in that universe. And speaking of universes, I'm curious as to how you thought this film portrayed your life story, or at least this part of it.

THOR: Ah, very well. It captured the beauty of Asgard and the dreary coldness of Jotunheim fantastically. Kenneth Branaugh, while sometimes using curious angles, did give us some amazing shots. He also managed to capture both the humor of situations and the complexity of my transformation from arrogant god to a calmer, more understanding being.

NICK: Yes, I agree there was some good humor, particularly from the lovely leading ladies. And what I thought was captured even more interestingly than your own complexity was the complexity of your brother, Loki. He's not your typical villain. I found his reasons for things he did were interesting and sometimes well intended, however misguided. You could tell he wasn't pure evil or even crazy; his motives came from a logical place, and his transformation was notable.

THOR: Yes! Villainous as he might be, Loki's tragic downfall was indeed captured well. He's not just some emotionless being.

NICK: The last thing I'd like to ask you about it the action. Do you think it showed you to your full potential?

THOR: Absolutely. From start to finish, I was shown as the fantastic fighter than I am. It is a true spectacle and quite fun, if I do say so. I have heard rumblings that the ending might feel anticlimactic between my brother and I, but I must disagree. While not as epic as the fight with The Destroyer, the fight with my brother was much more emotional on multiple levels and, thus, quite satisfying.

NICK: Well, I know you're a busy god. Is there anything else you'd like to announce before I let you go?

THOR: Keep an eye out for The Avengers next year. And stay tuned after the credits for another extra scene--it might not make much sense now, but I promise it will in the future.

NICK: Excellent.

THOR: This was a fantastic interview. You are a very charming human. I will make sure you do not die in any future battle.

NICK: Well... thanks!

THOR: Of course.

[Immediately after this interview, Thor was hit by a car. But he's OK. Promise.]


A Keanu 'Whoa'