X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

I went into this new X-Men installment with pretty low expectations, but two things spurred me to move forward. 1) To be loyal to the nerdiness I possessed as a kid when I faithfully read the series and watched the cartoon. 2) It was the official start of the summer blockbuster season. I left the third film, X-Men: The Last Stand, disappointed, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one. I exited Wolverine with just a so-so feeling… so is it wrong that I was glad about this? Everything about this movie just had the “OK” stamp on it. There wasn’t much sloppiness to the direction or the acting; it was just bland all around. The problem is that this movie plays out in full that was shown as flashbacks in the previous installments. It turns out those flashbacks were more than sufficient because what you get here are actions scenes, characters and dialogue with no meat that ultimately lead you to an ending with no mystery. Hugh Jackman does great with what he is given although he’s stripped of any humor or likeability found in the other portrayals of his character. Also, I liked some of the supporting characters, but they are never given enough time to develop, so they are merely there just to get us from point A to point B. This movie was neither great nor awful, but with a slew of other big releases on its heels, this one will be as quickly forgotten as Logan’s memory. I give Wolverine 2.5 out of 5 Canadian soldiers fighting in American wars.

Junebug (2005)

This is one of my favorites in my archive and thought you might enjoy reading it.  Originally written on July 29, 2006.

One of the best "new" films I have watched in a long time. I loved, loved this movie. It's about a British art dealer from Chicago who goes with her husband to North Carolina to knock out two birds with one stone to talk to a potential client (this is an overstatement) and meet his family for the first time.

I know you are immediately thinking of Fish Out of Water comedies, possibly like Monster-in-Law or Home for the Holidays (although I haven't see either of these), or Meet the Parents (which I have), but this does not fall into the usual cliches.

I guess I would categorize this film as a dramedy. More on the dramatic side, but the comedic scenes had me laughing more than I have laughed in a long time.

I'll touch on some of the few things I loved about this film:

#1: The setting. I haven't spent much time in North Carolina, but what little I have seen of it and what little time I have spent with the people from this state, it reminds me a lot of East Texas. This movie captures this southern atmosphere perfectly. It pokes fun a bit, but not in a mean manner. The guy who wrote this movie is from the Winston-Salem area, so he obviously knows what he is writing about. The scenery will have you going, "I know a place like that" and the characters will have you saying, "I definitely know somebody like that." If you are from the South, that is.

#2: The acting. Amazing all around. I hadn't really seen the other supporting female roles that got nominated in 2006, but after seeing this, Amy Adams could have definitely taken it with pride. She is amazing as a dumb-witted pregnant girl, but she adds so much more depth to this character than your average "air-head" that is usually portrayed in movies. She actually reminded a whole, whole lot of a good friend of mine. A big part of why I enjoyed the performance.

Also, Ben McKenzie's portrayal as the jealous, closed-off brother, Johnny is excellent as well. I haven't seen him in anything else before, although I recognized him from the O.C. I have never seen that show and never will, but his performance here not only surprised me, but made me change my mind about how I felt about his character multiple times throughout the movie. But the thing is, he stays constant throughout. You know that is good acting when your feelings change that much about a character.

I could go on and on, which I already have, so I will stop. This is definitely an independent film, so I wouldn't be surprised if some people "don't get it", but I would be completely taken back if somebody wasn't moved at least once while watching this.

Warning, there is quite a bit of sexual content in this movie. If you do see this because of my glowing review, I am warning you in advance.

Survivor: Tocantins - Week 10

Wow, I was really surprised. I thought I was going to hear him rant and complain about the vote, but instead Coach and Debbie just sweet talked Stephen and J.T. That was hilarious because people usually go nuts, but it was actually a smart move because if they had, they would have totally shot their chance of winning. It somehow did still prove loyalty to their alliance, despite losing their "leader" Tyson.

Thus came the bragging from Sierra (post-tribal), the emotional thumping of Sierra (the reward challenge), the verbal, yet totally justified bashing of Debbie and Coach from Sierra, the ultimate demise of Sierra (tribal council) and Stephen and J.T. in about the best position that I've ever seen two people be in. I think it was real smart to get Sierra out of there because you now have instilled faith back into Coach and Debbie, yet you still have Taj and I'm guessing Erinn on the other side. It's just a matter of who you think is best to compete with in the end.

By the way, from my memory, this has to be the worst Exile Island yet. It looks so miserable there. I'm glad they didn't replant Bredan's immunity idol. It's nice to not have that as the main focus point of all the strategizing. I think it's funny that the other one hasn't come up yet, but I'm sure everybody is assuming Taj has it.

This particular reward challenge is always entertaining. You always feel sorry for the person who is getting the brunt of it but usually others take some hits as well, but in this case, nobody else took it personal. Coach just laughed when he got called out for his antics. Also, they practically gave Stephen the win on this one. They either are not seeing him as a threat or they are just thinking about everybody else more. I wondered whether or not it was smart to take J.T and Taj on the reward, but it turned out to be just fine because of the fireworks that soon came from the former members of Timbira (more on that in a sec). I wonder how Erinn felt about being sent to Exile though. If I were the former members of Jalapao, I would work real hard to solidify her as "the fourth" as soon as she got back.

So, that was some intense fighting that went on. It just wasn't people getting upset at people, but you could tell Debbie was really hurt. I don't know if it was more frustration or what, but things really came to a boiling point. Especially when we got to see, *GASP*, Coach get caught in a lie. Seeing him squirm both at that point and at tribal council was, I'm sure, a huge victory for the millions who watch this show. I think Sierra will be more proud of the fact that she got Coach to lie versus not winning the game.

And how about Coach winning immunity... Just when his ego seemed to get a little bit smaller, this challenge has to come around and ruin it for everybody! I wonder if National Geographic will do a documentary about this legendary win?

As a close, I just want to point out that I'm glad that they gave some focus on Debbie this episode. From the pre-interviews, she seemed like she was more than just the older woman who rode coattails but then she got lost among the shuffle of eccentric characters this season. I'm glad to see that some of premonitions were right as we were able to glimpse that one, she does want to win, two, she is strategizing with the best of them, and three, she will continue to do so as next's week teaser seems to suggest. I don't think it will be enough for her to win, but she could easily take it like Tina did in Season 2 if things fall in place for her.

So... did you enjoy seeing Coach getting caught in a lie? Are Stephen and J.T. in the best position ever? Do you think Debbie is a strong player? Did you think they made the right choice to vote Sierra out?

And most importantly, are you going to cry in next week's family reward challenge? (I'm going to laugh if the Eddie George ends up coming back to camp).

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Although I was not alive during Nixon’s presidential term, the effects of his actions can still be felt today.  Whether it was his impeachment hearings or the Vietnam War, any current, negative political act seems to trace back to Nixon’s decisions.  I don’t know how accurate actor Frank Langella’s portrayal of Richard Nixon is, but he captures the presence of a broken and powerful man perfectly.  It’s not the characteristics that he presents that stand out as much as the traits of a man whose ego and strengths were both so big that they led to his ultimate downfall.  Besides for some, I thought, unnecessary setup at the beginning, the brilliance of this film was how it summed up a man’s legacy with interactions with David Frost (Michael Sheen).  Frost isn’t quite as intriguing as Nixon, although he is given just as much screen time, but what shines through is the power of the T.V. interview and that with just the right words, nobody is susceptible to scrutiny.  The dialogue between Frost and Nixon are fascinating.  You can’t help but get into the drama of things although the ending is pretty predictable.  Ron Howard’s direction is solid but a little unforgettable due to the fact that Langella’s performance carries the film.  His version of the flawed man makes the whole thing worth watching and will make you forever ponder what has and will drive America’s presidential leaders of both the past and the future.  I give Frost/Nixon 4 out of 5 Italian shoes.

Adventureland (2009)

Movie trailers are very misleading.  This movie was billed as a comedy from the creators of Superbad.  The image that should pop into your head is quite the opposite of what this movie actually is, which happens to be a wonderful thing.  This film is a pretty serious drama that captures “the coming of age” moment in life perfectly.  James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg, channeling a deeper Michael Cera) is an intellectual dork whose post-college plans come crashing down as he is faced to take a summer job at a crappy local amusement park.  He meets the girl of his dreams (Twilight’s Kristen Stewart), makes new friends (the brilliant Martin Starr from Freaks & Geeks) and embraces the rebellion of coming into his own.  On the surface this seems like nothing new, but director Greg Mottola uses the 80’s background and soundtrack to showcase that time in life where people and atmosphere, whether you like them or not, has more of an influence of who you are than today’s media and technology might tell you.  There are a few missteps… Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, although funny, seem out of place and there are a few scenes that drag the story along too much.  Fortunately, it’s not enough to retract that nostalgic feeling I got of the time where the world was at my fingertips, but I just couldn’t grasp it.  I give Adventureland 4 out of 5 corndogs.

In Her Shoes

I came into this movie with a great hesitancy.  Two sisters who are complete opposites go on two different journeys after a huge fight… One finds love and one is reunited with a grandmother that she never knew existed.  Oh yeah, they also both like shoes… As a guy, do you see why I wasn’t too thrilled about watching this one?  Like the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover, because I was surprised at what patience director Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential) took with this material.  This is a movie that takes a realistic approach to the sisterhood of the main characters, rather than a cheesy one you find in some romantic comedies.  This is a great dramedy where you get really invested into the characters and actually are guessing what happens throughout, not because it’s mysterious, but because it develops like a rich novel.  Cameron Diaz is probably at her best, which is still just ok, but Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine are very strong.  Also an unknown actor to me, Mark Feuerstein, who plays a love interest, is particularly strong.  Guys don’t be too scared because I give In Her Shoes 3.75 out of 5, well… shoes.

Survivor: Tocantins - Week 9

I knew it! I knew J.T. and Stephen wouldn't be as loyal to Tyson and Coach! Now, I didn't know that it would be this early on, but I feel like I sorta called it, right? :) The episode began with Sierra's reaction, which in honesty drove me up the wall! I'm sorry, but I felt no pity for her. I hate it when people try to save themselves by trying to make others feel sorry for them. Why don't you instead try to approach people with, "Hey, I screwed up, my strategy didn't work. Let's see what we can do to get YOU further in the game." You being the key word there, because as soon as you start saying, "Save me!" people are going to shut you off. Just like Tyson did... my goodness, what did you think about that little confrontation? I thought Tyson was telling her what she needed to hear, but that was rough. He was basically talking down to somebody else who was about the same age. It was a little funny, but almost a little too brutal.

We had the classic "visit the natives" reward challenge which is never too interesting. It always seems that somebody ends up throwing up, whether it is drinking too much, or in this case, eating too much. And poor Stephen had to spend another three days by himself on exile island. I think you forget how rough it is out there, especially by yourself. At least last year on Gabon they had a hut and hammock they could enjoy.

The immunity challenge was interesting and a good one. Of course the rain and cold added so much more to it all, especially with the option to chow down on some pizza under a covered tarp. I totally didn't blame Stephen for going, being on Exile, but I was a little surprised that J.T. went. Not surprised at all by Coach's decision and if I were Tyson, I would have been mad too. I've always said that if it were me, I didn't care what position I was in, I would play the challenge. I know that's easier said because I've never been starving like that before, but it just throws too much limelight on you.

Sierra ALMOST won it, but Debra had a perfect shot that shattered her hopes, for the time being. I had the chance to play shuffle board this past weekend, and I admire Debra's more than clutch shot. Which led to a great post strategy session amongst everybody. Erinn created an ingenious idea to get Tyson off. If you are her, you are getting a power player out of the way who happens to not like you and you are strengthening position to go with J.T. and Stephen. Now, you have to give J.T. and Stephen the huge credit for implementing the change. I think that no doubt Tyson and Coach would've stuck with them, but they were smart enough to realize they had a better chance of winning not having to strategize or compete with them at the end.

Once again the overconfidence bug hit, and Tyson, Coach and Debra were stunned. I thought it was brilliant to not include Sierra in the plan, because who knows how she would have acted around Tyson and Coach before tribal council. I honestly didn't think Tyson was gone, but I'm glad that the overall editing of the show surprised us as much as Tyson was surprised.

Now I'm sure the next episode, if it the past ones haven't already, will be the Coach show. I bet we are going to hear the tirade of honesty and integrity being broken, and how the spirits of the land will not be so kind to Stephen and J.T. who have for certain now lost their warrior status. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Sierra will have a huge decision to make to be on the bottom rung of one alliance (Coach, Debra, Erinn) or the other (J.T., Stephen, or Taj). I don't know where Erinn plays in all of that, but she's put herself in a very interesting position to float to either side that probably won't provide too much backlash against her.

So... Were you shocked that Tyson was eliminated? Were you as annoyed as I was by Sierra's attitude? How mad will Coach be, REALLY? And who do you think has the best chance of winning right now (I think J.T.)?

Practicing my shuffle board skills,

Nathan