The Rum Diary

It's been a long time since updates. And for that I apologize. I just haven’t seen anything that’s been worth writing about.

But finally, here’s one that was entertaining and a bit obscure: 2011’s The Rum Diary.

Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s only novel, it reminded me of a prequel of Fear and Loathing Las Vegas. With the witty banter, quirky characters, substance abuse and resulting absurd/absurdly funny situations, it could only be Hunter S. Thompson.

Johnny Depp (another reminder of Fear & Loathing) stars as Paul Kemp, a writer who takes on a job at a failing Costa Rican newspaper, circa 1960. Contradictions abound, morals are questioned, and characters are more human than in your typical Hollywood feature (although not in wit).

The supporting cast is as good. Aaron Eckhart is over-billed as the next star but has a small (but still decent) role. But 2 great character-actors, Michael Rispoli (Kick-Ass & Rounders) and Giovanni Ribisi (Saving Private Ryan & Avatar), keep up – to say the least – with Johnny Depp.

This was one of the few films that I’ve actually enjoyed in the last 3 months. I can’t say that it was perfect. (Fear & Loathing was better, I thought) But it was fun. And sometimes that’s enough.

Nikita

Again, I stray from the movie path to review a TV show. But this one has a nice tie-in to movies!

Nikita (2010, season 1) picks up where Le Femme Nikita (1990) leaves off. [Personally, I prefer Bridget Fonda and Gabriel Byrne in Point of No Return (1993), but there are so many direct scene copies I've almost forgotten how they differ.]

Nikita (Maggie Q) is a trained spy/assassin who is determined to take down the now-rogue, super-secret agency that "recruited" and trained her. "Recruited" is a very generous term. See the movies to get a full understanding. But the first season of the show actually spells it out enough that I don't think it's imperative.

I stumbled upon Nikita season 1 while surfing Netflix's instant watch list. Boy, am I glad I did.

I was instantly hooked. I watched the entire 22 eps of season 1 in ONE weekend!

Plots, writing, action, acting, direction, editing... all are really good by TV standards. For movie standards I'm not complaining that much, either. This is a smart action/intrigue show - similar to Burn Notice in that regard. 

I suggest you rent Season 1 and 2, cram, and tune in Jan 6 for season 3's premier!

OK, maybe that's unrealistic. Rent Season 1 then 2, watch, enjoy and tape the new eps until you're caught up!

Sucker Punch

I was thoroughly entertained by Sucker Punch (2011). But I think most people won't be as amused as I was.

Sucker Punch is about a girl (Emily Browning) who gets sent to an insane asylum by her wicked stepfather (circa 1950s) and has to escape before she's lobotomized. She enlists the help of 4 other inmates.

OK, it's not long on plot. But it is weird. And cool. It has amazing action scenes. Did I mention odd? ...And did I mention Fun?

I cannot claim to fully understand this movie. But I don't care. I was still entertained and I'm recommending it anyway. To a select group, that is.

I was drawn in from its opening scene with its dream-like haunting beauty. The soundtrack works perfectly. (Emily Browning actually sings a few of the songs on the soundtrack, including the initial scene's.) And it works!

The action scenes are the best part of this movie. Yes, they're obviously green-screened, a la Sin City, and there is CGI galore. But it's all done very well. It was like watching a live-action anime! (And the other scenes don't detract enough that I ever got bored with the movie).

And here we come to the crux of the situation. If you like action movies, and like amazing visual effects... Rent this!
If not, you'll probably want to pass.

Sherlock

Again, it's not a movie. But it's good. And streaming (dvds, available) on Netflix. And British.

Sherlock is a 2010 BBC mini-series (each episode is 90 min) - but only 3 episodes?? I want more! - created by 2 guys who wrote a bunch of (the new) Dr Who shows.

It was critically acclaimed, according to the number of Emmy's it was nominated for (4) and it also won a boat-load of other (FOREIGN, OH NOOO!) awards. Sherlock was so well received that they're filming a new set of 3 due to air next year!

This is a cool update of the classic set in modern day London. Yet it has all the hallmarks of Sir A.C. Doyle: incredible observation and deduction by Holmes (on the borderline of too incredible but hey: it's Sherlock Holmes, the greatest detective ever! Sit back and have fun.); great cases, including a famed "locked-door murders"; Holmes is as inept and awkward socially as he is utterly brilliant; and, most importantly, it's genuinely suspenseful.

This show has great writing, acting... maybe a few glitches with directing here or there, but I really enjoyed it! ...Until the ending of the last episode. I'd like to hear other people's opinions but I thought it was a bit contrived.

However, this detraction did not dissuade me from really liking the series. I was riveted throughout. Rent, watch, lemme know what you think.

Bunraku

Again, sorry for the hiatus. I haven't been super-excited about any movies that I've seen recently. Everything seems to be just ok.

I wasn't even super-excited about this movie. But mostly-excited works.

Bunraku (2010) is an odd mix of genres, with an odd mix of visuals (a bunch that are cool), a bunch of talented actors and a whole bunch of good action.

This movie is not to be taken very seriously. It's an amusing action film that takes itself lightly. From the opening annimation to the pseudo-noir narration (by Mike Patton, lead singer of Faith No More!) to the overly obvious art direction - where everything looks like a set - (and a few others examples I could rattle off), this movie purposefully crosses lines and pokes fun at more serious films.

This, besides the great action scenes, is what I liked about this movie. It doesn't fit neatly into a box. And for good reason.

Writer/director Guy Moshe fittingly named it Bunraku, which is an ancient Japanese version of puppetry where you can see the puppetiers on stage all dressed in black as they manipulate their puppets.

But even more, it's a pop-up book movie. You've seen comic books turned into movies (like Sin City or 300 that tried to convey that medium into the movie) but Moshe may be the first to do this with pop-up books. And it actually works.

Oh, I totally forgot to give the plot synopsis. And I don't think I will. Moshe does a great job of taking the viewer for a good, long ride with a pretty simple premise.

So, if you're a fan of action movies but are tired of the norm (especially out of Hoolywood) and you 're open-minded enough to bend genres, Rent Bunraku!

Robot Chicken: Star Wars Trilogy

I'm going Off Script again, so to speak. Yes, it's TV, but it's based on the movies, so I'd ask the judge for a little leeway here. Oh, and they are available on Netflix (they may be available only as individual dvds).

Robot Chicken's Star Wars trilogy is one of the funniest things ever to grace the small screen.

For those who are unfamiliar with Robot Chicken, it's a short little TV show that pokes fun/mimics other TV shows and movies. Animated using only plastic figures (think GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip) and voiced by the creators and sometimes celebrities, it's just a series of short scenes cut together. Each ranges from a second to several minutes long.

Obviously, the Star Wars trilogy is dedicated solely to poking fun at the Star Wars franchise. Surprisingly, they did get some Star Wars big wigs to lend their voices - like George Lucas, himself!

I thought I saw a box set collection of all three in a store, but you'll have to rent them

separately.

Rent! Laugh out loud! Enjoy! These are a Must See - For the casual Star Wars fan as well the obsessed!
 One of the best things about Robot Chicken is it caters to every sense of humor. There's something here for everyone.

Start with the first episode. Not because you need a chronological order. But it is the best.

Bonus Post Script:  Family Guy did a Star Wars trilogy too that are almost as funny as Robot Chicken. It's in story format, rather that skit. I recommend this, too!