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ACCEPTED

Bartleby Gaines-Justin Long
Sherman Schrader-Jonah Hill
Monica-Blake Lively
Rory-Maria Thayer
Glen-Adam Herschman
Uncle Ben-Lewis Black
Dean Van Horne-Anthony Heald
Hands-Columbus Short
Hoyt Ambrose-Travis Van Winkle
Kiki-Diora Baird
Diane Gaines-Ann Cusack
Jack Gaines-Mark Derwin
Abernathy (ADD)-Robin Lord Taylor
Dwayne-Kellan Lutz

When a high school burnout discovers he's been rejected from every college he's applied to, he creates a fake university in order to fool his overzealous parents.

Accepted is funny and entertaining and the main reason why I dig the flick is because it took me down memory lane. I grew up in Southern California in the 80’s and it reminded me of teenager flicks of that era. I want to say kind of like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Weird Science and Revenge of the Nerds. Even more recently the plot and style speak of Old School. The movie also does something that many movies attempt to do but fail at-it delivers great one liners.

The movies target is primarily teens headed back to school this fall. I’m not sure why they kept pushing back the release date. In the end the kids in the flick that decide to make up the phony alma mater get much more out of it than just tuition.

Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) is a senior in Ohio that doesn’t get accepted to any of the 7 colleges he applies to. Knowing his parents are not going to go for this because they have been preaching higher education since he was born decides to do something about it. Especially after his safety school falls through. Bartleby though has an uncanny ability to BS his way out of any predicament. Through the marvel of desktop publishing he’s able to create letterhead for a fictitious sister school of the illustrious Harmon College.

He is then able to get his best friend Sherman (Jonah Hill) to create a website for the fake school. His best friend by the way has accepted his invitation to the prestigious Harmon College.

After Bartleby’s dad peruses the website he insists on visiting the facility. So, Bartleby with the help of his friends under protest; do a major renovation of a long abandoned mental hospital on Harmon College’s property. Bartleby and his buddies that also didn’t get into any colleges use the money their parents have given them to attend this so called South Harmon.

As co stars no one stands above the crowd. But in this huge project he has hands (Columbus Short) whose injury cost him his scholarship; Rory (Maria Thayer), had her heart set on Yale and neglected to apply anywhere else; and Glen (Adam Herschman) and all around bum that looks like he will perpetually work in the neighborhood.

Bartleby is also able to convince his best friend’s Uncle Ben (Lewis Black) to play the Dean of S.H.I.T.

Then the stuff hits the fan when 300 kids are able to apply to the school and receive acceptance letter. A batch of miscreants, losers and ex-strippers make up the majority of the pool. However, all of them pay up front in cash-no financial aid. Definitely a snafu in the script and reality but it is just entertainment.

The antithesis of the South Harmon Institute of Technology is Harmon College whose dean sends his golden boy Hoyt Ambrose (Travis Van Winkle) to investigate. Hoyt is also head of the big local frat house and is able to unravel Bartleby’s plans.

It only takes about one minute into the movie in which we see the movie showcasing Apple Macintosh products. Given that the star Justin Long is the face of Apple’s recent marketing campaign I guess it’s something that came with the territory.

The acronym for the South Harmon Institute of Technology (S.H.I.T.) is a running joke throughout the entire picture. I thought it would get old after a couple of runoffs; however, the writers and actors are able to bring it up over and over again-even in print and it still comes off. It pays consistent dividends.

This comedy attempts to empower slackers and teenagers that do just enough to get by. The ending is basically Bartleby and company versus traditional school education. A courtroom style accreditation hearing is the final showdown. It does make a great statement about being average or ok. It is written and delivered so well, it made me think for a minute.

Lively is a suitable love interest for Bartleby and I would like to see her range in other movies.



Here are a couple of memorable quotes in the movie: It was supposed to be legit, not functional. I hope you have hobo stab insurance.

Long is a solid actor for this type of flick and is able to carry the movie amongst many actors that only have one to two lines. They are lovable nerds, jerkoffs, losers and misfits but are lovable and consistent.

Accepted is not, I repeat is not the next Animal House but if you can just relax and chill for a mere hour and a half-it does deliver one laugh after another.

A few background notes about location. It doesn’t look like anything was done in Ohio. Chapman University in Huntington Beach California was used for Harmon College and a veteran’s hospital in Northridge California was used for the exterior shots of S.H.I.T.

A Universal release. Produced by Tom Shadyac, Michael Bostick. Directed by Steve Pink. Screenplay, Adam Cooper, bill collage, Mark Perez, based on a story by Perez. Camera (Technicolor, widescreen). Sound (Dolby Digital/SDDS/DTS). Reviewed at AMC Mazza Gallerie, Washington DC, 20th of August, 2006. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 92 minutes.

THE ILLUSIONIST

Eisenheim-Edward Norton
Inspector Uhl-Paul Giamatti
Sophie-Jessica Biel
Crown Prince Leopold-Rufus Sewell
Josef Fischer-Edward Marsan
Jurka-Jake Wood
Willigut-Tom Fisher
Doctor/Old Man-Karl Johnson
Young Eisenheim-Aaron Johnson
Young Sophie-Eleanor Tomlinson


A magician in turn-of-the-century Vienna who falls in love with a woman well above his social standing. When she becomes engaged to a prince, the magician uses his powers to win her back and undermine the stability of the royal house of Vienna.

The opening scene is an introduction that shows the great magician/illusionist Eisenheim (Edward Norton) being arrested by turn of the century Vienna police during the middle of a performance; much to the audiences chagrin. Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell) asks if a legitimate charge can be pinned on the magician. Then there is a brief flashback which shows how young Eisenheim became acquainted with magic. He has a run-in with an old sage. The flashback also illustrates that upper class Sophie and Eisenheim had an adolescent love interest which was forbidden because of their class differences. Eisenheim’s father was a craftsmen that made all of the furniture for Sophie’s family. Eisenheim is separated from Sophie and then departs on his journey around the world.

Now fifteen years later Eisenheim comes back to Vienna to sold out crowds and is world renowned. Eisenheim performs a couple of tricks and sleight of hand. But for his finale asks for a volunteer from the audience that is not afraid of death. The Crown Prince is in attendance with his assumed fiancée, the same Duchess Sophie von Teschen (Jessica Biel). The Crown Prince coerces his fiancée to be the volunteer. This is a great illusion which he performs by the way.

The Crown Prince loves the performance so much he invites Eisenheim to his home to perform some of his tricks; in which the Prince will offer full explanations to his guests. The Prince is so condescending but Eisenheim agrees. When asked what tricks he might perform at the ceremony he quips “Perhaps I’ll make you disappear.” This stings the Crown Prince but he now adds insult to injury trying to tear the magician apart at his home with no avail. Eisenheim further embarrasses him with his sword trick and further, the Crown Prince is unable to explain the magic to his guests. Quietly, he then instructs Chief Inspector Uhl (Paul Giamatti) to shut him down.

Chief Inspector Uhl is kind of caught in between the two gentlemen. As a commoner he owes everything he has to the Crown Prince but he also is a big fan of magic and Eisenheim. He also empathizes with Eisenheim because he also is a common man who has made something of himself. But he constantly informs the enigmatic performer that they are both pawns in a much bigger scheme of things.

However, as predicted with a subplot, Eisenheim rekindles his adolescent love affair with Duchess Sophie. After an evening Sophie informs him that the Crown Prince intends to marry her and overthrow his dad the ruling monarch. He needs her help though. Eisenheim convinces her otherwise and suggests vehemently that she be with him-forever.

Eisenheim then delivers a new strategy and scheme. He fires his manager and buys a theater house. He also hires some Asian men as bodyguards and stage hands. He then begins to make images of people that have been dead appear on stage and elicits responses from the audience. This has now formed the basis of his show. The images also speak out. The Austro-Hungarian Empire begins to thing that he is inciting a spiritual republic that could be detrimental for the Crown Prince’s coup efforts. Even more so that he disguises himself and attends one of the shows. After his review he demands that Inspector Uhl lock him up.

The ending is a thriller. It is a direct result of separating Duchess Sophie’s soul from her body during his earlier performance; which ultimately leads to a crime that captures the attention of Inspector Uhl. Uhl eventually figures it out and it is not too far fetched for a subplot. Based on Eiseheim’s powers and the persistence and attention to detail that Uhl has displayed in the movie.

Eisenheim is presented as distant and removed relating to his character. He is detached to a point all the way to the end. The Crown Prince plays a hateful but enjoyable Leopold. Biel is great to look at but I don’t know if she was the appropriate actress. Norton and Giamatti are both Oscar nominated actors. Even though Giamatti has done many roles which were unbecoming- I didn’t realize he had that type of range.

There are many accents; some are American, British, half Austrian or European. Maybe some with a turn of the century English, but it comes off well. Great characters and solid actors. I think it will be kind of difficult to market because you have a slow mixture of many genres: romance, politics, drama, mystery, suspense and a dash of the supernatural.

The style of the movie even reminds of silent pictures of the turn of the century, in which you are able to follow most things visually. On a production note the film was shot in Prague and has glorious locations and scenes to die for. The architecture of the city is idyllic.

A Bob Yari Production. Produced by London, Brian Koppelman, David Levien, Yari, and Cathy Schulman. Directed, written by Neil burger, based on the short story “Eisenheim the Illusionist” by Steven Millhauser. Camera (Deluxe color); sound (Dolby digital/SDDS). Reviewed at Regal Cinema Gallery Place/Chinatown, Washington DC, 15th of August, 2006. Running time: 110 minutes. 

STEP UP

Tyler Gage-Channing TatumNora-Jenna DewanDamaine Radcliff-MacCamille-Alyson Stoner Director of Maryland School of the Arts-Rachel Griffiths Miles-Mario
DeShawn Washington-Skinny
Chop Shop owner-Heavy D


Tyler Gage is a street smart juvenile delinquent, with a reckless streak that lands him in a world of trouble after he and his friends trash an auditorium at a high school for the performing arts. Sentenced to do community service at the school, he at first wants nothing to do with the students, until he meets a beautiful dancer whos willing to give him a shot. Against all expectations, Ty gets drawn into her world, and discovers his own talent for dance.

The movie is very predictable. What can I say. I think weve seen the storyline a million times before. Its a worn ballerinas shoe. Poor guy from the wrong side of the tracks gets with a upper class girl from the right side, fall in love and live happily ever after through the medium of dance. The Lady and the Tramp.

The best part of the movie is that the two main characters can really dance. Nora (Jenna Dewan) was one of Puff Daddys backup dancers not to long ago. Tyler (Channing Tatum) can also get down. He can break dance, pop lock, salsa, ballet, lift and carried with style. The main characters do all of their own dance steps. So there are no cut away shots, shots taken from afar or fixation of angles from the waist down.
Although it is similar to Save the Last Dance and Dirty Dancing and all of the other ones you have seen there are some underlying themes. You have black and white not only with the main couple but a subsidiary couple as well. You have rich and poor which is taken head on throughout the picture. As Ed Gonzalez said it has better dance steps than any movie nominated for an MTV Video Music Award.

But the movie does have some other moments. You have a poor white kid from the inner city part of Baltimore that only hangs with black kids. He has essentially been socialized that way. His best friends are Mac (Damain Radcliffe) and his little brother Skinny. (DeShawn Washington) All they do is rob cars and take them to a chop shop owner (Heavy D), play basketball for money and go to house parties and dance.

Because they decide to trash the Maryland School of the Arts one night Ty( Channing Tatum) gets caught and is sentenced to community service for 200 hours. In the process of being a janitor for the school he falls into some luck. Noras (Jenna Dewan) partner sprains his ankle and cant practice with her for a few weeks. Her Senior Showcase determines whether she will work for a theatre company or give up her dream and go to college like everyone else. She reluctantly allows Ty to be her stand in until her partner can return full time.

They eventually fuse both of their styles, Noras safe choreography with Tys street dance and sparks begin to fly.

The dance sequence with great raw energy is where they meet for an off campus party. Everyone seems to be doing their own theme. Its almost like it wasnt choreographed, but I think it was-not sure. But it came off great. However, the ending scene when Nora and Ty perform for real for national theatre companies takes the cake for dancing for many of these types of movies Ive seen in the past 20 years. The dance number was choreographed very well.

The movie as a motif seems to be breaking down walls throughout. I thought they did a decent job of that with a minor subplot of car thievery, which doesnt end to well.

One more thing on production notes, great takes on the city of Baltimore. From the inner harbor to downtown to the neighborhoods. The city is old but has great charm. I think the country will take notice.

A Touchstone Pictures release. Produced by Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot, Erik Feig, Patrick Wachsberger. Directed by Anne Fletcher. Written by Duane Adler & Melissa Rosenberg. Reviewed at Regal Cinema, Washington, DC, August 8, 2006. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 98 minutes.
 

CREDIT ATROCITIES-INSTITUTIONAL CLASSISM?


Reposted with permission from Toni Mungro

There are lenders and creditors pulling credit multiple times for a single inquiry. This could decrease the score significantly (I had a client who had a 20 point decrease before she came to me.) So when only the second competitor gets a call from the client, that client either has to take a lesser product or go back to the broker or lender that caused their score to decrease. And even then, there is no guarantee the same products will be available once underwriting gets the report. Lending Tree and Landsafe are examples that I have seen recently.

Regulating inquiry adjustments is necessary!!! If a person signs one application they should only expect to have one credit inquiry actually affect their score. Period. If the formula is too complicated to change then it should not be applied.(And speaking of which, why is it such a secret how to achieve the goal of keeping good credit. If our credit score is what we use to acquire assets to enable us to provide for our generations.And shop at their store, why dont they tell us how each credit decision will numerically affect our credit? Do they think that everybody will know that someone will defraud the system? How? The bureaus are so locked down, they have to ask themselves permission before adjusting any data on the report! So why all the hush hush?The FTC needs to mandate that formulas are disclosed at least on the website. What is the worse that can happen a country full of responsible consumers? OH NOOOO!!! The horror.)

Another issue is that individuals are having to have the same item removed from their credit report multiple times - When they are ready to take action on a major life decision; be it Change of employment, Interest rate adjustments, or even a Home or Auto purchase, they have to wait (for something to be removed for a second or third time) when markets dont ever wait. And most of these instances, credit score means everything to the consumer and could make our break their deal.

The bureaus need to regulate removal of corrected or paid trade-lines strictly, as it affects the consumer too much not to.Additionally, credit bureaus add fuel to the fire by forcing consumers to clean mistakes made by creditors (the credit bureaus clients and subscribers) by having them first purchase a report from the only the bureau (that the creditor has already paid to add the information that is causing a problem) just to dispute damaging information.

So if I pull a credit report for a client and they have items that they want to dispute, they have to order the same information (from the bureau) and pay for it just to correct it. That is a pointless practice that further lines the pockets of an institution that is not even publicly traded I mean if we are going to be robbed and tricked, can we at least get some dividends?Why isnt there any recourse for the bureaus mistakes? Why are the bureaus allowed to operate in ways that are still unfair for consumers???We need to start discussions on how to end the REAL unfair credit practices if only one person is shouting legislation will never change.

CREDIT WORTHY

Reposted with permission from Toni Mungro

Below is what the federal trade commission proposes to do about some of the problems addressed in my previous blog. I also sent a complaint to the abc news 7 team in DC to get them to investigate a few weeks ago and I think this response may be from their prying. But it did not address all of the issues in the blog.

For Your Information: August 9, 2006Commission approval of joint agency FACTA report: The Commission and the Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday issued a joint report to Congress on compliance with the consumer dispute provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act), which generally amends the FCRA, required the FTC and the Board to conduct a study of the extent to which consumer reporting agencies and furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) complied with certain FCRA requirements. The study found that, although most consumer disputes appear to be processed within the statutory timeframe, there is disagreement as to the adequacy of the investigations performed by the CRAs and by the furnishers of information.

The resulting report recommends no additional administrative or legislative action at this time to amend the dispute process. Rather, the FTC and the Board believe that recent FACT Act provisions intended to enhance the customer dispute process should be given time to take effect. The FTC and the Board will continue to monitor the performance of the dispute process, explore possible enhancements, and make recommendations for action, if appropriate. The Commission vote approving issuance of the report was 5-0. (FTC File No. P044808; the staff contact is Rebecca Kuehn, Bureau of Consumer Protection, 202-326-2017.)Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTCs Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTCs Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.MEDIA CONTACT:Office of Public Affairs202-326-2252 (http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/08/fyi0653.htm)

Bottom line, determining a persons creditworthiness is a complicated business. But if we have to participate in helping creditors determine our worth there are things that we must demand.

1. We should be more informed on what is expected. For example, if more people knew that a late credit card payment can lower their credit score 100 points I think people would be more conscious of being on time. The point system must be published for public information.

2. Secondly if there is an error on our credit, there should be instant resolution solutions. We can no longer miss out on interest rate specials and deals on things that we want because we have to wait for someone elses mistake to be cleaned. If people can trade stock from the comfort of their homes and change entire world markets in a moments notice I am sure that something so critical to our purchase power, job status and overall quality of life can be adjusted to better suit our real needs. No more bS excuses like the dispute process needs time to take effect? Go ahead with that!

3. If we make the bureaus disclose this information, they will be more accountable for how it is used against us.

WORLD TRADE CENTER (review)

John McLoughlin-Nicolas Cage
Will Jimeno-Michael Pena
Allison Jimeno-Maggie Gyllenhaal
Donna McLoughlin-Maria Bello
Scott Strauss-Stephen Dorff
Dominick Pezzulo-Jay Hernandez
Dave Karnes-Michael Shannon

In the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster, hope is still alive. Refusing to bow down to terrorism, rescuers and family of the victims press forward. Their mission of rescue and recovery is driven by the faith that under each piece of rubble, a co-worker, a friend a family member may be found. This is the true story of John McLoughlin and William J. Jimeno, two of the last survivors extracted from Ground Zero and the rescuers who never gave up. It's a story of the true heroes of that fateful time in the history of the United States when buildings would fall and heroes would rise, literally from the ashes to inspire the entire human race.

I didn’t know what to expect going into the film. I hadn’t heard anything about United 93; nor did I see it. So I was curious to see how Oliver Stone would put the piece together without making it a docudrama. So he had the task of showing a major historical event through the camera lens. If I didn’t know he directed the film I would have said it wasn’t his work. The style is nothing like his other pictures. (JFK, Nixon, Alexander, Platoon)

The 5th year anniversary of September 11th is fast approaching and many people feel a movie like this is too early for what was witnessed and experienced on that day that will live in infamy.

The movie essentially depicts what humans are ultimately capable of enduring. Two Port Authority Cops are able to withstand the limits of human suffering with the worst conditions and still come out on top.

World Trade Center shows the main characters going through what appears to be an average work day in September. It’s very early in the morning as Sergeant John McLoughlin (Cage) takes his normal commute to work. He has a briefing and then all hell breaks loose. It has been announced that a plane has crashed into one of the towers. A posse of officers is asked to go downtown to investigate further. McLoughlin and a group of officers which include Will Jimeno (Pena) get on a bus heading to ground zero without a clear understanding of what they are about to step into.

Once the officers get to ground zero Sergeant McLoughlin asks for volunteers to go into the building to help with evacuation efforts. While in the concourse of the towers both buildings collapse. The officers have no idea what is happening but are instructed to dive into the elevator shaft; which by the way is normally the strongest point in a building.

Moments later we see McLoughlin and Jimeno pinned in by tons of rock, debris, rubble and steel beams. Both use their lives, families and semi-related experiences to keep each other alive. They both want to fall asleep but no if they do, they are both doomed.

From this point we get flash backs from both men’s families. It shows Jimeno’s pregnant wife and the argument they have the night before. We get to see McLoughlin’s wife wishing she had told her husband that she loved him before he went to work. McLoughlin also wishes he wouldn’t have dragged his feet and had completed the kitchen for his wife Donna (Maria Bello).

The extended families wait nervously for news-any news about their husband’s whereabouts, the progress, status.

The film has another sub plot with the polished former marine Dave Karnes( Michael Shannon). He is on a mission to save anyone he can from the terrorist attack at ground zero. He said he was inspired by God to leave his job and drive directly from Connecticut to help save lives. He searches relentlessly for survivors which he ultimately finds. The line he delivers about his title is very memorable.

MIAMI VICE (review)

Sonny Crockett-Colin Farrell
Ricardo Tubbs-Jamie Foxx
Isabella-Gong Li
Trudy Joplin-Naomie harris
FBI Agent Fujima-Ciaran Hinds
Zito-Justin Theroux
Castillo-Barry Henley
Montoya-Luis Tosar
Jose Yero-John Ortiz
Gina Callabrese-Elizabeth Rodriguez


The cocaine cowboys of the ‘80s are gone, but Miami’s Casablanca allure, the undercover cops and the attitudes of Michael mann’s culturally influential television series have been enhanced by time in the feature film version of Miami Vice.



The film starts like the television show with no credits and action packed. But I would have to say the consensus is that its an overblown version of one of the tv episodes with great cinematography. I believe they shot the film, south Florida, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the Dominican Republic.

I dont think that Foxx nor Farrell could hold a candle to their counterparts Thomas and Johsnon but the movie flows well. It has been updated to reflect the pop culture of the last 10 years.

Mann uses the grainy night-lensing techniques he used in the film Collateral with Tom Cruise. Because the film is R rated unlike the TV series, Mann was able to portray broad and sexual latitude in the film while staying true to the original shows structure.

Crockett and Tubbs are playing the ususal suspects (undercover Miami cops) that are forced to go undercover in a operation gone bad with the local FBI unit. The key informant gets killed and here we go.

Crockett and Tubbs want in because of the relationship they had with the key informant. The situation takes them into Colombia where they have to find out how a druglord Montoya (Luis Tosar) is smuggling his illicit contraband stateside.

Montoya is a ruthless and wealthy drug emperor that calls the shots from his jungle hideaway and via his caravan of supped up SUVs. Through Montoyas henchman Jose (John Ortiz) they convince him that they can move the product and they are just what the doctor ordered. They use super boats and planes to move the products into south Florida and begin to untangle the key players in the operation.

I dont want to give the story away but thats about it. The rest of the story is filled with sexual scenes including two coed shower sequences and Crocketts liason with the druglords girlfriend Isabella (Gong Li). This complicates matters and puts the South Beach duo into a jam later on. Also you have a lot of million dollar beachfront property and huge jungles which pretty much fill up the rest of the 2 hours and 10 minutes.

I was a big fan of the tv show in the 80s growing up but there is a lot to be desired here in the movie. I thought their lines were uneven too. I thought Crocketts lines were a lot better than Foxxs. I also didnt like the car selection for the flick.

The transportation of the thumb drive from checkpoint to checkpoint and the hand grenade scene to me were the most memorable.

The only big omission is the original score by Jan Hammer.

A Universal Release. Produced by Michael mann, Pieter Jan Brugge. Directed and written by Michael Mann, based on the popular television series created by Anthony Yerkovich. Reviewed at AMC Loews 4000 Wisconsin Av, Washington, DC, July 27, 2006. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 132 minutes.

THE ANT BULLY (review)

Voices:
Hova-Julia Roberts
Zoc-Nicolas Cage
Queen-Meryl Streep
Stan Beals-Paul Giamatti
Kreela-Regina King
Mommo-Lily Tomlin
Head of Council-Ricardo Montalban
Lucas Nickle-Zach Tyler Eisen

After being picked on by the neighborhood bully, young Lucas takes out his frustrations on a defenseless ant colony, soaking it through with his water gun. But the ants strike back, shrinking Lucas down to their size before trying him in court and sentencing him to hard labor in the ruins of the colony. Lucas must learn the value of teamwork before he can return to his regular life -- and with the help of his new friends, he may just get sweet revenge on somebody his own size. Based on the illustrated children's book by John Nickle.

The movie is a cross between Antz and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. I love most animations and this was no exception. Although its not a Disney picture it has the Disney/Pixar look. The movie will keep kids as well as adults entertained for the entire 90 minutes.


The story begins with Lucas a young kid who has just moved to a new city but doesnt have any new friends. He is teased by the local bully and cant connect with his sister because shes in her teenage years. His parents are scurrying to go on their anniversary honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta. And his grandmother is into aliens taking over the earth. So little Lucas with nowhere to turn takes his frustrations out on the ant colony right outside of his house. Little does he realize there is a complex civilization right under his feet. The last straw though, is when Lucas decides to spray the water directly down the ant hole. He calls them just a bunch of stupid ants all while he does this. So the wizard Zoc comes up with a plan. He decides to use his magic potion to put in Lucass ear which will shrink him to their size. They execute the plan brilliantly and kidnap him into their world.

Lucas is brought to trial in the ant village. The head of the Ant Council (Ricardo Montalban) wants him killed after he declares him guilty. The wise and humble Ant Queen (Meryl Streep) sentences him to live among them and learn their ways and the errors of his own.

Lucass landscape has changed dramatically. He begrudgingly accepts his fate with the mentorship of Wizard Zocs girlfriend-Nurse Ant Hova. He learns how to forage for food, and manages to elude greedy frogs and warplane like wasps. Lucas even takes a few of his new ant friends to his home to get sweet rocks(jelly beans).

Lucas is put to the test when he must band together with his Ant friends to defeat the dust blower-exterminator. I think though the moral of the story is that he learns several lessons about what friends are, leadership, standing up for yourself and teamwork. This plays out later in the movie.

Most of the best scenes in my opinion are in the colony. The ants are able to communicate in English and use hieroglyphics to explain their great and ancient past. The film has a very visual and sophisticated look. I especially like the scene which illustrates point-of-view. We get to experience an exploding firecracker from the ants standpoint; and then from a humans viewpoint.

The voiceover cast is incredible and really adds to the movie. I really think its the little things that count.

In contrasting with Antz, I think we all remember Woody Allen playing Z an unhappy worker who feels the system is communist and rebels. His friends like the soldier I believe his name was Weaver and played by Sylvester Stallone and Azteca played by Jennifer Lopez followed orders and did as they were told. The Ant Bully is the antithesis of this movie.

Lucas, also is very surprised and amazed to discover not only do ants have a civilization, a society which is complex, sophisticated and well organized. Every ant works for the greater good of the colony as a whole but also spends the necessary time to develop their own special skills and talents.

This should be a definite hit. Im assuming it couldnt go before Superman Returns because Warner has been waiting for 19 years for that, and there was a report that said 30 such family oriented animated features would come out this year alone.

A Warner Bros. release. Produced by Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, John Davis. Directed and written by John Davis. Reviewed at Regal Cinema Theatres @ Gallery Place, Washington DC, July 12, 2006. MPAA Rating: PG. running time: 88 minutes.

 

You, Me and Dupree (review)

Randy Dupree-Owen Wilson
Molly Peterson-Kate Hudson
Carl Peterson-Matt Dillon
Neil-Seth Rogen
Annie-Amanda Detmer
Tony-Todd Stashwick
Mr. Thompson-Michael Douglas

For newlyweds Carl and Molly Peterson, life can't get any sweeter as they begin anew to settle down into married life. With a nice house and established careers in tow, nothing seems to get in their way. However, Carl is about find out just how much friendship means when Randy Dupree, his best friend has been displaced from his home and fired from his job because of attending their wedding. Taking his friend in, what Carl and Molly are about to experience is that the fine line between a few days and whatever else is after, can be a lot more than they bargained for. Especially when their friend overstays his welcome in far too many ways than he should.

I know we have all had someone that we've loaned money to, allowed them to crash at our place or did them a huge favor which didn't work out so well for us. I read a quote a few months ago that said something like if you gave somebody 20 dollars and you never heard or saw from them again for the rest of your life, it was a great investment. But we all no it normally doesn't go that way. Enter two is company, dupree is a crowd.

Carl Peterson (Matt Dillon) is a land developer and he seems to have the perfect life. He just married his dream life partner in Molly (Kate Hudson). he's a school teacher. They just got married and had a honeymoon in Hawaii and they just bought a great house in the suburbs.
His best friend and best man Randy Dupree (Owen Wilson) has conveniently lossed his job and was recently evicted with nowhere else to turn. He decides to ask his buddy Carl who does not consult his wife first to allow him to stay for a "couple of days." And now we're off to the races.

Dupree's stay ultimately leads to a series of unfortunate events, snafus and shenanigans which begin to wedge the newlyweds apart. Including but not limited to the Dupree using their masterbathroom to take a dump, right before the couple is about to make love, the attempted masturbation which is brought to an abrupt halt by Molly who accidently comes downstairs and catches him in the middle of the act, and the re-enactment of a scene from "The Last Tango in Paris."

As a subplot Carl's boss Mr. Thompson (Michael Douglas) doesn't hide the fact that he can't stand him very well. Mr. Thompson doubles as Carl's boss and monster-father-in-law. He emphatically suggests to Carl that he doesn't have any children with his daughter, that he should hyphenate his name and should have a vasectomy. Molly is innocent to this but it doesn't help the home life very much.

Mr. Thompson also completely destroys Carl's development project and takes it on himself, but keeps the name of the development. In addition because of his issues at work he keeps longer hours which allows Dupree and Molly to form an unlikely couple. Dupree has someone to cook for and Molly has someone that will listen to her. This creates a greater wedge between the newly couple and drives Carl into a fit of rage.

However, they both (Carl and Dupree) both seem to arrive at an epiphany and change things for the better.

The script to me is average but is made up for by an outstanding cast. And although the movie uses Wilson's physical comedy to sell it there is much more to his character that meets the eye. He is able to annoy his landlords, but doesn't annoy his audience. Dupree is also very selfish in his actions like changing their answering machine, but he also selfless, which is why I think everyone likes him in the first place.

We also get a glimpse of what marriage could be like through the eyes of their buddy Neil. Especially through the porn collection jokes.

Some memorable scenes include the Lance Armstrong cameo which is "off the hook", the chase with the Pacific Islander security guard and the bicycle accident.

Produced by Scott Stuber, Mary Parent, Owen Wilson. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Screenplay by Mike LeSieur. Reviewed at the AMC Georgetown, Washington DC, July 11, 2006. MPAA Rating: PG-13. Running time: 109 Min.