Comics You HAVE to Read: The Goon

goon cover
Originally uploaded by waggy182

If you recently saw Cloverfield and found yourself thinking the movie would be much better if the giant monster spoke Spanish, then I have the book for you. The Goon features short and sweet stories that tend to center on monsters, zombies, and other manner of macabre creatures. Think Hellboy but much wackier. Also like Hellboy, the titular Goon is a great new character that is unlike anything else out there, and is instantly compelling and memorable. In a market that seems more and more forbidding toward new creations, it’s refreshing to find a completely new and unique character that’s so much fun to read. Then there’s the art from writer/artist Eric Powell, which is absolutely phenomenal. The book is a quick read, but I find myself opening the book up over and over again once I’m finished to just look at the artwork. It sets the perfect tone for the book, which can go from creepy to hilarious and back again at the turn of a page. It’s just a really fun book to read, and one that frequently has me laughing out loud, which is not so easy to accomplish in print. Oh and did I mention psychic seals? Yeah, it’s got those too.

Movie Review - Atonement

Oscar-bait can be a funny thing. You know what I’m talking about, those movies that seem to exist for the purpose of having awards showered upon them. What is it about certain films and genres that even the most clueless moviegoer can say “Yeah, that’ll be winning some awards” after watching a two minute montage? What’s even more puzzling is that this phenomenon will often get people to watch movies they never would have otherwise (Hey, I’m just as guilty as any there). This year that honor is bestowed upon Atonement, which is already seeing some backlash, as voters don’t seem particularly pleased with the perceived inevitability of the film’s Oscar fate, which brings me to my take on the movie. Having seen the film, I can safely say that for good or ill, all of the earmarkings for a Best Picture nominee are there, but does that make it any good? The answer isn’t as easy as a simple “yes” or “no”. There’s certainly a lot to like about it. Director Joe Wright turns in some tremendously accomplished work including many sequences that are among the most memorable in any film of 2007. There’s a very classic quality to much of it that’s evocative of the golden age of cinema, particularly after the movie jumps ahead to World War 2. The film also delivers a nice little gut punch at the end that should cause even the toughest hearts in the audience to break just a little. There are however a few leaps of coincidence here and there that seem just a little too convenient, though nothing too egregious. The cast delivers strong performances across the board, especially lead actor James McAvoy. The films shifts its focus quite a bit, but it is always at its strongest when McAvoy is at the center. So if I have so many nice things to say about the film and so few complaints, why the reservation in my tone? Unfortunately such is the nature of the beast. I would love to watch this movie in a vacuum and tell people to check it out without any baggage, but in the real world of Hollywood award seasons, that just doesn’t happen. Like I said up front, Oscar-bait is a funny thing, because none of us would have heard of Atonement (much less seen it) if it wasn’t considered a likely Oscar contender, which is its greatest asset and greatest obstacle. It is virtually impossible to watch the movie and not think of every other likely Best Picture candidate and whether or not it stacks up. In my opinion Atonement is a very strong period epic, though I think it falls short of the level 2007’s top films are playing at. Now that’s an immensely unfair standard to hold a film to, but once the words “Academy Award” are whispered, the basis of a film’s evaluation is irrevocably altered regardless of how fair or unfair that may be.

Atonement
***
Directed by Joe Wright

Movie Review - CLOVERFIELD

It all started with a trailer.  A trailer that apparently most people saw, being as it was in front of Transformers which grossed about 320 million dollars in the United States alone.  This trailer, however, sure left its mark on a lot of people.  An enigmatic teaser spot, the preview revealed only minor details of a film that would become an internet sensation well before anyone really knew anything about it.  Viewers were provided with the three clues: an attack on New York City, a name (J.J. Abrams - creator of Lost and Alias), and a date... 1-18-08.  After doing some research, one would be able to find out that the movie was being directed by a man named Matt Reeves and that it was written by one Drew Goddard.  For those of you who don't know, Matt Reeves was the man behind the camera, page and production of a little show called Felicity and Drew Goddard put pen to paper to come up with many episodes of a show called Alias (both nest eggs of the mind of J.J. Abrams). Well, after months of waiting, there is only one question that remains about the movie that would become Cloverfield...

What kind of movie can the creator of Lost, the writer of Alias, and the mind behind Felicity put on the big screen that could live up to the hype created by a well planned advertisement?

The answer is simple really.  A good one.  A good one that, not so surprisingly, combines elements of all three of the previously mentioned show's strengths while providing its audience a unique movie going experience that is truly among the most memorable movie experiences to grace the screen in recent years.

Cloverfield is, at its heart and soul, the tale of 5 friends and their struggle for survival during an unprecedented attack on New York City.  The gimmic? Well, that would be the giant monster that is responsible for said attack.  Here is where this film delves into dangerous waters.  It is well precedented in film history that if you sell a movie as one thing, you had better deliver what you promise or suffer the wrath of an angry audience.  The biggest example of late?  M. Night Shyamalan's The Village.  Sold to the audience as a movie about a town living in fear from the monsters that live in the woods around it, the movie inevitably failed in theatres because of its lack of, well... monsters.  While the main ideology of Cloverfield centers on the human emotion and how one reacts to tragedy, the viewers will certainly be treated to their fair share of Manhattan-mashing, monster action.  The funny thing is, there might actually be too much monster in this cleverly disguised drama.

The strength in Cloverfield's filmmaking comes from the three principle creators' past strengths in television. What made Felicity into the popular show that it became was the strength found in the relationships depicted in the show.  A unique realism showed audiences that people on TV can be just like people in real life.  Cloverfield banks on this realism, as it tells its entire tale from the point of view of a camcorder held by the people experiencing the tragedy.  A first hand enactment, that unless done to perfection, would make the movie into a cheesy 60's horror film.  What helps this, is the young and fairly unknown cast that allows the audience to buy into the idea that what you are seeing is really just four people in front of a camera (and one behind it) that happen to be documenting a horrid tragedy.  To keep audiences engaged, Drew Goddard throws in many thrills and moments so intense, you almost forget to breathe; a tactic he most obviously used to bring Alias to the public eye as a viewer-favored thrill ride for six seasons.  J.J. Abrams involvement?  Well, simply, he is the kind of mind in Hollywood that would roll the dice on a monster movie that doesn't spend 100% of its screen time focusing on a monster (seriously, are we ever going to find out what's in that black smoke?).  

There will definitely be a split audience coming out of this film, but hopefully careful planning and brilliant marketing will sway the vote to the positive side.  Unfortunately, Cloverfield is destined to become a wonderfully unique and innovative film that will be unfairly critiqued due to internet hype.  Cloverfield begs audiences to put themselves into the experience, offering them a gateway through a video camera and daring asks the audience, "What would you do in the face of disaster?  Who would you go back for?"

Cloverfield

* * * and a half

Directed by Matt Reeves

Comics You HAVE to Read: DMZ

DMZ cover
Originally uploaded by waggy182

Welcome to the first installment in what will be a regular feature here on Who Cares. Possibly my favorite pop culture development of the 00’s is comics moving into the mainstream, courtesy of the geeks taking over Hollywood. As such, this column is for anyone who’s been enjoying the recent surge of comic book movies and wanted to delve a little deeper, as well as regular comic readers who would like to expand their reading habits. I’ll be mostly shying away from the mainstream books (i.e. not much of the tights and capes) and though I love books like Watchmen and Sin City, I imagine anyone reading this is already well familiar with those. All of the titles I spotlight will be available in collected editions and can be purchased from Amazon.com and most major book chains (though I recommend you support your local comic shop if you have one).

First up on the roster is DMZ. The book follows a young journalist in the de-militarized zone of Manhattan Island amid a fictional civil war. Imagine if the images of Baghdad you see on the nightly news had the Chrysler Building and Times Square in the background and you’ve got the basic idea. While that description may sound a little dry, I assure you it is anything but. DMZ is one of the most exciting reads on the stands, and though it is quite political, the constant urgency of the story entertains regardless of what your own politics are. The book also features one of the most interesting alternate visions of New York City I have ever seen. As anyone who knows me is well aware, I absolutely adore New York, and though the New York depicted in DMZ is one I would certainly not want to live in, it is an undeniably compelling and fascinating one. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is in this writer’s opinion, the very best comic series currently being published.

Steve's Top 10 Movies of the Year

I don't usually take the time to make a list of my favorite movies each year but I figured I would do one as my first post here (check my other blog for my albums list):

10. The Namesake
This was one of two movies this year that made me full on cry. It starts off slow but ends strong.

9. No Country for Old Men
I didn't feel as strongly about this movie as most but it was still one of the best of the year. Javier Bardem is one of the best villains in recent memory.

8. 300
Zach Snyder did an amazing job adapting this to the screen. I can't wait to see what he does with Watchmen.

7. Eastern Promises
This one really got me upon second viewing. Great performances all around.

6. Grindhouse
The most fun I've had at the theater in a long time. It's a shame they were split up for the dvd.

5. Juno
Ellen Page is fantastic in this movie. I got kinda teary eyed at the end of this movie as well.

4. Superbad/Knocked Up
I'm combining these and there's nothing you can do about it. I loved them both and think Jonah Hill and Seth Rogen are at the top of the comedy game right now.

3. Hot Fuzz
I thought this movie was absolutely hilarious. I hope these guys keep making movies together. Go check out "Spaced" if you haven't already.

2. Reign Over Me
This is the other movie that made me cry. Power house performances by Sandler and Cheadle take a great story to even greater heights.

1. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
This movie was fantastic. In a time when violence is constantly occurring, this movie was able to spread it out and make it so much more powerful. The tension that is felt any time someone has a gun creates an amazing movie experience.

Movie Review - The Orphanage (El Orfanato)

Adorned with the titled card, "Guillermo del Toro Present's", this fantastically creepy tale of love and horror tends to be mistaken for a new movie from the brilliant director of Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth. The Orphanage, however, is the feature film debut of Spanish director Juan Antonio Bayona; but then again, you would never know it.  From the moment it begins, the film has the feel of a chilling work done by those who have mastered the genre.  In a day an age where horror is defined by how many loud noises and jump thrills you can put on the screen, Bayona reverts to the timeless tactic of building tension so thick you can cut it with a knife.  The story is simple, a fact which leads to its success as a true thriller.  Laura (played by the wonderful Belen Rueda), her husband Carlos and son Simon have moved into the childhood orphanage that Laura once resided in as a child.  Their plan is to house special children while living a quite life on the coast.  These plans, however, run into a hitch as their son Simon's apparent wild imagination shockingly becomes something more.  The way that Bayona portrays this simple family's relationship is truly what ties this film together. Strong performances from the three leads certainly don't hurt either, as they truly make you feel for this family and their struggles.  As the film progresses, the feeling that something bad is beginning to happen takes over and consumes every moment of the viewing experience.  This idea is terrifying in its own right, but when Bayona decides to turn on the scares... well that is when the real horror begins.  For a first time director, Bayona really seems to have hit the nail on the head with this.  An instant classic, The Orphanage will soon find its place amongst classics such as The Birds, Poltergeist, and The Sixth Sense.  Hopefully the talent that Juan Antonio Bayona has displayed will not be wasted on cheap horror remakes and other such nonsense, so that he may further provide us with refreshingly beautiful filmmaking in the years to come

The Orphanage (El Orfanato)

* * * and a half

Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona

Welcome to Our New Page!

Well, first I would like to thank everybody for coming to our fledgling little site here. The three of us have always tried to write some stuff here and there and I guess we're hoping that getting together on it will make us more consistent with our writing.  You'll find a lot of stuff on this site, as we plan to review Movies, DVDs, Television Shows, and Music.  We'll probably even end up throwing a little news on here, at least in regards to the things we really care about or are excited for.  Anyhow, tell all your friends, especially if we don't know them.  Hopefully we'll give you at least 30 minutes to waste at work each day.

 ~ JP, Steve, and Greg