aerotrooper Reviews

Junebug (2005)

A few day's in the life of.....

[9/10 · 12 April 2006]

Everyone's been invited to a weekend at a friends house or spent a couple day's outside their own "world" I would think. This movie seems to attempt to capture that strange realm when you're at the mercy of the people and lives around you. It does this primarily through the eye's of a newly married, well traveled, socially confident and successful woman traveling 1000 miles south for work and also to meet her new husbands methodist family. The film is sometimes quirky, sometimes stark, and very naked in painting and seemingly portraying uneven and unfamiliar worlds. The scenes often have a very bare and vulnerable feel to them. The acting is great and the filmmaker involves the viewer intimately in every shot. This is a "day in the life of" kind of film which I am usually a sucker for so I found it engaging. Each person you meet is different and interesting. You don't really know where the story is going but you don't care because each scene commands your attention. Many scenes seem explicit in their nature with the indiscriminate snippets of the characters presented to us sitting alone, having sex, going to church, or buttering toast. One person reviewing this film said this film could be summed up best using a couple lines from it's script in which the new couple meet for the first time in an art gallery. female lead: "So, you like this one?"... Male: "Yeah, it makes me happy... but I'm going to buy the UFO." Whether or not you like the film will depend on your own interpretation and the overall theme or category this film should be in is unidentifiable. A rare and all around excellent piece of film-making.

The Chumscrubber (2005)

A modern, new and straightforward view of the vapid suburban landscape without the overkill of satire and dark humor.

[9/10 · 31 March 2006]

Some may find the film dark and humorous if they can relate but are a little uncomfortable with the actualities displayed. I found myself interestingly and appropriately disinterested in the film, not thoroughly engaged nor detached, kind of what the film showcases as a way of life. I felt this was a film that takes place within the void that ultimate suburbia cradles. The movie doesn't point fingers or preach. It wasn't something I laughed out loud at but found easy to watch because of the displaced point of view and satisfying and entertaining because of the superb acting and directing. The script doesn't follow a center character or event really. The movie involves various characters, children and adults both of whom are largely detached from each other and the world. The story zooms in a bit more on two living High school students 13 and 18 with an emphasis also on one deceased and one fictional character. I would also say it's a film showing just how clean, unsatisfying and omnipotent denial can become with the help of psychology / psychiatry, civic engineering, and a lost sense of humanity and reality. High score for excellent acting and directing and also for a unique script that seems to missing a heartbeat in all the relevant ways.

L.I.E. (2001)

A true to life tale of a young suburban male teenager.

[9/10 · 1 March 2006]

I've practically lived this film so I know what it portray's isn't exploitive or audacious in the negative sense. It's a simple story of a kid growing up in the suburbs. The meaninglessness and frustration of this way of life I felt was painted nicely by the cinematographer and the director. The omnipotent lukewarm attempts by the high school and social structure were represented in a fair manner. It's a story of a teenager dealing with many things straight on. This movie is really an interesting look into modern western life as seen by a young kid. The movie draw's you in like all good film-making should. The acting is great. The story will hold your attention and be engaging to you regardless of your childhood. The only stumbling blocks will be your own pretenses or cynicism. It's not a complex story on the surface but everything that isn't spelled out is where the weight of the film resides.

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)

Great for wholesome fun for today's kids.

[9/10 · 3 February 2006]

This is a very straight forward flick with great action sequences and great chemistry with the actors. Though some parts might be a little scary for some kid's the movie is never violent and no one ever get's hurt. There's a good dose of fun and it's engaging for adults also. Zathura is a rare film in that it's demographic isn't global in scope. I'm not sure how it would go over with young girls but I saw it with my brother and his kids (my nephew's) and we all were entertained. The special effects are not over the top and are well done. The pace is predictable but the scenes are not. Great movie for anyone with a good theater system. Fun movie for both kids and adults.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Probably the least political film nominated for an Oscar this year.

[8/10 · 1 February 2006]

This movie tells a full story that involves complex circumstances and fully drawn character's dealing with life and love that is both unspoken and repressed for various reasons. It's a story that hasn't been told on the big screen. Though the film has homosexual content it is not a story made for gay people or gay men. The story is actually simple. But given the tough blow's both the male and female character's are faced with the viewer can easily become involved in the complex and conflicted emotions and thoughts these excellent actors present to us. It's not a feel good movie but is a very engaging, well paced (directed) and original film.

Top Speed (2003)

Unpretentious, interesting and thrilling.

[8/10 · 1 February 2006]

This is one of the best IMAX films I have seen. It never aims to blow you away with lofty idea's or vapid film sequences. It's a kind of study on why some individuals strive for speed. Race cars, Mountain bikes, Running etc. You get to know a little about the individuals so you have some vested interest in the IMAX footage that brings their experience to life. Tim Allen does an excellent job of both standing in as our link to the individuals in the film and with the narration. There is also additional footage covering the broader topic of speed and what pushes humans to excel. This a great film and is filled with great signature IMAX movie magic.