Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones Could Have Been The Greatest Romantic Drama!

How is your Star Wars preparation going? Apart from securing your midnight screening tickets, have you had a chance to start watching the previous 6 episodes? Last week Amy gave us a recipe to make watching Episode 1 a little easier, but this time, with episode 2 we are on our own, but do not despair, we have The Force!

One word sums up Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, potential. We must keep in mind what the purpose of the second trilogy is, to present to us the story of how Darth Vadar became the greatest cinematic villain of all time. You just have to think about Walter White and his transformative story in Breaking Bad, and you know that this type of story has massive potential. As a side note, can you imagine Hisenberg with a LightSaber in a versus Darth Vadar scenario!? Breaking Bad gushing aside, Episode 2 could have been the greatest romantic drama of all time!

Anakin and Padmé would have had cultural status as great as Romeo and Juliet, or even greater than Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the Notebook, had this romantic tale been told right. All the cultural significance that Episodes 4 to 6 gave us would have instantly elevated this couple to romantic royalty. Remove all the distracting CGI, remove the catastrophic performances, in fact I am calling for a remake! A remake of Episode 2 will most likely never happen, but when the potential is staring you in the face, it’s hard not to think about what could have been.

Through Episode 2 we are witnessing the birth of Darth Vadar, that is a big deal. The energy and focus was misdirected in this film to action set pieces, short and shallow dialogue, heavy visuals in exchange for delicately crafted performances and emotional depth. Why does the romance fail here?

Padmé doesn’t seem to have aged very much in comparison to Anakin, who we saw as a mere child in Episode 1, and as such it seems borderline creepy that Anakin is infatuated with Padmé, and even more bizarre that Padmé eventually too feels a sense of love towards ‘young Ani’. Since the film choses to explore this forbidden love, you’d think that more love and attention would have been given to the scenes with these two enamours. You’d think that the director would’ve wanted to draw out the purest performances from these two mains. Episode 2 should have toned back on the epic nature of battles and action and focused on making it the greatest romantic drama ever told, so much so that every time we watch it henceforth, we would always shed a tear.

It is awesome to revisit these films and get into the spirit of everything Star Wars, so don’t get me wrong, but I can’t help think, ‘what if?’ As a result, Episode 2 is probably my least favourite of all six episodes, regardless a necessary instalment. What’s your opinion?

TRIVIA COOKIE: Samuel L. Jackson has said that the words, ‘bad mother-f*cker’ are engraved on the hilt of his LightSaber.

7 Significant Quotes From Her

*****NOMINATED FOR 5 OSCARS, WON 1*****

MINI REVIEW: Spike Jonze’s Her is a profound exploration about love and our expectations of love. It is also a satirical look at the way we interact with technology and the ongoing influences that technology has on us. The premise is simple, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) develops a relationship with an OS named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.

This film doesn’t play like a comedy, but it sure is laughable, and it’s humour is presented in a very dry way. To be applauded is the writing and the creativity of this film, Spike Jonze took home an Oscar for his very first sole screenwriting credit. I don’t know about you, but I can not wait for what’s next from Spike Jonze. Not only is the writing spot on, but the directional elements that make this film so watchable really stand out, as much as the various shades of red-ish, orangey tones it uses.

Joaquin Phoenix visually carries this film along it’s almost nonsensical 126 minute runtime, but Scarlett Johansson carries this film even more so, audibly, with her subtle voice performance. You are put in Theodore’s perspective and forced to imagine the ‘body’ of who is speaking, the facial expressions, the nature of Samantha, and I think that is different for everybody. The idea of Artificial Intelligence is not new, but Spike Jonze’s presentation of it is fresh, and is so relevant that it could hardly be referred to as sic-fi. Technology is constantly evolving, how much are we evolving as individuals, how much are we bettering ourselves?

Here are 7 significant quotes from Her, enjoy!

1 Theodore: “It’s good to be with somebody that’s excited about life.”

2 Catherine: “You always wanted to have a wife without the challenges of actually dealing with anything real and I’m glad that you found someone. It’s perfect.”

3 Amy: “I think anybody who falls in love is a freak. It’s a crazy thing to do. It’s kind of like a form of socially acceptable insanity.”

4 Samantha: “641.”

5 Samantha: “You know, I actually used to be so worried about not having a body, but now I truly love it. I’m growing in a way that I couldn’t if I had a physical form. I mean, I’m not limited – I can be anywhere and everywhere simultaneously. I’m not tethered to time and space in the way that I would be if I was stuck inside a body that’s inevitably going to die.”

6 Theodore: “Sometimes I think I have felt everything I’m ever gonna feel. And from here on out, I’m not gonna feel anything new. Just lesser versions of what I’ve already felt.”

7 Theodore: “I just wanted you to know there will be a piece of you in me always, and I’m grateful for that. Whatever someone you become, and wherever you are in the world, I’m sending you love. You’re my friend to the end.”

Her is Available on iTunes here.

The Less Than Zero Theory

If you haven’t seen Less Than Zero, and want to be transported back in time to 1987, then this is the perfect movie to check out. Less Than Zero hits hard, it’s not an easy film to watch, and I must admit that this film has stuck with me, it has a lingering effect. This review is spoiler free, but we will be having an in depth analysis of it with David from ThatMomentIn.com in our upcoming podcast episode, so stay tuned!

Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room, Robert Downey Jr. He is now one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, and good for him, the man can act, and I am sure his persona has something to do with that too. We all know that he did have a rough patch, and to a certain degree we all go through a rough patch, we all have to go through the process of growing up. Knowing this makes this film relatable to everyone. The performance delivered by Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic, and although he serves more of a ‘supporting’ role in the film, when we talk about the movie, now, we talk about Julian, the drug addicted, debt ridden, youthful Robert Downey Jr. He is the star of Less Than Zero.

Having said this, I did not warm to the character of Clay as much, and I don’t think that Andrew McCarthy delivered a convincing performance. Jami Gertz was up and down in this film, and her performance when she was high on cocaine was not convincing enough. James Spader, a really young, James Spader is powerful in his role of Rip. All together we have a great ensemble that help resonate the artistic concepts of it’s writers and director. The most enjoyable moments in the film are when Clay, Blair and Julian are all present, as a trio, they emanate true love and the meaning of youthfulness.

This film does feel like watching a series of unending 80’s music videos, and I am not complaining. The music is enjoyable, and enough to get your feet tapping. Marek Kanievska’s direction has generated a visually entertaining piece, with some great uses of colour and framing to capture the right mood and atmosphere. One does feel like one is also partying along.

I am certain that when this film was released it was a film designed to warn the youth about the dangers of drugs, AIDS and over partying. Even today it serves a stern example, and tragic, at that, of what can happen when drugs are abused. Audiences watching this back then, maybe, would have disliked the character of Julian, but today Julian is the hero, the film is about him, it is about his struggle and his oppression. Less Than Zero is a moving character study of the victim that gets caught up in the system, the system that is designed to chew you up and then spit you out. These victims are everywhere, perhaps even more so today, do we shun them, or do we extend a helping hand? Food for thought, I know this film made me think, I hope it evokes emotion in you too.

Here is an idea, a theory. Clay and Julian are the same person. Clay is the brighter elements of this person, and Julian represents the darker elements of this person. This theory then makes the ending a happy one. Any thought? 

TRIVIA COOKIE: This film was filmed during May – July of 1987. I was born during the same period.

The Hi-Fi Of High Fidelity

High Fidelity, abbreviated as Hi-Fi, is the term used to connote high quality in sound and images, and in this case High Fidelity, John Cusack’s 2000 romantic comedy, rightfully earns the status of Hi-Fi. Great music, likeable characters and a lovely message for all those fearful of commitment, High Fidelity is easily a favourite for most.

John Cusack’s portrayal of Rob Gordon is truly memorable, and it’s this character that takes us on a journey of self development that both men and women can relate to. Rob Gordon is a flawed but so likeable character and ultimately we are interested in his fate, which keeps us entertained through-out the seemingly long runtime of 113 minutes. Deep down Rob Gordon is a romantic, but his fear of commitment is what prevents him from, basically, fulfilling his dreams. We all have dreams, we all want to have a sense of meaning and purpose in life, and this is why High Fidelity resonates with many. On top of that the story-telling style employed in this hi-fi of a film is rather enjoyable.

The reason why it feels like we get to known Rob Gordon so well is that we are never left in doubt about what he is thinking or feeling, well, because, he tells us, directly. Not only does this open the door into the developing philosophy of Rob Gordon, but it enhances the films comedic value. High Fidelity is an adaptation from Nick Hornby’s novel of the same name, and with his blessing, the adapted script doesn’t skip a beat, it’s relevant and full of meaning, making High Fidelity a film that will stand the test of time, besides maybe the wardrobe choices!

Jack Black (Barry) works well as a supporting cast member, making his loud and bouncy nature a scarce occurrence, which works to add comedic relief, plus we get to hear him sing in this film, which is always a treat. Todd Louiso (Dick) is the shyest of the bunch, but his performance is fantastic, I really wanted to see more about this character, but he serves his purpose for the film exceptionally well. What ever happened to Todd Louiso? Perhaps a High Fidelity Side B: Dick’s Mix? And then there is Laura (Iben Hjejle) who happens to be Rob’s most recent break-up. She delivers one of the best lines in the film, when she tells Rob, “make yourself happy,” in reply to what would make her happy.

Laura’s simple but ever so meaningful words embody one of the messages this film delivers. For any relationship to work, both parties need to be happy as individuals. Rob Gordon goes though a process of self-analysis where he comes to the realisation that he’s always been filling his own personal void while he pursues ‘fantasies’. Because his romantic interests have always been selfish, unknown to himself at the time, true love escapes him. It’s only until he finds his own personal satisfaction, that he can then, in turn make others happy, more importantly his true love. The way this film ends is so touching, enough to move any romantic to tears.

High Fidelity is true to it’s name. Hi-Fi performances and characters, Hi-Fi comedy and lest we forget the music! Hi-Fi meaningful messages can be found in this film, and that is why here at FilmMunch, High Fidelity earns cuisine status.

Please check out David’s review from ThatMomentIn.com!

To further celebrate this iconic film, it will be the subject of our next episode on ThatMomentIn’s Podcast, so make sure you check it out!

TRIVIA COOKIES: The characters of Rob, Barry and Dick are musical aficionados, so it was a monumental task to select the soundtrack for this film. Turns out that John Cusack and his writing partners listened to over 2000 records, only to select about 70 music titles that would showcase in the film in one way or another. That is a lot of music!

Trainwreck And LeBron James’ New Career

Amy Schumer is quickly becoming one of the most popular comedians. Not only does she act in the new film Trainwreck, but she also wrote the script for this film, and it’s funny as Amy Schumer. Could this be Judd Apatow’s funniest film yet? Does LeBron James have a new career in acting waiting for him?

Who doesn’t love a good laugh? Comedy is an interesting genre in film because what we consider funny, may not be funny to them and vice versa, so it’s increasingly difficult to pen a script that will have wide appeal. Add romance to the mix and basically you have ten-folded the risk that the film will be a total flop. Amy Schumer stands tall, with her stilettos, to the test, and boy does her work shine. Never have I laughed so loud in a cinema. Could the fact that the cinema we were in was completely full have had something to do with all the fun?

This is basically Amy Schumer’s first lead role in movies, but she comes across as a natural, which shouldn’t come as a surprise considering her TV Series, Inside Amy Schumer is very much lead by her. Interestingly Amy Schumer is also a stand-up comedian. She steals the show in this film, and it’s her popularity that sells Trainwreck. Bill Hader, who plays Amy’s love interest in the film, also delivers a solid performance, but most importantly there is great on-screen chemistry that emanates from these two, making the experience all that more believable. Talking about believability, parts of the story are drawn out from Amy’s own personal life, adding emotional depth to this seemingly shallow comedy.

As much as Trainwreck tries to steer away from cliches, and even pokes fun at them, it also ironically bathes gloriously in them, particularly towards the end of the film. It feels drawn out in parts, considering it has an epic runtime of 125 minutes, but there is pay-off and you’ll be glad you made the effort.

John Cena is sure to reappear in this genre, or even in an Amy Schumer film, once you see his attempts at ‘dirty-talk’, you’ll know what I’m talking about. And then there is LeBron James. This is his first movie performance, and I am sure it will not be his last. He provides some truly memorable moments in this film, so if basketball wasn’t enough, it looks like LeBron James may indeed have an acting career ahead.

FilmMuncher’s, grab some popcorn, a fizzy drink and enjoy the laughs. This female driven comedy is refreshing and relevant. Trainwreck is sure to make you smile.

TRIVIA COOKIES: This is the first film that Judd Apatow directed, but did not write the script for.

This is the first movie script for Amy Schumer, and first lead performance.

Shot in 35mm film.

 

Comet, Why You Should Check It Out

Every now and then you stumble across a cinematic gem. Sam Esmail’s direction debut feature, Comet, is a film worthy of consideration. A romantic piece with dramatic flare, brushes of comedy and a sci-fi-ish tone, you’ll be in for a treat.

Justin Long (Dell) and Emily Rossum (Kimberly) are the two protagonists, and we follow their relationship over a six year span. The first thing that strikes you about this film is the fresh performances that we get from these two. Their talent shines in this film, as they mange to hold the entire film together. Basically they are the only two characters in this film, risky business indeed. But, you can tell that Sam Esmail has really laboured over his script, while Long and Rossum really do give their best to voice this strong script.

Pulp Fiction is probably the best example of non-linear story telling, and although Comet doesn’t come close to the splendour of Pulp Fiction, it does employ a similar story-telling style. Typically this can get cumbersome and difficult to follow. Comet tinkers on the edge with this, but manages to tell a story non-sequentially, giving us just the right amount of information in each scene, for us to stitch it all together. It’s worth noting that this film is not a passive experience, you need to pay attention, to get it. Having said that, the characters do come to life quickly and they are engaging, enough to get us involved.

Do Long and Rossum share on-sreen chemistry? I think this is very much a matter of opinion. There are scenes that show a glowing chemistry between them, but there are other scenes that don’t quite sell it, and this would probably be the major criticism to the film. Additionally, the script can get a bit much, but for the most part stays relevant and fresh. The score can feel too heavy in parts. Don’t get me wrong, I love a strong heavy score, but only when it is applicable. As dramatic as the film gets, there is no need for such a heavy tone in parts. At the very least your speakers will get a workout, that’s if you don’t get complaints from your neighbours!

Eric Koretz, is a name, that I am sure we will be hearing more of, in the cinematography department. His work for Comet is outstanding and bold. No doubt with the directional guidance of Sam Esmail, Eric Koretz presents this story using some fresh and sometimes wild photographic techniques in framing and camera placement. This distorted imagery will keep you engaged. There isn’t a lot in terms of visual story-telling for this type of script and story, but it’s astounding how brilliant this film looks. Comet is more a visual piece, than a romantic piece. Nicholas Winding Refn, director of Drive and Only God Forgives, has some interesting competition. I am eager to see more from Sam Esmail and his cinematographer, Eric Koretz.

FilmMunchers, if you’re in the mood for some romance, and some thought-provoking imagery, Comet will suit.

TRIVIA COOKIE: Apparently this story takes place ‘a few parallel universes over’. There are some visual cues that remind us of the fact that the events taking place in this film, are not on earth.

— only lovers left alive —

I don’t know why I’d put off watching this film for so long, because although it paces a touch slower for my liking, it proves to deliver a thought-provoking piece in a genre that seems ever so exhausted.

This is the first Jim Jarmusch film I watch, and it won’t be the last. He’s said about life, that it’s beauty can be found in the small details, rather than big events. This philosophy best captures the essence of Only Lovers Left Alive. In an elegant way, this film shows us a couple of romantic vampires, and invites us to hang out with them. This is a love story, not in the conventional way, but in an abstract way, which proves to be a curious undertaking of acceptance.

Although, technically this film is about vampires, the word, ‘vampire’, is never actually said. And instead of explaining things to us, as if we were new to the idea of vampires, it just presents us a couple that truly belong together, and they happen to be vampires. I really have had enough of vampires in films, they seem to be everywhere, but Only Lovers Left Alive, manages to use the ‘vampire’ mythology merely as an aid to tell a story, it doesn’t bathe in it, and doesn’t lather the screen with vampire action. I think for movies in exhausted genres, for them to be fresh, they need feel different, and they need to present a story with a fresh angle. This film accomplishes this.

Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston are a match made in heaven, and they evoke such on screen chemistry, that their fiction romance feels non-fictional. Well, that’s probably an exaggeration, but what I mean is, that it’s believable, they sell it well. These too are the coolest vampires on the block, and I am sure some Twilight fans will scoff at this. Even though they are named Eve and Adam, respectively, this is not in reference to the Biblical Eve and Adam, but rather it references the satirical work of Mark Twain’s and his, The Diaries of Adam and Eve. When Jim Jarmusch ‘realised’ this, he didn’t seem to bothered.

Visually this film is stunning, the colours and choices in camera angles, all call for a visual feast. There is a lot of darkness in this film, not a lot of natural light was used, which would seem like a flaw, but somehow it’s managed to capture a visual tone that almost lullabies us into cinema bliss. Add some great music, tech-rock beats and some classical, how can you go wrong!?

I have two major criticisms for this film, firstly there isn’t much in terms of a story here. We have some strong and intriguing characters, and I kind of wish we went along with them on a more interesting ride, rather than just ‘hanging out’ with them, even though that is still pretty great in itself. Secondly, there is a lot of name-dropping and references to caring for the earth, but it doesn’t seem to try and make any points, or deliver any clear-cut messages. Perhaps the messages are there, alluded to, for those that really want to pause and think about it, which is fine, but I believe in clarity, and sometimes all it takes is a simple scene, or a cleverly written line for your message to be evident.

FilmMuncher’s, if you’re interested in having somewhat of a leisurely time with Jim Jarmusch and his cool vampires, then this is a film for you! Other-wise some may find this 123 minute ‘saga’ a touch boring.

TRIVIA COOKIE: Jim Jarmusch calls himself a Marlovian, a person who believes that Christopher Marlowe wrote the worlds of Shakespeare. John Hurt plays the part of Christopher Marlowe in this film.

— catfish —

I am not sure exactly how to start writing this review, because the least I say about this documentary, the better, it’s one of those doco’s that really needs to be seen to be believed. So, without further a due, watch Catfish, its an insane story!

If this documentary film was relevant in 2010, it’e even more relevant today. The Internet is showing no sign of slowing down, and therefore the way people use the Internet is important. Catfish is very much a film about the Internet and it’s influence on life and even emotions. We can all attest to the effect that a positive comment we see on our Blog/Facebook/Instagram can have on us, more often than not, such attention will make us smile, it will involve our emotional makeup. These are some of the subject lines that we come across in this wild doco.

Yaniv Schulman, Ariel Shulman and Henry Joost are the masterminds behind this compelling and gripping story. The experience for Yaniv Schulman was particularly impactful and influencial that it led to him participating in a follow up TV series entitled Catfish: The TV Show. Telling you what the TV show is about might be revealing a little too much, so just trust me, you want to see this documentary!

I stumbled across this documentary on the SBS on Demand app, and I was fortunate enough to enjoy it spoiler free, and I was uncomfortably surprised. I wasn’t too sure what I should be feeling. The story is fun to watch, and the bouncy happy ‘score’ gives you a sense of joy, but the unfolding story slowly but surely starts to usher emotions more a kin to fear and uneasiness. Let’s just say that the conclusion to this story was enough for my eyes to swell up!

So if you’re a FilmMuncher that hasn’t seen this doco, please don’t go and research it just yet! Since I’ve seen it, and loved it, I was inclined to do a little research. I found some interesting controversy surrounding Catfish, so hopefully that is enough to whet your appetite! Crazy true story, controversy, emotional ride, what’s not to love about this?

Catfish available for purchase here.

TRIVIA COOKIE: In addition to the said “controversy”, this documentary, although very successful at the box office will reportedly never make a profit, since it is facing two lawsuits regarding it’s use of certain music, that wasn’t properly credited. Darn it!

— odishon —

“A true masterpiece if ever there was one,” says Quentin Tarantino as he’s pointing out Takashi Miike’s Audition. FilmMunch agrees!

Recently I mocked the Horror/Romance genre when reviewing Rec3. I would like to withdraw that mockery, because the genre has a leader, that is worthy of praise, Audition. Watching this film made me feel frightened and uneasy, in the best of ways. At the conclusion of the film, I couldn’t help but smile, but have a feeling of shock at the same time.

The story is madness. The story telling techniques are genius. In particular I recall one of the most shocking and at the same time frightening scenes I’ve ever witnessed. Mark Cousins, in his Story of Film documentary had ruined this moment for me, because he also praises this scene in one of the episodes. I knew it was coming, and even though I had this knowledge, it still came with such impactful force, that I jumped, literally! I won’t ruin it for you, because here at FilmMunch, we do not approve of spoilers, just trust that if you enjoy a good scary movie, this is the one to watch.

The actress Eihi Shiina gives her all in this role. There is a blankness to her method, making her high points more explosive! Subtleties to her approach give us a sense of uneasiness. A sense that something bad is going to happen.

To illustrate how intense and possibly disturbing this film is, when it was played in a number of Film Festivals, some people literally walked out, and in one instance someone even needed medical attention. What makes this film so wild is that we see a female that has gone rogue, but there is an enjoyment to her sadism, and this is what is truly frightening. How is is possible for anyone to find delight in cruelty!?

If ever I had a criticism for this film, it would be the pacing. The film is just shy of a 2 hour runtime, and the first half of the film takes a while to move and develop, but at the same time I understand now why the director chose this. He was building something up, a moment of shock and horror. So give the film time. If you’re a fright night enthusiast, this is for you!

Ôdishon available for purchase here.

TRIVIA COOKIE: Richard Gray, Australian bron director has taken on the project of remaking this film. I must admit that I am not necessarily excited by this, but I will try and remain optimistic. At the very least it will hopefully expose the original to people who haven’t heard about it yet.

— [rec]3: genesis —

So it isn’t just Hollywood that gets carried away with franchises, Spain just had to go and make the [Rec] quadrilogy! Part three, [Rec]3: Genesis really feels like it was made just for fun. Partly in a good way, but for the most part, in a bad way.

The story is set at a wedding, where, of course, there are a few handheld cameras floating around, how convenient! The events that take place here are not before or after the events of part 2 or 3, but rather, they take place parallel to each other. There are a couple clues that allude to this. One takes place early one, which I won’t spoil. The second clue is about half way in, you can see a TV playing the news report outside the apartment complex in parts 1 and 2. Keep an eye out for it, it’s easy to miss, but when you see it, you’re like, ‘hey! thats the apartment block?’ The euphoria doesn’t last long, so enjoy it!

It is fair to say that this film is split in two parts. Part one is true to the found footage genre, and the second part ignores all the rules for the genre, and does it’s own thing. I found it refreshing, you may not. After watching a lot of shaky-cam films of late, I’ve realised that they tend to give head-aches, maybe it’s just me…

This film is entertaining, but again, nothing new, and no progression to the original story. It’s basically a stand alone film trying to draw from the success of the first film. This film reminds me way to much of The Walking Dead, hence, not really original enough. I am certain Rick Grimes would not approve…

This film is categorised as a horror/romance. Enough said…

If you must.

TRIVIA COOKIE: Artist Tony Moore drew a promotional poster for the US release. Tony Moore is known for his artwork in The Walking Dead comic book series. I love The Walking Dead, by the way…