SIN CITY

Director: Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi series, Spy Kids series, From Dusk Til Dawn)
Starring: ensemble incl. Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Mickey Rourke

Misogynistic, adolescent, and downright absurd in many ways, this film is also gorgeous, engrossing, creative - wonderfully absurd in many other ways. Most unfortunately, it's just a comic book. There have just been too many comic book films of late, and of every type - from the "classic" superheroes (Spider Man), to their darker modern day counterparts (X-Men), to underground comics nominally more artistic (American Splendour). All of these have some worth and are good movies in their own right (or even excellent as with Splendour). All also succumb to the limitations of a childish medium. You just can't really say very much worth saying in an inch square dialog bubble. At least you can't say as much worth saying as you can in a novel. This film has some of the best and some of the worst of the comic book genre. Here we have steamy visuals and unreal dreamscapes (which are very similar in look, albeit darker, to Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow). Here we have an intensity of character and mood and setting that's rarely been matched in film. Here we also have the silly desires of adolescent boys. There's nothing to learn from this movie. It's just well crafted and interesting. It owes everything to Pulp Fiction, although that film was better. Here there is little redemption, just (hardcore) childhood dreams brought to life in the world of adults. This is escapism. So if you think escapism has real worth, this movie is probably for you. If you think escapism has real dangers, then you might hate this film. I think that the best that this movie has to offer require that it been seen. I also think that the worst this film has to offer must be recognized. A tough distinction for me, I'll admit.

Standouts: Visuals, artistry, style, and direction really stood out.
Blowouts: The characters, the script.

Grade: A-

A MIGHTY WIND

Director: Christopher Guest (Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, Nigel Tuffnel ...)
Starring: Ensemble incl. Guest, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Catherine O'Hara, more

I'm a huge fan of the Christopher Guest 'mockumentaries'. I thought Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show were some of the sweetest, funniest, most perfect little comedies of recent memory. They worked because they were so dead-on in their satire. They worked because they never mocked anybody, they lovingly teased the characters in each film. This film did not quite live up to those two previous works. It shared many of the same stylistic choices and had the same sweet outlook, but this film just never quite made it to the same level as the first two. Maybe it's because they're going over similar ground each time.

The characters in this film were a little more dismal and silly than the previous, but this was more than made up for with the ridiculously catchy tunes written by the cast members. There's a Eugene Levy tune played over the end credits that actually astounded me. This was written and sung by the hairy guy in Club Paradise? Wow!

Standouts: Catchy tune, more of the same brand of cute humor from Christopher Guest and ensemble.
Blowouts: The film style is starting to lack originality I think.

Grade: B+