Wanted (2008)

Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is ordinary. His ordinary existence has him ill-prepared for his extraordinary linieage. Wesley is the son of one of the world's most notorious assassins. When given the chance to join The Fraternity to avenge his long-lost father's death, Wesley leaves behind ordinary. Schooled by Fox (Angelina Jolie), Pekwarsky (Terrance Stamp), Gunsmith (rapper Common), The Butcher and The Exterminator (Russian dudes from Nightwatch), Wesley becomes an assassin. Mentored by Sloan (Morgan Freeman), Wesley learns the history behind the Weavers and the mythological Fates in a magical loom. {I know--sounds gay.}

Director Timur Bekmambetov {and I mention him only for a select few) makes his American film debut with Wanted. Pure adrenaline-fueled entainment, Wanted is cinema gold thanks to awesome CGI, superhot casting, nonstop shootouts, humor, and philosophical meanderings. Move over Neo--we've got Wesley!

James McAvoy (surprisingly) leads a stellar cast: he developing quite the acting chops. His sarcastic narration sets the pace. As Wesley, his evolution from pussy to 'The Man' feels genuine. Angelina is lethal and uber-gorgeous as Fox. This onscreen sexpot, looking skinnier that usual, is beautiful foil to McAvoy. Freeman turns it down a notch as Sloan, but manages the Sage-part, i.e., Morpheus role perfectly. It was cool to see Anton--I mean Konstantin Khabensky. His role as The Exterminator is too cool.

Bekmambetov has created a fantasy for all the cubicle dwellers, assistant {to the} regional managers, Joe Blows, and as my brother says "white Anglo-Saxon Protestants" that work hard in their seemingly mundane lives. The production is that gritty and highly-stylized feel I've come to love from this director. The CGI is masterful; his manipulation of the camera to evoke visual emotion is amazing and his touch of dark humor is always in good taste. Inside the action-packed exterior lies the soul-searching human drama that validates, maybe, the profane and violent.

With its Zen discussions and curved bullets, Wanted is clearly new Matrix. What should be s summer blockbuster will be merely a footnote of 2008, I think. It's a must-see on the big screen. Explosive and awesome, Wanted will leave you thinking "What have I done lately?"

The Happening (2008)

Spoiler Alert: Trees kill people.

An unknown phenomena is causing people to calming kill themselves. As the crisis emerges, high-school science teacher Elliot (Mark Wahlberg), his estranged wife, Alma, math teacher and friend, Julian (John Leguizamo) and his daughter try to escape this strange event.

M. Night Shyamalan's attempt at environmental crisis is ridiculously sad. While I think his attempt was to create a socio-ecological commentary on the day, it is shocking to me how sad The Happening really is. While the idea behind it--Mother Nature slyly picking us off in group--is quite thought-provoking, this film is so hilariously unrealized I wanted my money back last night.

Everything about this film is {un}successful. The screenplay doesn't build sufficient suspense, nor does it deliver. The casting is abominable. Mark Wahlberg is hilariously awful. Big-eyed Zooey Deschanel needs some Visine like you wouldn't believe. Creepy gardener-dude with the bad haircut was AMAZING as was backwoods woman, a la, Steven King's Misery.

I think the joke is on the viewer. Shyamalan has created a spoof on himself. Maybe he wanted to see how bad a movie he could make and still have people stroke his ego to defend him.

The Happening is either a non-stop crap-fest or comedy gold depending on your point of view. It has perfect tones of camp, gore, and comedy. So much so, that any attempt at suspenseful drama is obliterated by the non-stop humor.

The Happening isn't happening. Fans of Shyamalan owe it to themselves to view his first comedy. General audiences best stay away.

Rock 'n' Roll Suicide

Socks are a wonderful and often overlooked form of expression.

There is something inherently dorky, but cool about wearing renegade socks. I have worn these socks for years; I wear them with everything. I wear them under power suits and blue jeans. I wear my Bowie socks at every opportunity. They give me a swagger and a twinkle in my eye. They are my secret... until now.

My Bowie socks are dying a rock and roll suicide. They have reached the end. I wore them today at work. Having them on gives me attitude and yes, strength. It's odd having such a connection with socks, but these aren't just any socks. These are my Bowie socks.

There's not much left of them. I have been ridiculed for my Bowie socks. The heels have been long gone. The toes, too. Now as the thread-bare socks give way to holes, the end has come.

I love you, Bowie socks. I will bathe you one last time in the washer; tumble you in the dryer and create you anew. Not at socks though, but as a memory.

The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)

A defining moment of European history plays out as the Boleyn sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson), compete for the love of the handsome womanizer King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Driven by their father and uncle's ambition, the two girls are used as pawns in the quest for ultimate power and wealth. Kind and meek, Mary catches the king's eye at first; but when Anne storms the court, King Henry will stop at nothing to have her. Ultimately, the two Boleyn sisters are perhaps the most polarizing figures of the day.

The Other Boleyn Girl is a luscious drama of historical faction-- inaccuracies are rampant. An adaptation of the novel by Philippa Gregory, director Justin Chatwick does a decent job of condensing 15 years of Henry VIII reign into two hours, but history scholars be warned--this is not Anne of a Thousand Days. This film blends some facts with a healthy portion of fiction to create a delicious tale of seduction, manipulation, jealousy and revenge.

The cast is superb. Natalie Portman is stunning as she commands the court and the audience as Anne. Portman is exceptional; she presents Anne Boleyn as both intelligent and sly. Scarlett Johansson hold her own as the older, more mature sister, but pales alongside Portman. Eric Bana {who's I'm rather indifferent to} is quite the charmer as Henry VIII. The supporting cast is a solid group. Kristen Scott Thomas, Mark Rylance and Jim Sturgess are the immediate Boleyn family, but uncle Thomas Howard--Duke of Norfolk--is a piece. David Morrissey is vile, plotting and despicable as he trades woman without regard. Ana Torrent as Henry's first wife, Katherine of Aragon is strong foil to Portman and Johansson.

The opulent production is wonderful to look at. The film is layered with a stunning richness. Brocades, jewels and tapestries leap off the screen. The costuming and settings are remarkable. The castle is some of the best CGI I've seen this year. The screenplay is perhaps the film's one weakness. The plot meanders and doesn't solidly tie up all the events. All is forgiven because of such strong portrayals by Portman, Bana and Morrissey.

The Other Boleyn Girl is an gorgeous period drama that succeeds thanks to spot-on, intelligent performances and beautiful production. The film is sure to become a guilty pleasure.

Easy Rider (1969)

This quintessential 60s counter-culture film is something to see; it's also hard to quantify. It's a character driven storyline of Wyatt (Peter Fonda) and Billy (Dennis Hopper) as they hit the road in a celebration of what exactly?! Individualism, maybe? I think that is the point-- Easy Rider is celebration of what and where you are in life.

Easy Rider is a history lesson. It's a period piece that captures a time of fear, prejudice, societal norms and those who chose to live outside them.

Directed by Dennis Hopper, the film is almost mundane in it's approach. Though drug use is a part of the film, it hardly defines it. There is nothing grandiose or 'cinematic'. Easy Rider feels honest and gritty. There is a scene where Wyatt and Fonda are repairing a flat tire in the background while two cowboys are shoeing a horse in the foreground that speaks volumes.

The soundtrack is a 60s hit-list from the likes of Steppenwolf and Bob Dylan. The cinematography is beautiful with sweeping vistas of the American highway. Peter Fonda is amazing as is a young Jack Nicholson.

Depending on your point of view, Easy Rider will be one of two things. You'll either find it dated and clumsy or a remarkable commentary of the day.