Movie Review: Despicable Me (2010)

After watching it, I believe that Despicable Me was created solely for that "Family Weekend" activity that kids and parents will love.

If you ask me, the film borrows a lot from the concept of Pixar's The Incredibles, but in this case, the film pokes fun at super-villainy. Depite the lack of originality, there are many things to like about the film: the 3D animation, the transformation of the villainous Gru (Steve Carell) into a paternal figure thanks to three adorable girls, the rivalry between Gru and the upstart Vector (Jason Segel), and the multitude of Gru's yellow minions.

One thing that annoyed me though was Gru's accent. It sounds like Russian and it sounded garbled to me in a lot of times. Another beef is the availability of the film exclusively on 3D, so that meant paying double to what I usually pay for in a movie. The only time the 3D format was given justice was during the end credits (be sure to stay after the movie has ended).

Despicable Me is fun movie that the family will love and enjoy. A definite must-see. :)

Rating: 4/5

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Movie Review: The American (2010)

The American is a subdued thriller about one not escaping his past.

George Clooney plays Jack and he is an American weapons expert in Europe. Plying his trade in secret, Jack goes to a small town of Castel del Monte in Italy to finish a complicated weapon. The isolation and loneliness get to Jack and he breaks protocol by getting involved with the locals-- first, befriending the town's priest and then falling for a local prostitute. But as Jack decides to escape his life of intrigue, his situation becomes even more dangerous.

Two things work for me in the film: First, is the beautifully shot locations in Italy. Castel del Monte's small town appeal is captured wonderfully by the film. Seriously, you can take screenshots of the film and print them as post cards. Second is George Clooney's restrained performance as Jack. He relies so much in his instincts that he grapples with them a lot. I feel comfortable labeling Jack as the "Anti-James Bond."

I left the theater affected and with good reason-- The American succeeds in setting up the mood and atmosphere.

Rating: 4/5

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Rest In Peace Sally Menke

Posted by Danon 28. 09. 2010in News Chat

There are two film editors I absolutely adore, these editors are Thelma Schoonmaker and Sally Menke. One of my biggest passions in life is editing film and those two women are the professionals I have always looked up to and I feel inspired the way I cut film today.

It is sad I have to announce that Sally Menke at 56 years of age is no longer with us. A longtime film editor who has stuck by Quentin Tarantino as his film editor since Reservoir Dogs there is no doubt that this will have huge impact on Tarantino for his future films. I remember her saying in an interview once that Tarantino didn’t even have to explain what he wanted anymore cause she just knew.

L.A Times Reports:

Menke had gone hiking in the morning, and her friends alerted police after she failed to come home.

Search dogs, an LAPD helicopter and officers from patrol units spent hours in Griffith Park searching for her.

Her locked car was found in a Griffith Park parking lot. Menke’s dog was found alive, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The sources, who spoke on the condition that they not be named because the investigation was ongoing, said Menke’s body was found at the bottom of a ravine near 5600 block of Green Oak Drive.

No cause of death was immediately reported, and it’s unclear whether the heat was a factor.

Menke’s body was found just after 2 a.m. at the bottom of a ravine near the 5600 block of Green Oak Drive in Bronson Canyon.

Her dog was sitting next to her body, which was about a football field’s length from nearby homes.

It maybe unknown for sure what exactly caused Sally Menke’s death but was is known is she was only 56 and had a long successful career still ahead of her. It breaks my heart when such talented people pass away so abruptly. I’m going to watch one of her movies tonight in respect to her, I give my condolences to her family.

Also, did you know she edited the first TMNT movie?

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