Action and Social Commentary - Elysium Review

I was very lucky in getting an invite from a good friend of mine to catch Elysium, in the best theatre in the Bay Area no less, a night before it opens to the public.  I remember hearing about it for the first time while at Comic Con last year, but was not sold on the few stills that I saw...basically Matt Damon in an exo-skeleton suit.  However, after seeing a trailer, I was excited...especially after I heard it was from Neill Blomkam, the director of District 9, an awesome movie.

Elysium is set in 2154 in a world where disease, famine, and poverty has taken over the planet.  The privileged and the elite have escaped to a Elysium, a space station for the rich, leaving the rest of the population suffering on Earth, as on Elysium there are medical bays in everyone's house that can cure anything with a couple quick scans.  Matt Damon (anyone else think of Team America and say his name like in this video...because I still do) is Max, a lovable little trouble maker growing up in orphanage run by nuns where he meets Frey and falls in love...promising her that he would take them to Elysium some day.  Fast forward 30+ years, and Max is a parolee working a factory job.  After a little accident with the robot cops, he finds Frey (Alice Braga) working as a nurse in the hospital with hopes of rekindling what they had as kids. Well, without giving things away, he is forced into taking on a job to help your friendly neighborhood gang leader Spider, who sells spots on shuttles heading to Elysium with stolen flight codes to those desperate enough to risk being blown up for a chance to reach Elysium and their panacea med-bays.  Jodie Foster plays Sec. of Defense Delacourt who in charge of stopping such attempts using methods authorized and unauthorized by Elysium's government.  One of the unauthorized methods is deploying Kruger, an almost unrecognizable Sharlto Copely, and his mercenary team.   And there you have all the major players set in motion for a typical story of the downtrodden rising up to combat the over powered and privileged for a right to a better life...and healthcare.

Blomkam does a good job of adding enough elements to the general story line to keep it fresh and entertaining.  The action is very good, as are the special effects - both the practical and CGI work.  The is one scene with a grenade blast on a dummy's head that had people tilt their head at the brutality.  There are also some cyberpunk influences as in how data is stored and Max's exo-skeleton.  The movie also gets some help from Damon and Copely.  Damon, in his normal charm, pulls off Max's thief with a heart of gold trying to live the straight and narrow until things happen and force him back.   Copley's Kruger is the physical villain with enough "evil charisma" that you enjoy his scenes.    And most of the actors do a good job of keeping you vested in their causes and world to enjoy the experience.

The movie, however, suffers from the "don't think too much" problem, which pretty common for summer blockbusters.  For example, the poor people who pay ungodly amounts of money for an illegal ride to Elysium...which can, and usually does end with being blown up.  At first I wondered by they would take that big of a risk, especially when one does land that the Elysium security forces of robots rounds them up just as quick and deport them back.  Well one reason would be to use the med-bays to cure whatever ails you.  But is it worth the risk if your problem is not life threatening?

And while I do enjoy Jodie Foster, I thought her performance here was a little too over the top as the over zealous Sec. of Defense.  It was nice to have a second villain...one that is more scheming and less physically threatening.  I am sure most of this is how the character was written.

Overall, I really enjoyed the movie...I just wasn't wow'd.  I think I set my expectations too high before seeing this.  I wonder if it was already seeing a movie that commented on the disparity between the super wealthy and the rest of us...The Purge tried to do this as well.  The movie also speaks on the issue of immigration and health care, and I usually do not care so much about over the top social commentary.  It's not that I disagree with it, but I look for movies to be more of an escape....not a potential view of the future, which this Blomkam paints very well here.

It is a really smart and entertaining movie, with solid performances from the actors.  Is it worth seeing in the theatre for $11+...I think so.  The large set pieces, the beauty of Elysium contrasted by the poverty stricken L.A., and the action benefit quite a bit from the big screen.

This is another Mondo poster done by Martin Ansin

And as for a little hint on where I saw the film...here is a video by a favorite EDM group Mt Eden (New Zealand), who have one of their tracks in the movie...not the track below, but one called "Sierra Leone" that I caught while it was playing in the background.  Anyway, here is the "hint" track...an amazing song by the way!

How to Properly Storm the Castle - Princess Bride in Dolores Park

I find it interesting re-watching films that we adored in our youth.  We sometimes find that movies do not stand the test of time or survive our ever growing tastes.  Then we have the ones that are just as endearing to us now, if not more so, then they were when we first saw them.  Princess Bride is one of those films that we fell in love with when we first saw it and we will continue to show it to our kids and so on.

We should all know the story, and if you don't, please stop reading and remedy the situation immediately. It has everything - it's got action, "sports", fantastical creatures, romance, true love, torture, and adventure, so I do not know anyone who dislikes the film.  The only thing I worry about it how younger generations will react to it...something I eagerly await to test our on my young nieces when they are old enough to appreciate the movie.

As for the park experience, I have been wanting to checkout movie night in Dolores Park for a couple of years.  A mixture of timing, conflicting schedules with friends, and movie selection has prevented me from attending in the past.  But now, my friends and I were finally able to get everything together!  Because we planned ahead, three of my friends were able to secure a very nice spot with a great view of the inflatable screen.  When I got there after an afternoon of home brewing with some friends, the field was as populated as I would expect for a normal, nice day in SF.  But as we got closer and closer to showtime, it started filling in pretty quick.  At about 7:00p, it got to the point that anyone leaving the safety of the blanketed territory had to navigate a labyrinthine path of how to get out...and probably forgetting the way back and exactly where their friends were.  This was also about the time they started inflating the screen and the first of many attempts at tying it down as the wind picked up later in the evening.  Then finally, the organizers set up a couple of tables to sell popcorn, candy, and sodas for the less prepared.  It's fun being in an environment filled with fans of the film and hear the applause at favorite lines and scenes.  I even usually like when we the audience quote our favorites...especially Princess Bride because it has so many quoted scenes.  

I would definitely check out other film night in the park events, and they have them across the Bay Area.  For those looking to check it out sometime or for those looking to enhance their experience next time, here is some helpful advice:

1. Use Vizzini's Westley's Brains:  Like any event, especially free ones, you'll need to set up a plan of attack.  For Dolores Park , you will already find plenty of people enjoying a nice picnic any relatively nice day in SF.  So when you add a free movie event with an amazing movie, you can't just show up with 10min until showtime with a large floor mat and think you'll get an amazing seat.  We had two brave warriors who could start reserving precious space at about 1:00pm (movie begins around 8:30pm), with the rest of crew showing up throughout the day.
   
2. Use Fezzik's Strength: Unless the parking gods are with you, most events of this Magnitude (POP POP!) usually means you'll have to bring walk a number of block with your supplies.  I walked 7 long blocks from BART.  Might not seem like much, but three 22ox bottles of beer, one six pack, four different kinds of cheeses, 4 different kind of meats, 2 liters of water, blank, sweatshirt, and some picnic equipment.  Our brave warriors carried a full cooler about the same distance as well.
   
3. Use Inigo's Steel (Optional) - The park is not really the place for swords...but having a trusty knife for cutting bread, cheese, and meats is always useful.  A steel bottle opener is another good idea.
   
4. Take stock of your assets: You will need at least one blanket, but two is preferred as one will be used to lay on while the other will help reinforce against cold if the wind picks up.  Food and beverages are also important, and I highly recommend sending your seat savers with plenty of both for their effort.  We went with a selection meats and cheeses, some fruit, plenty of quality beer, chips, and some candy.  Also, bring some bags to help collect trash and keep the park clean.  And if you do not have a holocaust cloak, make sure to bring layered clothing as it can get pretty warm (sunblock wouldn't hurt) and very cold. And finally, while you might want to use a wheelbarrow, a good backpack and/or a rolling cooler will be much better.
   
   
   
5. R.O.U.S. - While in the park, this acronym means something a little different to me than referring to the rodents of unusual size as in the Fire Swamp
1. R: Respect those around you.  This includes, but is not limited to bringing chairs or in one case an inflatable couch that will block the view of those behind you...even more so if they have been there longer than you have.  Also respect the park and cleanup after yourselves.
2. O: Observe your surroundings.  At an event this size, you might spot friends who attended separately from your group.  Or just look out for your friends who are showing up after you or forgot where you camped out.
3. U: Unwind and enjoy the experience.  You will have a much better time if you can relax and leave your worries for later.
4. S: Share with those around you - don't just share within your group, but reach out to those around you.  You'll never know you'll meet.  A couple next to me asked about the Lagunitas "Little Sumpthin WILD" I was drinking.  Instead of trying to describe it, I gave them one of my bottles.  We're all there/here to have fun, so we should share in the experience.

Evil Re-made: Evil Dead (2013) Review

The Evil Dead franchise as a whole as a weird place in my heart.  I definitely started out of order by watching The Army of Darkness when I was around 10...I remember seeing the VHS box sitting at my local video store for awhile before asking my parents to let me rent it.  There was a dude on the cover with a shotgun and the undead...my little geek heart was like, "This is Awesome!"  Luckily my parents were cool with me seeing stuff like that...I remember reading Interview with the Vampire in 3rd Grade ha!

It wasn't until high school where some friends and I watched Evil Dead 2.  Great and hilarious movie. One of the friends there mentioned how this was kind of an redo of the first one.  I really enjoyed it, and it explained the beginning of AoD, which confused the hell out of 10yr old me...guy drops down into the medieval times with a busted ass car and shotgun and missing hand...WHAT?  But luckily 10yr old me was in for the ride anyway.

Evil Dead...this is a weird one memory, even for me.  My roommates from my sophomore year were staying in a hotel before classes started.  My friend and I were in one room, and the two girls were in the one next door...the bottom of our windows in each room was the actual ground outside.  So when we were both in our rooms, we left our windows open so we could climb in and out as we pleased.  See my friend and I had taken over all the outlets for our computers so we could play Diablo II together...so the TV was unplugged. There we were dungeon crawling when the girls jumped into our room, in tears and in between sobs, "We're under attack.."  My friend and I, utterly confused followed them into their room to watch news reports of 9/11...I'm not sure how long we sat silently watching the news until someone finally asked to change the channel...the first thing we flipped to was Evil Dead, which we also watched silently.  Weird association, right?

When I finally read Bruce Campbell's biography, If Chins Could Kill, these memories came back (all of them), and I really enjoyed hearing the behind the scenes.

So then the remake...I had wanted to see it in the theatre, but hardly any of my friends would see it with me.  And while, I could have seen it by myself, I like seeing movies with friends so we can discuss.  Then I read the mixed reviews.  My favorite and go to horror movie reviewer is Brian Collins, who ran a very cool website called Horror Movie a Day, and now writes for Badass Digest, an awesome website as well.  He called it "good enough"...great review, check it out if you want something other than my musings and thoughts...I am no film critic or knowledge of the film industry, just a fan.

So what did I think...I definitely enjoyed the film.  "Good enough" is a great description.  It is definitely better than a lot of movies trying to copy the formula of these types of movies.  Part of that could be the homages and nods paid to the original Evil Dead and the familiarity of certain things like the POV zooming through the trees or the visuals like cabin, the Oldsmobile, etc.  But it was also a quality film.

The synopsis is as follows:  Mia and her friends head to Mia's family's cabin out in the woods.  Her friends are there to help Mia quit drugs cold turkey.  Along for the ride is her brother and his girlfriend, their family dog Grampa, and two friends/couple who I called Teacher Boy and the Nurse.  Things are going ok for this type of situation until they find the cellar and the Necronomicon.  Teacher Boy is intrigued and ultimately releases the evil by reading from the book.  Evil, demonic possession and gore ensue.

The movie does have a lot going for it.  The practical effects are awesome and there is a ton of blood.  Visually, this film looked amazing.  I loved all the camera angles, and the sound is well done.  The movie actually really shines when things are building up or when the craziness is being shown.

When the movie slows down is where I have the biggest issues with, albeit not not that big overall.  Some of the dialogue and interaction just doesn't jive.   The best actor/character is Teacher Boy, kind of the new Ash with how much punishment this guy takes.  I think I just really wanted to get to the action.  Which was good, but I think I have been spoiled a little bit with films like The Conjuring (and Insidious) and Cabin in the Woods, where the actions are more believable and fun.  Both films that scare more and do an overall better job and believable.

Let me take the time to talk about a movie and it's characters being believable.  It seems like more horror movies take place in a world where horror fiction/non-fiction is not really around or to a very little extent.  So for the kids to explore the basement and read the Necronomicon...I mean we as a viewing audience know better having seen these types of movies.  But honestly, if I found myself in that situation I would be intrigued because I am a fan of the genre...I would look through the book...but I sure as hell wouldn't read out loud...I'm not that stupid haha.  But there are parts in Evil Dead where shit has hit the fan and the level of denial is too damn high for the brother before he finally buys in.  A good contrast would be the Perron family in the Conjuring...they catch on quick to the supernatural elements afflicting them.

So overall, I would recommend seeing it.  I paid $5 to rent it on VuDu through my Xbox, and was worth it.  I think for some, wait for Netflix or rent the DVD at a cheaper price.  You'll need the gore and violence for the movie to shine (both overall and to appreciate the special effects).

Below are my musing why watching the film...all grammar and writing etiquette did not apply by the way haha.


Evil Dead - movie notes

Opening is a little interesting, girl in woods, beatup, found buy some guys, old woman spellbook, girls dad showed up, dad lights her on fire to save her soul, deadite, then shotgun to the face...first time

cool establishing shot after shock title, insidious and conjuring better...now it seems better, opening was kind of weird, reminds me of ED2 almost...driving up to the mountain, cabin looks legit, theres the car!,

troubled bro/sis, promises and hope to die, i mean am i too jaded for cliches, or is it cool as a throwback...

yeah poor drugs into the well...what if you need the water later.

cabin looks like crap inside,  memory wall of pics with some disturbing pics, more troubled bro/sis

setup for intervention, interesting choice mentioning failed attept before, didnt know what from info...quick into breaking from withdrawal...

dog as vehicle for finding...blood stains and trapdoor...stench, but no one smelled it before?

book in bag and wire, shotgun and shells...new book looks good, and i get the curiosity thing, if i didnt believe, i would read it, i dont think i would read out loud though...im not stupid.

now we're on, traveling through the woods and flash of deadite,

by trying  to do good, but they are the reason shit is going to hit the fan...not that it would have helped as its never than easy to escape...then vine rape scene which  completes the possession,

and the dog is a goner, dig naming the dog grampa...say goodbye to grampa...lets hug the dead bloody dog, bro thing sis did it...things get worse, Mia is freaking out and is fucked up,

teacher boy gets the book is happening haha, lets see what he does with it.

And trapped, im liking the homage aspects, but its the new stuff that is kind of trite, teacher boy is good...though not doing much about it...but what can he really do?

Mia fucked up and brings shotgun...shit just got serious, bro is hurt, blood puke on nurse, mia now trapped in basement....

not sure how much of the Necronomicon as a playbook for whats coming is working anymore, the first two were cool.

teacher boy vs nurse, pretty cool...teacher boy gets abused but wins, admits to friend of reading the book...in shed, why split up...i know why, but come one just for some water...

bro's gf is a goner...goes down basement, granted trying to help friend...would have worked had they played the is she really possessed vs withdrawl better...box knife on tongue wasnt as bad as it looked in trailers, gf gets bloodied by possessed mia, why they brought her up when what happened to nurse...

I will give it to the gore and special effects, very well done, same as cinematography,  also how they locked the basement, nice chain work on the zig zag approach

yay hand possession!  gf is screwed haha, and we get a cut it off scene, poor form on no turniquet,

bro has a lot of denial of whats really or coward,

possessed gf with nailgun...forshadowed from earlier...teacher boy...the new ash in terms of punishment...soo nailed haha...bro gets beaten with crowbar, teacher buy tries to help with nailgun...finally out of nails. then beaten near death from crowbar, bro saves him (maybe), gf reverts to normal for some torture...

bro finally sacks up to burn the place down...or does he, Mia starts singing...then digs and then rigs something up...couldnt tell what it is yet...braves basement to get Mia..gets crapped kiced out of him, teacher boy shows up somehow to help, they drug mia...teacher boy dies :(...would have thought he was the hero, as the brother was kind unlikeable at times...but sometimes ok...

bro goes for live burial, dresses her up like he knows what he is doing...assuming teacher boy told him at somepoint...lil psychological taunting from possessed mia, ahh defibulated contraption, that doesnt work, but he tried save the possess mia...does work, he thinks its over...we know its not hahaha, and she is back to normal mia?

one last trup inside and teacher buy possesed attacks, revived mia is normal again so far, teacher possessed and bro face off, bro sacrifices self to shoot gas can with shotgun to end things...then rain of blood and demon born from ground...mia is now fighting against risen one...hides and uses chainsaw!

finally wins with more fire and chainsaw, end credits were cool...post credit show of bruce campbell saying groovy was nice touch...

over all, i liked it, i know i sounded critical, but was just picking on a few things, when the film got serious and went for the craziness, it works, it was just the stuff inbetween that felt flat...

Poster was found on Google...best one for the remake, very cool design.  Not sure who did it, I just copied the URL address.  That should cover me on reusing the likeness right...