Showing posts with label Laurie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laurie. Show all posts

Summer comedies hit and miss

Monday, September 13, 2010 1:44 PM Chronicle
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Laurie Torres
Staff Writer

Summer may be over, but a demand lingers entertainment among CLC students. Whether you saw all of the summer blockbusters opening night or feel as if you missed out on prime summer box office entertainment, never fear the summer comedy recap is here!

“Get Him to the Greek” was the riproaring comedy of the summer. Part mockumentary, part epic the film’s premise is solid – who doesn’t like getting into the nitty gritty world of music production and showbiz?
Russel Brand shines as Aldous Snow, the talented rocker turned has-been primed for a comeback. At times his motives are questionable but his flair for comedic antics and knack for chaos are undeniable and makes for a good laugh.

At the center of the hilarity is the protagonist, Aaron Green, played by the awkward but loveable Jonah Hill. All he wants is to get his idol back into the spotlight and balance his professional ambitions with his personal life.

Motivating and pressing Hill not to fail is Sergio Roma, Hill’s ruthlessly diabolical boss portrayed by a startlingly maniacal Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.

Stunning cast aside, the film features a spectacular soundtrack that includes Aldous Snow’s numerous hits and the notorious flop “African Child”. The music definitely adds to the mockumentary feel of the movie.

“Greek” is not simply a film aiming for cheap laughs underneath the goofy, and at times shocking, moments, it is a smart and touching film. It explores, and perhaps pokes fun at, the ideas of love and sex, the importance of fame and fortune and how people choose what makes them happy in the end it’s all wrapped up in a nice neat package of comedy.

“The Other Guys” was another comedy, starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, the slapstick comedy and stunts delivered a handful of laughter, but unfortunately the movie dragged. The central mystery feels more like an afterthought.

Wahlberg’s character as police officer Terry Hoitz is not quite as convincing as it could be, mostly because  the audience spends most of the time trying to figure out exactly what his character is. It’s understood that he’s a cop who feels underappreciated and that he’s capable of more responsibility than the force hands him, but his constant rage remains unfounded.

Meanwhile Ferrell’s character is clearly defined, though not offering much depth. He is the basic by-the-books cop with a bad boy past.

In an attempt to convey a meaningful message about the economy and how hard the average American and “other guys” work, the movie features daunting facts about ponzi schemes and how much CEOs make compared to the rest of us.

“Twilight” haters rejoiced this summer as the satirical “Vampires Suck “made its box office debut. Following suit with other spoofs like the “Scary Movie” series, the film pokes fun at the ridiculous plot of “Twilight”, its melodramatic characters, crazed mega-fans and Taylor Lautner’s inability to keep his shirt on for more than 10 seconds of screentime. 

Sad to say, “Vampires Suck” was not as satisfying a punch to the proverbial face of the “Twilight” phenomenon, but it was still good for a few cheap laughs.

All in all, the summer pool of comedies could’ve been better, but it wasn’t all bad. As DVD rentals, they are worth the time and money. As actual movies shown in theaters, money was better spent elsewhere.

Gorillaz dive beneath surface with Plastic Beach album

Friday, March 26, 2010 9:24 PM Chronicle
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Laurie Torres
Staff Writer
 
      Forget politics, religion, love and teen angst. Let’s talk about our planet and its decay. That’s exactly what the Gorillaz do in their third studio album appropriately titled “Plastic Beach”.

      Unlike most pop albums found these days, “Plastic Beach” does not simply borrow or recycle from other genres but sounds as if it takes what genres like disco, alternative and hip-hop have left behind and salvages them to create something familiar but new. 


      For this album, Damon Alburn and his animated bandmates recruited the likes of Mos Def, Snoop Dogg, Mark E. Smith and Lou Reed. The Lebanese Nation Orchestra provides the lush and warm oceanic string introduction to the album. The blend of styles and collage of sound work well to portray the themes of artificiality the album centers around. 

      Although the album does not possess the instantaneous infectious buzz of past hits like “Feel Good Inc.” and “Clint Eastwood”, the melodies undoubtedly grow on the listener.  “Stylo” was released as the first single off the album, featuring a driving disco beat with synthesized strings resounding over it. 

      While the Gorillaz typically have a darker feel to their sound, “Plastic Beach” surprisingly has light, upbeat pop songs like “Superfast Jellyfish” and “Some Kind of Nature”. 

      If you’re looking to turn off the radio in search of something different, “Plastic Beach” could fulfill that wish. Just don’t be surprised if it feels as if you’ve heard it all before at first, it goes far below the surface.

Depp, Carter shine in Burton's Alice in Wonderland

Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:39 PM Chronicle
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Laurie Torres 

Staff Writer




     Punctuality is a key trait of successful students. Don’t be late for work, don’t be late for class, but most importantly, don’t be late for a very important date with Alice in Wonderland.


      While it is understood that there can only be so many renditions of a story before an audience gets bored, Tim Burton reinvents the classic childhood tale in a refreshingly unexpected way.


       While the film appeals to a general audience, enthusiasts of the Lewis Carroll novel will certainly appreciate the inclusion of usually neglected characters such as Dormouse, the White Queen, and the terrifying Jabberwocky.


      The plot is solid and is told to the audience in at a good pace, neither going too fast and losing the audience in a plethora of complexities.  Alice finds herself in Wonderland a second time.


      Instead of incorporating themes of homesickness and coming of age, Burton focuses on the darker themes like love, fear, neglect and abandonment.


      Burton’s typically dark and gothic style is featured generously throughout the film. Don’t be surprised to find that talking animals and lush plant life are abundant. The visual organization and design of the film are quite pleasing and successfully capture the fantastic and unpredictable nature of Wonderland, from the desolate wasteland of what was once the White Queen’s dominion, to the mushrooms of the omniscient and wise Caterpillar, voiced by Alan Rickman.


      More fitting than the appearance is the soundtrack of the film. Quirky, suspenseful and absolutely delightful, Danny Elfman’s composition add to the ethereal environment of Wonderland and keeps the film moving along.


      The casting of the film was spot on. From Helena Bonham Carter’s tyrannical Red Queen to Johnny Depp’s whimsical Mad Hatter. Newcomer Mia Wasikowska plays a convincing Alice, neither appearing as a lost naiveté dropped into a world of nonsense, nor as an overzealous, overanxious young woman determined to make sense of it all.


      Anne Hathaway’s wispy White Queen at first appears annoying and unnecessarily delicate and demure, but when viewed against the short-tempered and quick-tongued Red Queen, provides a good balance and contrast.


      While fond of playing eccentric characters, Depp makes an endearing Hatter, giving a surprisingly poignant performance as a loyal subject of the White Queen and friend to Alice.


      Carter, on the other hand, had quite a different task in playing the superficial and vindictive Red Queen. At first glance, the shallow demeanor puts off the audience and establishes her role as the villain. However as the film progresses a new dimension to the otherwise flat Red Queen is added as she reveals a more lonely nature.


      Surprisingly, there are few laughs to be found while watching the film. The dialogue is witty and straight to the point, keeping the audience attentive to the plot.


      If a book can be considered a good read, then a film can be considered a good viewing – which is what this film is. Visual appeal combined with a good story makes for a good time. Having good actors doesn’t hurt either, so whatever the reason is for seeing Alice in Wonderland, just keep in mind it came highly recommended.

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