In “Rampart,” Woody Harrelson portrays Dave “Date Rape” Brown, a dirty cop under investigation for his crimes during the LAPD’s Rampart scandal. While being hailed as a “masterful” performance by Harrelson, I really can’t say the same about the movie. The storytelling is distorted and the viewer is never truly immersed into what’s being presented to them on screen. “Rampart” feels like a series of scenes barely connected together with an ambiguous ending (if you can call that a true ending) that ultimately leads to an entirely unsatisfying viewing experience. You can’t really knock the dynamite performance by Harrelson, but despite the deep character study, the supporting players (which includes some famous names) feel non-genuine, one-dimensional, and flat. When all is said and done (which feels like little was both said or done), you’re left wondering what the point of the entire film was. Director Owen Moverman directed the fantastic 2009 film, “The Messenger”, but with “Rampart,” he’s definitely taken a step in the wrong direction. Profoundly disappointing and lacking a cohesive plot, “Rampart” is a slowly paced, uninspiring slog of a film.
“The Descendants” puts George Clooney on the radar for next year’s Academy Awards. However, it’ll be an obligatory nomination because it’s Clooney we’re talking about. His performance, while satisfactory, is by no means “Oscar” worthy. Clooney stars as Matt King, an indifferent husband and father of two girls, whose wife is involved in a potentially tragic boating accident. Unequipped to handle the responsibility of raising two girls (ages ten and seventeen), Clooney finds himself in limbo and somewhat lost. To add to the stress, he’s in the middle of negotiating a deal to sell his family's land handed down from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries. “The Descendants” isn’t a horrible film, but it’s noting spectacular either. At least not in the way it could have been especially coming from renowned “Sideways” writer and director, Alexander Payne. Easily the best parts of the movie involve Clooney and his ten-year-old daughter (Amara Miller). Additionally, the older sister (Shailene Woodley) often upstages Clooney. I was hoping “The Descendants” was going to be moving, inspirational, and tug at the strings of my heart. In the end, it barely reaches any of those heights. I’m only left with idea of what it could have truly accomplished. Looks like I’ll have to invest those eminent expectations in another film.
2011 Sundance flick, “I Melt With You,” stars Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, and Christian McKay as four old college buddies getting together for a drug induced week getaway. The first 45 minutes is awash with heavy drug use, music video type cinematography and a loud, semi-aggressive soundtrack. After the barrage of drugs and partying with both younger men and women, the film takes a very, expected dark turn. It takes a lengthy time getting there and even a longer time coming to a resolution. “I Melt With You” will definitely split audiences as it remains largely convoluted, controversial, and rather depressing. I’m not entirely sure what kind of audience this movie was intended for, but I know I was left out in the cold. Four middle age men at crossroads, all of which bear a haunted past or present life isn’t all that enticing to moviegoers. None of the guys are in any way much likable with the slight exception of Christian McKay’s character. However, you really don’t know anything about these buddies. Their demons are scattered throughout the movie, but you find no sympathy or connection to these self-absorbed men. A letter at the end of the movie shows up that practically tries to sum up the last two hours, but it’s way too late for any last minute pleads. The filmmaker’s intentions remain clearly unknown (possibly to even themselves?) because this film means absolutely nothing. A bloated (122 minutes), toxic, miserable movie trying to be different, artsy and meaningful comes together poorly, misguided, and ornate.
Published on December 17th, 2011 by Mountain Views News
http://mtnviewsnews.com/v05/htm/n51/p12.htm
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