Reviews From A Bed

HOWL Review

I had no previous knowledge of either Ginsberg or his poem before watching 'HOWL'. Given this little movie was given a big boast by the names attached to it I was rather interested what attracted them to it and why what seemed to be an Oscar-bait type film had not garnered much attention. To address that directly would be to tell you what the film does. We are told before the movie begins this is very much like a documentary, that every word spoken in the film was spoken by these real people. It is an interesting concept intertwining interviews, a trial concerning the poems obscenity and flashbacks to Ginsberg reading his work. The three flow together seamlessly, each building from one another, the reasons for certain things being explained, the causes for thought processes and the justification for being artsy all collides in a concise tale concerning the literary world.

In the title role of Ginsberg we have the current man of the moment, James Franco. He plays Ginsburg as a high intellectual with a flair for absurd humor. We can see Franco's own persona seep through at times, but as I am not familiar with the real life Ginsburg I found this to be rather comforting. And though I can see Franco here, knowing who he is as an actor this is no doubt as close to a representation of the true Ginsburg as he could give us. He is an interesting person, and though the film focuses more on his work and the trouble it created than the man himself, it is in the moments when we actually get to listen to Franco spout Ginsburgs musings that the film really shines.

Sure, the trial is interesting, and I highly doubt you could find two better actors than Jon Hamm and David Strathairn to portray the lawyers fighting for and against this poem. Both are given some pretty meaty dialogue, especially in their closing statements that really make the purpose not only of this film known, but they research and conclude a fair assessment on the world of art. I found Hamm's final speech to be very powerful stuff. And though I am someone who finds all different kinds of things interesting I would never call myself an artsy type person. That is where I have to figure out the line between real art and simple vulgarity or being shocking for shocks sake. I find this an interesting topic and so the conflict in the courtroom only heightened the introspective looks into Ginsbergs mind through the small clips of interviews I mentioned earlier. There is a difference between being odd and being clever. Ginsburgs poem was certainly taken both ways. I can in no way judge the poem for I have no context for it and did not get a clear, one-through reading of it. Instead I was treated to Franco reading it to to the images his words provoked through animation.

The animation was nicely done and looked similar to the sequence David Yates used in the latest "Harry Potter" film. I found it certainly an interesting way to convey the point of these very abstract words that were put together, but it didn't flow with the rest of the movie as well as I would have hoped. Overall still, I found the film to be nothing short of interesting. An odd, probably common tale of a homosexual poet trying to let his voice be heard, but interesting non the less. and 'HOWL' has certainly made some type of impact on the literary world or I would not be writing or thinking about it now. I will not let that fact slip my mind, I realize the importance of the work, even if the controversy around it made it a bigger deal than it ever should have been.

HOWL Review

By Vandy Price

What I Can't Wait to See in 2011

By Vandy Price

10. SUCKER PUNCH

In theaters: March 25, 2011

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Abbie Cornish, Jon Hamm, Jenna Malone, Carla Gugino, Jamie Chung

My Thoughts: A band of girls trying to escape their psychiatric institution by venturing into a fantasy world of dragons, armies, big guns and musical numbers is the backdrop for Snyder's latest visual wonder. We'll see if this substance holds up better than the thin "300" narrative and the overly-stuffed "Watchmen".

9. WAR HORSE

In theaters: Dec. 28, 2011

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: David Thewlis, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, Emily Watson

My Thoughts: I'm a sucker for certain directors and this is only the first of two examples on this list. Spielberg returns to the Oscar game in this WWI set epic about a boy trying to save his horse from the frontline. Though this isn't coming out until the end of 2011 I am anxious to see what Spielberg has up his sleeve, moreso with this than his other directorial effort this year, "The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn".

8. X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

In theaters: June 3, 2011

Director: Matthew Vaughn

Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, Oliver Platt

My Thoughts: Matthew Vaughn (Stardust, Kick-Ass) takes over the mutant universe with a 60's inspired take on the origin of Charles Xavier's X-Men and his relationship with Erik Lehnsherr a.k.a. Magneto. I loved the Bryan Singer installments of the "X-Men" series and lets not forget they began this whole comic book craze and the casting for this seems interesting. I hold out great hope for this.

7. YOUR HIGHNESS

In theaters: April 8, 2011

Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Natalie Portman, Zooey Deschanel, James Franco, Danny McBride, Damian Lewis, Justin Theroux, Toby Jones

My Thoughts: This may be the breakout lead Danny McBride has deserved for quite some time now. Teaming up again with "Pineapple Express" director David Gordon Green and co-star James Franco isn't a bad way to go.

6. SOURCE CODE

In theatres: April 1, 2011

Director: Duncan Jones

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright

My Thoughts: Jones' follow-up to his impressive debut "Moon" looks to be a sci-fi nerds dream as it follows Jake Gyllenhaal as a soldier who’s sent into the body of a civilian aboard a train in the last eight minutes of his life and forced to relive the incident over and over again until he can find out who is responsible for its bombing and how to prevent the next terrorist attack from occurring. Sounds amazing to me.

5. THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

My Thoughts: I am basically lumping these two together because they together form the stepping stones to 2012's "The Avengers". I am equally excited to see both though maybe Captain America a little more. I have seen enough footage and have enough trust in Branagh to know that Thor will turn out well enough. Johnston on the other hand makes me nervous. He has plenty of good credits to his name but his last effort (The Wolfman) was pretty horrible. The casting of Chris Evans is somewhat nerve-wracking as well. Here's hoping for the best in both of them.

In theaters: May 6, 2011

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg

In theaters: July 22, 2011

Director: Joe Johnston

Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Stanley Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell

4. HUGO CABRET

In theaters: Dec. 9, 2011

Director: Martin Scorsese

Cast: Chloe Moretz, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley

My Thoughts: My second film on the list that I know very little about but am anxious to see it simply because of its director. "Hugo Cabret" is about a young orphan who attempts to solve a mystery his father has left for him throughout the City of Lights. This is Scorsese's first 3-D film and it is based on the works of Georges Méliès. I'm not sure what all this will add up to but I am certainly intrigued.

3. THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

In theatres: December 11, 2011

Director: David Fincher
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Robin Wright, Christopher Plummer

My Thoughts: I haven't read any of the books, but I have seen the Swedish films and absolutely loved this first film in the Millennium trilogy. Though it will be hard for this film to replace the special place in my heart I hold for the original, if anyone can do it it would be Mr. David Fincher. Hot off the trails of "The Social Network" and with a great cast lined up I am very excited to see what he brings to this grand murder mystery tale.

2. THE HANGOVER 2

In theatres: May 26, 2011

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Zach Galifinakis, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha

My Thoughts: For me, there is a ton of pressure riding on this film. I absolutely love the first one and consider it to be a comedy classic for my generation. It will be the one comedy every guy in my age group will cite as their favorite when we are our fathers age. Let's hope they don't go and mess it up with this sequel.

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART II

In theaters: July 15, 2011

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes

My Thoughts: There is no bigger film this year. Simple as that. The final chapter in what has been the series that defined mine and countless others adolescent phase comes to an end. I don't usually cry at movies, but I just might make an exception.

MORE I'M ANXIOUS FOR: Super 8 (6-10), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (5-20), The Tree of Life (5-27), Water for Elephants (4-22), Transformers: The Dark of the Moon (7-1), Rango (3-4), Sherlock Holmes 2 (12-16), Cowboys & Aliens (7-29), Moneyball (9-23), Wanderlust (10-7), The Green Lantern (6-17), Hall Pass (2-25), Battle Los Angeles (3-11), Larry Crowe (7-1), Horrible Bosses (TBD).

What I Can't Wait to See in 2011

By Vandy Price

10. SUCKER PUNCH

In theaters: May 6, 2011

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg

In theaters: July 22, 2011

Director: Joe Johnston

Cast: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Stanley Tucci, Tommy Lee Jones, Hayley Atwell

4. HUGO CABRET

THE KING'S SPEECH Review

By Vandy Price

When it comes to films such as "The King's Speech" it is hard to ignore the fact that these are the types of films the Oscar voters will look at. It brings a completely different kind of aspect to the viewing role if you have any interest in film or the awards shows. And while I enjoyed this film very much, I wouldn't put it at the top of my favorites. While it is a beautifully made film, it isn't the most beautiful film I've seen in recent memory.

What I am trying to say is that there is no doubt the two lead actors here, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, will garner Oscar noms and at least one of them will probably win. Deservedly so, but what is there of this film after all the awards talk is wiped away? After we take away the pre-conceived thoughts the rave reviews have planted in your head and simply go into this with a clear mind. What would you think had you heard nothing of this film prior? That is what I went in trying to answer and I am happy to say that even without the positive hype I still found myself loving much of this film. It is a movie of moments, both touching and humorous. It opens up a fascinating world and while it is clearly a slower paced, artistic movie, it is never not entertaining and in that was where the victory was won.

In 1936 Firth's Bertie must take over the role of king after his father dies and his brother abdicates the throne. It is all completely true and completely fascinating. The catch here is that Bertie has battled with a stutter most of his life and when it comes to public speaking he is overcome and ultimately defeated by it every time. Enter Lionel Logue (Rush) the unorthodox speech coach that will overcome the King's handicap and lead him to a victory during the point in his life when he needs it most.

The acting here is fantastic. As Bertie Firth is nothing less than brilliant, truly, he inherits the character and leads the movie with a fearless quality that makes us wonder how he will cope with the predictable structure of the film. Though we know how everything will play out, it is the interaction between Firth and the wonderfully awkward Rush that make this film feel special. It is beautifully designed and shot. Its angles possess an in-your-face feeling. Putting you right behind the microphone or right in front of the audience that seem to be towering over you. It is almost nauseating at points and we see why Bertie is as nervous as he is. The style sometimes disrupts the uptight nature of the films subject but it does nothing short of aiding the storytelling.

As Lionel, Rush is not the high brow academic he portrays himself to be in the presence of his patients. He is simply a struggling actor who finds he has a talent for aiding those with speech impediments. Thus meaning his character isn't the usual quirky oddball, but he is a kind of deceiver, but in the terms least harsh of meanings. Lionel does what he does because he truly means to help his patients. As the time and lessons continue between he and the king, they naturally become good friends who by the end are much more than student and teacher. We see it coming, but this is the finest example of a buddy film ever made. And as exuberant as Rush is in his role, it is good to see such amazing support by such amazing and invested actors like Helena Bonham Carter's Elizabeth, who is always there for her husband, always supportive, always striving to help. Bonham Carter makes a turn here for the best, creating a calm and natural role from an actress that is known for her eccentric characters. Guy Pearce shows up shortly as the slimy King Edward VIII and Timothy Spall and Michael Gambon portray more famous historical figures that are filled out just fine.

What amazes me most about the film is the simplicity of its story. There is no rising action, no big climax we are really building to here. And what tension there might be is easily relieved by the fact we know what to expect or what is going to happen, if you know even a little bit of history. The pacing, acting and beautifully graceful musical score all help this move along in a way that doesn't necessarily require our short attention spans to be looking for that familiar conclusion. Instead we have become so invested in this character that Firth is playing so wonderfully that we only hop he can overcome his fear and lead his country at a time when a strong leader is most needed.

"The King's Speech" is not a large drama that has gained its status as serious Oscar contender because of its original story or its groundbreaking storytelling, special effects or even its sense of prestige. Instead it is just a character-driven story that relates a universal theme through an individual we would expect to have everything figured out. To see that even the most privileged of us all still have their issues is not just refreshing but it offers opportunity galore for a character actor to spread his wings and suggest the idea of what it was like to be that person they are portraying. All the actors here did that well, but Firth did it perfectly and as much as I tried to keep the awards chatter out of my brain, I could not escape the thought that Firth will no doubt be holding a golden statue come February.