Anthony J. Merced

Sam Mendes seems to have a love/hate relationship with the suburbs. Often times he’ll bury the complacent, shut in, mentality of the people living there and expose the somewhat disturbing lives hiding behind their cookie cutter walls. His latest film, Away We Go, does a complete 180 degree turn from what the director has pushed on us through several films. Written by author and editor Dave Eggers, Away We Go is less about the giant rat trap that is the American Dream and more about taking a moment to fully grasp where it is our lives are actually going.

The story follows a couple in their mid thirties that is expecting their first child. We quickly see them as likable and relatable. These are not the usual silver spoon characters being passed off as  everymen. They work, pay bills, deal with family struggles and most of all they deal with not knowing what to do even though their hearts are in the right place. To often, films fall into a trap of being too much about heart and neglect practicality. Away We Go gives a healthy portion of both. There is no major conflict aside from quieting the skepticism of the main characters. However, like any good film, it is the connection with the characters that keeps us watching more than the conflict.

While John Krasinski manages to just barely pass the non-hipster test, it is Maya Rudolph that carries the emotional weight of the film. She constantly walks a fine line between mellodrama and neurosis. Her ability to hold back emotion at certain points is equally as impressive, making her outbursts that much more powerful. The supporting cast is also given a backbone. They provide our characters with the useful life information that usually comes from a solid family base. Unfortunately our characters lack that foundation but have traversed troubled waters to be in this position.

To quote a Beatles song: “We get by with a little help from our friend.” Away We Go focuses on the idea of second family. As a working class adult with no immediate family, I find it refreshing to see a story of successful people who are simply looking for the right emotional direction instead of fighting just to get by. Score: 8/10

Terry Gilliam has seemingly led two lives. His first as part of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python and his second as the imaginative but sometimes dark film director. The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is yet another mind bending experience from the same man that brought us Brazil and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. With that in mind, we should be well aware of the lengths Mr. Gilliam will go to mystify an audience.

Imaginarium presents a fantasy world within a real world. Christopher Plummer plays the immortal Dr. Parnassus, who has the ability to make people’s imaginations come to life. Unfortunately this amazing power is hidden behind a dated traveling vaudeville show complete with a freak and a parlor trick expert. From the onset, we are made aware of the most intriguing aspect of this derelict street show, the young and beautiful daughter of Dr. Parnassus, Valentina. The film circles around several different battles for the lovely girl. The first is a battle over her heart. The parlor trick expert, Anton, finds himself quickly fighting with the newest member to the group, Tony. For the most part this battle is uninteresting even though Heath Ledger gives an interesting performance as a two-faced scoundrel.

The second battle over Valentina proves to be the most interesting part of the film. This battle is over her soul. Tom Waits plays the villainous Mr. Nick, a manifestation of the devil. Through clever word play, Mr. Nick continuously fools Dr. Parnassus into a miserable existence. Like the devil we read about in fairy tales, Mr. Nick makes cunning wagers with the doctor that appear one sided. Unfortunately for the gullible good guy, things are not always what they appear. Anytime these two are on screen, the movie becomes infinitely more interesting. The constant struggle of God vs. The Devil, good vs. evil, and man vs. temptation plays itself out with minimal need for special effects or camera tricks.

The occasional green screen excess is something that ruins the other parts of the film. The imagination world is often times overly cartoonish. It feels more like watching Who Framed Roger Rabbit during the longer than necessary scenes inside of the Imaginarium. However, this overly fake universe made it possible for Gilliam to transition other actors into the role of Tony after the untimely death of Heath Ledger. While Ledger’s late performances went mostly uncriticized, his replacements seemed to show more understanding for the role during their brief moments. Especially Johnny Depp.

Terry Gilliam should be commended for his ability to finish such an ambitious film under harsh circumstances. The death of his main actor, navigating the rough schedules of replacements, and losing a producer to cancer are all movie crippling experiences. However, Gilliam was able to push through and complete a film that may have lacked in certain areas but still delivered in imagination and scope. (Score: 6/10)

Iron Man 2 is unlike any movie that’s ever come before it. I don’t mean that in a way that would deify it or place it into a category next to The Godfather or Gone With the Wind. What I mean is that Iron Man is specifically meant to create a world where future installments of the series and other series will exist in the same universe. It is rare in cinema where we see two films that have nothing to do with each other seemingly coexist in the same world. Travis Bickle doesn’t walk by Henry Hill in the beginning of Goodfellas. However, just like every comic book on a store rack, Iron Man 2 has secondary characters existing and operating along side the primary characters. I know this isn’t a completely revolutionary idea. The Hulk did something similar in a comedic way, including Tony Stark into a conversation. However, Iron Man 2 is attempting to bridge a universe that comic book fans have always seen as natural. It is a world where super heroes exist side by side.

As a film, Iron Man 2 has its successes and its pitfalls. Robert Downey Jr. plays the role of the egotistical and brash Tony Stark, continuing to prove that a movie can sometimes make a comic book character more interesting. His performance continues to bring the larger than life character off of the ink filled pages with more life than many of the Marvel Comics writers could ever dream of. The most amazing part about the performance is Downey’s ability to turn the switch. He easily goes from “Douche Bag of the Year” to sympathic hero. He is fallible, susceptible to a flashy party life style. Like many celebrities, it is partially his undoing.

Joining Robert Downey Jr. is a cast that performs remarkably well given their roles. Mickey Rourke as the vengeful son of a rival Russian contemporary to Tony Stark’s father, doesn’t overdo the very simple role. He is antisocial, disturbing, violent, and a genius. All of the tools needed to be a great super villain. Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, a rival business man to Stark Enterprises, plays almost the exact same part as Downey expect with a lot more awkwardness and a lot less genius. I mean all of these things in a good way. He is supposed to be a sleazy business man and Rockwell’s portrayal is spot on. He is a man with money who is hell bent on doing whatever is necessary to continue making it.

Unfortunately, execution is where Iron Man 2 falls off of the cliff. Unlike the first film, the antagonists don’t seem quite so interesting or intimidating. They are dispatched with relative ease. At certain points, the movie chugs along as a comedy more so than an action film. While the special effects are top notch and the action scenes are more than satisfying, there is a vacuum of importance to anything other than the creation of The Avengers. The entire film seemed like a prologue to a series of other comic book films. While, I will admit that it is exciting to see the possibility of so many other comic book characters coming to life, it is a bit disappointing to see Iron Man 2 sacrificed for it to happen.

Overall the film is satisfying in what it is meant to do. There are explosions, witty one liners, and enough sub plots for any comic book fan to sink their teeth into. While I would have loved to see more of the first film in the sequel, I can’t say that I’m disappointed with what sat on the screen in front of me.

Iron Man 2: 7/10 rating