Space & Beyond

I admit that I often tend to build movies up in my mind. I am the sort of person who will find myself so excited by a movie trailer that I eagerly boast of said film's guaranteed greatness. The latest example of this was Interstellar, Christopher Nolan's ninth film and one that had me eagerly recalling past successes like The Dark Knight, Inception, and Memento. But would the film live up to its lofty pedigree? As some said with Gravity the year before, would it redefine what it means to be a "space" movie? Maybe? Interstellar is, visually, everything the critics say it is. It is a masterpiece to behold, offering a rich vision of space and space travel that grabs hold of the viewer and does not let go. It is a nearly three-hour journey into the unknown that passes in the blink of an eye. It is an ambitious odyssey, which speaks to its greatest strength and its biggest area of concern. It tries to be many things, while maintaining its emotional core, yet many of these narrative paths feel incomplete. Nevertheless, the viewer is so overwhelmed by and in awe of the cinematic landscape that Nolan has created that those gaps feel secondary. It is a very strange feeling, watching a film that aspires to such greatness, feeling completely immersed, and yet feeling like something is missing. It is a truly special film, one I would recommend to anyone looking to experience a thrilling and awe-inspiring ride, but I would not label it as truly "great." That is the burden for Christopher Nolan - he has already been there, we know what it looks like, especially from him, and we know where he has the potential to go.

Slow and Steady?

Considering the high expectations held by today's television audiences, it's not easy to develop a drama in which nothing actually happens.  Nevertheless, for some viewers, that would accurately describe the proceedings in Sundance's excellent Rectify.  This six-episode drama does not feature villains, mysteries, and thrilling cliffhangers.  What it does feature is an impressive cast, a deliberate pace, and a story that deserves a chance.

Twenty years after being sent to prison as an eighteen-year-old for the rape and murder of his high school girlfriend, Daniel Holden is released on account of a DNA-based technicality.  Is this a just man finally being set free or an guilty man twisting the law for his benefit?  In an unusual move, the series does not even focus on this issue.  Instead, it focuses on Daniel's adjustment back into society, the impact on his family, and the reactions within their small town.  The pacing is incredibly slow - some have evoked the equally swift Rubicon when discussing it - but it ultimately works because it focuses the entire drama on the characters, not any artificial plot.

Is this a show that will appeal to everyone?  Certainly not!  There's probably a reason this show found its way to the Sundance Channel, not a broadcast network or even a mainstream cable network.  That being said, Sundance allows it to breathe, and it allows the characters to truly develop.  As an audience, we are all better for it.

Striking Gold on The Wire

The Wire is one of the best shows I've ever seen, yet finding the time to make it through the entire series is problematic. Sure, the quality is top-notch, but viewing options are limited - you'll never find it in Netflix or Redbox - and it's not exactly family-friendly fare. That being said, I've finally started rolling on season 3, and I couldn't be happier.

What makes this show so great? The producers pull no punches - everything isn't black and white, there aren't always happy endings, and both sides of the aisle feature captivating, three-dimensional characters. The show is one of the first shows I recommend to anyone looking for a new drama, but precious few take me up on it. It's a little harder to swallow, but it's well worth it!

Looking Back at Mann, Mohicans

Looking for some entertainment last night, I stumbled across Last of the Mohicans in Netflix's streaming catalog. Hard to believe it's been twenty years since Michael Mann's first real success, one that helped him move on to Heat, Ali, and all the rest. Hard to believe we were still early on in Daniel Day-Lewis's career as well!

Needless to say, the movie holds up almost two decades later. Of the acclaimed frontier pics of that era, it easily trumps Kevin Costner's bloated Dances With Wolves, thanks to a tighter narrative, a more compelling lead, and what might be one of cinema's finest scores.

As for Mann, what can I say? I look back and think of him as a defining director of the past twenty years, yet, when I look at his bio, I'm stunned by how few films he's made, especially the fact that he's made only a handful of truly memorable ones. Does that diminish his greatness? Honestly, I'm not sure, but, for that one night, I was reminded of all he can be.

Hell on Wheels, Round Two

At least once every television season, I latch onto a new program before it even airs. Some combination of clever commercials and critical buzz - positive or negative - convinces me to become invested in one of these programs, and nothing seems able to dissuade me. This year's "winner" happens to be Hell on Wheels.

Set shortly after the conclusion of the Civil War, Hell on Wheels follows a former Confederate soldier on his quest for vengeance out on the frontier. It stars a cast of barely-known actors - Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, and Common - but it's hooked me nonetheless. I'm not sure where it's going, and I'm not sure it will be able to maintain what little momentum it seems to have. That being said, so far, I'm in, and that qualifies as a good start...

Is This The Hangover for Women?!

Somewhere along the way, I was either told that Bridesmaids was like The Hangover for women, or I came to believe it. My wife & I danced around renting this film for a number of months, and, last night, we finally pulled the trigger. And?! Well, it's not The Hangover.

Does Bridesmaids have some funny moments?! Yes! Melissa McCarthy is hilarious and very much deserving the Best Supporting Actress buzz she's receiving. Beyond that? The film is overly long - how many comedies clock in at 2+ hours? - and, halfway through, it turns overly serious. Producers - it's a comedy, so act like it!

Finding Glee in the dog days

To say that summer television this year has been disappointing an understatement. Since Game of Thrones went off the air a few months back, things have been crawling. We've taken to trolling Netflix for something - anything! - to keep our interest! Thankfully, we found Glee!

While it might not be the finest show on television - although the show's hearty Gleeks would no doubt disagree - it's very entertaining, and it makes you look at music in a different way. (Try turning on the radio without imaging the Glee kids singing each song.) Nevertheless, the most bizarre thing is that I like precious few of the individual characters, yet I still like the show! Go figure!