If I could go an live in Degrassi: The Next Generation, that would be like a dream come true!
Not new releases this week, but still more modern stuff than usual,
Sideways (2004, Alexander Payne, United States of America) **1/2
A bit of a classist film, which I understand is common complaint against the works of Alexander Payne. I’ve never felt that way until Sideways as I could never get past the feeling that this film was made for the upper class. Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church are both fantastic, but I never bought Sandra Oh as any sort of bombshell figure. It had its funny moments, but, for me at least, Mr. Payne’s film came across far too isolationist in its focus.
Wayne’s World (1992, Penelope Spheeris, United States of America) ***
Dana Carvey is the true star of Wayne’s World. This film may be a vehicle for Mike Myers, but it’s Mr. Carvey who steals the film every time the camera is on him. I remember loving this film as a kid, so much so that I wore the VHS tape out. Time has not been super kind to Wayne’s World, although it hasn’t completely ruined the film. Wayne’s World is still funny and as an adult I appreciate the irreverence of the film more than I ever did as a kid. There are long stretches of the film that aren’t funny or satirically biting, and Mr. Myers’ mugging gets real old real fast. Revisiting Wayne’s World I found the film to be much more of a mixed bag than I would have liked.
Pleasantville (1998, Gary Ross, United States of America) ***1/2
Near the middle of Pleasantville I wasn’t sure if the film was going to pan out. From beginning to end the visuals were sumptuous and the acting was spot on. What worried me was if the film was going to manage to find the middle ground between the traditional and the modern. Thankfully as the film progressed it focused on exactly that, how the answer isn’t modern or traditional, but somewhere in the middle. With that hurdle dodged all that was left was to enjoy the wonderful visuals, the fine acting, and the great world building. Pleasantville is a film that had been in my to watch list for some years now, and I’m glad it was worth the wait.
Les Misérables (1998, Bille August, Germany/United Kingdom/United States of America) ***
Handsome production values and a wonderful cast. Yet, something was missing from this version of the classic novel. There was a certain energy gone from the proceedings, as if beneath all the lovely sets, costumes, and acting there was a film only concerned with going through the motions. For the most part Les Misérables overcomes its lack of energy, but just barely. I suppose when all is said and done Les Misérables leans heavily on its strongest elements, and that’s why it is an enjoyable picture.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005, Tim Burton, United Kingdom/United States of America) **1/2
For the most part Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is wonderfully offbeat. There’s a delirium to the characters, and lovely imagination on display in the created world. There is, however, a major misstep in the form of the Oompa Loompa’s and their songs. Not only does using the same actor for every Loompa make them seem cheap, but their songs were so droll and awful. I salute Tim Burton for the majority of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but the Loompa’s drag the picture down mightily.
Pete’s Dragon (1977, Don Chaffey, United States of America) ***
A charming film full of plenty of imagination. That’s what drew me in the most with Pete’s Dragon. The comedy is also pretty nifty, and I will give my wife the fact that the songs are very catchy. Had I seen this as a younger lad I could see Pete’s Dragon capturing my fancy in the way it has my wife’s. I still enjoyed the film a lot, but nowhere near as much as my wife.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006, Doug Atchison, United States of America) ***
A well spun story that hits very predictable moments, but it hits them in very rewarding ways. Keke Palmer is terrific as Akeelah, and the rest of the cast is up to the task as well. The score is very on the nose, far too much so for the good of the film. I also felt that some of the moments were overwrought, although this could have been mainly due to the sledgehammer approach of the score. Akeelah and the Bee is a well made film in most regards, and an engaging one, and that’s why it is an enjoyable viewing experience.
Idiocracy (2006, Mike Judge, United States of America) ***
Mike Judge’s film loses steam as it nears completion, but it’s pretty funny throughout. Luke Wilson is likable, Maya Rudolph is okay, and the rest of the cast fit well into their roles of stupidity. The satire is, sadly, pretty on point. I know it seems ridiculous, but I could easily see our society heading in the direction of Idiocracy, maybe not completely but at least a little. Idiocracy is the rare instance of a film wielding its message with a sledgehammer and being effective with that approach.
Wrap-Up:
Another decent week for movies, but nothing came close to the pure enjoyment I got out of Pleasantville. That’s why Gary Ross’ film takes home movie of the week honors. Until next week, watch more movies!
Cheers,
Bill
Bill's Movie Emporium 
Like you I have only recently come to Pleasantville. It was let go on my radar despite being quite an admirer of Reese Witherspoon who I thought was fantastic in Election. At first I thought that Pleasantville was just going to be one of those ..you know..nice -ish films with not much substance but as it progressed it subtly changed into rather a pointed and sharp film. Rather memorable in fact. Another Reese gem. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a very credible interpretation and charmingly offbeat. I still remember my confusion when I thought I was attending a screening of Roman Polanski’s Macbeth and couldn’t get my head around the fact that there were so many kids in the audience. The lights dimmed..it was Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I had got my session times wrong. Still..I hung around and it wasn’t bad at all!
I enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, had it not been for the songs and the portrayal of the Ooompa Loompa’s I think I may have preferred it to the original even.