After Jaws 2, one would assume that the sequels would stop. The second installment wasn't horrible (at least to me), but there was no way to recreate the feeling or suspense from the first. But it was attempted, and to some mild success. But then in someone's infinite wisdom, a third installment was mentioned. This one was written by Carl Gottlieb (of the first two), Michael Kane, and Richard Matheson, and directed by Joe Alves, and starring Dennis Quaid, Louis Gossett Jr, and a young Lea Thompson. This movie was released in 1983, and really, there's nothing nice I can say about this movie.
At the time of Jaws 3's release, the 3D movie boom fad was in full swing. Maybe someone decided it was a good idea to have a 3D shark coming at the audience. Or maybe someone thought it was a good idea to have a severed arm floating at the audience. Either way, there wasn't much thought involved in the plot.
Jaws 3 takes place in SeaWorld (home of marine mammals such as dolphins) and sea shows on skis. Trouble brews when a small Great White Shark strays into the park and begins creating havoc. The shark is caught and displayed, but dies in captivity. Soon, they have a bigger problem on their hands when the shark's mother (yes, you read that right) comes to destroy the killers of her child. As outlandish as that is, get this: the mother is 35 feet long. I can't even make this BS up!
This movie is full of cliches. There is a power-hungry boss who sends an adventure man to kill the large shark with his grenades. There are ecological debates throughout the movie. New cliches break forth in this movie in the hopes of scaring the audience rather than stick with science, such as chasing the skiers at breakneck speeds (a trait begun in the 2nd, but made somewhat believable, and filmed well too). But the worst part is the breaking with science. The first Jaws was all about the science - what's real is scarier than what's fiction. The second began to break from that, but was still mostly science-oriented. The third completely breaks from that just to create excitement and terror... instead only creating hilarity.
The acting is just as bad as anything else in this movie. The cast obviously knew it was starring in some major crap. Nothing of positive memories can be thought of with this movie. It is all about "ohh scary shark!" which takes away from any reality that there could've been.
A big change for the quadrilogy is that we are no longer on Amity Island. This entire movie takes place in SeaWorld. Also gone is Chief Brody, although you do see Martin Brody in the background in two scenes, since he is now working for SeaWorld. The story centers on the kids: Michael and Sean. Michael works for SeaWorld, and Sean comes to visit. Michael is the main one that has to deal with the shark (a theme for the next Jaws movie too). Sean has somehow developed a southern accent and looks like a cowboy; interesting for a guy who comes from Amity... where's the New England accent?
By far the worst part of this movie is the "special effects". Because this movie is meant to be in 3D, certain elements are not in the film, they are added. This makes them look like they are popping off the screen at the audience. The submersible, severed limbs, and sharks are usually what are in this category. But if you watch this movie in 2D, which is the only way it's available now, you will see how poor their techniques were. Because the stand out images are not included in the original film, but added for effect, sometimes, parts of them disappear! The bottom of the submersible disappears when it makes a turn. Also, when the shark is coming at the audience near the end, it isn't swimming: it's just getting closer. One could say it's coasting, but not even the mouth moves. It is so obviously not a real shark that it's painful to watch.
In my opinion, the third Jaws movie is not only the worst of the quadrilogy, but one of the worst blockbuster movies ever made. There really is nothing positive I can say about it, and even talking about it this much is making me ill. It is difficult for any film fan to watch because it's so bad. Good luck watching it. You might want some liquor first. At least then it'll be hilarious.
Here's the trailer, which shows nothing... thankfully:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=636cMq0PFT4
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Greenberg
In 2010, Greenberg was released, written by Noah Baumbach (story by Baumbach and Jennifer Jason Leigh), directed by Noah Baumbach, and starring Ben Stiller, Rhys Ifans, Greta Gerwig, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. This is a very low key comedy that fits in with Baumbach's other works, and is highly recommended.
Following a nervous breakdown, Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) house sits for his brother's family. He is a very quirky guy. He writes letters of complaint to large companies, he doesn't drive (and he is in LA), he always seems on the edge of another mental collapse. While he is at the house, he begins to fall for the "maid/nanny" type lady Florence (Greta Gerwig). She finds him interesting, but wants to take things slow, which confuses Greenberg, but then again, so does everything. His opinions alienate most people he knows without understanding that. He gets back in contact with one of his old band mates Ivan (Rhys Ifans) who drives Greenberg where he needs to go sometimes, but obviously just tolerates Greenberg. His biggest personal flaw is not letting anyone inside to his inner self. He thinks he is by remembered mundane details from years earlier, and the self-centered talking, but really he just alienates everyone. The best quote (even though there are many) is: "A shrink said to me once that I have trouble living in the present, so I linger on the past because I felt like I never really lived it in the first place, you know?" Greenberg is a very flawed character, but very real too. Something about him draws Florence to him, but at the same time pushes her away. But that's how Greenberg is.
It's hard to really explain this movie to someone who has seen any Noah Baumbach movies. His movies are typically comedies, but the hilarity is so low key that many would miss it. There are moments that make you laugh out loud, but in any other movie, they wouldn't even elicit a chuckle. That's the genius of Baumbach. He creates an atmosphere that brings you into the movie and feel the flow of it. The hilarious in his movies are barely chuckles in others, but then again his movies are very down to earth and not outlandish in any way. There is realism in his movies. Greenberg is the perfect example of this. One can only get away with this in an independent movie, and Baumbach succeeds admirably.
I highly recommend this movie, but with all other Baumbach movies, you may go to a sad place and question yourself for awhile, but that's only because of the real quality of the movie. It almost makes you feel like a voyeur, it's so real. But you will be glad you watched when you are finished.
Here is a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVcIUSpz2v0
PS- If you notice, this takes place in Los Angeles. Baumbach does not use the glamorous sites of LA, and instead used what the majority of LA looks like. I've been there several times, and I like that it (like the rest of the movie) is grounded in reality that there is nothing cleaned up for the film. Everything is just as it is (just like the themes of Baumbach's movies).
Following a nervous breakdown, Roger Greenberg (Ben Stiller) house sits for his brother's family. He is a very quirky guy. He writes letters of complaint to large companies, he doesn't drive (and he is in LA), he always seems on the edge of another mental collapse. While he is at the house, he begins to fall for the "maid/nanny" type lady Florence (Greta Gerwig). She finds him interesting, but wants to take things slow, which confuses Greenberg, but then again, so does everything. His opinions alienate most people he knows without understanding that. He gets back in contact with one of his old band mates Ivan (Rhys Ifans) who drives Greenberg where he needs to go sometimes, but obviously just tolerates Greenberg. His biggest personal flaw is not letting anyone inside to his inner self. He thinks he is by remembered mundane details from years earlier, and the self-centered talking, but really he just alienates everyone. The best quote (even though there are many) is: "A shrink said to me once that I have trouble living in the present, so I linger on the past because I felt like I never really lived it in the first place, you know?" Greenberg is a very flawed character, but very real too. Something about him draws Florence to him, but at the same time pushes her away. But that's how Greenberg is.
It's hard to really explain this movie to someone who has seen any Noah Baumbach movies. His movies are typically comedies, but the hilarity is so low key that many would miss it. There are moments that make you laugh out loud, but in any other movie, they wouldn't even elicit a chuckle. That's the genius of Baumbach. He creates an atmosphere that brings you into the movie and feel the flow of it. The hilarious in his movies are barely chuckles in others, but then again his movies are very down to earth and not outlandish in any way. There is realism in his movies. Greenberg is the perfect example of this. One can only get away with this in an independent movie, and Baumbach succeeds admirably.
I highly recommend this movie, but with all other Baumbach movies, you may go to a sad place and question yourself for awhile, but that's only because of the real quality of the movie. It almost makes you feel like a voyeur, it's so real. But you will be glad you watched when you are finished.
Here is a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVcIUSpz2v0
PS- If you notice, this takes place in Los Angeles. Baumbach does not use the glamorous sites of LA, and instead used what the majority of LA looks like. I've been there several times, and I like that it (like the rest of the movie) is grounded in reality that there is nothing cleaned up for the film. Everything is just as it is (just like the themes of Baumbach's movies).
Numb
In 2007, a movie called Numb was released, written and directed by Harris Goldberg, and starring Matthew Perry, Kevin Pollak, and Mary Steenburgen. This is a fascinating movie, and one with a formula I shouldn't have liked, but I very much did.
Numb is about a screenwriter (Matthew Perry) who has Acute Dispersonalization Disorder. This means that what he feels doesn't feel real to him. He is easily overwhelmed by the world's mundane sights and occurrences and is prone to nervous bobbing of the legs. His writing partner (Kevin Pollak) doesn't take him very seriously, so he doesn't receive much support there. He begins to go on a search to make it go away. In the process, he visits therapist after therapist (and even having an affair with one), he goes through experiences that he would never have done on his own, and he meets the girl of his dreams, which only makes him try harder.
It is true that this is a romantic comedy, but it is made so well, that one can forget that's what it is. The comedy in this movie is very subtle at times, which I think works perfectly since Matthew Perry is also being very subtle. His acting is almost like what Brent Spiner had to do for Star Trek. There are some great scenes where he is making out or having sex with women, but he is just looking around the room, obviously bored. The only person that doesn't happen with is the character Sara, who brings out his nervous side. He doesn't want to tell her about his disorder, so he comes across as just odd for awhile. Then when he does tell her, she goes on a crusade with him to help get him treatments. Naturally, they split up, which sends Perry into a crusade to make the disorder go away.
This is very much a comedy. In fact, this movie is quite hilarious at times. There are some achingly poignant moments too. Perry's biggest fear is the death of his father. He won't even say the word 'death' because he is afraid that it might kill his father. A therapist (that's he's sleeping with) finally gets him to say the word death, and when nothing happened, he is relieved, until shortly afterward, he learns that his dad did die. He realizes his biggest enemy is this disorder, so his crusade takes him into a study about the disorder, hoping to meet others and discuss what it's like to suffer from it. It turns out that he is the only subject and the study only reveals that he is indeed suffering from the disorder, which he knew before he started. Mary Steenburgen is by far one the funniest characters in the movie, even though you don't see much of her. Also, Kevin Pollak was great. Of course, Perry was perfect in this role.
In the end, Perry learns that in order to move on with life, he must accept the disorder as it is, and move on. He must learn to live with it since it won't go away. One just has to do the best they can with what they have. It ends happily, but it doesn't end with the normal kissing embrace. Instead, it ends similar to Sideways: you somewhat know, but since you aren't really shown, you can imply your own ending. Very well done. I highly recommend this movie.
Here is a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQiNBfgBvoY
Numb is about a screenwriter (Matthew Perry) who has Acute Dispersonalization Disorder. This means that what he feels doesn't feel real to him. He is easily overwhelmed by the world's mundane sights and occurrences and is prone to nervous bobbing of the legs. His writing partner (Kevin Pollak) doesn't take him very seriously, so he doesn't receive much support there. He begins to go on a search to make it go away. In the process, he visits therapist after therapist (and even having an affair with one), he goes through experiences that he would never have done on his own, and he meets the girl of his dreams, which only makes him try harder.
It is true that this is a romantic comedy, but it is made so well, that one can forget that's what it is. The comedy in this movie is very subtle at times, which I think works perfectly since Matthew Perry is also being very subtle. His acting is almost like what Brent Spiner had to do for Star Trek. There are some great scenes where he is making out or having sex with women, but he is just looking around the room, obviously bored. The only person that doesn't happen with is the character Sara, who brings out his nervous side. He doesn't want to tell her about his disorder, so he comes across as just odd for awhile. Then when he does tell her, she goes on a crusade with him to help get him treatments. Naturally, they split up, which sends Perry into a crusade to make the disorder go away.
This is very much a comedy. In fact, this movie is quite hilarious at times. There are some achingly poignant moments too. Perry's biggest fear is the death of his father. He won't even say the word 'death' because he is afraid that it might kill his father. A therapist (that's he's sleeping with) finally gets him to say the word death, and when nothing happened, he is relieved, until shortly afterward, he learns that his dad did die. He realizes his biggest enemy is this disorder, so his crusade takes him into a study about the disorder, hoping to meet others and discuss what it's like to suffer from it. It turns out that he is the only subject and the study only reveals that he is indeed suffering from the disorder, which he knew before he started. Mary Steenburgen is by far one the funniest characters in the movie, even though you don't see much of her. Also, Kevin Pollak was great. Of course, Perry was perfect in this role.
In the end, Perry learns that in order to move on with life, he must accept the disorder as it is, and move on. He must learn to live with it since it won't go away. One just has to do the best they can with what they have. It ends happily, but it doesn't end with the normal kissing embrace. Instead, it ends similar to Sideways: you somewhat know, but since you aren't really shown, you can imply your own ending. Very well done. I highly recommend this movie.
Here is a link to the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQiNBfgBvoY
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