Double Feature

The Bourne Ultimatum:
Matt Damon--check. Kick ass car chase--check. Dizzying camera work--check. Plot that seems to have been written on a napkin--check. Yep, it's all there which means we have a Bourne sequel in theaters.

The thing I like best about the Bourne films is Matt Damon. He effortlessly brings humanity to a character we really shouldn't like if you stop and think about it for a second. The second best thing I like about these movies are the action sequences. There is a definite benefit to having an actor do his own stunts. The fights are always fast and thrilling. You can't tell me Casino Royale didn't borrow a few things from Bourne in making Bond grittier. Then there's the car chase. The chase is now a staple of the Bourne flicks and this time around we are in NYC. And fuck all if it isn't completely insane and amazing. I actually said "oh my God" out loud while watching it.

Joan Allen and David Straithairn (sp?) work off each other really well. One wants to save Bourne while one wants to kill him. Julia Stiles is back as Nicki, and while I do like her, I was confused by one sentence of dialogue. Jason asks Nicki why she was helping him and I thought she hinted that they had a relationship before he lost his memory, but I may have mis-heard the line because it was never referred to again.

I also thought it was a nice touch to have another great German actor, Daniel Bruhl, play Marie's brother. Daniel and Franka Potente came into German film just a few years apart. And, if you're a fan of their work, seeing him play her brother was a special treat. Wish he had more to do though.

This Bourne film is a great summer treat, just don't worry too much about certain plot holes, or ask too many questions. Just enjoy the fun of it all.

Sunshine:
Danny Boyle, whether he's planned it or not, seems to be on the road to mastering every genre of film. Indie Thriller--Shallow Grave. Indie Comedy/Character Piece--Trainspotting. Horror--28 Days Later. Indie Family Character Piece--Millions. Now on to sci-fi.

With Sunshine, Boyle finds a balance between the claustrophobic twitch of Alien and the cerebral, floaty quality of Solaris (the re-make, haven't seen the original). The basic story is the sun has been dying. One team of scientists was sent out to "re-start" the sun, but something went wrong. They never finished their mission and were never heard from again. We are with a second team and they are Earth's last hope.

The cast is chock full of talented actors from all parts of the world. Makes sense since the problem is global. Essentially, two mistakes are made. One was understandable, but potentially catastrophic. The second mistake came from a decision made earlier. You know, it seemed like the right thing to do, but...

Of course, if it hadn't been done, there would be no movie. Or, there would be a different movie.

Everything flowed nicely. The characters were recognizable, but not stereotypical. Well, except for the one whiny guy. One character, in a lesser actor's hands, would have come off as a dick. But, Chris Evans instead makes him someone who is focused on the big picture and is willing to make the tough decisions. In the end, he is one of the more heroic characters.

Even though Cillian Murphy is the "star" in that, other than Evans who is still making a name for himself, he is more well known than the other actors, it really isn't his movie. It is very much a movie about a group of people and how they react in certain situations.

As a said, it is floaty and cerebral more than "action-y." This doesn't mean there isn't tension and action. The ending is a bit pat, but overall satisfying. The effects are really cool--the ship looks amazing. And, I've always been a fan of the way Boyle can tell a story through the visual language of film. This might not be for everyone, but if you like Boyle's work, or want to try something different, I recommend Sunshine.

RENT IT:
The History Boys--
Based off a hit London play, the story is about a group of common kids trying to get into Oxford. The dialogue is so wonderful to listen to; the playwright adapted it himself for the screen. The kids are all interesting in their own way, as well as the teachers. I think one of my favorite scenes had to be when Hector (an older teacher played by Richard Griffiths--Mr. Dursley to most of you) is explaining the beauty of literature. He says how wonderful it is when you read someone else describing a thought or feeling that you thought was singular to yourself. He says it's as if the writer has reached out his hand and taken yours and said you are not alone. I'm not doing it justice, but it almost made me cry. Don't worry, most of the film is freakin' funny. Dig it today.