What you should rent this week
Heather Provost
Let me start by saying this: I chose a bunch of movies this week and I just knew two specific films would be on my "Forget it" list. But in a surprisingly bizarre turn of events, I loved both films I knew I'd hate... what the!? So this week, I am going to give you two "Get its" instead of one "Get it" and one "Forget it," because I really enjoyed two films I really should have hated. They couldn't be more different, but I really think you should see them both. So for one week I will be kind, and won't bash anything. Just don't get used to it!
Get It: "3:10 to Yuma"
This is what it is: A rancher named Dan Evans (Christian Bale) agrees to chaperone the notorious, but recently captured outlaw Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) to the train station in Contention, where the 3:10 train will take him to Yuma for imprisonment. Director James Mangold's suspense-filled Western is a remake of Delmer Daves' 1957 classic.
My always strong and quite often, brilliant opinion: I hate Westerns. I have always hated Westerns. They bore the hell out of me. So when I popped in this DVD, I knew I would be hating life for the impending two hours. Or maybe not, because I put it in at 10:30 at night so I figured I'd be asleep by 10:37.
Um, yeah... oops.
I ended up LOVING this film, even with all of my prejudices. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe deliver brilliant performances. Crowe plays a badder than bad outlaw who managed to make me like him and care about his character. The dimensions he brought to the role left me in awe, as did the mysterious and charasmatic Bale. I was rooting for Bale's downtrodden rancher as much as I've rooted for any underdog quarterback on his own 10-yard line, 3rd down, with a little bit of time left on the clock. The relationship between their two characters captivated me.
I must also say that the supporting actors rock this film as well. Ben Foster is completely stellar as Crowe's cowboy consigliere. All in all, the ensemble is just solid and strong across the board.
The cinematography is fabulous. I love the "world" they created, and was never once pulled out of it. Every shot is smart and never overindulgent for the sake of being too artistic.
The story line is intense, suspenseful, and wonderfully told, and I was on the edge of my seat (or maybe my, uh... bed) throughout the entire film. Would they manage to get Wade to the train station? Would Wade's henchmen rescue him, and kill everyone in the process? Would Evans' son ruin everything or save the day? Would I consider Wade and Evans to be friends? Am I stressed out right now because of all this damn suspense? Lots of questions indeed.
In the end, I didn't hate my life for two hours, and I didn't fall asleep at all. I needed my answers! And I reckon I got 'em (um, that's cowboy talk). "3:10 to Yuma" is a fantastic movie with a driving plot, so you better saddle up and enjoy the ride.
The final word: Because I snacked on my favorite Cadbury Mini-Eggs while viewing this, I will give it 5 Mini-Eggs out of 5. That's a lot of yummy Easter candies. Thanks for the 3 extra pounds I've gained, Easter friggin' bunny.
Get it: "Sydney White"
This is what it is: In "Sydney White," a clever take on the classic fairy tale "Snow White," freshman Sydney (Amanda Bynes) pledges a pretigious sorority only to find it full of obnoxious, nasty, backstabbing girls. Disillusioned by her sorority experience, Sydney takes up with a group of seven ostracized misfits. Together with her group of comical outcasts, she challenges the school's upper social echelon and attempts to overthrow sorority president Rachel (Sara Paxton), the e.q.o.c. aka. evil queen on campus.
My always strong and quite often, brilliant opinion: I thought this was going to be a lame one, but I have to say: get it! You will not be disappointed. The movie is not perfect by any means, but at least it's extremely entertaining.
Amanda Bynes does a fine job. For me, she sometimes overdoes it though. Her mugging borders on the level of Raven-Symone at times (whoah), but it didn't bother me too much in this film. I know many don't, but I like Bynes.
What really makes this film enjoyable is the group of seven outcasts, or dwarves if you will. Each of them is perfectly cast, and perfectly portrayed as well. And it was so much fun, upon their individual introductions, to guess who was "Dopey," who was "Grumpy", who was "Doc", etc. And for every time Bynes teetered on the annoying, the dwarves jumped in to save the scene with a fabulously comedic or heartfelt moment. For me, "Sneezey" (Jack Carpenter) is the clear standout. But Sydney's "Prince," played by Matt Long, is charming and extremely likeable as well.
The familiar tale is told quite creatively, and you'll have more than one opportunity to burst out laughing. The unconventional use of the poisoned apple and the magic MySpace mirror are just a few examples of this clever, hip take on the age-old fairytale. Make sure you keep your eyes open for all of the subtle homages to the classic story - that really adds to the enjoyment of the entire film.
Don't go into "Sydney White" expecting too much. Rent it to have fun, because that's exactly what it delivers. The film doesn't pretend to be anything it's not. If you desire a deep, moving, Oscar-worthy film, pick something else. But if you simply want to be entertained and not have to think too much for once, then the mirror, mirror on the wall, tells me this is the fairest of them all.
The final word: Because I snacked on my favorite Cadbury Mini-Eggs while viewing this, I will give it 3 3/4 Mini-Eggs out of 5. I need to stay away from that damn Easter basket before I start looking egg-shaped.
One more thing...
Do you have a movie that you'd like me to review? Would you rather have me (your sacrificial lamb) check it out before you waste your time? Then go ahead and let me know, and I'll put it on my list.
Reader Comments (2)
Well,this columnist picked two movies I hadn't planned on seeing. Since she has been right on target in her past reviews, I am definitely going to rent these two!
Totally agree with you on "3:10 to Yuma." As for "Sydney White," I found it a little too simplistic. Sort of been there, seen that. I hope you won't pick "Sweeney Todd" as your "forget it" next week, haha.