Katy Perry: Part of Me

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Katy Perry: Part of Me

Release Date:  5 July 2012                                                                      Runtime:  93 Minutes              

Review Date:  12 August 2012                                                                Rating:  4.5 (of 6)

 

     Evaluated as a documentary, an inside look at the person behind the musician, Part of Me delivers, though that isn't to say it still isn't a publicity, marketing tool to package her "live" music to fans as well.  This isn't on par with a more in depth look provided by 45 minute biographies done by cable networks that usually do this kind of thing, so if that's what you're looking for you should look elsewhere.

     Going in, I didn’t know very much about Katy at all other than that I liked her songs, thought she had a fun personality (conveyed in music videos and interviews) and that she was cute.  Based off that, though I may have learned more about her, it still can be summed up in a paragraph:

     Though she seemingly exploded onto the scene, there were many years that Katy was working hard before that first firework was finally set off.  She was raised by preachers (her first album was actually gospel music) and maintains close contact with her family--her sister even working for her, accompanying her every step of the way.  She loves her Grandma and I can only imagine the feelings of joy Katy must have when her Grandma is in the audience observing the success she has achieved and what she has grown up to become.  Katy works hard to achieve the goals she sets for herself in all aspects of her life.  And she is best friends with The Riches actress Shannon Woodward.

     Now, do you have to see the movie to learn all this?  No, obviously I was able to convey it to you in a matter of less than a minute (depending on the speed you read).  I'm sure her mega-fans and cyber-stalkers already knew this as well.

     What I can say is that the fun personality shines through but she is humanized too.  She has bad days but doesn't pull any diva moves--she still goes to work like any other mere mortal.  She's shown stripped of the wigs, costumes and make up, how she'd look as an ordinary woman rather than superstar (and you just might not recognize her on the street).  However, other than her cover of "I Wanna Be Somebody," her "live" music isn't as pleasing to my ear as the versions I know and love.

     And, it being produced by her own company, one does wonder how slanted the perspective presented potentially is.  My own account of Katy backstage at an award show where she was a presenter--pretty in person, striking eyes as she looked into my own.  But I also happen to know, minutes before the show was set to film, she sent in last minute changes of her dialogue that had to be rushed to all appropriate parties (no other presenter pulled that).  So how much of that goes on not shown is anyone's guess here.

     I'd say, ultimately, it's a movie for fans because she cherishes them and it shows.  Anyone with a remote curiosity or interest in her, there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.

     [On a side note, I love how her assistant on tour says it's her first job in the music industry.  So many people vying for positions in the entertainment realm, including those with experience in their respective industries and/or position, something--mind you--that is normally required to be an assistant to a celebrity, and here she is her first job in the industry.  It makes me wonder who she's related to or dating.  Can you sense bitterness? Haha.  But that's a tangent for a whole other editorial…]

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Release Date:  22 June 2012                                                                 Runtime:  105 Minutes              
Review Date:  12 August 2012                                                              Rating:  2.5 (of 6)

 

Going in, I had no other expectation than the concept being so ridiculous that it may be so bad it's good.  This was not the case.

I put aside the fact that it's based on historical figures and regarded them as any other character in a work of fiction.  While I successfully divorced the two in my mind, it ultimately did not help.  Is it that the story itself was dull and the characters not compelling?  I don't know.

I will say that the screen version of Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) was easy on the eyes, something that can't be said for her real-life counterpart, obviously glamoured up for Hollywood.  The same can be said of Abe (Benjamin Walker), though they did use make up when he was older to make him closer resemble the Lincoln we all know.

Some of the special effects as applied to scenery were cool.

Ted

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Ted

Release Date:  29 June 2012                                                                 Runtime:  106 Minutes              

Review Date:  29 July 2012                                                                   Rating:  2 (of 6)

 

     There isn't much to say about Ted other than my opinion upon seeing the trailer held upon seeing the film--a possibly good concept executed poorly.  I'll admit that my opinion may differ from the mass public in general as the audience I saw it with was pretty much continuously laughing as I sat straight faced but I'll still hold with a verdict of lackluster.

     The only thing really amusing about it was its reference and incorporation of an 80s movie.  I, myself, don't remember seeing that particular film but am very familiar with the theme song and give kudos for the nostalgia factor.  For those that aren't children of the 80s, they'll likely find it amusing too, regardless.

     Also, Patrick Stewart as the narrator of the tale was a nice touch.

Rock of Ages

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Rock of Ages

Release Date:  15 June 2012                                                                 Runtime:  123 Minutes              

Review Date:  29 July 2012                                                                   Rating:  2 (of 6)

 

     Let me make something very clear that the trailer did not--Rock of Ages is a MUSICAL.  I had, some time ago, read a quick blurb indicating that it was, in fact, based on a musical but unfortunately I completely forgot.

     If you haven't already jumped to the conclusion, I'll preface this by letting you all know that, for the most part, I don't like musicals.  While people may go to the movies to escape reality, I personally still want to be at least grounded in reality.  Nowhere in the real world do people regularly, spontaneously break out in song and dance (ignoring the recent trend of flash mobs regarding the latter) and when it's crappy karaoke covers of a REAL song, it's even more offensive.

     The movie does have a good cast and a cool 80s soundtrack, which is what held the allure, but when you have actors (not the original singers) belting out the songs to suit the plot, nostalgia wears off quick.  Which is sad to say, because without the music, there isn't much story.

     The most entertaining elements of the movie were brief appearances by "Hey Man" played by 3 baboons.  Catherine Zeta-Jones, whom I can't remember ever seeing in a bad performance, seems underutilized here and kind of stiff.  Granted her character is stuffy so stiff shouldn't be a bad thing, but I mean an overly stiff performance rather than playing a stiff character.

Prometheus

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

Prometheus

Release Date:  8 June 2012                                                                   Runtime:  124 Minutes              

Review Date:  29 July 2012                                                                   Rating:  2 (of 6)

     Prometheus fell flat with me.  There really wasn't any excitement, just a monotone journey.  In all, it left more unanswered questions than it did answered ones, which would be fine if this were a weekly serial like Lost (Damon Lindelof an executive producer and writer of both) that while often bringing new questions to the surface, answers you in small amounts to keep you satisfied and hooked, but as a standalone film with no planned sequel* (and many years away if one ever develops), it's just a failure.

     If I am to mention any positive, I'd acknowledge that set/character design was well done, I believed in the world created and nothing felt hokey or fake.

 

*Days after my review, it was announced that a sequel was indeed in the works.

The Dark Knight Rises

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

The Dark Knight Rises

Release Date:  20 July 2012                                                                 Runtime:  164 Minutes              

Review Date:  27 July 2012                                                                   Rating:  6 (of 6)

 

     The Dark Knight Rises delivers where Avengers did not--story.  And though it clocks in at nearly 3 hours, the fast pace of the editing keeps things moving, never leaving one fatigued or looking at their watch.

     I didn't know how I felt about Anne Hathaway cast as Catwoman or her costume when pictures were first released but she owned the role and I never gave much thought to the costume while watching it on the screen.

     The only real issue I had, as did my viewing companion and other patrons sitting around us, was with Bane.  I thought I had read long ago that his synthetic voice tested poorly and they were going back to fix it in post.  Well, I can only imagine how bad it was before since, much of the time, you still can't understand what he is saying.  I get that you want him to have a creepy Darth Vader voice but you always clearly heard what Darth Vader said when he spoke.

     The fact that characters can jump into multiple new high-tech military grade vehicles and instantaneously operate them is a case of suspended disbelief (as in the other films) that the pacing of the story helps you to forgive or at least not allow for time to dwell on such things.

     I found that the The Dark Knight Rises was a very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

The Dictator

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

The Dictator

Release Date:  16 May 2012                                                                 Runtime:  83 Minutes              

Review Date:  15 July 2012                                                                   Rating:  (4 of 6)

     The Dictator goes for the shocking "are they really saying/doing that?" moments that garner hardy laughs but that probably won't hold on second viewing (as was my experience with Borat, which was a superior film).

     I have nothing else to say.