Be Kind Rewind (2008)

In case you're not familiar with writer/director Michel Gondry's films the fact that the leads are riding a giant videotape on the poster should clue you in that this won't be your typical movie.

A VHS-only video rental store is facing eviction. While the owner (Danny Glover) goes to see what makes his competition so great, employee Mike (Mos Def) is in charge of the store. His friend Jerry (Jack Black) has recently become magnetized from attacking a power plant he thought was causing his headaches. Magnetized Jerry + VHS rental store = a bunch of blank VHS tapes. So the two go about filming their own versions of the movies so people will keep frequenting the store.

Gondry's probably most widely known for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a cohesive whimsical drama. Be Kind Rewind's drama is more on the scale of a sitcom and so is it's whimsy. And the cohesiveness? It's not really there. The best part by far is watching them try to reenact the likes of Ghostbusters, Driving Miss Daisy, Rush Hour, and Robocop as well as the crazy gadgets they rig up to get certain effects.

Be Kind Rewind would have worked better as a short film. All the disconnected elements that leave the viewer wondering if they missed something in the story could be cut out and the clever idea behind the story can stay. If it can keep their attention the whole time, kids will probably like it in its current form though. They seem to be more of Jack Black's target audience lately. He is his usual crazy and incredibly intense guy who means well. Meanwhile Mos Def is amiable despite mumbling a lot and Melonie Diaz is a delight as the girl from the dry cleaners who helps them with their movies.

Rating:2/5
Recommended for: People looking for tips on how to make their own low-budget movies

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

In case you're not familiar, The Maltese Falcon is the standard for all film noir as well as Humphrey Bogart's career even though its actually a remake of a film that came out only ten years earlier. Humphrey Bogart is the smooth yet cold detective Sam Spade. Mary Astor is Brigid O'Shaughnessy, the frightened dame looking for help finding her missing sister.

When Spade's partner is killed during the investigation, Spade reluctantly picks up the case because, as he puts it, "When a man's partner gets killed, he's supposed to do something about it." Brigid's case isn't what she originally made it out to be and soon enough Sam is involved in the hunt for a statue called The Maltese Falcon. He tangles with a few others looking for it too, including Sydney Greenstreet in his first film role as the gentlemanly yet commanding Kasper Gutman and his oftentimes screen partner, Peter Lorre as Gutman's dapper associate, Joel Cairo. Distinct, memorable performances come from both these men.

While Mary Astor was the female star of the film, Lee Patrick is the one who really stands toe to toe with Bogart as Spade's secretary Effie. She slides in and out of scenes with ease, showing her distaste in small ways without words or disrespect. Meanwhile Astor stands around looking like a worried flower about to wilt, making you wonder how the heck she got involved with any of these people in the first place. And then of course there's Bogart bringing depth to the tough Sam Spade with movements as small as a smile. It's clear he does everything he does with great thought behind it and even though Spade isn't necessarily a nice guy, it's easy to find yourself rooting for him.

The film itself has great flow with the exception of any time anyone disarms anyone else. It's amusing, coming across as a hiccup with moves you can see coming across the room, but that's a style of the time. Outside of that you just float right through.

The Maltese Falcon shines even more so through its fantastic cinematography. Pause it at nearly any moment and you have a beautifully-composed black and white photo. This was soon-to-be-well-known writer/director/actor John Huston's first time directing and he's comes pretty strongly out of the gate. He doesn't shove anything in your face. He just lets you discover the film naturally and that's more beautiful than any jewels the falcon may have encrusted in it.

Rating: 5/5
Recommended for: Photographers and people who like to see where things got their beginnings

Eagle vs Shark (2007)

Eagle vs Shark = Napoleon Dynamite + Flight of the Conchords - comedy.

Taika Cohen's 2007 New Zealand export features the same deadpan, down-on-their-luck type main characters as 2004's Napoleon Dynamite. The difference is you can only root for one of these characters... and only for a limited time.

Loren Horsley's Lily is unpopular even in her job at a fast food restaurant where on at least one occasion, she has given away food for free. After she gets let go from her job, she gains the courage to invite herself to a recent customer's party. This customer is the socially awkward Jarrod (Flight of the Conchords' Jemaine Clement) who is only interested in Lily when she almost beats him at a video game. Moments later they're a couple and she's joining him on a trip back home where he plans on facing a bully from his youth. What follows is people being cold to each other and disappointment. Overall, it is just the aforementioned equation. The movie doesn't bring anything more to those concepts, plus it's uncomfortable to watch with no satisfying redemption.

If you want a socially awkward movie, stick with Napoleon Dynamite - it has a lot more charm and a greater chance of leaving a smile on your face.

Rating: 1/5
Recommended for: People who liked Napoleon Dynamite but found it to be much too uplifting.