HUMPDAY 2.5*** Generally; 3.0*** for a realistic Indie film.

No, this is not a movie about the slangy workday reference to Wednesday as being the “over-the-hump” day for the workweek.

No, this is, instead, a movie about two straight guys who decide to make a porno film where they are the ones having intercourse with each other.
Do I have your attention now !!!

Two college friends, Andrew and Ben, get together years after college. Ben has settled down and is happily married to Anna. Andrew is single and somewhat wild. During a drunken night with other revelers goading them on, Andrew and Ben brazenly agree that they'll make an “art” film of themselves “doing it” for entry in the Seattle “Humpfest” film festival. The next day after they’ve sobered up, each hopes the other will back out of the idea, and they warily circle each other in the days that follow right up until the planned “event” still looking for a way out. Ben, in particular, smarts against Andrew's condescending attitude about the “white-picket-fence” life in which Ben and Anna live. Andrew, on the other hand, resents Ben’s implication that Andrew is nothing but a rolling tumbleweed, a life without a purpose. How do things work out? Do they go through with it. What about Anna, the wife. Well, I'm not going to tell you.
This film is surprisingly perceptive about male relationships/friendships, and what makes this even more surprising is that it comes from female screenwriter/director Lynn Shelton.
Most people will feel uncomfortable watching this movie (I surely did), but, as it turns out, that is the whole point. We are uncomfortable because the characters are very uncomfortable. And It's hard to watch people struggle with difficult situations like this, but it is how they work it out that makes it all worthwhile.
Obviously, this movie is not intended for the easily offended. Or, in fact, for most audiences. But, it is a rare experience…. an Indie reality movie that is both interesting and a whole lot weird. "Humpday" is rated R and features strong sexual language and frank sex talk, simulated sex (both straight and gay) with some nudity, and other derogatory language.
This is fairly strong stuff and not for the weak at heart or for high brows.
Clark

SURROGATES 2.0*** This is one of those movies with a very interesting concept…what if humans could purchase your own idealized life-like, version of a robot..i.e. a ‘surrogate” through which you could live and experience life vicariously. In simplest term, "surrogates" are physical robots that do not have robot minds , they are run by actual human beings ("operators") via a remote control technology. The operators sit in a dental-type chair and wear mental caps to control their surrogates. The idea is to allow the operators to enjoy and experience all the sights, sounds and sensations without being placed in physical risk . In this story 98% of humans have surrogates and they are so common they are sold in stores, such as Wal-Mart or Target, as any other consumer item (clothes, for example) and they come in a wide range of quality from the crudest model that look like mannequins to some that look just like real human beings. Some owners have just one model that are visual replicas of themselves. while others (the rich, obviously) may have a dozen surrogates all of different shapes and sizes as they have cars. It’s a world populated with beautiful, gorgeous surrogates who look just like humans…I would have loved to have been the Casting Director for this film. An interesting, even fascinating concept. But, as is often the case, the concept gets lost in a far too complicated, convoluted story. Too bad…”it coulda been a contender”.

Bruce Willis stars as both the older human FBI Agent and his younger, glamorized surrogate. He and his female partner are investigating the murder ( the first murder in many years) of two people whose deaths occurred simultaneously with the destruction of their surrogate bodies which is NOT supposed to happen. This leads to a plot involving a mysterious new weapon and a mad genius intent on mass murder. Meanwhile Willis' character re-discovers what it means to be human when his surrogate is destroyed and he’s not allowed to get a replacement. The likely suspects are in a special segregated enclave within the city where humans who are anti-surrogates live and it is off-limits for surrogates.


While this one one is an interesting movie, it is not really worth the today’s cost of a movie theatre ticket, but it might be worth the cost of a rental IF you like soft SCI-FI and Bruce Willis.

Clark

WHIP IT 3.5****



You could call this “Juno” on roller skates. The same terrific Ellen Page stars here as a 17 yr. old small town, going-no-where teenager who happens upon ladies roller derby in the Big town of Austin. On a lark, she tries out for one of the teams and finds out that she’s good at it and that it is good for her. The movie also reminds me of “The Wrestler” from the standpoint of presenting a fascinating look at one of those out-in-right-field sports and especially its focus on the roller girls…the “derbettes”…and their camaraderie, their less-than-dainty-uniforms and tactics, their wild makeup and hairdos, AND their preoccupation with coming up with gruesome names such as “Mayhem”, “Smashly”, “Bloody”, and the one Page adopts for herself.. “Ruthless”. It is only semi-serious and half-way realistic… but it is all-the-way funny and heartfelt.

“Whip-It” is produced and directed by none-other than Drew Barrymore who also plays a supporting role as the team toughie and wild one, “Smashly’. It was wise of her to not try to overshadow Page and an excellent supporting cast. Barrymore hits a homeroom on all counts and does an amazing job for her rookie turn as a director.

I enjoyed this movie from start to finish …the characters are fascinating, realistic and endearing…the story is well written… unique in some ways but familiar in others (written in fact, by a real roller “derbette”).Hats off and a “well done” to Drew Barrymore for enthusing the excellent ensemble cast and to Ellen Page for taking on a very physical role and pulling it off in a very believable way.

If you have been looking for something different, something unique, but at the same time a “feel good” movie, this is it.

Clark

ZOMBIELAND 3.5*** overall/ 4.0**** for its genre


Zombieland is a gleefully twisted mockumentary about a world full of you-know-whats, wherein only five living people remain in the entire world. It’s gory and disgusting, but most of all, it’s terrific fun, with just the right mix of violence and off-kilter comedy.

It has one of the most unique and hilarious openings in memory. There is nothing subtle about it. You are dropped right into Zombieland as Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) begins listing the rules to survival. Of course each rule gives you a hysterical example of why the rule is in place. Columbus is funny enough with his phobias and geek lifestyle that proves to be what keeps him alive but it isn't until he meets Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), that things really kick into gear. Harrelson was been born for this role. He has more one liners than any character in recent memory. Things get even more interesting when Columbus and Tallahassee come upon sisters Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) {NOTE: Each of the characters is called by the name of the city they’re from. The girls are an important part of the chemistry of Zombieland and they hold their own by outwitting the guys a couple of times and killing their share of zombies.

The biggest moment of the film has to be the mystery cameo. I'm glad I didn't know who it was and I won't spoil it for anyone else. I will say that it was brilliantly written into the script. PERFECT!

As you would expect, there’s lots of blood splattering, plenty of gore, frequent of cursing, but not so much with the “f-word”, and even some nudity. But not too much for a zombie/horror movie especially where the emphasis is on the comedy and the parody. If anything, Zombieland is a movie that dares you to take it seriously, just so it can pull the rug out from under you and we can all laugh This one is so good it deserves to take its place amongst the best of the genre, such as 'Shaun of the Dead'
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Everyone rates movies differently but I rate a movie on how much I enjoyed the film and with that being said, Zombieland, for its genre, gets 4 out of 4*** ……. an overall rating a 3.5****.

Clark