Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Scattershot Reviews: Real Time, The Trotsky, The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Back again with another scattershot of films. This week I'd thought I kill a few birds with one stone as I've watched quite a few Jay Baruchel movies that I have yet to review.



Real Time (2008)
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Randy Quaid, Jayne Eastwood
Netflix: Streaming

Andy Hayes (Baruchel) is gambler who hasn't paid his debts and as such has had a hit put on him. Reuben (Quaid) assigned the hit, has a soft spot for Andy, and gives him one hour to do whatever he wants before he kills him.

It took me awhile to actually get to the film. I was content to let it sit in my que because of Randy Quaid. Not that Quaid can't be enjoyable, just that he's done a lot of crap as well. When I finally watched the film I was glad I did. It's very much a character driven piece, focusing on the two leads for the majority of the film, as they drive around from spot to spot and discuss life. There's a definite comedic element, which helps to balance out the darker tones. There is a lot of profanity in the film, which is nothing new, but oddly felt awkward. I can't quite say why, but the swearing just seems out of place and poorly delivered. In a dialog heavy film, that's even more noticeable. The ending is also a tad obvious, not that it's a bad thing. Knowing what's coming doesn't make it any less well written. At its heart it feels like a short story, and at just an hour and twenty minutes, it practically is. Ultimately, it's an odd little film, but a worthwhile watch. 6.5 out of 10



The Trotsky (2009)
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Liane Balaban, Colm Feore
Netflix: Streaming

Leon Bronstein is a high schooler who believes himself to be the reincarnation of Soviet iconoclast Leon Trotsky. After leading a hunger strike at his father's factory, he finds himself enrolled in a public school, where he decides it's his duty to lead a revolution among the students.

The film is well written and well cast. There are some elements that don't seem to work towards the end of the film, but overall it's well done. I thought about writing this up as a 'best movie you probably haven't seen' but I always like to include a favorite scene in that column, and while I think the movie is pretty brilliant, it's not really one that can be easily cut down to a favorite moment or scene. There's a certain craziness to it that kind of reminds me of good satire from the 70's (books specifically). Baruchel  is fantastic in the role, bringing the passion of the character across. There are a few places where it does seem to drag a bit, and the beginning is a bit slow. But if you have patience you're in for a great flick.  7.9 out of 10



The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Nicolas Cage, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer
Netflix: Streaming & DVD

Loosely based on the segment in Fantasia, with Mickey Mouse, which was in turn loosely based on an old poem, about, well, a sorcerer's apprentice. In particular a bumbling one.

The further I get away from it, the worse it gets, and it was pretty bad to start. I did enjoy parts of it. There's some decent humor to it. And of course the main scene you'd want to see is pretty great. But the writing is terrible, the actors are completely wasted. Alfred Molina may have played some cheesy villains before, but this was worse even than Snidely Whiplash. Forget character arcs. Baruchel's character is whiny up until the end where he suddenly decides to be the hero. I know there's always the argument that it's a kid's film, so what do you expect? But I've seen too many brilliantly executed kid and family films in recent years to let that stand. They had a good property, and they could have done something fun with it. Instead it's a film that barely limps along to the end, creating a mess that even the sorcerer can't clean up. 4 out of 10




15 comments:

  1. You were in the mood for Jay Baruchel, weren't you? I've only seen the last one and it's pretty much gone from my memory. My wife giggled every time Baruchel spoke - she thinks he has a funny voice.

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  2. I think the Trotsky one stands out because of the storyline...and apprentice was doomed when they brought in Nicholas cage...not saying he is bad, loved him in Face off....
    Well HP raised the bar for magical tales and even Percy failed the test.

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  3. Unfortuntately I did see the Sorcerers apprentice....sigh.... total waste of time. Hope you had a good weekend.

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  4. I saw the Sorcerers Apprentice... yeaahhhhh. Not my fave. Nick Cage was awkward and unconvincing. And the little scrawny guy with the cartoon voice would never get the girl in real life. (= Just sayin'.

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  5. I gotta be honest, his film choices never did it for me.

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  6. The only movie I ever liked Randy Quaid in was Christmas Vacation...and that's because the role suited him to a T. Otherwise, I'm not thrilled. Haven't seen any of these movies yet.

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  7. Never realized that he's played in a couple of interesting sounding movies. Never paid much attention to this actor.

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  8. I sort of liked the Sorcerer's Apprentice. However, I tend to be reading while watching movies, so the lack of good dialog or a plot goes right past me. If I look up and it's pretty (as in the costumes and set) I am good.

    Hey, you don't have a search box, but I wanted to see if you had reviewed Dylan Dog:Dead of Night. When The Sphinx brought it home I was going to make him sleep on the couch, but it was actually pretty entertaining.

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  9. You steered me right with 11 Minutes Ago so I guess I will check out Real Time and Trotsky.

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  10. The Trotsky sounds like my type of movie. Have you talked about this movie Teri? I'm going to see it this weekend. Looks cute.

    Hey, I'm bummed I just noticed you updated your blog roll and I didn't make the cut on your friends list. Soooo bummed, TS :(

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  11. I was most interested in The Sorcerer's Apprentice and it got the worst score! Boo!

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  12. Trotsky sounds like my kind of movie, although I wish I knew more about the original Trotsky. Is that required for appreciating the movie?

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  13. @Monkey, No, it covers enough history as it goes along. All you really need to know is that he was a Marxist hero and you're set.

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