The Rocker

Rainn Wilson's Fish -- Reliving the dream in The Rocker (Fox Atomic)

Expectation can have a lot to do with whether or not you like a film. I had low expectations for The Rocker (opening August 20 throughout San Diego) based on trailers that made it look entirely stupid. So I was surprised to find that the film is actually only partly stupid, or to paraphrase Robert Downey, Jr.'s line from Tropic Thunder, they didn't go "full" stupid - just halfway. The other surprise is that Peter Cattaneo, the man who created the sweetly charming Brit-com The Full Monty, directed the film. But the main draw for The Rocker will probably be to see Rainn Wilson stepping out of his Dwight character from the American TV show The Office to take on the role of an aging rocker getting his second chance at fame.

Tropic Thunder

The cast of Tropic Thunder (Paramount)

I remember Monty Python's John Cleese stating on a talk show that people need to be offended - often. Well Tropic Thunder (opening August 13 throughout San Diego) seems to have already struck a sensitive nerve as protests are already rolling in about the film's use of the word "retard" and it's depiction of a mentally handicapped person. The film also has the potential to offend with white actor Robert Downey, Jr. essentially donning "blackface" to play an African American character. But those are only the two most overt offenses in a film ripe with political incorrectness. Others who may want to line up at the complaint department are gays, priests, obese people, Vietnam vets, Asians, animal lovers... umm, let's see, who did I leave out? But before you decide to join any of the boycotts or protests, consider this, the real butt of all the jokes is Hollywood as writer-director-producer-star Ben Stiller nibbles at if not outright bites the hand that feeds him.

Tropic Thunder Featurette

Tropic Thunder opens today throughout San Diego. My review will be up later today. In the meantime, enjoy this featurette about the cast. Ben Stiller serves as writer, producer, director, and star, while Robert Downey, Jr. plays a balck man. He what? That's right, Downey essentially dons "black face" to play an Austrailian actor playing an African American soldier. That's just one of the gags that push the bounds of political correctness to its possible breaking point. Take a look at the video and see if you find it funny or offensive. Featurette is courtesy of Paramount.

Teen Critic Says Kung Fu Panda is a Good Time for All

Fun for all in Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks)

By Vikram Bhoyrul

If I had a quarter for every time a panda has entertained me so much than I would have exactly 25 cents. Kung Fu Panda (opened June 6 throughout San Diego) is unique and incredibly entertaining, making for a great family movie. It has a well-known cast consisting of people like Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, and the panda himself, Jack Black. For the younger crowd there is an abundance of slapstick humor accompanied by Jack Black's lovable personality. For the rest of us, the movie actually contains some deeper messages.

In the tradition of most Disney classics, this Dreamworks animation promotes this whole "if you believe than you can achieve" idea and although clichéd, it is tastefully done in Kung Fu Panda. The message that I found to be the most interesting is that there are no accidents. The wise turtle kung fu master constantly repeats this message. He stresses that there is a reason for everything happening the way it does, and with time we are all destined to blossom. Similar to Batman or even Ironman, Kung Fu Panda emphasizes that no matter who you are, you don't need supernatural abilities to make a difference. You need determination and courage and the rest will fall into place.

True to Jack Black, the panda finds the strength to do the impossible through food. This gives the message that we are all fine the way we are and it is with our imperfections that we are in fact perfect. Kung Fu Panda was also nice in that it had some memorable lines and scenes that could be talked about afterwards such as "skidoosh" or "don't tell monkey!"

Overall Kung Fu Panda (rated PG for scenes of martial arts action) was clearly targeted towards the younger audience but with its underlying messages and Jack Black's humor, Kung Fu Panda is a good time for all ages.

Vikram Bhoyrul is a senior at The Bishop's School in La Jolla. For years film has been a passion of his. Besides Star Wars, his favorite movies are Children of Men, Cinderella Man. Life of Brian, and without question The Lion King. He would also like to become a journalist when he grows up. His goal is to become an influential network anchor. In his free time he likes running, singing, watching Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and cooking. At high school, he is the editor of his own school newspaper, and in college he wishes to major in journalism.

You Don’t Mess with the Kung Fu Panda Zohan

Master Shifu teaches Po a lesson in Kung Fu Panda (Dreamworks)

This week I am pleased to introduce two new KPBS Teen Critics, Raymond Mai and Vikram Bhoyrul. They both had reviews up this week (of Kung Fu Panda and You Don't Mess with the Zohan,respectively) and I hope you check them out. Raymond is someone I've known since he was in elementary school with my son and he's always had very strong opinions about movies, so I'm thrilled to have him aboard. Vikram, on the other hand, I just met. I was introduced to his father at an Indian film screening and his dad explained how Vikram had started his own paper at Bishop's. Now that's initiative. Anyway, I hope you check out their reviews. But I wanted to throw my two cents in about Kung Fu Panda and You Don't Mess with the Zohan (both opened June 6 throughout San Diego). Also, being a martial arts fan I thought it was worth mentioning that three films that opened on Friday - Kung Fu Panda, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, and Foot Fist Way - contained martial arts to varying degrees.

First let me start with Kung Fu Panda, an American animated martial arts film about a panda with big dreams. The film seems in part to tap into the fact that all eyes are on China as it prepares to host the summer Olympics. The film starts with a strikingly animated prologue that turns out to be a dream. Po (voiced by Jack Black) is an eager, out of shape panda that wants nothing more than to be like the heroes that he worships (and has a full set of action figures of). This open got my interest up because the animation style recalled the Emmy-winning Cartoon Network show Samurai Jack. Unfortunately, when the dream ends, so does the innovative visual style and we're back to the standard 3-D computer animation that everyone is using. I know it's state of the art and I should appreciate how the hair looks so real... but all right already. Kudos to the technicians and animators. But this style of animation seems to place more emphasis on the technology than the artistry, and I've begun to grow weary of it.

Get Ready for Some Intense Kung Fu…and Eating!

Jack Black's panda eyes some food during training in Kung Fu Panda reviewed by one of our new Teen Critics (Dreamworks)

By Raymond Mai

I am actually not a big fan of animated movies having animals that speak and perform like humans. So I didn't expect much from Kung Fu Panda (opening June 6 throughout San Diego) but after 88 minutes, I was impressed. I walked out of the movie theater with my friends, Tony and Terry, recapping the many entertaining scenes from the film.

Po (voiced by Jack Black) is an obese panda that dreams of being a kung fu fighter, while his dad Mr. Ping (James Hong) is trying to entice Po with the wonderful world of noodles (the family business). Meanwhile, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) is warned of the escape of Tai Lung (Ian McShane), a likable snow leopard that beats on everyone. Master Shifu prepares his Furious 5 Warriors -- Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu), and Crane (David Cross) -- to battle Tai Lung. Unexpectedly, Po 'comes out of the sky' (literally, which is hard to believe), and is chosen to fight Tai Lung. Master Shifu makes a commitment and promise to train and believe in Po, and soon Po takes on the challenge to fight for peace in his valley.

What I admire about this flick is that it's a comedy that actually develops its likable characters without having you to nudge the person next to you with questions. I especially love the voiceover cast for this movie. Each person is well suited to their character. Take Jack Black who provides the voice of the curious and funny panda. Or Ian McShane's voice for the dark and wicked snow leopard.

If you have a kid and you take him to this movie, you get the added bonus that he or she may learn a good life lesson. Though the movie is very entertaining, there is nothing unique about the storyline. The storyline is there and simple, but it is a weak one even if it is a martial arts film. This movie is very entertaining and the funny jokes, mostly about being fat, did put a smile on my face. But the jokes are still cheap.

Kung Fu Panda (rated PG for sequences of martial arts action) is not as good as Over The Hedge, an animated film with talking animals that I did like. But this movie is still worth your money and you won't have to take bathroom breaks to kill some time. Overall, this is an enjoyable movie, but with an unsophisticated storyline.

Raymond Mai is a soon to be sophomore at Mount Miguel High School where he's on the football and baseball team. When he is not studying or playing a sport, he loves to have fun, whether it's watching movies or just kicking it behind the TV with his Nintendo Wii. He enjoys the opportunity to voice his opinions about movies.

Be Kind Rewind - Pro

Teen Critics take opposites sides on Be Kind Rewind (New Line Cinema)

By CANDACE KAVANAGH

Michel Gondry has struck another warm, heart felt piece of film, in his on going practice of taking common day trash and turning it into art. In his new film Be Kind, Rewind (opening February 22 throughout San Diego), characters Mike (Mos Def) and Jerry (Jack Black) have to take care of a rundown movie store that has one foot in the grave. While watching over it, a freak accident causes all the tapes to be erased, forcing them to create new ones with their own creativity and their free use of a junk yard. Soon giving the video store a new life of it's own.

First off the actors' performances were amazing. Mos Def's uptight personality -- at least compared to Jack Black's character -- and Jack Black's screwed up character, go well together. Both pulling off a believable friendship. Now on to the director. Michel Gondry definitely shows off his creativity in this film, not only showcasing his ability to make anything look beautiful. He also brings back a low budget technique, mixing it with his own out-of-the-box mind. And by doing this, he takes the trash of the mainstream film industry -- you know the really horrible remakes, including digital everything -- and turns it into something we can actually enjoy and laugh at, instead of feeling bad for the director who actually tried to remake the classics. Along with pointing out how unnecessary it is to add special effects to movies like The Omen or Halloween. Throughout the movie we see familiar faces, such as Danny Glover, Mia Farrow and Sigourney Weaver. Now if you're up to date on your film, you'll notice all of them have starred in cult classics, that lately have been put aside, kind of like the movies the video store is filled with. By reminding us of these faces, Michel Gondry gives us more empathy for the store, that lags behind other updated, DVD-ridden stores. Giving the movie a subtle connection to the real world.

In the end Be Kind, Rewind (Rated PG-13 for some sexual references) reminds us of how unifying making a movie with friends can be, and how fun it is to put high paid actors and high graphics budgets aside. Later coming to the conclusion: the less technology, the more fun people can really have watching.

Candace's Suggested Companion Viewing: Science of Sleep, High Fidelity, Clerks

-- Candace Kavanagh spends her life absorbing celluloid images. She loves every type of film from so-called "chick flicks" such as My Fair Lady and Legally Blonde, to mind bending thrillers like Mulholland Drive and Hard Candy -- with every zombie movie, action flick, musical, and comedy in between.

Check out an opposing Teen Critic's review of Be Kind Rewind.

Be Kind Rewind - Con

Mos Def and Jack Black request, Be Kind Rewind (New Line Cinema)

By TONY GALINDO

Be Kind Rewind or be kind don't go? A movie written and directed Michel Gondry, Be Kind Rewind takes place in an old downtown New Jersey video store where two friends try to undo what one has done due to a freak and unrealistic accident.

We meet Jerry (Jack Black) and Mike (Mos Def), two friends asked to look after an old run down movie rental shop. The events leading up to the main story reveal that Jerry's crazy plan to take out a power plant's transformer failed, and he got electrocuted and magnetized. Not noticing what has happened to him, Jerry walks into the video store erasing all the tapes as he passes. Though all hope seems lost, Mike -- the man truly in charge of running the store while his boss is away -- comes up with a plan to remake all the movies. He believes that people will either not notice the difference or not notice that it's Jerry and Mike in the videos and not the real films they meant to rent. Be Kind Rewind was not as expected. Though it had many well-known actors, it could not maintain my attention or hold my interest through the story. Though some scenes were funny -- such as when they remade Ghostbusters or Rush Hour 2 -- it didn't seem to have all I thought it would. With actors such as Jack Black and Mos Def -- two very funny individuals, staring in favorites of mine such as School of Rock and Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- I thought this film could have been better.

The story itself is what threw me off. We are put in what seems the present day, and these two are meant to look after a VHS rental store. Hello? Have you heard of DVDs? Though it shows that the neighborhood is going through tough times and looking for a makeover, it’s hard to believe not one person has a DVD player at their house. With so many plot holes, the story was hard to buy.  Plus you're asked to believe a man can get magnetized and then erase all the tapes in a video store.

The script could have been better but at least the characters seemed somewhat believable in this situation. Don't get me wrong; I’m all for fantasy and how it's meant to entertain but this movie just overdoes it as a comedy. The jokes weren’t as great as I had hoped for. The trailer did a better job and was funnier then the movie.

Be Kind Rewind (rated PG-13 for some sexual references) was not exactly the film I had hoped to see. It did bore me somewhat and could have been better with a smarter plot or funnier writing. Not meaning to bash two actors that I like but all I can say is they just did what they do -- act silly and get paid to do it.

I would not recommend Be Kind Rewind. I could only really see this as a rental. This movie is definitely not what I would call best comedy of the year.

-- Tony Galindo is a senior at Mount Miguel high. He was recently accepted at the Art institute of San Diego where he wants to major in game art design and pursue a career in environmental design. Writing  is a hobby of his as well as watching movies, so he thought it would be great to be able to share his opinions on film with people.

Check out an opposing Teen Critic's review of Be Kind Rewind. 

Margot at the Wedding

Nicole Kidman in Margot at the Wedding (Paramount Classics)

With a glut of holiday releases, I have to apologize for falling a bit behind. Noah Baumbach's Margot at the Wedding (opened December 7 at Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas) was one of the films we discussed last month on Film Club but I'm only now getting around to posting a review.

Noah Baumbach, unlike his contemporary Jason Reitman (who this month delivers Juno), is a young director suffering a bit from the sophomore jinx. That's when a director delivers a knockout first feature that builds high expectations for the next. But when the second one arrives there's a sigh of disappointment. [CORRECTION: Okay I blew it. I completely forgot about Baumbach's two films from the 90s so technically he's not suffering a sophomore jinx but rather a senior one. Anyway Margot's a letdown after his sort of re-debut with The Squid and the Whale in 2005. Thanks to a reader for pointing out my error.] Now Margot isn't bad, but it is disappointing. Baumbach scored big with his first indie drama, The Squid and the Whale, about a dysfunctional contemporary New York family. His second film Margot at the Wedding is also about a dysfunctional family, this time focusing on a pair of sisters played by Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Jason Leigh.