Hey folks, I’ve got some more quick takes to share with ya. It’s a pretty diverse bunch this time, starting off with a Dramedy about a couple of dysfunctional sisters from a filmmaker that seems to have laid claim to the Dysfunctional Family Comedy genre. Then we move onto an unusual Action flick from the Land Down Under about warring Angels. And finally a Coin-Op Documentary about one player’s obsessive quest to be the best. Read on and enjoy!

MARGOT AT THE WEDDING
I didn’t really know what to expect from this little flick. Snobby critics from San Francisco to New York praised it, even placing it in their Top Ten films of 2007. But as we all know, critics usually don’t know diddly squat about what makes a watchable flick. Writer/Director Noah Baumbach has been involved with two of my favorite flicks in the last five years, he co-wrote LIFE AQAUTIC and was the creative force behind THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. But after seeing so many movies about dysfunctional upper-middle classs families lately, I really wasn’t raring to see another. That’s probably why I waited until DVD to see MARGOT AT THE WEDDING, but still hoping Baumbach would bring something new and interesting to the table. His latest certainly gives us something new, focusing primarily on two sisters rather than on the patriarchal or male aspect as he’s done before. Is it interesting though? Not really. Family members being completely horrible to one another was pretty fun to watch in THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, but this film reaches uncomfortable heights that just isn’t cool. Not even with Jack Black’s help. Maybe its cause I don’t like Nicole Kidman as much as I thought I did (I Had an aversion to her character in THE INVASION too), or maybe the film is far more dryer than any of Baumbach’s previous efforts. Whatever the reason, MARGOT didn’t connect with me. The film does approach “entertaining” a number of times throughout its runtime, but always manages to pull away and inject some misplaced gravitas. My favorite stuff in the film is Jack Black’s occasionally absurd moments, but its the chemistry between him and Jennifer Jason Leigh’s character that really keeps this thing afloat. I’d suggest this as a rental for all those folks that loved Baumback’s previous flicks, or those of you that just love to watch dysfunctional families tear each other apart emotionally. And who among us doesn’t enjoy that?
Bobert’s Rating: - Rent It

GABRIEL
For those of you that really dug those PROPHECY movies from 90′s (ya know, the ones with Christopher Walken as an angry fallen angel?), you’re in for a treat. For everyone else….meh. In a realm best described as Purgatory, a War has been raging between the forces of light and dark. The Fallen sent from Hell and the Arc Angels from Heaven. They fight for the souls trapped in this place, and the balance has tipped to the darkness. Gabriel is their last hope – blah blah blah. As you might have already noticed, GABRIEL is very derivative and not very original. At times its downright stupid (What the hell are Angels doing boinking anyway? I thought they lacked sexual organs? Pfft.) But the film does have a couple of clever action sequences (some “arty” attempts fail badly though), a few interesting ideas (“Now…Close your eyes”), and one or two worthwhile characters (I liked the perverted and narcissistic Asmodeus the best). Another comparison I’ve heard made are the NIGHTWATCH/DAYWATCH movies, which I personally don’t see. Those Russian films were totally off-the-wall and at times incomprehensible. This movie is painfully linear and straightforward, despite the inclusion of what some may claim is a “twist ending”. It’s kinda sad when a film’s production history is more interesting than the film itself, and unfortunately that seems to be the case here. I was far more fascinated by the supplemental material found on the DVD documenting the arduous task of making a low-budget Action “blockbuster” in Australia with unknowns than about the battle between the Fallen and the Arc. Oh and the flick looks absolutely terrible. I haven’t seen this much compression artifacts and blotching since the early days of DVD. And apparently the transfer ain’t to blame, GABRIEL was just filmed that way. Yuck. Anyways, I suppose if you’re looking for a Supernatural Action film without the headiness (or budget) of THE MATRIX, you could do worse. But if I were you, I’d just give this flick a rental.
Bobert’s Rating: - Rent It

THE KING OF KONG: A FISTFUL OF QUARTERS
Who says all documentaries have to be socio-political examinations of kids playing basketball, or pseudo-propaganda made by some rotund super socialist that has a hate-on for George Dubya? Luckily the folks that decided to make THE KING OF KONG figured we all needed a break from all the heavy stuff and we got this fluffy but fun look at one man’s mission to conquer—an arcade game. An Arcade game from the early 80′s. Ok, so while this geeky Documentary may not be everyone’s cup of tea (actual quote: “This is just stupid, they’re all uber nerds! I can’t watch this anymore, It’s just a video game!”), those that have an affinity for Video Games (classic arcade ones in particular) will definitely appreciate the blood, sweat, and significant amount of tears this documentary’s “protagonist” sheds before his quest is complete. Some might say that the actual facts have been manipulated in order to create the magnificently quintessential Good Vs. Bad scenario that develops here, but I suppose you gotta save something for the sequel: THE KING OF KONG 2: A FEW QUARTERS MORE! Just kidding. In the end, what we have here is an entertaining documentary that has laughs, heart, and an ending straight out of a Disney Sports flick. And sometimes, thats ok. So put down that Xbox controller for a sec and give this flick a look. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Bobert’s Rating: - Recommended

Well that’s all for now folks. Until next time, keep those discs spinning!