Short Review: Aptly titled - it sucked.


Vin Diesel is the steroid version of Ernest. Instead of Ernest Goes to Camp or whatnot, we now have Vin Goes Into Space (The Chronicles of Riddick), Vin Goes To Spy School (XXX) and now finally Vin Goes To The Bottom of The Barrel.

You may be thinking that since this is supposed to be a family film that my standards should be lower. I believe it should be the opposite. When filmmakers ask to spend and hour and a half with my family, they had better have their best product to show. This pathetic mess is an insult to everyone who sees it.

To make my point, look at a movie like Uncle Buck. It is the same premise with a slightly different turn. The basic story is a fish out of water watches over a gaggle of kids for a few days. Where Uncle Buck is human and funny, this movie is contrived and just plain stupid.

This movie eagerly rushes into its gags and propped up conflicts without bothering with that pesky characterization stuff. You’re thrown into confrontations between the thick-necked Vin and the teenage kids before you even get to know the kid’s names.

The lack of engaging characters is reason the whole piece fails so miserably. It could have survived with the lower expectations given to family movies. But since there was no attempt to draw the audience in on a gut level, there is nothing to see. This sums up my review. Move on, there’s nothing to see here.


Related Reviews:
Family movies
Whale Rider (2002)
Hometown Legend (2002)


Other Critic's Reviews:
Shadows on the Wall
The Critical Critics

Labels: Brad Garrett, Carol Kane, film, Lauren Graham, movie review, Vin Diesel

It looks like another film proposing soft nihilism. Life is meaningless, you're a cosmic mistake, but hey, try to be nice to each other and enjoy your vacuous existence just the same.

If this film does have some depth, the trailer does a good job of hiding it. The ad just makes it look like a reheated As Good As it Gets.






Screenwriter: John Hindman
Director: John Hindman
Actors: Jeff Daniels (The Crossing) and Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty)

Labels: film, Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, movie trailer

It’s not surprising this film didn’t set the box office on fire. A quiet film outlining the patient claims a man has against the Ford Motor Company over the development of the intermittent windshield wiper isn’t a recipe for cinematic gold. This film should have gotten more attention however. For what it is, an underdog story, it is quite good.

Bob Kearns, an engineering professor, created the intermittent windshield wiper. He, along with his business partners, approached Ford with the concept. Ford loved the idea but didn’t much care for Kearns. The company then broke his patient and produced their own version of the device, shutting the man out. Kearns’ life is then sent into disarray as he spends decades trying to get the company to own up to their deceit. At first glance this may seem like yet another anti-corporation film. I am sensitive to agenda laced films and was on the lookout while viewing this movie. This is not an anti-corporation film. In fact, it is strictly pro-business, but only honest business. Ford is the perfect villain here since they represent what is indeed wrong with modern corporate culture. In this time of companies being “too big to fail” (an oligarchic phrase if there ever was one,) the dismissive attitudes of the Ford executives shown in this film have deeper value. Kearns, an inventor, is what America is made of – individuals looking to improve the world and their place in it. This is proudly shown throughout this film.

The film also has a sturdy performance by Greg Kinnear in the lead. He’s a solid actor but he has trouble getting past his game show host face at times. He hits all the right chords but he’s a tad too handsome for the role. In other words, he’s good but he doesn’t disappear into his character so we’re left watching an actor instead of seeing a character.

The biggest flaw to the film is the handling of the expanse of time. The takes place over the span of a couple of decades and much happens in this time. Representing the rather boring machinations of the United States Court System is always problematic. The legal wrangling is usually uninspiring narrative and the length of time it takes to find any resolution or even interest can kill a story. This is what stifles this story. Kearns’ legal battle is important and has the seeds for an inspiring story. It also is weighed down In typical legal nonsense. Screenwriter Philip Railsback wisely avoids much of the legal business until the final act but he fails to fill in the gaps. Kearns has a nervous breakdown at one point. This whole life shattering event, which has an impact on his marriage, health, employment and legal case, is treated as a diversion from his path to justice. It does not afford the situation the gravity it deserves. This sort of whitewashing drains the film of an extra dimension that could have given this movie the depth that would have made it memorable. Instead we’re left with something that’s merely watchable.




Related Reviews:
Greg Kinnear movies
Ghost Town (2008)
The Matador (2005)


Other Critic’s Reviews:
Roger Ebert
Combustible Celluloid

Labels: Alan Alda, film, Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, movie review

Could be good - could be like so many underdog stories, so weighed down by its goal of being poignant that it ends up being heavy handed. Its a good premise and the trailer plays heavy on the right aspects of the story to make it compelling. Greg Kinnear seems right for the role and the story is interesting - hope they don't overplay their hand.






Screenwriter: Philip Railsback
Director: Marc Abraham
Actors: Greg Kinnear (The Matador), Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty), Dermont Mulrony (Young Guns), and Alan Alda (Murder at 1600)

Labels: Alan Alda, Dermont Mulrony, film, Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, movie trailer