Speak (2004)

Directed by: Jessica Sharzer

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Eric Lively, Michael Angarano, Hallee Hirsh, and Steve Zahn

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Teen, Drama

Based on the novel byLaurie Halse Anderson

It’s Melinda Sordino’s (Stewart) first year of high school and nothing is what she thought it would be. She enters the year with no friends and faces the wrath of her peers for an incident that happened over the summer. She called the cops at a party, everyone in attendance was busted, and only she knows the reason why she did it. Labeled a “squealer,” Melinda shrinks away from her peers and slowly stops talking altogether, losing herself in her art. As the end of the year rolls around, she realizes that she must tell her secret, she has to open her mouth and Speak.

I think this film did a very good job of capturing the essence of the novel. It stays mostly true to the story, only changing a few things here and there. I found it amusing that her history teacher’s name actually was “Mr. Neck” and not just what she called him. I didn’t like that they changed Andy Evans’s (Lively) character, or the final confrontation between him and Melinda at the climax of the novel, turning a highly suspenseful scene into a blink-and-it’s-over moment.

The acting was decent, with Stewart stealing the show as Melinda. She may get a lot of criticism from detractors over her lack of expression – but that worked for her in this film. Melinda is a depressed character, holding back a dark secret that she feels she can’t tell anyone. Stewart also has a knack for delivering witty lines with a deadpan face, which worked for the character as well. She can, however, express emotion, and does so very well.

Right behind Stewart’s performance is Steve Zahn’s as her art teacher, Mr. Freeman. It was nice to see Zahn in a serious role where he’s not getting naked or acting like an idiot. (Although those roles are usually rather hilarious.) He really takes an interest in her and her work, encouraging her at every turn, and being one of the main reasons she begins to have confidence again. His energy is contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile when he was onscreen.

I was surprised to see Eric Lively playing the main antagonist, Andy Evans. I grew up watching him as the kindly older brother figure on Disney’s So Weird, so it was a little strange seeing him as the bad guy. I was especially surprised at how good he was in the role. He and Kristen Stewart also had a great chemistry, and the scenes they share in the party flashbacks border on adorable in some cases. This chemistry is another reason why I didn’t like how anti-climactic the final confrontation between the two of them actually was.

The bullying was also amped up in the film. In the book, Melinda did face it a little, but not nearly as badly as in the film. Here the kids yell “Squealer” at her, making pig noises whenever she walks by, and throw things at her. She is ridiculed, her books slapped out of her hands, and signs taped to her back. Her teachers aren’t much better, with Mr. Neck deciding she’s a trouble maker from day one, yelling in her face and being an overall bigot. Lastly, her parents don’t even try to understand her, until after the final confrontation between her and Andy, when everyone finds out the truth. As with the novel, I was left wondering how no one seemed to realize that Melinda had gone through something very traumatic – something that changed her entire personality.

Overall, it’s a fairly compelling film with good performances from the leads. There are some deviations from the novel, and I didn’t like how rushed the final confrontation was, but it is still a solid film and worth a watch.

7/10

Fat Kid Rules the World (2012)

Directed by: Matthew Lillard

Starring: Jacob Wysocki, Matt O’Leary, Lili Simmons, Dylan Arnold, and Billy Campbell

Rated: R

Genre: Independent, Drama, Comedy, Coming-of-Age

Based on the Novel by K.L. Going

Troy is a depressed, overweight teenager, with no friends and no passion outside of video games. Marcus is a free-spirited punk-rock musician with no home and a drug problem. Their paths happen to cross one day when, feeling like he can’t take it anymore, Troy steps out in front of an oncoming bus. Marcus tackles him to the ground, saving his life, and beginning an unlikely friendship. The two bond over the idea of creating a band together, and each helps the other in a way he never expects.

This is the directorial debut of Matthew Lillard, and I am quite impressed with this effort. His passion for the film is visible all over his Twitter account, but it is also obvious in the film itself. It truly feels like he cares for these characters, and thus the viewer does as well.

The characters are well-fleshed out. None fit into a cliché mold. At first Troy seems like the typical nerdy, overweight outcast who wants to get a girlfriend and enjoys video games. As the film progresses, he becomes more likable as he airs his issues with his weight and father. He develops a passion for music and a backbone, and he proves what a big heart he truly has. Marcus is a homeless, drug-addled sleazebag who has never known true friendship until he meets Troy. Despite their differences, these boys save each other from themselves. I also really liked how Troy’s father, Mr. Billings (Campbell), was portrayed as a real person and not just a stick-in-the-mud Marine – which is how many teen films would have played it. He is never really the enemy; he just wants his son to be happy, healthy and successful. He may be strict, but he cares very much for his sons and for Marcus.

I found Troy and Marcus to be believable, people I could meet in everyday life. I’ve known guys like both of them, and feel that Wysocki and O’Leary really brought them to life. Campbell was strong as the former-Marine-turned-cop father figure, portraying strict-yet-caring very well. Lili Simmons was cute as Isabel, and Dylan Arnold was annoying, yet believable, as Troy’s younger brother.

What I really liked about this film is that the kids acted like real kids and the adults were also realistic. The boys talked a lot about music and finding gigs, but they also bond over conflicts with parents and being different in general. As aforementioned, Mr. Billings may be a hardass, but he also has a big heart, and he cares about the well-being of all three boys. He gave up the Marine Corps for Troy’s mother, even though he enjoyed it. There is a scene where he is showing Marcus a box of family photos, and he looks longingly at a picture of his late-wife. He’s trying the best he can, and it’s obvious he still struggles without her around.

I thought Marcus’s drug addiction was handled very well too. As someone who has grown up around addiction – especially one to opiates, I found the portrayal accurate. His shaky hands, his lack of personal hygiene, his willingness to use anyone and everyone he can to get his next high. It doesn’t surprise me that his mother gave up on him – that happens sometimes, because the parent needs to distance him/herself from the pain of losing a loved one down such a dark path. Still, the kid is only eighteen, you would think they would have tried a little harder to get him help. My loved one has been in and out of recovery for nearly twelve years, it’s a never-ending battle. I do wish that could have been addressed by the film, but you can only fit so much into an hour and a half, and the important thing is that it left off sending Marcus in a positive direction.

The ending was a little farfetched, but enjoyable. I did feel like it ended abruptly, without us getting to see Troy do what he’s worked so hard for. He begins to play the drums and the credits roll. I wanted to see him rock out and show what he’s really made of. That was the one major drawback to the film; I wanted him to flaunt what he’s accomplished.

Overall, it’s a good little flick. The characters are realistic and well-rounded. The music is cool, and the dramatic elements are handled well. Recommended.

7/10

Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Directed by: Richard LaGravenese

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Emma Thompson and Kyle Gallner

Genre: Teen, Drama, Romance, Supernatural

Rated: PG-13

Based on the novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate thinks it’s just going to be another boring school year in Gatlin, South Carolina, dealing with the same old people and same dull events as always. Then he meets Lena Duchannes, the new girl in school, and can’t keep himself away from her. As the two grow closer, secrets are revealed, and Ethan learns more about his family, Gatlin, and the world than he ever thought possible.

I have mixed feelings about this film. In my attempt to decide my final verdict, I will lay down a list of what I did and didn’t like about it.

What I did like:
The Acting: When I first watched the trailer, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Alden Ehrenreich as the leading man, but I ended up falling in love with him. He was sweet and charming, determined as well as vulnerable, all wrapped up in an adorably awkward package. He brought Ethan to life. Englert wasn’t bad as Lena either, giving her a strength that she didn’t have in the novel. She and Ehrenreich also seemed to share a natural chemistry, which helped me care about them as a couple. Jeremy Irons was everything I expected Macon Ravenwood to be – tall, well-spoken, and sophisticated. Emmy Rossum was another actor I wasn’t sure of – especially since she’s radically different from the Ridley in the novel, but for the film’s version she does her job well. Emma Thompson stands out the most, jumping from crazy bigoted church lady to the delightfully evil Sarafine with such ease. She seemed to have a lot of fun with the character and it showed in her performance.
The Cinematography: The backdrop for this film was beautiful. It really felt like the South, with the old plantation houses, ancient trees covered in Spanish Moss, and small town charm. The Castor sets were beautiful, with Ravenwood Manor being elegant and stylish and the Castor Library having an antique feel.
The Special Effects: While they are CGI, they are done well and very imaginative. I loved the spinning dining table, the appearance of writing in The Book of Moons, and the spell casting. The snow scene did look a little fake, though, and could have been done better with practical effects.

What I Didn’t Like:
The Omission of Characters: In the novel, Amma is Ethan’s housekeeper. She has helped raise him, she takes pride in her cooking, and she is big on the practice of voodoo. She does not run the Gatlin County Library – that job belongs to Marian, the long-time friend of Ethan’s deceased mother. The film puts too much responsibility on Amma, combining her character with Marian’s, and doesn’t give Amma the ability to shine on her own. Both of these women play significant but different roles in Ethan’s life. I felt that forcibly combining the two watered down Amma’s character, and left nothing for a talented actress like Viola Davis to work with. Also missing are Ethan’s father (no big loss, he doesn’t play a huge role in the first novel), and the Sisters – Ethan’s three great aunts, who are hilarious in the novel and also provide a lot of the back story to the locket visions.
Larkin: While this character doesn’t play a super big role in the books, he is still relevant. In the film he is only in two scenes and we don’t even know what his powers are until the very end. His character isn’t really anything like he is in the novel and could have been left out entirely. This saddens me because a very talented young actor, Kyle Gallner, was cast in this role and was sorely underutilized.
The Flashbacks: These are supposed to play a pivotal role in the story, but Ethan and Lena don’t seem to care about them. We only see two, one of which is just a collection of random images that doesn’t seem to mean anything. The other tells a story that connects Ethan and Lena, yet the film gives it a brief discussion and skirts away from it. The flashback scenes were some of the most interesting in the first novel, and they explain the curse on Lena’s family and why Ethan is so drawn to her.
The Inclusion of Aspects from Beautiful Darkness: The film revealed a large plot point from the second book, involving Macon and Ethan’s mother – which I didn’t like. Also, Lena’s actions at the end of this film are very similar to those in the end of the second novel. I would have preferred to keep the two separate, especially if they want to continue the series.
No School Dance: This scene was my favorite in the book, and I really wanted to see it acted out. Who wouldn’t want to see Ridley give those popular brats a taste of their own medicine?
The Climax: While it was similar, I felt it lacked the action that it had in the book. It was missing a couple significant characters, fire, and violence. It feels the like climaxes of the first two novels in the series were mashed together poorly, screwing up the continuity of the rest of the series, should they continue to be made into films.
The Lack of Incubi: Macon Ravenwood is an incubus from a long line of them. In the film, he is nothing more than a dark castor turned light, but in the novel he is much stronger, both literally and in casting. The incubi play a significant role in the books, and I don’t see how the next two can be made into films without the inclusion of these creatures.

What I’m on the Fence About:
The Change in the Love Story: If this ends up being a stand-alone film, I can adjust to the differences in the love story. I understand Lena’s decision in the movie, and it works for the film version of the story, but it won’t if the series continues to get the film treatment. It doesn’t make sense with the story flow, and the next entries will have to be changed to follow this story arc, thus continuing to scramble the rest of the series.

Overall, it’s not a bad film, but it is severely lacking if you have read the books. I hope it remains a standalone film, because I don’t want the rest of the series to be butchered due to the changes made to the first story. Actors were underused and characters disregarded. What saves this is that aside from the deviations from the novel, the love story is still gripping to me and the acting, cinematography, and special effects were all very well done.

6.5/10 

The Haunting (1963) Vs. The Haunting (1999)

The Haunting (1963)

Directed by: Robert Wise

Starring: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn, Rosalie Crutchley, Lois Maxwell, and Valentine Dyall

Genre: Horror / Psychological Thriller

Based on the Novel “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson

"Hill House ... had stood there for eighty years and might stand there for eighty more ... and whatever walked there, walked alone."

Following the plot of the 1959 novel, three people are invited to take part in a paranormal study with Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) at a secluded mansion with a reputation called Hill House. Along for the adventure are Eleanor “Nell” Lance (Julie Harris), a woman with deep rooted insecurities who longs for acceptance; Theodora (Claire Bloom), an eccentric, sexually ambiguous, confident woman; and Luke Sanderson, a playboy who stands to inherit the house in the future. Theo and Nell were selected by Dr. Markway because they exhibited a history with the paranormal. Nell has had “poltergeist phenomenon” occur around her, or possibly because of her – it is hinted she has telekinetic powers. Theo is thought to have ESP, or at the very least to be incredibly perceptive. Luke is just along to make sure no harm comes to the property, and he seems fairly skeptical about any paranormal phenomenon that has occurred within the house. They soon discover that they are not alone in Hill House as strange and horrifying (for them) things begin to happen. It becomes clear that the house wants Nell, and is determined to have her. But is the house really haunted, or is Nell unknowingly making these things happen?

What I loved most about this movie was how true it stayed to the classic novel. The film opens with the same lines as the novel does, and ends with the same poetic lines. They kept most of the major unsettling moments from the novel and they translated well onto the screen. The pounding and writing on the walls, ghostly touching, etc. was all made believable. I also liked that they kept the lesbian subplot between Theo and Nell in the film, as well as keeping it as subtle as it was in the novel. (In the 1950s and ‘60s, homosexuality was still a very taboo topic, so anything dealing with it had to be subtle.) There are hints throughout the film that Theo has a thing for Nell, and she is very ambiguous about her personal love life. (Ex: she lives with a ‘partner’ whose gender is never specified in both the novel and the film)

However, the name changes seem unnecessary – in the novel Eleanor’s last name was Vance and the doctor’s last name was Montegue. This is more of a nitpicky detail than anything, though. Also, they changed the character of the doctor’s wife from a woman who thought she could communicate with the spirits of Hill House to a woman who was highly skeptical and even challenged the house’s ghostly phenomenon. Granted, the movie character was far less annoying than her novelized counterpart, but I would have preferred that they remained true to the story. She was a great antagonist to everyone involved in the study, including the doctor himself.

As far as the components of the film go – it was very well-done. The atmosphere was perfect – it gave off that creepy, claustrophobic vibe necessary for ghost stories to take root in the viewer. Yet at the same time, the sets were beautiful. The suspense element was a major factor in the success of this movie – we never actually see the ghosts that haunt Hill House, just hear them and see the aftermath of their antics. The viewer is always wondering what will happen next, if everything is really happening or if Nell is just crazy.

 The acting was pitch-perfect, each character brought to life as if they’d walked right out of the book. (Minus the changes in Mrs. Markway of course) Nell is hard to take in places. Her character can be very annoying. However, she isn’t meant to be likable. I felt sorry for her because she was so socially awkward and had never really had a mature, mutually respectful relationship with anyone. She was incredibly needy in her longing for a connection – trying to find one with Theo and with Dr. Markway. Julie Harris did a wonderful job depicting Nell’s socially awkward ways as well as her decent into madness without coming off as campy or cheesy. Claire Bloom was graceful and lovely as Theodora, but she could also be nasty when the scene called for it. Richard Johnson gave off a very Vincent Price-like air as Dr. Markway and Russ Tamblyn’s Luke was charming and playful, if a little greedy and self-involved. Each character was on screen as they were written in the novel, which is something hard to come by in book-to-film adaptations.

Overall: A definite classic film with great atmosphere, a few scares, and great acting. It is true to its source material and does the novel justice, bringing it to life on screen. Both this film and the novel are highly recommended.

8/10

The Haunting (1999)

Directed by: Jan de Bont

Starring: Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta Jones, Owen Wilson, Lili Taylor

Genre: Horror / Supernatural

Rated: PG-13

Loosely Based on the Novel “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson.

The plot is similar to that of this film’s [superior] predecessor: three people, Eleanor or “Nell” (Lili Taylor), Theo (Catherine Zeta Jones) and Luke (Owen Wilson) are invited to Hill House to participate in a study on insomnia conducted by Dr. Marrow (Liam Neeson). What they don’t know is that Dr. Marrow is employing the old “bait-and-switch” method – the patients think he’s studying their insomnia, but he’s really doing a study on fear – and Hill House definitely provides them with plenty of that. Upon the first night there, the banging noises begin, and events progressively intensify. Once again, it becomes clear that the house wants Nell, but for a reason far different from the original film. As Nell descends into madness, she believes that she must protect the ghosts of the house as she begins to unravel the mystery of why Hill House is haunted.

I remember seeing this film at about thirteen or fourteen, and thinking it was rather bland. Now, having a lot more movie knowledge and knowing that it was spawned from two far superior works, I’ve come to truly dislike it. The back-story of Hill House was completely changed from that of the novel and original film – the only similar element is the name of the man who built it. While in the novel and original film it was proposed that the house was just “born bad,” in this version there is a rather clichéd and ridiculous explanation for the haunting that trivialized the original ideas behind the story. The idea that it may also be in Nell’s mind or of her own creation is also dropped entirely, losing another aspect of depth that the original story had.

The dialogue was uninspired and barely varied from character to character. The only dialogue that remained the same in all three versions was Mrs. Dudley’s (housekeeper) speech about when she sets the meals on the table and how she will not stay after it begins to get dark – consequently the only decent lines in the film. Also, the characters have changed. Theo is now a blatant bisexual, who not only states this fact, but also flirts with both Nell and Luke. (The lesbian subplot raises its head, but is swept over and nearly forgotten by the end of the film.) Luke is no longer the handsome, charming, playboy heir, but just another hapless insomniac with a goofy demeanor. And what is with the constant changing of the doctor’s last name?

The doctor’s wife is no longer a character at all. She doesn’t exist in this reality. Instead she is replaced by two pointless characters - Mary and another assistant to the doctor – both of whom have maybe two to five minutes of wasted screen time. They were completely unnecessary to the plot and could have been left out altogether. Mary’s injury and the death of one of the main four characters seem to have been added for shock value, but were also unnecessary.

The acting in this is rather wooden considering the all-star cast. Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta Jones have both been up for Oscars and have clearly proven themselves as incredibly talented. Owen Wilson has a great sense of humor and comedic timing – his is probably the most natural performance out of all of them as his character is similar to many others in his career. Lili Taylor’s performance is solid at first, but becomes a little campy as she gets more involved in the mystery behind Hill House. Catherine Zeta Jones exudes sex appeal and glamour, but she doesn’t really seem to care about her character, and there were times when it felt like Liam Neeson was wondering what the hell he was doing there.

The sets were nice, though a little over the top. Considering this was supposed to be a manor built in the 1800s, I find it hard to believe there would be a carousel-like ballroom floor and a hallway comprised of water, requiring stepping stones to cross. While these elements were beautiful, they were unrealistic to me and took away from the rest of the house, which was actually a very realistic portrayal of an 1800’s manor-style home.

This film is praised for its use of special effects, but I can only wonder why. Some of them were decent, but for the most part, they were made up of really bad CGI. Projected faces in pillows, obviously fake moving wooden carvings, and clearly computer generated smoky ghosts do not scare me – they are rather annoying. The effects were overdone and used way too frequently. I guess de Bont didn’t get the memo that sometimes less is more. Apparently, if you have a great sound system hooked up to your home television, the sound effects are amazing, but I haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing them, nor to I believe they could save this lack-luster, effects ridden effort.

Overall: This could have been a decent film. With today’s technology and the star-studded cast this should have been a lot better than what was delivered in the final product. Too much CGI and terrible writing downgrade this film from what it could have been.

4.5/10