There are films released during the summer that ask that you simply turn off your mind for a couple of hours and enjoy the spectacle. A film based on a cartoon based on a toy about an alien species of robots that have brought their war to Earth in disguise as mechanical objects would naturally fall into this category. With these lowered expectations then, it is quite baffling to witness how absolutely awful Michael Bay’s Transformers Revenge of the Fallen is. It is the worst movie in years, dating to the last Transformers film from 2007.
Bay is obviously in love with CGI effects and explosions. His incompetence in using any other piece of the cinematic art form (dialogue, acting, mise en scene) necessitates him relying on this calling card. Yet in this case, the effects are way over done. The robots are focused on so much that they become cartoonish in appearance. The audience would have been better served if the entire film remained animated for no other reason to save Bay from his own excesses. We aren’t saved from them or from the limitations in his filmmaking also pushed to excess.
Bay finds it necessary in a film about nothing to push little pieces of his morality into the script. The “Fallen” is a laughable allusion to Lucifer that counters the son of god status he attempts to grant on Optimus Prime. He makes it quite obvious he feels our government is turning its back on god. He even throws in President Obama’s name into the dialogue in an attempt to tell us what this President would do in the event we are over run by aliens. The ironic thing about Bay’s moralizing is that the comic relief he provides for this film are two Autobot twins who are essentially mechanized images of actors in black face.
After the initial Transformers film the quality of this sequel should come as no surprise. But childhood dreams die hard. A generation of kids grew up in the 1980s dreaming about what it would be like if their toys came to life. Michael Bay made that possible and now needs to rust in hell for what he has done to those now dead fantasies.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Made in the U.S.A.
The modern age is a fractured experience. Mass communication moves popular culture all over the globe in an instant. As the youth of the world orients itself to the latest fad another emerges to momentarily replace the current rage destined to be replaced by the one vanquished two steps back. It is a cycle that has been spinning for decades while political intrigue drastically reshapes the world seemingly unnoticed by the culture slaves. In the 1960s, the sequence was foretold as a strengthening wave of the future. Pop artists put the trend into museums and Jean-Luc Godard put it onto celluloid with his little known feature, Made in the U.S.A.
Finally getting a theatrical run in America 40 years after it was made; the film is required viewing not only for any fan of Godard but also because it is still relevant to life in the 21st century. The famous rebel flaunting cinematic convention while honoring the history of film, Godard hits the mark with Made in the U.S.A. Awash in pop culture’s kodachrome glory, the movie follows a skeletal narrative form. Anna Karina plays Paula Nelson, a detective embroiled in a murder mystery she only vaguely cares to solve. Scene to scene she appears in the latest fashionable clothing occasionally obscured by a Bogart inspired trench coat she wears when she feels like playing the detective. The plot itself is almost impossible to follow; which is precisely the point.
The clothing, books, and music serve as a distraction. The important pieces of the narrative are lost through Nelson’s infatuation with the trivial. She admits, “Fiction overtakes reality,” as her interest in finding the truth behind the mystery continues to wane. Eventually, Nelson concocts a contrived conclusion to the story and leaves town, seemingly oblivious that anything of importance has occurred.
Made in the U.S.A. should feel familiar. With more and more competing for our popular culture attention, it is easy to forget the forces forging the world around us. The news pops in and out of our cognitive minds becoming just another piece of entertainment, a fad. Our attention fractures as Natalee Holloway becomes Laci Peterson who turns into Jon and Kate Gosslin wearing skinny jeans downloading the latest app to our iphones playing musical distractions from General Motors and Kim Jong Il and we wonder if any of it is of any importance.
Finally getting a theatrical run in America 40 years after it was made; the film is required viewing not only for any fan of Godard but also because it is still relevant to life in the 21st century. The famous rebel flaunting cinematic convention while honoring the history of film, Godard hits the mark with Made in the U.S.A. Awash in pop culture’s kodachrome glory, the movie follows a skeletal narrative form. Anna Karina plays Paula Nelson, a detective embroiled in a murder mystery she only vaguely cares to solve. Scene to scene she appears in the latest fashionable clothing occasionally obscured by a Bogart inspired trench coat she wears when she feels like playing the detective. The plot itself is almost impossible to follow; which is precisely the point.
The clothing, books, and music serve as a distraction. The important pieces of the narrative are lost through Nelson’s infatuation with the trivial. She admits, “Fiction overtakes reality,” as her interest in finding the truth behind the mystery continues to wane. Eventually, Nelson concocts a contrived conclusion to the story and leaves town, seemingly oblivious that anything of importance has occurred.
Made in the U.S.A. should feel familiar. With more and more competing for our popular culture attention, it is easy to forget the forces forging the world around us. The news pops in and out of our cognitive minds becoming just another piece of entertainment, a fad. Our attention fractures as Natalee Holloway becomes Laci Peterson who turns into Jon and Kate Gosslin wearing skinny jeans downloading the latest app to our iphones playing musical distractions from General Motors and Kim Jong Il and we wonder if any of it is of any importance.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
James Blackshaw
During the pause between his first and second song, James Blackshaw reveals the depths of his talent. Apologizing for the need to tune his instrument, he absent mindedly strums his guitar into a sound far more refined than most performers ever produce. Returning to his set he coaxes layers of harmony defying expectations of a solitary acoustic guitar. The music is simply beautiful, a gift from a mesmerizing musician.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Surly Girl
Even Surly Girls need comfort food. Of course, when you are surly you also make things just a little bit uncomfortable for everyone else. So it stands to reason that at Surly Girl Saloon, meatloaf, the ultimate comfort food, dispenses with the pleasantries and puts your taste buds on edge from opening bite to the last extinguishing sip of beer.
The Cajun Meatloaf is a slightly smoky, very spicy slice of loaf accompanied by an equally fiery portion of poblano mashed potatoes and corn bread stuffing, all smothered in gravy. The meal is a nostalgic trip back to a comforting dinner table with loved ones doing their best to make you uncomfortable. You may want the experience to end, but you will crave those moments of pain the instant you exit the front door.
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
The Cajun Meatloaf is a slightly smoky, very spicy slice of loaf accompanied by an equally fiery portion of poblano mashed potatoes and corn bread stuffing, all smothered in gravy. The meal is a nostalgic trip back to a comforting dinner table with loved ones doing their best to make you uncomfortable. You may want the experience to end, but you will crave those moments of pain the instant you exit the front door.
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Columbus Clippers
Injuries and an ineffective bullpen on the Major League level have a tendency to trickle down to the Minor League level. The Columbus Clippers know this all to well. With the Indians in search of any active arms to fill out the last couple roster spots as well as seemingly their entire bullpen, the Clippers are left to pick through the scraps in an attempt to piece together their pitching staff. 10,240 fans at Huntington Ballpark last night for the conclusion of the series between the Clippers and the Louisville Bats saw how frustrating the results of this practice can be.
Kenny Ray started and pitched five innings of inconsistent ball. He managed to get through the first couple innings but by the fourth the walks and hits kept piling and could no longer be held back fully exploding into the 5th. The Clippers kept it close with the aid of the Bats own attrition, the Reds search for position players has left the Bats out of position and scuffling to make the routine play. Their errors by the Bats and some timely hitting from the Clippers kept the home team with a chance towards the end. The Columbus bullpen actually did a decent job helping to keep the game close, but the damage done off of Ray's arm proved to be to much to overcome.
Kenny Ray started and pitched five innings of inconsistent ball. He managed to get through the first couple innings but by the fourth the walks and hits kept piling and could no longer be held back fully exploding into the 5th. The Clippers kept it close with the aid of the Bats own attrition, the Reds search for position players has left the Bats out of position and scuffling to make the routine play. Their errors by the Bats and some timely hitting from the Clippers kept the home team with a chance towards the end. The Columbus bullpen actually did a decent job helping to keep the game close, but the damage done off of Ray's arm proved to be to much to overcome.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Highlights for the week coming June 14, 2009 through June 20, 2009
Sunday June 14, 2009
Columbus Crew host Chivas USA
3:00 pm
In soccer, kissing your sister is a good thing and as the Crew look to extend their unbeaten streak to 9 they have kissed her quite a few times considering they’ve only got 3 wins thus far on the season. They are third in the Eastern Conference so those kisses have indeed been a good thing.
Columbus Clippers Host the Louisville Bats
5:05 PM
This is the concluding game in a series that has been a battle for first place in the International League’s Western Division.
CAPA presents Chorus Line
1 & 6:30 pm
CAPA presents Blackbird
2 & 7 pm
Ohio Proud Farmers Market at the North Market
12 – 5 pm
Monday June 15, 2009
Studio 35 will screen the United States vs Italy soccer match
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Dime-a-Dog night returns!!!
Tuesday June 16, 2009
James Blackshaw w/ Greg Davis at the Wexner Center
7 pm
Acoustic guitar at its mesmerizing best
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Wednesday June 17, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Thursday June 18, 2009
Wex Drive-In
9 pm
Another summer of movies under the stars returns to the Wexner Center with a screening of the horror classic, The Wolf Man.
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
2:05 PM
Daytime baseball, the way the game was meant to be played.
30 for $30 Organic & Biodynamic Wine tasting at The Burgundy Room
7 – 9 pm
Ohio Wine Dinner at the Bexley Monk Restaurant and Bar
6:30 PM $55/Guest $100/Couple Reservations Required
Friday June 19, 2009
Made in U.S.A. screens at the Wexner Center
7 pm
43 years after it was made, this film by the legendary Jean-Luc Godard finally gets an American theatrical run.
CAPA presents Blackbird
8 pm
Saturday June 20, 2009
Made in U.S.A. screens at the Wexner Center
7 pm
CAPA presents Blackbird
8 pm
Great Mad Hoax at the North Market
11 am – 1 pm
Acoustic/Jazz/Experimental
Columbus Crew host Chivas USA
3:00 pm
In soccer, kissing your sister is a good thing and as the Crew look to extend their unbeaten streak to 9 they have kissed her quite a few times considering they’ve only got 3 wins thus far on the season. They are third in the Eastern Conference so those kisses have indeed been a good thing.
Columbus Clippers Host the Louisville Bats
5:05 PM
This is the concluding game in a series that has been a battle for first place in the International League’s Western Division.
CAPA presents Chorus Line
1 & 6:30 pm
CAPA presents Blackbird
2 & 7 pm
Ohio Proud Farmers Market at the North Market
12 – 5 pm
Monday June 15, 2009
Studio 35 will screen the United States vs Italy soccer match
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Dime-a-Dog night returns!!!
Tuesday June 16, 2009
James Blackshaw w/ Greg Davis at the Wexner Center
7 pm
Acoustic guitar at its mesmerizing best
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Wednesday June 17, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
7:05 PM
Thursday June 18, 2009
Wex Drive-In
9 pm
Another summer of movies under the stars returns to the Wexner Center with a screening of the horror classic, The Wolf Man.
Columbus Clippers host the Rochester Red Wings
2:05 PM
Daytime baseball, the way the game was meant to be played.
30 for $30 Organic & Biodynamic Wine tasting at The Burgundy Room
7 – 9 pm
Ohio Wine Dinner at the Bexley Monk Restaurant and Bar
6:30 PM $55/Guest $100/Couple Reservations Required
Friday June 19, 2009
Made in U.S.A. screens at the Wexner Center
7 pm
43 years after it was made, this film by the legendary Jean-Luc Godard finally gets an American theatrical run.
CAPA presents Blackbird
8 pm
Saturday June 20, 2009
Made in U.S.A. screens at the Wexner Center
7 pm
CAPA presents Blackbird
8 pm
Great Mad Hoax at the North Market
11 am – 1 pm
Acoustic/Jazz/Experimental
Brezel
Walking through the stands of the Clintonville Farmers' Market reveals the bounty of the Columbus area. Not just what comes directly from the land but also the products of artisan quality that overwhelm the senses during summer Saturday mornings. With countless items to sample, you are bound to find a new revelation each week. What I found this morning, hand-rolled Bavarian pretzels just might become my new favorite salty treat.
Made with love by the girls of Brezel, these pretzels are everything your mass-produced soft pretzels in the mall or movie theater are not. Firm and chewy, moist and golden, the pretzels give off a wonderfully yeasty, fresh-brewed beer aroma as you bring a bite to your mouth. They need no accompaniment other than a sprinkling of salt, though the varied flavors in addition to the original look tantalizingly good.
The full assortment can be found at www.brezelpower.com along with where the girls can be found and ordering instructions.
Made with love by the girls of Brezel, these pretzels are everything your mass-produced soft pretzels in the mall or movie theater are not. Firm and chewy, moist and golden, the pretzels give off a wonderfully yeasty, fresh-brewed beer aroma as you bring a bite to your mouth. They need no accompaniment other than a sprinkling of salt, though the varied flavors in addition to the original look tantalizingly good.
The full assortment can be found at www.brezelpower.com along with where the girls can be found and ordering instructions.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Hangover
Las Vegas is proud enough of its hedonistic reputation that it uses the “What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” tagline in its national advertising. The fact that the reputation has reached the mass marketing level is a clear indication that the reputation in its original essence is essentially dead. Going to Sin City with the expectation of mischief by now feels like a cliché. The city is a destination location that knows it all to well, the marketing announces it, and the entertainment industry trumpets an experience of the unexpected that everyone has done before. In this sense The Hangover both falls for and celebrates this expectation of hedonistic pleasures.
The film itself feels like an amalgamation of countless movies about Vegas prior. After a brief introduction to four characters out on a bachelor party, the screen fades into a morning after aftermath that nobody has the memory to explain. Their hotel room resembles something straight out of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The remainder of the film is spent retracing their steps in an effort to piece together the evening in which Doug (Justin Bartha), the groom, has turned up missing. The search is led by Phil (Bradley Cooper), the alpha male with the swagger of Vince Vaughn circa Swingers. He is joined on this quest by Stu (Ed Helms), the perpetual loser nerd who can’t find luck in love and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), a tag-along new brother-in-law exhibiting the mental capacity of Non, if Non were able to speak in Superman II.
This tried and true formula is actually a benefit to The Hangover. Nobody ever truly trashes a room the way Rauol Duke and Dr. Gonzo did in Fear and Loathing. Most guys probing the streets of Las Vegas probably feel as if they have the swagger of a swinger but in reality more closely resemble the nerdish Stu. This dichotomy between what happens in Vegas and what many believe happens in Vegas, between who a man believes himself to be and who he is creates some funny moments. Though the trailers for The Hangover probably rob the actual film of any laugh out loud moments, the movie as a whole is rather humorous from start to finish. There is nothing original in a film showcasing unexpected moments of a cliché, yet The Hangover wisely highlights these limitations and provides what is expected from a trip to a city where the fun that happens there is fleeting but better left forgotten.
The film itself feels like an amalgamation of countless movies about Vegas prior. After a brief introduction to four characters out on a bachelor party, the screen fades into a morning after aftermath that nobody has the memory to explain. Their hotel room resembles something straight out of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. The remainder of the film is spent retracing their steps in an effort to piece together the evening in which Doug (Justin Bartha), the groom, has turned up missing. The search is led by Phil (Bradley Cooper), the alpha male with the swagger of Vince Vaughn circa Swingers. He is joined on this quest by Stu (Ed Helms), the perpetual loser nerd who can’t find luck in love and Alan (Zach Galifianakis), a tag-along new brother-in-law exhibiting the mental capacity of Non, if Non were able to speak in Superman II.
This tried and true formula is actually a benefit to The Hangover. Nobody ever truly trashes a room the way Rauol Duke and Dr. Gonzo did in Fear and Loathing. Most guys probing the streets of Las Vegas probably feel as if they have the swagger of a swinger but in reality more closely resemble the nerdish Stu. This dichotomy between what happens in Vegas and what many believe happens in Vegas, between who a man believes himself to be and who he is creates some funny moments. Though the trailers for The Hangover probably rob the actual film of any laugh out loud moments, the movie as a whole is rather humorous from start to finish. There is nothing original in a film showcasing unexpected moments of a cliché, yet The Hangover wisely highlights these limitations and provides what is expected from a trip to a city where the fun that happens there is fleeting but better left forgotten.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Highlights for the Week Coming June 7, 2009 through June 13, 2009
Sunday June 7, 2009
CAPA presents Blackbird
2:00 pm
The Downtown Discovery District hosts the Columbus Arts Festival
Tuesday June 9, 2009
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
The winner of nine Tony awards and the longest running American Broadway musical ever produced.
Wednesday June 10, 2009
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Burgundy Room Jazz Night
8 p.m. to 11 p/m with no cover charge
Featuring the Colin Lazarski Trio
Thursday June 11, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
The Clippers exist for the benefit of the Cleveland Indians; but it is still nice to win. As of this writing the Clippers are one game below .500 but lead the Louisville Bats by .5 in the International League’s West Division. This is the start of a 4 game weekend series with first place in the division on the line.
CAPA presents Blackbird
8:00 pm
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Refectory Simi Winemaker Dinner
6:30 pm
Friday June 12, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
CAPA presents Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
8:00 pm
The American singer, songwriter, actor, born Will Oldham, makes his visit to Columbus in years.
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Saturday June 13, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
CAPA presents Blackbird
8:00 pm
CAPA presents Chorus Line
2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
CAPA presents Blackbird
2:00 pm
The Downtown Discovery District hosts the Columbus Arts Festival
Tuesday June 9, 2009
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
The winner of nine Tony awards and the longest running American Broadway musical ever produced.
Wednesday June 10, 2009
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Burgundy Room Jazz Night
8 p.m. to 11 p/m with no cover charge
Featuring the Colin Lazarski Trio
Thursday June 11, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
The Clippers exist for the benefit of the Cleveland Indians; but it is still nice to win. As of this writing the Clippers are one game below .500 but lead the Louisville Bats by .5 in the International League’s West Division. This is the start of a 4 game weekend series with first place in the division on the line.
CAPA presents Blackbird
8:00 pm
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Refectory Simi Winemaker Dinner
6:30 pm
Friday June 12, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
CAPA presents Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy
8:00 pm
The American singer, songwriter, actor, born Will Oldham, makes his visit to Columbus in years.
CAPA presents Chorus Line
8:00 pm
Saturday June 13, 2009
Columbus Clippers host the Louisville Bats
7:05 PM
CAPA presents Blackbird
8:00 pm
CAPA presents Chorus Line
2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
The Soloist
There is a lot about humans that cannot be understood. People, incapable of functioning on the normal level as the rest of the world are still capable of experiencing the most beautiful pieces of artistic inspiration on levels that most people could never imagine. The Soloist, starring Jaime Foxx and Robert Downey Jr, is inspired by a true story about broken man (Foxx) suffering from schizophrenia but finding moments of clarity through the music of Ludwig Von Beethoven.
Though Foxx’s Nathaniel Ayers loves classical music, it is a modern musician who provides the perfect mindset with which to view this film. Leonard Cohen sings in “Anthem” that there is a crack in everything that lets the light shine in. In The Soloist, the light shines down on Ayers, a man living on the streets of Los Angeles who is found by journalist Steve Lopez (Downey). Ayers is one of society’s countless forgotten and Lopez is employed by a dying industry; both find new life through music at the crossroads of their shattered lives.
This is a pattern of discovery that replicates through time. The history of the world has been built upon the destroyed lives of others. In the wake of progress, artistic endeavors have risen to buoy those moving forward. Heartache and turmoil have been an inspiration to some of the most beautiful pieces of art and music ever conceived. Those pieces continue to inspire broken souls like Ayers who find refuge in the inspirations of other souls throughout history.
Music is the true star of The Soloist. The human drama is heartfelt, but nothing that hasn’t been done before and better in countless other films. But this movie will linger because Beethoven lingers, Mozart lingers, music and art lingers in our collective minds. When the world breaks down as it always does, it is the gifted soul who can look through the cracks and illuminate for the rest of the world the beauty that continually attempts to grow.
Though Foxx’s Nathaniel Ayers loves classical music, it is a modern musician who provides the perfect mindset with which to view this film. Leonard Cohen sings in “Anthem” that there is a crack in everything that lets the light shine in. In The Soloist, the light shines down on Ayers, a man living on the streets of Los Angeles who is found by journalist Steve Lopez (Downey). Ayers is one of society’s countless forgotten and Lopez is employed by a dying industry; both find new life through music at the crossroads of their shattered lives.
This is a pattern of discovery that replicates through time. The history of the world has been built upon the destroyed lives of others. In the wake of progress, artistic endeavors have risen to buoy those moving forward. Heartache and turmoil have been an inspiration to some of the most beautiful pieces of art and music ever conceived. Those pieces continue to inspire broken souls like Ayers who find refuge in the inspirations of other souls throughout history.
Music is the true star of The Soloist. The human drama is heartfelt, but nothing that hasn’t been done before and better in countless other films. But this movie will linger because Beethoven lingers, Mozart lingers, music and art lingers in our collective minds. When the world breaks down as it always does, it is the gifted soul who can look through the cracks and illuminate for the rest of the world the beauty that continually attempts to grow.
Joy Divisions
Every decade or so, stars align to allow a city to become the center of a musical movement. Legends are born and idols combust under the scrutiny of their personal hells. Joy Divisions, a traveling exhibit featuring the music of Joy Division and artwork inspired by their music and the genesis of their name, recalls Ian Curtis' role in this tragically reoccurring phenomenon.
Just as Manchester faded as a musical center, Seattle would eventually rise. Perhaps the most chilling piece of the instillation is an ink sketch that echoes the similar role Kurt Cobain would play over a decade later. The drawing is of a monstrous personification of "love" boasting that it has done it again while standing over a pitiful crumpled mess of humanity lamenting that love had torn it apart, again.
As Joy Division's songs announce from the speakers Curtis' personal demons, fans who mostly were not born at the time of his suicide sway in the shadow of the Columbus Public Library. They had found a rock god from the past and will see a similar one rise in the future. Like Curtis and Cobain, this new god will rise in the glory of an emerging sound and self destruct in the glaring spotlight while the rest of the world continues to dance, dance, dance to the radio.
Just as Manchester faded as a musical center, Seattle would eventually rise. Perhaps the most chilling piece of the instillation is an ink sketch that echoes the similar role Kurt Cobain would play over a decade later. The drawing is of a monstrous personification of "love" boasting that it has done it again while standing over a pitiful crumpled mess of humanity lamenting that love had torn it apart, again.
As Joy Division's songs announce from the speakers Curtis' personal demons, fans who mostly were not born at the time of his suicide sway in the shadow of the Columbus Public Library. They had found a rock god from the past and will see a similar one rise in the future. Like Curtis and Cobain, this new god will rise in the glory of an emerging sound and self destruct in the glaring spotlight while the rest of the world continues to dance, dance, dance to the radio.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunshine Cleaning
There is one thing for certain regarding the producers of Sunshine Cleaning, coming on the heals of the critically acclaimed Little Miss Sunshine they are not here to merely blow sunshine up your butt. Life is hard, life is messy. You will find moments of levity, support from your family and friends that will keep you going, but life will never go as you plan. Anybody who tells you differently is probably selling something.
Of course the rub is they are selling you a film. Because Little Miss Sunshine was so successful, it was probably hard to resist following a similar formula. Alan Arkin once again plays an off-the-wall father/grandfather mentoring a misfit grandchild. If it wasn’t such an endearing combination, it would already be old. What doesn’t get old is the family strife and dysfunction that no matter how many times it is mined can always be approached from a different angle.
The approach Sunshine Cleaning takes is a heart-wrenching trip into some humorous instances of life’s macabre moments. With a premise that could have easily fallen into insensitivity, Amy Adams finds the perfect balance as a single mother cleaning up life’s worst moments. The humor is ever-present but subtle, allowing the story to develop without distraction, the gravity of the situations to be fully understood.
The weight of those situations found a lift in Sunshine Cleaning. They never disappear because the film stays clear of Hollywood cliché. Life is hard so the film doesn’t condescend by blowing sunshine up your butt. But it does give you a moment to pause and smile; a reminder that life can be good when you clean some of the muck of living.
Of course the rub is they are selling you a film. Because Little Miss Sunshine was so successful, it was probably hard to resist following a similar formula. Alan Arkin once again plays an off-the-wall father/grandfather mentoring a misfit grandchild. If it wasn’t such an endearing combination, it would already be old. What doesn’t get old is the family strife and dysfunction that no matter how many times it is mined can always be approached from a different angle.
The approach Sunshine Cleaning takes is a heart-wrenching trip into some humorous instances of life’s macabre moments. With a premise that could have easily fallen into insensitivity, Amy Adams finds the perfect balance as a single mother cleaning up life’s worst moments. The humor is ever-present but subtle, allowing the story to develop without distraction, the gravity of the situations to be fully understood.
The weight of those situations found a lift in Sunshine Cleaning. They never disappear because the film stays clear of Hollywood cliché. Life is hard so the film doesn’t condescend by blowing sunshine up your butt. But it does give you a moment to pause and smile; a reminder that life can be good when you clean some of the muck of living.
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