Shiggity Shiggity Shwe...

I got movies this week and that's it.  If you don't like that, getouttaheah.

The Spirit
   Made by the same folks who did "Sin City," "The Spirit" is another comic book made movie, this time following the story of a superhero full of questions.  Why does he have super powers?  Who is his arch enemy?  How are they related?  What the hell is going on here?  He finds out.  He finds out big time.
   I went into this movie expecting another "Sin City," and maybe that was my first mistake.  This movie, while in the same style and with a similar story telling method, is nothing like it's more well-known and more successful predecessor.  The look of this movie was pretty good, but ultimately it came across as a cheap imitator of "Sin City."  That's odd because I think it was prety much all the same people behind the scenes.  "Sin City" was dark, dirty, and not very pleasant.  This movie is dark, but not very dirty and honestly kinda cheesy at times (what's the deal with the bad guy's egg obsession?)
   "The Spirit" is stocked with some pretty big names.  Samuel L Jackson plays a nutjob (kinda reminded me of his character for the second half of "Sphere," which, incidentally, is a great movie).  Scarlett Johansen was meh, at best, and so was just about everyone else.  Oh, the dad from "The Wonder Years" was pretty good, though his role wasn't too far out of context from everything else I've ever seen him act in.
   Overall, "The Spirit" wasn't a bad movie.  I never read the comic so I can't say how close it is to the actual material, but I can say that it at least kept me interested enough to watch the entire thing.  If you liked "Sin City," this one might be right up your alley... just don't go into it expecting the same gritty, feel-bad story.

Extract
   This dude runs an extract factory.  He's loaded but he's not happy.  He makes it very clear that he's not getting laid enough.  Enter this hot chick who is a clepto and decides to take advantage of the situation at the extract company.  Then a dude gets hurt... again at the extract company.  Mix all that together and I guess you've got yourself a movie.
   Fun fact (rumor) about Mike Judge: apparently the guy went to my high school.  Yes, Clements High School.  The sketchy part about this is that apparently one of the coaches is modeled after his classic Hank Hill character.  I forget the coach's name, but the dude DOES sound exactly like Hank Hill.  Whether that's true or not who knows... all I know is that after "Office Space," this guy has done nothing but strike out with his movies.
   "Extract" has a decent storyline.  Guy unhappy with his life?  Check.  Hot chick with faults?  Check.  Stupid buddy in the form of Ben Affleck?  Check Plus.  The problem with "Extract" is that it doesn't go anywhere or do anything.  It spends a ton of time trying to be funny but winds up spinning its wheels and going nowhere.  There were a couple (literally) of funny parts, but most of this movie had me begging it to get to the point.  Or A point at least.
   What was the point of Mila Kunis' character?  Why with the pool guy?  What did Bateman learn through the course of this movie?  As I said it goes nowhere, it's like a string of jokes with no real punchline.  It's a shame too, because there were some really funny people in this movie, all put to waste (seriously, Ben Affleck was the funniest character in this movie -- if that doesn't tell you something then I don't know what will).
   "Office Space" was a hilarious gold mine of a movie.  "Idiocracy" was pretty stupid, but at least it went somewhere.  Even "Beavis and Butthead Do America" had its moments.  "Extract," however, is pretty much a complete waste of time.  Save yourselvesthe trouble, Jason Bateman fans... wait for the "Arrested Development" movie and pray that it's good.

Seven Pounds
   A successful businessman blames himself for a terrible accident that kills 7 people, so he decides to help 7 people out before he kills himself.  But when he meets the woman who could become the next love of his life, will he carry out his plan?  WHO KNOWS?
   Man, I went into this movie expecting some serious shit.  Everyone I've ever talked to who watched "Seven Pounds" said it was amazing, though thouroughly depressing.  Well, whoever it was who told me that, I would like to know exactly what it was that you were referring to.
   Maybe my biggest problem has to do with Will Smith.  I just have a hard time taking the guy seriously.  "The Pursuit of Happyness" was a decent movie, but I didn't care for his role there either.  I guess where I see Will Smith is in roles more like "Men in Black" or "Independence Day," or even "iRobot," where if you gotta be serious, at least you can be kicking some ass.  This movie is basically a series of closeups of Will Smith trying to look tortured, but really he looks more like he has to take a crap.
   Seriously I felt like the best scenes in this movie were the ones that had very little to do with Will Smith.  Woody Harrelson especially was great... he was the highlight of the movie and he's only in it for what, 10 minutes total?  Ridiculous.  Maybe they should have cast someone a little better at acting, like a Denzel Washington or an Ed Harris, I don't know.  Smith just wasn't able to carry this movie.
   So should you see it?  I don't know.  It's predictable, it's sappy, and it's hard to believe at times, but I guess the underlying story is a good and touching one, so take that for what you will.  Just don't come crying to me if you don't like it.

   Okay I'm closing with a shameless plug.  Do me a big favor and check out my station's new facebook page, would ya?  Become a fan, poke around, and let me know what you think.  I'm doing a lot of the desining on this one, and I'd like some honest feedback on what works, what doesn't, what you like and what needs to go away asap.  I appreciate the help... Happy Easter everyone...