otterprods Reviews

Tim's Vermeer (2013)

There is no cheating in art!

[9/10 · 23 June 2014]

As a lifelong draw-er, painter and former professional visual artist, I have absolutely no problem with the idea that Vermeer used optical tools to create his masterpieces. Invention is creation every bit as much as art (maybe more). It does not diminish Vemeer's "genius" to think of him as more 'tinkerer' than virtuoso, it just redirects it a bit. I have to admit that before watching this film I had not given much thought to the tools that Vemeer may have used, other than assuming that camera obscura was employed at some point. After considering the level of detail involved, and the lighting intricacies that he so aptly caught, it seems entirely reasonable (but not proved) to believe that other assists were involved as well.

The one thing the film overlooks, and the reason I didn't give it 10 stars, was that Vemeer no doubt possessed tremendous drawing ability and training in other traditional skills which Tim did not. Such skills would have enabled him to bridge the gap between human camera and inexplicable genius. For example, he would have inherently caught things like broken perspective early on, and he would have wielded his tools with emotion and insight which Tim did not possess. He was, at heart, a true artist, and much more than just an eccentric millionaire with an odd hobby. So the answer to which tools he used, as interesting as it is to think about, is really little more than a bit of trivia. Because it doesn't matter if it's optics or inspiration, mechanics or expression, in the end if it's interesting to look at if it moves people, then it's great art.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Best live action movie I've seen in years

[9/10 · 7 April 2014]

DISCLAIMER : In the unlikely event that anyone is reading this as a way to decide whether or not to see it, let me say that my bar for 'likable' movies is a bit different. I abhor violence so I avoid anything with very graphic and especially gratuitous violence. I also avoid things with unnecessary sex and profanity… so basically anything 'R' (in the US) and many things 'PG-13'. That leaves almost nothing besides, this, some animated movies, and Napoleon Dynamite in the past ten years. I suppose there are some 'faith-based' films but I avoid those too because I find them almost as noxious as that other stuff. /DISCLAIMER

I realize it's a remake and had a pretty simple concept, but it's probably the most freshly told, visually stunning moves I've seen in as long as I can remember. It's use of CGI always moved the story along and was never mere eye-candy which we're so inundated with these days. The casting was nearly perfect (the hell. pilot deserves some kinda special Oscar) and the adventure aspect of the story was just a ton of fun. The only reason I gave it < 10 stars is because of a few overly familiar funny-isms from Stiller and Patton Oswalt that sort if take you out of the story for a moment. THANKS to Ben Stiller and crew for making something that is wholly palatable and enjoyable on so many levels amidst a sea of tripe. If I ever run into Mr. Stiller again at a produce stand in Kauai I'll be sure to tell him that instead of just being star- struck this time.

Jobs (2013)

Best views as a chapter in the story of Silicon Valley tech

[7/10 · 4 December 2013]

I thought the movie was good, not great. Kutcher as Jobs was quite believable to me, as was Wozniak and most of the other characters, many of whom are still active in and around the SV tech industry today, although they probably don't need to be. I don't find Steve Jobs' individual story to be all that compelling. No one can deny his contributions to the tech industry and the rest of the world, but arrogant business moguls are never as interesting or empathetic on screen as their more creative counterparts in engineering and end usage.

What I did really like about it is that I felt like it was telling a story, albeit in a Hollywood way, that I remember well, first hand. My brother and I got our first computer as teenagers in the early 80's (commodore vic 20). The apple 2e hit soon after that and was kind of a wonder in design, but not something for the common man. The movie covered that pretty well. By the late 80's I got my hands on a mac at college and did design on it. They kind of sipped those years. By the late 90's I worked in the SV tech industry for competing products and companies and apple became a big part of my life. This is where the movie resolved, which seemed appropriate, because everything after iMac/ipod is just like watching the Yakees win the world series over and over. Totally demanding of respect, but not all that interesting if you're not a fanboy.

I was never an apple employee, but I know many, many people who were, and I remember those ups and downs as if I was a direct part of it. Also, the aerial shots of Silicon Valley made me a little homesick, especially as a nasty winter storm raged outside. So I really enjoyed those parts of it, but I'm not sure that a lot of non-SV, non-techie people would find it too interesting. Let's face it, Jobs was a huge presence, but his life story doesn't make a very good hero tale despite his unfortunate sickness at the end.

I really just see Jobs as one of many players in the much larger story of the hi-tech revolution of the past 40 years or so. Jobs is no doubt the most famous and charismatic of them all, no matter how hard Ellison tries. So it makes sense that he would get his own movie I guess. I'm not sure any of it is that interesting or relevant to average people though, so I can see why the movie didn't do too well despite some decent acting and good production value.

To summarize: If you care about the story of apple and personal computing and can enjoy a silicon valley period setting, you will probably like this film. If your tired of hearing about how great apple, silicon valley, or tech in general is, then you probably won't.

Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Brilliant casting, cleverly imagined world

[8/10 · 2 November 2012]

This is one of the best animated movies to come out in years. The concept is a ton of fun and they do an excellent job of blending the three converging world of 8-buit game graphics, cg game graphics and the outside world. Hoard to explain, but you should find that to be the most clever and original part of this movie. The visuals are beautiful and the world is wonderfully imagined with a solid set of 'rules' to keep everything within the realm of believability, in a fantasy sense. There is lost of fun humor and some absolutely brilliant characters. The best part is the voice casting. The casting, which was just perfect, especially for the four main characters. John C. Reilly should get some kind of Oscar for best VO-acting.

The reason I didn't give it a 10 is because I really don't give anything a 10, other than maybe one or two movies EVER. I feel that people give out tens (or five stars, as the case may be) too easily which dilutes the power of a 'perfect' 10.

The reason I didn't give it a 9 was because of a few shortcomings, specifically: 1) Some potty and insult humor. 2) A few juvenile, catch-phrase crutches where something more clever could have been used without sounding pretentious. 3) Some overused themes, like 'Appreciate Yourself for Who You Are' and 'True friendship is more important than material rewards' -- but, hey, it's an animated movie, what would you expect? 4) (Hopefully this doesn't count as a spoiler, but...) The ending was weakened a little due to a predictable reveal that felt like something I've seen way too many times before.

But based on the clever concept, great characters and some really fun action, this easily moves up to be one of my top 10 favorite animated movies of all time. And just to put that in perspective, Up, Wall-E and Finding Nemo do NOT make that list for me (although most of the rest of Pixar movies do, The Incredibles being #1).

Under the Same Moon (2007)

Very well written and acted

[8/10 · 12 February 2010]

Unfortunately, it seems that many people are too blinded by their own political sympathies on either side of the fence to appreciate this movies for what it really was... A terrifically acted and brilliantly written screenplay. It's about familial love that overcomes mankind's boundaries (literally). True, the same story could have been (and has been) told in a more politically correct way, by having the families separated unjustly by Nazi or other intolerance. However, opening the window into this seldom explored and controversial world of illegal immigration gave it a fresh spin that makes it seem more relevant to the world we live in today. The story is told in a fresh and less-than-predictable way. My only wish is that I was fluent in Spanish so that I could have appreciated the film as it was meant to be seen.

John Adams (2008)

Best Actor

[9/10 · 6 January 2009]

I just finished watching this series on DVD. Although it's boring at times if you're not into history at least a little bit, overall it was a very excellent production and true to history. I don't think that TV actors, even if it is an HBO film with a big production budget, that it is not eligible for Oscar nods. Too bad, because Giamatti's portrayal of Adams was simply the most powerful performance I recall seeing in years. Simply unforgettable. Laura Linney, and many of the actors did Oscar-worthy jobs as well. Oh, and the actor who plays Washington (what's his name?) was a dead on ringer, like the brought the first prez back to life just to play himself. Also, I know it's not recognized as a big effects movie (thank god) but it's one of the best use of CGI enhancement I've seen.

Jeremiah Johnson (1972)

My all time favorite

[10/10 · 20 July 2006]

When asked 'what is your favorite movie?' most people say, "I don't know, I have a lot favorites, I can't pick just one."

Not so for me. Jeremiah Johnson has been my undisputed favorite since I first saw it on video in 1992 (regrettably, I'm too young (born in 70) to have seen in in the theaters) The characters are iconic without being cliché. The character interactions and dialog are really quite poetic in a simple and unpretentious way. The story and it's hero are of epic proportions while being completely modest and understated. And, of course, it's beautifully shot on location in Utah and Montana.

I could go on. It's a fantastic film. If you enjoy entertaining, beautiful cinema with a simple, natural story, you'll probably love it as well. If you liked either 'White Chicks' or '2 fast 2 Furious', then you'll probably hate it. Most people find it boring. I don't.