My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Artist: Kanye West

Release Date: November 22nd, 2010

Genre: Hip Hop / Rap

Singles: "Monster", "Power", "Runaway"

AltAss Ratings (On a scale of 1 to 5 asses)

Music / Beats:               

There are some gems in the track list that will make your head nod but there isn't enough consistency to keep you in that zone throughout the entire album. 

Lyics / Message:           

Sometimes it is hard to figure out what a Kanye West song is about but damned if there aren't some clever rhymes.  Here's one of my favorites since I grew up watching "Family Matters"

"Fresh air, rolling down the window / Too many Urkels on your team, thats why you're win's low" (Winslow)

Kanye seems conflicted between a socially conscious citizen concerned for his fellow man and an elitist superstar concerned only for himself.

Originality:                    

Definitely takes some chances and does some new things, most of which work well.

Overall:                         

I guess the conflicted artist produces a fairly decent product.  "Runaway" is to me by and large the best track on the album because of it's crystal clear message and brutal honesty.  More of that formula in the other tracks would have made this a homerun

Green Zone

Release Date: March 12th, 2010

Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller / War

Stars: Matt Damon, Greg Kinnear, Amy Ryan

Synopsis: A soldier heading a unit charged with finding WMD's in the months after the invasion of Iraq investigates and uncovers a foul plot linked to the intelligence that began the war in the first place.

AltAss Ratings (On a scale of 1 to 5 asses)

Plot:                                      

A real clever concept which pans out into a nice ride.

Writing:                        

The dialogue is not as sharp as it could have been in tense confrontations which would have added a lot of value to the picture.  On the other hand there were several moving scenes written involving the Iraqi man who serves as translator for Matt Damon's character.

Acting:                         

Nothing outstanding from Matt Damon but he didn't do alot to hurt the film either.  The real stars were the real live Iraq and Afghanistan vets who served as the secondary military team members which added a lot of realism and truth to the scenes.

Originality:                    

Alot of movies are being made about the middle eastern wars but this is the first I've seen questioning the shady intelligence that began the war and surveilling the tense search for WMD's.

Overall:                         

Easy to follow with plenty of action but don't expect to be impressed by moving performances or witty dialogue.  Worth a look if you have a chance but it can wait if your busy.

Greenberg

Release Date: March 26th, 2010

Genre: Comedy / Drama

Stars: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans

Synopsis: A quirky middle aged man, recently discharged from a mental hospital, returns home to Los Angeles from New York to house sit for his brother's family where he comes into contact with his brother's young female assistant.

AltAss Ratings (On a scale of 1 to 5 asses)

Plot:                              

An intriguing premise for a character study that would have been even more effective if the character had more to do.

Writing:                      

The effort was very inconsistent.  Sometimes brilliant, sometimes boring, with poor fluidity.

Acting:                             

Stiller takes on a very different role than we are used to seeing him play and sticks it beautifully.  Greta Gerwig was unfamiliar to me but proved to be a refreshing talent.  Rhys Ifans is usually hillarious but plays a more morose character unspectacularly but not heinously.

Originality:                    

Certainly an unconventional character study of an unconventional character.

Overall:                         

Just because you make a film that is deep and artsy doesn't mean it shouldn't have a determined pace and rhythym.  It also shouldn't end whenever you run out of film, the audience just spent a lot of time immersed in the complexities of Greenberg's character and they deserve at least a hint at what might happen to him.  This effort's flashes of brilliance make it worth a look if you typically enjoy this type of film but if you just want to laugh, steer clear.

The Laugh Factor

Belly Laughs: 1

Chuckles: 2-4

Brothers

BRelease Date: December 4th, 2009

Genre: Drama / Thriller / War

Stars: Toby Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman

Synopsis: A soldier goes missing in action in Afghanistan and is presumed dead.  His screw up brother steps up to the plate to be there for his grieving widow and children.

AltAss Ratings (On a scale of 1 to 5 asses)

Plot:                                

Very interesting and captivating from start to finish.

Writing:                                 

Does not drive the film as much as the between the lines acting but a very solid effort nonetheless.

Acting:                              

Toby Maguire's best by far and Jake Gyllenhaal is excellent as well.  Natalie Portman did not impress me in her role as the grieving widow.

Originality:                  

This is a remake of a foriegn film, German I think.  I did like the decision to incorporate the issue of post traumatic stress that is affecting so many of our soldiers adversely.

Overall:                           

A very nice picture all things considered.  It was a little annoying to see the over the top depiction of the circumstances surrounding the capture of Toby Maguire's character.  Many service men and women will tell you that they were equally affected by going to war without being captured, tortured, and forced to kill a fellow soldier.