Sunshine Cleaning

By Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  Sunshine cleaning is about Rose (Amy Adams) a young single mother who once was a popular cheerleader, and girlfriend of the football player at her high school. Now, years after school, she works as a maid to provide for her seven years old son, Oscar.

  After receiving a notice she needs to medicate Oscar to control his weird behavior at school, Rose is desperate to increase her income in order to send Oscar to a private school.

  Mac (Steve Zahn) is her old high school boyfriend; now a detective, married, with children, but still in a relationship with Rose, at some point we ask ourselves why she is still with him? But at some point she asks herself the same question, another downer in Rose life. Mac tips her into a very lucrative but not so pleasant business: cleaning the mess after a police crime investigation and derivates.

  Rose sees the opportunity for a better future and the immediate solution to her problems. So, Rose creates Sunshine Cleaning with the help of her slacker and very irresponsible sister Norah (Emily Blunt).

  After some funny and disgusting moments, the sisters realize they’re clueless about the cleaning industry, and that’s when we meet Winston (Cliffton Collins Jr) a one armed guy who helps them to figure out the business.

  What I liked about Winston is that he plays the cool dude that somehow helps Rose to see her reality without really saying anything. In a way it’s like in real life, sometimes out of nowhere, someone shows up in our way and helps us clear out our mind.

  Although it is a good story, it has its flaws. Having several characters with different situations to deal, can mine a story. Some people will find difficult to understand some characters if they don’t think about the state the character is in. But if you think about it, it is exactly as in real life, how many times we see a nice girl with a good for nothing? Or vice versa? And how many times, even among our friends we see that kind of conformism? Norah’s attitude?… orChild behavior? more often than we would like to admit it. But in our real life, there’s no time to figure out everything, after all we’re only humans, and we’re not born with a psychology certificate under our arms. For me, what other people see as an error, it is indeed just part of real life.

The bright side of Sunshine Cleaning is the performance of Amy Adams and Emily Blunt.

If you crave for a realistic story and good acting, this is your kind of movie!

The Haunting in Conneticut

Review by Lucia Santiago Dantés.
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  Haunted house, corpses behind the walls, eyelashes kept in a box, ghosts, and ectoplasm coming out form a kid’s mouth. You’ll find all of the above and more in the movie The Haunting in Connecticut since in theaters across Canada and U.S since Friday 27, 2009.

 Must say first, I liked this movie because it pays a homage to old school horror movies. It relies on a good story rather than on special effects, although there’s some sound design and sfx enhancing the creepy feeling.

 The story is based on a real life incident that took place in Southington, Connecticut back in 1986. There’s even a documentary on the Discovery Channel recounting the incidents. It’s a better experience to watch the movie first, because even thought the movie has a good art directing and cinematography, I find many re-enactment scenes from the documentary too similar to the movie.

  The film starts with an interview to woman named Sara Campbell (Virginia Madsen) retelling the story (this made me think that in fact, they took a lot of ideas from the Discovery Channel documentary “A Haunting in Connecticut”): Sara Campbell looked and found an affordable house near the hospital his son Matt (Kyle Gallner) is treated for cancer. The boy’s sickness has drawn more than empty all the family savings and loans, so the old house near by the cemetery it’s not what they had in mind but the price is right. Soon after moving in, Matt begins to see ghosts and paranormal phenomena around the house. Matt is afraid and worried to talk about with the doctors about the strange incidents because for the medical point of view that means the treatment is deteriorating the brain cells, and a stop the treatment on him, so he decides to endure all the visions until all the family is either afraid of him or the house.

  The only criticism to the story is why nobody leaves the house? As I said it before, even though ”The haunting…” deals with a lot of paranormal activity, the movie also contemplates the possibility of a psychological explanation when we acknowledge that Matt’s ghosts might be hallucinations caused by the cancer treatment. But the same question remains to me… ok he had a hallucinations because of the medicine, but how about the rest of the family? They all seemed to have this “hallucinations” too. So how could you explain that?

Anyways it is a good horror movie to watch over the weekend.

Monsters vs. Aliens HQ Trailer opens March 2009

Review by Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  Loved Monsters vs. Aliens! It has a good mix of fun, adventure, good jokes and cool characters like The Missing Link, B.O.B. or cute but humongous Insectosaurus!

 The story follows Susan Murphy(Reese Witherspoon) a “next door” girl who’s got hit by a meteor on her wedding day. She literally becomes a very large version of herself and is locked on a top-secret government facility underground. Over there she meets the most intriguing characters she’d ever seen like “The Missing Link” (v. of Will Arnet), B.O.B (v.o. Seth Rogen) and Dr. Dr. Cockroach (voice of Hugh Laurie, better known for his character Dr. Gregory House) Oh! And don’t forget Insectoraurus!

 The movie is about how Susan tries to overcome her new size in order to be back with her family, friends and fiancé weatherman Derek Dietl (Paul Rudd, I love you man). But first she has to defeat alien invader Gallaxhar (Rainn Wilson) who’s trying to destroy humankind.

Will Susan be able to rescue the world and get back her normal life and fiancé?

What’s in it for me?

 For grown up audiences, the movie has a lot of references from other sci-fi movies, while kids will be delighted with all the jokes, action and flamboyant characters. I had a lot of fun watching the movie, specialy when Gallaxhar clones himself in mass quantities to repopulate Earth (or so he believes). This kind of movies all about fun, and accepting yourself just how you are.

Knowing (Presagio)

By Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  If you like the work of Director Alex Proxas like The Crow (1994), Dark City(1998) I, Robot(2004) you’ll like Knowing, starring Nicolas Cage. The story follows a teacher James Koestler, who discovers a piece of paper with numbers that predicts mayor disasters, some already happened and some of about to happen.

  James is a widower with one son who happens to discover this piece of paper buried in a time capsule on his elementary school. I must say the story is very intriguing and captured my attention from beginning till end thanks to all the references to collective paranoia should we say? Nowadays, like: end of the world, prophecies, angels, shadow people, the end of the world and so on. Although the trailers and buzz might suggest the classical and always predictable “save the world hero” kind of movie, I should say in part it is, in part it isn’t.

  Technical point of view, Knowing has several interesting scenes like the plane crash in the middle of the high way. As for the use of sound, even though it was intended to create a dramatic response in the audience it backfired, because some people realized it was a little bit too loud and intimidating.

Polytechquine

Por Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  Based on the tragedy back in December 6th 1989 at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. A gunman later identified as Marc Lepine, 25 years old shot 28 people (Killing 14) before killing himself with the same weapon: a semi-automatic rifle. According with records of the incident Lepine began his attack entering a classroom at the university separating male and female students, he shot all five women in the room, killing 6. Afterwards Marc Lepine wandered around corridors, the cafeteria and classroms targeting only women. Lepine claimed he was “fighting feminism”. He was the child of a french-canadian women and an Algerian father.

  The film was directed by Denis Villeneuve (Maelström, 2000) and the screenplay by Jacques Davidts and Denis Villeneuve. Starring Maxim Gaudette(The assassin), Sebastien Huberdeau (Jean François), Karine Vanasse as Valérie.

  The story is view from 3 points of views: the assassin, Jean François and Valérie. Watching the movie in Black and white centainly adds more dramatic effect to the audience. The style of the film also follow the school of Gus Van Sant’s style, where everything is set up to give an atmospheric air, contemplative camera and characters. It is a strong and very intriguing film that should be regarded as one of the most interesting Canadian movies for 2009.

For Trailers and info please visit the website: http://www.polytechniquelefilm.com

I love you man

Por Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

Who would have thought male bonding was so complicated?

  As some people are shy, or too aggressive, have bad timing or plain weird Most of us manage to have a good friend to rely on, Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) is not that Lucky.

 Peter is a L.A. based realtor who just proposed his girlfriend Zoeey (Rashida Jones), the good news reach family and friends, until he accidentally eavesdrop a conversation between Zooey and one of her gals warning her about the nature of girlfriend guys and how they become too clingy after marriage Peter realizes he must find a male friend… and pronto! After a series of mishaps, Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) shows up at an Open House hosted by Peter, could this be the perfect friend? “I Love You Man” is a hilarious romantic comedy that explores the topic of male bonding with a refreshing sense of humor. The movie has a great casting Paul Rudd (Clueless, Friends, Knocked up), Jason Segel (Knocked up, Dead Man on Campus), Rashida Jones (Boston Public, The Office) and a cameo by Lou Ferrigno, better know for his character: “Hulk”.

Milk

Por Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  “40 years Old, and I haven’t done a thing I’m proud of” This is the triggering though that sets up Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) on a personal journey to become Harvey Milk the activist, politician, and leader of the gay community who fought for their rights to be treated equally in the U. S.

 Directed by Gus Van Sant (Last Days, Elephant, My Own Private Idaho) the movie starts with archival images of the Castro District in San Francisco CA, following by Harvey Milk on the subway and meeting for the first time with what it would be his partner for several years Scott Smith (James Franco). The couple moves to San Francisco looking to become part of the counterculture movement alive in the area. They moved to the Castro District, where Milk decides to open a Camera shop. Realizing the district is abused by homophobic policemen and neighbors. Milk decides it’s time to do something about living an openly gay life. As soon as he decides to run for district supervisor, the threats begins…but Milk always believed that ”If a bullet should enter my brain, let the bullet destroy every closet door”

 Distributed in Canada by Alliance, the DVD includes subtitles (English, Français and Español), also very interesting Bonus Features like:
Deleted Scenes
Hollywood Comes To San Francisco and Remembering Harvey are bonus features focused on the people who Knew Harvey Milk but are in the movie as part of the extras and giving substantial information about the times and characters.
Marching for Equality is about how some people who lived the time and days of Harvey actually showed up for the recreation of the March and rallies.

 Just a few movies have the power inspire people like Milk, the biopic that took 2 Oscars this past february for Best Original Screenplay and Best Male in a leading Performance. Sean Penn becomes Harvey Milk, America’s first openly gay man elected to public office.

Watchmen

Por Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  Una película basada en el homónimo Cómic escrito por Allan Moore (V for Vendetta), ilustrado por Dabe Gibbons y coloreado por John Higgins. Watchmen consistió en 12 tomos publicados entre Septiembre de 1986 a Octubre de 1987.

  La versión cinematográfica corre a cargo del excepcional director Zack Snyder (300. Dawn of the Dead). La película sufrió durante años de una mala fama, ya que en su etapa de desarrollo, paso por varios estudios y varias manos, tanto fue el caos, que alguna vez algún director la declaró como película “infilmable” Hasta que Zack Snyder apareció en escena.

La película dura dos horas y media.

Sinopsis:

  La película abre con una breve secuencia donde se nos presenta a cada super héroe. Es octubre de 1985 y Edward Blake, un super héroe retirado otrora conocido como “el comendiante” (the Comedian) , es asesinado y la policía abre una investigación. Otro super héroe llamado Rorschach quien ahora actúa más como vigilante, decide investigar quien y por qué fue asesinado “el comediante”. El primer paso es ir a donde se encuentran los demás super héroes. Así reconecta con Doctor Manhattan, Nite Owl, Ozymandias y Silk Spectre.

  La historia es muy buena si se sabe poner atención a todo lo que pasa, pero sin duda los fans del cómic se sentirán más a sus anchas con el seguimiento. Las tomas y efectos visuales son muy buenos y en parte gracias a los trucos que tiene bajo la manga Snyder, que desde 300 se pueden ver los mismos efectos especiales. Para mí, lo que más sobresale son las escenas donde hacen sus “entradas triunfales” donde se ve cómo caen en cámara lenta, el movimiento de capa, la pose de éstos y su “actitud” son visualmente cautivadoras.

  Por supuesto la historia esta plagada de mucho subtexto, contexto político y muchos temas que ya son parte de nuestro bagage cultural como fue la guerra fría de loss años ochentas, el famoso “doomsday countdown” etc., sin olvidar todos los enredos amorosos telenovelescos entre los superhéroes. En fín, que tiene un poco de todo. Sin duda una gran película para ver este fin de semana.

Nota: La película fue filmada en Vancouver!

One Week

Por Lucía Santiago Dantes
El Kiosko Magazine
www.elkioskomgazine.com

&nsbp; One week es una de esas road movies que no sabes si te deprimen por lo mala o por la temática de la historia. La historia es tan simple como esto: Ben (Joshua Jackson) descubre que le queda una semana de vida y decide hacer un viaje en moto a través de canada. El único giro no tan ameno (para colmo) es que su prometida se da cuenta que ni siquiera la queria el tal Ben (vaya estuche de monerias) y solo se estaba casando con ella porque no habia nada mejor que hacer.

&nsbp; Vemos algunas atracciones turísticas, unos cuantos encuentros que no le dejan mucho que aprender y pues ya. Hasta ahí acabó el chiste. Este tipo de películas son las que ni siquiera me molestaría ver en DVD.

Joshua Jackson es mejor conocido por su papel de Pacey Witter en “Dawson’s Creek”

Odio las comparaciones pero… si realmente deseas conocer un poco del bagage cultural candiense vale la pena echarle un vistazo al documental “Souvenir from Canada” del famoso autor Douglas Coupland, sin duda será mucho más ilustrativo y gratificante que One Week.

Pontypool

Por Lucia Santiago Dantes
El Kioako Magazine
www.elkioskomagazine.com

  One of the best “zombie movies” I’ve ever seen in years. Based on the book “Pontypool changes everything” In the small radio station of Pontypool, Canada the team start to receive strange reports of bloody incidents around the area. Grant Mazzy is on the air… At the begining is a strange mob gathering outside Dr. Mendez turning violent y the minute Some reports tells about a strange chant, others about how violent are these people. Later on, they even more violent, canibalizing and running naked in the street, completly “gone”. We never see this scenes but we only Know what Grant Mazzy can get through phone calls, and bulletin reports. Soon they realized the virus is spread by words, and now the mob is outside the little church’s basement right where the radio station is located. Surrronded by this “zombies” the crew lock themselves inside the cabin… A great movie for horror fans!! Almost mandatory!

Vancouver: Opens Friday march 13 at Cinemark 12.