Film Yap: Tabloid

The greatest stories are the ones that are close to reality so they are relatable. In order to be relatable, most stories play with conventions that can apply to the most amounts of people. However, the real stories—the ones that happen to regular people—are often random, unexpected, and often irrational.

To call Joyce McKinney a regular person is a wild exaggeration, but the point still stands. If “Tabloid” was presented as a fictional narrative, nobody would ever believe this could ever happen.

Yet, it did. This wild and crazy story happened and everyone involved is overjoyed to tell it. The trailer for “Tabloid” is impressive because it only gives the tip of the iceberg. Staying within its restraints, this movie is about McKinney who flew to London to save/kidnap her Mormon fiancée and forced him to have sex with her.

The reason Errol Morris is such a great storyteller is because he lets them tell their story. The takes are longer than a typical documentary interview. There are so many different interpretations of the “truth” about Joyce McKinney even down to whether the “Sex in Chains” story actually contained rope. Morris interjects with title cards and ironic juxtaposition, but that is never to create favoritism towards anyone’s story. It’s just to laugh at the absurdity of it all about the barking mad woman and the men who were obsessed her.

In 87 minutes, there isn’t enough time to get comfortable. The second one thing is explained, the story darts into crazier territory. This isn’t a morality tale about bad decisions or even a criticism against media. This is a celebration of the absurd. Every time the tabloid papers pressed, the more insane it became. They didn’t even have to do much because McKinney would throw herself into the spotlight more than they would. Even though her way of “avoiding” the spotlights drew even more attention.

Thanks to the surrealism, this is actually the funniest movie of the year. All of R-rated romps and romantic “will they or won’t they” cann’t match up to the twists and turns of this. It’s not as dense at some of Morris’s other work, because this isn’t about rising up for activism. It’s about being able to enjoy that sometimes insanity will win over logical expectations. This joins “Man on Wire”, “Sex on the Beach” and “The King of Kong” as some of the best real life finds.

I hope this isn’t a generational thing and not everyone knows about Joyce McKinney and the “Maniacal Mormon”. For this is a life that only gets weirder.

4.5 Yaps

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/18/tabloid/

Film Yap: Jane Eyre DVD

Like most film critics, I see too many films a year. I see new releases that look lousy and turn out even worse than expected. I see films that are incredible where I note every nuance. The rest of the bunch ends up in the middle.

I bring this up only because of a perk of writing a DVD review is the short moment to offer a revision. Critics have to predict what elements will stand the test of time based on initial impressions of a piece of art they recently experienced.

So then what is remembered of Miss “Jane Eyre”? I read the book when I was in junior high and can recall several distinct images. I saw the recent adaptation in theatres months ago and the answer is the same. After mastering how to use a wider location to enhance the frame for the focused character in “Sin Nombre”, director Cary Fukunaga moved himself into a more limiting inside story.

The mansions have more shadows that does give an invitation to its many rooms. There is no home for Jane Eyre, which is a nice way to give a visual push towards frustration for a emotionally repressed character. There are some films that are played like gothic horror, which seem a bit out of place, but are individually strong.

The two leads are brilliant. Mia Wasikowska gave a jaw-droppingly good performance in HBO’s “In Treatment”, but has never given the opportunity to show that range in cinema yet. This is a close attempt where she takes the difficulty of the character and puts it behind a strong mask. Michael Fassbender continues his streak of solid performances by playing up the cold charisma of Rochester.

The structuring of the film is an attempt to make the 400 page novel into a reasonably timed movie, but it feels clumped at times. There could have been even more scenes between Jane and Rochester, but they had to do more with less. That makes the ending less climatic than it could have been, but several moments still work throughtout.

The DVD and Blu-Ray have a number of featurettes on them. There is one about the score, the look, and the production of the film. There is also a commentary with Fukunaga talking with himself and a bunch of deleted scenes.

Film: 3.5 Yaps

Extras: 3.5 Yaps

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/15/25586/

Film Yap: Week Four TV Contest Results

As an experiment in recommendations, Austin is watching every show that was suggested to him during one weekend. He’ll watch 2-3 episodes apiece and write about what he thinks every Saturday on The Film Yap. After he gets through his list, he’ll award TV related prizes.

Corner Gas

Previous Relationship: I had only seen one Canadian sitcom before and that was the lovely “Slings and Arrows” which I highly recommend. Apparently this was their most popular show, so I was excited.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Ruby Reborn”, “Tax Man”, and “Pilates Twist”

And…? People tend to say that English humor is dry. They have nothing on Canadian humor. It’s about a few people who work at a gas station. Something very small and quaint happens and then they all sarcastically respond to it. I never laughed, but I didn’t dislike the show.

The show captures a part of life that is worth telling to a friend, but not necessarily worth filming. Characters mix up the exercise pilates with Pontius Pilate; it’s an amusing concept that gathers a smile. This is one of the major comedic set-ups in the third episode. It’s sarcasm upon sarcasm without anything strong to be sarcastic towards. This makes it entertaining and light, but not necessarily that good.

Will I continue watching? Nope.

Rating: 2.5 Yaps

Pretty Little Liars

Previous Relationship: I’ve seen a tad bit of advertising for it. The high school murder mystery element made me think it could be the next “Veronica Mars”.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “”Pilot”, “The Jenna Thing”, and “To Kill a Mocking Girl”

And…? This is no “Veronica Mars”. It doesn’t really work as a high school drama or a mystery. The four liars interact with the world without any genuine scenes. They giggle at a joke that was heard before the scene started, they talk only in a way to avoid spoiling any secrets, and they are vapid dull people.

The mystery is centered around the year long disappearance and eventual death of the fifth member of their friendship. Before they found her body, they all have been receiving text messages from an “A” they assumed to be her. They try to keep every aspect of their path a secret to prolong the story as much as possible. It’s hard to keep track about what is not supposed to be known and why any of it matters. The texted messages in particular feels so contrived that there is no way they will provide an answer that makes any sense.

Will I continue watching? Nah.

Grade: 2 Yaps

All in the Family

Previous Relationship: I knew of how important this series was, but knew just a little about the plot.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Meet the Bunkers”, “Writing the President”, and “Oh, My Aching Back”.

And…? Wow. I did not expect this. This doesn’t feel like any other sitcom I have seen. They have the typical amount of family banter, but they start to feel like a stage play. They take genuine positions on issues and argue them in an entertaining manner. Carroll O’Connor is unflinching as the bigoted father who is still seen as someone who is likable.

His loyalty to his family, despite his verbal abuse, is always evident. The pride he has towards his country, especially the title of the President. In some fights he’s right, most of the time ‘Meathead’ has the upper hand. Throughout all of the political substance, it still remains every funny. I’m shocked how well this lived up to the buzz.

Will I continue watching? Absolutely.

Grade: 4.5 Yaps

Adventure Time

Previous Relationship: I knew of its popularity with those who entertain a certain recreational substance.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Slumber Party Panic”, “Trouble in Lumpy Space”, and “Prisoners of Love”.

And…? This was some silly fun. It’s not very long, but uses every single one of its minutes with an unrelenting pace. It feels like when you’re a kid playing outside. You’re making up the adventure while moving off pure imagination. The story could change at any given second as a new idea pops in your head. This show incorporates that ridiculous sense of direction as Finn and his talking dog Jake fly through the world (and sometimes space).

A lot of the humor is based off the randomness that ensues. Yet they have done incredible work creating these characters with just a little bit of time. They each have a unique voice and personality. Nobody questions their wacky world, but just has fun with it.

Will I continue watching? I won’t seek it out, but I’ll definitely casually watch some more.

Grade: 4 Yaps

Beast Wars

Previous Relationship: It sounds vaguely familiar. May have caught one episode as a kid.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Beast Wars, Part I”, “Beast Wars, Part II”, and “The Web”.

And…? I’ve seen the three Transformers movies and didn’t like any of them. Some people have tolerated the franchise, because they have had some sort of nostalgic attachment to the toys and cartoons. I never had that, but I can kinda see the appeal. Not yet, though.

Sometime during the Transformers mythology, they crash land on Earth during the prehistoric times. They scan the planet for new forms to transform into so they become like cheetahs and dinosaurs. They fight and fight and fight. This is “Beast Wars” as the characters clearly point out.

The problem is there aren’t any stakes. They will shout their name and optimize, but there doesn’t seem to be any chance of anyone taking real damage. “The Web” was a bit better storyline since it was more plotting between the characters. There is opportunity for some clever things in the future, but right now I rather play with the toys.

Will I continue watching? Nah.

Grade: 2.5 Yaps

Taxi

Previous Relationship: I think I’ve caught a few scenes on TV as a kid. Also I’ve seen “Man on the Moon” which featured the show for a good chunk.

I watched Season One, Episodes 1-3 “Like Father, Like Daughter”, “One-Punch Banta” and “Blind Date”.

And…? This has a lot of fun elements, but a lot of things that fell flat as well. The reason I’ve been watching three episodes apiece is because that gives the time a little bit more room to figure out what it is. Usually it takes more time into the season, but three episodes is enough to figure out the potential.

“Taxi” is one of the quintessential workplace comedies. Most of the show is centered around a taxi garage as their drivers come in and out. Yet they mostly just linger. Most of them are really solid characters like Alex, his insufferable boss Louie, and the simplistic Tony. Ones that aren’t so strong is the naïve new guy (who I hoped was just going to be in the first episode) as well as wanna-be actor Bobby.

Sometimes the plotline can lead to some great moments of comedy and characters, like when Alex meets his daughter for the first time in 15 years. Or it could be a big misstep as seen by Alex on his blind date with an insecure larger woman. When everything focused, this show seems like it could make some great episodes but I hope it doesn’t take that long to hit a streak.

Will I continue watching? I’ll catch a random one on TV every now and then. I would like to see Christopher Lloyd play his part.

Grade: 3.5 Yaps

Next week, I actually shall be finishing this with my remaining shows: Cowboy Bebop, Hill Street Blues Modern Family, Nathan Barley, The O.C., and Sons of Anarchy.

http://www.thefilmyap.com/2011/08/14/week-four-tv-contest-results/