Movies, Movies, and more Movies

Since last we spoke I have seen a number of films, and I’d like to talk to you about some of them now. These films include the independent film The Wackness, the second TV-to-film upgrade for The X-Files: I Want to Believe, and the song and dance fest, stage-to-film Mamma Mia!. So, read on if you must, but still consider to go out and see some of them.

First up I want to talk about Mamma Mia. I have an ugly secret (no not that one), Back when I was in college, I was a huge Abba fan. So much so that I even played their music on my college radio station (which was a serious no-no at the time, given what college radio was at that time). So, yeah, I was sanctioned.

Anyway, let me first say that I did enjoy this film only, for a group that was to have rumored to have outsold the Beatles in every country except the U.S. I really only knew three songs fro m the entire score (no, unfortunately this was no Across the Universe). Still, it was a fun romp with a cast that was not generally known for their musical ability. and what they lacked in top-flight professional singing and dancing ability they certainly made up for in their unbridled exuberance.

It was a fun ride, and I enjoyed the film as a fun night out.

The Wackness is an Indy film that takes place during the summer of 1994 on the Rudy Giuliani-controlled streets of New York. Luke Shapiro (Josh Peck — best known for his role as Josh Nichols on Nickelodeon’s kid-friendly series Drake and Josh) plays against type as he spends his last summer before college selling dope throughout New York City, including trading it with his shrink (Ben Kingsley) for therapy, while crushing on his therapist’s step-daughter.

Shot in a gritty, grainy look that evokes the feel of that time; the film brings us through a evolution of process that has the student ultimately dispensing wisdom back at the teacher as both their lives break lose from their foundations and reform in the ever-shifting, growing nature of the world.

Not the big-named, testosterone-fueled action-pact Summer adventure that you perhaps might be used to, but then again, there is still room for this type of film in the marketplace, and one well worth seeing.

Finally, let’s talk about The X-Files: I want to believe (and which probably should have been subtitled — only it’s five years past when anyone wants to care). Don’t get me wrong. I liked this film, and it was fun to see Mulder and Scully teamed up once again (even if it was only for what amounts to an extended episode). The good news is that the movie is a stand-alone event that takes place without all of the obscure, layered behind-the-scenes extraterrestrial and smoking man subplots stuff. the bad news is that it is a tand-alone event that takes place without all of the obscure, layered behind-the-scenes extraterrestrial and smoking man subplots stuff.

As it turns out, it is not only the Mulder and Scully sexual tension interplay that drove the series forward but it was also all of that hidden, conspiracy plot stuff that also drove it. Hence, if you never saw the show before, you can go see this film and follow it. However if you were a fan of the show then this film will prove into a big disappointment.

And that then is my theatrical update of current films.

Catch you in the lobby.

The Perfessor