San Francisco Music News

I got lucky again last night. I had another friend discover tickets to the pre-release premier of a movie. This time it was for Ironman. I got to see, what I thought was going to be an awful movie featuring Robert Downey Jr., four days before it was released. Today is the big release day and the film’s entertainment value is going to shock some people.

I went to the movie expecting nothing because of Marvel’s past failures of Fantastic Four, The Punisher and Hulk. After Spiderman and X-Men were so successful, Marvel created a few flops, but it looks as if they have rediscovered that special feeling. I also seem to recognize RDJr. more for his alcohol abuse than his acting ability, however I think he has convinced me to think of him outside of his vices. I was pleasantly surprised throughout the entire movie, completely captivated by the performances and story. Now much of this credit should go to Jon Favreau’s direction, in my opinion, as you can feel his ideas and touch throughout the movie, which reminds me a little bit of Swingers.

After the cult-classic Swingers, Favreau wrote the script for Elf, and continued on to direct Ironman. Favreau has a myriad of projects showcasing his flexibility and deft feel for what makes for good entertainment. He has proven his ability to create and entertain successfully via many different routes and his presence significantly improves Ironman. In another director’s hands this movie could well have drifted to big budget explosions, lack of any semblance of a feasible plot and boring dialog – a special brother of my mind wants to point at the finger at Bruckheimer while my roommate might argue Michael Bay is the most guilty of this type of cinematic betrayal).

Directing Ironman, Favreau embedded his sense of humor throughout the movie and made RDJr. absolutely hilarious. The plot was a typical Marvel comics flowing from the rising action to falling action with the climax near the end and the of course the last battle between the hero and the way more powerful villain. But Favreau also added a few plot twists and flash backs to shift the ebb and flow of the movie to keep the audience interested. The wit and writing made this movie not only watchable, but enjoyable. Plus, Gwyneth Paltrow is hot. I would say Ironman is worth putting on your queue for Netflixs, but I wouldn’t recommend paying $10 to go see it, unless you have expendable cash and free time .

If you want an atypical, none Hollywood movie to watch, commit yourself to Dancer in the Dark. It is a lengthy two hour and twenty minute movie that requires a full order of Pad Thai and multiple beverages to span the entire film. But at the end you feel accomplished for sitting through it, dirty from the depiction of human cruelty and enlightened by Lars von Triers eccentric and unique directing.

I suppose I am ambivalent towards the film as a whole because it is so damn long, but it is definitely worth watching for its creativity and artistic twists. Also, BJORK was the lead actress and although her voice isn’t especially powerful for the musical aspects of the film, watching her perform made me want to give her electronic/experimental pop - ‘weird as shit’ is how my brother described her music - a chance. I was told her voice meshes well with her type of music, so I am prepared to be surprised and enlightened just as I was by RDJr. and Ironman.