Review: Uncertainty

Uncertainty, 2009

Directors:Scott McGehee, David Siegel

Writers:Scott McGehee, David Siegel

Stars: Lynn Collins, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Assumpta Serna

Uncertainty isn’t a movie quite like any others. It doesn’t follow the same path with the same feel, wasn't filmed the same with sets and lighting as a block buster. Filmed on location in New York, a portion with hand held cameras, it felt more like real life. And though it might not have been as exciting as I would have hoped -- and yes I do have to be honest and admit, as a writer, there were some plot flaws that might have needed fixing before release --I still found it to be an enjoyable time with phenomenal acting and a concept of two parallel decisions moving side by side in one reality.

There is Kate and Bobby, a not-out-of-the-ordinary couple facing life altering decisions. With the flip of the coin and a jaunt down Brooklyn Bridge, Bobby runs right, Kate runs left, each one finding a different Fourth of July that they share together. In one world, it is ordinary with family and friends while in the other there is murder, mystery while the young couple is yanked into something they can’t understand and have trouble being a part of.

Says Joesph Gordon-Levitt: “The movie was improvised in dialogue and in emotion and in the kind of the moments of the scenes, but the structure, the scenes and the story and the plot was all very precisely thought through beforehand so I think you get a nice blend, because a lot of improv movies feel less like a story and more like real life.”

Was the movie as much of a thriller as promised? I love watching Mr. Levitt's films, but this one, it wasn't as good as I hoped. Mr. Levitt's performance, the whole casts job, was done beautifully and lived up to what I expected. It was the writing that had the flaw with too many decisions that made no sense and led to no where. Why would a man who works with computers not realize that when hiding in plain site, using his credit card could get him found? And the ending in the yellow world didn’t make as much sense to me as the ending in the green world. Murdering bad guys don't stop the chase just because you decide not to play and toss away their toy. The story in the yellow world would have to go on in order to find a believable solution. The energy of the two worlds we watched, the dramas that played out, they were not equal and needed the right amount of time for their own sake to finish to an acceptable conclusion.

Did I enjoy it ... yeah ... I did. And I would watch it again just for the sake of seeing it all over again.

Uncertinatiy Decision ...

Trying to figure out what movie to watch tonight as we have two in the house, Uncertainty and Manic. Husband decided after reading back of Uncertainty box, there is only one way to decide. He whips out a coin and flips. Heads Uncertainly/Tails Manic.

I called tails -- um -- I always call tails. Just FYI

We're watching Uncertainty and anyone who knows the movie or in a week or so, after I talk about it here, you will understand a coin toss is the whole premise of the film!!

Joe turns the camera on the paparazzi ... who wins? Duh!!

Paparazzi -- educated and brilliant in their craft:

"who directed that?"

JGL: "Fellini".

"Who?"

You're famous, you see a photographer shooting photos at you and what is this in your hand -- a camera of your own -- and you are just in the mood to screw with them -- so ...

Click on link and enjoy ... :)

http://bit.ly/98BWTb

This clip might not show a hell of a lot about the characters and acting performances, but I think it shows a pretty cool guy having a lot of fun with the people he might want to turn the tables on. :)

JGL: 3rd Rock Kick Off ...

Whereas it was necessary when following the movies of Norman Reedus to refer back again and again to Boondock Saints, I think it will be the same with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, only in his case, we will be referring to 3rd Rock from the Sun. Besides the fact that it established him as a presence in Hollywood that needed to be followed, it also is just one of the most hysterical shows I have ever seen. Not a huge fan when it first came out in 1996, I am watching it now with back to back episodes , laughing my ass off with each and every one. I do not think there has ever been as great over-actor than John Lithgow.

For those of you who don't know the show was pretty simple in concept: four aliens from a superior race come to earth, take on human forms and study our life styles and daily existence. There is Dick, the high commander; Tommy the information specialist; Sally, warrior and Harry -- who we don't really know why is there at first except to get into trouble in funny, funny ways. Tom, Dick and Harry and Sally all stuck in Ohio. It was defiantly a show, like Boondock Saints, in regards to nailing script with characters, with dialogue, with actors, director and every other aspect that goes into a perfect mesh that comes across the screen in every episode I have seen so far. Change one aspect and the entire show would have been different and we would have been all the sadder for it.

It made me a little uncomfortable at first when I kept thinking how cute Tommy was, how great he delivered his lines and then remembering he is fourteen in the show and if I think a fourteen year old kid is cute, professional help might be necessary. But then I realized the actor might be fourteen but he is portraying the oldest member on the team, the adult among all the adults. The delivery of the lines is a testament to an actor, still young and learning his craft, but still able to nail the character he is portraying: an old man interested in learning the habits or earth, especially girls and sex.

One of my favorite exchanges:

Coach Strickland: Solomon, climb the rope!

Tommy Solomon: What's at the top of the rope?

Coach Strickland: Your self-esteem.

Tommy Solomon: My self-esteem?

Coach Strickland: Now climb the rope or you get to go sit with the girls.

Tommy Solomon: So if I don't climb the rope, I get to go sit with the girls? You're going to have to help me out here, I'm failing to see the downside.”

Bottom photo: French Stewart as Harry with JGL as Tommy

Repost to keep moving: Joesph Gordon Levitt Interview

Still working ten to twelve hour days right now and have been since last -- I don't -- what day is it? Hope to be done by the end of this weekend and "caught up" because "caught up" is always possible. Yeah. Right. Ah huh. :)

So I haven't started the movies yet, but I have started the research and is there anything sexier than a grown man talking about how he loved "Dumbo" -- with a full description of his favorite scene? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzX9jHB3LfA

Rallies vs. Movies Jon Stewart/Stephen Cobert

Have returned home from both the Rally to Restore Sanity and the Rally to Keep Fear Alive. After the diversion to JFK from Philllie on the way to Phoenix and that many hours on the tarmack waiting to take off -- at one point -- I think they planned to drive the plane home -- I am not sure if my sanity is restored or my fear is still intact. Will have to check back.

Do know that I did meet with about 215,000 of my closest friends and we had a great time. Also saw some cool things in both DC and Phillie -- including Ben Franklin's grave and the place where my parents had me lay down when I was nine to see who was taller, me or Ben. Pretty fantastic trip and my daughter states that besides Jon Stewart and Stephen Cobert, sitting in the same pew George Washington sat in for church was one of the coolest things we did. We ever removed the pad so we could sit on the gorgeous bare wood.

Amazing trip!! Back to JGL when I wake up as I do plan on sleeping for the week.

First Movie Up: Treasure Planet ...

Treasure Planet

Disney Production, 2002

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins in this animated version of the Robert Lewis Stevenson Classic

Okay, so maybe it isn't the most sophisticated place to start reviewing Mr. Gordon-Levitt's movies, but it does have the most meaning for my family what with "Treasure Island", being my oldest daughters all time favorite book. We really enjoyed the film as a family.

And man, it was just a whole lot of fun to watch.

I did read a review on this movie, by high ranking reviewers’ type personnel, claiming that the existence of this movie is unnecessary. That the story had been done enough times -- The Muppets had done it in 1996 with Kermit playing an amazing Captain Smollet, but then Kermit usually nails whatever role he plays (I am a long fan and read his biography last year, though I did hear it was ghost written).

But so what? This movie has been done but it was never done like this. With much visual excitement. With the unbelievable -- galleons in space -- presented in a way that actually worked. The villains, as in true Disney fashion, were portrayed by creepy crawly creatures, were creepy enough to keep even the adult son the edge of their chair.

Joseph Gordon Levitt, resembling his animated self -- well it is harder to evaluate a

performance just on voice: "Wow, he sounded great!!" But I can say, from the moment he screeched across the barrier into the bad area, cops right on his tail, there was no doubt who we were watching. And he did make a really, really great Jim Hawkins!

And the supporting cast such as Martin Short as Ben -- Perfect!! '"Was I dancing with an android named Lupe?" :)