Scattershot Reviews: Real Time, The Trotsky, The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Back again with another scattershot of films. This week I'd thought I kill a few birds with one stone as I've watched quite a few Jay Baruchel movies that I have yet to review.

Real Time (2008)

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Randy Quaid, Jayne Eastwood

Netflix: Streaming

Andy Hayes (Baruchel) is gambler who hasn't paid his debts and as such has had a hit put on him. Reuben (Quaid) assigned the hit, has a soft spot for Andy, and gives him one hour to do whatever he wants before he kills him.

It took me awhile to actually get to the film. I was content to let it sit in my que because of Randy Quaid. Not that Quaid can't be enjoyable, just that he's done a lot of crap as well. When I finally watched the film I was glad I did. It's very much a character driven piece, focusing on the two leads for the majority of the film, as they drive around from spot to spot and discuss life. There's a definite comedic element, which helps to balance out the darker tones. There is a lot of profanity in the film, which is nothing new, but oddly felt awkward. I can't quite say why, but the swearing just seems out of place and poorly delivered. In a dialog heavy film, that's even more noticeable. The ending is also a tad obvious, not that it's a bad thing. Knowing what's coming doesn't make it any less well written. At its heart it feels like a short story, and at just an hour and twenty minutes, it practically is. Ultimately, it's an odd little film, but a worthwhile watch. 6.5 out of 10

The Trotsky (2009)

Starring: Jay Baruchel, Liane Balaban, Colm Feore

Netflix: Streaming

Leon Bronstein is a high schooler who believes himself to be the reincarnation of Soviet iconoclast Leon Trotsky. After leading a hunger strike at his father's factory, he finds himself enrolled in a public school, where he decides it's his duty to lead a revolution among the students.

The film is well written and well cast. There are some elements that don't seem to work towards the end of the film, but overall it's well done. I thought about writing this up as a 'best movie you probably haven't seen' but I always like to include a favorite scene in that column, and while I think the movie is pretty brilliant, it's not really one that can be easily cut down to a favorite moment or scene. There's a certain craziness to it that kind of reminds me of good satire from the 70's (books specifically). Baruchel  is fantastic in the role, bringing the passion of the character across. There are a few places where it does seem to drag a bit, and the beginning is a bit slow. But if you have patience you're in for a great flick.  7.9 out of 10

The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Nicolas Cage, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer
Netflix: Streaming & DVD

Loosely based on the segment in Fantasia, with Mickey Mouse, which was in turn loosely based on an old poem, about, well, a sorcerer's apprentice. In particular a bumbling one.

The further I get away from it, the worse it gets, and it was pretty bad to start. I did enjoy parts of it. There's some decent humor to it. And of course the main scene you'd want to see is pretty great. But the writing is terrible, the actors are completely wasted. Alfred Molina may have played some cheesy villains before, but this was worse even than Snidely Whiplash. Forget character arcs. Baruchel's character is whiny up until the end where he suddenly decides to be the hero. I know there's always the argument that it's a kid's film, so what do you expect? But I've seen too many brilliantly executed kid and family films in recent years to let that stand. They had a good property, and they could have done something fun with it. Instead it's a film that barely limps along to the end, creating a mess that even the sorcerer can't clean up. 4 out of 10