Wish I Was Here

Zach Braff's latest directorial effort doesn't exactly cover new ground, especially for Braff himself. But I have to say that there is something special about the film and it did make me feel warm in certain parts of my body that haven't felt warm in a while.

Aidan Bloom (Braff) is an out of work actor who chases his dream while his wife, Sarah (Kate Hudson), brings in the family income. Aidan spends his time going to auditions and looking after their two kids Grace (Joey King) and Tucker (Pierce Gagnon). His father Gabe (Mandy Patinkin) has been suffering with cancer on and off, but this time it's here for good.

As you can see, this is a bit of generic family drama. Fans of Braff's previous film Garden State will definitely identify the similarities. But something about this film went a little deeper than that movie. The relationship with his estranged father is explored a little bit more and the idea of faith is touched upon, albeit briefly.

But this film is still about being lost at a certain point in your life and needing a little direction to get things back on track. The film also has way too much introduction. There's a point about an hour in where I thought that we didn't need to be introduced to any more plot points, but we were and that slowed the film down considerably for me. Although it did get better toward the end of the film.

One thing is for sure though and that is that Braff can make a beautiful looking film. All the shots are exquisitely crafted. There is one of the Santa Monica Pier at night that I did think captured the moment perfectly. Despite this, I did think that slow motion was overused here, with every serious moment drawing attention to itself, without letting the audience discover these moments for themselves.

The performances that were above the rest came from both Kate Hudson and Mandy Patinkin. I've never really thought of Hudson as being a good actor, but then again I haven't seen too many of her films. She has a really incredible range and works really well with some of the more emotionally heavy scenes. The same goes for Patinkin. Some of my favourite scenes in the film involved him dropping his harsh exterior.

Verdict: A heartwarming drama that is pretty harmless and makes you feel warm inside. Don't expect anything really new or exciting. A bit heavy on the soundtrack too.

Oz: The Great and Powerful

Since Judy Garland first explored the land of Oz in 1939, there have been many sequels and various different interpretations of the original. Sometimes ranging from the straightforward (Return to Oz, it is very dark though) to the wacky (Zardoz, Tin Man, The Wiz, the list is endless). Most of these films and  stage performances take place after the events of the original film, in which Dorothy or some other young girl is swept off to the land of Oz.

But Sam Raimi (of Spiderman and Evil Dead fame) has created a story which I have always wondered about. It is that of the titular wizard. Oscar Diggs (James Franco), or Oz, as is his stage name, is working for a traveling circus in Kansas with his assistant Frank (Zach Braff). One stormy afternoon after a show, Oz is confronted by the circus' strongman and escapes via a hot air balloon. However, this balloon proceeds straight into a tornado that transports him to the land of Oz (like there's any other way to get there).

Once there he meets Theodora (Mila Kunis), a witch who lives in the Emerald City with her sister, Evanora (Rachel Weisz). They inform him of the prophecy laid down by the previous ruler, that a wizard would come to claim the throne and defeat the Wicked Witch. Evanora convinces Oz to go and defeat the Wicked Witch and also tells Theodora that Oz has left her for Glinda (Michelle Williams), who we find out is the Good Witch. 

Once Oz discovers that Glinda is a good witch, whose father was murdered by Evanora, she convinces him to help defeat the real threat to the land. Meanwhile, Evanora has given Theodora an enchanted apple that will take away the pain of Oz leaving her. This also transforms her into the Wicked Witch of the West that we all know and love.

Oz must create an army that he will lead to the Emerald City. He does this with the help of his friends Finley (Zach Braff again), a not so scary flying monkey, and China Girl (Joey King), whose story arc is amazingly touching. He also has help from the people of Oz, namely farmers, tinkers and everyone's favourite Munchkins (who are only permitted half a song). They all then march on the Emerald City for the final confrontation with the evil sisters.

It is worth mentioning that the first 15-20 minutes of the film is black and white and is not widescreen. This is a great callback to the original film and, like that one, once the land of Oz is reached, colour and widescreen are restored. There are a number of other references to the original film, such as a cowardly lion and many scarecrows. I was waiting for the trifecta of a Tin Man, but alas there was none.

Also, like in the original film, many of the character's introduced to us in Oz have counterparts in Kansas. Finley is Oz's assistant Frank and China Girl is a wheelchair bound girl who comes to watch Oz's magic show.

One terrifying aspect of this film is the monkeys, as no trip to Oz is complete without them. If you were scared by the flying monkeys of the original, or even the nightmare inducing wheelers from Return to Oz (really horrifying stuff), there is no respite in this movie. Here, they are baboons with giant bat wings and are just plain terrifying.

Verdict: A proper return to Oz, with all the elements of the original film (minus the singing).

This post originally appeared on Mosca Media.