The Film:

While it is unfair to fear having kids based on what if‘s, but I think I can safely speak for parents in saying that it might be the most damning thing to see a child deteriorate from a disease stemming from birth.  Autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, or commonly referred to as Pompe’s Disease is something I’m sure isn’t on one’s lips to ask a doctor about prior to having kids. While we’ve grown accustomed to seeing rare diseases being handled on TV every week with such shows as House or Private Practice, don’t let the melodrama fool you. Extraordinary Measures might be  fairly average, but it’s not without some merits.

What a weird world we live in where true stories are easily shrugged off, as most did with this film when it was released. If anything, it is predictable, but only because we know the story telling routines all too well. The determined parent, the eccentric doctor, the melodramatic notes from the dialogue and music cues, yes, be there, done that. Isn’t all we really want sometimes is a feel-good story? That’s Extraordinary Measures. Possibly average, maybe even cliched, but a tearjerker (albeit at times a forced one) nonetheless.  While the set up and delivery is quite rudimentary, some of what the film explores isn’t.

I feel for these parents and the kids, I do, but it enrages me at the same time. Every stand-up comedian has a bit or two about how we won’t find cures for diseases, like famously in Dennis Leary’s No Cure for Cancer and Chris Rock’s Bigger and Blacker. Sad, but true. The money isn’t in the cure. Extraordinary Measures focuses on some subtle (like how University of Nebraska pays the Husker’s coach more than their medical research, the second most notable thing about the school, outside of football) and not so subtle issues involving the reality of the money issue when it comes to finding a cure (the acceptable lives lost). A shame; while the film ends happily, obviously, there are a slew of diseases that the government and charities dump money into, that never sees an answer.

While this doesn’t ascend Extraordinary Measures above what it is-an average tearjerker-it makes for a decent 100 minutes unwasted. It could even possibly feature one of the better performances from Harrison Ford that we’ve seen in a long time.

The Blu-ray:

Audio/Video: Sony delivers another nice HD presentation. While a few scenes look over-saturated in whiteness and a few look soft, it’s still a great HD transfer with fine level of details and color. The DTS track is appropriately reserved for a film like this. Dialogue seemed a light soft, but was still clear. Music was comforting and was some surround atmospherics.

The Power to Overcome: In HD, this 10 minute little featurette might be a little like an EPK, but hearing about the real-life story from the cast and crew is a nice piece. Sure, it could be more effective, but it’s light and sweet, and doesn’t bore.

Meet John Crowley: In HD, here’s a shorter look at the Pompe Disease and the rel life dad, who is played by Brendan Fraser in the film. Again, yes, it could have been longer and more informative, but it’s a nice primer piece to get to know the real story.

Deleted Scenes, MovieIQ functionality, BD-Live, and other HD Trailers round out the extras.

Conclusion: Nothing pivotal or great, but a nice rental.

The Film: Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

The Blu-ray: Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

“Steven [Spielberg] and George [Lucas] and I are sort of agreed on a germ of an idea and we’re seeing what comes of it.”

“The process works like this,” he said. “We come to some basic agreement and then George goes away for a long time and works on it.

“Then Steven and I get it in some form, some embryonic form.

“Then if we like it we start working with George on it and at some point down the line it’s ready and we do it.”

That’s absolutely wonderful to hear that they’re in the middle of thinking up a story, it’s a real shame that we have no idea what it is still. Ford will next be seen in the upcoming Roger Michell directed comedy Morning Glory which also stars Rachel McAdams, Patrick Wilson among others.

This truly want-to-be inspirational piece is nothing more than that, something that could easily have gotten a limited and better shelf live within the realms of the Lifetime channel. The story line, though based on actual events, completely starts to derail from the actual cause of curing the Pompe disease. Instead we get shout matches between Fraser and Ford as it turns into a pure power struggle and the actual noble cause in the film is left in the dust. This recalls back to a scene in the middle of the film where the daughter tries to catch her father’s (Fraser) attention so he can play with her, but he claims he’s too busy. She complains about how he barely spends any time with her even when he is home. The same can be said about the main story line.

Fraser can barely keep himself together throughout a majority of the feature, bumbling his way past the scenes until he reaches a point where it’s appropriate to cry once more. Russell serves practically no purpose other than being a stand in of a mother, completely wasting her talent. Ford yells his way through every scene, veins throbbing and all, making you wonder if such a person like that can even exist or not already have suffered from a heart attack. The direction is piss-poor, bringing us through one so many close ups that you pray to God that the camera finally pulls away so you don’t have to see the details in Fraser’s bulging eyeballs. Nothing even comes close to being satisfactory cinematically, each shot as bland as the other showing each frame as they flip-flop in the most unappealing way possible.

Extraordinary Measures is anything but extraordinary, and brings itself to be a passable film watching experience that could be better spent by re-watching Avatar. At least then you’ll get your money’s worth visually.

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

What a surprise, James Cameron’s Golden Globe winning feature Avatar managed to topple the competition in the weekend box office for the sixth week in a row with $36 Million. The mammoth of a movie at this point is not showing any signs of stopping, already making its way towards the top spot in the all time domestic grosses. Some people are pissed off just purely because it’s James Cameron against himself with Titanic in the number one spot, but it’s still entertaining to a point. Avatar holds about $552 Million while Titanic has $600 Million. At this rate, it can easily be obtained with the newest feature taking the top spot.

Then we go onto the realm of worldwide (inflated) grosses, where it’s looking pretty close. Titanic carries $1.842.9 Billion in gross worldwide, while Avatar is inches away with only $1, 836.1 Billion. At this rate, by this time next week Avatar could be the reigning champion which would further solidify James Cameron as the absolute king of the box office.

Now onto the other films that were released this week, the first of them being the Lionsgate feature Legion. The post-apocalyptic tale that involves some bad ass angels took in a solid $18.2 Million, which is fairly good despite the mixed reviews that have been fluttering about already for the Paul Bettany starring feature. Dwayne Johnson sported his new silk pajamas the best that he could, but unfortunately not good enough as Tooth Fairy only managed to make about $14.5 Million, despite the fact that it’s the latest kid-friendly feature to come out in theaters and could easily have taken the dim spotlight away from The Spy Next Door.

Then last goes to the inspirational and based-on-a-true-story tale of Extraordinary Measures which managed to not capture many hearts in theaters as it only took in $7 Million. Here’s the rest of the weekend box office provided by Box Office Mojo.:

Weekend Box Office (January 22-24th)

1. Avatar  ($36 M)
2. Legion  ($18.2 M)
3. The Book of Eli  ($17 M)
4. The Tooth Fairy  ($14.5 M)
5. The Lovely Bones  ($8.8 M)
6. Sherlock Holmes  ($7.1 M)
7. Extraordinary Measures  ($7 M)
8. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel  ($6.5 M)
9. It’s Complicated  ($6.1 M)
10. The Spy Next Door  ($4.7 M)

We are winding down to the last weekend in January before we go into the sickening and romantic month of February, or at least a particular day. The releases for the weekend include the limited one of After Dark Horrorfest 4 – 8 Films to Die For, Off and Running and a New York and Los Angeles release of Saint John from Las Vegas that is expected to expand on February 12th. The rest of the mainstream releases include Edge of Darkness and When in Rome.

(January 8th)

Daybreakers

Jon: While the vampire genre is do for a comedown, I think this film looks pretty fun. It has a feeling of a Blade movie, with a twist, and after hearing Willem Dafoe say: “We’re the folks with the crossbows” I was instantly sold. Now, this use of a blue tint like Underworld is getting on my nerves, but my faith is restored after reading Serena Whitney’s early TIFF review here. See It

Donny: I’m totally with Jon on this one. The Spierig brothers seem to have their fingers on the pulse of horror fans the world over and I’m ready to see them rock the shit out of the vampire genre. See It

Youth in Revolt

Jon: I’ll admit that Michael Cera’s so-called charm is on my last damn nerve, yet this might be a breakout/satirical spin on his persona. A Fight Club for the artsy nerd types even has gotten me excited for it. See It

Donny: I don’t love Michael Cera, but I’m stoked about this flick. The trailer is fun, so if the flick delivers the goods that the trailer promises it will I’m totally there. See It

(January 15th)

The Spy Next Door

Jon: Just when you thought Jackie Chan might be back after seeing The Forbidden Kingdom, here he comes with this goofy piece. Ugh. Remember the Tuxedo? Why does this look like it’s unofficial sequel? I’m sure the laziest of Chan fans will eat it up, but Skip It

Donny: This is pretty scary, Jon and I don’t usually agree this often, but I’m gonna agree with him again and say that this flick doesn’t interest me in the slightest. I’m gonna recommend  skipping it because my kids are gonna surely drag me into the theatre to see it.

The Book of Eli

Jon: I loved From Hell, the Hughes Brothers last directed film. With this film’s original screenplay, and a kick all ass trailer, all levels of interest are piqued. Denzel. Oldman. Kunis. Great cast, neat premise (is it some sort of Biblical journey?), and an ORIGINAL idea should be an instant see it.

Donny: What Jon said. See It

(January 22nd)

Legion

Jon: With silly looking special effects, maybe the premise of man versus angels will win us over. That crazy old lady is served for a hilarious joke, a nice bait and switch, yet my non-critic friend always forewarns of a new Dennis Quaid film. I don’t find him to be that bad. But with this month’s prior films-potentially better films-one genre film has to suffer, and I think this will be that one. Skip It

Donny: I want to see this flick strictly because of the whole killer angels sent by God to exterminate the puny humans angle. It seem so wrong it’s sweet. See It

The Tooth Fairy

Jon: The Rock has instant charisma, yet why is he always in goofy (the word of the month) films? This looks family friendly enough, as well as an unofficial sequel (another theme of the month) to The Game Plan. I doubt if there’s much to rally for or against on this one, yet the family market is slim this month, so expect decent box office numbers. Skip It.

Donny: Someone besides me is gonna see this flick because I’m definitely going to skip it.

Extraordinary Measures

Jon: I think this one feels like a wanna-be Oscar film that didn’t happen, as it is fishing for sentimentality. Big, bold, cliched dialogue should not hurt the older crowd from catching a drama this month. Seemingly based on a real story, one family will do whatever it takes to fund a researcher’s new treatment that could potentially save their children. Skip It.

Donny: I am going to disagree with Jon on this one. I think this flick looks like it could deliver the drama goods. See It

When in Rome

Jon: Donny’s imaginary girlfriend Kristen Bell stars in a film he’ll have to take his wife too. We laugh and point our single man fingers at him. Hey, Ms. Bell is hot, but this looks-word of the month-goofy. Directed by Daredevil‘s Marl Steven Johnson, this is the type of flick I’m happy to announce I’m single to. If I have a date this month, we’re doing something…else. Enjoy boss! Skip It.

Donny: Jon is right. Kristen Bell is my imaginary girlfriend and I am positively going to take my wife to see this flick. See It

Edge of Darkness

Jon: I love revenge. At one point in the trailer, I expected Mel Gibson to yell “give back my son!” (a Ransom reference.) It looks solid and grim. With the SAG strike in 2008, this film barely came to be, but with The Departed‘s screenwriter doing a polish and Mel in front of the camera again, I’m expecting some good, twist-y, fun. See It

Donny: I am so ready to see Mel in another revenge flick! This one has been on my radar for a while now, it has a solid script, great cast, and Mel in front of the camera. See It

Not really a stacked month, but expect films that were in limited release to trek out into your market this month. Luckily, us at Killer Film will be covering these films and more, so keep it here for their reviews! Feel free to leave comments below or email us!