The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - Starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Stephen Fry, Cate Blanchett, Sylvester McCoy. Written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo Del Toro. Based on the novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein. Directed by Peter Jackson.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, the second in Peter Jackson's Hobbit series, the prequel series to The Lord of the Rings series, continues the story of Bilbo Baggins as he travels with a company of dwarves in their quest to kill a dragon and take back their homeland. The story also follows Gandalf the Grey as he tries to stop impending war and the return of evil to Middle-Earth.
Those complaining about how the first Hobbit film was too slow will be content with this film. Despite one notable exception - a conclusion battle that drags on and on - the story and the action moves at a rapid pace. The acting is exceptional, especially Martin Freeman whose Bilbo is a way better character than Frodo from The Lord of the Rings. However, it feels odd that in a film entitled The Hobbit, Bilbo seems to not have a lot of the focus on him. That actually seems to be a detriment to the film as a whole: at times it feels completely unfocused.
I thought this film was spectacular and was a worthy addition to the franchise, but I had one major problem with the film. I thought the CGI was grossly overused. I thought the use of practical effects on the Orcs in The Lord of the Rings was a lot cooler and a lot scarier than the CGI Orcs in The Hobbit. There are several scenes that feel almost cartoonish because of this CGI overused. That being said, overall I found the film to be great.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Election (1999) - Review
Election (1999) - Starring Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein, Jessica Campbell. Written by Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor. Based on the book by Tom Perrotta. Directed by Alexander Payne. Rated R. Available on DVD.
This movie shocked me with how good it was. I expected an average high school comedy, but then seeing Alexander Payne's name as a writer and a director confused me. This movie was far from an average high school comedy.
Election tells the story of a high school presidential election and the effect that it has on the students running for the office and their Student Government sponsor, played by Matthew Broderick at his very best. Reese Witherspoon kills it as an insanely over-achieving student who cheats and will do anything possible to win the election. Matthew Broderick plays the sponsor whose life is starting to fall apart and he feels relatable. That's one of the most amazing things about this film: it feels over-the-top and ridiculous, yet it is very real and relatable.
The structure of this film is very interesting and very well done. The use of flashbacks, freeze frames, and voiceovers make this film unique and the style was quite well executed. The story is engaging as well; however, I feel like the first two-thirds of the film was way better than the last. The last act seemed to drag on for a quite awhile, yet not too much that it made me dislike the film. I quite enjoyed it and it was a pleasant surprise and I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
This movie shocked me with how good it was. I expected an average high school comedy, but then seeing Alexander Payne's name as a writer and a director confused me. This movie was far from an average high school comedy.
Election tells the story of a high school presidential election and the effect that it has on the students running for the office and their Student Government sponsor, played by Matthew Broderick at his very best. Reese Witherspoon kills it as an insanely over-achieving student who cheats and will do anything possible to win the election. Matthew Broderick plays the sponsor whose life is starting to fall apart and he feels relatable. That's one of the most amazing things about this film: it feels over-the-top and ridiculous, yet it is very real and relatable.
The structure of this film is very interesting and very well done. The use of flashbacks, freeze frames, and voiceovers make this film unique and the style was quite well executed. The story is engaging as well; however, I feel like the first two-thirds of the film was way better than the last. The last act seemed to drag on for a quite awhile, yet not too much that it made me dislike the film. I quite enjoyed it and it was a pleasant surprise and I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Frozen (2013) - Review
Frozen (2013) - Starring Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana, Alan Tudyk. Written by Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck, and Shane Morris. Directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck. Rated PG. Now in Theatres.
Disney has found magic again. Along with Tangled, Frozen goes back to Disney's roots in fairy tales and also feels like a movie from Disney's last Golden Age of Movies, which featured movies such as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. It's a brilliantly done animated musical that feels like it comes straight from Broadway, probably due to the Broadway talent both the songwriters and the voice actors they chose to cast. All of the cast members seem to be no strangers to Broadway and that definitely shows in the film.
The story is interesting enough to hold your interest the whole time and actually features some twists and turns that you might not expect. The music is great. Most of the comedic moments work just right. The visual style is exceptional. I am predicting that this film is a shoe-in for the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Disney has found magic again. Along with Tangled, Frozen goes back to Disney's roots in fairy tales and also feels like a movie from Disney's last Golden Age of Movies, which featured movies such as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King. It's a brilliantly done animated musical that feels like it comes straight from Broadway, probably due to the Broadway talent both the songwriters and the voice actors they chose to cast. All of the cast members seem to be no strangers to Broadway and that definitely shows in the film.
The story is interesting enough to hold your interest the whole time and actually features some twists and turns that you might not expect. The music is great. Most of the comedic moments work just right. The visual style is exceptional. I am predicting that this film is a shoe-in for the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
About Time (2013) - Review
About Time (2013) - Starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan. Written and Directed by Richard Curtis. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
About Time tells the story of Tim, who finds out that all the males in his family have a very special skill: they are able to travel back in time to times in their own life. Tim decides that he is going to use this skill for what is most important to him and that's love. He uses this skill to fix his mistakes in order to get the girl of his dreams, Mary.
One thing to know before going into About Time: disregard the rules of time travel present in other time travel films. The time travel isn't really the focus. It's more of just a story device. The focus in this story is the love story between Tim and Mary, and the relationships Tim has with his father and his sister, Kit Kat. As long as you don't think too hard about how the time travel should work, you should be able to enjoy this film well enough. Sure, at times it's sappy and sentimental, but you should be able to tell that just by the film's trailers. If you hate movies like that, stay away. But if you feel like you need a Love Actually every once and awhile, then this is a good film. Gleeson and McAdams are likable leads and have a considerable amount of chemistry. The acting between Gleeson and Nighy is quite believable in their father and son scenes.
I did enjoy this movie and I saw it on a date night. So that's my recommendation. If you need a movie to take a girl to - the type of girl who likes sappy movies - take her to this one. You might find that you don't mind it that much either.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
About Time tells the story of Tim, who finds out that all the males in his family have a very special skill: they are able to travel back in time to times in their own life. Tim decides that he is going to use this skill for what is most important to him and that's love. He uses this skill to fix his mistakes in order to get the girl of his dreams, Mary.
One thing to know before going into About Time: disregard the rules of time travel present in other time travel films. The time travel isn't really the focus. It's more of just a story device. The focus in this story is the love story between Tim and Mary, and the relationships Tim has with his father and his sister, Kit Kat. As long as you don't think too hard about how the time travel should work, you should be able to enjoy this film well enough. Sure, at times it's sappy and sentimental, but you should be able to tell that just by the film's trailers. If you hate movies like that, stay away. But if you feel like you need a Love Actually every once and awhile, then this is a good film. Gleeson and McAdams are likable leads and have a considerable amount of chemistry. The acting between Gleeson and Nighy is quite believable in their father and son scenes.
I did enjoy this movie and I saw it on a date night. So that's my recommendation. If you need a movie to take a girl to - the type of girl who likes sappy movies - take her to this one. You might find that you don't mind it that much either.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Monday, November 25, 2013
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - Review
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) - Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, Stanley Tucci. Written by Simon Beaufoy and Michael Arndt. Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins. Directed by Francis Lawrence. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second installment in The Hunger Games film series, continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, the victor of the 74th Hunger Games, who is now starting to become quite a problem for the Capitol. She has become a symbol of hope and defiance, which is something that the Capitol cannot allow. Because of this, she is thrust into a special 75th anniversary edition of the Hunger Games, in which former victors are made to compete. These aren't the kids from the first ones. These are survivors and ruthless killers.
This is one of those sequels that is better than the original, and perhaps that's because it was based on a book that had an expanding story. This film introduces bigger themes and bigger stakes (along with a noticeably bigger budget) that makes this film feel more like a continuation than just a cash grab. The action is better and the story is even arguably more interesting than the first. This movie is very good, which has been demonstrated by the massive record-setting box office numbers that it's been pulling. And no, this film isn't perfect. It still has its moments of teen romance-related angst. But make no mistake. Katniss Everdeen is no Bella Swann. She doesn't have time to mope about, she has to survive. I recommend this film highly, especially for fans of the original film. And let's be honest, who doesn't love Jennifer Lawrence.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second installment in The Hunger Games film series, continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, the victor of the 74th Hunger Games, who is now starting to become quite a problem for the Capitol. She has become a symbol of hope and defiance, which is something that the Capitol cannot allow. Because of this, she is thrust into a special 75th anniversary edition of the Hunger Games, in which former victors are made to compete. These aren't the kids from the first ones. These are survivors and ruthless killers.
This is one of those sequels that is better than the original, and perhaps that's because it was based on a book that had an expanding story. This film introduces bigger themes and bigger stakes (along with a noticeably bigger budget) that makes this film feel more like a continuation than just a cash grab. The action is better and the story is even arguably more interesting than the first. This movie is very good, which has been demonstrated by the massive record-setting box office numbers that it's been pulling. And no, this film isn't perfect. It still has its moments of teen romance-related angst. But make no mistake. Katniss Everdeen is no Bella Swann. She doesn't have time to mope about, she has to survive. I recommend this film highly, especially for fans of the original film. And let's be honest, who doesn't love Jennifer Lawrence.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Clerks (1994) - Review
Clerks (1994) - Starring Brain O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, Marilyn Ghigliotti, Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier. Written and Directed by Kevin Smith. Rated R. Available on DVD and Netflix Watch Instantly.
Clerks follows the day of two convenience store workers, one of which wasn't even supposed to work that day. It follows them as they deal with annoyed customers, annoying customers, relationship troubles, deaths of friends, deaths of strangers, and two pot dealers named Jay and Silent Bob.
I really enjoyed this movie. I found it original and humorous and it's so interesting that such a good film was made for so little money. The strength of the dialogue and characters is so great that you get completely caught up in the story as misfortune upon misfortune happen to the two convenience workers. This has become a very popular film and it's easy to see why. It speaks to a certain age group of people who find themselves aimlessly going through their days. These people can identify with this film which has made it to be as successful as it is. It helps that Kevin Smith himself was a convenience store worker when he wrote and shot this film.
I don't have anything really that negative to say about this film. Even at the moments where this film might seem to get ridiculous or some might perceive it as "jumping the shark," don't feel that inauthentic. It all works.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Clerks follows the day of two convenience store workers, one of which wasn't even supposed to work that day. It follows them as they deal with annoyed customers, annoying customers, relationship troubles, deaths of friends, deaths of strangers, and two pot dealers named Jay and Silent Bob.
I really enjoyed this movie. I found it original and humorous and it's so interesting that such a good film was made for so little money. The strength of the dialogue and characters is so great that you get completely caught up in the story as misfortune upon misfortune happen to the two convenience workers. This has become a very popular film and it's easy to see why. It speaks to a certain age group of people who find themselves aimlessly going through their days. These people can identify with this film which has made it to be as successful as it is. It helps that Kevin Smith himself was a convenience store worker when he wrote and shot this film.
I don't have anything really that negative to say about this film. Even at the moments where this film might seem to get ridiculous or some might perceive it as "jumping the shark," don't feel that inauthentic. It all works.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Ed Wood (1994) - Review
Ed Wood (1994) - Starring Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, G.D. Spradlin, Vincent D'Onofrio, Bill Murray, Lisa Marie, George "The Animal" Steele. Written by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski. Based on the book Nightmares of Ecstasy by Rudolph Grey. Directed by Tim Burton. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Ed Wood tells the story of the famous B-movie, and Z-movie, director Ed Wood and his life as he struggled in the film industry and went on to make what are considered some of the worst films ever made, such as Plan 9 from Outer Space. It's one of the many collaborations of director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp and arguably one of their best (but to be fair, I've only seen 3 of their 8 collaborations). I'm a big fan of movies made about movies and this one captures the story of a hopeful guy who want give up in the movie business quite well. Depp portrays Ed Wood as someone filled with exuberance and optimism, who even in the darkest moments of his life chooses to keep going.
Biopics can be a tricky business. They can be either overtly positive or negative of their subject. And while this one does show its subject in a positive light, it doesn't have any delusions about Ed Wood or the quality of the movies. I think this biopic is also set apart because it so effectively captures the spirit and style of Wood.
The acting is great. The script is funny and well-written. This is Tim Burton at his best. I also find the decision that Burton made to shoot this film in black and white (which one production company dropped the film because of) completely brilliant. I highly recommend this film.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ed Wood tells the story of the famous B-movie, and Z-movie, director Ed Wood and his life as he struggled in the film industry and went on to make what are considered some of the worst films ever made, such as Plan 9 from Outer Space. It's one of the many collaborations of director Tim Burton and Johnny Depp and arguably one of their best (but to be fair, I've only seen 3 of their 8 collaborations). I'm a big fan of movies made about movies and this one captures the story of a hopeful guy who want give up in the movie business quite well. Depp portrays Ed Wood as someone filled with exuberance and optimism, who even in the darkest moments of his life chooses to keep going.
Biopics can be a tricky business. They can be either overtly positive or negative of their subject. And while this one does show its subject in a positive light, it doesn't have any delusions about Ed Wood or the quality of the movies. I think this biopic is also set apart because it so effectively captures the spirit and style of Wood.
The acting is great. The script is funny and well-written. This is Tim Burton at his best. I also find the decision that Burton made to shoot this film in black and white (which one production company dropped the film because of) completely brilliant. I highly recommend this film.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Review
Thor: The Dark World (2013) - Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Kat Dennings, Stellen Skarsgard, Jaime Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Written by Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeely. Story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat. Directed by Alan Taylor. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
I believe that one day that Marvel will get so big and have told so many stories that Marvel films will be completely terrible and ridiculous. But they haven't reached that point yet (though the mid-credits sequence seems like it might be heading that way). Thor: The Dark World is a great Marvel movie and a great superhero movie.
It has a lot more ambition than the first Thor film and it is a bit more compelling. The visual and directing style seem to be much better and closer to uniform with the other Marvel films. The characters are better defined, especially Loki, who continues to be one of the most, if not the most, interesting Marvel characters. Forcing him and Thor to work together in this film is a great direction for this film to take and their scenes together are some of the best in the film.
This film also continues Marvel's style of not taking itself too seriously and offering some great comedic relief. The action is pretty amazing and the acting is not bad at all. But that's to be expected with this great of cast. It's pretty interesting to see how many serious actors are choosing to go for superhero films now that they have been proven to be a viable genre of film. (Examples include Anthony Hopkins in this film and Robert Redford in the upcoming Captain America film.)
It has its problems, of course. Sometimes the logic doesn't make sense. Sometimes things in film feel contrived. But none of that really matters. It's a superhero movie and is just meant to be fun.
I would rank this movie as better than the first Thor and high up in the list of best Marvel movies. I recommend it. But I am a sucker for superhero movies after all.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I believe that one day that Marvel will get so big and have told so many stories that Marvel films will be completely terrible and ridiculous. But they haven't reached that point yet (though the mid-credits sequence seems like it might be heading that way). Thor: The Dark World is a great Marvel movie and a great superhero movie.
It has a lot more ambition than the first Thor film and it is a bit more compelling. The visual and directing style seem to be much better and closer to uniform with the other Marvel films. The characters are better defined, especially Loki, who continues to be one of the most, if not the most, interesting Marvel characters. Forcing him and Thor to work together in this film is a great direction for this film to take and their scenes together are some of the best in the film.
This film also continues Marvel's style of not taking itself too seriously and offering some great comedic relief. The action is pretty amazing and the acting is not bad at all. But that's to be expected with this great of cast. It's pretty interesting to see how many serious actors are choosing to go for superhero films now that they have been proven to be a viable genre of film. (Examples include Anthony Hopkins in this film and Robert Redford in the upcoming Captain America film.)
It has its problems, of course. Sometimes the logic doesn't make sense. Sometimes things in film feel contrived. But none of that really matters. It's a superhero movie and is just meant to be fun.
I would rank this movie as better than the first Thor and high up in the list of best Marvel movies. I recommend it. But I am a sucker for superhero movies after all.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Carrie (2013) - Review
Carrie (2013) - Starring Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Gabriella Wilde, Ansel Elgort, Portia Doubleday, Alex Russell, Judy Greer. Written by Lawrence D. Cohen and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. Based on the novel by Stephen King. Directed by Kimberly Pierce. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
Remakes are always a tricky business. On one end, it's smart, because it's a title, brand, and story that audiences already know, but on the other hand, it will be unfairly compared to the original. People hold fondness for things in the past, which sometimes affects their perceptions of the remake. And I feel like this is the case for Carrie. I've seen lots of reviews, some of them negative, and they all compare it to the original that was directed by Brian De Palma and released in the seventies. But this is a different film and should be viewed as such.
First of all, this incarnation of Carrie is a lot more similar to the original novel by Stephen King. It includes several plot lines that weren't present in the De Palma version, and it plays a lot less of a horror film than the first film. That is similar to the book. Carrie seems more like a misunderstood, unstable superhero than a demonic entity. This version also finds a better balance with the bullying by fellow students and the crazy, religious mother aspects of the story.
This film is good, just don't make the mistake of thinking that you are going to be scared during this film. Creeped out, maybe. Disturbed, maybe. But it's not a horror film in the traditional thinking of the term. I recommend this film, but it might be better to wait until it's out on DVD.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Remakes are always a tricky business. On one end, it's smart, because it's a title, brand, and story that audiences already know, but on the other hand, it will be unfairly compared to the original. People hold fondness for things in the past, which sometimes affects their perceptions of the remake. And I feel like this is the case for Carrie. I've seen lots of reviews, some of them negative, and they all compare it to the original that was directed by Brian De Palma and released in the seventies. But this is a different film and should be viewed as such.
First of all, this incarnation of Carrie is a lot more similar to the original novel by Stephen King. It includes several plot lines that weren't present in the De Palma version, and it plays a lot less of a horror film than the first film. That is similar to the book. Carrie seems more like a misunderstood, unstable superhero than a demonic entity. This version also finds a better balance with the bullying by fellow students and the crazy, religious mother aspects of the story.
This film is good, just don't make the mistake of thinking that you are going to be scared during this film. Creeped out, maybe. Disturbed, maybe. But it's not a horror film in the traditional thinking of the term. I recommend this film, but it might be better to wait until it's out on DVD.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Gravity (2013) - Review
Gravity (2013) - Starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney. Written by Jonás Cuarón and Alfonso Cuarón. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
Gravity follows Medical Officer Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) as she is stranded in space with no communication whatsoever and a near impossible chance of survival. This film is visually stunning and the performances are great, especially Bullock who gives a career best performance. This is one of those films, like Avatar, that completely change the way films are shot. I saw Gravity in IMAX 3D and it was one of the most amazing cinematic experiences I have ever experienced. Normally, I am not a huge fan of 3D films, but this is one of a handful of times where I felt like 3D was efficiently used, and not just as a gimmick. Another amazing part about this movie is that it is only 90 minutes. Nothing feels stretched out or overdone. It feels like the exact right amount of time that the film needed to tell its story. The only complaint I could find possibly is that there might be some scientific inaccuracies (which, let's be honest, I don't really care that much at all about) and the dialogue seems a little stiff and weird at parts. But it's not enough to keep this from being an absolutely amazing film.
Should you go see Gravity? Absolutely. See it in 3D. And if you can, see it in IMAX 3D, do it. It's worth it. Especially since there's a high chance that it will be most likely nominated for (and possibly win) Best Picture.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Gravity follows Medical Officer Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) as she is stranded in space with no communication whatsoever and a near impossible chance of survival. This film is visually stunning and the performances are great, especially Bullock who gives a career best performance. This is one of those films, like Avatar, that completely change the way films are shot. I saw Gravity in IMAX 3D and it was one of the most amazing cinematic experiences I have ever experienced. Normally, I am not a huge fan of 3D films, but this is one of a handful of times where I felt like 3D was efficiently used, and not just as a gimmick. Another amazing part about this movie is that it is only 90 minutes. Nothing feels stretched out or overdone. It feels like the exact right amount of time that the film needed to tell its story. The only complaint I could find possibly is that there might be some scientific inaccuracies (which, let's be honest, I don't really care that much at all about) and the dialogue seems a little stiff and weird at parts. But it's not enough to keep this from being an absolutely amazing film.
Should you go see Gravity? Absolutely. See it in 3D. And if you can, see it in IMAX 3D, do it. It's worth it. Especially since there's a high chance that it will be most likely nominated for (and possibly win) Best Picture.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Don Jon (2013) - Review
Don Jon (2013) - Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Daza, Glenne Headly, Brie Larson. Written and Directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
Don Jon was one of those movies that I desperately wanted to like, but I couldn't. I thought it was very interesting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was trying his hand at being a triple threat as an actor, writer, and director. This film proved that he had the capability, but overall it's not that great of a film. It's a great debut, sure, but overall, it's not that great.
It has an interesting premise, but negates its originality by delving into cliches to finish the film. The performances from the supporting cast are great, especially the one line that Brie Larson has to say in the film. However, it seems like JGL was trying too hard to portray his character.
This film was good; my main problem is with its resolution. The main draw of this film is, if JGL becomes successful as a director, to see his directoral debut.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Don Jon was one of those movies that I desperately wanted to like, but I couldn't. I thought it was very interesting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was trying his hand at being a triple threat as an actor, writer, and director. This film proved that he had the capability, but overall it's not that great of a film. It's a great debut, sure, but overall, it's not that great.
It has an interesting premise, but negates its originality by delving into cliches to finish the film. The performances from the supporting cast are great, especially the one line that Brie Larson has to say in the film. However, it seems like JGL was trying too hard to portray his character.
This film was good; my main problem is with its resolution. The main draw of this film is, if JGL becomes successful as a director, to see his directoral debut.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Prisoners (2013) - Review
Prisoners - Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, Paul Dano, Melissa Leo, Viola Davis, Maria Bello. Written by Aaron Guzikowski. Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
Prisoners tells the story of two girls who were abducted, the investigator assigned to their case, and the father who will go to any lengths to get his daughter back. Prisoners is reminiscent of the film Mystic River, and I have also heard it compared to Gone Baby Gone and Zodiac. The film features a compelling story which poses a moral question and has many twists and turns. Its two and a half hour running time only feels like it is being dragged out in one scene, but other than that doesn't feel too long.
The performances are amazing. All of the main characters are immensely talented actors who do great with the material that they are given and effectively play realistic versions of their characters. There will undoubtably be Oscar-buzz for some of these performances, particularly for Jackman and Gyllenhaal, but in a less competitive year, the entire cast could score nods.
My only complaint with this film is the ending, which felt cheap to me. It didn't really serve much of a purpose thematically, in my opinion, and was completely unnecessary. This span of a few seconds nearly ruined an otherwise quite great movie for me. Regardless, this movie is quite good.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) - Review
Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) - Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Bryne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey. Written by Leigh Whannell. Story by Leigh Whannell and James Wan. Directed by James Wan. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
Insidious: Chapter 2 picks up right where the first one left off, while at the same time providing massive amounts of backstory to explain the events of this film and the first one. One of the coolest scenes in this film occurs when an occurrence from the first one is explained. Vague, I know, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything.
Where this film succeeds is where many other horror sequels fail. Insidious: Chapter 2 does not try to be a carbon copy of the first film, it instead tries to further the story. And while there are less scares this time around, the story is definitely furthered. Is it better than the first one? Hard to say really. I enjoyed both equally, since they are fairly original, a rare occurrence in the horror genre. I would say if you liked the first one, then give this one a shot. Just don't go in expecting the exact same movie.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Les Misérables (2012) - Review
Les Misérables (2012) - Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helen Bonham Carter, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks. Written by William Nicholson, Alain Boubil, Claude-Michel Schönberg, and Herbert Kretzmer. Based on the musical written by Alain Boubil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the book by Victor Hugo. Directed by Tom Hooper. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
I'll be completely honest. I avoided this movie like the plague when it was first released. Why would I want to submit myself to two and a half hours of non-stop singing and one of the most depressing plots ever? I read the book, I knew what was coming. Did I really need to see the movie? Well, I did, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. It's still not a movie I would probably watch more than once, but it was quite enjoyable.
Les Misérables, adapted from the stage musical which is in turn adapted from Victor Hugo's novel, tell the story of the convict Jean Valjean (Jackman) who tries to make a new life for himself and the police officer Javert (Crowe) who is trying to turn him in. That's just the basic summery. There's plenty of other romantic triangles, fights, and deaths in between (a quick thought about that. The fight scenes in this looked atrociously fake. It was quite jarring actually how terrible they looked). The acting - and singing- was quite good in this film, the weak link (as countless others have said before me) is Crowe, but I did not find him as insufferable as many others did. A surprisingly great performance that I hadn't heard many people praise was that of Samathana Barks's Eponine, a role which she played on Broadway. She did quite great with the role and I'm interested to see her next film role.
I was not a huge fan of the style of direction used in this film. The extreme, prolonged close-ups were overused and irritating to me. However, the emotional power of the film is still effectively expressed on screen and that's what makes this film worth a watch.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I'll be completely honest. I avoided this movie like the plague when it was first released. Why would I want to submit myself to two and a half hours of non-stop singing and one of the most depressing plots ever? I read the book, I knew what was coming. Did I really need to see the movie? Well, I did, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. It's still not a movie I would probably watch more than once, but it was quite enjoyable.
Les Misérables, adapted from the stage musical which is in turn adapted from Victor Hugo's novel, tell the story of the convict Jean Valjean (Jackman) who tries to make a new life for himself and the police officer Javert (Crowe) who is trying to turn him in. That's just the basic summery. There's plenty of other romantic triangles, fights, and deaths in between (a quick thought about that. The fight scenes in this looked atrociously fake. It was quite jarring actually how terrible they looked). The acting - and singing- was quite good in this film, the weak link (as countless others have said before me) is Crowe, but I did not find him as insufferable as many others did. A surprisingly great performance that I hadn't heard many people praise was that of Samathana Barks's Eponine, a role which she played on Broadway. She did quite great with the role and I'm interested to see her next film role.
I was not a huge fan of the style of direction used in this film. The extreme, prolonged close-ups were overused and irritating to me. However, the emotional power of the film is still effectively expressed on screen and that's what makes this film worth a watch.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Friday, September 20, 2013
The Spectacular Now (2013) - Review
The Spectacular Now (2013) - Starring Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bob Odenkirk. Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. Based on the novel by Tim Tharp. Directed by James Ponsoldt. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
The Spectacular Now just might have become my favorite movie of the year. Sorry, The Way, Way Back, you'll still be second, at least.
The Spectacular Now follows Sutter (Miles Teller), the life of every party he goes to, as his outlook on life is changed by his relationship with Aimee (Shailene Woodley). What is great about this film is that at any moment it could easily delve into the standard high school clichés, but it doesn't. There are only a handful of movies that actually capture what is like to be in high school and this is one of them. Since I graduated from high school two years ago, I could easily relate and realize how true to life this film was it. In addition to the authenticity of the high school experience, the relationships in the film feel true to life and authentic. It was amazing how relatable many of the relationships are and that's due to the amazing writing and acting, especially Teller and Woodley. Another point of authenticity: the small town that this takes place in feels like a real place. It doesn't seem like it was created by set designers. It feels insanely real, which most of this film does.
The film is very emotional, and there's many points in the film that hit close to home to me. It's heart-breaking at times, triumphant at others. You get invested in these characters, because you can either see yourself in them, or see your friends in them.
I think the best thing the film does is take the stereotype of the "party guy" and explain why he acts and thinks like he does. I can't even fully explain how great some of the scenes are where you see his motivations and actions without ruining the film, so I won't. Just trust me and go see it. My only complaint with this movie is that it ended. I could have watched these characters for so much longer. It's fantastic, or I suppose you could say, spectacular.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Smashed (2012) - Review
Smashed (2012) - Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally, Octavia Spencer. Written by Susan Burke and James Ponsoldt. Directed by James Ponsoldt. Rated R. Available on DVD.
A heart-breaking, yet hopeful film, Smashed tells the story of a married couple (Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul, of Breaking Bad fame) who have built their relationship on their mutual love of alcohol and getting "smashed." The film sees them both hit rock bottom and the wife attempt to get sober, which puts a strain on their relationship.
What's exceptional about this film is how terrifying and realistic it is. The relationships seems very real and not forced it all and the struggles the two main characters have are relatable. These characters seem like people you actually know, a fact that's helped by great acting by the entire cast. The writing is great and seems natural, as does the direction.
I recommend this film, but be prepared that at times it's not easy to watch. Not because it's a bad movie, not even close. It's because the situations feel so real, it's scary. It makes you see the effect that alcohol can have to ruin and control people's lives.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
A heart-breaking, yet hopeful film, Smashed tells the story of a married couple (Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Paul, of Breaking Bad fame) who have built their relationship on their mutual love of alcohol and getting "smashed." The film sees them both hit rock bottom and the wife attempt to get sober, which puts a strain on their relationship.
What's exceptional about this film is how terrifying and realistic it is. The relationships seems very real and not forced it all and the struggles the two main characters have are relatable. These characters seem like people you actually know, a fact that's helped by great acting by the entire cast. The writing is great and seems natural, as does the direction.
I recommend this film, but be prepared that at times it's not easy to watch. Not because it's a bad movie, not even close. It's because the situations feel so real, it's scary. It makes you see the effect that alcohol can have to ruin and control people's lives.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Monday, September 9, 2013
The Crying Game (1992) - Review
The Crying Game (1992) - Starring Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson, Adrian Dunbar, Jim Broadbent. Written and Directed by Neil Jordan. Rated R. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
The Crying Game is a bizarre film. Once it was over, I didn't know whether I enjoyed it or not. I still don't. What makes this film so difficult to me is that it doesn't fit any type of genre. It starts off as a war hostage thriller, takes a turn into a romantic storyline, and then goes into a crime thriller. And to top it off, there's an insane twist, that while interesting, doesn't really do anything to add to the overall plot. Maybe I'm missing the point of the film. I guess the twist does add to the development of the main character, but it felt random to me.
If you haven't seen the movie, don't let anyone ruin the twist for you. It is better if you don't know what it is going in.
The acting in this film is pretty good, but the directing feels like a typical 90's movie. The interesting part of this movie is the story, because it is so bizarre. It is quite critically acclaimed, but I'm still not sure if I liked it or not.
Rating 3 out of 5.
The Crying Game is a bizarre film. Once it was over, I didn't know whether I enjoyed it or not. I still don't. What makes this film so difficult to me is that it doesn't fit any type of genre. It starts off as a war hostage thriller, takes a turn into a romantic storyline, and then goes into a crime thriller. And to top it off, there's an insane twist, that while interesting, doesn't really do anything to add to the overall plot. Maybe I'm missing the point of the film. I guess the twist does add to the development of the main character, but it felt random to me.
If you haven't seen the movie, don't let anyone ruin the twist for you. It is better if you don't know what it is going in.
The acting in this film is pretty good, but the directing feels like a typical 90's movie. The interesting part of this movie is the story, because it is so bizarre. It is quite critically acclaimed, but I'm still not sure if I liked it or not.
Rating 3 out of 5.
Punch-Drunk Love (2002) - Review
Punch-Drunk Love - Starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Luis Guzmán. Written and Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Rated R. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
Punch-Drunk Love follows a troubled guy (Sandler) who finds love. That's the simple summery of this movie. But it also includes Sandler's character buying large amounts of pudding and getting in trouble with the operator of a phone-sex line. But the plot isn't really all that strong. What is interesting in this film is the artistic choices made in this film. The visual style and the music that is used takes the film to a whole different level. When the music gets chaotic, the audience can sense Sandler's character's feelings of being overwhelmed. When it gets happy, the character is happy. The music is fantastically utilized. The visual style includes the use of specific colors to express a mood that worked quite well. That is what makes this film compelling.
I also think Adam Sandler did quite great in this film. I found his performance to be much quieter than anything else he had ever been in, which was an interesting choice for Sandler. Hoffman also does fantastic in his too brief appearance.
This film is definitely interesting and an unique perspective for a film, but the plot doesn't seem that strong. But it is a good film, just not one I would watch more than once.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Punch-Drunk Love follows a troubled guy (Sandler) who finds love. That's the simple summery of this movie. But it also includes Sandler's character buying large amounts of pudding and getting in trouble with the operator of a phone-sex line. But the plot isn't really all that strong. What is interesting in this film is the artistic choices made in this film. The visual style and the music that is used takes the film to a whole different level. When the music gets chaotic, the audience can sense Sandler's character's feelings of being overwhelmed. When it gets happy, the character is happy. The music is fantastically utilized. The visual style includes the use of specific colors to express a mood that worked quite well. That is what makes this film compelling.
I also think Adam Sandler did quite great in this film. I found his performance to be much quieter than anything else he had ever been in, which was an interesting choice for Sandler. Hoffman also does fantastic in his too brief appearance.
This film is definitely interesting and an unique perspective for a film, but the plot doesn't seem that strong. But it is a good film, just not one I would watch more than once.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
The Way, Way Back (2013) - Review
The Way, Way Back (2013) - Starring Liam James, Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, AnnaSophia Robb, Allison Janney, Maya Rudolph, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash, Amanda Peet, Rob Corddry, Zoe Levin, River Alexander. Written and Directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
The Way, Way Back was a fantastic movie that was lost among all of the big, loud blockbusters that came out this summer. It has a standard concept - a coming of age story set during the summer- but is infused with an unique perspective and sense of humor by the writing/directing team of the Oscar-winning Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (They won an Oscar for their work on the film The Descendants.) The jokes made in this film are great and are evenly paced with the emotional heart of this film. It's compelling and entertaining.
The best part of this film is probably the acting. Everyone is fantastically cast. Steve Carrell does fantastic, playing against type, as the main character's mom's jerk of a new boyfriend. Allison Janney does great as an inappropriate, borderline alcoholic neighbor. Liam James, who portrays the main character, gives a performance that seems wooden and lackluster at first, but on further thought is exactly how a kid that age would act. However, the best actor is Sam Rockwell, an actor who should be more popular than he is. He does absolutely terrific as a waterpark manager, who hasn't really ever grown up. He is a mentor and a friend to the main character at a time when the kid needs someone to be that. Rockwell's humor and charisma elevates this film to be even better than it would've been without him.
While some of this film might feel familiar, the acting and humor make it fresh enough for an audience to really enjoy it. I highly recommend it and it might be my favorite movie of the summer.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
The Way, Way Back was a fantastic movie that was lost among all of the big, loud blockbusters that came out this summer. It has a standard concept - a coming of age story set during the summer- but is infused with an unique perspective and sense of humor by the writing/directing team of the Oscar-winning Nat Faxon and Jim Rash (They won an Oscar for their work on the film The Descendants.) The jokes made in this film are great and are evenly paced with the emotional heart of this film. It's compelling and entertaining.
The best part of this film is probably the acting. Everyone is fantastically cast. Steve Carrell does fantastic, playing against type, as the main character's mom's jerk of a new boyfriend. Allison Janney does great as an inappropriate, borderline alcoholic neighbor. Liam James, who portrays the main character, gives a performance that seems wooden and lackluster at first, but on further thought is exactly how a kid that age would act. However, the best actor is Sam Rockwell, an actor who should be more popular than he is. He does absolutely terrific as a waterpark manager, who hasn't really ever grown up. He is a mentor and a friend to the main character at a time when the kid needs someone to be that. Rockwell's humor and charisma elevates this film to be even better than it would've been without him.
While some of this film might feel familiar, the acting and humor make it fresh enough for an audience to really enjoy it. I highly recommend it and it might be my favorite movie of the summer.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Monday, September 2, 2013
Struck by Lightning (2012) - Review
Struck by Lightning (2012) - Starring Chris Colfer, Allison Janney, Rebel Wilson, Dermot Mulroney, Christina Hendricks, Polly Bergen, Angela Kinsey, Sarah Hyland, Ashley Rickards. Written by Chris Colfer. Directed by Brian Dannelly. Not Rated. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
Struck by Lightning, written by and starring Glee's Chris Colfer, is a high school movie that tries to put a unique spin on the high school movie genre. Yet it still feels the same. We've seen the scheming, snarky overachiever so many times before. We've seen the kid with a bad home life with a crazy mom and an absent father. This movie doesn't really add much to those elements. Nobody in the film is that likable. Colfer's character is too snarky and bitter to really relate to. Janney, however, does great as always, even though her character is a very typical one.
What makes this film impressive though, is the fact that it's Colfer's first foray into screenwriting and it's not that bad. It shows that he has talent in that area and that, given the chance to develop it, he could become a part of the film industry outside of acting.
I recommend this film for those who are either fans of the high school genre or fans of Colfer. But it's definitely not for everyone.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Struck by Lightning, written by and starring Glee's Chris Colfer, is a high school movie that tries to put a unique spin on the high school movie genre. Yet it still feels the same. We've seen the scheming, snarky overachiever so many times before. We've seen the kid with a bad home life with a crazy mom and an absent father. This movie doesn't really add much to those elements. Nobody in the film is that likable. Colfer's character is too snarky and bitter to really relate to. Janney, however, does great as always, even though her character is a very typical one.
What makes this film impressive though, is the fact that it's Colfer's first foray into screenwriting and it's not that bad. It shows that he has talent in that area and that, given the chance to develop it, he could become a part of the film industry outside of acting.
I recommend this film for those who are either fans of the high school genre or fans of Colfer. But it's definitely not for everyone.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
The Producers (2005) - Review
The Producers (2005) - Starring Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Uma Thurman, Will Ferrell, Gary Beach, Roger Bart. Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Based on the 2001 Stage Play written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. Based on the 1968 film by Mel Brooks. Directed by Susan Stroman. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
The Producers is light-hearted fun more than anything else. The spectacle is large and feels very much like you're watching a stage musical for the majority of the film, which I feel like is the point. It's got great comedic performances by Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick who give their all in this film in performances that they previously played in the stage musical. Will Ferrell is hilarious as a "former"Nazi sympathizer.
It's fun, which is all that it needs to be.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
The Producers is light-hearted fun more than anything else. The spectacle is large and feels very much like you're watching a stage musical for the majority of the film, which I feel like is the point. It's got great comedic performances by Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick who give their all in this film in performances that they previously played in the stage musical. Will Ferrell is hilarious as a "former"Nazi sympathizer.
It's fun, which is all that it needs to be.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Bug (2006) - Review
Bug (2006) - Review. Starring Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr., Lynn Collins, Brian F. O'Bryne. Written by Tracy Letts. Based on the play by Tracy Letts. Directed by William Friedkin. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
This movie is a tad insane. It literally feels like a horrible Lifetime movie for the first half of the film, including the "awful husband" part of it. Then, the second half of the film turns into a film about paranoia and madness. The shift is stark and the quality seems to shift as well. The instant the film hits it's second half, the acting gets better and the story gets more compelling overall. Michael Shannon did fantastic as a man who is insanely paranoid, a role he originally played in the production of the play. The directing feels claustrophobic and insane, which works very well for the overall feel of the film.
I don't necessarily recommend this movie. However, if you start it, keep with it the whole time. The shift makes the whole thing better and there's a twist at the end that will leave you scratching your head.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5,
This movie is a tad insane. It literally feels like a horrible Lifetime movie for the first half of the film, including the "awful husband" part of it. Then, the second half of the film turns into a film about paranoia and madness. The shift is stark and the quality seems to shift as well. The instant the film hits it's second half, the acting gets better and the story gets more compelling overall. Michael Shannon did fantastic as a man who is insanely paranoid, a role he originally played in the production of the play. The directing feels claustrophobic and insane, which works very well for the overall feel of the film.
I don't necessarily recommend this movie. However, if you start it, keep with it the whole time. The shift makes the whole thing better and there's a twist at the end that will leave you scratching your head.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5,
Sunday, August 25, 2013
The World's End (2013) - Review
The World's End - Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, Michael Smiley, David Bradley, Bill Nighy. Written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright. Directed by Edgar Wright. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
Stop what you're doing and go see The World's End right now.
Seriously.
I hereby deem The World's End my favorite film of the year. I think it is the perfect summer film: full of great, quick humor, big action scenes, amazing spectacle, and heart. What sets this film apart from the rest though is how successfully it manages all these aspects. The humor doesn't suffer in favor of the action, or vice versa. I seriously thought this film was insanely hilarious, the best of Pegg and Wright's "Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy," (which I've also seen called the Cornetto Trilogy and includes Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz). It's seriously so good. The cast is amazing with spectacular comedic timing, and Pegg and Wright's script is so good. Edgar Wright once again proves how great and unique of a director he is. Both of these guys (along with the rest of the people who worked on this film, honestly) have staying power and Hollywood is lucky to have them. I seriously can't recommend this film enough.
Go see it. Now.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Stop what you're doing and go see The World's End right now.
Seriously.
I hereby deem The World's End my favorite film of the year. I think it is the perfect summer film: full of great, quick humor, big action scenes, amazing spectacle, and heart. What sets this film apart from the rest though is how successfully it manages all these aspects. The humor doesn't suffer in favor of the action, or vice versa. I seriously thought this film was insanely hilarious, the best of Pegg and Wright's "Blood and Ice Cream Trilogy," (which I've also seen called the Cornetto Trilogy and includes Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz). It's seriously so good. The cast is amazing with spectacular comedic timing, and Pegg and Wright's script is so good. Edgar Wright once again proves how great and unique of a director he is. Both of these guys (along with the rest of the people who worked on this film, honestly) have staying power and Hollywood is lucky to have them. I seriously can't recommend this film enough.
Go see it. Now.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Monday, August 19, 2013
The Wolverine (2013) - Review
The Wolverine - Starring Hugh Jackman, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Hiroyuki Sanada, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Brian Tee, Hal Yamanouchi, Famke Janssen. Written by Mark Bomback and Scott Frank. Directed by James Mangold.
I declare The Wolverine the best superhero movie of the summer.
It doesn't feature the widespread destruction that Man of Steel does, nor does it suffer from overdoing action scenes. Iron Man 3 is pretty good, but The Wolverine feels fresher, since this story seems to be different than how we've seen Wolverine before. This time around, Wolverine is in Japan, an interesting place for him to be. It's interesting to see the juxtaposition of the rugged and rule-breaking Wolverine with the honor-bound culture of the samurai. This film also explores Wolverine's struggle with immortality and his guilt over Jean Grey's death.
The problem that this film has, though, is that despite really developing the character of Wolverine, none of the villains are developed. They seem just like the standard villains in superhero movies. But in the X-Men franchise, which features Magneto who is a dynamic villain with good and bad qualities and also a reasonable motive to do what he does, the villains need to have more to them.
But overall, thankfully, this film more than redeems the terribleness that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
I declare The Wolverine the best superhero movie of the summer.
It doesn't feature the widespread destruction that Man of Steel does, nor does it suffer from overdoing action scenes. Iron Man 3 is pretty good, but The Wolverine feels fresher, since this story seems to be different than how we've seen Wolverine before. This time around, Wolverine is in Japan, an interesting place for him to be. It's interesting to see the juxtaposition of the rugged and rule-breaking Wolverine with the honor-bound culture of the samurai. This film also explores Wolverine's struggle with immortality and his guilt over Jean Grey's death.
The problem that this film has, though, is that despite really developing the character of Wolverine, none of the villains are developed. They seem just like the standard villains in superhero movies. But in the X-Men franchise, which features Magneto who is a dynamic villain with good and bad qualities and also a reasonable motive to do what he does, the villains need to have more to them.
But overall, thankfully, this film more than redeems the terribleness that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Elysium (2013) - Review
Elysium (2013) - Starring Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fitchner. Written and Directed by Neill Blomkamp. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
Elysium is one of those rare summer movies that requires some brain power. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not an immensely complex plot or anything, but there is a social subtext in this movie. The world built in this film, especially down on Earth, feel extremely realistic. The performances are great, especially Damon as an ex-con who is dying and is hoping to receive medical attention at the utopian Elysium. Foster plays a menacing villain using politics to her advantage and Copley is great as an unhinged covert operative. While it is not as good as Blomkamp's previous film, District 9, it is still a great follow-up film. It is one of the best summer films, for sure.
Rating; 3.5 out of 5.
Elysium is one of those rare summer movies that requires some brain power. Now, don't get me wrong, it's not an immensely complex plot or anything, but there is a social subtext in this movie. The world built in this film, especially down on Earth, feel extremely realistic. The performances are great, especially Damon as an ex-con who is dying and is hoping to receive medical attention at the utopian Elysium. Foster plays a menacing villain using politics to her advantage and Copley is great as an unhinged covert operative. While it is not as good as Blomkamp's previous film, District 9, it is still a great follow-up film. It is one of the best summer films, for sure.
Rating; 3.5 out of 5.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) - Review
Lars and the Real Girl (2007) - Starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, Patricia Clarkson, Kelli Garner. Written by Nancy Oliver. Directed by Craig Gillespie. Rated PG-13. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly and DVD.
Lars and the Real Girl is an odd, yet heart-warming story. It tells the story of Lars, a socially awkward man, played well by the normally-heartthrob Ryan Gosling. Lars decides to make his perfect woman by ordering a life-size, full scale sex doll, who he takes around pretending that she's his girlfriend. The whole town plays along, in order to placate Lars. But by the end of the film, the doll, Bianca, feels as real as any of the other characters. Lars learns to have relationships with others, using this doll as a method to do so.
This film is original and inventive. It is funny, but also deeply emotional. Don't go in expecting a light-hearted comedy, because this film does pack an emotional punch. It's a quiet film, and feels surprisingly real and genuine. It's definitely interesting.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Lars and the Real Girl is an odd, yet heart-warming story. It tells the story of Lars, a socially awkward man, played well by the normally-heartthrob Ryan Gosling. Lars decides to make his perfect woman by ordering a life-size, full scale sex doll, who he takes around pretending that she's his girlfriend. The whole town plays along, in order to placate Lars. But by the end of the film, the doll, Bianca, feels as real as any of the other characters. Lars learns to have relationships with others, using this doll as a method to do so.
This film is original and inventive. It is funny, but also deeply emotional. Don't go in expecting a light-hearted comedy, because this film does pack an emotional punch. It's a quiet film, and feels surprisingly real and genuine. It's definitely interesting.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Friday, August 9, 2013
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) - Review
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) - Starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes, Dane DeHaan, Rose Byrne, Emory Cohen, Ray Liotta, Bruce Greenwood. Written by Derek Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, and Darius Marder. Directed by Derek Cianfrance. Rated R. Available on DVD.
The Place Beyond the Pines is an epic film, telling of two sets of sons and fathers over the course of 15 years. It's split into three acts and each features an action that has consequence for both families. It's greatly acted, especially by Gosling, Cooper, and DeHaan. It's a shame that this film wasn't even mentioned at the Oscars last year. The performances alone should have been to get this film in the Oscar conversation. But just because it was overlooked doesn't mean it's worth missing. It's a great film that really focuses on consequences and the relationships between father and sons, and how sons sometimes turn into their fathers. The story is well-written, though sometimes feels too familiar. It's a movie that was mostly overlooked and that's a shame.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The Place Beyond the Pines is an epic film, telling of two sets of sons and fathers over the course of 15 years. It's split into three acts and each features an action that has consequence for both families. It's greatly acted, especially by Gosling, Cooper, and DeHaan. It's a shame that this film wasn't even mentioned at the Oscars last year. The performances alone should have been to get this film in the Oscar conversation. But just because it was overlooked doesn't mean it's worth missing. It's a great film that really focuses on consequences and the relationships between father and sons, and how sons sometimes turn into their fathers. The story is well-written, though sometimes feels too familiar. It's a movie that was mostly overlooked and that's a shame.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Mama (2013) - Review
Mama (2013) - Starring Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau. Written by Neil Cross, Barbara Muschietti, and Andrés Muschietti. Directed by Andrés Muschietti. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Mama is a horror film that attempts to tell an original story while still staying deep within the confines of a standard horror movie. While the premise of feral children who have a ghost that wants to serve as their mother is unusual, the scares feel stale. Even the look of "Mama" strongly resembles other horror characters, such as "The Woman in Black" and the girls from The Grudge and The Ring. The worst part of the movie comes at the climax because the resolution is pretty much bonkers. It's enjoyable to a degree, but a very small degree.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Mama is a horror film that attempts to tell an original story while still staying deep within the confines of a standard horror movie. While the premise of feral children who have a ghost that wants to serve as their mother is unusual, the scares feel stale. Even the look of "Mama" strongly resembles other horror characters, such as "The Woman in Black" and the girls from The Grudge and The Ring. The worst part of the movie comes at the climax because the resolution is pretty much bonkers. It's enjoyable to a degree, but a very small degree.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) - Review
G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) - Starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Adrianne Palicki, Bruce Willis, D.J. Cotrona, Ray Stevenson, Ray Park, Byung-hun Lee, Jonathan Pryce, Elodie Young, Channing Tatum, RZA. Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. Directed by Jon M. Chu. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra that doesn't have many of the main players involved (including actors, writers, and director). However, this complete creative overhaul doesn't really remedy any of the problems that the first one. In fact, it seems mostly the same: loud action, cartoonish villains with ridiculous schemes, and a total disregard for logic. My favorite (meaning the greatest offense) lack of logic moment comes at the end of the film where the G.I. Joes are recognized publicly for their success. The whole point of the G.I. Joes is that they're a covert team, but they're still be recognized publicly. It doesn't make any sense. But not much in this film does.
None of the actors really stand out in this film. Willis seems to continue to balance acting in really great films to acting in completely terrible ones. Palicki is only in this film to serve as eye candy.
Seriously, it's bad. Just avoid it.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation is a sequel to 2009's G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra that doesn't have many of the main players involved (including actors, writers, and director). However, this complete creative overhaul doesn't really remedy any of the problems that the first one. In fact, it seems mostly the same: loud action, cartoonish villains with ridiculous schemes, and a total disregard for logic. My favorite (meaning the greatest offense) lack of logic moment comes at the end of the film where the G.I. Joes are recognized publicly for their success. The whole point of the G.I. Joes is that they're a covert team, but they're still be recognized publicly. It doesn't make any sense. But not much in this film does.
None of the actors really stand out in this film. Willis seems to continue to balance acting in really great films to acting in completely terrible ones. Palicki is only in this film to serve as eye candy.
Seriously, it's bad. Just avoid it.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) - Review
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009) - Starring Channing Tatum, Dennis Quaid, Christopher Eccleston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Sienna Miller, Marlon Wayans, Rachel Nicols, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Byung-hun Lee, Ray Park. Written by Stuart Beattie, David Elliot, and Paul Elliot. Story by Michael Gordon, Stuart Beattie, and Stephen Sommers. Directed by Stephen Sommers. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
G.I. Joe is a mess of a movie full of guns, explosions, ninjas, mind-control, girls wearing leather suits with lots of cleavage, people walking impressively in a straight line, and more explosions. It's everything a 12-year old boy could ask for. You can't blame it too much for pandering to its direct demographic.
The worst parts of this movie, other than the lack of any real logic, is how it tries to connect all the characters. It feels like everyone has a backstory that connects them to someone on the opposite side of the conflict. Most of this is completely unnecessary. The film also suffers by making none of their characters very interesting. People are either obviously good, obviously bad, or are under mind control. The one person who is good but becomes evil doesn't even really have a clear reason why he does so. Some of the designs in the movie are quite terrible, the Cobra Commander mask the most so. Christopher Eccleston is quite menacing as the villain, until he becomes delegated to a henchman. Channing Tatum, however, gives the worst performance in my opinion of any movie that I've seen him in.
Just know going in what G.I. Joe is. After all, knowing is half the battle.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
White House Down (2013) - Review
White House Down (2013) - Review. Starring Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, James Woods, Joey King. Written by James Vanderbilt. Directed by Roland Emmerich. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
The best way to enjoy White House Down is to go into with absolutely no expectations and to not think too much during it. If you do this, you'll have a chance of enjoying this movie. It's full of characters with dumb motives, groan-inducing one-liners, and fun non-logical action sequences. It definitely feels like a standard Emmerich film: all action with one-liners peppered in with no logic to be found anywhere. Tatum puts in his standard action movie guy performance and Jamie Foxx's performance feels like he is portraying Jay Pharaoh's version of Obama on SNL.
But for what it is, it isn't as bad as it could be. It's a fun enough movie to laugh at and to watch without thought. Seriously, you can't expect too much out of a film that features the President of the United States shooting a rocket launcher.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
The best way to enjoy White House Down is to go into with absolutely no expectations and to not think too much during it. If you do this, you'll have a chance of enjoying this movie. It's full of characters with dumb motives, groan-inducing one-liners, and fun non-logical action sequences. It definitely feels like a standard Emmerich film: all action with one-liners peppered in with no logic to be found anywhere. Tatum puts in his standard action movie guy performance and Jamie Foxx's performance feels like he is portraying Jay Pharaoh's version of Obama on SNL.
But for what it is, it isn't as bad as it could be. It's a fun enough movie to laugh at and to watch without thought. Seriously, you can't expect too much out of a film that features the President of the United States shooting a rocket launcher.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Tristan + Isolde (2006) - Review
Tristan + Isolde (2006) - Starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Seawell, David O'Hara, Mark Strong, Henry Cavill. Written by Dean Georgaris. Directed by Kevin Reynolds. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
Set during the 5th century as Great Britain and Ireland are at war with each other, Tristan + Isolde tells the story of Tristan (Franco), the second in line to the throne of Britain, and Isolde, the daughter of the king of Ireland, and their illicit affair during the war and once she is married to the king of Britain. This marriage is a political one and it's to Tristan's king, which makes the affair even more scandalous, as it threatens to destroy the peace that has been made.
The film feels evocative of the tale of Romeo and Juliet (a fact that is referenced in the film's marketing). The story is compelling enough, but is heavily built upon coincidence. Franco gives a good performance in the first half of the film as the honorable Tristan, but becomes sullen in the last half of the film. His sullenness is understandable but becomes grating as Franco continues to make the same facial expression scene after scene. Sophia Myles gives a good performance as the object of his affection, the beautiful Isolde, and it makes me want to see her in more roles. Also interesting to see is a pre-Superman Henry Cavill.
The sword-fighting scenes in this film I found were well-done and I did enjoy the story. It felt very familiar, but in a good way. It might have gone on a bit too long and I can't really say I like Tristan's choice at the end of the film, but it was enjoyable.
Rating: 3 out of a 5.
Set during the 5th century as Great Britain and Ireland are at war with each other, Tristan + Isolde tells the story of Tristan (Franco), the second in line to the throne of Britain, and Isolde, the daughter of the king of Ireland, and their illicit affair during the war and once she is married to the king of Britain. This marriage is a political one and it's to Tristan's king, which makes the affair even more scandalous, as it threatens to destroy the peace that has been made.
The film feels evocative of the tale of Romeo and Juliet (a fact that is referenced in the film's marketing). The story is compelling enough, but is heavily built upon coincidence. Franco gives a good performance in the first half of the film as the honorable Tristan, but becomes sullen in the last half of the film. His sullenness is understandable but becomes grating as Franco continues to make the same facial expression scene after scene. Sophia Myles gives a good performance as the object of his affection, the beautiful Isolde, and it makes me want to see her in more roles. Also interesting to see is a pre-Superman Henry Cavill.
The sword-fighting scenes in this film I found were well-done and I did enjoy the story. It felt very familiar, but in a good way. It might have gone on a bit too long and I can't really say I like Tristan's choice at the end of the film, but it was enjoyable.
Rating: 3 out of a 5.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Atonement (2007) - Review
Atonement (2007) - Starring James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, Juno Temple, Benedict Cumberbatch. Written by Christopher Hampton. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan. Directed by Joe Wright. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Atonement is a beautiful, heart-breaking film. It centers around two lovers Robbie and Cecilia (McAvoy and Knightley) who are torn apart when Robbie is falsely accused of a crime by Cecilia's sister, Briony (Ronan). The film follows them as they face the consequences of what happened and as they leave and return to each other's lives.
This film features fantastic performances from all of its cast. McAvoy and Knightley are incredible as the two lovers torn apart by their horrid circumstances. Saoirse Ronan was nominated for Best Supporting Actress - at the age of 13 - for her role as Briony. The film is wonderfully shot and brilliantly made. It has a fantastic and compelling script. The ending might be one of the most heartbreaking endings I've ever seen.
This film is incredible and definitely worth watching. I am normally not a fan of romantic films. But this film surprised me by being more than a good romance film. It's all-in-all just a great film.
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Atonement is a beautiful, heart-breaking film. It centers around two lovers Robbie and Cecilia (McAvoy and Knightley) who are torn apart when Robbie is falsely accused of a crime by Cecilia's sister, Briony (Ronan). The film follows them as they face the consequences of what happened and as they leave and return to each other's lives.
This film features fantastic performances from all of its cast. McAvoy and Knightley are incredible as the two lovers torn apart by their horrid circumstances. Saoirse Ronan was nominated for Best Supporting Actress - at the age of 13 - for her role as Briony. The film is wonderfully shot and brilliantly made. It has a fantastic and compelling script. The ending might be one of the most heartbreaking endings I've ever seen.
This film is incredible and definitely worth watching. I am normally not a fan of romantic films. But this film surprised me by being more than a good romance film. It's all-in-all just a great film.
Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Unknown (2011) - Review
Unknown (2011) - Starring Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones, Aiden Quinn, Bruno Ganz, and Frank Langella. Written by Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell, Based on the novel "Out of My Head" by Didier Van Cauwelaert. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
Unknown feels like an imitation of a Jason Bourne movie, just with a much older main character and more time spent with the main character going, "Why don't I know who I am?" Plus, it's nowhere as good. The dialogue feels very stilted and badly-written. January Jones delivers her lines in this film like she's an actress in a high-school play, and Liam Neeson's delivery isn't a whole lot better, which is a disappointment because they could've done much better. Diane Kruger, however, gives a great performance.
But the main problem with this film isn't the acting. It's the crazy script. It feels so convoluted, yet it moves so slowly. The twist is not in the least bit surprising. The movie is also filled with loads of action movie clichés, such as running away from a bad guy and narrowly escaping through a closing subway train door. Overall, it's just a dumb action movie trying to play it smart.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Unknown feels like an imitation of a Jason Bourne movie, just with a much older main character and more time spent with the main character going, "Why don't I know who I am?" Plus, it's nowhere as good. The dialogue feels very stilted and badly-written. January Jones delivers her lines in this film like she's an actress in a high-school play, and Liam Neeson's delivery isn't a whole lot better, which is a disappointment because they could've done much better. Diane Kruger, however, gives a great performance.
But the main problem with this film isn't the acting. It's the crazy script. It feels so convoluted, yet it moves so slowly. The twist is not in the least bit surprising. The movie is also filled with loads of action movie clichés, such as running away from a bad guy and narrowly escaping through a closing subway train door. Overall, it's just a dumb action movie trying to play it smart.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Once (2007) - Review
Once (2007) - Starring Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová. Written and Directed by John Carney. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Once lives up to all the hype and critical acclaim surrounding it. It is an incredibly small film with incredibly large heart and passion behind it. The songs (especially the Academy Award-winning song "Falling Slowly) are fantastic. The acting (done by two non-actors) feels natural and the chemistry between the two leads is quite great. It is a unique story that tells of two people working on music together as they are possibly falling in love. It feels completely fresh and original and is definitely worth watching.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Here is the song "Falling Slowly" from the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4
Once lives up to all the hype and critical acclaim surrounding it. It is an incredibly small film with incredibly large heart and passion behind it. The songs (especially the Academy Award-winning song "Falling Slowly) are fantastic. The acting (done by two non-actors) feels natural and the chemistry between the two leads is quite great. It is a unique story that tells of two people working on music together as they are possibly falling in love. It feels completely fresh and original and is definitely worth watching.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Here is the song "Falling Slowly" from the film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) - Review
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013) - Starring Steve Carrell, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde, Jim Carrey, James Gandolfini, Alan Arkin. Written by Jonathan M. Goldstein and John Francis Daly. Directed by Don Scardino. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is anything but incredible. It is instead quite lackluster. There is quite a bit of comedy missing from this film. Most of the jokes revolve around the characters doing weird things and then other characters reactions to these things, which grows tiresome. Especially tiresome are Carrey's character's David Blaine-like antics. They are slightly (and by slightly, I mean barely) amusing in the beginning, but almost become annoying. And that's disappointing because this good cast is utterly wasted. It doesn't help that most of them seem like they're phoning their performance in. The concept of magicians, which could've have been cool, just seemed like a diversion for standard character development and plot advancement. It could've been much better, but it wasn't.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is anything but incredible. It is instead quite lackluster. There is quite a bit of comedy missing from this film. Most of the jokes revolve around the characters doing weird things and then other characters reactions to these things, which grows tiresome. Especially tiresome are Carrey's character's David Blaine-like antics. They are slightly (and by slightly, I mean barely) amusing in the beginning, but almost become annoying. And that's disappointing because this good cast is utterly wasted. It doesn't help that most of them seem like they're phoning their performance in. The concept of magicians, which could've have been cool, just seemed like a diversion for standard character development and plot advancement. It could've been much better, but it wasn't.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Superman/Batman - 5 Reasons Why I'm Excited/ 5 Reasons Why I'm Worried
Today at the Warner Bros./Legendary Panel at Comic-Con, it was announced that there will be an upcoming Superman/Batman film to be released in 2015. My feelings about this are mixed, to say the least.
5 Reasons Why I'm Excited
1. It sets up for the Justice League- It will combine two of DC's biggest heroes, who are both members of the Justice League. We're getting closer and closer to the Justice League movie, which has the capacity to be better than The Avengers. As far as comics and stories go, I've also thought the Justice League was better. (It was also announced that a movie centering around the Flash will come out after the Superman/Batman film and after that will come the Justice League film.)
2. Henry Cavill is back as Superman- As many problems that Man of Steel may have had, casting Henry Cavill is not one of them.
3. Batman and Superman's Relationship- Batman and Superman's dynamic is very interesting to me, as they are almost two sides of the same coin. They have clashed countless times in the comics about how things should be handled and it'll be great to see how that's handled on screen.
4. Adding Batman Might Mean Less Lois Lane- Because let's be honest, as great as Amy Adams, the character of Lois Lane sucked in Man of Steel.
5. It's Batman and Superman in One Movie- Seriously, that's enough right there. I'm having a super nerdy freak out just thinking about it. This movie could be amazing.
5 Reasons Why I'm Worried
1. Casting a New Batman- Christian Bale has said he's done with being Batman, so a new one will have to be cast. They could choose to keep Joseph Gordon-Levitt like they set up to do at the end of The Dark Knight Rises, but that wouldn't quite work, since it's Bruce Wayne's attitudes and behaviors that lead to clashing with Superman. Honestly though, I can't think of anybody who could take Bale's place.
2. The Villain- The villain is going to have be pretty formidable in order to force Batman and Superman to work together. The problem is that the villain can't be TOO formidable, since the baddie will have to be tougher and stronger for the eventual Justice League film. I really hope Lex Luthor is used in some capacity.
3. Bad Timing- This movie is coming out in a summer that also boast Avengers 2 and Star Wars Episode 7, which will probably end up being some of the biggest movies ever. This movie definitely could be as well, but will the summer feel overcrowded? Can we handle that many nerdy things happening at once? Will it cause me to die of nerd overdose?
4. A Possible Horrible Title- While I doubt it will match the awfulness of the newly announced title for the second Avengers film (The Avengers: Age of Ultron - seriously, how bad is that) or the latest Star Trek (come on, admit it), it still has the possibility to be named something stupid. Let's keep it simple D.C. Superman/Batman is a good enough title.
5. Man of Steel Messed Up Key Aspects of Superman's Character Which Had Led to His Conflicts With Batman in the Comics - The fact that Superman (SPOILER ALERT) kills somebody in Man of Steel changes the relationship between him and Batman. Their classic squabbles were typically because Superman's morality caused him to be angry at some of Batman's methods of handling things. Of course, the fact that he has killed somebody might increase Batman's fear that Superman is too powerful (which is why Batman keeps kryptonite, just in case).
So this is what I think about the possibility of this movie. Let me know what you think in the comments.
5 Reasons Why I'm Excited
1. It sets up for the Justice League- It will combine two of DC's biggest heroes, who are both members of the Justice League. We're getting closer and closer to the Justice League movie, which has the capacity to be better than The Avengers. As far as comics and stories go, I've also thought the Justice League was better. (It was also announced that a movie centering around the Flash will come out after the Superman/Batman film and after that will come the Justice League film.)
2. Henry Cavill is back as Superman- As many problems that Man of Steel may have had, casting Henry Cavill is not one of them.
3. Batman and Superman's Relationship- Batman and Superman's dynamic is very interesting to me, as they are almost two sides of the same coin. They have clashed countless times in the comics about how things should be handled and it'll be great to see how that's handled on screen.
4. Adding Batman Might Mean Less Lois Lane- Because let's be honest, as great as Amy Adams, the character of Lois Lane sucked in Man of Steel.
5. It's Batman and Superman in One Movie- Seriously, that's enough right there. I'm having a super nerdy freak out just thinking about it. This movie could be amazing.
5 Reasons Why I'm Worried
1. Casting a New Batman- Christian Bale has said he's done with being Batman, so a new one will have to be cast. They could choose to keep Joseph Gordon-Levitt like they set up to do at the end of The Dark Knight Rises, but that wouldn't quite work, since it's Bruce Wayne's attitudes and behaviors that lead to clashing with Superman. Honestly though, I can't think of anybody who could take Bale's place.
2. The Villain- The villain is going to have be pretty formidable in order to force Batman and Superman to work together. The problem is that the villain can't be TOO formidable, since the baddie will have to be tougher and stronger for the eventual Justice League film. I really hope Lex Luthor is used in some capacity.
3. Bad Timing- This movie is coming out in a summer that also boast Avengers 2 and Star Wars Episode 7, which will probably end up being some of the biggest movies ever. This movie definitely could be as well, but will the summer feel overcrowded? Can we handle that many nerdy things happening at once? Will it cause me to die of nerd overdose?
4. A Possible Horrible Title- While I doubt it will match the awfulness of the newly announced title for the second Avengers film (The Avengers: Age of Ultron - seriously, how bad is that) or the latest Star Trek (come on, admit it), it still has the possibility to be named something stupid. Let's keep it simple D.C. Superman/Batman is a good enough title.
5. Man of Steel Messed Up Key Aspects of Superman's Character Which Had Led to His Conflicts With Batman in the Comics - The fact that Superman (SPOILER ALERT) kills somebody in Man of Steel changes the relationship between him and Batman. Their classic squabbles were typically because Superman's morality caused him to be angry at some of Batman's methods of handling things. Of course, the fact that he has killed somebody might increase Batman's fear that Superman is too powerful (which is why Batman keeps kryptonite, just in case).
So this is what I think about the possibility of this movie. Let me know what you think in the comments.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
21 & Over (2013) - Review
21 & Over - Starring Skyler Astin, Miles Teller, Justin Chon, Sarah Wright, Jonathan Keltz, Francois Chau. Written and Directed by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore. Rated R. Available on DVD.
21 & Over is written by the same guys who wrote The Hangover, and it shares many of the same elements. It features loads of drunken escapades and insane situations. It has a lead cast who have great chemistry with one another. And of course, a naked Asian male.
But while it is very similar to The Hangover, there are some differences. This time, the activities happen at a college. The film also gets a tad more serious than The Hangover ever did. Amidst all the foul language and bad behavior, the main characters also face growing apart as friends as they grow older and they face the fear of being stuck in a career they don't want to be in. But if serious moments aren't for you, there's plenty of laughs to be had in this film.
It's not necessarily the funniest movie ever, or the most original. But there are enough laughs and the cast is likable enough to make this film worth watching.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Movie 43 (2013) - Review
Movie 43 (2013) - Starring Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Common, Seth McFarlane, Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Jeremy Allen White, Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts, Anna Faris, Chris Pratt, J.B. Smoove, Kieran Culkin, Emma Stone, Richard Gere, Kate Bosworth, Jack McBrayer, Aasif Mandvi, Justin Long, Jason Sudeikis, Uma Thurman, Bobby Cannavale, Kristen Bell, John Hodgman, Will Carlough, Katrina Bowden, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chloe Grace Moretz, Patrick Warburton, Jimmy Bennett, Matt Walsh, Gerald Butler, Sean William Scott, Johnny Knoxville, Halle Berry, Stephen Merchant, Terrence Howard, Josh Duhamel, Elizabeth Banks. Written by Rocky Russo, Jeremy Sosenko, Ricky Blitt, Bill O'Malley, Jacob Fleisher, Elizabeth Wright Shapiro, Matt Portenoy, Will Graham, Jack Kukoda, Patrik Forsberg, Ollie Sarri, Claes Kjellstrom, Jonas Wittenmark, Tobias Carlson, James Gunn, Will Carlough, Jonathan van Tulleken, Greg Pritikin. Directed by Elizabeth Banks, Steven Brill, Steve Carr, Rusty Cundleff, James Duffy, Griffin Dunne, Peter Farrelly, Patrik Forsberg, Will Graham, James Gunn, Brett Ratner, Jonathan van Tulleken. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Why does this movie exist? Why did no one take a look at this script and think "You know, this might not be that good of a movie to make"? If someone had stopped to think that, no one would have had to suffer through this complete and utterly inane waste of time, and also talent. This movie features many actors who I enjoy and respect, but now I respect them quite less.
This movie might very well earn the title of worst movie I've ever seen. It's a completely unfunny comedy. The sense of humor that permeates through this film is the sense of humor of a immature 13 year old boy. It's gross-out, potty, and sexual humor at it worst. Jokes like that are the easiest to make, but Movie 43 can't even do that correctly since none of the jokes are in the least bit funny. Seriously. I didn't laugh at this movie a single time, and I laugh fairly easily. It's so low brow that it makes the Scary Movie films look like intellectual comedies. As a point of reference, this movie starts out with a character who has male genitalia attached to his neck. It only gets worse from there.
This movie is beyond terrible. And not in a so bad it's good way. It's just plain terrible and a miserable experience all around. Don't watch it. I'm begging you.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Why does this movie exist? Why did no one take a look at this script and think "You know, this might not be that good of a movie to make"? If someone had stopped to think that, no one would have had to suffer through this complete and utterly inane waste of time, and also talent. This movie features many actors who I enjoy and respect, but now I respect them quite less.
This movie might very well earn the title of worst movie I've ever seen. It's a completely unfunny comedy. The sense of humor that permeates through this film is the sense of humor of a immature 13 year old boy. It's gross-out, potty, and sexual humor at it worst. Jokes like that are the easiest to make, but Movie 43 can't even do that correctly since none of the jokes are in the least bit funny. Seriously. I didn't laugh at this movie a single time, and I laugh fairly easily. It's so low brow that it makes the Scary Movie films look like intellectual comedies. As a point of reference, this movie starts out with a character who has male genitalia attached to his neck. It only gets worse from there.
This movie is beyond terrible. And not in a so bad it's good way. It's just plain terrible and a miserable experience all around. Don't watch it. I'm begging you.
Rating: 0 out of 5.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Serendipity (2001) - Review
Serendipity (2001) - Starring John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, Molly Shannon, Eugene Levy. Written by Marc Klein. Directed by Peter Chelsom. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
Serendipity is a completely unrealistic, but harmless romantic comedy. It follows two people, who many years ago spent a magical night together, hoping to find one another by relying on fate or destiny. This film is all about things magically falling into place and that's what drives every event in this film. Everything that happens in this movie is because the characters see a sign that leads them to act in a certain way.
This romantic comedy doesn't go far into the comedy side of the romantic comedy spectrum, despite having supporting actors known for their comedy roles. The two leads seem to have enough chemistry, but aren't necessarily the most likable. It's hard for me to like two people who leave their significant others on their wedding day for someone else. I know it's true love and all that, but still, that's a jerk move.
Over all, this film wasn't the worst that a romantic comedy film could be and it was still fairly entertaining. By no means is it high cinema, but it's not the worst movie your girlfriend could force you to watch on Valentine's Day or date night.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Serendipity is a completely unrealistic, but harmless romantic comedy. It follows two people, who many years ago spent a magical night together, hoping to find one another by relying on fate or destiny. This film is all about things magically falling into place and that's what drives every event in this film. Everything that happens in this movie is because the characters see a sign that leads them to act in a certain way.
This romantic comedy doesn't go far into the comedy side of the romantic comedy spectrum, despite having supporting actors known for their comedy roles. The two leads seem to have enough chemistry, but aren't necessarily the most likable. It's hard for me to like two people who leave their significant others on their wedding day for someone else. I know it's true love and all that, but still, that's a jerk move.
Over all, this film wasn't the worst that a romantic comedy film could be and it was still fairly entertaining. By no means is it high cinema, but it's not the worst movie your girlfriend could force you to watch on Valentine's Day or date night.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Upside Down (2012) - Review
Upside Down (2012) - Starring Jim Sturgess, Kirsten Dunst. Written and Directed by Juan Solanas. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
Upside Down has a pretty interesting sci-fi premise, which is the main point of interest for the film in my opinion. I don't know how much science actually backs up this premise, but I find it interesting nonetheless. However, the focus on the film is the love story of the main characters, a love that crosses over two worlds. The story is very interesting, despite sometimes not making complete sense why certain things are happening in it. But it is definitely an unique tale. It is also quite visually stunning and interestingly shot. Some of the scenes in the movie are absolutely beautiful and breath taking. The leads do quite well in their roles, but sometimes the dialogue feels stilted. The film also uses some heavy voiceover, which I believe should only be used in extreme moderation.
I did enjoy this film and found it quite interesting. If you're interested in another sci-fi romance indie film, I also recommend the film Another Earth.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Upside Down has a pretty interesting sci-fi premise, which is the main point of interest for the film in my opinion. I don't know how much science actually backs up this premise, but I find it interesting nonetheless. However, the focus on the film is the love story of the main characters, a love that crosses over two worlds. The story is very interesting, despite sometimes not making complete sense why certain things are happening in it. But it is definitely an unique tale. It is also quite visually stunning and interestingly shot. Some of the scenes in the movie are absolutely beautiful and breath taking. The leads do quite well in their roles, but sometimes the dialogue feels stilted. The film also uses some heavy voiceover, which I believe should only be used in extreme moderation.
I did enjoy this film and found it quite interesting. If you're interested in another sci-fi romance indie film, I also recommend the film Another Earth.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - Review
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) - Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kanz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford. Written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. Directed by Drew Goddard. Rated R. Available on DVD and Netflix Watch Instantly.
I'll go ahead and say it. The Cabin in the Woods may currently be my favorite horror movie and one of my favorite movies in general. I find it to be quite brilliant. Without giving too much away - because not knowing much going in is essential for the first viewing - it flips the conventions and ideas behind horror movies on their head and offers a fresh take on a sometimes derivative genre. While it does have funny moments, it definitely seems more horror than horror comedy. But it's hard to pinhole this film.
The script by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard is quite good and original. The effects are insane. The performances are fantastic (my favorite in particular are Jenkins and Whitford). The ending was not necessarily what I wanted to happen, but I still thought it was a good one. I highly recommend this movie and it's a travesty that it is not more popular than it is.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I'll go ahead and say it. The Cabin in the Woods may currently be my favorite horror movie and one of my favorite movies in general. I find it to be quite brilliant. Without giving too much away - because not knowing much going in is essential for the first viewing - it flips the conventions and ideas behind horror movies on their head and offers a fresh take on a sometimes derivative genre. While it does have funny moments, it definitely seems more horror than horror comedy. But it's hard to pinhole this film.
The script by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard is quite good and original. The effects are insane. The performances are fantastic (my favorite in particular are Jenkins and Whitford). The ending was not necessarily what I wanted to happen, but I still thought it was a good one. I highly recommend this movie and it's a travesty that it is not more popular than it is.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
The Evil Dead (1981) - Review
The Evil Dead (1981) - Starring Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Hal Delrich, Betsy Baker, Sarah York. Written and Directed by Sam Raimi. Not Rated. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
I found the Evil Dead to be a fairly good horror film, but not necessarily one of the best. The scares were fairly predictable, the characters were pretty flat and indistinguishable from one another, other than Campbell's character. However, it is very obvious that this was a very influential horror film since many of the styles, techniques, and scares in this movie have been copied and been paid homage to by so many other films. This film is also one of the goriest I have probably ever seen.
So while it isn't the best horror film, it isn't the worst either. It does have some very good moments. If you looking for a gory movie about teenagers being murdered by demonic spirits summoned out of a book of the dead in a cabin, this one is for you.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Godzilla (1998) - Review
Godzilla (1998) - Starring Matthew Broderick, Jean Reno, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn, Michael Lerner. Written by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich. Directed by Roland Emmerich. Rated PG-13. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly.
Don't watch this movie. It's as simple as that. It's an overlong, rambling mess of a movie with terrible acting and a completely illogical plot. On top of that, the monster that the movie is supposed to be focused on is not even in half of the movie with the other half of the film being filled with ridiculous and unnecessary subplots. The dialogue is stiff. The action scenes drag on and on and on. It is directed by Roland Emmerich, who is the king of crappy blockbusters. He has brought us such miserable films as 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, 10,000 B.C. and the recently released and terribly received White House Down.
The people who originally created Godzilla hated this movie. And I'm pretty sure that if the people who created movies would've known that this was what have come of it, they might not have done so. It's that bad.
It won 2 Razzies and was nominated for 4 more.
Rating: 1 out of 5 stars.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
One Day (2011) - Review
One Day (2011) - Starring Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess, Patricia Clackson. Written by David Nicholls. Directed by Lone Scherfig. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
One Day follows two people on the same day every single year, mapping their relationship with one another and their lives. While the concept of storytelling in this film is very interesting, the film fell flat for me. It is well acted, but there are several times where the story doesn't seem to work. Specifically, when the couple finally decided to get together, despite the fact that it had taken roughly 15 years, the moment felt rushed. The worst instance where the story did not work is a part that is supposed to be shocking to the audience, but instead felt dumb and I saw it coming.
Another thing that bothered me about this film is that even though it goes over the span of 20 or so years, the characters didn't seem to age. They looked like they were in their 20's the whole time. Another problem I had was that Anne Hathaway's character seemed to be slightly inconsistent.
What really saves this film is the acting and the interesting storytelling concept of chronicling the same day every year. But I didn't enjoy it that much.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Monster's University (2013) - Review
Monster's University (2013) - Starring John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Alfred Molina, Nathan Fillion, Tyler Labine, Aubrey Plaza, Bobby Moynihan. Written by Dan Scanlon, Daniel Gerson, and Robert L. Baird. Directed by Dan Scanlon. Rated G. Now in Theaters.
Monster's University, the fourteenth film made by the incredible Pixar, is the best film made by Pixar since Toy Story 3. It's more fun and comedic than Brave. It also feels more like a Pixar film than Brave did. It is also ten times better than Cars 2, which honestly isn't that surprising. Monster's University puts a nice twist on the standard college film, incorporating the monsters from Monster's Inc. While it was cool to see how these characters meet, I actually believe this film could have held up on it's own. But the fact that's it's a prequel do make the characters more interesting. I laughed several times during this movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being in college myself, it was quite hilarious to see the monster versions of standard college activities. And while the whole conflict in the film seems fairly contrived, there are still so many great moments that make up for this. It may not be the best Pixar film (I still believe that's a close race between Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Toy Story 3), but it is far from the worst.
Also, the short film at the beginning of this film, The Blue Umbrella, might be one of the coolest and most inventive Pixar short films that have been released. It really impressed me and the animation is stunning.
So go see Monster's University because it's a great film, but also enjoy the short film.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Monster's University, the fourteenth film made by the incredible Pixar, is the best film made by Pixar since Toy Story 3. It's more fun and comedic than Brave. It also feels more like a Pixar film than Brave did. It is also ten times better than Cars 2, which honestly isn't that surprising. Monster's University puts a nice twist on the standard college film, incorporating the monsters from Monster's Inc. While it was cool to see how these characters meet, I actually believe this film could have held up on it's own. But the fact that's it's a prequel do make the characters more interesting. I laughed several times during this movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being in college myself, it was quite hilarious to see the monster versions of standard college activities. And while the whole conflict in the film seems fairly contrived, there are still so many great moments that make up for this. It may not be the best Pixar film (I still believe that's a close race between Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Toy Story 3), but it is far from the worst.
Also, the short film at the beginning of this film, The Blue Umbrella, might be one of the coolest and most inventive Pixar short films that have been released. It really impressed me and the animation is stunning.
So go see Monster's University because it's a great film, but also enjoy the short film.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Cloud Atlas (2012) - Review
Cloud Atlas (2012) - Starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D'Arcy, Keith David. Written and Directed by Tom Tyker, Lana Wachowski, and Andy Wachowski. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Cloud Atlas is an insanely ambitious film. It spans centuries with actors playing different roles in each story line. The film is not chronological, but rather cuts back and forth from each story. The film is meant to be about interconnectedness and how lives impact one another. However, it is not clear how the lives and decisions ripple through the generation. There are some things that happen that you see in several story lines, but there isn't really anything that spans across all of them, other than the comet birthmark all the protagonists in each story share.
Some of the stories are much better than the others, the weakest being the 1849 story line in my opinion. I enjoyed seeing the actors playing the many different roles in the film. I thought in particular, Hanks, Broadbent, and Whishaw were standouts.
I did enjoy the film and the nearly three-hour run time felt much shorter because of the many stories. It's not the best film, but it is definitely an unique one which makes it worth watching.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Cloud Atlas is an insanely ambitious film. It spans centuries with actors playing different roles in each story line. The film is not chronological, but rather cuts back and forth from each story. The film is meant to be about interconnectedness and how lives impact one another. However, it is not clear how the lives and decisions ripple through the generation. There are some things that happen that you see in several story lines, but there isn't really anything that spans across all of them, other than the comet birthmark all the protagonists in each story share.
Some of the stories are much better than the others, the weakest being the 1849 story line in my opinion. I enjoyed seeing the actors playing the many different roles in the film. I thought in particular, Hanks, Broadbent, and Whishaw were standouts.
I did enjoy the film and the nearly three-hour run time felt much shorter because of the many stories. It's not the best film, but it is definitely an unique one which makes it worth watching.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Man of Steel (2013) - Review
Man of Steel (2013) - Starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne. Written by David S. Goyer. Directed by Zack Snyder. Rated PG-13. Now in Theaters.
Man of Steel was amazing to watch. The fight (and the flight) scenes were awesome and well done. It was well casted. The direction was sometimes odd; abrasive zooms and random close-ups were quite prevalent. But I enjoyed it.
Until I started thinking more about certain things that happened in it. I realize these are really nerdy complaints, but these did bother me. First off, the relationship between Clark and Lois, one of the most popular and well-known relationships in comics, was rushed and not well-defined. Also, Lois and Clark's relationship was also sort of will-they won't-they and there is none of that in this movie. Character development is also not that present in this movie. In Christopher Nolan's Batman films, a lot of the focus was on Bruce Wayne and what made him Batman and the purpose Batman served. Man of Steel was more focused on the action scenes. There is also something that happens (which I won't ruin since it happens at the end of the film) that completely undermines Superman's character that has been a part of his character for decades. I know that sounds dramatic, but trust me, when it happens, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Overall, it's a great action film and a good superhero film (better than a good deal of them), but it makes the mistake of thinking that it is only his abilities that make Superman super, when in actuality, that is only part of it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Man of Steel was amazing to watch. The fight (and the flight) scenes were awesome and well done. It was well casted. The direction was sometimes odd; abrasive zooms and random close-ups were quite prevalent. But I enjoyed it.
Until I started thinking more about certain things that happened in it. I realize these are really nerdy complaints, but these did bother me. First off, the relationship between Clark and Lois, one of the most popular and well-known relationships in comics, was rushed and not well-defined. Also, Lois and Clark's relationship was also sort of will-they won't-they and there is none of that in this movie. Character development is also not that present in this movie. In Christopher Nolan's Batman films, a lot of the focus was on Bruce Wayne and what made him Batman and the purpose Batman served. Man of Steel was more focused on the action scenes. There is also something that happens (which I won't ruin since it happens at the end of the film) that completely undermines Superman's character that has been a part of his character for decades. I know that sounds dramatic, but trust me, when it happens, you'll know what I'm talking about.
Overall, it's a great action film and a good superhero film (better than a good deal of them), but it makes the mistake of thinking that it is only his abilities that make Superman super, when in actuality, that is only part of it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
This is the End (2013) - Review
This is the End (2013) - Starring Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Danny McBride, Michael Cera, Emma Watson. Written and Directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen. Rated R. Now in theaters.
This is the End is hilarious, insane, and original. The best parts of the movie lie in the actors portraying themselves, especially Michael Cera's scenes. Cera's scenes were definitely a highlight of the film. The jokes are hit and miss and the ones that fall flat are of the sophomoric type that one would expect from these guys. But when this movie's jokes hit, they hit hard. It has really hilarious moments, but tends to flounder when it tries to advance the plot, especially in the absolutely insane third act.
If you like the other movies from this group of guys, then chances are you will also like this one. It's really hard to compare this film to anything, because there's nothing to compare it with. But I would enjoy seeing another movie where actors play themselves like this, but without the apocalypse.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
This is the End is hilarious, insane, and original. The best parts of the movie lie in the actors portraying themselves, especially Michael Cera's scenes. Cera's scenes were definitely a highlight of the film. The jokes are hit and miss and the ones that fall flat are of the sophomoric type that one would expect from these guys. But when this movie's jokes hit, they hit hard. It has really hilarious moments, but tends to flounder when it tries to advance the plot, especially in the absolutely insane third act.
If you like the other movies from this group of guys, then chances are you will also like this one. It's really hard to compare this film to anything, because there's nothing to compare it with. But I would enjoy seeing another movie where actors play themselves like this, but without the apocalypse.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Funny People (2009) - Review
Funny People (2009) - Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza. Written and Directed by Judd Apatow. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Funny People is not a film as funny as you would expect because of its title and Apatow's other films. However, it is a film that I did enjoy very much. I thought that the mixture of the world of stand-up comedy combined with the story of a man who realizes that despite all of his success he doesn't have very much was very well told. I thought the acting was pretty good and I enjoyed all the cameos that were made in the film, especially Eminem and Ray Romano's scene. I also thought this movie was one of Adam Sandler's best. Sandler can actually do dramatic roles really well, something you wouldn't imagine of someone who has starred in movies like Jack and Jill. He does quite well as a super successful comedian with a career that mirrors Sandler's actual career who is completely unhappy with his life, a fact he realizes once he is told that he might be dying. Seth Rogen also seems to be able to pull off roles with some seriousness to them, which he displays in this film along with 50/50 and Take This Waltz.
I know that many people had an issue with this movie, but it was because they went in to the film expecting to laugh the whole time. But in life, it isn't always all laughs. This film shows that. It shows that even in the world of jokes and stand-up comedy, people aren't always happy. They aren't always laughing. Many stand-up comedians don't manage to ever make it big. This film shows how difficult it actually is to do that while also showing how hard it is to be happy period in life. It's a very good movie. Funny? Not always. But definitely good.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) - Review
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) - Starring Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, and Famke Janssen. Written and Directed by Tommy Wirkola. Rated R. Available on DVD.
Hansel and Gretel lived up to my expectations. That's not saying much though, since I didn't have high expectations. Hansel and Gretel is a violent, quippy (albeit horrible quips), non-stop action movie that doesn't really require any thinking. If you like similar movies to this (i.e. Van Helsing which also featured an automatic crossbow, if I can remember correctly), you'll enjoy it. I, however, didn't enjoy it. It just wasn't good. The mythology behind the witches seemed inconsistent, but mostly because it was never explained. The two leads did decent enough, delivering quips one minute and then super serious fantasy dialogue the next, but both deserve to be in better movies (and have been). The filmmakers of Hansel and Gretel seemed to be toeing the line between whether this film was supposed to be humorous, almost a parody of this type of movie, or whether it was meant to be serious. This is further made confusing due to the fact that it was produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, the guys behind Anchorman and Talledega Nights. Regardless, it isn't really successful in either one.
And seriously, I hated the fact that it was a fantasy movie set in the past and they had guns. Swords and regular bows and arrows would have still made for cool fight sequences. Throwing the guns in this type of movie just made it cheesy. And maybe that's what they were going for. Who knows?
Rating: 2 out of 5.
Take This Waltz (2011) - Review
Take This Waltz (2011) - Starring Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Luke Kirby, Sarah Silverman. Written and Directed by Sarah Polley. Rated R. Available on DVD and Netflix Watch Instantly.
Take This Waltz is superbly-acted, realistic, emotional, and heartbreaking. It is also extremely frustrating. The main character chooses to leave an obviously happy marriage to be with someone new and excited. After awhile though, she falls into the same patterns of married life that she was in before, but it's obvious that her husband (now ex-husband) understood her much better than her new lover. That's what makes this story so heartbreaking and realistic. Decisions that people make are not always the best ones and can cause a lot of pain. Take This Waltz manages to be a very unromantic film despite having several romantic moments. It's a powerful story, but this is one of those movies that can be only watched once because it's too sad to watch again.
All the main cast members are fantastic in their roles, especially Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, who are playing against the type of roles that are associated with them. Silverman, in my opinion, gave the best performance in her limited role as Rogen's character's alcoholic sister who calls Michelle Williams's character out on the bad decisions that Williams's character has made.
This film was filmed in Canada and features several Canadians, so really the only reason that you shouldn't watch this movie is if you hate Canadians. And that would just be mean. Seriously, watch it. It's fantastic.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Sunday, June 9, 2013
House at the End of the Street (2012) - Review
House at the End of the Street (2012) - Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot, Elisabeth Shue. Written by David Loucka and Jonathan Mostow. Directed by Mark Tonderai. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD and Netflix Watch Instantly.
This movie is really really bad. It is insanely clichéd. There seems to be no originality present in this movie. There is nothing that separates this film from any other horror film, other than the fact Jennifer Lawrence is in it. The subplot, which was about a battle of the bands, was really stupid and altogether unnecessary. The bad guy is exactly who you would expect it to be, although I spent the whole film wishing it would be someone else, just so the film wouldn't be as predictable. Some scenes were also annoyingly shot, including the opening. There was also not a single scary moment in this movie.
Plus, the title's really stupid. Really dumb.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
This movie is really really bad. It is insanely clichéd. There seems to be no originality present in this movie. There is nothing that separates this film from any other horror film, other than the fact Jennifer Lawrence is in it. The subplot, which was about a battle of the bands, was really stupid and altogether unnecessary. The bad guy is exactly who you would expect it to be, although I spent the whole film wishing it would be someone else, just so the film wouldn't be as predictable. Some scenes were also annoyingly shot, including the opening. There was also not a single scary moment in this movie.
Plus, the title's really stupid. Really dumb.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Sucker Punch (2011) - Review
Sucker Punch (2011) - Starring Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jaime Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm. Written by Zack Synder and Steve Shibuya. Directed by Zack Synder. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
Sucker Punch, the story of a young girl committed to an insane asylum who uses her imagination to keep herself away from the pain and trouble that she is facing in reality, is a film that could have been so much better. The story is not really all that bad, albeit a tad confusing. The cinematography is actually really cool.
However, the dialogue and the way it was delivered left a lot to be desired. While many of the supporting characters did really well in their roles, several of the lead girls had terrible delivery with their lines that ended up being really distracting. The fight scenes were amazing and were shot really well, but the dialogue in those scenes made the film feel like a video game. That is what I got most from the film: Sucker Punch would have made a great video game. But as a film, the randomness of the fight scenes and the terribly delivered, super explanatory dialogue really hurt the film. Definitely not Synder's best film. But also not the worst movie you could be watching.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Sucker Punch, the story of a young girl committed to an insane asylum who uses her imagination to keep herself away from the pain and trouble that she is facing in reality, is a film that could have been so much better. The story is not really all that bad, albeit a tad confusing. The cinematography is actually really cool.
However, the dialogue and the way it was delivered left a lot to be desired. While many of the supporting characters did really well in their roles, several of the lead girls had terrible delivery with their lines that ended up being really distracting. The fight scenes were amazing and were shot really well, but the dialogue in those scenes made the film feel like a video game. That is what I got most from the film: Sucker Punch would have made a great video game. But as a film, the randomness of the fight scenes and the terribly delivered, super explanatory dialogue really hurt the film. Definitely not Synder's best film. But also not the worst movie you could be watching.
Rating: 2 out of 5
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Sleepwalk With Me (2012) - Review
Sleepwalk With Me (2012) - Starring Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, and Carol Kane. Written by Mike Birbiglia, Ira Glass, Joe Birbiglia, and Seth Barrish. Directed by Mike Birbiglia. Rated PG-13. Available on DVD.
This movie was one of my favorite movies that came out last year. I loved it. The movie follows Matt Pandamiglio (based on and played by Mike Birbiglia), who is an aspiring stand-up comedian who is also dealing with a troublesome time in his relationship and a severe sleep disorder. All of the events are based on actual events that happened to Birbiglia.
What makes this movie great is how realistic everything is. It feels refreshingly honest. The main character screws up and then admits to the audience that they screwed up. The film employs a Woody Allen-esque way of the main character talking to the camera to narrate events which I really enjoyed. The writing and jokes were great and I loved how the jokes in the film gets better as Matt becomes more successful in his stand-up career. The premise was inventive and as I said before, very honest. I am very excited to see the next film from Birbiglia. He's very talented and very relatable. This film has made me a huge fan.
Watch this movie. Now. You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
This movie was one of my favorite movies that came out last year. I loved it. The movie follows Matt Pandamiglio (based on and played by Mike Birbiglia), who is an aspiring stand-up comedian who is also dealing with a troublesome time in his relationship and a severe sleep disorder. All of the events are based on actual events that happened to Birbiglia.
What makes this movie great is how realistic everything is. It feels refreshingly honest. The main character screws up and then admits to the audience that they screwed up. The film employs a Woody Allen-esque way of the main character talking to the camera to narrate events which I really enjoyed. The writing and jokes were great and I loved how the jokes in the film gets better as Matt becomes more successful in his stand-up career. The premise was inventive and as I said before, very honest. I am very excited to see the next film from Birbiglia. He's very talented and very relatable. This film has made me a huge fan.
Watch this movie. Now. You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Primer (2004) - Review
Primer (2004) - Starring Shane Carruth, David Sullivan. Written and Directed by Shane Carruth. Rated PG-13. Available on Netflix Watch Instantly and DVD.
The simple summary of what Primer is about is that is about two guys who accidentally build a time machine. But it is not that simple. Primer is without a doubt one of the most confusing movies I have ever seen. I tried to pay attention and follow it as best I could, but I still found myself completely lost. Maybe it's too smart for me. Maybe I need a little more information handed to me. There were just times where I felt like I had a handle on what was happening in the plot and I had a idea for the timeframe in which the story was happening, but then a scene would happen that would completely undermine that for me. To fully understand this film, you need a map or a chart to help you along the way. When a film is dealing with time travel and alternate realities, it is bound to get quite confusing and Primer is the most complex time travel film I have ever seen.
It was very good though. It was definitely one of the most original sci-fi films that I have seen in awhile. What makes it even more impressive is how effective and compelling the film is while being made for such a low budget. The acting is not that great, but that is almost to be expected in such a low budget film.
If you plan on watching this movie, be prepared to be confused. Because you will be. But this is a film that people can sit around and talk about, debating what happens in the film. Many people will watch it, just so they can know what all the fuss is about and then offer their own insight about it. I know I'm not fully sure what happened, but I am glad I watched it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
The simple summary of what Primer is about is that is about two guys who accidentally build a time machine. But it is not that simple. Primer is without a doubt one of the most confusing movies I have ever seen. I tried to pay attention and follow it as best I could, but I still found myself completely lost. Maybe it's too smart for me. Maybe I need a little more information handed to me. There were just times where I felt like I had a handle on what was happening in the plot and I had a idea for the timeframe in which the story was happening, but then a scene would happen that would completely undermine that for me. To fully understand this film, you need a map or a chart to help you along the way. When a film is dealing with time travel and alternate realities, it is bound to get quite confusing and Primer is the most complex time travel film I have ever seen.
It was very good though. It was definitely one of the most original sci-fi films that I have seen in awhile. What makes it even more impressive is how effective and compelling the film is while being made for such a low budget. The acting is not that great, but that is almost to be expected in such a low budget film.
If you plan on watching this movie, be prepared to be confused. Because you will be. But this is a film that people can sit around and talk about, debating what happens in the film. Many people will watch it, just so they can know what all the fuss is about and then offer their own insight about it. I know I'm not fully sure what happened, but I am glad I watched it.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Friday, May 31, 2013
The Hangover Part III (2013) - Review
The Hangover Part III (2013) - Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, John Goodman, Heather Graham, Melissa McCarthy. Written by Craig Mazin and Todd Phillips. Directed by Todd Phillips. Rated R. Now in Theaters.
The Wolfpack is back. And this time, there's no bachelor party, no forgotten night. But the Wolfpack still finds themselves in trouble as a gangster (Goodman) forces them to track down Leslie Chow (Jeong).
The saying goes "third time's the charm" and I think this movie lives up to that saying. Yes, it's not like the first movie, but everyone complained about the second film being too much like the first. I, for one, liked how the story line was changed up. This film is more of an action, one-liner filled, less raunchy (comparatively) comedy film than the other two. I laughed insanely hard at this movie- much harder than I laughed at Part II - and thoroughly enjoyed it. The chemistry between the leads continues to be fantastic and all of the actors continue to deliver strong comedic performances, especially Galifianakis, whose child-like Alan continues to shock and amuse. Newcomers to the franchise John Goodman and Melissa McCartney fit right in with the rest of the cast. One disappointment is that Goodman wasn't really given a chance to show of his comedic chops and instead was just the big bad villain for the film. One complaint I have read about this film is its pacing. It does tend to rush things to a degree, especially in the beginning, but I feel like the pacing doesn't really hurt the film that much.
This film makes up for the shortcomings of the second film. If you're a fan of the original, you should like this one. If not...well, oh well. I liked it. I liked it a lot. It almost makes me wish that there was a 4th one coming out, but this is the end. And what a spectacular ending it is.
Heads Up: Stay for the mid-credits scene. You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 4 out of 5
The Wolfpack is back. And this time, there's no bachelor party, no forgotten night. But the Wolfpack still finds themselves in trouble as a gangster (Goodman) forces them to track down Leslie Chow (Jeong).
The saying goes "third time's the charm" and I think this movie lives up to that saying. Yes, it's not like the first movie, but everyone complained about the second film being too much like the first. I, for one, liked how the story line was changed up. This film is more of an action, one-liner filled, less raunchy (comparatively) comedy film than the other two. I laughed insanely hard at this movie- much harder than I laughed at Part II - and thoroughly enjoyed it. The chemistry between the leads continues to be fantastic and all of the actors continue to deliver strong comedic performances, especially Galifianakis, whose child-like Alan continues to shock and amuse. Newcomers to the franchise John Goodman and Melissa McCartney fit right in with the rest of the cast. One disappointment is that Goodman wasn't really given a chance to show of his comedic chops and instead was just the big bad villain for the film. One complaint I have read about this film is its pacing. It does tend to rush things to a degree, especially in the beginning, but I feel like the pacing doesn't really hurt the film that much.
This film makes up for the shortcomings of the second film. If you're a fan of the original, you should like this one. If not...well, oh well. I liked it. I liked it a lot. It almost makes me wish that there was a 4th one coming out, but this is the end. And what a spectacular ending it is.
Heads Up: Stay for the mid-credits scene. You'll be glad you did.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Thursday, May 30, 2013
The Hangover Part II (2011) - Review
The Hangover Part II (2011) - Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Paul Giamatti, Jamie Chung, Mason Lee. Written by Craig Mazin, Scot Armstrong and Todd Phillips. Directed by Todd Phillips. Rated R. Available on DVD.
The Hangover Part II continues the story of the Wolfpack that began in The Hangover. This time, they're in Thailand for the wedding of Stu (Helms) and once again, Stu, Alan (Galifianakis), and Phil (Cooper) find themselves in an insane situation after a bachelor party they don't remember.
The problem that a lot of people have with this movie is that it is too similar to the first one, which undoubtably it is. But I think the bigger problem is that even though it tries to be exactly like the first one, it's nowhere near as funny. To me, the humor is a lot more gross this time around. And while the first one definitely had its share of gross moments, it was much better with one liners and funny jokes. This movie just doesn't seem to land as well.
I still enjoyed it. Maybe it's because I love seeing these three guys together. They're great. Ken Jeong, reprising his role as criminal Leslie Chow, is also good, but I don't find him as hilarious as a lot of people seem to. Maybe I just wish he would be a little less naked.
I think if this movie would have come out and the first movie never existed, people would have received it more warmly. But when compared to the first film, one of the most successful comedy films of all time, it just doesn't hold up as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
The Hangover Part II continues the story of the Wolfpack that began in The Hangover. This time, they're in Thailand for the wedding of Stu (Helms) and once again, Stu, Alan (Galifianakis), and Phil (Cooper) find themselves in an insane situation after a bachelor party they don't remember.
The problem that a lot of people have with this movie is that it is too similar to the first one, which undoubtably it is. But I think the bigger problem is that even though it tries to be exactly like the first one, it's nowhere near as funny. To me, the humor is a lot more gross this time around. And while the first one definitely had its share of gross moments, it was much better with one liners and funny jokes. This movie just doesn't seem to land as well.
I still enjoyed it. Maybe it's because I love seeing these three guys together. They're great. Ken Jeong, reprising his role as criminal Leslie Chow, is also good, but I don't find him as hilarious as a lot of people seem to. Maybe I just wish he would be a little less naked.
I think if this movie would have come out and the first movie never existed, people would have received it more warmly. But when compared to the first film, one of the most successful comedy films of all time, it just doesn't hold up as well.
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Hall Pass (2011) -- Review
Hall Pass (2011) - Starring Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate. Written by Pete Jones, Peter Farrelly, Kevin Barnett, Bobby Farrelly. Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Rated R. Available on DVD and HBO Go.
Hall Pass follows Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis), two married men, who are given a "hall pass" - a week off of marriage - by their wives (Fischer and Applegate). They are given a chance to do absolutely whatever they want with whoever they want to do it with and will face no consequences once the week is over.
Which is something that would 100% absolutely never happen. Ever. I spent the whole movie thinking this. It is completely unrealistic, and I get that comedies a lot of times are about ridiculous situations, but to me, this was too much of a stretch. But even with this ridiculous of a situation, this movie was immensely boring. I literally - no exaggeration- only laughed once during this movie and it was at Jason Sudeikis, who I typically find pretty funny.
Maybe it's the fact that I can't stand Owen Wilson's style of acting - like Woody Allen with even more stuttering- or maybe it's just not a good script. But if you're planning on watching this, find another comedy to watch. Chances are that it will be more realistic, funnier, and all around better than this one.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Hall Pass follows Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis), two married men, who are given a "hall pass" - a week off of marriage - by their wives (Fischer and Applegate). They are given a chance to do absolutely whatever they want with whoever they want to do it with and will face no consequences once the week is over.
Which is something that would 100% absolutely never happen. Ever. I spent the whole movie thinking this. It is completely unrealistic, and I get that comedies a lot of times are about ridiculous situations, but to me, this was too much of a stretch. But even with this ridiculous of a situation, this movie was immensely boring. I literally - no exaggeration- only laughed once during this movie and it was at Jason Sudeikis, who I typically find pretty funny.
Maybe it's the fact that I can't stand Owen Wilson's style of acting - like Woody Allen with even more stuttering- or maybe it's just not a good script. But if you're planning on watching this, find another comedy to watch. Chances are that it will be more realistic, funnier, and all around better than this one.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Monday, May 27, 2013
The Hangover (2009) - Review
The Hangover (2009) - Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifiankis, Justin Bartha. Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Directed by Todd Phillips. Rated R. Available on DVD.
If you haven't seen The Hangover by now, you should. There's a reason why it was as popular as it was. It's funny, and at the time, original. The chemistry between the three leads is fantastic and their performances in this film is what helped their careers become even larger. At the time this film was released, no one really knew who these people were. Now everyone does. (Yes, I realize those are sweeping generalizations.) I really do enjoy this film. Something I really like about this movie, in addition to the great writing and original plot, is how this film is directed. Lots of the shots in the movie are really cool visually. The song selection for this film is also quite great. The humor, at times, is really disgusting, but the really funny parts to me are the quick one liners and the crazy situations that the characters face.
I like this movie. I like it a lot. And it's still funny the third time I've seen it, which a lot of comedies aren't.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
If you haven't seen The Hangover by now, you should. There's a reason why it was as popular as it was. It's funny, and at the time, original. The chemistry between the three leads is fantastic and their performances in this film is what helped their careers become even larger. At the time this film was released, no one really knew who these people were. Now everyone does. (Yes, I realize those are sweeping generalizations.) I really do enjoy this film. Something I really like about this movie, in addition to the great writing and original plot, is how this film is directed. Lots of the shots in the movie are really cool visually. The song selection for this film is also quite great. The humor, at times, is really disgusting, but the really funny parts to me are the quick one liners and the crazy situations that the characters face.
I like this movie. I like it a lot. And it's still funny the third time I've seen it, which a lot of comedies aren't.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
New Year's Eve (2011) - Review
New Year's Eve (2011) - Starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Michelle Pfieffer, Zac Efron, Seth Meyers, Josh Duhamel, Jon Bon Jovi, Ashton Kutcher, Lea Michele, Robert De Niro. Written by Katherine Fugate. Directed by Garry Marshall. Rated PG-13. Available on HBO Go and DVD.
New Year's Eve follows several individuals and couples during New Year's Eve in New York, which is an amazing time of the year. If you were looking for this movie at the store, you would have to look next to the Cheetos because this is a giant cheeseball of a movie. The stories are unrealistic. The characters aren't all that interesting. The dialogue is terrible. The acting, despite the cast, is almost amateurish. It almost seems like everyone who worked on this film phoned it in. The only thing redeemable I found in this film was the fact that Robert De Niro did pretty well in it, but that was nowhere near enough to safe it. The jokes were stale. I wanted so much to laugh at Seth Meyers, who I think is hilarious and quite talented, but all the jokes were stale jokes. The lowest, and cheesiest moment, is definitely the Bon Jovi/Lea Michele duet montage while everyone is searching for love. On top of this, there was more product placement in this movie than I have ever seen before, which explains how they were able to pay so many actors to do a whole lot of nothing.
This movie almost made me want to never visit New York during the holidays. Almost.
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Monday, May 20, 2013
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (2012) - Review
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (2012) - Starring Charlie Sheen, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray. Written and Directed by Roman Coppola. Rated R. Available on DVD.
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III follows Charles Swan (played by Charlie Sheen, who the character is obviously based on), a graphic designer who is trying desperately to get over his girlfriend who left him. He has an active imagination that creates fantasy scenes that he imagines while dealing with things.
This film is completely over-the-top, but not in a good way. It aspires to have the same type of quirkiness that Wes Anderson films have (Coppola wrote two of Anderson's films), but it doesn't really succeed. Yes, it's weird and off-beat, but it just isn't interesting. I was completely unable to care about any of the characters or what was going on. For a film that had so many things happening in it, it was pretty boring. The actors seem to barely care about what is going on themselves, except it seems for Sheen. The redeeming quality is the cool visuals present in the films.
If you've thought about watching this movie, I recommend just watching something else.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III follows Charles Swan (played by Charlie Sheen, who the character is obviously based on), a graphic designer who is trying desperately to get over his girlfriend who left him. He has an active imagination that creates fantasy scenes that he imagines while dealing with things.
This film is completely over-the-top, but not in a good way. It aspires to have the same type of quirkiness that Wes Anderson films have (Coppola wrote two of Anderson's films), but it doesn't really succeed. Yes, it's weird and off-beat, but it just isn't interesting. I was completely unable to care about any of the characters or what was going on. For a film that had so many things happening in it, it was pretty boring. The actors seem to barely care about what is going on themselves, except it seems for Sheen. The redeeming quality is the cool visuals present in the films.
If you've thought about watching this movie, I recommend just watching something else.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - Review
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve. Written by Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, & Damon Lindelof. Directed by J.J. Abrams. Rated PG-13. Now in theaters.
Star Trek Into Darkness continues the adventures of the crew of the USS Enterprise as they face their most dangerous assignment yet: capturing one very dangerous man. Star Trek Into Darkness is the second in the rebooted Star Trek film series and it is once again directed by J.J. Abrams, arguably the most popular director of big budget Sci-Fi films of the moment (though Joss Whedon is probably a close second).
Into Darkness is a worthy successor to the first of Abrams' Star Trek films. There is more action in this one than the other and the action scenes are amazing. It has a very fun, but pretty predictable, plot. None of the "twists" that this movie had were all that surprising, but it was still very entertaining. And that's all I really want out of a big budget action movie. I just want it to be entertaining.
One thing that Abrams continues to do well in this film is to develop his characters and their relationships. Abrams is quite talented on focusing on characters amid all of the action scenes. This movie was very good and very entertaining.
What I keep thinking during the movie was "I can't wait to see what Abrams does with Star Wars."
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Star Trek Into Darkness continues the adventures of the crew of the USS Enterprise as they face their most dangerous assignment yet: capturing one very dangerous man. Star Trek Into Darkness is the second in the rebooted Star Trek film series and it is once again directed by J.J. Abrams, arguably the most popular director of big budget Sci-Fi films of the moment (though Joss Whedon is probably a close second).
Into Darkness is a worthy successor to the first of Abrams' Star Trek films. There is more action in this one than the other and the action scenes are amazing. It has a very fun, but pretty predictable, plot. None of the "twists" that this movie had were all that surprising, but it was still very entertaining. And that's all I really want out of a big budget action movie. I just want it to be entertaining.
One thing that Abrams continues to do well in this film is to develop his characters and their relationships. Abrams is quite talented on focusing on characters amid all of the action scenes. This movie was very good and very entertaining.
What I keep thinking during the movie was "I can't wait to see what Abrams does with Star Wars."
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Thursday, May 16, 2013
The Change-Up (2011) - Review
The Change-Up (2011) - Starring Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde. Written by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. Directed by David Dobkin. Rated R. Available on DVD and HBO GO.
The Change-Up follows Dave (Bateman), a lawyer with a wife and three kids, and Mitch, an aspiring actor who hasn't really grown up. Through a magical fountain, these two find themselves switching bodies and living each others' lives for a week or so. Along the way, they learn that their life was never really that bad and that the grass is not really greener on the other side.
The Change-Up is the Freaky Friday for the crowd who likes raunchy comedies, which could've resulted in a funny movie. But this movie falls flat because it doesn't really "change-up" anything. This movie was a safe bet for the studio, but the problem with it is that it just isn't good. It's forgettable. I honestly did not laugh once, even though I desperately wanted to. The secret to great comedies, even raunchy ones, is to not rely solely on sophomoric humor. Smart jokes can be made too.
I just didn't enjoy this film at all. And that's a shame considering the actors and actresses.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
The Change-Up follows Dave (Bateman), a lawyer with a wife and three kids, and Mitch, an aspiring actor who hasn't really grown up. Through a magical fountain, these two find themselves switching bodies and living each others' lives for a week or so. Along the way, they learn that their life was never really that bad and that the grass is not really greener on the other side.
The Change-Up is the Freaky Friday for the crowd who likes raunchy comedies, which could've resulted in a funny movie. But this movie falls flat because it doesn't really "change-up" anything. This movie was a safe bet for the studio, but the problem with it is that it just isn't good. It's forgettable. I honestly did not laugh once, even though I desperately wanted to. The secret to great comedies, even raunchy ones, is to not rely solely on sophomoric humor. Smart jokes can be made too.
I just didn't enjoy this film at all. And that's a shame considering the actors and actresses.
Rating: 2 out of 5.
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