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.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
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.
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