Ok, I went into this not knowing a thing about it, except that Bradley Cooper was in it. And he does not disappoint. I've seen him be Hungover, twice. I've seen him as a struggling writer, twice. I've seen him Not That Into Jennifer Connelly. And he does not disappoint in this movie, playing a "just released" mental patient. This is a great movie that shows how well this man can act.
The only previous movies I had seen Jennifer Lawrence in was "X-Men: First Class", playing Mystique (her acting was good in that), and in "The Hunger Games", playing Katniss (in which I personally thought her acting jumped through the roof, the minute she actually started the game in the movie). And in this movie, she raises the "acting bar" even higher. I had my doubts about her, but I will say that she is a wonderful actress, and this movie shows and proves it.
And it was nice to see Chris Tucker not play futuristic radio host. He actually played an interesting side character. All these great actors, with Robert DeNiro in there too, really made this story great. The dialogue seemed very real. Emotions and situations behind them were real also. I would personally love to meet a character like Tiffany in real life. There was just something that was very real about her. And to me, that is what makes a really great actress.
One of the drawbacks to this movie, at least for me, was all of the football talk. I am not a football person. So, some of that dialogue went over my head. Or I was waiting for the conversation to finish. But, they did find an interesting way to make football part of the plot (the bet in the 3rd act). And for that alone, I will even give the football aspect a thumbs up. I'll be surprised if this doesn't win at least one Oscar (Best Actress, I'm guessing).
Final Rating: A+
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Movie Review- "The Life of Pi"
Ok, I went into this without knowing anything about the plot whatsoever. I only heard that the 3D was amazing. So, I went to see this to be visually entertained, which I was. For those that are constantly on the internet, I'm sure you have heard that this movie makes the 3D in "Avatar" look "Avatarded". Lame joke, I know. But, it is very true in this instance. The 3D was beyond spectacular. Beautiful use of colors, and a great story to boot.
Although this is a "religious movie", it doesn't necessarily force you to think a certain way. It is not so much "preachy", but it does educate you into a way of thinking. It touches on 3 religions: Catholicism, Islam, and Hindu. But, it doesn't say "Hey! Be this religion". With that in mind, I loved this movie. The last movie I saw that would be considered "religious" would be "The Book of Eli", and even that was not preachy. While this movie does focus more on spirituality than religion, it doesn't go overboard. The spirituality is an important part of the plot.
The movie was so well-written that the story hooks you, and you are swept into this story. And it is fun and exciting. There are quite a few "edge-of-your-seat" moments, which is something I personally have not experienced much in the theaters (I think the last movie to have me on the edge of my seat was "The Avengers").
So: Great plot, stunning visual effects, characters that we could relate to (animal or human), a movie that keeps you thinking even after the end credits roll. This movie seemed to have it all. Definitely recommended that you see it... in 3D!
My Rating: A+
Although this is a "religious movie", it doesn't necessarily force you to think a certain way. It is not so much "preachy", but it does educate you into a way of thinking. It touches on 3 religions: Catholicism, Islam, and Hindu. But, it doesn't say "Hey! Be this religion". With that in mind, I loved this movie. The last movie I saw that would be considered "religious" would be "The Book of Eli", and even that was not preachy. While this movie does focus more on spirituality than religion, it doesn't go overboard. The spirituality is an important part of the plot.
The movie was so well-written that the story hooks you, and you are swept into this story. And it is fun and exciting. There are quite a few "edge-of-your-seat" moments, which is something I personally have not experienced much in the theaters (I think the last movie to have me on the edge of my seat was "The Avengers").
So: Great plot, stunning visual effects, characters that we could relate to (animal or human), a movie that keeps you thinking even after the end credits roll. This movie seemed to have it all. Definitely recommended that you see it... in 3D!
My Rating: A+
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Movie Review- "Skyfall"
Ok, before we get into my review of this movie, keep in mind that I have only seen a few Bond flicks. I tried watching "Dr. No" back when I was a teenager, but found the beginning so boring I turned it off. Then, someone (i don't remember who) suggested I start with "The Living Daylights" (and Timothy Dalton was the worst Bond ever). I don't remember that much about it, except for the scene where a blond chick rides down a snow bank in a cello case. Then, I saw "Die Another Day", which to my understanding, was the last of the "formulaic" Bond movies. I kind of liked the hokeyness of it, from what I remember. Finishing up with the Daniel Craig incarnations of "Casino Royale" (which was ok), and "Quantum of Solace" (which I did not really like very much).
At first, I thought that "Skyfall" was a 3rd part, continuing from "Quantum of Solace", but was informed that this was a new adventure. So, with that in mind, I decided to give it a shot. The starts out with a very good chase scene, with Bond working with a partner named "Eve", played by Naomie Harris, who I haven't seen since Johnny Depp became a pirate. She was nice and loyal and charming in this, as well as beautiful. But then again, most Bond girls are. She was the one with a good, moral compass.
And they introduced a new "Q", a young 20-something. His scenes are brief, but he does have this camera presence that makes him a very likable character. Hope to see more of him in future Bpond movies.
Javier Bardem plays the main villain Silva, who we don't even see until 1/2 way through the movie (something that kind of bothered me). They could have at least shown him in shadow or something, prior to his somewhat comical entrance into the film. He seems to have a slight "Joker-ish" quality about him. Other people on IMDB pointed out how much this film borrows from "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises". Some of those borrowed features are very easy to spot. I was just waiting for Silva to ask Bond (while strapped to a chair), "Wanna know how I got these scars?"... LOL. Maybe I'm a bit of a "Bond n00b", but does EVERY Bond villain have some sort of physical deformity or impairment? At least with this movie, they did not make it glaringly obvious until halfway through what his deformity was.
********************SPOILERS BELOW***********************
But, this movie never has a dull moment. Although, I was say that the ending was a bit of a letdown and very anticlimactic for me. I guess I was expecting more for an ending in a Bond flick. And I'm talking about how the villain died. But, one thing I really liked about this was how they broke tradition. Judi Dench made a great "M", from the few movies I saw her in. But, I really liked that they killed her off. Not that she wasn't a good character. Far from it. But, I don't think she has ever died in the series before. And that was a refreshing change.
So, keeping all that in mind...
Final Rating: B-
At first, I thought that "Skyfall" was a 3rd part, continuing from "Quantum of Solace", but was informed that this was a new adventure. So, with that in mind, I decided to give it a shot. The starts out with a very good chase scene, with Bond working with a partner named "Eve", played by Naomie Harris, who I haven't seen since Johnny Depp became a pirate. She was nice and loyal and charming in this, as well as beautiful. But then again, most Bond girls are. She was the one with a good, moral compass.
And they introduced a new "Q", a young 20-something. His scenes are brief, but he does have this camera presence that makes him a very likable character. Hope to see more of him in future Bpond movies.
Javier Bardem plays the main villain Silva, who we don't even see until 1/2 way through the movie (something that kind of bothered me). They could have at least shown him in shadow or something, prior to his somewhat comical entrance into the film. He seems to have a slight "Joker-ish" quality about him. Other people on IMDB pointed out how much this film borrows from "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises". Some of those borrowed features are very easy to spot. I was just waiting for Silva to ask Bond (while strapped to a chair), "Wanna know how I got these scars?"... LOL. Maybe I'm a bit of a "Bond n00b", but does EVERY Bond villain have some sort of physical deformity or impairment? At least with this movie, they did not make it glaringly obvious until halfway through what his deformity was.
********************SPOILERS BELOW***********************
But, this movie never has a dull moment. Although, I was say that the ending was a bit of a letdown and very anticlimactic for me. I guess I was expecting more for an ending in a Bond flick. And I'm talking about how the villain died. But, one thing I really liked about this was how they broke tradition. Judi Dench made a great "M", from the few movies I saw her in. But, I really liked that they killed her off. Not that she wasn't a good character. Far from it. But, I don't think she has ever died in the series before. And that was a refreshing change.
So, keeping all that in mind...
Final Rating: B-
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Movie Review- "Wreck-It Ralph"
Ok, disregarding the fact that this is a Disney film, I got drawn in by all the cameo appearances from all the throwback games from yesteryear. During the first 30 minutes, I was looking at the screen going "Oh, there's the old Star Wars game! Hey, there's Road Blasters!". Just for that alone, I got my money's worth.
However, once the story actually get's going, it really pulls you in. The main character of the story is the villain of the game this time around (if that makes any sense), but he wants to feel accepted and belong. I could relate to the character. I really liked the concept that these characters could interact with one another after the arcade had closed (kind of like the Toy Story movies how the toys could move when no humans were around).
The character of Vanellope started off annoying for me. But, as the story went on, we understand her as a "glitch" in the game. So, maybe she was supposed to be. I don't know. When Ralph and her started to actually bond as friends, she became less annoying. And towards the end, she was even a bit adorable, like the "It's so Fluffy!!!!" girl from Despicable Me.
Jane Lynch was hilarious as the tough-as-nails op from hybrid spoof game "Hero's Duty". And of course, she had to have an emotional backstory... Spoofed to perfection, I'd say.
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable ride. Never really a dull moment. Nothing really offensive that I can think of. So, feel free to take the children, they will enjoy this movie.
My Rating: A-
However, once the story actually get's going, it really pulls you in. The main character of the story is the villain of the game this time around (if that makes any sense), but he wants to feel accepted and belong. I could relate to the character. I really liked the concept that these characters could interact with one another after the arcade had closed (kind of like the Toy Story movies how the toys could move when no humans were around).
The character of Vanellope started off annoying for me. But, as the story went on, we understand her as a "glitch" in the game. So, maybe she was supposed to be. I don't know. When Ralph and her started to actually bond as friends, she became less annoying. And towards the end, she was even a bit adorable, like the "It's so Fluffy!!!!" girl from Despicable Me.
Jane Lynch was hilarious as the tough-as-nails op from hybrid spoof game "Hero's Duty". And of course, she had to have an emotional backstory... Spoofed to perfection, I'd say.
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable ride. Never really a dull moment. Nothing really offensive that I can think of. So, feel free to take the children, they will enjoy this movie.
My Rating: A-
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Movie Review- "Cloud Atlas"
What can I say? Almost a year of remakes, rehashes, re-imaginings, and regurgitated messes, then a truly unique movie like this comes out. The movie doesn't necessarily have a "main character" as it does, a few "transmigrating souls". The characters in this are unique unto themselves. Some you love to hate, some you hate to love. It was interesting to see a movie tackles a touchy subject as Reincarnation. But this movie handled it artistically well.
Halle Berry and Tom Hanks prove that they both still have the acting knack. And Hugo Weaving stole the show no matter what scene he was in. He was especially impressive as the nurse. This was the first movie in which I saw Doona Bae. I was the most impressed with her acting. She was a shining star. I look forward to see her in future movies. And, to me, her storyline was by far the most interesting.
I will say that one of the "flaws" in the movie was the part where Tom Hanks played the tribesman named Zachry. It's not so much his character or storyline that bothered me, it was the dialect they chose for post-apocalyptic Earth. Some of the language was somewhat easy to pick up ("true-true = the truth", for example). But, I felt like I was missing out on important information when we were first introduced to it, because I was not expecting it. And according to various people on the IMDB message boards, they are in agreement with me. I personally didn't find it that big of an issue, but it was annoying in some scenes.
Each storyline parallels another in the fact that all the central characters in each storyline are struggling in their own personal way. And they way that it all ties together was handled brilliantly. I give a giant thumbs up to the Wachowski siblings. I may have to see this again as there was so much detail.
Final Rating: A-
Halle Berry and Tom Hanks prove that they both still have the acting knack. And Hugo Weaving stole the show no matter what scene he was in. He was especially impressive as the nurse. This was the first movie in which I saw Doona Bae. I was the most impressed with her acting. She was a shining star. I look forward to see her in future movies. And, to me, her storyline was by far the most interesting.
I will say that one of the "flaws" in the movie was the part where Tom Hanks played the tribesman named Zachry. It's not so much his character or storyline that bothered me, it was the dialect they chose for post-apocalyptic Earth. Some of the language was somewhat easy to pick up ("true-true = the truth", for example). But, I felt like I was missing out on important information when we were first introduced to it, because I was not expecting it. And according to various people on the IMDB message boards, they are in agreement with me. I personally didn't find it that big of an issue, but it was annoying in some scenes.
Each storyline parallels another in the fact that all the central characters in each storyline are struggling in their own personal way. And they way that it all ties together was handled brilliantly. I give a giant thumbs up to the Wachowski siblings. I may have to see this again as there was so much detail.
Final Rating: A-
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Movie Review- "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
I went to see this because I wanted to see how well Emma Watson could do as far as acting outside of the Harry Potter universe. And I could somewhat relate to the plot of the movie. This movie also takes place in the early to mid-90s, before every teenager on the planet had a cell phone, back when friends gave other friends "mixed tapes". I wonder if teenagers today know what a mixed tape is.
This movie brought back a lot of nostalgic moments in school for me. I could relate to the main character (He loved to read beyond what was required, I was the same way but with writing). He, like me, did not portray any confidence in any social situation at the beginning of the movie, hence why no one talked to him. He was a very likable character, but overshadowed by another.
Ezra Miller stole the show in every scene he was in. Yes, he was a gay character, but I would have loved to have a friend like this in school. Someone to stand by you. He was the comic relief for the majority of the film, but then he takes a serious tone toward the end. He's a good actor, and I look forward to seeing him in future films.
I was kind of confused as to how to perceive Emma Watson's character. She and the main character seemed to portray good chemistry in the scenes of them together. But, there is a scene where they kiss, but she is currently dating someone else. I'm not sure if that is normal among teenagers nowadays. If it is, maybe that is why that scene threw me off.
I feel that this film may be like "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" in the sense that although it did not do well at the box office, and it may not stand the test of time, that it may gain a following of sorts. Not because of the cliches throughout, but I felt that there was an underlying truth behind the characters and events. Will I see this movie again? I'm not sure. Something tells me that I may gain more if I see this a second time.
If you have read the book, or you think that I should give it a second shot, please feel free to leave feedback in the Comments section below.
Final Rating: B+
This movie brought back a lot of nostalgic moments in school for me. I could relate to the main character (He loved to read beyond what was required, I was the same way but with writing). He, like me, did not portray any confidence in any social situation at the beginning of the movie, hence why no one talked to him. He was a very likable character, but overshadowed by another.
Ezra Miller stole the show in every scene he was in. Yes, he was a gay character, but I would have loved to have a friend like this in school. Someone to stand by you. He was the comic relief for the majority of the film, but then he takes a serious tone toward the end. He's a good actor, and I look forward to seeing him in future films.
I was kind of confused as to how to perceive Emma Watson's character. She and the main character seemed to portray good chemistry in the scenes of them together. But, there is a scene where they kiss, but she is currently dating someone else. I'm not sure if that is normal among teenagers nowadays. If it is, maybe that is why that scene threw me off.
I feel that this film may be like "Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist" in the sense that although it did not do well at the box office, and it may not stand the test of time, that it may gain a following of sorts. Not because of the cliches throughout, but I felt that there was an underlying truth behind the characters and events. Will I see this movie again? I'm not sure. Something tells me that I may gain more if I see this a second time.
If you have read the book, or you think that I should give it a second shot, please feel free to leave feedback in the Comments section below.
Final Rating: B+
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Movie Review- "Pitch Perfect"
Ok, I went into this not knowing much about it. I saw Rebel Wilson in the trailers. She is cute and funny, and the trailers made it seem as if this was a comedy, in my opinion. I was half-right. It turned out to be a comedy-musical. But, I love Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendricks so I thought I would stick through the movie. The movie centers around Anna Kendricks, and she is just a relatable character.
Rebel Wilson is so adorable and funny. I loved seeing her in "Bridesmaids". She always steals the show no matter what scene she is in. I can not wait to see what other movies she has ahead of her. The last time I saw Brittany Snow in a movie was in "Prom Night" and I didn't think her acting ability was all that great. But, since then, her acting has greatly improved. And I'm glad she went redhead in this. It makes her stand out a bit more.
This is Hana Mae Lee's first movie. She has a quiet, cute sense about her in the movie. For a while, I thought it was Winnie Cooper, but with an Asian flare. But, she was great in her part also. She also steals the scene when it is focused on her.
However, I was not expecting a musical when I went into this, and that was my downfall for this movie. Not that I was expecting no singing at all. But, there was just too much singing. If they lessened the singing and focused more on the story of Anna Kendrick's character, this probably would have been much more enjoyable on a story-telling level.
If you like TV shows like "The X Factor" and singing/dancing talent shows of the like, then you may enjoy this movie. If I liked shows like that, I may have enjoyed the movie more than I did. But, it was ok for what it was. Totally worth seeing for the acting talent alone.
Final Rating: C+
Rebel Wilson is so adorable and funny. I loved seeing her in "Bridesmaids". She always steals the show no matter what scene she is in. I can not wait to see what other movies she has ahead of her. The last time I saw Brittany Snow in a movie was in "Prom Night" and I didn't think her acting ability was all that great. But, since then, her acting has greatly improved. And I'm glad she went redhead in this. It makes her stand out a bit more.
This is Hana Mae Lee's first movie. She has a quiet, cute sense about her in the movie. For a while, I thought it was Winnie Cooper, but with an Asian flare. But, she was great in her part also. She also steals the scene when it is focused on her.
However, I was not expecting a musical when I went into this, and that was my downfall for this movie. Not that I was expecting no singing at all. But, there was just too much singing. If they lessened the singing and focused more on the story of Anna Kendrick's character, this probably would have been much more enjoyable on a story-telling level.
If you like TV shows like "The X Factor" and singing/dancing talent shows of the like, then you may enjoy this movie. If I liked shows like that, I may have enjoyed the movie more than I did. But, it was ok for what it was. Totally worth seeing for the acting talent alone.
Final Rating: C+
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Movie Review- "Looper"
Ok, first off, I love movies that involve time travel. From "Back to the Future" to the 3rd Harry Potter movie. But with all time travel movies, inconsistencies are boundless. But with this movie and it's plot that just pulls you in from the get-go, you never really notice any inconsistencies;
Joseph Gordon-Leavitt is a great actor. And this movie (as well as "Inception" and "The Lookout") proves it even more. He made a great younger version of Bruce Willis (nose shape / jaw area, especially) but I think they went a bit too far with the contact lenses, as they were practically bursting out of the screen whenever it cut to a close-up shot of Joseph.
Emily Blunt was an interesting choice for her role in in this. I would never have expected to see her in a role like this. But, she played it really well.
And Paul Dano is a bit role did great with what he had. He freaks out really well.
Final Rating: A-
Joseph Gordon-Leavitt is a great actor. And this movie (as well as "Inception" and "The Lookout") proves it even more. He made a great younger version of Bruce Willis (nose shape / jaw area, especially) but I think they went a bit too far with the contact lenses, as they were practically bursting out of the screen whenever it cut to a close-up shot of Joseph.
Emily Blunt was an interesting choice for her role in in this. I would never have expected to see her in a role like this. But, she played it really well.
And Paul Dano is a bit role did great with what he had. He freaks out really well.
Final Rating: A-
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Movie Review- "The Words"
As a struggling writer of short stories, I could relate to the idea of this movie. And this movie does not disappoint much. Bradly Cooper and Zoe Saldana had great chemistry on screen. This movie was multi-layered. It, in essence, was a story within a story within a story. It was portrayed in a great, engaging way, dealing with an emotional struggle many writers go through.
From the moment the movie starts, it just pulls you in and never lets go. I did find Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde's chemistry to be a bit off-putting at first, but there was just something about it that really worked. Jeremy Irons worked really well as an unnamed old man who is integral to the plot of the film. This was probably the most emotional movie I have seen so far this year.
My only real complaint about the movie was the ending. I personally thought that an important piece of information was going to be revealed, but the movie ended before it was revealed. I may be wrong about this information, but it would have been nice to have it confirmed.
Final Rating: A-
From the moment the movie starts, it just pulls you in and never lets go. I did find Dennis Quaid and Olivia Wilde's chemistry to be a bit off-putting at first, but there was just something about it that really worked. Jeremy Irons worked really well as an unnamed old man who is integral to the plot of the film. This was probably the most emotional movie I have seen so far this year.
My only real complaint about the movie was the ending. I personally thought that an important piece of information was going to be revealed, but the movie ended before it was revealed. I may be wrong about this information, but it would have been nice to have it confirmed.
Final Rating: A-
Movie Review- "Branded"
The trailers for this movie did not get much air play. I only saw the trailer once. Maybe I misinterpreted what I saw. I got the impression that this was going to be a comical satire on mass consumerism. And had they kept this in a humorous light, then this would have been a really good movie.
However, they kept a mostly serious tone throughout the movie. For the first half of the movie, it did seem as if the scenes lasted 5 minutes each, then faded to black. And the awful, monotone narrator was very boring for the first half, along with the awkward musical cues.
But, as the film crossed into the second half, it did seem to pick up a bit. I had high hopes for this, as Leelee Sobieski was in this, but her character had no depth, I thought the main actor did an ok job for what he had. I'm upset that this movie had great potential, but was ultimately letdown.
I would not recommend this at all. Sorry, folks.
Final Rating: D-
However, they kept a mostly serious tone throughout the movie. For the first half of the movie, it did seem as if the scenes lasted 5 minutes each, then faded to black. And the awful, monotone narrator was very boring for the first half, along with the awkward musical cues.
But, as the film crossed into the second half, it did seem to pick up a bit. I had high hopes for this, as Leelee Sobieski was in this, but her character had no depth, I thought the main actor did an ok job for what he had. I'm upset that this movie had great potential, but was ultimately letdown.
I would not recommend this at all. Sorry, folks.
Final Rating: D-
Friday, September 7, 2012
Movie Review- "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" (Spoilers Within)
Ok, I am not really much of a Jennifer Garner fan. I haven't seen her in anything really good since she played the villain in "Juno". But, the plot of this intrigued me, as I though that there was going to be something of a plot twist near the end of the movie. But, this is a Disney movie. And what you see in the trailers is pretty much what you get. There are no real surprises here.
I did like the way that the movie started, in the present, with the story part being a flashback. It was a great way to pull the viewer in. However, from a storytelling perspective, there were a few issues I had with this film. So, the kid grew in the garden, but yet he knew social mannerism and spoke English. How would he know this?
And in the movie, he meets this very unique girl (played brilliantly by Odeya Rush). We never see her with her parents or any parents for that matter. I got the impression that she was an orphan. So it would make perfect sense if she was the one the parents adopted at the end of the movie, but instead they end up adopting a random Asian girl whom we never met in the movie whatsoever. If we had met her at some point in the movie, it would have made a bit more sense.
I don't feel we got enough character development from the secondary characters at all. With the adoptive parents, we got a good sense of who they were as people. But, the other people in their lives (family, co-workers, etc.) felt like they were just on screen to fill space.
This movie could have been a lot better, but the way the film "flowed" left a lot to be desired. I have seen enough "special child with unique gift" movies that I was hoping for something a bit more. I did not see anything special or innovative about this film, it was just okay.
Final Rating: C-
I did like the way that the movie started, in the present, with the story part being a flashback. It was a great way to pull the viewer in. However, from a storytelling perspective, there were a few issues I had with this film. So, the kid grew in the garden, but yet he knew social mannerism and spoke English. How would he know this?
And in the movie, he meets this very unique girl (played brilliantly by Odeya Rush). We never see her with her parents or any parents for that matter. I got the impression that she was an orphan. So it would make perfect sense if she was the one the parents adopted at the end of the movie, but instead they end up adopting a random Asian girl whom we never met in the movie whatsoever. If we had met her at some point in the movie, it would have made a bit more sense.
I don't feel we got enough character development from the secondary characters at all. With the adoptive parents, we got a good sense of who they were as people. But, the other people in their lives (family, co-workers, etc.) felt like they were just on screen to fill space.
This movie could have been a lot better, but the way the film "flowed" left a lot to be desired. I have seen enough "special child with unique gift" movies that I was hoping for something a bit more. I did not see anything special or innovative about this film, it was just okay.
Final Rating: C-
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Movie Review- "Singin' in the Rain" (1952)
My theater was having a one night only special showing of this, so I went to see it. I had never seen it before, but know that Gene Kelly is a legendary performer... and this movie proves it. The movie also features a young Debbie Reynolds, back when she was just starting out and she did an awesome job. And Donald O'Connor was hilarious in his role as the #2 man.
The plot is easy to follow. Every time Donald O'Connor was onscreen, you just had to laugh. He was hilarious is every scene he was in. All the dance sequences were choreographed beautifully. It's easy to see why this is a classic film. Jean Hagen was just hysterical as the "villain" of the film. You just loved to hate her.
My only complaint about this film is that there seemed to be one scene that didn't really "fit" with the rest of the movie. It had Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Don't get me wrong. The dancing was beautiful, even if it did seem to drag on a bit. The scene was shot beautifully, but I guess I am just having trouble seeing where it fit into the plot of the film. But, like I said, very minor complaint.
My Final Rating: A-
The plot is easy to follow. Every time Donald O'Connor was onscreen, you just had to laugh. He was hilarious is every scene he was in. All the dance sequences were choreographed beautifully. It's easy to see why this is a classic film. Jean Hagen was just hysterical as the "villain" of the film. You just loved to hate her.
My only complaint about this film is that there seemed to be one scene that didn't really "fit" with the rest of the movie. It had Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse. Don't get me wrong. The dancing was beautiful, even if it did seem to drag on a bit. The scene was shot beautifully, but I guess I am just having trouble seeing where it fit into the plot of the film. But, like I said, very minor complaint.
My Final Rating: A-
Movie Review- "The Bourne Legacy"
Ok, I went into this not remembering much about the previous 3 movies, which as it turns out, worked in my favor. This almost works as a stand alone movie, with some necessary flashbacks and information that could be picked up along the way.
Jeremy Renner is an interesting choice to fill the shoes of Matt Damon. He did a terrific job in the role. And the beautiful Rachel Weisz was really good. I haven't seen her in a role this well-suited for her since "The Fountain". I thought these 2 stars had a good chemistry on screen.
My only real complaint is that it felt that I watched half a movie. not because of the length of the movie, but because of the structure of the story. Just when you think the movie is going to finally "get going", they slap the ending credits on us. I understand that they wanted to leave us hanging for the sequel, but I just felt a bit cheated by the ending. Maybe my complaint will lessen when the sequel does come out.
Overall this was an ok movie, but probably something I wouldn't see again.
My Final Rating: C+
Jeremy Renner is an interesting choice to fill the shoes of Matt Damon. He did a terrific job in the role. And the beautiful Rachel Weisz was really good. I haven't seen her in a role this well-suited for her since "The Fountain". I thought these 2 stars had a good chemistry on screen.
My only real complaint is that it felt that I watched half a movie. not because of the length of the movie, but because of the structure of the story. Just when you think the movie is going to finally "get going", they slap the ending credits on us. I understand that they wanted to leave us hanging for the sequel, but I just felt a bit cheated by the ending. Maybe my complaint will lessen when the sequel does come out.
Overall this was an ok movie, but probably something I wouldn't see again.
My Final Rating: C+
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Movie Review- Total Recall (2012)
Ok, I went into this treating it like a standalone movie. I didn't compare it to the 1990 version. The story itself is self-contained, so there is no need to see the original before seeing this one. The story itself is very cut and dry. Once the action gets going, it never seems to stop. And for me, that was a small part of the problem. There was too much action and not enough plot. They tried to make plot twists in this but as a viewer, you knew what was going to happen.
For me, Colin Farrell seemed to be an odd choice to play the lead. He just doesn't strike me as an "action star". But, there were worse actors they could had cast. Kate Beckinsale was ok in her part. She switched accents (for story purposes) very well. Although, i feel we did not really get a chance to know more about her character before she became a villain. And, unfortunately, due to the script, she delivered probably the 2nd worse line in film history (Halle Berry takes the #1 on that one). Jessica Biel was the selling point for me. She is an amazing actress and this film just further proves it. She shows emotion very well. I loved every scene she was in.
Due to the sci-fi nature of the script, various realistic elements have to be overlooked, for example: the transport that goes through the core of the Earth. But, other little things annoyed me about the population's non-interference while an authority is chasing an individual. But, other than that, the movie itself is an enjoyable ride. Probably not a movie i would see again, but glad i saw it once.
My Final Rating: C+
For me, Colin Farrell seemed to be an odd choice to play the lead. He just doesn't strike me as an "action star". But, there were worse actors they could had cast. Kate Beckinsale was ok in her part. She switched accents (for story purposes) very well. Although, i feel we did not really get a chance to know more about her character before she became a villain. And, unfortunately, due to the script, she delivered probably the 2nd worse line in film history (Halle Berry takes the #1 on that one). Jessica Biel was the selling point for me. She is an amazing actress and this film just further proves it. She shows emotion very well. I loved every scene she was in.
Due to the sci-fi nature of the script, various realistic elements have to be overlooked, for example: the transport that goes through the core of the Earth. But, other little things annoyed me about the population's non-interference while an authority is chasing an individual. But, other than that, the movie itself is an enjoyable ride. Probably not a movie i would see again, but glad i saw it once.
My Final Rating: C+
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Movie Review- "The Avengers"
Ok, we have spent 5 movies (IRON MAN, IRON MAN 2, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, THOR, & CAPTAIN AMERICA) setting up this movie... And it delivers, big time! If you have not seen the aforementioned movies, then you may be somewhat lost in the plot to this movie, however, it is very easy to pick up. Joss Whedon knows how to do a superhero movie. This had the right mix of action, plot, and dialogue. The villain Loki enters the scene and shares a mischievous smile that rivals the Joker.
The acting was spot-on. All the characters were very likable. And I have to give my own kudos to Mark Ruffalo for portraying Bruce Banner almost perfectly (Bill Bixby would be proud). The action scenes were very intense at time (like the Hulk/Black Widow chase scene), and comical. This movie did not focus on one hero more than any other. All the heroes received equal screen time. And, true to the beginnings of their origin, all of the heroes do not get along at first.
My complaints about this movie are very minimal. First, I did not like Capt. America's costume. It just looked "too padded". We do not get a sense of what Agent Maria Hill is like, just that she is one of the few to question Nick Fury. If there was more to her character, maybe they will show it in "The Avengers 2"... who knows? They could have introduced certain future Avengers by name or at least given us a few easter eggs, like in the first few X-Men movies (although, it has come to my attention that Joss Whedon does not really do that). Overall, this movie met and exceeded my expectations. This was the #1 movie for 2012 for me, so far.
My Overall Rating: A-
The acting was spot-on. All the characters were very likable. And I have to give my own kudos to Mark Ruffalo for portraying Bruce Banner almost perfectly (Bill Bixby would be proud). The action scenes were very intense at time (like the Hulk/Black Widow chase scene), and comical. This movie did not focus on one hero more than any other. All the heroes received equal screen time. And, true to the beginnings of their origin, all of the heroes do not get along at first.
My complaints about this movie are very minimal. First, I did not like Capt. America's costume. It just looked "too padded". We do not get a sense of what Agent Maria Hill is like, just that she is one of the few to question Nick Fury. If there was more to her character, maybe they will show it in "The Avengers 2"... who knows? They could have introduced certain future Avengers by name or at least given us a few easter eggs, like in the first few X-Men movies (although, it has come to my attention that Joss Whedon does not really do that). Overall, this movie met and exceeded my expectations. This was the #1 movie for 2012 for me, so far.
My Overall Rating: A-
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Movie Review- "The Dark Knight Rises"
Ok, before I mention anything about this film, let me just say that this is one of the few exception where I did not viewt the films in order. I never saw "Batman Begins". Only caught the first half of it on TV recently. So, this trilogy started with "The Dark Knight" for me. Don't get me wrong. I think, for the most part, "The Dark Knight" almost works as a stand alone film. The same, I can say, for "The Dark Knight Rises". It may have a few references to the past 2 films, but nothing that you can't fill in the gaps for later.
I initially thought that Anne Hathaway was an odd choice to play Catwoman. There are better actresses to play her, but then again, there are worse ones. But, during her first scene of screen, I thought "yep, she IS Catwoman". The beauty and grace, and the selfishness, all of which she portrayed tremendously on screen.
Now, I do not know the Batman villain Bane that well, as I am not a DC, I'm a Marvel. Our only other previous Bane (in a theatrically released movie) was in "Batman & Robin", and they movie got a lot of inconsistencies and errors that I will not go into right now. But, from what I do know of Bane, this movie captured what he was like a lot better. He wasn't a mindless thug of Poison Ivy. He was a mastermind, almost on par with Lex Luthor or Kingpin. That's the impression of what I received watching this. (If any of my comic book nerd friends know of Bane differently, please feel free to comment below).
This 3rd part also introduced a new character: John Drake. And with any 3rd part there had to be a reason why he was introduced. Throughout the movie, we are shown that he is brave and honest and has honor. I knew there had to be a reason why they were showing us this. And when/if you see this movie, you will know why at the movie's end. He is a likable character.
The most emotional scene in this for me involved Alfred. He mentioned something about a letter in the previous movie. I won't go too much into detail, but i almost cried during that scene, but Nolan knows when and where to put emotion into his movies, and more importantly, how to do it right. Nolan's movies just keep getting better and better. However, with this trilogy, I must say that I do think "The Dark Knight" was a better story, but "The Dark Knight Rises" did have a lot of good points. And one of the best endings in film history.
My Overall Rating: B+
I initially thought that Anne Hathaway was an odd choice to play Catwoman. There are better actresses to play her, but then again, there are worse ones. But, during her first scene of screen, I thought "yep, she IS Catwoman". The beauty and grace, and the selfishness, all of which she portrayed tremendously on screen.
Now, I do not know the Batman villain Bane that well, as I am not a DC, I'm a Marvel. Our only other previous Bane (in a theatrically released movie) was in "Batman & Robin", and they movie got a lot of inconsistencies and errors that I will not go into right now. But, from what I do know of Bane, this movie captured what he was like a lot better. He wasn't a mindless thug of Poison Ivy. He was a mastermind, almost on par with Lex Luthor or Kingpin. That's the impression of what I received watching this. (If any of my comic book nerd friends know of Bane differently, please feel free to comment below).
This 3rd part also introduced a new character: John Drake. And with any 3rd part there had to be a reason why he was introduced. Throughout the movie, we are shown that he is brave and honest and has honor. I knew there had to be a reason why they were showing us this. And when/if you see this movie, you will know why at the movie's end. He is a likable character.
The most emotional scene in this for me involved Alfred. He mentioned something about a letter in the previous movie. I won't go too much into detail, but i almost cried during that scene, but Nolan knows when and where to put emotion into his movies, and more importantly, how to do it right. Nolan's movies just keep getting better and better. However, with this trilogy, I must say that I do think "The Dark Knight" was a better story, but "The Dark Knight Rises" did have a lot of good points. And one of the best endings in film history.
My Overall Rating: B+
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Movie Review-"Moonrise Kingdom"
Ok, let me start off by saying that I like Wes Anderson's style of filmmaking but have only seen a few of his movies. From what i have seen, he does have an artsy feel to his films. With "Moonrise Kingdom", the opening sequence did not really "pull me in", so to speak. It actually starts off a little slow and boring, but the movie does pick up speed very quickly, as we are introduced to the two kids this film centers around. And the two kids played their parts perfectly. These two have bright futures as actors.
The adults in the movie were kind of hit and miss for me. Bruce Willis and Frances McDormand were really great and filled their respective roles well. But, I personally felt that Bill Murray or Edward Norton's characters in the film lacked any real depth. I did not get a feeling about how they were as characters. But, after the story gets going, the adults kid of lose focus and we start caring more about the kids. This was a nice, innocent tale of romance. The chemistry between the kids paid off. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if their kiss in the film made someone's Top Ten list of Best On-Screen Kiss. It was just sweet and innocent. I left the movie with a smile, feeling good.
My Overall Rating: B+
The adults in the movie were kind of hit and miss for me. Bruce Willis and Frances McDormand were really great and filled their respective roles well. But, I personally felt that Bill Murray or Edward Norton's characters in the film lacked any real depth. I did not get a feeling about how they were as characters. But, after the story gets going, the adults kid of lose focus and we start caring more about the kids. This was a nice, innocent tale of romance. The chemistry between the kids paid off. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if their kiss in the film made someone's Top Ten list of Best On-Screen Kiss. It was just sweet and innocent. I left the movie with a smile, feeling good.
My Overall Rating: B+
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Movie Review- "The Amazing Spider-Man"
Ok, this was partially my fault. I went in with high expectations. Marc Webb is a talented director (see "(500) Days of Summer"). I used to be a comic book geek, and Spider-Man was one of my favorite superheroes. While i understand that the director went with more of the "Ultimates" storyline, there are just some things that should be left alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
First off, I think Andrew Garfield made a really good Peter Parker. And Emma Stone made a terrific Gwen Stacy. But, Dennis Leary as Capt. Stacy didn't really fit the part for me. Not necessarily his look, but his demeanor. In this movie, he appeared to be something of a hard-ass. In the comic books, he was always friendly (and almost always smoking a pipe). Martin Sheen made a good Uncle Ben, but Sally Field didn't look like the Aunt May i remember from the comics. I know they wanted her closer to the "Ultimates" version, and her behavior/mannerisms were spot-on, but having her "aged down" kind of threw me.
Having the Lizard as the main villain was an interesting choice. There are worse villains that the writers/directors could have chosen (i.e.- Kangaroo, Spot, White Rabbit, etc.). But, conversely, there are many villains that could have been chosen that would have been SPECTACULAR to see on screen (i.e.- Mysterio [my personal favorite], Kraven, Chameleon, etc.). So, i was ok with the Lizard... until I saw him on screen. The Lizard usually still wears his trademark labcoat on, even after he transforms. And the Lizard has something of a snout. No snout, but no nose either. He kind of reminded me of Grig, from "The Last Starfighter".
I didn't feel that Peter and Gwen had any chemistry together, until the last 30 minutes of the movie. Whenever there was an emotional scene, it just didn't move me like it should have. Whether it be the musical score, sound effects, or mood. In fact, most of the movie felt as if it were been rushed. Filmed in a hurry to get it in the theaters as quick as possible, I would have preferred if they took a bit more time and got more of the character connections better established.
My Overall Rating: D+
Update: July 10th, 2012- Upon giving the movie a second viewing and now understanding that they were trying to do a "Batman Begins" type of thing, I would probably re-rate it as: C+
First off, I think Andrew Garfield made a really good Peter Parker. And Emma Stone made a terrific Gwen Stacy. But, Dennis Leary as Capt. Stacy didn't really fit the part for me. Not necessarily his look, but his demeanor. In this movie, he appeared to be something of a hard-ass. In the comic books, he was always friendly (and almost always smoking a pipe). Martin Sheen made a good Uncle Ben, but Sally Field didn't look like the Aunt May i remember from the comics. I know they wanted her closer to the "Ultimates" version, and her behavior/mannerisms were spot-on, but having her "aged down" kind of threw me.
Having the Lizard as the main villain was an interesting choice. There are worse villains that the writers/directors could have chosen (i.e.- Kangaroo, Spot, White Rabbit, etc.). But, conversely, there are many villains that could have been chosen that would have been SPECTACULAR to see on screen (i.e.- Mysterio [my personal favorite], Kraven, Chameleon, etc.). So, i was ok with the Lizard... until I saw him on screen. The Lizard usually still wears his trademark labcoat on, even after he transforms. And the Lizard has something of a snout. No snout, but no nose either. He kind of reminded me of Grig, from "The Last Starfighter".
I didn't feel that Peter and Gwen had any chemistry together, until the last 30 minutes of the movie. Whenever there was an emotional scene, it just didn't move me like it should have. Whether it be the musical score, sound effects, or mood. In fact, most of the movie felt as if it were been rushed. Filmed in a hurry to get it in the theaters as quick as possible, I would have preferred if they took a bit more time and got more of the character connections better established.
My Overall Rating: D+
Update: July 10th, 2012- Upon giving the movie a second viewing and now understanding that they were trying to do a "Batman Begins" type of thing, I would probably re-rate it as: C+
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Movie Review- Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Ok, this movie was not advertised as much as "Brave", but the plot of this just intrigued me. I like Steve Carell in comedy-dramas. I think he works well in them (like, in "Dan in Real Life"). I haven't seen Keira Knightley in a really good film since "Atonement". This did seem like an odd pairing at first. In the movie, they are neighbors who never really talked to one another. But, they do start talking. The movie does start out a bit slow (even with the radio announcement of the impending doom from the first few minutes), and it does take a while to really "connect" with some of the characters.
But, what it lacks in the beginning, it picks up quickly along the way. You get a good sense of some of the events in the film without any dialogue. It's logical that if the world were really ending, different people would react and cope differently. And this movie portrays that very notion very well. I would happily recommend this movie, and I'll probably see it again soon.
My Overall Rating: A-
But, what it lacks in the beginning, it picks up quickly along the way. You get a good sense of some of the events in the film without any dialogue. It's logical that if the world were really ending, different people would react and cope differently. And this movie portrays that very notion very well. I would happily recommend this movie, and I'll probably see it again soon.
My Overall Rating: A-
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Movie Review- Rock of Ages
Starring: Diego Boneta, Julianne Hough, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman
First off, let me say that I'm a bit choosy when it comes to musicals. I absolutely loved "Chicago", but did not really care for "West Side Story". I went into this based solely on the soundtrack. I thought this movie was going to be an A+ in my book. However, there were a few drawbacks to this. Breaking it down by scene/musical sequence, here are a few that stood out:
Sister Christian/Just Like Paradise- These songs were sung by Julianne Hough, as her character is on a bus leaving Oklahoma. These songs are the one credit I give Julianne. She, unfortunately, butchers all of the other songs she sings in the film with one exception (Every Rose Has Its Thorn)
I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore- I'm not going to spoil this scene, but considering who sings it, this is by far the most hilarious scene in the movie. Quite enjoyable.
Wanted Dead or Alive- Tom Cruise proves that he still has what it takes. He portrayed a rock god to a tee. And the emotional battle he exuded over Malin Akerman, to me, was really the main lovde story that I cared the most about.
We Built This City / We're Not Going to Take It- This was by far the greatest scene in the movie, a battle in the streets. Russell Brand really fit the part he was playing. He was hilarious in every scene he was in, but this scene was where he showed his value as a character. (Also, look for 80s singer Debbie Gibson standing next to Russell Brand in this scene)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot- Ok, this is a great song. It makes sense that Catherine Zeta-Jones would sing this considering what is happening in the movie. However, there is this really awkward dance happening with Catherine and a few others that just doesn't really fit. It seemed to drag on longer than it should have.
The movie itself seemed to go on longer than it should have. Julianne Hough seems to try having this "innocent" look to her, but it just doesn't work. I think she was the weak link in this film. However, strong performance from Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman, Catherine Zeta-Jones (except for the aforementioned scene), Diego Boneta, even Russell Brand.
My overall rating: B+
Next Review: "Seeking a Friend For the End of the World"
First off, let me say that I'm a bit choosy when it comes to musicals. I absolutely loved "Chicago", but did not really care for "West Side Story". I went into this based solely on the soundtrack. I thought this movie was going to be an A+ in my book. However, there were a few drawbacks to this. Breaking it down by scene/musical sequence, here are a few that stood out:
Sister Christian/Just Like Paradise- These songs were sung by Julianne Hough, as her character is on a bus leaving Oklahoma. These songs are the one credit I give Julianne. She, unfortunately, butchers all of the other songs she sings in the film with one exception (Every Rose Has Its Thorn)
I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore- I'm not going to spoil this scene, but considering who sings it, this is by far the most hilarious scene in the movie. Quite enjoyable.
Wanted Dead or Alive- Tom Cruise proves that he still has what it takes. He portrayed a rock god to a tee. And the emotional battle he exuded over Malin Akerman, to me, was really the main lovde story that I cared the most about.
We Built This City / We're Not Going to Take It- This was by far the greatest scene in the movie, a battle in the streets. Russell Brand really fit the part he was playing. He was hilarious in every scene he was in, but this scene was where he showed his value as a character. (Also, look for 80s singer Debbie Gibson standing next to Russell Brand in this scene)
Hit Me With Your Best Shot- Ok, this is a great song. It makes sense that Catherine Zeta-Jones would sing this considering what is happening in the movie. However, there is this really awkward dance happening with Catherine and a few others that just doesn't really fit. It seemed to drag on longer than it should have.
The movie itself seemed to go on longer than it should have. Julianne Hough seems to try having this "innocent" look to her, but it just doesn't work. I think she was the weak link in this film. However, strong performance from Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman, Catherine Zeta-Jones (except for the aforementioned scene), Diego Boneta, even Russell Brand.
My overall rating: B+
Next Review: "Seeking a Friend For the End of the World"
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