It's yet another look into the future at the movies and it's not a happy one. Justin Timberlake and Olivia Wilde star in In Time.
In this movie, humans are engineered to only live 25 years, plus one more. After 25 years, there's a clock on your left arm that starts running down to zero. If it reaches zero, you die. But by essentially shaking hands, you can exchange time with others. Time is now the new currency. It's how you are paid, and what you spend to survive. The key to survival is not to let your time expire. So you do what you gotta do to survive. You don't physically age one day past 25, but you can live way past that if you are savvy enough to acquire time and spend it wisely, even though you look 25.
Oh course, there are some who are stealing time. Hoarding it, and those who are in charge of it. This is supposed to be the dramatic part of this movie. But I have to say one thing right now. Make it stop! Please make this whole thing stop! My gosh man, are movies going to get any worse?
I'm not going to indict Timberlake, or Wilde. They do what they do best. Timberlake makes young women take notice, and Wilde looks great here for two hours running, toting guns, and being an action star all while wearing a short cocktail dress. But those are the highlights. This is just silly. Plain and simple - silly. It makes an attempt at a social commentary, and class warfare, but in the end, In Time says nothing of any worth.
This may be some of the worst acting and writing we've seen in a while. The script is putrid, and the movie makers vision of the far distant future is laughable. In what might be a couple hundred years in the future, cars somehow look like custom Dodge cars and trucks from the 1960's and 70's. Plus, the rest of this looks equally as silly. I'm guessing after spending on Timberlake and Wilde, there was not enough dough lefty of the rest of the picture.
In Time. There was no reason to actually make this movie. Hard core Timberlake fans may love this due to lack of perspective. But this is no better than a TNT weekend movie in 3 years.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - The Rum Diary
No surprise here. Johnny Depp stars again in a very strange, off the beaten path movie, The Rum Diary. Up front, this is not a movie that many young Depp fans are going to be impressed with. This is really grown up movie.
TRD takes place in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1960. Depp is Paul. Paul is a young writer that lands a job at San Juan's only newspaper. There he meets a bunch of very strange fellow writers, and co-workers at the paper, all from America too. They pretty much spend all of their time drinking entirely too much high powered rum and doing all kinds of recreational drugs, and stagger around the island aimlessly.
Somehow this band of drunks ends up spending time with some of the most vile people and some of the most successful people on the island. Paul even falls in with a bunch of crooks, bent on destroying the Caribbean beauty by developing beautiful, virgin islands with hotels and casinos. After all that goes wrong Paul decides to expose these criminals in the struggling paper, but will he get the chance?
Right now you are saying, "What kind of movie is this!?" And that's valid. This movie is very complicated to explain. But then again, it's a Depp movie. Casual movie goers may actually hate this movie. Serious movie goers may find some charm, and humor. There are some very quirky, funny scenes. But much of this will go unexplained to many, and some will feel like this is a waste of time. I am somewhere in between, but leaning towards a waste of time.
I did laugh out loud a few times, and I rather enjoyed the fantastic retro - Caribbean musical soundtrack. This did have the feel of a movie from the 1960's at times, and that was cool. Was also treated to one of the great supporting performances of the year in Michael Rispoli, who was splendid as Sala, Paul's good friend. He was great. But I don't think he can save this.
Depp again show great versatility. Depp can pull off the Pirates series for young fans and families, and he can make the formula flicks occasionally too to pay the bills. He is terrific in his animated performances like Rango, and still find time to be really "out there" like this one. He truly is gifted, and attacks all roles head on.
This is going to be just way too far out there for many. A story that is strange, and at times seemingly not connected. And in the end, it just seems to not really go anywhere worth going. But there are some giggles along the way.
The Rum Diary. Certainly not one of my favorites. But I've certainly spent worse afternoons.
TRD takes place in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1960. Depp is Paul. Paul is a young writer that lands a job at San Juan's only newspaper. There he meets a bunch of very strange fellow writers, and co-workers at the paper, all from America too. They pretty much spend all of their time drinking entirely too much high powered rum and doing all kinds of recreational drugs, and stagger around the island aimlessly.
Somehow this band of drunks ends up spending time with some of the most vile people and some of the most successful people on the island. Paul even falls in with a bunch of crooks, bent on destroying the Caribbean beauty by developing beautiful, virgin islands with hotels and casinos. After all that goes wrong Paul decides to expose these criminals in the struggling paper, but will he get the chance?
Right now you are saying, "What kind of movie is this!?" And that's valid. This movie is very complicated to explain. But then again, it's a Depp movie. Casual movie goers may actually hate this movie. Serious movie goers may find some charm, and humor. There are some very quirky, funny scenes. But much of this will go unexplained to many, and some will feel like this is a waste of time. I am somewhere in between, but leaning towards a waste of time.
I did laugh out loud a few times, and I rather enjoyed the fantastic retro - Caribbean musical soundtrack. This did have the feel of a movie from the 1960's at times, and that was cool. Was also treated to one of the great supporting performances of the year in Michael Rispoli, who was splendid as Sala, Paul's good friend. He was great. But I don't think he can save this.
Depp again show great versatility. Depp can pull off the Pirates series for young fans and families, and he can make the formula flicks occasionally too to pay the bills. He is terrific in his animated performances like Rango, and still find time to be really "out there" like this one. He truly is gifted, and attacks all roles head on.
This is going to be just way too far out there for many. A story that is strange, and at times seemingly not connected. And in the end, it just seems to not really go anywhere worth going. But there are some giggles along the way.
The Rum Diary. Certainly not one of my favorites. But I've certainly spent worse afternoons.
Monday, October 24, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Johnny English Reborn
You know, Rowan Atkinson can be a funny man. He has a very distinct style that in the right setting can be pretty darn funny. His new movie, Johnny English Reborn may not be quite that setting.
JER is Atkinson's attempt at lampooning the "secret agent" genre. It is a spoof on British intelligence, James Bond and even a bit of Austin Powers. There in lies the trouble. How many spoofs of Bond are we going to have? And didn't the Austin Powers flicks kind of make the point? But in fairness, JER is skewing much older in it's appeal than Powers. The humor is simple, not offensive and pretty tame overall.
What this is, is a series of scene gags where Atkinson can show how funny he still is, an in some scenes... isn't. He plays Johnny English, a bumbling British agent who can't do a thing right, but somehow always gets the job done. I have always thought his understated humor, and fantastic facial expressions have always been his calling card. And they are here too. But one thing else has always dogged me about him. He is a much better side dish than main entree. The whole act, although funny at times, has a hard time carrying an entire movie.
But, in his defense, we all need movies to go to,. And for an older audience, it is getting tougher and tougher to go to a comedy and not be alarmed and offended at the new comedies that are out there. There is a whole new way of making comedies that some simply do not understand. There is a huge audience out there that thinks Hollywood has left them to rot by the box office by targeting every comedy at a 22 year old young adult. Let's face it, that's not everyone's comedy. This is a throwback to a simpler and purer comedy. And in moments, Atkinson is funny.
Johnny English Reborn. This is not going to be anyone's favorite movie, but it's out there for a laugh or two.
JER is Atkinson's attempt at lampooning the "secret agent" genre. It is a spoof on British intelligence, James Bond and even a bit of Austin Powers. There in lies the trouble. How many spoofs of Bond are we going to have? And didn't the Austin Powers flicks kind of make the point? But in fairness, JER is skewing much older in it's appeal than Powers. The humor is simple, not offensive and pretty tame overall.
What this is, is a series of scene gags where Atkinson can show how funny he still is, an in some scenes... isn't. He plays Johnny English, a bumbling British agent who can't do a thing right, but somehow always gets the job done. I have always thought his understated humor, and fantastic facial expressions have always been his calling card. And they are here too. But one thing else has always dogged me about him. He is a much better side dish than main entree. The whole act, although funny at times, has a hard time carrying an entire movie.
But, in his defense, we all need movies to go to,. And for an older audience, it is getting tougher and tougher to go to a comedy and not be alarmed and offended at the new comedies that are out there. There is a whole new way of making comedies that some simply do not understand. There is a huge audience out there that thinks Hollywood has left them to rot by the box office by targeting every comedy at a 22 year old young adult. Let's face it, that's not everyone's comedy. This is a throwback to a simpler and purer comedy. And in moments, Atkinson is funny.
Johnny English Reborn. This is not going to be anyone's favorite movie, but it's out there for a laugh or two.
Friday, October 21, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity 3
OK, this is going to be short and sweet. There is yet another Paranormal Activity movie out this week just in time for Halloween. This is number three, and that's two too many.
I had a ton of respect for the original PA. It was filmed in the makers condo for about 15 grand, and it made hundreds of millions. It was really cool movie making, the whole point of view camera angles and it was a bit compelling. Asking the question, what really goes on in your house when you are sleeping? Pretty interesting. Good idea, executed very well, and wildly successful.
PA 2 was decent. Not as compelling, but with a few scarier scenes. But this? Junk! Just in case you have not seen enough middle of the night videotaping of sleeping people. Because that's what we have here. They keep trying to freshen up this whole project, all the while these makers should be making arrangements for a new idea. But wait. That's not the way we roll these days. We just beat a good idea to death in Hollywood, until we ruin the whole concept of the original good idea.
OK, there's a jolt or two, and there is a scene or two that is relatively new, and interesting. But moreover, it's the same old thing just happening to new people. I think even hard core PA fans would prefer something - ANYTHING except filming sleeping people. And don't believe the TV spots either. Theater audiences are not writhing around in fear during this flick. If they are somewhere, and that is actual, I would suggest a good "Man Up" session, or have their mommy's tuck them into bed and read them a story.
Paranormal Activity 3. It's time to move on!
I had a ton of respect for the original PA. It was filmed in the makers condo for about 15 grand, and it made hundreds of millions. It was really cool movie making, the whole point of view camera angles and it was a bit compelling. Asking the question, what really goes on in your house when you are sleeping? Pretty interesting. Good idea, executed very well, and wildly successful.
PA 2 was decent. Not as compelling, but with a few scarier scenes. But this? Junk! Just in case you have not seen enough middle of the night videotaping of sleeping people. Because that's what we have here. They keep trying to freshen up this whole project, all the while these makers should be making arrangements for a new idea. But wait. That's not the way we roll these days. We just beat a good idea to death in Hollywood, until we ruin the whole concept of the original good idea.
OK, there's a jolt or two, and there is a scene or two that is relatively new, and interesting. But moreover, it's the same old thing just happening to new people. I think even hard core PA fans would prefer something - ANYTHING except filming sleeping people. And don't believe the TV spots either. Theater audiences are not writhing around in fear during this flick. If they are somewhere, and that is actual, I would suggest a good "Man Up" session, or have their mommy's tuck them into bed and read them a story.
Paranormal Activity 3. It's time to move on!
MOVIE REVIEW - Footloose
It's thirty years later and there's a whole new generation or two of people that have never seen the original Footloose. So they decided to make a new version that will "wow" a younger crowd. You have to admit, the original does look a bit dated in about every regard. So the idea seems sound.
But it's really not. Footloose 2011 still has the same basic problem that the original has. It simply has no relevance whatsoever. Maybe even more so now because to the state of the world and the economy today. You may remember, we are supposed to feel badly that these teens in a South Georgia small town are not allowed to dance because of an overreacting city council that outlawed it after a terrible car accident that killed 5 teens on the way home from a dance.
But the sad reality is, you just don't care. You don't care about this uptight town, these teens that think they run the world, or any single character here. You don't like the people in charge, or the bratty teens. It was a bad formula then, and it's even more amplified in today's version. The story is still silly.
This version supposedly is a coming of age as an actress movie for Julianne Hough. And to be fair, she's OK. But I emphasize, OK. She holds up her end as well as the story will let her. But there is a fatal flaw in this performance that has nothing to do with her personally. She barely dances. In fact, there is not a whole lot of dancing in this movie till the end. And some of the dance scenes are so ridiculously silly, it's almost laughable. Especially a scene at a drive-in theater where about 1,000 teens all break into dance at once. Yeah, that happens. Works in musical theater, not here.
They also drag Dennis Quaid, and Andie MacDowell along for this ill-conceived remake. I like both of them usually, but Quaid is completely miscast as a southern pastor bent on making teens behave. And MacDowell? I think she says about 10 lines in the entire movie.
But there are a few things positive worth noting. They do keep it as much to the original as they can. And I'm good with that- shallow story and all. The soundtrack has been updated nicely and has some slick versions of some of the original songs. There is some really impressive dancing in the last 5 minutes or so. And overall this movie, although shallow and nonsensical is pretty tame and harmless. If you just have to go to a teen dance flick, could be your cup of tea. Although this pales in its dancing by a long shot to many of the more modern dance flicks of the past few years.
Footloose 2011. A a thuddy, dud.
But it's really not. Footloose 2011 still has the same basic problem that the original has. It simply has no relevance whatsoever. Maybe even more so now because to the state of the world and the economy today. You may remember, we are supposed to feel badly that these teens in a South Georgia small town are not allowed to dance because of an overreacting city council that outlawed it after a terrible car accident that killed 5 teens on the way home from a dance.
But the sad reality is, you just don't care. You don't care about this uptight town, these teens that think they run the world, or any single character here. You don't like the people in charge, or the bratty teens. It was a bad formula then, and it's even more amplified in today's version. The story is still silly.
This version supposedly is a coming of age as an actress movie for Julianne Hough. And to be fair, she's OK. But I emphasize, OK. She holds up her end as well as the story will let her. But there is a fatal flaw in this performance that has nothing to do with her personally. She barely dances. In fact, there is not a whole lot of dancing in this movie till the end. And some of the dance scenes are so ridiculously silly, it's almost laughable. Especially a scene at a drive-in theater where about 1,000 teens all break into dance at once. Yeah, that happens. Works in musical theater, not here.
They also drag Dennis Quaid, and Andie MacDowell along for this ill-conceived remake. I like both of them usually, but Quaid is completely miscast as a southern pastor bent on making teens behave. And MacDowell? I think she says about 10 lines in the entire movie.
But there are a few things positive worth noting. They do keep it as much to the original as they can. And I'm good with that- shallow story and all. The soundtrack has been updated nicely and has some slick versions of some of the original songs. There is some really impressive dancing in the last 5 minutes or so. And overall this movie, although shallow and nonsensical is pretty tame and harmless. If you just have to go to a teen dance flick, could be your cup of tea. Although this pales in its dancing by a long shot to many of the more modern dance flicks of the past few years.
Footloose 2011. A a thuddy, dud.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - The Way
Why is it that so many movies that are in limited release are such gems? That's the way of it this week with the new, The Way.
The Way stars Martin Sheen, and is directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. The Way is a simply astounding movie that all real movie goers ought to go see. It has all the key elements you need for a great experience, headlined by a story that you haven't seen before, and that is worth telling.
The Way is the story of Tom (Sheen). He is a very successful eye doctor from California whose wife has died, and he is at odds with his only child, his son, Daniel (Estevez). Daniel is almost 40 years old and is going to abandon his doctoral thesis to go to Europe and walk the Camino de Santiago. This is a spiritual 800 kilometer walk through France and Spain, ending up at the foot of St. James. It's a century old journey that has changed the lives of thousands looking for spirituality. Daniel then dies on his first night of the walk alone in an accident. So Tom goes to France to collect the remains.
While there, Tom decides to walk the journey for his son himself at 64 years old. So he strikes out too alone. Evntually meeting up with three other troubled walkers whom he eventually befriends, all walking for different and painful reasons. But what will it take for each of these four people, from four different countries share their stories with each other. And will they each find solace from the pain that follows them, and is this really a trek of healing?
This story is so well written and so well told, it really is a gem in a stack of really mediocre movies that have been out recently. Sheen is terrific, and so is the unknown supporting cast. Filmed magically in the European Spanish country side, it is simply breathtaking. You feel the pain in each step, and you feel like you are on the journey with them. But even though this is a movie where our characters are each trying to find comfort from anguish, you also feel the whole time they will find the answers they seek. You just don't know how each is going to reconcile their own case. Very skillfully made.
The Way. If you are seeking something, if you ever have, or if you just want to take two hours and find some joy, The Way is for you. A movie goers movie. Just flat out great!
The Way stars Martin Sheen, and is directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. The Way is a simply astounding movie that all real movie goers ought to go see. It has all the key elements you need for a great experience, headlined by a story that you haven't seen before, and that is worth telling.
The Way is the story of Tom (Sheen). He is a very successful eye doctor from California whose wife has died, and he is at odds with his only child, his son, Daniel (Estevez). Daniel is almost 40 years old and is going to abandon his doctoral thesis to go to Europe and walk the Camino de Santiago. This is a spiritual 800 kilometer walk through France and Spain, ending up at the foot of St. James. It's a century old journey that has changed the lives of thousands looking for spirituality. Daniel then dies on his first night of the walk alone in an accident. So Tom goes to France to collect the remains.
While there, Tom decides to walk the journey for his son himself at 64 years old. So he strikes out too alone. Evntually meeting up with three other troubled walkers whom he eventually befriends, all walking for different and painful reasons. But what will it take for each of these four people, from four different countries share their stories with each other. And will they each find solace from the pain that follows them, and is this really a trek of healing?
This story is so well written and so well told, it really is a gem in a stack of really mediocre movies that have been out recently. Sheen is terrific, and so is the unknown supporting cast. Filmed magically in the European Spanish country side, it is simply breathtaking. You feel the pain in each step, and you feel like you are on the journey with them. But even though this is a movie where our characters are each trying to find comfort from anguish, you also feel the whole time they will find the answers they seek. You just don't know how each is going to reconcile their own case. Very skillfully made.
The Way. If you are seeking something, if you ever have, or if you just want to take two hours and find some joy, The Way is for you. A movie goers movie. Just flat out great!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - The Thing
I'm not quite sure what number remake it is of this old story, but The Thing is back in theaters for the Halloween season.
You may know the basic story. This time a bunch of Norwegian scientists are down in the Antarctic, when they uncover seemingly a space alien frozen in the ice. They think that he may have been frozen there for 10,000 years or so. So in the name of science, they dig him up, and when he thaws out.....well that's not good.
The Thing has the ability to mimic human cells and replicate a complete person, and then go through a startling metamorphosis into "The Thing." And of course starts killing all of our now stranded friends deep in the Antarctic cold. Who will survive? Can they keep him contained so he doesn't wipe out the entire world? And who exactly is now disguised as The Thing?
First off, this is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. It's a slightly new "thing". It's quick and tidy, and says what it has to say and gets done. If this was any longer all would ahve been lost. This Thing, doesn't fall in love with itself and drag this out too long.
Also, the special effects are quite good, but a word of caution. There are some highly graphic, and gruesome sights in this flick, and some may not be quite ready for that. There is not a ton of what you would call violence, but there are some very strong scenes that some may be queasy over. The story still has a few holes, as these highly educated scientists are still making very stupid decisions all these decades later in this story, but it can be overlooked.
One major problem to speak of. This takes place at the deepest point of the South Pole. You really don't feel the cold like you should. At times, it seems our characters are in Vail, Colorado on a ski trip rather than in the coldest place on earth. Thought that was a big point missed as it seemed the cold was not a detriment to their struggle. Although there are some breathtaking shots of the country at the start of our movie.
Nice to see a new, and fresh face too, Mary Elizabeth Winstead cast as our heroine, Kate Lloyd. She is one of the scientists that was invited to go to the site to analyze the finding. You do pull for her to make it out alive. Winstead is well cast, and looks for part. Although this is not overly challenging acting, it's good to see a new face in an action role.
The Thing. Certainly not for everyone. But for those looking for a Halloween jolt, that holds your attention, The Thing could be for you.
You may know the basic story. This time a bunch of Norwegian scientists are down in the Antarctic, when they uncover seemingly a space alien frozen in the ice. They think that he may have been frozen there for 10,000 years or so. So in the name of science, they dig him up, and when he thaws out.....well that's not good.
The Thing has the ability to mimic human cells and replicate a complete person, and then go through a startling metamorphosis into "The Thing." And of course starts killing all of our now stranded friends deep in the Antarctic cold. Who will survive? Can they keep him contained so he doesn't wipe out the entire world? And who exactly is now disguised as The Thing?
First off, this is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. It's a slightly new "thing". It's quick and tidy, and says what it has to say and gets done. If this was any longer all would ahve been lost. This Thing, doesn't fall in love with itself and drag this out too long.
Also, the special effects are quite good, but a word of caution. There are some highly graphic, and gruesome sights in this flick, and some may not be quite ready for that. There is not a ton of what you would call violence, but there are some very strong scenes that some may be queasy over. The story still has a few holes, as these highly educated scientists are still making very stupid decisions all these decades later in this story, but it can be overlooked.
One major problem to speak of. This takes place at the deepest point of the South Pole. You really don't feel the cold like you should. At times, it seems our characters are in Vail, Colorado on a ski trip rather than in the coldest place on earth. Thought that was a big point missed as it seemed the cold was not a detriment to their struggle. Although there are some breathtaking shots of the country at the start of our movie.
Nice to see a new, and fresh face too, Mary Elizabeth Winstead cast as our heroine, Kate Lloyd. She is one of the scientists that was invited to go to the site to analyze the finding. You do pull for her to make it out alive. Winstead is well cast, and looks for part. Although this is not overly challenging acting, it's good to see a new face in an action role.
The Thing. Certainly not for everyone. But for those looking for a Halloween jolt, that holds your attention, The Thing could be for you.
Friday, October 14, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - The Big Year
What a cast! Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Rachida Jones, Kevin Pollack, JoBeth Williams, Brian Dennehy, Angelica Houston and DianeWeist. So isn't it funny they all get together for such a below average movie?
Oh, there are worse flicks, and there isn't a mountain wrong with this, it's just average at best. This is being billed as a rip-roaringly funny adult comedy movie, and the truth is, it's just not that funny. There are some nice moments here, but this is not a real comedy.
It's the story of these three characters , Martin, Wilson, and Black. They are each trying to become the world champion bird watcher. So we have to travel around the country, watching these guys watch birds. Aren't you intrigued? Yeah, me either. And that's the main flaw. You just don't care about what they are doing, who they are, and what they risk, and give up to go all around the continent for a whole year watching birds, while their collective lives are put on hold.
Big crowd today at the movies, and no laughing to speak of. I walked in ready to hold my sides and really have a big laugh. None. I will say, this movie does grow a heart and becomes more of a light drama near the end, and does make you think a bit about your life and your priorities, but so do a lot of other flicks that are not supposed to be funny. If you think you are walking into big laughs...keep walking.
The Big Year. A big lead balloon.
Oh, there are worse flicks, and there isn't a mountain wrong with this, it's just average at best. This is being billed as a rip-roaringly funny adult comedy movie, and the truth is, it's just not that funny. There are some nice moments here, but this is not a real comedy.
It's the story of these three characters , Martin, Wilson, and Black. They are each trying to become the world champion bird watcher. So we have to travel around the country, watching these guys watch birds. Aren't you intrigued? Yeah, me either. And that's the main flaw. You just don't care about what they are doing, who they are, and what they risk, and give up to go all around the continent for a whole year watching birds, while their collective lives are put on hold.
Big crowd today at the movies, and no laughing to speak of. I walked in ready to hold my sides and really have a big laugh. None. I will say, this movie does grow a heart and becomes more of a light drama near the end, and does make you think a bit about your life and your priorities, but so do a lot of other flicks that are not supposed to be funny. If you think you are walking into big laughs...keep walking.
The Big Year. A big lead balloon.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Real Steel
Every once in a while you roll into a movie with little or love expectations. It's part of the fun of reviewing movies, especially when you are pleasantly surprised with a gem.
Hugh Jackman stars in Real Steel, and I think it's the years surprise hit so far. This is the movie that appears to be a cross between Rocky, Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots and possibly a cheesy dad-and-son sports flick. And once it is all mixed together, somehow it works. A bit of Steven Speilberg magic was dusted on this as well as the movies producer.
RS is a story set in the near future where boxing by humans is no longer violent enough for the publics taste. So robots are built to box, just as humans were in decades past. Jackman is Charlie, a former boxer himself, who now runs around building boxing robots, getting beat and generally owing shady people a lot of money. He is reunited with his 11 year son, Max (Dakota Goyo) that he has never known after the mother dies. The only thing they have in common is the intertest in robot boxing.
So they set out to build a robot that can maybe help them make a bit of cash to keep them afloat. They then run across Atom. Atom is a robot from 2014 never designed to actually box, but they try to make him a contender. With the help from Bailey (Evangeline Lilly) one of Charlie's former girlfriends and robot builder, they set out to see how far Atom can take them. And learn that Atom may be a bit more human than one might think.
This movie will make you laugh, cry and cheer. This story at first glance may look a bit silly, and maybe it is. But somehow this works wonderfully well. Very nicely crafted to make you a part of what's going on. You feel like you are on the journey with them. Terrific special effects that don't get ridiculous. Also, the robot action sequences are so well done. Not too long, not fatiguing, and not hard to watch or follow say like Transformers.
Kudos to Jackman and Coyo who develop a nice chemistry with a well written script that lets their relationship evolve at a nice pace, and never gets cheesy. Evangeline Lilly gives this a nice soft touch, and a great womanly presence it really needed. She was perfectly cast as the boxing savvy, but still feminine, Bailey. Well done.
Real Steel. This could have gone either way. It was either going to be really, really good, or a complete waste of time. This time, good wins out. Sleeper hit of the year so far.
Hugh Jackman stars in Real Steel, and I think it's the years surprise hit so far. This is the movie that appears to be a cross between Rocky, Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots and possibly a cheesy dad-and-son sports flick. And once it is all mixed together, somehow it works. A bit of Steven Speilberg magic was dusted on this as well as the movies producer.
RS is a story set in the near future where boxing by humans is no longer violent enough for the publics taste. So robots are built to box, just as humans were in decades past. Jackman is Charlie, a former boxer himself, who now runs around building boxing robots, getting beat and generally owing shady people a lot of money. He is reunited with his 11 year son, Max (Dakota Goyo) that he has never known after the mother dies. The only thing they have in common is the intertest in robot boxing.
So they set out to build a robot that can maybe help them make a bit of cash to keep them afloat. They then run across Atom. Atom is a robot from 2014 never designed to actually box, but they try to make him a contender. With the help from Bailey (Evangeline Lilly) one of Charlie's former girlfriends and robot builder, they set out to see how far Atom can take them. And learn that Atom may be a bit more human than one might think.
This movie will make you laugh, cry and cheer. This story at first glance may look a bit silly, and maybe it is. But somehow this works wonderfully well. Very nicely crafted to make you a part of what's going on. You feel like you are on the journey with them. Terrific special effects that don't get ridiculous. Also, the robot action sequences are so well done. Not too long, not fatiguing, and not hard to watch or follow say like Transformers.
Kudos to Jackman and Coyo who develop a nice chemistry with a well written script that lets their relationship evolve at a nice pace, and never gets cheesy. Evangeline Lilly gives this a nice soft touch, and a great womanly presence it really needed. She was perfectly cast as the boxing savvy, but still feminine, Bailey. Well done.
Real Steel. This could have gone either way. It was either going to be really, really good, or a complete waste of time. This time, good wins out. Sleeper hit of the year so far.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - The Ides Of March
The new political drama, The Ides Of March, strolls into the theaters this week full of stars and promise.
George Clooney written, and produced movie where he plays a presidential candidate in the latter stages of the Democratic primaries. He is Governor Morris from Pennsylvania, and is running against only one Democratic challenger left as this story takes place during the weeks of the Ohio primary. This is a key state as to who will win the Democratic nomination for President.
He has one of the best young media minds in the country working for him Stephen (Ryan Gosling). And one of the greatest political minds Paul (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) leading his campaign. Morris is perceived as "the real deal" by his staff who are working hard for his election. But there are a few very bad skeletons in his closet, and the passionate campaign leaders have to decide if they are willing to go to the mat with Morris knowing what they do.
Then the rival campaign chimes in lead by Tom (Paul Giamatti) trying to use politics to muddy the waters, and screw up the entire election. This is a complex drama that really shows the dirty side of politics. At least as much as Clooney knows how to show through his writing. There are many twist and turns. But one thing about this movie, I think it thinks it's really smarter than it is. Some of these plot twists are supposed to really make you go "WOW" when in fact most viewers are ahead of this movie.
But that's not a deal breaker here. This is a pretty good movie, that has a very nice cast and it's fun to see a few generations of good people make a good movie. Gosling is the star of this movie categorically. Hoffman is again great, as is Giamatti. Clooney, although central, does not have a huge screen time presence in this flick. Good lesson maybe learned. Maybe make a movie, and not a "George Clooney" movie. Great small performances too from Evan Rachel Wood, and Marisa Tomei give this movie a real nice ensemble.
The Ides Of March doesn't make some of the same mistakes that some other Clooney movies have. It's not too long. It has a story that stays on course and focus, and it doesn't have that "elite" stench that some others have had. One of the things haunting Clooney flicks is that they can bear the preception they think that they are saying something that no one has ever thought of before. And that can be insulting to some. Many times it seems they are making the movie for their own entertainment and not ours.
This is much shorter than the never ending Micheal Clayton, much better than the putrid The American. Where 2009's gem Up In The Air was relevant, so is this one. There is a reason to tell this story now. On target, and overall pretty entertaining.
The Ides Of March. Great cast, but only a good movie.
George Clooney written, and produced movie where he plays a presidential candidate in the latter stages of the Democratic primaries. He is Governor Morris from Pennsylvania, and is running against only one Democratic challenger left as this story takes place during the weeks of the Ohio primary. This is a key state as to who will win the Democratic nomination for President.
He has one of the best young media minds in the country working for him Stephen (Ryan Gosling). And one of the greatest political minds Paul (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) leading his campaign. Morris is perceived as "the real deal" by his staff who are working hard for his election. But there are a few very bad skeletons in his closet, and the passionate campaign leaders have to decide if they are willing to go to the mat with Morris knowing what they do.
Then the rival campaign chimes in lead by Tom (Paul Giamatti) trying to use politics to muddy the waters, and screw up the entire election. This is a complex drama that really shows the dirty side of politics. At least as much as Clooney knows how to show through his writing. There are many twist and turns. But one thing about this movie, I think it thinks it's really smarter than it is. Some of these plot twists are supposed to really make you go "WOW" when in fact most viewers are ahead of this movie.
But that's not a deal breaker here. This is a pretty good movie, that has a very nice cast and it's fun to see a few generations of good people make a good movie. Gosling is the star of this movie categorically. Hoffman is again great, as is Giamatti. Clooney, although central, does not have a huge screen time presence in this flick. Good lesson maybe learned. Maybe make a movie, and not a "George Clooney" movie. Great small performances too from Evan Rachel Wood, and Marisa Tomei give this movie a real nice ensemble.
The Ides Of March doesn't make some of the same mistakes that some other Clooney movies have. It's not too long. It has a story that stays on course and focus, and it doesn't have that "elite" stench that some others have had. One of the things haunting Clooney flicks is that they can bear the preception they think that they are saying something that no one has ever thought of before. And that can be insulting to some. Many times it seems they are making the movie for their own entertainment and not ours.
This is much shorter than the never ending Micheal Clayton, much better than the putrid The American. Where 2009's gem Up In The Air was relevant, so is this one. There is a reason to tell this story now. On target, and overall pretty entertaining.
The Ides Of March. Great cast, but only a good movie.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Dream House
Daniel Craig leaves James Bond and a bunch of other tough guy characters behind for his family man role in Dream House.
After seeing Dream House, I can't decide if it is supposed to be thrilling, scary or both. It is neither. I can't tell you this is a bad movie, but I can't sit here and tell you it's a good one. There are plenty of stars. Craig, Rachel Wiesz, and Naomi Watts. And seemingly the time of year is right for a movie like this. But in fairness, Dream House just lays there. It darn near sent me to Dream Land!
Craig stars as a family man with a lovely wife and two equally lovely young daughters. They buy this house that seems haunted. Come to learn that there was a family killed in this house years earlier, and the husband was the person thought to have killed his entire family. As they they set out to find out who it was that actually did the murders, who knows what they might find.
I think that is supposed to be the thrilling part, but I was completely underwhelmed. Dream House lost me right out of the gate with a super boring first 30 minutes. It does recover if you stick with it, but it can only come up to mediocre at best, before settling for poor at the end. It tries so hard to be smart, but it's not. Oh, they try to throw in this twist in the final few frames, but you're done. Long done. You go, "Yeah, yeah"..as you are walking out as the credits roll.
Craig is hard pressed to pull off the family man thing on screen. Good for him branching out, but this is poorly staged. When you see him with the little girls, he's holding some other persons kids. As he literally is, but the point is, he looks out of water. This role was a throw away role for him. This was a good waste of real star power in a movie that may have required a star, but shouldn't have gotten one. It's just not that good of a script.
Dream House. If you must. Otherwise this movie will be on TNT every weekend in a couple of years.
After seeing Dream House, I can't decide if it is supposed to be thrilling, scary or both. It is neither. I can't tell you this is a bad movie, but I can't sit here and tell you it's a good one. There are plenty of stars. Craig, Rachel Wiesz, and Naomi Watts. And seemingly the time of year is right for a movie like this. But in fairness, Dream House just lays there. It darn near sent me to Dream Land!
Craig stars as a family man with a lovely wife and two equally lovely young daughters. They buy this house that seems haunted. Come to learn that there was a family killed in this house years earlier, and the husband was the person thought to have killed his entire family. As they they set out to find out who it was that actually did the murders, who knows what they might find.
I think that is supposed to be the thrilling part, but I was completely underwhelmed. Dream House lost me right out of the gate with a super boring first 30 minutes. It does recover if you stick with it, but it can only come up to mediocre at best, before settling for poor at the end. It tries so hard to be smart, but it's not. Oh, they try to throw in this twist in the final few frames, but you're done. Long done. You go, "Yeah, yeah"..as you are walking out as the credits roll.
Craig is hard pressed to pull off the family man thing on screen. Good for him branching out, but this is poorly staged. When you see him with the little girls, he's holding some other persons kids. As he literally is, but the point is, he looks out of water. This role was a throw away role for him. This was a good waste of real star power in a movie that may have required a star, but shouldn't have gotten one. It's just not that good of a script.
Dream House. If you must. Otherwise this movie will be on TNT every weekend in a couple of years.
Monday, October 3, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - Courageous
Not often that a new movie brings in a huge first week take, when debuting in roughly half the theaters that other movies do. But Courageous did.
Courageous is from the same people that made Fireproof from 2008. That was a big hit, this looks like a big hit too. Courageous is another Faith Challenging and Faith Affirming movie that will find an audience. This, like Fireproof is not mainstream movie making. It has a message, and is not ashamed of it. It is not the usual out of Hollywood.
Courageous is the story of four different families in Albany, New York. They are good people, and people of faith. Or so they thought. One of our families then has a terrible tragedy that melds them all closer together. The family fathers then take a "resolution" to be better than they are, and be the family leader they feel God wants them to be. But we learn that is not always an easy journey, and there are challenges. Are they courageous enough to see it through?
This movie will be hit and miss situation. There will be many who will dismiss this out-of-hand, and feel that this is not what they want in an experience at the movies, and that's fine. Movies are not one size fits all. But for those who are interested, or feel that there is nothing decent coming out to the movies these days, this will be right on the money. And I am frankly fine with either side. That's the beauty of the movies.
You may notice this does not even look like most movies, and that's in the design. There is not star power in this movie. Actors you don't know at all, allowing the message to cut through without seeing a movie star. Courageous also is told very simplistically, with carefully written dialogue that carries, and delivers a message. It is straightforward, and unapologetic. It has something to say, and says it right to you.
Movies like Courageous are hard to really review. It is pure, with a message that is crafted to be positive and uplifting. There are certainly better written, better acted movies with bigger budgets out there, but there's room for this too. And I am good with bringing everything to the theaters these days, instead of 20 identical movies in theaters at the same time.
Courageous. If it's not for you, then go to the movie next door. If this is your thing, enjoy.
Courageous is from the same people that made Fireproof from 2008. That was a big hit, this looks like a big hit too. Courageous is another Faith Challenging and Faith Affirming movie that will find an audience. This, like Fireproof is not mainstream movie making. It has a message, and is not ashamed of it. It is not the usual out of Hollywood.
Courageous is the story of four different families in Albany, New York. They are good people, and people of faith. Or so they thought. One of our families then has a terrible tragedy that melds them all closer together. The family fathers then take a "resolution" to be better than they are, and be the family leader they feel God wants them to be. But we learn that is not always an easy journey, and there are challenges. Are they courageous enough to see it through?
This movie will be hit and miss situation. There will be many who will dismiss this out-of-hand, and feel that this is not what they want in an experience at the movies, and that's fine. Movies are not one size fits all. But for those who are interested, or feel that there is nothing decent coming out to the movies these days, this will be right on the money. And I am frankly fine with either side. That's the beauty of the movies.
You may notice this does not even look like most movies, and that's in the design. There is not star power in this movie. Actors you don't know at all, allowing the message to cut through without seeing a movie star. Courageous also is told very simplistically, with carefully written dialogue that carries, and delivers a message. It is straightforward, and unapologetic. It has something to say, and says it right to you.
Movies like Courageous are hard to really review. It is pure, with a message that is crafted to be positive and uplifting. There are certainly better written, better acted movies with bigger budgets out there, but there's room for this too. And I am good with bringing everything to the theaters these days, instead of 20 identical movies in theaters at the same time.
Courageous. If it's not for you, then go to the movie next door. If this is your thing, enjoy.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
MOVIE REVIEW - What's Your Number
Anna Faris has a new comedy out this week, What's Your Number. Seldom will you see a movie with about the same amount of good and bad in the same 100 minutes.
Faris, is a funny woman that I feel is way funnier than the projects that she gets tangled up in. I thought she was very funny in House Bunny, and a few others. Great movies? No. But she usually holds up her end of the bargain. That goes for What's Your Number. This is not a great movie, but thanks to Faris, it has some moments.
It's the story of a young woman in Boston named Ally (Faris). She has just been fired from her job she hated. Then she reads a magazine article that says the average woman has 10 lovers over the course of her life. She goes into a panic, because her number, while still single is almost double that. So at her younger sisters engagement party, Ally vows to not sleep with another man till she meets her future husband.
She then goes a step further by trying to contact her past lovers to see if there is still something there. She enlists her "dog" male neighbor from across the hall, Colin (Chris Evans) who has mad computer skills to track these men down. As they spend more time together you start to get the idea that Ally and Colin might end up together. What a surprise! So where will this whole thing go?
Let's clear out the bad first. Too predictable, too much of Faris trying too hard, and this needed another re-write. There are some really funny scenes and characters here. Too bad the lead characters aren't nearly as developed as the side ones. This idea, which is not great, could have been a lot better if some things were re-worked a bit. Would have helped too to write some snappier dialogue, and quit selling out to the constant references to body parts, and functions. That dialogue didn't add one thing to this story. And the theater didn't laugh at it. - Again.
But with that said, WYN does have some real good to it. Faris is wonderful at times, and funny, albeit she can be a bit fatiguing after a while. That is her Achilles heel. They do introduce us to characters that are highly representative of a whole lot of young adults today, in their lifestyle and interests. And a really up-to-date soundtrack is very well used at times that fits the movie like a glove. And yes, there area few real out loud laughs here. It's just a shame that a bit more care wasn't taken to really make an intelligent movie. With what they had in place, I'm not sure it would have been a whole lot of extra effort.
What's Your Number. Faris makes it pretty good, but the movie makers insisted on making it not as much so. Not a washout, just a wash. Looks and sounds like 20 other movies.
Faris, is a funny woman that I feel is way funnier than the projects that she gets tangled up in. I thought she was very funny in House Bunny, and a few others. Great movies? No. But she usually holds up her end of the bargain. That goes for What's Your Number. This is not a great movie, but thanks to Faris, it has some moments.
It's the story of a young woman in Boston named Ally (Faris). She has just been fired from her job she hated. Then she reads a magazine article that says the average woman has 10 lovers over the course of her life. She goes into a panic, because her number, while still single is almost double that. So at her younger sisters engagement party, Ally vows to not sleep with another man till she meets her future husband.
She then goes a step further by trying to contact her past lovers to see if there is still something there. She enlists her "dog" male neighbor from across the hall, Colin (Chris Evans) who has mad computer skills to track these men down. As they spend more time together you start to get the idea that Ally and Colin might end up together. What a surprise! So where will this whole thing go?
Let's clear out the bad first. Too predictable, too much of Faris trying too hard, and this needed another re-write. There are some really funny scenes and characters here. Too bad the lead characters aren't nearly as developed as the side ones. This idea, which is not great, could have been a lot better if some things were re-worked a bit. Would have helped too to write some snappier dialogue, and quit selling out to the constant references to body parts, and functions. That dialogue didn't add one thing to this story. And the theater didn't laugh at it. - Again.
But with that said, WYN does have some real good to it. Faris is wonderful at times, and funny, albeit she can be a bit fatiguing after a while. That is her Achilles heel. They do introduce us to characters that are highly representative of a whole lot of young adults today, in their lifestyle and interests. And a really up-to-date soundtrack is very well used at times that fits the movie like a glove. And yes, there area few real out loud laughs here. It's just a shame that a bit more care wasn't taken to really make an intelligent movie. With what they had in place, I'm not sure it would have been a whole lot of extra effort.
What's Your Number. Faris makes it pretty good, but the movie makers insisted on making it not as much so. Not a washout, just a wash. Looks and sounds like 20 other movies.
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