Well the first one of these a few years was pretty darn good. And now, so is the second one.
This is a very interesting idea with an all star, but older cast that really sings a song directly to its core audience. I applaud this whole idea, as this is one of the few franchises that targets a clearly older demo, and gives them something of real quality that is uniquely theirs. I love it when Hollywood makes movies for all kinds of people. They make far enough for 18 year olds.
This is the storyline that takes place in India, where a bunch of real seniors from England have found a new life at this wonderful old hotel to begin the newest, and maybe final chapter of their lives. This wonderful place and idea is the brainchild of a young Indian idealist, who has big plans to expand this whole idea throughout India, and beyond.
These older folks do find a new life, and are in essence born again in a far off distant land way different than what they have known before. This story is so unique, it can't help score big points with me. Although this does not speak directly to me, I can see how it can to those in their seemingly golden years. The writing is spectacular, and the performances are as terrific as the first.
This installment takes place a few months after the first one left off. And the story lines are rolling forward nicely. This sequel in fairness may not be quite as charming as the first, and does have a slightly different feel to it. This has a tendency to be a little more direct in addressing in realities that could be affecting these aging characters, in a setting that isn't reality at all. But for me, this was really strong on story, and lets out character grow with us. You can't make the same movie as the first, that ship has sailed. Most times franchises don't get that. You can't make the same move again and expect a great reception.
Being honest, this is a bit too long. Some of the scenes, especially towards the end as too drawn out and could have been made in a more tidy fashion. This is not a true comedy, but it is funny and fun at times, and this would have been better served at about 15 minutes less, but it's not a deal breaker.
The main cast again with Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, and Bill Nighy is strong. But they also welcome Richard Gere here and he is a nice addition, and looks amazingly comfortable here. This is splendidly written, well directed and brilliantly acted by seasoned actors who get it. This is a gem franchise that is set up for more ahead.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Different from the first, and that is its strength. Very entertaining, real, and fun.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Monday, March 9, 2015
MOVIEN REVIEW - Chappie
There was a world of hype about the new robotic action movie, Chappie that opened up last weekend. Sadly, it was a giant thud at the box office.
Oh, Chappie debuted at number one but with a measly 13 million. Far, far short of what is needed for this to be a success. All seemed to be in place for a big opening, so why did they stay away from Chappie like they did. I always say, most of the time when you see a TON of TV for a movie before it opens, that usually spells big trouble.
Chappie is the story that takes place in South Africa, where robots have taken over as the primary police force. And they are a huge success. Crime is down and things are headed in the right direction except robots are made by people, and they eventually get in the way of the good.
Chappie is a rejected police robot that was slated for recycling when his creator steals him from the gigantic defense contractor to put a new kind of brain in him. The idea is to create a robot that can think, reason and feel. So he does, and Chappie is created as an infant in the mind. Chappie is then taken by a band of thugs who want to program him to be a gangster and help them relieve themselves of a 20 million dollar debt. And they do.
Then the creator is after him to save him for the good. The defense company is after him to destroy him, and a rival band of thugs is after them all to try to steal Chappie after seeing how effective he can be. Plus, a jealous defense contractor and fellow employee wants to destroy Chappie so his own invention can be the new Marshall in town. Lots going on here.
Chappie is a very good idea that falls way short of what it should have been. First off this is rated R. It is not a kids movie, even though many think it is because of the name and the packaging. Chappie is violent, and loaded with harsh language. Chappie is also very funny at times, and wildly creative. The special effects of Chappie is amazing. Chappie comes to life in an amazing way, and the makers should be commended for that. This also makes a ton of social commentary, and has a heart for the most part.
But there is something missing here and it's tough to put a finger on it. For some reason, this just does not work as it should. This should have been very good, but instead it ends up looking like another robot movie, and it shouldn't. They had a great premise, and it fumbled away. Chappie ends up being very unpleasant at times, repetitive, and draggy. Nice cast with Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, and Sigourney Weaver, but they can't save it from being average.
Chappie. This is not a bad movie. But a big, big opportunity to be really different, but instead a big chance wasted.
Oh, Chappie debuted at number one but with a measly 13 million. Far, far short of what is needed for this to be a success. All seemed to be in place for a big opening, so why did they stay away from Chappie like they did. I always say, most of the time when you see a TON of TV for a movie before it opens, that usually spells big trouble.
Chappie is the story that takes place in South Africa, where robots have taken over as the primary police force. And they are a huge success. Crime is down and things are headed in the right direction except robots are made by people, and they eventually get in the way of the good.
Chappie is a rejected police robot that was slated for recycling when his creator steals him from the gigantic defense contractor to put a new kind of brain in him. The idea is to create a robot that can think, reason and feel. So he does, and Chappie is created as an infant in the mind. Chappie is then taken by a band of thugs who want to program him to be a gangster and help them relieve themselves of a 20 million dollar debt. And they do.
Then the creator is after him to save him for the good. The defense company is after him to destroy him, and a rival band of thugs is after them all to try to steal Chappie after seeing how effective he can be. Plus, a jealous defense contractor and fellow employee wants to destroy Chappie so his own invention can be the new Marshall in town. Lots going on here.
Chappie is a very good idea that falls way short of what it should have been. First off this is rated R. It is not a kids movie, even though many think it is because of the name and the packaging. Chappie is violent, and loaded with harsh language. Chappie is also very funny at times, and wildly creative. The special effects of Chappie is amazing. Chappie comes to life in an amazing way, and the makers should be commended for that. This also makes a ton of social commentary, and has a heart for the most part.
But there is something missing here and it's tough to put a finger on it. For some reason, this just does not work as it should. This should have been very good, but instead it ends up looking like another robot movie, and it shouldn't. They had a great premise, and it fumbled away. Chappie ends up being very unpleasant at times, repetitive, and draggy. Nice cast with Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman, and Sigourney Weaver, but they can't save it from being average.
Chappie. This is not a bad movie. But a big, big opportunity to be really different, but instead a big chance wasted.
Saturday, March 7, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - The Lazarus Effect
Man, you better watch this one quickly. The new horror flick The Lazarus Effect is a very quick 75 minutes. There's infomercials longer than this movie. But as you will read, it's a blessing.
This stars a cast of lesser known actors, but does have the wonderful Olivia Wilde in it. She stars as a young, but talented medical research doctor (Zoe) looking to find a way to bring life back to those who have lost it. She and her team at a research lab in California are working on a serum that is injected into the brain, and can literally bring back like.
The testing has been not so successful until they have a success in a large dog. The dog comes back to life, but there are problems. The dog has anger issues, and is acting strangely. The serum is supposed to be expelled from the bloodstream in short order, but remains. More testing is needed. Then, the project has its funding pulled from its backer and it is shut down. But our team is bound and determined to push on with their research.
As they work on the sly bringing back another dog, there is an accident. And Zoe is electrocuted and dies on the lab floor. Her team then swings into action, and decides to inject her with the serum to bring her back to life. They do, she does, and there are huge problems.
Then what this turns into, is the same formula that has been used for 50 years. She is a lunatic with a brain full of untested serum, and she goes on a killing spree by knocking off the team one-by-one. Zoe is seemingly possessed by some form of supernatural demon, and doesn't fully know what she is doing. And she won't rest till they are all dead.
Ho-Hum! This movie is supposed to be scary, but it's not. This is simply bad, and insanely unoriginal. Why is it they can't figure our some new, and possibly different formula for these kind of flicks to scare us. What kind of formula? I don't know, that's their job - not mine. This, in the end, just looks, sounds, and is like 5,000 other movies before it, and 500 waiting behind it, getting ready to be released at some point to be viewed by some poor pack of clueless fans that haven't seen this type of movie before.
The Lazarus Effect. Bad, unoriginal, but luckily not too long so we don't waste too much of our time.
This stars a cast of lesser known actors, but does have the wonderful Olivia Wilde in it. She stars as a young, but talented medical research doctor (Zoe) looking to find a way to bring life back to those who have lost it. She and her team at a research lab in California are working on a serum that is injected into the brain, and can literally bring back like.
The testing has been not so successful until they have a success in a large dog. The dog comes back to life, but there are problems. The dog has anger issues, and is acting strangely. The serum is supposed to be expelled from the bloodstream in short order, but remains. More testing is needed. Then, the project has its funding pulled from its backer and it is shut down. But our team is bound and determined to push on with their research.
As they work on the sly bringing back another dog, there is an accident. And Zoe is electrocuted and dies on the lab floor. Her team then swings into action, and decides to inject her with the serum to bring her back to life. They do, she does, and there are huge problems.
Then what this turns into, is the same formula that has been used for 50 years. She is a lunatic with a brain full of untested serum, and she goes on a killing spree by knocking off the team one-by-one. Zoe is seemingly possessed by some form of supernatural demon, and doesn't fully know what she is doing. And she won't rest till they are all dead.
Ho-Hum! This movie is supposed to be scary, but it's not. This is simply bad, and insanely unoriginal. Why is it they can't figure our some new, and possibly different formula for these kind of flicks to scare us. What kind of formula? I don't know, that's their job - not mine. This, in the end, just looks, sounds, and is like 5,000 other movies before it, and 500 waiting behind it, getting ready to be released at some point to be viewed by some poor pack of clueless fans that haven't seen this type of movie before.
The Lazarus Effect. Bad, unoriginal, but luckily not too long so we don't waste too much of our time.
Friday, March 6, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business is here this week, and the only thing it's going to finish off is what's remaining of Vince Vaughn's career.
Good Lord is this awful. This is some kind of comedy caught between PG-13 and R and between vulgar and slapstick. The only place this movie lands squarely in, is horrible land. But honestly that is too kind, this is as bad as movies can get.
This is the story of Dan (Vaughn). He is a salesman who has a wife and two kids, and has just quit his job. He starts his own company, and spends this entire movie in Europe trying to get a huge business deal of some sort to save his struggling new business. He has two goofy partners, Tim (Tom Wilkinson) and Mike (Dave Franco), who add nothing to his business, or this movie. In the end, you are supposed to care if he gets the deal or not, but you don't. You are just thinking about how far Vaughn's career has fallen.
It is hard to describe just exactly how unfunny this really is. There is not a single laugh here. This is filled with terrible sight gags, unoriginal humor, and writing that is so bad that it amazes me that somehow this actually was made for the big screen. How this is not straight to video or streaming is shocking. There is not one moment of this putrid mess that is the slightest bit interesting or compelling, or ...anything except time wasting.
Every scene is gaggle of gag reflexes, with each one being worse than the last one. It is not only a struggle to sit through this, but a struggle to stay awake. You don't care about one single person in this movie You don't care about one single scene. You just sit there and think that this is it. That Vince Vaughn, as good of a start as he had to his career, can't buy a hit now. And with this, he has finally succeeded in throwing up on his own shoes after a large buffet run. This whole Vaughn act thing he does, may finally be over.
I can't say in strong enough terms for you to not go see this. It is a complete waste of time, money and effort for them to make, and for you to consider going to this. This is not the Vaughn of old, this is the Vaughn of new, with everything about his act getting old.
Unfinished Business. Not one thing about this is the slightest bit good.
Good Lord is this awful. This is some kind of comedy caught between PG-13 and R and between vulgar and slapstick. The only place this movie lands squarely in, is horrible land. But honestly that is too kind, this is as bad as movies can get.
This is the story of Dan (Vaughn). He is a salesman who has a wife and two kids, and has just quit his job. He starts his own company, and spends this entire movie in Europe trying to get a huge business deal of some sort to save his struggling new business. He has two goofy partners, Tim (Tom Wilkinson) and Mike (Dave Franco), who add nothing to his business, or this movie. In the end, you are supposed to care if he gets the deal or not, but you don't. You are just thinking about how far Vaughn's career has fallen.
It is hard to describe just exactly how unfunny this really is. There is not a single laugh here. This is filled with terrible sight gags, unoriginal humor, and writing that is so bad that it amazes me that somehow this actually was made for the big screen. How this is not straight to video or streaming is shocking. There is not one moment of this putrid mess that is the slightest bit interesting or compelling, or ...anything except time wasting.
Every scene is gaggle of gag reflexes, with each one being worse than the last one. It is not only a struggle to sit through this, but a struggle to stay awake. You don't care about one single person in this movie You don't care about one single scene. You just sit there and think that this is it. That Vince Vaughn, as good of a start as he had to his career, can't buy a hit now. And with this, he has finally succeeded in throwing up on his own shoes after a large buffet run. This whole Vaughn act thing he does, may finally be over.
I can't say in strong enough terms for you to not go see this. It is a complete waste of time, money and effort for them to make, and for you to consider going to this. This is not the Vaughn of old, this is the Vaughn of new, with everything about his act getting old.
Unfinished Business. Not one thing about this is the slightest bit good.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Focus
It has been a while since Will Smith has had a movie in theaters. And this week, Focus had a modest week at the box office.
First off, there is a lot to like in this movie. This has some real nice moments in many avenues. There is some real good humor here, also some wonderful moments of suspense, and overall this is a pretty good story. But this is one of those movies that for some reason, just doesn't click all the way to being really good, and stops at simply being...decent.
Focus is the story of Nickey (Smith). He is a big-time con man, that has a gaggle of merry men as it were, who spend their time committing small crime after small crime, slowly amassing a small fortune. He meets Jess (Margot Robbie), who is a small time con woman. They strike up relationship that at first is professional. She wants "in" on the game, and wants to be a part of the "team." So they partner up, along with Nickey's group and spend Superbowl week in New Orleans ripping off thousands of people in various ways.
Then these two spark up a romantic relationship, that goes wrong, as Superbowl week closes. And Jess finds herself of the losing end. Then, we flash forward 3 years to present day. When Jess and Nickey find themselves face to face, and on opposite sides in a for hire con in South America at a huge car race. How will they handle all of this? And who will out-con who? Without giving out too much info, that is Focus.
It is good to see Smith back on the screen again and in a role that he looks comfortable in. The real star of this movie though is Margot Robbie. She is amazing in this movie, and really controls and commands the screen when she is on it. She broke onto the scene a year or so ago in The Wolf of Wall Street, but let's be honest, that was Dicaprio's movie, not hers. Here although Smith is the star, she is the gas in the engine of this movie. He is very versatile here and elevates this movie and it needs her.
Trouble here is the overall story. The idea is fine, but this movie has no accountability to it. As charming as our stars are, they are still bad people causing real misery to tons of people by stealing their money, valuables, credit cards, and even identities. And some of that is simply not funny, or glamorous, given the present day climate of things and will hit close to the bone for many. This also has a few real draggy spots in it, that really slows it down a ton. True, this is not too long, it is simply non-compelling in many areas. A final rewrite and a sharper editing blade could have made this better.
Focus. This is not a bad movie, not a great one either. Nothing wrong with seeing this on a winters day or night.
First off, there is a lot to like in this movie. This has some real nice moments in many avenues. There is some real good humor here, also some wonderful moments of suspense, and overall this is a pretty good story. But this is one of those movies that for some reason, just doesn't click all the way to being really good, and stops at simply being...decent.
Focus is the story of Nickey (Smith). He is a big-time con man, that has a gaggle of merry men as it were, who spend their time committing small crime after small crime, slowly amassing a small fortune. He meets Jess (Margot Robbie), who is a small time con woman. They strike up relationship that at first is professional. She wants "in" on the game, and wants to be a part of the "team." So they partner up, along with Nickey's group and spend Superbowl week in New Orleans ripping off thousands of people in various ways.
Then these two spark up a romantic relationship, that goes wrong, as Superbowl week closes. And Jess finds herself of the losing end. Then, we flash forward 3 years to present day. When Jess and Nickey find themselves face to face, and on opposite sides in a for hire con in South America at a huge car race. How will they handle all of this? And who will out-con who? Without giving out too much info, that is Focus.
It is good to see Smith back on the screen again and in a role that he looks comfortable in. The real star of this movie though is Margot Robbie. She is amazing in this movie, and really controls and commands the screen when she is on it. She broke onto the scene a year or so ago in The Wolf of Wall Street, but let's be honest, that was Dicaprio's movie, not hers. Here although Smith is the star, she is the gas in the engine of this movie. He is very versatile here and elevates this movie and it needs her.
Trouble here is the overall story. The idea is fine, but this movie has no accountability to it. As charming as our stars are, they are still bad people causing real misery to tons of people by stealing their money, valuables, credit cards, and even identities. And some of that is simply not funny, or glamorous, given the present day climate of things and will hit close to the bone for many. This also has a few real draggy spots in it, that really slows it down a ton. True, this is not too long, it is simply non-compelling in many areas. A final rewrite and a sharper editing blade could have made this better.
Focus. This is not a bad movie, not a great one either. Nothing wrong with seeing this on a winters day or night.
Monday, March 2, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - The Duff
Here comes one of the real surprise movies of the year, The Duff. Right up front, I really liked this movie.
The Duff is a teen satire comedy, with a real heart that is right on point and totally relevant movie making. When I saw this movie, the movie Easy A popped into my mind with Emma Stone a few years back, and launched her to real heights. I think this could do the same to the wonderful Mae Whitman who stars in this funny, quirky and spot on comedy.
Whitman plays Bianca. Bianca is The Duff. Duff is an acronym for Designated Ugly Fat Friend. A term used in her fictional California high school. Bianca is a bit awkward, and is friends with two really "hot" girls. One of her guy friends convinces her, that she is a Duff. So Bianca, takes that information and goes off the deep end, de-friending all of her hot friends in person and on social media, and sets out to reinvent herself. In short, this is a coming of age, teen comedy that is so well written, it speaks to anyone that goes to it. In many ways things have changed a lot in high school in the 21st century, and in many ways they have not.
But this movie is a real coming out party for Whitman. Actually, she is 27 years old, and has been an actress since her early childhood. She has appeared in dozens of movies, and successful TV shows in her life, and has done a ton of voice work too in animation. But this is a starring role in a big time well accepted movie. And she is wonderful. She is perfectly cast, and is really funny as she skates her way through this sharply written satire on the high school experience today. Her performance is very much like Stone's in Easy A.
Like Easy A, not all of this works. There are a few moments here that don't work at all, but overall this really captures today's teens, lampoons them, and takes time to develop some great characters, and some palpable chemistry between them. I laughed out loud at much of this. And at times had real empathy for Bianca, as she goes through what teens have been going through for generations. Especially girls.
This deals with many topics today, bullying, social media, gadgetry, young love and fitting in. This is wonderfully written, and directed same. This zips along well, and never gets in its own way. Whitman is great, and so is the supporting cast. This will be one of the real surprises of 2015.
The Duff. This is quite good.
The Duff is a teen satire comedy, with a real heart that is right on point and totally relevant movie making. When I saw this movie, the movie Easy A popped into my mind with Emma Stone a few years back, and launched her to real heights. I think this could do the same to the wonderful Mae Whitman who stars in this funny, quirky and spot on comedy.
Whitman plays Bianca. Bianca is The Duff. Duff is an acronym for Designated Ugly Fat Friend. A term used in her fictional California high school. Bianca is a bit awkward, and is friends with two really "hot" girls. One of her guy friends convinces her, that she is a Duff. So Bianca, takes that information and goes off the deep end, de-friending all of her hot friends in person and on social media, and sets out to reinvent herself. In short, this is a coming of age, teen comedy that is so well written, it speaks to anyone that goes to it. In many ways things have changed a lot in high school in the 21st century, and in many ways they have not.
But this movie is a real coming out party for Whitman. Actually, she is 27 years old, and has been an actress since her early childhood. She has appeared in dozens of movies, and successful TV shows in her life, and has done a ton of voice work too in animation. But this is a starring role in a big time well accepted movie. And she is wonderful. She is perfectly cast, and is really funny as she skates her way through this sharply written satire on the high school experience today. Her performance is very much like Stone's in Easy A.
Like Easy A, not all of this works. There are a few moments here that don't work at all, but overall this really captures today's teens, lampoons them, and takes time to develop some great characters, and some palpable chemistry between them. I laughed out loud at much of this. And at times had real empathy for Bianca, as she goes through what teens have been going through for generations. Especially girls.
This deals with many topics today, bullying, social media, gadgetry, young love and fitting in. This is wonderfully written, and directed same. This zips along well, and never gets in its own way. Whitman is great, and so is the supporting cast. This will be one of the real surprises of 2015.
The Duff. This is quite good.
MOVIE REVIEW - McFarland USA
Kevin Costner has made his share sports movies. McFarland USA is his latest, and the latest in a long line of Disney feel good sports movies.
It's pretty tough to make a compelling movie about high school cross country, but somehow they have. This is a true story from the late 1980's of a remarkable, but fallible high school coach and his amazing group of seemingly misfit kids in one of America's poorest towns, McFarland, California. I know this has a bunch going against it, but this is a story worth telling, and I am glad they found it and told it.
Costner plays Coach White. A former high school football coach with a very checkered past. He has been fired from job after job with a long line of self destructive acts. Now down to his last chance, he accepts the only coaching job he can get, in McFarland as an assistant football coach. But even that doesn't work out. So after being relieved from that job, he somehow convinces the principal to let him begin a cross country team. Permission granted.
He is moved to this decision by seeing a bunch of the students run during gym class. You see, most of them are Mexican migrant workers kids, and they are not strangers to hard work, and to running to and from school most every day. Together they form this wonderful friendship, and this bond that brings them tighter as a team. But, there are large roadblocks along the way.
There is a huge social, racial, and socioeconomic element in play here, that really gives this a feeling of being very unique. Can White bring these kids together and make them be the best they can be? And can they change him to be a new man, and change the way he goes through life on and off the field. In short, this is a real nice story.
I have to admit, I was insanely skeptical about this movie from the word go. It just looked like too long of a stretch even for a sports fan like me to swallow this concept. But with all things being level, this is a great story, and that's where all good movies begin. In fact, I found this story to be far more compelling that even well done movies like Remember The Titans. I think it's because it tells a story that you have never really seen before buy a long shot.
Costner is good, solid and the supporting cast with Maria Bello, and others blends well throughout. But put all that aside, the star of this movie is the story. Granted this is a bit too long, and 15 minutes less would have been far more. But, stay around for the closing credits, as you will be astounded as to the end result of all of these runners lives, and Coach White too.
McFarland USA. Is this great? No...but this is a nice family movie, great story.
It's pretty tough to make a compelling movie about high school cross country, but somehow they have. This is a true story from the late 1980's of a remarkable, but fallible high school coach and his amazing group of seemingly misfit kids in one of America's poorest towns, McFarland, California. I know this has a bunch going against it, but this is a story worth telling, and I am glad they found it and told it.
Costner plays Coach White. A former high school football coach with a very checkered past. He has been fired from job after job with a long line of self destructive acts. Now down to his last chance, he accepts the only coaching job he can get, in McFarland as an assistant football coach. But even that doesn't work out. So after being relieved from that job, he somehow convinces the principal to let him begin a cross country team. Permission granted.
He is moved to this decision by seeing a bunch of the students run during gym class. You see, most of them are Mexican migrant workers kids, and they are not strangers to hard work, and to running to and from school most every day. Together they form this wonderful friendship, and this bond that brings them tighter as a team. But, there are large roadblocks along the way.
There is a huge social, racial, and socioeconomic element in play here, that really gives this a feeling of being very unique. Can White bring these kids together and make them be the best they can be? And can they change him to be a new man, and change the way he goes through life on and off the field. In short, this is a real nice story.
I have to admit, I was insanely skeptical about this movie from the word go. It just looked like too long of a stretch even for a sports fan like me to swallow this concept. But with all things being level, this is a great story, and that's where all good movies begin. In fact, I found this story to be far more compelling that even well done movies like Remember The Titans. I think it's because it tells a story that you have never really seen before buy a long shot.
Costner is good, solid and the supporting cast with Maria Bello, and others blends well throughout. But put all that aside, the star of this movie is the story. Granted this is a bit too long, and 15 minutes less would have been far more. But, stay around for the closing credits, as you will be astounded as to the end result of all of these runners lives, and Coach White too.
McFarland USA. Is this great? No...but this is a nice family movie, great story.
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