You may remember a couple years ago, Clash Of The Titans came out. "Release The Kracken" and all that. In short, it was a remake of what is considered one of the worst movies of all time.
Now it's Wrath Of The Titans. The same big cast is back, Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Ralph Fiennes again. And some others. This time hoping to shake the stigma of the last movie that featured little payoff for all of the waiting. Especially after they released the Kracken and he was killed in about 2 minutes.
Now he's dead, and we have another set of problems to deal with. This of course is mythology on steroids. We have the Gods, and the Titans still doing battle. This time, the Gods banished to the underworld are trying to release havoc on the humans by sending down one hideous demon after another. It seems like it's he end of the world. And the world must be saved. That's it in a nutshell. There is more to it, but we can move on.
First, the bad. Much of this looks like a bunch of grown men playing dress-up, and wearing fake beards. And much of this has terribly mundane dialogue. A whole bunch of this is silliness, pure and simple. It looks silly, and has a hard time being taken seriously. At times, it's tough to watch such fine actors, play this thing out in the ridiculous costumes.
But then, there's this. I saw this today in IMAX 3-D. And I recommend you do the same if you are going. No, it doesn't make the silliness better, but it makes this experience a whole lot better. The IMAX 3-D, was simply incredible. Amazingly life like, and right there in front of you. In this sequel there are far more action sequences, a far better end payoff, and it certainly does encompass you in this format. I found myself drawn into the technology, and was far less worried about the bad writing and the childishness being played out on the screen.
Kudos too, to the music. Holy cow was the musical soundtrack great in this flick. It was immensely orchestral in the big theater, and added some foundation or an otherwise baseless movie. Great to see a fresh new face too Rosamund Pike who plays Andromeda. She is well cast, and adds a certain niceness to this piece. She is a star on the rise and I would like to see more of her down the line.
In short, this movie learned from the first one, and didn't repeat some of the main offenses from number one. Which is good, because this could have been number two in more ways than one. For all of it's misgivings, this is far better than the first. There is more to like. But let's not get carried away. This is not great. But the IMAX is. If you've not done that yet, this would be a good flick to do it with. It makes a mediocre movie far more tolerable.
Wrath Of The Titans. If you're going, you owe it to yourself to pony up the extra dough for the IMAX. If not, it's just the same old Titans.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
LOCAL GOLF - Dewsweeping In Northeast Ohio
Me and three of my great friends are avid golfers. For years now my friends Beef, Joe Red, Tex and I have been getting up early on Sunday mornings and playing golf at public courses all over Northeast Ohio. We are usually the first off the tee, as we are not afraid to go early as we sweep the dew. Thus, we have loosely called ourselves the Dewsweepers for no real reason other than it's sounds fun.
What we are going to do here every week or so, is to highlight a certain public golf course in Northeast Ohio. Not necessarily to "review" the course, but to review the overall experience. Example being, how the course played, the strengths of the course, and maybe what we didn't find to be our favorite. We'll look at how we played certain holes, and see if we notice any trends on how the course played for four totally amateur golfers. We'll even bring you up to speed on the hot dogs, and the overall clubhouse too.
The goal is simple. To try to give you a feel for the course whether you've played there before or not. And to let you know what to expect. I'll post links to their websites as well, and give you directions on where it is, and how to get there. We are public course guys, as I'm sure you are too. Our handicaps range from 10 up, so no one is shooting lites out. But there is some good golf beging played, and fun being had. And that's the most important part...as it should be.
The courses will range from say, Sandusky to the west, to Painesville to the east. As far south as Massilion, and Lodi. We'll cover Summit, Medina, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Portage and a bunch of other surrounding counties too. And if we happen to hit one a good distance away, we'll feature that one too. A goal too would be to introduce you to courses that maybe you haven't played before too.
So be looking for our first course experience later this week. And I look forward to posting this, and to help you find the best places to play all golf season long this year. As you go Dewsweeping with me on Akronnewsnow.com
What we are going to do here every week or so, is to highlight a certain public golf course in Northeast Ohio. Not necessarily to "review" the course, but to review the overall experience. Example being, how the course played, the strengths of the course, and maybe what we didn't find to be our favorite. We'll look at how we played certain holes, and see if we notice any trends on how the course played for four totally amateur golfers. We'll even bring you up to speed on the hot dogs, and the overall clubhouse too.
The goal is simple. To try to give you a feel for the course whether you've played there before or not. And to let you know what to expect. I'll post links to their websites as well, and give you directions on where it is, and how to get there. We are public course guys, as I'm sure you are too. Our handicaps range from 10 up, so no one is shooting lites out. But there is some good golf beging played, and fun being had. And that's the most important part...as it should be.
The courses will range from say, Sandusky to the west, to Painesville to the east. As far south as Massilion, and Lodi. We'll cover Summit, Medina, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Portage and a bunch of other surrounding counties too. And if we happen to hit one a good distance away, we'll feature that one too. A goal too would be to introduce you to courses that maybe you haven't played before too.
So be looking for our first course experience later this week. And I look forward to posting this, and to help you find the best places to play all golf season long this year. As you go Dewsweeping with me on Akronnewsnow.com
Saturday, March 24, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - The Hunger Games
There can be a whole lot of pressure on movie makers when a gigantic book comes to the big screen. This week, it's The Hunger Games.
The much anticipated, sure to be huge thriller for young readers and viewers is here and overall is a pretty good movie. In case you are late to The Hunger Games table here goes. It's the story of a post-apocalyptic North America. Now the continent has been broken down into 12 Districts, and is ruled by a "Capital" that is in the Rocky Mountain Region. Every year, they have a selection of one young man, and one young woman (teens) from each District and they compete in a sick game, competition made for TV called The Hunger Games. What it is, is a fight to the death for 23 of the 24 participants that everyone watches.
But the game is rigged, and booby-trapped along the way by the "government." They change the rules at leisure, and try to influence the outcome. This story showcases the two from District 12, which is a coal mining, blue collar district. Can they survive, and who will be the eventual winner of the 74th annual Hunger Games?
This movie has the look and feel of a few things. It is part TVs Survivor, part reality show, and a whole lot of The Running Man story from Stephen King from the early 1980's. That story although taking a slightly different path, does get to the same thing. Basically, an involuntary game show made for TV show that features people participating to the death. Only this time, it's teens. Plus, our teens here use very primitive weapons to fight with and kill each other. Looking at it from a good distance, it's very hard not to think that this is a borderline rip-off in its basic story. Because it is. But it's here, and we have to get past it.
Some very good decisions were made in bringing this to life at the movies. Although the story is essentially violent, it is handled well. About as well as it could be. They have some understanding that the public would have tough time digesting teens and younger killing each other in the most graphic sense. There is violence, none I would consider overly graphic. Much is implied. Also, the rumors that this was 4 hours is wrong, checking in at about 2:10.
Kudos to the elaborate sets both real and animated. Very interesting costuming, and nice job too on the not relying on over the top special effects. Truth be told, there are not a lot of really huge effects at all. They let the characters tell the story, and that's well done. And be rest assured, there are going to be more of these as there are more books to be told. But even if you didn't know there were books, the movie makes it clear this story will continue.
The Hunger Games. Will be a huge winner with it's fans. Overall, pretty well done.
The much anticipated, sure to be huge thriller for young readers and viewers is here and overall is a pretty good movie. In case you are late to The Hunger Games table here goes. It's the story of a post-apocalyptic North America. Now the continent has been broken down into 12 Districts, and is ruled by a "Capital" that is in the Rocky Mountain Region. Every year, they have a selection of one young man, and one young woman (teens) from each District and they compete in a sick game, competition made for TV called The Hunger Games. What it is, is a fight to the death for 23 of the 24 participants that everyone watches.
But the game is rigged, and booby-trapped along the way by the "government." They change the rules at leisure, and try to influence the outcome. This story showcases the two from District 12, which is a coal mining, blue collar district. Can they survive, and who will be the eventual winner of the 74th annual Hunger Games?
This movie has the look and feel of a few things. It is part TVs Survivor, part reality show, and a whole lot of The Running Man story from Stephen King from the early 1980's. That story although taking a slightly different path, does get to the same thing. Basically, an involuntary game show made for TV show that features people participating to the death. Only this time, it's teens. Plus, our teens here use very primitive weapons to fight with and kill each other. Looking at it from a good distance, it's very hard not to think that this is a borderline rip-off in its basic story. Because it is. But it's here, and we have to get past it.
Some very good decisions were made in bringing this to life at the movies. Although the story is essentially violent, it is handled well. About as well as it could be. They have some understanding that the public would have tough time digesting teens and younger killing each other in the most graphic sense. There is violence, none I would consider overly graphic. Much is implied. Also, the rumors that this was 4 hours is wrong, checking in at about 2:10.
Kudos to the elaborate sets both real and animated. Very interesting costuming, and nice job too on the not relying on over the top special effects. Truth be told, there are not a lot of really huge effects at all. They let the characters tell the story, and that's well done. And be rest assured, there are going to be more of these as there are more books to be told. But even if you didn't know there were books, the movie makes it clear this story will continue.
The Hunger Games. Will be a huge winner with it's fans. Overall, pretty well done.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - 21 Jump Street
It's been a long time since the TV show 21 Jump Street was on the air. But the teen crime fighting story is back this weekend on the big screen.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star as Schmidt and Jenko. They went to high school together, and now 7 years later they are local police officers. Of course, with this being a comedy they are the worst cops of all time. And after they botch their first arrest, they are assigned to an undercover force called 21 Jump Street. This is a group that sends in undercover police as students to local high schools to fight teen crime. Schmidt and Jenko are sent in to break up a drug ring run by students.
There is a new synthetic drug that is making kids higher than ever. The task is to find out who the dealers are, and the supplier too. Of course, with this being a comedy, they will implore the most unorthodox methods you can imagine. Will they be successful? I'm guessing or we wouldn't have a movie.
21 Jump Street is a good example of a movie being packaged differently than it actually is. When you see the trailer, you know it's going to be an edgy, semi-raunchy comedy, but this is way beyond that. In short, this is a "dude" movie. Tons of horrible language, and of course the constant, and obligatory mention of human private parts. This movie also showcases high school drug use and trafficking, and over all bad behavior.
But there is a method to this movie that does make it slightly different than most. This movie is heavy parody and satire. It lampoons the old TV show, the movie itself, the police and their work and our cartoonish characters. Also, in the cross hairs is the public education system, teachers, terrible parenting, and the new perception that young high schoolers are running the show. And some of this is pretty funny. There are some laughs here, and many are of the guilty pleasure variety.
But sadly, that is not enough to save it and make it a really good movie. The bathroom humor sellout and the lack of comedic creativity balance it out to about a 50/50. If it would have stayed its course of the satire and parody, this would have been better, but instead the sellout is just too easy, and that's the road it in the end takes.
Hill is a funny guy and he's funny here. Tatum to me has been a stiff till now, but I will say he's pretty funny here. Much better than I thought he would be. The supporting cast is OK, plus a few cameo's work pretty well. Oh, and don't panic there will be more of these.
21 Jump Street. Overall, funny at times, fatiguing at times. Can only muster and OK here.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum star as Schmidt and Jenko. They went to high school together, and now 7 years later they are local police officers. Of course, with this being a comedy they are the worst cops of all time. And after they botch their first arrest, they are assigned to an undercover force called 21 Jump Street. This is a group that sends in undercover police as students to local high schools to fight teen crime. Schmidt and Jenko are sent in to break up a drug ring run by students.
There is a new synthetic drug that is making kids higher than ever. The task is to find out who the dealers are, and the supplier too. Of course, with this being a comedy, they will implore the most unorthodox methods you can imagine. Will they be successful? I'm guessing or we wouldn't have a movie.
21 Jump Street is a good example of a movie being packaged differently than it actually is. When you see the trailer, you know it's going to be an edgy, semi-raunchy comedy, but this is way beyond that. In short, this is a "dude" movie. Tons of horrible language, and of course the constant, and obligatory mention of human private parts. This movie also showcases high school drug use and trafficking, and over all bad behavior.
But there is a method to this movie that does make it slightly different than most. This movie is heavy parody and satire. It lampoons the old TV show, the movie itself, the police and their work and our cartoonish characters. Also, in the cross hairs is the public education system, teachers, terrible parenting, and the new perception that young high schoolers are running the show. And some of this is pretty funny. There are some laughs here, and many are of the guilty pleasure variety.
But sadly, that is not enough to save it and make it a really good movie. The bathroom humor sellout and the lack of comedic creativity balance it out to about a 50/50. If it would have stayed its course of the satire and parody, this would have been better, but instead the sellout is just too easy, and that's the road it in the end takes.
Hill is a funny guy and he's funny here. Tatum to me has been a stiff till now, but I will say he's pretty funny here. Much better than I thought he would be. The supporting cast is OK, plus a few cameo's work pretty well. Oh, and don't panic there will be more of these.
21 Jump Street. Overall, funny at times, fatiguing at times. Can only muster and OK here.
MOVIE REVIEW - Jeff Who Lives At Home
Little movies have a tendency to be the best movies sometimes. Jeff Who Lives At Home is not one of the years best movies, but it is a breath of fresh air right now.
In limited release, this movie stars Jason Segal, Ed Helms, and Susan Sarandon. It's the story of Jeff (Segal), brother Pat (Helms) and their long-time single mother (Sarandon). They are incredibly dysfunctional as an adult family. The boys father died when they were teens and mom has never remarried. Jeff is 30, and lives in his mom's basement. He spends his days smoking pot and basically wastes his days doing nothing. He is a big guy, former college basketball player with a very strange outlook on life. He is terribly naive, but in his naivete, he believes in his heart that we are all connected in some cosmic way and that we should listen to this. This causes frustration within his family.
Pat is married to Linda (Judy Greer). Their marriage is on the rocks, and he suspects she is having an affair, and she might be. Pat is totally not a grown up, and has virtually no idea how to be in a marriage. Plus he's an underachiever and a wanna be. Their mom is frustrated on how the boys don't get along, and how the whole family is a wreck. Plus, she is lonely in her own life with no one of any meaning in it for many years.
The story takes place over an amazing day where all of their lives will eventually intersect in Jeff's own cosmic way. Will his self prophecy pan out, and are we all connected, and is this the way life is supposed to be? Well, you know the whole time the answer is yes, or there would not be a movie. But it can be overlooked. This is OK.
JWLAH is a very entertaining flick that checks in at about 85 minutes. The story is original, and this is overall done well. This movie is filmed wonderfully. The actors are filmed brutally raw. All of our characters look like real people, not much makeup here, and that totally gives this movie a sense of real that I really liked. The script outside of the obvious centering on Jeff, is extremely well done. The situations are real, the problems are real and the dialogue and situations are relatable. Some may say that the glorification of a character's bad behavior may be on display here, and that's apt. But this is an honest look into what many people are doing right now, and that's to be respected too.
Segal is slowly transforming into a different kind of actor. Should be noted for Segal fans, this is not juvenile, gross, bathroom humor Segal. He is very good in this role, that required real acting, with grown up dialogue. Helms has become a poster child for small Indy movies, and I loved him here as the selfish Pat. Huge kudos too to Judy Greer, who is one of the very best supporting actors in Hollywood. She is so good, and believable here just as she was in her small role in The Descendants last year. I would like to see more of her. She is terrific!
Jeff Who Lives At Home. Very good, not great. And certainly a nice adult alternative right now for movie goers.
In limited release, this movie stars Jason Segal, Ed Helms, and Susan Sarandon. It's the story of Jeff (Segal), brother Pat (Helms) and their long-time single mother (Sarandon). They are incredibly dysfunctional as an adult family. The boys father died when they were teens and mom has never remarried. Jeff is 30, and lives in his mom's basement. He spends his days smoking pot and basically wastes his days doing nothing. He is a big guy, former college basketball player with a very strange outlook on life. He is terribly naive, but in his naivete, he believes in his heart that we are all connected in some cosmic way and that we should listen to this. This causes frustration within his family.
Pat is married to Linda (Judy Greer). Their marriage is on the rocks, and he suspects she is having an affair, and she might be. Pat is totally not a grown up, and has virtually no idea how to be in a marriage. Plus he's an underachiever and a wanna be. Their mom is frustrated on how the boys don't get along, and how the whole family is a wreck. Plus, she is lonely in her own life with no one of any meaning in it for many years.
The story takes place over an amazing day where all of their lives will eventually intersect in Jeff's own cosmic way. Will his self prophecy pan out, and are we all connected, and is this the way life is supposed to be? Well, you know the whole time the answer is yes, or there would not be a movie. But it can be overlooked. This is OK.
JWLAH is a very entertaining flick that checks in at about 85 minutes. The story is original, and this is overall done well. This movie is filmed wonderfully. The actors are filmed brutally raw. All of our characters look like real people, not much makeup here, and that totally gives this movie a sense of real that I really liked. The script outside of the obvious centering on Jeff, is extremely well done. The situations are real, the problems are real and the dialogue and situations are relatable. Some may say that the glorification of a character's bad behavior may be on display here, and that's apt. But this is an honest look into what many people are doing right now, and that's to be respected too.
Segal is slowly transforming into a different kind of actor. Should be noted for Segal fans, this is not juvenile, gross, bathroom humor Segal. He is very good in this role, that required real acting, with grown up dialogue. Helms has become a poster child for small Indy movies, and I loved him here as the selfish Pat. Huge kudos too to Judy Greer, who is one of the very best supporting actors in Hollywood. She is so good, and believable here just as she was in her small role in The Descendants last year. I would like to see more of her. She is terrific!
Jeff Who Lives At Home. Very good, not great. And certainly a nice adult alternative right now for movie goers.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Silent House
Here comes Silent House new this week, and it brings with it a nice new star.
Don't look now, but here is Elizabeth Olsen starring in this new thriller. That's right, she's the other Olsen sister not Ashley or Mary Kate - the twins. While they are off selling clothes, toys, and building a huge marketing empire, Elizabeth is acting, here getting a role the twins never even dreamed of. She's pretty darn good in this average movie.
Silent House is the story of a young woman Sarah, (Olsen), and her father as they are at their family retreat house preparing to sell it. The house has been vacant for a long time, and holds many family secrets inside. As they are packing the house up, terror strikes, and her father winds up seemingly dead, as does her uncle. Sarah is alone, trapped in this gigantic house that won't let her escape. Someone is after them and her. She tries to elude them and save herself. But who are these demons, and why are they after her? That is Silent House.
Let's get right to the meat of the matter. This movie is slightly above average at best. It's not overly scary, or thrilling. But it doesn't sell out to cheap slasher gimmicks either and that's good. Olsen is really good in this role where they asked her do do one thing. Be sacred, look scared, and transfer that to us in the audience and make us feel what she was going through. And she does it very well. They asked her to look and sound 50 ways scared, and she does. She looked extremely comfortable in this role, that didn't involve a lot of heavy duty dialogue. But she did exactly what the asked her to do, and she delivered.
Interesting too. She is an Olsen, but you don't see Mary-Kate or Ashley on her, and that's a huge hurdle climbed. In fact, this role is so far away from the twins, it was a terrific career choice for her. She looks great on camera, she was unashamed how she looked, and this had the look of striking out and being her own woman. Being twin-less. And that's reason for applause. I know she used to be on the twins TV shows from time to time, but after seeing this movie that seems like a long time ago. Here she was well chosen. This was a good decision all the way around.
Silent House. This is not a washout. It has a story, and does keep you guessing. But make no mistake, this is Lizzie Olsen's movie, and she is way better in this movie, that the actual movie.
Don't look now, but here is Elizabeth Olsen starring in this new thriller. That's right, she's the other Olsen sister not Ashley or Mary Kate - the twins. While they are off selling clothes, toys, and building a huge marketing empire, Elizabeth is acting, here getting a role the twins never even dreamed of. She's pretty darn good in this average movie.
Silent House is the story of a young woman Sarah, (Olsen), and her father as they are at their family retreat house preparing to sell it. The house has been vacant for a long time, and holds many family secrets inside. As they are packing the house up, terror strikes, and her father winds up seemingly dead, as does her uncle. Sarah is alone, trapped in this gigantic house that won't let her escape. Someone is after them and her. She tries to elude them and save herself. But who are these demons, and why are they after her? That is Silent House.
Let's get right to the meat of the matter. This movie is slightly above average at best. It's not overly scary, or thrilling. But it doesn't sell out to cheap slasher gimmicks either and that's good. Olsen is really good in this role where they asked her do do one thing. Be sacred, look scared, and transfer that to us in the audience and make us feel what she was going through. And she does it very well. They asked her to look and sound 50 ways scared, and she does. She looked extremely comfortable in this role, that didn't involve a lot of heavy duty dialogue. But she did exactly what the asked her to do, and she delivered.
Interesting too. She is an Olsen, but you don't see Mary-Kate or Ashley on her, and that's a huge hurdle climbed. In fact, this role is so far away from the twins, it was a terrific career choice for her. She looks great on camera, she was unashamed how she looked, and this had the look of striking out and being her own woman. Being twin-less. And that's reason for applause. I know she used to be on the twins TV shows from time to time, but after seeing this movie that seems like a long time ago. Here she was well chosen. This was a good decision all the way around.
Silent House. This is not a washout. It has a story, and does keep you guessing. But make no mistake, this is Lizzie Olsen's movie, and she is way better in this movie, that the actual movie.
Monday, March 12, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Friends With kids
Out there in limited release is the new, modern comedy Friends With Kids the brainchild of the wonderful Jennifer Westfeldt. She write this, produced and starred in this really off beat, quirky movie.
FWK is the story of Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott). They live in the same apartment building in Manhattan and have been great friends since college, but never dated. Now 18 years later all of their friends have gotten married, and have kids. Jason and Julie are still out there bumming around together, dating whoever comes along, and not really growing up. They come up with this bold idea that they should have a baby together with the only tie being their love for their child. They would share the duties 50/50, and also be free to see whomever they want in their separate lives. So they do it and have a beautiful baby boy, Joe.
Sound silly? Kind of. But in today's world there are far more silly real stories out there. Our world in constantly changing, and so is our familial structure. This story, although embellished some from Hollywood, is original and has a story to tell. Can Jason and Julie make this work in the face of all odds against it? Or will they find love with each other in the aftermath of having baby Joe? That's FWK.
This movie is actually two movies in one. The first hour is a thoroughly modern comedy, complete with direct, and blunt dialogue. It is graphic at times, and mimics its generation well. It deals with highly adult content, and handles it well at times, and is a bit over the top at others. There are some really funny scenes here and a few great out loud laughs. Some coming from an uncomfortable place, and that's OK.
The second half is another movie altogether. It grows a rather large heart, and takes a very different turn in the story. It brings you back to the real world, and chooses to deal head on with the obvious ramifications of making such a decision out of haste. It does have some laughs left in it, and some direct moments too. Some coming from an uncomfortable place yet again. And that's well done.
Jennifer Westfeldt is flat out wonderful, alluring, strangely awkward and attractive in this role and titanically likable. She is the unsure of herself Julie, who talks a bigger game than she really has. Westfeldt is seemingly born to play this role and maybe she was since she wrote it. I would love to see more of her. Scott is the reluctant to grow up Jason, who has a sense of real that makes you root for him. And a supporting cast that is stellar, that includes Maya Rudolph, Kristin Wiig, Ed Burns, and Megan Fox. Surprisingly, Fox is very good in her small but important role.
Friends With Kids. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. At first, you may feel like this is just another semi-raunchy comedy, but it strikes back. In short, Friends With Kids had to choose between being pointless or poignant. It chose the latter.
FWK is the story of Julie (Westfeldt) and Jason (Adam Scott). They live in the same apartment building in Manhattan and have been great friends since college, but never dated. Now 18 years later all of their friends have gotten married, and have kids. Jason and Julie are still out there bumming around together, dating whoever comes along, and not really growing up. They come up with this bold idea that they should have a baby together with the only tie being their love for their child. They would share the duties 50/50, and also be free to see whomever they want in their separate lives. So they do it and have a beautiful baby boy, Joe.
Sound silly? Kind of. But in today's world there are far more silly real stories out there. Our world in constantly changing, and so is our familial structure. This story, although embellished some from Hollywood, is original and has a story to tell. Can Jason and Julie make this work in the face of all odds against it? Or will they find love with each other in the aftermath of having baby Joe? That's FWK.
This movie is actually two movies in one. The first hour is a thoroughly modern comedy, complete with direct, and blunt dialogue. It is graphic at times, and mimics its generation well. It deals with highly adult content, and handles it well at times, and is a bit over the top at others. There are some really funny scenes here and a few great out loud laughs. Some coming from an uncomfortable place, and that's OK.
The second half is another movie altogether. It grows a rather large heart, and takes a very different turn in the story. It brings you back to the real world, and chooses to deal head on with the obvious ramifications of making such a decision out of haste. It does have some laughs left in it, and some direct moments too. Some coming from an uncomfortable place yet again. And that's well done.
Jennifer Westfeldt is flat out wonderful, alluring, strangely awkward and attractive in this role and titanically likable. She is the unsure of herself Julie, who talks a bigger game than she really has. Westfeldt is seemingly born to play this role and maybe she was since she wrote it. I would love to see more of her. Scott is the reluctant to grow up Jason, who has a sense of real that makes you root for him. And a supporting cast that is stellar, that includes Maya Rudolph, Kristin Wiig, Ed Burns, and Megan Fox. Surprisingly, Fox is very good in her small but important role.
Friends With Kids. It won't be everyone's cup of tea. At first, you may feel like this is just another semi-raunchy comedy, but it strikes back. In short, Friends With Kids had to choose between being pointless or poignant. It chose the latter.
Friday, March 9, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - John Carter
Lots of hype for the new Disney movie John Carter. In the end it's part Avatar, part Star Wars, and it has a whole lot of the Disney animated movie formula.
John Carter, before you see one frame is a rather interesting story. The stories originally written in 1911 or so, have never come to the screen in all this time. That on the surface has me baffled. But after further review, you need today's technology to pull this off.
John Carter is a very complicated story that takes place in 1881. Carter is an American Civil War veteran that has a reputation as being a "born fighter." He is captured by the Union Army and is ordered to help in the war against the American Indian in the wild west. He then is somehow transported to Mars. That's right, (the planet Mars). Where he finds himself in the middle of a civil war on that planet. He also finds himself with a powerful physical skill set that makes him desirable to each side in that war to pursue.
As he comes to grips with his new surroundings, he befriends and comes to fall in love with a gorgeous Princess of Mars who holds the key to good surviving the challenge of evil on Mars. They then with a select group of allies take on evil. Will they emerge triumphant? There is much more story line here, and politics a plenty, but it's far too complicated for this short article. Plus, I'm not at all confident the depth of story and politics inside this movie is why any one is going to see it.
In short, it's a David and Goliath story line, and there's even some symbolism to that effect involved here. John Carter is laced with unending, computer generated action sequences in 3-D. Although the written original story is pretty compelling, it does get lost with the bells and the whistles. I saw this in 3-D, and to be honest, it left me flat. The 3-D didn't make this a better movie, just one I had to wear glasses for. Hugo has far better 3-D than this.
John Carter is just another in a line of big computer generated action movies that really have a video game feel, and that is going to resonate big time with movie enthusiasts raised on that medium. You do have to marvel at what can be done technically, but these movies are becoming so common place, they are all starting to run together. That's not really this movies fault, but it may be just viewer fatigue.
John Carter also introduces us to the hunky Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights TV show) as our hero. Well cast, and does what he's asked to do. Also the Princess is the ridiculously beautiful Lynn Collins. They have a nice chemistry at times when the script allows them to, and they look comfortable together on screen. Be it amongst the animated characters. The decision to cast below the radar actors was apt, and lets us see the movie, and not the actors themselves.
But for the few things John Carter does well, there are things that it doesn't. It's very busy, and it's a bit too long. There are also some elements that for me were a bit silly. It's the exact same formula in many of the Disney cartoons over the past 20 years. This movie looks like Disney's stab at their Avatar in it's message and feel, and that's a shame. If you're going to spend a quarter of a billion dollars on this, you should be bold enough to make your own movie. Although in it's defense, this written story was around way before Avatar, but James Cameron got his story to the market first 3 years ago.
John Carter. Original story is good. But this movie, looks like 20 or 30 or 30 other movies. Also, 3-D is almost mandatory for it's marketing, but not really an asset to this movie, just more expensive.
John Carter, before you see one frame is a rather interesting story. The stories originally written in 1911 or so, have never come to the screen in all this time. That on the surface has me baffled. But after further review, you need today's technology to pull this off.
John Carter is a very complicated story that takes place in 1881. Carter is an American Civil War veteran that has a reputation as being a "born fighter." He is captured by the Union Army and is ordered to help in the war against the American Indian in the wild west. He then is somehow transported to Mars. That's right, (the planet Mars). Where he finds himself in the middle of a civil war on that planet. He also finds himself with a powerful physical skill set that makes him desirable to each side in that war to pursue.
As he comes to grips with his new surroundings, he befriends and comes to fall in love with a gorgeous Princess of Mars who holds the key to good surviving the challenge of evil on Mars. They then with a select group of allies take on evil. Will they emerge triumphant? There is much more story line here, and politics a plenty, but it's far too complicated for this short article. Plus, I'm not at all confident the depth of story and politics inside this movie is why any one is going to see it.
In short, it's a David and Goliath story line, and there's even some symbolism to that effect involved here. John Carter is laced with unending, computer generated action sequences in 3-D. Although the written original story is pretty compelling, it does get lost with the bells and the whistles. I saw this in 3-D, and to be honest, it left me flat. The 3-D didn't make this a better movie, just one I had to wear glasses for. Hugo has far better 3-D than this.
John Carter is just another in a line of big computer generated action movies that really have a video game feel, and that is going to resonate big time with movie enthusiasts raised on that medium. You do have to marvel at what can be done technically, but these movies are becoming so common place, they are all starting to run together. That's not really this movies fault, but it may be just viewer fatigue.
John Carter also introduces us to the hunky Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights TV show) as our hero. Well cast, and does what he's asked to do. Also the Princess is the ridiculously beautiful Lynn Collins. They have a nice chemistry at times when the script allows them to, and they look comfortable together on screen. Be it amongst the animated characters. The decision to cast below the radar actors was apt, and lets us see the movie, and not the actors themselves.
But for the few things John Carter does well, there are things that it doesn't. It's very busy, and it's a bit too long. There are also some elements that for me were a bit silly. It's the exact same formula in many of the Disney cartoons over the past 20 years. This movie looks like Disney's stab at their Avatar in it's message and feel, and that's a shame. If you're going to spend a quarter of a billion dollars on this, you should be bold enough to make your own movie. Although in it's defense, this written story was around way before Avatar, but James Cameron got his story to the market first 3 years ago.
John Carter. Original story is good. But this movie, looks like 20 or 30 or 30 other movies. Also, 3-D is almost mandatory for it's marketing, but not really an asset to this movie, just more expensive.
Friday, March 2, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Project X
Just when you think we can't fall any further to the bottom, Project X comes along and introduces us to a new high in lows.
PX is the story of a high school geek named Thomas, and it's his 17th birthday. His high pressure friends convince him to throw the most epic party of all time since his parents are heading out of town for the weekend. The reluctant Thomas finally agrees. Then when the high tech world we live in makes the invitation go viral, about 2,000 people show up and the party of course is completely out of hand. But don't be fooled that this is just another party movie. It's way beyond that.
PX has no shame in showing, and absolutely glamorizing 90 minutes of high school binge drinking, heavy duty drug usage, life risking behavior, nudity and sex with just about anyone that happens to be handy at the moment. Be mindful again, these are supposed 15-17 year old kids in this movie. That even beyond the earlier mentioned acts, also outsmart the police, and every single grown up they come in contact with. It's a movie that glorifies criminal acts and stunts, in an effort to be cool. It also can't go a complete sentence without raging profanity. This is not some harmless fun, this is simply dangerous. This movie is bait for kids to grab on to, and to imitate.
And with no shame on may part, I will tell you if you sit through this septic-mess, you may also be disturbed at the end, there are virtually no ramifications for the kids. Their actions of the SWAT team showing up, teens assualting police, kids assaulting neighbors, and destroying virtually everything that Thomas' parents have ever worked for, and buring down an entire city block after this party and riot. In fact, his dad facing devastating financial hardship of replacing all worldly possessions, and a burned down house, actually shows pride in his young sons "coming of age".
Besides being chaotic, tasteless, and vile, there really is no plot. It's simply footage of high school kids getting messed up on about every foreign substance they can ingest, while loud party music plays in the background. And in the end, after an amazing amount of rioting, and violence and all of the party footage, Thomas' dad is proud of him. He also receives the respect of all of his schoolmates and even gets his girl back, who forgives him for his transgressions at the party.
In perspective, I know this is an act of fiction. But after reading recently that teenagers are far more influenced by what they see on screen than any example being set at home. May be a good idea to see what you're up against.
Project X. Let's clarify. This is not Animal House, Porky's, American Pie, The Hangover or anything close to any of those. This is needless, simply needless
PX is the story of a high school geek named Thomas, and it's his 17th birthday. His high pressure friends convince him to throw the most epic party of all time since his parents are heading out of town for the weekend. The reluctant Thomas finally agrees. Then when the high tech world we live in makes the invitation go viral, about 2,000 people show up and the party of course is completely out of hand. But don't be fooled that this is just another party movie. It's way beyond that.
PX has no shame in showing, and absolutely glamorizing 90 minutes of high school binge drinking, heavy duty drug usage, life risking behavior, nudity and sex with just about anyone that happens to be handy at the moment. Be mindful again, these are supposed 15-17 year old kids in this movie. That even beyond the earlier mentioned acts, also outsmart the police, and every single grown up they come in contact with. It's a movie that glorifies criminal acts and stunts, in an effort to be cool. It also can't go a complete sentence without raging profanity. This is not some harmless fun, this is simply dangerous. This movie is bait for kids to grab on to, and to imitate.
And with no shame on may part, I will tell you if you sit through this septic-mess, you may also be disturbed at the end, there are virtually no ramifications for the kids. Their actions of the SWAT team showing up, teens assualting police, kids assaulting neighbors, and destroying virtually everything that Thomas' parents have ever worked for, and buring down an entire city block after this party and riot. In fact, his dad facing devastating financial hardship of replacing all worldly possessions, and a burned down house, actually shows pride in his young sons "coming of age".
Besides being chaotic, tasteless, and vile, there really is no plot. It's simply footage of high school kids getting messed up on about every foreign substance they can ingest, while loud party music plays in the background. And in the end, after an amazing amount of rioting, and violence and all of the party footage, Thomas' dad is proud of him. He also receives the respect of all of his schoolmates and even gets his girl back, who forgives him for his transgressions at the party.
In perspective, I know this is an act of fiction. But after reading recently that teenagers are far more influenced by what they see on screen than any example being set at home. May be a good idea to see what you're up against.
Project X. Let's clarify. This is not Animal House, Porky's, American Pie, The Hangover or anything close to any of those. This is needless, simply needless
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