I can speak from experience that not many people are driving into work at 3AM. Threre's an few of us, and I am one of the fortunate few that do. It's an easy 25 minute drive. A cracked open window, or moon roof on a smooth highway, music on... to a job that I love doing. Most days it is a time for me to gather my thoughts and get ready for the show with Sue Wilson on WQMX that starts promptly at 5:30.
Then there are other days like today. When Hurricane Sandy has to be dealt with. Like right this minute, I am at my local public library writing this article, because Sandy has killed the power at my house for the time being. I'm tired of Sandy already.
Then there are huge snow days before the bulk of the plows are yet to get out. That's when you know that it's really 3AM. Or Hurricane Sandy days, like today. It can make you a bit nervous with 70 MPH winds and driving rain on the highway. Heck, I lived in Florida for over a decade and never drove in an actual hurricane. So this was the first for me. And I was a bit apprehensive as I walked outside of my powerless house into the elements and jumped behind the wheel my car, and fired it up.
I did what you do then, turned on the defrost, the radio, and for some reason I had to adjust the seat position. This, not being the fancy car, I had to reach under the seat for the black bar to pull forward. And then I felt it. Just behind the adjustment bar. A big, blue covered bible, smack dab under the drivers seat. I picked it up and smiled. And then knew that no matter what Sandy had in store, I was going to be OK. This was a bible given to me by one of my great friends Ray C. from usually hurricane prone Florida. When Ray and I first became friends the better part of 20 years ago, he gave it to me and even signed the inside. You know the "To - Scott From - Ray" part and even put the date on it, 1997.
I remember being very moved by that act, and always valued that kind gesture and the good book given. I remember years ago, I decided to put it under the front seat of my car for safety sake. I put it there on the day I left Florida to move back home to Ohio in 2001. I put it there to protect me on my long 16 hour drive that day, and in subsequent years to protect me on the 3AM drives. I know that may sound a bit silly, buy it gave me comfort I guess. But what I failed to remember until this morning, is that I have owned a bunch of cars since then. And somehow, I have always transferred that bible to the new cars without ever really being aware I did.
As I lay in bed last night having a tough time getting to sleep. I have to admit I had a bit of stress about driving into the teeth of the bully storm, and was hoping all would be fine. I am not a worrier at all and take things pretty easily. But this storm was a bit different and I was concerned the drive might be too. But if I would have remembered the front seat bible, sleep would have come easier.
Of course today's drive was fine. I took my time and drove confidentially in the direction of my radio dreams, and made it in to the station without incident. Then I got to thinking. I've been driving at that time of the day for years now in all kinds of conditions, all safely and on time. So the good book must be doing a fine job. At least it works for me.
I say, "God Bless the Front Seat Bible." And thanks Ray. What a great gift after all these years. Peace of mind, on a day one was surely needed.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Fun Size
Here comes the latest teen comedy/Halloween flick, Fun Size new this week.
You understand the logic of making Fun Size. It's Halloween. Kids drive the box office, and there are a few young stars here that will bring in a young audience this October. I understand that was the basic idea. I'm just not sure it was a good idea.
It's the story of Wren (Victoria Justice). She is a high school kid who is trying hard to fit in with the cool crowd and hang out with the cute boys. Her friend April (Jane Levy) is the driving force behind this ambition. Wren and her little brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll) live with their single mom Joy (Chelsea Handler.) Joy is recently widowed and is now sewing her wild oats with her new 26 year- old boyfriend. That means much of the caring for Albert who is 8 years old, falls on Wren.
Wren has to take Albert out for trick or treating, and has to cancel her own plans of going to a "super cool" party. She then promptly loses track of the elusive Albert who has his own plans of causing havoc on Halloween. Albert is dressed up as Spiderman, so he's hard to find. Albert also has chosen not to talk in a year, so he's hard to communicate with. Will they find Albert? And will everything work out in the end? I'm guessing yes. You?
First off, Jackson Nicoll would have a hard time begin any more adorable. He creates this pretty funny character with no words at all. And for a little boy, that's pretty cool. Also Justice is a fresh movie face, and at times Levy gives you a good laugh or two. Plus, there is some funny parody and satire on the under 30 generation that was fairly spot-on and amusing for a while. But the above is not reason enough to make this a full length movie.
What this is, is a made for TV movie that would be a good Nickelodeon flick for their cable network. (They made this movie) This just looks like one of those movies and not one you throw down 10 bucks for. This is a straight to video movie at best.
Fun for those of us from Northeast Ohio, as this was filmed in Cleveland, and much of the city and surrounding area is on good display. It's fun to see how they wove in the city to the movie. This makes two movies at the box office right now made here, with Alex Cross being the other.
Fun Size. You only have to wait 60 days for this to make it to video for a buck or two. You can make it, trust me.
You understand the logic of making Fun Size. It's Halloween. Kids drive the box office, and there are a few young stars here that will bring in a young audience this October. I understand that was the basic idea. I'm just not sure it was a good idea.
It's the story of Wren (Victoria Justice). She is a high school kid who is trying hard to fit in with the cool crowd and hang out with the cute boys. Her friend April (Jane Levy) is the driving force behind this ambition. Wren and her little brother Albert (Jackson Nicoll) live with their single mom Joy (Chelsea Handler.) Joy is recently widowed and is now sewing her wild oats with her new 26 year- old boyfriend. That means much of the caring for Albert who is 8 years old, falls on Wren.
Wren has to take Albert out for trick or treating, and has to cancel her own plans of going to a "super cool" party. She then promptly loses track of the elusive Albert who has his own plans of causing havoc on Halloween. Albert is dressed up as Spiderman, so he's hard to find. Albert also has chosen not to talk in a year, so he's hard to communicate with. Will they find Albert? And will everything work out in the end? I'm guessing yes. You?
First off, Jackson Nicoll would have a hard time begin any more adorable. He creates this pretty funny character with no words at all. And for a little boy, that's pretty cool. Also Justice is a fresh movie face, and at times Levy gives you a good laugh or two. Plus, there is some funny parody and satire on the under 30 generation that was fairly spot-on and amusing for a while. But the above is not reason enough to make this a full length movie.
What this is, is a made for TV movie that would be a good Nickelodeon flick for their cable network. (They made this movie) This just looks like one of those movies and not one you throw down 10 bucks for. This is a straight to video movie at best.
Fun for those of us from Northeast Ohio, as this was filmed in Cleveland, and much of the city and surrounding area is on good display. It's fun to see how they wove in the city to the movie. This makes two movies at the box office right now made here, with Alex Cross being the other.
Fun Size. You only have to wait 60 days for this to make it to video for a buck or two. You can make it, trust me.
MOVIE REVIEW - Cloud Atlas
Did you ever notice that everyone always seems to say, "Are you going to the new Tom Hanks movie?" And the new "Tom Hanks" movie is, Cloud Atlas.
CA is one of the most unusual movies you will ever see, at any time. This movie also stars Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a real strong supporting cast. Plenty of star power, and plenty of budget to go around. But if you are hoping to go into a movie to see a story that is easy to follow and understand. You may be going to the wrong movie.
I call CA a movie-goers movie. Meaning if you go to the movies once or twice a year, this may not be for you. This is very long, very strange, and not easily followed. This is for fans who like to talk and dissect movies for what could be hours over coffee long after this is over. If in fact it ever does end.
This is far too complicated to be explained effectively here, but in short here goes. This is a move that attempts to make a case that over the years, everything, and everyone is connected in some way. And that no matter time period, the same human struggles ensue, basically good versus evil, and to love and choosing not to love. Part of this story take place as far back as 1839, and as far forward as hundreds, if not thousands of years in the future. All of our stars and some supporting cast play multiple characters that are loosely based on each other. All of them play at least one character from many different periods. Hanks plays the most, and he is terrific in them all. Very challenging and very well done.
This is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to make, and moreover loves to pat itself on the back over. The hair, make-up and costuming in this movie is fantastic. They really make all of our stars really look different in all of the parts they play. Sets on this move are also incredible, as you are transported successfully through time. This also an action movie at times, with great effects mostly computer generated, but still stunning to see. No doubt this was amazingly challenging movie making and a huge undertaking. I have no idea where they would begin.
But with all of that said, the fact that this is three hours long and is tough to follow makes it difficult for modern movie goers. When this is over, you do have the sense you've just seen something big and incredible, you just not be sure what it was. Word to the wise too, if you have to step out for the theater for 5 minutes for a bathroom break or something, just keep going. There is no way you can catch up on what you've missed and you'll be lost. Not even asking your friend that you left behind will help.
Also, the budget has to be astounding to make this movie. A financially bleak opening weekend has virtually guaranteed this will be one of the biggest flops of this year or any year.
Cloud Atlas. This just might be a bit too much of a story to tell. I'm not sure that there will be that many that will invest the time, or the payoff.
CA is one of the most unusual movies you will ever see, at any time. This movie also stars Susan Sarandon, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant and a real strong supporting cast. Plenty of star power, and plenty of budget to go around. But if you are hoping to go into a movie to see a story that is easy to follow and understand. You may be going to the wrong movie.
I call CA a movie-goers movie. Meaning if you go to the movies once or twice a year, this may not be for you. This is very long, very strange, and not easily followed. This is for fans who like to talk and dissect movies for what could be hours over coffee long after this is over. If in fact it ever does end.
This is far too complicated to be explained effectively here, but in short here goes. This is a move that attempts to make a case that over the years, everything, and everyone is connected in some way. And that no matter time period, the same human struggles ensue, basically good versus evil, and to love and choosing not to love. Part of this story take place as far back as 1839, and as far forward as hundreds, if not thousands of years in the future. All of our stars and some supporting cast play multiple characters that are loosely based on each other. All of them play at least one character from many different periods. Hanks plays the most, and he is terrific in them all. Very challenging and very well done.
This is the kind of movie that Hollywood loves to make, and moreover loves to pat itself on the back over. The hair, make-up and costuming in this movie is fantastic. They really make all of our stars really look different in all of the parts they play. Sets on this move are also incredible, as you are transported successfully through time. This also an action movie at times, with great effects mostly computer generated, but still stunning to see. No doubt this was amazingly challenging movie making and a huge undertaking. I have no idea where they would begin.
But with all of that said, the fact that this is three hours long and is tough to follow makes it difficult for modern movie goers. When this is over, you do have the sense you've just seen something big and incredible, you just not be sure what it was. Word to the wise too, if you have to step out for the theater for 5 minutes for a bathroom break or something, just keep going. There is no way you can catch up on what you've missed and you'll be lost. Not even asking your friend that you left behind will help.
Also, the budget has to be astounding to make this movie. A financially bleak opening weekend has virtually guaranteed this will be one of the biggest flops of this year or any year.
Cloud Atlas. This just might be a bit too much of a story to tell. I'm not sure that there will be that many that will invest the time, or the payoff.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Schools, Stadiums,Theaters, And Theme Parks
Things change every day. But that doesn't mean at times it isn't difficult for all of us.
At the end of the school year, my high school Berea High, will merge with Midpark High and become Berea-Midpark High School. It will be in the current Berea building I understand, and the team will be renamed from the Braves to the Titans.
This is on the heels of my old elementary school Parknoll closing after 50 years and being torn down. Sad, as I don't know if I ever felt as safe in my life as I did going to that school as a kid. Seems many of us might feel that way about our primary schools. New schools had to be built, but it doesn't make it any less sad.
I have always felt there are 4 things that are hard to watch close. Schools, Stadiums, Theaters and Theme Parks. You know, places that were built specifically for people to gather and make life better and more fun. I guess we understand that on the day they open, there will be a day they will close. But, they are beyond special places. They represent more that just a place we go...but a place we grow in one way or another.
Look at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Yeah I get it, it had tons of problems. But I know this, the Browns won a ton a championships there, and have never been the same since they left the old dinosaur behind. And did you know that every player who's number the Indians have retired played there, and only there? And there is not a person you'll meet that will say that they didn't have better times at the Coliseum in Richfield.
How about the neighborhood theater? No one denies that the new places are fantastic. But the old ones with the balcony and the one or maybe two screens? The place that was right up the street with the neon marquis? And don't get me started at the fun we all had at drive-ins!
Theme parks always die hard and Chippewa Lake comes to mind. It was open for over 100 years. Generations gathered there to have family fun. It deserved better than a chained gate and 40 years of overgrowth.
Look, I'm not saying that the new places aren't amazing, beautiful and needed. Or that the old places were better or more comfortable. But I might argue that they were more fun, and that they were more special to us.
For me that is certainly the case of my school. I was sad to see Parknoll torn down. I'm going to miss driving up there on occasion to see the brick that said SW + CP that I wrote with chalk in the sixth grade when I had a crush on Connie Price. It was there since I left. Or the gym I played Saturday morning basketball in with Bobby G., and Scott M. Or the fields I rode up to on my bike 15 minutes after school was over to play some kind of ball on depending on the season. And summer camp with Valerie W., and Dave G., and others.
As for my high school? I'm sure I'm not the first person to have their high school close or change. But it's where I did the morning announements with John R., and Kathy M. Plus, this week is the final Berea-Midpark rivalry football game after 50 years. After this it will be one school, Berea-Midpark.
But don't look for the hyphen on my diploma. I graduated from THE Berea High School. Go Braves!
At the end of the school year, my high school Berea High, will merge with Midpark High and become Berea-Midpark High School. It will be in the current Berea building I understand, and the team will be renamed from the Braves to the Titans.
This is on the heels of my old elementary school Parknoll closing after 50 years and being torn down. Sad, as I don't know if I ever felt as safe in my life as I did going to that school as a kid. Seems many of us might feel that way about our primary schools. New schools had to be built, but it doesn't make it any less sad.
I have always felt there are 4 things that are hard to watch close. Schools, Stadiums, Theaters and Theme Parks. You know, places that were built specifically for people to gather and make life better and more fun. I guess we understand that on the day they open, there will be a day they will close. But, they are beyond special places. They represent more that just a place we go...but a place we grow in one way or another.
Look at old Municipal Stadium in Cleveland. Yeah I get it, it had tons of problems. But I know this, the Browns won a ton a championships there, and have never been the same since they left the old dinosaur behind. And did you know that every player who's number the Indians have retired played there, and only there? And there is not a person you'll meet that will say that they didn't have better times at the Coliseum in Richfield.
How about the neighborhood theater? No one denies that the new places are fantastic. But the old ones with the balcony and the one or maybe two screens? The place that was right up the street with the neon marquis? And don't get me started at the fun we all had at drive-ins!
Theme parks always die hard and Chippewa Lake comes to mind. It was open for over 100 years. Generations gathered there to have family fun. It deserved better than a chained gate and 40 years of overgrowth.
Look, I'm not saying that the new places aren't amazing, beautiful and needed. Or that the old places were better or more comfortable. But I might argue that they were more fun, and that they were more special to us.
For me that is certainly the case of my school. I was sad to see Parknoll torn down. I'm going to miss driving up there on occasion to see the brick that said SW + CP that I wrote with chalk in the sixth grade when I had a crush on Connie Price. It was there since I left. Or the gym I played Saturday morning basketball in with Bobby G., and Scott M. Or the fields I rode up to on my bike 15 minutes after school was over to play some kind of ball on depending on the season. And summer camp with Valerie W., and Dave G., and others.
As for my high school? I'm sure I'm not the first person to have their high school close or change. But it's where I did the morning announements with John R., and Kathy M. Plus, this week is the final Berea-Midpark rivalry football game after 50 years. After this it will be one school, Berea-Midpark.
But don't look for the hyphen on my diploma. I graduated from THE Berea High School. Go Braves!
MOVIE REVIEW - Paranormal Activity 4
Here we go again! More Paranormal Activity and this time it's the fourth installment of this really landmark film series.
Let's look at the history here. Paranormal Activity was a very good movie and was one of the really feel good cinematic achievements ever. An unknown, young filmmaker makes this little movie basically in his condo. He hires two actors, and does it for about $12,000. And of course goes on to bring in a couple hundred million bucks. Amazing, for this little hand held camera flick that gave us all a jolt and made us wonder what is really going on in our houses in the middle of the night.
Even PA2 was livable. More of the same, and a bit more intense. Brought in more dough, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, it had to give way to PA3 which began the watering down of this original good idea. Now it's PA4, and PA1 seems like a long, long time ago.
OK, enough of the hand held, herky-jerky point of view camera shots in the middle of the night. PA4 has the story moving on to a new family that gets to go through the bumps in the night, and the unexplained stuff at 3AM. And you know what? I'm bored. Period. I'm bored to tears. Yet another flick where web cams are set up all night with the time stamp in the corner watching basically nothing happen night after night after night. Good gravy, can't we think of anything else to do? But it seems this series has one idea and it's going to ride it like a thoroughbred till we stop going.
This time they use web cams, smart phones, and laptops as cameras in our story, and it is virtually all filmed in the middle of the night again. Yes, there are a few jolts and a few heart pounding moments, but they have lost their allure, and I fear for good. It's just too much of a good idea. It has worn out it's welcome. And again for the third time in a row, it's 90 minutes of waiting for a payoff that never comes. But there's a bunch of money to be made and that's a big temptation. This troupe can do good work and has with other movies and that's where we should go.
Paranormal Activity 4. Let's move on. Please.
Let's look at the history here. Paranormal Activity was a very good movie and was one of the really feel good cinematic achievements ever. An unknown, young filmmaker makes this little movie basically in his condo. He hires two actors, and does it for about $12,000. And of course goes on to bring in a couple hundred million bucks. Amazing, for this little hand held camera flick that gave us all a jolt and made us wonder what is really going on in our houses in the middle of the night.
Even PA2 was livable. More of the same, and a bit more intense. Brought in more dough, and seemed like a good idea at the time. Of course, it had to give way to PA3 which began the watering down of this original good idea. Now it's PA4, and PA1 seems like a long, long time ago.
OK, enough of the hand held, herky-jerky point of view camera shots in the middle of the night. PA4 has the story moving on to a new family that gets to go through the bumps in the night, and the unexplained stuff at 3AM. And you know what? I'm bored. Period. I'm bored to tears. Yet another flick where web cams are set up all night with the time stamp in the corner watching basically nothing happen night after night after night. Good gravy, can't we think of anything else to do? But it seems this series has one idea and it's going to ride it like a thoroughbred till we stop going.
This time they use web cams, smart phones, and laptops as cameras in our story, and it is virtually all filmed in the middle of the night again. Yes, there are a few jolts and a few heart pounding moments, but they have lost their allure, and I fear for good. It's just too much of a good idea. It has worn out it's welcome. And again for the third time in a row, it's 90 minutes of waiting for a payoff that never comes. But there's a bunch of money to be made and that's a big temptation. This troupe can do good work and has with other movies and that's where we should go.
Paranormal Activity 4. Let's move on. Please.
Friday, October 19, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Alex Cross
James Patterson's complicated crime fighting character Alex Cross is back in another installment of his book series, this time it is... Alex Cross.
This is a total relaunch of the Cross character to a new generation of fans, as this is squarely targeted at a younger audience with the casting of Tyler Perry as Cross. Plus, there is a far younger feel to this as opposed to the previous two flicks, Along Came A Spider, and Kiss The Girls. Everything has been updated within the story itself, and in the movie making. This will "young up" Cross and make it far more palatable to younger moviegoers that drive box office receipts.
Cross is chasing through the streets of Detroit a real monster of an assassin who is barbaric in his killing methods. He has been hired by someone to start killing off the huge businessmen within
Detroit for reasons not quite clear at the movies inception. And when the killer turns his sights on Cross himself and his family, Cross goes off the reservation and pursues a path of vigilante justice with his small team.
It's also fun for local movie goers to see that much of this was filmed in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as on location in Detroit. This is a straight action flick with a ton of chases, and fight scenes. But in a real savvy move, and understanding that Patterson's books and the Cross character is very popular with women, this keeps a PG-13 rating, and the violence is kept in check. This would have been very easy to be very graphic and far more violent, but they put a cap on it. It has a feel of the Law and Order SVU TV show. Good move. This also has a real slick and up to date soundtrack and gives this a real nice forward momentum. There is a bunch of good here.
But some of this is a bit too convenient. Things just kind of "happen" in this movie that were more than likely explained far better in the books. Some of the dialogue is average at best, and there are a few draggy moments here. This kind of stumbles out of the gate, but does get better as it goes on. And it does not get old, Cross knows when to fold up his tent and go home.
Perry is solid with the script that he was given as Cross, and a fair supporting cast with Ed Burns and others. Trouble is, they are not allowed to develop as well as Cross. But in the end, this is not a deal breaker.
Alex Cross. It does have some troubles, but in the end is decent movie making.
This is a total relaunch of the Cross character to a new generation of fans, as this is squarely targeted at a younger audience with the casting of Tyler Perry as Cross. Plus, there is a far younger feel to this as opposed to the previous two flicks, Along Came A Spider, and Kiss The Girls. Everything has been updated within the story itself, and in the movie making. This will "young up" Cross and make it far more palatable to younger moviegoers that drive box office receipts.
Cross is chasing through the streets of Detroit a real monster of an assassin who is barbaric in his killing methods. He has been hired by someone to start killing off the huge businessmen within
Detroit for reasons not quite clear at the movies inception. And when the killer turns his sights on Cross himself and his family, Cross goes off the reservation and pursues a path of vigilante justice with his small team.
It's also fun for local movie goers to see that much of this was filmed in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, as well as on location in Detroit. This is a straight action flick with a ton of chases, and fight scenes. But in a real savvy move, and understanding that Patterson's books and the Cross character is very popular with women, this keeps a PG-13 rating, and the violence is kept in check. This would have been very easy to be very graphic and far more violent, but they put a cap on it. It has a feel of the Law and Order SVU TV show. Good move. This also has a real slick and up to date soundtrack and gives this a real nice forward momentum. There is a bunch of good here.
But some of this is a bit too convenient. Things just kind of "happen" in this movie that were more than likely explained far better in the books. Some of the dialogue is average at best, and there are a few draggy moments here. This kind of stumbles out of the gate, but does get better as it goes on. And it does not get old, Cross knows when to fold up his tent and go home.
Perry is solid with the script that he was given as Cross, and a fair supporting cast with Ed Burns and others. Trouble is, they are not allowed to develop as well as Cross. But in the end, this is not a deal breaker.
Alex Cross. It does have some troubles, but in the end is decent movie making.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Sinister
Halloween is here again and time for the scary movies, and this week it's Sinister. Which actually is rather intense.
To start with, Sinister starts out with a real advantage by casting Ethan Hawke, a real good veteran actor in the lead. Generally these flicks live with no-names, or has been's. This is a script that is far better than most Halloween time movies and remembers what in real life really scares you. So right off the bat, this has a leg or two up.
Sinister is a relatively simple story of a struggling young writer (Hawke) and his family who move into a new house in a new town so the writer can get close to the story he is working on. He writes real life murder stories and does much research. This new house is the center of an entire family's murder years ago. He wants to learn as much about the case as possible. Turns out that this house is a bit haunted, or something. In any case something is just not right, and it seems he and his family could be in danger.
He runs across this old box of home Super 8 movies that show numerous gruesome murders of entire families from all over the country. He becomes obsessed with the films and they start to play with his head. Then things start to go bump in the night, and he tries to get to the bottom of the whole thing. Is he cracking up? Or is there real terror around them? Is there something supernatural under foot?
Sinister is a pretty intense, and at times a scary movie. What this movie does very well, is that this is not a slasher movie. But there are some rather disturbing images for sure. And they are so real, they could be very disturbing to people too young to see this. So keep that in mind. But there is virtually no blood, or extreme violence and that makes this movie far scarier than a bunch of fake blood. What is intense here is the suspense, and the situations our characters find themselves in. A lot of this movie is Hawke doing simply silent acting, and he is very good.
This is not a special effects fest at all. It is a good script, and preys on what would frighten you. Yes, there is some silliness to it at times. Like why he never turns a light on at 3 AM when the terror sets in. But this is not the first movie to do that. One thing about this movie is that there is minimal predictability to it. And that is its strength. It does not make everything crystal clear, but that's not a deal breaker. It does keep you guessing. And the door is open for Sinister to roll on next year if they choose.
Sinister. For what it is, well done.
To start with, Sinister starts out with a real advantage by casting Ethan Hawke, a real good veteran actor in the lead. Generally these flicks live with no-names, or has been's. This is a script that is far better than most Halloween time movies and remembers what in real life really scares you. So right off the bat, this has a leg or two up.
Sinister is a relatively simple story of a struggling young writer (Hawke) and his family who move into a new house in a new town so the writer can get close to the story he is working on. He writes real life murder stories and does much research. This new house is the center of an entire family's murder years ago. He wants to learn as much about the case as possible. Turns out that this house is a bit haunted, or something. In any case something is just not right, and it seems he and his family could be in danger.
He runs across this old box of home Super 8 movies that show numerous gruesome murders of entire families from all over the country. He becomes obsessed with the films and they start to play with his head. Then things start to go bump in the night, and he tries to get to the bottom of the whole thing. Is he cracking up? Or is there real terror around them? Is there something supernatural under foot?
Sinister is a pretty intense, and at times a scary movie. What this movie does very well, is that this is not a slasher movie. But there are some rather disturbing images for sure. And they are so real, they could be very disturbing to people too young to see this. So keep that in mind. But there is virtually no blood, or extreme violence and that makes this movie far scarier than a bunch of fake blood. What is intense here is the suspense, and the situations our characters find themselves in. A lot of this movie is Hawke doing simply silent acting, and he is very good.
This is not a special effects fest at all. It is a good script, and preys on what would frighten you. Yes, there is some silliness to it at times. Like why he never turns a light on at 3 AM when the terror sets in. But this is not the first movie to do that. One thing about this movie is that there is minimal predictability to it. And that is its strength. It does not make everything crystal clear, but that's not a deal breaker. It does keep you guessing. And the door is open for Sinister to roll on next year if they choose.
Sinister. For what it is, well done.
Monday, October 15, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Here Comes The Boom
I love going to movies when they so over achieve any expectations that you have going in. The new Kevin James flick, Here Comes The Boom, isn't perfect by any means but it's pretty darn good.
People like James' movies. He has been a fan favorite since his days on King Of Queens. To be fair, there have been some of his movies that I was fond of, and others that sold out to really low level sophomoric humor that I thought were borderline horrible. Boom is for the most part adult, relevant and fun. I really enjoyed this.
It's the story of a 43 year-old middle school teacher Scott, (James). He is incredibly bored with teaching, and is simply punching the clock and mailing it in. Then after a very accomplished music teacher at his school Marty (Henry Winkler) is being phased out by budget cuts, the big hearted Scott decides to take action. He has to raise $48,000 to keep Marty on board. So Scott who was a high school wrestler 25 years ago, decides to become a low level MMA fighter to raise the money and keep Marty. And in the end become an inspiration to his students. Yeah there are holes, and this is not going to be on Masterpiece Theater, or be revered by Robert Osborne. Far fetched? Yeah it is.....so?
This is part Rocky, part Real Steel, part Warrior, and a big part sap. But what on earth is wrong occasionally with a fantasy story that in the end makes you feel good? This is predictable, and yes we've seen this kind of flick before. So? I for one was so pleasantly surprised, I didn't care. This is PG-13 and well deserved, and it does deal with MMA, and there is some fighting violence, but it's alright.
Should be noted, boxing in our society of out, and MMA is in. Young viewers love MMA and this is another in along line of MMA movies on the docket. James is pretty good as the proverbial underdog Scott, and gives a pretty good performance without all the potty humor normally associated with his flicks. Nice supporting cast too with Selma Hayek, Bas Rutten and others. Huge kudos to Charice who plays Malia one of Scott's students who looks to him for guidance as she is trying hard to learn as much from school as possible. She is terrific in this movie. Small role, but very good.
I know, there will be many better movies this year, but I say so what. Understanding this is not Citizen Kane, or Titanic, this is still pretty good.
Here Comes The Boom. I liked it!
People like James' movies. He has been a fan favorite since his days on King Of Queens. To be fair, there have been some of his movies that I was fond of, and others that sold out to really low level sophomoric humor that I thought were borderline horrible. Boom is for the most part adult, relevant and fun. I really enjoyed this.
It's the story of a 43 year-old middle school teacher Scott, (James). He is incredibly bored with teaching, and is simply punching the clock and mailing it in. Then after a very accomplished music teacher at his school Marty (Henry Winkler) is being phased out by budget cuts, the big hearted Scott decides to take action. He has to raise $48,000 to keep Marty on board. So Scott who was a high school wrestler 25 years ago, decides to become a low level MMA fighter to raise the money and keep Marty. And in the end become an inspiration to his students. Yeah there are holes, and this is not going to be on Masterpiece Theater, or be revered by Robert Osborne. Far fetched? Yeah it is.....so?
This is part Rocky, part Real Steel, part Warrior, and a big part sap. But what on earth is wrong occasionally with a fantasy story that in the end makes you feel good? This is predictable, and yes we've seen this kind of flick before. So? I for one was so pleasantly surprised, I didn't care. This is PG-13 and well deserved, and it does deal with MMA, and there is some fighting violence, but it's alright.
Should be noted, boxing in our society of out, and MMA is in. Young viewers love MMA and this is another in along line of MMA movies on the docket. James is pretty good as the proverbial underdog Scott, and gives a pretty good performance without all the potty humor normally associated with his flicks. Nice supporting cast too with Selma Hayek, Bas Rutten and others. Huge kudos to Charice who plays Malia one of Scott's students who looks to him for guidance as she is trying hard to learn as much from school as possible. She is terrific in this movie. Small role, but very good.
I know, there will be many better movies this year, but I say so what. Understanding this is not Citizen Kane, or Titanic, this is still pretty good.
Here Comes The Boom. I liked it!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Argo
New this week, the new George Clooney/Ben Affleck produced drama Argo, is new in theaters.
Argo is based on a true story from a declassified mission surrounding the Iranian Hostage crisis of 1979. Should be noted, Clooney is not in this movie. This is also a movie that has a higher sense of relevance right now in light of recent events in the Middle East. Many similarities.
For those not around in 1979, during a revolution in Iran in November of 1979, a group of young Iranians took over the American embassy in Tehran and held many Americans hostage for 444 days while the world mostly watched helplessly. President Carter's presidency was torpedoed and sunk by this gripping saga. This movie deals with a secret CIA mission to free 6 Americans who escaped the embassy takeover and took refuge at the house on the Canadian ambassador (with tremendous personal risk to himself and wife) for about 6 months. All the while being hunted down by the Iranians. But never found or captured.
This is the story of the amazingly brave CIA agent "Kevin" (Affleck) and his strange, but brilliant plan to go to Iran and bring them home safely. He convinces the CIA to invent a movie called Argo. He will pose as a Canadian filmmaker, fly to Iran and give the 6 new Canadian identities and fly them out of the country as members of his film crew. It is a story of incredible bravery and cooperation between countries for a common good. And overall this is a very good movie.
Affleck can make really good and really bad movies. And this is a good one. I love his role choices over the past year or two. He is great as this creative, and steely CIA agent, who takes incredible risks to save these people. This movie also boasts a wonderful and perfectly cast ensemble of John Goodman, Alan Sorkin, Bryan Cranston and many others. Argo is exciting, spellbinding and really tense in spots. I always think it's great movie making when you can take a true story, and even though many in the audience know the eventual outcome, and still make it exciting. Very well done in that regard.
But make no mistake, Argo makes its own statement. It tells you the parts of the parts of history that it wants to, and doesn't always fill out its dance card completely. It reluctantly gives credit to the CIA for the mission success because it has to. Because in the end, the CIA did the heavy lifting. Even tough it is a completely shared credit, you can feel Argo would far prefer to give it all to Canada. Argo also feels the need to show that people in America were unjustified in their outward anger in such trying times. As good as much of this is from a movie perspective, you can feel an uncomfortable reluctance on the movie makers part to show America in a positive light.
Argo. So much of this is very good, and exciting. It's always compelling to go back and watch history that is real and relatively current played out, and this is a story worth telling. Hollywood will more than likely think of Argo at Oscar time when the nominations are handed out.
Argo is based on a true story from a declassified mission surrounding the Iranian Hostage crisis of 1979. Should be noted, Clooney is not in this movie. This is also a movie that has a higher sense of relevance right now in light of recent events in the Middle East. Many similarities.
For those not around in 1979, during a revolution in Iran in November of 1979, a group of young Iranians took over the American embassy in Tehran and held many Americans hostage for 444 days while the world mostly watched helplessly. President Carter's presidency was torpedoed and sunk by this gripping saga. This movie deals with a secret CIA mission to free 6 Americans who escaped the embassy takeover and took refuge at the house on the Canadian ambassador (with tremendous personal risk to himself and wife) for about 6 months. All the while being hunted down by the Iranians. But never found or captured.
This is the story of the amazingly brave CIA agent "Kevin" (Affleck) and his strange, but brilliant plan to go to Iran and bring them home safely. He convinces the CIA to invent a movie called Argo. He will pose as a Canadian filmmaker, fly to Iran and give the 6 new Canadian identities and fly them out of the country as members of his film crew. It is a story of incredible bravery and cooperation between countries for a common good. And overall this is a very good movie.
Affleck can make really good and really bad movies. And this is a good one. I love his role choices over the past year or two. He is great as this creative, and steely CIA agent, who takes incredible risks to save these people. This movie also boasts a wonderful and perfectly cast ensemble of John Goodman, Alan Sorkin, Bryan Cranston and many others. Argo is exciting, spellbinding and really tense in spots. I always think it's great movie making when you can take a true story, and even though many in the audience know the eventual outcome, and still make it exciting. Very well done in that regard.
But make no mistake, Argo makes its own statement. It tells you the parts of the parts of history that it wants to, and doesn't always fill out its dance card completely. It reluctantly gives credit to the CIA for the mission success because it has to. Because in the end, the CIA did the heavy lifting. Even tough it is a completely shared credit, you can feel Argo would far prefer to give it all to Canada. Argo also feels the need to show that people in America were unjustified in their outward anger in such trying times. As good as much of this is from a movie perspective, you can feel an uncomfortable reluctance on the movie makers part to show America in a positive light.
Argo. So much of this is very good, and exciting. It's always compelling to go back and watch history that is real and relatively current played out, and this is a story worth telling. Hollywood will more than likely think of Argo at Oscar time when the nominations are handed out.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Review
The Dewsweepers have played golf every Sunday Morning since about March this year, and we have played all kinds of golf courses. Some we liked, some not so much. And there were a few we have really loved to play this year. Manakiki in Willoughby in one to love.
Manakiki is run by the Metroparks now, and sits in a wonderful setting about 20 minutes or so from downtown Cleveland. No matter where you drive in from to play, you will be rewarded with a fabulous golf course in front of you. This was designed in the 1920's by the legendary Donald Ross, and is so well put together you might think you are on tour. This was a PGA tour stop in the 1950's and 1960's.
This was run as a private country club from 1944 to about 1960, and the facilities outside of the golf course show you that. Incredible clubhouse, and pro shop. This is a striking place to simply see, let alone play golf. This is a tight course, with thousands of trees of all kinds. Well thought out holes with old school raised greens on many holes. From the white tees it plays about 6,200 yards actual, but it plays far longer than that because of it's design. It's hard to put into words how great this place really is. You simply must go see it.
We were saddened a bit, because we played this course in about the toughest golf conditions imaginable. It was about 48 degrees, and it rained on us the whole 18 holes. It did stop for about 2 holes on the back only to start again on 18 tee. It was not conditions for scoring well. Course played long with it being wet, and we could hardly hold on to the clubs at times. But once out there, we were not going to leave. It was simply too nice of a course to not finish. We all agreed.
Not really important to give you the play by play on this round of golf. None of us played or scored the way we would have on a nicer weather day. It rained and was pretty raw most of the morning. At times it rained very hard. But truth be told, none of us scored real bad under tough circumstances. I would love to go back and take a nice weather run at this course. I feel it's a course we could really play well. It's not a long course, but very challenging. Length off the tee is not important, but straight is. All greens heavily protected by sand too. There is not much water either. This is a position course. If you play this from the deepm tees, it will be as tough a challenge as you would every want in a pubic course. Play the white tees.
It also might have the most beautiful finishing hole in area. Number 18 is simply breathatking. As is much of the rest of this course. Worth every minute of drive, and every dollar you spend to play. This is a treat, and we can't wait to go back. Next time in the sun, and we will really play this course well, as it sets up well for our games.
Tournament caliber, tended beautifully, and preserved over the decades with thought and skill.
Manakiki. In short, about as good as public golf can get.
Scores
Joe Red - 87
Wynn - 89
Beef - 90
Tex - 107
Manakiki is run by the Metroparks now, and sits in a wonderful setting about 20 minutes or so from downtown Cleveland. No matter where you drive in from to play, you will be rewarded with a fabulous golf course in front of you. This was designed in the 1920's by the legendary Donald Ross, and is so well put together you might think you are on tour. This was a PGA tour stop in the 1950's and 1960's.
This was run as a private country club from 1944 to about 1960, and the facilities outside of the golf course show you that. Incredible clubhouse, and pro shop. This is a striking place to simply see, let alone play golf. This is a tight course, with thousands of trees of all kinds. Well thought out holes with old school raised greens on many holes. From the white tees it plays about 6,200 yards actual, but it plays far longer than that because of it's design. It's hard to put into words how great this place really is. You simply must go see it.
We were saddened a bit, because we played this course in about the toughest golf conditions imaginable. It was about 48 degrees, and it rained on us the whole 18 holes. It did stop for about 2 holes on the back only to start again on 18 tee. It was not conditions for scoring well. Course played long with it being wet, and we could hardly hold on to the clubs at times. But once out there, we were not going to leave. It was simply too nice of a course to not finish. We all agreed.
Not really important to give you the play by play on this round of golf. None of us played or scored the way we would have on a nicer weather day. It rained and was pretty raw most of the morning. At times it rained very hard. But truth be told, none of us scored real bad under tough circumstances. I would love to go back and take a nice weather run at this course. I feel it's a course we could really play well. It's not a long course, but very challenging. Length off the tee is not important, but straight is. All greens heavily protected by sand too. There is not much water either. This is a position course. If you play this from the deepm tees, it will be as tough a challenge as you would every want in a pubic course. Play the white tees.
It also might have the most beautiful finishing hole in area. Number 18 is simply breathatking. As is much of the rest of this course. Worth every minute of drive, and every dollar you spend to play. This is a treat, and we can't wait to go back. Next time in the sun, and we will really play this course well, as it sets up well for our games.
Tournament caliber, tended beautifully, and preserved over the decades with thought and skill.
Manakiki. In short, about as good as public golf can get.
Scores
Joe Red - 87
Wynn - 89
Beef - 90
Tex - 107
MOVIE REVIEW - Pitch Perfect
If you need something to do this weekend, go see the new Anna Kendrick music movie, Pitch Perfect which went wide release this week.
PP is a very fun movie that really speaks effectively to today's young generation, all the while being savvy enough to be very appealing to a slightly older sect too. I have to admit, I walked into this movie with expectations that this was going to be like 20 other "performing" movies before it, and in some small ways it is. But in the end, what this is - is done in extraordinary fashion and is incredibly entertaining.
This is the story of Beca (Kendrick). She is an angry young college student, that would rather be in California writing her remix music tracks than be a college student. Her father is a professor at this college, and he makes her a deal. Stick out one year of school, give it her best shot, and if she still wants to go west he would let her. So she has to join a club and she chooses a competitive all-girl singing group called The Bellas. They sing and perform with no instruments. All vocals.
Of course there is a fair amount of drama with all these young women trying to work together with new ideas meeting the old. The leader of the group wants things as always, while Beca wants to infuse new songs, and ideas into the act. Can they all co-exist?
First off, the singing and performing arrangements are completely original, and simply fantastic. And there is a bunch of it. Many different groups are showcased in this movie. Very entertaining to say the least. But the Achilles heal of these kind of flicks can be the stuff in between the performances. But not here. This is very funny satire and parody of young performing people and the modern college experience in general. There are plenty of really funny moments, and they do take time a create some really interesting characters. Not all of this works. But overall, it's pretty good.
Anna Kendrick is so darn good at virtually everything she is in. Again, she is really fun here, likable and easy to watch. She may have the stuff in the long run to go all the way. She was nominated for an Oscar for Up In The Air 2 years ago, and should have won. She was great in the average 50/50, and is very good in End Of Watch in theaters now as well. She is great here, and shows she can really do it all. The supporting cast is great, and give fine performances of a really snappy script.
Pitch Perfect. This is very good, and certainly worth a watch if you want a fun night at the movies. Fantastic music, and really entertaining.
PP is a very fun movie that really speaks effectively to today's young generation, all the while being savvy enough to be very appealing to a slightly older sect too. I have to admit, I walked into this movie with expectations that this was going to be like 20 other "performing" movies before it, and in some small ways it is. But in the end, what this is - is done in extraordinary fashion and is incredibly entertaining.
This is the story of Beca (Kendrick). She is an angry young college student, that would rather be in California writing her remix music tracks than be a college student. Her father is a professor at this college, and he makes her a deal. Stick out one year of school, give it her best shot, and if she still wants to go west he would let her. So she has to join a club and she chooses a competitive all-girl singing group called The Bellas. They sing and perform with no instruments. All vocals.
Of course there is a fair amount of drama with all these young women trying to work together with new ideas meeting the old. The leader of the group wants things as always, while Beca wants to infuse new songs, and ideas into the act. Can they all co-exist?
First off, the singing and performing arrangements are completely original, and simply fantastic. And there is a bunch of it. Many different groups are showcased in this movie. Very entertaining to say the least. But the Achilles heal of these kind of flicks can be the stuff in between the performances. But not here. This is very funny satire and parody of young performing people and the modern college experience in general. There are plenty of really funny moments, and they do take time a create some really interesting characters. Not all of this works. But overall, it's pretty good.
Anna Kendrick is so darn good at virtually everything she is in. Again, she is really fun here, likable and easy to watch. She may have the stuff in the long run to go all the way. She was nominated for an Oscar for Up In The Air 2 years ago, and should have won. She was great in the average 50/50, and is very good in End Of Watch in theaters now as well. She is great here, and shows she can really do it all. The supporting cast is great, and give fine performances of a really snappy script.
Pitch Perfect. This is very good, and certainly worth a watch if you want a fun night at the movies. Fantastic music, and really entertaining.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Taken 2
Taken was a surprise smash hit from a year or two ago with Liam Neeson as an agent going all out to get his daughter back from being kidnapped. And it worked.
Now, it's Taken 2, with the same cast basically as the first. In movie making, many times good should be left well enough alone from a quality standpoint. But from a financial standpoint it seldom is. Taken 2 is going to pick up where Taken left off, and bring in a ton of cash...and that's good. But to say this is as good as the original is a close call, but probably comes up a bit short.
In this installment, our favorite OCD former government against Bryan (Neeson), is still divorced form his beautiful wife Lenore (Famke Janssen). His daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) is now a blossoming teen in America after her dad rescued her from sex slave terrorists in Taken. In this story, Bryan takes a freelance security job in Istanbul. After his job is finished, Kim and Lenore (who is separated from her new husband) show up in Istanbul for a family reunion/vacation.
Trouble is, the father of the main terrorist who Bryan killed in Taken is seeking revenge. So he kidnaps Bryan and Lenore, and wants to re-kidnap Kim. He wants to kill Bryan and Lenore slowly while making Kim a sex slave for the lowest common denominator while they watch. So Bryan and Lenore are taken, while Kim eludes capture. Can Bryan somehow save the day again?
The great thing about the original Taken was that behind the action and the violence what it was, was a dad going after his daughter that was in trouble. Identifiable on many levels. It played on our emotions that dads protect their little girls, and that was huge for the original. In Taken 2, there is far more emphasis on action, and this time his love for his former wife, and daughter. Yeah it works, but not quite like the first movie. The obvious question for this movie is, "why on earth would you be in a part of the world that there is possibly so much danger for you and family again?" Fair question. But that's the story.
Many things about the two movies are parallel, so in the end its probably a draw. But the original had that signature scene that I feel propelled it to a higher ground with viewers. Who didn't love the phone call scene when he gets the terrorists on the phone, and says the "particular skill set" line and vows to kill them? It was without question the scene that took Taken to a hit movie, and it was not an action scene at all. This movie does not have that signature emotional scene. And that is glaring. I was waiting for the new signature scene that never really comes. Oh, there is an attempt at movies end, but it's too late. What it does have is tons of violence, action, and slick car chase scenes that are done well. But in the end it lobs Taken 2 into a pile with 50 other movies. The forgot the "separator" factor that Taken had.
Neeson again is good as our middle aged hero, Janssen has a larger role here and Grace is growing up nicely as an actress and gets a major role here and is pretty darn good. Taken 2 also is as tidy as Taken, and doesn't wear out its welcome at 90 minutes. That is a big part of its success. There is only so much story and they know it. Plus, it does leave you wanting more.
Taken 2. There is nothing really wrong with it, it's just not as emotional as Taken. But in the end it's pretty good night out.
Now, it's Taken 2, with the same cast basically as the first. In movie making, many times good should be left well enough alone from a quality standpoint. But from a financial standpoint it seldom is. Taken 2 is going to pick up where Taken left off, and bring in a ton of cash...and that's good. But to say this is as good as the original is a close call, but probably comes up a bit short.
In this installment, our favorite OCD former government against Bryan (Neeson), is still divorced form his beautiful wife Lenore (Famke Janssen). His daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) is now a blossoming teen in America after her dad rescued her from sex slave terrorists in Taken. In this story, Bryan takes a freelance security job in Istanbul. After his job is finished, Kim and Lenore (who is separated from her new husband) show up in Istanbul for a family reunion/vacation.
Trouble is, the father of the main terrorist who Bryan killed in Taken is seeking revenge. So he kidnaps Bryan and Lenore, and wants to re-kidnap Kim. He wants to kill Bryan and Lenore slowly while making Kim a sex slave for the lowest common denominator while they watch. So Bryan and Lenore are taken, while Kim eludes capture. Can Bryan somehow save the day again?
The great thing about the original Taken was that behind the action and the violence what it was, was a dad going after his daughter that was in trouble. Identifiable on many levels. It played on our emotions that dads protect their little girls, and that was huge for the original. In Taken 2, there is far more emphasis on action, and this time his love for his former wife, and daughter. Yeah it works, but not quite like the first movie. The obvious question for this movie is, "why on earth would you be in a part of the world that there is possibly so much danger for you and family again?" Fair question. But that's the story.
Many things about the two movies are parallel, so in the end its probably a draw. But the original had that signature scene that I feel propelled it to a higher ground with viewers. Who didn't love the phone call scene when he gets the terrorists on the phone, and says the "particular skill set" line and vows to kill them? It was without question the scene that took Taken to a hit movie, and it was not an action scene at all. This movie does not have that signature emotional scene. And that is glaring. I was waiting for the new signature scene that never really comes. Oh, there is an attempt at movies end, but it's too late. What it does have is tons of violence, action, and slick car chase scenes that are done well. But in the end it lobs Taken 2 into a pile with 50 other movies. The forgot the "separator" factor that Taken had.
Neeson again is good as our middle aged hero, Janssen has a larger role here and Grace is growing up nicely as an actress and gets a major role here and is pretty darn good. Taken 2 also is as tidy as Taken, and doesn't wear out its welcome at 90 minutes. That is a big part of its success. There is only so much story and they know it. Plus, it does leave you wanting more.
Taken 2. There is nothing really wrong with it, it's just not as emotional as Taken. But in the end it's pretty good night out.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Looper
This week the new Sci-Fi thriller Looper is out with a nice cast and overall a good story.
Looper stars Joseph Gordon Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and a solid supporting cast. This is for the most part well done with a strong emphasis on story and performances as opposed to special effects. And that generally gives way to better movie making.
Looper is set in 2044, and once again a very grim picture of our future in this country takes center stage. Looper takes place in Kansas, in what you are guessing is either a new gigantic city, or Kansas City, Kansas all grown up. Physical time travel has been invented and is strictly outlawed. The only people still using time travel is organized crime 30 years in the future (2074). Since disposing a body is virtually impossible because of technology, they send back people they want killed to 2044, and "Loopers" are assassins that kill and dispose bodies in 2044.
Meet Joe (Levitt). He is a Looper and is making his way through the world making a good living. Until the person that is sent back to him is...him, 30 years from now. (Willis). He can't kill himself, so the older him escapes and that can have huge ramifications of the future. The future him has seen the future and knows that there is a young boy in 2044 that will grow up and dominate the word with powers no one can imagine. He is out to kill the boy. In the meantime, 2044 Joe is trying to survive the mob who is now out to get him because of his failure to kill himself, and to save the boy and maybe, just maybe alter the future.
Looper has a few problems that can't be overlooked. First, is is way too long. This would be so much better if they would have chopped it down some, and eliminated some draggy parts. And as interesting as the story is, they don't really develop a great villain that you really hate, (Jeff Daniels). He is the head of the mob in 2044, that was sent back from 2074 to oversee the Loopers. But it's not his fault. Some bad writing gets in the way of this story line.
But Looper does have a nice story, and a few twists and turns that make it very enjoyable. It also stays on its path and doesn't let ancillary story lines clog it up. Levitt is OK here, Willis gets a role that is far better for him that anything he's had in a while and it was good to see him act again. Emily Blunt is great as the mother of the little boy targeted by the Loopers. She sheds her British accent and goes mid-western and is very effective as a desperate mother trying to raise and save her little boy.
Looper. Not perfect, but few are. But except for being entirely too long, this is pretty good.
Looper stars Joseph Gordon Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and a solid supporting cast. This is for the most part well done with a strong emphasis on story and performances as opposed to special effects. And that generally gives way to better movie making.
Looper is set in 2044, and once again a very grim picture of our future in this country takes center stage. Looper takes place in Kansas, in what you are guessing is either a new gigantic city, or Kansas City, Kansas all grown up. Physical time travel has been invented and is strictly outlawed. The only people still using time travel is organized crime 30 years in the future (2074). Since disposing a body is virtually impossible because of technology, they send back people they want killed to 2044, and "Loopers" are assassins that kill and dispose bodies in 2044.
Meet Joe (Levitt). He is a Looper and is making his way through the world making a good living. Until the person that is sent back to him is...him, 30 years from now. (Willis). He can't kill himself, so the older him escapes and that can have huge ramifications of the future. The future him has seen the future and knows that there is a young boy in 2044 that will grow up and dominate the word with powers no one can imagine. He is out to kill the boy. In the meantime, 2044 Joe is trying to survive the mob who is now out to get him because of his failure to kill himself, and to save the boy and maybe, just maybe alter the future.
Looper has a few problems that can't be overlooked. First, is is way too long. This would be so much better if they would have chopped it down some, and eliminated some draggy parts. And as interesting as the story is, they don't really develop a great villain that you really hate, (Jeff Daniels). He is the head of the mob in 2044, that was sent back from 2074 to oversee the Loopers. But it's not his fault. Some bad writing gets in the way of this story line.
But Looper does have a nice story, and a few twists and turns that make it very enjoyable. It also stays on its path and doesn't let ancillary story lines clog it up. Levitt is OK here, Willis gets a role that is far better for him that anything he's had in a while and it was good to see him act again. Emily Blunt is great as the mother of the little boy targeted by the Loopers. She sheds her British accent and goes mid-western and is very effective as a desperate mother trying to raise and save her little boy.
Looper. Not perfect, but few are. But except for being entirely too long, this is pretty good.
Monday, October 1, 2012
MOVIE REVIEW - Won't Back Down
Here comes the new education drama, Won't Back Down new this week. And that tremendous thud you just heard is the bottom falling out of this movie.
Where to start? This ill-advised film is supposedly "based on actual events." How gutless, and cowardly to begin with. What does that actually mean? It obviously is not true because they would say it is. If this is a few snippets borrowed from here and there, then shame on you. That's my guess.
It's a story of a young, impoverished young mother Jamie (Maggie Gyllanhaal) and her young daughter who live in Pittsburgh. Her daughter is dyslexic and is having a terrible time in the second grade with a non-caring teacher. So as Jamie tries to fix the situation she runs into road blocks all along the way. So she learns about a little known Pennsylvania law that allows in certain situations for parents to take over the school, and run it the way they want. - What?
Jamie then recruits the help of a veteran teacher Nona (Viola Davis). Her son is also having trouble in school, and she decides to go on this school takeover venture with Jamie. Nona tries to get more teachers on board, but they will have to drop out of the teachers union and go it alone and give up pensions and benefits. Jamie goes out and brings more parents on board and the movement swells. Can they do it? Can they run a school better than the state? That's Won't Back Down.
I will say this. This is a story that could be worth telling in its raw form. Education is an emotional issue for many families and parents. No quarrel there. And this could have been taken, and done in many different ways. They chose the worst way imaginable.
First the script is so amazingly terrible it's completely laughable. Story lines, situations, and dialogue that is so awful and insulting it's tough to sit still for. Characters that are shallow, predictable, and so overdone nothing can save them. My heart goes out to Gyllanhaal to a degree. I'm sure she was hoping this was her Erin Brockovitch role. Complete miscalculation. Her lead character is awful. They wrote words that came out of her mouth that are ridiculous. Plus, she looks like she is trying so hard to be really powerful and good, she ends up being a parody of herself. She could be lamponed very well by Saturday Night Live on this. She will go on to make better movies, but she is awful here, and it's only partly her fault. The rest? Just as bad.
What this turns out to be is an education bashing, union bashing lecture with characters on both sides speaking like they are testifying in front of Congress rather than starring in a movie. And you don't care one iota about one person in this movie. For some reason, Holly Hunter, and Rosie Perez came along for this downhill derailed ride, and they add nothing. Although no one could. This is one silly scene after another.
Few can deny that the education system on our country needs work, and can do better in all avenues. But this story is just putrid. If you want to make a movie that can make a difference, get a good script, a more powerful leading actress, and make it so we can bite into it. And for heavens sake, let's go all story and don't try to sell us on "inspired by actual events". Find us a true story, or make it a piece of total fiction. But don't try to B.S. us. What they want you to think is that this really happened. When most are guessing - it did not.
Won't Back Down. Awful - simply awful. Could be one of the worst movies of the year.
Where to start? This ill-advised film is supposedly "based on actual events." How gutless, and cowardly to begin with. What does that actually mean? It obviously is not true because they would say it is. If this is a few snippets borrowed from here and there, then shame on you. That's my guess.
It's a story of a young, impoverished young mother Jamie (Maggie Gyllanhaal) and her young daughter who live in Pittsburgh. Her daughter is dyslexic and is having a terrible time in the second grade with a non-caring teacher. So as Jamie tries to fix the situation she runs into road blocks all along the way. So she learns about a little known Pennsylvania law that allows in certain situations for parents to take over the school, and run it the way they want. - What?
Jamie then recruits the help of a veteran teacher Nona (Viola Davis). Her son is also having trouble in school, and she decides to go on this school takeover venture with Jamie. Nona tries to get more teachers on board, but they will have to drop out of the teachers union and go it alone and give up pensions and benefits. Jamie goes out and brings more parents on board and the movement swells. Can they do it? Can they run a school better than the state? That's Won't Back Down.
I will say this. This is a story that could be worth telling in its raw form. Education is an emotional issue for many families and parents. No quarrel there. And this could have been taken, and done in many different ways. They chose the worst way imaginable.
First the script is so amazingly terrible it's completely laughable. Story lines, situations, and dialogue that is so awful and insulting it's tough to sit still for. Characters that are shallow, predictable, and so overdone nothing can save them. My heart goes out to Gyllanhaal to a degree. I'm sure she was hoping this was her Erin Brockovitch role. Complete miscalculation. Her lead character is awful. They wrote words that came out of her mouth that are ridiculous. Plus, she looks like she is trying so hard to be really powerful and good, she ends up being a parody of herself. She could be lamponed very well by Saturday Night Live on this. She will go on to make better movies, but she is awful here, and it's only partly her fault. The rest? Just as bad.
What this turns out to be is an education bashing, union bashing lecture with characters on both sides speaking like they are testifying in front of Congress rather than starring in a movie. And you don't care one iota about one person in this movie. For some reason, Holly Hunter, and Rosie Perez came along for this downhill derailed ride, and they add nothing. Although no one could. This is one silly scene after another.
Few can deny that the education system on our country needs work, and can do better in all avenues. But this story is just putrid. If you want to make a movie that can make a difference, get a good script, a more powerful leading actress, and make it so we can bite into it. And for heavens sake, let's go all story and don't try to sell us on "inspired by actual events". Find us a true story, or make it a piece of total fiction. But don't try to B.S. us. What they want you to think is that this really happened. When most are guessing - it did not.
Won't Back Down. Awful - simply awful. Could be one of the worst movies of the year.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Master
There is a whole lot of Oscar buzz about the new drama new in theaters, The Master.
The Master is the story of a post WWII era where tons of military veterans are coming home from battle and are facing real struggles to make a return into society. This is the story of Navy veteran Freddy Quell (Joaquin Phoenix). He is a very disturbed and strange man returning from the war with tons of emotional trouble. He is struggling mightily to re-enter the world when he, by accident meets a man that will change his life.
He meets Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Dodd is the leader of a group, or cult named The Cause. You don't really know what they are. Dodd and his troupe go from city to city trying to spread his word of some kind of spirituality, or thinking that is very "new age" based for 1950. He has written a book, and notes on his theory of life and how to go through it. But are they his words, or are they really the words and ideas of his background wife Peggy (Amy Adams)? Given the fact that Dodd is an incredible egomaniac, and most people around him seem smitten with his so-called intelligence, he keeps up a good front and the subjects fooled.
Dodd sort of takes Quell in and uses him as a subject of some kind. You come to know in time that he is simply trying to recruit more people into his group that he can trust. But there are a whole lot of reasons that this is hard to follow at times And being honest and fair this movie seems a bit pointless at times. The Master is going to go right by many people that are going to see it. This movie reeks of elite movie making that really will go directly over many peoples heads. Mostly because they don't really make clear where they are going.
This will get tons of Oscar consideration for a few reasons. First, it's the kind of movie Hollywood loves to pat itself on the back over. Supposedly really smart, original, and artsy. But the box office will speak for itself, and so will exit opinions of this movie. And also the performances of Phoenix and Hoffman. Both incredibly stellar. The only group that will really love this movie are numerous critics that will try to show their knowledge of cinema, and a few movie goers on the east coast.
But is it possible to have these two tremendous performances in a movie that you don't really care about, and is actually not the great of a movie? And the answer is yes. They both are amazing, as where the movie is not.
The Master is too long, pointless at times, and directionless virtually all of the time. It focuses on The Cause and they do not explain what they really are, or what they really want. You don't care about this movie at all. Plus, there some very bizarre scenes in this flick that will leave you scratching your head. There are rumors and speculation of who fictionally The Cause is in this movie, but nothing definitive. They would be better served to fess up in the movie, because in the end this just looks like a script that runs out of gas and more notably - guts.
The Master. Two absolutely fantastic performances in a movie that is not.
The Master is the story of a post WWII era where tons of military veterans are coming home from battle and are facing real struggles to make a return into society. This is the story of Navy veteran Freddy Quell (Joaquin Phoenix). He is a very disturbed and strange man returning from the war with tons of emotional trouble. He is struggling mightily to re-enter the world when he, by accident meets a man that will change his life.
He meets Lancaster Dodd (Phillip Seymour Hoffman). Dodd is the leader of a group, or cult named The Cause. You don't really know what they are. Dodd and his troupe go from city to city trying to spread his word of some kind of spirituality, or thinking that is very "new age" based for 1950. He has written a book, and notes on his theory of life and how to go through it. But are they his words, or are they really the words and ideas of his background wife Peggy (Amy Adams)? Given the fact that Dodd is an incredible egomaniac, and most people around him seem smitten with his so-called intelligence, he keeps up a good front and the subjects fooled.
Dodd sort of takes Quell in and uses him as a subject of some kind. You come to know in time that he is simply trying to recruit more people into his group that he can trust. But there are a whole lot of reasons that this is hard to follow at times And being honest and fair this movie seems a bit pointless at times. The Master is going to go right by many people that are going to see it. This movie reeks of elite movie making that really will go directly over many peoples heads. Mostly because they don't really make clear where they are going.
This will get tons of Oscar consideration for a few reasons. First, it's the kind of movie Hollywood loves to pat itself on the back over. Supposedly really smart, original, and artsy. But the box office will speak for itself, and so will exit opinions of this movie. And also the performances of Phoenix and Hoffman. Both incredibly stellar. The only group that will really love this movie are numerous critics that will try to show their knowledge of cinema, and a few movie goers on the east coast.
But is it possible to have these two tremendous performances in a movie that you don't really care about, and is actually not the great of a movie? And the answer is yes. They both are amazing, as where the movie is not.
The Master is too long, pointless at times, and directionless virtually all of the time. It focuses on The Cause and they do not explain what they really are, or what they really want. You don't care about this movie at all. Plus, there some very bizarre scenes in this flick that will leave you scratching your head. There are rumors and speculation of who fictionally The Cause is in this movie, but nothing definitive. They would be better served to fess up in the movie, because in the end this just looks like a script that runs out of gas and more notably - guts.
The Master. Two absolutely fantastic performances in a movie that is not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
