After seeing a ton of movies all calender year long, here come the Five Best Movies of the year. From my seat, 2013 was a year where there was no shortage of bigger, louder and more "in your face" movies. The box office was overloaded with tons of action movies that looked and were the same, and that's why smaller flicks, with quirkier more honest stories could really cut through.
Also, it was a dark and harsh year at the movies with plenty of gloom and doom. That also allowed more refreshing plots front and center by some of the smaller ones. And the lack of very few runaway no brainer best movie credentialed flicks. To be on this list, movies had to be released to local theaters during the calender year, so here goes.
The Five Best Movies Of 2013
1/ Enough Said - This was a great little movie that was universally loved by everyone who saw it, and reviewed it. This was an original story and a wonderful romantic comedy that talked to everyone in today's modern society. Julia-Louis Dreyfus was terrific, and the late James Gandolfini was sensational. He was an affable, underdog character you have never seen him play before, and he delivered in his last movie role. He should not only be in the conversation, but should win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Brilliantly casted, acted and a story that was fresh in every frame. Sensational little movie this year or any year. See this!
2/ The Way, Way Back - What a story, and what well written script making loud and clear social commentary in an off beat, semi dark comedy. This movie is entirely too honest for some people as it takes to task modern parenting that can be selfish and disconnected. And if you let this in, it can be close to the bone for many and very emotive. The star of this movie is the story, and is brilliantly performed by a great ensemble cast. Steve Carrell as you've never seen him before as a real idiot bad guy. Sam Rockwell should get some Oscar consideration, as will Allison Janney. This is first class from start to finish, and identifiable across the board.
3/ Captain Phillips - Tom Hanks in this true story of an American cargo vessel high jacked by Somali pirates. Hanks is really great and will be in the Oscar talk, but the real star of this movie is the movie, and Barkhad Abdi who played the lead pirate named, Muse. He is so good in this movie, and is the gas in this movies engine. This story was totally dependent on a great, and complicated villain, and Muse is one. And Abdi is beyond sensational as he brings depth and conflict to this role. If he's not in the running at awards time there is a real problem. This also takes you to places you've never been, and even though you may know the outcome of this true story, it does keep you guessing and that's great movie making.
4/ American Hustle - The reason this makes my list are a few performances in it that are undeniable. Christian Bale is amazing in this 1970's con artist story and will be in the Oscar talk. Amy Adams will be too, as will Jennifer Lawrence. This is a good story, and it certainly does transport you brilliantly to the era with amazing sets, costumes, props and soundtracks. This may not live up to the hype it generated overall, but some of the difficult roles and large performances propel it into the spotlight. This in the hands of lesser actors this would have fallen short. Performances actually outperform the movie.
5/ Spring Breakers - I know this is a bold choice, but this movie really impacted those who dared to see it. This movie is not for everyone. This is a powerful movie, and an exaggerated look on what can possibly happen to a group of 18 year old girls, who do whatever it takes to go on spring break in Florida. But what this movie really does, is look at the motives and tactics honestly, and showcases just how thin the line is between a great time, and a life changing disastrous time for these girls. And its honesty at it's core is harsh. Even though this would more than likely never happen, it does show parents how tight a rope young people can walk when they are on their own, out of their element and how truthful about where they are, what they are doing. Harsh, crass and very ugly at times. But eye opening. James Franco too is great!
Honorable mentions (random order)
Gravity - I know, sacrilegious not to have this as the number one. But I was not as enamored with this as many were. It is a game-changer as far as effects and 3-D are concerned. Truthfully, it is the best use of 3-D to date. I also was not thrilled about it "starring" George Clooney who was out of this movie after about 30 minutes. But it was a visual feast, and an experience more than a movie. It's sort of an amusement ride, and that's why it was so loved.
The Spectacular Now - Loved every frame of this movie. How good is this? What a wonderful telling of young love with great characters. And what telling great performances from Miles Teller and Shaileen Woodley. Another really great "little" movie.
Philomena - Great story, and Judi Dench is more than likely going to win another Oscar. This basically two person movie tells a powerful story and develops great characters. This is also far more bold than you might think. Steve Coogan too is great, as he is on par with Dench, but does not upstage her in this movie.
Saving Mr. Banks - Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson were terrific in a story you don't know, and that always gets major points.
So there they are, The Five Best Movies Of 2013. Also check out my list of The Five Worst, Five Most Surprising, and the Five Disappointing movies of the year.
And CLICK HERE, to read my most recent reviews of movies in theaters now.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2013
The year is ending, and after a fun year of seeing and reviewing movies, it's time for the year end lists. I've already posted the Five Worst Movies Of 2013, and The Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2013. Now it's time for The Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2013. These are the movies that looked great at first, but really let us down. They may not even be "bad" movies, but just disappointing. To be on this list the flicks had to be released to local theaters during the calender year.
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2013.
1/ The Lone Ranger - How much money did Disney spend on this thing, and how much did it lose? Seldom do you see a movie this big come and go with such a whimper. This is easily the most forgettable flick of the year. It was also a hugely harsh PG-13 movie that I think was not rated properly. Shame on them for letting this movie be as violent as it was. Also, it became so amazingly agenda laden we you forgot it was the iconic Lone Ranger. Just a huge disappointing mess. Not even Johnny Depp could save this. This is runaway the most disappointing movie of the year.
2/ Oblivion - Tom Cruise starred in this Sci-Fi movie that had a gigantic budget and a ton of hype. Overseas this was a big hit, but not in America. Cruise again overacted in this movie that was about as compelling as watching people getting haircuts. Special effects were fine, but so are a lot of movies. This was boring as it laid there, and eventually laid an egg. Not even the very alluring and compelling co-star Andrea Riseborough could not save this snooze fest.
3/ The Great Gatsby - Director Baz Luhrmann is known for making very visual movies that look wonderful. But after this, maybe a bit more attention needs to be paid to what is happening in the movie. This certainly was colorful, but lacked any real teeth. And the huge flaw was the huge character created by F. Scott Fitzgerald all those years ago in his novel was shrunk down to average by all the colorful stuff going on around him. Leonardo Dicaprio as Gatsby had little chance to be successful here. Lots of hype, little payoff.
4/ World War Z - Brad Pitt spent about a hundred years making this, and this is what we get? The Zombie thing looked kind of silly on the big screen. And I feel that after all of the hundreds of millions spent on this that we can get better and more compelling zombie content on TV than this thing. Pitt is way above this kind of movie and content, and even though this is set up for another, my sincere hope is that he take a pass on that.
5/ The Book Thief - I wanted to like this movie so badly and I did to a degree. The book is fantastic and the story is worth telling. But this movie with all the build up and the even the nice performance by Geoffery Rush and the young star Sophie Nelisse, this really staggers along. This is a good example of a great book that has a tough time coming to cinema. It doesn't always work. This is not a bad movie at all, just disappointing.
There they are the Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2013. Also check out my list of the Five Worst Movies Of 2013, and the Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2013. Be looking later this week for The Five Best movies of 2013! Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Click here for my most recent movie reviews of movies in theaters now.
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2013.
1/ The Lone Ranger - How much money did Disney spend on this thing, and how much did it lose? Seldom do you see a movie this big come and go with such a whimper. This is easily the most forgettable flick of the year. It was also a hugely harsh PG-13 movie that I think was not rated properly. Shame on them for letting this movie be as violent as it was. Also, it became so amazingly agenda laden we you forgot it was the iconic Lone Ranger. Just a huge disappointing mess. Not even Johnny Depp could save this. This is runaway the most disappointing movie of the year.
2/ Oblivion - Tom Cruise starred in this Sci-Fi movie that had a gigantic budget and a ton of hype. Overseas this was a big hit, but not in America. Cruise again overacted in this movie that was about as compelling as watching people getting haircuts. Special effects were fine, but so are a lot of movies. This was boring as it laid there, and eventually laid an egg. Not even the very alluring and compelling co-star Andrea Riseborough could not save this snooze fest.
3/ The Great Gatsby - Director Baz Luhrmann is known for making very visual movies that look wonderful. But after this, maybe a bit more attention needs to be paid to what is happening in the movie. This certainly was colorful, but lacked any real teeth. And the huge flaw was the huge character created by F. Scott Fitzgerald all those years ago in his novel was shrunk down to average by all the colorful stuff going on around him. Leonardo Dicaprio as Gatsby had little chance to be successful here. Lots of hype, little payoff.
4/ World War Z - Brad Pitt spent about a hundred years making this, and this is what we get? The Zombie thing looked kind of silly on the big screen. And I feel that after all of the hundreds of millions spent on this that we can get better and more compelling zombie content on TV than this thing. Pitt is way above this kind of movie and content, and even though this is set up for another, my sincere hope is that he take a pass on that.
5/ The Book Thief - I wanted to like this movie so badly and I did to a degree. The book is fantastic and the story is worth telling. But this movie with all the build up and the even the nice performance by Geoffery Rush and the young star Sophie Nelisse, this really staggers along. This is a good example of a great book that has a tough time coming to cinema. It doesn't always work. This is not a bad movie at all, just disappointing.
There they are the Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2013. Also check out my list of the Five Worst Movies Of 2013, and the Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2013. Be looking later this week for The Five Best movies of 2013! Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Click here for my most recent movie reviews of movies in theaters now.
MOVIE REVIEW - The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty
What a great day for Ben Stiller. Looks like after years of movies that all look, sound and are the same, he's hit the big time with The Secret life Of Walter Mitty.
This, of course is another updated version of the short story written in 1939 by James Thurber. This version certainly is not perfect by any means. But this is a giant leap forward for Stiller in every single way. This is elaborate, big, and a PG-13 Stiller movie that makes no references to bodily functions, or any other junior high locker room humor. Stiller directed, produced, bankrolled and starred in this, and it's a breakthrough.
You may Know the "Mitty" story. The man who dreams huge fantasies while living a life that is meek and more than boring. It has been told many times over the decades and this time it is set in modern day New York City, while he is a photographic technician at Life Magazine.
The magazine is going to print its last edition before going to an online only format. A hugely famous photographer Sean (Sean Penn), sends a sheet of negatives to the magazine stating that number 25 is the best photo he has ever taken and that it should be the cover of the last issue. somehow Walter (Stiller) can't find it, so he starts out on a adventure to find Sean, and the clues to the missing negative. But is he really on these adventures, or is he just living them out in his mind? That is the question you have to answer for yourself.
He enlists the help of a work mate Cheryl (Kristin Wiig), who he also has a crush on to assist him in this search. She seems to accept Walter and his quirks and his fantasies as he "zones out" and travels off to far ways places in other peoples presence. Turns out she is a motivating force behind Walter and his drive to find his missing photo, but it's certainly Walter who is the captain of his own adventure. Clearly, this is far more complicated than can be explained here, but that's the basic line.
For the things this movie won't be to many critics, it will be loved by the audience that goes to see it. This is an uplifting movie, that has a small, Indy pic feel to it, all the while placed in a big budgeted movie. It is quirky, and off beat at times, but it takes you around the world to beautiful places and asks you to go on a wild adventure with Walter. Seldom do you go to the movies where the full audience claps at the end, but they did after this one. It's good for virtually anyone, it's a solid PG-13, and young people can enjoy this equally with mom and dad.
Stiller is really good as Mitty, showing far more range than usual, and that's refreshing. But the performance of Kristin Wiig is really something to see. She has never looked better in a movie and is perfectly cast as the accepting Cheryl. She simply acted in this movie, with no pressure to be funny in any way, and I loved her. She was terrific. This also has a nice supporting cast including Shirley MacClain, Patton Oswalt, and Katherine Hahn, who also simply acts and is very good in her small role.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. Critics will criticize this flick, but the public that goes will love this. Big step to real storytelling for Stiller. Yeah it's not perfect, but overall a win here.!
This, of course is another updated version of the short story written in 1939 by James Thurber. This version certainly is not perfect by any means. But this is a giant leap forward for Stiller in every single way. This is elaborate, big, and a PG-13 Stiller movie that makes no references to bodily functions, or any other junior high locker room humor. Stiller directed, produced, bankrolled and starred in this, and it's a breakthrough.
You may Know the "Mitty" story. The man who dreams huge fantasies while living a life that is meek and more than boring. It has been told many times over the decades and this time it is set in modern day New York City, while he is a photographic technician at Life Magazine.
The magazine is going to print its last edition before going to an online only format. A hugely famous photographer Sean (Sean Penn), sends a sheet of negatives to the magazine stating that number 25 is the best photo he has ever taken and that it should be the cover of the last issue. somehow Walter (Stiller) can't find it, so he starts out on a adventure to find Sean, and the clues to the missing negative. But is he really on these adventures, or is he just living them out in his mind? That is the question you have to answer for yourself.
He enlists the help of a work mate Cheryl (Kristin Wiig), who he also has a crush on to assist him in this search. She seems to accept Walter and his quirks and his fantasies as he "zones out" and travels off to far ways places in other peoples presence. Turns out she is a motivating force behind Walter and his drive to find his missing photo, but it's certainly Walter who is the captain of his own adventure. Clearly, this is far more complicated than can be explained here, but that's the basic line.
For the things this movie won't be to many critics, it will be loved by the audience that goes to see it. This is an uplifting movie, that has a small, Indy pic feel to it, all the while placed in a big budgeted movie. It is quirky, and off beat at times, but it takes you around the world to beautiful places and asks you to go on a wild adventure with Walter. Seldom do you go to the movies where the full audience claps at the end, but they did after this one. It's good for virtually anyone, it's a solid PG-13, and young people can enjoy this equally with mom and dad.
Stiller is really good as Mitty, showing far more range than usual, and that's refreshing. But the performance of Kristin Wiig is really something to see. She has never looked better in a movie and is perfectly cast as the accepting Cheryl. She simply acted in this movie, with no pressure to be funny in any way, and I loved her. She was terrific. This also has a nice supporting cast including Shirley MacClain, Patton Oswalt, and Katherine Hahn, who also simply acts and is very good in her small role.
The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty. Critics will criticize this flick, but the public that goes will love this. Big step to real storytelling for Stiller. Yeah it's not perfect, but overall a win here.!
MOVIE REVIEW - Grudge Match
It looks like a silly movie. Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro boxing at their age, but here comes Grudge Match.
This is another movie that is an interesting mix of the new, and the old. It is a boxing movie, but it is not totally the same old thing. I do give this movie some nice originality points, and some fun points too. But don't be fooled, you do have to schlog through some terrible decisions, and some stupid content. But this is a sports comedy that gives us a reason to go to the movies for a moment or two of escapism.
This is the story of Kid (DeNiro) and Razor (Stallone). They were each light heavyweight champions of the world from the early 1980's from Pittsburgh. They fought twice, each winning one fight. But then Razor suddenly retired, and they two never fought again with no rubber match as was the trend of the 1970's in boxing. Now, some 30 years later, the son of a dead, and shifty promoter from the 1980's wants to schedule the rematch, as each of these guys are now in their 60's.
Problem is, Razor hates Kid, and there is a ton a baggage between them that goes way back, and much of it has nothing to do with boxing. But, they do decide to fight, and the training is on. Kid learns he has a son he didn't know about and hires him as his trainer for this fight. Razor hires his old trainer from the 1980's to train him. The hype of the fight starts to gain momentum and it becomes bigger than anyone could imagine. There are tons of side plots too at play here, and it all adds up to the two finally fighting at the movies end.
There is a lot to like here. First off, it's a story you have not seen before and that's always good. The creativity is evident as our stars are reliving roles similar to characters they have played before in iconic movies. Stallone, or course from Rocky, and many of the scenes are lampooned to a degree here that takes you back to the Oscar winning film. DeNiro of course starring in Raging Bull years ago where he won an Oscar, plays a character similar to the character in that movie, and some of those scenes are "recreated" here. And that is fun.
But this movie does have a lot of baggage that doesn't make it better. A sharper rewrite could have made this really great, instead of just good. What this does well, is pull our aging characters into the 21st century, and it does show the power of social media in our lives today. This is a blend of the new and the old that for the most part works. If they could have edited out some needless scenes and rewritten the dialogue at times this would have been way better.
This has a nice supporting cast in theory, with Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, and Kim Basinger. Sadly, the writing and development of Basinger's character especially is weak and thin. Too bad for an Oscar winner. But what is great and undeniable is that you feel the whole time that this movie is going to end up doing the right thing. And you do wonder throughout, what is actually going to happen when these too old geezers get into the ring. And the payoff there is strong. And to me, that is part of any good movie. Wondering how it's all going to play out.
Grudge Match. This may look silly overall, but it's actually OK.
This is another movie that is an interesting mix of the new, and the old. It is a boxing movie, but it is not totally the same old thing. I do give this movie some nice originality points, and some fun points too. But don't be fooled, you do have to schlog through some terrible decisions, and some stupid content. But this is a sports comedy that gives us a reason to go to the movies for a moment or two of escapism.
This is the story of Kid (DeNiro) and Razor (Stallone). They were each light heavyweight champions of the world from the early 1980's from Pittsburgh. They fought twice, each winning one fight. But then Razor suddenly retired, and they two never fought again with no rubber match as was the trend of the 1970's in boxing. Now, some 30 years later, the son of a dead, and shifty promoter from the 1980's wants to schedule the rematch, as each of these guys are now in their 60's.
Problem is, Razor hates Kid, and there is a ton a baggage between them that goes way back, and much of it has nothing to do with boxing. But, they do decide to fight, and the training is on. Kid learns he has a son he didn't know about and hires him as his trainer for this fight. Razor hires his old trainer from the 1980's to train him. The hype of the fight starts to gain momentum and it becomes bigger than anyone could imagine. There are tons of side plots too at play here, and it all adds up to the two finally fighting at the movies end.
There is a lot to like here. First off, it's a story you have not seen before and that's always good. The creativity is evident as our stars are reliving roles similar to characters they have played before in iconic movies. Stallone, or course from Rocky, and many of the scenes are lampooned to a degree here that takes you back to the Oscar winning film. DeNiro of course starring in Raging Bull years ago where he won an Oscar, plays a character similar to the character in that movie, and some of those scenes are "recreated" here. And that is fun.
But this movie does have a lot of baggage that doesn't make it better. A sharper rewrite could have made this really great, instead of just good. What this does well, is pull our aging characters into the 21st century, and it does show the power of social media in our lives today. This is a blend of the new and the old that for the most part works. If they could have edited out some needless scenes and rewritten the dialogue at times this would have been way better.
This has a nice supporting cast in theory, with Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, and Kim Basinger. Sadly, the writing and development of Basinger's character especially is weak and thin. Too bad for an Oscar winner. But what is great and undeniable is that you feel the whole time that this movie is going to end up doing the right thing. And you do wonder throughout, what is actually going to happen when these too old geezers get into the ring. And the payoff there is strong. And to me, that is part of any good movie. Wondering how it's all going to play out.
Grudge Match. This may look silly overall, but it's actually OK.
MOVIE REVIEW - Saving Mr. Banks
There's been a ton of buzz about the new Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks flick Saving Mr. Banks.
First off, this movie starts off on a high note with me, as it is a story you absolutely don't know and have not seen before. So originality points are high. This is the story of how P.L. Travers and Walt Disney came to make the movie Mary Poppins in 1964. And it was not an easy trip for either to take.
We start in 1961 when Travers (Thompson), finally decides to meet with Disney (Hanks) in Los Angeles to discuss granting the rights for Disney to make the movie. Travers who lives in London, is the author of the Poppins series and she is now an older woman who has money troubles. The royalties have run out on the 20 year old Poppins books and the movie seems like the logical step to take for her self, and her characters. But as we will learn, that is where the logic stops with Travers.
She is insanely difficult in negotiations and development of the soon to be iconic movie. She fights Disney and his crew all the way, and refuses to grant the rights unless she gets her way on every single thing about the movie. Then, her childhood is told in flashback form, woven into our main story, and you can start to learn why she is the way she is. And what is behind her basically horrible disposition and both personal and professional. If you find yourself not caring about her childhood, you may not be alone. But they ram it down your throat, and you have to stick with it to get to you really want to go. Disney has tried everything to get this movie made and has been after her for 20 years. But she is standing in his way at every turn. Clearly, the movie is made but it wasn't easy.
This movie gets off to a real slow start as they develop Travers as a difficult woman, and Disney as a persistent and affable guy. The problem is, many times in these kind of roles the character portrayed as difficult, has a hint of charm, and enough quirkiness as to make her palatable. But not here. You soon find out she is so horrible, she is tough to take. You simply hate her, and that drags this movie down. Even if this ins deadly accurate, she is fatiguing to watch. You also find that this is really a movie about her life and not really about Disney's quest to make a classic. This is far more dark than you might think too, but it's not a deal breaker. But it teeters dangerously close.
When the ice melts, you become able to stomach Travers and her despicable manner, the movie begins to gain momentum and improves rapidly. As the story finally sheds the darkness of Travers' childhood, and focuses on her relationship with Disney the movie can be resolved and you feel better about being there.
Thompson is great, and will be bandied around award time as the brutal Travers. Hanks as Disney is wonderful. Although you will wonder where he goes for much of this movie. His performance in the last 30 minutes of this is vintage Hanks as he successfully swoops in and really saves the day. This movie also boasts a nice supporting cast including Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, and others that really help transport you to 1961 Hollywood, as do the wonderful costumes, and terrific sets. It is fun to watch this all come together in the end. But sometimes the road there is littered with a bunch of bones you have to wade trough first.
Saving Mr. Banks. In the end a solid movie, that somehow stands on a shaky foundation.
First off, this movie starts off on a high note with me, as it is a story you absolutely don't know and have not seen before. So originality points are high. This is the story of how P.L. Travers and Walt Disney came to make the movie Mary Poppins in 1964. And it was not an easy trip for either to take.
We start in 1961 when Travers (Thompson), finally decides to meet with Disney (Hanks) in Los Angeles to discuss granting the rights for Disney to make the movie. Travers who lives in London, is the author of the Poppins series and she is now an older woman who has money troubles. The royalties have run out on the 20 year old Poppins books and the movie seems like the logical step to take for her self, and her characters. But as we will learn, that is where the logic stops with Travers.
She is insanely difficult in negotiations and development of the soon to be iconic movie. She fights Disney and his crew all the way, and refuses to grant the rights unless she gets her way on every single thing about the movie. Then, her childhood is told in flashback form, woven into our main story, and you can start to learn why she is the way she is. And what is behind her basically horrible disposition and both personal and professional. If you find yourself not caring about her childhood, you may not be alone. But they ram it down your throat, and you have to stick with it to get to you really want to go. Disney has tried everything to get this movie made and has been after her for 20 years. But she is standing in his way at every turn. Clearly, the movie is made but it wasn't easy.
This movie gets off to a real slow start as they develop Travers as a difficult woman, and Disney as a persistent and affable guy. The problem is, many times in these kind of roles the character portrayed as difficult, has a hint of charm, and enough quirkiness as to make her palatable. But not here. You soon find out she is so horrible, she is tough to take. You simply hate her, and that drags this movie down. Even if this ins deadly accurate, she is fatiguing to watch. You also find that this is really a movie about her life and not really about Disney's quest to make a classic. This is far more dark than you might think too, but it's not a deal breaker. But it teeters dangerously close.
When the ice melts, you become able to stomach Travers and her despicable manner, the movie begins to gain momentum and improves rapidly. As the story finally sheds the darkness of Travers' childhood, and focuses on her relationship with Disney the movie can be resolved and you feel better about being there.
Thompson is great, and will be bandied around award time as the brutal Travers. Hanks as Disney is wonderful. Although you will wonder where he goes for much of this movie. His performance in the last 30 minutes of this is vintage Hanks as he successfully swoops in and really saves the day. This movie also boasts a nice supporting cast including Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, and others that really help transport you to 1961 Hollywood, as do the wonderful costumes, and terrific sets. It is fun to watch this all come together in the end. But sometimes the road there is littered with a bunch of bones you have to wade trough first.
Saving Mr. Banks. In the end a solid movie, that somehow stands on a shaky foundation.
Monday, December 23, 2013
The Five Most Surprising Movies of 2013
Everyone likes a good surprise at the movies. It's always fun to go to a flick and find a gem in the pile of stones out there. I saw over 170 movies this year, and it's time for the year end lists. Here are The Five Most Surprising Movies of the Year.
Should be noted, there are far more average movies made every year than non-average ones. In the days ahead I will post some of the great ones, and disappointing ones of 2013. To be on THIS list, it has to be a real "breath of fresh air not expected movie," and be released to local theaters in the calender year. The disappointing list will be out later this week.
So here goes, my list of the 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013
1/ Carrie - This retelling of the Stephen King classic novel was 40 years in the making, and is far better than the original. Chloe Grace Moretz is a perfect Carrie, the rest of the cast is great too. It's still Carrie, but this looks better, and is better that the mid 1970's movie. Normally remakes get on my nerves, but this was well thought out. Plus, they begin with a great story from a great writer - King. This was a real good idea, as movie making has evolved so much since the 70's. This needed an update, because King's story was ahead of the movie making technology at the time. His breakthrough story needed a better memory than the original.
2/ Snitch - February is the wasteland of movie going, but this year Snitch helped make it tolerable. The Rock starred in this, and didn't go all superhero on us. The story is based on truth and is quite interesting about a desperate father, trying to vindicate his son who is wrongfully imprisoned for drugs. How far will he go to make things right. This movie stays inside itself and does not go over the top. Good story, and The Rock is quite good. Perfect? No. But a great surprise.
3/ Fast And Furious 6 - These are not my favorite movies by any stretch, but I have a ton of respect for this series. As the numbers get bigger, so does the box office take, and that is exceptionally unusual. And 6 of them? They are what the are. This is fun, and zips along well. Will this change cinematic history? No. But, somehow they manage to keep their core viewers interested, and new viewers become engaged quickly. These don't get worse as most sequels can and generally do.
4/ Mud - This movie starring Mathew McConaughey is simply terrific. His performance as "Mud" is Oscar worthy, and the story is gripping with a fantastic supporting cast. This movie came and went completely under the radar, as about 10 people saw it. This was one of the real "shames" of the movie year. More people should have seen this. And his MM's performance, is award worthy. Redbox this movie, it's fantastic!
5/ All Is Lost - The one man movie starring Robert Redford as a man trying to survive being lost at sea alone. There is no dialogue in this one hour and forty minute movie, but it holds your attention and is very compelling. Redford gives a great performance, might be one of the best of his career, and he doesn't speak. This is certainly not for everyone, but this is surprisingly good. Redford's name could be tossed around at Oscar time too.
There they are! The 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013. Look later this week, for the 5 Most Disappointing Movies of the year. Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Should be noted, there are far more average movies made every year than non-average ones. In the days ahead I will post some of the great ones, and disappointing ones of 2013. To be on THIS list, it has to be a real "breath of fresh air not expected movie," and be released to local theaters in the calender year. The disappointing list will be out later this week.
So here goes, my list of the 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013
1/ Carrie - This retelling of the Stephen King classic novel was 40 years in the making, and is far better than the original. Chloe Grace Moretz is a perfect Carrie, the rest of the cast is great too. It's still Carrie, but this looks better, and is better that the mid 1970's movie. Normally remakes get on my nerves, but this was well thought out. Plus, they begin with a great story from a great writer - King. This was a real good idea, as movie making has evolved so much since the 70's. This needed an update, because King's story was ahead of the movie making technology at the time. His breakthrough story needed a better memory than the original.
2/ Snitch - February is the wasteland of movie going, but this year Snitch helped make it tolerable. The Rock starred in this, and didn't go all superhero on us. The story is based on truth and is quite interesting about a desperate father, trying to vindicate his son who is wrongfully imprisoned for drugs. How far will he go to make things right. This movie stays inside itself and does not go over the top. Good story, and The Rock is quite good. Perfect? No. But a great surprise.
3/ Fast And Furious 6 - These are not my favorite movies by any stretch, but I have a ton of respect for this series. As the numbers get bigger, so does the box office take, and that is exceptionally unusual. And 6 of them? They are what the are. This is fun, and zips along well. Will this change cinematic history? No. But, somehow they manage to keep their core viewers interested, and new viewers become engaged quickly. These don't get worse as most sequels can and generally do.
4/ Mud - This movie starring Mathew McConaughey is simply terrific. His performance as "Mud" is Oscar worthy, and the story is gripping with a fantastic supporting cast. This movie came and went completely under the radar, as about 10 people saw it. This was one of the real "shames" of the movie year. More people should have seen this. And his MM's performance, is award worthy. Redbox this movie, it's fantastic!
5/ All Is Lost - The one man movie starring Robert Redford as a man trying to survive being lost at sea alone. There is no dialogue in this one hour and forty minute movie, but it holds your attention and is very compelling. Redford gives a great performance, might be one of the best of his career, and he doesn't speak. This is certainly not for everyone, but this is surprisingly good. Redford's name could be tossed around at Oscar time too.
There they are! The 5 Most Surprising Movies of 2013. Look later this week, for the 5 Most Disappointing Movies of the year. Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Sunday, December 22, 2013
The Five Worst Movies of 2013
After seeing over 170 movies this year, it has all come down to the Five Worst Movies of the Year.
Should be noted, there are far more bad movies made every year than good ones. In the days ahead I will post some of the great ones, surprising ones, and disappointing ones of 2013. To be on THIS list, it has to be a beyond bad movie, and be released to local theaters in the calender year.
So here goes, my list of the 5 Worst Movies of 2013
1/ Identity Thief - Seriously, who thought that the devastaing crime of identity theft could be portrayed sympathetically in a comedy? They actually want you to feel empathy for an identity thief. And she becomes a permanent part of our victims family and children's lives, after she literally destroys their lives. This movie was so bad, and the idea worse. Not funny, not anywhere near real, and amazingly out of touch with anyone not in Hollywood. I think they went for outrageous, but that may be giving them too much credit. Easily, the worst movie in every regard of the year.
2/ The Big Wedding - Big cast, horrible story, and so bad in virtually every single way. This movie was insulting to the audience, and to the big-time actors that agreed to star in it. Literally hard to make it to the end. What was Robert Deniro, Diane Keaton and the all-star cast thinking? Hope it was fun to make, it was painful to watch. Wretched!
3/ The 5th Estate - The movie about the Wikileaks founder, his motives and his methods. If you want to pay 15 bucks to watch actors text, look at computer screens, digitally chat, talk on cell phones and carry laptops around in back packs on the big screen, in a pointless movie this is your flick. Quite possibly the most non-compelling movie in a long time. Horrible and insanely forgettable. Also, one of the biggest financial flops of the year, or any year. History is showing too, no one wants to see these kinds of movies.
4/ Grown Ups 2 - Would someone just make Adam Sandler stop this? If you generally celebrate the noises the human body makes that the things that come out of it, this is for you. So amazingly infantile for a 50 year-old man to still think is funny movie after movie. Yeah he's rich, so? This is so, so bad, tired and junior high.
5/ After Earth - Will Smith and his son Jaden star in the Sci-Fi piece of junk. It seems though the studios are about to pull the plug on these 130 million dollar home movies that the Smith's think are fun to do. There is not one thing good about this movie. Plus, this makes the Smith's look bad personally. Mom and dad need to wake up too. No one wants to pay to see Jaden act in movies except for their own family and friends. Karate Kid worked to a degree, because of the pop-culture jump start and 30 years of hype. Stop it!
Dishonorable Mentions
White House Down/Olympus Has Fallen - Same movie, different month, same result. Offensive, Vomitus.
A Madea Christmas - Agonizing.
Getaway - Selena Gomez, worst performance of the year.
There they are! The 5 Worst Movies of 2013. Look later this week, for the 5 Most Surprising Movies of the year. Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Should be noted, there are far more bad movies made every year than good ones. In the days ahead I will post some of the great ones, surprising ones, and disappointing ones of 2013. To be on THIS list, it has to be a beyond bad movie, and be released to local theaters in the calender year.
So here goes, my list of the 5 Worst Movies of 2013
1/ Identity Thief - Seriously, who thought that the devastaing crime of identity theft could be portrayed sympathetically in a comedy? They actually want you to feel empathy for an identity thief. And she becomes a permanent part of our victims family and children's lives, after she literally destroys their lives. This movie was so bad, and the idea worse. Not funny, not anywhere near real, and amazingly out of touch with anyone not in Hollywood. I think they went for outrageous, but that may be giving them too much credit. Easily, the worst movie in every regard of the year.
2/ The Big Wedding - Big cast, horrible story, and so bad in virtually every single way. This movie was insulting to the audience, and to the big-time actors that agreed to star in it. Literally hard to make it to the end. What was Robert Deniro, Diane Keaton and the all-star cast thinking? Hope it was fun to make, it was painful to watch. Wretched!
3/ The 5th Estate - The movie about the Wikileaks founder, his motives and his methods. If you want to pay 15 bucks to watch actors text, look at computer screens, digitally chat, talk on cell phones and carry laptops around in back packs on the big screen, in a pointless movie this is your flick. Quite possibly the most non-compelling movie in a long time. Horrible and insanely forgettable. Also, one of the biggest financial flops of the year, or any year. History is showing too, no one wants to see these kinds of movies.
4/ Grown Ups 2 - Would someone just make Adam Sandler stop this? If you generally celebrate the noises the human body makes that the things that come out of it, this is for you. So amazingly infantile for a 50 year-old man to still think is funny movie after movie. Yeah he's rich, so? This is so, so bad, tired and junior high.
5/ After Earth - Will Smith and his son Jaden star in the Sci-Fi piece of junk. It seems though the studios are about to pull the plug on these 130 million dollar home movies that the Smith's think are fun to do. There is not one thing good about this movie. Plus, this makes the Smith's look bad personally. Mom and dad need to wake up too. No one wants to pay to see Jaden act in movies except for their own family and friends. Karate Kid worked to a degree, because of the pop-culture jump start and 30 years of hype. Stop it!
Dishonorable Mentions
White House Down/Olympus Has Fallen - Same movie, different month, same result. Offensive, Vomitus.
A Madea Christmas - Agonizing.
Getaway - Selena Gomez, worst performance of the year.
There they are! The 5 Worst Movies of 2013. Look later this week, for the 5 Most Surprising Movies of the year. Thoughts? scott@wqmx.com
Saturday, December 21, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Walking With Dinosaurs
After this franchise has been on TV, and a bunch of other formats, Walking With Dinosaurs finally makes it onto the big screen this weekend for families to enjoy. And they will.
I wanted to review this movie for a few reasons. One, I had heard that dino-effects were a rival for Jurassic Park. I also heard that much of this was set in a real setting of an Alaskan backdrop. And I also was interested to see just how they would handle the reality of dinosaur life and make it palatable for the entire family while keeping it entertaining.
The story, in reality is not very important here. Of course, it is very simple, elementary and very friendly for the entire family. And for those wondering, yes the dinosaurs do "talk," but it's in the narrative sense. They actually don't move their mouths and speak. And maybe the best part is, this is not a "cartoon" or animated movie. Certainly there are many definitions of animation, and yes these are computer generated, but it's not a "cartoon." And that's a great decision.
I always applaud the fact that studios can make movies that the family can enjoy together and not be animated. And this is one of them. These dino's are amazingly real, all the while placed in magnificent backdrops. The attention to detail is remarkable in these creatures, and so is the sheer size and scope of this project. This is very easy on the senses, as it is not too chaotic and loud. And to its credit, it is not too long checking in at 85 minutes, and that's plenty for everyone.
The writers handle most all of this very well. They carefully explain who all the dinosaurs are in definition form for all to learn. They also write a nice story, and handle the realities of pre-historic life about as well as you can. Truth is, dinosaurs attack and eat each other, and they do so here as well. But it's not to intense, or violent, and is certainly not too much to take for virtually anyone. But you know your kids best, and what they can handle.
Walking With Dinosaurs. A nice family movie for the holidays. Load up and go.
I wanted to review this movie for a few reasons. One, I had heard that dino-effects were a rival for Jurassic Park. I also heard that much of this was set in a real setting of an Alaskan backdrop. And I also was interested to see just how they would handle the reality of dinosaur life and make it palatable for the entire family while keeping it entertaining.
The story, in reality is not very important here. Of course, it is very simple, elementary and very friendly for the entire family. And for those wondering, yes the dinosaurs do "talk," but it's in the narrative sense. They actually don't move their mouths and speak. And maybe the best part is, this is not a "cartoon" or animated movie. Certainly there are many definitions of animation, and yes these are computer generated, but it's not a "cartoon." And that's a great decision.
I always applaud the fact that studios can make movies that the family can enjoy together and not be animated. And this is one of them. These dino's are amazingly real, all the while placed in magnificent backdrops. The attention to detail is remarkable in these creatures, and so is the sheer size and scope of this project. This is very easy on the senses, as it is not too chaotic and loud. And to its credit, it is not too long checking in at 85 minutes, and that's plenty for everyone.
The writers handle most all of this very well. They carefully explain who all the dinosaurs are in definition form for all to learn. They also write a nice story, and handle the realities of pre-historic life about as well as you can. Truth is, dinosaurs attack and eat each other, and they do so here as well. But it's not to intense, or violent, and is certainly not too much to take for virtually anyone. But you know your kids best, and what they can handle.
Walking With Dinosaurs. A nice family movie for the holidays. Load up and go.
Friday, December 20, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - American Hustle
Lots of fanfare about the new star-studded American Hustle new this week. There has been lots of Oscar buzz, and it's apt here.
This is the latest from director David O. Russell, who gave us last years gem, Silver Linings Playbook, and a few of the same actors star here. This in its raw story is very different from SLP, but the style is undeniable. Russell has become a terrific film maker. And what a cast, with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence, plus a couple cameo's and a wonderful supporting cast.
This takes place in the late 1970's and is loosely based on a true story. It's a complicated story to say the least of a small time con man named Irving (Bale) and his lover and partner Sydney (Adams). They make a living out of swindling desperate people out of their last dollar by promising loans and then not delivering them, all the while collecting a $5,000 finders fee, nonrefundable. They also sell forged paintings, and all the while keep their operation very small.
They then are stung by the FBI and their young agent Richie DiMasa (Cooper). He promises them a walk if they can help the FBI sting bigger crooks. They agree. But DiMasa decides he's going to think very large and go after politicians, and eventually the Mob and the whole thing starts to get out of hand as the agent sort of goes rogue. What ensues is a whole series of who is conning who, and who can anyone trust from the FBI, to our criminals, to the mob, to the spouses of our principles. Who is playing who?
This is a first class movie that is going to get a ton of award nominations and should be poised to win a bunch along the line. This is a great story, that is highly complicated, but is told wonderfully, and paced along so well, the time seems to fly by. The performances are terrific, with Bale leading the pack. He is sensational as the greasy Irving, and he needs to get ready to carry tons of statues home come this award season. Adams has crossed over to real siren mode. She pulls off a gritty, sexy performance as the slick Sydney. She is a good example of this movies real strength. This is a raw, movie without much make-up, on our actors, or on the overall movie presentation. That is a Russell trademark, and it's great and refreshing.
This also has a great musical soundtrack, that is blended in so skillfully it actually helps the pacing and gives this a music video feel a times. A wonderful selection of 1970's anthems, that really help take you back to that decade.
The costuming is amazing, along with great sets and props. Man, you can almost feel the polyester, smell the incense, and see the lava lamps. But the real beauty is, that as authentic as this is, it doesn't look cheesy, nor does this become a parody of itself. For a younger audience, they well be transferred back to a decade that proceeded their birth, but it won't appear silly or corny. This though does require attention, and a bathroom break at the wrong time could get you lost, but if you hang with it, you will be OK.
American Hustle. Certainly one of the years best overall movies.
This is the latest from director David O. Russell, who gave us last years gem, Silver Linings Playbook, and a few of the same actors star here. This in its raw story is very different from SLP, but the style is undeniable. Russell has become a terrific film maker. And what a cast, with Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence, plus a couple cameo's and a wonderful supporting cast.
This takes place in the late 1970's and is loosely based on a true story. It's a complicated story to say the least of a small time con man named Irving (Bale) and his lover and partner Sydney (Adams). They make a living out of swindling desperate people out of their last dollar by promising loans and then not delivering them, all the while collecting a $5,000 finders fee, nonrefundable. They also sell forged paintings, and all the while keep their operation very small.
They then are stung by the FBI and their young agent Richie DiMasa (Cooper). He promises them a walk if they can help the FBI sting bigger crooks. They agree. But DiMasa decides he's going to think very large and go after politicians, and eventually the Mob and the whole thing starts to get out of hand as the agent sort of goes rogue. What ensues is a whole series of who is conning who, and who can anyone trust from the FBI, to our criminals, to the mob, to the spouses of our principles. Who is playing who?
This is a first class movie that is going to get a ton of award nominations and should be poised to win a bunch along the line. This is a great story, that is highly complicated, but is told wonderfully, and paced along so well, the time seems to fly by. The performances are terrific, with Bale leading the pack. He is sensational as the greasy Irving, and he needs to get ready to carry tons of statues home come this award season. Adams has crossed over to real siren mode. She pulls off a gritty, sexy performance as the slick Sydney. She is a good example of this movies real strength. This is a raw, movie without much make-up, on our actors, or on the overall movie presentation. That is a Russell trademark, and it's great and refreshing.
This also has a great musical soundtrack, that is blended in so skillfully it actually helps the pacing and gives this a music video feel a times. A wonderful selection of 1970's anthems, that really help take you back to that decade.
The costuming is amazing, along with great sets and props. Man, you can almost feel the polyester, smell the incense, and see the lava lamps. But the real beauty is, that as authentic as this is, it doesn't look cheesy, nor does this become a parody of itself. For a younger audience, they well be transferred back to a decade that proceeded their birth, but it won't appear silly or corny. This though does require attention, and a bathroom break at the wrong time could get you lost, but if you hang with it, you will be OK.
American Hustle. Certainly one of the years best overall movies.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Big Blue
Before I sat down to write this, I recalled a fact I learned a few years ago. Historians think that the relationship between man and dog goes back 15,000 years. This is a simple story, but it's allegorical to many things we experience everyday.
I have theorized (unscientifically) that the friendship started like this. One night some guy and some dog met at a campfire in the woods both hungry and alone. They each thought about eating each other, until they came to an agreement that it might be better to work together for food, friendship and security and the rest is history. However it happened, dogs and people like each other.
Which is why I wrote this today. This morning on our show, it was brought to my partner on WQMX Sue Wilson and my attention that someone had stopped off at Summit County Animal Control and basically dumped off two dogs that were about 9 years old. And did so with little or seemingly no compassion at all. One small pooch named Misty, and one large pure Siberian husky named Blue. As is usually the case, Misty, being small and easy was adopted right away. But not Big Blue, he's 80 pounds and 9 years old with icy blue eyes, and a gentle demeanor. But now clearly saddened, confused and scared.
Sue and I shook our collective heads and wondered quite frankly, WTH? How is this possible? Dogs this age, and pets, completely and unceremoniously discarded? After a few minutes, I decided (and I think Sue did too), that we didn't really care how anymore, we just felt badly this pooch was dazed and confused. In a single day, he went from a home, to a shelter, to a cage, and his companion pooch was long gone and he was now alone. Being honest, I'd be confused too.
Irony was setting in. The very thing that was bred into Blue, his size, power and strength that was more than likely his top selling point at birth, was now coming back to haunt him. Big Blue, was just too big for many to adopt him, and that's a sad reality of pet rescue. Big dogs are tough to place. Built to pull sleds and survive harsh conditions was proving to be mere child's play compared to this fate, which I think by seeing Blue's face was going to be too heavy for even him to pull or carry unless someone came up big.
We talked about Blue on the show with our animal loving friend Goerjette Thomas as we do every Thursday and we felt that Blue was going to be a tough sell. But what we found was Blue was destined to be in a new home, today. And he is. Someone with a heart (and a house probably) as big as Blue stepped up and took Blue home. It's a good day.
Whatever happened to Blue, his former owner, or what happened between them is over and none of my concern frankly. I'll even give the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe it could have been understood if explained. That's what I want to think. But I will put virtually no thought into that any longer. If it's not a good story, there's a special fate for those who do bad things to good dogs somewhere down the line.
Blue today has a new and better life. As do we all now knowing that there are those out there to do big things, when big things are in the balance. If it's a simple dog story, or something larger. There are big people out there.
Live big, Blue... and long live you...Big Blue.
I have theorized (unscientifically) that the friendship started like this. One night some guy and some dog met at a campfire in the woods both hungry and alone. They each thought about eating each other, until they came to an agreement that it might be better to work together for food, friendship and security and the rest is history. However it happened, dogs and people like each other.
Which is why I wrote this today. This morning on our show, it was brought to my partner on WQMX Sue Wilson and my attention that someone had stopped off at Summit County Animal Control and basically dumped off two dogs that were about 9 years old. And did so with little or seemingly no compassion at all. One small pooch named Misty, and one large pure Siberian husky named Blue. As is usually the case, Misty, being small and easy was adopted right away. But not Big Blue, he's 80 pounds and 9 years old with icy blue eyes, and a gentle demeanor. But now clearly saddened, confused and scared.
Sue and I shook our collective heads and wondered quite frankly, WTH? How is this possible? Dogs this age, and pets, completely and unceremoniously discarded? After a few minutes, I decided (and I think Sue did too), that we didn't really care how anymore, we just felt badly this pooch was dazed and confused. In a single day, he went from a home, to a shelter, to a cage, and his companion pooch was long gone and he was now alone. Being honest, I'd be confused too.
Irony was setting in. The very thing that was bred into Blue, his size, power and strength that was more than likely his top selling point at birth, was now coming back to haunt him. Big Blue, was just too big for many to adopt him, and that's a sad reality of pet rescue. Big dogs are tough to place. Built to pull sleds and survive harsh conditions was proving to be mere child's play compared to this fate, which I think by seeing Blue's face was going to be too heavy for even him to pull or carry unless someone came up big.
We talked about Blue on the show with our animal loving friend Goerjette Thomas as we do every Thursday and we felt that Blue was going to be a tough sell. But what we found was Blue was destined to be in a new home, today. And he is. Someone with a heart (and a house probably) as big as Blue stepped up and took Blue home. It's a good day.
Whatever happened to Blue, his former owner, or what happened between them is over and none of my concern frankly. I'll even give the benefit of the doubt and say that maybe it could have been understood if explained. That's what I want to think. But I will put virtually no thought into that any longer. If it's not a good story, there's a special fate for those who do bad things to good dogs somewhere down the line.
Blue today has a new and better life. As do we all now knowing that there are those out there to do big things, when big things are in the balance. If it's a simple dog story, or something larger. There are big people out there.
Live big, Blue... and long live you...Big Blue.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Anchorman 2
Will Farrel and the whole Anchorman troupe is back in the next chapter in the Ron Burgundy saga. The huge cast from the original and a ton of cameos are featured here as well in Anchorman 2.
After seeing over 170 movies this year, I have to say that we need Anchorman 2 for a few mindless laughs. This has been a very heavy, and harsh year at the movies and this could lighten things up a bit. And being fair, it does over the first 1 hour plus of this 2 hour movie. Sadly though, this really limps home and becomes very strange and more than a little over the top.
Americas anchorman Burgundy (Farrel) and his bunch now are in 1979, and it's the beginning or the cable TV and cable news boom. Burgundy and his "news team" are hired in at the fictional GNN (Global News Network) to sign on a then unheard of 24 hours news channel. And this part of the movie is exceptionally good, creative and pretty funny. Burgundy alone with his bungling and quirky self, unknowingly invents many of the excepted practices of cable networks of today. This part is great parody, and also at times make great social statements. It is inventive, and a wonderful lampoon of many present day cable channels, including FOX News, The Weather Channel, E, ESPN, and even the mainstream networks. This part of the movie really worked well.
Although this series is an acquired taste, there is still a whole bunch of parody and heavy satire of the broadcast industry and life in general in 1979. Much of this is extremely politically incorrect of course, but it's Burgundy. This movie, to its credit, did not fall off the raunchy wagon and overall this is fairly tame with the situational humor and language.
But after a while, this movie becomes bored with being original, and then becomes something it shouldn't. It starts to fall in love with itself, and decides it can do whatever it wants because it's Anchorman. The last half hour plus of this movie is like a completely different movie, and it doesn't work. And it feels like the first and original half was just a warm up for all of Farrel's friends to get their cameo in this flick.
There are a few too many side plots that don't work at all, but they are not deal breakers, but sadly the final minutes of this are. This was on track to be really fun But after a nice start, it stumbles down the home stretch and eventually falls exhausted at the finish line, gasping for breath.
Anchorman 2. A tale of 2 movies, one good, one not so much. Too bad. A shorter flick, with a bit more focus could have been really fun start to finish.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Nebraska
Here comes one of the quirkiest movies you will ever see. The new black and white Indy pic, Nebraksa.
This is a true independent movie if ever there was one. Nebraska stars veteran actor Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Quibb, Stacy Keach, and a really nice, little known supporting cast. This movie is wonderfully put together, and is going to be this years "concept piece," as it is filmed 100 percent in black and white. Sadly, that will turn off a ton of movie goers without even giving this a chance. But what a great decision. This will be a love/hate situation. If you love quirky flicks, this is your movie. If you don't want to interpret a movie, but simply to watch it...go next door.
This is the story of an old man from Billings, Montana named Woody Grant (Dern). He is a very confused elderly man who receives a contest form from a promotional company in Lincoln, Nebraska saying he has won 1 million dollars. So Woody thinks it's true. And since he does not drive anymore and his wife Kate (Squibb) won't take him there knowing it's a sham, he starts to walk there to claim hi winnings. He tries this time after time. Finally his son, David agrees to take his dad to Lincoln just to put the whole thing to rest.
Along the way, they decide to stop in Hawthorne, South Dakota, Woody's hometown. While there, word slips out that Woody HAS won the million dollars to the general small town population. Many of them have known Woody for decades and of course nothing ever happens in this town. So, the race is on to see who can sponge off Woody, trying to settle old scores and mooch some of his "money" that he has seemingly not even won.
This is a very simple little movie that develops characters so wonderfully, you relate to, and love all of them right off the bat. This is a strange movie to some, as it is paced with an extremely off beat syncopated rhythm that keeps you watching, and is insanely charming. But as simple as this is presented to you, including the black and white format adding to it, this makes powerful statements. Including treatment of the elderly, human greed, fractured families and how the world can easily leave some people behind. How will this pay out for Woody, and his tragic family?
Dern is terrific as the gray-minded Woody who is living in his own world that he has created for himself. Squibb is fantastic as the loud mouth Kate, who is extremely funny at times, and really gives this the surprise factor that it needs. she could be award nominated somewhere. And it's great to see Stacy Keach back in the movies, and he is great as an old "friend" who wants his some of Woody's money. Even though he has never had the guts to leave his dinky little town.
Nebraska is a comedy, a dark comedy, a tragedy, and bold movie making that will be critically acclaimed and will probably walk off with some hardware of some kind. And be seen by about 1000 people nationwide. But his is a fine movie, and wonderfully refreshing at the theaters, when there is so much of the same out there in the other 10 screen. This is in very limited release, but it is worth the drive and a coffee afterwards for discussion.
Nebraska. This is clearly not for everyone. If you like quirky, independent movies this is for you. Well, well done.
This is a true independent movie if ever there was one. Nebraska stars veteran actor Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Quibb, Stacy Keach, and a really nice, little known supporting cast. This movie is wonderfully put together, and is going to be this years "concept piece," as it is filmed 100 percent in black and white. Sadly, that will turn off a ton of movie goers without even giving this a chance. But what a great decision. This will be a love/hate situation. If you love quirky flicks, this is your movie. If you don't want to interpret a movie, but simply to watch it...go next door.
This is the story of an old man from Billings, Montana named Woody Grant (Dern). He is a very confused elderly man who receives a contest form from a promotional company in Lincoln, Nebraska saying he has won 1 million dollars. So Woody thinks it's true. And since he does not drive anymore and his wife Kate (Squibb) won't take him there knowing it's a sham, he starts to walk there to claim hi winnings. He tries this time after time. Finally his son, David agrees to take his dad to Lincoln just to put the whole thing to rest.
Along the way, they decide to stop in Hawthorne, South Dakota, Woody's hometown. While there, word slips out that Woody HAS won the million dollars to the general small town population. Many of them have known Woody for decades and of course nothing ever happens in this town. So, the race is on to see who can sponge off Woody, trying to settle old scores and mooch some of his "money" that he has seemingly not even won.
This is a very simple little movie that develops characters so wonderfully, you relate to, and love all of them right off the bat. This is a strange movie to some, as it is paced with an extremely off beat syncopated rhythm that keeps you watching, and is insanely charming. But as simple as this is presented to you, including the black and white format adding to it, this makes powerful statements. Including treatment of the elderly, human greed, fractured families and how the world can easily leave some people behind. How will this pay out for Woody, and his tragic family?
Dern is terrific as the gray-minded Woody who is living in his own world that he has created for himself. Squibb is fantastic as the loud mouth Kate, who is extremely funny at times, and really gives this the surprise factor that it needs. she could be award nominated somewhere. And it's great to see Stacy Keach back in the movies, and he is great as an old "friend" who wants his some of Woody's money. Even though he has never had the guts to leave his dinky little town.
Nebraska is a comedy, a dark comedy, a tragedy, and bold movie making that will be critically acclaimed and will probably walk off with some hardware of some kind. And be seen by about 1000 people nationwide. But his is a fine movie, and wonderfully refreshing at the theaters, when there is so much of the same out there in the other 10 screen. This is in very limited release, but it is worth the drive and a coffee afterwards for discussion.
Nebraska. This is clearly not for everyone. If you like quirky, independent movies this is for you. Well, well done.
Friday, December 13, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - A Medea Christmas
Tyler Perry is a successful and exceptionally profitable movie maker. Perry has a string of topical hits that are as long as your arm. This will make him a ton of money. But the critics will gladly shred this awful hunk of junk.
The Madea character (Perry in drag) has been successful and Perry's signature character through many years and the various situations that she (he) finds herself in. Part of the fun was that the wise-cracking old woman was relatable, fun and we all knew someone similar in our won lives. Now, she is just vulgar, unoriginal and really, really tired. Also some of the fun was Perry was almost unrecognizable. Now, it looks like Perry with a gray wig and librarians glasses. I guess dressing up as Madea all these many years is just too much work. And that voice? At first fun, now it just seeks out your spinal column, grabs it by both hands...and twists it violently.
What this is, is Perry and c-star Larry The Cable Guy in a series of improvised stand-up comedy routines trying to outdo each other. And as funny and likable as LTCG is, he can't save this. He has a few lines here and there, and he is a fun presence on screen, but this whole thing is so bad, it's just a mess to get through. Oh yeah, and there's not much Christmas in it at all. Must have forgotten during production.
This movie carries on with a bunch of subplots over trying to be as topical as possible, but it just staggers around like a drunken brontosaurus. Then finally, it just falls snout down in the gutter and lays there to sleep it off all night long while we watch. This movie takes on racial marriage, school bullying, racism, southern stereotypes, the environment, and generalizations of many different types of people. But does none of it very well. Yes, there is a moment or two that is amusing, but overall this was about as fun as getting a pedicure with hedge clippers.
But this is a great example of a movie that many will absolutely love and howl the whole way through. And being honest, that's great. We need movies for all types of audiences and this will find one, and be a hit. Perry makes movies on a tight budget and this will be very profitable in the end. But for some this will be a root canal, and making it to the end will be an accomplishment in itself, while others are rolling hysterically on the floor.
Reality is, these are popular movies. But I think that that even the most loyal of fans have to see the end coming soon and fast. And when that time comes, it will free Perry to do other things and finally leave Madea behind. I like Perry, but I am weary of this franchise which has worn out it's welcome.
A Madea Christmas. Agonizing, arduous, and more than likely very successful at the box office.
The Madea character (Perry in drag) has been successful and Perry's signature character through many years and the various situations that she (he) finds herself in. Part of the fun was that the wise-cracking old woman was relatable, fun and we all knew someone similar in our won lives. Now, she is just vulgar, unoriginal and really, really tired. Also some of the fun was Perry was almost unrecognizable. Now, it looks like Perry with a gray wig and librarians glasses. I guess dressing up as Madea all these many years is just too much work. And that voice? At first fun, now it just seeks out your spinal column, grabs it by both hands...and twists it violently.
What this is, is Perry and c-star Larry The Cable Guy in a series of improvised stand-up comedy routines trying to outdo each other. And as funny and likable as LTCG is, he can't save this. He has a few lines here and there, and he is a fun presence on screen, but this whole thing is so bad, it's just a mess to get through. Oh yeah, and there's not much Christmas in it at all. Must have forgotten during production.
This movie carries on with a bunch of subplots over trying to be as topical as possible, but it just staggers around like a drunken brontosaurus. Then finally, it just falls snout down in the gutter and lays there to sleep it off all night long while we watch. This movie takes on racial marriage, school bullying, racism, southern stereotypes, the environment, and generalizations of many different types of people. But does none of it very well. Yes, there is a moment or two that is amusing, but overall this was about as fun as getting a pedicure with hedge clippers.
But this is a great example of a movie that many will absolutely love and howl the whole way through. And being honest, that's great. We need movies for all types of audiences and this will find one, and be a hit. Perry makes movies on a tight budget and this will be very profitable in the end. But for some this will be a root canal, and making it to the end will be an accomplishment in itself, while others are rolling hysterically on the floor.
Reality is, these are popular movies. But I think that that even the most loyal of fans have to see the end coming soon and fast. And when that time comes, it will free Perry to do other things and finally leave Madea behind. I like Perry, but I am weary of this franchise which has worn out it's welcome.
A Madea Christmas. Agonizing, arduous, and more than likely very successful at the box office.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Out Of The Furnace
What a cast! Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Forest Whitaker, Sam Shepard, Zoe Saldana and others. But overall, what a shame.
The New Out Of The Furnace looks like this should be one of the years best movies. The previews show a seemingly powerful story, big performances and terrific cinematography. Well some of that is true, and to be fair this is not a wash-out. But this is an opportunity missed to be truly great.
This is a story that takes place in extreme rural Pennsylvania. It's the story of 2 brothers, Russel (Bale) and Rodney (Affleck). They grew up in this tiny steel town that has seen far better days and times. Russel is older, he drinks too much and dreams too little and ends up following in his dying father's footsteps and works at the local steel mill that is in serious decline. Rodney is a 4 tour of duty Iraqi army war veteran, and is suffering from PTSD, but he doesn't know it, and neither does his highly uneducated family or friends.
Rodney returns home, and begins gambling and runs up a huge debt to a local bookie (Willam Defoe) who himself is a bit of trash. The bookie is in huge debt to a huge piece of dirt named Harlan DeGroat (Harrelson). He is a man from the mountains of rural New Jersey who stages rigged bare knuckle fight clubs, swindles gamblers, and takes and deals drugs. He is an angry man, and runs his little ring deep in the mountains and operates way outside that law with a brutal mantra.
Rodney decides to go to the Jersey mountains to fight in one of these rigged fights to settle his and his bookies debt, and ends up missing. Russel finds out he is up there and sets out to find his younger brother, even taking on DeGroat and his band of horrible people. This is simply a big brother/little brother movie. Should be noted this is loaded with unapologetic violence, and some grizzly images. This movie also puts its muddy boot squarely on your neck and steadily applies more pressure to your throat as it goes along.
This is authentically filmed deep in the woods and mountains, and being fair again, the sets and backdrops of this movie are excellent. You are there and can feel and smell it. The costumes and makeup, make all of these characters beaten and weathered and that adds to the authenticity. There is not much of any musical soundtrack, but this movie is wonderfully filmed.
The downfall of Furnace, is the pacing and story. This just plods along for much of it, and there are many moments you are wondering if it's going to move forward at all. This movie really stumbles out of the gate, and takes far too long to gain momentum. As it finally does get off the canvass, it does get better, but you may be too far uninterested by then. And the ending is a bit silly and not very believable as our lead heroic characters lose their authenticity and that hurts too.
Woody Harrelson though is the star of this movie. He is amazing as the truly horrible DeGroat. He is ruthless, scary, and very compelling. This movie needs a great villain, and he is one. I think his performance in many years could be Oscar worthy, but I am not sure this movie overall will not get enough notoriety for him to get the fanfare he deserves. This is one of his finest roles in a movie that is not one of his best.
Out Of The Furnace. There is a some good here, but will be too depressing for some. In the end with the cast assembled this is a bit disappointing.
The New Out Of The Furnace looks like this should be one of the years best movies. The previews show a seemingly powerful story, big performances and terrific cinematography. Well some of that is true, and to be fair this is not a wash-out. But this is an opportunity missed to be truly great.
This is a story that takes place in extreme rural Pennsylvania. It's the story of 2 brothers, Russel (Bale) and Rodney (Affleck). They grew up in this tiny steel town that has seen far better days and times. Russel is older, he drinks too much and dreams too little and ends up following in his dying father's footsteps and works at the local steel mill that is in serious decline. Rodney is a 4 tour of duty Iraqi army war veteran, and is suffering from PTSD, but he doesn't know it, and neither does his highly uneducated family or friends.
Rodney returns home, and begins gambling and runs up a huge debt to a local bookie (Willam Defoe) who himself is a bit of trash. The bookie is in huge debt to a huge piece of dirt named Harlan DeGroat (Harrelson). He is a man from the mountains of rural New Jersey who stages rigged bare knuckle fight clubs, swindles gamblers, and takes and deals drugs. He is an angry man, and runs his little ring deep in the mountains and operates way outside that law with a brutal mantra.
Rodney decides to go to the Jersey mountains to fight in one of these rigged fights to settle his and his bookies debt, and ends up missing. Russel finds out he is up there and sets out to find his younger brother, even taking on DeGroat and his band of horrible people. This is simply a big brother/little brother movie. Should be noted this is loaded with unapologetic violence, and some grizzly images. This movie also puts its muddy boot squarely on your neck and steadily applies more pressure to your throat as it goes along.
This is authentically filmed deep in the woods and mountains, and being fair again, the sets and backdrops of this movie are excellent. You are there and can feel and smell it. The costumes and makeup, make all of these characters beaten and weathered and that adds to the authenticity. There is not much of any musical soundtrack, but this movie is wonderfully filmed.
The downfall of Furnace, is the pacing and story. This just plods along for much of it, and there are many moments you are wondering if it's going to move forward at all. This movie really stumbles out of the gate, and takes far too long to gain momentum. As it finally does get off the canvass, it does get better, but you may be too far uninterested by then. And the ending is a bit silly and not very believable as our lead heroic characters lose their authenticity and that hurts too.
Woody Harrelson though is the star of this movie. He is amazing as the truly horrible DeGroat. He is ruthless, scary, and very compelling. This movie needs a great villain, and he is one. I think his performance in many years could be Oscar worthy, but I am not sure this movie overall will not get enough notoriety for him to get the fanfare he deserves. This is one of his finest roles in a movie that is not one of his best.
Out Of The Furnace. There is a some good here, but will be too depressing for some. In the end with the cast assembled this is a bit disappointing.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Homefront
The new Jason Statham action flick is Homefront, which was written and produced by Sylvester Stallone.
This is the story of a former DEA Agent named Phil Broker (Statham). He leaves the DEA as an undercover agent after a major sting operation goes horribly wrong. He then moves to rural Louisiana with his young daughter named Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). They plan on starting over with a new town, and a new look on life. But that turns out not to be so easy.
After Maddy has a bullying incident at school and ends up beating up the local bully kid, Broker finds himself in a situation where the locals are out for revenge against them, as they are "not from around here." Then local low-life's start harassing them, led by the local lead thug, Gator (James Franco). As the episodes escalate, we are headed towards a showdown with Gator and Phil. You can see it coming a mile away.
Broker, of course played by Statham, is a martial arts expert and ends up beating up about half the town in various scenes. This is very violent with no shortage of large fight scenes as it's main selling point. Those scenes are relatively well done, and I am a Statham fan. He is always likable and basically fun to watch in his yearly winter time violent movie. But his is a bit different. This is a very bad script.
This Stallone written movie feels like something from 25 years ago most of the time. There is an attempt to bring it up to date with the subject of school bullying, and using meth as the drug of choice to feature here trafficked by the local thugs. But the real fault of this script is the ongoing and very tired stereotypes of many characters created by Hollywood from the deep south. The characters are old, tired and been done about a thousand times in other movies. There is not a real hint of originality here. The easiest route was taken and it doesn't do any of us any favors.
This drags terribly at times as you count off the minutes until Statham beats up another bunch of poor, helpless thugs in broad daylight with no repercussions. It checks in at about one hour and forty minutes, but even that's too long, as this is so amazingly predictable and you are way ahead of this most of the time.
Homefront. Statham, as fun as he can be, can't save it. It is what it is, but original... it certainly isn't.
This is the story of a former DEA Agent named Phil Broker (Statham). He leaves the DEA as an undercover agent after a major sting operation goes horribly wrong. He then moves to rural Louisiana with his young daughter named Maddy (Izabela Vidovic). They plan on starting over with a new town, and a new look on life. But that turns out not to be so easy.
After Maddy has a bullying incident at school and ends up beating up the local bully kid, Broker finds himself in a situation where the locals are out for revenge against them, as they are "not from around here." Then local low-life's start harassing them, led by the local lead thug, Gator (James Franco). As the episodes escalate, we are headed towards a showdown with Gator and Phil. You can see it coming a mile away.
Broker, of course played by Statham, is a martial arts expert and ends up beating up about half the town in various scenes. This is very violent with no shortage of large fight scenes as it's main selling point. Those scenes are relatively well done, and I am a Statham fan. He is always likable and basically fun to watch in his yearly winter time violent movie. But his is a bit different. This is a very bad script.
This Stallone written movie feels like something from 25 years ago most of the time. There is an attempt to bring it up to date with the subject of school bullying, and using meth as the drug of choice to feature here trafficked by the local thugs. But the real fault of this script is the ongoing and very tired stereotypes of many characters created by Hollywood from the deep south. The characters are old, tired and been done about a thousand times in other movies. There is not a real hint of originality here. The easiest route was taken and it doesn't do any of us any favors.
This drags terribly at times as you count off the minutes until Statham beats up another bunch of poor, helpless thugs in broad daylight with no repercussions. It checks in at about one hour and forty minutes, but even that's too long, as this is so amazingly predictable and you are way ahead of this most of the time.
Homefront. Statham, as fun as he can be, can't save it. It is what it is, but original... it certainly isn't.
MOVIE REVIEW - Oldboy
Sometimes a movie comes out that is so far "out there" that it's really hard to explain, let alone review. That is the new Spike Lee directed, Oldboy.
Oldboy stars Josh Brolin as Joe who in 1993 is working at an advertising firm. He is a horrible drunk and pretty much a piece of terrible trash of a man, and father. He has a 3 year old daughter that he neglects routinely. He makes passes at married women, and spends the majority of his time drinking, lying and scheming. He is hated by virtually everyone in his life.
Somehow while on an all night drunken bender, he finds himself locked in a hotel room. Or what he thinks is one. He soon learns that he is being held prisoner in a room with no windows, or doors but does resemble a cheap hotel room. He ends up being held captive there alone for over 20 years, never seeing anyone. He completely goes crazy in some regards never knowing why, or seeing his captors. He also learns through TV, that his ex-wife has been brutally murdered and he is the prime suspect with tons of forensic evidence found at that scene.
He is then released after being knocked out and finds himself out in the world with some cash, a new phone and a new suit. He begins his new life with revenge in his heart and strikes out to find out who kidnapped him and held him captive. As he gets closer to some kind of answer, he comes face to face with the man responsible for it. And Joe is given an ultimatum that is the key to his being exonerated for the murder he didn't commit. But the deal is brutal and horrible.
He meets a young Doctor named Marie (Elizabeth Olsen) who helps him get patched up and then helps him in his search for the clues he needs to be a free man. But will Joe ever really be free? That is the underlying meaning of Oldboy.
Should be noted, this is incredibly violent with numerous bloody fight scenes, and gruesome death blows. Oldboy is not for everyone, as it is very strange and totally adult. This, in fact deals extensively with virtually every single, very adult topic and situation there is. This movie is relentless in stepping on your neck and not letting you up. It is heavy, depressing and exceedingly dark. This is not easy to watch movie making.
I am a Brolin fan, and he is very good here as the multi-faceted Joe. But the bigger star is Olsen. I have become a huge fan of hers, and I hope to see more of her. She is Ashley and Mary-Kate's sister and is far more talented, and serious of an actress than the twins. She is a real actress and there are very good things ahead for her. She is terrific here in this movie that is not so easy to watch, but she is.
Oldboy. This is tough movie viewing for a niche audience at best. Tough Stuff.
Oldboy stars Josh Brolin as Joe who in 1993 is working at an advertising firm. He is a horrible drunk and pretty much a piece of terrible trash of a man, and father. He has a 3 year old daughter that he neglects routinely. He makes passes at married women, and spends the majority of his time drinking, lying and scheming. He is hated by virtually everyone in his life.
Somehow while on an all night drunken bender, he finds himself locked in a hotel room. Or what he thinks is one. He soon learns that he is being held prisoner in a room with no windows, or doors but does resemble a cheap hotel room. He ends up being held captive there alone for over 20 years, never seeing anyone. He completely goes crazy in some regards never knowing why, or seeing his captors. He also learns through TV, that his ex-wife has been brutally murdered and he is the prime suspect with tons of forensic evidence found at that scene.
He is then released after being knocked out and finds himself out in the world with some cash, a new phone and a new suit. He begins his new life with revenge in his heart and strikes out to find out who kidnapped him and held him captive. As he gets closer to some kind of answer, he comes face to face with the man responsible for it. And Joe is given an ultimatum that is the key to his being exonerated for the murder he didn't commit. But the deal is brutal and horrible.
He meets a young Doctor named Marie (Elizabeth Olsen) who helps him get patched up and then helps him in his search for the clues he needs to be a free man. But will Joe ever really be free? That is the underlying meaning of Oldboy.
Should be noted, this is incredibly violent with numerous bloody fight scenes, and gruesome death blows. Oldboy is not for everyone, as it is very strange and totally adult. This, in fact deals extensively with virtually every single, very adult topic and situation there is. This movie is relentless in stepping on your neck and not letting you up. It is heavy, depressing and exceedingly dark. This is not easy to watch movie making.
I am a Brolin fan, and he is very good here as the multi-faceted Joe. But the bigger star is Olsen. I have become a huge fan of hers, and I hope to see more of her. She is Ashley and Mary-Kate's sister and is far more talented, and serious of an actress than the twins. She is a real actress and there are very good things ahead for her. She is terrific here in this movie that is not so easy to watch, but she is.
Oldboy. This is tough movie viewing for a niche audience at best. Tough Stuff.
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