The Academy Awards are Sunday, and it's time to see who wins.
I reviewed 170 movies last year, and it was an interesting year at theaters. Gravity turned out to be the gigantic flick that ruled the adult box office. The trend that really hit me this year was the amount of "end of the world" movies, plus there was no shortage of superhero and animated flicks again. I was also glad to see some really terrific small movies like The Way, Way Back, and Enough Said, Philomena, Blue Jasmine, Nebraska and The Spectacular Now come to have great success. I think small movies had one of their best years ever. Of course, overshadowed by the big budget films.
But the majority of the nominated movies this year came out late on the calander as per normal. There was no Titanic this year, and seemingly no real runaway best movie like in many years. On this list, we will look at the five major categories, Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and
Actress and Director. I will give you my favorite performances only from the nominees, (many of my favorites were not nominated) and then the pick I think will win. So here goes...
Best Picture
My Pick Would Be - American Hustle - From this nominee list, this movie had a big, talented cast that melded well together and had an interesting story that was told well. It is a great ensemble piece much like Silver Linings Playbook was last year, as it is made by the same director, David O. Russell. Overall a great movie.
The Winner Will Be - 12 Years A Slave - This movie is very powerful, and very hard to watch at times. Great cast with a story that could have been told a number of ways. But they took the brave path and it will pay off for them. This is courageous, and tough movie making. Great performances and wonderful direction.
Best Actor
My Pick Would Be - Mathew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. This is a large role and I think he may be in every scene. Hollywood loves when actors do amazing things for a role, and he lost 50 pounds plus for this. He is wonderful and believable in every single way you can be. He was also amazing this year in the small flick Mud, where I thought he was actually better. He was also in Wolf Of Wall Street, could be his best year ever.
The Winner Will Be - Mathew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. I think he holds off Chiwetel Ejiofor from 12 Years A Slave, who was also terrific!
Best Actress
My Pick Would Be - Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine. This may be one of two slam dunks this year. She is so great in this role, it is almost unimaginable she won't win. Judi Dench, who is fantastic in Philomena could be the only minor competition. Blanchett is the cream of this crop by far, with Dench next, and the rest not even remotely in the same conversation at all in this category.
The Winner Will Be - Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine. It would simply be a disaster if anyone else won this. And a crime worth investigating if she or Dench didn't win.
Best Supporting Actor
My Pick Would Be - Barkhad Abdi for Captain Phillips. His first attempt at acting ever. This movie needed a complex, complicated, conflicted and interesting villain to be great, and he is. He plays the lead Somali pirate who has scene after scene with Tom Hanks, and he never blinks. As great as Hanks is, Abdi's performance is the separator for this movie being great, as opposed to simply being good.
The Winner Will Be - Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club. This is the second slam dunk category of the night. He is great, and the field he is nominated against isn't as strong as you might think outside of Abdi. I think there is no way he does not win. Would be a stunner if he does not.
Best Supporting Actress
My Pick Would Be - June Squibb for Nebraska. This little movie was really poignant, and she was the exact actor needed to play the bitter wife of an old, confused and strange man chasing rainbows. She was hilarious at times, and 100 percent authentic all the time. This is one of the best performances from any actor, in any movie this year, nominated or not.
The Winner Will Be - Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years A Slave. Really deep performance in a movie that had to have it. She gives an incredibly emotive performance that helped give this movie a ton of depth. Especially when the main character was so dominant in almost every scene. This movie is elevated greatly because of her stellar performance.
Best Director
My Pick Would Be - Alfonso Cauron' for Gravity. I was not as enamored with this movie as many. I felt this was more of an amusement ride, or experience than a movie. But, this is amazingly difficult movie making, as it is all in 0 gravity, or simulated 0 gravity. It is also the best use of 3-D I have ever seen. The challenge was huge, and even though this movie missed for many reasons with me, they did pull off a huge victory and met the challenge. Someone has to envision this before it was made. And he did.
The Winner Will Be - Martin Scorsese for Wolf Of Wall Street. Sadly, I think this is just too much temptation for Hollywood not to give this guy an Oscar for this. This missed with me overall, as I felt this movie was way too long, self involved and repetitive. But Hollywood loved it. Although Steve McQueen for 12 Years A Slave could pull this off as well. He could be in the mix.
See you Sunday night at the Oscars! Sunday, 7pm on ABC.
scott@wqmx.com
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - 3 Days To Kill
Every once in a while you have to watch a movie and just go with it, and not really worry about what you are seeing. And that is the new Kevin Costner action flick 3 Days To Kill.
This movie in some regards is just awful. And at the same time, it is extremely entertaining all at the same time. It's a CIA thriller, action movie, and has a bunch of irony, and some pretty funny comedy. Generally, when a movie tries to be all things to all people it fails miserably. But somehow, not here.
Costner stars as Ethan, a 32- year CIA veteran who has spent his adult life roaming the world doing dirty CIA jobs, all the while leaving his wife Tina, (Connie Nielson) and teenage daughter Zoey (Hallie Steinfeld). He is in the middle of a huge job trying to kill a terrorist that is trying to buy a dirty bomb to use against the USA. During the job, Ethan is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he decides to leave the CIA and find his estranged wife and daughter who are living in Paris.
He then is confronted by ViVi (Amber Heard). She is a deep CIA operative who offers Ethan a top secret, successful, experimental cancer treatment in exchange for re-entering the CIA and finishing the job he started. So he does, all the while keeping his illness and his new CIA involvement secret from his family. Can he pull it off all the while trying to re-connect with his daughter?
This movie is done fairly well with some very good writing at times, and actually some very funny scenes where Ethan tries to balance his CIA-ness and being a dad. This movie does a very nice job of not taking itself too seriously, and completely understands what kind of movie it is. This is not some testosterone fest, it is simply entertaining. It is a February release that is designed for 2 hours of escapism for us trying to get out of the cold for a while.
Costner is back in a starring role for the first time in a long time, and I thought it was one of his best roles in a while. He also has another huge role coming up in April, when he stars in Draft Day. But the story of this movie again is the terrific Hallie Steinfeld. Although this will not be a huge hit, this young actress is being handled so well it's borderline brilliant. She has made 4 movies, True Grit, Romeo And Juliet, Enders Game and now this. She has played opposite Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Harrison Ford, and now Costner, plus she did a bit of Shakespeare...well i might add. All Hollywood A-listers. Who else has started off this great?
She is simply terrific every time. I am starting to think she may be the best child actress I or any of us have ever seen. She is 100 percent authentic and believable in everything she does. Her grasp of what she is supposed to do is stunning, and the fact she is doing it with Hollywood's biggest stars is simply amazing.
This movie is not great, but it is fun, and it is great to see her continue to grow as an actress. The supporting cast here is fun, and well thought out. Should be noted, there is some graphic violence here, mixed in with this fast paced script. And maybe the best thing about this movie is,it's comfortable in it's own skin.
3 Days To Kill. Not great, but fun. Well done.
This movie in some regards is just awful. And at the same time, it is extremely entertaining all at the same time. It's a CIA thriller, action movie, and has a bunch of irony, and some pretty funny comedy. Generally, when a movie tries to be all things to all people it fails miserably. But somehow, not here.
Costner stars as Ethan, a 32- year CIA veteran who has spent his adult life roaming the world doing dirty CIA jobs, all the while leaving his wife Tina, (Connie Nielson) and teenage daughter Zoey (Hallie Steinfeld). He is in the middle of a huge job trying to kill a terrorist that is trying to buy a dirty bomb to use against the USA. During the job, Ethan is diagnosed with terminal cancer, and he decides to leave the CIA and find his estranged wife and daughter who are living in Paris.
He then is confronted by ViVi (Amber Heard). She is a deep CIA operative who offers Ethan a top secret, successful, experimental cancer treatment in exchange for re-entering the CIA and finishing the job he started. So he does, all the while keeping his illness and his new CIA involvement secret from his family. Can he pull it off all the while trying to re-connect with his daughter?
This movie is done fairly well with some very good writing at times, and actually some very funny scenes where Ethan tries to balance his CIA-ness and being a dad. This movie does a very nice job of not taking itself too seriously, and completely understands what kind of movie it is. This is not some testosterone fest, it is simply entertaining. It is a February release that is designed for 2 hours of escapism for us trying to get out of the cold for a while.
Costner is back in a starring role for the first time in a long time, and I thought it was one of his best roles in a while. He also has another huge role coming up in April, when he stars in Draft Day. But the story of this movie again is the terrific Hallie Steinfeld. Although this will not be a huge hit, this young actress is being handled so well it's borderline brilliant. She has made 4 movies, True Grit, Romeo And Juliet, Enders Game and now this. She has played opposite Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Harrison Ford, and now Costner, plus she did a bit of Shakespeare...well i might add. All Hollywood A-listers. Who else has started off this great?
She is simply terrific every time. I am starting to think she may be the best child actress I or any of us have ever seen. She is 100 percent authentic and believable in everything she does. Her grasp of what she is supposed to do is stunning, and the fact she is doing it with Hollywood's biggest stars is simply amazing.
This movie is not great, but it is fun, and it is great to see her continue to grow as an actress. The supporting cast here is fun, and well thought out. Should be noted, there is some graphic violence here, mixed in with this fast paced script. And maybe the best thing about this movie is,it's comfortable in it's own skin.
3 Days To Kill. Not great, but fun. Well done.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - About Last Night
This this will come as a shock to many of you, but Kevin Hart has yet another movie out this week. He is the hottest comedian on the planet, and this stretch has him dominating the box office as well and a few movies you can see him in right now.
About Last Night is an interesting movie. It is in essence a "classic" romantic comedy. It does not follow the trend now of the "action" romantic comedy with a bunch of car chases, gun play, and actually more action sequences than romance, as they barely tie in a love story. This has none of that. But should be noted, the contemporary spin put into this classic formula is that is a hard, and I mean hard Rated R. And deserved.
This is the story of two young and very different couples in modern day Los Angeles. Meet Bernie (Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall). They are like oil and water. They can't get along anywhere except the bedroom. They are in an on-again, off-again sexual relationship that seemingly is as far as it will go. Then there's Danny (Michael Ealy) and Debbie (Joy Bryant). They are far more compatible overall, and they have committed themselves to their relationship more that the previous two. They are all friends, and spend much of this involved in clever and graphic discussions about each others relationships. Will these couples find it in them to come of age, and decide that a contemporary relationship is more than just sex?
This has a lot going for it, as it is fun to see a "real" romantic comedy made again. Our characters are essentially well defined and overall well written. Hart spends much of his time doing what he does best, improvising scene after scene bringing his stand up to his role. Many may not find him quite as funny here as other roles, because of it's design and in is a softer setting. Hall is in the same boat as you will deduct that these two were turned loose to improv many of their mutual scenes. And much of that works.
Ealy and Bryant have a nice chemistry, as you could imagine these two dating in real life.They do look good together. In the long run, this movie really revolves far more around them them than the other two which was a great decision. Hall and Hart would have fatigued us out had the roles been reversed. There are a couple of side plots that seem cumbersome and unnecessary but it's not a movie killer.
Should be noted that what this basically is, is a movie about sex. This is loaded with often humorous dialogue that is graphic from all of our characters, and that is a theme from first to last frame. But they really come out of the box with slap-your-face early scenes that let you know this although this is "classic", this is not Sleepless In Seattle. This may be a bit too long, and at times wanders a bit off course, this is pretty fun.
About Last Night. Disregard the trailers you'll see. This is a hard Rated R movie, and the previews are not very accurate on the actual content of this movie. I laughed some, and I applaud the attempt at making a movie with a formula that doesn't exist much anymore.
About Last Night is an interesting movie. It is in essence a "classic" romantic comedy. It does not follow the trend now of the "action" romantic comedy with a bunch of car chases, gun play, and actually more action sequences than romance, as they barely tie in a love story. This has none of that. But should be noted, the contemporary spin put into this classic formula is that is a hard, and I mean hard Rated R. And deserved.
This is the story of two young and very different couples in modern day Los Angeles. Meet Bernie (Hart) and Joan (Regina Hall). They are like oil and water. They can't get along anywhere except the bedroom. They are in an on-again, off-again sexual relationship that seemingly is as far as it will go. Then there's Danny (Michael Ealy) and Debbie (Joy Bryant). They are far more compatible overall, and they have committed themselves to their relationship more that the previous two. They are all friends, and spend much of this involved in clever and graphic discussions about each others relationships. Will these couples find it in them to come of age, and decide that a contemporary relationship is more than just sex?
This has a lot going for it, as it is fun to see a "real" romantic comedy made again. Our characters are essentially well defined and overall well written. Hart spends much of his time doing what he does best, improvising scene after scene bringing his stand up to his role. Many may not find him quite as funny here as other roles, because of it's design and in is a softer setting. Hall is in the same boat as you will deduct that these two were turned loose to improv many of their mutual scenes. And much of that works.
Ealy and Bryant have a nice chemistry, as you could imagine these two dating in real life.They do look good together. In the long run, this movie really revolves far more around them them than the other two which was a great decision. Hall and Hart would have fatigued us out had the roles been reversed. There are a couple of side plots that seem cumbersome and unnecessary but it's not a movie killer.
Should be noted that what this basically is, is a movie about sex. This is loaded with often humorous dialogue that is graphic from all of our characters, and that is a theme from first to last frame. But they really come out of the box with slap-your-face early scenes that let you know this although this is "classic", this is not Sleepless In Seattle. This may be a bit too long, and at times wanders a bit off course, this is pretty fun.
About Last Night. Disregard the trailers you'll see. This is a hard Rated R movie, and the previews are not very accurate on the actual content of this movie. I laughed some, and I applaud the attempt at making a movie with a formula that doesn't exist much anymore.
Friday, February 14, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Winters Tale
It was a big book, and now it's a movie. The new mythical, Winters Tale is out just in time for Valentine's Day.
Right up front, this is a very dramatic, artsy, and a bit schmaltzy love story that certainly will not be appeal to everyone. This is though a very good romantic date movie, and one that actually does make you feel good for the most part. And yes, there are some silly holes in this story, but so what? Sometimes you just have to watch a movie and move on.
This is a classic "Good Vs.Evil" movie. It takes place in the early 20th century for the most part, as Peter (Colin Farrell) meets Beverly (Jessica Brown Findlay). She is a 21 year old beautiful woman who is dying from consumption, common in those days. Peter is a common thief and meets Beverly by accident and falls in love with her. She is from extreme wealth, he is not.
All the while at play is the supernatural part of our story. While Beverly appears to be "chosen" and blessed by the light, there is evil on earth, and they are out to get Beverly because of her amazing capacity for love and good. The Demon (Russell Crowe) dressed as a common man wants her dead. The demons hold the belief that all humans have the gift of one miracle in them. And hers is very valuable.
Eventually Beverly does give in to her illness, and passes over. Heartbroken, Peter suddenly finds himself in 2014, in modern day New York City. He has no idea how he got there, and has no idea why he is there. He meets and befriends Virginia (Jennifer Connelly) who has a young daughter dying of cancer. As Peter tries to figure out his destiny, and how all of this has happened, he finds that the demons are still, 100 years later after him, to prevent his miracle from taking place. That is it in a nutshell. Of course, there are far more nuances than we have time for here.
There are a bunch of holes in this movie. And there are moments that it is a bit much on the "awwww" meter. But I say that's OK. This movie looks real nice, and overall is a very uplifting piece that makes you happy. It's a bit predictable, and a whole lot idealistic, but it's Valentine's Day. Many critics are going to hammer away at this thing with a sledge, and I think that's a shame. We need a bit of chivalrous movie making from time to time.
This movie at times is quite sensuous, and overall very romantic. It also holds on very nicely to it's very apt PG-13 rating. Findlay is wonderfully alluring and captivating as the enigmatic, and blessed Beverly. She was incredibly well cast, and is the movies bread and butter. The character written for her is splendid and she breathes wonderful life into a character losing her own. Crowe, seems a bit out of water here, but I think some of that was the silly character invented for him. Connelly is over casted, her role is very small, but she's fine. Farrell, was born to be in this movie and holds his own well in this large role. Also kudos to those in support including William Hurt and even Will Smith.
Winters Tale. In the long run - forgettable. But for today, fun date movie. Enjoy and have some fun.
Right up front, this is a very dramatic, artsy, and a bit schmaltzy love story that certainly will not be appeal to everyone. This is though a very good romantic date movie, and one that actually does make you feel good for the most part. And yes, there are some silly holes in this story, but so what? Sometimes you just have to watch a movie and move on.
This is a classic "Good Vs.Evil" movie. It takes place in the early 20th century for the most part, as Peter (Colin Farrell) meets Beverly (Jessica Brown Findlay). She is a 21 year old beautiful woman who is dying from consumption, common in those days. Peter is a common thief and meets Beverly by accident and falls in love with her. She is from extreme wealth, he is not.
All the while at play is the supernatural part of our story. While Beverly appears to be "chosen" and blessed by the light, there is evil on earth, and they are out to get Beverly because of her amazing capacity for love and good. The Demon (Russell Crowe) dressed as a common man wants her dead. The demons hold the belief that all humans have the gift of one miracle in them. And hers is very valuable.
Eventually Beverly does give in to her illness, and passes over. Heartbroken, Peter suddenly finds himself in 2014, in modern day New York City. He has no idea how he got there, and has no idea why he is there. He meets and befriends Virginia (Jennifer Connelly) who has a young daughter dying of cancer. As Peter tries to figure out his destiny, and how all of this has happened, he finds that the demons are still, 100 years later after him, to prevent his miracle from taking place. That is it in a nutshell. Of course, there are far more nuances than we have time for here.
There are a bunch of holes in this movie. And there are moments that it is a bit much on the "awwww" meter. But I say that's OK. This movie looks real nice, and overall is a very uplifting piece that makes you happy. It's a bit predictable, and a whole lot idealistic, but it's Valentine's Day. Many critics are going to hammer away at this thing with a sledge, and I think that's a shame. We need a bit of chivalrous movie making from time to time.
This movie at times is quite sensuous, and overall very romantic. It also holds on very nicely to it's very apt PG-13 rating. Findlay is wonderfully alluring and captivating as the enigmatic, and blessed Beverly. She was incredibly well cast, and is the movies bread and butter. The character written for her is splendid and she breathes wonderful life into a character losing her own. Crowe, seems a bit out of water here, but I think some of that was the silly character invented for him. Connelly is over casted, her role is very small, but she's fine. Farrell, was born to be in this movie and holds his own well in this large role. Also kudos to those in support including William Hurt and even Will Smith.
Winters Tale. In the long run - forgettable. But for today, fun date movie. Enjoy and have some fun.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Vampire Academy
Before reviewing one minute of this movie, it should be known that I am clearly not the core or target audience for this. But, that just puts me in the majority. This is very tightly skewed.
Vampire Academy is sort of a parody, sort of not. Sort of a poor-man's Twilight, and a bit of Harry Potter, and kind of silly all the way around. To be more than honest, the actual story is far too difficult to describe here. In fact, it's so difficult, they couldn't even describe it to us on screen in any real effective way. And among the other problems this movie has, that is the kingpin of them all.
This takes place on the campus of Vampire Academy in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It's a private high school for various factions of vampires to get their education, and learn the traditions of each separate factions. Sound silly? It is. And in doing so, these vampire kids have some of the same problems that regular high school things do, and of course many that they do not.
There is a bunch of silly fighting and ridiculous actions scenes that do nothing to make this any better. There is some funny and ironic, understated humor at times, and will admit there are a few chuckles here. But I always remembered during this one hour and forty five minute to me mess, this is not for me.
This is clearly and narrowly targeted at young high school girls - period. And they actually do super serve them remarkably well. Much of this is highly reflective of their own lives, and what is not, it the exact thing that tons of them are reading about, or watching on TV or in other movies. Plus, you might think that movies made with buxom, and beautiful young women, and hunky guys that it might jump off the raunchy wagon and be filled with tons of objectionable material. But it's not, keeping a very tame PG-13.
This is going to be one of those movies that critics are going to totally hate, and the audience that chooses to go see it, are going to love. There won't be many other than the exact target that are going to see this one. And to me, that's OK. We all need movies to go see. When a movie that is basically harmless fills a void in the movie going world, I always give praise.
Vampire Academy. Not for me, but very effective for some.
Vampire Academy is sort of a parody, sort of not. Sort of a poor-man's Twilight, and a bit of Harry Potter, and kind of silly all the way around. To be more than honest, the actual story is far too difficult to describe here. In fact, it's so difficult, they couldn't even describe it to us on screen in any real effective way. And among the other problems this movie has, that is the kingpin of them all.
This takes place on the campus of Vampire Academy in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. It's a private high school for various factions of vampires to get their education, and learn the traditions of each separate factions. Sound silly? It is. And in doing so, these vampire kids have some of the same problems that regular high school things do, and of course many that they do not.
There is a bunch of silly fighting and ridiculous actions scenes that do nothing to make this any better. There is some funny and ironic, understated humor at times, and will admit there are a few chuckles here. But I always remembered during this one hour and forty five minute to me mess, this is not for me.
This is clearly and narrowly targeted at young high school girls - period. And they actually do super serve them remarkably well. Much of this is highly reflective of their own lives, and what is not, it the exact thing that tons of them are reading about, or watching on TV or in other movies. Plus, you might think that movies made with buxom, and beautiful young women, and hunky guys that it might jump off the raunchy wagon and be filled with tons of objectionable material. But it's not, keeping a very tame PG-13.
This is going to be one of those movies that critics are going to totally hate, and the audience that chooses to go see it, are going to love. There won't be many other than the exact target that are going to see this one. And to me, that's OK. We all need movies to go see. When a movie that is basically harmless fills a void in the movie going world, I always give praise.
Vampire Academy. Not for me, but very effective for some.
Friday, February 7, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW -The Monuments Men
When I say that the new star-studded WWII movie The Monuments Men is disappointing, that doesn't actually mean bad. But this should have been a whole lot better.
This is a story we've not seen before and that always gets high points with me. It is based on the true story of a band of men near the end of WWII in Europe who are sent in to recover Nazi stolen art and religious artifacts, of which there were millions. What were the Nazi's going to do with all of this wealth and heritage? There were about 300 real Monuments Men then, but in our movie adaptation we have 7.
This stars George Clooney (also writes and directs), Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchette and others. A huge roll call, that is cast into a script that is without soul, and any real clear direction. And that is too darn bad. This is not new for a Clooney directed movie. I so prefer when Clooney is simply a movie star and not the "smartest guy in the room " director. This movie tries so hard to be this clean, above the fray, non-violent, thinking man's movie, and it misses the mark badly in same regards. It never really gets into a great flow, and always stops short of any real drama.
In their defense, it is hard to make trying to recovering lost art exciting on screen, I get it. If the task is too hard, fine. Lets just have this be a terrific documentary on PBS. But you have to let your movie have some teeth, and have some ugliness to it. It was behind enemy lines in WWII, things were ugly, and no one here really gets dirty hands. They also have a tough time developing any of the characters involved, and that really does slow this thing down.
The performances are fine, but that's it. Simply fine. Cate Blanchette again is sensational as an uptight French woman who is an art curator helping the Men in their search to find the art. She is really hitting her stride as an actress, as she will probably win an Oscar this year for Blue Jasmine. Funny, with all this male firepower in this movie, she is easily the best thing in it. Again, when you toss this many big names into a movie many times there is simply not enough movie to go around. And that happens here.
This is not a bad movie, and not a wasted night out either. The sets are great, the costumes are great, and it is fun to see all these stars in one place making one movie. The problem is a weak script and a movie that really has no climax, and no sense of drama pushing to the finish line.
The Monuments Men. Instead of looking at the screen, you may be checking the time on your phone.
This is a story we've not seen before and that always gets high points with me. It is based on the true story of a band of men near the end of WWII in Europe who are sent in to recover Nazi stolen art and religious artifacts, of which there were millions. What were the Nazi's going to do with all of this wealth and heritage? There were about 300 real Monuments Men then, but in our movie adaptation we have 7.
This stars George Clooney (also writes and directs), Matt Damon, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Cate Blanchette and others. A huge roll call, that is cast into a script that is without soul, and any real clear direction. And that is too darn bad. This is not new for a Clooney directed movie. I so prefer when Clooney is simply a movie star and not the "smartest guy in the room " director. This movie tries so hard to be this clean, above the fray, non-violent, thinking man's movie, and it misses the mark badly in same regards. It never really gets into a great flow, and always stops short of any real drama.
In their defense, it is hard to make trying to recovering lost art exciting on screen, I get it. If the task is too hard, fine. Lets just have this be a terrific documentary on PBS. But you have to let your movie have some teeth, and have some ugliness to it. It was behind enemy lines in WWII, things were ugly, and no one here really gets dirty hands. They also have a tough time developing any of the characters involved, and that really does slow this thing down.
The performances are fine, but that's it. Simply fine. Cate Blanchette again is sensational as an uptight French woman who is an art curator helping the Men in their search to find the art. She is really hitting her stride as an actress, as she will probably win an Oscar this year for Blue Jasmine. Funny, with all this male firepower in this movie, she is easily the best thing in it. Again, when you toss this many big names into a movie many times there is simply not enough movie to go around. And that happens here.
This is not a bad movie, and not a wasted night out either. The sets are great, the costumes are great, and it is fun to see all these stars in one place making one movie. The problem is a weak script and a movie that really has no climax, and no sense of drama pushing to the finish line.
The Monuments Men. Instead of looking at the screen, you may be checking the time on your phone.
MOVIE REVIEW - Labor Day
It's hard to imagine a movie that takes itself more seriously than the new drama, Labor Day starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin.
This a movie that takes place in 1987 in New England Labor Day Weekend. Meet Adele (Winslet). She is a massively depressed,beautiful, young divorced mother of a 12 year old son, Henry (Gattlin Griffith). She is so mentally debilitated that she only leaves the house once a month, under protest, to pick up supplies in town.
Meet Frank, (Brolin). He is an escaped convict from a local pen, who is serving a 20 year sentence for murder. As Adele and Henry are in town at the store, they encounter Frank, but don't know at first of his plight of begin a con on the run. He basically convinces them that he needs a ride back to their house so he can rest up for a while. They do, then figure out that he is the escaped prisoner and they feel like they have no choice.
Meanwhile back at Adele's house, it turns out the Frank is a great guy! He is amazingly handsome and insanely well groomed. He cooks, bakes pies, and even mops the floors. He in fact, does all kinds of handy work around the house over the next day or two and settles in to a very enjoyable weekend with Adele and Henry. He even mentors Henry at baseball, and basically becomes the father figure lacking in young Henry's life all in 24 hours. Then Frank extends his handy work to actually sleeping with Adele while Henry listens in the next bedroom. They fall in love, and now what? She's got problems, and he's a convicted murderer?
I know I am making a bit of fun of this, but literally this is the plot of this movie. But in its defense, it is told far more sensually than I just described here. They also do make a nice attempt to define why Adele is the way she is, and they do make you question if Frank is really guilty or not. And all of that is fine. But the problem is, the whole thing is just so far-fetched and actually ludicrous at times.
I know Adele is a lonely and depressed woman in the prime of her life, but I do have to wonder what woman I have ever known would sleep with a convicted murderer she just met 12 hours ago. Let alone fall in love with him. And how bad can life really be anyway, when the worst thing you have going for you is looking like Kate Winslet? OK, that is not her fault, but her casting doesn't give her character any real credibility for being this hopeless woman. Even though she is a fine actress, and this seemed like a nice project, perhaps someone a bit more say....common.
And what are the odds that a convicted murderer in jail for 20 years is this great guy, who is a great cook and baker who makes peach pie? And not to mention, looks like Josh Brolin? But, that is the fantasy of it all with the core audience that this will appeal to. It's sort of like a Nicholas Sparks novel on steroids, if that's possible. The problem overall is, it is all just presented so immensely serious. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly is not a comedy, but this goes way up and beyond, trying too hard to be this incredible fantasy tale that will leave you breathless at the end.
Some of this looks almost like a parody, and doesn't work at all. Some of this does work and is romantic and spot on. Problem is overall it just doesn't work. At times it looks more like an hour long TV drama, rather than a full length feature movie.
Labor Day. Good cast, silly story, over the top told.
This a movie that takes place in 1987 in New England Labor Day Weekend. Meet Adele (Winslet). She is a massively depressed,beautiful, young divorced mother of a 12 year old son, Henry (Gattlin Griffith). She is so mentally debilitated that she only leaves the house once a month, under protest, to pick up supplies in town.
Meet Frank, (Brolin). He is an escaped convict from a local pen, who is serving a 20 year sentence for murder. As Adele and Henry are in town at the store, they encounter Frank, but don't know at first of his plight of begin a con on the run. He basically convinces them that he needs a ride back to their house so he can rest up for a while. They do, then figure out that he is the escaped prisoner and they feel like they have no choice.
Meanwhile back at Adele's house, it turns out the Frank is a great guy! He is amazingly handsome and insanely well groomed. He cooks, bakes pies, and even mops the floors. He in fact, does all kinds of handy work around the house over the next day or two and settles in to a very enjoyable weekend with Adele and Henry. He even mentors Henry at baseball, and basically becomes the father figure lacking in young Henry's life all in 24 hours. Then Frank extends his handy work to actually sleeping with Adele while Henry listens in the next bedroom. They fall in love, and now what? She's got problems, and he's a convicted murderer?
I know I am making a bit of fun of this, but literally this is the plot of this movie. But in its defense, it is told far more sensually than I just described here. They also do make a nice attempt to define why Adele is the way she is, and they do make you question if Frank is really guilty or not. And all of that is fine. But the problem is, the whole thing is just so far-fetched and actually ludicrous at times.
I know Adele is a lonely and depressed woman in the prime of her life, but I do have to wonder what woman I have ever known would sleep with a convicted murderer she just met 12 hours ago. Let alone fall in love with him. And how bad can life really be anyway, when the worst thing you have going for you is looking like Kate Winslet? OK, that is not her fault, but her casting doesn't give her character any real credibility for being this hopeless woman. Even though she is a fine actress, and this seemed like a nice project, perhaps someone a bit more say....common.
And what are the odds that a convicted murderer in jail for 20 years is this great guy, who is a great cook and baker who makes peach pie? And not to mention, looks like Josh Brolin? But, that is the fantasy of it all with the core audience that this will appeal to. It's sort of like a Nicholas Sparks novel on steroids, if that's possible. The problem overall is, it is all just presented so immensely serious. Don't get me wrong, it's certainly is not a comedy, but this goes way up and beyond, trying too hard to be this incredible fantasy tale that will leave you breathless at the end.
Some of this looks almost like a parody, and doesn't work at all. Some of this does work and is romantic and spot on. Problem is overall it just doesn't work. At times it looks more like an hour long TV drama, rather than a full length feature movie.
Labor Day. Good cast, silly story, over the top told.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - That Awkward Moment
That Awkward Moment is new this week, and at first look it appears is could be a diamond in the rough.
TAM stars Zac Efron, and the very talented Miles Teller. In a nutshell, this is a story of three young men who are wrestling between being "dudes" and men. They are typical hormone raged guys in their late 20's who are finding that life continues to move on, even if their maturity level does not.
Jason (Efron) Daniel (Teller) and Mike (Michael B. Jordan) are three guys that have been friends since college. After Mike finds out his young wife is having an affair and wants a divorce, the three amigos decide that they will all stay out of relationships and just run around dogging chicks and living the single life. Problem is, they all meet the women they didn't know they were looking for along the way. Now the battle is on to see who can hold out the longest, and who will actually tell the others that they are in a relationship. Sound a bit hollow? It is.
This though is not a complete washout. There is an extremely accurate portrayal of young guys in today's world and their dating value system. And much of the banter between these guys is pretty spot on. These scenes, through crude, are the movies best. Teller especially is a very funny young actor who is certainly destined for more creative projects as time moves along.
There is a story in there somewhere, but you have to wade through a whole lot of very crude language and subject matter to get to it. That approach, though accurate, does get old. The supporting cast is very good, with the wonderfully flawed Imogen Potts as Jason's love interest, and Mackenzie Davis is also very interesting to watch on screen.
But overall this maybe good idea, just doesn't have the punch it needs to make it really great. The movie does not dare to be anything except crude and sophomoric at times and that's a shame. There are some nice fresh faces on the screen here which is great, but tired writing doesn't have them saying or doing anything new.
That Awkward Moment. Average at best.
TAM stars Zac Efron, and the very talented Miles Teller. In a nutshell, this is a story of three young men who are wrestling between being "dudes" and men. They are typical hormone raged guys in their late 20's who are finding that life continues to move on, even if their maturity level does not.
Jason (Efron) Daniel (Teller) and Mike (Michael B. Jordan) are three guys that have been friends since college. After Mike finds out his young wife is having an affair and wants a divorce, the three amigos decide that they will all stay out of relationships and just run around dogging chicks and living the single life. Problem is, they all meet the women they didn't know they were looking for along the way. Now the battle is on to see who can hold out the longest, and who will actually tell the others that they are in a relationship. Sound a bit hollow? It is.
This though is not a complete washout. There is an extremely accurate portrayal of young guys in today's world and their dating value system. And much of the banter between these guys is pretty spot on. These scenes, through crude, are the movies best. Teller especially is a very funny young actor who is certainly destined for more creative projects as time moves along.
There is a story in there somewhere, but you have to wade through a whole lot of very crude language and subject matter to get to it. That approach, though accurate, does get old. The supporting cast is very good, with the wonderfully flawed Imogen Potts as Jason's love interest, and Mackenzie Davis is also very interesting to watch on screen.
But overall this maybe good idea, just doesn't have the punch it needs to make it really great. The movie does not dare to be anything except crude and sophomoric at times and that's a shame. There are some nice fresh faces on the screen here which is great, but tired writing doesn't have them saying or doing anything new.
That Awkward Moment. Average at best.
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