One of the more powerful movies of 2014, is finally playing locally at a few theaters. In very limited release, the high drama piece, Still Alice with now Oscar winner Julianne Moore.
Still Alice is a very moving movie based on a book about a young woman, Alice (Moore). She is a big time professor at Columbia University in New York City, and the mother of three grown children. She is 50 years old, and has a wonderful marriage to her husband John (Alec Baldwin). Then, as the next phase of her life is about to begin, she is stricken with Alzheimer's Disease.
Her form of it is very aggressive and it appears that her prognosis is not very good at all. So what this movie does is chronicle her coping with this horrible diagnosis along with her family. She decides that she is going to do all she can to live the best life possible. But she soon learns that this is not going to be easy, and that how her family reacts to this is as important as her reaction to it. This take us on this incredibly difficult journey.
This movie is a very difficult to watch, even for those of us who have not been down the road with this awful disease in our lives. This movie will be incredibly moving to those who have in one way shape or form. Truth be told this is gut wrenching at times, as it is a sobering reminder that life is fragile, especially when an illness strikes someone in their prime that is not supposed to. This is not light movie watching and is certainly not for everyone.
Julianne Moore just won an Oscar for this, and she is very good in this tragic role of a woman and her family. She is quite good in this, as this is a huge part that she immerses herself in totally. Truth is, I am not a huge fan of hers, but this is the defining role of her career. Sadly, because of the smallness of the release, and then difficult subject matter, few in the grand scheme of things will see her here - at her best.
This has a nice supporting cast along with Baldwin, Kristin Stewart (Twilight), is her youngest daughter, and has never been better in any role. But the reality is, that this is Moore's movie along with the powerful script that grip you throughout. This will be way too close to the bone for some, and may be some nice therapy for others depending on your DNA. But regardless, this is one heavy, deep drama.
Still Alice. Pretty tough stuff. But well done.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Saturday, February 21, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Kingsman The Secret Service
When graphic novels or comic books come to life, the movie going world seems to unite behind it. Here comes Kingsman, and it's the latest to show up big at the box office.
Kingsman is a modern comic book brought to the screen, and it's a very interesting marriage of James Bond, and the modern action movie. It has people talking and movie goers loving this. And for the most part, Kingsman is quite good. Although, there is a fumble or two in this but none of it is a deal breaker.
This movie uses the great formula from Bond, of creating a compelling villain that drives this cleanly down the road. Plus, that formula sets this up to be successful for sequels to come. It has worked for Bond for 50 years. That formula keeps it fresh and gives it great shelf life.
A "Kingsman" is an amazingly trained secret agent based in London that is off the radar. Even from the British Government. They were formed after WW1, and they answer to no one, and no one officially knows they exist. They are the new Knights Of The Round Table, even using classic knight names as their code names.
The villain here is, Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson). He is a whacked out high tech mogul that has bought into the climate change debate world wide in a big way. He believes that the only way to fix the problem is to drastically reduce the worlds population for humans to survive. So he offers everyone on earth a "free Sim card" that gives them free phone, texts, emails TV, and free communication for life. Billions worldwide are installed, but there is a problem. The device with the new card now, can be activated to make people loose their mind, turn o each other, and eventually kill each other all over the world. Thus, reduce the population.
Enter the Kingsman, who are going to try to stop him and save the world. With their gadgetry, and training and the will to win. There of course is tons more to this story, but the fun is in the discovery when seeing this. In addition to Jackson, this stars Colin Firth, Micheal Cane, Taron Egerton, and a really nice supporting cast that gives this a real nice feel. This is fun, action based, violent at times, and really funny. This is a very nice mix of many good things that are fun for adults to see. This is rated R, and well deserved.
On the downside, there are a couple scenes that are a bit too violent and certainly too long. This also belabors itself, and is too long. But the action for most part is fun, and this movie has a real nice look to it. I can see more on the horizon, and certainly primed for success. This also makes very loud social commentary if you watch closely, and sends a huge message on personal privacy.
Kingman: The Secret Service. Fun.
Kingsman is a modern comic book brought to the screen, and it's a very interesting marriage of James Bond, and the modern action movie. It has people talking and movie goers loving this. And for the most part, Kingsman is quite good. Although, there is a fumble or two in this but none of it is a deal breaker.
This movie uses the great formula from Bond, of creating a compelling villain that drives this cleanly down the road. Plus, that formula sets this up to be successful for sequels to come. It has worked for Bond for 50 years. That formula keeps it fresh and gives it great shelf life.
A "Kingsman" is an amazingly trained secret agent based in London that is off the radar. Even from the British Government. They were formed after WW1, and they answer to no one, and no one officially knows they exist. They are the new Knights Of The Round Table, even using classic knight names as their code names.
The villain here is, Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson). He is a whacked out high tech mogul that has bought into the climate change debate world wide in a big way. He believes that the only way to fix the problem is to drastically reduce the worlds population for humans to survive. So he offers everyone on earth a "free Sim card" that gives them free phone, texts, emails TV, and free communication for life. Billions worldwide are installed, but there is a problem. The device with the new card now, can be activated to make people loose their mind, turn o each other, and eventually kill each other all over the world. Thus, reduce the population.
Enter the Kingsman, who are going to try to stop him and save the world. With their gadgetry, and training and the will to win. There of course is tons more to this story, but the fun is in the discovery when seeing this. In addition to Jackson, this stars Colin Firth, Micheal Cane, Taron Egerton, and a really nice supporting cast that gives this a real nice feel. This is fun, action based, violent at times, and really funny. This is a very nice mix of many good things that are fun for adults to see. This is rated R, and well deserved.
On the downside, there are a couple scenes that are a bit too violent and certainly too long. This also belabors itself, and is too long. But the action for most part is fun, and this movie has a real nice look to it. I can see more on the horizon, and certainly primed for success. This also makes very loud social commentary if you watch closely, and sends a huge message on personal privacy.
Kingman: The Secret Service. Fun.
Friday, February 20, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Sometimes sequels are a good idea. Most times they are not. Then there is Hot Tub Time Machine 2, which is now the mother of all bad sequel ideas.
When the original came out in 2010, and it was a surprise hit. A guilty pleasure that battled a stupid name, and an outrageous idea, a ridiculous premise and a bunch of eye rolls during the previews and somehow found an audience and gave us all a few laughs. Fine. Well done. But let's not go back to the same tub again 5 years later with part of the original cast and do this all again.
This picks up where the original left off. These goofy guys found this hot tub that was capable of time travel, and it ended up changing all of their lives. OK, I'm good with that. But here, this is simply an excuse for movie makers to make a movie that totally targets 17 year old boys with humor they can't resist. This movie is like a poster child for juvenile, bathroom humor from start to finish.
I'm not even going into the plot line because in essence, there is none. This is just one cliche' after another, and one more locker room humor scene after another, sprinkled in the middle of heavy drinking and recreational drug usage. This has an R rating, and well deserved with its F-word heavy language and repeated nasty gags. Look, don't get me wrong, all of this can be tolerated in smaller dosages and be funny. But this is simply dumb, and directionless. And it is set up for more to come.
It is a pity when sometimes a funny, surprise concept that was lucky once, is resurrected badly in a sequel and ends up tarnishing the original. But that is what Hollywood does. They are out of original ideas and dig up ones from the past and attempt to catch lightning in a bottle again. But is seldom works. That's why it's called lightning in a bottle. It's hard to do and it's rare.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2. Bad idea. Netflix in 90 days - if you must.
When the original came out in 2010, and it was a surprise hit. A guilty pleasure that battled a stupid name, and an outrageous idea, a ridiculous premise and a bunch of eye rolls during the previews and somehow found an audience and gave us all a few laughs. Fine. Well done. But let's not go back to the same tub again 5 years later with part of the original cast and do this all again.
This picks up where the original left off. These goofy guys found this hot tub that was capable of time travel, and it ended up changing all of their lives. OK, I'm good with that. But here, this is simply an excuse for movie makers to make a movie that totally targets 17 year old boys with humor they can't resist. This movie is like a poster child for juvenile, bathroom humor from start to finish.
I'm not even going into the plot line because in essence, there is none. This is just one cliche' after another, and one more locker room humor scene after another, sprinkled in the middle of heavy drinking and recreational drug usage. This has an R rating, and well deserved with its F-word heavy language and repeated nasty gags. Look, don't get me wrong, all of this can be tolerated in smaller dosages and be funny. But this is simply dumb, and directionless. And it is set up for more to come.
It is a pity when sometimes a funny, surprise concept that was lucky once, is resurrected badly in a sequel and ends up tarnishing the original. But that is what Hollywood does. They are out of original ideas and dig up ones from the past and attempt to catch lightning in a bottle again. But is seldom works. That's why it's called lightning in a bottle. It's hard to do and it's rare.
Hot Tub Time Machine 2. Bad idea. Netflix in 90 days - if you must.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
2015 Oscar Preview and Picks
The Academy Awards are Sunday. It is the zenith of the award show season, and the 87th annual Oscars will be one of the more memorable ones in a while.
Over the past few years, the academy has expanded the nomination list so that more movies can be nominated and viewers can be more engaged in the awards show on TV. But this year the theory seems to have backfired, as virtually all the Oscar nominated movies, are not "hits" with fans. more than normal. This could be a problem holding a TV audience.
This year I saw 160 movies, and reviewed them all. Here I will pick who I think will actually win the awards in the six major categories. I feel that this year many of the years best overall movies were snubbed from even the nominations list. I will also give you my personal pick for whom I would choose. So let's get started, with the 2015 Oscar Preview and Picks.
Best Picture
The Winner Will Be - Boyhood. Hollywood just loves this movie, and it has won a ton already. Very interesting concept of filming over 12 years with the same cast, and everyone ages the same. Yes this is quite good, but this is overrated and certainly too long at 2:45. But this will be too tempting for the academy not to pick.
My Pick Would Be - American Sniper. Being honest this is the best movie from an 8 movie list that in my view does not include many of the years best movies. From the list provided, this is the best overall movie. Well done and this resonated with fans in a way far more than just a movie can. It was the only one to do so.
Best Actor
The Winner Will Be - Bradley Cooper from American Sniper. This is the runaway best actor performance of the year. This movie will be overlooked most of the night by the academy, but they will more than likely get this one right. He is Hollywood's next great leading man, and this is his moment. Although, Eddie Redmayne from The Theory Of Everything is a strong contender too.
My Pick Would Be - Bradley Cooper. The role size, the transformation into character, the performance. Simply the best of the year. And not by a little.
Best Actress
The Winner Will Be - Felicity Jones from The Theory Of Everything. This is a huge role, and she is sensational in it. Playing a character over the course of 30 years or so. She is brilliant, and this movie in general could be a dark hourse for hauling in the hardware Sunday.
My Pick Would Be - Rosamund Pike from Gone Girl. She was superb as the whacked out woman in a movie that fans loved. This is a large role, maybe the biggest of the year for an actress. She delivered. If not for this, maybe never for her.
Best Supporting Actor
The Winner Will Be - Ed Norton for Birdman. He was so well cast as the typical egomaniac live theater actor on Broadway. He takes this movie from interesting, and makes it really good. Without his performance, this is not near the movie it was.
My Pick Would Be - Ed Norton. This is easily the winner here. Anything less would be a crime. But keep your eye on J.K. Simmons from Whiplash. Could be a sentimental choice for an actor in his only real chance to maybe ever win.
Best Supporting Actress
The Winner Will Be - Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. This movie is going to win some awards, and this is one of them. She is solid in this role, but to me not Oscar worthy of even a nomination. But this movie could be a rock rolling downhill all night long.
My Pick Would Be - Keira Knightley for The Imitation Game. This should be a slam dunk, but it won't be. She is sensational. This is one of the best performances from anyone in any movie this year. Too bad this will come and go without a win.
Best Director
The Winner Will Be - Richard Kinklater for Boyhood. Incredible concept and the direction of these same actors throughout their lives over a decade - amazing. Really wonderful.
My Pick Would Be - Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Birdman. Again, an amazing concept of the one continuous shot technique. That was the best feature of this movie. Very revolutionary idea.
There are the picks for The 2015 Oscars this Sunday.
scott@wqmx.com
Over the past few years, the academy has expanded the nomination list so that more movies can be nominated and viewers can be more engaged in the awards show on TV. But this year the theory seems to have backfired, as virtually all the Oscar nominated movies, are not "hits" with fans. more than normal. This could be a problem holding a TV audience.
This year I saw 160 movies, and reviewed them all. Here I will pick who I think will actually win the awards in the six major categories. I feel that this year many of the years best overall movies were snubbed from even the nominations list. I will also give you my personal pick for whom I would choose. So let's get started, with the 2015 Oscar Preview and Picks.
Best Picture
The Winner Will Be - Boyhood. Hollywood just loves this movie, and it has won a ton already. Very interesting concept of filming over 12 years with the same cast, and everyone ages the same. Yes this is quite good, but this is overrated and certainly too long at 2:45. But this will be too tempting for the academy not to pick.
My Pick Would Be - American Sniper. Being honest this is the best movie from an 8 movie list that in my view does not include many of the years best movies. From the list provided, this is the best overall movie. Well done and this resonated with fans in a way far more than just a movie can. It was the only one to do so.
Best Actor
The Winner Will Be - Bradley Cooper from American Sniper. This is the runaway best actor performance of the year. This movie will be overlooked most of the night by the academy, but they will more than likely get this one right. He is Hollywood's next great leading man, and this is his moment. Although, Eddie Redmayne from The Theory Of Everything is a strong contender too.
My Pick Would Be - Bradley Cooper. The role size, the transformation into character, the performance. Simply the best of the year. And not by a little.
Best Actress
The Winner Will Be - Felicity Jones from The Theory Of Everything. This is a huge role, and she is sensational in it. Playing a character over the course of 30 years or so. She is brilliant, and this movie in general could be a dark hourse for hauling in the hardware Sunday.
My Pick Would Be - Rosamund Pike from Gone Girl. She was superb as the whacked out woman in a movie that fans loved. This is a large role, maybe the biggest of the year for an actress. She delivered. If not for this, maybe never for her.
Best Supporting Actor
The Winner Will Be - Ed Norton for Birdman. He was so well cast as the typical egomaniac live theater actor on Broadway. He takes this movie from interesting, and makes it really good. Without his performance, this is not near the movie it was.
My Pick Would Be - Ed Norton. This is easily the winner here. Anything less would be a crime. But keep your eye on J.K. Simmons from Whiplash. Could be a sentimental choice for an actor in his only real chance to maybe ever win.
Best Supporting Actress
The Winner Will Be - Patricia Arquette for Boyhood. This movie is going to win some awards, and this is one of them. She is solid in this role, but to me not Oscar worthy of even a nomination. But this movie could be a rock rolling downhill all night long.
My Pick Would Be - Keira Knightley for The Imitation Game. This should be a slam dunk, but it won't be. She is sensational. This is one of the best performances from anyone in any movie this year. Too bad this will come and go without a win.
Best Director
The Winner Will Be - Richard Kinklater for Boyhood. Incredible concept and the direction of these same actors throughout their lives over a decade - amazing. Really wonderful.
My Pick Would Be - Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Birdman. Again, an amazing concept of the one continuous shot technique. That was the best feature of this movie. Very revolutionary idea.
There are the picks for The 2015 Oscars this Sunday.
scott@wqmx.com
Sunday, February 15, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - A Most Violent Year
The small Indy pic, A Most Violent Year is out this week. There has been some buzz about this during the current award season, but not very many people will see this.
The movie has an interesting stigma to it. New York City in 1981 did have its most violent year ever as far as serious crime is concerned. But this particular story that is set in that year and that city is purely fiction. There seems to be some controversy on that. But the truth is sort-or-true, but literally not.
This movie is the story of Abel and his home heating oil company that he has just purchased. He is trying hard to do business the correct and honest way, in an industry that is certainly not. His trucks are getting hijacked by an unknown group, and when the trucks are found, the oil is gone. Someone is trying to put him out of business. Plus, he has just made a major purchase of a waterfront terminal with the down payment being his entire life savings. He has 30 days to pay the balance, or lose the deal and his money.
He refuses to deal with the mob, or any other shady characters that could bail him out after the bank backs out of a deal for the balance. Plus, the local D.A. is after him, and there's an incident where one of his drivers arms himself and gets into a shootout during an attempted hijacking. Abel's company, and his marriage are now on the rocks and can he find a way out?
This movie has a really great reputation, and has been reviewed very well overall. And being honest, this is a good movie. Actually quite good. This is heavy drama that is extremely focused on acting and storytelling and not action. That fact will limit its appeal in today's movie going culture, but for those who are serious movie goers, this is a serious movie.
This stars Oscar Isaac as Abel, and Jessica Chastain as his tough as nails wife, Anna. She has been nominated for numerous awards for her performance here, and they are deserved. She is the absolute strength of this movie outside of the writing, direction, and overall quality of it. True, this will not hold everyone's attention, but this is good. Darn good.
A Most Violent Year. May be tough to find in limited release, but this is darn good.
The movie has an interesting stigma to it. New York City in 1981 did have its most violent year ever as far as serious crime is concerned. But this particular story that is set in that year and that city is purely fiction. There seems to be some controversy on that. But the truth is sort-or-true, but literally not.
This movie is the story of Abel and his home heating oil company that he has just purchased. He is trying hard to do business the correct and honest way, in an industry that is certainly not. His trucks are getting hijacked by an unknown group, and when the trucks are found, the oil is gone. Someone is trying to put him out of business. Plus, he has just made a major purchase of a waterfront terminal with the down payment being his entire life savings. He has 30 days to pay the balance, or lose the deal and his money.
He refuses to deal with the mob, or any other shady characters that could bail him out after the bank backs out of a deal for the balance. Plus, the local D.A. is after him, and there's an incident where one of his drivers arms himself and gets into a shootout during an attempted hijacking. Abel's company, and his marriage are now on the rocks and can he find a way out?
This movie has a really great reputation, and has been reviewed very well overall. And being honest, this is a good movie. Actually quite good. This is heavy drama that is extremely focused on acting and storytelling and not action. That fact will limit its appeal in today's movie going culture, but for those who are serious movie goers, this is a serious movie.
This stars Oscar Isaac as Abel, and Jessica Chastain as his tough as nails wife, Anna. She has been nominated for numerous awards for her performance here, and they are deserved. She is the absolute strength of this movie outside of the writing, direction, and overall quality of it. True, this will not hold everyone's attention, but this is good. Darn good.
A Most Violent Year. May be tough to find in limited release, but this is darn good.
Friday, February 13, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - 50 Shades Of Grey
There certainly has been no shortage of hype for the new 50 Shades Of Grey movie out this week. But does it deliver?
Before we begin, this movie is almost in a no-win situation even before the first frame was filmed. The books are so big, popular and graphic that American movie making, rating systems, money and tolerance are all stacked against this right from the start. They clearly could not make the movie that the book was in total. But with that said, and letting them off that hook, there are hooks they will not be able to escape from.
This plot line obviously deals with sexual dominance and submission from a man with extreme control issues, that transfer into the "bedroom" and out of it as well. Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) is obsessed with Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson). He is an incredibly handsome 27 year-old billionaire who has everything on earth at his fingertips. She is a college senior who is immensely awkward with virtually no sexual history. He cannot say the same. This entire installment is this attempt to introduce her to his sexual preferences and convince her to be his "submissive. " He even wants a legal agreement over it. That's about all the actual plot line dealt with here in this first installment.
This movie is about 2 hours long, and there is about 30 minutes of what could be considered soft porn. There are some sensual moments here that well done to a degree, but they sort of run out of ideas, and repeat the same scene a few more times. As they slowly graduate up the ladder to a higher degree of dominance, the scenes don't really get any better or more provocative. One of the real problems here is that these two actors don't really seem to have a real sense of great sexual chemistry between them. At times this looks like two actors going through the motions on screen.
How you feel about this movie is going to be predicated on how you feel about watching someone get dominated sexually. I have always maintained that sometimes it is one experience to read stories like this, and a completely different one when you see it play out on screen. Many times the translation is tough because your imagination is now at rest, and you are seeing the actual reality of it all. This is controversial and you understand why. And there will those who will have no interest whatsoever, and those who will be riveted to the screen who may see this a few times.
In a more perfect movie making world for this particular story, they would be economically able to make a far more courageous movie. But the climate says no. This cannot survive an NC-17 rating, and this was granted a harmless R. Should be noted too, this is certainly not for everyone for many reasons, most of them obvious.
Dakota Johnson is the best thing in this movie, and not by a little. She is wonderfully cast as the underdog Anna. She is awkward, inward, reserved, and really believable. Her casting is smart because you will watch the movie and not some A-list star. Dornan is insanely appealing to the majority of the audience and is well cast as Grey. But we really don't get to see what he will do with this, as here his role is basically being sullen, dark and heavy. He is the same in about every scene. But as this trilogy rolls along, there will be more to this performance.
One of the real problems here too is this has a tendency to drag terribly at times. There is not a great deal of difference from scene to scene and is frankly boring in spots. But my gut feeling is that many are simply not going to care about that. They are there to see Anna fall in love with this rich beyond belief handsome guy, and to see where all of this really goes. There will also be a curiosity to for many to see if it stacks up well with the books, and my gut says most will say no to that.
50 Shades Of Grey. A big swing, and in the end not a miss, but not a home run either. More like a inconsequential single to left.
Before we begin, this movie is almost in a no-win situation even before the first frame was filmed. The books are so big, popular and graphic that American movie making, rating systems, money and tolerance are all stacked against this right from the start. They clearly could not make the movie that the book was in total. But with that said, and letting them off that hook, there are hooks they will not be able to escape from.
This plot line obviously deals with sexual dominance and submission from a man with extreme control issues, that transfer into the "bedroom" and out of it as well. Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) is obsessed with Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson). He is an incredibly handsome 27 year-old billionaire who has everything on earth at his fingertips. She is a college senior who is immensely awkward with virtually no sexual history. He cannot say the same. This entire installment is this attempt to introduce her to his sexual preferences and convince her to be his "submissive. " He even wants a legal agreement over it. That's about all the actual plot line dealt with here in this first installment.
This movie is about 2 hours long, and there is about 30 minutes of what could be considered soft porn. There are some sensual moments here that well done to a degree, but they sort of run out of ideas, and repeat the same scene a few more times. As they slowly graduate up the ladder to a higher degree of dominance, the scenes don't really get any better or more provocative. One of the real problems here is that these two actors don't really seem to have a real sense of great sexual chemistry between them. At times this looks like two actors going through the motions on screen.
How you feel about this movie is going to be predicated on how you feel about watching someone get dominated sexually. I have always maintained that sometimes it is one experience to read stories like this, and a completely different one when you see it play out on screen. Many times the translation is tough because your imagination is now at rest, and you are seeing the actual reality of it all. This is controversial and you understand why. And there will those who will have no interest whatsoever, and those who will be riveted to the screen who may see this a few times.
In a more perfect movie making world for this particular story, they would be economically able to make a far more courageous movie. But the climate says no. This cannot survive an NC-17 rating, and this was granted a harmless R. Should be noted too, this is certainly not for everyone for many reasons, most of them obvious.
Dakota Johnson is the best thing in this movie, and not by a little. She is wonderfully cast as the underdog Anna. She is awkward, inward, reserved, and really believable. Her casting is smart because you will watch the movie and not some A-list star. Dornan is insanely appealing to the majority of the audience and is well cast as Grey. But we really don't get to see what he will do with this, as here his role is basically being sullen, dark and heavy. He is the same in about every scene. But as this trilogy rolls along, there will be more to this performance.
One of the real problems here too is this has a tendency to drag terribly at times. There is not a great deal of difference from scene to scene and is frankly boring in spots. But my gut feeling is that many are simply not going to care about that. They are there to see Anna fall in love with this rich beyond belief handsome guy, and to see where all of this really goes. There will also be a curiosity to for many to see if it stacks up well with the books, and my gut says most will say no to that.
50 Shades Of Grey. A big swing, and in the end not a miss, but not a home run either. More like a inconsequential single to left.
Monday, February 9, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Project Almanac
The new time travel thriller, Project Almanac is out this week to very little fanfare.
Off to a rough start, this is one of those hand held herky jerky filmed movies much like the Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, or Paranormal Activity. I don't know why they are still doing this technique, as I think it limits the field as to who will go. Many people just don't care for it, me among them. It was nice at first, but this way of filming doesn't make it more real, or better, it makes it more irritating.
This is the story of 5 high school kids in Georgia who accidentally discover a schematic for a working time machine in the basement of one of the group. One of the boys fathers, who has passed away, was a scientific genius and these gifted kids decide to move on to build the time machine, and travel back in time. Bored already? And guess what? They discover that when you go back in time and have contact with others from a time gone by, you alter the present, and the future. Didn't we learn this 30 years ago with Back To The Future? And we had a few laughs. Not here.
This is a teen time travel drama that really goes nowhere and really has no point at all. I can't sit here and tell you this is a bad movie, but in the end, it just is a movie. They try real hard to infuse some originality, but they fail. They stop about halfway in movie making courage, and make this just wet and limp. The effects are lame, and the story is same. When you make a movie in February about 5 nice looking high school kids and nobody goes to it? You've got problems.
Trouble is, all of this has been told before in one way shape or form a ton of times. I have no clue who thought this was a good idea. Don't get e wrong, this is not horrible, but it has no teeth, no originality, and there in nothing new here at all. And can we just stop with the hand held, Go Pro bouncy filming? It's old, tired, and flat out a turn off.
Project Almanac. Snoozer!
Off to a rough start, this is one of those hand held herky jerky filmed movies much like the Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, or Paranormal Activity. I don't know why they are still doing this technique, as I think it limits the field as to who will go. Many people just don't care for it, me among them. It was nice at first, but this way of filming doesn't make it more real, or better, it makes it more irritating.
This is the story of 5 high school kids in Georgia who accidentally discover a schematic for a working time machine in the basement of one of the group. One of the boys fathers, who has passed away, was a scientific genius and these gifted kids decide to move on to build the time machine, and travel back in time. Bored already? And guess what? They discover that when you go back in time and have contact with others from a time gone by, you alter the present, and the future. Didn't we learn this 30 years ago with Back To The Future? And we had a few laughs. Not here.
This is a teen time travel drama that really goes nowhere and really has no point at all. I can't sit here and tell you this is a bad movie, but in the end, it just is a movie. They try real hard to infuse some originality, but they fail. They stop about halfway in movie making courage, and make this just wet and limp. The effects are lame, and the story is same. When you make a movie in February about 5 nice looking high school kids and nobody goes to it? You've got problems.
Trouble is, all of this has been told before in one way shape or form a ton of times. I have no clue who thought this was a good idea. Don't get e wrong, this is not horrible, but it has no teeth, no originality, and there in nothing new here at all. And can we just stop with the hand held, Go Pro bouncy filming? It's old, tired, and flat out a turn off.
Project Almanac. Snoozer!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Black Or White
The new Kevin Costner drama, Black Or White is out this week. And here comes another one that national critics are slamming, and audiences are loving.
Up front, this is not going to change cinematic history by any means. But this is certainly not worthy of being drilled as hard as it has been. There's a few things in play here though. Many critics are living in a world where Costner can't make a good movie. Also, many have expectations that movies are supposed to make social changes all the time, and that is simply misguided. Occasionally they do, but it's rare. And, many of those reviewing the movie live in a very different world than those paying to see it. The patrons are living this movie as audiences like this flick.
BOW is very on topic with much of what's going on in today's complicated world. Costner stars as Elliot who is a big time lawyer, who drinks way to much in Los Angeles. His 17 year-old daughter ran away 7 years ago when she became pregnant with a 23 year-old black man, who also happened to be a crack addict. She dies during childbirth, and the little girl, Eloise (Jillian Estell) comes to live with Elliot and his wife. Then Elliot's wife dies in a car accident. An he is left to raise the mixed raced Eloise alone.
Enter Eloise's grandmother on the fathers side, Rowena (Octavia Spenser). She believes that Eloise would be better off living with her, her very large family, and her son who Eloise's father now claiming to be clean. So the custody battle is on. And it comes complete with all of the racial, social, economic, and every other complication one can imagine. And this is why this movie resonates with movie goers. Many, many who go to see this have been exactly where our characters are on both sides. Granted, not to the extreme that these are, but in one way shape or form- yes. Yes in the end, this boils down to a custody battle on film. But so what? That's the world we live in.
Costner has made some questionable movies over the past few years, but this is not among them. He is good here, and at times shows flashbacks to his really great self from years ago. Costner has become an actor and not an action star these days, and that's great. Spenser is very good here, but sadly her on camera role is diminished as this movie rolls on and that's too bad. She is well cast, and her and Costner together on screen is good movie making. Should be noted too, the character of Eloise is brilliantly written and is brought to life wonderfully by Estell. She is simply sensational, and is a incredible breath of fresh air in a movie that at times need it.
There are some light moments here, some subtle humor and the rest of the supporting cast is quite good too, including Anthony Mackie, Paula Newsome, and real kudos to Mpho Koaho who is superb as a young tutor to Eloise and becomes a family friend. He is really great. Over all this is good, and above all this is relevant.
Black Or White. For a mid-winter drama I am fine with this. Go see, the national critics are being too hard on this.
Up front, this is not going to change cinematic history by any means. But this is certainly not worthy of being drilled as hard as it has been. There's a few things in play here though. Many critics are living in a world where Costner can't make a good movie. Also, many have expectations that movies are supposed to make social changes all the time, and that is simply misguided. Occasionally they do, but it's rare. And, many of those reviewing the movie live in a very different world than those paying to see it. The patrons are living this movie as audiences like this flick.
BOW is very on topic with much of what's going on in today's complicated world. Costner stars as Elliot who is a big time lawyer, who drinks way to much in Los Angeles. His 17 year-old daughter ran away 7 years ago when she became pregnant with a 23 year-old black man, who also happened to be a crack addict. She dies during childbirth, and the little girl, Eloise (Jillian Estell) comes to live with Elliot and his wife. Then Elliot's wife dies in a car accident. An he is left to raise the mixed raced Eloise alone.
Enter Eloise's grandmother on the fathers side, Rowena (Octavia Spenser). She believes that Eloise would be better off living with her, her very large family, and her son who Eloise's father now claiming to be clean. So the custody battle is on. And it comes complete with all of the racial, social, economic, and every other complication one can imagine. And this is why this movie resonates with movie goers. Many, many who go to see this have been exactly where our characters are on both sides. Granted, not to the extreme that these are, but in one way shape or form- yes. Yes in the end, this boils down to a custody battle on film. But so what? That's the world we live in.
Costner has made some questionable movies over the past few years, but this is not among them. He is good here, and at times shows flashbacks to his really great self from years ago. Costner has become an actor and not an action star these days, and that's great. Spenser is very good here, but sadly her on camera role is diminished as this movie rolls on and that's too bad. She is well cast, and her and Costner together on screen is good movie making. Should be noted too, the character of Eloise is brilliantly written and is brought to life wonderfully by Estell. She is simply sensational, and is a incredible breath of fresh air in a movie that at times need it.
There are some light moments here, some subtle humor and the rest of the supporting cast is quite good too, including Anthony Mackie, Paula Newsome, and real kudos to Mpho Koaho who is superb as a young tutor to Eloise and becomes a family friend. He is really great. Over all this is good, and above all this is relevant.
Black Or White. For a mid-winter drama I am fine with this. Go see, the national critics are being too hard on this.
Friday, February 6, 2015
MOVIE REVIEW - Seventh Son
In all seriousness, isn't there something better than can be done with 100 million dollars than make this junk? Welcome the new Seventh Son.
This is a big budget, mid-winter action, fantasy flick pitting good versus evil as usual. What separates this movie from many others of this ilk is that this is putrid, where most of it's contemporaries are simply horrible. Seventh Son is supposed to be visually stunning, funny, actiony, loud and a real fantasy. The only fantasy here was in some dodo's mind that this would actually be good.
Sadly this stars Jeff Bridges who is a very fine actor, and an Oscar winner. Probably should have won a couple more over this career. Now, he's been reduced to taking these kind of roles in poorly written, computer generated flicks for people who are still trapped in the Harry Potter time warp and have really no idea what really good is. This also stars Julianne Moore who has never sold one single movie ticket on her own in her entire career. And even more sad, they are given no chance as every single aspect of this is simply dry heave-able.
Bridges plays a witch slayer, and Moore plays the head witch, and they are trying to kill each other for some reason we never really know. This takes place hundreds of years ago, and there is some silliness about a seventh son, and a blood moon, and the rise of evil, and witches mating with humans. Oh, it all just makes me want to grab the air sick bag that theaters should provide in mid- February in the seat backs when these first quarter dogs come out.
There are plenty of bells, whistles, loud things, animation, death, destruction and the like to go around. This looks like a video game, and I'm sure that's the idea. But the plain truth is, you don't care. You just don't care about any of this. Rare is the day that 100 million will leave you as bored, and as disinterested and non-engaged as this.
I hope Bridges can find better projects in the future. But to do so, Hollywood will have to change too. These are the kind of movies they make now, and fluff is far more important than substance.
Bridges found his stride in 2010 with True Grit where he should have won an Oscar. And with Crazy Heart, where he did. I love him in the right role. Moore, just needs to find another boring script that she can get a supporting role in that no one will remember. The supporting cast here is non-existent, and none of this is worth your time, money or effort.
Seventh Son. Agonizingly bad.
This is a big budget, mid-winter action, fantasy flick pitting good versus evil as usual. What separates this movie from many others of this ilk is that this is putrid, where most of it's contemporaries are simply horrible. Seventh Son is supposed to be visually stunning, funny, actiony, loud and a real fantasy. The only fantasy here was in some dodo's mind that this would actually be good.
Sadly this stars Jeff Bridges who is a very fine actor, and an Oscar winner. Probably should have won a couple more over this career. Now, he's been reduced to taking these kind of roles in poorly written, computer generated flicks for people who are still trapped in the Harry Potter time warp and have really no idea what really good is. This also stars Julianne Moore who has never sold one single movie ticket on her own in her entire career. And even more sad, they are given no chance as every single aspect of this is simply dry heave-able.
Bridges plays a witch slayer, and Moore plays the head witch, and they are trying to kill each other for some reason we never really know. This takes place hundreds of years ago, and there is some silliness about a seventh son, and a blood moon, and the rise of evil, and witches mating with humans. Oh, it all just makes me want to grab the air sick bag that theaters should provide in mid- February in the seat backs when these first quarter dogs come out.
There are plenty of bells, whistles, loud things, animation, death, destruction and the like to go around. This looks like a video game, and I'm sure that's the idea. But the plain truth is, you don't care. You just don't care about any of this. Rare is the day that 100 million will leave you as bored, and as disinterested and non-engaged as this.
I hope Bridges can find better projects in the future. But to do so, Hollywood will have to change too. These are the kind of movies they make now, and fluff is far more important than substance.
Bridges found his stride in 2010 with True Grit where he should have won an Oscar. And with Crazy Heart, where he did. I love him in the right role. Moore, just needs to find another boring script that she can get a supporting role in that no one will remember. The supporting cast here is non-existent, and none of this is worth your time, money or effort.
Seventh Son. Agonizingly bad.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
MOVIE REVIEWN - The Loft
The new release, The Loft is out this week. This is a really good example of taking a potentially interesting premise and not knowing what to do with it.
The Loft is a harsh, R rated flick about these 5 guys in the big city who are all really successful. They are all married and all have a bunch of money. They, (for some reason) decide to buy this wonderfully elaborate and totally secret loft in a new apartment building. The whole idea is that this will be a retreat, and a place for these 5 guys to have their secret trysts with other women. There will be total secrecy about this place between them.
Then one day they find a dead woman in their loft, and since they are the are the only people that even know of their place, seems one of them had to have done it. But who? They accuse each other, all the while trying to fool the cops about this murder. And more importantly, who is this woman, and why is she even there? It's a mystery of sorts, but the whole thing should have been better.
This has a nice ensemble cast and a fairly decent premise, but much of this is simply unpleasant. These guys are all basically not very likable, and their marriages are all pretty horrible. This deals with extremely adult subject matter. Much of The Loft is told in flashback form, and you weave between the now, and the then. Although, they can't really seem to make up their mind if they really want to commit to that. Also, it seems the story tellers can't seem to make up their minds as to actually did the crime.
The movies best scenes are the interrogation scenes by the police. They seem to have the best flow and the most interesting dialogue, and are easily the best acted. This has nice pace, and at times a really nice look, but there is simply too much hesitation by the writers trying to be so smart, it all starts to become jumbled and suffers loss of focus. This is harsh and dark, and not light movie watching. If you like watching grown up people problems on steroids, this is your flick. If not, move along.
The Loft. Ehh...
The Loft is a harsh, R rated flick about these 5 guys in the big city who are all really successful. They are all married and all have a bunch of money. They, (for some reason) decide to buy this wonderfully elaborate and totally secret loft in a new apartment building. The whole idea is that this will be a retreat, and a place for these 5 guys to have their secret trysts with other women. There will be total secrecy about this place between them.
Then one day they find a dead woman in their loft, and since they are the are the only people that even know of their place, seems one of them had to have done it. But who? They accuse each other, all the while trying to fool the cops about this murder. And more importantly, who is this woman, and why is she even there? It's a mystery of sorts, but the whole thing should have been better.
This has a nice ensemble cast and a fairly decent premise, but much of this is simply unpleasant. These guys are all basically not very likable, and their marriages are all pretty horrible. This deals with extremely adult subject matter. Much of The Loft is told in flashback form, and you weave between the now, and the then. Although, they can't really seem to make up their mind if they really want to commit to that. Also, it seems the story tellers can't seem to make up their minds as to actually did the crime.
The movies best scenes are the interrogation scenes by the police. They seem to have the best flow and the most interesting dialogue, and are easily the best acted. This has nice pace, and at times a really nice look, but there is simply too much hesitation by the writers trying to be so smart, it all starts to become jumbled and suffers loss of focus. This is harsh and dark, and not light movie watching. If you like watching grown up people problems on steroids, this is your flick. If not, move along.
The Loft. Ehh...
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