WOW, the new A Haunted House is pretty vile, so I'll keep this tidy.
AHH is the new parody movie of the Paranormal Activity series, and a few other supposedly scary movies. There are some laughs, a few really big laughs and some other guilty pleasure laughs But that's all the fun and games this can muster. Overall this is really not very funny.
What this movie does is take the PG-13 rated Paranormal series and turns it dramatically rated R. This is flat out gross at times with things that no one really wants to see. This is also very sexual in nature from the first frame to the last. That of course is fine if that's the direction they want to go. But this is amazingly inappropriate for kids. And I saw a bunch of them there with their parents. I saw kids as young as 8 there today and I was shocked the adults would sit through this with them eating popcorn.
If you are late teen or young adult, then this is fine as far as the appropriateness is concerned, but that's about the cut off. The language all the way through this is laced with profanity, and worse. And many of the things on screen seen, are envelope pushing to say the least. This was actually a funny idea since the Paranormal movies have been so big, but it is a complete sell out to the lowest and I mean the lowest common denominator.
I also find little humor with watching and hearing the family dog get smashed by a car, but they seem to think this is funny. Because it's right up front, first 5 minutes of the movie. Gets to ball rolling I guess. Then it goes on more to offend most groups of people rather than lampoon Paranormal effectively, and that's the real crime here. It doesn't even do what it set out to do.
A Haunted House. Adults and young adults only. Don't let the kids talk you into it. Not kid friendly.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Gangster Squad
An all-star cast is assembled for the new Gangster Squad.
This movie was supposed to be released in October, and be a serious Oscar contender. Then this movie ran into real life and was delayed a few times, till finally its January release which takes it out of Oscar consideration for 2012. More on that in a minute.
This is the story, based on a true events to a degree of the Gangland Wars in Los Angeles that began 1949. An east coast mobster named Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) came to Southern California and started killing off other organized crime organizations. His goal was to "own" L.A., controlling prostitution, gambling, drug trafficking, and all kinds of gaming. His presence was called "enemy occupation" by the remaining L.A. police officers and government officials that still were not being paid off by Cohen. Corruption was rampant, and the city was begin lost.
Police Chief Parker (Nick Nolte) silently declares war on Cohen, and assembles an off-the-books small group of big men called the Gangster Squad. Their job is to do whatever it takes to smash the whole Cohen operation. It's all off the record, and led by a police Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin). He then recruits 5 others who basically turn in their badges and go after Cohen. The cast also includes Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie and Robert Patrick.
This was a very good idea for a movie. Part Untouchables (1987) , part L.A. Confidential (1997), and part new 21st century film making. They put a great cast together, and there are some really good moments in this basically entertaining movie. But Gangster Squad suffers from a few ails that are hard to overcome. The writing is not very good at all, and there could have been far more character development, and a whole lot less shooting. There is a whole lot of shooting in this movie. In fact so much of it, it makes it all a bit cartoonish after a while, and that's a shame. With a little more care, and the cast they assembled, this could have been really great. Something tells me that the movie they set out to make, and the one they did make where two different things.
First off, this is not a bad movie at all. I do think this is an underachieving movie. The sets, costuming and acting by our principles are really great. It's just written badly, and doesn't go near deep enough to be something special. They do set the stage in 1949 L.A. wonderfully, and give this movie a terrific backdrop. But this movie with all the sets, costumes, cast, fantastic music, and idea, sadly is shallow and spends way too much time avoiding the deep end of the pool. With a real sell out to lengthy gun battle machine gun scenes by those on both sides being the worst shots in the world, and missing 1000's of times at short range. It's a bit silly after a while.
Gangster Squad though does get a bit of a pass. This movie was done and set to go, when the real-life Aurora, Colorado theater shootings took place. The original script was for one of the centerpieces to be a gang-style theater shooting sequence. Film makers had to rewrite most of this script, and call back all of the actors and re-shoot a whole bunch of this movie. Much of the direction of this had to be changed. Again, I don't think this was the movie they were hoping to make.
Gangster Squad. It is a wonderful idea that looks great, sounds good, acted well, but is written poorly. Should have been better. This is not a wash-out, but not what it should have been.
This movie was supposed to be released in October, and be a serious Oscar contender. Then this movie ran into real life and was delayed a few times, till finally its January release which takes it out of Oscar consideration for 2012. More on that in a minute.
This is the story, based on a true events to a degree of the Gangland Wars in Los Angeles that began 1949. An east coast mobster named Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) came to Southern California and started killing off other organized crime organizations. His goal was to "own" L.A., controlling prostitution, gambling, drug trafficking, and all kinds of gaming. His presence was called "enemy occupation" by the remaining L.A. police officers and government officials that still were not being paid off by Cohen. Corruption was rampant, and the city was begin lost.
Police Chief Parker (Nick Nolte) silently declares war on Cohen, and assembles an off-the-books small group of big men called the Gangster Squad. Their job is to do whatever it takes to smash the whole Cohen operation. It's all off the record, and led by a police Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin). He then recruits 5 others who basically turn in their badges and go after Cohen. The cast also includes Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Giovanni Ribisi, Michael Pena, Anthony Mackie and Robert Patrick.
This was a very good idea for a movie. Part Untouchables (1987) , part L.A. Confidential (1997), and part new 21st century film making. They put a great cast together, and there are some really good moments in this basically entertaining movie. But Gangster Squad suffers from a few ails that are hard to overcome. The writing is not very good at all, and there could have been far more character development, and a whole lot less shooting. There is a whole lot of shooting in this movie. In fact so much of it, it makes it all a bit cartoonish after a while, and that's a shame. With a little more care, and the cast they assembled, this could have been really great. Something tells me that the movie they set out to make, and the one they did make where two different things.
First off, this is not a bad movie at all. I do think this is an underachieving movie. The sets, costuming and acting by our principles are really great. It's just written badly, and doesn't go near deep enough to be something special. They do set the stage in 1949 L.A. wonderfully, and give this movie a terrific backdrop. But this movie with all the sets, costumes, cast, fantastic music, and idea, sadly is shallow and spends way too much time avoiding the deep end of the pool. With a real sell out to lengthy gun battle machine gun scenes by those on both sides being the worst shots in the world, and missing 1000's of times at short range. It's a bit silly after a while.
Gangster Squad though does get a bit of a pass. This movie was done and set to go, when the real-life Aurora, Colorado theater shootings took place. The original script was for one of the centerpieces to be a gang-style theater shooting sequence. Film makers had to rewrite most of this script, and call back all of the actors and re-shoot a whole bunch of this movie. Much of the direction of this had to be changed. Again, I don't think this was the movie they were hoping to make.
Gangster Squad. It is a wonderful idea that looks great, sounds good, acted well, but is written poorly. Should have been better. This is not a wash-out, but not what it should have been.
Friday, January 11, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Zero Dark Thirty
There has been a ton of chatter about the new Kathryn Bigelow directed Zero Dark Thirty, finally opening up nationwide this weekend.
This is astoundingly good. Bigelow was the same woman that gave us The Hurt Locker a couple years ago, which won the Oscar for Best Picture. As good and as intense as that was, this is better. Zero Dark Thirty is about everything that is good about movie making.
This is the story of the CIA's ten year manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. This real star of this movie is its supreme storytelling, and it's singular focus on the people that really did the work to find Bin Laden. It begins in 2001 right after 9-11, and ends with the Seal Team 6 raid on the compound where Bin Laden was killed. More directly, this centers round a CIA Agent "Maya" and her obsession to follow her leads all around the world, to bring him to justice.
What ZDT really does that separates itself from many other movies is its central focus. It allows the movie to tell the story. There are no printed story boards to read, no character narration, and no real graphics to tell you who characters are. In fact, one thing I found very intriguing. In the scenes in Washington D.C., there is never any mention of any politicians name in any fashion, including the president past and current. And this movie doesn't go one yard to give anyone affiliated with any administration, or agency in Washington D.C. any of the credit. But rather the people that really did the job. The spotlight stays squarely on them. That helps keep the story on focus and moving in one direction.
War of any kind is messy stuff. And this war of course has been a different kind of war, and The Hurt Locker showed that, and so does this. ZDT, is taking some heat by many for showing the "enhanced interrogation techniques" that the CIA at one time used against the captured terrorists. And there is a fair amount of it in this movie. So, if that is something that offends you, or are extremely uncomfortable with than a different movie may be in store for you. This pulls no punches, it's direct, straight forward and tells the story in all of it's raw form.
This movie was given unprecedented access to information by the agencies of the Federal Government. And at the movies inception, they do tell you this story is based on actual eyewitness accounts of these events around the world. Is this a true story? Because we're dealing with the CIA more than likely literally no. But it certainly feels like you are there every step of the way. But this is not a stand up and cheer rah, rah movie. It is intense, and serious in every frame of it's 2 hours and 30 minutes. ZDT is incredibly intelligent in very facet. It's writing, filming, brilliant acting and it's ability to keep you engaged even when the subject on screen is difficult to understand, or watch.
This movie is beautifully crafted with fine actors, sets, locations, and music. You can tell that they were making something they thought would be important, a movie to stand up over time. One thing that ZDT will be known for, there will never be another movie made about this subject that will ever measure up to this, or be taken as seriously.
Zero Dark Thirty. Great is not a big enough word.
This is astoundingly good. Bigelow was the same woman that gave us The Hurt Locker a couple years ago, which won the Oscar for Best Picture. As good and as intense as that was, this is better. Zero Dark Thirty is about everything that is good about movie making.
This is the story of the CIA's ten year manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. This real star of this movie is its supreme storytelling, and it's singular focus on the people that really did the work to find Bin Laden. It begins in 2001 right after 9-11, and ends with the Seal Team 6 raid on the compound where Bin Laden was killed. More directly, this centers round a CIA Agent "Maya" and her obsession to follow her leads all around the world, to bring him to justice.
What ZDT really does that separates itself from many other movies is its central focus. It allows the movie to tell the story. There are no printed story boards to read, no character narration, and no real graphics to tell you who characters are. In fact, one thing I found very intriguing. In the scenes in Washington D.C., there is never any mention of any politicians name in any fashion, including the president past and current. And this movie doesn't go one yard to give anyone affiliated with any administration, or agency in Washington D.C. any of the credit. But rather the people that really did the job. The spotlight stays squarely on them. That helps keep the story on focus and moving in one direction.
War of any kind is messy stuff. And this war of course has been a different kind of war, and The Hurt Locker showed that, and so does this. ZDT, is taking some heat by many for showing the "enhanced interrogation techniques" that the CIA at one time used against the captured terrorists. And there is a fair amount of it in this movie. So, if that is something that offends you, or are extremely uncomfortable with than a different movie may be in store for you. This pulls no punches, it's direct, straight forward and tells the story in all of it's raw form.
This movie was given unprecedented access to information by the agencies of the Federal Government. And at the movies inception, they do tell you this story is based on actual eyewitness accounts of these events around the world. Is this a true story? Because we're dealing with the CIA more than likely literally no. But it certainly feels like you are there every step of the way. But this is not a stand up and cheer rah, rah movie. It is intense, and serious in every frame of it's 2 hours and 30 minutes. ZDT is incredibly intelligent in very facet. It's writing, filming, brilliant acting and it's ability to keep you engaged even when the subject on screen is difficult to understand, or watch.
This movie is beautifully crafted with fine actors, sets, locations, and music. You can tell that they were making something they thought would be important, a movie to stand up over time. One thing that ZDT will be known for, there will never be another movie made about this subject that will ever measure up to this, or be taken as seriously.
Zero Dark Thirty. Great is not a big enough word.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2012
This year I saw and reviewed over 130 movies here. And now that the
calender has flipped, it's time for all kinds of best and worst
lists. This week we've posted the Five Worst Movies, and the Five Most Surprising Movies. And now it's time for The Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2012. Movies that fell short, way short of expectations or flat out bombed.
2012 was not overly memorable at the movies. Yes, revenues were way up but so were ticket prices. And sadly, there were some real disappointing flicks this year, as there are every year. There were a ton of extremely average movies made last year. That to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. To qualify for this list, it's based on when they were released to local theaters.
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2012
1/ Cloud Atlas - Tom Hanks and Halle Berry star in this adaptation of a huge and popular book. This is the poster child of why not all books come to the movies effectively. Long, boring, complicated, and tedious. Laden with special effects, and intersecting stories that will leave you dizzy and sick to your stomach. I hate putting Hanks on a list like this, but his projects lately have a bit to be desired. This was also a tremendous financial flop. Gigantic budget, and no one went.
2/ Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close - This was released nationwide in January after a soft and delayed opening in late 2011. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock star in this 9-11 movie. Again, a big and moving book. There are those that really loved this movie and were really moved by it. But overall this suffered from false advertising. Hanks and Bullock are barely in this movie time-wise, and overall this is entirely too long. Not all books transfer well. This misses badly all the way around. I can't even say I liked the kid who was in every single scene, when Hanks and Bullock were not.
3/ John Carter - Tons of hype. Then tons of yawns. Huge budget and again, no one went. Lots of computer generated stuff that 20 years ago would have been awesome. This movie looks "late to the party." There is nothing special about any of this including the special effects. Plus, the movies signature scene, the one on the trailers and the posters, lasts about 60 seconds. This sadly, was a disaster. Should have been made early 1990's. The effects would have been more inspired then. Now it's just old news.
4/ The Master - Great cast led by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Joaquin Phoenix both who may be up for Oscars for this movie. Very strange, they are both way better in this movie than this pointless, go nowhere movie. For such a good lead and supporting cast, this is a total snoozer. Let Hollywood pat itself all it wants to on their collective backs, steer clear with Netflix.
5/ This is 40 - They ran trailers in theaters for 6 months for this Christmas comedy. The trailers looked pretty funny, and entertaining. What we got was 10 minutes of fun, spread out over a 2 hour and 20 minute movie. Much of this is 6th grade mentality, and nothing really new. Even the lovely, and quirky Leslie Mann can save her husbands Judd Apatow's ill-advised and unoriginal movie. Judd, it's time to grow up.
There's the Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2012. Next are the Five Best Movies Of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
Let's recap too the Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2011, and see how they match up.
2012 was not overly memorable at the movies. Yes, revenues were way up but so were ticket prices. And sadly, there were some real disappointing flicks this year, as there are every year. There were a ton of extremely average movies made last year. That to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. To qualify for this list, it's based on when they were released to local theaters.
The Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2012
1/ Cloud Atlas - Tom Hanks and Halle Berry star in this adaptation of a huge and popular book. This is the poster child of why not all books come to the movies effectively. Long, boring, complicated, and tedious. Laden with special effects, and intersecting stories that will leave you dizzy and sick to your stomach. I hate putting Hanks on a list like this, but his projects lately have a bit to be desired. This was also a tremendous financial flop. Gigantic budget, and no one went.
2/ Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close - This was released nationwide in January after a soft and delayed opening in late 2011. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock star in this 9-11 movie. Again, a big and moving book. There are those that really loved this movie and were really moved by it. But overall this suffered from false advertising. Hanks and Bullock are barely in this movie time-wise, and overall this is entirely too long. Not all books transfer well. This misses badly all the way around. I can't even say I liked the kid who was in every single scene, when Hanks and Bullock were not.
3/ John Carter - Tons of hype. Then tons of yawns. Huge budget and again, no one went. Lots of computer generated stuff that 20 years ago would have been awesome. This movie looks "late to the party." There is nothing special about any of this including the special effects. Plus, the movies signature scene, the one on the trailers and the posters, lasts about 60 seconds. This sadly, was a disaster. Should have been made early 1990's. The effects would have been more inspired then. Now it's just old news.
4/ The Master - Great cast led by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Joaquin Phoenix both who may be up for Oscars for this movie. Very strange, they are both way better in this movie than this pointless, go nowhere movie. For such a good lead and supporting cast, this is a total snoozer. Let Hollywood pat itself all it wants to on their collective backs, steer clear with Netflix.
5/ This is 40 - They ran trailers in theaters for 6 months for this Christmas comedy. The trailers looked pretty funny, and entertaining. What we got was 10 minutes of fun, spread out over a 2 hour and 20 minute movie. Much of this is 6th grade mentality, and nothing really new. Even the lovely, and quirky Leslie Mann can save her husbands Judd Apatow's ill-advised and unoriginal movie. Judd, it's time to grow up.
There's the Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2012. Next are the Five Best Movies Of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
Let's recap too the Five Most Disappointing Movies of 2011, and see how they match up.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2012
This year I saw and reviewed over 130 movies here. And now that the
calender has flipped over, it's time for all kinds of best and worst
lists. This week we've posted the Five Worst Movies, and now it's time for The Five Most Surprising Movies of 2012. And we are using "surprising" to the positive.
2012 was not overly memorable at the movies. Yes, revenues were way up but so were ticket prices. I think it's always fun to go to the movies with low expectations and have a gem play out right there in front of you. Sadly, this doesn't happen near enough. There were a ton of extremely average movies made last year. That to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. But there were some real fun surprises too! To qualify for this list, it's based on when they were released to local theaters.
The Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2012
1/ Salmon Fishing In The Yemen - Strange title, great little movie. This very original story with Ewan McGregor, and Emily Blunt. This is kind of a few movies rolled into one. Very funny at times, emotional at times, makes a nice statement, and doesn't take itself too seriously. McGregor picks his projects wisely and Blunt is so charming, she's tough not to love. Very nice little movie. Don't let the title scare you away from the Red Box.
2/ Man On A Ledge - This came and went without any fanfare at all. Very cool story with a great cast featuring new and old schoolers. Story gets huge originality points, and builds nicely to a great crescendo. Funny at times, and enough action to keep you riveted. This was very well done. Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Harris, and Ed Burns. This is worth a rental. You will not be blown away, but you will be entertained.
3/ People Like Us - This movie looked so average in the trailers, and was so entertaining in it's release. Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Wilde. A very compelling story and characters that you know, and you grow to really care about. Pfeiffer hasn't been this good in a long time in her supporting role. I loved Banks. She was great, and drove this movie to be more than it would have been without her. Rent this, great date night movie.
4/ Ghost Rider 2 - Released in February and in the end, just flat out fun. This was panned by some critics, and I liked it more than many. But this is the "surprising" section, and I was surprised by this. Yeah, Nicolas Cage overacts again at times, but it sort of worked for me in this role. I think this falls under the "mindless fun" category. Short, tidy, and yes, good wins over evil. The door is open for more and that may not be the best idea. But for me, this was surprising.
5/ Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - The title alone is ridiculous, but this was not done as fact. It was done on folklore, legend, and outright fiction. This is surprising in the sense that I expected so little, and in the end, this was a bunch of fun. This did not take itself too seriously, and was handled fairly well. Please no more, one and done. More mindless fun.
There's the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2012. Next is the Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
Let's recap too the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2011, and see how they match up.
2012 was not overly memorable at the movies. Yes, revenues were way up but so were ticket prices. I think it's always fun to go to the movies with low expectations and have a gem play out right there in front of you. Sadly, this doesn't happen near enough. There were a ton of extremely average movies made last year. That to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. But there were some real fun surprises too! To qualify for this list, it's based on when they were released to local theaters.
The Five Most Surprising Movies Of 2012
1/ Salmon Fishing In The Yemen - Strange title, great little movie. This very original story with Ewan McGregor, and Emily Blunt. This is kind of a few movies rolled into one. Very funny at times, emotional at times, makes a nice statement, and doesn't take itself too seriously. McGregor picks his projects wisely and Blunt is so charming, she's tough not to love. Very nice little movie. Don't let the title scare you away from the Red Box.
2/ Man On A Ledge - This came and went without any fanfare at all. Very cool story with a great cast featuring new and old schoolers. Story gets huge originality points, and builds nicely to a great crescendo. Funny at times, and enough action to keep you riveted. This was very well done. Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Ed Harris, and Ed Burns. This is worth a rental. You will not be blown away, but you will be entertained.
3/ People Like Us - This movie looked so average in the trailers, and was so entertaining in it's release. Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Pfeiffer and Olivia Wilde. A very compelling story and characters that you know, and you grow to really care about. Pfeiffer hasn't been this good in a long time in her supporting role. I loved Banks. She was great, and drove this movie to be more than it would have been without her. Rent this, great date night movie.
4/ Ghost Rider 2 - Released in February and in the end, just flat out fun. This was panned by some critics, and I liked it more than many. But this is the "surprising" section, and I was surprised by this. Yeah, Nicolas Cage overacts again at times, but it sort of worked for me in this role. I think this falls under the "mindless fun" category. Short, tidy, and yes, good wins over evil. The door is open for more and that may not be the best idea. But for me, this was surprising.
5/ Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - The title alone is ridiculous, but this was not done as fact. It was done on folklore, legend, and outright fiction. This is surprising in the sense that I expected so little, and in the end, this was a bunch of fun. This did not take itself too seriously, and was handled fairly well. Please no more, one and done. More mindless fun.
There's the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2012. Next is the Five Most Disappointing Movies Of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
Let's recap too the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2011, and see how they match up.
MOVIE REVIEW - Hyde Park On Hudson
Try this on for size. There is a new 94 minute movie out that stars Bill Murray as President Franklyn D. Roosevelt. Hyde Park On Hudson. You heard me right...Bill Murray!
This is based on the notes and diaries discovered after Margaret Suckleys's death in 1991. She was a distant cousin to the former president and she was also one of his mistresses. And there were many. But she kept her secrets all those years.
It was a different time, and that is the main point of this little independent movie. There were so many secrets around the president in those days. Most of the nation did not know that FDR had polio and could not walk. No one really knew that he and his strong, and determined wife Eleanor had little use for each other. And certainly, no one knew (except Eleanor) that he had all these lovers right under her nose. This movie takes place over a few year period, and really focuses on the historic weekend in 1939 when King George and wife came to Hyde Park (Roosevelts country home) to ask for the United States help on the brink of World War II.
This is a small, charming movie that is really a movie goers movie. This is a real nice alternative and escape from the big budget action flicks currently filling theaters. This also has an older adult feel to it. History buffs will get a kick out of seeing Roosevelt in a light not normally seen. Bill Murray is flat out great and very believable as FDR. He looks amazingly like him, and clearly studied him intently preparing for this role. There is nothing "Bill Murray-ey" about this performance. It is a role very well done. Brave casting really paid off.
Laura Linney plays Daisey (Suckley) and much of this is told through her eyes, with her narrating much of it. They are surrounded by a nice, but little known cast that support them very well. Overall, this is a real interesting movie. It's quick and tidy, and doesn't belabor the point. It has a little story to tell, tells it and moves on. It even feels like a video diary. Its a nice mix of real emotion, and a spritz of humor throughout.
Hyde Park On Hudson. Quaint, charming, and a very nice little movie. Clearly, not for everyone but a nice distraction. Well done.
This is based on the notes and diaries discovered after Margaret Suckleys's death in 1991. She was a distant cousin to the former president and she was also one of his mistresses. And there were many. But she kept her secrets all those years.
It was a different time, and that is the main point of this little independent movie. There were so many secrets around the president in those days. Most of the nation did not know that FDR had polio and could not walk. No one really knew that he and his strong, and determined wife Eleanor had little use for each other. And certainly, no one knew (except Eleanor) that he had all these lovers right under her nose. This movie takes place over a few year period, and really focuses on the historic weekend in 1939 when King George and wife came to Hyde Park (Roosevelts country home) to ask for the United States help on the brink of World War II.
This is a small, charming movie that is really a movie goers movie. This is a real nice alternative and escape from the big budget action flicks currently filling theaters. This also has an older adult feel to it. History buffs will get a kick out of seeing Roosevelt in a light not normally seen. Bill Murray is flat out great and very believable as FDR. He looks amazingly like him, and clearly studied him intently preparing for this role. There is nothing "Bill Murray-ey" about this performance. It is a role very well done. Brave casting really paid off.
Laura Linney plays Daisey (Suckley) and much of this is told through her eyes, with her narrating much of it. They are surrounded by a nice, but little known cast that support them very well. Overall, this is a real interesting movie. It's quick and tidy, and doesn't belabor the point. It has a little story to tell, tells it and moves on. It even feels like a video diary. Its a nice mix of real emotion, and a spritz of humor throughout.
Hyde Park On Hudson. Quaint, charming, and a very nice little movie. Clearly, not for everyone but a nice distraction. Well done.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Five Worst Movies of 2012
This year I saw and reviewed over 130 movies here. And now that the calender has flipped over, it's time for all kinds of best and worst lists. This week, we'll post the Five Worst, Five Biggest Disappointing, Five Most Surprising, and the Five Best Movies of 2012. Today, we'll start with the five worst.
2012 was not a very memorable year with the movies. Yes revenues were way up but so were tickets prices. The swing between the very good and average was small, and to it's credit, Hollywood didn't make as many horrible flicks as normal. There were a ton of extremely average movies made, that to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. But there were some real dogs, so here we go!
The Five Worst Movies Of 2012
1/ Won't Back Down - This is a horrible idea for a movie. Parents supposedly taking over a school
because the school was bad. Based "on actual events" is always a wimpy
way out, translation - not true. Story stinks, acting stinks, writing
stinks, and is insulting to your intelligence. Goes in 20 directions and
not one is worth following. Almost unwatchable.
2/ What To Expect, When You're Expecting - This challenged for the coveted worst movie spot
for me. This is a look at having children and is supposed to be funny. And
as wonderful as Elizabeth Banks is, it is possibly the worst performance of
the year for an actress. Horrible in every single regard. Walk-outable.
3/ One For The Money - Katherine Heigl has been tanking beyond anyone's belief recently.
And for someone so likable, her movies are not. This is not funny, charming,
or anything except Heigl in tight jeans. In fact, this is hopefully the movie that
makes her change direction of her career. Better side dish than main course. It
takes more than tight jeans to make people want to pay 12 dollars to show up.
4/ The Collection - Complete Saw series rip-off made by some of the same people. This silly gore
and blood fest has a huge problem outside of being tasteless and ridiculous. It's
amazingly unoriginal. I know it's a sequel, but there is nothing about this that
is anywhere near inventive. Not scary, not compelling, just gross and bloody.
5/ House At The End Of The Street - Sorry Jennifer Lawrence fans, of which I am one this stinks.
There is not one moment of this worth watching. Supposedly scary, but ends up
being predictable, and hokey. Lawrence is joined in this cesspool by Elisabeth
Shue, and a forgettable cast. Steer clear. No Red Box for you! Luckily, JLaw
will be back on our Five Best list later.
There's the Five Worst list. Next up is the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
2012 was not a very memorable year with the movies. Yes revenues were way up but so were tickets prices. The swing between the very good and average was small, and to it's credit, Hollywood didn't make as many horrible flicks as normal. There were a ton of extremely average movies made, that to me was the prevailing takeaway from 2012. But there were some real dogs, so here we go!
The Five Worst Movies Of 2012
1/ Won't Back Down - This is a horrible idea for a movie. Parents supposedly taking over a school
because the school was bad. Based "on actual events" is always a wimpy
way out, translation - not true. Story stinks, acting stinks, writing
stinks, and is insulting to your intelligence. Goes in 20 directions and
not one is worth following. Almost unwatchable.
2/ What To Expect, When You're Expecting - This challenged for the coveted worst movie spot
for me. This is a look at having children and is supposed to be funny. And
as wonderful as Elizabeth Banks is, it is possibly the worst performance of
the year for an actress. Horrible in every single regard. Walk-outable.
3/ One For The Money - Katherine Heigl has been tanking beyond anyone's belief recently.
And for someone so likable, her movies are not. This is not funny, charming,
or anything except Heigl in tight jeans. In fact, this is hopefully the movie that
makes her change direction of her career. Better side dish than main course. It
takes more than tight jeans to make people want to pay 12 dollars to show up.
4/ The Collection - Complete Saw series rip-off made by some of the same people. This silly gore
and blood fest has a huge problem outside of being tasteless and ridiculous. It's
amazingly unoriginal. I know it's a sequel, but there is nothing about this that
is anywhere near inventive. Not scary, not compelling, just gross and bloody.
5/ House At The End Of The Street - Sorry Jennifer Lawrence fans, of which I am one this stinks.
There is not one moment of this worth watching. Supposedly scary, but ends up
being predictable, and hokey. Lawrence is joined in this cesspool by Elisabeth
Shue, and a forgettable cast. Steer clear. No Red Box for you! Luckily, JLaw
will be back on our Five Best list later.
There's the Five Worst list. Next up is the Five Most Surprising Movies of 2012. It'll be up this week. If you have an opinion or thought, feel free to email me, scott@wqmx.com
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