I have to admit, I really like this whole Star Trek re-boot series. The latest installment of this prequel series Star Trek Into Darkness, is very good movie making.
In fact, I am enjoying this series way more than either of the others that have been landing in theaters for 30 years now. This series takes us back to Kirk, Spock, Sulu, Scotty, Bones and the rest of the crew before the TV series and early movie characters. This series is well thought out, well written and really produced in top-notch fashion.
The same cast is back from the first one of this series, and a few others are introduced here. Without giving away too much, this has the crew of the Starship Enterprise meeting up with some old foes, and enemies. And if you are a real Trekkie, this is actually the first time they meet up with them as this takes place before all the rest.
This is everything that is really good about summer action movie making. This is exciting, and fun, and not over the top. I loved the first one, and this is just as good if not better. I am not a gigantic Si-Fi fan, but the one thing I have always loved about the entire Star Trek franchise, is that they do a great job of remembering that even though this takes place 100's of years in our future, the characters still share the same frailties humans face today. That is the separator for me.
Wonderful character development, and a great story. What a wonderful combination for any movie at any time, let alone for a summer action movie. Amazing effects that look very believable, a fantastic musical score, and command performances by all of our actors and this really sings. It is set up for more to come and I'm good with that. I like everything about this movie. Great writing, casting performances, and final production and decision making.
Star Trek Into Darkness. Extremely good.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - The Great Gatsby
One thing I have learned over the years of reviewing movies is this. When you are hearing far more in the hype about who directed the movie, as opposed to the actual movie, that's not usually a good sign.
Quick question. Do you know who Baz Luhrmann is? No, I didn't think so. You may know a few of movie movies, Moulin Rouge, Romeo And Juliet, and Australia. All really interesting movies, but he's certainly not a household name. So he is the maker of the new version of the classic, The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby. This also has a nice cast, with Tobey McGuire and Carey Mulligan, in this adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic novel from the 1920's.
You may know the story in some memories of your high school mandatory reading in literature class. And somewhere in this movie version, the original story still exists, but there have been significant changes. I'm not sure that was a good idea here. The idea is that it needs to be updated to be more contemporary in some regards, but it really was not necessary. Fitzgerald knew what he was doing. This is more than a story written by him. It is the quintessential story about the hedonism and self indulgence of the roaring 1920's. It has stood for almost a 100 years on its own. It may be one of the best novels ever written in many eyes.
Going along with Luhrmann's movie past, this film is very visual and colorful. There are many parts of this movie that look fantastic, and take you back to the 1920's in a way you have never seen, and that's great. Huge sets, lavish costumes, wonderful props, vintage cars, and really wonderful scene setting all throughout this movie. It is set in the 1920's of course, but much of the sound track is a hip-hop mix from 2013. The music is strangely right on target at times, but not at others.
The problem with this movie though is this. It is amazingly fatiguing. Endless party scenes at Gatsby's house, far too many drawn out scenes that go nowhere. And DiCpario to my eye, seems to be doing a Robert Redford imitation from the 1973 classic of the same movie. As mysterious as Gatsby is in the original story, what he is here, is simply hollow, shallow and a shadow of the character in the book and earlier versions. This is not DiCaprio's fault, it's poor adaptation. This should have been a huge part for him, as it turns out, it smacks of poor writing, and a movie maker more concerned on what they could do, and not what they should do.
There is so much effort into making this a visual experience and it falls short on being an entertaining one. Mistake here was effects and fluff first, and everything else sits in the back seat. It is a bad movie? No, but it's certainly a movie that is far more hype than substance. And that's sad.
The Great Gatsby. New and different? Yes. Is it really a great movie? No. A very expensive underachieving project.
Quick question. Do you know who Baz Luhrmann is? No, I didn't think so. You may know a few of movie movies, Moulin Rouge, Romeo And Juliet, and Australia. All really interesting movies, but he's certainly not a household name. So he is the maker of the new version of the classic, The Great Gatsby starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Gatsby. This also has a nice cast, with Tobey McGuire and Carey Mulligan, in this adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic novel from the 1920's.
You may know the story in some memories of your high school mandatory reading in literature class. And somewhere in this movie version, the original story still exists, but there have been significant changes. I'm not sure that was a good idea here. The idea is that it needs to be updated to be more contemporary in some regards, but it really was not necessary. Fitzgerald knew what he was doing. This is more than a story written by him. It is the quintessential story about the hedonism and self indulgence of the roaring 1920's. It has stood for almost a 100 years on its own. It may be one of the best novels ever written in many eyes.
Going along with Luhrmann's movie past, this film is very visual and colorful. There are many parts of this movie that look fantastic, and take you back to the 1920's in a way you have never seen, and that's great. Huge sets, lavish costumes, wonderful props, vintage cars, and really wonderful scene setting all throughout this movie. It is set in the 1920's of course, but much of the sound track is a hip-hop mix from 2013. The music is strangely right on target at times, but not at others.
The problem with this movie though is this. It is amazingly fatiguing. Endless party scenes at Gatsby's house, far too many drawn out scenes that go nowhere. And DiCpario to my eye, seems to be doing a Robert Redford imitation from the 1973 classic of the same movie. As mysterious as Gatsby is in the original story, what he is here, is simply hollow, shallow and a shadow of the character in the book and earlier versions. This is not DiCaprio's fault, it's poor adaptation. This should have been a huge part for him, as it turns out, it smacks of poor writing, and a movie maker more concerned on what they could do, and not what they should do.
There is so much effort into making this a visual experience and it falls short on being an entertaining one. Mistake here was effects and fluff first, and everything else sits in the back seat. It is a bad movie? No, but it's certainly a movie that is far more hype than substance. And that's sad.
The Great Gatsby. New and different? Yes. Is it really a great movie? No. A very expensive underachieving project.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
LOCAL GOLF - Sunday Morning Golf Course Review
Course: Valleaire
Location: Boston Road off Ridge in Hinckley
Directions: Easy access of of Rt. 82, Rt. 303. Close to Medina, 20 minutes or so from Akron
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 7AM
This week The Dewsweepers went out to a nice place to play in Medina County, Valleaire which is at the end of Boston Road in Hinckley.
We have played Valleaire a few times before, and it is always in good shape and is pretty darn good golf. They are in good shape for early in the season with their front 9 rolling terrain, and a more flat back 9. We found the greens quick for this time of year. We also found that for some reason the greens seemed faster on the back 9 overall.
Valleaire is of decent length as a golf course, and overall is a very comfortable place to play. This is a course that is driver friendly off most tees, with it closing in a bit on the back where it is more of a thinking mans course. I always feel this is a course that has some murderous par 4's, so scoring on the 5's and 3's is really important.
Being fair, there was not a lot of good scoring on this round for any of us, except Beef who really played well posting a very solid 83. Not bad at all for this course. Beef kept the ball in front of him for the most part, but really saved himself on the greens. Beef made a bunch of 8-10 footers to either save par,or bogey for the most part, and even drained a real nice birdie putt on number 8 and skinny par 5 up hill. Well done
Tex showed up with new TaylorMade white headed driver finally joining the "white headed drivers club" (we've been waiting) But just as Joe Red is adjusting to his new driver, Tex was too. In fact, Tex took off the plastic and literally hit it for the first time on number one. But you you can see that both are going to benefit mightily when the adjustment is complete. Tex was elevating this driver nicely as that has been one of his bug-a -boo's off the tee. Joe Red too, always a long hitter, will be even longer with his new weapon. But as you know as a one or two time a week player, this takes time. It's not like the pro's who hit a 1,000 balls a day and play 18, where the adjustment is very fast.
I didn't complete my round, as I had a work obligation, I had to call it quits halfway through the back 9. Good thing, I wasn't playing well on the back, after a so-so front. I had back-to-back birdies on 8 and 9, that saved me and shot a 42 on the front, with 3 doubles. Very inconsistent. On the back had a clouded mind, and a focusing problem, and did not play well around the greens or putt well. I drove the ball very well all day, but had nothing to show for it. We handicapped me out for a 48 on the back.
Course highlights? This course boasts really tough par 4's. Including number 2, 430 yards to an elevated green. Number 4 hard uphill 335 yards, number 6 very tight drive 340 yards to a protected green. Number 10, brutally long par 4 uphill, 420 yards high elevated green, and 18, a tough driving 375, with a creek at the landing area. The par 5's are where you can make your move as most are scorable. But number 3, is very long, but still a scoring hole. And the signature number 9, 150 yard par 3 off a high hill, over water all the way to a green 40 foot below. Great hole.
Overall Valleaire is a fun course with a bit of everything. Quaint clubhouse, nice service and and rates that are fair.
Scores
Beef - 83
Wynn - 90
Joe Red - 94
Tex - 107
Location: Boston Road off Ridge in Hinckley
Directions: Easy access of of Rt. 82, Rt. 303. Close to Medina, 20 minutes or so from Akron
Dewsweepers Tee Time Was: 7AM
This week The Dewsweepers went out to a nice place to play in Medina County, Valleaire which is at the end of Boston Road in Hinckley.
We have played Valleaire a few times before, and it is always in good shape and is pretty darn good golf. They are in good shape for early in the season with their front 9 rolling terrain, and a more flat back 9. We found the greens quick for this time of year. We also found that for some reason the greens seemed faster on the back 9 overall.
Valleaire is of decent length as a golf course, and overall is a very comfortable place to play. This is a course that is driver friendly off most tees, with it closing in a bit on the back where it is more of a thinking mans course. I always feel this is a course that has some murderous par 4's, so scoring on the 5's and 3's is really important.
Being fair, there was not a lot of good scoring on this round for any of us, except Beef who really played well posting a very solid 83. Not bad at all for this course. Beef kept the ball in front of him for the most part, but really saved himself on the greens. Beef made a bunch of 8-10 footers to either save par,or bogey for the most part, and even drained a real nice birdie putt on number 8 and skinny par 5 up hill. Well done
Tex showed up with new TaylorMade white headed driver finally joining the "white headed drivers club" (we've been waiting) But just as Joe Red is adjusting to his new driver, Tex was too. In fact, Tex took off the plastic and literally hit it for the first time on number one. But you you can see that both are going to benefit mightily when the adjustment is complete. Tex was elevating this driver nicely as that has been one of his bug-a -boo's off the tee. Joe Red too, always a long hitter, will be even longer with his new weapon. But as you know as a one or two time a week player, this takes time. It's not like the pro's who hit a 1,000 balls a day and play 18, where the adjustment is very fast.
I didn't complete my round, as I had a work obligation, I had to call it quits halfway through the back 9. Good thing, I wasn't playing well on the back, after a so-so front. I had back-to-back birdies on 8 and 9, that saved me and shot a 42 on the front, with 3 doubles. Very inconsistent. On the back had a clouded mind, and a focusing problem, and did not play well around the greens or putt well. I drove the ball very well all day, but had nothing to show for it. We handicapped me out for a 48 on the back.
Course highlights? This course boasts really tough par 4's. Including number 2, 430 yards to an elevated green. Number 4 hard uphill 335 yards, number 6 very tight drive 340 yards to a protected green. Number 10, brutally long par 4 uphill, 420 yards high elevated green, and 18, a tough driving 375, with a creek at the landing area. The par 5's are where you can make your move as most are scorable. But number 3, is very long, but still a scoring hole. And the signature number 9, 150 yard par 3 off a high hill, over water all the way to a green 40 foot below. Great hole.
Overall Valleaire is a fun course with a bit of everything. Quaint clubhouse, nice service and and rates that are fair.
Scores
Beef - 83
Wynn - 90
Joe Red - 94
Tex - 107
Monday, May 6, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Disconnect
Newly out ,and in extremely limited release is the new cyber-space intense thriller, Disconnect.
Many times we go to the movies to be scared. Hollywood tries slasher flicks, horror flicks and tons of body dismemberment tactics thinking that that will scare us. I doesn't really. All those movies are in sense, are bad car crashes. You kind of have to watch to see how they do it. But fear does not generally ensue, maybe a jolt or two.
Disconnect has none of the qualities mentioned above. What this is, is a movie about the digital age we live in, and what happens every single time we talk on a mobile phone, send a text, e-mail or go on the web. It dares to show you what happens to you, and your identity when we do what we do every day. Some of it ain't pretty.
This is three separate stories all relevant to our world today. The first one centers around social networking and kids at middle school, with a horrible case of cyber-bullying that really isn't far -fetched at all. And the possible ramifications to the young and the vulnerable. Then there is the case of identity theft, where a young couple loses all their money and what happens to their lives. The third one centers around cyber-sex and that industry that involves young kids, the media, and laws that can be broken on the Federal level that many don't even know about.
The stories all eventually intersect and all come together in tidy manner. But just as in real life, there really is no resolution that is absolute in either of our stories, just like real life. Disconnect follows the same formula as Crash years ago, but so what? It was good formula then, and it works here.
This is a very eye-opening movie about the digital world that we so willingly live in, and it may be wake up call for many who see it. Even though our characters themselves as humans make terrible decisions that lead to many of the problems in their lives, it shows how easy it is for all to be tied up worse than ever in cyber-space. Skillfully, this movie does not blame their problems on the technology that exists, but it shows just how quickly it can quickly spiral out of control.
This has a great cast with Jason Bateman, best think he's done in a while. as this is not some screwball cookie cutter comedy with buddies. And he lovely Andrea Riseborough, who is also the best thing in Oblivion with Tom Cruise right now. She is a wonderful new face in American theaters and she is solid here. She has such a great look with a perfectly flawed appearance, and manner making her very real. But in fairness, the star of this movie, is the movie and story.
Disconnect. If you go, be willing to learn the truth you may be lying to yourself about. This is pretty intense, and sometimes scary stuff. Well done.
Many times we go to the movies to be scared. Hollywood tries slasher flicks, horror flicks and tons of body dismemberment tactics thinking that that will scare us. I doesn't really. All those movies are in sense, are bad car crashes. You kind of have to watch to see how they do it. But fear does not generally ensue, maybe a jolt or two.
Disconnect has none of the qualities mentioned above. What this is, is a movie about the digital age we live in, and what happens every single time we talk on a mobile phone, send a text, e-mail or go on the web. It dares to show you what happens to you, and your identity when we do what we do every day. Some of it ain't pretty.
This is three separate stories all relevant to our world today. The first one centers around social networking and kids at middle school, with a horrible case of cyber-bullying that really isn't far -fetched at all. And the possible ramifications to the young and the vulnerable. Then there is the case of identity theft, where a young couple loses all their money and what happens to their lives. The third one centers around cyber-sex and that industry that involves young kids, the media, and laws that can be broken on the Federal level that many don't even know about.
The stories all eventually intersect and all come together in tidy manner. But just as in real life, there really is no resolution that is absolute in either of our stories, just like real life. Disconnect follows the same formula as Crash years ago, but so what? It was good formula then, and it works here.
This is a very eye-opening movie about the digital world that we so willingly live in, and it may be wake up call for many who see it. Even though our characters themselves as humans make terrible decisions that lead to many of the problems in their lives, it shows how easy it is for all to be tied up worse than ever in cyber-space. Skillfully, this movie does not blame their problems on the technology that exists, but it shows just how quickly it can quickly spiral out of control.
This has a great cast with Jason Bateman, best think he's done in a while. as this is not some screwball cookie cutter comedy with buddies. And he lovely Andrea Riseborough, who is also the best thing in Oblivion with Tom Cruise right now. She is a wonderful new face in American theaters and she is solid here. She has such a great look with a perfectly flawed appearance, and manner making her very real. But in fairness, the star of this movie, is the movie and story.
Disconnect. If you go, be willing to learn the truth you may be lying to yourself about. This is pretty intense, and sometimes scary stuff. Well done.
Friday, May 3, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Mud
This is a flat out great movie.
Matthew McConaughey stars in the role of his career as Mud. Mud is a young guy marooned on this small island deep in the Arkansas river bed area. He lives in a boat that has become perched high in a tree after the last big flood. He is discovered by two young 14 year old boys out exploring one day and befriends them.
But who is Mud really? What is his story, and why does he carry a gun in his pants? And why is he way out there all alone? These are all big questions the boys have. And you will too when you go see Mud.
This is tough story to really articulate well, as it is extremely well written and extremely well thought out. In the end, it is a love story of sorts, but also makes commentary about life in the deep, and I mean deep river south. As it takes us to places not really seen by most of us. This is not light movie making. It's a tragedy of sorts. A cross between Shakespeare, Stand By Me, and Deliverance.
This has a great cast including Reece Witherspoon, and others all perfectly placed in this movie. But the story of Mud,the movie, is McConaughey. There is no one else that could have played this role and certainly no one could have played it as well. This is far more than a movie for him. It is a reminder to himself and all of us, that he is capable of doing well above excellent work, when given the right vehicle. He is brilliant as the mysterious Mud. In fact, he will be as good in this movie as anyone else will be in any other movie the rest of this year.
Seldom does Oscar buss start this time of year, but this performance will live on till Christmas and will be remembered. He quite frankly was born to play this role.
Mud. Limited release, but a movie goers must see. McConaughey is phenomenal.
MOVIE REVIEW - Iron Man 3
Movies like Iron Man 3 are then hardest to review. Because virtually everyone that goes to see this movie, started loving this movie months before they saw one minute of it. And they don't want to hear anything but how great it is.
And that's how it is with these kinds of movies. Many, so fixated on what the movie makers "can" do and not what they "could" do. Right up front, the special effects here are first class, and this movie is visually very stunning, no matter if you go regular or 3-D. This is even in IMAX 3-D, which makes any movie spectacular. This has a marvelous and exciting musical soundtrack that accompanies the long action sequences. Sets and staging for this movie are first rate, and much of this looks, and sometimes feels very good.
Robert Downey Jr is back as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Gwenyth Paltrow is back as Pepper, and much of the rest of the regular supporting cast is back as well. All fine. Ben Kingsley is a guest star here as The Mandarin, the new "villain", and Guy Pearce is here, and he too is on Iron Man's wrong side Seems all the elements are in place for a very good movie. And much of this is good. But then there's reality.
In short, this is a very non-subtle movie that puts terrorism right out front. There is a new kind of science that is DNA altering and could have wonderful uses when injected into humans. The thought is to grow back and repair parts of the body that become damaged, or even amputated. But the science is flawed and there are massive failures. But this technology falls into terrorist hands and now it is being used to force an agenda. More on that later. The "Think Tank" create a face to the movement and his name is The Mandarin. He and this group are extremely anti-west, anti-American, and anti-big oil and big business. So they target America with their campaign.
They also target Stark and his technology hoping that they can acquire that so they can not only terrorize the world, but they couldn't be stopped. They believe America likes to fight a war on terror, and they want to supply the supply. They pose a huge threat to the country and the world and to Iron Man himself, as the new technology seems to trump his.
But what this turns out to be is really something else rooted deep in the story and really makes this under what it should be. This terrorist group in the end turns out to be a radical environmental group on steroids. They execute an oil executive on live TV, and they try to kill The President who they say is soft on an oil spill they are angry about. They blow up Air Force One, torture the President, infiltrate the Vice-President and flip him over to their side for his own gain.
Then there's the villain. Basic Superhero 101. You must have a fantastic villain to make a great superhero movie. And this movie plain and simple does not have one. In fact, the amazing villain you think you're going to get in Ben Kingsley, turns out to be a rouse on you, the customer, and that is the films most disappointing feature. Truth be told, he's hardly in this movie at all. And certainly does not live up to the billing or as advertised.
What Iron Man hasn't figured out quite yet, is that as fun and funny as Tony Stark is, villains make these movie great. Ask the Batman makers how Heath Ledger worked out, Tom Hardy too. And the list goes on from there. I always think what makes these movies go, is your hatred for the bad guy, and not your love for the good. This gets lost here, and what this turns into, is a video game with tons of Iron Men running around trying to save the day. I now that can be very compelling for many fans, but it thins out the story and cheapens the movie. This movie should have it all, big effects, big characters and an inventive story. What it really has, it toys, gadgets, computers and effects.
In the end this is a big, loud and visually stunning movie that is going to be very entertaining for tons of people. But this series as big as this will be, could be teetering on having to decide where it wants to go. How many more wisecracks will we have to hear Stark say, and how many more facets can they develop for Iron Man himself.
Iron Man 3. This may rewrite every single box office record ever for the time being. But from my seat, it's not all it should have been.
And that's how it is with these kinds of movies. Many, so fixated on what the movie makers "can" do and not what they "could" do. Right up front, the special effects here are first class, and this movie is visually very stunning, no matter if you go regular or 3-D. This is even in IMAX 3-D, which makes any movie spectacular. This has a marvelous and exciting musical soundtrack that accompanies the long action sequences. Sets and staging for this movie are first rate, and much of this looks, and sometimes feels very good.
Robert Downey Jr is back as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Gwenyth Paltrow is back as Pepper, and much of the rest of the regular supporting cast is back as well. All fine. Ben Kingsley is a guest star here as The Mandarin, the new "villain", and Guy Pearce is here, and he too is on Iron Man's wrong side Seems all the elements are in place for a very good movie. And much of this is good. But then there's reality.
In short, this is a very non-subtle movie that puts terrorism right out front. There is a new kind of science that is DNA altering and could have wonderful uses when injected into humans. The thought is to grow back and repair parts of the body that become damaged, or even amputated. But the science is flawed and there are massive failures. But this technology falls into terrorist hands and now it is being used to force an agenda. More on that later. The "Think Tank" create a face to the movement and his name is The Mandarin. He and this group are extremely anti-west, anti-American, and anti-big oil and big business. So they target America with their campaign.
They also target Stark and his technology hoping that they can acquire that so they can not only terrorize the world, but they couldn't be stopped. They believe America likes to fight a war on terror, and they want to supply the supply. They pose a huge threat to the country and the world and to Iron Man himself, as the new technology seems to trump his.
But what this turns out to be is really something else rooted deep in the story and really makes this under what it should be. This terrorist group in the end turns out to be a radical environmental group on steroids. They execute an oil executive on live TV, and they try to kill The President who they say is soft on an oil spill they are angry about. They blow up Air Force One, torture the President, infiltrate the Vice-President and flip him over to their side for his own gain.
Then there's the villain. Basic Superhero 101. You must have a fantastic villain to make a great superhero movie. And this movie plain and simple does not have one. In fact, the amazing villain you think you're going to get in Ben Kingsley, turns out to be a rouse on you, the customer, and that is the films most disappointing feature. Truth be told, he's hardly in this movie at all. And certainly does not live up to the billing or as advertised.
What Iron Man hasn't figured out quite yet, is that as fun and funny as Tony Stark is, villains make these movie great. Ask the Batman makers how Heath Ledger worked out, Tom Hardy too. And the list goes on from there. I always think what makes these movies go, is your hatred for the bad guy, and not your love for the good. This gets lost here, and what this turns into, is a video game with tons of Iron Men running around trying to save the day. I now that can be very compelling for many fans, but it thins out the story and cheapens the movie. This movie should have it all, big effects, big characters and an inventive story. What it really has, it toys, gadgets, computers and effects.
In the end this is a big, loud and visually stunning movie that is going to be very entertaining for tons of people. But this series as big as this will be, could be teetering on having to decide where it wants to go. How many more wisecracks will we have to hear Stark say, and how many more facets can they develop for Iron Man himself.
Iron Man 3. This may rewrite every single box office record ever for the time being. But from my seat, it's not all it should have been.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
MOVIE REVIEW - Arthur Newman
Here comes a small, Indy pic in extremely limited release, with Oscar winner Colin Firth and Emily Blunt, Arthur Newman.
First off, I like Firth as an actor, but I love Blunt as an actress. And they both give really good performances in this movie that has all of the makings of being a good movie, but isn't. The trouble with this movie is there just isn't enough memorable story here.
This is the story of Wallace (Firth). He is a middle aged washed up golf pro who is sick of his life so he decides to drop out of it. He is also divorced with a 13-year old son. He now has a new girlfriend, Mina (Ann Heche) but he's bored with her too. His son hates him, so does his ex-wife, and Mina loves him, but thinks he's boring too. So Wallace fakes his own death and assumes the identity of someone named Arthur Newman.
As he leaves Florida he meets a young junkie woman named Mike (Blunt). She has her own demons too and somehow these two are seemingly made for each other as they each are running away from something in the past. They set out on this road trip that includes sneaking into other peoples houses and having sex in their beds and temporarily living their lives. Sound weird? It is. Sadly, it's just not very compelling. Will they somehow find peace or, will they end up together? Who knows, and again sadly, who cares?
Many Indy flicks can be so very good, and there are elements of this that are. But what I think really hurts this movie is the fact that there is no sense of harsh reality. It attempts it but fails. It goes out of its way to be topical, but maybe that's the problem. Great Indy movies just kind of happen, and thrust you into their lives and you can relate somehow. And generally, they say something, usually poignant. But not here. Quirky and fun at times yes. But you need more. When you are in an era of huge movies and you choose to be small like this, you have to have an above the line story. That is the epic fail of this movie.
Firth is fine here, and Blunt I think is at some point will win an Oscar up the road for some role. She is great here, as the enigmatic Mike. Blunt is easy to watch and she is easy to take in. She's a natural, and there hopefully are great things ahead for here. She is great here, and has been great in the past. I already look forward to her next movie.
Arthur Newman. You need more that just an Indy formula, you need a big story in a small movie.
First off, I like Firth as an actor, but I love Blunt as an actress. And they both give really good performances in this movie that has all of the makings of being a good movie, but isn't. The trouble with this movie is there just isn't enough memorable story here.
This is the story of Wallace (Firth). He is a middle aged washed up golf pro who is sick of his life so he decides to drop out of it. He is also divorced with a 13-year old son. He now has a new girlfriend, Mina (Ann Heche) but he's bored with her too. His son hates him, so does his ex-wife, and Mina loves him, but thinks he's boring too. So Wallace fakes his own death and assumes the identity of someone named Arthur Newman.
As he leaves Florida he meets a young junkie woman named Mike (Blunt). She has her own demons too and somehow these two are seemingly made for each other as they each are running away from something in the past. They set out on this road trip that includes sneaking into other peoples houses and having sex in their beds and temporarily living their lives. Sound weird? It is. Sadly, it's just not very compelling. Will they somehow find peace or, will they end up together? Who knows, and again sadly, who cares?
Many Indy flicks can be so very good, and there are elements of this that are. But what I think really hurts this movie is the fact that there is no sense of harsh reality. It attempts it but fails. It goes out of its way to be topical, but maybe that's the problem. Great Indy movies just kind of happen, and thrust you into their lives and you can relate somehow. And generally, they say something, usually poignant. But not here. Quirky and fun at times yes. But you need more. When you are in an era of huge movies and you choose to be small like this, you have to have an above the line story. That is the epic fail of this movie.
Firth is fine here, and Blunt I think is at some point will win an Oscar up the road for some role. She is great here, as the enigmatic Mike. Blunt is easy to watch and she is easy to take in. She's a natural, and there hopefully are great things ahead for here. She is great here, and has been great in the past. I already look forward to her next movie.
Arthur Newman. You need more that just an Indy formula, you need a big story in a small movie.
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