After a few weeks of some very heavy hitters coming into your living room, this week it's far more tempered. We have a big budget flop, and a huge hit from the holiday season. But, that's the great thing about having these come into your home quickly these days.
For an economical price, you can see a movie you may have been curious about, and see it for not a huge price. Both of these major releases fit that criteria. Remember, we only feature major motion picture releases here, and not TV series or straight to video movies. I also link you back to my original review where applicable, so you can make an informed decision before you rent, buy, or hit buy on your pay-per-view.
What's New This Week
Anchorman 2
Will Farrell and the entire troupe is back for the sequel to the huge hit original comedy. Funny and clever at times, but this is pretty much two different movies. Really out there.
47 Ronin
Keanu Reeves' big budget action martial arts flick that generated very little interest during the busy holiday rush. Lots of action, and really different for him in general.
scott@wqmx.com
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - God's Not Dead
This new agenda-laden movie is going to be a great example of a movie that Hollywood critics are going to loathe, and those who choose to go to see it are going to love.
God's Not Dead has an agenda. It is a Christian based story that in many instances preaches, and makes no secret that it has something to say. And it does. But in all things fair in cinema, so do lots of other movies that Hollywood creates. Only this one has an agenda that is far outside of the basic Hollywood framework. I think to review this fairly, you have to pretend it's a movie that is promoting certain politics, or an environmental message for examples. This in that regard is no different. I think that's simply the fair thing to do. We certainly have movies that are on the other side of the agenda fence fence.
This is the story of a number of non-connected people living in the same college town. They all are having a crisis of some kind, or are involved with those who have real problems. Some of which we can see, some we cannot. And it all revolves around a young college freshman named Josh (Shane Harper). He is in an early philosophy class with a bully of a professor (Kevin Sorbo), who is making the class all sign a pledge that God is dead before they can move on with the class. The Prof is an admitted atheist and does not want to be bothered with talk of the supernatural for the semester while discussing his discipline. Josh is a Christian and will not sign. The Prof then assigns Josh the task of trying to convince the class of his argument with the idea of total failure, and embarrassment in front of the entire class.
He even bullies Josh into threatening to fail him. He is an awful person on the surface and you sense he's got something big to hide. Josh accepts the challenge, and proceeds encountering many roadblocks along the way. You can guess where this goes, and how it gets there. And there are no real surprises. The other stories revolve around this main one, and each is an instance where someone in need, moves one step closer to believing.
Yes, this has problems not doubt. It is preachy at times, and predictable most of the time. This is also a limited appeal and release flick that will get trashed all along the way. Some of it warranted. Some will judge as they walk in.
But the origins of this movie are fairly interesting. It was inspired from, and based on, but not a true story from a few dozen actual lawsuits and cases filed over the years on documented cases coast to coast. All from students being bullied by the faculty of numerous colleges and universities. Cases where students were threatened or pushed to compromise their spiritual beliefs from professors for grades or acceptance. And they are all listed at the movies end.
What this really is, is simple. It is spotlighting, and totally indicting the secondary education system educators long thought by many to have their own way of doing things in the classroom. Faculty in this story are portrayed as elitist, condescending, awful people. In a perfect world for the movie makers, they would hope that young adults would see this and feel empowered going off to college. And parents who go, could get a look at what their kids could possibly be facing, especially early on in their college experience.
As a movie, it is fair at best. A good and capable cast, written moderately well, and eye opening to a degree. But this is not subtle. It has a statement to make, and makes it. I respect that. But it stumbles badly towards the end and sells us a bit too hard, and is just a bit too obvious when it was already walking a thin line. But the inspiration for this I found interesting, even if the sum of all its parts are flawed.
God's Not Dead. Those who go will more than likely love this. But many will wave this off.
God's Not Dead has an agenda. It is a Christian based story that in many instances preaches, and makes no secret that it has something to say. And it does. But in all things fair in cinema, so do lots of other movies that Hollywood creates. Only this one has an agenda that is far outside of the basic Hollywood framework. I think to review this fairly, you have to pretend it's a movie that is promoting certain politics, or an environmental message for examples. This in that regard is no different. I think that's simply the fair thing to do. We certainly have movies that are on the other side of the agenda fence fence.
This is the story of a number of non-connected people living in the same college town. They all are having a crisis of some kind, or are involved with those who have real problems. Some of which we can see, some we cannot. And it all revolves around a young college freshman named Josh (Shane Harper). He is in an early philosophy class with a bully of a professor (Kevin Sorbo), who is making the class all sign a pledge that God is dead before they can move on with the class. The Prof is an admitted atheist and does not want to be bothered with talk of the supernatural for the semester while discussing his discipline. Josh is a Christian and will not sign. The Prof then assigns Josh the task of trying to convince the class of his argument with the idea of total failure, and embarrassment in front of the entire class.
He even bullies Josh into threatening to fail him. He is an awful person on the surface and you sense he's got something big to hide. Josh accepts the challenge, and proceeds encountering many roadblocks along the way. You can guess where this goes, and how it gets there. And there are no real surprises. The other stories revolve around this main one, and each is an instance where someone in need, moves one step closer to believing.
Yes, this has problems not doubt. It is preachy at times, and predictable most of the time. This is also a limited appeal and release flick that will get trashed all along the way. Some of it warranted. Some will judge as they walk in.
But the origins of this movie are fairly interesting. It was inspired from, and based on, but not a true story from a few dozen actual lawsuits and cases filed over the years on documented cases coast to coast. All from students being bullied by the faculty of numerous colleges and universities. Cases where students were threatened or pushed to compromise their spiritual beliefs from professors for grades or acceptance. And they are all listed at the movies end.
What this really is, is simple. It is spotlighting, and totally indicting the secondary education system educators long thought by many to have their own way of doing things in the classroom. Faculty in this story are portrayed as elitist, condescending, awful people. In a perfect world for the movie makers, they would hope that young adults would see this and feel empowered going off to college. And parents who go, could get a look at what their kids could possibly be facing, especially early on in their college experience.
As a movie, it is fair at best. A good and capable cast, written moderately well, and eye opening to a degree. But this is not subtle. It has a statement to make, and makes it. I respect that. But it stumbles badly towards the end and sells us a bit too hard, and is just a bit too obvious when it was already walking a thin line. But the inspiration for this I found interesting, even if the sum of all its parts are flawed.
God's Not Dead. Those who go will more than likely love this. But many will wave this off.
MOVIE REVIEW -The Grand Budapest Hotel
Little independent movies can be a real trip when you go, and that certainly can be said of the new off-beat comedy, The Grand Budapest Hotel.
To say that this has a limited audience is being kind. This film is exceedingly strange, and deliciously quirky, Too much for many, but if you like that kind of stuff this is perfect for you. This has a great cast, all in small roles, and that's part of the fun.
This is the story told in flashback form of a man who is recalling his story to a young writer in 1968. The man, Zero, is telling the story of how he came to own this old grand European Hotel that goes back to the 1930's. To say this is far too complicated to explain here is the movie review understatement of the year. It takes us back to when Zero was a simple "Lobby Boy" at the hotel, with the mentoring of an eccentric concierge named M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). They go on this huge journey together and somehow Zero, ends up owning the hotel.
This is amazingly unique and wonderfully fun, with countless laugh out loud moments. It is shameless at times, silly at times, smart and really funny. There are a boatload of Hollywood stars in this, and watching them pop up throughout the entire movie is half the fun. This will only be around for a short time, so you better go quickly. Theaters are limited, and this will not go to wide release. It is being reviewed well nationally, and here as well. Fun adult stuff.
The Grand Budapest Hotel. You have to love independent movies to like this. Pretty darn funny, and wildly off beat.
To say that this has a limited audience is being kind. This film is exceedingly strange, and deliciously quirky, Too much for many, but if you like that kind of stuff this is perfect for you. This has a great cast, all in small roles, and that's part of the fun.
This is the story told in flashback form of a man who is recalling his story to a young writer in 1968. The man, Zero, is telling the story of how he came to own this old grand European Hotel that goes back to the 1930's. To say this is far too complicated to explain here is the movie review understatement of the year. It takes us back to when Zero was a simple "Lobby Boy" at the hotel, with the mentoring of an eccentric concierge named M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes). They go on this huge journey together and somehow Zero, ends up owning the hotel.
This is amazingly unique and wonderfully fun, with countless laugh out loud moments. It is shameless at times, silly at times, smart and really funny. There are a boatload of Hollywood stars in this, and watching them pop up throughout the entire movie is half the fun. This will only be around for a short time, so you better go quickly. Theaters are limited, and this will not go to wide release. It is being reviewed well nationally, and here as well. Fun adult stuff.
The Grand Budapest Hotel. You have to love independent movies to like this. Pretty darn funny, and wildly off beat.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Sabotage
Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in yet another action movie, Sabotage.
You might think that it may be time to hang it up on some of these kind of movies, and select his roles, perhaps a big more carefully. He is in his upper 60's now, and it's becoming more difficult all the time to believe he is an action hero of this magnitude. But, here he is.
Truth is, HE is really not the big problem in this movie. The trouble is, this is an ugly, ugly movie. The writers and directors go to great lengths to show us every single imaginable blown off body part, pools of blood, and exceedingly gruesome death scenes. Over and over again.
This is the story of an elite DEA enforcement troupe led by John (Arnold). They go covert, and find themselves in the worst drug havens one can imagine. But after one raid goes wrong, they lose a team member, and someone rips off the drug cartel of about 10 million dollars. The money of course is considered missing by the DEA, and John is suspended, and the group is put on hold.
But after the investigation is over, they are cleared and they go back to work. Trouble is, the group starts getting picked off one-by-one in grizzly form, by someone we don't know. Since the murders happen in Atlanta, the APD gets involved and they begin their own investigation. Who is doing this? Is it one of their own trying to get the 10 million? And why? Or is it the cartel wanting their 10 mill back?
If you like a to see horrible, grizzly death, this is your movie. This is amazingly bloody, with a high emphasis on the gross-me-out factor. Being fair this is horror movie violent, and I guess it needs to be in the directors mind, because that's about all its got. Thin on plot (which is easy to figure out in the first 15 minutes), and short on any real attempt at serious movie making. This will though, have the "I like Arnold" factor, and I admit I do. When he gets the right role, he can be fun on screen, even in these movies.
Most of these Arnold movies do have an underlying charm that make them palatable, but not here. This is ugly, dark, dank, and charmless. But, I think they felt no choice, since they are dealing with the cartel, who are truly horrible people in the mix. But this will have limited appeal, and will come and go quickly.
Sabotage. Tough stuff , not really a date night flick.
You might think that it may be time to hang it up on some of these kind of movies, and select his roles, perhaps a big more carefully. He is in his upper 60's now, and it's becoming more difficult all the time to believe he is an action hero of this magnitude. But, here he is.
Truth is, HE is really not the big problem in this movie. The trouble is, this is an ugly, ugly movie. The writers and directors go to great lengths to show us every single imaginable blown off body part, pools of blood, and exceedingly gruesome death scenes. Over and over again.
This is the story of an elite DEA enforcement troupe led by John (Arnold). They go covert, and find themselves in the worst drug havens one can imagine. But after one raid goes wrong, they lose a team member, and someone rips off the drug cartel of about 10 million dollars. The money of course is considered missing by the DEA, and John is suspended, and the group is put on hold.
But after the investigation is over, they are cleared and they go back to work. Trouble is, the group starts getting picked off one-by-one in grizzly form, by someone we don't know. Since the murders happen in Atlanta, the APD gets involved and they begin their own investigation. Who is doing this? Is it one of their own trying to get the 10 million? And why? Or is it the cartel wanting their 10 mill back?
If you like a to see horrible, grizzly death, this is your movie. This is amazingly bloody, with a high emphasis on the gross-me-out factor. Being fair this is horror movie violent, and I guess it needs to be in the directors mind, because that's about all its got. Thin on plot (which is easy to figure out in the first 15 minutes), and short on any real attempt at serious movie making. This will though, have the "I like Arnold" factor, and I admit I do. When he gets the right role, he can be fun on screen, even in these movies.
Most of these Arnold movies do have an underlying charm that make them palatable, but not here. This is ugly, dark, dank, and charmless. But, I think they felt no choice, since they are dealing with the cartel, who are truly horrible people in the mix. But this will have limited appeal, and will come and go quickly.
Sabotage. Tough stuff , not really a date night flick.
Friday, March 28, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Noah
Here comes the seasons first big blockbuster, Russell Crowe stars in the big budget film, Noah.
Let me be the first to tell you this is big in about every single way. And for may reasons, this is not for everybody. This is deep, and heavy, and pretty tough to take at times for very young or casual viewers. And for some, this will look nothing like the story they've read in the Bible. There is plenty of creative license, and that's fine. It is their interpretation of this story.
Crowe stars as Noah, and leads an all-star cast including Emma Watson, Jennifer Connolly, Anthony Hopkins and more. This movie has also generated more than just buzz, it has created a fervor for some by the replacing of the word God with Creator for the entire movie. Also, for not following the story literally from the Biblical one. The basics are in place. Noah is charged with the starting over of the world after the great flood, and is also charged with building the Ark to do so.
That's about where I can stop telling you the story, because you'll want to see where they go. But we can instead focus on the movie making. This is pretty intense carrying a PG-13 rating. Clearly, there is no foul language, and of course nothing really objectionable in its form. But some of this is very tough to take. There is brief, but quite disturbing animal torture, and there is a significant amount of violence that is lengthy, albeit mostly computer generated. So just be aware.
But there is good here. The sets when they are real or computer, are sensational. The costuming is great, makeup too. They successfully transport us back to biblical times and this looks very authentic. There is a big musical soundtrack that accompanies this, that adds to the mystique, and to the drama. And that's exactly what this is. A drama. Two hours and twenty minutes of deep drama. Crow is terrific as Noah, who is depicted here as a highly devoted and deeply conflicted man, who comes to understand the gravity of the charge the "Creator" has given him. Sadly, as good as much of this is, there are segments that look out of place, and video-gamey at times, and they stuck out like a sore thumb.
Overall, there is a lot to like here for many But for some this will leave them flat. And keep in mind, true or historical events are seldom told 100 percent accurately in cinema. And that holds true with this. But since it is a biblical story, there seems to be less wiggle room for movie makers. This is not a defense of the these makers, it is just how it's done. My suggestion would be watch the movie if you choose to, on it's script, and if it differs from your own interpretation of events, just know that is nothing new. People have been debating many biblical stories for centuries around the dinner table so it should be no surprise we can do it with the movies.
Noah. Harsh at times, very good at times, and big all the time. Big budget movie season is underway.
Let me be the first to tell you this is big in about every single way. And for may reasons, this is not for everybody. This is deep, and heavy, and pretty tough to take at times for very young or casual viewers. And for some, this will look nothing like the story they've read in the Bible. There is plenty of creative license, and that's fine. It is their interpretation of this story.
Crowe stars as Noah, and leads an all-star cast including Emma Watson, Jennifer Connolly, Anthony Hopkins and more. This movie has also generated more than just buzz, it has created a fervor for some by the replacing of the word God with Creator for the entire movie. Also, for not following the story literally from the Biblical one. The basics are in place. Noah is charged with the starting over of the world after the great flood, and is also charged with building the Ark to do so.
That's about where I can stop telling you the story, because you'll want to see where they go. But we can instead focus on the movie making. This is pretty intense carrying a PG-13 rating. Clearly, there is no foul language, and of course nothing really objectionable in its form. But some of this is very tough to take. There is brief, but quite disturbing animal torture, and there is a significant amount of violence that is lengthy, albeit mostly computer generated. So just be aware.
But there is good here. The sets when they are real or computer, are sensational. The costuming is great, makeup too. They successfully transport us back to biblical times and this looks very authentic. There is a big musical soundtrack that accompanies this, that adds to the mystique, and to the drama. And that's exactly what this is. A drama. Two hours and twenty minutes of deep drama. Crow is terrific as Noah, who is depicted here as a highly devoted and deeply conflicted man, who comes to understand the gravity of the charge the "Creator" has given him. Sadly, as good as much of this is, there are segments that look out of place, and video-gamey at times, and they stuck out like a sore thumb.
Overall, there is a lot to like here for many But for some this will leave them flat. And keep in mind, true or historical events are seldom told 100 percent accurately in cinema. And that holds true with this. But since it is a biblical story, there seems to be less wiggle room for movie makers. This is not a defense of the these makers, it is just how it's done. My suggestion would be watch the movie if you choose to, on it's script, and if it differs from your own interpretation of events, just know that is nothing new. People have been debating many biblical stories for centuries around the dinner table so it should be no surprise we can do it with the movies.
Noah. Harsh at times, very good at times, and big all the time. Big budget movie season is underway.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
MOVIE REVIEW - Divergent
New this week is the big-budget, young adult action flick, Divergent. Thought to bring in 90 plus million in its first weekend. It did not.
This is based on the big series of books that swept through young readers recently. The hope is that this two hour-twenty minute movie would give it life. Well it's here, and even though the most die hard fans, and those just dying to love this movie will concede that this is a poor man's Hunger Games, and they were here first.
The formula is exactly the same. We go way into the future, and the world has been through a huge war, and there is a simple bare-bones society left. We have a young woman hero and main star, who is the change that the new world society seems to need to save and enhance itself. She is a brave soldier of change, and she is considered dangerous to the establishment. All the while, falling in love with a young hunk with similar pedigree and situation. In its formula, it's The Hunger Games.
There are some differences though. In Divergent, we are in what's left of Chicago about 100 years in the future. The war has destroyed the world, and there is a big fence around Chicago to keep out the unknowns. Society is broken down into 5 factions, and when teens reach a certain age, they have to decide what faction they want to live in, many times leaving their families. Each faction has a certain skill set that makes the new world work. But once you leave, you can never go back to your original faction.
Then there are the "Divergents." They are for some reason a threat to society because they have traits of all factions. They are hunted down, and eliminated by the ruling faction. Meet Tris (Shailene Woodley). She is one, and she is our star. So after she joins the soldiering faction of society, it is found that she is divergent, and so is her new love interest Four (Theo James). And after the soldiering faction is sent out to take over all factions and be the new ruling faction, these two are resistant, and give all hope.
There is a ton about this that young adults are going to bite into hard. Growing up, leaving home, going on an adventure, finding young love, playing with video game like weapons, and trying to make a big mark in the world. It's love, rebellion, and action all rolled into one. That is why the formula works. But I think that maybe movie goers might be catching on. They have seen this before, and done way better in Hunger Games.
I like Woodley, and I think that the future is bright for her. I loved her in the Descendants, and The Spectacular Now, and there are good projects in the pipe for her. But the trouble here is, that there is nothing exciting around her. This might be the most non-compelling action big budget movie in a long time. The entire time, I felt like I had seen every scene of this movie somewhere else before in various movies that were here earlier, and done better. Those who go, are going to try their best to love this, but the love for this will fall way below, Hunger Games, or even Twilight.
Divergent. Number 2 starts filming in May. But now for this release in March? Been there, done that.
This is based on the big series of books that swept through young readers recently. The hope is that this two hour-twenty minute movie would give it life. Well it's here, and even though the most die hard fans, and those just dying to love this movie will concede that this is a poor man's Hunger Games, and they were here first.
The formula is exactly the same. We go way into the future, and the world has been through a huge war, and there is a simple bare-bones society left. We have a young woman hero and main star, who is the change that the new world society seems to need to save and enhance itself. She is a brave soldier of change, and she is considered dangerous to the establishment. All the while, falling in love with a young hunk with similar pedigree and situation. In its formula, it's The Hunger Games.
There are some differences though. In Divergent, we are in what's left of Chicago about 100 years in the future. The war has destroyed the world, and there is a big fence around Chicago to keep out the unknowns. Society is broken down into 5 factions, and when teens reach a certain age, they have to decide what faction they want to live in, many times leaving their families. Each faction has a certain skill set that makes the new world work. But once you leave, you can never go back to your original faction.
Then there are the "Divergents." They are for some reason a threat to society because they have traits of all factions. They are hunted down, and eliminated by the ruling faction. Meet Tris (Shailene Woodley). She is one, and she is our star. So after she joins the soldiering faction of society, it is found that she is divergent, and so is her new love interest Four (Theo James). And after the soldiering faction is sent out to take over all factions and be the new ruling faction, these two are resistant, and give all hope.
There is a ton about this that young adults are going to bite into hard. Growing up, leaving home, going on an adventure, finding young love, playing with video game like weapons, and trying to make a big mark in the world. It's love, rebellion, and action all rolled into one. That is why the formula works. But I think that maybe movie goers might be catching on. They have seen this before, and done way better in Hunger Games.
I like Woodley, and I think that the future is bright for her. I loved her in the Descendants, and The Spectacular Now, and there are good projects in the pipe for her. But the trouble here is, that there is nothing exciting around her. This might be the most non-compelling action big budget movie in a long time. The entire time, I felt like I had seen every scene of this movie somewhere else before in various movies that were here earlier, and done better. Those who go, are going to try their best to love this, but the love for this will fall way below, Hunger Games, or even Twilight.
Divergent. Number 2 starts filming in May. But now for this release in March? Been there, done that.
Monday, March 24, 2014
DVD - What's New On Streaming and DVD
This week the big movies continue to make their way to streaming services and to your local DVD counter or store shelf. There is truly something for everyone. From the adults, to the entire family, could be a fun week of movie watching for you.
I post this every week and keep in mind, I only post the major motion pictures that are released. Not TV series, or straight to video releases. I will link you back to my original review, so in case you missed these movies during their theater run, you can make an informed decision before you rent, buy, or hit pay on your remote.
New This Week
Wolf Of Wall Street
A big cast, and ton of Oscar nominations. This movie was a big hit with Hollywood critics, and with those that went to see it. Very long, very, very adult.
Delivery Man
Vince Vaughn comedy that was better than my said it was. It was a different kind of Vaughn comedy, and even though there were problems, it was a bit refreshing for him.
Walking With Dinosaurs
This is a big family movie that should have been a bigger hit. This got lost in the holiday rush, and fell short of expectations. It is animated, live action with characters that talk. Good for family viewing.
Last weeks DVD releases
scott@wqmx.com
I post this every week and keep in mind, I only post the major motion pictures that are released. Not TV series, or straight to video releases. I will link you back to my original review, so in case you missed these movies during their theater run, you can make an informed decision before you rent, buy, or hit pay on your remote.
New This Week
Wolf Of Wall Street
A big cast, and ton of Oscar nominations. This movie was a big hit with Hollywood critics, and with those that went to see it. Very long, very, very adult.
Delivery Man
Vince Vaughn comedy that was better than my said it was. It was a different kind of Vaughn comedy, and even though there were problems, it was a bit refreshing for him.
Walking With Dinosaurs
This is a big family movie that should have been a bigger hit. This got lost in the holiday rush, and fell short of expectations. It is animated, live action with characters that talk. Good for family viewing.
Last weeks DVD releases
scott@wqmx.com
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