Another year, another failed attempt at this blog. I was consistent there for a bit, but alas I got lazy and let work and school be an excuse for not writing. Oh well, here I am again with renewed hope that I can be on here at least once a week, and starting this year off with my top ten movies of last year.
I have to first say that I didn't see nearly as many movies this year that I wanted to. Safety Not Guaranteed, Brave, Ted, Lawless, Seven Psychopaths, Killer Joe, Smashed, Holy Motors, Wreck it Ralph and ParaNorman are just a few examples of movies that I missed. I plan to rectify this immediately as all these movies and more have been queued up in my Netflix ( and yes I still get them delivered to me, FUCK YOU RED BOX).
Also, for no particular reason, I decided to just leave off The Dark Knight Rises as it would have obviously been number one. Granted, no other movie I watched this year gave me such an emotional response, but I fucking love Batman, so duh.
Without further ado, here are my favorite movies of 2012, starting with a movie I loved and ending with a movie I most loved.
10. THE INNKEEPERS- Whenever I sit down and begin thinking about the best movies I had seen for a given year, I always think about my immediate reaction to a movie, which as an aspiring film critic, isn't exactly the 'right' way to make a best of list. I should let a movie sit in my brain, give it another viewing and see how it holds up etc. But The Innkeepers just scared the shit out of me. The film's director, Ti West, is two for two in my book, having previously made the slow burn throwback slasher, The House of the Devil, moves to the haunted house genre with relative ease. Only helping matters is the casting of the insanely adorable Sara Paxton as our heroine and Pat Healy as her slightly older and kind of sort of but not really creepy but also sweet co-worker. The two have an easy chemistry together and a large part of the impact the movie had on me are because of the scenes early in the film establishing these two as extremely amateur ghost hunters which of course helps up the tension significantly when they find themselves in peril.
It might have a fairly simple story and an even less impressive 'villain' but The Innkeepers has scares and atmosphere to spare, enough to help the flick stick in my head months after I first watched it.
9. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK- I really struggled with whether or not to put this movie in my top ten. I mean, it's a really good dramedy about over coming mental illness with exceptional performances from almost everyone in the movie. But well, I can't get something out of my head that Devin Faraci said in his review that it's David O. Russell lite, or in other words, an OK movie from a better than OK filmmaker. I don't completely agree with that statement, but it's lingered none the less. It's definitely a simple story, maybe simpler than hard edged movies like Three Kings and not as weird and charming as I Heart Huckabees, but that's OK. SLP still draws the viewer into these people's lives and quickly and easily gets us to care about them.
The film's MVP's are easily Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro, with De Niro more engaged here than he has been since at least Heat. His work as the OCD, anger prone father of Bradley Cooper is heartfelt and hilarious, and his scenes with BC are great testament to his talent. Every time he asks his son to watch an Eagles game it's for both genuine and selfish reasons. He knows he neglected BC and gave more attention to his much more stable and successful older brother, and now that BC is back under his roof he see's an opportunity to make up for that. And De Niro absolutely nails it, bringing humor and warmth to what could have been just a true asshole of a character.
Back to Lawrence though. It's taken me a long time to warm to her as an actress. I really didn't care for Winter's Bone, and thought she was OK in X Men: First Class. It wasn't until The Hunger Games that I began to understand all the hoop la about her. Now, for me, her work here solidifies her reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Her character is razor sharp, filthy, laugh out loud funny and vulnerable and Lawrence makes it all look effortless. There is one scene in particular where, after her world has crashed down around her so to speak, and she tells her overbearing sister "You're killing me!" and she sells it completely. I grew up around mental illness ( I was certified legally insane when I was 7) and this moment absolutely rings true.
So in the end, it was the performances that really pushed this over the edge for me, and for making this otherwise really good movie into something truly memorable.
8. CLOUD ATLAS- I have to admit, it took me a few days to warm up to Cloud Atlas. I certainly enjoyed it at first, but I didn't quite fall in love with it as I had initially hoped. But with a few days to let it digest I slowly began to really appreciate what an accomplishment the movie is.
Spanning 500 years and six different storylines, Cloud Atlas could have easily stumbled over itself, but with sharp direction, tight focus and big ideas the movie manages to really swing for the fences and almost makes a home run.
It's hard to completely describe the movie, as there's simply A LOT going on, and as I sit here I'm having a hard time writing about it. Though, it's different than when I struggled with The Deer Hunter. That movie just floored me emotionally and I'm honestly not sure if I could ever watch that movie again. With Cloud Atlas though, I think I just need to see it again before I can try to tackle an actual review of it. So until then, just trust me and take a chance with this one, even if it ends up not being your cup of tea I believe anyone can appreciate what it's trying to say, even if I don't quite know what that is yet.
7. MAGIC MIKE-God damn you Soderbergh. God damn you for wanting to leave filmmaking, especially after giving the world the wonder that is Magic Mike. I know a lot of people went into this movie thinking it would be a Sex in the City/ sausage fest that was pretty much for women only, only to be surprised with a surprisingly frank and honest look at the world of male stripping and all the ups and downs that come with it.
Of course, there is plenty of oggling to be had, with pretty much every cast member appearing in the buff at some point on screen, obviously a key factor in my seeing the film in the first place. JK! ( not really JKing). But of course Soderbergh had more in store than just that. Instead, we follow Tatum's character as he tries to move on from the world of stripping and start his own furniture making business. Now again, after reading that last sentence this movie really starts to sound like something it's not, which is the brilliance of Soderbergh and one of the many reasons he will be sorely missed from cinema if he truly does walk away.
So if you haven't seen it already, remember that it's directed by the guy who gave us Traffic, The Informant, Sex, Lies and Videotape and so many other great movies and try to have an open mind.
If that still doesn't convince you, then I only have two words. Matthew. McConaughey.
6 BERNIE- If ever there was a movie made for Texans by Texans, it would be Bernie. Based on a true story about a local funeral worker, loved by everyone in town, befriends a local widow who also happens to be the town bitch. To say what happens next would spoil part of the fun, even though most people who are aware of the movie probably already know. Even so, the film is rich with authentic Texas characterizations, in large part due to the fact that most of the characters are played by actual Texans.
It's possible I'm biased towards this movie, seeing that I am Texan, but honestly, I think it's just a wonderful movie with great performances from Jack Black, Shirely MacLaine, and once again Matthew McConaughey and an excellent script by writer/director/Texan Richard Linklater. 'Nuff said.
5. THE GREY- I remember when the trailer first came out for The Grey and everyone just it was just Liam Neeson punching wolves, and amazingly everyone was perfectly OK with that, including myself. But then we all watched the damned thing, and instead found a deeply thought out drama/thriller about tragedy and the will to go on.
The work Neeson does here is simply incredible, believably guiding us through his characters journey from suicidal right out of the gate to fiercely defending his last chance to live at the very end. It really is some of the best work he has ever done and it's a shame he didn't get more credit for it.
Also, director Joe Carnahan finally lives up to the promise I first saw with Narc. I've greatly enjoyed his other films like Smokin' Aces and The A-Team, but with The Grey Carahan again dives deep into the mind of a broken man with intense and fascinating results. Here's to hoping he continues down this path and has more films like this one in store for us.
4. MOONRISE KINGDOM- After a second viewing of this film, it became quite clear that is definitely my favorite Wes Anderson movie. There's honestly nothing new or different per se compared to his other films, just a great story filled with great moments and characters portrayed by a group of actors that just could not have been better. Quite simply, it is a joy to watch.
Also, out of all the movies in this top ten list, this is the one I'm most upset about not being nominated as Best Picture that wasn't already. I know the Oscars don't really mean shit anymore, and they damn sure don't validate the merit or quality of a movie, but c'mon guys, you know this movie was wonderful. Fuck your best screenplay nomination, this should be in the running for the top prize.
3. ZERO DARK THIRTY- The word 'masterpiece' has been thrown around this movie quite a bit, and to be perfectly honest, it's for good reason. The expertise displayed here by director Kathryn Bigelow has officially taken her to another level of film making. By giving us a bird's eye view into the hunt and eventual capture of Osama Bin Laden, Bigelow allows the audience decide whether the means we took to get there were worth it.
But even aside from the brilliant tiptoeing aspect of torture, the film is an amazing procedural, much like David Fincher's classic Zodiac. It takes us step by step what it took to find this one person, which given all the news reports and articles and books that have already been written on the subject, could have made for one boring movie and pointless film. But again, Bigelow keeps the audience glued to the screen thanks to sharp characterization, a breakneck pace and a feeling of tension that gradually builds to an extreme during the climatic raid. Fascinating, raw, and easily one for the books.
2. THE AVENGERS- I went pretty in depth about why I love this movie so much on this blog when the movie originally came out, so look back and see why this movie is so high on the list. Actually, just watch it again and that should remind you.
1. LOOPER- No other movie this year rolled around digesting in my head longer than Looper. A complex, adult, original Sci-Fi drama from director Rian Johnson, Looper follows the story of Joe, a looper who kills people who need killin sent by the mob 30 years in the future. Eventually, a looper will be forced to close his loop, or kill his future self, so that there are no loose ends for the mob in the future. Once this happens, a looper is given a huge pay off and sets out to live the good life until his time for elimination comes.
The main thrust of the story is that just when Joe is about to close his loop, the situation gets away from him and he is forced to track down his future self before things any worse. What follows is a layered action film filled with skilled actors, graceful genre changes, and the balls to go to genuinely dark places. In short, an amazing fucking movie.
The work Joseph- Gordon Levitt does here is borderline creepy in that he actually embodies Bruce Willis. Everything down to speech, facial expressions and they way he carries himself, he actually became a young Bruce, and even more awesomely, somehow made the performance his own without it just being a mere imitation. Young Joe genuinely struggles with the decisions being made by Old Joe, not to mention the ones he has already made that have yet to affect him. Levitt displays all the complexity of being in such a situation almost effortlessly, letting us get completely lost in his character's journey. Great, great work.
Of course, you can't talk about Looper without talking about Bruce Willis. As I mention above, Bruce did some great work in Moonrise Kingdom, but he was somehow better here, with one of his most complex roles to date. Old Joe is forced to do some truly heinous acts, and it's a testament to Willis' skill that the viewer isn't completely turn off from his character. It's obvious that Willis really responded to the story and the character, and as a result we get what will most definitely go down as one his best performances, right alongside John McClane and Butch. I actually just watched A Good Day to Die Hard, which was pretty terrible. Obviously, Willis can play that part in his sleep by now, and they obviously let him, but Looper just proves that Willis can bring it with the best of them, and hopefully he'll be able to find more roles like this and Moonrise Kingdom that keep him and audiences engaged.
Even better than richly developed character and an even better performance, Willis once again proves that he is the ultimate badass mother fucker with a shootout in the middle of the movie that is beyond violent and bloody, and is one of the highlights of this amazing movie.
I only barely scratched the surface of this incredible movie. No matter what you've heard, there is so much more going on, asking questions like 'how far would you go for the one you love?' while also supplying character driven drama all in the disguise of a science fiction mindfuck time travel movie.
Watch this movie and spread the word as wide and as far as you can, because the world needs more movies like Looper ASAP!
Well dudes, that's it, another top ten list delivered two months too late. Since I've started this particular entry I've seen a few of movies I mentioned above like Ted and Brave. Both were great, but Ted in particular kind of rocked my world with its hilarity.
I need to do this more. I feel good when I do it, even if the piece sucks. So, bear with me as I once again attempt to get on here with reviews of new movies, old movies and movies that I just want to talk about.
Until next time dudes, suck it.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Friday, September 7, 2012
The Expendables 2
There are some who hate the first Expendables and some who don't. I fall into the don't hate it category. But to those who do, I can't really argue. It's not a very well made movie with an even worse script. But the nostalgia was enough for me. I loved seeing Stallone on the big screen again, no matter the quality of the final product. As such were my feeling going into the sequel.
So imagine my surprise when the movie turned out to be legitimately awesome, and better than the original in almost every way.
In fact, the opening sequence has bigger and better action than anything found in the original. Thankfully, the movie keeps up that momentum for most of the movie and only occasionally gets bogged down for exposition or poor character development.
Aside from the action, I honestly feel the best asset the film has is it's camaraderie. This time around it actually kind of felt like these guys had history together, and I don't just mean the first movie, ya twits. There's a certain moment where Statham and Stallone are about to face a giant of a man, and right before they share some playful words that hint at past experiences and give some credibility to the friendship. Even Dolph gets some backstory that's actually plucked straight from his actual past. It's nothing major on either instance, but still nice bits that help add to the fun of watching these guys together.
The absolute best thing about this movie though is without a doubt, JCVD. First, he is a villain named Vilain. LITERALLY. Aside from that masterstroke, JCVD absolutely kills in the movie, relishing every moment he has. Also, the fight between him and Stallone was legitimately brutal and proves that we need more JCVD ASAP!
As for the rest of the crew, Terry Crews again steals every scene he's in. However, Jet Li and Randy Couture are barely in the damn thing. They both get a moment to shine, but other than that they really weren't given much to do. Normally that would bug me, but everyone else got such good moments that it didn't really phase me. Statham in particular gets an awesomely intense fight with Scott Adkinds that had me gripping my chair.
Also, Chuck Norris says a Chuck Norris joke.
If you're wondering why I haven't mention Chris Hemsworth ( AKA the lesser Hemsworth), its because he is utterly useless in the movie. His character is actually what helps set the main plot of the movie in motion, but ultimately thats all he feels like, something to get point A to point B.
The only other real disappointment has to go to Schwarzenegger. Unlike the last film, him and Willis actually get in on the action and when it finally happens it really is awesome to see the three icons kick ass together. However, more than anyone, Schwarzenegger was riding on his own coattails. I mean, he says "I'll be back" or a variation of at least three times, and it's really getting old (ahem). That being said, it really was incredible to see Willis, Stallone and Schwarzenegger fire automatic weapons at people, and I hope Schwarzenegger finds his groove again, because I want nothing more than to see him and Stallone both dominating the big screen again.
Even if you only kind of liked the first one, give this one a shot. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good a time you will have.
So imagine my surprise when the movie turned out to be legitimately awesome, and better than the original in almost every way.
In fact, the opening sequence has bigger and better action than anything found in the original. Thankfully, the movie keeps up that momentum for most of the movie and only occasionally gets bogged down for exposition or poor character development.
Aside from the action, I honestly feel the best asset the film has is it's camaraderie. This time around it actually kind of felt like these guys had history together, and I don't just mean the first movie, ya twits. There's a certain moment where Statham and Stallone are about to face a giant of a man, and right before they share some playful words that hint at past experiences and give some credibility to the friendship. Even Dolph gets some backstory that's actually plucked straight from his actual past. It's nothing major on either instance, but still nice bits that help add to the fun of watching these guys together.
The absolute best thing about this movie though is without a doubt, JCVD. First, he is a villain named Vilain. LITERALLY. Aside from that masterstroke, JCVD absolutely kills in the movie, relishing every moment he has. Also, the fight between him and Stallone was legitimately brutal and proves that we need more JCVD ASAP!
As for the rest of the crew, Terry Crews again steals every scene he's in. However, Jet Li and Randy Couture are barely in the damn thing. They both get a moment to shine, but other than that they really weren't given much to do. Normally that would bug me, but everyone else got such good moments that it didn't really phase me. Statham in particular gets an awesomely intense fight with Scott Adkinds that had me gripping my chair.
Also, Chuck Norris says a Chuck Norris joke.
If you're wondering why I haven't mention Chris Hemsworth ( AKA the lesser Hemsworth), its because he is utterly useless in the movie. His character is actually what helps set the main plot of the movie in motion, but ultimately thats all he feels like, something to get point A to point B.
The only other real disappointment has to go to Schwarzenegger. Unlike the last film, him and Willis actually get in on the action and when it finally happens it really is awesome to see the three icons kick ass together. However, more than anyone, Schwarzenegger was riding on his own coattails. I mean, he says "I'll be back" or a variation of at least three times, and it's really getting old (ahem). That being said, it really was incredible to see Willis, Stallone and Schwarzenegger fire automatic weapons at people, and I hope Schwarzenegger finds his groove again, because I want nothing more than to see him and Stallone both dominating the big screen again.
Even if you only kind of liked the first one, give this one a shot. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good a time you will have.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
The Dark Knight Rises
First things first, I loved The Dark Knight Rises. Yes, I might be a bit biased, but I honestly believe it to be an incredible movie.
I would also like to say that even though I love Nolan's final Batman film, I still find The Dark Knight to be the absolute best out of the trilogy.
But man, what a way to go out.
Rises takes place 8 years after DK, with Bruce Wayne retired from Batmaning and secluding himself in his rebuilt manor. Also, since he had taken the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes, Gotham has seen crime drop to almost zero in the years since, something that has left a hole not only in Wayne but in Commissioner Gordon as well.
That little bit of plot is just the tip of the iceberg, all of which is covered in the first 10-15 minutes or so, and as such I'm going to try to refrain from giving away too much else in case the 0 people who read this have not already seen it, however unlikely that might be.
For a movie about Batman, there are surprisingly few scenes that actually feature the title character, in full costume at least. Usually that would be a huge red flag, but of course Nolan has a purpose here, and that is to focus on Bruce Wayne. Now, yes Nolan has always put the man behind the Batman first, but here he examines life after the Batman and shows just how broken and lost that man is. Even though him and Gordon won and seemingly brought Gotham back to its former glory, that victory was based on a lie. Not to mention, Wayne lost what he considered to be his only real reason for living in Rachel. And as such, in DKR, Wayne is a shell of his former self, never leaving Wayne manor and actually needing a cane to get around. In short, for him, hope is lost.
Let me stop for a second and reiterate just how weird it is to see Batman needing a cane. That's the point of course. In Nolan's realistic setting, it only makes sense for a man who went out and fought criminals every night for more than a year to basically be physically broken, but still, it's a jarring and effective image.
As Wayne, Bale gives his best performance in the series, and we're finally given the chance to see Bruce throw away the playboy image and just be himself outside of the cowl as he struggles to re-enter the world with the emergence of Bane.
Equally as good are both familiar faces and new comers to the franchise. Anne Hathaway completely owns the role of Selina Kyle. Hathaway has just the right amount of slyness, ass-kicking and sarcastic attitude the role requires. A lot of people are surprised by how good she is in the role actually, as most of the people I've talked to aren't really a fan of hers, which makes no sense to me, since even in her worst movies she is always watchable and completely charming. Anywho, Joseph Gordon-Levitt also does great supporting work in the very important role of John Blake, a young officer hoping the Batman will return and finish the work he started years before. Levitt seriously fits wonderfully in this universe and if Nolan should ever return to this world ( Highly unlikely ) I would most look forward to see where his character had ended up.
Gary Oldman has a great follow up to his crucial part in DK, with a more emotional arc here. Gordon fully understands that only the Batman can stop the evil that rises, and it's his cries for help that finally gets Wayne in the cowl again.
Of course, you can't discuss DKR without mentioning Tom Hardy as Bane. I've seen this movie four times now, and his performance gets better with each viewing. Hardy plays him with a ferocious calmness, using his eyes brilliantly to convey menace.
OK, I kinda lied about no spoilers because I have to talk about something, so avert your eyes for the next paragraph or two.
The Batman and Bane have two fights in DKR, and they are both absolutely brutal. The first is probably the most intense, as Bane just rips through the Batman. Just as Wayne using a cane was jarring, seeing his alter ego get his ass handed to him is equally disturbing. At multiple points during the fight, the Batman screams right before going in for a blow, as opposed to his usual silence he displays in a fight. It's a small touch, but it shows just how much he is struggling against Bane, showing that he has to sike himself up and reach deep down for the strength he desperately needs to beat the masked villain. In fact, Nolan used the one part of the Knightfall storyline that I honestly didn't think he would, and my jaw honestly dropped when the moment happened. Bane picks the Batman up over his head and slams his back over his knee. It's an insanely brutal moment that makes me flinch just thinking about it. The second fight comes towards the end of the film, and its more emotional than the first. It's a moment where the Batman HAS to win, not only for redemption but for every person in Gotham. And like their first meeting, the Batman screams multiple times, still having to reach for strength even with renewed confidence and purpose.
The most emotional element of the film comes in the guise of Alfred, as played by Michael Caine. I would argue that Alfred has suffered more than anyone in the series ( well maybe Rachel had it worse ), if only because he had to watch his closest friend and son he never had suffer and deteriorate over the years, becoming the Howard Hughes like persona we see in the first part of the film. Even as Bruce becomes motivated again, Alfred fears he is past his prime and has more of a death wish than a purpose, and its these scenes when Alfred tells Bruce exactly what he doesn't want to hear that really get to me.
Nolan knows exactly what buttons to push at this point and he pulls no punches here, really giving the feeling that hope is lost as he promised in the trailers. And for me, that's what Batman is all about. Even in the face of certain death and the weight of an entire city on his shoulders, he is the only one who can overcome. Not just because he has to, but because he wants to. He wants the city to have hope, whether it's the Batman or something else, he wants the people to believe in something good.
As I said before, I find The Dark Knight to be the absolute best of the trilogy, but Nolan has finally given us what no other superhero franchise has given us before, an emotional and completely satisfying end. Even better though, he left us wanting more.
Alright dudes, school is about to start, so I'll probably be on here less than I already am. However I have vowed to at least write about everything I see theatrically and I plan on seeing The Campaign, The Bourne Legacy and The Expendables 2 in the coming weeks, so until then, suck it.
I would also like to say that even though I love Nolan's final Batman film, I still find The Dark Knight to be the absolute best out of the trilogy.
But man, what a way to go out.
Rises takes place 8 years after DK, with Bruce Wayne retired from Batmaning and secluding himself in his rebuilt manor. Also, since he had taken the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes, Gotham has seen crime drop to almost zero in the years since, something that has left a hole not only in Wayne but in Commissioner Gordon as well.
That little bit of plot is just the tip of the iceberg, all of which is covered in the first 10-15 minutes or so, and as such I'm going to try to refrain from giving away too much else in case the 0 people who read this have not already seen it, however unlikely that might be.
For a movie about Batman, there are surprisingly few scenes that actually feature the title character, in full costume at least. Usually that would be a huge red flag, but of course Nolan has a purpose here, and that is to focus on Bruce Wayne. Now, yes Nolan has always put the man behind the Batman first, but here he examines life after the Batman and shows just how broken and lost that man is. Even though him and Gordon won and seemingly brought Gotham back to its former glory, that victory was based on a lie. Not to mention, Wayne lost what he considered to be his only real reason for living in Rachel. And as such, in DKR, Wayne is a shell of his former self, never leaving Wayne manor and actually needing a cane to get around. In short, for him, hope is lost.
Let me stop for a second and reiterate just how weird it is to see Batman needing a cane. That's the point of course. In Nolan's realistic setting, it only makes sense for a man who went out and fought criminals every night for more than a year to basically be physically broken, but still, it's a jarring and effective image.
As Wayne, Bale gives his best performance in the series, and we're finally given the chance to see Bruce throw away the playboy image and just be himself outside of the cowl as he struggles to re-enter the world with the emergence of Bane.
Equally as good are both familiar faces and new comers to the franchise. Anne Hathaway completely owns the role of Selina Kyle. Hathaway has just the right amount of slyness, ass-kicking and sarcastic attitude the role requires. A lot of people are surprised by how good she is in the role actually, as most of the people I've talked to aren't really a fan of hers, which makes no sense to me, since even in her worst movies she is always watchable and completely charming. Anywho, Joseph Gordon-Levitt also does great supporting work in the very important role of John Blake, a young officer hoping the Batman will return and finish the work he started years before. Levitt seriously fits wonderfully in this universe and if Nolan should ever return to this world ( Highly unlikely ) I would most look forward to see where his character had ended up.
Gary Oldman has a great follow up to his crucial part in DK, with a more emotional arc here. Gordon fully understands that only the Batman can stop the evil that rises, and it's his cries for help that finally gets Wayne in the cowl again.
Of course, you can't discuss DKR without mentioning Tom Hardy as Bane. I've seen this movie four times now, and his performance gets better with each viewing. Hardy plays him with a ferocious calmness, using his eyes brilliantly to convey menace.
OK, I kinda lied about no spoilers because I have to talk about something, so avert your eyes for the next paragraph or two.
The Batman and Bane have two fights in DKR, and they are both absolutely brutal. The first is probably the most intense, as Bane just rips through the Batman. Just as Wayne using a cane was jarring, seeing his alter ego get his ass handed to him is equally disturbing. At multiple points during the fight, the Batman screams right before going in for a blow, as opposed to his usual silence he displays in a fight. It's a small touch, but it shows just how much he is struggling against Bane, showing that he has to sike himself up and reach deep down for the strength he desperately needs to beat the masked villain. In fact, Nolan used the one part of the Knightfall storyline that I honestly didn't think he would, and my jaw honestly dropped when the moment happened. Bane picks the Batman up over his head and slams his back over his knee. It's an insanely brutal moment that makes me flinch just thinking about it. The second fight comes towards the end of the film, and its more emotional than the first. It's a moment where the Batman HAS to win, not only for redemption but for every person in Gotham. And like their first meeting, the Batman screams multiple times, still having to reach for strength even with renewed confidence and purpose.
The most emotional element of the film comes in the guise of Alfred, as played by Michael Caine. I would argue that Alfred has suffered more than anyone in the series ( well maybe Rachel had it worse ), if only because he had to watch his closest friend and son he never had suffer and deteriorate over the years, becoming the Howard Hughes like persona we see in the first part of the film. Even as Bruce becomes motivated again, Alfred fears he is past his prime and has more of a death wish than a purpose, and its these scenes when Alfred tells Bruce exactly what he doesn't want to hear that really get to me.
Nolan knows exactly what buttons to push at this point and he pulls no punches here, really giving the feeling that hope is lost as he promised in the trailers. And for me, that's what Batman is all about. Even in the face of certain death and the weight of an entire city on his shoulders, he is the only one who can overcome. Not just because he has to, but because he wants to. He wants the city to have hope, whether it's the Batman or something else, he wants the people to believe in something good.
As I said before, I find The Dark Knight to be the absolute best of the trilogy, but Nolan has finally given us what no other superhero franchise has given us before, an emotional and completely satisfying end. Even better though, he left us wanting more.
Alright dudes, school is about to start, so I'll probably be on here less than I already am. However I have vowed to at least write about everything I see theatrically and I plan on seeing The Campaign, The Bourne Legacy and The Expendables 2 in the coming weeks, so until then, suck it.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The Amazing Spider-Man
I was pretty skeptical heading into The Amazing Spider-Man. I just didn't understand the need for another origin story. I get that Sony has to keep making these movies in order to retain the rights for the property, but come on guys, give us something new. Anyway, despite my hesitation I tried my best to put away any preconceived notions I had about the movie and give it a shot. So, was it worth it?
Eh, I guess. Andrew Garfield is genuinely good as our new Peter Parker, showing a little more sarcasm than Maguire's take and Emma Stone is freaking adorable as Gwen Stacy. Not to mention the two star's easy chemistry that marks the best thing about the movie. Everything else? *shrugs* Honestly, it's been a week since I've seen the movie and it's hard to find anything else that really resonated with me. The rest of the cast do strong work, with Sally Field and Martin Sheen making ideal Aunt May and Uncle Ben, and Rhys Ifans doing the best he could with almost zero decent material to work with. Actually, that brings me to the movies biggest fault. The villain. As a character, Dr. Connors just didn't make any sense. One second he's sad because he only has one arm, then the next he's a rage thirsty lizard who wants to make the entire city rage thirsty lizards. There's actually a throw away line in the movie that tried to explain the sudden shift in character, but it's half ass at best.
Also, it's been fairly widely reported that there were major story changes made at the last minute that caused major re-editing and it definitely shows in the final product. Characters are introduced and then completely forgotten, and certain scenes begin and end abruptly, adding to an overall unfocused feeling that the movie already carries. Oh yea, and the untold story that had been advertised has been completely removed only to be teased at for a potential sequel. Lame.
I find it hard to have any feeling toward the movie, either good or bad. I really did like the cast, and I found the final 20 minutes to be genuinely rousing, though not enough to help the movie resonate. I'll watch the sequel, but it will be with equal hesitation.
Well, I'm seeing The Dark Knight Rises tomorrow night. I plan to give it a couple of days to sink in before getting back on here to share, so until then, suck it.
Eh, I guess. Andrew Garfield is genuinely good as our new Peter Parker, showing a little more sarcasm than Maguire's take and Emma Stone is freaking adorable as Gwen Stacy. Not to mention the two star's easy chemistry that marks the best thing about the movie. Everything else? *shrugs* Honestly, it's been a week since I've seen the movie and it's hard to find anything else that really resonated with me. The rest of the cast do strong work, with Sally Field and Martin Sheen making ideal Aunt May and Uncle Ben, and Rhys Ifans doing the best he could with almost zero decent material to work with. Actually, that brings me to the movies biggest fault. The villain. As a character, Dr. Connors just didn't make any sense. One second he's sad because he only has one arm, then the next he's a rage thirsty lizard who wants to make the entire city rage thirsty lizards. There's actually a throw away line in the movie that tried to explain the sudden shift in character, but it's half ass at best.
Also, it's been fairly widely reported that there were major story changes made at the last minute that caused major re-editing and it definitely shows in the final product. Characters are introduced and then completely forgotten, and certain scenes begin and end abruptly, adding to an overall unfocused feeling that the movie already carries. Oh yea, and the untold story that had been advertised has been completely removed only to be teased at for a potential sequel. Lame.
I find it hard to have any feeling toward the movie, either good or bad. I really did like the cast, and I found the final 20 minutes to be genuinely rousing, though not enough to help the movie resonate. I'll watch the sequel, but it will be with equal hesitation.
Well, I'm seeing The Dark Knight Rises tomorrow night. I plan to give it a couple of days to sink in before getting back on here to share, so until then, suck it.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Magic Mike
On the surface, Magic Mike delivers everything you'd expect a movie about male stripping to deliver. First and foremost, there is a lot of male stripping, numerous dance numbers, plenty of butt shots and a surprisingly small amount of peen.
Being a Steven Soderbergh movie though, one shouldn't be all that surprised that Magic Mike goes beyond the stripping and gives us an insightful character study about a guy who just happens to strip for a living.
First, I have to get my one little nitpick out of the way. Obviously, the movie is called Magic Mike so of course this is his journey and it's a good one at that. But I really wanted to spend more time with his co-workers. With actors like Matthew McConaughey, Joe Mangaiello of True Blood fame, Matt Bomer and even wrestler Kevin Nash, we're given a chance to really get a feel for their group dynamic. Each actor really brings something interesting to their character, even if they only have a scene or two to do it, and as a result I really wish I could spend more time with them. McConaughey especially shines as the owner and announcer of the strip club. Not only is he hilarious as the creepy ring-leader, but he is also able to keep the characters true intentions at bay just enough to keep you guessing at what is really going on in this guy's head. It really is a great performance in a year full of great McConaughey performances.
Speaking of a good year, Channing Tatum is riding high after this, 21 Jump Street and his other Soderbergh collaboration in Haywire. Oh yea, The Vow came out too but I have yet to see it, but it made a shit load of money as well. I've touched on this before, but I really didn't used to care for Tatum, but something has snapped in him for whatever reason, because he has gotten really comfortable in front of the camera. Yes, he can dance like nobody's business, but his Mike is completely charming and ambitious. He is a smart and nice guy who realizes what he does is ridiculous, but it totally OK with it because the money is good. Oh, and girls. What he really wants though, is to start his own business making custom furniture. So for him, stripping is a good time, but also a means to an end.
After spending a lot of good times with these guys, things start to get a little hairy after Mike takes Adam under his wing. Played by Alex Pettyfer, Adam is an aimless 19 year old who gets caught up in the stripping world after getting fired from Mike's day job on a construction site.
In one of the few unsurprising plot beats, Adam gets into sex and drugs and completely forgets the people who got him there in the first place. Pettyfer is OK in the role. He does what is expected of him and nothing more, which is to mainly act as a plot device for Mike's arc. It's not a big issue by any means, but it stands out as a little cliche in a movie otherwise filled with strong character work.
I really hope Soderbergh doesn't retire as has been reported, because here he proves what he can do with even the most ridiculous plots for a movie and turn it into a funny and smart human story filled with strong performances. Or in other words, he is one of the few filmmakers left who is constantly delivering the unexpected.
Alright dudes, I'm seeing The Amazing Spider-Man this week. I don't have very high expectations, but who knows? Then there is some other stupid movie coming out about a guy bat or something. Between those two I should also have another marathon so hopefully I'll get on here and share with you fools. Until then, suck it.
Being a Steven Soderbergh movie though, one shouldn't be all that surprised that Magic Mike goes beyond the stripping and gives us an insightful character study about a guy who just happens to strip for a living.
First, I have to get my one little nitpick out of the way. Obviously, the movie is called Magic Mike so of course this is his journey and it's a good one at that. But I really wanted to spend more time with his co-workers. With actors like Matthew McConaughey, Joe Mangaiello of True Blood fame, Matt Bomer and even wrestler Kevin Nash, we're given a chance to really get a feel for their group dynamic. Each actor really brings something interesting to their character, even if they only have a scene or two to do it, and as a result I really wish I could spend more time with them. McConaughey especially shines as the owner and announcer of the strip club. Not only is he hilarious as the creepy ring-leader, but he is also able to keep the characters true intentions at bay just enough to keep you guessing at what is really going on in this guy's head. It really is a great performance in a year full of great McConaughey performances.
Speaking of a good year, Channing Tatum is riding high after this, 21 Jump Street and his other Soderbergh collaboration in Haywire. Oh yea, The Vow came out too but I have yet to see it, but it made a shit load of money as well. I've touched on this before, but I really didn't used to care for Tatum, but something has snapped in him for whatever reason, because he has gotten really comfortable in front of the camera. Yes, he can dance like nobody's business, but his Mike is completely charming and ambitious. He is a smart and nice guy who realizes what he does is ridiculous, but it totally OK with it because the money is good. Oh, and girls. What he really wants though, is to start his own business making custom furniture. So for him, stripping is a good time, but also a means to an end.
After spending a lot of good times with these guys, things start to get a little hairy after Mike takes Adam under his wing. Played by Alex Pettyfer, Adam is an aimless 19 year old who gets caught up in the stripping world after getting fired from Mike's day job on a construction site.
In one of the few unsurprising plot beats, Adam gets into sex and drugs and completely forgets the people who got him there in the first place. Pettyfer is OK in the role. He does what is expected of him and nothing more, which is to mainly act as a plot device for Mike's arc. It's not a big issue by any means, but it stands out as a little cliche in a movie otherwise filled with strong character work.
I really hope Soderbergh doesn't retire as has been reported, because here he proves what he can do with even the most ridiculous plots for a movie and turn it into a funny and smart human story filled with strong performances. Or in other words, he is one of the few filmmakers left who is constantly delivering the unexpected.
Alright dudes, I'm seeing The Amazing Spider-Man this week. I don't have very high expectations, but who knows? Then there is some other stupid movie coming out about a guy bat or something. Between those two I should also have another marathon so hopefully I'll get on here and share with you fools. Until then, suck it.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Moonrise Kingdom
Full disclosure, I haven't really loved Wes Anderson's last two live action films. The Life Aquatic was good, and actually grew in esteem a little after a second viewing, but The Darjeeling Limited really didn't do much for me. I had fun while I was watching it, but it almost immediately left my brain after it ended, which is extremely disappointing because I absolutely adore Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums and really really like Bottle Rocket. Either way, it seemed Anderson's style was wearing thin on me.
And then he made Fantastic Mr. Fox, a movie so utterly charming and wonderful that I began to immediately anticipate his next feature. Two years later, when a synopsis and cast list came out for Moonrise Kingdom I hoped that his return to form was not just due to his jump to animation, but hopefully a second creative wind.
And man oh man, if Anderson didn't just go ahead and make what might be his best film yet with Moonrise Kingdom.
It all takes place in early 1960's New England where Sam, a orphaned Khaki scout, flees base camp to meet Suzy, a troubled tween he met a year before, and plan to start a life together, all at the tender age of 12. Upon their disappearance, the small town desperately scrambles to find them.
It sounds pretty straight forward of course, and it pretty much is, but Anderson fills his screenplay with fascinating and hilarious characters brought to life by my personal favorite Anderson ensemble so far ( Though Tenenbaums is a very close second. HACKMAN! ) including Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Francis McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Bob Balaban and of course Jason Schwartzman. All of these guys are amazing and each character gets their own moment of some sort, but for me it's Bruce Willis who almost steals the show from the two young leads ( more on them in a moment ). Willis, of course, is awesome. Besides just being awesome though, he actually happens to be quite a capable actor, something that I feel a lot of people forget. He's always played somber well, as well as having comic timing better than most comedians out there and here he gets to play both those cards. The result is a funny and surprisingly tender character who gets a bit of a wake up call when he begins to look for the two children.
As good as the adults are though, this movie belongs to the kids. From my understanding, both of the leads are completely new to acting ( according to IMDB, at least. So obviously this is fact ), though one would never know it, as they both deliver natural performances. Honestly, the biggest compliment I can give them is that their characters really felt like kids, not just kid actors saying words the audience thinks kids would say. Granted, a lot of credit goes to Anderson for writing these characters so well and directing his actors, but they really came across as kids and react to situations accordingly. There is one scene in particular where their love is "blossoming" so to speak, and they treat the situation in such a matter of fact way that only kids can do.
The other treat of this film is its tone. Anderson's characters have always felt like they are in another world that is at once similar yet different and Moonrise Kingdom is no exception. Like Fantastic Mr. Fox before it, there is an extra whimsical feeling to the movie that really brings it a notch above his previous movies.
Above all though, the movie is honest. It may sounds cliche as hell, but one of Anderson's strengths has always been his honest depiction of how people deal with life, love and all the other shit in between. His characters and universe may be slightly odd, but they are always overwhelmingly human.
And then he made Fantastic Mr. Fox, a movie so utterly charming and wonderful that I began to immediately anticipate his next feature. Two years later, when a synopsis and cast list came out for Moonrise Kingdom I hoped that his return to form was not just due to his jump to animation, but hopefully a second creative wind.
And man oh man, if Anderson didn't just go ahead and make what might be his best film yet with Moonrise Kingdom.
It all takes place in early 1960's New England where Sam, a orphaned Khaki scout, flees base camp to meet Suzy, a troubled tween he met a year before, and plan to start a life together, all at the tender age of 12. Upon their disappearance, the small town desperately scrambles to find them.
It sounds pretty straight forward of course, and it pretty much is, but Anderson fills his screenplay with fascinating and hilarious characters brought to life by my personal favorite Anderson ensemble so far ( Though Tenenbaums is a very close second. HACKMAN! ) including Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Francis McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel, Bob Balaban and of course Jason Schwartzman. All of these guys are amazing and each character gets their own moment of some sort, but for me it's Bruce Willis who almost steals the show from the two young leads ( more on them in a moment ). Willis, of course, is awesome. Besides just being awesome though, he actually happens to be quite a capable actor, something that I feel a lot of people forget. He's always played somber well, as well as having comic timing better than most comedians out there and here he gets to play both those cards. The result is a funny and surprisingly tender character who gets a bit of a wake up call when he begins to look for the two children.
As good as the adults are though, this movie belongs to the kids. From my understanding, both of the leads are completely new to acting ( according to IMDB, at least. So obviously this is fact ), though one would never know it, as they both deliver natural performances. Honestly, the biggest compliment I can give them is that their characters really felt like kids, not just kid actors saying words the audience thinks kids would say. Granted, a lot of credit goes to Anderson for writing these characters so well and directing his actors, but they really came across as kids and react to situations accordingly. There is one scene in particular where their love is "blossoming" so to speak, and they treat the situation in such a matter of fact way that only kids can do.
The other treat of this film is its tone. Anderson's characters have always felt like they are in another world that is at once similar yet different and Moonrise Kingdom is no exception. Like Fantastic Mr. Fox before it, there is an extra whimsical feeling to the movie that really brings it a notch above his previous movies.
Above all though, the movie is honest. It may sounds cliche as hell, but one of Anderson's strengths has always been his honest depiction of how people deal with life, love and all the other shit in between. His characters and universe may be slightly odd, but they are always overwhelmingly human.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Snow White and the Huntsman
Snow White and the Huntsman is Hollywood's latest attempt to turn something once light and fluffy into something more gritty and dirty because well, The Dark Knight made a shit ton of money so what worked for that movie will surely work for this.
While I don't agree with the idea behind it, I have to admit the execution isn't all that bad. First time director Rupert Sanders fills his debut with impressive visuals and a willing cast that's filled with some serious talent.
Without a doubt, the highlight for me was Charlize Theron. Theron is turning it up to eleven here and couldn't be more fun. What's even more surprising, is that I actually believed her as a threat. Yea, she gave a few too many speeches when she could have just killed her mortal enemy, but I didn't doubt for a second that she would do whatever she had to. Actually, the whole movie went to some pretty dark places, at least darker than I thought it would.
But I cannot get for the life of me why didn't Universal promote the dwarfs more? They had Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost, Ian McShane and Ray Winstone. These guys are absolutely great and the effects even better. But the marketing barely glossed over them. Bad, bad move.
It's nice to see Hemsworth in something else, but he doesn't have too much to do, which one could consider a problem since his name is in the title, but whatever. He's got charisma to spare.
Now, I am an the minority apparently but I really like Kristen Stewart. I think with the right script and director she can be great. Into the Wild, The Runaways, Adventureland. All great examples of how good she can be. Here though, she's fine. Nothing spectacular, but the script doesn't give us any great example of why she is the one to end all the darkness besides just telling us.
Overall, I had fun while I was watching this flick, but almost immediately after exiting the theater I had completely forgotten about it. It took me two days to get the urge to sit down and write about it, so take that as you will.
While I don't agree with the idea behind it, I have to admit the execution isn't all that bad. First time director Rupert Sanders fills his debut with impressive visuals and a willing cast that's filled with some serious talent.
Without a doubt, the highlight for me was Charlize Theron. Theron is turning it up to eleven here and couldn't be more fun. What's even more surprising, is that I actually believed her as a threat. Yea, she gave a few too many speeches when she could have just killed her mortal enemy, but I didn't doubt for a second that she would do whatever she had to. Actually, the whole movie went to some pretty dark places, at least darker than I thought it would.
But I cannot get for the life of me why didn't Universal promote the dwarfs more? They had Bob Hoskins, Nick Frost, Ian McShane and Ray Winstone. These guys are absolutely great and the effects even better. But the marketing barely glossed over them. Bad, bad move.
It's nice to see Hemsworth in something else, but he doesn't have too much to do, which one could consider a problem since his name is in the title, but whatever. He's got charisma to spare.
Now, I am an the minority apparently but I really like Kristen Stewart. I think with the right script and director she can be great. Into the Wild, The Runaways, Adventureland. All great examples of how good she can be. Here though, she's fine. Nothing spectacular, but the script doesn't give us any great example of why she is the one to end all the darkness besides just telling us.
Overall, I had fun while I was watching this flick, but almost immediately after exiting the theater I had completely forgotten about it. It took me two days to get the urge to sit down and write about it, so take that as you will.
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