Since I've already covered my thoughts about this movie on here before, I'll keep this brief.
It's been extremely gratifying watching these films again. I wasn't a huge fan of the franchise previously, but watching them back to back I was able to appreciate more than the ever the care and skill that went into this franchise. The fact that over 7 movies and 10 years they were able to consistently improve with each entry is simply amazing. In fact, I think the Potter films are among the greatest film making achievements of all time. Unlike Lord of the Rings, which filmed all three movies at once, ( which itself was no small feat) Warner Bros. made one Potter movie at a time, simply hoping for the best by making the very best films they could.
I have no doubt Deathly Hallows, Part II will be an exciting and fitting end, but at the same time it's going to be hard knowing there won't be another Potter movie around the corner.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Blood & Wine
Blood & Wine is a fairly unknown movie starring Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine, Jennifer Lopez and Stephen Dorff about a jewel heist gone wrong.
The reason I was curious about this movie was the cast, and the cast alone. I mean, Nicholson and Caine together was enough reason for me. The movie had been sitting in my Netflix que for quite a while, and as it neared the top of the list I started to have some doubts. I had looked up reviews for it and they ranged from intriguing at best and disappointing at worst. Still, my curiosity of Caine and Nicholson together got the best of me so I finally gave it a shot this morning, and man, what a waste of time.
It's almost impossible to say that Nicholson and Caine are never not good, but here they actually seem a little miscast, and only really showing interest when their two characters butt heads. Aside from the fact that Nicholson worked with the films director numerous times before, most notably on Five Easy Pieces, I can't really understand why he chose to do this movie except that maybe he owed the director a favor. As for Caine, well, he proved in the 90s and 00s that he'll do pretty much anything for a buck.
I think what bothers me most about this movie is that its just there. It's not exactly awful and its nowhere near good, but with this cast and this genre it could have at least been a solid little flick. The main problem seems to be the direction by Bob Rafelson, who doesn't really know how to set a tone for the movie, instead just having the actors read their lines and move on to the next shot. The script isn't amazing either, but I feel like any other director could have at least given Nicholson and Caine some direction in hopes that they could add some much needed spark to the proceedings.
It's pretty hard for me to really dislike a movie, much less hate one, but Blood & Wine is a flick I kinda wish I hadn't even watched. I honestly feel as though I wasted my time, something which I don't usually find valuable in any way.
The reason I was curious about this movie was the cast, and the cast alone. I mean, Nicholson and Caine together was enough reason for me. The movie had been sitting in my Netflix que for quite a while, and as it neared the top of the list I started to have some doubts. I had looked up reviews for it and they ranged from intriguing at best and disappointing at worst. Still, my curiosity of Caine and Nicholson together got the best of me so I finally gave it a shot this morning, and man, what a waste of time.
It's almost impossible to say that Nicholson and Caine are never not good, but here they actually seem a little miscast, and only really showing interest when their two characters butt heads. Aside from the fact that Nicholson worked with the films director numerous times before, most notably on Five Easy Pieces, I can't really understand why he chose to do this movie except that maybe he owed the director a favor. As for Caine, well, he proved in the 90s and 00s that he'll do pretty much anything for a buck.
I think what bothers me most about this movie is that its just there. It's not exactly awful and its nowhere near good, but with this cast and this genre it could have at least been a solid little flick. The main problem seems to be the direction by Bob Rafelson, who doesn't really know how to set a tone for the movie, instead just having the actors read their lines and move on to the next shot. The script isn't amazing either, but I feel like any other director could have at least given Nicholson and Caine some direction in hopes that they could add some much needed spark to the proceedings.
It's pretty hard for me to really dislike a movie, much less hate one, but Blood & Wine is a flick I kinda wish I hadn't even watched. I honestly feel as though I wasted my time, something which I don't usually find valuable in any way.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Harry Potter 5 & 6
After a nice, long visit from my parents this weekend we were able to continue our look back at the Harry Potter franchise with Order of the Phoenix and The Half Blood Prince, both directed by franchise new comer David Yates.
Although these are some of the most recent movies, they are probably the ones I remembered the least as my interest in the series had lowered over the years. Watching them again though, I can see what a contribution Yates made to the franchise, particularly with Phoenix. It's the first Potter movie that genuinely makes its universe feel real, which in turn makes the threats feel more real and lets the audience truly fear for Harry and friends, something that Yates was able to replicate in Deathly Hollows, Part I.
The Half Blood Prince, while still very good, feels more like a set up for The End than an actual story, which ultimately lessens its impact. There is still plenty to like however, as we get some great moments with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Not to mention its finally time for Alan Rickman to shine. He's had some good moments here and there, but in Half Blood Prince his character really starts to get juicy, and I can't wait to see how he fits into the finale. Overall, it's still a very solid Potter movie, but Deathly Hollows, Part II pending, it might be the weakest of all the Yates installments.
We should get Deathly Hallows, Part I on Saturday. I was genuinely surprised at how much I loved this one in theaters so it will interesting to see how it holds up.
Until then, later dudes.
Although these are some of the most recent movies, they are probably the ones I remembered the least as my interest in the series had lowered over the years. Watching them again though, I can see what a contribution Yates made to the franchise, particularly with Phoenix. It's the first Potter movie that genuinely makes its universe feel real, which in turn makes the threats feel more real and lets the audience truly fear for Harry and friends, something that Yates was able to replicate in Deathly Hollows, Part I.
The Half Blood Prince, while still very good, feels more like a set up for The End than an actual story, which ultimately lessens its impact. There is still plenty to like however, as we get some great moments with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Not to mention its finally time for Alan Rickman to shine. He's had some good moments here and there, but in Half Blood Prince his character really starts to get juicy, and I can't wait to see how he fits into the finale. Overall, it's still a very solid Potter movie, but Deathly Hollows, Part II pending, it might be the weakest of all the Yates installments.
We should get Deathly Hallows, Part I on Saturday. I was genuinely surprised at how much I loved this one in theaters so it will interesting to see how it holds up.
Until then, later dudes.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
My mission: L.A. Confidential.
I was finally able to continue my personal mission of watching every DVD or Blu Ray I own with L.A. Confidential, a terrific throwback to 1950s cop pictures starring Russell Crowe and Guy Pearce.
As I've said before, this mission of mine has allowed me to rediscover some really great movies that I haven't watched in quite a long time, and L.A. Confidential is no different. Here is a movie that really stands the test of time. Not that it's ridiculously old or anything, as it came out in 1997, but there was so much care and thought put into each and every character and detail that I became enthralled in the story as though it were the first time I watched it. It doesn't hurt that Russell is at his badass best here, with only Gladiator and The Insider ranking ahead in terms of personal favorite Crowe performances.
With this viewing though, it's Pearce who steals the show for me. He's kept fairly quiet in recent years, showing up in small parts in The Hurt Locker and The Road, but here he deftly goes from tight ass to I don't give a fuck in a very convincing and realistic way.
I realize I might be making this movie sound like it's some slam bang action thriller, so let me be clear, it definitely is not that. It's a fairly simple and straight forward detective story that is made great by superior attention to detail and knockout performances from the entire cast, which also includes Kevin Spacey and Danny De Vito. Even if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I would say give it a shot as the cast alone could make anyone even remotely enjoy this movie.
Until next time, dudes.
As I've said before, this mission of mine has allowed me to rediscover some really great movies that I haven't watched in quite a long time, and L.A. Confidential is no different. Here is a movie that really stands the test of time. Not that it's ridiculously old or anything, as it came out in 1997, but there was so much care and thought put into each and every character and detail that I became enthralled in the story as though it were the first time I watched it. It doesn't hurt that Russell is at his badass best here, with only Gladiator and The Insider ranking ahead in terms of personal favorite Crowe performances.
With this viewing though, it's Pearce who steals the show for me. He's kept fairly quiet in recent years, showing up in small parts in The Hurt Locker and The Road, but here he deftly goes from tight ass to I don't give a fuck in a very convincing and realistic way.
I realize I might be making this movie sound like it's some slam bang action thriller, so let me be clear, it definitely is not that. It's a fairly simple and straight forward detective story that is made great by superior attention to detail and knockout performances from the entire cast, which also includes Kevin Spacey and Danny De Vito. Even if this doesn't sound like your cup of tea, I would say give it a shot as the cast alone could make anyone even remotely enjoy this movie.
Until next time, dudes.
Super 8
Super 8 is J.J. Abrams' ode to Steven Spielberg's movies from the 70s and 80s, more specifically Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T.
Some have felt that Directer Abrams relies too much on the nostalgia factor of Spielberg rather than create his own tone and feel. There are definitely more than a few moments that feel like they were ripped right from the earlier Amblin productions, but I think Abrams main intent was to emulate the feeling of wonder and amazement that populated the movies he grew up with and I think for the most part he is quite successful, albeit not in the way I would have thought.
First though, let's start with what didn't work. The main problem I have with Super 8 is that it feels like 2 movies. E.T. was able to blend the sci fi aspects with the more emotional story with the kids quite seamlessly resulting in a near perfect family adventure film. Super 8, however, can't quite seem to figure out how to blend the kids' story with the aliens story without feeling abrupt. It's a shame too, as every moment spent with any of the kids is wonderfully realized by Abrams and the extremely talented cast, most of which have never professionally acted before. In fact, this easily could have just been a movie about them and it would be a much more successful movie overall.
As I mentioned earlier, the movie doesn't completely miss the mark in terms of the aliens story and Abrams certainly knows how to build an action scene when the time comes. It's just that we are never able to feel connected to the alien as I believe Abrams intended. And that is what keeps this movie from being truly great. Without getting too spoilery, I think had there been just a little more time spent on the alien and his back story ( which is only hinted at here) I think the movie would have had that emotional connection that Abrams was looking for.
Going back and reading this, it definitely sounds like I was really let down by the movie, and that's not exactly the case.There are some really impressive and tense action scenes that made me jump more than a few times. And every single moment that is spent with just the kids is absolutely wonderful. The way Abrams was able to develop and show their dynamic is one of the best displays of childhood friendship to be put on film in a very long time and even makes me think he could one day make the same leap to more dramatic fair as Spielberg did with hopefully the same success. It just really comes down to an underdeveloped script. I think if he had spent just a little longer on it, or had collaborated with some of his Star Trek and MI:III writers, this could have been a really special film in the same vein as E.T. and Close Encounters.
In the end though, Super 8 is still a very enjoyable movie, and very much worth your time, I personally just can't help but wonder what if J.J. had hit a home run instead of a triple?
(I know the baseball analogy came out of nowhere, but whatever, shut up.)
Some have felt that Directer Abrams relies too much on the nostalgia factor of Spielberg rather than create his own tone and feel. There are definitely more than a few moments that feel like they were ripped right from the earlier Amblin productions, but I think Abrams main intent was to emulate the feeling of wonder and amazement that populated the movies he grew up with and I think for the most part he is quite successful, albeit not in the way I would have thought.
First though, let's start with what didn't work. The main problem I have with Super 8 is that it feels like 2 movies. E.T. was able to blend the sci fi aspects with the more emotional story with the kids quite seamlessly resulting in a near perfect family adventure film. Super 8, however, can't quite seem to figure out how to blend the kids' story with the aliens story without feeling abrupt. It's a shame too, as every moment spent with any of the kids is wonderfully realized by Abrams and the extremely talented cast, most of which have never professionally acted before. In fact, this easily could have just been a movie about them and it would be a much more successful movie overall.
As I mentioned earlier, the movie doesn't completely miss the mark in terms of the aliens story and Abrams certainly knows how to build an action scene when the time comes. It's just that we are never able to feel connected to the alien as I believe Abrams intended. And that is what keeps this movie from being truly great. Without getting too spoilery, I think had there been just a little more time spent on the alien and his back story ( which is only hinted at here) I think the movie would have had that emotional connection that Abrams was looking for.
Going back and reading this, it definitely sounds like I was really let down by the movie, and that's not exactly the case.There are some really impressive and tense action scenes that made me jump more than a few times. And every single moment that is spent with just the kids is absolutely wonderful. The way Abrams was able to develop and show their dynamic is one of the best displays of childhood friendship to be put on film in a very long time and even makes me think he could one day make the same leap to more dramatic fair as Spielberg did with hopefully the same success. It just really comes down to an underdeveloped script. I think if he had spent just a little longer on it, or had collaborated with some of his Star Trek and MI:III writers, this could have been a really special film in the same vein as E.T. and Close Encounters.
In the end though, Super 8 is still a very enjoyable movie, and very much worth your time, I personally just can't help but wonder what if J.J. had hit a home run instead of a triple?
(I know the baseball analogy came out of nowhere, but whatever, shut up.)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
The Harry Potter experience.
So I know that I've dropped the ball on the My Mission entries. I promise I'll start again soon. Until then though, Katy and I have slowly but surely been revisiting all the Harry Potter films on Blu Ray in anticipation of the final film coming out July 15th. I've seen them all before, but most of them only once, so its been nice to be able to see how far the franchise has really come from movie to movie.
It had been probably 10 years since I watched the first one, and before we put it in I was not expecting much, thinking it would be a fairly standard origin story albeit a little longer than most. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself really getting into it. Director Chris Columbus deserves a lot of credit for setting up the universe. Overall I think he is a mediocre director but he has put in a lot of care into this one, giving it a true sense of wonder as we meet these characters for the first time. It's definitely the most childish of the franchise, though that's kind of the point.
The second entry, Chamber of Secrets, is easily my least favorite of all the films. Columbus gives another solid effort, and the cast really is that much better this time around, but this movie just drags. Clocking in at 161 minutes, its the longest entry of the franchise and boy does it feel like it. Also, the climax feels too much like exposition than an actual climax and numbs the overall excitement.
They wisely switched things up for Prisoner of Azkaban though, bringing in Alfonso Cuaron to direct. This move proved to be a game changer for the franchise, as he was able to create a real sense of danger and unpredictability that the previous installments lacked. It also didn't hurt that Gary Oldman joined the cast.
Which brings me to Goblet of Fire. They switched the directors up again, this time hiring Mike Newel, who directed Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's this entry where it really feels like the franchise has found its legs. The stakes are upped considerably from the previous entries, even dealing with death in a big way for the first time. Also, the pace has improved greatly from the first two films. Even at 157 minutes, Goblet of Fire doesn't feel that way thanks to some great relationships and a better, more intense story.
It's really interesting seeing them all back to back and it has definitely changed my opinion of the franchise from really liking it to loving it. Order of the Phoenix in next on the list so I'll be sure to continue the discussion ASAP.
It had been probably 10 years since I watched the first one, and before we put it in I was not expecting much, thinking it would be a fairly standard origin story albeit a little longer than most. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself really getting into it. Director Chris Columbus deserves a lot of credit for setting up the universe. Overall I think he is a mediocre director but he has put in a lot of care into this one, giving it a true sense of wonder as we meet these characters for the first time. It's definitely the most childish of the franchise, though that's kind of the point.
The second entry, Chamber of Secrets, is easily my least favorite of all the films. Columbus gives another solid effort, and the cast really is that much better this time around, but this movie just drags. Clocking in at 161 minutes, its the longest entry of the franchise and boy does it feel like it. Also, the climax feels too much like exposition than an actual climax and numbs the overall excitement.
They wisely switched things up for Prisoner of Azkaban though, bringing in Alfonso Cuaron to direct. This move proved to be a game changer for the franchise, as he was able to create a real sense of danger and unpredictability that the previous installments lacked. It also didn't hurt that Gary Oldman joined the cast.
Which brings me to Goblet of Fire. They switched the directors up again, this time hiring Mike Newel, who directed Donnie Brasco and Four Weddings and a Funeral. It's this entry where it really feels like the franchise has found its legs. The stakes are upped considerably from the previous entries, even dealing with death in a big way for the first time. Also, the pace has improved greatly from the first two films. Even at 157 minutes, Goblet of Fire doesn't feel that way thanks to some great relationships and a better, more intense story.
It's really interesting seeing them all back to back and it has definitely changed my opinion of the franchise from really liking it to loving it. Order of the Phoenix in next on the list so I'll be sure to continue the discussion ASAP.
X-Men: First Class
I really want to do a review of X Men: First Class, but the experience I had in the theater was absolutely atrocious thanks to multiple stupid people. For the most part, I really enjoyed it, but I feel like I can't form an honest opinion of it until I can give it a second viewing in a hopefully better environment.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
The Hangover Part II
I went into The Hangover Part II with modest expectations. I didn't expect it to match the greatness and surprise of the original, but after being severely disappointed with Bridesmaids I simply wanted to laugh, and to laugh hard. Thankfully, The Hangover Part II was able to quench that desire.
As you may have heard, there is little or no difference in terms of plot and setup between Hangover 1&2, and for some people this has been a huge problem mainly because it takes away that feeling of surprise and mystery that the original was able to capture. While I can't really disagree with that point, I have to say that what it lacked in originality it made up for with a much darker tone and even darker laughs. Our three leads are involved in some truly awful and sick situations this time around, some of which we find out about in flashbacks or pictures and some are only hinted at, never to be fully revealed. These guys fucked some serious shit up, and the movie doesn't hesitate for a second to go to places much worse than anyone in the audience could have anticipated. And that's what really did it for me.
I love dark comedies. I mean, I LOVE dark comedies. Between this and Due Date, Director Todd Phillips seems determined to push the boundaries of what an audience is willing to go through in the name of comedy, and I for one couldn't be happier. I have a fairly sick sense of humor myself, as I think most people do, and that's what really draws me to Phillips' films. Not only are they raunchy, but they take normal people ( sans Galifianakis) and puts them in situations that are ridiculous, maddening, and believable all at once, all while making sure that the characters react in a way that most people would, even if they wouldn't want to admit it. For example, if I woke up one morning to find one of my best friends has gotten a face tattoo eerily similar to that of Mike Tyson's, I think my first response would be to laugh, just as Bradley Cooper does when he first see's Ed Helms face. So I guess it just comes down to the fact that I really enjoy seeing normal people causing and being put through absolute hell.
It also helps that I laugh at just about anything Zach Galifianakis does. He could literally just stand motionless and not speak a word and I would laugh. Even though he doesn't have as many classic moments as he did in the first (" Hey do you guys know when the next Haley's Comet is?"), he still kills it here. I have to say though, Ken Jeong has two of the movies biggest laughs at the beginning and end of the film, so I would be more than willing to have him show up in the third one if it ever happens, albeit in a similarly small fashion as it was here.
Overall, I highly recommend The Hangover Part II. It's hard for any comedy sequel to deliver the goods, and even though Part II isn't as surprising as the first, it still delivers just as many laughs while also pushing the envelope further than even I expected.
As you may have heard, there is little or no difference in terms of plot and setup between Hangover 1&2, and for some people this has been a huge problem mainly because it takes away that feeling of surprise and mystery that the original was able to capture. While I can't really disagree with that point, I have to say that what it lacked in originality it made up for with a much darker tone and even darker laughs. Our three leads are involved in some truly awful and sick situations this time around, some of which we find out about in flashbacks or pictures and some are only hinted at, never to be fully revealed. These guys fucked some serious shit up, and the movie doesn't hesitate for a second to go to places much worse than anyone in the audience could have anticipated. And that's what really did it for me.
I love dark comedies. I mean, I LOVE dark comedies. Between this and Due Date, Director Todd Phillips seems determined to push the boundaries of what an audience is willing to go through in the name of comedy, and I for one couldn't be happier. I have a fairly sick sense of humor myself, as I think most people do, and that's what really draws me to Phillips' films. Not only are they raunchy, but they take normal people ( sans Galifianakis) and puts them in situations that are ridiculous, maddening, and believable all at once, all while making sure that the characters react in a way that most people would, even if they wouldn't want to admit it. For example, if I woke up one morning to find one of my best friends has gotten a face tattoo eerily similar to that of Mike Tyson's, I think my first response would be to laugh, just as Bradley Cooper does when he first see's Ed Helms face. So I guess it just comes down to the fact that I really enjoy seeing normal people causing and being put through absolute hell.
It also helps that I laugh at just about anything Zach Galifianakis does. He could literally just stand motionless and not speak a word and I would laugh. Even though he doesn't have as many classic moments as he did in the first (" Hey do you guys know when the next Haley's Comet is?"), he still kills it here. I have to say though, Ken Jeong has two of the movies biggest laughs at the beginning and end of the film, so I would be more than willing to have him show up in the third one if it ever happens, albeit in a similarly small fashion as it was here.
Overall, I highly recommend The Hangover Part II. It's hard for any comedy sequel to deliver the goods, and even though Part II isn't as surprising as the first, it still delivers just as many laughs while also pushing the envelope further than even I expected.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)