Frozen

Frozen

Property of Disney

One of Disney's most anticipated films in recent years is their Nov. 27 CGI release, Frozen.

Unlike most of Disney's newest films, this one really captures the essence of their classics in the sense that it's a true musical.  With thoughtful and powerful compositions consistently dispersed throughout its entirety, this animated piece is akin to some of the entertainment powerhouse's biggest hits.

The 108-minute show takes place in the fictional land of Arrendale and focuses on the story of two royal sisters.

The narrative initially seems to be about the younger, spunky sister, Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell.  As the plot progresses, however, her older sister, Queen Elsa, voiced by Broadway star Idina Menzel, takes center stage as a young woman with the power to freeze anything near her.  With each passing year, Elsa's power (or curse) gets stronger and proves to be something of a Midas touch.

A large portion of this film's beginning revolves around Anna and Elsa's parents urging the older girl to conceal her power.  Predictably enough, it's when she cannot hide away from the world that she loses both the trust of her kingdom and the self-control she had over exercising her power of freezing.  

Throughout the plot, Elsa sings about her struggles between whether to conceal her true self or to accept and appreciate the "ice queen" side of herself.  This, along with many other realistic themes, is beautifully explored in a storyline that is equally relatable to adult viewers as it is to the children in the audience.

In addition to the thoughtful nature of the film, what really makes it worth watching is its wide variety of characters and its hilarious, yet family-friendly comic relief.  While Elsa and Anna are fantastically strong female leads, the male roles are the ones an audience can count on for a good laugh.  The silly duo of the gruff, handsome Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, and his reindeer bestie, Sven are unforgettable as Princess Anna's heroic companions.  Furthermore, the film's snowman character, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad is more than comparable to extraordinarily funny animated characters, such as Mulan's Mushu or Shrek's Donkey.

Oh, and if that's not enough, the animation is spectacular.  Although Disney animation is often executed by the untouchable Pixar, this heartwarming movie proves that Disney Animation Studios are also topnotch when it comes to creating a beautiful new world.   

If you get the chance, this is a great movie to see on the big screen!

Grade: A+

Catching Fire

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Property of Lionsgate

In the sequel to one of last year's biggest movies, America's new sweetheart, Jennifer Lawrence, takes the screen again as the courageous Katniss Everdeen.

The film, which has earned over $250 million since it was released on Nov. 22, takes place in the dystopian nation of Panem after Katniss and a her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark, played by Josh Hutcherson, have become the most recent victors of the "Hunger Games".  Despite their good fortune of surviving the gladiator-like event, Panem's President Snow has become fearful that the victory might inspire rebellion in the districts.

While the pacing of the first half of the film (prior to the start of the next games) seems rushed, it does a great job of explaining the society in which Katniss lives.  From the horrifying physical punishment for acts of defiance in Panem's districts to Donald Sutherland's portrayal of revenge-thirsty Snow, Catching Fire captures the essence of the society that writer Suzanne Collins created in her 2009 young-adult novel.     

For the viewers who really enjoyed the action in the first Hunger Games, the film provides an even more exciting arena for the 75th annual Hunger Games.  Plus, with Francis Lawrence as the new director of the series and a substantially larger budget, the cinematography of this film tops the shaky-cam film style of the 2012 release.

What makes this film worth watching, in addition to the fascinating cautionary nature of the story, is the performances given by the cast.  Laurence's performance as the emotionally-void Katniss continues to exceed expectations, as the events of the prior games have caused her to become a more vulnerable character.

Other roles worth mentioning include Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, the wealthy chaperone-like character from the Capitol and the former Hunger Games victors Finnick Odair and Johanna Mason.  Banks' acting stayed consistently impressive, while the emotional growth of the character was both unexpected and compelling.  Sam Claflin took on the devilishly charming role of Finnick.  After much speculation of whether or not he could do the character justice, Claflin proved to be a success.  The brutal and daring Johanna is played by Jena Malone of Pride & Prejudice and Sucker Punch, who brings the fiery essence of Johanna to the role.

In terms of the love triangle that the story offers, some viewers may take argument with the portrayal of the varying relationships Katniss has with Peeta and Liam Hemsworth's Gale.     

Although Catching Fire was longer than the first installment in Collins' series, the film manages to encapsulate the most important parts of the plot, while remaining truthful to the original tone, all within a 142 minute runtime. 

Grade: A-

About Time

About Time

Image property of Working Title Films

This Nov. 1 release stars Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams and Bill Nighy in a touching story about time travel and the value of relationships.  With the tagline, "It's about life. It's about love. It's about time," this drama brings new light to the tired concept of time travel.  

In the film, Gleeson's character, Tim, learns that he has the ability to travel through his past.  As a 21-year-old, Tim dedicates his time-traveling abilities to finding love when his father, played by Nighy, informs him of the fact that the men in their family have this extraordinary ability.  The charmingly awkward young man declares, "For me, it was always going to be all about love."

In the midst of coming of age, Tim meets the love of his life, Mary, played by McAdams.  As one could quickly expect, Tim invests all of his efforts, both romantically and in the time traveling sense, on impressing Mary.  

The casting of actors in this film, as well as their ability to make this story come to life, is phenomenal.  The versatile Gleeson, who has appeared in the Harry Potter series, True Grit and Dredd, proved his ability to act in the context of a tasteful drama.  In addition, McAdams gave one of her best performances since The Notebook, which means this is a must watch. 

Although it's a tearjerker, the thoughtful story illustrates the true message behind the film, which is to savor every moment as though it could be your last.  As Tim explains how he uses his gifts, "I try to live every day as if it were the final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life."

Movie I can't wait to see:

It's always a bummer when highly rated movies aren't shown in wide-release. 

The movie I can't wait to see is 12 Years a Slave.  Starring Alfre Woodard, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Garret Dillahunt, Michael Fassbender, Michael K. Williams, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti and Sarah Paulson, this Nov. 8 release currently has a rating of 97/100 on Metacritic. 

This is IMDb's description of the film, "In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery."

Sounds like a very interesting story.  

Here's a preview:

Thor: The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World

This image is not my property.

After an appearance in The Avengers, Chris Hemsworth is back on the big screen as the god of thunder in the sequel to Marvel's 2011 release, Thor.

While one of Marvel's infamous bad boys, Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston), is locked up for his wrongdoings that took place in the context of The Avengers, the world of Asgard comes under the attack of an ancient elven race. 

As was much anticipated, the lovers from different worlds, Jane (played by Natalie Portman) and the Norse god are reunited because of a major event called the convergence, a time at which the nine realms (a concept introduced in 2011 release) align.

What makes this film different from the first is the fact that this feels more like a superhero movie.  While Hemsworth's character had to work hard to earn his power in the precursor, it made for a plot that was less than satisfactory.  Now that he's a full-blown, experienced warrior-type hero, his story far more interesting.   His powers are pushed to the limit in a multi-world final battle scene that rivals that of The Avengers

In addition, Thor: The Dark World has a very fun vibe at times.  Some critics have said that this Nov. 8 release could have done without the added humor, but it can certainly be argued that it created a more diversely entertaining film.  The added humor may have come from a sense of obligation to make the audience laugh after the success of Iron Man 3, which had viewers cracking up in May 2013.  It could be a good choice for the franchise...besides, who doesn't love Kat Denning's snarky role as Jane's intern, Darcy?

Although the movie is named after Thor, the real star was his adopted brother, Loki, the quick and witty god of trickery.  After his bout in New York fighting against the Avengers, his brother calls upon him for help during Asgard's time of need.  From the depth of character that Hiddleston brings to the character this time around to the constant question of whether he'll betray his people again, Loki makes this movie worth watching.  He'll have you wondering whether you love to hate him or hate to love him the whole time. 

If you enjoy Marvel's superheroes, action and a bit of laughter, this movie is a great way to spend an afternoon! 

Grade: B+

The Counselor

The Counselor

This image is not my property

Under the direction of Ridley Scott comes this Oct. 25 release.  Written by Cormac McCarthy, this film stars Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Javier Bardem.

The movie opens with the "Counselor" (Fassbender) and Laura (Cruz) speaking intimately and lustily, covered in white bedding.  The moment is sweet and the movie proceeds with the Counselor going to pick out an engagement ring for his beloved.  

This film is truly a mixed bag.  As the plot continues, the viewer gets a view at what happens when the Counselor, a seemingly high-powered lawyer, finds himself caught in the middle of a bad drug deal.  His life, as well as the life of his fiance Laura, are turned upside down, which leads to how Pitt, Diaz and Bardem become major players in the film.  

Diaz plays Malinka, the new flame of the Counselor's friend, Reiner, played by Bardem.  While the couple certainly makes the film interesting, from the fact that they own cheetahs to the awkward description that Reiner gives of Malinka's past sexual encounters, the Diaz tries too hard to act cool, yet dangerous and Bardem ends up giving a less than memorable performance.

On the upside, Cruz and Fassbender are very convincing in their roles, but their talent would have been better used in another film.   

What's most unfortunate about this movie is that its best feature is its disturbingly graphic violence. 

It's hard to say that a movie is bad, especially after paying to see it in theaters, but this one really was.  The movie felt forced, from the poor acting to the graceless writing, it was lacking human compassion.   

Grade: D+


 

Up next! The Counselor and Ender's Game

My next reviews will be on:

The Counselor

Ender's Game

Exciting news: "The Wolf of Wall Street" debuts new trailer

One of 2013's most anticipate films, "The Wolf of Wall Street", will be coming to theaters Dec. 25!

For more information or to watch the NEW trailer, read Jessica Derschowitz's article. 

Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips

This image is not my property

From the Oscar-winning director, Paul Greengrass, comes this stunning Oct. 11 release, Captain Phillips.  Based on a true story, the internationally-known Tom Hanks stars as Captain Richard Phillips in one of the year's best films.

The story behind this film is based on the events that happened in 2009 when pirates hijacked a U.S. Marines cargo ship off of the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden.  The ship, Maersk Alabama, was the first American cargo ship to be illegally seized in two hundred years. 

While the story is one of the most compelling to be projected on the silver screen in recent years, it is the intensity and raw talent of the cast that makes this film worth watching.

Tom Hanks is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors of his time; his performance in this film is consistent with that of his best acting (Forrest Gump and The Terminal), as he completely closes the gap between actor and role, making for an unmatched viewing experience.

In addition to Hanks, what really makes this film worth watching is the fact that it is not a one-sided story.  The movie is not only about the struggle of a crew on board an American ship, it is also about the motivation behind the pirates' brutal actions.

In his acting debut, Barkhad Abdi plays Muse, the leader of the Somalian pirates that board the Maersk Alabama.  Muse, as well as the other pirates, are under great pressure to return home with a substantial amount of money for their bosses.  While the fact that they are desperate does not forgive them for putting the lives of others in danger, it makes for a very complex and deep plot, full of emotional turmoil.

This movie is a true contender for the upcoming award season.  Comparable Zero Dark Thirty, this is one of the best movies that have been released within recent years...not to mention, it's also based on a true story.

Grade: A

The Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate 

This image is not my property.

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (of BBC's smash hit, Sherlock) as Julian Assange and Daniel Brühl (from the recent release, Rush) as Daniel Berg, this Oct. 18 release attempts to tell the story behind the not-for-profit media organization, WikiLeaks.

The film, over two hours long, attempts the brave task of telling the deep and complicated story of the events that led to WikiLeak becoming internationally known for being one of several news organizations to publish, "251,287 dispatches in all, from more than 250 US embassies and consulates...[that] reveal how the US deals with both its allies and its enemies," according to The Guardian. 

Unfortunately, the first half of the film is dull, repetitive, and fails to really capture the audiences compassion for the characters.  The story of WikiLeaks is fascinating, yet this movie does not do it justice.  From the strange sequencing to the out-of-place storytelling devices, the way this revolutionary story is told turned out to be very disappointing.  Compared recent successes in the Hollywood-told-true-story category, including The Ides of March and Argo, The Fifth Estate clearly deserved better writing and directing than it received. 

In terms of positive elements of the film, the acting of the main cast was fantastic.  As the plot thickens in the second half of the runtime, the intensity of the actors was impressive enough that, had the movie excelled in other areas, it could have been a contender in the upcoming award season.  Cumberbatch captures a bizarre essence in the role of Assange that some critics have said seemed a bit too similar to Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg in The Social Network.  This is completely debatable, as the role of computer hacker/genius has not been thoroughly explored yet in the entertainment world. 

While The Fifth Estate proved to be a somewhat cumbersome, if you are interested in the story, it is worth a watch when it comes to a Redbox near you.

Grade: C+

Carrie

Carrie

Based on Stephen King's 1974 novel, Carrie, this movie remake is the perfect thing to watch to get in the Halloween spirit. 

In the Oct. 18 release, Chloë Grace Moretz plays the role of the timid and telekinetic 17-year-old Carrie White, originally played by Sissy Spacek in the 1976 version.  Carrie is a character shaped by her mother's religious beliefs and fears of the outside world. 

It was her mother, Margaret White, played by Julianne Moore, who really brought the scary to this film for the first two-thirds.  From self mutilation to throwing her daughter into a closet under the stairs (think Harry Potter) to pray, Margaret takes the word nutjob to a whole new level.

In the midst of the struggles of adolescence, Carrie is bullied by her classmates and finds herself befriending the gym teacher who defended her when the harassment went from bad to worse.  The gym teacher, played by Judy Greer (of Archer and Arrested Development) adds the slight touch of humor and realistic human compassion that any successful film needs. 

What makes the film just weird enough to resemble the cult classic, 1976 version is the way Carrie is different from everyone else.  No, not because she was home schooled; because she's telekinetic.  In the film's culmination, the "hottest" guy in the school takes her to prom.  She acts skeptical for most of the night as to why such a popular person would want to take her.  Her skepticism, it turns out, was not unwarranted, as the bullies of the school pull a prank that turns her from an innocent girl to a witch-like murderess.

The special effects in this film that involve Carrie's telekinesis are nothing special, but they're certainly good enough to make the audience a bit nervous for everyone at the prom.    

While Chloë Grace Moretz's talent was better used playing Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, she proved to audiences that she is more skilled at playing an awkward teenager than Kristen Stewart in Twilight (not that it's much of a competition). 

To be honest, this film isn't going to win any prestigious awards or be as well known as the original, but it's fun if you're in the mood for a horror-revenge flick. 

Upcoming Review: Captain Phillips

Captain Phillips 



IMDb description: "The true story of Captain Richard Phillips and the 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates of the US-flagged MV Maersk Alabama, the first American cargo ship to be hijacked in two hundred years."

Starring: Tom Hanks

Don Jon

Don Jon

If you like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this is the movie for you -- he wrote, directed and starred in this September 27 release.

While the idea of watching someone watch pornography may sound disturbing, this movie has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye.

The handsome and talented JLG plays a "Jersey Shore"-type character, Jon, who has some flaws.  First and foremost: he has a porn addiction that leaves him with the belief that real human connection is less powerful than sitting behind his laptop and watching "dirty" videos.

The film gets interesting when he falls for Scarlett Johansson's character, Barbara.  For the first time in his life, he finds a girl he really wants to be with -- not just for the night, but for the long haul.  The more the couple bonds, the more he hides his addiction.

At the same time, however, he begins to gain more respect from his parents (played by Tony Danza and Glenne Headly) for bringing home a perspective daughter-in-law.  As the story progresses, Barbara pushes for Jon to change to fit her mold of the perfect man.

The second half of the film stars Julianne Moore, as Jon gets to know her when he begins taking night classes.  The rest, unfortunately, is spoilers.  Let's just say, Jon realizes that his vanity and addictions are unhealthy and the movie comes to a close that is satisfying, yet could use a bit more work. 

This film is hard to define on the genre scale, but an easy classification is drama.  What makes it worth watching is JLG's commitment to his role, Johansson's portrayal of the the "ultimate woman" and the relevance of the subject matter.

While it probably won't win any awards, besides those found at the MTV Movie Awards, this was a great debut of JLG's writing and directing on the big screen.

Grade: B-

Gravity

Gravity

This image is not my property. (For informative purposes only.)

Starring Oscar-winners Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, this Oct. 4 release broke box office records for Oct. weekend releases, having made $55.6 million.  With ambiguous trailers and the tagline, "Don't let go," audiences in over 3,500 theaters couldn't wait to see what this sci-fi film was really about.

The scene is set with the opening caption, "At 372 miles above the Earth, there is nothing to carry sound, no air pressure, no oxygen.  Life in space is impossible." 

During the 90-minute-runtime, Bullock and Clooney portray Dr. Ryan Stone and astronaut Matt Kowalski, respectively, who are working on a mission with the Explorer space shuttle.  The movie’s plot really begins when the movement of debris recently disbursed into their orbit suddenly threatens their safety and all communication with Houston is lost.  The storytelling technique is interesting because the events throughout the film occur in a near-real-time manner.    

Stone (Bullock) is an engineer on her first mission, while Kowalski (Clooney) is a veteran astronaut who makes it his mission to live life to the fullest, even when situations become dangerous.  Within minutes, Explorer's mission is over when Dr. Stone is thrown off the structure and looses all visuals of the shuttle, but it's the calming charisma of Kowalski that allows for the pair to make a brave attempt to return home. 

Bullock shines as Stone, who becomes more resilient throughout the experience, while taking on some of the brave, yet breezy, characteristics of Kowalski in her fight to stay alive.  Her best performance is when she talks about her young daughter and delivers the line, "Tell her that I'm not quitting," with the fiery determination that Academy Award nominations are made of. 

The viewing experience is unique, as the film style changes from first person point-of-view, with shots of the astronauts above earth, to third person point-of-view as the cinematography shifts so that the viewer sees what Stone sees.  This is accomplished, especially in moments of suspense, by giving displaying the inside of her space helmet, lit up with warning lights and steaming up with each breath.         

While some viewers have described the heavily anticipated Oct. 4 release as slow or melodramatic, there is evidence to the contrary, as this is one of the few wide-release films in recent years that take the time to create a scene that is both stunningly beautiful and horrifying.  The visuals and special effects of this movie deserve a great deal of recognition, as the story would be impossible to tell without them.  Whether it’s the views of the Northern Lights from the perspective of the astronauts or the portrayal of objects floating in the zero gravity environment, the aesthetics of this film are flawless.  In some circumstances, paying extra for a 3-D ticket isn’t worth the money, but this is the exception to that rule.     

This movie is not the typical sci-fi release, as it offers more than flashy effects and frightening premises. While the action and special effects of this movie (e.g. astronauts dodging debris, stunning views of Earth from space, etc.) are worth paying lots of attention to, it's the heartfelt performance provided by the leading actors that have earned this film its success in the box office and the positive reviews from critics worldwide.  The Alfonso Cuarón-directed film offers proof of the abilities of Bullock and Clooney to capture their audience's compassion.    

Grade: A

Rush

Rush

This image is not my property.

A chronicle of the real-life feud between Formula One rivals James Hunt and Niki Lauda, this film, directed by Ron Howard, stars Chris Hemsworth and Daniel Brühl.

The scene is set from the beginning with one character saying, "Men love women -- but even more than that, men love cars!" This perfectly describes Hemsworth's performance as James Hunt, a playboy with a need for speed, success, and fame. 

The character of Niki Lauda, an Austrian who bought his way into the racing world, brings duality to the storyline.  While Hemsworth's good looks and acting go a long way, what really makes this movie worth watching is the sheer talent of Daniel Brühl in the role of Lauda. 

This film illustrates a relationship between the two drivers that can be described as passionate rivalry.  Throughout the plot, it becomes difficult to decide which of the racers to root for.  The viewer's gut feeling may be to cheer for Hunt (since a photo of Hemsworth's face is the image that was chosen for the movie posters), but at the same time Lauda's near-death racing experience is one of this year's most compelling on-screen stories. 

The leading ladies of this film are also phenomenal.  As Hunt says to his soon-to-be ex-wife, Suzy Miller (model and wife of Elizabeth Taylor's former husband, Richard Burton), played by Olivia Wilde, “Don't go to men who are willing to kill themselves driving in circles looking for normality.”  Wilde's performance is fairly short, yet powerful, as she attempts to work through the struggles of being married to a professional racer.  The real female star of this movie, however, is Alexandra Maria Lara who plays Lauda's wife, Marlene.  It is rare when an actress comes along who can give a performance with just the look on her face, encapsulating deep emotions.

While this movie is over two hours long, the overall quality is consistent.  It is artfully fascinating, terrifying, and thrilling.

Grade: A

The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back

In his first starring role, Lian James gives an unforgettable performance as Duncan, a shy 14-year-old on vacation with his mother (Toni Collette), his mother's boyfriend (Steve Carell), and his mother's boyfriend's daughter.

Released originally in July of this year, this indie-comedy delves into a range of emotions that we’ve all felt in our adolescent years.  From the first kiss to the first job, Duncan’s life feels real.  His personal growth throughout one summer vacation is moving as he goes transforms from a timid boy to a young man who can stand up to even his worst enemy, his mom's boyfriend, Trent.  

In his portrayal of Trent, Steve Carell proves that his acting range goes beyond ridiculous or foolish.  As a father figure to Duncan, Carell manages to create an unlikable persona that allows the audience to connect with the introverted main character. To cast Steve Carrell in a non-comedic role is a tragedy, however, The Way Way Back quickly makes up for that travesty when Duncan starts working at a local water park, Water Wizz.  

The comedic support in this movie is what keeps it going.  The staff at Water Wizz is made up of the talented Sam Rockwell (Seven Psychopaths' Billy), Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids' Lillian), Nat Faxon (Ben and Kate's Ben), and Jim Rash (Community's Dean Pelton).  In addition, Allison Janney of 2007's Juno was perfectly cast as the family's neigbor, Betty, who has a wonderful way of breaking the tension in some of the most intentionally awkward moments of the film.

When it comes down to the selling points of this film, it's not about flashy cinematography or constant laughs, it is about how completely raw and honest the performances of all of the actors feel.  If you are a fan of Woody Allen's 2011 release, Midnight In Paris, this charming movie is one you'll want to add to your watchlist.   

Movies I can't wait to watch!

 Rush

Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Wilde

Gravity

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney

Don Jon

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, and Tony Danza

Carrie

Chloë Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, and Judy Greer

Thor: The Dark World

Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, and Woody Harrelson

Anchorman: The Legend Continues

Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner

The Family

The Family

This image is not my property

The Manzoni family is like a lot of American families -- a strong father, loving mother, two kids, and a loyal dog -- but there is something that sets them apart from everyone around them.  Giovanni Manzoni, played by Robert De Niro, is a former mob boss who became an informant to the F.B.I. and now lives under the close watch of the witness protection program.   

The film, based on the novel "Malavita" by French author, Tonino Benacquista, begins with the Manzoni family moving to Normandy, France and becoming the Blake family.  In their new surroundings, the Blakes attempt to assimilate, but when they don't get what they want, they hilariously seek revenge.  A perfect example of this is when Michelle Pfeiffer as Maggie Blake, wife to De Niro's character, sets a local grocery store on fire after less than satisfactory customer service.

The family dynamic is perfect with "Glee's" Dianna Agron as the charming and fearless 17-year-old daughter, Belle, and John D'Leo as the brilliant and manipulative 14-year-old son, Warren.  The casting of the Manzoni/Blake children is spectacular, as both young actors proved their ability to portray characters that had been brought up in a mafia family.

Though it may seem a bit unbelievable for the now 70-year-old De Niro to be playing the father of teenagers, but his portrayal as the head of the Manzoni/Blake family proved to be the best possible casting for the role.  Along those lines, Tommy Lee Jones, 67, portrayed a surly F.B.I. agent on the Manzoni case in a way that is unmatchable by the up-and-coming stars of Hollywood.   

This movie is billed as being action, comedy, and crime, but it might be easier to call it a "dramedy" spiced-up with some well-integrated violence.  Either way, what makes this film worth watching happens to be the way the family behaves in the time warp-esque town in Normandy.     

Despite the fact that some smaller storylines in the Sept. 13 release are left unfinished, the overall plot of the story is entertaining with its ironic humor and honest performances.

Grade: B+ 

 

Blue Jasmine

Blue Jasmine

Written and directed by Woody Allen, this drama captures the film legend's neurotic essence in artful way. 

Image from The Hollywood Reporter

The movie begins with former New York socialite, Jasmine, on a flight to San Francisco.  Jasmine, played by Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, is the type of person who appears to others as an elitist or a snob, but as she arrives at her sister's apartment, it becomes clear that her story is going to be far more complex.

Blanchett’s performance as Jasmine proves to be raw and personal as the plot of Allen’s movie explores her decline in mental stability after her wealthy husband, Hal, is sent to prison after committing fraud.  The smooth-spoken Alec Baldwin plays Hal only appears in Jasmine’s flashbacks to her privileged life, yet gives one of the most memorable performances in the film.    

As a product of economic decline after her husband’s illegal business practices, she is forced to move in with her estranged sister, Ginger, and her two young nephews.  The evolution of their awkward relationship throughout “Blue Jasmine” is what makes this movie worth watching. 

In addition to the character studies of Jasmine and Ginger, another great takeaway is Allen’s brilliant writing.   His ideas come to life when expertly paired with Blanchett’s acting abilities.  Take this gem for example, when Jasmine mutters, “Anxiety, nightmares and a nervous breakdown — there’s only so many traumas a person can stand before they take to the streets and start screaming,” to her two nephews at a pizza shop.

The plot of Allen's most recent film has similarities to two of his most screenplays, “To Rome with Love” and “Midnight in Paris,” as each tends to jump around in time, yet “Blue Jasmine” lacks the charm and wonder that his earlier works encompass.  Although the story is told in an unconventional manner, Allen understands that his viewers are generally the type of audience that does not need a simplified story and this film becomes a patchwork of Jasmine’s most defining moments.   

Grade: B

The Butler

Lee Daniels' The Butler

Legends of entertainment industry, Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, shine in historical biopic

From "Lincoln" to "Argo" there is no questioning that historical feature films are among some of the most recognized films in our culture.  

In "The Butler," Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker becomes Cecil Gains.  The story of Cecil is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen, an African American butler who served at the White House for 34 years from the 1950s through the 1980s.  The film begins with the murder of Cecil's father on a cotton plantation.  When the estate's caretaker, played by an elderly, spunky Vanessa Redgrave, sees that young Cecil has suddenly lost his father, she takes him into the estate and trains him to become a house servant. 

Years go on, as they do in most historical films, and Cecil moves away from the plantation.  As a young man, he struggles to find shelter and employment in a society that was yet to be rocked by a civil rights movement.  In a time of great need, he stumbles upon the opportunity to work under and learn from an experienced servant, who eventually leads him to a job serving at a Washington D.C. hotel.  Whitaker's performance is enchanting, as he leads the film's audience through his realization that serving in a time of segregation is a game of anticipating what wealthy white patrons will enjoy. 

In a matter of minutes Cecil’s wife, Gloria Gains, the leading lady played by Oprah Winfrey, is introduced and Cecil is hired as a butler at the White House under the Eisenhower administration.  From this point on, the film becomes a fascinating whirlwind of Cecil's experiences as a husband, father, and White House butler.     

This movie is nothing less than a top contender for the Academy Awards.  What makes the work of director Lee Daniels and writers Danny Strong and Wil Haygood transcend from good to excellent is the context of racial injustice and social upheaval in which they place the story.  To bring the issues that were being faced during Cecil's time of employment to the forefront of the movie, Cecil's son, Louis Gains, played by David Oyelowo, becomes a social activist. 

This film is worth viewing because of the portrayal of White House culture throughout the administrations of Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan contrasting with the lives of the butlers, portrayed by Whitaker, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Lenny Kravitz.  The superior storytelling, cinematography, and acting allow it to brilliantly tackle the complexity of Cecil Gains’ life. 

Grade: A

The World's End

The World's End
Creative absurdity: nothing ruins a pub crawl like a robot invasion

The title might sound familiar, but it could also be because of the June release of "This is the End" featuring Seth Rogan and James Franco or the earlier debut of "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley.  Interestingly enough, though these films may all share a common theme, they are quite different from each other.  The award for originality, however, goes to "The World's End."

From, Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, the creators of "Hot Fuzz" and "Shaun of the Dead" comes a story about five friends attempting to relive their high school years. This Sci-Fi comedy starts with an introduction that could only be compared to a John Hughes film from the 1980s—in a cheesy, but charming way.  Fast-forward to 2013 and Gary King, played by Simon Pegg, is having a mid-life crisis and gathering up a gang of friends to attempt a feat that they failed to accomplish in their late adolescence: a pub crawl in their hometown known as "the golden mile." 

As the group begins their tour of their old stomping grounds, they begin to notice that something strange has happened to their little town.  This is where the science fiction comes in: robots!  It sounds strange, but it becomes hilarious and thrilling in a matter of minutes, once the first human-battling-robot scene happens.  "The World's End" is a cross between BBC's "Doctor Who" and the 2012 Ben Stiller comedy, "The Watch," as it bridges creativity and ingenuity with a good dose of the absurd. 

King is a character clearly stuck in his past, while his old school mates quickly come to realize this fact on their journey.  Among the concerned friends are Nick Frost (of "Shaun of the Dead") and Martin Freeman (of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey").  This film successfully touches upon the struggles of adulthood and lost friendships without turning into a dull "dramedy" like 2012's "This is 40."

As this is a comedy, the stress is less on acting and more on getting laughs.  The plot lags in a few places and mystifies in others, but there was clearly a lot of effort put into creating this film.  It was fun, but it won't be winning any prestigious awards.  

Grade: B-

Upcoming Review: The World's End

The World's End

Elysium & Kick-Ass 2

Elysium

Image property of TriStar Pictures

Imagine living in a world that has become over populated and stricken with poverty, crime, and disease.  Now imagine that, with enough economic privilege, you can escape to a society for the elite, where the living is luxurious and no disease is incurable. 

This is the unharmonious setting of writer and director Neill Blomkamp's,  early August release, Elysium.

This film captures the raw struggles of the unprivileged citizens of a future planet Earth.  Matt Damon plays Max, a former orphan turned ex-criminal parolee.  Damon's portrayal of Max is more than convincing, as he makes an attempt to bring justice and balance to the forgotten people of Earth. 

Meanwhile, the attempts made by citizens of Earth are crushed by the work of Secretary of Defense, Delacourt.  Jodie Foster makes a  return to the silver screen after her two-year break in movie releases as the smart, suave yet brutal, Delacourt. 

The story of Elysium suffered in moments that dwelled on minor plot aspects, making its 109 minute runtime feel a bit long.  Fortunately, the film retained a standard of quality and made excellent use of the opposite settings of Earth and the lush world of Elysium and the characters built within them. 

This is a film for viewers that enjoyed the 2009 release of Blomkamp's District 9.  He has a way of creating hypothetical settings that feel completely real for the duration of his works. 

For anyone who prefers their science-fiction in a non-violent way, it may be a good idea to steer clear of Elysium.  For those who are brave and enjoy a little gore, however, this may be your new favorite movie, as it earned an R-rating for it's use of violence and realistic bloodshed.

 






Kick-Ass 2

Image property of Universal Pictures

The sequel to Kick-Ass, the 2010 self-made superhero release Kick-Ass 2 debuted in theaters nation-wide on August 16th. 

Where the first film was the pursuit of one teen to become a superhero in the crime-ridden modern world, this installment proved to be the story of the rise of villains attempting to end the fame and success of Dave Lizewski's alter-ego, Kick-Ass (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson).  While this villainous rise to power is devastating, there is hope, as a new team of self-made superheroes begin to assemble to fight crime.

This film focuses heavily on the character Mindy Macready/Hit-Girl, who quickly gained fan-following after the first film was released.  The character is played by one of Hollywood's newest it-girls, Chloë Grace Moretz. 

The other note-worthy cast members include Jim Carrey, Donald Faison (Turk from TV's Scrubs), and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin of Superbad).

Though not as novel as the first movie, this film still manages to provide an interesting and thrilling viewing experience.


Thank you for reading!