American Hustle

American Hustle

Some of the best actors of the early 21s century take the screen in this Dec. 20, 2013 release about a conman and his "business partner" forced into working for an FBI agent when faced with a dilemma. 

The conman himself, Irving Rosenfeld, is played by Christian Bale.  It seems as though Bale was born to play nearly every role in which he's cast, and this movie is no exception.  When Bale plays Irving, the actor who once played Batman is nowhere to be found; instead the screen displays a character that has come to life through the star's superior acting abilities.

While Amy Adams plays his business partner and lover, Sydney Prosser, the sensational Jennifer Lawrence plays Irving's wife, Rosalyn.  Adams' performance certainly left something to be desired, but Lawrence's portrayal of a nonsensical, jealous-type almost makes up for it. 

What makes this story unique is the manner in which it's told, in the sense that the story is narrated through voice overs from three different points of view: Irving's, Sydney's and that of the FBI officer in charge of their work, Richie DiMaso, played by Bradley Cooper.  (Cooper's acting, by the way, was good, yet not quite as impressive as his performance in Silver Linings Playbook.)

In addition, this film is a fun watch because of the amount of attention that was paid to creating a convincing setting of the late 1970s.  While the actors, directors and producers deserve quite a bit of respect in the making of any film, this one owes a lot to the amazing work done by the costume designers, as well as the hair and makeup artists.  (Also, the soundtrack and cinematography made for an all around immersive viewing experience.)

All of this being said, this film (in my opinion) isn't quite worth an Academy Award, but it's certainly worthy of recognition for it's unique story and illustration of how hustling is not only applicable to money, but also to relationships and personal identities.  

Grade: B+

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Image property of
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

 Ben Stiller stars in and directs this Dec. 25, 2013 release about a daydreamer-turned-adventurer and his journey to become the man he always wanted to be.

As the film begins, Walter Mitty is a man living a tragically dull life who had just begun using an online dating site to get a chance with the girl of his dreams, Cheryl Melhoff played by Kristen Wiig.  All the while, Mitty's imagination goes wild with all of the sweeping romantic gestures he could make to win her over.  The casting of Wiig in this role opposite Stiller was phenomenal.  The duo have very believable chemistry, which is just one reason why this film is so worth watching.

When Mitty's job at Life Magazine in the photography department requires him to track down the publication's star photographer, Sean O'Connell played by Sean Penn everything changes, and quite possibly for the better.  The storyline of Mitty's once seemingly adventureless life is suddenly transformed into an nearly unbelievable series of serendipitous escapades.  This not only makes for one of the most interesting tales in recent cinema, but a very exciting viewing experience. 

From the way scenic views of Iceland and Greenland all the way down to the way the opening credits are incorporated into city landscapes and street signs, this film is one of the most aesthetically pleasing experiences of 2013.  Not to mention, it has a great soundtrack.  (Actually, even the dramatic silences in this film are perfection.)      

Beyond the great casting and astounding views, the writing for this movie is full of thoughtful notions and ironic humor (always a good combination).  What makes this film unique is that, while Mitty's love story is an important part of the plot, his relationship with his family, particularly his mother, is also very key to the overall storyline.  The one and only Shirley MacLaine takes the screen as Edna Mitty, his sweet, hip and aging mother, who looks out for him even when he doesn't think he needs it.  Her character paired with the background stories she tells about Mitty as a young man are why this movie is the perfect mix of sentiment and whimsy. 

What really makes this movie worth watching are its lessons: learn to trust, build courage and take chances to create a life that's worth living.      

This is one of those movies that's absolutely worth seeing in theaters.  It is a feel-good film that's inspiring and fun.

Grade: A

Anticipated Sequels: Anchorman 2 & Hobbit 2

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Property of Paramount Pictures

Will Ferrell takes the screen again as Ron Burgundy in Anchorman 2, alongside his news team cast mates: Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner. 

The first half of this film moves slowly and is quite different from it's precursor.  This lull, however, served a purpose, as it was introducing Burgundy and his audience to a whole new era: the 1980s and the dawn of the 24-hour news cycle. 

Once the film gets over it's lull, the classically ridiculous plot finds its wings and the second half proves to be just as goofy and outrageous as the first film.

Plus the new cast members in this installment were great.  From James Marsden as Burgundy's rival news anchor to Meagan Good as his boss-turned-love-interest, the entertainment factor multiplied with each interaction. 

In addition, the untouchable sweetheart of comedy, Kristen Wiig makes the perfect addition to the cast as a love interest for Carell's character, Brick Tamland.

As if it weren't good enough already, this movie even has a take-home message: the 24-hour news cycle and its constant need for sensationalism corrupts quality news, and even someone as block-headed as Burgundy understands.  Although this sounds like a serious issue to pursue in a comedy, the film manages to call out the relevant problem by using entertainingly irrelevant humor.  (A triumph.) 


If that hasn't sold you yet, remember that epic fight scene between the San Diego news teams in the first Anchorman?  Well this one has an even better fight scene.  Not kidding!

For those readers who aren't hardcore fans, this movie is worth renting.  For those of you who couldn't wait to see the trailers, go see it in theaters while you still can!

Grade: B



The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Property of New Line Cinema

This film was certainly an impressive piece of cinematography, as the journey sequences, casting and acting are all great features.  At the same time, however, there aren't enough similarities to the first installment in the Hobbit series.  

Just my personal opinion here: there were far too many fight scenes in this film, which makes me believe that the makers of this movie are wearing the story thin.  (This is truly unfortunate, as it is supposedly one of the best stories of all time.)

All this being said, if this movie is worth seeing in theaters for anything, it is Smaug, the dragon character voiced by the talented Benedict Cumberbatch.  The character is very impressive, both as a character and a product of special effects and animation.

Grade: C+

The Wolf of Wall Street

The Wolf of Wall Street

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Jordan Belfort in the Dec. 25, 2013 release of The Wolf of Wall Street, based on a true story about the luxury and corruption in the life of one 1980s stockbroker.  

The Scorsese-directed film has a three-hour runtime, which is quite fitting for the enormous number of scenes and storylines that are part of the cinematic experience.  That, however, does not mean that there are no lulls in the complex plot.  The sequencing could have benefited from a more streamlined edit to reach a larger audience (but it's hard to decide what scenes could be cut, as they were all of the highest caliber). 

Looking past the lengthiness, this movie captures the performance excellence that has come to be expected from DiCaprio.  The context of a wealthy character becomes the star in 2013, as he portrayed the legendary equally charming and mysterious Gatsby and most recently the Wolf of Wall Street, a man who becomes obsessed with both his wealth and himself. 

While DiCaprio is the star of this film, Jonah Hill certainly has his fair share of screen time as Belfort's business associate, Donnie Azoff.  Hill seems to be type cast once again as a goofy beta-male in this film, but with that being said, there is no better actor for the role of inappropriate best friend.

In terms of other male characters in this film, Matthew McConaughey makes less than a half-hour appearance as young Belfort's original boss and mentor on Wall Street.  While the character was McConaughey's classic cool-dude-gone-arrogant, the film could have been more succinct with the star appearing in more than just the beginning.  


The female lead of this film, Margot Robbie, gave a performance as Belfort's trophy wife that is worth watching.  While DiCaprio's performance is always hard to live up to, Robbie's acting was both flawless and raw.  This film has definitely put her on the list of stars to watch in 2014.  


The story is entertaining, from the tales of how Belmont started his business in an old garage to his drug-crazed parties.  This film is worth watching, but maybe not in theaters (since it is a pretty big time commitment). 

Grade: B-

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks star this Dec. 20 release about author Pamela L. Travers' negotiations with Walt Disney prior to the production of Disney's 1964 release, Mary Poppins.  

This was one of 2013's best films in terms of story, casting, acting, scenery and costuming, and here is why:


Thompson plays Travers, an Australian author of the 1934 book Mary Poppins, who struggles to accept any adaptations Disney and his producers wish to make to her original story.  Through a series of flashbacks to Travers' childhood, it becomes clear as to why she is so particular about the portrayal of her characters, as they are based on her beloved parents and governess.

While the process of conceptualizing the Disney classic film is both fascinating and educational, the storyline about the young Travers and her relationship with her father is what makes the movie touching.  Colin Farrell plays the role of her whimsical father.  Although Farrell is most often cast in bad-boy type parts, he does a phenominal job playing a father to a strong, yet impressionable young girl.   

Hanks' performance as Disney is marvelous.  From his charisma to his passion for the unique, Hanks really captured the mannerisms and character of the legend.  While it wasn't as big of an accomplishment as Hanks' role in Captain Phillips, this role showed his abilities as one of America's most seasoned actors.  

Thompson's performance, however, was nothing short of Oscar-worthy.  The British actress known for her roles in Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually, truly was P.L. Travers in every way, in the sense that the actress became a translucent vessel, while the character came to life. 

The supporting actors in this film also gave a phenomenal performance, especially Paul Giamatti in his role as Ralph, Travers' upbeat driver.  His cheery attitude juxtaposed with Travers' seemingly constant negativity made for a delightfully unpredictable combination. 

Other honorable mentions go to Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, and Jason Schwartzman playing the men who tried with all of their might to convince Travers' to make her Mary Poppins into the film it is today.

A minor critique of this film is that, for a film about the process that led to the making of Mary Poppins, however, there was hardly any portrayal of the governess upon which the character was based within the flashback scenes. But this was hardly enough to ruin any part of the film. 

In addition to the great casting and acting, this film captured the essence of the eras in which it was set, the early 1900s and the 1960s.  From the landscapes and lighting to the costumes and accents, this movie has a way of transporting its audience to another period of time. 

Grade: A

  

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-