RETURN OF THE BLOG: Summer 2014

Summer 2014 at the movies has gotten off to a great start!  Here are some long overdue reviews on some really well done Hollywood blockbusters (and a Wes Anderson film) that have hit theaters this year.  

Unsurprisingly, only two of the following seven films are "original stories", not sequels, prequels, or re-imaginings!  Even those two (Edge of Tomorrow and The Grand Budapest Hotel) were inspired by written works.  Welcome to summer!

Happy reading!

Image source: http://www.chicagonow.com/hammervision/files/2014/05/XMEN.jpg

• X-Men: Days of Future Past
• This retro-infused superhero flick proves to be one of the strongest entries in the X-Men canon.  Director Bryan Singer & Co. have seamlessly blended two impressive sets of characters/cast members into a single world.   The film also serves another key function - to neatly clean up some of the series' fundamental flaws committed in previous films.  With one memorable action sequence after another (no one will forget the Quicksilver Pentagon scene), this one shouldn't be missed.
• Rating: 5 out of 5 

Image source: http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/screencrush.com/files/2013/12/edge1.jpg

• Edge of Tomorrow
• If you blend together equal parts badass, clever science fiction writing, and a sense of humor, the result is Edge of Tomorrow.  Borrowing elements from other notable films in the genre (Source Code, The Matrix, and ...Tom Cruise), Edge plays like a D-Day style invasion on repeat.  We see Tom Cruise's character transform with each successive attempt to defeat the mechanical enemy.  Previews have wisely shied away from showing too much of the robotic entities called "mimics" in the film.  I won't spoil their secrets, but they're pretty awesome and represent a formidable foe.  You really can't ask for much more in a sci-fi / war / action comedy this summer.  Well done.
• Rating: 5 out of 5 

Image source: http://imageserver.moviepilot.com/godzillaocean-godzilla-surfaces-in-attack-at-pacific-ocean-clip.jpeg?width=1706&height=702

• Godzilla
• GODZILLA.  The latest entry in the 60-year-old franchise doesn't skimp on the action.  The first and final acts are stunning, but the middle third drags on for a bit.  Not to worry, the other acts make up for it.  I'm a fan of Director Gareth Edwards after his creative 2010 indie/sci-fi hybrid Monsters (which is a really great little film made for almost no budget in comparison to this behemoth).  It's nice to see seasoned actors Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche thrown into this world of action movie "reaction shots."  But don't see Godzilla looking for well-developed characters.  Go in expecting to see one helluva big lizard king and you won't be disappointed.
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5 

Image source: http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/Neighbors-Movie-Seth-Rogen-Zac-Efron.jpg

• Neighbors
• Neighbors pits two of the most physically different actors (pictured above) against each other in a raunchy, hilarious summer comedy.  The film doesn't cover any new ground in picturing the "stereotypical" fraternity lifestyle, which is always disappointing.  Seth Rogen reliably gives us another lovable, pot-smoking oaf of a performance.  It is nice to see Zach Efron break out of his High School Musical / romantic comedy role.  And Rose Byrne proves herself once again as a comedic force to be reckoned with.  All in all, the film is hysterical & certainly delivers the laughs.  
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5 

Image source: http://pridepublishinggroup.com/pride/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jamie-Foxx-as-Electro-faces-Spider-Man-in-The-Amazing-Spider-Man-2.jpg

• The Amazing Spider-Man 2
• Another entertaining and probably the most visually stunning Spider-man film to date.  This 2nd film in the reboot series answers a lot of the questions the 1st reboot failed to answer (i.e. Peter Parker's father and his backstory).  We finally get more of an idea of where the reboot series is going, and I like the direction it's heading.  The addition of multiple villains remains a writing problem in films like this, but the film is so beautifully shot (and animated) that it doesn't matter as much.  Max Dillon and Harry Osbourne are more caricatures than they are well-developed, believable human characters.  Fortunately, their evil counterparts (Electro and The Green Goblin, respectively) are just so cool that they're hard to resist.  For all the flaws in the storytelling, the film really does make up for it with stellar action sequences and memorable villains.
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Image source: http://d.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/inline-large/inline/2014/03/3027812-inline-i-6-adam-stockhausen-grand-budapest-hotel.jpg

• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• For what it's worth, probably the most violent Wes Anderson film to date.  For fans of the director, you'll know that isn't saying much (don't go in expecting Tarantino style violence by any means).  Wes Anderson's cinematic palate remains unique, insightful, and always beautiful.  There's always something else going on under all the wide angle lenses and perfectly chosen colors.  This is a murder mystery painted onto the big screen as no one else could possibly do it.  It's quite an achievement.
• Rating: 5 out of 5 

Image source: http://images.smh.com.au/2014/03/28/5302603/HP-SUNMMag-aw_20140328132714733698-620x349.jpg

• Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier
•  The 2nd film in the Captain America series proves to be much stronger than its predecessor.  While the first film did have a nice retro vibe and a bigger cast of cohorts, The Winter Soldier packs a bigger action punch.  Just as the story throws the classical hero Captain America into modern day society, the film itself has some nicely executed old school action sequences blended with CGI.  It's effective.  The Samuel L. Jackson SUV ambush and the final action set piece (pictured above) were riveting high points. 
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

Favorites of 2013

Lists should only be the start of a conversation, never the end of one.

I mean, how can you make a "Top 10" list if you haven't seen every single movie of the year?  So here's my list of favorites (not to be confused with "the best of 2013").

Feel free to rip it apart.

Favorite Films of 2013

1. Frances Ha
2. The Wolf of Wall Street
3. American Hustle 
4. Before Midnight
5. 12 Years a Slave 
6. Spring Breakers
7. Blackfish
8. Much Ado About Nothing
9. The Conjuring
10. Gravity

**One of these will likely be the Best Picture winner this year.

**I haven't seen the following films (and many many more) at the time of making this list:

- Inside Llewyn Davis, Her, Blue is the Warmest Color, Nebraska, The Bling Ring, Stories We Tell, Mud, Behind the Candelabra, The Spectacular Now, The Butler

The Best Time I Had At The Movies in 2013

• Jurassic Park in IMAX 3-D, hands down.

Favorite TV Shows of 2013

1. Breaking Bad
2. The Walking Dead 
3. Masters of Sex
4. House of Cards
5. Mad Men / Homeland (both seasons were the series' low points)

The Wolf of Wall Street, Killing Them Softly

The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

• Martin Scorsese's latest is outrageously entertaining.  Over the daunting (but typical for the director) runtime of about 3 hours, the viewer is bombarded by one surprising, shocking, usually illegal action after the next.  By the time you've reacted to one outrageous scene, we're already halfway into the next.  The pacing is lightning fast and the dialogue ricochets along with it.  It's dynamic and impressive work.  Viewers will have one of two reactions: 1) laughter the ridiculousness of the characters' actions and that any of this behavior is remotely based on actual events or 2) complete and utter disgust.  You'll know within the first minutes of the film.  Scorsese throws you into the world of the film and doesn't let up.  Leonardo DiCaprio gives another incredible performance, one that draws comparisons to his other roles (i.e. con man Frank Abagnale in Catch Me If You Can and his title role as The Great Gatsby).  If you've seen the trailer, you know what tone to expect for the film.  You could never predict the film itself.  DiCaprio has stated "we're not condoning this behavior, we're indicting it."  But they sure are having fun doing it.
• Rating: 5 out of 5

Killing Them Softly (2012)

• Andrew Dominik's crime thriller comes across as a heavy-handed, un-engaging indictment of capitalism.  Its heart is in the right place, but its ideals are forced into the plot via various political interviews and press conferences of Presidents Bush and Obama.  I watched a behind-the-scenes special in which Dominik said the film's message was for "crime not to be glamorous, but that it's a job and kind of a drag."  That works, in theory.  But when you have an extended, beautifully filmed slow-motion sequence of a character being shot multiple times as bullet casings grace against rain droplets, that statement becomes a bit hypocritical.  Brad Pitt and Scoot McNairy shine in their respective roles and serve the film well.  Unfortunately, the James Gandolfini character (which the film seems obsessed with given his amount of screen time) was exceedingly boring and more of a cliche than a truly developed character.  Killing Them Softly had the potential to be a unique crime thriller with brains to match its brawn all within a lean runtime of 98 minutes.  However, the end result is a mixed bag that drags along, never really satisfies its ambitious goals, and denies the casual viewer very many action sequences.
• Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Sources for Above Images:

TWOWS: http://www.nerdist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wows2.gif

KTS: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgitvuOzQnfJaFLz3E_urc_HCgLA7vG0bXSMn3Zcwz5UMjcDk04X9XbBOmGuMIkXpokGMYnMeHmW82YcTPRUbL2XryL-W0zbZfKO7rSUo8Fi5Z0EPXAAd-58ackK2JxepribndxGN9iY/s1600/killingthemsoftly.jpg

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Dallas Buyers Club, Frozen

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

• The critics got it wrong with this one.  Currently sitting at 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, Walter Mitty deserves higher praise than it seems to be getting.  The film is gorgeously shot and scored, featuring song choices that perfectly accompany the visuals.  It's what my sister would (accurately) call "a life movie."  Ben Stiller (who also directed the film) portrays the title character with honesty and subtlety, but effectively.  Walter Mitty finds just the right balance of laughs, emotions, poignancy, and surprise.  And it's only rated PG!  This is the type of film I suspect that the late critic Roger Ebert would have championed.  Walter Mitty dreams big and has a great imagination, showcasing a love for life itself.
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Dallas Buyers Club

• Matthew McConaughey leads the fight against pharmaceutical companies, the DEA, close-minded physicians, and anyone else who stands in his way to find a way to beat AIDS.  The performance is phenomenal.  His character (based on a real person) transforms from a frustrating state of numb apathy and drug-filled risk behavior to a take charge leader in the fight against AIDS.  Fittingly, we see the self-proclaimed cowboy getting "back on the horse" at the end of the film, back in take-control-of-my-life fashion.  The film is inspiring on several occasions and never fails to engage.  McConaughey is helped by a slew of adept supporting characters, notably Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner.  With the help of clever direction (i.e. the shot of what seems to be vocation candles, pulls back to reveal they're candles at a strip club) and a brilliant screenplay, Dallas Buyers Club is a "based on a true story" film done right.
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Frozen

• Frozen represents old-school storytelling in new-school clothes (i.e. stunning digital animation).  It's a classic story of sisters torn apart, true love, and a town caught in the middle.  Frozen has already gained well-earned praise for its memorable soundtrack.   It's fun, familiar, and family-oriented entertainment.  Frozen is thoroughly enjoyable.
• 3D: I saw the film in 3D, and my initial reaction was that it didn't add much to the story.  The real value of seeing the film in 3D would be for the short film played before Frozen, which was absolutely genius (it blends classic Mickey Mouse cartoons with the latest 3D innovations).
• Stick around: There's a scene after the credits.
• Rating: 4 out of 5 (the short film before the feature gets 5 out of 5!)

Sources for Above Images:

TSLOWM: http://www.daveonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/walter-mitty-publicity-still-photo.jpg

DBC: http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2013/09/09/DALLAS-BUYERS-CLUB.jpg

FROZEN:http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131103205461/disney/images/6/66/Frozen_castposter.jpg

American Hustle, The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire, A Madea Christmas

American Hustle

• WOW.  Just great from start to finish.  I love the nostalgia.  I love the absurdity.  I love ALL of the actors.  And I love the director.  This is a thoroughly entertaining film that succeeds at being both flat out hilarious and gripping, often at the same time.  The great movies about con artists are often clever because the characters in them are clever.  The plot really depends on the characters being actualized and fully developed.  Director David O. Russell has proven time and time again that he can craft amazing, character-driven films, and he has succeeded once again.  There's no question that this one will be garnering some well deserved attention at upcoming award shows.  Even if it doesn't, it makes it onto my list of top films of the year.  
• Rating: 5 out of 5

THG2:CF

• The first of the Hunger Games sequels amps up the psychological elements, maintains thrilling set pieces, and continues upon the first installment's smart direction and elaborate costuming.  This is one of those few, cherished occasions in which the sequel surpasses the original.  I'm hoping the trend continues, because word on the street is that the 3rd and final novel is decidedly lackluster.  This will hopefully be corrected for in the final film(s).  In Catching Fire, the threats young Catniss must face become more immediate and her actions more crucial.  As the title implies, this is a story that's meant to be a midpoint between an introduction and finale.  That being said, it still has enough chops to stand on its own as a satisfying middle man.  The ending is unexpectedly abrupt (not a bad thing), and by the end of it, it's fair to say the fire has started.  Catching Fire makes for an riveting trip to the movies and succeeds at pumping you up for the sure-to-be exciting finale.
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

A Madea Christmas

• Just kidding.  I didn't see this - YET!
• Rating: ?? out of ??????????

Sources for Above Images:

AH: http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51fd708cecad04f144000041-1200-706/american-hustle.jpg

THG2CF: http://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/catching-fire3.jpg

Thor: The Dark World and About Time (2013 Reviews)

Can you find Malekith the Angry Elf?  He's waaaaay down there at the bottom!

Thor: The Dark World

• The follow-up doesn't quite live up to the original but does maintain the balance of humor and nicely executed action sequences that has come to define the Avengers saga.  Thor 2 (for brevity's sake) benefits greatly from the presence of Loki, who provides much of the cleverness and trickery in an otherwise Gladiator-dominated world.  The world of Asgard (and the other realms which are occasionally visited by characters throughout the film) remains incredibly beautiful.  It's truly masterfully crafted CGI that becomes even more immediate in 3-D.  Chris Hemsworth continues to epitomize his role and seems irreplaceable as Thor himself.  He's supported nicely by fine actors (Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston as the aforementioned Loki, Stellan Skarsgaard, and others).  
• To those of us naive to the nuances of the comics (myself included), Malekith is the film's super villain.  He's basically a really angry elf with a superiority complex.  The plot hinges around control of the aether, a gooey substance that's really cool to look at in 3-D and would give Malekith the ability to turn the lights out (hence the DARK world) on his neighbors in the other 9 realms.  As far as super villains go, he's not particularly menacing or even that memorable.  I suppose the true die hard comic fans would enjoy his presence in the film, and I will say that his army of drones with those creepy masks was pretty cool.  
• All in all... Thor 2 continues to excel at what it's good at, offering Gladiator-style battle sequences juxtaposed with effective comic relief, all the while advancing the on-going Avengers plot line with seemingly no end in sight.
• Stick around for mid-credits and post-credits bonus scenes.
• Recommended in 3-D.
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5 

About Time

• About Time earns the distinction as one of the most enjoyable romantic comedies I've seen in a long time.  The premise (or at least the handling of it) is somewhat original for the genre, and effective.  All the actors are engaging in their respective roles, especially Tom Hughes as the lead.  This was my first introduction to the actor, and he just nails it.  His performance shines both on screen and as the film's narrator.
• The film's plot seems to falter slightly around the exact "rules" of time travel and doesn't really make sense completely… typically if a character time travels BACK in time, their actions impact the FUTURE (as in a certain 1985 classic starring Michael J. Fox).  That doesn't entirely happen here.  But I tried not to rack my brain around that aspect of the film too much.
• Just as 500 Days of Summer is a story about love (not a "love story"), About Time is chiefly a comedy about romance (and therefore, NOT a stereotypical "romantic comedy").  Regardless of the exact genre that film falls into, it makes for an enjoyable and clever trip to the movies.
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

12 Years a Slave (review)

One of many pivotal moments in the film, told via one of McQueen's long takes.

12 Years a Slave

Steve McQueen has generated another compelling, challenging film.  His work is always brave and never easy to watch.  RT describes the film as "unflinchingly brutal."  Yep.  Michael Fassbender's character chiefly represents that brutality in another ferocious and no-holds-barred performance.  There are a number of welcome cameos from some of the most skilled actors working today - Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, to name a few.  But the true shining star here is Chiwetel Ejiofor.  His performance will obviously earn him an Oscar nod (if not, he's truly been robbed of that distinction).  This is the moment in his career that will jettison him from supporting actor to lead.  The humility and bravery with which he portrays Solomon Northrup is commendable and requires absolute commitment to the role.  Likewise, skilled director Steve McQueen (whose previous, lesser known works include Hunger and Shame) will now be dead center in Hollywood's radar of talented filmmakers.  Combining masterful performances, dedicated direction, and a harsh reality that's part of our history, 12 Years a Slave is a demanding, brilliant film.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.