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'THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (PG-13) (3 1/2 STARS)
Written by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Actors: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman
Let me just mention one thing before I start my review of "The Dark Knight Rises". It can in no way be as outstanding as "The Dark Knight". That is equal to "Superman II" as the best superhero movie ever made. Part of that classic status goes to Heath Ledger as The Joker and a performance and villian that was one of the best on screen. I will say that "The Dark Knight Rises" is easily miles ahead of most any movie that has come out in the last few years. It is an amazing conclusion to one of the best trilogies ever on the movie screen.
"The Dark Knight Rises" has a deep story that is thoughtfully written and it surprised me by choking me up in the end. This is an emotional movie, more so than the darker "The Dark Knight". There is also some great acting on display here including two Oscar caliber performances and a breakout star performance. The movie of course looks stark, beautiful with amazing special effects, great action, fights and some memorable set pieces. It has a middle scene that gave me major goose bumps and freaked me out. It also has an amazing last 45 minutes where the story comes to it's conclusion with a lot of powerful emotion. I just wish that after the spellbinding first half hour the movie didn't meander and drag for the next half hour. The movie should have been cut down a little. The last movie was also long but it was more compact and focused.
"The Dark Knight Rises" is set a few years after the conclusion of "The Dark Knight". Batman is in hiding after being blamed for the death of Harvey Dent. A new force is coming into focus as the evil Bane, who wears a mask to hide a face that is disfigured I guess, hatches an evil plan. Bane is part of a twisted revolution against the 1% of Gotham City that feed on the other 99% of the less fortunate. This plot is very topical to what is going on today with the "Occupy Wall Street" movement and our economical woes. Christopher and Jonathan Nolan have written a very thoughtful screenplay that is about something. What I loved about "The Dark Knight" was that it played out like a 1940's film noir picture. "The Dark Knight Rises" starts with a wonderful first half hour that plays like a film noir mystery. The latter half gets away from that but there are so many effective moments and the ending is fantastic.
The movie introduces a new character named Selina Kyle and she is a tough and crafty thief who runs into Bruce Wayne at a party in his mansion. Their first meeting is a lot of fun and Anne Hathaway is sexy, funny and effective as this well written adversary. The movie will introduce parts of the other two movies and there is a deep story that is more wonderfully complicated then almost every other superhero movie and thats what makes the last Dark Knight movie and this one more effective then movies like "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-man". Superhero movies are not supposed to be written with this much thought and I appreciate that. There are also well written characters we care about and more emotion also, more to care about and focus on.
Movies like this depend on the villains and yes nothing will ever trump The Joker and Heath Ledger but I was impressed and surprised by the character of Bane. He is not as twisted as The Joker but I still thought he was a formidable enough bad guy who seemed like a real threat and I was worried if Bane would be effective enough by watching the trailers. Critics have pointed out that Bane is not that effective due to his voice and that Tom Hardy can't do much with the character. I disagree for I found that Tom Hardy does a very great job in his performance. I understood every word Bane says and I was impressed by the character more than I thought I would be. He is not as intense as The Joker but he is way more effective than the very weak villians in this year's "The Avengers" and "The Amazing Spider-man". Anne Hathaway also gives a commanding, star making performance and she is charming, sexy, lethal and actually funny too. Her back and forth with Bruce Wayne and Batman is very good and reminded me of the dialogue from old romantic comedies of another era.
I was also not expecting some really emotional stuff from a third movie of a superhero trilogy. There is a bomb scene in the middle that includes a whole football field imploding and Gotham City being torn to shreds. That series of scenes were powerful and tense and very well directed. It was so effective it made me actually think that this could happen to any city in reality if terrorists attacked, that segment gave me chills. There is also a fantastic last half hour with a cliffhanging scene at every turn starting with a bravura and crowd pleasing scene of an army of cops rushing into battle against Bane's minions. Then you get some great aerial sequences, an intense fight between Batman and Bane and a neat, unexpected twist at the end.
Also contributing to the greatness of this movie are two Oscar caliber performances by Gary Oldman and Joseph Gordon Levitt playing two well written characters. I think Gordon Levitt is the best actor of his generation (sorry Ryan Golsing) and here he plays a heroic cop and it is a multi layered performance and a character that is the emotional core of "The Dark Knight Rises". This is the best written character that I have encountered in any superhero movie. Gary Oldman also is great and his Gordon is also an emotional and deep character that provides depth and emotion. I also loved Michael Caine's touching performance and I did not expect this much emotion coming out of something that Alfred does in this movie. The above mentioned characters breathe emotion into the movie and they are the backbone of "The Dark Knight Rises".
I also have to mention that Christian Bale is again very solid here and I can't imagine anyone else playing Bruce Wayne/Batman after this trilogy. "The Dark Knight Rises" is not up to the quality of "The Dark Knight" but it is still a great time at the movies. Yes the movie can be very deep and dark and it could be seen as a bummer but I love dark and found the movie powerful in certain scenes and emotional in others. I was surprised that I started to tear up at scenes near the end and the movie does end on a graceful and satisfying note. Christopher Nolan is an amazing director and he has made a fascinating trilogy that is greater than it should be. "The Dark Knight Rises" is an excellent, solid, intense and very effective movie with great performances and many scenes of pure greatness.
P.S. The way Nolan opens up "The Dark Knight Rises" reminds me of how Steven Spielberg used to open up films like "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Close Encounters" and "E.T.". Nolan grabs your attention right away from the start getting you intrigued and breathless in anticipation.
Also as I am writing this review on Friday I must comment on the theatre shooting in Aurora, Colorado during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" early Friday morning. It is another senseless shooting and my heart goes out to those affected by this tragedy. This killer has taken away one of our rights, to enjoy the pleasure of a movie that lets us escape the troubles of the World and then this happens. It is sad, disgusting and heartless and I am very devestated that it happened.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
'TO ROME WITH LOVE'
'TO ROME WITH LOVE'(PG-13) (3 STARS)
Written and Directed by Woody Allen
Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Begnini, Penelope Cruz, Woody Allen, Alison Pill, Judy Davis
I know Woody Allen is an acquired taste and "To Rome With Love" will satisfy Allen's fans but I think it will non fans too. There are moments where some of the dialogue is too precious but his latest is a fun, breezy time at the movies. This is a perfect summer movie for romantics, lovers of Italy and adult comedy. "To Rome With Love" is hit and miss Woody Allen but it hits more often. There are four stories here that are mixed in together and are all set in beautiful Rome, Italy.
All the stories have their little problems and I have my favorite story of the four. The one I thought I disliked at first grew on me and the one I thought I liked seemed too obvious a message after thinking about it. This is not as strong as "Midnight in Paris" and I think this is only for Woody fans while "Paris" is more far reaching. A lot of these small comedies by Allen have missed lately but he is back on a minor roll. The best thing about Woody Allen movies is the excitement of what Woody will show up, good, great or weak Woody.
My favorite story of the four deals with Woody Allen back in acting mode and I loved seeing him back. Allen and his wife, played by Judy Davis, visit their daughter (Alison Pill) to meet her new Italian boyfriend. Her boyfriend's family are very conservative and Allen is a retired Music Producer and agent. Allen hears the father sing opera in the shower and wants to come out of retirement to manage a possible, new singing career. Allen and Davis are perfect with their banter and Davis is back in "The Ref" form and I miss her. This episode reminds me of my all time favorite Woody Allen comedy "Broadway Danny Rose", the most perfect of Allen's films (yes, more than "Annie Hall"). It is vintage Allen and very funny.
The story that was shaky at first but grew on me deals with a love triangle between a couple played by Greta Gerwig and Jesse Eisenberg and another woman played by Ellen Page. The couple live in Rome and the Page character is a free spirited actress that visits and tempts the man in the couple. There is also a one man Greek Chorus in Alec Baldwin who keeps giving the male advice. This story is mannered at first with Eisenberg voicing the Allen type character but the movie ends on a satisfying note.
The story that was funny with a too neatly spelled out message deals with a regular Italian resident played by Roberto Begnini. He wakes up one day with a news crew following him and he is suddenly famous. They ask him how he shaves, what he eats for breakfast etc. The movie is commenting on the reality show craze and how anyone can be famous and how fame can corrupt us and make us feel important at the same time. It is a funny episode but it's message is layed on a little too light and is too obvious, more could have been done with the message.
Now that segment is still decent Woody Allen and there is another story I really liked dealing with a newly married young couple. They are both Italians and the man has a job set up for him by his snooty uncles. The woman gets lost, gets involved with a famous Italian actor and his wife. The male has to recruit the prostitute that is sent to him by mistake to pretend to be his wife. The story gets wacky and involves a lot of out there comic situations and I thought it was a lot of fun. Add to that another wonderful comic performance by Penelope Cruz as the prostitute.
So I loved a lot of "To Rome With Love" and it is a lot of fun and very funny and sharp most of the time. Rome looks beautiful and made me want to go back. I love when you have visited a foreign country you love and seeing it on the screen in all it's wonderul beauty. I loved Woody Allen, Judy Davis (who I have always had a crush on), Penelope Cruz and Ellen Page. I also loved the Italian actors and I always had a big, goofy grin during the Woody Allen/Judy Davis segment. "To Rome With Love" is hit and miss Woody Allen and I will take it!
Written and Directed by Woody Allen
Actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, Alec Baldwin, Roberto Begnini, Penelope Cruz, Woody Allen, Alison Pill, Judy Davis
I know Woody Allen is an acquired taste and "To Rome With Love" will satisfy Allen's fans but I think it will non fans too. There are moments where some of the dialogue is too precious but his latest is a fun, breezy time at the movies. This is a perfect summer movie for romantics, lovers of Italy and adult comedy. "To Rome With Love" is hit and miss Woody Allen but it hits more often. There are four stories here that are mixed in together and are all set in beautiful Rome, Italy.
All the stories have their little problems and I have my favorite story of the four. The one I thought I disliked at first grew on me and the one I thought I liked seemed too obvious a message after thinking about it. This is not as strong as "Midnight in Paris" and I think this is only for Woody fans while "Paris" is more far reaching. A lot of these small comedies by Allen have missed lately but he is back on a minor roll. The best thing about Woody Allen movies is the excitement of what Woody will show up, good, great or weak Woody.
My favorite story of the four deals with Woody Allen back in acting mode and I loved seeing him back. Allen and his wife, played by Judy Davis, visit their daughter (Alison Pill) to meet her new Italian boyfriend. Her boyfriend's family are very conservative and Allen is a retired Music Producer and agent. Allen hears the father sing opera in the shower and wants to come out of retirement to manage a possible, new singing career. Allen and Davis are perfect with their banter and Davis is back in "The Ref" form and I miss her. This episode reminds me of my all time favorite Woody Allen comedy "Broadway Danny Rose", the most perfect of Allen's films (yes, more than "Annie Hall"). It is vintage Allen and very funny.
The story that was shaky at first but grew on me deals with a love triangle between a couple played by Greta Gerwig and Jesse Eisenberg and another woman played by Ellen Page. The couple live in Rome and the Page character is a free spirited actress that visits and tempts the man in the couple. There is also a one man Greek Chorus in Alec Baldwin who keeps giving the male advice. This story is mannered at first with Eisenberg voicing the Allen type character but the movie ends on a satisfying note.
The story that was funny with a too neatly spelled out message deals with a regular Italian resident played by Roberto Begnini. He wakes up one day with a news crew following him and he is suddenly famous. They ask him how he shaves, what he eats for breakfast etc. The movie is commenting on the reality show craze and how anyone can be famous and how fame can corrupt us and make us feel important at the same time. It is a funny episode but it's message is layed on a little too light and is too obvious, more could have been done with the message.
Now that segment is still decent Woody Allen and there is another story I really liked dealing with a newly married young couple. They are both Italians and the man has a job set up for him by his snooty uncles. The woman gets lost, gets involved with a famous Italian actor and his wife. The male has to recruit the prostitute that is sent to him by mistake to pretend to be his wife. The story gets wacky and involves a lot of out there comic situations and I thought it was a lot of fun. Add to that another wonderful comic performance by Penelope Cruz as the prostitute.
So I loved a lot of "To Rome With Love" and it is a lot of fun and very funny and sharp most of the time. Rome looks beautiful and made me want to go back. I love when you have visited a foreign country you love and seeing it on the screen in all it's wonderul beauty. I loved Woody Allen, Judy Davis (who I have always had a crush on), Penelope Cruz and Ellen Page. I also loved the Italian actors and I always had a big, goofy grin during the Woody Allen/Judy Davis segment. "To Rome With Love" is hit and miss Woody Allen and I will take it!
'BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD'
'BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD' (PG-13) (2 STARS)
Written by Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin
Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Actors: Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry
I admire movies that are different and "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is definitely different. Though I wish it was more than just different and that it went somewhere. The movie has the atmosphere but the story gets stuck and just doesn't have enough depth. It reminds me of a well intentioned film student movie that just becomes self indulgent. I have seen better movies that are like this, that went somewhere with the story.
The movie doesn't spell it out but it takes place in post Katrina Louisiana and centers on a poor father and his daughter, 6 year old Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy and her father live in "The Bathtub" which is a community of people living together in harsh conditions. Hushpuppy and her Pop live in a run down shack that is not a good place to reside in if the water level from the levee rises. Hushpuppy leaves to find her mother and runs into some creatures that might be only in Hushpuppy's mind. They are prehistoric creatures named Aurochs.
The movie is awesome at setting up an atmosphere and making "The Bathtub" a whole new World like "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome". Little Quvenzhane Wallis as Hushpuppy does a completely amazing job and it is a controlled performance better than most child actors. Her and Dwight Henry as the father give real and natural performances and that is good because the movie unfolds like we are watching a documentary.
So far so good but I think director Benh Zeitlin is so focused on setting up his atmosphere that he leaves his wonderful 6 year old main character stuck in a plot that goes nowhere. It just seems to me that the movie comes off as if the director is calling attention to how socially important his movie is. The movie just comes off as pretentious. Like this summer's "Brave" I felt no intensity or sense of adventure and peril in the story. It has a great atmosphere and performances that breathe life but it just doesn't do anything significant with the starting premise.
P.S For a more solid movie with naturalistic child performances and a better look at poverty check out "George Washington" by the very talented David Gordon Green.
Written by Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeitlin
Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Actors: Quvenzhane Wallis and Dwight Henry
I admire movies that are different and "Beasts of the Southern Wild" is definitely different. Though I wish it was more than just different and that it went somewhere. The movie has the atmosphere but the story gets stuck and just doesn't have enough depth. It reminds me of a well intentioned film student movie that just becomes self indulgent. I have seen better movies that are like this, that went somewhere with the story.
The movie doesn't spell it out but it takes place in post Katrina Louisiana and centers on a poor father and his daughter, 6 year old Hushpuppy. Hushpuppy and her father live in "The Bathtub" which is a community of people living together in harsh conditions. Hushpuppy and her Pop live in a run down shack that is not a good place to reside in if the water level from the levee rises. Hushpuppy leaves to find her mother and runs into some creatures that might be only in Hushpuppy's mind. They are prehistoric creatures named Aurochs.
The movie is awesome at setting up an atmosphere and making "The Bathtub" a whole new World like "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome". Little Quvenzhane Wallis as Hushpuppy does a completely amazing job and it is a controlled performance better than most child actors. Her and Dwight Henry as the father give real and natural performances and that is good because the movie unfolds like we are watching a documentary.
So far so good but I think director Benh Zeitlin is so focused on setting up his atmosphere that he leaves his wonderful 6 year old main character stuck in a plot that goes nowhere. It just seems to me that the movie comes off as if the director is calling attention to how socially important his movie is. The movie just comes off as pretentious. Like this summer's "Brave" I felt no intensity or sense of adventure and peril in the story. It has a great atmosphere and performances that breathe life but it just doesn't do anything significant with the starting premise.
P.S For a more solid movie with naturalistic child performances and a better look at poverty check out "George Washington" by the very talented David Gordon Green.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
'SAVAGES'
'SAVAGES' (R) (3 STARS)
Written by Shane Salerno, Don Winslow and Oliver Stone based on Winslow's novel
Directed by Oliver Stone
Actors: Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro
What a difference a few days make sometimes when you regret not liking a movie. I forgot a day after watching Oliver Stone's newest "Savages" that I am not a critic and I should have been more open to Oliver Stone's latest. "Savages" has grown on me a day after because I remember the good things about this movie and they have made me chamge my mind. At first "Savages" felt too long and complicated and then I remembered that's what I want in a movie. This year is full of a lot of badly written movies with no depth. "Savages" is a breath of adult, fresh air in a sea of shallow fluff and it unfolds like a good book. I want to see it again for the fact that the supporting characters here are fascinating.
If you are looking for adult themed movies this year "Savages" is one of a few including "Magic Mike" and "Moonrise Kingdom". If you like good crime novels made into gritty, violent movies I think you will like "Savages". It tells the story of two college buddies Chon and Ben. They share one woman named O, short for Ophelia. Ben is a laid back activist and smart Botany student. Chon is the more violent muscle type who was in the Army and dropped out of school. They both share O but there is an undercurrent here that Chon and Ben love each other more than each one loves O.
They get entangled with drug dealers as Ben has perfected a primo blend of marijuana and they want to go into business. Ben would rather go to Indonesia to help sick people get marijuana for medical purposes, Chon wants to make money. O gets kidnapped by drug kingpins after they refuse at first to go into business with the female head of the drug empire. Chon and Ben also have a Federal Agent in their back pocket, Dennis who has a wife who is dying. There is also a killer for hire and he is the muscle for the female in charge Elena.
"Savages" will get a little violent and twisted as both sides go back and forth in one upping each other in payback. This is where "Savages" kind of lost me because there is a lot of talk and I felt the movie dragged. I like the characters of Ben, Chon and Ophelia but I didn't care a lot for them. I really loved the supporting characters like John Travolta as the Federal Agent Dennis. Travolta is funny and gives a great character performance here, one of his best in years. Salma Hayek is also incredible as the violent, deranged head of the drug empire. It is a multi layered character and performance as Elena turns from cool and caring to psychotic at the drop of a hat. Benicio Del Toro is also delightfully sleazy as the killer for hire and him and Travolta have a scene near the end that is worth the price of admission.
I didn't like "Savages" right after I saw it, I was actually on the fence between faint admiration and actually liking the movie. I am reccomending it because of the movie being adult and twisted and an improvement on a lot of movies aimed at teenagers these days. Oliver Stone does an obviously great job directing and this is the best he has been in awhile especially coming after the mistake "Wall Street:Money Never Sleeps". I also loved that Taylor Kitsch finally gets a movie that rises to his potential. I also loved the supporting characters and the performances of Travolta, Del Toro and Hayek. "Savages" is complicated, gritty, violent and when I thought it lost me I remembered a day after that it actually worked on me.
P.S. If you are a big fan of Travolta, Hayek and Del Toro you will find some of their best work in "Savages"
Written by Shane Salerno, Don Winslow and Oliver Stone based on Winslow's novel
Directed by Oliver Stone
Actors: Taylor Kitsch, Aaron Johnson, Blake Lively, John Travolta, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro
What a difference a few days make sometimes when you regret not liking a movie. I forgot a day after watching Oliver Stone's newest "Savages" that I am not a critic and I should have been more open to Oliver Stone's latest. "Savages" has grown on me a day after because I remember the good things about this movie and they have made me chamge my mind. At first "Savages" felt too long and complicated and then I remembered that's what I want in a movie. This year is full of a lot of badly written movies with no depth. "Savages" is a breath of adult, fresh air in a sea of shallow fluff and it unfolds like a good book. I want to see it again for the fact that the supporting characters here are fascinating.
If you are looking for adult themed movies this year "Savages" is one of a few including "Magic Mike" and "Moonrise Kingdom". If you like good crime novels made into gritty, violent movies I think you will like "Savages". It tells the story of two college buddies Chon and Ben. They share one woman named O, short for Ophelia. Ben is a laid back activist and smart Botany student. Chon is the more violent muscle type who was in the Army and dropped out of school. They both share O but there is an undercurrent here that Chon and Ben love each other more than each one loves O.
They get entangled with drug dealers as Ben has perfected a primo blend of marijuana and they want to go into business. Ben would rather go to Indonesia to help sick people get marijuana for medical purposes, Chon wants to make money. O gets kidnapped by drug kingpins after they refuse at first to go into business with the female head of the drug empire. Chon and Ben also have a Federal Agent in their back pocket, Dennis who has a wife who is dying. There is also a killer for hire and he is the muscle for the female in charge Elena.
"Savages" will get a little violent and twisted as both sides go back and forth in one upping each other in payback. This is where "Savages" kind of lost me because there is a lot of talk and I felt the movie dragged. I like the characters of Ben, Chon and Ophelia but I didn't care a lot for them. I really loved the supporting characters like John Travolta as the Federal Agent Dennis. Travolta is funny and gives a great character performance here, one of his best in years. Salma Hayek is also incredible as the violent, deranged head of the drug empire. It is a multi layered character and performance as Elena turns from cool and caring to psychotic at the drop of a hat. Benicio Del Toro is also delightfully sleazy as the killer for hire and him and Travolta have a scene near the end that is worth the price of admission.
I didn't like "Savages" right after I saw it, I was actually on the fence between faint admiration and actually liking the movie. I am reccomending it because of the movie being adult and twisted and an improvement on a lot of movies aimed at teenagers these days. Oliver Stone does an obviously great job directing and this is the best he has been in awhile especially coming after the mistake "Wall Street:Money Never Sleeps". I also loved that Taylor Kitsch finally gets a movie that rises to his potential. I also loved the supporting characters and the performances of Travolta, Del Toro and Hayek. "Savages" is complicated, gritty, violent and when I thought it lost me I remembered a day after that it actually worked on me.
P.S. If you are a big fan of Travolta, Hayek and Del Toro you will find some of their best work in "Savages"
Thursday, July 5, 2012
'THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN'
'THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN' (PG-13) (3 STARS)
Written by Steve Kloves, Alvin Sargent and James Vanderbilt
Directed by Marc Webb
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen and Sally Field
The question that was presented to Spider-man fans was "Is it too soon for a new Spider-man reboot?" My answer will be confusing but I say yes and no because the new "The Amazing Spider-man" has it's good qualities and it has it's we have seen this stuff before qualities. A lot of the action scenes seem redundant here and the origin story here takes to long to set up and was more interesting in the Sam Raimi Spider-man movies. The good news is that the two lead actors are charming and winning and there is a sweeter style to the proceedings. The original Sam Raimi "Spider-man" was too mechanical at times.
The problem is that it is kind of too soon to reinvent Spider-man since it has only been five years since "Spider-man 3". This doesn't match up to how the Batman series was rejuvenated by Christopher Nolan with a much different style of presenting Batman. "The Amazing Spider-man" also doesn't match up to the grandaddy of all the Spider-man movies, "Spider-man 2". When you recharge the Spider-man franchise I expect it to be a much better improvement instead of just recycling some of the same material as the original three movies.
I will admit though I have to reccomend "The Amazing Spider-man" because I do think the action scenes look better since the visual effects field is getting better and better every day. I also love the sweetness of two subplots here starting with the wonderful chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. I also was moved by Peter's relationship with his family in the form of Aunt May and Uncle Ben played, in brilliant casting, by the wonderful Sally Field and Martin Sheen. I loved Uncle Ben's relationship and fatherly advice to Peter. I also really liked the courtship of Peter and Gwen.
Andrew Garfield is equal to Tobey Maguire's Spider-man and does a great job as Peter/Spider-man. He is different from Maguire becuase he plays Spider-man as more awkward and vulnerable like he was in a coming of age movie. Emma Stone is a national treasure to me and how she lights up the screen with her sly smile and extreme charm moves mouhtains. Emma Stone has the best screen presence of any actress her age right now. The movie becomes a complete success only because of the two love stories and the great acting of Garfield, Stone, Sheen and Field.
The villian of this piece was a dissapointment to me in the form of The Lizard or his alter ego Dr. Curt Conners. Peter's real parents dissapeared on Peter and Peter's father worked with Connors on a special scientific experiment. Rhys Ifans is very good as Connors but when he becomes The Lizard my heart kind of sank. The Lizard looks like a "Jurrasic Park" reject or Godzilla's smaller, younger brother. The Lizard doesn't get a chance to make an impact and it is too big. The villian in "Spider-man 2", Doc Ock was a better example of how the Lizard should have been.
If "The Amazing Spider-man" is a tie-in to "The Avengers" as rumored then I see this as a starting point. If it is not a tie-in and they do a sequel I hope they get into the story right away and have a better villian. After a few end credits there is sort of a set up for a sequel which felt like it could be an improvement over this first installment. "The Amazing Spider-man" takes too long to get going, the villian needed improvement and I felt like I saw a lot of the stuff done better before in the first three Spider-man movies.
I had reservations but I am reccomending this because I liked the story of Peter and Gwen's growing love for each other and the very solid acting by Garfield and Stone. I liked when this movie felt like a coming of age story, I didn't like when the movie dealt with the battle between the good guy and the bad guy. I think "The Amazing Spider-man" like "The Avengers", while both good movies, are just a dress rehearsal for the King, "The Dark Knight Rises".
Written by Steve Kloves, Alvin Sargent and James Vanderbilt
Directed by Marc Webb
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen and Sally Field
The question that was presented to Spider-man fans was "Is it too soon for a new Spider-man reboot?" My answer will be confusing but I say yes and no because the new "The Amazing Spider-man" has it's good qualities and it has it's we have seen this stuff before qualities. A lot of the action scenes seem redundant here and the origin story here takes to long to set up and was more interesting in the Sam Raimi Spider-man movies. The good news is that the two lead actors are charming and winning and there is a sweeter style to the proceedings. The original Sam Raimi "Spider-man" was too mechanical at times.
The problem is that it is kind of too soon to reinvent Spider-man since it has only been five years since "Spider-man 3". This doesn't match up to how the Batman series was rejuvenated by Christopher Nolan with a much different style of presenting Batman. "The Amazing Spider-man" also doesn't match up to the grandaddy of all the Spider-man movies, "Spider-man 2". When you recharge the Spider-man franchise I expect it to be a much better improvement instead of just recycling some of the same material as the original three movies.
I will admit though I have to reccomend "The Amazing Spider-man" because I do think the action scenes look better since the visual effects field is getting better and better every day. I also love the sweetness of two subplots here starting with the wonderful chemistry between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. I also was moved by Peter's relationship with his family in the form of Aunt May and Uncle Ben played, in brilliant casting, by the wonderful Sally Field and Martin Sheen. I loved Uncle Ben's relationship and fatherly advice to Peter. I also really liked the courtship of Peter and Gwen.
Andrew Garfield is equal to Tobey Maguire's Spider-man and does a great job as Peter/Spider-man. He is different from Maguire becuase he plays Spider-man as more awkward and vulnerable like he was in a coming of age movie. Emma Stone is a national treasure to me and how she lights up the screen with her sly smile and extreme charm moves mouhtains. Emma Stone has the best screen presence of any actress her age right now. The movie becomes a complete success only because of the two love stories and the great acting of Garfield, Stone, Sheen and Field.
The villian of this piece was a dissapointment to me in the form of The Lizard or his alter ego Dr. Curt Conners. Peter's real parents dissapeared on Peter and Peter's father worked with Connors on a special scientific experiment. Rhys Ifans is very good as Connors but when he becomes The Lizard my heart kind of sank. The Lizard looks like a "Jurrasic Park" reject or Godzilla's smaller, younger brother. The Lizard doesn't get a chance to make an impact and it is too big. The villian in "Spider-man 2", Doc Ock was a better example of how the Lizard should have been.
If "The Amazing Spider-man" is a tie-in to "The Avengers" as rumored then I see this as a starting point. If it is not a tie-in and they do a sequel I hope they get into the story right away and have a better villian. After a few end credits there is sort of a set up for a sequel which felt like it could be an improvement over this first installment. "The Amazing Spider-man" takes too long to get going, the villian needed improvement and I felt like I saw a lot of the stuff done better before in the first three Spider-man movies.
I had reservations but I am reccomending this because I liked the story of Peter and Gwen's growing love for each other and the very solid acting by Garfield and Stone. I liked when this movie felt like a coming of age story, I didn't like when the movie dealt with the battle between the good guy and the bad guy. I think "The Amazing Spider-man" like "The Avengers", while both good movies, are just a dress rehearsal for the King, "The Dark Knight Rises".
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
'MAGIC MIKE'
'MAGIC MIKE' (R) (3 1/2 STARS)
Written by Reid Carolin
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Actors: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn, Alex Pettyfer, Kevin Nash, Matt Bomer, Olivia Munn, Joe Manganiello, James Martin Kelly
Leave it to the prolific director Steven Soderbergh to make a movie about male strippers that is a near masterpiece. I imagined a piece of fluff that would be silly and laughable but in the hands of Soderbergh "Magic Mike" is gritty, very well acted and brilliantly directed. Instead of fluff you get a hard hitting look at failed dreams and a very dark story involving a non glamorous profession that looks more fun on the surface than it really is. Women expecting a lot of sexy strip numbers and very good looking, well built men will get that but they will get something darker than they expected.
"Magic Mike" is based on the life of it's lead actor Channing Tatum and because it is based on truth the movie will pull no punches. Women come to the strip club where Tatum's Mike performs at along with some other very good looking men. Women who come get a vicarious thrill from seeing these men dance and strip and I understand it. Men are pigs and they go to strip clubs thinking they can score with any stripper that dances for them. Women just want to have some harmless fun and just want a moment where a man is paying attention to only them.
Mike is very good at what he does and he also works a construction job and meets 19 year old Adam who he takes under his wings. Adam will follow Mike to the club and when a male dancer named Tarzan passes out Adam will step in. There is also the owner of the club who is like a father to this den of male strippers. The owner Dallas is played in an Oscar caliber performance by Matthew McConaughey, his best performance of his career. Dallas has a dream with Mike to open up a club in Miami. Dallas is very self centered but he cares for his pack of male performers. The comraderie of Dallas, Mike and the others reminded me of the close knit, offbeat family of porn stars in "Boogie Nights" and that is a great thing.
This movie surprised me from the first frame to the last shot which I found perfect. Steven Soderbergh is one of out best directors and he has shot a movie that is almost perfect save for a meandering 15 minutes near the end. He has made a gritty movie showing the dark back stage side of this weird profession. I loved how he shot each and every strip number and how they are all choreographed. I was shocked at how very unsexy I found some of the numbers and how cheesy they were. Though something happened, I found myself very entertained by each number. I smiled a lot and was very amused by male strip performances that I actually found very fun and creative. I love Musicals so I saw each number as a little musical and they are all very well thought out. This movie's strip performances puts the lackluster numbers of "Rock of Ages" to deep shame.
There is also a love story in "Magic Mike" involving Mike and Adam's caring sister Brooke played naturally and very well by the naturally beautiful Cody Horn. I was expecting a too cute, shallow love story like "Cocktail" and many movies of that ilk. I was shocked at how serious, thoughtful and well written this love story was. There are no cliches, no pretty, neat wrap ups and no phoniness like most movies including Tatum's awful "The Vow". I loved how Brooke and Mike just don't jump in bed right away, there are complications and many realistic obstacles. Anyway Mike has a fling going on already with Joanna, very well played in a small role by Olivia Munn.
"Magic Mike" is not overly cute and Hollywood phony, it has grit and reality seeping through every pore. The strip numbers might be exciting on the surface but to these men it can be very dead end. I never could believe that the Miami dream would work because this life is empty unless you have something to back you up. There is a very well written scene between Mike and Brooke where Mike tells her he doesn't want to turn out to be a 40 year old stripper. Every scene in this movie feels real and I felt something for all the characters, well written from Mike and Dallas down to the charming Tarzan played by ex WWE wrestler Kevin Nash.
"Magic Mike" came out of left field and surprised the hell out of me and I love surprises from movies. It is a very thoughtful, gritty movie that I found equal to a movie like "Boogie Nights" and that 1997 movie is one of my all time favorites. I also am really impressed by how Channing Tatum has grown into a very smart and effective actor and I think he can carry any type of movie now. I also love the Dallas character and I was proud of how McConaughey gave depth to a charcater that could have been a cliche and he should get Oscar consideration.
This is a very well written, serious, fun, very entertaining and dark movie and I love dark movies. I expected fluff and surface Hollywood gloss, I didn't expect a penetrating look at a sad, dead end life. Women going into this movie might be dissapointed if they are just looking for a fun movie full of sexy dance numbers. Yes, the dance numbers are well done and the men look very good but they will get more heart, pathos and seriousness than just a fun, little male stripper movie.
"Magic Mike" has a great lead performance by Channing Tatum, an award caliber performance by McConaughey and characters that you will find fascinating and intriguing. It also has one of the best love stories of any movie in years. I love the final shot of this movie and how it ends, with a perfect bittersweetness. This is an almost perfect movie that surprised me, moved me and I think it is the best commercial Hollywood movie of 2012 so far.
Written by Reid Carolin
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Actors: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Cody Horn, Alex Pettyfer, Kevin Nash, Matt Bomer, Olivia Munn, Joe Manganiello, James Martin Kelly
Leave it to the prolific director Steven Soderbergh to make a movie about male strippers that is a near masterpiece. I imagined a piece of fluff that would be silly and laughable but in the hands of Soderbergh "Magic Mike" is gritty, very well acted and brilliantly directed. Instead of fluff you get a hard hitting look at failed dreams and a very dark story involving a non glamorous profession that looks more fun on the surface than it really is. Women expecting a lot of sexy strip numbers and very good looking, well built men will get that but they will get something darker than they expected.
"Magic Mike" is based on the life of it's lead actor Channing Tatum and because it is based on truth the movie will pull no punches. Women come to the strip club where Tatum's Mike performs at along with some other very good looking men. Women who come get a vicarious thrill from seeing these men dance and strip and I understand it. Men are pigs and they go to strip clubs thinking they can score with any stripper that dances for them. Women just want to have some harmless fun and just want a moment where a man is paying attention to only them.
Mike is very good at what he does and he also works a construction job and meets 19 year old Adam who he takes under his wings. Adam will follow Mike to the club and when a male dancer named Tarzan passes out Adam will step in. There is also the owner of the club who is like a father to this den of male strippers. The owner Dallas is played in an Oscar caliber performance by Matthew McConaughey, his best performance of his career. Dallas has a dream with Mike to open up a club in Miami. Dallas is very self centered but he cares for his pack of male performers. The comraderie of Dallas, Mike and the others reminded me of the close knit, offbeat family of porn stars in "Boogie Nights" and that is a great thing.
This movie surprised me from the first frame to the last shot which I found perfect. Steven Soderbergh is one of out best directors and he has shot a movie that is almost perfect save for a meandering 15 minutes near the end. He has made a gritty movie showing the dark back stage side of this weird profession. I loved how he shot each and every strip number and how they are all choreographed. I was shocked at how very unsexy I found some of the numbers and how cheesy they were. Though something happened, I found myself very entertained by each number. I smiled a lot and was very amused by male strip performances that I actually found very fun and creative. I love Musicals so I saw each number as a little musical and they are all very well thought out. This movie's strip performances puts the lackluster numbers of "Rock of Ages" to deep shame.
There is also a love story in "Magic Mike" involving Mike and Adam's caring sister Brooke played naturally and very well by the naturally beautiful Cody Horn. I was expecting a too cute, shallow love story like "Cocktail" and many movies of that ilk. I was shocked at how serious, thoughtful and well written this love story was. There are no cliches, no pretty, neat wrap ups and no phoniness like most movies including Tatum's awful "The Vow". I loved how Brooke and Mike just don't jump in bed right away, there are complications and many realistic obstacles. Anyway Mike has a fling going on already with Joanna, very well played in a small role by Olivia Munn.
"Magic Mike" is not overly cute and Hollywood phony, it has grit and reality seeping through every pore. The strip numbers might be exciting on the surface but to these men it can be very dead end. I never could believe that the Miami dream would work because this life is empty unless you have something to back you up. There is a very well written scene between Mike and Brooke where Mike tells her he doesn't want to turn out to be a 40 year old stripper. Every scene in this movie feels real and I felt something for all the characters, well written from Mike and Dallas down to the charming Tarzan played by ex WWE wrestler Kevin Nash.
"Magic Mike" came out of left field and surprised the hell out of me and I love surprises from movies. It is a very thoughtful, gritty movie that I found equal to a movie like "Boogie Nights" and that 1997 movie is one of my all time favorites. I also am really impressed by how Channing Tatum has grown into a very smart and effective actor and I think he can carry any type of movie now. I also love the Dallas character and I was proud of how McConaughey gave depth to a charcater that could have been a cliche and he should get Oscar consideration.
This is a very well written, serious, fun, very entertaining and dark movie and I love dark movies. I expected fluff and surface Hollywood gloss, I didn't expect a penetrating look at a sad, dead end life. Women going into this movie might be dissapointed if they are just looking for a fun movie full of sexy dance numbers. Yes, the dance numbers are well done and the men look very good but they will get more heart, pathos and seriousness than just a fun, little male stripper movie.
"Magic Mike" has a great lead performance by Channing Tatum, an award caliber performance by McConaughey and characters that you will find fascinating and intriguing. It also has one of the best love stories of any movie in years. I love the final shot of this movie and how it ends, with a perfect bittersweetness. This is an almost perfect movie that surprised me, moved me and I think it is the best commercial Hollywood movie of 2012 so far.
'TED'
'TED' (R) (3 STARS)
Written by Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Seth McFarlane, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Stewart, Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton
What a surprise "Ted" is for I expected funny in part because the trailer was hilarious but I didn't expect heart. I didn't expect a sweet story of friendship and love in a movie involving a wisecracking, vulgar bear! "Ted" is a very funny movie and a very clever one. It loses it's way in the middle but the first hour has more laughs than a slew of full movie comedies this year. I also loved that the movie brought back a movie that I loved as a child in the early 80's.
The movie's lead character John, as a boy, wishes that he could get a bear for a Christmas present and then wishes it could talk. Well the movie Gods shine on John and the bear starts to talk freaking out John's parents in a very funny scene. John and Ted grow up together in a very funny montage and when we see them as adults Ted is taking a few hits from a bong. This is the opening and extremely funny start of the movie that had me laughing out loud constantly. John is dating Lori, played by the sweet and beautiful Mila Kunis. John can't commit to Lori because, well you understand a 35 year old with a teddy bear as a best friend might have trouble committing to adult responsibilities.
Then the movie rips along with many funny jokes and scenes with the requisite misses you expect from "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and some politically incorrect stuff that doesn't work. Though what I love most about "Ted" is that the movie is not afraid to make the bear a jerk who is vulgar. He just doesn't care who he offends because why should a bear care what people think about him. Lori wants Ted to move out so she can start a new life with John, maybe marriage. John gets Ted a job and in one of the best running jokes of the movie Ted says all kinds of outrageous things to his boss but he keeps getting promoted instead of fired.
There is a lot of vulgar comedy in this movie and the story really works because of one actor and one other thing. First of all Mark Wahlberg again shows us how good he is at comedy and his reactions to a CGI bear is perfection. I think we forget how good a comic actor Wahlberg is. Another thing is the facial reactions of the bear to the stuff that happens to him is funny in itself. I actually laughed at Ted's facial reactions and Wahlberg's reactions to Ted more than the jokes. Mila Kunis is also a delight and I can never take my eyes off of her. She is beautiful and so sweet, good at comedy and I would even watch her read a phone book for two hours.
On top of some big laughs, good acting and a very funny teddy bear I also got a gift from this movie. The movie lovingly pokes fun at one of my favorite movies of the 80's, the so bad it's good movie, "Flash Gordon" from 1980. Ted and John love this movie and I know why and I love the movie so I appreciated their idolatry of it. The movie brings the star from that movie Sam Jones whose high pitched voice in Flash now sounds like it has had a few drinks. There is a very funny scene where Ted has a party and invites John who meets Jones in a very funny scene.
I also was happy that the movie is not all jokes and that it has a heart. I truly believed that John and Ted loved each other and I believed that their friendship was strong. There is a sweet and touching ending to this movie so the movie will make you laugh and feel something too and that is something I never would expect. I loved all the characters and the heart of the movie is John and Ted's strange love for each other. "Ted" made me laugh a lot and it should make you laugh and actually feel really happy when you walk out of the theatre like it did for me.
Written by Seth MacFarlane, Alec Sulkin and Wellesley
Directed by Seth MacFarlane
Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Seth McFarlane, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Patrick Stewart, Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton
What a surprise "Ted" is for I expected funny in part because the trailer was hilarious but I didn't expect heart. I didn't expect a sweet story of friendship and love in a movie involving a wisecracking, vulgar bear! "Ted" is a very funny movie and a very clever one. It loses it's way in the middle but the first hour has more laughs than a slew of full movie comedies this year. I also loved that the movie brought back a movie that I loved as a child in the early 80's.
The movie's lead character John, as a boy, wishes that he could get a bear for a Christmas present and then wishes it could talk. Well the movie Gods shine on John and the bear starts to talk freaking out John's parents in a very funny scene. John and Ted grow up together in a very funny montage and when we see them as adults Ted is taking a few hits from a bong. This is the opening and extremely funny start of the movie that had me laughing out loud constantly. John is dating Lori, played by the sweet and beautiful Mila Kunis. John can't commit to Lori because, well you understand a 35 year old with a teddy bear as a best friend might have trouble committing to adult responsibilities.
Then the movie rips along with many funny jokes and scenes with the requisite misses you expect from "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane and some politically incorrect stuff that doesn't work. Though what I love most about "Ted" is that the movie is not afraid to make the bear a jerk who is vulgar. He just doesn't care who he offends because why should a bear care what people think about him. Lori wants Ted to move out so she can start a new life with John, maybe marriage. John gets Ted a job and in one of the best running jokes of the movie Ted says all kinds of outrageous things to his boss but he keeps getting promoted instead of fired.
There is a lot of vulgar comedy in this movie and the story really works because of one actor and one other thing. First of all Mark Wahlberg again shows us how good he is at comedy and his reactions to a CGI bear is perfection. I think we forget how good a comic actor Wahlberg is. Another thing is the facial reactions of the bear to the stuff that happens to him is funny in itself. I actually laughed at Ted's facial reactions and Wahlberg's reactions to Ted more than the jokes. Mila Kunis is also a delight and I can never take my eyes off of her. She is beautiful and so sweet, good at comedy and I would even watch her read a phone book for two hours.
On top of some big laughs, good acting and a very funny teddy bear I also got a gift from this movie. The movie lovingly pokes fun at one of my favorite movies of the 80's, the so bad it's good movie, "Flash Gordon" from 1980. Ted and John love this movie and I know why and I love the movie so I appreciated their idolatry of it. The movie brings the star from that movie Sam Jones whose high pitched voice in Flash now sounds like it has had a few drinks. There is a very funny scene where Ted has a party and invites John who meets Jones in a very funny scene.
I also was happy that the movie is not all jokes and that it has a heart. I truly believed that John and Ted loved each other and I believed that their friendship was strong. There is a sweet and touching ending to this movie so the movie will make you laugh and feel something too and that is something I never would expect. I loved all the characters and the heart of the movie is John and Ted's strange love for each other. "Ted" made me laugh a lot and it should make you laugh and actually feel really happy when you walk out of the theatre like it did for me.
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