The movie Richie Rich posed something very interesting to me when I was a kid. What was interesting was that Macaulay Culkin was coming to be known for more than just the Home Alone movies. I had always wanted to see this movie as a kid because of that fact, and now at the age of 31 I have.
Richie Rich is the story of the world's wealthiest boy who finds that his parents' adviser is plotting against them, and must use all of his resources to stop him. I actually really enjoyed this movie. It is good family fun that is very heartfelt at its core. Jonathan Hyde provides great comic relief as well playing Herbert Cadbury.
Macaulay Culkin is quite possibly the most popular child actor ever. He plays Richie Rich with confidence, yet with an underlying longing. Richie is a boy who has everything, and yet nothing at all. He has a daily schedule, and is being groomed for wealth. Ordinary children do not want him around because they think he is just a spoiled brat who gets whatever he wants. This is actually quite sad because all Richie wants is to have fun in his life. In the end, however, the other children see the kind of boy he really is underneath.
Donald Petrie directed the film. Although this movie is a comedy, the bond of family is a very important element here. Petrie knows this, and directs the movie with this in mind. There is also an underlying theme in the movie that a person is not necessarily defined by their wealth. I really enjoyed this aspect, especially considering this is "a kid's movie".
Richie Rich is another one of those films that you can enjoy with your family, no matter how old you are. It is good entertainment that is just pure fun all around. It is a movie that can identify with the child in all of us. That is what makes this movie special.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Futuristic Mind-Bender
I have always been a huge Arnold Schwarzenegger fan. I saw nearly all of his movies before I was thirteen years old. He is the heavyweight champion of action movies, and Total Recall is one of the reasons why.
Total Recall takes place in the year 2084, and is about a man called Hauser who goes for a virtual vacation of the planet Mars. During the vacation implantation, things go haywire and Hauser finds out his true destiny. While Total Recall is, for all intents and purposes, a typical Schwarzenegger movie, there are certain science fiction aspects to the film that really make your brain work. This is a surprisingly pleasant element to the film. However in all the hundreds of times I have watched this movie, I have always wanted more backstory involving the aliens and the reactor. Also at the end of the film, we never actually see Vilos Cohaagen die, or explode, or whatever it is people do when they are exposed to Mars's atmosphere. This is a very minor, but possibly important plot hole.
Arnold Schwarzenegger never was, and never will be a great actor. Although, I do not think he ever needed to be. I think he knows what he is good at, and I think we as film fans know what he is good at. He just needs to keep kicking ass until the end of his days, and everything will be right with the world. We seem be romantic in this movie, though, which is a rare thing in a Schwarzenegger movie. Of course, because he is Arnold Schwarzenegger, not only are the women stunningly beautiful, but they can kick ass along with him. Personally, I would have had Sharon Stone be his real wife. I mean, who wouldn't?
Paul Verhoeven really knows how to direct an action movie. Using many quick cuts, he leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very end. He also uses great establishing shots of the landscape of Mars that really make you feel like this is what Mars will look like in the future. The sets are great, the effects are glorious, and everything else just screams, "Great action movie".
Total Recall could possibly be the most enjoyable Schwarzenegger movie. He carries the film in a different way than in his other movies. Also, Total Recall is a bit open-ended, so be prepared to think afterwards!
Total Recall takes place in the year 2084, and is about a man called Hauser who goes for a virtual vacation of the planet Mars. During the vacation implantation, things go haywire and Hauser finds out his true destiny. While Total Recall is, for all intents and purposes, a typical Schwarzenegger movie, there are certain science fiction aspects to the film that really make your brain work. This is a surprisingly pleasant element to the film. However in all the hundreds of times I have watched this movie, I have always wanted more backstory involving the aliens and the reactor. Also at the end of the film, we never actually see Vilos Cohaagen die, or explode, or whatever it is people do when they are exposed to Mars's atmosphere. This is a very minor, but possibly important plot hole.
Arnold Schwarzenegger never was, and never will be a great actor. Although, I do not think he ever needed to be. I think he knows what he is good at, and I think we as film fans know what he is good at. He just needs to keep kicking ass until the end of his days, and everything will be right with the world. We seem be romantic in this movie, though, which is a rare thing in a Schwarzenegger movie. Of course, because he is Arnold Schwarzenegger, not only are the women stunningly beautiful, but they can kick ass along with him. Personally, I would have had Sharon Stone be his real wife. I mean, who wouldn't?
Paul Verhoeven really knows how to direct an action movie. Using many quick cuts, he leaves you on the edge of your seat until the very end. He also uses great establishing shots of the landscape of Mars that really make you feel like this is what Mars will look like in the future. The sets are great, the effects are glorious, and everything else just screams, "Great action movie".
Total Recall could possibly be the most enjoyable Schwarzenegger movie. He carries the film in a different way than in his other movies. Also, Total Recall is a bit open-ended, so be prepared to think afterwards!
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
The Wrath Of Religion
Let me preface this particular blog by saying that I am an atheist. I do not believe in any deity or religious entity whatsoever. However, I do respect the beliefs of others. When it comes to religious films, I can be very picky. As long as a movie is not too preachy, I can handle it. Movies are art, and are meant to be taken as such. As an atheist, I look at religious movies from an artistic standpoint. Ok, now that I have that out of the way....
One of the fun things about doing this blog is talking about movies that I have heard about for years, but never actually seen. Dogma is another one of those films. I have always been a huge Kevin Smith fan, so six months ago when I watched it for the first time I could not have been more pleased.
Dogma is the story of two banished angels, Loki and Bartleby, who are trying to exploit a loophole so that they can reenter heaven. It is arguably Kevin Smith's most popular movie. This movie serves as a comedy that seems to be the result of years of Catholic upbringing being shoved down Kevin Smith's throat. Dogma is not meant to be taken seriously, and I believe one might be offended if they do.
This movie has a stellar cast, most notably Alan Rickman as the Metatron. It is amazing to see an actor of Rickman's caliber in a movie like this. He brings such a wit and sense of humor to his role that is pleasantly surprising and downright hilarious. The scene between him and Linda Fiorentino in the lake is actually quite moving. For me personally, Alan Rickman steals the show.
Kevin Smith's writing in the movie is brilliant. It just feels like he is venting for two hours. Of course, if religion was shoved down my throat all my life I would be venting too. There are many scenes that are quite well directed, such as the aforementioned lake scene. I feel like Kevin Smith knew what Alan Rickman would bring to the movie, because all of his scenes seem to be directed the best. Also, the scene where Bartleby and Loki massacre the people in the office building is very well done (and quite hilarious), and the ending scene in front of the church is just pure spectacle at its finest.
If you are religious and take your religion seriously, I would advise against watching this movie. However, if you are not religious and/or appreciate the fact that this is just a movie, you will thoroughly enjoy it. It has a great cast, a great story, and is an epic fantasy at its finest.
One of the fun things about doing this blog is talking about movies that I have heard about for years, but never actually seen. Dogma is another one of those films. I have always been a huge Kevin Smith fan, so six months ago when I watched it for the first time I could not have been more pleased.
Dogma is the story of two banished angels, Loki and Bartleby, who are trying to exploit a loophole so that they can reenter heaven. It is arguably Kevin Smith's most popular movie. This movie serves as a comedy that seems to be the result of years of Catholic upbringing being shoved down Kevin Smith's throat. Dogma is not meant to be taken seriously, and I believe one might be offended if they do.
This movie has a stellar cast, most notably Alan Rickman as the Metatron. It is amazing to see an actor of Rickman's caliber in a movie like this. He brings such a wit and sense of humor to his role that is pleasantly surprising and downright hilarious. The scene between him and Linda Fiorentino in the lake is actually quite moving. For me personally, Alan Rickman steals the show.
Kevin Smith's writing in the movie is brilliant. It just feels like he is venting for two hours. Of course, if religion was shoved down my throat all my life I would be venting too. There are many scenes that are quite well directed, such as the aforementioned lake scene. I feel like Kevin Smith knew what Alan Rickman would bring to the movie, because all of his scenes seem to be directed the best. Also, the scene where Bartleby and Loki massacre the people in the office building is very well done (and quite hilarious), and the ending scene in front of the church is just pure spectacle at its finest.
If you are religious and take your religion seriously, I would advise against watching this movie. However, if you are not religious and/or appreciate the fact that this is just a movie, you will thoroughly enjoy it. It has a great cast, a great story, and is an epic fantasy at its finest.
Monday, July 20, 2015
A Witch For The Modern Age
The film The Witches was recommended to me by my very good friend Hannah Sutter. Seeing as how her recommendations have not let me down yet, I naturally was enthusiastic to watch it. Of course, as I predicted, I absolutely loved it.
The Witches is about a boy, Luke, who encounters a witch convention at a hotel and must stop their evil plans. This movie is so imaginative and so magical, it is hard to put it into any one category. Anjelica Huston's performance, combined with Jim Henson's brilliant effects work, make this film enjoyable for children and adults. This is also one of those movies that could have teetered on the edge of silliness, but with the help of the brilliant writing that explores the lore of witches, this movie is grounded in a reality that makes you take the movie seriously.
Nicolas Roeg did a good job directing the film. Generally speaking, I do not care for the "shaky-cam", but it is used effectively in The Witches whenever the children are transforming into mice. The use of POV (Point-of-view) shots is well done, too. They make you feel the sense of danger that Luke and Bruno are in after they have become mice. Roeg also does a good job of combining horror with humor. You will enjoy the movie very much, but it will leave you wide awake at night.
There is so much to love about this film. Even though The Witches was released in 1990, it feels like an 80's movie because it is so much fun to watch. This movie is filled with wonder that will leave you clapping your hands in applause by the end of it.
The Witches is about a boy, Luke, who encounters a witch convention at a hotel and must stop their evil plans. This movie is so imaginative and so magical, it is hard to put it into any one category. Anjelica Huston's performance, combined with Jim Henson's brilliant effects work, make this film enjoyable for children and adults. This is also one of those movies that could have teetered on the edge of silliness, but with the help of the brilliant writing that explores the lore of witches, this movie is grounded in a reality that makes you take the movie seriously.
Nicolas Roeg did a good job directing the film. Generally speaking, I do not care for the "shaky-cam", but it is used effectively in The Witches whenever the children are transforming into mice. The use of POV (Point-of-view) shots is well done, too. They make you feel the sense of danger that Luke and Bruno are in after they have become mice. Roeg also does a good job of combining horror with humor. You will enjoy the movie very much, but it will leave you wide awake at night.
There is so much to love about this film. Even though The Witches was released in 1990, it feels like an 80's movie because it is so much fun to watch. This movie is filled with wonder that will leave you clapping your hands in applause by the end of it.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Love At First Sight
I do not care what anybody says, a good romantic comedy can be very fun to watch. However, in order to make a romantic comedy work, you have to get actors who have good chemistry together. This is one of the many reasons why When Harry Met Sally is the revered classic that it is.
When Harry Met Sally is, naturally, the story of how Harry Burns met Sally Albright. Even though they have different views on sex and relationships, they are close friends. There are many reasons to love this movie. When Harry first meets Sally in 1977, they cannot stand each other which is, of course, how many young relationships start. Harry is a jerk who thinks he knows everything about relationships, while Sally is genuinely happy and upbeat. Harry thinks that men and women cannot be friends because sex gets in the way, to which Sally vehemently disagrees. Even though they find out many things about each other, and obviously disagree constantly, they have made a lasting impression on one another. As they become better friends, they start acting like an actual couple, even though they do not see it. At one point they set each other up with their best friends and go on a double date, which of course does not work out. Naturally, the two of them realize that they have loved each other since they met. Their relationship has had hills and valleys, but it all works out in the end. The magic of this movie is that people can identify with it.
There is a very special place in my heart for Billy Crystal. He is truly one of the greatest gifts that the entertainment industry has given us, and he brings his natural talent to the character of Harry Burns. One of the things that I love about him in this movie is that he is not just being funny all the time. He is a very serviceable dramatic actor in this movie, particularly at the end of the film. He also can be a real jerk in the movie, which is surprising given that he has a genuine "nice guy" attitude in real life.
Meg Ryan plays Sally Albright. I have heard some people say, "If you've seen one Meg Ryan romantic comedy, you've seen them all", to which I completely disagree. She plays a wide range of characters. She can be intelligent in one movie, and be completely dimwitted in another. What makes Meg Ryan so special in this movie is that there are many times where you can see that Sally has loving feelings for Harry, but she never admits it to anyone or even herself. She also has no reservations about letting Harry know when his theories are completely wrong. Also, like Crystal, Meg Ryan is just so naturally gifted, and has highly under-appreciated comedic timing. It is too bad she has never been in a straight-up comedy (at least, not to my knowledge). That would have been great to see.
Rob Reiner, who directed the movie, is truly a legend. The movies he has directed span a wide range of genres, which is the mark of a great director. The thing that I love about his movies, and When Harry Met Sally in particular, is that he is able to create very heartfelt characters with his actors. In many ways this movie is a very human story, so you need great actors to make these characters feel human. Rob Reiner is a wonderfully talented director who tells stories with great characters, and When Harry Met Sally is no exception.
When Harry Met Sally is indeed a classic, for all of the reasons I mentioned and more. This movie has an enduring legacy that will last long after this particular movie blogger's days are done. There is something about this movie that struck a chord with people, and that is what makes it the gem that it is.
When Harry Met Sally is, naturally, the story of how Harry Burns met Sally Albright. Even though they have different views on sex and relationships, they are close friends. There are many reasons to love this movie. When Harry first meets Sally in 1977, they cannot stand each other which is, of course, how many young relationships start. Harry is a jerk who thinks he knows everything about relationships, while Sally is genuinely happy and upbeat. Harry thinks that men and women cannot be friends because sex gets in the way, to which Sally vehemently disagrees. Even though they find out many things about each other, and obviously disagree constantly, they have made a lasting impression on one another. As they become better friends, they start acting like an actual couple, even though they do not see it. At one point they set each other up with their best friends and go on a double date, which of course does not work out. Naturally, the two of them realize that they have loved each other since they met. Their relationship has had hills and valleys, but it all works out in the end. The magic of this movie is that people can identify with it.
There is a very special place in my heart for Billy Crystal. He is truly one of the greatest gifts that the entertainment industry has given us, and he brings his natural talent to the character of Harry Burns. One of the things that I love about him in this movie is that he is not just being funny all the time. He is a very serviceable dramatic actor in this movie, particularly at the end of the film. He also can be a real jerk in the movie, which is surprising given that he has a genuine "nice guy" attitude in real life.
Meg Ryan plays Sally Albright. I have heard some people say, "If you've seen one Meg Ryan romantic comedy, you've seen them all", to which I completely disagree. She plays a wide range of characters. She can be intelligent in one movie, and be completely dimwitted in another. What makes Meg Ryan so special in this movie is that there are many times where you can see that Sally has loving feelings for Harry, but she never admits it to anyone or even herself. She also has no reservations about letting Harry know when his theories are completely wrong. Also, like Crystal, Meg Ryan is just so naturally gifted, and has highly under-appreciated comedic timing. It is too bad she has never been in a straight-up comedy (at least, not to my knowledge). That would have been great to see.
Rob Reiner, who directed the movie, is truly a legend. The movies he has directed span a wide range of genres, which is the mark of a great director. The thing that I love about his movies, and When Harry Met Sally in particular, is that he is able to create very heartfelt characters with his actors. In many ways this movie is a very human story, so you need great actors to make these characters feel human. Rob Reiner is a wonderfully talented director who tells stories with great characters, and When Harry Met Sally is no exception.
When Harry Met Sally is indeed a classic, for all of the reasons I mentioned and more. This movie has an enduring legacy that will last long after this particular movie blogger's days are done. There is something about this movie that struck a chord with people, and that is what makes it the gem that it is.
The Cronenberg Way
Eastern Promises is a film that I had heard people talk about in a way that I had not heard people talk about a movie before. Everything from the way violence is shown in the movie, to the story, to the acting made me want to see this movie. I just watched it for the first time, and I am very glad that I did.
After a Russian teenager dies during childbirth, her journal is found which reveals that she was raped, with possible links to a Russian mob. The thing that I loved about this movie the most is that I cannot imagine any film-maker but Cronenberg tackling this story. I am becoming a bigger Cronenberg fan the more and more I see his films.
Viggo Mortensen portrays Nikolai in the cold way that only Mortensen can. You can see in his eyes that Nikolai has a great deal of experience and wisdom doing his job, and Viggo plays that very effectively. Viggo Mortensen is an actor who can say so much just by the look in his eyes, and when you see that look you are very afraid of what is coming next.
Naomi Watts plays Anna. Anna is a very strong and independent woman who is quite capable of thinking for herself and marches to the beat of her own drum. After the baby's mother, Tatiana, dies, Anna stops at nothing to find other family members who can take of her child, who Anna has named Christine. The sheer tenacity of this character is not something we find in female characters today, and it was quite refreshing. She also has no hesitation whatsoever about going off on her uncle.
Vincent Cassel plays Kirill, who parties too much and is extremely reckless. You can very effectively see in his eyes that he is disappointed that his father does not approve of the way he lives his life, which is probably why he drinks so much. You can also see that Kirill is jealous of Nikolai because Nikolai and his Kirill's father share a real bond that Kirill clearly does not have with his father. I have not seen much of Cassel's work, but the more I see him in film, the more I see that he is truly a chameleon actor.
What I love about David Cronenberg so much, especially after seeing this film, is that he clearly has his own voice. He pushes boundaries with his movies, particularly in the way violence is shown in his work. Sometimes there are scenes in his films that are difficult to watch, but that is what makes David Cronenberg the director that he is.
I loved this movie simply because of how it was portrayed on screen. I had never seen anything like it before. In an age where film-makers are constantly copying one another, David Cronenberg shows that true talent comes in originality. I also am looking forward to seeing Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen do more films together.
After a Russian teenager dies during childbirth, her journal is found which reveals that she was raped, with possible links to a Russian mob. The thing that I loved about this movie the most is that I cannot imagine any film-maker but Cronenberg tackling this story. I am becoming a bigger Cronenberg fan the more and more I see his films.
Viggo Mortensen portrays Nikolai in the cold way that only Mortensen can. You can see in his eyes that Nikolai has a great deal of experience and wisdom doing his job, and Viggo plays that very effectively. Viggo Mortensen is an actor who can say so much just by the look in his eyes, and when you see that look you are very afraid of what is coming next.
Naomi Watts plays Anna. Anna is a very strong and independent woman who is quite capable of thinking for herself and marches to the beat of her own drum. After the baby's mother, Tatiana, dies, Anna stops at nothing to find other family members who can take of her child, who Anna has named Christine. The sheer tenacity of this character is not something we find in female characters today, and it was quite refreshing. She also has no hesitation whatsoever about going off on her uncle.
Vincent Cassel plays Kirill, who parties too much and is extremely reckless. You can very effectively see in his eyes that he is disappointed that his father does not approve of the way he lives his life, which is probably why he drinks so much. You can also see that Kirill is jealous of Nikolai because Nikolai and his Kirill's father share a real bond that Kirill clearly does not have with his father. I have not seen much of Cassel's work, but the more I see him in film, the more I see that he is truly a chameleon actor.
What I love about David Cronenberg so much, especially after seeing this film, is that he clearly has his own voice. He pushes boundaries with his movies, particularly in the way violence is shown in his work. Sometimes there are scenes in his films that are difficult to watch, but that is what makes David Cronenberg the director that he is.
I loved this movie simply because of how it was portrayed on screen. I had never seen anything like it before. In an age where film-makers are constantly copying one another, David Cronenberg shows that true talent comes in originality. I also am looking forward to seeing Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen do more films together.
A Fresh Feeding
Vampire movies have become somewhat predictable in recent years. However, I just watched the movie Let the Right One In that completely changed all that, and gave me new hope for these kinds of films. Quite often in film, an original take on a particular genre is what is needed to reinvigorate your love of that genre, and that is exactly what this movie did for me.
Let the Right One In is a Swedish film that tells the story of Oskar, a young boy who gets bullied constantly at school who befriends Eli, a girl who just moved in next door. What is particularly moving about this story is that Eli does not desire Oskar in the way she desires other people. Oskar sees Eli as an opportunity to make a new friend, which intrigues Eli. There is also a certain innocence about Oskar that makes Eli believe they can be good friends, even in the face of her horrifying secret.
Tomas Alfredson directed this film brilliantly. Let the Right One In takes place during Winter, thus making the cinematography hauntingly beautiful because it perfectly captures the contrast of the white of the snow, and the red of the blood. I also loved the use of the camera in this film. The shots are just a little longer and wider at times than most films, which really gives you a sense of scope and overwhelming fear.
Vampire films are one of my favorite kinds of movies for many reasons. There is a certain mystery, a certain sensuality about vampire films that has always attracted me to them. After seeing their popularity dwindle within the past several years, it was quite refreshing to watch a movie that completely reinvented not only vampire movies, but horror movies in general.
Let the Right One In is a Swedish film that tells the story of Oskar, a young boy who gets bullied constantly at school who befriends Eli, a girl who just moved in next door. What is particularly moving about this story is that Eli does not desire Oskar in the way she desires other people. Oskar sees Eli as an opportunity to make a new friend, which intrigues Eli. There is also a certain innocence about Oskar that makes Eli believe they can be good friends, even in the face of her horrifying secret.
Tomas Alfredson directed this film brilliantly. Let the Right One In takes place during Winter, thus making the cinematography hauntingly beautiful because it perfectly captures the contrast of the white of the snow, and the red of the blood. I also loved the use of the camera in this film. The shots are just a little longer and wider at times than most films, which really gives you a sense of scope and overwhelming fear.
Vampire films are one of my favorite kinds of movies for many reasons. There is a certain mystery, a certain sensuality about vampire films that has always attracted me to them. After seeing their popularity dwindle within the past several years, it was quite refreshing to watch a movie that completely reinvented not only vampire movies, but horror movies in general.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Sweaty Nerd Fandom: Part 3
I just watched Judge Dredd for the first time all the way through. Overall, I would say that it was not a terribly bad way to spend a Tuesday night. There were things I liked, and things I did not like. Then, there was one thing that should never, ever happen again.
The movie Judge Dredd is about the character Judge Joseph Dredd who is framed for murder. As he being sentenced, the suspect who actually committed the crime escapes. In my opinion, this movie is a great action movie. However, as a comic book movie, this film fails miserably. Stallone spews nothing but law-related puns for a majority of the movie, citing which section and code have been violated. Also, it seems that the actors are struggling to even walk around wearing their outfits. They look so heavy, just looking at them makes me feel weary. It is also stated in the movie that the ABC Warriors can still be collected as long as they are not functioning, yet all it takes is someone to hotwire it for it to be functioning again. Shouldn't there be a way for the robot's non-functionality to be more permanent? As far as The Long Walk is concerned, I am utterly confused by it. The Chief Justice retires, then is apparently banished from the city to live out the rest of his days in the barren wasteland??? You are supposed to retire to a beautiful island somewhere, not be permanently exiled. As if that isn't bad enough, Stallone takes off the Dredd helmet. This completely diminishes the mystery surrounding the character. As far as I know, this never happened in the comics, and it should not have happened in the movie. Period. End of story.
Sylvester Stallone is apparently some kind of cybernetic organism in the movie, because he displays no emotion at all throughout the entire film. He is exactly what you would expect in a movie like this: lots of yelling and ass-kicking. It is what he does best, and it is why he is who he is.
If you look at this movie purely as an action piece, director Danny Cannon actually did a very good job on the film. There are many shots of the city and the landscape that really showcased the dystopian future that these people live in. The action is great as well, and there are a number of wide shots in the film that really let you enjoy it in all its glory. There is a chase sequence that is actually quite good.
Quite honestly, I was expecting Judge Dredd to be a pile of garbage. However, underneath all the puns and the countless times Stallone says, "I knew you'd say that" lies a really good action movie. If you are looking for a good comic book movie, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a typical Stallone action movie, Judge Dredd is right up your alley.
The movie Judge Dredd is about the character Judge Joseph Dredd who is framed for murder. As he being sentenced, the suspect who actually committed the crime escapes. In my opinion, this movie is a great action movie. However, as a comic book movie, this film fails miserably. Stallone spews nothing but law-related puns for a majority of the movie, citing which section and code have been violated. Also, it seems that the actors are struggling to even walk around wearing their outfits. They look so heavy, just looking at them makes me feel weary. It is also stated in the movie that the ABC Warriors can still be collected as long as they are not functioning, yet all it takes is someone to hotwire it for it to be functioning again. Shouldn't there be a way for the robot's non-functionality to be more permanent? As far as The Long Walk is concerned, I am utterly confused by it. The Chief Justice retires, then is apparently banished from the city to live out the rest of his days in the barren wasteland??? You are supposed to retire to a beautiful island somewhere, not be permanently exiled. As if that isn't bad enough, Stallone takes off the Dredd helmet. This completely diminishes the mystery surrounding the character. As far as I know, this never happened in the comics, and it should not have happened in the movie. Period. End of story.
Sylvester Stallone is apparently some kind of cybernetic organism in the movie, because he displays no emotion at all throughout the entire film. He is exactly what you would expect in a movie like this: lots of yelling and ass-kicking. It is what he does best, and it is why he is who he is.
If you look at this movie purely as an action piece, director Danny Cannon actually did a very good job on the film. There are many shots of the city and the landscape that really showcased the dystopian future that these people live in. The action is great as well, and there are a number of wide shots in the film that really let you enjoy it in all its glory. There is a chase sequence that is actually quite good.
Quite honestly, I was expecting Judge Dredd to be a pile of garbage. However, underneath all the puns and the countless times Stallone says, "I knew you'd say that" lies a really good action movie. If you are looking for a good comic book movie, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a typical Stallone action movie, Judge Dredd is right up your alley.
Monday, July 13, 2015
A Movie Great After Midnight
I watched Gremlins for the first time last winter, ironically around Christmas. It is another one of those movies that I had heard great things about, so I was nervous about it being over-hyped. I have to say that Gremlins is another film that proves why 80's movies are so much fun.
Gremlins is a movie about a boy who receives a pet Mogwai named Gizmo for Christmas. He is told that there are three rules for taking care of him:
1. Do not let them near bright lights.
2. Do not get them wet.
3. Do not feed them after midnight.
The boy accidentally breaks all of these rules while playing with Gizmo, thus unleashing mayhem and mischief throughout the town. I love that Gremlins feels like a kids movie, but it is actually not that at all. This movie will make you smile one moment, and make your jaw drop in shock the next (the kitchen scene is particularly gruesome). This movie also has a wonderful cast that perfectly embodies the typical everyday family. You feel that you would be more than welcome into their home.
Joe Dante wonderfully directs Gremlins with a perfect blend of humor and horror. I also want to point out that the use of practical effects is absolutely spectacular. I have always preferred practical effects over digital effects because practical effects look more realistic. It is because of this that we are actually able to care about Gizmo just a little bit more than if were done digitally. Gremlins is also known for being one of the first movies to receive a PG-13 rating (the other being Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom). I highly recommend you to watch this movie, especially during the holidays since it takes place during Christmas. However, if you are looking to watch something cheerful and joyful this is not the movie for you.
Gremlins is a movie about a boy who receives a pet Mogwai named Gizmo for Christmas. He is told that there are three rules for taking care of him:
1. Do not let them near bright lights.
2. Do not get them wet.
3. Do not feed them after midnight.
The boy accidentally breaks all of these rules while playing with Gizmo, thus unleashing mayhem and mischief throughout the town. I love that Gremlins feels like a kids movie, but it is actually not that at all. This movie will make you smile one moment, and make your jaw drop in shock the next (the kitchen scene is particularly gruesome). This movie also has a wonderful cast that perfectly embodies the typical everyday family. You feel that you would be more than welcome into their home.
Joe Dante wonderfully directs Gremlins with a perfect blend of humor and horror. I also want to point out that the use of practical effects is absolutely spectacular. I have always preferred practical effects over digital effects because practical effects look more realistic. It is because of this that we are actually able to care about Gizmo just a little bit more than if were done digitally. Gremlins is also known for being one of the first movies to receive a PG-13 rating (the other being Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom). I highly recommend you to watch this movie, especially during the holidays since it takes place during Christmas. However, if you are looking to watch something cheerful and joyful this is not the movie for you.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
The Fuse Is Lit
The original Mission:Impossible movie is one of the first Tom Cruise films I ever saw. There was so much mystery, so much betrayal in the film that completely enthralled me. This movie is the perfect blend of action and espionage.
The first Mission:Impossible movie centers around agent Ethan Hunt, who gets framed for the murder of his IMF team. He then must hunt down and expose the real culprit with the help of other disavowed IMF members. This is a very exciting movie, and at times one might have trouble keeping up with who is innocent, who is guilty, who is fooling who and so on. Armed with unique gadgets and amazing action and stunt sequences, Mission:Impossible is a movie that you will want to watch again as soon as it is over.
Tom Cruise is electrifying as Ethan Hunt. He is confident on the outside, but deep down he is on the verge of desperation to see the mission through to end so that the real suspect can be caught. He also displays a unique sense of humor which, combined with his intelligence, helps him outsmart his competition.
Brian De Palma is at the helm for this movie, and he seems to almost take a page from Jonathan Demme and The Silence of the Lambs because sometimes he will almost have the camera in a POV (Point of View) shot on an actor, and they are essentially talking to the camera. This is a very interesting way to shoot dialogue scenes because it increases the tension, and it really feels like you are in the movie. He also tends to shoot action sequences using wide shots which I love because the "shaky-cam" technique is something I find quite awful and not cinematic at all.
The first Mission:Impossible film has tons of replay value in my opinion. There are so many twists and turns along the way that will leave you absolutely breathless. We live in a time now where spy movies are getting more and more popular and with Tom Cruise on as producer, it is no wonder that this movie spawned an awesome and successful franchise.
The first Mission:Impossible movie centers around agent Ethan Hunt, who gets framed for the murder of his IMF team. He then must hunt down and expose the real culprit with the help of other disavowed IMF members. This is a very exciting movie, and at times one might have trouble keeping up with who is innocent, who is guilty, who is fooling who and so on. Armed with unique gadgets and amazing action and stunt sequences, Mission:Impossible is a movie that you will want to watch again as soon as it is over.
Tom Cruise is electrifying as Ethan Hunt. He is confident on the outside, but deep down he is on the verge of desperation to see the mission through to end so that the real suspect can be caught. He also displays a unique sense of humor which, combined with his intelligence, helps him outsmart his competition.
Brian De Palma is at the helm for this movie, and he seems to almost take a page from Jonathan Demme and The Silence of the Lambs because sometimes he will almost have the camera in a POV (Point of View) shot on an actor, and they are essentially talking to the camera. This is a very interesting way to shoot dialogue scenes because it increases the tension, and it really feels like you are in the movie. He also tends to shoot action sequences using wide shots which I love because the "shaky-cam" technique is something I find quite awful and not cinematic at all.
The first Mission:Impossible film has tons of replay value in my opinion. There are so many twists and turns along the way that will leave you absolutely breathless. We live in a time now where spy movies are getting more and more popular and with Tom Cruise on as producer, it is no wonder that this movie spawned an awesome and successful franchise.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Wily, Witty Western
Maverick is another one of those movies that I always wanted to see, but I never got the chance to until just now. Westerns have always been one of my favorite genres, but sadly they are few and far between these days. This is a movie that I loved from start to finish.
The film Maverick tells the story of Bret Maverick who needs money for a poker tournament. The only problem is, he has to travel all over creation to get it, thus suffering in all sorts of challenges and mishaps before he finally gets to the big game. This movie is packed with comedy, action and everything else you would expect from a Richard Donner flick.
Mel Gibson plays Bret Maverick with all the wit and charm that Gibson naturally possesses. Just when the bad guys think they have Maverick right where they want him, he pulls a fast one on them out of nowhere. He is also very particular about his clothes being clean and his name being pronounced properly, and when someone screws that up the bad guys are really in for it.
Jodie Foster plays Annabelle Bransford who is as beautiful as she is deceitful. She will charm anybody she wants with her baby blue eyes...and then she will steal their wallet. It is hard not to love Jodie Foster. She has always been very particular about her roles, and that is very admirable. She has great comedic timing in this film, so much so that I would love to see her do more in movies.
James Garner, who was the original Maverick on the TV series, plays Marshal Zane Cooper. He is a man of honor and respect, and I have a feeling that Garner possessed those qualities in life. Garner, much like Clint Eastwood, almost looks natural sporting a couple of pistols in his cowboy hat. He commands authority with his presence, especially after he throws you over the side of the boat for cheating.
I have to be honest, I had no idea that Richard Donner directed this film. This movie really does have all the humor, excitement and adventure that go along with his movies. Donner flicks are so much fun to watch, and I think that is something that is lost on movies today.
Maverick is a gem of a movie. They just do not make movies like this anymore. It is a rowdy ride for two hours that you will not regret. Keep your eyes peeled for a special cameo, too!
The film Maverick tells the story of Bret Maverick who needs money for a poker tournament. The only problem is, he has to travel all over creation to get it, thus suffering in all sorts of challenges and mishaps before he finally gets to the big game. This movie is packed with comedy, action and everything else you would expect from a Richard Donner flick.
Mel Gibson plays Bret Maverick with all the wit and charm that Gibson naturally possesses. Just when the bad guys think they have Maverick right where they want him, he pulls a fast one on them out of nowhere. He is also very particular about his clothes being clean and his name being pronounced properly, and when someone screws that up the bad guys are really in for it.
Jodie Foster plays Annabelle Bransford who is as beautiful as she is deceitful. She will charm anybody she wants with her baby blue eyes...and then she will steal their wallet. It is hard not to love Jodie Foster. She has always been very particular about her roles, and that is very admirable. She has great comedic timing in this film, so much so that I would love to see her do more in movies.
James Garner, who was the original Maverick on the TV series, plays Marshal Zane Cooper. He is a man of honor and respect, and I have a feeling that Garner possessed those qualities in life. Garner, much like Clint Eastwood, almost looks natural sporting a couple of pistols in his cowboy hat. He commands authority with his presence, especially after he throws you over the side of the boat for cheating.
I have to be honest, I had no idea that Richard Donner directed this film. This movie really does have all the humor, excitement and adventure that go along with his movies. Donner flicks are so much fun to watch, and I think that is something that is lost on movies today.
Maverick is a gem of a movie. They just do not make movies like this anymore. It is a rowdy ride for two hours that you will not regret. Keep your eyes peeled for a special cameo, too!
Friday, July 10, 2015
A Disaster Movie For All Mankind
I have been a huge fan of the movie Armageddon ever since I was in high school. I also have to admit that this movie has always made me wonder if something like this could happen in real life. When I was younger, this movie always moved me to tears. That is one of the reasons Armageddon is one of the biggest box office hits of all time.
Armageddon tells the story of a group of misfit oil drillers who get recruited by N.A.S.A to save the planet from an asteroid the size of Texas. Even though it is probably one of the most scientifically inaccurate movies of all time (the "roadrunner thrust move" is a nice tongue-in-cheek joke"), it is a great action movie that actually has some beautiful character moments. One of things that I love about this movie is the cast because, essentially, it is this great group of indie film actors who team up with Bruce Willis, who is an action movie star in his own right.
Bruce Willis plays Harry Stamper who, as the movie suggests, gets recruited because he is the best oil driller who works with the best team. Willis shines as the smart-mouthed Harry Stamper who does things his way, and everybody agrees with him because he has been doing oil drilling his whole life. He is the leader of the team who commands authority, and nobody does it better than Bruce Willis.
I have been a fan of director Michael Bay for years. In my opinion, he is one of the greatest action movie directors of all time. The thing is, he does great character moments as well (the sequence where The President delivers his speech is particularly moving). He makes movies for teenage boys, and there is nothing wrong with that.
I love Armageddon in all of its cheesy glory. The fact that this was only Michael Bay's third movie speaks very highly of his talents as an action film-maker. It will be interesting to see where his career goes after he moves on from the Transformers movies.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Under-rated Nolan Thriller
I have been a huge fan of director Christopher Nolan ever since I saw Batman Begins. The man who breathed new life into The Caped Crusader has easily become one of my favorite filmmakers. He really understands that movie-going audiences are very smart these days, and he continues to challenge them and ask them to think outside the box.
Insomnia is about two Los Angeles detectives who are dispatched to the town of Nightmute, Alaska to investigate the homicide of a teenager. In my opinion, it is Christopher Nolan's most under-appreciated film. It is a very tense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the plot progresses. It really is one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it films that challenges you to pay close attention to every little detail. However, there is a plot-hole in the movie that deserves attention. Shortly after the investigation begins, the detectives arrive at a cabin that they believe is owned by the suspect. However, there is no exposition that explains how they knew to be there. I do not want to discourage people from watching this movie by pointing this out, but it is a very important plot point that should have been explained.
Al Pacino plays Will Dormer, a detective who has reached near-legendary status in the law enforcement ranks. Pacino is very good at playing a cop who is not only possibly nearing the end of his career, but is also somewhat of a mentor to Hilary Swank's character. His performance is also very good for another reason: the town of Nightmute is light outside all day long. It is because of this that Dormer does not get any sleep during the entire investigation. While some people who watch this movie may think that Pacino is "phoning it in" as you might say, I always think that he brilliantly plays someone who has not gotten any sleep while desperately attempting to find the suspect.
Robin Williams brilliantly plays Walter Finch. He is so calm and cool on the outside, yet you can see behind those intelligent eyes that at any moment he is going to snap. I absolutely dig the fact that in a film that is just under two hours, we do not actually see Walter Finch until just over an hour into the film. When you have a film that continues to build tension about the antagonist without actually seeing them, it makes the moment you do see them very gratifying. Also, there is something particular to say about Robin Williams in this movie. The fact that he was in a movie with Al Pacino, and the fact that he upstages Pacino, speaks very highly of his talent as a dramatic actor.
Hilary Swank plays Ellie Burr, a detective who assists Dormer in the investigation. It is very clear from the beginning that she respects and admires Dormer very much. There are even hints that she is starstruck by the fact that he is working with her on the case. Swank masterfully portrays this character as someone who is an intelligent detective, but who also wants to learn as much as she can from Dormer, who is possibly a hero to her.
Christopher Nolan directs this film, and you can clearly see how talented he is, even though he was not as popular in 2002 as he is now. Tonally, this is a very dark film that, combined with stellar cinematography, beautifully captures the feeling of isolation and what it is like to live in Alaska. Dormer is a character who is outside his element in this part of the world, and Nolan knows that. This movie is extremely under-rated, and did not get the attention it deserved when it was in theaters. If you are looking for a real white-knuckle of a movie, I highly recommend you check Insomnia out!
Insomnia is about two Los Angeles detectives who are dispatched to the town of Nightmute, Alaska to investigate the homicide of a teenager. In my opinion, it is Christopher Nolan's most under-appreciated film. It is a very tense thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the plot progresses. It really is one of those blink-and-you'll-miss-it films that challenges you to pay close attention to every little detail. However, there is a plot-hole in the movie that deserves attention. Shortly after the investigation begins, the detectives arrive at a cabin that they believe is owned by the suspect. However, there is no exposition that explains how they knew to be there. I do not want to discourage people from watching this movie by pointing this out, but it is a very important plot point that should have been explained.
Al Pacino plays Will Dormer, a detective who has reached near-legendary status in the law enforcement ranks. Pacino is very good at playing a cop who is not only possibly nearing the end of his career, but is also somewhat of a mentor to Hilary Swank's character. His performance is also very good for another reason: the town of Nightmute is light outside all day long. It is because of this that Dormer does not get any sleep during the entire investigation. While some people who watch this movie may think that Pacino is "phoning it in" as you might say, I always think that he brilliantly plays someone who has not gotten any sleep while desperately attempting to find the suspect.
Robin Williams brilliantly plays Walter Finch. He is so calm and cool on the outside, yet you can see behind those intelligent eyes that at any moment he is going to snap. I absolutely dig the fact that in a film that is just under two hours, we do not actually see Walter Finch until just over an hour into the film. When you have a film that continues to build tension about the antagonist without actually seeing them, it makes the moment you do see them very gratifying. Also, there is something particular to say about Robin Williams in this movie. The fact that he was in a movie with Al Pacino, and the fact that he upstages Pacino, speaks very highly of his talent as a dramatic actor.
Hilary Swank plays Ellie Burr, a detective who assists Dormer in the investigation. It is very clear from the beginning that she respects and admires Dormer very much. There are even hints that she is starstruck by the fact that he is working with her on the case. Swank masterfully portrays this character as someone who is an intelligent detective, but who also wants to learn as much as she can from Dormer, who is possibly a hero to her.
Christopher Nolan directs this film, and you can clearly see how talented he is, even though he was not as popular in 2002 as he is now. Tonally, this is a very dark film that, combined with stellar cinematography, beautifully captures the feeling of isolation and what it is like to live in Alaska. Dormer is a character who is outside his element in this part of the world, and Nolan knows that. This movie is extremely under-rated, and did not get the attention it deserved when it was in theaters. If you are looking for a real white-knuckle of a movie, I highly recommend you check Insomnia out!
Stick With What You Are Good At
When I was a boy, I remember seeing countless advertising campaigns for this movie called Kazaam. After all, it was a pretty big deal that NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal was going to be in a movie. Personally, I find the end result to be a mixed bag. There are some good things about the film, and a whole bunch of bad things.
The movie Kazaam, which also happens to be the name of Shaq's character, is about a young boy named Max who unknowingly releases Kazaam the genie from his lamp, or in this case a boom box. Kazaam must now grant Max three wishes. There are several issues that arise right off the bat with this movie. At the beginning of the film, we are led to believe that Kazaam is trapped in a lamp. That is all well and good, however when Max accidentally releases him, he has somehow gone from being trapped in a lamp to being trapped in boom box, with no given explanation as to why this has happened. Shortly after this scene, there is a sequence where Kazaam gets his powers back (because somehow he lost his powers, although we are never told why that has happened either). Now, because Kazaam is a genie, he can magically appear anywhere. Okay, fine. I can deal with that. However, in the scene where Kazaam gets his powers back, he is chasing Max around an abandoned warehouse on a bicycle. Why doesn't he just keep reappearing places in order to block Max's exit? Also, why does he get his powers back by riding a bicycle at breakneck speed? Couldn't he have gotten his powers back another way? Also, why is Kazaam a rapping genie? Why? Is that his superpower or something? If the filmmakers were going for an original take on a genie, that is fine. Just give me some explanation as to why he raps. Another thing that bothers me about this movie is that whenever Max calls Kazaam (which is very similar to the way Winona Ryder calls Beetlejuice...saying his name a certain number of times and he appears), something very strange happens. The first time Max calls Kazaam, Kazaam is on a date and Max appears in a glass of water and jumps out of the glass onto the table. Why? Is Max a genie now also? The second time Max calls Kazaam, Kazaam magically appears. Now, why doesn't this happen the first time? I thought genies were summoned by their master, not the other way around. There is also a scene where Kazaam stars fading away for some mysterious reason, and then proceeds to Kung-Fu the crap out of the bad guys. He is a genie, right? Can't he just make them magically disappear? One final note here: Kazaam makes it very clear that he cannot grant ethereal wishes. For example, he cannot make people fall in love. He can only grant physical wishes, like wishing for a giant mountain of candy, which actually does happen in the movie. However, Max's final wish is that his father be given a second chance at life. I could be wrong here, but I do not think there is anything physical about making a wish from the heart. Also, Kazaam smiles....A LOT. It is not amusing, either. It is very, very creepy.
For all the shortcomings this movie has, Kazaam is a film that actually has some redeeming qualities. Max is a child of divorce, and this has clearly had an effect on him. He is a smart-ass kid, who gets into trouble at school and has hideouts that he goes to when he just wants to be alone. As a child of divorce myself, I can identify with how Max feels. There are also a couple of very meaningful conversations between Max and Kazaam about how much Max misses his father, and what life as a genie is really like for Kazaam.
Shaquille O'Neal plays the genie Kazaam. I have stated in a previous blog about why I personally think athletes do not make good actors. If Shaq wanted to try his hand at movies like Michael Jordan did, forget about it. He could not beat Jordan on the court, and he cannot beat him off the court either. Stick with what you are good at, Shaq. Keep slam-dunking the ball, and people will continue to love you.
Francis Capra plays Max Connor, and he is actually the best part of the whole movie. He is a wonderful child actor, who just oozes the kind of sassy, smart-mouthed punk that we all knew in school. He is great in the film, and manages to make the movie actually somewhat bearable to watch.
Paul M. Glaser directed this film, and it is very clear right from the beginning that he was going for a movie that is fun for a family to watch. Children are the main target audience here, and there is nothing wrong with that. If this movie were geared for adults, Glaser would have actually cared about the countless plot holes that I have mentioned.
As I mentioned before, this movie is fun for children to watch with their parents. Kids will enjoy it, and adults will analyze it. Watch it for good, family entertainment. That is all I can say.
Big Money
Moneyball is a film that came along at a time when I was really starting to respect Brad Pitt as an actor. He was starting to choose very good projects to become involved in, which made me want to see him more and more in film. I had always wanted to see Moneyball, and I am very happy to have just watched it for the first time because now I plan to watch it over and over again until I know it by heart.
Moneyball is based on the true story of how the general manager of the Oakland A's, Billy Beane, used computer analysis to assemble a winning baseball team on a tight budget. It is even said in the film that using this tactic flies in the face of what baseball scouts have done for over a hundred years. This movie raises many excellent questions, and definitively gives excellent answers to those questions. Are players really worth the money that they are getting paid? Do teams really pass on signing a pitcher because he throws funny? Do age and off-field antics really tell you how good a player is? Well, just because a player is not getting paid good money does not mean he is a bad player. Yes, that pitcher may throw funny, but he gets racks up strikeouts with his pitches. It does not matter to Billy Beane what a player does in his personal life, there is only one thing that matters to him: if you have a good OBP (on base percentage), you can play for the ball club. If Scott Hatteberg does not know how to play first base, then teach him. It is all about the basics with Beane, but nobody else sees that.
Brad Pitt plays Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane. As I mentioned before, this film came along at a time when I was really starting to admire Pitt's work as an actor. I truly believe that in the past few years, he has become true Oscar potential with whatever project he gets involved in, and he proved that when he won the Oscar for 12 Years a Slave as one of the producers on the film. He plays Beane as cool and confident, yet always having this undercurrent of fear that his plan might not work out. While I have not seen Brad Pitt's entire filmography, I can honestly say that of the films of his that I have seen, his role as Billy Beane is my favorite of his.
Jonah Hill plays Peter Brand, an economics major from Yale University, who also gets appointed as Assistant General Manager. I was quite pleasantly surprised with Jonah Hill in this movie. He is mostly known for his comedy which, except for a couple of exceptions, I am not a fan of. However, what I loved about his role in this movie is that he is in many ways the voice of reason for Billy Beane. He teaches Beane that the goal is to get talented players who are undervalued. Not to take anything away from Brad Pitt, but I believe Jonah Hill makes Brad Pitt better in this movie because it really is the back-and-forth between these two actors that is the focus of the film. With this film, and with Wolf of Wall Street, Jonah Hill has become a very good dramatic actor.
It was very bittersweet to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in this movie. He was one of my favorite actors. The bright light that the magic of cinema casts on the world is a bit less bright without his talent. In Moneyball, he plays Oakland A's manager Art Howe, who does not agree at all with the way Billy Beane is running things. He manages the team and fills out the lineup card the way he wants to because he feels he knows better than some executive that sits behind a desk all day long. Hoffman is perfect at playing the old-school, stubborn, cranky manager who plays the game the way he wants to play it.
I have unknowingly become a fan of director Bennett Miller. I was recently going through my movie collection and I realized that, without my knowledge, I have come to own all three of his films. He does such great work with character relationships in his movies. What he does with Moneyball is really quite interesting because he does not just make a movie about the sport of baseball, he makes a movie about the business aspects of baseball. That is one of the many reasons why this movie is as great as it is.
I absolutely loved this movie in every aspect. As much as I love film, it is very rare when I love a movie so much that I cannot take my eyes off it. That is what Moneyball did to me. If you are a fan of sports, or even sports history, I highly recommend you watch this movie. You will not regret it.
Moneyball is based on the true story of how the general manager of the Oakland A's, Billy Beane, used computer analysis to assemble a winning baseball team on a tight budget. It is even said in the film that using this tactic flies in the face of what baseball scouts have done for over a hundred years. This movie raises many excellent questions, and definitively gives excellent answers to those questions. Are players really worth the money that they are getting paid? Do teams really pass on signing a pitcher because he throws funny? Do age and off-field antics really tell you how good a player is? Well, just because a player is not getting paid good money does not mean he is a bad player. Yes, that pitcher may throw funny, but he gets racks up strikeouts with his pitches. It does not matter to Billy Beane what a player does in his personal life, there is only one thing that matters to him: if you have a good OBP (on base percentage), you can play for the ball club. If Scott Hatteberg does not know how to play first base, then teach him. It is all about the basics with Beane, but nobody else sees that.
Brad Pitt plays Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane. As I mentioned before, this film came along at a time when I was really starting to admire Pitt's work as an actor. I truly believe that in the past few years, he has become true Oscar potential with whatever project he gets involved in, and he proved that when he won the Oscar for 12 Years a Slave as one of the producers on the film. He plays Beane as cool and confident, yet always having this undercurrent of fear that his plan might not work out. While I have not seen Brad Pitt's entire filmography, I can honestly say that of the films of his that I have seen, his role as Billy Beane is my favorite of his.
Jonah Hill plays Peter Brand, an economics major from Yale University, who also gets appointed as Assistant General Manager. I was quite pleasantly surprised with Jonah Hill in this movie. He is mostly known for his comedy which, except for a couple of exceptions, I am not a fan of. However, what I loved about his role in this movie is that he is in many ways the voice of reason for Billy Beane. He teaches Beane that the goal is to get talented players who are undervalued. Not to take anything away from Brad Pitt, but I believe Jonah Hill makes Brad Pitt better in this movie because it really is the back-and-forth between these two actors that is the focus of the film. With this film, and with Wolf of Wall Street, Jonah Hill has become a very good dramatic actor.
It was very bittersweet to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in this movie. He was one of my favorite actors. The bright light that the magic of cinema casts on the world is a bit less bright without his talent. In Moneyball, he plays Oakland A's manager Art Howe, who does not agree at all with the way Billy Beane is running things. He manages the team and fills out the lineup card the way he wants to because he feels he knows better than some executive that sits behind a desk all day long. Hoffman is perfect at playing the old-school, stubborn, cranky manager who plays the game the way he wants to play it.
I have unknowingly become a fan of director Bennett Miller. I was recently going through my movie collection and I realized that, without my knowledge, I have come to own all three of his films. He does such great work with character relationships in his movies. What he does with Moneyball is really quite interesting because he does not just make a movie about the sport of baseball, he makes a movie about the business aspects of baseball. That is one of the many reasons why this movie is as great as it is.
I absolutely loved this movie in every aspect. As much as I love film, it is very rare when I love a movie so much that I cannot take my eyes off it. That is what Moneyball did to me. If you are a fan of sports, or even sports history, I highly recommend you watch this movie. You will not regret it.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Good Game
I just watched He Got Game for the first time. I remember hearing so many good things about the movie back when I was in high school, but I never got the chance to see it. I am very glad I did because this is a very powerful film, and I very proudly give it my "stamp of approval".
He Got Game is a story about Jake Shuttlesworth, a convicted felon, who must try to get his son Jesus to attend Big State to play college basketball. The reason for this particular school is because it is the Governor's alma mater, and he thinks very highly of Jesus. If Jake is able to do this, his prison sentence will be reduced.
Denzel Washington masterfully commands the screen as Jake Shuttlesworth. Jake is a man who not only sees this opportunity as a chance to get out of prison early, but also as a chance to seek redemption and forgiveness from his family, particularly from his son. I have been a big fan of Denzel Washington for many years. He always brings a certain quality, a certain essence, to his roles that only he could bring. At the same time, he disappears into every role. He is perfection at playing a man who knows he has done wrong, and wants to get his life back on the right track.
This leads me to a topic that, quite honestly, I was not going to talk about unless the opportunity presented itself. It has with this movie. In my opinion, athletes are not actors. Athletes belong on whatever court or field they play on. Unless a movie is being made where the athlete actually serves the story (as in Space Jam where the story actually revolved around Michael Jordan), or on the rare occasion where an athlete actually retires from their sport and becomes an actor full-time, and fully dedicates themselves to the craft of acting (as is the case with Dwayne Johnson, who has proved to be quite a serviceable actor), it is my opinion that athletes do not make good actors. Does Ray Allen do a good job at playing Jesus Shuttlesworth? Actually, yes. Could they have gotten an actual actor who knew how to play basketball to play the role? Probably. Would the movie have been any better if they had done so? Maybe. It is just something that I feel can sometimes take you out of the movie-going experience.
Spike Lee expertly crafts this film. This was the first time I have watched one of his films. It was clear right from the beginning that he has his own voice, and a certain style that he brings to his movies. The way the camera is positioned, the way inserts are used, even the few flashbacks that show the rough upbringing that Jesus Shuttlesworth had....all of it has a reason that they are used in the way that they are. That is what makes this movie, and Spike Lee, special.
He Got Game is one of those films that I had heard so many good things about that I was afraid it was being over-hyped. I am glad it was not. This is a great redemption story, with a powerful performance by its lead actor.
He Got Game is a story about Jake Shuttlesworth, a convicted felon, who must try to get his son Jesus to attend Big State to play college basketball. The reason for this particular school is because it is the Governor's alma mater, and he thinks very highly of Jesus. If Jake is able to do this, his prison sentence will be reduced.
Denzel Washington masterfully commands the screen as Jake Shuttlesworth. Jake is a man who not only sees this opportunity as a chance to get out of prison early, but also as a chance to seek redemption and forgiveness from his family, particularly from his son. I have been a big fan of Denzel Washington for many years. He always brings a certain quality, a certain essence, to his roles that only he could bring. At the same time, he disappears into every role. He is perfection at playing a man who knows he has done wrong, and wants to get his life back on the right track.
This leads me to a topic that, quite honestly, I was not going to talk about unless the opportunity presented itself. It has with this movie. In my opinion, athletes are not actors. Athletes belong on whatever court or field they play on. Unless a movie is being made where the athlete actually serves the story (as in Space Jam where the story actually revolved around Michael Jordan), or on the rare occasion where an athlete actually retires from their sport and becomes an actor full-time, and fully dedicates themselves to the craft of acting (as is the case with Dwayne Johnson, who has proved to be quite a serviceable actor), it is my opinion that athletes do not make good actors. Does Ray Allen do a good job at playing Jesus Shuttlesworth? Actually, yes. Could they have gotten an actual actor who knew how to play basketball to play the role? Probably. Would the movie have been any better if they had done so? Maybe. It is just something that I feel can sometimes take you out of the movie-going experience.
Spike Lee expertly crafts this film. This was the first time I have watched one of his films. It was clear right from the beginning that he has his own voice, and a certain style that he brings to his movies. The way the camera is positioned, the way inserts are used, even the few flashbacks that show the rough upbringing that Jesus Shuttlesworth had....all of it has a reason that they are used in the way that they are. That is what makes this movie, and Spike Lee, special.
He Got Game is one of those films that I had heard so many good things about that I was afraid it was being over-hyped. I am glad it was not. This is a great redemption story, with a powerful performance by its lead actor.
Monday, July 6, 2015
80's Science Fiction/Adventure Gem
I had never seen Flight of the Navigator up until a couple of hours ago. It came as a personal recommendation by my very good friend Michael Shreve, as he had nothing but great things to say about the movie. I will say that knowing this is a Disney movie, I immediately thought that there was no way this movie was going to let me down. I was right!
The beginning of the movie starts in the year 1978. David Freeman is playing outside with his brother Jeff. He falls into a ravine, and then mysteriously wakes up in the year 1986. However, what seems likes minutes to him has actually been eight years. He has no memory of how this happened. Unbeknownst to him, a spaceship picked him up when he fell. The on-board computer, Max, is collecting specimens from other galaxies to study, and David is one of them. However, because David's human body is too fragile to travel at lightspeed, the spaceship does not return him to the spot where he was taken from. This is why he wakes up in 1986. The two of them then engage in a magical adventure.
Director Randal Kleiser did a wonderful job directing this movie. The film is scary and fun all at the same time. The tone of the film is exactly what you would want from a Disney movie. It can be watched by children and adults alike.
It is very hard to find decent, let alone good, child actors in film. However, Joey Cramer did a wonderful job as David. I think part of the reason was that he was only thirteen years old, and sometimes when you are that young you have a better imagination than when you are an adult. He did a fantastic job, and his performance is very believable.
Paul Reubens does the voice of Max (although he is credited as Paul Mall). My favorite part of the movie is after Max scans David, Max becomes a more human computer that displays an actual personality. You can hear this wonderful change in his voice, and you can even catch that iconic Pee-Wee Herman laugh a few times.
Typical Disney goodness. Those three words describe this movie in a nutshell. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and if you are a kid at heart than you will to. Thank you, Michael Shreve, for recommending this movie. I loved it!!
The beginning of the movie starts in the year 1978. David Freeman is playing outside with his brother Jeff. He falls into a ravine, and then mysteriously wakes up in the year 1986. However, what seems likes minutes to him has actually been eight years. He has no memory of how this happened. Unbeknownst to him, a spaceship picked him up when he fell. The on-board computer, Max, is collecting specimens from other galaxies to study, and David is one of them. However, because David's human body is too fragile to travel at lightspeed, the spaceship does not return him to the spot where he was taken from. This is why he wakes up in 1986. The two of them then engage in a magical adventure.
Director Randal Kleiser did a wonderful job directing this movie. The film is scary and fun all at the same time. The tone of the film is exactly what you would want from a Disney movie. It can be watched by children and adults alike.
It is very hard to find decent, let alone good, child actors in film. However, Joey Cramer did a wonderful job as David. I think part of the reason was that he was only thirteen years old, and sometimes when you are that young you have a better imagination than when you are an adult. He did a fantastic job, and his performance is very believable.
Paul Reubens does the voice of Max (although he is credited as Paul Mall). My favorite part of the movie is after Max scans David, Max becomes a more human computer that displays an actual personality. You can hear this wonderful change in his voice, and you can even catch that iconic Pee-Wee Herman laugh a few times.
Typical Disney goodness. Those three words describe this movie in a nutshell. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and if you are a kid at heart than you will to. Thank you, Michael Shreve, for recommending this movie. I loved it!!
Capturing a Culture
I just finished watching Dazed and Confused for the first time. Of course, I had heard great things about it, so I was excited to watch it. The movie surprised me in many positive ways.
While this movie does follow a group of high school seniors who conduct initiations on freshman, this film does not follow a narrative storyline. Rather, director Richard Linklater captures the culture and time period of America in 1976. This makes the movie rather special for people who never experienced that lifestyle because the movie is a time capsule and a window into what that world was like. Everything from the clothing, to the music, to phrases like "whatever", "alright, man", and "far out", this movie just makes you want to lie down on a football field and get high right along with these characters. Also, I finally know now where McConaughey's famous phrase "Alright, alright, alright." comes from. It happens twice in the film, and it made me smile each time.
The film has a great ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Jason London, Joey Lauren Adams, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey. For the purposes of this blog, I want to highlight just a few of them. Ben Affleck plays Fred O'Bannion, the asshole senior that just loves to bully the freshman. This movie was released before Affleck was a household name, but his spark still shines bright so early in his career. Parker Posey plays Darla Marks. I had not really seen much of her work except in Blade Trinity and Superman Returns. She brings a certain sass to the roles that I have seen her in, which she does indeed bring to Dazed and Confused. She is as foul-mouthed as ever, and I cannot help but think that she is somehow related to J.K. Simmon's character from Whiplash. Matthew McConaughey plays David Wooderson, the cool, calm character who just enjoys living life. Not taking anything away from the rest of the cast, but McConaughey truly looks and feels like he belongs in that time period. Also, like Affleck, you can see his talent so early in his career. It is amazing to think that these two would go on to become Oscar winners.
I love period films. For me personally, they are a window unto a world that I otherwise would never have seen or experienced. Dazed and Confused is exactly that. If you want to know what it was like to live in a time where people just did not give a damn, I highly recommend this movie.
While this movie does follow a group of high school seniors who conduct initiations on freshman, this film does not follow a narrative storyline. Rather, director Richard Linklater captures the culture and time period of America in 1976. This makes the movie rather special for people who never experienced that lifestyle because the movie is a time capsule and a window into what that world was like. Everything from the clothing, to the music, to phrases like "whatever", "alright, man", and "far out", this movie just makes you want to lie down on a football field and get high right along with these characters. Also, I finally know now where McConaughey's famous phrase "Alright, alright, alright." comes from. It happens twice in the film, and it made me smile each time.
The film has a great ensemble cast including Ben Affleck, Milla Jovovich, Jason London, Joey Lauren Adams, Parker Posey, and Matthew McConaughey. For the purposes of this blog, I want to highlight just a few of them. Ben Affleck plays Fred O'Bannion, the asshole senior that just loves to bully the freshman. This movie was released before Affleck was a household name, but his spark still shines bright so early in his career. Parker Posey plays Darla Marks. I had not really seen much of her work except in Blade Trinity and Superman Returns. She brings a certain sass to the roles that I have seen her in, which she does indeed bring to Dazed and Confused. She is as foul-mouthed as ever, and I cannot help but think that she is somehow related to J.K. Simmon's character from Whiplash. Matthew McConaughey plays David Wooderson, the cool, calm character who just enjoys living life. Not taking anything away from the rest of the cast, but McConaughey truly looks and feels like he belongs in that time period. Also, like Affleck, you can see his talent so early in his career. It is amazing to think that these two would go on to become Oscar winners.
I love period films. For me personally, they are a window unto a world that I otherwise would never have seen or experienced. Dazed and Confused is exactly that. If you want to know what it was like to live in a time where people just did not give a damn, I highly recommend this movie.
A Mad Launch
The Mad Max film series is my favorite movie franchise. It is post-apocalyptic mayhem at it's finest. If you combine that with a good story about surviving in a world with limited resources, you cannot lose.
Mad Max centers around the character of Max Rockatansky, played by Mel Gibson, who seeks vengeance after his best friend, wife and child are murdered by a motorcycle gang. The fury that he unleashes upon them is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Before I say what I want to say about Mel Gibson, I would like to get something out of the way. I have never cared about an actor/director's personal life. As long as they make good movies, that is all that matters to me. Unless you commit murder, beat a woman, or do something like what Roman Polanski did, I just do not care. To the best of my recollection, Mel Gibson has apologized for what he has said in recent years, so there that is. Now that I have gotten that out of the way......I have always been a fan of Mel Gibson. He is a great actor and director who always gives 110%. Sometimes people forget that he has got a couple Oscars on his mantel. It is really great to see him get at least somewhat of a career resurgence with movies like Edge of Darkness and Expendables 3.
I have so much respect for George Miller as a director. He has superbly crafted these Ozploitation movies to perfection. There are so many great action directors who have given us so many great...and awful....action movies. Sometimes I feel like George Miller puts them all to shame.
As awesome as the movie is, however, I feel I should address a minor plot hole. There is a scene in the movie where Max's wife is getting ready to go have a picnic with their baby boy. Only, when she leaves to go on the picnic, her son is nowhere to be found. Later on in the scene, he is magically back with her mother. Did she just forget to take him with her? It is minor, yes, but still noticeable.
The Mad Max series, quite simply, is one of the greatest action movie franchises of all time. The original movie made Mel Gibson a star, and it is hard to imagine what his career would be like had he not done it. These movies really put Australia on the map, as if to say "Hey, we can make great action movies too!". George Miller deserves all the credit, as he should. Now, go see Mad Max: Fury Road!! You won't be able to catch your breath!!!
Mad Max centers around the character of Max Rockatansky, played by Mel Gibson, who seeks vengeance after his best friend, wife and child are murdered by a motorcycle gang. The fury that he unleashes upon them is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Before I say what I want to say about Mel Gibson, I would like to get something out of the way. I have never cared about an actor/director's personal life. As long as they make good movies, that is all that matters to me. Unless you commit murder, beat a woman, or do something like what Roman Polanski did, I just do not care. To the best of my recollection, Mel Gibson has apologized for what he has said in recent years, so there that is. Now that I have gotten that out of the way......I have always been a fan of Mel Gibson. He is a great actor and director who always gives 110%. Sometimes people forget that he has got a couple Oscars on his mantel. It is really great to see him get at least somewhat of a career resurgence with movies like Edge of Darkness and Expendables 3.
I have so much respect for George Miller as a director. He has superbly crafted these Ozploitation movies to perfection. There are so many great action directors who have given us so many great...and awful....action movies. Sometimes I feel like George Miller puts them all to shame.
As awesome as the movie is, however, I feel I should address a minor plot hole. There is a scene in the movie where Max's wife is getting ready to go have a picnic with their baby boy. Only, when she leaves to go on the picnic, her son is nowhere to be found. Later on in the scene, he is magically back with her mother. Did she just forget to take him with her? It is minor, yes, but still noticeable.
The Mad Max series, quite simply, is one of the greatest action movie franchises of all time. The original movie made Mel Gibson a star, and it is hard to imagine what his career would be like had he not done it. These movies really put Australia on the map, as if to say "Hey, we can make great action movies too!". George Miller deserves all the credit, as he should. Now, go see Mad Max: Fury Road!! You won't be able to catch your breath!!!
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