Saving Mr. Banks is one of my favorite films in recent memory. Everything from the story, the acting and the character relationships all come together in a magical package. Of course, the fact that it is the story of how one of the most beloved Disney classics was made makes Saving Mr. Banks all the more special.
Saving Mr. Banks is the story of P.L. Travers' meeting with Walt Disney to discuss the adaptation of Mary Poppins for the big screen. What I love so much about this film is seeing how the story unfolds. We see from the very beginning that P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) is conflicted about collaborating with Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) because on one hand Travers is afraid of what Disney will do to Mary Poppins, but at the same time she is completely broke and needs money, which she will get if she grants Disney the rights to Mary Poppins. This leads to some uncomfortable, and sometimes hilarious, meetings with Disney in which Travers insists on having her way. The scene where Travers goes off on Disney about using animation in the film is considerably tense to watch given the nature of the scene, and also because of the immense talent that spews from Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. Finally, in an emotional scene where both Disney and Travers forgive the ghosts of their pasts, Travers realizes that Disney knows what he is doing. Saving Mr. Banks is a remarkable film filled with emotion and brilliant performances. It is an instant classic.
Emma Thompson plays P.L. Travers, and I daresay it is one of the best performances of her entire career. What is so brilliant about the way Thompson plays her character is that even though she is rather pessimistic about meeting Walt Disney, and downright rude to many people on multiple occasions, you can almost forgive it all because of how much her past haunts her. Also, just by Thompsons' body language and the way she expresses herself, you can tell that Travers is uncomfortable being in Los Angeles. The climactic scene where Travers sees Mary Poppins at the premiere is particularly emotional to watch because Travers knows that her past does not haunt her anymore. Thompson displays a wide array of emotions that make you feel for her character that will make you feel her characters' conflict right up until the end of the film.
Tom Hanks plays Walt Disney. What is truly wonderful about Hanks' performance is that he portrays Disney as a man who gets irritated by Travers, but never angry. Disney is a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to make Travers happy, so that even when he demands, "Get on the horse, Pamela!", he does so in the nicest possible way. There is a beautiful scene where Disney reminisces about giving up the rights to Mickey Mouse, and it is in this scene where he finally realizes the kind of struggle that Travers is going through. This is another landmark performance by Hanks that will go down as one of his best.
John Lee Hancock is the director of Saving Mr. Banks. What Hancock does so well is re-create 1960's Los Angeles as well as Disneyland. Everything looks completely authentic, right down to the premiere of Mary Poppins. I also love the way the flashbacks are used in this film. For me personally, flashbacks in movies can be annoying. However, in this film there are certain things that remind Travers of her tragic past, and then she snaps back to reality. These sequences not only suggest that Travers has not mentally dealt with the ghosts of her past but, from a creative standpoint, they also are done in an original way. I also want to point out that the characters of Travers Goff (Colin Farrell -- in a role that I believe he should have gotten an Oscar nomination for) and Ralph (Paul Giamatti). Ralph is much like Travers Goff in that he sees the good in everything, and does not let anything get him down. I believe this is why P.L. Travers gets along with Ralph so well, and I think this was a brilliant move by Hancock as a filmmaker to make these characters similar in nature.
Even though I have never seen Mary Poppins, Saving Mr. Banks makes me want to see it. This is a wonderful movie that has an extremely emotional core. This is a film that is for everybody, and I highly recommend it.
Monday, January 9, 2017
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Take To The Skies
When you hear the name Tom Cruise, one of the films that automatically comes to mind is Top Gun. This movie is the definition of an 80's summer blockbuster, and has gone on to become an instant classic. I firmly believe that Top Gun should be in every film connoisseurs' collection.
Top Gun is the story of a young pilot in the United States Navy who gets chosen to attend an elite fighter weapons school. What this film does beautifully right from the opening montage is introduce you to the world that you will experience in this film. Top Gun does a wonderful job of getting you excited to watch it just by its' credits sequence alone. I do have to say that I do not consider this movie to be just an ordinary action film for many reasons. Ironically enough, one of those things is the action sequences because of the subtext behind them. You truly get the sense of the kind of danger that fighter pilots bravely, and voluntarily, put themselves into every time they go up in the air. There are also great performances by the actors, and the main character, Maverick (Tom Cruise) has a troubled past that he is attempting to put behind him. As exciting as this film is, there are several plot holes that I need to address. At one point during flight school, Goose (Anthony Edwards) tells Maverick to execute the "Turn and Burn" maneuver to confuse their opponent, Jester (Michael Ironside). However, we then see Jester execute the maneuver first. How did Jester know they were going to execute that maneuver?? Also, how does Maverick know where Charlie (Kelly McGillis) lives even though he has never been to Miramar?? Another thing that bothers me about this film is that at one point in the film, Charlie is instructing the class, and giving performance reviews of the pilots' techniques based on the previous days' competition, except there is one problem: we never actually see that particular competition. Considering how incredible the aerial footage is in this film, I would have loved to see that. Also, why is there no altercation between Iceman (Val Kilmer) and Maverick after Goose dies? Isn't it Iceman's fault that Goose is dead? If Maverick and Goose were as close as the film claims they are, why isn't Maverick more upset about this??? Also, there is a shot in the film of Wolfman (Barry Tubb) calling someone to let them know that Maverick quit Top Gun, but we never actually see this happen. Considering how crucial of a story point this is for the movie, and for Maverick as a character, the film would have had more substance had we actually seen this happen. Also, during the climax of the film, Maverick is at Vipers' (Tom Skerritt) home for advice. Maverick says, "Sorry to bother you on a Sunday", which implies that he called, wrote a letter or something to that effect beforehand to make plans to see Viper. Again, we never actually see this happen. I feel that the story would have flowed more smoothly had a scene like this been included. Am I picking apart this film? Absolutely. Am I being too hard on such a beloved classic? Possibly. The bottom line is that this movie could have been better, but as it stands it is a decent film.
Tom Cruise, in the role that made him a star, plays Maverick. One of the other things this film does very nicely is introduce you to the characters. From the beginning we see that Maverick is cocky and arrogant, and because of this, not many people like him. However, at the same time we see that he is an excellent pilot. Also, the death of Goose is a crucial moment for Maverick as a character because it brings him down to Earth, so to speak. Maverick is hot-headed guy who lives in this fantasy world where nothing can hurt him when he is flying, and Gooses' death brings him back to reality. Cruise is fantastic in the role, playing all of these dimensions in such a well-rounded way. There is also an emotional side to Maverick that Cruise actually plays quite beautifully because he plays it in such a way that we see that Maverick has a vulnerability to him, but at the same time he does not show weakness. This is the role of a lifetime for Cruise that will go down in the annals of film history.
Kelly McGillis plays Charlie. Charlie is very much Mavericks' equal in terms of attitude, and she also offers consolation and encouragement when Maverick hits his low points. She is an intelligent woman who helps Maverick realize the kind of man he wants to be. McGillis shines in a role that, in the hands of a less capable actress, could have come across as just another pretty face.
Tony Scott is the director of Top Gun. First and foremost, the aerial footage in this film is absolutely spectacular. The scene in which Maverick is chasing Viper is particularly exhilarating to watch, and is filled with tension on many levels because you know Maverick has made a mistake in leaving his wingman and is being set up to be taken out, and yet watching him go toe to toe with Viper, the man who flew with Mavericks' father, is extremely exciting. For me personally, it is the mark of a good director to get good performances out of the actors. Scott not only does that, but the chemistry between the actors is great as well which speaks volumes about Scott as a director and the talent of the actors involved.
There are certain movies that come around once in a generation. I would put Top Gun on that list. While I am not in the camp of film fans who love and adore this movie, I do enjoy it. If you enjoy action "blockbuster" kinds of films, I would recommend it.
Top Gun is the story of a young pilot in the United States Navy who gets chosen to attend an elite fighter weapons school. What this film does beautifully right from the opening montage is introduce you to the world that you will experience in this film. Top Gun does a wonderful job of getting you excited to watch it just by its' credits sequence alone. I do have to say that I do not consider this movie to be just an ordinary action film for many reasons. Ironically enough, one of those things is the action sequences because of the subtext behind them. You truly get the sense of the kind of danger that fighter pilots bravely, and voluntarily, put themselves into every time they go up in the air. There are also great performances by the actors, and the main character, Maverick (Tom Cruise) has a troubled past that he is attempting to put behind him. As exciting as this film is, there are several plot holes that I need to address. At one point during flight school, Goose (Anthony Edwards) tells Maverick to execute the "Turn and Burn" maneuver to confuse their opponent, Jester (Michael Ironside). However, we then see Jester execute the maneuver first. How did Jester know they were going to execute that maneuver?? Also, how does Maverick know where Charlie (Kelly McGillis) lives even though he has never been to Miramar?? Another thing that bothers me about this film is that at one point in the film, Charlie is instructing the class, and giving performance reviews of the pilots' techniques based on the previous days' competition, except there is one problem: we never actually see that particular competition. Considering how incredible the aerial footage is in this film, I would have loved to see that. Also, why is there no altercation between Iceman (Val Kilmer) and Maverick after Goose dies? Isn't it Iceman's fault that Goose is dead? If Maverick and Goose were as close as the film claims they are, why isn't Maverick more upset about this??? Also, there is a shot in the film of Wolfman (Barry Tubb) calling someone to let them know that Maverick quit Top Gun, but we never actually see this happen. Considering how crucial of a story point this is for the movie, and for Maverick as a character, the film would have had more substance had we actually seen this happen. Also, during the climax of the film, Maverick is at Vipers' (Tom Skerritt) home for advice. Maverick says, "Sorry to bother you on a Sunday", which implies that he called, wrote a letter or something to that effect beforehand to make plans to see Viper. Again, we never actually see this happen. I feel that the story would have flowed more smoothly had a scene like this been included. Am I picking apart this film? Absolutely. Am I being too hard on such a beloved classic? Possibly. The bottom line is that this movie could have been better, but as it stands it is a decent film.
Tom Cruise, in the role that made him a star, plays Maverick. One of the other things this film does very nicely is introduce you to the characters. From the beginning we see that Maverick is cocky and arrogant, and because of this, not many people like him. However, at the same time we see that he is an excellent pilot. Also, the death of Goose is a crucial moment for Maverick as a character because it brings him down to Earth, so to speak. Maverick is hot-headed guy who lives in this fantasy world where nothing can hurt him when he is flying, and Gooses' death brings him back to reality. Cruise is fantastic in the role, playing all of these dimensions in such a well-rounded way. There is also an emotional side to Maverick that Cruise actually plays quite beautifully because he plays it in such a way that we see that Maverick has a vulnerability to him, but at the same time he does not show weakness. This is the role of a lifetime for Cruise that will go down in the annals of film history.
Kelly McGillis plays Charlie. Charlie is very much Mavericks' equal in terms of attitude, and she also offers consolation and encouragement when Maverick hits his low points. She is an intelligent woman who helps Maverick realize the kind of man he wants to be. McGillis shines in a role that, in the hands of a less capable actress, could have come across as just another pretty face.
Tony Scott is the director of Top Gun. First and foremost, the aerial footage in this film is absolutely spectacular. The scene in which Maverick is chasing Viper is particularly exhilarating to watch, and is filled with tension on many levels because you know Maverick has made a mistake in leaving his wingman and is being set up to be taken out, and yet watching him go toe to toe with Viper, the man who flew with Mavericks' father, is extremely exciting. For me personally, it is the mark of a good director to get good performances out of the actors. Scott not only does that, but the chemistry between the actors is great as well which speaks volumes about Scott as a director and the talent of the actors involved.
There are certain movies that come around once in a generation. I would put Top Gun on that list. While I am not in the camp of film fans who love and adore this movie, I do enjoy it. If you enjoy action "blockbuster" kinds of films, I would recommend it.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
The Gang's All Here
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was the first Kevin Smith film I ever saw. This movie is hilarious and extremely profane, with enough pop culture references to make even a modest nerd go completely bonkers. This may not be Kevin Smiths' best movie, but it is absolutely unforgettable.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is the story of Jay and Silent Bob who decide to stop the movie Bluntman and Chronic from being made. The movie is based off of comic book characters that, in turn, are based on them. However, they did not get any of the profits. While this is an irreverent comedy, there is actually a love story between Jay (Jason Mewes) and Justice (Shannon Elizabeth) that is well put together, and ends up being the heart and soul of the entire film. I also enjoy this film because Jay and Silent Bob step out of their comfort zone of chilling at the Quick Stop, go on a road trip together, and get entangled in all sorts of adventures along the way. Of course, the highlight of the film is when Jay and Silent Bob get into a bongsaber battle with Mark Hamill. We all know how much of a nerd Kevin Smith is, and this scene reaches the highest peaks of geek mountain. All in all, Jay and Silent Bob is pure uncensored fun that is, arguably, Kevin Smiths' most popular film.
Kevin Smith is the director of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. One of the great things that Smith does with this film, as I mentioned before, is the love story. There is a small, and hilarious, heist sequence about halfway through the film that serves as the catalyst for the beginning of Jay and Justices' relationship. This sequence could have easily taken away from the main plot of the film. However, because of the way the sequence is structured, it actually fits quite well within the story as a whole. I also love that this film pokes fun at Smiths' other films, as well as some of the actors' careers. Kevin Smith movies were never meant to be for critics, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is living proof of that.
When Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was released, it was the culmination of Kevin Smiths' entire career. Quite honestly, it still feels like that to this day. If you are a fan of Kevin Smith, you should definitely check this film out.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is the story of Jay and Silent Bob who decide to stop the movie Bluntman and Chronic from being made. The movie is based off of comic book characters that, in turn, are based on them. However, they did not get any of the profits. While this is an irreverent comedy, there is actually a love story between Jay (Jason Mewes) and Justice (Shannon Elizabeth) that is well put together, and ends up being the heart and soul of the entire film. I also enjoy this film because Jay and Silent Bob step out of their comfort zone of chilling at the Quick Stop, go on a road trip together, and get entangled in all sorts of adventures along the way. Of course, the highlight of the film is when Jay and Silent Bob get into a bongsaber battle with Mark Hamill. We all know how much of a nerd Kevin Smith is, and this scene reaches the highest peaks of geek mountain. All in all, Jay and Silent Bob is pure uncensored fun that is, arguably, Kevin Smiths' most popular film.
Kevin Smith is the director of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. One of the great things that Smith does with this film, as I mentioned before, is the love story. There is a small, and hilarious, heist sequence about halfway through the film that serves as the catalyst for the beginning of Jay and Justices' relationship. This sequence could have easily taken away from the main plot of the film. However, because of the way the sequence is structured, it actually fits quite well within the story as a whole. I also love that this film pokes fun at Smiths' other films, as well as some of the actors' careers. Kevin Smith movies were never meant to be for critics, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back is living proof of that.
When Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back was released, it was the culmination of Kevin Smiths' entire career. Quite honestly, it still feels like that to this day. If you are a fan of Kevin Smith, you should definitely check this film out.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Oil Is Thicker Than Blood
There Will Be Blood is an example of a film that lets you escape into the world that the filmmaker has created, and the characters are our guides throughout that world. For me personally, this film was released at a time when I started to get serious about my love of film. This film is a modern American classic on the grandest of scales.
There Will Be Blood is the story of a turn-of-the-century oil tycoon, and his slow descent into madness. One of the major reasons why this film is so brilliant is because the structure of the narrative is extremely character-driven in a deliberate way. There is a reason why there are certain plot holes in the film: it is because Daniel Plainviews' (Daniel Day-Lewis) greed and obsession is more important. This is Plainviews' story, which is exactly the way he would want it. There Will Be Blood has such a carefully crafted screenplay, and when you have the greatest actor of our time breathing life into the dialogue, it is absolutely unforgettable.
Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview. What makes Plainview such a great, and ultimately unlikable, character is that he actually starts out as a decent human being who wants success so he can provide for his family. Then, you start to see that he is actually full of anger and hatred that is ultimately fueled by greed. The scene where Plainview admits his own faults to his "brother" makes you realize that you are not going to be a fan of him by the end of this film. Only "Mr. Method" himself, Daniel Day-Lewis, could have developed this character in the way he was meant to be. Plainview is ruthless, peaceful, aggressive, and calm. Day-Lewis haunts you in every frame, and gives one of the best performances in the history of film.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the director of There Will Be Blood. I mentioned earlier that this film lets you escape into the world that has been created, and it is Andersons' masterful directing that lets you do this. We see sweeping shots of the vast landscape (before and after Plainview has built his oil empire), and we also are shown in great detail how the oil wells work. I also love the final "I drink your milkshake" scene at the end because, even in a generic two-shot, Anderson shows that while Plainview has completely gone down the well of madness (pun intended), he still has as much power over everyone else as he did at the beginning of his career. I also want to point out that there is no dialogue in the film for the first fifteen minutes. Only a director like Paul Thomas Anderson could make a film like that so interesting to watch, and There Will Be Blood is truly a masterpiece.
There Will Be Blood is easily one of the best films in the past decade. This film represents what happens when you get the right actor and the right director involved in a project. If you can handle long films, I promise you that There Will Be Blood is completely worth it.
There Will Be Blood is the story of a turn-of-the-century oil tycoon, and his slow descent into madness. One of the major reasons why this film is so brilliant is because the structure of the narrative is extremely character-driven in a deliberate way. There is a reason why there are certain plot holes in the film: it is because Daniel Plainviews' (Daniel Day-Lewis) greed and obsession is more important. This is Plainviews' story, which is exactly the way he would want it. There Will Be Blood has such a carefully crafted screenplay, and when you have the greatest actor of our time breathing life into the dialogue, it is absolutely unforgettable.
Daniel Day-Lewis plays Daniel Plainview. What makes Plainview such a great, and ultimately unlikable, character is that he actually starts out as a decent human being who wants success so he can provide for his family. Then, you start to see that he is actually full of anger and hatred that is ultimately fueled by greed. The scene where Plainview admits his own faults to his "brother" makes you realize that you are not going to be a fan of him by the end of this film. Only "Mr. Method" himself, Daniel Day-Lewis, could have developed this character in the way he was meant to be. Plainview is ruthless, peaceful, aggressive, and calm. Day-Lewis haunts you in every frame, and gives one of the best performances in the history of film.
Paul Thomas Anderson is the director of There Will Be Blood. I mentioned earlier that this film lets you escape into the world that has been created, and it is Andersons' masterful directing that lets you do this. We see sweeping shots of the vast landscape (before and after Plainview has built his oil empire), and we also are shown in great detail how the oil wells work. I also love the final "I drink your milkshake" scene at the end because, even in a generic two-shot, Anderson shows that while Plainview has completely gone down the well of madness (pun intended), he still has as much power over everyone else as he did at the beginning of his career. I also want to point out that there is no dialogue in the film for the first fifteen minutes. Only a director like Paul Thomas Anderson could make a film like that so interesting to watch, and There Will Be Blood is truly a masterpiece.
There Will Be Blood is easily one of the best films in the past decade. This film represents what happens when you get the right actor and the right director involved in a project. If you can handle long films, I promise you that There Will Be Blood is completely worth it.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Superb Swan Song
The movie Unstoppable will always be a bittersweet film for me personally. Tony Scott was one of my favorite directors, and I am still so deeply heartbroken that he is gone. It is extremely rare when a film-makers' career ends on a high note, but the career of Tony Scott did just that.
Unstoppable is the story of a veteran train engineer and a rookie conductor who must stop a runaway, unmanned freight train that is carrying hazardous chemicals. On paper, one would think that a film like this would be incredibly boring. However, in the legendary hands of Tony Scott, this theoretical snooze-fest becomes an exciting, thrilling adrenaline rush that will leave you gripping the edge of your seat until your knuckles are white. There is also a thematic element at play in this film that comes as a pleasant surprise given Tony Scotts' resume. This film touches on the fact that occasionally the older, more experienced employee gets fired in favor of a young hotshot kid who takes risks and who basically gets the job because of his lineage. This makes for great character moments within this action film. Unstoppable is one of Tony Scotts' better films, if not the best, and it is because every element in the film works perfectly.
Denzel Washington plays Frank. Frank is a seasoned train engineer who is one of the best at what he does. He knows the ins and outs of what his job entails, and what a train is able to do. There is a bitterness to his character as well because he has to break someone in who is eventually going to take his job. The relationship that he has with Will (Chris Pine) is a classic case of age and experience being replaced by youth and ability. However, once the drama in the story starts to unfold, we see that it is necessary for Frank to work with Will in order to succeed. This is a character unlike anybody we have seen Washington play. Frank is very much a reflection of who Denzel Washington is, and this is an authentic performance from one of the best in the business.
Chris Pine plays Will. Will is a flawed character in a classical sense. In his mind, he is ready for the responsibility of being the new rookie conductor. Sometimes he makes the right decisions, and other times he is completely wrong. What I love about this character the most is that we see that he works well under pressure. Once he knows what is at stake and what the risks are, we see that he truly is the man for the job. This also helps develop the relationship between Will and Frank. This is a well-crafted, layered performance by Pine.
Unstoppable is the final film directed by Tony Scott. What drives this film, probably better than any other of Scotts' movies, is the pace. Like any great movie, Unstoppable takes the time to set up the characters first so that you care about what happens to them when the action starts to pick up. In the case of this movie, the character relationships actually work to the actions' benefit. These characters have never experienced anything like this, so as an audience member you feel exactly like they do. It goes without saying that Tony Scott films action sequences like nobody else. The sequence in which a locomotive attempts to pull in front of the train in order to stop it is quite harrowing to watch. It is this combination of character relationships and action sequences that make Unstoppable such a uniquely perfect movie.
Tony Scott was a vastly under-appreciated and under-rated director. His legacy will live on forever simply because of his signature style that he brought to his films. Unstoppable is a fantastic piece of cinema that I highly recommend you see as soon as possible.
Unstoppable is the story of a veteran train engineer and a rookie conductor who must stop a runaway, unmanned freight train that is carrying hazardous chemicals. On paper, one would think that a film like this would be incredibly boring. However, in the legendary hands of Tony Scott, this theoretical snooze-fest becomes an exciting, thrilling adrenaline rush that will leave you gripping the edge of your seat until your knuckles are white. There is also a thematic element at play in this film that comes as a pleasant surprise given Tony Scotts' resume. This film touches on the fact that occasionally the older, more experienced employee gets fired in favor of a young hotshot kid who takes risks and who basically gets the job because of his lineage. This makes for great character moments within this action film. Unstoppable is one of Tony Scotts' better films, if not the best, and it is because every element in the film works perfectly.
Denzel Washington plays Frank. Frank is a seasoned train engineer who is one of the best at what he does. He knows the ins and outs of what his job entails, and what a train is able to do. There is a bitterness to his character as well because he has to break someone in who is eventually going to take his job. The relationship that he has with Will (Chris Pine) is a classic case of age and experience being replaced by youth and ability. However, once the drama in the story starts to unfold, we see that it is necessary for Frank to work with Will in order to succeed. This is a character unlike anybody we have seen Washington play. Frank is very much a reflection of who Denzel Washington is, and this is an authentic performance from one of the best in the business.
Chris Pine plays Will. Will is a flawed character in a classical sense. In his mind, he is ready for the responsibility of being the new rookie conductor. Sometimes he makes the right decisions, and other times he is completely wrong. What I love about this character the most is that we see that he works well under pressure. Once he knows what is at stake and what the risks are, we see that he truly is the man for the job. This also helps develop the relationship between Will and Frank. This is a well-crafted, layered performance by Pine.
Unstoppable is the final film directed by Tony Scott. What drives this film, probably better than any other of Scotts' movies, is the pace. Like any great movie, Unstoppable takes the time to set up the characters first so that you care about what happens to them when the action starts to pick up. In the case of this movie, the character relationships actually work to the actions' benefit. These characters have never experienced anything like this, so as an audience member you feel exactly like they do. It goes without saying that Tony Scott films action sequences like nobody else. The sequence in which a locomotive attempts to pull in front of the train in order to stop it is quite harrowing to watch. It is this combination of character relationships and action sequences that make Unstoppable such a uniquely perfect movie.
Tony Scott was a vastly under-appreciated and under-rated director. His legacy will live on forever simply because of his signature style that he brought to his films. Unstoppable is a fantastic piece of cinema that I highly recommend you see as soon as possible.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Step-Sibling Allies
Step Brothers is a film that I had little interest in prior to watching it. It goes without saying that I am not the biggest Will Ferrell fan (which is ironic because I have seen a few of his films), but I have to say that my good friend Hannah Sutter recommended this movie and I absolutely loved it. Perhaps I am a bigger fan of Will Ferrell than I thought.
Step Brothers is the story of two middle-aged men who are forced to become roommates when their parents get married. What makes this movie so hilarious is that even though Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) are in their forties, they act like eleven year olds. The situations that these two characters get into are quite funny, and at the same time it warms your heart when you start to see them act like adults. There is also an underlying theme in this movie that I would like to mention. At about the halfway point in the movie, the storyline takes a serious turn about why Brennan and Dale act the way they do. It is touched upon that Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) treats her son differently than Dr. Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins) does. Even though this is a brief moment in the film, it makes you wonder about how difficult it is to raise a child who behaves this way. This moment is well-acted by everyone in the scene, and actually adds substance to the film as a whole.
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play Brennan Huff and Dale Doback, respectively. In my opinion, their comedic timing has never been better than it is in this film. I also feel that their banter is better when they are enemies than it is when they are working as a team. The verbal insults that they are able to come up with will you have rolling in laughter until you cannot breathe. Ferrell and Reilly always work well together, and I cannot wait to seem them in another movie.
Adam McKay is the director of Step Brothers. I have always enjoyed McKay's films because, while most of them are comedies, they all feel different. What is special about what he does with this film is that he knows when to dial down the comedy. Yes, there are the big comedic scenes when you are bursting with laughter, but you also have the quieter moments between Ferrell and Reilly where you find yourself giggling under your breath because you want to hear what they have to say to each other and enjoy those moments. The thematic moment in the film is also quite well done because it does not beat you over the head with what it is trying to say. I honestly cannot wait to see what McKay does next with his career.
I am officially a Will Ferrell fan after seeing this film. Step Brothers is a movie that has big laughs, but it also has a big heart. McKay is a director who always knocks it out of the park with the actors he works with, and if you feel the same way I do, then you should definitely check this movie out.
Step Brothers is the story of two middle-aged men who are forced to become roommates when their parents get married. What makes this movie so hilarious is that even though Brennan Huff (Will Ferrell) and Dale Doback (John C. Reilly) are in their forties, they act like eleven year olds. The situations that these two characters get into are quite funny, and at the same time it warms your heart when you start to see them act like adults. There is also an underlying theme in this movie that I would like to mention. At about the halfway point in the movie, the storyline takes a serious turn about why Brennan and Dale act the way they do. It is touched upon that Nancy Huff (Mary Steenburgen) treats her son differently than Dr. Robert Doback (Richard Jenkins) does. Even though this is a brief moment in the film, it makes you wonder about how difficult it is to raise a child who behaves this way. This moment is well-acted by everyone in the scene, and actually adds substance to the film as a whole.
Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly play Brennan Huff and Dale Doback, respectively. In my opinion, their comedic timing has never been better than it is in this film. I also feel that their banter is better when they are enemies than it is when they are working as a team. The verbal insults that they are able to come up with will you have rolling in laughter until you cannot breathe. Ferrell and Reilly always work well together, and I cannot wait to seem them in another movie.
Adam McKay is the director of Step Brothers. I have always enjoyed McKay's films because, while most of them are comedies, they all feel different. What is special about what he does with this film is that he knows when to dial down the comedy. Yes, there are the big comedic scenes when you are bursting with laughter, but you also have the quieter moments between Ferrell and Reilly where you find yourself giggling under your breath because you want to hear what they have to say to each other and enjoy those moments. The thematic moment in the film is also quite well done because it does not beat you over the head with what it is trying to say. I honestly cannot wait to see what McKay does next with his career.
I am officially a Will Ferrell fan after seeing this film. Step Brothers is a movie that has big laughs, but it also has a big heart. McKay is a director who always knocks it out of the park with the actors he works with, and if you feel the same way I do, then you should definitely check this movie out.
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Looking For Love In The Right Place
I have always maintained the opinion that a good romantic comedy can be fun to watch. With both dramatic and comedic elements, these kinds of films are for everybody. While French Kiss is absolutely hilarious, it is also unconventional in an intelligent way.
French Kiss is the story of a woman who flies to France to get her fiance back. She then gets caught up in a thiefs' escapades. There are several moments in French Kiss that set this film apart from typical romantic comedies. Firstly, I love the fact that Luc Teyssier (Kevin Kline) has his own B-story within the A-story involving Kate (Meg Ryan), and it is only because Kate gets involved in Lucs' affaris that Luc and Kate form an attraction between each other. Secondly, there is a point in the film where Kate and Luc part ways. Kate seems hesitant about it, but Luc is completely fine with it. What makes this scenario even better is that Luc has every intention of leaving her alone, and it is only because he needs her help that he reluctantly tracks her down. Also, I love the fact that even though Kate and Luc are two completely different people, they both share something in common in that they would do anything for the thing that they love most. It is because of this commonality that Luc agrees to help Kate get her fiance back. Finally, we learn at the beginning of the film that Kate has a fear of flying, and that she confronts this fear when she flies to France. The end of the movie mirrors the beginning brilliantly because not only do Kate and Luc meet on a plane like they did at the beginning, but Kate has completely gotten over her fear of flying. In all of its vast brilliance, however, this film does have one single solitary flaw. Towards the beginning of the film, Kate and Luc part ways at an airport. Even though Luc has learned what hotel Kate is staying at, we never actually see what happens to him between when he got picked up at the airport and when he arrives at the hotel. However, I must point out that this flaw absolutely does not detract from the enjoyment of the movie. French Kiss is hilarious, heartfelt and, thanks to the performances of the actors, will leave you wanting to watch it again as soon as it is over.
Meg Ryan, the queen of romantic comedies, plays Kate. Ryan delivers her brilliant comedic timing that we have come to expect from her in these movies, but she also displays a strong side to her character in this film that is pleasantly surprising. There is a moment in the film where she has had enough, and goes off on the hotel manager. I enjoyed this moment because it shows Kate is determined to get her way. It is because of the way she plays this character that you not only want Kate to end up with Luc, but you also cheer for her as an individual character.
Kevin Kline is spectacular as Luc Teyssier. While Luc is a rude and judgmental character, he also has a soft spot when it comes to his past and also what he wants to do with his future. Kline displays all of these qualities beautifully, and he will also have you laughing uncontrollably until your sides hurt. There is one important character moment that I must point out. At the end of the film, Luc has every intention of letting Kate get on the plane back to America, but it is because his friend Jean-Paul (Jean Reno) persuades Luc to pursue his true love that he ends up with Kate. I also have to say that Kevin Klines' French accent is damn good.
Lawrence Kasdan is the director of French Kiss. With a movie like this the location that the film takes place in has to be an important part of the story, and Kasdan delivers on all fronts. From the locations to the fashion, France is just as much a character as Luc and Kate are in the telling of this story. Another thing to keep in mind when making romantic comedies is knowing how and when to mix in dramatic moments with the comedy, and what Kasdan does with this film is blend those qualities together better than most romantic comedies I have seen. The chemistry between Ryan and Kline drive the movie and, in terms of the editing, the comedic timing is flawless.
Because of the unpredictability of the story and the performances by the actors, French Kiss is a film that you will endlessly enjoy. It has easily climbed the ranks of my favorite romantic comedies. If you are looking for one of these kinds of films that also avoids the typical cliches, I highly recommend French Kiss.
French Kiss is the story of a woman who flies to France to get her fiance back. She then gets caught up in a thiefs' escapades. There are several moments in French Kiss that set this film apart from typical romantic comedies. Firstly, I love the fact that Luc Teyssier (Kevin Kline) has his own B-story within the A-story involving Kate (Meg Ryan), and it is only because Kate gets involved in Lucs' affaris that Luc and Kate form an attraction between each other. Secondly, there is a point in the film where Kate and Luc part ways. Kate seems hesitant about it, but Luc is completely fine with it. What makes this scenario even better is that Luc has every intention of leaving her alone, and it is only because he needs her help that he reluctantly tracks her down. Also, I love the fact that even though Kate and Luc are two completely different people, they both share something in common in that they would do anything for the thing that they love most. It is because of this commonality that Luc agrees to help Kate get her fiance back. Finally, we learn at the beginning of the film that Kate has a fear of flying, and that she confronts this fear when she flies to France. The end of the movie mirrors the beginning brilliantly because not only do Kate and Luc meet on a plane like they did at the beginning, but Kate has completely gotten over her fear of flying. In all of its vast brilliance, however, this film does have one single solitary flaw. Towards the beginning of the film, Kate and Luc part ways at an airport. Even though Luc has learned what hotel Kate is staying at, we never actually see what happens to him between when he got picked up at the airport and when he arrives at the hotel. However, I must point out that this flaw absolutely does not detract from the enjoyment of the movie. French Kiss is hilarious, heartfelt and, thanks to the performances of the actors, will leave you wanting to watch it again as soon as it is over.
Meg Ryan, the queen of romantic comedies, plays Kate. Ryan delivers her brilliant comedic timing that we have come to expect from her in these movies, but she also displays a strong side to her character in this film that is pleasantly surprising. There is a moment in the film where she has had enough, and goes off on the hotel manager. I enjoyed this moment because it shows Kate is determined to get her way. It is because of the way she plays this character that you not only want Kate to end up with Luc, but you also cheer for her as an individual character.
Kevin Kline is spectacular as Luc Teyssier. While Luc is a rude and judgmental character, he also has a soft spot when it comes to his past and also what he wants to do with his future. Kline displays all of these qualities beautifully, and he will also have you laughing uncontrollably until your sides hurt. There is one important character moment that I must point out. At the end of the film, Luc has every intention of letting Kate get on the plane back to America, but it is because his friend Jean-Paul (Jean Reno) persuades Luc to pursue his true love that he ends up with Kate. I also have to say that Kevin Klines' French accent is damn good.
Lawrence Kasdan is the director of French Kiss. With a movie like this the location that the film takes place in has to be an important part of the story, and Kasdan delivers on all fronts. From the locations to the fashion, France is just as much a character as Luc and Kate are in the telling of this story. Another thing to keep in mind when making romantic comedies is knowing how and when to mix in dramatic moments with the comedy, and what Kasdan does with this film is blend those qualities together better than most romantic comedies I have seen. The chemistry between Ryan and Kline drive the movie and, in terms of the editing, the comedic timing is flawless.
Because of the unpredictability of the story and the performances by the actors, French Kiss is a film that you will endlessly enjoy. It has easily climbed the ranks of my favorite romantic comedies. If you are looking for one of these kinds of films that also avoids the typical cliches, I highly recommend French Kiss.
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