"In Time" 2011 Directed: Andrew Niccol Starring: Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried
I had been looking forward to this film written and directed by Andrew Niccol, who also wrote and directed "The Truman Show" and "Lord of War." As shown by Niccol's past work you can see that he has the ability to make stellar films but also films that had potential but were simply lacking. Unfortunately, "In Time" falls into the later category. The film, specifically the story, had so much potential but when you put it all together there was just something missing. The acting surpassed my expectations, the story was enticing and well written, and the visuals were well thought out. The story is not overly predictable but characters are stereotypical to the point that every action they take has been taken a million times by that same character in every other movie. The film wasn't bad but there were just too many little things wrong to make the film good. My biggest problem is that the story claims to be set in the "near future" but it seems the only technological advance is the time as currency that story is based on. The cars look like old Detroit muscle cars but whine like electric cars and the doors open like 70's Star Trek doors that simply annoy.
Overall: B- The film has a lot of potential and a very intriguing story but has too many little problems to make it good. It is worth a rental or a streaming on Netflix. It just isn't quite worth the $10 for a theater ticket.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
"The Ides of March" and "Real Steel"
"The Ides of March" 2011 R Director: George Clooney Starring: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, and Paul Giamatti
This was a very interesting, be it dark, commentary on the current political state in America. I am purposefully writing this review less than an hour after seeing the film so I do not over think the film. It is hard to explain the feeling I had leaving the film. It was complex yet simplistic, it was hopeful yet dark, and it was character driven and seemed to lack story. To explain my last point, film was wonderfully acted and everyone in the film played their respective character flawlessly. The film felt as though it was just a collection of characters that interacted well together and shined on their own but there was just this feeling that the story wasn't up to the quality of the characters in it. I honestly enjoyed the film. The character development of Ryan Gosling's character alone was worth the ticket price. I don't want to go too deeply into this film because it is one of those films you can talk about it until you are blue in the face but it won't really make sense until experience it for your self. If you see this film please let me know what you think. This is one of those films that demands to be talked about.
Overall: B The film was good. The ending was perfect and if they had done it any other way it probably would have ruined the rest of the film for me. I recommend this film and Clooney fan and anyone in Cincinnati. It was very fun to watch the film and seeing our city on the big screen. Experience it for your self and let me know what you think Clooney is trying to say about America.
"Real Steel" 2011 PG-13 Director: Shawn Levy Starring: Hugh Jackman and Evenegline Lilly
I'm going to cut right to the chase with this film. It is obvious that they spent the entire budget on CGI and Hugh Jackman. The robots are beautiful and Jackman does a great job playing the distant father and washed up boxer. The movie is extremely entertaining. It is simplistic and very predictable but still extremely entertaining. If you go into the film expecting a movie about robot boxing then you will enjoy it. It will be a fun movie to watch but if you wait for the DVD you won't be missing much.
Overall: B Fun movie worth watching.
This was a very interesting, be it dark, commentary on the current political state in America. I am purposefully writing this review less than an hour after seeing the film so I do not over think the film. It is hard to explain the feeling I had leaving the film. It was complex yet simplistic, it was hopeful yet dark, and it was character driven and seemed to lack story. To explain my last point, film was wonderfully acted and everyone in the film played their respective character flawlessly. The film felt as though it was just a collection of characters that interacted well together and shined on their own but there was just this feeling that the story wasn't up to the quality of the characters in it. I honestly enjoyed the film. The character development of Ryan Gosling's character alone was worth the ticket price. I don't want to go too deeply into this film because it is one of those films you can talk about it until you are blue in the face but it won't really make sense until experience it for your self. If you see this film please let me know what you think. This is one of those films that demands to be talked about.
Overall: B The film was good. The ending was perfect and if they had done it any other way it probably would have ruined the rest of the film for me. I recommend this film and Clooney fan and anyone in Cincinnati. It was very fun to watch the film and seeing our city on the big screen. Experience it for your self and let me know what you think Clooney is trying to say about America.
"Real Steel" 2011 PG-13 Director: Shawn Levy Starring: Hugh Jackman and Evenegline Lilly
I'm going to cut right to the chase with this film. It is obvious that they spent the entire budget on CGI and Hugh Jackman. The robots are beautiful and Jackman does a great job playing the distant father and washed up boxer. The movie is extremely entertaining. It is simplistic and very predictable but still extremely entertaining. If you go into the film expecting a movie about robot boxing then you will enjoy it. It will be a fun movie to watch but if you wait for the DVD you won't be missing much.
Overall: B Fun movie worth watching.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
"50/50"
"50/50" 2011 R Director: Jonathan Levine Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen
This film was everything I expected it to be and more. The story of a 27 year old man who finds out he has cancer and his reaction to that news. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam the 27 year old with cancer, a terrible girlfriend, an immature friend, and an over protective mother. The film handles all of these aspects extremely well. Gordon-Levitt's character is the focus of the film and it does an extremely good job of balancing all the sides characters and their interaction with Adam and his cancer. The acting is the high point of this film. Each actor plays their respective character extremely well. And their reactions to Adam's cancer is believable and natural. None of the performances feel forced and the actors all interact well together. The film shows the dramatic nature of a young person having cancer but at the same time has many humorous situations. It intigrates tragedy and comedy very well and the humor does not feel forced and it doesn't take away from the story.
Overall: A- This film is extremely well done and it is very humorous. I recommend this film to everyone it is very good. I saw the film with a friend who has had a young family member suffer from cancer and he has assured me that the film handles the situation very well and very naturally. So, if you have any reservation do not worry about the characters being unnatural. This film is excellent I enjoyed it very much.
This film was everything I expected it to be and more. The story of a 27 year old man who finds out he has cancer and his reaction to that news. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Adam the 27 year old with cancer, a terrible girlfriend, an immature friend, and an over protective mother. The film handles all of these aspects extremely well. Gordon-Levitt's character is the focus of the film and it does an extremely good job of balancing all the sides characters and their interaction with Adam and his cancer. The acting is the high point of this film. Each actor plays their respective character extremely well. And their reactions to Adam's cancer is believable and natural. None of the performances feel forced and the actors all interact well together. The film shows the dramatic nature of a young person having cancer but at the same time has many humorous situations. It intigrates tragedy and comedy very well and the humor does not feel forced and it doesn't take away from the story.
Overall: A- This film is extremely well done and it is very humorous. I recommend this film to everyone it is very good. I saw the film with a friend who has had a young family member suffer from cancer and he has assured me that the film handles the situation very well and very naturally. So, if you have any reservation do not worry about the characters being unnatural. This film is excellent I enjoyed it very much.
Monday, September 26, 2011
"Everything Must Go" "Moneyball"
"Everything Must Go" (2010) Director: Dan Rush Starring: Will Ferrel, Rebecca Hall and Christopher J. Wallace
This was a very interesting film. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn't completely sold on the writing. There were times in the film where I felt that Ferrel was acting the scene well but the words he was given did not do the situation justice. I am going to have to watch this film a few more times to be able to form a more concrete opinion about the writing. I am positive about one thing and that is that Christopher Jordan Wallace (Notorious B.I.G's son) has a very bright acting career ahead of him. Wallace is not only able to go stride for stride with Ferrel in that very dry and sarcastic humor throughout the film but is also able to hold his own in the very emotional scenes. Ferrel does an acceptable job in this film. He did a wonderful job playing the alcoholic who's life has just been thrown out onto his front yard, but he has trouble with the darker scenes where his character displays the darker side of alcoholism. Most notably in a scene where Ferrel and Rebecca Hall's characters get into a late night argument about Ferrel's life and Hall's absent husband.
Overall: B- The acting is good; not great but good. If the story sounds interesting to you then it is worth watching. I recommend this film to any Will Ferrel fan. This films shows that Ferrel has range in his acting ability and should not be defined by his early comedy work. His comedic timing is spot on in this film but he as handles the more dramatic scenes fairly well.
"Moneyball" PG-13 Director: Bennett Miller Writer: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Brad Pitt and Johan Hill
This fill was really well done in every way. I will start this article off with getting my bias out of the way; there is not a baseball film I don't like. Moneyball is beautifully made. It takes the words or Sorkin and allows them to tell the story without one element out shining the rest. The story is flawless, the directing is simply superb, and the acting seamlessly flows together. Pitt did a wonderful job (for a guy who doesn't know anything about baseball) but, I was most surprised by Johan Hill's great performance. I have enjoyed Hill in a lot of comedies but I was very worried about him in this more "adult" role. Hill was able to go toe-to-toe with Pitt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. There isn't much to say about this film other than it is wonderful example of good acting combined with a well written story.
Overall: A. This is a great film and if you like baseball go see the film. I have nothing bad to say about this film. Just go see it.
This was a very interesting film. I really enjoyed the story but I wasn't completely sold on the writing. There were times in the film where I felt that Ferrel was acting the scene well but the words he was given did not do the situation justice. I am going to have to watch this film a few more times to be able to form a more concrete opinion about the writing. I am positive about one thing and that is that Christopher Jordan Wallace (Notorious B.I.G's son) has a very bright acting career ahead of him. Wallace is not only able to go stride for stride with Ferrel in that very dry and sarcastic humor throughout the film but is also able to hold his own in the very emotional scenes. Ferrel does an acceptable job in this film. He did a wonderful job playing the alcoholic who's life has just been thrown out onto his front yard, but he has trouble with the darker scenes where his character displays the darker side of alcoholism. Most notably in a scene where Ferrel and Rebecca Hall's characters get into a late night argument about Ferrel's life and Hall's absent husband.
Overall: B- The acting is good; not great but good. If the story sounds interesting to you then it is worth watching. I recommend this film to any Will Ferrel fan. This films shows that Ferrel has range in his acting ability and should not be defined by his early comedy work. His comedic timing is spot on in this film but he as handles the more dramatic scenes fairly well.
"Moneyball" PG-13 Director: Bennett Miller Writer: Aaron Sorkin Starring: Brad Pitt and Johan Hill
This fill was really well done in every way. I will start this article off with getting my bias out of the way; there is not a baseball film I don't like. Moneyball is beautifully made. It takes the words or Sorkin and allows them to tell the story without one element out shining the rest. The story is flawless, the directing is simply superb, and the acting seamlessly flows together. Pitt did a wonderful job (for a guy who doesn't know anything about baseball) but, I was most surprised by Johan Hill's great performance. I have enjoyed Hill in a lot of comedies but I was very worried about him in this more "adult" role. Hill was able to go toe-to-toe with Pitt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. There isn't much to say about this film other than it is wonderful example of good acting combined with a well written story.
Overall: A. This is a great film and if you like baseball go see the film. I have nothing bad to say about this film. Just go see it.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" and "Warrior"
"Exit Through the Gift Shop" R 2010 Director: Bansky Starring: Bansky, and Thierry Guetta
I don't have much to say about this documentary. It is an interesting film about the underground world of street art. If you are a fan of graffiti this is worth watching. My major complaint is with Bansky himself because the entire movie he is in his mask talking with a computer voice. Personally I found that off putting but overall doesn't detract from the film too much.
Overall: B+ The documentary is well made and Bansky does a really good job of tell the story and keeping the audience interested. I recommend the film to art fans and people who are enjoy films about underground counter-culture.
"Warrior" PG-13 2011 Director: Gavin O'Connor Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton
I loved this film. It was a everything a good MMA movie should be and it had a way of keeping the old sports movie storyline interesting. From the trailer you know that the two brother make it to the finals of the tournament and then entire film I couldn't figure out how they were going to handle that how are they going to make one brother defeat the other, without giving away anything, I feel they did a perfect job handling this very delicate story point. It is obvious that Hollywood loves Tom Hardy, and he does a great job in this film, but Joel Edgerton did an absolutely superb job and in my humble opinion out shined the rest of the cast. The acting overall is the best part of this film. The story is able to walk that thin line between happy ending without being cheesy and unbelievable.
Overall: A- I recommend this film to any fan of MMA and sports movies. Simple as that. If you are a fan of either of those you will enjoy this film and you should support the work of the smaller production companies.
I don't have much to say about this documentary. It is an interesting film about the underground world of street art. If you are a fan of graffiti this is worth watching. My major complaint is with Bansky himself because the entire movie he is in his mask talking with a computer voice. Personally I found that off putting but overall doesn't detract from the film too much.
Overall: B+ The documentary is well made and Bansky does a really good job of tell the story and keeping the audience interested. I recommend the film to art fans and people who are enjoy films about underground counter-culture.
"Warrior" PG-13 2011 Director: Gavin O'Connor Starring: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte and Joel Edgerton
I loved this film. It was a everything a good MMA movie should be and it had a way of keeping the old sports movie storyline interesting. From the trailer you know that the two brother make it to the finals of the tournament and then entire film I couldn't figure out how they were going to handle that how are they going to make one brother defeat the other, without giving away anything, I feel they did a perfect job handling this very delicate story point. It is obvious that Hollywood loves Tom Hardy, and he does a great job in this film, but Joel Edgerton did an absolutely superb job and in my humble opinion out shined the rest of the cast. The acting overall is the best part of this film. The story is able to walk that thin line between happy ending without being cheesy and unbelievable.
Overall: A- I recommend this film to any fan of MMA and sports movies. Simple as that. If you are a fan of either of those you will enjoy this film and you should support the work of the smaller production companies.
Monday, August 29, 2011
"Our Idiot Brother" and "30 Minutes or Less"
"Our Idiot Brother"(2011) R Director: Jesse Peretez Staring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, and Zooey Deschanel
I saw this film last week as part of a much needed Friday night double feature. "Our Idiot Brother" is very much a comedy but I did not find myself laugh out loud as much as other comedies I have seen. That being said, this movie is extremely funny. Paul Rudd does a wonderful job in this film, the rest of the cast does a good job as well but the humor is dominated by Rudd and he does a excellent job of playing the character without acting too stupid and without alienating the audience. Rudd plays the character so that he is not really an idiot, but a person who trusts everyone and is often put into situations where miscommunications and misunderstands get him into trouble. I have no major complaints about this film other than I am normal a very big Elizabeth Banks fan, however in this film I feel her character did not let her natural comedic talent shine.
Overall: B This film is humorous and the entire cast does a good job. I recommend this film to anyone who like heart warming comedies with family relationships as the main source of comedic material. My only warning would be that if you are not a fan of Paul Rudd do not see the film because every part of this movie feels like a Paul Rudd film.
"30 Minutes or Less" (2011) R Director: Ruben Fleischer Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, and Nick Swardson
This film is exactly what it seems to be from the trailer, a stupid comedy that gets it's laughs from outrageous situations and dialogue. In general, this genre of comedy is very hit or miss in my opinion. Comedies like "Stepbrothers" were able to do it well and make me laugh for most of the film even though I was only laughing at the unbelievable things I was seeing and hearing. However, this film was not able to do it well. I did laugh during the movie and I don't feel like I wasted 80 minutes of my life (yes, the film is only 80 minutes long). But, there were many times where I did not laugh for 10-15 minutes periods, even though the film was constantly trying to be funny. I feel the films writing was its own downfall. There were too many jokes. I felt I was being hit over the head with the same tired joke. My biggest complaint being that unfortunately the funniest jokes in the film were in the trailer.
Overall C+ This film is funny at times but is not very well done and being only 80 minutes it is over just as it begins. The film is worth watching if you are a fan of these types of comedies. However, it is not worth a $10 ticket. My advice wait for the DVD.
I saw this film last week as part of a much needed Friday night double feature. "Our Idiot Brother" is very much a comedy but I did not find myself laugh out loud as much as other comedies I have seen. That being said, this movie is extremely funny. Paul Rudd does a wonderful job in this film, the rest of the cast does a good job as well but the humor is dominated by Rudd and he does a excellent job of playing the character without acting too stupid and without alienating the audience. Rudd plays the character so that he is not really an idiot, but a person who trusts everyone and is often put into situations where miscommunications and misunderstands get him into trouble. I have no major complaints about this film other than I am normal a very big Elizabeth Banks fan, however in this film I feel her character did not let her natural comedic talent shine.
Overall: B This film is humorous and the entire cast does a good job. I recommend this film to anyone who like heart warming comedies with family relationships as the main source of comedic material. My only warning would be that if you are not a fan of Paul Rudd do not see the film because every part of this movie feels like a Paul Rudd film.
"30 Minutes or Less" (2011) R Director: Ruben Fleischer Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, and Nick Swardson
This film is exactly what it seems to be from the trailer, a stupid comedy that gets it's laughs from outrageous situations and dialogue. In general, this genre of comedy is very hit or miss in my opinion. Comedies like "Stepbrothers" were able to do it well and make me laugh for most of the film even though I was only laughing at the unbelievable things I was seeing and hearing. However, this film was not able to do it well. I did laugh during the movie and I don't feel like I wasted 80 minutes of my life (yes, the film is only 80 minutes long). But, there were many times where I did not laugh for 10-15 minutes periods, even though the film was constantly trying to be funny. I feel the films writing was its own downfall. There were too many jokes. I felt I was being hit over the head with the same tired joke. My biggest complaint being that unfortunately the funniest jokes in the film were in the trailer.
Overall C+ This film is funny at times but is not very well done and being only 80 minutes it is over just as it begins. The film is worth watching if you are a fan of these types of comedies. However, it is not worth a $10 ticket. My advice wait for the DVD.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Return from the dead with: The Help and North by Northwest
It has been nearly a year since my last post but I had a busy and interesting past 11 months and now seems like a good of time as any to start back up. I have also adapted a new style of reviewing. I am going to do just a short 150-300 word review of my main thoughts of the film and who I recommend should see it. So enough talk and on to the films.
The Help. (2011) PG-13 Director: Tate Taylor Staring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard
My Mom and I saw this movie this weekend. This movie was not a lot, unlike most other "Hollywood Summer Movies," but the advertising campaign I saw did not try to appeal to anyone other than those that read the novel. I say this because I think the advertising campaign did not do the film justice. The film was smart, witty, and beautiful. I have not read the novel, but my mother has. From what she tells me the story followed the novel well just left some things out. This film was well acted, well directed, and well written. I was laughing most of film and so was the entire theater. This film was able to transport the audiance into 1950's Mississippi. You felt the character's love, heartache, fear, and resentment. Emma Stone is young and while she may not quiet be a phemoninal actress this film shows that she is well on her way. Viola Davis does not disappoint as always and Octavia Spencer is able to walk the tricky line of being the comic relief while still being a believe character for the time period. And make one heck of a chocolate pie.
Overall: A- Everything in this film was well done the my only complante would be that this film was 2 and 1/2 hours and while I was never bored watching it I could tell that the film was a long one. I would recommend this film to anyone who can appreciate good story and good acting. The only people I would tell to not see it are the action junkies and college comedy fans who cannot appreciate any other films.
North by Northwest. (1959) NR Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason
This film is a wonderful example of a Hitchcock film and in my humble opinion Cary Grant's best performance. I don't have much to say about this film other than I enjoyed every aspect of it. The acting was spot on, Grant's dry wit is complemented well by Saint's classical performance of the "Hitchcock woman." My favorite aspect of the film is Hitchcock's use of music. He knows exactly when a sequence needs music and when adding music actually takes away from the suspense of the scene. For instance the famous scene where Grant's character is being chased by a crop dusting plane there is not music. The only thing you can hear is Grant's breathing and the plane's engine. This genisus is seen throughout the film and make it a absolute must-see and classic.
Overall: A+ I love this film. Everything about it is wonderful and it is entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this film to everyone. I don't care what your taste in movies is just watch this film it is one of those films that everyone should watch at least once.
The Help. (2011) PG-13 Director: Tate Taylor Staring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, and Bryce Dallas Howard
My Mom and I saw this movie this weekend. This movie was not a lot, unlike most other "Hollywood Summer Movies," but the advertising campaign I saw did not try to appeal to anyone other than those that read the novel. I say this because I think the advertising campaign did not do the film justice. The film was smart, witty, and beautiful. I have not read the novel, but my mother has. From what she tells me the story followed the novel well just left some things out. This film was well acted, well directed, and well written. I was laughing most of film and so was the entire theater. This film was able to transport the audiance into 1950's Mississippi. You felt the character's love, heartache, fear, and resentment. Emma Stone is young and while she may not quiet be a phemoninal actress this film shows that she is well on her way. Viola Davis does not disappoint as always and Octavia Spencer is able to walk the tricky line of being the comic relief while still being a believe character for the time period. And make one heck of a chocolate pie.
Overall: A- Everything in this film was well done the my only complante would be that this film was 2 and 1/2 hours and while I was never bored watching it I could tell that the film was a long one. I would recommend this film to anyone who can appreciate good story and good acting. The only people I would tell to not see it are the action junkies and college comedy fans who cannot appreciate any other films.
North by Northwest. (1959) NR Director: Alfred Hitchcock Starring: Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, and James Mason
This film is a wonderful example of a Hitchcock film and in my humble opinion Cary Grant's best performance. I don't have much to say about this film other than I enjoyed every aspect of it. The acting was spot on, Grant's dry wit is complemented well by Saint's classical performance of the "Hitchcock woman." My favorite aspect of the film is Hitchcock's use of music. He knows exactly when a sequence needs music and when adding music actually takes away from the suspense of the scene. For instance the famous scene where Grant's character is being chased by a crop dusting plane there is not music. The only thing you can hear is Grant's breathing and the plane's engine. This genisus is seen throughout the film and make it a absolute must-see and classic.
Overall: A+ I love this film. Everything about it is wonderful and it is entertaining from start to finish. I recommend this film to everyone. I don't care what your taste in movies is just watch this film it is one of those films that everyone should watch at least once.
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