You really can't go wrong with Denzel. And Chris Pine (the guy from the new Star Trek movie) is pretty good too. This one is based on a true story about a runaway train in Pennsylvania that these two "regular heroes" have to run down and stop. Naturally, it is filled with tense/worried action sucking you into the story. I had heard from a lot of people about how good this movie is, so I went in with really high expectations. That's always a problem. But, this movie almost met them. A few parts were a little too cheesy and a few lines were a little too cliche. For instance, towards the end of the movie when they are nearly caught up to the runaway train, Denzel and Pine decide to have a conversation about Pine's marital problems. This conversation is repeatedly interrupted by radio contact with railroad control informing them of the task at hand and how many people will die if they fail. It just felt like an odd time to have that kind of introspective conversation...almost like they forgot they were chasing down a train until some radioed in to remind them. I am getting pretty nitpicky, but oh well.
As I have said before about these movies that are based on true stories, who knows how much of this happened the way the movie portrays it? Either way it's not half bad. B+.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Harry Potter 7
Let me just say that if you liked the other ones you will like this one. I read the books so I feel obligated to see these movies. I haven't loved any of them. Maybe it's because movies always fall short of the book. Or perhaps its because of the 3 main characters only the girl can act...and it seems that time and experience haven't changed that. That being said they are still fun to watch and since I hardly remember anything from the books it is like watching a brand new movie.
Critics seemed to really like this one compared to the others. I tried to figure out why and I still don't know. Also because this is the first half of the finale it feels like nothing really gets accomplished, then again how could it? There isn't much else to say about this one. If you don't like Harry Potter movies don't bother seeing this one because it won't change your mind. But, if you're a fan I think you will enjoy it. I give it a C+ relative to other movies and a B+ relative to the other Potter movies.
Critics seemed to really like this one compared to the others. I tried to figure out why and I still don't know. Also because this is the first half of the finale it feels like nothing really gets accomplished, then again how could it? There isn't much else to say about this one. If you don't like Harry Potter movies don't bother seeing this one because it won't change your mind. But, if you're a fan I think you will enjoy it. I give it a C+ relative to other movies and a B+ relative to the other Potter movies.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
The Muppet Christmas Carol
Seeing as how the Christmas season is fast approaching I thought it appropriate to have at least one post be on a Christmas movie. I won't even pretend to hide my bias on this because after you see the grade I give the muppets you may never cease to mock and scorn me. The Muppet Christmas Carol gets an A! It is, without question, the greatest Christmas movie of all time, runners up being The Grinch and Home Alone. I recognize that the biggest reason I love this movie so much is because it's a childhood favorite and it is hard to combat nostalgia. Nevertheless, I will defend my grade on more objective grounds.
First, Michael Cane is one of the best actors alive and he did a tremendous job as Scrooge. You can't have a good Christmas Carol without a superb Scrooge. Second, the original soundtrack from this movie has some real quality songs and it's no easy task to write original Christmas songs. Third, Gonzo is the narrator and he plays Charles Dickens - tell me that is not the most awesome thing you have heard this week. Fourth and final reason: the Marley brothers are played by the bitter old guys that just make sarcastic jokes about everyone...their names escape me right now, but they are flat out hilarious.
It is a classic story with that muppet humor beautifully intertwined to create a near perfect film. If you never gave this movie a shot before try it out this Christmas season.
First, Michael Cane is one of the best actors alive and he did a tremendous job as Scrooge. You can't have a good Christmas Carol without a superb Scrooge. Second, the original soundtrack from this movie has some real quality songs and it's no easy task to write original Christmas songs. Third, Gonzo is the narrator and he plays Charles Dickens - tell me that is not the most awesome thing you have heard this week. Fourth and final reason: the Marley brothers are played by the bitter old guys that just make sarcastic jokes about everyone...their names escape me right now, but they are flat out hilarious.
It is a classic story with that muppet humor beautifully intertwined to create a near perfect film. If you never gave this movie a shot before try it out this Christmas season.
The Next 3 Days
Russel Crowe makes this movie work. He proves that he can play a regular guy as well as anyone. The story isn't anything terribly original. His wife gets thrown in prison, accused of murder, and he can't wait 20+ years for her to get out. So he does the prep work and study to find a way to break her out. I won't say whether or not he is successful, but it is a suspenseful ride. Lots of critics frowned on it because many of them felt it was too unbelievable and contrived. My argument to that is: Isn't every movie a little too unbelievable?
The point is, this movie did exactly what I wanted it to do. I expected suspense and some anxiety and that's what I got. Like I said before the movie is all Crowe...without him it would probably have been a complete flop. He makes you care and makes you feel worried about the plight of his family. There are only a handful of actors that can take a below average movie and turn it into a decent one (i.e. Tom Hanks, Daniel D. Lewis, Leonardo DeCaprio, Keanu Reaves....hahaha just kidding on that last one). I have given out a lot of B's lately and to mix things up I will give this one a B+. It is worth at least a rental and if not a matinee (in case you are tight on cash).
The point is, this movie did exactly what I wanted it to do. I expected suspense and some anxiety and that's what I got. Like I said before the movie is all Crowe...without him it would probably have been a complete flop. He makes you care and makes you feel worried about the plight of his family. There are only a handful of actors that can take a below average movie and turn it into a decent one (i.e. Tom Hanks, Daniel D. Lewis, Leonardo DeCaprio, Keanu Reaves....hahaha just kidding on that last one). I have given out a lot of B's lately and to mix things up I will give this one a B+. It is worth at least a rental and if not a matinee (in case you are tight on cash).
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Due Date
Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis do a solid job in this crazy road trip comedy. I am actually a pretty big Downey fan and I am not sure why. I just like the roles he takes on and I think he does a great "regular guy." I feel as though I would react the same way and say the same things he does if I were in his character's situation...so I guess I just figured out why I like him :)
Anywhoooo, every couple of years there is a new comedian that everyone wants in their movie. Ever since The Hangover that person has been Zach G. That means he is bound to be in some terrible movies soon, but this is not one of them. Don't get me wrong, it is no Hangover and I think that is where a lot of the critics get it wrong. They compare it to that movie and don't just critique it for what it is. It is meant to be silly, ridiculous, and inappropriate. The humor in it is a little herky jerky and off-beat. In other words the flow is kind of strange and some parts get kind of serious and then turn ridiculous. But, as I am prone to do, I liked it because of its differences. To me it was the same kind of approach taken in The Other Guys with Ferrel and Wahlberg. Two totally different guys that have to work out their differences and we get to watch the hilarity unfold; only this movie actually pulled it off (as opposed to the Other Guys which in my mind was a string of jokes piled together and turned into a screenplay). If you like both these actors you will like this movie. It gets a B...I rarely give out A's. It is one of the funnier movies I have seen in a while.
Anywhoooo, every couple of years there is a new comedian that everyone wants in their movie. Ever since The Hangover that person has been Zach G. That means he is bound to be in some terrible movies soon, but this is not one of them. Don't get me wrong, it is no Hangover and I think that is where a lot of the critics get it wrong. They compare it to that movie and don't just critique it for what it is. It is meant to be silly, ridiculous, and inappropriate. The humor in it is a little herky jerky and off-beat. In other words the flow is kind of strange and some parts get kind of serious and then turn ridiculous. But, as I am prone to do, I liked it because of its differences. To me it was the same kind of approach taken in The Other Guys with Ferrel and Wahlberg. Two totally different guys that have to work out their differences and we get to watch the hilarity unfold; only this movie actually pulled it off (as opposed to the Other Guys which in my mind was a string of jokes piled together and turned into a screenplay). If you like both these actors you will like this movie. It gets a B...I rarely give out A's. It is one of the funnier movies I have seen in a while.
127 Hours
A better story than it is a movie, but still a decent movie. James Franco does a phenomenal job playing Aron, the guy who cut his arm off after being trapped for 127 hours in Canyon Lands, Utah. The story is the real reason I went to see this. This guy has a giant rock land on his hand and he is stuck there with only what he has in his backpack. He is in some deep crevasse where no one can see him. He tries everything he can think of to get out until, desperate for food and water, he cuts his arm off just below the elbow with a dull pocket knife.
Like I said, it is a better story than it is a movie. The director is the guy who directed Slumdog Millionaire and I think he did a good job of making the movie flow well together and giving it continuity and purpose. It is similar to Cast Away in that both involve over an hour of solo acting. Franco is entertaining, genuine, and believable as this goofy, half-crazy guy. I give it a B because it didn't really involve any cinematic excellence or quality...just a crazy true story. One thing I did appreciate is that the movie stayed very true to the real story. It is worth a shot, at least at the Redbox.
Like I said, it is a better story than it is a movie. The director is the guy who directed Slumdog Millionaire and I think he did a good job of making the movie flow well together and giving it continuity and purpose. It is similar to Cast Away in that both involve over an hour of solo acting. Franco is entertaining, genuine, and believable as this goofy, half-crazy guy. I give it a B because it didn't really involve any cinematic excellence or quality...just a crazy true story. One thing I did appreciate is that the movie stayed very true to the real story. It is worth a shot, at least at the Redbox.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Hereafter
Like Invictus this movie left me wanting. The script and the acting were decent and the storyline was pretty good. All of the elements that are usually part of a good movie were there, they just weren't put together in the right way. This is typical for Eastwood, at least recently. To illustrate my point let's talk about Invictus. Great actors (Damon and Freeman) did a great job. The story was true and inspiring, but the movie was boring. It was supposed to be about a rugby team that inspired a nation...but did you ever really feel inspired? During the final rugby match did any of Matt Damon's "C'mon guys, let's win" speeches ever give you goosebumps? Now compare it to other legendary sports hero movies: Remember the Titans, Blind Side, Rocky, even Seabiscuit. All of those movies at least gave you that inspiring moment that made you really experience the story on a personal level. Can you even name anyone on the Rugby team other than Damon's character? How about the coach? How many people even understood what was happening during the last rugby match (outside of people who play rugby)? After leaving Invictus I was tired not inspired.
Eastwood is known in Hollywood for doing movies ahead of schedule and under budget, which normally you would think of as a good thing, but in his case it's not. He often overlooks or completely ignores problems with plot, character development, acting, and mood. With Hereafter the biggest issue was character development and the direction the story took. Without spoiling anything (in case you do see it) certain characters who you think are going to play a major role are just dropped completely and a certain theme (life after death and the common thread in near-death-experience stories) is explored throughout most of the movie and then in the end it is just ignored and it ends up being a love story...essentially. The movie gets a C, which isn't terrible, just average. If you thoroughly enjoyed Invictus you will probably like this movie, but if you are like me and it just didn't do it for you, this movie will likely fall into the same category.
Eastwood is known in Hollywood for doing movies ahead of schedule and under budget, which normally you would think of as a good thing, but in his case it's not. He often overlooks or completely ignores problems with plot, character development, acting, and mood. With Hereafter the biggest issue was character development and the direction the story took. Without spoiling anything (in case you do see it) certain characters who you think are going to play a major role are just dropped completely and a certain theme (life after death and the common thread in near-death-experience stories) is explored throughout most of the movie and then in the end it is just ignored and it ends up being a love story...essentially. The movie gets a C, which isn't terrible, just average. If you thoroughly enjoyed Invictus you will probably like this movie, but if you are like me and it just didn't do it for you, this movie will likely fall into the same category.
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