2014 Review Blog
300: Rise of an Empire
Grade: B 07/28/2014
When I saw the original "300" film, I described it as watching a blood-soaked ballet of exquisite beauty. I still feel that way with this lesser, but also excellent sequel. The events of this film are simultaneous to what Leonidas and the Spartans did during the first film, but it follows a Greek Naval Commander vs. the Persian Naval Commander. The slow motion is in full force, the blood is flying, the body parts are severing, and it is all a gorgeous epic to experience. Sullivan Stapleton as Themistocles is great and I think he is better than Gerard Butler in the first film. Eva Green steals the show as Artemisia, the film's main villain. She just drips evil and is more formidable than any character in the first film. "300" was more expertly executed, original, and powerful...but "300: Rise of an Empire" is a well-made, satisfying follow-up.
Grade: B 07/28/2014
When I saw the original "300" film, I described it as watching a blood-soaked ballet of exquisite beauty. I still feel that way with this lesser, but also excellent sequel. The events of this film are simultaneous to what Leonidas and the Spartans did during the first film, but it follows a Greek Naval Commander vs. the Persian Naval Commander. The slow motion is in full force, the blood is flying, the body parts are severing, and it is all a gorgeous epic to experience. Sullivan Stapleton as Themistocles is great and I think he is better than Gerard Butler in the first film. Eva Green steals the show as Artemisia, the film's main villain. She just drips evil and is more formidable than any character in the first film. "300" was more expertly executed, original, and powerful...but "300: Rise of an Empire" is a well-made, satisfying follow-up.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Grade: D+ 09/24/2014
Why oh why can't Hollywood pull off a Spider-Man movie that I really like? I mean...I like the Daredevil movie for god's sake. I was so bored throughout this film and I hated almost every second that Andrew Garfield donned the Spider Suit...which is a huge negative. His banter is totally out of place. Spider-Man is NOT Deadpool. Also...almost the entire time the suit is on, Spider-Man is CGIed...and to such a drastic level that it infuriated me. I soon afterwards put on Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man movie, and the scene where the Green Goblin shows up in Times Square, at the parade, it precisely how it should be done. It's silly...but I felt like there was a superhero present in real space. Also...Jamie Foxx is so terrible as Electro, with no purpose to his mayhem besides "I want people to notice me?" Ugh. The chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone is decent enough, but what a hugely budgeted disaster this movie is. I didn't mind the first movie, but this film makes me completely disinterested in the franchise's future.
Grade: D+ 09/24/2014
Why oh why can't Hollywood pull off a Spider-Man movie that I really like? I mean...I like the Daredevil movie for god's sake. I was so bored throughout this film and I hated almost every second that Andrew Garfield donned the Spider Suit...which is a huge negative. His banter is totally out of place. Spider-Man is NOT Deadpool. Also...almost the entire time the suit is on, Spider-Man is CGIed...and to such a drastic level that it infuriated me. I soon afterwards put on Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man movie, and the scene where the Green Goblin shows up in Times Square, at the parade, it precisely how it should be done. It's silly...but I felt like there was a superhero present in real space. Also...Jamie Foxx is so terrible as Electro, with no purpose to his mayhem besides "I want people to notice me?" Ugh. The chemistry between Garfield and Emma Stone is decent enough, but what a hugely budgeted disaster this movie is. I didn't mind the first movie, but this film makes me completely disinterested in the franchise's future.
Blended
Grade: B-
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore know how to make a romantic comedy together. By no means is this film high art, but it has just enough charm and goofiness to make it acceptable. "The Wedding Singer" and "50 First Dates" are vastly superior, but this movie shows that Adam Sandler CAN still make somewhat likeable movies. It may just be an excuse to put the two stars in an exotic location for a great vacation while shooting a movie...but it has worked before. The movie is sweet and a BIT more mature now that Sandler is getting older...and I certainly appreciated the effort. And I will watch anything that Terry Crews is in...always a riot. A Lot of people started to lose faith when he made "Grown Ups" & "Jack & Jill", but he can still pull off movies like this and "That's My Boy".
Grade: B-
Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore know how to make a romantic comedy together. By no means is this film high art, but it has just enough charm and goofiness to make it acceptable. "The Wedding Singer" and "50 First Dates" are vastly superior, but this movie shows that Adam Sandler CAN still make somewhat likeable movies. It may just be an excuse to put the two stars in an exotic location for a great vacation while shooting a movie...but it has worked before. The movie is sweet and a BIT more mature now that Sandler is getting older...and I certainly appreciated the effort. And I will watch anything that Terry Crews is in...always a riot. A Lot of people started to lose faith when he made "Grown Ups" & "Jack & Jill", but he can still pull off movies like this and "That's My Boy".
Cuban Fury
Grade: B- 08/05/2014
The entirety of success of this film hinges on how much you like Nick Frost. I for one think he is outstanding. I am obsessed with Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy. The story of a loser who used to be a champion salsa dancer, gave it up, but meets a woman as an adult who is a fanatical salsa fan...is all very ordinary and familiar. But if you like Frost, you will enjoy him as he woos Rashida Jones, goes back for lessons with his old teacher, played by Ian McShane, and his hijinks against his main antagonist, Chris O'Dowd. I think it is a misfire to cast O'Dowd as the villain, but he is still funny and enjoyable. Its light-hearted, fun, and silly...but it certainly does suffer from its own unoriginality. You know whats happeneing, what is going to happen, and how it will all be resolved. Without fail. I did smile a lot though.
Grade: B- 08/05/2014
The entirety of success of this film hinges on how much you like Nick Frost. I for one think he is outstanding. I am obsessed with Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy. The story of a loser who used to be a champion salsa dancer, gave it up, but meets a woman as an adult who is a fanatical salsa fan...is all very ordinary and familiar. But if you like Frost, you will enjoy him as he woos Rashida Jones, goes back for lessons with his old teacher, played by Ian McShane, and his hijinks against his main antagonist, Chris O'Dowd. I think it is a misfire to cast O'Dowd as the villain, but he is still funny and enjoyable. Its light-hearted, fun, and silly...but it certainly does suffer from its own unoriginality. You know whats happeneing, what is going to happen, and how it will all be resolved. Without fail. I did smile a lot though.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Grade: A- 07/22/2014
I am amazed by what these filmmakers have accomplished. The first film was a good time, but this approaches being masterful. The effects are so extraordinary, that at no time throughout its runtime, did I think I was looking at anything other than actual animals. Andy Serkis's performance as Cesar is so splendid that he really needs to be recognized come awards season. You know things had to be made well when a genetically advanced ape is riding a horse, shooting guns with both hands, and jumping through a wall of fire...and it is petrifying, when it could have easily been ridiculous. Such a great film and I look forward to the franchise continuing.
Grade: A- 07/22/2014
I am amazed by what these filmmakers have accomplished. The first film was a good time, but this approaches being masterful. The effects are so extraordinary, that at no time throughout its runtime, did I think I was looking at anything other than actual animals. Andy Serkis's performance as Cesar is so splendid that he really needs to be recognized come awards season. You know things had to be made well when a genetically advanced ape is riding a horse, shooting guns with both hands, and jumping through a wall of fire...and it is petrifying, when it could have easily been ridiculous. Such a great film and I look forward to the franchise continuing.
Deliver Us From Evil
Grade: C 10/31/2014
I love me some possession and exorcism horror, and this film is not that terrible...but the filmmakers and actors feel like the story surrounding the possession, the cause of it, and the investigation of it is secondary to things that go bump in the night, makeup effects, and demonic expository language. Director Scott Derrickson can handle the camera well enough and is great at setting the mood, but the entire exercise (and I consider it an exercise rather than a movie) is so one-dimensional. The mystery is that these people ARE possessed instead of HOW they were possessed. I was most interested with the demonic Latin and archaeological glimpses, but it never amounts to much. What remains is a lot of spooky looking people. explained spookily, and all the "power of Christ compels you!" shouting that we've seen a million times. Kept me focused and interested, but it was mostly disappointing.
Grade: C 10/31/2014
I love me some possession and exorcism horror, and this film is not that terrible...but the filmmakers and actors feel like the story surrounding the possession, the cause of it, and the investigation of it is secondary to things that go bump in the night, makeup effects, and demonic expository language. Director Scott Derrickson can handle the camera well enough and is great at setting the mood, but the entire exercise (and I consider it an exercise rather than a movie) is so one-dimensional. The mystery is that these people ARE possessed instead of HOW they were possessed. I was most interested with the demonic Latin and archaeological glimpses, but it never amounts to much. What remains is a lot of spooky looking people. explained spookily, and all the "power of Christ compels you!" shouting that we've seen a million times. Kept me focused and interested, but it was mostly disappointing.
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Grade: B+ 08/22/2014
Wes Anderson is an incredibly gifted and unique filmmaker. At no point in this film, as with his earlier films, did I believe anything was happening in a real world. It is hyperstylized, quirkily paced, and almost wholly ridiculous...but it is also sort of magical. Ralph Fiennes is as good as he has ever been as the concierge of the famous hotel, and the way he delivers his lines is probably the best part of a great film. He spatters his formality with profanity in a way that surprises and delights. The urgency with how he speaks makes it seem like Wes Anderson can't wait to get to the next part...because he is so in love with the movie. Its stagey, absurdist, but completely enjoyable. All of the actors are acting just right for the Wes Anderson style...and I particularly liked Adrien Brody's villainy. If it were any more theatrical...he would have been cackling while twirling a mustache. The Royal Tenenbaums remains my favorite Anderson pic, but this film really gives it a run for the money. So much fun. PS. Desplat's score is suberb and fun. I sat all the way through the credits just to listen to it.
Grade: B+ 08/22/2014
Wes Anderson is an incredibly gifted and unique filmmaker. At no point in this film, as with his earlier films, did I believe anything was happening in a real world. It is hyperstylized, quirkily paced, and almost wholly ridiculous...but it is also sort of magical. Ralph Fiennes is as good as he has ever been as the concierge of the famous hotel, and the way he delivers his lines is probably the best part of a great film. He spatters his formality with profanity in a way that surprises and delights. The urgency with how he speaks makes it seem like Wes Anderson can't wait to get to the next part...because he is so in love with the movie. Its stagey, absurdist, but completely enjoyable. All of the actors are acting just right for the Wes Anderson style...and I particularly liked Adrien Brody's villainy. If it were any more theatrical...he would have been cackling while twirling a mustache. The Royal Tenenbaums remains my favorite Anderson pic, but this film really gives it a run for the money. So much fun. PS. Desplat's score is suberb and fun. I sat all the way through the credits just to listen to it.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Grade: A- 08/05/2014
Marvel and Disney have a zeitgeist property franchise on their hands. Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and even Thor, had some built in fandom and recognition from the lay person. This time around, you can tell that they all said, "What the hell" and they threw absolutely everything they could at the Marvel Cosmic wall and hoped at least some of it would stick. GOTG is a complete success. Embracing absurdity and irreverence was the perfect approach to this material because you can't take a sci-fi movie with talking raccoons and trees in it and have it taken seriously. Chris Pratt is pitch-perfect as Star Lord. Zoe Saldana left a LITTLE to be desired as Gamora, mostly because her counterpart, Karen Gillen's Nebula, completely out shines her. Bradley Cooper's voice-over work is better than anyone would expect for Rocket Raccoon, and Dave Bautista is surprisingly effective as Drax. I just ate up this entire film and it really raises a bar that Star Wars Episode 7 is going to have to reach next year. The Marvel Universe has successfully expanded into to ridiculous fantasy that MOST people enjoy from their comic properties. Soon we will have Ant Man and Doctor Strange, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will pull it off.
Grade: A- 08/05/2014
Marvel and Disney have a zeitgeist property franchise on their hands. Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, and even Thor, had some built in fandom and recognition from the lay person. This time around, you can tell that they all said, "What the hell" and they threw absolutely everything they could at the Marvel Cosmic wall and hoped at least some of it would stick. GOTG is a complete success. Embracing absurdity and irreverence was the perfect approach to this material because you can't take a sci-fi movie with talking raccoons and trees in it and have it taken seriously. Chris Pratt is pitch-perfect as Star Lord. Zoe Saldana left a LITTLE to be desired as Gamora, mostly because her counterpart, Karen Gillen's Nebula, completely out shines her. Bradley Cooper's voice-over work is better than anyone would expect for Rocket Raccoon, and Dave Bautista is surprisingly effective as Drax. I just ate up this entire film and it really raises a bar that Star Wars Episode 7 is going to have to reach next year. The Marvel Universe has successfully expanded into to ridiculous fantasy that MOST people enjoy from their comic properties. Soon we will have Ant Man and Doctor Strange, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will pull it off.
A Haunted House 2
Grade: D 09/24/2014
I barely tolerated the first movie...because I do like Marlon Wayans. But this movie just forgot how to be a comedy. There is so much raunchy, never-ending sex in this film that its just baffling. Acrobatic sex scenes, even when they are with ghosts and puppets and multiple partners...gets old really fast. I couldn't find much in this film to laugh at, other than the confrontations with Gabriel Iglesias's neighbor character. I just sat through the film, getting angrier and angrier that people think this stuff passes as comedy or entertainment. The first movie was fine as a novel parody of the Paranormal Activity phenomenon. This movie doesn't even explain why there are cameras or anything. What a mess.
Grade: D 09/24/2014
I barely tolerated the first movie...because I do like Marlon Wayans. But this movie just forgot how to be a comedy. There is so much raunchy, never-ending sex in this film that its just baffling. Acrobatic sex scenes, even when they are with ghosts and puppets and multiple partners...gets old really fast. I couldn't find much in this film to laugh at, other than the confrontations with Gabriel Iglesias's neighbor character. I just sat through the film, getting angrier and angrier that people think this stuff passes as comedy or entertainment. The first movie was fine as a novel parody of the Paranormal Activity phenomenon. This movie doesn't even explain why there are cameras or anything. What a mess.
Knights of Badassdom
Grade: C- 09/04/2014
This film is a great example of how a movie can lose its way. It involves a bunch of LARPers (Live Action Role-Players) who accidentally summon a real demon while they are "battling". I like the premise, and the silly banter between Ryan Kwanten, Steve Zahn, and Peter Dinklage early on is very entertaining. These are goofball characters, participating in a goofball lifestyle, portrayed in a goofball movie. Then things just fall off a cliff. The film becomes WAY to graphic and violent. It is so uneven in tone that it is distracting. The early scenes set up the movie as a screwball movie like "Club Dread"...but it begins to take itself WAY to seriously. Then the climax is so bad that it angered me. Who on EARTH thought this was a good ending, or even acceptable, or even coherent? There is a half-decent movie somewhere in here...but it totally lost its way. My theory still holds up though...Steve Zahn makes every movie he is in better...just by being in it.
Grade: C- 09/04/2014
This film is a great example of how a movie can lose its way. It involves a bunch of LARPers (Live Action Role-Players) who accidentally summon a real demon while they are "battling". I like the premise, and the silly banter between Ryan Kwanten, Steve Zahn, and Peter Dinklage early on is very entertaining. These are goofball characters, participating in a goofball lifestyle, portrayed in a goofball movie. Then things just fall off a cliff. The film becomes WAY to graphic and violent. It is so uneven in tone that it is distracting. The early scenes set up the movie as a screwball movie like "Club Dread"...but it begins to take itself WAY to seriously. Then the climax is so bad that it angered me. Who on EARTH thought this was a good ending, or even acceptable, or even coherent? There is a half-decent movie somewhere in here...but it totally lost its way. My theory still holds up though...Steve Zahn makes every movie he is in better...just by being in it.
Life Itself
Grade: B+ 07/25/2014
As a lover of movies, LIFE ITSELF is a genuine delight. I have read, followed, and watched Roger Ebert for most of my life, and aligned with his taste more often than not. This isn't a typical biographical documentary however...and it isn't simply about his life as one of the most famous, influential film critics of all time. It is also about his struggles with alcohol and cancer...and the fact that he looked so ohrrible due to his cancer toward the end of his life, was seen as a badge of honor by him and his wife Chaz. To join Roger & Chaz on their journey throughout their life and throughout the making of the documentary is funny, interesting, devastating, and inspirational. You know you have an important man for your film that a few sentences about him would bring someone like Martin Scorsese to near-tears. He meant a lot to a lot of people, and there will never be another one like him.
Grade: B+ 07/25/2014
As a lover of movies, LIFE ITSELF is a genuine delight. I have read, followed, and watched Roger Ebert for most of my life, and aligned with his taste more often than not. This isn't a typical biographical documentary however...and it isn't simply about his life as one of the most famous, influential film critics of all time. It is also about his struggles with alcohol and cancer...and the fact that he looked so ohrrible due to his cancer toward the end of his life, was seen as a badge of honor by him and his wife Chaz. To join Roger & Chaz on their journey throughout their life and throughout the making of the documentary is funny, interesting, devastating, and inspirational. You know you have an important man for your film that a few sentences about him would bring someone like Martin Scorsese to near-tears. He meant a lot to a lot of people, and there will never be another one like him.
Neighbors
Grade: B 10/07/2104
This movie was pretty easy to like. The story of a young couple, Rogen and Rose Byrne, who have great chemistry, who have a new baby and a frat house just moved next door...is simple and relatable enough. The dynamic when Rogen and Efron are butting heads is a great time...and I even really liked Dave Franco's character...who is a bit more down to Earth than Efron, but still a frat boy at heart. The schemes and scenarios keep escalating until I found myself thinking, what will they do next...and that kind of interest is just about enough for a good comedy. Raunchy, violent, but actually a bit realistic...so kudos to good ol Nicholas Stoller for giving us another solid comedy.
Grade: B 10/07/2104
This movie was pretty easy to like. The story of a young couple, Rogen and Rose Byrne, who have great chemistry, who have a new baby and a frat house just moved next door...is simple and relatable enough. The dynamic when Rogen and Efron are butting heads is a great time...and I even really liked Dave Franco's character...who is a bit more down to Earth than Efron, but still a frat boy at heart. The schemes and scenarios keep escalating until I found myself thinking, what will they do next...and that kind of interest is just about enough for a good comedy. Raunchy, violent, but actually a bit realistic...so kudos to good ol Nicholas Stoller for giving us another solid comedy.
Noah
Grade: D 08/18/2014
Boy oh Boy did I hate this movie. The "Noah" fable in the bible is incredibly simple...and thus is this film...and It is even more of a disappointment knowing that it was made by the great Darren Aronofsky. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson have NOTHING to do here...except spout biblically inspired comments and expositions. The special effects are so bad that they make the entire endeavor that much more ridiculous. I don't think having bad-CGI Rock Monsters roaming the grounds around the ark is the best way for people to take your movie seriously. The disaster element is not exciting. And the idea that all man is wicked and all but Noah and his flock should be slaughtered in great flood is constantly undermined by the treatment of people that are obviously innocent. I guess it is inevitable having this opinion coming from someone like me...but "The Creator" really comes across as a brutal thug...no matter how hard the filmmakers and actors try to convince us otherwise. Such a complete and utter disappointment.
Grade: D 08/18/2014
Boy oh Boy did I hate this movie. The "Noah" fable in the bible is incredibly simple...and thus is this film...and It is even more of a disappointment knowing that it was made by the great Darren Aronofsky. Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson have NOTHING to do here...except spout biblically inspired comments and expositions. The special effects are so bad that they make the entire endeavor that much more ridiculous. I don't think having bad-CGI Rock Monsters roaming the grounds around the ark is the best way for people to take your movie seriously. The disaster element is not exciting. And the idea that all man is wicked and all but Noah and his flock should be slaughtered in great flood is constantly undermined by the treatment of people that are obviously innocent. I guess it is inevitable having this opinion coming from someone like me...but "The Creator" really comes across as a brutal thug...no matter how hard the filmmakers and actors try to convince us otherwise. Such a complete and utter disappointment.
Oculus
Grade: C+ 08/15/2014
Im still looking for a good scary movie from the past few years and I haven't quite found it yet. This film, which the presence of Karen Gillen drew me to, is sort of creepy, sort of clever, but completely paced wrong and unfocused. The idea of a sinister, antique mirror that drives its owners insane is fine. The idea that a brother and sister duo have returned to the mirror to destroy it in the most scientific way possible....fine. Even the device of constantly flip-flopping the timeline so we can see the "present" day siblings and the younger versions reliving the original event...also fine. But for some intangible reason, it just doesn't work. The nightmarish visions are there and the atmosphere is solid....it all just adds up to "meh". Disappointing.
Grade: C+ 08/15/2014
Im still looking for a good scary movie from the past few years and I haven't quite found it yet. This film, which the presence of Karen Gillen drew me to, is sort of creepy, sort of clever, but completely paced wrong and unfocused. The idea of a sinister, antique mirror that drives its owners insane is fine. The idea that a brother and sister duo have returned to the mirror to destroy it in the most scientific way possible....fine. Even the device of constantly flip-flopping the timeline so we can see the "present" day siblings and the younger versions reliving the original event...also fine. But for some intangible reason, it just doesn't work. The nightmarish visions are there and the atmosphere is solid....it all just adds up to "meh". Disappointing.
Ouija
Grade: D- 10/31/2014
I didn't expect much, and I got even less. It was inevitable that a movie based on the Ouija board would be released, and I am confident that it could have been effective. This movie is not. Use Board, wake spirit, its mad, scary scary. That's the extant of it...and it is so much more corny than it is scary. I played a little game with my wife choosing a handful of sentences that I was SURE was going to be uttered in this film. They all were. It was completely predictable and flat. There were two scenes that I really thought were creepy...but they resulted in the exact same scare. There just seemed to be NO imagination in this film and it makes me sad. However...I DID have fun with my wife, sister, and best friend as we tore it apart in real time.
Grade: D- 10/31/2014
I didn't expect much, and I got even less. It was inevitable that a movie based on the Ouija board would be released, and I am confident that it could have been effective. This movie is not. Use Board, wake spirit, its mad, scary scary. That's the extant of it...and it is so much more corny than it is scary. I played a little game with my wife choosing a handful of sentences that I was SURE was going to be uttered in this film. They all were. It was completely predictable and flat. There were two scenes that I really thought were creepy...but they resulted in the exact same scare. There just seemed to be NO imagination in this film and it makes me sad. However...I DID have fun with my wife, sister, and best friend as we tore it apart in real time.
The Purge: Anarchy
Grade: B 11/06/2014
This is definitely what I thought the first film should have been. It sets the stage of the "Purge" society as if the first film did not exist. I again explains the time-frame and the rules surrounding the Purge...and then unfolds the night of mayhem through the eyes of innocents and semi-innocents and how they deal with it. It is exciting, gruesome, and has some interesting class warfare ideas that sneak in while simultaneously touching upon "Hostel" style gore. I maintain that I love the concept of a society that allows 12 hours of anarchy, once a year, and it seems to solve most of societal ills. This film definitely handles the concept more thoroughly and entertainingly than the first film, which was more about how WE would react to a society like that...not how THEIR citizens would. Fun stuff. Certainly not high art but it made me hope they have some more stories about this dystopia.
Grade: B 11/06/2014
This is definitely what I thought the first film should have been. It sets the stage of the "Purge" society as if the first film did not exist. I again explains the time-frame and the rules surrounding the Purge...and then unfolds the night of mayhem through the eyes of innocents and semi-innocents and how they deal with it. It is exciting, gruesome, and has some interesting class warfare ideas that sneak in while simultaneously touching upon "Hostel" style gore. I maintain that I love the concept of a society that allows 12 hours of anarchy, once a year, and it seems to solve most of societal ills. This film definitely handles the concept more thoroughly and entertainingly than the first film, which was more about how WE would react to a society like that...not how THEIR citizens would. Fun stuff. Certainly not high art but it made me hope they have some more stories about this dystopia.
The Raid 2
Grade: A 08/31/2014
Here is a perfect example of how I love movies and how I can subjectively rate them and appreciate them. Is this movie better than 2014's Grand Budapest Hotel? Or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes? No...probably not. it is too long and there isn't much character development. However...this is single-handedly the most incredible Martial Arts action film I have ever seen. It make The Matrix look like patty-cake. It makes Zhang Yimou's films look like gorgeous but unrealized attempts. This movie is so relentless, so creative, and so astonishingly choreographed that I consider it amazing cinema. Director Gareth Evans has an unbelievable talent staging his action pieces, one after the other, and he doesn't use editing tricks like a Paul Greengrass does. He relies on his stars' athleticism and he removes a frame here and there to make the moves a BIT more abrupt, but it is hardly noticeable. The mayhem and kills is more surprising than Tarantino's. I just could NOT get enough of this movie. Even after 2.5 hours, I wanted more. How could I not give it an A?
Grade: A 08/31/2014
Here is a perfect example of how I love movies and how I can subjectively rate them and appreciate them. Is this movie better than 2014's Grand Budapest Hotel? Or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes? No...probably not. it is too long and there isn't much character development. However...this is single-handedly the most incredible Martial Arts action film I have ever seen. It make The Matrix look like patty-cake. It makes Zhang Yimou's films look like gorgeous but unrealized attempts. This movie is so relentless, so creative, and so astonishingly choreographed that I consider it amazing cinema. Director Gareth Evans has an unbelievable talent staging his action pieces, one after the other, and he doesn't use editing tricks like a Paul Greengrass does. He relies on his stars' athleticism and he removes a frame here and there to make the moves a BIT more abrupt, but it is hardly noticeable. The mayhem and kills is more surprising than Tarantino's. I just could NOT get enough of this movie. Even after 2.5 hours, I wanted more. How could I not give it an A?
Snowpiercer
Grade: B 09/04/2014
I don't quote get the extraordinary praise that director Bong Joon-Ho gets. I hated "The Host", and this film isn't nearly as good as the reviewers would make you believe. It is great fun, with a great concept, and superb production design...but I found myself unsatisfied when all was said and done. Of course the idea that the last of humanity, after a planet-freezing extinction event, are all huddled into a perpetually powered high-speed train. The sense that there is a caste system that keeps order on the train is fine...and I enjoyed that we are welcomed into the story when the tail-end dwellers are imminently revolting. I just felt that there wasn't enough detail about life on this train. Dirty and eating gelatin protein bars. That's all we get for the revolters. Drugged up, dancing, and keeping the poor people at bay. That's all we get from the front. Its a bit of "Je ne sais quois" about the emptiness of the societal exposition, and the ending is a bit nihilistic. Props to the production design though. Creating each train car as a new environment makes the trip toward the front quite an experience...and I dare to say that Chris Evans has never been better. I also enjoyed Tilda Swinton's over-the-top performance. She takes what Elizabeth Banks does in "The Hunger Games" and makes it more ridiculous. Fun stuff...but this could have been a glorious allegory with a bit more focus.
Grade: B 09/04/2014
I don't quote get the extraordinary praise that director Bong Joon-Ho gets. I hated "The Host", and this film isn't nearly as good as the reviewers would make you believe. It is great fun, with a great concept, and superb production design...but I found myself unsatisfied when all was said and done. Of course the idea that the last of humanity, after a planet-freezing extinction event, are all huddled into a perpetually powered high-speed train. The sense that there is a caste system that keeps order on the train is fine...and I enjoyed that we are welcomed into the story when the tail-end dwellers are imminently revolting. I just felt that there wasn't enough detail about life on this train. Dirty and eating gelatin protein bars. That's all we get for the revolters. Drugged up, dancing, and keeping the poor people at bay. That's all we get from the front. Its a bit of "Je ne sais quois" about the emptiness of the societal exposition, and the ending is a bit nihilistic. Props to the production design though. Creating each train car as a new environment makes the trip toward the front quite an experience...and I dare to say that Chris Evans has never been better. I also enjoyed Tilda Swinton's over-the-top performance. She takes what Elizabeth Banks does in "The Hunger Games" and makes it more ridiculous. Fun stuff...but this could have been a glorious allegory with a bit more focus.
They Came Together
Grade: A- 08/11/2014
I LOVED this movie. It's like a subversive Woody Allen movie where the characters all know they are performing. Sounds annoying, I know...but the plot device is that Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are discussing how they wound up together to their dinner guests, and the Rudd & Poehler characters that we see "act out" these stories are well aware of the absurdities, cliches, and corniness that comes from their romantic comedy-esque meet-cute. The way the jokes come free flowing through the severe romantic comedy cynicism is akin to the height of Zucker brothers, and I could NOT get enough. I was a bit dismayed when David Wait lost a bit of focus to force a few sight gags (the waiter with the pole up his ass gag) that just didn't fit the spirit of the film...but those issues were few and far between. Such a fun time that hits all the right notes.
Grade: A- 08/11/2014
I LOVED this movie. It's like a subversive Woody Allen movie where the characters all know they are performing. Sounds annoying, I know...but the plot device is that Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are discussing how they wound up together to their dinner guests, and the Rudd & Poehler characters that we see "act out" these stories are well aware of the absurdities, cliches, and corniness that comes from their romantic comedy-esque meet-cute. The way the jokes come free flowing through the severe romantic comedy cynicism is akin to the height of Zucker brothers, and I could NOT get enough. I was a bit dismayed when David Wait lost a bit of focus to force a few sight gags (the waiter with the pole up his ass gag) that just didn't fit the spirit of the film...but those issues were few and far between. Such a fun time that hits all the right notes.
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Grade: C 10/07/2014
It has become mainstream to trash Michael Bay and his Transformers franchise. It is a shameless cashgrab by assaulting our senses with geek royalty and shiny things and things that go boom...and they movies are hardly distinguisable from one another...and they hardly ever have any semblance of plot...and they throw in a ridioculous MacGuffin for good measure. However...I have to say...The man does make pretty good looking movies with astonishing special effects. This 3-hr behemoth is WAY too long and overblown, but I found myself just a bit curious as to what I was going to see next. The assembly of new characters, including Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, and TJ Miller...is FAR better than the players in the previous trilogy...so that is a step in the right direction. It is all mayhem and I probably couldn't describe the plot accurately to anyone...but things still go boom in a very professional, gorgeous way. Not a good movie...hardly a movie at all. But there are portions of quality to be found here for sure.
Grade: C 10/07/2014
It has become mainstream to trash Michael Bay and his Transformers franchise. It is a shameless cashgrab by assaulting our senses with geek royalty and shiny things and things that go boom...and they movies are hardly distinguisable from one another...and they hardly ever have any semblance of plot...and they throw in a ridioculous MacGuffin for good measure. However...I have to say...The man does make pretty good looking movies with astonishing special effects. This 3-hr behemoth is WAY too long and overblown, but I found myself just a bit curious as to what I was going to see next. The assembly of new characters, including Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, and TJ Miller...is FAR better than the players in the previous trilogy...so that is a step in the right direction. It is all mayhem and I probably couldn't describe the plot accurately to anyone...but things still go boom in a very professional, gorgeous way. Not a good movie...hardly a movie at all. But there are portions of quality to be found here for sure.