Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Ides of March
Politics are ruthless. I'm sure you've heard or seen that before as you watch your CNN, your Fox News, your BBC, your MSNBC, or your local news channel. This is especially true with the election or perhaps re-election coming up. A country sharply divided. Republicans. Democrats. Reds. Blues. Elephants. Donkeys. Conservative. Liberal.
Sometimes it can destroy us. It can destroy our relationships with people. Politics. Beliefs. This is what is at the core of this film. It has a political background, sure, but it does not necessarily preach the opinions or beliefs of the actors or filmmakers behind it.
Yes, if you are Republican, the idea of watching a movie based on the campaign of a Democrat is not very inviting, but hold on a minute before you grab your torch or pitchfork. I promise you that this is a film for everyone. As I said, the backdrop is political, but the movie is about loyalty, human nature, and, most importantly, what one is willing to do to get to the top.
In the special features, George Clooney, who is both the director and one of the principal actors, mentions that Paul Giammatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman, two of Hollywood's modern greats, have never actually been in a movie together, let alone a scene. Not only is it exciting to see this grand moment in film history, but it is well worth it. Both actors, who are phenomenal in their own right, make their scenes stand out, especially when they are on screen together.
With the two heavyweights of film out of the way, and George Clooney, needless to say, is great, too, I think it only appropriate to give the leading man the attention and respect he deserves. Ryan Gosling is wonderful as an actor in general, but this film especially. Not only is he the glue to the film, but he is also the lightning, for he is, without a doubt, electrifying, and I apologize for using clichés, but they are more than adequate a way of describing him.
The film in its entirety is good. Not George Clooney's best, but it is certainly good. Whatever your political leanings or the political leanings of family and friends, you should watch this movie just so you can have something to talk about that is about politics, while at the same time it isn't.
REVIEW RATING:
Sometimes it can destroy us. It can destroy our relationships with people. Politics. Beliefs. This is what is at the core of this film. It has a political background, sure, but it does not necessarily preach the opinions or beliefs of the actors or filmmakers behind it.
Yes, if you are Republican, the idea of watching a movie based on the campaign of a Democrat is not very inviting, but hold on a minute before you grab your torch or pitchfork. I promise you that this is a film for everyone. As I said, the backdrop is political, but the movie is about loyalty, human nature, and, most importantly, what one is willing to do to get to the top.
In the special features, George Clooney, who is both the director and one of the principal actors, mentions that Paul Giammatti and Philip Seymour Hoffman, two of Hollywood's modern greats, have never actually been in a movie together, let alone a scene. Not only is it exciting to see this grand moment in film history, but it is well worth it. Both actors, who are phenomenal in their own right, make their scenes stand out, especially when they are on screen together.
With the two heavyweights of film out of the way, and George Clooney, needless to say, is great, too, I think it only appropriate to give the leading man the attention and respect he deserves. Ryan Gosling is wonderful as an actor in general, but this film especially. Not only is he the glue to the film, but he is also the lightning, for he is, without a doubt, electrifying, and I apologize for using clichés, but they are more than adequate a way of describing him.
The film in its entirety is good. Not George Clooney's best, but it is certainly good. Whatever your political leanings or the political leanings of family and friends, you should watch this movie just so you can have something to talk about that is about politics, while at the same time it isn't.
"The Ides of March" is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
Mystic River
Clint Eastwood is the man. I know this review seems very similar to the previous one, but there's a reason for it. This movie is based on a novel by the same man who wrote "Gone Baby Gone", which was also adapted into film, as you may have noticed based on the previous review. Not to mention the setting is the same, being Boston, Massachusetts, and all surrounding areas. So, yes, I'll start the review similarly by talking about the director who, once again, is also an actor: Clint Eastwood is amazing as an actor and as a director.
And as a composer, as it would so seem. This film is pretty good, but what surprised me the most is the amount of effort the director put into this film. Not to mention the superb choices in actors and actresses he chose for it. Not a single actor has given me cause for complaint.
All that effort certainly paid off, as both Sean Penn and Tim Robbins won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards at the 2003 Oscars, respectively. Well deserved, in my opinion, especially by Sean Penn who, to use a cliché, is absolutely mesmerizing. Whenever he is on screen, the viewer's eyes never leave him, and for good reason, too. The only chance they might is if Tim Robbins is in the scene, and even then it is moviemaking and acting at its finest as these two unstoppable forces are constantly competing and contributing for amazing scenes together.
The film is not perfect, however, despite all the praise I have given it. Unlike its spiritual cousin in film "Gone Baby Gone", I was not always wrapped up in the film. The intricacies of the latter film are just too enticing to not fall into. This is not the film's fault so much as the writing, but it is noteworthy, still. Even though the emotional scenes are absolutely heart wrenching, the rest of the film that makes up the time between emotional scenes, Sean Penn scenes, Tim Robbins scenes, or any combination of the three is just not that interesting.
Still, this is another worthy film to own, along with watch. Just make sure you watch "Gone Baby Gone" second so that it stands a chance.
"Mystic River" is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
And as a composer, as it would so seem. This film is pretty good, but what surprised me the most is the amount of effort the director put into this film. Not to mention the superb choices in actors and actresses he chose for it. Not a single actor has given me cause for complaint.
All that effort certainly paid off, as both Sean Penn and Tim Robbins won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards at the 2003 Oscars, respectively. Well deserved, in my opinion, especially by Sean Penn who, to use a cliché, is absolutely mesmerizing. Whenever he is on screen, the viewer's eyes never leave him, and for good reason, too. The only chance they might is if Tim Robbins is in the scene, and even then it is moviemaking and acting at its finest as these two unstoppable forces are constantly competing and contributing for amazing scenes together.
The film is not perfect, however, despite all the praise I have given it. Unlike its spiritual cousin in film "Gone Baby Gone", I was not always wrapped up in the film. The intricacies of the latter film are just too enticing to not fall into. This is not the film's fault so much as the writing, but it is noteworthy, still. Even though the emotional scenes are absolutely heart wrenching, the rest of the film that makes up the time between emotional scenes, Sean Penn scenes, Tim Robbins scenes, or any combination of the three is just not that interesting.
Still, this is another worthy film to own, along with watch. Just make sure you watch "Gone Baby Gone" second so that it stands a chance.
"Mystic River" is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Gone Baby Gone
Ben Affleck is not the greatest actor in the world. I want to admit my opinion of him right from the start. I can count on one hand the roles I actually enjoyed seeing him on screen. They're probably the obvious ones: "Good Will Hunting", "Daredevil" (yes, I thought he did a good job, despite the movie's imperfections), "Bounce", "The Town"...that's pretty much it. And he's starred in so many more movies than those four. So, yeah, Ben and I don't see eye to eye.
Having said all of that, Ben Affleck the DIRECTOR is phenomenal. As mentioned before, "The Town" which was directed by Mr. Affleck and starring the director, is an amazing heist movie. Not to mention it brought the world's attention to an awesome actor: Jeremy Renner. But I digress, for "The Town" is, indeed, a good movie...but it isn't Ben Affleck's directorial debut. That title is held by "Gone Baby Gone", and trust me, it's just as good as "The Town".
"Gone Baby Gone" is about this couple who are also partners in a private investigation business in Boston that they are the sole members of: Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angela Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan). One day, they get called upon to assist the Boston Police Department in finding a missing child. They receive assistance from Police Chief Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman) and the two chief investigators of the case that are in the Police, Remy Bressant and Nick Poole (Ed Harris and John Ashton, respectively).
Despite the difficulties the case presents, such as a druggie for a mother of the missing child (Amy Ryan), the young couple and the police get closer and closer to finding out the truth. But the closer they get, Kenzie and Gennaro soon find out that not everything is as it seems.
Ed Harris easily steals every scene he is in. Easily. In a film with Morgan Freeman in it, when another actor besides Morgan Freeman is the best performer, you know a great job when you see it. Of note in this film, though, is Casey Affleck, the director's younger brother. Mostly known as one of the getaway driver twin in "Ocean's Eleven", "Ocean's Twelve", "Ocean's Thirteen", and as one of Matt Damon's buddies in "Good Will Hunting", Casey Affleck is often a character actor and a supporting actor, but hardly is he given the lead role. By the film's end, however, you will realize just how vital it was that Casey Affleck was the lead, and not someone else, someone "bigger". Casey was perfect, and his performance was certainly up there with Ed Harris'.
Morally ambiguous, philosophically challenging, and demanding debate amongst moviegoers, this film is not only worth viewing, it's worth owning.
"Gone Baby Gone" is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
Having said all of that, Ben Affleck the DIRECTOR is phenomenal. As mentioned before, "The Town" which was directed by Mr. Affleck and starring the director, is an amazing heist movie. Not to mention it brought the world's attention to an awesome actor: Jeremy Renner. But I digress, for "The Town" is, indeed, a good movie...but it isn't Ben Affleck's directorial debut. That title is held by "Gone Baby Gone", and trust me, it's just as good as "The Town".
"Gone Baby Gone" is about this couple who are also partners in a private investigation business in Boston that they are the sole members of: Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck) and Angela Gennaro (Michelle Monaghan). One day, they get called upon to assist the Boston Police Department in finding a missing child. They receive assistance from Police Chief Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman) and the two chief investigators of the case that are in the Police, Remy Bressant and Nick Poole (Ed Harris and John Ashton, respectively).
Despite the difficulties the case presents, such as a druggie for a mother of the missing child (Amy Ryan), the young couple and the police get closer and closer to finding out the truth. But the closer they get, Kenzie and Gennaro soon find out that not everything is as it seems.
Ed Harris easily steals every scene he is in. Easily. In a film with Morgan Freeman in it, when another actor besides Morgan Freeman is the best performer, you know a great job when you see it. Of note in this film, though, is Casey Affleck, the director's younger brother. Mostly known as one of the getaway driver twin in "Ocean's Eleven", "Ocean's Twelve", "Ocean's Thirteen", and as one of Matt Damon's buddies in "Good Will Hunting", Casey Affleck is often a character actor and a supporting actor, but hardly is he given the lead role. By the film's end, however, you will realize just how vital it was that Casey Affleck was the lead, and not someone else, someone "bigger". Casey was perfect, and his performance was certainly up there with Ed Harris'.
Morally ambiguous, philosophically challenging, and demanding debate amongst moviegoers, this film is not only worth viewing, it's worth owning.
"Gone Baby Gone" is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sucker Punch
I must
have been in seventh grade in middle school when I first saw The Matrix. I remember where I watched
it for sure, though: I watched it late one Saturday night with my older brothers
in the living room. Back then, I either didn’t understand or didn’t care about
all the philosophical mumbo jumbo presented in the movie. I mean, I got the
basic gist of it, but I just thought the action was awesome. I remember I
wanted everything to be like The Matrix.
I would even fight my younger brother a là The
Matrix. Now, after re-watching it, I can appreciate the philosophy, the story,
and Keanu Reeves’ God-awful lines on a whole other level.
I didn’t bother watching the The Matrix sequels, but I did openly love Christopher Nolan’s film Inception. I was such an ardent fan of it that when hecklers kept
on calling it a The Matrix rip-off, I
would become adamant and defend it to the death…sort of. I would think,
“They’re completely different!” I still think they are, but I have calmed down
enough to at least acknowledge certain similarities.
It’s because of my acknowledging
those similarities that I was highly anticipating Zack Snyder’s latest action
flick, Sucker Punch. Well, that, and
the fact that I saw a trailer of it with the Silversun Pickups’ song “Panic
Switch” in it, and I thought it looked sick (who isn’t biased anymore?). Naturally, I went on premiere day with my
younger brother. I knew we would have a different experience of the movie, but
I didn’t think it was as drastic as it was.
First off, it was premiere day, and
we went on Friday night to our regular theater. Normally, new
movies would fill up, especially on a Friday night. This was not the case with Sucker
Punch. There were maybe fifty people spread out through the auditorium.
Second, I screwed myself over because I looked at Wikipedia to see what the
critical reception was, and it said, and I quote, “mainly negative.” So I was a
little disheartened before the movie started. Lastly, in the middle of the
movie, my younger brother started laughing at what he said was, “The most
ridiculous movie ever.”
I admit, Sucker Punch was not the greatest movie ever. Not by a long shot. I
will even admit that it isn’t Zack Snyder’s best film…that award is held by 300, followed very, very closely by Watchmen, then the Dawn of the Dead remake, then Sucker
Punch, and then finally Legend of the
Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. It is not a good movie, but it
also is not a bad one. In fact, it has merit.
The general storyline is about this
girl who winds up in an insane asylum in Vermont, and is scheduled to be
lobotomized by the end of the week. One of the doctors uses a different way of
treating the girls while at the same time runs a show with the inmates. The
doctor tries to use music and dancing to help treat the girls. For some reason,
the protagonist has this ability to put anyone watching her dance into a dazed
state, and she enters this other dimension where she has all sorts of crazy
fighting skills. She learns from a friend in one of these dances that she can
escape the asylum if she gets a certain number of items. So she teams up with a
few other inmates and they go through multiple dance sequences and manage to
get the items necessary. Yet one item is missing, and it is the most valuable
one of all: a sacrifice that the protagonist has to make so that escape is
possible.
This is the storyline, but the
imagery and visuals presented in the movie are classic Snyder motifs: slow
motion action scenes, lots and lots of violence, and a plot that doesn’t seem
feasible when presented in physical form, but he somehow makes it work. It
really does feel like watching a videogame, and most of the time, watching
videogames sucks. Videogames are meant to be played. Yet Sucker Punch is a rare instance where I would rather take the back
seat and just enjoy the ride.
Sucker
Punch is out now online and physically in stores.
REVIEW RATING:
★
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