Before I walked into the theater, I thought that "Ted" would be either very good or very bad; it really depends on 1) the writing and 2) how Mark Wahlberg is going to be able to pull this off considering this is not his genre, remember "The Other Guys".
As a result of a childhood Christmas miracle wish, John Bennett's teddy bear, Ted (Seth MacFarlane) comes to life and has been by John's (Wahlberg) side ever since-- a friendship that's tested when Lori Collins (Mila Kunis), John's girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship instead of being the 'third wheel' between John and Ted, who is very crude and inappropriate.
A subplot enters into the film when creepy Donny (Giovanni Ribisi) and his equally creepy son, Robert (Aedin Mincks) decide to kidnap Ted because, since they've heard of him, have been obsessed with owning him.
Others to round out the cast are Joel McHale as Rex, Lori's conceited, woman-chasing boss, Patrick Warburton as Guy, co-worker of John, Matt Walsh as Thomas, Jessica Barth asTami-Lynn, Patrick Stewart as narrator, Norah Jones as herself, Sam J. Jones as himself, and Bretton Manley as young John.
Being his first motion picture, Seth MacFarland ("Family Guy" TV series) helmed a very nice tight little film and was able to manuver his actors seemingly with ease. This was crudely well written by MacFarland, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild in that it was crude, non-PC type humor, but I believe written in a way that was not stupid, but surprising well delineated in its execution. Don't get me wrong, it had a few flaws, but not enough to dwell on. We all know that MacFarland has that tendency to play out the non-PC element in his "Family Guy" show, maybe it's the rebel in him, so it should not be too surprising to see this aspect in "Ted". Com'on, let's face it, Ted is just a cartoon character come to life on the big screen, but with Wahlberg as his co-hort, the vast character differences played off well with each other, and this is writing and chemistry between Ted and John.
I'm sure "Family Guy" is a real kid pleaser of a TV series for kids to watch, however this is really an R rated version of that show, repleat with crude language and humor and some drug use. So, folks, this might be one where you might want to get a sitter for the kiddies and go see this and be prepared to laugh at jokes you may normally not laugh at.
Out of 4 stars: 3 Rated: R 106min.
It's summer! Time for Pixar Animation Studios to release yet another project as to add to those notches on their belts. This time it is another spell-binding production simply titled "Brave". As I've mentioned in other reviews, how do those guys [at Pixar Studios] do it?
Set in Scotland in a rugged and mythical time, "Brave" features Merida (Kelly Macdonald), an aspiring archer and impetuous daughter of the king, Fergus (Billy Connolly) and queen, Elinor (Emma Thompson). Determined to march by the beat of her own drum, Merida defies custom and decides to consult with a witch (Julie Walters) to change her fate. Of course this unleashes peril and forces her to spring into action by relying on her bravery and her archery skills to undo the horrid curse.
Others to round out the cast are Robbie Coltrane as Lord Dingwall, Kevin McKidd as Lord McGuffin/young McGuffin, Craig Ferguson as Lord Macintosh, Sally Kinghorn and Eilidh Fraser as Maudie, Peigi Barker as young Merida, Stephen Cree as young Macintosh, Steve Purcell as the Crow, Callum O'Neill as wee Dingwall, Patrick Doyle as Martin and John Ratzenberger as Gordon.
The pacing of this was well executed by directors Brenda Chapman and Mark Andrews and co-director Steve Purcell. And it was equally well delineated by writers Andrews, Chapman and Irene Mecchi which was based on a story by Chapman. It simply amazes me how these guys at Pixar can take such a simple premise, in this case, a free-spirited, headstrong girl not wanting to be told what to do, and takes matters in her own hands and eventually screws things up only to learn a valuable lesson by trying to 'fix' the situation. But the way these guys write makes this premise fresh, sharp and full of pathos while teaching its audience a lesson without preaching all the while being entertained. Wow! Who would think an animated flick could have all these elements?
It seems that Pixar can do it all, whether it be animation, writing, directing, even the credits at the end of the film by Susan Mason Bradley are amazing. This film is a film for one and all and if you're into the 3D process, it makes this rock that much more.
Out of 4 stars: 4 Rated: PG 93min.
There are films that are biopics, and then there are films that are biopics with a slant of fiction intertwined within the facts. Who would ever attempt to produce this but the twisted artist, Tim Burton? I truly cannot think of very many, if any films that has a story structured like this, but "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" does and succeeds in spades.
This story explores the secret life of America's greatest president, Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker), and the untold story that shaped a nation. The president discovers, through one, Henry Sturges (Dominic Cooper) who Lincoln happens to meet, that blood-thirsty vampires are planning to take over the United States. Lincoln makes it his mission to eliminate them through Sturges' training, and become history's greatest hunter of the undead.
It starts off with the biblical passage Genesis 17:15 (Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.). It then goes to Abraham's beginnings in 1818 as a small boy and witnessing the murder of his mother, Nancy (Robin McLeavy) by an intruder and the subsequent death of his father, Thomas (Joseph Mawle) nine years later. Finally later, he decides to move to Springfield, Illinois in 1837 and lands a job at a store from shopkeeper, Joshua Speed (Jimmi Simpson), and then his subsequent meeting of Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). Lincoln meets her after he meets Sturges whereas Sturges tells him that your life will be lonely being a vampire hunter. Eventually Abraham confronts his mother's killer, vampire Jack Barts (Marton Csokas) who works for the head vampire, Adam (Rufus Sewell).
Eventually, through the assistance from Speed, Sturges, and friend Will Johnson (Anthony Mackie), their intent on ridding the country of these disgusting vampires is lethal.
Others to round out the cast are Erin Wasson as Vadoma, John Rothman as Jefferson Davis, Cameron M. Brown as Willie Lincoln, Frank Brennan as Senator Jeb Nolan, Lux Haney-Jardine as young Abraham Lincoln, and Curtis Harris as young Will.
This was quirkily well written by Seth Grahame-Smith based on his novel. The way he was able to interconnect real characters and situations with an obvious fictitious premise and forced you to believe in it, all the while realizing that vampires don't exist, was pure genius.
This was equally well paced by director, Timur Bekmambetov ("The Arena" '01, "Night Watch" '04, "Day Watch" '06, "Wanted" '08, "Six Degrees of Celebration" '10). His slow-motion he uses in the fighting scenes, reminiscent of "Wanted", was so cleverly done. And to execute this process, he couldn't have chosen a better cinematographer then that of Caleb Deschanel ("The Black Stallion" '79, "Being There" '79, "The Right Stuff" '85, "Anna and the King" '99, "The Patriot" 2000, "The Passion of the Christ" '04, "Killshot" '08), and many more. This guy is a veteran, a seasoned pro.
You have got to see this! It simply rocks! It's a great way to relive history, but with a darker twist to it, and all in 3D for the summer.
Out of 4 stars: 4 Rated: R 105min.
There are comedies, then there are Wes Anderson comedies. One can watch an Anderson film for about two minutes and just know it is his work. They all have that somewhat grainy look, a fair amount of actors are in his films, even the editing is similar. Well, Anderson's distinction carries over to his next project, "Moonrise Kingdom".
The year is 1965. Set on an island off the coast of New England, a young boy, Sam (Jared Gilman) and a young girl, Suzy (Kara Hayward) fall in love and because of their own dysfunctional situations, they decide to run away together. Sam is a scout and led by Scout Master Ward (Edward Norton) and is tipped off by the other scouts of his missing. Soon afterward, the parents of Suzy, Walt and Laura Bishop (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand) realize their daughter is missing. So they call the town cop, Captain Sharp (Bruce Willis) to find them. Realizing the boy is under foster care and that the foster parents don't want him back, Sharp has to notify Social Services (Tilda Swinton) to pick up the child. Will these kids be found in the midst of so much dysfunction abounding all over the island?
Others to round out the cast are Harvey Keitel as Commander Pierce, Jason Schwartzman as Cousin Ben, Bob Balaban as Narrator, James Wilcox as Scout Master, and L.J. Foley, Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, Jake Ryan, Charlie Kilgore, Neal Huff, Lucas Hedges, Gabriel Bush, Tommy Nelson, and Chandler Frantz as Izod, Roosevelt, Lionel, Lazy Eye, Jed, Redford, Skotak, Nickleby, and Gadge respectively as the other scouts.
This was painstakingly well delineated by director Wes Anderson. He really knows how to walk that dysfunctional, but very funny tightrope. It basically works because he markets on powder dry humor as opposed to physical, pratfall humor. The dry humor just gives these characters that look of dysfunction even more. This was equally well written by Anderson and Roman Coppola. As mentioned above, one knows an Anderson film when they see it. One look at his resume will tip you off: "Bottle Rocket" '96, "Rushmore" '98, "The Royal Tenenbaums" '01, "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" '04, "The Darjeeling Limited" '07, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" '09. See what I mean? He even uses the same cinematographer he's used in the majority of his work to give it that same style-- Robert D. Yeoman,asc.
If you're an Anderson affictionado, you will love this because it follows his similar style, but even if you're not, this is well written and directed and is quirky, dysfunctional, and still funny enough that you can see that there are still quality comedies out there.
Out of 4 stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 94min.
The genre of musicals are probably one of the oldest in Hollywood history. From 1928's "The Jazz Singer" to "The Ziegfield Follies" to 1965's "Sound of Music" to the 1968's "Funny Girl" to '70's "Cabaret" to 2002's "Chicago" to 2010's "Burlesque", we've seen quite an evolution as audiences evolve. So too, with "Rock of Ages", as audiences become grittier, harder this kind of musical will follow suit.
Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Hollywood to be exact, Drew (Diego Boneta) and Sherrie (Julianne Hough) are two young people chasing their dreams in the big city. They meet outside The Bourbon, the club Drew works, and fall in love at first sight. Drew gets her a job by asking his boss, Dennis Dupree (Alec Baldwin) to help her. He reluctantly agrees after Lonny (Russell Brand) mentions that one of the waitresses quit.
That very night is to be the night to beat all nights in that Dennis has booked Arsenal with Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise) for their last performance before Jaxx goes out solo. The problem is getting him to the club, because he's drunk and spoiled which drives his agent, Paul Gill (Paul Giamatti) crazy. Then Dennis has to deal with conservative, Patricia Whitmore (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and the church ladies across the street for the 'indecencies' going on at the club. Will Drew and Sherrie survive all the challenges that their romance has and still do what it takes to work at the club and more importantly work toward their dreams?
Others to round out the cast are Malin Ackerman as Constance Sack, reporter of Rolling Stone magazine, Bryan Cranston as Mike Whitmore, Patricia's husband who is running for mayor, Mary J. Blige as Justice Charlier, Erica Frene as Beth, James Martin Kelly as Doug Flintlock, and Alan Shane Hartline as bartender Jimmy.
This was effectively directed by Adam Shankman ("The Wedding Planner" '01, "A Walk to Remember" '02, "The Pacifier" '05, "Hairspray" '07, "Bedtime Stories" '08). This guy does light fare very well hence his resume, so it's no surprise that this project wasn't a tough stretch for Shankman. It was written by Justin Theroux, Chris D'Arienzo, and Allan Loeb based on D'Arienzo's musical book.
The choreography was brilliantly executed by Mia Michaels and Shankman. Shankman has a ton of choreography credits to his name so it really helped. And the theatrical lighting design by Mike Baldassari made this look so much like more like a rock concert you were viewing.
Acting wise, Diego Boneto as Drew quite literally saved this production. He gave so much pathos as this bar-back trying to make it as a musician in a world that is pathetically competitive. Where this got a little old was it was about a young girl coming from a small town to make it big as a singer in the big city. Where have we seen this? Let's see-- "Chicago" '02, where Roxie (Renee Zellweger) goes to Chicago to make big as a singer and then there's "Burlesque" '10, where Ali (Christina Aguilera) goes to L.A. to make it big as a singer. Sound familiar? Tom Cruise was decent as Jaxx, didn't know he sang, this wasn't a stretch of acting for Giamatti and Alec Baldwin basically played Alec Baldwin.
It was certainly better than I thought, but it was a little long-in-the-tooth, and the storyline needed help. Production values were exemplary and IMAX would definitely give it that 'rock concert' look. If you like rock music and everything it stands for, this just might be the ticket for you.
Out of 4 stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 123min.
You know, I can handle a physical, pratfall comedy as well as the next guy, but when I see one Adam Sandler film after another and not really laugh as much as I'd hoped, it being a comedy, it makes me wonder why I even bother. I like comedy and with that, I hope that there will be a film that I will truly find funny from beginning to end. This is definitely not the case with "That's My Boy".
While in his teens, Donny (Adam Sandler) fathers a son, Todd (Andy Samberg) by his then teacher, Mary McGarricle (Eva Amurri Martino), and then raised him as a single parent because Mary went to prison for having sex with a minor. At Todd's 18th birthday, he left his dad for better or worse. Well, now, after not seeing one another for many years, Todd's world comes crashing down on the eve of his wedding to Jamie (Leighton Meester), when an uninvited Donny suddenly shows up. Trying desperately to reconnect with his son, Donny is now forced to deal with the repercussions of his bad parenting skills.
Others to round out the cast are Vanilla Ice as himself, James Caan as Father McNally, Milo Ventimiglia as Chad, Jamie's uptight, marine brother, Blake Clark as Gerald, Meagen Fay as Helen, Tony Orlando as Steve Spirou, Todd's boss, Will Forte as Phil, Rachel Dratch as Phil's wife, Nick Swardson as Kenny, Peggy Stewart as Grandma Delores, Susan Sarandon as Mary McGarricle (present day), Justin Weaver as young Donny, Luenell as Champale, and Ciara as Brie.
This was adequately directed by Sean Anders ("Never Been Thawed" '05, "Sex Drive" '08).
The best thing I can say about the writing is that Sandler's name wasn't attached to it, unlike a lot of his films, however I'm sure it had his influence since this was produced by Happy Madison Productions, Sandler's company. It was written by David Caspe, and even though it was a bit over-the-top, it wasn't as much as if Sandler's name was attached to the writing credit. A good deal of Sandler films have funny premises, which is great fodder for a great script, but they really need a seasoned, funny screenwriter to pull it off. This is Caspe's first theatrical writing, and, with more experience under his belt, might be an effective writer, but this needed someone that's been around the block a few times.
If you're a Sandler fan, you'll love this, otherwise you might feel a little cheated. As the selling slogan of the film says: Everyone has a teenage crush... Donny went a little too far", and this is the very problem with "That's My Boy", it went a little too far.
Out of 4 stars: 2 Rated: R 116min.
Well, it's summer season again, time to start breaking out the raft of animated flicks. Hollywood is a business like any other business, so it should not be a coincidence that the majority of the animated films in the year would be during the summer season while the kids are out of school. And like most franchises go, Hollywood is definitely expecting to cash in on an already done idea. So when I saw "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", I was pleasantly surprised.
This story starts where the other left off: in Africa. Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria (Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith) respectively, are still trying to get back to New York City and their beloved Central Park zoo, but first they must find the penguins who left them stranded in Africa. They travel to Monte Carlo where they attract the attention of the Animal Control Captain, Chantel DuBois (Frances McDormand) after gate crashing a party and are joined by the penguins, King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) and Co., the monkeys and a new arrival: a performing llama. How do a lion, zebra, hippo, giraffe, four penguins, two monkeys, three lemurs and a llama travel through Europe without attracting attention? Out of desperation of being caught, they join a traveling circus and work with Maurice (Cedric the Entertainer), Gia (Jessica Chastain), Stefano (Martin Short), Vitaly (Bryan Cranston) and others. They must convince these circus professionals that they are circus animals and subsequently help reinvent a dying circus all the while attempting to avoid BuBois and her officers.
Others to round out the cast are Andy Richter as Mort, Tom McGrath as Skipper (first policeman), Chris Miller as Kowalski, Christopher Knights as Private, and Conrad Vernon as Mason (second policeman).
This was well crafted by directors, Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, and Conrad Vernon. It was adequately written by Darnell and Noah Baumbach in that, even though the running time was only 85 minutes, it could cut to the chase and bit quicker in certain parts. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, it just needed a little more polishing. It seemed like the writers depended a little more on the high explosive, very colorful visuals than plot substance.
The visuals by Dreamworks Animation were stunning as with the two past Madagascar films, and I'm not usually in favor of a film having to be seen in 3D, but in this case, the process definitely made this incarnation work that much more. But any time you have a film that has so much action and is extremely over-the-top like an animated film is, 3D can only accentuate those aspects that much more.
If you're going to see this, see it in the theater, because a DVD on a 32" TV just will not cut it. After all, when you ride a roller coaster, you don't do it from home looking at one on TV, you actually get into one and experience it first hand.
Out of 4 stars: 3 Rated: PG 85min.
I believe one of the most liked, watched and enjoyed genres Hollywood has made and we have seen is science-fiction. We all have witnessed a plethora of sci-fi flicks in the past with a hope, in many cases, that maybe, just maybe some of the things, places in these movies possibly will happen in our future. However with "Prometheus", one may not have that feeling after leaving the theater.
A team of scientists including Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), Charlie Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), Fifield (Sean Harris), Milburn (Rafe Spall) and others journey through the universe on the spaceship "Prometheus" in the year 2093 on a voyage to investigate alien life forms which the scientists feel has a connection with many past civilizations they've dug up on earth.The team which consist of an android, David (Michael Fassbender) and a captain, Janek (Idris Elba) and is headed up by Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron) and funded by the very old Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce) become stranded on an Alien world, and as they struggle to survive, it becomes crystal clear that the horrors they experience are not just a threat, but that of mankind also.
Others to round out the cast are Emun Elliott as Chance, Benedict Wong as Ravel, Kate Dickie as Ford, Patrick Wilson as Shaw's father, and Lucy Hutchinson as young Shaw.
As with 1979's "Alien", this was also well crafted by veteran director Ridley Scott ("Blade Runner" '82, "Thelma & Louise" '91, "White Squall" '96, "Gladiator" 2000, "Black Hawk Down" '01, "Matchstick Men" '03, "American Gangster" '07, "Body of Lies" '08, "Robin Hood" '10). I previously mentioned "Alien", because this film was touted as being a prequel to "Alien" which it clearly is not. There is very little, if any connection between the two films. Sure, they both were directed by Scott, the production design/creature design was definitely influenced by H.R. Giger, the designer of the alien in "Alien", in both films, they wake up after a long hyper sleep and then engage in a meal together, but the essence, premise and plot of both films clearly did not connect. As an original film, "Prometheus" scored, but as a prequel, NOT! This was written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof.
Of course, the visual effects and animation predominately designed and created by Weta Digital, Ltd. and MPC (Moving Picture Company) were absolutely stunning. You will even find that the way the title of the film, as it appeared at the beginning, which was designed by Prologue Films was reminiscent of the way the main title of "Alien" was designed. It was presented in 3D, but save some bucks, because I don't think it would make that much of a difference.
As this movie is as stunning as it appears, the non-connection of the two films will seem a bit disappointing. But if you can get into the impressive production values that this film delivers, that should compensate to a measurable degree.
Out of 4 stars: 2.5 Rated: R 124min.
There are certain topics and/or people that make for great material when making a film. I suspect this is probably why biopics are so popular. But even fictional characters can make even better subject matter, because the writer can branch out in so many tributaries as opposed to a character of fact. This is certainly true of Snow White. There have been repeated incarnations of this character from an animated version, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" '37, a live-action musical, "Snow White" '87, even a comedic version earlier this year, "Mirror, Mirror" to mention a few, but now we have a darker, more twisted version, "Snow White and the Huntsman". What other version could Hollywood muster up in the future?
Snow White (Kristen Stewart) is the only person in the land fairer than the evil Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) according to Mirror Mirror (Christopher Obi). Unable to tolerate the insult to her vanity, the evil queen decides that Snow White must die, but not until she gets Snow's beating heart which will keep her alive and beautiful forever. The queen cons a huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to find Snow White in the feared Black Forest, capture her and bring her to the queen. However the huntsman finds himself unable to do as the queen demands, because of her mesmerizing innocence and purity. So he instead, ends up training her to become a warrior capable of threatening the queen's reign with the assistance of these seven dwarfs they happen upon.
Others to round out the cast are Sam Claflin as William, Sam Spuell as Finn, Ravenna's devious brother, Vincent Regan as Duke Hammond, Noah Huntley as King Magnus, Snow White's father, and Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone, Nick Frost, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones, Johnny Harris, and Brian Gleeson as Beith, Muir, Gort, Nion, Duir, Coll, Quert, and Gus, respectively as the dwarfs.
This was directed by newcomer to theatrical films, Rupert Sanders. The directing was a bit stagy in spots, but considering this is his first feature film, not a bad job. It was written by more seasoned writers, Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock and Hossein Amini which is based on a screen story by Daugherty which is based the story by the Brothers Grimm.
The costumes by Oscar winner Colleen Atwood ("Torch Song Trilogy" '88, "Edward Scissorhands" '90, "The Silence of the Lambs" '91, "Philadelphia" '93, "Wyatt Earp" '94, "Ed Wood" '94, "That Thing You Do!" '96, "Mars Attacks!" '96, "Sleepy Hollow" '99, "The Mexican" '01, "Planet of the Apes" '01, "Chicago" '02, "Big Fish" '03, "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events" '04, "Memoirs of a Geisha" '05, "Public Enemies" '09, "Nine" '09, "Alice in Wonderland" '10, "In Time" '11, "Dark Shadows" '12) amongst others, were as much the stars as the stars. She will undoubtedly be nominated come Oscar time once again. Theron's costumes were simply amazing.
The visual effects predominately created and designed by Rhythm & Hues, Double Negative, BlueBolt, and Hy*drau*lx were incredibly fitting of every scene they were used. They could also get an Oscar nod as well.
If you're a Snow White afictionado, you will revel with this rendition, but even if you're not, you'll be able to transcend above some stagy directing to be able to see the unique darkness that this incarnation was able to hand you.
Out of 4 stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 127min.
Before I walked into the theater, I thought that "Ted" would be either very good or very bad; it really depends on 1) the writing and 2) how Mark Wahlberg is going to be able to pull this off considering this is not his genre, remember "The Other Guys".
