Quentin Tarantino is one of those filmmakers that has definitely left his mark in this society as a writer/director with such distinction that after the first five minutes of the film, one can come the realization that this is a Tarantino film. He is hell bent in righting wrongs even if he has to change history, people or situations to make that happen. You can truly see this in his "Django Unchained".
It is 1858, two years before The Civil War. Former dentist, Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), buys the freedom of a slave, Django (Jamie Foxx) and trains him with the intent to make him his deputy bounty hunter. Meanwhile, Django comes to realize that his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington), who is under the hands of Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio) a ruthless plantation owner in Mississippi, is a place that he and Schultz must arrive at in order to scam their way to getting Broomhilda back.
Others to round out the cast are Samuel L. Jackson as Stephen, Candie's head servant at the plantation, Walton Goggins as Billy Cash, henchman of Candie's, Dennis Christopher as Leonide Moguy, Candie's lawyer, James Remar as Butch Pooch/Ace Speck, David Steen as Mr. Stonesipher, and Laura Cayouette as Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly, Cal's sister.
This was brilliantly written and directed by Tarantino ("Reservoir Dogs" '92, "Pulp Fiction" '94, "Jackie Brown" '97, "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" '03, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" '04, "Sin City" (special guest director) '05, "Grindhouse" (segment "Death Proof") '07, "Inglourious Basterds" '09). The way Tarantino can take a concept, whether familiar or not, and make it flow from one scene to the next so effortlessly is amazing. If you want to see one of his best, rent "Inglourious Basterds". The way he rewrote history to fit his fantasy was so well executed, it almost made you think that this is how history really played out. This film is basically the same. He takes Schultz, makes him like a 21st century thinking type person and puts him in the 19th century, teams him up with this slave, Django, becomes Django's mentor, and lets us see how this is going to play out with all the others that are clearly 19th century thinking people. It makes this script such a hoot.
If you're a Tarantino fan, you will just revel in your seats, but even if you're not, the way the story unfolds with the expertise acting, specifically by Waltz, even Foxx and DiCaprio, the writing and directing, it will even have you enjoying this ride.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: R 165mins.
With all objectivity, musicals are probably my least favorite genre, but I'm a critic, so objectivity is key to writing reviews. So many musicals just seem so silly, unrealistic, and phony. But when "Chicago" '02 came along, it basically helped in winning me over to that genre. I feel Hollywood had the same concern--that they were losing the musical audience, because since Chicago, Hollywood has produced more cutting edge musicals i.e. "Sweeney Todd" '07, "Burlesque" '10, even the ridiculous "Rock of Ages" '12, and now the brilliant "Les Miserables".
Prisoner 24601, known as Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is released from prison after a 19 year stint for stealing a loaf of bread, but then breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javet (Russell Crowe). Set post Revolutionary France between 1815-1832, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June rebellion.
Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's (Anne Hathaway) daughter, Cosette (Isabelle Allen). As Cosette becomes a woman, she (now Amanda Seyfried) meets a young French rebel, Marius (Freddie Redmayne) with whom she falls in love with. Many lives change due to Valjean's breaking away.
Others to round out the cast are Sacha Baron Cohen as Thenardier, Helena Bonham Carter as Madame Thenardier, Samatha Barks as Eponine, Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, Daniel Huttlestone as Gavroche, and Natalya Angel Wallace as Young Eponine.
This production was directed with such clarity and grit by Tom Hooper ("Red Dust" '04, "Longford" (TV movie) ''06, "The Damned United" '09, "The King's Speech" '10). The pathos and emotional grit he was able to get out of his actors was nothing short of perfection.
I had never seen a stage production of Les Miserables, so I was basically a novice in viewing this, and I didn't know that the entire production was performed in song. I knew it was a musical, but it surprised me that 99% of it was in a song format, which really was intriguing. And this happens to be the first film where the songs are sung 'on set' instead of in a recording studio and then have the actors lip sync the words during principal photography. That made a world of difference, because their performances were more passionate--being able to emotionally capture the moment. This being written in song by William Nicholson, made it even more of an intriguing screenplay. This was based on Cameron MacKintosh's stage play which was based on Victor Hugo's novel and again based on the book by Claude-Michel Schonberg & Alain Boubil. The music by Claude-Michel Schonberg and lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer were awesome.
The performances by Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway were incredibly moving. They definitely did their homework. The coupling of Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter was fantastic and gave this film its much needed comic relief. Jackman will undoubtedly be nominated come Oscar time.
Even though this was a film based in France and the dialect were predominantly English, it still did not detract from the expertise and incredible emotion and passion that this production exuded and then some.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 158mins.
When you're waiting for a film that has an actor with such great delivery and comic timing as with Billy Crystal, and it just comes in a little short, it's kind of disillusioning. Well, with "Parental Guidance", this is really what happened.
Old school grandfather Artie Decker (Billy Crystal), who is accustomed to calling the shots, meets his match when he and his eager-to-please wife Diane (Bette Midler) agree to babysit their three grandkids when their type-A parents Alice and Phil Simmons (Marisa Tomei and Tom Everett Scott) have to go away on a work-related trip. Not that Alice wants them to babysit, it's just that they couldn't get anyone else with such short notice.
The fact that these kids haven't had much contact with these set of grandparents makes the visit that much more challenging. So when the 21st century problems collide with Artie and Diane's old school methods of tough rules, lots of love, and old-fashioned games, it then becomes learning to bend--and not holding to your ground--that binds a family together.
Others to round out the cast are Bailee Madison, Joshua Rush, and Kyle Harrison Breitkopf as Harper, Turner, and Barker Simmons--the grandkids, respectively, Gedde Watanabe as Mr. Cheng, and Tony Hawk as himself.
This was effectively directed by Andy Fickman ("She's the Man" '06, "The Game Plan" '07, "Race to Witch Mountain" '09, "Wright vs. Wrong" (TV movie) '10, "You Again" '10). This guy certainly knows his territory and he sticks to it, and this can be good, but sometimes one must gamble and branch out a little to prove what you can do. He's careful and one can't knock him for that. Where this was familiar territory for the director, the writers were even more 'careful' than Fickman. I think where writers Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse came in short was that it would have been funnier to let Crystal and Midler cut loose a bit more than they did-- the lines seemed planned out too much without enough spontaneity.
To say this film is not good would not do it justice--it's a good film, just not a great one. Besides watching the comic talents of Crystal and Midler, this movie speaks so much more about family dysfunction and possible ways it overcome it if they just treat each other the way they'd like to be treated. Ah-h, the golden rule strikes again.
Out of 4 stars: 3 Rated: PG 104mins.
Because comedies are my favorite genre, watching "The Guilt Trip" should've been a no brainer. However, as I was viewing this film, it was progressively more and more difficult to pinpoint where this comedy was going. It wasn't until at a certain point that I finally realized where the writer was trying to convey this.aaa
As inventor Andy Brewster (Seth Rogen) is about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime, a quick stop at his mom's house turns into an unexpected cross-country voyage with her, Joyce (Barbra Streisand) along for the ride.
As they travel in their small rental car, they attempt to bond, but not without a lot of awkwardness between one another. However, through all the eclectic people they encounter i.e. executives of companies Andy is trying to sell his product to, different waitresses, one, Ben Graw (Brett Cullen), who befriends Joyce, and through different situations, the two start realizing things about themselves that they never knew about. Can this mom and son heal during this trip or end up driving that wedge between each other even deeper?
Others to round out the cast are Kathy Najimy as Gayle, Miriam Margolyes as Anita, Rose Abdoo as Diana, Colin Hanks as Rob, and Adam Scott as Andrew Margolis Jr.
This was carefully delineated by director Anne Fletcher ("Step Up" '06, "27 Dresses" '08, "The Proposal" '09). Even though the majority of Fletcher's work has been as choreographer, she is certainly proving herself worthy as an effective director. It was written by Dan Fogelman ("Cars" '06, "Fred Claus" '07, "Bolt" '08, "Tangled" '10, "Cars 2" '11(orig. story), "Crazy Stupid Love" '11). This guy usually does fairly 'fluffy' stuff, but this film had a bit more soberness than his predecessors, which I feel is a good thing. When I mentioned prior that I wasn't sure where this film was going, I actually thought that this was going to be a zany, crazy comedy, and instead, it was more subtle, sober-like in that these two people had to evolve or end up killing one another. So, what I thought at first was a very funny film, turned out to be a more poignant comedy. One can say, I even had to evolve myself in how I was going to accept this. And what I concluded was that you have to give this film a chance--it will grow on you.
The chemistry between Steisand and Rogen was far better than I could have even imagined, and that, in and of itself, is practically worth the price of admission.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 95mins.
We've seen a plethora of films that have origins or beginnings in mind-- "Batman", "Star Trek", "Star Wars" to name a few. It seems to be that 'origin' films are becoming a hot commodity, because now we have the much anticipated "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", which is basically a story that precedes "The Lord of the Rings".
This story, told as a flashback from an older Bilbo (Ian Holm), a younger Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is reluctantly swept into a quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached, out of the blue, by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarfs led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Their journey takes them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the east and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum (Andy Serkis). Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities.
Others to round out the cast are Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Christopher Lee as Saruman, Barry Humphries as Great Goblin, Lee Pace as Thranduil, Jeffrey Thomas as Thor, Michael Mizrahi as Thrain, Sylvester McCoy as Radagast, Ken Stott as Balin, Graham McTavish as Dwalin, William Kircher as Bifur/ Tom Troll, James Nesbitt as Bofur, Stephen Hunter as Bombur, Dean O'Gorman as Fili, Aidan Turner as Kili, John Callen as Oin, Peter Hambleton as Gloin/William Troll, Jed Brophy as Nori, Mark Hadlow as Dori/Bert Troll, and Adam Brown as Ori.
This was directed Peter Jackson ("Bad Taste" '87, "Meet the Feebles" '89, "Dead Alive" '92, "Heavenly Creatures" '94, "The Frighteners" '96, "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" '01,'02,'03, "King Kong" '05, "The Lovely Bones" '09), and he has established a definite style, not to mention that he goes nowhere without Weta Digital, Inc., the visual effects company he uses on all his big-budget films. This was written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Guillermo del Toro based on J.R.R. Tokien's novel, "The Hobbit". The story kind of started a bit slow, but once it built momentum, it just took off and was much more enjoyable. It's a little long-in-the-tooth, but it did have a lot to say.
The Visual Effects/Animation by Weta Digital, Inc. was absolutely seamless as were the the miniatures which could be nominated come Academy Award time.
If you're a real Tolkien fan you'll love this, and you already know there is more to come after these end credits roll. There were flaws in this, but all in all, the majority definitely made this film worthy of viewing especially in that 3D format.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 169mins.
Out of all the genres Hollywood has to offer, the one that is usually the most predictable has got to be either the romantic comedy and/or the romantic dramatic comedy. When I saw the trailer for "Playing for Keeps", I thought, great cast, but looks like it's a bit predictable. Don't you just hate it when you're right at the times you don't want to be?
A former soccer sports star, George Dryer (Gerard Butler) who's fallen on hard times starts coaching his son, Lewis' (Noah Lomax) soccer team, as a way to get his life together again, especially in getting back his ex-wife, Stacie (Jessica Biel). His attempts to become an adult are met with challenges from the attractive soccer moms who pursue him at every turn, especially Barb (Judy Greer) and Denise (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
Others to round out the cast are Dennis Quaid as Carl, Uma Thurman as Patti, Carl's wife, James Tupper as Matt, Abella Wyss as Ally, Grant Goodman as Billy, Grant Collins as Griffin, Aidan Potter as Hunter, Marlena Lerner as Samantha, Igbal Theba as Param, George's landlord, and Sean O'Bryan as Asst. Coach Jacob.
This was effectively directed by Gabriele Muccino ("But Forever in My Mind" '99, "The Last Kiss" '01, Remember Me, My Love" '03, "The Pursuit of Happyness" '06, "Seven Pounds" '08, "Kiss Me Again" '10). Certainly wasn't one of Muccino's better efforts, but effective. Where this film falls short is in, you guessed it, the lack of a tight script which was executed by Robbie Fox ("Shooting Elizabeth" '92, "So I Married an Axe Murderer" '93, "In the Army Now"--story, '94). As stated above, the way the script unfolded was amazingly predictable. One could practically mouth the words by the way each scene was played out.
If you're a film goer that's really into a formulaic, structured, storyline and script, you will love this, however if you're looking for something meatier with an unpredictable plot and ending, at least bittersweet, you will be squirming in your seat kicking yourself for not waiting for the DVD.
Out of 4 stars: 2 Rated: PG-13 105mins.
One can always count on period films being lavishly produced, with amazing costumes, production design, makeup, cinematography, and a sweeping original score. Well, with "Anna Karenina", we got production values that went off the charts.
The third collaboration of Keira Knightley with director Joe Wright, following the award-winning successes "Pride & Prejudice" and "Atonement", is a bold, theatrical new vision of the epic story of love and lust, adapted from Leo Tolstoy's timeless novel by Academy Award winner, Tom Stoppard ("Shakespeare in Love").
This is Imperial Russia in the year 1874. The story powerfully explores the capacity of love that surges through the human heart. As Anna (Knightley) questions her happiness and marriage to Karenin (Jude Law), change comes all around her in the form of the meeting and temptation of younger, Count Vronsky (Aaron Johnson). Is this love or is it lust?
Others to round out the cast are Matthew MacFadyen as Oblonsky, Domhnall Gleeson as Levin, Alicia Vikander as Kitty, Kelly MacDonald as Dolly, Ruth Wilson as Princess Betsy Tverskoy, Olivia Williams as Countess Vronsky, and Emily Watson as Countess Lydia Ivanovna.
This was well directed by Joe Wright ("Pride & Prejudice" '05, "Atonement" '07, "The Soloist" '09, "Hanna" '11) in that he knew where he needed to place his actors so they were in the best position and paced in just the right way. It was well written by Tom Stoppard ("The Romantic Englishwoman" '75, "Despair" '78, "The Human Factor" '79, "Brazil" '85, "Empire of the Sun" '87, "The Russia House" '90, "Billy Bathgate" '91, "Shakespeare in Love" '98, "Enigma" '01) based on Tolstoy"s novel. It was accurately written, however the subject matter is certainly something we've seen quite a bit, but this isn't any fault of Stoppard.
The adage that I thought of while seeing the character of Anna unfold was, "oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive". Anna clearly wanted her cake and eat it, too, which is just not realistic. Knightley simply gives the performance of her career, probably receive an Oscar nod as Wright for direction.
If you liked "Pride & Prejudice" and "Atonement", you'll love this. Even if one isn't a fan of these type of stories, the production values: music, costumes, production design, makeup/hair, etc., this will still be able to keep the attention of those people even though it's a bit long in the tooth.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 130mins.
Each year at Christmas time, we see a plethora of films to commemorate this time of year. There is usually at least one animated film, last year being "Arthur's Christmas". Well, Hollywood certainly didn't disappoint us, because this year we have "Rise of the Guardians" to watch as we munch on our popcorn.
When evil spirit Pitch aka The Boogy Man (Jude Law) launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians including North aka Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), Jack Frost (Chris Pine), Bunny aka Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), Tooth aka Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher),and Sandy aka Sand Man (voiceless), team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world. The survival of the Guardians is contingent on the belief of them, and as long as even one child believes, they will continue on. As with one child in particular, Jamie Bennett (Dakota Goyo) who refuses to stop believing, it will have to be their responsibility to protect him even more.
Others to round out the cast are Khamani Griffin as Caleb, Kamil McFadden as Claude, Georgie Grieve as Sophie Bennett, Jamie's sister, Emily Nordwind as Jamie's Mom/Jack's mother, Jacob Bertrand as Monty, Olivia Mattingly as Pippa/Jack's sister, and Dominique Grund as Cupcake.
This was effectively directed by Peter Ramsey ("Monster's vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space" (TV movie) '09, and as a storyboard artist on a ton of films). Considering his limited experience as director in feature films, he should go the distance. It was written by David Lindsay-Abaire ("Robots" '05, "Inkheart" '08, "Rabbit Hole" '10). The plot wasn't overly original--good vs. evil as we've seen in Christmas films before as with films in general, but it still had an entertaining quality to it which made it more palatable. Dreamworks Animation definitely assisted with bringing any life to this film.
As with all films of this type, and being presented in the 3D format, this certainly will look better if seen on the large screen. This wasn't a great film, but certainly an acceptable attempt that has been done so often for the silver screen.
Out of 4 stars: 3 Rated: PG 97mins.
One thing that I've noticed is when a biopic film is made, it's usually never about the person's life as much as it is about a certain portion of their life. As with the case of "Hitchcock", it centers on that part of Alfred Hitchcock's making of his 1960 release of "Psycho".
It's 1959. Following his great success with "North by Northwest", director Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) makes a daring choice for his next project: an adaptation of Robert Bloch's novel "Psycho". When Paramount Pictures' chief executive, Barney Balaban (Richard Portnow) refuses to finance the film, Hitchcock is forced to pay for it himself in exchange for 40% of the profits. His wife, Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), has serious reservations about the film, but supports him nonetheless. As the film is cast, Anthony Perkins (James D'Arcy), Janet Leigh (Scarlett Johansson), and Vera Miles (Jessica Biel), the production still becomes a strain on the couple's marriage.
Others to round out the cast are Danny Houston as Whitfield Cook, friend of Alma's, Toni Collette as Peggy Robertson, Hitchcock's faithful assistant/secretary, Michael Stuhlbarg as Lew Wasserman, Hitchcock's agent, Michael Wincott as Ed Gein, the man in which the novel "Psycho" is based on, Kurtwood Smith as Geoffrey Shurlock, head of rating association, Ralph Macchio as Joseph Stefano, screenwriter for "Psycho", Kai Lennox as Hilton Green, Tara Summers as Rita Riggs, and Wallace Langham as Saul Bass.
This was deftly directed by virtual newcomer Sacha Gervasi ("Anvil: The Story of Anvil" (Documentary) '08). The pacing of this and the emotions he was able to extract from his actors was incredible. This guy will certainly go far in the directing arena. This was written by John J. McLaughlin ("Death Collector" '88, "The Last Good Time" '94, "Man of the House" '05, "Black Swan" '10) based on Stephen Rebello's book "Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho". This was extremely well written in that it really showcased Alma's dedication to her husband's work, but at the same time, helping a friend with a book he wrote and having the ability to connect the two situations.
Obviously if you are a Hitchcock affictionato, you will revel, but even if one isn't, you can still respect the method acting approach which Hopkins definitely gave his character. He will receive an Oscar nod as will Mirren as Alma. As you're watching this, Hopkins becomes so convincing as the title role, that you may get mesmerised and think you're watching the real thing.
Out of 4 stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 98mins.
We've all seen crime dramas about the Mob and even if it is done well i.e. production values, acting, cinematography, etc., we've seen so-o many that they tend to become a bit old. Well, with "Killing Them Softly", with the exception of the acting, we still get that script that we've seen all too much and want to scream, "Is there no other original slant on this genre?"
Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb, crude crooks, Frankie (Scoot McNairy), Russell (Ben Mendelsohn) who are headed up by Johnny Amato (Vincent Curatola) decide to rob a Mob protected poker game officiated by Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta), causing the local criminal economy to collapse which really angers Dillon (Sam Shepard) a Mob leader.
Jackie hires a fellow hit man, Mickey (James Gandolfini) to help him with these 'hits', but not seeing him in two years, it turns out that Mickey has his own set of problems that completely perplexes Jackie where he even suspects Mickey's ability to fulfill the hit he's being paid to do.
Others to round out the cast are Richard Jenkins as Driver, Trevor Long as Steve Caprio, Max Casella as Barry Caprio, Slaine as Kenny Gill, and Linara Washington as Hooker.
This was written and directed by Andrew Dominik ("Chopper" 2000, "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" '07). The direction was spot on-- the pacing, the frenetic feel of the characters, however, the writing is clearly a different story. First of all, it moved so slowly even though it was only a 97 minute running time, and secondly, it kind of jumped around too much--the adhesiveness of the script was disjointed at places. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a total wash--the premise, Mob against Mob was intriguing, but the execution needed more work.
If you are into fine acting, specifically Pitt, McNairy,and Mendelsohn, you will revel, but only if that's all one is looking for. Pitt could be nominated come Oscar time, but not even he was enough to save this attempt.
Out of 4 stars: 2.5 Rated: R 97mins.
Quentin Tarantino is one of those filmmakers that has definitely left his mark in this society as a writer/director with such distinction that after the first five minutes of the film, one can come the realization that this is a Tarantino film. He is hell bent in righting wrongs even if he has to change history, people or situations to make that happen. You can truly see this in his "Django Unchained".
