Comedies, of late, have been like playing the lottery: What are the odds that a particular one is going to be worth seeing or not? So much of the time getting a decent comedy out of Hollywood is like pulling teeth. So when I finally went to see "The Big Wedding", what I expected to be a mediocre comedy was actually a breath of fresh air.
A dysfunctional modern family tries to survive a weekend wedding celebration that has the potential to become a full blown family fiasco. To the amusement of their adult children and friends, long divorced couple Don and Ellie Griffin (Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton) are once again forced to play the happy married couple for the sake of Alejandro (Ben Barnes), their adopted son's wedding after his ultra conservative biological mother, Madonna (Patricia Rae) unexpectedly decides to fly from Colombia to attend. With all the other dysfunction going on with Lyla (Katherine Heigl), and her estranged situation with her dad, Don, and Jared (Topher Grace) and the fact that he can't seem to find Miss. Right, the Griffins are hilariously forced to confront their past, present and future-- and hopefully avoid killing each other in the process.
Others to round out the cast are Amanda Seyfried as Missy, fiance to Alejandro, Susan Sarandon as Bebe, Don's newer wife after Ellie, Robin Williams as Father Moinighan, Christine Ebersole as Muffin, David Rasche as Barry, Ana Ayora as Nuria and Kyle Bornheimer as Andrew.
This was directed by Justin Zackman ("Going Greek" '01), and this guy ,being a virtual newcomer to feature films in the director's chair, really knows his actors. The dysfunction these characters exuded was amazing, and seemed so real. It was also well written by Zackman ("Going Greek" '01, "The Fastest Man in the World" (Documentary) '03, "The Bucket List" '07) which was based on the motion picture, "Mon frere se marie" by Jean-Stephane Bron and Karine Sudan. Even though there was a similarity in plot to that of "The Birdcage" '96 which was based on another french film, "La cage aux folles" '78, this was still able to stand on its own as the funny film it was.
This was a crazy, zany film that had its own form of sophistication that will have you enjoying the same ride these actors are on in convincing you that, through all the dysfunction, family is the thing that's most important.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 90mins.
The summer season is just about upon us, and what a better film to start with than Michael Bay's "Pain & Gain". Bay is the king of action films--the 'meat and potatoes' of the summer movie season. Nothing heady here, but out of shear ludicrousity, this one is pure entertainment.
Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is a regular bodybuilder who works at Sun Gym along with his buddy Adrian Doorbal (Anthony Mackie). Sick of living the poor life, Lugo concocts a plan to kidnap Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub), a regular at the gym who happens to be a rich, spoiled, snotty, crass businessman, so Lugo decides to extort money from him by means of torture. With the help of a recently released criminal Paul Doyle (Dwayne Johnson), the "Sun Gym Gang" successfully gets Kershaw to sign over all his finances. But when Kershaw survives an attempted murder by the gang, he hires private investigator Ed DuBois (Ed Harris) to catch the criminals after the Miami Police Department fails to do so. Then things REALLY go awry.
Others to round out the cast are Rob Corddry as John Mese, Lugo's boss, Ken Jeong as Johnny Wu, a self-proclaimed get rich quick scammer, Michael Rispoli as Frank Gripa, a porn king, Keili Lefkovitz as Krisztina Furton, Bar Paly as Sorina Luminita, Rebel Wilson as Robin Peck, Adrian's girlfriend, Larry Hankin as Pastor Randy, Emily Rutherfurd as Carolyn 'Cissy' DuBois, Tony Plana as Captain Lopez, and Peter Stormare as Dr. Bjornson.
This was directed with the adrenaline, high-powered energy we've come to expect by Bay ("Bad Boys" '95, "The Rock" '96, "Armageddon" '98, "Pearl Harbor" '01, "Bad Boys II" '03, "The Island" '05, "Transformers" '07, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" '09, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" '11). Look at this resume, and it's easy to see that he is the king of the summer big-budget summer flick. It was cleverly written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely based on the magazines articles by Pete Collins.
What's so amazing about this film the fact that it was based on a true story. This is so ludicrous, the filmmakers, in the middle of the film, have to add a caption reminding you that this IS a true story. These guys really put the 'S' in stupidity. Another film that comes to mind, that was in that same vein was the Coen Brothers' "Fargo" '96. It was equally difficult to believe that it, too, was based on a true story.
This is a typical guy flick as are most of Michael Bay's projects are. You will be entertained more by the implausibility of this story than by the action, and special effects that we see in so many of these type of films. These guys are based on real people, which will have you shaking your head in disbelief as this film unfolds before one's eyes.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: R 129mins.
We've seen films about hidden secrets from many years prior before. "Running on Empty", and even Robert Redford's "Ordinary People" seem to come to mind. Even the recent "The Place Beyond the Pines" smacks of this concept. So when I viewed "The Company You Keep", I realized that this was yet another one of those 'the-past-comes-back-to-haunt-you type films.
A single father's upper-middle class life as an attorney in upstate New York is shattered when his past as a radical activist member of the Weather Underground is revealed by an eager, yet honest young investigative reporter from the Albany Sun Times, Ben Shepard (Shia LaBeouf). This man, Jim Grant, AKA Nick Sloan (Robert Redford) is then accused of having been the triggerman at a deadly bank robbery during the Vietnam era 30 years prior. Forced to go on the lam, the man evades law enforcement, retired Henry Osborne (Brendan Gleeson), the FBI headed up by Agent Cornelius (Terrence Howard), and encounters a series of drug dealers, bomb-planting radicals turned leftist academics, Vietnam vets--Donal Fitzgerald (Nick Nolte) and Jed Lewis (Richard Jenkins), and Republicans who collectively ponder the legacy of the '60s, while searching for the one woman, Mimi Laurie (Julie Christie) who can prove his innocence.
Others to round out the cast are Susan Sarandon as Sharon Solarz, first accused of this bank robbery, Chris Cooper as Daniel Sloan, Nick's brother, Stanley Tucci as Ray Fuller, Ben's editor at the Sun Times, Anna Kendrick as Diana, who works for the FBI, Brit Marling as Rebecca Osborne, Henry's daughter, Sam Elliott as Mac McLeod, friend of Mimi's, Stephen Root as Billy Cusimano, friend of Susan's, and Jackie Evancho as Isabel Grant, Jim/Nick's daughter.
This was directed with his usual grit and expertise by Redford ("Ordinary People" '80, "The Milagro Beanfield War" '88, "A River Runs Through It" '92, "Quiz Show" '94, "The Horse Whisperer" '98, "The Legend of Bagger Vance" 2000, "Lions for Lambs" '07, "The Conspirator" '10), and how he is able to emit emotion in such subtle but powerful ways through his actors is astounding. This is only his ninth directed film since 1980, but with the quality in which he inserts in his projects, and the carefulness in what he chooses to direct, it makes the waiting that much more anticipatory. This was written by Lem Dobbs based on Neil Gordon's novel. Once this yarn gets going, this is a tight, gripping story with some surprises, so be patient with this. It has a lot to say, it just takes a little time for it to get off the ground. Shia LaBeouf definitely is the one that shines in this. It is ironic, considering most of the rest of the cast are consummate veterans in the biz.
In any rate, this is assuredly one that gives that one, two punch where no one is considered sacred. As you watch how all these lives are intertwined in one way or another, you'll wonder how it took 30 years for this secret to fully surface.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 122mins.
I guess you might call "Oblivion" the first big sci-fi flick for the summer which starts about the first week in May. I mean, look what's coming: "Iron Man 3", "Star Trek: Into Darkness", "Pacific Rim", "World War Z". So this is great fodder for what is to come.
In the year 2077, in a post-apocalyptic New York, Jack Harper (Tom Cruise) works as a security drone repairman on an earth left empty and devastated after a war with aliens known as Scavs. Jack and fellow scientist, Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) have two weeks before their mission ends and they join their fellow survivors on a faraway colony. However Jack's concept of reality comes crashing down after he rescues a beautiful stranger, Julia (Olga Kurylenko) from a downed spacecraft. The woman's arrival and a nomad Jack encounters, Beech (Morgan Freeman) triggers a chain of events that culminates in Jack's nearly single-handed battle to save mankind.
Others to round out the cast are Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Sykes, Beech's right hand man, Melissa Leo as Sally, the so-called 'brains' of the system, and Zoe Bell as Kara.
This was well paced with grit by director Joseph Kosinski ("TRON: Legacy" '10). This guy doesn't have a ton of feature film directing, but since he co-wrote this and it was based on the comic book co-created by him, it was a natural move to put him in the driver's seat and I believe that paid off. Where the slip up occurs is in the writing. This was written by Kosinski, Karl Gajdusek and Michael Arndt based on the comic book by Kosinski and Arvid Nelson. Maybe I didn't quite get it, but I'm not sure why these two (Jack and Victoria) were being conned by those powers that be headed up by Sally. Why were they 'in the dark'? This is where it gets a bit cerebral, kind of like "The Matrix". You gotta follow along very closely, lest you miss the meaning. Plus, it took some time for this to get off the ground. Maybe they could have used more of this slow time to explain more of where they were really going with this. Or maybe I was just having a bad day. Who knows.
Don't get me wrong, this wasn't awful, it had an interesting premise, it just got confusing along the way. The visuals were certainly seamless as was the devastating look the crew was able to give this. I would recommend anyone to see this, if only to see it on the big screen, even in IMAX if you can. The one thing I can say is that this will leave one scratching their heads and pondering about it well after the end credits roll.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 125mins.
Intense films, although being graphically and a lot of times violently portrayed, are usually well acted, written and directed projects. With this concept in check, "The Place Beyond the Pines" is a well crafted, but certainly makes for a tough watching film.
A mysterious and quiet stunt motorcycle racer Luke (Ryan Gosling) drives out of a traveling carnival globe of death and whizzes through the streets of Schenectady, New York, desperately trying to connect with his former lover, Romina (Eva Mendes) who already has another man in her life, Kofi (Mahershala Ali). You see, Romina has recently and secretly given birth to the stunt rider's son. In an attempt to provide for his new family, Luke quits the carnival and subsequently meets Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) who hires him as a mechanic. Because of the work being slow, Robin talks Luke into committing a string of bank robberies with the help of Luke's superior riding ability.
The stakes rise as Luke is put on a collision course with an ambitious rookie police officer, Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) looking to quickly move up the ranks in a police department riddled with corruption.
This sweeping drama fast-forwards fifteen years later as the sins of the past haunt the present day lives of two teenage boys, Jason (Dane DeHaan) and AJ (Emory Cohen) with the legacy they've inherited. The only refuge to be found lies in the place beyond the pines.
Others to round out the cast are Rose Byrne as Jennifer, Avery's wife, Ray Liotta as Deluca, a cop, Bruce Greenwood as Bill Killcullen, an investigative detective, Harris Yulin as Al Cross, Avery's retired dad who was a judge, Gabe Fazio as Scott, a cop, and Robert Clohessy as Chief Weirzbowski.
This was intensely directed by Derek Cianfrance ("Brother Tied" '98, "Shots in the Dark" (TV Documentary) '01, "Black and White: A Portrait of Sean Combs" (TV Documentary) '06, "Blue Valentine" '10). The grit and pathos he was able to get specifically out of both Gosling and Cooper was perfection. It was equally well written by Cianfrance, Ben Coccio, and Darius Marder. Viewing how these two actors, Gosling and Cooper, although had very little screen time together, still was able to show this connection and the way these writers were able to convey similarities of these two, even though they came from incredibly different lives was stunning and chilling. It was a bit long-in-the-tooth, but not enough to make this seem like it would never end. Both Gosling and Cooper have never been better in this and could receive nods come Oscar time.
The photography by Sean Bobbitt, asc ("Wonderland" '99, "Chunky Monkey" '01, "Lawless Heart" '01, "Summer Things" '02, "Cargo" '06, "The Situation" '06, "The Baker" '07, "Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revolution" '07, "Hunger" '08, "Africa United" '10, "Shame" '10, "Hysteria" '11, "Everyday" '12) was sweeping, however, at the same time felt secluded, dark and solitary, which was spot on considering what scene was demanding at that particular time.
This is not a warm and fuzzy feeling film, however I don't think it was meant to be. Trust me, the acting, directing and writing of this will more than make up for a story of two individuals whose lives consistently deteriorate before your very eyes.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 140mins.
As I've mentioned in past reviews, one can usually count on biopics being well written, directed and acted. The list is endless: "Patton", "127 Hours", "The King's Speech", "The Iron Lady", "Hyde Park on Hudson", "MacArthur", "Emperor", "Nixon/Frost", "The Queen", "Julie and Julia", etc. We can now add "42" to that dubious list.
"42" tells the story of two men--the great Jackie Robinson and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey--whose brave stand against prejudice forever changed the world by changing the game of baseball.
In 1946, Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) put himself at the forefront of history when he signed Jackie Robinson (Chadwick Boseman) to the team, breaking Major League Baseball's infamous color line. But the deal also put both Robinson and Rickey in the firing line of the public, the press and even other players. Facing incredible racism from all sides, Robinson was forced to demonstrate tremendous courage and restraint by not reacting in the same way he had been treated, knowing that any incident could destroy his and Rickey's hopes of people changing.
Others to round out the cast are Nicole Beharie as Rachel Robinson, Jackie's wife, Christopher Meloni as Leo Durocher, manager of the Dodgers, Andre Holland as Wendell Smith, sports writer, Lucas Black as Pee Wee Reese, team player of Jackie's, Ryan Merriman as Dixie Walker, team player of Jackie's, Alan Tudyk as Ben Chapman, Philadelphia Phillies' manager, Hamish Linklater as Ralph Branca, team player of Jackie's, T.R. Knight as Harold Parrott, assistant of Rickey's, John C. McGinley as Red Barber, sports announcer, Max Gail as Burt Shotton, manager who took over for Durocher, Brad Meyer as Kirby Higbe, James Pickens Jr. as Mr. Brock, and Toby Huss as Clyde Sukeforth.
This was incredibly well directed by Brian Helgeland ("Payback" '99, "A Knight's Tale" '01, "The Order" '03). The emotions he was able to extract from his actors to make the impact he was striving for was amazing. It was equally well written by Helgeland as well. And it's no doubt that this guy could not have written a dynamite screenplay. Just a look at his resume will clue you in, ("Highway to Hell" '91, "Assassins" '95, "L.A. Confidential" '97, "Conspiracy Theory" '97, "The Postman" '97, "Payback" '99, "A Knight's Tale" '01, "Blood Work" '02, "Mystic River" '03, "The Order" '03, "Man on Fire" '04, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" '09, "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant" '09, "Green Zone" '10, "Robin Hood" '10). The three years this film covers, 1945-47, Helgeland was able to delineate a crisp and clear story through the facts that just kept you riveted to your seat. This is definitely one of Ford's better efforts-- you hardly even recognized him. Boseman as Robinson has a bright future ahead of him, because he simply shined in his characterization.
Whether one is a baseball fan or not, this film will capture your attention, because through the acting, story, facts given and the powerful message laid out here, you will leave the multiplex talking about this for some time to come.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 128mins.
As with most fantasy films, one must go to the theater expecting total implausibility and incredibility. The list goes on and on: "Star Wars", "Jurassic Park", "Planet of the Apes", "The Living Dead", "Twilight", "Event Horizon", "Fantastic Voyage", "Olympus has Fallen", "Ghost Rider", "Westworld", etc, etc, etc. Now we have "The Host" to add to that never ending list.
What if everything or one you love was taken away from you in the blink of an eye? This is the next epic love story from the creator of the "Twilight Saga", author Stephenie Meyer. When an unseen enemy lead by the Seeker (Diane Kruger) threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) will risk everything to protect the people she cares about most--Jared Howe (Max Irons), Ian O'Shea (Jake Abel), her brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury), and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt), proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world where the Souls (Seekers) are in conflict with the Humans.
Others to round out the cast are Frances Fisher as Maggie, Boyd Holbrook as Kyle, Lee Hardee as Aaron, Scott Lawrence as Doc, Mustafa Harris as Brandt, Marcus Lyle Brown as Healer Fords, and Michael Parker as Seeker Wolfe.
This was adequately written and directed by Andrew Niccol ("Gattaca" '97, "The Truman Show" (wrote only) '98, "S1m0ne" '02, "Lord of War" '05, "In Time" '11). There were pluses and minuses to the writing here. Pluses are that Niccol used a voice over of Melanie being trapped in her body, where Wanda the Soul that was placed in her when she was caught by the Seekers, could speak only. This was an interesting concept. It really gave you the feeling that two entities were inhabiting one body without it being confusing. The minuses were that it seemed a bit choppy in places, and it was a little long-in-the-tooth. This was 125 minutes whereas 15 minutes less would have sufficed. I felt this was certainly a more interesting premise than that of Meyer's "Twilight Saga",because it just had a little more meat to it.
This leaves one with an open-ended conclusion. Depending on the outcome of the box office clearly depends whether or not there will be a continuation or a sequel. If Meyer is lucky at all, do we see "The Host 2" in a year or two? Only time will tell.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 125mins.
With all the films in recent past that have gone through the 3D process, the one that is obvious would be "Jurassic Park 3D". This film was already an in-your-face film when it was released in 1993, so putting it through the 3D process was merely frosting on the cake. What is really amazing is the fact that this film is 20 years old. 20 YEARS OLD! Wow! It's difficult to believe that 20 years has gone by that fast. It truly makes one feel old.
Huge advancements in scientific technology have been able to create living dinosaurs which reside on an island off the coast of Costa Rica. John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) has invited four individuals, Dr. Allan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), and Donald Gennaro (Martin Ferrero), plus his two grandchildren, Tim Murphy (Joseph Mazzello) and Lex Murphy (Ariana Richards) to join him at Jurassic Park. But will everything go as planned?
When Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight), one of the park's own computer employees attempts to steal the dinosaur embryos for profit, he has to shut down all the systems and electricity in the process so as to not get caught. It's now a literal race for survival with everyone located in different spots island wide.
Others to round out the cast are Bob Peck as Robert Muldoon, B.D.Wong as Henry Wu, one of the geneticists, Samuel L.Jackson as Ray Arnold, a colleague of Dennis', Jerry Molen as Gerry Harding, Miguel Sandoval as Juanito Rostagno, and Cameron Thor as Lewis Dodgson.
This was brilliantly executed by veteran director Steven Spielberg ("Duel" (TV movie) '71, "The Sugarland Express" '74, "Jaws" '75, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" '77, "1941" '79, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" '81, "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial" '82, "The Color Purple" '85, "Empire of the Sun" '87, "Always" '89, "Hook" '91, "Schindler's List" '93, "Amistad" '97, "Saving Private Ryan" '98, "Minority Report" '02, "Catch Me If You Can" '02, "The Terminal" '04, "War of the Worlds" '05, "Munich" '05, "The Adventures of Tintin" '11, "War Horse" '11, "Lincoln" '12) and others. With the exception of the small amount of films Spielberg has made for message reasons, he has really brought the entertaining factor back to the screen, "Jurassic Park" being one of many. He knows how to keep his audience on that proverbial tightrope just stringing them along. This type of excitement was so extremely needed when he came into the picture--excuse the pun. And even through the entertainment, he can still insert a message: when Hammond mentioned that they could clone a dinosaur, Dr Malcolm retorted by saying, "They were so driven by the fact that they could, that they never realized whether they should". This was written by Michael Crichton and David Koepp based on Crichton's novel. What made this fantasy thought provoking was the way it was written, it gave one the possible, albeit stretched, idea that a dinosaur could, in fact, be made from prehistoric DNA, all presented in an entertaining way. Of course, at the end of the day, it's all fiction, or is it?
This was created by so many talented people, John William's amazing score, Dean Cundey's sweeping photography, Michael Hahn's fine editing, ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic)'s amazing visuals, including their full motion dinosaurs, and Stan Winston Studios' live action dinosaurs. Spielberg knows who to gather around him to make a project work.
Yes, Spielberg does like to go for the jugular, but knowing this, it certainly can make this one heck of a ride that much more fun.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 126mins.
When it comes to high-budget, big, action-packed flicks, "G.I. Joe: Retaliaton", simply by the title, says it all. As opposed to a sequel, this is actually a continuation of 2009's "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra", which is almost like watching the same film, just four years later.
In the continuing adventures of the G.I. Joe team, Duke (Channing Tatum), second-in-command Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), and the rest of the Joes, Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Jaye (Adrianne Palicki), and Storm Shadow (Byung hun Lee) face a two-fold threat. Not only is their mortal enemy COBRA rearing its ugly head again, but there is also a threat within the U.S. government: There might be an impostor in the White House.
Meanwhile, Snake Eyes (Ray Park) is on the search for inner peace via through the Blind Master (RZA), but learns that his nemesis, Storm Shadow, is still alive, which he thought was left for dead.
Others to round out the cast are Ray Stevenson as Firefly, Bruce Willis as General Joe Colton, Jonathan Pryce as President, Elodie Yung as Jinx, Luke Lacey as COBRA Commander, Walton Goggins as Warden Nigel James, Joseph Mazzello as Mouse, and Arnold Vosloo as Zartan.
This was adequately directed by Jon A. Chu ("Silent Beats" '01, "Step Up 2: The Streets" '08, "Step Up 3D" '10, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never" '11). Not much for the director to do to get these actors to emit a lot of emotion here-- aggression, tenacity, a little humor, and aggression. Oh, did I say that already? It was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick based on Hasbro's G.I. Joe action figures.
As with '09's,"G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra", what really made this palatable was the visual effects and digital animation predominantly created by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic), and Digital Domain all done in 3D. This was originally supposed to be released last year, but with all the production problems during that time, it was finally finished to make this release. And, considering the fact that most of the making of this film had to be in post production, no wonder it took this long to finish it.
If you are a single male between the age of 18-34, you will love this, because the makers of this film were obviously targeting you. But if you're not part of the aforementioned demographic, if you just put all plausibility and credibility at the theater door before you walk in, then maybe even you will get something entertaining out of it.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 111mins.
Comedies, of late, have been like playing the lottery: What are the odds that a particular one is going to be worth seeing or not? So much of the time getting a decent comedy out of Hollywood is like pulling teeth. So when I finally went to see "The Big Wedding", what I expected to be a mediocre comedy was actually a breath of fresh air.
