As a summer film season would have it, there are little gems tucked here and there to give us some sort of quality in an entertaining way. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I just want to revel in it, especially when it's a small comedy/drama entitled "The Way Way Back".It has a good deal of the same feel and flavor of another small independent film called "Little Miss Sunshine" back in 2006.
This is a funny and poignant coming of age story of 14 year-old Duncan's (Liam James) summer vacation with his mother, Pam (Toni Collette), her overbearing, obnoxious boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), and his daughter, Steph (Zoe Levin). Having a tough time fitting in, the introverted Duncan finds an unexpected friend in gregarious and fun-loving Owen (Sam Rockwell), manager of the Water Wizz water park. Through his funny, clandestine friendship with Owen, Duncan slowly opens up to and begins to finally find his place in the world-- all during a summer he will never forget.
Others to round out the cast are Allison Janney as Betty, Trent and Pam's obnoxious, but well-meaning neighbor, AnnaSophia Robb as Susanna, Betty's daughter, Maya Rudolph as Caitlin, co-worker of Owen's, Rob Corddry as Kip, Trent's buddy, Amanda Peet as Joan, another friend of Trent's, River Alexander as Peter, Betty's son, Nat Faxon as Roddy, another co-worker of Owen's, Jim Rash as Lewis, another co-worker of Owen's, and Adam Riegler as Neil, a kid at the water park.
This was directed with such realness and poignancy by Nat Faxon and And Jim Rash. The amazing thing here is that this is the first feature film these guys have directed. Undoubtedly, these guys will get future work, because this was incredibly well directed. It was also written by Faxon and Rash ("Adopted (TV movie) '05, "The Descendants" '11). Clearly, these guys are writers. The way they allowed this adolescent to transform from a withdrawn and insecure individual to a happier, a little more together guy with more hope to come was subtly conveyed. These guys will have you laughing and thinking all in the same breath. Sam Rockwell's Owen just shined as this guy who's real, honest, heart's on his sleeve type of guy. Amazing that Duncan could find solace in a water park guy, but couldn't with his mom's boyfriend or even his own mom.
I expected a funny and well written film with lots of dysfunction and many issues in which to deal with, but I had no idea that this would be as funny, poignant, and as well written as it turned out. In a summer where we have so-o much toilet, fart joke humor represented as comedies, it sure is encouraging to realize that there is still talented comedy writing out there.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 103mins.
The summer flicks just keep rolling out as if Hollywood is on some sort of deadline. Fantasy is the key ingredient during this season, what with kids out of school and families on vacation. So what a better film involving fantasy than that of "Wolverine".
Lured by a Japanese businessman, Yashida (Haruhiko Yamanouchi) to a Japan Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) hasn't seen since WWII when he saved Yashida's life, this century old mutant finds himself in a shadowy realm of yakuza and samurai. Wolverine is pushed to his physical and emotional brink when he is forced to go on the run with a powerful industrialist's daughter, Mariko (Tao Okamoto) and is confronted--for the first time--with the prospect of death. As he struggles to rediscover the hero within himself, he must grapple with powerful foes and the ghosts of his own haunted past.
Others to round out the cast are Rila Fukushima as Yukio, Logan's 'bodyguard', Hiroyuki Sanada as Shingen, Svetlana Khodchenkova as Viper, Brian Tee as Noburo, Will Yun Lee as Harada, Ken Yamamura as Young Yashida, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, Shinji Ikefuji as Pock-Face, and Qyoko Kudo as Aya.
This was intensely directed with a ton of grit by the comparable James Mangold ("Heavy" '95, "Cop Land" '97, "Girl, Interrupted" '99, "Kate & Leopold" '01, "Identity" '03, "Walk the Line" '05, "3:10 to Yuma" '07, "Knight and Day" '10). This guy never fails me for amazing intensity in his films. It was written by Mark Bombeck and Scott Frank based on the Marvel comic book. It has a few slow places in it, and there were a couple of places where the cohesiveness could've been more spot on, but this was solid and certainly looks good visually--visual effects were created by Weta Digital, Ltd.
Wolverine was certainly one of the more delineated characters of the X-Men franchise, so when Hollywood produced this, that was a great idea, if for no other reason than for marketing reasons. And with the 3D process, this is a ride you won't soon forget. Oh, and there is a bit of a surprise, but you have to sit through the end credits.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 126mins.
As we enter the mid-summer movie season, we have yet another animated film in the offing. When I first saw the first trailer of Dreamworks Animation's "Turbo", I personally wasn't impressed until I finally traveled to the cineplex to view and was pleasantly surprised.
All his life, Theo (Ryan Reynolds) the garden snail has lived a slow lane life with dreams of wanting to be fast. Suddenly, a freak mishap involving nitrous oxide give him the ability to move at superspeed, which puts Theo and his brother, Chet (Paul Giamatti) at a failing strip mall. They are discovered by Tito (Michael Pena), a goofy and good-natured fast food worker, and his crew of racing snails including Smoove Move (Snoop Dogg), Burn (Maya Rudolph), Skidmark (Ben Schwartz), White Shadow (Michael Patrick Bell), and lead by Whiplash (Samuel L. Jackson), and a wild idea is born for Theo to race with his heroes in the Indy 500. Now, this gang of misfits are traveling to Indianapolis to dare pursue the impossible dream, which will require all of Theo's speed as Turbo to have any shot of achieving.
Others to round out the cast are Luis Guzman as Angelo, Tito's brother, Bill Hader as Guy Gagne, a race car driver, Richard Jenkins as Bobby, Ken Jeong as Kim Ly, Michelle Rodriguez as Paz, Mario Andretti as Dos Bros. customer/Race official, and Aidan Andrews as Bike Boy.
Considering this is David Soren's first outing as a feature film director, he did an incredible job. His pacing and pathos he was able to emit through these characters was amazing. If this is his first, I can't wait to see what he can do in the future. It was written by Darren Lemke, Robert D. Siegel, and Soren, which is based on a story by Soren. The story was interesting, entertaining, well scripted, with an amazing message about the concept of being able to dream. Coupled with Dreamworks amazing animation and the 3D process, and you have a fun ride.
This film keeps you moving from minute one to the end credits in one exciting, entertaining story about one snail that simply dared to dream and his determination to see it come to fruition. And isn't that something we all strive, or want to strive to do?
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG 96mins.
Summer is the time of year when we can expect a plethora of action/adventure fantasy type films. And with this being the case, one of those films that has been released is "R.I.P.D". And this definitely puts the 'F' in fantasy.
Veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer (Jeff Bridges) has spent his career with the legendary police force known as R.I.P.D. (Rest in Peace Department) tracking monstrous spirits who are cleverly disguised as ordinary people. His mission? To arrest and bring justice to a special brand of criminals trying to escape final judgment by hiding among the unsuspecting on Earth. Once the wise-cracking Roy is assigned former rising-star detective Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) as his junior officer, the new partners have to turn grudging respect into top-notch teamwork. When they uncover a plot that could end life as we know it, as told to them by Proctor (Mary-Louise Parker), the one that assigns officers, these two of R.I.P.D.'s finest must miraculously restore the cosmic balance... or watch the tunnel to the afterlife begin sending angry souls the very wrong way.
Others to round out the cast cast are Kevin Bacon as Bobby Hayes, Nick's police partner before Nick is fatally shot, Stephanie Szostak as Julia Walker, Nick's wife, James Hong as Nick's Avatar, Marisa Miller as Roy's Avatar, Robert Knepper as Stanley Nawlicki, Mike O'Malley as Elliot, Devin Ratray as Pulaski, Larry Joe Campbell as Officer Murphy, Michael Coons as Ofcr. in Locker Rm., Christina Everett as R.I.P.D. Evidence Clerk, Michael Tow as R.I.P.D. Evidence Clerk, and Lonnie Farmer as Proctor's Avatar.
This was rollickingly and fun-wittedly directed by Robert Schwentke ("Tattoo" '02, "The Family Jewels" '03, "Flightplan" '05, "The Time Traveler's Wife" '09, "RED" '10). Considering his resume, this guy knows his way around a far-fetched and fantastical premise as this obviously is. It was written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi based on a story by David Dobkin, Hay, and Manfredi, which was based on the Dark Horse comic by Peter M Lenkov. Even though this has a similar feel of that of "Men in Black", this is still incredibly entertaining and outright fun.
This film is the reason why summer flicks were invented, and with Rhythm & Hues slickly done visual effects, Jeff Bridges' over-the-top character of Roy with the 3D process, you'll certainly leave the cineplex with a huge grin on your face.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 97mins.
Back in 2010, there was a small action comedy film entitled "RED" that ended up becoming the sleeper that particular summer. The different veteran actors in it played off each other so well that they decided to 'do it again' in the form of yep, you guessed it, "RED 2".
Others to round out the cast are Neal McDonough as Jack Horton, Jong Kun Lee as Han's father, David Thewlis as The Frog, Garrick Hagon as Davis, Tim Pigott-Smith as Director Philips, Brian Cox as Ivan, Philip Arditti as Arman, and Mitchell Mullen as Wade.
In "RED 2", the high-octane action comedy sequel, retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reluctantly reunites his unlikely team of elite operatives for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device designed by Bailey (Anthony Hopkins). To succeed, they will need to survive an army of relentless assassins, ruthless terrorists, and power-crazed government officials all eager to get their hands on the next-generation weapon. The mission takes Frank and his crew including Marvin (John Malkovich), Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), Victoria (Helen Mirren), Katji (Catherine Zeta-Jones), and Han Cho Bai (Byung hun Lee) to Paris, London, and Moscow. Outgunned and outmanned, they have only their cunning wits, their old-school skills, and each other to rely on as they try to save the world.
This was adequately directed by Dean Parisot ("Framed" (TV movie) '90, "Home Fries" '98, "ATF (TV movie) '99, "Galaxy Quest" '99, "The Heart Department" (TV movie) '01, "Fun with Dick and Jane" '05, "Area 57" (TV movie) '07, "See Kate Run" (TV movie) " '09). It certainly had the same flavor as the original, which gave it that, "OK, let's do it again and have a ton of fun in the process.
It was written by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber based on characters created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. There were a few places that were extremely far-fetched and difficult to swallow even though this is an action comedy, but not enough to take away from the entertainment factor of this film.
If you liked "RED", you'll love this new installment. It has all the qualities of a seasoned summer flick: witty banter amongst some great veteran actors, solid directing and enough arenaline and high-explosives to keep you glued to that seat for its 2 hour time slot.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG-13 116mins.
As the summer movie season surges on, we continue to be bomb-barded, quite literally in this case, by more and more high-adrenaline, high-budget, high explosive films to pacify those single young guys out there. With more of these films coming, we have a chance to experience a film with colossal imagery, and amazing effects titled "Pacific Rim".
When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end.To combat the giant Kaiji, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neutral bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiji. On the verge of defeat, Stacker Pentecost (Idris Elba) of the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to unlikely heroes-- a washed up former pilot, Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee, Mako Mori (Rinko Kikuchi)-- who are teamed up to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting acocalyse.
Others to round out the cast are Diego Klattenhoff as Yancy Becket, Raleigh's brother, Charlie Day as Dr. Newton Geiszler, Burn Gorman as Gottlieb, Max Martini as Herc Hansen, Robert Kazinsky as Chuck Hansen, Herc's son, Clifton Collins Jr. as Ops Tendo Choi, Ron Perlman as Hannibal Chau, Brad William Henke as Construction Foreman, Larry Joe Campbell as Construction Worker, Mana Ashida as Young Mako, Santiago Segura as Wizened Man, and Joe Pingue as Captain Merrit.
This was effectively directed by the comparable Guillermo del Toro ("Cronos" '93, "Mimic" '97, "The Devil's Backbone" '01, "Blade II" '02, "Hellboy" '04, "Pan's Labyrinth" '06, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" '08). The one element that this guy has going for him is he brings a certain darkness to his films i.e. "Pan's Labyrinth". This just makes his films that much more gritty and original. It was written by Travis Beacham and Guillermo del Toro based on a story by Beacham. I know this type of film wasn't made to have a taught script, but I have to say that this script definitely has a hokey side to it. It is drippingly patriotic with dialogue that is nothing original. Clearly where this film excels is the visual effects predominantly created by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic). The CGI and miniatures were seamless. This, with the 3D process, and you have a visual feast.
Visually, this film gives a one, two punch that, with the 3D, will give you quite the ride. As long as you're not looking for an involved script, this roller coaster ride will give you plenty enough bang for your buck.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 131mins.
Other than the holiday time in the months of November and December, the time we see a plethora of animated flicks is probably in the summer season. It makes sense since the kids are out of school and families are thinking of doing fun things. We saw a very clever animated film back in 2010 titled "Despicable Me", and it was a very refreshing story about a supervillain taking care of three small girls while he's attempting to conquer the world. Well, we now have a follow up of that story aptly titled "Despicable Me 2".
While Gru (Steve Carell), the ex-supervillain is adjusting to family life and an attempted honest living in the jam business, a secret Arctic Lab is stolen. The Anti-Villain League (AVL) decides it needs an insider's help and recruits Gru in the investigation. Together with the energetic and over-the-top AVL agent, Lucy Wilde (Kristen Wiig), Gru concludes that his prime suspect is the presumed dead supervillain, El Macho (Benjamin Bratt) whose teenage son, Antonio (Moises Arias) is also making the moves on Gru's eldest daughter, Margo (Miranda Cosgrove). Seemingly blinded by his overprotectiveness of his children and his growing mutual attraction to Lucy, Gru seems on the wrong track even as his minions are being quietly kidnapped en masse for some malevolent purpose.
Others to round out the cast are Russell Brand as Dr. Nefario, Steve Coogan as Silas Ramsbottom, Ken Jeong as Floyd, Elsie Fisher as Agnes, another daughter of Gru's, Dana Gaier as Edith, the other daughter of Gru's, Nasim Pedrad as Jillian, Kristen Schaal as Shannon, Pierre Coffin as Kevin the Minion, Bob the Minion, Stuart the Minion, Additional Minions, and Evil Minions, Chris Renaud as Additional Minions, Evil Minions, and Italian Waiter, and Nickolai Stoilov as Arctic Lab Guard.
This was effortlessly directed by Pierre Coffin ("Despicable Me" '10) and Chris Renaud. These guys have done many shorts with little to no theatrical feature experience, but were able to really pull this off. These characters were amazingly three-dimensional in their interactions with one another. It was written by Ken Daurio ("Bubble Boy" '01, "42K" '01, "The Santa Clause 2" '02, "Horton Hears a Who" '08, "Despicable Me" '10, "Hop" '11, "The Lorax" '12) and Cinco Paul ("Bubble Boy" '01, "The Santa Clause 2" '02, "Horton Hears a Who" '08, "Despicable Me" '10, "Hop" '11, "The Lorax" '12). I realize that this was a continuation from where the original left off, but I feel it had a few slow spots in story, but overall it was a story that did keep my attention. Since the writers also wrote the original, the similar feel was experienced in both films.
If you liked the original film, you'll love this. Carell's Gru and Wiig's Lucy had great chemistry and who wouldn't just love the minions. Universal Pictures struck gold with this, and with its 3D process, you'll be rooting for Gru et.al. from beginning to end.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG 98mins.
Remember when I told you in past reviews that finding a comedy that was even palatable was next to impossible? Well, I still believe this, but I did see a comedy that puts a little more faith in me when it comes to comedy writing out there. And this comes in the form of a small comedy titled, "The Heat".
Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock), an FBI agent is extremely ambitious and has her eye on a promotion, but her boss, Hale (Demian Bichir) says that she doesn't get along with her co-workers. She is sent to Boston to find out who an elusive drug dealer is by getting to the man who is fronting for him, and is told by Hale that she'll have a good shot at the promotion if she finds the dealer. When she arrives in Boston, she learns that the dealer has been eliminating his competition and taking over their operations. She learns that a small dealer, Rojas (Spoken Reasons) is in Boston PD custody and goes to ask him what he knows about the dealer, but is warned that the cop who arrested the dealer, Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) is very territorial. And she is not exactly sociable, to say the least. When the two meet, they really don't get along. When Mullins learns from her boss, Captain Woods (Tom Wilson) what Ashburn is in Boston for, she, in a huff, decides to find the dealer herself. Ashburn is told by Hale to work things out with Mullins so as to get the job done, but it won't be easy, because Ashburn does things by the book, whereas Mullins just shoots from the hip and goes a lot by gut reaction.
Others to round out the cast are Marlon Wayans as Agent Levy, Michael Rapaport as Jason Mullins, Det. Mullins' brother, Jane Curtin as Mrs. Mullins, Det. Mullins' Mom, Dan Bakkedahl as Craig, a DEA agent, Taren Killam as Adam, a DEA agent, and Michael McDonald as Julian.
This was adequately directed by Paul Feig ("I Am David" '03, "Early Bird" (TV movie) '05, "Unaccompanied Minors" '06, "Ronna & Beverly" (TV movie) '09, "Bridesmaids" '11). I'm sure this was not unfamiliar territory for Feig in that he has worked with McCarthy before, "Bridesmaids" and comedy is his schtick. The surprise here was the writing which was written by newcomer to feature films, Katie Diffold. Although this was not a perfectly written film, by any means, it was a script that was far funnier a cohesive than I ever expected, especially being a comedy. Is there still hope for Hollywood comedies out there, or is this just a fluke? Time will only tell, since "The Heat 2" has already been announced, and to be written by Diffold.
Trust me, the only reason why I waited to see this was totally out of fear--fear that I would yet be subjected to another gross, banal, film that leaves one totally empty. But instead I got a fairly smart script with Bullock and McCarthy's chemistry allowing us to have fun with this flick. Thanks Diffold.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: R 117mins.
One thing I can say for summer is we get so many films to really escape into, so if one is going through some tough times, and who isn't, just name the film in the summer, and most likely one will be able to let themselves be transported to a different time, world, situation, with many different characters to escape for that two hour time slot. If you want escape, "The Lone Ranger" will certainly fit the bill.
Native American spirit warrior Tonto (Johnny Depp) recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid (Armie Hammer), a man of the law, into a legend of justice known as the Lone Ranger.
As John Reid, his brother, sheriff Dan Reid (James Badge Dale) and their posse is attacked by the very outlaw that they were looking for, Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner), they are all left for dead. As Tonto happens to come along later, he notices that John isn't dead at all. They forge this unlikely alliance to find Cavendish and bring him to justice.
This story takes the audience on a runaway train of epic surprises and humorous friction as the two unlikely heroes must learn to work together and fight against greed and corruption.
Others to round out the cast are Tom Wilkinson as Cole, Ruth Wilson as Rebecca Reid, Dan's wife, Helena Bonham Carter as Red Harrington, Bryant Prince as Danny, Dan's son, Barry Pepper as Fuller, Mason Elston Cook as Will, JD Cullum as Wendell, Saginaw Grant as Chief Big Bear, Harry Treadaway as Frank, Stephen Root as Habberman, James Frain as Barret, Joaquin Cosio as Jesus, and Leon Rippy as Collins.
This was directed with great familiarity by Gore Verbinski ("Mousehunt" '97, "The Mexican" '01, "The Ring" '02, "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" '03, "The Weatherman" '05, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" '06, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" '07, "Rango" '11). Can you see what I mean by the word familiarity? Look at the resume. There is a definite pattern established. But it's OK, because the different work are all fun projects. It was written by Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott, and Terry Rossio based on the screen story by Elliott, Rossio, and Haythe. If you find there are elements here that are way too familiar, you're not imagining things. You see both this film and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise share the same director, Verbinski, two of the same writers, one of the same editors, Craig Wood,ace, the same producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, the same releasing company, Disney, even the same costume designer, Penny Rose. ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) was also used on both which were seamless on both. And, of course, Johnny Depp starred in both, but hey, it's Depp, and that's OK by me.
But at the end of the day, you will be incredibly entertained with lots of laughs, action, adventure, explosives, a great train scene all to get you out of your troubled life for 2.5 hours. And isn't this the reason we all go to those fun summer flicks anyway?
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 149mins.
Films based on classic plays are usually big-budget, lavishly filmed, with gorgeous costumes, beautiful sets, sweeping musical scores and awesome visual effects. Certainly William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" has been produced before, i.e. 1993's version with the same production values. Now, take that same classic play, bring it into present day, with normal clothing, normal interiors, but with the same dialect as in Shakespeare's day, and you have this new version.
Leonato (Clark Gregg), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother, Don John (Sean Maher). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Claudio (Fran Kranz). While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato's daughter, Hero (Jillian Morgese), while Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice (Amy Acker), the governor's niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange with Leonato for a marriage. In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love.
Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies, Conrade (Riki Lindhome) and Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark), plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins.
Others to round out the cast are Nathan Fillion as Dogberry, and Ashley Johnson as Margaret.
This was effortlessly directed by Josh Whedon ("Serenity" '05, "The Avengers" '12, and a ton of TV work). The way this guy was able to bring these classic characters to present day, keep the Shakespearean dialect and still be able to convey this to the audience in extremely understandable ways was a stroke of genius, not to mention unique. This was also written for the screen by Whedon as well. As mentioned above, the mixture of present day and the dialect of the day is such a simple idea, but aren't the best ideas based in simple? This production was elegant, but casual in nature, but as in true Shakespearean purity, this was saturated with love, deceit, romance, manipulation, and redemption, just like stories today. There were a couple of slow areas in this, but nothing to hamper this rendition.
Whether you're a Shakespeare fan or not, there is something for everyone here-- it has the classic dialect for the sophisticates out there, it has the present day youth for the casual young out there, and it has all the deception, love, lust, etc. for everyone else all presented in a film noir black and white quality.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 107mins.
As a summer film season would have it, there are little gems tucked here and there to give us some sort of quality in an entertaining way. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I just want to revel in it, especially when it's a small comedy/drama entitled "The Way Way Back".It has a good deal of the same feel and flavor of another small independent film called "Little Miss Sunshine" back in 2006.
