I have said quite often that movies give us a chance to escape into another time, place, looking into different person's lives as we get swept into a fantastical world. This clearly is the epitome of why movies were invented, so we could forget our problems and issues even though it may be for a limited two-hour time slot, which is why films like "Winter's Tale" exist.
New York City is subsumed in arctic winds, dark nights, and white lights. Its life unfolds, for it is an extraordinary hive of the imagination, the greatest house ever built, and nothing exists that can check its vitality. One evening in winter, Peter Lake (Colin Farrell), orphan and master-mechanic, attempts to rob a fortress-like mansion on the Upper West Side. Though he thinks the house is empty, the daughter of the house owned by Isaac Penn (William Hurt), her father, is actually home. Thus begins the love between Peter, a middle- aged Irish burglar, and Beverly Penn (Jessica Brown Findlay), a young woman who is dying. What makes their connection difficult is the fact that Peter's ex-employer whom Peter stole for, Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe) is after him for his belief that Peter has done him wrong. All that Pearly knows is that a red-headed woman is a form of protection for Peter, so not only must Pearly find Peter, but this woman as well.
Others to round out the cast are Jennifer Connelly as Virginia Gamely, Mckayla Twiggs as Young Willa, Beverly's much younger sister, Maurice Jones as Cecil, Kevin Corrigan as Romeo Tan, Will Smith as Judge, Ripley Sobo as Abby, Virginia's daughter, Graham Greene as Humpstone John, Kevin Durand as Cesar Tan, Eva Marie Saint as Older Adult Willa, Tom Morrissey as Butler, Jon Patrick Walker as Optometrist, and David O'Brien Hart as Penn House Butler.
For this to be this filmmaker's first feature film in the director's chair, Akiva Goldsman did an outstanding job. The way he was able to get his actors to emit the different emotions that were required was spot on and something one would see from a seasoned director. It was also written by Goldsman ("The Client" '94, "Silent Fall" '94, "Batman Forever" '95, "A Time to Kill" '96, "Batman & Robin" '97, "Lost in Space" '98, "Practical Magic" '98, "A Beautiful Mind" '01, "I, Robot" '04, "Cinderella Man" '05, "The Da Vinci Code" '06, "I Am Legend" '07, "Angels & Demons" '09) based on the novel by Mark Helprin. This script could have been easily written in a convoluted way considering it goes from 1895 to 2014 to 1916 to 2014 and back again, but Goldsman is such a consummate writer, hence the resume, that he pulled it off. There were a couple of slow places, but certainly not enough to detract from this very interesting premise. Another superbly done aspect of this film was from the cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, asc ("The Black Stallion" '79, "Being There" '79, "The Right Stuff" '83, "The Natural" '84, "It Could Happen to You" '94, "Hope Floats" '98, "Anna and the King" '99, "The Patriot" 2000, "The Passion of the Christ" '04, "National Treasure" '04, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" '08, "Killer Joe" '11, "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" '12, "Jack Reacher" '12). Deschanel has this innate ability to bring a certain crispness and clarity to his work which is why he is probably one of my favorite cinematographers.
If you are sentimental at all, this is the film for you, but even if you're not, the interesting story whereas the different time periods have specific connections along with the great visuals will keep you riveted to that theater seat intrigued at what is unfolding before your very eyes.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 118mins.
As we see each generation come to pass, we will see movies remade so they can enjoy them on the large screen as well. The problem with this is: a certain percentage of these people actually believe they are watching an original film. Heaven knows we've seen a plethora of remakes, i.e. "Planet of the Apes", "The Heartbreak Kid", "Alfie", "The Italian Job", etc. Well, we have yet another remake to add to that never ending list in the form of "RoboCop".
The year is 2028 and multinational conglomerate OmniCorp is at the center of robot technology. Overseas, their drones have been used by the military for years-- and it's meant billions for OmniCorp's bottom line. Now OmniCorp wants to bring their controversial technology to the home front, and they see a golden opportunity to do it. You see, a majority of Americans want the drones in this country more human-like with an ability to 'feel' as Pat Novak (Samuel L. Jackson) of the Novak Experiment, a TV show, says.
Alex Murphy (Joel Kinnaman)-- a loving husband, father and good cop doing his best to stem the tide of crime and corruption in Detroit-- is critically injured in the line of duty. Those at OmniCorp, namely Raymond Sellars (Michael Keaton) and Dr. Dennett Norton (Gary Oldham) see their chance for a part-man, part-robot police officer. OmniCorp envisions a RoboCop in every city and even more billions for their shareholders, but they never counted on one thing: there is still a man inside the machine pursuing justice.
Others to round out the cast are Abbie Cornish as Clara Murphy, Alex's wife, Jackie Earle Haley as Rick Mattox, Michael K. Williams as Jack Lewis, Alex's cop partner, Jennifer Ehle as Liz Kline, Jay Baruchel as Tom Pope, the marketing guy, Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Chief Karen Dean, Aimee Garcia as Jae Kim, Dr. Norton's assistant, Douglas Urbanski as Mayor Durant, John Paul Ruttan as David Murphy, Alex's son, Patrick Garrow as Antoine Vallon, K.C. Collins as Andre Daniels, Daniel Kash as John Lake, and Zach Grenier as Senator Hubert Dreyfuss.
This was adequately directed by Jose Padilha ("Bus 174" (Documentary) '02, "Brazil's Vanishing Cowboys" (TV movie Documentary) '03, "Elite Squad" '07, "Garapa" (Documentary) '09, "Secrets of the Tribe" (Documentary) '10, "Elite Squad: The Enemy Within" '10). By his very resume, especially the documentaries, this guy knows intensity which he definitely needed in this film to make it work. It was written by Joshua Zetumer based on the 1987 screenplay by Edward Neumeier and Michael Miner. The biggest difference between this and the '87 original is the obvious: the visual effects. Such as in this, they show the audience what is actually left of 'him' after the fire Murphy was in and it's fairly graphic, but with the much improved computer graphics ability as opposed to 1987, there is a vast difference, and it is stunning. Whether this is the open door to a franchise, only the box office will be able to tell us for sure.
If you liked the 1987 version, you'll like this. It holds fairly true to its predecessor. But even if you're not, the visuals and underlying message should be enough to hold you for the 100 minute running time.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 100mins.
Besides the recently released, "The Nut Job", we have our second animated film of the new year in our midst. Now this isn't just any animated flick, we're talking about "The Lego Movie". The difference here is this is like watching actual Lego bricks that come to life with a, well life of their own.
This follows lead character, Emmet (Chris Pratt) a completely ordinary, clueless, but affable LEGO mini-figure who is mistakenly identified as the most "extraordinary person" called "the special" and the key to saving the Lego universe. He is prophesied through Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) as being a "Master Builder" or one who can save the universe. Emmet and his friends, Wyldstyle/Lucy (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will Arnett), Metal Beard (Nick Offerman), and Unikitty (Alison Brie) go on an epic journey to stop the evil tyrant, Lord Business (Will Ferrell) and his henchman, Bad Cop/Good Cop (Liam Neeson) who is bent on destroying their LEGO universe by gluing it all together instead of letting the people think and create for themselves.
Others to round out the cast are Charlie Day as Benny, Cobie Smulders as Wonder Woman, Channing Tatum as Superman, Jonah Hill as Green Lantern, and Dave Franco as Wally.
It was written and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller ("Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" '09, "21 Jump Street" '12). Considering the minimal experience these guys have in the director's and writer's chair, these guys produced a fairly interesting film. Mind you, this script was fairly predictable, not to mention somewhat ordinary, but first of all, these guys clearly need more experience which they will receive, and two, somehow, I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe the premise was purposely simple in order to showcase the real stars here: the visual effects company, Animal Logic ("Babe", "Mousehunt", "The Matrix", "House of Flying Daggers", "300", "The Great Gatsby") to name a few. This has got to be one of the finest animated films I've seen in a while.
Believe me, if I was to rate this film only by the visuals, this would clearly be a 4 star, however I must rate this according to overall performance, and for what it was and how it was carried out, it somewhat missed the mark. The one interesting part here is who and what ends up being 'the man upstairs'. It's creative and surprising. Go ahead and take the plunge, because of the visuals and being presented in 3D makes this fun no matter what.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG 100mins.
I have come to the conclusion that anything based on a true story, person or persons is a sure fire film with quality as its basis. Sometimes stories based on reality win out over those based in fiction, depending on their writing, directing and acting. As in the case of "The Monuments Men", it is compelling to take part in a story about a part of history that most people never knew existed.
Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, this is an action drama focusing on an unlikely World War II platoon, tasked by FDR with going into Germany to rescue artistic masterpieces from Nazi thieves and returning them to their rightful owners. It would be an impossible mission: with the art trapped and hidden behind enemy lines, and with the German army under orders to destroy everything as the Reich fell, how could these guys--seven museum directors, curators, and art historians, all more familiar with Michelangelo than the M-1--possibly hope to succeed? But as the Monuments Men, James Granger (Matt Damon), Richard Campbell (Bill Murray), Walter Garfield (John Goodman), Jean Claude Clermont (Jean Dujardin), Donald Jefferies (Hugh Bonneville), Preston Savitz (Bob Balaban), Sam Epstein (Dimitri Leonidas), headed up by Frank Stokes (George Clooney), as they were called, found themselves in a race against time to avoid the destruction of a 1000 years of culture, they would risk their lives to protect and defend mankind's greatest achievements. James Granger also enlists help from a French woman, Claire Simone (Cate Blanchett), who reluctantly decides to help the American team after being shafted by the Nazis, to help in ways that surprise them.
Others to round out the cast are Justus von Dohnanyi as Viktor Stahl, Holger Handtke as Colonel Wegner, Michael Hofland as Priest (Claude), Zahary Baharov as Commander Elya, Michael Brandner as Dentist, and Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton.
The direction was done by the incomparable George Clooney (" Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" '02, "Good Night, and Good Luck" '05, "Leatherheads" '08, "The Ides of March" '11). This is yet another actor that has the incredible ability to direct as well as act as others in the biz have proven time and again. It was also tightly written by Clooney and his producing partner, Grant Heslov which was based on the book by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter. There have been many films made about the different aspects of WWII, but none about the Monuments Men--in fact, I had never heard of these guys during that war. So, for Clooney to take on this subject matter was a much needed part of history all should witness. This film isn't just about taking back art work and sculptures, it's more about sustaining a culture that involves people's lives throughout history that all people can learn from that's important. All told these guys ended up retrieving over 5 million artifacts during that time which is awe-inspiring.
I thought this would be a good film, but after viewing it, it exceeded my expectations. The cast was incredible and Clooney is such a talented filmmaker, and with his passion, it makes an already important topic that much more thought provoking.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 118mins.
Originally movies were created to allow people to escape into another time, place and situations so they can be entertained for a two-hour time slot, however, once in a while, I feel it is important to reflect on a situation, person, or a crisis where we can have something to learn so as to think about someone or thing other than our own 'box'. And then when the message in the film is based or inspired by a true story like "Gimme Shelter", it makes that much more of an impact in our lives.
16 year old street-wise Apple Bailey (Vanessa Hudgens) has never had an easy life. Her mother, June Bailey (Rosario Dawson), is an addict and prostitute, is verbally and physically abusive, and unwittingly is grooming her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Apple knows the streets, alleys and motels like the back of her hand, but wants more from life. She possesses a tenacious, tough, indomitable spirit, and will not surrender to fate. Apple runs away from her mother and tracks down her father whom she has never known, as he was only 19 when he got Apple's mother pregnant. Apple begs her now Wall Street Broker father, Tom Fitzpatrick (Brendan Fraser), to take her in. He reluctantly agrees, but after a few days, Apple realizes she's pregnant and feels she must leave because of her own confusion: abort the baby, or allow the birth of the baby. She realizes she can't abort, and instead wants the child and is eventually taken under the wing of Father Frank McCarthy (James Earl Jones), the chaplain of the local hospital after almost getting herself killed. He offers to let Apple live at a shelter for pregnant young women run by a spiritual woman named Kathy (Ann Dowd). It is here that Apple begins to tentatively interact with other girls who are in the same predicament as she gradually begins to make a family for herself. As the selling slogan reads, "Sometimes you have to leave home to find your family".
Others to round out the cast are Stephanie Szostak as Joanna Fitzpatrick, Tom's wife, Dascha Polanco as Carmel, Emily Meade as Cassandra, Candace Smith as Marie Abeanni, Tashiana Washington as Destiny, Rachel Mattila as Nicky 'Pink Friday', Elyse Kratchman and Eddie Schweighardt as Alexandra and Dustin, children of the Fitzpatrick's, Sheila Tapia as Officer Ganz, and Laneya Wiles as Jasmine.
This was directed with amazing pathos and raw emotion by Ronald Krauss ("Rave" 2000, "Alien Hunter" '03, "Amexica" '10). It was also written with grit and compassion by Krauss, which, through his thoughtful words so carefully delineated, drove home the message that people are important no matter who they are, how poor they are, how angry they are, or how troubled they are. Plan to have a half a box of Kleenex with this. Although the tears are a feeling we all must experience through this, we will feel better for it--I know I did.
Everyone should see this film if you haven't. Even though it is well acted--Hudgens is awe-inspiring, it needs to be seen so we all can learn to be a better people, so maybe, just maybe, we can learn to reach out to those much less fortunate than us.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 101mins.
We've all seen intense dramas before that involve difficult decisions between people in difficult situations, and, as we're biting our nails wondering if all is going to be well by end of film. What makes "Labor Day" a little bit different than those other films is that when you think the film's over, you're wrong.
This centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler (Gattlin Griffith) who struggles to be the man of the house and care for his depressive reclusive mother, Adele (Kate Winslet) while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. As the police search the town for this convict, the mother and son gradually learn his true story as their options become increasingly limited. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.
Others to round out the cast are Tobey Maguire as Adult Henry, who also narrates the story, Tom Lipinski as Young Frank, Maika Monroe as Mandy, Clark Gregg as Gerald, Henry's father, James Van Der Beek as Officer Treadwell, J.K. Simmons as Mr. Jervis, a neighbor, Brooke Smith as Evelyn, Brighid Fleming as Eleanor, Alexie Gilmore as Marjorie, Lucas Hedges as Richard, Micah Fowler as Barry and Chandra Thomas as Bank Teller.
This was well paced and delineated by director Jason Reitman ("Thank You for Smoking" '05, "Juno" '07, "Up in the Air" '09, "Young Adult" '11). The way this guy can exude just the right amount of emotion out of his actors is simply amazing. You can see this in his other work as listed above. It was quirkily written by Reitman based on the novel by Joyce Maynard. This plot could've been so boring, because the premise isn't exactly original, but Reitman knows how to write a very taught script that is amazingly fluid. He needs to teach other screenwriters in Hollywood how to write. Winslet's depiction of depressive yet desperate was stunning! Kudos!
Be patient with this story; it does take a bit of time to get going, but once it does, you will be riveted to your seat wondering what is going to happen to these three people trying, in their own way, to survive.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 111mins.
Immature young men meets romantic comedy. These ingredients aren't always a combination in films, but more so than not, they do seem to be coupled in many of them. Case in point: we have this combo and are asked to laugh at their hijinks, screw-ups and pitfalls when it comes to having any sort of relationships with the opposite sex in the new comedy, "That Awkward Moment".
This story centers on three best friends-- Jason, Daniel and Mikey (Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan) respectively who finds themselves where we've all been-- at that confusing 'moment' in every dating relationship when you have to decide, "so... where is this going?"
You see, they all have been dumped by their respective girlfriends, and where normally one could feel bad about their situation, turns out to be a film where the audience finds it increasingly difficult to feel bad for these guys more and more as the film progresses because of their superficiality. And even though their girlfriends, Ellie, Chelsea and Vera (Imogen Poots, Mackenzie Davis and Jessica Lucas) respectively are not totally together themselves, I can see where they might have a problem with these three guys when they clearly have no idea what it takes to start and continue a relationship. Sound familiar?
This film was written and directed by Tom Gormican, and even though this is his first attempt at writing and directing films, he has a lot more to learn when it comes to a taught cohesive script. He had too much of a difficult time maneuvering his actors from place to place so as to show enough continuity as far as his audience went. His directing wasn't terrible, it just wasn't great, but, again, considering this is his first film, I believe more work would be just what the doctor ordered to get this guy in a higher gear. This may be difficult considering he chose an industry which isn't patient for filmmakers to get better, so he may not have the chance. The guy does have potential, he just chose a tired, saturated genre to survive in.
If you like rom coms, you'll like this no matter how it's presented, but even though these actors have proven themselves in other acting projects, not even they can save a film that's clearly based in sandy soil as opposed to rock.
Out of 4 Stars: 2 Rated: R 94mins.
I have said quite often that movies give us a chance to escape into another time, place, looking into different person's lives as we get swept into a fantastical world. This clearly is the epitome of why movies were invented, so we could forget our problems and issues even though it may be for a limited two-hour time slot, which is why films like "Winter's Tale" exist.
