Peeples Review

Not so immediate family---Kerry Washington and Craig Robinson as a woman and her boyfriend who tries to impress her father in Peeples
                                                Craig Robinson has always been one of my favorite comedic actors ever since he got his start on "The Office." In fact...while I know people think he's funny...I also think he is criminally overlooked in the comedy world. I also love David Alan Grier. I think that a lot of the time he's one of the funnier actors working today. In a world of Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill...I still think Grier stands out as one funny guy. I also like Kerry Washington. She is an incredibly talented actress who still has very far to go in her career. That's why it's so, so, so unfortunate to see them in such a strained comedy as Peeples. It's not that Peeples is a bad film. No, not at all. It's just that we had Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Monster-In-Law,Guess Who and Little Fockers already. So why do we need another impress the parents film? It's such a cliche formula and this particular film's messages are even more cliche than the film itself.

                                                In the film...Robinson plays Wade...a children's musician whose love for Grace (Washington) encourages him to be a surprise guest at a weekend getaway that Grace's family---the Peeples are hosting. The very first thing that happens when Wade shows up you may ask. Well...Wade gets viciously attacked by the family dog. This is just the first part in a string of sequences that makes Grace's father, Virgil (Grier) think that Wade is not a good fit for her. Wade does, however, get chummy with Grace's little brother, Simon (Tyler James Williams.) Simon sees a kindness in Wade that the rest of the family doesn't see.

                                               The film does have a few funny moments---mostly due to Robinson's spot on delivery to the reaction of certain situations. Also...I wasn't particularly mad walking out of the theater. It's not like I saw Oblivion for a second time. However, the film is too overwrought in its message and too pleased with itself to the point when no one in the cast or crew is able to admit that they just haven't made a very good film.

                                               Robinson is a major comic talent and will no doubt get a much, much, much better leading role someday. It's not that Peeples is an appalling film or anything...it's just that with all the talent involved....it could have been significantly better.
(2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug material and language)

Frances Ha Review

Go for the quirks, stay for Gerwig---Greta Gerwig, Michael Zegen and Adam Driver as roommates in Frances Ha
                            Quirky in film has never been my thing. The hit Zooey Deschanel show "New Girl" does it pretty well but in movies...it never seems to impress me. That is...unless you're Greta Gerwig. Gerwig is not only an adorable actress but she is the only person I can think of who is born to play quirky and goes quite far with her quirkiness. I think Deschanel is great at quirky but unlike Gerwig...she never goes far enough with it. But enough with comparing two actresses. The new black and white indie mumblecore film Frances Ha is just further proof that Gerwig is willing to go incredibly far to please her audience. In this particular film (which she co-wrote along with her current boyfriend Noah Bambauch)...she makes Frances into a likable but intrepid character. The film itself, however, lacks.

                              The film stars Gerwig as Frances...a 27 year old dancer whose best friend, Sophie (Mickey Sumner) goes off to live with her boyfriend. Bewildered by life...Frances meets Lev and Benji (Adam Driver and Michael Zegen) and moves in with them. Soon enough...Frances is chasing her dreams all over the world.

                              The film itself is way too wacky for no reason. It is also quite boring a lot of the time and thinks it's much cooler than it actually is. Just like Frances...the film thinks that it's successful when really it's just kind of a bore. Director Baumbach (who previously did the phenomenal films The Squid and the Whale and Greenberg) takes a break from his usual downbeat method of storytelling to take a more silly approach to film. This doesn't work at all.  However, all that is almost forgiven because Gerwig is so damn good. Gerwig gives the character of Frances more life, substance and adorableness than is deserved. Although Frances is quite audacious in the things that she does and says....Gerwig someone manages to make her into an incredible likable human being. I don't know how she pulls it off but she definitely does.

                              The black and white imagery is refreshing although it didn't really add anything to the film. It's like a beautiful woman who can't make decent conversation...easy on the eyes but doesn't bring anything new or interesting to the table. The supporting cast is alright but they don't really do anything particularly great. Lev and Benji both start to become quite grating, in fact. Sumner makes Sophie a likable enough character but doesn't give her 1/4 of the substance that Gerwig gives Frances.

                               I could almost recommend Frances Ha for Gerwig's performance alone. I can't quite do the film that service, however. For most people...this will probably be a love it or hate it kind of film. For me...I'm on the fence about it. I'm neither close to loving it nor hating it which is a shame because I love Gerwig and just about everything she's in.
(2 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for sexual references and language)

Mud Review

The island of misfit boys---Matthew McConaughey as a man who hires two boys (Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland) to help him in Mud
                                              After a ridiculous batch of dumb, cliche romantic comedies (Fool's Gold, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days and the much forgotten but universally panned Surfer, Dude)...Matthew McConaughey is back on top proving himself to be a terrific actor yet again. Last year alone he had The Lincoln Lawyer, Magic Mike, Bernie, The Paperboy and who could forget the breathtaking Killer Joe? Now comes Mud which not only officially proves that McConaughey is going to have a long, great career but also introduces two teenagers who are most definitely going to be successful in their own right. Those boys are Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland who are simply phenomenal in the film.

                                             In the film....Sheridan and Lofland play Ellis and Neckbone. They are two tough 14 year old kids who live in the south. One day they decide to go to an island and sneak onto a boat. Upon thinking it's all theirs...Ellis figures someone actually lives on the boat because of the fact that food is on the boat. Turns out Ellis is right and the man who lives on the boat is Mud (McConaughey.) When Mud meets the boys...he sees it as an opportunity for both of them to win. It's simple---the boys get him food and help him get back with his girlfriend, Juniper (Reese Witherspoon) and he gives the boys possessions that he himself owns.

                                             I absolutely loved this film. I loved it because of the performances from not only Sheridan, Lofland, McConaughey and Witherspoon---which are all phenomenal but also because of some of the fantastic little performances. These include Ray McKinnon as Ellis's dad, Sam Shepard as Ellis's mysterious neighbor and Michael Shannon as Neckbone's tough, sleazy uncle. I loved the film because writer-director Jeff Nichols has made a film with such a cool, relaxing setting that you can't help but be sucked into its world. I loved the film because even at 130 minutes...it never felt too long. In fact...it felt like the perfect run time. I loved the film because all the characters are great and distinct in their own right. Ellis is an especially amazing character. He is a mature 14 year old with a tough exterior but he also has a sensitive side to him which is really refreshing to see. That being said---every character brings their own special quality to the film. I loved the film because it is emotional and touching and melancholy without ever being too syrupy. Finally...I loved the film because it is just a plain awesome film.

                                             I can not in words describe my honest feelings for Mud. Between this film, At Any Price and Disconnect...it looks like I'm going to have a hard time picking my truly favorite film of 2013. The point I'm trying to make is see this film by any means necessary. It is truly fantastic.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13  for some violence, sexual references, language, thematic elements and smoking)

The Reluctant Fundamentalist Review

Post 9/11 Blues---Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson as a threatened US citizen and his girlfriend in The Reluctant Fundamentalist
                                           The Reluctant Fundamentalist is a good movie that could have been great had it ended 20 minutes earlier. It's enjoyable until its final act gets caught up in an overabundance of mayhem and violence. Although the film follows a man who is accused of being a terrorist after 9/11...a day that will forever live in infamy to all Americans...this is not a grim film. Sure...it has a sad story behind it and revolves around one of the worst events in America's history but it's enjoyably positive almost throughout.

                                           That man the film follows is Changez (Riz Ahmed.) He is a Pakistani man who is living the american dream. He has a great job with a boss (Kiefer Sutherland) who respects him and trusts his decisions. He has a beautiful girlfriend named Erica (Kate Hudson) and he's living large. However, a hostage crisis happens in his homeland and is forced to choose between the great life he has made for himself and going back to help his family. To make matters worse...9/11 occurs and he can't even buy food without people questioning him.

                                           The film is set up as a story within a story. Changez is telling all of this to a curious journalist (Liev Schreiber) who may or may not be setting him up but mostly what's on screen is the story he's telling. That's good because there is no real tension in the journalist story until the last bits and pieces of it. Even then, however, the journalist story not only doesn't satisfy the audience as much as the other story but doesn't really satisfy the audience at all.


                                            Although Schreiber and Sutherland are their usual excellent selves...the real star here is Ahmed. Ahmed gives the kind of performance you wish every film would have. He makes Changez a character who seems pretty tough on the outside but that's only because we don't really know what he's going through. Ahmed is fantastic here and he has restored my faith in Hollywood''s ability to churn out great performances. I usually am not a fan of Hudson but she's good here even though she doesn't have much to do.

                                             The film is quite good at telling the story without getting too sappy or overbearing. Also...it's both enthralling and emotionally satisfying to watch Changez endure the struggles he has to face. It's an inspiring tale of beating the odds and keeping your friends and family close.

                                             As I said...if it wasn't for those last 20 minutes...The Reluctant Fundamentalist would have been a great film in my eyes. However, it gets too boring and full of itself towards the end. Still...it's a satisfying enough film for me to recommend that you go see it. That is...if it won't hit too close to home for you.
(3 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language, some violence and brief sexuality)

Random Blog: The Genius Behind Pootie Tang

                                            Today---I got home and turned on the TV right away. This is generally my first move when I get home. But this was a special kind of turning on the TV for when I turned it on....I noticed that the critically panned comedy Pootie Tang was on Comedy Central. As I sat there on my couch watching it...I felt obliged to run over to the computer and tell the world about my love of this film. It's a film I hold near and dear to my heart. Now...before you go off on a rant about how this is just some stupid comedy....let me explain why you would be completely wrong to do so.

                                             First and foremost---you would be wrong because this is one of the smartest movies you will ever see. On the surface...this looks like a ridiculous, dumb parody of the Blaxplotation films of the 70's. On the contrary, this is a social satire that not only has something to say about the world we live in but does so in an incredibly smart manner. Take the fact that all the heroes are black and all the heavies are white. By presenting an idea that is the opposite of what you think it will be...it says something about the racism that is still going on in our world today. Take another example----a scene in which Pootie (Lance Crouther)'s father (Chris Rock) is attacked by a gorilla at work and the narrator of the film, Trucky (JB Smoove) says "Only the third time a man had been mauled by a gorilla at that steel mill." This actually does say something about working conditions in steel mills, factories and other places of that sort. I'm really not kidding when I say this film is absolutely brilliant.

                                                The film was written and directed by hilarious stand up comedian Louis CK. CK who has had two shows---the short-lived "Lucky Louie" and the successful "Louie." When this film was released....it was panned by critics such as Roger Ebert who asked "How did this train wreck happen?" Still....CK proved himself to be a master of comedy with this film. Who can blame companies for seeing that CK was a funny guy? This is not the funniest film I've ever seen. That honor still belongs to Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy. Still---this is definitely one of the smartest films I've ever seen if not the smartest.  Also...it's the 3rd funniest film I've ever seen (I still think Fear Of A Black Hat gets that #2 spot) and that averages out quite nicely.

                                                  A comedy I have not yet mentioned...Office Space is still my favorite film of all time. Just like Mike Judge's workplace comedy...I have watched Pootie Tang around 100 times and it has never gotten old. It's one of those rare films I actually wished was a half an hour longer. At only 81 minutes...Pootie Tang always has me wishing I could spend more time with all the characters of this film.

Love Is All You Need Review

You look wonderful tonight---Pierce Brosnan and Trine Dyrholm fall in love despite forces at work in Love Is All You Need
                                Every once in a while an original, funny, sweet and just plain delightful romantic comedy comes around to restore your hope in the genre. Love Is All You Need is definitely one of those times. This is a magnificent little film where the casting is perfect, the script is witty and the direction is fantastic and bright. Pierce Brosnan proves yet again to be a great actor and Danish actress Trine Dyrholm shows that she's going to be a huge star here in America. Both are simply terrific.

                                 In the film...Brosnan and Dyrholm play Philip and Ida. Philip is an angry, bitter soul because his wife died many years ago. Ida is a happy woman who finds out her husband is having an affair despite the fact that she is going through a struggle with cancer. Ida accidentally bumps into Philip's car but then they find out that Philip's son is getting married to Ida's daughter. This turns into Philip and Ida falling in love much to many people's chagrin.

                               This is not a completely perfect film..don't get me wrong. There are a couple of annoying quirks here and there most of which involve Ida's husband, Leif (Kim Bodnia) whose character is too hardheaded for his own good. However, by the end of the film I even like what they did with his character so I'm willing to forgive that little flaw. Brosnan and Dyrholm have excellent chemistry here and give the audience two of the most likable characters you are likely to see in a film this or any other year. As well...these characters are both funny and melancholy in their ways...a surprisingly perfect mix.

                              Love Is All You Need is pretty terrific. If you are willing to look past how unoriginal it really is and a couple of minor flaws....there is no reason you shouldn't thoroughly enjoy this film.
(4 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for brief sexuality, nudity and some language)

Kon TIki Review

   Ship wreck---Thor (Pal Hagen) goes on an adventure with a crew of anthropologists in Kon Tiki
                                 Kon Tiki is a very inspiring story made into a long slog of a film that is more of an endurance test than a night out at the cinema. While watching it---I was reminded of My Dinner With Andre because both films feature people talking throughout and have no exciting conflict. However, that was at least the point of My Dinner With Andre and it worked wonders. Kon Tiki, on the other hand, just fails. It's a really bad film made a bit better by the fact that you can't watch it and not think of just how inspiring this story was in real life.

                                 The film stars Pal Hagen as Thor...who sets out with a group of anthropologists to prove that South Americans settled on Polynesian Islands before Columbus ever touched the ocean. In the real life story...they face conflicts and danger such as sharks, massive waves and each other. I suppose that's all in the film as well. It's just that in the film they talk about the danger more than it is actually shown. This is a fatal flaw for what is supposed to be a rousing epic.

                                  The other huge fatal flaw is the acting. It's not that the acting is terrible. In fact, it's that the actors try too hard to impress the audience. They overstate every line and react too heavily to the situation at hand. As well, the actors try to make the talking exciting but can't do that because there's no way to make the dialogue at hand the least bit exciting. All of this makes for an inspiring story but dull execution.

                                   Kon Tiki has been compared to Life Of Pi by the masses. I think this is a very fair comparison. Beside the fact that Kon Tiki is not visually stunning and in 3D like Life Of Pi was...they are basically the same film. They're both inspiring stories made into mediocre films and they both feature way too much talking about the story rather than actually showing it. The other difference is that I can't possibly see Kon Tiki winning any Oscars in the universe that we live in.
(2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for a disturbing violent sequence)

Iron Man 3 Review

All suited up with barely anywhere to go----Robert Downey JR and Don Cheadle reprise their roles as Tony Stark and Colonel James Rhodes in Iron Man 3
                      Iron Man 3 is an exciting, fun, big budget action picture but when compared to the first two...this is pretty thin soup. It features the explosions, dumb dialogue and creepy villain that everyone goes to a superhero movie to see. However, there is no real substance and oddly enough, Jon Favreau was the director they needed to keep on. The new director is Shane Black whose only other feature was the incredible action film Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which also starred Robert Downey JR. In Iron Man 3....Black proves that he knows his way around an action set piece but not a story.

                      The film opens at a New Years party when Tony Stark (Downey JR) is being his old obnoxious, drunk self. Oh yeah...I forgot to mention the party was taking place in 1999 long before Stark suited up. Stark tells Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) that he will meet him up on the roof in five minutes for a potential business proposition. Stark, however, does not follow through. Flash to years later and Stark must go up against both Aldrich and a terrorist named The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley.) Meanwhile...Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Stark's beloved partner is changing his superhero name from War Machine to The Iron Patriot for political reasons.

                        Downey JR is entertaining as always here. However, this is the first time his shtick got to me a bit. He's good...don't get me wrong but his wackiness may have gone a bit overboard this time. Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's wife, Pepper do a good job at reprising their roles. Lastly...Pearce and Kingsley make great villains even if I had a major problem with their characters. That major problem is that it felt as if  co writer-director Black along with his co-writer, Drew Pearce were trying to do too much of a Bane meets The Joker thing with The Mandarin and Aldrich. Yes...I know these are characters from the Iron Man comic book but I still felt like that idea was being shoved down the audience's throat a bit too much.

                         The film is well shot in the action department but the story is weak. We get the same old lines about how Stark must protect Pepper and some incredibly stupid stabs at comedy. The only thing I liked about the plot was when Stark meets a kid named Harley (Ty Simpkins.) Actually...I loved this plot because you think it may turn into Stark being a father figure to this kid but he doesn't play those games. Also...there is actually some really funny stuff in their relationship. The film is saved quite a bit by the last act which is incredibly thrilling.

                        Iron Man 3 gave me the impression that Downey JR should just quit while he's ahead. That is if his contract lets him. Don't get me wrong....Iron Man 3 is a good movie. Alright...Iron Man 3 is a very good movie. It's just that there is always that one point in someone's career when the actor starts to look too old and too tired to be doing what they're doing anymore. Who knew that the most prominent cop movie line "I'm getting too old for this s***" could actually be incredibly accurate to actors as well? It happened with Sylvester Stallone twice with Rocky and Rambo. It happened to the Jackass crew and now it's happening to Downey JR himself. To RDJ---I love you, buddy but it's time to let go.
(3 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggestive content)

The Great Gatsby Review

Think about it, there must be higher love---Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan as a couple on the run from themselves in The Great Gatsby

                                             The Great Gatsby is just about the worst adaptation of a book I have ever seen. It is a phoned in piece of garbage that starts out boring and stays that way throughout. The film feels more like a parody than anything else and is completely pointless. As with his 1996 "modern" adaptation of Romeo & Juliet....Luhrmann proves that he thinks just by adding modern language and contemporary music into the mix of things...he's automatically being edgy and cool. On the contrary, Luhrmann has now managed to ruin two of the greatest pieces of literature even written by being a completely unskilled director. To call him the Uwe Boll of book to film adaptation directors would be a complete insult to Boll himself.

                                            In this mess of a film....Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jay Gatsby. He is a mysterious man whose neighbor, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) is dying to meet him. At a party...Jay falls for Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) whose husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton) grows increasingly suspicious. 

                                           The film is not as riveting as it sounds. In fact...it's not riveting at all. It is really, really, really boring. Every one of these actors sounds like they're trying to make the audience laugh rather than take them seriously. The character of Jay called everyone "old sport" which became increasingly annoying. As well....Nick is played with such goofiness and so unrealistically by Maguire that you start to get the impression that no one is even trying. Mulligan and Edgerton are just boring...giving the audience absolutely nothing to work with.

                                              Also....the film tries to tell a tragic love story but at times plays it way too grim and at other times plays it in such a hilariously bad manner that I was trying not to laugh in my packed theater. The film never manages to find the right tone and the use of contemporary music such as Lana Del Rey and Jay Z is rather ludicrous. After all...it is a film about the 1920's. At least with last year's Django Unchained....the film allowed for rap music because it used it in the right manner. Here...it's just playing rap music for the sake of playing rap music.

                                              The film is also way too long. It took me a shorter amount of time to read the book than it did to watch the film. The Great Gatsby is not a good film in any way, shape or form. So go read the book...you'll learn more, you'll have more fun and you won't want to stab your eyeballs out from boredom.

(0 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying and brief language) 

Star Trek: Into Darkness Review

When worlds collide---Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine return as Spock and Captain Kirk in Star Trek: Into Darkness
                    Four years after the brilliant reincarnation of Star Trek that he did...JJ Abrams returns for yet another sci-fi action adventure featuring all your favorites including Scotty, Chekov, Uhura, Captain Kirk and of course...Spock. As well---Abrams has once again proven to truly be a master of his craft. Star Trek: Into Darkness brings new (excuse my deplorable pun) light to the series and in my opinion, even improves upon the first one. This is as perfect of a summer film as you can get and one that I will definitely be seeing in theaters a few more times.

                    This time...Kirk (Chris Pine) has to face off against a menacing one man army (Benedict Cumberbatch.) Helping him out are Spock (Zachary Quinto, with a deliciously dry sense of humor), Uhura (Zoe Saldana),  Scotty (Simon Pegg), Chekov (Anton Yelchin), Sulu (John Cho) and newcomer Carol (Alice Eve.)

                    I kid you not...this is all I can say as far as the plot goes. Saying anything else would be spoiler city. If you look on The Internet Movie Database and see the cast list for the film....you can see who the villain is. I urge you not to do this because it is significantly more fun if (like with me) you have no idea who the villain is or what his motives are. The whole cast is terrific. Cumberbatch makes a terrific villain and the returning cast is even more phenomenal than in the first one. You would think after four years...they may have forgotten what they were doing but that is not the case. Eve is also quite good even if she's there more for eye candy purposes than to actually be a good actress.

                   The action is exciting, the plot involving and the villain one of the scariest of the past couple of years. Everything works on a huge level here. The movie's loud but it's not just noise. There is so much more to the loudness than that. There is smart dialogue, amazing action sequences and a terrific soundtrack by well known, Oscar winning composer Michael Giacchino. This is the type of film where there is not a dull moment in it.

                    It may be early in the summer movie going season but I think that I have already found the highlight of the summer. Star Trek: Into Darkness is a ridiculous amount of fun and might just be the best film I'll see all summer. That is unless Grown Ups 2 really ends up surprising me.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence)

Disconnect Review

Virtual reality---Jason Bateman and Colin Ford as a depressed father and a cyber bully to his kid in Disconnect
                                    Disconnect is the scariest film anyone is ever likely to see. It's scarier than any horror film you will ever see because the kind of stuff that happens in Disconnect happens every minute of every day. The film is made much scarier by the fact that all of the things that go down in the film happen within miles of each other...also a true statement. The internet is a very scary idea. It can destroy people's lives and mess with their minds and first time director Henry Alex Rubin as well as first time writer Andrew Stern bring a truly creepy atmosphere to this fact.

                                    The film starts out with the weirdest, eeriest, most cringe inducing scene you're likely to see in any film in the next couple of years. The three stories are all about someone who is affected by their incredibly dumb decision of their use of the internet. One involves a cyber bullies (Colin Ford and Aviad Bernstein) who intimidate a lonely boy (Jonah Bobo) by creating a fake Facebook girlfriend for him. The next one involves a bored wife (Paula Patton) whose husband (Alexander Skarsgard) is always on business. She decides to talk to a man online about her personal life and in turn gets her identity stolen. The last one involves a young man (Max Thieriot) who works for a Chat Roulette-type website and is interviewed by an intrigued journalist (Andrea Riseborough.) Two of these stories directly connect with one another for a brief second but I choose not to reveal which ones.

                                      The cyber bullying story is by far the best. It will strike a chord with anyone who has read the articles on this subject and especially with those who have seen the incredibly disturbing Amanda Todd video. This particular segment is very accurate to what happens and is very well done. The Chat Roulette story is the second best. It is also very accurate and shows the dangers of those types of websites. Also...Thierot and Riseborough work incredibly well together---giving off excellent chemistry. The identity theft story is the weakest but is also very well portrayed. It's just that this one does too much of the same thing.

                                       The acting is excellent---especially by Jason Bateman as the cyber bully victim's father and the stories all keep you involved through every second. Rubin previously co-directed the excellent 2006 Academy Award-winning documentary Murderball about paraplegics and has once again picked a difficult subject for a film  and has made it his own. As well---Stern fills the screen with sharp dialogue and makes sure the audience is completely involved with the film and yet horrified at just how much these things happen.

                                       Disconnect is absolutely riveting from start to finish. It never peters out even when it easily could have at the end. As well---the film is grim and eerie and weird in its subject manner and that's what makes the film what it is. Disconnect should easily find a way into my top three films of 2013 and that's at the very least.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for sexual content, some graphic nudity, language, violence and drug use---some involving teens)

At Any Price Review

This land is our land---Zac Efron, Dennis Quaid and Kim Dickens as a family of agriculturists in the middle of a crisis in At Any Price
                                          At Any Price is a phenomenal piece of film making in every sense. It is the best film I have seen so far this year and is quite possibly one of the best I have seen in a decade. Writer-Director Ramin Bahrani made Goodbye Solo four years ago. That was my favorite film of 2009 and now Bahrani continues to prove that he is slowly but surely becoming the director to watch out for.

                                           The film stars Dennis Quaid in the best performance I have seen in at least five years as Henry Whipple. He is a farmer whose job requires being completely unsympathetic and a complete ass in general. His son, Dean (Zac Efron) is a locally acclaimed race car driver hoping to make it in the big leagues. Henry's wife, Irene (Kim Dickens) knows he is cheating on her with Meredith (Heather Graham) and Dean's girlfriend, Cadence (Maika Monroe) attaches herself to his family because she doesn't really have one. This leads to a series of airing grievances, physical fights and competition---especially between Henry and Jim Johnson (Clancy Brown.)

                                             Bahrani shows that he definitely knows what he's doing behind the camera. His screenplay is filled with a lot of sharp dialogue and his directing is perfect as he gets many shots in which you can see what a character is feeling just by the shot. However, credit should be given where it is earned which is why I have to point out that the actors helped Bahrani's film be great. Quaid is a pro at showing emotion through his eyes especially in a scene in which Dean tells him off. Efron, a man I never thought I would ever be able to take seriously, gives a fantastic performance. Dickens and Monroe are both good as women who love the men in their life but hate themselves for it. Graham and Brown are effective supporting cast members. Also, this is my favorite type of film---a film about a small town where everyone knows everybody. I love the atmosphere of small town films. I would even go so far as to say that this is a better small town film than Fargo.

                                               At Any Price may be a huge downer of a film. Let's just say things happen that can't be undone. However, this is also an enjoyable, smart, savvy and overall fantastic film. If you have had an opportunity to see this film and you have not---shame on you. It would be worth seeing for Quaid's performance alone but there is so much more greatness to it.
(5 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for sexual content including a strong graphic image and for language)

Oblivion Review

Certainly not on cruise control----Tom Cruise and Olga Kurylenko as humans who survive an attack on Earth in Oblivion
                                       Oblivion is a depressing experience. It's the kind of movie where you sit there, wondering why you're not just gauging your eyes out. The saddest thing about watching it is how much you realize that it could have been a good film. The problem is that the film had the wrong director, writer, producer, visual effects supervisor, costume designer and especially leading actor. There is not a second in the film where anyone would be able to take Tom Cruise seriously. Between this film, Jack Reacher and Rock Of Ages...Cruise is becoming the guy whose movies I know I will hate before I even see a poster. This, however, might be the worst among those three.

                                        In the film...Cruise plays Jack Harper. He has survived an attack on Earth and lives with Victoria (Andrea Riseborough.) She is also his assistant in dangerous missions. A man named Beech (Morgan Freeman) ties up Jack and tells him the truth. Now...Jack must team up with Julia (Olga Kurylenko) to stop Sally (Melissa Leo.)

                                         The film looks like it was made entirely at a dump. I'm not even kidding. For a film with a $120,000,000 budget it just looks plain gross. Everyone's acting is terrible especially Freeman who completely phones it in. The direction by Tron: Legacy director Joseph Kosinski is all over the place and the screenplay by Karl Gajdusek and Michael DeBruyn features some of the most laughable dialogue ever put on film. The film is boring throughout---leaving not one exciting moment for the viewer. As well---the film goes on for way too long. At the end---Gajdusek and DeBruyn add twist after twist after twist not realizing that at this point---nobody cares.

                                          Oblivion starts off terrible and gets worse and worse as it goes along. There is nothing exciting or fun or even mildly intriguing about it. It is obvious that no one put any effort into the making of this film so why should anyone see it?
(0 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence, brief strong language and some sensuality/nudity)

The Big Wedding Review

A not so happy reunion---Robert De Niro and Katherine Heigl as a father and daughter at odds in The Big Wedding
                                    As I sat there in the theater, the smell of popcorn in the air...I couldn't help but be surprised at how much I was enjoying The Big Wedding. I try to go into every film with an open mind but this one I was truly skeptical about. It looked so cliche, so dumb and like such a film with A-list actors being stuck in a film that should be on TV at two in the morning. Actually...it is all of these things in spades. However, it's also undemanding and fun in a quaint kind of way.

                                   The film stars Robert De Niro as Don. After divorcing his wife, Ellie (Diane Keaton), Don moves onto Ellie's best friend, Bebe (Susan Sarandon.) However, when their adoptive son Alejandro (Ben Barnes) is getting married to Missy (Amanda Seyfried)....Don and Ellie have to pretend like nothing happened. Why? Well...this is because Alejandro's real mother, Madonna (Patricia Rae) does not believe in divorce and thinks it is a sin. All the while...Don is trying to make things right with daughter Lyla (Katherine Heigl) and son Jared (Topher Grace) is sleeping with Alejandro's sister, Nuria (Ana Ayora.)

                                  There were many problems I had with this movie but let's talk about the two most significant first. The main problem I had was that there were way too many highly acclaimed actors in the film. That may sound like a bogus complaint but it felt as if writer-director Justin Zackham just wanted to fit in as many A-list celebrities as possible and it just ended up being very, very contrived. As well---there is not one likable character in the film. All of these people are jerks in one way or another and by the time the film is over...you're glad you don't have to be a part of these people's lives anymore.

                                  However, some good did come out of the film. There are many funny scenes especially one involving Jared's methods of wooing Nuria. The film's acting is also quite good even if there is too much acting so to speak. Also...although it's completely contrived, the film is undemanding. It's not telling you what to enjoy and what not to enjoy thereby making it so that some people will enjoy certain scenes and others won't. It's also quite quaint. Sure...it's a sitcom premise but I enjoyed the way it was done. It didn't feel too modern but it didn't feel too dated, either.

                                 I know I may be contradicting myself quite a bit during this review. The point I'm trying to make is that The Big Wedding is not great by any means of the word. It is, however, fun enough to squeeze by on a mild recommendation.
(3 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language, sexual content and brief nudity)

The Place Beyond The Pines Review

Live to ride---Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes as a professional motorcycle driver and his estranged wife in The Place Beyond The Pines
                                              I have no idea why but I for some reason did not like Blue Valentine. Despite excellent performances by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams...the film never clicked for me and it was just too depressing for its own good. Now...Gosling reunites with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance for The Place Beyond The Pines...a surprisingly absorbing and gripping tale that owes a huge debt to its actors. If not for the unbelievable performances from Gosling, Eva Mendes, Ray Liotta, Ben Mendelsohn, Bradley Cooper, Emory Cohen and Dane DeHaan...the film may not have worked as well if at all.

                                              The film follows three interrelated stories. The first is about a professional motorcycle driver named Luke (Gosling) who travels from circus to circus with his team, The Heartthrobs. Luke finds out his wife (Mendes) and him had a child so he decides. in order to raise more money, to rob banks under the supervision of his friend, Robin (Mendelsohn.) The second story involves a cop named Avery (Cooper) who becomes a town hero and must stop a corrupt co-worker (Liotta.) The third involves two teenagers, AJ and Jason (Cohen and DeHaan), one of whom is the son of Avery and one of whom is the son of Luke.

                                              It all feels a bit too long but the story still manages to engage the audience for 99% of it. There is not a moment that doesn't ring true in the entire film. Also...I am sad to report this film will not allow another Oscar nomination for Cooper or Gosling. The best story is the one involving AJ and Jason. Cohen and DeHaan are not as seasoned as the other actors in this film which is why it was mind blowing that they had the best performances. They made me feel every emotion that was coming out of them and most of the time without saying much of anything. Either this was the perfect role for them or they are two of the finest young actors out there or both. In any case...look out for them.

                                               Like I said...the film does feel a bit too long and although Cooper was excellent, his part of the story could have used some more time in the editing room. However, The Place Beyond The Pines still manages to hold you down and never let go. Liotta makes one of the meanest, most unpredictable and best bad guys in a long while and the film feels very authentic in its message. If you feel that you can't sit in a theater for two and a half hours then you won't exactly be missing the upcoming Fast & Furious 6 on the big screen. However, try to see it as soon as you can if you want a realistic, touching and altogether special film.
(4 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language throughout, some violence, teen drug and alcohol use and a sexual reference)
                                                 

Filly Brown Review

Rapper's delight---Gina Rodriguez, Jenna Rivera and Edward James Olmos as a rapper, her sister and a consultant in Filly Brown
                                       Filly Brown is a bad movie. Fine...Filly Brown is a really bad movie. It's an overly preachy, completely cliched, extremely frustrating film that should be shown to young filmmakers on how NOT to fail on your first or second try. This is the second collaboration between Youssef Delara and Michael D. Olmos. The first was an independent film from 2010 called Bedrooms. Olmos previously did a movie called Splinter (also with father Edward James Olmos) and Delara did nothing before partnering up with Olmos. With Olmos---it's proof that just because your genes run with a powerful actor doesn't mean that you can be a good (or even decent) filmmaker. With Delara...it's proof that even if you're really ambitious...you can still make a bad movie.

                                               The film follows Majo (Gina Rodriguez) who assumes the rap name Filly Brown. She is an underground rapper who hasn't really made it big. When a record promoter named Big Cee (Noel Gugliemi) offers her a big contract...she hastily accepts. Of course...her father (Lou Diamond Phillips) and sister (Jenna Rivera, the musician who died in a plane crash December of 2012) know that Big Cee has something else in the works.

                                                 One of the big problems I had with the film is that we're supposed to believe that Majo is a rapper deserving of this big step up in the music world. However, as someone who listens to both old school and current rap...I can tell you Filly Brown is not anywhere near a good rapper. She stinks on the mic and when some plot turns come up 3/4 into the film...we are not at all surprised at what we're hearing. The film is also very boring. It meanders from scene to scene hoping for something to stick to the wall. Nothing does. There is no real plot beyond her record deal and the messages of the film get lost in translation over all the preachy dialogue.

                                                  The performances are alright, I suppose. However, that's all the good I can really say about Filly Brown. This is not a good movie by any stretch of the imagination. When veteran actors such as Phillips and Olmos can't find anything to do with your script...you know you have a problem.
(1/2 Star out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for language, some drug use and violence)