MOVIE REVIEW: YOUNG ADULT

IN THEATERS

YOUNG ADULT



Upon returning to her small Minnesota hometown to win back her high school sweetheart (Patrick Wilson), now a happily-married father, divorced young adult fiction author Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron) forges an unexpected bond with another former schoolmate (Patton Oswalt) who's had a particularly difficult life. Juno collaborators Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody re-team for this Paramount Pictures production. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jason Reitman

Cast: Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser, Collette Wolfe

Release Date: Dec 09, 2011

Rated: Language and some sexual content

Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min.

Genres: Art House, Comedy, Drama

Review:

Young Adult is the kind of film that’s won’t give you tidy answers complete with a happy catch all lessons learned ending. It’s stark, occasionally dark and impressively authentic. Setting aside most of the more zingy dialogue from her previous efforts, Cody’s script feels closer to home and more personal. Reitman’s ability to make the mundane interesting is perfect to capture this woman’s constant state of arrested development. He drops clues throughout about Mavis’s state of mind and the dark comedy works well but when we dip into the further depths it gets pretty dark. Charlize Theron puts on the type of performance that just as raw and effective as her Oscar Award winning turn in 2003’s Monster. Theron has a masterful way of showing the character’s general state of entitlement and disgust while she’s in her old home town. As her character enters the abyss you expect a certain revelation to occur but it doesn’t. Patton Oswalt is perfectly cast as Mavis’s former classmate, an equally damaged but less delusional counter part. Oswalt has an effect everyman type truth to his deliver and here it works perfectly. Looking at this film as a whole, it’d be easy to feel that Reitman and Cody are making a statement about those lost Gen X-ers who seem to have a happier life but are ultimately vapid and unfulfilled.

A

[Trailer] Prometheus

Trailer for Prometheus is out and the question about whether it’s a prequel for Alien or not seems to be a big yes even though Scott has said that it won’t contain an actual xenomorph.

Either way, this trailer hints at an epic story line with Ridley Scott at the helm set expectations to mile high…..

MOVIE REVIEW: THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

IN THEATERS
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO



A discredited journalist (Daniel Craig) and a mysterious computer hacker discover that even the wealthiest families have skeletons in their closets while working to solve the mystery of a 40-year-old murder in this David Fincher-directed remake of the 2009 Swedish thriller of the same name. Inspired by late author Stieg Larsson's successful trilogy of books, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gets under way as the two leads (Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara) are briefed in the disappearance of Harriet Vanger, whose uncle suspects she may have been killed by a member of their own family. The deeper they dig for the truth, however, the greater the risk of being buried alive by members of the family, who will go to great lengths to keep their secrets tightly sealed. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: David Fincher

Cast: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Steven Berkoff, Stellan Skarsgård

Release Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rated R for brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Runtime: 2 hr. 38 min.

Review:

Remaking a foreign film that came out in 2009 still kind of boggles the mind but if somebody was going to do it and do it well, David Fincher is probably the right guy to helm it. Personally I’m a fan of the Swedish film trilogy which I found sleek and impressively shot, not to mention the cast with Noomi Rapace leaving the biggest impression. So while it’s hard to not compare and contrast, I’ll try and avoid it as much as possible but it’s unavoidable. Fincher’s film sizzles with his trademark visual style which gives his film an oppressive and grim atmosphere throughout. Fincher seems to be reaching back to his own film, The Game, when dealing with the Vanger’s. A few things change here and there but for the most part, to its detriment, Fincher sticks to the general structure of the Swedish film. Sadly, some of the plot issues that bothered me previously seem amplified here with a choppy story structure especially in the final act which seems to have more ending that the last Lord of the Rings. Still, Fincher does a good job of pacing the film at a steady pace even if there isn’t much tangible action. Fincher handles Lisbeth’s more explicit scenes with impressive style, making it just as shocking even if you’ve seen the Swedish version. Rooney Mara in the role of Lisbeth is a revelation, while I loved Noomi Rapace’s take on the character she had a bit of an issue showing the character’s fragile side. Mara deftly deals with this through simple facial movements, typically with no dialogue. She also plays her rage like a sort of wild animal pushed into a corner; just listen to her manic yelping when restrained. Daniel Craig fills the role of Mikael Blomkvist with a more believable sense of self than Michael Nyqvist in the Swedish version. Some of the issue with Blomkvist is that comes off as kind of aloof, it’s more of an issue with the source material than anything else but Craig does a solid job. Christopher Plummer’s small but pivotal role is well done as he’s clearly on task and having a ball. Stellan Skarsgård seems slightly off and understated for some reason. David Fincher brings it all together and delivers a strong film that, like the original film, works much better off the films leads especially the showcase role of Lisbeth which Mara nails.

B+

[Trailer] The Hobbit

Continuing the blockbuster season of trailers, the first trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit was just released and it can best be described in the cheesiest of ways but it is in fact a return to Middle Earth…..

[Trailer] Wrath of the Titans

Being overshadowed by the massive new of The Dark Knight Rises trailer’s release, the sequel to the redux of Clash of the Titans has released its first trailer.

Personally, Clash of the Titans was one of my least favorite remakes of recent memory. It just seemed to get everything wrong on so many levels.

This one looks a bit more promising, probably because of the higher amount of CGI and hair conditioner, and the trailer gives off a noticeable God of War video game feel.

They might deliver a more enjoyable experience, especially since they are removed from the first films requirement to adhere to part of the originals plot.

Then again it might just be more garbage….

[Trailer] The Dark Knight Rises

The full trailer for The Dark Knight Rises is finally out on the web. I saw it on IMAX this weekend before Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and after watching it again I’ve had the same reaction.

The hairs on my arm just stand up as I witness the epic-ness that on display…..

MOVIE REVIEW: MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL

IN THEATERS

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL



Academy Award-winning director Brad Bird (Ratatouille) makes his live-action feature directorial debut with the fourth installment of the massively successful Mission Impossible series. The Kremlin has been bombed, and the blame has fallen on the IMF. As a result, the president initiates Ghost Protocol, and accuses Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team of placing the bomb in an attempt to incite a global nuclear war. Now, in order to clear the IMF of terrorism charges, Ethan assembles a new team to uncover the truth by using every high-tech trick in the book. But this time they're on their own, and should they be caught, the entire world could be plunged into a nightmare from which there is no waking up. Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, and Simon Pegg co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Brad Bird

Cast: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Michael Nyqvist

Release Date: Dec 21, 2011

Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence

Genres: Action/Adventure

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Review:

The Mission Impossible franchise has been a study in variety with each film bringing a different cinematic flavor. Ghost Protocol is simply fun from start to finish. Brad Bird, who also had directed The Incredibles & The Iron Giant, has tapped into that sweet spot for action films. Simplistic and bombastic, Bird delivers an adrenaline filled series of huge action set pieces that would serve as a climaxes in most films. Each is well planned and plotted, always keeping the audience in a white knuckled stance. The cast seems to be having just as much fun as the audience. Tom Cruise is about as relaxed as I’ve seen him in a long time. Cruise provides a steady cool and is always believable as super agent Ethan Hunt, a character that’s really defined his action career. Jeremy Renner is equally at ease in his role, he’s being prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise, and the two share a fun sense of chemistry on screen. Paula Patton is adequately sexy and powerful, while Simon Pegg shines as one the best comic relief role seen in a long time. Michael Nyqvist is appropriately sinister as the villain not that he’s asked to do much in the first place. There’s a small subplot involving a Russian cop that feels like it could have been excised and streamlined the run time but it’s a minor quibble. As a whole, Ghost Protocol is probably one of the best action films in recent memory but those that have seen Bird’s animated film shouldn’t be surprised.

A

[Trailer] Rock of Ages

I’ve been a big fan of movie musicals because I fell in love with Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge.

Before that I can say I was generally disinterested in most musicals, since I just can’t get enough of them.

The teaser for Rock of Ages looks like it could be lots of fun with a nice dose of self aware cheese……

[Trailer] G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation

Can't say I could ever bring myself to watch the first one. This one looks like it's over the top to the point where it might be fun. That might is a big might, either way, watch Dwayne Johnson flex and everybody else pose their way through the trailer....

[Trailer] MEN IN BLACK 3

Men in Black is probably one of my favorite summer films. I can remember watching in the theater multiple times, something I rarely do. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith comedic chemistry was perfect and the sci-fi comedy took itself just serious enough.

The sequel was an example of excess as it just doubled everything with a grating effect, not to mention some of the most obvious marketing ploys in the history of film.

The trailer for the 3rd film gives me hope that we might see a return to the fun of the first….

MOVIE REVIEW: THE CAPTAINS

ON DVD / NETFLIX STREAMING

THE CAPTAINS



The Captains is a feature length documentary film written and directed by William Shatner. The film follows Shatner as he interviews the other actors whom have portrayed Starship captains within the illustrious science-fiction franchise.

Directed by William Shatner.

Starring: William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Chris Pine

Runtime: 97 min

Genres: Documentary

The Captains is the kind of documentary that’s required viewing for Trek fans like me. Your enjoyment of it may depend on how much you enjoyed William Shatner. Shatner directs and produces this insightful and occasionally emotional peek at the actors that have occupied the captain’s chair in Star Trek’s various iterations. While the documentary is supposed to be about the actors, Shatner never allows the spotlight to shine to far from him. Shatner as an interviewer is always interesting to see as he can be funny and terribly self aware while being incredibly self-centered. Personally, I found him enjoyable as he listens to various anecdotes from Patrick Stewart, Avery Brook, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula and Chris Pine. Shatner covers a wide range of topics mostly from the actors point of view, so those expecting deep musings into Trek story lines will be disappointed. Those who have interest in what it like as an actor to deal with a franchise will find lots to enjoy. Thing get very personal when the subject of divorce and family comes up, giving the film an unexpected emotional kick. The Captains is a Shatner production through and through, albeit a very personal one, but excellent viewing for any fan who’s interested in the people behind the characters.

B

[Trailer] The Cabin in the Woods

The long gestating Joss Whedon produced horror project recently got a release date and the trailer has come out.

I’ll admit I only knew a little about the actual film but after watching the trailer I’m a lot more interested than before as it hints to some fun genre bending intrigue.

By the time it hits the screen it’ll be 3 years since it wrapped filming, maybe it’ll be worth the wait.

MOVIE REVIEW: 30 MINUTES OR LESS

ON VIDEO

30 MINUTES OR LESS



Small-town pizza delivery driver Nick (Jesse Eisenberg) stumbles into an elaborate crime scheme when he's abducted by a pair of ambitious criminals (Danny McBride and Nick Swardson) who coerce him into robbing a bank on a strict timeline. Desperate, Nick implores his former best friend Chet (Aziz Ansari) to help him out of the predicament. But with each attempt to thwart the would-be criminal geniuses, Nick and Chet find their dire situation spinning faster out of control. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson, Dilshad Vadsaria, Michael Pena

Release Date: Aug 12, 2011

Rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, nudit and some violence

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy

Review:

30 Minutes or Less is breezy easily digestible comedy that speeds by provides a handful of laughs and doesn’t over stay its welcome. To say the plot is simplistic is an understatement, it’s about as barebones as you can get. Director Ruben Fleischer uses that to his advantage and crafts a lean film that focuses on his assembled talent and lets them shine. Jessie Eisenberg and Aziz Ansari make up an over caffeinated and manic pair. Both work well together and share a similar comedic energy. Danny McBride and Nick Swardson work just as well as a pair. Both pairs of actors fit so perfectly that it’s easy to overlook some of the more obvious flaws of the plot. Michael Pena is always fun in small roles and he’s his usual scene stealing self here as well. 30 Minutes or Less is the kind of movie that has a singular mind, it aims to bring some crude laughs your way then head out as quickly as it came and all in under 90 minutes.

B