Cindy Prascik's Review of The Huntsman: Winter’s War

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dearest Blog: Last night I did that rarest of things for people my age, I made plans to be out on a work night. On my agenda: Marquee Cinemas' sneak-peek of The Huntsman: Winter's War.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

 

I enjoyed Snow White and the Huntsman, but confess I was underwhelmed by the idea of a sequel. In the four years since the original was released, I've even convinced myself it only seemed good due to being released in close proximity to the unfortunate Mirror Mirror, which did such an awful job of (re)telling the same story. However, I have good news for you, dear reader(s): This sequel does NOT suck!

 

The Huntsman gets off to a bit of a slow start, but once it gets rolling, it doesn't stop. The movie's not going to land on anyone's Academy Awards shortlist, but a good cast, nice special effects, and great fight choreography help the thin storyline earn its two-hour runtime. 

 

Chris Hemsworth is charming and easy on the eyes, and Charlize Theoron, though too little used this go-round, is the highlight of the movie as she reprises her evil queen role with wicked relish. Emily Blunt and Jessica Chastain are troopers despite seeming weirdly miscast, and supporting players Nick Frost, Rob Brydon, and Sheridan Smith are especially entertaining in smaller roles. 

 

There are some dodgy Scottish accents to work around, but the players are otherwise more than solid. A fantastic score by James Newton Howard, some very pretty sets and locations, and an ever-changing assortment of stunning evil-queen dresses all help make The Huntsman worth your movie dollar.

 

The Huntsman: Winter's War clocks in at 114 minutes and is rated PG13 for "fantasy action violence and some sensuality."

 

It's not buzzy, nor is it the sort of picture you won't be able to stop talking or thinking about, but if you're looking for an entertaining couple hours filled with action and eye candy, The Huntsman is well worth your time. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Huntsman: Winter's War gets six.

 

Until next time...

 

MOVIE REVIEW: UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ken Scott's comedy Unfinished Business stars Vince Vaughn as a struggling businessman trying to get his fledgling company off the ground. To do so he must travel with his partners (Dave Franco and Tom Wilkinson) on a foreign business trip in order to land a huge client. Unexpectedly, our hero discovers that he is competing against his former boss, and his attempts to show the prospective clients the best night of their lies leads to a number of unexpected complications. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Director: Ken Scott     

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, James Marsden, Nick Frost

Release Date: Mar 06, 2014     

Rated R for some strong risqué sexual content/graphic nudity, language and drug use    

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.     

Genres: Workplace Comedy, Comedy     

Review:

Unfinished Business is a lazy uninspired comedy that’s a mish mash of various things while never really coming together at all.  The film seems like its fertile ground for the comedy but it just never pulls itself together.  As a result you’re left with various dead spots which make the relatively short film seem incredibly long.  Throw in an oddly shoehorned anti-bullying subplot and you have a strangely unfunny film even though Dave Franco and Tom Wilkinson are trying their hardest to pull something out of the film.  Vince Vaughn does his usual shtick looking more haggard than usual, probably how you’ll feel by the end of the film.

D

Cindy Prascik’s Reviews of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones / The World's End

Dearest Blog, this weekend's cinema offerings were a hodge-podge of dread and great anticipation, respectively, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones and The World's End.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First up was another in Hollywood's seemingly-endless stream of teen supernatural thrillers, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

When her mother goes missing, a young girl discovers she has the blood of a Shadowhunter, that is a secret league of demon-hunting warriors.

Oh, Aidan Turner, the things I do for you. Not the things I would do for you--which are many, varied, and profane--but the things I do do for you, such as paying good money to watch this.

It is my understanding that the Mortal Instruments series was initially based on Harry Potter fanfiction, as the inexplicably popular 50 Shades of Gray series is based on Twilight fanfic. Note to Hollywood: please stop making movies based on fanfiction. You're embarrassing yourself.

City of Bones is derivative and shallow, but the bigger problem is the same one that has plagued recent seasons of True Blood and Once Upon a Time, that is, it introduces such a jumble of characters that often the story it really wants to tell is nowhere in sight. These secret Shadowhunters and their demon enemies, while far from original, could have been interesting enough, but by the time you mix in vampires and werewolves and time travel and a little daddy-angst to boot, what you're left with is a pretty big mess. Much of the dialogue is cringe-worthy, and parts of the film were so awful I threw my hands over my face in dismay. The flip side of that is, other than being far too long, the movie honestly isn't boring, and there are some bits that are really pretty good. Most stabs at humor hit the mark, although there were also several times my cinema was cracking up over stuff that clearly was not meant to be funny.

Lily Collins and her mighty eyebrows do a passable job in the lead. Her male counterparts, Jamie Campbell Bower and Robert Sheehan, are the movie's highlights, both quite engaging. As is the norm these days, all my favorites are relegated to "somebody's mom"- and "somebody's dad"-type roles. The fetching Mr. Turner has less to do than I'd have liked, but more to do than I expected, so we'll call it a draw. Playing the otherworldly is old hat to Turner by now, so of course he does a fine job of it. It's nice to see Lena Heady, Jared Harris, Kevin Durand, and CCH Pounder in smaller roles, but the real scene-stealer is Jonathan Rhys Myers in his usual over-the-top fashion.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones runs 130 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of fantasy violence and action, and some suggestive content."

The good news is it's not as bad as I expected. The bad news is it's still pretty bad.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones gets four and a half.

Next up was the genius Edgar Wright's latest offering, The World's End.

A group of once-inseparable friends reunites to complete a legendary pub crawl. When they return to their hometown, they discover things are not quite as they remember.

Dear Blog, it is well known that I worship at the altar of Wright/Pegg/Frost. It would be fair to say, along with The Hobbit, The World's End is my most-anticipated film of the year. I am pleased to report my enthusiasm has been well placed.

This story of five friends, who have drifted apart in the two decades since they left school, is sincere and likely feels familiar to most adults on my side of 40. Sympathetic performances from Nick Frost and Eddie Marsan are the dramatic highlights, while Simon Pegg gets to be the funnyman this time around. Favorites Paddy Considine and Martin Freeman are also terrific. On the sci-fi side, the idea isn't necessarily anything new, but it's well executed with some pretty cool effects. Both sides of the plot--the situation among these five friends, and the fantastic happenings in their old hometown--are interesting from start to finish; the story never misses a step. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg deserve full marks for writing a film that goes in so many directions, yet never feels like it's lost its way. All the pieces fit perfectly.

The World's End clocks in at a perfectly-paced 109 minutes and is rated R for "pervasive language, including sexual references."

The World's End defies categorization. It's comedy, it's sci-fi, and it's genuinely moving drama, all at the same time.

It is also (*trumpet fanfare*) the first film of 2013 to earn a perfect nine of a possible nine Weasleys. And, damn, This Corrosion sounds fine in surround sound!!

Until next time...




Admit it, he could make you do worse things than sit through a lousy movie...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE WORLD’S END

Five lifelong friends reunite to complete a historic pub crawl from their youth, and find that reaching the fabled World's End tavern will be no simple undertaking while they also fight for the future of all mankind. Twenty years ago, Gary King (Simon Pegg) and his pals embarked on the ultimate drinking marathon. Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike co-star in the final chapter of Edgar Wright's "Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy," which began with 2004's Shaun of the Dead and continued in 2007's Hot Fuzz. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan

Release Date: Aug 23, 2013

Rated R for sexual References and Pervasive Language

Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

The final entry in the Cornetto Trilogy is the zany over the top homage, this time riffing on classic sci-fi films, we’d come to expect after Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. What’s unexpected and refreshing is the reflective occasionally poignant moments Edgar Wright gives us to chew on. Wright and Pegg wrote the script and it’d have been easy for them to take a easier path down the Golden Mile. Instead they opt for some solid reflection on middle age and trying to recapture those moments from our youth. Of course this is all interwoven between a town full Stepford Wives / Body Snatchers “not robots.” Even though there’s a tangible beating heart at its center, the crew delivers the kind of laughs we’d come to expect. Simon Pegg is allowed to bust loose after playing the straight man in the 2 other films. Pegg, looking intentionally haggard and sporting shoe polish black hair, does a wonderful job of portraying the self centered loser trying desperately to recapture his youth. He has a manic hopped up energy throughout but there’s a tangible sadness behind everything. Nick Frost handles the complicated relationship with Pegg’s character very well. It’s not what we’ve from these two in the other 2 films since it’s a much more complicated dynamic. Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman and Eddie Marsan all have solid but limited roles. Freeman in particular isn’t given a ton to do which is a shame considering the increasingly frenetic pace of the film. The pace grows more erratic and frenzied as the film heads into the final act. Along the way, Wright gives us some of the most enjoyable fight sequences I’ve seen. Each one is wonderfully choreographed and hilarious. The seams do start to fray a bit during the final minutes which drag on a tad bit too long. It felt like the group got a case of Lord of the Rings syndrome and just didn’t want it to end. Honestly, can you blame them?

A-

[Trailer] The World’s End

The trailer for The World’s End is out and I personally can’t wait to see the end of The Three Flavors Cornetto trilogy.

I personally love the first 2 films with a giddy abandon, not to mention Spaced created by the same team. Needless to say I’ve been looking forward to this trailer and while it doesn’t give away much it does give you a glimpse at what we’ll be in store for, synopsis below;

Five lifelong friends reunite to complete a historic pub crawl from their youth, and find that reaching the fabled World's End tavern will be no simple undertaking while they also fight for the future of all mankind. Twenty years ago, Gary King (Simon Pegg) and his pals embarked on the ultimate drinking marathon. But the beer got the best of them, and they failed to drink their final pint at The World's End pub. Now, as die-hard rebel Gary approaches middle age, he summons his old friends back to their hometown for another round. With each pint down, Gary and the gang take another step toward reconciling the past. Meanwhile, just when it starts to look like their goal is in sight, the stammering pals realizes that a much larger struggle is currently taking place, and that the future is looking particularly grim -- not only for them, but for the entire human race as well. Nick Frost, Paddy Considine, Martin Freeman, Eddie Marsan, and Rosamund Pike co-star in the final chapter of Edgar Wright's "Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy," which began with 2004's Shaun of the Dead and continued in 2007's Hot Fuzz. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

MOVIE REVIEW: ATTACK THE BLOCK

ON VIDEO
ATTACK THE BLOCK



A group of London teens find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion and fight to defend their tower block from some evil extraterrestrials in this stylish sci-fi romp from the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Joe Cornish

Cast: John Boyega, Jodie Whittaker, Franz Drameh, Luke Treadaway, Nick Frost, Jumayn Hunter

Release Date: Jul 29, 2011

Rated R for drug content, pervasive language and creature violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Art House/Foreign, Comedy

Review:

Some movies instantly bring a strong sense of energy to the screen. It permeates through the screen the instant it starts. While it doesn’t always mean it’s the best filmed or plotted story out there, it does have that palpable sense present throughout. Attack the Block is that kind of film, far from perfect but imbued with enough cinematic energy to make you over look some of the more glaring flaws. First time director Joe Cornish has an interesting style which gives his low budget alien invasion dramdy a fun sense of itself. Cornish moves the film along at a brisk pace but it never feels rushed. Some of the characters are a flimsily written but the performances from the young cast really helps make it easier to watch. Front and center is John Boyega, his performance is fascinating throughout. Believable for the better part of the film, he has a quiet strength that’s a real treat to watch. Luke Treadaway is a good fun as stoner college student along for the ride. Jodie Whittaker does solid work but fairly forgettable as the female lead. Attack the Block is kind of a modern day amalgam of 80’s type kid adventure films, mix with some 90’s street films, remixed and blended with aliens and a dose of self aware comedy.

B

[Trailer] THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN

I’ll admit that I’ve got very limited knowledge of the books this is based on. That being said with the star power behind the film (Steven Spielberg & Peter Jackson) it’s kind of hard to dismiss it.

Motion capture, Avatar aside, has been kind of hit or miss but this seems to keep with the art style of the books giving it a more stylized look than say Beowulf, A Christmas Carol or The Polar Express.

Regardless it looks like an interesting endeavor even if this teaser doesn’t really show much.

TV SHOW REVIEW: SPACED THE COMPLETE SERIES [DVD]

Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner rent a flat pretending to be a couple. There, they meet Marsha, the alcoholic landlady; Brian, the disturbed and troubled painter downstairs; Mike, Tim's war-crazy best friend; Twist, a fashion designer and Daisy's best friend; and Colin the dog. What follows is the group's crazy and comical adventures.

Starring: Jessica Hynes, Simon Pegg, Julia Deakin, Nick Frost

Director: Edgar Wright

REVIEW:

Being a late a party can typically be a terrible thing but on occasions if you are late you still showed up and had a good time. Having heard of Spaced through reputation over the years had left me longing to see it but after they released it on DVD, I figured I’d wait for a high definition Blu-ray release. Sadly, that release never came and doesn’t seem to be on the horizons so I went ahead and picked up the DVD set. First off, I’m a huge fan of Pegg, Frost & Wright so this was required viewing, it was never a matter of if I’d like it but how much. So after finishing the series in short order recently I’m left kicking myself wondering why it took me so long. Any 30 something nerd slacker needs to watch this series. Besides its general comedic greatness it served as something so much more, a time capsule of me in my mid to late 20. So much of the show rings so true that it’s almost scary. That in of itself is enough for me to love the series as a whole. Add to that seeing the genesis of Wright, Pegg & Frost’s collaboration is just film nerd nirvana. Honestly, it’s almost scary at how good everything works from the start and its always fun to see the evolution continued over the 2 films they did together and what was sorely missing from Pegg & Frost’s Paul. The rest of the cast is all stellar with Jessica Hynes & Julia Deakin leaving the biggest impression on me. The series as a whole is short sweet and outside of a few references, Star Wars Episode 1 and a PS1, it’s kind of timeless as well. The minute the sadness washed off from having finished the last episode I had a need to watch it all again, ala Extras, Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Seinfeld & Arrested Development.

A
[DUH!]

MOVIE REVIEWS: PAUL

IN THEATERS

PAUL


Two average sci-fi geeks get caught up in the ultimate interplanetary adventure after picking up an extraterrestrial during a road trip to Area 51 and becoming the targets of a nationwide manhunt. Graeme (Simon Pegg) and Clive (Nick Frost) are two British sci-fi geeks on holiday in America. After a trip to Comic-Con to meet their favorite author, Adam Shadowchild (Jeffrey Tambor), Graeme and Clive load up their RV and hit the road for a tour of some of the most famous UFO hotspots in the American Southwest. They know we're not alone in the universe, but they won't be satisfied until they get a firsthand glimpse of the famed Area 51. However, somewhere deep in the Nevada desert, the two UFO enthusiasts narrowly avoid crashing into a speeding car when they happen across a most unlikely hitchhiker. Paul (voice of Seth Rogan) is a pint-sized alien who has spent the last 60 years in Area 51. He's been cooped up in the care of the U.S. Government for far too long, and he's starting to get a little homesick. Though Graeme and Clive are more than willing to help their wisecracking new friend get back to his mother ship, Special Agent Zoil (Jason Bateman) of the FBI is closing in fast. And he's not the only one; in their race to get their new friend home, Graeme and Clive have also become unwitting kidnappers, and the enraged father of their not-so-unwilling captive, Ruth (Kristen Wiig), is determined to rescue his daughter at all costs. Sigourney Weaver, Bill Hader, Blythe Danner, and David Koechner co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Greg Mottola

Cast: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Jason Bateman, Kristen Wiig

Release Date: Mar 18, 2011

Rated R for Language, including sexual references, and some drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.

Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Paul is kind of a difficult film to review, mainly because of Pegg & Frost previous cinematic gems. Their first outing without Edgar Wright in the director’s chair is still lots of fun filled with scifi allusions and nods and winks but it feels like it’s missing something. It’s strangely broad and unfocused, Pegg & Frost are allowed to fade into the background way too often. Director Greg Mottola seems unsure of how do deal with the script and actors so he just plays it safe for the most part. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are always fun to watch on screen and this is no different. Seth Rogen does solid work as the voice of titular alien but in all honesty he’s pretty much playing a character we’ve seen him play countless times and it’s kind of hard not to think of Roger from American Dad! as you watch Paul’s antics. Jason Bateman mastered the art of playing the straight man and it’s a bit of a shame he’s not allowed to stretch his comedic legs a tad more. SNL players, Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader have a bit more to do and they’re both good fun in their roles. Paul isn’t quite up to Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz standards but it’s still a fun and capable comedy.

B-