MOVIE REVIEW: TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON

IN THEATERS

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON



The interstellar war between the Autobots and Decepticons shifts into overdrive following the discovery of Sentinel Prime (voice of Leonard Nimoy) in this sequel from director Michael Bay. Only a precious handful of officials in the government and military realize that the 1969 moon mission was the result of an event that threatened profound repercussions for the entire human race. When the Apollo 11 astronauts discover the wrecked remains of Sentinel Prime on the surface of our natural satellite, they bring him back to planet Earth. But Sentinel Prime wasn't the only alien object on the moon, and when a malevolent new enemy makes its presence known, only the Autobots can save humankind from certain destruction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Michael Bay

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro, John Malkovich, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Release Date: Jun 29, 2011

Rated PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of sci-fi action violence, mayhem and destruction, and for language, some sexuality and innuendo

Runtime: 2 hr. 37 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

A literal orgy of action, Transformers Dark of the Moon shows that Michael Bay can adjust his style, to a certain extent at least. Dark of the Moon doesn’t correct a lot of the issues that over took Revenge of the Fallen as much as he just limits them a bit. He’s still Bay and there’s never much subtlety in anything he does. Michael Bay has always been an action maestro but the human element has always been lacking. The first third of Dark of the Moon is mostly a dreary trek through Sam’s struggle finding a job which is incredibly boring especially since you are just waiting all hell to break loose. Shia LaBeouf delivers a performance that look like it was sponsored by cocaine; he’s manic and unhinged throughout. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a Victoria Secret model and Bay treats her as such, her acting is comprised of pervy shots of her thighs and her lower portions. She also blessed with more costume changes than a Lady Gaga concert, apocalypse be damned! John Malkovich has an interesting cameo part but is gone as soon as he shows up. John Turturro, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and Alan Tudyk all show up for small roles each reminding you they are in fact alive. Of course this is all pointless; Dark of the Moon is about robot on robot action. In stunning 3D the carnage that is the last act of the film is truly impressive. A couple of the set pieces, the building collapse in particular, are insanity to the nth degree. Bay doesn’t even bother moving the story forward anymore; he just stops it to film all this madness. It’s a feast for the eyes and Bay is smart enough to move back the camera enough so that you’re always aware of what’s happening, a major change up from Revenge of the Fallen. Unfortunately it just end, the narrative just kind of stops. Credit roll but it doesn’t feel like there’s a sufficient wrap up for the level of stakes posed throughout the movie. It’s a bit of shame but not enough to detract from it all.

B-

TV SHOW REVIEW: LOUIE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD / BLURAY

Synopsis: Louis C.K. as a successful stand-up comedian and newly single father raising two daughters in New York.

Cast: Louis C.K., Hadley Delany and Ursula Parker

REVIEW:

If you haven’t seen any of Louie C.K.’s stand up, I’d recommend it first and foremost. That way you’ll have a solid understanding of the type of humor C.K. offers up. Personally, I find his stand up hilarious and I’m hardly in the minority as Louie C.K. is considered one of the best stand up comedians in the biz. He’s had bit roles here and there in films and TV shows but this show is entirely him. He writes and directs every episode so this is firmly his vision. While I expected the show to be funny, which it is more so than not, it’s also incredibly elegant and even poignant at times. The episodes are written and directed with a deft hand really highlighting the level of talent that C.K. posses. It’s simplistic but complex at the same time. The show is a mixture of his stand up and narrative parts which are semi autobiographical. The show stays grounded in reality most of the time but occasionally it’ll drift into the reaches of fantasy and visual hyperbole. It’s wonderfully done and even though there are some big tonal shifts throughout the season but it never fails to surprise, impress and crack you up all at once.

A

[Trailer] MISSION IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL

The Mission Impossible series got a bit of boost after a stronger 3rd entry, the less that’s said about the over stylized super slow-mo second film the better. This fourth entry feels more like the original Brian De Palma film.

Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg are joined by series new comers Josh Hollaway and Jeremy Renner who’s rumored to be prepped to take over the franchise from Cruise.

This first teaser trailer looks like good old fashion spy fun with Brad Bird at the helm, I always felt he gave The Incredibles a very 70’s era Bond feel, I’m kind of optimistic.

TV SHOW REVIEW: PARTY DOWN: SEASON 1 and 2 DVD

Synopsis: A group of actors move to LA to make it big, but end up working as caterers.

Cast: Adam Scott, Ken Marino, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Lizzy Caplan, Megan Mullally, Jane Lynch

REVIEW:

Party Down is the type of show that leaves you wondering why it didn’t get a long run than it did. Sadly there are only 20 episodes of this hidden gem that showcases some excellent comedic talents from people who’ve moved on to bigger things. First and foremost you can’t walk away from this series without a new found appreciation of Adam Scott, presently working on the excellent Parks and Recreation. Scott’s is perfect straight man to cast of misfits. His reaction and delivery is just spot on throughout the series. Lizzy Caplan also shines as his primary love interest. Caplan just captures the Gen X sensibility so well I’m almost positive it’s not an act. She and Scott have great chemistry together and while the “will they won’t” isn’t anything new to sitcoms it’s never really a hindrance here. Ken Marino gets to stretch his comedic legs a bit as his character undergoes the biggest changes throughout the series. Ryan Hansen and Martin Starr are both solid as secondary characters which each getting moments to shine through. Jane Lynch is gold in her limited run, before Glee came a calling. Jennifer Coolidge replaces her for a short run, probably a good thing as her character could have gotten grating, and then Megan Mullaly takes over the better part of the 2nd season. Mullaly takes a little while to settle in but she fits right in by the second half of the season. The 2nd season does experience a bit of a rocky start, mainly because some of the dynamics have changed from the 1st along with new characters coming in. Its take while for them to hit their stride but they do with hilarious results. By the end of the 20th episode you’ll be forgiven to feel a bit disappointed that it’s over but it’ll be quickly replaced by a desire to watch the whole thing again.

B

[Trailer] Immortals

New trailer is out for this film, which is quickly going up my list of must sees. My love for Greek Mythology has been kind of slapped around by recent Hollywood films (Clash of the Titans Remake, Troy, etc…)

This looks like it’s taking the proper approach when dealing with the subject matter. It’s also one of those films I don’t have any issue with the overly stylized visual since it’s perfectly fine with the Gods and mythos.

Trailer shows off a lot more of the Gods in play and overall look of the film.

MOVIE REVIEW: BAD TEACHER

BAD TEACHER



A booze-swilling, pot-smoking, hard-swearing seventh-grade teacher rallies to get out of the classroom for good by wrangling a rich substitute teacher into marriage in this comedy from director Jake Kasdan (Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story). Cynical teacher Elizabeth (Cameron Diaz) hates her job. She can't wait for the day she finds a man who makes enough cash to let her walk away from her life of middle-school misery, and when her fiancé cancels their wedding plans, her frantic search intensifies. Just when it starts to look like Elizabeth will have to muscle her way through another semester of skull-crushing hangovers, however, handsome substitute Scott Delacorte (Justin Timberlake) shows up at school sporting a fancy wristwatch and the promise of a care-free future. But in order to earn her meal ticket, Elizabeth will have to out-cute perky fellow teacher Amy (Lucy Punch). And it won't be easy, because Scott is crushing on Amy hard. Now, if Elizabeth can just motivate her students to study so that she can win a state contest to earn enough cash for some new breast implants, perhaps she can finally find a means of diverting Scott's gaze. Meanwhile, much to Elizabeth's chagrin, wisecracking, self-effacing gym teacher Russell (Jason Segel) refuses to admit defeat despite being turned down for a date by his gold-digging colleague time and again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Jake Kasdan

Cast: Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jason Segel, Lucy Punch, John Michael Higgins

Release Date: Jun 24, 2011

Rated R for some drug use, nudity, sexual content and language

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Bad Teacher is supposed to be crass, rude and outlandish. While it’s hardly kid friendly the biggest shock is how incredibly unfunny the entire way through. Cameron Diaz is game throughout so it’s hard to lay the blame on her. She plays the superficial gold digging teacher with great gusto but she’s limited by a script that’s peppered with cartoon characters. A prime example of this is Lucy Punch’s character whose like so sort of freakazoid valleygirl which supposed to serve as a foil to Diaz. It never works and it provides some of the biggest dead spots in the film, it doesn’t help that Punch looks like some sort of Lady Gaga mannequin come to life. Justin Timberlake is handicapped in similar fashion. Jason Segel is the only supporting player that allowed to shine. Various others talented comedians pepper the film but it almost feels like window shopping since their never allowed to actually be funny. Jake Kasdan directs it all with incredibly broad strokes and he never finds a good rhythm for it. As a result the movie feels like it goes on forever, aimlessly without any narrative force and even worse no laughs.

D