MOVIE REVIEW: LES MISERABLES

The King's Speech's Tom Hooper directs this adaptation of Cameron Mackintosh's successful musical version of Victor Hugo's classic novel. The drama surrounds the obsessive quest of Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) as he spends years in an effort to capture escaped convict Jean Valjean. Hugh Jackman co-stars in the Universal Pictures production. Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, and Sacha Baron Cohen also star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Release Date: Dec 25, 2012

Rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements

Runtime: 2 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Drama, Music/Performing Arts

Director: Tom Hooper

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen,
Helena Bonham Carter

Review:

The cinematic version of Les Misérables will give you goose bumps one moment then have readjusting in your chair as the barrage of bombastic yet bold musical numbers beat you into submission. It’s all wonderfully staged by a dedicated Tom Hooper. He treats this beloved musical with a tenderness and love throughout. Everything is wonderful to look at and listen to. Hooper just lets you dive right in and never really lets you take a breath. His A+ cast belts out tune after tune with impassioned veracity and emotional heft. At its center is Hugh Jackman who anchors the entire production with his impressive vocals and performance. Jackman’s stage talent and experience is readily apparent, making his casting a real win for film. Anne Hathaway has garnered plenty of attention because of her turn as Fantine and its well deserved. Her screen time is incredibly limited but she leaves a strong emotional impression. Less impressive is a miscast Russell Crowe. I’ve been a fan of Crowe for years and while he looks the part, his vocal chops are just all wrong for this type of film and character. It’s a major misstep, one that detracts from the film’s quality as a whole which is a real shame. An angelic Amanda Seyfried is strong if limited as the older Cosette. She’s outshined by her character’s counterpart played by Samantha Barks. Barks oozes melancholy as she belts out her songs about unrequited love. Hooper moves his film at a methodical pace but the story does leave you feeling a bit disjointed as it changes from intimate to global back to intimate. Flaws aside, it’s an opulent piece of musical filmmaking which keeps your eyes glued to each actor’s soulful eyes as they sing about dreams lost and found.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: DJANGO UNCHAINED

DJANGO UNCHAINED



A former slave and a German bounty hunter become unlikely allies in the battle against a tyrannical plantation owner in this western from visionary director Quentin Tarantino. Two years before the Civil War pits brother-against-brother, German-born fugitive hunter Dr. King Schultz (Academy Award-winner Christoph Waltz) arrives in America determined to capture the outlaw Brittle brothers dead or alive. In the midst of his search, Dr. Schultz crosses paths with Django (Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx), a freed slave and skilled tracker who seeks to rescue his beloved wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from ruthless plantation owner Calvin Candie (Academy Award-nominee Leonardo DiCaprio). Django and Dr. Schultz will have to come out with pistols blazing if they ever hope to free Broomhilda from Candyland and the clutches of its vile proprietor. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Quentin Tarantino

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Walton Goggins

Release Date: Dec 25, 2012

Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity.

Runtime: 2 hr. 21 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama

Review:

Django Unchained is an uneven if effective entry into the Quentin Tarantino catalogue. Tarantino’s trademark mix of stark violence, even more potent here, and humor is on full display. The violence here seems much more grounded than usual, it’s brutal and harsher than some of the more cartoonish violence we’ve seen from him before. Like all of his films, you can tell Tarantino loves the genre he’s selected, Django is no different. He adjusts his shooting style to mimic many of the classic Western films something he did in Kill Bill Volume 2. Needless to say Django is a visually impressive film full of genre vibrancy throughout. Story-wise Tarantino delivers another revenge story with a, dare I say, more romantic slant. It’s straightforward for the most part and while the film didn’t lag at any point, there is plenty that could have been cut to make it a more efficient story. Regardless, Tarantino makes it all work pulling out some impressive performances from a strong cast. Jamie Foxx is stoic yet fiery and determined as the titular Django. It’s easy to forget how impressive of an actor Foxx is when he’s as focused as he is here. In full cowboy get up he’s quite the sight as well, filling out his character’s hero status with ease. Christoph Waltz returns to work with Tarantino with strong results, playing a mentorship role similar to his Basterd character but less sinister and more humane. Their chemistry together works well, creating a believable bond between the two men. Leonardo DiCaprio fills the villain’s role with a gleeful energy that’s palpable. DiCaprio brings the necessary threatening energy needed for the role. Sam Jackson also turns in his finest work in years. Like Foxx, you tend to forget how much talent these actors have because they don’t use it in all their roles. Jackson’s role feels like a caricature at first but as the film moves on he reveals more layers to the character. Both pairs of character work as a fascinating dichotomy to each other with actors on both sides putting in awards worthy performances. The situation and tension builds leading to a dizzyingly violent gunfight, close to the scale of Kill Bill Vol. 1 finale, leaves you with a firm impression of what a human shield is. After that point the film does feel a tad bit aimless, needing to close the final story threads which it does in less operatic fashion robbing it a bit of it’s power. Regardless, if you are a Tarantino fan, you’ll find so much to love here.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THIS IS 40

THIS IS 40




After many years of marriage, Pete (Paul Rudd) is the sole male in a household that includes his wife, Debbie (Leslie Mann), and two young daughters (Iris Apatow, Maude Apatow). As Pete struggles to keep his record label afloat, he and Debbie navigate a three-week course of sex and romance, career victories and financial hardships, aging parents and maturing children. They'll have to learn to forgive, forget and enjoy the rest of their lives -- before they kill each other.

Director: Judd Apatow
Cast: Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Megan Fox, Albert Brooks, Chris O'Dowd.
Release Date: Dec 21, 2012
Rated R for pervasive Language, Crude Humor, Sexual Content and Some Drug Material
Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min.
Genres: Comedy

Review:

This is 40 is Judd Apatow’s 2nd uneven film in a row. Honestly, you might start to wonder if he’s losing touch with the type of humor that really put him on the map. The honestly and crassness is here but it only makes an appearance here and there in between grating arguments between 2 incredibly well meaning leads. The better part of the blame for the faults falls on Apatow who wrote the film. His leads aren’t ever particularly likable and come off as annoying and entitled throughout. A meandering molasses like pace doesn’t help matter either. The film trudges slowly and aimlessly towards an unresolved ending which leaves the audience with questions but so exhausted that they couldn’t be bothered to ask what will happen afterwards. 2 hours plus for a comedy is a stretch at best, something Apatow could get away with in The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up with a better story even then just barely, but here it’s just a drag. The film feels longer than The Hobbit by a mile. Paul Rudd does his best to pull the film out of its doldrums. He and Leslie Mann do share some good comedic chemistry as displayed in Knocked Up but here when it’s front and center for the entire film it makes the entire thing look like a fool’s errand. That’s not to say there are some strong scenes with plenty of laughs because there are. The problem is that there are twice as many scenes of them arguing or fretting about manufactured problems throughout. Mann is likable, she works well as a supporting player but here her acting shortcomings are on full display and her bugged eyed occasionally emaciated figure can start to wear on a viewer. The supporting cast is strong but only Albert Brooks and Melissa McCarthy leave a strongest impression while being thoroughly underused. John Lithgow, Chris O'Dowd, John Segal and Megan Fox are all played for types and given very little else to do. Apatow and Mann’s real life daughters appear again with the Maude screaming her lines, playing on the worse piece of first period humor possible, for the better part of the film with Iris coming off more muted than before. The first hour or so of the film has some steady steam providing a good series of laughs especially for anyone in a long term relationship but the film’s faults start to weigh it down ultimately bringing down the entire production.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY,

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY IMAX 3D

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the shire, until the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) arrives and convinces him to join a group of dwarves on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers, not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum and a simple gold ring that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.

Director: Peter Jackson

Cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish

Release Date: Dec 14, 2012

Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images.

Runtime: 2 hr. 49 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Watching Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in IMAX 3D is a bit of an undertaking, it’s like trying to eat a cake in one bite. Trying to take in all the grandeur and majesty that Jackson poured onto the screen take some effort at first. It’s a film that has more than a few noticeable flaws but I found it far more accessible than the first Lord of the Rings film. Jackson, as he does when in Middle Earth, takes his time with everything, slowly acclimating us with the prequel story while laying the ground work for the Lord of the Ring story along the way. The opening portion of the film can be a bit of a bear to trudge through but once the story gets moving in earnest you’ll find yourself rather enveloped in a massive action piece after another one. The story’s more straightforward nature makes it easier to digest. Martin Freeman brings an instant likeability to the younger Bilbo. Freeman isn’t saddled with the angst Elijah Wood had to deal with as Frodo so he’s free to be a bit more easy going and easier to connect with. Richard Armitage is appropriately billow-chested and stoic as the leader of the dwarfs. Armitage fits the hero mold perfectly and he delivers fine work throughout. Ian McKellen returns to his role as Gandalf The Grey with noticeable ease. McKellen could have just phoned in his performance and honestly nobody would have complained but he takes the opportunity to add more layers of emotion and doubt to Gandalf The Grey. Thankfully, these three deliver strong performances because that’s it. The rest of the cast simply fades into the background; we barely know their names but not much else, only Ken Stott’s Balin gets a substantial scene. Even Bilbo fades into the background during the middle and first part of the final act. There are a handful of returning actors (along with Andy Serkis as Gollum) from the original trilogy, serving as threads leading into The Lord of Rings. I understand why Jackson felt the need to include them but they bring the main story’s forward momentum to a grinding halt. Lastly, the film suffers from the same issue the first 2 films from The Lord of the Rings, it’s merely an opening act and ends as such. The latter is to be expected and while there are a handful of issues The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey delivers an impressive cinematic experience which reminds you why certain films should be seen on a big screen.

B

[Trailer] PACIFIC RIM

The official trailer for Guillermo Del Toro’s Pacific Rim has been released and it’s full of geektastic scenes.

It is a bit strange hearing Charlie Hunnam narrate the trailer, if you’re a fan of Sons of Anarchy you’ll know what I mean, but the visual look strong even if the CGI is just a tad suspect.

Having Idris Elba close out the trailer with a great rallying speech was a wonderful choice.

I’m a big Del Toro fan to begin with and this looks like he’s just going to be having a great time delivering a monster movie he wants to make….







Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro teams up with Legendary Pictures to bring audiences a unique take on the monster film with this sci-fi production. Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) stars as a washed out pilot of a series of robots called Jaegers, which are put into production when Earth invaded by a species of giant monsters, the Kaijus. The Brothers Bloom's Rinko Kikuchi co-stars as a trainee whom Hunnam is psychically paired with in order to pilot the last beacon of hope - a decommisioned Jaeger aimed to stop the Kaijus once and for all. Thor's Idris Elba leads the rest of the starring cast, which includes Charlie Day. Rob Kazinsky and Ron Perlman. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Release Date: Jul 12, 2013

Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day, Rinko Kikuchi, Ron Perlman

[Trailer] Man of Steel

Heres' the first trailer for Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot.

It gives us a better idea of what we’ll be seeing in this version, much more than the underwhelming teaser.

Snyder does look like he’s learned some lessons from his atrocious film Sucker Punch delivering a more polished and mature feel to his film.

Still not sure what the plot is going to be but trailer teases an epic confrontation between Michael Shannon’s General Zod and Cavill’s Superman…






Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner.

Release Date: Jun 14, 2013

Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

MOVIE REVIEW: WRECK-IT RALPH

WRECK-IT RALPH




An 8-bit video-game character attempts to shed his bad-guy image by escaping into a popular first-person shooter, but inadvertently wreaks havoc in the video-game universe by freeing a digital villain who can only be contained with the help of a most unlikely ally in this colorful animated adventure. Wreck-It Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) is the arch nemesis of Fix-It Felix (voice of Jack McBrayer), one of the most beloved video-game icons of all time. In a noble bid to prove he is more than the sum of his programming, Ralph sneaks from his cozy retro home into a highly advanced combat game featuring battle-hardened soldier Sergeant Calhoun (voice of Jane Lynch), and strives to prove his bravery by winning a medal. In the process, however, Ralph accidentally frees the greatest threat the video-game world has ever seen. But all hope is not lost, because if Ralph can just convince unpredictable cart racer Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) to help set things right, perhaps he can finally unleash his inner hero and save the arcade from certain destruction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Rich Moore

Cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk

Release Date: Nov 02, 2012

Rated PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Animated, Comedy, Family

Review:

Wreck-it Ralph is a surprise on many levels. A smart script with a strong emotional center works on various levels and for various age groups. Thrity-somethings will find enough 8 bit nostalgia to keep them grinning throughout with each tasty Easter egg they run into. Children will find a candy coated story with a good story and message for them to chew on. Rich Moore does what few outside of Pixar have been able to do, deliver an emotional bond with these computer creations. He handles his 2 leads characters with a tenderness which comes through especially with some impressive voice work. John C. Reilly as the lumbering Ralph is just perfect throughout, his voice works so well for the character reminding me of his work in Chicago singing Mr. Cellophane in particular. Sarah Silverman’s precocious misfit character fits her voice like a glove. Both establish a strong chemistry with each other, so much so that it’s hard not to get caught up in their story. Supporting characters are all just as strong. Jane Lynch delivers excellent work as the tough as nails FPS character who spends most of the movie with Fix-it Felix. Jack McBrayer’s southern prep fits the character to a T. Alan Tudyk, drawing inspiration from Ed Wynn, just loses himself in his work here as a fitting villain for the story. If there are a few small drawback in the film is its length and its need to keep us in the Sugar Rush world for nearly the entire film. The latter is understandable considering the plot. Still it’s hard to feel that there’s a wealth of story that could have been told in all the video game worlds hinted at but never explored. It would have been a lot of fun had they not gone with a Wizard of Oz inspired plot line. A few cuts or trims could have streamlined the film by a good ten minutes to deliver a sleeker product. Still it’s a very impressive family film.

B+

[Trailer] Star Trek Into Darkness

We get our first glimpse of the upcoming reboot sequel via this "announcement" trailer, as a life long Trek fan I’m still not sure what to make of it. I enjoyed the reboot but it lacked a true Trek feel, we’ll see if this one can capture that as of right now it looks like a big action tent pole film….

The Star Trek franchise continues with this follow-up to 2009's J.J. Abrams-directed reboot. Abrams returns to direct from a script by Damon Lindelof and the writing team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The crew of the Enterprise engages in an epic battle of good versus evil after being summoned home to discover Starfleet in ruins, and venturing into a war zone to find the powerful villain (Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch) responsible for the devastation. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi





Japanese trailer below has a bit of extra footage which hints that they might be doing a version of a classic Trek film…



Full new trailer

MOVIE REVIEW: HITCHCOCK

HITCHCOCK



Director Sacha Gervasi adapts Stephen Rebello's book Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho to explore the relationship between the legendary British director (Anthony Hopkins) and his wife Alma Reville (Helen Mirren), who played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in the making of her husband's terrifying 1960 classic Psycho. Scarlett Johansson co-stars as Janet Leigh and James D'Arcy portrays Anthony Perkins in a film also featuring Jessica Biel, Danny Huston, Toni Collette, and Ralph Macchio. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Sacha Gervasi

Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Helen Mirren, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, James D'Arcy

Release Date: Nov 23, 2012

Rated PG-13 for some violent images, sexual content and thematic material

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

Hitchcock takes a fun and lighthearted look into the trials, tribulation and machinations of the making of one his seminal films. Sasha Gervasi, helming his first non documentary film, makes it feel like we are watching a sort of accurate cliff notes version of what actually happened. As such he keeps it from being overly dry, allowing his cast to relish in their roles. Anthony Hopkins, under heavy prosthetics which work with varying degrees of effectiveness, delivers one of his better performances in a good while. He can’t hide his singular voice but occasionally he does get the tenor of Hitch down perfectly. Hopkins allows us to see various sides of Hitch, his obsessive controlling nature along with his voyeuristic tendencies. Helen Mirren makes a good match for Hopkins as Alma, Hitchcock’s long suffering wife/collaborator. Mirren takes on the meaty role and she shares a steady effective chemistry with Hopkins and they play out the collaborative but dysfunctional relationship the couple shared. Both can carry a scene easily and are given plenty of chances to shine. Supporting players like Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Biel, Toni Collette, Danny Huston and James D’Arcy, doing an impressive turn as Anthony Perkins, all do solid work filling out the film. The film ends on a tad bit too much of a happy note for my taste. A good companion piece to follow up with is the recent HBO film The Girl, which covered the making of The Birds, with a very effective Toby Jones playing a creepier Hitch as he tormented Tippi Hedren played by Sienna Miller.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: LIFE OF PI 3D

Yann Martel's ponderous adventure novel gets the big-screen treatment with this Fox 2000 adaptation helmed by director Ang Lee. The coming-of-age story surrounds the son of a zookeeper who survives a shipwreck by stowing away on a lifeboat with a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena, and a Bengal tiger by the name of Richard Parker. Suraj Sharma heads up the cast as the young boy, with Gérard Depardieu, Adil Hussain, Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall, and Bollywood actress Tabu also starring. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Ang Lee

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Tabu, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu

Release Date: Nov 21, 2012

Rated PG for peril emotional Thematic Content and Some Scary Action

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

Ang Lee’s wonderfully epic and visually stunning parable on life religion and survival is dense but still fairly accessible. The film’s plots starts grounded but gets more mystical existential as we move along. Along the way we are treating to a visually stunning and utterly engrossing parable that borrows from many a religious source. There are big topics at play here but it’s done, with the help of some truly stunning 3D, in an intimate and personal way which makes the entire easier to digest without losing much of the sentiment. At its center is Hollywood newcomer Suraj Sharma who performance impresses throughout. He’s given the Herculean task of carrying the film while working on a green screen mostly by himself. Sharma conveys a bevy of emotions throughout the span of the film, his face and eyes expressing heartbreak and hope while he traverses a Job like set of trials. His shipmate, a meticulously created CGI tiger is a marvel of technological achievement. If there is a fault to be found here it’s the film’s insistence on making sure we don’t miss the point by restating it various points throughout especially near its finale.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK

SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK



David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook stars Bradley Cooper as Pat, a bipolar man from Philadelphia who has spent the last eight months in a mental hospital. He was ordered there after a violent incident involving his wife and another man. Pat moves in with his father (Robert De Niro), a lifelong Eagles fans who has low-level OCD issues. Pat wants to get back together with his wife, even though there is a restraining order keeping him from contacting her. He soon befriends a depressed young woman who's mourning the death of her husband by engaging in compulsive sex with almost everyone she meets; she also knows his wife and offers to deliver a letter of his to her if he acts as her partner in a local dance competition. Silver Linings Playbook screened at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Director: David O. Russell

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker

Release Date: Nov 16, 2012

Rated R for some Sexual Content/Nudity and Language

Runtime: 2 hr. 2 min.

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Review:

Silver Linings Playbook is an interesting film that’s probably better than it should be because of a pair of outstanding performances from its leads. David O. Russell directs this film with a steady hand giving it a frantic energy during some of the more intense scenes. What’s impressive about his direction is that at its base the story and film as a whole is a romantic dramedy. Bradley Cooper really impresses as the male lead showing a level talent we hadn’t seen before. Cooper expresses so much on his face, you can see so much about what’s going on in his mind without saying a word. Jennifer Lawrence matches him step for step with an equally impressive and occasionally ferocious performance. Lawrence gives the character strength mixed with a pervading sadness throughout. The pair share a manic yet believable chemistry onscreen with both giving us plenty of insight into these broken people who are still trying to run away from traumatic event in their lives. The supporting cast is filled with an impressive list of actors and actresses giving the film a lot of credibility. If there’s a fault it’s that the film does start down a familiar path especially in the last act. It’s not terrible but noticeable, not enough to detract from the strong work put in by Cooper and Lawrence.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: LINCOLN

LINCOLN



Steven Spielberg helms his long-in-the-making biopic of Abraham Lincoln for DreamWorks and Touchstone Pictures. Daniel Day-Lewis portrays the former head of state in the Tony Kushner-penned adaptation of Doris Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals, which chronicles the President's time in office between 1861 and 1865 as he dealt with personal demons and politics during the Civil War. Sally Field leads a co-starring cast that includes Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Academy Award nominee John Hawkes. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Hal Holbrook

Release Date: Nov 09, 2012

Rated PG-13 for intense Scene of War Violence, Brief Strong Language and Some Images of Carnage

Runtime: 2 hr. 29 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

Steven Spielberg’s Oscar bait biopic of Lincoln is that rare features that portrays history honestly with as little sentimentally, for a Spielberg film at least, as possible. At its center it’s a cornucopia of wonderful dialogue performed by some of the finest actors work in the business. In the title role, Daniel Day Lewis once again loses himself utterly and totally into Honest Abe’s skin. It’s not as showy a role as you think; instead it’s a testament to nuance and restraint. Lewis displays his talent to emote a range of emotions through his face and eyes, giving us a look into the man’s heart and soul with only a few rare “splash” scenes. Sally Field surprises with her turn as Mary Todd Lincoln. She gives her an emotionally broken depth that’s palpable, building to a masterful climatic scene with Lewis that gives us a glimpse into the relationship and dynamic. Tommy Lee Jones, even more bulldogged faced than usual, is appropriately sarcastic and single minded in his pursuit of true equality. James Spader and John Hawkes supply some needed levity as a pair of fixers working to “convince” opposition party members to change their mind on the vote. Spielberg keeps to the entire thing together working with restraint and tact throughout. Certain scenes feel like moments from stage plays as watch characters give speeches and pontificate about large issues. Spielberg is able to make it engrossing and engaging, an appropriate tribute to a great leader.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: SKYFALL

SKYFALL




007 (Daniel Craig) becomes M's only ally as MI6 comes under attack, and a mysterious new villain emerges with a diabolical plan. James Bond's latest mission has gone horribly awry, resulting in the exposure of several undercover agents, and an all-out attack on M16. Meanwhile, as M (Judi Dench) plans to relocate the agency, emerging Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) raises concerns about her competence while attempting to usurp her position and Q (Ben Whishaw) becomes a crucial ally. Now the only person who can restore M's reputation is 007. The film was directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and shot by acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins (True Grit, The Reader, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Release Date: Nov 09, 2012

Rated PG-13 for language, Intense Violent Sequences, Smoking and Some Sexuality

Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Director: Sam Mendes

Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ben
Whishaw

Review:

Roger Moore’s take on James Bond still sticks in my mind whenever the series pops out another entry into the long running series. Moore was the Bond of my childhood and while some of it was enjoyable it never really did much for me as a series or character. So much so that I skipped the entire Dalton and Brosnan iterations of the character, the latter of which fell into some of the sillier set ups and situations. Craig’s take on the other hand, I rather enjoyed even with the overly self serious mess that is Quantum of Solace. That misstep seems like a distant memory with Skyfall, it cover so much franchise territory that it feels like the perfect Bond flick, doubly so with this being the 50th anniversary. Sam Mendes direction is superb, his love of the series seeps through every moment of the film. Skyfall is a visually stunning film, thanks to some truly impressive cinematography from Roger Deakins. The entire production could be seen as a love letter to the franchise as a whole, yet it works perfectly as a film and story in of itself. Mendes lets the plot breathe, never letting it get too serious dour or overdone. He moves it all forward at a steady pace and delivers an experience which never feels its 2 and ½ hours. Action set pieces are all very strong, especially the opening sequence which start thing off on a great note. Craig comfortably steps back into Bond’s tuxedo with ease. He is able to maneuver the character’s nuances, dealing with some deeper character moments very well. Judi Dench is given more to do than just issue orders and sit behind a desk. Her status as Bond’s surrogate mother figure comes into play here, allowing for some great character moments between M and Bond. The newcomers to the series; Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw all make for strong additions with Whishaw making his presence felt in a natural and organic manner for the character and series. Javier Bardem is wonderfully flamboyant and maniacal as the villain. Bardem’s villain encapsulates all the craziness of past Bond villains but adding a great twist to it, he’s hard to take your eyes off when he’s on screen thanks to Bardem’s commitment to his creation. The story itself has enough beef to keep causal and hardcore fans engaged especially with it’s focus on the old fashion ways of doing things.

B+

[Trailer] World War Z

As the poster tells you this is the cinematic version World War Z starring Brad Pitt. First off, this would have been better off have been named something else since the novel it’s borrowing its name from is a collections of individual accounts about the cataclysmic event.

This, along with some shoddy looking CGI, looks like a run of the mill Hollywood production with Pitt out to save the world against super fast extra climby zombie ant people.

MOVIE REVIEW: SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

Steve Carell and Keira Knightley star in this apocalyptic comedy following two neighbors who set out for one last road trip after learning that a massive asteroid will wipe out all life on Earth in just three weeks. Dodge (Carell) and Penny (Knightly) are both having a very bad day. This mismatched pair spend their time on the road together, their journey takes on a new meaning -- one that neither could have ever seen coming, but which both sense was the way things were meant to be. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Lorene Scafaria

Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Connie Britton, Adam Brody, Rob Corddry.

Release Date: Jun 22, 2012

Rated R for language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Romance

Review:

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a tonally uneven film that goes from one extreme to another. While the cast is committed to their roles and both bring some verifiable heart to the roles and story, you wouldn’t be the only to feel like you are watching 2 different films. During the first half of the film it works well as a dark comedy dealing with all the extremes that seem plausible in the face of impending doom. The 2nd half plays more like a romantic comedy with a heady philosophical slant. The shift is clunky and noticeable occurring as soon as the musical cues become more and more pronounced. Lorene Scafaria, who directed the underrated Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, seems to have a lot on her mind here and there’s some strong themes and ideas at work but she never seems to finds a steady cohesive flow for it all. Carrell and Knightley seem incredibly mismatched at first glance but as the film moves on they find a certain rhythm together, sharing some impressive yet subtle scenes together. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is a strange film that could have worked had it picked a direction and stuck with it. That being said, if you prep yourself for a massive shift in tone, you may find plenty to like here.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: CLOUD ATLAS

IN THEATERS

CLOUD ATLAS



Directors Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski team up to helm this adaptation of David Mitchell's popular novel Cloud Atlas. The trio have put together an all-star cast, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, and Hugh Grant, to play various characters over the course of several different historical time periods. The various narrative threads weave in and out of each other, painting a portrait of mankind's quest for tolerance and peace throughout the ages. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Director: Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer

Cast: Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, Huge Grant, Keith David

Release Date: Oct 26, 2012

Rated R for violence, Language, Some Drug Use and Sexuality/Nudity

Runtime: 2 hr. 52 min.

Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The Wachowski’s and Tom Tykwer’s Cloud Atlas is truly an accomplishment. The film is a blending and mixing of genres and stories across space and time done with incredible ease. The experience is jarring at first but utterly engrossing after it settles in your mind. Various themes are interwoven into the multiple story threads display the level of intricacy at work. The assembled cast made up of A-listers and character actors attack their multiple roles with a noticeable vigor and range. Each actor or actress is given plenty time to shine in one interaction or another with Doona Bae being the biggest surprise overall, simply because she’s the least known. There are some characters that play actors incredibly against type and other that layer them in drag or heavy prosthetics to change their appearance. Cloud Atlas’s biggest positive is it’s boldness of sprit, even with the various genres at play it achieves a strong emotion link with the audience which will be readily apparent by the film’s end. At nearly 3 hours, the film moves at a steady pace but rarely feels overlong which is a good thing since it’s the type of film that will require multiple viewings to catch every nuance.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: MAGIC MIKE

MAGIC MIKE



Channing Tatum stars in this drama following an upstart male stripper (Alex Pettyfer) who is mentored by a veteran dancer, played by Tatum. Steven Soderbergh directed from a script by Reid Carolin, whose screenplay was inspired by Tatum's work as a stripper before he made it in Hollywood. Matthew McConaughey, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Cody Horn, and Olivia Munn co-star. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Matthew McConaughey

Release Date: Jun 29, 2012

Rated R for language, Brief Graphic Nudity, Pervasive Sexual Content and Some Drug Use

Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Magic Mike has a certain audience in mind and needless to say I’m not quite the demographic. Regardless, Steven Soderbergh’s take on the world of male strippers is surprisingly well made and acted. Soderbergh’s film is a visually energetic and decadent look into a world which is all about appearance but ultimately hollow. The story itself feels like many a rock star film with similar trajectory, pitfalls and moments of clarity for the main character. Sprinkle in a bit of Saturday Night Fever with plenty of male thongs and assless chaps. In the lead Channing Tatum delivers his best performance of his career. He’s naturalistic and incredibly comfortable in the role, for obvious reasons, displaying the conflicted nature of his character. Matthew McCounaughey feels equally comfortable as the self deluded owner of the club. It’s the most committed I’ve seen him in a role in a long while, probably because he felt a certain connection with the character. Alex Pettyfer is impressively non descript for the first half of the film and utterly wasted in the 2nd, the transition feels unnatural and the performance doesn’t help. Cody Horn is even worse as her sister with some truly terrible displays of acting. The remaining chiseled and greased cast is mostly relegated to the background, stripping to insanely complex chorography especially when you consider it’s supposed to be a seedy male strip club. I do give the film credit for not taking the easy road, this could have easily been lighthearted fluff like Striptease or Showgirls.

B-

[Trailer] Iron Man 3

First trailer for Iron Man 3 has been released and it looks to take the series in more serious and darker direction.

Shane Black takes over the directorial reigns and these early bits of footage look more impressive than expected.

Since Iron Man 2 fell into a lot of the traps that big sequels suffer from, including the extended set up for The Avengers, so it’d be nice to see a more focused entry from Marvel.

MOVIE REVIEW: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4

IN THEATERS

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 4




It has been five years since Katie (Katie Featherston) murdered her sister and disappeared with her infant nephew, Hunter, in tow. Now, a new family is about to fall prey to nighttime terrors. A mysterious accident next door leads to teenage Alex (Kathryn Newton) and her family becoming the temporary guardians of Robbie (Brady Allen), a very creepy neighbor boy. Cameras installed throughout Alex's home capture the sinister events that unfold after Robbie's arrival.

Director: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Cast: Stephen Dunham, Alexondra Lee, Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively

Release Date: Oct 19, 2012

Rated R for language and some violence/terror

Runtime: 1 hr. 35 min.

Genres: Horror

Review:

For the first 3 films the Paranormal Activity franchise got an incredible amount of run out a plot and mythology that was literally made up as they went. It was fairly impressive considering its humble beginnings. I respected the 3rd film for expanding the mythos but it never connected to me the way the first 2 did and seemed to lack the visceral punch they had. The 4th entry in the franchise feels like a recycled and tired retread of everything we’ve seen before. There’s very little innovation and creativity here outside of new types of cameras (webcams, camera phone & Xbox Kinetic) and new family. Kathryn Kewton and Brady Allen make for a belivable teenage couple. Brady Allen delivers the creepy kid quotient for this entry. The story seems drenched in mythology but lacking in substance at the same time. It makes for a strange viewing experience because all the usual jump scares and shocks seem to get in the way more than anything else. They are expected and telegraphed that they lack any pop. The plot is filled with lazy plot devices like an overly creepy kid, somewhat detached and disinterested parents dealing with relationship issues and a neighborhood where nobody locks there door. The finale ramps up some energy and forward momentum, something missing for the better part of the film, but by then you just want them to get to the big reveal. Paranormal Activity 4 clocks in at barely an hour and a half long but the entire experience feel decidedly longer.

D+

MOVIE REVIEW: TAKEN 2

IN THEATERS

TAKEN 2



His family targeted by a vengeful crime boss in Istanbul, retired CIA agent Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) must fight an army of killers to ensure their safe return in this action sequel from director Olivier Megaton (ransporter 3) and producer/co-writer Luc Besson (who penned the screenplay alongside Taken scribe Robert Mark Kamen). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Olivier Megaton

Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Sherbedgia, Luke Grimes

Release Date: Oct 05, 2012

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sensuality

Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.

Genres: Drama, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

A sequel to Taken seems like it’d write itself. The plot is everything you’d expect it to be. Liam Neeson is gravelly voiced and dead serious when talking on cell phones, even tiny ones. Director Oliver Megaton should just keep this in cruise control and let whoever is watching this get what they wanted which is watching the world’s most awesome overprotective dad use his special set of skills to kill anyone and everyone that attempts to interrupt him on vacation. Megaton does this for a decent chuck of the film but for some reason the screen writers decided it was a good idea to get Maggie Grace’s character more involved. This is about as terrible an idea as having a nearly 30 year old actress play a 16 year old. The character is shrill and annoying. All the while she can go from taking a driving test to driving like a stunt driver in about 20 minutes. It’s a serious misstep in a movie that should just be about 60 year Liam Neeson taking out track suit wearing tugs with a coffee cup. Neeson is focused and dedicated as usual. He does well in the action sequences making even the most ridiculous situations seem plausible. Famke Janseen has more screen time but she’s comatose for the better part of the film not as an actress per say but as written. Rade Serbedzija is still cashing paychecks as that guy who not from here again. Taken 2 should be mindless fun and there is some obvious effort to get into Mills fastidious mindset but a detour into his daughter taking the lead is a bad misstep.

C