Cindy Prascik’s Review of CBGB

Dearest Blog, it is customary for a number of good little (and not so little) films to pass my 'burb right on by. Evidence: Neither of my local cinemas is showing 12 Years a Slave, Dallas Buyers Club, The Fifth Estate, or About Time...but by golly we could see Grown Ups 2 on the big screen right up through the Thursday before it was released on DVD. *sigh*

It was disappointing, but not surprising, when one of my most-anticipated movies of 2013, CBGB, never played locally. Thankfully, XFinity On Demand was around to save the day!

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from a trailer if you happened to see one.

Rebounding from two failed attempts to run a club, Hilly Kristal rents a dump in the Bowery section of New York City and becomes the man who launched a thousand careers.

Dear Blog, it would be dishonest in the extreme if I didn't admit that I was bound to love this movie. The subject matter is so near to my heart that, handled with anything but absolute malice, CBGB had to rank among my favorite films of the year. That being said, the movie has its pros and cons.

The filmmakers elected to go with a very light tone that, while it makes for a quick and engaging movie, I daresay it barely touches what living in that environment every day must have been like.

Even when you know you're a part of something monumental, slogging through the day-to-day in filth and poverty is no fun, but CBGB mostly plays the negatives for laughs. Smashing roaches and stepping in dog poo are running gags...and if you've got a weak stomach, you're going to want to turn away from the kitchen scenes entirely!

Introductions and transitions are handled via comic-book panels. The movie gets away with it because it's consistent, and because, all these years later, all's well that ends well, eh?

Performances range from terrific to so-so to poor. Alan Rickman is, of course, fantastic as the good hearted but sometimes unrealistic Kristal. Ashley Greene is great as his loyal but frustrated daughter, and Donal Logue and Freddie Rodriguez are both entertaining as Kristal's partners/employees/co-horts at the club. Of the folks tackling the difficult task of mimicking the familiar, Joel David Moore and Julian Acosta are especially good as the ever-battling Joey and Johnny Ramone, and Mickey Sumner does a great job as Patti Smith. I don't think folks will have a hard time forgetting Ron Weasley once they've seen Rupert Grint's turn as Dead Boy Cheetah Chrome! Justin Bartha and Malin Akerman are merely okay as Stiv Bators (my favorite of the lot) and Debbie Harry, and Taylor Hawkins (who, in fairness, isn't really an actor) and Kyle Gallner are sadly underwhelming as Iggy Pop and Lou Reed, respectively. The real Cheetah Chrome has an amusing cameo that you won't want to miss!

It's fair to say a person's enjoyment of CBGB probably will be commensurate with his or her nostalgia for the club and the bands. I don't imagine it's a great enough piece of filmmaking to win over folks to whom this music means nothing, but if the movie barely scratches the surface of real events, it's an entertaining enough couple hours.

Thanks in no small part to my own affection for the subject matter, I loved it.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, CBGB gets eight.

Until next time...



Thanks for the memories!

MOVIE REVIEW THOR: THE DARK WORLD

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) returns to do battle with Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), the vengeful leader of a primordial race that seeks to destroy the Nine Realms, in this big-budget comic-book adventure set after the events of Marvel's The Avengers. With even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) unable to protect Asgard from the approaching darkness, the god of thunder reunites with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and prepares to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the world from certain destruction. Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, and Tadanobu Asano co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Alan Taylor

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins

Release Date: Nov 08, 2013

Rated PG-13 for some Suggestive Content and Intense Sci-Fi Action/Violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 51 min.

Genres: Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Thor: The Dark World is a strong sequel that expands the scope of everything while bringing a slightly different flavor than the original. Alan Taylor takes over the directing reigns from Kenneth Branagan, delivering a grittier and occasionally darker take on this character and his world. It’s a welcome change of pace, aided by some incredibly choreographed actions sequences, the final act being the most fun, which really up the spectacle quotient. Some of these sequences feels more like a Star Wars prequel/sequel, one you’d actually want to watch, than the original’s straightforward fantasy slant. Thor: The Dark World hop scotches across from genres, moving freely between fantasy, sci-fi and back to superhero. The strange thing is that these changes are rarely jarring with the film hitting its mark more times than not. There are a few minor quibbles though. The film occasionally gets bogged down with its plot, giving us too much exposition when it isn’t needed, killing some of its forward momentum. Those moments pale in comparison to the Earth based scenes which stick out even more than they did the first time around. Natalie Portman still feels terribly out of place and her obnoxious plucky character is mostly obnoxiously plucky. Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgård are given very little to do in supporting roles, mostly serving as comic relief. Thankfully Hemsworth and Hiddleston once again deliver the goods. Hemsworth was born to play a superhero and here he’s given just enough meat to make his performance interesting. Hiddleston deftly moves back into Loki’s skin giving us another taste of his dynamic and multifaceted frienemy. Christopher Eccleston is underused and underwritten as the primary villain. He isn’t given much to work with; his character is nothing more than a plot device and a forgettable one at that. Issues aside there is plenty to enjoy for the devout fanboys (Marvel cameos and post credit scenes) and causal fan (Chris Hemsworth without a shirt in 3D) alike. In the end, it delivers the kind of spectacle, action while maintaining a strong sense of fun.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: 12 YEARS A SLAVE

Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave stars Chiwetel Ejifor as Solomon Northup, a free black man in 1840s America. He makes his living as a fiddle player, and his wife is a teacher. He is shanghaied by a pair of nefarious white men, and soon finds himself on a ship headed to New Orleans where he is informed he will be called Platt and is sold into slavery by an unscrupulous businessman (Paul Giamatti). Solomon bides his time, attempts to preserve a modicum of self-respect, and waits for the chance to reclaim his rightful name as well as his family. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Director: Steve McQueen

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Alfre Woodard

Release Date: Oct 18, 2013

Rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality

Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min.

Genres: Drama

Review:

When you are watching a movie there occasionally comes a sense that you are watching a classic piece of filmmaking. It’s rare especially in modern cinema but it does happen. Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave is majestic journey through America’s “peculiar institution”. McQueen direction and visuals are beautiful, unflinching and incredibly moving. It’s a powerful movie centered by a powerful performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor. I’ve always found Ejiofor incredibly interesting as an actor and it was really impressive watching him flex in considerable acting muscles here. Ejiofor has a quiet strength about himself which suits the character very well. Ejiofor’s talent shines through during those moments when he doesn’t say anything. His pain and anguish is readily apparent through his eyes and face, its spectacular piece of acting. The supporting actors are a who’s who of A list actors with Michael Fassbender getting the beefiest role. Fassbender continues to impress me which his range. Personally, I didn’t know if he’d be able to pull off a plantation owner but he delivers in spades. Lesser known actress Lupita Nyong'o has a small role as a fellow slave but it’s a stunningly effective and tragic performance, it wouldn’t surprise me if she was nominated for a supporting acting nod come awards season. That same can be said of the film as a whole. It’s a prestige through and through with everyone’s talents on full display in this modern day classic.

A

[Trailer] X-Men: Days of Future Past

That nerd screech you heard earlier today was just a normal reaction to the next big comic book movie on the horizon. After being revitalized by prequel/reboot X-Men: First Class, the franchise suddenly had some interesting avenues it could explore but most were surprised when it was announced they’d tackle the legendary Days of Future Past storyline helmed by Bryan Singer and mixing the old cast with the new one.

Personally, I think this might be a more daunting task than The Avengers because of how established the characters are in the old and new iterations. This first trailer gives us a glimpse into the ominous storyline with plenty of glimpse at the returning cast members, more so than the more recent incarnations. It’s not heavy on effects, most aren’t ready, which actually benefits the trailer getting me even more intrigued, check it out below…

Cindy Prascik's Review of The Counselor

Dearest Blog, despite early whispers of its absurdity, it was with great excitement that I headed to the cinema today to see The Counselor.

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

A lawyer (Michael Fassbender) lands in deep trouble when he attempts to cure his money woes doing business with drug dealers.

So, dear Blog, when I see a film with Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, and Brad Pitt, my thought is "How bad can it be?" Well...........

The Counselor kicks off with an awkward sex scene that sets the tone for the whole film: you just want to laugh, however aware you are that you're not supposed to. The stellar cast isn't to blame for the movie's shortcomings, and, while it could be said they don't save it either, I would suggest it's beyond saving.

All the performances are solid, and Pitt is notably better than the material.

However, twists that aim for shocking reveals land, instead, in a muddled mess. Forget subtle foreshadowing, the movie knocks you over the head with everything.

There are gross-outs aplenty, and I don't just mean the bloody ones you expect in any movie about drug dealers. When I wasn't trying to stifle inappropriate laughter, I was struggling mightily to stay awake.

Now, dear Blog, never let it be said I don't look for the positive. The Counselor takes first prize on an important "all-time" movie list: Best snot rocket ever.

Like, seriously, puts Gimli's "I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" to shame. Readers, I know you look to this blog for the serious skinny on flicks, so there it is.

This weekend, The Counselor is probably in a pretty tight race for "Funniest New Release" with Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, but, unfortunately, only one was an intentional entry.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, The Counselor gets three...AND CAN I PLEASE JUST HAVE THOR ALREADY??

Until next time...



You! Yes, you! Fire your agent now!!

MOVIE REVIEW: JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA

86 year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion, his 8 year-old Grandson Billy in "Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa.” The signature Jackass character Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville) and Billy (Jackson Nicoll) will take movie audiences along for the most insane hidden camera road trip ever captured on camera. Real people in unreal situations, making for one really messed up comedy.

Director: Jeff Tremaine

Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll

Release Date: Oct 25, 2013

Rated R for strong crude and sexual content throughout, language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min.

Genres: Comedy

Review:

About 5 minutes into the movie “Irving Zisman” has his testicles stuck in a vending machine as confused and shocked bystanders walk by. If this type of candid camera humor doesn’t fit your palette then you’d probably want to stay as far as way from Bad Granpa as possible. It’s not quite as inspired as Borat but Knoxville and his crew create some great set ups, the high point occurring in a male strip club, framed by the slightest of a plot. Knoxville, who’s always willing to put himself out there, is a lot of fun as the Zisman. Thankfully this installment removes a lot of the gross out, self injury humor which was a big part of the previous Jackass series and films. As a result, this is probably the most accessible film of the franchise. Part of the credit for its accessibility has to go to Jackson Nicoll who is just an adorable child actor. Still this is a Jackass film so there are plenty of explicit scenes greeted with lots of confused, angry and shocked reactions.

B-