Past review--catching up

Movie Review—Dark Shadows

Directed by: Tim Burton

Starring: Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeifer, and Eva Green

Okay, But, Could Have Waited for Cable (3 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film Dark Shadows

A comedy-horror film for teens and adults

The Collins family moves to America in 1752, building their own fishing empire off the coast of Maine. Their young son Barnabas, played by Johnny Depp is raised to rule the kingdom, but along the way, he steals and breaks the heart of their maid, Angelique Bouchard, portrayed by Eva Green. Only she is much more than just the local help. A scorned woman can be very dangerous and Angelique is additionally threatening in that she is a witch. Subsequent to her betrayal by Barnabas, she removes her competition and turns him into a vampire, then turns the town of Collinsport against him, having them bury him alive.

Here comes 1972, and Barnabas is freed from his captivity. His family’s stature and fortunes have dwindled, as Angelique’s seem to have grown. The matriarch of the family is performed by Michele Pfeiffer, as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. The family is dysfunctional at best, to the point that when Barnabas erupts into their lives it is just natural to allow him to take over, also he has a secret that aids in the recovery of their fortune. The current Collins children seem to need some therapy and there is an in-house doctor as well as the need for a nanny, who resembles the past love in Barnabas’ life. Is there love in his future and the chance for a normal family life? Hardly, and Angelique is only one of the barricades to such happiness.

Director TimBurton, has not done justice to the television show and even his usual ability to find a loveable character amidst the gruesome and horrific is missing. The portrayal of David Collins by Gulliver McGrath, is one of the few bright spots, in addition to the spot that Alice Cooper engages. The music and costumes are enjoyable, but the rest of the movie leaves a lot to be desired. The advertisements led to the feeling this was going to be more of a comedy and less of the gothic darkness of the series. The outcome was more as if Tim Burton could not decide which movie he was doing and directed the actors in the same manner, as the acting by all of these fine actors seemed just as confused. The blood and gore did not make it more dramatic, nor did the far from romantic liaisons between Barnabas and Angelique. Really could have waited for the cable release.

Past Review--Catching Up

Movie Review—John Carter

Directed by: Andrew Stanton

Starring: Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Samantha Morton, and Willem Dafoe

Good Movie, Glad to Have Seen It (4  out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film John Carter

 An action film for adults and teens

John Carter, portrayed by Taylor Kitsch, is from Virginia. He is also a Civil War veteran who somehow miraculously finds himself transported from a gold mine in Virginia to Mars. Here, he finds himself surrounded by 12-foot green barbarians, the Tharks that he can leap over in a single bound and knock out with a single punch. Yet he gives himself up to one of their leaders, Tars Tarkas, played by Willem Dafoe, who finds this strange being’s powers useful. John Carter soon plans his escape and a princess from another part of the planet, Dejah Thoris, represented by Lynn Collins, lands in his arms, in need of immediate saving and in need of a savior. These two communities are frequently at odds and have little use for each other. The Tharks do not fly and have some of their own situations, as Tars Tarkas and his daughter Sola, performed by Samantha Morton, are at odds. Dejah and her people are from Helium, one of the last free cities on Mars, and flying vehicles are their means of travel. That is just one of the many differences in addition to the political upheaval of these and other communities of the planet. John, Dejah, and Sola end up as a team in search for a means to save Helium and along the way discover a source for John’s unique abilities. Furthermore, there is another race who time-travels and shape-shifts that are manipulating all of these beings.

Action and adventure abound in this film through the direction of Andrew Stanton. The film is also shown in the 3-D venue. The computer graphics and alien design is well done as emotions and attitudes come through clearly. The one drawback is the storyline; it is choppy and unclear in some areas, especially the significance of this manipulative race. The love story evolves on cue as John Carter fights to return from one existence to another to be with the one he loves. This was an enjoyable film and the action moved throughout each era.

Past Movie Review--Catching UP

Movie Review—One for the Money

Directed by: Julie Anne Robinson

Starring: Katherine Heigl, Jason O'Mara and Daniel Sunjata

Should Have Waited for Cable (2 popcorn boxes out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film One for the Money

 An action-comedy film for adults and teens

This film is all about the burgs of Trenton, New Jersey, and Stephanie Plum, portrayed by Katherine Heigl, and her down on her luck situation that leads her to take a new job. A new job from her cousin Vinnie as a bounty hunter, a profession she has no clue about. Her first assignment is to catch Joe Morelli, played by Jason O’Mara. Joe is a cop on the run and Stephanie’s first flame from high school, who she seems to have a grudge with as well as a continuing physical interest. Being a police officer should give him a distinct advantage, but he seems to have a similar attraction and the two keep ending up in the same places looking for clues. Unfortunately, Stephanie keeps running into danger in addition to clues, so she is directed to an agent with skills to spare, Ranger, performed by Daniel Sunjata. Ranger is the man when it comes to apprehending the dangerous bail-jumpers and fortunately, for Stephanie he is only a phone call away and sometimes even closer. She also seeks the help of local street folk, Lula, represented by Sherri Shepherd, a prostitute with information and attitude to spare. However, in the search for clues Lula gets in the middle and gets hurt forging a bond of friendship. Through deadly exploits and a few accidental apprehensions, Stephanie is able to get her man and clear his name all in one swoop.

This film simply missed the mark on many levels, and it is unclear as to which bears the most responsibility. So many films are based on novels, and even if some areas are different, the basic interpretations need to be met. Throughout these novels, there is heat between Stephanie and Joe and Ranger, and in this film the temperature was tepid at best. Was it the direction or just poor chemistry, because all of these actors have been quite steamy in other roles? The casting of grandma Mazur, played by Debbie Reynolds, should have been an excellent choice, but the comedy of this character in addition to Lula’s character were drastically underplayed, almost forgotten in translation. They are some of the funniest parts of these novels and the mother just needed to be someone else, she is Stephanie’s conscience and morals and this actress, Debra Monk, was someone else. The casting, the direction and the chemistry was just wrong in this film. There are pros and cons to seeing films based on well-enjoyed novels. Many expect the film to deliver in being true to the book, but the fact is, I would have never gone to see this film if I had not so loved the books. It tends to be a conundrum and this time disappointment was delivered.

Old Movie Review

Movie Review—Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Directed by: Brad Bird

Starring: Eddie Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, and Michael Nyquist

Good Movie, Glad to Have Seen It (4  out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

 An action-thriller film for adults and teens

From the Russian Kremlin to the Middle East, the Mission Impossible team is in trouble and Ethan Hunt, portrayed by Tom Cruise in this 4^th MI film in the, is back. A terrorist known as Kurt Hendricks, played by Michael Nyquist, has obtained Russian nuclear launch codes; and is planning an attack on America. The MI team traces him there and the situation quickly unravels. The Kremlin explodes and Ethan and his team are implicated. The president now has to shut down Mission Impossible and deny any knowledge of their actions; he has invoked the Ghost Protocol. Ethan meets with the MI director and his assistant, William Brandt, represented by Jeremy Renner, where trouble and danger follow them and resulting in the death of the director. Hunt hooks up with past team members loyal to him, Jane Carter and Benji Dunn, performed by Paula Patton and Simon Pegg. In Dubai, they locate Hendricks and again try to stop his plans of destruction. These two act as support and highly technical computer assistance, which proves to be a much-needed element to prevent tragedy, while Ethan directs the undercover ploys and the hunt for Hendricks to save America.

Mission Impossible is back, even though the team has been disavowed and has no backup or support and the world keeps blowing up around them. The action in this film is phenomenal and meets the expectations that many viewers will have. The plot moves fast and though occasionally predictable, there are twists and turns, not only in the relationships of the team, but in the hunt for a terrorist and saving the world. Drama and action are provided throughout under the direction of Brad Bird, including ties to Ethan’s past. This movie was well done and enjoyable from start to finish.

Movie Review—Tower Heist

Movie Review—Tower Heist

Directed by: Brett Ratner

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller, and Casey Affleck

Okay, But, Could Have Waited for Cable (3  out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film Tower Heist?

 An action-comedy film for adults and teens.

What can lead ordinary men to robbery? Managing a residential apartment in New York City, Josh Kovacs, portrayed by Ben Stiller, soon finds out. Josh Kovacs manages this apartment and manages the other employees and he often befriends and trusts many of the tenants. Arthur Shaw, played by Alan Alda, is one such tenant, a financier, entrusted with the employees’ retirement funds. The FBI shortly arrest Mr. Shaw for fraud and Josh finds out the money is gone. With the savings gone, one friend and employee attempts suicide, and others lose their job, anger fuels him to seek out and confront Mr. Shaw. There seems to be no recourse and no hope of recovering the money and Josh’s temper gets him fired. Thus, a plan is hatched. Josh, Charlie, performed by Casey Affleck, and other employees decide to get the money back on their terms, but they need some help. Help and comedy comes in the form of Slide, represented by Eddie Murphy, a local street character that Josh has run into on occasion. The action begins from here, as they scheme and concoct plans to get their money back. Staying under the radar of the local FBI presents its own challenges and roadblocks to their plans, but the plan does somehow come to completion.

This film has a cast of actors that have done tremendous work in the past and they deliver in this film, yet they seem to have been held back by the script or director. The laughs are there but few and the action, though entertaining, has also been limited. With this group of talented players, more was expected in the delivery. Alan Alda, was urbane and witty, while Eddie Murphy was quiet in his comedy and Ben Stiller was really just Ben Stiller in another job. These fine actors were some how not allowed to show their usual genius in what could have been a much better film. This action comedy, though enjoyable, needed more of both.

Movie Review—What's Your Number?

Movie Review—What’s Your Number?

Directed by: Mark Mylod

Starring: Anna Faris, Chris Evans, and Ari Graynor

Okay, But, Could Have Waited for Cable (3  out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film What’s Your Number?

 A romance-comedy film for adults.

Could it happen today? Certainly. Someone will actually read an article about something and feel like that new magic prediction should change his or her life. Well, Ally Darling, portrayed by Anna Faris, reads that any woman who has had carnal knowledge of more than 20 men will probably never find a husband. Moreover, being that they are so necessary in today’s society, she is nearing that fatal number and must go back to all of her past loves and/or flings and search for the one man who can fill the role of the perfect man. The man to marry and spend the rest of her days with is out there in the 20 men she has enjoyed, or not so much, depending on her memory. Colin Shea, played by Chris Evans, is her neighbor, a known womanizer who hides out in Ally’s apartment on a regular basis. He is hiding from whatever latest conquest he has brought home, hoping they leave before he has to speak to them, and as a struggling musician/son of a cop/possible detective, he is recruited to help Ally find her prince charming. Through, all of this, Ally is a maid of honor for her sister’s wedding, and while aiding all things wedding, she continues her search only to find that prince charming may not be the answer to her quest. Do you dare the rogue or the prince?

This film is very enjoyable though fairly clichéd and predictable. The story tells itself as the plot unfolds, with few surprises along the way. The funniest parts are her memories of her past lovers and the means employed for her reunions. Youth always leads many down experimental paths that often is 20/20 in hindsight. The ensemble of actors gave very credible comedic performances to a romantic story with few illusions, simply a new twist. One very commendable feature of this film is that it did not sink to the level of just grossness that is consuming too many comedies today. Bridesmaids and The Change Up are just two of the many films that jump to the disgusting for humor. Really, is diarrhea in a sink necessary, when there are so many other ways to get a laugh? Thank you, to this film’s writers and director for not going in that direction.

Movie Review—Real Steel

Movie Review—Real Steel

Directed by: Shawn Levy

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, and Dakota Goyo

Good Movie, Glad to Have Seen It (4  out of 5)

This month’s movie review belongs to the film Real Steel.

 An action packed science-fiction film great for kids and adults.

Somewhere in the future, robot boxing takes the place of live human boxing as the public searches for greater sensationalism and matches that are more dangerous. Hugh Jackman portrays a down-on-his-luck boxing promoter, Charlie Kenton. While trying to recover from the recent loss of his last robot, he is informed that the son he abandoned has lost his mother. As it happens, his ex-sister-in-law is seeking custody and happens to have a husband with a heavy wallet. For a price, Charlie agrees to take in his 11-year-old son, Max Kenton, played by Dakota Goyo, for the summer. Charlie tends to go through money like other people go through water in the summer, so, they are soon again in need of a moneymaking robot fighter. After searching the robot graveyard, they find one of the early robots and start training what seems to be an unlikely winner. With a little help from gym manager Bailey Tallet, depicted by Evangeline Lilly, and a few spare parts left from previous bots, this sparring robot may have a chance. His opponents are newer bigger and stronger, but sometimes tougher is better, and sometimes operator technique helps. During all of the action and drama, Charlie also comes to know his son and changes may be in his future.

Shawn Levy directed this family action film as a feel good film that has you rooting for the underdog from the beginning and throughout. Sometimes that is Charlie, sometimes Max, and at other times the robot named Atom. Another feature of this film is the robots that were built in real life and computer generated; they provide the majority of the action. Dakota Goyo holds his own with Hugh Jackman and is endearing as the child who teaches his father not only what he was missing but how to develop responsibility. Hugh Jackman was also a pleasure to see in this new role: con-man promoter, redeemable and teachable, but also a fighter who is getting a second chance at being a winner and a father. Multiple other characters add depth and drama to the film. Anyone who ever played Rockem-Sockem Robots will enjoy this film in addition to the emotion evoked from the story.