Michael Jackson's This Is It - 9 stars out of 10
I don't consider myself to be a Michael Jackson fan of any sort, but this looks like it would have been the most incredible show in the world. Chronicling the production of his "This Is It" concert, it gives us a look into the creativity of Jackson before his sudden death. The dancing is absolutely out of this world and let's face it, the King of Pop wrote some of the greatest pop music of the 80's and 90's. I would've loved to experience the Thriller sequence, and that chick guitarist (Orianthi) is awesome! Before "This Is It," I felt nothing but disdain for Michael Jackson but this movie has given me a true appreciation for him. Although he was very strange, I can now appreciate his humility and musicianship. Whether you are a fan of his or not, this is a movie that everybody should see.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Pi - 8 stars out of 10
Pi - 8 stars out of 10
"Pi" is one of the most stange and mystifying stories out there. Amidst its paranoia and madness, there is a stroke of genius in Darren Aronofsky's screenplay. It is basically everything that "The Number 23" aspired to be. Filled with quick cuts and a main character with a social disorder, "Pi" is filled with uneasiness that transports the viewer into the world of Max Cohen, the super-genius that sees pi as the organizational pattern for everything in nature. The characters are written extremely well, particularly the characters of Lenny and Marcy Dawson. When their motives are revealed later in the movie, it's an awesome shock. Sean Gullette IS this movie, driving every aspect of the plot and giving a convincing performance that might even sell you on his pi theory. I also adored Mark Margolis' performance as Sol, bringing us back to reality amidst the hallucinations. More than anything, the shock of the penultimate scene is simply awesome and makes this a movie that you must see. It'll blow your mind.
"Pi" is one of the most stange and mystifying stories out there. Amidst its paranoia and madness, there is a stroke of genius in Darren Aronofsky's screenplay. It is basically everything that "The Number 23" aspired to be. Filled with quick cuts and a main character with a social disorder, "Pi" is filled with uneasiness that transports the viewer into the world of Max Cohen, the super-genius that sees pi as the organizational pattern for everything in nature. The characters are written extremely well, particularly the characters of Lenny and Marcy Dawson. When their motives are revealed later in the movie, it's an awesome shock. Sean Gullette IS this movie, driving every aspect of the plot and giving a convincing performance that might even sell you on his pi theory. I also adored Mark Margolis' performance as Sol, bringing us back to reality amidst the hallucinations. More than anything, the shock of the penultimate scene is simply awesome and makes this a movie that you must see. It'll blow your mind.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - 3 stars out of 10
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor - 3 stars out of 10
The Mummy returns again... with the exact same plot as the other two... except in China... and without Rachel Weisz... The Mummy was meant to take place in Egypt and they should have left it there. Brendan Fraser is entertaining as always, but Maria Bello just didn't bring the excitement (and great looks) that Rachel Weisz brought to the Mummy series. The special effects were great and I understand the wonders of CG. But Yeti? Seriously? For some reason these were less believable than two reincarnated armies. This movie just seemed too random. Jet Li was barely in it (despite his second billing) and probably the best decision in making this movie was the casting of Michelle Yeoh as Zi Yuan. Correction: the best decision was by Rachel Weisz, choosing not to be in it. This movie brings cool special effects but they are worthless without a good plot and decent acting. The original "Mummy" was innovative with its cool CG effects and enjoyable blend of action, comedy, and romance; unfortunately, films like "The Scorpion King" and "Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" prevent me from calling this a series and instead having to call it a hit followed by a string of disappointment.
The Mummy returns again... with the exact same plot as the other two... except in China... and without Rachel Weisz... The Mummy was meant to take place in Egypt and they should have left it there. Brendan Fraser is entertaining as always, but Maria Bello just didn't bring the excitement (and great looks) that Rachel Weisz brought to the Mummy series. The special effects were great and I understand the wonders of CG. But Yeti? Seriously? For some reason these were less believable than two reincarnated armies. This movie just seemed too random. Jet Li was barely in it (despite his second billing) and probably the best decision in making this movie was the casting of Michelle Yeoh as Zi Yuan. Correction: the best decision was by Rachel Weisz, choosing not to be in it. This movie brings cool special effects but they are worthless without a good plot and decent acting. The original "Mummy" was innovative with its cool CG effects and enjoyable blend of action, comedy, and romance; unfortunately, films like "The Scorpion King" and "Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" prevent me from calling this a series and instead having to call it a hit followed by a string of disappointment.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Contraband - 3 stars out of 10
Contraband - 3 stars out of 10
I love Mark Wahlberg. I love action movies. So why did I dislike "Contraband" so much? In the end, it is such a stereotype of the genre that it completely lacks creativity and originality. There are several unnecessary plot twists and it is nearly impossible to like any of these characters. It is literally as if someone said: "We need to make some money." "How should we do it?" "Well, everybody loves to watch Mark Wahlberg run around and say cool things." "Oh, I agree! Have him smuggle in some money?" "No, money isn't enough. How about we throw in a poorly designed plot twist and have him smuggle in some drugs, too?" "That's GOLD! These suckers will eat it up. Oh yeah, let's imply a backstory that he's done this before so that he knows how to handle a weapon and fight" "I sure love Hollywood. Let's go make millions of dollars." The cast alone gave this film awesome potential - Kate Beckinsale is a great actress but has less than 20 lines in the film, Giovanni Ribisi is a good villain but just came off as awkward white trash, and J.K. Simmons provides so much potential for comic relief but isn't very likeable. The big plot twist of "Oh my gosh, everybody's in on it!" only works if set up correctly, and in this instance just seemed like a last ditch effort to validate this movie. Give me "The Italian Job" or "The Departed" any day of the week, but all existing copies of "Contraband" should be deported and never smuggled back in.
I love Mark Wahlberg. I love action movies. So why did I dislike "Contraband" so much? In the end, it is such a stereotype of the genre that it completely lacks creativity and originality. There are several unnecessary plot twists and it is nearly impossible to like any of these characters. It is literally as if someone said: "We need to make some money." "How should we do it?" "Well, everybody loves to watch Mark Wahlberg run around and say cool things." "Oh, I agree! Have him smuggle in some money?" "No, money isn't enough. How about we throw in a poorly designed plot twist and have him smuggle in some drugs, too?" "That's GOLD! These suckers will eat it up. Oh yeah, let's imply a backstory that he's done this before so that he knows how to handle a weapon and fight" "I sure love Hollywood. Let's go make millions of dollars." The cast alone gave this film awesome potential - Kate Beckinsale is a great actress but has less than 20 lines in the film, Giovanni Ribisi is a good villain but just came off as awkward white trash, and J.K. Simmons provides so much potential for comic relief but isn't very likeable. The big plot twist of "Oh my gosh, everybody's in on it!" only works if set up correctly, and in this instance just seemed like a last ditch effort to validate this movie. Give me "The Italian Job" or "The Departed" any day of the week, but all existing copies of "Contraband" should be deported and never smuggled back in.
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