Jacka** Presents: Bad Grandpa - 5 stars out of 10

Jacka** Presents: Bad Grandpa - 5 stars out of 10

Just when his self-destructive equation was getting old, Johnny Knoxville comes up with a way to combine slapstick humor and extreme shock-value antics with a plot.  Unlike its predecessors which were pointless (though hilarious) montages of painful stunts, “Bad Grandpa” takes the candid camera approach that allows the crowd reactions to do the talking.  While nothing can ever live up to the documentary realism of “Borat,” this film is reminiscent of the pranks and horrified onlookers.  While scenes like the soda machine and strip club make the film uncomfortable to watch (like its predecessors), this film is much easier to watch since extreme pain is not inflicted on any of the characters.  In the style of this series, there are many hilariously memorable sequences in the film.  For me, the best is the penguin.  From the moment that the car runs into the giant wooden penguin, it is impossible to stop laughing.  I don’t think that the directors quite got the reaction they were hoping for when they put them in the bar with the bikers, but that’s the risk of a candid scene.  Johnny Knoxville looks so convincing and this film actually has a chance at winning an Oscar for Best Hair and Make-up.   While you have to expect this film to be crude and inappropriate, that expectation will allow you to let go of your inhibitions and just laugh that this carefully crafted character.

Face/Off (1997) - 6 stars out of 10

Face/Off (1997) - 6 stars out of 10

“Face/Off” is a truly unique film.  Conceptually, the idea of trading identities has been around for a long time but John Woo gives it an entirely new spin.  While the technology to remove a person’s face and reconnect it to another with working nerve endings (and it properly fitting) is far-fetched, we all want to buy into this one.  This story could have easily gone unnoticed but it piqued the interest of the critics with interesting performances by John Travolta and Nicholas Cage.  I use the word “interesting” because each actor had to portray completely opposite personalities.  The true compliment to the acting in this film is the fact that we completely buy into the identity change, easily believing that each actor has traded faces with the other.  Even though both Travolta and Cage can be hit or miss with acting, they both nailed these roles and it is easy to believe that they have traded faces.  Although the lead performances are worthy of our attention, the film does have its faults.  The film is definitely longer than it needs to be to develop the characters and resolve the plot, and there are a few too many cheesy things thrown in at the wrong times.  But other than that, the action is good and it does a good job of realistically resolving this seemingly impossible conflict.  “Face/Off” isn’t my top action film, but it’s worth watching for its unique plot elements and interesting performances by its leads.

The Confession (2011) - 7 stars out of 10

The Confession (2011) - 7 stars out of 10 

“The Confession” is a 10-part web series starring Kiefer Sutherland and John Hurt.  The film relies on strong performances by both actors as the majority of the film takes place in a confessional.  These extended sets of dialogue are punctuated by flashbacks of this hit man and the times that he has chosen to shown mercy or aggression to his victims.  The story has a typical but well-hidden twist that must have been a jawdropper when the series was watched in increments instead of a single sitting.  One of the more attractive things about this film is its one hour runtime, allowing you to take in the full story and watch the characters develop without investing in a full-length feature.  “The Confession” is worth watching simply for the subtle moment of revelation inside of the confessional booth.

12 Years a Slave - 10 stars out of 10

12 Years a Slave - 10 stars out of 10

“12 Years a Slave” is not for the faint of heart.  Let me reiterate: This is a rough movie and it should only be approached in the proper mindset and with emotional preparation.  I am so glad that this autobiography has been revived and put onto the silver screen as it expresses the need to suppress bigotry and racism.  It goes beyond Civil Rights awareness and shows a need to leave racial tension in the past by graphically depicting one of the darkest chapters in our nation’s history.  Although I am not a history expert, it is interesting to read that Dr. Emily West, specialist in the history of US slavery, has been quoted as saying that she has “never seen a film represent slavery so accurately.”   To me, that is the seal of approval on this opportunity to view untainted history.  The film is so honest in its approach to the pure sadness of the situation, much like “Requiem for a Dream” or “The Passion of the Christ.”  The heart of the film lies in the raw, life-like acting from its cast.  Chiwetel Ejiofor is a shoe-in for the Best Actor Oscar.  He gives one of the most vivid performances that I have ever seen, progressing from a strong-willed free man that will not be treated as a slave to the resignation of what he has become.  The slow breaking of this character is symbolized through his violin as every last shred of humanity is stripped away from him and he is left completely empty and void of his will.  His performance is matched by Lupita Nyong’o in the role of Patsey, who seems to be the leading choir for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar.  I was not sold on her performance until the whipping scene.  Most actress would interpret this scene with extreme duress and pain but Nyong’o approached it with resignation and exhaustion.  It told so much of her character - tired of the physical and emotional abuse, tired of living.  This role is quite an accomplishment for an actress in her first feature film.  These two are supported by seasoned actors who add different perspectives to this look at slavery.  Paul Giamatti is the slave trader who viewed it solely as a business without any emotion attached, Benedict Cumberbatch brings the perspective of a master that treated his slaves with respect, Paul Dano is the racist who wanted to cause trouble for the slaves, Brad Pitt is the white man opposed to slavery, and Michael Fassbender (nominated for Best Supporting Actor) gives the extremist view of slavery being sanctioned by the Bible (though I feel that this was a bit exaggerated to create more drama).  John Ridley’s screenplay does an amazing job of taking this man’s life and the people that he encountered and representing all perspectives of slavery while maintaining historical accuracy.  Adding to the realism of the film are the southern plantations on which they filmed, beautiful but filled with terror.  It is amazing how we become desensitized to the powerful images as  the film progresses (particularly hangings), and that we even grow to expect them.  The two most difficult scenes of the film are the most important and the most impressive.  First is the hanging scene.  This still shot is unrelenting as we are forced to watch this man slowly suffocate for minutes.  It transports us into the position of his fellow slaves who must just walk by, helpless to lend aid to him, and gets particularly rough when you see children playing in the background as if this is a common sight.  Even worse is the aforementioned whipping scene.  I won’t spoil the scene but it is sure to leave an image that you will never forget, nearly uncut as we see the pain inflicted on a slave over something so trivial as wanting to bathe with soap.  Complete with a haunting theme by Hans Zimmer, the raw emotion runs throughout this film from start to finish, saving the most poignant and emotional scene for the end.  “12 Years a Slave” is incredible and when you are ready, it may change your life.

Blue Jasmine - 7 stars out of 10

Blue Jasmine - 7 stars out of 10

Woody Allen’s “Blue Jasmine” was missing one very important thing: Woody Allen!  With the exception of “Midnight in Paris,” Woody’s films are always better with him in a major role because nobody can deliver his unique brand of humor quite like him.  But that’s where the film also missed its mark – it simply did not feel like a Woody film.  I don’t mean to put him in a box, but you wouldn’t want to go see children’s film written and directed by Scorsese.  I always expect to be amused when I watch a Woody film and this gave me a false expectation.  That being said, “Blue Jasmine” was an enjoyable film.  Cate Blanchett is the poster child (literally) with her strong acting performance, tapping into a wide variety of emotions and levels of sanity.  Her acting is so believable that you will find yourself forgetting that you are watching a movie.  I don’t believe that she’ll win an Oscar but I’d like to watch this film again just to analyze her performance.  Sally Hawkins (also nominated for an Oscar) was probably my favorite part of this film, spunky and content with her place in middle-class America.  Unlike most Woody scripts that make light of dramatic events with spontaneous (and often improvised) comical dialogue, this film is all drama with little relief.  Some have compared it to “A Streetcar Named Desire” but that story is so beloved (especially by me) that I can’t mention the two in the same sentence.  “Blue Jasmine” is worth watching for the performances by its two leading ladies, but realize that it is a drama and that you shouldn’t be waiting for Woody Allen to pop out just in time to ease the tension.

Reindeer Games - 3 stars out of 10

Reindeer Games - 3 stars out of 10

“Reindeer Games” is about what you would expect from a Christmas-themed thriller starring Ben Affleck.  I wouldn’t call the movie bad, but it certainly is not good.  The story had interesting potential, as a freed convict enters into a relationship with his dead inmate’s mail-correspondence-girlfriend, only to find himself forced into a crime due to his new false identity.  Each of the film’s twists progressively grow in shock value until the final twist will have you floored.  So what is wrong with “Reindeer Games”?  It is boring.  Charlize Theron was enchanting and Gary Sinise was sleazy, but the story just kind of plodded along between its great surprises.  The realism is also spoiled by such a motley crew of criminals who don’t know anything about crime.  The ending is also pretty bad and could have had a more satisfactory conclusion.  If you insist on watching this film because you are a Ben Affleck film (wait, do those exist?) or because the title brings about Christmas cheer, you will enjoy the few surprises but be left with an overall dissatisfied taste in your mouth.