RoboCop (1987) - 6 stars out of 10
"Robocop" is a unique blend of sci-fi and action, pushing the boundaries of gore and violence (noted by its initial "X" rating). It's interesting how similar the dystopian future looks to the year 1987. I know that when this film came out everything looked futuristic but 24 years later, it is definitely dated (whereas a film like Star Wars still looks futuristic). It isn't my favorite hero film but it had some great moments. I was impressed with some of the make-up effects, particularly once the helmet comes off and of course the toxic waste. The other special effects left something to be desired, particularly the ED-209, but I'm sure that it was great in its time. Overall, I enjoyed all of the actors. Ronny Cox annoyed me sometimes, but I believe that was by design to make you hate him even more. Robert DoQui and Miguel Ferrer are always awesome, but most importantly the entire cast had good chemistry. Although I would prefer to watch Batman or Zorro, I acknowledge that Robocop is a pretty cool character (as opposed to my long-term expectation that he would be a dork) and I would watch this film again (while avoiding the sequels forever).
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thick as Thieves (The Code) - 7 stars out of 10
Thick as Thieves (The Code) - 7 stars out of 10
Morgan Freeman with a shotgun. That is all. He absolutely makes this movie what it is. Nobody else could take the line, "Some people were born to compose music. Others, to split the atom. [Pause] I was born to steal sh**." and make it into an incredible cinematic moment. The entire premise of the hiest in this film is quite good; unfortunately, the love story is in poor taste. It seemed like the sex scene(s) were just filler to push the runtime past the 90 minute mark. I understand that the relationship became an important part of Banderas' motivation but they went about it in an unnecessary, excessive way. I acknowledge that the love story had to be present to resolve the hiest... but then the ending was horribly cheesy (in a bad way). Don't get me wrong - Radha Mitchell was captivating and very nice to watch, but I would have rated this film higher if it was just the hiest. A lot of the details were cool, like the use of the iPhone and the inclusion of t.A.T.u.'s music in the club scenes to touch on the Russian culture. "Thick as Thieves" is not as well-rounded as Ocean's Eleven (and many other hiest films) since the hiest is great while the backstory is weak; however, it is a treat to watch Morgan Freeman in any role and the hiest sequence is good enough that this film is definitely worth watching.
Morgan Freeman with a shotgun. That is all. He absolutely makes this movie what it is. Nobody else could take the line, "Some people were born to compose music. Others, to split the atom. [Pause] I was born to steal sh**." and make it into an incredible cinematic moment. The entire premise of the hiest in this film is quite good; unfortunately, the love story is in poor taste. It seemed like the sex scene(s) were just filler to push the runtime past the 90 minute mark. I understand that the relationship became an important part of Banderas' motivation but they went about it in an unnecessary, excessive way. I acknowledge that the love story had to be present to resolve the hiest... but then the ending was horribly cheesy (in a bad way). Don't get me wrong - Radha Mitchell was captivating and very nice to watch, but I would have rated this film higher if it was just the hiest. A lot of the details were cool, like the use of the iPhone and the inclusion of t.A.T.u.'s music in the club scenes to touch on the Russian culture. "Thick as Thieves" is not as well-rounded as Ocean's Eleven (and many other hiest films) since the hiest is great while the backstory is weak; however, it is a treat to watch Morgan Freeman in any role and the hiest sequence is good enough that this film is definitely worth watching.
Brick - 5 stars out of 10
Brick - 5 stars out of 10
5 stars for story, 0 stars for acting. This script had so much potential by placing the film noir genre into a high school setting, but the casting was completely wrong. All of these alleged high school students were in their 20's when the film was shot, and it was obvious. One look at Tug and there was no way that he was in high school. So many moments of the film were awkward because it seemed like they were adults stuck in some parallel high school universe. Let's be honest - the cast of "Hey Dude" could have made a more convincing group of high schoolers. Outside of that it seemed like every time that the film would get really good, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting would go over the top and spoil the moment. I love him in "Inception" (and even "Angels in the Outfield"), but he did not play this role very well. Outside of the acting, the story had a great mystery to it, particularly leaving the audience in the dark about Emily's message until you progressively discover the meaning. I'd like to see this film redone in a few years with a cast more like the kids from "Super 8," giving the appearance of teenagers but the quality of veteran actors.
5 stars for story, 0 stars for acting. This script had so much potential by placing the film noir genre into a high school setting, but the casting was completely wrong. All of these alleged high school students were in their 20's when the film was shot, and it was obvious. One look at Tug and there was no way that he was in high school. So many moments of the film were awkward because it seemed like they were adults stuck in some parallel high school universe. Let's be honest - the cast of "Hey Dude" could have made a more convincing group of high schoolers. Outside of that it seemed like every time that the film would get really good, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting would go over the top and spoil the moment. I love him in "Inception" (and even "Angels in the Outfield"), but he did not play this role very well. Outside of the acting, the story had a great mystery to it, particularly leaving the audience in the dark about Emily's message until you progressively discover the meaning. I'd like to see this film redone in a few years with a cast more like the kids from "Super 8," giving the appearance of teenagers but the quality of veteran actors.
Knight and Day - 4 stars out of 10
Knight and Day - 4 stars out of 10
Knight and Day was an enjoyable action comedy but did not have much depth beyond that. The action sequences were intense and Tom Cruise's character was really entertaining, but I found Cameron Diaz to be pretty annoying and didn't understand why her Boston accent only appeared in 3 scenes during the movie. The plot was okay, though it is obvious that the writers focused on the interactions of the main characters and neverending gunfire than on the believability of the plot. Far-fetched action films can still be believable, but this one didn't even try. I would recommend sitting down and watching this film when you're in the mood for a laugh or to put it on in the background while you're doing something else, but don't expect a life-changing experience when you experience Knight and Day. If you want a REAL action comedy, see "Red."
Knight and Day was an enjoyable action comedy but did not have much depth beyond that. The action sequences were intense and Tom Cruise's character was really entertaining, but I found Cameron Diaz to be pretty annoying and didn't understand why her Boston accent only appeared in 3 scenes during the movie. The plot was okay, though it is obvious that the writers focused on the interactions of the main characters and neverending gunfire than on the believability of the plot. Far-fetched action films can still be believable, but this one didn't even try. I would recommend sitting down and watching this film when you're in the mood for a laugh or to put it on in the background while you're doing something else, but don't expect a life-changing experience when you experience Knight and Day. If you want a REAL action comedy, see "Red."
Soul Surfer - 9 stars out of 10
Soul Surfer - 9 stars out of 10
"Soul Surfer" will have you emotionally on edge from start to finish. The film is an example of excellent pacing. The writers develop the characters and create the warm family connection, they show the tragedy, they deal with the recovery, and then they show the perseverence. The film is succinct while cultivating the important emotional content to create several "cry moments." If you don't feel as if you might cry at any moment, you do not possess a soul. AnnaSophia Robb is wonderful in the role of Bethany Hamilton, emotionally reserved throughout the tragedy but proving herself as a true actress when she breaks down in her scene with Carrie Underwood. In real life, the Christian aspect was important as Hamilton persevered through her tragedy, but the writers managed to give it a significant presence without shoving it down your throat. It was nice to see some big-name actors jumping on board to tell this inspirational story, like Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid as the parents who became a crutch and encouragement to the main character. The cinematography is top notch through the surf scenes and gorgeous Hawaiian atmosphere. I highly recommend this clean but inspirational story of hope about a girl who learned to embrace more people with one arm than she ever could have with two.
"Soul Surfer" will have you emotionally on edge from start to finish. The film is an example of excellent pacing. The writers develop the characters and create the warm family connection, they show the tragedy, they deal with the recovery, and then they show the perseverence. The film is succinct while cultivating the important emotional content to create several "cry moments." If you don't feel as if you might cry at any moment, you do not possess a soul. AnnaSophia Robb is wonderful in the role of Bethany Hamilton, emotionally reserved throughout the tragedy but proving herself as a true actress when she breaks down in her scene with Carrie Underwood. In real life, the Christian aspect was important as Hamilton persevered through her tragedy, but the writers managed to give it a significant presence without shoving it down your throat. It was nice to see some big-name actors jumping on board to tell this inspirational story, like Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid as the parents who became a crutch and encouragement to the main character. The cinematography is top notch through the surf scenes and gorgeous Hawaiian atmosphere. I highly recommend this clean but inspirational story of hope about a girl who learned to embrace more people with one arm than she ever could have with two.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Glass Menagerie (1973) - 10 stars out of 10
The Glass Menagerie (1973) - 10 stars out of 10
"The Glass Menagerie" is a slice of Americana, showing the opposite of the American dream as a single mother struggles to hold her family together. This Tennessee Williams play uses a cast of four, each with a completely opposite personality. It takes true talent to play any of these roles because each personality is taken to its extreme. Hepburn gets into the role of Amanda to the point that you would argue that her southern accent is her true voice as she flawlessly delivers pages of dialogue without hesitation. The entire sequence with Laura is enchanting as this unfortunate girl finds Jim, who is almost symbolic of everything that Laura desires. Joanna Miles personifies innocence beautifully while Michael Moriarty has the charaisma and likeability to create a perfect contrast. Enough cannot be said for Sam Waterston whose personality evolves from sympathy to frustration to rage and back to sympathy in a matter of minutes through his dialogue with Hepburn. His narration as Tom shows the remorse and yet necessity of following in his father's footsteps. To keep things interesting, the straightforward story throws in a few twists though the focus of the film is the characters and not the story. It is fitting at all four actors were nominated for a Primetime Emmy and unfortunate that all four could not win. "The Glass Menagerie" transcends made-for-tv movies and should be regarded as one of the finest examples of acting in the world of cinema.
"The Glass Menagerie" is a slice of Americana, showing the opposite of the American dream as a single mother struggles to hold her family together. This Tennessee Williams play uses a cast of four, each with a completely opposite personality. It takes true talent to play any of these roles because each personality is taken to its extreme. Hepburn gets into the role of Amanda to the point that you would argue that her southern accent is her true voice as she flawlessly delivers pages of dialogue without hesitation. The entire sequence with Laura is enchanting as this unfortunate girl finds Jim, who is almost symbolic of everything that Laura desires. Joanna Miles personifies innocence beautifully while Michael Moriarty has the charaisma and likeability to create a perfect contrast. Enough cannot be said for Sam Waterston whose personality evolves from sympathy to frustration to rage and back to sympathy in a matter of minutes through his dialogue with Hepburn. His narration as Tom shows the remorse and yet necessity of following in his father's footsteps. To keep things interesting, the straightforward story throws in a few twists though the focus of the film is the characters and not the story. It is fitting at all four actors were nominated for a Primetime Emmy and unfortunate that all four could not win. "The Glass Menagerie" transcends made-for-tv movies and should be regarded as one of the finest examples of acting in the world of cinema.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Family Man - 7 stars out of 10
The Family Man - 7 stars out of 10
A businessman has an opportunity to see what his life would have been like if he had married his college sweetheart instead of pursuing his career. It sounds a little bit like "It's A Wonderful Life" but is totally different. Tea Leoni is undoubtedly the highlight of this heartwarming story. She was adorable and playful in her role, and yet totally turned on her emotional side for one of the most heartfelt speeches I've ever seen in a movie. Nicolas Cage is... not quite as good, although this performance is before his acting became awful and he started to take on terrible roles. Although Cheadle and Piven (and Josef Sommer aka Mr. Ducksworth from The Mighty Ducks!) might attract you to this film, the only characters that get significant screen time are Cage and Leoni. I recommend this film but don't be fooled by reviews/synopses that compare it to It's A Wonderful Life.
A businessman has an opportunity to see what his life would have been like if he had married his college sweetheart instead of pursuing his career. It sounds a little bit like "It's A Wonderful Life" but is totally different. Tea Leoni is undoubtedly the highlight of this heartwarming story. She was adorable and playful in her role, and yet totally turned on her emotional side for one of the most heartfelt speeches I've ever seen in a movie. Nicolas Cage is... not quite as good, although this performance is before his acting became awful and he started to take on terrible roles. Although Cheadle and Piven (and Josef Sommer aka Mr. Ducksworth from The Mighty Ducks!) might attract you to this film, the only characters that get significant screen time are Cage and Leoni. I recommend this film but don't be fooled by reviews/synopses that compare it to It's A Wonderful Life.
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