Plot: Set primarily in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, X-Men: First Class follows the exploits of a young Dr. Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr/Magneto (Michael Fassbender). Meeting under extreme circumstances, the two quickly form a friendship, and with the help of Xavier's adopted sister Raven Darkholme/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) begin laying the foundation for Xavier's future school for mutants. However, when a man from Erik's past, Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), resurfaces and threatens the future of mankind, Charles, Erik, Raven, and the rest of the young X-Men must band together to prevent a global nuclear holocaust.
Review: After the putrid pile of rancid excrement that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Fox and Marvel Studios desperately needed a comeback. Well mission accomplished. Not only is X-Men: First Class a worthy edition to the comic book universe, it also manages to be a smartly constructed thriller as well.
The heart of X-Men: First Class lies in its cast, and director Matthew Vaughn did an excellent job of finding the right people for the right roles. James McAvoy shines as the young and cocksure Professor X, a ladies man who exploits his psychic powers to get women into bed, much to the frustration of his sister Raven. Professor X is driven by a desperate need to incorporate mutants into mainstream society and believes tolerance and patience will win the day. His vision while naive is also idealistic and grounded in a sincere personal desire to belong.
Friend and colleague Erik does not share Charles's vision, and believes that not only will humans ultimately reject mutants but that mutants are the superior species. This is unquestionably Fassbender's breakout role. Formerly regulated to bit parts in movies like 300 and Jonah Hex, Fassbender spectacularly captures the struggle between Erik's angels and demons. Driven by revenge, Fassbender comes across as a smooth, almost James Bond-like character that exudes malice and masculine bravado in equal measure. The scene where he confronts former Nazis is as enthralling as is it is harrowing. He and McAvoy have excellent chemistry and I sincerely hope that they work together again.
I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the dead on performance by Kevin Bacon as sadistic ex-Nazi Sebastian Shaw. Rarely have I reviled a character on screen more than I have Bacon's Shaw. Rather than turning Shaw into a stereotypical villain twirling his mustache, Bacon fully fleshes out the main villain of First Class making for a profound and fascinating character. He serves as a reflection of what Erik could ultimately become.
Without question the real ringleader of X-Men: First Class is director Matthew Vaughn. He brings a passion and energy to these characters only equaled by Christopher Nolan's passion for Batman. He surrounded himself with excellent writers and formulated a story around a real crisis in American history that was relateable and believable. Vaughn made us feel for the mutants on a human level and what better way to do that then to set the film in the 1960s, a time of tremendous political, civil, and racial upheaval? Matthew Vaughn brings a fresh look to the franchise and manages to captivate the audience with vivid action scenes or a quiet dialogue driven chess match.
To grossly butcher a popular 90s rap line by LL Cool J, "don't call it a comeback because we haven't been here before." X-Men: First Class breaks ground on a new comic book era of awesomeness. Let's hope the mutant mojo continues in the inevitable sequel.
My rating: 9/10
Friday, September 9, 2011
Review: The Hangover Part II
Plot: The wolf pack returns when Phil (Bradley Cooper), Alan (Zach Galifianakis), and Stu (Ed Helms) gather in Bangkok for Stu's impending wedding to the beautiful Lauren (Jamie Chung). While Stu desires only a quiet bachelor brunch with the boys, the lures of Bangkok soon lead to tattoos, a missing future brother in law, and even a run in with the coke snorting Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong).
Review: Let's face it it's difficult to produce a funny and engaging sequel to a popular comedy. For every Christmas Vacation and American Pie 2 there is a Blues Brothers 2000 and a Caddyshack II. While The Hangover Part II doesn't necessarily fall into the category of the former, it's not even close to being a member of the latter. The second edition of the franchise (as there will undoubtedly be a third because hey, this is Hollywood and money talks) is consistently funny if sometimes uneven in tone and pace.
One of the weak points of the first film was not having a clearly defined main character. While all four characters were funny and had fantastic chemistry (they still do) no one really stood out from the group as a leader. Director Todd Phillips has righted that wrong in the second Hangover making Stu the main character. Despite reportedly horrible bouts of food poisoning in Bangkok, Ed Helms puts on his best performance to date. While Stu's encounter at a Buddhist temple was hysterical, it was nothing compared to the pure shock value of Stu's discovery that he slept with a kathoey prostitute. (I just can't tell you what a kathoey prostitute is, it would ruin the surprise. Let's just say it pushes the bounds of an R rating.) Moreover, Helms exceeds at displaying Stu's struggles with his "dark side" and his desperate desire to prove to his future father in law that he is worthy of his daughter.
Cooper continues his role as the wise cracking Phil, as he gets the lion's share of the one liners in The Hangover Part II. Zach Galifiankis as Alan isn't quite as funny as he was in the original, but his lovable doofiness still shines through. Alan's initial responses during the post awakening scenes are priceless. Ken Jeong however I found to be rather boring as Mr. Chow. Jeong is quickly becoming a one trick pony as the "crazy Asian guy" in films and the performance was way over the top.
Where The Hangover Part II fails is in pacing and plot. Things seem to jump from one crazy scene to another, some of which are downright ridiculous. (Stu's future brother in law Teddy, who is the one lost in the sequel, somehow gets mixed up in the Bangkok mob? Really?) Furthermore, the reason the group blacks out again is contrived and pat. I had hoped that writers Scott Armstrong, Craig Mazin, and Todd Phillips would have come up with better plot points. Their greatest strength is in dialogue not story. Also Mike Tyson kind of randomly shows up at the end of the film. It's like they knew the audience was expecting him to be in there so they just tacked him on at the end.
One thing I did appreciate was Lawrence Sher's cinematography. He captured Bangkok in a unique way, highlighting the drab and dank nature of its slums while simultaneously illuminating the beauty of Thailand's beaches and wilderness. Sher's got my early vote for an Academy Award in cinematography although I doubt he'll even get a nomination because this is a comedy.
The best compliment I can pay The Hangover Part II is that it was a funny film. If you can look past the weak plot points, choppy pace, and slightly long duration, you'll discover a visually appealing and consistently funny film. And after all isn't laughing the real point of any comedy?
My rating: 7/10
Review: Let's face it it's difficult to produce a funny and engaging sequel to a popular comedy. For every Christmas Vacation and American Pie 2 there is a Blues Brothers 2000 and a Caddyshack II. While The Hangover Part II doesn't necessarily fall into the category of the former, it's not even close to being a member of the latter. The second edition of the franchise (as there will undoubtedly be a third because hey, this is Hollywood and money talks) is consistently funny if sometimes uneven in tone and pace.
One of the weak points of the first film was not having a clearly defined main character. While all four characters were funny and had fantastic chemistry (they still do) no one really stood out from the group as a leader. Director Todd Phillips has righted that wrong in the second Hangover making Stu the main character. Despite reportedly horrible bouts of food poisoning in Bangkok, Ed Helms puts on his best performance to date. While Stu's encounter at a Buddhist temple was hysterical, it was nothing compared to the pure shock value of Stu's discovery that he slept with a kathoey prostitute. (I just can't tell you what a kathoey prostitute is, it would ruin the surprise. Let's just say it pushes the bounds of an R rating.) Moreover, Helms exceeds at displaying Stu's struggles with his "dark side" and his desperate desire to prove to his future father in law that he is worthy of his daughter.
Cooper continues his role as the wise cracking Phil, as he gets the lion's share of the one liners in The Hangover Part II. Zach Galifiankis as Alan isn't quite as funny as he was in the original, but his lovable doofiness still shines through. Alan's initial responses during the post awakening scenes are priceless. Ken Jeong however I found to be rather boring as Mr. Chow. Jeong is quickly becoming a one trick pony as the "crazy Asian guy" in films and the performance was way over the top.
Where The Hangover Part II fails is in pacing and plot. Things seem to jump from one crazy scene to another, some of which are downright ridiculous. (Stu's future brother in law Teddy, who is the one lost in the sequel, somehow gets mixed up in the Bangkok mob? Really?) Furthermore, the reason the group blacks out again is contrived and pat. I had hoped that writers Scott Armstrong, Craig Mazin, and Todd Phillips would have come up with better plot points. Their greatest strength is in dialogue not story. Also Mike Tyson kind of randomly shows up at the end of the film. It's like they knew the audience was expecting him to be in there so they just tacked him on at the end.
One thing I did appreciate was Lawrence Sher's cinematography. He captured Bangkok in a unique way, highlighting the drab and dank nature of its slums while simultaneously illuminating the beauty of Thailand's beaches and wilderness. Sher's got my early vote for an Academy Award in cinematography although I doubt he'll even get a nomination because this is a comedy.
The best compliment I can pay The Hangover Part II is that it was a funny film. If you can look past the weak plot points, choppy pace, and slightly long duration, you'll discover a visually appealing and consistently funny film. And after all isn't laughing the real point of any comedy?
My rating: 7/10
Thursday, July 7, 2011
July DVD/Blu Ray Release Dates
July 5th: Hobo with a Shotgun, 13 Assassins, Of Gods and Men, Das Boot, Gettysburg/Gods and Generals, The Cape (series), Eureka season 4, Boy Meets World season 6
July 12th: The Lincoln Lawyer, Insidious, Brother's Justice, Miral, Brazil, Naked, Entourage season 7, ER season 15, Damages season 3, Battle Beyond the Stars, Dinocroc vs Supergator, Damnation Alley
July 15th: Rango, Arthur
July 19th: Limitless, Take Me Home Tonight, Tekken, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Room, Amelie, Boys in the Hood, Chocolat, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Doctor Who Season 6 part I, Hey Dude season 1, Young Justice, The Reef, House of the Rising Sun
July 26th: Source Code, Trust, Dylan Dog, Life During Wartime, Leon Morin Priest, High and Low, Animal House, Blues Brothers, Torso, Stargate Atlantis
July 12th: The Lincoln Lawyer, Insidious, Brother's Justice, Miral, Brazil, Naked, Entourage season 7, ER season 15, Damages season 3, Battle Beyond the Stars, Dinocroc vs Supergator, Damnation Alley
July 15th: Rango, Arthur
July 19th: Limitless, Take Me Home Tonight, Tekken, Beauty and the Beast, The Music Room, Amelie, Boys in the Hood, Chocolat, Bridget Jones's Diary, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Doctor Who Season 6 part I, Hey Dude season 1, Young Justice, The Reef, House of the Rising Sun
July 26th: Source Code, Trust, Dylan Dog, Life During Wartime, Leon Morin Priest, High and Low, Animal House, Blues Brothers, Torso, Stargate Atlantis
Review: Bridesmaids
Plot: Annie (Kristen Wiig) is a woman in her mid-thirties selling rings at a local jewelry store after failing in a bakery shop venture. Lonely, broke, and finding occasional comfort in sex buddy Ted (Jon Hamm) Annie suddenly is asked to be the maid of honor at her best friend Lillian's wedding. However, her rivalry with Lillian's friend Helen (Rose Byrne) causes unexpected and sometimes funny complications.
Review: Many critics have touted director Paul Feig's Bridesmaids as a hilarious anti-chick flick comedy. I unfortunately am not one of those people. Considering the impressive cast going in I was severely underwhelmed by the cheap gross out jokes, incredibly predictable plot, and a running time that was too long by at least a half an hour.
Kriten Wiig's Annie evokes little if no empathy and I found it very difficult to care about her plight. She laments everything from her broke down car, her fading relationship with Lillian, and her dismal love life. Make no mistake though Annie is no victim of circumstance. She chooses all of the bad decisions she makes managing somehow to even ruin her budding relationship with local police officer Nathan Rhodes (The I.T. Crowd's Chris O'Dowd). When Lillian (temporarily) kicks Annie out of her wedding it's not only deserved but a relief.
Meanwhile director Paul Feig should have enacted more creative control over Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's script. Rather than attempting at least a modicum of wit, Feig instead capitalizes almost exclusively on gross out humor like the bridesmaids' disastrous trip to a Brazilian restaurant or future sister in law Megan's (Melissa McCarthy) raunchy come on to a airplane passenger. Somehow Bridesmaids even managed to work in an appearance by musical group Wilson Phillips just to make the travesty complete.
Bridesmaids by no means is a completely awful film. Melissa McCarthy (who you may recognize from television's Mike and Molly) provides several very needed laughs throughout the film as Megan. Her Fight Club suggestion for a bachelorette party is particularly hilarious. Rose Byrne is strong as the uber rich Helen who tries to outdo Annie at every turn. However, the Damages television star seems more suited to drama than she does for comedy.
Bridesmaids masquerades itself as a raunchy guy comedy without the guys. Unfortunately it just doesn't work on screen. Guys don't let your women fool you, this is a chick flick all the way. You won't want to show up for the engagement party let alone the wedding in Bridesmaids.
My rating: 4/10
Review: Many critics have touted director Paul Feig's Bridesmaids as a hilarious anti-chick flick comedy. I unfortunately am not one of those people. Considering the impressive cast going in I was severely underwhelmed by the cheap gross out jokes, incredibly predictable plot, and a running time that was too long by at least a half an hour.
Kriten Wiig's Annie evokes little if no empathy and I found it very difficult to care about her plight. She laments everything from her broke down car, her fading relationship with Lillian, and her dismal love life. Make no mistake though Annie is no victim of circumstance. She chooses all of the bad decisions she makes managing somehow to even ruin her budding relationship with local police officer Nathan Rhodes (The I.T. Crowd's Chris O'Dowd). When Lillian (temporarily) kicks Annie out of her wedding it's not only deserved but a relief.
Meanwhile director Paul Feig should have enacted more creative control over Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo's script. Rather than attempting at least a modicum of wit, Feig instead capitalizes almost exclusively on gross out humor like the bridesmaids' disastrous trip to a Brazilian restaurant or future sister in law Megan's (Melissa McCarthy) raunchy come on to a airplane passenger. Somehow Bridesmaids even managed to work in an appearance by musical group Wilson Phillips just to make the travesty complete.
Bridesmaids by no means is a completely awful film. Melissa McCarthy (who you may recognize from television's Mike and Molly) provides several very needed laughs throughout the film as Megan. Her Fight Club suggestion for a bachelorette party is particularly hilarious. Rose Byrne is strong as the uber rich Helen who tries to outdo Annie at every turn. However, the Damages television star seems more suited to drama than she does for comedy.
Bridesmaids masquerades itself as a raunchy guy comedy without the guys. Unfortunately it just doesn't work on screen. Guys don't let your women fool you, this is a chick flick all the way. You won't want to show up for the engagement party let alone the wedding in Bridesmaids.
My rating: 4/10
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Review: Thor
Plot: God of Thunder Thor (Chris Hemsworth), heir to the Asgardian throne is young, brash and arrogant. When he defies his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and attacks the home of the frost giants, Odin strips Thor of his magic hammer Mjolnir and thus his power. Odin also banishes Thor to Earth hoping to teach him humility and the value of leadership. However, with Thor absent his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) plots to steal the throne from Odin. It's up to Thor, with the help of physicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) to reclaim his birthright and the throne of Asgard.
Review: Get read to feel the thunder! In an era where comic movies have flooded the local cinema, director Kenneth Branaugh's Thor stands out as a welcome edition to the Marvel family. Full of pulse pounding action, riveting special effects, and a plot that draws heavily from Norse mythology, Thor went far and above my expectations.
Little known Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth, whose previous movie credits include playing George Kirk in 2009's Star Trek, and a small part in the thriller A Perfect Getaway, proves definitively in Thor that he is more than capable of carrying a film. Sporting long blond hair, a beard, and a physique that looks like it was carved by Michelangelo, Hemsworth is every bit the physical presence you'd expect the God of Thunder to be. Moreover he's a good actor! In my opinion it is easy to play an arrogant, entitled brat and make no mistake Hemsworth was fantastic at portraying the cocky, almost jock like character. But to see the transformation that Hemsworth goes through to become a humble and wise leader is impressive. This is a breakout role that will surely catapult Hemsworth beyond next year's Avengers. Similarly Tom Hiddleston also undergoes a transformation from a loving if jealous brother to a scheming and covetous villain. He is the perfect foil to Hemsworth's Thor. Speaking of perfect I don't know if Branaugh could have cast anyone better to play Odin than Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. He exudes royalty and his scenes with Hemsworth have a powerful emotional impact. Natalie Portman however comes across as extremely bland in the role of Thor's love interest. There was little if any chemistry between the two and after a dramatic turn in Black Swan she really seemed out of place as a physicist let alone a Marvel superhero movie.
Yet Thor bares little resemblance to any Marvel superhero movie I've every seen. English actor/director Kenneth Branaugh sets a good pace in Thor and balances action with emotional scenes. His choice to stick with the Norse mythology was inspired. It works in the film and proves a nice counterbalance to the scenes on Earth. Much of the plot's success can also be contributed to screenwriters Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stenz, and Don Payne. Their development of the first major action scene on the frost giants' home world is epic.
Speaking of epic, you can't mention a superhero movie without the special effects. Asgard is a breathtaking rich and golden sight to behold. The frost giants' home world however is dark, cold, and brimming with ghoulish CGI monsters. None of the CGI effects come across as campy or dull but instead are bright, vibrant, and realistic. (The Blu-ray edition of Thor should be quite interesting.) You might want to skip the 3D version however as it is not really worth the price of admission. (As are most 3D movies today but that's a topic for another article and another day.)
In a season full of puffed up big budge garbage factories, Thor rises above the competition and cracks through the theaters like a peal of Thunder. Here's to the next lightening strike in Thor 2.
My rating: 8/10
Review: Get read to feel the thunder! In an era where comic movies have flooded the local cinema, director Kenneth Branaugh's Thor stands out as a welcome edition to the Marvel family. Full of pulse pounding action, riveting special effects, and a plot that draws heavily from Norse mythology, Thor went far and above my expectations.
Little known Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth, whose previous movie credits include playing George Kirk in 2009's Star Trek, and a small part in the thriller A Perfect Getaway, proves definitively in Thor that he is more than capable of carrying a film. Sporting long blond hair, a beard, and a physique that looks like it was carved by Michelangelo, Hemsworth is every bit the physical presence you'd expect the God of Thunder to be. Moreover he's a good actor! In my opinion it is easy to play an arrogant, entitled brat and make no mistake Hemsworth was fantastic at portraying the cocky, almost jock like character. But to see the transformation that Hemsworth goes through to become a humble and wise leader is impressive. This is a breakout role that will surely catapult Hemsworth beyond next year's Avengers. Similarly Tom Hiddleston also undergoes a transformation from a loving if jealous brother to a scheming and covetous villain. He is the perfect foil to Hemsworth's Thor. Speaking of perfect I don't know if Branaugh could have cast anyone better to play Odin than Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins. He exudes royalty and his scenes with Hemsworth have a powerful emotional impact. Natalie Portman however comes across as extremely bland in the role of Thor's love interest. There was little if any chemistry between the two and after a dramatic turn in Black Swan she really seemed out of place as a physicist let alone a Marvel superhero movie.
Yet Thor bares little resemblance to any Marvel superhero movie I've every seen. English actor/director Kenneth Branaugh sets a good pace in Thor and balances action with emotional scenes. His choice to stick with the Norse mythology was inspired. It works in the film and proves a nice counterbalance to the scenes on Earth. Much of the plot's success can also be contributed to screenwriters Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stenz, and Don Payne. Their development of the first major action scene on the frost giants' home world is epic.
Speaking of epic, you can't mention a superhero movie without the special effects. Asgard is a breathtaking rich and golden sight to behold. The frost giants' home world however is dark, cold, and brimming with ghoulish CGI monsters. None of the CGI effects come across as campy or dull but instead are bright, vibrant, and realistic. (The Blu-ray edition of Thor should be quite interesting.) You might want to skip the 3D version however as it is not really worth the price of admission. (As are most 3D movies today but that's a topic for another article and another day.)
In a season full of puffed up big budge garbage factories, Thor rises above the competition and cracks through the theaters like a peal of Thunder. Here's to the next lightening strike in Thor 2.
My rating: 8/10
I'M BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!!!!
Hello all! Sorry it's been so long but I've been quite busy over the last two months what with new job. Don't fret however. Over the next few weeks I have plenty of reviews coming your way starting with Thor. After all this is summer! There's plenty of movie blockbusters to go around.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Original Cast Back for T5???
Great Krom! What is going on with the Terminator franchise? Latino Review is now reporting that not only will AH-NOLD return for T5, but that the ENTIRE ORIGINAL CAST will as well. This mess is quickly becoming more perplexing than a gubernatorial speech from the man who brought you Jingle All the Way.
By original cast presumably this means Linda Hamilton, Michael Biehn, and possibly Edward Furlong. Hmmm...let's see. Michael Biehn's character of Kyle Reese died at the end of the first movie, Linda Hamilton's character of Sarah Conner died of cancer as stated in T3, and I'm not sure how Edward Furlong would fit in considering the character of John Conner has been portrayed by two different actors already. Add to this the fact that Arnie is now 63 and you have more obstacles to maneuver around than Lil' John has gold teeth. Come to think of it all this disaster needs is some Crunk Juice to top it all off.
The working title is Terminator 2012 and is supposed to be set in the modern day. With all the aforementioned factors is this movie going to be a direct sequel, a sideways prequel, a semi-reboot? Will it even be watchable?
Either way it's not going to be Arnie's first film back as originally reported. Instead Schwarzenegger will do the dramatic film Cry Macho by director Brad Furman. Clint Eastwood was once attached to the role, about an aging horse trainer who's fired by his rich boss and then kidnaps his boss's son, only to find that his parents don't really want the kid back. Sounds different than the normal fare we're used to from the governator. Filming on the movie could begin as early as this summer.
It just occurred to me that ideas like the ones I've just reported on is why mankind might be better off if computers conquered the Earth. Or at least KALI-FORN-YA.
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