The Wolf of Wall Street

There's Never Too Much of A Good Thing

            Jordan Belfort is a douche bag, and you're going to love every minute of him. Wall Street never forgives and only accepts those willing enough to do whatever they possibly can to make money. Getting rich and doing so as soon as humanly possible is the only thing these drones that can be seen walking in and out of broker firms are programmed to do. What sets Mr. Belfort apart is that he has raised it to an art form. He has the drugs, the sex, the power, the profanity, and, most of all, the drive that attracts in everyone in his path. Leonardo DiCaprio teams up once again with director Martin Scorsese in his latest masterpiece and delivers what could possibly be the performance of his career.

          These past few months have given the world an unusual amount of quality movies and The Wolf of Wall Street has just been added to this list. Based off the book The Wolf of Wall Street written by none other than Jordan Belfort himself, there are never-ending turns taken as he makes his way up to the top of the stock broker tier. The drugs and cursing flow like milk and honey which reflects the incomparably lavish lifestyle Belfort and his associates partake. The trailers for this film give a decent representation of what it's all about but, as an avid moviegoer, even I was surprised at the heights Scorsese climbs to give the audience a thorough exposure into Belfort's affairs.

            It is not lightly said that there is vulgarity in this movie, in all shapes, sizes, and awesomeness. Apparently brokers make sailors look like charming princes when it comes to dialogue and they also buy drugs like they buy stocks--ferociously. Belfort was greatly involved in popping pills called "ludes"in the late-80s and Leonardo DiCaprio's intense portrayal of being under the influence even passes on the experience to the viewer. Note: a specific scene where he attempts walking to his car while on an unexpected amount of ludes is an example of acting of the highest caliber.

           With a name like "Leonardo DiCaprio" heads will turn regardless just because it sounds cool. But when his diverse range of acting is paired with a figure that even "out-Gatsbys" Jay Gatsby, not only will heads turn but they will be locked in. DiCaprio is in RARE FORM here and so is Jonah Hill (Superbad). Hill plays Donny Azoff, Belfort's right-hand man and number one confidant. Both of these gentleman have an onscreen chemistry that comes with a level of talent perfect for a movie as extravagant, provocative, corrupt, in-your-face, and down right ridiculous as this one.

            DiCaprio might have secured my pick for the Best Actor Oscar this year and would also give him an honor long overdue. Martin Scorsese has established this sex-crazed maniac of a businessman's rise and demise as screen-worthy material and outdoes even his own wildest dreams. Grade: 8.9/10 

American Hustle

From The Feet Up

            There are silk shirts, crushed-velvet coats, hair styles with no shame at all, and low cut shirts that do not quit. David O'Russell is at it again as he holds the reins of this year's best ensemble cast. The Sting (1973) has found its rival of corruption but is met with the comedy and period-fun of 1978. American Hustle is chock full of glamor and con-artistry that is only completed by acting at a top notch level. The complexity of a scandal such as this requires an attention to detail that truly delivers and then goes down smooth leaving the buzz that lingers.

            Irving (Christian Bale +50 lbs.) is a con man at the top of his craft. He keeps a dry cleaning business in his back pocket and has a comb-over that takes just as much managing as his thriving affairs; somehow, he still makes it all look so easy. His main squeeze (Amy Adams) switches back and forth from an elegant British accent to a fast, conniving New Jersey emphasis that is the only thing breaking the concentration of her "cleavaged" dresses. This duo pretty much steals the show with their passionate dialogue and they seem to get lost in each other's drive for "success," however it may come. They serve as the main focus until they have a run in with FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) who figures out he can use their talents for the betterment of more than just themselves. Also, his hairdo cannot be ignored and Bradley Cooper is probably the only person who can make hair curlers cool. Then, in comes the mayor of Camden, New Jersey, the crowd-pleasing Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner) sporting his pompadour that would make Roy Orbison croon. His love for his city gets him involved in the scam of the year. When heads are turned certain ways, anything can happen and different players can slip in and out of the picture.

            With a lesser role but equal impact is Jennifer Lawrence as Irving's wife (that's right, I said it--wife). She brings in the same intensity as she did alongside Bradley Cooper in David O'Russell's Silver Linings Playbook (2012). She is nothing short of electrifying and takes a hold of every scene she is in, per usual. She adds a spiteful snarl behind her lovely eyes and does what she wants when she wants. A consecutive Oscar nod may be in her near future.

            David O'Russell can add charm and elegance to any serious moment and continues to do so this time around. His cast never lets up in complimenting each other giving you the desire of what could happen next. When the name of the game is Hustle, there are only an infinity of options you can have. J-Law may not be the only one looking at an Academy nomination this March: Mr. Bale, thank you for setting the bar high once again. Grade: 8.5/10
         

         

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

The Story of the Year: Misfire

            The mustache. The platform shoes. The leisure suits. The wavy hairdos. All this and more can be found in the first Anchorman and all of the hopes and dreams of John Q. Moviegoer can be left in the 70s along with the greatness of the first movie. Families on sofas erupted at the first leak of trailers for Anchorman 2. Will Ferrell made the first announcement on late night television and life could not get any better for fans of Ron Burgundy and his beautifully awkward one-liners. Once there was a date set for the end of December 2013, the countdown began and could not end soon enough. I was one of these people. There was nothing more that I was looking forward to seeing than the sequel to the 2004 movie that everyone still quotes endlessly. It physically hurts and I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, Anchorman 2 is the disappointment of 2013. 

          It is now the 1980s. News networks are coming up with broader and stranger ways to deliver the news. Ron Burgundy (Ferrell, as usual) is fired from his job as the co-anchor for the global news network. His wife, the majestically aging Veronica Corningstone (Christina Applegate), has been given the top slot that Ron should be sharing with her, and as you can imagine, Ron has a famous meltdown that involves screaming and emotional speech-giving. He teams up with his old news team that leads unnecessarily random new lives and embarks on a journey to give headlines at a 24-hour network. 

            Ron Burgundy, Brick Tamland, Champ Kind, and Brian Fantana are the Fab Four of the news industry and make up a team comparable to the Fab Four from Liverpool. This sequel is a disservice to what classic image they have been given by a generation of comedy lovers. People love the simple stupidity of Brick (Steve Carell, who else?), now he's been made out to have been dumber than ever and his witty unneeded observations that make him so funny contradict the character that is popular in the first place. Champ and Brian (David Koechner and Paul Rudd) have lost the luster of playboy goofs they once were, 9 years ago. There can be no over statement that Anchorman 2 is done and then flipped over and burned some more. 

             The laughs are there, briefly. Pushing the envelope is what I think director/writer Adam McKay was going for but ended up with a teleprompter full of inappropriate dialogue even Mr. Burgundy himself would be ashamed to read. It's one thing to try to live up to the reputation (or Legend, in this case) of a movie that sky rocketed the fame of someone like Will Ferrell, but it's another thing to over-do a good joke. This movie tanks the anticipation that the Durango commercials and Burgundy cameos of the past few months. This is the top story as the biggest flop of the year. Milk was a bad choice, and so was a sequel. Grade: 5/10

"The End of Camelot"

Killing Kennedy

            With the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy right around the corner it is only fitting to remember one of the nation's most revered leaders appropriately. Killing Kennedy is that fitting, appropriate way to tribute a man who opened so many doors for this country. Written by one of America's most famous cable news anchors, Bill O'Reilly teams up with New York Times bestselling author, Martin Dugard, and takes each reader literally back in time to the final months of JFK's life. Of all the history books out there that recall the days of Camelot or the assassination itself, this one stands alone illustrating Jackie's bravery and elegance along side John's style and boldness with great dignity. Killing Kennedy is a fact-based, incredibly researched, gripping and heartpounding account of one of the most painful moments in the history of the United States.

           Bill O'Reilly has built a reputation in the news world that will maintain his legacy forever but he also is known for his outlandish and up-front personality that can be intimidating as well. When I looked at the cover and saw his name in a font size larger than the title of itself it was no surprise that the words "Bill O'Reilly" paired with a complimenting picture of the 35th president would alone be a main selling point for this book.

          The way this book is set up is really simple and really perfect: 1. There's current events of the 1960s, 2. JFK's administration and their reaction to these current events, 3. What was happening inside the closed quarters of The White House simultaneously, and finally, 4. What in the world is Lee Harvey Oswald doing while all this is going on? Every chapter is pretty much outlined and laid out like this. Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard take you back to feel the physical and emotional stress Kennedy battles while in office. The reader is inside the Oval Office with Bobby and John, you are able to experience the First Family playing around in the mornings before they have to put on a suit and tie for the cameras.

          I love to read, those who know me can attest to this but when I say that this is a book far too difficult to put down, I am not speaking lightly. Everyone knows the ending, but that doesn't matter with Killing Kennedy. I found myself glued to each page wanting to know what happened next and "Okay, just one more chapter" became a phrase I said over again to myself while reading this. Even though we know how the Cuban Missile Crisis ended, O'Reilly and Dugard's style of writing and the way they piece together what went on behind the scenes is what keeps the pages turning. Killing Kennedy is not just about retelling a heartbreaking wrinkle in time, it is about giving connecting the audience with what needs to be said on a subject that keeps Americans coming back for more.

         

12 Movies That Changed My Life

           In every single person's life, no matter if you consider yourself a movie lover or not, there are one or two movies that have made an impact however big it may be. For some that list of movies may be long and detailed and for others it may be hard to compose a list but after time, a title is bound to come to mind.

           Today, I had the chance to sit down with the chief film critic of The Plain Dealer, Clint O'Connor. We sat in the conference room next to the newsroom for about an hour while drinking Coke and talking about various movies, journalism, criticism, film sets, and where we like to sit in theaters. One thing that did come up was how even he, being at a professional level, must form a relationship with his readers and how it is a great idea to let them know just who you are. I added my idea of writing what you are currently reading right now; a list of movies that have changed my life (for the better) will not only give more insight to my taste in film but also my interests as a writer.

            NOTE: The follow list is in no particular order and will contain some (a couple, maybe) spoilers. They are pretty well-known titles for the most part but this is not a list of my favorite movies, per se. I love them, that's why they're on the list, but the reasons listed is what really matters here. I came up with this list because these are movies that I have watched and taken something away I could significantly relate to and I hope you enjoy it and go watch the ones listed that you have not seen yet!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

            This was the first time I had ever seen a film that I had already read the book for. I was about eight or nine years old when I began reading J.K. Rowling's masterpieces and the books themselves are something I will cherish forever. When this movie came out it was very highly anticipated not only because of how popular the books were but also everyone wanted to see who was going to play the three main characters: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Not only was I the same age as Harry Potter when this movie came out but I also had shaggy hair and wore glasses (which I took great pride in). Looking like the title character not only made this my favorite movie at the time but helped me connect with the mesmerizing phenomenon I was watching. I couldn't get enough and this movie united my two loves for the first time: reading books and watching movies.

The Shawshank Redemption

             This is a classic among classics and reviled as one of the greatest films ever made. On IMDb.com, Shawshank has the highest rating of 9.3/10 with over a million people having rated it. I am a huge lover of gaining information and using my imagination so, naturally, Andy Dufresne was someone I paid attention to while watching. His love for literature and his cultured state of mind made me want to go out just read more books. One thing about this film that I am ashamed to admit is that I did not take the time to sit down and watch it until I was twenty years old. Better late than never, I guess. Friendship and hope are the two power players here and Tim Robbins along with Morgan Freeman embody both of these qualities harmoniously. Movies like this just don't come around as often as we would like which is why The Shawshank Redemption has found a spot on this list.

Halloween (1978)

            This movie is a prime example of a "love at first sight" for me. The love I'm talking about is directed toward the film in its entirety. Everything. Michael Myers' blank mask, his suspenseful walk, the cheesy 70s teen dialogue, Jamie Lee Curtis' exaggerated and ear-piercing scream along with the shag-carpet that she always manages to gracefully fall on top of. Halloween is credited as the beginning of the "slasher" era of film and is one of the most successful independent movies ever made. John Carpenter made his directing debut and a nineteen year old Jamie Lee Curtis made her acting debut (having to use much of her own clothes due to a tiny budget). This movie is a lot of fun and an absolute must for the month of October.

The Departed

            When I was a freshman at Kent State, I sat on my next door neighbor's bed huddled in a small single-person dorm with five other guys and we watched Martin Scorsese's The Departed. My eyes widened at the unforgiving nature of Jack Nicholson and my hands flew up to my face as I watched the last 10 minutes in utter shock that still gives me goosebumps. I've never followed a character through a movie the way I did with Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) and this is one of the few times have I been speechless after watching a film.

The King's Speech

            A common term for people who are interested in French culture is to call them a francophile. Well I am an anglophile. I have always had a deep interest in the British royal family and Prince William was even a role model of mine at an early age. This is way before the time of William or even his parents. After I watched the magic of a reluctant king learning how to correct a speech impediment just so he could better lead his nations, I was hooked. This was the first time I ever saw a movie first then went out and read the book that it was based off of. I had to learn more and the story of King George VI and Lionel Logue was something that entranced me.

Frankenstein (1931)

            When I first checked out this movie from the library when I was in 7th grade it was because I wanted to be able to say that I had seen it. I had no idea that movies this old could be anywhere near the quality films I had already seen. As funny or naive as that sounds it is totally true. The 1930s culture that is incorporated onscreen made me watch this three nights in a row. One of the most beloved horror stories ever told was even better in black and white and I was drawn in from the very first scene where Dr. Frankenstein steals a body directly after a funeral. This is true horror classic cinema at its finest.

Pulp Fiction

            Quentin Tarantino is a genius and possibly my favorite writer in Hollywood. Whatever he touches turns to gold and his cult following is something that will never die. This is his finest hour. Watching John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson cooly talk about "royales with cheese" and downplay the act of murder while sitting in a car full of splattered blood, is what makes me think about this movie all the time. I will never do "the twist" the same again, and whenever I leave a diner I find myself bobbing my head and being "cool like Fonzie." This is a cinematic leap that has over shot the stars and remains timeless with every generation.

The Master

            There's not much to say about this film because there's not much that went into this film. But, I can honestly say it opened the door to they way I perceive movies that come off as abstract as this does. A lot of Paul Thomas Anderson's movies have the feel The Master does and the reason many people will stray away from this film is because it forces the viewer to fill in some details for his or herself. Movies do not have to answer every question and sometimes the ambiguous style is exactly what's needed.

Drive

            There is major intensity and very little dialogue. Ryan Gosling steals the heart of Carey Mulligan and every other girl who happens to be watching. This is another good example of filling in your own details but executed in a completely different way. I walked out of the theater quite unsure as to what I just watched but I knew I had to see it again (similar to The Master in this sense). The cinematography is what sets this apart and the acting from everyone is of A-list quality. This was the movie that proved Gosling was the real deal and the song that recurs in this film puts the viewer in a trance that continues to suck you in. Very 1980s and there are parts that left me awestruck from the very beginning and all throughout.

Jaws

            Back in 1975 nobody was going into the ocean let alone the local swimming pool because Steven Spielberg scarred them for life with his first ever feature film. That's right, a 27 year old Eagle Scout director is the reason you're scared of the water on vacation. The impact this had on me was how much I have always been afraid of the ocean even before I saw this and now, I guess you could say it's just been reinforced. Being an Eagle Scout myself, it is very cool and inspiring to see one of Hollywood's most dominant figures in history to be making moves at such a young age. All the greats have to start somewhere and the fact that this is where Spielberg started just makes me want to watch this movie 10 more times.

Zodiac

           I pondered for a second and asked myself if this movie deserved a spot in this list. It did not have as big an impact as some of the other films but it sure clued me in on an unsolved mystery that has stumped some of America's finest. As I mentioned earlier, I love the history of the British royals, but another strong interest of mine is infamous serial killers. Zodiac embodies the best of the worst. The chilling nature that David Fincher does so well transforms this movie into an experience and a journey for truth with the protagonist (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Exit Through The Gift Shop

            Ironically, this is the most recent film I have watched for the first time. This is the first documentary that kind of stopped me in my tracks. Revolving around the street art of Banksy, currently the most famous graffiti artist around, this is not an ordinary documentation of a movement; this is a story of expressing one's self anonymously and also how one can even be betrayed when no one knows who you are. This has left me having a different view what just looks like spray paint and scribbles. Of course, it is vandalism on paper but, to others, it's a revolution.

Houston, Here's a Bigger Problem.

Gravity:

If you happen to be like me and get motion sickness or are prone to vertigo, my advice to you before entering the theater is to buckle in and suck it up for the 90-minute ride of your life that you'll be sad to miss.

            Every person here on Earth has taken a moment to look up at the black, star-speckled abyss above and wondered, "what could possibly be going on up there?" The pictures of Earth from space are beautiful and mesmerizing, why would anyone not want to go up there and experience that view?  Go see Gravity and have these questions and more all answered in pulse-pounding detail.

            So far, Fall-Winter 2013 has been a pretty successful season for movies given the extreme letdowns that we all paid to see this past summer. As the number one movie in the world and one of the most advertised films this year, it is hard to live up to hype the way Gravity has. Not only does this movie have the most extravagant, complex, and clear visual effects of any other film in recent memory but it also challenges both Newton's Law and Murphy's Law trouncing anything we have ever experienced. When Captain Edward Murphy of the United States Air Force first coined the phrase, "What can go wrong, will," back in 1949 I'll bet he was talking directly to Sandra Bullock and George Clooney. I mean, after the hell that they go through dealing with the complete unknown, Murphy couldn't have said that for anyone else.

            You know what this is about, you've seen the movie posters along with possibly the scariest film trailer I can recall in recent memory. Space is deeper than any ocean we can fathom and even more infinite than Einstein's imagination. For an hour and a half, you get to be trapped in it, wearing a space suit of course and (some) oxygen, but still...trapped. I guess being "trapped in the universe" is both an oxymoron and a paradox but nonetheless, Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) wrote and directed this mind-boggling adventure that's every bit of surprising as it is scary as hell. Taking the perfectly cast George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, Cuaron uses space as a conduit of the mind and body. His imagery and superbly crafted set is only a window into the endless phenomenon that makes up outer space and the human mind. Hey, you may just learn something new about astrophysics and about yourself as well.

            Not only is this a great season so far because of the quality of films but even more so, the acting. Gravity is a great example of more fine acting by professionals that the public is all too familiar with.

"C'mon man, how good can acting be when you're just in an astronaut suit and flailing your arms in space?" To which I would reply, "I know, I know but hear me out."

            George Clooney is dashing as always and probably will somehow make a space suit the next fashion statement that men everywhere will buy to look handsome. Playing a seasoned astronaut, Clooney has the calming nature and assertive leadership that will even keep you hanging on as you watch them float. But, as great as Mr. Clooney is, the sun shines a little brighter on Sandra Bullock. She is not as used to the whole no-gravity thing and breathes a little more nervously than her screen partner. She is truly in rare form here and this is absolutely a sign that she has not reached her peak of talent yet.

            The rumors are true about how phenomenal the special effects are and even people like Buzz Aldrin, also known as the second human to walk on the moon, say that the real deal voyage into space is not far off from what Alfonso Cuaron has conjured up. I'm sure Gravity will rack up its share of awards and nominations but if the visual effects and Ms. Bullock go unrecognized, I will not be the only person to launch myself into the atmosphere out of frustration. Take my advice and relax, that's the key to hold onto the seat and not letting go. Grade: 8.9/10
         

This is your Captain Speaking...

Captain Phillips:

             Your jaw will drop, your heart will pound, your knuckles will whiten, and Mr. Hanks will be holding onto a gold statuette from the Academy early next year. When you walk out of the theater in awe of the spectacle of Captain Phillips you will have experienced every one of these feelings plus much more. This is the film experience of the year while recounting the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and his crew while Somalian pirates board his Maersk cargo ship in March 2009. The action and suspense is nonstop and the cast fires on all cylinders without missing a beat taking the audience into the ship and holding on through this disaster at sea.

             Every news channel reported this story first hand 4 years ago as it happened off the coast of Africa and everyone became familiar with Captain Richard Phillips and now we get to relive it. Based on Richard Phillips' book, "A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea," director Paul Greengrass (Bourne Ultimatum) nails it and stays onboard with the horror that is every sailor's nightmare. The plot has become mostly known now that the hype for this film has been built up; Somalian pirates board a cargo ship off the coast of Africa and want to conduct "business" which translates to antagonizing the captain and all the crew members. The pirates themselves are not fooling around and use their intimidating, skeletal manner to their favor while also keeping the attention on Captain Phillips (Hanks), or "Irish" as they come to know him. Don't get up to go to the bathroom because, from the time the first encounter occurs, it is full steam ahead with some high quality talent that really hits home no matter who you are.

            Being pretty much the only A-lister in this film, Tom Hanks easily steals the show as the title character and then takes the whole movie under his wing. His presence onscreen is commanding and gripping. You are literally in the bridge with Phillips and his crew as they go through an ordeal they wouldn't wish upon their worst enemies. I am not stepping too far in saying that this is Hanks' best job in front of a camera since Cast Away when he found himself in a similar situation. The leader of the pirates is named Muse (that's MOO-Say), played by Barkhad Abdi, and he is the human skeleton that you see in the commercials demoting Phillips from captain to hostage. His mannerisms and dialogue are as serious as a heart attack and nothing short of villainous acting. His other henchmen are just as good and you will find yourself making the same facial expressions as the crew members while they make their way closer...and closer.

            There are really not enough good things one can say about a movie of this caliber. Just make sure you're buckled in all the way until the credits begin to roll. Paul Greengrass and writer Billy Ray will being seeing their names in the Oscar nominee list for the graceful tragedy that they executed on the big screen. The distressed nature of the ship's crew and all those who are sent to help in Captain Phillips is what makes you keep wanting more and here's an obvious spoiler: you'll keep getting more. Grade: 9.3/10 

Basic Chemistry

Breaking Bad 2008-2013: A Tribute

            If you have turned on a television or opened your eyes at all in the past week or so then you know that AMC's Breaking Bad wrapped up its entire series on September 29th (last night). Now before I go further, I can honestly say that I have not included any spoilers so if you have never watched an episode before, nothing will be ruined and I implore you to begin so immediately after reading this. For those who are like me and have seen every minute of it, we can now say that the finale was nothing short of phenomenal and that the greatest series to hit network television in over twenty years has ended with a bang that will never be forgotten.

            Breaking Bad has changed my life, this I can say with pride and a smile on my face. No... I'm not cooking meth but I did sport a pretty shagadelic goatee (if I do say so myself) for a whole week leading up to the finale. This show changed the way I view television because for the first time the audience trusts and even sides with an antihero like Walter White. You may love to hate him or hate that you love him. If you're watching the show and are not caught up yet, you may be asking how could things get any worse or maybe you're looking at Jesse and saying along with Walt, "Apply yourself." There is almost too much to explain with a show like this which is a paradox in itself; it is the simplest things that give it complexity and then vice versa. At some of the intense parts there are calming, classic hit songs that add to the intensity in a subtly gripping way. You'll be left singing "Crystal Blue Persuasion" by Tommy James and The Shondells in your head as you look forward to the next episode, no matter how many times you may have already seen it. I hope this paragraph alone has proved at least some sort of a point.

            Vince Gilligan created, produced, and wrote the characters that make up every detail. He is the unsung hero and the mind behind it all. Aaron Paul can thank him for being set for the rest of his career because it was Vince who went to the execs at AMC and convinced them Aaron was perfect to play Jesse Pinkman even though they wanted someone else.

           Bryan Cranston is the face of Breaking Bad. The character of Walter White has become synonymous with the likes of Tony Soprano: the head of an empire. The chemotherapy-shaved dome followed by his weathered, over-the-hill face framed with glasses and a red goatee that have become iconic, just add a black porkpie hat on top of it all and you've got Heisenberg in the flesh. If playing Hal on Malcolm in the Middle wasn't enough of Cranston in his underwear then Walter White is what you've been waiting for. Bryan Cranston embodies the true nature of good and evil as Walter the educator and father evolves back and forth into Heisenberg the ruthless and sinister. He takes things to new levels both as an actor and as a character in every episode. The public has come to view him as a method actor and this show is perfect evidence of why he deserves every bit of his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

          Aaron Paul has to make the transition from a meth junkie to a meth expert as Walt's former student, Jesse Pinkman. Which he does pretty well. Pretty. Damn. Well. Aaron loses himself in Jesse's passion and talent both as a dealer and as a protege while throwing in "Bitch" emphatically as a great sentence-ender and character tagline. As I mentioned earlier, Aaron's handsome mug will be seen dominating the big screen in the near future as the star in Need For Speed and I'm sure many more to come, all thanks to Vince Gilligan and a good amount of dedication. Yeah Aaron!

         The rest of the cast was a knock out as well. Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, RJ Mitte, Betsy Brandt, Giancarlo Esposito, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks and so many more that would be able to fill up a lecture hall. One side note is that Walter and Jesse's trusty lawyer, the animated and tricky Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), has been given the go-ahead for a spinoff series that will premier on AMC at a date and time TBD. So we can have fun with that when it rolls around, too. Not much room for disappointment even with the smaller roles as well.

         It is truly bittersweet that Breaking Bad has come to an end. No more anticipation for Sunday nights at 9 o'clock on AMC but it is comforting and satisfying to know it ended well. So fare-thee-well Walter White and hats off to you, Heisenberg. Thank you for a chemistry and life lesson we can take with us as we jump into other shows. "... Love, Love is the answer. And that's all right." --Yeah Science!

Family, Faith, Freedom?

Prisoners:

            In the past decade there have been police thrillers left and right that keep you guessing until the end or are predictable from the start but none of them have taken the plot to the next level: insanity. With two girls missing and the sinking feeling of not having enough time in the day to keep looking in every spot imaginable, Hugh Jackman goes to great odds in search for his and his neighbor's daughters. They have to be somewhere, right? The police department would be the safest place any parent would go to first but they can only do so much, also.

            Keller Dover (Jackman) is a man of prayer and faith and now he is on a mission for his daughter who has been abducted along with their neighborhood friend's (Terrence Howard, Iron Man) daughter on an ordinary Thanksgiving day. The only person who is going through just as much trouble as Keller is Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). With his neck tattoo and twitchy eyes, Detective Loki tries to do his job but in any case like this one it is easy for the worried parents to get in the way and even cause complications. There are surprises at every turn accompanied with the intensity that can drive a person insane, or maybe just crazy.

            One non-spoiler alert to start off with is that the symbol of a maze is incorporated at some point throughout Prisoners but that is beside the fact that this film is a maze in itself. Turn here. No there. Okay, now left or right? Pretty much what you'll be saying when you go see it. But, let's save that for a little later. Director Denis Villeneuve has not made his mark in American cinema quite yet but this one may put his foot in the door. It is easy to draw some details out when your movie is over 2.5 hours but when you place a cast that consists of four Academy Award nominees and one Academy Award winner (Melissa Leo) in front of a camera, you're probably going to succeed in one way or another.

            Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal work together to try and save these two lives and the level of intensity is reflected in both actors. Jackman channels his inner Wolverine dedication and pulling it off once again. This is Gyllenhaal's best role since Zodiac (2007) and the guy writing this review would be pleased to see him on the list of nominations come awards season in the next few months. The supporting cast delivers with Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Paul Dano (There Will Be Blood) all caught up in this twisting maze of mystery. Sounds like a carnival, huh? While the length of this movie is longer than one would think, the acting alone is worth a look of what is hidden around each turn. Grade: 7.8/10

Serving The Country

Lee Daniels' The Butler:

            If you were chosen to be the servant of some of the world's most powerful men would you do it? Also, provided that you can't listen to any conversation and must act like a piece of wallpaper while doing your duties. Sounds like a lot of fun especially to any history buff out there and it is even cooler that someone in the course of this nation's history was given this rare chance. Cecil Gaines' story spans throughout 3 decades and 7 presidencies as he had experiences nearly no one else can top while inside America's most recognized residence.

            Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland) plays Cecil, the man behind the tray, along with his loving but confused wife, Gloria (Oprah Winfrey) who I will take the liberty in saying were the only two actors well-cast into their roles. The commanders-in-chief are all collectively played by [a serious] Robin Williams, John Cusack, James Marsden, Liev Schreiber, and [an American] Alan Rickman. Given the plot points and time period, there is a considerable amount spent with the Kennedy Administration which was enjoyable but would have been even nicer if the same attention was given to the other gentlemen he had the privilege to serve.

            The Civil Rights Era is something that we have seen in movies time and time again. One way to describe this adaptation of it would be "the black Forrest Gump." There is violence, hatred, and disgusting hate-crimes that illustrate the way things happened back then. Lee Daniels explores the ugly truth that racism embodies and takes the audience on a interesting tour inside The White House but one believes he may have come up a bit short with the construction of this movie in its entirety. Daniels, who is best known for his critically-acclaimed film Precious, packs his latest installment with some heavy names in Hollywood and pop-culture but where this movie could have used some more details it ended up lacking them in the end.

            Besides the presidents depicted in the movie, the supporting cast includes David Oyelowo (Lincoln) as Louis, Cecil's hot-headed, right-seeking older son, also, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lenny Kravitz as Cecil's fellow butler buddies, and Terence Howard. With so many year changes needed in one movie, it played against his favor for Lee Daniels to carry this film farther than it needed to go. Don't get me wrong, The Butler is solid movie portraying the inspirational story of a man living in a world that hates him and delivers a strong message that just could have been conveyed a little differently. Serving ones country has more than one meaning, after all. Grade: 7/10

           

Making A Dent In The Universe

Jobs:
            A Genius, a Revolutionary, a Nerd, an Innovator, a Business Man, a Go-Getter, and then Steve Jobs. All of these first, himself second, and yet his world was made up of nothing more. Everyone knows his story for the most part. He founded one of the biggest technological companies in the world starting out of his parents' garage and gained a reputation to be one of the shrewdest, cruelest businessmen the world had ever seen. Steve Jobs became more than anyone ever expected and taught himself how to talk up what he was walking up. Ashton Kutcher delivers the best performance of his career thus far and really turns heads as he portrays the titan that was Steve Jobs. The only drawback was the film that he found himself acting in, but we'll get to that in a little bit.

            Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) headed up the project of directing Jobs but credit has to be given to his casting team. The sole aspect that made this film entirely watchable was Ashton Kutcher putting on the act of lashing out at subordinates and screaming on the phone at a rival billionaire all while wearing the blue jeans, lame tennis shoes, and trimmed beard that made up the man that made his mark in the universe. Without giving anything away, the opening scene itself made me question if we were watching an old video of Jobs or if it was just Mr. Kutcher. Well okay, enough about the Punk'd host for now and maybe a little about what this film was all about.

            Apple Computers started very small with only 5 employees that could not even be paid in cash but they had one thing the other competitors did not, Steve Jobs. This film revolves around how and why Jobs left college to pursue bigger things, like calligraphy and acid, and then pulled some business skills out of his back pocket and became an icon. Josh Gad (Love and Other Drugs) plays the other half of Jobs' success, Steve "Woz" Wozniak. Whenever Jobs was in a bind with what he was selling, Woz was there to helping him sort out the bugs. I'd like to go on the record saying Josh Gad should be on watch by the members of The Academy for a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Not necessarily saying he'll get it but that he should not be overshadowed by the weak plot of this film. Along side Kutcher, Gad is spot on as Apple's second father and is near flawless in his portrayal. J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man), Dermot Mulroney (Zodiac), and Matthew Modine (The Dark Knight Rises) are all fellow business men that are out for Jobs' throat and make up a decent supporting cast as well.

            Now I guess is as good a time as any to address the physical being of the film; it's plot. There's not much to say besides how good the acting is by the two stars and, oh yeah, the years jump around like rabbits and details are left hanging. One can imagine how disappointing this could be especially in a movie about someone who became so prominent in our lifetimes even if he was rather cold-blooded. An analogy for the non-viewer reading this prior to buying a ticket would be that Jobs is The Social Network with a more realistic star, just as good character-wise, but with a weaker, less thought-provoking plot. Hats off to Ashton Kutcher and his memorable performance but it is a shame it had to be set apart from the film itself due to nothing more than lack of detail. Hashtag RIPSteveJobs. Grade: 6.6/10

Keeping Up With The Millers

We're The Millers:

             Have you heard of that actress Jennifer Aniston? She's in her forties now but she has a great future in movies if she keeps it up. It's easy to say that Mrs. Aniston steals the show in her latest flick with her charisma that never seems to age plus her timeless physical features that landed her this past year at the #1 spot on the list of the hottest women of all time. This is just one feature that makes We're The Millers a solidly funny movie with a cast that meshed well for the most part. From Rawson Marshall Thurber, director and writer of Dodgeball, who knew smuggling marijuana could really bring the family together.

            Okay, we talked about how hot Jennifer Aniston is--check that off the list. Next on the agenda is a man who has hosted award shows, made his way on Saturday Night Live, and now has developed a trademark sense of humor with his deep booming voice; all this is Jason Sudeikis. You may know him best from his work in Hall Pass (2011) or Horrible Bosses (2011) both of which deliver the crude laughs and lewd jokes that this movie does and, to be honest, if you loved him in those movies then We're The Millers is the next ticket you should purchase. I think it's easy to wrap his style in a nutshell (or for me at least but who cares, right?) and it is not a hard concept to get one's head around. Simply taking something in current news or something that is familiar in the past decade and using it as a reference to describe the way someone sounds or why the woman crossing the street is dressed the way she is a style Mr. Sudeikis has raised to an art form. He's lucky because it works for him and his delivery of these lines give him an advantage that kind of completes his character in whatever movie he seems to be in. But is there such thing as too much of a good thing? Even if it's a funny joke?---Especially if it's a funny joke, actually.

            One of the final things that needs to be analyzed in a movie like this one is the supporting cast. Usually I do not go super deep into the actors that lie beyond those that are top-billed but it's too difficult to avoid here. In this family there is a gorgeous mom, a funny-guy dad, an obediently confused son, and a rebellious quick witted daughter. Will Poulter (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of Dawn Treader) and Emma Roberts (Nancy Drew) are the two whippersnappers that, I have to admit, have some of the funniest parts in the movie and step into the scene with a bang that beckons for more. These two play polar opposite characters and pull off awkwardness and coming of age impressively, which came as a shock to this writer. Finally on this list, Ed Helms (The Hangover), Kathryn Hahn (Step Brothers), and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation) head up a supporting cast that does a great job of supporting the main characters (shocking, I know). The point I'm trying to make is that these lesser actors brought a lot of memorable parts themselves to a movie that wouldn't normally rely on their support. It was refreshing (good word) to be able to laugh at someone else besides the faces on the movie poster for once.

           No, We're The Millers does not get my vote for motion picture of the year candidate or best comedy but it had some surprising factors that set it a bit higher than what could have been expected. Good laughs but a simple plot which brought a different take on a "family comedy". Grade: 6.8/10

How To Out-Do A Classic

The Conjuring:
            If you happen to see a door at the end of a long hallway open by itself would you be the one that everyone in the theater yells at to stop walking toward it? That's pretty much how it goes down in James Wan's latest film and is the same reason it is as frightening as walking down that hallway in real life. The Conjuring, a more realistic Exorcist, takes what Linda Blair put on the table 40 years ago and ups the ante to another level of horror that sets it a part from other movies we've seen in the same genre.

           A family moves into an old house out in the country. Subtle, weird things begin to happen at night. A professional is called in to make the monster leave the closet... Sound familiar? Sound like every horror movie you've seen, right? Oh, but this is a story based on actual events. Now the tables have turned. That one little detail always seems to amplify the terror in any movie for some reason and that tagline alone is why movies like this do so well in the box office. Another reason could be that James Wan is beginning to build a name for himself with the other white-knucklers such as Insidious, Saw, and Saw 3 that he all directed as well. His use of suspense with tactics such as having the camera follow the character around a dark corner or the lack of the super loud noises every time there's a ghost is how he is taking a different path in this industry of fear and standing out from other current directors.

            Ed and Lorraine Warren are the leading paranormal researchers and demonology experts that have a new fish to fry in the form of a presence that can't get enough of terrorizing the Perron family. Meanwhile, Carolyn and Roger Perron just want the best for their 5 daughters (sounds like a nightmare already, huh?) but there's something getting in the way of their success and it's taken up residence in whatever room has an empty bed. Throughout the process of the Warrens helping the Perrons, you will find yourself wanting to look away as each door slowly creaks open or as the melody stops playing in a certain small antique music box but the riveting silences are really what divert your eyes at the last moment before the scare happens. Also, I think anyone who sees this may become a little sensitive the next time you hear two solo claps. Just an observation, though.

             Patrick Wilson (Insidious) and Vera Farmiga (The Departed) are quite an effective devil-studying couple on screen with their own past playing well with the unorthodox methods they perform on a daily basis at the office. Lili Taylor (Born on the Fourth of July) gives one of the most terrifying performances and Linda Blair a run for her money along with her husband Ron Livingston (Office Space) who's just trying to figure this ordeal out. It should be obvious now that Wan delivers in this highly-anticipated flick with the history behind it doesn't let up either. Grade: 7.7/10

Rated G for Good

Monsters University:
            In order to be a good scarer, first you have to be a hard studier. The moral of Mike Wazowski and Sulley's prequel of how they met in college is something any young boy or girl can learn from if they want to become the best in whatever field they want. I know this isn't a film adaptation, it's a film review... right? So I guess I'll start now. With a movie theater filled with parents and grandparents taking their little ones to a kid-friendly movie, one could get rather annoyed whenever one of the small individuals gets up and walks around in the middle of the film but, luckily, said film is pretty entertaining and is filled with a lot of recognizable voices if you happen to have a trained ear. Pixar hasn't really let an audience down when they attempt to produce a heartwarming end (or beginning, in this case) to a story we have come to know, love, and constantly quote over the past decade and Monsters University is no exception to this trend.

            After first seeing commercials for this prequel to the 2001 recent classic, Monsters, Inc., I was relatively excited and knew I'd find myself setting in a theater watching it sooner or later. Pixar has given us classics such as Toy Story 1-3, Finding Nemo, A Bug's Life, Wall-E, and the list goes on and on but not one of these blockbuster hits have disappointed viewers from all walks of life and it has proven to dominate the animated film industry since its inception. Seeing that little lamp hop across the screen and stomp down the "i" in Pixar like a boss is something that has become an icon in film history and, even now in my early twenties, is a sign that what I'm about to see will stand apart from other animated films simply because of one company's reputation... This is what goes through my head, can you believe that? Good, then believe that Monsters University delivers like its predecessors.

           You have the usuals: Billy Crystal and John Goodman head up the cast as Mike Wazowski and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan. Two names that are Hollywood icons all by themselves. The supporting cast includes Steve Buscemi returning as the slithering, invisible Randall along with some newcomers like Helen Mirren (The Queen), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), and Charlie Day (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Afraid that they may not have what it takes to make it to Monsters Inc. after college, Mike and Sulley have to prove to a certain legendary professor (Mirren) that they are scarier than what meets the eye(s). The cast is a blend of greatness and humor that keeps the kids as well as the adults chuckling. One would not expect a "college movie" to have a G rating but this pulls through as a family fun time appealing to a 7 year old, a 22 year old, or a 60 year old--take your pick. But still check under your bed before sleep. Grade: 7.1/10

           

A Cowboy and An Indian

The Lone Ranger:
            Before I begin I have a quick scenario: Imagine you're walking through a museum and one of the exhibits comes to life starts telling you its story--would you stop and listen or would you call security? It would probably have some cool stuff to say of course, but, then again so would a person being kept on display 24 hours a day for the general public. Do you follow me? Neither do I. You could say it's a little confusing when an American classic such as The Lone Ranger is made to be almost a mockery of what it stood for by Hollywood and even more baffling when one of the most beloved actors in the world is a part of it.

            Johnny Depp has portrayed almost every personality one can think of and has made is career of three decades one of the most mesmerizing to hit the screen. It's really difficult to find a starting place when addressing an actor of Depp's caliber because he has done so many things and it's easy to find yourself saying, "Oh yeah...I forgot he played that character too!" Truly this man is a chameleon in character and his choice of movies to act in have proven to be of great taste--this one being an exception. Another highly-anticipated film of the year has come up short and this guy is sorry to admit its short comings.

            There's really not that much that goes into the phenomenon that is The Lone Ranger. A white hat, white horse, white guy wearing a black mask, accompanied by a wise Native American riding a horse as well. Pretty simple concept that should be kept simple, right? Well Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) thought differently when taking this movie as his next directing job and decided to make it 150 minutes long. Jumping through time periods, stretching out scenes, making jokes that may be funny but just did not fit the subject or the era can't be put any simpler than "unnecessary". Verbinski's take on the Lone Ranger is a lead up of how he became what the legend from the 1950's made famous and tell more of the back story. Too much story and not enough Ranger.

            Armie Hammer (The Social Network) is our hero, the man behind the mask, if you will. Standing next to the likeness of a raven-clad Johnny Depp on screen while attempting to be the star of the same film is not an easy task, my friend, and Hammer was over-done and kind of annoying if I am going to be blunt. Sorry, nothing personal. To be more of an optimist, the cinematography was very well done and some of the camera shots alone were creative and captivating. The bad-ass "walking through the desert dust away from an explosion" was cool and worked for a film like this but I wish there was just more of that. In the favor of the characters themselves, I will say that Hammer does look the role well and pulls off the intimidating, skillful horse riding Clayton Moore established back in '49. Tonto has the sarcasm, stoic looks, monotoned voice, and wisdom that comes when Depp is doing his thing. Think of the facial expressions (and skin complexion) of Edward Scissorhands and then the mannerisms of Captain Jack Sparrow, that is how I picked out the transformation into The Lone Ranger's loyal sidekick. Not exactly how Tonto is imagined but is tolerable to some degree in this movie and, the last time I checked, Tonto did not use more than four or five words in a sentence.

            Some final thoughts include a weak supporting cast. These are more great actors such as Helena Bonham Carter (The King's Speech) and Barry Pepper (Saving Private Ryan) just not firing on all cylinders- literally- in this film. If I seem to be coming down hard, I am, but you should still see The Lone Ranger for yourself if you feel the need. Hey, my buddy sitting next to me in the theater seemed to disagree on what I had to say. Still following me, Kemosabe? Grade: 5.7/10

Summer's Funniest Movie-- 2013 Edition

This Is The End:
            From the people that brought you every movie you've laughed at in the past decade are at it again...and they're not finished. The apocalypse is happening during the shindig of the year and you're surrounded by Hollywood's young and brightest stars, what do you do? Keep Calm and Party On is what you do! You may remember a couple guys named Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, a comedy power duo that came up with the script of Superbad when they were 13 years old (that's right, I said it) and now they aren't 13 anymore, they're done with puberty and they are the directors and writers of 2013's funniest summer movie/celebration of acting and living it up with the ones you love.

            Go on IMDb.com (International Movie Database), search This Is The End and take a look at the cast list. If you don't know around 57 of the names credited in this movie then I think this may not be the motion picture for you. You may have seen the commercials on TV or read an article in your favorite magazine that shows how chock full this movie is with every actor in the current spotlight and the love interest of every girl (i.e. James Franco), boy (i.e. Emma Watson), and pot head (i.e. the rest of the cast) you can think of. For the purpose of this review we will just focus on the important names. Jay Baruchel (She's Out of My League) and Seth Rogen head over to James Franco's house [exactly as you would picture a house James Franco would live in] for a bash and so that Jay can be introduced to some James' friends. One thing leads to another, earthquakes strange lights from the sky--the usual--- and Franco (Pineapple Express), Baruchel, Rogen (Superbad), Craig Robinson (Pineapple Express), Jonah Hill (Superbad), and Danny McBride (Pineapple Express) try to find every which way to survive the eminent demise of the human race by staying inside of James Franco's outlandishly awesome crib.

            The ridiculousness of this movie is off the charts there's absolutely no denying that. But the cool thing about each huge star playing his or herself is that the audience can almost be a part of the inside jokes that are shared and laugh out loud along with this weed-smoking individuals basking in their friendship. Before going into the theater (assuming that you'll be smart enough to buy a ticket), you can't be expecting the next Academy Award winning picture. You see this movie to laugh with your friends as the actors are laughing with their friends. Each personality is a caricatured version of the person the general public thinks they know all too well and that is where Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen hit one out of the park and were likely as high as the heavens while writing this script. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) stops by for some fun outside of Hogwarts and Michael Cera (Superbad) blows cocaine into the face of Christopher Mintz-Plasse (McLovin). It's good stuff.

            Sure the plot may not be the most complex or the most captivating and the graphics have "greenscreen" written all over them but that is not the point of a movie like this. Do you want to be yelling with laughter at the insane antics that get crazier minute after minute? Are you ready for some adult humor in an adult setting? This is the reason people love coming to the movies in the first place--to become more in touch with the people in them. Grade: See For Yourself

...And Now You Don't.

Now You See Me
            Slight of hand and illusions are the reason everybody loves a good magician. At every birthday party, street corner and television special we've spotted a magician showing off death-defying stunts and pick-pocket routines that befuddle audiences and anger the volunteer's whose watch they've slipped off their hand. Now You See Me has every trick in the book, special effect and more, but also has added some that even the audience in the theater can predict the outcome of.
            There is a lot to cover with a movie like this one (i.e. many ups and downs). Starting with the story itself, we have four magicians/illusionists with four different magical talents. By some force of nature and with a little bit of pixie dust, they are all united to form The Four Horsemen. The show that this quartet headlines involves paying back a crowd that all have a financial dilemma in common. To get to the gist of their show: bursts of money is involved over the audience and said money is not usually obtained by the magicians in a morally sound way. Sounds like your kind of show, right? Michael Caine (The Dark Knight) said the same thing as dollar signs appeared in his eyes as the show's producer. The film takes many twists and turns and does (I will admit) have an ending that is worth the almost two hour wait, if you find you're getting bored or lost.
            One trick I did not see coming was the star-studded cast that almost entirely did not belong in this movie to begin with. Let me explain. Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), the leader of the Four Horsemen, dons a thin goatee that probably took 3 weeks to grow and is supposedly the master magician that every up and comer looks at for inspiration. How old is Eisenberg, again? His fast-speaking, condescending antics that can also be seen in every other movie he has been in don't seem to fit the seasoned entertainer that director Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk) yearned to illustrate. Who am I to critique, though? Next up is the truly seasoned magic performer and only mentalist of the group, Woody Harrelson (White Men Can't Jump). In the opinion of this critic, he stole the show, I would pay just to see his character do what he does on a stage with mind games. Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) seems to be having a big year after making a small appearance as Myrtle Wilson in The Great Gatsby and now as the escape artist with an annoying voice. The fourth but not least, Dave Franco (21 Jump Street) is making more of a Hollywood image for himself in this film despite the large shadow cast by his older brother whose first name escapes me. Franco is the next big name in magic and is pretty good with the slight-of-hands street magic that's easy to hustle a few bucks off a stranger.
            There are more people in this movie than just four magicians and their producer. Morgan Freeman, and his Morgan Freeman-like voice, does a decent job as the guy every magician hates who looks to debunk every light show trick and distraction the audience sees on stage or TV. He is tag-teaming the tactics and intelligence of this unlawful magic show with FBI agent Mark Ruffalo (The Avengers) and takes many [unnecessary (if you ask me)] steps to getting to the bottom of every trick thrown at them. One refreshing face that makes an appearance is Melanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds). She is charming and captivating as Ruffalo's tagalong partner that is new to the public force. Now You See Me has everything Criss Angel or David Copperfield would love as a part of their shows and is a fast-paced crime thriller, but the young blood that is mixed in with the veteran actors is where it is easy to lose the enchantment one would hope for in attendance at a magic show. Grade: 7/10

A Truly Great Dictator

           

          Charlie Chaplin is considered to be one of the most influential personalities to have ever been a part of the film industry. The usual fashion of this blog is to critique contemporary movies that are currently in theaters but sometimes it is suiting to take a look back at talent that has molded some of the films we see today. Charlie Chaplin is a talent to thank in a moment like this. A lot of individuals, especially those born within the last 30 years, are becoming unaware of the work Charles Chaplin embodied during his career that spanned over five decades and made arguably the biggest impact over any one person in movies. 

            When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my family had a collection of about 10 VHS tapes of Chaplin's greatest short films. Being a kindergartner at the time, I found him kind of scary looking but liked the slapstick, self-sacrificing humor he stole every show with. After a little while I did lose interest and it wasn't until I was a freshman in college that I even gave him another shot. Now that I am almost 22 years old I have a deeper appreciation for this man that was so far ahead of his time and knew what entertainment truly was. Although I still consider myself an amateur when it comes to knowing his work besides his big hits on the silver screen, it does not take much at all to be captured by his presence onscreen and to keep wanting more. Right now it is nearly 3am and I've just finished watching his most acclaimed film, The Great Dictator (1940) that is a satire of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party that is included with probably the most powerful monologues ever given in a movie and is still recited by many today. Throughout the film, I was laughing out loud at his character's clumsiness antics and one-liners that could give a pointer to today's most experienced comedy writers. The dictator is named Adenoid Hynkel of Tomania and there is a lowly Jewish barber that looks like his identical twin (also played by Chaplin) that ends up in the mix with the Tomanian army. --One thing to pay close attention to if you would like to check out this movie is a scene where Hynkel is aware of his worldly impact and begins playing with a globe in a childlike manner--. Sure, the movie poster pictured here makes him look scary and uninviting and who really wants to watch a movie about a guy that looks like Hitler? Even if it is the greatest comedic genius of all time...

          His style of acting and directing resembles that of Mel Brooks or even Steve Martin and it is easy to see how most funnymen got their inspiration; from that British guy with the funny mustache. Chaplin's smooth, lower voice and perfect delivery of every joke or tripping over his own feet are exactly what every comedian or actor nowadays draws from to gain laughs. Charlie had it figured out. A side note about him is that he actually entered a "Charlie Chaplin Look-A-Like Contest" and placed third. This does point out the lack of perception by the judges but also that he was a man who can have fun in any way possible which is what this industry is all about, right? I don't want to seem like I'm rambling on but I feel it pertinent to make the point known, coming from a kid like me, that Charlie Chaplin is the innovator behind most of the way show biz is in the 21st century. He took creativity to a whole new level and created a sense of humor that is the epitome of "timeless". 

A Remedy for The Hangover

The Hangover Part 3:
            "This is the end, beautiful friend, the end." -The Doors. The Hangover Saga has finally reached the finish line, and with a thunderous applause. I'll be honest, it was a bittersweet moment for me when word of Hangover 3 started to circulate from here to Las Vegas. Bitter in the sense that I was forced to roll my eyes that director Todd Phillips planned to stretch out the ridiculous adventures of the Wolf Pack even further from the complete dud that was The Hangover Part 2. But it was also Sweet news that the trilogy could come to a somewhat appropriate end and be redeemed after all. Walking out of the theater I can say with a smile on my face that this trip to the movies was indeed much more sweet than bitter.
            The Wolf Pack is a quartet that will go down in cinema history and the term "wolf pack" itself has become synonymous with every 17-25 year old in the past 4 years. These guys really need no introduction but for continuity purposes: we have Phil (hunk Bradley Cooper) as the brawn, Dr. Stu (dentist Ed Helms) as the brains, Doug (clueless Justin Bartha) who's just along for the ride, and last but not least, Alan (bearded Zach Galifianakis) as the 42 year old man in a perpetual coming-of-age tale.
            If you've seen the commercials you know the premise of the movie: Alan sings "Ave Maria" at his father's funeral, there's a [unneeded, if you ask me] giraffe on the highway, and John Goodman (The Big Lebowski) fits in somewhere in there as well. That's it. If there was more that you think you've figured out, fahhgetaboutit! Take every scenario that panned out in the previous two films that [you think] can foreshadow the plot of this film and throw it out the window. After you do that, remember that the sky's the limit with The Wolf Pack and that is one thing that stays constant in this final installment. The details that were paid attention to by the audience throughout the first two movies are what make this third one so enjoyable and the laughs just keep on coming with room for seconds.
            The supporting cast that is added to Part 3 is more like a multiplication of intensity and humor. John Goodman is a crime boss (in case you didn't know what he did in his free time) and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids) gives the bearded member of The Wolf Pack a run for his money with her sharp tongue. Then there's Ken Jeong, this may not be his first hangover but Mr. Chow comes out of his little Asian shell to party and takes charge like we've never seen before. Heather Graham makes a come back as well and does not disappoint (not that she ever does).
            The Hangover Part 3 is filled to the brim with plot twists, violence, one-liners, awkward laughs, side-splitting laughs, and surprisingly touching moments that all mix into one of the more impressive trilogy-enders given the material at hand. But what happens in Vegas...well, you know the rest. Grade: 7.6/10

           

Glitz, Glamor, Gatsby...old sport.

The Great Gatsby: The great American novel is immortalized on the silver screen once again. This time from the hands of Baz Luhrmann (Romeo+Juliet). Everyone knows the book from high school but, if you don't, I'm sure everyone else has told you all about it since the first trailer for this highly anticipated film hit every commercial break. The American Dream is something that is within reach for every citizen no matter what walk of life he or she may come from and the novel, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, for which this movie finds its namesake is said to be the greatest illustration of this phenomenon. There is a reason this piece of literature is called "the great American novel" but Luhrmann's latest movie is not the place to look when wondering why.
                     As I mentioned earlier, if you watch TV then you know the players that are dealt with in The Great Gatsby. Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man) and his awkward, innocent self plays the protagonist, Nick Carraway. Living right next door to the star himself, Nick is a scholar-turned- bondsman that keeps to himself and, if he gets bored, can always look across the bay at his cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan) and her husband, Nick's former school mate, Tom (Joel Edgerton). Everyone that lives in the West Egg/East Egg area (or any part of New York for that matter) has heard of a man they call "Gatsby" and his lavish parties filled with every person on the red carpet as well as the phonebook. His mansion is more like a castle that could fit the White House inside and would give William Randolph Hearst a run for his money. Well since I've mentioned the others, without further ado ladies and gentlemen, the man, the myth, the legend--Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. We see a complicated individual with a bottomless wallet and hides some kind of past that is up for controversy. A man who is as mysterious as his wealth but enjoys to sit back and spend money. This is F. Scott Fitzgerald's most famous character that will call you "old sport", if your worth talking to, and will grant any favor for any friend. DiCaprio fully embodies the fame that precedes Jay Gatsby's character but, sadly, this is all over shadowed by Hollywood trying too hard to impress the audience.
                      The cinematography and bold, beautiful colors may look dazzling to the naked eye (seeing this in 3D would be cool, maybe) but it seems Baz Luhrmann has put forth all his energy in making the American Dream truly appear as a dream, and for that he gets a "D" for effort. Sure, it was fun for the flappers and teenagers to drink and rebel during the 1920s, but adding a soundtrack with hip-hop hits afrom Jay-Z and Kanye West is not the way to convey this notion. *Not a spoiler alert* Mr. Fitzgerald probably rolled over in his grave during one party scene in particular where Nick Caraway decides to let loose and, apparently, drops the bass.
                       Carey Mulligan (Drive) and Leonardo DiCaprio steal [what's left of] the show and suck the viewers in during the more serious parts of the film that are easier to take seriously. Joel Edgerton (Zero Dark Thirty) gives a commendable effort given the circumstances of sharing the screen with said talents and Tobey Maguire is cast well as Nick but does not seem to change much in character from Peter Parker in Spider-Man. The rest of the emotional supporting cast includes Jason Clarke (Lawless) and Isla Fisher (Wedding Crashers) who have their own problems as the Wilson couple. There is a reason this is such a great story about what has become of the American Dream, and this film is not the answer to this classic. Grade: 6.5/10

       

Cops and Robbers

Place Beyond The Pines-
Bear with me on this one for I am reduced to typing with only my right thumb and am left with out bold or italics thanks to the Internet being down. Good thing I spent $2.99 on this app, right? But I digress, where were we? Yes... the first real thriller since Michael Jackson! Got a new member of the family and need some extra cash? Oh and you mentioned you're a stud when it comes to driving a bike, correct? Perfect, there's an opening in town as a bank robber! This is how the thought process of Ryan Gosling works in Derek Cianfrance's latest mind boggling flick, The Place Beyond The Pines. As a disclaimer before entering the theater: bring the seat belt from the car with you because you'll need it. Or you can just hold on tight because the cinematography chases and takes the audience on a bumpy ride as you cheer on a criminal to make good his escape. Another catch to thicken the plot is a normal every day gold star cop turned to a crooked pig. Now that you have 2 of the 500 details in the scariest non horror film in recent memory you're ready to go! Ryan Gosling (as seen in Drive and the poster on every girl's bedroom wall) is not so pretty as he's dolled up with ink uglier than Lil Wayne and a pair of white pants that are soon to make a comeback from 1990. He's got his bike and his unexpected son as his motivation for a get rich quick scheme and the only person stopping him is himself and his loyal fan, Eva Mendes. On the other side of the spectrum is Bradley Cooper (who's found on the next blank spot on the wall that doesn't have a Ryan Gosling mug) who is just here to save the day and avoid any trouble that can be found in the office or on the streets. The twists and turns this movie takes while riding a dirt bike are not one to be missed along side Ray Liotta (he was in Goodfellas, I don't think they make posters of him) and his smile that just never leaves you alone. One can only hope Mr. Cianfrance has something else up his sleeve after making a strong voice heard and paranoia at every street corner.
Grade: 8/10

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