Locke

Taking Every Step

            A series of unfortunate events are all handled behind the wheel. Moment by moment. Locke is everything one could ask for when it comes to an unbelievable script with an unbelievably realistic plot. The similarity of this British "take" on James Franco's performance in the cringeworthy 127 Hours is set apart with an unending conversation that grounds the audience. Tom Hardy single-handedly anchors this one-scened mini thriller with an impossible amount of patience.

There's nothing to it. Sometimes a car is all you need to just go away.

            It's no secret that Tom Hardy is the new face of being the tough guy every viewer can trust. I mean c'mon, just look at his last name. He's punched brass knuckles through enemies' faces, bent minds with Leonardo DiCaprio, cracked skulls with James Gandolfini, and dismantled the Dark Knight. Now he's sitting in a car. Battling himself and his choices. Talking on the phone. This could be his finest hour.

            Director Steven Knight has orchestrated a controlled cacophony and placed Hardy in the driver's seat. Ivan Locke loves his family and his job. He's a respected construction manager as well as a perfectionist. It's obvious that this guy's passion in life is keeping everything in line and so far he's been quite successful. It's the night before the biggest concrete pour in the most important project of his career and he's gotten himself into a predicament that's hard to forgive but he persists in putting others before himself even if it costs him everything. While on the highway he has some serious conversations that are accompanied with twilight window glares and flashy camera shots that suck in the viewer and keep you scratching your head and leaning into what the next phone call could be.

            The dialogue between Locke and those on the other end of the line is casual and poetic. There is nothing difficult about the details and no complications that take away from what transpires. Quite low budget and independent, Tom Hardy displays a smooth and matured version of his core Brit accent but, as he takes on a new light shows that his greatness abides by no traffic laws. Locke is every synonym of level-headed and focused with every intention of simplicity. GRADE: 8.9/10

         

The Drop

Gandolfini Passes The Torch To Hardy

            Dennis Lehane wrote the book that inspired Mr. Martin Scorsese to direct Shutter Island. It is a great movie. Messes with your mind. You already know because you saw it. Well, Lehane is at it again only switching up genres from psychological thriller to crime drama. He wrote the novelization and screenplay for The Drop. There are moments that shine throughout the 106 minute duration and then there are times where you may question what's going on exactly. Nevertheless, we cannot forget this is James Gandolfini's final film and it looks like Tom Hardy may have found another area of the screen where he excels.

           Okay, what's a "drop?" Fantastic question, I'm glad you asked. In New York's bar scene, crime rules over all including the person who pours your shots. Bars act as money launderers as well as storage for other cash the mafia needs. Your name may be written in neons over the front door but always keep in mind that you are not the one running the show in this town. As the night goes on, middlemen stop by, may they order a drink, but be certain that they also make a different deposit. Actually, they drop it off for the bartender to hold until the boss comes around to pick it up. Smooth business, right. Let's just hope no one catches on to what your hiding under the whiskey bottles.

            This is Bob Saginowski (Tom Hardy, Warrior, Lawless). A bit of a lonely and timid guy, Bob likes going to church and working with his older cousin, Marv. They run a bar together and are a frequent stop to nightly "drops" from those who seeks deeds from the "real owners" of the bar. Bob comes across an abused pitbull puppy in a trashcan and his life changes. Nadia (a graceful Noomi Rapace) has her own dramatic and colorful history but is now a new friend to Bob and little Rocco. 

            Here's Marv. That's cousin Marv to you (Gandolfini. Tony Soprano. Respect). Owner of Cousin Marv's bar and (actual) first cousin to Bob. Marv's a hard-nosed person with a lot on his mind. He lives with his sister and together they worry about their dying father's medical bills. He's been in the business long enough to see rough times but he knows how to deliver a good time in a glass to those who seek (or demand) it. Don't expect too many drinks on the house from Marv, though.

            When a robbery occurs at Cousin Marv's, eyebrows are raised and questions asked, especially from a nosey cop played by an annoyingly good John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook). An Eastern-European  crime boss gets his feathers ruffled from some money lost while Marv and Bob were on the clock but that's not the end of it; other people, and animals, could be endangered as well if the next drop  runs into some speed bumps. 

            James Gandolfini died suddenly back in 2013. Tough guy extraordinaire. It's as clear as a light beer the talent that was lost. He steals the show with his strict and rigid ways of managing a bar and his fortifying respect for family. Subtle but brutal. When the movie was over I had to painfully remind myself that he was gone even though he seemed so alive onscreen. Thank you, James. We can do nothing but learn from what you've left.

           The first half of this film is superbly set up. There's a noir-eeriness that trouble could be around the corner but Tom Hardy makes you feel at home with his gentle care and innocent nature help watch out for those around him. Even though there are pent up moments reulting to be dull or anti-climactic, Hardy doesn't have to flex his muscles or throw punches to be great in this film. He very soft-spoken but even Cousin Marv advises "don't fuck with him." His performance as Bob is refreshing in a sense and he needs to truly harness these characteristics next time because there's perfection that lies ahead.

Hardy, Rapace enjoy coffee as Rocco hides in plain sight.

            There are not many movies that I can say I wished were longer. This was a comfortable, less-than-2 hours but it seemed to get a little fast for the senses as it drew to a close. another 15 minutes may have wrapped it up a little easier but it is still highly entertaining and a different look behind the bar. GRADE: 8.1/10

Guardians of the Galaxy

Sci-Fi Done Right

            Usually when a there's an alien abduction some heads will turn while others will shake in disbelief. Some of the most mind-bending moments in history revolve around the possible existence of intergalactic life. This time around, not only are heads turning to the lights in the sky, but people are flocking to join in on the fun of the summer's coolest movie!

Guardians of the Galaxy is the funniest sci-fi film since Mel Brooks' Spaceballs.

            Following his mother's death prolonged by illness, Peter Quill finds those lights in the sky staring back and sucking him up only to fast forward time 26 years. Quill (Chris Pratt finally stamping his talent in concrete) is a self-proclaimed badass and is now in a predicament concerning an infinitely powerful orb, some bad guys, some very bad guys, and some so-so guys that are after it.

             Chris Pratt really pulls off the oxymoron of being smooth but shaky during tense situations. His awkwardness accompanied with being handsome provides a balance of humor and cleverness all in one package. Helping him out along this ride is Gamora, the wicked-witch shade of green alien that gives a sharp and quick comeback to what Peter has to say and tries keeping the rest of the Guardians in line. Zoe Saldana (Avatar) is used to being decked out in colorful make-up by now and meshes well a sexy extraterrestrial.

Pratt and Saldana have their fun as the focal points of these usual suspects but the real showstoppers are found in rare form.

             Rocket: a hilariously-sarcastic raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper and can be added on his list of top roles to date.

             Dave Bautista hangs up his SmackDown wrestling tights and takes on Drax the Destroyer
. He is covered in fiery tribal marks and undoubtedly delivers some of the funniest one-liners of the film with his literal take on life and heart as big as his biceps.

            Then there's Groot. Just by hearing the name you can already picture what he may look like. Groot is a tree. He says only the same three words and is the epitome of a gentle giant. This is exactly what Vin Diesel would probably look like if he was not human and provides the voice for the best cast role of the film. Both Cooper and himself team up and prove the leaps and bounds voices can make even paired alongside human characters.

            By now you should have figured out that there are literally no dull moments to be found.

 It's no longer a secret that the soundtrack of this movie is the number one album in the country due to the irresistibly toe-tapping classic hits. It adds nothing more than a perfect flow from scene to scene and makes the film in its entirety that much easier to watch. Great music means great movie, right? one usually follows the other and it is without a doubt that the soundtrack to Guardians of the Galaxy will go down in film history along with other classics such as Forrest Gump.

            The make-up department can see the nominations coming its way as it is all made impeccably real and gives life to what lies in space. I can't be too lame and say the the special effects are "out of this world, man!" but they are UNIVERSE-ally entrancing (told ya, keeping it cool) and vibrant from beginning to end.

             Even though this is based off Marvel Comics' story, the plot references and characters are surprisingly easy to follow but this can all be traced back to the success of director James Gunn (Dawn of the Dead writer) and his team of writers and casting directors. The cameos of Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro, and John C. Reilly are just enough to give the audience it's fill of veterans and still have fun with the story. Word of Advice: There's no shame in dancing in the theater aisles, just saying. GRADE: 8.4/10