Jersey Boys

Hittin' The High Notes

Hey! Turn up the radio, will ya? Frankie and The Seasons are playin' c'mon!

            Try and mimic his voice. Sing me a line of Sherry or Big Girls Don't Cry real quick. You've done it in the car ride home from work and you do it in the shower whether someone is listening or not. As hard as we all try, it can't be done. Frankie Valli's smooth falsetto is something that cannot be duplicated. The story of the Four Seasons is one filled with struggle, confrontation, and fame that goes almost as high as their notes. Now that Clint Eastwood has adapted the Broadway smash hit of the same name, the past can be relived in full force. Let's take a minute and walk like a man, shall we?

            Early '50s. Newark, New Jersey. Bad side of town. Four Seasons' guitarist, Tommy DeVito (a truly hardcore Vincent Piazza) helps take the audience down memory lane by breaking the fourth wall and speaking straight to you from the street corner with a great accent, nonetheless. Along comes hometown good ol' boy Frankie Castelluccio but, you may know him by anotha name (don't know why he ever changed it in the first place). He works as a barber by day but pairs up with Tommy and makes a different kind of livin' once the moon goes down which may not be very legal (I won't tell if you won't, capish?). One thing that isn't a secret is Frankie-boy's angelic voice. Together, the duo becomes a trio to make a few extra bucks as lounge singers and that blossoms into the quartet of Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring.

             Clint Eastwood takes off his cowboy hat and puts on his director hat to bring the life of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons from the big stage to the big screen. This can be a difficult feat given that Jersey Boys has been nothing but an audience favorite and critically-acclaimed spectacle since 2006 when it first premiered on Broadway.

             The highest achievement in this film is that all four singers were not dubbed over at all during filming according to Mr. Eastwood in a recent interview on The Tonight Show. The talent and strength of John Lloyd Young's falsetto compared to the real thing is spot on and entrancing. Out of the rest of Four Seasons portrayed onscreen, Young is the only one that has taken his talents to both Broadway and film playing the same character. Besides Frankie and Tommy, the other two are Nick Massi and Bob Gaudio (Michael Lomendo and Erich Bergen). Christopher Walken is the epitome of what it means to be a supporting character and sticks it to the man as Gyp DeCarlo, the man behind the fame. One Side Note that also doubles as an Easter Egg is how Joe Pesci (yes, that one) was closely tied with Bob Gaudio's introduction to the band. You may think that's funny, but, Funny How?

            As a longtime fan of the Four Seasons' snappy toe-tapping hits, listening to them again a millionth time is a joy in and of itself but the speed bump that comes between Broadway and the silver screen is that there can only be so many details mixed with the music breaks before the audience becomes confused. While this isn't a musical per se, the time periods jump around a little too fast to not include time stamps as an indication. What makes up for it, though, is the strong and classically vibrant cinematography that could have been taken straight out of your grandparents' photo albums. All in all, it does what it is meant to, serve as a window to the past and croon you back to the sound we all miss. GRADE: 7.1/10

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Autobots: Roll Out... of Control

              Every action movie has an action hero that saves the day, or attempts to most of the time. Michael Bay takes on the fourth installment in what has gone on to become an international imprint into the interstellar mind. Transformers, Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, and now (drumroll please)... Transformers: Age of Extinction. Before I dive into the cacophony of the most recent film, I will go on record saying that at least it has the coolest name of the four. It pains me to be truthful about this film.

Okay, deep breath, I'm ready....

The Age of Extinction is 2014's worst summer blockbuster. There, I said it. exhale.

            For those Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch fans freaking out at what you are reading, bear with me. When one thinks of Transformers films the first thought is not an expectation of killer dialogue or deeply involved characters. That's no secret and if you have been looking forward to that throughout the previous three films then maybe buy a different ticket this time around. The hundreds of millions of fans around the world (mostly grown-up 80's kids) who have loved each one of Michael Bay's renditions of Hasbro's epic action figures love it for one reason and one reason only: the action. Seems obvious, right? See? I'm a smart guy. But I digress, onward!

Mark and Jack, watch out!

            The biggest problem I have: that even the element that makes these movies so watchable is the exact reason it is unwatchable this time around. Explosions and insane stunts make up around 80% of the Transformers films and this movie screams nothing but budget cuts and pyrotechnic flaw. The second biggest problem: it is 2 hours and 45 minutes long! Taking about an hour off of this duration would leave for some of the audience's personal time to be salvaged from the unbearably shaky and distracting cinematography as well as Mr. Mark Wahlberg's new career rock bottom.

            Filling the top-billed performance as this franchise's new superstar, Mark Wahlberg himself has taken his muscles and his Boston accent alllllll the way down to Texas. He is Cade Yeager (that's pronounced "jager" to the college kids in the audience) and he works out of his barn as a picker that buys and sells things just like the guys on the History Channel. His life's work contains using his findings to construct robotic intelligence and then try to resell this for some kind of profit. He is also the incredibly over-protective father to his knock out of a daughter, Tessa (Nicola Peltz, Bates Motel). Her hunky Irish boyfriend (Jack Reynor) gets in the way and ruffles the feathers of the Wahlberg brother nobody wants to cross. There are witty jokes to be had when the daughter's new squeeze slips a kiss in front daddy but unfortunately none of that is found and when there are attempts to lighten the mood it is uncomfortable and just badly timed. Bad vibrations this time around, Marky.


            Michael Bay has constructed a template with these movies. Let me be more specific... just watch the first three movies and the plot never changes, especially now. Only the character names do. The newcomers here include a conniving and brutal Kelsey Grammar (Cheers) who is truly in rare form even with his deep voice that doesn't seem to quit. Stanley Tucci (Hunger Games) plays the billionaire who mirrors an even crazier Steve Jobs and is on the verge of developing something that could break Optimus Prime once and for all and save mankind from the evils of the Transformers!

            The Dinobots! How could I forget the Dinobots?! Mixing up the game are imprisoned dinosaurs that have been forcefully evolved into the prehistoric fiends that can be seen in a movie trailer near you.

            There were parts, however, that even had me on the edge of my seat and it was very very cool to see a Bugotti and Lamborghini join forces with the cast. The career of Nicola Peltz will now be growing faster than Optimus Prime can transform. That can be taken to the bank. Something else that can be taken to the same bank is the check that Hasbro and Mr. Bay will be depositing because this is a phenomenon that will never die despite the quality of the movies. Mark, we still cool? I'm still a huge fan, just go back to Boston and chill out for a bit with your brothers and don't forget to say Hi to your mother for me, okay? GRADE: 5.5/10

         

Maleficent

Every Curse Can Be Broken

            Go ahead, say it.... Okay fine, I'll do the honors, Angelina Jolie's cheek bones are as beautiful as the Rocky Mountains. Since I have never seen the Rockies in person, I'll just have to settle with Disney's make-up department's superb performance in transforming Jolie. Maleficent is exactly what one would expect as a timeless tale is adapted onto the big screen using today's technology. But, what makes this movie as real as the magic in it is the smaller moments that give Angelina Jolie the chance to be human after all.

            From the opening scene it is no secret that the magic Disney created in 1959 with the original Sleeping Beauty cartoon is still alive. Maleficent's childhood as a powerful and creepily horned fairy girl quickly moves into her discovery of true love followed by betrayal. Why someone would double-cross Angelina Jolie with horns and those eyes, I'll never know. Maleficent seeks out the royal newborn girl of her betrayer and crashes her christening party in commendable fashion only fit for the wicked. You know the rest of the story.

            First of all, this film does not go too far into the characters and it does not dwell on every single back story. Those are both good qualities. Being a Disney movie, albeit classic among classics, the drama and sensibility are expected and come with the package deal right off the bat. It's the job of contemporary filmmakers to not modernize too much. Modernity is a good thing too but over-doing it will cast a spell that'll bury the film altogether.

That's why Maleficent should be given credit.

          Angelina Jolie has the perfect face to play this part to begin with but the added effects are top-notch. The sculpted cheeks, piercing eyes, marble skin, and fiercely intimidating horns. Her smile, stare, and enchantingly executed British accent are all excellent and scene-stealing but what really draws the audience in is her ability to create small, intimate, even comical, moments with the big personality that comes with such a role. Including one part when she hisses at baby Aurora to scare her and after the child is not startled she grits her teeth in disappointment and mutters, "I hate you." Maleficent's malevolent laugh could have been capitalized a little more, but that's just a side note. Her co-star, Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) is charming and beautiful beyond words. Her contagious laugh and smile have gotten her this far and will only take her higher being only 16 years old (how fitting!). She truly lives up to the status that surrounds the character of Sleeping Beauty and compliments Maleficent gracefully.

            It's impressive the way Disney carried out the visual effects in Maleficent but that doesn't mean all of it was needed. The pixies that take care of baby Aurora (Leslie Manville, Imelda Staunton, and Juno Temple) transitioned from small to life-size pretty well but it was the completely CGI'd creatures that needed a bit more work. The interaction between humans and graphics lacked a certain concrete element that kept it onscreen and 2-D. True love's heart is always in the right place and it's nice to see that Disney Studios have not lost touch with its legacy. GRADE: 6.9/10

         

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

A Web of Trouble

            Personally, I have had a fear of spiders my whole life. Something I live with, I guess. Go ahead, judge me. One thing I never thought I'd find myself being afraid of is a movie. But, nevertheless, I fear there may be an Amazing Spider-Man 3 succeeding the true horror that is this film.

            Marc Webb (coincidence? who knows) is at the helm for Spidey's second round in the ring that actually stays true to Stan Lee's beloved comic books. Unfortunately, he has produced what seems to be a disappointing and sub-par look into Peter Parker's life in the red and blue suit. Webb needs to get himself a new casting director for the third installment and ask the studio for a special effects team with a college degree. Too harsh of me? I don't know maybe a little bit. Go out and see it. But keep reading...

            I'll come right out and say it, the best part about this movie is the acting talent of Mr. Andrew Garfield. He caught everyone's eye in The Social Network, showed he had legit potential in The Amazing Spider-Man, and is now flanked by a flawed supporting cast. Garfield adds a cool touch to the character of Peter Parker that was never Tobey Maguire's strength and his American accent is something not to be ignored as a British actor. He has many little scenes in this film that really suck the audience in (Note: one part where he saves a young boy from bullies) especially with added humorous one-liners that fit him perfectly. He gives you the sense of definitely being able to trust someone like this whether he is a comic book character or not. But, it is very easy to become detached from this character when he is forced to read the kind of dialogue that was in this script. Alex Kurtzman's (Transformers) writing is the biggest bummer of this whole movie. Who am I to judge, right? As a student of writing, I have a bit of an idea of what bad writing looks and sounds like. This material included.

            Apart from Garfield, there's the ever-delightful Sally Field playing Peter's worrying, trustworthy, and loyal Aunt May. Emma Stone is really nothing to write home about reprising her role as Parker's love interest, Gwen Stacy. Dane DeHaan is a creepy and emo Harry Osborn. He pulls it off and comes off as strikingly intimidating but it is very hard to get past his voice that is not far off how I sounded in 8th grade. Then there's Jamie Foxx. He's given us incredibly electrifying performances and even has an Academy Award for his portrayal as Ray Charles. So, what in God's name is he doing playing an electric Smurf? Foxx plays Electro, an obsessed Spidey-Fan turned arch-rival. He is the greatest victim of the dismal dialogue and a complete 180 from the acting we're used to seeing from him, plus, the weak dub step that accompanies his blasts add factors to the equation. It just doesn't fit.

           In the end, it's safe to say that there's a lot this movie searched for and apparently its web became too big to handle. Over-reaching at it's finest. Sorry, Spidey. GRADE: 6.5/10

         

38th Cleveland International Film Fesitval

CIFF38: March 19-30, 2014

            As I write down the memories of my very first film festival, I admit I am a bit distracted by Daniel Day-Lewis' performance as Abraham Lincoln playing in the background of my apartment. Every single great film, including the one you quote on a daily basis, started with a single idea inside a creative mind. Sometimes these ideas never get past the dreamer's thoughts, but, for those who have a little more drive, that idea appears onscreen and tells a story that captures the attention of even the most random of audience members. Lincoln may be a biography, nevertheless, the vision of making the life of one of America's most revered figures into a film sat in Mr. Spielberg's head at one point. Everything that is great once had to become great.

            Movies are a part of life and I have made them a big part of mine. What better way to celebrate this passion than attending a film festival? Every year, usually in March, Cleveland is home to an International Film Festival that welcomes films from all over the world, most of which have to be accompanied by subtitles. I finally was able to attend it this year and better yet, with my father, Dale.

            After making the RTA trip to Tower City, we found our way to to the cinema. All you have to do is just take the escalator down to the bottom level and hang a left past the food court, you'll see the signs, don't worry. Anyway, we were lucky enough to see two films that afternoon. A Russian drama entitled The Major and an Irish documentary, Here Was Cuba. At the end of the festival, there are awards given out for various categories decided by a panel of judges but the top prize, The Roxanne T. Miller Audience Choice Award For Best Film, is decided by--you guessed it--the audience. How it works is, before each film, you are given a card with the film name, on each of the four corners there are the words EXCELLENT (4 Stars), GOOD (3 Stars), FAIR (2 Stars), and POOR (1 Star). After the movie is over you are to tear off the corner that indicates how you rate the film then place the card in a box held by one of the volunteers. The highest number of praises are calculated from there. Everyone's a critic, right?

            Since this blog revolves around film reviews, why not have a little fun:

            The Major is a Russian drama about crooked cops. A man is speeding through his gears down the street to greet his wife in labor. A young boy runs into the street and is brutally killed by the frantic driver. the only witness: the boy's mother. The driver is the major of the Russian police and, with a lot of help from his friends at the station, gets himself involved in a gripping and mind-boggling journey to cover his crime as well as his reputation. Despite being a touch slow during its 99 minutes, the action is heavy and unforgiving as we are taken into the way cops run things in Russia. Corner Ripped: GOOD (3 Stars)

            Here Was Cuba tells a story that is very familiar to many Americans. From the minds of Irish documentarians, the Cuban Missile Crisis was a point in America's, as well as the world's, history that could have ended a lot different. So different that I would not be able to type this right now. For a 22 year old kid like myself, a film like this is just what I need to see to fully appreciate the turmoil our country was in not too long ago. The tagline for this film is "A Cautionary Tale" and serves very well as so. Equipped with audio recordings inside JFK's Oval Office discussing these pressing matters with much worry and anticipation. Interviews included the likes of Kennedy's chief speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, and the son of Nikita Khrushchev, Leonid. The chilling music that is paired with the dialogues and interviews sucks you in as a viewer and re-creates this very worrisome time. There is no speculation or rumors about it, life on Earth almost ceased to exist in October 1962. Let's pray we can learn from our past. Corner Ripped: EXCELLENT (4 Stars)

             "Awesome! We're doing this again next year." Actual quote from my dad as we made our way back to the Rapid. Find Your Story at The Cleveland International Film Festival!

Muppets: Most Wanted

It Ain't Easy Being Green

            When I was 10 years old, I remember walking through the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. and seeing all the glamorous and historical icons of pop culture. Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, Fonzie's Leather Jacket, Michael Jordan's Bulls Jersey, and so much more evidence of Hollywood's footprint on society. Apart from everything else on display, there was one window in the corner by itself that seemed rather dimly lit so I wandered over and was met with a familiar face staring back that sticks in my mind clearer than all the other artifacts. Jim Henson's original Kermit The Frog puppet was now an off-green and very worn down. I imagine being controlled by a human arm can sure take a lot out of you. Nevertheless, he sits, silently, in the Smithsonian for a reason, and that reason is why we continue to love and never forget the things Kermy and his friends have taught us since childhood: Life's better surrounded with the ones you love and love you back.

            And now there's a sequel!

            The Frog. The Pig. The Bear. The Animal. The Weird Blue Thing With The Hook Nose<Gonzo>. They're locked, loaded, and ready for a good time so I hope you are too. These are The Muppets and now they are on a world tour with their show! They have a new manager (Ricky Gervais, Night at the Museum) that might have a different agenda for this mega road trip than originally planned. Gervais plays Dominic Badguy (that's "bad-jee") who is teamed up with Kermit's Russian doppelganger, Constantine, the Number 1 most wanted criminal on Earth. Kind of a bummer for someone who looks like you. Together, the East-European wannabe frog and Badguy are in pursuit of the Crown Jewels and they know a few puppets that can lead them right to it. This international journey might be the most fun you'll have so far in 2014 and there are a few surprises along the way!

            One of the signature elements that The Muppets have brought to television is their interraction with pretty much name on the Who's Who list. The number of celebrity cameos in James Bobin's film is expected but still appreciated every time you turn the corner. "Oh look it's [insert A-lister here]!" is an example something you'll be saying to yourself at least 37 times in the 112 minutes of its duration.

            Besides the one-liner cameos, the three homo sapiens that atop the cast list are Ricky Gervais (as mentioned), Tina Fey, and Ty Burrell (that guy from Modern Family that's not Ed O'Neill). Separately but equally, they add a comedic charm that mixes perfectly with the humor and excitement that comes with the Muppets. This won't be up for Best Picture in next year's Oscars but you can still count on old friends like these to deliver any time of the day. After all, "Time's fun when you're havin' flies!" Right? GRADE: 7.9/10

The 86th Academy Awards

             One of the best nights of the year in my opinion. The magic of the Oscars is something that no other award show can rival. This tradition is one that has morphed over the past 86 years into the most famous and coveted of honors.

             Part of the fun is making your own ballot which I have done every year in recent memory, this year included. I hope you enjoy my predictions and fill out your own printable ballot in anticipation for what awaits inside the envelopes later on tonight. Without further ado.... Shall we?

Best Picture
Will Win: 12 Years A Slave
Close Second: Gravity

Best Director
Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Close Second: David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best Actor
Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Close Second: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress
Will Win: Amy Adams, American Hustle
Close Second: Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years A Slave
Close Second: Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Close Second: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years A Slave

            Every year there are certain commendable performances that are believed to have been overlooked by the Academy altogether. Here are my top SNUBS of 2014:

Tom Hanks: Best Actor, Captain Phillips
Tom Hanks: Best Actor, Saving Mr. Banks

Joaquin Phoenix: Best Actor, Her

Emma Thompson: Best Actress, Saving Mr. Banks

James Franco: Best Supporting Actor, Spring Breakers

Blackfish: Best Documentary

Sit back and relax, The Academy Awards never fail to light up the night!