"Alien" Retro Review

For the fifth and final film in my Halloween series, I have chosen the only film I know that is able to actually frighten me (at my current age). For the past few years, it has been my standard Halloween night movie. The film I speak of is not a horror film per say, but rather teeters on the edge of horror/science fiction. Not only did it spawn a franchise that lasts to this day, it also kickstarted the career of noted filmmaker, Sir Ridley Scott. I am talking of the 1979 classic Alien.

Set in the year 2122 aboard the spaceship Nostromo, a crew of seven is sent to explore a beacon in the deep recesses of space. When one of them is infected during the ground expedition, he unwittingly unleashes a monster onboard the ship. He brings back...the Alien.

The film starts out rather slow, beginning with the crew coming out of stasis and adjusting to the new environment. It takes at least half an hour for anything major to occur. But when it does, it's frightening. If you are one of the people who are afraid of things popping out of no where, steer clear of Alien. Otherwise, it's a tense, organic, thrilling story that doesn't slow down once it starts up. The slow beginning is the sole complaint I have about the film, but for the person that doesn't normally watch scary films, this is the perfect one to bring you into the world. It's got a bit of everything. It has action, drama, slight comedy, science fiction, and above all, the ability to make you jump if you've never seen it before. Most of all, it's one of the first sic-fi movie to have a strong woman lead, and strikes a blow for female empowerment, getting away from the long standing, space damsel in distress cliche.

Sigourney Weaver, the undisputed Queen of Science Fiction, owns this movie. She portrays Ellen Ripley, the warrant officer aboard the Nostromo. She's proud, confident, and not afraid to get the bottom of something. Scott never puts her in danger where she needs to be rescued by the dashing hero. Rather, and to steal from Breaking Bad for a moment, she IS the danger. She handles herself in any situation, she is strong, she doesn't need anyone to hold her hand.

Ian Holm, whom modern audiences most likely recognize as the Bilbo Baggins seen in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, portrays Ash, the ship's science officer. His performance is comparable to Leonard Nimoy's Spock. He is emotionless, cold, calculating, and logical. But his reasons are different from Spock's as you will see. I can't say much without revealing the plot, but what Holm does, he does well.

If you're tucking in the little ones after a night of trick or treating, and you want something appropriate to watch, I highly recommend Alien. It's a sci-fi horror ahead of its time.

B+

"Predator" Retro Review

For my next Halloween themed review, I have chosen the 1987 action horror film, Predator. Out of the films that I have chosen for scary review week, this is easily one of the more traditional amongst them.

In the jungles of Central America, an elite team of special forces led by Major Alan "Dutch" Schaefer are sent in to rescue a presidential cabinet minister being held hostage by guerrilla forces. While they trek deeper into the jungle, they are horrified to discover that they are being hunted by something much more dangerous than rebels, something otherworldly, the Predator.

When it comes down to it, the plot of Predator is fairly cut and dry. It's pretty basic horror movie structure, where the monster picks off the victims one by one. What does separate it from others of its kind is the fact that it also presents itself as an action movie. Whereas a traditional horror movie may have its victims portrayed as helpless teenagers in a cabin for the weekend, the Predator's intended prey are hulking men such as Arnold Schwarzenegger or Jesse "The Body" Ventura who can more than handle themselves in a confrontation. (Fun Fact: Both men would later become United States Governors of California and Minnesota respectively before they returned to acting.) While the team scours the jungle, weapons in hand, they find they are no direct match for the extraterrestrial hunting them for sport. Still they attempt to hold their own, and try to take him down. It's a rather thin plot when it comes down to it, but it's still a pretty fun watch.

This isn't really a movie that requires high caliber acting, or anything really notable about the performances. Yet there's nothing that makes it stand out as bad. Arnold Schwarzenegger does his usual shtick of being muscular and badass, but there's really nothing to make this standout amongst other his other movies. It does contain some of his most memorable scenes, but again, he doesn't do anything spectacular.

The same goes for Carl Weathers, Jesse Ventura, and a nameless brigade of men with muscles on top of their muscles.

If there is an Andrew's Standout for this film, it wouldn't be an actor, it would be the Predator costume. The makeup effects and and the overall quality is quite remarkable. Coming from an age prior to the routine use of computer imaging such as Avatar, the mask, the skin, all looks fantastic. The actor inside, Kevin Peter Hall, makes great use of the costume. It was almost as though the creature was real.

If you're looking for a fun movie to watch prior to halloween, Predator is a decent choice. The acting is nothing spectacular, but otherwise, it's a great ride.

B

"Rush" Review

We all have that person in our life that drives us to push ourselves further. They aren't your friend, because in your eyes, they are your enemy. Sometimes the rivalry is playful and all in good fun. In the case of James Hunt and Niki Lauda, it was ferocious and obsessive.

Rush is the story of the rivalry between Hunt and Lauda. Two formula racing drivers with a longing to be world champion. When things get really heated, it becomes clear that this is about more than just racing.

In order for a sports movie to work, there needs to be at least a shadow of a doubt towards the outcome of the ending. It doesn't matter if it is based on a true story like Moneyball or this movie, or if it is a fictional story like Million Dollar Baby. If it at all feels certain that the protagonist(s) is going to either win or lose, all momentum is gone, and there is nothing to retain the viewers interest. For example, lets say someone makes a movie about the World Champion 1986 New York Mets. You could walk into that movie knowing EXACTLY how the events played out in real life. Yet if the director and the writers do their job correctly, you will be at the edge of your seat until Jesse Orosco strikes out Marty Barrett at the end of Game 7.

Ron Howard and his team solve this problem head on. Rather than setting up either one of the racers as the hero, they create a dual protagonism. Both racers are treated equally, with no clear indication of who Howard wants us to cheer for. They each represent different qualities, and both have something the other lacks. Lauda is a calculating genius, but lacks people skills. Hunt on the other hand is charming and personable, but lacks a grounded sense of responsibility. This is a fascinating conundrum on the typical sports movie. Whoever you choose to root for, you won't be wrong to do so.

Chris Hemsworth takes on a role different from his usual fantasy/action fare. He is charming and sophisticated, yet at the same time he is carefree. He brings an interesting playboy angle to the role, and proves that he doesn't need a hammer or a sword in his hands to be interesting. When he was first cast as Thor, I predicted that he would develop into one of the most bankable and talented stars in Hollywood. I'm glad to discover I wasn't wrong.

However, Andrew's Standout is Daniel Brühl, whom you remember as Frederik Zoller in Inglourious Basterds. He brings a cold, calculating side to Niki Lauda, one that makes sense within the confines of the character. Lauda isn't afraid to speak his mind, and Brühl isn't afraid to take him there. He is realistically anti-social, fiercely determined, and unrelentingly competitive. A Supporting Actor nomination isn't out of the cards.

I'm normally one to talk about the style of a film, but Howard is a visionary. The cinematography here is derivative of the 1970's style. The POV shots are rather inventive, be they from a person or an object. Howard is one of the most stylistic directors in the business.

See this movie. I personally guarantee that it will come up around Oscar time. It's one of the most innovative sports movies in recent years.

A-

"The Silence of the Lambs" Retro Review

The third film in my Halloween series is arguably the most acclaimed. It went down as history as the first horror type film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, the third film to sweep the big five categories: Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Writing, and it is submitted in the U.S. Library of Congress for being deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant." I am speaking of course of The Silence of the Lambs.

The Silence of the Lambs is about young FBI trainee Clarice Starling who is helping to track down wanted killer "Buffalo Bill" known for skinning his victims. To achieve this, she travels to Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, in hopes of enlisting the aid of convicted cannibal killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

If you start watching this film with the preconceived notion that it is a straight out horror movie, you will be pleasantly taken aside by the fact that is rather a well blended mix of crime and horror. It is shocking at places with some disturbing images, but those never feel inorganic. It is a masterful combination of two genres that don't completely mix on paper. However, the story flows through, and the action paints itself across the canvas with both of those brushes. There is resolution, emotion, and above all, realism. It doesn't ask you to suspend your disbelief, and in doing so, it creates images that can exist in our world, which make the film all that more chilling.

Jodie Foster plays Agent Starling with a sense of inexperience and novice to the FBI world. However she also comes across as courageous when the situation calls for it. She could have easily been the damsel in distress, but she stands out as a symbol of female empowerment.

Make no mistake, this film belongs to Anthony Hopkins. Considering that he is in the movie for less than 17 minutes, that says a lot. He plays Dr Hannibal Lecter with his calm, chilling, and charming demeanor. It is stated that he is able to control his heart rate, and given what we see from this sociopathic genius, its not too difficult to believe. Given the nature of his character, and how we perceive people like him in real life, in theory we should hate him. Yet Hopkins brings an eerie, inexplicable sense of likability. We find ourselves wanting to see more of him, and we look forward to when he re-appears.

See this movie. Then see it again. Not only is it a terrific mix of crime and horror, it is possibly the highest quality thriller film ever made.

A

"First Blood" Retro Review

Before the age of digital blood splatter, sets made of green screens built in airport hangars, there were the days of squibs, blood packs, and real life locations. Mind you, this isn't to say that either way of filmmaking is better than the other. Both achieve excellent finished products. However, the pre-contemporary effects utilized in First Blood create a nostalgia for the classic action movies of the 1980's.

John Rambo is a grizzled Vietnam veteran passing through town, and all he wants is something to eat. However, the Sheriff mistakes him for a drifter and attempts to drive him out of town. When they trigger Rambo's PTSD, the sheriff will regret the day that he drew First Blood.

What separates First Blood from the usual 80's shoot em' up fare (including the films own sequels), is that through the massive carnage and destruction that John Rambo leaves in his path, the movie is quite thought provoking. It offers an interesting look at PTSD and how easily it can be triggered. What we also learn is not to judge every thing by its appearance, and how dangerous the consequences can be if you do it to the wrong person. The action itself (no matter how implausible it may come across as) is an interesting conundrum. One has to ponder who the actual victim is in this film. Is it John Rambo who wanted nothing more than to sit down and eat on his way home? Or is it the brigades of officers that Rambo hunts in the woods? It is all a matter of the viewers perception, and left to your own imagination.

In my review of Escape Plan, I said that Sylvester Stallone had lost his way of late. For an example of what Stallone is capable outside of the Rocky movies, here is where to look. He captures the essence of John Rambo with the hardcore aggression that he is known for nowadays, but he is also quite soulful and more human than he has presented himself recently. He is scared, flawed, and above all crafty. He portrays Rambo as someone who knows how to get out of any situation, and there is only one man who can stop him.

Enter Richard Crenna as Colonel Trautman, the leader of Rambo's platoon in Vietnam. Rather than just being a one note man from his past who comes in to say "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Crenna's character serves almost as a father figure to Rambo. He is hard-nosed militarily, yet comes across as the sole person who could possibly understand what Rambo is going through.

Check out this movie. Some of the stunts teeter on the edge of believability, but otherwise, it is a very solid action flick that will actually wake up your brain.

B

ORIGINAL "Captain America: The First Avenger" Review

The following is my original review of Captain America: The First Avenger as it originally appeared when the film was first released. This was before I started this blog, or developed my now trademark review format. I will be re-watching the film and writing a better review shortly before Captain America: The Winter Soldier is released this coming April, but given that promotional material for that film is now emerging, I thought it would be fun to see my immediate thoughts from the first film. The remainder of this article consists of my original review.

Finally.

I have stated that this is the one I’ve been waiting for. Was I disappointed like I was with “Green Lantern”, or was it everything I hoped it would be?

Gladly, it was the latter.

Captain America is my favorite Marvel superhero. I wanted this one done right. Luckily, the man behind the camera was Joe Johnston. The visionary man who designed the Millenium Falcon, and came up with the Indiana Jones desert truck scene. He does not disappoint.

There were so many names being tossed around for the role of Steve Rogers. When I heard they had cast Chris Evans, a man with little more under his belt than “Not Another Teen Movie”, “Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World”, and the comedic Human Torch in the awful “Fantastic Four” series, I was shocked. All fear is put to rest, as Evans gives a fine performance full of heart and courage for the little guy.

The plot works. The exciting hero of of World War II, fighting Nazis and bringing democracy to the world is lifted from the pages of Marvel Comics, and becomes a cinematic roller coaster.

There are nods to all the little things in the mythos that makes Captain America great. The “Hitler Punch”, the pajama costume, the triangle shield. They all get their homage, which shows how ridiculous they were in the first place, but if they weren’t there, I would have been disappointed.

I won’t go into details about the story, but I will say the ending made me cry.

Sebastian Stan makes for a terrific Bucky. The update from the Robin wannabe to the the adult sniper of recent stories is chillingly well appreciated. And at least one person from Gossip Girl can act. (cough)

Tommy Lee Jones is the star-power of this film. Playing the hard nosed colonel we see in every military movie since the days of Chaplin. However, it is not dull. Jones is his own man. He falls not into a cliche. I would pay to hear him read from the phone book.

Hugo Weaving. What can I say. There is no one else I could imagine to play The Red Skull. (Except maybe Christoph Waltz, but he can’t play Nazis forever.) His performance is a refreshing nostalgia to the old time villains killing for what he needs, even if he doesn’t need to. He is hauntingly terrific. And that makeup is a work of art.

Stanley Tucci exudes excellence from every word. I will say no more.

All in all, Captain America is a perfect film. I adored every single frame of film. A retro pro-USA movie, a “lets all root for the little guy”, an exciting work of art, pure magic. 

10 out of 10.

"Vampire's Kiss" Retro Review

The second film in my Halloween series is the 1988 Nicolas Cage film, Vampire's Kiss. I teased this film as being the most insane film I have ever viewed. I should rephrase that statement. This film has the most insane acting I have ever seen. I'm still not totally sure if that is the right way to get my point across, so please examine the video evidence below, and you'll understand what I'm talking about.

I'll get back to that later.

Vampire's Kiss is about an already mental unstable literary agent, who after being bitten by a woman during a sexual encounter, believes himself to be turning into a vampire. He begins to act much more irrationally than he already was, and demands that his secretary locate a file from nearly 20 years ago. He becomes obsessed with his perceived transformation, and soon goes off the deep end.

The story is very well written, and features an extremely interesting concept. The exploration of a horror story in relation to someone already with extreme behavior is particularly engaging. You never quite know what is going on in relation to the tone. Is it a horror film, is it a thriller, or is it an exploration of mental instability. However, the execution is rather off. But, as I said I'll get to that.

Right now.

When you watch Nicolas Cage in this movie, one word comes to mind: WHAT!? He is wooden, hollow, and at one point LITERALLY chews the scenery. He is far to distracting, and too ridiculous for this film to pass itself off as anything other than an unintentional comedy. He puts on an accent that appears and disappears at random moments, and comes off as creepy, but not in the sense that the director most likely intended. It creates some of the most memorable scenes in Cage's career, merely due to the accidental hilarity behind them.

 I have said it before, I'll say it once more, (BOOM rhyme) Nicolas Cage IS a good actor. Here, he clearly didn't have the right direction. If you want an example of good Nicolas Cage, I can personally recommend Matchstick Men, The Rock, Raising Arizona, National Treasure, Kick-Ass, and Leaving Las Vegas. Here, is not his best work, but it may be his funniest.

I'd say check this out. It doesn't work as the serious film it is trying to present itself as, but it will go down as a cult classic.

C+

"The Dark Knight Rises" Review

About a year ago, I made a promise to several people that I would get around to reviewing The Dark Knight Rises. A number of circumstances got in the way of me doing so. Now that I am back in full swing of the business, I feel that now is as good a time as any to review the third biggest film of 2012.

Set 8 years after the events of the previous film, The Dark Knight Rises finds Bruce Wayne in a state of reclusion. He has hung up his cape and cowl, and hides away in his mansion. But when Commissioner Gordon is hospitalized, and Gotham comes under the threat of a behemoth named Bane, Bruce realizes that his work as Batman may not be finished.

There was enormous pressure to follow up The Dark Knight with something equally as spectacular. Given Christopher Nolan's hesitance to come back unless he had a superior script, one would have expected a masterpiece. While the film isn't a failure in any sense of the word, it's never as well crafted as it should be. The story, while engaging, feels rather loose. It leaves several things up to the imagination. While suspension of disbelief is required for something of this type, several of the plot points fail logically. Though the characters are well written, and the development feels natural, the pay off at the end of the film doesn't really cut it. It strays a bit from the comics, not to the extent of Iron Man 3, but enough for you to feel as though it doesn't do them complete justice. That isn't to say it is a bad movie. It's just never as good as it could be.

Christian Bale easily gives his best performance out of the entire trilogy. While in the previous film, he felt rather dry and sidelined, in this one he is front and center, and given much more to work with. He is determined yet flawed, a quality that we haven't really seen in previous Batmen. He is much more human and grounded than we have ever seen before. Something that easily makes him stand out. Although I have complete faith in Ben Affleck, he does have a hard act to follow.

But though he stands out, Bale is not Andrew's Standout. That honor belongs to Tom Hardy as Bane. A role once played by a professional wrestler known as "The Jeep" who did little more than grunt his name over and over like a Pokemon. Hardy bulks up, and crafts a performance that already stands out as iconic. (How many of you can really say that you haven't tried to imitate the voice?) The way that Karl Urban only uses his jaw in Dredd, all that Hardy makes use of are his eyes. Yet with a villainous glare, and a grasp of his vest with two hands, he instills terror on par with Heath Ledger's Joker.

Also making her debut in the trilogy is Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle. Rather than just eye candy in a catsuit, she represents a moral ambiguity that has been somewhat under represented in the trilogy until this point. You are never quite sure where she stands, but she plays it off so well. She is sleek, dark, and mysterious. She brings it all to the film.

Also included are fine performances by Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Marion Cotillard.

It's a rather decent film, but it doesn't quite live up to the standard set by it's predecessor. Otherwise, it's worth a look.

B-

"Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa" Review

What separates Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa apart from the other films is the franchise is that this film attempts to present itself with a narrative composed of a beginning, middle, and end rather than just a calvacade of pain inflicting (admittedly hilarious) stunts and pranks. Yet despite this, it still takes place in the real world, with Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicoll, and a select few other planted extras being the only people aware of that is going on is just a movie.

Bad Grandpa is the story of recently widowed Irving Zisman, whose daughter has just violated her parole and charges him with delivering his grandson Billy to his father in North Carolina. Along the way, they engage in several hijinks.

I don't think anyone went into this film expecting an actual story, yet the fact that it tries to wrap its various pranks and stunts with an actual (albeit loose) plot is rather impressive. Its not as consistently funny as previous Jackass films are, but in the spots where the humor occurs, it is laugh out loud hilarious. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll have a great time. Surprisingly, it is not only transcendently humorous, but the plot actually has heart. Mind you it isn't deeply emotional and on the level of a tragedy, but if you feel nothing for the characters, you are in the wrong theater.

Johnny Knoxville has never been an above average actor, but give the man credit, he is good at what he does. The fact that he has gone through thirteen years of Jackass suffering nothing more serious than a torn urethra is not only miraculous, but shows how durable and determined he is. Here, he doesn't break character until the camera stops rolling, and when he's on, he's having fun with himself.

I must also give credit to young Jackson Nicoll. For someone his age, he is surprisingly professional. You would think that an eight year old it would be blurt it out, and reveal the joke to the targets, but he sustains the ruse on par with Knoxville. Well done.

Go for it, and stay all the way through the credits. It's not only the best comedy in theaters right now, it's surprisingly gripping.

B+

"Transformers: Dark of the Moon" Review

There are movies that are well made and engaging. There are movies that are awful messes. Transformers: Dark of the Moon is filed into the second category, yet it classifies as a movie that you check out with your buddies without regards to the quality.

If you insist on trying to find a plot in this movie, I'm sorry, I have no clue what to say, so i'll let the film's official press release do that for me.

When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us.

I have very little to really say about the story other than the fact that I couldn't really understand what was actually going on. When the film introduces a story thread, it never really follows through with it, and abandons it. Characters are introduced, and leave the narrative rather abruptly. When the movie leads to you to believe that some major has just changed the game, you don't believe it. Not in the sense that you find it interesting, I mean as in you're just not buying it. Fans of the source material may have a better understanding of the story, yet to audiences unfamiliar, they will most likely find themselves lost. Still, it is an improvement over the garbage that is Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. But not by much.

Shia LaBeouf is clearly phoning it in here. In the two previous installments, he was rather acceptable. Yet in this film, he is acting for his paycheck at the end of the day. What he tries to pass off as acting is nothing more than screaming his dialogue, and trying to ride his old Even Stevens personality of fast talking and fidgeting. It just doesn't pass anymore now that he's trying to evolve as an actor. He has talent, he just didn't bring it with him here.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is brought in as the female lead to replace Megan Fox. Yet she's terrible. I have no creative way of saying other than just to say it. She is terrible. She's nothing more than eye-candy. Her delivery is flat, her emotion non-existent, she just does not manage to pass muster in this movie whatsoever.

What makes it that much worse, is that it completely squanders the potential of both John Malkovich and Ken Jeong, who may have actually added something to this film. Unfortunately, they are shoved in as Shia's co-workers and disappear almost immediately. For shame, Michael Bay.

Andrew's Standout for this film would be Leonard Nimoy. He voices the character of Sentinel Prime, and does so with the same brilliance he brought to the role of Spock. He doesn't do anything fantastic with the role, yet at the same time, he doesn't do anything bad either. He has one of the most recognizable and interesting voices of all time, and that lends a little weight to this dangerously thin film.

The main positive aspect of this film are the undeniably spectacular special effects and visuals. The action scenes are well choreographed, and mesh well with the CGI better than most films. I can't help but feel that if Michael Bay paid the same attention to writing and getting the most out of his actors that he clearly does to his choreography and visuals, he would produce much higher quality work.

I would skip this movie, unless you really feel the need to complete the trilogy. Against my better judgement, I am giving Bay the benefit of the doubt and plan to see Transformers: Age of Extinction due to his casting of both Mark Wahlberg and Kelsey Grammer, and his surprisingly acceptable movie Pain and Gain. But fair warning Mr. Bay, tread lightly. This next film could restore or destroy your reputation.

D

"American Psycho" Retro Review

Given the time of year, and the certain holiday coming one week from tonight, I have decided to review a few of my personal favorite scary movies in the spirit of Halloween. First up, we have the 2000 psychological thriller that first showed us the true potential of Christian Bale, American Psycho.

Set in the business world of the 1980's, American Psycho is the story of wealthy investment banker Patrick Bateman. He is brutally honest about in his conversations, and open about himself at every turn, except for the fact he is secretly a blood thirsty serial killer. When he feels as though the rug is being pulled out from underneath him, will Patrick collapse?

What sets this film apart from the cliche slasher flick is that it does not present itself as a horror movie outright. Though it is intensely grim in some areas, it is not afraid to have fun when it feels appropriate. If you've ever seen the Oliver Stone film Wall Street, you'll recognize similar themes in this film. It doesn't treat the fact that the main character is a part time serial killer with kid gloves, yet it doesn't cram the notion down your throat. It has a casual manner of going about it. It has an easy going way about it, however, it has some of the most intense and disturbing scenes I have ever witnessed. It may be one of the few successful mergers of horror and comedy.

The film went through several candidates for the lead role of Patrick Bateman. At one point, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Edward Norton were attached to play the part. Three of them are exceptional actors, don't get me wrong. But when looks at Christian Bale's exceptional performance, its hard to imagine someone else doing it. Bale showcases a casual demeanor, which in the blink of an eye, he is able to transform into a raw intensity. He is the atypical 80's business mogul, but never feels cliched. He is pure energy in the scenes that call for it, yet can simmer down as though nothing has happened in the next moment.

Reese Witherspoon doesn't get much screen-time as Bateman's fiancé, and thankfully so. She feels flat and two dimensional as though she is nothing more than tokenism. Her delivery is wooden and stereotypical.

Andrew's Standout for this movie would have to be the phenomenal Willem Dafoe. His performance as the detective in the case of one of Bateman's victim is about equally as brief as Witherspoon's. But unlike Reese, Willem is able to make it work to his advantage. You never quite know exactly what he knows. There are spots where you think that he knows Patrick's secret, there are others where you think he is oblivious, and there are even some when is he a conundrum that you just can't read. This may have been an aesthetic decision by the director, but Dafoe is able to do so much with so little.

This movie should be in your Halloween repertoire. It is a modern classic worthy of rotation and repeated viewings on a yearly basis. Just be sure to return your videotapes! (inside joke)

B+

"World War Z" Review

We all know the story of "The Little Engine That Could." A small engine is tasked with bringing a large train to the top of a hill, but no one believes that it has the ability to do it. Despite the overwhelming odds, it manages to succeed.

For 2013, World War Z was Paramount Studio's little engine that could. The film began shooting in 2011, and went over budget rather quickly. The film, despite being based on a best selling novel, didn't have an ending written until shooting was almost over. Even then, the ending was not good enough for executives, so reshoots had to be done, pushing the release of the film even further from its original release date. No one expected this film to succeed, some thought it would fail to even break even. Others thought that the several script rewrites would have a detrimental effect on the film's overall quality. Despite the overwhelming odds given to this engine, it somehow made it to the top of the hill of box office success and quality.

World War Z is the tale of a zombie apocalypse which overtakes the Earth in a very brief period of time. In order to ensure the protection of his family, former United Nations employee Gerry Lane agrees to come out of retirement to attempt to find where the infection originated.

In recent years, there has been a plethora of monster films that try to appeal to mainstream audiences by making the creatures within seem relatable, conflicted, or "sexy." Sometimes, it works rather well and produces excellent cinema (Warm Bodies). Sometimes, it just hurts your head and has horrible acting (Twilight). In this romanticized age of creature features, it was refreshing to see a modern movie that not only treats the monsters with classic cinema xenophobia, but also incorporate more advanced, modern day touches. The story has the classic zombie tropes such as the fear of being bitten, but also has some more dramatic intuition when it tries to solve the epidemic. It is an excellent mashing of action, horror, and drama, that works.

Brad Pitt is indeed Andrew's Standout for this movie. Rather than playing the willing soldier, he plays his character with an almost John McClane personality. He doesn't want to do what is asked of him, but begrudgingly does so to protect the ones he loves. He is calm, collective, and knows how to handle himself in a situation.

Mainstream audiences may not be too familiar with the rest of the cast, but it also includes excellent supporting performances by Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale, and the new "Doctor" in Doctor Who lore, Peter Capaldi, (Ironically working as a doctor in the W.H.O. facility).

I went into this movie with low expectations, but I came out pleasantly surprised. I say go for it. You may be surprised too.

B+

"Iron Man 3" Review

Following the mammoth success of The Avengers, expectations for the first Marvel film to follow it were almost unreachable. Financially, Iron Man 3 was a success. But was it the follow-up people were clamoring for? I'm afraid not.

Following the alien invasion seen in The Avengers, Tony Stark has secluded himself in his lab building one Iron Man suit after another. He is forced to deal with the emergence of The Mandarin, a deadly terrorist with unknown origins or intentions. He is assisted by his secretary/girlfriend Pepper Potts, and his friend Colonel James Rhodes whose War Machine armor has been redesigned as "Iron Patriot". He must also deal with a mysterious man from Pepper's past, Aldrich Killian and his invention "Extremis."

The story and characters work in some places yet feel unfulfilled in others. The decision to portray Tony Stark with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) was a smart move by the writers. His anxiety attacks which occur when someone reminds him of the battle of New York work. They feel as though they belong, and they are a valid excuse for the excessive amount of Iron Man suits Tony has constructed since. They have even been praised by well known psychiatrists as realistic.

Where the film fails is that it strays too far from the source material and tries to add humor where it is not necessary. It includes far too much slapstick and a few too many one-liners. At the risk of outing myself as an avid comic book reader (I am trying to avoid the term "nerd"), Iron Patriot was not a redesign of War Machine. Iron Patriot was a modern day alter ego of Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin).

Also the film includes a twist that not only feels thrown in for the heck of it, but absolutely ruins one of the best traditions in the Iron Man comics. I will go no further, as it is impossible to do so without spoiling the movie and thus violating my personal code. Yet, I will say that the film does not really have any solid reason for doing so other than trying to shock the audience.

Andrew's Standout for this film is the second of my top three favorite actors of all time: Robert Downey Jr. His performance as Tony Stark has everything that we have come to expect from it: the wit, the charm, the self-confidence. However, this movie adds a new element for Robert to try. His PTSD brings out a serious side to Downey that hasn't really come out since Chaplin back in 1992. His organic development from reckless, playboy weapons dealer into a serious hero with a stable relationship over the span of these films has been a fun ride to go on. If he drops the role after The Avengers 3, I will be upset, but he will have well earned his rest.

Sir Ben Kingsley portrays The Mandarin, and he does an excellent job of doing so. However, the direction that the writers chose to take his character leads me to believe they would have been better off casting someone of less prestige. He does phenomenally in what he is given to work with in the beginning, but overall he feels as though the film wastes his talents.

For a sense of getting the full story, see the movie. It will most likely build something towards The Avengers: Age of Ultron. But on its own, it teeters on the edge of good story.

B-

"The Way, Way Back" Review

In the midst of a summer packed with superhero films, animated sequels, and giant robots beating sea-monsters with freighter ships as though they were using a baseball bat, the world unfortunately glossed over some of the finer films released this year. The most touching and honest of which was The Way, Way Back.

The Way, Way Back tells the story of a teenager Duncan who, with his mother, her emotionally abusive boyfriend Trent, and Trent's daughter Steph, travel to Trent's beach house in Cape Cod. Duncan, who is socially awkward and keeps to himself, soon finds a friend in Owen, the manager of the local water park. When he gets a job at Water Wizz, Duncan finally comes out of his shell.

This film, unlike most summer comedies, doesn't pretend that everything in a family works. They all clash, they quibble, they need to get away from each other. It may be one of the most honest portraits of the American family seen in recent years. When the action shifts to the water park, the portrait fills more of the canvas. The unique brigade of personalities that we meet working here shouldn't fit together the way they do, much like any workplace in America. Yet when push comes to shove, they are a family in their own right. More specifically, they are the family that Duncan needs.

Liam James plays Duncan with the shy, wall-floweriness that we all can relate to at one point or another. He fruitfully captures the true isolationism that many people experience. His development to what we see towards the end feels slow, yet organic. Never forced.

Steve Carell goes against type for the first time I have seen...well ever. He plays Trent, the boyfriend to Duncan's mom, who has a less than ideal relationship with our young hero. Most people are not used to seeing Carell not shrieking, or acting with a lower intelligence. Here he tackles the typical mean stepfather role with his Steve Carell touch. Seeing him unlikable for a change is a new feeling, but it is proof that he can explore new territory.

The film also features stellar performances from Rob Corddry, Maya Rudolph, and Allison Janney.

For this film, Andrew's Standout is the transcendent, scene-stealing Sam Rockwell. His performance as water park manager Owen is easily the most enjoyable part of the film. He is witty, funny, and immature. He is the epitome of the man who refuses to act his age. But when Duncan needs him, he is there. Sam is the catalyst that makes this film work. He has a motor mouth, and sharp delivery to match.

See this movie. It's not your usual popcorn fare, but it is a great film experience to break away from the ever growing sea of repetitive blockbusters.

B+

"Star Wars" Retro Review

There is one movie out there that jump started a cultural phenomenon that no one expected. Before it was even filmed, no one wanted it. Even 20th Century Fox who ended up picking it up had little faith in it. So little, that they let young filmmaker George Lucas retain the merchandising rights, a move which has made him vastly wealthy. Yet it took America the world by storm, spawned two sequels, three prequels, a third trilogy in the works, a Holiday Special that very few have seen since it's sole airing in 1978, countless video games and books. You'll never go a Halloween without seeing at least one Darth Vader. Whether you've seen it, hate it, know every line by heart, or mix it up with Star Trek, there is nay a person alive that has never heard of Star Wars.

This classic space opera takes place "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" and tells the tale of a young moisture farmer by the name of Luke Skywalker, who through his family's acquisition of two droids, finds himself in the middle of the rebellion against the evil Galactic Empire and antagonist Darth Vader. Along the way he makes new friends in Princess Leia Organa, smuggler Han Solo with his wookie first mate Chewbacca, and veteran Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi who teaches Luke the ways of the mystic religion known as "the force."

Note: I have chosen to review the original theatrical cut as it originally appeared to audiences in 1977. It does not contain the controversial added effects such as Greedo's blaster shot, or the digital insertion of Jabba the Hut.

The story is timeless and ambitious. It does not cradle you into the world of the characters, rather it organically lets you make the discoveries for yourself. While to most people the notion of droids, aliens, and exotic land creatures may capture you with a sense of awe and feel out of the ordinary, to those in the story it simply feels normal. Even the now iconic opening crawl does not treat the film with lumps of exposition and backstory, it chooses instead to put you into this world mid battle with the simple explanation that there is a civil war occurring. This is the appeal of Star Wars, and this is why it has been around so long. As implausible as all the action happening may seem and how strange the world of the characters comes across, it never treats it with a feeling of disbelief. It somehow manages to come across as relatable. It is a thrilling space adventure that takes us along for the ride, and feels as though if this world existed, these actions could happen. Normal people in normal situations (at least to them).

There was an immense scope of talent that showed up to audition for these iconic roles. Cindy Williams, Jodie Foster, Christopher Walken, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, and Sissy Spacek are among the people who tried out for the leads. Yet after hearing these impressive names, and who could have been in the movie, I would still not change a single actor.

Mark Hamill plays Luke Skywalker, a young farmer longing for something more in his life on Tatooine. He was relatively unknown to audiences at the time making his performance seem that much more magnificent. Had they casted someone already well known, then it would be much more difficult to accept this face as something other than what they have already been. He comes across with a sense of wonder, but still never feels out of place. He is pure of heart, innocent, the all around noble hero.

Alec Guinness performs masterfully as Obi-Wan Kenobi, the wise old Jedi Master, one of the few remnants of the republic before. Alec has wisdom shining out of every orifice, and plays Kenobi with a sense of optimism towards Luke's future.

The iconic voice of Darth Vader is provided with chilling overtones by James Earl Jones. He is menacing, sinister, and brooding, and the character never even shows us his face. He is the personification of evil, and he is a symbol now synonymous with villainy. Had any other person done the voice of this icon, it would never have the some power.

For the second review in a row, Andrew's Standout is one of my top three favorite actors, Mr. Harrison Ford. He plays the dashing smuggler Han Solo, who is in it for the money, but grows over the course of the film. His dry sarcasm and sense of self-preservation make him easily one of the most memorable characters in the history of cinema. He is fun to watch, hard to sense, and brings such power to the screen. You can tell that he is having fun. Everything he does in this film feels genuine. Harrison Ford was working for George Lucas as a carpenter when he was cast in a minor role in Lucas's previous film American Graffiti. He resumed physical work for Lucas, and was asked to read the role of Solo to the candidates for Princess. Lucas didn't want to cast Ford in another movie, but over time it became apparent that no one else could do the role of Han Solo justice. Rightfully so.

The special effects for the time it was made are surprisingly well done. The explosions are real, the sets are actually there with the exception of a few matte paintings (if you can spot them, congratulations). It is a true staple of film making in the 1970s, and proof that CGI isn't always necessary to make a great film.

The music. So iconic. John Williams is a master in his field.

See this movie. Thats all I have to say. It is so iconic that it has been placed for preservation in the library of congress due to the fact that it is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically important."

A+

"42" Review: In Loving Memory of Thomas Woltman

Before I begin my review, I would like to take the time to make a personal dedication. My grandfather Thomas Woltman was a lifelong Brooklyn Dodgers fan. When I was little boy, he would tell me the stories of how he and his friends would hide their backpacks in the train station, and take the subway to Ebbets Field to see the Dodgers play. In the summers that we journeyed to North Lake he would always be wearing his old blue hat with the white "B" front and center. In his den, he had a small model of Ebbets Field in the china cabinet. My Papa Tom passed away this April at the age of 80, roughly two weeks after this movie was released. He was and is one of the greatest men I have ever known. To him, this review is respectfully dedicated in loving memory.

42 chronicles the beginning of the career of Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in Major League Baseball thanks to the intervention of General Manager, Branch Rickey. He overcomes the adversity and prejudice to become one of baseball's true hall of famers, and broke ground for those who followed in his footsteps.

This movie explores what most of America didn't see behind the scenes of this endeavor. The hate that Robinson and Rickey had to experience. The threats on their lives, the constant living in fear. Yet it also shows how brilliant both of these men were. Despite all of the hardship they endured, they never let it show. They endured, they showed up, they never lose their temper. It also shows the small kindnesses and growth that occur when you don't expect them to. At first, his teammates are skeptical, even threaten to leave the team if Robinson is allowed to play. However, the teammates warm up to him as does the general public. Most of them, though not all, come to the realization that in baseball, it's not the color of your skin that matters, it's your skill.

Chadwick Boseman plays Robinson with determination and vigor. He comes across as confident and strong willed, and he is. It's clear that he is. But he also shows his tender emotions in Jackie's most private moments. When he witnesses the birth of his child, when he is denied a seat on an airplane, when the weight of the world seems like too much, Chadwick Boseman lets us in. He lets us see all of it through his eyes. He is the perfect choice to play one of baseball's greatest assets.

This movie also features one of my three favorite actors of all time: Harrison Ford who happens to be Andrew's Standout for this film. Ford plays the General Manager, Branch Rickey, who is the one who decided to break the color barrier. Ford's characters have, in recent years, come across as grizzled old-timers who would be best left alone. Here, he is still somewhat miserly, but plays Rickey with a playful optimism that seems refreshing. He is one of the few pure characters in the film. It may seem as though he only does what he does for publicity or money, but Ford always comes across as the guy you want in your corner. Eventually we learn Rickey's true motives, and we grow fonder of him for having found them out. To this date, I have never seen bad acting from Harrison Ford, and hopefully, I never will.

See 42. It is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and Digital Media. It is a touching story, full of warmth yet not afraid to explore the unseen territory.

A

Andrew's Top 9 Movie-Going Tips

If you're anything like me, you want the best experience possible when you go to the movies, and you want the most value for your money. So here now are my tips for going to the movies.

#1 Get to the theater at least 20 minutes before the movie starts.
There is nothing worse than getting to a theater as the trailers are starting and finding out that you need to sit in the front row, and craning your neck up for 2 hours. By getting there early, you get your pick of the litter and have plenty of time to use the bathroom and grab some snacks.

#2 The best view in most theaters is the middle seat in the second to last row.
Most movie theaters have a slight incline, but the very last row is a little lower than the one in front of it. By sitting in the second to last row, you are at the top of the incline, and you barely need to look up to see the screen. When someone sits in the seat in front of you when you're in this row, you can easily see over their head 80% of the time.

#3 If it wasn't actually filmed in 3D, don't bother
Usually movies are not filmed in 3D, they are converted to the format after filming, and possess a lesser "unfinished" quality to them. When you see a conversion movie, you're really just paying for glasses. If however it was filmed in 3D like Dredd or Avatar, it's usually worth the money. To find out if a film was made in 3D or converted, just ask me.

#4 Order your soda without ice
The drinks are usually cold enough as it is, so when you get ice, you're really just cheating yourself out of extra soda room. Plus, the ice tends to melt rather quickly, so unless you drink like the Flash, your soda will become water downed in a little while.

#5 Look for deals online
If you look on sites like Fandango, you will often find offers for free movie tickets after completing a simple task. If you choose the write offer, you might pay as little as $1 to see the latest releases.

#6 Don't doubt the power of the matinee
Theaters charge less for movies that play earlier in the day. It may not seem like much savings, but it does add up. Every theater is different with their matinee times, so check ahead of time.

#7 Deal night
Still hesitant to go the movies during the day? Some theaters will charge matinee prices at night once a week. Usually on Tuesdays.

#8 Widen your range
If you missed a movie when it was in your local theater, there are discount theaters that have movies after they've left most others, but before they go to DVD. And usually they charge considerably less. For example, the South Hills theater in Poughkeepsie charges $3 for movies and $2 on Tuesdays. So if you missed a movie when it first came out, or just want to pay less, look for discount theaters. They may be a little further away, but they are worth the savings.

#9 Lastly, have a good time, but not at the expense of others.
Keep your phone in your pocket. It is tremendously distracting to see someone in front off you whip out their iPhone just to check their Facebook. If it's important, step outside.

"Carrie" Review

I have never seen the original Carrie nor have I read the original book by Stephen King, so I had to defer to judgement of my good friend Mr. Robert Miller for any comparison purposes, and for that I would like to extend him my gratitude in advance.

Carrie tells the story of the eponymous teenager who discovers she possesses telekinetic abilities. After she she is taunted and bullied in gym class for not understanding what is happening when she experiences her first period, her classmate feels remorse and encourages her boyfriend to take Carrie to the prom. Meanwhile, her punished tormentor plans revenge.

According to Robert, the movie contains a number of scenes both remarkably similar to the original film, and some that were present in the original novel yet not in the first adaptation. For my personal takeaway in that respect, I was able to perceive a sense of modernization such as the incorporation of smartphones and the films modern setting. The story possesses a number of horror movie cliches, yet the story is quite engaging. The film is willing to go to places that most films do not, and it explores rather explicit material. I've never been much of a horror movie fan. Not due to fear of being scared, rather due to their common trait of having rather cut and dried plots without exploring character development and over use of cliches and darkness. Yet Carrie is complex and shows growth. The characters never feel forced, and it goes against formula.

Child actors usually end up one or two ways. Either A) They are a sensation when they are young, yet fade into obscurity and drug use only to resurface for "Where are they now?" specials. (Yes you, Macaulay Culkin). Or B) they go the Neil Patrick Harris route and continue to grow and retain their talent and popularity. Chloë Grace Moretz will most likely explore the latter. She gives us a chilling performance that goes into new territory for the young starlet. We've seen her as the controversially explicit badass Hit-Girl in Kick-Ass, we've seen her as the innocent little girl in Hugo and we've seen her as the conniving Kaylie Hooper in 3o Rock. Here, all of her talents merge into one. This feels like the first time her entire range is given a chance to shine. I predict that in about 4 to 5 years, she will become the new Jennifer Lawrence, being a conversation piece at the Oscar water cooler.

The always welcome Julianne Moore gives a skin-crawling turn as Carrie's deeply religious mother Margaret. Her character is twisted and borderline psychotic, and Moore is not afraid to take her to those places. You don't know whether to appreciate her devotion to her lord, or to hate her for the strict, brutal, parenting she practices on her daughter.

For this film, Andrew's Standout is Judy Greer. She has made a career out of playing delightfully quirky, sometimes insane characters. Most famously as secretary Kitty Sanchez in Arrested Development and as Cheryl Tunt in Archer. Here, much like her character in The Descendants, she explores her dramatic side. She portrays Carrie's gym teacher Ms.Desjardin, who is warm and nurturing. When it comes to discipline however, she is tough but fair. As much fun as her quirkiness is, it is refreshing to see her tackle unexplored territory.

Overall, Carrie is definitely worth a look. It isn't the best horror movie, but it is rather well made. But I recommend doing so before Halloween.

B

"Escape Plan" Review

If you are anything like me, you grew up watching films like Rocky, First Blood, The Terminator, Kindergarten Cop, etc. It has been a long dream of mine to see Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger together in the same movie, and yes, fighting. Aside from the brief scenes of (for lack of a better term) verbal dick measuring in The Expendables films, that has not happened until Escape Plan.

In this film, Stallone plays Ray Breslin plays a former prosecutor whose new occupation is being placed in prisons in order to test their security through his escape attempts. When he is recruited to test a new prison by the CIA, he is double crossed and left to rot in what he realizes is a high tech, illegal, super prison built using his research. With the help of Emil Rottmayer (Schwarzenegger), he forms a plan to break out of the prison he inadvertently designed.

As one has come to expect of recent Stallone movies, even the ones that he does not write himself, this is basic action fare. It doesn't require high level thinking. It is meant to be simple escapism. (Pun not intended). You never feel the sensation that things aren't going to work out. It is just a throwback to the 1980's action blockbusters that made both of these men the superstars that they have become today. If you're looking for something complex and against formula, look elsewhere. Yet that isn't to say the film isn't fun. It does reel you in, and you will root for our wrongly imprisoned heroes. And I will be completely honest, when Stallone and Schwarzenegger finally exchange blows as I have eagerly awaited them to do so since 1992, I couldn't help but shed a tear out of pure joy.

Stallone is a good actor, and for someone his age, he is surprisingly resilient. Yet his delivery, as it has in recent years, just seems monotone. He doesn't really convey any emotions other than anger and....well I guess just anger. There never really feels like a moment where Sly is completely invested in his character. It's not that he doesn't have the ability. He has done so before. But his recent nostalgia for shoot em' up movies has taken away his passion. Hopefully this is just a phase.

On the other end of the spectrum, Schwarzenegger puts it all on the table. For someone who was behind a desk in Sacramento for nearly the past decade, he doesn't seem to have any problems getting back in the game. He conveys a wider range than Sly, and doesn't feel like he's doing for just a check. He comes across wise and soulful, like a trapped bird longing to be free.

Amy Ryan (whom you may know as Michael Scott's soulmate Holly Flax from The Office) and 50 Cent play Stallone's allies on the outside of the prison walls. They both give fine performances, but they never really feel necessary and they classify as little more than headlined cameos. One could remove their characters from the film, and it wouldn't feel that different. Once again, my musician-turned-actor debate comes into play, yet like Lady Gaga in Machete Kills, you don't see enough of 50 Cent to judge.

Jim Caviezel (Whom you may recognize as Jesus in The Passion of the Christ) gives a rather chilling performance as the warden and main antagonist. He comes across rather monotone like Stallone does, however it works for his character. He is delightfully creepy and would fit in well in a horror movie.

For Escape Plan, it was rather difficult to pick someone as Andrew's Standout, but gun to my head, I would say Faran Tahir, whom you may remember as Raza in the first Iron Man movie and Captain Robau in the Star Trek reboot. He plays a Muslim prisoner who assists the two main characters in their attempt. At first, you are not sure where his allegiance lies in respect to the main characters, and that is a testament to his ability towards duality as an actor.

I would wait until the home media release for this one. It is a rather decent movie, but other than the long awaited meet up of Sly and Arnie, there is nothing to make this movie very memorable.

B-

"Machete Kills" Review

When one looks at a film like Machete Kills, you get one of two thoughts in your head. 1) "This movie looks ridiculously stupid. What the f*** is this?" Or 2) you get the image that I perceive "This looks like one of those 1970s B-Movies. It's over the top, but you're not supposed to take it seriously."

Machete Kills continues the story of ex-federale Machete Cortez. He is recruited by the President of the United States to track down a bipolar revolutionary south of the border, and put a stop to his threats to Washington. Machete soon discovers that the real danger is the weapons dealer at the top of the chain.

The film opens with a trailer for a supposed third installment in the series entitled Machete Kills Again...In Space. Believe it or not, Robert Rodriguez actually has the cojones to try to make it seem plausible with this movie. This may be the one of the most ridiculous films I have ever seen. The story starts off like an ordinary action movie, yet as it progresses it becomes more and more of a cartoon. Yet this is, as I said earlier, on purpose. It is an homage of the films Rodriguez grew up with. There should never be a time when you take the film seriously. If you do, you will leave the theater utterly disappointed. If you don't accept the premise (and that may take a little work) you will not be into this film at all.

I admire Danny Trejo. He has been described as the Mexican Schwarzenegger. Yet in this film, you can tell he is bored. And to say the least he is aging. He is working hard, yet he struggles with many of his stunts. He still comes across as the badass he is meant to, but he is starting to slow down.

Mel Gibson returns to the spotlight in the role of the ruthless weapons dealer Luther Voz. To be sure, Gibson is trying hard in this film. Yet, like Trejo, he seems rather flat. He comes across as two dimensional, as a cartoonish super villain. But, he's trying. Give him a chance, he's coming back.

Anyone who knows me will understand that I am a rather big fan of Charlie Sheen. Here, he takes after his father by playing the President. He does his best, yet he can not help resorting to some of his old tricks. He will forever be typecast as the alcoholic womanizer, yet it is something he does better than most.

Making her acting debut in this film is the pop star Lady Gaga. She is in the film rather briefly, and does have much room to show her chops. Yet, she goes against the image you might expect from her and comes across as somewhat of a badass in her own right. There is my long standing musicians as actors preconception, but with some work, Gaga could develop as an actor and do it rather well. She will of course need more work.

For this film we have two Andrew's Standouts. The first would be Academy Award Nominee Demián Bichir. He plays a bipolar revolutionary by the named Madman Mendez. Unlike most of the other actors of this film, he showcases his spectrum of talent. He is emotionally complex and multilayered. He pops in every scene he is in. He dominates his scenes, and tries to make something out of the writing he is dealt with.

The second Standout would be Sofia Vergara who plays the mistress of a brothel, Madame Desdemona. She, like Bichir, is a multilayered and complex actress who brings something more to her role than what is in the script. It is easy to think she is meant to simply be another piece of the films female eye-candy, and the fact that the producers choose to promote the fact she sports a bra-gun lends itself to this idea. But she is much more than that. She is a tortured soul with a horrific backstory. I have had my doubts about Vergara as a performer, yet after watching her in Modern Family, and this film, I find her very talented.

The special effects in this film look like something out of the 1980s. However, i'm not sure whether they are meant to look cheesy or are simply end-products of the film's very low budget, but whatever the reason they are not fooling anyone.

This is one of the films that you should see, but you may want to wait until you can Redbox it. It is one of those "you won't believe it until you see it" films.

C+

"Captain Phillips" Review

DISCLAIMER: I am not a historian. Whether or not the events depicted in this film are historically accurate are a different matter altogether.

There have been several milestones in the career of Tom Hanks. Each of us has our favorite film of his. For some it could be the Toy Story films or the oft-quoted Forrest Gump, for the science buffs it could Apollo 13. For the military buffs, it could be Saving Private Ryan. For me personally, it would be Big.

Now, he has another classic on his hands.

Captain Phillips tells an account of the April 2009 hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by 4 Somalian pirates. Yet it is more than that. It also gives an (ever so briefly) background insight into the life of the pirates before the events that rocked the world.

The screenplay is well crafted, with an organic go-between the Arabic and English languages. You never get that sense of "Why are they speaking English?" Much like the recent films Zero Dark Thirty and Gravity, there is an eagle eyed dedication to authenticity and realism. The interactions are genuine. The conversations are enthralling. The emotions are intense. Much like Director Paul Greengrass' last films (The Bourne films), this is a grounded thriller that never feels forced.

Without question, Tom Hanks will go down as one the greatest actors of our time. This film only lends itself to that notion. Hanks loses himself into this story, becoming the no-nonsense Captain, and making the role his own. The fear is real, the emotional range is transcendent, and his sense of wisdom in a dire situation feels completely natural. When he cries, you cry. When he is scared, you dig your fingers in the seat hoping that he comes out alive.

Despite Hanks' sensational work in this film, Andrew's Standout in Captain Phillips would be Barkhad Abdi who plays the pirate captain, Muse. He is a Somalian born actor, and this is his film debut. Yet you could swear he was as much of a veteran as Hanks. He takes on the role of someone who kills for a living, and actually makes you feel for him. He is full of passion and dedication. He holds his own in this film despite the star power he works alongside. I would not be surprised to see the name pop up around Oscar time.

I say go for it. This is the rare Pirate movie that doesn't involve peg leg cliches, eyepatches, or Johnny Depp. It is a powerful film that showcases both old and new talent.

A

"Gravity" Review

It is not often that a film like Gravity comes out. When it does, it is a real treat. Not since Avatar have I seen such a visual spectacle, and not since Cloud Atlas have I seen a film so ambitious. It's the rare film that gets it all right.

Gravity tells the story of a space mission gone wrong when debris from a nearby explosion puts astronauts Matt Kowalski (George Clooney) and Dr Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) on the brink of being stranded in space with no communication with the ground below.

From the moment you put on your classes to the moment the end credits come on the screen, you are completely invested in this story. You never know quite what's going to happen next, and just when you think you know exactly what is going on, Alfonso Cuarón throws you a total curveball. It is aptly called a science fiction thriller, for you will always be at the edge of your seat, and if you're like me, you'll be biting your nails in anticipation of the next moments.

Sandra Bullock gives her most powerful performance to date. She displays organic character growth across the spectrum of the film, and gives you a relatable sense of loss and fear. I doubt anyone reading has ever been stranded in space, but I have a feeling this is the most realistic depiction we'll ever get.

The always welcome (sans Batman & Robin) George Clooney lays all of his cards on the table too. He keeps his calm throughout the situations, shines wisdom though his cool demeanor, and isn't afraid to try to lighten the mood. Robert Downey Jr was originally cast in this role, but I feel as though Clooney does a little more to make the role his own than Robert could have.

I don't normally discuss the cinematography of films in my reviews, but it was too notable to ignore in this film. There are shots that last upwards of 10 minutes without cutting. They are absolutely seamless. The camera work on this film is nothing short of remarkable and transcendent of any movie i've seen so far. In my eyes, it is a lock for the Oscar.

The visual effects are masterful. For obvious reasons, they couldn't actually film in outer space, yet if you were to watch this film with the mindset of a person in the 1920's, you would swear they did. The layout, the earth, the shuttles, the...well everything looks so well crafted, and realistic.

I'm normally not a proponent of 3D films, yet for this film, I feel as if not seeing it in the format would be a huge mistake. It is something of the most inventive use of three dimensions I have seen in years.


See this movie. It is truly a work of art. You will find no flaws unless you absolute feel the need to nit-pick. It is true cinematic brilliance.

A+

"Don Jon" Review

There are only a handful of people who can act in, write, and direct a movie and pull it off successfully. Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin, Ben Affleck, and Ben Stiller are prime examples of people who do it quite well time and time again. Eddie Murphy, Ed Wood, and Tom Green are examples of people who should not be at the helm of a film. This time Joseph Gordon-Levitt fits into the former category.

Don Jon is the story of the titular ladies man/bartender who is renowned for his ability to bed "8 out of 10s" every week without failure. He also has a rather obsessive addiction to pornography. When he meets Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson) he feels a love that he has never experienced before, but is soon forced to choose between his girl and his porn.

To anyone who glances at the storyline, i'm sure it sounds smutty and would scare off uneasy moviegoers. Yet the film is not simply a romantic comedy inter-spliced with subliminal pictures of women's breasts. Rather it's an exploration of a man's addiction and how it relates to the rest of his life. It explores the effects it can have on others in his life, and it is refreshing to see a film tackle a form of abuse aside from drugs. To be sure, there is some rather racy content, and viewer discretion is advised, but I believe that could be it's greatest strength. It is willing to go in a direction many films are afraid to. It is not afraid to be descriptive of its sexual content, but not for a sense of just trying to arouse the viewer, rather it does so to put you in Jon's head, help you to relate to him, and overall realize the extent of his obsession.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt loses himself in this role. It is rather difficult to focus on your performance when you're also in charge of everyone else on set, but he is able to masterfully pull triple duty on this film. He creates a memorable character whose voice may remind you of Mark Wahlberg, yet possesses his own sense of discovery. He experiences character growth that feels fluid and natural, and never rushed, and is overall successful for this film.

Scarlett Johansson also turns in a first rate performance. She explores a different side to her talent and unlike anything we've seen before from her. She rings true to the normal romanticizing woman we've all seen before whether in a movie or in real life. It feels genuine.

However, Andrew's Standout for this movie is the always terrific Brie Larson. She spends 95% of the film on her cell phone texting, and chewing gum, and only has 2 lines of dialogue. 3 tops. However, she has a presence that doesn't even require talking. She also feels genuine to the character she plays. When I saw her name in the opening credits, I knew she had to be important.

Given the sensitive subject matter, I say see this movie at your own discretion. Its a fantastic film with fine performances and terrific direction. Yet to the wrong person, it may make you uncomfortable.

A

"Prisoners" Review

I want to be clear from the beginning. I do not hate Hugh Jackman. Quite the opposite. He is one of my favorite actors and one of the most talented people in the business today. Yet, when he is cast in ensembles, he tends to dominate and absorb the screen time. Studios tend to milk him for his drawing power, and the end result is criminal overshadowing of the other actors in a film. The X-Men film series is a pure example. A masterful film series (The Last Stand not withstanding), yet the studio's decision to over market Jackman's Wolverine robbed us the brilliance of James Marsden as Cyclops.

Fortunately, Prisoners does not make this mistake. To be sure, Jackman is a large presence and receives top billing, but he never feels like the center of attention.

Prisoners tells the story of two families whose daughters are abducted on Thanksgiving. The narrative follows the lead investigator's (Jake Gyllenhaal) attempts to solve the increasingly complex mystery, however this is not enough for Jackman's character who proceeds to kidnap the prime suspect and torture him.

The trailers do not do the film justice, as it is painted as your run of the mill torture porn for a pre-halloween scare. It could not be further from this. It is a masterfully crafted piece that tiptoes along the lines of horror and drama. The tale starts off as your happy family cliche from every horror movie. Yet once Gyllenhaal enters, it becomes much more than that. It becomes a psychological and a legal thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is complex, original, and it skews the traditional thriller tropes by giving the characters their own quirks and flaws despite being the "victims."

Hugh Jackman is brilliant of course. His pain and suffering are apparent, yet you can see that the character is so much more than that below the surface, and has his hidden demons.

Jake Gyllenhaal is also magnificent. He embodies the traditional detective, yet does not fall victim to the common horror-cop who does not believe the story. He is flawed and determined. He has a presence that can go toe-to-toe with Jackman. When Hugh tries to dominate, Jake serves it right back.

Yet for this movie, Andrew's Standout is our local thespian, Melissa Leo. Her screen time is brief, but pivotal and full of energy. In the beginning, she seems like any other character. Innocent, hoping the girls show up again. Yet, there is much more to her than that.

My only complaint with the film is that it is rather lengthy unnecessarily. There are some scenes where you connect the dots 2 minutes before thee characters, and it just feels drawn out.

All in all, see this movie. It's a thrilling mystery full of powerful performances and a well crafted script.

A-