"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" Review

Ben Stiller is a man of many hats. He can be the straight man, he can be the comic relief, many times he is the glue that ties all the other dysfunctional characters together. He's done family comedies, R-Rated fare, animated children's work in Madagascar, and romantic comedies. But what we've never really seen from him is an immersion into dramatic territory. Until The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. 

Walter Mitty is an employee at Life Magazine who works in the negative assets department. He frequently drifts into daydreams in order to escape his boring monotonous reality, often fantasizing about his co-worker Cheryl. When famed photographer Sean O'Connell sends in a roll of negatives for Life's final issue, Walter notices that Negative #25 is missing, one which O'Connell proclaims to be the quintessence of photography. With his job and the final issue on the line, Walter spontaneously decides to go in search of O'Connell, finally going on a real life adventure. 

There is no denying that the film is ambitious. It sets out to achieve a grand scale of escapism not just for the audience, but also for it's main character. But for it's grand scale, it isn't totally successful. For all it hopes to accomplish, it feels too predictable. Some of the dots are far too quickly connected which takes away a good portion of originality and surprise factor. There's not a whole lot left to the imagination, and I can't help but feel that it could use a little more edge. 

That isn't to say it's a bad movie. Quite the contrary. For a mainly dramatic affair, it has enough amount of humor to keep it from growing stale. I might even of as far as to call it a dramedy. The blending of the tones is well balanced, making a film that never grows old. It's predictability aside, it's  a great story of a man trying to break free from his shell. One that has been done to death, but not something that makes you groan with frustration. 

I absolutely loved the cinematography in this film. The landscapes and the way in which they are captured are almost out of a tourism commercial, which inspire pure awe at the sights. The transitions between some of the shots are remarkably inventive and fun. If Gravity wasn't released this year, it could have had a shot at the Oscar. 

Ben Stiller tries a role that is much more grounded in drama than anything he has tried before. His reluctance and sheltered facade creates a sound base from which to grow into a spirited adventurer who wants to break free. He isn't totally unrecognizable from what we've seen from him, and for that the transition is much easier to accept him as a dramatic actor. 

Also trying her hand at more serious work is the lovely and talented Kristen Wiig. For the part she plays, her performance brings about a new side for her. She's nothing to write home about in this film, but it is really entertaining to see this refreshing change of pace for her. 

Adam Scott (Ben Wyatt from Parks and Recreation) does a brilliant job as the atypical high level executive who is unqualified for his job and gets off on picking on underlings. He has always played lovable characters, this time he gets to be a little bit darker and a tad more distanced from his type. Again, this film is a wonderful showcase for actors to try their hand on the other side of the street, and Adam Scott is no exception. 

Andrew's Standout for this film would be Mr. Sean Penn. His brief turn as Sean O'Connell is surely the most entertaining role, and in a film where the expected and predictable is pretty apparent, his actions come across as the most unexpected. Rather than put on airs as a conceptual artist photographer who is full of himself, Sean cuts through the b.s. and gets down to it. Even in that capacity, he is still wonderfully poetic. 

It's certainly not the best film to come out this year, and its not likely to win any major awards, but The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is solid entrainment with more pros than its cons. Give it a look. 

B-

"Saving Mr. Banks" Review

22 Academy Awards (more than anyone in history), 7 Emmy Awards, 5 theme parks, hundreds of cartoons, dozens of movies. Walt Disney left a lasting legacy, and an empire that continues to this day that  shows no signs of slowing down. But no matter how much the man influenced so many lives, he was not perfect. No one is. That was my concern. How honest could his story be when it is being told by the very studio he created? Simple answer: It's not his story. 

Saving Mr. Banks is the story behind the making of Mary Poppins. In 1961 left with no other financial resources, author P.L. Travers travels to Southern California to sell the film rights to her books to Walt Disney. However, she won't just sign the papers, she wants final say about what goes into the film, going against the grain of what the writers have in mind. Throughout the film, we see into Travers' childhood and view the inspiration for the the Mary Poppins story. 

If you've seen Mary Poppins, you'll appreciate the story that much more, but it's not necessary. Arguably, the film could be seen as an apology to Travers from Disney for the way that they tarnished the story in her eyes. But above all, it's a story about a woman looking to preserve the memory of her father. Travers could be viewed as a buzzkill to the trademark spirit of joy that Walt Disney represented in the 1960s. Yet, it is her touching sentimentality that she thrusts upon her fathers memory that makes her so resistant to see it turned into another cartoon. It's a touching look at what the heart is unwilling to let go of in order to settle debts.

The flashbacks show us a family story, remarkably similar to what we viewed in Mary Poppins, but what changes is the characters and the tone. Rather than a watered down version of Travers' childhood, what we get is unrepentantly real. The film is not afraid to show the bottles, the blood, the tension. This made me a little teary eyed at how beautiful it all really is. 

What I found the most fascinating is how honest and self-deprecating the studio allowed the film to be towards their fearless leader and their own legacy. The little jabs at the over marketing use of Mickey Mouse and pals are sure to make anyone who has ever been to Walt Disney World laugh hysterically. They aren't afraid to show that they didn't exactly give Mrs. Travers the input she deserved. They aren't even afraid to show that Walt was a smoker, though if you're aware of how he died, it shouldn't be much of a secret. 

Make no mistake, this film belongs to Emma Thompson. She plays Mrs. Travers with a misanthropic coldness with a hint of sensitivity that doesn't show until she's alone. She doesn't merely deserve respect, she commands it. She's unapologetically honest towards everyone, even an infant on a plane. But she has a touching amount of heart that keeps us from calling her a shrew. It's a wondrous blend of emotion. 

If there is anyone to counter Emma's icy sheltered attitude, it's Tom Hanks and his welcoming warmth as Walt Disney. The brilliance of Hank's performance is how close to the real thing it really comes. Sure, he doesn't have that much of a resemblance to Walt, but he hammers the mannerisms and personality down with the finest of hammers. The subtle cough before he enters a room, the childlike whimsy, and the lengths he goes to in order to make his employees feel like family. But most of all, he lets us see Walt's frustration, his honesty, and his heart. 

Despite how brilliant the two leads are, Andrew's Standout for the film is Colin Farrell. He does a fantastic job as Travers' father in the flashback scenes. He is such a beautiful portrait of what the real "Mr Banks" was. He loves his children more than anything, and he has the whimsy to prove it. But underneath his playful facade is a dark alcoholism that threatens to cause trouble. Farrell plays it off with his loving demeanor and calls it his medicine. The struggle to give it up fuels his performance, and it's so magnificently tender. Easily one of Farrell's better performances in recent history.

Also included are wonderful turns by B.J. Novak, Paul Giamatti, and Jason Schwartzman who all give their own trademark styles to Disney's employees and never feel overshadowed.

Give this movie a look. It's a tender, yet honest look at the untold story behind Mary Poppins, and it's one of the best live-action Disney films to come out in recent years. 

A-

"Grudge Match" Review

I first heard about Grudge Match in June when I found the article under Kevin Hart's filmography. It sounded amazing! Raging Bull versus Rocky with Kevin Hart and Alan Arkin? Who wouldn't want to see that! When the trailer came out, I was incredibly invested. The upbeat strains of "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore as Stallone and De Niro walk to the ring, the witty banter, the overall tone. This was easily one of my most anticipated movies for the fourth quarter of 2013. Did it live up to the hype? (Sigh) No. 

In the 1980s, Kid McDonnen and Razor Sharp are two boxers with an intense rivalry. They have fought each other twice, and they each have one win against one another. But before the tie breaking third fight, Razor unexpectedly retires. 30 years later, they both live in obscurity until fight promoter Dante Slate Jr. offers each of them money to do motion capture for a boxing video game. After a brawl ensues, and the video goes viral, they are both offered one hundred grand for one final Grudge Match. 

The premise is solid and plausible. The talent recruited has what it takes to make it worthwhile. So what went wrong? 

The screenplay is just terrible. The dialogue has nothing to it. That's a really specific complaint, and it's one that I've never really had to make before. Things that are important to the story are relegated to quick "Oh by the way..."'s in a completely unrealistic fashion and arbitrary speeches are long and drawn out. There are major shifts in time and story that skip over things that could provide something a little more interesting.  It's like a game of connect the dots that has numbers missing. The plot ends up resorting to tired old cliches that we've seen literally dozens of times before, and while some of it is original, the movie just feel like a retread of what we've seen before. 

There is a certain amount of comedy to be found. I'll admit that I found myself laughing pretty extensively at points throughout the film. Especially at the fun jabs at Rocky and Raging Bull. But it's monstrously uneven and spread. Most of the jokes that fail are simplistic gags, and unfortunately, more geriatric humor. The same issue as Last Vegas. A couple viagra jokes, nursing home humor, and an endless stream of "you're too old to do this." At what point does Hollywood say no more to these cliched punchlines. Old people jokes are getting...well...old. 

Sylvester Stallone stars as Henry "Razor" Sharp. While it's certainly more rounded than what Stallone has turned in recently, he does not do too much with his role. He is clearly trying, looking to add some emotion and charm to the role, so I have to give him an "E" for Effort. But when it comes down to it, Stallone is simply pulling his tough guy act again, remaining monotone for a good percentage of the film. That isn't to say he isn't entertaining, Stallone has the talent, but I know he can do better. 

Robert De Niro returns to the boxing genre that brought him his first leading role Oscar. He plays Billy "The Kid" McDonnen, a man very passionate about the game. Again, Robert is trying his best, but what we end up getting from him is a performance full of cliches and retreads. De Niro has spent majority of the last decade playing parts in comedies that parody his well known mobster/badass persona from the 70s and 80s. And while there's humor to be found in that, it does get tiresome after a while. 

Alan Arkin is Razor's old trainer "Lightning." He is easily one of the better performers in the movie, and while his role is mainly comedy relief, it is something he does well. Most of his roles in recent years consist of this type, thus unlike our two leads, he is doing what he does best rather than act as a parodic clown, and I do not discredit him for his work.

Andrew's Standout for this film was a no-brainer. It is the magnetic, hyperactive, and endlessly entertaining Kevin Hart. Hart is one of the most talented people currently in the entertainment business. In his role as the fight promoter, he plays a fast talking media mogul who tries to smooth his way into making money, and Hart does magnificently in that capacity. He is the perfect person for this role, and most of the genuine humor in the movie comes from him. He is such a budding talent that deserves to be recognized. 

I would skip this movie at least while in cinemas. While there is sporadic humor to found throughout, and the talent is trying their hardest, the film does not build much off of it's premise and resorts to old tricks to stay alive. 

C

My Exclusive Interview with Hal Rudnick

Here at The Andrew Woltman Film Blog, we are big fans of The Screen Junkies. Their "Honest Trailers" are a topical laugh riot, and "The Screen Junkies Show" offers us a deep and interesting look into the wonders of cinema and television. Some of you may remember the famous videos of Christopher Walken reading Honey Boo Boo and Morgan Freeman reading the lyrics to "The Fox". Those were the work of The Screen Junkies team. I recently talked to host Hal Rudnick about his work in the entertainment industry and The Screen Junkies Show. Here is what he had to say.

What made you want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry?

My dad was a big influence, he was a concert producer for many year. He had a love of classic Hollywood cinema. He made me watch a ton of old black and white movies growing up. Sometimes I hated it as a kid, but now I definitely appreciate it. Favorite old movies he showed me include "Sullivan's Travels" from Preston Sturgis, Stanley Kubrick's film noir "The Killing," and the western "Shane." Also, I've loved to make people laugh starting from a very young age.

Where are you from originally?

Allendale, New Jersey. 201 area code, woot woot!

Where did you go to school?

Penn State. I was a Film and Video major with a Theater minor.

How did you get into this business?

As I mentioned, I've loved this stuff since I was a kid. I was a Boy Scout and loved performing weird skits at the campfires. In high school, I got elected Student Council President on more or less a comedy routine. After college, I moved to L.A. and have been pursuing it ever since.

How did you become a part of the Screen Junkies Team, and how much of a say do you put into each episode?

Met the folks who created Honest Trailers. We hit it off. There's a core group of 3-4 of us who conceive and develop the idea for each episode. 

You've gone on a number of press junkets, what is the most memorable experience you've had during an interview?

Making Robert De Niro laugh is a pretty good one.

Whose idea was it for Morgan Freeman to read the lyrics to "The Fox"?

We were trying to recapture some of the success of our Christopher Walken/Honey Boo Boo episode. The group knew that we needed to get these great actors to do something ridiculous. It grew from there.

I recently noticed you in an episode of "Community", how did you come into that and what was the experience like?

I auditioned for it and got it! Such a fun little part to play. Great experience. I actually saw that someone dressed up as my character for Halloween. It was in a YouTube vid, I was shocked. I guess that means I've made it!

What other work do you do outside the Screen Junkies show?

Outside of Screen Junkies, I do comedy, act, and write. I teach comedy at the UCB Theater in Los Angeles and do several monthly shows there. I have a sketch comedy group called The Midnight Show. I also co-host a comedy/debate show called Tournament of Nerds.

If you had to pick a movie that you love above all, what would it be?

So hard! At the end of the day I always come back to Pee Wee's Big Adventure. Such a fun world created there, Tim Burton at the height of his powers, and there is something oddly subversive about grownups behaving like this.

Same Question, but with a TV show?

I love The Wire. The intricate story telling, the writing, dialogue, characters…it blows me away.

Million Dollar Question: Who played the better Willy Wonka: Gene Wilder or Johnny Depp?

Wilder. All day.

Do you have any advice for people who want to explore a similar career to yours?

Watch movies. Make Videos. Take classes. Do everything that you can. Dive in. Make mistakes. Don't stop. Persevere. Learn...Repeat!

I want to extend a very grateful Thank You to Hal Rudnick for taking the time out of his schedule to talk to us. 

"Nebraska" Review

There are movies that give you the spirit of adventure, there are movies that make you cry that for the beautiful spirit of romance, there are movies that make you fall out of your seat with laughter. But every so often, a movie will come along that rings so true, that it moves you almost to tears.  For me, it was the touching tale of Nebraska. 

Woody Grant is an elderly man with Alzheimer's who receives a magazine offer in the mail which claims that he has won one million dollars. Not realizing it is a scam, Woody repeatedly attempts to walk from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska in order to claim his prize. Coming to terms with the fact that his father just doesn't understand that it isn't real, Woody's son David agrees to drive him to Lincoln in order to put Woody's journey to rest. Along the way, David tries to find some connection to his father, and they return to Woody's home town of Hawthorne where his family and friends all congratulate him on his winnings and try to get a taste. 

What really moved me about this movie was the true to life human interaction. The way the characters interact and deal with each others stubbornness. The awkward silences created during the family reunion scenes are undeniably real. They want to talk to each other, but they all have no idea what they want to say. I guarantee that every person reading this has gone through it at some point or another in their lives. It's undeniably real and poignant. 

The cantankerous stubbornness in the characters is also something that also brings about tender feelings. It creates significant moments of humor that transcend the bounds of the silver screen. It was so warm and touching to feel something so close to life. They are all so aggressively stubborn and self entitled to their own opinions that they refuse to accept each other's. But when push comes to shove, the main family all cares for one another, and thats the truest feeling of all. 

The unique visual distinction is also remarkable. The film is unconventionally presented in black and white, despite it's modern setting. I couldn't quite figure out the reasoning behind doing such a thing, but it's a lovely change of pace. It makes the landscapes stand out in a way that makes it a much more homely picture about returning to ones roots and human connection. The musical score is also simplistic yet fitting, as it is a simple movie. The instruments are very distinct and more prevalent then in elsewhere. 

The lead performance of Bruce Dern as Woody Grant is rather simplistic yet nuanced. He is so stubborn towards his goal, and so misanthropic that he wants nothing to do with anyone until he gets his reward. The small movements, the facial expressions, the way he walks is so true to life of a man with only the vaguest idea of what is going on in his life, yet for what he does know, he is unrelenting. Despite this, deep down, he cares for his family whether he shows it or not. Bruce Dern will most likely be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, and if he wins, he would have earned it. 

As I have said in previous reviews, one of my favorite phenomenons is when comedians take on dramatic material and excel above and beyond. Will Forte, a man known primarily for his work on Saturday Night Live, and as Jenna Maroney's cross dressing boyfriend Paul on 30 Rock, does absolutely spectacular as Woody's son David. He is calm, yet frustrated with the stubbornness of his father, yet he does what he has to do. Forte creates yet another true to life character that pops off the screen, as a man bound by familial duty. The subtle nuances of his character in which he wants to connect to his father are remarkable, yet he also creates a sense of defending his fathers honor. I would love to see him in more roles such as this. 

June Squibb stars as Woody's long suffering wife who wishes he would come to his senses. Another absolutely magnificent portrait of reality. She mocks her husband, she is candid (overly so) with her son, she gossips about everyone, but when it matters most, no one talks down her family but her. 

Bob Odenkirk also turns in a wonderful performance as David's brother Ross which does not go follow any expectations given his previous work. It would be easy to believe that Bob would simply play another Saul Goodman who takes nothing too seriously, which to his credit, he does better than most. But Bob plays a marvelous character who despite not being the center of attention, also wants what is best for his family. His character is pure, with a genuine sense of bond with his brother and his father. 

I would absolutely suggest this movie to anyone. It is the most endearing portrait of family life i've seen in some time, with a sense of realism and warmth to it that is completely refreshing. 

A 

"American Hustle" Review

In December of 2010, I saw a movie that was so uplifting, it immediately became my go-to film during dark times. That movie was The Fighter. It was so well constructed, and a perfect underdog story full of drama and nuance. Two years later, another movie came out by the name of Silver Linings Playbook. Like The Fighter, it was a feel good movie despite it's dark subject matter. What did the movies have in common? Director David O. Russell. So understandably, I was very giddy with anticipation for American Hustle.

American Hustle is the tale of Irving Rosenfeld and his lover/partner in crime Sydney Prosser, two con artists who work mainly on low level grifts in 1978. When Agent Richie DiMaso busts the pair, they are forced to assist the FBI in sting operations to take down the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey. But they also must deal with Irving's wife Rosalyn who could blow the operation at any time.

The film is noticeably a departure from Russell's last two films, stylistically and thematically, but it is still magnificent. It has many elements of a Shakespearean drama. Forbidden love, secret alliances, moral ambiguity, corruption in authority figures,  betrayal, and so much more than I can afford to name. It delves into the darkness and corrupt of the world, but also leaves us moments of humor to sprinkle onto it. It's so sophisticatedly blended to make an excellent genre balance that never relinquishes your attention.

There is such an emphasis on character rather than plot in this film that gives it more depth than anything I have seen recently.  The characters all have their own uniqueness to them, none with any clearly defined sense of morality. No one is never whom they seem, and the payoffs are so sweet because the actions they choose show us the true visage of our heroes.

Another thing that this film has as opposed to Russell's other films is a period setting that it truly takes advantage of. Sure, The Fighter was set in the late 1980s to early 90s, but it never really gave off too much of that vibe. You got the feeling that it could have easily been placed in a contemporary setting. This time, you get the beautiful 1978 sense of style. Be it the suits, the music, the cinematography, the proper, you feel totally immersed in the world of yesteryear.

Christian Bale is easily the most committed actor in the business (Daniel Day-Lewis not withstanding). He delves so much into the character of Irving, and he lets the audience see who he truly is. Bale's methods of staying in character and committing to the lifestyle payoff marvelously to create a multi-layered nuanced take on a character who in the 1920s could have been played off as any man flipping a coin and chomping on a toothpick.

Bradley Cooper makes the best of both of his acting styles to create a performance that stands apart from his previous work. He is both funny, and serious, never to be taken lightly. If anyone from The Hangover trilogy will win an Oscar, it will be Cooper. Just probably not this year.

Amy Adams is as lovely as ever, turning in one of her best performances. Normally the pure, morally strong, sweet heart, Adams gives us a little more of that ambiguity that she brought last year to her the role of Peggy Dodd in The Master. Here though, she is much more twisted than normal, and she never follows any set stereotype.

Jeremy Renner is another terrific example of the talent in this film. There are so many different sides to his character, that he is not easily read at all. From the set-up, we are led to believe that he would be the main antagonist of the film, but it's never really clear if this mayor is corrupt or simply doing what is best for his city. Renner is charming, and that's what makes it hard to root against him.

I have seen Jennifer Lawrence since her days on The Bill Engvall Show, and so far, Russell is able to get better work out of her than any director I have seen yet. After her Oscar winning turn in Silver Linings Playbook, it could have been simple for her to turn in the same type of performance. To be certain, the comparisons between the films are inevitable, but this time she exhibits a wider range as a mother, as an alcoholic, as an overall malcontent that can change the entire course of the film.

Also included, two memorable turns by the always hilarious Louis C.K. and the legendary Robert De Niro.

The cast collectively is so brilliant at developing a unit which plays so well off of each other. I can't even dream of trying to pick Andrew's Standout.

This is definitely one for the top ten list this year. Featuring such a brilliant ensemble that focuses more on character than plot, American Hustle is not to be missed.

A-

"Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" Review

Will Ferrell is many things, but above else he is a mogul. When he does something, you can guarantee he will go out of his way to make sure you know about it. More than any of his past endeavors, he clearly has the most amount of love for Ron Burgundy. So much love that he will bring the character off the screen and never drop out of it once he starts. Whether hosting Sportscenter, being interviewed by Conan O'Brien, or even invading an actual newscast, you clearly saw more of Ron Burgundy than Will Ferrell this month. And that is a testament to his passion, but is it justified?

Starting a number of years after the events of the original film, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues finds Ron Burgundy a broken man. He is separated from Veronica Corningstone, no longer hosting the news, and drunkenly welcoming guests to dolphin shows at Sea World. That all changes when he is given the opportunity to be a part of the first 24 hour news channel. To do so, he reassembles his legendary news team of Champ Kind, Brian Fantana, and Brick Tamland. 

Like most sequels, this movie could have gone any number of ways. Luckily, the film retains the wacky, period style of the original film. The jokes come after another, and for the most part, they all land. It's a two hour laugh riot with no dips. What I found most surprising is how smart so many of the gags were. This time around, they took advantage of the period setting, and came up with some admittedly hilarious jokes about the time period, and pre-contemporary gags that work if you understand the reference.  

Make no mistake, this is a comedy. Don't go into it expecting any extreme level of depth. I will say this, towards the end it starts to spiral out of control, but just go with it. It may seem a little too wacky, but I found myself laughing all the same. Take the film for what it is, and you'll enjoy it much more. It's an acquired taste, but if it's your dish, it's delicious. 

Will Ferrell returns to the role of Ron Burgundy and brings the same dry wit and same casual delivery that forged one of his most memorable roles. Will Ferrell's brand of humor is not for everyone, but for those who find him entertaining (myself included), you will be satisfied.

Paul Rudd returns as Brian Fantana, and he is given much more to do. He is still the suave, classy handsome ladies man that he was the first go-around and Rudd plays to his strong points. 

David Koechner also return as Champ King, but unfortunately is rather sidelined. Koechner is most well known for playing crass, perverted comic foils, but the first Anchorman gave him a chance to be something beyond that. This time, he doesn't get much time to shine. 

Now we come to Steve Carell. I like Steve Carell, but like Koechner, he has the ability to do so much more than what he is given. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with his acting, and he does have some of the biggest laughs in the movie, but it really feels as though they choose not to build much off the talent Carell has developed over the past nine years since the original. He does however have great chemistry when paired with Kristen Wiig, and they play off of each other remarkably. 

As with the first film, there are a calvacade of celebrities that show up in cameo appearances, but I shall not spoil the surprise here. I will give you a hint though. An actor I have frequently mentioned as one of my favorites does some rather memorable scene-stealing. Keep your eyes open throughout the film!

All in all, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is a hilarious comedy that will not disappoint fans of the original. It may get a little out of hand in some spots, but it never loses it's spark. 

B

"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" Review

As I said in my review of the previous installment, when I first heard of the decision to stretch The Hobbit into three films, I had mixed feelings. The first go around, I was none too impressed with the amount of bloat and unnecessary plot extensions. This time however, the overall narrative of the film is much more lucid.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug picks up immediately after the end of the last film. Having just escaped the orcs and Goblins, Bilbo and the company of dwarves continue their journey to reclaim the lost kingdom of Erebor under the Lonely Mountain. They must make their way through Mirkwood, home of the wood-elves, sneak through the dreary lake town, and reclaim their birthright by taking on the stupendous dragon, Smaug. Meanwhile, Gandalf and Radagast uncover the true force behind the Necromancer.

Whereas the additional plot seemed unnecessary in the first movie, it is become much more apparent that Peter Jackson has an endgame in mind. The use of appendices to expand the film was originally viewed as a way to give film more padding, but if you pay enough attention, and if you've seen The Lord of the Rings trilogy, you can see what they are setting up. You can tell that there is going to be payoff when the trilogy is over, so stick with it.

While in the first film, it was very slow getting the action started, this time we dive right in. It's much more satisfying than sitting through 40 minutes of build-up. And it is all glorious. Jackson breathes life into parts of the book in ways I could never imagine. The action is suspenseful, the characters are all three dimensional, and the music is magnificently appropriate.

The second the film ends, I immediately began anticipating the next chapter.

Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage and the rest of the cast return from the first film, and they all deliver excellent performances which develop across the spectrum of the film and still remain fresh. So rather than rehash those, I'll instead talk about the new additions to the cast.

Orlando Bloom makes his return as the fan-favorite archer-elf Legolas, and he brings with him the same ferocity and determination that he did in the original trilogy. He is younger in this movie, which gives Bloom the opportunity to play a more youthful, less mature, but admittedly still badass iteration of the character.

Evangeline Lilly premieres as the elf Tauriel, a character created specifically for the movie. While it could be easy for one to view her as merely a female Legolas, she has her own unique personality which pops and soars, creating a very memorable dynamic to the film.

Luke Evans plays Bard the Bowman, a character who has suffered and would rather not be bothered. His performance in the film arguably has the most pathos and the most heart, as Bard is clearly a man wounded and Evans does well to portray him as such. Full well knowing his fate, I eagerly await seeing Luke's stamp on the character in the final chapter.

Andrew's Standout for this film would be the growing talent of Benedict Cumberbatch. Other than Sean Connery and Christopher Lee, I know few people that can masterfully give life to a dragon, let alone one so iconic. But Cumberbatch puts on his motion capture suit, and crawls his way through to becoming the beast we could only picture as we read the book. He creates a chilling voice that, while recognizable, feels in tone with our antagonist, and will remain in your head as the film ends.

The choreography is magnificent, particularly the famous barrel scene. It almost reminds you of that sweeping six team member fighting shot in The Avengers.

If you had doubts about the first movie, rest assured, the second is superior. It is action and story packed, with enough suspense to make you giddy with anticipation for the series conclusion.

A-

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" Review

What started as a one film prequel to the masterful "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, was turned into a three film saga in it's own right. Like it or lump it, Warner Brothers is doing what they wish with the material. I am very fond of the Middle Earth series, they are excellent works of art. But the decision to turn a 300 page children's book into a three part film epic was met with mixed results by myself as well.

The first film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey starts off with the titular halfling Bilbo Baggins being recruited by the wizard Gandalf in order to help a group of dwarves reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo comes face to face with terrors such as trolls, goblins, orcs, and a mysterious ring that will change his fate forever.

The same whimsical spirit and wondrous sense of adventure that featured so prominently in Peter Jackson's original trilogy is still present in this movie, whilst still keeping a darker side to it when the story calls for it to do so. Tonally, it will fit seamlessly on the shelf with the other films.

However,  at times it feels a little bit bloated, which is a mixed bag. Scenes not present in the book (yes, I've actually read this book) but merely in the appendices are brought in to both lengthen the movie and to give us the opportunity to see some of our favorite characters once more. While I welcome any reason to see the lovely Cate Blanchett, the charming Elijah Wood, and the magnificent Christopher Lee, they do very little to add to the overall plot. The question that remains is does the bloat ruin the movie? Absolutely not. I cherish the opportunity for Peter Jackson to be creative in expanding the series. If this is going to be a three picture pony, it's good to know it will never be boring.

Martin Freeman joins the cast as the eponymous Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. He does well to craft a Bilbo who is a believable homebody, afraid to come out of his hole, but also a curious creature that will eventually meld into the seasoned adventurer Ian Holm portrayed in Fellowship.

Sir Ian McKellen reprises his role as Gandalf the Grey. His wisdom and brilliance has made this role into something so memorable, that no one could ever take his place. His command of his voice, his charge of a situation, and his warmth for others create a character of cult status and amazing staying power.

Richard Armitage plays the lead dwarf, Thorin Oakenshield. His determination, ferocity, and sense of entitlement towards what is truly his creates such a fascinating dynamic that plays well against our other characters.

The cast of dwarves is far too vast for me to describe in detail, but each actor brings life to the beloved dwarves we know and love from the books.

Andrew's Standout for this film would be the transcendently talented Andy Serkis who reprises his role of Gollum. While some people would not classify motion capture as "acting", I choose to look at Serkis as an actor who is merely wearing a highly advanced costume. He does majestically as a creature that transcends the bounds of realism. He fuels such emotion into Gollum to create a wounded being, who was corrupted by such a powerful force. He, along with Freeman, breathe life into the famous riddle scene, and in it's cinematic form, it will go down as one of the most memorable ever created, thanks to Serkis.

While The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will not be exactly what you pictured in your head as you read the book, it's still an amazing motion picture that will live on forever alongside it's predecessors as wondrous fantasy adventure epic.

B+

"The World's End" Review

It seems this year, Hollywood had a fascination with the end of the world. Be it Brad Pitt fighting off zombies across the globe, or Seth Rogen and his pals throwing a party during the rapture, the box office was purely apocalyptic. Out of all the films within the genre that came out this year, one stood out above the rest as the smartest and most heartfelt, The World's End.

The third film in Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy, The World's End tells the story of Gary King, a recovering drug addict who wishes to reunite his old high school friends to return to their hometown of Newton Haven in order to complete the legendary pub crawl, The Golden Mile. However, Newton Haven isn't at all like they remember, and they soon discover an extraterrestrial conspiracy to replace the town and it's citizens with robots. 

The jokes in this movie don't come as often as they did in Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz, but it still has a consistency to it's humor. The jokes are laugh out loud hilarious, and the sight gags are wickedly clever. Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg have crafted yet another brilliant comedy, which stands above the average gross-out laugh riot that seems to come out bi-weekly. It is a brilliant play on the science fiction genre, just as Wright's last films in the trilogy were commentaries on the zombie and buddy cop genres. It delightfully plays on the common tropes and twists them into it's own quirks. 

What it has that the other two films in the trilogy didn't is a touching sense of realism and heart. The brutal fate which Gary King tries to move away from at the beginning of the movie is so wrenching and down-trodden that you almost immediately feel for our wacky protagonist. The lies he spins, his obsession with completion of the pub crawl, his glory days state of mind, it all feels so gritty and real. But when we near our conclusion, I challenge you not to sense how touching it all is. 

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost go together like salt and pepper. They complement each other perfectly, and have such a unique chemistry. What works best about them is that they can shift their dynamic almost seamlessly. Whereas in previous films in which they've appeared, Frost was our comedy source, here he is our straight man. The usually seriously stern Pegg gets to be much more playful with his role this time around. This is what makes them such a wonderful pairing. They can do so much with each other without getting stale. 

Each of the ensemble gets their moment to shine. Whereas some comedies may throw the talents of Pierce Brosnan, Martin Freeman and Eddie Marsan to the side, this film allows them to craft wonderfully colorful characters who get so more much to do. 

This movie absolutely deserves your attention. It is easily the most heartfelt and intelligent comedy to come out this year. And I personally guarantee you will feel for our wonderfully three dimensional characters. 

A-

"The Wolverine" Review

X-Men Origins: Wolverine opened in May 2009, and it reeked of limited character development, a cliched plot, and more two dimensional tertiary characters than a crowd waiting to get into a Black Friday sale. For the amount of love 20th Century Fox seemed to have for Hugh Jackman and his Wolverine, one would imagine that they would give him a solo outing worthy of that admiration. Well, four years later, they did. Only this time, it was simply called The Wolverine. 

Based on the fan-favorite Frank Miller and Chris Claremont comic saga from 1982, The Wolverine finds our eponymous mutant reeling after the conclusion of X-Men: The Last Stand. When a man from his past summons him to Japan to offer him a gift, Logan finds himself facing off against the Yakuza to protect the man's granddaughter. Only this time, a mysterious woman takes away something very dear to Logan: his healing factor. 

After the lukewarm response to the origin film, I began to think that the X-Men franchise was running out of things to do with Wolverine. But they captured my attention when they brought on acclaimed director James Mangold, and took the storyline from the Japan saga in the comic books. So I decided to give the film a chance. 

I was rather impressed. The idea to remove a hero's powers is nothing new. It was explored rather well in Spider-Man 2. But with Wolverine, it was different. He still had his claws and his strength, so  he still had a fighting chance. What the removal of the healing factor did was raise the stakes. It took the film to a new level, instituting a fresh sense of vulnerability to make the character of Wolverine interesting again. It creates a high-risk, adrenaline fueled, action thriller, where anything can happen, and you're never assured that Wolverine will make it. 

The gritty, secluded, exterior in which we first find our hero paves another road for the character. Whereas the character has always been an aggressive loner, the film takes that to the extreme, and we find him in the darkest places that he has gone to. This is a shell of a man, haunted by his past, and at rock bottom. This gives him a great place to start his trail, and the path he follows is the most interesting place we've seen Hugh Jackman take him.

Where the film deters is the third act. It has an extraordinary build up, yet it doesn't quite satisfy. Your mind can think of different places the film could go, but when the film finally arrives there, it just doesn't feel fitting to where we've been heading. 

Hugh Jackman returns for a record setting sixth appearance as Logan. While there has never been anything wrong with his performance as the character in the past, this is clearly the best he's turned in. He's given so much more to do than he has before, and he works with with the material spectacularly. He puts a different stamp on his character, for the first time truly letting us see his fears, his vulnerabilities, and his raw emotion. 

The choreography for the major fight sequences is extremely inventive, pulling stunts and sequences that feel unique and original. Rather than just slashing everything in sight with his claws, Wolverine is given much more imaginative fighting skills. The bullet train sequence is easily a scene to be remembered. 

If you've been iffy about the character in the past, this is the place where you'll join the fan club. It's an excellent film, even if the third act is lacking a bit. And without going into spoiler territory, stay through the middle of the end credits, as it may be the best credits stinger I have ever seen (even on par with  The Avengers).

B

Remembering Actors Who Died Before Their Time

Given the sudden, unfortunate death of Paul Walker, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at actors we've lost before their time, who still had something to offer, and remember the good times that they brought us.

Phil Hartman- One of the most beloved cast members to grace Saturday Night Live, Phil was well known for his impression of President Bill Clinton. He also contributed to Paul Reubens creation of Pee Wee Herman, and guest starred on The Simpsons many, many times as Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure. His warm, yet slick style was always endlessly entertaining. Phil was tragically murdered by his wife in his sleep, who then turned the gun on herself. R.I.P. May 28th, 1998.

James Dean- A lifelong icon for youthful rebellion, he was twice nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. His youthful exuberance, and distaste for authority made him a teen idol. His performance in Rebel Without A Cause put him on par with Marlon Brando. To the teens of the 1950s, he was their equivalent of James Franco. James died in a car accident in California. R.I.P. September 30th, 1955.

Judy Garland- One of Hollywood's most iconic starlets, she graced the screen as Dorothy in the most famous adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Her wholesome good looks, and amazing singing voice made her one of the most popular names in the 1930s and 40s. Her partnership with Mickey Rooney was so iconic, it become hard to picture the two apart at times. Unfortunately, she struggled with drug addiction which led to her untimely death. R.I.P. June 22nd, 1969.

River Phoenix- He was one of the most promising new-comers of the late 1980's. He played a part in some of the most iconic films of the time period, such as the Stephen King coming of age classic Stand By Me, and he appeared as a young Indiana Jones in the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He had a squeaky clean public image, but under the surface he had a hidden drug problem which led to his untimely heart failure and death. R.I.P. October 31st, 1993.

John Belushi- One of the original members of the original Saturday Night Live cast, Belushi was known for his energetic, raunchy humor. Alongside good friend Dan Akroyd, he was one of the original Blues Brothers. He made us fall out of our seats as Bluto in the classic comedy National Lampoon's Animal House. He had an energy that just couldn't be replicated. He passed away from a speedball overdose. R.I.P. March 5th, 1982.

Heath Ledger- I'll be the first to admit I was skeptical of Heath Ledger at first. I didn't think anyone would be able to come close to Jack Nicholson's portrayal of The Joker. Yet, he proved me wrong. He created a twisted take and made the character his own. He had a unique style which made him stand out in Brokeback Mountain, The Patriot, A Knight's Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You. He had aspirations of directing, which unfortunately didn't pan out due to his accidental prescription drug overdose. He was posthumously awarded the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. R.I.P. January 22nd, 2008.

Bob Crane- World famous Disc Jockey and eponymous star of Hogan's Heroes, Bob was known for his cool, collective, witty ways similar to Robert Downey Jr. He had talents in two ponds. After the show went off the air, he appeared in a couple Disney films, and was still working to the end. He was found dead in his apartment, stabbed with an unknown object, and his murder remains unsolved to this day. R.I.P. June 29th, 1978.

Paul Walker- A very talented soul, Paul was most well known for his role as Brian O'Conner in the Fast and The Furious series. Off screen, he participated in charitable work, such as flying to Haiti and Chile after their respective earthquakes, and even as he died, he was leaving a charity event for Reach Out Worldwide. His demeanor made him popular, his style made him a badass, his offscreen life was free of scandal, he was a very talented and respectable entertainer. Paul passed away yesterday in a tragic car accident. R.I.P. November 30th, 2013.

To all of these entertainers, and to those not on this list, I say Rest In Peace.