In Light of Recent Events...

Today I had planned to return to the film review world with my take on "The Dark Knight Rises". However given the recent tragedy that had occurred in Aurora, Colorado, I shall be postponing my review as a symbol of respect. (Rest assured, it will be posted tomorrow).

This has really hit home with me, considering that I also was in attendance at a Midnight showing of the film, and something like that could have happened anywhere....

I am not a politician, so I will not give you some Charlton Heston/Al Gore debate on Gun Control.

I am not a psychiatrist, so I will not try to make sense out of why James Holmes entered that theater and committed what is now being called the "largest peacetime shooting massacre in U.S. history".

I will just say that life is precious. It is a miracle of creation, if not the most profound phenomenon that occurs in nature. It can be taken from you in the blink of an eye. If this tragedy has done anything, it has opened my eyes to how delicate life can be. Don't take it for granted, but at the same time, don't seal yourself in a theoretical plastic bubble because things may be frightening at the time.

Don't be afraid. Live life to the fullest.

And I encourage all of my readers to help support the victims and family members of those lost in the massacre. Even if it is as simple as signing the petition for Christian Bale to visit those hospitalized whilst dressed in the Batman costume.

The Avengers Review, 7 Grades, and I'm Back

After a 2 month hiatus due to the SUNY Ulster Production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" (The most fun I have ever had), the end of the Spring Semester, and other things, I am back. In my brief hours of free time, I was able to see a few movies but did not have time to review them. I will give you a quick rating on them:

The Lorax: B-

John Carter: C+

21 Jump Street: A-

The Hunger Games: B+

Wrath of The Titans: C+

The Three Stooges: B

The Cabin in the Woods: A-

Now on to the big picture. Literally.

I have been a comic book fan since before I could talk, and a movie fan since I was a fetus. The times when the two meet together are things that I look forward to for years on end. Given the unique premise and development behind The Avengers, it goes without saying that I have been giddy with anticipation. The amount of hype for this film gave me expectations that one would believe completely out of reach. However, Joss Whedon is not only able to meet those expectations, but also hurdled 4 feet above them by crafting not only the greatest comic book movie ever made, but one of the greatest cinematic experiences I have ever had in my life.

The Avengers picks up where the Marvel Solo movies left off. Loki comes to Earth in order to seize the Tesseract and assert control over the planet. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. assembles a team of superheroes to save the Earth from extraterrestrial subjagation.

The film answers questions from the previous films, and gives an equal amount of screentime to all the heroes, giving both character development and conflict between the super egos that are assembled for the first time as a group. One can imagine how the script would lean towards giving Robert Downey Jr. the film as his own to create "Iron Man and Friends", but luckily Whedon is smarter than that. While Downey does dominate the screen when he is present, his ego does not overplay anyone elses character. The emotion that results when Joss does exactly what he is known for, is a pivotal point that finally blends the characters together into a team. It feels like you are truly watching a comic book, while at the same time experiencing a film that corresponds to almost every genre you can think of. Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth share a certain level of comradery that makes you realize that Captain America and Thor should be working together much more often.

Back in 2003, Marvel asked specific permission of Samuel L. Jackson to use his likeness for a new version of Nick Fury in the comic books. He agreed. The fact that he plays the character is no accident, and thankfully a great gift. The anger, wit, and dominion that Samuel L. Jackson is known for, and is often criticized for doing so often, is present in this film as well. Yet, it works to his advantage in this case and asserts his control over the largest peacekeeping organization in the world.

There is not a single bad performance in this film. However, there is one person who stands above the rest. And that person.... is Mark Ruffalo. Like most people, I was angry when the news broke that Edward Norton would not be reprising his role as Bruce Banner. The lack of continuity between films is something that I usually hate. However, the anger quickly dispells once you see Ruffalo's performance. Mark brings a level of empathy and calmness that has not been brought to the character since the days of Bill Bixby. His quick tongue and emotional range is something that has been missing from the temper ridden/whining loner interpretations seen from Eric Bana and Norton. You feel a sense of intelligence and repressed anger that leaves you wondering if he is ever going to go green. The level of control that Banner has over his emotions is a drastic improvement that makes you realize that the Hulk is not just a emotionally displaced monster, he's just a normal human with a unique ability.

For the first time ever, the same actor who plays Bruce Banner also plays The Hulk. Thanks to the motion capture technology developed for the movie Avatar, Mark Ruffalo actually plays the Hulk (with Lou Ferrigno once again providing the voice of course). You can see his face in the performance, something that makes him so much more real. While the Hulk's actions are often played for humorous reasons, it is impossible not to laugh. When he is fully unleashed, the badassery of the character is apparent to the level that you find yourself leaning back in the chair when he roars.

The special effects are vibrant and at the same time, grounded in reality. The aliens in the film hold a visual quality that take a generic race of creatures and turn them into a terrifying spectacle of advanced technology and extraterrestrial individuality. The visual dynamics of the Helicarrier are breathtaking and beyond imagination. When it lifts out of the water for the first time, your jaw will drop and your mind will tell you "Wow. This is happening".

See this film. See it twice. See it twice on the same day, then go see it again. It is that good. It is a roller coaster ride that starts with the production logos and doesn't stop until the end credits are finished. *(HINT) STAY AFTER THE CREDITS, ALL THE WAY, NOT JUST THE MIDDLE. You will not be dissappointed in the slightest. 

A+ 

The Oscar Predictions Special Edition

Today, I have decided to write up my personal predictions for The Academy Awards and forego my review for Act of Valor. I will briefly sum that movie up to give you some closure. The film is ambitious and remarkable for what it is, but in a cinematic sense, fails to give the true pathos to make the ending worth it. Take it or leave it. C+.

Here we go. (But not every category, Just the main ones.)

Best Original Screenplay: Midnight in Paris Woody Allen's tale of a writer's adventure through time is inspiring and emotionally invested. More creative than any other nominee.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Hugo The adaptation of the book is a truly magical look into the art of film preservation and french orphans. Given that the top prize is all but reserved, this is Hugo's best shot.

Best Visual Effects: Rise of the Planet of the Apes Given the truly criminal snubbing of Andy Serkis as Caesar, the motion capture magic of this film is all but gauranteed to take home the prize.

Best Director: Michael Hazanavicius for The Artist Not since Chaplin has a director more masterfully put on a silent film.

Best Supporting Actor: It's really anyone's race but the experts are saying Christopher Plummer for Beginners

Best Supporting Actress: In a world where comedy ruled, Melissa McCarthy would be victorious, but in a year with Octavia Spencer from The Help nominated, this is a closed race.

Best Actor: There are 3 other well deserving nominees, and the fact that Gary Oldman got his long deserved nomination after so many years, but the most moving performance this year is from George Clooney for The Descendants.

Best Actress: Rooney Mara is the most deserving, and Viola Davis is the Cinderella story who may come from behind, but unfortunately this will most likely go to Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady. P'tooey. Seriously. Just take your award and retire.

And Now Best Picture:

This was the first year that I have seen every film prior to the big night. This is all but closed. The Artist is going to walk away with the award, and well deservedly so. The film is so magical and enlightening that it brings about the renaissannce of cinema in the mind of critics. It awakens the imaginative spirit in a way that no other nominee does. That is not to say the other films don't have an immense amount of cinematic pixie dust, but let's all be honest. How many of you can say that you watched The Tree of Life without getting a headache? The nominations themselves are all tokens of appreciation, and rightfully earned by all nominees. But there is no doubt that The Artist will rise to victory.

Now.....anyone care to gamble?

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance Review

The story, the acting, the dialogue, the camera work. It's Just. So. Awful. (This review doesn't even deserve an introduction.)

Set years after the original, Johnny Blaze is hiding out in Europe. He is approached by a French man who tasks him with bringing out the Rider once more to save a young boy from the devil. At least I think that is the story, this film will make you dizzy.

It all seems so silly and ridiculous, you think that you're watching a 90 minute, live action, unfunny version of Family Guy. It even has cutaway gags. What action movie has cutaway gags? Not a good one!

Nicolas Cage is a great actor. Not joking. He is. He has proved this before. Yet, with a bad script, there is often bad acting accompanied. He acts so insane and out of control that by comparison, Charlie Sheen seems like a member of the British Parliament.
Cage delivers his dialogue in the improper tone, with poor inflection, and frankly just chews through the scenery. There is a scene in the middle in which he interrogates an associate of the boys kidnappers. It may just be one of the creepiest things I have seen to this date, and not for the reasons the filmmakers intend. You will honestly believe that Cage is losing his mind in front of a camera.

There are two redeeming factors to this film.

The first is Idris Elba. His role as Moreau is the sole pleasant performance in the entire film. He acts with strong confidence and wisdom. His devotion to God is inspiring and makes you search for a glimmer of hope in your own life. And to be honest, when Daniel Craig is finished with the role, I would love to see Idris play James Bond. Between him and Michael Fassbender.

The second redeeming factor is the special effects. They are well polished, and a complete improvement over the unfinished, lazy photoshop work of the first film

Don't see this movie in theaters. Wait for 3 years when it appears on TV. It's so bad that it's funny. Someday, it will find a group willing to appreciate it's numerous faults.

F

This Means War Review

There is a tragedy that occurs too often in the world. Something that happens to everyone, no matter what they do. I call it "When Bad Movies Happen to Good Actors".

The film is about two CIA agents who discover that they are dating the same woman. Then the title occurs. Thats it. Thats all you need to know.

When you watch this movie, you will think that you are physic. That's because the film is so cliched and predictable that it's just sad.  Director McG has no sort of control over the film, and has no idea how to direct something of this genre. There is sloppy editing, poor writing, and no sense of equilibrium as the film never finds its footing. And the ending.......just so unnecessary.

The themes in here are absolutely awful. Rather than plotting revenge against the polygamistic girl who is playing with both of their hearts, they enter a war of egos in trying to win hers. And when the truth comes out, she somehow decides to blame THEM. A true romantic film focuses on the tenderness of emotion rather than the competition for sexual reward. Is this film a foretelling of where America is headed? I surely hope not.

Chris Pine and Tom Hardy are both excellent actors, and it is clear that they aren't just working for a paycheck. They truly put their all into this film, but unfortunately it isn't enough as they are given nothing to work with. But good effort boys, good effort.

Reese Witherspoon....Well my grandmother always said that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

The redeeming factor here is Til Schweiger (You may remember him as Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz from Inglourious Basterds.) The fact that he keeps his cool and doesn't resort to lame jokes or slapstick in an otherwise garbage movie makes him "Andrew's Standout."

Save your money. This movie is just not worth it. If I hadn't won the tickets on the radio, I would not have seen it.

D

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace 3-D Review

On May 19, 1999, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace opened in theaters. I was 6 years old at the time. I was scheduled to go that night to see it with my mom and my brother Kevin. However, that afternoon, I got in trouble for biting my brother at my grandma's house, and as punishment, I had to stay home with my father while they went.  I never saw it....until Monday night.

The big question: Was it worth waiting 13 years? Yes. Because I was able to judge it with the perspective of an adult rather than a 6 year old.

The film revolves around jedi Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi as they travel to Naboo in order to protect Queen Amidala from the Galatic Trade Federation who plans to force her to sign a treaty.

The story is no where near the level of the original trilogy, yet that does not make this a bad movie.  It is cluttered with multiple plot points at times, and the characters may not be as appealing as Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, but it is a fun ride nonetheless.

This film belongs to Liam Neeson.  His portrayal of Qui-Gonn steals the show the same way that Harrison Ford stole it as Han Solo in the original. His wisdom and calm attitude under pressure makes him the clear star of the movie. Having seen so many Neeson films before this, made this that much more interesting.

Now we come to the part I have been dreading. Jar Jar Binks. To be totally clear, I hated him. He is nothing more than a vain attempt to pander the younger generation that will accompany the fans of the original trilogy. But he is not the result of bad acting, he is the result of bad writing. Ahmed Best, the actor, did everything he could with such horrible character writing. I don't blame him in the least. I would not say get rid of him completely, I would reduce his screentime in favor of Darth Maul who has so much more potential. The fact that Ray Park (who is my choice for "Andrew's Standout") did not have more time to flesh out such a clear fan-favorite is nothing short of criminal.

The same would go for Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu, but fortunately we have not seen the last of him.

I would save your money, the 3-D does not add too much extra. (Though some sequences are incredible). But see this movie sometime in your life. It's not a bad movie, just not a very good Star Wars movie.

B-

The Artist Review

Before you read my review, please do yourself a favor. Click play on the video above, and watch a small sample of the pure magic this movie has to offer. Go ahead. I can wait.

Have you watched it? Good!

The Artist. There is not much I can say. Except that this is, by far, and without a single doubt in my mind, the greatest movie I have seen in quite some time. It reminds me of the very reasons that I started reviewing movies to begin with. For every Adam Sandler crossdressing movie that has absolutely no overarching plot, and uses celebrities and fart jokes to pander to America's ever-lowering bar of accepted quality, there are movies like The Artist that remind you that there are still directors like Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, and in this case, Michel Hazanavicius making movies with substance and pure magic.

I have seen this movie twice. When I asked friends to join me, they refused on the grounds that it was a silent and black and white movie. While they consider it a turn off, I consider it it's greatest strength. The film is a callback to a time of innocence when films were about story, acting, and getting away from the world if only for a while. The Artist proves that you don't need huge stars, million dollar computer effects, or even color to have a good movie, you just need ambition.

The film is about a silent movie actor named George Valentin who goes into depression and failure after he refuses to participate in talking pictures. But with the help of an old co-star, he may just make a comeback.

There is always a difficulty in silent movie acting. You need to talk with your body. You rely on body language and dialogue cards to tell a story. Luckily, there is no issue here. Jean Dujardin may not be a household name to you, but in France he is the equivalent of Brad Pitt. He reels you in with his charm and his wit, even when he barely talks.

Berenice Bejo is the classic 1920s flapper, with her amazing good looks and carefree attitude. But she is much more than eye-candy, she is a catalyst that gets things moving, even without words.

The film is very self referential about the fact that it is a silent movie. Characters make numerous references to the fact that George does not want to talk, even when they aren't referring to his movies. The begininng of the film is a film starring George being tortured for information, and the first title card says "I refuse to speak".

SEE this movie. SEE this movie twice. That's all I can tell you. If this film does not win Best Picture, I will be writing a very strongly worded letter to the Academy.

A+