Looper Review

Looper tells the story of a young man named Joe who works as a hitman for the mafia in the future. Targets from the even further future are sent to him to kill and despose of all traces that they existed. When the mafia chooses to end the contract with a Looper, they "close the loop" send back the target's future self to kill along with a payment of gold, and knowledge that they only have 30 years to live. When Joe is sent his future-self to kill, he hesitates, the target escapes, and both are now in trouble.

If I told you that I went into Looper with high hopes, I would be lying. From first glance, it appeared to nothing more than your run of the mill, September release, interesting concept, poor delivery, science fiction movie. Like last years stinker In Time Sure it has not one, but TWO of my favorite actors, but I thought it would be a confusing let down.

I was wrong.

Not only does Looper deliver high intensity action and phenomenal special effects, it also has substance. It answers the questions that I had about the trailers, and showcases new ideas that aren't explored as often as they should. It may ring familiar with certain tropes that are too common to you, but it makes up for it by introducing a moral dilema that causes you to think about what you would do if you were put in the same situation. It contains some rather violent, graphic images, so be advised.

Most science fiction movies don't really strike the right note with acting and heart. But when they do, you get hits like Star Wars, Logan's Run, Blade Runner, etc. While it's not anything I would expect to see pop up around awards time, Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt both deliver powerful, heartfelt performances. Rather than relying on the script, they make the roles, or should I say role, their own with acting that really lets you into their world. That's why I declare them both Andrew's Standout for this movie.

If you're looking for just a regular run of the mill movie, look else where. This movie will make you use your brain, but it is worth it. I absolutely say go for it.

B+

"Dredd" Review

In 1995 the movie "Judge Dredd" starring Sylvester Stallone came out based on the comic book of the same name. It revolves around a futuristic wasteland where the cops are "Judges" who arrest criminals, pass judgement, and sentence them on the spot. Often including execution. Judge Dredd is the most well known of the judges who is known never to take off his helmet.

Why did the concept fail the first time? Because of Sylvester Stallone. Given his star power, the studio was under the belief that he would bring automatic success. Wrong. After the first five minutes, he took off his helmet. And from that point, it became just another Stallone shooting gallery.


"Dredd" stars Karl Urban as the title judge assigned to assess a rookie pyschic as they investigate 3 homicides in the most dangerous part of Metro One. All the while, the drug kingpin Ma-Ma has her goons hunt them down in order to protect her new synthetic narcotic "Slo-Mo" which slows down the perception of reality.

Why does this version work? Because the filmmakers are making a movie based on the comic, not on the profit projections of their star. Karl Urban is no stranger to comic/sci-fi/fantasy films. You may know him best as Éomer from The Lord of The Rings Trilogy or as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy from the new Star Trek films. He gives his all because he doesn't care about appearances. He devotes his skills to crafting the character that we all know and love from the comics. He remains truthful, given the outlandish circumstances of his environment. He is not concerned with vain notions about his image, he is concerned with bringing Dredd to life. He does it for the love of the character and not the paycheck.

The plot is sound with ample character development. It not only introduces you to the characters, but shows you how they grow in such a little amount of time. Even the ones with no apparent emotions.

When I saw this movie, I saw it in 3D. I highly recommend that you do the same. The special effects make ample use of this technology, and create a visual experience unlike any other I have seen in 3D so far.

A-

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