Summer Movie Preview Part 3 July 2011

I can't believe June has already come and gone, and its already time for me to write another monthly preview article.  There are a lot of great movies coming up this month, and July is typically the last big month of summer movies. Here is what to expect in July.

Larry Crowne

Larry Crowne is the small little movie that has been placed on 4th of July weekend for two reasons. The first is the high quality star power of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. The second is purely out of the desire to draw in those theater goers who don't care about Transformers. Weather it is a good movie or not remains to be seen, but I guarantee the audience for this and the audience for Transformers will look completely different.


Horrible Bosses

Horrible Bosses to me looks like the next big comedy. It has a beyond stellar cast, and looks absolutely like the funniest movie of the summer (sorry Bridesmaids). The basic premise is the same as strangers on a train, with each friend taking a different boss to eliminate. The movie looks flat out hysterical, and between Kevin Spacey doing his thing, Colin Farrell looking down right hysterical, and Jennifer Anniston doing that thing to the banana, I'm sold.

Zoo Keeper

I don't exactly know what to say about this movie.  It has to be funny, because it certainly isn't new. From the trailer it certainly looks like another sub standard Dr. Doolittle clone.  I like Kevin James, he is a very funny physical comedian, but he continuously makes bad choices for films. I hope it is funny, and I hope that it surprises me, but I am not holding my breath.

Winnie The Pooh

It is classic Winnie The Pooh in all his hand drawn glory. This is a new story, with all our favorite characters. Just like Curious George a few years ago, this movie chose to stick to the traditional animation, and I love it. This type of animation has become so scarce that when it does appear, you are instantly nostalgic for bygone eras. I don't think there is there anyone who won't immediately fall in love with this movie by the end of the trailer, watch it and you will see what I mean.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Literally a decade in the making, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is the conclusion of the story that has captured everyones attention for the past 10 years. It is hard to believe that it is all coming to an end. I for one never imagined that I would be sitting here 10 years later, eagerly anticipating the final chapter. But I am, and quite honestly the series has only gotten more exciting, more dark, and more amazing with time. If you were 11 when the first movie came out you are now 21, a full grown adult.  There are very few film series that last that long, there are even fewer that define a generation.  Harry Potter is a special collection of films that transcends all media, and has in itself become culture.

Captain America

Call me a pessimist, or a skeptic, but I am not impressed by this movie. To me everything about this movie, from the casting, to the set design, even the costume are all signs that this is not a good movie. Maybe it has a good director? Ooops nope, if the name Joe Johnson doesn't ring a bell maybe this will help. Johnson was the director of such classics as Jumanji, Jurassic Park 3, The Pagemaster, and oh lets not forget The Wolfman (2010). If that isn't screaming at you not to trust this movie, I don't know what else to tell you. I know it is summer and Marvel has yet to let us down, but seriously folks I said it here first, this movie looks like first rate garbage. Be officially warned.


Crazy Stupid Love

This movie looks brilliant.  It looks funny, tragic, and above all things very real. Every once in a while a comedy can move you more than any drama, and Crazy Stupid Love certainly looks to fit that mold. I don't know about you, but this trailer makes the movie look like vintage James L. Brooks.  Movies like As Good as it Gets, Broadcast News, and Terms of Endearment, are all perfect examples of real movies. If Crazy Stupid Love is anywhere near as good as those classics we are in for a treat.

The Smurfs

Sorry but this is beyond terrible, its just depressing. Hey parents this is what you get for taking your kids to Alvin and the Chipmunks, Alvin and the Chipmunks 2, Yogi Bear, and all the other horrible bastardized versions of out beloved childhood cartoons. I blame you, it is your fault, now do us all a favor and don't take your kids to see this. Let the industry know that you refuse to allow them to rape your childhood any longer, by not taking your kids to this movie.

Cowboys & Aliens

What can you say about one of the coolest ideas for a movie ever. Cowboys & Aliens is a perfect example of how to take a traditional western and flip it on its ear.  Jon Favreau, has specifically designed the movie to be one part John Ford, and one part Steven Spielberg. It's an interesting combination to say the least, but those are two magnificent directors to model a movie after.  They both have an amazing visual style, and make nothing but beautiful movies.  I am looking forward to this movie, and hope it delivers on all that it promises.

Summer Movie Preview Part 2 June 2011

You have waited and waited and here is Part 2 of my Summer Movie Preview. This segment will cover all of June. May was full of hits and only a few misses. Seeing as we have now hit the stride of the summer season hopefully they only continue to get better. Without further ado here is June 2011.

X-Men First Class

When I first heard that they were going to "re-boot" the X-men franchise, I was skeptical. Then I found out that Bryan Singer was returning to produce the film, and I felt better. Then I found out that Matthew Vaughn was coming on board to direct and I got really interested. Seeing the most recent trailer sold me on the movie. I like the idea of setting an X-Men movie within an alternate US history. I also really dig the retro look and of course it looks pretty action packed. On a side note, I heard rumor of a cameo by a certain adamantium clawed mutant, that could perhaps steal the movie, fingers crossed.

Super 8

The last line in the trailer says it all "What the hell?" Quite possibly the best kept secret of the summer no one knows exactly what this movie is about. I have heard lots of theories, and lots of ideas, but no one will actually know until June 10th when the movie is released.

Beginners

I am a sucker for a good romance. This movie seems like such a great film about romantic relationships, as well as about relationships about fathers and sons. The trailer has a very Woody Allen-esque feel to it and I can see it following that style very easily. If it is anything like vintage Woody Allen it could be one of the better movies of the year.

Bad Teacher

As a teacher this movie appeals to me just because it so 100% exactly what I would love to say sometimes. This movie is the Anti Stand and Deliver, will it be as dirty and over the top as Bad Santa? There are too many what ifs to know for sure if the movie will be any good or not. But from the looks of the Restricted Red Band Trailer, it is going to be a very hard R rated film.

Green Lantern

For me this summer will be defined by how good this movie is. This is my pick for "Movie of the Summer." There is a lot riding on this movie as far as the DC universe of super heroes is concerned, and hopefully this movie delivers. From everything I have seen so far it will. Directed by Martin Campbell who is no stranger to action films, I am really looking forward to this cosmic space epic of a film.

Cars 2

I don't know if it will be good, or bad, but I am not confident in this Pixar movie. In fact I think this may be the first Pixar movie that really bombs. There are so many red flags that just spell disaster that I think people may avoid it, especially with the other quality animated films out there. Of course this is all speculation, and it could very well be something fantastic, but I just don't get that vibe.

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Originally scheduled to be released on July 1st, the studio pushed its date up to June 29th earlier this week. I liked the first transformers, it was clever and cute without being to cute. The action sequences were spectacular, and it gave you exactly what you wanted from a Transformers movie, giant robots beating the hell out of each other and causing massive amounts of damage. The second Transformers film just plain sucked. The action scenes were still great, but the lack of a quality script because of the WGA strike, and the fact that they blatantly decided to accentuate the off putting aspects of the first made the second one universally hated. The trailers for this one, are fantastic, there is a paranoia aspect to the idea involving the moon race and its true motives, there is great scenes of giant robots beating the hell out of each other, and causing massive amounts of damage, oh and NO MEGAN FOX. Lets see if the trilogy goes out with a bang or a whimper

That is it for June, I am looking forward to sharing my opinions of the movies above when I see them, and hopefully you see them too so we can have good discussions about these movies and our experiences seeing them.

DVD Releases for Tuesday May 17, 2011

This is the part of the blog where I tell you what I am buying for the week on DVD. Most of you who know me also know that I like to collect and watch movies at home. Most weeks I buy 1-4 releases.  This week I will be buying:

The Mechanic
I almost saw this release in the theater.  A remake of a Charles Bronson film, The Mechanic stars Jason Stratham as a hit man out to revenge the murder of his mentor. With the assistance of his mentors son, he attempts to kill all those involved in the murder.









The Rite
Directed by Mikael Hafsrom, The Rite is the story of a doubting priest who faith is restored through the study and practice of Exorcism.  Not as scary as I would have liked, but not half bad as a movie.  Anthony Hopkins stars and basically chews up scenery for 2 hours.









The Roommate
I liked it the first time when it was called Single White Female.  Despite being a rehash, lets be honest, single white female is nearly 20 years old, and the story of a crazy white girl, trying to become another white girl is still kinda fun.










The Other Woman
A small movie from 2009 that got a very limited release this year.  Typically that means it is not a good movie, but it stars Natalie Portman,  Lauren Ambrose and Lisa Kudrow.

Bridesmaids Review

Bridesmaids Review

There is a profound and significant difference between men and women, so it is no surprise that a movie which claims to be the female version of “The Hangover” is profoundly and significantly different. Bridesmaids is a smart, sweet, clever, and extremely funny movie. It is not nearly as raunchy, or as debaucherous as it’s trailers, and ads suggest. I am not saying that is a bad thing, but don’t go into this movie expecting naked asian men jumping from the trunk of a car.

As I said above the movie is very funny, but sometimes there are moments of real awkwardness, which while funny are so painful to watch you just want them to end.  I found that most of the movie could fall into three categories: The awkward, too painful to watch, so it is funny comedy; the over the top crazy behavior, so it is funny comedy; and the gross out defecating in the street, so it’s funny comedy. Of course the reality is that all of the things that happen in the movie could easily happen to anyone and that is what makes the movie so honest, and funny.

Kristin Wiig plays Annie, a thirty something woman who’s failure in love is only matched by her failure in business, and well to be honest, life in general.  Annie has been having a very rough few months. First, her bakery business failed. Second her boyfriend dumped her, and her current “man friend,” played pitch perfectly by Jon Hamm is a stereotypical male douche bag ("I really just want you to leave, but I don't want to sound like a dick.") And lastly her roommates are a couple of English twits who are equal parts creepy, mildly incestuous and generally nauseating. All of this is where Annie starts out, and we spend most of the movie watching in horror as she collapses further and further until she eventually hits rock bottom.  When she does hit bottom she proceeds to have a final cataclysmic tantrum that can only be analogous to a three year old's tantrum. Despite being difficult to watch, it is hilarious, and one of the most memorable moments in the movie.  The entire cast is very well put together, adding the perfect amount of spice to this cupcake of a movie.  My only worry is that the cast is so large that some characters (two in particular) are given too little to do, and in my opinion may have a boatload of unused jokes on the cutting room floor.

There is a line when a comedy goes too far, when a movie takes that joke too far, and it becomes unfunny, or in poor taste.  This line serves as a point in which a joke should be taken to, but not past. It is a delicate and fine line to be sure, and because of that comedy is the most difficult thing to to well. My only complaint about Bridesmaids is that it is too afraid to pass that line. In fact more often than not it prevents itself from even getting close to it.  I started my review talking about the profound and significant differences between men and women.  Bridesmaids is going to serve as a perfect example of this statement.  The movie will more than likely be perceived, especially by women, as an instant classic. I don’t think that many men will agree.  I, as a man, agree that it is a good movie, but I cannot agree with anyone who claims that Bridesmaids is an instant classic.  The movie is successful at being funny, and at least two moments in the movie left me bent over, and in tears; however, it is hard to respect a movie when it forcibly pulls it’s own punches.  The fact that the movie refuses to take risks is why I cannot call it an instant classic.

Let me know what you think when you see the movie.

Thor Review

Thor Review

Comic book superheroes typically fall into one of 3 categories.  Armed vigilante (think Batman,  or Iron Man,), Alien sent from a distant planet to save us (think Superman, Green Lantern), or Mutant Humanoid (X-men, or Spiderman.) If I had to pick one of these categories to lump Thor into he would most definitely fall into the Alien Hero category.

The film starts out with the question "Where did he come from?" We are then immediately given an entire mythology lesson in less than five minutes similar to the way Peter Jackson described the Hobbit in the Lord of the Rings.  It's short, it's sweet, its very well done, and my only complaint is that it is too brief to give us any real sense of the size or scope of the outer realms.  We discover that the mythology lesson was in fact just that, King Odin telling the tales of his triumph over the Frost Giants to his two sons Thor & Loki.  Jump ahead a few years and we are at the coronation of his eldest son Thor.  Thor is to replace his father on the throne, and Loki of course is jealous.  It is here that we get our first sense of who Thor is.  Honestly I didn't like him. He is more than unlikeable he's an arrogant prick, he's the star quarterback who thinks he is better than everyone else, and he is beyond selfish.  His arrogance leads him to be easily manipulated by Loki, a smart and devious younger brother who craves the power his brother is too easily given.  When Thor disobey's his father and in the process destroys a centuries old truce, he is banished to earth. Unlike in the comics he is banished not to a wheelchair but in his standard body.  I would have liked to have seen this film take on the challenge of the wheelchair, but I understand why they chose not to.  When he arrives on earth he is the same jerk he was on the other planet, but now his oafishness, is punctuated by its lack of context.  Thor is sent to earth by his father in order to learn humility, grace and above all wisdom.  I know I said I didn't like him, but we as an audience are meant not to.  He has to be unlikable in order for us to appreciate his change and cheer his achievements later in the film. When he is banished the movie turns for a bit into a fish out of water story as Thor begins to accept and adapt to his modern surroundings. We soon discover that just like King Arthur and the sword in the stone, Thor's hammer has landed and is currently being studied by S.H.I.E.L.D, the militant homeland security team that eventually gives birth to the Avengers. For Thor getting his hammer back means he can once again return to Asgard.

At it's core this movie is a Shakespearian narrative, one of betrayal, redemption and heroism.  Initially the film was going to be directed by Matthew Vaughn.  When Vaughn stepped out the studio wisely replaced him with Kenneth Branagh I say wisely because nobody directs Shakespeare better than Kenneth Branagh.  The movie isn't about a hero, it's not about stopping a villain, or saving the girl. Unlike Superman, or Batman Thor is just trying to get home, he has no love for earth, no desire to stay.  Surprisingly the movie is not at all as earthbound as the trailers would have you believe. It intentionally strives to become the Lord of the Rings of comic book movies. The best parts of the movie take place away f on Asgard and the other realms that are not Earth. These scenes are truly amazing, full of beauty, and story, and because there is such a strong base here it made me wish that entire movie had taken place there. I really am hoping to see a sequel that explores the Asgard and outer worldly realms.  The strength of the film lies in the portions of the movie set away from earth, and I would like to see more of that world.What the movie really struggles with plot and character development.  There are so many subplots vying for attention that none of them are really served, nor do they really serve the main plot which is Thor's banishment and his subsequent return. The characters, with rare exception, are one dimensional and superfluous, I know they all have a greater purpose in the mythology, but did we really didn't need half of them. The motives of the villain Loki are also a bit bewildering, aside from the fact that he is jealous and he wants to take over Asgard, you never get a real sense of what his plan is. Having said that, The entire movie is enjoyable, action packed, and surprisingly funny.  Don't expect a huge uptick in Thor costumes, or merchandise though.  Unlike most comic book movies I think that this will be the least marketable to children because most of the film will be over their heads, but that again is not a bad thing.

Be sure to stay and watch all of the credits.  I promise you will be rewarded with a spectacular nugget of Avengers goodness.

Let me know what you think when Thor comes out Friday May 6th, 2011