Drama, Teen
4.5 stars
Loved this movie! Based on the best selling novel. Logan Lerman (3:10 to Yuma and Percy Jackson) stars as an awkward high school freshman who befriends two misfit seniors, Emma Watson (Harry Potter) and Ezra Miller (City Island). Each of the kids, including those in their wider circle of friends, has personal issues they must deal with. Mostly quirky and upbeat, though there is one scene requiring tissues. This film has been described as the modern day Breakfast Club, but I think it way surpasses the older film which I loved back in the day. Now I have to read the book since it seems evident that there are more back stories that couldn’t fit into the film. Loved it!
Friday, October 19, 2012
Looper
Sci-Fi, Time Travel
3.5 stars
Good movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays an assassin who kills men sent back in time from the mob, from 30 years in the future. His last kill must be his older self, played by Bruce Willis. Time travel movies always seem to feel a little sketchy with the details, but this one mostly makes sense, aside from one “do over” scene when Levitt first meets his older self. But maybe that’s just me. I thought Levitt was awesome in his impersonation of Bruce Willis. I know he wore colored contacts, but his face seemed different somehow too. Emily Blunt co-stars as the young mother of Pierce Gagnon (TV’s One Tree Hill). There is some violence and gore. Decent flick.
3.5 stars
Good movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays an assassin who kills men sent back in time from the mob, from 30 years in the future. His last kill must be his older self, played by Bruce Willis. Time travel movies always seem to feel a little sketchy with the details, but this one mostly makes sense, aside from one “do over” scene when Levitt first meets his older self. But maybe that’s just me. I thought Levitt was awesome in his impersonation of Bruce Willis. I know he wore colored contacts, but his face seemed different somehow too. Emily Blunt co-stars as the young mother of Pierce Gagnon (TV’s One Tree Hill). There is some violence and gore. Decent flick.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Seven Psychopaths
Comedy, Dark
4.5 stars
LOVED this movie! Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell star as dog-nappers who kidnap the wrong Shih Tzu, which belongs to mobster Woody Harrelson. Colin Farrell plays Rockwell’s buddy writing a screenplay about psychopaths. There is plenty of gore, violence and profanity, but what I loved best was the oddball philosophical conversations between the characters. You never knew what was going to come out of their mouths. Similar to classics like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and the lesser known In Bruges (one of my favorites). Original, quirky, and hilarious. Loved it!
4.5 stars
LOVED this movie! Christopher Walken and Sam Rockwell star as dog-nappers who kidnap the wrong Shih Tzu, which belongs to mobster Woody Harrelson. Colin Farrell plays Rockwell’s buddy writing a screenplay about psychopaths. There is plenty of gore, violence and profanity, but what I loved best was the oddball philosophical conversations between the characters. You never knew what was going to come out of their mouths. Similar to classics like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and the lesser known In Bruges (one of my favorites). Original, quirky, and hilarious. Loved it!
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Argo
Drama, True Story
5 stars
Excellent film starring Ben Affleck as a CIA operative who goes into Iran during the hostage crisis to extract 6 Americans taking refuge at the Canadian Ambassador’s home (Victor Garber), under the guise of a sci-fi film crew. Bryan Cranston co-stars as Affleck’s contact in the CIA, and John Goodman and Alan Arkin play the Hollywood moguls who help put together the faux film. Stay through the credits to see photos of the actual people involved in the story as well as an acknowledgment from Jimmy Carter of the historic events. Excellent reenactment of the era. Quite the nail-biting climax even though we already know the outcome. The only reason I could see for the R rating was the humorous use of the f-word regarding the film title. Teens and tweens should really see this film too. Best Picture nominee for sure.
5 stars
Excellent film starring Ben Affleck as a CIA operative who goes into Iran during the hostage crisis to extract 6 Americans taking refuge at the Canadian Ambassador’s home (Victor Garber), under the guise of a sci-fi film crew. Bryan Cranston co-stars as Affleck’s contact in the CIA, and John Goodman and Alan Arkin play the Hollywood moguls who help put together the faux film. Stay through the credits to see photos of the actual people involved in the story as well as an acknowledgment from Jimmy Carter of the historic events. Excellent reenactment of the era. Quite the nail-biting climax even though we already know the outcome. The only reason I could see for the R rating was the humorous use of the f-word regarding the film title. Teens and tweens should really see this film too. Best Picture nominee for sure.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Frankenweenie
Animation
4.5 stars
Loved it, but I cried a lot! Tim Burton creates a sweet and sentimental story about a boy who loves his dog. After the dog dies in an accident, the boy learns about reanimation in science class. You know what happens. This is listed as a comedy on imdb.com, but it’s only funny when the boy’s classmates begin experimenting on their own. It’s really cute, and pays homage to Young Frankenstein, Gremlins and Godzilla. Voices include, Catherine O-Hara, Martin Short, Atticus Shaffer (TV’s The Middle) as the creepy kid, and Charlie Tahan (Charlie St. Cloud) as the heartbroken boy. Bring tissues.
4.5 stars
Loved it, but I cried a lot! Tim Burton creates a sweet and sentimental story about a boy who loves his dog. After the dog dies in an accident, the boy learns about reanimation in science class. You know what happens. This is listed as a comedy on imdb.com, but it’s only funny when the boy’s classmates begin experimenting on their own. It’s really cute, and pays homage to Young Frankenstein, Gremlins and Godzilla. Voices include, Catherine O-Hara, Martin Short, Atticus Shaffer (TV’s The Middle) as the creepy kid, and Charlie Tahan (Charlie St. Cloud) as the heartbroken boy. Bring tissues.
Arbitrage
Indie, Drama
3.5 stars
Interesting story starring Richard Gere as a Wall Street mogul whose world, both personal and professional, begins to implode. Susan Sarandon co-stars as his wife and Tim Roth plays the detective investigating him. I liked the story even though I have no idea what a variable margin is. This film had been kicking around the theaters for a month now, but it would be worth checking out later on Netflix.
3.5 stars
Interesting story starring Richard Gere as a Wall Street mogul whose world, both personal and professional, begins to implode. Susan Sarandon co-stars as his wife and Tim Roth plays the detective investigating him. I liked the story even though I have no idea what a variable margin is. This film had been kicking around the theaters for a month now, but it would be worth checking out later on Netflix.
Friday, October 5, 2012
The Master
2.5 stars
Drama
Yuck! Intense acting, but long, slow, Boring, and WEIRD! Joaquin Phoenix stars as a troubled alcoholic with PTSD whom the title character, Philip Seymour Hoffman, takes on as sort of a pet that he tests his psycho-babble on. Amy Adams costars as Hoffman’s loyal wife. Great acting. I’m sure they’ll all win acting awards. I just kept checking my watch to see if I could sneak into Frankenweenie next door. I wish I did. Skip it.
Drama
Yuck! Intense acting, but long, slow, Boring, and WEIRD! Joaquin Phoenix stars as a troubled alcoholic with PTSD whom the title character, Philip Seymour Hoffman, takes on as sort of a pet that he tests his psycho-babble on. Amy Adams costars as Hoffman’s loyal wife. Great acting. I’m sure they’ll all win acting awards. I just kept checking my watch to see if I could sneak into Frankenweenie next door. I wish I did. Skip it.
Hotel Transylvania
4 stars
Animation, Comedy
Very cute. A hotel meant only for monsters as a safe haven from pitchfork wielding peasants gets an unexpected human visitor (Andy Samberg) who the owner (Adam Sandler as Dracula) tries to hide from his guests. The monsters are all there to celebrate the 118th birthday of Dracula’s daughter, voiced by Selena Gomez, when she develops a crush on the human. It’s rated PG, surprising since, unless I misheard, I swear Andy Samberg’s character said “I can’t f***ing see” when Dracula was shielding him from his guests. There was a lot of commotion with the monsters at the time, so maybe I misheard, or hopefully young ones won’t notice. Otherwise, this should be fine for kids. Cute film.
Animation, Comedy
Very cute. A hotel meant only for monsters as a safe haven from pitchfork wielding peasants gets an unexpected human visitor (Andy Samberg) who the owner (Adam Sandler as Dracula) tries to hide from his guests. The monsters are all there to celebrate the 118th birthday of Dracula’s daughter, voiced by Selena Gomez, when she develops a crush on the human. It’s rated PG, surprising since, unless I misheard, I swear Andy Samberg’s character said “I can’t f***ing see” when Dracula was shielding him from his guests. There was a lot of commotion with the monsters at the time, so maybe I misheard, or hopefully young ones won’t notice. Otherwise, this should be fine for kids. Cute film.
Pitch Perfect
3 stars
Comedy, Musical
Cute, but nothing original. Anna Camp (Good Wife and True Blood) leads an all girl college a cappella singing group that is vying for the regional championship. Anna Kendrick plays their new recruit and Rebel Wilson plays her usual oddball self. I liked the singing, but too bad I had to sit though the silly, predictable drama that came with it. The best parts – and the only times I laughed - were the sarcastic commentators at the competitions played by Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins. Some raunchy humor. Wait for cable.
Comedy, Musical
Cute, but nothing original. Anna Camp (Good Wife and True Blood) leads an all girl college a cappella singing group that is vying for the regional championship. Anna Kendrick plays their new recruit and Rebel Wilson plays her usual oddball self. I liked the singing, but too bad I had to sit though the silly, predictable drama that came with it. The best parts – and the only times I laughed - were the sarcastic commentators at the competitions played by Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins. Some raunchy humor. Wait for cable.
10 Years
2 stars
Drama
As excruciating as an actual high school reunion feels. Channing Tatum and friends reunite for their high school reunion, and the usual things occur: one makes a drunken fool of himself, some try to recapture the glory days, others hope to go after the dream girl who seemed out of reach back in the day. Rosario Dawson co-stars as Tatum’s former flame. I only really liked one of the storylines in this film, where a now famous one-hit-wonder musician (Oscar Isaac – Drive, Robin Hood (2010)) hones in on an under-the-radar girl nobody else seemed to remember (Kate Mara – TV’s American Horror Story). Wait for cable, or just skip it.
Drama
As excruciating as an actual high school reunion feels. Channing Tatum and friends reunite for their high school reunion, and the usual things occur: one makes a drunken fool of himself, some try to recapture the glory days, others hope to go after the dream girl who seemed out of reach back in the day. Rosario Dawson co-stars as Tatum’s former flame. I only really liked one of the storylines in this film, where a now famous one-hit-wonder musician (Oscar Isaac – Drive, Robin Hood (2010)) hones in on an under-the-radar girl nobody else seemed to remember (Kate Mara – TV’s American Horror Story). Wait for cable, or just skip it.
Robot & Frank
4 stars
Indie, Drama
Good movie starring Frank Langella as a retired cat burglar whose son (James Marsden) buys him a robot (Peter Sarsgaard) as a caretaker. Langella finds the robot useful with indulging in old habits. Susan Sarandon costars as a librarian Langella loves to flirt with, and Liv Tyler plays Langella’s daughter. There is some wry humor as well as a bit of a somber feel as Langella struggles to feel relevant in an age where technology is taking over. Very well done.
Indie, Drama
Good movie starring Frank Langella as a retired cat burglar whose son (James Marsden) buys him a robot (Peter Sarsgaard) as a caretaker. Langella finds the robot useful with indulging in old habits. Susan Sarandon costars as a librarian Langella loves to flirt with, and Liv Tyler plays Langella’s daughter. There is some wry humor as well as a bit of a somber feel as Langella struggles to feel relevant in an age where technology is taking over. Very well done.
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