Saving Mr. Banks (Film Review)

There’s a line in this movie that’s spoken by Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) himself, “Mary Poppins isn't trying to save the children. She’s trying to save Mr. Banks.”   I of course couldn't agree more.  The 1964 film Mary Poppins is not only one of my favorite childhood films but one of my all-time favorite films (if you look to the right you’ll notice it’s even represented on my great movies background).  To me, Mary Poppins has always centered on Mr. Banks, a stern yet otherwise good man whose head is just in the wrong place of thinking; as such it’s up to the help of an extraordinary nanny (and her faithful friend Bert) to set him right.  Yet Saving Mr. Banks isn't’t about helping the fore-mentioned character, but instead the man Mr. Banks is based on; a man who didn't get such a happy ending, and whose daughter has unintentionally suffered as a result. 

American Hustle (Film Review)

This movie is creative, inventive, complex, elaborate, well-acted, fantastic, hilarious and above all fun; lots and lots of fun.  American Hustle knows what it’s going for and boy does it succeed!  The plot is so creatively elaborate that I fear my explanation would hardly do it justice…but I’ll give it a go:

Frozen (Film Review)

After the disaster of Disney’s summer film Planes (Created by DisneyToon Studios not regular Studios), it’s nice to see Disney once again bring out their winter strong game (literally this time).  Last year it was the enjoyably fun, video game referencing Wreck-It Ralph; this year it’s a film called Frozen, loosely adapted (like all Disney animated films are) from Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. 

Oblivion (Quick Review)

So I find myself once again stumped by the fact that I missed out on this hidden gem while it was in theaters.  Oblivion may be no masterpiece, nor is it completely original; but it is a surprisingly entertaining tribute to various sci-fi classics all rolled up into a well-polished action adventure film that I would have been willing to give up money to see.

Blue is the Warmest Color (Film Review)

I’m not naive enough to believe that Blue is the Warmest Color, a three hour, foreign language, NC-17 romance drama about two female women will have general audiences flocking to see it.  Any one of these aspects could sadly dissuade a potential viewer from going—and to them, I say that's your loss!  You just missed out on one heck of a well-acted, heart-wrenching story!  However, for those of you loyal movie goers not afraid to see something different (with the chance of seeing something great), Blue is the Warmest Color falls right down your alley.

All is Lost (Film Review)

In a way All is Lost could be considered a silent film.  Just as The Artist was a silent film about talking, this is a talking film about silence.  Silence from the stranded protagonist, silence from any sort of help, silence from miles of nothing but ocean; its beauty permeating the eyes, its horrors forcing them shut.  It’s fascinating how the ocean’s far reaching vastness, uncontrollable power, bottomless depths, and large array of life can bring a human to become captivated by it but at the same time terrified of what it’ll do; a theme All is Lost embraces with a beautiful mixture of artistry and craft.

Thor: The Dark World (Film Review)

Thor: The Dark World has been getting a lot of mix reviews by critics and reviewers.  After seeing the film I can understand where all the negativity is coming from, as the plot is convoluted and the CGI sub-par.  However the film does contain strong aspects to it, such as good characters and interesting battle settings; but the best aspect about this action/adventure superhero film is…its comedy.  Thor: The Dark World is a really funny movie, whether intentional or not, and was able to win my like over for the most part because of this.

Captain Phillips (Film Review)

Captain Phillips is a film based on true events involving Somali pirates taking over a cargo ship and then kidnapping its captain, Richard Phillips (played by Tom Hanks), as a bargaining chip for ransom.  The film contains all the good aspects of last year’s 2012 Oscar best picture Argo.  Both are true stories that stick to the essential real life results, yet change up minor aspects in character, plot, and story line.  Real life stories can be interesting and extraordinary, but can also lack certain elements that make film genres like action and thriller the successes they are.  As such while both films are based on the true story, they add/change up scenarios and situations that will engage and interest the viewer.  For example, there is a scene where one of the ship’s fire hoses breaks and a crew member has to go fix it while the pirates are trying to board in that particular spot.  This event, as well as many other events in the film, simply did not happen in real life (such as the hijacking occurring at 4 AM in reality, but happening during the afternoon in the film).

Don Jon (Film Review)

There are only a few things Don Jon truly cares about: his body, house, car, family, church, friends, women…and internet porn.  Yeah, he’s aware the last part sounds off, but he doesn't care; porn to Jon is nirvana to others, pure bliss…or so he thinks.

Prisoners (Film Review)

As the camera begins to roll, Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners begins with the Lord’s Prayer:

“Our Father, Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

My Top 13 Films of the Mid-Year: January-August (Film List)

Questions and Answers:

Question: Why release a mid-year top ten in August instead of June?

Answer: For the past several years the “Oscar Season” has gotten worse and worse.  Last year some of the best films of 2012 were released just days before New Years (some didn't even get a wide release till January).  As such both my mid-year and end of the year "best of film" lists looked vastly different from each other.  The major problem came with films being released during July and August, such as The Dark Knight Rises and Ruby Sparks.  Both films would have been good enough to make my mid-year list in June, but not good enough to compete with the massive slew of Oscar season films being released during the winter; and as a result got left out of both lists.  I'm expecting similar results to happen this year and as such decided to release my mid-year an extra two months later to add any films worthy of mention/recommending but perhaps not good enough to make the end list.

The Spectacular Now (Film Review)

There comes times where a film trailer can fool you into believing it’s about one thing when in fact it’s about another.  This could be done for two reasons: 1) the trailer is trying to attract audiences that normally wouldn't be interested in seeing that kind of film; or 2) the trailer is trying to hide plot twist spoilers that make it an effective film.  A good example is David Fincher’s Fight Club, which was so good at hiding the film’s true colors that it backfired and made low box-office profits. 

Lee Daniels' The Butler (Film Review)

Lee Daniels' The Butler gives off the feel of a really good three act play; its long, yet emotionally striking and satisfying.  The Butler tells the life story of Cecil Gaines (played by Forest Whitaker); a man who has committed his life to becoming the best server an African American can be during a very racially biased America.  Cecil ends up becoming a butler for none other than the White House itself, serving there for the majority of the film.  The Butler is told through three perspectives of Cecil, his wife (Oprah Winfrey), and his son (David Oyelowo) as they live, struggle, and adapt to the changing times of America and its many presidents.

We're the Millers (Quick Review)

I believe about 99% of people deciding whether to go see We’re the Millers would mainly want to know, “is it funny?”  My opinionated answer to this is, yes, it is funny.  In fact the sum up of how funny I thought We’re the Millers is would be, “this film made me crack up laughing multiple times throughout the running time.”  We’re the Millers contains some great scenes of dark, raunchy comedy; moments that made me snicker and snort with laughter.  It was nice to find the film did not chicken out with the potential of some of its materials’ darker humor; going all the way across the line of no return on multiple occasions with delightfully hilarious results.  When the moment came for We’re the Millers to strike comedic gold it didn't disappoint; it’s just a shame these moments didn't encompass the entire film.

Quartet (Quick Review)

While Quartet has many positive qualities to it (comedy, characters, music, etc…), what I really enjoyed about it was its self-awareness that life for most of these characters is nearing the end and that sometime soon (maybe several years, maybe several weeks) they quite possibly could be dead (Now I know that sounds horrifically grim, but hold on and see where I’m going).  Each of the four main characters is shown to be having issues with their mental and physical health (a bad heart, a decaying memory, a damaged hip).  Even the issues they’re facing in the film are shown to be short termed; for example during the scene where they discuss how the four main characters’ quartet can make enough money to save the retirement home, it’s not said “you’ll save it so the retirement home can go on forever” but instead “you’ll make enough to keep it going for at least another year, maybe even two.” 

Fruitvale Station (Film Review)

Fruitvale Station begins with the actual video recording that took place New Years Day in 2009, where an African American male was fatally shot by a BART police officer at the Fruitvale train station.  The video is shocking to say the least, yet is little more than a violent recording; revealing little to no information about the victim involved.  The film recreates the same scene near the end of the film (with near complete accuracy), this time using its actors, actresses, and a set; only this time around I found myself shaking from the pure intensity and emotion brought on by it.  This could be seen as praise for how sound, editing, and cinematography can help better change a perspective; but the real difference between the two scenes is simply that the person shot goes from being an nameless victim, to a fleshed out, three dimensional human being named Oscar Grant.

Grown Ups 2 (Film Review)

I did not want to go see Grown Ups 2.  In fact I wanted to stay as far away as possible from this Dennis Dugan production, who (with the occasional exception) is notoriously bad at making Adam Sandler collaborative films.  The original Grown Ups was no exception to the rule; being boring, unfunny, and possessing the experience of watching a stranger’s home video tape where all the jokes and laughs are inside ones.  The reason I ended up going to see its sequel was because my fiancée really wanted to see it (something I reluctantly agree too).  Turns out she’s a better picker of movies than I am (which I should have figured out after she dragged me to see that “lame” film The Conjuring {see review for prove of being wrong}); as not only did I find Grown Ups 2 entertaining and funny, but a surprisingly likable treat!

Pacific Rim (Film Review)

Okay, let’s be honest here.  There’s one real reason anybody would want to go see Pacific Rim.  The one and only reason people could possibly be attracted by trailers to go see this film.

It’s got giant robots fighting giant monsters

Turbo (Film Review)

Turbo is a garden snail (played by Ryan Reynolds) who has an obsession with going fast, even being a huge fan of the Indy-500.  Yet (as you’d expect) he lives a slow and dull life, working with his brother (Paul Giamatti) and a community of other garden snails on gathering Tomatoes.  One night he makes a wish to go fast and ends up being sucked into a supercharger of a race car; absorbing the nitrous oxide which (through the miracle of movie magic) turns him into a car like snail with headlights, a radio, and super speed.  Soon Turbo gets caught up in a series of events that ends with him getting signed up to race in the Indy-500 against his favorite idol.  So if you thought that the plot to Turbo sounds completely ridiculous…you’d be right.  But what allows Turbo to work as a film are the comedy, characters, and visuals.

The Conjuring (Film Review)

Ed and Lorraine Warren are no ordinary married couple; they’re demonologists, paranormal investigators whose jobs are to research and help stop demonic hauntings and possessions.  Yet out of all their cases there was one so horrible that they refused to talk about it…until now.  This is the story of the Warren’s worst case; a case so frightening, so exciting, so extreme, that it ended up making a pretty effective horror film.  This is, The Conjuring.

Jack the Giant Slayer (Quick Review)

Author’s Note:  While writing a film review isn't a particularly difficult effort (Mine consists mostly of the plot of the film followed by my own opinion) it is an exhaustingly lengthy one.  I often try to write reviews of at least 800 words, and I normally end up writing much more than that.  Normally I end up revisiting/polishing the review 2-3 times before publishing, and even then I may go back to fix it more.  As such I decided to start new posts called quick review(s); where I write more concise reviews on a film I've seen recently that I just don’t have the time to write a longer review for.  More often than not these reviews will consist of films already out of theater that I either rented or watched on Netflix/On Demand.  This will allow me to give thoughts on many other films while I also continue writing full reviews/analysis on others.

Jack the Giant Slayer is a film filled with energy and loads of fun to watch!  The recent craze of taking old fairy tales and recreating them into action packed thrill rides staring well known actors has lead to many films ranging from decent to subpar (Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Huntsman, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, etc…)  By far out of all of them, Jack the Giant Slayer stands out for me as one of the better adaptations; and it goes to show that sometimes energy is all it takes to make a good film.  Now that’s not to say the energy makes the film’s flaws invisible; the plot lacks major development between its characters, especially between the two lead’s romance.  However, you know when someone says “that film’s cast and crew must have had a great time making (insert film here)"; well this film’s made for that statement.  

The Bling Ring (Film Review)

The Bling Ring can be highly enjoyable depending on how one views the film.   For myself, I see it as both a dark comedy and a sad tragedy, with morals that speak loud and clear.  The story tells the tale of a group of celebrity obsessed teenagers who begin a robbing spree of said celebrity’s homes.  For a while they enjoy the life of fame and fortune from their plundering; but soon end up with more than they can deal with as the police begin to investigate into the robberies of their group known by the media as “The Bling Ring”.

Monsters University (Film Review)

Monsters University, the prequel to the highly enjoyable, sweet, and funny Monsters, Inc., may not have lived up to the first’s magic, but was certainly a cute and funny film.  In fact if I had to describe this movie in three words it would be “cute and funny”.  This time around Monsters U’s role of protagonist is given to Mike Wazowski (played by the ever funny Billy Crystal), with James “Sully” Sullivan (played by John “I've been in nearly every movie this decade” Goodman) taking the role as the deuteragonist instead.  The plot is set in a 70sish past where Mike has been accepted into Monsters University where he is majoring to be a scarer with the hopes of working at Monsters Incorporated.  He succeeds in doing well until an incident with the then arrogant, jock-like Sully causes then both to be kicked out of the program.  In a last ditch effort to recover his dreams, Mike makes a bet with the dean of Monsters U that if he, Sully, and the Oozma Kappa fraternity can win the Scare Games (a competition aimed to see which housing is the scariest on campus) that she will reinstate the whole group back into the scare program.

World War Z (Film Review)

World War Z is an intense, fast-paced, intelligent zombie apocalypse film.  Maybe a bit too smart for its own good, but that’s always the better alternative than being too idiotic.  I believe smart zombie movies are the best kind of zombie movies; ones where the characters act and think on a rational basis and where the actions taken are not based on random bombings by some evil military.  Of course there’s still panic and chaos in World War Z (not to mention a little anarchy); but the characters we follow, the countries we see, and the people we meet in this film show that maybe the world isn't doomed to screaming teenagers and of the hand stupid decisions when the time comes when zombies rise.

Man of Steel (Film Review)

Well it looks like the Superman curse has continued into the 2010’s, and boy it hasn't been this bad since the 1980’s with Superman III and (shutters slightly) Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.  Man of Steel is such an awful excuse for a superhero movie that my jaw literally dropped open near the end of this over-lengthy bore of a head banger.  The original Superman (1978), while silly and goofy in hindsight, is a masterpiece of popcorn superhero flicks; containing all the joy, energy, excitement, adventure, and great characters you’d expect from a great film.  Man of Steel tries to act more serious and realistic, and by doing so removes all aspects that made the first so wonderfully enjoyable; instead replacing it with over two hours of shaky fights, bland characters, and enough stupidity and plot holes to make the original’s time travel scene look logical.

This Is the End (Film Review)

Could This Is the End be a contender for funniest film of 2013; I certainly think so.  I haven’t laughed this hard at a movie in a long time!  I mean the humor, jokes, and comedic situations were non-stop; the cast were well picked and each did a terrific job.  And despite it being done so many times over the past decade, the plot involving the rapture/apocalypse felt both refreshing and such a delightful to view.  Yet even with all the great entertainment piled into it, This Is the End finds time throughout its hilarity to invoke emotion and ultimately have a heart in the center. 

The Purge (Film Review)

The main idea of The Purge is simply that of a scare tactic—to make the audience believe its events could actually happen, or more accurately, will be forced to happen.  However, in order for such tactic to be effective, The Purge must both be engaging and frightening—something it is far from achieving.

The Hangover Part III (Film Review)

After leaving the theater from seeing The Hangover Part III, one major question swept my mind: what was the point?  Sure the movie got a few chuckles out of me, but definitely not enough for a full feature length film.  In fact, the film didn't even feel like a full-length sequel, but rather some cheap knockoff—ultimately coming off as hollow, stale, and worst of all, boring. 

Iron Man 3 (Film Review)

While I cannot say Iron Man 3 is better than the original, at least I can acknowledge its superiority over Iron Man 2.  It’s an energetic, action-packed flick that's made better thanks to its lead role and humor.  The story follows Tony Stark (once again played by Robert Downey, Jr.)  who is failing to find a balance between his girlfriend and his obsessive building of Iron Man suits.  Stark is also cursed with dealing with random panic attacks, created from his experience with the Alien Invasion/near-death experience in The Avengers.  Stark also gets more than he bargained for when he foolhardily challenges active terrorist The Mandarin to a revenge fight after the villain seemingly attacks and injures Stark’s head of security.

The Magic of Jurassic Park (Film Analysis)

After nearly 20 years, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park has returned once again to theaters (this time in 3D), and not only does it still have the same epic adventure feel that other blockbuster movies have nowadays, but also that same magical sense.  As the faint hint of John Williams' masterpiece tune began to play I felt a shiver throughout my entire body.  I giggled with delight as the first brachiosaurus appeared on screen, and awed as Dr. Hammond stood on that hilltop overseeing several different species of dinosaurs, welcoming his guests to Jurassic Park.  My childhood senses had returned to me—no longer did I care that, in reality, the real-life dilophosaurus did not possess a frill neck and the ability to shoot venom, nor did I get upset when one of the children thought of the brilliant idea to shine a bright light into the T-rexes’s face.  It all became meaningless to me as I was swept up by the beauty, horror, adventure, and imagination I had felt long ago as a six-year-old watching Jurassic Park for the first time—once more feeling that same old magic as an adult.

The Great Gatsby (Film Review)

Let me start the post off with a sad truth.  I am the 1% of people that did not read The Great Gatsby while in high school, nor have I seen any previously made film adaptations.  Going into Baz Luhrmann's version of The Great Gatsby was my first experience with F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story, and seeing how the director's previous adaptation was…well, quite different, this may have not been the best idea (if confused, just look up Romeo + Juliet and you’ll see what I mean).  To substitute for this, I brought friends who had already read the book and were willing to inform me what had been changed.  According to my friends, very little has been changed—with the exception of some aesthetic changes to the music and scenery—the overall plot remaining fairly loyal to the original.  For those who, like me, have not had the chance to read Gatsby, below is a brief opening summary (major spoilers free I assure you).

About This Blog (Intro)

Hi, my name is Stash and I love movies!  They are a major hobby/obsession in my life and I try my hardest to go out and watch as many as I can find.  My range for films has no limits; I'll watch new releases, old releases, classics, cult classics, color films, black & white films, silent films, drama, comedy, horror, fantasy, adventure, action, sci-fi, western, animation, foreign, avant-garde, long films, short films, beloved films, hated films, and anything in between.  Seeing tons of films means tons of opinions, but sadly there are few people I know who share this passion and as such I'm usually stuck with these opinions in my head.  This is why I've decided to start this blog, so that I will be able to express my thoughts and ideas on film.

The idea I've come up with (for now at least) is to write at least one review per week on either a new release that is in theaters at the moment or a film out on DVD from that same year.  Now this doesn't mean I'll be writing a review right on opening week, but I will write it as soon as possible.  I also should make clear I won't be able to see every film that comes out (due to time restraints, money, restricted releases, etc.) but I will try to write a review on any I missed when they come out on DVD (I might write more than one if I get the time).  I will also on occasion create other film related posts, such as: older movie analysis/reviews, looking at film history, top ten lists, talk on film actors/actresses, etc.  The major ideas for writing this blog are:

1. To introduce/expand the readers knowledge on the many different films, eras, actors/actress, directors, and genres all around (as well as piquing their interest in something they may have not been initially interested in seeing).

2. To persuade or reveal a different mindset on a certain film or film related topic (for example; convincing the reader to watch or re-watch a film he/she thought was bad).

3.  To write something that is enjoyable and interesting for both the readers and me.

Now starting next Monday I will be posting a series of different posts relating to new releases, older films, and film related ideas so that anyone interested in reading my posts can figure out if they will want to continue reading more or not.

Thank you!