Films of Summer 2012 Part 3

Summer 2012 has been an interesting year, with the release of two major superhero films, both the products of mainstream hype. Plus Wes Anderson returned after almost 3 years, the 16th president battled the undead and Pixar introduced a female protagonist. I'm compiling a blog series about the best and worst of Summer 2012.

I've devised a new ratings system for the occasion and I hope it helps you out:

1. Buy it on Blu-Ray (must see ASAP)

2. Redbox the DVD (highly recommended)

3. Save it for HBO (deserves commercial-free viewing)

4. Catch it on TBS (doesn't deserve commercial-free viewing)

5. Don't touch it with a 10 foot pole (speaks for itself)

In Part 3, I'll be discussing The Dark Knight Rises, Magic Mike, Safety Not Guaranteed, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted and The Amazing Spider-man.

1. The Dark Knight Rises (Christopher Nolan)
with Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anne Hathaway, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Marion Cotillard and Michael Caine
The thrilling conclusion to Christopher Nolan's revisionist Batman trilogy (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight) is possibly one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It definitely delivers. The cast is uniformly excellent. I was especially excited for Hathaway and Gordon-Levitt and they live up to their promise. Hathaway brings some much-needed humor to the movie while JGL brings his sensitivity. Tom Hardy makes for an oppressive, brutal villain; it was kind of cool to see Batman in some real danger for a while. My one complaint: at 165 minutes (2:45), the film drags a little towards the middle but for the most part, the movie is exciting and intense.
My rating: Buy it on Blu-Ray

2. Magic Mike (Steven Soderbergh)
with Channing Tatum, Cody Horn, Alex Pettyfer and Matthew McConaughey
Unfortunately this movie was marketed as a "girls-night-out-male nudity-fest-guilty-pleasure" so it will probably never get taken seriously as the sensible, somewhat existential comedy-drama that it is. While this movie does feature several men shakin' their groove thang, it is also a movie about not getting stuck on your way to realizing your dreams. Tatum offers a conflicted, knowing, lived-in performance (his best ever, really) as Mike. The movie also features an understated if somewhat awkward romance between he and Horn's character. But the most surprising part of the movie is that the stripper sequences have a sort of winking sense of humor and they are photographed quite well. The editing, the lighting, the terrific soundtrack really make those scenes flow naturally and it's refreshing to see a mainstream movie take male sexuality seriously as opposed to resorting to regressive gross-out humor. I guess my main problem is that Soderbergh throws in a really cliched conflict but the movie recovers perfectly with a great final sequence. Plus it's a movie where McConaughey says "all right, all right, all right, all right, all right" like 9 times.
My rating: Redbox the DVD

3. Safety Not Guaranteed (Colin Trevorrow)
with Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Karan Soni and Jake M. Johnson

It's rare to see a romantic-comedy/sci-fi mashup so when a movie like SNG comes along, it's refreshing. It's even better that this movie really delivers. And for a movie that's about time travel, it doesn't come with a gargantuan budget; it is very low key and understated. Plaza and Duplass make for a believable pair, both damaged and lonely and seeking some honest companionship. Unfortunately this movie also features New Girl's Jake Johnson and I have an irrational aversion to that actor's acting style. I could have done without the subplot with the two FBI agents. That kind of stuff seems out of place in this understated romance. I got the feeling that the writer/director got too into the whole sci-fi thing, which is fine, but doesn't every sci-fi movie have FBI people? In any case, SNG is a great little movie with a few surprises.
My rating: Redbox the DVD

4. Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon)
with the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett-Smith, David Scwimmer, Jessica Chastain, Sacha Baron Cohen and Frances McDormand
I've always been a fan of the Madagascar series. It is fun, colorful and delightfully absurd. The visual gags are spontaneous and original and the script is really clever. Major props to the character Capt. DuBois, a female (!!!) animal catcher who gets some of the biggest laughs, including a bizarre musical sequence set to Edith Piaf's "Non, je ne regrette rien" (the main theme song from Inception). Some of the major comic set pieces wear out their welcome and in the second half, there's a lot of random back story for the new characters. But all in all, I really enjoyed this 3rd entry. And, like most animated films, it really earns its 3D treatment.
My rating: Redbox the DVD

5. The Amazing Spider-Man (Marc Webb)
with Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Martin Sheen and Sally Field
The main question is: why reboot Spider-Man so soon after Spider-Man 3? Well, there's no answer except to make more money off a reliable franchise (they tried to do a movie off the lesser known Green Lantern series and that tanked). But if you're willing to look past Hollywood greed (I always am), The Amazing Spider-Man is a pretty good movie. Garfield and Stone are just as good if not better than Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. The movie has some pretty great action scenes (especially one set in a high school). The filmmakers opted for another origin story which means scenes of Peter Parker adjusting to his powers. I find that stuff boring but once you get pasr that the movie picks up pace. Ifans is a good villain, not necessarily evil but monstrously delusional and crazy. The film has great style, the visuals are sublime and more artistic than most superhero movies. The score is a little old-fashioned but in a good way. And who can resist Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield? They're totally cool.
My rating: you know what, I'm torn between Buy it on Blu-Ray and Redbox the DVD. People who know me know I'm a total blu-ray snob so I'd go for the former even though the movie isn't totally perfect..

All right kiddos. I know August is technically still summer and they are some interesting movies coming out (Jeremy Renner taking over as Jason Bourne being the highlight) so check back here in a few weeks for a potential part 4 but I'm not making any promises. Incidentally that's what the makers of Madagascar 3 said about a 4th Madagascar movie.

Films of Summer 2012 Part 2

Summer 2012 has been an interesting year, with the release of two major superhero films, both the products of mainstream hype. Plus Wes Anderson returned after almost 3 years, the 16th president battled the undead and Pixar introduced a female protagonist. I'm compiling a blog series about the best and worst of Summer 2012.

I've devised a new ratings system for the occasion and I hope it helps you out:

1. Buy it on Blu-Ray (must see ASAP)

2. Redbox the DVD (highly recommended)

3. Save it for HBO (deserves commercial-free viewing)

4. Catch it on TBS (doesn't deserve commercial-free viewing)

5. Don't touch it with a 10 foot pole (speaks for itself)

In Part 2, I'll be discussing Brave, Snow White and the Huntsman, Prometheus, Savages and People Like Us. 

1. Brave (Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman)

with the voices of Kelly MacDonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly and Julie Walters

Pixar made major headlines by introducing Princess Merida, its first female protagonist! Woo-hoo! Finally!! I mean, cowboys, cars, superheroes and bugs are all well and good but the time had come. But Brave is no different from other Pixar releases; it has a strong emotional core exploring complex relationships but balances it out with a very funny and exciting script. The movie reminded me of Finding Nemo and The Incredibles in that regard. The animation, depicting medieval Scotland, is impeccable (Merida's wild red hair itself deserves the Best Animated Feature Oscar) and the voice cast is just fantastic (special props to Thompson and MacDonald). 

My rating: Buy it on Blu-Ray

2. Snow White and the Huntsman (Rupert Sanders)

with Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Sam Claflin, Ian McShane and Charlize Theron

Imagine an action/adventure/fantasy/romance movie with a little action, no sense of adventure, fantasy that doesn't really work and a romance so bland it's icy. Who knows why they chose Kristen Stewart to headline an action/adventure/fantasy/romance? Stewart has nothing that draws you to her character and the minimal character development don't help much. Hemsworth and Theron ham it up and try to liven up the proceedings but even they can't help much. The movie has a neat visual look but it's all so dull and grey. This movie did make a lot of money but it's easily forgettable. 

My rating: Catch it on TBS during a house-cleaning day.

3. Prometheus (Ridley Scott)
with Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Logan Marshall-Green, Idris Elba and Guy Pearce
Theron fares much better in Prometheus, a sci-fi/horror/space thriller that asks a lot of big questions and asks the viewer to answer it on his or her own. The movie, set in the same universe as the massive Alien franchise, is very scary and disturbing. The movie mixes body horror with maddening suspense; it's a movie that offers visceral scares and attempts more philosophical questions. The cast is great; Rapace and Fassbender especially offer nuanced portrayals. The music is erie and grand and the visuals are out of this world.
My rating: Buy it on Blu-Ray

4. Savages (Oliver Stone)
with Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, Salma Hayek, Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta
This pulpy crime noir has a nasty sense of humor and a thirst for violence. It's as zany as it is ludicrous but it packs a powerful punch. That is in no doubt due to the cast. Everyone seems committed to the part. The story has some nice twists and turns and the tension builds up and people start acting more recklessly. Savages has a sleek, colorful look to it. The editing is crisp and the soundtrack is outstanding. Blake Lively is really building up a solid resume (her performance in The Town was sadly overlooked) and her male leads are pretty good as well. But Hayek, Del Toro and Travolta are really great, playing with their screen personas and just having a blast. If this movie has one flaw, it's that the ending is kind of a letdown in a very unusual way. While it doesn't ruin the entire film, it doesn't really make the watcher beg for repeat viewings.
My rating: Redbox the DVD

5. People Like Us (Alex Kurtzman)
with Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde and Michelle Pfeiffer
This sensitive family drama is a very nice film, one that offers some laughs to go with the tears. The cast is exceptional; I've never been much of a Chris Pine fan (he can sometimes be too smug or slick) but he does some solid work here. Elizabeth Banks emerges at the best performer. Her character has so many layers and she really nails all the complexities. Pfeiffer does really well also and Wilde offers some decent support. While the script is mature and very human, it does rely on the tired trope of "person with secret delays telling it" and one wishes the filmmakers had found a more natural way for the story to progress. But that ends up being a minor complaint when the movie does so many things well. The cinematography is quite splendid to look at, the score hits all the right notes and I have to mention Banks' performance again. She's the real reason to watch this movie.
My rating: Redbox the DVD


Look out for Part 3! Feel free to leave your comments below!

Films of Summer 2012 Part 1

Summer 2012 has been an interesting year, with the release of two major superhero films, both the products of mainstream hype. Plus Wes Anderson returned after almost 3 years, the 16th president battled the undead and Pixar introduced a female protagonist. I'm compiling a blog series about the best and worst of Summer 2012.

I've devised a new ratings system for the occasion and I hope it helps you out:
1. Buy it on Blu-Ray (must see ASAP)
2. Redbox the DVD (highly recommended)
3. Save it for HBO (deserves commercial-free viewing)
4. Catch it on TBS (doesn't deserve commercial-free viewing)
5. Don't touch it with a 10 foot pole (speaks for itself)


In Part 1, I'll be discussing: The Avengers, Ted, Moonrise Kingdom, To Rome with Love and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. And here we go now!

1. The Avengers (Joss Whedon)
with Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson, Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders
This superhero epic almost should not have worked. Bringing together 4 superheroes with larger than life personas, adding in two assassins and a Shakespearean villain--it's just too much. In other hands, this film would have seemed clunky and overcrowded. But Whedon, no stranger to ensembles, brings a nice sense of humor to the film, adds a zany group dynamic and makes sure that each character from Iron Man to Hawkeye to Loki gets a decent amount of character development. This film has already broken box office records and chances are if you wanted to see it you already did. This movie is probably the most fun you'll have all summer in a movie theater--The Avengers has entertainment on the mind and it delivers.
My rating: you should definitely Buy it on Blu-Ray.

2. Ted (Seth MacFarlane)
with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis and the voice of Seth MacFarlane
Fans of Family Guy and American Dad will not be disappointed. Ted is raunchy, politically incorrect, crazy but tied together with a strong emotional backbone. The film is hysterical, going from zingers to sight gags to pop culture jokes. The problem is that it's a first feature which means the sitcom plot is stretched a little thin until the film goes for an odd thriller-type finale. The cast is game and they sell their characters quite well. I especially liked Mila Kunis' refreshing portrayal of the tired "frustrated girlfriend" trope. Macfarlane, as the voice of Ted the teddy bear, is good enough but the voice is too similar to Peter Griffin.
My rating: your best bet is to Save it for HBO.

3. Moonrise Kingdom (Wes Anderson)
with Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Jason Schwartzmann, Kara Hayward, Jared Gilman and Tilda Swinton
I haven't seen many Wes Anderson movies but if they're all like Moonrise Kingdom, then I'm sure I'll love them all. Moonrise Kingdom is about preadolescents who fall in love and run away together. They're played quite convincingly by Gilman and Hayward. Their innocent but very serious romance baffles the adults around them who struggle to make sense of their own choices and their kids'. The script brims over with wit and insight, the comedy is subtle but also laugh-out-loud and the romance is treated with dignity and respect. Art direction, cinematography and editing are spectacular. Expect this one to get major awards attention in the coming months.
My rating: obviously you should Buy it on Blu-Ray

4. To Rome with Love (Woody Allen)
with Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Woody Allen, Judy Davis, Jesse Eisenberg, Alison Pill, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig and Roberto Benigni
Woody Allen takes Rome by storm (well not really) in this frilly comedy. Allen returns to the front of the camera in this anthology film, which packs four unrelated stories all set in the Eternal City. These stories are silly but very witty. This is a fun movie, more akin to Scoop and Love and Death than more high minded fare like Vicky Cristina Barcelona or Hannah and Her Sisters. The cast is spectacular, each given good material perfectly suited to their talents. Allen goes from absurdist humor to romantic dilemmas to critiques of fame--it's vintage Allen mixed in together.
My rating: if you're a fan of Woody Allen, Redbox the DVD. If not, Save it for HBO.

5. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Timur Bekmambetov)
with Benjamin Walker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie and Rufus Sewell
I loved the premise of this movie: a historical epic mashed together with action-horror. It should have made for a deliciously silly, satisfyingly fun film but instead we get an over-serious, dead on arrival action movie that is so dull you wish you were at the business end of Lincoln's silver axe. The one saving grace is Walker, who seems to be under the impression he had been cast in Spielberg's more straightforwardly Oscar-worthy biopic (it's actually Daniel Day-Lewis in that one). The rest of the cast seems to be begging to ham it up but they're stifled by the serious tone. The action scenes are boring as anything and the script is just tedious to sit through.
My rating: Please for the love of God, Don't touch it with a 10 foot pole!!

Look out for Part 2! Leave your comments below!