Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is True Grit. Written and Directed by Ethan & Joel Coen. Based on the novel True Grit. Written by Charles Portis
100th review countdown....#98
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some intense sequences of western violence including disturbing images.
Runtime: 110 min
Cast
Jeff Bridges - Rooster Cogburn
Hailee Steinfeld - Mattie Ross
Matt Damon - LaBoeuf
Josh Brolin - Tom Chaney
Barry Pepper - Lucky Ned Pepper
It's that time of year. We all know what that means. Another Coen Bros film to take in. This seems more like a ritual than coincidence. No matter what you call it. It works for them. And if it takes this long for the dynamic duo to come out with their latest and greatest then it's well worth the wait.
Following the death of her father. 14 year old Mattie Ross sets out to find the killer and bring him to justice. To do this she employs the service of U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogburn. A man that carries a reputation of always finding his man....dead but found. Against his wishes, Mattie accompanies him on the hunt for her father's murderer. Along the way they are met by Texas Ranger LaBeouf who's in pursuit of the same man for a different crime. Together the trio set out on the same singular goal but with three very different final outcomes in mind.
The Coen Brothers strike again. There's no other way I can put it. These two masters of film making have once again reminded us what a movie's basic and most important function is.
Storytelling.
Their writing ability is no secret to anyone who pays attention. It's their ability to take you back to a time where people said and did things that we only experienced from books is what continues to amaze me. They showcase a vision that can't be contained. The subtle and not so subtle use of "language" is superbly on display here. When I say language, I don't mean profanity.
I'm speaking specifically to the vernacular used in this period of history that the film takes place. Since we are in the wild west, every character comes well equipped with an accent and speaking style just as visible as their guns. The jargon tossed out is on point with what we are expected to see and it's delivered with the right amount of inflection needed to get the point across.
The brothers wizardry doesn't stop with the pen. They complete the task by detailing every other aspect of this film with the exact elements that ensures it's success.
Cast
Cinematography
Editing
The cast is STELLAR! Which should come as no surprise to a Coen Bros film. Jeff Bridges as Cogburn just comes at you with a teeth cutting performance. He slogs around in a drunken stupor spewing his dialogue with one of the strongest Arkansas twangs I have ever heard. His presence commands your attention in spite of his physical deficiencies. As flawed as he may appear, he leaves no doubt in your mind that at any point he can and will kick your ass.
Matt Damon is well Matt Damon. Need I say more? He can play any role and do it with his eyes closed. His plays LaBeouf with the toughness of a Texas Ranger but with a hint of education that implies a higher sense of status among Cogburn and Mattie. This makes him a tad on the annoying side but it works because he gives you a welcome imbalance of stupid tough guys that litter the wild west.
Finally we have the film's breakout performance from 14 year old Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie. This girl was amazing. Mattie showcases her superior intellect among the savvy businessmen in town while maintaining an insatiable desire for vengeance. Her dialogue is razor sharp and Hailee cuts through it sharper. There's no doubt that the brothers guided her well but her acting chops shine through in her performance. This young lad has a bright future in this business.
Expect all 3 to get Oscar nominations.
The Coen Bros do their best to keep the same crew around them when they make their film and this holds no truer than their Director of Photography Roger Deakins. He's shot 14 of the brothers films and has been nominated for 8 Academy Awards and sadly has come away empty handed. Some call it unfortunate. I call it CRIMINAL! You want proof of how great a shooter this man is?
Look no further than the first shot of the film. I say no more about it. You must see it.
Finally we come to the cutting of the film by world renowned Film Editor Roderick Jaynes. What is it that makes Roderick Jaynes so world renowned you ask? He is Ethan and Joel Coen. They have been cutting their films on their own since their very first film. What is more impressive is that they've had final cut control of all their films. That's unbelievable. I can't remember a director having final cut control of their films at the outset of their film careers. In any case it's paid off on both sides of the coin. The brothers get to make the film they want in the edit room and the audience enjoys the fruits of their labor.
You put all of this together and you got yourself another Coen classic worthy of it's place among the many classics that came before it.
This ones a Best Picture contender and possible winner. No question.
On the 5 star scale. True Grit gets the full house 5 stars with a big time "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.
These guys continue to crank out films that challenge themselves to top it's predecessor. Not only is the challenge met. It's exceeded. It's curious how they seem display their expertise right around the time the calendar turns toward awards season. Take that for what you will. We as an audience are the true winners in the end.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is The King's Speech and if you've been following along that will make film #99.
Just one more to go.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Tron: Legacy
Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is Tron: Legacy. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz. Screen Story by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Brian Klugman & Lee Sternthal. Based on characters created by Steven Lisberger & Bonnie MacBird
100th review countdown....#97
MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.
Runtime: 127 min
Cast
Jeff Bridges - Kevin Flynn / Clu
Garrett Hedlund - Sam Flynn
Olivia Wilde - Quorra
Bruce Boxleitner - Alan Bradley / Tron
James Frain - Jarvis
Beau Garrett - Gem
Michael Sheen - Castor / Zuse
28 years ago, the movie going public was treated to a very cheesy yet revolutionary sci fi film. The concept of Tron was very clever and ambitious. The execution however did not meet the expectations that the visuals placed in front of it. Fast forward almost 3 decades and we are given another ambitious visit to the Tron universe. Was it successful?
That depends on your opinion of the first film.
Set twenty plus years after the first film. Tron designer Kevin Flynn is missing and presumed dead. His son Sam now 27 is rejecting his destiny to take control of his father's company. Instead he plays games with the greedy board of directors by releasing the company's newest software for free on the Internet seconds before it goes on sale to the public. After some convincing from Kevin's partner Alan, Sam heads to his father's arcade to investigate a mysterious page sent by Flynn. Sam discovers a secret room that transports him into the grid (the computer world from the original Tron). Sam reunites with his father. He explains that he was held captive by the program he created (Clu) to facilitate and improve the grid world. Sam and Flynn spend the rest of the film reconnecting while trying to get home and dodge Clu's army of loyal program followers
Having virtually no memory of the original Tron. I went into this one with a blank slate. I have to say I was entertained. The special effects in this film are outrageous. The vibrancy of the colors blow you away. The action is highlighted by very detailed and precise movements. Since you are dealing with a computer generated world you aren't bound by the laws of reality. Tron: Legacy like it's predecessor takes full advantage of that fact and we as an audience are the beneficiaries of it.
Of course with a film loaded with effects and action sends up a red flag that the story suffers as a result. That's slightly the case here. The premise of the film is very very simple yet they try to make it complex and brainy. Not a good idea. Just give us guys flying around, riding their light cycles and fighting with their discs. That's what the movie is supposed to showcase. Don't complicate things by trying to make a film something it's not. Once I got past that little faux pas I enjoyed the film. One word of warning. Don;t expect to be blown away by the digital 3D a la Avatar. This was a major disappointment on that end. That went double for me since I sprung to see it in IMAX 3D.
On the 5 star scale. Tron; Legacy gets 3.5 stars with a "Go See It" recommendation.
You're not going to learn anything here. It's just mindless fun that was pretty slick to see.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is True Grit.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a very Happy New Year.
I'm going to dig my car out of 18 feet of snow now.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Today's review is Tron: Legacy. Directed by Joseph Kosinski. Written by Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz. Screen Story by Edward Kitsis, Adam Horowitz, Brian Klugman & Lee Sternthal. Based on characters created by Steven Lisberger & Bonnie MacBird
100th review countdown....#97
MPAA Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.
Runtime: 127 min
Cast
Jeff Bridges - Kevin Flynn / Clu
Garrett Hedlund - Sam Flynn
Olivia Wilde - Quorra
Bruce Boxleitner - Alan Bradley / Tron
James Frain - Jarvis
Beau Garrett - Gem
Michael Sheen - Castor / Zuse
28 years ago, the movie going public was treated to a very cheesy yet revolutionary sci fi film. The concept of Tron was very clever and ambitious. The execution however did not meet the expectations that the visuals placed in front of it. Fast forward almost 3 decades and we are given another ambitious visit to the Tron universe. Was it successful?
That depends on your opinion of the first film.
Set twenty plus years after the first film. Tron designer Kevin Flynn is missing and presumed dead. His son Sam now 27 is rejecting his destiny to take control of his father's company. Instead he plays games with the greedy board of directors by releasing the company's newest software for free on the Internet seconds before it goes on sale to the public. After some convincing from Kevin's partner Alan, Sam heads to his father's arcade to investigate a mysterious page sent by Flynn. Sam discovers a secret room that transports him into the grid (the computer world from the original Tron). Sam reunites with his father. He explains that he was held captive by the program he created (Clu) to facilitate and improve the grid world. Sam and Flynn spend the rest of the film reconnecting while trying to get home and dodge Clu's army of loyal program followers
Having virtually no memory of the original Tron. I went into this one with a blank slate. I have to say I was entertained. The special effects in this film are outrageous. The vibrancy of the colors blow you away. The action is highlighted by very detailed and precise movements. Since you are dealing with a computer generated world you aren't bound by the laws of reality. Tron: Legacy like it's predecessor takes full advantage of that fact and we as an audience are the beneficiaries of it.
Of course with a film loaded with effects and action sends up a red flag that the story suffers as a result. That's slightly the case here. The premise of the film is very very simple yet they try to make it complex and brainy. Not a good idea. Just give us guys flying around, riding their light cycles and fighting with their discs. That's what the movie is supposed to showcase. Don't complicate things by trying to make a film something it's not. Once I got past that little faux pas I enjoyed the film. One word of warning. Don;t expect to be blown away by the digital 3D a la Avatar. This was a major disappointment on that end. That went double for me since I sprung to see it in IMAX 3D.
On the 5 star scale. Tron; Legacy gets 3.5 stars with a "Go See It" recommendation.
You're not going to learn anything here. It's just mindless fun that was pretty slick to see.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is True Grit.
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and wish you all a very Happy New Year.
I'm going to dig my car out of 18 feet of snow now.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
The Fighter
Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is The Fighter. Directed by David O. Russell. Written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamsay & Eric Johnson. Screen Story by Paul Tamsay, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington.
100th review countdown....#96
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality.
Runtime: 115 min
Cast
Mark Wahlberg - Mickey Ward
Christian Bale - Dicky Eklund
Amy Adams - Charlene Fleming
Melissa Leo - Alice Ward
Mickey O'Keefe - Himself
Jack McGee - George Ward
Hollywood is certainly no stranger to the "Based on a true story" genre. Most of the time they get it wrong. That's right I said wrong. The powers that be insist on making our minds for us when they make these pictures. Mostly by sensationalizing the actual story rather than telling the actual story that inspired it's cinematic creation in the first place. They don't believe that we can embrace the journey that this real life individual took to get where he or she ended up.
The alternative is to "bend" the truth a little to serve the needs of pure entertainment. A lot of the time it accomplishes it's goal and an entertaining picture is made. I however, find it a bit troubling that producers and studios go this route at all. The defense would be to make a great film that people will love. I see it more as a lack of faith with the true elements that gave you the inspiration to tell the story at the outset.
There are occasions where a film that's based on a true story or events is so good that you don't care if certain aspects are overblown, exaggerated or even fabricated for the sake of the project. The Social Network immediately comes to mind as a perfect example. The Fighter is another example with a very big difference. The main story of The Fighter is very cardboard and predictable at the roots. What makes this film an instant winner is hands down is the performance of one man.
That man is Christian Bale.
The Fighter follows the events of journeyman boxer Mickey Ward and his very large and dysfunctional family in Lowell Massachusetts. Mickey's a talented fighter who's under the thumb of his manager mother Alice and crackhead trainer brother Dicky. His undying loyalty to his family clouds his vision of a possible bright future in the sport that he loves so much. You are taken through Mickey's struggles in and out of the ring as he tries to pick up the pieces of his broken family while attempting to make a name for himself in the boxing world.
This movie is filled with tremendous performances by a group of amazing actors but the spotlight shines brightest on Bale. His portrayal as Dicky is indescribably powerful. He's got everything down to the slightest detail. From the Boston accent to the physical mannerisms that crack heads are known for. I know that we are mostly familiar with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne but this man is an actor's actor. He gets down and dirty with the roles he takes. Need proof? I have several examples of memorable characters he's played in the past.
Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
Trevor Reznick in The Machinist.
Alfred Borden in The Prestige.
Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies.
If these don't convince you of his ability then just like Flavor Flav says...."I can't do nothin for ya man!"
He tops all of those performances in this movie. Which is both a good and bad thing. It's great for him because he continues to showcase how great he is on screen. It's bad because he steals the show from three other great performances.
Mark Wahlberg looks nothing like the real Mickey Ward but you have no problem believing that he's a struggling fighter trying to get out of his ring rut. You see early on that his biggest opponent in the film is his family. They're not intentionally doing wrong by him, they just refuse to see the world from outside their island. By doing that they hold Mickey back and his loyalty keeps him from making his own mind. Which segues nicely to the head of the control factor.
Alice Ward.
Melissa Leo has been on a roll since her Best Actress nomination for Frozen River back in 2008. Since then she's had a starring role on HBO's Katrina drama Treme. Among several other projects. She's an extremely talented woman with unlimited range which is on full display here. Leo plays Alice with a gritty toughness that a white trash mom with 9 kids needs in order to survive. Her life is devoted to the success of her two fighter sons and she doesn't let anyone step in the way of that. Just like Dicky, her intentions with Mickey are meant with his best interests at heart but she's so blinded by outside influence that it stunts Mikey's potential. With characters like this you would get the feeling that Alice is intentionally bringing his son down but Leo is able to separate that from her performance.
Expect another Best Actress nomination for this one.
Finally you have the stunning Amy Adams as Mickey's future and current wife Charlene. Just like everyone else in this film, Charlene is one tough cookie. Adams still finds away to keep her sexuality while maintaining her raging bull spirit. She sees the folly in Mickey's family and is more than willing to play the voice of reason. She's not afraid of telling it like it is and throwing down if that's what it takes.
These performances make up for what is a very cut and dry and rather lack luster come from behind story. Don't get me wrong. It's extremely uplifting to see Mickey get his rewards in the end. I just didn't see the dynamics that other heroics stories have produced in the past. Despite of the lack of "character" so to speak, the story that is told is told exquisitely. It moves swiftly and still keeps it's emotion. The boxing scenes are fast, furious and well displayed. Of course there are all after thoughts once you see Bale on screen when the first frame appears. From that point on you won't care what film you're seeing.
You'll just want to see more of Dicky.
He's got a Best Supporting Oscar coming his way. Take this one to the bank. The only regret is that since he's not the top name on the marquee of this film he can't be considered for Best Actor. This is a shame but who knows.
Stranger stuff has happened come Oscar time.
On the 5 star scale. The Fighter gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation. This is another film that has potential for Best Picture. I'm sure it will get nominated but it has no chance to win. Not with some big time flicks yet to debut like True Grit and The King's Speech. We'll just have to wait and see if this movie has a "fighting" chance.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Tron Legacy.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Today's review is The Fighter. Directed by David O. Russell. Written by Scott Silver, Paul Tamsay & Eric Johnson. Screen Story by Paul Tamsay, Eric Johnson & Keith Dorrington.
100th review countdown....#96
MPAA Rating: R for language throughout, drug content, some violence and sexuality.
Runtime: 115 min
Cast
Mark Wahlberg - Mickey Ward
Christian Bale - Dicky Eklund
Amy Adams - Charlene Fleming
Melissa Leo - Alice Ward
Mickey O'Keefe - Himself
Jack McGee - George Ward
Hollywood is certainly no stranger to the "Based on a true story" genre. Most of the time they get it wrong. That's right I said wrong. The powers that be insist on making our minds for us when they make these pictures. Mostly by sensationalizing the actual story rather than telling the actual story that inspired it's cinematic creation in the first place. They don't believe that we can embrace the journey that this real life individual took to get where he or she ended up.
The alternative is to "bend" the truth a little to serve the needs of pure entertainment. A lot of the time it accomplishes it's goal and an entertaining picture is made. I however, find it a bit troubling that producers and studios go this route at all. The defense would be to make a great film that people will love. I see it more as a lack of faith with the true elements that gave you the inspiration to tell the story at the outset.
There are occasions where a film that's based on a true story or events is so good that you don't care if certain aspects are overblown, exaggerated or even fabricated for the sake of the project. The Social Network immediately comes to mind as a perfect example. The Fighter is another example with a very big difference. The main story of The Fighter is very cardboard and predictable at the roots. What makes this film an instant winner is hands down is the performance of one man.
That man is Christian Bale.
The Fighter follows the events of journeyman boxer Mickey Ward and his very large and dysfunctional family in Lowell Massachusetts. Mickey's a talented fighter who's under the thumb of his manager mother Alice and crackhead trainer brother Dicky. His undying loyalty to his family clouds his vision of a possible bright future in the sport that he loves so much. You are taken through Mickey's struggles in and out of the ring as he tries to pick up the pieces of his broken family while attempting to make a name for himself in the boxing world.
This movie is filled with tremendous performances by a group of amazing actors but the spotlight shines brightest on Bale. His portrayal as Dicky is indescribably powerful. He's got everything down to the slightest detail. From the Boston accent to the physical mannerisms that crack heads are known for. I know that we are mostly familiar with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne but this man is an actor's actor. He gets down and dirty with the roles he takes. Need proof? I have several examples of memorable characters he's played in the past.
Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.
Trevor Reznick in The Machinist.
Alfred Borden in The Prestige.
Melvin Purvis in Public Enemies.
If these don't convince you of his ability then just like Flavor Flav says...."I can't do nothin for ya man!"
He tops all of those performances in this movie. Which is both a good and bad thing. It's great for him because he continues to showcase how great he is on screen. It's bad because he steals the show from three other great performances.
Mark Wahlberg looks nothing like the real Mickey Ward but you have no problem believing that he's a struggling fighter trying to get out of his ring rut. You see early on that his biggest opponent in the film is his family. They're not intentionally doing wrong by him, they just refuse to see the world from outside their island. By doing that they hold Mickey back and his loyalty keeps him from making his own mind. Which segues nicely to the head of the control factor.
Alice Ward.
Melissa Leo has been on a roll since her Best Actress nomination for Frozen River back in 2008. Since then she's had a starring role on HBO's Katrina drama Treme. Among several other projects. She's an extremely talented woman with unlimited range which is on full display here. Leo plays Alice with a gritty toughness that a white trash mom with 9 kids needs in order to survive. Her life is devoted to the success of her two fighter sons and she doesn't let anyone step in the way of that. Just like Dicky, her intentions with Mickey are meant with his best interests at heart but she's so blinded by outside influence that it stunts Mikey's potential. With characters like this you would get the feeling that Alice is intentionally bringing his son down but Leo is able to separate that from her performance.
Expect another Best Actress nomination for this one.
Finally you have the stunning Amy Adams as Mickey's future and current wife Charlene. Just like everyone else in this film, Charlene is one tough cookie. Adams still finds away to keep her sexuality while maintaining her raging bull spirit. She sees the folly in Mickey's family and is more than willing to play the voice of reason. She's not afraid of telling it like it is and throwing down if that's what it takes.
These performances make up for what is a very cut and dry and rather lack luster come from behind story. Don't get me wrong. It's extremely uplifting to see Mickey get his rewards in the end. I just didn't see the dynamics that other heroics stories have produced in the past. Despite of the lack of "character" so to speak, the story that is told is told exquisitely. It moves swiftly and still keeps it's emotion. The boxing scenes are fast, furious and well displayed. Of course there are all after thoughts once you see Bale on screen when the first frame appears. From that point on you won't care what film you're seeing.
You'll just want to see more of Dicky.
He's got a Best Supporting Oscar coming his way. Take this one to the bank. The only regret is that since he's not the top name on the marquee of this film he can't be considered for Best Actor. This is a shame but who knows.
Stranger stuff has happened come Oscar time.
On the 5 star scale. The Fighter gets 4.5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation. This is another film that has potential for Best Picture. I'm sure it will get nominated but it has no chance to win. Not with some big time flicks yet to debut like True Grit and The King's Speech. We'll just have to wait and see if this movie has a "fighting" chance.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Tron Legacy.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Black Swan
Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is Black Swan. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Written by Mark Heyman & Andres Heinz & John J. McLaughlin. Screen Story by Andres Heinz.
100th review countdown....#95
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.
Runtime: 108 min
Cast
Natalie Portman - Nina Sayers / The Swan Queen
Mila Kunis - Lily / The Black Swan
Vincent Cassel - Thomas Leroy / The Gentleman
Barbara Hershey - Erica Sayers / The Queen
Winona Ryder - Beth Macintyre / The Dying Swan
There's no doubt that ballet is not just a form of dance. It's a form of moving art. I myself am not a fan of ballet but I have always respected the intricacy and beauty that it presents to it's audience. Darren Aronofsky has found a way to turn this work of art and pervert it in ways only he can.
And ladies and gentlemen....that's a very good thing.
Nina is an accomplished, technically sound dancer who's main focus is to be perfect on the stage. This is manifested mostly by her very controlling mother who is trying to recapture her lost dancing career by living it through her daughter. Very early on you see the sacrifice that's required for Nina to maintain her physical appearance and ballet skills. It's a very demanding lifestyle that is accompanied by unforgivable amounts of pressure and competition.
When Thomas decides to open his season with a radical interpretation of Swan Lake, he selects Nina for the role. The catch is she must play both the white and black swan which proves to be challenging for Nina because she doesn't possess the natural raw seductive presence that's necessary to distinct the two very different characters. As Nina works on her inner black swan she's struggles with a recharged sexual attitude and severe competition with a rival dancer. These factors send Nina down a very dark road that changes her life forever.
Just like in The Wrestler, Aronofsky takes a well known form of entertainment and strips it down to it's soul. He exposes every aspect of it's success and failure. He does this by showing you the journey of the main character. The common denominator of these people is that for one reason or another, they are broken. In The Wrestler, The Ram was a beaten down former superstar trying to hold on to the glory days of the past. In Black Swan, Nina is in the prime of her ballet career headed for stardom but her outside influences coupled with her restrained outlook on life have held her back to becoming what she desires most. It's those struggles that give Aronofsky the freedom to take these characters down to the depths of hell.
The best part about that is that he keeps them there.
The process seems a bit more deliberate in Black Swan. The ways that Nina falls into the darkness range from the very subtle to the balls out, in your face reveal. It's those moments that Aronofsky handles with both care and razor sharp precision. It's those moments make the film as good as it is. As Nina's mind plays tricks on her, the film plays tricks with yours. You will have a hard time coming to a clear conclusion about what's going on in Nina's head until the end. That's brilliant storytelling and directing.
I think that this might be Aronofsky's finest directorial work because of what he was able to accomplish considering he was working with a paper thin plot. The script is very basic at it's core and it was transformed into a spectacle.
That's what this guy can bring to the table.
His trademark hand held camera use and tracking shots employ their own power to the story adding another ingredient to an already well made dish. Of course, he can't do it alone. He has some help in the form of four terrific actors. Natalie Portman leading off owns Nina's character. When you see her fail to unleash the passion in her portrayal of the black swan you feel the same frustration as Thomas during rehearsals. When Thomas strolls around eyeballing the dancers he commands the respect from the company that he's earned. He also displays his very famous reputation with the girls. Mila Kunis just oozes sexuality and animal instinct. She plays Lily with a care free vibrancy that is the perfect Yin to Nina's Yang. Finally Babara Hershey's performance can give you chills. I was almost reminded of Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. Hershey wasn't nearly as cruel but the controlling feel is present.
Another great detail that shouldn't be ignored is the music. Normally I don't comment too much on music but in this case it's a very strong supporting character. The orchestral moods blasted throughout this film were overwhelmingly powerful. It triggers the right amount of emotion at just the right time then POW! you're taken somewhere else emotionally.
There is however, one itty bitty thing to pick at with Black Swan. The film does such a great job with misdirection that when it's time to come back to reality you're not as invested in the end. The final scene felt tacked on and rushed. That's a big time shame because up until that point I was all in. As a result the score will suffer. So what is my score you ask? Well here we go.
On the 5 star scale. Black Swan gets 4 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.
The ending cost it the full house 5 stars. This doesn't change the fact that this is still a tremendous film that deserves all the attention it's getting now and hopefully in March if you catch my drift. Aronofsky is inching closer and closer to my top 5 favorite directors list. If he can do this with ballet, I can't wait to see what he does with the Wolverine sequel. Get ready for some fun true believers.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is The Fighter.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Today's review is Black Swan. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Written by Mark Heyman & Andres Heinz & John J. McLaughlin. Screen Story by Andres Heinz.
100th review countdown....#95
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content, disturbing violent images, language and some drug use.
Runtime: 108 min
Cast
Natalie Portman - Nina Sayers / The Swan Queen
Mila Kunis - Lily / The Black Swan
Vincent Cassel - Thomas Leroy / The Gentleman
Barbara Hershey - Erica Sayers / The Queen
Winona Ryder - Beth Macintyre / The Dying Swan
There's no doubt that ballet is not just a form of dance. It's a form of moving art. I myself am not a fan of ballet but I have always respected the intricacy and beauty that it presents to it's audience. Darren Aronofsky has found a way to turn this work of art and pervert it in ways only he can.
And ladies and gentlemen....that's a very good thing.
Nina is an accomplished, technically sound dancer who's main focus is to be perfect on the stage. This is manifested mostly by her very controlling mother who is trying to recapture her lost dancing career by living it through her daughter. Very early on you see the sacrifice that's required for Nina to maintain her physical appearance and ballet skills. It's a very demanding lifestyle that is accompanied by unforgivable amounts of pressure and competition.
When Thomas decides to open his season with a radical interpretation of Swan Lake, he selects Nina for the role. The catch is she must play both the white and black swan which proves to be challenging for Nina because she doesn't possess the natural raw seductive presence that's necessary to distinct the two very different characters. As Nina works on her inner black swan she's struggles with a recharged sexual attitude and severe competition with a rival dancer. These factors send Nina down a very dark road that changes her life forever.
Just like in The Wrestler, Aronofsky takes a well known form of entertainment and strips it down to it's soul. He exposes every aspect of it's success and failure. He does this by showing you the journey of the main character. The common denominator of these people is that for one reason or another, they are broken. In The Wrestler, The Ram was a beaten down former superstar trying to hold on to the glory days of the past. In Black Swan, Nina is in the prime of her ballet career headed for stardom but her outside influences coupled with her restrained outlook on life have held her back to becoming what she desires most. It's those struggles that give Aronofsky the freedom to take these characters down to the depths of hell.
The best part about that is that he keeps them there.
The process seems a bit more deliberate in Black Swan. The ways that Nina falls into the darkness range from the very subtle to the balls out, in your face reveal. It's those moments that Aronofsky handles with both care and razor sharp precision. It's those moments make the film as good as it is. As Nina's mind plays tricks on her, the film plays tricks with yours. You will have a hard time coming to a clear conclusion about what's going on in Nina's head until the end. That's brilliant storytelling and directing.
I think that this might be Aronofsky's finest directorial work because of what he was able to accomplish considering he was working with a paper thin plot. The script is very basic at it's core and it was transformed into a spectacle.
That's what this guy can bring to the table.
His trademark hand held camera use and tracking shots employ their own power to the story adding another ingredient to an already well made dish. Of course, he can't do it alone. He has some help in the form of four terrific actors. Natalie Portman leading off owns Nina's character. When you see her fail to unleash the passion in her portrayal of the black swan you feel the same frustration as Thomas during rehearsals. When Thomas strolls around eyeballing the dancers he commands the respect from the company that he's earned. He also displays his very famous reputation with the girls. Mila Kunis just oozes sexuality and animal instinct. She plays Lily with a care free vibrancy that is the perfect Yin to Nina's Yang. Finally Babara Hershey's performance can give you chills. I was almost reminded of Joan Crawford in Mommie Dearest. Hershey wasn't nearly as cruel but the controlling feel is present.
Another great detail that shouldn't be ignored is the music. Normally I don't comment too much on music but in this case it's a very strong supporting character. The orchestral moods blasted throughout this film were overwhelmingly powerful. It triggers the right amount of emotion at just the right time then POW! you're taken somewhere else emotionally.
There is however, one itty bitty thing to pick at with Black Swan. The film does such a great job with misdirection that when it's time to come back to reality you're not as invested in the end. The final scene felt tacked on and rushed. That's a big time shame because up until that point I was all in. As a result the score will suffer. So what is my score you ask? Well here we go.
On the 5 star scale. Black Swan gets 4 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.
The ending cost it the full house 5 stars. This doesn't change the fact that this is still a tremendous film that deserves all the attention it's getting now and hopefully in March if you catch my drift. Aronofsky is inching closer and closer to my top 5 favorite directors list. If he can do this with ballet, I can't wait to see what he does with the Wolverine sequel. Get ready for some fun true believers.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is The Fighter.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
127 Hours
Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is 127 Hours. Directed by Danny Boyle. Written by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy. Based on the book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" Written by Aron Ralston.
100th review countdown....#94
MPAA Rating: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images.
Runtime: 94 min
Cast
James Franco - Aron Ralston
Kate Mara - Kristi
Amber Tamblyn - Megan
Sean Bott - Aron's Friend
Treat Williams - Aron's Dad
Kate Burton - Aron's Mom
Clémence Poésy - Rana
Lizzy Caplan - Sonja Ralston
How far would you go to save your own life? How far could you go to save your own life? How much could you sacrifice? Those questions are answered in very explicit detail as Danny Boyle brings us the remarkable true story of Aron Raltson's week long quest to defy the Grim Reaper.
The film chronicles the recklessly arrogant mountain climber whose arm gets crushed under a boulder during a trip through Utah canyon country. With no one coming to save him, he must decide whether he will die or fight for survival.
At first glance this movie could draw comparisons to Cast Away. In theory it makes sense just by looking at the bare essential plot points.
1) The film's main character suffers a tragic accident that leaves him stranded in an isolated environment.
2) The main character struggles to acclimate himself to his new surroundings while trying to maintain his sanity.
3) The min character takes extreme measures to ensure rescue.
That's where the comparisons end. There's really only 1 major difference between the two. This film is BETTER!
Danny Boyle once again continues to challenge himself with very interesting projects and story matter. He doesn't hide from stories that many other directors would turn the other cheek at. It's very easy to fail with a movie that has such a simple concept. You have to find ways to avoid the boredom factor which is what Cast Away failed to do while 127 Hours avoided it.
In order to achieve this you have to start with the amazing performance of James Franco as Aron. It was reported that both Boyle and Franco watched the actual video tape that Ralston made while trapped in the canyon. This gave Franco the ability to channel the mindset Aron was in as the hours ticked by. It did the trick. Franco portrays Ralston with reckless abandon yet maintaining his skill as an extreme sports athlete. As the days go by when he's trapped, you really feel his mind starting to wander as his sanity slowly starts to leave him. He's got a Best Actor nomination in his immediate future.
This segues perfectly to Boyle's subtle and no to subtle tricks that help pass the time away. He takes you inside Ralston's mind during those trying times. That experience is aided masterfully by the camera work. The area that Ralston is caught in is so limited. You truly feel the claustrophobia. Boyle employs standard hand held with a camera rigged to Franco's waist mixed in with the home video look. Those different shots blended very well in the editing room giving the film a mixture of emotions. You add a very stirring score that sneaks up on you at just the right time you have yourself a Danny Boyle film. He's a complete filmmaker. He doesn't take one aspect for granted and gives every element the respect it deserves.
These points aren't more evident than in the "scene."
For those of you that have already seen this film then you know what I'm talking about. The scene in a word is BRUTAL to watch but necessary and mandatory viewing. You really can't appreciate what this man really went through unless you see first hand the steps he took to solidify his only realistic chance at survival. It's at this point where you will be asking yourself if you could do what Aron did if it meant that you would make it out survive.
This is what makes 127 Hours so powerful. You're not just watching a story of an extraordinary man's survival. You're watching a story that connects you to an event that can shape and change your life from the inside out. That's not a movie.
It's an experience.
On the 5 star scale. 127 Hours gets the full house, 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" Recommendation.
Can this film crack the top 10 for Best Picture? Hell Yeah! Can it win? I don't see how with all the heavy hitters yet to display their talents but nobody saw Slumdog Millionaire coming two years ago. And that film ran through everyone in it's path.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Black Swan.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Today's review is 127 Hours. Directed by Danny Boyle. Written by Danny Boyle & Simon Beaufoy. Based on the book "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" Written by Aron Ralston.
100th review countdown....#94
MPAA Rating: R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images.
Runtime: 94 min
Cast
James Franco - Aron Ralston
Kate Mara - Kristi
Amber Tamblyn - Megan
Sean Bott - Aron's Friend
Treat Williams - Aron's Dad
Kate Burton - Aron's Mom
Clémence Poésy - Rana
Lizzy Caplan - Sonja Ralston
How far would you go to save your own life? How far could you go to save your own life? How much could you sacrifice? Those questions are answered in very explicit detail as Danny Boyle brings us the remarkable true story of Aron Raltson's week long quest to defy the Grim Reaper.
The film chronicles the recklessly arrogant mountain climber whose arm gets crushed under a boulder during a trip through Utah canyon country. With no one coming to save him, he must decide whether he will die or fight for survival.
At first glance this movie could draw comparisons to Cast Away. In theory it makes sense just by looking at the bare essential plot points.
1) The film's main character suffers a tragic accident that leaves him stranded in an isolated environment.
2) The main character struggles to acclimate himself to his new surroundings while trying to maintain his sanity.
3) The min character takes extreme measures to ensure rescue.
That's where the comparisons end. There's really only 1 major difference between the two. This film is BETTER!
Danny Boyle once again continues to challenge himself with very interesting projects and story matter. He doesn't hide from stories that many other directors would turn the other cheek at. It's very easy to fail with a movie that has such a simple concept. You have to find ways to avoid the boredom factor which is what Cast Away failed to do while 127 Hours avoided it.
In order to achieve this you have to start with the amazing performance of James Franco as Aron. It was reported that both Boyle and Franco watched the actual video tape that Ralston made while trapped in the canyon. This gave Franco the ability to channel the mindset Aron was in as the hours ticked by. It did the trick. Franco portrays Ralston with reckless abandon yet maintaining his skill as an extreme sports athlete. As the days go by when he's trapped, you really feel his mind starting to wander as his sanity slowly starts to leave him. He's got a Best Actor nomination in his immediate future.
This segues perfectly to Boyle's subtle and no to subtle tricks that help pass the time away. He takes you inside Ralston's mind during those trying times. That experience is aided masterfully by the camera work. The area that Ralston is caught in is so limited. You truly feel the claustrophobia. Boyle employs standard hand held with a camera rigged to Franco's waist mixed in with the home video look. Those different shots blended very well in the editing room giving the film a mixture of emotions. You add a very stirring score that sneaks up on you at just the right time you have yourself a Danny Boyle film. He's a complete filmmaker. He doesn't take one aspect for granted and gives every element the respect it deserves.
These points aren't more evident than in the "scene."
For those of you that have already seen this film then you know what I'm talking about. The scene in a word is BRUTAL to watch but necessary and mandatory viewing. You really can't appreciate what this man really went through unless you see first hand the steps he took to solidify his only realistic chance at survival. It's at this point where you will be asking yourself if you could do what Aron did if it meant that you would make it out survive.
This is what makes 127 Hours so powerful. You're not just watching a story of an extraordinary man's survival. You're watching a story that connects you to an event that can shape and change your life from the inside out. That's not a movie.
It's an experience.
On the 5 star scale. 127 Hours gets the full house, 5 stars with a "Worth Every Penny" Recommendation.
Can this film crack the top 10 for Best Picture? Hell Yeah! Can it win? I don't see how with all the heavy hitters yet to display their talents but nobody saw Slumdog Millionaire coming two years ago. And that film ran through everyone in it's path.
That's a wrap for today. Up next is Black Swan.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
The Warrior's Way
Welcome to another episode of Lights....Camera....Popcorn!
Today's review is The Warrior's Way. Written and Directed by Sngmoo Lee
100th review countdown....#93
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence.
Runtime: 100 min
Cast
Dong-gun Jang - Yang
Kate Bosworth - Lynne
Geoffrey Rush - Ron
Danny Huston - Colonel
Tony Cox - Eight-Ball
Lung Ti - Saddest Flute
Analin Rudd - Baby April
Ladies and Gentleman. After holding it's post for almost a full calendar year. Legion has now been
supplanted by this for WORST FILM OF 2010. Great Scott was this film AWFUL!
What do you get when you combine a master swordsman on the run. With his clan hunting him down as the master swordsman adjusts to life in his new surroundings in the wild west.
You get the plot for this dreadful excuse for a movie.
There is so much wrong with this film that I don't know where to start. So I'll begin with what was the film's biggest failure.
It's rather obvious that this is supposed to be a martial arts film so the first thing that is established is Yang's superior fighting abilities against his rival clan warrior's. It's at this moment not 2 minuets into the film that it goes right into the toilet. The fight that takes place is on par with some of the genre's worst executed choreography (if you can even call it choreography). All Yang does is swing his blade one time at his opponents and they drop like flies while he poses for dramatic effect. The lack of intricacy in the fight is also masked by super slo mo and CGI. Immediately I got that nervous felling that this was what I was in store for the rest of the film. I still held out hope that maybe this was just a quick throwaway fight just to intro our hero and showcase his bad ass-ery.
NOPE!
It was just more of the same and it was less impressive later on. Look I get it. You want to show us that this guy is not to be messed with but that doesn't mean he has to be invincible. The film contradicts itself by making him so formidable. If he's the best warrior of a clan of warrior's, shouldn't the other warriors possess some skill as well? Apparently not in this movie. They are just there to provide a body count. As an authority of Martial Arts Cinema, this display or lack of weapons combat was not only offensive but and insult to me as a member of the audience. I can best describe how unbelievably simple the fights were in this film this way.
Back in 2000. My friends and I made a Kung Fu film. It was as low budget as you could get but the one thing this movie had was detailed fight scenes. I spent 4 months studying up several different disciplines ranging from Tae Kwon Do to Wing Chun and figured out a way to blend the best ones that would make an interesting fight while making the moves easy enough for everyone to learn at the same time. Needless to say the film was an absolute joke but to this day I continue to receive complements on the fight choreography. Especially since I was the only one who had any formal training or knowledge in the 1st place while having no idea what I was doing. A bunch of college kids with a video camera and a mall loading dock were able to showcase developed fight moves that pale in comparison to a Hollywood feature in the year 2010.
The rest of the film follows the action's lead when it came to the absurd and overall underachievement. The dialogue was lazy and poorly structured. The cast was equally lazy and poorly structured headlined by Kate Bosworth's portrayal of a tough western chick who has fighting ability. Just god awful.
The story as paper thin as it is seems to find a way to make no sense between acts 2 and 3. That is quite an accomplishment when you know from the opening credits what this movie about. How the narrative gets lost between it's start and finish is beyond me but it executes that masterfully.
That's it. I'm done.
On the 5 star scale. The Warrior's Way gets the whopping goose egg 0 stars with a resounding "For The Love of God Stay Home!" recommendation.
There is absolutely nothing of value here. Please avoid this one at all costs. You have been warned.
That's a wrap for today. Not sure what's next but I'm pretty confident that it will be 1,000,000% better than this.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
Today's review is The Warrior's Way. Written and Directed by Sngmoo Lee
100th review countdown....#93
MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence.
Runtime: 100 min
Cast
Dong-gun Jang - Yang
Kate Bosworth - Lynne
Geoffrey Rush - Ron
Danny Huston - Colonel
Tony Cox - Eight-Ball
Lung Ti - Saddest Flute
Analin Rudd - Baby April
Ladies and Gentleman. After holding it's post for almost a full calendar year. Legion has now been
supplanted by this for WORST FILM OF 2010. Great Scott was this film AWFUL!
What do you get when you combine a master swordsman on the run. With his clan hunting him down as the master swordsman adjusts to life in his new surroundings in the wild west.
You get the plot for this dreadful excuse for a movie.
There is so much wrong with this film that I don't know where to start. So I'll begin with what was the film's biggest failure.
It's rather obvious that this is supposed to be a martial arts film so the first thing that is established is Yang's superior fighting abilities against his rival clan warrior's. It's at this moment not 2 minuets into the film that it goes right into the toilet. The fight that takes place is on par with some of the genre's worst executed choreography (if you can even call it choreography). All Yang does is swing his blade one time at his opponents and they drop like flies while he poses for dramatic effect. The lack of intricacy in the fight is also masked by super slo mo and CGI. Immediately I got that nervous felling that this was what I was in store for the rest of the film. I still held out hope that maybe this was just a quick throwaway fight just to intro our hero and showcase his bad ass-ery.
NOPE!
It was just more of the same and it was less impressive later on. Look I get it. You want to show us that this guy is not to be messed with but that doesn't mean he has to be invincible. The film contradicts itself by making him so formidable. If he's the best warrior of a clan of warrior's, shouldn't the other warriors possess some skill as well? Apparently not in this movie. They are just there to provide a body count. As an authority of Martial Arts Cinema, this display or lack of weapons combat was not only offensive but and insult to me as a member of the audience. I can best describe how unbelievably simple the fights were in this film this way.
Back in 2000. My friends and I made a Kung Fu film. It was as low budget as you could get but the one thing this movie had was detailed fight scenes. I spent 4 months studying up several different disciplines ranging from Tae Kwon Do to Wing Chun and figured out a way to blend the best ones that would make an interesting fight while making the moves easy enough for everyone to learn at the same time. Needless to say the film was an absolute joke but to this day I continue to receive complements on the fight choreography. Especially since I was the only one who had any formal training or knowledge in the 1st place while having no idea what I was doing. A bunch of college kids with a video camera and a mall loading dock were able to showcase developed fight moves that pale in comparison to a Hollywood feature in the year 2010.
The rest of the film follows the action's lead when it came to the absurd and overall underachievement. The dialogue was lazy and poorly structured. The cast was equally lazy and poorly structured headlined by Kate Bosworth's portrayal of a tough western chick who has fighting ability. Just god awful.
The story as paper thin as it is seems to find a way to make no sense between acts 2 and 3. That is quite an accomplishment when you know from the opening credits what this movie about. How the narrative gets lost between it's start and finish is beyond me but it executes that masterfully.
That's it. I'm done.
On the 5 star scale. The Warrior's Way gets the whopping goose egg 0 stars with a resounding "For The Love of God Stay Home!" recommendation.
There is absolutely nothing of value here. Please avoid this one at all costs. You have been warned.
That's a wrap for today. Not sure what's next but I'm pretty confident that it will be 1,000,000% better than this.
Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"
"D"
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