Prisoners (2013)

It’s always a joy to find a tightly woven thriller like this one, centered on another emotionally intense performance from Hugh Jackman. Jackman plays the father of one of two kidnapped girls who takes action into his own hands to find them when it seems the police are letting their main suspect go. Jake Gyllenhaal plays the detective on the case. The mystery isn’t too hard to figure out but screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski gives the story enough layers to great doubt in what’s going on. Denis Villeneuve directs after making the Oscar nominated for Best Foreign Language Incendies. What else does this Canadian director have in store? I can’t wait. Grade: A-

Dexter (Season 8)

The writers of one of my favorite shows failed me. I can’t believe it. I had so much faith in them. I thought they had everything in place for an epic conclusion but instead was giving a head-scratching dissatisfying deflating mess. How is this possible? There is so much to hate about this last season, it’s hard to know where to begin. First we’ll start with what I liked about it. Bringing on board Charlotte Rampling as Dr. Evelyn Vogel, the inventor of Dexter’s Code, was a fantastic idea and I loved how she was used to bring Dexter and Debra back together. It helps too that she’s a wonderful actress. Bringing back Hannah McKay and having her and Dexter’s love story continue was a good move. It wasn’t going to have a happy ending but that’s as it should be. And that’s pretty much it. The rest of the season is so uneven and illogical that I still can’t believe it. In hindsight I know what the writers and producers
were trying to do but the result only spoils what was such a good show. Now when I tell people that they should watch Dexter I’m going to be conflicted. Sure watch this great show but don’t see how it ends because it sucks. If ever there was a way to force a production company to re-do a season of a show, this would be my choice. So disappointing. Grade: B-

Spoilers
Here’s a list of what I hated about this season.
1. The killing of Dexter’s sister. Dumb and pointless. She was the heart of the show and she needed to live on. I know the reason she was killed was to make the ending really tragic but it came across as forced and out of the blue. “Let’s kill Dexter’s reason for living so he can spend the rest of his life in pain and regret because that’s how he should be punished”. That’s why she was killed but I find that a lazy choice, personally.
2. Joey Quinn suddenly dumping Jamie and getting back together with Debra, who takes him back without a thought. The reason for this? To make it more tragic. His story would have meant something if he had remained faithful to Jamie. Tossing Jamie to the side like that was just mean and left a bad taste in my mouth.
3. Hannah McKay running away with Harrison. It’s not that she wouldn’t make a good mother, if there’s anyone out there who will protect him better it’s her, she’d kill to keep him safe. And being that she’s a killer, maybe she can raise him to not be one. (Maybe) But Harrison deserves to be with his half siblings Cody and Astor. He deserves to be with family instead of a woman he just met.
4. The moment Dexter decides not to kill. This is where the season really falls apart. I get it; I know what the writers are saying. Dexter realizes he doesn’t need to kill anymore, “See his transformation!” And with this transformation you punish him. The irony would work if set up properly but it’s just inconsistent with this character.
5. Horrible villain. Daniel Vogel starts off as a threatening character but in the end he’s just not the guy Dexter deserves to face at the end. He’s so forgettable, especially when you consider how this show started with the Ice Truck killer. Couldn’t they have made him scarier than any killer Dexter has faced so far? Pretty lame.
6. Rushed Writing. It felt so rushed at the end. “Quick, let’s end this thing so we can move on to our next project.” I’m sure this is an unfair criticism. I doubt the writers rushed it; I’m sure they spent long hours writing scene after scene but for me it didn’t feel they met their usual standards. The dialogue wasn’t as good as it had been in previous episodes and even the logic was off.
7. Dexter is alive. If you are going to have Dexter drive off on a boat into a hurricane, then stick to your guns. Don’t have him pop up in Alaska with a beard. Again I get what the writers were trying to do, but I felt Dexter should have just died. He should have died protecting the ones he loved. He’s our hero. He’s a serial killer but the writers don’t have to play moral god to their characters. I always thought Dexter either should sacrifice himself by turning himself in or died in a heroic way. Sure, all writers want to out think their audience and come up with an even better ending then what is expected but sometimes the expected is the ending of the story. This ending felt inorganic developed and false. I wouldn’t have wanted a happy ending but even a happy ending would have been better than what I watched.
How should it have ended given this Season’s set up? I personally would have switched Debra and Dexter destines. Dexter would have been the one shot and in the hospital to become a vegetable. Debra would have taken him out on a boat and she would have dropped him to the sea. Then she’d return to the main land to live being one of only a hand full of people who knew Dexter’s true crimes. Hannah McKay would have returned from Latin America and dropped Harrison off with his Aunt so she could reunite him with his family. The last scene could have been Debra and Hannah once enemies departing ways, the two women who loved Dexter. Still not a perfect ending but it would have been a lot more pleased.

This is the End (2013)

Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg co-write and direct an ensemble farce staring Seth, Jay Baruchel, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride as fictional versions of themselves who attend a Hollywood party that is interrupted by the apocalypse. It’s a meta-comedy that satires Hollywood culture, disaster movies, possession films and the end of the world. I loved it! It’s dark and strange and hilarious. Danny McBride steals the show, giving his typical laugh-out-loud jerk performance that he does so well. This is one of those films I can see watching over and over again. It’ll be interesting to see how it holds up years from now with future viewers who don’t know who these guys are and haven’t ever seen the Pineapple Express. I think it has some timeless moments but at the same time it is set in its time like a pop cultural time capsule. Grade: A-

Mitt (2014)

The title of this advertisement . . . I mean, documentary . . . could have been Nice Guys Finish Last. This film follows Mitt Romney trying to become President of the United States, first when he lost the nomination to McCain and again when he received the Republican Nomination only to lose the election to Obama. It’s supposed to be an inside look at the man and his family and it sort of is, but it’s completely void of any substance about his politics and why such a man should be the Leader of the Free world (just like his campaign). I like Mitt, or at least the way he represents himself, but I wouldn’t ever vote for him and nothing in this documentary changed my mind. Yet by reading the reviews on Netflix it’s clear that if Mitt had used this kind of approach to tell his story to the voting public versus attacking Obama he probably would have won. Maybe, maybe not, but as propaganda this film works wonders, as an actual documentary is full of holes. Obviously if you want to see a hard hitting honest look at Romney the leader with information and details on how he believes this country should be run then skip this one. If you want a warm and fuzzy look at a family man trying to run for office then you might find this enjoyable. I was entertained but not impressed and very much relieved he did lose. I can only hope after two failed attempts Mitt learned his lesson and doesn’t try again. Grade: B

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Woody Allen does it again, creating a wonderful dynamic film with skillfully crafted characters and a story with memorable emotional depth. It’s clearly a modern reflection by Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire and proof one can use another artist’s work to create something new and completely relevant. Jasmine is a former spoiled rich house wife who must live with her lower-class sister, Ginger, after losing everything when her husband was arrested for fraud. Told out of sequence the audience gets to see a confident, clueless woman transform into a desperate and delusional mess. What helps make this already excellent film work as well as it does is Cate Blanchett. The entire cast is brilliant but she’s amazing. This 2014 version of Blanche DuBois is even more complex and monstrous, yet a heroine that I felt bad for even if I felt she got exactly what she deserved. The last shot of the film will stay with me for a long time. Grade: A-

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Baz Luhrmann is the cinematic lord of gaudy brilliance. And while gaudy might be considered a negative adjective, in this case it’s a celebration of melodrama and music and razzle dazzle spectacle. When you watch a film by Luhrmann, it’s clearly a Luhrmann production. Here he adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel about a young WWI vet and college grad who becomes friends with a mysterious millionaire neighbor. I was never a fan of the novel but Luhrmann is the artist to make such a story work. Set during the Roaring Twenties, he clearly loves to juxtapose a romanticize time period with our current time. I really loved the look and feel of this movie and Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan give strong performances. Their chemistry is electric on screen. The film’s only flaw is the pacing feels off. I think the issue is that there’s no real suspense. It starts off with lots of mystery but once we find out who Jay Gatsby is the drama’s purpose falters. This is a subtle error and doesn’t spoil the tragic beauty of the movie’s ending. Grade: A-

Spoilers:
Daisy is a bitch and Mulligan portrays her with great emotional honesty. But she’s still a bitch.

Cutie and the Boxer (2013)

Who said being an artist is glamourous? Japanese Ushio Shinohara lives a life that is part homeless man and part genius and it’s his younger wife Noriko that keeps everything together. I don’t really know if these two love each other but I suspect their marriage is based on a form of love and admiration. Noriko is the hero of this story for you really get a sense of her personality and the joy and terror it is to live with a maniac sweetheart like Ushio. It’s also a testament to the life of an artist and let’s be clear these two are artists, but no matter how creative you are or how many pieces of art you have created it’s not easy making money. My opinion on Ushio’s work is that it’s at times brilliant but also messy junk. How is it I can call it art and not garbarge? Because it so purely captures this man’s zany soul. Grade: A

Captain Phillips (2013)

Tom Hanks gives one of his best performances ever playing the true life survivor and hero of a Somali pirate hostage crisis that occurred in 2009. Capt. Richard Phillips leads a crew of a cargo ship through the Indian Ocean when he’s faced with a small group of pirates lead by the furious Barkhad Abdi. Paul Greengrass directs and delivers an intense thriller that never gives its audience a break. Of course with a tightly written script from Billy Ray that excels at being suspenseful as well as emotionally dramatic I don’t see how he could have failed. Every aspect of this film comes together just perfectly and helps make you forget that this is the same actor who played Forrest Gump. Grade: A

The Square (2013)

This documentary follows a group of Egyptian protesters during the Revolution of 2011. This is an inside look at the struggle of a nation. It’s an important film that tells of the complexities of a young nation breaking free of tyranny. It demonstrates the promise of what’s to come and the oncoming despair as that promise is stepped on before so many to bear witness. Freedom is precious and as an American I take it for granted. This film reminds me what it takes to actually fight for freedom. It’s never easy. If you wish to ignore the events going on outside this country than skip this film, but for the rest of you, see it and get a taste of what so many people must go through to have what we have. See what so many people in our world still need to go through to get to where these brave revolutionaries are right now. Living history has never been so honest and breathtaking. Grade: A

The To Do List (2013)

Aubrey Plaza is a rising star in comedy but even she can’t save this one from being anything but an average sex comedy. Plaza plays a high school Senior who decides to complete a laundry list of sexual activities so she’ll be ready for college. It’s a promising premise with a very real and important lesson at its heart. My favorite aspect of this film is its ‘90s look. The costumes and set design nail this time period in a hilarious way in the same manner The Wedding Singer highlighted the ‘80s. Perhaps if the pacing was better it would have been funnier. I’m not sure because there were a lot of funny moments, but as a whole I just felt a better film could have emerged with the talent involved. Grade: B

Her (2014)

This has to be the most accurate film depicting the near future ever made. Yet it’s not about the future it’s a love story that just so happens to happen in the future. It’s a love story where the recipient of a man’s love just so happens to be a computer program. It’s an experience that will make you smile the next time you hear someone tell you they love their iPhone. When watching this film, I couldn’t help but wonder if someday our technology will surpass us, where computers find souls and we disconnect from ours. Or will there be a synergy between us as we become so interconnect you can no longer tell us apart. All of these ideas are evident in this Spike Jonze masterpiece of speculative romance. Joaquin Phoenix gives another amazing performance as personalized letter writer dealing with a hard break-up. He obtains the newest operating software voiced by Scarlett Johansson and she’s basically an invisible personal assistant. But as they become more acquainted internal spark begin to set off. There are way too many aspects of this film that I love. Amy Adams, Olivia Wilde and Rooney Mara play the flesh and blood females in his complex, strange and very relatable life and they’re all fantastic. The production design is amazing and very believable. I felt like I was watching a film shot in the year 2025. Sure as the film unfolds it’s clear this is not a high-tension thriller but the stakes are just as high with a man learning to love again and a computer evolving beyond anyone’s imagination. Grade: A

The Place Beyond The Pines (2013)

This is one of those dramas that so caught me off guard I wanted to watch it again. It tells the story of two families connected forever by a single moment of tragedy. We first met Ryan Gosling’s character Luke, a motorcycle stuntman who finds out he has a son born from an old fling. In a desire to support his new family he turns to armed robbery. Then we are introduced to Bradley Cooper’s character Avery, a police officer on track to be the man in the white hat who goes after corruption in the police force. How these two men’s destinies are intertwined over the course of sixteen years is unforgettable. Derek Cianfrance co-writes and directs and gives proof that there’s a talent to watch. Blue Valentine, the first film I saw of his, wasn’t a fluke. I’ll be interesting to see how people remember this film in time. I hope it goes on to be considered a new American classic. Grade: A

The Wolverine (2013)

Considered by many as the redemption film for this superhero franchise, Hugh Jackman is back and this time I believe they got the tone and character down just right. The story line is pretty good even if the third act is overdone and a bit disappointing. Wolverine returns to Japan where he was a prisoner of war during WWII and reunites with the Japanese solider he saved from the A-bomb. Now a powerful billionaire on death’s bed, he wishes to cure Wolverine but only to transfer his powers to him. Not really a good idea. There are many great moments to this story and I feel like they were close to making something more than just a silly superhero movie. In the end it’s just a silly superhero with more heart than it deserves. Grade: B

The Hunt (2013)

This is the Danish equivalent of The Children’s Hour except without the lesbian story thread. Wow, I haven’t wanted to punch a lady in the face in a long time. Mads Mikkelsen brilliantly plays a local boy who works at a school for children who is mistakenly assumed to be a child molester. How this accusation changes his life and his relationship with his once close neighbors is brutally honest and skillfully realized. This is the second film I’ve seen from director Thomas Vinterberg, the first being Festen (which was excellent as well) and I think this is his masterpiece so far. We ask our children to tell us the truth and yet how horrible it is to fool them into giving you the truth you already assumed to be real. Stories like this happen and it’s a tragic. Grade: A

Top Ten Oscar Moments

In honor of this year’s Oscar nominations, here is my top ten favorite moments during the Oscars.

10. Adrien Brody kissing Halle Berry – Not only did Adrien win a well-deserved Oscar but he topped the celebration by ambushing last year’s winner Halle Berry with a Hollywood-style kiss. It was funny; it was outrageous and it will be remembered for years to come.

9. Ben Stiller’s Green Suit – Mr. Stiller is hilarious and when he came on in an all-green suit, talking about special effects was very amusing. I actually think Stiller would make a great host some time; I hope it happens.

8. Jack Palance’s one armed push up – What’s the best way to show you’re the man, a real tough cookie like the character he portrayed, do a one-armed push up. Awesome.

7. Billy Crystal in the Lecter Mask – Billy Crystal has so many amazing moments and I could make a list of just those but for me it was when two stage hands wheeled him out on a dolly wearing the infamous Hannibal Lecter mask that sticks as a defining moment of his greatness.

6. Benigni jumping on Spielberg’s shoulders – Some were annoyed at Roberto Benigni’s enthusiasm but seeing him bounding from his seat and climbing up on Spielberg like a monkey was epic. I miss this guy and wish he’d have a comeback so we can see him in all his zaniness again.

5. Cuba Gooding Jr. goes berserk – Gooding Jr. might have one of the worst post-Oscar win careers out there but his celebration for winning for Jerry Maguire makes up for it. It was a standing ovation moment that rocked.

4. Jack Black, Will Farrell and John C. Reilly – The trio stole the show performing a music number that still makes me smile

3. Steve Martin hosts – I personally am a huge Martin fan so every year he hosted the Oscars was fantastic.

2. Robin Williams getting his first Oscar for Good Will Hunting – Watching a legend like Robin Williams win his first Oscar was amazing and I don’t remember being so happy for a complete stranger.

1. Shakespeare In Love beating Saving Private Ryan – I know I’m in the minority here but I was delighted by this upset. For me the best film won. I know, I know, everyone else out there disagrees. Everyone except the Academy voters of course.

Monsieur Lazhar (2011)

This French Canadian film nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign language film is poignant story of an Algerian immigrant who takes the job as a teacher after the teacher he’s replacing hanged herself in the class room. Themes of cultural differences and emotional detachment propel the dramatic center of this film. If not for Mohamed Fellag memorable performance I’m not sure if this would have been as successful as it is. There are a few subplots that are just left to our imagination and some of the other characters are just not likeable enough. In the end, a strong ending and a well-established lead made for a good film that I wish had been a bit better. Grade: B+

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970)

Finally I was able to see this film. It hasn’t been available on DVD until recently and I can understand why it’s considered a classic. It was deserving of the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film when it was released and still holds up. The head of the police department’s homicide division kills his mistress and then flaunts the inspectors for being unable to solve her crime. Part thriller and part political satire, it’s an unpredictable yarn and well-worth checking out. Grade: B+

Total Recall (2012)

This is Len Wiseman’s best film so far. When I read that they were making this remake I rolled my eyes. Really? Why? While this isn’t necessarily better than Arnold Schwarzenegger’s version I like that they took a different approach. I miss the Mars aspect of the story and there’s the elevator through the center of the Earth part that was just stupid. But the rest of the film is solid. Colin Farrell delivers a decent performance as does Jessica Biel as his romantic sidekick. Kate Beckinsale is the standout and helps bolster the intensity of the film. The best sequence is the car chase which might be one of the more inventive science fiction levitating car chases ever put to film. Again I could have done without the whole elevator nonsense but it’s a decent film. I imagine those that have not seen the 90s version must have found this one to be pretty exciting. Grade: B+

Spoilers:
Okay, let me just say again that the elevator through the center of the Earth part of the story was just dumb. I know this is the third time I’m saying this but it really was unrealistic. First of all, why couldn’t the bad guys just fly around the world to conquer the other side? Secondly, nothing about it seems scientifically plausible. I can understand Wiseman’s desire to stay on Earth and avoid Mars but his invention turns out to lower the quality of his final product. 

Once Upon A Time (Season 2)

Ah, my guilty pleasure. Snow White, Prince Charming, their daughter Emma Swan, her son Henry Mills, the Evil Queen and Rumpelstiltskin now live in our world and now our world has magic in it. Enter new characters like Captain Hook and Mulan to muddle up the waters and we have us a wonderful (still a bit cheesy) show that had me glued to the screen. It will be interesting to see how long this show can remain consistently entertaining. How many more fairy tale characters are the show runners going to introduce? I’m looking forward to see what happens in Neverland next season. Grade: B+

The Heat (2013)

A female buddy cop comedy starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy? I love the idea but I have to admit I didn’t know if they’d have very good chemistry. What was I worried about? These two ladies are perfect for each other. Bullock’s FBI agent is the straight lady and McCarthy the violent, screaming crazy cop. There are many laugh out loud moments and the story is pretty good considering it’s Bullock and McCarthy’s odd couple relationship that carries the film. If you don’t like McCarthy’s style of comedy then this might not be for you, I thought it was very enjoyable. Let’s hope they make a sequel because I think they could continue to expand on this relationship. Grade: B+

Flypaper (2011)

I love heist films and thought the concept of this one would be great. Two different teams of bank robbers, one high-tech and the other old-style, decide to rob the same bank on the same day. Unfortunately situations get really ridiculously complicated. Patrick Dempsey plays a bank customer with some kind of autism who like a detective tries to figure out what’s really going on and Ashley Judd is a bank teller trying to help him. I’m usually a fan of movies with many twists but these were so over the top. Dempsey’s performance is really weak (and the script doesn’t help him out) and I saw the ending a million miles away. This is a very ho-hum disappointment. Grade: C

Now You See Me (2013)

Built to be a magicians Ocean’s Eleven, I really enjoyed this film. Sure the magic is more a special effect than real “believable” illusions but that’s a minor flaw in an otherwise fun con artist caper. Mark Ruffalo plays an FBI agent who tries to capture a group of magicians played by Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco stealing money. These “Four Horsemen” seem to be set to make a big payday but they’re actually on audition to choice a secret society of magicians. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Mélanie Laurent also star. I don’t know if director Louis Leterrier plans on making a sequel but I’d sure be interested. Grade: B+

The World's End (2013)

The third film from trio Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost tells the story of five thirty-somethings who try to relive their youth by succeeding to hit every pub in their hometown, a stretch 12 pubs known as the Golden Mile. What starts out as your typical buddy comedy quickly turns into something way more interesting and hilarious. I’d say more but it’s really fun not knowing what happens, since I didn’t know and I love the turn the film makes. Simon plays Gary King, the rebellious Peter Pan of the group who is suffering from alcoholism. Nick Frost plays his closest friend who had a falling out with Gary after an accident. If you’re a fan of Shawn of the Dead or Hot Fuzz you should love this film as much as I did. It’s silly, it’s fun, it’s exciting and it’s witty. Let’s hope these guys keep working together because they have a special magic. Now bring on Marvel’s Ant-Man which Wright is directing next. Grade: A-