42 (2013)

Jackie Robinson was an American legend.  He wasn’t just the first African-American baseball player to play for the Majors; he was one of the greatest sportsmen ever regardless of his skin color.  Such a fine human being deserves a fantastic bio-pic.  Brian Helgeland does a few things right in his production.  One he casts a talented actor in Chadwick Boseman to play Jackie.  He helps Harrison Ford turn in a fine performance as Branch Rickey.  He highlights many of Robinson’s famous moments.  That said it feels at times pretty generic.  It’s not to say I would suggest you avoid this film, because it’s good enough to watch and appreciate but it left me wanting more.  If not for Boseman and Ford’s on-screen chemistry this would be a big below average film.  I’m kind of hoping in ten years someone tackles this story again, and is able to craft a film that feels less like a made-for-TV movie and more like a true cinematic event.  Grade: B

Godzilla (2014)

Finally an American film with the greatest giant monster of them all that’s actually good.  Of course the bar had been dropped pretty low after the last version from Roland Emmerich, an embarrassing film with a giant alligator roaming New York instead of the great lord of lizards.  Director Gareth Edwards was the perfect guy to assign this franchise starter of course if you’re aware of his masterful independent film Monsters.  Here he crossed the globe with a fine cast of characters, Bryan Cranston being the standout.  I did have some issues with some of the characters but the overall the story arcs work, coming together for a monster battle at the end that is eye-popping.  Sure Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s performance is pretty average and Elizabeth Olsen is completely under used, but there’s enough human interaction to entertain us as we wait to see more of the monsters.  Could they have shown us more Godzilla?  Maybe, but for me there seemed to be a nice balance.  But for the sequel I expect a lot more, so bring it on, Legendary Pictures, the big green guy deserves an epic continuation.  Grade: B+

Pitch Perfect (2013)

As a fan of Glee, I was excited to see this A cappella competition musical comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson.  Yet I was surprised at how much I really loved this film.  It’s very funny and one of those kinds of films that’s timed so well it makes for enjoyable re-watching.  The music is catchy and fun.  The characters are spunky with a bunch of girls you’d like to hang out with and sing with (if I could sing).  Sure the plot is a bit predictable but the comedy is not; it’s laugh out loud refreshing.  Even if you dislike Glee, give this one a chance, it’s a blast.  Grade: A-

Batman Vs. Superman - Official Title (Commentary)

Warner Bros unveiled the official title for the next Superman film . . . I mean, the next Batman film . . . wait, it’s actually a Justice League prologue setting up the next big team superhero franchise. Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Unfortunately it’s a very indecisive title which spells doom for the film. I hope I’m wrong but it’s like they can’t decide what film they’re making, who is the main character, and as seen in the past (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, I’m referring to you) you can’t throw everything at us and expect us to be happy. We need a completely realized film with a central hero to carry the narrative and a clear plot that won’t have us scratching our heads (Transformers, I’m thinking of you this time). I hold out hope because I want to see Zack Synder grand slam this bad boy because we, the film fans of the world, deserve a great Batman vs. Superman film. Please Warner Bros. don’t mess this up and try to mash-up everything into one film. You have time. You can make many more JLA movies.  The great myth is that DC and Marvel are sworn enemies, but this isn't true.  Each can only bolster the other.  Superhero comic book fans who see Marvel films will see DC films too, especially if they're good.  Don't adopt the do or die approach.  The competition is healthy and friendly.  Who cares if Marvel makes 2 billion dollars is you make 1.9 billion?

Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (Novel)

I’ve been meaning to read this fantasy book for some time. Then HBO decided to make it into a series and I’ve been killing myself to read it so I can watch the show. I wanted to read the book first because I‘ve heard it’s well-written and a classic of the genre. It is. It’s the kind of book that sticks to your brain. The characters are fully realized in a world begging to explore. Told from different points of views, it’s the story about the Starks who live in the north in Winterfell and the beginnings of a great feud between their rivals the Lannisters. Ned Stark is ordered by the King to become his Second in command, known as the King’s Hand. Yet something is not right with the King’s wife, the Queen who is sleeping with her brother a Lannister. Then there’s Ned’s bastard who leaves for the Wall to become a Black Brother, a protector who guards the kingdom from the wilds of the north. Meanwhile the children of the last King, the Targaryens (disposed of many years ago) are traveling in a faraway land, planning their return and revenge by creating an alliance with Dothraki warriors. But the best character in the book is Tyrion Lannister the Imp, the Queen’s younger brother, a small man with large ambitions. What a fantastic book of storytelling and world building. Sometimes writers of fantasy are good a world building only to lack the storytelling chops. Or they can tell a good story but their world is badly realized and so hurts the book. Not here, George R.R. Martin knows what he’s doing and it’s exciting to finally finish this book. The endnig is perfectly realized and unforgettable.  I can’t wait to start the television adaptation now. It’s exactly the kind of epic this new television renaissance can realize. Grade: A

Homeland (Season 1)

If you loved the film the Manchurian Candidate, here’s a modern take on the story except instead of communists it’s Islamic extremists and terrorism. Claire Danes is absolutely wonderful as a CIA operative dealing with Bipolarism. Damian Lewis is the POW American Hero returned home, secretly planning a strike against the United States . . . or is he? Maybe he’s just misunderstood. What I love about this show is how intense it becomes. There are episodes where it’s impossible to keep still as the anticipation grows.  While the plot is a tad bit unbelievable (just a tad) it's still one of the most thrilling first seasons of a show I've seen in a long time.  I can't wait to see the next season.  Grade: A-

Broadway Idiot (2013)

Green Day is one of my guilty pleasures. I love their pop-punk melodies and catchy inventive lyrics. This documentary follows the behind-the-scenes making of the Broadway show based on Green Day’s huge hit American Idiot. Yet it’s also the story of how Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool became enticed into the musical theater crowd. As a former thespian I easily related. The theater nerds of the world are awesome and make for great friends, which you can see these music icons realized upon this energetic and chaotic collaboration. I may never actually ever get a chance to see this show live but the documentary was very rewarding. Grade: A-

ExistenZ (1999)

Only David Cronenberg could dream up a film like this, a blend of science fiction multi-reality and weird fiction Lovecraft would cheer. The story revolves around an organic creature that allows people connected to it to play a virtual reality detective game. Yet the designer of the game and her biggest fan are on the run from those wanting to kill her, or are they on the run or just in her game? What’s real and what’s not? Is the gun that is made up of organic parts and that fires teeth as bullets real or just dreamed up to confuse you. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law star and I can’t celebrate this film enough. It’s kind of creepy and confusing and yet never boring. I wouldn’t say this is Cronenberg’s best film but it’s certainly one of his most daring and inventive. If you like his work or films that are willing to push the boundaries of what can happen in a film story, check out this wonderful wacky yarn. Grade: A-

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan [Revisited]

It’s been a while since I read this book but now that The Wheel of Time series is finished with the help of Brandon Sanderson I’ve decided to start from the beginning and re-read the first nine books (which is where I left off some years ago) so I can see how it all ends. To assist me with this massive undertaking (these are big books after all) I’ve turned to the masterful readers Michael Kramer and Kate Reading, who are so good at reading this epic in audio book I’m considering to have them read the entire thing to me. They’re both amazing. But what about Robert Jordan’s first book? I get goose bumps even thinking about it. Here’s basically your classic story of a hero chosen to save the world. Except while Rand al’Thor is our main hero, the Dragon Reborn, Jordan gives us at least four more characters that are just as realized and important. You have Rand’s friends Perrin Aybara, Matrim Cauthon, Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara. We meet them all in their home village of Emond's Field as they live normal provincial lives. That’s until they meet an Aes Sedai named Moiraine Damodred (which is basically a woman wizard), her Warder Al'Lan Mandragoran (her bodyguard), and gleeman Thom Merrilin (a lone traveling entertainer). With their arrival comes an attack of Trollocs (pig-wolf-man-monsters) and dark friends which lead them all on a race across the world to find safety from the Dark One. On their way they’ll meet more foes and befriend others (like a woman who can see the future and a book reading giant) who will forever be linked to their destinies. This is fantasy at its best. The development of world and character is simply phenomenal. Some will accuse Robert Jordan of over-writing (and he does) but who cares when the storytelling is so great. I remember when I first read this book it affected my dreams (that’s how vivid it is). Now re-living it is just as exciting. I can’t wait to keep reading (or listening if you want to be precise). Grade: A

The Amazing Spider-man 2 (2014)

What an awful film. I had such high hopes for this second outing in this new Spider-man incarnation. The first Amazing Spider-Man was great and I really believed Marc Webb was going to give us a much improved film. I predicted the kind of sequel that The Dark Night was compared to Batman Begins. All the pieces were there: great chemistry with an awesome girlfriend, Gwen Stacey; a new villain being introduced in Harry Osborn AKA the Green Goblin and a cool reveal with Peter Parker’s parents. All of it wasted. This film is so uneven. It’s trying to appeal to kids and also trying to appeal to grownups with mature expectations. Please, can you just tell a good story. Is it a comedy or a drama? Webb and company don’t know so they’re going to blend it all up and force us to take whatever is left over. Jamie Foxx is Electro, the most lame super villain ever. We’re supposed to sympathize for the guy while laughing at his nerdy appearance. We’re supposed to see him rise and then cheer as Peter Parker kicks his ass. Character development is tossed out the window and replaced with future franchise development. Instead of watching the current film, I felt I was seeing a commercial for Sinister Six. Bad acting (Paul Giamatti) mixed with good acting (Sally Field). Awful music, average special effects (or at least below my expectations) mixed with solid moments of character exploration in Andrew Garfield. I don’t know what I hated more about this film: that it so disappointed me or that it could have been so much better. I don’t think there’s been such a classic comic story line wasted like this since X-Men The Last Stand’s mistreatment of the Dark Phoenix. This film was supposed to build off the first film and get me even more excited about this franchise. Well guess what Sony. This film is a franchise killer because I have no interest in seeing this Spider-man Universe anymore. Grade: C

Spoilers
One of the big mistakes with this franchise is the producers hurry to kill off Gwen Stacey. Why do you have to follow the comics, people? You didn’t have to kill one of the best aspects of your franchise. You could have at least developed the Green Goblin first and then killed her in the third film. Now you have to start from scratch and hope the actress you cast for Mary Jane is equally as likeable and compatible with Garfield as Emma Stone was. That’s what annoys me the most. The only character of this franchise that I really loved was her and they killed her. Which leads me to ask the question: does Spider-man need a love interest? Could they just have him fighting crime and that’s it? I don’t know the answer but I sure wish they would have waited another film before discarding her. It’s going to take some prodigious changes for me to get excited about this current version of the Web-Slinger.

Bates Hotel (Season 1)

There seems to be a new fade going on with television and that’s taking a pre-existing film or world and turning it into a show, usually a prequel. If there’s any prequel worth seeing it is this: who was Norman Bates and what was his mother really like before he killed her? (Spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t seen Psycho, sorry). Then bring on two fantastic actors to play these roles in Vera Ann Farmiga and Freddie Highmore. What’s especially great about this show is how weird and unpredictable it is. Whether it be the enigmatic Sheriff or the loner big brother or the girl with Cystic fibrosis you never know what’s going to happen next. The monster that is Norman Bates is just getting started and I can’t wait to see how far they take this story. I suspect it ends with Norman bashing his mother over the head with a shovel but these writers might have something even stranger planned. Grade: A-