The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Ben Stiller directs an updated adaptation of James Thurber’s short story which had been adapted before in Norman Z. Mcleod’s 1947 version starring Danny Kaye. The result is beautiful to look at, certainly. You can see the money that was spent on every frame. The big issue for me is the message is so obvious that the journey Mitty takes seems unnecessary. The twist at the end isn’t really that surprising either. There are some very funny moments scattered about the film and a skateboarding sequence that is just too cool not to jump up and take notice. But I just feel that a film that looks this good should have more depth. None of the characters feel developed past being a side joke. Mr. Stiller is a very talented director but in this case I felt he was so involved with making the film look awesome that he let slide the complexity of his character. Still I do recommend it as a fun film, especially for anyone stuck in the rut. It just feels like it could have been so much better. Grade: B

Orange is the New Black (Season 1)

Women in Prison the TV show. Based (loosely I’m assuming) on the memoir by Piper Kerman. From Jenji Kohan the creator of Weeds. Netflix soars with this one. It’s the kind of dramedy that makes you laugh and catch your breath with emotional tension. While packed with a wonderful cast of character actors to play the eccentric mix of prisoners and prison staff, it’s the lead played by Taylor Schilling that shines. Taylor is so likeable that you feel like you’re walking into prison with her. You feel her pain and humiliation and her triumph as she finds her way into this new situation. There are many standout performers from Uzo Aduba who plays Crazy Eyes, Taryn Manning as Pennsatucky, Laura Prepon as Alex (Piper’s ex-leisban lover), Jason Biggs as the understanding fiancée, Pablo Schreiber as Pornstache, and Laverne Cox as the transsexual Sophie. Every episode is well-crafted and delivers. If I had to be super picky I’d suggest that there are gaps in acting quality but that’s expected with a show with so many characters. Prison is not a happy place, not matter the gender. Yet it does make for the perfect setting for drama and humor. Grade: A-

Unbelievers (2014)

When I read there would be a documentary about great thinkers and atheists Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins I became really excited.  For one I’m basically an atheist myself (yet I really really want to be wrong) and I was looking forward to an intellectual dialogue from these two celebrated gentleman.  In the end this is just a clip show of their travels without much context.  There are way too many moments were these guys are being filmed walking through airports than actually talking about their ideas for my taste.   I guess I should be inspired by this celebration of science and reason, and I was to some degree, but this film never gets past being a commercial.  I was so disappointed by this film I don’t even want to recommend it.  Yet the ideas behind the film I really want people to experience.  So I suggest instead finding these two guys books and reading them.  Wait for a real documentary to come along that does what I wish this film had done.  Grade: C+

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan (Novel) [Revisited]

The interesting thing about this fifth book in the Wheel of Time is that while a lot happens, it doesn’t feel as dense or as accomplished as the last book.  Perhaps this is because Perrin’s view point is missing.  Not that we need him, the guy deserves a break after what he does in the last book.   There are some great sections though as Rand, Mat, Moiraine and Egwene chase after the Shaido and head toward Cairhien.  Mat turns out to be a knowledgeable battle master (based on past memories he has stuck in his head) and Moiraine becomes a trustworthy advisor to Rand.  Meanwhile Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom and Juilian join a traveling circus upon escaping Tanchico as they search out the Aes Sedi rebels, where Nim and Siuan find refuge.  There are some exciting confrontations in Tel’aran’rhiod, the dreaming world and a shocking end for two supporting characters.  Again a very entertain book but this is the first book in the series where I felt it was a bit long.  Still as long-form epic fantasy story building goes, it’s an accomplishment.  Usually by the fifth book in a story like this the events starts to feel forced.  That’s not the case here as the momentum to tell this story keeps pushing forward.   I love seeing characters like Siuan evolve and set up some really great possible story threads for the future.  If I had to find something about this book to complain about is that Rand is starting to come across as unbeatable.  He needs to fail at some point or it will feel fake.  If memory severs that’s about to happen in the sixth book.  Grade: A-

Spoilers:  I already greatly miss Moiraine.  It felt as if her story had come to its conclusion so it makes sense but her presence in this story so far has been so vital it will be interesting to see what happens without her in Rand’s circle.  Plus she was just a great wizard-type that these kinds of stories require.  What I also love is having the White Tower divided and yet not everyone is privy to this knowledge.  This is a technique Mr. Jordan uses a lot and it makes for great drama.

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan (Novel) [Revisited]

Rand, Mat and Nynaeve journey from Tear to the Aiel Waste to fulfill the part of the prophecies that say the Dragon Reborn is also the Aiel’s Car’a’carn.  To prove their worth Rand and Mat must enter the ancient and sacred city of Rhuidean and be tested. Nynaeye will train with the Wise Ones (the Aiel version of the Aes Sedi) about Dreaming.  Meanwhile Nynaeve and Elayne head to Tanchico to hunt down the Black Ajah taking Thom Merrilin and the thief catcher Juliin Sandar with them.   Yet the two story lines that most entertained me in this volume were those with Perrin and Min.  Min arrives at the White Tower to inform the Amyrlin Siuan Sanche of Moiraine’s progress advising Rand and upon her arrival sees a vision that something very bad is about to happen at the White Tower.  The best part of this terrifically dense book is Perrin’s journey to his home town of Two Rivers where he becomes the leader he was born to be and unites his people to battle a siege of Trollocs.  To assist him for the task is Loial and Faile Bashere.  It’s Perrin and Faile’s love story that gives book its emotional punch.  Considering all the story threads Mr. Jordan is weaving here it’s an impressive achievement.  Under a less skilled storyteller this chunk of epic writing could have been a logistic nightmare of unfocused subplots and underdeveloped climaxes.  The development of the Aiel culture and their tribal customs alone is enough to upstage the most accomplished writers out there.   Just when I was thinking the last book was the best one, this one reigns supreme.  There’s just so many memorable moments.  As anyone knowledgeable with The Wheel of Time knows, it is a bit long winded but in this case there really isn’t a section you can remove.  It’s a fantastic book.  Grade: A

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

First off, any film where you have a talking Raccoon flying a space ship and blasting people away with a big gun is a must-see for me. Top that with a space opera setting that’s tied into the Marvel Universe and it’s shocking that people thought this was a “gamble”. I knew this film was going to be fantastic and I didn’t need psychic powers to know it. Chris Pratt plays Starlord, Zoe Saldana plays the sexy green bounty hunter Gamora, David Bautista is the muscle Drax and Bradley Cooper voices Rocket the talking raccoon and Vin Diesel voices the walking tree Groot. Together they’re criminals (a team of Han Solos) who must save the Universe from a tyrant named Ronan the Accuser played by Lee Pace, a vengeful villain set on wiping out an entire planet. Add in a great ‘60s/’70s soundtrack to the mix and this is an extremely entertain film. The only issue I had with it in general was that the villain, Ronan, is menacing enough, sure, but he’s pretty one-dimensional. I’m not saying every villain needs to be multi-layered but they should stand out somewhat. While Mr. Pace does what he can, and he looks great, I felt he was a pretty forgettable character. In many ways it doesn’t matter because it’s the team-up aspect of the plot that drives the story. I just hope for the next film, and let’s green-light the sequel now folks, Marvel gives us a much more interesting bad guy. The villainous character that steals the show in this one is Yondu played by Michael Rooker. I doubt he could ever be the main villain but he’s the kind of bad guy they need in the second one. The villain needs to be a real threat while at the same time engaging. Ronan was a stiff God-like character with no personality. Ultimately I want to applaud director and writer James Gunn. He did a wonderful job bring this comic to life. This is a terrific example of how to make a fun Summer movie that doesn’t feel stupid. Every film maker of these kind of films should be taking notes. Grade: A

The Family (2013)

You look at a film like this and you shake your head and wonder what the heck happened. Great cast: Robert De NIro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron and more. You have a decent director in Luc Besson. The premise isn’t that bad either; American Mobster in hiding is transplanted into a small French town by the FBI. It even starts off well, showing this tough, uncompromising family deal with bullies and rudeness like a group of bad-asses. It’s actually kind of funny. Then everything unravels before your eyes and what is left is an inconsistent film. For example, Dianna Agron starts off as a unflinching American teenager but at some point she becomes some weak timid girl. Everyone in it does a good job, the acting isn’t the problem, it’s the writing. Based on a French novel (so I’ve learned) I can’t help but wonder how close of an adaptation it is. Regardless it’s one of those below average movies you might watch late at night and enjoy it somewhat but won’t be able to remember it the next day. I’d suggest just skipping it. Grade: C