"Gravity" was 'mazing movie-making. It was a bravura effort with equally riveting dramatic tension. The 3D effects were used properly, to set the stage of the story, and immerse the viewer into the environment of outer space and pull them into this most dire of situations, being adrift in space, but trying to find a way back to Earth against heavy odds. It's a simple plotline of survival, set in space, but so deftly directed by Cuaron and anchored by a solid performance by Bullock, with a good supporting turn by Clooney.
It's one of the few films in 3D where it's worth the extra cost for the 3D viewing.
I give it 3.75 stars, or a grade of A-.
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Don Jon
Joseph Gordon-Levitt wrote, directed and starred in "Don Jon", a somewhat "coming of age" (pardon the pun) story of a New Jersey bartender always looking for "Miss Right Now" at the dance clubs, but might have a problem with porn. Scarlett Johansson is a contender for Miss Right, and Jon is smitten by her, but still can't quite shake the porn habit. (I know, totally a fantasy, right?)
Obviously, the film is rated R, and for a lot of snippets from porn peppered throughout the running time, as well as frank discourse on sexual matters.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
Obviously, the film is rated R, and for a lot of snippets from porn peppered throughout the running time, as well as frank discourse on sexual matters.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-.
Prisoners
"Prisoners" was a slow-boil, but a decent script, just seemed a bit overly long. And if Hugh Jackman popped his claws, the movie would have been over in about 15 minutes...
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-. (Make it a little snappier, and I'd bump it up to a B).
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of B-. (Make it a little snappier, and I'd bump it up to a B).
The Grandmaster
"The Grandmaster", directed by Wong Kar-Wai, is the story of Ip Man, a kung-fu master, which starts in the 1930s, and follows him along to tell his story.
As with most of Wong's films, they are beautifully filmed. I think the film starts out well with some nice fight choreography with a nice cinematic eye and flair. But the last third of the film is a slow slog to get through, which is unfortunate.
Check it out if you're a fan of martial arts (and films).
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
As with most of Wong's films, they are beautifully filmed. I think the film starts out well with some nice fight choreography with a nice cinematic eye and flair. But the last third of the film is a slow slog to get through, which is unfortunate.
Check it out if you're a fan of martial arts (and films).
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
The Family
I still managed to enjoy it for what it was, even if the script stretches the viewer's sense of disbelief to connect all the players together in the drama to keep the plot moving.
Luc Besson must have had a ball with playing around with scene transitions.
Good use of the F-bomb sprinkled throughout the film.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
Luc Besson must have had a ball with playing around with scene transitions.
Good use of the F-bomb sprinkled throughout the film.
I give it 2.5 stars, or a grade of C+.
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Okay, don't even get me started on the pretentiousness of having the director's name in the film's title. Really?
Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, a butler who finds his way into the White House as part of the wait staff through many presidents in the 1950s, starting with Eisenhower through to the 1990s. Throughout the decades, Cecil sees the Civil Right movement emerge through the politics of the times, getting a first-hand account of political interests and watching presidents struggle to keep a nation united in spite of the inequities all too apparent at play, while also having a elder son involved in the Civil Rights movement on the ground level. Oprah Winfrey plays Cecil's wife, David Oyelowo is the elder son Louis. Many historical bit parts of important political characters are played by many recognizable actors throughout the film. It almost becomes a drinking game of its own.
Narratively speaking, it's pretty straight forward, but maybe a little too black-and-white in the shadings while showing the viewers the unrest and ugliness of race relations of the 1960s. As Cecil rises amongst the ranks of the wait staff in the White House throughout the decades of service, the internal strife of seeing how the fight for Civil Rights has exacted a personal toll through the story of his son, Louis, and also his younger son. And in the end, Cecil has to make his own stand against the status quo.
I wanted to like it more, but the script just feels too pedantic at times to let the story flow organically.
I give it 2.75 stars or a grade of B-.
Forest Whitaker plays Cecil Gaines, a butler who finds his way into the White House as part of the wait staff through many presidents in the 1950s, starting with Eisenhower through to the 1990s. Throughout the decades, Cecil sees the Civil Right movement emerge through the politics of the times, getting a first-hand account of political interests and watching presidents struggle to keep a nation united in spite of the inequities all too apparent at play, while also having a elder son involved in the Civil Rights movement on the ground level. Oprah Winfrey plays Cecil's wife, David Oyelowo is the elder son Louis. Many historical bit parts of important political characters are played by many recognizable actors throughout the film. It almost becomes a drinking game of its own.
Narratively speaking, it's pretty straight forward, but maybe a little too black-and-white in the shadings while showing the viewers the unrest and ugliness of race relations of the 1960s. As Cecil rises amongst the ranks of the wait staff in the White House throughout the decades of service, the internal strife of seeing how the fight for Civil Rights has exacted a personal toll through the story of his son, Louis, and also his younger son. And in the end, Cecil has to make his own stand against the status quo.
I wanted to like it more, but the script just feels too pedantic at times to let the story flow organically.
I give it 2.75 stars or a grade of B-.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
The pacing of the film is probably a little too lazy at time, plus the "clues" of the main character's past are a little too obvious. One wonders how much Lena Headey was paid for basically sleeping through her part. Heh.
The direction of the character interplay between all of these "teens" seemed a little amature-ish to me. Not a fan of the ending, too much by the numbers.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of C+.
The direction of the character interplay between all of these "teens" seemed a little amature-ish to me. Not a fan of the ending, too much by the numbers.
I give it 2.75 stars, or a grade of C+.
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