Rated R, 124 minutes
'The Five-Year Engagement" is the overlong but charming, sweet new relationship comedy starring Jason Segel and Emily Blunt. It tells the story of cute San Francisco couple Tommy (Segel) and Violet (Blunt) who finally decide to marry; yet the ceremony is put on hold when Violet gets an educational research job across country and displaces the successful Tommy, a chef at a local San Francisco eatery. The two want to tie the knot but various things keep tripping them up from walking down the aisle. "The Five-Year Engagement" humorously explains how these rules of engagement can come from any direction and how prepared you must be. Not to be redundant, but Blunt and Segel make for an engaging pair as the engaged couple, and their chemistry together highlights a romantic comedy that isn't altogether efficient and occasionally too talky. Nicholas Stoller, directs and co-writes with his "Freeks and Geeks" colleague Segel, and while the story is sweet, there's too much filler, talk in between some of the more humorous scenes. Chris Pratt ("Everwood," "Moneyball") nearly steals the show as Segel's wise-cracking chef pal; Pratt's singing at a wedding to his own bride is the film's funniest moment. Stoller and Segel could've excised many scenes, particularly most of the middle act, until it finally comes together in the amusing but predictable ending. "The Five-Year Engagement" is too long, but it's mostly an enjoyable matrimonial trip.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Think Like A Man - C
Rated PG-13, 122 minutes
"Think Like A Man" is the new urban relationship comedy based on the Steve Harvey best-selling self-help book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man" that tries to shed light on what men and women go through in dating. Featuring a talented cast including Michael Ealy, Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, the fun but overlong comedy intersects too many stories with uneven pacing and a second act that slows things down too much. Directed by Tim Story of "Barbershop" fame, comedian Hart is the scene stealer with his broad antics, but they grow a little tiresome and annoying after awhile (though it is funny to see the undersized funnyman paired with the statuesque talk show host Wendy Williams). Union, Henson and especially Hart are mostly eye candy going through the paces; we've seen this before and done better. A few heartwarming moments still can't make up for the false, pat finale that tries too hard for a happy ending that literally ties up all storylines. The forgettable, crowd-pleasing "Think Like a Man" goes too long, but there are a few entertaining moments along the way.
"Think Like A Man" is the new urban relationship comedy based on the Steve Harvey best-selling self-help book "Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Man" that tries to shed light on what men and women go through in dating. Featuring a talented cast including Michael Ealy, Kevin Hart, Gabrielle Union, Regina Hall and Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson, the fun but overlong comedy intersects too many stories with uneven pacing and a second act that slows things down too much. Directed by Tim Story of "Barbershop" fame, comedian Hart is the scene stealer with his broad antics, but they grow a little tiresome and annoying after awhile (though it is funny to see the undersized funnyman paired with the statuesque talk show host Wendy Williams). Union, Henson and especially Hart are mostly eye candy going through the paces; we've seen this before and done better. A few heartwarming moments still can't make up for the false, pat finale that tries too hard for a happy ending that literally ties up all storylines. The forgettable, crowd-pleasing "Think Like a Man" goes too long, but there are a few entertaining moments along the way.
The Raven - C
Rated R, 103 minutes
"The Raven" is the dark, unsatisyfing new thriller that's a fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allen Poe, played by one of my favorite actors, John Cusack. Gruesome and bloody, it's peppered with some decent, tense moments but Cusack goes through the paces to resolve the mystery of a serial killer."The Raven" is directed by "V for Vendetta's" James McTeigue, and the movie is set in 19th Century Baltimore, and a serial killer is on the loose, basing his murders on Poe's stories. The police detective Emmitt Fields (Luke Evans) is assigned to case and initially believes Poe is the prime suspect until Poe's girlfriend (Alice Eve) is kidnapped by the serial killer (Sam Hazeldine). Fields and Poe must track down the killer before he harms his girlfriend and possibly Poe himself. "The Raven" is a dark, violent tale with some stylish twists and turns that McTeigue is noted for, but the film strives to be too unconventional, a quality that made his most well-known film, "V for Vendetta," a hot mess. Cusack is always watchable and Brendan Gleeson is around for a good bluster or two, but down the stretch it's hard to believe Poe would've ever got involved in something like this. "The Raven" is an interesting (but very depressing) concept that's mishandled by McTeigue, and in the end it's an unsatisfying trip.
"The Raven" is the dark, unsatisyfing new thriller that's a fictionalized account of the last days of Edgar Allen Poe, played by one of my favorite actors, John Cusack. Gruesome and bloody, it's peppered with some decent, tense moments but Cusack goes through the paces to resolve the mystery of a serial killer."The Raven" is directed by "V for Vendetta's" James McTeigue, and the movie is set in 19th Century Baltimore, and a serial killer is on the loose, basing his murders on Poe's stories. The police detective Emmitt Fields (Luke Evans) is assigned to case and initially believes Poe is the prime suspect until Poe's girlfriend (Alice Eve) is kidnapped by the serial killer (Sam Hazeldine). Fields and Poe must track down the killer before he harms his girlfriend and possibly Poe himself. "The Raven" is a dark, violent tale with some stylish twists and turns that McTeigue is noted for, but the film strives to be too unconventional, a quality that made his most well-known film, "V for Vendetta," a hot mess. Cusack is always watchable and Brendan Gleeson is around for a good bluster or two, but down the stretch it's hard to believe Poe would've ever got involved in something like this. "The Raven" is an interesting (but very depressing) concept that's mishandled by McTeigue, and in the end it's an unsatisfying trip.
The Pirates! Band of Misfits - B
Rated PG, 87 minutes
"The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is jolly good stop-motion animation fun, brought to you by the folks who did "Chicken Run" and "Flushed Away." Based on the first two "The Pirates!" book series by Gideon Defoe, who also pens the screenplay here, the movie concerns the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant), who is out to defeat arch enemies Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) and Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) for the coveted Pirate of the Year award. The Captain has bad luck until he finds Charles Darwin (David Tennant), who in turn discovers that the Captain's so-called fat parrot Polly is actually a rare dodo bird that could snatch the Captain fame and wealth. The only thing is, they have to go to London for the award, and pirates aren't welcome there by Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton, having lots of fun). Everyone learns a lesson before it's over, mainly the value and cost of true friendship and success. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is witty, charming fun in the vein of "Chicken Run," and co- directed by Jeff Hewitt and Peter Lord, who directed that film. The cast seems to enjoy themselves immensely in the entertaining film. The only drawback is that the humor of "Pirates," the tongue-in-cheek, irreverent type that skewers a lot of pop culture, may be above the heads the young ones the film is intended for. Adults will certainly have the best time in "Pirates!," though it's nothing new or revelatory. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" has a booty-share of laughs, just be sure to listen closely to the dialogue. Entertaining and worth a look.
"The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is jolly good stop-motion animation fun, brought to you by the folks who did "Chicken Run" and "Flushed Away." Based on the first two "The Pirates!" book series by Gideon Defoe, who also pens the screenplay here, the movie concerns the Pirate Captain (Hugh Grant), who is out to defeat arch enemies Cutlass Liz (Salma Hayek) and Black Bellamy (Jeremy Piven) for the coveted Pirate of the Year award. The Captain has bad luck until he finds Charles Darwin (David Tennant), who in turn discovers that the Captain's so-called fat parrot Polly is actually a rare dodo bird that could snatch the Captain fame and wealth. The only thing is, they have to go to London for the award, and pirates aren't welcome there by Queen Victoria (Imelda Staunton, having lots of fun). Everyone learns a lesson before it's over, mainly the value and cost of true friendship and success. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is witty, charming fun in the vein of "Chicken Run," and co- directed by Jeff Hewitt and Peter Lord, who directed that film. The cast seems to enjoy themselves immensely in the entertaining film. The only drawback is that the humor of "Pirates," the tongue-in-cheek, irreverent type that skewers a lot of pop culture, may be above the heads the young ones the film is intended for. Adults will certainly have the best time in "Pirates!," though it's nothing new or revelatory. "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" has a booty-share of laughs, just be sure to listen closely to the dialogue. Entertaining and worth a look.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Safe - B-
Rated R, 95 minutes
For all you guys that had to suffer through "The Lucky One" last week, well now's your turn with the new Jason Statham action flick "Safe," an entertaining, crowd-pleasing movie if there ever was one. Statham ("The Transporter" and others) plays Luke Wright, a former New York City cop turned cage fighter who blows a rigged fight and whose life is now shambles. He runs into a genius-level young Chinese girl named Mei (newcomer Catherine Chan, memorable) who is on the run from the Russian mob, the Chinese mob, some corrupt NYPD cops and the mayor himself because she knows some safe codes that unlock millions of dollars for many involved. Now he must save Mei and himself so they can unlock the valuable safe everyone's after. Muddled and predictable for sure, but "Safe" is fast-paced and contains enough chops to satisfy martial arts enthusiasts. Statham is the star and Boaz Yakin ("Remember the Titans") directs, but the real stars are the action set pieces and the fight scenes, which Statham is adept at, not to mention the lovely Chan, stealing most scenes she's in. It's also nice seeing veteran Asian actor James Hong as a baddie and the underrated Chris Sarandon as the corrupt mayor. The rest of "Safe's" plot is formula fluff that's typical for Statham, but it's so backseat (and a bit anti-climactic when you consider the film's title) to the action and martial arts, it won't matter much. Worth a look for a minute until "The Avengers" arrives next week.
For all you guys that had to suffer through "The Lucky One" last week, well now's your turn with the new Jason Statham action flick "Safe," an entertaining, crowd-pleasing movie if there ever was one. Statham ("The Transporter" and others) plays Luke Wright, a former New York City cop turned cage fighter who blows a rigged fight and whose life is now shambles. He runs into a genius-level young Chinese girl named Mei (newcomer Catherine Chan, memorable) who is on the run from the Russian mob, the Chinese mob, some corrupt NYPD cops and the mayor himself because she knows some safe codes that unlock millions of dollars for many involved. Now he must save Mei and himself so they can unlock the valuable safe everyone's after. Muddled and predictable for sure, but "Safe" is fast-paced and contains enough chops to satisfy martial arts enthusiasts. Statham is the star and Boaz Yakin ("Remember the Titans") directs, but the real stars are the action set pieces and the fight scenes, which Statham is adept at, not to mention the lovely Chan, stealing most scenes she's in. It's also nice seeing veteran Asian actor James Hong as a baddie and the underrated Chris Sarandon as the corrupt mayor. The rest of "Safe's" plot is formula fluff that's typical for Statham, but it's so backseat (and a bit anti-climactic when you consider the film's title) to the action and martial arts, it won't matter much. Worth a look for a minute until "The Avengers" arrives next week.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
The Lucky One - C
Rated PG-13, 101 minutes
Zac Efron has legions of fans, and I'm sure they'll love every minute of his charming but formulaic chick flick "The Lucky One," based on the Nicolas Sparks novel of the same name. Due to the popularity of Sparks' "The Notebook," he has become to romance films what Stephen King has become to horror films. "The Lucky One" is pretty standard issue romance fare, not terrible but so reliant on the Spark formula that you can easily count the dots quicker than you can say tear-jerker. A marine named Logan (Efron) finds a photograph of a young woman after a rough tour of duty in Iraq. The photograph saves his life, though he is unsure who the woman is or the owner of the photograph. He eventually tracks down the woman (Taylor Schilling from "Atlas Shrugged - Part 1"), a single mother named Beth in North Carolina, living with her crusty grandmother (scene stealer Blythe Danner, having fun) and not so far from her douche ex-husband Keith (Dallas' own Jay R Ferguson). Romance, death and lots of tears ensue. Throw in some cute dogs, semi-steamy love scenes and precocious kids and you have one foolproof movie in "The Lucky One," designed to both manipulate and charm at the same time. Not to be redundant, but "The Lucky One" fortunate to have director Scott Hicks, who helmed the Oscar-winning film "Shine" and manages a low-key, easy-on-the-eyes performance from Efron, who'll no doubt satisfy his fan base. He doesn't do much here, but then Efron probably (and in the vein of Channing Tatum and Taylor Lautner) doesn't really need to do much but stand there. You'll connect the dots easily as the film goes on, and it becomes near impossible to hate "The Lucky One" or Efron, regardless of your feelings about him (he's better than both Tatum and Lautner, but that isn't saying much). With the summer guy movie season steadfastly approaching and "The Avengers" upon us very soon, I'll give this one to the ladies. Have at it and enjoy the predictable "The Lucky One" for what it is: eye candy romantic fluff and little else.
Zac Efron has legions of fans, and I'm sure they'll love every minute of his charming but formulaic chick flick "The Lucky One," based on the Nicolas Sparks novel of the same name. Due to the popularity of Sparks' "The Notebook," he has become to romance films what Stephen King has become to horror films. "The Lucky One" is pretty standard issue romance fare, not terrible but so reliant on the Spark formula that you can easily count the dots quicker than you can say tear-jerker. A marine named Logan (Efron) finds a photograph of a young woman after a rough tour of duty in Iraq. The photograph saves his life, though he is unsure who the woman is or the owner of the photograph. He eventually tracks down the woman (Taylor Schilling from "Atlas Shrugged - Part 1"), a single mother named Beth in North Carolina, living with her crusty grandmother (scene stealer Blythe Danner, having fun) and not so far from her douche ex-husband Keith (Dallas' own Jay R Ferguson). Romance, death and lots of tears ensue. Throw in some cute dogs, semi-steamy love scenes and precocious kids and you have one foolproof movie in "The Lucky One," designed to both manipulate and charm at the same time. Not to be redundant, but "The Lucky One" fortunate to have director Scott Hicks, who helmed the Oscar-winning film "Shine" and manages a low-key, easy-on-the-eyes performance from Efron, who'll no doubt satisfy his fan base. He doesn't do much here, but then Efron probably (and in the vein of Channing Tatum and Taylor Lautner) doesn't really need to do much but stand there. You'll connect the dots easily as the film goes on, and it becomes near impossible to hate "The Lucky One" or Efron, regardless of your feelings about him (he's better than both Tatum and Lautner, but that isn't saying much). With the summer guy movie season steadfastly approaching and "The Avengers" upon us very soon, I'll give this one to the ladies. Have at it and enjoy the predictable "The Lucky One" for what it is: eye candy romantic fluff and little else.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Chimpanzee - B
Rated G, 78 minutes
"Chimpanzee" is the latest heartwarming Earth Day documentary offering from Disneynature and narrated by Tim Allen. Charming and handsomely filmed, it's remarkably brief and entirely suitable for families and young children, even if the story itself feels unoriginal and slight. The film follows young chimpanzee Oscar, his mother Isha and the tribes leader in navigating the complex territory of the African forest. They must not only survive the elements but a rival gang of brutal chimpanzee's out to take over the area where Oscar and his tribe of chimps have lived for years. The chimps themselves, particularly the lovable Oscar, not to mention the luscious African forest, are the real stars of the short documentary; it's not a history of chimps designed to unload a lot of facts, "Chimpanzee's" motive is to tell Oscar's story of survival, and that's just fine. The narration by Disney star Tim Allen of "Home Improvement" and "Toy Story" fame helps move the film along, even if you get a strong sense that Allen is just reading directly from a well-placed script. Kids and families should find it funny, fascinating and often times humorous (especially when it comes to the chimps attempting to break open nuts or eat fruit). "Chimpanzee" is hardly groundbreaking, this type of thing has been done before, but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining or heartwarming. Worth a look especially for animal lovers, a portion of the proceeds from the film will go to the Jane Goodall Institute, who also co-produced the film with Disneynature.
"Chimpanzee" is the latest heartwarming Earth Day documentary offering from Disneynature and narrated by Tim Allen. Charming and handsomely filmed, it's remarkably brief and entirely suitable for families and young children, even if the story itself feels unoriginal and slight. The film follows young chimpanzee Oscar, his mother Isha and the tribes leader in navigating the complex territory of the African forest. They must not only survive the elements but a rival gang of brutal chimpanzee's out to take over the area where Oscar and his tribe of chimps have lived for years. The chimps themselves, particularly the lovable Oscar, not to mention the luscious African forest, are the real stars of the short documentary; it's not a history of chimps designed to unload a lot of facts, "Chimpanzee's" motive is to tell Oscar's story of survival, and that's just fine. The narration by Disney star Tim Allen of "Home Improvement" and "Toy Story" fame helps move the film along, even if you get a strong sense that Allen is just reading directly from a well-placed script. Kids and families should find it funny, fascinating and often times humorous (especially when it comes to the chimps attempting to break open nuts or eat fruit). "Chimpanzee" is hardly groundbreaking, this type of thing has been done before, but that doesn't mean it's not entertaining or heartwarming. Worth a look especially for animal lovers, a portion of the proceeds from the film will go to the Jane Goodall Institute, who also co-produced the film with Disneynature.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Bully - B+
Rated PG-13, 94 minutes
"Bully" is the new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch that deals with the ever-growing problem of bullying in the U.S. educational system. Pertinent, heartbreaking and touching, Hirsch's flawed documentary has some lofty goals to accomplish in educating on the problem and helping prevent it. "Bully" is best when it examines the real, heartfelt stories of what bullying has done. There's young teen Alex in Iowa who is picked on for his lankish size and demeanor; there's Kelby in rural Oklahoma, who faces the challenges of being a young lesbian in a small town, and there's Ja'Maya in Mississippi, who was pushed to the limits and nearly made some tragic choices. Then there's the students who took their own lives as a result of bullying and the families left behind; Hirsch speaks with the families of Ty Small in Oklahoma and Tyler Long in Georgia, each of whom were bullied to the point they took their own lives. "Bully" is most affecting when it gives voice to the families and victims affected by bullying allowing them to tell their own story in their own words, but there are many complexities to the situation that "Bully" seemingly overlooks or skims. What more can be done by schools to prevent it? What can be done by parents and adults to prevent it? What factors may prompt bullying and what should parents and adults look for? Sometimes, especially in the case of Alex, who's prominently featured in the trailers for the film, that the set up seems so easy that it casts a few questions on Hirsch's filmmaking skills. Why do the kids continue to pick on Alex when the cameras are rolling, and why do his school administrators appear so shortsighted on camera? Digressions aside, while "Bully" is a flawed film, it's relevant and affecting enough that it can be used to open up a dialogue about an issue affecting many people.
"Bully" is the new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Lee Hirsch that deals with the ever-growing problem of bullying in the U.S. educational system. Pertinent, heartbreaking and touching, Hirsch's flawed documentary has some lofty goals to accomplish in educating on the problem and helping prevent it. "Bully" is best when it examines the real, heartfelt stories of what bullying has done. There's young teen Alex in Iowa who is picked on for his lankish size and demeanor; there's Kelby in rural Oklahoma, who faces the challenges of being a young lesbian in a small town, and there's Ja'Maya in Mississippi, who was pushed to the limits and nearly made some tragic choices. Then there's the students who took their own lives as a result of bullying and the families left behind; Hirsch speaks with the families of Ty Small in Oklahoma and Tyler Long in Georgia, each of whom were bullied to the point they took their own lives. "Bully" is most affecting when it gives voice to the families and victims affected by bullying allowing them to tell their own story in their own words, but there are many complexities to the situation that "Bully" seemingly overlooks or skims. What more can be done by schools to prevent it? What can be done by parents and adults to prevent it? What factors may prompt bullying and what should parents and adults look for? Sometimes, especially in the case of Alex, who's prominently featured in the trailers for the film, that the set up seems so easy that it casts a few questions on Hirsch's filmmaking skills. Why do the kids continue to pick on Alex when the cameras are rolling, and why do his school administrators appear so shortsighted on camera? Digressions aside, while "Bully" is a flawed film, it's relevant and affecting enough that it can be used to open up a dialogue about an issue affecting many people.
The Three Stooges - C
Rated PG, 92 minutes
I'll just say this: I didn't totally hate the new Farrelly Brothers comedy remake "The Three Stooges," which updates the goofy trio to modern times. You might think, based on the woefully unfunny trailers for the film, that it's essentially an update for the "Dumb and Dumber" set, the type of lowbrow humor the Farrelly's are often known for and could go wrong in so so many ways. However, "The Three Stooges" turns out to be a pleasantly entertaining, serviceably charming family film that eventually grows on you after awhile; while not a great film by any means, it's still not terrible either. It actually helps that the Farrelly's cast lesser known actors in film as the stooges: Sean Hayes (from "Will & Grace" and the most recognizable of the three) as Larry, Will Sasso as Curly and relative unknown Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe. They're all serviceable, if lackluster performances, but they're surrounded by more talented, well-known actors and comedians who nearly steal the film from them, including Jane Lynch, Sofia Vergara, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson (whose brief rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" is a highlight) and perhaps the most inspired of the cast: "Curb Your Enthusiam's" Larry David as a rather crusty nun (it's funnier than it sounds). The film is split into three episodes as it chronicles the stooges from birth to their adulthood and foray into the modern world, and they progressively get better, that or the Stooges simply wear you down after while. The first gag-laden episode is the most unfunny and mean spirited, while the last is the most amusing, especially as Moe joins the cast of "Jersey Shore" (it's a nice, modern touch seeing Moe beat up on the "JS" cast). "The Three Stooges" works surprisingly well if you go in with low enough expectations; a lightweight, mediocre Farrelly production that could've been far, far worse when you think about it.
I'll just say this: I didn't totally hate the new Farrelly Brothers comedy remake "The Three Stooges," which updates the goofy trio to modern times. You might think, based on the woefully unfunny trailers for the film, that it's essentially an update for the "Dumb and Dumber" set, the type of lowbrow humor the Farrelly's are often known for and could go wrong in so so many ways. However, "The Three Stooges" turns out to be a pleasantly entertaining, serviceably charming family film that eventually grows on you after awhile; while not a great film by any means, it's still not terrible either. It actually helps that the Farrelly's cast lesser known actors in film as the stooges: Sean Hayes (from "Will & Grace" and the most recognizable of the three) as Larry, Will Sasso as Curly and relative unknown Chris Diamantopoulos as Moe. They're all serviceable, if lackluster performances, but they're surrounded by more talented, well-known actors and comedians who nearly steal the film from them, including Jane Lynch, Sofia Vergara, Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson (whose brief rendition of "This Little Light of Mine" is a highlight) and perhaps the most inspired of the cast: "Curb Your Enthusiam's" Larry David as a rather crusty nun (it's funnier than it sounds). The film is split into three episodes as it chronicles the stooges from birth to their adulthood and foray into the modern world, and they progressively get better, that or the Stooges simply wear you down after while. The first gag-laden episode is the most unfunny and mean spirited, while the last is the most amusing, especially as Moe joins the cast of "Jersey Shore" (it's a nice, modern touch seeing Moe beat up on the "JS" cast). "The Three Stooges" works surprisingly well if you go in with low enough expectations; a lightweight, mediocre Farrelly production that could've been far, far worse when you think about it.
The Cabin in the Woods - B+
Rated R, 95 minutes
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the woods comes the new horror flick "The Cabin in the Woods," written and produced by "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" creator Joss Whedon. Much like Whedon's previous works, this one bends the horror genre to new limits though it almost didn't happen. "Cabin," directed by frequent Whedon collaborator Drew Goddard and shot back in 2009 for MGM Studios, it was delayed by the studio's financial woes and bankruptcy. Crazy, over-the-top and frequently, utterly ludicrous, "Cabin" is much more fun than scary, including a wonky, ridiculously bloody final 20 minutes. When five college students (Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams and Franz Kanz) take a retreat out into the woods, you expect them to find something scary. But there's more than meets the eye as they're all part of a bigger plan that's controlled by a powerful few, including Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing"). Bloody, entertaining fun, the uneven "The Cabin in the Woods" makes a mockery of horror films with tongue full-in-cheek; the self-irony works best in the first half of the film until its way, way over-the-top (which is saying a lot, even for Whedon) finale. Sure, it's hilariously bloody (and a great cameo from Sigourney Weaver also helps), but it doesn't fit with the rest of the film and seems to come out of nowhere but even with its flaws, "Cabin" should please horror film enthusiasts and Whedon fans in particular. With that in mind, I won't give any of the film's many secrets...but I will say that of the large cast that relative unknown Franz (from another Whedon TV show "Dollhouse"), as the stoner-turned-hero, is the most memorable. "The Cabin in the Woods" is an enjoyable, bloody good time and definitely worth a look.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the woods comes the new horror flick "The Cabin in the Woods," written and produced by "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" creator Joss Whedon. Much like Whedon's previous works, this one bends the horror genre to new limits though it almost didn't happen. "Cabin," directed by frequent Whedon collaborator Drew Goddard and shot back in 2009 for MGM Studios, it was delayed by the studio's financial woes and bankruptcy. Crazy, over-the-top and frequently, utterly ludicrous, "Cabin" is much more fun than scary, including a wonky, ridiculously bloody final 20 minutes. When five college students (Kristen Connolly, Anna Hutchison, Chris Hemsworth, Jesse Williams and Franz Kanz) take a retreat out into the woods, you expect them to find something scary. But there's more than meets the eye as they're all part of a bigger plan that's controlled by a powerful few, including Richard Jenkins ("The Visitor") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing"). Bloody, entertaining fun, the uneven "The Cabin in the Woods" makes a mockery of horror films with tongue full-in-cheek; the self-irony works best in the first half of the film until its way, way over-the-top (which is saying a lot, even for Whedon) finale. Sure, it's hilariously bloody (and a great cameo from Sigourney Weaver also helps), but it doesn't fit with the rest of the film and seems to come out of nowhere but even with its flaws, "Cabin" should please horror film enthusiasts and Whedon fans in particular. With that in mind, I won't give any of the film's many secrets...but I will say that of the large cast that relative unknown Franz (from another Whedon TV show "Dollhouse"), as the stoner-turned-hero, is the most memorable. "The Cabin in the Woods" is an enjoyable, bloody good time and definitely worth a look.
Lockout - B-
Rated PG-13, 95 minutes
File "Lockout" under "guilty pleasure." Much like another new release this weekend, "The Three Stooges," I went into this entertaining but derivative action flick not expecting much at all, but came away more satisfied than I should've. Part sci-fi flick and part action thriller, the Luc Besson-produced "Lockout" is nothing new; as a matter of fact this is really just a rehash of something that Bruce Willis would've done back in the 90s, then realizing how charming and entertaining Willis' movies were, even if some were not that great (speaking of which, "Lockout" reminds me of the 1997 Besson/Willis film "The Fifth Element"). Set in the year 2079, "Lockout" stars Australian actor Guy Pearce in the Willis role, as Snow, a former government agent wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He is recruited to save the U.S. President's daughter (Maggie Grace), who is stuck in a maximum security prison in space after the prisoners take it over. Fast-paced, entertaining but lacking considerably in originality or depth, "Lockout" should satisfy those seeking an above-average, CG-laden action thriller mixed in with science fiction and some memorable bad guys (led by Swedish character actor Peter Stormare). A buffed-up Pearce is a serviceable and unlikely action hero, though he and "Lost's" Grace (still not a great actress) don't have much chemistry together. Produced by Besson, who is noted for over-the-top, fast-paced productions like these, "Lockout" has some fun moments and the plot moves at a swift, but predictable pace. You'll roll your eyes at some of "Lockout's" ludicrous plot points, but one thing is for sure, you won't be looking at your watch.
File "Lockout" under "guilty pleasure." Much like another new release this weekend, "The Three Stooges," I went into this entertaining but derivative action flick not expecting much at all, but came away more satisfied than I should've. Part sci-fi flick and part action thriller, the Luc Besson-produced "Lockout" is nothing new; as a matter of fact this is really just a rehash of something that Bruce Willis would've done back in the 90s, then realizing how charming and entertaining Willis' movies were, even if some were not that great (speaking of which, "Lockout" reminds me of the 1997 Besson/Willis film "The Fifth Element"). Set in the year 2079, "Lockout" stars Australian actor Guy Pearce in the Willis role, as Snow, a former government agent wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He is recruited to save the U.S. President's daughter (Maggie Grace), who is stuck in a maximum security prison in space after the prisoners take it over. Fast-paced, entertaining but lacking considerably in originality or depth, "Lockout" should satisfy those seeking an above-average, CG-laden action thriller mixed in with science fiction and some memorable bad guys (led by Swedish character actor Peter Stormare). A buffed-up Pearce is a serviceable and unlikely action hero, though he and "Lost's" Grace (still not a great actress) don't have much chemistry together. Produced by Besson, who is noted for over-the-top, fast-paced productions like these, "Lockout" has some fun moments and the plot moves at a swift, but predictable pace. You'll roll your eyes at some of "Lockout's" ludicrous plot points, but one thing is for sure, you won't be looking at your watch.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Jiro Dreams of Sushi - A-
Rated PG, 81 minutes
The flavorful new documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" will please foodie's and non-sushi lovers alike. Wholly entertaining, fascinating and satisfying, it's one of the best documentaries of the year. It's about Jiro, an 85-year old Japanese sushi chef who is world renown not only for the flavor of his fish but for his relentless work methods. His small, very modest restaurant (with a month waiting list as someone finds out) seats only a few people, is in the basement of a Tokyo office building yet people from across the world say he has the best tasting sushi you can find. What is his secret? Is it the fact he's still working in his 80s? Or the fact he has trained his sons and his staff in his methods? Or that he is constantly trying to improve upon those methods? Probably a little bit of all those as director David Gelb would have us believe, though the real fascination here is that cooking is a lost art, especially when it comes to fish. Jiro serves more than sushi (including tuna, shrimp, octupus and more), and much more goes into the selection, buying and preparation than you would ever believe. Jiro and his staff (his oldest son is head chef while the other son has a competing sushi restaurant) take all of this quite seriously, which equates to his large following. "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" (and according to Jiro himself, he does actually dream of preparing sushi) waxes too elegaic near the end when determining who will take Jiro's place when he passes (he is the oldest sushi chef in the world), and not all of it is balanced; while we hear from Jiro's sons, along with one popular food writer and one of Jiro's former employees, we don't hear from many others, including Jiro's own wife (who is conspicuously absent from the film). Still, "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" is one of the most engaging, altogether fascinating documentaries to come along in some time and it may inspire you to do something you love, regardless of your age. Even if you don't like sushi (and I'm not one of them), you will find much to love about this documentary, and will have you hungry for more. Definitely worth a look.
The flavorful new documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" will please foodie's and non-sushi lovers alike. Wholly entertaining, fascinating and satisfying, it's one of the best documentaries of the year. It's about Jiro, an 85-year old Japanese sushi chef who is world renown not only for the flavor of his fish but for his relentless work methods. His small, very modest restaurant (with a month waiting list as someone finds out) seats only a few people, is in the basement of a Tokyo office building yet people from across the world say he has the best tasting sushi you can find. What is his secret? Is it the fact he's still working in his 80s? Or the fact he has trained his sons and his staff in his methods? Or that he is constantly trying to improve upon those methods? Probably a little bit of all those as director David Gelb would have us believe, though the real fascination here is that cooking is a lost art, especially when it comes to fish. Jiro serves more than sushi (including tuna, shrimp, octupus and more), and much more goes into the selection, buying and preparation than you would ever believe. Jiro and his staff (his oldest son is head chef while the other son has a competing sushi restaurant) take all of this quite seriously, which equates to his large following. "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" (and according to Jiro himself, he does actually dream of preparing sushi) waxes too elegaic near the end when determining who will take Jiro's place when he passes (he is the oldest sushi chef in the world), and not all of it is balanced; while we hear from Jiro's sons, along with one popular food writer and one of Jiro's former employees, we don't hear from many others, including Jiro's own wife (who is conspicuously absent from the film). Still, "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" is one of the most engaging, altogether fascinating documentaries to come along in some time and it may inspire you to do something you love, regardless of your age. Even if you don't like sushi (and I'm not one of them), you will find much to love about this documentary, and will have you hungry for more. Definitely worth a look.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
The Raid: Redemption - B
Rated R, 100 minutes
“The Raid: Redemption” is the acclaimed Indonesian martial arts action film that is finally getting a release in the U.S. Fast paced and ultra violent, it’s not for everyone’s taste, but should satisfy those who enjoy these types of things. Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable derelict apartment building which became a safe house for the city's most dangerous murderers, killers and gangsters. The rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the police. It all changes when an elite team is tasked with raiding the building in order to take down the notorious crime lord Tama Riyandi who runs it. Directed by Welsh director Gareth Evans, “The Raid: Redemption,” the flimsy story and acting shouldn’t matter much to martial arts purists, who will find some of the best martial arts seen in some years. It utilizes the traditional Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat, not to mention buckets of blood and some of the biggest knives ever seen. Unsurprisingly, the heavily choreographed fight sequences highlight the low budget film, which should find a decent audience in the U.S.
“The Raid: Redemption” is the acclaimed Indonesian martial arts action film that is finally getting a release in the U.S. Fast paced and ultra violent, it’s not for everyone’s taste, but should satisfy those who enjoy these types of things. Deep in the heart of Jakarta's slums lies an impenetrable derelict apartment building which became a safe house for the city's most dangerous murderers, killers and gangsters. The rundown apartment block has been considered untouchable to even the police. It all changes when an elite team is tasked with raiding the building in order to take down the notorious crime lord Tama Riyandi who runs it. Directed by Welsh director Gareth Evans, “The Raid: Redemption,” the flimsy story and acting shouldn’t matter much to martial arts purists, who will find some of the best martial arts seen in some years. It utilizes the traditional Indonesian martial art Pencak Silat, not to mention buckets of blood and some of the biggest knives ever seen. Unsurprisingly, the heavily choreographed fight sequences highlight the low budget film, which should find a decent audience in the U.S.
Detachment - C+
Unrated, 97 minutes
“Detached” is a bleak, dark drama about the decline of the education system in the U.S. Well-acted and directed, the downbeat tone is a little redundant and heavy-handed, but it has a handful of good messages and a superb performance from Oscar winner Adrien Brody, in his strongest role in several years. “Detached” is a chronicle of three weeks in the lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students in an endangered school through the eyes of a substitute teacher named Henry Barthes (Brody). His unusual method of importing information to his temporary students finds some challenges when he has an upheaval in his personal life. “Detached” is a depressing but well-acted drama from Tony Kaye, who tread similar issues in his best known film, “American History X.” “Detached” is much less divisive and low-key than that film, and focuses more on the educational system. The low-budget film is filled with many veteran, talented actors in small parts, including Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden, James Caan, Christina Hendricks, Lucy Liu, Bryan Cranston, William Peterson, Tim Blake Nelson, which is unfortunate since the most memorable actors outside of Brody are relative unknowns, Sami Gayle as a young prostitute and director Kaye’s daughter Betty as an overweight, verbally abused student. While “Detached” is a decent film, it strays in too many directions without a clear focus; plus, it doesn’t exactly encourage to be a teacher. Brody is great, but the material is too depressing and lacks clarity.
“Detached” is a bleak, dark drama about the decline of the education system in the U.S. Well-acted and directed, the downbeat tone is a little redundant and heavy-handed, but it has a handful of good messages and a superb performance from Oscar winner Adrien Brody, in his strongest role in several years. “Detached” is a chronicle of three weeks in the lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students in an endangered school through the eyes of a substitute teacher named Henry Barthes (Brody). His unusual method of importing information to his temporary students finds some challenges when he has an upheaval in his personal life. “Detached” is a depressing but well-acted drama from Tony Kaye, who tread similar issues in his best known film, “American History X.” “Detached” is much less divisive and low-key than that film, and focuses more on the educational system. The low-budget film is filled with many veteran, talented actors in small parts, including Oscar-winner Marcia Gay Harden, James Caan, Christina Hendricks, Lucy Liu, Bryan Cranston, William Peterson, Tim Blake Nelson, which is unfortunate since the most memorable actors outside of Brody are relative unknowns, Sami Gayle as a young prostitute and director Kaye’s daughter Betty as an overweight, verbally abused student. While “Detached” is a decent film, it strays in too many directions without a clear focus; plus, it doesn’t exactly encourage to be a teacher. Brody is great, but the material is too depressing and lacks clarity.
American Reunion - B-
Rated R, 113 minutes
"American Reunion" serves up another slice of pie, very raunchy pie, that was first started by the teen comedy "American Pie" way back in 1999. The whole gang is back for another round as the group from East Great Falls returns for their high school reunion. Much like pie itself, "American Reunion" is comfort food; it's nothing new and you know exactly what you're getting but you still end up happy. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are married with a young child; Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) is a happily married architect who works from home; Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is a world traveler; Oz (Chris Klein) is a sports journalist and celebrity dancing alumni; as for Stiffler (Seann William Scott), he's still Stiffler, trying to grow up after all these years. "American Reunion" comes at the right time when Hollywood has embraced raunch comedy, something that made "American Pie" fresher way back in the Clinton Administration. You've seen this before with the other films in this franchise so by and large it doesn't tread new ground, except everyone is a little older now. The guys get together, party some like old days, and the usual hijinks ensue before the big reunion. Mena Suvari, Tara Reid (who looks fabulous by the way) also appear, though they seem like after thoughts compared with the footage the gentlemen get. Biggs is pudgier and schlubbier and his goofiness has worn down over the years, but it's still nice seeing him with Levy, who along with Scott nearly steal the show. Watch for appearances/cameos by other "American Pie" alum including Jennifer Coolidge (still underused but funny), Natasha Lyone, Shannon Elizabeth and Chris Owen as The Sherminator. "American Reunion" is good for a few laughs, which may be all that's needed to be a hit. Not the best in this franchise, but still funny enough for those familiar with these films.
"American Reunion" serves up another slice of pie, very raunchy pie, that was first started by the teen comedy "American Pie" way back in 1999. The whole gang is back for another round as the group from East Great Falls returns for their high school reunion. Much like pie itself, "American Reunion" is comfort food; it's nothing new and you know exactly what you're getting but you still end up happy. Jim (Jason Biggs) and Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) are married with a young child; Kevin (Thomas Ian Nichols) is a happily married architect who works from home; Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) is a world traveler; Oz (Chris Klein) is a sports journalist and celebrity dancing alumni; as for Stiffler (Seann William Scott), he's still Stiffler, trying to grow up after all these years. "American Reunion" comes at the right time when Hollywood has embraced raunch comedy, something that made "American Pie" fresher way back in the Clinton Administration. You've seen this before with the other films in this franchise so by and large it doesn't tread new ground, except everyone is a little older now. The guys get together, party some like old days, and the usual hijinks ensue before the big reunion. Mena Suvari, Tara Reid (who looks fabulous by the way) also appear, though they seem like after thoughts compared with the footage the gentlemen get. Biggs is pudgier and schlubbier and his goofiness has worn down over the years, but it's still nice seeing him with Levy, who along with Scott nearly steal the show. Watch for appearances/cameos by other "American Pie" alum including Jennifer Coolidge (still underused but funny), Natasha Lyone, Shannon Elizabeth and Chris Owen as The Sherminator. "American Reunion" is good for a few laughs, which may be all that's needed to be a hit. Not the best in this franchise, but still funny enough for those familiar with these films.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Footnote - B+
Rated PG, 103 minutes/In Hebrew with English subtitles
“Footnote” is a darkly shaded, unique take on the power struggle that emerges from a father-son rivalry. An Isreali film nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Film Academy Award, it concerns the story of a father and son who are both professors of Talmudic Research at the Hebrew University of Jersusalem. Eliezer is the father who is a renown researcher and stubborn purist and never recognized for his work. Meanwhile, his son Uriel is a rising star in the field who constantly feeds on accolades and recognition. Yet in a dark twist, Uriel realizes that there could be a grave error in who actually receives the prize. “Footnote” is a finely layered take on the complexities of sharing the spotlight with your own family. It’s also a fun, well-acted compare-and-contrast character study between father and son, and while there are some differences between the two, they’re more alike than they ever realized. Director and writer Joseph Cedar handles the character study just fine, though some of the graphics that appear on screen are both unnecessary and heavy-handed (a simple voiceover would’ve sufficed). Overall, “Footnote” is a richly satisfying film down to the final frame, when Cedar (who won a screenplay award at the Cannes film festival for his work), leaves it to the audience, perhaps ever so ironically, to write their own footnote for what happens with Eliezer and Uriel.
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