Big Budget Bonanza: Marvel’s The Avengers
Marvel’s The Avengers (May 4, 2012)
“We are not a team. We are a time bomb.” Bruce Banner (Cue the Beck soundtrack)
After what feels like 70 years in the making The Avenger’s will finally be on the big screen. Joss Whedon takes the directing duties of this massive film and looks to have it all figured it.
Whedon has gone on record saying that the film’s perspective will come from Captain America’s. Originally, Downey Jr. wanted to be the central character but the plot and script couldn’t be worked out. By putting Captain America front and center it will keep the viewpoint from being too familiar. Also, I’m stoked to see the main bad guy is the incredibly dangerous Loki. The big surprise is who Loki uses to help him dominated the world. Who will he recruit? Aliens, Vikings or Viking aliens?
Sam Jackson FINALLY after years of putting a team together in the ending credits gets to unleash his team of super heroes to save the earth, pose and quip aplenty.
Here is the new trailer that hit the web yesterday. It looks expensive, thrilling and the flying alien ships look straight out of Transformers 3
Why you should see it: This is one of the most expensive films ever made that has been years in the making. Can all the celebrities work as an ensemble? Will RDJ work well with others? This film is a huge gamble that could decide super hero movies for years to come. Sounds like fun to me!
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Tower Heist
Tower Heist will be played on TNT, FX and TBS for years to come. It is one of those movies that provides decent background filler. There is a little bit of humor, theft and intrigue. It is watchable but not good. The plot does not need to be followed too closely. Plus, it answers some very interesting questions about expensive cars and elevators.
Roger Ebert sums this film up perfectly:
“This movie would fall to pieces if it didn’t hurdle headlong through its absurdist plot without ever pausing for explanations.”
When I first heard about the cast Brett Ratner was assembling (Rush Hour 1-54) I was stoked and worried. How could a movie with Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Tea Leoni, Matthew Broderick, Michael Pena, Casey Affleck and Alan Alda be bad? The problem is that they are not given room to make their characters real. The only person who gets the good lines is Eddie Murphy. Murphy’s facial expressions are fun and he gets the best quip”I will blow your face off your face!”
Michael Pena who was the best part of Observe and Report and 30 Minutes or Less gets a couple decent moments involving ski caps and Burger King. Broderick looks worried. Affleck isn’t smart, Alda is a prick, Leoni is feisty and Stiller is Stiller.
The movie focuses on a group of New York employees who work in the fictional “The Tower.” Alan Alda swindles all their money and they plan a heist. The heist is incredibly implausible and it features events that defy logic and gravity. However, as Ebert pointed out there is never an explanation for how a car ends up in an elevator. They never attempt to explain how it would work….so, it actually works. This movie plows ahead and it makes the logic gaps excusable.
Tower Heist is not a good film. However, it tries to be a nice straight forward heist film that doesn’t offend with lowest common denominator jokes. The film may be simple but I don’t think it ever wanted to be complicated.
Sit back. Relax. Don’t think. Put this movie on and do something around the house.
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Bad Movie Tuesday: The Double
The Double has been made 50 times before. Two FBI guys defined by their hair have to track an implausibly good assassin. The two agents are Richard “silver fox” Gere teaming up with a Topher “hair gell” Grace.
What is their mission? The retired guy and the “librarian” have to hunt down the greatest killer in the history of the world.
Cassius the killer is a ghost that ghosts are afraid of. Cassius walks on raindrops and disappears into thin air. His motives are studied and killing methods revered. He is a mystery…an unknown force…..UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHO IS IN THE PREVIEW.
Who is this famous killer of killers. It is none other than Mr. Gere himself.
Richard Gere plays the frustratingly good killer Cassius. Half man…..Half ice…..All hair. There is a scene in the film when he executes an assassination so perfectly it leaves you annoyed. The only way this kill could have happened is if 1,000 pieces fell together at the same time. Gere times the throat slit perfectly in a crowded street then walks away while people are looking at something else.
Take a look at this picture. He timed another kill perfectly between roving security cameras. He shouldn’t be called Cassius. He should be named Rolex (because of his timing and the fact that he hides the sharp wire in his watch). I’m surprised he didn’t kill the guy than revive him. Then, when the guy was healing in a hospital he’d kill him again and put him back in the original crime scene.
Who is Gere’s biggest foe. It is Topher Grace. His character knows everything about Cassius. Which provides for unintentionally funny scenes where Gere reacts to all the correct assumptions. Topher says Cassius drinks Scotch when Gere asks for scotch. Topher says Cassius returns to crime scenes and Gere is at the crime scene. You keep waiting for the lightbulb to go off in Grace’s head but it never does…..Until the end when you find out he is a Russian spy who was sent to flush out Cassius.
The Double lacks humor, tension and receding hair lines. I know both Topher and Gere are solid actors so I was mystified at the lack of anything. It is a bland film that needed Chris Klein’s character from Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li (Read the Bad Movie Tuesday review). In that film Klein’s character Nash is hunting down the best criminal in the world. Nash is borderline insane, slightly dumb and highly entertaining. To see him paired with Gere would have been hilarious.
Sidenote: Nash would not make this movie good. However, he would make it entertainingly bad. Which is better than boring.
Between this movie and Salt I’m worried about how many Russian spies there are in the United States. If these movies are correct 1 out of 5 CIA/FBI agents are undercover Russians who do not know that there are other undercover Russians. That would actually be a very funny satire. Dr. Stangelove 2?
In the world of Bad Movie Tuesday I believe this movie was made because Richard Gere was angry he wasn’t the assassin in The Jackal. So, he found a director and had him make the movie.
Gere: In this scene I want to kill 17 people by just looking at them.
Director: I liked you better as a pacifist.
Do not watch The Double. Watch the preview instead. Imagine Nash chasing Cassius.
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Big Budget Bonanza Part 1
2012 has been good to movies. The Grey, The Devil Inside, Chronicle and The Woman in Black, The Vow, Safe House and Ghost Rider 2 have performed well and lifted the box office total to unexpected heights.
Many people scoff at big budget summer films. However, people forget that the classic Jaws (my favorite movie) was the original summer blockbuster. When a big budget movie works it can be a marvelous spectacle.
Now that the Superbowl premiered the teaser trailers you are going to be blasted with previews and advertisements. I’m going to investigate these films to see if they are worth your time.
John Carter (March 9, 2012)
Of all the big budget films coming out this year I’m most curious about John Carter. It has a huge budget and is not a sequel. Carter is a HUGE gamble and that is why I like it. This movie has been five years in the making and cost $250 million.
John Carter of Mars is a big budget adaptation of the famous graphic novel written by Edward Rice Burroughs. John Carter has influenced Star Wars, Avatar and many other popular science fiction films. What I’m worried about is that people will say it is a “rip off” when it has influenced everything.
The movie features Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights) and is directed by Andrew Stanton (Wall-E). So, the film has a solid unknown actor and a director who made his name in animated Pixar films.
My prediction is that John Carter will be a hit. Disney has already green lit a sequel and Brad Bird (The incredibles) just made Tom Cruise relevant again so I’m betting Stanton will provide a similar visual spectacle.
The best shot this film has is by word of mouth. If Stanton is correct the movie will make its budget back and more. The movie also has a strong international push due to the CGI and fantasy elements which worked for the Transformers series. One problem is that the previews do not make the story line clear. There was a big buzz via movie bloggers about this fan made trailer that did a much better job than Disney’s current marketing.
Mondo also created a neat looking poster to celebrate the world of John Carter.
I can’t wait to see if this gamble pays off.
Battle Ship (May 18, 2012)
This film is another big question mark. A board game adapted into a $200 million dollar movie action bonanza.
Taylor Kitsch (John Carter) stars in another summer blockbuster. Kitsch reunites with director Peter Berg (Run Down, Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom) to blow up enemy aliens. I’m convinced this movie will be fun. Hasbro is marketing it as a Transformers like film and Berg is an incredibly gifted director who makes smart action and creates likable characters.
The biggest problem this film has to be the title. To invest $200 million in a board game adaptation is tricky. The thing I’m excited for is that I don’t think the previews give away everything. I think this will be a loud, fun and exciting film that is full of surprises.
An added bonus is that it features Liam Neeson as a cranky general.
Wrath of the Titans (March 30, 2012)
The remake of Clash of the Titans was solid but unspectacular. This new film looks to have gotten it right. The film looks bigger, badder and hairier.
Director Jonathan Liebesman (Battle Los Angeles) was brought in to add some more chaos and spice to the world of titans, demigods and lava giants.
Sidenote: I thought the Kraken was bad but imagine having to fight a Kraken made of lava. There is absolutely no way to win that fight. Sam Worthington already beheaded Medusa so the only thing that can save the world is Tommy Lee Jones. If you remember Jones bested a volcano in Los Angeles.
Wrath also upgrades Andromeda by recasting the role with Rosamund Pike. She should add a solid acting premise amidst the chaos.
The plot focuses on the released Titans that run amuck while Sam Worthington yells a lot. The remake had a surprisingly straight forward plot that kept it afloat and fun. I’m hoping this new one keeps to the script and doesn’t become too bombastic and incoherent. All this film needs is a defined plot and lots of titan mayhem.
Sam Worthington yell prediction: 900 times.
Another added bonus is uber bearded Liam Neeson!
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2012 Hofscars
Hello all. Mark here.
The Hofscars are meant to celebrate the films and actors/actresses that didn’t get nominated.
Here we go!
Best Performance of any man/woman/child/animal/alien of 2011 – Michael Shannon – Take Shelter
Best Use of Music and a Hammer – Drive
Give Me Back My Rocks Award – Apollo 18
Best Performance By a Guy Who You Will Never See on Screen – Andy Serkis – Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Best Couple – Seth Rogen and JGL –50/50
Funniest Moment – The Michael Caine impersonation contest in The Trip.
Best Ensemble – The Guard
Best Villain – Loki – Thor
Best Monsters – Attack the Block/Troll Hunter
Best Hipster Couple – Ewan McGregor and Melanie Laurent – Beginners
Best Face Puncher Award – Gina Carano – Haywire
Man Tear Award – Warrior
Best Scotch Drinking Du0 – Felicity Jones/Anton Yelchin- Like Crazy
Best Candle Making Duo – Paul Rudd and Tj Miller – Our Idiot Brother
Best Second in Command – Colonel Sebastian “Basher” Moran – Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows
Best One-Shot Action Scene – The exploding dam scene in Tin Tin
Best Three Minute SteadiCam Shot – Eric Bana whooping ass in Hanna
Funniest Horror Movie featuring Dumb College Kids – Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil
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Elite Squad: The Enemy Within
This movie came out of nowhere and punched me in the gut. I love getting punched in the gut by a movie. You don’t see and it coming and BAM the movie is great. I totally understand why it is the largest grossing film in South American history.
People are comparing this movie to Casino and City of God. The narration is similar to Casino and the subject matter does involve the slums of Brazil. However, this is not a movie about gangsters and drug lords.
This is a bleak film about the politics behind the elite squad of cops who patrol the drug trade in Brazil. The slums are used as a tool for politicians, legislators and colonels to fill their pockets and advance in politics.
I loved how inconsequential the drug dealers are in this film. They are chess pieces that can be taken at will. In other movies you are lead to believe that they are this all-powerful force that is above the law. However, when the political machine gets rolling they are killed at will.
Wagner Moura is fantastic as Lt. Colonel Nascimento. He is focused on taking out of the trash of Brazil. Nascimento is damn good at his job and is one of the clean cops on the police force. He reluctance to engage in the political/corrupt aspect of the government keeps him on the outside. However, when he does get messed with he becomes a force to be reckoned with.
If you are in the mood to expand your international film knowledge base you should watch Elite Squad. The movie is a pleasant surprise that will not disappoint on action, story and subtitles.
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Retreat
Cillian Murphy and Thandie Newton play a yuppie couple having innumerbale marital problems so they go to an isolated cabin they often visit to have some alone time. The cabin is on a far off Scottish island and like all movies like this the generator is wonky, there is no cell phone coverage and the CB radio is old.
The characters are not entirely fleshed out because they play such brats. They are defined by the problems the script gives them. Newton is always depressed and mopey while Murphy apologizes a lot and is no good with tools. They are obviously struggling due to the loss of their unborn child. One morning they find a bloodied/unconscious Jaime Bell lying outside.
When Bell wakes up he tells the couple that a disease is ravaging the world and they are not safe on the island. Having no contact with the outside world the couple don’t know whether he is crazy or not. All they know is that he is barracading the house and talking about the end of the world.
What follows is three solid actors doing good work in a claustrophobic experiment. Without these actors the movie would not have been nearly as enjoyable. Jamie Bell sinks his teeth into the pyscho role and proves to be realistically menacing. It is also nice to see Cillian Murphy in something not involving bats, space or inception.
I am happy to say that the “twist” at the end was neat. I didn’t see it coming and it made the experience worth it. The twist didn’t make you scoff and it added an unexpected layer. Retreat is worth the rent.
Watch Retreat. Be happy it is not Couple’s Retreat. Unless you do like Couples Retreat. Then, you will not like Retreat.
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A Better Life
A Better Life has never heard of the word “subtle.” The cultural issues are tackled like a lineman. However, the two main characters are so good you begin to care for the characters and forget the plot devices.
The movie centers around Bechir’s character considering buying a truck so he can start his own business and get his 15-year-old son into a better school. The problem is if he gets pulled over he will be deported. He buys the truck and it is quickly stolen. The rest of the story features the two trying to find the truck while avoiding immigration. The schmaltz is never thick and the comparisons to the film The Bicycle Thief are many
2012 Best Actor nominee Demian Bichir is fantastic in the role. It never feels like he is “acting.” The natural acting style Chris Weitz uses keeps the story from being too familiar. The choices he makes are well thought out and measured. His ending monologue is what guaranteed him his Oscar nomination and I’m certain they will show the clip when they introduce the nominees.
The movie rests on Bichir’s shoulders. Without his nuanced presence I’d doubt this film would have had the impact it is having. You like the character so you roll with the paint by the numbers plot. I’m excited to see what is next for Damian and I’m happy that Weitz has gone back to his About a Boy roots and stepped away from The Golden Compass and Twilight big budget films.
Watch this film. Enjoy the Bichir. Wish for About a Boy 2
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Movies, Films & Flix Oscar Talk: Best Picture
Hello all. Mark here.
I understand why eight of these movies are on the list. However, I don’t understand the inclusion of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. It is in no way better than Drive, Warrior, Like Crazy, The Guard or Take Shelter.
With the Oscars approaching this has become a race between three films. Hugo, The Artist and The Descendants are neck in neck racing towards the finish line. Hugo and The Artist are similar in their sweeping respect to cinema. The Descendants is popular because it is a Alexander Payne/George Clooney joint that has more depth than expected.
Here are the Vegas betting odds:
The Artist – 1/9
The Descendants- 9/1
Hugo – 18/1
The Help – 20/1
War Horse – 40/1
Moneyball – 80/1
Midnight in Paris – 80/1
The Tree of Life 100/1
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Loud – 100/1
Logic says that The Artist has all the momentum leading into Sunday. However, in a world where Shakespeare in Love can beat Saving Private Ryan I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset.
I’d love to see Tree of Life, War Horse or Midnight in Paris win the award. Tree is a beautifully simple film. War Horse is a sweeping memorable film. Midnight is an intelligent and watchable film.
What amazes me is that backlash that has been hitting The Artist. Critics are complaining about the dancing, simple plot and understanding of black and white cinema. When the film came out people loved it. Roger Ebert said it was “black and white and great all over.” It seems that whenever a film becomes a front-runner that backlash begins. The same thing happened to The King’s Speech last year.
Who will win: The Artist
Who should win: War Horse
Who would win in a perfect world: Take Shelter
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Oscar Predictions 2012
Hello all. Mark here.
I’ve gotten over the sting of Take Shelter, Warrior, The Guard, Drive and Like Crazy getting little love and I’m ready to make my predictions.
I am going to break down all the major categories and fearlessly pick the winners. Some of my picks will be based on prior award shows, buzz and hunches.
Best Picture
This all comes down to a competition between The Artist and Hugo. The Artist won big at the DGA and BAFTA awards so it is the clear front-runner. However, Hugo is a wonderful film about the preservation of cinema. The Descendants is still a dark horse and you can never count out War Horse or The Help. I’d love to see Midnight in Paris or Tree of Life win. Also, how in the world did Extremely Loud get nominated? The movie has been panned by a whole lot of critics and is certified rotten on Rotten Tomatoes.
My prediction: The Artist dances away with the Oscar and Uggie the dog steals the show while people complain that the Academy Awards are boring.
Best Actor
Jean Dujardin has been charming everyone. Check out this hilarious Funny or Die clip where he auditions to play every upcoming bad guy http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/6jq0
His main competition is George Clooney. Clooney is the honorary mayor of Tinsletown and hasn’t won a Best Actor award yet. I’d wager the award is leaning 60/40 towards Jean.
The other nominees are Damian Bichir and Brad Pitt. Pitt was perfectly understated yet is up against stiff competition. Damian should be happy with the nomination for his popular role in A Better Life.
My Prediction: I am going out on a limb and picking Gary Oldman to walk away with the Oscar. People love him, people love Tinker Tailor Solider Spy and he has been doing a great promotional job http://collider.com/gary-oldman-dark-knight-rises-call-of-duty-interview/144183/
Best Actress
Viola Davis is going to win the Oscar. She was the best part of The Help and has been in the acting game for a long time. Kudos to Streep, Mara, Close and Williams for being nominated.
My Prediction: Davis for the win.
Best Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer is the clear-cut winner. However, I read Max Von Sydow was the only one to get a standing ovation during the Oscar luncheon. I’m hoping Nick Nolte will walk away with the statue because his work in Warrior was amazing. Jonah Hill and Kenneth Branagh are cool dudes but their nominations are award enough.
My prediction: Plummer will win the award for his likable character in Beginners. He was able to take an oscar bait role and add subtlety and nuance to an already great character.
Best Supporting Actress
Chastain was great in everything. I find it odd that she was nominated for the The Help because she was better in Tree of Life and Take Shelter. Berenice Bejo charmed, danced and wowed in The Artist. McCarthy killed in Bridesmaids and Janet McTeer got raves for Albert Nobbs. None of this matters though because The Help train is barreling down the tracks.
My Prediction: Octavia Spencer will walk away with the gold statue due to her superb comic timing and sassy pie.
Best Original Screenplay
I’d love to see Bridesmaids win an Oscar. It won’t happen but it would be a riot. Margin Call is a crafty little flick and The Artist was lovely. However, this is a two film race. A Separation and Midnight in Paris will pick up the Oscar. Separation is sitting pretty at #70 on the IMDB top 250 list but people dig Woody Allen.
My Prediction: Midnight in Paris was a smart, charming and imaginative film that is pure Oscar bait.
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Ooof…This is a tough category to pick because there are so many good films. Moneyball, Hugo, Descendants, Ides of March and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
My prediction: The Descendants will win due to elegant writing that kept it out of sitcom territory and made it a unique character driven story.
Best Director:
The DGA and BAFTAS chose The Artist director Michel Hazanavicius as the best director so I have a hard time going against him. However, Scorsese may walk away with the gold.
My Prediction: Hazanavicius has won every prior award. I don’t see him losing.
Best Animated Feature:
Tin Tin isn’t on the list so the field is wide open. Chico and Rita uses classical animation but Rango is the hip choice.
My Prediction: Rango is too strange to ignore. It will ride off into the sunset with the gold.
Movies, Films & Flix 