So I learned in line for this movie that the character Jack Reacher in the books is around 6'5" and 260 lbs, so naturally you would cast Tom Cruise. Despite the physical description discrepancy he was a really good choice.
Going into this movie all I knew is that Tom Cruise kicks some ass, and that he did. Jack Reacher is ex-army and he finds himself investigating a mass murder. The movie had just the right mix of action and comedy, with a few cheesy dramatic close-ups of Tom Cruise thrown in. Oh and Tom Cruise is hot in this movie, someone went to the gym.
I saw this movie with Maryellen and Jack (no relation to the main character). They are not the biggest Tom Cruise fans, but they liked this movie. It was very enjoyable. One of my favorite parts was the car chase. (Really, an action movie had a car chase, unbelievable). What was different about this chase is it wasn't your James Bond, Bourne Identity perfect chase scene. When you drive a rear wheeled car in a chase scene it should fishtail. If you or I got into a car chase this is what it could look like (well maybe not me, I don't often drive that fast).
Friday, December 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
A Late Quartet
This movie, beautifully done by Philip Seymour Hoffman, Christopher Walken, Catherine Keener and Daniel Lerner, tells the story of a quartet who is entering its 25th season on tour. The wonderful cast gives you a behind the scenes look at the music, their craft and their lives.
I think that this movie touched me a little more than I originally thought it would, because my mom is a musician and she has her own string quartet/trio. Though her work is mainly for weddings and events and not traveling on tour, I understood the music world the characters lived in. When the first violin case opened I could smell the wood, bow and rosin even though I haven't been by an actual violin in years.
I kept thinking my mom should see this movie, in fact this came at the most opportune time - right before her birthday. I know she would point out how some detail in the playing is off, because that is what she does. I think she will appreciate how they have conversations about how the music should be played, when to use an up bow or the moment of selecting a new violin.
As TJ says it was a nice picture of how life moves and transcends and how one event effects those who surround you. TJ wasn't fully satisfied with the movie, because the ending wasn't clearly defined. It left a little up to your imagination, and in TJs world there was not enough closure for him.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Chasing Mavericks
Oh I hope this one is going to be marketed as a kids movie. It's supposed to be that inspirational movie similar to Dolphin Tale that you get goosebumps at the end if it. Unfortunately that was lost in cheesiness. Many times I started laughing, but not funny laughing. More of that oh how embarrassing for you laughter.
It's a shame, because it is a good story. You have a kid who learns how to surf. He cares for his mother who has struggled through life. Then you have a boy-father type figure relationship that develops from learning how to ride an insanely large wave. It's one of those stories that you want to succeed. Go in with low expectations and enjoy the surfing scenes.
Overall lessons learned-if u are a daredevil, you might not make it out alive.
It's a shame, because it is a good story. You have a kid who learns how to surf. He cares for his mother who has struggled through life. Then you have a boy-father type figure relationship that develops from learning how to ride an insanely large wave. It's one of those stories that you want to succeed. Go in with low expectations and enjoy the surfing scenes.
Overall lessons learned-if u are a daredevil, you might not make it out alive.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
ARGO
Here's a short history lesson for you. In 1979 in response to the US putting a leader into power in Iran who brought death and hardship to its people and then harboring him afterwards, the Iranian people captures the US embassy. 6 Americans were able to escape. They were turned away by the British and a few other countries, but found refuge at the Canadian ambassador's house. ARGO follows CIA operative Tony Mendez as he attempts to rescue them under the guise that they are a Canadian movie crew looking for a site. (If you find this a bit unbelievable, well it actually happened)
Now you are up to speed. Even if you aren't, the movie does a great job explaining all of this right upfront. The movie is done so beautifully bringing this historical event to life by taking the audience through every aspect of the event. This is one of those movies where you are on the edge of your seat, and still feel that way when you leave the theater. It's already receiving Oscar buzz and rightfully so.
This is one of the must see movies of the year. There are so many crapy movies out there, and when something like this comes along you wonder, why aren't more movies done like this. It obviously can be done. If you are going to spend over a million dollars, put a little effort into it. Well done Ben Affleck, you put more than a little effort into it. You have proven yourself as not just a great actor, but an amazing director.
I was lucky enough to get to see a screening of this that Ben Affleck spoke at afterwards. I don't usually get too excited when I see actors in real life, but I was almost to the point of annoyingly giddy. (Thank you TJ for putting up with me). Yes Ben was all you would hope for and more: funny, good looking and tall. Oh and he is a very talented actor and director, but you already knew that. He spoke about how he wanted to portray the CIA in this movie as how it is, people's everyday jobs. His reference of movies with Tom Cruise action scenes making the job look all sexy, isn't how it is every day. Though Ben can make any job look sexy. Ben Affleck also took time to talk about how he integrated comedy into the movie among the suspensful true story to help build this emotional roller coaster the audience felt. The comedy duo of John Goodman and Alan Arkin added just the right laughter at the right moments. It is a beautifully done movie.
Now you are up to speed. Even if you aren't, the movie does a great job explaining all of this right upfront. The movie is done so beautifully bringing this historical event to life by taking the audience through every aspect of the event. This is one of those movies where you are on the edge of your seat, and still feel that way when you leave the theater. It's already receiving Oscar buzz and rightfully so.
This is one of the must see movies of the year. There are so many crapy movies out there, and when something like this comes along you wonder, why aren't more movies done like this. It obviously can be done. If you are going to spend over a million dollars, put a little effort into it. Well done Ben Affleck, you put more than a little effort into it. You have proven yourself as not just a great actor, but an amazing director.
I was lucky enough to get to see a screening of this that Ben Affleck spoke at afterwards. I don't usually get too excited when I see actors in real life, but I was almost to the point of annoyingly giddy. (Thank you TJ for putting up with me). Yes Ben was all you would hope for and more: funny, good looking and tall. Oh and he is a very talented actor and director, but you already knew that. He spoke about how he wanted to portray the CIA in this movie as how it is, people's everyday jobs. His reference of movies with Tom Cruise action scenes making the job look all sexy, isn't how it is every day. Though Ben can make any job look sexy. Ben Affleck also took time to talk about how he integrated comedy into the movie among the suspensful true story to help build this emotional roller coaster the audience felt. The comedy duo of John Goodman and Alan Arkin added just the right laughter at the right moments. It is a beautifully done movie.
Friday, October 5, 2012
End of Watch
Now this is a f*%#ing good movie. You have two f$*@ing bad ass cops who accidentally stumble upon the f*%$ing cartel, which gets them marked as a target. If that's not f&*%ing bad enough they work in one of the roughest parts of the city. Not only are you going to fall in love with these two f*%$ers, you are in for one roller coaster ride, and the f-bomb over 300 times.
This move has all of the signs of what I consider a great movie (all cursing aside).
1. Characters you care about or have an actual opinion about at all. This goes for lead and supporting characters. You will love both of the leads and you take the perspective of how they feel about the other characters in their world. You become part of their family.
2. A plot, an actual point of the movie that isn't full of holes.
3. Makes you feel a wide range of emotions. Now the movie's genre, in this case action, will be the main focus. But as we also saw wit ARGO you can't just have only action you need to break it up. With this movie I laughed, cried, hid behind my sweater during violent scenes, and was held in suspense through out the movie.
Jake Gyllenhall and Michael Pena do a f$*%ing great job. You feel the f$*%ing brotherly love and understand how the bond becomes so strong when you have to f&^#ing ride in the car with each other all day. They would take a f$%#ing bullet for each other. Go see this f$*#ing movie or you'll f*$#ing regret it.
This move has all of the signs of what I consider a great movie (all cursing aside).
1. Characters you care about or have an actual opinion about at all. This goes for lead and supporting characters. You will love both of the leads and you take the perspective of how they feel about the other characters in their world. You become part of their family.
2. A plot, an actual point of the movie that isn't full of holes.
3. Makes you feel a wide range of emotions. Now the movie's genre, in this case action, will be the main focus. But as we also saw wit ARGO you can't just have only action you need to break it up. With this movie I laughed, cried, hid behind my sweater during violent scenes, and was held in suspense through out the movie.
Jake Gyllenhall and Michael Pena do a f$*%ing great job. You feel the f$*%ing brotherly love and understand how the bond becomes so strong when you have to f&^#ing ride in the car with each other all day. They would take a f$%#ing bullet for each other. Go see this f$*#ing movie or you'll f*$#ing regret it.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Movie Review - Pitch Perfect
Acayeah! So I went into this movie only knowing it had something to do with singing (I know, I'm a genius). About 2 minutes in I think, "oh shit this is the a capella version of Step Up." Luckily I was 60% wrong.
Acafunny! This movie had the oddest group of characters, which equaled hilarious. There is an underlining theme to The Breakfast Club throughout the movie. No, there was no A Capella in Breakfast Club, though it's a thought for a sequel. What both movies show are the depths of stereotypical side characters you see in everyday life. The fat girl, the quite Asian (watch out, it's always the quite ones), the lesbian, the alternative girl, the popular girl, etc.
SNL started the trend, and this is the era of women in comedy. Let's talk about Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy (no thats her name I'm not being mean). You may have had your first look at her during What to Expect when You're Expecting or in Bridesmaids. I didn't know if I would like her character by the end of the movie, but I just wanted more. She just has awesome comedic timing. You are going to laugh throughout the movie and it is because of her acaawesomeness.
You should go see Pitch Perfect. A Capella has never been so fun. No really, it hasn't, ever.
Acafunny! This movie had the oddest group of characters, which equaled hilarious. There is an underlining theme to The Breakfast Club throughout the movie. No, there was no A Capella in Breakfast Club, though it's a thought for a sequel. What both movies show are the depths of stereotypical side characters you see in everyday life. The fat girl, the quite Asian (watch out, it's always the quite ones), the lesbian, the alternative girl, the popular girl, etc.
SNL started the trend, and this is the era of women in comedy. Let's talk about Rebel Wilson, who plays Fat Amy (no thats her name I'm not being mean). You may have had your first look at her during What to Expect when You're Expecting or in Bridesmaids. I didn't know if I would like her character by the end of the movie, but I just wanted more. She just has awesome comedic timing. You are going to laugh throughout the movie and it is because of her acaawesomeness.
You should go see Pitch Perfect. A Capella has never been so fun. No really, it hasn't, ever.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Movie Review - Teachers Edition
In this time of teachers strikes and union wars two movies come out that teach us what is really important, the children. The first, Won't Back Down, shows us how parents and teachers can fight back against failing schools and injustices in the union. The second, Here Comes the Boom, teaches us one teacher can make a difference by becoming a mix martial arts fighter to save the school's music program. Both very realistic possibilities.
Won't back down does bring up real problems that the school systems are facing. What do you do if your child is in a failing school? Why are teachers protected by the union if they are not doing their jobs? I'm not anti union at all, I believe that good, hard working individuals should be protected. What I don't agree with are unions protecting those that don't deserve it. My favorite line in the movie is when the teachers are arguing about compensation. Viola's character stands up and proclaims ironically about the disagreement, "because we all went into teaching for the money!" which is met by endorsing silence.
Here Comes the Boom is about a 2002 teacher of the year who 10 yrs later has lost his drive and love for teaching. When he speaks out about the school cutting the music program for budget reasons and a teacher's job he ends up volunteering to raise the 48k and getting in over his head. I was impressed by the UFC's presence in this movie (and excited that Herb Dean was in the movie-my favorite ref). TJ says that Kevin James is a huge UFC fan, so I'm sure he loved every minute of filming this. Plus he got in really good shape for the role (looking good Kevin). This movie had me laughing out loud and I do love MMA.
Both movies prove the point that teachers can and should make a difference in children's lives. So whether you are up for a good cry or laugh and want to be cheering and inspired at the end, both are good picks.
Won't back down does bring up real problems that the school systems are facing. What do you do if your child is in a failing school? Why are teachers protected by the union if they are not doing their jobs? I'm not anti union at all, I believe that good, hard working individuals should be protected. What I don't agree with are unions protecting those that don't deserve it. My favorite line in the movie is when the teachers are arguing about compensation. Viola's character stands up and proclaims ironically about the disagreement, "because we all went into teaching for the money!" which is met by endorsing silence.
Here Comes the Boom is about a 2002 teacher of the year who 10 yrs later has lost his drive and love for teaching. When he speaks out about the school cutting the music program for budget reasons and a teacher's job he ends up volunteering to raise the 48k and getting in over his head. I was impressed by the UFC's presence in this movie (and excited that Herb Dean was in the movie-my favorite ref). TJ says that Kevin James is a huge UFC fan, so I'm sure he loved every minute of filming this. Plus he got in really good shape for the role (looking good Kevin). This movie had me laughing out loud and I do love MMA.
Both movies prove the point that teachers can and should make a difference in children's lives. So whether you are up for a good cry or laugh and want to be cheering and inspired at the end, both are good picks.
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