Review of Whiplash

Whiplash is simply outstanding. The performances are incredible and the direction and writing are stellar. Whiplash is the story of a boy that to trying to fulfill his dream of being the one of best jazz drummers of all time . On paper that does not sound that great but when you peel away the layers of Whiplash you see that it is a story of the lengths and sacrifices that one will endure for achieve their goal.

The film star Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now and Project X) who plays Andrew Neyman, a freshman at the fictional Shaffer Conservatory of Music. His goal is to be the best jazz drummer there is, much like his musical idol Buddy Rich. He is socially awkward and focuses on only his goal. Allowing himself to go to any extreme to reach his goal. Teller gives us a character that wants to be the best and prove to those around him that what he is doing is important. He is pushed to the edge of madness by is teacher and mentor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons). Looking for approval, Teller’s character keeps pushing himself to the breaking point. Teller gives an outstanding performance. This is by far the best he has ever been.

The other star of the film is J.K. Simmons (Juno and Spider-man). He plays a character that is abusive and willing to do whatever he can to win. His character feels that pushing someone is the only way to get them to their true potential. This however is done though the abuse of his students verbally, physically and mentally. What makes this character great is the way that Simmons plays him. He sees nothing wrong in what he is doing and he sees himself as helping his students. This is truly what makes a great villain. They do not see themselves as being or acting badly but that what they are doing is for the greater good. Simmons shows us flashes of his performance on the television show Oz. In that show and in Whiplash, he gives a memorable character that will be talked about for years to come.

Whiplash is directed and written wonderfully by Damien Chazelle. His story is a cautionary tale to any one that becomes obsessed with a goal. Normally you would see this type of story with a sports back drop, but Chazelle shows us that the need to win and be the best, can be seen in any corner of our society. The question that he seems to ask us is how far you would go to reach your true potential. Sometimes people will go to any extreme to be the best, but this can leave a hollow shell of what they once were.

Go see Whiplash. It is a great film with some of the best performances of the year. Both Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons should be nominated for an Oscar. Also Damien Chazelle should get some kind recognition for the wonderful story he has brought to us. I give Whiplash 4.25 out 5.

Please comment and let me know if you have seen Whiplash or what you thought of my review.

Review of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Review of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).

Review of Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

There is just one word for Birdman, brilliant. It is a treat for any one that loves films and are tired of the same thing from Hollywood. Birdman explores the way that we view a celebrity and how a person can break the mold that the world has cast them into.

The film starts by showing us Actor Riggan Thomas (Michael Keaton) trying to get a Broadway play started. Riggan was once a celebrity that played the fictional super hero, Birdman. It is a role that haunts him both in his career and his real life. Michael Keaton plays a character that is in many ways himself. Most of us remember him playing Batman and still view him as that character. Much like Keaton in the real world his charter Riggan is facing the same problem, escaping his alter ego. This can be seen in two ways, one he is trying to escape Birdman, or two he is trying to escape who he has become. This is the role that Keaton was born to play. If he is not nominated for an Oscar then there is no justice.

As the film goes forward we see problems with the play’s cast. One of these problems seems to be solved when known Broadway actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton) comes in to fill a much needed role. Edward Norton gives one of his most fantastic performance, as an actor that can do anything on the stag but is unable to perform in the word he lives in. Norton is great boarding on exceptional. He harkens back to his performances in American History X or Fight Club. It should also be said that if he is also not nominated for an Oscar it is a travesty.

Another great performance is Emma stone as Riggan’s daughter Sam Thomson. She shows us the way that fame and celebrity can affect the ones closest to us. Stone’s character also reflexes on the nature of our society. Always wanting more and blaming others for our problems, when we should be looking at ourselves in a mirror.

Also the rest of the cast give solid performances. Zach Galifianakis as Riggan’s lawyer and best friend. Naomi Watts as the actress that is trying to get her career started. Andrea Riseborough plays Laura, Riggan’s somewhat crazed girlfriend. Amy Ryan as Riggan’s ex-wife that has seen him at his most vulnerable and is the only one that really understands him. Last but not least, Lindsay Duncan as Tabitha, a critic from the New York Times. Her character shows how cynical our society can be and how we will never let someone escape how we view them.

The real star of the film is its director, Alejandro González Iñárritu (21 Grams and Babel). It is like nothing I have seen before. The film is one continual shot. There are no breaks and the camera moves as if it a person walking through the lives of the characters. I do not know how he did it and I really do not want to. Iñárritu is a magician that gives a great treat and a fantastical time at the cinema. Much like the outstanding performances by the cast, Iñárritu shows us his superior directing skills. Truly if he is not nominated for an Oscar, then I will have lost all faith in the academy.

Though the name of the film is Birdman there is a second title for the film which is The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance. The second title is really the true idea of the film. We need to stop taking our live so serious and look for what really makes us happy. Sometimes you need to follow your heart and be ignorant and go blindly forward. The only thing that can truly stop us from reaching our dreams is ourselves.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a masterpiece. If you get a chance to see, go. I would rate it a 4.5 out 5. Check it out, it will be buzzing at Oscar time.

Please comment and let me know if you have seen it or what you think of my review.

Review of Annabelle

How do you follow up the successful horror film The Conjuring, you make a prequel about the creepiest thing in the film.

Annabelle is the story of Annabelle, the creepy doll from The Conjuring. In the film we get to see the origins of the doll and how it became evil. Is this really necessary, maybe not but the film does it’s job, to be scary. Now if you have not seen The Conjuring you can still see Annabelle with out being lost. The plot is pretty straight forward and at times predictable. We meet a nice couple from the early 70’s that are about to have their first baby. The wife is a collector of dolls and her husband gives her Annabelle as a gift. This completes her collection, which is in the nursery. Keeping in mind that the couple does not know if they are having as boy or girl. I am just throwing that out there. A crime is committed next door and we see Annabelle become the creepy doll we know and love. There are some moments that are quiet scary, but most of the scares come from a lot of jump scares.

The film is directed by John R. Leonetti (Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, The Butterfly Effect 2). He does a far job and has been the cinematographer on many the most resent horror films including The Conjuring and Insidious. So he does know how to make descent horror film. The film stars Annabelle Wallis (a some what appropriate name), Ward Horton, Alfre Woodard, Tony Amendola and of course Annabelle the doll. Which really is the only reason you would go to see this film.

The end is a little to “exorcist” and kind of ends in a “ok I guess that makes sense”. The film is good for a few scares and you really could wait to see this one at home. I would give Annabelle, 2.8 out of 5.

Comment and let me know what you think of Annabelle.

Review of Gone Girl

Gone Girl is a story of a husband who finds his wife missing and all of the clues point to him as the main suspect. But things are not what they seem. The film is filled with many twist and turns and directed by the always great David Fincher (The Social Network, Fight Club). Based on the book by Gillian Flynn, it paints a picture of how the media influences our view of people and how some people can use this to their advantage. I have not read the book and I am glad that I had not before seeing the film. I enjoy going to a film and not knowing what will happen. There are moments that I thought that the film would go one way then took me in a completely different direction.

The film stars Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town) as Nick Dunne, the husband of Amy Dunne. Who is played brilliantly by Rosamund Pike (Jack Reacher). Ben Affleck keeps getting better and better. He is far removed from the days of Daredevil or Gigli , he gives a solid performance that is one of his best. How ever the real standout in the film is Rosamund Pike. Her performance is one of the best I have seen this year. If she is not nominated for an Oscar, it will truly be a crime. The rest of the film has some great supporting performances by Tyler Perry, Neil Patrick Harris, Kim Dickens and Carrie Coon.

The film keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you think through out the film as to who did what and why. I have heard some people say that they did not like the ending, I thought that it fit with the tone of the film. I would highly recommend that you see this film. Gone Girl will and should be talked about during award season. Not only for Best picture, but also Best Director and Best Actress. I give is a 4.25 out of 5. See it you will not be disappointed.

Comment and let me know what you thought of Gone Girl.

Review of the trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (2014)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back, sort of. Truth is I never got into TMNT. It was after my time of collecting toys or watching cartoons. I was more into girls and partying at the time. With that said, I understand that this is not my movie. I know the basic idea of the turtles and their back story. I really just do not care. I did see the last four turtle movies, they were fine. The first film is my favorite of the four. But other than that I am just not excited. Also the film is being produced (not directed) by Michael Bay. Even though he is not directing, I still feel his icy grip on the film. My hope for TMNT fans is that he does not do the same terrible things he did in Transformers. If a Turtle urinates on a government agent I am out. So on to the trailer.

The trailer starts like the last teaser with a transformer sound and a tower falling. People are being held by terrorist. The Turtles move in to save the day. Their picture gets taken by April (Megan Fox) and they want it back. This reminded me of one of the main plot points of the 1989 Batman film. The turtles say stuff to her and she passes out. Then we see William Fichtner (Contact) talking to someone in the shadows about the Shredder armor. I guess that would be Shredder, who was the main antagonist in the first two turtle films. So then you see the armor in action as he takes on the rat, Splinter. The armor does look cool I will have to admit. Some of the Turtles get caught. Then some of Turtles have to rescue them from Colorado. There are quick flashes of fighting and dance music starts. The trailer ends with the same tower falling again and the turtles in peril. I think I saw that in a trailer for some movie with amazing in the title.

The trailer is ok. It gave a lot of the plot away. I think I already know where the film will go. I would like it if there is some twist in the film, but like I said before this is not my movie. The film is targeted at kids from 8 to 13. Which is ok, but please do not make another mindless, overblown and low brow children’s film. Also Megan Fox, she may be the nicest person on the planet but the girl cannot act. She said two lines in the trailer and I winced.

I would give the trailer 3 out of 5.

TMNT will be in theaters on August 8th. Please comment and let me know what you thought.

Review of the trailer for Fury

Fury stars Brad Pitt (Inglorious Bastards), Shia LaBeouf (Transformers), Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson), Jon Berthal (Walking Dead) and Michael Pena (End of Watch). This is the basic plot that I got from the trailer; a US tank crew goes against a lot of Nazis. With that plot point alone I cannot wait.

I love war films, when they are done right. What I mean is, not just the shoot them up and explosions movies but the films that also give us the horror that is war. From looking at the trailer it looks to be a good mix of action and shows us the hard choices that need to be made in war. Brad Pitt plays the tank commander that leads his men on an almost certain suicide mission. He gives some great lines in the trailer. I get a Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan feel about his character. You then have Logan Lerman as the new man on the crew. I think that we will be seeing a lot of the madness that is war through his eyes. Then there is Shia LaBeouf, all I know about his character from the trailer is that he has a mustache and said two lines. So I know nothing.

The film is directed and written by David Ayers. He brought us End of Watch and Training Day. I have enjoyed his past films and I am looking forward to Fury. The trailer itself gave nothing away. So many trailers these days give away the whole plot. Then what is the point of seeing the film. I have high hopes for this film and I want to see more. Fury comes out in theaters on November 14th. So mark it on your calendar.

For the trailer, I would give it 4 out of 5. You should check it out. And when you do let me know what you thought. Leave a comment.
Thanks.

Review of the Dracula Untold trailer

Ok so if you did not know they are making a new Dracula movie. The title is Dracula Untold. They should have just called it Dracula Begins or Rise of Dracula or some other B.S. name. First before I get into the trailer you should ask, do we need a new Dracula or vampire movie? I do not know many people that are sitting around saying “Boy there are not a lot of vampire movies these days.” Plus do we need to retell the story of Dracula again. If you want to see a good Dracula film, then go check out the original with Bela Lugosi. Maybe even the 1958 version with Christopher Lee. But my favorite and perhaps one of the greatest is Nosferatu. My point is we have already seen Dracula we do not need a new one. So on to the trailer itself.

The trailer starts with a voice over of a boy talking about his father. Even though he does not say it, you know from the start that his father is Dracula. There is a large army coming to destroy everything Dracula holds dear. So it looks like the only person that can stop them is Dracula. Of course Dracula is not a vampire and has to get his powers to stop the army that is coming. After climbing up a mountain to a cave (never seen that before). He finds a vampire and gets vampire powers. Then Dracula goes to fight the army. My guess is that the film is going to show us that he had to make a deal with the devil to stop a greater evil that threatens him family. This of course is going to make Dracula a sympathetic and misunderstood character rather than a blood thirsty monster. Of course it looks like the people he saves turn on him. Which I am sure will make him vamp out on them. The last bit of the trailer shows us that he can control bats like the mummy could control sand in the Brandan Fraiser films.

I just am not that impressed. The film stars Luke Evans as Dracula. You may recognize him as the bad guy from Fast 6. I like the guy and think he has had some good performances. He was the best part of Immortals. I just cannot get behind this. A trailer should try to make you want to see the film, but this just looks like what we have seen before. It is a mix of 300 and Dracula. Again, who is asking for this? The film is just a cash grab.

I would give the trailer 2 out of 5.

Watch the trailer and let me know what you think.

Review – Transformers (2007)

Well with the release of the new transformers film (no, I have not seen it and really have no desire to), I thought I would look back at the previous films that got us to this point. So with that said, here are my thoughts on Transformers (2007).

First let me give you a little background, I love Transformers. I remember when the first toys came out in 1984. Like a lot of boys at the time I thought that they were the greatest thing ever. They are two toys in one. A robot and a vehicle, you have to be kidding me. I had never seen anything like it. Before that I was all about Star Wars. I would work all the odd jobs I could find to buy the action figures. Oh the many adventures I would have with Han and Luke. But it was 1984 and there had not been a new Star Wars film for two years and like everyone I would have to wait till 1999 to be disappointed. So my mind was starved for something new with science fiction. Enter the Transformers.

I saw the cartoon when it came out and I was blown away. The robots were waking around and shooting at each other. They got hurt and had emotion. The most import factor was they transformed. They turned into cool cars or fighter jets. They had a back story that made sense to me. It was basic but it worked. Then the part that I could not believe, they made toys of them! I had to have just one. So I worked hard and cut a lot of lawns and got my first Transformer, Starscream. It was a jet and I love flying. In the show, I found his character to be the most interesting and complicated. From there I was hooked.
Now we will fast forward to the year 2007. They are releasing a live action movie of the Transformers. I could not believe it. I knew special effects have come a long way and it would be awesome. So I went and saw the film on the opening day. My reaction, it was ok.

I will start with the positives. The special effects were great. The way that the robots changed from vehicle to robot seemed seamless. The Military group in the film was fun and entertaining. If Michael Bay does one thing well it is showing the military in a very positive light. I think that Josh Duhamel and Tyrees Gibson were the best performances in the film. Most important, they got Peter Cullen in the film. For those of you that do not know he is the original voice actor for Optimus Prime. It brought back a lot of great memories.

Now for the easy part, the negatives. I know that was not a very big list of positives but I cannot think of any more. First, the comedy was just terrible. Why is Bumblebee peeing on a person? Next, the human characters where terrible. I think the humans from the cartoons are more realistic then the ones in the movie. The main complaint I have is agent Simmons played by John Turturro. I like John Turturro, but this was one of the dumbest performances I have ever seen. I think the only character that was worse was Sam’s father, played by Kevin Dunn. After those two performances, there are not really any shining moments. You got Megan Fox who I guess her job for the movie was to make sure her ass was in every shot of the film. Plus the girl cannot act. Then I come to Shia LaBeouf, he was just over the top and yelling all the time. Please stop yelling at the big robots Shia! The story was long and drug out. It was simple at first then just did not make a lot of sense. My last complaint is where are the transformers? I mean that the movie is called Transformers so by that logic we should see nothing but transformers. Nope! Instead we see a kid buy a car. Families talk about masturbation. And secret government groups trying to stop or use the Transformers, I do not think they even know.

I guess the real person to blame is Michael Bay, the director of the film. In sports if a team does badly you have to blame the coach. Like a coach, a director is the one moving the pieces, telling the people what to do and comes up with the game plan. Michael Bay did this but badly. I do remember in an interview before the film he did say he did not know a lot about transformers and wanted to make his own film. He did do that, it was just not the Transformers. So I should be fair, I have enjoyed some of his past films. The Rock I think is one of the past action films from the 90’s. Also, the Transformers made a ton of money. That makes movie studios very happy. A lot of people went to see the film, so it did appeal to audiences. So if you look at that, Michael Bay succeeded. As far as a well-made film in my opinion, he failed.

If I had to score the film I would say 3 out of 5 stars. It was ok. I am sure the next one can only get better. Make sure you let me know what you think?

Why write a blog

The one question that comes to my mind when I decided to start this is why. It is very simple, I love movies and I have got nothing better to do. I currently have no job and have applied every day for any position. I mean any position. I have not heard from anyone I applied with. I am feeling useless and depressed. While I have been sitting around in self wallowing, I thought that there must be something I can do to get my mind off of the bad in my life. Why not write. I have enjoyed writing my thoughts down for years and telling people stories. It seems like the one thing I may be good at. So it brought me to this, my first blog.

The first thing that I needed to figure out was what to write about. This seemed very simple to me, I would write about movies. I love movies. Any one that knows me knows that I would rather sit in a theater all day watching different films then go to the beach. It is an escape for me. I go when I feel down or over whelmed. The movies are the one place that I can go and not be myself and live through the adventures of others. To see the first kiss of a couple and feel the mistakes made by them. Movies make me laugh and make it ok to be goofy. Films can teach us important lessons of our past. And they take you to places that not even your imagination could think of. This is my definition of pure magic.

With that said, my plan with this blog is really to see how it goes. I want to try something new and push myself to try new things. My hope is that as I give you my thoughts and opinions, that you will be enlightened or share your thoughts as well. The most important thing that I must say is, I am no expert. I will not pretend to be an expert on everything that is film or act like some kind of film snob. I am just a guy looking for a way to express myself about something that I enjoy a great deal.

So with that said, I hope that the articles that I write will be enjoyable and entertaining. If they are not let me know.

Till then, hold on to your butts, it is going to be a bumpy ride.