It's an extravaganza of fantasy swashbuckling adventure. Outlandish and not meant to be taken seriously. All for fun, fun for all.
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/4xlfp86
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
"The Ides of March"
He's the real deal. That's what Stephen Myers (Ryan Gosling, "Drive"), a press secretary and political consultant to Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney, "The American"), thinks of his boss. Morris is running for the democratic presidential nomination.
Young and bright, Stephen is the idealist aide in the team led by senior campaign manager Paul Zara (Philip Seymour Hoffman). He's the one the governor turns to when looking for a more truthful picture about the campaign, as opposed to the more jaded Paul.
The opening speech provides a glance of the kind of candidate Morris is. Charismatic and presidential-looking, he claims that the constitution is his religion and appears to possess the kinds of ideals that people are aiming for.
In an exchange with Ida Horowicz (Marisa Tomei), a New York Times reporter, Stephen conveys his confidence that he truly believes Morris would make a difference in the lives of people should he be elected as president. He's not just a politician.
With Ohio being the battleground state, Morris must capture the state. In order to do so, he would need to have Senator Thompson's (Jeffrey Wright) endorsement to gain the support of his sizeable delegates. And with that, Morris would be able to lock in North Carolina, the senator's home state, and hit the home run with Pennsylvania, his state, and then clinch the nomination. Sounds like a decent plan, except that the senator would go with whoever could provide him with a certain guarantee about his lofty request, which Morris steadfastly refuses to do.
On the other hand, Morris' opponent, Senator Pullman (Michael Mantell), whose campaign is led by Tom Duffy (Paul Giamatti), would have no trouble in fulfilling Senator Thompson's ambition. Tom gets Stephen to secretly meet with him and plead with him to switch sides, with the argument that he would be on the winning team eventually when his team bags the crucial endorsement. Tom needs Stephen because of his expertise and likeability factor; simply put, he makes everything effortless and is adored by the press.
When the secretive meeting somehow gets leaked to the media, things snowball downward. This happens around the time when Stephen is also handling a delicate dalliance with an intern, Molly Stearns (Evan Rachel Wood), who has just dropped him a bombshell. Molly happens to be the daughter of the DNC Chairman, Jack Stearns (Gregory Itzin).
Whereas the news Stephen has received from Molly shatters his illusion about Governor Morris and his loyalty tested, he still feels compelled to take matters into his own hand on behalf of the campaign and moves on as planned. He declines Tom's offer and continues to remain on the Morris campaign. It's a game-changer, however, when Stephen finds out about the source of the leak and the fate of his promising career.
The way the story unfolds is fascinating to watch. Stephen learns the rope rapidly during this cruel political duel and morality tale, transforming him from fresh to seasoned. It's do or die. No longer naive, he becomes the type of shrewd you'd never imagine he'd be.
We're all shaped by the choices we make. Are you in it to win it at any cost or only as long as you believe in the cause? Would you always do the right thing even if you know it would not serve you right in the long run? Or would you choose whatever means necessary as long as the end justifies the means?
"The Ides of March" is one of the best films of the year. Razor-sharp with superb script, smart direction and compelling acting by the whole ensemble. The astuteness is shades of last year's "The Social Network."
The story is a brilliant human chess game. Play or get played. If you don't make a move or respond accordingly, you'll be taken out of the game. Intense moments, even during quieter, unseen scenes would feel as if gunfire would break out any minute. It feels like blood has been shed, even without a single weapon is drawn or shot fired. It's that good.
We'd like to believe that true democracy is alive and well and that the best person wins. While "The Ides of March" is certainly a work of fiction, the story depicted may be as realistic as it can get to our political process. Be a player or a pawn; it's politics as usual.
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/4ynn5s3
Monday, October 10, 2011
Note: "The Ides of March"
"The Ides of March" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/the-ides-of-marchmovie-review/ One of the best films of the year! It will be posted on the blog at a later time.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Upcoming Movies: October 2011
[Note: I meant to post this last week but I was out of town with intermittent connectivity and a lot of stuff got in the way. Looks like an interesting month!]
October 7
"Real Steel" (http://www.steelgetsreal.com/) - Set in the near future, where robot boxing is a top sport, a struggling promoter feels he's found a champion in a discarded robot. During his hopeful rise to the top, he discovers he has an 11-year-old son who wants to know his father.
'The Ides of March" (http://idesofmarch-movie.com/) - An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.
October 14
"The Thing" (http://www.thethingmovie.net/) - At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between a graduate student and a scientist.
"Footloose" (http://www.footloosemovie.com/en_us/) - A city kid moves to a small town where rock 'n' roll and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.
October 21
"The There Musketeers" (http://www.threemusketeers-movie.com/) - The hot-headed young D'Artagnan along with three former legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war.
"Margin Call" (http://margincallmovie.com/) - A thriller that revolves around the key people at a investment bank over a 24-hour period during the early stages of the financial crisis.
October 28
"Anonymous" (http://www.anonymous-movie.com/) - A political thriller advancing the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays; set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her.
"In Time" (http://www.intimemovie.com/) - In the future people stop aging at 25 and must work to buy themselves more time, but when a young man finds himself with more time than he can imagine he must run from the corrupt police force to save his life.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
"Drive"
"Driver" (Ryan Gosling), a Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic by day, moonlights as a wheelman for robbers at night. He's the silent figure who drives the getaway car. He knows his escape routes. He drives. That's it. We know nothing else about him, not even his real name.
Driver maintains a cordial working relationship with "Shannon" (Bryan Cranston), his boss. Knowing how good Driver is at his job, his boss would like to install him as a race car driver and introduces him to his connections for financial backing, Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) and "Nino" (Ron Perlman).
Driver is a loner. His work is his life. That changes when he runs into and befriends his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps"), and her son, Benicio (Kaden Leos). Trouble starts when Irene's husband is released early from prison and his past is catching up with him. Driver offers to help him out with a "last job" as a means to keep Irene and Benicio safe. It turns out that the job, a seemingly simple robbery of a pawn shop, is not as it appears to be. The botched job is linked to other connections beyond belief and things go very wrong from there.
Don't mistake "Drive" as a typical action movie. It has an arthouse feel to it, which reminds me of last year's "The American." You won't find endless car chases or explosions. What you will find are dramatic episodes of extreme violence interspersed with nearly wordless scenes. From an agreeable handshake to flesh slicing. Or a tender kiss to skull-crushing kicks. It's shockingly, mercilessly brutal and bloody.
"Drive" is a story about a someone who's always in the driver's seat, but goes overdrive to protect the people he cares about. Driver is a man of intense actions with a few words. Gosling owns every screen he's in and conveys much through a glance, stare, smile, hand or touch. Calm and controlled, but primal and deliberate.
As a whole, the film seems pointless and incredulous. Yet it's thoroughly absorbing and easy to suspend disbelief because of its noir style and trance-like atmosphere, underscored by its prevailing pulsing score, and maudlin in some. "Drive" is not for everyone. But this is one that will make a lasting imprint.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Note: "Drive"
"Drive" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/drive-movie-review-ryan-gosling/ It will be posted on the blog at a later time.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
"The Debt"
A book launch, a heroic retelling about how three young Mossad agents brought down a Nazi war criminal, sets the stage for a dramatic spy story.
The book is penned by Sarah Gold, the daughter of Rachel Singer (Helen Mirren), the central hero of the story. A tragic news about one of the players and former colleague portrayed in the book, David Peretz (Ciaran Hinds) brings together Rachel and Stephan Gold (Tom Wilkinson), into unsettling conversations. Stephan happens to be Rachel's ex-husband, Sarah's father, and the former lead agent. Long-absent from the world, David has surprisingly come out to see Rachel earlier. The incident opens up the mystery about what really happened that rainy New Year's Eve over 30 years ago in East Germany, and what they need to do next as a result.
Flashback to 1965. The top covert mission is clear. First confirm the identity of the Nazi doctor, Dieter Vogel (Jesper Christensen), who did horrible experiments on the Jewish children. Then nab, drug and smuggle him across the border to Israel so that he will stand trial for his unspeakable crimes. The reality isn't so simple.
The three young agents, played by Jessica Chastain (Rachel), Sam Worthington (David) and Stephan (Marton Csokas), live and train together in a dingy flat - each plays a crucial role in the mission. Stephan, strong and dominant, is the team leader. David is strongly determined, but mostly private and quiet. Losing his entire family in the Holocaust, he keeps to himself most times. Rachel goes undercover as a patient with infertility issues to see Vogel, now "Doktor Bernhardt," a gynecologist. David, poses as her husband, accompanies her walks to the clinic. Considering what Vogel is capable of, the intimate nature of the examination, where Rachel has her feet up in the stirrups, would make anyone squirm.
While the nail-biting kidnapping is a success, the run toward freedom is not. Due to the covert nature of the mission, the trio doesn’t have any backup to support them. They find themselves stranded with Vogel tied up in their flat. The captured target is a master manipulator. It’s ominous to watch the effects of mind-manipulation even on the hardiest professionals. During the individual shifts to feed him, Vogel skillfully breaks down the agents’ personal defenses and turn them against one another. It doesn’t help that a love triangle is already formed. While it’s obvious that Rachel and David have developed feelings for each other, however restrained, it’s Stephan that Rachel ends up with during one forlorn night.
“The Debt” is stellarly set, shot, and acted. The dark and grubby abode heightens the claustrophobic tension. With plenty of old-fashioned suspense and action, the story (written by Matthew Vaughn, "X-Men: First Class") also zooms in on the relationships among the main characters, and their inner beliefs and values. All the actors rise up to the occasion.
How much does the truth cost? Would there ever be a case where the greater good matter more? How would one right a wrong if doing so would adversely affect their country and the lives of the people they care about most?
The messy ending is dissatisfying, but it doesn't take away from this morally ambiguous and emotionally compelling story. A taut thriller about secrets, lies, love, promise, honor, sacrifice, and truth.
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/3hh8ehb
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Upcoming Movies: September 2011
Due to a technical glitch, the September movies post was not auto-posted from my main blog. Please visit this link: http://themoviemaven.posterous.com/upcoming-movies-september-2011
You can also subscribe for updates from the main page: http://themoviemaven.posterous.com
You can also subscribe for updates from the main page: http://themoviemaven.posterous.com
Thursday, August 25, 2011
"One Day"
Emma (Anne Hathaway) is a middle-class bookish with a more realistic and at times pessimistic outlook on life. Dexter (Jim Sturgess) is a charmer from a wealthy family who could be anything he wants to be. Every July 15 we're shown snapshots of their lives - aspiration, career, love, loss, divorce, death - together and apart.
Hathaway fits the role of Emma, although it takes getting used to her British accent. While we get to see Dexter's side with his family, we do not get the same benefit with Emma. With booze and drugs and women, the character of Dexter isn't likeable; it is to Sturgess' fine performance and boyish charm that he's very much tolerable. While Emma's fashion sense and inner confidence blossom, it's actually Dexter that we see the evolution the most. The weary, older Dexter in the later part of 2000s is a world apart from the fresh-faced, eager Dex when he first appears.
There are adorable and tear-jerker moments for sure. The first July 15 carries great promise of what's to come. Although when part of the ending reveals the last half of their first day together, it's hard to believe that they would decide to remain just friends. The flirtatious French jaunt earlier in the years is fun and the later reunion an emotional one.
Based on a novel written by David Nicholls, the story does not translate well onto the screen. As the years progress, we see changes in Emma and Dexter and their surroundings, but it feels like the scenes are merely events moving along through the motion. In attempt to fit in as many years as possible, the result is almost like being read narratives about what they do. Instead of delving deeper into certain segments of their lives, investing in the characters and connecting more with their relationships in the process, the film inexplicably leaves pivotal milestones offscreen.
The execution makes it nearly devoid of what makes a story interesting; the build-up, character and relationship development, and payoff. The last third act leading to the ending is very anti-climatic. And the ending appears to be out of nowhere, aiming for a shock value. It's a shame for a story that has so much potentials to be a classic like "The Notebook."
"One Day" has a unique twist in telling an epic love story. Unfortunately, the intrigue stops short with the concept.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Note: "One Day"
"One Day" review is now up on http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/reviews-arts/one-day-movie-review/ It will be posted on the blog at a later time.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
"Another Earth"
What if there were another ‘you?’ Wouldn’t you wonder whether this other you made the same choices as you did? What would you learn and say if you could stand outside of yourself and meet you? This is “Another Earth,” which made a splash at Sundance.
In “Another Earth,” not only that another planet is discovered from behind the sun, but literally another Earth, a mirror of ours. And the inhabitants are not simply living and breathing things, but they are us.
Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) is a promising astrophysics student who has just been accepted by MIT. In the evening of celebration, she parties and drinks too much. On the road, while looking out the window and staring up to the identical Earth in the sky, she crashes her car into a minivan. The crash leaves John Burroughs (William Mapother), a Yale music professor, in a coma and kills his wife and toddler son.
Four years later, instead of graduating from college, Rhoda is released from behind bars. She punishes herself and withdraws from the world. She takes a job as a high school janitor. That sole survivor, John, is now a shell of his former self. After finding out that this gifted composer spends his days sleeping in, drinking and on medication, and lives in an unkempt home, Rhoda commits in doing the unimaginable. The attempted suicide in the snow is a striking scene.
Rhoda weaves herself into John’s life in a desperate bid to help him. Her attempts to apologize fall through. Through her cleaning service and companionship, she and John eventually bond – without John knowing about her true identity. Her record is sealed since she’s a minor at the time of her conviction.
When a company offers a writing contest for a space travel to ‘Earth 2′ (as it’s called b by our Earth), Rhoda sends her essay and wins a ticket. She’s willing to venture out to the unknown universe for another chance, even though it’s not clear what kind of chance that is – perhaps changing the past, making a different decision, or a new beginning. There’s a theory that when each Earth is aware of the existence of another, the synchronicity would be broken and a new reality is formed.
“Another Earth” is a character-centered drama about anguish, guilt, grief, repetance and redemption – with science fiction as a backdrop. Throughout there’s a dreaded sense as the story moves along toward Rhoda’s eventual reveal to John. Marling is a darling here. She’s a natural with her soulful expressions. Somehow she succeeds in making you symphatize with her character.
“Another Earth” is quietly moody and haunting, with pensive looks, singular sounds and long walks. The photography is uneven between amateurish and arresting. I had to do a double take on the ending, as it could be interpreted in different ways. It’s a letdown initially, but it grows on me. Still, my curiosity nature would have liked to learn more about Earth 2.
The premise is incredibly intriguing that it’s hard to live up to its potentials. There are so many ways to craft and execute a story out of it. Personally, I hope that another filmmaker would run with the concept and do another take.
If you’re looking for a pure science fiction or action, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking to ponder about possibilities, this is one of those films that will make you think.
In “Another Earth,” not only that another planet is discovered from behind the sun, but literally another Earth, a mirror of ours. And the inhabitants are not simply living and breathing things, but they are us.
Rhoda Williams (Brit Marling) is a promising astrophysics student who has just been accepted by MIT. In the evening of celebration, she parties and drinks too much. On the road, while looking out the window and staring up to the identical Earth in the sky, she crashes her car into a minivan. The crash leaves John Burroughs (William Mapother), a Yale music professor, in a coma and kills his wife and toddler son.
Four years later, instead of graduating from college, Rhoda is released from behind bars. She punishes herself and withdraws from the world. She takes a job as a high school janitor. That sole survivor, John, is now a shell of his former self. After finding out that this gifted composer spends his days sleeping in, drinking and on medication, and lives in an unkempt home, Rhoda commits in doing the unimaginable. The attempted suicide in the snow is a striking scene.
Rhoda weaves herself into John’s life in a desperate bid to help him. Her attempts to apologize fall through. Through her cleaning service and companionship, she and John eventually bond – without John knowing about her true identity. Her record is sealed since she’s a minor at the time of her conviction.
When a company offers a writing contest for a space travel to ‘Earth 2′ (as it’s called b by our Earth), Rhoda sends her essay and wins a ticket. She’s willing to venture out to the unknown universe for another chance, even though it’s not clear what kind of chance that is – perhaps changing the past, making a different decision, or a new beginning. There’s a theory that when each Earth is aware of the existence of another, the synchronicity would be broken and a new reality is formed.
“Another Earth” is a character-centered drama about anguish, guilt, grief, repetance and redemption – with science fiction as a backdrop. Throughout there’s a dreaded sense as the story moves along toward Rhoda’s eventual reveal to John. Marling is a darling here. She’s a natural with her soulful expressions. Somehow she succeeds in making you symphatize with her character.
“Another Earth” is quietly moody and haunting, with pensive looks, singular sounds and long walks. The photography is uneven between amateurish and arresting. I had to do a double take on the ending, as it could be interpreted in different ways. It’s a letdown initially, but it grows on me. Still, my curiosity nature would have liked to learn more about Earth 2.
The premise is incredibly intriguing that it’s hard to live up to its potentials. There are so many ways to craft and execute a story out of it. Personally, I hope that another filmmaker would run with the concept and do another take.
If you’re looking for a pure science fiction or action, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking to ponder about possibilities, this is one of those films that will make you think.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes"
[Note: "Another Earth" review is up next]
Initially I had no intention of seeing it, but I became a believer during the Comic-Con panel presentation of the ape flick. To say that Caesar (the lead CGI ape) is a real character is an understatement. Amazingly human. Hair-raising good. HOLY APESOME!
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/3fqndbs
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/3ks7uo7
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/3fqndbs
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/3ks7uo7
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Just For Fun: 100 Movie Lines in 200 Seconds
Check out a cool clip from YouTube - 100 movie lines in 200 seconds (all kinds of genres):
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Upcoming Movies: August 2011
August 5
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" (http://www.apeswillrise.com/) - In present day San Francisco, a scientist looks for a cure for Alzheimer's disease by experimenting on a chimpanzee named Caesar. The development of animal intelligence brings about a war for supremacy between humans and apes.
August 12
"Final Destination 5" (http://finaldestinationmovie.warnerbros.com/index.html) - Teen survivors of a suspension-bridge collapse soon begin to fear that there's no way you can cheat Death.
August 19
"One Day" (http://focusfeatures.com/one_day) - Emma meets Dexter on their night of their college graduation: July 15th, 1989. And for the next two decades, every July 15th reveals how the two are faring in life and love.
"Fright Night" (http://www.welcometofrightnight.com/) - A teenager guesses that his new neighbor is a vampire responsible for a string of recent deaths. When no one he knows believes him, he enlists the opportunistic host of his favorite TV show, to help him take down his neighbor and his guardian.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
"Cowboys & Aliens"
A lot better than I thought it would be. I had my doubt before deciding to go for it. Honestly, the concept is just too hokey on paper. Westerns and aliens don't mix. But I remembered the enthused reception at the 2010 Comic-Con. Although how could it not be? "James Bond" and "Indiana Jones" sharing the same stage? And with Jon Favreau (director of "Iron Man") at the helm, how bad could it be?
Favreau did it right by making it straight-laced. Any funny bits come out naturally without the goofiness. However, it lacks characters that we could care about. It has pacing and cohesion issues. And some things are either not explained or contradict the previous explanation. If you're in an 'unsure' camp, it would just depend on your expectations. The flick is flat overall, but even with the weird mashup of the wild west, Indians and aliens, and such issues, this sci-fi western does offer some action, suspense, adventure and humor of a summer blockbuster.
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/3lk26jg
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/3wyrsgc
Favreau did it right by making it straight-laced. Any funny bits come out naturally without the goofiness. However, it lacks characters that we could care about. It has pacing and cohesion issues. And some things are either not explained or contradict the previous explanation. If you're in an 'unsure' camp, it would just depend on your expectations. The flick is flat overall, but even with the weird mashup of the wild west, Indians and aliens, and such issues, this sci-fi western does offer some action, suspense, adventure and humor of a summer blockbuster.
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/3lk26jg
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/3wyrsgc
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