Fall 2014 Movie Previews

[Originally posted on 8/23/14]

 

Summer is always a blast (superheroes, anyone?) , but fall is the season for meaty movies going for major awards.  Guess which ones would compete with last year's celebrated pictures, "Gravity," "Captain Philips," "Her," "American Hustle" or "The Wolf of Wall Street."

To give you a sense of the riches of what we have in store, Yahoo! Movies has compiled a list of nearly three dozens of mainstream and indie releases that have us the most excited, from the return of auteurs like David Fincher ("Gone Girl") and Christopher Nolan ("Interstellar") to the conclusions (or near-conclusions) of epic franchises like "The Hobbit" and "The Hunger Games."

Check out the following scoops:
https://www.yahoo.com/movies/fall-movie-preview-2014-the-32-movies-were-most-95471013582.html

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Upcoming Movies: August 2014

[Originally posted on 7/31/14]

August 1
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (http://marvel.com/guardians) - In the far reaches of space, a pilot named finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by a villain.

August 8
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" (http://www.teenagemutantninjaturtlesmovie.com/) - Darkness has settled over New York City as an evil clan has an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

"The Hundred Foot Journey" (http://www.dreamworksstudios.com/films/the-hundred-foot-journey) - A story centered on an Indian family who moves to France and opens an eatery across the street from a Michelin-starred French restaurant.

August 15
"The Expendables 3" (http://theexpendables3film.com/#) - "The Expendables" team comes into conflict with a ruthless arms dealer, the Expendables' co-founder, who is determined to destroy the team.

"The Giver" (https://thegiverfilm.com/) - In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the 'real' world.

August 22
"Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" (http://sincity-2.com/) - The town's most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with some of its more reviled inhabitants.

"If I Stay" (http://ifistaymovie.com/) - Life changes in an instant for a young woman after a car accident puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined.

August 29
"The November Man"  (http://thenovemberman.com/) - An ex-CIA operative is brought back in on a very personal mission and finds himself pitted against his former pupil in a deadly game involving high level CIA officials and the Russian president-elect.

"The Congress" (http://thecongress-movie.com/) - An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.

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"The Amazing Spider-Man 2"

 

Andrew Garfield (“The Social Network”) and Emma Stone (“The Amazing Spider-Man”) reprise their roles as the impossibly adorable couple, Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy, in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” directed by Marc Webb.

Peter, now has gotten the bearings of being a well-known web-slinger, swinging expertly from one skyscraper to another, merrily pulling off aerial acrobatic moves, getting cheeky with criminals, cops and citizens alike while saving the city.

Less successful is his on-and-off relationship with Gwen. After all, it's not easy to juggle his dual role as a superhero and boyfriend, graduating from high school and thinking about their future, whilst being haunted by the image of her late father, a sheriff, who died in the first installment. He made him promise to stay away from Gwen in order to keep her out of harm's way. Another element in Peter's life is his angst, needing to find out the truth behind the disappearance and death of his parents, which is in conflict with his protective aunt (Sally Field, “Lincoln”).

The trailer promotes Electro (Jamie Foxx, “White House Down”) as the main villain. A nerdy, self esteem-challenged electrical engineer with Oscorp and obsessive fan of Spider-Man, he gets supercharged and turns electric blue when he accidentally gets electrocuted in a water tank filled with eels in a lab mishap. The special effects on Electro and one-note grudge against Spider Man, are not convincing.

A much better, substantial villain is Harry Osborn (Dane DeHann, "Lincoln"), Peter's long-lost best friend and heir to Oscorp, who turns into Green Goblin toward the end. It would have been better had the story focused on Harry instead, and his friendship and history with Peter, and development towards his transformation. DeHann is terrific. From the start where Harry has a chilling encounter with his dad (Chris Cooper, "The Company Men"), head of Oscorp, dying of incurable disease and tells him that he would suffer the same fate because the disease is genetics, him desperately wanting self-healing Spider Man's blood, and to the end where he realizes who Spider-Man really is. Feeling severely betrayed by your best friend is a very personal kind of hurt.

As if two major villains are not enough, another villain, Rhino (Paul Giamatti, “The Ides of March”) makes an appearance, albeit briefly.

What strikes me the most is the style of the movie. It's filmed in a true comics fashion, with stop-and-go motions in action scenes, such as the way Spider-Man nimbly flips and hurls, and cars comically smash and pile up. The action set pieces, first dealing with a hijacked truck full of plutonium and later electrically charged fight in Times Square, are spectacular illustrations. The style make the actions not look as real, yet refreshing for a change.

A real-life couple, Garfield and Stone's chemistry is undeniable. Both as Peter and Spider Man, Garfield has an easy charm, whether being silly or solemn. Stone sparkles with smarts and style.  They're a delight to watch. If you know anything about Spider-Man comics, you would have a sinking feeling during the clock tower sequence, especially following a sweet bridge scene, and recalling Gwen's foreshadowing valedictorian speech at the beginning of the movie. In a movie of superhero and supervillains, Peter and Gwen's relationship is the strongest aspect of the story. It's hard to imagine how Mary Jane, Peter's future lady love, would top what he shares with Gwen.

The movie may be lacking focus, overstuffed and overlong (2.5 hours), but I didn't find the changing tone distracting. The cheery approach suits Spider-Man's lighter personality, but the movie seriously gets down to business as well.

Unlike last month's “Captain America: Winter Soldier,” “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” may not be one of the most amazing superhero movies, but it's amazingly entertaining enough. 

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-the-amazing-spider-man-2/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/lw97btl

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"Maleficent"

[Originally posted on 6/03/14]

Joy for Jolie.  With majestic wings, pointy horns, glowing eyes and enhanced cheekbones, Angelina Jolie (“Wanted”) is a magnetic and menacing presence.  Elle Fanning (“Super 8”) as Aurora, unfortunately, isn't given much to do beyond dressing pretty and smiling incessantly, which is a shame, since Fanning is a talented young actress.

A re-imagined origin story, Maleficent is a humanized version of the iconic villain from “Sleeping Beauty,” a pure-hearted fairy who suffers an unspeakable cruelty at the hands of a loved one, a human and future king (Sharlto Copley, "Elysium"). She grows vengeful, leading her to bestow the infamous, eternal sleep curse on the king's baby daughter, Aurora.

With a running time of 97 minutes, the movie could benefit from an additional scene or two - showing the future king's progression from an innocent orphan boy to a cruel ruler, or the extent of Maleficent's power, which is magical in certain instances, but useless in others.

The movie is all over the map.  It doesn't know whether it wants to be an edgy action adventure like “Snow White and the Huntsman” or a delightful comedy fantasy like “Mirror Mirror.”  It never reaches the right balance like last year's wondrous “Oz: The Great and Powerful.”  Inconsistent tone with disturbing or violent scenes and segments of excessive cutesie-silliness.   The visuals, storybook moor, glistening glades, wall of thorns, colorful creatures, cavernous castle fare much better, even alternating with darker,  more realistic battle scenes.  A free-flying Maleficent and a still image of her standing among the clouds soar high.

With all elements of there - Maleficent, fire-breathing dragon, three fairy godmothers, Princess Aurora and Prince Philip - a twist on the cliché “true love's kiss” is a welcomed one.  While the princess is isolated for her safety and raised in the woods, and eventually meets her prince, the rest, fortunately, diverts from the history of the classic.

“Maleficent” may not be necessarily magnificent, but if you're a Disney fan, it's enchanting enough to see on the big screen.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-maleficent/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ov2pbsp
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/q5b9up8

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"Transcendence"

 

What if you could preserve your consciousness and live on even after you pass? What if it's possible to transfer your memories, thoughts and feelings into a computer and continue to grow? Would it still be you? How far would you take it? Would you make the world a better place given the chance? But at what cost and consequence?  Is there such thing as a perfect world?

After Dr. Will Caster (Johnny Depp, “Pirates of the Caribbean”), a renowned researcher in AI (artificial intelligence), is shot by a tech-terrorist (Kate Mara, "Iron Man 2") group and dying from a radioactive poisoning, his loving wife and fellow researcher, Evelyn (Rebecca Hall, “Iron Man 3”) desperately tries to keep him alive, in cyberspace. Technology advances rapidly and Will/AI perform feats beyond human limitations, alarming their colleagues (Paul Bettany, “The Tourist” and Morgan Freeman, “Red") and FBI (Cillian Murphy, “In Time”).

Hall grounds the movie. With palpable emotions, she makes you believe Will is really alive and their relationship is far beyond virtual. The moment she first notices Will is more than digits and speaks to her or when she realizes what Will/AI could break down her body chemistry and exactly read her feelings. Bettany, whose character is a third wheel in Will and Evelyn's relationship adds complexity with being torn between what he believes needs to be done and remains loyal to his good friends, but both Freeman and Murphy are wasted in their minor roles.

More than man versus machine, the premise explores what it means to be human, questions the existence of soul, humanity and ethical issues. A directorial debut by Wally Pfister, director Christopher Nolan's ("Batman" trilogy) long-time and Oscar-winning cinematographer, the film is exquisitely photographed, and if executed right, has the potential to rival the critically lauded “Inception.”

But the biggest flaw is the massive leap of logic that transcends suspension of disbelief. After a compelling beginning, it jumps off the cliff quickly. The thought-provoking nature remains through the end, but with the script that lets events unravel illogically, the film fails to live up to its transcendent potentials.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-transcendence/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ls8hfjm
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/k27t8am

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Upcoming Movies: July 2014

[Originally posted on 6/29/14]

July 4
"Earth to Echo" (http://callhimecho.com) - After receiving a bizarre series of encrypted messages, a group of kids embark on an adventure with an alien who needs their help.

"Deliver Us from Evil" (http://www.deliverusfromevil-movie.net) - An NY police officer investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.

July 11
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" (http://www.dawnofapes.com) - A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

"A Long Way Down" (http://www.magpictures.com/alongwaydown/) - Four people meet on New Year's Eve and form a surrogate family to help one another weather the difficulties of their lives.

July 18
"The Purge: Anarchy" (http://blumhouse.com/film/thepurgeanarchy) - A young couple works to survive on the streets after their car breaks down right as the annual purge commences.

"I Origins" - A molecular biologist and his laboratory partner uncover evidence that may fundamentally change society as we know it.

July 25
"Lucy" (http://www.lucymovie.com) - A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

"Magic in the Moonlight" - A romantic comedy about an Englishman brought in to help unmask a possible swindle. Personal and professional complications ensue.

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"Captain America: The Winter Soldier"

 

Call me skeptical.

While Captain America is a superhero everyone could certainly look up to, he is not, truthfully, that interesting of a character. He's not a godlike being from another planet. No super ego. No secret identity. No larger-than-life transformation. He's simply Steve Rogers. All-American hero with such earnest goodness. A self-sacrificing soldier, an unassuming next door neighbor. The kind who could walk into his own Captain America's exhibit, largely unrecognized.

“Captain America: The First Avenger" wasn't my favorite. Chris Evans (Captain America/Steve Rogers) doesn't stand out as an actor. Even the Marvel press conference I attended last summer didn't raise my expectations. As it turns out, “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” blows every per-conceived notion out of the water.

Like “Iron Man 3” and “Thor: The Dark World,” the movie takes place post-Battle of New York in “The Avengers.” It's been a couple of years since Steve has been defrosted, picked up by the S.H.I.E.L.D., and fought aliens alongside other superheroes. Physically, the 95-year old has started to adjust to the 21st century living, but psychologically, he's still unsure what he's fighting for. Modern society is morally gray and doesn't fit with his black-and-white view of the world. The world as he knew it has changed.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is expanded here beyond director Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,”  “The Avengers”) and agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders, “The Avengers”). Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) is a top brass at the global espionage organization and member of the World Security Council, overseeing Project Insight, an overreaching secret project that would unprecedentedly change the fate of the world.

When director Fury was brazenly ambushed in broad daylight, Cap, teaming up with sassy and ambiguous Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson, “Iron Man 2,” “The Avengers,” “Her”) and war veteran Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie, “The Adjustment Bureau”). He must find out who's behind the attack while being suspected and hunted down by members of the organization. He also faces his equal, a man from his past, brainwashed assassin (Sebastian Stan) known as the Winter Soldier.

While the first movie is humorless, there's a good dose of humor in this installment, which makes it entertaining. Evans and Johansson have chemistry, making their polar opposite characters' platonic relationship and banter interesting. Mackie fits right in as wing-man Falcon, egging humorous one-liners out of straight-laced Cap.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film is more of a political action thriller, sprinkled with superhero adventures. An old-fashioned conspiracy dealing with government infiltration, mass surveillance, preemptive strike and the cost of freedom. It has a similar grounded-in-reality feel like the first “Iron Man,” and although not as dark as “The Dark Knight,” it's filled with hard-hitting, intense action sequences. It even manages to churn out a few surprises. Incredibly awesome choreography and intensity, including hand-to-hand combat, land pursuit and aerial battle. Cap is unbelievably agile and fluid with his shield. The shield is expertly utilized both as an offense and defense. Falcon takes to the skies and makes it exhilarating. Black Widow's considerable role greatly contributes to the dynamics and makes a significant impact on the movie.

For a usual Marvel treat, stay for two post-credit scenes, sparking interest of what's to come in the next installment and next year's “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

Marvel has raised the quality of superhero movies to the next level. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” ranks up there as one of the very best.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-captain-america-the-winter-soldier/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/n2n74kd
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/kgc2lot

Comic-Con 2011 Exhibit

 

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Upcoming Movies: June 2014

[Originally posted on 6/04/14]


June 6
"Edge of Tomorrow" (http://www.edgeoftomorrowmovie.com) - A soldier fighting in a war with aliens finds himself caught in a time loop of his last day in the battle, though he becomes better skilled along the way.

"The Fault in Our Stars" (http://thefaultinourstarsmovie.com) - Two teenagers share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey.

June 13
"How to Train Your Dragon 2" (http://www.howtotrainyourdragon.com) - When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace.

"The Signal" - On a road trip, three friends are drawn to an isolated area by a computer genius. When everything suddenly goes dark, one regains consciousness - only to find himself in a waking nightmare.

June 20
"Jersey Boys" (http://www.jerseyboysmovie.com) - The story of four young men from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey who came together to form the iconic 1960s rock group The Four Seasons.

"Third Person" - Three interlocking love stories involving three couples in three cities: Rome, Paris, New York.

June 27
"Transformers: Age of Extinction" (http://www.transformersmovie.com) - An automobile mechanic and his daughter make a discovery that brings down the Autobots and Decepticons - and a paranoid government official - on them.

"Snowpiercer" - In a future where a failed global-warming experiment kills off all life on the planet except for a lucky few that boarded a train that travels around the globe, where a class system evolves.

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"Summer Blockbusters 2014"

[Originally posted on 5/12/14]

2014 Summer Blockbusters in 3:25 minutes:

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Upcoming Movies: May 2014

[Originally posted on 5/01/14]

The 2014 blockbuster season arrives this Friday!  Superheroes, monsters and evil queen are coming to theaters near you. 

And for those comic book lovers, the first Saturday of May means one thing... FREE Comic Book Day.  Check out http://www.freecomicbookday.com and grab your copies.

***

May 2
"The Amazing Spider Man 2" (http://www.theamazingspiderman.com/site/) - Peter Parker runs the gauntlet as the mysterious company Oscorp sends up a slew of supervillains against him, impacting on his life.

"Belle" [limited] - An illegitimate mixed race daughter of a Royal Navy Admiral is raised by her aristocratic great-uncle.

May 9
"Chef" - A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

"Neighbors" (http://www.neighbors-movie.com/) - A couple with a newborn baby face unexpected difficulties after they are forced to live next to a fraternity house.

May 16
"Godzilla" (http://www.godzillamovie.com/) - The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

"Million Dollar Arm" - A sports agent stages an unconventional recruitment strategy to get talented Asian cricket players to play Major League Baseball.

May 23
"X-Men: Days of Future Past" (http://www.x-menmovies.com/#!/home) - The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

"Blended" (http://www.blendedmovie.com/) - After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attraction grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship.

May 30
"Maleficent" (http://movies.disney.com/maleficent) - A vindictive fairy is driven to curse an infant princess only to realize the child may be the only one who can restore peace.

"A Million Ways to Die in the West" - As a cowardly farmer begins to fall for the mysterious new woman in town, he must put his new-found courage to the test when her husband, a notorious gun-slinger, announces his arrival.

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WonderCon 2014: Feature Film Highlights

[Originally posted on 4/26/14]

Unlike last year, this year's WonderCon features a number of feature films. While it may not be as “exclusive” as these movies are going to be out in theaters pretty soon, the panels and exhibits are lower profiles in general, it's still entertaining to see extended trailers or additional footage and chat with select cast and crew.

***

Here are some of the feature film highlights:

“Edge of Tomorrow” (starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt)
In attendance: Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton briefly discussed about the action-packed movie, in which Tom Cruise's character is a soldier battling an alien army and experiences a “groundhog day” on the day he dies. He continuously relieves his experience, and in the process learns to fight and his combat skills get better each time. Paxton commented about how heavy the exoskeleton suits were and there were times where the actors had to be suspended by chains to help take the weight off the suits. Paxton asserted that the movie would not just be a guy's movie; it will appeal to the gals as well. He praised Emily Blunt, playing a fellow soldier, for being tough and terrific.

***

“Into the Storm”
In attendance: director Steven Quale, stars Richard Armitage, Max Deacon, Jeremy Sumpter, Arlen Escarpia

This panel showed goosebumps-inducing trailer, multiple tornadoes' wrath, wreaking havoc in a small town. Rain, wind, lightning, funnel cloud, fire, including a fire twister, destroying everything on its path. There's a balance of special effects between practical and digital. The actors were blasted with 120 MPH wind machine, sprays of cold water and dirt, and debris crashing around them. The result is natural disaster at its most powerful.

***

“Godzilla”
In attendance: director Gareth Edwards

The bulk of the trailer with the tsunami in Hawaii is already out, but it's the closing scene that got fans raving. All the elements were expertly put together. Godzilla, rising from the sea, is only partly seen in the beginning, raising curiosity and fright. Floods sweep the tropical city. Humans are shooting at the unknown monster and hanging in the balance. But just when we thought the Godzilla would appear in its all its glory, a winged bug-like alien creature, comes into full view, and faces off with the Godzilla.

Director Gareth Edwards noted the challenge about designing a Godzilla was everyone had an opinion of what Godzilla should look like. And as far as the other creature, we had so many monsters over the last decades, so he took different elements of different monsters and created something that hopefully would look original.

***

“Dawn of Planet of the Apes”
In attendance: director Matt Reeves, stars Kerri Russell, Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis

The movie picks up 10 years after the events of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” By this time, intelligent apes have ruled the world, so to speak, and we're introduced to the inside of the ape world, where Caesar is the leader. Caesar is an egalitarian leader and he carries humanity from his upbringing with a human family. As one might have guessed, humans have survived in this new ape world, and it's the question of how the two species could co-exist. It's a story about survival. A friend-or-foe scene, between a seemingly friendly ape, drinking along a couple of human buddies, left the crowd gasping in shock.

Director Matt Reeves promised a very immersive experience. He mentioned about performance-capture scenes shot in the woods and in the rain with 3-D cameras.

***

“The Maze Runner”
In attendance: author James Dahsner, director Wes Ball, stars Will Poulter, Dylan O'Brien

Author James Dashner was enthusiastic about the adaptation of his YA dystopian fiction, noting how the movie matched his vision perfectly and how the filmmaker nailed the casting. The book was inspired by “Lord of the Flies,” “Ender's Game”  and TV show “Lost.” The trailer, which is available online, features the protagonists running for their lives to escape the maze, trying to avoid being crushed, trapped or swallowed by rising, falling or closing-in walls and ground shifting or breaking apart. To the amusement of those in the audience, the actors noted that running wasn't part of the audition. While the movie looks like it's chocked full of special effects, director Wes Ball remarked that the biggest special effects were the emotional performance from the cast. The panel concluded the presentation by taking a “selfie,” an ever-growing trend, from the stage with the audience in the background.

***

“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
In attendance: writer-producer Simon Kinberg

Writer-producer Simon Kinberg opened the panel by showing an extended sneak peek, a complete opening, intense fight scenes between relentless and superior Sentinels and various mutants. Fire and ice duels are shown prominently in the struggle.

Taking place in the past, 1970s shortly after the events of “X-Men: First Class," and the future, where Sentinels are hunting mutants and humans alike, the movie features the largest number of mutants. According to Kinberg, time-travel was tricky in general and the team consulted with James Cameron (“Avatar”) to be sure that they would handle this aspect meticulously. To distinguish the two eras, he added that the past was filmed with a bright palette and future with a cool, darker shade.

Like “X-Men: First Class,” there's a political element in the story. President Nixon makes a cameo and hints that the mutants might be behind the story of the missing tapes in the White House.

***

“Lucy” (starring: Scarlett Johansson)
In attendance: director Luc Besson

Responding to a fan's question, director Luc Besson mentioned that his films often show the strength of women and weakness of men. His latest picture has a gritty look and cool feel, said to be using only 30% of CGI.

Like the 2011 “Limitless," this movie is based on a popular belief that humans only use ten percent of the brain and explores what happens if we could access and operate at 100% of brain power. Taking on the action route, the result is a near super human who acts with such precision, in speed and perception. In rapid succession, Scarlett Johansson's character is shown mapping her escape from her shackles, shoots and kills several men, chowing down their food, pulls out a bullet from her shoulder, finds her way to a hospital, forces doctors to operate on her to take out a leaking bag filled with drugs that was mysteriously placed inside her stomach. In another scene, she drives the wrong-way in the streets of Paris, unfazed amidst other cars wheezing by, flipping and crashing around her.

***

I left the last movie panel, "Deliver Us from Evil" early (stars Eric Bana and Olivia Munn were present, among a few others).  A day dominated by movie presentations ended with a TV-related panel for me, a Q&A session with the showrunners. Steve Callaghan (“Family Guy”), Chris Carter (“The X-Files”), Marc Guggenheim (“Arrow”) and Andrew Kreisberg (“Arrow”), Steven Molaro (“The Big Bang Theory”), Rockne O’Bannon (“Revolution”), Jane Espenson (“Once Upon a Time”) and John Rogers (“Leverage”) were in attendance.

It's interesting to hear them speak and provide insights, such as the writing aspect, their relationships with the actors and fans, and role of social media. One funny tidbit they mentioned was the about the actors. During the first year of the show, it's been said that actors work for them. In the second year, actors and showrunners are partners. But the third year, showrunners work for the actors, because it's easier to replace who's behind the camera since they're not visible to the public, than the actors, who by this time have become well-known and a constant present in the lives of the shows' fans.

***

As long as WonderCon continues to be held in Anaheim, I would happily attend. It may not be a transcendent experience like the mega-popular Comic-Con, but certainly worth the drive. Hassle-free entrance to most panels, comics-loaded exhibit halls (although curiously missing movie and TV props this year) and creative cosplays.

If you've never been to Comic-Con and wanted to get a taste of the experience at a fraction of the price, or if you're a Comic-Con fan but tired of the drama-filled process of scoring tickets, waiting in long lines and camping out for panels, head out to WonderCon next year!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/wondercon-2014-feature-film-highlights-part-i/
http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/wondercon-2014-feature-film-highlights-part-ii/
http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/wondercon-2014-feature-film-highlights-part-iii/

[left click to enlarge pictures]

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"Divergent"

It's hard not to make a parallel between "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent" (first look at 2013 Comic-Con). Both ride on the popularity of YA sci-fi novels. Both star solid lead actresses, Jennifer Lawrence ("Silver Linings Playbook") and Shailene Woodley ("The Descendants"), respectively. When "The Hunger Games" premiered two years ago, it kicked off a phenomenal franchise. And unlike the critically-lambasted "Twilight" series, “The Hunger Games” is a critics-darling and crowd-favorite. "Divergent" attempts to achieve such feat.

“The future belongs to those who know where to belong.” Based on Veronica Roth's best-selling novel and directed by Neil Berger (who directed the spellbinding “Limitless,” and “The Illusionist”), the story is set in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic world. The rest of the world has been destroyed by wars and the remaining society lives in factions inside a protective fence.

Society is divided into five factions based on human virtues, Abgenation (caring), Amity (peaceful), Candor (honesty), Dauntless (bravery), Erudite (intelligence). Abgenation are selfless, dedicated public servants and trusted to run the government. Amity farm the land, they are peaceful and happy. Candor tell the truth no matter what and maintain order. Dauntless protects and keeps everyone safe. Erudite are high in intelligence and know everything. Each faction serves a purpose and keeps the society in peace. Those who do not belong to any faction are vagabonds, divergents. Because they do not conform, they can't be controlled and therefore are deemed dangerous.

Every teen goes through an aptitude test to determine what faction he or she belongs to. Woodley is Beatrice, daughter of Natalie (Ashley Judd) and council member Andrew Prior (Tony Goldwyn, “The Mechanic"), part of the Abgenation faction. Along with Caleb (Ansel Elgort), her brother, the time has come and she undergoes a hallucinatory test. People typically reveal who they really are under the influence, what their strongest virtue is, based on how they respond to harrowing scenarios. Beatrice, however, shows that she has multiple values, Abgenation, Dauntless and Erudite. Her tester, Tori, (Maggie Q, “Nikita”) warns her that she must keep her test result a secret lest she could be eliminated.

Whils it's generally wise to choose a faction that follows the test result, people are free to choose a faction that they feel represent themselves the most. However, once they choose, that would be it for the rest of their lives. If it's a faction different than the one they were born and raised in, they must leave their families and everything behind. It's faction over blood; they could never go back. During the anxiety-inducing Ceremony of Choosing, Beatrice and Caleb do just that. To the surprise of their parents, Caleb deflects to Erudite and Beatrice Dauntless.

In an instant, Beatrice's new life begins. She is Tris, a fresh Dauntless. Or so she thought.  As it turns out, those who choose the warrior faction actually have to prove themselves that they are worthy of being Dauntless. From leaping into and jumping off a moving train, plunging into a pit, sparring, shooting and knife-throwing, they are trained and tested physically and mentally to be combat-ready by a first-class instructor, Four (Theo James). If they don't pass, they would be stripped of their new identity and rendered factionless forever.

At first it looks unbelievable that the timid Tris could transform into a fighter. But somehow it happens. You could almost feel Tris' heartbeat as she contemplates, puts one foot forward and another, and takes another step, falls and rises, gaining strength and skills in the process. She also makes friends with other newbies, Christina (Zoe Kravitz) and Will (Ben Llyod-Hughes), who deflect from their original factions.  Her life is made more challenging by a Dauntless leader, Eric (Jai Courtney, “A Good Day to Die Hard.") Simply put, he's a piece of work. Although the rivalry between him and Four provides some humor into the grim story.

Four and Tris' relationship slowly develops into romance. Four actually has a painful secret of his own. Through fear simulations, they discover and understand each other. In order to pass the last stage of the tests, Tris must control her subconsciousness and shows how a Dauntless would act to resolve situations she fears the most. It's interesting to see the difference how she escapes her fear landscape true to herself, a divergent, and merely as a Dauntless. After passing the test, her official initiation as a Dauntless, zip lining through deteriorated skyscrapers at nighttime, is thrilling.

Word comes around that Erudite, led by an icy villain, Jeanine (Kate Winslet) is going to overthrow the government and abolish Abgenation, whom they view as weak and corrupted. They're also actively searching and killing divergents. The last stretch of the movie is a war among factions, although one faction is forced to fight a war they do not wish to fight. Tris and Four race against time to find the perpetrator and stop the massacre, knowing that at the end of all these, they will be homeless and hunted.

Extensive amount of time spent in the Dauntless pit could have been cut and more should have been spent in each faction, letting the audience see more more about the characters, the way they live and connections among factions, and thus become more invested in them. The emotional impact is always far greater when you know more about the characters and their lives. Part of what makes the horror in “The Hunger Games” so real is because you're allowed to know more about the characters, instead of nameless or faceless lineups, and how the actions of the main protagonists directly affect others around them.

Woodley makes things believable, however, and she and James sell their understated relationship. The movie has distinctive costumes and interesting set pieces, with an electrifying score as a standout. Although not as intense as “The Hunger Games, “ the premise is intriguing and the story engaging. By the end of the movie, you'll be invested enough in Tris and Four, and what will become of them and the society's future.

More than a diversion, “Divergent” is sufficient to carry another surefire franchise. “Insurgent” is slated for release next year.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-review-divergent/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/mkgqnmr
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/l59utcz

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2014 Awards Season: Feature Film Highlights

The Academy Awards is tonight.  Trying to catch up on Oscar-quality films? Here are some of the highlights of several movies nominated for awards in various categories. Better yet, you still have a chance to see them at the theaters in the next few weeks!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/movie-highlights-2014-awards-season/

***

“Gravity”

Lost in space. Never before has it felt terrifyingly realistic. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock, "The Lake House"), a medical engineer on her first mission, is in the process of installing a scanning device. There's news that clouds of debris are brewing and heading at breakneck speed. Alone and adrift, she's low on oxygen and fuel, nauseous and dizzy, desperate and scared to death. She must let go of the past, find the will to survive, make the right trajectory to the space station and find a way back home. The destruction of the space station in the vast vacuum of space is eye-popping. The countdown toward earth in the end is one of the most distressing scenes. A visual masterpiece, there's a claustrophobic feel and realism to the scenes. When every second counts, every gasp and grasp, every jerk and hit could mean a chance for life or death. The 3-D is fully utilized, from sprays of flying debris to specks of floating tears or fires. The sound design goes for maximum impact, alternating between piercingly earthshaking and eerily quiet. A singular survival tale in space, “Gravity” is an experience that marvels and mesmerizes. It's probably the closest you'll ever be to being in space in this lifetime. Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

“Captain Phillips”

A day that starts like any other... ends with a story of a lifetime. “Captain Phillips” is a ripped-from-the headlines story of a U.S. cargo ship getting hijacked by Somali pirates in 2009, the first in 200 years. The opening scenes offer a glimpse of the harsh life on the shores of impoverished Somalia and a normal American life. Tom Hanks (“Cloud Atlas”) is Richard Phillips, a family man from Vermont and commanding officer of Maerks Alabama. Soon he and his officers find themselves surrounded by four armed Somali pirates. Hanks shows one of the most outstanding acting during what could be the last stretch of Phillips' life. Your stomach will be tied in knots and you'll eventually exhale along with him. Abdi, an amateur actor, holds his own. His Muse's nickname may be “Skinny,” but he doesn't skimp on threats, even when he realizes he's running out of time and options. The nighttime standoff and sea rescue mission are grippingly well-orchestrated, a testament to one of the finest filmmaking. The cool coordination, negotiation and precise execution conducted by the rescuers contrast with the chaos and confusion inside the compact confinement of the lifeboat with Phillips and the pirates. The tension, underscored by a pulse-pounding soundtrack, skyrockets to an unbelievable level in the last third of the film. A riveting, real-life thriller. Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

“Saving Mr. Banks”

There's a story behind every film. Who knew the makings of “Mary Poppins” was such a long rollercoaster ride? For 20 years, author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) has rebuffed Walt Disney's (Tom Hanks, “Captain Phillips”) efforts to make her beloved novel into a movie. Travers has a certain level of disdain for all-things Disney, which she views solely as a moneymaking empire. She insists on recording every session and proceeds to nitpick every single detail of the way the characters are portrayed, lyrics of music, colors of the set designs or costumes. As the present story unfolds, the film flashes back into Travers' tragic childhood in the Australian outback. There are heart-wrenching events that no child should experience. Eventually Disney realizes that even all the courting yield no result. The characters in “Mary Poppins” are dear and personal to Travers; they're like a family. During a heartfelt conversation, Disney shares a a childhood story. He relates to and sees where Travers is coming from. The moment that he 'gets it' and his unwavering commitment that finally compels her to willingly hand over the rights. The moral of the story rings true. Don't let the past dictate the present. If life disappoints, move forward. Life is meant to be lived, with new memories. Absorbing and affecting, “Saving Mr. Banks” is a wonderful film for the ages. Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

“American Hustle”

Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight Rises”) and Amy Adams (“Man of Steel”), Bradley Cooper (“Limitless”) and Jennifer Lawrence (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”) reunite in “American Hustle,” a screwball 70s crime caper dramedy. Bale is Irving Rosenfeld, a con man, hitting off at first sight with a seductive grifter, Sydney Prosser (Adams). Irving is married to loose-lips and wildly opinionated Rosalyn (Lawrence). Irving and Sydney get caught by an unruly FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper). Richie plans to lure politicians to accept bribes and catch them in the act. The trap is set, which includes another FBI agent posing as an Arab Sheik looking to make an investment (inspired by the real Abscam sting in 1978). Entrapped is Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner “The Bourne Legacy”), Mayor of Trenton, New Jersey. The stake is raised to a dicey level when Jersey's powerbrokers and mafia get involved. Carmine turns out to be pure in his intention to create new jobs for his people. He even considers Irving a friend. Irving develops a conscience, at the same time, he and Sydney must hold up the end of their bargain with the FBI. The plot starts off as simple, but alliance shifts and double-cross occurs. You think you know how it ends, yet it manages to churn out a twist. It's a treat to be in the flimflam or figure out what the swindle is or how the main characters would pull off the scheme. The con is on. Enjoy the game! Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

“The Wolf of Wall Street”

A fifth collaboration between director Martin Scorsese (“The Departed,” “Shutter Island,” “Hugo”) and Leonardo DiCaprio (“Catch Me If You Can,” “Inception,” “J. Edgar"), “The Wolf of Wall Street” is based on a true story of the rise and fall of a hedonistic stockbroker in 1980s and 1990s, Jordan Belfort. Belfort pulls together a bunch of hometown boys and operates his own company out of a garage. The misfits can sell. As the company expands exponentially, Belfort and team are living high, large and loose, even as the SEC and FBI come sniffing. Life is a never-ending party and debauchery. Drunken with greed, swimming with cash, drowning in drugs and addicted to prostitutes. Eventually, sordid deeds are catching up with Belfort. None of the characters are likeable. Their actions are beyond reckless and abhorrent. Their language is profanity-laced at every turn. But execution, script, acting are sensationally top-shelf. Scorsese directs it with revelry. Terence Winter (screenwriter) writes it unbridledly. DiCaprio lives it up like the king of the world and swaggers into a staggering performance. Deplorable, hysterical, phenomenal. The abyss of excess takes entertaining to the extreme. “The Wolf of Wall Street” spirals with sins and sizzles with exuberance. Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

“Her”

A man falling in love and having a relationship with his operating system. Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is a letter-writer for hire. He writes letters for a living, for those who aren't capable or willing to write them to their loved ones. A lonely soul, he pours his heart into and loves vicariously through these letters. One day he sees a commercial for an artificial intelligence, an operating system (OS) with “consciousness,” and he decides to get one. Meet Samantha (voiceover by Scarlett Johansson, "The Avengers," “Iron Man 2”). A machine with a hyper-level of awareness, Samantha is intuitive and perceptive. She grows and matures, and continues to adapt based on what she experiences with Theodore. Theodore and Samantha talk about anything and everything. And share intimacy, just like a real couple does, with the obvious limitation of Samantha having no physical body. The relationship, as weird as it sounds, is surprisingly organic. But a relationship with an OS is not without challenges either, especially when the OS starts taking human characteristics, yet its non-human capability continues to evolve rapidly. Conceptually unusual with the sci-fi element, “Her” is a story about humans' fundamental need to connect and love. Bizarre and the beautiful, it works. Check out the full review and trailer here.

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"Non-Stop"

 

A plane is a perfect trap. Nowhere else would you be willingly locked in with 100+ strangers where exit means death.

 

An air marshal (Liam Neeson, “Unknown,” “Taken”) with a troubled past must transfer $150 millions to an offshore account or a passenger will die every 20 minutes. Bodies do turn up and everyone is a suspect. The situation grows more turbulent when said air marshal becomes the prime suspect since the account is found to be set up under his name. Passengers are looking to bring him down and fighter jets escort at the wings. But when a bomb is found, everyone must band together for a chance at survival and brace for a crash-land.

 

While it's impossible to overlook the holes and the reveal is not exactly satisfactory, “Non-Stop” is a suspenseful and enjoyable ride.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ls9xwfj
DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/ls9xwfj

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Upcoming Movies: April 2014

[Originally posted on 3/29/14]

April 4
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (http://marvel.com/captainamerica) - Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from old history, the Soviet agent known as the 'Winter Soldier.'

"Under the Skin" - An alien seductress preys upon hitchhikers in Scotland.

April 11
"Rio 2" (http://www.riomovies.com) - It's a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids after they're hurtled Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he goes beak-to-beak with the vengeful Nigel, and meets the most fearsome adversary of all - his father-in-law.

"The Railway Man" - A victim from World War II's 'Death Railway' sets out to find those responsible for his torture. A true story.

April 18
"Transcendence" (http://www.transcendencemovie.com/) - A terminally ill scientist downloads his mind into a computer. This grants him power beyond his wildest dreams, and soon he becomes unstoppable.

"Heaven Is for Real" - A small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.

April 25
"The Other Woman" - After realizing she is not her boyfriend's primary lover, a woman teams up with his wife and plots mutual revenge.

"Locke" - A single phone call causes the life of a successful construction manager to unravel during his drive home.

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Academy Awards 2014

[Originally posted on 3/02/14]

2013 was a year where futuristic drama, adrenaline rush and con-games reached critical heights (“Her,” “Gravity,” “American Hustle,” “The Wolf of Wall Street”), those typically reserved for survival stories (“Captain Phillips,” “Dallas Buyers Club”), socio-political dramas (“Argo,” “ZeroDark Thirty,” “Ides of March”) or race relations (“12 Years a Slave”).

The 86^th Academy Awards opened with the stage filled with dozens and dozens of blown-up Oscar statues, and Ellen DeGeneres took center stage as host. In her pre-show interview, she mentioned that her goal was to give a great performance, but not overshadow the stars, and to make them feel relaxed and happy. She seemed to accomplish that without venturing into jokes that are borderline offensive, as dished out by last year's host, Seth MacFarlane. She was also self-aware and recognized that a host typically went though a number of costume changes. At one point, she pointed out that she added a scarf to her white pantsuit and pulled a stunt, appearing in a Glinda the Good Witch costume (from “The Wizard of Oz”).

DeGeneres pointed about a serious issue Hollywood had in the last couple of days, the rain, and thanked everyone around the world for praying and that they're all right. She picked up the latest trend, 'selfie,' took a picture of herself and tweeted to the world. It's a fine opening, although I must say I missed a more dramatic entry of years past, such as mocked montages, creative skits or musical numbers.

DeGeneres made a point to make the show interactive and relatable for those in the audience. In one funny moment, she went out to the audience and started pulling stars from their seats to take pictures with her in an effort to break the record of the most re-tweeted tweet. In another, she brought a pizza delivery guy with her, offered slices of pizza to presumably starving stars, and collected cash here and there for payment.

The theme of the show is “celebrating heroes.” DeGeneres took a jab at Hollywood right off the bat.  The important things in life are love, family and friends, and those without, would typically go into show business. The theme was celebrated through clips of movies in the last few decades based on true events where the protagonists are real-life heroes, as well as superheroes and fantasy heroes. Select actors and actresses were shown receiving humanitarian awards for their work that deal with human causes. Special guests for the evening include the real Captain Phillips and Philomena.

Musical performances provide a good mix, which include upbeat “Happy” from “Despicable Me,” melancholic piece “The Moon Song” from “Her,” tribute to Mandela “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” Disney's “Let It Go” from “Frozen.” There's a tribute to the 75^th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz,” a song sung by Pink, who was introduced by Whoopi Goldberg. The former Oscar host was wearing striped tights and glittering red shoes under her dress. Hollywood honored those who passed away with “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a special performance by Bette Midler.

As expected, Jared Leto won best supporting actor, followed by his co-star Matthew McConaughey as best actor, for their transformative roles in “Dallas Buyers Club.” Leto shared a story from the past about his mother and thanked her for teaching him to dream. He dedicated the statue for those people who have died of AIDS. McConaughey thanked the people in his life and touched on the hero theme, having someone or something to look up to and look forward to.

Newcomer Lupita Nyong'o gave a tearful and grateful speech after winning best supporting actress for her dramatic role in “12 Years a Slave.” The film also earned best adapted screenplay. Best actress went out to Cate Blanchett for “Blue Jasmine,” who proceeded with a well-rounded speech, gracious and sprinkled with self-deprecating humor, celebrating her fellow nominees and women.

Critics-favorite “American Hustle” lost out make-up and hairstyling, and costume design awards to “Dallas Buyers Club” and “The Great Gatsby,” respectively. The latter also nabbed a win in production design. “American Hustle” was shut out, including losing best original screenplay to “Her,” which wasn't surprising to me. It's a great film, but overrated and nothing to rave about.

“Frozen” left all other animations in a fairy dust, winning best animated film award. The animation also snagged best original song statue, “Let It Go.”

“Gravity,” frontrunner of technical achievements was unstoppable. It scored best visual effects, cinematography, sound mixing and sound editing. The film also went on to win original score, film editing, and a best director prize for its visionary and technically accomplished director, Alfonso Cuaron. I'm over the moon that “Gravity” flew home with the largest number of trophies; it deserves a win in every single category it won.  It splits the last big award with “12 Years a Slave,” which was awarded best picture.

And the Oscar goes to...

Best Motion Picture
Winner: 12 Years a Slave

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Winner: Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Winner: Blue Jasmine – Cate Blanchett

Best Achievement in Directing
Winner: Gravity - Alfonso Cuarón

Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Winner: Her - Spike Jonze

Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Winner: 12 Years a Slave - John Ridley

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
Winner: Frozen - Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez ("Let It Go")

Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score
Winner: Gravity - Steven Price

Best Achievement in Production Design
Winner: The Great Gatsby - Catherine Martin, Beverley Dunn

Best Achievement in Editing
Winner: Gravity - Alfonso Cuarón, Mark Sanger

Best Achievement in Cinematography
Winner: Gravity - Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Winner: 12 Years a Slave - Lupita Nyong'o

Best Achievement in Sound Editing
Winner: Gravity - Glenn Freemantle

Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Winner: Gravity - Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead, Chris Munro

Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Winner: Gravity - Timothy Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk, Neil Corbould

Best Animated Feature Film
Winner: Frozen

Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling
Winner: Dallas Buyers Club - Adruitha Lee, Robin Mathews

Best Achievement in Costume Design
Winner: The Great Gatsby - Catherine Martin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Winner: Dallas Buyers Club – Jared Leto

For a complete list of winners, check out the official website.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/arts/academy-awards-2014/

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