November Man

If the movie has the word "Man" in it, it's likely a giveaway of a shoot-em-up and November Man is no exception.  Pierce Brosnan stars as Devreaux who is the prototypical spy in retirement (Red, Taken) called back for "one last job".  Set in some mysterious corner of the world, forces of evil must be dealt with using many car chases, shootouts, dead bodies and female hostages as possible.

Devreaux has left the force after a bad incident with his trainee Mason.  Devreaux is called back into action to track down the killer of the mother of his child who is undercover in Russia.  In his search for "Mira Filipova" he encounters social worker Alice who may know something about Mira.

There's a few interesting plot points:  the father/son relationship between  Devreaux and Mason and the father/daughter relationship between Devreux and Alice which is much more interesting that his actual on screen father/daughter relationship.

With the chase aspect of this movie and characters always on the run from the good/bad guys, there's quick directing to create a sense of urgency which adds a little to the mix.  In the end, it's a typical action movie - Brosnan, as Bourne.

* * 1/2 of 4

The Rewrite - releasing this fall?

A rom-com movie about the movies - classic Hugh Grant  (can you believe I just said that?)

Boyhood

You've got to give Richard Linklatter credit for ambition - this film took 12 years to make using the same main characters as they age.  It's a true coming of age story for the child actors Ellar Coltrane and the director's real life daughter, Lorelai Linklatter.  The dad might as well be family as well, Ethan Hawke.  Mom is Patricia Arquette.

Like an actual boyhood, this movie has some of the unpleasant parts of growing up in chronological order:  divorce(s), first everythings, moving, fighting, and rejections.  Not to mention a variety of hairstyles and clothing styles.  The prop techs didn't have too much to do:  the period pieces work well with the Harry Potter craze, when the Astros were better, and the Bush and Obama campaigns.  If you've been conscious the past 12 years, it will be like a trip down Memory Lane.

All soaring ambition aside, the movie falls a bit flat.  Mixed with some of the most heartfelt feelings are those times where it just seems like there is drama made for the movies.  Perhaps everyone might see each of these a little different.  For example, I identified with the "car speech" but not with the stepfather role.  Others with a different life history might feel the opposite.

The locations were nice, being set in Houston and San Marcos.  It had a nice Texas feel to it.  And of course, I loved the scene at the Butler 3 Par Course in Austin.

As you might say about growing up in general, Boyhood is a long story that is not always so interesting.

* * 1/2

Updated release dates - Fall 2014/ RIP Robin Williams

Night at the Museum 3 - December 19

Mockingjay Part I [Hunger Games 3] - November 21

Horrible Bosses 2 - November 26


                                      

Lots of sequels - yes

Some of the last chances to catch Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Williams.

And M-----rf----r Jones too.

A Most Wanted Man

With the untimely death of Philip Seymour Hoffman this year, his filmography is coming to a close.  This is one the last ones so it was worth a watch just for that.  PSH  playes the lead detective Gunther in Hamburg, Germany seeking to infiltrate the local Muslim community to prevent another 9/11.  The lead copy notes that inter agency strive led to 9/11 intelligence failures.

Based on a John Le Carre story, it plays in 1970s feel.  The Jackal here is Issa (Grigoriy Dobrygin) who is vaguely Chechen/Armenian/Russian - the Tsarnaev of Hamburg.  He even wears the hoodie for menacing looks.  He of course finds his way to the beautiful attorney Rachel McAdams who with her heart of gold will help him access funds from a Swiss-like banker, played of course by Willem Dafoe.

As you can tell, the various ethnic stereotypes are alive and well and on full display here.  Suspend a little disbelief and it's a somewhat enjoyable whodunit.  But not much more than that.

* * 1/2 of 4

Guardians of the Galaxy

Just like with my old comic book collection, there were big names, and there were other more offbeat titles that were a little harder to follow.   Guardians of the Galaxy would be the latter.  But like the comics themselves, who says you have to have a masterpiece?  It's a comic book!

Chris Pratt gets his turns as a leading role as Quinn/Star-Lord.  His origin story starts as a young boy a la Batman.  He winds up more as a Hans Solo/Indiana Jones gun for hire and is tasked with finding The Orb.  He even refers to it as the "Arc of the Covenant/Maltese Falcon thing".

Along the way, he picks up as cohort Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Groot (Vin Diesel) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) and Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautisa).  They works a Fantastic Four vibe - another middle of the stack comic made into a movie.  The fearsome foursome concept even owes a bit to another groups of 5:  Scooby-Doo.  Zoinks!  (same writer James Gunn for both movies)

The movie goes a little long to include the origins but is light on its feet, doesn't take itself too seriously, and finishes as you expect it should.  Perfect for a summer diversion.

* * * of 4