Here's the recap of my 4 star movies:
Star Trek Into Darkness
Silver Linings Playbook
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
(can you tell I'm a Jennifer Lawrence fan?)
But there were others I saw that were worthy:
Lawrence of Arabia
Sunset Boulevard
Searching for Sugar Man
Rushmore
And worst of the year:
Jobs
Saving Mr. Banks
A Disney movie about Walt Disney himself, and P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins, has several aspects which make it distinctive:
It's a screwball comedy, about the English lady coming to see the smooth American,
it's a show-business "Making the Movie" story
it's a mystery: why does she so jealously guard Mary Poppins?,
it's a musical with new songs being written and performed,
it's a epic story of the Australian Outback frontier family.
All of this comes together, although with John Lee Hancock as the director, it can go on for a while - lots to fit in. Walt Disney wants the rights to film Mary Poppins and has for 20 years. But Travers guards them closely.
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are a good couple and there are stars a plenty. My favorite of course: Colin Farrell (again) as Travers Banks, P.L.'s father - who is the one who is part of the Saving.
* * * 1/2 - a good family movie
It's a screwball comedy, about the English lady coming to see the smooth American,
it's a show-business "Making the Movie" story
it's a mystery: why does she so jealously guard Mary Poppins?,
it's a musical with new songs being written and performed,
it's a epic story of the Australian Outback frontier family.
All of this comes together, although with John Lee Hancock as the director, it can go on for a while - lots to fit in. Walt Disney wants the rights to film Mary Poppins and has for 20 years. But Travers guards them closely.
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson are a good couple and there are stars a plenty. My favorite of course: Colin Farrell (again) as Travers Banks, P.L.'s father - who is the one who is part of the Saving.
* * * 1/2 - a good family movie
American Hustle
"Some of this actually happened" is the disclaimer/warning at the beginning of this wannabe 70s movie. I say, wannabe, because it obviously is trying to catch the Sidney Lumet vibe of many of those great movies. In the end it is like a copy of a copy of a copy, somewhat faded, but you still can read the outlines.
The movie owes a lot to Argo, a modern movie about a 70s story. Christian Bale and Amy Adams are Irving and Edith, a pair of small-time swindlers. When they are busted by FBI agent, Bradley Cooper, they are brought in as bait for larger fish, in this case Mayor of Camden, NJ, Carmine Pilito and the rebirth of Atlantic City.
Director David O. Russell, fresh off the success of Silver Linings Playbook, has brought back his case of Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and even an uncredited Robert DeNiro (wouldn't be a mob movie without him). Jennifer Lawrence is the modern day female version of Robert Duvall - every movie she is in is good. She steals the show as Irving's wife as the straw that stirs the drink. Unfortunately she has more a supporting part - more of her please.
Bradley Cooper plays the same character as always: the psychotic but charming ass. It worked in Silver Linings Playbook when he at least has the excuse of mental defect, but as an FBI agent, it is nearly silly: living with his mom, berating (and more) his boss (Louis C.K.). The train needs to leave this guy behind.
Christian Bale does a nice job as Irving. With this ensemble, it's hard to tell who the important characters are. Amy Adams is excellent as Lady Edith, using her sexuality to get ahead and reinvent herself. Irving is somewhat conflicted: he says that the Mayor is his best friend, but he sells him out early on.
In the end, the movie trys too hard to tell a story that probably didn't happen and ends up somewhat contrived.
* * * of 4
The nostalgia is evident in the costuming, hairstyles and set design. It is a more serious version of a movie just release but unworthy of a real review: Anchorman 2 ( 1 1/2 stars). The mutton chops, the three piece colored suits, the plaids. It is in both cases a little over the top.
The movie owes a lot to Argo, a modern movie about a 70s story. Christian Bale and Amy Adams are Irving and Edith, a pair of small-time swindlers. When they are busted by FBI agent, Bradley Cooper, they are brought in as bait for larger fish, in this case Mayor of Camden, NJ, Carmine Pilito and the rebirth of Atlantic City.
Director David O. Russell, fresh off the success of Silver Linings Playbook, has brought back his case of Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and even an uncredited Robert DeNiro (wouldn't be a mob movie without him). Jennifer Lawrence is the modern day female version of Robert Duvall - every movie she is in is good. She steals the show as Irving's wife as the straw that stirs the drink. Unfortunately she has more a supporting part - more of her please.
Bradley Cooper plays the same character as always: the psychotic but charming ass. It worked in Silver Linings Playbook when he at least has the excuse of mental defect, but as an FBI agent, it is nearly silly: living with his mom, berating (and more) his boss (Louis C.K.). The train needs to leave this guy behind.
Christian Bale does a nice job as Irving. With this ensemble, it's hard to tell who the important characters are. Amy Adams is excellent as Lady Edith, using her sexuality to get ahead and reinvent herself. Irving is somewhat conflicted: he says that the Mayor is his best friend, but he sells him out early on.
In the end, the movie trys too hard to tell a story that probably didn't happen and ends up somewhat contrived.
* * * of 4
The nostalgia is evident in the costuming, hairstyles and set design. It is a more serious version of a movie just release but unworthy of a real review: Anchorman 2 ( 1 1/2 stars). The mutton chops, the three piece colored suits, the plaids. It is in both cases a little over the top.
Upcoming reviews
Within the next week, I plan to have reviews for:
Anchorman 2
American Hustle
Hobbit 2: Desolation of Smaug
Interesting I read of these last two being different various of a heist movie. Clever!
Anchorman 2
American Hustle
Hobbit 2: Desolation of Smaug
Interesting I read of these last two being different various of a heist movie. Clever!
Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Fresh off a victory in the Hunger Games, our heroine Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) just wants to be home with family. But the Powers that Be demand that she and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) go on a victory tour and keep up the illusion of their love. But as they go through the districts, their consciences get the better of them and their guilt for participating in killing as well as their desire not to continue the reaping means that they must be eliminated.
Enter the Hunger Games All Stars. All former winners are to square off against each other. So much for the spoils of victory. The chances of Katniss and Peeta both surviving agains are very slim. Even Haymich is to participate (Woody Harrelson).
The games scenes in the jungles of Hawaii were very reminiscent of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and even has a Yoda-like character, as well as Princess Leia, Luke, Hans Solo, Darth Maul, and even Lando Calrissian.
A very servicable Part II to this good story.
* * * * of 4
One of the few movies this year that I saw twice.
Enter the Hunger Games All Stars. All former winners are to square off against each other. So much for the spoils of victory. The chances of Katniss and Peeta both surviving agains are very slim. Even Haymich is to participate (Woody Harrelson).
The games scenes in the jungles of Hawaii were very reminiscent of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and even has a Yoda-like character, as well as Princess Leia, Luke, Hans Solo, Darth Maul, and even Lando Calrissian.
A very servicable Part II to this good story.
* * * * of 4
One of the few movies this year that I saw twice.
Ender's Game
Ender Wiggins is the chosen one but he doesn't know it yet. After all, he's only 13 years old. An unlikely savior - did I use that word?
Ender is a schoolboy dealing with various social rejection/bullying aspects. When he fights back in a noticable manner, he is identified as a candidate for special military training. The World As We Know It is under potential attack, explained in a Star-Wars-type historical overview.
To further the Star Wars aspect, Harrison Ford plays a combination of Obi Wan Kenobi/Yoda/Darth Vader as the General of the training forces. He pushes Ender in many situations, all designed to test his mettle.
But Ender as noted is only 13 years old. He's looking for acceptance, friendship and growth, and not constant conflict. There are opportunities to turn back, or is that illusory? Everything is programs to see how Ender will react under stress.
The author Orson Scott Card is of the LDS Church and much of the symbolism reminded me of a Mormon influence: the persecution, the trek to a new land, the legendary leader/fighter Mazer Rackhoff (Ben Kingsley, in the best role).
Large themes of children warriors, mind control and the price of war make this complicated but thoughtful plot a good watch.
* * *
Ender is a schoolboy dealing with various social rejection/bullying aspects. When he fights back in a noticable manner, he is identified as a candidate for special military training. The World As We Know It is under potential attack, explained in a Star-Wars-type historical overview.
To further the Star Wars aspect, Harrison Ford plays a combination of Obi Wan Kenobi/Yoda/Darth Vader as the General of the training forces. He pushes Ender in many situations, all designed to test his mettle.
But Ender as noted is only 13 years old. He's looking for acceptance, friendship and growth, and not constant conflict. There are opportunities to turn back, or is that illusory? Everything is programs to see how Ender will react under stress.
The author Orson Scott Card is of the LDS Church and much of the symbolism reminded me of a Mormon influence: the persecution, the trek to a new land, the legendary leader/fighter Mazer Rackhoff (Ben Kingsley, in the best role).
Large themes of children warriors, mind control and the price of war make this complicated but thoughtful plot a good watch.
* * *
Enough Said
Another RomCom about a man and two women - his ex-wife and his girlfriend. But the strength here is the third woman, his 18 year old daughter, and his relationship with her. Because that makes this movie much deeper.
First the romance and the comedy. Julia Louis - Dreyfus plays Eva a massage therapist who may or may not be looking for love. She finds both at a party where she meets her new best friend Sarah as well as Eva's soon to be new boyfriend Albert (James Gandolfini). Who knew that Sarah and Albert used to be married? When Eva finds this out, she spends the rest of the movie trying to cover it up, with predictable results.
Albert is pretty well over his ex, but Eva seems to try and pick out what went wrong, as if she wants to find things wrong with Albert. On the surface, that's not too hard (physical, particularities, and such).
But Albert is a more grounded man than that as related to his daughter Tess. Some good things:
When Eva notices another woman's expensive purse, Albert tells her it is his daughter's, a present for her 18th birthday. Now Eva is doubly jealous.
When Eva asks where is Albert's car, he says that Tess car had to go in the shop and she has a loaner. Why isn't Tess driving the loaner? Well, Tess likes Albert's car better.
Sarah bashes Albert for wanting to take Tess to the airport to go to college.
When the reveal comes for the farce, Albert is most bothered by the fast that it happened in front of Tess.
Finally a movie where the dad is not the clueless imbecile when it comes to children. As a result we see Eva as much more childlike, jealous of the other teenagers, wanting to be their friend, the permissive mom. She nitpicks as to Albert because he is an adult, and she is trying to become one (speaking up about the table for example).
* * 1/2 but James Gandolfini might be a Heath Ledger effect come Oscar time.
First the romance and the comedy. Julia Louis - Dreyfus plays Eva a massage therapist who may or may not be looking for love. She finds both at a party where she meets her new best friend Sarah as well as Eva's soon to be new boyfriend Albert (James Gandolfini). Who knew that Sarah and Albert used to be married? When Eva finds this out, she spends the rest of the movie trying to cover it up, with predictable results.
Albert is pretty well over his ex, but Eva seems to try and pick out what went wrong, as if she wants to find things wrong with Albert. On the surface, that's not too hard (physical, particularities, and such).
But Albert is a more grounded man than that as related to his daughter Tess. Some good things:
When Eva notices another woman's expensive purse, Albert tells her it is his daughter's, a present for her 18th birthday. Now Eva is doubly jealous.
When Eva asks where is Albert's car, he says that Tess car had to go in the shop and she has a loaner. Why isn't Tess driving the loaner? Well, Tess likes Albert's car better.
Sarah bashes Albert for wanting to take Tess to the airport to go to college.
When the reveal comes for the farce, Albert is most bothered by the fast that it happened in front of Tess.
Finally a movie where the dad is not the clueless imbecile when it comes to children. As a result we see Eva as much more childlike, jealous of the other teenagers, wanting to be their friend, the permissive mom. She nitpicks as to Albert because he is an adult, and she is trying to become one (speaking up about the table for example).
* * 1/2 but James Gandolfini might be a Heath Ledger effect come Oscar time.
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