Archive for the 'Movie Reviews' Category
February 12th, 2015 by Brian White
After last week’s dismal screening of Jupiter Ascending I was just about ready to write the remainder of this month off from both attending and reviewing movies. My experience with that film was that bad. I was embarrassed by that $175 million dollar effort, even though I really had nothing to do with it. However, there were two things that sold me on this past Tuesday night’s screening of Kingsman The Secret Service, that infectious Rob Zombie song (one of my favorites from his newest album) employed in the trailer and the positive words of praise from WSB reviewer Aaron Neuwirth, whose full theatrical review of this film can be found here. Continue reading ‘Kingsman The Secret Service Thrills and Titillates (Movie Review)’
February 10th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
The Spy Who Loved Me is one of my favorite James Bond movies. It is easily the best of the Roger Moore entries, but also a fine example of how strong the more cinematically over-the-top versions of the world famous British spy can be. Kingsman: The Secret Service essentially functions as one of the more outlandish James Bond entries, albeit made up of different characters and stemming from a graphic novel world, with a style and tone fitting of the millennial age. Director Matthew Vaughn, along with his screenwriting partner Jane Goldman, clearly had fun developing and filming the sort of R-rated madness taking place in this self-aware action-comedy, but it also has some of the dry British humor and sensibilities that make it more than just a new take on the ‘spy spoof’ for regular movie goers and a series of in-jokes for the filmmakers and movie geeks invested in the entertaining work of filmmakers like Vaughn. It is more than that, which comes in the form of a smart script that services most of its principle characters properly and is also a lot of fun.
Continue reading ‘A View To A ‘Kingsman’ (Movie Review)’
February 6th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
After months of speculation and curiosity, countered by delays and implied bad buzz, things have unfortunately not tipped in favor of Jupiter Ascending, the new, original sci-fi/fantasy film from the Wachowskis. I really wanted to like this movie and all of the right elements are certainly there, given the fairly game cast, the production design, the visual effects, the score, and more. Ultimately though, the general wonder and wackiness that comes with the ambitious world-building effort is not enough to help the chaotic story being told, which is both too repetitive and too impersonal to have garnered more connection to a film that tries really hard. Even worse: I can no longer say I have loved everything the Wachowskis have done.
Continue reading ‘I Wish ‘Jupiter’ Was More Than Just A Planet Full Of Promise (Movie Review)’
February 6th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Seventh Son is a mess of familiar ideas, talented actors, and competent (but mostly ugly) visual effects; all brought together into one horrible movie. There are various ways to approach a review for a movie like this, most of which involve making fun of it, and honestly, this is the kind of movie that has been lined up to be made fun of. Having never looked all that engaging and finally being released after a two-year delay, it is not as if I expected something truly memorable. At the same time though, Seventh Son is a film so blinded by the thought that looking expensive equals awesome movie that it makes any admittedly cool sight, such as a warrior with four arms, completely devoid of the charm one could find in similar hack-and-slash medieval adventures of yesteryear. Simply put: this film is awful.
Continue reading ‘Seventh Son Is An Epic Mess (Movie Review)’
February 5th, 2015 by Brian White
If I was completely ignorant and judged Jupiter Ascending by its cover, I’d be staying the hell away from it even though I love science fiction. The trailers for the movie looked absolutely horrible. When they pulled it from its former release schedule last year I have to be honest with y’all, I was hoping this would’ve been shelved for a long time, preferably long after I passed from this Earth. However, that wasn’t the case. What we had last year was just a minor speed bump and presumably to allow additional time needed to complete over 2,000 special effects shots of the film and prepare an effective marketing campaign. I’m sorry, but I just had to laugh out loud at the effective marketing reason. You can’t polish something that looks like a turd. You have to completely paint over it, but I digress. Continue reading ‘‘Jupiter Ascending’ Is Wonderfully…AWFUL! (Movie Review)’
February 4th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
It is a bit strange to go into detail about a movie such as The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, but given that I was once a big fan of the series (and still chuckle when it comes up), along with being a big fan of the first movie, I almost find myself at odds in what is so clearly the thing to judge about this film. The fact is, ‘Sponge out of Water’ is the exact cliché of modern sequels, it’s not only bigger and louder, but also darker and grittier than the first film, and even features a villain who had planned to get caught the whole time, during the second act. Additionally, as opposed to the first film, which had a mix of the humor the series is known for with some kid-friendly morals, this sequel is more about anarchy and keeping a level of good-spirited fun amidst the constant craziness on display. With that perspective in mind, I had a good time watching this movie, even if it is more of just a random adventure, than something significant.
Continue reading ‘Absorb The Fun Of ‘The SpongeBob Movie’ (Movie Review)’
January 29th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Jason Statham has plenty of talent. Best known as an English tough guy, Statham may not have what some want to call range, but he does know how to direct his energy and inherent charisma into different shades of somewhat similar performances (the dichotomy between The Transporter and Crank is a perfect example). It is promising to learn that Statham took on Wild Card as a personal project, in which he could utilize the skills that he has, putting them into a character drama, which happens to have some action. Unfortunately, too much of this film is dull and plodding, with some questionable performances, and a lack of cohesion, given what the film eventually amounts too.
Continue reading ‘‘Wild Card’ Is A Bust (Movie Review)’
January 28th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Project Almanac feels like the result of producer Michael Bay taking the film Primer and throwing it into a room where the MTV Films scientists could poke, prod, analyze, disassemble, and reassemble it into a time travel film that could appeal to teenagers of today. That is not inherently a bad thing, but it also does not mean this film will have much lasting appeal for the future, compared to other time travel films or other films that also utilize the ‘found footage’ format to better effect. So with that in mind, despite some clever ideas and an energetic sense of momentum, Project Almanac is only so much fun, if you don’t think too hard about it, but innocent enough to work for what it is, with the target audience likely willing to have enough to enjoy.
Continue reading ‘Welcome To ‘Project Almanac’ (Movie Review)’
January 23rd, 2015 by Brian White
I already know what you are thinking. It’s the month of January. This is the month where movies that studios have no faith in go to die. You don’t need to tell me that. I know that all too well. However, there are four main reasons that actually managed to convince me to check to see this one. First up, I wanted to check in on my home girl from the block, J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez). I never hated her or anything so I just wanted to see how she was doing post Marc Anthony. Second, this one is directed by Rob Cohen and he has “some” clout, don’t you think? Third, it’s Rated-R! Hell yeah! And last but not least, there’s a certain list titled “The 20 Greatest Things About This Amazing ‘The Boy Next Door’ Trailer” over here that had me in stitches. That’s enough reasons, right? Continue reading ‘J-Lo Gets Jiggy With ‘The Boy Next Door’ (Movie Review)’
January 22nd, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
At its best, Mortdecai is an adult-skewing drama that uses its big-name cast to its advantage, as everyone does their best to show how much fun they are having, while being moved along by the comic zip of director David Koepp’s direction. This is not a sentence that I can apply to the whole movie, unfortunately, but Mortdecai is by no means the disaster that would be suggested by its January release date and lack of much publicity, beyond the basic marketing via trailers and posters. Really, it is a globetrotting adventure with fairly low stakes and a lead performance from a very game Johnny Depp that you will either enjoy or find irritating. Fortunately, the film does have other actors also doing their part, even if the film is fairly minor in every sense. That in mind, this is far better than The Tourist or whatever the hell Steve Martin was doing in those Pink Panther movies.
Continue reading ‘‘Mortdecai’, A Shot In The Mustache (Movie Review)’
January 22nd, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
There was a time when I used to say I was not a fan of submarine movies. I have since found that to be inaccurate, given how much I appreciate the ones considered to be the best and even some of the more average attempts. I believe it to come down more to whether or not the film is effective in getting across the key idea of what works best in a submarine movie, which is effectively building the claustrophobic tension that comes from having multiple characters stuck with each other in a narrow enclosure, deep below the ocean’s surface. Black Sea manages to do this. It takes the premise of a heist film and combines that with what you can get from a submarine thriller, making for a unique sort of drama held together by some solid performances and an interesting play on what these characters actually desire most.
Continue reading ‘Enjoy The Depths Of ‘Black Sea’ (Movie Review)’
January 17th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
I am not sure whether or not I should be surprised by how much I enjoyed Paddington, the film adaptation of the popular children’s literature character created by Michael Bond, but I know without a doubt that I was absolutely charmed by it. Co-writer/director Paul King, best known for his work on the British comedy series The Mighty Boosh, has put together a marvelous little film that has the kind of wonder that makes the film adaptations of certain Roald Dahl books, like Fantastic Mr. Fox, Matilda, and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, work so well. He even throws in the plotting of a film like Beethoven to make for a very easily accessible family film, with just enough plot to make this fish-out-of-water story very easy to watch. So grab your coat & red hat and get ready for Paddington.
Continue reading ‘‘Paddington’ Is The Cinematic Equivalent Of A Warm Hug (Movie Review)’
January 16th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
So director Clint Eastwood decided to pull a Spielberg and be a double threat in 2014, but while Jersey Boys and American Sniper are no Jurassic Park and Schindler’s List (and perhaps not even a Lost World and Amistad), the latter film is certainly his best effort in some time. That may not be saying much, but American Sniper, while not the most engaging war film in terms of having much to say, without adding a layer of schmaltz on top (fitting with the strong war violence presented), did interest me on another level. Despite being an uncomplicated, yet never-dull and efficient war-drama, I was intrigued by seeing a filmmaker like Eastwood make an attempt at a film that studies masculinity, given his own career as a gruff, male action hero.
Continue reading ‘Eastwood Aims High With ‘American Sniper’ (Movie Review)’
January 16th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
Blackhat is a slickly-produced techno-thriller from co-writer/director Michael Mann. While Mann continually enjoy exploring the relationship between cops and crooks, this film and the last couple efforts from Mann (Miami Vice, Public Enemies) seem to feature same issue: personality vs. interest. The fact is, all of Mann’s films have tons of personality, given his stylish tendencies, but his recent efforts have unfortunately not left us with much to connect with, beyond the visuals, committed (yet somewhat shallow) performances, and visceral quality of the action in his features. Blackhat does nothing to really change that around and while a January release date is harsh sentencing for a director that continues to put what I imagine is tons of effort into his productions, it stands to reason that a film with a couple action-based highlights amidst a world filled with exotic locals, techno-jargon, and the handsomest hacker of them all could only draw up so much excitement. That in mind, I am still a Mann fan and while bloated, I tend to enjoy the visual language Mann puts on the big screen, overweighing my need for a more enjoyable screenplay, which is still unfortunately the issue with these recent Mann projects.
Continue reading ‘‘Blackhat’ AKA Sexy Hackers (Movie Review)’
January 15th, 2015 by Brian White
American Sniper saw a limited release theatrically last year on Christmas Day. So if you are in the know with my usual rants, then you have already guessed it and hit the nail on the head. It wasn’t released or screened anywhere near me last Christmas, hence why there is this late film review and possible exclusion from countless Top 10 lists of last year across the multitude of websites comparable to ours. However, it juts goes to show you that you can’t have your cake and eat all the time too. You either pay the high taxes and live in a shoebox in LA or you stuff your face with fatty BBQ, sip back on sweet tea and watch the world pass you by, but I digress. We really do have a movie to discuss here. So ladies and gentlemen, I formally welcome you to my all-American movie review of American Sniper. Continue reading ‘It’s Your Patriotic Duty to See ‘American Sniper’ This Weekend’
January 9th, 2015 by Aaron Neuwirth
My favorite scene in A Walk Among the Tombstones, the previous Liam Neeson thriller that found the 62-year-old actor facing up against a number of deadly foes, involved Neeson’s character talking a knife-wielding man out of fighting, because they both knew how it would end. It showed how much of an intimidating force Neeson can be just by having a conversation. The same can be said for the first and best Taken. While that film had its share of action, the best scenes involved Neeson intimidating his enemies through just his presence and dialogue. Now we are at Taken 3, which is pretty much a joke. Sloppy storytelling, incoherent direction, horrible action (featuring plenty of close-ups); this is a mess of a film. Sure, Neeson knows how to sell his presence, but as the tagline states, I really hope it does end here.
Continue reading ‘Look Who’s ‘Taken’ Now (Movie Review)’
December 26th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
There is something I find fascinating about a man struggling not to be a criminal. This was something played to near-perfection by Al Pacino in The Godfather films, but it is a character type that we have seen a lot in the crime and gangster films before and since those first two ‘masterpieces.’ In regards to this superb crime drama from writer/director J.C. Chandor, I think my fascination has something to do with the idea of understanding lead character Oscar Isaac’s sense of morals, but seeing how much ‘easier’ it would be for him if he more willingly stepped onto the dark side. Regardless of what the case may be, A Most Violent Year is the kind of slow-burn, tactics-heavy, crime drama that I was easily taken in by, thanks to a level of confidence behind the camera and strong performances matched with cinematic beauty in front of it.
Continue reading ‘‘A Most Violent Year,’ A Most Wonderful Film (Movie Review)’
December 25th, 2014 by Aaron Neuwirth
In a film about high stakes gambling and the crushing weight an addiction (or whatever Mark Wahlberg’s character wants to call it), knowing how to balance the tension and frustration of someone constantly risking it all with cinematic skill is very important. Rupert Wyatt’s directorial follow-up to Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a drastically different type of film in terms of scale, but this remake of 1974’s The Gambler clearly shows that he can balance entertainment with intelligence within the confines of mainstream studio fare. Not that we do not see this from other filmmakers in any given year and it is also not like The Gambler is not without its share of issues, but as much as Wahlberg is the star actor in the film, Rupert Wyatt is really selling himself as the star director.
Continue reading ‘Wahlberg Goes All In With ‘The Gambler’ (Movie Review)’
