Why So Blu?

And You Thought You Had a “Horrible Boss”

We have all had “horrible bosses” at one point or another during our career, haven’t we?   Well I guess I should probably be addressing the 30-something year old crowd, but I truly think this topic transcends the ages, if you ask me.  And why wouldn’t you?   I’m kind of the authority around here, am I not?  God!   I dislike pompous people.  That’s why I’m going to start this review all over again.  Are you ready?  Good!  Let’s go!  Good day ladies and gentlemen.  Today we are gathered to talk about the all too familiar topic of “horrible bosses,” oops…I mean the film Horrible Bosses.  That was better, huh? Continue reading ‘And You Thought You Had a “Horrible Boss”’

‘Larry Crowne’ Is Nice Enough To Just Not Care

I guess Tom Hanks could at least receive a “Thanks For Trying” award.  Back in 1996, Hanks made his directorial debut with That Thing You Do, a film that oozes likable charm.  Now, he has made Larry Crowne, a film that oozes something else.  I am not sure what it is that drove Hanks to co-write and direct this film, but I can only assume that he had a lot of fun making it, because the end results don’t match up very well.  One would think it would be tough to make a bad film about ostensibly nice people, all nice and having a good time, complete with a happy ending, but Larry Crowne manages to do just that. Continue reading ‘‘Larry Crowne’ Is Nice Enough To Just Not Care’

Transformers 3: Boom Boom Bay

Throughout time, as far as Autobots are concerned, it has always been important to fight for what is right.  I think Michael Bay believes in what is right, I really do.  His more is more approach has proven to be poison from a critical standpoint, but I truly believe that he enjoys being able to deliver satisfying action and mayhem to audiences around the globe.  These Transformers films have certainly given him the opportunity to do things that have not been done before and it stands to reason that the fun element has been embraced by many.  This latest entry is pure spectacle through and through.  It delivers (especially in the final hour) a ridiculous amount of momentous special effects, all very shiny and presented in glorious 3D. Continue reading ‘Transformers 3: Boom Boom Bay’

Summer Officially Begins with Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Clear the theater, the heavyweight champ has arrived!  Transformers: Dark of the Moon returns just in time to remind us just what a Hollywood Blockbuster looks like after a summer of mediocrity.  Transformers: DOTM arrives in a tour de force, staying true to its cheesy comic relief, PG-13 language and sensuality, but delivering on action, action, action for those of us who can’t get enough of the hot cars and industrial vehicles morphing into warriors while driving 100mph. Continue reading ‘Summer Officially Begins with Transformers: Dark of the Moon’

‘Cars 2’: Cruise Control

Last year I made the incorrect assumption of thinking Toy Story 3 would be Pixar’s way of easing back into simple comedy territory, after delving into more complex emotional territory with Up and Wall-E.  I was wrong, as Toy Story 3 not only turned out to be a powerhouse adventure/comedy, it also managed to pack a lot of dramatic weight as well.  This year I believed that Cars 2 was certainly going to be a shift down for Pixar, as the first Cars was underwhelming to me and the announcement of another did not get me very excited.  Much to my surprise, I had a large amount of fun while watching Cars 2. Continue reading ‘‘Cars 2’: Cruise Control’

‘Bad Teacher’ Makes The Grade

Bad Teacher is an example of bringing a lot of talented and funny people together to make a movie that should obviously deliver, yet it doesn’t quite knock it out of the park.  Still, while not a grand slam by any means, the film does manage to make it to home plate (and that’s the end of the baseball analogies).  Instead of playing out as a clever satire about a teacher who does not care or as a spin on the teacher who comes into the lives of students and makes a difference in an unorthodox way, this movie is simply a feature-length sitcom.  The film plays as an R-rated, raunchy comedy, where logic does not really apply and the overall plot is incredibly contrived and conventional.  Still, I did laugh quite a bit, thanks to the efforts of the cast. Continue reading ‘‘Bad Teacher’ Makes The Grade’

‘Attack The Block’ Is A Lot Of Fresh Fun, Believe

Advance Review: Attack the Block is wholly original and entertaining, believe!  I have recently seen Super 8 and Paul, which serve as fun films that do a lot to pay as much tribute as possible to Spielbergian-era films of the 80s (mostly), but Attack the Block is a film that acknowledges what similar genre films of the past have done and creates its own fresh take on an alien invasion story.  While shot on a low budget with many new and young actors, this film far exceeds similar, recent alien invasion films, due to its level of authenticity and confidence one can glean from the filmmaking portrayed here. Continue reading ‘‘Attack The Block’ Is A Lot Of Fresh Fun, Believe’

Race to Your Local Theater for ‘Cars 2’

Disney/Pixar has done it again!  Of course, I’m talking about Cars 2!  Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy are back with a great new adventure for Lightning McQueen and Mater, as they head to the first ever World Grand Prix to determine the world’s fastest car.  This animated feature takes us to Japan and all over Europe in a quest for the top honors in racing.  Most of your favorite characters are back, and the drama centers around Lightning’s and Mater’s friendship, and how strong it really is.  Notably absent is Paul Newman’s voicing of Doc Hudson, but his memory is honored in the movie.  Mater is mistaken for an international spy by the dashing Finn McMissile, voiced by Michael Caine, and that leads to many funny mis-adventures, as Mater is totally clueless as to what people think he is. Continue reading ‘Race to Your Local Theater for ‘Cars 2’’

A Little Brightest Day, A Little Blackest Night, ‘Green Lantern’ Doesn’t Quite Get It Right

It is sad when a movie, capable of being better than its actual results, goes down the inevitable path of disappointment.  Initial footage of Green Lantern was met with lukewarm reactions.  The completely computer generated costume never seemed to click with the masses.  Only the power of Ryan Reynolds’ charisma and the intrigue that stems from seeing a live action Green Lantern using imagination-based abilities seemed to be giving people hope.  I had remained cautiously optimistic in anticipation of the film’s release, but alas, despite a lot of entertaining and well put together portions, the film did not end up working for me as a whole. Continue reading ‘A Little Brightest Day, A Little Blackest Night, ‘Green Lantern’ Doesn’t Quite Get It Right’

‘Submarine’ Takes A Dive Into The Depths Of Quirky British Comedy

I find it interesting that I have gotten to see both Beginners and Submarine within the span of the same week.  Both films are engaging, romantic, comedic dramas, which use quirky sensibilities that manage to both give the film a unique voice and feel as though it is working hard to be different.  Keeping both of these thoughts in mind, I am happy that I really enjoyed these films, but for different reasons.  In Beginners, I admired the performances, among other aspects of that film.  For Submarine, the subject of this review, I admired the film’s cold sense of humor.  If I had to use another movie to describe this movie as a spring board, Submarine is essentially a very British version of Rushmore, with some more obscure qualities. Continue reading ‘‘Submarine’ Takes A Dive Into The Depths Of Quirky British Comedy’

Green Lantern Flickers Between Boredom & Excitement

I remember last year sitting outside the 6,000-seat capacity Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center. It was a cool, gray-skyed morning as the line of pedestrian traffic snaked around the dewy grass.  We all shared a common eagerness to experience the discussion panel of the Green Lantern. The almost-year since then has passed quickly and the Lantern Corp is upon us as Ryan Reynolds takes the famed oath, dons the ring and stars as the emerald hero!

Continue reading ‘Green Lantern Flickers Between Boredom & Excitement’

Wonder and Thrills Delivered in J.J. Spielberg’s in ‘Super 8’

Before the J.J. Abrams directed film, Super 8, begins, the film is stamped with the Amblin production logo.  Amblin is a production company created by Steven Spielberg back in 1981.  When that logo began to appear on the outset of not only Spielberg films, but films directed by other filmmakers he had influenced, it would imply that the film would fall into a particular category that holds a sense of wonder that could skew towards all audiences.  Super 8, which has Spielberg on board as a producer, certainly evokes elements of films like E.T, Gremlins. and The Goonies, but is also a product of modern cinematic sensibilities. Continue reading ‘Wonder and Thrills Delivered in J.J. Spielberg’s in ‘Super 8’’

J.J. Abrams Delivers a “Mint” Production in SUPER 8

This is going to be mostly a stream of consciousness so hold on tight.  Sometimes I’ll talk with big words like I’m pretending to be smart and other times I will speak with the verbal acuity of a middle school child.  So let’s do this!  Super 8 is one of the most original movies I have seen in a long time.  Yet at the same time, it provokes a nostalgic feeling akin to old Steven Spielberg films such as E.T. or Indiana Jones.  I wonder if that has anything to do with Spielberg being a Producer on the film?  Hmm…Anywho, I have been looking forward to this movie for a while now, not in an obsessing over it constantly sort of way, but more in a I’d see a trailer for it online and be like HOT DAMN this is gonna be good.  So needless to say, I had very high hopes for this flick.  J.J. Abrams just knows how to craft a good story. Continue reading ‘J.J. Abrams Delivers a “Mint” Production in SUPER 8’

Stay Through To The End With ‘Beginners’

I am very pleased that in a summer film season full of a (surprisingly strong) list of blockbusters being released week after week, I have had time to also see a number of very good films in limited release as well.  Films like Midnight in Paris and The Tree of Life have been just as entertaining to watch as the bigger releases and now I can add Beginners to that list as well.  A well handled comedic drama, Beginners is the story of a man dealing with some revelations about his aging father as well as handling a new relationship. The story is fairly simple, but the acting is strong and the nonlinear story editing is appropriately suited to the film as well.  There are some indie film-type touches that seem to draw attention, but nothing really gets in the way of the charming story being told. Continue reading ‘Stay Through To The End With ‘Beginners’’

Spend An Enjoyable ‘Midnight In Paris’ At Any Time

There is a great, classic scene in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall, which has Allen’s character literally pull philosopher/literary critic Marshall McLuhan onto the frame, in order to have him directly tell another character why he is misinformed in his opinions, giving Allen the ultimate form of satisfaction.  In Allen’s latest film, Midnight in Paris, the lead character gets to spend lots of time amongst all of his greatest literary and artistic idols, receiving his own wonderful type of satisfaction.  Full of energy and lots of whimsy, I greatly enjoyed this Paris-based film, which has Owen Wilson headlining a fine cast in a Woody Allen story that has an actual sturdy premise, which balances the comedy with the fantastical. Continue reading ‘Spend An Enjoyable ‘Midnight In Paris’ At Any Time’

The Uncanny ‘X-Men’ Begins

Adding to the list of exciting comic films that are coming out during the packed summer of 2011, we now have the latest entry in the ­X-Men film franchise.  I find X-Men films to be among the tougher comic book properties to make into films, as it involves the use of an ensemble cast and finding a way to best incorporate decades’ worth of history into a film that will satisfy both the casual audience and intense comic fans alike.  Fortunately, this film is a whole lot of fun.  Thanks to many very talented individuals, this newest take on the franchise manages to reset the series in many ways and take advantage of some previously unused potential. Continue reading ‘The Uncanny ‘X-Men’ Begins’

X-Men: First Class – The Best Marvel Film Ever. Period.

No teasers in that title, eh? I debated back and forth in my mind, searching for some crafty heading for an article on the most recent Marvel Comics film. After wrestling with a few ideas, I said heck with it. Just call it like it is. I was amped sitting in my theater seat watching this tale unfold. Now let’s find out why this movie was just so damn good.

Continue reading ‘X-Men: First Class – The Best Marvel Film Ever. Period.’

‘The Tree of Life’ Is Beautifully Obscure

It almost feels daunting to start to try and describe my thoughts on the latest Terrence Malick film, The Tree of Life.  I certainly enjoyed the movie, but for a review, establishing what it is about this profoundly reflective film that encompasses many different themes stemming from a personal place for its writer/director certainly presents a challenge.  I have read many comparisons of this film to Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, which feels very appropriate in many ways.  Tree of Life manages to encompass a scope that feels similar to Kubrick’s sci-fi classic.  As a Malick film, this certainly feels like a deeply personal project that was somehow able to get off the ground and be made by a willing enough studio.  I think that my prose in this opening paragraph alone is already somewhat scattershot, as I do have many more things to say about the film. Continue reading ‘‘The Tree of Life’ Is Beautifully Obscure’