Sunday, February 28, 2016
My Favorite Films of 2015
2015 was another great year for film that included many hits and misses. Out of the many films that I saw, these were the ones that stood out among the rest and made my own list of yearly favorites. Now, to clarify, I haven't seen every film (including The Revenant, Brooklyn, Bridge of Spies, etc.) but despite this, I did manage to clock in over 40 films so condensing it into a normal top ten list was quite a task. But nevertheless, These were the films that I enjoyed the most all year and that I highly recommend to rent or buy on home video or streaming.
My Favorite Films of 2015
Grandma
Inside Out
Jurassic World
Mad Max: Fury Road
Pawn Sacrifice
Spotlight
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Tomorrowland
The Walk
Wild Tales
Honorable Mentions
Age of Adaline
Irrational Man
Jupiter Ascending
Krampus
Spy
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Marvelously Insane and Gleefully Profane
DEADPOOL
dir. Tim Miller
"Deadpool" starts by giving us a credit sequence that not only tells us what superhero clichés to expect (a british villain, a gratuitous cameo, etc.) but also lampoons it with the softness of a brick. It is hard to be fresh, new and inventive when so many comic book films come out each year. This year alone is bringing us SEVEN superhero/comic book films including this one. "Deadpool" stands out from the rest of those yet released as it isn't trying to name drop or set up events for future franchise installments. Instead, the film sets fire to those and gives us a fast and furiously action filled romp that lets the audience in on its own insanity.
Another one of the things that sets the film apart from others like it is that the central hero isn't exactly standing for "Truth, Justice, and The American Way" but instead stands for himself and his own self-interests. He isn't going to save the world unless there is something in it for him and him alone which makes the film even more hilarious and timely. Ryan Reynolds gives a career defining performance that I think is bound to be his most memorable unlike "Green Lantern" which is jabbed at throughout the film along with other comic book films and characters.
All of the supporting characters and actors are exceptionally well and the action scenes are fun and constant without being too over the top ala "Kick Ass" or "Punisher: War Zone". Overall, "Deadpool" is one of the best superhero films out there as it doesn't hide its insane and profane nature or try and set up a future installment of its own universe. "Deadpool" exists to be "Deadpool" and that is what makes it marvelous.
Rating: Four and A Half Reels out of Five
dir. Tim Miller
"Deadpool" starts by giving us a credit sequence that not only tells us what superhero clichés to expect (a british villain, a gratuitous cameo, etc.) but also lampoons it with the softness of a brick. It is hard to be fresh, new and inventive when so many comic book films come out each year. This year alone is bringing us SEVEN superhero/comic book films including this one. "Deadpool" stands out from the rest of those yet released as it isn't trying to name drop or set up events for future franchise installments. Instead, the film sets fire to those and gives us a fast and furiously action filled romp that lets the audience in on its own insanity.
Another one of the things that sets the film apart from others like it is that the central hero isn't exactly standing for "Truth, Justice, and The American Way" but instead stands for himself and his own self-interests. He isn't going to save the world unless there is something in it for him and him alone which makes the film even more hilarious and timely. Ryan Reynolds gives a career defining performance that I think is bound to be his most memorable unlike "Green Lantern" which is jabbed at throughout the film along with other comic book films and characters.
All of the supporting characters and actors are exceptionally well and the action scenes are fun and constant without being too over the top ala "Kick Ass" or "Punisher: War Zone". Overall, "Deadpool" is one of the best superhero films out there as it doesn't hide its insane and profane nature or try and set up a future installment of its own universe. "Deadpool" exists to be "Deadpool" and that is what makes it marvelous.
Rating: Four and A Half Reels out of Five
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
A Warm 'Choice'
The Choice
dir. Ross Katz
The Choice isn't a perfect movie but it doesn't have to be. Is it clichéd? Sure but what makes it work is the performances and chemistry between all the characters. Plus, the fact that this is the 11th film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel means that there is bound to be some expectation and similarities with previous incarnations of his work. I think there is even a reference to "The Notebook" with the lead character, Travis mentioning how the previous owners of the house next door, where his future love resides, used to live there and then left to stay in a nursing home. Benjamin Walker's performance as Travis is one of the highlights of the film. He is a leading man in the making. His chemistry with Teresa Palmer's Gabby is outstanding and well-grounded. The supporting cast is good too with some better than average performances by Tom Wilkinson and Tom Welling of "Smallville" fame. That isn't to say though that there aren't some flaws with the finished film. The third act gets a bit muddled and rushed instead of naturally playing out. Plus, The opening scenes practically give away the final act of the film which if you've seen almost every Nicholas Sparks film (like I have), you might be able to piece together on your own what is gonna happen near the end. It also feels like the film had some crucial scenes that were left on the cutting room floor to meet a under two-hour runtime. But even with those flaws, The Choice is still a very warm, funny and emotional film that gives you what you want in a romance. You'll smile, you'll cry and it'll make you think about the choices that we all make and while this film may be corny to some, at least the film and filmmakers treat the audience like mature adults unlike some other films in this genre that I've seen (cough, Fifty Shades, cough). It may not be as good "The Notebook" or "The Longest Ride" but it's still another nice addition to the Nicholas Sparks canon.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
dir. Ross Katz
The Choice isn't a perfect movie but it doesn't have to be. Is it clichéd? Sure but what makes it work is the performances and chemistry between all the characters. Plus, the fact that this is the 11th film adaptation of a Nicholas Sparks novel means that there is bound to be some expectation and similarities with previous incarnations of his work. I think there is even a reference to "The Notebook" with the lead character, Travis mentioning how the previous owners of the house next door, where his future love resides, used to live there and then left to stay in a nursing home. Benjamin Walker's performance as Travis is one of the highlights of the film. He is a leading man in the making. His chemistry with Teresa Palmer's Gabby is outstanding and well-grounded. The supporting cast is good too with some better than average performances by Tom Wilkinson and Tom Welling of "Smallville" fame. That isn't to say though that there aren't some flaws with the finished film. The third act gets a bit muddled and rushed instead of naturally playing out. Plus, The opening scenes practically give away the final act of the film which if you've seen almost every Nicholas Sparks film (like I have), you might be able to piece together on your own what is gonna happen near the end. It also feels like the film had some crucial scenes that were left on the cutting room floor to meet a under two-hour runtime. But even with those flaws, The Choice is still a very warm, funny and emotional film that gives you what you want in a romance. You'll smile, you'll cry and it'll make you think about the choices that we all make and while this film may be corny to some, at least the film and filmmakers treat the audience like mature adults unlike some other films in this genre that I've seen (cough, Fifty Shades, cough). It may not be as good "The Notebook" or "The Longest Ride" but it's still another nice addition to the Nicholas Sparks canon.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
Austen Zombified
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
dir. Burr Steers
Mashup films can either be quite fun and underrated like "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" or a bit too serious for it's own good like "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter". "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" seems to strike a good balance between these two extremes by not only being a good adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel but also being a fun, entertaining and elegant zombie killfest with some impressive action set pieces. However, one of the most glaring flaws of this film is that it seems that a lot of edited out to meet its PG-13 rating making about half of the action sequences rather bloodless and sanitized. There is still enough gruesomeness to suffice but it felt like I was watching a made for television version that is more on par with an episode of "The Walking Dead" than a theatrical feature. That aside though, the core of the film is still good with impressive characterizations of the book's classic leads including another great central performance by Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet. She seems to have a great talent for taking classic literary characters and making them all new again as she did last year with her outstanding portrayal of "Cinderella" in the new Disney live action version. She and the rest of the cast make the humor and elegance of the story stand out without it being too tongue-in-cheek.
Overall, Austen's shared universe (yes, I just said those words) gets the zombie treatment without taking away any of what has made her books timeless.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
dir. Burr Steers
Mashup films can either be quite fun and underrated like "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" or a bit too serious for it's own good like "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter". "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" seems to strike a good balance between these two extremes by not only being a good adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel but also being a fun, entertaining and elegant zombie killfest with some impressive action set pieces. However, one of the most glaring flaws of this film is that it seems that a lot of edited out to meet its PG-13 rating making about half of the action sequences rather bloodless and sanitized. There is still enough gruesomeness to suffice but it felt like I was watching a made for television version that is more on par with an episode of "The Walking Dead" than a theatrical feature. That aside though, the core of the film is still good with impressive characterizations of the book's classic leads including another great central performance by Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet. She seems to have a great talent for taking classic literary characters and making them all new again as she did last year with her outstanding portrayal of "Cinderella" in the new Disney live action version. She and the rest of the cast make the humor and elegance of the story stand out without it being too tongue-in-cheek.
Overall, Austen's shared universe (yes, I just said those words) gets the zombie treatment without taking away any of what has made her books timeless.
Rating: Three Reels out of Five
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