The Lobster
dir. Yorgos Lanthimos
Within the first few minutes of "The Lobster", we get a sense that this dystopian world of relationships and love is darkly and humorously similar to ours. The concept is simple: If you aren't married to someone, you are sent to a hotel where you have 45 days to find a suitable partner. If you don't find a partner within that timeframe, you get turned into an animal of your choosing. The hotel looks and feels like if a dating website like eHarmony became sentient and decided to manifest in our reality. The staff have strict rules and partake with the guests to hunting rebel escapees that live alone in the forest. These rebels have strict rules as well with an emphasis on no romantic relationships of any kind. We see and experience both these societies through the eyes of David, played by Colin Farrell, who just wants to find someone to love. Each group is a reflection on what is going on with romantic relationships today. There is the one side which encourages and somewhat forces you to get married and spread the fruitful seed and the other side which says that individuality without relationships is better and being totally alone and isolated works better for the society as a whole. Think eHarmony vs. an Extremist version of a Hippie commune. The story is much more than a social statement on relationship trends and tendencies. At its core, it is a romance between two people from two different groups and it works. If anyone ever says to you that all romance films these days are the same, point them to this movie and see if they change their tune after watching it.
The film balances the dark realities with hilarious humor quite well. Every scene and moment is unexpected and can range from light, quirky satire that makes you laugh out loud to black, violent realisms that make you cringe and squirm in your theater seat. The cast does a good job at doing this and it never feels like they're phoning it in or taking it at a tongue-in-cheek face value. The music is great at this as well as it indicates to you when you can laugh and when you shouldn't. Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz have excellent chemistry together and I hope that they'll do another film like this together someday. I also really enjoyed the comradery of David's "friends" that he meets at the resort.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos has really tapped into the confusing and maze-like realities of modern day romance and relations. It has a similar (although this one is much more bleak) tone and parallel that director Spike Jonze showcased in his 2013 film, "HER". If you're looking for a perfect date movie, this is definitely not it. But, "The Lobster" is still a perfect pitch black satire that hits all the right notes and engages not only your emotions but your intellect as well long after you've experienced the film.
Rating: 5 Reels
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Saturday, June 4, 2016
A Funny, Snarky, and Quirky Summer Delight
Love & Friendship
dir. Whit Stillman
It is a true rarity that a period comedy piece comes along that is not just faithful to the storytelling and relevancy of Jane Austen but also make the characters and situations relatable to todays audiences. The last time I remember seeing anything like this was when I revisited Kenneth Branagh's 1993 adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" after I had seen Joss Whedon's half-hearted hipster version.
Based on a work of Austen's entitled "Lady Susan", The story revolves around a widowed woman who goes to live with her in-laws while she searches for another, preferably wealthy, husband. Kate Beckinsale gives a deviously snarky and hilarious performance as the central character who is deliciously selfish in finding herself another man to live off of. I don't think that we're particularly supposed to side with her on her endeavors especially since she uses everyone around her including her own daughter who she wishes to give away and marry to a dim and unintelligent man for wealth alone. But, despite this, we go along with her and laugh with her when she makes a snarky observation about love and relationships.
The supporting performances are also stellar especially Chloë Sevigny who plays Susan's "BFF", Alicia. She shares the same snarky wit and views that Susan has and aids her in what could only be described as "love espionage". I found the other aspects of the film to be excellent as well such as the beautiful set and production design and the soundtrack which is one of the best film soundtracks composed of classical music that I have ever heard. It ranks up there with the likes of Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon" and Milos Forman's "Amadeus".
In a summer full of sequels, superheroes and blockbusters, this one is a standout that deserves to be seen. It is an delightful film full of wit and charm. If you need a break from all the explosions and action seen in other films, go see this one. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 5 Reels
dir. Whit Stillman
It is a true rarity that a period comedy piece comes along that is not just faithful to the storytelling and relevancy of Jane Austen but also make the characters and situations relatable to todays audiences. The last time I remember seeing anything like this was when I revisited Kenneth Branagh's 1993 adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" after I had seen Joss Whedon's half-hearted hipster version.
Based on a work of Austen's entitled "Lady Susan", The story revolves around a widowed woman who goes to live with her in-laws while she searches for another, preferably wealthy, husband. Kate Beckinsale gives a deviously snarky and hilarious performance as the central character who is deliciously selfish in finding herself another man to live off of. I don't think that we're particularly supposed to side with her on her endeavors especially since she uses everyone around her including her own daughter who she wishes to give away and marry to a dim and unintelligent man for wealth alone. But, despite this, we go along with her and laugh with her when she makes a snarky observation about love and relationships.
The supporting performances are also stellar especially Chloë Sevigny who plays Susan's "BFF", Alicia. She shares the same snarky wit and views that Susan has and aids her in what could only be described as "love espionage". I found the other aspects of the film to be excellent as well such as the beautiful set and production design and the soundtrack which is one of the best film soundtracks composed of classical music that I have ever heard. It ranks up there with the likes of Stanley Kubrick's "Barry Lyndon" and Milos Forman's "Amadeus".
In a summer full of sequels, superheroes and blockbusters, this one is a standout that deserves to be seen. It is an delightful film full of wit and charm. If you need a break from all the explosions and action seen in other films, go see this one. You won't be disappointed.
Rating: 5 Reels
God, Can I get a 'Do-Over' on the last 90 minutes of my life?
The Do-Over
dir. Steven Brill
I have never been the one to participate in the ever-growing backlash against Adam Sandler. I have liked some of his past studio efforts. I liked "Blended" cause it brought back the great chemistry between him and Drew Barrymore and I enjoyed "Pixels" for some of its funny moments and 80s flashback style. But, where I've defended him in the past for being a victim of overzealous former fans. Here, the overall consensus is the truth. This film is one of the biggest and most unfulfilling timewasters that I've seen in a long time. It's not funny, not enjoyable and overall, an unpleasant and sigh inducing experience.
Just because this is a NETFLIX exclusive film, doesn't give it a pass. This is just one of the films that are part of Adam Sandler's contract with the company. I did not have the misfortune of seeing his previous effort "The Ridiculous Six" but I was told by some that there was nothing to see, so I forgot about it. The "story" of the film involves David Spade as an unlucky character with a terrible wife and kids, job and so on. He bumps into his old high school buddy, played by Sandler, at a reunion who after having some "fun" adventures decides to give his buddy a new life with him by faking their own deaths. The plot from there gets muddled until a twist unfolds that is one of the most tacky, unsentimental and practically offending twists I've ever seen.
This film is not funny, period. Upon writing this review, there are handfuls upon handfuls of other comedies that you could be watching on NETFLIX besides this one. It's a shame because I know that the streaming service is trying to produce and distribute more worthwhile content besides "House Of Cards". It is also very disappointing that Adam Sandler has sunk this low with the comedy work. I want him to do better films but if he keeps making films like this, I highly doubt anyone would want to watch him and his compadres shtick anymore. This is bargain-bin dreck and even that is an understatement as I could go to my local Wal-Mart and find a better comedy with the same runtime as this one that wont leave you feeling empty and lifeless.
Rating: Zero Reels
dir. Steven Brill
I have never been the one to participate in the ever-growing backlash against Adam Sandler. I have liked some of his past studio efforts. I liked "Blended" cause it brought back the great chemistry between him and Drew Barrymore and I enjoyed "Pixels" for some of its funny moments and 80s flashback style. But, where I've defended him in the past for being a victim of overzealous former fans. Here, the overall consensus is the truth. This film is one of the biggest and most unfulfilling timewasters that I've seen in a long time. It's not funny, not enjoyable and overall, an unpleasant and sigh inducing experience.
Just because this is a NETFLIX exclusive film, doesn't give it a pass. This is just one of the films that are part of Adam Sandler's contract with the company. I did not have the misfortune of seeing his previous effort "The Ridiculous Six" but I was told by some that there was nothing to see, so I forgot about it. The "story" of the film involves David Spade as an unlucky character with a terrible wife and kids, job and so on. He bumps into his old high school buddy, played by Sandler, at a reunion who after having some "fun" adventures decides to give his buddy a new life with him by faking their own deaths. The plot from there gets muddled until a twist unfolds that is one of the most tacky, unsentimental and practically offending twists I've ever seen.
This film is not funny, period. Upon writing this review, there are handfuls upon handfuls of other comedies that you could be watching on NETFLIX besides this one. It's a shame because I know that the streaming service is trying to produce and distribute more worthwhile content besides "House Of Cards". It is also very disappointing that Adam Sandler has sunk this low with the comedy work. I want him to do better films but if he keeps making films like this, I highly doubt anyone would want to watch him and his compadres shtick anymore. This is bargain-bin dreck and even that is an understatement as I could go to my local Wal-Mart and find a better comedy with the same runtime as this one that wont leave you feeling empty and lifeless.
Rating: Zero Reels
Thursday, June 2, 2016
An 'X'-cellent Blockbuster
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE
dir. Bryan Singer
A lot of people forget but when the first "X-Men" film came out in 2000, it reignited the superhero movie genre just when it seemed to be on life-support and since then, this franchise has seen some ups and downs but has still managed to remain fresh and new in the minds of audiences. This latest installment just maybe the best X-Men film since the original. It isn't trying to reorganize or repair the foundation of the series (like with First Class or Days of Futures Past) or spinoff a character into another storyline/franchise (like with the two Wolverine films and the still unconfirmed and undetermined Gambit film). Instead, Bryan Singer reigns in the universe and its characters to make a coherent and entertaining blockbuster. In other words, its a film superhero film about story, not setups, teases or namedrops.
Taking place after the events of the previous entry, the resurgence of an all powerful mutant who thinks he is god, brings the gang back together with some new recruits. Oscar Isaac's performance as Apocalypse is the best villain performance in a superhero film that I've seen in a long time. He's a villain who isn't trying to back up his actions or overstuff them with long and rambling monologues but instead gives us some chilling, intense and somewhat frightening scenes such as one where he takes Michael Fassbinder's Magneto back to Auschwitz where his powers were born. The less I say about that, the better. Among some of the other scene stealing moments are the performances by the young and new actors playing Cyclops, Jean Grey and Nightcrawler and another movie stealing moment by Evan Peters as Quicksilver which I dare not give away as it is too good and smile-inducing to spoil. The pacing may be a bit slow for some but at least it's consistent and builds unlike the start and stop and start and stop patterns like some other superhero films. Bryan Singer brings some of the same flourish and bam action sequence directing that he brought back to the franchise with "Days of Futures Past" and even brings out some great emotional performances out of both James McAvoy and Michael Fassbinder during the films more dramatic scenes.
"X-Men: Apocalypse" maintains a balance of being both an individual summer blockbuster and continuing the franchise's canon storyline and it works. Is it better than "Batman V Superman" and "Captain America: Civil War"? In some respects, yes but that is like comparing three books in the same genre. Sure, they're the same genre but they are still three different stories. Still, "Apocalypse" is an amazing and x-cellent summer action-fest that succeeds on every level.
Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
dir. Bryan Singer
A lot of people forget but when the first "X-Men" film came out in 2000, it reignited the superhero movie genre just when it seemed to be on life-support and since then, this franchise has seen some ups and downs but has still managed to remain fresh and new in the minds of audiences. This latest installment just maybe the best X-Men film since the original. It isn't trying to reorganize or repair the foundation of the series (like with First Class or Days of Futures Past) or spinoff a character into another storyline/franchise (like with the two Wolverine films and the still unconfirmed and undetermined Gambit film). Instead, Bryan Singer reigns in the universe and its characters to make a coherent and entertaining blockbuster. In other words, its a film superhero film about story, not setups, teases or namedrops.
Taking place after the events of the previous entry, the resurgence of an all powerful mutant who thinks he is god, brings the gang back together with some new recruits. Oscar Isaac's performance as Apocalypse is the best villain performance in a superhero film that I've seen in a long time. He's a villain who isn't trying to back up his actions or overstuff them with long and rambling monologues but instead gives us some chilling, intense and somewhat frightening scenes such as one where he takes Michael Fassbinder's Magneto back to Auschwitz where his powers were born. The less I say about that, the better. Among some of the other scene stealing moments are the performances by the young and new actors playing Cyclops, Jean Grey and Nightcrawler and another movie stealing moment by Evan Peters as Quicksilver which I dare not give away as it is too good and smile-inducing to spoil. The pacing may be a bit slow for some but at least it's consistent and builds unlike the start and stop and start and stop patterns like some other superhero films. Bryan Singer brings some of the same flourish and bam action sequence directing that he brought back to the franchise with "Days of Futures Past" and even brings out some great emotional performances out of both James McAvoy and Michael Fassbinder during the films more dramatic scenes.
"X-Men: Apocalypse" maintains a balance of being both an individual summer blockbuster and continuing the franchise's canon storyline and it works. Is it better than "Batman V Superman" and "Captain America: Civil War"? In some respects, yes but that is like comparing three books in the same genre. Sure, they're the same genre but they are still three different stories. Still, "Apocalypse" is an amazing and x-cellent summer action-fest that succeeds on every level.
Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
A Strong and Lively 'Civil War'
Captain America: Civil War
dir. Anthony and Joe Russo
In the opening moments of the film, we know that this isn't just 'Avengers 2.5' or a shameless prequel or set-up to future events/films such as the upcoming "Doctor Strange" or any of the upcoming installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, 'Civil War' showcases a great balance of story and character intensity and summer blockbuster fun.
The intensity of the story comes from the previous encounters that both Captain America and the other Avengers have had from their inaugural battle in New York City to last year's fight with Ultron. The government wants to control them and sanction them with a registry but The Cap and some of the other Avengers don't agree which leads to a 'Civil War' with two factions and explores deep and political ideas that you don't usually see in a standard superhero film. The concepts and conflicts that present themselves show the maturity of all the Avengers. The story isn't just cobbled together or used for the purpose of name-dropping and scene setting like in other imitation style films like last summer's disastrous 'Fan4stic'.
The intense scenes are nail-biting but the film isn't totally serious and dark like 'Batman V Superman' was. We get a lot of levity and smile-inducing moments with Ant-Man and Spider-Man whom steals the show when he is on screen. If this film is meant to showcase and preview next summer's "Spider-Man: Homecoming", it succeeds and shows that newcomer Tom Holland is excellent in that role.
Flaws are minimal are only limited to it's somewhat overlong pacing and runtime (the film runs just over two and a half hours), the overall 'War' aspect feels more like an epic disagreement and the film's denouement felt more on par with "The Empire Strikes Back" and not an MCU installment.
Despite that, "Captain America: Civil War" is the perfect kickstart to this years blockbuster filled summer and only proves that Marvel Studios is afraid to balance somewhat mature themes with fun action sequences and to give other Marvel superheroes some overdue screentime. It's a fun and intense blockbuster and easily one of the best installments so far in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.
Rating: 4/5 Reels
dir. Anthony and Joe Russo
In the opening moments of the film, we know that this isn't just 'Avengers 2.5' or a shameless prequel or set-up to future events/films such as the upcoming "Doctor Strange" or any of the upcoming installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, 'Civil War' showcases a great balance of story and character intensity and summer blockbuster fun.
The intensity of the story comes from the previous encounters that both Captain America and the other Avengers have had from their inaugural battle in New York City to last year's fight with Ultron. The government wants to control them and sanction them with a registry but The Cap and some of the other Avengers don't agree which leads to a 'Civil War' with two factions and explores deep and political ideas that you don't usually see in a standard superhero film. The concepts and conflicts that present themselves show the maturity of all the Avengers. The story isn't just cobbled together or used for the purpose of name-dropping and scene setting like in other imitation style films like last summer's disastrous 'Fan4stic'.
The intense scenes are nail-biting but the film isn't totally serious and dark like 'Batman V Superman' was. We get a lot of levity and smile-inducing moments with Ant-Man and Spider-Man whom steals the show when he is on screen. If this film is meant to showcase and preview next summer's "Spider-Man: Homecoming", it succeeds and shows that newcomer Tom Holland is excellent in that role.
Flaws are minimal are only limited to it's somewhat overlong pacing and runtime (the film runs just over two and a half hours), the overall 'War' aspect feels more like an epic disagreement and the film's denouement felt more on par with "The Empire Strikes Back" and not an MCU installment.
Despite that, "Captain America: Civil War" is the perfect kickstart to this years blockbuster filled summer and only proves that Marvel Studios is afraid to balance somewhat mature themes with fun action sequences and to give other Marvel superheroes some overdue screentime. It's a fun and intense blockbuster and easily one of the best installments so far in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.
Rating: 4/5 Reels
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
A Fun 'Jungle' Ride
The Jungle Book (2016)
dir. Jon Favreau
Like with many classic children's books, there have been many filmic versions of "The Jungle Book", one for every generation in fact. This generation's version of Rudyard Kipling's classic is just as good as the ones that have come before it. Maybe even a little better due to the advances in digital filmmaking technology.
Jon Favreau brings the same blockbuster A game that he used on 2008's "Iron Man" to create a fully formed and vibrant world that blends seamless CGI imagery with the acting debut of Neel Sethi as Mowgli. Child actors may be hit or miss but this young actor really embodies Mowgli and I hope his acting career prospers and we can see more of him in future films. He also has an a-list voice cast to support him with the likes of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Oscar-Winner Ben Kingsley, and Christopher Walken giving some of the best voice work that I've seen and heard in a family film in a long while. The film does have some darker moments and designs than the other versions but that isn't a problem for very long as the story maintains a balance that doesn't stray too far from the story but also doesn't become another shot-for-shot remake.
Disney has been putting a lot of effort into what I could only call their "Classic Story Cinematic Universe" because these films aren't necessarily remakes or reboots. They're new adaptations of classic stories for new generations and they compliment their original animated classic counterparts making movies like this one, the perfect stepping stone for new classic Disney fans and just as good as the original animated film.
Rating: 3.5/5 Reels
dir. Jon Favreau
Like with many classic children's books, there have been many filmic versions of "The Jungle Book", one for every generation in fact. This generation's version of Rudyard Kipling's classic is just as good as the ones that have come before it. Maybe even a little better due to the advances in digital filmmaking technology.
Jon Favreau brings the same blockbuster A game that he used on 2008's "Iron Man" to create a fully formed and vibrant world that blends seamless CGI imagery with the acting debut of Neel Sethi as Mowgli. Child actors may be hit or miss but this young actor really embodies Mowgli and I hope his acting career prospers and we can see more of him in future films. He also has an a-list voice cast to support him with the likes of Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Oscar-Winner Ben Kingsley, and Christopher Walken giving some of the best voice work that I've seen and heard in a family film in a long while. The film does have some darker moments and designs than the other versions but that isn't a problem for very long as the story maintains a balance that doesn't stray too far from the story but also doesn't become another shot-for-shot remake.
Disney has been putting a lot of effort into what I could only call their "Classic Story Cinematic Universe" because these films aren't necessarily remakes or reboots. They're new adaptations of classic stories for new generations and they compliment their original animated classic counterparts making movies like this one, the perfect stepping stone for new classic Disney fans and just as good as the original animated film.
Rating: 3.5/5 Reels
Monday, April 11, 2016
An Entertaining and Influential Ride
Hardcore Henry
dir. Ilya Naishuller
It's hard to stand out cinematically in an age where almost everything has been seen and done. "Hardcore Henry" is one of those rare films that not only stands out but also has the makings of an cult classic that could change the way we look and make movies. Now, "Henry" does have some faults. Due to the audience literally being the main character, We don't get a lot of lead back story or motives except for bits and pieces such as a memory with Tim Roth playing "our" father. The villains don't get much of a backstory or motive either but neither do most superhero movie villains these days. As Alfred from "The Dark Knight" perfectly said it: "Some men just want to watch the world burn." Neither of those flaws, however, affected the overall experience for me.
Now, while, This isn't the first time this First Person POV style has been used to make a movie, films such as the 2012 remake of "Maniac" and the short but technically impressive FPS sequence in 2005's "DOOM", but the difference between those and this is gigantic. The filmmakers seemed to have developed a whole new way of making films instead of just using the gimmick to sell tickets and make a quick buck. There seems to be a great passion and drive to pull us, the audience, directly into the action and world that "Hardcore Henry" builds. Watching this in the theater, I felt nothing but a constant adrenaline rush and was excited to see what more over-the-top action and moments that this film was going to bring. When the movie was over, I felt like I had just spent an entire day in a amusement park on super speed. Some critics have managed to point out that this is just a boring video game movie that is on par with watching a play through of "Call Of Duty" on YouTube. To them I would argue this, if films like "Gravity" can be overproduced 3D roller-coaster rides that get critical acclaim, then why can't films like this take from that and instead of making Oscar-bait, creat something completely new and fresh. The filmmakers and the producers (one of whom is Timur Bekmambetov who directed "Wanted" and the upcoming "Ben-Hur" and has produced films like last year's "Unfriended") have succeeded in creating a thrilling cinematic experience that deserves to be cherished, studied and enjoyed for many years to come. This film isn't just "Hardcore", it's an influential action packed piece of cinema.
Rating: 5/5 Reels
dir. Ilya Naishuller
It's hard to stand out cinematically in an age where almost everything has been seen and done. "Hardcore Henry" is one of those rare films that not only stands out but also has the makings of an cult classic that could change the way we look and make movies. Now, "Henry" does have some faults. Due to the audience literally being the main character, We don't get a lot of lead back story or motives except for bits and pieces such as a memory with Tim Roth playing "our" father. The villains don't get much of a backstory or motive either but neither do most superhero movie villains these days. As Alfred from "The Dark Knight" perfectly said it: "Some men just want to watch the world burn." Neither of those flaws, however, affected the overall experience for me.
Now, while, This isn't the first time this First Person POV style has been used to make a movie, films such as the 2012 remake of "Maniac" and the short but technically impressive FPS sequence in 2005's "DOOM", but the difference between those and this is gigantic. The filmmakers seemed to have developed a whole new way of making films instead of just using the gimmick to sell tickets and make a quick buck. There seems to be a great passion and drive to pull us, the audience, directly into the action and world that "Hardcore Henry" builds. Watching this in the theater, I felt nothing but a constant adrenaline rush and was excited to see what more over-the-top action and moments that this film was going to bring. When the movie was over, I felt like I had just spent an entire day in a amusement park on super speed. Some critics have managed to point out that this is just a boring video game movie that is on par with watching a play through of "Call Of Duty" on YouTube. To them I would argue this, if films like "Gravity" can be overproduced 3D roller-coaster rides that get critical acclaim, then why can't films like this take from that and instead of making Oscar-bait, creat something completely new and fresh. The filmmakers and the producers (one of whom is Timur Bekmambetov who directed "Wanted" and the upcoming "Ben-Hur" and has produced films like last year's "Unfriended") have succeeded in creating a thrilling cinematic experience that deserves to be cherished, studied and enjoyed for many years to come. This film isn't just "Hardcore", it's an influential action packed piece of cinema.
Rating: 5/5 Reels
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)