Kick-Ass
2010
Directed By: Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage
Superhero film. Done before? Well yeah. This movie comes out of nowhere showing a lonely high school kid who decides to become a superhero. He buys a scuba costume and walks around with batons. The fact is, he never really does anything. It seems like every time he is ready to be a superhero, someone else comes along and saves his ass. The weird thing is, that when Dave is dressed in his hero costume, he sounds a lot like Tobey Maguire in Spiderman. I'm serious. I don't know if they did that on purpose, but it's just something I noticed.
I'd say about 90% of the movie is predictable. And I know that's not the point. But I would love a little unpredictability from a superhero movie. I did like the movie. I thought it was funny and somewhat creative. But I get really tired of character actors constantly being the same person over and over. McLovin seemed like McLovin. So yeah, I don't really have too much to say. The predictability was lame but it was a good movie. It entertained me.
I would like to have a little soapbox about people bringing their young children (like 4 years old) to a movie that clearly is rated R. If you have kids you have a responsibility. The End. You need to realize that going to a movie is not as easy as it once was. Be a human and take care of your kid. If going to the movies is that important, hire a sitter. Plenty of people are looking for work, it's not that hard. And yeah, kids will probably use bad words and such early in life, but bad parenting is not going to help one little bit. Kids need to be kids. Idiots, be concious of what the hell you're doing.
Stars (out of 4): ** 1/2
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
For Love of the Game
For Love of the Game
1999
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston
I never thought I'd ever find myself rooting against the Yankees in any type of media form. This film, however, brings you into the world of legendary pitcher Billy Chapel as he takes the mound in his very possible last game ever. While pitching a gem and being perfect throughout, the story throws you into the world of his on-and-off relationship with Jane. You see how the two met, how her insecurities and his fame interfere with their relationship.
The story takes a slow, but necessary turn into this side story of the love. Throughout the film you see his battles with love, physical condition, and baseball. Parts of the film were a little corny, but it was good. I feel that because I actually found myself caring about the main character. Like I said earlier, rooting against the Yankees was tough, but it happened. I was rooting for the perfect game to come together. The Yankees are painted like a bunch of bad guys, which I didn't like, but I understand.
It was a fitting movie to watch during the first week of the baseball season. It brought through that mystique of any baseball movie. Watching a film about baseball is unlike watching a film about any other sport. The tradition is always brought through in such fine form that it makes you want to step onto a diamond.
This film brings out the true tradition of baseball, love, and the juggling of both. I liked it. It was a tad long for the type of film it was, but I didn't mind it as much as I usually would. Still didn't like rooting against the Yanks.
Stars: * * *
1999
Directed by: Sam Raimi
Starring: Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston
I never thought I'd ever find myself rooting against the Yankees in any type of media form. This film, however, brings you into the world of legendary pitcher Billy Chapel as he takes the mound in his very possible last game ever. While pitching a gem and being perfect throughout, the story throws you into the world of his on-and-off relationship with Jane. You see how the two met, how her insecurities and his fame interfere with their relationship.
The story takes a slow, but necessary turn into this side story of the love. Throughout the film you see his battles with love, physical condition, and baseball. Parts of the film were a little corny, but it was good. I feel that because I actually found myself caring about the main character. Like I said earlier, rooting against the Yankees was tough, but it happened. I was rooting for the perfect game to come together. The Yankees are painted like a bunch of bad guys, which I didn't like, but I understand.
It was a fitting movie to watch during the first week of the baseball season. It brought through that mystique of any baseball movie. Watching a film about baseball is unlike watching a film about any other sport. The tradition is always brought through in such fine form that it makes you want to step onto a diamond.
This film brings out the true tradition of baseball, love, and the juggling of both. I liked it. It was a tad long for the type of film it was, but I didn't mind it as much as I usually would. Still didn't like rooting against the Yanks.
Stars: * * *
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Chloe
Chloe
2009
Directed By: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried
This is something that confuses me a bit. There's this film starring a girl who in one way could look absolutely gorgeous, and with one bad camera angle or slip of makeup could look like the troll in Lord of the Rings that stabs Elijah Wood in that chest plate thing. Amanda Seyfried is a young, blonde, skinnyish actress. She has lips that are so big they make Pamela Anderson jealous.
In this film, every scene involving Seyfried was a hit or miss. She either looked gorgeous or hideous. Her body is fantastic regardless. The essence of the movie did not revolve completely around the "sexiness" of her character. I actually liked this aspect. It wasn't all about "hey there's boobs". The nudity was subtle and was actually somewhat important to the story. A steamy lesbian scene was hot and also told a lot of the back story that didn't use words.
Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson play a couple who have trust issues. They have a nice house that seems like it is made completely out of glass. They have a 17-18 year old son who bangs a hot chick early in the film. He is detached from his mother and seems to only trust his father. The family dynamic was a little off, but Liam Neeson is the man. So oh well.
Moore hires Seyfried to seduce her husband. Moore wants to see how Neeson will react to a young blonde making approaches toward him. What a concept! Of course a man will act in a flirty way if a cute younger girl approaches them. Seyfried then begins telling Moore about the adventures that ensue. The film fell a little flat in some areas, but I'm not upset I saw it. It was alright. Although the theater I was in actually had the volume down an awful lot. I never thought I'd have to strain to hear talking in a film.
Stars: **
2009
Directed By: Atom Egoyan
Starring: Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried
This is something that confuses me a bit. There's this film starring a girl who in one way could look absolutely gorgeous, and with one bad camera angle or slip of makeup could look like the troll in Lord of the Rings that stabs Elijah Wood in that chest plate thing. Amanda Seyfried is a young, blonde, skinnyish actress. She has lips that are so big they make Pamela Anderson jealous.
In this film, every scene involving Seyfried was a hit or miss. She either looked gorgeous or hideous. Her body is fantastic regardless. The essence of the movie did not revolve completely around the "sexiness" of her character. I actually liked this aspect. It wasn't all about "hey there's boobs". The nudity was subtle and was actually somewhat important to the story. A steamy lesbian scene was hot and also told a lot of the back story that didn't use words.
Julianne Moore and Liam Neeson play a couple who have trust issues. They have a nice house that seems like it is made completely out of glass. They have a 17-18 year old son who bangs a hot chick early in the film. He is detached from his mother and seems to only trust his father. The family dynamic was a little off, but Liam Neeson is the man. So oh well.
Moore hires Seyfried to seduce her husband. Moore wants to see how Neeson will react to a young blonde making approaches toward him. What a concept! Of course a man will act in a flirty way if a cute younger girl approaches them. Seyfried then begins telling Moore about the adventures that ensue. The film fell a little flat in some areas, but I'm not upset I saw it. It was alright. Although the theater I was in actually had the volume down an awful lot. I never thought I'd have to strain to hear talking in a film.
Stars: **
Monday, April 5, 2010
Greenberg
Greenberg
2010
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Ben Stiller, Rhys Ifans
A movie. A movie about a man. A movie about a man. That's about it. This movie focuses on a man who housesits for his brother when the latter goes on vacation to Vietnam with his family. The man (Roger) played by Ben Stiller is an emotional rollercoaster of a man. He had recently been released from a mental facility. He housesits and begins forming a relationship with his brother's personal assistant (Florence). Throughout the course of the film Ben Stiller has mood swings and outbursts that could be the very reason he was in a mental facility in the first place.
At times the movie is agreeable and illuminating. I found myself entranced by some of the dialogue exchanges between Roger, Florence, and Roger's friend Ivan. Overall though, the movie seemed to fall flat. The story never seemed to gain a solid ground. I felt that the screenplay was all over the place, and, even though I love him, Ben Stiller is still Ben Stiller in this role and there's no way around it. When he talks all I think about is him milking a cat.
Ben Stiller is a comedic genius (with the exception of Tropic Thunder). But this movie role did not feel like it fit with Stiller's demeanor. Greta Gerwig, who plays Florence, has a certain mystique about her, but her manly voice and awkward look make her role seem to fail as well. They tried to present her in a positive light, but nothing positive came through.
I feel that since the movie is very independent it did not have the allure of anything. The draw of Ben Stiller is what brought me to the theater. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
Stars: *
2010
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
Starring: Ben Stiller, Rhys Ifans
A movie. A movie about a man. A movie about a man. That's about it. This movie focuses on a man who housesits for his brother when the latter goes on vacation to Vietnam with his family. The man (Roger) played by Ben Stiller is an emotional rollercoaster of a man. He had recently been released from a mental facility. He housesits and begins forming a relationship with his brother's personal assistant (Florence). Throughout the course of the film Ben Stiller has mood swings and outbursts that could be the very reason he was in a mental facility in the first place.
At times the movie is agreeable and illuminating. I found myself entranced by some of the dialogue exchanges between Roger, Florence, and Roger's friend Ivan. Overall though, the movie seemed to fall flat. The story never seemed to gain a solid ground. I felt that the screenplay was all over the place, and, even though I love him, Ben Stiller is still Ben Stiller in this role and there's no way around it. When he talks all I think about is him milking a cat.
Ben Stiller is a comedic genius (with the exception of Tropic Thunder). But this movie role did not feel like it fit with Stiller's demeanor. Greta Gerwig, who plays Florence, has a certain mystique about her, but her manly voice and awkward look make her role seem to fail as well. They tried to present her in a positive light, but nothing positive came through.
I feel that since the movie is very independent it did not have the allure of anything. The draw of Ben Stiller is what brought me to the theater. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
Stars: *
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