Matt-144-792009 Reviews

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Affleck proves to be Superhero franchise Kryptonite

[5/10 · 26 March 2016]

In Batman V Superman, we join not long after Man of Steel (2013) left off. Batman played by Ben Affleck, has grown increasingly concerned with the massive casualties caused by Superman's epic battles. Just as Superman (Henry Cavilll) has concern with Batman's torturous vigilante behavior. Mix in Lex Luthor stirring the villainous pot in provoking them to kill off each other and there you have the plot. I have a number of problems with this very flawed all be it, very flashy movie. First and foremost it feels rushed. I felt like a girl on prom night getting rushed through the fore play to get to the sex that is the soon to follow Justice League movie. In an attempt for DC to catch up with Marvel with their already popular Avengers franchise. Only problem is Avengers had two already strong franchises with Iron Man and Captain America to anchor it off. With BvS you get a decent Superman franchise reboot then a Batman Reboot after what was arguably the best superhero franchise with Christopher Nolan's Batman series. And now to vent on Ben Affleck for a moment. He has always been a hit or miss actor. He is far too goofy and smug to play the Dark Knight, this film was a perfect example of that. I wanted more the Town (2010) Affleck and I got what I expected, Daredevil (2003) in different tights. Sci-Fi/Action hero you are not. Stick to directing and dramas. Although he wasn't the most unappealing thing about this film. There was all too much digital effects and not enough time taken to create a good script. No spoilers here, but there are several eye-rolling plot points. It felt like watching someone play a video game for 2 and a half hours. Snoozers… BvS does have one shinning gem, Jesse Isenberg as Lex Luthor. Imagine Mark Zuckerberg as a convincing Bond villain. With the two main characters battling it out, he manages to steal the show from hours of mindless CG explosions. If this series wants to stay relevant they need more Jesse Isenberg and less Affleck. I was shocked with all the A list actors in this, (Lawrence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Jeremy Irons, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Amy Adams) he was the only real acting standout. I think post Deadpool (2016) the superhero movie franchise makers need to reevaluate the some things. Much in the way Daniel Craig claims Austin Powers (1997) did damage to the Bond franchise, Deadpool poked fun at the genre while simultaneously reinventing it. I'm not saying they need to reinvent the wheel here, but gone are the days where you can show an audience 2 hours of CG action with and intelligence insulting script and weak plot. With all that being said…. AFFLECK YOU DA BOMB IN PHANTOMS (1998) YO!!

Sisters (III) (2015)

Step Sisters

[7/10 · 9 January 2016]

In Sisters (2015) Amy Poehler and Tina Fey play Kate and Maura Ellis, two dysfunctional adult sisters with fond memories of their child hood. After discovering their parents have sold their childhood home, the two decide to have one last epic house party, cleverly named Ellis Island. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will go down in history as one of the great comedic duos like Martin and Lewis, Lemmon and Mathau, Bing and Bob Hope. Sisters is the long awaited comedy film paring of the two since Baby Mama (2008). There is a chemistry between the two that is undeniable. Weather its co-hosting SNL, the Golden Globes, or appearances on Jimmy Fallon, the two work comedy magic together. Fey usually playing strait man to Poehler's wackier characters. So my question is, why mess with the formula? In Sisters there is a reversal of roles, Fey is the screw up and Poehler the strait laced. I am sure in putting this film together the question was asked, "Why can't Tina be the screw up for once". Unfortunately Tina, you have painted yourself into a bit of a corner and you are now typecast as the smart, wise cracking, sarcastic, professional. Much in the way we all love to see Poehler wheels off wacky. Raunchy dialogue and reckless abandon fits on her about as poorly as the dresses the two try on in one very funny scene. The miss match doesn't derail the comedy by any means. There are far too many brilliantly cast supporting characters to keep the laughs on track. From John Leguizamo, to Diane Wiest, to other SNL alum like Kate Mckinnon, Rachel Dratch, Mya Rudolph and Bobby Moynihan. I would have liked to see more of Kate Mckinnon, but was pleasantly surprised by a very funny over the top performance by Moynihan. And the award for best comic cameo in several movies goes to John Cena. Cena has garnered many hilarious roles this past year in films like Train Wreck (2015), Daddy's Home (2015) and now Sisters. I'm not sure if he is ready to headline his own comedy, but he has yet to disappoint. If you were a fan of Neighbors (2014) or Stepbrother (2008), sisters has a similar feel. The adults refusing to grow up, the not as good as we once were type laughs are the classically funny reoccurring themes. Two great comics at the top of their game. I think in the long run on Netflix, DVD and cable the laughs give this film quote-ability and re-watch-ability. All in all, good for some laughs if it's your turn to pick.

The Big Short (2015)

Unexpected Big Laughs, not short on great on screen talent.

[8/10 · 3 January 2016]

In the Big Short director Adam McKay directs a very talented ensemble cast of characters based on the book by Michael Lewis. In which Jared Vennett, played by Ryan Gosling narrates, highlighting the key players of the events leading up to the housing market collapse. With Christian Bale as Dr. Michael Murray, Steve Carell as Mark Baum and Brad Pitt as Ben Richert the audience is entertainingly explained what happened in what was and in some lasting instances still is a very turbulent time in the America and the world's economy.

When I first saw the trailer for the Big Short I was immediately excited by the cast, the mad cap back and forth made it seem very Wolf of Wall Street (2014) reminiscent. Although given the topic, I felt under the wrong director with a message driven cross-to-bare we could have a two-hour snooze fest. Great performances loaded with dialogue heavy dramatic scenes. Then I noticed the director, Adam Mckay. For those of you not familiar with his work, Adam McKay is usually at the helm of such Judd Apatow produced affairs as Anchorman (2004) and Step Brothers (2008). Heavy on the sophomoric pull my finger hilarity not ripped from the headlines current event pictures. A film like this you would expect to see a David Fincher, Danny Boyle or even Oliver Stone directing. Only that would only add sawdust to what is already dry material. What Adam McKay brings is levity and comedic irreverence. In the spirit of shows like the Daily Show or Last Week Tonight with John Oliver a spoon full of comedic sugar makes the news worthy information go down; infotainment at its best. In a brilliant bit of A.D.D. pandering direction, unconventionally placed real life celebrities explain some of the more hard to pay attention to plot points. Example: hot Hollywood starlet Margot Robbie explaining Sub-prime loans from a bubble bath, Brilliant. This movie marks a very exciting change in trajectory for Adam McKay's career, leaving me anxious to see his next project. There are some great as to be expected performances by Christian Bale and Carell; but for me it was Ryan Gosseling's Leo in Wolf of Wall Street style narrative that kept me laughing while learning. This film is important in that America needs to have a more informed level of outrage in response to the housing market collapse. Now I realize this may not be the best way to inform, with a Hollywood film. But then again is that any worse than Fox News. This film is universally informative and fun, extremely palatable for any level of taste, education or humor. A great selection if it's your turn to pick.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

A Stick of Dynamite with a long fuse.

[7/10 · 3 January 2016]

The Hateful Eight stars a brilliantly selected cast of character directed by the incomparable Quentin Tarantino. Kurt Russell plays John Ruth, a bounty hunter transporting Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh) to hang, traveling via stagecoach thru the frozen tundra of frontier Wyoming. Along the way he encounters Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) another bounty hunter and Sheriff Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins). With a blizzard looming the stagecoach full holds up at a little country store with four other nefarious characters played by Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern and Demian Bichir. As the storm rages outside the remote cabin, inside we learn that everyone is not exactly who they claim to be as a last man standing show down plays out.

There are very few directors these days whose new work excites as much as Quentin Tarantino. Since I first rented Pulp Fiction (1994), I have rushed out to see every new creative project. Produced, written by, directed by, I am strongly devoted to all things under the Tarantino Hollywood brand. So adjust your expectations of this review given the biased of the writer. All that being said, this film is very different than his last two films, Inglourious Basterds (2009) and Django Unchained (2012). Those films are similar in that they creatively play with history in period pieces using the violent art form that is Tarantino's style. Hateful 8, is more of a slow burn. The violence is still there, there are some gun shot wounds in this film that makes the violence in Pulp Fiction look like a paper cuts. But more time is taken, almost more than necessary to develop the characters. And at 3 hours and 7 minutes, I'm sure there is even more character exposition that landed on the cutting room floor to keep the film under 4 hours. There is a major sub plot that didn't settle well with me personally. In where the demise of a character's son is explained. And given the white dominated cast, the rampant use of the "N word" felt overused for shock value, more so than it did in all of Django.

In a recent interview on the Howard Stern Show, Tarantino revealed the inspiration behind the Hateful Eight. Growing up he enjoyed most the western television shows and movies where a stranger comes into town. Little is know of the character but the plot unfolds as more is uncovered about the past of the outsider. His vision is, what if you had a movie made up of entirely of those types of characters. What I think he needed, all be it not necessarily his style, is to turn this into an HBO mini series. That would have given him time to fully stretch the legs of his creation. Instead we are left with a film that drags in places and rushes in others, requiring heavy-handed narration by Tarantino himself. Imagine if Vince Gilligan had tried to imagine Breaking Bad as a 3-hour film as apposed to a 62 episode series. As a die-hard fan I will say this film ranks slightly above Kill Bill 2 and Death Proof in the Tarantino catalogue. Not in the same league as Pulp Fiction, yet not his worst effort. Great effort was made to shoot the film in Panavision 70 Processing, creating beautiful epically framed shots. I appreciate his passion for the look of film over digital, but for what really? The shots early on of the stagecoach navigating the snowy terrain in the establishing shots look amazing. But most of the action of Hateful 8 feels like it could be adapted from a stage play. The cabin and the outside blizzard are brilliantly composed; you really feel the bone chilling cold winter. There is a deliberate mood and tone created here that few can create like Tarantino. Little is spared in attention to detail of the set design. Tarantino has just the right amount of fan boy friendly hidden treasures along the way. I will not spoil, but I look forward to re-watch the movie to catch them all. Tarantino has mentioned in interviews that he plans on taking his final directing curtain call before his audience demands for it. 10 films are all he currently plans on making. By his math, Hateful is appropriately the 8th. I assume he does not count directing collaborations like Four Rooms (1995), From Dusk till Dawn (1996) and the Grindhouse (2007) double feature. I can go so far as to highly recommend Hateful 8 to devoted fans of Tarantino, but why preach to the choir. If you're a fan you've already laid speed tracks to the nearest theater to see it. For those not drinking the blood red Tarantino punch this film may not be for you. The pacing, language and violence may lose most mainstream audiences. So as much as Tarantino fought Disney for burying his film release under thousands more Star Wars showings. Star Wars will ultimately remain the more enjoyable film for most this holiday season.

Turbo Kid (2015)

The NeverEnding 80s

[7/10 · 19 September 2015]

Turbo Kid (2015) stars Munro Chambers as the Kid, a teenager left to fend for himself in the post nuclear fallout, environmental disastrous landscape of a 1997 (The future for 1980). In the post-apocalyptic world the Kid scavenges for items he can trade for precious clean water, a la Mad Max. Everyone left behind is on bikes now, the Kid on a BMX. A plot point may post-apocalyptic films miss, were going to run out of fuel for combustion engines too. Along with basic survival, the kid is obsessed with a comic book hero Turbo Man, a real life character who thrived fighting crime before the fall out. On his journey, the kid runs into Apple, a very energetic, nauseatingly positive girl desperate for friendship. The Kid reluctantly takes on Apple as a travel companion only to have her later snatched up by kidnapers working for Zeus (Michael Ironside). Zeus is the evil tyrannical ruler of this post-apocalyptic world. On his way to save Apple, the kid runs across the crashed space ship of the actual Turbo Man. Using Turbo Man's gear, the Kid ventures out to save Apple and the World from Zeus and his goons. One great thing about modern entertainment is the fetishism that exists. There is so much content out there in both movies and music, you can hear and see new incarnations of work from all different kind of eras. Like 40's jazz? There are artists out there pumping out new stuff that sounds like it. Like 50's rockabilly swing? There is an artist for that too (shout out to JD Mcpherson). Turbo Kid is everything my generation loved about bad movies. Much in the same way Black Dynamite (2009) captured the essence of all that was great about 70's Blaxploitation film. It paints heavily with 80's nostalgia; from the over synthesized soundtrack reminiscent of NeverEnding Story (1984), to the logo similar to GI Joe and Transformers. The movie is a tongue and cheek play on the B movies of the era. Over the top blood guts and gore, articulated with cheese worthy one liners. If you were born between 1975-1989, this feels like a movie you rented 100 times from your local video store. It's not great, none of those movies really were, but it is excellent at recreating the magic of those movies. The actress Laurence Leboeuf as Apple (not related to Shia, I looked it up) is a stand out performance. She is as wide eyed and animated as a Muppet from films Like Labyrinth (1986) or Dark Crystal (1982). I can see some finding her annoying or creepy, I found her charming. Michael Ironside is phenomenal casting as Zeus. With his performance in the 80's classic Top Gun (1986), his mere presence transports you to that time. If you are looking for big budget explosive science fiction, watch Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). It's a much better film. But if there is a soft spot in your heart for Grindhouse style 80's sci-fi gold, this is your movie. If you enjoyed this review, please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com.

Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World (2015)

Batkid is my Hero

[7/10 · 15 July 2015]

It seems like there is never an end to the amount of depressing stories in the news today. Death, starvation, crime, race riots, global catastrophe, it's hard to find a positive story out there. I remember a story in November a few years ago that warmed my heart and rekindled my spark of belief in the good of humanity. The film Batkid Begins documents the true heart lifting story of Miles Scott, a 5 year old diagnosed with terminal Leukemia and his dream to become Batman. Through the tireless effort of the Make-a-Wish that dream took wings and grew into something no one ever expected. Through viral internet traffic and countless, tireless volunteers, the city of San Francisco played Gotham for one day to full fill a little boys wish. I loved this documentary. It does an excellent job giving a closer look at one of the most positive news stories in 10 years. It never really pushes that emotion button artificially to generate anything that this story doesn't possess on its own. It simply shows things as they unfolded. It also shows us uniquely what it was that caused this project to take flight as high as it did. We all want to be a kid again with dreams of Superheroes. Somewhere along the way we all seem to lose touch with that. Miles helps us remember what it means to want the impossible. At an 87 minute running time there is no reason you can't find a few minutes out of your time to be uplifted. Well worth it. My only complaint is that this movie needed to be marketed better. More people need to know about this movie and its positive message. If you enjoyed this review, please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com

Ted 2 (2015)

A Ted Too Far

[6/10 · 30 June 2015]

In Ted 2 we rejoin John (Mark Wahlburg) and his foul mouth, pot smoking, fast talking lovable teddy bear Ted, voiced by Seth Mcfarland. In this misadventure, Ted has recently married girlfriend Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) and quickly they realize that their relationship is not exactly better for it. In an attempt to rekindle the flame, they try unsuccessfully to have a child. When that doesn't work, a trip to the adoption agency raises a red flag with the government. Ted is not considered human, but in fact property and thereby unable to be officially wed or hold down employment. Ted and John then meet Samantha (Amanda Syfried) a fledgling attorney who tries to help them argue in court Ted's rights as a human being in the eyes of the law. I have been a long-time fan of Seth Mcfarland. The looks, the voice, the comedy, the acting; is there anything that guy can't do? Although in recent years I have found myself avoiding Family Guy, never could get into American Dad or the Cleveland show. Something about the format has become a little stale. I enjoyed A Million Ways to Die in The West (2013) a great deal and was disappointed to see it was not very well received by critics and audiences alike. The original Ted I thought was hilarious. It was exactly what I expected. Random comedy bits, in the loosely held confines of a plot. Much like you get with any family guy episode. So when Ted 2 was announced, I expected much of the same. Only from the very first few minutes of this movie I felt something had changed. Much in the way new episodes of Family Guy feel. The routine has grown slightly stale. In the opening wedding scene, Patrick Warburton reprises his role as Guy; an almost self-loathing macho homosexual used as a platform for some very weak, offensive for the sake of being funny gay jokes. Then there is a very elaborate Busby Berkley style dance number for the opening credits. What?! Is that an attempt to gloss over the offense taken with a musical number? In the wake of the recent Supreme Court Decision it seems very ill timed. For that matter the rest of the storyline of Ted fighting for his right to legally be considered human and thereby marry his girlfriend seems almost a too close for comfort play on recent news. I think since the plot is a distant second to the gags in this series, another plot might have been more effective. With all that being said, Ted 2 is not without its hilarious low brow comedy bits. This movie nails several great ones for its target audience. There are pop culture movie references to tickle any level of fan boy or girls fancy. There is a Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) bit that had me rolling out of my seat. At one point in the movie the action brings our protagonists to a Comic-Con in New York. A Seth Mcfarland narrative at a Comic-Con is like Jerry Seinfeld doing a movie in an airport or Jim Gaffigan at a grocery store. It's all too easy for him to create jokes that pander to the nostalgia of his target audience. The movie itself is worth a watch for the few good laughs it creates. I hardly recommend spending theater money to see it. Set a look out for this On Demand or on Netflix. Unless you're the kind of person who is still watching family guy re-runs. If that's the case I suggest you put in your retainer, pause the World of Warcraft and ask your mom to drive you to the nearest Cineplex before it's gone. If you enjoyed this review, please comment or check out my other reviews at yourturntopick.com

Trainwreck (2015)

Trainwreck Delivers a Full Force Crushingly Funny Comedy

[7/10 · 25 June 2015]

In Trainwreck, (2015) Amy Schumer plays Amy (convenient), a 30 something serial dater with a strong opposition to commitment. She works as a writer for a men's magazine S'nuff, a playoff magazines like Stuff or Maxim. Her hard drinking, hard partying lifestyle is interrupted when a writing assignment has her meet Aaron (Bill Hader), a successful sports injury surgeon. We are left to see if true love can make this party girl see the error of her ways, amongst the obstacles of personal and professional misfortune. I am an Amy Schumer fan. I first heard her standup Cutting on Pandora, and have been on board ever since. Her television show, Inside Amy Schumer is in my humble opinion the closest Comedy Central has come to filling the sketch comedy gap left after Dave Chappell stepped away from the spotlight. Live and in person Amy does not disappoint either. I have seen her twice, each time she killed. So when I first saw the trailer for Trainwreck with Judd Apatow at the directing helm, I was giddy with anticipation. Now usually in my heightened anticipation like this, there is a hard or sometimes mediocre let down, not here. Trainwreck delivers a great comedy. Amy wrote the screenplay herself before Apatow was signed on. So Amy's brand of humor is the full driving force of Trainwreck. As a fan of Amy's stand up material, I did notice a stand up bit she does, brought to life in a scene involving a baby shower and a game of skeletons in the closet. Very funny stuff. Several other stand ups and ex SNL cast appear in this film as an added treat. My favorite is comedian Dave Attell as a homeless guy. Wrestler tuned action movie actor John Cena is scene stealer in this film as well. It's hilarious the way he plays fun with his ultra-macho image in this role. This film never ventures outside the painfully predictable conventions of a standard chick flick. It even pokes playful fun at itself as it does its obligatory falling in love montage of Amy and Aaron doing cutesy couple stuff in Central Park. Although in movies like this, the plot is just cheap cardboard packaging for the jokes and gags. It is essentially a reverse gender role version Jerry Maguire (1996), as far as the pacing, format and sport star cameos. Shout out to Tony Romo, LeBron James and Amar'e Stoudemire for better performances than Bret Farve's classic "I'm in town to play to the Dolphins, you dumb ass" in Something About Mary (1998). Amy's acting in this film is surprisingly believable in the emotional moments of this film. Nothing Oscar worthy, but for a freshman effort it's passable. This movie has heart, charm and re-watchability. If you own Bridesmaids (2011) you will no doubt want to add Trainwreck to your collection. What Amy and Judd have done is capture the chick flick audience and the guy comedy audience and made a hybrid film. If audiences bite, this could be the monster comedy hit of the summer. Not a film for the entire family by any means, there is sex, drugs and 4 letter words galore, but if you are a fan of sophomoric fun this is a must see. If you enjoyed this review please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com.

Entourage (2015)

The Hollywood Selfie that is Entourage is Back, and Better than ever.

[7/10 · 22 May 2015]

The boys are back in town! Vinny, Drama, Turtle, Eric and Ari pick up right where the hit HBO series left off; with a handful of new colorful characters and a whole town full of Hollywood cameos. All the original cast is back to reprise their now famous roles. This run Vince sets his sights on a directing spot for his next big picture as the team scrambles to get it off the ground. They battle press, financial backers, budgetary issues, casting and their own libidos to keep the movie from crashing and burning. As an added bonus all of our Entourage players, (minus Ari of course) find themselves single as the story begins. Allowing for maximum girl chasing hijinks and over the top wild parties. If you are a die-hard Entourage fan, this film is a must see. Like many of my fellow Entourage followers, I felt shorted by the series finale. They tried too hard to wrap everything up in a happily ever after bow. The show works best when the group is chasing women and partying hard. Entourage is the male counterpart to Sex in the City. A fantasy world for men, to live vicariously through the characters. Rich single men, shoes and designer couture is to Sex in the City; what smoking hot naked Hollywood starlets and expensive cars are to Entourage. The movie fully redeems the franchise and puts it back firing on all 12 cylinders; chock full for T and A with solid laughs throughout. Director, writer and creator of Entourage Doug Ellin and Producer Mark Wahlberg have tapped into the formula that made the series so popular, and set us up for the best feature length episode yet. There is no end to the amount of celebrities that come out to make cameos for this film. And why not, Hollywood loves films about Hollywood. It's a narcissistic town that can rarely miss a chance to make a cinematic selfie. Going back to films like Singing in the Rain (1952), Sunset Boulevard (1950) to the most recent best picture Birdman (2014), films about Hollywood are never in short supply. The soundtrack on this film is also very well put together. Some great tracks by artists like Royal Blood, The National and Tame Impala really get the movie's high octane momentum rolling. Good tunes aside if you are a stranger to the Entourage world this film may not be your movie. Of course the film is aimed at fans of the HBO series and with that demographic there should be little to no complaints. The greatness of this film lies in the eyes of people who are immersed in the world crated by Ellin and Wahlberg. If you are a stranger to the Entourage series, watch a couple of episodes to see if it's your speed before you go diving into the deep end with this movie. If you enjoyed this review check out my Blog at yourturntopick.com.

Two Days, One Night (2014)

Slow Moving and Uninspired Commentary on Life

[5/10 · 23 February 2015]

In the film Two Days, One Night (or Deux Jours, Une Nuit for those of you who parle vu frances) academy award winning actress Marion Cotillard plays solar panel factory worker Sandra. Sandra has returned from a long work hiatus for depression, only to find out that her job has been eliminated. Sandra's co-workers all took a vote in order to keep their bonus, they had to eliminate her position. Sandra's friend manages to get the vote to be redone. So Sandra and her husband Manu have two days to go confront each of her co-workers and convince them to forego their bonuses so that she may stay employed. I think this film loses a little in translation and understanding of cultural norms. This is a Belgian film, entirely in French with the exception of one moment where the characters enjoy Gloria by Van Morrison that they sing together. I guess I am going to have to claim my American ignorance here. There are a lot of things I am not getting as far as cultural differences. Here is a small list: 1.) Is having co-workers vote on others terminations as a means for financial benefit a common occurrence in the rest of the world. Seems kind of cruel and less than fair. Plus to have someone come try and make me feel bad about my decision by confronting me, seems very uncomfortable. 2.) Are Belgian men really that sensitive? I saw a lot of dude tears for no reason in this film. 3.) Is everyone in Europe as formal as it shows in this film? Every conversation must start with a hello and end with a goodbye. They never missed on that one. Culturally I found it noteworthy. 4.) Sandra gets a long time of PAID time off for depression, plus she is a drug addict. I had a very hard time scraping together enough empathy for her character to get me through this movie. Plus every person she confronted seemed to be working at least one other job. Sandra barely could accomplish the job of begging for her job back. She should have just cut her losses and got another job. All the people she talked to needed that money and as far as I was concerned she was not that great of an employee to begin with. Marion Cotillard is nominated for her performance in this film. I think she was very convincing a depressed woman, but I failed to see the great in this performance. But I don't watch a lot of foreign films. I can count on one hand the amount of foreign films I have seen and enjoyed, Amelie (2001), Cinema Paradiso (1988) and…… Does the Godfather II (1974) count since the DeNiro Scenes are all in Italian? So I will admit I am not as cultured as seeing this film would require. So I am for sure not the demographic for this movie. That being said I would pass on this film. No violence, no nudity, no laughs, no fun. Not a lot of action to speak of, just a sad woman going door to door begging. The end, which I will not spoil, is kind of a tie in to a greater good of humanity message, but the payoff is not worth the journey.

Nightcrawler (2014)

Imagine Donnie Darko all Grown up and Evil.

[9/10 · 11 February 2015]

Nightcrawler stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom, an eccentric and sometimes psychotic sociopath looking for work. One night he stumbles upon a camera crew headed by Joe Loader (Bill Paxton), who explains the world of gonzo style freelance news reporting, Nightcrawling. A kind of blood and guts crime paparazzi of sorts. It's not long before Louis gets a camera and starts going out doing his own videos and selling them to Nina Romina (Rene Russo). Nina is a night shift news director who pays for gory news footage. She takes a liking to Louis and his ability to get such up close and daring scenes. Eventually Louis starts getting too involved in crime scenes, beating police and rescue teams to the locations and going way too far to get the perfect shot. Nightcrawler is easily the best performance of Gyllenhaal's career. I feel he was cheated for not getting an Oscar nod for this role. His overall appearance in Nightcrawler is just haunting. According to IMDb he lost about 20lbs for this role. The whites of his bulging wide eyes glow evil as he delivers an absolutely transcendent performance. Imagine if Donnie Darko (2001) grew up evil. Louis is like a demonic Don Quixote, with Rick Garcia his "intern" (Riz Ahmed) as his Sancho Panda. Louis has delusions of grandeur with a total detachment from reality. Wild-eyed and determined to get as up close and personal with death and carnage. The movie feels like a high octane Drive (2012). This is one of those great movies set in Los Angles, where the city is almost a character unto itself; much like Collateral (2004), Heat (1997), Training Day (2001) or End of Watch (2012). This is a phenomenal freshman effort for Director Dan Gilroy. The screenwriter, turned director also wrote Nightcrawler. I am glad the academy gave him a nod for this powerful action drama for the story at least. I think Nightcrawler easily makes my top 5 movies for 2014, along with Boyhood, Birdman, Whiplash and Grande Budapest. Dan Gilroy has a real unique visual style and has me anticipating his next effort. It reminded me a lot of Nicholas Winding Refn's Drive which I found to be ground-brakingly cool. Of course after Only God Forgives (2013), he kind of lost my interest. Maybe Giroy can pick up where Refn left off. I highly recommend Nightcrawler if it's your turn to pick a movie, its purchase worthy.

If you enjoyed this review, please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com

Still Alice (2014)

Still Alice is Forgettable.

[5/10 · 10 February 2015]

Still Alice (2014) is about a linguistics professor at Columbia University, played by the incomparable Julianne Moore. She has a very happy, fulfilling life, with husband Tom (Alec Baldwin) and children Anna (Kate Bosworth), Tom (Hunter Parrish) and Lydia (Kristen Stewart). In the beginning of the film we witness her having memory issues. She grows concerned and goes to a neurologist who diagnoses her tragically with early onset Alzheimer's disease. It isn't long before Alice begins to lose the extensive vocabulary she spent a lifetime to research. The family suffers with her as she completely loses all resemblance of the woman she once was. Let me start out here by saying that Alzheimer's is tragic. I wouldn't worship it on my bitterest of nemeses. Cancer and AIDS for that matter too, these are painful horrible diseases that need to be eradicated from the earth. With that being said, I did not really feel what this movie was trying to make me feel. Julianne more is a brilliant actress. I have loved her in so many films; as Maude Lebowski in the Big Lebowski (1998), Amber Waves in Boogie Nights (1997) or Linda Partridge in Magnolia (1999). If she wins this year, I will say it's a push from all of her great un-awarded past works. Still Alice is just the great Julianne Moore doing what she does best. I don't find the character or the story very memorable. I can predict if she wins, whatever actress who is nominated next year hopes she is staring alongside Alec Baldwin. He was Kate Blanchet's co-star in Blue Jasmine (2013), last year's best actress. He must be a good luck charm. Kristen Stewart as Lydia is no departure from every role she has ever done; brooding with angst and unhappiness. Just once I want Stewart to do a raunchy sex comedy, a slapstick buddy comedy or any role that will get her out of her acting like she is constipated. She has been typecast as an unhappy teenager for life it seems. Overall with the cast being good, and the story being relatable to so many people, I wondered why the film failed to hook me. The directors Richard Glazter and Wash Westmorland seemed to fall from the mark here, neither this film nor the directors were nominated. So I looked up on IMDb to see if the two had done any other films I may have enjoyed. Maybe they just missed the mark with this one. Well, I was hard pressed to find a single film I'd seen of theirs. Reason being, their claim to fame is for directing gay porn. Not making that up. The soundtrack I was a miss on because it featured Lyle Lovett. I personally am not a fan of him. I think Still Alice may be a very impactful film for a person whose life has been touched by the horrible affliction of Alzheimer's. Other than that, I would pass on this movie in any format, Netflix or Cable.

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The Theory of Everything (2014)

A Respectfully done Biopic

[6/10 · 3 February 2015]

In the Theory of Everything Eddie Redmayne plays the brilliant scientist Stephen Hawking. The story follows Hawking from his early days at Cambridge, where he meets Jane (Felicity Jones). From there the movie chronicles their life together as well has his crippling battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. The movie gives and intimate inside look at one of the world's most brilliant minds on space and time. The key ingredient to The Theory of Everything is Eddie Redmayne. His portrayal of Hawking is unforgettable; a respectfully done work of brilliance. I don't know what is harder, playing a living legend or playing a dead one. With the deceased you have this air of an omnipotent beings that have a life beyond the grave, any flaw in performance will be deeply criticized by fans as blasphemy. Whereas with the living you risk of insulting someone to their face. Out of the 5 actors nominated for best actor this year 4 of them are playing real people. Redmayne is the only one who had to answer to living. From what I read Hawking is happy with Redmayne's performance. Felicity Jones is up against an actress playing a real character, Reese Weatherspoon's Cheryl Strayed from Wild (2014) in the best actress category. Both well received by their real life counterparts, yet neither are the front runner to win the Oscar. I was not blown away by this movie. Hawking's is a very inspiriting story of overcoming adversity, I just didn't walk away inspired. It was more about the love story between Hawking and his wife, who are now in fact separated. When this movie and Imitation Game (2014) were nominated for Best Picture, I mentally prepped myself to be bored by both of these, due to my own ignorance. Imitation game was amazing, painfully moving and super inspirational, this one left a lot to be desired. The director James Marsa is known more for documentaries. This I think is obvious in watching the movie. He does a lot with visual camera tricks and dream like transitions to add more without manipulating the story in anyway. There are a lot of odd, and somewhat confusing elements to Hawking's life that are treated very delicately. I will not spoil it so as not to ruin anything. I think a director with more fictional film experience would have been better. There is a reason why his name is left off the Best Directing category. If you are a fan of Dr. Hawking's work then this film is worth a look. It's always interesting to get the back story on the greats. It does have a few good chuckles and some very touching moments. But if pure entertainment is your quest, pick something else. Unlike Dr. Hawking's book, even at 123 minutes, this film does not feel like a BRIEF history of time.

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The Judge (2014)

Objection Your Honor, Unnecessary Uncomfortable Plot Twist.

[6/10 · 30 January 2015]

In the Judge, Robert Downey Jr. plays slick high priced attorney Hank Palmer. Hank has recently been informed that his mother has passed, so he travels back home to a small town in Indiana to visit his estranged family. His father (Robert Duval) Joseph is the Judge in the town and has been for decades. The night after the funeral, Joseph drives out to pick up some groceries in the rain. The next morning the police arrive to inform everyone that a man had been struck and killed on the side of the road by a car matching the description of Joseph's Cadillac. Joseph then is made to stand trial with Hank his estranged son as his representation. This movie had all the great makings of an awesome court room drama. The courtroom used in this is one of those old wood bench, to Kill a Mockingbird sets. A romanticized courtroom look that is often fictionalized but rarely exist outside of museums. This movie has a stellar supporting cast including Vincent D'Onofrio, Vera Farmiga and the legendary Billy Bob Thornton. There is a great plot set up with a decent air of mystery to uncover. And to top it off two great actors in a dramatic head to head, Robert Downey Jr. versus Robert Duval. Robert Downey Jr has recently been named the highest paid actor in Hollywood, Mr. Iron Man. I love to watch RDJ do his thing on screen. Always verbose, sharp witted, playing the smartest guy in the room. But do we ever get any range out of him? Are we really getting our money's worth? I don't know if he can turn it off. He is convincing in his roles, but never are those characters diverse. There is always a little Tony Stark in everything he plays. As for Robert Duval, the man is a legend. The academy has elected him one of this year's best supporting actor nominees. ( I think he will lose out to J.K. Simmons in Whiplash) I will say he is very good in his role, but not one of his best. I feel that the nomination here is based on past prowess. This is not the Duval of the Godfather (1972) or the Apostle (1997). If you haven't seen it check out the Apostle, it is Duval at his best I think. There is a great scene with him and Billy Bob that is amazing. So what derails the Judge from being one of the greats? ***************************Spoiler Alert********************************* One small very distracting plot element. After the funeral, Hank and his brothers go to a bar. He out verbally takes down an angry group of rednecks and wins over the affection of the hot young barmaid (Leighton Meester). She and Hank then make out like the ship is going down in a booth. Later in the film Hank meets up with his old flame Samantha (Vera Farmiga) where she informs him in a roundabout way that the girl at the bar may be HIS DAUGHTER. Then later she recants and says maybe she's his niece. This plot element is exponentially more distracting than say I don't know, knowing Leia was Luke's sister and re-watching them smooch to make Han jealous in Empire Strikes Back (1980). I know I'm a shameless nerd for that reference. Point being, incest is taboo and will halt a plot momentum in its tracks, having the audience shake their head in disgust. It was a minor plot twist that could have been omitted and kept a mid-level movie out of its mediocrity. The soundtrack as a side note does include two great little ditty's. Bon Iver's Holocene, and Willie Nelson's cover of Coldplay's the Scientist with his son Lucas. Overall this film is not without entertainment value. It is worth watching, but I say make it a Netfix or cable pick. I wouldn't put forth any money you're not already paying, or drive anywhere to see it. I could suggest dozens of other titles more worthy.

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Whiplash (2014)

Painfully Inspiring Masterpiece, Whiplash will leave its mark on you.

[9/10 · 26 January 2015]

In Whiplash, Miles Teller plays Andrew, a freshman at a very prestigious and exclusive music program in New York. His talent and work ethic gets him noticed by Fletcher (J.K. Simmons) who invites him to be part of the schools award winning jazz band. Although once a part of the band Andrew learns how extreme Fletcher's teaching methods are in getting the great performances he demands. Don't call it a comeback J.K Simmons has been here for years. J.K. Simmons has been the unsung hero of movies for years. It's great to see the man get his day in the sun. From Juno (2007), Extract (2009), Up in the Air (2009) to the Spiderman franchise J.K. never disappoints. He plays grumpy sarcastic to an art form. In Whiplash we get the J.K. we love at fever pitch. He is the drill sergeant from Full Metal Jacket (1987) and a little of Gene Wilder's Willie Wonka (1971) without the whimsy and all the sadism. J.K.s is a phenomenal stand out performance that transcends the movie and creates this force of nature character that is unforgettable. Not to take anything away from Miles Teller. His drive and determination are similar to Rocky (1976) or Rudy (1993). This film is inspirational on par with them. Relative new comer director Damien Chazelle nails this film. His tempo is right on key, this film does not drag or lead. It is air tight storytelling at its finest. It's also great to see Paul Reiser getting some work. He is great as Andrew's father Jim. I also think that after watching this movie, I have a new found respect for drumming. Gone are the days of me using the drum solo at concerts to go use the restroom. This film really inspired me. Have you ever had a boss, mentor, coach or teacher who pushed you to the edge? Someone you grew to despise because of how hard they were on you. If so, you must see this movie. There is a line in the film where J.K. Simmons says, the worst thing you can tell a person is "that's good." We live in a society that gives way too much credit to mediocrity. This film is a harsh commentary on America's, everyone gets a trophy policy. To sharpen a knife you need a hard surface to sharpen it against. Some may say J.K. Simmons character Fletcher is a bully in this film. I say we need more positive bullies. Now I'm not taking about jerks who pick on the handicapped or beat up small kids for their lunch money. We need mentors who will push people to their limit to get greatness. To steal and alter a quote from Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas) in Wall Street (1987) "The point is, ladies and gentleman, that Bullying, for lack of a better word, is good. Bullying is right, bullying works. Bullying clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit….And bullying, you mark my words, will not only save Teldar Paper, but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA." Now it's amusing to transpose bulling and greed for the sake of a point here, but that is the overall message of this film. The minute we think we have it all we come complacent, that can be linked to the decline of all greatness in the world. You have to stay hungry and competitive. Another great quote comes from Orson Wells in The Third Man (1949) that I think illustrates this point perfectly. "Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock." Push hard to greatness dear friends. Our great country desperately needs more of it.

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Selma (2014)

Selma: A Very Important Film about a very important bit of History

[6/10 · 21 January 2015]

In Selma David Oyelowo portraits the legendary historical figure Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The story joins Dr. King from his Noble Peace Prize award presentation in Oslo Norway in 1965 through his famous march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. The film pin points several key moments and people in this violent and turbulent time in history. Some powerful moments include Dr. King's meetings with LBJ played very convincingly by Tom Wilkinson. This is a tour de force cast with Oprah Winfrey, Tim Roth, Giovanni Ribisi, Cuba Gooding Jr., Martin Sheen and Common to name a few. Let me start off by saying that this is a very important film that everyone should see, as a means to become more acquainted with this important time in history. Each actor with major roles in the film played actual people in history, not just random plot driving fictional vehicles. Tim Roth is phenomenal as George Wallace, the racist governor of Alabama. Dylan Baker does a very convincing J. Edgar Hoover, a better cast than Leonardo DiCaprio in J. Edgar (2013). But at the heart of this film is David Oyelowo, carefully playing one of the most iconic and important men in American history. A lot rides on the shoulders of an actor who plays that role. You don't want to be doing an SNL sketch type parody of Dr. King, despite how easy it could be to jump into his iconic speech patterns. Oyelowo, brings great heart and spirit to show us a deeper look at Dr. King. I think it's a more intimate portrayal that shows more pain, worry and self-doubt than ever before. Oyelowo's performance is the best part of this film. As for the directing, I feel the director Ava Duvernay was a little in over her head in a project of this magnitude. Her directing expertise has been limited to a few independent films, shorts and television episodes. In a recent interview on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, Duvernay pointed out that she is an independent film director. As she put it, a person who films people talking in rooms. Despite some amazing performance, Selma plays out like a History Channel or HBO miniseries. I think a more experienced director should have been called in for this project. Overall Selma made me deeply reflect on the rights I and most Americans take so arrogantly for granted. It's sad we live in a country that would rather vote for a TV game show winner than for State and Local officials. I think it's extremely short sighted to think of what Dr. King did only as it directly relates to African Americans in this country. Dr. King's message was about everyone having a voice, so that the powers that govern us reflect the wants and needs of the people. We are not living out Dr. King's dream without that voice.

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The Imitation Game (2014)

A Beautiful Mind meets The Social Network, A Brilliant Masterpiece

[8/10 · 19 January 2015]

In The Imitation game Benedict Cumberbatch plays Alan Turing, the real life man responsible for cracking the Natzi Enigma machine. The Enigma machine was a code encrypting device that helped the Natzis communicate with what was then known as an unbreakable code. Alan is called upon by the British government's MI6 along with a crack team of brilliant minds. Alan is very quirky genius who rubs everyone the wrong way. Along with the way he brings on Joan Clark (Keira Knightly) to help, when he finds her in an open invitation puzzle contest he places in a paper. Alan and his team race against time to build a machine that will eventually crack the code and help allied forces triumph over the Natzis and end World War II. I have to admit this type of movie looked like something I would normally avoid. Something about British period pieces puts me to sleep. I am not a fan of Downton Abbey, can't bring myself to find it entertaining. I am also less than a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch, I used to find him odd and off putting. How does that guy have droves of female fans? I just didn't get it. I must now go on record as saying Imitation Game is a game changer for me. This film had everything you want in a great film; brilliant insight into little know bits of history that as of recently were top secret, smart funny dialogue, heartbreaking personal drama and brilliant acting performances all around. There is a repeated quote throughout the film "Sometimes it is the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine." I can't imagine a better performance in this role better than Cumberbatch. His social awkwardness and introverted portrayal of Alan Turing is transcendent. I am now sold on the brilliance of Cumberbatch. Together he and Keira Knightly make cinematic magic in transporting us to a very important and little know piece of world history. Without Alan Turing there would not be the modern computer we enjoy today. Plus we might all be speaking German. This movie at its roots is about communication. The coded, encrypted way we communicate as society. Most wars and disagreements stem from a lack of one side or another to communicating clearly. There is a lot to learn in the message of this film. The Imitation Game is nominated for best picture and acting nods for both Cumberbatch and Knightly, and rightfully so. This movie is a must see film of 2014.

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The Babadook (2014)

The Conjuring meets the Shining

[8/10 · 15 January 2015]

In the Babadook, Essie Davis plays Amelia, a woman who is widowed in a horrible car accident the night she was to have her first child. She was in the car with her husband in route to the hospital. Cut to seven years later and she is living alone with her son Samuel (Noah Wiseman) in a large, old, and unsettlingly scary house. Samuel, to put it mildly is a less than well behaved child. So much so that she is decides to pull him from school to find an alternative one that will be able to accommodate his wild temperament. One night when Amelia asks Samuel to pick out a bedtime story. He brings back a book she does not recognize entitled "Mister Babadook". The book is a terrifying pop-up book that tells of a monster, the Babadook that terrorized people. After reading both Samuel and Amelia begin to notice that they are not alone in the house. This is the first full length film for director Jennifer Kent. And may I say, what an amazing freshman effort. This film reminded me a lot of the feel of the Conjuring (2013) and the Shining (1980). I cannot remember a film in recent years that kept me on edge for as long as the Babadook. It is a hair raising, terror thrill ride from 5 minutes in to 5 minutes before it ends. Essie Davis's performance is spectacular. Essie's is a transformative performance that feels a lot like Jack Nicholson in the Shining. Your bear witness to her decent into dark madness. This film not only gives you the jolting scares you come to expect from a horror film, it gives you an amazingly haunting performances that linger. Noah Wiseman as Samuel is phenomenal. He transforms from a bratty unruly child you want to hate, into innocent and sympathetic. He feels like a cross between Danny from the Shining and Robbie from Poltergeist (1982). The overall subtext to this film is indictment of the modern family society. Specifically the struggle of the single mother and male centric society that has her raising one. It offers an answer I'd rather not go into for fear of spoiling the ending. The ending is probably the weakest part of this otherwise very strong film. This is the best horror film of 2014. It is a must for horror fans, especially if you like a little depth and psychology over gore. "Ba, Ba, Dook, Dook, Dook" will be etched into the darkest part of your nightmares for nights to come.

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Blackhat (2015)

All Hat No Cattle

[3/10 · 14 January 2015]

In Blackhat, Chris Hemsworth plays Nicholas Hathaway, a notorious computer hacker who is furloughed from a prison sentence to help the American and Chinese government stop a hacker. The hacker they are in pursuit of blows up a Chinese nuclear power plant by tapping into the cooling system and artificially manipulates the stock market to spike Soy bean futures. Joining Nicolas' pursuit is his friend Chen (Leehom Wang) who works for the Chinese government, his sister Lien (Wei Tang) and FBI agent Carol Barrett (Viola Davis). Together they race against time to out hack the hacker to stop his next big hit. Okay first things first, Chris Hemsworth as a computer hacker?! Has the director Michael Mann ever seen a real computer hacker before? Getting good at computer hacking requires years practice sitting in front of a computer, usually in their mothers basement. They usually don't have time (or the looks) for things like, I don't know, getting laid. I'm surprised Chris Hemsworth had time to make this movie, in between getting laid. That man is an Adonis. I don't know if they were trying to make a computer hackers fantasy of a James Bond like character. Either way, Hemsworth mumbles through this performance and looks pretty, poor casting. Viola Davis has a few quality moments in this film, with her sharp quippy dialogue. Yet she looks bored and about to fall asleep through most of her performance. Perhaps she was as bored with this movie as I was. What is the most disappointing about this movie is Michael Mann. How could a man who made such great films as Heat (1995) and Collateral (2004) give us Blackhat (2015) and Miami Vice (2006)? Since the actual act of computer hacking is boring to show, (open to man sits in front of a computer for hours) Mann came up with an almost as tedious vignette. He shows this CGI back and forth of the electronic signals being sent inside computers set to dramatic music. Even Michael Mann's signature jumping between digital and film stock, to create artificial cinema verite seems tired in this movie. With the recent hack of Sony Pictures and the whole Interview (2014) hoopla there is a lot of intrigue into the subject. This film takes a hot topic and puts a boring spin on it. Even the love scene in this movie was boring, missionary in the dark. What are they, an old married couple? Things really didn't get watchable till the climax where Mann finally pushed up the violence level to eleven. Although what can you expect from a January film release, a month notorious for studios dumping their weak. If it's your turn to pick I would strongly pass on this movie. Not even a good one to wait for on cable or Netflix.

Foxcatcher (2014)

The Tedious Process of Foxcatching

[6/10 · 5 January 2015]

In Foxcatcher Channing Tatum plays real life Olympic gold medal winning wrestler, Mark Schultz. In the early 80's, Mark is hired by Billionaire John Du Ponte (Steve Carrell) to train him and a team of Olympic hopefuls for the upcoming summer games. John's ulterior motive is to hire on Mark to eventually convince his brother David Schultz (Mark Ruffalo), a better wrestler, to join their wresting organization and coach. Mark is lured in to the eccentric world of money, drugs once under John's wing. After John is able to buy David into joining the team; Mark then begins to fall apart and the real life events of this odd bit of history play out for our viewing horror. I think I was either too young or just not interested enough in news a young kid to remember this story. Of course a lot of the story was amped up for the sake of a good narrative but the major events are true. I will not spoil the ending for others of you who do not remember the outcome. A lot of time is spent in this film with tedious character development. My hat is off to Channing Tatum for branching out on more challenging roles, this is a much deeper departure from Magic Mike 2. Although he is still a big frat guy; he just plays a bigger, dumber frat guy with a prosthetic nose and cauliflower ear. There is one big climactic scene toward the end where he shows some promise. I love how filmmakers always seem to visually represent a cocaine addiction spiraling out of control with a douchey haircut. I wonder how that creative process goes. "Okay, cocaine addiction is spiraling out of control at this point, besides dark circles under the eyes how can we get our point across?" "Douchey, haircut?" "Yes, yes spike the hair and frost the tips, DONE!" Steve Carrell's performance is very complex and should gain Oscar recognition. He has obviously done some working on nailing the John du Ponte look and mannerisms. Although from the footage I have seen of the real John du Ponte , Carrell is playing him a little more ridged than the actual person; kind of Frankenstein-esq. Perhaps as a means of really selling the sinister nature of the character. Sienna Miller plays David's wife Nancy. This is the second Bio-pic this year for Sienna who played Chris Kyle's wife Taya in American Sniper (2014). The overall message of this film is that we all are seeking someone's approval in life, be it a mother, father, brother, friend or employer. This movie is a very slow burn and requires some patience. If you were aware of the story, then this will be a very interesting watch. Even after seeing the film having not known, it's interesting to go back and see the actual people and real life story. Aside from seeing Steve Carrell outside of his comfort zone and pushing hard on a new dramatic character (that's what she said), this movie offers little until the end in the strait entertainment department. Artfully done, just not one you need to see more than once.

Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

Starship Troopers Meets Groundhog Day

[7/10 · 2 January 2015]

In the not too distant future the world is engulfed in battle with aliens. Tom Cruise plays Cage, a military media liaison, sent to Europe to talk with top military officials about their current success in pushing back the alien invasion. Europe has developed recently developed an armor type suit that has proved effective. Cage's meeting with General Birgham goes sour and while attempting to resist arrest Cage is knocked out. Upon waking up he finds himself stripped of all identification and credentials, now placed in the military effort framed as a deserter. Despite his attempt to explain his situation he is geared up and sent off to the front lines to fight the alien insurgence. He is air dropped in a futuristic invasion of Normandy like beach advance. During what is a very violent and merciless slaughter of human troops Cage manages to kill one of the larger aliens. When covered in the alien's blood it inadvertently transfers its special time manipulating powers over to him. So now when killed, his day is reset back to his first moment from when he comes through as an infantry recruit having been stripped of all his identification. After several runs of the same day over and over again, Cage meets up with the military's star solider Rita played by Emily Blunt. Cage finds out that part of her success as a solider stems from the fact that she too had once experienced the same phenomena. Together they attempt to use Cage's power of time rest to unravel the enemy alien inner workings and save the world. This is a great new Tom Cruise classic. Its Star Ship Troopers (1997) meets Groundhog Day (1993), in an edge of your seat non-stop fun, sci-fi adventure. Tom Cruise has totally redeemed for his recent lack luster box office offerings. Emily Blunt adds herself to the ranks of Sigourney Weaver's Ripley and Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor. Not often do strong female roles come along in films like this and she nails it; tough, strong willed and ready to kick ass. A much better role model for young girls who envy Disney princesses, who wait for their prince to come save the day. This movie is a refreshing alternative to todays, comic book, teen novel, sequels and reboots that seem to dominate the box office. I am not sure how well this movie would function as a sequel and quite honestly it doesn't matter. We can do without its mediocre sequel, this film by itself is awesome high octane action. A great choice and gets my full recommendation when it's your turn to pick.

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This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Mourning the Money I Spent on this Terrible Movie

[3/10 · 2 January 2015]

In This is Where I Leave you, the Altman Family is brought together by their father's death. His dying wish is for the family to sit Shiva, a Jewish tradition where the family sits for a week under the same roof and mourns the loss of the departed. Judd Altman played by Jason Bateman has just found out that his boss a shock Jock Radio Personality (Dax Sheppard) has been sleeping with his wife (Abigale Spencer) by walking in on them mid coitus. Soon after he gets a call from his sister Wendy (Tina Fey) about his father's demise. His mother, Hillary (Jane Fonda) is a best-selling author who used too much of the family's inner turmoil as literary inspiration. So along with brothers Paul (Corey Stoll) and Phillip (Adam Driver) and their significant others the family settles in to sit Shiva in their fathers dying wish as they hash out their own personal and family turmoil. This film is directed by Shawn Levy, the creator of the beloved Night at the Museum franchise. I cannot express enough my deep dislike of this movie. A phenomenal cast but all playing weak characters with a story that goes nowhere. I would honestly rather sit Shiva for a person I didn't know, and this movie feels almost as long. Each actor in this film are better with other supporting characters, now that I think about it. Tina Fey needs Tracy Morgan and Alec Baldwin in 30 Rock to work her comedy, or even just Amy Poehler in Baby Momma (2007). Adam Driver needs Lena Dunham for his comic charm to work in HBO's Girls. Jason Bateman is better as the Moe to a stooge like comedy ensemble in the Horrible Bosses franchise. These are all great components that just do not fit together in this movie. The director constantly cues up this soft piano background music for these tearful interludes between characters having these life reflecting moments. Only problem, you need to care about the people involved for it to work. Zero time is taken for character development. It's all just Splenda, Saccharine, sweet and low; artificial sweetener crap. Women should be the most offended by this movie as I assume this is geared toward the 22-60 female. This is a chick flick of the utmost intelligence insulting variety, pandering to what they think will get laughter and tears. There is an ongoing gag in this film where Wendy's (Tina Fey) youngest boy is potty training. The kid keeps trucking around his portable training potty, dropping trow and taking dumps. I feel this is a perfect metaphor for this entire movie. CRAP.

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Snowpiercer (2013)

A Dark Futuristic Sci Fi Experience with Cult Movie Appeal

[7/10 · 2 January 2015]

In the not too distant future a global climate changing experiment goes horribly wrong causing the entire planet to become a frozen tundra wasteland. The only few remaining inhabitants are on a train that circumnavigates the globe in a moving self-sustaining eco stem. Each part of the train is segregated into different classes, the front being the elite aristocrats who eat well and live lavishly. The back is made up of the poor, the tired, the weak and the downtrodden. After witnessing the torture and slave like treatment of the back passengers, Curtis (Chris Evans) leads a Spartacus like revolution to charge to the front of the train. Snowpiercer, directed by South Korean director Joon-ho Bong has a very unique look and intelligent design in comparison to other Sci-fi movies of its kind. This is a very dark, gritty Orwellian version of the future. I could not help be reminded of Terry Gilliam's Twelve Monkeys (1995) and Brazil (1985), or David Fincher's Alien 3 (1992). I think the late great Stanley Kubrick would have been a fan of this film. There is a scene where the song Midnight, the Stars and You plays quietly in the background. A haunting piece of music used in The Shinning (1980) that I cannot help but take as a tip of the hat to Kubrick. The cast is also above and beyond what you would expect to see in a film like this. Chris Evans performance is nothing special, but it shows some promise in his ability to take on projects with some depth. Tilda Swinton is almost unrecognizable in her role as Mason, a woman from the front of the train who is sent to the back to maintain order and MC torture and punishment. John Hurt plays Gilliam (possibly an homage to Terry) a wise elder of the back car class. Having John Hurt in a Sci-Fi movie given his role in the classic Alien (1979) is a very nice touch. He just feels like sci-fi horror to me. Ed Harris plays Wilford the designer and conductor of the train. He has always looked a lot like Kier Dullea from 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) to me and in this film more than ever. The message of this film above all the best part. We as a society are all headed in the same direction, much like the passengers of the train. Bound together by the inability to change the damaged environment that has ultimate say on all of our survival. We can try to press forward with our flawed societal system, but ultimately there is nothing we can do to prevent our inevitable demise. Dark yes, but no less valid. As a Science Fiction fan I enjoyed this movie. I was able to suppress a lot of my issues with the hows and whys of the futuristic environment of a perpetually moving train that supports life for years on end, and just take in the visual thrill ride. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan of older and more obscure sci-fi flicks. This is by far one of the best movies of that genre available new on Netflix today if you are looking for a good one.

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A.C.O.D. (2013)

Adult Children of Divorce Rocks

[6/10 · 2 January 2015]

In A.C.O.D. Adam Scott plays Carter, a successful restaurateur who seems to have it all. As a child however his parents (Richard Jenkins and Catherine O'Hara) were involved in a brutal divorce that drug on for years. When Carter's Brother Trey (Clark Duke) announces he is getting married, Carter tries to get his parents to a place where they can be in the same room for the sake of the wedding. Overwhelmed by the task, Carter turns to what he thinks is his childhood therapist Dr. Judith (Jane Lynch). Only he finds out she was an author who was using him as a subject of a study, Children of Divorce. Once they reconnect, Dr. Judith is inspired to write a follow up to her best seller and revisit the kids she included in the study. Along the way of preparing for his brother's wedding and participating in the new study we learn that Carter isn't as well adjusted as he seems. At which point all seems to go haywire for our viewing enjoyment. I enjoyed this film on many levels. The acting to start is what really makes this film, you could not have found a better cast. It's great to see Adam Scott and Richard Jenkins together, given how well they worked together in Stepbrothers (2008). Catherine O'Hara is always a pleasure to see in any comedy, a very underrated actress. Be it Home Alone (1990), Best in Show (2000) or Orange County (2002) she never disappoints. I hope that there are at least talks somewhere for her to do another Christopher Guest film full of adlibbed genius. Jane Lynch as the therapist/author is great as usual, not far off from the therapist role she played in Two and a Half Men. She does snarky sarcastic to a fine art form. Amy Poehler as the stepmother is funny as well, hard to miss with her in anything. Clark Duke is what I refer to as the poor man's Jonah Hill. He will work in the same capacity, just with limited acting range. I always feel like he is the exact same guy in every movie I see him in, Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) or Sex Drive (2008). What really made this film for me personally was the great indie rock soundtrack. As the film progressed I was surprised by more and more musical gems, Dirty Gold, Okkerville River, Deer Tick, Architecture in Helsinki, Audio Paint and Dr. Dog. If you are a fan of music the soundtrack alone is worth catching the movie for. Overall I would recommend A.C.O.D., its irreverent family dysfunction at its most entertaining levels. The film has a very hipster independent film feel, but not so much to where it's off putting. Currently the film is available on Netfilx and is easily a must see of comedies available on the format.

If you enjoyed this review, please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com

The Interview (II) (2014)

Seth Rogen and James Franco in the Road to North Korea

[6/10 · 27 December 2014]

In the Interview James Franco plays Dave Skylark, an over the top Geraldo Rivera style tabloid television journalist. Always by his side is his best friend and producer Aaron Rapaport played by Seth Rogen. While very successful in there own style of programing, Aaron wishes to do more hard hitting 60 minutes style journalism. Dave eventually discovers that Kim Jong-un (Randall Park) the North Korean Dictator is a fan of their program, and Aaron manages to arrange an interview. When word gets out, the CIA becomes involved and devises a plan for the two to kill Kim Jong-un with Ricin. Thank you Breaking Bad. Well in case you have been living under a rock or an evil North Korean dictator you have undoubtedly heard of all the controversy surrounding this film. North Korea hacking Sony pictures, airing everyones dirty laundry. Cyber terrorists threaten the release of the opening. The theaters refuse to release the film amidst the threat of terrorist attacks. Alamo Theaters in response releases showings of Team America: World Police (2004); a film that took heat for its portrayal for Kim Jong-il. The release of Team America was blocked by the studio. Eventually the Interview is released online and at select theaters. I find it very fitting that the Alamo is the theater that has the courage to release the film. The Alamo being an iconic symbol of American bravery. Remember the Alamo indeed. The theater had a special drink and dinner menu for the show, offering things like loaded Freedom Fries and red white and blue milkshakes. Before the movie rolled there were clips from North Korean television programs, as a means to demonstrate the North Korean dislike for Americans. Alongside that they showed Franco and Rogen's Kanye West Youtube video parody, for levity. Immediately before the movie ran, there was a short video message from Seth Rogan, Evan Goldberg and James Franco, congratulating the audience and Alamo for being brave, free Americans; a very funny and fitting touch. The film itself was exactly like I had imagined. Pineapple Express (2008) with a shallow political message, never deeper than our two favorite bumbling stoner buddies will allow us to go. Predictable to satisfying perfection. I think with the amount of times we have seen Rogen and Franco together, we get the dynamic of their relationship. Franco a wide- eyed narcissistic pretty boy with a devil may care attitude, and Rogen the slightly more intelligent strait man who continues to let Franco talk him in to crazy schemes. The comedy team is as classic as Abbot and Costello or Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's road movies. If you were on board for Superbad (2007), Pineapple Express (2008) and This is the End (2013) you will love this movie. If you are interested in seeing it just for the notoriety of the controversy, you might want to pass. The soundtrack, minus the over play of Katy Perry's Firework for comedic effect was good. There is a very fitting inclusion of David Bowie and Trent Reznor's, I'm Afraid of Americans, worth mentioning. Its a wonder if now with the hype surrounding this movie, more of the world will take notice of it. Could this have been the most elaborate viral marketing campaign ever? And what message does this send the rest of the world about our culture? Has America's chief export become raunchy, sophomoric sex comedies packed with dick and fart jokes? Its ironic that this is the foot we are currently leading with to celebrate our right to free speech in America. But free speech is not always about popular speech. As Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote about the philosophy of Voltaire "I may disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it". Watching the Interview helps remind us about whats great about being an American, your right to free speech and to see this film. Freedom rang in that dark theater, echoing melodiously along with giggles from Franco's explanation of haters; "Hate us because they ain't us". "Ain't us" sounding like anus of course. If you enjoyed this review, please check out my blog at yourturntopick.com