Let me start by saying that Premium Rush was way better than I expected it to be. I went into the theatre with the lowered expectation of the late-August release date (Piranha, I'm looking in your direction) and I left feeling impressed.
The story is seemingly simple: Bike-messenger Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has been sent on his last delivery of the day and the package he is carrying attracts the attention of some undesirable characters who spend the duration of the movie trying to get the envelope from the courier.
The story is told in a way that mixes the Guy Ritchie explain-then-show fashion of Sherlock Holmes (recall the fight scenes and how Holmes will assess the situation and plan his attack) and the non-linear storytelling of Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. The visual style of the movie is very current because it uses a Google Maps style method of describing where Wilee needs to go and how far he is from his destination. In that sense, it is very 2012. But as I've said before, being current isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes I find it annoying when movies don't apply the current technology in their story because it's harder to immerse myself in the film when the characters aren't doing what I'd do - using a cell phone to text a friend, for example.
Premium Rush is highly recommended. It delivers high-energy and fast-paced action coupled with a surprisingly complex storyline. If you enjoy non-linear storytelling and high-energy chase movies then please, do yourself a favour and see Premium Rush.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
ParaNorman
Arlaine and I saw ParaNorman at a rare Tuesday afternoon matineé showing, and we weren't disappointed. The stop-animation film is set in the fictional town of Blithe's Hollow where the hero Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) lives a lonely life because he can speak to ghosts and no one believes him. That is, no one except his new friend Neil (Tucker Albrizzi) who is happy Norman can see his beloved dog who is buried in the backyard.
The town of Blithe's Hollow is similar to that of Salem, Massachusetts where a young girl was accused of witchcraft centuries years ago. The town is celebrating the anniversary of the event when Norman begins to notice that there are some unusual things happening. Legend has it that the accused witch has placed a curse on the town and it is to be realized on the 300th anniversary of her death. Norman, his sister Courtney, the bully Alvin, Neil, and his brother Mitch, get caught up in events and we follow them through the night's events.
This movie, while marketed as a children's movie, has several elements for adults who are fans of (or even familiar with) the classic slasher/horror movies. I won't spoil any of the jokes but suffice it to say that Norman's ringtone is perfect. Speaking of ringtones, the entire story is firmly set in 2012 with students at Blithe's Hollow Middle School tweeting about relationships and I enjoyed the current-ness of that element.
Sometimes I'm afraid that movie makers today are so concerned with making a classic that they're shying away from the technology that might date it to future viewers. Sure, tweeting might not be the big thing for 11 year-olds in a few years but acknowledging the present isn't the worst thing to happen. Becoming a classic is more about the story and less about the time in which the story is set.
Overall, I'd recommend ParaNorman for families with older children because there are definitely some scary scenes. However, adults will enjoy this one as well and I can say that I enjoyed it very much. Not a must-see, but time well spent nevertheless.
The town of Blithe's Hollow is similar to that of Salem, Massachusetts where a young girl was accused of witchcraft centuries years ago. The town is celebrating the anniversary of the event when Norman begins to notice that there are some unusual things happening. Legend has it that the accused witch has placed a curse on the town and it is to be realized on the 300th anniversary of her death. Norman, his sister Courtney, the bully Alvin, Neil, and his brother Mitch, get caught up in events and we follow them through the night's events.
This movie, while marketed as a children's movie, has several elements for adults who are fans of (or even familiar with) the classic slasher/horror movies. I won't spoil any of the jokes but suffice it to say that Norman's ringtone is perfect. Speaking of ringtones, the entire story is firmly set in 2012 with students at Blithe's Hollow Middle School tweeting about relationships and I enjoyed the current-ness of that element.
Sometimes I'm afraid that movie makers today are so concerned with making a classic that they're shying away from the technology that might date it to future viewers. Sure, tweeting might not be the big thing for 11 year-olds in a few years but acknowledging the present isn't the worst thing to happen. Becoming a classic is more about the story and less about the time in which the story is set.
Overall, I'd recommend ParaNorman for families with older children because there are definitely some scary scenes. However, adults will enjoy this one as well and I can say that I enjoyed it very much. Not a must-see, but time well spent nevertheless.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Step Up Revolution
Step Up Revolution is the fourth installment of the Step Up series that focuses on solving the world's problems through dance. Great storytelling, they aren't, but the Step Up series really is great fun. The plot is thin and transparent but it does what it is supposed to do: create situations where the cast can dance and dance and dance.
This is where the Step Up series shines because the dancing is incredible. There is always a male lead and a female lead and one of them is a more organic, free, street-style dancer and the other is more formally trained. In Step Up Revolutions, it is the female lead Emily (Kathryn McCormic) who is the classical dancer and her love interest Sean (Ryan Guzman) who applies his dance skills to flash mobs around Miami. Sean learns that his favourite bar is going to be demolished and replaced with a luxury hotel and his flash (dance) mob turns into a protest mob hoping to prevent the destruction of their hangout and neighbourhood.
That's about it for the plot but as I said before, you're not going to see Step Up Revolution for the brilliant acting and storyline. You go for the dance and it does not disappoint.
Verdict? See it and take it for what it is: a reason to watch amazing dancers perform.
This is where the Step Up series shines because the dancing is incredible. There is always a male lead and a female lead and one of them is a more organic, free, street-style dancer and the other is more formally trained. In Step Up Revolutions, it is the female lead Emily (Kathryn McCormic) who is the classical dancer and her love interest Sean (Ryan Guzman) who applies his dance skills to flash mobs around Miami. Sean learns that his favourite bar is going to be demolished and replaced with a luxury hotel and his flash (dance) mob turns into a protest mob hoping to prevent the destruction of their hangout and neighbourhood.
That's about it for the plot but as I said before, you're not going to see Step Up Revolution for the brilliant acting and storyline. You go for the dance and it does not disappoint.
Verdict? See it and take it for what it is: a reason to watch amazing dancers perform.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Take Me Out To The Ball Game
Baseball season is in full swing and I have been watching a lot of my Toronto Blue Jays. Naturally, I got to thinking of baseball themed movies and decided to put together my Top Ten Grand Slam Baseball Movies list.
10. Bad News Bears (1976)
A classic, crass, no-nonsense movie about the competitiveness of sports in America. A true 70s movie, the film pushed boundaries, including several aspects that would not be allowed in a PG movie these days.
9. Kevin Costner Baseball Films
Kevin Costner is one actor who seems to always find himself in baseball themed films: Chasing Dreams (1982), Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), For Love of the Game (1999) and The Upside of Anger (2005). Many people think of Field of Dreams when thinking of classic Amercian baseball films. Although the film is remembered for the infamous line "If you build it, they will come" and garnered critical praise, earning three Academy Award nominations, Bull Durham is arguably the more successful film as it quickly became a fan favourite and was listed as #1 in Sports Illustrated Greatest Sports Movies of All Time.
Though I am no self-professed Costner fan, I can respect and admire the work he has done, especially in the sport film genre. After all, they are classics.
8. The Fan (1996)
A different take on the sport film genre, The Fan tackles the subject of fan obsession, in the extreme. A film by Tony Scott, it is filled with action, thrills and chills. A nice change of pace from all the more family friendly baseball movies out there.
7. Little Big League (1994)
A classic family friendly baseball themed film that shows realistic baseball action. Not as common as you would think. A story about a young boy who becomes the owner of a major league baseball team when his grandfather passes away. A typical story about facing adversity, but done in a pretty compelling way for a "family comedy". As a kid growing up in the 90s, this film is a must see.
6. Hardball (2001)
I LOVE this movie! And not just because it stars Keanu Reeves. A story about a man who is deep in a gambling addiction and agrees to coach an inner city little league team as a condition of getting a loan from a friend. A typical premise, but the child actors truly made the difference in this film. You cannot help but feel for the kids and the struggles they face in their lives. And how can you not love G-Baby??? And now whenever I hear Notorious BIG's Big Poppa, I think of this movie. A compelling family friendly movie with drama and tons of heart.
4. Moneyball (2011)
A baseball themed movie that is more about the behind the scenes operations of a baseball club than the actual game.
The film is based on a true story of Oakland A's manager Billy Beane, a once highly ranked baseball prospect who didn't end up playing as well as expected, successful attempt at putting together a baseball team on a budget, employing a computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.Way better than expected, the film's focus was that of a documentary, not a feature film. Strong acting performances (even from Brad Pitt) and a strong storyline, captivate the audience. Makes you wonder what really goes on behind closed does in sport organizations.
A good mix of a character story (Beane) and a over-arching theme of baseball.
3. Rookie of the Year (1993)
"Pitcher's got a big butt"
Growing up, every kid I knew was chanting this line.
Rookie of the Year was THE kid baseball movie. A story about a young boy who despite having little talent, dreamed of playing baseball just like his late father. He suffers a broken arm that eventually heals too tightly, allowing him to throw pitches at an alarmingly fast speed. After throwing a ball from outfield to home plate at Wrigley Field, he is recruited to be the pitcher that helps the struggling Chicago Cubs.
This film is everything a sports film should be: it has laughs, heart and lots of sports scenes! A guaranteed winner for any baseball or sports fans out there.
2. A League of Their Own (1992)
"There's no crying in baseball!"
This memorable quote from Tom Hanks was ranked 54th on the American Film Institute's List of Greatest Film Quotes of All Time. And it's easy to see why: everyone knows there's no crying in baseball!
A completely different aspect of the baseball and sports genres, this story is a fictionalized account of the real life All American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Though I'm a little biased, as I am a girl and I do play baseball, this film, like Rookie of the Year, encompasses everything a sports film needs: laughs, heart and lots of baseball. And like Rookie of the Year, this movie was a staple in my childhood. Great acting performances from some of the 90s biggest stars, helm the film's strong storyline - Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna. I still find myself watching this film at least once a year.
If you haven't seen this film yet, why haven't you?
1. Major League (1989)
Well, there's one main reason why this film tops my list of greatest baseball movies: I cannot watch baseball, play baseball or even think about baseball without referencing this film. It is downright hilarious.
The story focuses on the worst team in the MLB (at the time) - The Cleveland Indians. The new owner puts together a team of the worst players in order to guarantee a last place finish and successfully relocate the team to Miami. The team starts off struggling but finds their niche and soon win their first pennant in 30 years.
Not a stellar storyline, but the acting, jokes and baseball scenes more than make up for it.
A film that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a must for any baseball fan.
A classic, crass, no-nonsense movie about the competitiveness of sports in America. A true 70s movie, the film pushed boundaries, including several aspects that would not be allowed in a PG movie these days.
9. Kevin Costner Baseball Films
Kevin Costner is one actor who seems to always find himself in baseball themed films: Chasing Dreams (1982), Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams (1989), For Love of the Game (1999) and The Upside of Anger (2005). Many people think of Field of Dreams when thinking of classic Amercian baseball films. Although the film is remembered for the infamous line "If you build it, they will come" and garnered critical praise, earning three Academy Award nominations, Bull Durham is arguably the more successful film as it quickly became a fan favourite and was listed as #1 in Sports Illustrated Greatest Sports Movies of All Time.
Though I am no self-professed Costner fan, I can respect and admire the work he has done, especially in the sport film genre. After all, they are classics.
A different take on the sport film genre, The Fan tackles the subject of fan obsession, in the extreme. A film by Tony Scott, it is filled with action, thrills and chills. A nice change of pace from all the more family friendly baseball movies out there.
A classic family friendly baseball themed film that shows realistic baseball action. Not as common as you would think. A story about a young boy who becomes the owner of a major league baseball team when his grandfather passes away. A typical story about facing adversity, but done in a pretty compelling way for a "family comedy". As a kid growing up in the 90s, this film is a must see.
I LOVE this movie! And not just because it stars Keanu Reeves. A story about a man who is deep in a gambling addiction and agrees to coach an inner city little league team as a condition of getting a loan from a friend. A typical premise, but the child actors truly made the difference in this film. You cannot help but feel for the kids and the struggles they face in their lives. And how can you not love G-Baby??? And now whenever I hear Notorious BIG's Big Poppa, I think of this movie. A compelling family friendly movie with drama and tons of heart.
5. The Sandlot (1993)
I don't know any person, who was a child during the 90s, that did not see this film. A true classic baseball film that had all baseball fans shaking their heads when the question "Who's the great Bambino?" was asked.
A film about a young boy who moves to a new neighbourhood and wants to learn to play baseball in order to fit in with a group of baseball-loving misfits. The story revolves around this group of kids and their adventures in baseball and other summer antics. It's funny, has a message and will definitely make you remember your childhood and the antics you got into with your friends.
Not only a classic baseball film, The Sandlot is also a classic kids film.
4. Moneyball (2011)
A baseball themed movie that is more about the behind the scenes operations of a baseball club than the actual game.
The film is based on a true story of Oakland A's manager Billy Beane, a once highly ranked baseball prospect who didn't end up playing as well as expected, successful attempt at putting together a baseball team on a budget, employing a computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.Way better than expected, the film's focus was that of a documentary, not a feature film. Strong acting performances (even from Brad Pitt) and a strong storyline, captivate the audience. Makes you wonder what really goes on behind closed does in sport organizations.
A good mix of a character story (Beane) and a over-arching theme of baseball.
3. Rookie of the Year (1993)
"Pitcher's got a big butt"
Growing up, every kid I knew was chanting this line.
Rookie of the Year was THE kid baseball movie. A story about a young boy who despite having little talent, dreamed of playing baseball just like his late father. He suffers a broken arm that eventually heals too tightly, allowing him to throw pitches at an alarmingly fast speed. After throwing a ball from outfield to home plate at Wrigley Field, he is recruited to be the pitcher that helps the struggling Chicago Cubs.
This film is everything a sports film should be: it has laughs, heart and lots of sports scenes! A guaranteed winner for any baseball or sports fans out there.
2. A League of Their Own (1992)
"There's no crying in baseball!"
This memorable quote from Tom Hanks was ranked 54th on the American Film Institute's List of Greatest Film Quotes of All Time. And it's easy to see why: everyone knows there's no crying in baseball!
A completely different aspect of the baseball and sports genres, this story is a fictionalized account of the real life All American Girls Professional Baseball League.
Though I'm a little biased, as I am a girl and I do play baseball, this film, like Rookie of the Year, encompasses everything a sports film needs: laughs, heart and lots of baseball. And like Rookie of the Year, this movie was a staple in my childhood. Great acting performances from some of the 90s biggest stars, helm the film's strong storyline - Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O'Donnell and Madonna. I still find myself watching this film at least once a year.
If you haven't seen this film yet, why haven't you?
1. Major League (1989)
Well, there's one main reason why this film tops my list of greatest baseball movies: I cannot watch baseball, play baseball or even think about baseball without referencing this film. It is downright hilarious.
The story focuses on the worst team in the MLB (at the time) - The Cleveland Indians. The new owner puts together a team of the worst players in order to guarantee a last place finish and successfully relocate the team to Miami. The team starts off struggling but finds their niche and soon win their first pennant in 30 years.
Not a stellar storyline, but the acting, jokes and baseball scenes more than make up for it.
A film that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a must for any baseball fan.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
100 Things You Didn't Know About The Lord of The Rings Trilogy
In anticipation of The Hobbit (part 1) release this December, I thought I'd share a page with you that I came across a while back. It's called "100 Things You Didn't Know About The Lord of The Rings" and it's a neat list of facts and trivia about the films. Some facts include...
Visit http://www.empireonline.com/features/lord-of-the-rings-100-facts/ to view them all.
* About 1770 kilometres
- 27 copies of the book was used during the process of making the screenplay and filming.
- The Lord of The Rings is the sixth-highest grossing franchise ever, behind Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Shrek.
- Six million feet of film were shot on the trilogy. That's over 1,100* miles!
Visit http://www.empireonline.com/features/lord-of-the-rings-100-facts/ to view them all.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Great Gatsby Delay = more money for Warner Bros and no Oscar for Leo
Via Tribute
Well, looks like Leonardo DiCaprio will once again watch another Academy Awards gala and not hear his name called for a Best Actor nomination.
According to Warner Bros., The Great Gatsby is being pushed to summer 2013 instead of the original Christmas 2012 release date to ensure it “reaches the largest audience possible". So basically, they want to make more money. And with the release of The Hobbit set for December 2012, the production company still has a chance at some Oscar nods.
However, it looks like Leo will have to take a back seat yet again when it comes to the Academy Awards.
From the article:
Well, looks like Leonardo DiCaprio will once again watch another Academy Awards gala and not hear his name called for a Best Actor nomination.
According to Warner Bros., The Great Gatsby is being pushed to summer 2013 instead of the original Christmas 2012 release date to ensure it “reaches the largest audience possible". So basically, they want to make more money. And with the release of The Hobbit set for December 2012, the production company still has a chance at some Oscar nods.
However, it looks like Leo will have to take a back seat yet again when it comes to the Academy Awards.
From the article:
This news is not only disappointing for fans, but it may be bad news for the stars - namely the two leads - Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. The two were believed to have had a shot at winning Best Actor and Best Actress for their roles in the film. Despite three nominations and countless outstanding performances, DiCaprio has yet to win an Oscar. Pushing the film to a summer 2013 release decreases DiCaprio's Oscar chances - serious Oscar contenders are generally released in December. DiCaprio's only hope for an Oscar this year will now be as Best Supporting Actor in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained.
Leo is among a wide list of actors that deserve, though have yet to receive, an Oscar. As well, Baz Lurhman will not get a chance to receive an Oscar nod of his own for what is sure to be a "Spectacular, Spectacular!" film. (For those of you who don't recognize the name, Lurhman directed the magnificent films William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (also starring Leo) and Moulin Rouge!, the latter inspiring my last quote.
If you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer for The Great Gatsby:
Check out the full article here.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A.T.M - stands for A True Mistake
ATM
Director: David Brooks
Starring: Josh Peck, Brian Geraghty and Alice Eve
DVD Review
Before watching ATM, I was already skeptical. A B-Movie about an ATM and people getting trapped in it? COME ON! But I decided to give it a shot anyways hoping it might be like P2.
The movie started off with your typical office Christmas party (hello P2!) with three typical characters - Peck, the shy, hardworking, will never get the girl, friend of the popular, playboy, drunk, Geraghty and Eve, the seemingly unattainable perfect girl with a soft side for shy puppy dogs. It's obvious from the beginning that Corey (played by Peck) is going to get the girl, Emily (played by Eve). And that the disaster best friend, David (played by Geraghty) is going to do something ridiculously stupid to get himself killed.
Leaving the Christmas party late, the group stops at a random, isolated ATM and park....extremely far away from it! This might be the most unrealistic thing that happens in the movie. Why wouldn't you park right in front of the building?? And it just continues to go downhill from here. Eventually, all three main characters end up in the ATM when the mysterious killer shows up and manages to "trap" them in the small building.
The movie had a ton of potential - we have seen concepts like this work in previous films such as P2 and Phonebooth. However, this movie tries way too hard and does not follow through with the storyline. Even the "twist" at the end, which you can see coming a mile away, seems forced.
Final Verdict: If you're interested in a cheesy B-Movie, with a little suspense, try this one. But don't expect a great, realistic plot. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. It was a disappointment.
Skip it.
Rotten Tomatoes
Joss Whedon Confirmed for The Avengers 2
Via Cineplex
It has been confirmed that Joss Whedon will be back at the helm for The Avengers 2. Cineplex reports that Whedon will be writing and directing the sequel to the wildly popular franchise.
From the article...
Check out the full article here.
It has been confirmed that Joss Whedon will be back at the helm for The Avengers 2. Cineplex reports that Whedon will be writing and directing the sequel to the wildly popular franchise.
From the article...
Marvel's Avengers 2 has no release date as yet but, given the timing of the rest of their forthcoming slate, it will most likely be some time in 2015. But before you bemoan the wait, remember that you've got Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy, to look forward to in the meantime.And that is a lot of Avenger-y goodness between now and 2015!
Check out the full article here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)