Epic

Calling Epic "epic" doesn't do it justice

http://hdmoviewpp.com/

Mother nature is hiding more than you'd expect

When thinking of what rating I should assign Epic, the answer became obvious in no time. I simply asked myself two questions. The first: "What did I dislike about the movie?" The second: "What would I change in this movie?" The response to both: virtually nothing. Because of that, Epic gets a perfect 5/5 rating. And here's my defense.

But first, some exposition. Imagine in your nearest woods is a Lilliputian society that defends nature as we know it, as well as an opposite force that attempts to destroy it. Slugs and snails can talk, crows and hummingbirds are the animals used when riding into battle, and the miniature humans refer to us full-sized humans as "stompers." In Epic, only one man believes that, and when his estranged daughter comes to visit, she's not exactly content with that, as one can imagine. But as it turns out, he's 100% right. 

The daughter is Mary Katherine (voiced by Amanda Seyfried), or as she calls herself, M.K. When she concludes her attempt to reconnect with her father is futile, she departs, only to be shrunken to the size of the small soldiers of nature during their battle. Eventually, M.K. becomes quintessential in the soldiers' attempt to bring life back to the forrest. Among her allies are a young and restless soldier (Josh Hutcherson), his stern guardian and fellow soldier (Colin Farrell), a good-intentioned but easily frightened snail (Chris O'Dowd, the cop from Bridesmaids), and a hilariously flirtatious slug (Aziz Ansari).

Epic is so much more than a family movie. Yes, the family was the priority demographic, but as a film lover, I saw themes, characters, and imagery that reminded me of such films as A Bug's Life, The Lion King, and even Avatar, The Hunger Games, and The Wizard of Oz. Epic has an impressive balance of comedy and drama, action and story, darkness and light-heartedness. With that much depth, I would in fact place it alongside animated greats like The Lion King, The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo. 

Family films today are becoming increasingly more catered to be "fun for all ages," but it's a rarity when one succeeds as well as Epic does. Well-made and certainly made to appeal to pretty much everyone, Epic succeeds admirably, and well beyond any words I can use to describe it on this blog.

Rating: 5/5

Star Trek Into Darkness

Sheldon Would Approve: Star Trek Into Darkness Review

startrek.com

Spock and Kirk interrogate their prisoner, Khan. 

These days, most people can't think of Star Trek without making an association to Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory," who not only bears a remarkable similarity to the character of Mr. Spock, but idolizes the entire Trekkie fandom. Star Trek Into Darkness manages to convey a magnificent blend of action and exposition, leading me to believe that Sheldon would definitely approve of the new addition to this timeless franchise. And it gets my approval as well. 

A follow up to the 2009 hit, Star Trek Into Darkness takes place one year after the first film's events. Kirk still captains the U.S.S. Enterprise with a seemingly careless and reckless attitude, while the half-human, half-emotionless Vulcan Spock continues to balance logical reasoning with his emotions and feelings, much to the frustration of his girlfriend, Uhura (Zoë Saldana). 

After a member of their Enterprise committee is murdered, Kirk, Spock, and the entire Enterprise crew go on a manhunt for the man who did it, a superhuman fresh out of cryogenic sleep - Khan. Khan's motives and ultimate goals become apparent, leading to secrets that corrupt the integrity of The Federation being exposed. Khan is both a villain and a victim, but by the end of the movie, we really only care about him being one of those two. 

I'm not a Trekkie, and so the only other Star Trek movie I had seen prior to this was the 2009 reboot. However, I was familiar enough with the storyline to understand the massive undertaking that the creation of 2009's Star Trek was. This sequel lacks the marvelously ingenious ideas present in the first movie, but still succeeds nonetheless. The performances are among the best I've seen in a sci-fi movie, particularly those of Zachary Quinto and Benedict Cumberbatch. 

Aside from a latter half that didn't quite meet the standards set by the first half, and occasionally unsatisfactory character development, Star Trek Into Darkness is a welcomed addition to the Star Trek universe, the recent list of high-quality sci-fi movies, and J.J. Abrams' filmography. Hopefully all summer blockbusters follow the example of quality filmmaking set by this film.

Rating: 4.5/5

Oscar chances: Nominations for Makeup, Visual Effects, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing are all likely, with possible shots at Film Editing, Production Design, and Supporting Actor (for Quinto or Cumberbatch).

The Great Gatsby

Quality ≠ Quantity 

dcmetrotheaterarts.com

Carey Mulligan and Leonardo DiCaprio give their usual high-calliber performances in The Great Gatsby.

Unlike many of you reading this review, I never had F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel assigned in my 5th grade English class, and so prior to my viewing, I had no idea what to expect going into this film. All I knew was that it took place in the 20s, and that the cast was pretty star-studded. What I witnessed both dazzled me and kept me asking how soon the film would be ending. 

In the off chance there are any readers who aren't familiar with the story, Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) moves to Long Island after his graduation from Yale lands him a job on Wall Street. His mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby (the always impressive Leonardo DiCaprio), throws constant parties in his elaborately extravagant mansion. Across the bay from where Gatsby and Nick are is Nick's cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom. The four spend the next 143 minutes entangled in a tragic tale of facades, love, commitment, and secrets (sounds like the perfect formula for a 5th grade novel, huh?).

There are things in this movie I both admire and resent. Visually speaking, the film is among one of the best I've seen. The one to thank for this is Production Designer Catherine Martin, who previously won an Oscar for her work on Moulin Rouge! Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton, who play Daisy and Tom, as well as Leonardo DiCaprio, fail to disappoint. It might not be too early to predict Oscar nominations for the portrayers of Gatsby and Daisy. 

Artistically speaking, I frown upon the film's music choice. The music playing during Gatsby's house parties was some sort of cross between techno and hip hop. As far as I know, the music from the 1920s wasn't enhanced by the technology of today. While I see that this was an attempt to modernize the story, I don't see that it as successful, as Gatsby partially was robbed of its historical integrity. On the topic of the screenplay, there was a lot to get through in order to get to the worthwhile parts of the movie. I was intrigued at first, and then it lost me. A cycle of interest and boredom was constant, making Gatsby frustrating to sit through. Nick Carraway narrated the entire movie, and so my question is, why didn't they just have him narrate the parts that the audience didn't have to waste their time with?  

I'm torn. I want so badly to give this film an excellent rating, because when The Great Gatsby is good, it's great. But there are times throughout the entire film that clearly serve as a vehicle to get to those great parts. The visuals and performances all left me impressed, and the scenes that focused on Gatsby's and Daisy's love were superbly constructed. Having said that, Gatsby was certainly overlong, and had too much time preceding and following its best moments. The Great Gatsby is fantastic, but could have been so much more than that if the filmmakers didn't equate quality to quantity. 

Rating: 3.5/5

Netflix Suggestions: Vol. 3

I'm going to try to make this a monthly addition to my blog. Here are five more suggestions for instant streaming on Netflix!

(Wikipedia)

The Hunger Games

"The Hunger Games is on Netflix. The Hunger Games is on Netflix? The Hunger Games is on Netflix!" Even though I already have the movie on both of my laptops, my iPhone, on DVD and on Blu-ray, this was pretty much my reaction. I've seen the movie eight times now (three of those times in theaters), and still feel all of the thrill and emotion every time I watch it. I placed 2nd on my Top 10 list for 2012, because it was easily the most entertaining movie of the year. In short, this movie has become a symbol of pop culture in the world today. Also, Jennifer Lawrence ('nuff said). Seriously, just watch this movie if you already haven't.

ParaNorman

Easily one of the most overlooked movies of last year, ParaNorman combines dark comedy with lighthearted humor in one of the best animated films in recent memory. Because of this, I can honestly say that there's something in this movie that everyone can enjoy. You can read my original review here.

Mission: Impossible (I, III, Ghost Protocol)

On Netflix, you'll notice that only three of the Mission: Impossible movies are available for streaming. The second one is the only one that's not, but don't worry, it's not really worth your time. However, the other three are, particularly the third and fourth. If you've got a whole afternoon to kill, watch these three movies. Unlike many action flicks today, they have cohesive, substantial, and compelling stories to back that action up. If you only have the time or willingness to watch one, watch Mission: Impossible III. It's one of my favorite action movies ever, and you can go in without knowing much of the back story.

Rat Race

My comedy suggestion this month goes to Rat Race, an ensemble film intertwining the stories of eight different tourists and their companions as they race to Silver City, New Mexico for a $2 million cash prize. Along the way, the racers run into Nazis, SmashMouth, a squirrel saleswoman, vengeful cab drivers, greedy prostitutes, and dozens of other screwball situations and individuals. If you need a few laughs, this is the movie to go to.

Scream (1-4)

They're funny. They're scary. They're action-packed. They're spoofs. They're mysteries. They're the Scream movies. Embrace the story of Sidney Prescott, a teenager (later young adult) dealing with the murder of her mother and confronted by a new killing force in each of the installments. The three sequels are okay, but nowhere near as amazing as the original. The original Scream revitalized the horror genre in the 90s, and impressed audiences around the world with its clever writing, visionary direction, and impressive performances (in particular: Neve Campbell, Skeet Ulrich, Drew Barrymore, and Jamie Kennedy). Scream is so much more than a horror movie, so don't dismiss it as one. Give it a watch if you haven't, and I personally guarantee you that you'll be blown away. 

(P.S.: MTV greenlit an order for a pilot of a Scream TV series, written by Kevin Williamson and (possibly) directed by Wes Craven! If you watch these movies, you'll be as excited as I am!)

That's all for now. There are a lot of summer blockbusters around the corner, so keep checking back to see what AJ says. Thanks for checking in! 

Evil Dead (2013)

I don't say better than the original often, but I think it applies in this case...

www.cineol.net

I saw the original The Evil Dead on Netflix a few months ago. I liked it. Didn't love it. The absurd laughter from one of the characters, the cheap makeup and effects, and the poor execution of black comedy made it nothing more than okay. When I was reading up on this remake, I saw that Bruce Campbell, cast member of the Sam Raimi cult classic, was quoted saying, "The remake's gonna kick some ass — you have my word." I now see that Bruce Campbell is a pretty honest guy. 

The plot of this successful remake is simple enough - twenty-something-year-old Mia is brought up to her family's remote vacation cabin by her three friends and brother David for a cold-turkey drug intervention. It's evident that no one from Mia or David's family had been there for a while, because when the group venture into the basement, they find a slew of strung up dead cats hanging from the ceiling, along with a book enclosed in a garbage bag, wrapped in barbed wire. Naturally, one of the five is stupid enough to cut through the barbed wire with pliers, tear open the bag, read past the "LEAVE THIS BOOK ALONE" sketching on one of the pages, and speak aloud the words that awaken the demonic presence that is...wait for it...the evil dead. (Note: This, along with the original, is incorrectly regarded as a zombie movie. It's a demonic possession movie. There's a difference.)

It's not hard to guess what happens next - the friends are killed off one by one. See Friday the Thirteenth, Cabin in the Woods, etc. The way it's done in this movie, though, is rather impressive. It's true that the film is occasionally reliant on gore in exchange for thrills, but it actually works very well. Like the original, it was over-done at times, but I was entertained from start to finish. The best horror movies are those that honestly make you think the story's over and then surprise you. Evil Dead is one of those horrors. Furthermore, it's an undeniable improvement over the original (in my 21st-century teenage eyes).

Needless to say, don't go into this movie lightly. It was one of the, if not the, goriest and bloodiest movies I've ever seen. Keep in mind, this is coming from a guy who's seen Hostel and all the Saw movies, among others. When I say that it rained blood, I'm completely serious. It rained blood. Not to mention a girl puked blood all over her friend's face. Oh yeah, and a girl cut off her own arm. The disturbing part is that this is only a fraction of the eye-popping graphics from Evil Dead. 

Sure, this movie may potentially leave you light-headed, nauseous, and disinclined to venture out into the woods for a while, but it'll be able to do what very few horror remakes can - genuinely entertain you. Take that for what it is and run with it. 

Rating: 4/5

PS: If you go see this movie, keeps your eyes open for the Pulp Fiction and The Sixth Sense references. 

This review is dedicated to the man who inspires me to follow my passion in hopes that it can lead to a lucrative profession and a satisfying life, knowing you can do what you love for a living. Rest in peace, Roger Ebert. 

Olympus Has Fallen

Olympus Has Fallen (AKA Die Hard 6 or Air Force One 2) Review

 vs. 

(Courtesy of The Editing Room)

^I mean I'm just saying...

I remember when I first watched Air Force One. I thought of an idea for an alternate storyline. I asked myself, "Wouldn't it have been cool if it was one of the secret service agents was playing the 'John McClane' role instead of the President?" Six years later, this movie was released into theaters. Darn idea thieves!

Olympus Has Fallen is quite similar to the much loved Air Force One and Die Hard. In this version of the one-man-against-several-terrorists-who-are-holding-hostages story, a former secret service agent (Gerard Butler) is pitted against some bad dudes from North Korea who are holding the President (Aaron Eckhart) hostage. Butler's character is the only agent left alive after the initial assault on The White House. He stays in communication with the Speaker of the House turned Acting President (Morgan Freeman), while the President and his staff are held in the shelter deep below The White House with guns to their heads.

When I first bought Air Force One, I watched it every day for two weeks straight. And I've seen Die Hard a million times as well. I'm fully aware of how heavily Olympus Has Fallen borrows from these two movies. However, both of these movies are in my Top 25, and I love them for a reason. While this recent release doesn't quite meet the quality of storytelling set by the others, the action was just as riveting. I can honestly say this movie had one of the most intense action scenes I've seen in recent years, and it probably lasted 30 minutes. The assault on The White House that began the conflict switched from an aerial attack across all of D.C., followed by suicide bombers, gas grenades, trucks rigged with bombs and dozens of assassins for hire chipping away at The White House's security and its architectural defenses.

Comparing this scene to the action from A Good Day to Die Hard, I'm glad to see that there's still a way to successfully conduct an extended action sequence on the big screen. I think this can be credited to the film's director, Antoine Fuqua. He directed last decade's Training Day, which I wasn't a big fan of. In this film, I was able to see that Fuqua indeed has an impressive talent behind the camera. I also saw solid performances form Eckhart and (as always) Morgan Freeman. Finally, I was pleasantly astounded by the sound and film editing, which added even further stimulation to the action. If you've seen Air Force One and/or Die Hard and feel like you've had enough of this kind of movie, this probably isn't one to go out of your way to see. However, if you're a fan of either of these movies, or the action genre in general, you'll most likely love it. It's only March, but so far Olympus Has Fallen has my vote for best flick of the year. Keep in mind though that there are 9 more months full of movies to out-stage it.

4/5

Netflix Suggestions: Vol. 2

Tommy Boyz n the Hood. That'd be an interesting movie mashup.

(Wikipedia)

There haven't been many movies worthy of going out of the way to see in theaters in recent weeks. So for now, here's another 5 suggestions of movies you can watch right now on Netflix instant streaming.

Drive

Drive stars Ryan Gosling, and in my opinion, is one of the best movies of the 2000's. It's a crime thriller, intertwined with a forbidden love tale. Since it can be classified as a neo-noir film, it definitely has an older feel to it. But with modern stars like Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Carey Mulligan, it definitely comes across as a tense thriller that can appeal to today's audience. Winner of Best Action Movie at last year's Critics' Choice Awards, Drive is worth going out of your way for.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

One of the most emotional movies I've ever sat through, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas follows the friendship between two eight-year-olds during WWII. One is the young son of one of Auschwitz's overseers, the other is an prisoner in the camp. It stars Asa Butterfield, who I immediately recognized as a brilliant actor when I saw this film. He was able to maintain the innocence of the character while simultaneously conveying his maturity as an actor. He's since landed lead roles in the 5-time Oscar winner Hugo and the highly anticipated Ender's Game. Watch for the star-making performance from Butterfield or for the heartbreaking story. Either way, it's worth your time. 

Tommy Boy

If you haven't seen this buddy comedy yet, stop reading this paragraph immediately and go watch it. Chris Farley plays his usual hapless but good-hearted character. In this film, he's opposite David Spade. Both end up on a road trip selling brake pads to ensure the survival of the company Tommy's (Farley) late father left behind. In my eyes, to say that this movie blows this generation's buddy comedies (like The Hangover and Step Brothers) out of the water would be an understatement.

Reservoir Dogs

Oscar night last month was filled with some great victories, including Academy Award #2 for Quentin Tarantino. In celebration, why not go back to the writer-director's roots? In his first theatrical film, a group of diamond thieves suspect there's a mole in their operation after their heist turns deadly. Reservoir Dogs stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth and Steve Buscemi, and is often credited for redefining the gangster genre in the 90's. Considered to be one of the best films of all-time, Reservoir Dogs is where all the glorious gore and language Tarantino is recognized for began. 

Boyz n the Hood

The first time I watched Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing, I was massively impressed. However, upon a second viewing, I was disgusted with how blinded I was by the sheer audacity, and that it took me a second viewing to realize how flawed Spike's film was. I've seen Boyz n the Hood, another film centered around a young African-American in a poor area, twice. I can say that unlike Lee's film, there aren't many flaws here. Just a great story, with a good amount of dark comedy. Following the lives of South Central boys from their pre-teen years to the troubled time they spend before adulthood, it takes all the recommendable parts of Do the Right Things, throws in a little Stand By Me, and results in a fantastic motion picture.