Black Mass

ew.com

Black Mass opens with "Breaking Bad's" Jesse Plemons (who I momentarily thought was Matt Damon) wielding a Boston accent, telling investigators he's not a rat. For a second there, I thought I was watching The Departed. Then the story unfolded, and director Scott Cooper wove us through a portion of mob boss Whitey Bulger's life alongside the FBI agent reluctant to take him down. During this time, I felt like I was watching Heat. While Black Mass has a gritty feel, incredible performances, and certain a cinematic quality, it can't seem to match the excellence of the gangster genre greats, all of which I'd gladly watch again before this.

The film recounts the rise and fall of James "Whitey" Bulger, real-life Boston crime kingpin rom his prominence in the 70s to his fugitive status in the 90s. To reduce their sentences, everyone who worked with Bulger recount their experiences with the mobster. Told through flashbacks, the film covers 20 years of Whitey pulling off countless crimes under the governmental protection of his Senator brother Billy (Benedict Cumberbatch) and FBI Agent John Connolly (The Gift's Joel Edgerton).

There were countless approaches this film could've taken (thought to be fair though, it's heavily based on the historical book of the same name) in regards to its main character. We didn't see enough of Bulger the pusher, Bulger the family man, Bulger the adulterer, Bulger the businessman, or any pre-1975 Bulger. Instead, we get murderous Bulger. Now, there is no lack of authenticity in that aspect of his life, but turning Bulger into a well-rounded character for the screen would have given the film the boost it occasionally needed.

And even though the script doesn't always give him the most to work with, Depp manages to take the film to a level that I can't imagine being matched without his presence. He's impulsive, psychotic, decisive, and quite creepy all at once. It's the kind of glorious portrayal that will get film students talking about Depp's talents again without being shunned by their peers and professors - even if his makeup artists did make him look like an extraterrestrial.

With that, it's sad that Bulger oftentimes became a supporting character in his own movie. The focus all to frequently turned to Edgerton's John Connolly - the FBI agent who grew up on the same streets as the Bulger family. Hoping to keep his good friend out of jail, Connolly enlists Bulger as an informant to surpress the North End crime family and put him on the bureau's good side. When Connolly's wife and colleagues start doubting his intentions, the result is more screentime for Edgerton. I normally don't complain when I see Joel Edgerton onscreen, but what's disappointing is knowing his moments could have been given to Depp's character, or anyone else in Bulger's crew for that matter. Nearly all of them feel like complete strangers by the end of the movie, despite top billings and laudable performances.

Years from now, Black Mass will be remembered less as a film about Whitey Bulger's crime saga and moreso a film in the Johnny Depp filmography (and deservedly so on that last point). It's a gritty and blood-soaked crime film I'm not disinclined to watch again. Just sign me up to watch The Departed, Heat, GoodFellas, Donnie Brasco, and a slew of others beforehand.

Rating: 3/5

AJ's Entertainment Show

Nice of you to stop by.

I'm excited to announce I've started a brand new show here at school, which I've dubbed "AJ's Entertainment Show" (I'm open to other suggestions).

Every week, I'll be talking about entertainment news. That includes Hollywood breaking stories, TV show updates, and movie ranting, all of which will have my opinion. Since we're currently trying to find a place to put the final product, I made a YouTube channel so that you can watch it for now. The pilot is visible here. Mind you, it's not perfect - but it's a start!

Got an idea to make the show better? Let me know! I want to hear from you.

Make sure you subscribe to my channel so you don't miss an episode!

Thanks again for reading (and now, watching!),

-AJ

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

FoxMovies

Let's take a second and talk about what a good sequel does. First off, a worthy sequel should only follow a good, original story that made the audience want more. Second, the sequel should continue to build on that originality as opposed to retreading or borrowing too heavily from other sources. This sequel to meets the first criteria - 2013's The Maze Runner was a good movie, and its original and suspenseful mystery approach to the YA universe made me excited for a sequel. But looking at the second identifier, it's clear that The Scorch Trials doesn't qualify as a good sequel - at all.

Following his escape from The Glade, Thomas finds himself transported to a safe haven with allies Newt, Minho, Teresa, and the rest of his friends. It's assumed to be a sanctuary protecting them from those who orchestrated the maze trials, WCKD. Thomas is greeted by the man running the facility, Jensen ("Game of Thrones'" Aidan Gillen), who assures them their troubles are over and a new life is ahead of them. But when familiar faces start disappearing, Thomas is warned by maze survivor Aris (Mud's Jacob Lofland) that Jensen can't be trusted. They discover that they're actually in a WCKD run containment center exploiting those immune to the virus that wiped out humanity. Confused yet? Yeah, me too.

After an exciting and impressively-filmed escape, the group treks across a barren cityscape (the "Scorch") looking for survivors to help them fight WCKD. They team up with rebels Brenda and Jorge (Giancarlo Esposito, who milks his "Breaking Bad" fame by saying hermano in almost all his conversations), two survivors who are also looking to take down WCKD. They spend the rest of the movie looking for weapons and recruits and trying to avoid contact with those infected with the Flare virus, which turns its victims into mindless zombie-like attackers.

As I mentioned earlier, a good sequel elevates the originality of its predecessor instead of falling back on recycled storylines and clichés of sequels past. At times, I felt like I was watching I Am Legend (running zombies), 28 Weeks Later (running zombies in dark underground areas), each of The Hunger Games movies (waking up after escaping a government-controlled arena, hiding from a hovercraft, kids fighting against the government), both Divergent (zip lining over dystopia) and Insurgent (poorly-dressed rebels hosting escapees from those in power), Face/Off (that prison break), Cloverfield (climbing up a tilted city building) and more. And these weren't subtle nods to cinematic classics, these were blatant rip-offs from better movies of a similar or the same genre. Couple that with the overload of unnecessary characters and a muddled screenplay with too much violence and language and not enough character development, The Scorch Trials makes it too easy to get lost along the way.

It was a struggle to watch Dylan O'Brien as Thomas, because you could see he was giving the movie his all while virtually every other cast and crew member seemed to assume their Hollywood faces would carry them to box office success. It's even more painful to see a talented actor like Aiden Gillen waste a good chunk of his screen time sitting on a helicopter in terribly lit scenes.

So on behalf of the filmmakers, sorry fans of The Maze Runner. If you're looking for the excitement, fun, and compelling mystery the first Maze Runner movie brought, you won't find it here. Instead, you'll find boredom, confusion, an overlong production, and another cliffhanger that will lead us into what will likely be another letdown. The Scorch Trials is a disappointment that I can only imagine diehard fans of the original could appreciate. And even then, still probably not.

Rating: 2/5

Jurassic World

http://media.melty.com/article-2300-ajust_930-f1432805959/claire-s-nephews-gray-and-zach.jpg

Following up Steven Speilberg's original Jurassic Park movie is so difficult that even in the director's chair Spielberg himself wasn't able to do it too fantastically. Four years after that attempt, Jumanji's Joe Johnston gave it a try, and while he was able to bring some fun back to the franchise, his entry too lacked the awe of the first Jurassic Park movie. Now, we welcome in Colin Trevorrow, who brings to the franchise no previous experience with big-budget pictures. Instead, he brings an approach.

Immediately when Jurassic Park was released, people were enthralled, leading nostalgia to be a obvious presence in the sequels. By bringing back and focusing on familiar characters like Sam Neill's Alan Grant and Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm, Speilberg and Johnson brought superficial nostaliga to their respective follow-ups - hoping to inspire memories and wonder just because of some familiar faces on an island with dinosaurs. Trevorrow, on the other hand, incorporates into his film a more effective form of nostalgia - an emotional type, a true type. Aside from one doctor with a minor role in the first film, Jurassic World gives us a completely new set of players. A risky move, but one that pays off, because Jurassic World is the sequel we can whole-heartedly admit we have been waiting for. Not because it shows the same characters, but because it invokes feelings audiences have not felt in a dinosaur movie for 22 years.

So, like most of you, my hopes were extremely high for this film. The park is open, we're back to the original island, and speaking frankly, the trailers looked pretty awesome. Still, one in my position can't help being hesitant. Unfortunately, those working at Jurassic World aren't too hesitant, especially when the park's operation's manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) okays the genetic construction of a new super dinosaur, bred to evade any threat manmade or in nature. When things inevitably go wrong, the entire island of animals and visitors - including Claire's two nephews (Ty Simpkins & Nick Robinson) - loses the illusion of safety and control. So, out comes dino trainer Owen (Chris Pratt) on his motorcycle with his entourage of trained raptors to save the day.

Trevorrow, who also co-wrote the script, knew where to take the audience to bring us back to our happy place in this franchise. With some subtle and other not-so-subtle nods to the original Jurassic movie, he manipulated my emotional attachment to the story so well that I was able to overlook the film's occasional flaws effortlessly. When Simpkins' character runs to his hotel room and opens up his balcony to see the fully active theme park, I was wide-eyed and grinning like an 8-year-old. That's talent that can't be ignored, and I'm glad that talent was brought to this franchise.

Sadly, the movie was not without its eye-rolling moments, namely the unnecessary subplots and characters. For example - Claire and Owen had/have a thing for some reason? Sure. Why not? Zach and Gray's parents are getting divorced, even though this moment is only brought up once and never shown to be evident in the parents' behaviors? Sure. Why not. InGen is once again trying to undermine the people who actually know what they're doing on the island and sends out a cocky and annoying character to stir up even more trouble as if there isn't enough already? Sure. Why the heck not. But let's face it - I was having way too much fun watching this movie that most of the time I told my critic mind to shut up and enjoy the ride.

So, please, do yourself a favor and allow yourself to go back to Isla Nublar. See what's new for you and what shining moments from the past it has to offer. Pratt will charm you, Simpkins and Robinson will relate to you, and the movie will inspire you. Because if you thought the times where you could have a complete blast at the movies were over, you'd be wrong.

Rating: 4/5

Paper Towns

Margo (Cara Delevinge) and Q (Nat Wolff) carry out their plan for
high school revenge (FoxMovies)

As John Green's readers know very well by now, Paper Towns is no The Fault in Our Stars. Of course, I mainly say this in regards to the plot - for just because this movie too is about two teens in a maybe-romance and is by the same author and stars Nat Wolff does not mean we should expect the same atmosphere, themes, or story. But when I say this movie is not TFiOS, I'm also referring to it's quality. Paper Towns stands on its own as a good high school movie, but aside from a compelling mystery twist, it is incapable of standing out much more than others in its genre.

Nat Wolff stars as Quentin (aka "Q") - a reserved, results-oriented senior who appreciates consistency but lacks spontaneity in his life. That's where Margo Roth Spiegelman comes in. Quentin and Margo grew up next door to each other, but during their tween years, Margo realized Q's anchored lifestyle wasn't enough to match her reckless behaviors. They drift apart until one night their senior year, where Margo slips into Quentin's room. With a determined look on her face, Margo asks Q to serve as her getaway driver for a contrived revenge plot against her cheating boyfriend and her friends who didn't rat him out. Apparently that's a big no-no in girl-world. (I went to an all-boys high school, don't judge me.)

After re-establishing a connection, Margo and Q part following their misadventurous night of pulling pranks and ruining social lives, leaving Q with hope of a possible future with Margo. But the next morning, she goes missing. While her family and friends write it off as typical Margo behavior, Q thinks it's her way of calling him to come find her. Q finds clues around town, and rounds up a group of his friends to pile into his mom's mini-van to trek across the coast to find her, vowing to be back before their prom night.

Wolff and Delevinge make for an alluring on-screen pair, and perform their parts perfectly fine, but the duo that made me enjoy the movie most was Austin Abrams and Halston Sage. They play Quentin and Margo's respective best friends Ben and Lacey who tag along on the road trip. Both of these supporting actors give hysterical and sincere star-making performances - especially Abrams, who plays a goofball sidekick, a hopeless romantic, and a scene-stealing, beer-filled partygoer in a single role that shows a wide array of acting chops.

With it's element of mystery, the movie does warrant a watch if you're afraid it'll be just like every other movie of its kind. Thankfully, this isn't entirely the case. It has some detractors to it though - mainly its all too familiar tone and it's inclusion of certain ideas and behaviors I personally don't condone on a moral level.

Paper Towns suffices as a more-often-than-not enjoyable high school movie. It was nice to see that the filmmakers were trying to add something new to the teen movie genre, though the execution showed they weren't entirely successful. If anything, it's a showcase of a few new faces and some old ones delivering good performances throughout a story that's just past the threshold of keeping your continuous interest.

Rating: 3/5

Pitch Perfect 2

In about ten years, I invite you to open up a dictionary and look up the term "obligatory sequel." Next to the definition, you'll see a picture of Pitch Perfect 2. It hits all the notes needed to function as a good follow-up to a successful movie - our favorite characters return (with a couple of new faces), they face internal and external conflict, and they manage to surprise everyone by overcoming the odds and seeing their task through because they're unstoppable as a group. This is basically Cheaper by the Dozen 2 all over again, except with the Barden Bellas instead of the Baker family. But let the record show that when I was younger, I thought Cheaper by the Dozen 2 was a perfectly good movie. 

Everybody loved Pitch Perfect. And what's not to love? Anna Kendrick dominates the screen, the songs are catchy, and Rebel Wilson was still funny and not just a once-funny name with an Australian accent. This sequel gave us more of Kendrick's Beca, returned Wilson to her glory, and brought plenty of laughs. Yet despite this, it never goes beyond the expectations anyone had for it. It does nothing new, which is a disappointment, seeing how original its predecessor was. 

To recap the plot, the Bellas are suspended by the national a cappella association after an onstage mishap causes Fat Amy to expose herself to the President Obama, causing their chapter to be suspended from performing, holding auditions, or defending their title at national competitions. Distraught, the Bellas are told their only chance of reinstatement is to win an international competition, where the competition is tighter than ever. Groups from the whole world have perfected their acts, but none pose a greater threat to the Bellas than German champs Das Sound Machine (who, IMO, aren't even that fantastic).

Through a loophole, the Bellas are able to welcome in eager recruit Emily (Hailee Steinfeld), a cheeky freshman and daughter of one of the Bellas' original members. Emily brings original music to the group, something that's highly frowned upon in the a cappella community. Meanwhile, Beca, who is still seeing boyfriend Jesse (without any drama this time, thank God), starts skipping out on Bella responsibilities when she takes an internship at a music production company, where she's pushed to challenge herself in a professional setting. Also, three-time super-senior Chloe (Brittany Snow) is forced to face reality of the grown-up world, while Fat Amy finally gives in to her undeniable connection with former Treblemaker Bumper. 

Pitch Perfect 2 is a good comedy film, with smart comedic timing and a confident presence from all cast members, especially Kendrick, Steinfeld, and John Michael Higgins as one of the a cappella commentators. Musically, it never delivers a number that outdoes anything in the original, which, again, is a disappointment. But let's not dismiss the obvious fact that Pitch Perfect 2 is the obligatory sequel, and while it doesn't outdo or improve on Pitch Perfect in any ways, it works, at the very least, as a way to see some of your favorite characters in recent years again. 

Rating: 3/5

Avengers: Age of Ultron

(MoviePilot)

Had I actually written this review when I first saw the movie in May, I would've started things off by saying that Avengers: Age of Ultron is 2015's best movie so far. Unfortunately for the superhero team (and for Marvel Studios), I saw The Gift in August, which I now see as the year's best so far. But with this weekend, awards season is officially off to a start, which means that The Gift probably won't stay on top for too long. But I digress.

Yes, for three and a half months, I considered Age of Ultron to be the best movie of the year. It's an astounding popcorn film that can create a fan of the superhero genre out of even the most cynical moviegoer who just can't seem to get behind the idea of watching men in capes and costumes for entertainment. But here, similar to The Dark Knight, you can enjoy the film for being a superhero movie, but also for being an impressively-made film about (super) humans grounded in a well-thought out story. And while the story (or the film itself) might not be as impressive or well-thought out as The Dark Knight, the sequel is a step above the first Avengers film on so many levels of filmmaking and storytelling. For example, I can personally guarantee you that zero amount of screentime is dedicated to seeing the characters repairing a jet engine. Oh, and Hawkeye isn't a villain for half the movie this time. Thanks, Joss Whedon!

The sequel pits the Avengers - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Scarlett Witch, and Hawkeye, - against Ultron. Initially designed by Stark and Banner to help humanity, the cybernetic artificially intelligent presence backfires and sees humanity as unredeemable. In an expected unexpected superhero movie turn, Ultron plots to destroy the world. Since Ultron (voiced by James Spader) is only a program, it needs some people doing its legwork for him. It seeks out two mutants - mind-controller Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen, Godzilla) and the super-fast Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kick-Ass 2) to fend off the Avengers while it devises a plan. Of course, the good guys stop Ultron and save the day, but despite a frequent reliance on superhero cliches, the movie makes up for it with everything new and inventive it will hopefully add to the future of the genre.

From the moment the film starts, writer-director Whedon shows us we're in good hands for the next two hours. Beginning with a rousing and explosive assault in the middle of a forrest and ending with an attempt to stop a city from being used as a makeshift asteroid, the movie lets up only at the times where moments of reflection and character development remind you why you're watching and why you should care. Oh yeah, and there's the Hulkbuster too. That's pretty awesome.

Age of Ultron has raised the stakes for the Marvel superhero film. No longer are we looking at these people on screen as pretty faces being paid millions of dollars to fly around for our appeasement. Instead, we see them as characters. We hear their history, we witness their loss, we endure their struggles alongside them - and because of this, the movie about people who punch things really hard and use mind control is astounding.

Rating: 4/5