Big Screen Blurb: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II

People change. It's a fact of life. Sometimes change is for the good; other times, not so much. Usually, change is subtle. Then, there's Bella...not so subtle. You remember Bella (Kristen Stewart), right? She's that clumsy, little pale girl who was a tad lacking in the self-confidence department. Uhh...no more. Bella has changed. She is smooth, exceptionally confident and strong. In short, Bella is one bad ass; as is the latest installment in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II.

Yeah, motherhood has changed young Bella, but let's not kid ourselves. Bella's changes have a hell of a lot more to do with the fact that she is now a vampire. Gone are the days of mere mortal status. She is a vamp and loving it. Stronger. Faster. Actually, she's just a pair of metal legs away from Lee Majors. Her hubby is thrilled. That would be Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). He's glad to have Bella share in his powers. The pair wasted little time in making a baby, who emerges at the center of this flick. Little Renesmee (Mackenzie Foy) is half mortal and half vampire. The problem is that Renesmee is perceived to be an immortal child. That's trouble. You see, an immortal child would draw the fatal wrath of the Voturi--the oft-unjust governing body of the vampires. The rule is simple: All immortal children must die because they are simply too big of a threat to the vampires secretive way of life. So, the Volturi gather forces to extinguish Renesmee and anyone in their way. The trouble is simple. The Volturi have it all wrong. The kid is NOT immortal, but half and half. As minds are quite often very closed on the subject of immortal kids, it's up to the Cullens to find a few open minds. So, the Cullens travel to the Republican National Convention in search of a few open minds. Sadly, they find not one. Okay--I'm kidding, but I couldn't resist! Actually, they rally the troops who are either sick of the Volturi's bullying prowess or relatives willing to stick up for the Cullens and little Renesmee. Joining the defense are the werewolves. Of course, this is mainly because Jacob (Taylor Lautner) has imprinted on the baby--a concept that I have yet to wrap my little mind around because any way you cut it, watching the 20-something hottie pant like a pup around a 7-year old girl still freaks my freak...but, I digress. Yadayadayada...the Cullens with supporters and werewolves in town square off against the evil Volturi in a battle for the life of all, including lil Renesmee.

It's good...very good, actually. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one. I liked the first one. Loved the next two, but really hated the fourth installment. I figured that this one would be strong and anchor a great series nicely. It does not disappoint. Sure, halfway through this one, I was a little dissatisfied, but a very strong finish pushed Breaking Dawn Part II to a 4.0 Star finish.

Keep in mind, that I'm not at all familiar with the books, so I don't know what changes people have been talking about to the finale of the movie. However, I have no complaints. The epic battle scene I actually loved. That whole sequence played out to perfection in my book. You love the 'good' guys...you know why you hate the 'bad' guys and when all hell breaks loose and falls apart, we were left with a perfect sequence.

It was also good to see Bella's character evolve to such a confident strength that it did. She was always incredibly strong-willed and lovable. She proved to be even more lovable as a vampire. There were several characters who evolved nicely in this one. The inches of character evolving that we witnessed in the first four movies extended yards in the finale. Among others, that goes for Jacob as well, whose imprinting on Renesmee took his puppy-dog affections away from Bella.

All in all, the acting was good. I've always been a Kristen Stewart fan, and she didn't disappoint here. It's true that I've always been skeptical of Pattinson as Edward, but I think he had me sold by the third film and he proved solid here as well.

If you consider yourself to be a fan of Stephanie Meyer's collection, this movie version should not disappoint you. See it and see it BIG! If you've never paid any attention to this series, should you start now. Well, not unless you're willing to start at the beginning. Yeah--you may have been opposed to it for whatever reason...the vampire vs. werewolf thing? Maybe you didn't like Pattinson or Stewart or didn't want to see Lautner without his shirt on? Who knows! Just remember, as previously noted, people change and sometimes it is very much for the better. So--start at the beginning and give it a shot.

True...OUT!

P. S. This concludes my 60 reviews for the year. I've got a few that I've yet to post: Fun Size, Seven Psychopaths, Sinister. Those will probably get posted in January along with my December flicks...or feel free to email me if you want a sneak preview.

Big Screen Blurb: Lincoln

When asked to sum up Steven Spielberg's Lincoln in five words or less (this was a text request, after all), my response was simple: The inevitable failure of prejudice. There's no Hollywood glitz or Tinsel Town glamour here. Lincoln is a film for history buffs, pure and simple. And, those who understand history know that they are doomed to repeat it. Just as those that watch this flick, might well be destined to watch it again. It is quite good.

It is January of 1865. The United States of America has been broken. The Rebel cause to the South--fighting mainly about slavery, opposes Union forces to the North. In the middle of this shattered nation is a man trying to end the conflict and heal a hurting people. He does this by trying to end the immediate civil war, yes. However, further, he is trying to end and forever resolve the primary source of the conflict. His name is Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis). Loved by many. Hated by many. Considered a dictatorial tyrant by many. Lincoln's charge is to create a 13th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution that will officially end slavery by freeing those held captive to that institution. It's quite the battle. After all, the fall of slavery to some brings great economic hardship; and, as we all know, money talks quite loudly in these great states of ours. Freeing slaves to many would be the same as saying that one's house is open game...that you no longer own your home and that it's free for anyone to stay at within any time. Simply put: slaves were fiscal assets to many. Ahh...the plot thickens, hey? With this in mind, Lincoln must sharpen his political wits and create enough incentive for those neigh-sayers to side with him and have this Constitutional Amendment passed. Further, he must accomplish this before the war ends to ensure the end of slavery. End the war? End slavery? He wants both and sets to the task. Yadayadayada...while the war rages and begins to wane on the battlefield, it is just getting started in the House as a history-changer realizes his day.

It's good. It's very, actually. I'll go with 4.5 Stars but be warned. This is a movie that not everyone will embrace. The focus brings to attention a real-life look at that era and its numerous struggles. That strife is presented with great realism and attention to detail...historical detail. If you are looking for a period piece that glamorizes war and the battle of the states, make a request to Mel Gibson. I'm confident that he can create a film similar to The Patriot, just set about a hundred years later. This one, however...Lincoln, is about raw history. Our theater was sold-out and the credits brought a splattering of applause. I was among those clapping. The rest might have been asleep. In fact, one guy stood up and proudly exclaimed that it got good right when he fell asleep. Undoubtedly, he and possibly others, were expecting something that focused on the civil war or maybe the plot to kill Lincoln. That expectation was certainly a possibility in my mind before settling into this 149 minute flick. The object with Spielberg's Lincoln, however, was to rely on history to tell a great story, while shelving possible Hollywood-esque plot twists and fascinating explosions.

Spielberg takes us to that era very effectively. After all, it is a different time. The office of the President was not then, what it is today. In many ways, Lincoln is treated as just another guy in Washington. Yes, he is the president and that is clear, but prestige had yet to catch up with the power of the office. The president entering the room, was not necessarily cause for everyone to stand in attentive awe. His procession was met with mere and often disinterested glances, as was often his presence. Real stuff for that era. Good stuff.

Another case it point to the reality presented in the movie: Lincoln's popularity. In studying the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy in greater detail in preparation for a D.C. trip, I learned much of the reality that opposed traditional thinking. I had always thought that Lincoln was a beloved man in all circles. Not so fast, my friend. The reality paints quite a different picture. His image was quite split when he walked among us and that is accurately portrayed in the film. Yes, he was loved in some pockets, while he was hated in others. Again: realism reigns.

If realism was indeed, the goal here, I knew that several factors would play a role. The accuracy of the era, yes; but also the acting. Spielberg hits a homerun with the former and Day-Lewis and company all hit grand-slams with the latter. This is a definite Oscar nomination for Day-Lewis certainly, as his portrayal of such an historical icon was amazingly outstanding. From the 'look' to his approach and demeanor, this was undoubtedly the challenge of a lifetime for all involved in bringing this character back from the history books to the big screen. Day-Lewis was not alone, however, and far from it. He shares the spotlight with David Strathairn, who was wonderful as Secretary of State William Seward. Sally Field was tremendous as Mary Todd; while Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Gulliver McGrath played the sons.

Should you see this one BIG. That really depends on you. If your cranium clock ticks with historical chimes, you will love this movie. If you need to see Tinsel Town shine with special effects that overshadow realism, you will probably find disappointment. I loved it and will, undoubtedly watch it again. Lincoln presents a great opportunity to watch the inevitability of a hard prejudice rightfully die; and, as we all know, once a debate begins about a prejudice...whether it is slavery, civil rights, women's rights or even gay marriage...once that debate begins, that prejudice has received a fatal blow. Lincoln saw to that in terms of slavery, and that is something that is definitely worth a view to me.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Here Comes the Boom

Here Comes the Boom. Based on the true story of little Scotty Trueblood, who overcame great odds by kicking his principal's ass to open a knitting club in middle school. Okay...that's a load of crock. I've never knitted anything in my life and this flick is not true at all, but take heart. It's actually pretty good...contains plenty of good lessons and is well worth a watch.

Meet Scott Voss (Kevin James). He's a high school Biology teacher who has lost his edge. Actually, he's lost heart in the system. This loss sees him routinely arriving late on the good days and sleeping through class on the bad ones. That is, until he witnesses a teacher with true passion for the game about to lose his job due to budget cuts. That teacher is none other than music teacher, Marty Streb (Henry Winkler). The music department is about to get the axe with cold-hearted Principal Betcher holding the handle. Inspired by ole Marty, Mr. Voss goes into action. He sets his sights on earning extra dough to save the program and Mr. Streb. When his $8 per hour Immigration Classes add up to little, Mr. Voss eyes the not-so-glamorous world of martial arts boxing. After all, he used to be a wrestler and Voss is seeing potential big bucks--even for a loss. Yadayadayada...we watch as Voss, backed by Marty and fellow teachers (led by Salma Hayek) to beat the odds and make it all the way to the UCF, inspiring students and teachers alike and truly lowering the boom on a career daze.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.5 Stars on this one. You experience enough laughs to realize that you just witnessed a comedy. There are enough inspirational moments to carry the experience to work the next day. And, there plenty of likable characters that help you bond with their plight and the story behind them.

Having some friends who are teachers and actually care about what they do; it's always challenging for them to battle the system. The problems are numerous. There are school systems bogged down in bureaucracy. Parents are usually more painful than helpful, insisting on special treatment when none is warranted. And, don't get them started on some of those kids! We see those issues highlighted in Here Comes the Boom as well. You've got a budget-minded principal who is ready to axe a music program to get rid of a teacher who doesn't have tenure. Parents insisting on teachers not trying to inspire there students and kids that run the gamut in terms of attention spans. Yet, here you have a story of what happens when people simply buy-in to something special without the typical hyper-criticism. Oh sure, it's there in the beginning...the story has to have a semblance of reality, right!?! Eventually, however, people jump on board and we see that old word from the 90's re-emerge: Synergy!

With all of that in mind, I admit that I enjoyed this one and was even a little inspired by it. Plus, it was good to see Kevin James in a slightly different role. We're all accustomed to seeing him as the goofy, chunky guy...ala Hitch, Paul Blart Mall Cop, etc. He's tougher in this movie and actually pretty cool.

Is this one to go BIG on? Hmm...maybe. It should definitely make your queue on the ole rental list to check out in February. Yeah, it may not be true...actually, but it presents a story that is very true to life and true to us all. Take heart...check this one out and you might find a little heart as well.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Flight

Will he or won't he? That's the big question...well, one of the big questions seeking answers in Flight with Denzel Washington. It's not a simple question, as we will soon see; nor is the answer black and white.

Whip (Washington) is a great pilot. There is no denying that tidbit. So, when equipment failure on a simple flight from Orlando to Atlanta prompts an impromptu landing in a Georgia baron field, Whip is heralded as a hero. Actually, what he accomplished was short of a miracle. Whip saved 96 of the 102 souls by inverting the plane to compensate for a stuck rudder, and whip it back over to land just yards from a church busy baptizing a few believers. Whip is hospitalized, along with many of the crew and passengers as the NTSB goes to work to find out what went wrong. So, Whip is a hero, right? Well, yes and no. You see Whip has a problem. He's an alcoholic and has a fondness for cocaine as well. Further, he had a bit of coke the morning of the flight and had emptied three small vodka bottles into his OJ on the flight. Shortly thereafter, Whip fell asleep at the controls only to be awoken to the crisis in which he saved so many. Now, the story is heating up, huh?!? Even though it was Whip's incredible flight performance that saved the 96, doing so under the influence draws the ire of the Feds and yadayadayada Whip battles the NTSB and himself as the question looms. Will he or won't he get away with it?

It's good. A good story that is very thought-provoking while highlighting a big issue suffered by so many today: Addiction. I'll give it 3.5 Stars. It's 138 minutes that move fairly quickly through a wave of interesting characters while posing many interesting questions.

Denzel is great; as usual. He's not alone. Don Cheadle, who plays Denzel's attorney, and Bruce Greenwood, who plays the pilot union rep are both outstanding as well. Meanwhile, John Goodman continues his recent big screen run with his portrayal of Whip's drug provider. Fascinating characters one and all. All are well played. But it is the questions that this story poses that made this an entertaining experience for me.

The plane was obviously faulty. The plane was the root of the crash...not Whip. Whip saved the majority with his incredible flight skills. Regardless of his condition, the end result was positive for cast and crew. After all, in the story, none of the NTSB's best pilots could replicate Whip's performance in simulation. All crashed the plane. Yes, Whip's accomplishments were done so while intoxicated. Maybe he couldn't have achieved the same results while sober. There's no way of knowing. Do end results outweigh the means? Certainly. At least that's the no-brainer response presented in the movie. Mirroring a social structure that would see Whip's behavior as a betrayal of public trust in a position of great responsibility, the very notion that he was under the influence puts plenty of blame on his doorstep...even if the plane was the biggest factor of the crash.

At any rate, Flight is a good story that is told in a fascinating way while posing many intriguing questions. Yes, it is depressing at times, watching the main character sink further into his problems...watching him deny his very obvious problems...watching a hero turn into a scapegoat with each passing minute. Actually, you're caught, at times, wondering who to root for in this one. Flight presents few characters that you want to root for at all. It is, however, a flick to see. Big or small screen? Good question. There are some great special effects in this one that are best experienced on the BIG screen. If that's not important to you, it may be better suited as a rental in March.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Chasing Mavericks

I never really understood surfing. There was no ball. There was no scoring. There really didn't seem to be a point. If you feel the same, Chasing Mavericks may help you discover exactly what I did, this little gem of wisdom: That IS exactly the point.

Meet my new hero: Jay Moriarty (Jonny Weston). Even as a lil dude, Jay was enamored with the ocean. So much so, that he was consumed by a big wave only to have his neighbor, Frosty (Gerard Butler), surf by to make a big save. From there, lil Jay pieced together a surfboard and begin tackling the real thing. Years later, Jay spots Frosty headed out to catch some early morning waves. He follows Frosty to find a little known and hidden area where the waves come in at Texan proportions. Jay is in and convinces Frosty to train him to ride these beasts. But wait, those whoppers are just the beginning. El Nino approaches and with it the promise of a Maverick--we're talking five story-high waves, baby. The training begins as Jay gets in touch with his inner self to tackle the elements of nature and yadayadayada...we get to know a real surfer and a tremendous human being.

It's good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one. Actually, doing a little inventory midway through, I would have scored this one lower. Hang in there though, because it finishes strong and stays with you. Sure, at the halfway point you might be thinking, "Okay...this is a just flawed Miogi training Daniel--just swap a surf board for a karate belt--so where's it going?!?" You might even be thinking, "Why is Jay doing this? There's nothing at stake here. Why risk life and limb for nada?"

True on both counts; but there is much at work here. After all, when you look at the master-student relationship between Frosty and Jay, you're probably left with an unsavory opinion of the teacher. Actually, it seemed hypocritical to be taking lessons on 'connecting' from someone who is quite 'disconnected'. Jay truly has his act together. Sure, at times, he's got the ole immaturity of a 16 year old thing going for him, but he's shouldered a lot in his life. Meanwhile, Frosty seems to be distantly disconnected to his wife, kids and actually anything or one not in the ocean. The point on this front leads you to realize that reality is truly at work here. Frosty is molding and shaping Jay--helping him overcome a lot of his obstacles, while Frosty begins to embrace his own teachings to do the same. Good stuff. Wise stuff. Real stuff.

What about that second question? "Why is he doing this?" Having sat through a lot of movies, it's a legit question to pose. We have grown very much accustomed to a story that would have evolved toward a storyline of: Jay has to surf to win a competition and it's $10,000 prize in order to save the family home...or, Jay has to beat his bully of a competitor to forever prove his worth over that enemy. When neither elements emerged, it really through me. What we got, however, was real. First, we got to know someone who--if this is an accurate portrayal--was one tremendous human being. Yes, he got bullied. Yes, he was betrayed. Yes, he was disrespected. Was each negative turned into a Hollywood positive? No. Each negative was ignored, allowing compassion to be embraced with each incident. It didn't fight back. It didn't seek to get even. It didn't look to save face. Rather, it embraced and left you wondering if Jesus had come back as a surfer! Each incident was embraced with a compassionate and confident understanding that far exceeded your typical 16 year old.

With that, you just really fall in love with this character. Don't get me wrong. I'm not trading in my boogie board for a surfboard. I do, however, understand the connectedness that surfers feel with their environment.

Should you go Big? Hmm...there's a lot of depth here. If you can patiently wait for the break, you'll ride a sweet wave. You just need that Hollywood story to make the trip worthwhile, stay on the beach. This is good stuff, but you've got to be willing to connect with it to make it worth the time and dime.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Taken 2

The movie world was certainly taken by Taken. I was totally taken, too. Would we all be taken, too by Taken 2? Uhh...yeah! Even following the same storyline, Taken 2 is one of those Hollywood rarities where the sequel lives up to the original.

He's just an OCD boy. Living in a lonely world. He took the midnight plane going to Istanbul. "He" in this little Mo-Town jingle is Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson). If you recall, Bryan has a very special skill set, which basically means he can find you and dismantle you in a millisecond. He did it once before when his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) was abducted by sex traffickers. He ruthlessly hunted them down and issued his own torturous sentence of death. Understandable considering the circumstances, right? Well, the papa of some of those deposed sex traffickers took exception to Bryan's brutality and wants blood in return. So, while Bryan takes care of some business in Turkey, along with his ex-wife, Lenore (Famke Jannsen) and Kim, the dissed papa sets out to take Bryan and his ex. Silly and stupid move from a man whose brain cells are seemingly scattered around Eastern Europe, huh? Meanwhile, Kim attempts to allude capture and help her dad go on the offensive. Mission accomplished. Yadayadayada...Once again, Bryan is able to use that deadly skill set to turn the tables on those hell-bent on evil.

It's good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars for Taken 2. It's almost, if not as good as the original. The only thing the original had going for it was, well, exactly that: It was an original. This follows the same concept with similar action-packed and emotionally charged results.

One thing that did not really equate with the original was bad guys. With Taken, we got to know some pretty evil men pretty well. They weren't pretty to say the least and we got some instant gratification from watching Liam's Bryan Mills go to work on them. The bad guys in Taken 2 are bad--no doubt about it. However, we just don't really get to know them very well and don't experience that emotional charge that desperately wants to see Bryan do his thing. What you have is a bad guy who is a dad who loved his very evil son unconditionally and wants revenge. I would have liked to have seen Bryan shove the son's evil in papa's face a bit more to remind him why his son met a gruesome demise. Instead, we are left with papa's "I don't care what he did, he's my son", which is an attitude that is easy to connect with especially when the son's actions are really (for the most part) left out of the Bryan-Papa square off. Within that character dynamic, more would have been more.

Sure, there are some implausible moments that are typical of these action-adventure thrillers. None of those moments reach with any depth into the impossible, so they are manageable beyond the ole, "...uhhh--wait a minute" gut reactions.

All in all, Taken 2 is a fun flick with plenty of fun characters, action, emotion and the hearty roller coaster ride similar to the original. It doesn't try to do too much. It merely nudges the series along in a positive direction, which is far more than many sequels are able to accomplish.

With that in mind, see Taken 2 and see it BIG! You too, might be totally taken by Taken 2. 

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Argo

Keepin' it real. When it comes to appreciating the movie Argo, from director and star, Ben Affleck, that is a key phrase to remember. Embrace the reality and you have a tremendous movie experience. Looking for an action spy adventure with narrowly escaped explosions at every turn? Keep lookin' because Affleck ensures that Argo is keepin' it real, baby.

It's 1979. Picture it...little Scotty Trueblood playing diligently with his Star Wars figures. Got that image in place? Well, forget about it because it has almost nothing to do with what was going on in Iran that year. It was 1979 when Iranians stormed the US Embassy, taking American hostages. In return, they demanded the return of their ousted leader who had taken refuge in the USA. However, six of those hostages had escaped to a Canadian safe house. Enter Johnny Mendez (Affleck). He's brought into a think tank whose purpose is to brainstorm these six Americans home safely. Several ideas float about, but it is Johnny's plan that gets the nod. What's the big idea? Well, drawing from the popularity of the movie Star Wars, Johnny plans to pass the six hostages off as a film crew on a location scouting mission. The proposed movie is Argo--a sci-fi thriller in need of a desert location for filming. Argo...meet Iran. Is it suspicious considering the chaotic upheaval taking place in Iran? Sure. But as Mendez's boss (Bryan Cranston) points out: "This is the best bad idea we have."

To keep it real, Mendez brings in Hollywood. This means make-up guru John Chambers (John Goodman) and producer Lester Siegel (Alan Arkin). They use a real script...cast real actors...even have a PR event with cast and crew to draw some media coverage. It would all need to pay off as...yadayadayada Johnny and his crew of six ambassadors turned film crew navigate checkpoint after checkpoint on their way home.

It's good...very good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this gem. Again, Argo is not your Tom Clancy thriller turned big screen. It is a real story that leans heavily on history for a basis for its reality. These are real events, which make them even scarier; and, as they emerge onto the big screen, even more entertaining.

What Affleck captures here is truly the fear and shock injected into a nation at these horrifying events of 1979. I was a little fella, but I do remember this happening. Actually, I remember playing with my Star Wars figures on Mammaw Brown's couch one Friday night while she and Pap remained intensely glued to the TV as these events unfolded. Americans were outraged and enraged. That is one side. Affleck also effectively captures the rage pulsing through Iran that year. Their people had ousted someone they considered to be a horrible dictator and he had set up a convenient asylum in the US. The Iranian people took offense and a group of revolutionaries took action and sixty hostages in the process. It was chaos in motion and Affleck painted an absolutely brilliant picture.

Where does it come up short? You really have to get picky to come up with any negatives. Yeah, there are times when you edge up on that seat and wonder if Hollywood is behind it or these events unfolded as depicted. I'll give all involved the benefit of the doubt because nothing is remotely over the top. Again...keepin' it real, baby.

The acting? Great. From Cranston and Goodman and Arkin, this crew was as historic as these events. The only criticism on that front would be Affleck's portrayal of Mendez. No emotion with this character whatsoever. I promise that you will find no difference between Mendez and the stone wall nearest you, save some moss and dust on the latter. Now, the trouble with capturing a real-life person is that he may have been portrayed incredibly accurately. That would, after all, be quite real if Mendez's nickname was Stony. It may have been, but you're facing incredible feats with absolutely no sense of emotion at all? I suppose. Again, the real Mendez might have showered in Novocaine? I don't know. With that said, Affleck was either brilliant or a stone. With every other component well in place in Argo I'll side with brilliant.

Should you see this one BIG? Uhh...yeah! Argo is a fascinating peace of history and fun to watch on many fronts. Check it out and go BIG!

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Trouble with the Curve

Trouble with the Curve. It's On Golden Pond meets Moneyball in a movie that touches on a lot of emotions in the midst of a lot of testosterone. Ultimately, it's the former that shines through on the way to a very good movie.

Meet Gus (Clint Eastwood). He's a baseball scout for the Atlanta Braves and a damn good one. He's been around awhile. Actually, according to some of the Braves' brass, he's been around a little too long. They fear that he's lost his touch. What does Gus think? He wouldn't admit it, but he knows two things. One, yeah...he's slipped a bit of late. His vision isn't what it used to be. In fact, his glaucoma causes more than a few problems for ole Gus. Second, Gus still knows this game of baseball better than any amount of data a laptop could spit out. Enter Mickey (Amy Adams). She's Gus' daughter and a high-powered Atlanta attorney; at least she is taking all the right steps to move into a partnership at her firm. That trek takes a detour, however, when family friend Pete (John Goodman) asks a favor. Pete also works for the Braves and he's a big believer in Gus. He also know that Gus has been struggling a bit, so he enlists Mickey to look after him on a big scouting trip that could greatly impact the future of both the Braves organization and Gus' role in it. So, Amy hits the road, much to the shagrin of Gus. Let's just say the two aren't exactly close. After Gus' wife died, he sent Mickey away to boarding school. Gone were the father-daughter road trips. They were replaced with a distant relationship filed far from the close-knit "daddy-daughter" docket. So, here is another chance to bond. This one comes under the guise of caring for your elderly father, but beggers can't be choosers, right? Along the journey, we meet Johnny. He works for the Red Sox and is one of Gus' old signees. Unfortunately, he blew out his arm and never materialized into a prospect, but Johnny is certainly close with Gus and wants to get closer to Gus' daughter. Yadayadayada...Mickey and Gus journey toward finally developing a bond as Gus' career with the Braves comes into stronger focus.

It's good...very good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars here. First, I should say that I'm very picky about my baseball movies. Heck, I'm picky about sports movies in general. They so often lack enough realism within the context of the sport as it meets the big screen, leaving me peeved that the sport has been dissed. That doesn't happen here. Now, keep in mind, we're not talking about the sport being displayed in an in-game setting. Rather, this movie explores the inner-workings of the games that surround the on-the-field action. Even so, those situations are all handled within the scope of reality. Even when a seed is planted that prompts a response of, "..wait a sec, could that really happen?"; you quickly realize that it could, indeed.

Further, I loved these characters. Their situations present real-life dilemmas that are rarely resolved. After all, Gus represents the emotionally constipated male. When his wife passed away, he didn't know how to parent a little girl--at least he didn't think he did. Shipping her off made sense to him, but was devastating to her. In the real world, rarely would characters like this would ever be emotionally open enough to even discuss it. We get a glimpse of that rare resolution through these characters and it was wonderfully meaningful. In other words, we get to the "why's" in their situation, moving past the "what's"--which is where we all need to end up (or would like to end up) in settling those issues of the past.

Finally, the story itself is just plain good. It is a sound plot with interesting, but real-life twists that draw you in and prompt you to really root for the people you know you should be rooting for. The story comes full-circle in a way that you're left feeling like it won't--if realism is to be maintained. Never fear, it all works out effectively and leaves you left with a certain sense of resolution yourself.

Yeah...see this one and see it BIG! Sports movies that present such raw emotion and realism are rarities. Sure, Eastwood is always worth a watch. In this case, he's surrounded by a solid cast and a great story, all of which entertains as much as a walk-off homer.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Pitch Perfect

Feeling a little down? Got those post summer blahs? Horrified at the prospect of pulling your Fall wardrobe over that perfectly tanned body? Okay...I'm starting to crack myself up. At any rate, I know the feeling. I love the seasons, but have started to miss the bright, hot lights of Summer. The perfect remedy? Hmm...it may be Pitch Perfect. It's not perfect by any stretch, but it is a fun escape to the post summertime blues.

Meet the Bellas. They are Barden U's all-girl a cappella group. Sure, they look like snobby stewardesses. Sure, none of their songs come from this century. And yeah, they are a constant and distant second to BU's all-male group in all the competitions. Okay...I'm not painting a flattering picture here, am I? But in all honesty, there's not a lot of positives to share and the a cappella judges concur. Looking for some new blood...check that--'looking for anyone who can carry a tune', the Bellas turn to a unique cast of characters. There's Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). She's a blunt, but full of life no non-sense kind of gal. There's Beca (Anna Kendrick). She's a rebel that doesn't even want to be in college, much less the Bellas. There's Lily (Hana Mae Lee). Shealdlsglsaldg. What? Didn't catch that? Well, you won't understand anything this girl says either. They are just three of several added to Chloe and Aubrey's (Brittany Snow and Anna Camp) perfect little group where no change is allowed. EVER! This unwillingness to adapt is a problem if the Bellas are to ever overtake the fellas in the national competition. One of those guys, Jesse (Skylar Astin) has set his sights on Beca--not that she's really noticed or even cares, mind you. At any rate, Beca starts to care...about the group at least...and begins butting heads with the ultimate traditionalistic Aubrey. Yadayadayada...Beca journeys from indifference to impact as she begins to care about a great many things upon arriving in the land of self-discovery.

It's fun. I'll go with 3.5 Stars. Pitch Perfect is an entertaining ride with characters that are easy to like; easy to dislike (when you're supposed) and easy to connect with on the various levels of personal evolution that most humans experience. Pitch Perfect has its funny moments. It is NOT a collegiate version of Bridesmaids so don't set yourself up for that kind of disappointment. However, there are some genuinely comedic moments in this flick that will draw a smile or two.

You will also enjoy the characters. They are, for the most part, a fun group. Yeah, it can get frustrating. After all, you know what the group needs to do to improve, but they won't do it. You know a good pitch slap to Beca would wake her from a rebellious slumber, but it's slow to come. All in all, that is really just life, right? Don't we all watch train wrecks in the making among our friends? Aren't we each train wrecks waiting to happen, at times anyway? Allow yourself to suck it up and enjoy the ride. Embrace these characters and their situations and you just might experience a fairly fun ride.

It is not without a few flaws. Actually, Pitch Perfect racks up more than a reasonable amount of "What the's..." or "Why in the hell would..." moments. These are plot-centered moments where a sudden twist occurs--either around a situation or a character that leaves you scratching your head and thinking, "There had to be a more effective way to work out this issue." As such, this is one of those movies that, if you're going to truly enjoy it, you just need to chalk it up to being a movie played out in movieland. In other words, it is what it is, so don't over-think it and you just might enjoy yourself.

Should you see this one BIG? Tough call. It has its moments--both "ahh!" and, "huh!" If you're just looking for a flick to give you a fun little escape, this may be the answer. It is certainly a nice remedy for the post-summertime blah's. It is not necessarily the answer if you need a deep story-line that is flawlessly fascinating. If that's your prescription for the blues, then you'll probably want to find an alternate option.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Perks of Being a Wallflower

There aren't too many movies that make me want to go back to high school. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed my high school years--for the most part. However, the thought of trading independence and freedom for the prospects of papers, rules, zits, sparse growth spurts, more papers and more rules is utterly unappealing. Of course, if I could attend this high school...hmm...different story altogether. Not that this particular Pittsburgh high school was something to get excited about in 1980-something, but rather the people that roam its halls. In this case, it is very much the people that would make the difference. That is, of course, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Meet Charlie (Logan Lerman). He's 15. He's a freshman. He's pretty messed up. Simply put: Charlie has been through a lot. His best friend killed himself. His aunt died in a horrific car accident and I'm just getting started. Yeah, life has presented a few obstacles to this shy, innocent and wonderfully dispositioned young man. Hoping to put some of those problems aside, he starts high school. Hoping to make new friends, he meets seniors Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson). They are step bro and sis and take Charlie under their wings, introducing him to a circle of friends that truly gives him the friendship he seeks. Of course, as life does...it gets complicated. Charlie begins crushin' on Sam, while Patrick carries on a secret relationship with a football stud (Johnny Simmons). Meanwhile, Mary Elizabeth (Mae Whitman) is crushin' on Charlie, whom she informs is to be her boyfriend. Of course, Sam is dating a college dude (Reece Thompson), while Patrick's relationship begins to literally blow up in his face. You taking notes? Yeah, I know it sounds like your typical high school stuff, right? Like my senior year when all people could talk about was how senior Sally was dating freshman Brad and they wanted it to end because...well, I'm digressing, but you get my point. Most of the so-called meaningful stuff in high school is the non-sense. Throughout it all, we progress through Charlie's issues, moving toward a climax and yadayadayada getting to a meaningful point:  We accept the love that we think we deserve.

It's good. Okay--I'll go with great on this one and 4.5 Stars. I knew nothing about the book and truly went into this one blind. Low expectations yielded great results with The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I loved this flick. Actually, I didn't want to see the rising conflict emerge in the movie because it would only mean the plot quickly evolving to a finish. No way, I wanted to experience the daily walks of three fascinating characters that were each well played. I wanted to get to know this crowd. Yes, that's partly because it reminds me of some of the characters that I used to hang out with, and partly because I wanted the opportunity to continue to connect with this group.

Logan Lerman...great work here. He truly grew with this role as an actor. Charlie is a challenge and Lerman truly captured everything from his naive innocence to his wrought emotional pain and problems. I've always liked this guy, but never been enthralled with one of his portrayals until this one. Don't get me wrong--he's always been a solid and talented actor, but this role was tough and he nailed it. Emma Watson...admittedly, it took a second to get used to her without the English accent, but she brings Sam to life in a very real way that would quickly have you putting her atop your best friends list. Ezra Miller...I've said all along that he is an incredible talent. He captured a fun-loving Patrick, who you know just keeps rolling out the laughs to prevent the rolling of the tears. All in all, each of these characters is so easy to connect with...so easy to love, and that has much to do with their actors.

It's a tough story. This isn't The Littlest Elf. It's complex real world pain; and we get to experience it all. It's a movie that captures the pain so much so, that you just want to put your arm around these characters and tell them that it's going to be okay. Actually, I'm going to have to read the book now to keep the connections rolling.

See this one and see it BIG. Yeah, you could wait for its January release to DVD. However, there is too much value in these 103 minutes to wait. It's been a limited release, but if you can find it in a theater, check it out.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Looper

Put simply, time travel flicks blow my freakin' mind. Endless loops of astro-physics meet the butterfly effect and I'm literally left in a daze. Looper is no different. In this case, however, it is very much worth that flippy, foggy feeling.

See Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). See Joe kill people. He waits for them to just pop onto the canvas and then blows them away. Before you get all judgmental, it's Joe's job to kill people so that makes it o--wait...it's still really, really bad. At any rate, Joe is a looper. It's the year 2044 and time travel had been invented in the future. This means that Abe (Jeff Daniels) has been sent back to the past to hire guys to kill people who are: captured...sent back to the past...killed and disposed of to close the loop. The trouble with being a looper is that, at times, your number gets called. That's right...you get captured in the future...sent back and you kill yourself to close your own loop. Confused yet? Take a couple of swigs...I'll wait...

Okay, you back? Enter Joe (Bruce Willis)...thirty years later. Captured and sent back to stare at his own gun, held by his own hands while peering into his own eyes. Joe (old) escapes Joe (young) and the hunt is on. But wait--there's more. Old Joe is on a mission. If he can kill the one called the Rainmaker, who has created all of this mess, he can make it all disappear and enjoy what was a horrible, junkie/murderer's life turned good when he met his fine wife. So, Old Joe is on a mission to kill a seven-year old and Young Joe is on a mission to kill Old Joe. Hmm...need another drink? Yada...swig...yada...gulp...yada...Joe and Joe square off in one wildly entertaining and potentially befuddling ride.

It's good. Ya know...about halfway through this two-hour movie, I was ready to give up on it. Fortunately, my future self sent me a text and told me to hang in there, that I 'would < 3 it'. I wasn't sure what that meant, but kept an open mind. I'm glad I did. I'll give it 4.0 Stars. You think you know where this one is going and quite frankly, you're not thrilled. Sure, if it stayed on that path it would have been okay, but when it shifts gears and takes the story to new heights...that's when this one kicks into a new gear and gets really good.

After all, you think it's going to be about Young Joe killing Old Joe and all of the trauma...action, etc. that such a plot would bring. Oh-Ho-Hum, in my book. But--when it turns into a race to kill the Rainmaker as Young Joe bonds with Sara (Emily Blount) then it turns into one entertaining and truly thought-provoking flick. I'm not going to give anything away here, but Looper prompted my little group to sit in the theater loooong after this one ended to re-hash the finer points and time theories (it's okay...don't worry about us...we have no lives anyway).

Further, the acting in Looper is tremendous. Gordon-Levitt continues his hot streak untarnished (I'm not going to hold Premium Rush's lack of titillating success against him) as he was tremendous. I'm not sure what they did to him (whether it was CG or make up) to make him look more like a younger Bruce Willis, but it worked. Willis...still amazing. Daniels...great role for him. Blount...love her with that American accent!

Honestly, this is some exceptionally thought-provoking stuff that stays with you for awhile. You've got some fantastic moral dilemmas from start to finish and each is worth a lengthy discussion.

To discuss it, you need to see it and see it, you should!!! Go BIG on this one. Just be warned that it contains plenty of violence of the blood and guts variety. If you can endure that (or you sick-o's may crave it) then you should be fine. You may get that foggin' feeling, but you're probably going to be glad you did!

True...OUT!!!

Big Screen Blurb: End of Watch

Looking for a combination of depressing, disturbing with plenty of action, interesting characters and a dash of funny? Your search has ended with End of Watch. It's a movie that effectively touches on many emotions, makes you think and makes you wonder.

Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an ambitious guy. He's in school in the midst of his day job, which is that of an officer of the LAPD. He's gutty, gritty, fun-loving and best described as a realistic idealist. His partner in law enforcement is Mike Zavala (Michael Pena). To Mike, it's more or less just a job. He's just trying to get through, what can be in South LA, a dangerous day. They're both young guys, the former dating 'the one' (Anna Kendrick) and the latter looking to start a family with his wife Gabby (Natalie Martinez). However, their no non-sense approach to law has gotten them in trouble. They "uncovered" (--mostly by accident) enough to put them on a target list of a Mexican drug cartel. We follow the story from point-to-point as the boys in blue make their mark and get the mark put on them in return. Yadayadayada...we watch the chases, fights and bullets as good squares off against Big Evil.

It's good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one. Let me start with the negative. It's shot completely within the hand-held camera approach, which as you may know, I'm not a big fan. Actually, there were some scenes that made me want to reverse my Jalepeno Poppers, King Size Reese's and Mr. Pibb. I understand the desire to take a realistic approach. I also understand the desire to actually enjoy a flick and the ole hand-held camera puts a distinct damper on that for me.

Aside from that, End of Watch is a movie that's going to spark emotion. It's going to bring you into a very realistic and dangerous world of a LA cop. Word of warning: It's not pretty. We follow this pair through basically nine months of duty. Honestly, it's pretty disturbing. Don't get me wrong, I realize that this is not a typical, 'day-in-the-life' piece. It's a movie; but there are strong elements of realism that draw you to the characters and their developing story. Pena and Gyllenhaal are great. These were a couple of strong performances that allow the audience to share in their brother-like friendship, while experiencing the ups and downs of a couple of beat cops. You certainly develop a quick and very strong respect for what they go through on a daily basis. Again, that's kudos to Pena and Gyllenhaal.

The story is--and this isn't a necessarily a negative--is one that forces some pretty disturbing, and subsequently depressing, realities on you. That violence is presented in a very real way. I'm not a big fan of violence, but End of Watch presents those realities in a way that forces one to think.

The bottom line: this is probably a movie to see and see BIG. Anything that stirs this type of emotion, is worth a watch--even if it's painful to watch in the moment. You will make it through and, on the other side, you'll probably have stirred plenty of thoughts and emotions along the way.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Lawless

Three things became glaringly obvious to me as I watched Lawless. One, I could never have lived in the 20's. Second, there has never been a movie title more accurately describe or detail a flick than Lawless. Finally, and this is probably the most glaring: See this movie, based on a true story!

It's the 1920's. The Bondurant brothers live in Virginia and live somewhat outside of the law. They are moonshine runners in the era of prohibition. I say 'somewhat' outside of the law because the local law enforcers don't really do much to enforce said law. At least not as long as they are given a case or two of the good stuff. So, Forrest (Tom Hardy) along with his younger brother, Howard (Jason Clarke) and their baby brother, Jack (Shia Labeouf), run their local tavern and even more moonshine. It's a rough world, but all is well. That's when trouble shows up in the form of the Feds. Charlie Rakes (Guy Pearce) is in charge of the effort. He and his boss are willing to play ball with the Bondurant's for a cut. When the brothers are unwilling to cut the big boys in on the deal, all hell...quite literally...breaks loose. It's a long series of punch-counter-punch as the feds put the heat on the Bondurant's in an effort to shut them down. Yadayadayada...The law is anything but legal, while the brothers operate with equal reckless abandon.

It's good...very good actually. I'll go with 4.0 Stars here. This is a violent movie, which comes as no surprise, but it is not a gore-fest from the Tarantino-esque ranks. This story is about its characters. It's about their relationships; their pain, progress and grit. Lawless is a period piece that captures a time brilliantly within the confines of an interesting tale. There are two polarized views of life here: the pure and the purely violent. Whether it is the gangster, Floyd Banner (Gary Oldman), who I would have liked to have seen more of, or Jack's crush on a girl who is a good barn-raising away from being Amish, there are distinct boundaries between the bloodshedders and the innocent. That paints an interesting landscape.

The beauty of Lawless, however, is found in its characters. They truly make this movie fascinating. You're talking about Jack, the runt of a rough litter, who truly grows over the course of these 115 minutes. Shia captured something special here in this character, but if you want a special performance, check out Tom Hardy's portrayal of Forest. This guy got some good recognition for Bronson; however, his Bane in The Dark Knight Rises really didn't get its due respect. Most likely, this was because of the thick accent and the mask. There's no mask here--just a tough guy, who is bright enough to be dangerous and demanding enough to be successful. Jason Clarke was solid, as well, with his Howard Bondurant. Of course, Gary Oldman was is typical great self and Guy Pearce really makes you loathe his character, which was, of course, the goal since we're supposed to be rooting for some guys who are just as lawless as he is.

This is definitely one to see and see BIG. That is, unless you can't take any violence than a skip is in order. If, however, you can skillfully time several 'close-your-eyes' moments, you'll find a gem.

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: The Words

The Words. Hmm...how does one describe Bradley Cooper's The Words? It's the print version of Quiz Show in film. Sure, that may not make a lot of sense until you see the film...and see the film, you should. 

Meet Rory Jansen (Cooper). He's an aspiring author who is, well, stuck in aspiration mode. Yeah, he's written some good stuff that would, admittedly, see the light of page--at least according to one literary agent. However, it's a manuscript that no publisher would pick up from a no-name author. Unfortunately, that's Rory's current plight. He and girlfriend, Dora (Zoe Saldana) continue to forge ahead. She's supportive of her guy's ambition, which is a little more than you can say about his dad (J.K. Simmons), who is flipping too many of Rory's bills. Then, a trip to Paris sets the stage for Rory's break...or at least a choice. Dora buys a classy, but weathered old satchel for Rory, which unknowingly contains opportunity. One day as Rory examines the satchel, he finds a manuscript in a hidden compartment. The manuscript is a tale of relationships, love, and pain...in short: life. It's a classic and Rory is prompted to re-create it in digital form. He enters the manuscript into his laptop without nary a word changed. Soon, he comes home to an emotionally moved Dora, who has read the story on his computer and assumed that it is Rory's. Here's where choice meets opportunity with a dash of chance thrown in for good measure. After all, this is presumed to be, and is, a unique tale. 

So, Rory takes credit for the work and soon delivers the tale to a publisher. He is as enthralled as Dora. Soon, the book is in print and Rory is the toast of the literary world. His other manuscripts are finding the presses as well, and life is good. Then, Rory is presented with a wrinkle, which comes in the form of an old man (Jeremy Irons). Rory's breakthrough piece was actually the old man's story. Suddenly, Rory is slapped with a very tangible sense of guilt, which had previously been real, yet distant. Now, it's concrete and his dilemma is real. Fess up and face the horrific music? Or, bury the guilt and continue to live the lie? Meanwhile, weaved throughout the story is a description of Rory's tale from author Jay Hammond (Dennis Quaid). His book recounts Rory's deception. Yadayadayada...these lives intersect and unveil a truly conversation piece of a flick. 

It's good. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one. It is what is it is and that is an interesting drama and conversation starter. Make no mistake about it. This is a movie where moral dilemma meets relationships and aspirations. It's a flick to think through; and it's worth the intellectual investment.

Quite simply and naturally, The Words poses the question: What would you do? Your dreams are seemingly there for the taking. Just take credit for someone else's work which could possibly give you everything you ever wanted. Or would it? Have you really accomplished said dream if you've relied on someone else to deliver that aspiration for you...while you merely serve as a stand-in for all of the glory shots and speeches??? This certainly causes some unsettling realizations for Rory, which truly slaps him in the face when his plagiarism comes to light. In fact, for Rory, the only relief seems to be found in the story that gave him both life and death. 

The movie presents quite the moral dilemma, which draws a natural comparison to Quiz Show. In terms of the story itself, it would seemingly be very difficult to have the opportunity to stand on someone else's shoulders and not claim your dream--all with the mindset that, "Oh, if I do this, it's going to bite me later." Just as in Quiz Show, it's easy to sit back, while looking in the rear view mirror, and say, "I would never have done such a thing." But life is not viewed in hindsight. It lives and breathes in front you with real decisions in real-time. Where a passion for a goal...where the desire to make others around you proud...where the desire for fame and recognition may usurp the need to stay within the lines. All of that culminates, in a moment, to pose tricky forks in the road for certain. 

There is another aspect of the movie, which might be somewhat of a spoiler alert. I won't talk about that here, but it's certainly worth discussion. Don't 'comment', but feel free to e-mail me about it. 

At any rate, this is a very intriguing tale that is well told through a great cast. If a thought-provoking movie floats your boat, see The Words and see it BIG. If you're just looking for a comedy or action piece or a combination of the two, this one may not be for you at all. You will miss a good story and a nice trip to the think tank. 

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: The Cold Light of Day

I'll start this off with a little SPOILER ALERT...but don't freak, because you may want to think of this as more of a spoiler notice. If you're considering heading off to see The Cold Light of Day because of Bruce Willis and the promise of another action-packed Die Hard-esque experience...well, you need to realize that his role in this one is reduced to that of a glorified cameo. If, however, you're checking this one out as a sneak peek from the future Man of Steel...well, you are a little more on target. 

Will (Henry Cavill) is begrudgingly joining his family in Spain for a vacation. Why is he not giddy about a magical Madrid getaway? Mostly because of his dad, Martin (Bruce Willis). We get the idea fairly quickly that Will and his dad have never really seen eye-to-eye. That may be putting it mildly, because Will really doesn't like ole pop. Martin is a demanding father with high expectations, as he himself hops around the globe booking gospel bands. Nevertheless, with plenty of pressure from mom and even little brother, Josh, Will finds himself on a boat just off of the coast of the land of the setting sun. That is, until he decides to go into town on an errand. Upon his return, he finds no boat and no fam. Curiously troubling, indeed. Even more so is the lack of help from the police. Actually, they turn the tables on Will and start hunting him down. All of that is just the beginning. From there, Yadayadayada...Will begins to track down the truth about his father...find his family by finding a mysterious suitcase...all while evading bullets from multiple sources. 

It's okay. I'll go with 3.0 Stars on this one. There's a lot of potential here plot-wise, although it's certainly not exactly a unique story. For a few reasons, however, it is just a tad flat. The element of mystery as to what is happening and why is revealed way too soon for my taste. As a result, the flick becomes less of a psychological thriller and more of a straight action picture. I prefer the former. Sure, there are still a few twists left and the audience is left to put the pieces of the puzzle together, which is no small task considering the number of pieces and moving parts to said puzzle. 

At any rate, it does have several redeeming qualities. First, I'm never opposed to a trip to Spain and that scenery provided a nice vacation. Second, it's good to see a mixture of veterans like Sigourney Weaver fused with some fresh faces, while getting a sneak preview of Cavill in an action role. Finally, the core story is pretty interesting, even if it unfolds in way that was shy of satisfying. 

How is Cavill as an action hero? Not bad. I was hoping for a true humanistic character that stepped out of shadows of normalcy and, when thrust into dire circumstances, met the challenges in very human ways. Instead, we got the typical tale--normal everyday guy one minute...scaling rooftops the next before taking brutal beatings that in reality would end the average Joe's day in a millisecond. But wait, this is the next Superman we're talking about, so I'll let it pass.

Is this one to go BIG on? Probably not. The Cold Light of Day will make a solid rental experience. It's slated for a BluRay/DVD release in January. 

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: Premium Rush

I admit it. As I nestled my tail-end into a stadium seat at the Pinnacle, I knew that I had a bias already established. I'm one of those drivers that's annoyed by bicyclers. Not the peddlers that stick to the sidewalks, I actually have great respect for them. Rather, my problem is with the ones that insist on riding on the road, endangering themselves and everyone around them, when a sidewalk is a mere three feet to their right. With that in mind, would I be able to give a fair assessment of a movie like Premium Rush, a flick that is all about the bicycler? Well, you tell me.

Meet Wilee (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). He's a bike courier with a chip on his shoulder. He prefers this chaotic and dangerous life to his former. That previous life involved law school. Wilee has little respect for those donning the daily suit and tie. He prefers the rush of the ride. Need proof? Well, his bike has been stripped of its brakes and gears. Wilee wants to be constantly moving forward...fast. That's great, because with one late day delivery he's going to need it. It's a seemingly normal pick-up, albeit from a somewhat nervous girl. Wilee shrugs that off, especially since he knows the girl as his girlfriend's roommate. The real obstacle comes next. A guy approaches Wilee as he mounts his bike, claiming that he's campus security and needs the envelope back. That's a problem for Wilee, who reminds him that he works for Secure Courier and once a package is picked up, it...most assuredly...gets delivered. With that, the imaginary starter pistol is fired into the air and the race is on. The "security" guy is after Wilee with in balls-to-the-wall mode, while Wilee attempts to navigate the streets of New York City while dodging the enemy. Yadayadayada...we watch as Wilee gets to the bottom of exactly why this envelope is so vital to two people and why it's worth, quite possibly, his own death.

It's okay. I'm wavering between 2.5 and 3.0 Stars on this one. Yeah, there are some interesting production elements involved; and, the teen guys will love how Wilee breaks down is route alternatives with three of the four possibilities resulting in his violently bloody demise. And yeah, there are plenty of chase scenes and race sequences; and again, that's all good and well, if you're 15. (Meet your target audience, right!) 

However, I need stronger characters and a better storyline. Yes, the bad guy here is a bad guy, but he's such a freakin' moron, he doesn't exactly strike fear into you. Actually, from an acting standpoint, only Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in this one. This guy is on fire. Let's see...there's The Dark Knight Rises...and the promise of sequels set-up through his character, and the upcoming The Looper with Bruce Willis, along with Lincoln, which is set for a November release. Not a shabby year, huh? All in all, he's one talented guy and someone to watch. Further, he takes a so-so script full of 'eh'-characters and turns in a solid performance. That is really the only true bright spot here...unless, that is, you are a 15 year old kid. 

Don't get me wrong, the story is okay. The flick is shot in a fairly interesting way. So, there is some entertainment value here. Plus, if you need a bike race to get you going, this is a must see; but again, I don't. For that reason, I'd advise you to rent this one if you get extremely board this winter. Other than that, see Batman again versus this bike ride. Oh...and by the way...it's just three feet to your right, bicyclers. It's called a sidewalk and it's not just for teenage girls to drive on...it's there for you! 

True...OUT!

Big Screen Blurb: The Possession

It's true. Every kid has that special toy that they just can't seem to do without. I had my Star Wars toys...my Batman toys and my cap guns. You had your faves and Emma has her box. Of course, Emma's affection for her toy prompts her to stab ole Dad with a fork...sees fingers coming out of her throat and moths emerge from her mouth. Yeah...pretty standard stuff for kids everywhere when it comes to their playthings, right?

Meet Clyde and Stephanie (Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Kyra Sedgwick). They are your typical family. The couple is recently divorced with two daughters. Hannah (Madison Davenport) is your normal teenage girl...yeah, you guessed it, pretty bitchy; and, the other (Em/Natasha Calis) is a sweetheart of a fourth grader. On a weekend visit with Dad, Hannah spots a yard sale and reminds ole Pop that he needs dishes. Yeah, that's right...bitchy does not equate with bright! Who would buy their dishes at a yard sale, right? At any rate, Em spots a box that intrigues her. Of course, Clyde, being the guilt-ridden divorced father tries to compensate for family failures with cash and off Em goes with her hand-me-down box. What she doesn't know is that her box has been around. So much so, that it's inhabited with a  demonic spirit. This particular spirit, as is the norm in these stories is looking for a body. Hello Em!!! Yadayadayada...Emma becomes possessed as ma and pa try to figure out what's wrong with this sweetie turned satanic chickie. 

Eh...it's okay. I'll go with 3.0 Stars. The story is too familiar to be truly scary and the attempts at shock value are to 'in-your'face' to be truly shocking. I've longed for a good thinking man's scary movie since Silence of the Lambs or Sixth Sense. This one doesn't really fit the bill. It's not bad. It's a decent story that comes together fairly well. The twists offer no surprises really--either that or I should be a horror flick writer as I called about everything in play-by-play mode. It's your tried-and-true possession story...not a classic by any stretch, but not bad.

It's shot to seemingly appear like a 70's horror flick, which isn't a bad element in terms of production value considering the genre. It's the look of The Birds  meets Insidious with a splash of Amityville Horror. I'm talking production look, here, not fear factor; because The Possession doesn't really live up to any of those (not even Insidious) in that category. 

The acting has its moments, but all-in-all is just a notch above average. Natasha Calis is your highlight among the cast, in what was undoubtedly a challenging role for a little kid. Did she scare me? Well, no, but she gave a pretty good performance of a demon-possessed squirt. 

I guess the whole demon thing is just a storyline that has never really scared me. I've just tallied up the demon-possessed among the ranks of the mentally ill and left it there. I need a story that is real--with characters that, as humans, truly become something to fear. That is the story that is going to freak my freak and until I find it...well, I'll just settle on flicks like this to get my freak on! 

No need to go big on this one...check it out on BluRay when you need a little late night jumpstart.

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Big Screen Blurb: Hit & Run

Hit & Run. Hmm...think Pineapple Express meets Fast and Furious with a dash of Burn After Reading. Not a bad combo, huh? And, when all of the dust settles, not a bad flick. Okay--actually, it's one entertaining ride!

Annie (Kristen Bell) is a lover, not a fighter. That's how she basically created her own major at Stanford in conflict resolution. Annie has used her skills to tame Yul (Dax Shepherd), a former ruffian whose heart she has captured. Yul is in witness protection, after witnessing a bank robbery...or, at least that's what he told Annie. At any rate, Randy (Tom Arnold) is a Federal Marshall in charge of watching out for Yul in small Milton, California. It's no small task once Annie gets a job offer in Los Angeles. It's either said job offer or get fired, so Yul decides to risk life and limb and return to the scene of the crime that put him in witness protection. Risky indeed, especially considering that his past is coming into Annie's light. Meanwhile, Annie's ex (Michael Rosenbaum) joins Randy in hot pursuit and manages to inform Demetri (Bradley Cooper) that his former PIC (Partner in Crime for all my readers without street cred) is headed back to the city of Angels. Yadayadayada...a comedic adventure ensues as Demetri tries to exact revenge on Yul, as the latter tries to explain his past while getting Annie to her dream job interview on time.

It's good...very good, actually. I'll go with 4.0 Stars on this one! It's funny--which always scores big on my list. It's got some nice car chase sequences for the testosterone charged. It's got the romance angle with Annie and Yul for the chick-flick lovers. Finally, it's got some great messages.

First, the characters. I loved them all! Annie...the calm, sensible one who is not afraid to stand up for fairness. Yul...a good-hearted guy with a few mistakes on his ledger who has seen the light and is ready for a renewed second half of his life. Randy...poor guy. He'll make you anxious just looking at him. Graceful he is not, but he's got a great heart that more than compensates for his shortcomings. Demetri...yeah, he's a bad guy, but he won my heart early on...no, not with the dreadlocks, but by taking out a jerk that wasn't caring for his pupper. So, yeah, Demetri is not someone to cross, but it's kinda hard to dislike the guy, even considering what he's trying to do to our heroes.

Second, this great comedy-action combo. Good stuff all around. The comedy is derived from the characters. Yeah, there are plenty of one-liners and funny situations, including some classic funny moments that will forever lodge in my lil cranium. Plus, there is comedy of the more slap-stick variety from Randy and his sadly, zany exploits.

Finally, the messages. There is plenty of good stuff here brought out by writer Dax Shepherd. Kudos to him, for certain because I loved what he's relaying here. One, overcoming mistakes of the past to make good on a bright future. Second, this is a flick that could've easily played into racist and homophobic stereotypes. After all, you've got some pretty rough characters here, but none of them drank that Kool-Aid. They're all embracing people and it was very refreshing.

Bottom line: this is a good movie that's probably going to fly under the radar with its big screen release, but it shouldn't. It's too funny; too smart, too full of action; and all tied together with a great story. See Hit & Run and see it BIG. It's an entertaining movie experience in one souped up ride.

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Big Screen Blurb: Hope Springs

You know what it's like. It's that giddy feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when they walk in the room. There's that jump in your heartbeat when you see their name show up on your phone. There's that euphoric feeling when they put their arms around you. There's all those amazing emotions...then, there's marriage and Hope Springs.

Just ask Kay (Meryl Streep). She's been married to Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) for 31 years. In those 3+ decades things have become a tad rote and stale. Okay, that may be putting it mildly. The two have been sleeping in separate rooms for nearly five years and they haven't had sex in more than four. If you're thinking that this sounds like a familiar tune, perhaps you should do what Kay did: sign up for Dr. Fields' (Steve Carell) intensive couples therapy. So, off the two head to Maine to fix what ails them. In the land of lobster, the pair are treated to discussions that take them well beyond their comfort zone. Topics include sexual fantasies, oral sex, intimacy in general, to name just a few. Both are in need of oxygen at the mere mention of these topics (this is, after all, a conservative couple from Omaha), but Kay is more than willing to try. Meanwhile, Arnold needs a little more coaxing before he's even ready to realize that a problem exists. Yadayadayada...Kaye and Arnold step outside of the box thanks to the ever-insightful Doctor in an effort to rekindle a little flame in the ole marriage.

It's good, but a lot more than I expected on one front and a little less than anticipated on another. I'll go with 3.5 Stars. First, the latter. Going into this one, I fully expected something a little more along the lines of It's Complicated meets Something's Gotta Give. Yes, I realize that Nancy Myers wasn't behind this production, but considering the subject matter and cast, my expectations were set upon a movie with great scenery, characters and a high degree of hilarity. It certainly delivered each, but the latter I would consider to be more of an intelligent brand of comedy more so than kin to "Baldwin stripping down for Martin to scope out his package"-kind of humor.

What is it, then? It's funny--make no mistake. It's just a smarter, more mature, brand of raunchy humor then a lot of today's movies. What you really get from Hope Springs is a lot of relationship depth. I'm talking serious stuff. This is a couple that has been married 31 years and appears to have little to no emotional connection whatsoever. As we explore with Dr. Fields through the couple's relationship were greeted with a realistic portrayal of a very disconnected marriage. The story is treated with great realism--and this is what I didn't really expect. You reach a point, where you realize there's little to nothing light-hearted about what is going on with this couple. Further, you don't really know if they will reach the point of relationship height that Kay is seeking. In other words, the proverbial happy ending greets a reality that is very much prominent in real life.

Meryl was great. I know, right! What a surprise! She is such an amazing actress, able to tap into a character's persona with a seemingly effortless appraoch and emerge AS THAT CHARACTER. Her Kay was dead on. She wasn't alone. Tommy Lee Jones was great as Arnold, as well. It was a different kind of character from the brash, tough guy that we normally see. Arnold was gruff, sure, but he had a distant softer side that Jones captured as well. And don't forget about the astute and well-spoken Dr. Fields, played nicely by Carell. Great Cast + Great Concept = Great Movie. That's my formula and why I wanted to see Hope Springs.

Should you see this one? Yes--unless you're a kid or a teen. Hope Springs is a very thought-provoking and entertaining hundred minutes. It deals with relationship issues of great depth and does so in a way that moves you to both laugh and think, if not want to cry. I love Meryl...or as I call her, "Mom". I'll see anything she's in, so I had to go BIG on this one. If you like a movie that will work out both your brain and funny bone, you should too.

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Big Screen Blurbs: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green. Hmm...you've heard of Cabbage Patch kids, right? It's kinda like that only the kid is not as pudgy and his hair not as curly. 

Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton) want a baby. Yeah--I don't know why, but some humans are into that kinda thing. The trouble is, it's just not in the cards, or is it? When they find out that they can't possibly conceive, their last ditch effort involves writing down all the wonderful qualities that their child would possess on some slips of paper. They then bury their hopes in a box in the garden. The result? Quite the bumper crop, indeed, as out springs 10-year old Timothy Green. Timothy is a doll, from head to his leafy toes...well, leafy ankles. Did I forget to mention that the little lad has a host of leaves attached to his ankles? Of course, this is troubling to the new parents. However, aside from adjusting to their new bundle, they are trying to save their beloved town of Stanleyville from financial ruin, which is home to the ole number two. Meanwhile, little Timothy is busy displaying all of those wonderful qualities wished for by his parents. He's also losing his leaves in the process. Yadayadayada...the Green's learn about parenting as Timothy soon requires a rake as autumn sets in on his legs, while everyone tries to salvage the factory.

It's pretty good. I'll go with 3.0 Stars--on the sunny side of okay. Realists everywhere will roll their eyes, but this movie isn't for them. Sure, no one is in the least concerned that the Green's have, indeed, adopted a child from absolutely nowhere; but this is movie that saw the pair become parents with a pencil, paper and a box. Realism is not in play here. Yes, it provides you with a realistic framework for the story, but the intricacies within that framework are pretty fantastical. If you can embrace that element, you'll enjoy what is a very Odd Life of Timothy Green. 

Actually, I was able to embrace the LaLa, my issue was a little different. Now--fair warning, because this may well be a Spoiler--but as soon as Timothy starts losing his leaves, you know why and you know what's going to happen. Timothy loses a leaf when he experiences one of the attributes that had been put into the box by his 'parents'. With that in mind, you know he's not sticking around. Actually, you knew that from the start as the would-be parents are telling their tale to an adoption agent. Knowing that Timothy was eventually going to deliver a drive-by lesson and be on his way, it was hard for me to connect with him. I knew that eventually he was going to be out of the picture, so I didn't let myself get attached, which may have affected the impact this movie had on me. 

Yes, I was expecting something a little more inspirational than what was delivered. I was hoping that Timothy would help me relive and relieve. I wanted Timothy to help me relive those moments of living the carefree life that only youth brings...where perspective is gained through wide-eyed optimism. I wanted Timothy to relieve me from the skepticism that the years have taught me, so I could take a step back toward that wide-eyed approach to my world. It did neither, really. At least, it did neither with any sense of overwhelming influence.

With that noted, I still enjoyed the flick. I was still able to enjoy the story and the different dynamics between characters. The performances were all believable and sound. CJ Adams (Timothy) is a relative newcomer, with this being his first major role; and he was very good. Plus, the setting is a quaint little rural town that helped add to the escape. All in all, it was an enjoyable and entertaining movie. Just don't try to over-think this one and you'll be fine. 

Should you see this one BIG? I would wait on the BluRay in December, but make no mistake, there are plenty of positives to enjoy with this one...which reminds me, I should probably go rake some leaves.

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