Reviews from the Dark Side presents
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Released 12/25/13, now in theaters
Ben Stiller directs and stars in this week's release of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It's a remake of sorts of the 1947 version of the movie starring Danny Kaye which was itself a loosely based interpretation of the short story by James Thurber. While the Danny Kaye version was a wacky screwball comedy, Stiller has chosen to take the route of a fantasy adventure (with a sprinkling of comedy). Remakes of classics are a tricky business and hard to pull off. Does anyone remember the Vince Vaughn version of Psycho? If you do, you know what I mean.
Walter Mitty (Stiller) is an unassuming, introverted manager in the Negative Assets Department at Life magazine. In other words, he manages the magazine's archive of photo negatives. He has a crush on his co-worker, Cheryl (Kristen Wiig), who he hasn't had the courage to speak to. In fact, Walter attempting to communicate with her on her EHarmony profile is one of the running jokes of the movie. Walter also has an unusual characteristic. He frequently daydreams of fantastic adventures often to his detriment socially.
Walter and photojournalist, Sean O'Connell (Sean Penn), have a great working relationship although the two have never physically met. He sends Water a negative of the "Quintessence" of Life magazine that Walter believes is in a role of recent negatives he has received from Sean. News of the "Quintessence" gets around, but, unfortunately, Walter's department has seemingly lost the photo. This error could also cost him his job as the magazine has been sold to a company who wants to make Life an online only venture. The overbearing overseer of the takeover who makes a hobby of torturing Walter wants the photo for the magazine's last published issue. So, Walter sets out on a journey to find Sean using cryptic clues from the other negatives to determine his whereabouts. Unfortunately, Sean has a penchant for traveling to unusual locations around the world.
While I wished for more comedy, Stiller's version of Walter Mitty is still an entertaining, whimsical adventure story. Credit to the cinematographer for some great visuals of a shark attack and erupting volcano. Credit also goes to the make-up artist for funny sequence between Stiller and Wiig that's an ode to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It's the funniest part of the film.
However, the film's heart is the transformation of Walter himself from meek to assertive as he completes his journey to find Sean. The film is also an allegorical representation of old school media print vs. new school online media. The Life magazine employees are the poor, downtrodden souls who are in danger of losing their jobs from the takeover. The expeditors of the takeover are played as complete asses throughout which I suppose was necessary for this particular narrative, but it was a bit of an easy out to me to move the story along.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a solid outing from Ben Stiller as he takes the material a little more seriously than I'm used to (from him anyway). Although I would have liked a more raucous comedy considering what the Danny Kaye version of the story was, I give him credit for not making a take-for-take remake. Sometimes that tact works and sometimes it doesn't. This is one instance where it works for me.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Friday, December 27, 2013
American Hustle
Reviews from the Dark Side presents
American Hustle
Released 12/13/13, now in theaters
American Hustle is David O. Russell's latest comedy that reunites Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence from last year's critically acclaimed Silver Linings Playbook. In addition to Cooper and Lawrence, an all-star cast has been assembled with Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., and Robert DeNiro in an uncredited role.
The usual problem with following a movie as successful and acclaimed as Silver Linings Playbook is avoiding the obligatory comparisons to your monster hit. While I didn't like American Hustle as much, it's another great effort from Russell who continues his incredible hot streak.
American Hustle is based on some true events from the 1970s. Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) is a small-time businessman and master con-artist. He meets his soulmate in former stripper and fellow con-artist, Sydney Prosser (Adams) at a party and the two soon become lovers. Of course, the affair chafes Irving's loud, shrew of a wife, Rosalyn (Lawrence). Irving, however, refuses to divorce Rosalyn for fear that she will take their son away, who Irving has adopted.
Irving and Sydney run a successful con game embezzling money from their various marks and attract the attention of FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper), who poses as one the marks to get close to the duo. In exchange for not busting them, Richie enlists their aid to take down four other con artists.
What follows is a scheme that causes the ambitious and greedy Richie to aim for the big fish in Congress who are not immune to taking bribes when Irving involves Carmine Polito (Renner), the mayor of Camden, New Jersey, in the plot. Carmine is generally a good man who is desperate to bring Las Vegas-style gambling casinos to Atlantic City adding much needed revenue to the city. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to obtain funding. An elaborate plot involving a faux-sheik and notorious gangster, Victor Tellegio (DeNiro), ensues that threatens get Irving and Sydney violently killed if they can't figure out a way to extract themselves from all the players involved.
It's hard for a movie to go wrong with this type of cast, but it has happened. See Dead Man Down and Seven Psychopaths if you don't believe me. All of the main players in American Hustle perform admirably, but I have to say again the standout here is Lawrence. I've said that quite a few times lately. But I say it because it's true. Rosalyn has some of the best comedic scenes in the film. Honestly, this is a woman who takes credit for her husband's moment of clarity in devising a way to extract himself from the mob and FBI after her loose lips nearly get him killed.
American Hustle is a fun time if a bit overlong for my tastes. Russell does something that isn't always easy. He deftly blends comedy and drama in a way where one doesn't overshadow the other. I know I've complained about this very thing when it comes to other directors wishing they would pick a lane. Russell transitions so seamlessly, so naturally. In some directors' hands, the transition feels like speed bump.
I didn't find American Hustle quite as fun as Russell's last outing, but that's not a downgrade of the film. It would have been difficult for it to top my love of Silver Linings Playbook. But nevertheless, American Hustle is a must-see during this holiday season.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
*** 3/4 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
American Hustle
Released 12/13/13, now in theaters
American Hustle is David O. Russell's latest comedy that reunites Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence from last year's critically acclaimed Silver Linings Playbook. In addition to Cooper and Lawrence, an all-star cast has been assembled with Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., and Robert DeNiro in an uncredited role.
The usual problem with following a movie as successful and acclaimed as Silver Linings Playbook is avoiding the obligatory comparisons to your monster hit. While I didn't like American Hustle as much, it's another great effort from Russell who continues his incredible hot streak.
American Hustle is based on some true events from the 1970s. Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) is a small-time businessman and master con-artist. He meets his soulmate in former stripper and fellow con-artist, Sydney Prosser (Adams) at a party and the two soon become lovers. Of course, the affair chafes Irving's loud, shrew of a wife, Rosalyn (Lawrence). Irving, however, refuses to divorce Rosalyn for fear that she will take their son away, who Irving has adopted.
Irving and Sydney run a successful con game embezzling money from their various marks and attract the attention of FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper), who poses as one the marks to get close to the duo. In exchange for not busting them, Richie enlists their aid to take down four other con artists.
What follows is a scheme that causes the ambitious and greedy Richie to aim for the big fish in Congress who are not immune to taking bribes when Irving involves Carmine Polito (Renner), the mayor of Camden, New Jersey, in the plot. Carmine is generally a good man who is desperate to bring Las Vegas-style gambling casinos to Atlantic City adding much needed revenue to the city. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to obtain funding. An elaborate plot involving a faux-sheik and notorious gangster, Victor Tellegio (DeNiro), ensues that threatens get Irving and Sydney violently killed if they can't figure out a way to extract themselves from all the players involved.
It's hard for a movie to go wrong with this type of cast, but it has happened. See Dead Man Down and Seven Psychopaths if you don't believe me. All of the main players in American Hustle perform admirably, but I have to say again the standout here is Lawrence. I've said that quite a few times lately. But I say it because it's true. Rosalyn has some of the best comedic scenes in the film. Honestly, this is a woman who takes credit for her husband's moment of clarity in devising a way to extract himself from the mob and FBI after her loose lips nearly get him killed.
American Hustle is a fun time if a bit overlong for my tastes. Russell does something that isn't always easy. He deftly blends comedy and drama in a way where one doesn't overshadow the other. I know I've complained about this very thing when it comes to other directors wishing they would pick a lane. Russell transitions so seamlessly, so naturally. In some directors' hands, the transition feels like speed bump.
I didn't find American Hustle quite as fun as Russell's last outing, but that's not a downgrade of the film. It would have been difficult for it to top my love of Silver Linings Playbook. But nevertheless, American Hustle is a must-see during this holiday season.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
*** 3/4 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
47 Ronin
Reviews from the Dark Side presents
47 Ronin
Released 12/25/13, now in theaters
Japanese legend undergoes the Hollywood treatment in the Christmas release of 47 Ronin. The film is a depiction of the true story of 47 masterless Samurai (ronin) in the 18th century who took revenge for the wrongful death of their master under threat of their own demise by their government if they took action. Director, Carl Rinsch, and Universal Studios have taken the route of turning the story into a mythical fantasy which is sure to anger purists of the true legend.
Kai (Keanu Reeves) is a half-breed (part human, part mystic) who is found by the Asano clan as a boy. He's pretty much treated as a second-class citizen by all the Samurai in the clan with the exception of the clan master who took him in and the master's daughter, Mika, who secretly loves Kai.
The Asano clan has a rival in Lord Kira and his clan who secretly covets the Asano lands and power. And, he's willing to use sorcery to obtain his objective as he has obtained the services of a powerful witch. When the two clans unite for an annual ceremony for the Shogun (governor), an unfortunate event manipulated by Kira's witch forces the Shogun to order the ritual suicide of the Asano clan leader for the offense. Kira is also awarded the Asano lands and the hand of Mika's in one year (to allow the morning of her father). The Asano Samurai, now Ronin, are also ordered to vacate the lands by Kira. Kai is sold into slavery. Oishi, the master's chief lieutenant, is imprisoned by Kira to further humiliate the clan and break his spirit.
Oishi is released a year later and believed to be a broken man. However, he is far from broken. He plans to reunite the Asano Samurai to take vengeance on Kira despite the Shogun's warning a year ago that no vengeance is to be taken. He also needs to liberate Kai as he needs the half-breed's supernatural connection to combat Kira's dark forces.
I went into this movie not knowing the legend of the 47 Ronin. Maybe that's a good thing as I had no preconceived notion of what the story was supposed to be. I admit that I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to characters or stories that I know. The film does make several embellishments on the legend. For example, I'm not completely up on my Japanese history, but I'll take a stab in the dark that dragons and mystical witches didn't exist in 18th century feudal Japan. I'm thinking the liberties that were taken is in part the reason critics have taken a machete to it. But, now knowing the story, I still enjoyed the special effects and embellishments.
That brings me to issue two of why this film has been panned. And, that would be Keanu himself. Come on, now. Insert your Keanu joke here. You know you have one. We all do. And, I'll admit some of those jokes are well earned. But, I also think the actor gets a bit of a bad rap at times. He can be decent, or, at least serviceable in roles that call for an average set of dramatic skills. While I think it would probably be a mistake to cast him in a remake of Raging Bull, he's fine for a role such as this.
I was impressed by the fantasy elements added to the story. It's a fascinating study of loyalty and duty as the 47 Ronin know they face imminent death whether they succeed or fail in their mission. But, honor is paramount in the bushido code and the warriors face their fate with dignity.
47 Ronin won't go down as one my favorite movies of all time, but, I'll be a lone voice in the woods and say it's worth a look. Hurry though. If you want to see it on the big screen, I wouldn't wait too long. Considering the backlash the film is receiving it might be on DVD within the week.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
47 Ronin
Released 12/25/13, now in theaters
Japanese legend undergoes the Hollywood treatment in the Christmas release of 47 Ronin. The film is a depiction of the true story of 47 masterless Samurai (ronin) in the 18th century who took revenge for the wrongful death of their master under threat of their own demise by their government if they took action. Director, Carl Rinsch, and Universal Studios have taken the route of turning the story into a mythical fantasy which is sure to anger purists of the true legend.
Kai (Keanu Reeves) is a half-breed (part human, part mystic) who is found by the Asano clan as a boy. He's pretty much treated as a second-class citizen by all the Samurai in the clan with the exception of the clan master who took him in and the master's daughter, Mika, who secretly loves Kai.
The Asano clan has a rival in Lord Kira and his clan who secretly covets the Asano lands and power. And, he's willing to use sorcery to obtain his objective as he has obtained the services of a powerful witch. When the two clans unite for an annual ceremony for the Shogun (governor), an unfortunate event manipulated by Kira's witch forces the Shogun to order the ritual suicide of the Asano clan leader for the offense. Kira is also awarded the Asano lands and the hand of Mika's in one year (to allow the morning of her father). The Asano Samurai, now Ronin, are also ordered to vacate the lands by Kira. Kai is sold into slavery. Oishi, the master's chief lieutenant, is imprisoned by Kira to further humiliate the clan and break his spirit.
Oishi is released a year later and believed to be a broken man. However, he is far from broken. He plans to reunite the Asano Samurai to take vengeance on Kira despite the Shogun's warning a year ago that no vengeance is to be taken. He also needs to liberate Kai as he needs the half-breed's supernatural connection to combat Kira's dark forces.
I went into this movie not knowing the legend of the 47 Ronin. Maybe that's a good thing as I had no preconceived notion of what the story was supposed to be. I admit that I'm a bit of a purist when it comes to characters or stories that I know. The film does make several embellishments on the legend. For example, I'm not completely up on my Japanese history, but I'll take a stab in the dark that dragons and mystical witches didn't exist in 18th century feudal Japan. I'm thinking the liberties that were taken is in part the reason critics have taken a machete to it. But, now knowing the story, I still enjoyed the special effects and embellishments.
That brings me to issue two of why this film has been panned. And, that would be Keanu himself. Come on, now. Insert your Keanu joke here. You know you have one. We all do. And, I'll admit some of those jokes are well earned. But, I also think the actor gets a bit of a bad rap at times. He can be decent, or, at least serviceable in roles that call for an average set of dramatic skills. While I think it would probably be a mistake to cast him in a remake of Raging Bull, he's fine for a role such as this.
I was impressed by the fantasy elements added to the story. It's a fascinating study of loyalty and duty as the 47 Ronin know they face imminent death whether they succeed or fail in their mission. But, honor is paramount in the bushido code and the warriors face their fate with dignity.
47 Ronin won't go down as one my favorite movies of all time, but, I'll be a lone voice in the woods and say it's worth a look. Hurry though. If you want to see it on the big screen, I wouldn't wait too long. Considering the backlash the film is receiving it might be on DVD within the week.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Reviews from the Dark Side presents
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Released 12/13/13, now in theaters
Director, Peter Jackson, revisits the fabled, war-torn lands of Middle Earth in the second chapter of The Hobbit series, The Desolation of Smaug. Like the middle chapter of Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, I thought the action (and brutal slayings) would be amped to 11 for the Hobbit series. In some ways, that is true. In other ways, the pacing of the story is similar to the moderate plotting of An Unexpected Journey which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The story continues shortly after the events of An Unexpected Journey (and a brief flashback) and finds the ragtag company of Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), and thirteen dwarves led by would-be king, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on their perilous quest to regain the former jewel of the dwarf kingdom, Erebor. This time the journey takes them the wilds of Mirkwood where the company (minus Gandalf) escapes giant spiders only to be captured by the Wood Elves of King Thranduil. Thranduil makes an offer of freedom to Thorin in exchange for part of the vast treasures contained in Erebor. Thorin, not a huge supporter of elves or of this elf in particular, refuses the offer. It was Thranduil who abandoned the dwarves on the battlefield when they lost their homeland to Smaug years ago.
Meanwhile, Gandalf leaves the group prior to the others entering Mirkwood to pursue a lead of his own. After discovering an ancient graffiti on an ruin at the border of the forest and receiving a telepathic message from the elf, Galadriel (sorry, but you'll have to look her up if you're not familiar), he travels to the tombs of the Nazgul where he finds the deadly Orc, Azog and his army awaiting orders from the mysterious Necromancer who first made his presence known in An Unexpected Journey.
As dangerous as everyone's plight becomes, there's still the small matter of the humongous fire breathing dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), who claimed the Lonely Mountain in Erebor and all its treasures many years ago. Entering Smaug's lair and retrieving the Arkenstone (a dwarf heirloom) from the most powerful creature on Middle Earth may be a mission none survive.
The Desolation of Smaug features the return (?) of Legolas (Orlando Bloom) to the Peter Jackson madness. Although I'm not sure if you consider this a return since The Hobbit takes place before Lord of the Rings chronologically. But, who cares. The ninja-like elves were the coolest aspects of LOTR. And, their return is a welcome addition to The Hobbit series.
DOS also introduces a new elven character to the mix in Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), the captain of the Elven Guard at Mirkwood. Apparently, she didn't exist in J.R.R. Tolkein's original story, but she's an asset to the story nevertheless whether she's slaying giant spiders or Orcs. And, she takes out a number of each in spectacular fashion with her deadly bow and blades. She's a great character, but I have to wonder what inspired her existence. Do you think Peter Jackson may have read The Hunger Games trilogy before shooting The Hobbit series? Hmmm.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the excellent graphics on the old firebreather himself. A character this grand deserves an amazing presence for his first time onscreen and the special effects team made sure that happened. Impressive would be an understatement to describe the dragon. What made his presence more chilling is tremendous voice work from Cumberbatch who mixes a darkly comic undertone when he first encounters another presence in his lair with sinister menace when he tires of the game he plays with his next "lunch."
Let's not forget that The Hobbit is a prelude to LOTR and there's one little shiny object that continues to rear its ugly head. The One Ring's corrupting influence is seen throughout The Desolation of Smaug as its current owner, Bilbo, loses himself more as he uses its magical power.
As I said earlier, don't expect wall-to-wall action in The Desolation of Smaug. There are a few skirmishes with Orcs throughout, but the smackdown we all want to see comes at the very end. Be patient and you'll be rewarded.
The Desolation of Smaug is basically another setup movie much like An Unexpected Journey. I suspect the nonstop battle scene we've been waiting for will come in 2014's There and Back Again. DOS does provide enough excitement to be worthy of a "must-see" qualification and is easily one of the year's best films.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
**** stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Released 12/13/13, now in theaters
Director, Peter Jackson, revisits the fabled, war-torn lands of Middle Earth in the second chapter of The Hobbit series, The Desolation of Smaug. Like the middle chapter of Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, I thought the action (and brutal slayings) would be amped to 11 for the Hobbit series. In some ways, that is true. In other ways, the pacing of the story is similar to the moderate plotting of An Unexpected Journey which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The story continues shortly after the events of An Unexpected Journey (and a brief flashback) and finds the ragtag company of Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), and thirteen dwarves led by would-be king, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on their perilous quest to regain the former jewel of the dwarf kingdom, Erebor. This time the journey takes them the wilds of Mirkwood where the company (minus Gandalf) escapes giant spiders only to be captured by the Wood Elves of King Thranduil. Thranduil makes an offer of freedom to Thorin in exchange for part of the vast treasures contained in Erebor. Thorin, not a huge supporter of elves or of this elf in particular, refuses the offer. It was Thranduil who abandoned the dwarves on the battlefield when they lost their homeland to Smaug years ago.
Meanwhile, Gandalf leaves the group prior to the others entering Mirkwood to pursue a lead of his own. After discovering an ancient graffiti on an ruin at the border of the forest and receiving a telepathic message from the elf, Galadriel (sorry, but you'll have to look her up if you're not familiar), he travels to the tombs of the Nazgul where he finds the deadly Orc, Azog and his army awaiting orders from the mysterious Necromancer who first made his presence known in An Unexpected Journey.
As dangerous as everyone's plight becomes, there's still the small matter of the humongous fire breathing dragon, Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch), who claimed the Lonely Mountain in Erebor and all its treasures many years ago. Entering Smaug's lair and retrieving the Arkenstone (a dwarf heirloom) from the most powerful creature on Middle Earth may be a mission none survive.
The Desolation of Smaug features the return (?) of Legolas (Orlando Bloom) to the Peter Jackson madness. Although I'm not sure if you consider this a return since The Hobbit takes place before Lord of the Rings chronologically. But, who cares. The ninja-like elves were the coolest aspects of LOTR. And, their return is a welcome addition to The Hobbit series.
DOS also introduces a new elven character to the mix in Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), the captain of the Elven Guard at Mirkwood. Apparently, she didn't exist in J.R.R. Tolkein's original story, but she's an asset to the story nevertheless whether she's slaying giant spiders or Orcs. And, she takes out a number of each in spectacular fashion with her deadly bow and blades. She's a great character, but I have to wonder what inspired her existence. Do you think Peter Jackson may have read The Hunger Games trilogy before shooting The Hobbit series? Hmmm.
And I would be remiss if I didn't mention the excellent graphics on the old firebreather himself. A character this grand deserves an amazing presence for his first time onscreen and the special effects team made sure that happened. Impressive would be an understatement to describe the dragon. What made his presence more chilling is tremendous voice work from Cumberbatch who mixes a darkly comic undertone when he first encounters another presence in his lair with sinister menace when he tires of the game he plays with his next "lunch."
Let's not forget that The Hobbit is a prelude to LOTR and there's one little shiny object that continues to rear its ugly head. The One Ring's corrupting influence is seen throughout The Desolation of Smaug as its current owner, Bilbo, loses himself more as he uses its magical power.
As I said earlier, don't expect wall-to-wall action in The Desolation of Smaug. There are a few skirmishes with Orcs throughout, but the smackdown we all want to see comes at the very end. Be patient and you'll be rewarded.
The Desolation of Smaug is basically another setup movie much like An Unexpected Journey. I suspect the nonstop battle scene we've been waiting for will come in 2014's There and Back Again. DOS does provide enough excitement to be worthy of a "must-see" qualification and is easily one of the year's best films.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
**** stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Gravity
Reviews from the Dark Side presents
Gravity
Released 10/4/13, now in theaters
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are astronauts who find themselves in one of the scariest life and death situations possible in Gravity, a sci-fi thriller that has gained wide critical approval. The film is directed by the acclaimed Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a medical engineer on her first space mission aboard the shuttle, Explorer. The expedition is led by veteran astronaut, Matthew Kowalski (Clooney), who is on his last mission before a well-deserved retirement. While working on satellite equipment during a spacewalk, Mission Control (voice of Ed Harris) alerts the Explorer crew to incoming space debris generated from a Russian missile strike on a defunct satellite. The large cloud of high-speed debris hits the shuttle and crew just as the mission is aborted leaving only Stone and Kowalski alive and tethered to each other for dear life. It's a race against time for the pair to reach the nearby International Space Station which has a shuttle they can use to get back to Earth. But, their oxygen is running out and the deadly wave of debris will be back in an estimated 90 minutes.
Check being stranded in space as one of the most horrifying experiences in life along with death by fire and being buried alive. Sandra Bullock's fear is almost palpable as she is tumbling end over end in the deep blackness. And, anyone who is even mildly claustrophobic may be disturbed by the tight spaces she has to squeeze through. Clooney adds a bit of humor as the grizzled veteran trying to keep the crew loose by telling wild personal stories.
The fear caused by the astronauts' plight is diametrically opposed to the grandiose beauty of viewing the Earth from space. As Kowalski eloquently states, "You can't beat the view." Which brings me to how magnificently the film's cinematography. Much thought and effort was placed in Gravity's visuals. Aside from the aforementioned views of Earth, the real-time and slow-motion shots of the debris' path of destruction are nothing short of spectacular. And, there is a scene involving a fiery re-entry into to Earth's atmosphere that is notable as well.
Gravity is also one of the few movies made in 3D whose 3D effects are actually worth paying for. This is what a 3D experience should be. The studio spared no expense to make the effects great and it shows onscreen.
I've done nothing but heap praise on Gravity, so you would think this might be my third five-star review. For all its visual accomplishments, I wasn't doing cartwheels after seeing it. Again, it's visually stunning, but I wasn't particularly moved by the story. It left me flat at times. My reaction to Gravity reminds me of my reaction to another hugely-loved movie, Avatar. The special effects and 3D are the stars and deserve all the credit. Everything else? Not so much.
Please don't misunderstand me. Gravity is a good movie with outstanding special effects. But, as far as anything else is concerned, don't believe the hype.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
Gravity
Released 10/4/13, now in theaters
Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are astronauts who find themselves in one of the scariest life and death situations possible in Gravity, a sci-fi thriller that has gained wide critical approval. The film is directed by the acclaimed Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).
Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a medical engineer on her first space mission aboard the shuttle, Explorer. The expedition is led by veteran astronaut, Matthew Kowalski (Clooney), who is on his last mission before a well-deserved retirement. While working on satellite equipment during a spacewalk, Mission Control (voice of Ed Harris) alerts the Explorer crew to incoming space debris generated from a Russian missile strike on a defunct satellite. The large cloud of high-speed debris hits the shuttle and crew just as the mission is aborted leaving only Stone and Kowalski alive and tethered to each other for dear life. It's a race against time for the pair to reach the nearby International Space Station which has a shuttle they can use to get back to Earth. But, their oxygen is running out and the deadly wave of debris will be back in an estimated 90 minutes.
Check being stranded in space as one of the most horrifying experiences in life along with death by fire and being buried alive. Sandra Bullock's fear is almost palpable as she is tumbling end over end in the deep blackness. And, anyone who is even mildly claustrophobic may be disturbed by the tight spaces she has to squeeze through. Clooney adds a bit of humor as the grizzled veteran trying to keep the crew loose by telling wild personal stories.
The fear caused by the astronauts' plight is diametrically opposed to the grandiose beauty of viewing the Earth from space. As Kowalski eloquently states, "You can't beat the view." Which brings me to how magnificently the film's cinematography. Much thought and effort was placed in Gravity's visuals. Aside from the aforementioned views of Earth, the real-time and slow-motion shots of the debris' path of destruction are nothing short of spectacular. And, there is a scene involving a fiery re-entry into to Earth's atmosphere that is notable as well.
Gravity is also one of the few movies made in 3D whose 3D effects are actually worth paying for. This is what a 3D experience should be. The studio spared no expense to make the effects great and it shows onscreen.
I've done nothing but heap praise on Gravity, so you would think this might be my third five-star review. For all its visual accomplishments, I wasn't doing cartwheels after seeing it. Again, it's visually stunning, but I wasn't particularly moved by the story. It left me flat at times. My reaction to Gravity reminds me of my reaction to another hugely-loved movie, Avatar. The special effects and 3D are the stars and deserve all the credit. Everything else? Not so much.
Please don't misunderstand me. Gravity is a good movie with outstanding special effects. But, as far as anything else is concerned, don't believe the hype.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.
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