2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
Here's the not-so-secret secret to a good reboot - it's got to be as good or better than the original "boot." I absolutely love Chris Pine - he's the perfect version of a 2013 James T. Kirk. I also have to give it up for the always hilarious Simon Pegg as Scotty and John Cho's take on Sulu. And you can never go wrong with a tribble appearance.
But the mashup of roles (nobody will ever top Leonard Nimoy's "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one" speech) came up a little bit short for me. And although I think Benedict Cumberbatch (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) is one of the most talented actors working today, there is just no way to out-Khan Ricardo Montalban, the biggest, baddest, most charismatic villain to terrorize the galaxy ever. I miss his chest-baring jacket and giant Klingon necklace.
Bonus Bones: 1
Look for the giant, cuddly dog in the opening sequence. Other than that, there are no dogs in space.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Iron Man 3
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
3 Paws
Robert Downey Jr. is an Oscar nomiee for his role in Chaplin (1992), but he's a lot more fun to watch in his third outing as Tony Stark, the man behind the iron suit.
Who wouldn't want to hang out with this guy? He's insanely smart, he's funny, he dresses well, and he attracts great people who are able to cut through his layers of bravado to the man who lies beneath. I don't know what the comic book crowd thinks, but I enjoyed seeing a vulnerable Iron Man, one who's willing to accept help from a young small-town loner (Ty Simpkins in a breakout role) who accepts the hero at face value.
There's also lots of noise and lots of things that blow up, if that's your thing. And the villains in this one - if you wait it out - deliver in true blockbuster fashion.
Bonus Bones: 0
I guess he doesn't have time for a pet.
3 Paws
Robert Downey Jr. is an Oscar nomiee for his role in Chaplin (1992), but he's a lot more fun to watch in his third outing as Tony Stark, the man behind the iron suit.
Who wouldn't want to hang out with this guy? He's insanely smart, he's funny, he dresses well, and he attracts great people who are able to cut through his layers of bravado to the man who lies beneath. I don't know what the comic book crowd thinks, but I enjoyed seeing a vulnerable Iron Man, one who's willing to accept help from a young small-town loner (Ty Simpkins in a breakout role) who accepts the hero at face value.
There's also lots of noise and lots of things that blow up, if that's your thing. And the villains in this one - if you wait it out - deliver in true blockbuster fashion.
Bonus Bones: 0
I guess he doesn't have time for a pet.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
The Company You Keep
1.5 Paws
Seen recently at Regal Omaha Stadium 16
I love Robert Redford. But at 77, I don't want to see him running through the woods in fugitive mode or exposing his chest hair after a night in a ramshackle cabin with Julie Christie.
That's only the beginning of my problems with this one, which may have assembled the best cast of veteran actors ever - Susan Sarandon, Chris Cooper, Nick Nolte, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Sam Elliott, Brendan Gleeson and Terrence Howard. Unfortunately, they're stuck with craptacular dialogue that prevents them from living up to the promise of the storyline - a former activist is pursued by a journalist who has discovered his identity. And, if you really want to spoil your chances of cinematic success, cast Shia LaBeouf as the muckraking newspaper reporter. Could there be a more annoying, self-important, talentless actor taking home big bucks these days?
On the bright side, it made me go home and brush up on my scant knowledge of the Weather Underground. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Bonus Bones: 2
The FBI's police dog had a few nice moments at the end of the film.
Seen recently at Regal Omaha Stadium 16
I love Robert Redford. But at 77, I don't want to see him running through the woods in fugitive mode or exposing his chest hair after a night in a ramshackle cabin with Julie Christie.
That's only the beginning of my problems with this one, which may have assembled the best cast of veteran actors ever - Susan Sarandon, Chris Cooper, Nick Nolte, Stanley Tucci, Richard Jenkins, Sam Elliott, Brendan Gleeson and Terrence Howard. Unfortunately, they're stuck with craptacular dialogue that prevents them from living up to the promise of the storyline - a former activist is pursued by a journalist who has discovered his identity. And, if you really want to spoil your chances of cinematic success, cast Shia LaBeouf as the muckraking newspaper reporter. Could there be a more annoying, self-important, talentless actor taking home big bucks these days?
On the bright side, it made me go home and brush up on my scant knowledge of the Weather Underground. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Bonus Bones: 2
The FBI's police dog had a few nice moments at the end of the film.
Monday, April 22, 2013
The Place Beyond the Pines
3 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
This one should eventually make its way onto the list of the top 100 films of all time.
A sweeping modern-day saga that spans 15 years, it looks at the lives of two characters (Ryan Gosling's Luke and Bradley Cooper's Avery) forever connected by a single, violent encounter that was over just moments after it began. Think Lawrence of Arabia on a motorcycle.
It's a bit on the long side (two hours and 20 minutes) for you fidgeters out there, but get your snacks ahead of time and then suck it up - it's masterful filmmaking from director/writer Derek Cianfrance, who started making movies at age 13. It also puts to rest any notion that Gosling and Cooper are nothing more than pretty faces - if it were Oscar time, both would be nominated for the best actor trophy. The entire supporting cast, which includes knowns (Ray Liotta) and unknowns (Ben Mendelsohn as Robin, who befriends Luke), is just as stellar.
Wow.
Bonus Bones: 5
Ryan Gosling's character dances with a sweet old dog. If that doesn't get you out of the house, I don't know what will.
Oz the Great and Powerful
2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
I'm not sure exposing young children to flying monkeys and a melting witch is a good idea. In fact, I hold it partially responsible for the delicate state of my psyche today. There's something about the original, though, that draws me to it almost every damn time it's on tv - I can pretty much sing every song and recite an embarrassing number of lines (it's the original Rocky Horror Picture Show).
So I started to wonder - while being pounded by the Great and Powerful's mammoth advertising budget - could the 2013 offering deliver on the same scale? Nope, not even close.
It has its moments, though, thanks to James Franco's endearing performance as the con man turned wizard and the amazing facial animation of his flying monkey sidekick (Zach Braff). The evil witches, on the other hand, could have turned it up a notch - Margaret Hamilton would have kicked their wicked butts.
Bonus Bones: 0
No Toto this time.
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
I'm not sure exposing young children to flying monkeys and a melting witch is a good idea. In fact, I hold it partially responsible for the delicate state of my psyche today. There's something about the original, though, that draws me to it almost every damn time it's on tv - I can pretty much sing every song and recite an embarrassing number of lines (it's the original Rocky Horror Picture Show).
So I started to wonder - while being pounded by the Great and Powerful's mammoth advertising budget - could the 2013 offering deliver on the same scale? Nope, not even close.
It has its moments, though, thanks to James Franco's endearing performance as the con man turned wizard and the amazing facial animation of his flying monkey sidekick (Zach Braff). The evil witches, on the other hand, could have turned it up a notch - Margaret Hamilton would have kicked their wicked butts.
Bonus Bones: 0
No Toto this time.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Life of Pi
1.5 Paws
Seen recently at Regal Omaha Stadium 16
I passed on seeing this one the first time around - it seemed like a guy flick to me (special effects and a Robinson Crusoe-like storyline). But we're in the movie doldrums, that time of year after awards season and before the first summer blockbuster. Plus it won four Oscars, and director Ang Lee has made some pretty fabulous films (The Ice Storm, Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain).
I should have trusted my gut. The only thing I warmed to is the performance of Irrfan Khan, the actor who plays an adult version of the boy who survives a shipwreck that claims his family and the zoo animals that are their livelihood. The rest I could have lived without. I was horrified by the actions of the animals in the lifeboat, metaphoric or not.
It also confirmed one of my absolutes - never travel by sea, for business or for pleasure.
Bonus Bones: 1
A walk-on dog makes a brief street scene appearance before the family sets sail.
Seen recently at Regal Omaha Stadium 16
I passed on seeing this one the first time around - it seemed like a guy flick to me (special effects and a Robinson Crusoe-like storyline). But we're in the movie doldrums, that time of year after awards season and before the first summer blockbuster. Plus it won four Oscars, and director Ang Lee has made some pretty fabulous films (The Ice Storm, Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain).
I should have trusted my gut. The only thing I warmed to is the performance of Irrfan Khan, the actor who plays an adult version of the boy who survives a shipwreck that claims his family and the zoo animals that are their livelihood. The rest I could have lived without. I was horrified by the actions of the animals in the lifeboat, metaphoric or not.
It also confirmed one of my absolutes - never travel by sea, for business or for pleasure.
Bonus Bones: 1
A walk-on dog makes a brief street scene appearance before the family sets sail.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Side Effects
2 Paws
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
This isn't a thriller, as the trailer sneakily implies. This isn't the type of movie where you can run out and buy Junior Mints when you start feeling a little peckish, as you're apt to miss something pivotal. This isn't the best choice for Channing Tatum fans, as he doesn't make it very far into the film.
This is, however, a pretty good psychological exercise, a twisty-turny tale that shows viewers the seedy side of the pharmaceutical business - any more said will ruin the intricately-woven plot.
On a side note, it's nice to see Polly Draper - Ellyn from the thirtysomething gang - looking fine in a small role as the lead character's boss. I think it's time for a fiftysomething reboot.
Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs, not even any in need of meds.
Seen recently at Aksarben Cinema
This isn't a thriller, as the trailer sneakily implies. This isn't the type of movie where you can run out and buy Junior Mints when you start feeling a little peckish, as you're apt to miss something pivotal. This isn't the best choice for Channing Tatum fans, as he doesn't make it very far into the film.
This is, however, a pretty good psychological exercise, a twisty-turny tale that shows viewers the seedy side of the pharmaceutical business - any more said will ruin the intricately-woven plot.
On a side note, it's nice to see Polly Draper - Ellyn from the thirtysomething gang - looking fine in a small role as the lead character's boss. I think it's time for a fiftysomething reboot.
Bonus Bones: 0
No dogs, not even any in need of meds.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)