Cloud Atlas- One Drop That Ripples

Cloud Atlas is the ambitious Wachowski siblings (writers of The Matrix Trilogy and V For Vendetta) film, adapted from the brilliant science fiction novel written by David Mitchell. The story travels through the intimate lives of seven seeming individuals whose journey's inevitably connect and intertwine over the span of almost 2000 years.

The movie is beautiful but the real gift that comes from this film are the actors' natural abilities (with the aid makeup and prosthetics) to take on the characters they represent in each of the separate seven stories that eventually stream together as one. The other treat is the masterful editing skills of Alexander Berner who constantly cuts between the separate story lines yet naturally brings them together as one cohesive thought that impels an audience to follow along.

Everything is connected. We are all one and even the smallest drop in an ocean significantly contributes to that ocean- thoughts we've heard before but Cloud Atlas and the Wachowski's effortlessly drive this theme home through this creative and ambitious film adaptation.

The scope of their vision is to be admired and Cloud Atlas is a must see for science fiction fans who love the journey just as much as the destination.

Argo- Nothing Fake About this Film

Argo, the latest thriller from director Ben Affleck, is a recounting of actual events surrounding the Canadian Caper- a 1979 joint rescue mission of six American diplomats in Iran by the Canadian government and the American CIA. Affleck flawlessly directs a suspenseful tale filled with engaging characters, a simple yet gripping plot, and stunning cinematography featuring barely discernible CG effects used to convincingly portray a 1970's America and Iran.

Even knowing the eventual happy ending, Argo successfully keeps it audience on the edge of their seats as it creatively takes one on the harrowing journey from beginning to end, while respectfully showing a particularly stressful period in North America's political history. It is a pleasant surprise to see such attention to detail, natural acting, and an emphasis placed on quality film directing.

Argo is a definite must see for cinema lovers everywhere who are looking for more than a sequel or remake.

Looper- A Time Bending Must See

Looper is a futuristic time travelling action film from the mind of Rian Johnson (director of Brick) and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The actors play one man, Joe, a "looper" who in the year 2042 begins murdering individuals that the futuristic mob deems necessary to kill from 2072. The job of a looper is clear and the retirement package is finite- when the mob is done with you, they close your loop by sending back your futuristic self along with a delicious gold payload that signifies the beginning of a looper's final 30 years.

The plot is simple enough and doesn't dare try to justify or explain the complications that such time travel would entail. The movie is filmed efficiently with style despite limitations and does its best to present a plausible looking future world, however, all is not perfect. Rian Johnson throws in some plot points that seem forced- better yet pushed in order for the audience to accept the events that have to inevitably happen (i.e. do we really need the presence of TK mutants? Well you better remember this fact, it will probably become part of the plot in 30 or so minutes when Joseph and Bruce get tired of chasing each other).

What's appreciated in this film is the dedication to the cause. It is genuinely refreshing to see a talented director/writer give their all in trying to create a new and stimulating science fiction film. Looper is ultra slick, violent, creative, and incredibly tense. There were real moments when the audience ohh'd and ahh'd together at gruesome or pleasantly surprising scenes. Furthermore, it is a delight to see a cast of well rounded and very talented actors (in particular, Joseph Gordon-Levitt who takes on Bruce Willis' mannerisms and tone with seasoned ease) present an engaging story that definitely kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

Resident Evil Retribution- Dangerously Cheesy

It's difficult to adjust ones mindset when beginning to enjoy a movie from the Resident Evil movie franchise. Paul WS Anderson is not a creative director and Mila Jovovich, while stunning and never aging, is not in the running for an Oscar any time soon- however, the latest installment of Resident Evil Retribution does something quite wonderful and that is revolutionizing the concept of a "video game" movie.

To be more specific, it's quite enjoyable to follow a main protagonist literally walk from level to level as a computer program dictates which bad guys or bosses they will fight and which weapons they will employ in order to make it to the end of the "game". It is also refreshing to watch a project that employs the use of RealD technology, with purpose, in every scene.

What's unfortunately disappointing in this film is watching Paul WS Anderson lose all of the minimal character development he took the time to establish in the first Resident Evil film (which personally remains my favorite in the series). It is also a bit heartbreaking to watch the opening sequence, of a gorgeous reverse slow motion action packed scene, filmed to technical perfection and then watch the quality of the acting and story slowly decline to the final frame.

But for a good time, not to be taken seriously, Resident Evil Retribution provides an audience with non stop RealD action that stays true to the creative concept of a video game film adaptation.

Expendables 2: Can't Beat The Classics

Is it going to win an Oscar? Hell No. Will Stallone get that SAG award he's been dreaming of? Not a chance. Is this an enjoyable action film that keeps the excitement moving from scene to scene while producing genuine laughs as you scream, "It's the muscles from Brussels" at the screen? You bet his sweet buns it is.

The second installment of the Expendables franchise is missing a lot- critically acclaimed actors, sweeping landscape shots, slow motion walking, meaningful soliloquies, but in what it lacks there one finds a mighty treasure... genuine nostalgia. Expendables 2 does its audience the pleasure of bringing back their favorite 80s and 90s and current action stars while placing them in impossible situations that they always manage to fight their way through.

It's oddly refreshing to watch a trailer and receive exactly what it promises to deliver. Expendables 2 isn't meant to be epic, not many films are, and nor does it try to be; however it excels at doing what most franchise reboots and sequels fail at: having fun.

Overall it's a good time played to a rocking soundtrack and where else in this time are we going to be able to say, "is that Chuck Norris coming out of the fog in this abandoned Albanian town?"...

The Bourne Legacy- Spy vs Spy?

The Bourne Legacy attempts to catch us up to six weeks after the havoc Jason Bourne stirs around in The Bourne Ultimatum, by introducing us to Aaron Cross (played by Jeremy Renner)- a slightly different kind of super spy who relies on regimented genetic drug enhancements to make him faster, stronger, and yes, even smarter. The only trouble with this is Aaron Cross has to wrestle with the ghost of Jason Bourne and the direction in this movie doesn't make it easy (it also doesn't help to mention Jason Bourne's name literally every two minutes within the first hour of the film).

Immediately, the audience is subjected to the usual tactless "Bourne" trademarks: vomit inducing hand held cameras, fast paced string music that indicates when one should become excited, constant running so that each chase scene becomes more mundane than ever thought possible, the scene in the bathroom where the hero and the damsel make meaningful eye contact, and frequent cuts back to the frantic CIA agents who always try to track their man but unfortunately fall one step behind him. 

But as long as the main protagonist has an interesting story line (i.e. forgetting ones memory and painfully coming to the realization that the patriotic work you do may not be completely on the level) then things should remain engaging right? Exactly, and that's why it's a little hard to empathize with Aaron Cross when he's crossing the country and risking his and Rachel Weisz' life to get more of drugs that make him super awesome.

All complaining aside, on it's own, The Bourne Legacy is an average to good action movie. It is proficiently filmed, has interesting locations, the fight scenes are choreographed well (when you can catch them between camera movements), and the acting is pulled off with ease. However, when attempting to expand a franchise without its most familiar face, one can't help but ask the question: what was the point?

Paranorman- Abnormally Refreshing

Paranorman is a quirky yet simple tale about Norman Babcock, a misunderstood young boy who doesn't quite fit in- even with his family. But he soon discovers that his unique ability, to converse with the dead, is the only key to fighting a centuries old malevolent curse that threatens his small town.

Co-directors Butler and Fell prove that heart and soul, mixed with the collective passion of an army like crew, can create a visually stunning and entertaining unconventional film. Frame by frame, their painstaking efforts are obvious from every hair, toenail, expression, camera move, zombie, tree, set, scene and more.

The audience laughed, they cried (maybe that was just me), but most of all they were given the opportunity to genuinely feel as Paranorman effortlessly taps into the little freak in all of us.

Total Recall- No thanks, I Prefer Forgetting

What's in a name? Apparently nothing because after seeing the Len Wiseman remake of Total Recall, it is clear he and his producers gave no thought to how to make this film great. It seems this day in age, that with competent actors and more than lovely CGI/digital effects, that all that's left to do is write a story filled with depth and passion- unfortunately this is something that Total Recall lacks.

After viewing this two hour Kate Beckinsale acting reel (seriously, why was there so much of her face?!?!), it didn't even seem worth the effort to review a B movie that Hollywood so obviously and haphazardly mashed together. However, after a long walk home it was decided that, while unpleasant to do, it is necessary to express ones growing disappointment in the dressed up schlock "directors" insist on pumping out year after year.

I am disappointed. I assume Philip K. Dick would be as well, although being the paranoid man he was... he probably saw this coming.

Drive (2011)

It’s not often you can sit in front of a screen for two hours and listen to about 1/2 the normal amount of dialogue in a film… and yet still be immensely captivated by the images and story portrayed. Drive, starring Ryan Gosling, presents a gripping yet simplistic tale about a lonely stunt man by day, get-away driver by night who befriends his beautiful neighbor (played by Carey Mulligan) and her son. At first, Drive begins with sweeping slow motion and brooding silence from Ryan’s character but then unravels into a dark, violent, and borderline exploitative film- in an incredibly gripping way. From beginning to end, the film takes over and brings you on a amazing journey.
Four stars! * * * *

Dark Knight Rises- A Pretty Building With No Foundation

Like the foolish man who builds his house upon the sand, Christopher Nolan attempts to fool his audience into believing the great illusion of Hollywood- That talented and attractive actors set against a beautifully crafted aesthetic, make up for a lack of story telling wrought with transparent dialogue and shoddy editing.

Dark Knight Rises misses its mark by fatally investing three things: past success drowned in hype, monologues, and flashbacks. All are used to insult the audience by reminding them of what they have enjoyed about the Batman series in the past. Nolan literally grabs aspects directly from Batman Begins (i.e. Bruce Wayne becoming re-born again after a stint of isolation and captivity and the actual ghost of Ra’s Al Ghul) and tries to re-purpose them to mask the holes within his “story”.

As remarked upon before, it is undeniable that Wally Pfister (DOP) is a man of his craft and that the actors in this film were cast ingeniously. The solid performances of Michael Caine and Gary Oldman are quite comforting like mom’s chicken noodle soup. But the most pleasant surprise of all is the superb portrayal of Selena Kyle from the talented Anne Hathaway- her natural delivery attempts to add to the much lacking depth. However, it is worth mentioning the disappointment of seeing Bane, the man who broke the bat, reduced to a love sick puppy with asthma and Boy Wonder “Robin” foreshadowed as not Dick Grayson but a nameless John Blake.

So while I calmly remove Mr Nolan’s hand from my wallet, I quietly celebrate that this hopefully will be the final chapter for the caped crusader but I have no plans to hold my breath.

Avengers- A Smash!

Avengers Poster

What a delightful foray for Joss Whedon (creator of Firefly and Dollhouse TV series) into the world of the Avengers. The film is filled with witty banter, well developed characters, beyond proficient CGI effects, and an overall sense that more effort and heart was dedicated to this film than many other already seen this year.

Mark Ruffalo and Robert Downey Jr stand out with great performances as they grow a camaraderie between Dr Banner and Tony Stark. What a fun time to be at the movies- makes me look forward to all of the summer blockbusters this year, however Avengers has set the bar imaginatively high and the future projects of Joss Whedon will definitely be on the world's radar.

Cabin in the Woods and much more

Cabin in the Woods was a 2009 film that was finally released in April 2012 and thank goodness for that! Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard takes their audience on a wise cracking, fast paced, horror filled ride through a uniquely woven mystery of mythical proportions.

Cabin starts off with a twist by introducing a cold and systematic structure that will soon affect the lives of the teen archetypes we begin to follow. Without wanting to give away the secret, Cabin successfully draws in the viewer by supposedly revealing its twist right away- a fact that does not detract from the films suspense factor at all.

Despite some glaring plot holes, Cabin is wrought with mindless zombies, heartless killers, cleverly funny teens, and all around edge of your seat satisfaction that makes it one of the more fun experiences I've had in a theater for a long time. Don't miss out!