Thursday, January 30, 2014

Oscar Gold Gold & Crappy Cold Movie Season



AMERICAN HUSTLE -2013
CRIME COMEDY-DRAMA

PLOT: Con artists help the FBI.

Brilliant con man Christian Bale must help a FBI agent Bradley Cooper. The film is just amazing but you have to be patient to enjoy it. It is not for the average moviegoer. The talented ensemble cast also includes Amy Adams, comic Louis CK Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Michael Pena and Robert DeNiro.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET -2013
CRIME BLACK COMEDY-DRAMA

PLOT: Based on a true story of Jordon Belfort, a young successful stockbroker who became super rich and then his downfall.

Leonardo DiCaprio is Jordon Belfort, a Long Island stockbroker with big dreams but he got so corrupt and crazed by drugs he is no better than a well-suited gangster. He played the part well. All the actors played their parts well even beautiful newcomer Margot Robbie as his second trophy wife Naomi. WARNING: There is a lot of sex and drugs in the film. It was original rated NC-17 but talented director Martin Scorsese cut (not much) to get the R-rating. These people are vulgar, swearing and outrageous but only wear designer outfits. The movie is long but it is worth a look.

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY -2013
FANTASY/COMEDY/ DRAMA

PLOT: Dull negative assistant imagines he does heroic things.

The trailer is not like the film at all!! It is a sober movie for a holiday film. Ben Stiller stars and directs. He is Walter Mitty a hardworking guy with a boring life. He has a crush on a woman at his job, Cheryl (Kristen Wiig who is very good). It is amazing how it moves from reality to fantasy and the visual effects and music are amazing. I really liked the classic movie with Danny Kaye in 1947!! It feels like an IFC movie but a good one.

THE LEGEND OF HERCULES
FANTASY/ACTION

PLOT: Another story about the Greek demi-god.

Studios put out their bad movies January through March and this is one of them. It is a big budget film through it doesn’t look it. It sounds more like Gladiator with Russell Crowe than the myth of Hercules. It will do better on video.
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Thursday, January 2, 2014

End Year, New Year Fantasies



MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
HISTORICAL/DRAMA

PLOT: Based on his autobiography Nelson Mandela.

First of all when Hollywood makes a biopic they add things that don’t happen but for dramatic effect. Read about the late, great South African president before you see it. As a movie it is fantastic!! Idris Elba (Pacific Rim) is wonderful and Mandela and so is Naomie Harris (Skyfall) as Winnie Mandela. I hope Oscar nominations are in their future. The entire cast is very good.

A MADEA CHRISTMAS
COMEDY

PLOT: Madea spreads on her joy for the holidays.

Madea (Tyler Perry) helps a friend Eileen (Anna Maria Horsford) surprise her daughter Lacey (Tika Sumpter The Haves and Haves Not) for Christmas but she has surprises of her own. This film is for Madea fans only. It is not high-brow comedy. Larry The Cable Guy shows up and shamelessly plugs his product Prilosec OTC! How funny or weird is that?

HOMEFRONT
ACTION/DRAMA

PLOT: Former drug enforcement agent Phil Broker wants to leave with his daughter and start over.

Phil Broker (Jason Statham) leaves the city to the bayou but problems still follow him and Morgan “Gator” Bodine (James Franco) is a meth maker and dealer to cause more trouble. Story not important but kick butt is which Statham provides. Why it came out around Thanksgiving is a shock and why talented Franco is it this. It should be on video and I am sure it will do much better!!

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG
ACTION/FANTASY

PLOT: The further adventures of Bilbo Baggins.

Bilbo ( Martin Freeman), Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) the dwarves lead by Thorin (Richard Armitage) continue their quest to reclaim their home from the evil dragon Smaug. I enjoyed this film very much because of all things Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch Star Trek Into Darkness)!! I loved how massive the dragon was!! The story is good and the special effects are a wonder to behold. There is one more movie to this trilogy and it is most welcome!!

FROZEN
ANIMATED/FANTASY

PLOT: Disney retelling of The Snow Queen.

Two sisters, Anna and Elsa are very close but her sister Elsa has the power to freeze everything. She keeps it hidden after an almost tragic accident with Elsa and keeps her sister away. She runs away and it is Elsa with the help of friends to save the kingdom from being cold forever. Disney is famous for their wonderful supporting characters and this is no different. The one that stand out is the goofy looking but loveable snowman Olaf which reminds me of Jerry Lewis for those who knows who he is. It is well made and every animated Disney feels like it could be easily made into a musical with all the songs. It is a great movie for ALL ages!!!

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