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Movie Review: Rio 2

Published April 23, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring the voices of: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Jamie Foxx, Leslie Mann, Miguel Ferrer, Kristen Chenoweth, Rita Moreno, Tracy Morgan, Will i Am, Bruno Mars, Jemaine Clement.

Rated: G. Animated. Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes.

This is going to be a difficult review for me to write. First off, I didn’t see the first Rio. I’ve seen bits and pieces of it, but never viewed it in its entirety. And secondly, we’ve seen so many fantastic kids movies recently that I have become a super tough judge. The plot of this second installment lacked ingenuity and although it’s a heartwarming story of protecting your family and your home – it still has an air of formulaic storytelling. Rio 2 lacked something else that I believe to be the most important aspect of a kids flick; clever and abundant humor. I giggled a few times, but no memorable jokes come to mind as I’m writing this. I like when Ross, Ethan and I can sit around and recall the funniest moments or jokes that we find hysterical. One thing I did enjoy about Rio 2 was the music. Bruno Mars joins the cast in this sequel as the lady killing crooner, Roberto. His voice is unmistakable as were introduced to him moments before the rainforest erupts into head bopping song. I also enjoyed Chenoweth’s Gabi, who’s unrequited love for Nigel (Clement) is literally toxic. She’s a poisonous frog and he’s a bird. The musical number she performs was the highlight for me. None of the kids movies are bad, but Rio 2 was pretty forgettable.

It’s really too bad Maria didn’t get to see Rio because it was far superior to this generic sequel. In the original, Blu (Eisenberg) lives a nice cozy, domestic life with his owner Linda (Mann). A Brazilian scientist shows up claiming to have a female (Jewel voiced by Hathaway) of the same species as Blu, and as they’re believed to be the last of their kind, Blu and Linda head for Rio. They run into smugglers and an assortment of creatures, friendly and not so friendly. The romp through the jungle and eventually Carnivale, coupled with Blu learning to fly while falling in love with the reluctant Jewel, added up to a very enjoyable film. Rio 2 finds Blu and Jewel with a family of their own heading into the jungle when it appears that more blue macaws have been located. What transpires from there is quite predictable. City birds in the country, long lost relatives, bad guys trying to destroy their habitat, Blu screwing up then saving the day. Like Maria said, “forgettable”, not horrible, just incredibly mediocre. The music was absolutely the best part of Rio 2, they let newcomer Bruno Mars strut his stuff plenty and thank goodness for that. After seeing Frozen, Despicable Me 2 and The Lego Movie within the last six months or so, the bar has been set so high, it’s impossible not to leave the theater disappointed when you view something that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Ethan enjoyed it and I guess that’s really all that matters. But it’s just so much more fun when we all do. There have been so many awesome kids movies, some of which Ross just listed and it’s tough to compete with those instant classics. Especially when they have such original and clever storylines. Ross and I watch quite a number of shows and that market is saturated also. I found Rio 2 reminiscent of my usual sentiments towards DaVinci’s Demons on Starz. It’s just not as good as all of the other stuff (i.e. Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, and Deadwood – which HBO has resurrected).

A formulaic plot and not enough laughs did a disservice to a great voice cast. Rio 2 felt thrown together for a quick 3-D money grab. Again, not the worst movie ever made, but if your kids aren’t dying to see it, skip this one and don’t give it a second thought. It’ll be in the Redbox before you know it anyway.

Maria’s Rating: 2.25 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Ross’ Rating: 2.5 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: Gravity

Published April 9, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney.

Rated: PG-13. Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller. Running Time: 1 hour 31 minutes.

There are a few voice actors we could’ve listed in the cast, including a cleverly placed Ed Harris as the voice from mission control (think Apollo 13), but be clear this is a two person movie. As a matter of fact, George is only here to do a, ‘Danny Ocean in space’ turn, as astronaut-lite comic relief. This movie IS Sandra Bullock, and I would submit, her best work ever. I’m sure you must know the plot of this one, catastrophic space accident leads to desperate attempts at survival. I found myself thinking, “this is like All is Lost, but in space.” We recently reviewed that Robert Redford one man show, about a mysterious older man alone on a yacht in the middle of the Indian Ocean. He too has an accident and must pull out all the stops to survive. Redford’s performance was fantastic, but that script fell far short of Gravity’s, and subsequently only received a 3 Gummy Bear rating from yours truly. Bullock’s Ryan Stone has much more to work with in Gravity and she really delivers.

It blows my mind that she didn’t win the Oscar. Instead Cate Blanchett’s neurotic Jasmine took home the tiny statuette. But I’m honestly biased because I didn’t care much for Woody Allen’s ‘Blue Jasmine’ and Gravity literally rocked my World. I saw Gravity in the theatre on a whim and only by circumstance. Ross and I were hosting our good friend Labs, as we call him, and in an attempt to spare Labs our usual PG, 3-D kids flick, I accompanied him to Gravity whilst Ross and Ethan caught Free Birds. And Gravity in the theatre was breathtaking. From the opening visual masterpiece of Earth from space to the reality shattering cinematography – this flick has balls. There’s no lollygagging – it opens right up into action and ends without ever coming up for air. As Ross has said, it’s very similar to the Redford survival tale and seemingly identical in the way it makes the sympathetic viewer say, “Give ’em a break.”

I’ll go a step further, I HATED Blue Jasmine, it blew chunks. Cate Blanchett was appropriately vile in her role, but there is simply no comparison to Sandra Bullock’s performance. I know why she lost though; the special effects were so mind blowing, the voters must’ve been blinded into thinking that they, not Sandra, was the reason Gravity so mesmerized them. I wish I had seen it on the big screen, that truly had to be something! What Gravity had that All is Lost lacked, was a backstory on our heroine. We know who she is. We know she held the impossible misery of losing a child. We know she had withdrawn into her work because of it, and we know that inevitably led her to space. We also know that through it all, she still had an indefatigable will to live. Make no mistake, the special effects are out of this world and won well-deserved Oscars, but Sandra Bullock is the reason to see Gravity.

Gravity won 7 Oscars total, including Best Director for Alfonso Cuarón. Cuarón also directed Ross’ favorite Harry Potter flick, Prisoner of Azkaban as well as the sci-fi thriller, Children of Men, which he always enjoys watching. Even though he’s seen it dozens of times. It’s no stretch that he enjoys the man’s style of directing as much as the rest of the World, including myself. I had to mention my man crush George Clooney. And I love when he plays his usual charming smart ass, which he does here as Matt Kowalski. Half the time he’s either telling some cheeky story or hitting on Bullock’s Ryan Stone. He’s a welcome distraction from the harrowing struggle…even though it’s fleeting. There are many reasons to see Gravity. The performances, the effects and the execution. It’s hard to pull off a movie of this magnitude and they accomplish it with flying colors. I can tell you one thing for sure…I never want to go up in space.

Ross’ Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Gummy Bears.

Maria’s Rating: 4 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: American Hustle

Published April 4, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Jack Huston, Michael Pena, Shea Whigham, Paul Herman, Anthony Zerbe, Robert De Niro.

Rated: R. Crime/Drama/A Little History. Running Time: 2 hours 18 minutes.

The hair. This movie is worth a watch for the sole purpose of seeing Christian Bale’s incomparable comb over. Or peeping Bradley Cooper’s remarkable perm. And the clothes. Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence sport some deep v’s that rival that of awards season fashion. And the guys are looking sharp in big collared shirts with flashy bell bottomed pants. This amiable ensemble is the glue for David O’Russell’s sophomore directorial picture. The film opens with the intriguing bit “A lot of this happened”…which leaves the audience to deduce that some of did not. Artistic liberty, I would guess. American Hustle is the story of con artist Irving Rosenfeld (Bale) and his sultry sidekick, Sydney Prosser (Adams). The pair are busted by the FBI during one of their loan scams and an overzealous agent forces the two to participate in a larger bust. That bust being the FBI ABSCAM operation of the 1970’s; an elaborate sting targeting corrupt politicians. The eager agent, Richie DiMaso (Cooper), is young, dumb and full of…bad ideas. He gets the trio entangled in schemes involving the mafia and the entrapment of some very high up officials. Including Mayor Carmine Polito (Renner), a family man of sorts who is widely known and loved by his constituents. Polito and Rosenfeld form a friendship, which serves in leading the operation to its limited success. And also leads to Rosenfeld developing a much needed conscience.

I was around during ABSCAM (Maria had not yet graced the Earth with her arrival), but I must admit, I don’t remember too much about it. A fake sheik, the FBI and some money hungry politicians. It did seem like the crimes were concocted by the feds and dangled in front of the poor saps. I suppose they could have said “no” to the cash, but as the deals were all fabricated, it’s somewhat like a wife sending horny, naked babes to her husband’s office and having them stick their hands down his pants; and then divorcing him if he cheats on her. Maria mentioned the hair and the clothes, which are indeed worth watching American Hustle on their own, but the acting?! Oh my goodness, the four leads here throw out performances for the ages. To me the subject matter was secondary; watching the interaction of these crazy, quirky, complicated characters brought to life by Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper and most of all Jennifer Lawrence, is better than any reality show on TV. Bale has been a standout since he burst on the scene in Empire of the Sun, and I always expect greatness from him. Jennifer Lawrence at 23 is already at the very top of Hollywood’s A list, as is her Silver Linings Playbook co-star Bradley Cooper. And Amy Adams hasn’t been nominated for five Academy Awards by accident, the girl can act! I mean honestly, how many more movies do you think will be made where Jeremy Renner is an afterthought?

Very true. Renner is always superb and it’s shocking that he’s so easy to overlook in this role. Lawrence absolutely steals the show as Rosenfeld’s manipulative and conniving old lady. She commands every ounce of attention every time she’s on screen. The casting of this movie is both interesting and impressive. I would never have imagined Bale or Cooper in either of the roles they portray here, but somehow it works. The heart of the story didn’t quite pique my interest as much as I had hoped. However, the conclusion did add some much needed spice. As Ross had stated, the fabulous performances are what drive this piece. Unfortunately, this was one of those cliché experiences when a movie gets way over hyped before you get a chance to see it. Too much awards season buzz mixed with friendly entertainment gossip. It isn’t going to make me forget about Silver Linings Playbook anytime soon, but I liked it.

I liked American Hustle too, I didn’t love it. I do love the stars of the film and can’t wait to see all of them in their future projects. The last Hunger Games with J-Law and hopefully a third collaboration with Bradley Cooper sooner rather than later. How about another in the Bourne series with Jeremy Renner? Maybe even bring back Matt Damon? What a kick ass duo they would make!! Who knows what Christian Bale will pick next, he loves to mix it up, maybe he won’t have to lose or gain weight for it (AH-fat. The Fighter and Rescue Dawn-emaciated). Certainly will be exciting to see what the future brings. While we wait check out American Hustle. ABSCAM as a backdrop, goofy hairdos, bad clothes and fantastic performances equals an entertaining couple of hours that won’t leave you disappointed.

Maria’s Rating: 3.75 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Ross’ Rating: 3.5 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: Dallas Buyers Club

Published March 20, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, Steve Zahn, Denis O’Hare, Michael O’Neill, Griffin Dunne.

Rated: R. Biography/Drama/History. Running Time: 1 hour 57 minutes.

Wow, Matthew McConaughey is on fire! After viewing the abysmal movie duo of Killer Joe and The Paperboy within the last couple of years, I thought this guy was heading for career suicide. He got me to consider jumping back on his bandwagon with Mud, then reeled me in hook, line and sinker with his turn in the amazing HBO series, True Detective (see TV Talk at MRSRAG.com), and apparently everyone else has hitched to his star after his Oscar winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club. The true story of a bull riding, con artist/hustler, electrician, bigot, drug using, and all around asshole named Ron Woodroof; who contracts AIDS in Dallas in 1985. He’s so far gone by the time he goes to the doctor that they give him a measly thirty days to live. McConaughey lost more than forty pounds for the role, and he looked so bad it was hard to watch on several occasions. ’85 was close to the beginning of society’s understanding of the disease, and treatment was non-existent or VERY hard to come by. You could say many things about Woodroof, but a quitter he was not, and he goes literally to the ends of the Earth to stay alive. Along the way he meets, and forms an unlikely partnership with, Rayon (an almost unrecognizable Jared Leto), a homosexual cross dresser. Together they hustle to get the drugs that people with AIDS need but can’t get through regular and legal channels. It’s no mission of mercy to start with for sure, they make tons of money and they need the drugs themselves, but eventually the whole story morphs into something deeper.

The sheer magnitude of the transformation these two actors have gone through for the authenticity of their roles is just impressive. There’s no other way to put it. I pointed Jared Leto out to Ross and he hadn’t even realized it was him on the screen. And McConaughey is seriously hard to watch in the first half hour of this film. His usually muscled and healthy looking physique is a sheer shell of what it normally looks like. The appearance is capped off by some non-stop hard drinking, drug use and altogether hard to watch activities…including stomach turning coughing fits. This film is not my favorite type of fare, although I do enjoy a true story every once in a while. But DBC did more than depress the shit out of me. It also showcased the unbelievable transformation of a total douchebag, highlighted a majorly disturbing road block our government set in the path of some seriously ill citizens and seamlessly told a story of overwhelming struggle and the amazing human spirit. There is no doubt in my mind that these men deserved their Academy Awards. They earned them with these unforgettable and powerful performances.

They absolutely deserved their trophies, no question, but Hollywood loves an actor who will change their body for a part. Think Robert De Niro in Raging Bull and Tom Hanks in Philadelphia and Cast Away (Golden Globe). I read that the script for Dallas Buyers Club had been floating around out there for a while, and that the people with the money were having a hard time envisioning it having commercial success. I can understand it, as Maria mentioned, the movie is a series of unsettling scenes. I would submit that there are at least a couple of enduring lessons to be learned from DBC. One is to appreciate life and what you have and try not to sweat the small shit. And also, try to understand your fellow man and the trials and tribulations they may be encountering. Ron Woodroof is a bad man. He is a bigot and a homophobe and it’s not until he has to walk in the shoes of some of the people he reviles that he begins to transform. It’s a shame and an indictment on the human condition, that oftentimes it takes a tragedy or loss in our lives to truly appreciate what we have or to take a really good look in the mirror. Hopefully, watching Dallas Buyers Club can turn on the light bulb for some of us, yours truly included.

It’s so true. You can’t help but feel blessed to have your health after watching this. We’re all guilty of taking the small things for granted and it’s nice to have something to remind us how lucky we truly are. I enjoyed the movie a great deal more than I expected, which is always a nice surprise when it comes to film. I remember the first time I saw McConaughey in one of my all time favorite crime/thrillers, A Time to Kill. He was so young and handsome – and he just oozed stardom. I can never forget the scene when he lets out that genuine and lovable laugh when he views his ‘on-the-curb’ drunken parking job. A laugh as recognizable as his dimpled face these days. It seems he has found his niche in Hollywood. Let’s hope he keeps on this newly found path.

Ross’ Rating: 3.5 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Maria’s Rating: 4 Gummies.

Movie Review: Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Published March 12, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring the voices of: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Stephen Colbert, Leslie Mann, Patrick Warburton, Mel Brooks, Stanley Tucci.

Rated: PG. Animated/Comedy. Running Time: 1 hour 42 minutes.

Smart. Witty. Furry. Mr. Peabody is one sharp pup and he lights up the screen in this wonderfully clever tale. Peabody (Burell) is in jeopardy of losing custody of Sherman (Winter), his adopted human son. And all because of a total misunderstanding on Sherman’s first day of school. Well, because of the misunderstanding and also because he was being antagonized by a very mean classmate. Up until now, Mr. Peabody and Sherman have been living a happy, healthy and quite interesting life together. Peabody is an advanced canine who can speak – and he speaks quite eloquently. He is an acclaimed scientist, a Nobel laureate, a gourmet chef, a musician, a business titan and an inventor. But his favorite role is being a father to his pride and joy, his tiny ginger pal, Sherman. His most prized invention is a time machine called the WABAC (pronounced “way back”). He and Sherman time travel in the WABAC and learn all about history. Peabody is wonderfully charming and he can usually weave his way through any hardship with sheer intelligence and swagger. But he meets his match in Mrs. Grunion (Janney), the beastly woman from child services who seems Hell bent on taking Sherman away from Mr. Peabody.

Maria, and probably most of you reading this, have never seen the old cartoon version of Mr. Peabody and Sherman. Part of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, I watched them when I was a little dude in the 70’s and I can attest that screenwriter Craig Wright has brought our heroes to the present day in style. Mr. Peabody and Sherman followed a theme, pardon the pun, way back then; Sherman would get into mischief and Mr. Peabody would have to bail him out, and I’m happy to report they’ve stuck with what works. Ty Burrell is terrific as the smartest canine in history (though I had wrongly guessed he was Hugh Laurie, a rare miss), and the Sherlock Holmes-esque scenes of Peabody showing us how he figures his way out of impossible situations in a split second, are pure genius. If you’ve seen the Robert Downey Jr. versions of Holmes, you know what I mean. The romp through time is hilarious and educational, the time spent with da Vinci is a personal favorite, but we also run into King Tut, Marie Antoinette, The Trojan Horse and Einstein among others. The world has never seen anything like Mr. Peabody, now or in the past, and he has a positive effect on all he encounters. My only concern is that he’s following (a bit too closely perhaps?) the megahit, The Lego Movie. Hopefully, parents aren’t tapped out from the two or three trips they’ve had to take to the land of interlocking blocks. MPAS is too good though, word of mouth should easily help recoup it’s daunting $120,000,000 production cost.

The Lego Movie was certainly a hard act to follow, but this animated feature should do well. It’s way too cute and endearing to be overlooked. And the spruced up animation of yesteryear still echoes a familiarity to its roots, while adding some much needed flair and excitement. I was extremely impressed with the 3-D effects, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with these animated films. But MPAS put it to good use with scenes involving the time travelling and Mr. Peabody’s daily shenanigans. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, especially because it was smart and very well done. It maintains its fun and hilarity, while providing some educational anecdotes. And Mr. Peabody drops a lot of puns, which is one of our favorite sources of amusement. Ethan had to ask us to explain a few of them, which only benefits his already impressive vocabulary. I mean, the kid references Stockholm Syndrome.

Retooling old franchises is a Hollywood staple. But for every Superman there is a Lone Ranger. Every Batman a Green Hornet. Every Scooby Doo a Flintstones. I must admit when I heard about Mr. Peabody and Sherman, I was thinking “there’s a friggin’ train wreck ready to happen”, but it was very well done and I’m happy a whole new generation, or two, will enjoy the adventures through the WABAC machine. I’m guessing it’s success will lead to a parade of more obscure characters from the 60’s and 70’s being resurrected. Who might be next? Snagglepuss. “Exit, stage left.” Tennessee Tuxedo and Chumley, the penguin and walrus team always trying to escape from the zoo? Maybe Top Cat, that wisecracking, streetwise hustler? Anybody but Woody Woodpecker, that guy always annoyed the shit out of me!

Maria’s Rating: 3.5 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Ross’ Rating: 3.75 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: All Is Lost

Published February 26, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Robert Redford.

Rated: PG-13. Action/Adventure/Drama. Running Time: 1 hour 46 minutes.

The cast list tells the tale; this is quite literally a one man show. “Our Man” (as he is listed in the credits), is the 77 year old Redford, alone in the middle of the Indian Ocean asleep aboard his sailboat when he is jarred awake by a violent collision. He has rammed into a floating shipping container that must’ve been lost at sea, and the result has left a gaping hole in the side of Robert’s 39 foot yacht. This unfortunate and unlikely happening is really just the beginning of the bad luck that Our Man will encounter. I would contend that no movie has ever had a more appropriate title than All Is Lost. Redford, to his credit, looks pretty good for a man his age. He wears it mostly in his face, but his body has held up rather nicely. He performs all manner of feats, grand and small, in a furious effort to stay alive, but he just can’t catch a break. I was hoping for a, ‘Cast Away on a boat movie’, but All Is Lost is no Cast Away. Too much adversity, not enough triumph. Just imagine if Tom Hanks had ONLY: crashed, knocked his own aching tooth out, had his flashlight burn out, gashed his leg on the coral, and found his dead friend; without also: making fire, learning to spear fish, finding the cave, finding the sail, finding all the FedEx boxes and Wilson. You need the highs with the lows and Redford just doesn’t get any. He gets to keep breathing, mostly, that pretty much is his “high” inventory.

All Is Lost lacks a very simple ingredient that helps a viewer like myself give a shit. Back story. We don’t know who this guy is, what he’s doing out there or why. And we never get answers to these aching questions. I imagined that at some point they would address the most basic ones, but we get nothing. Back story aside, you can’t help but feel bad for Our Man. But I spent the entirety of the movie feeling relatively depressed, which is not my favorite state to be in while watching a film. Our Man is persistent, if nothing else. He tries everything and seemingly impresses us with his vast knowledge of the ocean. But as Ross has already laid out, luck and fate have other plans. There are a few redeeming qualities to this flick. For one, the effects are breathtaking. The boat is literally toppling over and you, the viewer, believe it. They flawlessly execute scenes that involve yachting and the protocol for emergency action. That kind of knowledge can only come from experience or in depth research. I wouldn’t be surprised if Redford is an avid sailor. And the other redeeming quality is the message of hope. There are times when you can feel and see Our Man’s exasperation. But there’s always that shred of hope left in his eye, like he believes that his luck is about to change.

It was maddening not knowing why this man chose to be out in the middle of nowhere, at his age, alone. Did he lose a wife? Screw over some business partners? Was it on his bucket list? Or is he just a life-long thrill seeker? Not knowing who Our Man is and what motivates him, made it extremely difficult for me to feel for him and with him. At one crucial juncture during one of the horrible storms he went through, Redford runs into a pole and knocks himself out cold. I spontaneously burst into laughter like I was watching Jackass. This was a serious moment, but I wasn’t invested enough to feel his pain and the mortal danger he was in. It just felt funny and I hit “rewind” twice to watch it again. I wanted to love All Is Lost; I didn’t. I also didn’t hate it, because how can you hate anything Robert Redford is in? My feelings about the movie actually have nothing to do with his performance. He was brilliant as always. Ironically, later on in the night while lying in bed channel surfing before sleeping, I came upon The Sting. One of my top two favorite movies of all time (Caddyshack is either 1 or 1A depending on the day) I’ve seen it a jillion times but I had to watch the whole thing again. Redford and Newman are pure, silky magic and Maria turns to me and says, “He made this movie 41 years ago!” Hard to conceive the time passage, but there is no mistaking the magnificent career of the man. His face shows the wear and tear of the decades but he still has that magical twinkle in his eyes. He deserved a better screenplay than he got in All Is Lost, and I think he knew it on some level. Near the end of the film, after another incident of horrendous luck, Our Man who has barely uttered a peep, throws his head back and screams to the heavens “Fuuuuuuuckkk!” I couldn’t agree more Robert, fuck it all. Old age, bad scripts and your weird orange(?) hair.

It was by far the best part of the movie. And the closest I came to feeling for Our Man. We can all relate to his F bomb moment in some small way. When his head hit that pole, Ross’ laughter was too contagious not to join in. Even though I was still feeling pretty bad for the guy. The Academy Award winner does his usual on screen magic, but all in all, All Is Lost falls short. I think at this point in his career Redford is just doing what he wants to do. He must have really liked some aspect of this project or he wouldn’t have wasted his time with it. The score of this movie is definitely one of its highlights, as there is little to no dialogue. And Alex Ebert, frontman of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, cleaned up at the Golden Globes taking home ‘Best Song’ and ‘Best Original Score’. I wouldn’t say that I hated the movie, but I certainly didn’t love it.

Ross’ Rating: 3 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Maria’s Rating: 2.5 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: Last Vegas

Published February 6, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, Mary Steenburgen, Jerry Ferrara, Romany Malco.

Rated: PG-13. Comedy. Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes.

An A-list foursome of old codgers head to Vegas and rip it up. Sounds like my last trip out there; just kidding. Seriously though, I’m not quite as old as those boys but some of the themes hit pretty close to home. Billy (Douglas) is getting married to a woman less than half his age, and he needs his three best friends to come to Vegas for his bachelor party. Archie (Freeman), Sam (Kline) and Paddy (De Niro) come from New York, Jersey and Florida to complete the “Flatbush Four”. They’ve known each other for fifty years and even though they’re thousands of miles apart, they’re as close as ever. One problem, Paddy is seriously pissed at Billy for missing his wife’s funeral. There is more to the story, but I’ll let you find that out for yourself. The guys quickly meet an interesting lounge singer of a certain age, Diana (Steenburgen); and make an impression in the casino, which leads to a comped suite. Things move at a fast pace in Last Vegas, and you get the feeling the guys can hear their clocks ticking down. The prostate jokes, references to small strokes and oodles of prescription meds are flying around, but the chemistry between these four legends is smooth as silk, and they really feel like lifelong buddies.

When I first saw the previews for Last Vegas I thought, “It’s ‘The Hangover’, geriatric style.” Which it kind of is. But I love these four guys and they keep it entertaining. They can laugh at themselves and they genuinely seem like they’re having a good time doing it. The four friends embark on this spontaneous trip, each hoping that it will breathe new life into their progressively mundane lives. Kline is suffering through water aerobics classes at his Florida community. Freeman is being treated like a big child, nearly imprisoned in his son’s Jersey home. DeNiro is a grieving widower and he spends his days sitting around his apartment in a bathrobe and refusing soup from a concerned neighbor. Douglas appears to be the only one of the ‘Flatbush Four’ with blood coursing through his veins. He’s got a beautiful young lady on his arm and a successful business. But he’s still unsatisfied. He’s faced with his own mortality at a close friend’s funeral and pops the question to his ‘child bride’, as they so often refer to her.

We can certainly relate to the Douglas’ story line as Maria and I are getting married in August and we have a fairly significant difference in age. Unlike these relationship stereotypes, which are clearly on display here, I am not rich and Maria is not an empty-headed bimbo. I am also not quite ready for the nursing home, but can clearly relate with the guys facing down their own mortality and fears of not being able to live life to it’s fullest. Beyond all of what appears to be morbid subject matter, Last Vegas is an enjoyable watch. As I mentioned the action is fast paced, the laughs are plentiful and there are some decent supporting roles. Steenburgen is sultry, and surprisingly can carry a decent tune, as the lounge singer/possible love interest. Romany Malco (from 40-Year Old Virgin) is great as the guys’ reluctant at first concierge, he was supposed to be handling 50 cent for the weekend. And Jerry Ferrara is very Turtle-like (his role in the HBO series Entourage) as Dean, a cocky bar rat who gets knocked down a peg or two and becomes the Flatbush Four’s personal boy Friday. Certainly not going to be a cinematic classic, but I saw enough to hope they have at least one sequel in them. One final note, keep an eye out for the scene where Morgan Freeman’s character has one too many Red Bull vodkas. We’ve all seen, or been, that guy before. “It’s like being drunk and electrocuted all at the same time!”

Freeman was the highlight for me. He provided the best laughs and was my personal favorite character. The bar scene Ross is referring to is literally the best five minutes of the whole movie. But there’s a few more laugh out loud moments. The ‘child bride’ storyline is formulaic and the age difference is much more substantial in this plot than our real life relationship. The young woman is always portrayed as a money grubbing, ditzy bimbo. And honestly, I can’t blame them for this. I’ve seen that stereotype played out in real life. Fortunately, it does not at all reflect our story. I think I would have played my hand a bit better if that was my mission. Firstly, I’d get some filthy rich Palm Beach resident. I’d have my eye on someone with more money than God. And secondly, he’d be attached to some oxygen and rapidly approaching his expiration date. What does this look like, amateur hour? Last Vegas turned out to be a pleasant surprise. These four seasoned actors don’t take themselves too seriously in the film and that translates on screen. It was most certainly a better choice than watching ‘The Hangover 3″.

Ross’ Rating: 3.5 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Maria’s Rating: 3.5 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: Prisoners

Published January 28, 2014 by mrsrag

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Paul Dano, Melissa Leo, Dylan Minnette.

Rated: R. Crime/Drama. Running Time: 2 hours 33 minutes.

Hi everyone, hope you all had a great holiday season. We’ve been away a while with family, work, vacation etc., but we’re ready to get back into the swing. We rented Prisoners last night, an intriguing (albeit a bit too long) morality play that makes you contemplate some serious issues and has you asking the question, “what would I do?” Keller Dover (Jackman) is an outdoorsman, survivalist and decent family man. His best friend and neighbor, Franklin Birch (Howard), seems equally decent and both men are married with two kids. The families have a little Thanksgiving day gathering, and before long the two little girls (one from each family) end up wandering off unsupervised. This is where Prisoners begins in earnest, as the families desperately search for the missing girls. The focus quickly centers on a beat up camper that was seen parked nearby earlier. The camper’s driver, Alex Jones, another damaged man/child played by the seemingly one-dimensional Paul Dano, is apprehended by local cop, Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) and becomes the prime suspect. Extensive searching and questioning turns up nothing and the police eventually have to let Alex go. The clock is ticking and Keller decides to take matters into his own hands.

Prisoners has a similar feel to Mystic River or Gone Baby Gone. These films share that initial moment when your heart sinks and you feel nothing but absolute sympathy for the family involved. Then your mind wanders and you think, “what if it was me?” Suspenseful, intriguing and in its totality quite clever, Prisoners is a moral dilemma. The audience won’t know whether to encourage Keller Dover or to lock him away. Personally, I am a bit of a sucker for vigilante justice (i.e. my love of the Death Wish movies), but it strikes a different chord when you’re unsure of the recipient’s guilt. Jackman gives a truly electrifying performance as the desperate Keller Dover, alongside some fairly forgettable characters. Ross is right about the length, it ran a bit too long for my taste, especially in the middle. The ending was worth a wait, but not the wait they imposed on us. Prisoners kept us guessing and questioning ourselves for a good while, but no one can keep Ross Gallo guessing too long. The man is a savant.

I’m not sure about savant; idiot maybe. If you have kids, you have to relate to Keller Dover’s plight. I’m pretty sure if you’ve seen the previews for this movie, that I’m not ruining the plot by telling you that he tortures the hell out of Dano’s Jones. If it was my kid missing, would I go that far? My guess is yes. The filmmakers make it extremely uncomfortable, because there are serious doubts about Jones’ guilt. The race against time is on though and I found myself being unable to decide if I wanted him to continue or not. I’m certain this is the place where they wanted the viewer to end up. Hugh Jackman is excellent and carries the movie. It is through him that we “live” the anger, doubt, horror and anguish. The supporting cast is mostly wasted, though for you Saving Grace fans, it was cool to see an all grown up Dylan Minnette who played Grace’s nephew Cole on the TNT hit. Too long, but worth a watch for sure. Maria hit it on the head with the Mystic River feel. Though not the exact same plot, the cold, drab winter and tortured father are similar; as is the “did he do it or didn’t he?” suspect. Check out Prisoners to find out the movies answers, and probably some within yourself as well.

Prisoners was no shining cinematic achievement, but if you’re in the mood for a suspenseful mystery, it’s worth a try. It had a few good twists and turns. And Jackman’s emotionally charged performance cements his place as one of Hollywood’s eminent talents. He single-handedly keeps Prisoners above average. But the combination of the lengthy plot and forgettable supporting cast bumps it back into mediocrity. This isn’t the genre of movie I would rush off to see in theatres anyway, but it was a good RedBox investment.

Ross’ Rating- 3.25 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Maria’s Rating- 2.75 Gummies.

Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Published November 30, 2013 by mrsrag

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci, Lenny Kravitz, Paula Malcomson, Willow Sheilds, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Jeffrey Wright, Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Rated: PG-13. Action/Adventure/Science Fiction. Running Time: 2 hours 26 minutes.

My girl crush stars in this second installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. Katniss Everdeen is unbelievably radical. And the actress they cast to play her, Jennifer Lawrence, literally IS a girl on fire. She’s been having a moment since early last year when the first ‘Games’ was released. Then we saw her in Silver Linings Playbook delivering Robert DeNiro a tongue lashing – and my crush grew deeper. Now she’s overexposed, plastered on every magazine with that pixie cut and somehow I still love her. Obviously, she steals the show here as bow wielding and reluctant poster girl Katniss, “the Mockingjay”. But as with most trilogies, this is just a means to an end. I pose this question: Why can’t we just produce all three movies and release them all at once with a combined lower ticket price? Oh, that’s right, because the film industry is full of money grubbing whores who enjoy playing with our emotions and sucking us dry at every opportunity. I’ll step off my soap box for exactly 1 minute to get back to the movie. I loved it. But why wouldn’t I? I read all the books. I know what’s in store. And it’s a tale about a girl who kicks major ass and ignites a revolution. BOOM. My one regret about this latest viewing: we didn’t rent and watch the first one. It must be amateur hour!

Even though we’ve seen the first movie several times, it’s been so long we absolutely should’ve watched it again before we went to Catching Fire, a refreshed memory would’ve helped immensely. Everything eventually came back to me of course, Maria and I are both huge fans of Suzanne Collins wildly successful books. I read all three in three days and I remember thinking they could make wonderful movies if done right. They did a great job with the first movie. So much of the book was inside Katniss’ head, how she figured things out as she struggled to survive during The Hunger Games. They utilized Stanley Tucci’s character Caesar Flickerman perfectly in his role as MC of the insane games with a manic enjoyment that seemed somehow natural. Using Caeser to explain what she was thinking was genius. Catching Fire was not as good, but it really is the nature of the second movie of a trilogy. They are generally weigh stations to the climax of the story, and almost always the worst of the three. Think, Back to the Future 2, Matrix Reloaded, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, to name a few. All decent but definitely inferior to their celluloid siblings. Regardless, I have high hopes for the third installment, Mockingjay, which should be out in a couple of years or so. Hopefully we’ll remember to rent Catching Fire before we go see that one.

I am extremely interested to see how they plan to pull off this final movie. And I’m sure, if you’ve read the books, you’re probably wondering the same. My best friend Gina initially turned me onto the book series, during a stint where each of us was addicted to a YA (young adult) novel. Read the books!! Even if you’ve seen these movies, this series reads well and quick. Collins hooks the reader immediately and never lets go. Plus, it vastly improves your viewing experience. Catching Fire focuses on Peeta’s realization that Katniss was just playing up their romance to survive. She finds herself in a predicament as she tries to accept her role as a defiant revolutionary and still serve to protect those she loves. The film explores how drastically her life has changed since winning the games. Including, but not limited to the constant nightmares and terrifying flashbacks that plague her everyday thoughts. The title speaks for itself. Unrest is spreading and Katniss is left with no choice, but to accept her destiny as ‘the Mockingjay.’

You can certainly enjoy these movies without reading the books, but I found my self wondering how confused I might be if I hadn’t. It really is a great story of courage and perseverance against staggering odds. Donald Sutherland is unapologetically evil as the main antagonist “President” Snow. The leader of the controlling government centered in The Capital, where the privileged have everything they need to excess, he leads The Districts with a dictatorial hand. The common people who populate these areas are starving and ensconced in slave-like servitude. The Hunger Games bring together each year two young people from each District to participate in a winner take all fight to the death, to remind them that “resistance is futile”, to borrow a phrase from Star Trek’s penultimate villains, The Borg. Katniss unlikely journey from just trying to stay alive to eventual reluctant leader of the uprising is the heart of the story, and I can’t imagine another actress today pulling it off with such perfect aplomb. Who does she really love? Who can she trust? How can she hope to succeed? An underdog story with some familiar themes that are part of our heritage as Americans. Read the books, they’re target audience are YA, but they’re a great read for all ages. And go see the movies, Catching Fire missed a bit for me, but ultimately worth it, I hope, when the finished body of work has been viewed. Jennifer Lawrence has “It”, and The Hunger Games is just the beginning for her. She also seems to be a real person who says pretty much anything she wants without worrying about being PC. Hollywood could use a dozen more just like her.

Maria’s Rating: 4 out of 5 Gummy Bears.

Ross’ Rating: 3 Gummies.

Recent DVD Release: Before Midnight

Published October 24, 2013 by mrsrag

Starring: Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke.

Rated: R. Drama/Romance. Running Time: 1 hour 49 minutes.

There are supporting actors in Before Midnight, the third installment of the saga of Jesse (Hawke) and Celine (Delpy). And they are more involved here than the fringe players in the previous two movies; but this story has always been a two person show. We met Jesse and Celine when they met, on a train in Europe in 1995’s Before Sunrise. Two strangers with an undeniable attraction who end up wandering around Vienna and talking through the night. They do eventually sleep together, but this was no one night stand. At the end, as they prepare to go their separate ways, they set a date to meet there again exactly a year later. Flash forward nine years to 2004’s Before Sunrise. Jesse is in Paris promoting his best selling book, which is of course based on their one magical evening. He’s at a book signing and Celine shows up. You see they didn’t get together at their planned rendezvous, as Celine’s grandmother had died. Jesse, now married (unhappily) had showed up, but only now finds out why Celine didn’t. Their walk this time takes them through the streets of Paris, and we discover that neither has ever forgotten the other. At the end Jesse visits Celine’s apartment, she sings him a song she wrote, and he misses his flight home to New York. Another nine years have passed and in Before Midnight Jesse and Celine are finally together. They have twin girls and are visited by Jesse’s son, as the whole family vacations in Greece. We soon discover that these two are not living a fairy tale life. Not too far in, they are again off on another of their trademark walks through some truly gorgeous surroundings. No two actors, in my recollection, have the unique chemistry of Delpy and Hawke. Their intellectual banter on subjects from love to work to philosophy to you name it, have had me mesmerized from the beginning. Their comfort with one another feels so natural that it doesn’t seem like they’re acting at all. I believe this third collaboration with director Richard Linklater is supposed to be the last in the trilogy, but I for one am left wanting to know more of what happens. Here’s hoping they can come up with one more “Before” for 2022.

Before Midnight catches up with the couple who seem a little less happy and a little more chunky. Like two busy parents with full time jobs their wardrobes mimic their disheveled frame of mind. There’s one scene during their walk when Jesse’s shirt is half tucked in and half out. It was driving me crazy, but it’s an authentic depiction of how people in long term relationships just stop caring at some point. It seems as though reality has finally caught up with our free spirited pair. But there’s still hope for Jesse and Celine as they embark on a familiar stroll and begin a stimulating conversation. The couple have been granted a night alone in a fancy hotel and the scene is set for a romantic evening. But reconnecting and shutting out the rest of the world may not be so easy. I have a special affinity for these films because when Ross and I were first dating he pointed out similarities between Jesse and Celine’s chemistry to our own. Predominantly the fact that we spent our first date talking throughout the night. We watched the first two together and I really enjoyed them. But Ross realizes that these movies are not for everyone and he’s absolutely right. All three of these films focus on the two main characters and the majority of each movie is just the two of them talking. I find their conversations captivating and enlightening. But I could definitely see where an audience could be bored. Especially if they had no idea what they’re walking into.

Definitely not for everyone. However, if you have a romantic side and appreciate fabulous acting; if you could enjoy a story that can take you from the possibility of “happily ever after” to the reality of true love when life gets in the way. If you have a modicum of intelligence, and like thought provoking conversation that has you contemplating both points of view, then you absolutely MUST see all three of these movies. Jesse and Celine are two of the greatest characters ever created. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have been involved in the writing since the beginning, and you can tell it is a labor of love for them. There is a scene around a dinner table in Greece that is especially well written and planned out. A young couple early in their relationship, love burning bright. Celine and Jesse, a bit further along, but not so far removed that they can’t remember and long for those feelings again. An older Greek couple who have been together 20+ years, who are happy but pragmatic in where their relationship is, they put up with each other mostly. An older woman who lost her husband some years ago and worries that she is beginning to forget what he looked like. An older man who is a writer, philosopher, has a missing wife (unexplained), and plenty to say about male/female relationships and life in general. This one dinner scene gives the audience a glimpse into the human condition from A to Z. The facial expressions of the characters give as many incites as the words themselves. I love the movies en masse a bit more than Before Midnight on it’s own, but it’s as important, if not more so, than the first two. Like Maria said to me while we were watching, “if this had just been them sailing off into the sunset all kissy-kissy, everything’s great, it would have sucked.” She’s right (almost always is), a finish like that would have been pure merde.

The best thing about these movies is that they have an authentic feel. If they just presented some fairytale life in this third installment it would have felt forced and disingenuous. Instead they give us these two people we’ve literally watched grow together and now apart, on-screen. I am a hopeless romantic. But in this day and age, this depiction seems the most realistic portrayal of a couple in these circumstances. I wouldn’t dare ruin the ending for you, but let’s just say – there is always hope. Hope that two people in love can find each other again. Hope that the future can be better than the past. And hope that love will endure. Hope is a powerful thing…and so is love. Love can span over months, years and decades. The most fitting analogy I’ve heard about love is that it is very similar to a plant. It needs to be watered and cared for, or else it dries up and wilts. Jesse and Celine just need a little sun and some water. Lastly, I want to say “Happy Anniversary” to my parents, married 44 years this past Tuesday. Congratulations and thank you for being an example of lasting love.

Ross’ Rating: 4.25 Gummy Bears out of 5.

Maria’s Rating: 4 Gummies.