Review: The King’s Speech

Yes, I admit it: I have a man-crush on Colin Firth – acting wise, I mean. Have you ever seen him put in a bad performance?I haven’t and his work in The King’s Speech is no different.

He stars as King George IV, or to his friends, Bertie. Bertie has a horrible stutter, so much so that when he is required to give a simple speech at the beginning of the film, he cannot even muster through it. His wife, wonderfully played by Helena Bonham Carter (it’s good to see her in a relatively normal role; well, she is playing a future Queen…so normal? Maybe not), finds an unorthdoxed speech therapist, an Australian part-time actor, Lionel Logue.

Logue, played by the brilliant Geoffrey Rush, is at first an annoyance to Bertie. He forces him to do seemingly ridiculous things in order to get to the root of his stutter; dance, jump, sing. Bertie will have none of it and eventually storms off. But then, as fate had it, Bertie became the King. Now he has a problem and he seeks out Logue.

Though Bertie is now King, Logue literally forces himself to be an equal. The two eventually bond and through some wonderful back and forth, become friends.

The whole cast is incredible and it seems, features most of the Harry Potter cast; Michael Gambon as King George, Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill and Bonham Carter. If Snape had walked in to cast a spell on Firth, I would have not been surprised.

There were some minor lulls in the middle of the film, but the reason to see it are the performances by Firth and Rush. Watching the two work with each other is a master class in acting.

The only problem I had with the film is at the end. We as an audience are rooting for the King not to stutter on his speech to the nation (if not the world), yet the whole reason for the speech is that the country is on the verge of war. This isn’t a happy time in the country and here we are happy that he didn’t screw up. It was kind of a weird moment for me walking out of the theater (or since this is a british film, theatre).

Director: Tom Hooper

Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Anthony Andrews

Review: All Good Things

Wow, this movie is bad. Like, “this shouldn’t suck because there’s so much great talent, but it does” bad.

Inspired by true events, this is the story of Robert Marks (Ryan Gosling), who comes from a wealthy New York real-estate family. He marries a sweet girl, Katie (Kristen Dunst) and the two move out from under his father’s thumb to start a health food store (named All Good Things) in Vermont. Before long, his father (Frank Langella) comes calling and asks him – or is it forces – to come back and work in the family business. Before long, we see David begin to unravel; from the family pressure or from his secret of watching his mother commit suicide in front of him? Probably both.

It doesn’t matter the reason because by the time this happens, I didn’t care.

Anyway, Katie soon disappears and David runs and lives life as a woman (yup, he sure does) where he eventually leaves several more bodies behind.

The film is almost like a bad Lifetime movie but with better acting; it was fantastic. Everyone put in top-notch performances but you can have the worlds best ingredients but still over cook the  souffle’, you know?

The supporting cast included the excellent Lily Rabe as David’s long time friend and confidant. And it was a nice change to see Kristen Wiig and Nick Offerman, normally in comedic parts, turn in dramatic performances. Especially, Offerman who completely surprised me as Katie’s brother.

I couldn’t wait for this to end. It felt like it was all set-up for at least the first hour of the movie. I swear, nothing happened for an hour…nothing. And when it finally did, it’s like, that all?

Director: Andrew Jarecki

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella, Lily Rabe, Philip Baker Hall, Nick Offerman, Kristen Wiig

Writers: Marcus Hinchey, Marc Smerling

Review: Love and Other Drugs

Say what you will, but Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway have great chemistry together and in Love and Other Drugs, it’s on full display.

Gyllenhaal plays Jamie, a total ladies man who has just found a job as a pharmaceutical salesman. While schmoozing one of his Dr. clients, he meets Maggie (Hathaway), a free spirit who has no desire to have a boyfriend. After realizing he’s falling in love, he pulls out all his charm to snag the girl he loves. But, there’s a catch.

Which I won’t give away. Sorry.

I”m not usually a fan of romantic comedies but this isn’t like that at all. Wait… is this a romantic comedy? It’s a drama. No, wait… it’s a comedy. To tell you the truth, you can’t really classify it as one or the other. All I know is that I really liked it.

With Ed Zwick as the director, you know it’s going to be something other than the usual by-the-numbers film where boy-meets-girl. Zwick directed one of my favorite films ever, Glory, and I will see anything he does.

This film is sexy, funny and sad all rolled into one big ball of celluloid. There’s tons of nudity – which as a fan of Anne Hathaway, you will absolutely get no complaints from me – but it never feels gratuitous.

Oliver Platt (as Jamie’s business partner) and Josh Gad (Jamie’s obnoxious brother) are always welcome additions in any movie and add a lot to their roles.

Yes, the movie is predictable but the two leads are so great to watch together that, for me, it didn’t really matter. You know how it’s going to end but so what? How else could it end?

Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, Josh Gad, Gabriel Macht

Writers: Edward Zwick, Charles Randolph, Marshall Herskovitz, Jamie Reidy

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Wow, this movie sucked.

Ok, no it didn’t. There’s nothing I could print here that would make you from not going to see this movie.

I actually loved it!

I was a bit hesitant before going to the theater because the first part of Deathly Hallows was all set-up to the second half of the book. Harry, Ron and Hermione spend most of the time hiding out in the woods as they do for most of the film but this is what makes the film so good.

The characters are richer and deeper and the actors (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) have matured so much as performers its just a pleasure to watch them work together.

There is a general feeling of gloom throughout the whole film. There are deaths (and if you’ve read the book you already know who does and does not survive) but knowing them beforehand does not make it any easier when they happen in front of you.

My favorite parts were when they were in the ‘real world’ hiding out in London and Ron’s mugging in the background of some pretty-tense scenes. His character is finally coming into his own in this film.

There were some slow points in the middle of the film – the parts alone with Harry and Hermione but those are easily washed away when you think of the film as a whole.

I do have one WTF moment: There is a scene where Harry pulls Hermione to him and they begin dancing. It’s awkward and just plain unnecessary. It’s like that moment in Spider-Man 3 when Peter Parker starts dancing. You’re thinking,’Why is this even in the movie?’

But like I said before, seconds after, you’re brought back into the story and back into their adventures.

Director: David Yates

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Tom Felton, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, Richard Griffiths, John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Helen McCrory, Bill Nighy, Miranda Richardson, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Timothy Spall, Imelda Staunton, David Thewlis, Julie Walters, Bonnie Wright

Writers: Steve Kloves

Movie Review: ‘Unstoppable’

It’s all Ethan Suplee‘s fault.

Thanks to his character’s laziness, we have Denzel Washington and Chris Pine risking their lives to save a small Pennsylvania town from a speeding, Unstoppable train loaded with deadly chemicals.

The film, loosely based on a true story, has rookie Will (Pine) and veteran engineer Frank (Washington) reluctantly teamed together on a routine train ride through rural Pennsylvania. I say reluctant because Will is about to take Frank’s job and he’s none too happy about it.

At the outset of the ride, the two bicker with each other until they get they call; there’s a runaway train headed straight for them. The two must now work together to either save themselves or save the lives of the small town that the train is barreling towards.

Since Denzel’s the star, what do you think is going to happen?

If you’re in the mood to see a truly great, crowd pleasing movie, then definitely check this out. Pretty much from the get-go, the film is a non-stop ride and in the hands on Denzel and Chris Pine, you actually care about these two characters and what happens to them.

In a funny bit, we learn that Frank’s two daughters work at Hooters and he’s not too happy about it. Denzel’s slow burn during this is priceless.

The supporting cast is great also. Rosario Dawson, who I usually think is just ok, turns in a great performance. Kevin Dunn, as the corporate jackass who would rather lose lives then money, always elevates anything he’s in and this film is no different.

This won’t win any awards but I defy you to not to love this film and the performances by Denzel Washington and Chris Pine.

Movie Review: Morning Glory

Roger Michele directed one of my favorite movies, Notting Hill (yeah, I’m not afraind to admit that), so I was looking forward to his latest film, Morning Glory.

The films stars Rachel McAdams as hard-working TV producer Becky Fuller. You know she’s hard-working because she wakes up when everyone else is going to bed, has no social life and lives for her job. When she’s fired as the producer of a small-time New Jersey morning show, she tries everything she can to find a new job. Then, through the wonders of screenwriting and Jeff Goldblum, she lands the job as the producer of “Daybreak” – a last-place national morning news show.

Becky makes a splash the first day by firing the lead anchor and deciding to bring on legendary TV anchor Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford), who future boyfriend Adam Bennet (Patrick Wilson) describes as the “3rd worst person in the world.”

When Pomeroy refuses to cover morning show staples like celebrity gossip, weather, fashion and crafts – let alone work with his new co-host, Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton), the longtime morning show personality, it looks like her time as producer is about to end.

But we know it doesn’t.

The film is just ok. McAdams, who I love, seems to have drank a pot of coffee before every scene. There’s even a line where someone asks if she’s going to break out into song. That being said, I thought she did a great job carrying the film. Harrison Ford plays a curmudgeonly Tom Brokaw type. At first I didn’t like him in this but he did grow on me. Diane Keaton was, well, Diane Keaton; she really doesn’t have much to do in the film.

Movie Review: 127 Hours

127 Hours

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Clemence Poesy, Kate Burton, Lizzy Caplan

Writers: Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy

I love the outdoors. Skiing, hiking and being near the water are some of my favorite things to do but I don’t love it enough to get up as at 4am like Aron Ralston (James Franco) does at the beginning of 127 Hours.

He hits the alarm, quickly gets out of bed and hops in his truck because he loves being outdoors. Even when he’s hauling but on his bike and wipes out, he does so with a smile.

He meets two hikers (Amber Tamblyn and Kate Mara) and helps show them a fantastic couple of hours on the mountain – places that the average hiker would never know existed; letting you know that this guy knows his way around nature.

He leaves them and treks off by himself and you know it’s only a matter of time before the accident happens.

And it does.

And this is where James Franco takes over the film. He’s excellent in the role. He’s on-screen by himself (save for a few hallucinations) and never once do you wish the film moved faster. He is perfect.

During the time he’s trapped in the gorge, he basically act’s as the films narrator by filming his thoughts on the video camera he brought with him (something that Ralston did in real life). He soon begins to realize all the things he’s taken for granted in his life (his family, ex-girlfriends) and addresses them into the camera.

He does everything he can to survive, including drinking his urine because of his lack of water. This is the point I’m sure I would die.

He finally decides to do the inevitable – cut off his arm. That sequence is one of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen on-screen (I’ve even heard about people passing out in screenings) because I knew it actually happened.

Directed by Danny Boyle, the film looks beautiful. You can tell why Ralston loves this place so much. Everything is gorgeous. At one point, as Ralston is stuck in the gorge and ray of sunlight pops in and Franco savors the light. Boyle makes it like it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. And it is.

Yup, this movie pretty much rocks.

Movie Review: Due Date

Due Date

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Juliette Lewis, Jamie Foxx

Writers: Todd Phillips, Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, Adam Sztykiel

I was so looking forward to this movie.

I love Todd Phillips movies and while I wanted it to be great it only ended up being…good. That’s not a bad thing but with the talent involved I guess I expected more.

Don’t get me wrong though – there are a bunch of laughs in Due Date.

Robert Downey, Jr is Peter Highman, an architect stranded in Atlanta desperate to get back to his pregnant wife (Michelle Monaghan) in LA. He catches a ride with the also stranded Ethan (Zach Galifianakis) and the road trip from hell begins.

Why are they stranded in Atlanta? Both Peter and Ethan have landed on the No-Fly list. The set-up is a little convoluted but it gets the story moving.

Throughout the film, the 2 guys bond and unbond, bond and unbond and bon and unbond again. And I’m not quite sure why Galifianakis’ character keeps coming back to the friendship because Downey’s Highman is just a jackass. Seriously, Downey is a self-admitted pig and a-hole.  And he’s basically playing straight man to Galifianakis which seems to hamper the film because Downey is massively funny.

One of the highlights for me (and you I’m going to assume) is Galifianakis and all his wannabee actor glory. He wears capezios. He’s got black and white headshots (one has him posing with a gun) and a set of comp shots. And then he gives his reason for wanting to be on ‘the tv.” because of 2 1/2 Men…especially Season 2.

Along the way, Jamie Foxx shows up for no real reason except to have Jamie Foxx in the film. And Michelle Monaghan has the thankless part of saying, “You’re what? or “Peter, Where are you?” most of the film.

Like I said, there are incredibly funny parts (Sunny, the masturbating dog is still making me giggle) and its got a really nice, heart-warming ending so, I’d recommend it.

Movie Review: RED

RED

Director: Robert Schwentke

Cast: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker

Based on the D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is a completely entertaining action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren.

Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) are former black-ops CIA agents all living a quiet lives in retirement. As Frank finally decides to take his phone-relationship with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) further, a mysterious hi-tech squad shows up to kill him. He quickly takes care of them and heads to Kansas to rescue Sarah.

It turns out, the secrets the former agents know have made them targets from the CIA who send their top hit-man, Karl Urban to kill them all.

At first look, this is just a routine action-comedy where the older, experienced characters come out of retirement to school everyone… and you’d be right. But with this fantastic cast, you get high-caliber acting you don’t normally see in a film like this. And that’s what makes RED so fun to watch.

How many times do you get to see Morgan Freeman in an action-comedy… and kicking serious butt? That alone is worth watching. Add in John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Willis? This is a can’t miss movie!

Movie Review: Conviction

Conviction tells the true story of Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) and her brother Kenny (Sam Rockwell). When a diner waitress is found stabbed to death in her trailer home, Kenny – the local troublemaker – is charged with murder, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Waters, a single mother, spends the next 18 years of her life becoming a lawyer in order to free her brother.

Minnie Driver plays Betty Anne’s friend and fellow law student, Abra, who help’s discover the truth about Kenny’s mishandled case at the hands of a corrupt cop played by Melissa Leo.

While this is an amazing true-life story, I didn’t like it as much as I had hoped. The whole story seemed a little slow to me. While I did care about the characters and the outcome, I wanted it to happen sooner. Part of it may have been the cheesy flashback scenes that told the story of Betty and Kenny as kids. It’s an attempt to show how close they were as children so you can understand why Betty spends so many years proving that her brother isn’t a murderer. But… I didn’t need so many of these scenes. I got it after the first flashback.

Expertly acted on all fronts, I’d say see this film for Sam Rockwell’s performance alone.  At the beginning of the film, there are times where you have no idea if he’s guilty or innocent. He’s perfect in the part. Hilary Swank and Melissa Leo are also in top form but this is Rockwell’s show.

Director: Tony Goldwyn

Cast: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo, Peter Gallagher, Juliette Lewis

Writers: Pamela Gray

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