Friday, September 23, 2011

Moneyball

Moneyball
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Written by: Aaron Sorkin and Steven Zaillian


Plot:
The story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

Review:
Aaron Sorkin is a master wordsmith. He seems to make topics that could be extremely uninteresting into something worth watching. I don’t even like baseball, in fact I HATE baseball and I enjoyed this film. Maybe it’s because I saw Abduction(http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/abduction.html) this morning and that movie was so terrible that it made Moneyball stand out. That might be the case a little, but Moneyball, all on its own, impressed me. 


There was a perfect mix of comedy and drama and it helped that a great cast pulled it all together. Forget Brad Pitt, we all know he is awesome. He is great in everything he is in and Moneyball was no exception. What I found extremely interesting was the fact that they casted two comedians to be in this movie, Jonah Hill and Chris Pratt. Jonah Hill I am sure you all know is a great actor. Obviously he is very funny and his humor really brought the film together. Besides him being a funny man he does have acting chops. If you have seen him in Cyrus, which is technically a comedy, you know this. Chris Pratt, which you all should get to know, was another funny man in this drama. Chris Pratt plays a dimwitted character on the show Parks and Recreations and he pulled off a drama very well. I really did not expect much from him but he really brought something to the screen that evoked emotion. 


A problem I had with the film besides the fact that it was a little bit too long was the climax. I really do not feel like I am giving away any spoilers because this is all general baseball knowledge that is all over the internet. It is not like the facts of the A’s wins and loses are based on a true story, it is in fact, a fact. So if you do not want to read further do not but I think this is important to say. The whole point of this system was to change the game of baseball forever. That this system can bring a team to the playoffs or further. Billy Beane wanted to make the playoffs. Now the main baseball scene in this film focused on their record setting win streak of 20 games. They made this game seem like the most significant moment of the film. Yes, this streak is impressive but the streak is not what the film was about, and they made the streak the main climax. They completely overlooked the fact that they won the division, which in my opinion should have been the main point of the film. The fact that this system brought a team to the playoffs. Then they just showed their exit from the playoffs like it was nothing. 


If you have read this far, I apologize for “giving that all away” and I do not think that this information ruins the movie at all. Moneyball was extremely well done and the performances from Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill are worth paying money to see. I’ll say it again, I HATE baseball, and this baseball film got me hooked.


Rating: 8/10


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Abduction

Abduction
Directed by: John Singleton
Written by: Shawn Christensen


Plot:
A thriller centered on a young man who sets out to uncover the truth about his life after finding his baby photo on a missing persons website.

Review:
If the Oscars had a category for worst film of the year, Abduction would take home the cake. It took way to long to get into the story, the dialogue was laughable (but that might be because they were coming out of Taylor Lautner’s mouth), and I thought its saving grace might have been the action/fight scenes but they were boring and scarce. 


I know you al probably know this, and sorry Twilight fans, but Taylor Lautner sucks at acting. I couldn’t tell if he was happy, scared, surprised, or any other emotion for that matter because in every scene he gave the same fucking look to the camera. He played a high schooler who finds out that the people he thought were his parents were actually CIA agents protecting him from danger. He gets chased around the northeast, escaping the clutches and beating up highly trained special agents of the CIA. Even while evading killers on a train, he finds time to have a makeout session with his extremely attractive co-star, Lily Collins. She might have been the only bright spot in this film. Her looks I mean. Because her acting wasn’t anything special either. 


I knew this film was going to be awful going into because Taylor Lautner sucks a big one but I thought at least the action would be decent. But I was proved wrong. When you think the final fight scene will partake at the Pirates game, it ends and you realize that there wasn’t actually a fight. Taylor Lautner was chased around. Not only were his acrobatics unrealistic, but the movie portrayed the Pirates winning a baseball game which might be even more laughable. 


Watching this film was like having sand rubbed in your eyes for an hour and forty minutes, unpleasant. I really hope this movie does not bring in big money because that will only encourage studios to hire Taylor Lautner again. Apparently he is the only profitable actor under the age of 20. Taylor Lautner needs to be destroyed and we should all boycott his movies. Sorry Abduction, but you sucked!


Rating: 1/10 


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Sunday, September 18, 2011

Lion King 3D

Lion King 3D

So is Lion King allowed to be nominated for Best Picture? If so, I feel bad for all other movies this year because you don’t have a shot. It was so great being able to see one the most beloved Disney films of all time on the big screen in 3D. I wasn’t sure how well the 3D would work because 3D movies now a days are made for 3D so cool things happen and made the 3D worth going to see. Lion King came out in 1994 and weren’t thinking about that, but it worked really well. 


Since this is not an official review, I just wanted to comment on a few things about going to see this film. First, my friends and I were the only people in the theater over 20 that did not have kids. Where is the support from my generation? Second, I think it is incredible that this might be the first time some kids have ever seen Lion King before in their lives. It was quite incredible hearing all of the kids reactions to certain parts of the film. Their laughs and gasps both filled the theater and it made me realize that I must have been the same way at their age. And finally third, it was very cool to see how far animation has come since 1994. I mean the animation is by no means bad but the trailer for Pixar’s new original Brave played before the movie started. Comparing those images to the images in Lion King you can tell a distinct difference of clarity in the picture. It’s incredible. 


Show Lion King 3D some love. It is only out for one more week so go see it while you still have a chance. It was a great experience and I can’t wait until Disney decides to format another Disney movie in 3D. I’m crossing my fingers for Aladdin. 

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Friday, September 16, 2011

Drive

Drive
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by: Hossein Amini


Plot:
A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.


Review:
Drive was a piece of art. Yes, you read it, a piece of art. It was one of the most beautifully constructed movies of this era which included spectacular shots of LA in a gritty way. There was not a lot of dialogue and it left the viewer to analyze the shots in their own interpretation to understand deeper meaning in the story It is a homage to noir style films of the 1950s and Drive brings ultra-violence into the mix.


That being said, Drive was not a perfect film. I think Nicolas Winding Refn meant very well with his artsy form to the film but I think he tried a little too hard. He let certain shots last too long and scenes between Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan towards the beginning of the film were almost painful to watch. The story was not very well constructed and the actions of Ryan Gosling’s nameless character, The Driver, seemed irrational and out of character since we know nothing of his past. He wears a jacket with a scorpion on the back throughout the film and we have to assume that this symbol relates with his past. I’m okay with not knowing anything about his past but when a quiet, polite, well mannered young man all of a sudden goes hammer to somebody’s skull it felt out of place.


Besides the awkward scenes between Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan and some shots that felt way to long, this film was extremely entertaining. The opening sequence really set a tone for the rest of the film. With the great soundtrack that matched up very well with the slow pace of the film. When the violence came along it put shivers down my spine through my limbs. It was beautifully violent. 


Now who the hell thought that Ryan Gosling could pull a character like this off. It’s hard to imagine him not playing in a romantic drama role but he pulls off the cool guy action star vibe extremely well. With these long shots he had pull off some menacing blood covered faces for long period of times. This was a gutsy role for him and this might be his breakout role for so much more to come. 


Other notable acting performances came from Bryan Cranston who plays a fast talking, mechanic, who is hoping to make some money off of the driver. Its amazing to think where he came from, Malcolm in the Middle, to where he is now. The other great performance came from Albert Brooks who played the main villain in the film. It seems like odd casting but it strangely works. He even gets to shed some blood in the film.


Drive really was a great film and I appreciate it greatly for its master craftsmanship. I can’t wait to watch it a second time to analyze the images more to find more hidden meanings. I think it had its flaws but the positives greatly outweighed these flaws. I love this time of year when all of the oscar worthy movies keep coming out. Keep them coming.


Rating: 8/10


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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Warrior

Warrior
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Written by: Gavin O’Connor, Anthony Tambakis, and Cliff Dorfman


Plot:
Two estranged brothers (Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy) find themselves pitted against each other in a no-holds-barred Mixed Martial Arts Tournament, with a five million dollar purse. Complicating matters, one of the brothers is being trained by their remorseful, recovering alcoholic father (Nick Nolte), who's determined to win back the love of the sons.


Review:
This movie had the heart and everything else The Fighter wanted to be and more. As you can see I didn’t like The Fighter and thought it was overrated. I was a little nervous about Warrior since I felt like everything was given away in the trailer and even though we know going into the film that Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy are brothers that are fighting in the finals there is so much more to this film. Gavin O’Connor (Miracle) has done it again, giving us another sport flick to remember forever. 


The characters in this film were so well written and it helps that it had a great cast to play these characters. Edgerton plays the physic teacher and family man, who is forced to get back in the cage when the bank threatens to foreclose on his house. Hardy is the opposite who has a lot of anger and rage against his father from their past. You don’t just get one underdog, but you get two. In the end, you don’t know which brother you want to root for.


The first hour of the film Edgerton and Hardy have their own separate stories. They both are trying to get back into the fighting game and we learn little bits and pieces of information but nothing too much. When Edgerton and Hardy finally talk for the first time, they have an emotional conversation/argument which leaks more information about their past. This is one of many points that got me to tear up. I don’t tear up in many movies but this movie made me get teary-eyed more than just a few times. 


Nick Nolte by far had the best performance playing the father of these two underdog fighter. He is a broken-hearted old man trying to make up for the unspeakable and unforgivable things he did to his sons and wife over the years. His performance should not go unnoticed by the Academy and I would be surprised if he does not get a Best Supporting Actor nod.


Warrior is close to a perfect film. It is a gritty drama, an intense action/violence flick, and a feel good movie all wrapped up into one. Plus, it has a great training montage! It is a shame that this film has not gotten the support it deserves at the box-office. A movie with this much heart should not go unnoticed. 


Rating: 9.5/10


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Friday, September 9, 2011

Contagion

Contagion
Directed by: Steven Soderberg
Written by: Scott Burns


Plot:
The progress of a deadly virus that wreaks worldwide havoc is followed through the interlocking stories of a father (Matt Damon) trying to protect his daughter, an irresponsible blogger (Jude Law) with an agenda, and four doctors (Laurence Fishburne, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Ehle, and Marion Cotillard) working with the CDC, who are trying to isolate and cure the disease before it wipes out a hefty chunk of the population.


Review:
I am officially afraid to touch anybody or anything. In Steven Soderberg’s best film since Traffic, this thriller really hits the point that if you don’t wash your hands you will DIE! In all seriousness though as soon as I got out of this film I washed my hands. It is a story that is riveting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, at least for the first half of the film. 


The film starts off with the film establishing that this disease is starting to be spread all around the world, while introducing all of the main players in the film. This sequence was done in very fast and compelling pace. Cliff Martinez’s score made it feel like it was an even worse situation. Not that the threat of millions upon millions of people dying is already a worse situation. This was one of the best first hours of any movie, which sent chills up my spine when I learned new information about the disease. 


Matt Damon has proven again why he is one of the best A-list actors around. He plays a grieving father who is trying to keep his only daughter safe. He brings so much emotion to the screen time and time again. Morpheus, I mean Laurence Fishburne, was fantastic. He played the head of the CDC, trying to help find a cure while trying to keep his family safe. His compassion and gentle heart get him into trouble while his government co-worker (Bryan Cranston, BREAKING BAD!!!) using him as a scapegoat.


Matt Damon and Laurence Fishburne might have been the best but we can’t forget about Jude Law, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Jude Law had the biggest role out of this group. He was a blogger that is sure the CDC is hiding a cure to make money. Marion Cotillard’s role felt cut off. Her storyline was extremely interesting but the direction not dive deep enough into her life and her ending was left unclear. None the less, would have loved more Marion. Kate Winslet and Gwyneth Paltrow played their respective roles well but were nothing special. Winslet playing a field officer for the CDC and Paltrow playing Matt Damon’s wife.


The only issue I had with the film were the fact that after the very exciting first hour it really slowed down. The chills went away and I sat int he back of my seat. It wasn’t that the rest of the film was boring but the energy of the film could not keep up. Contagion was a very entertaining thriller that will make you think twice before you decide not to wash your hands. 


Rating: 7.5/10

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Shark Night 3D

Shark Night 3D
Directed By: David R. Ellis
Written By: Will Hayes and Jesse Studenberg


Plot:
A weekend at a lake house in the Louisiana gulf turns into a nightmare for seven vacationers as they are subjected to fresh-water shark attacks


Review:
There weren’t even any tits. That enough should sum up this movie. It was not great, good, or even okay. It was sub par. When I go to see a movie like this I expect a lot of sex, drugs, and gore but all I got was disappointment. I guess I should have expected this since this film is rated PG-13. 


A bunch of college students go to a lake house to celebrate one of them getting a B in his class (Yes, celebrating a B). Then when they get there, they don’t get drunk or get laid, and just deal with these sharks that happen to find themselves in the lake. We learn the motive of the sharks being in the lake but we never find out how they get the sharks in the lake. SO, instead of the blood fest I thought i was going to get it ended up being a connect the dots horror film made for young teens. 


Since this film was not a blood fest, then it should be really suspenseful and have great kill shots. It is a shame that only one kill shot was worth my money where a shark jumps up and picks off, I won’t say, from a jet ski. Besides that none of the other kills were worth seeing. As for the suspense, there was none. I only felt pity, pity for the characters in this film for their stupidity. The only character that was decently written was the black character played by Sinqua Walls. They made it seem like his character would be killed off first in a very stereotypical way but he ended up being the most badass character. 


With dialogue that is laughable, gore that is limited, and boobs that are non-existent this is a film to pass. You will just have to wait for Piranha 3DD to get your fill of gore and nudity. 


Rating: 3/10

Friday, September 2, 2011

The Debt

The Debt
Directed By: John Madden
Written By: Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman, and Peter Straughan


Plot:
 In 1965, three Mossad agents (Sam Worthington, Marton Czokas, & Jessica Chastain) abduct a Nazi War Criminal- with the intention of bringing him back to Israel for trial. In an attempted escape, he’s killed, and the three are hailed as heroes. Years later, a secret shared by the three (Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, and Ciaran Hinds) comes back to haunt them and they must pay an old debt before their lives come crumbling down around them.


Review:
Jessica Chastain, brains and beauty, the triple threat. But seriously this chick has been in everything this summer. From the inspirational Tree of Life to the surprise hit The Help. I can tell you why. She is a fantastic actress. She really stole the movie away from everybody else besides maybe Helen Mirren who played an older version of her. The film revolved around Jessica’s and Helen’s character and her interactions with her fellow agents played by Sam Worthington and Marton Csokas. Sam Worthington is a very one dimensional actor and he pulls off the character well. Just don’t expect anything new and different out of him. Marton Csokas on the other hand was a lot more entertaining and brought a lot of life to his role. Tom Wilkerson and Ciaran Hinds also had some good performances but they were only in the film for a very small portion of the film.


Besides the acting, I would say that this film was a disappointment if I thought it was going to be something special in the first place. It was a movie that started out great and caught my attention but could not deliver all the way through. The pacing was all over the place and when a new development arose with only 30 minutes left in the film it made the climax seem ridiculous. This is because the first development that was realized was way more interesting than the second which made the end of the movie difficult to sit through. They took a very simple idea that was very by the books and tried to make it seem a lot cooler by making the story structure more interesting. 


Besides some good acting it could not make up for the content of this film. You should expect more out of something with a interesting premise revolving around Jews trying to take revenge against a Nazi war criminal and the cast attached to the project. I am sure this film will be played on television over and over again, so my recommendation is to wait for that to happen. 


Rating: 6/10