G. I. Joe: Retaliation

My View:   G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013)  PG-13 The G. I. Joe team is in a world of trouble as they have been framed as traitors – traitors to their own country. To make matters worse, Cobra’s own Zartan (Arnold Vosloo) is in power, impersonating the President of the United States. The Joes are going to need help getting their country back, so how about the original Joe, General Joseph Colton (Bruce Willis) joining back up with the team? Do not see this film in 3-D! The film was not shot in 3-D but converted later to the format, and combine that with the shaky-cam used in most of the action sequences, and it will be either sick to your stomach or headache time for you. Additional scenes with Channing Tatum were added, but these “Bromance” scenes with Dwayne Johnson seemed forced. The dialogue for most of the film is so bad that you will groan at some of the lines, but hey, you don’t go to a G.I. Joe film for the witty banter, you go for the action scenes, and there are plenty. I especially enjoyed the ninja battle via rappelling gear on the side of a huge mountain - fast and inventive. But Willis is mostly wasted as Gen. Joe Colton, and the plot becomes just one big mess, especially near the end, making the film just one loud explosion.     My Rating: Cable   G. I. Joe: Retaliation Website

My View:   The Host   (2013)  PG-13    Aliens have invaded the Earth and have taken over the minds and bodies of most of the population. Melanie (Saoirse Ronan) sacrifices herself to let her boyfriend and brother escape and allows an alien named, the Wanderer, to take over her body/mind.  But, to the alien’s chagrin, Melanie hasn’t given up. It turns out Melanie is sharing her body, mind and memories with the alien, an experience that will change both of their lives.  From the same novelist, Stephenie Meyer, who gave us the Twilight series, this film has much better acting and better dialogue than that series with the sparkly vampires. Saoirse Ronan doesn’t disappoint in the multi-role of Melanie and The Wanderer, portraying basically two roles in one body. The film is very typical of the Young Adult films with lots of dialogue and a female lead that is attracted to two very different young men (Jake Abel and Max Irons) whom she will have to choose between. The film is bolstered by the excellent supporting cast, especially William Hurt and Frances Fisher. Action fans will be slightly disappointed as the film is mostly about relationships and family, but there are a couple of good chase scenes. While not a great film, it’s not cringe-worthy like the Twilight films.     My Rating: Bargain Matinee    The Host Website

Indiefest:  NO   (2012)  R   Chile in 1988 is ruled with an iron fist by the dictator Augusto Pinochet. When increasing international pressure is mounted against the ruling government, Pinochet agrees to a national vote. A vote Yes means that he stays in power, and a vote No means democracy stands a chance in the country. A young ad executive (Gael Garcia Bernal) is asked to head a campaign against overwhelming odds to convince a country to vote NO. Bernal is the reason to see this film, as he gives an inspiring performance of the ad executive who risks his life for the democracy movement. It is an interesting film that gives you appreciation of the power of democracy and how people all over the world are fighting for the right of self-determination.    My Rating: Full Price    NO Website

The 50 (A Movie from My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#7 Worst Film

Monster a-Go Go  (1965)  PG  Production was started on this Black and White film in 1961 but was shut down half-way through and then started up again in 1964 using different actors for the same parts. I could try and tell you the plot, but it’s better that you only know one thing about this film - there isn’t any monster!    Monster a-Go Go Info

Forgotten Film:  The Tao of Steve   (2000)  R  Dex (Donal Logue) is an overweight, underachieving kindergarten teacher, who has incredible success with bedding women by using what he calls the “Tao of Steve," a philosophy based on the question, “What would Steve McQueen do?” At his ten-year college reunion, Dex meets Syd (Greer Goodman) , but all of his charms may not be good enough to get the girl of his dreams. The dialogue in this film is smart, witty, and the characters are complex and real. It’s a fun, romantic comedy that is easy to watch and Donal Logue plays the frisbee golf loving Dex to perfection.    My Rating: Full Price    The Tao of Steve Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):   Killing Them Softly   (2012)  R   I did not like this film about a hit man (Brad Pitt) sent to find a couple of guys who robbed a mob-controlled poker game. I found the action was too few and far between which made the film seem like it was about uninteresting characters talking about nothing to each other.    My Rating: Cable    Killing Them Softly Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):   6 Souls ( 2013)  R  This film, about a forensic psychiatrist (Julianne Moore) who discovers that one of her patients is murdering people, just looks like a stinker. This film was made back in 2010 but is just being released now.  Never a good sign.    6 Souls Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Host:  Construction Medic

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You:   Mud (2013)  PG-13   One of my favorite films from the 2013 Atlanta Film Festival starring Matthew McConaughey in the title role, but it’s the two teen boys in the film, Tye Sheridan and Jacob Lofland, who make this film such a pleasure to watch.    Mud Website

Until Next Time!

Killing Them Softly

My View: Killing Them Softly (2012) Two men (Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn) decide to make some easy money, so they hold up a poker game. The big problem - it's Mob-protected game, and Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) is sent to find the men and kill them. Pitt plays the killer Cogan with ease and skill, but you just wish he had a better storyline to showcase his talents. This film seems to want to make lots of points about politics and the economy as every mobster’s car radio and every bar scene is playing some sort of sound clip about the failing economy. I felt that James Gandolfini was wasted as the hit man who doesn’t want to do anything other than get drunk and sleep with hookers. Besides Pitt’s character, the one interesting part of this film is the character Ray Liotta plays - a man who runs the poker games and is now in trouble with the Mob. This is an ultra-violent film where bullets fly in slow motion, and you hear bones crunching under the weight of a punch.  The action, though, is too few and far between which makes this film one that is mostly about uninteresting characters talking about nothing to each other.    My Rating: Cable   Killing Them Softly Website

Indiefest: A Royal Affair  (2012)  This costume drama from Denmark is the story of a young woman (Alicia Vikander) who marries a king (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard) who is insane. In a circumstance of being in the right place at the right time, the king picks a young, brash doctor (Mads Mikkelsen) to not only join his court but also be his friend and counselor. The doctor then has an affair with the young queen that  changes their relationship and changes the workings of the court, itself.  This is a gorgeous film with great sets and costumes, but it’s the acting that makes this film work so well. Mikkelsen and Vikander have great chemistry on screen together; their passion is so well displayed.  Folsgaard, as the mad king is amazing and makes this character one that you sometimes feel sorry for and, at other times, detest.    My Rating: Full Price    A Royal Affair

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#12 Best Film

Fargo (1996) The Coen brothers (Joel, Ethan) bring us this fantastical world of interesting characters who inhabit the cold north Minnesota country. Jerry (William H. Macy) works at his father-in-law's car dealership and has gotten himself into a financial crisis. He decides to hire two shady characters (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare ) to kidnap his wife so that he can get money for the ransom. But, things don’t go as planned, and now Jerry’s in a world of trouble since Sherriff Marge Guinderson (Frances McDormand) is on the case. The film perfectly captures the coldness of the Minnesota winter and the unique characters that inhabit that world. Frances McDormand is absolutely perfect as the determined sheriff, that, although pregnant, is going to solve the crime and catch her man. The Coen brothers have created a fascinating film that both delights and shocks, and sometimes at the same time.   Fargo Info

Forgotten Film: The Candidate (1972) The Democratic party can’t find anyone willing to run against U.S. Senator Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter) who is considered unbeatable after he, the incumbent, has served many terms. So, the Democrats convince Bill McKay (Robert Redford), the son of a long-time/popular governor, to run, and since he is destined to lose, McKay can run the campaign any way he wants. Due to his charisma and his sincerity, he begins making inroads with the voting public, and now McCay must choose to continue to be the outspoken rebel who can’t win, or, will he compromise his convictions to get the votes to be elected. Redford is brilliant as the guy who, at first doesn’t seem to want to win, but starts seeing that he just might make a difference. This film still has relevance today and is an interesting look at the world of politics.   My Rating: Full Price    The Candidate Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD): The Dark Knight Rises (2012) I thoroughly enjoyed this film and feel it was a fitting end to the Batman Dark Knight trilogy. Gotham City is convinced that Batman is a criminal, but Bruce Wayne feels, in both body and spirit, that he is no longer up to wearing the cowl and the cape.  A new menace, though, is hell-bent on destroying the city, so Batman suits up again. The reason to see this film is Anne Hathaway, who brings a picture-perfect performance to the role of Catwoman.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again    The Dark Knight Rises

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea):  A Haunted House (2013) Marlon Wayans brings his type of humor to a spoof of the Paranormal Activity films. It’s bad enough that most of the horror films lately have been laughable, but now a horror film that’s supposed to be funny? Ugh.   A Haunted House Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Killing Them Softly: Air Conditioning Tech

  

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Les Miserables (2012) This film is getting a lot of buzz, especially for Anne Hathaway. Based on the hit Broadway musical, producers of this film do something that has never been attempted to this extreme before: all of the cast are singing live, on camera.  No playback/looping was done.    Les Miserables Website

Until Next Time!