The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

My View:  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)  Set sixty years before “The Lord of the Rings,” a Hobbit named, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), is picked by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to journey across Middle Earth with thirteen Dwarves to reclaim their homeland from a giant dragon. I think the biggest problem with the film is that it tries to show too much - as if Director Peter Jackson tries to capture and film everything that happens in the book. Films based on books usually have to be cut back, because they would just be too long, but Jackson seems determined to make three films out of one single book. The film is way to lengthy, at times looks like a video game, and just doesn't quite have the soul and majesty of the Lord of the Rings films. I liked Martin Freeman as Bilbo, a sort of everyman's Hobbit, but there really isn't a standout Dwarf in the film like in the Rings films where so many distinct characters created such a rich character-based film.  I was excited to see the creepy Gollum again (the character from Lord of the Rings) but alas, his part, while important, is small in a very long film. I also didn't like the 48 Frames Per Second look of the film as it gave almost an HD TV look to.  Check your theater's website to determine if it's being shown chains in HFR for High Frame Rate. The film was shot in 3-D and it is worth it to see it in that format.  Overall this is an enjoyable adventure film, but just doesn't measure up to the Rings Trilogy.   My Rating: Full Price    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Website

Indiefest:  Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)  Set in 1939, this film is about the love affair between President FDR (Bill Murray) and his distant cousin, Margaret Stuckley (Laura Linney). The backdrop of the film is the coming to America of King George IV (Samuel West) and the historic meeting at Hyde Park between the Roosevelt's and the King/Queen of England. This is an interesting film, especially since we get to see the behind-the-scenes workings of the FDR White House and how the press and others treated Roosevelt being confined to a wheel chair. While I liked Murray's performance (he has the smile down pat, but not the voice of FDR), it's Linney, as his shy distant cousin, whom we see grow more confident as she spends more and more time under the spell of FDR. While it's not the level of another historical drama about a President (Lincoln), it is a film that is enjoyable to watch.    My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Hyde Park on Hudson Website

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

#11 Worst Film

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot  (1992)  Anytime the words comedy and Sylvester Stallone are mentioned, you should run the other way. Golden Girl Estelle Getty plays his mom who gets involved with a case that her son is working on and high jinks abound. Look!  His mom has a gun as big as she is! Stallone considers this the worst film in his career, so that says a lot.    Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot Info

Forgotten Film:  Explorers  (1985)  Ben (Ethan Hawke) is obsessed with space travel and aliens and reads comics and watches old B-movie sci-fi films. One night, he dreams of a circuit board, and, with the help of his friend, Wolfgang (River Phoenix), they set out to build not only the board but the spaceship they are convinced will take them to space. Will the ship fly and what will they find when they get into outer space? This film is about taking chances and the will to live your dreams. Hawke and Phoenix are perfect as the two mismatched boys who get together to create the impossible. My Rating: Bargain Matinee    Explorers Info

In Case You Missed it (A Film Just Released on DVD):  The Bourne Legacy (2012) I like Jeremy Renner taking over the Bourne films as I think he makes a credible action star. The plot, though, is confusing, and takes place at the same time the last Matt Damon Bourne film is happening, but the final chase sequence leaves much to be desired.  The film seems to end abruptly and left me unsatisfied.   My Rating: Cable    The Bourne Legacy Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I've Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Texas Chainsaw 3D  (2013)  Okay, there is only one Texas Chainsaw film that is worth seeing, and that's the original 1974 film. This looks a lot like a Saw knock-off but with Leatherface.   Texas Chainsaw 3D Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: Equine horse make up artist

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  Quartet  (2012)  Directed by Dustin Hoffman, this film stars Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly and Tom Courtenay as residents of a retired musician's home. The annual fundraising concert is disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Maggie Smith), an Opera diva who is the former wife of one of the residents. Think The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel but set in Great Britain and with music.    Quartet Info

Until Next Time!

Hitchcock

My View: Hitchcock (2012) Alfred Hitchcock (Anthony Hopkins) feels that, at 60 years old, he is unappreciated and that others think of him as over-the-hill. So, Hitchcock decides to make a movie, at the reluctant urging of his wife, Alma (Helen Mirren), using his own money – a little film called, “Psycho.” While this film is about the making of Psycho, it’s really a love story between Alfred and Alma. Hopkins is perfect as Hitchcock and gets his voice and his mannerisms down to perfection, and Mirren is amazing in the role of the woman behind the man. Scarlett Johansson does a brilliant job of portraying one of the big stars of the time, Janet Leigh. You won’t learn much about filmmaking when you watch this film,  but you will learn a lot about the man named, Hitchcock.   My Rating: Full Price   Hitchcock Website

My View: The Collection (2012) Arkin (Josh Stewart) is the only person to escape from a serial killer named, “The Collector.” The Collector likes to entrap his victims and then take them to maze-like buildings full of deadly traps.  A young woman named, Elena (Emma Fitzpatrick), has been kidnapped, and it’s up to Arkin to rescue her. This is a bloody and violent film, to be sure, but its portrayal of the deaths are not drawn out (as they are in the Saw series) and some of them are rather creative. I feel that this film has a little more intelligence to it than the run-of-the-mill slasher film. The story moves very quickly, and I really enjoyed the ending, which is sure to set up the next film.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   The Collection Website

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

#12 Worst Film

Myra Breckinridge (1970) Meant to be controversial and sexy at the time, this film about a man who wants to have a sex change operation, is just silly and stupid. Rex Reed (a well-known film critic at the time) plays Myron, the man who wants to get the sex change. When he does, he is turned into Raquel Welch’s character, Myra Breckinridge. This film is boring and badly acted, with old time Hollywood stars like Mae West, Andy Devine, and John Huston overacting as if their life depended on it. The only fun thing about this film is the small parts that Farrah Fawcett and Tom Selleck have.    Myra Breckinridge Info

Forgotten Film: Cactus Flower (1969) Dr. Julian Winston (Walter Matthau) is a playboy who uses the made-up excuse that he is married to get out of commitments to other women. That is until he meets Toni (Goldie Hawn), who, despite his best intentions, he falls in love with.  After using the marriage ruse, though, he must convince his long time dental assistant, Stephanie (Ingrid Bergman) to pose as his wife who wants a divorce. Goldie Hawn won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in this film, but it’s Ingrid Bergman who makes this it so much fun to watch as she gives her roles depth and warmth, creating a character that you want to root for.   My Rating:  Full Price   Cactus Flower Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD):   Men in Black 3   I like but did not love this film, but I do think Josh Brolin’s portrayal of a younger Tommy Lee Jones was well done. It’s a fun ride and somewhat clever, but it’s just not up to the original.   My Rating: Full Price   Men in Black 3 Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers But Just Looks Like a Bad Idea): Parental Guidance (2012) Billy Crystal and Bette Midler agree to take care of their three grandkids when their parents need to be out of town for work. There isn’t one funny line in a rather lengthy trailer - just lots of Billy being hit in the crotch.    Parental Guidance Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Hitchcock: Scarlett Johansson photo double

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Peter Jackson is back at the director’s spot, making this prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Will this be more Oscar worthy stuff from him?    The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Website

Until Next Time!