…Is anybody there?
…..
I guess I'm all alone here, just me and my blu-rays.
Good think I remembered my remo-…
Where…where's my blu-ray remote? I swear I packed it.
It…it's gone…
no…no… it's not fair….IT'S NOT FAIR!!!
Hey people, sorry I've been away for, what, four weeks now? Yeah, every sunday after I saw a movie, I was either too busy or just too tired. So today, I'm up and early, and I'm reviewing three of the biggest movies out this fall season. These movies may have been out for a while, but they've yet to be judged by yours truly. This is my first triple review of…
Captain Phillips
PLOT
Our story follows Captain Richard Phillips, a cargo ship captain who's commandeering a ship going on a normal route on the Atlantic ocean. At the same time, there are a group of Somali's who are almost forced by their situation and higher-ups to capture a ship and gain some profit from its contents. These pirates just so happen upon Captain Phillips' ship and manage to get on board and capture the ship. Now Captain Phillips must try to survive and reason with these desperate pirates to save not only himself, but his crew as well.
PROS
The main actors of the film, Tom Hanks and the people playing the pirates, give knock-out performances. The Somali's, even though they're from Philadelphia I think, look very convincing and also manage to be sympathetic. Tom Hanks, even though we've seen many time how great of an actor he is, gives an Oscar-winning performance, especially near the end. I won't spoil it, but let's just say "Captain Phillips" covers a side of tense and violent situations that little no film covers.
"Captain Phillips" is extremely tense and never losses this tension throughout its over 2 hours running time. While there isn't a lot of explosions and action, it manages to be engaging and entertaining while still being character based.
CONS
While "Captain Phillips" is tense throughout, it does drag a little once they enter the life boat. While it's not a huge problem, I did find myself becoming bored during this time.
CONCLUSION
First of all, let me apologize for how short this review is, it's been about a month since I've seen this film. Yet, I don't want this review's length to take anything away from how I feel about "Captain Phillips" It's a character driven thriller that will have you at the edge of your seat the entire time, and by the end you may even have a tear or two in your eye. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and will be shocked if no one from this film doesn't get at least a nomination at this year's Oscars'.
RATING
RUN TO
Bad Grandpa
PLOT
Spinning off from the infamous Jackass skit, "Bad Grandpa" tells the story of 86-year old Irving Zisman who's just lost his wife. Instead of having a mourning period, Zisman see's this as an opportunity to finally do all the debauchery he's always dreamed of. That is until his daughter forces him to take his 8-year old grandson, Billy, cross-country to his real father. Now Zisman must deal with his grandson as they go on a road trip full of accidents, pain, and hilarity
PROS
"Bad Grandpa" is just like any Jackass movie, except this time it has a story. Now, that's not a bad thing. I personally love the Jackass movies and crack up at least once in every one. While this is more of the prank side of Jackass then it is the crazy stunts, it is still funny.
If there's one thing that will live on past this movie, it's the kid. Jackson Nicoll is his name and he is a pro at this stuff. He never hesitates, never does anything half-way, he goes all in and gets the best factions out of people. I feel this kid is going places, and we'll all remember that the role that got him his fame was the chubby kid in "Bad Grandpa"
CONS
Unfortunately, like a lot of comedies, the best jokes are spoiled in the trailer. While there are a few surprises here and there, in particular a scene in a male strip club, most of the scenes that would've had me singing this movie's praises are in the trailer.
The point of "Bad Grandpa" is to be a Jackass movie with a story, and this story is bad. While I did enjoy the movie, the story would have to come in and just bore me. It's extremely cliched and is saved by the film's style of comedy.
CONCLUSION
While not the best Jackass movie in the series, it is definitely a solid one and had me laughing throughout. Yet, it's not something you need to rush out and see. If you have a bunch of friends over one night and just want something to put on and laugh at, "Bad Grandpa" is perfect for just that.
RATING
WALK TO
Well I've already used the Intermission poster…
How about this…
Now that's over…
Let's get serious…
12 Years a Slave
PLOT
Based on a true story, Solomon Northup is a free black man living i Saratoga, New York in 1841 who has a family and is a skilled violinist. One day, two men invite Northup to join their circus as a violinist and wine and dine him. When Northup wakes up the next day, he's been abducted and chained up, ready to be sold. Now, Northup must try to survive his slavery as we watch the horrible atrocities done to him and many other slaves during a 12 year period.
PROS
Everyone brings their A-game in terms of performances for this film. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northup and give a quiet but powerful performance. All of the white actors; Paul Giamatti, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Paul Dano are all despicable human beings and give equally amazing performances. The stand-out in terms of white actors is Michael Fassbender who plays the main plantation owner who's known as the "N-word breaker", and he earns that title and then some. If I see Fassbender on the street in the next few weeks, he's dead, I hated him that much. Luckily, that's how I was supposed to feel.
"12 Years a Slave" holds nothing back when showing slavery during this time period. Luckily, it never feels gratuitous, since we care about Northup and know that slavery really was this bad and maybe even worse. The film is so dark and brutal that in the first 10 minutes I had to look away at one point.
The cinematography, like director Steve Mcqueen's (no not that Steve Mcqueen) two other films, is beautiful. Even though the images are horrible and hard to watch at points, they're shot so well that it emphasizes the horribleness and almost forces you to watch.
CONS
Really there's not much wrong with this film besides the occasional nit pick.
CONCLUSION
"12 Years a Slave" is not only and honest and extremely well made film, it's also a very important film. This is a film that dares to question this horrible time in American history, that is not afraid to go all out for the sake or proving a point. The reason I know this is movie that everyone who can stomach it needs to see is that this is the first movie since becoming a serious film fan I actually cried in. I've always come close to crying and teared up in movies, but this was the first time a tear or two fell down my face. If you have any interest in seeing this film, drop everything and do so.
RATING
CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT!!!!
