 |
Grade: C+
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Alda
Directed: David Wain
Writer(s): David Wain & Ken Marino
RT: 98 min
Rating: R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wanderlust (2012)
Grade: C+
Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Alda
Directed: David Wain
Writer(s): David Wain & Ken Marino
RT: 98 min
Rating: R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use
Act of Valor (2012)
 |
| SEALs of approval. |
Grade: C-
Starring: Alex Veadov, Roselyn Sanchez, Nestor Serrano
Director: Kurt Mike McCoy, Scott Waugh
Writer(s): Kurt Johnstad
RT: 111 min
Rating: R for strong violence including some torture, and for language
Gone (2012)
 |
| The love is Gone |
Grade: D
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Daniel Sunjata, Wes Bentley
Director: Heitor Dhalia
Writer(s): Allison Burnett
RT: 93 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence and terror, some sexual material, brief language and drug references
Good Deeds, Tyler Perry's (2012)
 |
| Mr. Perry goes to town |
Grade: C+
Starring: Tyler Perry, Thandie Newton, Phylicia Rashad
Director: Tyler Perry
Writer(s): Tyler Perry
RT: 111 min
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content, language, some violence and thematic material
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday's List: Top 10 Worst Oscar Snubs of 2011
Every year when the Oscar nominations come out there are people or movies the Academy doesn't seem to want to recognize. So, with each nomination day comes a lot of complaining about how they "got it wrong". Now that I have a forum, I can effectively make a list like this, and complain about where the voting committee messed up... again. I'm going to keep it to one entry per category, so despite the fact that I think two films should have been nominated over "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" for Best Picture, I'm going to refrain from making this the 40 movie this year that were better than that one, and so on.
10. The Muppets (Best Song)
I know, I know! "The Muppets" got nominated for Best Original Song, but is one enough? They only nominated two songs in the category, the academy could have nominated "Life's a Happy Song" or "Pictures in My Head". At the very least "Let's Talk About Me", the hysterical rap from the character that inspired Fox News to cry anti-capitalist wolf, could have picked up a nod. This would not have been the first time a single film picked up multiple nominations for Original Song. "Beauty and the Beast", 'The Lion King", "Enchanted", and "Dreamgirls" all picked up three, but in 2008 the Academy decided that three was too many, and scaled it back to two. That still should have given "The Muppets" one more.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: With only two nominations in the category, there was nothing I would have dropped.
What should win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
What will probably win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
9. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (Best Documentary Feature)
This was a very entrancing documentary about one man's inability to stay still, and his spiral toward self destruction after being screwed over by a network that promised him so much. I'll be honest, and say that I have not seen a single documentary on the list this year. I don't know what is good, and what isn't, but this film was spectacular, and when at his most vulnerable, O'Brien became a sympathetic character that was hard to not watch.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Based solely on the plot synopses of the five film nominated, I would say "Undefeated" which sounds like a pretty good film.
What should win: "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
What will probably win: "Hell and Back Again"
8. War Horse (Best Director - Steven Spielberg)
How did Spielberg direct the most epic film of the year, and not get nominated for it? This film fired on every cylinder, and the beautiful direction shined through every well shot frame. Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski got his nomination, and there is no reason the he shouldn't have, but where is the wunderkind's? He has two directing Oscars already, but this may the best film he has done since 1998's "Saving Private Ryan", but I don't think that discredits the marvel that was "Munich"
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: "Tree of Life" - Terrence Malick. If you didn't know, I did not enjoy this movie at all.
What should win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
What will probably win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
7. Hugo: (Best Supporting Actress - Chloe Grace Moretz)
Sometimes children are just better actors, and Moretz has shown nothing but incredible poise in her young career. I don't know why this movie didn't get one single acting nomination. The ensemble was top notch, and there was not a single weak performance in the bunch. The two leads brought the audience into this world, and kept you interested in an adventure that lead them trough the greatest love letter to cinema I've ever witnessed.
Who shouldn't have gotten nominated: Jessica Chastain - "The Help". This is a cheesy performance in a decent film.
Who should win: Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"
Who will proabably win: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
6. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Sound Mixing/Sound Editing)
This was such an enjoyable action film, and usually when an action film this good comes around, the Academy recognizes it with a few technical awards. Not this year. There were a few good films in the bunch, and a couple that didn't have exceptional sound mixing/editing. Everything about this film was phenomenal: the chases, the sand storm, the explosions. Brad Bird presented a wall of sound, and made it believable.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Saying that this is an Oscar nominated film hurts as bad as saying possible Presidential Nominee Ron Paul.
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
5. Drive (Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks)
Albert Brooks may not have won this category if nominated, but his hauntingly violent performance in "Drive was among one of the best of the year. He plays against type, and makes one frightening Jewish mob boss. A lack of a nomination for anyone in this film should be considered criminal.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Nick Nolte - "Warrior". I have nothing against Nick Nolte, or this film, but out of the five nominees, he's the only one I wouldn't have thought to nominate in the first place.
Who should win: Christoper Plummer - "Beginners"
Who will probably win: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
4. Young Adult (Best Actress - Charlize Theron)
Theron was absolutely vile in "Young Adult". She was immature, brutal, and, for lack of a better term, a complete bitch. Watching her destroy herself was an absolute joy. This performance was one of the best of the year, and my jaw hit the floor when it wasn't nominated. There were one or two people who didn't deserve itin this category. Their spot could have gone to Theron.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady". A yawner of a movie, and a mediocre performance not worthy of time, let alone an Oscar.
Who should win: Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Who will probably win: Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Best Picture)
Only 9 Best Picture nominations this year, and one of them was NOT David Fincher's adaptation of Steig Larsson's novel! Why? "The Help" got nominated, and it was half as good as this movie. You can make the argument that it didn't do anything to expand on the original film, but that doesn't matter. Anyone coming into this film blind, would walk away with a visceral film experience.
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close". Why? Just, why?
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: The Artist
2. The Ides of March (Best Actor - Ryan Gosling... or "Drive")
This was the year of Gosling! Where did his nominations go? "Ides of March" and "Drive" were two very strong, very different performances, and he made them both work in glorious fashion. Add his sauve turn in "Crazy Stupid Love", and you have a full range of what this young man is capable of. I also wanted to put Asa Butterfield from Hugo on here, but this snub was much worse.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Demian Bichir - "A Better Life". He's a dark horse nomination, and Gosling would be too, but three great roles, and no nominations is a horrible oversight.
Who should win: Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Who will probably win: George Clooney - "The Descendants"
1. The Adventures of Tintin (Best Animated Feature)
What were you idiots thinking? "Tintin" was one of the best films of the holiday season, nay, THE YEAR! Yet, you nominate forgettable fare like "Rio" and "Puss in Boots". I realize it's difficult to expect the Academy to take a catergory seriously when they continue to just write off the entire medium of film making. Animated films are not a genre, just like foreign film, and deserve a modicum of respect. This was a great film, by one of the all time great directors, so what happened?
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Puss in Boots". A lame cash in on a once good series.
What should win: Who cares? Without "Tintin" there are no strong contenders.
What will probably win: "Rango"
10. The Muppets (Best Song)
I know, I know! "The Muppets" got nominated for Best Original Song, but is one enough? They only nominated two songs in the category, the academy could have nominated "Life's a Happy Song" or "Pictures in My Head". At the very least "Let's Talk About Me", the hysterical rap from the character that inspired Fox News to cry anti-capitalist wolf, could have picked up a nod. This would not have been the first time a single film picked up multiple nominations for Original Song. "Beauty and the Beast", 'The Lion King", "Enchanted", and "Dreamgirls" all picked up three, but in 2008 the Academy decided that three was too many, and scaled it back to two. That still should have given "The Muppets" one more.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: With only two nominations in the category, there was nothing I would have dropped.
What should win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
What will probably win: "Man or Muppet" - Bret McKenzie
9. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop (Best Documentary Feature)
This was a very entrancing documentary about one man's inability to stay still, and his spiral toward self destruction after being screwed over by a network that promised him so much. I'll be honest, and say that I have not seen a single documentary on the list this year. I don't know what is good, and what isn't, but this film was spectacular, and when at his most vulnerable, O'Brien became a sympathetic character that was hard to not watch.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Based solely on the plot synopses of the five film nominated, I would say "Undefeated" which sounds like a pretty good film.
What should win: "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory"
What will probably win: "Hell and Back Again"
8. War Horse (Best Director - Steven Spielberg)
How did Spielberg direct the most epic film of the year, and not get nominated for it? This film fired on every cylinder, and the beautiful direction shined through every well shot frame. Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski got his nomination, and there is no reason the he shouldn't have, but where is the wunderkind's? He has two directing Oscars already, but this may the best film he has done since 1998's "Saving Private Ryan", but I don't think that discredits the marvel that was "Munich"
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: "Tree of Life" - Terrence Malick. If you didn't know, I did not enjoy this movie at all.
What should win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
What will probably win: Hugo - Martin Scorsese
7. Hugo: (Best Supporting Actress - Chloe Grace Moretz)
Sometimes children are just better actors, and Moretz has shown nothing but incredible poise in her young career. I don't know why this movie didn't get one single acting nomination. The ensemble was top notch, and there was not a single weak performance in the bunch. The two leads brought the audience into this world, and kept you interested in an adventure that lead them trough the greatest love letter to cinema I've ever witnessed.
Who shouldn't have gotten nominated: Jessica Chastain - "The Help". This is a cheesy performance in a decent film.
Who should win: Melissa McCarthy - "Bridesmaids"
Who will proabably win: Octavia Spencer - "The Help"
6. Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (Sound Mixing/Sound Editing)
This was such an enjoyable action film, and usually when an action film this good comes around, the Academy recognizes it with a few technical awards. Not this year. There were a few good films in the bunch, and a couple that didn't have exceptional sound mixing/editing. Everything about this film was phenomenal: the chases, the sand storm, the explosions. Brad Bird presented a wall of sound, and made it believable.
What shouldn't have gotten nominated: Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Saying that this is an Oscar nominated film hurts as bad as saying possible Presidential Nominee Ron Paul.
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: Transformers: Dark of the Moon
5. Drive (Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks)
Albert Brooks may not have won this category if nominated, but his hauntingly violent performance in "Drive was among one of the best of the year. He plays against type, and makes one frightening Jewish mob boss. A lack of a nomination for anyone in this film should be considered criminal.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Nick Nolte - "Warrior". I have nothing against Nick Nolte, or this film, but out of the five nominees, he's the only one I wouldn't have thought to nominate in the first place.
Who should win: Christoper Plummer - "Beginners"
Who will probably win: Christopher Plummer - "Beginners"
4. Young Adult (Best Actress - Charlize Theron)
Theron was absolutely vile in "Young Adult". She was immature, brutal, and, for lack of a better term, a complete bitch. Watching her destroy herself was an absolute joy. This performance was one of the best of the year, and my jaw hit the floor when it wasn't nominated. There were one or two people who didn't deserve itin this category. Their spot could have gone to Theron.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Meryl Streep - "The Iron Lady". A yawner of a movie, and a mediocre performance not worthy of time, let alone an Oscar.
Who should win: Rooney Mara - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
Who will probably win: Michelle Williams - "My Week with Marilyn"
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Best Picture)
Only 9 Best Picture nominations this year, and one of them was NOT David Fincher's adaptation of Steig Larsson's novel! Why? "The Help" got nominated, and it was half as good as this movie. You can make the argument that it didn't do anything to expand on the original film, but that doesn't matter. Anyone coming into this film blind, would walk away with a visceral film experience.
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close". Why? Just, why?
What should win: Hugo
What will probably win: The Artist
2. The Ides of March (Best Actor - Ryan Gosling... or "Drive")
This was the year of Gosling! Where did his nominations go? "Ides of March" and "Drive" were two very strong, very different performances, and he made them both work in glorious fashion. Add his sauve turn in "Crazy Stupid Love", and you have a full range of what this young man is capable of. I also wanted to put Asa Butterfield from Hugo on here, but this snub was much worse.
Who shouldn't have been nominated: Demian Bichir - "A Better Life". He's a dark horse nomination, and Gosling would be too, but three great roles, and no nominations is a horrible oversight.
Who should win: Gary Oldman - "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"
Who will probably win: George Clooney - "The Descendants"
1. The Adventures of Tintin (Best Animated Feature)
What were you idiots thinking? "Tintin" was one of the best films of the holiday season, nay, THE YEAR! Yet, you nominate forgettable fare like "Rio" and "Puss in Boots". I realize it's difficult to expect the Academy to take a catergory seriously when they continue to just write off the entire medium of film making. Animated films are not a genre, just like foreign film, and deserve a modicum of respect. This was a great film, by one of the all time great directors, so what happened?
What shouldn't have been nominated: "Puss in Boots". A lame cash in on a once good series.
What should win: Who cares? Without "Tintin" there are no strong contenders.
What will probably win: "Rango"
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Pass or Fail: And "so-n-so" as themselves...
Celebrity cameos have been around forever. It's an easy way to make a few bucks, and not have to really do anything. You show up for a couple of hours, go by your real name, and disappear for the rest of the film. I'm not against this in any way. In fact, I love it most of the time. It's an easy joke, and celebrities often do a great at making fun of themselves in the process. Sometimes, I just don't get why you would even bother (Bill O' Reilly in Transformers 3? Really?). Here are two trailers that feature celebrities as themselves.
Pass: Think Like a Man
You probably watched this, and thought, "Why is this a pass?" The answer is simple: I love black comedies. They're often over-the-top, silly, and genuine. This film also happens to be directed by Tim Story, who directed "Barbershop", a fantastic black comedy. Though he hasn't done anything since then to warrant me being excited, he's back in his element now, and with what I can only describe as the black version of a Garry Marshall holiday-titled film. I do love most of this cast, and Kevin Hart seems to be especially on top of his game in this trailer. "Think Like a Man" may not be a great film, maybe not even good one, but this trailer makes me laugh.
Fail: The Three Stooges
I like the Farrelly Brothers ('Kingpin", "Stuck On You"), I love the Three Stooges, and I hate everything that happens in this trailer. The Stooges don't seem like a hard formula, right? Fist + Face (Heavy Object + Crotch) = instant laughs, and a good time for all. Why is this not funny? What happened to the guys who made "There's Something About Mary"? What the hell is Snuggie (or whatever her troll name is) doing in this trailer?! I get that poking her in the eyes is supposed to be funny, but it's a worse decision than putting Scrappy in the first "Scooby-Doo" movie. I don't want to see them made fun of. I want to ignore them. This looks like a real groaner, and I can't wait until I'm forced to see it, because I started a movie review blog about hating horrible films!
Extra Pass: Extras: Daniel Radcliffe as himself! Ricky Gervais is the absolute best at poking fun of celebrity, and all it encompasses.
Pass: Think Like a Man
You probably watched this, and thought, "Why is this a pass?" The answer is simple: I love black comedies. They're often over-the-top, silly, and genuine. This film also happens to be directed by Tim Story, who directed "Barbershop", a fantastic black comedy. Though he hasn't done anything since then to warrant me being excited, he's back in his element now, and with what I can only describe as the black version of a Garry Marshall holiday-titled film. I do love most of this cast, and Kevin Hart seems to be especially on top of his game in this trailer. "Think Like a Man" may not be a great film, maybe not even good one, but this trailer makes me laugh.
Fail: The Three Stooges
I like the Farrelly Brothers ('Kingpin", "Stuck On You"), I love the Three Stooges, and I hate everything that happens in this trailer. The Stooges don't seem like a hard formula, right? Fist + Face (Heavy Object + Crotch) = instant laughs, and a good time for all. Why is this not funny? What happened to the guys who made "There's Something About Mary"? What the hell is Snuggie (or whatever her troll name is) doing in this trailer?! I get that poking her in the eyes is supposed to be funny, but it's a worse decision than putting Scrappy in the first "Scooby-Doo" movie. I don't want to see them made fun of. I want to ignore them. This looks like a real groaner, and I can't wait until I'm forced to see it, because I started a movie review blog about hating horrible films!
Extra Pass: Extras: Daniel Radcliffe as himself! Ricky Gervais is the absolute best at poking fun of celebrity, and all it encompasses.
Pass or Fail: A Tale of Two Trailers
Ok! I'm a pretty sensitive guy, but sometimes sensitivity goes a little too far. I hold the belief that if you can't laugh about everything, there is no point in having a sense of humor. This IS, however, coming from a guy who uses humor as a defense mechanism when life gets too real (I would post examples, but I know a few people who I don't want to be in trouble with). There are things that should maybe be off limits, but that feels like a cop out. Nothing should be sacred. Nothing should be held in a higher regard than anything else. I know this seems like a bit of a odd rant, but I assure you there is a point.
Pass: The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Oh man, does this look hysterical. Pirates, lepers, giant whales, A MONKEY WITH CUE CARDS!!! Aardman Entertainment has done some exceptional work in the past, and I look forward to this movie.
Fail: The Pirates! Band of Misfits
In case you didn't bother to watch this trailer, and you're wondering why I posted the same trailer twice, it's because they took out the lepers, and replaced them with ghosts! Aardman Entertainment has given in to criticism from a charity named Lepra Health in Action for "poking fun" at people with leprocy. I realize that leprosy is a serious illness, and it could be very horrible to live with, but isn't a small joke in a kid's comedy. Get over it! You don't see cancer survivors getting in a twist every time someone makes a joke about their horrible disease. Boo on you Aardman! Booooooooo!
Extra Pass: How it Should Have Ended: If you saw any of the awful sequels to Disney's "Pirates" franchise, and had the reaction that normal people had (contempt), here is the cure for the bad taste they left in your mouth.
Pass: The Pirates! Band of Misfits
Oh man, does this look hysterical. Pirates, lepers, giant whales, A MONKEY WITH CUE CARDS!!! Aardman Entertainment has done some exceptional work in the past, and I look forward to this movie.
Fail: The Pirates! Band of Misfits
In case you didn't bother to watch this trailer, and you're wondering why I posted the same trailer twice, it's because they took out the lepers, and replaced them with ghosts! Aardman Entertainment has given in to criticism from a charity named Lepra Health in Action for "poking fun" at people with leprocy. I realize that leprosy is a serious illness, and it could be very horrible to live with, but isn't a small joke in a kid's comedy. Get over it! You don't see cancer survivors getting in a twist every time someone makes a joke about their horrible disease. Boo on you Aardman! Booooooooo!
Extra Pass: How it Should Have Ended: If you saw any of the awful sequels to Disney's "Pirates" franchise, and had the reaction that normal people had (contempt), here is the cure for the bad taste they left in your mouth.
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