Netflix Review: "The FP"

"The FP" is an absurd genre parody written and directed by the Trost Brothers. It is a profane send up of post-apocalyptic thrillers and street gang films such as "The Warriors". In the not too distant future, two gangs are fighting for control of an area know as Frazier Park. They do battle over a deadly dance video game named "Beat Beat Revelation". When we first come upon the gangs, the leaders, BTRO and L Dubba E, are in the process of preparing for a dance battle. One that ends with BTRO's death. BTRO's younger brother, and fellow gang member, witnesses his death, and swears off "Beat Beat" for good. That is until L Dubba E's gang let's The FP go to waste by controlling the distribution of alcohol, and letting the drunks turn to meth addicts, or worse. It is now up to JTRO, with the help of a couple of friends, to train to take down the oppressive rule of L Dubba E.

I would like to start by syaing that this plot summary is not a joke. The Trost Brothers have created a parody, parading as a serious drama, that may be one of the silliest, most over-the-top comedies of the past few years. It may not be as good as recent soon-to-be cult films, like "Attack the Block", but it certainly leaves its mark. Jason Trost, pulling triple duty as co-writer, co-director, and the film's lead, JTRO, carries the film with an almost quiet stoicism, like a Clint Eastwood anti-hero. He seems almost immune to the insanity that is happening all around him. While on the opposite end, the film's villain, L Dubba E, is played with tremendously profane gusto by Lee Valmassy. Clad with his mohawk, fu manchu, and ornate grill, he is a shit-talking loudmouth, who runs The FP like his personal playground.

Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished

The supporting cast is every bit as good as the lead, Art Hsu as the hyperactive KCDC, Caker Folley as JTRO love interest Stacy, and a brilliant cameo from long time character actor, Sean Whalen, as Stacy's father, being bright spots among them. I must say that this script is a little loose, and sometimes all over the place, and makes some scenes a little rough around the edges. However, Brandon Trost's cinematography is so top notch, that it's never hard on the eyes. All around, this isn't a bad film, but it has a lot of flaws that, even as independent parody, keep it from reaching a higher standard as a cult classic. It's too good to be "so-good-it's-bad" and not good enough for anyone to say, "This is so good I can't believe I didn't see this sooner".

Grade: B-
RT: 82 min
Rating: R for pervasive language, sexual content, some nudity and brief drug material

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)

"The Amazing Spider-Man" was possibly the most thrilling take on the character I have seen to date. Marc Webb found the true essence of the character, and made him every bit the neighborhood friendly wall-crawler we have come to know, and love. Packed with award caliber performances, it was far more promising than its trailers led us to believe. Comic book films are reaching a place where they as emotional as they are action packed, and this film found the balance perfectly. The small things that were wrong with were the kind of things not worth mentioning, so I won't. I'll just say that every origin story drags sometimes. 

Grade: A-
3D: If you must
Easter Egg: Yes

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Denis Leary
Director: Marc Webb
Writer(s): James Vanderbilt (also story) & Alvin Sargent & Steve Kloves

RT: 136 min

Rating: PG-13 for sequences of action and violence

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Wes Anderson's keeps cranking out original and provoking films, that challenge the norm, and entertain with tremendous joy. "Moonrise Kingdom" belongs with "Bottle Rocket" and "The Royal Tennenbaums" as one of his most personal, and intriguing, films to date. His cast in this film is so perfectly placed, that it's a wonder that he didn't work with some of them sooner (I'm thinking mainly of Edward Norton, who could not have been more of a delight in this film if he tried). Kudos especially to the films two leads, Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward, for handling this material like masters of the screen, despite this being both of their first films. Cinematographer Robert Yeoman, who has worked on every live action Anderson film, keeps the film visually stunning. Giving it his signature look, that falls somewhere between modern and vintage, but never dull.

Grade: A
Easter Egg: One for the geeks who want to stay.

Starring: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer(s): Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
RT: 94 min
Rating: PG-13 for sexual content and smoking

Magic Mike (2012)

"Diesel" Powered

I don't understand the obsession with "Magic Mike", honestly. It's the "self-respecting" woman's version of softcore porn, and even then you're better off watching the very similar, and better written film, "Boogie Nights". Not to say that this isn't a decent movie, with small shimmers of good movie, but Steven Soderbergh simply hasn't made as a good an effort. He does, for the most part, keep the film enjoyable, and has amassed a talented cast that has done the same. It seems to slip the most in the third act, when things get dire for the leads. The tension never properly mounts, and the stakes never feel that high. However, professional wrestling superstar Kevin Nash is in it, and that is good enough for me!

Grade: B-
Easter Egg: No

Redband trailer: for the ladies!

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

With the world "ending" this year, it seems we need as many end of the world movies as possible. This is second best of the genre I have seen this year (the first being "Perfect Sense"). Despite being a mainstream romantic comedy, it doesn't follow a lot of patterns, and remains understated, not loud and brash like a lot of Carell's other comedies. The humor is smart, the characters are sympathetic, and the cast handles the subject matter with gusto. The supporting cast, and all of the cameos, give this film a well-rounded feel that lasts with you, after the film is over. I will say this is a happier, less annoying version of Lars Von Trier's whinny "Melancholia" that came out last year, except I don't think I laughed as hard at this. For different reasons, of course.

Grade: B+
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Martin Sheen
Director: Lorene Scafaria
Writer(s): Lorene Scafaria
RT: 101 min
Rating: R for language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence

People Like Us (2012)

Enterprising People

What happens when two of the most respected sci-fi writers, in film today (Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci), decide to make a drama with a writer who's main credit is a documentary about the comeback of a singer/songwriter? "People Like Us". A sweet film about a man who discovers he has a sister, and a nephew, after his father dies, and leaves them a small fortune. Chris Pine is beginning to grow on me more with each film. He was a fine Kirk in "Start Trek", and does well in a non-action role along side Elizabeth Banks. This material is good, and wanders into emotional territory from time to time, but stays on the happy/smiley side for most of it. While this is Kurtzman's directorial debut, it isn't the kind of film one really uses to show off what they can do behind the camera.

Grade: B
Easter Egg: No
THE CLASH WATCH: Multiple reference to "London Calling"/"Spanish Bombs" plays

Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde
Director: Alex Kurtzman
Writer(s): Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci & Jody Lambert
RT: 115 min
Rating: PG-13 for language, some drug use and brief sexuality

Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)

Heigh d'oh!

I understand the want to make fairy tale women stronger, and less of the victim, I do. But, at least when you do it, make a better movie. "Snow White and the Huntsman" obviously wants to be whatever fantasy movie it can pay homage to, but fails at finding enough of its own personality to be any good. Honestly, despite a little overacting (mostly from Charlize Theron, surprisingly), the cast did a pretty good job, and director Rupert Sanders, and cinematographer Greig Fraser, make the film somewhat of a visual treat. The writing is where I had the most problem, or whomever decided to pack in as much of "The Lord of the Rings", "The Neverending Story", and any Guillermo Del Toro film, as they possibly could.

Grade: C-
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Nick Frost
Director: Rupert Sanders
Writer(s): Evan Daugherty and John Lee Hancock and Hossein Amini
RT: 127 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief sensuality