"Fruitvale Station" is a haunting dramatization of the last hours of a young man before he is murdered on New Year's Eve by a group of cops at train station in Oakland. The film starts with documentary footage from the fateful night shot with a cellphone, and the rest of the film just careens toward the inevitable ending. Writer/director Ryan Coogler manages to capture every moment with a crippling tension, even when the protagonist, Oscar Grant, is doing something as mundane as eating dinner with his family. You feel the oncoming dread of the family as you get to know Oscar more through his final day, and cringe at every small decision that ultimately leads to his demise.
Michael B. Jordan is marvelous as Oscar. He plays the role with a quiet intensity, peppering in explosions of rage and moments of moving kindness that make you fall for his flawed character. His chemistry with the other actors is natural and fluid, especially Octavia Spencer, playing his mother, who is the most endearing character. I found her character even more intriguing than her role in "The Help" (of which she was the best part). I could gush on for hours of the many honest and subtle performances, so I will just say that this ensemble hits all of the right notes, and should be in line for a SAG Award. This is by far my favorite film so far this year. It moved like few films have in the recent past.
Grade: A+
Easter Egg: No
3D: Mercifully no.
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Davis, Octavia Spencer
Director: Ryan Coogler
Writer(s): Ryan Coogler
RT: 85 min
Rating: R for some violence, language throughout and some drug use
I really need to star this review by stating my dislike for Hugh Jackman. I don't like Hugh Jackman. I don't think he is a very good actor. I downright despise him as Wolverine. I don't even like him in movies he's been in that I have loved ("The Prestige, "The Fountain", ... um... that's about it). I think he seems like a perfectly fine human being, but I just don't like him. That being said, "The Wolverine" was an enjoyable film with some fun action sequences.
Director James Mangold has made possibly the most intriguing and well-thought out film of the "X-Men" franchise, but it still falls a little short of what these films are fully capable of. I don't know if it was my disinterest in Jackman's portrayal of the character, or just the lulls in the plot, but I found it hard to keep my attention from wandering from the screen at times. The actors all seem to know that the audience is going to be in there no matter what, and it was hard to find many performances worth noting. Except for the always reliable Hiroyuki Sanada, playing the son of the man who called Logan to Japan. His character is a little one note, but he plays him with such a menacing gaze, that it is hard to take your eyes off of him.
The one thing that took me completely out of the film were the excessive Jean Grey scenes. I realize that this is the sixth movie in a very bad series, but after the first nightmare involving the deceased mutantess (how is this not a word?), the idea becomes overplayed (much like the Xavier bald jokes in "X-Men: First Class"... or the cameos in "X-Men: First Class"... or the script of "X-Men: First Class"). However, the story itself, though predictable, is mostly captivating, and Mark Bomback and Scott Frank's dialogue tends to have an honest ring to it. Ross Emery's cinematography is bleak and stunning, and Mangold shoots his action sequences perfectly. Overall, it was worth the time, but the not 3D money.
Grade: B-
3D: Nope.
Easter Egg: Yes
Starring: Hugh Jackman Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima
Director: James Mangold
Writer(s): Mark Bomback & Scott Frank
RT: 126 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some sexuality and language
There were two things I REALLY liked about "R.I.P.D." First was Jeff Bridges' humorous and campy performance as long-dead lawman Roy. He was charming, funny, and talked a mile a minute. It was the most fun he looked like he's had on screen in a while (when he isn't winning Oscars, that is). Second was that was a pure turn-your-brain-off kind of film, and you didn't have to worry about the story (which was amusing), or the characters (who were a little underdeveloped), or being offended by anything except some of the grotesque "deado" creations. It was a textbook buddy comedy featuring one talented actor and Ryan Reynolds (who I'm still on the fence about. Thank you Green Lantern). There honestly weren't any notable performances aside from Bridges, and maybe Kevin Bacon, but it could just be my love of all things Bacon informing that. Playing the main villain of the piece, he is smarmy and cool without really dedicating too much to the piece. Seriously, this can wait to be rented, but if you want to see it at the theatre, I don't blame you.
Grade: C+
3D: If you must
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writer(s): Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi (both story) - Story: David Dobkin - Comic: Peter M. Lenkov
RT: 96 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence, sci-fi/fantasy action, some sensuality, and language including sex references
I will admit that Japanese monster movies are among some of all-time personal favorites. So there may be a little bias in my review of this film, because this honestly the closest thing to an American version of that genre as possible. Director/writer Guillermo Del Toro, who has been responsible for some of the most creative films of the last two decades, has made a movie that is so gleefully geeky in its execution, that it is extremely hard to not get lost in it. The dialogue lacks the kind of punch in some areas that his other films generally carry, but the plot moves along well, and the action sequences are thrilling and fun. Each new monster, called Kaiju in the film, is as imaginative as the last, and each massive robot (Jaegers) was even more jaw droppingly cool, though I felt some got dispatched a little faster than they should have.
There is a list of fun, and at times appropriately hammy, performances in this film that really make it worth watching. Charlie Hunnam essentially plays his role from "Sons of Anarchy", but he makes it work for this role. Idris Elba plays the seasoned veteran, and leader of the resistance, with a depth and heaviness that gives the movie an emotional core. Pulling up the comedic relief are Charlie Day and Ron Perlman, who both seem to be trying to out overact each other. Their combined talents give "Pacific Rim" the perfect amount of laughs to make sure the picture isn't a joyless string of cities being destroyed.
Grade: B
3D: Why not?
Easter Egg: Yes
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Writer(s): Travis Beacham (also story) & Guillermo Del Toro
RT: 131 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief language
Gore Verbinski and a team of writers have managed to do exactly to the Lone Ranger, what Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg did to the Green Hornet. They managed to turn the character into a simpering, clueless dolt who lucks into defeating his opponents, and probably wouldn't if Tonto and Silver weren't around to bail him out. The script was atrocious, filled with awful one-liners and anachronistic references that had me constantly rolling my eyes, until all the movement (or dialogue) made my head hurt. Verbinski's direction is, as usual, flashy and cloying. His action sequences are loud and unbelievable, nearly putting his "Pirates" to shame. Johnny Depp, playing Hunter S. Thompson... I mean Jack Sparrow... I mean Tonto, has finally reached a point where I can't take him seriously as an actor anymore.
For all of its massive flaws there were still some things I enjoyed (begrudgingly). The make-up in the film is so good that when Old Tonto is introduced, it's almost hard to believe that you're looking at Johnny Depp. And William Fitchner looks truly menacing with his scarred face. Speaking of Fitchner being menacing, his acting backs up his make-up. He takes over the screen whenever he appears, and manages not to ham it up too much, like the rest of the cast. Tom Wilkinson, as a railroad employee, also flys a little under the radar with his performance, and brings the film to an almost watchable level (which is too much to ask of anyone). The music, provided by Hans Zimmer, played a little like his "Sherlock Holmes" soundtrack, but often made the scenes bearable when all of the scenery chewing brought them down.
I hope this doesn't turn out a load of crappy sequels. Especially after ruining one of the greatest lines in pop culture. Two and half hours was enough for this franchise.
Grade: D-
3D: Just Don't
Easter Egg: Yes, but just don't
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer(s): Justin Haythe, Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio
RT: 149 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some suggestive material
"Monsters, Inc." is not only one of my favorite Pixar films, but one of my all time favorite films. So, saying that I was nervous about seeing a prequel to such a great movie is a bit of an understatement. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how amusing "Monsters University" ended up being. I was very happy that they opted to cover Mike and Sully's past together instead of trying to make a sequel and ruining such a touching ending.
Pixar has a knack for taking the losers and outsiders, and making it seem plausible that they could excel in whatever they put their minds to. Here it is no different as the Oozma Kaapa (OK) fraternity tries to win at their college's scare games against more qualified competitors. The relationship between the two main characters also feels organic, growing throughout the film, and never seems forced. Pixar, as usual, has put together a top-notch cast that features a slew of greats from top to bottom including Nathan Fillion, Dave Foley, Alfred Molina, and Helen Mirren, among others. Director, and co-writer, Dan Scanlon manages make the story seem new and exciting, though does his best to incorporate as many call backs to the first film without overdoing them (unlike many prequels).
Grade: A-
3D: Not necessary
Easter Egg: Yes. Plus there a some great jokes all throughout the credits.
Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Helen Mirren
Director: Dan Scanlon
Writer(s): Robert L. Baird, Daniel Gerson, Dan Scanlon
RT: 110 min
Rating: G
I don't even know where to start with how disappointed I am with this movie. I put it on my "15 Must See Movies" this year, and I am kicking myself for it. Marc Forster is a very hit or miss director (having directed both "The Kite Runner" and "Quantum of Solace"), and this time he really missed the mark. The plot, and all character development, takes a back seat to a handful of chase scenes with a group of zombies that were far more comical than menacing. It's hard to tell if this was due to the script (which had roughly three names attached that I am very interested in), or just terrible pacing and editing. Also, with so many characters coming and going, and no depth to any of them, it's hard to pick out any performances that were noteworthy. Even Brad Pitt seemed like he was just going through the motions so he could collect his paycheck. Aside from a couple of decent thrills, and often impressive special effects, this movie offered very little.
Grade: D+
3D: Don't. Too much money for nothing special.
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
Director: Marc Forster
Writer(s): Matthew Michael Carnahan and Drew Goddard & Damon Lindelof - Story: J. Michael Straczynski
RT: 116 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense frightening zombie sequences, violence and disturbing images
