Holiday Films: Holiday Inn (1942)

In my opinion there may be no more personal movie preference than Christmas Movies. Many people have more connection to the Christmas films they grew up with than any other films. I preface this review with that because I realize that there may be some that will very much disagree with what I am about to write. I would remind those who find this review unappealing that just as they have films that they cherish and grew up with I also have my own attachments.

With that out of the way I will say that I think the 1942 film Holiday inn is a criminally underseen film. This probably has a lot to do with the larger amount of publicity that its semi-remake White Christmas gets. I first saw Holiday Inn and only watched White Christmas after having already made Holiday Inn a holiday season tradition. I have tried to be as objective in my assessment as possible and I can honestly say that Holiday Inn is far superior. While White Christmas is probably a good film if that is the only version you've seen In my opinion it pales in comparison to the original in many ways. While it may be in "color" and "VistaVision" White Christmas does not have the same charm as the original.

There are several reasons for this. Firstly while White Christmas has Bing Crosby, Holiday Inn has both Bing Crosby AND Fred Astaire. Fred Astaire is truly one of the greatest talents of the movie musical and paired with Crosby it is pure magic. (No offense Danny Kaye but your not quite Fred Astaire). It's a shame that too few people ever knew the two collaborated because for many this is a Movie Musical dream. Secondly Holiday Inn is the premiere of the song "White Christmas". Many people don't know this and the song has never felt more fresh or been as integral to a movie as it was in this original rendition. It was this and not the later film that caused sales of that song to go crazy. Finally Holiday Inn has a lot of good songs by Irving Berlin that are comparable to the quality of the title track and there are some really cool dance numbers to match. Holiday Inn was also the premiere of the nearly as popular song "Easter Parade" which was later turned into its own Astaire vehicle. All of these add up to make Holiday in a fresher and more complete film than the semi-sequal.

One thing that must be mentioned is that there is a number in Holiday Inn which by today's standards is very politically incorrect. while this scene may be offensive, I do not believe that it should make people not see the film. I also don't believe it detracts from the quality of the rest of the film. I do not think that it is completely fair for us to apply our presentist beliefs to a film made at the start of 1942. This sequence is not as far as I can tell malicious in intent and it is an isolated incident in the film. There are several other such scenes in musicals of the era which are still acclaimed by critics (Notable Swing Time with Astaire and Rogers which has a scene that seems even more offensive)

Overall, Holiday Inn continues to be the best holiday musical and one of my favorite musicals period. This is a type of film that really isn't made any more and the premiere of "White Christmas" is one of the great moments in film. The cast and the dance numbers are almost pitch perfect and there is a wonderful undercurrent of humor. This is the complete package and a holiday delight! 4.5/5

Holiday Films: The Bishop's Wife (1947)

It's that time again, the Christmas film season. There are so many beloved holiday films tat it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many people have there own set of perennial favorites and I've always felt that people take their favorite Christmas movies more personally than any other type of film. The films that I will review with this header will be my personal favorites. That does not mean these are the definitive holiday films but are instead the movies that to me best express the Christmas spirit.

The Bishop's Wife is probably the ultimate feel-good Christmas movie. As a film it's not a masterpiece but as a warm bit of holiday cheer it's hard to beat. I mean who wouldn't want Cary Grant as their guardian angel? The film centers around a bishop and his attempt to build a cathedral. In the process of doing this he becomes less aware of the parts of life that truly matter and Cary Grant is sent as his angel to give him a little more perspective. The situation is really a very relatable one, especially around the holiday season when many people are so worried about things that don't really matter. It is this that the Bishop's Wife captures best of all. Cary Grant brings youth and joy to the household and demonstrates why we really love Christmas. This film also is more directly tied to the religious aspects of Christmas than most which I actually find refreshing. The film has great lessons and it's a lot of fun along the way.

The only complaint I might have is that it is a little bit too long but there are so many fun characters and sequences (especially one involving ice skating) that I really can't dock it that much. If you're looking for some holiday cheer then you can't do much better than this classic with it's superb cast. Along with Grant, David Niven plays the bishop and Loretta Young plays his wife. The film is also filled with the great character actors you could only find in classic Hollywood. I you haven't seen this gem my recommendation would be to pick it up, It's a fantastic film that works like a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy day, 4.5/5

Film Class Films: Chinatown (1974)

When watching  older movies (older than 20 years) I find that the best ones (of which there are many) have two distinct characteristics. On the one hand some of them are so rooted in the time in which they were filmed that they evoke that time so well that you, as an audience member, feel transported back to that time. On the other hand some films are truly timeless and have aged very little if at all since they first released. Many of the truly great films combine  both of these aspects but tend to lean towards timeless, Chinatown is one of those truly great films.

Like the Godfather (also produced by Robert Evans) Chinatown was filmed during the  "Hollywood New Age" of the 1970s but it doesn't feel too trapped in that era. Part of the credit for this goes to the script by Robert Towne. Like the Godfather this film takes a typical Hollywood genre, in this case detective films, and makes some changes to it but while still keeping many of the core elements of the genre. The other credit should go to Polanski for the way that the film was shot. Polanski shoots the 1930's setting with both old fashioned glamor as well as modern "grit". These two elements come together to create a film that is set in the thirties and made in the seventies bt which neither feels like a movie from the thirties or from the seventies.

The film follows Jack Nicholson as a private detective who normally works divorce cases but who ends up getting involved in a case of murder and corruption that continues to get more complex as it goes. To reveal any more of the plot would be criminal and it is quite labyrinthine. This is why Chinatown can be a little difficult to love upon first viewing. It is a movie that requires a lot of concentration from the viewer and upon first viewing that concentration is spent on the plot. The plot of this films is only one part of what makes it great and that is why on second and third viewing the movie continues to improve.

Robert Towne wrote a screenplay that very much follows in the vein of a Raymond Chandler novel. This movie really involves the viewer to the point that even upon third viewing I was still captivated by the ability the films had to reel me in. This is also why when Towne adds some new ideas of his own to the conclusion which differ from your typical Marlowe novel it can be rather abrupt and, well I don't want to ruin it. 

Overall the performances are also fantastic with Dunaway and Nicholson the standouts. In many ways the art of cinema has been very generous to viewers giving us not 10 or 15 but more than 20 films which I consider to be perfect in nearly every respect. Reveling in the joy of watching these great films is as fine an experience as a five star meal. Chinatown is a film that only gets better on each viewing and remains perfect 5/5!

Classic Horror Reviews: the Shining (1980)

In the last of my series of reviews on horror movies I review Stanley Kubrick's Classic, the Shining

Classic Horror Reviews Part 3: the Mummy (1932) and Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954)

Gravity (2013) Review

Brendan J. Anderson

From the Opening shots of Gravity you know you are in the hands of great filmmaking. I am very happy to report that this has not been uncommon in 2013 but what makes Gravity special is that it truly feels unique. Gravity tells the story of two astronauts who are detached from their shuttle and who must struggle for survival. The astronauts are played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock. This simple premise is perfect for what follows and what follows is simply pure cinema.

Pure cinema was a term coined by the great director Alfred Hitchcock to describe experiences that you can only have in a theater. In a sense experiences that  rely mainly on the visual to gain their art. Gravity is one of these experiences that you need to have in theaters and in the largest theater possible. It is also an experience that needs to be in 3d in order to get its full impact. why? because Gravity is all about immersion. It's about being in the shoes of these astronauts and experiencing the terror and the beauty of the situation.  this is a unique film because all of these filmmaking methods of immersion, which are usually only used to sell more tickets, here play an integral part in the experience of the story.

The script takes this simple presence and really uses it to explore many large ideas. This gives Bullock and Clooney some real material from which they can act. I think it is the simplicity of the premise that allows Gravity, unlike so many of its counterparts in the forms of blockbusters and space operas, to focus on the human sorry and really say something deeper. It's a film that I could see myself watching again, not just for the thrill, but for the story. I've never been a George Clooney fan but here I really thought his performance was exceptional and Bullock deserves a best actress nom.

What makes those performances even more powerful is that they were somewhat unlikely. This is because Gravity has some of the greatest spectacle I have ever seen. It really shows how well today's computers can create a realistic world. You will truly believe you are in space. It is a testament to the script and direction by Cuaron that Gravity works so well and stays so human. It is also a testament to the cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki that the film really makes you feel like you are in space. Gravity will be remembered for years to come and is certainly an early Oscar contender 5/5!

Captain Phillips (2013) Movie Review

Brendan J. Anderson

While in recent years studios have been churning out dozens of big budget films which are high on spectacle but low on substance it's been great that in these last couple of years Zero Dark Thirty, Argo and now Captain Phillips have given us high quality thrillers that have much stronger stories. Captain Phillips is a great thriller, and like Argo it's not just the fact that the story is "real" that makes it interesting. No matter which way you cut it this film is a cinematic experience and one that is as

pulse pounding as it gets.

In Captain Phillips a merchant ship is attacked by pirates. The ships Captain is played by Tom Hanks whose performance is positively outstanding. He embodies this character and  by doing so he propels the entire film. Without an actor like Hanks in the lead the film probably would not have had the same pulse pounding effect it has. This is because Hanks doesn't just use dialogue to get across who this man is, he uses subtle touches that only a true master of his craft can. The other actors in the film play admirably but make no mistake this is Hank's show. His performance lets the viewer into the world and never lets our attention go.

The direction by Bourne veteran Paul Greengrass really works here. I'm not usually a fan of shaky cam but here it gives a really sense of being out at sea. Everything feels a little unsettling like being sea sick and this works to the films credit. The camera also helps to get across the very confined space of the film. Because above all, Captain Phillips is a confined thriller. One that almost made me want to get outside for fresh air. the directing as well as the story make this possible and it only adds to the nearly unbearable tension.

It's really quite extraordinary that in a day when so many films are shot on an epic scope that Captain Phillips gives us such a confined movie. It is refreshing to see a thriller like this that really takes what seems like a big concept and shows a small, powerful conflict. This is a good trend to see in Hollywood. As this smaller thrillers continue to do better at the box office we should definitely see more of them and I would definitely salute that 5/5!

Classic Horror Reviews 2

The second installment in my series of video reviews exploring classic horror, Enjoy!

I Walked with a Zombie (1943)

Directed by Jacques Tourneur

The Leopard Man (1943)

Directed by Jacques Tourneur

The Body Snatcher (1945)

Directed by Robert Wise

Classic Horror Video Review 1: Cat People and Curse of the Cat People

It's October and that means Classic horror. This video is the first in a series of reviews that will explore the Horror genre from its beginnings, Enjoy!

Cat People (1982)

Directed by Paul Schrader

The Curse of Cat People (1944)

Directed by Robert Wise and Gunther von Fritsch

Dial M For Murder (1954) Review

Dial M For Murder was made at the peak of Hitchcock's career. It was his first film to star Grace Kelly and oddly enough it was shot in 3D. It represents a moment in Hollywood history when the threat of television was being felt everywhere and even a self-contained adaption of a stage play could be a 3D movie. This notion is clearly absurd. If you didn't know beforehand there is practically no way to notice that this film was made in 3D. I saw it in 2D and it did nothing to lessen the impact.

This film stars Ray Milland as a husband who wants to murder his promiscuous wife (Grace Kelly). He has this perfect murder plot and the rest of the film follows with great surprises that shall not be spoiled here. The perfect murder idea has been explored countless times and even many times in Hitchcock movies. You would expect that this film would have nothing else to offer but the shock is that it does. The film keeps the audience on the edge of its seat as it hurls itself towards its end. I was even surprised a few times and it was as if Hitchcock was reading my mind and then doing the opposite of what I thought was going to happen. This is the best aspect of this film, the unexpected.

Perhaps the second best aspect of this film is the quality of acting on display. Milland is devilishly sophisticated as the husband and Grace Kelly shows a lot of layers as the wife. She could have played the role straight and gotten away with being Grace Kelly but instead she plays the role  with surprising depth. The dialogue is actually quite good and often infused with great wit.

The direction as usual with Hitchcock is a strong pint. Shows great fluidity and camera movement as well as the proper lighting and shadow. Cutting too is incredibly effective. From the start of the film you are assured that you are in the hands of a master.

Unfortunately while this film has many ingredients that could easily make it top tier Hitchcock, it falters slightly in a few places. this is a nit pick to be sure but I just didn't get the sequence when (Spoiler Alert) a major character is brought to trial. It is overly stylized and to me just feels almost cheap even cheesy. This isn't typical of Hitchcock. Also the film has its own limitations because of its source material being a perfect murder story. The conclusion can feel convoluted at times but to the films credit everything feels well wrapped up in the end. Overall to call this anything but a great film would preposterous but you have to remember whose work we're looking at here and it is a testament Mr. Hitchcock that second tier for him is first rate for everyone else. 4/5

The Departed (2006)

This crime film was the one that finally gave Scorsese his academy award. based on a foreign film called Infernal affairs this story of mob informants, cops, and just plain mobsters is fantastic from start to finish, It keeps audiences glued to the edge of their seats without ever becoming unintelligent. This is how movies should be made.

I was too young to see the Departed when it first hit theaters back in 06 and finally this last week I got a chance to sit down and screen it for myself. I was truly hooked from the opening line to the conclusion. In a day and age where it seems we either sacrifice thrills in our movies for intelligence or vice versa this movie is a refreshing reminder that this doesn't necessarily have to be the case. This film never stops being both interesting and exciting. Offering up scenes of action as well as very compelling characters.

The performances in this film are spectacular. Nicholson's mob boss has to go down as one of the great criminals of the medium. DiCaprio's performance is also equally good. For the rest of the cast including especially Matt Damon, Scorsese's name seems to have attracted the best of the best.

The direction of this film is first rate and really shows a master's touch. From the music used to the action scenes it is quintessential Scorsese and what more could you ask for 5/5! 

Top Ten Alfred Hitchcock Movies

In honor of TCM's September series "Sundays with Hitch" this week's list counts down my ten favorite films from the Master of Suspense!

Honorable Mention: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
This film holds a special place for me because it was my introduction to Hitchcock. It is a remake of one of his own films and it may very well be his most Hollywood-ized film. With a plot that involves a Jimmy Stewart reluctantly trying to stop an assassination plot to save his kidnapped son, a hit song by Doris Day, and the films location in the exotic locale of Morocco this film has all of the ingredients that make up Hitchcock's best films.

10: Rope (1949)
 Rope is an experimental film that was shot with as few cuts as possible. This meant that takes lasted up to 15 minutes and that the set had to have wall that could move so the camera could do what Hitchcock wanted it to. the film tells the story of two guys who commit a murder and then hide the body in a trunk in their apartment. They then proceed to have a dinner party where people end up actually eating over the trunk, unaware of what's inside it. This is Hitchcock using both gripping suspense and dark humor to tell a great story. The film also stars Jimmy Stewart as a former teacher of the two murderers. This is one of the hidden gems in the director's library.

9: Strangers On a Train (1951).
This film marked the beginning of Hitch's greatest decade, the fifties. It is the story of two men who meet on a train that both have someone they would like to get rid of. One of them, a psychopath, suggests that they swap murders, the other just thinks he's joking but soon realizes this is not  the case when "his murder" is committed.  This film is dark and suspenseful, speeding along at breathtaking speed. This film allows Hitchcock to study one of his first ever movie psychos and also experiment with some nifty camerawork.

8: The Lady Vanishes (1937)
The Lady Vanishes was made during Hitchcock's time in Britain and it represents the best of his work their. This story is distinctly British and it is done with much style. While not maybe the Master's most complex film it is definitely one of his most entertaining.

7: Rebecca (1940)
Many modern critics dismiss this film as being both non essential Hitchcock and not of high quality. Both of these statements are fundamentally false. While Hitchcock didn't count it among his best that feeling probably came form the film's heated production where he battled with the producer Selznick. In the end this is a Hitchcock film through and through. From the movement off the camera to the sexual undertones. It is the only one of his films to win a best picture award and it remains a remarkable film to this day. It also has a fantastic cast that all give great performances. It is certainly a must watch. Check out my Two Films Review of Rebecca and Suspicion.

6: Shadow of a Doubt (1943)
This was Hitch's favorite film he made and it's not hard to see why. The story of murder coming to a small town was co-written by Thorton Wilder the man who created Our Town. This film has gripping suspense and great performances from Teresa Wright and Joseph Cotton. It is the director's first true masterpiece and it still casts an eerie spell to this day.

5: Vertigo (1957)
Some might be shocked by the placement this far back for this film. Vertigo was recently named the greatest film of all time by the Sight and Sound Critic's poll. Any of the films in the top 5 could pretty much be number 1 but this is my list of favorite Hitchcock films and therefore isn't necessarily based on their merit as art. Vertigo is an incredibly well crafted and personal film. It is also beautifully shot etching images in our brain of San Francisco that will last forever. The film is all about obsession and Jimmy Stewart gives one of his finest performances. This is a film that you really have to see twice to appreciate because it is far more intricate than it seems and it is truly cinema as high art. Also the soundtrack is perfection and is the basis for most modern dramatic film scores.

4: Notorious (1946)
Notorious used to be the film that people pointed to as Hitchcock's best and it has now lost a little of its critical reputation which is a shame because this is definitely one of his best. This film stars Cary grant and Ingrid Bergman a perfect Hollywood combination and it has the great Claude Raines as the villain. Any film with that cast cannot be bad and it just so happens that Notorious is great. This is Hitch's greatest love story and it really has some of his greatest sequences. Especially the party scene when Grant and Bergman sneak down into the wine cellar to look for the stolen uranium. With a great cast and even better direction this film is truly a masterpiece.

3: Psycho (1960)
Many times people today mistakenly associate Hitchcock only with horror films. That misconception probably stems from this film which still holds up as one of the greatest horror films of all time. The less said about this one the better. If you've seen it you know why and if you haven't you're in for a treat.

2: Rear Window (1954)
This film as a great combination of thriller and complex culture study. It is glamorous, thrilling and thought provoking what more can you ask for. It has the great everyman Jimmy Stewart and the gorgeous Grace Kelly. It also has a mysterious murder and an interesting character study of all types of people. This is that rare film that can be enjoyed on the surface as well as studied and it holds up under both lenses. A truly great masterpiece this film really stands on its own.

1: North By Northwest (1959)
Is this film pure escapism? yes, are there more complex and artful Hitchcock films around? yes Are there any that are as fun and entertaining? no. North By Northwest is the ultimate exercise in escapism. With Cary Grant, spies, national monuments and sexual tension, it has it all. This film basically invented the popcorn films that we see so often today and none of them even hold a candle to it. This film may not be a work of art in the way that Vertigo is but it makes up for that in entertainment value. This is the film I turn to if I want a great Hitchcock film it has all of the ingredients you want and it is so good you will keep coming back again and again. This film is often imitated but never touched, It's my favorite Hitchcock film.

Don Jon (2013) Review

There is no doubt that Joseph Gordon Levitt is one of the brightest of Hollywood's rising stars. With his performances in the Dark Knight Rises and Looper last year he really showed that he could have true star power. With his directional debut Don Jon he also shows the potential to succeed behind the camera. Don Jon is a far more marquee film than most directional debuts. It has an all star cast which includes Scarlett Johansson as well as Tony Danza. It also benefits from a large advertising budget which has allowed it to get real attention. Unfortunately, despite all of this, it is still quite obvious that this is a first film.

Don Jon tells the story of a title character who cares about "only a few things" in his life. Above all of these things is his obsession with internet pornography. While the film has been marketed as a rom com in a sense, the pornography addiction Jon faces is the center of the film. Jon lives a very repetitive lifestyle until he meets Scarlett Johansson's character Barbara. She is facing her own false images in the form of romantic films. The rest of the film shows how all of this plays out in a somewhat unexpected manner.

One way that it is clear Don Jon is a first film is that it really is quite excessive. I understand the temptation of Levitt to make sure that we really do understand Jon's character and addiction but after a while the film borders on becoming what it is actually against. That's not to say that the film is not multi layered, it certainly is, but sometimes the substance of the film is caught up in the director's attempt to be certain that we understand Jon's addiction. By the film's middle we're thinking "alright already" when another flashy quick cutting montage of his online exploits comes across the screen. I almost feel more time than is allotted should have been spent dissecting Barbara's false images. It seems as though Levitt got caught up in the idea of making a controversial movie instead of really fleshing out his ideas about today's culture.

To the movie's benefit Levitt's ideas about the cultural pressures people face in today's society are definitely relevant, and to a large extent true. The film is most effective when it really stops and takes a look at our misconceptions about the world which we get from the media. The only problem is that this never feels as fleshed out as it should have been. Scenes that have substance seemed rushed over to get to the next montage and for most of the movie the effect leaves a bad taste in the audiences mouth. There is substance here and it is more than one layer deep it just feels like it could have been given more time. The film runs 90 minutes and it wouldn't have been bad if there was just a little longer for the film's core ideas to really set in. Certain aspects of life are definitely simplified, including the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation. These aspects of the film, if fleshed out, could have made it something even more affective.

Don Jon is technically a comedy and it is funny in places. Unfortunately I think that the subject matter is so risky and serious it isn't a real laugh out loud film in most places. This definitely isn't a date film! The performances by the cast are consistently strong and Danza in particular plays a role that is very different from his previous father figure roles. The direction by Levitt, aside from what is mentioned above, Is interesting and very modern. He has a unique touch which is great to see in a first time director. In the end the question to ask about Don Jon is whether the explicit, long, and outrageously raunchy journey is worth the worthy conclusion the film receives. For me this is a movie I won't plan on seeing again but it does show great directional promise and it ends on a note which almost makes the whole thing work entirely, almost. 3/5

Film Class Films: "Silence is Good" The General (1925) and Metropolis (1927)

In part 2 of my series on films I watch in film class, we will take a look at movies made with the best the silent era had to offer. While this may often be forgotten, films had actually reached a high level of artistic achievement by the end of the silent era. These two films represent that pinnacle of soundless achievement that showed the world the value of silence.





















The General (1925)
While Charlie Chaplin may be more famous, there is no doubt in my mind that Buster Keaton at least rivaled him in terms of comedic ability. Sadly overlooked at the time of its release the General is now considered Keaton's greatest cinematic achievement. This is a film that will make you forget you are watching a silent film.

For many, the experience of watching a silent film is seen as tiresome. The lack of sounds and dialogue coupled with mood setting music make for a sometimes soporific experience. The General is one of the exceptions to that rule. It is a film that was made for what the director Alfred Hitchcock called "pure cinema" the idea of something that you can only experience in a movie theater. The General is one of those films which requires a visual experience and, in many ways, a soundless one.

The general is the story of a man who loved two things: his girl, and his train. It is set at the beginning of the civil war and follows Keaton's character's attempt to join the southern confederate army. After his attempt fails because he is too valuable as a mechanic Keaton is suddenly and unexpectedly involved in the war when his train is stolen and so is his girl. An incredibly entertaining chase ensue.

This comedy is best in sound because of its beautiful simplicity. This film could not possibly be as wonderfully simple as it is if dialogue had to be added. What makes the film great is the way that it is a simple and wonderfully entertain chase. Keaton's timing is perfect leading to moments of suspense followed by moments of incredible laughter.

The General was the first silent film I watched which really had me hooked and loving every minute of it. you will to if you give it a try, it's one for the ages 5/5!





















Metropolis (1927)
Metropolis is considered by film historians and audiences alike to be German Director Fritz Lang's masterpiece. The Science Fiction story of class warfare and technological advancements in a dystopian future is truly mesmerizing from start to finish.

Many will be daunted by the films runtime of 2 hrs. which for most is too long to watch a silent film. My advice: don't be you won't even notice the runtime. Like the General Metropolis is a film that makes you forget it's silent. It's images will be etched in your brain forever. Metropolis' great strength are its images. with special effects leagues ahead of there time and a cast of thousands, this film truly is epic. Lang does what is required of a great sci-fi director, and that is he creates a world. One that is intriguing and believable.

The story is high art, focusing on themes that are so broad and yet so important that many movies won't even touch them. Lang handles these themes adeptly and creates a story that is pretty masterful from start to finish. The acting may be overly expressive in many areas but overall this is a film that cannot be missed by anybody that is interested in film. 4.5/5

Movies Everyone Must See: The Awful Truth (1937)

The Awful Truth starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne was made at the height of the golden age of screwball comedy in the 1930's and it is one of the best of that type of film. The film is a classic story about a married couple in the process of divorce who soon realize that they need to get back together. It is not the plot of this film that matters, most people will be able to guess the ending before it even starts, but it's how funny this movie is that makes it a true classic.

Grant is in top form here playing a comedic type that he would reprise successfully many times. His cool and suave demeanor coupled with his biting humor help him to capture the audience. Dunne isn't bad at all either, her role requires for a bit of serious acting and it comes off quite well. In fact she was nominated for best actress by the Academy that year for this performance. The supporting cast, as in all comedies of this era, is absolutely superb.

The Beauty of this film is that it does not rush you into the comedy but instead slowly builds in hilarity. This may be a little strange for viewers not used to comedies of this era who are used instead to joke a minute parodies. If you are patient, your patience will be well rewarded and the film builds to a very satisfactory conclusion.

The Awful Truth definitely ranks among the best of the many great screwball comedies of the era. Combining fantastic performances and truly hilarious situation this is one for the ages! 5/5

Film Class Films: "In the Beginning" the Great Train Rbbery (1903) and Charlie Chaplin's the Kid (1921)

This new series of posts is devoted to the films which I view as part of my History of American Film class in college. These posts will contain reviews of the films as well as analysis of their place in film history as a whole. Films will be added in the order that I see them in class.

The Great Train Robbery (1903)
This film is really impossible to write a review about so this is more of an analysis about the place this film holds in the history of the medium. The great Train Robbery was the first film to have a cohesive plot with a beginning a middle and an end. Clocking in at 13 minutes this film is definitely shorter than a feature and it is worth watching for the historical aspects of it. It is also worth watching because, considering that it is 110 years old, it is a quite sophisticated film. Porter made a huge leap in directing in this film and every movies owes something to this film because it was the first to pave the way!


The Kid (1921)
The Kid comes almost twenty years after the Great Train Robbery and it is considered one of comedian Charlie Chaplin's greatest works. The film tells the story of a boy who is estranged from his single mother and ends up in the care of Chaplin's character the Tramp. While many Chaplin films offer great gags the Kid is notable for its use of real drama. This is not a pure comedy but is instead a dramedy with many effective scenes. It is admittedly hard to get into silent movies and this film is no exception but if you just force yourself to watch it you might find that the lack of sound fades away and the film comes alive. It doesn't quite come alive enough for me to want to see it again but it is definitely a pivotal work in the career of a great comedian. 4/5

Two Films: Alfred Hitchcock and Joan Fontaine

Rebecca (1940)
Some might argue that Hitchcock's First American film Rebecca belongs more to its producer David Selznick than to Hitchcock. I would disagree, Rebecca has Hitchcock's master touch in every scene. Whether it be the framing of the shots, the timing of the cuts, or the close ups this is a Hitchcock film through and through. The reason for the misconception is that Hitchcock and Selznick did not get along while making this film because they were both very strong artistic personalities. Selznick did not allow Hitchcock to have any control over the final editing process thus people find this film to be more of a Selznick picture than a Hitchcock picture. However, prior to the film ever going into editing Hitchcock shot the film so that it could only be edited his way, thus the credit for this fantastic tale of mystery and suspense belongs with him. Rebecca is the story of a young woman who marries a mysterious and haunted aristocrat. She is not used to the aristocratic life and also feels very overshadowed by her husband's dead first wife Rebecca. This film has elements of the gothic tale and of the murder mystery. Hitchcock manages to create just the right amount of suspense and misdirection and although the actors give great performances there is no question this is a director's film. The close ups and the evocative camerawork really help the audience enter the world of the film. Fontaine gives a fantastic performance as the woman really represents the audience and is therefore unnamed. The supporting cast is absolutely fantastic, full of great character actors like George sanders and Nigel Bruce This film plays like a modern gothic mystery thriller done with the elegant touch of the master of suspense. What more could you want! 5/5!

Suspicion (1941)
Suspicion was Hitchcock's next film and in many ways it is similar to his first American film Rebecca. Both star Joan Fontaine, both feature husband's to the main character who are mysterious, and both had Hitchcock not getting what he wanted because of the studio system. Suspicion is the tale of a bookish young woman who falls in love with a mysterious, handsome man played by Cary Grant. Unfortunately grant is not all he seems and soon she becomes suspicious that he may be capable of murder. This movie is all about building slow and calculated suspense and as always Hitchcock excels. This film has Hitchcock experimenting even more with the better technology he found when he moved from Britain to America. It would take until Shadow for a Doubt in 1942 for Hitchcock to really figure it out but you can see many glimpses here of what was to come. Fontaine won the best supporting actress Oscar for her role and she really does deserve it. Cary Grant really displays some dramatic talent here and a dark side. Grant would become one of Hitchcock's favorite leading men. The supporting cast includes Nigel bruce who is most famous for playing Watson along side basil Rathbone's Sherlock Holmes in those films. Here he gives a great performance as a bumbling Englishmen. Unfortunately, while to first half of the film is truly fantastic, the ending of the film leaves much to be desired. Part of this was due to the production code and talking about why the ending isn't good would give away the film but It really just wraps up to quickly. So while I liked suspicion a lot and felt it had many great performances it is not among the Hitchcock's greatest achievements. 3.5/5

Two Films: Inglorious Bastards

Inglorious Bastards (1978)
I would never have seen the original Inglorious Bastards if it were not for my happening to be in one of those nearly extinct video stores. I had no knowledge up to the point when I saw the DVD on the shelf that this film even existed. I didn't know what to expect and was glad to be pleasantly surprised to find that this film is actually a gem. It was an Italian made film that got limited release in America and very little attention. The best way to describe it would be to say that it is sort of a spaghetti western version of the Dirty Dozen. It's about a convoy of allied criminals whose transportation to prison is interrupted and attacked forcing the prisoners to fight their way through Nazi occupied territory. It belongs to the genre of the World War 2 adventure and for that genre it is very action filled and quite a lot of fun. It really is worth checking out and fun for anyone who likes films like this. 4/5



Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Inglorious Basterds is in no way shape or form a remake the 1978 original. This is a Tarantino film through and through and a great one at that! In fact Inglourious Basterds makes its case as being at least in the top 3 of Tarantino's films and in my opinion it is better than Django Unchained. to try and summarize the plot is completely futile and the film should just be experienced for itself. What I will say is that this film is only partially related to WW2  Adventure films like the Dirty Dozen. It definitely has parts that belong to that genre but it is much more than that. This film is very violent and foul mouthed but not nearly as much as other Tarantino films. It is really the acting and the characters that make this movie work to perfection. Tarantino's dialogue is only allowed to live up to its full potential if delivered by the right actors and these are the right actors. Christoph Waltz definitely deserved his academy award for his performance as a Nazi colonel. Brad Pitt does a fine job in his role and so does the rest of the ensemble cast. As stated above this has all of the great ingrediants of a Tarantino film: fantastic dialogue, film references including cameos by actors from the original film, and a great soundtrack. Inglourious Basterds really is a fantastic film with some of the best scenes and acting Tarantino has ever had. A real standout is the opening sequence which while 20 minutes long never feels sluggish and slowly builds to an inevitable conclusion. My conclusion about this film is that it is great 5/5!

Movies Everyone Must See: Anatomy of a Murder

Otto Preminger became famous for his battles with the censors and for his provocative films, many of them crime dramas. One of my favorite film noir movies was his 1944 movie Laura and his ability with a camera made him one of Hollywood’s greatest directors. Anatomy of a Murder allowed Preminger to not only battle the censors with the movie’s frank discussion of rape but also to call on his experiences studying law. Preminger always strove for realism in his movies and his experiences in law and his choice to shoot the entire film on location in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan give the proceedings the feeling of the utmost realism. It’s a very realistic depiction of a trial and it is a long movie and yet it is incredibly entertaining and one of Preminger and indeed Hollywood’s best crime movies. The reason for this partly stems from the realism and the choice to shoot on location. The setting in the UP gives the film a very unique and interesting atmosphere and gives it a true sense of setting. The other reason for this film’s greatness stems from the caliber of its acting. The film depicts a lawyer played by James Stewart and his attempt to defend a man convicted of murder with a plea of insanity. The murder motive was the fact that the man killed had raped the defendant’s wife. Stewart plays the lawyer perfectly and with an ambiguity that leads us to question him and wonder whether he is really doing the right thing. This gives the movie some added depth and also allows Jimmy Stewart to very slyly play a very complex character. Every other performance is quite good but the truly standout performance, other than Stewart’s, is George c. Scott as a prosecutor. He is the only man I have ever seen who can almost steal a film from Jimmy Stewart. He owns every scene he is in and he and Stewart complement each other wonderfully and give the theatricality of this trial true entertainment value. It is captivating to watch Stewart and Scott spar, two giants of their profession at the top of their game. Preminger’s direction is also very good with the camera placement in the courtroom absolutely fantastic. Add to the location acting and directing a score by the famous jazz composer Duke Ellington and you have one for the ages! 5/5!

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman (1951) Review

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman can best be described as "dreamlike". It shares this distinctive feature with two other films that immediately come to mind, the original the Mummy with Boris Karloff and Val Lewton's I walked with a Zombie. I find it to be no coincidence that those other two films are both horror films because the dreamlike sensation comes from the films' mix of the real with the unreal, the fairytale with the ordinary, this is the basis of many classic horror films and in this case it is the basis of a romance. I also find it quite interesting that of all the movies I've seen I would say Pandora shares many similarities to that first Mummy film, both in effect and in plot and story. To try and summarize the plot of this film would really be quite futile so I will just say you'll have to see for yourself. It's a supernatural romance set in the 1930's on the Spanish coast. The real star of the film is not the plot but the visuals. As brilliant as many earlier Technicolor films might be (the Adventures of Robin Hood, the Wizard of Oz, and Gone With the Wind) the only problem with them is that they lack the creative use of light and shadow that make the black and white films of that era so wonderful to behold. Pandora remedies this with its brilliant Technicolor visuals which give off the effect as if they'd been painted onto the screen. There is wonderful use of light and shadow here and that combined with the scenery of the Spanish coast makes for a wonderful viewing experience. As far as acting is concerned everyone is in fine form especially James Mason who plays the lead with a suave, urbane, quality that he has become so known for. Overall with the acting, the strange story, and the visuals this movie has this is one dream you won't mind having,  4.5/5

Man of Steel Video Review!

Man of Steel (2013)
Directed by Zach Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill and Amy Adams with Russell Crowe and Michael Shannon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SusrlPO4wDo

Netflix Pix: Double Indemnity (1944)

Ever wonder what to watch on Netflix? the articles in this series take a look at some of the best movies to watch instantly!

"I did it for money and for a woman, I didn't get the money and I didn't get the woman" Those words usher in perhaps THE quintessential film noir, Billy Wilder's double Indemnity. These words are spoken by insurance man Walter Neff before we enter flashback as he narrates for us a story of lust and murder. Wilder uses openings that flashback much like Shakespeare used prologues. They recall Greek tragedy and also create a sense of foreboding that keeps the audience in suspense. Double Indemnity was co written by the great crime writer Raymond Chandler whose lyrical style gives the film that perfect noir feel. This story of a man seduced into committing murder by a femme fatale would become the genesis of many a noir film. Wilder does something truly incredible here in that he makes the audience root for two cold blooded killers. This movie make murder incredibly entertaining and if you haven't seen it you're in for a real treat. This is one of the truly great noir films but also one of the great films of all time with Barbara Stanwyck giving a truly memorable performance as the femme fatale. You won't want to miss this! 5/5!

Mud (2013) Movie Review

In a time when the theaters are filled with superheroes and reboots of '60's SciFi shows, it's nice to catch a movie like Mud. Mud is a little bit out of place in the schedule because a movie of this caliber should be coming out towards the end of the year so that it can be a prime Oscar contender. Yet I'm not worried Mud will be overlooked because it simply can't be. The story about a pair of boys who find a mysterious man named mud living in a ship wreck on an island is reminiscent of both coming of age stories of old and Mark Twain. At its core this film is really about one boys understanding of love and relationships. The film has high caliber acting from its entire cast especially the main kid who really manages to carry the movie, something that I have never seen a kid actor do so well before. I reluctantly admit that Matthew McConaughey gives a good performance in the title role. I genuinely dislike him in almost everything he is in, but in this film I think he found a role that I don't hate him in and that may be the film's greatest achievement. This movie is really one that you have to see and then ponder something entirely different than the typical summer blockbuster. And yet Mud is also an entertaining film, knowing how to pull on all the right strings as well. Catch this film in the theater if you can as a welcome and wonderful break from the typical summer blockbuster 5/5!

2 Films: 1950's Noir

Film Noir (literally translated “dark film”) was a genre that flourished in the post WWII era of filmmaking. Its genesis came from the hard boiled pulp fiction of the 1930’s by the likes of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. By the 1950’s, especially the mid 50’s noir was nearing the end of its reign as the most prominent genre in film but before it left there were still a couple of classics in store.

The Killing (1956)

The heist film is a sub genre of film that I find to be surprisingly popular. Practically every year there are at least a couple new heist films and there are actually a lot of good ones. If we’re talking straight heist films then I believe that Stanley Kubrick’s the Killing is the greatest of them all. What I mean by straight heist films is that many heist films focus less on the heist and more on either the preamble (the Asphalt Jungle another classic) or what happens afterwards (Reservoir Dogs another more modern classic). The Killing is just a wonderful tautly paced noir heist film with great acting and even better directing. Stanley Kubrick (Dr. Stangelove, 2001) made the Killing quite early in his career and this tale of a racetrack heist is really his break out film. He is inventive with his use of time and with the way the camera is always moving. This jumping around and inventive camerawork gives the film a crackling energy and suspense. There are many classic noir elements here like the use of shadow and the double cross and the heist here is done to perfection creating suspense and anticipation. Movies don’t get much better put together and entertaining as this. You won’t mind letting the Killing steal an hour and a half of your time 5/5!

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

Kiss Me Deadly is a movie like no other. This film is a classic detective story and one of the three classic detective films (the Maltese falcon, and The Big Sleep being the other two) but it also turns the whole genre on its head. The film is about the detective Mike Hammer who was one of the top selling fictional characters of the day. Hammer was a no nonsense guy who believed in delivering what he saw as real justice and bedding as many women as James Bond. Hammer is the blueprint for all of the classic anti heroes we see today like Dirt Harry. The screenwriter did not like Mike Hammer or what he stood for and he crafted a screenplay in which Hammer is a sleazy and mean guy. In the film as Hammer goes on the case he is constantly being belittled and beaten down by the characters around him both verbally and physically. Unfortunately or fortunately the attacks never seem to stick. Although Ralph Meeker’s Hammer isn’t a hero he is still the one we root for and in the end the attacks almost seem to fall flat because there is no way that the audience hates Hammer like they should. Believe it or not this adds to the movie, this and the wonderful surprises Kiss Me Deadly has in store for the audience. I don’t want to even talk about the plot because that would ruin what an incredibly modern, interesting, and entertaining film this is. It’s a strange and new film while also being a really good classic detective adventure. It’s one of a kind and it only gets better with age. It’s just plain fantastic!  5/5!

2 Films: Ernst Lubitsch

Ernst Lubitsch would have to be one of the most sadly forgotten directors of all time, His work was incredibly popular during the golden age of hollywood and his branded “Lubitsch touch” was as famous as Alfred Hitchcock’s title of “the maste of suspense”. Ernst Lubitsch virtually invented the modern romantic comedy and his films possess a sophistication that no comedy films today possess. Here are two films that I recently viewed from the work of the great Director Ernst Lubitsch.

Trouble In Paradise (1932)

There is really no other film quite like Trouble in Paradise. It is a pre-code (meaning before movies were censored as heavily) sophisticated romantic comedy, often called the first modern romantic comedy. This film is also Ernst Lubitsch’s first talking rom com and it works so well. It’s hard to describe what the Lubitsch touch is but once you see this film you will know. While it isn’t really a laugh out loud funny film per se the whole thing is so wonderfully sophisticated that it just never fails to be; utterly irresistible. The style on display here is unique to its time period with immaculately decorated art deco sets. This film has a level of sophistication that has never really been matched. In many ways this comedy is all about sex and seduction but it is all done in such a wonderfully sophisticated manner that it has a much greater and more enjoyable impact. The acting is top notch and the whole film is like a time capsule. One year later when the code hit this film would not have been able to have been made and one year earlier it would have been far more of a talkie, meaning that the acting would have been stiffer and the music would have been mostly gone. But coming out when it does this movie is one of a kind and a true treasure for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies or movies in general. It’s a little difficult to find but well, well worth it! 5/5!

Ninotchka (1939)

Ninotchka is one of the films from Hollywood’s greatest year (the year of Gone With the Wind, the Wizard of Oz and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington) and like all the film it seems from that year this one is also truly great. It is a very romantic comedy with emphasis on the romance. Lubitsch was a very romantic director and in some cases his movies almost stop comedy all together it seems in order to pursue romance. It doesn’t matter because he does romance so tastefully and well that the audience doesn’t care. Don’t get me wrong though Ninotchka is funny and it has the Lubitsch touch. It’s a story about a Russian female colonel who falls in love with a very capitalistic man in Paris. This contrast between communism and capitalism gives the film some truly great moments. The jabs at the Russian communist state are quite funny but it’s also interesting to see how Lubitsch does not dehumanize the soviets but rather humanizes them. This makes the film truly interesting. Gretta Garbo is truly great as the Colonel and this is her one comedy. The film is maybe a little long but it is so interesting and funny that it keeps you watching 4.5/5

2 Films: Early Christopher Nolan Reviews

This is going to be the start of a series in which I take two films in a specific category and review them. These categories can be themes and genres and will be very specific as in this first one which is on two early films of the director Christopher Nolan.

He is now know best for his Batman films but what made him a candidate to direct those? where did this director who has now inspired many filmmakers and become what many consider to be a master craftsman come from? These questions will be answered in my reviews of Christopher Nolan's first two features Following (1998) and Memento (2000)

Following (1998)
Following is considered by many to be one of the most successful no budget films of all time. It was made on 16mm film and was shot in many cases using natural lighting. The cast of the film were Friends and family of Christopher Nolan himself and the production was pretty much in his hands as he was both the writer and director. The film is about a writer who begins to randomly follow people to get ideas for his work. This hobby turns into and obsession and eventually gets him involved in more criminal activity. This film is a neo noir in every way. The story is reminiscent of the noir films of old but the film is entirely modern. by its no budget nature it is shot like a documentary and I think this works. In fact I think the no budget nature makes the film more interesting to watch and knowing that the director who made this film went on to make a film like the Dark Knight Rises is truly incredible. The movie has a lot of energy and clocking in at only 70 minutes it is very taut. This film will keep you on the edge of your seat also because of the way it plays with time. This keeps the audience even more engaged in the film so that they are working to understand the plot and therefor actively involved in the movie. There is something very strange in this movie and that is that one of the apartments broken into has a bat symbol, not just a bat symbol but a batman logo on the door. This is really weirdly coincidental to me but who knows it is a Christopher Nolan Film. Overall I found this movie to be riveting and well worth watching 4/5

Memento (2000)
The difference in budget between Following and Memento is truly staggering. In his second film we see Nolan getting to make a "real" movie with a "real" actor in the form of Guy Pearce. He gets a broader canvas and story to work with and he works with them well. This may be one of the most mind blowing film experiences I have ever had. this film will literally warp your mind and through the way it tells the story in fragments it will make you feel like you have Leonard's Condition. Leonard is the main character in the movie and he has short term memory loss and he is trying to find the men that killed his wife. That is all of the story you should know going in and you should be prepared to brace yourself for one heck of a ride. You have to work while watching this movie in order to put it together and I think that's part of the fun. It really is well done and so well executed by Nolan and you can see him coming into his own. This film really shows that he has talent as a director and I think it was awesome that he went on to direct Batman. Memento is truly a mind bending film for reasons I won't reveal and it is a must watch! 4.5/5

Note: Both Films are Available to Stream on Netflix!  

Star Trek Into Darkness Review!

Here's My Video Review of Star Trek Into Darkness!! Don't forget to subscribe!

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Directed by J. J. Abrams
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine, and Zachary Quinto with Simon Pegg and Zoe Saldala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkUw39ZKRr8

The Great Gatsby Video Review

Here is my first video review! It's for The Great Gatsby, don't forget to subscribe to my youtube channel!

The Great Gatsby (2013)

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Adapted from novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby with Carey Mulligan, Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, and Elizabeth Debicki

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkO6OH2htjY

Iron Man 3 Review

I remember walking into the theater in 2008 not knowing what to expect when I saw the first Iron Man. I left feeling ecstatic. There was somethign fresh there that had never been done before. It felt new and awesome. The action was cool the comedy was great and you got the feeling that you were watching an actor, in this case Downey Jr., playing his signature role. Needless to say I loved Iron Man and when the credits rolled I was looking forward to more. fast forward to the present, after a muddled sequel I was ready to give the big tin man a 3rd chance and I am sorry to say that I am a little underwhelmed.

Iron Man 3 is one of those films with wasted potential. The movie has originality that soon gives way to the generic and it picks up and loses momentum in a matter of minutes. There is a lot in this movie that we've seen before and that just gets to you after a while. That being said there were parts of this film that were on a role that felt like they were going somewhere. In the end Shane Black has basically concocted Iron Man Vs. Terminator with a little Lethal weapon thrown in for good measure. Ideas are started that never really get going, themes are tossed out and then thrown out. The movie has some greatness in it but it just doesn't quite have enough.

Downey is still greatt and the cast is really not the movies weak link. Guy Pearce and Kingsley do fine jobs but there's nothing ground breaking. Downey definatley keeps the movie from being bad by giving another go around at his iconic role and the rest of the cast do a fine job.

 The scripting is rather uneven. Parts of the film are well crafted and other lines of dialogue are stupid and kind of inexcusable. This may sound like nit picking but just go watch it for yourself. There are plenty of jokes and some of them are quite funny and Downey is as good as ever at delivering a punch line. I love the way the film gives the events of the Avengers impact while also making sure this is a standalone movie. Most of the stuff here is complete impossible but it's all in the name of summer entertainment.

Overall I found Iron Man 3 to be more interesting than Iron Man 2 but really not too much better. The freshness of the first is pretty much absent in this sequel and the movie fails to reach its full potential. Iron Man 3 is an okay start to the summer but it won't have you leaving the theater ecstatic. 3/5

Iron Man 3 Preview

On May 2nd The Summer movie season begins with Marvel Studio's Iron Man 3. Besides this being the first Marvel film actually released by Walt Disney Pictures the film is also a first in that it begins Marvel's Phase 2. Phase 1 ended last may with the release of the Avengers and Phase 2 will include Iron Man 3, Thor the Dark World, and Captain America Winter Soldier as well as the Avengers 2. Dark World is due out later this year and a trailer has already been released and Winter soldier is due out next spring. This preview is to help prepare viewers for this third Iron Man installment by taking a look at the history of Avengers Phase 1.

Phase 1 began back in 2008 with the release of the Original Iron Man. I personally loved that film and felt both Downey Jr's performance and the overall storyline really breathed new life into the superhero movie. More than anything else Iron Man was fun to watch. It had a great cast and was quite funny at points and as of this date I still feel it is the best of the Avengers Movies. I highly suggest watching Iron Man if you have not already. Only 2 years later came Iron Man 2 and this film left me much less enthusiastic. It did not feel like it was of the quality of the first and although the special effects and new characters like the Black Widow were cool in the end it just felt rushed. The film also just felt too light to the point of being a joke fest and the plot was only a shadow of the former film. I think that Iron Man 2 almost soured me on the possibility of any more Iron Man and I just felt tired of it. Thor came next and that film was really fun when I first saw it but after the first viewing it just seemed less and less fun. Parts of Thor were really very awesome and the film was better than Iron Man 2 but it lacked something that it needed to hold its plot together and I just can't pinpoint what that would be. After Thor was quite a different film and that was Captain America. This film I found to be quite fun, mainly because I like old fashioned stuff like that and although I think it was robbed of an ending I still enjoyed Captain America more than both Thor and Iron Man 2.

Then Came the avengers. This movie was so highly anticipated that I almost felt there was no way it could be very good. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the film in fact was good and I think the key ingredient was the revival of the Iron Man character. Downey Jr. had seemed overcharged in IM2 but now in Avengers he gave a performance worthy of the first Iron Man. The cast for Avengers was pretty good as a whole and when the heroes are together it is like lightning in a bottle. Unfortunately I don't like avengers as much as most people do. I loved most of it but the final battle which should have been the coolest part instead felt drawn out to me. Still Avengers would have to be tied with Iron Man 1 as far as quality is concerned and both films represent great films of their genre.

Overall Based on positive reviews and early buzz I am excited to kick this season off with Iron Man 3. We'll have to see how it holds up to other Marvel fare soon. Check back here for the Review this weekend!

Countdown to Into Darkness: Star Trek 2: the Wrath of Khan Review

Often considered the best of the original Star Trek Movies, Wrath of Khan pretty much wrote the textbook about how to write a film that is pretty much a retrospective. Other examples of this type of film would include Live Free or Die Hard and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. For most fans and critics Star Trek 1 was no good. It was too high budget and destroyed much of what fans had loved about the tv show. When one watches Star Trek 2 there is no sign that there was ever a first one. The film picks up like a continuation of the tv show except fifteen years later. What makes Trek 2 work is the fact that in many ways it feels more like an episode of star trek. It brings back the major characters and even a major villain. This really works in its favor. It also knows that it’s a movie and it makes sure to let the bigger canvas work to its benefit instead of hurting its story. The story of dealing with old age was virtually ripped off in Indiana Jones 4. No joke there are way too many similarities for this to be a coincidence. But don’t worry Trek 2 is better than indy 4 mainly because it has much stronger scripting anda way better villain. Khan is menacing and although he doesn’t get too much screen time he makes the most of it. The acting here is pretty good all around and the philosophical quality of the script makes it smarter than your normal space opera. Unfortunately one thing really hurts Star Trek 2, it hasn’t aged well. When watching this film you know you’re watching an ‘80’s scifi flick from the hair to the costumes and the sets. The technology looks old and the effects are definitely showing their age. The script too is sometimes way over the top but in the end this is a fun ride that really continues the original show well and with good taste 3.5/5

Countdown to Gatsby: Seabiscuit (Toby Maguire) and Django Unchained (Leonardo Dicaprio)

This is going to be a short series of reviews that counts down to the Great Gatsby (May 10^th) by looking at the main actors in the film and their previous work. These roles will specifically focus on that actor’s role in the particular film

Seabiscuit (Toby Maguire) (2003)

Toby Maguire is best known for playing Spider Man in Sam Rami’s three films and like many superhero actors he has been in typecasting trouble. With Gatsby Maguire will hopefully get himself out of that trouble by proving he is in fact an actor as he did in this 2003 underdog story. The first third  of seabiscuit is quite muddled and struggles with the broadness of its themes. This story about a champion horse too small and a jockey too big stars out too broad nad unfocused. In many respects this sports film does not correct that but it does become far better as it goes along much like the horse it portrays. By the end of the film you are riveted to this entertaining story and that doesn’t achieve greatness but which does in many ways entertain. The film is lavishly produced and the period detail is really cool. Maguire’s performance is the best I’ve seen from him. He shows that he can play a truly dramatic and flawed character without being over the top ( a la Spider-Man 3). He plays the character he knows best the young gun and underdog and his role gets far better like the film. He seems real and genuine and helps hold the film together as well as he can. Seabiscuit does not quite ever make up the ground it loses in its first half but it definitely tries 3.5/5

Django Unchained (2012) (Leonardo DiCaprio)

Leonardo DiCaprio has been quite a popular and prolific actor recently. His latest outing Django Unchained gave him his first opportunity to play a true villain and he does not disappoint. Quentin Tarantino’s homage to the spaghetti western is a bloody good time with humor and tragedy mixed. DiCaprio’s villain is ruthless and unflinchingly evil beyond doubt and DiCaprio pulls it off with a menace that is frightening and believable. His great last monologue about his theory of slavery is truly and acting tour de force. His presence recharges the movie which starts the wane in the beginning of the second act. Django Unchained is a really solid outing for Tarantino and it is helped along greatly by DiCaprio’s Performance.

Blockbuster News: Iron Man 3 Clip and Gatsby Trailer!

                It’s almost that time of year again. In less than a month the 2013 summer blockbuster season will begin with the release of Iron Man 3. Because of the upcoming event many of these films are releasing new footage.

First up we have a trailer for the delayed and highly anticipated film the Great Gatsby. This new trailer focuses more on the romantic aspects of the films. To me it has the same strengths and weaknesses as everything else I’ve seen from the film. On the one hand it seems as though the story is being rendered well. That’s very good because Gatsby is one of the greatest works of American literature and one of my all time favorite books. The movie also sports a strong cast that seems well chosen for their roles. On the other hand I don’t like how much CGI ( computer Generated Imagery) there is, I like movies to be done for real and sometimes this trailer almost looks like a video game. I think we’ll have to wait and see when the film is released but I am apprehensively excited.

Here’s a link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozkOhXmijtk

Next up we have our first clip from Iron Man 3. Due to the power of the internet movie clips released by studios are becoming more and more popular and for us critics this is very helpful for making early predictions. I was disappointed with Iron Man 2 and am not really all that excited about the third installment but I have to admit that this role is definitely Downey Jr.’s defining one. From what I see it is his presence that allows this clip to work and it was also his presence that made the Avengers so good. I am, however, a little apprehensive about what I’m seeing because it seems like the same old same old. This time Stark is once again overconfident but this time by blind revenge. He will get beat up and realize his stupid, rash, ways and save the day in the end. If this is done well it will be formula but watchable. If not done perfectly it will just feel old and uninteresting, we shall see.

Here’s a link to the clip:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edkcosdafcg

Most Anticipated Movie of the Year!: Man of Steel

                I remember when I first saw Superman the Movie, the one made in 1978 directed by Richard Donner. I remember the sense of wonderment I felt when watching that film. I had been a moderate fan of the comics for a little while, especially the older ones. When I saw that film the comic world I had been reading seemed to come to life and I remember not wanting the film to end. Unfortunately despite my best efforts I did not feel that way about Superman Returns.

                Ever since that very expensive film that for all intensive purposes flopped it has seemed as if that first Superman film might be the best film. I’m hoping that all that will change this summer. Most critics would not tell you that their most anticipated movie of the year was a superhero film but I’m not most critics and I also happen to really like good comic book films. This film seems to have the makings of one.

The cast looks excellent with the likes of Russell Crowe and Kevin Cosner. This in many ways reminds me of that first film which had Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman. Henry Cavil looks like he can play the part and like Christopher Reeve before him he’s not a huge name. The crew behind the film is almost more impressive. Although I’m not the biggest Zack Snyder fan he does have his own sense of style and Christopher Nolan and David Goyer working on the story. They were the ones who made the greatest comic book films of all time, The Dark Knight Trilogy. Christopher Nolan is also producing which gives me a lot of confidence in the project. Hans Zimmer is doing the music which he says will be “very different” from the original iconic theme by John Williams.

                Not only is the crew exciting but everything that I’ve been hearing about this film seems good. Certainly much of this is probably paid hype but I get the sense that the people working on this film genuinely believe in the direction its going. I also feel that if anyone can make Superman relevant today it will be this cast and crew. Early screenings for Executives were said to have received rave reviews. Some even saying it might be the “best movie of the year”  take that with a major grain of salt but it is still good to see all of the positive buzz.

                I think David Goyer put it best when he stated in an interview that “the world needs a Superman movie now more how more than ever” I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. It is a difficult task to bring the classic superhero into relevance today but if anybody could do it, it would be this crew. If they meet the challenge and overcome it Man of Steel might be “movie of the year” material. I sincerely am just hoping that it can rekindle that magic I felt when watching the original. Because of this Man of Steel is my most anticipated movie of 2013.

Spotlight: Sergio Leone, The Man With No Name Trilogy Review 1: A Fistful of Dollars (1964)

For the next few weeks my spotlight will be on Director Sergio Leone’s famous Dollars Trilogy. These films made Clint Eastwood a star and changed the western movie forever.

Review 1: A Fistful of Dollars

In 1964, movies were going through a period of tremendous change. The studio system had collapsed and many films that had been incredibly popular before didn’t sit as well with audience used to watching the body count increase in Vietnam every day. The western had long been a symbol of American film and that symbol was now fading. Cowboy films were becoming less and less popular as more and more TV shows were giving audiences the same experience. In Italy however, the legend of the American cowboy was still strong and these Italian made “spaghetti westerns” were quite popular with audiences in that country. Sergio Leone was an established Italian director by the time he made a Fistful of Dollars but he had never made a western. He was a fan of American westerns and loved the genre. He made some very important choices when making this film, one of which was to hire TV star Clint Eastwood in the title role. The rest as they say is history.

When one watches the film today it is still quite striking. This begins with the great musical score composed by Ennio Morricone. This music is far different from the traditional brassy western score and in many ways a precursor of what things are to come. The film is the shortest of the trilogy at about an hour and three quarters and it movies at a breathtaking speed.  The music follows this speed with an abandon that is operatic and thrilling, something quite different from the traditional score. The over the top aspect of the score adds to the mood of the film and never feels either cheesy or out of place and it still feels different and iconic even today.

Eastwood’s Performance as the man with no name (called here Joe) is also iconic and quite different from the typical western leading man. He has a presence almost like a stick of dynamite with which the fuse only need be lit and yet he does not talk much. This lack of talking propels his character into territory not before seen in a popular western. Eastwood of course is also great at the action and he still looks cool to this day.

The story was ripped straight from a Japanese samurai movie Yojimbo which was directed by Kurosawa. In some ways the story of two feuding families works better as a western and with Leone’s style which tells the story with less dialogue and more visuals. Leone here is perfecting his craft and figuring out ways to make the Western his own while working on a small budget. Fistful was made on nothing and yet it looks pretty expensive. The cast of lesser Italian actors play their roles admirably and the visuals are sometimes stunning.

Overall Fistful thrills and exhilarates in a way different from any other great western before. The operatic score and Eastwood’s performance make the film something to admire. It isn’t perfect though with parts of the film feeling dragged and others feeling too quick but it was the first of its kind and changed the western forever! 4.5/5

As always please say what you thought of the review in the comments below and also be sure to check back for the next review in my spotlight on Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy