Monthly Archives: February 2012
Flash Movie Review: Safe House
The biggest surprise for me was figuring out who the bad guys were in this movie early on; I rarely do. Did it make a difference watching this film? The answer is not at all. There was nothing new story wise about this movie: untested CIA agent Matt Weston, played by Ryan Reynolds (Buried, The Proposal), the innkeeper of a safe house in South Africa, gets the agency’s most wanted fugitive, Tobin Frost played by Denzel Washington (Man on Fire, The Book of Eli). I probably do not have to mention what happens next; however, just in case you cannot see where this story is going, the safe house was compromised and young Matt had to keep wily Tobin alive until they could reach another safe house. What I liked about this film was Denzel’s and Ryan’s performance. In the past, I have felt Denzel playing “Denzel” playing a character with each having the same mannerisms and delivery of lines. Here as Tobin he was more believable. For Ryan, I was impressed that his usual, slightly arrogant confidence was literally taking a beating. If nothing else, it certainly did not look like he was using a stunt double in the fight scenes. Where this movie let me down was the chaotic fight and chase scenes. Some scenes blazed across the screen in full throttle thrills; but then, other scenes were the same ones you have seen 100 times before in other movies. Also, I am not a fan of the jerky camera moves, jumping in for close ups before switching briefly to wide frame and back into close up mode. If you can shut down your common sense and want to see Ryan get the crap kicked out of him, then this is the movie for you.
2 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Dear John
The heart is a hard organ to understand. There are times where it elevates us to a state of euphoria, feeling as if we can float on air. Other times it weighs us down, where every step we take feels as if it takes all of our energy just to lift our foot off the ground. For Savannah Curtis and John Tyree, played respectively by Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia, In Time) and Channing Tatum (The Eagle, Step Up), it was their hearts reaching out to embrace the other in a matter of a couple of weeks. I can see where this scenario can work for some people; however, I just wasn’t feeling the chemistry between John and Savannah. Not that it was totally unbelievable, but it lacked a key element for me–passion. It is that passion and connection of the heart and mind that keep a couple together when distance is an issue, as it was for this couple. There is nothing awful about this movie; in fact, I enjoyed the surprise twist in the story. But I found my interest waning as I watched Savannah and John deal with the miles that separated them. Were their hearts strong enough to hear the echo of the other one’s heartbeat as time passed on? If you are interested, you may want to fast forward through a few scenes to find out.
2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Grey
First there was “Dancing With Wolves;” now you can say we have “Dinner With Wolves.” As if it were not bad enough to go down in a plane crash, in a remote area of Alaska, those that survived were being viewed as intruders by a wolf pack. This was a great setup for the story and the harshness of the climate only added to a rising tension. Liam Neeson (Taken, Schindler’s List) played Ottway, a hired sharpshooter to protect the oil rig team of men from stray wolves. As an older action type hero, Liam was solid in this role and seemed to be the only one in the group with any survival skills. The first half of the film kept an expanding pace of desparation as the men had to battle the elements and the threatening animals. Some scenes seemed far fetched, some were gory, but it really did not matter. The last half of the movie, for me, became repetitive as one crisis after another unfolded. By the end of the movie I did not care who survived or who perished; I just wanted to get in from out of the cold.
2 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Man on Wire
Though illegal, back in 1974 a Frenchman, Philippe Petit pulled off an audacious, incredible feat. He walked a tightrope hung between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. I admit I did feel a pang of sadness upon first seeing the 2 towers; however, the energy, the craziness, the exhuberance of Philippe swept me up into this amazing documentary. In fact, I hesitate to say documentary because this film was more like a thrilling suspense movie, with periods of laughter and wonder. To pull off this unbelievable performance, Phillippe and friends had to sneak in to the World Trade Center, hide from guards and anchor a tightrope between the towers. You have to see it to believe it. With the use of interviews and archival film and photos, this film presents a different era with respect and heart. One of the best documentaries I have seen so far. And for those of you with a fear of heights, you may want to medicate yourself before viewing this movie.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Chronicle
Have you ever imagined yourself with a special power? When I was a little boy, I used to dream I had the ability to fly, but only 6 feet off the ground. I did not know anyone who was that tall back then. In this movie, three high school friends discover they suddenly have superpowers. Within minutes of their realization, I was hooked into watching the guys as they goofed around with their new talent, just like typical high schoolers. What some refer to as the “found footage” movie genre, example being The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, it was put to good use here, creating a more stylish film. The audience is watching the movie, in a sense, through the lens of someone’s video camera. I was just glad the camera was steady in this case. As the friends Steve Montgomery, played by Michael B. Jordan (Hard Ball, Friday Night Lights-TV), Andrew Detmer, played by Dane DeHaan (The Front, The Layla Project) and Matt Garetty, played by Alex Russell (Almost Kings, Wasted on the Young) test their abilities, it does not take them long to explore just how far their power can be pushed. For me, this film played more like a documentary; that is how real the actors seemed to me as teenagers playing off of each other. In addition, the script was intelligent, without sinking into bland bantering, thanks to Max Landis (son of John Landis). I do not feel the trailer does justice to this movie; it really is more than a pseudo X-Men prequel type of movie.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Ira & Abby
Do opposites really attract each other? This amusing, well written movie explores the relationship of two divergent individuals: free spirited Abby Willoughby, played by Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein, Keep Your Distance) and neurotic Ira Black, played by Chris Messina (Julie & Julia, Greenberg). From a chance meeting, the two jump into marriage knowing very little about each other. It is because of Jennifer’s script, that this movie does not come across as a standard romantic comedy. The dialog is not only witty and quick, but delivered by an outstanding supporting cast as well, that includes Judith Light, Robert Klein, Frances Conroy and Fred Willard. These seasoned actors contribute to the quirkiness of this movie, as we watch Ira and Abby deal with parents, friends and each other. A fun movie that is not only easy to watch, but has some substance to it, to make you think.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: A Separation
The issues of elder care and child care are not unique to this movie’s family; they easily could be concerns for anyone around the world. But it is the choices made by husband Nader, played by Peyman Maadi (About Elly) and wife Simin, played by Leila Hatami (The Deserted Station, Leila), that make this movie an incredible experience. Riveting with emotional depth and strong characters, I immediately was taken in with the story, forgetting this was a movie, it seemed so real. Simin wants to move to another country, so her daughter can have a better life; Nader wants to stay in Iran to take care of his father, in decline with Alzheimer’s disease. From these conflicts, others emerge that only increase the tensions building up inside the characters. I absolutely understand why this amazing film was chosen as an Oscar nominee for best foreign movie. As the credits began to roll, the rest of the audience joined me in honoring this film with our applause. Persian with English subtitles.
4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Real Steel
This movie threw me a sucker punch! For me, everything about it appeared to be a nondescript science fiction movie. Then how come by the end of it, I was cheering with a tear in my eye? Let me start with Hugh Jackman (X-Men franchise, Australia) playing deadbeat dad Charlie Kenton, a former boxer. Hugh is such an affable guy, even having rotten to nonexistent parenting skills, one cannot help but like him. When his son’s mother dies, the mother’s sister and husband want to take custody of the boy Max, played by Dakota Goyo (Thor, Resurrecting the Champ). Charlie cuts a deal with the husband to take the boy for the summer, for a lump sum of cash, before turning him over to the couple. Max knows his father was paid and from that point on, a hate/love tug of war ensues, as their love of boxing robots is the only common denominator between them. There is nothing great nor nothing sour about this film. It is a simple story that cannot help but give a little tug at your heart. A movie that is good for the whole family. And for those of you who remember, you may want to pull out the old Rock em Sock Em Robots that are stored up in your attic.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Sunshine Cleaning
Is there really such a thing as a normal family? Every family has its quirks and drama. In fact, I have attended or been part of many family dysfunctions. So picture this family: Father Joe Lorkowski, played by Alan Arkin (Get Smart, Little Miss Sunshine), sisters Rose and Norah, played by Amy Adams (Enchanted, The Fighter) and Emily Blunt (The Young Victoria, The Adjustment Bureau), respectively. Combine this wonderful cast with a good director, an original writer and what you get is a movie that has the flavor of an independent film, without falling into a mundane comedy. You may not necessary bust out with guffaws; but you certainly will be amused as you chuckle through the comedic levels into a deeper, darker base of drama. A well done movie about single parent Norah, a former head cheerleader, needing to raise money to send her son to private school, by attempting to start a biohazard removal/crime scene clean-up service with her unemployed sister. As the sisters clean up after the dead, they soon begin to delve into issues that have been buried deep inside themselves. This non-typical comedy is pretty special and well worth watching.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Great Debaters
My 7th grade teacher told me I would “amount to nothing,” when I told her I wanted to be a writer. I have since had a couple of stories published. In high school I flunked physical education class twice. Presently I am a yoga, cycle and group fitness instructor. My point is this: when you have a belief, follow it. Isn’t it better to have tried to accomplish something instead of wondering, “What if…?” It is that internal strength that resonated with me as I watched this movie; based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, played by Denzel Washington (Training Day, American Gangster), who was a professor at Wiley College Texas in the 1930’s. This man inspired his students to form a debate team, which would later surprise the country. As you may have guessed, I root for the underdogs. In my case, I had to deal with people’s prejudices. However, I did not fear for my life as some of the characters had to do in this film. This movie was a clear inspiration, which left me feeling as if I could accomplish anything I put my heart and mind to. What a well done movie about an historical time.
3 stars — DVD
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