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Flash Movie Review: The Counselor
Posted by moviejoltz
The word “enough” has a different meaning today than it did when I was growing up. Back then the word meant: as much or as many as required; like when I was asked if I had enough to eat. It related more to a personal level. I have always said if I won the lottery there would be little change in my personal possessions. There would be no multiple car purchases or living in a mansion. One of the benefits I could see would be for me to no longer worry how I was paying for something. That would be a nice aspect I wish to experience someday. These days I find the word “enough” is being used more as a comparison to someone else. For example, they have more than I do, I do not have enough. Greed seems to have taken on a more extreme persona in society today. When the news reports on prominent people getting caught for illegal activity, in their desire to acquire even more wealth, I have to wonder what is wrong that they cannot be satisfied with what they have already. An extreme example of this is the premise for this dramatic crime film. Michael Fassbender (12 Years a Slave, A Dangerous Method) played a wealthy counselor who decided to acquire more wealth via drug trafficking. When the deal did not go as planned, the counselor learned there were consequences to the decisions he made. Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy (All the Pretty Horses, No Country for Old Men), the script was Cormac’s attempt at being a screenwriter. This was a poor decision because the script was horrendous. I thought the dialog was bizarre while multiple scenes made no sense. Even with a cast that included Javier Barden (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) as Reiner, Penelope Cruz (To Rome With Love, Volver) as Laura and Cameron Diaz (Bad Teacher, My Sister’s Keeper) as Malkina; there was no way they could save this film from its bloody boredom. I found it interesting that a film about greed may have been green lighted by individuals who wanted to score again, on par with the fortunes reaped from their previous film No Country for Old Men. It was a greedy ploy that did not pay off. There were scenes with blood and violence.
1 2/3 stars
Posted in Drama
Tags: 1 2/3 stars, brad pitt, cameron diaz, cormac mccarthy, crime, drama, drug trafficking, javier bardem, michael fassbender, penelope cruz, thriller
Flash Movie Review: To the Wonder
Posted by moviejoltz
It takes a lot of work to make a long distance relationship successful. Communication is so important, I have found, in keeping that connection solid when the two individuals are apart. One of the pitfalls of a long distance relationship is when the two of you are together, it tends to feel like a vacation. Cramming in favorite restaurants and sights becomes the norm, bypassing the reality of daily life. Another thing to consider, if the final goal is to start a life together in the same place, is what location becomes home base. A sure sign of maturity with your decision is when “yours” and “mine” becomes “ours.” In this dramatic romance directed by Terrence Malick (The Tree of Life, Day’s of Heaven), we witness the shock waves of a couple’s love when the romance and reality of their relationship come together. Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town) played Neil, an American who fell in love with a woman he met while traveling through Europe. Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace, Hitman) was Marina, the European woman smitten with Neil. After a whirlwind romance Neil brought Marina back to the states, to settle with him down in Oklahoma. Told with very little dialog, I felt I was just watching a series of random scenes on the movie screen. I can appreciate the artistic value in making a film such as this, where the viewer is being told the story via visuals. However, after 15-20 minutes I started losing interest in the story. As the movie dragged on I felt I was in one of those market research groups watching a series of beautiful television commercials and I was supposed to rate them. As for co-stars Rachel McAdams (Midnight in Paris, The Vow) as Jane and Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country For Old Men) as Father Quintana, they were wasted in this laborious movie. I strongly disliked Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life; however, if you enjoyed that film, you probably would like this one. Consider this a lighter version with less unconnected scenes of outer space and nature. I have to tell you, it was easier for me to handle the times of separation in my long distance relationship than sitting through this movie.
1 3/4 stars
Posted in Drama
Tags: 1 2/3 stars, ben affleck, drama, javier bardem, olga kurylenko, rachel mcadams, romance, terrence malick
Flash Movie Review: Skyfall
Posted by moviejoltz
It took me a moment to process what appeared on the movie screen before me. This year is the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond movie. For those who might not know, it was Dr. No back in 1962. My most vivid memory of a James Bond film was Thunderball. It was an evening showing and my parents took me to a classic movie palace. Washed in a white glow, the terra cotta building had a colorful marquee with the theater’s name flashing above in small twinkling lights. Inside there were onyx colored marble walls with a row of brass torcheres topped with an orange glow, standing like sentinels down the long hallway. Sitting in red velvet seats, the three of us felt regal as we watched the exciting movie. After all these years, I felt the same excitement while watching this new Bond movie. Daniel Craig (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Defiance) was outstanding this time around, playing an older and wiser James Bond. When a computer drive, filled with the secret identities of every British Agent, was stolen; James discovered a bigger plot was in play that personally affected M, played by Judi Dench (J. Edgar, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). The surprise for me was Judi Dench; her role was rich and deep. Add in her steely blue eyes, perfect diction and brilliant acting skills; this was the best M portrayal I have ever seen. The script played tribute to the Bond heritage, allowing sly humor to filter in between the well choreographed action. One could see Javier Bardem (The Sea Inside, No Country for Old Men) relished playing the high tech villain Silva, making the character memorable. When one goes to see a James Bond movie, there are certain things that are just a given: explosive action, high tech weapons, witty dialog, elegance and hand to hand fights. No one would be disappointed by this thriller. Granted the story was far fetched but that goes with the territory. After all these years for a James Bond movie to still excite me was amazing. The character has gotten better with age, allowing a new generation of viewers to come on board. Years from now these new fans should easily remember the time they saw their first James Bond movie. Scenes with violence and blood.
3 1/3 stars
Posted in Thriller
Tags: 3 1/3 stars, action, adventure, crime, daniel craig, javier bardem, judi denh, thriller
moviejoltz 