erkucz00 Reviews

Assassin's Creed (2016)

Assassins Creed Falls Short of its Potential.

[5/10 · 23 December 2016]

Assassins creed is a pretty straightforward franchise. Its about historical conflicts, and cool dudes that run around taking out major targets whilst doing awesome parkour. I'm not a huge fan of the games (I've only ever played IV) but as someone who is into history, I was pretty stoked for this movie. On top of that, Assassins Creed is also a reunion For Justin Kurzel, Michael Fassbender, and Marion Cotillard; who all worked on the most recent version of Macbeth, which I absolutely loved. My expectations for this movie were high. So high, in fact, that I disregarded the overwhelming onslaught of hate that came in the wake of the movie's early screenings. Boy, was I wrong.

Justin Kurzel is a great director. He has a gift in his manipulation of fog, dust, and light. He did great things in Macbeth, especially with the final confrontation, and he does similarly great things here...at least when the screenplay permits it. The setting that I had most looked forward to; fifteenth century Spain, at the height of the inquisition, barely gets 30 minutes of screen time, if that. The ferocious beauty that Kurzel's visual style brings to the table is never given time to become the prepossessing masterpiece I know it could have become. The epic acrobatics, tense sequences of martial arts combat, and exotic weaponry scarcely sink in before the viewers, just like Callum Lynch, are jerked back to a monotone and boring laboratory, that serves as the setting for most of the movie.

At one point in the film, when the villainous Templar priest finally lays his oppressive hands on the apple of Eden, the movie's sought after artifact, Aguilar, and his Assassin partner leap down into a cloud of grey smoke, emerging from the shadows here, and there, laying absolute waste to the Templar. This is a moment of cinematic triumph, and Kurzel ought to be pleased. Next however, as Aguilar seizes the priest, he looks across the room, and sees his partner just as she is murdered by a Templar enforcer. An epic duel ensues. Climactic combat is Fassbender's forte. The man shows his emotions so well with his facial expressions. This woman is his wife, presumably, or his lover perhaps. However, I have no idea who she is; heck, i don't even know what her name is. The movies plot prevents you from being emotionally invested in the most adrenaline pumping part of the story, because the script focuses on what has to be the most positively tedious plot device in Assassins Creed.

This movie was Ubisoft's chance to disconnect the Assassins Creed franchise from the half-baked convoluted sci-fi plot devices that are part and parcel of the games. Instead, the film chooses to be a movie that is almost solely, a half baked-convoluted plot device, with a dash of fantastic stunt work on the side.

I am usually pretty optimistic after a movie. It takes very little to please me. My rating scale tends to peak at "perfect", and reach its low at "just good". I'm sad to say that I wanted Assassin's Creed to end. Once I realized that there were no more animus sequences coming my way, I had no reason to care anymore. This was not, sitting on the edge of my seat, or wishing the film would hurry up and get to the climax. I legitimately wanted the movie to be over, so the credits would roll, and I could get up and leave.

Assassin's Creed is a tragedy. So much talent was involved, and clearly, plenty of hard work went into it. A few times, Kurzel's pictorial virtuosity is allowed to shine through the weary and trite plot, but for the most part, it is suppressed by how vapid and incomplete everything else is. It is a pity. Assassins Creed was chock full of potential, but it couldn't have fallen more short.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

An excellent companion, for both new fans and old.

[10/10 · 17 December 2016]

Rogue One: a Star Wars Story is a movie far different that anything that has ever been released under the lucasfilm name. It is completely devoid of a crawl at the beginning for one thing; Instead it starts with a concussive sforzando of the score, and space flashes onto the screen, as if to say, "Here it is, what else did you expect?" I love those bold yellow words as much as the next guy, they function as a call to adventure, an invitation to a place far different from anything the viewer is used to. But Rogue One is different: it's a lot less adventurous and far more familiar than the galaxy far far away has ever been. I mean this in the most complimentary way possible; this is a film that puts the War in "Star Wars" in an acute fashion.

Rogue One's main strength is its action. In this reviewers humble opinion, it features the best action the franchise has to offer. Before you cry "Blasphemy!" and slam the computer shut in rage, allow me to explain myself. The battle of the death star in Return of the Jedi is probably the original trilogy's best space combat. It provides a vigorous depiction of spacial warfare, displaying the speed and chaos of ship to ship combat. It is, however, fettered by the primitivity of early 1980s special effects. The Force Awakens brought to the table modern effects, but was fairly unexciting to watch due to its being a near carbon copy of the battle in IV. The battle that serves as Rogue One's climax is an all-new concept. Things like planetary shield gates, message transmissions, and ramming ships are brought in the picture. Aided by 15 or so visual effects companies Disney recruited, it looks considerably excellent as well.

Many aspects of A New Hope are also addressed. The conveniently placed exhaust port is no longer a shoehorned plot device, but a final act of revenge by a defecting engineer. Tarkin isn't a Grand Moff but a lowly Governor, and we get to witness his ascension to power firsthand. Darth Vader also plays a fairly major role in the film. Many have criticized Edwards for his habitation of barely three scenes, but really, this makes them special. Lack of cinematic appearance for the last 34 years makes it that much more exciting. I struggled in containing my excitement when I heard that mechanical rasp coming out of the pitch black hallway of the rebel cruiser in the last scene. After all those warnings about cell phones, I figured a boisterous scream of childlike glee would probably be frowned upon in the establishment. When Vader's crimson blade appeared, spreading the faces of the trembling rebel soldiers and the hallway of that ship in rufescent, evil glow, I was actually shaking with anticipation. Vader precedes to hurl himself upon the hapless rebels with his wieldy might. The rebels rush back, handing off the sought after plans from man to man, as Vader slashes, chokes, and tosses through their ranks with ease. In a moment of perfection, the trooper hands off his precious cargo to a CG Princess Leia. "What did they bring us?" he says. "Hope" she replies. Needless to say, I almost cried.

Before the movie, as I put on my IMAX glasses, a Coca Cola advertisement ran. I usually dismiss these, but this one was cool enough to stick in my head and I thought later it did a great job of introducing the movie: "Taste the universe, begin your journey, explore your boundless imagination," it read. That represents really well a movie that show us about ten new worlds, five or so new ships, and a plethora of new characters. Rogue one increases the scope of the universe and expands the possibilities of Star Wars. It fuels the imagination and invites Star Wars fans of all ages to embark on a journey of rediscovery.

As I exited the theater, barely keeping my balance after listening to Giacchino's brilliant overture, I overheard a woman talking with dissatisfaction about the movie: "I guess it was good, it was kind of depressing though. I mean, they all died, right?"

"WRONG!" I wanted to scream. Yes, they all die, but in a blaze of glory. Each character receives the fitting end that I only wish Han Solo had been given. Countless rebel giants fall, fighting for the rebel cause. Bohdie the pilot dies wiring an antenna, Baze Malbus dies fighting with newfound acceptance of the force, and Cassian and Jyn die having passed on the death star plans. While nothing else can ever fill the place the original trilogy holds in my heart, I must admit no other Star Wars film has ever portrayed, at least this powerfully, the theme of sacrifice, and how it can pave the way for a new hope.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Trippy, But Amazing Nonetheless

[8/10 · 6 November 2016]

I have never read a Doctor Strange comic. There, I said it. I am an enormous comic book fan, but I have never even deigned to pick up an issue. The reason being this; Strange has always been too well, strange for me. His immense, and undefinable power has never attracted my interest, and I've often wondered how a "sorcerer supreme" could be the source of any decent storytelling. Well, thanks to Scott Derrickson, I wonder no longer.

While bearing many of the telltale signs of the MCU, Dr. Strange is a rather unique organism. While an orgin story, it is not one of physical strength, or endowment of immense power, but one of magical study. Yes, that's right, magic. Not science we don't understand yet, pure, honest-to-goodness. abra-cadabra, hocus-pocus, magic. Dr. Strange, a self-absorbed medical genius, is confronted with an existential crisis, in which he must humble himself, and learn an entirely new profession. Cumberbatch plays excellently, a man who's entire world comes crashing down upon him, and who must remake himself as a new man.

The love interest, a crucial component of any Marvel origin story, surprisingly turns out to be one of the most compelling parts of the film. Christine, Strange's ex-lover, is there the entire film, not as a romantic counterpart, but as a friend, and several times as a savior. There is love between the two of them, but divergent from the Marvel norm, the kiss at the end of the movie, is one on the cheek.

The movie is though, carried almost solely by its action. This is the most unique and entertaining part of the film. Buildings fold in upon themselves, capes put men in chokeholds, and portals are used as a weapon in combat. But in my humble opinion, the best action sequence s the scene in which while being operated upon, Dr. Strange engages in astral combat with his enemy. It encompasses the movie perfectly. It is brutal and unrelenting, and totally unseen by the world we live in. It is hard to understand, and confusing; the physics of the astral world are left mostly unexplained, and the viewer must figure out for themself what the combatants will or won't pass through. Most of all, its funny. Christine's baffled expressions as objects crash around the room are hysterical.

Like I said before, I had no expectation of enjoying Doctor Strange, but I did, Immensely. Simply because it is so delightfully different. Marvel has realized that in this golden age of comic book movies, a tonal differentiation is required for a movie to be fresh and engaging. This is an excellent call on their part. While Doctor Strange's manipulation of reality as a cinematic technique can be a bit shticky at times, its definitely fun to watch.

The Magnificent Seven (2016)

An Excellent Homage to the Western Genre

[10/10 · 23 September 2016]

This remake of a remake tells the time honored tale of a few brave men rising up to defend the weak and oppressed, and again shows us the conflict we've seen many times before, in which, the skilled few stand u to the oppressive many.

The Magnificent 7 establishes its setting in perfect fashion, thrusting us into a heated town meeting. Then suddenly, the villain enters, his menacing footsteps thump and creak on the wood floor, disagreement ensues, and suddenly, a shot splits the air. Such a startling sound, that you never really get used to, despite the amount of lead that flies here. The Western atmosphere is perfectly recreated and though it is that much more real, due to improved technology, it feels familiar in a way. Strains, variations, and melodic teases of Elmer Bernstein's famous score riddle the film and keep the mood adventurous.

The obvious dominant component of the film, its action scenes are epic, and gripping. There are of course plenty of scenes that any western worth its salt is simply required to feature. Several Mexican standoffs, so delightfully stereotypical, as well as quite a few things that are new, or have not been seen for a while. A duel between two Comanches, a fighting force seeking shelter from the mighty Gatling gun, and a cowboy lighting dynamite with a cigarette as he lays dying all come to mind. I could go on for much longer about how ridiculously cool this movie's action sequences are, but I'll let you see for yourself.

Finally, the plot, though anything but unfamiliar is a moving and epic tale about unity, loyalty, and grit. One of my favorite scenes in the movie features Jack Horne, the tracker, played by Vincent D'onofrio, (who like the rest of this all star cast is just downright amazing in a role that fits like a glove) shot by an enemy arrow. He falters, but stares at the enemy and rises. He takes a step forward, and is stopped again, a second shaft protruding from his chest. He continues his advance toward the enemy until he can no longer, dying with his dignity intact.

The Magnificent Seven is a film that is so clichéd that it begins to feel original. And That is definitely a compliment. Not that there is anything wrong with modern westerns that try something new, like Django, or No Country For Old Men, but It is certainly a joy to watch a movie that owns these tropes for what they are, tosses some satisfying character development into the mix, and makes something out of it that is, for lack of a better adjective, positively "Magnificient".

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End (2016 Video Game)

An excellent conclusion to a brilliant franchise.

[10/10 · 9 September 2016]

Uncharted 4 is excellent, and to be perfectly honest, would be a great game even without its captivating narrative. The introduction of the rope to game-play, as well as some ante upping on stealth mode are wonderful additions. The game is perfectly paced. The intensity ramps up higher and higher as the story continues. Firefights are much rarer than past installments, and very unique. This game-play variety surprisingly adds a lot to the story. Nate no longer feels like an unstoppable killing machine, but more like an aging man, past his prime, simply doing his best.

Of course, without the story, Uncharted would just be...well.., it wouldn't be AS amazing. But the cinematic plot does not disappoint. It incorporates flashbacks, without using them as a crutch, and unlike past games the plot progression continues even after the cut-scenes end. Those long walks through a path, awkward climbs up rustic buildings, and in this games case, drives through the desert now host interesting conversation rather than mindless, albeit often hilarious banter.

The set-pieces in the game are equally amazing. The breathtaking landscapes sometimes prompt a few minutes of inactivity where the player just stares at Naughty Dog's meticulous attention to detail. And with the new photo mode, this is even more magnificent.

Reportedly, this is to be the last game in the Uncharted franchise. Prior to playing this game, I was disappointed. "I hope its good" I thought, resolving to spend my last few weeks with Nathan Drake and CO. as well as possible, relishing every moment. But A thieves end is different. It does something next to impossible for a gamer. It satisfies. That desire for more that the player felt after uncharted one, two, and three, is totally absent. I may never see Nathan Drake again, and I'm okay with that. From brutal brawls, to death-defying leaps; wide open mountains, to claustrophobic caves, this game is practically perfect in any away.

Suicide Squad (2016)

A Blast Of A movie

[10/10 · 4 August 2016]

Suicide Squad has been a long awaited movie. It has some big shoes to fill. Coming off of widespread disappointment in BvS, and the difficult task of quickly building a formidable DC universe to catch up with marvel; the odds are stacked against it.

Nevertheless, it does very well. It improves upon aspects of BvS that needed work, and still adds its own flair and style making it a brand new product.

Will Smith brings a brilliant performance. He plays Deadshot, the token sane person on the team. He juxtaposes excellently with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, who is possibly the best incarnation of that character in any media to date. Gone are the frailty, weak humor, and overemphasized jersey accent. This Harley is a force to be reckoned with, because of her fighting skills, not because of her lackeys. As for Batman and the Joker, their roles are minimal. Jared Leto's performance, is intriguing though, and it is my hope that he will have a role in Batman's solo movie.

This movie is very slickly made. Virtually every scene gives you that inner feeling, that just says "man, this is cool!". An epic soundtrack paired with various other rock songs set the atmosphere wonderfully. From the opening prison sequence with "House of the Rising Sun" playing, to the very end with "Bohemian Rhapsody" serving as the background for the films aftermath the music always sets the stage perfectly.

But the best part of the movie is the action. The majority of it is one long battle. Set in a metropolitan setting, the Squad must make their way to the center of the city to beat the villain creating a giant laser beam in the sky. Nothing new, I know. It's how Ayer deals with it that makes it compelling. While mindless on the surface, the action is extremely involved. You know what is happening, and why its happening. The strategy involved is evident.

There's a pretty powerful enemy that needs to be eliminated. Deadshot, and Harley take the Lackey's while El Diablo, Uses his fire powers to take the beast head on. Meanwhile Killer Croc, an amphibian is making his way to a crucial spot where a bomb can be planted in order to neutralize said enemy. Like I said, very interesting to watch.

In the end, Suicide Squad is great because it proves that WB can learn. They scrambled to give us what we wanted after the critical failure of BvS. Not everyone will like it, but for anyone who's just looking for a good time, Suicide Squad is a blast.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

A frenetic Ride

[8/10 · 8 July 2016]

This movie is crazy, absolutely insane. The camera moves in fast motion sometimes and when it doesn't there is still so much going on that it can be hard to follow. This movie hits the nail on the head in terms of aesthetic however. It captures the single most important thing in any dystopia and that is a sense of unfamiliarity. Knowing not what's happening is really quite intriguing.

The only negatives are that the bizarreness does get in the way of what we would see to be a good story, and character development is rather minimal. These minor infractions however don't stop fury road from being one heck of a fun ride.

Now You See Me 2 (2016)

A Fantastical Thriller

[8/10 · 17 June 2016]

Now You See Me 2 is a great movie. By definition, it is however nothing new. It uses the same formula for success as its predecessor, of an all-star cast, twist heavy plot, and (CGI-assisted) breathtaking magic stunts.

All of these things are well developed, just as in the original. The characters especially are given much more intentional treatment, and their development is much more effectively intertwined into the story.

One bad thing about this film, (Its reason for my giving it an 8, and not a perfect 10) is that it suffers from what is popularly known as "sequel-itis". It capitalizes upon what made the first film great, but unfortunately gets a bit caught up in the spectacle of showing people something they have never seen before.

In the end though, what determines the merit of a movie, is the level of enjoyment it offers. Now You See Me Two, offers plenty of enjoyment, not to mention great action, organic humor, and thoughtful plot twists; all of which make for an all around thrilling movie.

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Best Superhero Movie of the Year

[10/10 · 31 May 2016]

This year has been a host to multiple superhero movies, from several different studios. If you're reading this, you probably say Batman Vs. Superman, and Civil War. I am making a rather bold statement that X- Men Apocalypse is an all around better movie than both of those pictures.

Our story begins in ancient Egypt, with an altogether menacing scene. I don't really know what it was, but Singer & Co. did an excellent job portraying Apocalypse's power and menace through the cold open. Apocalypse is ultimately buried alive, by a collapsing pyramid, and the movie moves on.

What follows is one of the most engaging opening credit animations I have ever laid eyes on. The camera moves down a tunnel or vortex of some sort, while passing landmark references to important historical events. A swastika here, a sickle and hammer there, and TADA! we are now at present day.

One really enjoyable thing about this movie was its rising action, which may have been more enticing than the film's finale. Much of this hour long period was spent recruiting. Mystique finding heroes, and apocalypse finding his four horsemen. Something distinctly magnificent about this leg of the story is how diverse the heroes backgrounds are. You have Scott Summers, a High School student, Angel and Night- crawler, enslaved cage fighters in Germany, and Storm, a young Egyptian street thief. While not every character has an equally progressive development, you do get a good sense of who they are, and where they come from.

Angel, who is more or less silent throughout the film, undergoes an astonishing transformation at the hand of Apocalypse; metal wings erupting from his back, while "Four Horsemen" by Metallica plays powerfully. This was a stylistically brilliant scene.

Another such instance, is Apocalypse's seizure of cerebro. The Credit for this goes to James Mcavoy, who expertly broadcast through dialogue, but mostly facial expression just how powerless he was. The world's strongest psychic, with a computer amplified ability, is still nothing against the mighty El Shabah Nur.

These scenes are all spectacular, but what really ties the movie together is the underlying political tone. This is not as strong as those of "First Class" which centered around the Cuban Missile crisis, and Days of Future Past, which centers upon Nixonian America, and even explains the issue behind the famous Watergate tapes. This time around the subject is "superpowers", the global kind that is. Ironic, I know, considering the franchise's subject matter. Early after his reawakening, Apocalypse discovers how the world has come to be dominated by a few extremely powerful countries, and the state of Mutually Assured Destruction that the population now lives in, because of he existence of nuclear weapons. Interestingly, instead of launching them into earth which would indubitably complete his goal of tearing down the current world order, he launches them into the stratosphere.

If there is a drawback to "Apocalypse" then it would be the lack of character development. Many heroes are brought into the equation, and the movie is unable to address a subplot for all of them. Personally, this isn't a big deal, because Magneto's backstory is extremely powerful, but I understand why this will turn some people off to the movie.

While shirking on some storytelling aspects, Singer completely nails what I believe to be the most important aspect of film making, especially in this genre: Aesthetic. While not necessarily well combined this movie is a collection of decidedly epic scenes, that make it a cinematic force to be reckoned with.

Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Entertaining!... But Lacking.

[4/10 · 23 May 2016]

Before I even begin to speak about the movie, I first feel it to be my duty to elaborate upon the concept by which this movie is inspired. Civil War, the Comic Book Series, was a universe encompassing Marvel Comics event that split the superhero landscape as we knew it in half. Spin-off volumes chronicled each individual hero's experience with the SRA. With an almost Mooresian level of satire it attacked (or defended) the American Government system with an allegory that remains just as striking, even close to ten years later.

I went to see the movie with all this in mind. Marvel's impeccable track record of perfect casting continues with new additions Chadwick Boseman, and Tom Hollland, who are both perfect renditions of who their character should be. Hollands voice is what really makes his part memorable. That post adolescence squeak in the middle of an enormous clash marks Marvel's mastery over the characters THEY have created.

T'challa, or Black Panther as he is known is a little different. WE find him at the film's beginning as a mere son of a king. He travels on a bit of a parallel journey to the rest of the Avengers as he evolves from being a man driven by passionate revenge, to a noble king, who puts others first. Boseman's royal composure and distinctly Wakandan diction add a lot to an otherwise Ameri-centric movie.

This isn't a typical "Mindless action Movie", Though it may seem so to the casual observer. As a comic reader myself, it is evident that this is a labor of love on the part of the Russo Brothers. The powers, and motivations of each character are showcased in a very satisfying way. While there is much differentiation between the books and the movie, the character interactions are mostly logical and help drive the plot forward.

I've said a lot of good things about this movie. Now, as much as I hate to do this to a marvel movie (Captain America no less) there are some things that must be said. Aside from the movie's climax, there is a playfulness between the combatants that is humorous when battling a foe such as Ultron, but a tad bit vexing when best friends are more or less trying to kill each other.

This is, in a word, a "Safe" movie. Disney's perpetually politically correct M.O. forces it to pull its potentially poignant punches. I'm reminded of Simon & Garfunkel's "people talking without speaking", for certainly, nobody in this film "dares disturb the sound of silence."

Rather than Making a statement about government, CA:CW opts to pin the SRA on the U.N., which would absolutely never really happen. For a concept so heavily based on the works of Alan Moore, they would have done well to recall that one of V for Vendetta's key ingredients was its direct connection between the fictional fascist government, and the current British parliament.

This film could have been such a powerful political allegory, and I fully expected it to be given the anti-NSA message broadcast in Winter Soldier. It opts for a money making popcorn muncher instead. A complete absence of "Cape-Killers", or any other large government force reflects an almost cowardly carefulness. The movie spares each major character for the sake of future revenue, rather than allow the plot to go deeper. This movie has fun going for it, the whole thing is a blast; but beyond that, there really isn't anything more. Many movies try to break the superhero movie mold, attempting to bring something new to the table. Many fail. Civil War, however, left its hammer at home.

The Martian (2015)

A Well Balanced Thriller

[8/10 · 17 May 2016]

The Martian is, despite its harsh premise, a relatively fun movie, but as the title suggests, the fun is well countered by doses of good old fashioned deadly peril.

Acting wise, the parts are very well played. Matt Damon's character takes up most of the screen time, especially because about half of the movie's scenes depict him alone. These characters tend to be very static. They stay the same throughout the course of the film rarely undergoing any change to their personality. This sounds like a negative characteristic, but it actually works to the film's advantage. The story is significantly driven by realism, despite its classification as science fiction. Accordingly, just as the events are realistic, so are the characters and their actions.

The Cinematography is also quite spectacular. The camera alternates between regular shots, helmet cams, and various other surveillance devices. This is by no means a new or innovative concept, but it is used in such a way, to advance the experience very nicely. The shots of space are also fantastic, though there is little majesty to be found in the landscape, as there was in Interstellar, a movie that draws many obvious comparisons, especially because they both involve Matt Damon being lost in space.

The Martian, despite its lack of a military presence is very reminiscent of a story by the late Tom Clancy. I haven't read the book, (namely because after the movie, I feel as though it would put me to sleep)but the unchanging characters and realism of the plot do work together to make an interesting product. The main events of the story are built not so much around human emotions, but around complicated scientific processes which are conveniently explained for people like myself who can scarcely understand a lick of chemistrian.

Where this movie succeeds the most is when it lulls the viewer into a sense of relaxation. The movie becomes almost fun to watch as you witness these ingenious happenstances playing out before you. And then, BAM!!! The unsuspecting viewer is launched into a suddenly suspenseful situation. Thrust out of a reclining state, back to the edge of their seat. It is this wonderful juxtaposition that makes The Martian the well rounded masterpiece that it is.

Bridge of Spies (2015)

An organic wonder.

[8/10 · 9 April 2016]

Bridge of spies is not your typical movie, it almost seems like it would be boring, except it isn't. This film is like a tree that you drive by on your way to work. Nothing special, quite ordinary; and then one day you see it from a different angle, and the way the dew glistening off of its leaves catches the sunlight, just takes your breath away.

As I mentioned before, bridge of spies is different, it doesn't have a particularly memorable score, or poetic dialogue, every character is portrayed as a "regular guy/gal". The credit must go to the Coen brothers here. The actors lines, particularly the exchanges between Hanks' and Rylance's characters are stirring in their simplicity. The story unfolds similarly, everything sort of just happens, and at the end, it all fits together perfectly.

Nobody knows, what makes Spielberg so great, is it his groundbreaking camera work? or perhaps his implementation of cutting edge visual effects? In my humble opinion it is his enigmatic ability to take what would likely be dull and uninteresting in the hands of any other director, and turn it into a thing of wonder. This movie plays out naturally, with moments of subtle heroism, and true human emotion, it is so very downplayed, that one simply cannot pull their eyes away. Bridge of Spies is truly an Organic Wonder.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

A thoughtful masterpiece disguised as a superhero flick

[10/10 · 26 March 2016]

BvS is a cinematic event that has accrued a rather large amount of speculation, mainly because the public doesn't know what they're getting. Is DC unveiling a new and dynamic media for their storytelling? Or are they merely playing catch-up to Marvel and their cinematic universe? Such is the question that crossed my mind entering this picture. By the time the credits rolled, my question had been answered.

I'll start with the movie's general atmosphere. Great special effects and cinematography combined with a Williamsian score create an immersive story and a stirring emotional response to critical events. Lex Luthor's discordant and unnerving theme music juxtaposes perfectly with Wonder Woman's bombastic electric guitar- fueled melody. This active accompaniment is a large (and welcome) step away from the chorale-like background music we have grown used to as moviegoers. Bravo, Mister Zimmer. Bravo.

The movie is also blessed with exceptional acting. If you'll recall a couple months back, Snyder was not exactly lauded for his inspired casting skills. However, Ben Afleck played a wonderful aging Bruce Wayne, and Jesse Eisenberg played a positively psychotic Lex Luthor. His insane rambling combined with Zimmer's jarring string movement was enough to give me chills.

BvS is the first big-budget instance of The Dark Knight's and The Man of Steel's coexistence. Additionally, it features Diana Prince, A.K.A.Wonder Woman. While lacking a lot of development or Explanation, her character is a spectacular addition to the movie. Wonder Woman has never been my favorite hero, but even my jaw dropped when she finally donned the Amazonian Armour and joined the fray. Batman was angry and vengeful, and Superman was righteous. While I object as a fan to the increasing darkness in the M.O.s of our heroes, I acknowledge what it represents. Superman is tasked with the burden of enormous power that he is still learning to control, while Batman, fed up with years of loss and death, begins to skirt closer and closer to deadly force.

Batman's technology is also here in all its implausible glory. Gas grenades and a sleek new batmobile allow the Knight to keep up with his meta-human allies.

As most of us know, BvS is loosely based on Frank Miller's 1986 graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns". While this is not the direct source material, it has largely been the expectation that to a certain degree, the movie would mirror the book. However, Snyder deviates very heavily. As a matter of fact, aside from a couple homages, BvS is a new product altogether. This is a gutsy decision. After all, hell hath no fury like a nerd scorned.

This incredibly brave choice differs from what has become a very surefire pattern, especially in Disney's case. An adaptation of a story with some differentiation here and there is the tried and true formula for success at the box office. And yet, BvS begs to differ; it dares to be different, and for this, it should be applauded. Certainly, it is quite exhilarating to see your favorite comics come to life, but it was extremely refreshing to watch a drama play out, where I really didn't know how the story would end. I don't want every superhero movie to be like this one. Nothing can ever replace seeing Captain America and Co. defending the city of Manhattan from an encroaching Chitauri force. But Snyder's film stays true to the spirit of the characters, while simultaneously delivering a unique narrative. All in all, this makes for an irreplaceable experience.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016)

A somber, but important story

[9/10 · 15 February 2016]

This film is well made. I doubt anyone will dispute that. The sound, visual effects, and acting are all well above par. Bay tells a compelling story of a group of men that, when the chips were down, rose the occasion and defended what they knew was right. That said, what I've just described sounds like the next Die Hard. But 13 hours has something that i doubt any fabricated story will ever have, and that is an enveloping sense of realism. The shaky cameras, intense music, and the knowledge that this is a real story bring an impending sense of chaos to this production, much more so than any other contemporary film.

However, this realism can be quite unsettling. This is not a "fun" movie. It is very fast paced, and I, a relatively hard- shelled individual, felt legitimate pangs of terror at some of the events in this movie.

13 hours is not as entertaining, as it is informative. It does not deliver cool action sequences and witty dialogue. It shows six men fighting for their lives, and the lives of those they protect. It tells a very important story, that everyone should know about, and does a very good job of keeping politics out of the equation. while there were some definite bureaucratic injustices involved, the movie focuses solely on the six soldiers and their heroism.

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

A Review of Episode 7

[5/10 · 22 December 2015]

The Force Awakens is a decent movie. Nothing more nothing less. It sticks close to the expected formula, and rarely deviates. It is enjoyable to watch and often times quite breathtaking.

With that said, it is almost the same plot as IV. Some of it, I ascribe to nostalgia, but other rehashed plot points seemed to be the product of laziness. It's strange, J.J. and co. seemed so eager to create a new saga in the star wars universe. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable with a continuation of someone else's storyline? Or perhaps it was the nation of fans pressuring him not to screw this up?

Go see the movie, you'll be missing out if you don't. You'll get your nostalgia trip, and the thrill that comes from seeing the the falcon take off, or a lightsaber ignited will be there in spades. But after the fact, you'll find yourself with a great gaping maw of a star wars hole, that at least for me, TFA couldn't fill.

While slightly disappointed, I must say that I am nitpicking by anyone else's standards, and Abrams did do a good job, as did all of the cast. It is my belief that with some constructive criticism, Abrams's replacement can do a great job on episode 8. I have high hopes for the next chapter in the new trilogy.

Von Ryan's Express (1965)

Not a complete waste of time...

[8/10 · 16 August 2015]

This is a movie with a pretty standard plot. Pows escaping Nazi Germany. You get your standard dose of gunfighting, sneaking around, and ridiculous plans that would never work in real life. The acting is okay, as are the special effects and the score.

You are probably thinking right about now that this review seems pretty negative. For that i am sorry. This movie isn't really that bad. If you're bored with nothing to watch then go ahead. This movie is not a complete waste of time. However, the eloquent phrases and colorful wording that generally come to my mind when writing a review for a good movie are currently absent.

Some movies are timeless. Movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, or to Kill a Mockingbird can be watched even to this day despite their primitive technology. Von Ryan's express is not one of these. However, it has its moments and while the movie as a whole is just "Okay", parts of it may pleasantly surprise you.

The Aviator (2004)

A Film Worth Watching!

[8/10 · 14 August 2015]

As you can see by the date that this review is published, it appears that I am a little late to the party. However, the quality of this film as well as the talent involved convinced me to write this review.

This is a great film. Alan Alda and Leonardo Dicaprio both played amazing parts, while Alec Baldwin acted with a sincerity that I've not seen since his role as Jack Ryan fourteen years prior to this film. If you are reading this review you've probably heard your share of gushing over Mr. Dicaprio's acting prowess, (if not just check out the message boards), so i'll try not to yammer for too long.

Well, here it is; Dicaprio skillfully masters the character of Howard Hughes. He simultaneously plays a high profile genius with expensive tastes, and a man tortured by germaphobia, OCD, and a host of other issues.

For example: Early in the movie, Hughes requests milk in its original bottle with a cap on it. One's first thought is "He's rich, he gets what he wants." It's not until the story progresses further that one realizes that Howard is actually afraid of contamination by germs.

Martin Scorsese's work in this production is also amazing not only is the filming spectacular, but the 20s, 30s, and 40s aesthetics are all very convincing. Another neat little twist is the process used to make the coloring start out very primitive, but progress in sophistication as years in the film go by. However, this was not obvious. I didn't know this until i checked IMDb wondering "what the heck those blue things he ordered were".

In one scene of the movie while Kate Hepburn and Howard Hughes are playing golf, they begin to discuss their own cinematic tastes. Hepburn, remarking on Scarface states that movies should be distinctly different from real life. Hughes states in return that movies should actually be gritty and realistic.

I spent the rest of this scene mulling this query over in my head. Finally I brilliantly concluded that I wasn't quite sure which school of thought I agreed with.

The Aviator seems to share my lack of an answer. Sometimes the aviator is a fun high-flying adventure, and sometimes it is a dark and intense character study.

It is the combination of these two films that make The Aviator a film worth watching.

The Giver (2014)

Better than expected.., but still lacking.

[7/10 · 22 May 2015]

I fully expected this book to be a terrible movie. It is based on a book published in the early 90s, long before the scores of dime-a- dozen teen dystopia thrillers began frequenting our libraries and theaters.

The characters' roles were very well played. I wasn't terribly impressed, but Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep conveyed their opposing viewpoints very well. The head elder wasn't just a 2-dimensional dystopian leader; It was clear that she actually believed that what she was doing was for the good of mankind. The Giver's sadness over his daughter's death was also conveyed in an interesting was. Jeff Bridges portrayal of the giver is (In my opinion) the only part that was accurate according to what happened and how the giver acted in the book. Both actors' parts made the film interesting to watch by adding layers of intrigue that the movie was otherwise lacking.

However, while this movie exceeded my expectations, I must admit that I had exceptionally low expectations. This movie screamed so loudly: "I want to be 'The Hunger Games', or 'Divergent', but I'm not." The setting was obviously modeled after other dystopian atmospheres that were not in the book. Things like the very "peacekeeper-esque" guards and the drone plane with some kind of magnet,(actually I'm not sure what it was. A future vacuum cleaner perhaps?) may have been cool in theory, but greatly cheapened the movie.

This movie's failure is not its own fault. While I admit It could have stayed true to itself a little more, to fault this movie would be like faulting an amateur basketball player for getting dunked on by Michael Jordan. Lois Lowry's 1993 young adult novel was much more than a simple dystopia story, and the movie just couldn't live up to that. While I believe some of the makers desired the film to be a masterpiece, watching it led Me to believe that most of them desired to make a quick buck on the teen dystopia phenomenon sweeping the nation.

I still remember reading the book, and discovering for the first time that Jonas's ability permitted him to see color in a black and white world. The movie ruined this by revealing it in the first ten seconds. This like many of the book's integral plot points were botched, or left out entirely. Some books are intended to be published, read, and left alone. Not made into mediocre movies. The Giver is one of them.

Interstellar (2014)

It blew my mind

[8/10 · 12 May 2015]

I realize I'm a little late to be posting a review of this film, but now that I finally got around to seeing it, I feel like I need to.

Nolan did a great job directing it. He knew when to make the shots close and shaky, and when to make them wide and majestic. This unlike another movie that takes place in space that is comprised almost entirely of close and shaky shots, (ahem, Gravity, we're looking at you). One particularly spectacular shot was the one on the water planet when the crew finally realizes that the mountains they see aren't really mountains, but are waves. The suspense in that scene was intense, and this was helped by the huge shot of the wave as it grew closer. The camera slowly moving up as the viewer grasps the sheer enormity of the challenge that the astronauts are facing. A more chaotic shot was when cooper falls into the black hole. The confusion and intrigue created by this scene kept me on the edge of my seat.

The acting was quite spectacular as well, no surprise considering the movie's all star cast. Especially Matthew Mcconauhgey. It was clear that he was very torn by the decision that he had to make. He projected his emotions very well.

The plot was very well developed and kept me thinking for days after watching the film. However, creative as it was, it was mildly depressing. Cooper wakes up from saving the world, to find that his son is dead, (he never said goodbye), and his daughter is an old woman on her deathbed.

This was a very well done film. That said, I probably won't watch it again. It is the story of a man who saves earth, but misses the lives of his children. I cannot fault the stellar filmaking and special effects, but the story of the movie itself is quite bittersweet.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Great Movie. Why the Hate?

[10/10 · 4 May 2015]

Like an idiot, I took what I read on the internet about this movie to be true. I went to the theater with rather low expectations, only to have my mind blown by the cinematic masterpiece that was Avengers: Age of Ultron.

For starters, the acting was great. The Avengers were great as usual, and Jeremy Renner showed a different side of Clint Barton. And then there's Ultron, played by James Spader. I knew he'd be good, but my word! Someone give that man an Oscar! Even with the CGI motion capture, Ultron's character was at the same time incredibly robotic, and amazingly human. As a side note, Andy Serkis also did very well as klaw, despite the fact he only had a few scenes.

There's also the thing that most people went to the theater to see. The action scenes. All of the avengers powers were well showcased. Especially Quicksilver's in the slo-mo parts. The battles were filled with numerous "Holy Crap!" moments. If you stumble upon the message board post calling the fighting predictable, ignore it.

Ultimately, this was a fun movie. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Nolan film, and the daredevil show is one of my faveorites, but thismovie was just fun to watch. It's 2.5 hour run time wasn't exhausting, and the playful humor never got old.

If you are looking for a gritty, pulpy film full of mystery and political intruigue, this isn't for you. However, if you want a well made film that captures the spirit of the avengers comics, and leaves you feeling satisfied, this is for you.