THE REVIEW RATING SCALE: (UPDATED 8/10/13)
10- A total masterpiece.
9.0- An outstanding film. This film is highly entertaining, amazingly acted, and amazingly directed. A gem.
8.0- A Great film that i really enjoyed. Highly entertaining, decently acted, and decently directed.
7.0- A good film. While the film may have had a few flaws, it decently entertained and left a decent impression.
6.0- The film is alright. Parts of it were entertaining but as a whole it didn't quite succeed.
5.0- The film is just mediocre. It wasn't essentially bad, but it wasn't good either and didn't leave a lasting impression.
4.0- The film is bad, but not the worst. It could have had a few redeeming qualities, but ultimately isn't worth your money.
3.0- The film is awful. The film might have had one redeeming quality or two.
2.0- The film is near abysmal. Poorly directed, poorly acted, and not entertaining.
1.0- An unacceptable and disgraceful film. This film stood out for its weakness and didn't satisfy at all.
9.0- An outstanding film. This film is highly entertaining, amazingly acted, and amazingly directed. A gem.
8.0- A Great film that i really enjoyed. Highly entertaining, decently acted, and decently directed.
7.0- A good film. While the film may have had a few flaws, it decently entertained and left a decent impression.
6.0- The film is alright. Parts of it were entertaining but as a whole it didn't quite succeed.
5.0- The film is just mediocre. It wasn't essentially bad, but it wasn't good either and didn't leave a lasting impression.
4.0- The film is bad, but not the worst. It could have had a few redeeming qualities, but ultimately isn't worth your money.
3.0- The film is awful. The film might have had one redeeming quality or two.
2.0- The film is near abysmal. Poorly directed, poorly acted, and not entertaining.
1.0- An unacceptable and disgraceful film. This film stood out for its weakness and didn't satisfy at all.
FILM REVIEW: THE WORLD'S END- 8/23/2013
Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost have created two films that are both hilarious, smart, and fast-paced in Shaun and Hot Fuzz. With the final installment in the profound "Cornetto" trilogy, I expected more of the same. Does "The World's End" pull it off?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
If you've seen the previous two films in Wright's trilogy, then you could guess that the plot to "The World's End" is about as ridiculously fun and over-the-top as you could possibly imagine. Gary King (Pegg) is going through a depressing time, and decides to get his old pals back together and complete "The Golden Mile", a pub-crawl through twelve bars in a town called Newton Haven. However, the gang notices soon enough that things have gone berserk (No Spoilers!), and must fight for their lives to save humanity.
The World's End is quite an epic movie. It's everything a Cornetto trilogy fan could possibly ask for, and then some. Wright's distinct and unique British flavor is clearly displayed throughout the entire film, and it's easy to tell the trio gave it their all in trying to make an epic conclusion. Everything about The World's End is just magnificent. The awesome, flashback intro, incredible script, brilliant ensemble, and of course the non-stop hilarity. But most importantly, the creativity and pacing are what make TWE as good as it is. Wright cleverly mixes gleeful sci-fi violence with clever writing and the film never gets dull.
For starters, Wright switches things around with the last installment by having Pegg as the goofball and Frost the more straight faced. The change was a brilliant move and it was a true delight to see things switch around for a change. As stated earlier, the ensemble of characters Wright is able to stew up are splendid, and about as well-developed as can be. The first act is spent entirely on getting to know these characters, and I was pleasantly surprised by this move and felt that the climax and action kicked in at the perfect times. Most will probably enjoy the action/fight scenes in The World's End mostly because they are entertaining and gleefully over-the-top. If you don't think watching Nick Frost beat the crud out of species with bar stools isn't fun to watch, then i truly don't know what is.
In the end, The World's End is an all around outstanding film that concludes the Cornetto trilogy perfectly and leaves viewers wanting more. The style, cinematography, and themes are all very extraordinary. While this may be an unusual trio of films, they're some of the best, creative and hilarious comedies I've ever seen. My passion for the work and accomplishment the trio have completed in this trilogy can not be expressed enough, and the most disappointing aspect to the film would only be that this is the final stop.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Sharply written, fantastically acted, action packed with gleeful sci-fi violence, The World's End is a rare gem of a film that rounds out Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy wonderfully. This is by miles the most entertaining and fun film of the year. Even if you haven't seen Shaun or Hot Fuzz, The World's End is bound to entertain you in every way possible. My Suggestion: Rent Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, watch them, and head to the theater to see this one. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
FFTW Score: 9.5/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
If you've seen the previous two films in Wright's trilogy, then you could guess that the plot to "The World's End" is about as ridiculously fun and over-the-top as you could possibly imagine. Gary King (Pegg) is going through a depressing time, and decides to get his old pals back together and complete "The Golden Mile", a pub-crawl through twelve bars in a town called Newton Haven. However, the gang notices soon enough that things have gone berserk (No Spoilers!), and must fight for their lives to save humanity.
The World's End is quite an epic movie. It's everything a Cornetto trilogy fan could possibly ask for, and then some. Wright's distinct and unique British flavor is clearly displayed throughout the entire film, and it's easy to tell the trio gave it their all in trying to make an epic conclusion. Everything about The World's End is just magnificent. The awesome, flashback intro, incredible script, brilliant ensemble, and of course the non-stop hilarity. But most importantly, the creativity and pacing are what make TWE as good as it is. Wright cleverly mixes gleeful sci-fi violence with clever writing and the film never gets dull.
For starters, Wright switches things around with the last installment by having Pegg as the goofball and Frost the more straight faced. The change was a brilliant move and it was a true delight to see things switch around for a change. As stated earlier, the ensemble of characters Wright is able to stew up are splendid, and about as well-developed as can be. The first act is spent entirely on getting to know these characters, and I was pleasantly surprised by this move and felt that the climax and action kicked in at the perfect times. Most will probably enjoy the action/fight scenes in The World's End mostly because they are entertaining and gleefully over-the-top. If you don't think watching Nick Frost beat the crud out of species with bar stools isn't fun to watch, then i truly don't know what is.
In the end, The World's End is an all around outstanding film that concludes the Cornetto trilogy perfectly and leaves viewers wanting more. The style, cinematography, and themes are all very extraordinary. While this may be an unusual trio of films, they're some of the best, creative and hilarious comedies I've ever seen. My passion for the work and accomplishment the trio have completed in this trilogy can not be expressed enough, and the most disappointing aspect to the film would only be that this is the final stop.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Sharply written, fantastically acted, action packed with gleeful sci-fi violence, The World's End is a rare gem of a film that rounds out Edgar Wright's Cornetto trilogy wonderfully. This is by miles the most entertaining and fun film of the year. Even if you haven't seen Shaun or Hot Fuzz, The World's End is bound to entertain you in every way possible. My Suggestion: Rent Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, watch them, and head to the theater to see this one. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
FFTW Score: 9.5/10
FILM REVIEW: ELYSIUM- 8/22/2013
From the director of the one and only "District 9", Neil Blomkamp is back with his futuristic sophomore effort, Elysium. Bolstered by a great cast and an original central idea, Elysium was understandably set at high expectations from me and many others. Does Blomkamp follow through?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Set in the year 2154, Elysium tells the story of two seperated districts, Planet earth and the wealthy, superior Elysium. Matt Damon plays Max, a rough citizen of Planet earth who grew up as an orphan and is known for a criminal-like past. When Max accidentally exposes himself in a work-related accident, he's told he has five days to live. Desperate to reach Elysium and heal himself, Max teams up with a group of criminals in attempt to complete a dangerous mission in exchange for Max's admission.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Set in the year 2154, Elysium tells the story of two seperated districts, Planet earth and the wealthy, superior Elysium. Matt Damon plays Max, a rough citizen of Planet earth who grew up as an orphan and is known for a criminal-like past. When Max accidentally exposes himself in a work-related accident, he's told he has five days to live. Desperate to reach Elysium and heal himself, Max teams up with a group of criminals in attempt to complete a dangerous mission in exchange for Max's admission.
Part of me wanted to love Elysium. District 9 was a fantastic film in many ways. It was chilling, refreshing, and proof that Sci-Fi film can be highly engaging. With Elysium, Blomkamp has certainly brought along some unique aspects to the party that were present in District 9. The gorgeous scale, the impressive effects, and the futuristic atmosphere is all very unique and original. It's evident that Blomkamp has done his homework in coming up with an original idea and putting it on paper. However, other aspects of the film are less spectacular. The acting, for one, is unfortunately poor. Matt Damon gives it his all in trying to portray the character Blomkamp has created but fails in attempt to do so, and from start to finish you don't learn enough about Max or any of the other characters. Jodie Foster is also unexpectedly bad as Delacourt, and the rest of the cast gives performances that aren't enough to warrant praise.
Aside from the cast, Elysium runs through at a very slow pace, with action scenes too far and between. You wait through the whole film expecting a decent final act but instead is one of the most ridiculous and annoying final acts in a film i've seen this summer. The script and really shaky action scenes also are a part of Elysium's flaws.
FILM REVIEW: DON JON- 8/16/2013
JGL leading, directing, and writing all in one movie? Is this a dream come true?! Obviously, you can tell i'm a huge JGL fan. I believe he is the best young actor out there right now so you'd expect that when I heard he was making a film, I just couldn't wait to see it. But, Gordon-Levitt has chosen quite an odd topic to make a movie on. Does JGL's directorial debut follow through in the end?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Not in my many years of watching film have I ever heard of a stranger premise Don Jon introduces. It's rather simple- Jon (JGL) is a strong and handsome guy who can pick up girls pretty easily. In fact, his friends call him "Don" based on his ability to "pull" different girls every weekend. However, the enjoyment he has picking up girls doesn't come close to the enjoyment he has watching pornography. Barbara (Johansson) is similar to Jon in that she is also a pretty, strong, and smart girl. But, she watches too many romantic fantasies and thus expects a perfect man to come by her doorstep and do everything she pleases.
As you would expect, Don Jon is about as vulgar as a film can get. In the opening minutes, Jon introduces you to his life of watching pornography and some disturbing little snippets and images of Sex acts are displayed. It's quite uncomfortable, but Gordon-Levitt manages it in a way so that you don't squirm to much, and there are never any overly crude, over-the-top jokes you'd generally see in an Adam Sandler-like comedy. The cast, as you would also expect, does a fantastic job. Gordon-Levitt somehow manages to mesmerize yet again with a unique, thorough performance. Johansson plays the perfect romantic, and Tony Danza delivers a hilarious performance as Jon's sports loving father. All around, the cast is well assembled and seem very comfortable in the roles they are given. Julianne Moore plays the loner girl Jon meets at class, and Brie Larson plays Jon's silent, little sister that gives a huge payoff in the end.
Don Jon is a film that works so well because it manages to mock the genre of romantic comedy while also serving up some clever writing and style. Gordon-Levitt creates a character piece of a real man, not some soaped-up, fake make-believe character you'd see in a bland, romantic comedy, which is why it's so unique. The other characters involved in Jon's life often spark up laughs and remind you of characters you'd generally see in a jock's life- silly, partying young friends, an aggressive, tough dad, and quite a religious family.
In the end, Don Jon is a very clever, often humorous film that achieves many things. It's opening act may come off too strong to some, and this certainly isn't a film that will please the masses. It deals with an uncomfortable topic, but as stated earlier the film deals with the topic maturely, and Gordon-Levitt doesn't throw in many crass jokes or complete gross-out scenes you'd see in a lowbrow comedy. The self-narration, great ensemble of characters, and mockery of modern relationships are what make Don Jon such an enjoyable and entertaining film to watch. JGL's character is so much fun to watch on screen, and the impressive, stylish direction is clearly evident throughout the film. JGL has multitasked quite well with this film, and hopefully this is the first of many from the talented actor.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While Don Jon is often highly vulgar and disturbing, JGL still manages to make an extremely clever, well-written, well-acted, and humorous film. It certainly won't be enjoyed by everyone, but for JGL fans this is a gem of a directorial debut that shouldn't be missed. Bolstered by a wonderful ensemble of characters, clever mocking of modern relationships (including a hilarious fake movie cameo featuring Channing Tatum and Anne Hathawy), Don Jon is an all-in-all excellent directorial debut from the one and only JGL.
FFTW Score: 8.5/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Not in my many years of watching film have I ever heard of a stranger premise Don Jon introduces. It's rather simple- Jon (JGL) is a strong and handsome guy who can pick up girls pretty easily. In fact, his friends call him "Don" based on his ability to "pull" different girls every weekend. However, the enjoyment he has picking up girls doesn't come close to the enjoyment he has watching pornography. Barbara (Johansson) is similar to Jon in that she is also a pretty, strong, and smart girl. But, she watches too many romantic fantasies and thus expects a perfect man to come by her doorstep and do everything she pleases.
As you would expect, Don Jon is about as vulgar as a film can get. In the opening minutes, Jon introduces you to his life of watching pornography and some disturbing little snippets and images of Sex acts are displayed. It's quite uncomfortable, but Gordon-Levitt manages it in a way so that you don't squirm to much, and there are never any overly crude, over-the-top jokes you'd generally see in an Adam Sandler-like comedy. The cast, as you would also expect, does a fantastic job. Gordon-Levitt somehow manages to mesmerize yet again with a unique, thorough performance. Johansson plays the perfect romantic, and Tony Danza delivers a hilarious performance as Jon's sports loving father. All around, the cast is well assembled and seem very comfortable in the roles they are given. Julianne Moore plays the loner girl Jon meets at class, and Brie Larson plays Jon's silent, little sister that gives a huge payoff in the end.
Don Jon is a film that works so well because it manages to mock the genre of romantic comedy while also serving up some clever writing and style. Gordon-Levitt creates a character piece of a real man, not some soaped-up, fake make-believe character you'd see in a bland, romantic comedy, which is why it's so unique. The other characters involved in Jon's life often spark up laughs and remind you of characters you'd generally see in a jock's life- silly, partying young friends, an aggressive, tough dad, and quite a religious family.
In the end, Don Jon is a very clever, often humorous film that achieves many things. It's opening act may come off too strong to some, and this certainly isn't a film that will please the masses. It deals with an uncomfortable topic, but as stated earlier the film deals with the topic maturely, and Gordon-Levitt doesn't throw in many crass jokes or complete gross-out scenes you'd see in a lowbrow comedy. The self-narration, great ensemble of characters, and mockery of modern relationships are what make Don Jon such an enjoyable and entertaining film to watch. JGL's character is so much fun to watch on screen, and the impressive, stylish direction is clearly evident throughout the film. JGL has multitasked quite well with this film, and hopefully this is the first of many from the talented actor.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While Don Jon is often highly vulgar and disturbing, JGL still manages to make an extremely clever, well-written, well-acted, and humorous film. It certainly won't be enjoyed by everyone, but for JGL fans this is a gem of a directorial debut that shouldn't be missed. Bolstered by a wonderful ensemble of characters, clever mocking of modern relationships (including a hilarious fake movie cameo featuring Channing Tatum and Anne Hathawy), Don Jon is an all-in-all excellent directorial debut from the one and only JGL.
FFTW Score: 8.5/10
Film Review: Lee Daniels' The Butler- 8/13/2013
Inspired by a true story, Lee Daniels' The Butler portrays the story of Cecil Gaines' (Whitaker) eventual job as serving as a White House butler for 8 terms of presidents. Lee Daniels has been pretty up and down with his direction in recent years, and with a difficult topic behind it all, is he able to pull it off?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
When the theatrical trailer released for this film, I was rather skeptical. Films about American Civil Rights have always been mediocre in my mind, and given Lee Daniels directing history, I was sure this was bound to be a flop. Boy was i incredibly wrong. Daniels has done everything i was sure he couldn't do- make a movie that's politically smart, consistently funny, touching, and moving. This is a film that mixes drama, civil rights, and humor all perfectly. The entire cast, from Whitaker to Oprah (Who was just phenomenal!) to Oyelowo, is marvelous.
The setting in this film, from the White House to southern cotton farms, to nice hotels, fits in very well with the film. It captures the essence of the time period very well, and when watching the film you feel as if you've time traveled to the 20th Century. Lee Daniels' is able to make the film look outstanding, and part of that is thanks to some awesome cinematography. Throughout the film, multiple different actors take 5-10 minute cameos portraying presidents Cecil served for. From Alan Rickman to Robin Williams, they all do a marvelous job, and also was a major highlight of the film. Whether it was Liev Schreiber sitting on a bathroom stall portraying JFK, or James Marsden pulling off a fantastic look alike to JFK, each and every cameo was fantastic, and ultimately added to the entertainment of the film.
In the end, Lee Daniels' The Butler is a gut-wrenching, important, and highly fascinating film. Forest Whitaker does a fantastic job as Cecil Gaines, and the rest of the cast doesn't disappoint. The characters Daniels creates are also nothing short of spectacular. Whether it was Oprah Winfrey playing a troubled wife who could hardly grab Gaines' attention, or David Oyelowo portraying a freedom rider destined to fight for equality who didn't quite get along with his father, Daniels did it all right, and then some.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While Lee Daniels' The Butler can be a tad bit slow at times, it's absolute phenomenal acting, stylish direction, flawless character development, and witty humor make it an important and emotionally affecting film that everyone should see. The family drama can be undeniably mainstream at times, but this is a mighty good film any way you look at it, and quite an important one. Lee Daniels' The Butler is a highly fascinating slice of history that shouldn't be missed.
FFTW Score: 8.0/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
When the theatrical trailer released for this film, I was rather skeptical. Films about American Civil Rights have always been mediocre in my mind, and given Lee Daniels directing history, I was sure this was bound to be a flop. Boy was i incredibly wrong. Daniels has done everything i was sure he couldn't do- make a movie that's politically smart, consistently funny, touching, and moving. This is a film that mixes drama, civil rights, and humor all perfectly. The entire cast, from Whitaker to Oprah (Who was just phenomenal!) to Oyelowo, is marvelous.
The setting in this film, from the White House to southern cotton farms, to nice hotels, fits in very well with the film. It captures the essence of the time period very well, and when watching the film you feel as if you've time traveled to the 20th Century. Lee Daniels' is able to make the film look outstanding, and part of that is thanks to some awesome cinematography. Throughout the film, multiple different actors take 5-10 minute cameos portraying presidents Cecil served for. From Alan Rickman to Robin Williams, they all do a marvelous job, and also was a major highlight of the film. Whether it was Liev Schreiber sitting on a bathroom stall portraying JFK, or James Marsden pulling off a fantastic look alike to JFK, each and every cameo was fantastic, and ultimately added to the entertainment of the film.
In the end, Lee Daniels' The Butler is a gut-wrenching, important, and highly fascinating film. Forest Whitaker does a fantastic job as Cecil Gaines, and the rest of the cast doesn't disappoint. The characters Daniels creates are also nothing short of spectacular. Whether it was Oprah Winfrey playing a troubled wife who could hardly grab Gaines' attention, or David Oyelowo portraying a freedom rider destined to fight for equality who didn't quite get along with his father, Daniels did it all right, and then some.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While Lee Daniels' The Butler can be a tad bit slow at times, it's absolute phenomenal acting, stylish direction, flawless character development, and witty humor make it an important and emotionally affecting film that everyone should see. The family drama can be undeniably mainstream at times, but this is a mighty good film any way you look at it, and quite an important one. Lee Daniels' The Butler is a highly fascinating slice of history that shouldn't be missed.
FFTW Score: 8.0/10
Film Review: Only God Forgives- 8/10/2013
Nicholas Winding Refn is back with his follow up to his recent masterpiece, Drive. With Ryan Gosling back and a compelling trailer, I expected this to be yet another awesome film. Man was I wrong.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
When powerful crime boss' (Kristin Scott Thomas) son is killed, she travels to Bangkok to visit her other son Julian (Gosling) ordering him to avenge his brother's death. To start, OGF is easily the most perverse, disturbing, and violent film i've seen this year. Winding Refn is known for this type of style, but OFG is by far his most explicit film to date. Winding Refn's distinct filmmaking style is shown to clear display in OGF, but that may be the only redeeming quality the film has.
Different from Drive, OGF is paced painfully slow, and with very little dialogue. Each and every scene drags on and on, with practically nothing happening. In addition, the character development in Only God Forgives is terrible in the least. From start to finish, you learn very little about Gosling's character, and there are many scenes that make absolutely no sense and are unnecessary. In addition, the scenery and the colors in this film are often feverish. The recurring theme of Red, Blue and Green colors often gave me headaches and the score that went with it was painful to listen to as well.
Running at 89 minutes, watching OGF felt like the equivalent of watching a full three hour film. It's dull, unattractive, and painfully disturbing. While there are probably many points and themes hidden in the film that Winding Refn attempted to prove, it's unlikely that the majority of the audience will understand them, and with or without themes, this is still an awful film.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Nicholas Winding Refn's impressive direction and style is clearly evident in Only God Forgives, but it's molasses slow pace, lack of narrative smarts, and awful character development completely cancel out Refn's visual achievements. While I didn't expect another Drive, I also didn't expect an awful film. Don't waste your money on this one, you won't be forgiven.
FFTW Score: 3.0/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
When powerful crime boss' (Kristin Scott Thomas) son is killed, she travels to Bangkok to visit her other son Julian (Gosling) ordering him to avenge his brother's death. To start, OGF is easily the most perverse, disturbing, and violent film i've seen this year. Winding Refn is known for this type of style, but OFG is by far his most explicit film to date. Winding Refn's distinct filmmaking style is shown to clear display in OGF, but that may be the only redeeming quality the film has.
Different from Drive, OGF is paced painfully slow, and with very little dialogue. Each and every scene drags on and on, with practically nothing happening. In addition, the character development in Only God Forgives is terrible in the least. From start to finish, you learn very little about Gosling's character, and there are many scenes that make absolutely no sense and are unnecessary. In addition, the scenery and the colors in this film are often feverish. The recurring theme of Red, Blue and Green colors often gave me headaches and the score that went with it was painful to listen to as well.
Running at 89 minutes, watching OGF felt like the equivalent of watching a full three hour film. It's dull, unattractive, and painfully disturbing. While there are probably many points and themes hidden in the film that Winding Refn attempted to prove, it's unlikely that the majority of the audience will understand them, and with or without themes, this is still an awful film.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Nicholas Winding Refn's impressive direction and style is clearly evident in Only God Forgives, but it's molasses slow pace, lack of narrative smarts, and awful character development completely cancel out Refn's visual achievements. While I didn't expect another Drive, I also didn't expect an awful film. Don't waste your money on this one, you won't be forgiven.
FFTW Score: 3.0/10
Film Review: The Intouchables- 8/10/2013
Loosely based on a true story, The Intouchables tells the story of a wealthy cripple (Francois Cluzet) who hires a young man from the projects (Omar Sy) to be his caretaker. Bolstered by some fantastic acting, non-stop clever humour, and strong direction, The Intouchables is a very well made film despite it's somewhat familiar and slightly unrealistic feel.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Whenever you watch a film that begins with the text "based on a true story", you always wonder when watching the film how much of it was true. If you're an example of this, Let me begin by saying you probably will not enjoy this film. A lot of the film appears to be unrealistic at times, but if you go into the film not focused on this solely, boy is it a ton of fun.
For starters, the opening sequence to The Intouchables is badass, comical, and really enjoyable, like the film. Cluzet and Sy have an impeccable chemistry working together, and it is shown distinctly throughout the film. Directors Oliver Nakache and Eric Toledano also deserve a huge amount of credit for their work in making this film. They keep the film constantly humorous while not delving into overly dramatic territory, managing to make the viewer feel good and entertained, rather than depressed or bored. In addition, the setting and scenery in this film is just magnificent. The sights and views of France are brought fully to life thanks to beautiful shots by the directing duo.
In the end, while this isn't a very original or realistic film, it's still a highly enjoyable foreign gem that contains an outstanding comedic script and wonderful chemistry between the two leads. If you love to laugh, check this out.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While the whole "based on a true story" element and a familiar background may annoy some viewers, The Intouchables still manages to be consistently funny and touching without going overboard. The chemistry displayed between Cluzet and Sy is once again impeccable, and each and every character is highly enjoyable and well developed. The Intouchables is a wonderful french gem that should not be missed.
FFTW SCORE: 8.0/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Whenever you watch a film that begins with the text "based on a true story", you always wonder when watching the film how much of it was true. If you're an example of this, Let me begin by saying you probably will not enjoy this film. A lot of the film appears to be unrealistic at times, but if you go into the film not focused on this solely, boy is it a ton of fun.
For starters, the opening sequence to The Intouchables is badass, comical, and really enjoyable, like the film. Cluzet and Sy have an impeccable chemistry working together, and it is shown distinctly throughout the film. Directors Oliver Nakache and Eric Toledano also deserve a huge amount of credit for their work in making this film. They keep the film constantly humorous while not delving into overly dramatic territory, managing to make the viewer feel good and entertained, rather than depressed or bored. In addition, the setting and scenery in this film is just magnificent. The sights and views of France are brought fully to life thanks to beautiful shots by the directing duo.
In the end, while this isn't a very original or realistic film, it's still a highly enjoyable foreign gem that contains an outstanding comedic script and wonderful chemistry between the two leads. If you love to laugh, check this out.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While the whole "based on a true story" element and a familiar background may annoy some viewers, The Intouchables still manages to be consistently funny and touching without going overboard. The chemistry displayed between Cluzet and Sy is once again impeccable, and each and every character is highly enjoyable and well developed. The Intouchables is a wonderful french gem that should not be missed.
FFTW SCORE: 8.0/10
Film Review: Last Vegas- 7/22/13
Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Michael Douglas in a bachelor-themed film? Huh? Following in the steps of The Hangover franchise, Last Vegas portrays the story of a few men that travel out to Vegas to party hard. The difference? Each man is roughly 60 years old. Does it work?
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened At: AMC Tysons, July 22nd
Over the past few years, Comedy film has been very up and down. From the outstanding 21 Jump Street to gross-out films like Grown Ups, the genre has grown more and more distinct. Last Vegas is easily one of the stranger, slower comedies i've seen in the past decade.
WheLast n Billy (Michael Douglas) proposes to his soon to be fiance, he soon calls his friends Archie(Freeman), Sam (Kline), and Paddy (De Niro) to set up a bachelor party in, of course, Las Vegas. Sound familiar? If we hadn't have seen this premise before, maybe the film could have worked. But Last Vegas only manages to be sporadically funny, and takes some serious hits due to it's lame direction and oddly written script.
For starters, each actor just looks plain silly on screen. From the stroke-prone Freeman to the depressed De Niro, their characters are just tired, and poorly developed. In addition, the film acts much more like a Drama than a comedy. Too much time is spent focusing on the character's personal life, when it should have been spent attempting to make the audience laugh. Aside from an enjoyable performance from Morgan Freeman, the rest of the cast is way out of place, and would have been better off in a much different film. The script is also a dreary nightmare. While not veering off too much into hard-R territory, there are many low-brow gags and overly raunchy scenes in the film that just made me feel uncomfortable, especially considering the age and situations the actors were put in.
Ultimately, Last Vegas ends up being a strange jumble-up of a film that will probably be on TV in a couple months. As enjoyable as each of the actors are, they'd be better off at this point in their career acting in supporting roles that don't require much effort. In addition, the writing, direction, and pacing is all a big, sloppy mess. Running at about 100 minutes, this is easily one of the slower-paced films i've seen this year, and some of the scenes drag on much longer than you'd like, just wishing the film would end.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Slow-paced, overly dramatic, and poorly written/directed, Last Vegas is a Hangover "Wannabe" that comes up way short. While the actors on screen are talented, they aren't built for the roles the film suggests at, and the film seems to endlessly drag, while being overly silly and way too dramatic at the same time. It's corny, cliche, and in addition boasts some occasional gross-out scenes that were entirely unnecessary. There are a few chuckles here and there, but ultimately Last Vegas is a drag of a film that I'd recommend you skip completely. It'll be on TV before you know it.
Films For The Win Score: 4.5/10
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened At: AMC Tysons, July 22nd
Over the past few years, Comedy film has been very up and down. From the outstanding 21 Jump Street to gross-out films like Grown Ups, the genre has grown more and more distinct. Last Vegas is easily one of the stranger, slower comedies i've seen in the past decade.
WheLast n Billy (Michael Douglas) proposes to his soon to be fiance, he soon calls his friends Archie(Freeman), Sam (Kline), and Paddy (De Niro) to set up a bachelor party in, of course, Las Vegas. Sound familiar? If we hadn't have seen this premise before, maybe the film could have worked. But Last Vegas only manages to be sporadically funny, and takes some serious hits due to it's lame direction and oddly written script.
For starters, each actor just looks plain silly on screen. From the stroke-prone Freeman to the depressed De Niro, their characters are just tired, and poorly developed. In addition, the film acts much more like a Drama than a comedy. Too much time is spent focusing on the character's personal life, when it should have been spent attempting to make the audience laugh. Aside from an enjoyable performance from Morgan Freeman, the rest of the cast is way out of place, and would have been better off in a much different film. The script is also a dreary nightmare. While not veering off too much into hard-R territory, there are many low-brow gags and overly raunchy scenes in the film that just made me feel uncomfortable, especially considering the age and situations the actors were put in.
Ultimately, Last Vegas ends up being a strange jumble-up of a film that will probably be on TV in a couple months. As enjoyable as each of the actors are, they'd be better off at this point in their career acting in supporting roles that don't require much effort. In addition, the writing, direction, and pacing is all a big, sloppy mess. Running at about 100 minutes, this is easily one of the slower-paced films i've seen this year, and some of the scenes drag on much longer than you'd like, just wishing the film would end.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Slow-paced, overly dramatic, and poorly written/directed, Last Vegas is a Hangover "Wannabe" that comes up way short. While the actors on screen are talented, they aren't built for the roles the film suggests at, and the film seems to endlessly drag, while being overly silly and way too dramatic at the same time. It's corny, cliche, and in addition boasts some occasional gross-out scenes that were entirely unnecessary. There are a few chuckles here and there, but ultimately Last Vegas is a drag of a film that I'd recommend you skip completely. It'll be on TV before you know it.
Films For The Win Score: 4.5/10
FILM REVIEW: FRUITVALE STATION- 7/16/2013
Based on the true and tragic death of 22-year old Oscar Grant, Director Ryan Coogler directs Fruitvale Station, his first of many more likely masterpieces. Fruitvale Station manages to be humorous, inspiring, and extremely saddening all at the same time- It's something you don't want to miss out on.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Gallery Place, July 16th
Human interest pieces are among the hardest films to get right. From The Blind Side to The Aviator, each and every film takes a lot of background info, and work, to be successful. Fruitvale Station is easily the most gripping, emotional, and real human interest piece ever made. To say this is just a good movie doesn't begin to do it justice.
Based on the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant in New Year's Eve 2008, Fruitvale Station portrays the events leading up to the tragic shooting. Chronicle lead Michael B. Jordan plays Oscar Grant, a troubled 22-year old struggling to keep a clean slate. The whole cast in this film is just phenomenal, along with the character development. The Oscar Grant director Coogler creates is a pure example of prime character development. His flawed personality, but affectionate and good-spirited heart will surely win over audiences. It isn't just Michael B. Jordan that rocks the cast, Octavia Spencer gives a powerhouse performance as his mother, and little Ariana Neal as Oscar's son, Tatiana. Ultimately, Fruitvale Station is easily among one of the best acted films since Argo. Coogler does an absolute fantastic job in making this feel like a true, real story with characters that are reminiscent of characters we see in our everyday life.
Calling Fruitvale Station a well-acted film isn't nearly enough, this is also the best directed film I've seen this entire year, and Ryan Coogler's style is a huge part of that. From the shakily shot scenes to the Electronic view of Oscar's cell phone, everything is fantastically done, and ultimately gives you a fantastic portrait of Oscar's surroundings and his situation.
In the end, Fruitvale Station is an emotionally draining experience that will leave you teary-eyed, perplexed, and inspired. Director Ryan Coogler has done the impossible, managing to make an outstanding human interest piece that I will never forget. When watching this film, some people may argue that there is no true point. I disagree, Coogler wanted to develop a character in Oscar Grant that people would recognize, and has done a fantastic job in doing so. It may not be utterly flawless, but it's still an extremely good film that one should definitely experience.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Amazingly acted, beautifully directed, and well written, Fruitvale Station is just an all around fantastic film. For a film only eighty-five minutes, It's easily one of the most emotionally draining, captivating, and inspiring films made this year, and possibly, the best human interest piece ever made. The last half-hour alone may be some of the most heart-wrenching, captivating minutes you will see in a film's conclusion. It may have you leaving the theater leaking of tears, but Fruitvale Station is a film you certainly don't want to miss out on, and so far 2013's best film.
Films For The Win Score: 9.2/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Gallery Place, July 16th
Human interest pieces are among the hardest films to get right. From The Blind Side to The Aviator, each and every film takes a lot of background info, and work, to be successful. Fruitvale Station is easily the most gripping, emotional, and real human interest piece ever made. To say this is just a good movie doesn't begin to do it justice.
Based on the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant in New Year's Eve 2008, Fruitvale Station portrays the events leading up to the tragic shooting. Chronicle lead Michael B. Jordan plays Oscar Grant, a troubled 22-year old struggling to keep a clean slate. The whole cast in this film is just phenomenal, along with the character development. The Oscar Grant director Coogler creates is a pure example of prime character development. His flawed personality, but affectionate and good-spirited heart will surely win over audiences. It isn't just Michael B. Jordan that rocks the cast, Octavia Spencer gives a powerhouse performance as his mother, and little Ariana Neal as Oscar's son, Tatiana. Ultimately, Fruitvale Station is easily among one of the best acted films since Argo. Coogler does an absolute fantastic job in making this feel like a true, real story with characters that are reminiscent of characters we see in our everyday life.
Calling Fruitvale Station a well-acted film isn't nearly enough, this is also the best directed film I've seen this entire year, and Ryan Coogler's style is a huge part of that. From the shakily shot scenes to the Electronic view of Oscar's cell phone, everything is fantastically done, and ultimately gives you a fantastic portrait of Oscar's surroundings and his situation.
In the end, Fruitvale Station is an emotionally draining experience that will leave you teary-eyed, perplexed, and inspired. Director Ryan Coogler has done the impossible, managing to make an outstanding human interest piece that I will never forget. When watching this film, some people may argue that there is no true point. I disagree, Coogler wanted to develop a character in Oscar Grant that people would recognize, and has done a fantastic job in doing so. It may not be utterly flawless, but it's still an extremely good film that one should definitely experience.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Amazingly acted, beautifully directed, and well written, Fruitvale Station is just an all around fantastic film. For a film only eighty-five minutes, It's easily one of the most emotionally draining, captivating, and inspiring films made this year, and possibly, the best human interest piece ever made. The last half-hour alone may be some of the most heart-wrenching, captivating minutes you will see in a film's conclusion. It may have you leaving the theater leaking of tears, but Fruitvale Station is a film you certainly don't want to miss out on, and so far 2013's best film.
Films For The Win Score: 9.2/10
FILM REVIEW: PACIFIC RIM- 7/9/2013
Guillermo Del Toro has done quite a bit in his career. Over time, he's impressed us with the Hellboy Franchise, Pan's Labyrinth, and has produced and performed small roles in many other films. With "Pacific Rim", Del Toro took a big risk. He created a film where robots battle monsters, a film recipe that is destined for disaster. But, he's an excellent film maker. Is "Pacific Rim" a giant mess or a successful summer blockbuster?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Majestic
Pacific Rim contains a story that every teen is destined to love. It's quite simple, and for the most part, pretty cool. When huge, gigantic creatures referred to as the "Kaiju" attack, the only option for humans to do was to construct large, gigantic robots called "Jaegers", which are controlled by two human pilots and their compatibility to "drift" with one another. Those who are drift compatible will be able to perform strongly in combat, but those who can't bond together are not considered drift compatible. Pacific Rim is definitely an interesting take on the "Rock Em' Sock Em" movie genre, but it's also riddled with flaws.
For starters, the effects of "Pacific Rim" are just marvelous. It's a visual treat. Whenever the jaegers and Kaiju face off, your eyes are treated to some of the best looking robots and sets you will see in an action film. In addition, there are some really enjoyable supporting actors in this film. Idris Elba gives an outstanding performance as the ideal ringmaster, Ron Perlman is awesome as usual, and Charlie Day and Burn Gorman give likeable performances as the scientists in the film. Ultimately, the effects and creature designs are easily the film's strongest category. And the IMAX and 3D are put to remarkably good use by Del Toro and crew.
While the effects are mind-blowing, the same can't be said for the corny dialogue and poor performances from the two leads in this film. I've never heard of Charlie Hunnam, and unfortunately that's not a good thing. Hunnam's performance is just dull. He expresses little emotion, and tries so hard to portray a character reminiscent of Brad Pitt. His partner, Rinko Kikuchi, is no better. And while there was an interesting bond between her character and Idris Elba's, she failed to impress me. On top of this, the actors are fed with a script that is reminiscent of transformers films, a script that is so corny and so plainly written that it's almost laughable.
With this set aside, I still had a bit of fun watching Pacific Rim. It's very well shot and watching the Jaegers and Kaiju showdown is a ton of fun. If the two leads were more enjoyable, Pacific Rim could have worked very well. But when you don't really care about the main characters, It's ultimately much harder to enjoy what is being accomplished. It's a semi-enjoyable ride, but one that's easily forgettable.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Pacific Rim is a very tough film to judge. It boasts some flat out gorgeous special effects, and the addition of 3D, especially on an IMAX screen is a visual treat. While it's premise is definitely smarter than a film like "Transformers", its script and main characters aren't, making it a film that's a tad bit uneven. There are some enjoyable performances from other actors in the film, but as a whole Pacific Rim is far below Del Toro's other work, and though it's enjoyable at parts, is also easily forgettable. While it's definitely a film that could be enjoyed very much on the big screen, It isn't a must see and in the end is a film that favors style over substance.
Films For The Win Score: 6.3/10
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Majestic
Pacific Rim contains a story that every teen is destined to love. It's quite simple, and for the most part, pretty cool. When huge, gigantic creatures referred to as the "Kaiju" attack, the only option for humans to do was to construct large, gigantic robots called "Jaegers", which are controlled by two human pilots and their compatibility to "drift" with one another. Those who are drift compatible will be able to perform strongly in combat, but those who can't bond together are not considered drift compatible. Pacific Rim is definitely an interesting take on the "Rock Em' Sock Em" movie genre, but it's also riddled with flaws.
For starters, the effects of "Pacific Rim" are just marvelous. It's a visual treat. Whenever the jaegers and Kaiju face off, your eyes are treated to some of the best looking robots and sets you will see in an action film. In addition, there are some really enjoyable supporting actors in this film. Idris Elba gives an outstanding performance as the ideal ringmaster, Ron Perlman is awesome as usual, and Charlie Day and Burn Gorman give likeable performances as the scientists in the film. Ultimately, the effects and creature designs are easily the film's strongest category. And the IMAX and 3D are put to remarkably good use by Del Toro and crew.
While the effects are mind-blowing, the same can't be said for the corny dialogue and poor performances from the two leads in this film. I've never heard of Charlie Hunnam, and unfortunately that's not a good thing. Hunnam's performance is just dull. He expresses little emotion, and tries so hard to portray a character reminiscent of Brad Pitt. His partner, Rinko Kikuchi, is no better. And while there was an interesting bond between her character and Idris Elba's, she failed to impress me. On top of this, the actors are fed with a script that is reminiscent of transformers films, a script that is so corny and so plainly written that it's almost laughable.
With this set aside, I still had a bit of fun watching Pacific Rim. It's very well shot and watching the Jaegers and Kaiju showdown is a ton of fun. If the two leads were more enjoyable, Pacific Rim could have worked very well. But when you don't really care about the main characters, It's ultimately much harder to enjoy what is being accomplished. It's a semi-enjoyable ride, but one that's easily forgettable.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Pacific Rim is a very tough film to judge. It boasts some flat out gorgeous special effects, and the addition of 3D, especially on an IMAX screen is a visual treat. While it's premise is definitely smarter than a film like "Transformers", its script and main characters aren't, making it a film that's a tad bit uneven. There are some enjoyable performances from other actors in the film, but as a whole Pacific Rim is far below Del Toro's other work, and though it's enjoyable at parts, is also easily forgettable. While it's definitely a film that could be enjoyed very much on the big screen, It isn't a must see and in the end is a film that favors style over substance.
Films For The Win Score: 6.3/10
FILM REVIEW: THE WAY, WAY BACK- 7/3/2013
From skilled directors and writers, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, comes "The Way, Way Back". Though I'm surprisingly not a huge fan of some of their previous work (The Descendants), this one sure had my attention. Do Faxon and Rash succeed in this Summer story?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: AMC Georgetown, July 2nd
"The Way, Way Back" portrays the story of awkward teen Duncan (Liam James), and what would soon be a terrible summer trip. The film stars just about everybody (Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph), and fires some very good performances from kid actors including Liam James. Throughout the film, you learn of the difficulties Duncan has in adapting to his uncomfortable surroundings, and the job he inherits at a water park that is destined to change his summer around.
For starters, TWWB works so well because it tells a story that is very relative to the average human teenage life. In a way, Duncan's situation reminds you of the hardships and problems one faces as a young adult, and Faxon and Rash do a great job of making you feel this way. In addition, each character essentially has an issue in this film, and it takes a realistic approach on messy family situations and what it's like to be the odd one in the middle.
For all of the coming of age "dramedies" released in the past few years, TWWB is a wonderful addition. It's an interesting take on a troubled family, and provides plenty of heartfelt humor to a story that digs quite deep and often gets depressing. Steve Carell is also entirely different in the film,and portrays a dark, jerk-ish character that i didn't expect out of him in the film. And honestly, I'm surprised that he accepted the job and was able to play the character he did. Sam Rockwell pours out what is, in my opinion, the best performance of his career. He's able to develop a character that is both very humorous, and very caring. Ultimately, Faxon and Rash do so many things perfectly in this film. The character development is just outstanding, and they really did an excellent job mixing humor and drama, in a film where doing so would seem to be quite difficult. They present a story that is sure to grab your up-most attention, even if many things may seem familiar.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Way, Way Back may showcase some familiar themes that are common for films of the same genre, but this is no problem. Led by outstanding performances from every actor in the film, a superbly written script, and the perfect mix of humor and heartfelt drama, The Way, Way Back is the ultimate "feel good" film this summer. It's intriguing story will feel relative to many, and even if the story may not intrigue you, the performances and direction alone are enough to prove that this film stands atop as one of the best films of 2013.
Films For The Win Score: 8.3/10
The Way, Way Back hits Select DC area theaters this Friday, July 5th.
Overall Consensus: See it in theaters.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: AMC Georgetown, July 2nd
"The Way, Way Back" portrays the story of awkward teen Duncan (Liam James), and what would soon be a terrible summer trip. The film stars just about everybody (Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette, Maya Rudolph), and fires some very good performances from kid actors including Liam James. Throughout the film, you learn of the difficulties Duncan has in adapting to his uncomfortable surroundings, and the job he inherits at a water park that is destined to change his summer around.
For starters, TWWB works so well because it tells a story that is very relative to the average human teenage life. In a way, Duncan's situation reminds you of the hardships and problems one faces as a young adult, and Faxon and Rash do a great job of making you feel this way. In addition, each character essentially has an issue in this film, and it takes a realistic approach on messy family situations and what it's like to be the odd one in the middle.
For all of the coming of age "dramedies" released in the past few years, TWWB is a wonderful addition. It's an interesting take on a troubled family, and provides plenty of heartfelt humor to a story that digs quite deep and often gets depressing. Steve Carell is also entirely different in the film,and portrays a dark, jerk-ish character that i didn't expect out of him in the film. And honestly, I'm surprised that he accepted the job and was able to play the character he did. Sam Rockwell pours out what is, in my opinion, the best performance of his career. He's able to develop a character that is both very humorous, and very caring. Ultimately, Faxon and Rash do so many things perfectly in this film. The character development is just outstanding, and they really did an excellent job mixing humor and drama, in a film where doing so would seem to be quite difficult. They present a story that is sure to grab your up-most attention, even if many things may seem familiar.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The Way, Way Back may showcase some familiar themes that are common for films of the same genre, but this is no problem. Led by outstanding performances from every actor in the film, a superbly written script, and the perfect mix of humor and heartfelt drama, The Way, Way Back is the ultimate "feel good" film this summer. It's intriguing story will feel relative to many, and even if the story may not intrigue you, the performances and direction alone are enough to prove that this film stands atop as one of the best films of 2013.
Films For The Win Score: 8.3/10
The Way, Way Back hits Select DC area theaters this Friday, July 5th.
Overall Consensus: See it in theaters.
FILM REVIEW: RED 2- 6/29/13
The sequel to the successful action comedy, RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous), is here. I'm a huge fan of the first film, but must say heading into this film I was quite skeptical. Does "RED 2" provide enough action and comedy to make it recommendable?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Gallery Place, June 27th
After watching the first "RED" film, I must say, I didn't expect a sequel. And to say the least, a sequel was probably highly unnecessary. But, Hollywood lately tends to go with the sequels, and honestly, I've no problem with that. Generally, sequels tend to be unsuccessful. But, somehow, some way, director Dean Parisot has made a ridiculously fun action sequel that almost improves on the first.
For starters, I must admit that i missed Morgan Freeman in this film. If you haven't seen the first film, I won't say anything more, but the absence of his presence kind of had an impact on me. Regardless of Freeman, RED 2 was a totally enjoyable, fun action flick that had me laughing at the edge of my seat. Similar to the first film, RED 2 provides plenty of relentless, cartoonish action that almost has a "Fast and Furious" feel to it. It's action that while you know is way over the top, still is fun to watch. The cast also is just outstanding in this film. Each and every actor just seems as if they're having a blast on screen, and and the demeanor of Bruce Willis and the entire team (Especially John Malkovich) is so slick and enjoyable. The new appearances of Catherine Zeta Jones and Byung-hun Lee also fit in very well to the film's theme.
As enjoyable as RED 2 is, it does have its fair share of flaws. At some points, the film drags and there are some action sequences that are a tad bit too much over the top, and towards the end you'll see things get a bit out of hand. With this aside, I had a lot of fun watching this film. Being a big fan of the first installment, I expected a lot from this film, and it delivered on most of those expectations. It's yet another perfect summer blockbuster for the mindsets of those who just want action mixed with comedy that you don't have to think too hard about. The script is well written, the acting is enjoyable, and the action, although a bit crazy at times, for the most part is fun to watch.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While it has its fair share of flaws, RED 2 works as a solid sequel and summer blockbuster. Its got plenty of mindless, fun, cartoonish action, lots of humor and comedy, impressive character development, and an overall awesome cast. It may not provide as much spark and humor as its predecessor, but it's still a really enjoyable summer action comedy that I recommend to fans of the first film, or fans just looking for a fun summer movie. It's yet another sequel this summer that works.
Films For The Win Score: 7.0/10
RED 2 hits theaters nationwide July 19th, 2013.
Overall Consensus: See it in theaters, especially on a hot summer day.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened At: Regal Gallery Place, June 27th
After watching the first "RED" film, I must say, I didn't expect a sequel. And to say the least, a sequel was probably highly unnecessary. But, Hollywood lately tends to go with the sequels, and honestly, I've no problem with that. Generally, sequels tend to be unsuccessful. But, somehow, some way, director Dean Parisot has made a ridiculously fun action sequel that almost improves on the first.
For starters, I must admit that i missed Morgan Freeman in this film. If you haven't seen the first film, I won't say anything more, but the absence of his presence kind of had an impact on me. Regardless of Freeman, RED 2 was a totally enjoyable, fun action flick that had me laughing at the edge of my seat. Similar to the first film, RED 2 provides plenty of relentless, cartoonish action that almost has a "Fast and Furious" feel to it. It's action that while you know is way over the top, still is fun to watch. The cast also is just outstanding in this film. Each and every actor just seems as if they're having a blast on screen, and and the demeanor of Bruce Willis and the entire team (Especially John Malkovich) is so slick and enjoyable. The new appearances of Catherine Zeta Jones and Byung-hun Lee also fit in very well to the film's theme.
As enjoyable as RED 2 is, it does have its fair share of flaws. At some points, the film drags and there are some action sequences that are a tad bit too much over the top, and towards the end you'll see things get a bit out of hand. With this aside, I had a lot of fun watching this film. Being a big fan of the first installment, I expected a lot from this film, and it delivered on most of those expectations. It's yet another perfect summer blockbuster for the mindsets of those who just want action mixed with comedy that you don't have to think too hard about. The script is well written, the acting is enjoyable, and the action, although a bit crazy at times, for the most part is fun to watch.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While it has its fair share of flaws, RED 2 works as a solid sequel and summer blockbuster. Its got plenty of mindless, fun, cartoonish action, lots of humor and comedy, impressive character development, and an overall awesome cast. It may not provide as much spark and humor as its predecessor, but it's still a really enjoyable summer action comedy that I recommend to fans of the first film, or fans just looking for a fun summer movie. It's yet another sequel this summer that works.
Films For The Win Score: 7.0/10
RED 2 hits theaters nationwide July 19th, 2013.
Overall Consensus: See it in theaters, especially on a hot summer day.
FILM REVIEW: THE LONE RANGER- 6/28/13
The Lone Ranger is back. The re-make of the old tv show is here. With Gore Verbinski and the whole "Pirates" team behind the camera, how could this film not work? Still, while the film has a great cast and a great setting, does it succeed in satisfying die hards or even new fans?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened on: June 26th (Regal Majestic)
After all this wait, the highly anticipated remake to "The Lone Ranger" is here. And with a brilliant team of film makers behind it, along with a great cast, I must say i had high expectations, unfortunately those were not fulfilled. At two and a half hours, The Lone Ranger is no joyride, and usually when a film is this long it's either great or mediocre. While i haven't seen the original TV show, I found The Lone Ranger to be an overly long, cliche, and messy Western.
To start off this review, and having seen it two days ago, I still am unsure of what genre this film fits into. By no means does it feel like a true western, and it's hard to tell whether it was made to satisfy the family . Either way, The Lone Ranger is a strange toss up of a film. Acting wise, the film doesn't have too much of an issue. As usual, Depp is magnificent, and this time around as Tonto, the underdog like character portrayed in the film. Hammer, as The Lone Ranger, isn't the most dynamic of characters but does give a solid performance, and while I didn't like how the character was designed originally, Hammer delivers. Aside from this, the cast does their job.
The main core issue with The Lone Ranger is the lack of originality provided. When watching, you'll see that there really isn't much to the story, and it feels like i've seen the same film before, so many times. Re-visiting the mix up of genres the film provides, there really isn't much comedy either. At times, Depp puts a smile on your face but other than that it seems like Verbinski and co. tried to make a serious, classic western, and it just didn't work. It's really slow paced, and for a two and a half hour movie, that just can't happen.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Clocking in at two and a half hours, The Lone Ranger is a tough film to sit through. While Johnny Depp gives a great performance, his acting was really the only highlight to the film. As a whole, it lacks originality, tries to provide too many genres at once, and presents itself in a way that doesn't offer up anything special. In addition, I don't think it's a "family" movie, which it seems to be advertising in it's commercials. There are a few beyond gruesome looking scenes, which, while they aren't the most explicit, still aren't fun to watch and are entirely unnecessary.While some of the acting isn't a problem The Lone Ranger is a slow paced, overly long film that in the end doesn't offer anything special, isn't really entertaining, and ultimately is a film I'd recommend you skip completely.
Films For The Win Score: 4.0/10
Overall Consensus: Skip it completely, I don't even think it's worth a rental.
THE LONE RANGER Hits theaters July 3rd, 2013.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screened on: June 26th (Regal Majestic)
After all this wait, the highly anticipated remake to "The Lone Ranger" is here. And with a brilliant team of film makers behind it, along with a great cast, I must say i had high expectations, unfortunately those were not fulfilled. At two and a half hours, The Lone Ranger is no joyride, and usually when a film is this long it's either great or mediocre. While i haven't seen the original TV show, I found The Lone Ranger to be an overly long, cliche, and messy Western.
To start off this review, and having seen it two days ago, I still am unsure of what genre this film fits into. By no means does it feel like a true western, and it's hard to tell whether it was made to satisfy the family . Either way, The Lone Ranger is a strange toss up of a film. Acting wise, the film doesn't have too much of an issue. As usual, Depp is magnificent, and this time around as Tonto, the underdog like character portrayed in the film. Hammer, as The Lone Ranger, isn't the most dynamic of characters but does give a solid performance, and while I didn't like how the character was designed originally, Hammer delivers. Aside from this, the cast does their job.
The main core issue with The Lone Ranger is the lack of originality provided. When watching, you'll see that there really isn't much to the story, and it feels like i've seen the same film before, so many times. Re-visiting the mix up of genres the film provides, there really isn't much comedy either. At times, Depp puts a smile on your face but other than that it seems like Verbinski and co. tried to make a serious, classic western, and it just didn't work. It's really slow paced, and for a two and a half hour movie, that just can't happen.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Clocking in at two and a half hours, The Lone Ranger is a tough film to sit through. While Johnny Depp gives a great performance, his acting was really the only highlight to the film. As a whole, it lacks originality, tries to provide too many genres at once, and presents itself in a way that doesn't offer up anything special. In addition, I don't think it's a "family" movie, which it seems to be advertising in it's commercials. There are a few beyond gruesome looking scenes, which, while they aren't the most explicit, still aren't fun to watch and are entirely unnecessary.While some of the acting isn't a problem The Lone Ranger is a slow paced, overly long film that in the end doesn't offer anything special, isn't really entertaining, and ultimately is a film I'd recommend you skip completely.
Films For The Win Score: 4.0/10
Overall Consensus: Skip it completely, I don't even think it's worth a rental.
THE LONE RANGER Hits theaters July 3rd, 2013.
FILM REVIEW: WHITE HOUSE DOWN- 6/28/13
Roland Emmerich is back in the business, and this time, with the presence of two awesome leads, Channing Tatum and the popular Jaime Foxx. White House Down is of course controversial due to moviegoers as the recent "Olympus Has Fallen" debuted in April. With a similar premise, does White House Down atop Olympus Has Fallen? Or, is it a total mess?
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screening on: June 21st (AMC Georgetown)
In case you haven't heard of "Olympus Has Fallen", the premise is quite simple: The white house is being destroyed, there isn't much more to it. White House Down follows the similar plot, but tells its story in a much less serious and more comedic way. In some aspects, White House Down works as a solid summer blockbuster, but on other aspects, it's two hours and fifteen minutes of mediocrity.
For starters, White House Down has two very enjoyable leads at hand; Tatum and Foxx. In addition, there are some outstanding other cast members including Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. If you're in the mood for a dumb summer blockbuster, White House Down is the perfect film for you. For the most part, director Roland Emmerich focuses on explosions and chases, but also inserts a lot of comedy into the film, almost too much. It felt for me at parts of the film that it couldn't decide whether to be a straight up make fun of myself comedy or a pure action comedy. It's hard to figure out. Still, Tatum and Foxx were very entertaining in their lead roles, and in addition the rest of the cast inputs solid performances as well. It's not a half bad film, but of course there are huge plot holes and the dialogue is a bit un-impressive to say the least.
THE BOTTOM LINE: White House Down is your typical, dumb summer blockbuster. It can be a lot of silly fun, but at the same time has a lot of noticeable plot holes, a pretty mainstream outcome to the story, and poor dialogue. As i've said, the cast is rock solid. This film isn't a "joke". But, it's far from being a decent film and ultimately is a film that i'd recommend you rent.
Films For The Win Score: 5.5/10
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screening on: June 21st (AMC Georgetown)
In case you haven't heard of "Olympus Has Fallen", the premise is quite simple: The white house is being destroyed, there isn't much more to it. White House Down follows the similar plot, but tells its story in a much less serious and more comedic way. In some aspects, White House Down works as a solid summer blockbuster, but on other aspects, it's two hours and fifteen minutes of mediocrity.
For starters, White House Down has two very enjoyable leads at hand; Tatum and Foxx. In addition, there are some outstanding other cast members including Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, and Maggie Gyllenhaal. If you're in the mood for a dumb summer blockbuster, White House Down is the perfect film for you. For the most part, director Roland Emmerich focuses on explosions and chases, but also inserts a lot of comedy into the film, almost too much. It felt for me at parts of the film that it couldn't decide whether to be a straight up make fun of myself comedy or a pure action comedy. It's hard to figure out. Still, Tatum and Foxx were very entertaining in their lead roles, and in addition the rest of the cast inputs solid performances as well. It's not a half bad film, but of course there are huge plot holes and the dialogue is a bit un-impressive to say the least.
THE BOTTOM LINE: White House Down is your typical, dumb summer blockbuster. It can be a lot of silly fun, but at the same time has a lot of noticeable plot holes, a pretty mainstream outcome to the story, and poor dialogue. As i've said, the cast is rock solid. This film isn't a "joke". But, it's far from being a decent film and ultimately is a film that i'd recommend you rent.
Films For The Win Score: 5.5/10
FILM REVIEW: DESPICABLE ME 2- 6/25/13
The minions are back! Three years ago, I was introduced to what would be one of my most favorite animated films of all time, Despicable Me. Here we are today, about a week away from the anticipated sequel. I must say, I had high hopes for this one, but in the end, Does it satisfy and continue the minion awesomeness? Or, does it take the path of some franchises and create a sequel that just doesn't work out?
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screening on: June 24th (AMC Tysons)
Despicable Me was just wonderful. Whether it was the stellar voice acting of Steve Carell, the constant hilarious moments of those minions, or even the cartoonish action, it was a pure delight. Because of this, I had high hopes for Despicable Me 2. And I must say, it's totally awesome. Despicable Me 2 delivered on all my expectations. Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud continued the story of Despicable Me and managed to create a delightful cinematic experience, yet again.
For starters, Despicable Me 2 starts off magnificently, you see Gru (Steve Carell) impersonating a "fairy princess" for Agnus' (one of Gru's children) birthday party. And of course, you see those awesome minions tinking around with Gru, trying to make his "fairy princess" costume perfect. From then on, Despicable Me 2 is wonderful. Not only are the minions at the top of their game, but the voice cast as well. You see fabulous performances from Kristen Wig, Ken Jeong, Steve Carell, and many others. In addition, this is a film where I can actually recommend you view in 3D. Throughout the film, you will be stunned by Despicable Me 2's stupendous looking animation, and many 3D moments that will surely be memorable.
Despicable Me 2 does what many sequels can not, make a succesful, hilarious, and outstanding looking film that almost even surpasses it's predecessor. Sure, it has it's faults, and the story may be a bit predictable, but in my opinion, animated films don't need to have all of those twists and turns. DM2 follows its source material and as a result i'm sure will satisfy fans of the first film and new viewers.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't get me wrong, Despicable Me 2 is not a perfect film. It does have it's flaws and at times had its lulls. However, if you are a fan of the first film, or even just a fan of the minions from the first film, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. With excellent looking animation, some surprisingly impressive 3D, and most of all, awesome minions, Despicable Me 2 stands out as my favorite animated film of 2013 and a sequel that was perfectly done. It's not quite as solid as say an "Up", but it's a film i would recommend to viewers of all ages.
Films For The Win Score: 8.0/10
DESPICABLE ME 2 Hits theaters July 3rd, 2013.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko
Screening on: June 24th (AMC Tysons)
Despicable Me was just wonderful. Whether it was the stellar voice acting of Steve Carell, the constant hilarious moments of those minions, or even the cartoonish action, it was a pure delight. Because of this, I had high hopes for Despicable Me 2. And I must say, it's totally awesome. Despicable Me 2 delivered on all my expectations. Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud continued the story of Despicable Me and managed to create a delightful cinematic experience, yet again.
For starters, Despicable Me 2 starts off magnificently, you see Gru (Steve Carell) impersonating a "fairy princess" for Agnus' (one of Gru's children) birthday party. And of course, you see those awesome minions tinking around with Gru, trying to make his "fairy princess" costume perfect. From then on, Despicable Me 2 is wonderful. Not only are the minions at the top of their game, but the voice cast as well. You see fabulous performances from Kristen Wig, Ken Jeong, Steve Carell, and many others. In addition, this is a film where I can actually recommend you view in 3D. Throughout the film, you will be stunned by Despicable Me 2's stupendous looking animation, and many 3D moments that will surely be memorable.
Despicable Me 2 does what many sequels can not, make a succesful, hilarious, and outstanding looking film that almost even surpasses it's predecessor. Sure, it has it's faults, and the story may be a bit predictable, but in my opinion, animated films don't need to have all of those twists and turns. DM2 follows its source material and as a result i'm sure will satisfy fans of the first film and new viewers.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don't get me wrong, Despicable Me 2 is not a perfect film. It does have it's flaws and at times had its lulls. However, if you are a fan of the first film, or even just a fan of the minions from the first film, I'm sure you will not be disappointed. With excellent looking animation, some surprisingly impressive 3D, and most of all, awesome minions, Despicable Me 2 stands out as my favorite animated film of 2013 and a sequel that was perfectly done. It's not quite as solid as say an "Up", but it's a film i would recommend to viewers of all ages.
Films For The Win Score: 8.0/10
DESPICABLE ME 2 Hits theaters July 3rd, 2013.
FILM REVIEW: WORLD WAR Z
Zombies tend to continue to be a popular trend in hollywood, and with "World War Z", Marc Forster and Brad Pitt collaborate to adapt the original novel written by Max Brooks. Upon viewing the first trailer for the film, none of us we're excited. But over time, marketing became better and we decided to give it a view. Is it a zombie bust, or is it classic zombie popcorn action?
Screened on: June 17th (Regal Majestic)
"World War Z" beings on a promising note, a zombie outbreak beginning in Philadelphia, that, for the most part drew me in. However, as the film progresses, there are so many plot holes and directing errors that make it hard to recommend. To begin, Brad Pitt is at the top of his game. Because of him, I was able to put up with "World War Z" for as long as i could. And to speak true to the film, it actually surprised me and the team. Even after what was a horrendous trailer, in the end, it wasn't a total bust or disappointment, but far from highly recommendable.
One thing "World War Z" had to it's benefit was giving viewers a true, scary film experience. It's a dry skin horror film, no doubt about it. There are scenes so creepy that will satisfy those hoping to enclose on a scary adventure. Gerry (Brad Pitt) gets zombie blood in his mouth, and sprints to the edge of a building, thinking he may need to jump off in case he were to transform into the undead.
There isn't much to be said about World War Z. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't necessary, and i certainly wouldn't recommend it to most people. On the plus side, Marc Forster delivers some pretty kick-ass 3D, and some moments that really did scare me, surprising for a PG-13 movie. But, as far as the plot goes, World War Z doesn't brew up anything too special. Really, this is a film for zombie lovers, and zombie lovers only. If you feel that hollywood has gone way overboard in the whole undead generation, then this film won't impress you.
THE BOTTOM LINE: World War Z wasn't as bad as i feared it may have been. There are some interesting effects, neat 3D, and frightening scenes, but in the end leaves a very generic plot and a poorly written script. If you're zombie heavy and can't wait to see this because of that fact, i think you'll enjoy it. But, for anyone else, this is probably a waste of 10 bucks. Redbox it if you have the time.
Films For The Win Score: 5.5/10
Screened on: June 17th (Regal Majestic)
"World War Z" beings on a promising note, a zombie outbreak beginning in Philadelphia, that, for the most part drew me in. However, as the film progresses, there are so many plot holes and directing errors that make it hard to recommend. To begin, Brad Pitt is at the top of his game. Because of him, I was able to put up with "World War Z" for as long as i could. And to speak true to the film, it actually surprised me and the team. Even after what was a horrendous trailer, in the end, it wasn't a total bust or disappointment, but far from highly recommendable.
One thing "World War Z" had to it's benefit was giving viewers a true, scary film experience. It's a dry skin horror film, no doubt about it. There are scenes so creepy that will satisfy those hoping to enclose on a scary adventure. Gerry (Brad Pitt) gets zombie blood in his mouth, and sprints to the edge of a building, thinking he may need to jump off in case he were to transform into the undead.
There isn't much to be said about World War Z. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't necessary, and i certainly wouldn't recommend it to most people. On the plus side, Marc Forster delivers some pretty kick-ass 3D, and some moments that really did scare me, surprising for a PG-13 movie. But, as far as the plot goes, World War Z doesn't brew up anything too special. Really, this is a film for zombie lovers, and zombie lovers only. If you feel that hollywood has gone way overboard in the whole undead generation, then this film won't impress you.
THE BOTTOM LINE: World War Z wasn't as bad as i feared it may have been. There are some interesting effects, neat 3D, and frightening scenes, but in the end leaves a very generic plot and a poorly written script. If you're zombie heavy and can't wait to see this because of that fact, i think you'll enjoy it. But, for anyone else, this is probably a waste of 10 bucks. Redbox it if you have the time.
Films For The Win Score: 5.5/10
Film Review: Fast & Furious 6
With the type of genre "Fast and Furious" suggests to movie fans, I normally would be laughing my a** off having heard that a sixth film was in the making. However, somehow Justin Lin revived the franchise with "Fast Five", an over the top, high octane, totally enjoyable heist. Can he pull of the same with "Fast 6."?
Screened on: May 21st (Regal Majestic)
When Director Justin Lin announced the production of a sixth film for the franchise, I have to be honest i was excited, but also worried. I felt like it would be difficult to repeat the awesomeness of Fast Five, and how would that awesomeness be delivered? Somehow, some way, Lin pulls of another high octane masterpiece.
The art of Fast 6 is pretty simple. Fast cars, tongue and cheek humor, glamour, and just about everything you'd expect from an action heist. The plot is worth paying attention to, and the bursts of comedy are certainly there. Everything fits together well in "Fast 6", just as things did in Fast 5.
You may think by watching the trailer or even viewing a poster for the film that it's a waste of time, and is simply just Vin Diesel acting bad-ass. But Justin Lin does such a good job crafting the film to distribute enough comedy, high octane action, and loud explosions and actions to create a hell of a good time at the cinema. The list of acting may not be A or superb, but you'll enjoy watching them on screen, even if it involves you check your beliefs at the door.
THE BOTTOM LINE: "Fast 6" continues on the successful formula that made "Fast Five" a hit. It's got witty humor, high octane action, explosions, and glamour to spare. Sure, it's not a masterpiece, but when you indulge yourself in the genre of films you don't have to think too hard about, Fast 6 is up at the top. Just feast your eyes to the awesomeness of fast cars, fun action, and witty humour for two hours. It's worth it.
Films For The Win Score: 7.5/10
Screened on: May 21st (Regal Majestic)
When Director Justin Lin announced the production of a sixth film for the franchise, I have to be honest i was excited, but also worried. I felt like it would be difficult to repeat the awesomeness of Fast Five, and how would that awesomeness be delivered? Somehow, some way, Lin pulls of another high octane masterpiece.
The art of Fast 6 is pretty simple. Fast cars, tongue and cheek humor, glamour, and just about everything you'd expect from an action heist. The plot is worth paying attention to, and the bursts of comedy are certainly there. Everything fits together well in "Fast 6", just as things did in Fast 5.
You may think by watching the trailer or even viewing a poster for the film that it's a waste of time, and is simply just Vin Diesel acting bad-ass. But Justin Lin does such a good job crafting the film to distribute enough comedy, high octane action, and loud explosions and actions to create a hell of a good time at the cinema. The list of acting may not be A or superb, but you'll enjoy watching them on screen, even if it involves you check your beliefs at the door.
THE BOTTOM LINE: "Fast 6" continues on the successful formula that made "Fast Five" a hit. It's got witty humor, high octane action, explosions, and glamour to spare. Sure, it's not a masterpiece, but when you indulge yourself in the genre of films you don't have to think too hard about, Fast 6 is up at the top. Just feast your eyes to the awesomeness of fast cars, fun action, and witty humour for two hours. It's worth it.
Films For The Win Score: 7.5/10
FILM REVIEW: THE HANGOVER PART III
The Hangover trilogy has been all over the place the past few years. From the outrageously hilarious first installment to the highly mediocre sequel, was it necessary to make a third film? With the The Hangover Part III, Todd Phillips and co. could either make a terrible finale or a funny farewell. Is it any good?
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened At: AMC Mazza (May 20th)
The wolf-pack clan is pack. And this time, the gang takes a trip out to L.A. When Doug (Bartha) is kidnapped, the crew must hunt down Chow (Jeong), who has escaped from prison. Ultimately, I didn't find The Hangover Part 3 to be a comedy, instead, I thought i was watching an angry action thriller. For starters, the trilogy's end brings on an entirely new premise, one that fans of the series probably won't enjoy. No hangover. While I think this was a bold move for Phillips, the concept just didn't work. The craziness and randomness just isn't there. It's certainly a less crude, entirely different film, but it's only sporadically funny, and the script just feels so forced and formulaic.
The performances in part 3 just felt stale. We've seen the ridiculousness of each and every character before, and in Part 3, they just look bored on screen. Even the actors know that this franchise has gone way overboard. On top of this, the script is strongly dull, and it makes unappealing, racist references that aren't funny in the least. The story is as formulaic as one could be, and just about anyone could predict the outcome.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While director Todd Phillips made a bold decision in installing a new premise to the film, the laughs only come sporadically, and ultimately the film feels much more like a poorly made action thriller rather than a comedy. On top of this, the script is very poorly written and the actors just look bored on screen. I honestly can't recommend this film to anyone, it's just a strange, slow paced film that I doubt will appeal to fans of the franchise in any way.
Films For The Win Score: /10
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened At: AMC Mazza (May 20th)
The wolf-pack clan is pack. And this time, the gang takes a trip out to L.A. When Doug (Bartha) is kidnapped, the crew must hunt down Chow (Jeong), who has escaped from prison. Ultimately, I didn't find The Hangover Part 3 to be a comedy, instead, I thought i was watching an angry action thriller. For starters, the trilogy's end brings on an entirely new premise, one that fans of the series probably won't enjoy. No hangover. While I think this was a bold move for Phillips, the concept just didn't work. The craziness and randomness just isn't there. It's certainly a less crude, entirely different film, but it's only sporadically funny, and the script just feels so forced and formulaic.
The performances in part 3 just felt stale. We've seen the ridiculousness of each and every character before, and in Part 3, they just look bored on screen. Even the actors know that this franchise has gone way overboard. On top of this, the script is strongly dull, and it makes unappealing, racist references that aren't funny in the least. The story is as formulaic as one could be, and just about anyone could predict the outcome.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While director Todd Phillips made a bold decision in installing a new premise to the film, the laughs only come sporadically, and ultimately the film feels much more like a poorly made action thriller rather than a comedy. On top of this, the script is very poorly written and the actors just look bored on screen. I honestly can't recommend this film to anyone, it's just a strange, slow paced film that I doubt will appeal to fans of the franchise in any way.
Films For The Win Score: /10
FILM REVIEW: STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS
Film Review: Monsters University
Close to 13 years ago, we were introduced to one of many instant disney Pixar classics, and one of the better animations to date. Today, we stand eight days away from the release of Pixar's anticipated prequel, Monsters University. Can the prequel to the awesome "Monsters Inc." show us prequels can be done right? Or, is it Pixar's third strike in a row?
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened on: June 5th (AMC Tysons)
In case you didn't know, "MU" is the story before "Monsters Inc.". It portrays Mike Wazowski (Crystal) and James P. Sullivan "Sully" (Goodman) lives in the college world before they're destined scaring careers. Given that the past two films for pixar have been disappointing to most loyal fans, "Monsters University" is a debatable decision for pixar. Was a 13-year post Monsters Inc. prequel necessary? While it wouldn't be of my best interest,it stirred up enough laughs and nostalgia to be enjoyable.
"MU" is an interesting film. The voice acting is stellar, the laugh out loud family laughs are there, and the nostalgia (at least some of it) is there. With this being said, it did not feel like a Pixar production. In the opening scene of MU, you get a glimpse of Mike Wazowski as a child, and are introduced to his dreams of being "a scarer". For the most part, Monsters U is a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable film while at the same time gave me the feel that this movie didn't need to be made. For one, "MU" doesn't take itself too particularly seriously, and while this can be good in some ways, it can also be a bad thing. For starters, you don't quite feel the heartwaming story of "Monsters Inc.". Instead, you feel a sense of small nostalgia, and instead of watching an epic Pixar, it felt more or less like i was watching a Dreamworks production, and a tribute to Monsters Inc, less of a thought out, well made movie.
Monsters University will either set its hooks on you or it will leave a bad impression. There is some excellent voice acting (additions of John Krasinski, Aubrey Plaza) and enjoyable 3D and animation, but as a whole Monsters U. just doesn't feel right. As a whole, MU is an enjoyable film, but not much more than that, A huge portion of the movie feels generic and although it is a kids movie, there still are no twists and turns or anything that is really worth sticking out or remembering.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While "MU" scales far off from the greats of PIXAR's industry, it's definitely a worthy addition and is enough proof for me that they are indeed heading in the right direction. There's plenty of humor, creativity, and clever college stereotypes which made "MU" an overall very enjoyable cinematic experience. It's a giant leap forward, even if it's not the next "Up."
Films For The Win Score: 7.2/10
Review Written By: John Lupo
Screened on: June 5th (AMC Tysons)
In case you didn't know, "MU" is the story before "Monsters Inc.". It portrays Mike Wazowski (Crystal) and James P. Sullivan "Sully" (Goodman) lives in the college world before they're destined scaring careers. Given that the past two films for pixar have been disappointing to most loyal fans, "Monsters University" is a debatable decision for pixar. Was a 13-year post Monsters Inc. prequel necessary? While it wouldn't be of my best interest,it stirred up enough laughs and nostalgia to be enjoyable.
"MU" is an interesting film. The voice acting is stellar, the laugh out loud family laughs are there, and the nostalgia (at least some of it) is there. With this being said, it did not feel like a Pixar production. In the opening scene of MU, you get a glimpse of Mike Wazowski as a child, and are introduced to his dreams of being "a scarer". For the most part, Monsters U is a fun, entertaining, and enjoyable film while at the same time gave me the feel that this movie didn't need to be made. For one, "MU" doesn't take itself too particularly seriously, and while this can be good in some ways, it can also be a bad thing. For starters, you don't quite feel the heartwaming story of "Monsters Inc.". Instead, you feel a sense of small nostalgia, and instead of watching an epic Pixar, it felt more or less like i was watching a Dreamworks production, and a tribute to Monsters Inc, less of a thought out, well made movie.
Monsters University will either set its hooks on you or it will leave a bad impression. There is some excellent voice acting (additions of John Krasinski, Aubrey Plaza) and enjoyable 3D and animation, but as a whole Monsters U. just doesn't feel right. As a whole, MU is an enjoyable film, but not much more than that, A huge portion of the movie feels generic and although it is a kids movie, there still are no twists and turns or anything that is really worth sticking out or remembering.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While "MU" scales far off from the greats of PIXAR's industry, it's definitely a worthy addition and is enough proof for me that they are indeed heading in the right direction. There's plenty of humor, creativity, and clever college stereotypes which made "MU" an overall very enjoyable cinematic experience. It's a giant leap forward, even if it's not the next "Up."
Films For The Win Score: 7.2/10
Film Review: This Is The End- 5/20/13
After what has been a pretty slow start for comedy in the year 2013, Franco, Rogen, Hill, Baruchel, and many more attempt to turn that around.
Review Written By: John Lupo
Zombie apocalypse and the end to the world have been a recurring theme for films in the past few years. Some have tried to insert a comedic tone, while others try to make an all out action film. This Is The End achieves both in a hysterical way. Centered in LA at James Franco's house, This is The End opens up with a house party featuring just about every comedic star imaginable. (Aziz Ansari, Jason Segel, Michael Cera, Rihanna, Kevin Hart, etc.) But after what appears to be a devastating earthquake the group splits up, Franco, Rogen, and a few others survive and attempt to beat out the zombie invasion.
This Is The End was a blast to watch. No matter how crude or raunchy the movie can tend to get, it always stays consistent with those laugh out loud moments and scenes that are too awesome to spoil. If you're a fan of any of these actors, which i'm sure you are, then This Is The End will not dissapoint. There are no restrictions in this film as well. Each actor seems to be having a lot of fun with the film and seem to make fun of themselves a good portion. Also, without the appearance of Craig Robinson, the film would not have been the same. The dude totally makes the film. Exiting the theater, me and my co-worker kept reviewing the unforgettable Craig Robinson lines. They were almost endless. On top of craig, it was the little cameos by Michael Cera and others (Which i won't spoil!), that made this film truly enjoyable. It's crazy, random, and weird. Just how a comedy should be made.
THE BOTTOM LINE: For most, This Is The End is sure to be one hell of a good time. All actors are at the top of their game, the film is very fast paced, and there are numerous memorable scenes from the film that will keep it in your memory for quite some time. It certainly presents itself as a hard "R", and a few scenes were almost too over the top, but as a whole, This Is The End is just so much fun.
Screened On: May 20th (Regal Gallery Place)
Films For The Win Score: 8.8/10
Review Written By: John Lupo
Zombie apocalypse and the end to the world have been a recurring theme for films in the past few years. Some have tried to insert a comedic tone, while others try to make an all out action film. This Is The End achieves both in a hysterical way. Centered in LA at James Franco's house, This is The End opens up with a house party featuring just about every comedic star imaginable. (Aziz Ansari, Jason Segel, Michael Cera, Rihanna, Kevin Hart, etc.) But after what appears to be a devastating earthquake the group splits up, Franco, Rogen, and a few others survive and attempt to beat out the zombie invasion.
This Is The End was a blast to watch. No matter how crude or raunchy the movie can tend to get, it always stays consistent with those laugh out loud moments and scenes that are too awesome to spoil. If you're a fan of any of these actors, which i'm sure you are, then This Is The End will not dissapoint. There are no restrictions in this film as well. Each actor seems to be having a lot of fun with the film and seem to make fun of themselves a good portion. Also, without the appearance of Craig Robinson, the film would not have been the same. The dude totally makes the film. Exiting the theater, me and my co-worker kept reviewing the unforgettable Craig Robinson lines. They were almost endless. On top of craig, it was the little cameos by Michael Cera and others (Which i won't spoil!), that made this film truly enjoyable. It's crazy, random, and weird. Just how a comedy should be made.
THE BOTTOM LINE: For most, This Is The End is sure to be one hell of a good time. All actors are at the top of their game, the film is very fast paced, and there are numerous memorable scenes from the film that will keep it in your memory for quite some time. It certainly presents itself as a hard "R", and a few scenes were almost too over the top, but as a whole, This Is The End is just so much fun.
Screened On: May 20th (Regal Gallery Place)
Films For The Win Score: 8.8/10
Film Review: The Words- 9/10/12
Despite a fantastic cast, intriguing premise, and even some engaging storytelling, The Words never quite becomes the complete sentence it promises.
Review Written By: Hamilton Whitney (Staff Writer)
The Words is a story about a story within a story, within a story – The Inception of literary films. Bradley Cooper is Rory Jansen, a man struggling to become a writer with no success despite the support of his wife (Zoe Saldana). In a tale recounted by author Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) in his new book “The Words,” we hear the tale of Rory’s woes and how his life is changed forever when he stumbles across a manuscript of unknown origins that is everything he has wanted to create but couldn’t. It isn’t until after striking massive success as the supposed author of these words that he meets an old man (Jeremy Irons) who is the true owner of the work and he must face the consequence and meaning of what he has done. Olivia Wilde, Ben Barnes, and J.K. Simmons also star.
Ultimately this film doesn’t have as much meat on
its bones as it might seem at first, relying on
poignant stories and good acting to string the
audience along with the promise of something
meaningful at the end. I found myself engrossed in
the characters but realized that I cared more about
them than what was happening in the movie – a
tribute to the cast. As something of a writer, I
found myself trying on the shoes of each of the
characters, wondering how I would react. There
are some intriguing elements to the film, but it fails to deliver in the end.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Not only is the story within a story element reminiscent of Inception, the ending is as well, but that’s not a good thing. Rather than inspiring debate and discussion, the ambiguity of The Words breeds dissatisfaction and annoyance. The cast and the ride along the way are enjoyable enough, but the fade to black may leave you wondering why the other shoe never dropped
Films For The Win Score: 4.0/10
Review Written By: Hamilton Whitney (Staff Writer)
The Words is a story about a story within a story, within a story – The Inception of literary films. Bradley Cooper is Rory Jansen, a man struggling to become a writer with no success despite the support of his wife (Zoe Saldana). In a tale recounted by author Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid) in his new book “The Words,” we hear the tale of Rory’s woes and how his life is changed forever when he stumbles across a manuscript of unknown origins that is everything he has wanted to create but couldn’t. It isn’t until after striking massive success as the supposed author of these words that he meets an old man (Jeremy Irons) who is the true owner of the work and he must face the consequence and meaning of what he has done. Olivia Wilde, Ben Barnes, and J.K. Simmons also star.
Ultimately this film doesn’t have as much meat on
its bones as it might seem at first, relying on
poignant stories and good acting to string the
audience along with the promise of something
meaningful at the end. I found myself engrossed in
the characters but realized that I cared more about
them than what was happening in the movie – a
tribute to the cast. As something of a writer, I
found myself trying on the shoes of each of the
characters, wondering how I would react. There
are some intriguing elements to the film, but it fails to deliver in the end.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Not only is the story within a story element reminiscent of Inception, the ending is as well, but that’s not a good thing. Rather than inspiring debate and discussion, the ambiguity of The Words breeds dissatisfaction and annoyance. The cast and the ride along the way are enjoyable enough, but the fade to black may leave you wondering why the other shoe never dropped
Films For The Win Score: 4.0/10
Film Review: For A Good Time ,Call...- 8/26/12
For a Good Time Call…
manages to transcend the typical bowels of raunch comedy into something that is
not only hilarious, but leaves you with a genuine smile on your face.
Review Written By: Hamilton Whitney (New Staff Writer)
When unfortunate circumstances and a mutual friend (Justin Long) find polar opposites Lauren and Katie (Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor) living together, awkward situations are bound to arise. Not the least of which is Lauren’s discovery that her new roommate works as a phone sex operator for some extra cash. One thing leads to another and before they know it the frenemies have not only started their own phone sex company but find themselves bonding in quite an unusual way. As can be expected, For a Good Time has its fair share of raunchy, inappropriate, and “oohhh…” worthy moments, but it never descends into gross out territory – at least too much. For an R rated comedy, the film is surprisingly fresh and friendly, sporting a wit and heart not often present in the genre. There is terrific chemistry amongst the entire cast, which helps a great deal, and there are a couple of fantastic cameos too good to spoil here. The story clips along at a nice pace, not stopping long enough to allow you to dwell on the plot unlikelihoods that any comedy must contain.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Following in the steps of (and improving upon, in my opinion) Bridesmaids, this film proves that women can be funny too – this is truly a good time. If the premise interests you at all, you won’t be disappointed.
Films For The Win Score: 7.0/10
Review Written By: Hamilton Whitney (New Staff Writer)
When unfortunate circumstances and a mutual friend (Justin Long) find polar opposites Lauren and Katie (Lauren Miller and Ari Graynor) living together, awkward situations are bound to arise. Not the least of which is Lauren’s discovery that her new roommate works as a phone sex operator for some extra cash. One thing leads to another and before they know it the frenemies have not only started their own phone sex company but find themselves bonding in quite an unusual way. As can be expected, For a Good Time has its fair share of raunchy, inappropriate, and “oohhh…” worthy moments, but it never descends into gross out territory – at least too much. For an R rated comedy, the film is surprisingly fresh and friendly, sporting a wit and heart not often present in the genre. There is terrific chemistry amongst the entire cast, which helps a great deal, and there are a couple of fantastic cameos too good to spoil here. The story clips along at a nice pace, not stopping long enough to allow you to dwell on the plot unlikelihoods that any comedy must contain.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Following in the steps of (and improving upon, in my opinion) Bridesmaids, this film proves that women can be funny too – this is truly a good time. If the premise interests you at all, you won’t be disappointed.
Films For The Win Score: 7.0/10
Film Review: Premium Rush- 8/24/12
Excluding its notable flaws and uneasy script, it's an entertaining thrill ride that will satisfy people intrigued by the premise.
Review Written By: John Lupo (Head Writer)
"Ride Like Hell" is the advertisement of this biker action film, one that has never been done before. Director David Koepp and co. do a lot of things right in this film, and a lot of things wrong. Let me start off by saying this film isn't exactly what it's being advertised to be in some ways. The film almost has a premise similar to Christopher Nolan's "Memento", where flashbacks are the source, and the story is flipped a little backwards (don't want to spoil anything). The biking scenes were a great joy to watch, especially when Wilee (Gordon Levitt) would hit an intersection and he would display the outcomes of what would happen by each route he took. With a difficult premise like this, Koepp does a great job and makes one hell of an entertaining story, and a thrill ride. Levitt and Shannon did great jobs in their performances, though the rest of the cast could have been better selected. On the other hand, the script included all of the cheesy lines that you could have called out. One-liners that just don't sound good like Wilee telling Vanessa (Dania Ramierz, his love interest and co-messenger) "you sound so sexy when you say that", and repetitive, unnecessary uses of "asshole" and "douchebag". The love interest in Premium Rush was forced into the story, and in my opinion, unneeded. The chemistry built between Wilee and Vanessa isn't very good because there is simply just so much else going on at the same time. While pointing these flaws out, I don't want you to get the influence that this is a bad review. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and if you are hungry for a solid action & suspense story with JGL, then this one might be for you. Also realize there are a lot of problems and if you're gonna point out the flaws scene by scene, it won't be enjoyable.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Premium Rush had some notable flaws, and it suffered from a poor script and non-realistic situations. Excluding this, its still an entertaining ride and there is a bit of fun to be had.
Films For The Win Score: 6.5/10
Review Written By: John Lupo (Head Writer)
"Ride Like Hell" is the advertisement of this biker action film, one that has never been done before. Director David Koepp and co. do a lot of things right in this film, and a lot of things wrong. Let me start off by saying this film isn't exactly what it's being advertised to be in some ways. The film almost has a premise similar to Christopher Nolan's "Memento", where flashbacks are the source, and the story is flipped a little backwards (don't want to spoil anything). The biking scenes were a great joy to watch, especially when Wilee (Gordon Levitt) would hit an intersection and he would display the outcomes of what would happen by each route he took. With a difficult premise like this, Koepp does a great job and makes one hell of an entertaining story, and a thrill ride. Levitt and Shannon did great jobs in their performances, though the rest of the cast could have been better selected. On the other hand, the script included all of the cheesy lines that you could have called out. One-liners that just don't sound good like Wilee telling Vanessa (Dania Ramierz, his love interest and co-messenger) "you sound so sexy when you say that", and repetitive, unnecessary uses of "asshole" and "douchebag". The love interest in Premium Rush was forced into the story, and in my opinion, unneeded. The chemistry built between Wilee and Vanessa isn't very good because there is simply just so much else going on at the same time. While pointing these flaws out, I don't want you to get the influence that this is a bad review. I thoroughly enjoyed the film, and if you are hungry for a solid action & suspense story with JGL, then this one might be for you. Also realize there are a lot of problems and if you're gonna point out the flaws scene by scene, it won't be enjoyable.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Premium Rush had some notable flaws, and it suffered from a poor script and non-realistic situations. Excluding this, its still an entertaining ride and there is a bit of fun to be had.
Films For The Win Score: 6.5/10
Film Review: Thunderstruck- 8/23/12
The Cliche rip off of all legendary basketball films is called "Thunderstruck". A film that only kids will enjoy, if that.
Review Written By: Scott Anderson (Staff Writer)
I was asked to attend an advance screening of the upcoming kids/family "comedy", Thunderstruck. Stale jokes, basketball movie rip-offs, and practically identical to the awesome film, "Like Mike" are all in this stupid, pointless movie. For one, there is nothing funny in this movie. And the jokes that are attempted to amuse are built up for an older, teen audience. When Brian (Taylor Gray) suddenly starts to have stellar basketball skill, Kevin Durant suddenly hits slump in his play. Realizing this, Brian has realized what has happened and attempts to give Kevin his power back. He was claimed to be "Thunderstruck." This is the EXACT same plot "Like Mike" had, where Lil Bow Wow finds a pair of Michael Jordan shoes and suddenly starts in the NBA. Unlike Thunderstruck, this film was actually entertaining to watch, and i would recommend. But unfortunately Thunderstruck steals from a lot of basketball movies and uses the same cliches we see everyday in kids movies.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While most kids ranging from 7-10 will find the film entertaining and fun, other adults and teens will probably point out the cliche's and recognize the plot seen in past films with the similar genre.
FINAL GRADE: 2.0/5.0 (Skip)
Review Written By: Scott Anderson (Staff Writer)
I was asked to attend an advance screening of the upcoming kids/family "comedy", Thunderstruck. Stale jokes, basketball movie rip-offs, and practically identical to the awesome film, "Like Mike" are all in this stupid, pointless movie. For one, there is nothing funny in this movie. And the jokes that are attempted to amuse are built up for an older, teen audience. When Brian (Taylor Gray) suddenly starts to have stellar basketball skill, Kevin Durant suddenly hits slump in his play. Realizing this, Brian has realized what has happened and attempts to give Kevin his power back. He was claimed to be "Thunderstruck." This is the EXACT same plot "Like Mike" had, where Lil Bow Wow finds a pair of Michael Jordan shoes and suddenly starts in the NBA. Unlike Thunderstruck, this film was actually entertaining to watch, and i would recommend. But unfortunately Thunderstruck steals from a lot of basketball movies and uses the same cliches we see everyday in kids movies.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While most kids ranging from 7-10 will find the film entertaining and fun, other adults and teens will probably point out the cliche's and recognize the plot seen in past films with the similar genre.
FINAL GRADE: 2.0/5.0 (Skip)
Film Review: Hit and Run- 8/18/12
Dax Shephard's directional debut leads up to an odd, rom-com, action heist, comedy, something.... I think you get what i mean here.
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko (Staff Writer)
What made me intrigued by 'Hit and Run' was the casting, and the attractive concept of the "action-comedy." But both of these assets were not brought to good use in this lame jumble up. Instead, it was a failed attempt at trying to make both a rom-com, and a action heist. And quite frankly, it all didn't fit together and led up to a sporadically funny, mediocre film.
PLOT: Hit and run centers around Charlie Bronson (Shephard), a getaway bank heist driver. Charlie was involved in some bank heists, which led him into witness protection with a US marshal, Randy (Arnold). Charlie's girlfriend, Annie (Bell) does not know of his criminal past, and thus is led to believe that Charlie's protection agent is there because of a robbery Charlie "experienced." When Annie is offered a teaching job in Los Angeles, Charlie is forced to drive out to California, where he is wanted among others including Joy Bryant and Bradley Cooper. When Cooper finds out about Charlie's actions, he is set out to find him and get his money.
If 'Hit and Run' didn't try to pull so much off at one time, i believe it would have succeeded well as a film and not turn into a jumbled mess. Over-extended car chases, stale, crude jokes and nudity makes Hit and Run generally a film that i believe most will not enjoy. Its cheesy rom-com premise is introduced at the beginning of the film...., then it turns into this odd action heist. It's hard to describe how i felt about Hit and Run. It wasn't something i would recommend, while at the same time, i mildly enjoyed it. There were some laugh out loud moments, and some car chases were cool, but it fell into the trap that alot of movies fall into- cheesiness.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While there are some memorable laughs in 'Hit and Run', its oddball flavor and jumble up of genres makes it an unattractive film that will probably dissapoint most viewers.
FINAL GRADE: 2.5/5(Worth The Wait for Dvd)
Review Written By: Matheus Pywunoko (Staff Writer)
What made me intrigued by 'Hit and Run' was the casting, and the attractive concept of the "action-comedy." But both of these assets were not brought to good use in this lame jumble up. Instead, it was a failed attempt at trying to make both a rom-com, and a action heist. And quite frankly, it all didn't fit together and led up to a sporadically funny, mediocre film.
PLOT: Hit and run centers around Charlie Bronson (Shephard), a getaway bank heist driver. Charlie was involved in some bank heists, which led him into witness protection with a US marshal, Randy (Arnold). Charlie's girlfriend, Annie (Bell) does not know of his criminal past, and thus is led to believe that Charlie's protection agent is there because of a robbery Charlie "experienced." When Annie is offered a teaching job in Los Angeles, Charlie is forced to drive out to California, where he is wanted among others including Joy Bryant and Bradley Cooper. When Cooper finds out about Charlie's actions, he is set out to find him and get his money.
If 'Hit and Run' didn't try to pull so much off at one time, i believe it would have succeeded well as a film and not turn into a jumbled mess. Over-extended car chases, stale, crude jokes and nudity makes Hit and Run generally a film that i believe most will not enjoy. Its cheesy rom-com premise is introduced at the beginning of the film...., then it turns into this odd action heist. It's hard to describe how i felt about Hit and Run. It wasn't something i would recommend, while at the same time, i mildly enjoyed it. There were some laugh out loud moments, and some car chases were cool, but it fell into the trap that alot of movies fall into- cheesiness.
THE BOTTOM LINE: While there are some memorable laughs in 'Hit and Run', its oddball flavor and jumble up of genres makes it an unattractive film that will probably dissapoint most viewers.
FINAL GRADE: 2.5/5(Worth The Wait for Dvd)
Film Review: Lawless- 8/18/12
John Hilcoat's adaption of the loosely based novel "The Wettest Country In The World," by John Bondurant is a violent, gritty, hell of a ride!
Review Written By: John Lupo (Head Writer)
When entering the theater doors to screen "Lawless," I wasn't quite sure if the film would work. The novel was a wild, gritty piece that had me at the edge of my seat, and while watching the previews for the 'Lawless' film, i was intrigued, yet not quite sure if it would match up with the great novel Bondurant has written up. Nonetheless, i was wowed. 'Lawless' was everything i expected it to be, if not more. Loyal readers will be satisfied, the same with newcomers.
PLOT: The Bondurant brothers, John (Labeouf) and Forrest (Hardy) are involved in a 'bootlegging' business, selling pure whiskey and alcohol along the east coast. When you hear something like this, you know something is bound to go wrong in the process. Then comes Charlie Rakes (Pearce), a special sheriff deputy who is bound to but the Bondurant boy's out of business and in jail. A very long, extended brutal scene involves Pearce's character needlessly beating Labeouf's character to a pulp. I don't wanna spoil any more for you, but be warned this is an extremely violent film. Hillcoat does a magnificent job with character development in this film. Spot on from the book, the relationships are told well and adapts the book very well. The whole premise of the novel and film is based on "When the law was corrupt, outlaws were heroes." And this fits in very nicely in the film.
The acting is incredibly stellar, and should be put up for some oscars. Tom Hardy showed us once again how flexible of an actor he truly is. Adapting from 'Bane' in 'The Dark Knight Rises' to 'Eames' in 'Inception', he truly is a great actor, and can rock the hell out of the cowboy accent in this film. All of the acting is great, especially Labeouf who has not shown much depth in his acting range, but ultimately he is what made this film what it was.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The violent, gritty, and intense novel John Bondurant wrote up was one hell of a ride to readers, and John Hillcoat does a magnificent job in adapting the film. The acting is stellar, great character development, and magnificent directing make Lawless worth viewing. One should also note that while the book was very violent, the film is as well, and hints strongly at sexuality and is NOT FOR KIDS.
FINAL GRADE: 4.0/5.0 (GO!)
Review Written By: John Lupo (Head Writer)
When entering the theater doors to screen "Lawless," I wasn't quite sure if the film would work. The novel was a wild, gritty piece that had me at the edge of my seat, and while watching the previews for the 'Lawless' film, i was intrigued, yet not quite sure if it would match up with the great novel Bondurant has written up. Nonetheless, i was wowed. 'Lawless' was everything i expected it to be, if not more. Loyal readers will be satisfied, the same with newcomers.
PLOT: The Bondurant brothers, John (Labeouf) and Forrest (Hardy) are involved in a 'bootlegging' business, selling pure whiskey and alcohol along the east coast. When you hear something like this, you know something is bound to go wrong in the process. Then comes Charlie Rakes (Pearce), a special sheriff deputy who is bound to but the Bondurant boy's out of business and in jail. A very long, extended brutal scene involves Pearce's character needlessly beating Labeouf's character to a pulp. I don't wanna spoil any more for you, but be warned this is an extremely violent film. Hillcoat does a magnificent job with character development in this film. Spot on from the book, the relationships are told well and adapts the book very well. The whole premise of the novel and film is based on "When the law was corrupt, outlaws were heroes." And this fits in very nicely in the film.
The acting is incredibly stellar, and should be put up for some oscars. Tom Hardy showed us once again how flexible of an actor he truly is. Adapting from 'Bane' in 'The Dark Knight Rises' to 'Eames' in 'Inception', he truly is a great actor, and can rock the hell out of the cowboy accent in this film. All of the acting is great, especially Labeouf who has not shown much depth in his acting range, but ultimately he is what made this film what it was.
THE BOTTOM LINE: The violent, gritty, and intense novel John Bondurant wrote up was one hell of a ride to readers, and John Hillcoat does a magnificent job in adapting the film. The acting is stellar, great character development, and magnificent directing make Lawless worth viewing. One should also note that while the book was very violent, the film is as well, and hints strongly at sexuality and is NOT FOR KIDS.
FINAL GRADE: 4.0/5.0 (GO!)