Retro Review: All the President's Men

                                                  'All' The Right Reasons To Love This Movie

                        While there have been many films over the years that have dealt with investigative journalism, including Almost Famous and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, All The President's Men is a remarkable picture that is able to hold its own amongst the afromentioned films.

                         Story:
                       All The President's Men is based on a true story about two Washington Post journalists named Carl Bernstein and Rob Woodward (Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford) and their investigation of the Watergate break-in case. But as they dig deeper into this investigation, they realize that the case has connections to the Republican Party and the White House, and things are hardly as they seem.

                       What I Liked About It;
                      In my opinion, the highest point in the film was the acting. Actually, four actors stood out in particular. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman give outstanding performances and have such great on-screen chemistry. As they take this perilous investigation, you begin to fear for them and hope they succeed. Jason Robards rightfully earned his Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of hard-nosed Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee. But the actor who truly steals the show is Hal Holbrook, who portrays "Deep Throat", Woodward's outside source. Even though Holbrook has such limited screen time, he has a strong presence on screen. I especially loved how they kept him in the dark, which only adds mystery to his character.

                     Another thing I liked about this film was how it manages to be thrilling without the use of an intense car chase scene or the heavy use of suspenseful music. It was a very quiet film with a limited score, which only made it very intense to watch. Also, the film not only establishes a dark time in the era its set in, but it manages to weave in some valuable lessons for aspiring journalists. It shows that once a journalist has a false or less credible source, it can damage the reputation of the papaer or magazine you work for, and yourself.

                     What I Didn't Like About It:
                    Nothing.

                     Consensus:
                   Overall, All The President's Men is a well-crafted political thriller that keeps you on edge and showcases the investigative nature of journalism. This remarkable film is one that any aspiring journalist should watch and take notes on. Not just those looking to become investigative journalists, but any kind.

Review: Lincoln

                                                         'Lincoln' Is A Modest Achievement

                    While Lincoln wasn't necessarily as phenomenal as it's hyped up to be, it's still pretty good. It's slightly overrated, but it doesn't mean it's bad.

                        Story:
                    Lincoln is about the 16th President Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis), and his efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to abolish slavery over the course of the last four months of his life.

                       What I Liked About It:
                    First and foremost, I did like Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Abe Lincoln. Within the first twenty minutes, he just had me believe that he was Lincoln, probably because of how he looks a lot like Lincoln. Plus, he delivered a superb performance. In my opinion, the high points in the film were the scenes between him and Sally Field, who plays Mary Todd Lincoln.

                    Another thing I liked about this film was how it has you appreciate what Abe Lincoln did for the slaves. Just how he fought hard to free them and never backed down. It really displays his good-hearted nature and shows why he is one of the greatest presidents in history.

                      What I Didn't Like About It:
                    While the film certainly was really good, my biggest problem with it was that I feel like it was just made to win awards. It was released around awards season, has A-listers behind it, and is a biopic, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that it was nominated for several Oscars. I mean, why watch a film adaptation and pay $7.50 when they have several books, and TV documentaries that you can watch for free dealing with the same story?

                     Consensus:
                    Aside from the fact that Lincoln is very awards-savvy, there is nothing else I hate about it. I loved the stylistic direction from Steven Spielberg, the stellar performances from the cast, and the terrific portrait of a true American icon and hero.

Rating: 3/5

Review: Martha Marcy May Marlene

                                                'Martha' Is Jumpy Without The Jump Scares
            
                                While Martha Marcy May Marlene isn't exactly categorized as a horror film, it certainly feels like one. It's actually scarier than any horror film I've seen in recent years. In my review, I will talk about why.

                                Story:
                              Martha Marcy May Marlene is about a woman named Martha (Elizabeth Olsen) who escapes a cult living in the Catskill Mountains and its sinister leader Patrick (John Hawkes), and goes to live with her sister and her husband. While living with them, she struggles to reassemble her life and her sister tries to figure out what happened to her.

                               What I Liked About It:
                             First off, the thing that I loved the most about this movie was Elizabeth Olsen. She truly is the heart and soul of this movie, and once you watch her performance, you wouldn't know that she is related to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Very good actress who gives a strong debut, and I already look forward to her future work.

                             Another thing I really liked about this film was the direction. The way that Sean Durkin shot it kept the sense of realism that the film has, and he did a fantastic job. Plus, I loved how the film hardly had any music, which just added to the film's creepy factor.

                             Now what makes this film so scary is the fact that it deals with a cult and how at first they seem like happy, care free, music playing people, but in reality, they are psychopathic. John Hawkes even delivers a creepy yet stellar performance as Patrick, the cult leader. He even has a creepy scene that involves his character singing a soft tune to Martha as a way of manipulating her.
                                
                            What I Didn't Like About It:
                           Nothing.

                            Consensus:
                          Overall, Martha Marcy May Marlene is a chilling exercise in psychological trauma that features a very strong acting debut from Elizabeth Olsen. If you want to watch a scary movie that doesn't involve gorgeous people getting picked off one by one or jump scares, but rather one that is more psychological and realistic, I would highly recommend this one.
                      
Rating: 5/5   

Review: Argo

                                                        'Argo': Does It Earn Best Picture?

                                 As I said in my oscar winners reactions post, I said I would do a review for Argo once I've seen it. Well folks, I finally saw it and here's my review. Did it really deserve the Best Picture Oscar? Let's find out.

                                Story:
                              Argo is a based on a true story set during a revolutionary Iranian crisis in the 1970's where the U.S. embassy was held hostage and six people managed to escape and hide in the Canadian embassy. A CIA agent named Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) then decides to work with Hollywood producers to create a fake movie and create a cover story by having these escapees pretend they are a Canadian film crew.

                              What I Liked About It:
                            Normally in my reviews, I would give my opinion in the beginning, but because of the awards hype surrounding this movie and because it's a thriller, I figured I'd add a little suspense to it.

                       So, did I like the movie? No, I LOVED it. I loved the direction, I loved the nostalgic 70's vibe, as well as the acting, especially from Alan Arkin, who steals the movie as hard-nosed movie producer Lester Siegel and rightfully earned his Best Supporting Actor nomination. He even provides the best line in the movie (Argo f**k yourself!)

                       Another thing I loved was how it blended different genres. It manages to weave in some comedic moments while maintaining tension-filled suspense and drama. During the suspenseful scenes, I really found myself on edge.

                     But, did this movie really deserve Best Picture? I believe so. It manages to be entertaining while carrying a subliminal message about the risks that the CIA takes for everyday people, as well as a bond forming between two nations: U.S. and Canada. So, all in all, I think it deserved Best Picture.

                           What I Didn't Like About It:
                           Nothing.

                           Consensus:
                     Overall, Argo is a well-crafted and powerful thriller that deserves all the praise it is getting. While Ben Affleck may have been snubbed for Best Director, he still did a marvelous job with the direction, as well as his acting. This one is highly recommended!

Rating: 5/5

Retro Review: Almost Famous (2000)

                                  
                                          A Masterpiece 'Almost' Too Good To Be True

                         At my dad's advice, I decided to create a segment of reviews for films released before this decade known as Retro Reviews. So, I figured I'd start off with one of my favorite movies of all time: Almost Famous.

                        Story:
                      A semi-autobiographical film about writer Cameron Crowe, Almost Famous is about a young journalist named William Miller (Patrick Fugit) who is given an assignment from Rolling Stone magazine to accompany a rising band named Stillwater on their tour. As he goes on the tour, he escapes his overbearing mother (Frances McDormand) and falls in love with Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who is a muse to the band's lead singer Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup).

                      What I Liked About It:
                     While I enjoyed everything about this movie, one thing that I really loved is the music. I loved the songs picked for the soundtrack from such artists as Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Who. Plus, I thought it was cool how the composer of the film is Nancy Wilson from the band of Heart, and I thought she did a nice job. I especially loved the bus scene where everyone in unison sang "Tiny Dancer".

                      Not only did I love the acting, but I loved the development of characters as well. Billy Crudup gives a very good performance as Russell Hammond, who you want to like at first, but it becomes difficult because of his emotional aloofness. Kate Hudson easily delivers the best performance of her career as the free-spirited yet emotionally vulnerable Penny Lane. Patrick Fugit gives a very earnest performance as the protagonist William Miller, and I especially loved the scenes between him and Hudson, as they had some delightful chemistry. Frances McDormand is outstanding as William's mother Elaine and even adds some comedic depth to her performance. Despite his limited screen time, Philip Seymour Hoffman gives an impressive, scene-stealing performance as rock journalist Lester Bangs. I even loved Zooey Deschanel's small role as William's sister Anita, as her character reminded me of my own sister, who got me into the music from that era.

                    What I Didn't Like About It:
                    Nothing.

                    Consensus:
                   Overall, Almost Famous is a touching coming-of-age dramedy that even people who don't like rock-n-roll can enjoy. But if you love rock-n-roll, you will fall in this movie as much as I did. When I watch this movie, it just makes me want to go back in time and visit the 70's.

Rating: 5/5

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

                                               Nolan Ends His Batman Trilogy With A Bang

                        While I have enjoyed the other two films in Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises is not only the best of the trilogy, but it is one of the most flawless superhero films I have ever seen.

                         Story:
                       Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne has become a recluse and has hung the Batman cowl. Then a mercenary known as Bane (Tom Hardy), a villain that manages to challenge Batman both physically and mentally, calls him out of hiding, as does master  thief Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), also known as Catwoman.

                        What I Liked About It:
                      First off, I loved the acting. Christian Bale once again delivers a solid performance as Batman. Just like with Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, he truly embodies this character. Anne Hathaway delivers a standout performance as Catwoman. I loved the dynamic chemistry between her and Bale, and she even portrays some dramatic depth in her performance. While I always have liked Hathaway as an actress, after watching her performance in this and Les Miserables, I really look forward to her future work. Tom Hardy gives such a chilling performance as Bane, that it evens surpasses Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker, not just because of his brutal physical strength, but because he's both brawny and smart, which to me seems like a pretty lethal combination. Marion Cotillard gives a charming yet brooding performance as Miranda Tate, a businesswoman who seems a bit too interested in Bruce Wayne and his company. Even though Michael Caine isn't on screen that much, he has a powerful presence when he is on screen. Gary Oldman is also really good, and while he was good in the other two Batman films, in my opinion, he was even better in this. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Morgan Freeman also give solid supporting performances as well.

                    Like with any superhero movie that I enjoy, I loved the action scenes. Even though the film has plenty of action scenes, the film definitely isn't style over substance. Much like the other two films in Nolan's trilogy, there is plenty of dramatic depth in the story, specifically with the theme that surrounds it, which is Pain.

                    What I Didn't Like About It:
                   Nothing.

                    Consensus:
                  Overall, The Dark Knight Rises is an action-packed yet flawless and dramatic film, and ends Nolan's Batman trilogy with a bang. While it is upsetting that this is Nolan's last Batman film, I loved how he did provide closure to Batman's story, and I loved the realistic, dark vision of the Caped Crusader that he brought to the silver screen.

               

Review: Cloud Atlas

                                                    Cloud Atlas: A Cinematic Odyssey

                          While Cloud Atlas may be based on a novel, I quite honestly have never seen a film like it.

                          Story:
         Now, for this film, their isn't exactly one story. It's pretty much six different short films thrown in as one feature-length film, but all stories carry the same theme:

                        The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing, 1849: Adam Ewing (Jim Sturgess), an American lawyer from San Francisco during the California Gold Rush, forms a bond with a slave who joins his crew as a freeman as he sails back home to his wife.

                       Letters from Zedelghem, 1931: Robert Frobisher (Ben Whishaw), a bisexual young musician, finds work as an amunensis to composer Vyvyan Ayrs, which allows Frobisher to find inspiration for his musical piece, the "Cloud Atlas" Sextet.

                       The First Luisa Rey Mystery, 1975: Journalist Luisa Rey (Halle Berry) discovers a conspiracy involving the safety of a nuclear reactor.

                       The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish, 2012: Publisher Timothy Cavendish (Jim Broadbent) finds himself in a rough situation as his gangster author's associates threaten him to receive their share of the profits of a book he had published. Once he turns to his brother for help, he then tricks him into being committed to a retirement home. He and a few other inmates then plot their escape.

                        An Orison of Sonmi-451, 2144: A clone named Somni-451 (Doona Bae) is being interviewed before her execution. She then recalls how she was released from her life of servitude as a restaurant server by a rebel movement and how she fell in love with its commander. As she was released, she was looking to make a public broadcast about how clones like her are "recycled" and used as food for future clones.

                       Sloosha's Crossin' an' Ev'rythin' After: Set in a post-apocalyptic Hawaii, Zachry (Tom Hanks) and his family along with the rest of the people in his village, are often raided by a cannibalistic tribe. Their island is often discovered by a group of technologically sophisticated people known as the Prescients. When one Prescient named Meronym (Halle Berry) helps Zachry save his niece from a poisonous sting, he then takes her to the Cloud Atlas communications station in order for her to send a message to Earth's colonies.

                       What I Liked About It:
                    Now, for this part of my review, I would normally start off with discussing the acting or the directing, but the thing is the actors don't exactly play characters, but they play souls, as the film deals with the theme of reincarnation and how one soul moves on from one life and one time period to the next.  But I thought that was really interesting, especially all the makeup effects that these actors went through as they starred in each story.

                   Another thing I liked was how each story had its own genre. "Adam Ewing" was sort of a romantic adventure, "Zedelghem" was a simple love story, "Luisa Rey" was an action thriller, "Timothy Cavendish" was a comedic caper, "Somni-451" was a dystopian sci-fi film, and while "Sloosha's" was sort of a sci-fi film, it had a post-apocalyptic setting.

                   Honestly, the thing I loved the most about this film, and this is something that I rarely ever feel about the movies that I watch, but I didn't even want the movie to end. While in my lifetime, I have seen films that I have watched over and over again, there have been very few films where I just wanted the experience to continue, and Cloud Atlas is one of them.

                  What I Didn't Like About It:
                 Nothing.

                  Consensus:
                Overall, Cloud Atlas is a cinematic masterpiece that I hope to never forget. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it got me excited during the action scenes, and even gave me chills at some parts. This one I highly recommend.

Rating: 5/5

                

                  


                
                   
                                                           

Review: The Hunger Games

                                           As A Hunger Games Fan, It Really Satisfied My Craving
                                                   
                            Ever since I read the Hunger Games, I was immediately hooked to the series. When I went to go see the film adaptation, I was left pretty satisfied and left me even more excited for Catching Fire.

                            Story:
                           The Hunger Games is set in a dystopian future in the country called Panem. There are 12 districts in Panem that are controlled by the Capitol, and each year, each district will offer up a young boy and girl, between the ages of 12 and 18 in tribute to participate in a fight to the death known as The Hunger Games, where the one remaining victor will receive riches and glory.

                           In District 12, one of the poorest districts, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her sister's place as the district's female tribute. She and her fellow male tribute Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) are then trained by their drunken mentor and former victor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), and are pitted in a fight to the death against other children, including Careers, who are tributes that have trained for the games their whole life.

                          What I Liked About It:
                        Aside from the fact that it was quite faithful to the book, there were other things I liked about it. I'll start off with the acting. First and foremost, Jennifer Lawrence plays Katniss PERFECTLY. She really captures this character's strength, vulnerability, and courage. Josh Hutcherson plays an amazing Peeta, and when I read the books, I knew they made the right choice in casting him, because he is perfect for this role. Woody Harrelson delivers a strong supporting performance as Haymitch, and like with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, I can definitely see why they casted him in this role. Elizabeth Banks plays Katniss' and Peeta's Capitol escort, the flamboyant Effie Trinket and she delivers some nice comic relief, and has some great chemistry with Woody Harrelson. Stanley Tucci delivers a nice supporting performance as flamboyant talk show host Caesar Flickerman. He plays this character with bubbly energy and a bit of warmth underneath his charismatic exterior.

                      Now, I'll talk about a couple actors that to me, really stood out. First is Lenny Kravitz, who portrays Katniss' stylist Cinna. While you are watching him on screen, you really forget that you're watching Lenny Kravitz the musician. Now, I've always been a Lenny Kravitz fan, but he really amazed me in this.

                     Next, there is Isabelle Fuhrman, who portrays the malicious District 2 tribute Clove. She not only embodies her character, but in her big scene, she represents the other Career tributes, whereas they are psychopaths, but they are still just as scared as them. They are excited to kill these other children, but at the end of the day, they are still kids themselves. With Fuhrman's performance in this and Orphan, I can honestly say that she is one of best young actresses working today, among the likes of Chloe Grace Moretz and Saoirse Ronan.

                 Another thing I really liked about this film was the set designs that represent different social classes. First the film takes place in District 12, which is very poor and run down, then the film takes us to the Capitol, where everything and everyone looks futuristic, and is where the rich reside. It shows that when you have money in this world, you are living the high life, but if you're poor, you're lucky to have a box to sleep in.

                What I Didn't Like About It:
               While I did enjoy this film as a whole, as both a faithful adaptation of the book and as a film in general, my only issue was with the shaky-cam technique. I get that they were trying to make the action scenes a bit jumpy to receive a PG-13 rating, but it was just a bit distracting. Other than that, there's nothing else I hate about this film.

               Consensus:
              Overall, The Hunger Games is an entertaining sci-fi spectacle that works as a faithful adaptation of the book, a film, and social commentary. I enjoyed every single minute of it, and right after the movie was over, I remember saying "Bring on Catching Fire!"

Rating: 5/5
                      

Review: Les Miserables

                                                        A Musical Not To Be 'Mis'sed

                            I have seen plenty of musicals in my time, but hardly any of them have been as unique as the new adaptation of the classical story Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

                             Story:
                           Les Miserables is set in early 19th-century France, and is about a convict named Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) who violates his parole after being imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. His violation leads to him being pursued by Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe), and as he changes his identity, he cares for the illigetimate child of a factory worker turned prostitute Fantine (Anne Hathaway). From that point, the story spans over several years and the main characters are caught up in the French Revolution.

                           What I Liked About It:
                         Like with my other reviews, I'll start off with discussing the acting. Hugh Jackman delivers a bravura performance as Jean Valjean, and ditches his Wolverine image with ease. Anne Hathaway easily delivers a standout performance as Fantine. In a movie that runs about 158 minutes, she gives one of the best performances in the entire film despite her limited screen time. Plus, her heartbreaking rendition of the classic song "I Dreamed A Dream" will put you in tears, and in my opinion, it is what won her the Oscar. Amanda Seyfried gives a touching performance as Cosette, Fantine's daughter. I feel that the way she sings and acts really captures the essence of a songbird, which is a representation of her character: pure and innocent. Eddie Redmayne gives a solid performance as Cosette's lover, Marius, and he and Seyfried had delightful chemistry. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are the comic relief as the scheming Thenardiers, and really steal the show. Though in Carter's case, that's no surprise because she never fails to impress me.

                       But the last actress I'd love to talk about is Samantha Barks, who plays the lovelorn Eponine. She not only has a terrific singing voice, but she delivered a terrific performance as well, and made you sense the heartbreak her character was going through. I especially loved her rendition of "On My Own", which ironically is the song that Anne Hathaway did a rendition of when she hosted the Oscars, and sang it to Hugh Jackman. After watching Barks' performance in this, I look forward to her future work, same with Eddie Redmayne.
 
                        Another thing I really liked about this film was how even though the film was 158 minutes long and was about 95% singing, I still found my eyes glued to the screen. I think it's because of Tom Hooper's brilliant direction as well as the actors, who are really able to express their character's emotions as they sing. Even though the film itself isn't a Broadway musical, it sort of has that feel to it when you watch it.

                       What I Didn't Like About It:
                      While I did enjoy all of the actor's performances, I felt the one weak link was Russell Crowe. He wasn't exactly bad, he just didn't leave that much of an impression when on screen.

                       Other than that, there's nothing else that I can say that I hated about this film.

                       Consensus:
                      Overall, Les Miserables is a flawlessly interpreted musical about love, redemption, hope, and death. While the characters are put in rough situations, the film does an excellent job at portraying their hope for a better day, which is what makes the film uplifting in a way. It's well acted, well written, beautifully directed, and is probably the best musical I've seen in quite some time.

Rating: 5/5

*Note: You may want to watch it with a Kleenex because it does get sad at times.
                          
                         
                              
                                              

Review: Django Unchained

                                       
                                                A Spaghetti Western With A Slight Twist

                                  As I said in my review for Dark Shadows, Quentin Tarantino is one of my top three favorite directors, along with Tim Burton and Martin Scorsese. He has a unique way of creating tension in a scene through the use of his dialogue. With this technique, he has made another success with Django Unchained.

                                  Story:
                                Django Unchained is about a slave named Django (Jamie Foxx) who is freed by a bounty hunter named Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) who offers to help him rescue his wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) and will give him his freedom if he helps Schultz find his intended targets who captured Django and Broomhilda and sold them. When they go to rescue Broomhilda, they find out she is held captive by a sadistic yet charming plantation owner named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).

                               What I Liked About It:
                              Honestly, there wasn't one thing that I loved the most. I did enjoy the film, but I felt there wasn't really one aspect that stood out over the other. But, I'll start by discussing the acting. Jamie Foxx delivers a superb performance as the title character. Before he was cast, I heard that Tarantino originally wanted Will Smith for the role. But even though I love Will Smith, I have to say that Jamie Foxx did this role justice. Christoph Waltz gives a strong supporting performance as King Schultz, and deserved the Oscar he won for this movie. Leonardo DiCaprio completely plays against type as Calvin Candie, and does an extraordinary job at playing this disgusting human being with a bit of charisma. Even though Kerry Washington has minimal screen time and dialogue, she makes you sense the emotions that her character is going through as she is held captive. Though Samuel L. Jackson has a small, supporting role, he adds some dark comedic relief to the film.

                             The only other thing that I'll talk about that I liked is the direction. Like I said before, Tarantino knows how to create tension. He knows how to create it through his dialogue and his direction. There's even one scene where there is tension involving a hand shake. I don't want to spoiler it, so I'll leave it at that.

                            What I Didn't Like About It:
                          While I didn't mind that it was long, I thought it was a bit too long, but other than that, there's not much that I hated about this film.

                            Consensus:
                          Overall, Django Unchained is an action-packed epic that is made by Tarantino's traditional filmmaking style. It's well-directed, has superb acting from the cast, fun action scenes, and witty dialogue.

*Note: There is an extensive use of the N-word, but it's only to encapulate the historical context of race and slavery in the U.S.

Rating: 5/5
                            

Review: The Silver Linings Playbook

                                        Quite A 'Silver Lining' To Be Found With This Film

                            I have seen a plenty of moving films last year, but not many of them have moved me as much as The Silver Linings Playbook. A movie that I hoped will inspire other people to find their silver lining like I have.

                            Story:
                         Pat Solitano (Bradley Cooper) was just released from a mental hospital where he was treated for bipolar disorder and he has lost everything: His wife, his job, and his house. Now he is forced to move back in with his parents (Robert DeNiro, Jacki Weaver), and he meets a recently widowed woman named Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence) who has a mental problem of her own. Tiffany offers to help Pat reconnect with his ex-wife, only if he'll do something for her in return. Along the way, Pat's father hopes that his son shares his love for the Philadelphia Eagles.

                          What I Liked About It:
                        First off, I absolutely loved the story, as well as the message that the film sends. Even though I'm not a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I thought it was interesting how they managed to weave them into the story. Plus, I loved how even though the film is marketed as a comedy, it manages to have heavy dramatic elements pushing it forward without it being too depressing.

                       Another thing I loved was the acting. But the two actors that really stood out are Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. Bradley Cooper delivers the best performance of his career as Pat, and Jennifer Lawrence truly deserved her Oscar win for her performance. Before I went to see this film, I knew that Lawrence was a fantastic actress, but she just completely blew me away in this. Robert DeNiro and Jacki Weaver also turn in solid supporting performances, DeNiro especially, as he is in my favorite scene in the entire film, where he reminds Pat to "seize the moment". Though one actor that really surprised me was Chris Tucker. He delivers a solid performance as well, like every actor in this film.

                        What I Didn't Like About It:
                      Honestly, there's not much that I hated about this movie. The storyline was flawless, the acting was fantastic, the length was fine, the direction was superb, and the writing was terrific. So, all in all, this is a flawless film.

                        Consensus:
                      Overall, The Silver Linings Playbook is a very quirky, yet emotionally compelling film that I feel will inspire those who watch it to find their silver lining. The film shows us that once you stay positive and surround yourself with those that care about you, your silver lining will come true.

Rating: 5/5
                    

                     
                                                       

Review: Moonrise Kingdom

                                Moonrise Kingdom: Where Style Resides And No Substance

                     Before I watched this film, I wanted to see it for a few reasons. One: the cast, which includes such talented actors as Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, and Jason Schwartzman. Two: The positive reviews that I've read. But I guess sometimes hype can trick you, because this movie sucked, and I mean, SUCKED.

                     Story:
                   Moonrise Kingdom is set in a New England town and is about two young kids who decide to runaway to a remote island, which they name Moonrise Kingdom. Once they run off together, that's when the girl's parents, the boy's scoutmaster and a policeman form a search party as they set off to find them.

                    What I Liked About It:
                  Now, this section is gonna be pretty empty because I can't think of anything that I could've liked about this film. I mean, not even any of the lead actors could save it. Not even Edward Norton and Frances McDormand, who are some of my favorite actors, and it's quite sad to see their talents wasted in this stylized garbage.

                    What I Didn't Like About It:
                  Where do I begin here? The two kid actors in this film had no chemistry. It has about a 90-minute run time, but feels like forever. It's made out to be quirky and witty, but there's no humor to be found. From the first 20-30 minutes, I just wanted it to be over, and once it got to 70 minutes, I actually shut it off, but eventually, I put it back on and made it through to the end, even though I didn't want to.

                    Consensus:
                  Moonrise Kingdom is an unimaginative, ungodly boring, overrated mess that I hope to just forget. It's simply a high school diarama posing as a feature film. Just a big, fat nothing, and I'm happier than a pig in mud that I didn't pay to see this in theaters.

Rating: 0/5

Review: That's My Boy

                                                'That's' Another Bad Movie for Adam Sandler
 
                              Before I saw this and Jack and Jill, I used to be a huge Adam Sandler fan. Now, I feel like whatever star power he had is slowly diminishing and makes me question why he would make this crap.

                              Story:
                        That's My Boy is about a middle schooler who has an affair with his teacher that results in a pregnancy. Now, as Donny (Adam Sandler) grows older, his son leaves him after his 18th birthday. Once he realizes that he now owes the IRS $43,000, he visits his son Han Solo (Andy Samberg) on his wedding weekend to try to organize a reunion at the woman's prison where his mother resides, in order for a reality TV show host to give Donny enough to pay back the IRS.

                          What I Liked About It:
                     Honestly, there is not much I liked about this movie. Not even Adam Sandler himself could make me laugh. I mean, Eddie Murphy has made some poor and so-so movies, but even in those, he still manages to be funny. 

                         What I Didn't Like About It:
                     Everything, but I'll only name a few things I didn't like:
                    The storyline and how it tries to do a comedic portrayal of pedophilia, statutory rape, and incest. *insert sarcastic laugh here*
                    Talented actors such as Leighton Meester, James Caan, Will Forte, Milo Ventimiglia, and Susan Sarandon are in this film for their talents to be wasted.
                    Every female character in this film is portrayed as either a trollop, a stripper, or a bimbo.

                         Consensus:
                      That's My Boy is a poorly executed unfunny mess that is probably the most mean-spirited comedy that I've ever seen. I can honestly say that I am beginning to look forward to Adam Sandler's future work less and less as I worry that he will continue to make more movies like this.

Rating: 0.5/5

                 

Review: Dark Shadows

                                         Not Much That Is 'Dark' About This Film

              Tim Burton has always been a favorite director of mine. He is one of top three favorites, along with Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. He has such a unique visual eye and his films usually have such a unique blend of comedy and drama, and he has made another success with Dark Shadows.

               Story:
            Dark Shadows is based on an old Gothic soap opera, and is about a vampire named Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp), who was cursed by an evil witch (Eva Green) and buried in the ground for centuries. Upon his awakening, he realizes he is now in the early 1970's and must restore his family business back to its former glory.

             What I Liked About It:
          One thing I loved the most about this film was the acting. Seven of the actors in particular that really stood out. Johnny Depp unsurprisingly delivers a scene-stealing performance as Barnabas Collins. Eva Green delivers a deliciously evil performance as the film's villain Angelique. Helena Bonham Carter, another Tim Burton regular, brings some nice comic relief as the family's drunken psychiatrist Dr. Julia Hoffman. Michelle Pfeiffer, Jackie Earle Haley, and Bella Heathcote also deliver strong supporting performances as well. But the last actress I'd like to talk about is Chloe Grace Moretz, who is terrific in everything I've seen her in, and Dark Shadows is no exception. I am more than positive she will bring in her A-game when she plays Carrie, and I look forward to her future work.

        Another thing I loved was the overall look of the film. Like I said before, Tim Burton has a very unique visual eye and he certainly uses it here in Dark Shadows. I loved the 70's setting and how it blends with Burton's traditional Gothic atmosphere.

            What I Didn't Like About It:
        Now, while I did enjoy this film, my biggest problem was that the film wasn't too sure of what it wanted to be. It was unsure if it wanted to be a comedy or a drama. I thought it had some nice comedic moments, but it would go from funny to downright serious. Burton successfully was able to blend comedy and drama in Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands, but in this, it was just slightly different.

       The only other thing I wasn't too crazy about was what they did with Jonny Lee Miller and Gulliver McGrath, who plays his son. In my opinion, they weren't given much time to really shine on screen, at least not as much as the other lead actors.

           Consensus:
       Overall, despite my issues with the film's dilemma of being a comedy or a drama, and with the development of a few of the characters, there isn't much I hate about this movie. Dark Shadows is another successful feat from the dynamic duo of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, and I can only hope they continue to make more successful films.

Rating: 4/5
        

Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

                                      'Snow White' With A Darker Twist
              
                         One thing that is unique about Snow White and the Huntsman is that even though it is an adaptation of a fairy tale, it sorta doesn't feel like one when you watch it, thanks to its darker spin on the classic tale.

                         Story:
                      Snow White and the Huntsman is about Snow White (Kristen Stewart) who has been imprisoned in a tower for most of her life by her evil stepmother, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron). Once Ravenna's magic mirror tells her that consuming Snow White's heart will give her eternal youth, Snow White escapes. Ravenna then sends a local Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth) to find her, but when he does, he decides to become Snow White's mentor to help her vanquish the evil Queen once he realizes that he is being tricked by her. Also, once Snow White's childhood friend William (Sam Claflin) realizes that she is alive, he then tries to find her.

                      What I Liked About It:
                   First and foremost, I LOVED Charlize Theron's chilling and fierce performance as Queen Ravenna. She manages to go from being manipulative to cunning to bat-s**t insane in a matter of minutes, and does it without being too over-the-top. If the movie should be remembered for anything, it should be for Charlize Theron's mesmerizing performance.

                  Another thing I really liked about the film is the dwarves. Casting controversy aside, all the actors that portrayed the dwarves did a nice job and brought some comic relief into the film which has a darker tone.

                  Also, I have to give major props to the effects team. I loved how they really put their heart and soul into the visuals of the film, and it really made for a creative atmosphere, which is something that I hope for when I go see a fantasy film.

                      What I Didn't Like About It:
                 While Charlize Theron gave a memorable performance as the Evil Queen, I can't say that Kristen Stewart gave a memorable performance as Snow White, as I felt like she had a bit of difficulty shaking the rust of her sullen Twilight performance off her shoulders.

                Another issue I had was one that many others had, which is the length. If the film had been trimmed a bit, it would've been slightly better.

                      Consensus:
                  Overall, Snow White and the Huntsman delivers a nice, dark twist to the classic fairy tale. It delivers superb performances from most of the cast and has breathtaking visuals.

Rating: 3.5/5
                   
                  

                
              

                      

Review: The Master

                                                

            P.T. Anderson Once Again Proves He Is A 'Master' of Filmmaking

I remember a few years ago, I discovered the masterpiece Boogie Nights, made by the directing maestro, Paul Thomas Anderson. Now, he delivers another masterpiece known as The Master.

                  Synopsis:
          The Master is a period drama set in post-World War II about a sex-obsessed veteran named Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) who reverts to alcoholism after his ordeal with the war. Eventually, he meets the charismatic leader of a scientologist-type cult named Lancaster Dodd (Philip Seymour Hoffman), and he accompanies him as he travels the country to spread his teachings.

                 What I Liked About It:
          While I did enjoy the film as a whole, to me, there were a few aspects of the film that truly stood out, aside from its brilliant story and cinematography.

         First and foremost, the thing that I loved the most about of the film is of course, the directing by Paul Thomas Anderson. He did such a marvelous job with his camera techniques, how he directs the actors and the way he directs the conflicts that take place in the film. With his direction of this film, he truly proves why he is one of the greatest filmmakers working today, and I look forward to his future work.

        Next, there is the three lead actors: Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. All of them deserved their respective Oscar nominations and truly gave standout performances. Joaquin Phoenix gives the best performance of his career as Freddie Quell. Philip Seymour Hoffman unsurprisingly delivers a scene-stealing performance as Lancaster Dodd. Amy Adams plays Dodd's wife Peggy and portrays the character with such ferocity and strong will power.

                What I Didn't Like About It:
       This one is pretty tough, because there is not much that I hated about this film. I'll admit, as soon as the movie was over, I was a bit confused with the ending. But eventually, I decided that maybe Anderson wanted it to be open-ended. I won't give anything away, so I'll just leave it at that.

                Consensus:
       Overall, The Master is an emotionally compelling and well crafted drama that succeeds thanks to the performances from its three lead actors and the direction from Paul Thomas Anderson.

Rating: 5/5 stars