Yesterday I went to see the movie Fruitvale Station, based on the last day of the life of Oscar Grant II, a 22 yr old Bay Area resident. You follow the day of this young man as be interacts with his girlfriend, daughter, mother, other friends, enemies and finally his confrontation at Fruitvale Station.
Michael B. Jordan plays Oscar quite adequately, displaying him through his many emotions and Melonie Diaz as his girl friend and mother of his daughter, but it is Octavia Spencer as Wanda his mother who his great.
This is a sad story based on a true story, as the information gathered about his last day is brought together. Slow paced, it takes you through Oscars day, and at the same time you come to understand his journey, his awarenessness which are happening as he works to change his life. This movie was a Grand Jury Prize Winner in the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and I can see why.
It is a movie which leaves you thinking of many different things. Would this have been a different ending if Oscar was not black. Would it have been different if one of the Bart coops was not a rookie. Would it have been different if he had not taken the train. Food for thought, a good way to leave a movie.
If you have a chance to see this movie, then do so, just to see how you can do everything in your power to do it 'right' but still be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
4 out of 5.
Monday, September 16, 2013
Riddick - movie review
As my movie goer friend Trish and I were sitting in the movie to watch Riddick, I thought there would be more people to see it. I had been looking forward to seeing Vin Diesel again, as I'm a fan from the Fast and Furious franchise. I really did not know what to expect. I had seen the Chronicles of Riddick a long time ago. So as it began I was open to anything I was going to see.
First of all, Vin Diesel was great with his usual 'man' style especially with the 'glinty' Riddick eyes. The story line was not overly hard to get. Betrayed and stranded on a hostile planet, with alien predators he has to find a way to survive. Discovers an abandoned station and sends an emergency signal and is therefore joined by two brands of mercenaries one who want him dead for the bounty on his head, the other wants him alive for information.
The predictors, who he Riddick runs into quite early are scary (I often found myself with my eyes covered). I'm a real scaredy cat when it comes to unusual looking things. In fact, at one point, I made my self look, because I felt I was cowering way too much. But, I got used to these things, and was amazed as to how Riddick made himself a 'friend' with the coyote like thing (they were all things). How the plot had him inoculate himself so he could survive their poison and eventually gets himself off the planet, moving on to the next Riddick story to come.
The supporting cast, besides the computer generated things, Karl Urban did his usual good solid acting role, and Katee Sackhoff, who I had been watching in Longmire, was great as the gay woman of the bunch. Jordi Molla was the leader to the rag tag group, who slowly got themselves killed off.
If you want adventure, high tension (my adrenaline was pumping) then go see Riddick.
3 out 5.
First of all, Vin Diesel was great with his usual 'man' style especially with the 'glinty' Riddick eyes. The story line was not overly hard to get. Betrayed and stranded on a hostile planet, with alien predators he has to find a way to survive. Discovers an abandoned station and sends an emergency signal and is therefore joined by two brands of mercenaries one who want him dead for the bounty on his head, the other wants him alive for information.
The predictors, who he Riddick runs into quite early are scary (I often found myself with my eyes covered). I'm a real scaredy cat when it comes to unusual looking things. In fact, at one point, I made my self look, because I felt I was cowering way too much. But, I got used to these things, and was amazed as to how Riddick made himself a 'friend' with the coyote like thing (they were all things). How the plot had him inoculate himself so he could survive their poison and eventually gets himself off the planet, moving on to the next Riddick story to come.
The supporting cast, besides the computer generated things, Karl Urban did his usual good solid acting role, and Katee Sackhoff, who I had been watching in Longmire, was great as the gay woman of the bunch. Jordi Molla was the leader to the rag tag group, who slowly got themselves killed off.
If you want adventure, high tension (my adrenaline was pumping) then go see Riddick.
3 out 5.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Lee Daniel's The Butler movie review
Every now and again you get to see a movie that has everything. Lee Daniel's The Butler is it. It contains everything, education, emotion, plus great acting. This is the movie of the year. The cast was phenomenal. Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gains the Butler, whose life we follow is his usual superb self. Oprah Winfrey, who you forget is Oprah, as she becomes Gloria Gaines Cecil's wife. She portrays the different stages and what she as a wife of a Butler in the White House, plus raising two sons goes through.
David Banner who plays son Earl, who joins the freedom rides and even the Black Panthers is also great. Then comes the actors who play the Presidents, John Cuscak as Richard Nixon, Robin Williams as a great Dwight D Eisenhower, James Marsden as John F Kennedy, Liev Schreiber does a great job as Lyndon B Johnson and Alan Rickman makes a wonderful Ronald Regan. They were all great selections for their roles. You learn a lot about the Presidents and the affect having Black Butlers played in their awareness of equality.
In fact the whole cast was so well cast that there was not one person you thought, wow, this is miscast, in fact, for the over 2 hour movie, you hardly recognize the time. The movie moves through the years, with ease, and with each character being so well played, you get caught up in the story quickly as it touches you emotionally, and you go for the ride. At the end, I found my self sitting there digesting it all. Let us hope we do not forget what people went through in order to have equality - even though in some ways it still on going.
I'm sure you have heard the story line, of how this share croppers son, who is taken in and trained to be a 'house nigger' ends up as a Butler in the White House. As you follow this tale you begin to identify with the 'struggle' as the White Staff of the white house receive 40% more monies than the Black staff. It appears it was Ronald Reagan who changed that so they all received the same.
Also through the movie comments were made by the Presidents which showed that having Black Butlers, whom they trusted and came to 'know', did make a difference. Nelsan Ellis who plays Martin Luther King, Jr. makes a statement during the movie of not to demean the Black Help, but due to their work ethic (can't remember it all, but it was another great statement during the movie) advising Earl, to recognize the contribution his father was doing.
There were so many wonderful moments, so many wonderful actors playing their parts that I can't possibly mention them all. All I can say, if you want to see a movie of the year, then go see this one.
5 out of 5.
David Banner who plays son Earl, who joins the freedom rides and even the Black Panthers is also great. Then comes the actors who play the Presidents, John Cuscak as Richard Nixon, Robin Williams as a great Dwight D Eisenhower, James Marsden as John F Kennedy, Liev Schreiber does a great job as Lyndon B Johnson and Alan Rickman makes a wonderful Ronald Regan. They were all great selections for their roles. You learn a lot about the Presidents and the affect having Black Butlers played in their awareness of equality.
In fact the whole cast was so well cast that there was not one person you thought, wow, this is miscast, in fact, for the over 2 hour movie, you hardly recognize the time. The movie moves through the years, with ease, and with each character being so well played, you get caught up in the story quickly as it touches you emotionally, and you go for the ride. At the end, I found my self sitting there digesting it all. Let us hope we do not forget what people went through in order to have equality - even though in some ways it still on going.
I'm sure you have heard the story line, of how this share croppers son, who is taken in and trained to be a 'house nigger' ends up as a Butler in the White House. As you follow this tale you begin to identify with the 'struggle' as the White Staff of the white house receive 40% more monies than the Black staff. It appears it was Ronald Reagan who changed that so they all received the same.
Also through the movie comments were made by the Presidents which showed that having Black Butlers, whom they trusted and came to 'know', did make a difference. Nelsan Ellis who plays Martin Luther King, Jr. makes a statement during the movie of not to demean the Black Help, but due to their work ethic (can't remember it all, but it was another great statement during the movie) advising Earl, to recognize the contribution his father was doing.
There were so many wonderful moments, so many wonderful actors playing their parts that I can't possibly mention them all. All I can say, if you want to see a movie of the year, then go see this one.
5 out of 5.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Company You Keep - movie review
Sitting recuperating from all the driving I have done lately, I decided to take a look at what was showing on my Cable company's Movie on Demand. Within a few minutes of looking I was watching The Company You Keep with Robert Redford, Shia LaBeouf, with supporting actors Stanley Tucci and Nick Nolte, Julie Christie and the ever wonderful Susan Sarandan. Chris Cooper and Terrance Howard as the FBI agent. I could keep going with names, as you recognize people as the film goes along.
Robert Redford directed, as well as starred in this movie, and I'm sure got all his 'friends' or people he wanted to work with somehow involved. A great cast. The story of an old 'waterman' woman played by Susan Sarandan, turns herself in after 30odd years. This puts a young newshound played by Shia LaBeouf, very well I might add, and he runs across Robert Redford as a lawyer, Jim Grant. He soons determines that he is Nick Sloan, another of the 'waterman' wanted.
The movie then follows Jim Grant's journey as he leaves his young daughter with his brother, goes and finds other 'old' friends until he locates Mimi (Julie Christie - still looking wonderful). All the way Shia's character is poking, looking, putting two and two together until the story reaches its conclusion.
I thought the premise, the acting and the unfolding of the story on the whole was good. Robert Redford was at his usual best, and I was impressed that he could 'run' so well at his age (when I don't). It was fairly long (over 2 hours), and some scenes seemed to drag, but on the whole a good story. One in which kept me entertained while I rested.
3 out of 5.
Robert Redford directed, as well as starred in this movie, and I'm sure got all his 'friends' or people he wanted to work with somehow involved. A great cast. The story of an old 'waterman' woman played by Susan Sarandan, turns herself in after 30odd years. This puts a young newshound played by Shia LaBeouf, very well I might add, and he runs across Robert Redford as a lawyer, Jim Grant. He soons determines that he is Nick Sloan, another of the 'waterman' wanted.
The movie then follows Jim Grant's journey as he leaves his young daughter with his brother, goes and finds other 'old' friends until he locates Mimi (Julie Christie - still looking wonderful). All the way Shia's character is poking, looking, putting two and two together until the story reaches its conclusion.
I thought the premise, the acting and the unfolding of the story on the whole was good. Robert Redford was at his usual best, and I was impressed that he could 'run' so well at his age (when I don't). It was fairly long (over 2 hours), and some scenes seemed to drag, but on the whole a good story. One in which kept me entertained while I rested.
3 out of 5.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Elysium - movie review
I went to see Elysium - at 10.10pm show - because I wanted to see Matt Damon in this role. After all I had seen him with his bald head for many months quite a while back. Unfortunately, I felt the movie missed its mark. It did not emotionally engage me.
The story line should have. The poor in future earth trying to get to the 'land of milk and honey' Elysium, (the international space station 100,000 times larger with a landscape like prosperous L.A. The aspirations of the poor, to get where all illness is miraculously healed, so you don't get old, you don't get sick, you live this wondrous life. Or at least a few do.
The rest, well they live in an overpopulated, crime-ridden, rubble-covered Earth (filmed in a garbage dump in Mexico where a couple of thousand people actually do live). Matt is Max who receives an overdose of radiation and then is made into a machine-man, who downloads a program into his head, and he needs to get to Elysium (which is heavily guarded - blowing unauthorized transports out of the sky).
The movie sets up as to how Max gets radiated, made into a machine-man, and how he gets to Elysium. Of course there is the emotional quotient as well. His childhood friend has a little girl who is dying and needs what Elysium has in order to get well.
There is some good support actors with Jodie Foster playing the going for power in Elysium, Sharlto Copley as the 'bad, bad guy', Alice Braga as Max's childhood friend grown up. Also Diego Luna, Wagner Moura and William Fichtner (he seems to be popping up a lot - still love his Crossing Lines TV show).
I'm not sure what makes this movie miss the mark, but for all the guns, the fighting, the human heart tugging, it did not touch me, or my friend who came with me. We both sat at the end and said, what's not right with this movie. I was disappointed. I like action movies, I like movies which have human heart strings, but somehow the director Neil Blomkamp missed the mark. Mind you, I was one of the many who did not overly enjoy District 9, so should have known. I understand I'm not alone in my estimation of this movie. I'm disappointed in that, because Matt Damon deserves a better movie.
2 out of 5 (the lowest I think I've given maybe ever, but for a long long time.).
PS Neil Blomkamp is south African, and I delighted in seeing the South African Flag on the side of Sharlto Copley's air transport plus he spoke with his South African accent. Look for the flag if you go see this movie. My friend missed it but you don't want to as it brought a smile to my face.
The story line should have. The poor in future earth trying to get to the 'land of milk and honey' Elysium, (the international space station 100,000 times larger with a landscape like prosperous L.A. The aspirations of the poor, to get where all illness is miraculously healed, so you don't get old, you don't get sick, you live this wondrous life. Or at least a few do.
The rest, well they live in an overpopulated, crime-ridden, rubble-covered Earth (filmed in a garbage dump in Mexico where a couple of thousand people actually do live). Matt is Max who receives an overdose of radiation and then is made into a machine-man, who downloads a program into his head, and he needs to get to Elysium (which is heavily guarded - blowing unauthorized transports out of the sky).
The movie sets up as to how Max gets radiated, made into a machine-man, and how he gets to Elysium. Of course there is the emotional quotient as well. His childhood friend has a little girl who is dying and needs what Elysium has in order to get well.
There is some good support actors with Jodie Foster playing the going for power in Elysium, Sharlto Copley as the 'bad, bad guy', Alice Braga as Max's childhood friend grown up. Also Diego Luna, Wagner Moura and William Fichtner (he seems to be popping up a lot - still love his Crossing Lines TV show).
I'm not sure what makes this movie miss the mark, but for all the guns, the fighting, the human heart tugging, it did not touch me, or my friend who came with me. We both sat at the end and said, what's not right with this movie. I was disappointed. I like action movies, I like movies which have human heart strings, but somehow the director Neil Blomkamp missed the mark. Mind you, I was one of the many who did not overly enjoy District 9, so should have known. I understand I'm not alone in my estimation of this movie. I'm disappointed in that, because Matt Damon deserves a better movie.
2 out of 5 (the lowest I think I've given maybe ever, but for a long long time.).
PS Neil Blomkamp is south African, and I delighted in seeing the South African Flag on the side of Sharlto Copley's air transport plus he spoke with his South African accent. Look for the flag if you go see this movie. My friend missed it but you don't want to as it brought a smile to my face.
2 Guns Movie Review
I thoroughly enjoyed 2 Guns with Densel Washington and Mark Walberg. I found myself laughing and enjoying the antics of these two great actors, obviously having fun.
These two 'bank robbers' who discover they are both agents of different forces who are being pursued by the CIA, drug runners and the pursuit and antics which follow is done in a humorous way. You will recognize several of the support players, and that was also fun, saying oh look whose playing this role. Won't tell you, because that's the fun of going to see it.
This is not a movie to go see if you want intellectual though, or some great concept. But, if you want to spend a couple of hours entertained by the antics of two actors having fun, then this is it.
I really don't have much to say about it.
3 out of 5.
These two 'bank robbers' who discover they are both agents of different forces who are being pursued by the CIA, drug runners and the pursuit and antics which follow is done in a humorous way. You will recognize several of the support players, and that was also fun, saying oh look whose playing this role. Won't tell you, because that's the fun of going to see it.
This is not a movie to go see if you want intellectual though, or some great concept. But, if you want to spend a couple of hours entertained by the antics of two actors having fun, then this is it.
I really don't have much to say about it.
3 out of 5.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Wolverine - movie review
Watching Hugh Jackman play any role is a treat, but being The Wolverine is always spectacular, and this latest outing of our beloved 'iron man with claws' is no exception. I did not know what to expect when yesterday I went, with my friend Trish to see it. In fact Trish was not sure she wanted to see it, she thought it was going to be too violent and did not want to see violence that day, but she succumbed and off we went together.
What a surprise, the movie, mostly set in Japan was a phenomenal movie, it was an action movie at its best. This movie needs to be seen if you are a Wolverine fan or not. It has a wonderful story line, it has action, it has heart, it has a new X-Man character - Viper, well played by Svetlana Khodchenkover. Tall beautiful and deadly, I found her demeanor quite frightening just sitting in the theatre.
Tao Okamoto plays Logan's romantic interest Mariko, with a fighter ally Yukio played by Rila Fukushima who has the ability to see when and how people are going to die. Hiroyuki Sanada also plays a part in this movie. (He seems to be cropping up in several movies. I first saw him on Lost so recognize him now). Anyway, back to The Wolverine. This movie has Logan soul searching, with dream sequences of his lost love Jean Grey, to come to terms with himself. Then he is requested to go to Japan to say 'goodbye' to an old friend, but instead encounters a proposition to give up his immortality and become normal.
What ensures with him and his two Japanese ladies, Mariko as his love interest, and Yukio as his fighter companion is a great story with action, softness and interesting Japanese scenery.
Much to my surprise, I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. A true action movie with all the components. Action, love, introspection and resolution. You can't find much better.
On the way to drop Trish off I said I give this movie 4 out of 5, and she says why not 5 (which I have my beloved Star Trek into Darkness) and I said because Star Trek I have gone to see many times and will see it many times again, I do not feel I have to rush back and see this one, but it was great!!!!
4 out 5.
What a surprise, the movie, mostly set in Japan was a phenomenal movie, it was an action movie at its best. This movie needs to be seen if you are a Wolverine fan or not. It has a wonderful story line, it has action, it has heart, it has a new X-Man character - Viper, well played by Svetlana Khodchenkover. Tall beautiful and deadly, I found her demeanor quite frightening just sitting in the theatre.
Tao Okamoto plays Logan's romantic interest Mariko, with a fighter ally Yukio played by Rila Fukushima who has the ability to see when and how people are going to die. Hiroyuki Sanada also plays a part in this movie. (He seems to be cropping up in several movies. I first saw him on Lost so recognize him now). Anyway, back to The Wolverine. This movie has Logan soul searching, with dream sequences of his lost love Jean Grey, to come to terms with himself. Then he is requested to go to Japan to say 'goodbye' to an old friend, but instead encounters a proposition to give up his immortality and become normal.
What ensures with him and his two Japanese ladies, Mariko as his love interest, and Yukio as his fighter companion is a great story with action, softness and interesting Japanese scenery.
Much to my surprise, I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. A true action movie with all the components. Action, love, introspection and resolution. You can't find much better.
On the way to drop Trish off I said I give this movie 4 out of 5, and she says why not 5 (which I have my beloved Star Trek into Darkness) and I said because Star Trek I have gone to see many times and will see it many times again, I do not feel I have to rush back and see this one, but it was great!!!!
4 out 5.
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