Interstellar

In the not too distant future the earth is dying, running out of natural resources.  While humanity concentrates its efforts, finances and education on the necessities of survival; food and water. One man and his crew of explorers look to the stars to find hope and a new home for the human race. 

Writer/director, Christopher Nolan has been nearly flawless in his career with hits like Memento, The Prestige, Inception, The Dark Knight trilogy to name a few.  However, this one kind of missed the mark for me.  It's a thought provoking, somewhat mind-bending film, that is apparently based very much in scientific fact (all the more mind-bending).  An all-star cast gives great performances all around with some unexpected and unadvertised big name actors.  The special effects are very well done, to the point where you don't even think about them as effects.  

The story starts out well enough, but we don't quite fall in love with the characters, I didn't seem to care enough about them.  Also, the looming doom of the human race could've been a little more explicit.  The movie is far too long and I kind of lost interest about 30-35 minutes from the finish line.  Thankfully the resolution is fairly satisfying but still lacked the high level emotional punch that most of Nolan's films seem to end with.  

Where the film does succeed on some levels is in making you contemplate the vastness of space, the insignificance yet essential role of mankind in the universe and the great importance of being present for our loved ones and making the sacrifices necessary for their survival.

**1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for language and intense situations)

Official Website: http://www.interstellarmovie.net/

The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay, Part 1

Katniss Everdeen has been covertly freed from the life-threatening, population-controlling Hunger Games and is now the face of the rebellion against the Capitol.

Yet another series divides the final chapter into 2 movies, further padding the studios pockets and supposedly giving the fans more of what they want.  While this is a very intense, well acted movie, it does feel like they had to stretch things out to make it a full length movie.  Also it fails to give us a true resolution, which of course we'll get in part 2 of the finale.  Like I said, it is very intense, but possibly in need of a little more humor here and there to change the pace up a bit.  I have not read the books, but I can only imagine the intensity is lessened when you know what's going to happen, as I'm told the films are quite faithful to the books.  I enjoyed the movie, was very into it, but was annoyed when it ended, realizing I had to wait another year or two to find out what happens...or I guess I could read the books.

*** out of 4 - worth a trip to the theater, especially if you've invested time in the first two.

Official Site: http://www.thehungergamesexplorer.com/us/

Big Hero 6

Young science prodigy Hiro Hamada, his robotic health care companion, Baymax and friends team up to create a new band of superheroes.

Because of my line of work I was allowed to see this movie several months ago when it was nearly 80% storyboards. It was interesting to see the changes from storyboard animatic to completely animated, rendered, finished film. The story barely changed. Where it made leaps and bounds was obviously in the subtlety of the performances through completed character animation. The characters are completely endearing, appealing and funny, especially the robot Baymax. The story has a surprising amount of heart and emotion, as well as some really, inventive action sequences.

Must See ***1/2

Official Site: http://movies.disney.com/big-hero-6/mobile/

Horrible Bosses 2

Our three would be heroes return, this time they are starting their own business in an effort to be their own bosses, nevertheless their new business is pushed to the point of bankruptcy when they are double crossed by a wealthy investor. Angry and determined to get their business back they decide on a new venture…kidnapping.

So this wasn’t really a surprise. The cast is funny. The humor is crude and crass and the plot predictable. The storyline in general is perhaps more plausible that the original flick, but the characters themselves have morphed into a modern version of the three stooges. This makes it a tad off putting to watch at times as they are complete bumbling idiots. That wasn’t really the case in the first movie – they were just three guys that were in way over their heads and had no criminal, particularly murderous, ability in them. Dumb? Perhaps, but they were not total morons. That seems to have changed a tad in the sequel.

Still, having said all of that, it is funny and worth renting.

** Rentable

Rated R (for language and brash humor)

Official Site: http://horriblebosses2.com/

Big Hero 6

A misguided teenaged whiz kid is lured into applying for college when he is introduced to his brothers’ friends, a group of highly skilled high-tech nerds not to mention his brothers’ latest creation, an inflatable robot named Baymax.


Monsters Inc. meets Iron Man. This was incredibly fun and unexpectedly heartfelt. It is a little slow to start but once the pace is set it maintains both velocity and charm throughout the story. Take note that it may be a bit too dark for those little ones under the age of eight, as the story deals with death and loss.

In spite of its more serious theme it is extremely comical and has fabulous dialogue and random dry humor that brought forth bursts of laughter from a predominantly adult audience. This is a new and fun addition to the Marvel line up – and like all Marvel flicks – stay till the end of the credits.

*** ½ Must See

Rated PG (for violence and thematic elements)

Official Site: http://movies.disney.com/big-hero-6/

Nightcrawler

Lou Bloom is an ambitious yet socially awkward man that becomes captivated by the world of video journalism. Through some questionable means he obtains a camera and an assistant and begins his journey into freelance reporting of LA crime. As he becomes more and more successful, his already questionable ethics begin to blur, making him more and more dangerous.

Creepy. So very creepy. Jake Gyllenhaal is perhaps a little too good at portraying this character. Awkward and abrasive, the character Lou Bloom will actually make your skin crawl. The acting is amazing, the characters all intriguing even when off putting, but the story itself is weak and totally predictable.

Because of the obviousness of the storyline nothing is really surprising and in fact takes away, ever so slightly, from the sinister persona of the main character. What really saves this is the dialogue. The things that spew out of Gyllenhaal’s mouth – that is what makes him so chilling and disturbing.

Although predictable it is an acceptable thriller that will no doubt make you squirm a tad. Nothing to run out and see on the big screen, but worth adding to your Netflix cue.

** ½ Rentable

Rated R (for language and gore)

Official Site: http://www.nightcrawlerfilm.com/

Gone Girl

Nick Dunne comes home to find what looks like a break in and his wife, Amy is now missing. The more time he spends with the police trying to find her the more his story begins to unravel, leaving the police, their friends and family all to start questioning his involvement with her disappearance.

Creepy, twisted, suspenseful fun! If you like thrillers – see this. No spoilers here, the cast is awesome the story is unexpected, the ending intriguing.

Keep in mind however this movie is Rated R and for good reason. Lots of sex, lots of blood, lots of innuendo, lots of creepy crazy talk, lots of swearing and some nudity. Despite all of that however they did still manage to slip a storyline in too and it is just demented enough to keep the audience on their toes.

Have fun kids.

*** Must See

Rated R (for all of the above)

Official Site: http://www.gonegirlmovie.com/

My Old Lady

A man inherits a Parisian apartment upon the death of his estranged father. With all intent to sell the valuable real-estate and pocket the money his plans are slightly kinked when he finds out that along with the apartment, he has inherited the current resident as well; a 92 year old woman.

I expected this to be much more entertaining than it was. It has a magnificent cast, Kevin Kline, Maggie Smith, and Kristin Scott-Thomas all give spectacular performances, yet it is somewhat disorienting as to how sad and gloomy the back story is.

Billed as a light-hearted tale of circumstance and comedic charm it really is more about abandonment and unfulfilled life. The cumbersome story is spoon fed to the audience and at times leads to some awkward events. Also, the long verbal story telling grows tedious and at times gives the impression of an episode of ‘Reading Rainbow’ more so than a motion picture, which makes the movie seem much longer than it actually is.

Not a terrible movie, but extremely disappointing, as it is not good either.

*1/2 Rentable

Rated PG-13 (for language and sexual references)

Official Site: http://cohenmedia.net/films/my-old-lady