Just Who Is "The Man In The High Castle" ?

The Man In The High Castle (2015)

Amazon Original Programming

Starring Luke Kleintank, Alexa Davalos, Rupert Evans, Arnold Chun, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Rufus Sewell,

Created by

The Story:

In 1962, World War II has been over for about 15 years. However, it was America that lost, and it is now divided into the Pacific States of America, controlled by Japan and the Greater Nazi Reich. In between is the buffer zone, which pretty much works as the Colorado Rockies. There is, however, some films being smuggled by the American resistance and sought after by the Nazis. The newsreels suggest a different timeline of the world where the Allies won World War II and the world turned out very differently.

For those with Amazon Prime, you've undoubtedly already watched this one. The pilot was their most watched show on their service.

However, if you haven't, you really should.

The settings, the costumes, the look of the show is nothing short of spectacular as they reinvent the early 60s and put a decidedly unAmerican spin on the country.

The show builds slowly, and centers on Joe (Kleintank) an undercover Nazi trying to get into the resistance and find these films; Julia (Davalos) who winds up with a film in her possession and quickly gets involved over her head; and Frank (Evans) who was with Julia until she vanished, and then has his world turned upside down until all he can think about is revenge.

Frank's story is the most heart-breaking of the main stories, and shows just how cruel the Axis powers could be.

However, that's not to say the Axis aren't just as riveting to watch with their stories, especially that of Obergruppenfuhrer John Smith (Sewell) who has always been a great villain, and he rises to the occasion once again. But to see the family man behind that steely Nazi glare, you almost, almost, sympathize for his situation at home.

So too Trade Minister Tagome (Tagawa) who wants to prepare his country for the moment he feels the Nazis will turn on Japan and seek total global domination.

There's a lot going on, but it's well worth your time.

I'm not sure where they're going with the story, and in many cases, that's a wonderful thing.

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Season 2 coming soon.

Final Grade: B+

Good Versus Evil..."Standoff"

Standoff (2016)

Rated R

Starring Thomas Jane, Laurence Fishburne, Ella Ballentine,

Written and Directed by Adam Allenca

The Story:

Bird (Ballentine) witnesses a murder by Sade (Fishburne) and runs in fear. She winds up finding refuge at a nearby house where the owner, Carter (Jane) protects her. However, Sade wants her dead, and Carter's just about out of bullets in his gun. This may not end well for Bird.

That's pretty much the movie.

It's a rather claustrophobic set as 90% of the film takes place in Carter's house.

Carter holds the stairway to the 2nd floor with Bird while Sade roams freely on the first floor.

It's then a back and forth between the two as they trade barbs and stories with one another while each trying to save or kill the little girl.

Allenca does quite well for himself for the first time behind the camera and he keeps the movie moving along nicely.

He's got two fine actors who are clearly into their roles, and Fishburne owns the screen whenever he's on, and if he had a moustache, you know there would be a scene where he's twirling it.  He embraces the nobility of his villain and you can almost....almost... see his side of things.

A taut thriller enhanced greatly by two great actors.

Final Grade: B- / C+ range

We've All Known A Few... "Bloodsucking Bastards"

Bloodsucking Bastards  (2015)

Rated R

Starring Fran Kranz, Emma Fitzpatrick, Joey Kern, Pedro Pascal, Joel Murray,

Directed by Brian James O' Connell

The Story:

Evan (Kranz) thinks he is about to get promoted at work by his boss (Murray). Instead, he loses out to Max (Pascal) and things really begin to change around the office. Add to that, the fact that he lost his girlfriend (Fitzpatrick) due to a bone-headed decision, and suddenly Evan's life is horrible. The only thing that might make it worse, is discovering that his co-workers are being turned into vampires.

Yep, things are about to get worse!

Another fine entry in the horror-comedy genre has arrived, and it's great fun.

The cast sucks you in and you're along for the ride as Evan and his best friend Tim (Kern) slowly unravel the plot to turn everyone into vampires, and then battle for survival and to try and save Amanda.

However, in their defense, the vampire outsourcing program is a very sound fiscal and productive move.

:)

Blood will be shed...launched... across the screen, but that's part of the fun from the film.

It's played straight, and for laughs, all at the same time.

I've seen a lot of enjoyable horror comedy this year. This and Freaks of Nature are the cream of the crop.

Final Grade:  B+

Still A Trick Or Two Up His Sleeve.."Wild Card"

Wild Card (2015)

Rated R

Starring Jason Statham, Michael Angarano, Milo Ventimiglia, Stanley Tucci,

Directed by Simon West

The Story:

Nick Wild (Statham) is a bodyguard in Vegas with a heart of gold but with a big gambling problem. Probably not the place to run a business if you've got that kind of issue. Cyrus Kinnick (Angarano) comes into town and wants to gamble big this weekend, so he hires Nick to keep him safe. During that same weekend, Nick stops by for a little revenge session on a thug (Ventimiglia) who beat one of his friends. The bad part, that guy has connections, and now it seems all of Vegas is after Nick. Can he beat the odds and get out of Vegas in one piece?

Wild Card has a great pedigree with the cast and crew assembled, but it hits a few rough notes along the way. That's odd for a movie written by William Goldman, so it's hard to tell if it's deviating from the script or trying to stay true to the story.

It's another one where there are long stretches without action, so that might cause the usual Statham fans to start having withdrawls, but stick around, when he does go into action, it's always worth it.

There are several supporting characters that are in the movie and then disappear without much further fanfare, so it seems odd. Why even introduce them if they aren't going to play any importance in the film?

That complaint aside, I enjoyed the ride from beginning to end. A few familiar beats throughout the movie, but when you've seen a lifetime of action films, it's not easy to find something new.

Normally, you just hope that you aren't disappointed.

I'm rarely disappointed with the entries in Statham's catalog of work, and this one is no exception.

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime as of this writing.

Final Grade:  B- / C+ range

I Really Didn't Like It... "Rock The Kasbah"

Rock the Kasbah (2015)

Rated R

Starring Bill Murray, Bruce Willis, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Hudson, Leem Lubany

Directed by Barry Levinson

The Story:

Richie (Murray) is a music manager who hasn't found the next-big-thing in a few decades. So he takes his only client on a USO tour in Afghanistan, she freaks out and bolts. Richie is all alone until he hears a magical voice singing from a cave and discovers Samir (Lubany). He thinks she could be the next Afghan Star, except for the whole how Afghanistan treats women thing.

And yes, it's based on a true story.

The bad thing...

I was sooooo bored within the first 20 minutes, I wanted to turn it off.

I don't even remember if I did.

I think I fast forwarded to the end of the film to see the happy ending.

I was just happy it was over.

Talented cast.

Sloppy execution.

Now available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade:  D-

Here Fishy Fishy... "In The Heart Of The Sea"

In The Heart of the Sea (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Benjamin Walker, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Brendan Whishaw, Tom Holland

Directed by Ron Howard

The Story:

Herman Melville (Whishaw) is ready to write his next novel. He wants to base it on what happened to the ship, The Essex that was reportedly attacked by a white whale in 1820. For research, he approaches Tom Nickerson (Gleeson) and learns of the fateful attack and the horrific aftermath of the ship sinking and what the surviving crew members had to endure.

Based on a mashup of several bits and pieces of the true story that Melville would create the fictional novel Moby Dick with, the bulk of the story takes place via flashback aboard The Essex. Rookie whaling Captain Pollard (Walker) and perennial first-mate Owen Chase (Hemsworth) butt heads from the get-go, but their determination to fill the ship with oil and return to port to be rid of one another fuels most of the voyage. Along the way, a young Thomas Nickerson (Holland) learns from them and the crew as they are beset with tragedies and unspeakable horrors after encountering the white whale.

Historians can pick this movie to pieces, but they are missing the point.

The sinking of the Essex did happen.

What happened next did happen.

Melville based Moby Dick on those events.

This movie puts all of the above into a blender and hits "go".

It's here to entertain, not turn into a faithful historical adaptation.

Ron Howard brings confident direction to the tale that failed to find an audience in theaters.

Perhaps too long...perhaps not interested enough in "another Moby Dick adaptation", I can't venture to guess.

It kept me interested from beginning to end, and the performances by everyone in the cast were exceptional. Gleeson's Nickerson as the man who's hidden shameful secrets for so long is positively heartbreaking when he finally expresses what happened in the lifeboats as the survivors waited endlessly for rescue.

Hemsworth is a commanding presence as the man who should be captain, and while he is the focal point of the movie, his supporting cast rounds out the film nicely.

A flawed gem from Ron Howard, but they can't all be masterpieces.

Final Grade:  B-

Nothing Can Stop... "The Wave"

The Wave (2015)

Rated R

Starring Kristoffer Joner, Ane Dohl Torp, Jonas Hoff Oftebro, Edith Haagenrud-Sandy

Directed by Roar Uthaug

The Story:

On the banks of the Norwegian fjord Geiranger lies one of hundreds of unstable mountain passes. These mountains have collapsed before, and the resulting tsunamis have killed dozens. The mountain pass is acting up, and it's only a matter of time until the unthinkable happens. And when it does, you only have 10 minutes to get to higher ground...or die trying.

No, this isn't your typical Hollywood disaster flick, this is Norwegian disaster flick that has everything you want in an action/thriller/disaster flick...

Except you have to read subtitles!

And it doesn't star The Rock.

:)

But when it's all said and done, Norway, you did really good.

The scenario of the movie isn't fictional, those mountains are cracking and those towns are in danger.

It's suspenseful, and you get to know the characters quickly and become attached to them.

Then disaster strikes, and you feel the pain as Kristian (Joner) has to decide whether to turn into town to save his wife (Torp) and son (Oftebro) or drive his daughter (Sandy) to higher ground.

Naturally, he does what a Dad would do, and tries to save the one.

Then he's going back to find the rest of his family and save them too!

The special effects are pretty good, and yes, it pretty much rivals a good Hollywood blockbuster, without the huge budget and cast of familiar faces.

Worth a whirl.

Final Grade: Solid B

Not Your Average Love Story..."Tumbledown"

Tumbledown  (2015)

Rated R

Starring Rebecca Hall, Jason Sudeikis, Joe Manganiello, Blythe Danner, Griffin Dunne,

Directed by Sean Mewshaw

The Story:

Hannah (Hall) is trying to get past the passing of her husband, an acclaimed folk musician, and she's attempting to do that by writing a biography about his life. Andrew (Sudeikis) is a writer from New York who is also a big fan of her husband's work, and is also working on writing a biography. Oil meets water and the two clash over just what the musician meant to Hannah and to the fans.

This is an interesting romantic dramedy that is a very, very slow burn in development.

Hannah and Andrew clearly are at odds when they first meet, and a romance between the two is the last thing you're expecting...

except for the fact that you're totally expecting it, because that's why the movie is here.

It's what the two discover when they begin working together that changes their preconceived notions about the man they are both writing about and the two end up working together to make one really good book.

Sudeikis continues to shine as a leading or supporting actor in films. He dials down his usual personality  to about an 8 (versus an 11!) and it helps sell the film. He may be unliked by Hannah, but he's not unlikable.

Hall does a fine job as the widow who doesn't quite know how to let go, and doesn't really want to either.

Final Grade:  C+

Don't Become Too Attached To Anyone..."The Hateful Eight"

The Hateful Eight  (2015)

Rated R

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern

Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino

The Story:

Bounty hunter John Ruth (Russell) is bringing Daisy (Leigh) in to collect the reward. However, as they race in their stagecoach to the haberdashery to avoid an impending blizzard, they run into another bounty hunter, Major Marquis Warren (Jackson) stranded in the storm. Then they meet Chris Mannix (Goggins), who claims to be the new Sheriff of Red Rock. Once they all make it to the haberdashery, they meet even more people and things get ready to take a very deadly turn.

Someday, Quentin Tarantino will write a movie without profanity or violence.

Maybe even a kids movie.

That day is not today.

:)

No, instead, Tarantino takes us on a trip back to the wild west and puts us into a nest of ruthless rogues who like to talk.

And talk.

And talk some more.

But, that's what Tarantino is known for: dialogue.

And this movie has a ton of it.

Just a bit under 3 hours worth.

The movie starts off with chapters, and that is all fine and good, but then when the movie comes back from intermission (yes, it's that long...) Tarantino makes a stylistic change that I didn't agree with then, and still don't now.

He introduces a narrator for the last half of the movie.

I don't get the choice, other than to remind his audience of what they may not have remembered since the intermission.

It's jarring, and again, out of place since the first half of the movie did not include a narrator, I still don't see why he felt the need to bring one in to the proceedings.

Otherwise, it's a fine cast, and if you love Tarantino movies, you'll probably love this one just as much as the rest of his catalog.

Final Grade:  B-

Gangsters Aren't Just American Made.."Legend"

Legend (2015)

Rated R

Starring Tom Hardy

Written and Directed by Brian Helgeland

The Story:

The rise and fall of Reggie (Hardy) and Ronnie (Hardy) Kray, possibly the most notorious gangsters ever to rule the streets of London in the 1960s.

Based on the true story of twin brothers Reggie and Ronnie Kray who ruled the London underworld with an iron fist through the 60s.

While there are indeed other actors in the film, the film basically is an acting tour de force for Tom Hardy to play both roles.

Each has mannerisms and behaviors that are unique to the character, and Hardy effortlessly portrays both with ease.

You can easily forget the stunt casting of it all, even during the fight scene when he beats himself up. :)

The story might be more riveting for those that grew up hearing about the Krays, I would think they might be similar to our Old West robbers or the Mafia.

Otherwise, a bit slow as the story tries to balance their life together as well as their life apart from one another.

However, at the end of the day, it's hard to walk away from family and the good life.

There are several stellar moments in the movie where you realize that Hardy could indeed be a contender to be the next James Bond as well.

Time will tell...

Final Grade: C

What's In A Name? "Creed"

Creed  (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone

Directed by Ryan Coogler

The Story:

Adonis Johnson (Jordan) is a boxer with a desire to win. He also happens to be the son of the late Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). Which means, he's sorta drawn to an old run-down champ named Rocky (Stallone). Will Adonis be a chip off the old block, or a chump with no heart?

The very first time I saw the trailer for Creed, I was indifferent and thought, nah, I'll pass.

Then about halfway through the trailer, Stallone popped up and I thought, is that Rocky?

Once I realized it was, my interest was raised and I figured it was worth a shot.

Even though I've only watched one previous Rocky film (Rocky Balboa) I get the gist of the series.

And I was right, it was indeed worth a shot.

Stallone is the heart of the movie as he takes Adonis under his wing to teach him that there is more to boxing than just hitting and getting hit.

He becomes the father Adonis never had and in return gets the son who never really wanted him.

His work in the picture earned him a Best Supporting Actor nod at the Academy Awards which he subsequently lost.

 Stallone was robbed.

I saw the movie, Bridge of Spies, with the performance that he lost to.

No offense, but that performance, while a great, is not at the heart of the entire movie. Take him out of the story completely, Bridge of Spies still works.

Take Rocky out of this film, nobody watches.

Hyperbole, probably, people will watch just about any film to give it a try.

However, without Stallone, there would be no heart and soul to the film, it would just be another film about an athlete who wants to overcome the odds.

Yawn.

We've seen it all a million times.

The wise sage teaching the young upstart.

But when you have Rocky as the master teaching the pupil, you're already emotionally invested in the storyline because you have a history with Rocky Balboa whether you've watched all the films, or even never watched one, you know Rocky.

Everyone knows Rocky.

And that carries some emotional heft to the story and helps transform this film into something bigger than itself.

Final Grade:  Solid B, possibly even a B+

Trying Too Hard..."Concussion"

Concussion (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse,

Directed by Peter Landesman

The Story:

Dr. Bennett Omalu (Smith) is a forensic neuropathologist in Pittsburgh who happens to be on duty when the body of former Steelers great Mike Webster (Morse) arrives at the morgue. As Bennett attempts to discover what really killed Webster, he makes the discovery of CTE: chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This discovery should be heralded as a scientific breakthrough, but instead threatens the very nature of the NFL.

In the 2015 edition of Trivial Pursuit, this will be the answer for why Jada Pinkett Smith boycotted the Oscars.

This was Will Smith's Hail Mary (see what I did there?) at an Oscar nab.

The problem is, the movie is rather uneven and therefore not worthy of Oscar buzz.

He gives a fine performance, but when he spoke for the first time with his accent, all I could think about was Eddie Murphy doing a similar accent decades earlier and laughed.

Probably not the correct first reaction to a riveting drama!

The science, the football, it's all good.

The sad decline of some of the NFL's fiercest warriors and the grim realization that Dr. Bennett was right years after bringing it to the attention of the NFL, and largely being ignored, brings the movie to a somber close.

What really isn't that great is the relationship with Prema (Raw). Whether it happened in real life like it does in the movie, I'm chalking that portion up to "who cares?" .

It seems tacked on and very poorly conceived, almost a tender romance bone to throw to the ladies in the audience that have to endure a football movie with their husbands.

Hands down, the best character in the movie is Bennett's boss, played by Albert Brooks. When he's onscreen, the movie picks up and hums along nicely. Sadly, he's not there nearly enough.

Still, no discounting the subject matter.

There was much potential here, but just like the NFL, the opportunity to do something historic was fumbled.

Final Grade:  B- / C+ range

Intramural Football Antics..."Balls Out"

Balls Out (2014)

Rated R

Starring Jake Lacy, Nikki Reed, Kate McKinnon, Beck Bennett, Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney, Jay Pharoah, D.C. Pierson

Directed by Andrew Disney

The Story:

Caleb (Lacy) was the star of the college intramural football team, but when tragedy struck, he disbanded the team. Now, facing his impending wedding to Vicky (McKinnon), he wants one last shot at greatness with his old team as they face down their biggest rival (Bennett) one more time.

In the vein of just about every sports movie you've ever seen comes a film that used much of the talent that would go on to become the current cast of Saturday Night Live.

The results, like many SNL skits, are as varied and all over the place as you might expect, but the cast gives their all for the sake of the film.

McKinnon's Vicky is easily the craziest psycho you've ever laid eyes on, and it's no wonder that Caleb wants to do something, anything, to distance himself from their impending relationship.

Bennett plays the evil counterpart very well and makes the most of his screen time. It also allows him to broaden his range from the usual nice guy routine that viewers are accustomed to seeing.

The funniest part of the movie is the commentary from the bleachers by Pharaoh and Pierson who provide play by play for nobody in particular besides themselves.

The movie could have used some more of their wit overall, but you've likely seen worse movies out there.

Not a horrible start for the next generation of SNL players.

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Final Grade: C

The "Spotlight" On A Great Movie About A Terrible Subject

Spotlight (2015)

Rated R

Starring Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Brian d'Arcy James, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci

Directed by Tom McCarthy

The Story:

It's 2001 and The Boston Globe gets a new editor (Schreiber). As he feels his way into the job, he decides to pull his Spotlight team (Keaton, McAdams, Ruffalo, James) and put them on the hunt about a Catholic priest who may have abused multiple children and his exploits were known and covered up by the Catholic Church. What starts with dead-end after dead-end soon unravels one of the most scandalous real-life stories ever told.

Wow.

That is likely the feeling you will get as you watch the film and when it concludes.

It deserves every accolade it received, and while I see a great vocal assortment of film watchers clamoring that this movie should not have received the Best Picture Oscar, and it should have gone to The Revenant instead.

That simply reminds me that many people can be wrong.

:)

The cast all give strong performances, and it's a little sad that Brian d'Arcy James doesn't even get billing on the movie poster. He gives an honest, raw performance of a news reporter who wants to tell the world, or at least his corner of it, but can't due to his duty to the story.

Strangely, only Mark Ruffalo's performance is the one I cared for the least. He seemed a little too excitable and manic, and several times I smiled thinking he would turn into The Incredible Hulk when he started stressing out.

Well worth your time and energy.

It should begin streaming on Netflix sometime this summer if  you haven't seen it by then.

Final Grade:  A

Jane Austen Is Rolling Over In Her Grave...And Craving Brains! "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies"

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Lily James, Bella Heathcote, Matt Smith, Sam Riley, Jack Huston, Douglas Booth

Written and Directed by Burr Steers

The Story:

What's the best way to describe the story?  What if you took the writings of Jane Austen, and decided to frame them around a deadly zombie outbreak?

Why yes, that would probably do it.

So all of the players are on the board, they just have to survive the zombie hordes if they hope to make it to the altar alive.

Good, but not great.

That's about the easiest way for me to sum up my reaction to the film.

They made a beautiful period piece, and they intersperse the zombie apocalypse in there pretty well.

However, the film just sort of drags along with fits of brilliance interrupting periods of dullness.

So yes, a typical Jane Austen work.
:)

I don't know, perhaps they played it too straight, but there is no sense of fun or impending dread, two things that often set the best zombie movies apart from the lumbering pack.

Who knows, maybe I was just tired while I was watching, but I often found myself starting to drift when the cast wasn't in peril.

That said, Lily James certainly carries this film on her shoulders in a way she was unable to do with the extremely boring Cinderella remake.

Final Grade:  C+

That's Going To Be A Really Busy Place... "Bad Kids Go To Hell"

Bad Kids Go To Hell (2012)

Rated R

Starring Cameron Deane Stuart, Ben Browder, Ali Faulkner, Augie Duke,

Directed by Matthew Spradlin

The Story:

It's Saturday afternoon at Crestview Academy, and six students begin their day of detention. The rumors of the school being haunted begin to seem true as one by one, the students meet their grisly fates!

It's the Breakfast Club re-imagined as a horror film, and for the most part, it works fairly well.

It's many of the cliches of high school and horror movies all woven into one crazed Saturday detention hall.

The best parts of the film are the flashbacks that show how the new kid, Matt (Stuart) was involved in just about every aspect of each of the other kids getting suspended. Normally, it was by circumstances that were beyond his control. Wrong place, wrong time.

It's no wonder nobody else really likes him.

:)

You'll see some of the twists and turns coming, but for the most part, Spradlin wrote and directed a pretty decent horror comedy that works on many levels.

Plus, it really does go full circle with The Breakfast Club when you find out who the principal of the school is.

:)

Naturally after sending the disc back, I have since discovered that it's also streaming on Amazon Prime.

I need to check that site more often. :)

Final Grade: C+ / B- range

"The Voices" Made Him Do It

The Voices (2014)

Rated R

Starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, Jacki Weaver

Directed by Marjane Satrapi

The Story:

Jerry (Reynolds) is a nice, quiet, unassuming guy who has some issues. His doctor (Weaver) insists that he take medication, but when he does, life seems so dull and grey. He prefers to skip the meds, because life seems so much brighter and he gets to talk to his pets, Bosco and Mr. Whiskers. They talk back to him as well and encourage him to do things. Some of those things aren't very nice...

 Here's a dark comedy about a serial killer who doesn't really mean to be one.

He's simply trying to date his office crush, Fiona (Arterton). Things take a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills her.

Or was it an accident?  Jerry is never really sure.

That was bad enough, but when Fiona's head starts telling Jerry about how lonely she is and would really like a friend, that's when Jerry has to decide whether or not to go after Lisa (Kendrick) and have a relationship with her, or make her a victim.

Hey, I guess if you can have a successful series on cable about a serial killer, what's wrong with a darkly humorous movie that tries to have a little fun with the voices that some people have in their head?

The worst part about the movie: you start feeling bad for Jerry and hope that he will get away with it. Perhaps that's just how likable Reynolds is as an actor.

:)

Available for streaming on Amazon Prime as of this writing.


Final Grade:  C+

It's All About Igor..."Victor Frankenstein"

Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Daniel Radcliffe, James McAvoy

Directed by Paul McGuigan

The Story:

This is the story of how Victor Frankenstein (McAvoy) met a circus freak (Radcliffe) with a brilliant mind and the two became friends and even contemporaries. Be ready for a twist on the relationship that you thought you knew.

Also, be ready to be rather bored while watching it.

:)

Okay, maybe not bored. It's not that it's bad or anything, it's just rather plodding in how it goes about everything. It's a period drama that hopes to be something more, but really isn't.

By the time they get around to building the creature, the movie is just about over.

However, since this isn't really supposed to be THAT story... it's already been told a number of times.

Instead, the relationship and dynamic between Igor and Frankenstein is the focus of the movie, and their scenes together  is the highlight of the movie.

McAvoy does everything at hyper speed, making his Victor the crazy one in the movie.

Radcliffe brings soul and heart to the role of Igor who winds up being much more than just a lab assistant to Victor's plans.

Of course, when it ventures into Igor's potential love interest, I found myself happy for Igor but otherwise, didn't really care.

My guess is, they were hoping to make this feel like the updated Sherlock Holmes series starring Robert Downey Jr. by breathing life and style into a centuries old franchise.

Nice idea, but it doesn't come off as well this go round.

Final Grade:  C

"I, Frankenstein" Brings You Up To Date On The Creature

I, Frankenstein (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, Bill Nighy, Jai Courtney

Directed by Stuart Beattie

The Story:

The Creature (Eckhart) is immortal. He buries Dr. Frankenstein in a graveyard but is attacked by demons. He is rescued by Gargoyles who are actually angels on earth to help keep the demons at bay. They ask him to join their ranks to fight evil, but the creature refuses. Centuries pass and now the demons are working on perfecting Dr. Frankenstein's formula to create an army of the immortal dead. It's time for the creature to choose a side.

Well, that was something alright.

You think you're getting a tale of the Creature, and he falls smack dab into a centuries old battle of good vs. evil with demons and angels.

Not a bad direction, really.

It's reaching for the stars and trying to tell an epic tale.

However, it plays it too straight to be B-Movie horror fun yet not epic enough to be a sweeping fantasy tale.

It winds up as an average film that fine for a viewing, but the odds of watching it again or hoping it's the start of a franchise diminish before the credits are over.

But, at least I went the entire review without commenting on Jai Courtney's lack of charisma.

Oops.

:)

Available to stream on Amazon Prime as of this writing.

Final Grade: C

A Fairly Dynamic Duo... "Daddy's Home"

Daddy's Home (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church,

Directed by Sean Anders

The Story:

Brad (Ferrell) really loves his wife (Cardellini) and her kids. He's trying to be the best step-dad in the world to them, and as time has passed, their intense burning hatred of him is slowly becoming casual indifference. Then Dusty (Wahlberg) breezes back into town, and Brad quickly falls from grace and slowly loses his mind as he attempts to win back the family that he's always wanted.

Much like the last time these two teamed up (The Other Guys) there are laughs to be had, but overall, it was just an okay movie.

Naturally everything goes wrong for Brad, and while comical at first, it just keeps compounding and you're like, "okay, I get it".

Not everything in life, or movies, needs to be turned up to 11.

Eventually the tables will turn and the charmed life that Dusty is enjoying will fail, but it takes quite a bit for him to realize that there is more to being a dad than just "being cool".

The energy and interplay between the two is there, and I hope that should they decide to buddy up again, they will finally get that script that puts it over the top as a truly enjoyable film that lives up to the high expectations the audience has going into the film.
 
The best bits usually involve Thomas Haden Church. That guy kills i as Brad's boss. :)

So yes, there are some laughs, but for me, not everything clicked perfectly this go round.

And really, when the kids are the ones using the most profanity in the film, it's time to get another opinion on the script.

I've seen kids that don't care for an authority figure (see Uncle Buck) and they don't need to swear up a storm to get the point across.

Final Grade: C+

Another Inspiring True Story..."Gridiron Gang"

Gridiron Gang (2006)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Xzibit, L. Scott Caldwell, Jade Yorker, Setu Tasse, Mo McRea, James Earl

Directed by Phil Joanou
The Story:

At the Kilpatric Juvenile Detention Facility, supervisor Sean Porter (Johnson) has seen enough. The kids come and go and come back again, or wind up dead or in jail. He wonders if he can give them some direction and guidance by bringing football into their lives.

If he didn't succeed, we wouldn't be watching this movie, now would we.
:)

Yep, another based on a true story which are always nice to drum out the annoying headlines of the news.

Here we go back a decade,  in case you missed it on the first go-round for the film, to a young wrestler turned actor, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as he was still billed.

One of his first forays into Hollywood outside of WWE studios, and thankfully this one was better, and more successful than his other movie from 2006: Southland Tales.

Raise your hand if you endured that one.

Me too, and I'm sorry for your loss.

But you see the chemistry and charisma and Johnson lights up the screen whenever he's there. The guy is a natural, and it's been fun watching his career move from the ring to the screen with occasional forays back to the squared circle to relive past glories.

Be forewarned, while this could be a film that is viewable for the entire family, this isn't a sugary sweet Mighty Ducks type of affair.

I had forgotten how violent the movie starts out with, and the violence is targeted at kids.

But that's also life in some streets in America.

Worth a viewing or a revisit if you haven't seen it in some time.

Currently streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade:  C+

Financial Crisis Fodder... "The Big Short"

The Big Short (2015)

Rated R

Starring Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Brad Pitt, John Magaro, Finn Wittrock,

Directed by Adam McKay

The Story:

3 separate but equal stories propel the story of the collapse of the housing market. Michael Burry (Bale) begins the proceedings with the realization that the housing bubble is about to explode, not just pop. He invests the millions he has under his control on the fact that this will happen. Banks line up to take his money, and the waiting and the "are you crazy?" begins. Meanwhile Jared Vennett (Gosling) learns of the venture and proposes it to just about everyone until Mark Baum (Carell) decides to invest as well. Finally, two young entrepreneurs (Magaro and Wittrock) enlist the reclusive Ben Rickert (Pitt) to get their feet in the door so they too can all bet against the housing market to crash.

Something it had never, ever done before.

Bet you know how this one ends, right?

Correct, because most of us lived through it, and still haven't fully recovered.

That's what makes this movie so irritating.

It's good, don't get me wrong.

However, McKay has to enlist some weird shtick throughout the movie to inject humor in an otherwise humorless situation.

Why is Margot Robbie in a bathtub? For no other reason than to put her in a tub of bubbles and explain part of the financial crisis.

So the movie can be jarring in delivery from time to time, but otherwise, it's a pretty compelling movie.

However, it's also extremely depressing because you realize that you're rooting for these people to "win", which means the average homeowner loses.

The banks got bailed out, these guys got rich, and it was everyone with a mortgage who ended up getting screwed.

So that sort of tempers the overall enjoyment of the film.

That said, all of the actors do a great job, and you have to give credit to Steve Carell for giving probably the best, and most passionate and pained performance of the entire cast.

Final Grade:  B