A "Colossal" Waste Of Time

Colossal (2017)

Rated R

Starring Anne Hathaway, Jason Sudeikis

Written and Directed by Nacho Vigalondo

The Story:

Gloria (Hathaway) moves back to her hometown and spends most of her days in a drunken haze. When reports of a giant monster terrorizing Seoul are on the news, Gloria realizes that somehow, some way, she is responsible.

So if you think that sounds like a good idea for a film, you're partially correct.

There were things in this film that did work, but they were few and far between.

My biggest disappointment was the characterization of Oscar (Sudeikis). He grew up with Gloria, clearly has a thing for her, but by the mid-to-end of the film, is just a big douche.

No real explanation for it, unless you go back to the flashback of when they were kids, and he did something really mean.

But it's too far out in left field, and way too contrived to make sitting through this one worthwhile.

I was going to give it a pass, barely, but I've changed my mind mid-review.

:)


Final Grade: C-   D+

A Good Career Choice..."The Intern"

The Intern  (2015)

Rated PG

Starring Robert DeNiro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Adam DeVine, Zack Pearlman

Written and Directed by Nancy Meyers

The Story:

Ben Whittaker (DeNiro) is a retired widower who misses his wife, and also misses working. When he sees an advertisement for a Senior Intern at a local online fashion company run by Jules Ostin (Hathaway) he decides to plunge back in with both feet. Initially resistant to the intern, can Ben prove to Jules that he still has what it takes to succeed in business.

This is a sweet movie with its heart firmly in the right place.

Nancy Meyers' latest hits all the right notes and clocks in at right about 2 hours, which is a little long for a comedy.

Thankfully, you don't really feel it drag anywhere, and that's a good thing.

While not a gut-busting, laugh a minute comedy, The Intern works as a slice of life with humor, heart, and a touch of sadness.

That said, there is a very funny scene concerning an email in the middle of the film that is hysterical.

The supporting cast is well developed and if anything, possibly underutilized in the film.

However, at the end of the day, the movie is about Ben and Jules, and that relationship shines through from start to finish.

It's a great standalone film, but if the cast were to reunite for a sequel, while unexpected, would definitely be worth a look.

Very glad to have seen this one, and would happily watch it again down the road.

Final Grade: Solid B / B+

It Was Only "One Day", But It Felt Much Longer Than That

Well...that could have gone better.

The Story:

It's July 15th when two college graduates, Emma (Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) almost hook up.  Then, for the next 20 years, the film pops in on their lives on the 15th of July.  As their lives weave in and out between the two, they remain close friends and share their triumphs and tragedies with each other.  The two are in love, but it will take them many July 15ths to really figure that out.

What a downer.

: )

You know it starts off bad when Anne Hathaway opens her mouth and out comes a British accent.  Because, as we all know, there are no British actresses out there capable of pulling off this role.

Otherwise, the idea is rather clever.  A snapshot of 2 lives intertwined on a seemingly random date on the calendar.

However, it was disjointed enough that it just became background noise as the movie wore on.  You can see where it's going, and you just wonder how many years have to roll by for the characters to catch up to what we already know is coming.

That said, the ending did catch me a bit off guard, but by that point, it was too little, too late.

If anything, it is a cautionary tale about not living your life to the fullest, because you never know how many "One Days" you will receive.

Final Grade: C-.. perhaps that is too generous... D+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Too slow (even at 1.5x!) and plodding for me, I'll pass.

The Bane of My Existence..."The Dark Knight Rises"

The trilogy concludes...

The Story:

8 years have passed since Batman went into seclusion.  The streets of Gotham are safe, thanks to the Dent Act.  But when trouble rolls into town in the form of sadistic mercenary Bane, all bets are off, and Bruce Wayne decides to dust off the cowl and go back into action as...

Batman!

Has it been 8 years?

I honestly don't know.

In fact, aside from knowing that I saw the 2nd film, I really don't remember much about it.

Perhaps I was still too depressed that Heath Ledger killed himself, but I really don't remember much about that film.  Other than everyone loving it.

I'm not even sure if I own it, I'll have to check my DVD case.

But anyway, back to the film...

So the cast grows with the arrival of Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and a cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt...again...) who both figure strongly in Batman (Christian Bale) and Commissioner Gordon's (Gary Oldman) fight to save Gotham from Bane (Tom Hardy, unrecognizable under the mask).

And much like props to Karl Urban for his willingness to be masked the whole film for Dredd, kudos to Hardy for taking a role that hides his face and muffles his voice for 98% of his entire screen time.


I was pleased with the Catwoman performance this go-round.  Never saw Pfeiffer's version, but this is a huge leap in the right direction after Berry's debacle from years back.


In fact, as an action film, this was actually a pretty good movie.

That said...

By this point in time, with the arrival of The Avengers, and Marvel stepping up their movie business with hit after hit, my kids had absolutely no desire to even watch this one.

So DC, you better step up your game if you have any chance of putting butts in the seats, at least with my family.


: )

I see how they set up for the eventual sequel/franchise reboot or whatever...


Meh.  I can handle another Bruce Wayne actor... not thrilled with what they have seemingly decided on though.


Final Grade: B

Would I Own It: I'll probably pick up a copy eventually on the cheap, but no big hurry. 

Marvel > DC.

: )