Be Bored By Those Thrilling Days Of Yesteryear..."Hail, Caesar!"

Hail, Caesar! 

Rated PG-13

Starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johannson, Jonah Hill, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton,

Written and Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen

The Story:

Eddie Mannix (Brolin) is a "fixer" for Capitol Pictures in Hollywood in the 1950s. He makes problems for the stars...go away... As he is dealing with a usual day at the office, one of their biggest stars, Baird Whitlock (Clooney) goes missing.

This is not the fun, farcical tone that the movie trailer suggested. It's a dramedy, to be sure, but if you're expecting a comedy, expect to be disappointed.

If you're expecting a movie with Clooney as the focus, also prepare to be disappointed.

Neither of these issues really bothered me.

If you're expecting a good movie, prepare to possibly be disappointed.

And that is the camp that I fall into.

This loving look back at Hollywood in the 1950s lacks really...everything.

The stars are present.
The scenery is magnificent.

You will believe the 1950s live again!

But really...nothing happens, and everything happens, all in the span of about a day.

A really long day, but you get the idea.

Ah, but it's a Coen Brothers film, so it's probably not about Hollywood at all, but is an allegorical tale about Christianity.

Oh.

Well that changes everything.

Except the part about it being a good movie.

B-O-R-I-N-G.

I do believe I made it through the whole thing, all the while wondering if there was a point to any part of it.

Weeks later, I don't believe I can look back and find the point.

I would have preferred a movie that focused more on Mannix, and maybe less sideshow stories and make a bigger case or two for him to try and solve.

As it was, it just seemed like a whole lot of loose ends that are vaguely tied together by his role.

But, I will award points for the look of the film.

And a reminder that if you want a better film about 1950s Hollywood, do yourself a favor and watch Trumbo instead.

Final Grade:  D+

The Oscar Should Have Gone To "Trumbo"

Trumbo (2015)

Rated R

Starring Bryan Cranston, Michael Stuhlbarg, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren, David James Elliot, Louis C.K., Alan Tudyk

Directed by Jay Roach

The Story:

Dalton Trumbo (Cranston) was one of Hollywood's best and most prolific screenwriters in the 1940s. Then in 1947, he and 10 other writers were accused of Communism by the House UnAmerican Activities Council and effectively blacklisted by Hollywood. To keep earning a living, Trumbo used different pen names and continued to crank out scripts for low budget films as well as allowing non-blacklisted friends to offer better material which would even win an Oscar that he couldn't even collect.

This is his story.

As I stated in the title of this review, Bryan Cranston should have walked out of the Oscars with Best Leading Man over DiCaprio.

He is a veritable tour de force in this film, being in just about every scene of the movie as either the protagonist or antagonist playing against a great supporting cast.

It's dramatic, it's funny... it's acting.

Perhaps the subject matter gives Hollywood too much of a black eye and that's why he didn't win.

Anything that shows the ugly underbelly of the way Hollywood work(ed)/s might be cause for some to be skittish when bestowing accolades upon a film.

Helen Mirren is effective and totally unlikeable in the film as gossip columnist Hedda Hopper who seemingly takes great delight in destroying Trumbo's career and anyone else she can sink her hooks into.

It's a really good film that is just as relevant today at showing how you have to hold onto your beliefs and convictions, regardless of what the government and others in power try and force you to do.

Because sometimes, Uncle Sam doesn't truly know what's best for anyone.

Very entertaining film, and I quite enjoyed watching this one.

Final Grade: B+/A- range

"Reel Injun" A Look Under the War Paint of the American Movie Indians

Reel Injun (2009)
Documentary Not Rated

Starring: Adam Beach, Clint Eastwood

Directed by Neil Diamond.  No, the other one.

The Story:

This documentary attempts to peel back the layers and expose how the depiction of the Native American on the big screen has shaped the world's perception on the American Indian.

Whether it is the idea that an Indian is an Indian, so in the movies, regardless of tribe, they all wear the same clothing.

They all hunt the same. Live the same. Look the same.

Are the same.

Even though tribes that dressed that way lived hundreds or thousands of miles from where they are being depicted onscreen.

Pretty informative and a nice take on trying to undo a century of cinematic falsehoods...

Even one that Native Americans themselves had a hard time trying to overcome.

Good for History buffs.

Hollywood buffs.

Fans of good documentaries.

Available for streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: B-

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Probably only needed to be viewed once.

Nothing A Little Armageddon Won't Cure..."This is the End"

Based on a true story.

Somewhat.

The Story:

Jay Baruchel comes out to L.A. to visit his best friend, Seth Rogen.  Rogen wants to go to James Franco's house for a party, but Jay is uncomfortable with all of Seth's Hollywood friends.  Seth assures him it will be fine, and so they head to the home. 

Naturally, that's when the Apocalypse happens.

So, in a few movies I've reviewed, I've mentioned that there are some actors who literally just play themselves on the screen.  Seth Rogen...Jonah Hill... those guys, right?

Well, this movie does one better, they actually play themselves, playing themselves.

Genius!

And for what it is, it works.

These guys are friends, or at least act like it in the movie.

Jay plays the outsider of the group who just doesn't click with the Hollywood crowd, and then the literal apocalypse kicks off, and people are raptured to Heaven.

Naturally, none of our cast makes the cut, and they spend the rest of the movie trying to stay alive, and not kill one another, while holed up in Franco's abode.

The crew of survivors also includes Craig Robinson and Danny McBride. 

They throw nearly any and every joke against the wall to see what sticks.  All the while, mayhem ensues.

There are some howlers, there are some eye rolling, but the guys give it their all.

Plus, there's Channing Tatum.  Apparently everything is better with more Channing Tatum.  That's the new Hollywood mantra.

However, I will give them a plus for having the decency to kill Rihanna.

: )

For the fans that have enjoyed all of their other films, you'll probably see no reason to miss this one.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Once was enough, thanks.