The "Knight Of Cups" Was A Pretentious Bore

Knight of Cups (2015)

Rated R

Starring Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman, Brian Dennehy, Antonio Banderas, Imogen Poots,

Written and Directed by Terence Malick

The Story:

A writer (Bale) goes on a journey of discovery in Los Angeles through Las Vegas. These are his tales.

The movie opens with narration by Bale as the camera pans around and around to various scenery and other scenes that may or may not have anything to do with what is happening on screen.

I know I normally give movies 20 minutes, but I was ready to bail by the 10th minute, and I think I let if play into the first full chapter break at around the 13 minute mark.

I had no interest in the character, or whatever story was going to take place at this point.

If that means I have no appreciation for art-house films, so be it.

I come to see a movie to be entertained.

I don't mind thinking when I watch a film.

What I don't want to be thinking, is,  "why am I wasting my time watching this?"

There's a difference.

Final Grade: F

Happy Thorsday..."Thor: The Dark World"

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Rated PG-13 for language, violence, and pure awesomeness!

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins

Directed by Alan Taylor

The Story:

Since the events of Thor and The Avengers, Thor (Hemsworth) has been busy bringing peace to the Nine Worlds.  Meanwhile on Earth, Jane Foster (Portman) has discovered a wormhole to dimensions where she is infected by an ancient, powerful, evil force called the Aether.  It brings back the ancient race of Dark Elves who are bent on using this power to destroy all worlds...forever.  Time for Thor to save the day, his lady love, and all of reality in the process.

However, he's going to need a little help from his brother Loki (Hiddleston) first...

This was my favorite movie of 2013, and now it is available for purchase.

Has my opinion changed since seeing it on the glorious big screen last fall?

Nope.

This was my favorite film of last year, and it has held up as a great comic book movie... a great science fiction movie...

A great movie.

 

Period.

If I was asked to pick a movie to show non fans of either genre why Marvel Comics movies are so popular and entertaining...

I might very well skip the Iron Man, Cap and even Avengers franchise and simply hand them a copy of this film.

It picks up on events that have happened, but if you didn't see them, you'll be brought up to speed within the film.

The storyline is epic...yet also grounded and personal at the same time.

It's good vs evil.

Boy meets girl.

And it's marvelously well written, well acted, and Alan Taylor picked up the reigns from Kenneth Branaugh, and didn't miss a beat, and I say, improved on everything that was great about the first Thor film.

Hemsworth continues to shine as Thor, but the revelation of course has been the ascension of Hiddleston as a bonafide movie star.  His charisma and charm have made the role of Loki possibly the most popular character of any Marvel movie, including Downey Jr.

The supporting characters were given more screen time this go around and continue to develop into a stellar supporting cast.

The ending definitely lends itself to at least one more film.

Sign me up!

Final Grade: A

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Yes to both.  Woot!!

The Number One Movie in All of the Nine Worlds? "Thor: The Dark World"

By the bristling beard of Odin!

The Story:

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been busy restoring order to the 9 Worlds since the events of New York (see: The Avengers.  No really, you should really see that movie!)  But dark forces are gathering to eliminate the 9 worlds from existence!

Can Thor stop them?

Not without a little help from...

Loki (Tom Hiddleston) !!

That's all you're going to get from me during the opening weekend.

: )

I will say that like most Phase One movies, Phase Two doesn't miss a beat by replacing directors.  Alan Taylor takes the helm, and brings the Norse Legends to life, all the while taking a "comic book" movie and embracing the science fiction aspects of it.

And it works!

I liked the first Thor.

I liked this Thor even more.

To quote VeggieTales in summing up this movie:

"I laughed. I cried. It moved me, Bob."

Just about all of the original cast returns, to varying degrees of use within the film.  Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Natalie Portman, Idris Elba...

Good stuff.

If the ending is any indication, I am looking forward to seeing what Thor 3 has to offer.

Final Grade: A-... it will probably upgrade to a pure A when I review it again on DVD. :)

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: When does it come out on Blu-Ray already???!!!

The City That Never Sleeps Cures Insomnia With "New York I Love You"

 

 

In the city that never sleeps... love always abounds.

The Story:

A million stars. A half million directors.  All taking a crack at love in the Big Apple.

Zzzzz.

With no style or substance, instead it's a variety of stories taking place in New York where love is the recurring theme.  Each segment segues into the other.  Each shot in a style that the director was wanting to use, edited with their own team, so in other words, a disjointed wreck.

28 minutes in, and I was growing more and more disinterested by the minute.

Trim the number of writers (20) and directors (11) down considerably, find a focus spot, and maybe...

 

Some of the actors used: Bradley Cooper, Andy Garcia, Natalie Portman, Orlando Bloom, John Hurt, Shia LaBeouf, Hayden Christensen and a cast of 1000s.

I'm sure some out there loved the experiment.

Apparently it is the second part of a planned trilogy of films. 

Which this has saved me from seeing either of those, just on principle.

Available for streaming until the 15th of March, so you have a few days to see if I'm right or wrong.

Good luck!

Final Grade: D

Would I Own It: Not a chance.