Believe it or not, I actually had some requests. "You like me! You really like me!" I have to say that I am having a blast with this! So thank you for all your support, and keep it comin! Also, I want to keep you all engaged, so if you are curious about my take on any of your favorites, I willingly offer my blabbermouth.
That said, here we go...
REQUEST
"Watch Flight. I'd like to hear your review of it." - Jax Skramsted.
Flight: (2012) - R
Starring Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, and John Goodman
Overview - Whip Whitaker (Denzel) is one of the best pilots around. One day, on a routine flight, the plane malfunctions and is put into a dive. With just seconds until they crash, Whitaker takes the wheel and saves the plane. Landing in a remote field he saves the lives of nearly every passenger. Whip is a hero! But there is a secret he will not be able hide from very long. He is an alcoholic.
Review - First off, thank you Jacqueline for suggesting this one. I was pretty psyched to see this one. Denzel has had almost no movies over the years where people may question why anyone gave him a job ("Out of Time" for example). Denzel is one of the few actors that you can count on to give everything they have to the role. Most of those actors can be counted on one hand. Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Liam Neeson, just to name a few. But enough blather, let's get to the content and emotion of "Flight". Denzel drinks A LOT in this movie. So much so, that the audience starts to feel like they're drunk too. The movie starts off with a COMPLETELY unneeded extended nude scene. Nadine Velasquez plays a stewardess who is sleeping with Denzel, and we get to stare at her naked body for much longer than is comfortable for most humans. Sure she's well put together, and the sinner in me wants to smile, but the fact remains that the scene isn't needed in the slightest. In the scene Denzel is talking to his ex wife on the phone. The whole time he is doing this, Velasquez is seen wandering on and off camera as naked as the day she was born. Don't worry, I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Velasquez are just BEAMING with pride *cue sarcastic eyebrow*. Her being naked adds absolutely nothing to the movie, and I have to give them negative marks for that. But after the first 5-6 minutes the movie really picks up steam. The camera crew did a great job making you feel like you're in the cockpit with Washington and his copilot as they attempt to land a plane headed for the ground. The crash scene is very intense, and will have you white-knuckling your chair, your husband, or your wife. Though if the man is white-knuckling his wife, then he can feel free to mail his man card back to headquarters. This film is very well done in it's conveying of the emotional and physical struggle alcoholics have to endure. I have never been addicted to anything (no, I'm not bragging. I'm just better at life than you. :-), so there is a bit of a disconnect for me there. Though Washington's character is a drunk, the director was able to set up this film is such a way that the viewers really rally behind Denzel because we know that "...there's still good in him." Don Cheadle plays Denzel's attorney, and does a great job being in a role that nearly anyone in Hollywood could have played. Cheadle does a good job, but he has never struck me as an indispensable actor. Every role he has had in his career, I feel, could have been played by any number of people. But, the role fit him well. John Goodman, on the other hand. Geez! There are a few people in the film-making universe that genuinely have me scared they may have a heart attack, and he's at the top of the list. He's pretty funny in this movie, but you spend most of the movie staring at his "bowl full of jelly". Though i give him credit for being pretty goofy, yet serious in this one. Robert Zemeckis (the director) has made some of the more fun movies of our day. Like the "Back to the Future" trilogy and "The Polar Express". Zemeckis knows how to tell a story. When I saw he directed this, I knew I would like it, and I was not disappointed. At the end of the movie Denzel Washington gives a speech to some inmates that will bring you to tears if you know anyone who is struggling with an addiction, or really struggling in life. It took me by surprise and really gripped me.
Overall I would give this one a 4 out of 5. It was very well done (minus the dopey nudity at the front end), well cast, and well acted. Denzel rarely disappoints. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good drama.
Things to watch out for in this movie...
1) There are boobs. Very much, long time, lots of 2 boobs. Not to mention the shots of her lowers we also get to see. Once again, I have to applaud God for creating a work of art, but it wasn't needed. :-)
2) There's a bit of swearing in this one, but how often do you watch an R rated movie without it?
3) Tons of drinking. I'm assuming drinking wouldn't offend anyone, but if it does. Beware.
Alrighty, let's shift gears to an indie comedy from 2011...
"Watched Butter with our friends....would love to hear what you think when you see it." - Dawn Flaherty
Butter: (2011) - R
Starring Jennifer Garner, Yara Shahidi, and Ty Burrell
Overview - Bob Perkins (Ty Burrell) is a world-recognized butter carver. He's carved such masterpieces as a scene from "The Shawshank Redemption" and a life-size Last Supper. One day he decides to hang up the carving tools and let someone else shine. His wife Laura (Garner) doesn't like that one bit, and decides to enter the competition for herself. Though she never saw the big curve ball of Destiny (Yara Shahidi). A little girl who has the makings of a true artist. What is a trophy wife to do?
Review - I was intrigued by "Butter" because it was a story that hadn't been done before. I'm sure all the elitists just pooped their pants. I'm sure a movie has used a similar story line, but I can not pull one that specifically was about a state butter carving championship, ok? Take your generic Valium, wrap yourself up in your tweed snuggie, and sit down. Jennifer Garner does an amazing job getting you to nearly hate her in this film. Usually she's plays a woman who can kick your ass (Alias/Elektra) and look good doing it. In this film she plays one of the lead roles, but also supports the other leads very well. What does a woman who is used to a lavish lifestyle, and being hounded by paparazzi do when the photographers and news outlets decide to jump ship? Force your way back into the spotlight, duh! As you can easily guess, it isn't going to be that easy for her to just jump back into it. Little Yara Shahidi (Destiny) is a cutie who is threatening Mrs. Perkins' chances of winning. Little Destiny can really hold your attention. She's cute, but not so cute that it overshadows her abilities. She's snarky, but not cynical. She rallies people behind her, not because she's a cute kid from a broken home, but because she really does have a gift of buttery goodness. I was glued to what this kid was doing throughout the film, and seeing her completed works of art made me smile. Though I'm sure that if cows knew that we use hundreds of pounds of butter to make a life size statue of Michael Jackson, they would start picketing. Ty Burrell is a name most wouldn't know. He hasn't had many major roles outside of Modern Family. His character is completely held up by the supporting cast. He is a forgettable character, and the only thing that reminds you he's there is Olivia Wilde. A hot, sexy, and completely over-the-top stripper who will "go the extra mile" for a few extra bucks. Including going down on a young Ashley Greene in one scene. I felt it was totally unnecessary, and made me lose a little respect for Wilde. I've liked her in almost every other role she had. This movie actually has quite the hodge-podge of actors in it. Alicia Silverstone, Rob Corddry, Ashley Greene, Kristen Schaal, and even Hugh Jackman. Silversotne and Corddry are a married couple that adopt little Destiny. Usually Rob Corddry plays a completely vulger a-hole in his movies (such as "Hot Tub Time Machine"). So, when I saw his name in the cast list I almost gave up. However he and Yara have great chemistry and some really funny banter. The film-makers portrayed Corddry is an average dad. He's a goof ball, but people respect him. Silverstone's character is his wife and you never hear her bash him, complain, or undermine his authority. Talk about a subject that needs more attention in this world! If I see one more show that mocks men for simply being men, I might move to the dark side of the moon. The ending is predictable but heart-warming. Now, before you immediately jump up and run out to your car, realize you forgot your keys, come back inside, find your keys in the litter box, head back out to the car, and then realize it's actually on Netflix Instant, a word of caution. The actors do occasionally use some pretty sharp language. Olivia Wilde drops the "C" word in reference to Jennifer Garner, and Hugh Jackman (who could have been left out and no one would have cared) uses a variable of a feline to describe Garner's nether region.
Overall I would give it a 3 out of 5. I would watch it again for the heart-warming story of the little girl who made something of herself through creativity, as well as for the witty banter between Destiny and her daddy.
Things to watch out for in this movie...
1) The coarse language in a few spots. If you can handle hearing the "C" word, or harsh terms used to describe lady parts, then you'll be fine.
2) There are 3 sex scenes. Burrell and Wilde get it on in the back of a minivan, Garner and Jackman do the freaky freak in his office, and there is a lesbian scene between Ashley Greene and Olivia Wilde. The ones between the adults are shown from a distance, but the lesbian scene is right in your face. No nudity, but you get the idea.
Ok, Drama, Comedy, How bout some action?...
Lawless: (2012) - R
Starring Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, and Guy Peirce
Overview - 3 small town brothers have a nice little moonshine running business, during the great depression, in Franklin Co. VA. Cops leave them alone, for a little taste of the action. But beware of the special detective from the big city who wants to make a name for himself.
Review - When you put Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeuof, and Guy Pierce (not to mention a small role given to Gary Oldman) together in a movie, you might as well tell the other studios to take a break and wait for this one to run it's course. Director John Hillcoat started his directing career filming a few small projects back in 1985 with a tribute film to INXS. Since then he has done a number of small films with no real weight until he dropped a bomb on us with his 2009 release of "The Road" staring Viggo Mortensen. Some argue that it was THE masterpiece of 2009. Truthfully I found the story line to be incredibly dull and lifeless. However, I will note that the cinematography was gripping. For those of us without a film school accolade, Webster's Dictionary defines Cinematography as "The art or science of motion-picture photography" which I interpret to mean the director's ability to communicate the story and make you feel like you are involved. All great films have possessed amazing cinemaphotograpy. A few spring to mind. "Lord of the Rings", "The Dark Knight", "Braveheart". "Lawless" is no exception. Hillcoat has a natural ability to make you feel like you're right alongside the brothers as they make their moonshine deliveries. The Bondurant Brothers are an underground success in this small town in Virginia. They have been able to run their business right under the noses of onlookers. Of course, when you have a "new sheriff in town" there is bound to be some tension. The law starts to put the pressure on the boys, and the bulk of the story is how they respond to that pressure. Tom Hardy is our fearless leader, Forrest. He is the brains AND the brawn of the group. You mess with him, his business, or his brothers and you'll wind up with your tail end in the air. Buried in some God-forsaken swamp with the maggots feasting on your stink hole. LaBeouf is essentially his opposite. Little Jack Bondurant loves fame, fortune, and the power of a name. Fancy cars, fashionable clothes, and a big mouth may just lead to added trouble for the moonshiners. I have been a fan of LaBeouf ever since he picked up a shovel in "Holes" in 2003. I think he has a very promising career in front of him, outside of "Transformers", that is. Guy Pierce is a detective fresh in from Chicago and immediately decides to use the Bondurant Brothers as his example for a crime-free County. The detective seems to keep his hands pretty clean, despite the 99lbs of grease in his hair that make him look some kind of back-alley creep. Pierce does a phenomenal job drawing the viewers hatred in roughly a nano-second. His low-life thugs handle the dirty work, while he sits in his Ivory tower working on his vampire-like complexion. Pierce's character, and his henchmen, are ruthless and violent. One thing I didn't care for is the pain that we, the viewing audience, have to watch so closely. There are many scenes where you see things like a man get his neck sawed through with a blunt knife, or a man getting tarred and feathered. I had no idea that the killings were so brutal, so my lovely bride decided to watch it with me. She spent the better part of the film in my arms asking me why I "made her" watch it. I did not force her. This is a vicious lie and I demand a recount your honor!!! A positive side is that the movie DOES have a happy ending, and the love stories in it are actually sweet with very well placed romance. I also mentioned Gary Oldman. What does he do in this film? Maybe you should watch it and find out for yourself.
Overall I would give it a 3 1/2 out of 5. The director hit his mark with this film, and told an amazing story. I would recommend it to those who can handle brutal killings, and appreciate great dialogue, but not a plethora of action. If you can not handle bloody murders, then don't rent this one.
Things to watch out for in this film...
1) There is a lot of killing, and some of them are very hard to watch. Close ups of cutting a man's throat, watching someone's neck get snapped, etc.
2) There are boobs. I wasn't prepared for it, but a woman gives herself to one of the brothers and just walks in with nothing on. Much like the scene from "Flight" I think they could have made the same impact without showing us the goods.
Alright people, that's all I have for today.
I love feedback, as well as suggestions for movies to cover! Plus, if I don't know you, I'd relish the opportunity to give it a shot. So please email me at entertaindave@gmail.com and follow me on twitter @entertaindave
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