My last post was over 5 weeks ago. The devil you say!! The devil I DO say.
Who am I talking to? ............
So I watched a movies recently, yes I did.
Silver Linings Playbook
Starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro
Overview - Former school teacher, Pat Solitano (Cooper), has just been released from a mental facility where he served 8 months after a total collapse. This story picks up as he is starting his re-integration into society and his family. His one-track mind and filter-less humor should make for an interesting transition indeed.
Review - If anyone knows me at all, they know Bradley Cooper is one of those actors that I both love and hate. His ability to draw the audience in for a laugh or a sob-fest is beyond me. The guy is pure gold. I also have to hate him because the guy carries a nearly flawless physique. In the words of Matthew Perry on "Friends" - "...I think it'd be better for my ego if we didn't stand close to each other." It also doesn't help when your wife openly admits she considers Mr. ab-fest to be quite the chunk of eye candy.....ouch! My wife's infatuation aside, I can say that starting from when I saw him as Will Tippin on TV's "Alias", I claimed him as one of our generation's next superstars. In fact, I think it's insane that he was passed over as Captain America! I would also recommend that anyone who likes Mr. chiseled-pecs should go back and watch his movie "Limitless". If for no other reason than to see him go through a transition of being a chunky, lazy, unshaven writer to a cut, clean, and dressed up "man about town". It's always interesting to me how a guy can look like an unattractive bum on the street, and then he gets a cut and shave and BOOM, he's a fricken GQ model.
Alright, enough about Mr. perfection. Let's talk about Jennifer Lawrence. Here's a girl who came out of nowhere and just ERUPTED. Most people would claim her first appearance as Katniss Everdeen in the box office smash "The Hunger Games". Did you know she started on TV's "Monk"? Did you know she was Mistique in "X-Men: First Class" alongside Michael Fassbender? I love that movie and I didn't even catch that it was her. I don't know that anyone would argue the fact that she is a great actress. She seems at home in front of the camera. My friend Sarah is the same way. The girl deserves to be on screen opposite actors like Michael Fassbender, Johnny Depp, and Sandra Bullock. She's THAT good! But I digress. You've also got a two-time Oscar winner in Robert DeNiro. Needless to say, he delivers a quality performance as the father of Pat Solitano. There's not much I can say about him. His track record speaks for itself.
I did find some elements of the movie that I am a bit at odds with. For example, the camera work had some weird movements from time to time. Every so often it was be as if the camera man just went running up to the actor, instead of zooming in. It gave it a hand-held feel, but also felt very amateur. The plot is very predictable, which does take away from the overall feel of the film. But I don't think it takes enough away to make me not recommend it to you. The writing is great. Cooper's character has some lines that will catch you of guard, and Lawrence is so bold in her statements that it's actually inspiring. David O. Russel (director) leans toward mostly dramas, such as "The Fighter" with Christian Bale and Mark Whalberg. Who, incidentally, was the original cast idea for Pat Solitano. As well as his latest movie "American Hustle" with the aforementioned Jennifer Lawrence and Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper. I wouldn't be surprised if we see another director/actor/actress trinity form. I'm referring of course to the grungy trinity of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter. Those three have spent more time together than Solomon and his concubines (how weird would that be?!?). Well, I am totally behind a team of Russel/Cooper/Bale/Lawrence. All 4 have talent, and I'm anxious to see what they roll out next.
I'll give this one a 3.5 out of 5. It's one I would buy, but I don't see myself watching it repeatedly. It's one of those movies that you see on your shelf and throw it in a few months down the road. I would recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a good blend of drama and comedy with a fun love story thrown in.
Suggestions or comments? I love feedback. Email me at entertaindave@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter @entertaindave.
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