Sucker Punch Review

"Sucker PUNCHED"

“Sucker Punch” is a fantasy telling of a tormented girl’s quest for freedom from an insane asylum. Cast includes Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Oscar Isaac, Jon Hamm and Scott Glenn.

My “Sucker Punch” experience can be best described as a bad trip to an amusement park. A Zack Snyder movie like a theme park; holds high expectations by principal alone. “Sucker Punch” is overflowing with large attractions (action sequences), big flashing lights (explosions) and cotton candy (major sex appeal). But instead of limitless enjoyment audiences are plagued with huge lines (shallow and ineffective exposition), broken rides (disconnected plot) and clown gimmicks (too much special effects and corny one-liners).

“Sucker Punch’s” monster viral campaign lead by ridiculously enticing trailers, propelled worthy hype and basically acquired pre-conceived approval. So, despite its many flaws I tired really hard to like this movie; but by the end I was frustrated and overall let down with only a hand full of exciting moments (sexy cast, badass rocket, snow samurai and germen trenches scenes).

“Sucker Punch” misses its target on several occasions. Despite the lengthy music paced exposition, there's never a real connection made between the audience and the main character. I understood the intent and direction of the film but I don't believe that the average viewer or non-Snyder fan will fully grasp and/or enjoy the films overall concept. I think this film would have benefited greatly from a R rating, lighter special effects budget and about 2 months more pre-production work on the script. Personally, I thought that the fluidity of the film was sporadic, lazy and disconnected.

Random speculation could suggest that the problem is related to the fact that Snyder's recent films were visual marvels (300 & Watchmen) having neither film presenting extensive storytelling obstacles. “The Watchmen” being an acclaimed graphic novel offered the best storyboards ever and “300” was just a fantasy embellished retelling of ancient Greco-Roman mythology with a few additions: doggy style scene, ugly deformed traitor, and an amped, greasy man beast named Gerald Butler. (Also a graphic novel from renowned author Frank Miller) I think the film suffered greatly from Snyder's lack of storytelling practice. He hasn't really faced difficulties in this area, since his directorial debut with the great remake of “Dawn of the Dead”.

If you had high expectations for this film you indeed will be "unprepared" for what you are about to see. “Sucker Punch” is a visually stunning, sometimes self-indulgent, original epic; lead by a variety of sexy subtle talents, through a fragmented, frustrating and pointless plot.

Despite my semi-professional and deeply analytical criticism, I still found enjoyment within the film and will most likely buy it on Blu-ray. A couple insanely visionary action sequences, a few surprisingly well-acted scenes and a strip club atmosphere save this film from total devastation; and round a potential epic, into an average 2 hours. “Sucker Punch” has everything movie goers could dream of, but unfortunately it was all disgustingly mishandled.

C

The Adjustment Bureau Review

"Fate isn’t that bad"

David Norris (Matt Damon), a rising politician, starts a refreshing romance with a ballet dancer named Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). At the height of success and flirtation he accidentally discovers a group of agents that claim to control fate. Upon their unveiling, they inform David that his love for Ms. Sellas is misplaced, for it is against their paths of destiny and will destroy their dreams. David’s love only grows stronger and he becomes fixated on being with Elise while maintaining his political standing. The harder David tries the more he jeopardizes his and Elise lives to the hands of “The Adjustment Bureau.”

A reoccurring theme within a lot of my reviews is the phrase “manage your expectations.” This phrase can be directly applied to “The Adjustment Bureau.” Unfortunately managing expectations isn’t as easy as it seems, especially because of movie advertisements and misleading trailers. After seeing the film and then revisiting some of the TV spots and online trailers, I don’t believe we (us as an audience) were completely mislead but I was expecting a bit more action than “The Adjustment Bureau” had to offer. Not the films fault, but I also found myself craving some Jason Bourne moves whenever Mr. David Norris got into trouble. To be honest David Norris has spunk but he’s nowhere close to the likes of Bourne. Mr. Norris could be more accurately described as a genuine and determined hopeless romantic.

This film is unequivocally a romantic drama with a thriller overtone. By no means is this a negative statement but understanding this fact will allow you to better enjoy this film. Fellas don’t be upset, there is enough chase scenes to moderately satisfy your action needs but it will also keep your date happy and heart warmed.

By far the most intriguing aspect of this film is the chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt. Both actors do an excellent job portraying a true connection between their characters. The audience will immediately fall in love with Elise Sellas and understand why David Norris needs her in his life. This film isn’t extremely exciting and doesn’t boldly stand a part from any other romance or thriller but it does create a unique combination of the two, in a very professional and sophisticated way. “The Adjustment Bureau” is refreshing; I recommend this film for a great date night or Sunday afternoon.

B

I Saw The Devil RED BAND Trailer

“I Saw the Devil” is a Korean revenge thriller about the death of a government agent’s girl-friend and his unbroken and almost sadistic will to make her killer suffer. The serial killer is played by “Old Boy” star Choi Min-sik and the government agent is played by Lee Byung-hyum ( Hero, GI Joe: Rise of Cobra). This film has been compared to Park Chan-wook’s Vengeance Trilogy (containing Oldboy). The director is Kim Ji-woon, who has found recent international success with his “The Good, The Bad, The Weird.” Considering, the great cast and proven director, I think this film will be an excellent grunge revenge tale and eventually get a successful US release. In recent years, Korean films have been slowly but increasingly finding an audience in the United States. More popular films that have been released in the US are, “The Host”, “Oldboy”, “My Wife is a Gagster”, “My Sassy Girl” and “II mare” (remade as The Lake House). I’ve seen both “The Host” and “Oldboy” and recommend them but with some small stipulations. “Oldboy” is excellent but extremely gruesome and not suitable for the squeamish and The Host has a unique take on the monster genre, with some impressive cinematic attributes; but its special effects and overall story were somewhat ungratifying.

Bourne Legacy Moves On

Tony Gilroy, writer of the first three Bourne films and director of Duplicity and Michael Clayton, is writing and directing the Bourne spin-off "Bourne Legacy." Empire Magazine reports that he is currently taking meetings with several actors to replace Matt Damon.

Yes, Bourne Legacy will NOT star Matt Damon. Specific reasons can only be speculated but there haven’t been any reports that would suggest a negative separation. I think Damon and Paul Greengrass (Director of Bourne 1-3) are just ready to move on. Continuing with Bourne Legacy, so far (according to Deadline) there is a long list of actors pursuing this role: Jake Gyllenhaal, Joel Edgerton, Josh Hartnett, Tobey Maguire, Paul Dano, Micheal Pitt, Oscar Isaac, Garrett Hedlund, Micheal Fassbender, Luke Evans, Alex Pettyfer, Taylor Kitsch and Benjamin Walker. This is a ridiculous list; half of these candidates are absurd and the other half are already attached to many other projects. For example, Tobey Maguire...his mere consideration is an insult to the franchise or even pretty boys like Alex Pettyfer (I am Number Four) or Taylor Kitsch (Wolverine: X-men Origins) don’t come remotely close to the likes of a potential successor. But on the other side of things better actors such as Micheal Fassbender, Paul Dano and Jake Gyllenhaal are already attached to many other films and (in my opinion) just don't seem to fit either.

Out of this odd assortment of actors personally, I think Garrett Hedlund (Tron, Four Brothers) or Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom) would be good choices. Both would take the film in different dirrections but they share similar attributes in their versatility, intensity and rising careers. Garrett Hedlund, I know is somewhat of a strange choice but his roles in “Death Sentence” and “Four Brothers” showcase his adaptability, and capable honesty and grit. But despite my opinion, I think it’s safe to say that Jake Gyllenhaal and Josh Hartnett are forerunners.

Apollo 18 Trailer

A new horror sci-fi film in the same "Handy Cam POV" genre as Cloverfield, Quarantine and Paranormal Activity. Apollo 18 follows two Astronauts on a top secret recon mission to the moon. While researching they begin to experience unexplained malfunctions and communication losses. Further investigating their mysterious complications they venture outside of the ship and encounter alien creatures.

Arnold Schwarzenegger is BACK

Now that the Governor is done heading budget meetings, many sources say he’s officially considering offers. What could this mean? When taking into account his recent cameos in Terminator 4 (virtual) and The Expendables it’s more than possible that he could be starting his comeback in their upcoming sequels. It’s already been reported that Expendables 2 is making major additions to the casting list by the possible addition of Jean Claude Van Damme and expanding Bruce Willis’ previous cameo to a major role. Also MTV reports that Universal Studios is strongly considering handing the Terminator franchise to director Justin Lin and screenwriter Chris Morgan. The combo is currently handling the “Fast and Furious” franchise. Their newest installment “Fast Five” (the fifth movie of the franchise) is basically a big reunion of characters from the previous four films. It’s a loose potential comparison but when considering that casting assemblage, if Justin Lin and Chris Morgan take over the Terminator Franchise, the Governor might make a “real” appearance in the near future.

RUMOR: Wonder Woman Movie Abandoned for TV Show?

With the success of Marvel Comics films, DC Comics has been desperately making efforts to keep things competitive in Hollywood and cash in on America’s resurrected love of graphic novels. Justice League’s Wonder Woman has been a film that DC Comics have been working on developing of over the past three years. From Megan Fox, to Amber Heard and even Jessica Biel many names have been rumored and attached to the film, that has recently been abandon. But fear not, Friday Night Lights Adrianne Palicki is taking over…in a new TV series. A Wonder Woman television show is currently in pre-production and is expected to air its pilot on NBC soon. So for those of you who were hoping to see a Justice League movie or even a Wonder Woman movie any time soon, unfortunately with the development of this show, its very unlikely.

The Town Hits Home

Ben Affleck… during the early turn of the millennium and the 90’s, he has become the butt of every joke about bad acting and frankly a sad disappointment. But as we laugh and make fun, Ben was perfecting his skills and has evolved into a respectable and invested storyteller; directing one of my favorite films “Gone Baby Gone” in 2007.

Ben’s sophomore directorial, “The Town” is back in Boston following a group of childhood friends turned notorious bank robbers. Lead by Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) and his trigger-happy best friend James Coughlin (Jeremy Renner) they meticulously plan heists to perfection hitting a number of armored cars. They quickly gain confidence and rob a large bank; mistakes are made and they are forced to take a hostage. Bank Manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) is blind folded by hostile men and left tied up alone on the shoreline. Despite heist complications MacRay and his crew believe they’ve escaped without a trace until its brought to their attention that the FBI has found their hostage and is on a full scale man hunt. Task force leader Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) is getting closer to discovering their identities by the hour and he starts his investigation with Ms.Keesey.

Paranoid, MacRay be-friends Ms.Keesey to assess her knowledge of incriminating details about him and his team; clueless of his true identity, she falls in love with him and they begin a relationship behind the teams back and in plain sight of the FBI. Suspicions rise from all sides, along with the investigation and the difficulty and dangerousness of their following heists. MacRay’s loyalty is conflicted between his friends and new love, in the midst of a closing investigation and critical heists.

The town is a multi-layered film, telling a love story within a cops and robbers action drama, while testing the morals of lasting friendship. As a director Ben Affleck makes all the right decisions and illustrates an emotional and honest narrative. The cast is near-flawless with the exception of Mr. Affleck’s melodramatic relapse in one scene, but all in all this is a great film and one of my favorites of the year. Buy this film on Blu-ray and add it to your collection of great films.

A-

True Grit Review

"True Grit" lacks just that…

True Grit is about fourteen year old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who is determined to avenge the death of her father. Mattie’s vigor persistence convinces the both reluctant and trigger-happy US Marshal Roger Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), to aid her manhunt of outlaw and murderer Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Her journey for vengeance is complicated by the involvement of Texas Ranger LeBouef (Matt Damon) and his determination to see Chaney hang in Texas for his crimes against the state, instead of the murder of her father. Mattie must endure the elements of her journey, maintain the motivation and sobriety of Cogburn and race against LeBouef to get her man brought to justice in the name of her father.

The Coen brothers appropriately pay homage to the original film following the basis of its storyline. However their version elevates itself above the original with the usage of exceptional dialogue; which adds excitement to an otherwise slow pacing film. The intelligent, quick tongued and sarcastic Mattie Ross quickly becomes an audience favorite and noble heroine. In my opinion both Mattie Ross the character and Hailee Steinfeld the actress hold this film together. Hailee Steinfeld is deservingly nominated for an Oscar, along with Jeff Bridges. Bridges nomination surprises me; he played the part well but by no means was his performance extraordinary or incomparable. I think his nomination is nothing more than the aftermath of his “Crazy Heart” performance and the lack of competition this year. I actually think that outside of Steinfeld the only other memorable actor was Barry Pepper who played gang leader Lucky Ned Pepper. Though his screen time is limited and near the end of the film, I thought he actually stole all the scenes with Josh Brolin.

Despite all my negativity, True Grit is a good film; it’s just not a great film. I think all its vast positive criticism is nothing more than blind praise to a John Wayne remake and Coen Brothers film. If you like Coen brothers films or westerns, it’s definitely worth viewing but maintain your expectations and rent it in a few months.

B-