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My Top 3 Favorite Quentin Tarantino Films Hey everyone. It’s been awhile since I’ve shared much of anything on here. If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen a few before/after movie reviews I’ve done over the past year. If you’ve watched any of those, you would also know this was my first year teaching high school, and that doesn’t exactly lend much time for me to share my thoughts on movies. There’s a couple weeks until school starts, so the reviews may be few and far between once again. But there’s been one movie I have seen this summer that inspired me to dust off the keyboard and talk about said movie’s director and his other works that I really love. That movie is Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and the director is the one and only Quentin Tarantino. I’ll be talking about my top three favorite movies directed by him. Just to be clear, there is no criteria that these movies have met that gives them an undisputed assessment of their quality. They are simply three great movies made by one of the most unique minds working in film today.  #3- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) Granted I’ve only seen this movie once, it is by far my favorite movie of the summer and it may end up being the best one I see this year. The story is set in late 60’s Hollywood and follows Rick Dalton, a TV star played by Leonardo Di Caprio whose popularity is quickly fading. Rick isn’t taking it well, confiding often in his best friend and stunt double Cliff Booth, played by Brad Pitt. Tarantino is known for not playing by the rules as far as traditional movie making goes, but Hollywood is very different even by his standards. There isn’t much a of plot, as almost the entire movie focuses on following these two characters around as Rick comes to grips with the changing Hollywood landscape. There isn’t even that much violence until the final 20 minutes or so. It really is a movie that only a handful of directors pull off, and Tarantino happens to be one of them. Both Leo and Brad Pitt are fantastic in their respective roles and are especially great when they share the screen together. One of my favorite things a movie can do is recreate a very specific era in American culture, and everything from the sets and music to the costumes and dialogue transports you back to 1969 Hollywood. Even though it runs nearly three hours long, I was hooked every minute. And although Hollywood doesn’t have the same tension and violence that have become Tarantino staples, the threat of the Manson murders looming over the story (Margot Robbie plays Sharon Tate, whom happens to be Rick Dalton’s neighbor) simmers and finally comes to an exhilarating head in the final act. A few repeat viewings might bump this movie down or possibly even up in my list, but as of right now Once Upon a Time in Hollywood definitely has earned a spot in my top three.  #2- Inglorious Basterds (2009) If you love moments of tension in your movies as much as I do and haven’t seen Basterds, I recommend you stop reading right now and watch one of the best movies of the past 20 years, (It is streaming on Netflix after all) and then finish reading. Like the last entry, the story that this movie tells could only come from the mind of Quentin Tarantino. As World War II rages in Europe, a ruthless yet charming Nazi colonel by the name of Hans Landa (played by Christoph Waltz in one of my favorite performances on film) is hunting down the remaining Jews hiding out in France. Meanwhile, a ragtag group of Jewish American soldiers led by Alado “The Apache” Rayne (again Brad Pitt) are also tearing through France, terrorizing Nazi troops with brutal surprise attacks. On top of that, a young Jewish woman that had escaped Landa before (Melanie Laurent) also owns a small movie theater in Paris. The top leaders of the Third Reich decide her theater would be the perfect location to debut a new propaganda film. Unbeknownst to them, both the theater owner and the Basterds are planning a daring attempt to take out some of the most evil people in history as they gather to watch the new film. What really makes this movie for me is how unique it is. Again, I’m not sure any other director could pull off a story like this. Three storylines are taking place simultaneously that are all entertaining. Moreover, most of the movie isn’t even in English. Over half of the script is spoken in French or German. Like all of his other movies, Tarantino’s dialogue here is top notch, but what makes it brilliant is how it builds edge-of-your-seat tension almost entirely through spoken words. Alfred Hitchcock’s explanation of how to create tension in filmmaking is perfectly showcased in multiple scenes, most famously in the opening act. Much like Hollywood, Basterds is two and a half hour long movie that is so gripping that it feels like it goes by in 30 minutes. It’s hard to write a detailed explanation about what makes this movie so great without just telling to just see it yourself. Brad Pitt is hilarious, Christoph Waltz is vilely suave, and too many other people to count are brilliant in their roles too. Just go watch Inglorious Basterds. I promise you’ve never seen anything like it, and you won’t see anything like it again.  #1- Pulp Fiction (1994) Ezekiel 25:17. Royale with Cheese. “SAY WHAT AGAIN!”. The Jack Rabbit Slim’s Twist Contest. Mention these phrases to anybody that loves film and they will know exactly what you’re talking about. Sure, Tarantino had a solid debut with his first feature film, Reservoir Dogs (which would probably be number four on this list) but Pulp Fiction is the movie that announced to the world that he is here to stay. It may have been released a year before I was even born, but even I know that it was a cultural phenomenon and a cinematic gamechanger. Tarantino’s signature dark humor, pop culture references, nonlinear narratives, and even his first casting of Samuel L. Jackson were introduced with this movie. Even more so than in his other works, Pulp Fiction has an incredibly unique plot that’s pretty difficult to summarize second hand. Three different storylines that interweave to varying degrees throughout the movie are presented out of order. The main story focuses on two hitmen played by Sam Jackson and John Travolta that are out trying to recover a mysterious briefcase for a mob boss played by Ving Rhames. The other story focuses on a boxer played by Bruce Willis whom refuses to throw a fight despite being pressured by the same mobster. The movie opens and closes with the last story throughline about a British couple of bank robbers that decide to hold up the Denny’s style diner they happen to be in one morning. As unusual as this sounds, Pulp Fiction is yet again a movie that is wildly entertaining just through the dialogue alone. Anybody that knows me well can attest that I love quoting movies, and this one happens to be a favorite of mine to pull from. There definitely are some weaker scenes even with repeat viewings (mainly Bruce Willis and his French(?) girlfriend) but the rest of the movie more than makes up for it. There are a lot of deep themes that can be explored with this movie, and some amazing character arcs that can lead to hours of debate and discussion. Motifs like redemption, free will versus fate, hypocrisy, and basic ethics can be found throughout and will linger in your mind along with the great writing and memorable characters. I remember the first time I watched this movie was about five years ago. Once the credits rolled, I had no idea what I had watched. I wasn’t sure what to make of it. But after watching it a second time, and then a third time, I realized its brilliance. I now consider it one of my all time favorites. Even more so than with Basterds, this movie is so different than anything else out there and needs to be watched rather than having somebody on the internet try to explain to you why it’s so great. It definitely isn’t for everyone with the graphic violence and coarse language, but if you haven’t seen Pulp Fiction, it’s also streaming on Netflix I’d highly recommend giving it a watch as it happens to be my favorite movie written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. What do you think of my list? What are your top three Tarantino movies? What should my next editorial, analysis, or review be about?

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Schindler’s List Movie Review

Schindler’s List was released in 1993 and was directed by Steven Spielberg. It’s based on the true story of Oskar Schindler (played by Liam Neeson) the owner of an enamelware factory in Nazi-occupied Poland and his efforts to employ the Jews that have been brought to Krakow in his factory. He initially only wants to take advantage of the cheap labor available, but he eventually uses his factory as a way to save the lives of the Jews as he gets to know them and sees the horrors of the Holocaust firsthand.

I’m deciding to review this movie now because this year marks 25 years since it was released in theaters. In fact, Universal Pictures will be putting it in theaters again to mark the milestone and for good reason. It won seven Oscars and is widely considered by many to be one of Spielberg’s very best as well as one of the most powerful movies ever made. I’m  personally moved each time I watch it and there are several lines and scenes that will stay with me forever. It’s a film of quality that’s matched by its importance, and there is so much in it to look back on. 

This is a movie that’s very personal to Steven Spielberg. Being Jewish himself, it was extremely important to him that he tell the story as realistically as possible while also paying respects to the millions of people killed in the Holocaust. He made several intentional choices with this in mind. This includes shooting almost the entire film in black and white to reflect the somber tone and to give the historical scenes a timeless feel. It was also very important to Spielberg that the audience feels sympathy for the Jews and realizes their humanity. It wasn’t enough to show the brutality and humiliation they experienced, he wanted to everyone that would see the movie to realize these are real human beings, that actually endured through this time period, and had names, families, and stories all their own. He gets this point across by weaving several subplots in to the main one focusing on Schindler. These range from the story of Itzhak Stern (played by Ben Kingsley) Schindler’s Jewish accountant at the factory to Helen Hirsch, a young Jewish woman who works as a personal maid for the ruthless Nazi officer, Amon Goeth, to the heartbreaking scenes with the little girl in the red coat. Throughout the movie there are also several shots of the Schindler Jews, both close-ups and group shots, as well as their names being read aloud in several different scenes. Spielberg and the rest of the production team deserve an huge amount of praise for putting this much thought and intentionality in to presenting the story in this way.

There are several great acting performances in Schindler’s List and the three that serve as the anchors of the story are Liam Neeson as Schindler, Ralph Fiennes as Goeth, and Ben Kingsley as Stern. In another example of great directing, Spielberg chose Neeson in large part because he was relatively unknown at the time. He didn’t want a big-name actor to distract the audience from the importance of the story. Schindler is a complicated character and Liam Neeson’s nuanced performance is fantastic. He starts the story much like any other wealthy businessman, looking for ways to make money and wanting no part of any conflict with the Nazis in Poland. Several times throughout the story his workers thank him for the opportunity and express their gratitude from potentially saving them from the concentration camps. But almost as many times, Schindler rebukes them in frustration, annoyed that his shrewd business decision is being mistaken for goodwill. But after seeing the cruelty of the Nazi forces both in his factory and around Krakow as evidenced in the haunting scene depicting the liquidation of the city’s ghetto, his mind begins to change and he realizes he could be the difference in saving the lives of some of these people. One such scene shows Schindler walking down the street with what appears to be snow falling down on Krakow. He stops however, and wipes some of the substance off of a nearby car and looks at it in his hand. He then looks in the distance and sees the smokestacks from the nearby concentration camp billowing out smoke. What seemed like snow with the black and white picture is actually human ashes falling down on the city. Brilliant directing and acting work together in scenes like this to make the audience understand exactly how the characters are feeling. Stern’s role as Schindler’s confidant and voice of reason is equally crucial in leading him to do the right thing, and Kingsley is phenomenal at playing the part as well.

Another thoughtful and effective directing choice made by Spielberg was how the Nazis are depicted. Nazis have been the villains in countless other forms of media, but Spielberg knew it would be unrealistic and hurt the story if they were simply one-dimensional thugs like they are in so many other movies and TV shows. The Nazis in Schindler’s List are wealthy, educated, and even gentlemanly in some scenes. There is a scene where a soldier plays Bach on a piano as Jews are gunned down, another where Goeth covers his mouth while talking to some Jewish women to keep them from catching the cold he has, and other scenes where they are having lavish dinner parties with well-dressed guests. The point of all these scenes and details is to show that it wasn’t all dense or ignorant people who did such horrible things. It was well-educated and seemingly respectable people who authorized and participated in the atrocities of the Holocaust. It makes this dark period of history that much more sobering, when you realize that people like you and me made it possible for it to take place.

There are so many other elements of this movie that add to its greatness that also deserve recognition. John Williams’ beautifully haunting score will stay with you forever. The sets built and filmed on location add an extra layer of realism, and the documentary-style handheld camerawork by Janusz Kaminski makes you feel like you are an eyewitness to history. There are shocking acts of violence and several scenes of grotesque imagery throughout this movie, but all of it serves a purpose in showing the evil that humans are capable of commiting.

That being said however, this story does have an uplifting conclusion. Schindler manages to keep the factory open and staffed by the Jews for the duration of the war, and eventually the Soviet Army reaches and liberates them. In an emotionally powerful closing scene, Schindler is given a ring from his workers with the inscription “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” in Hebrew. It then shows the present-day Schindler Jews with the onscreen counterparts filing past  Oskar Schindler’s grave in Jerusalem, with each person placing a rock on the gravestone, a sign of respect in Jewish culture. It’s then you realize the impact one person can have the lives of countless others, as the onscreen text says that the descendants of the Schindler Jews number in the thousands today.

In conclusion, Schindler’s List is one of the very best and important of movies based on historical events. It’s hard to watch, but also inspiring when you make it to the end. It’s the maturity and the attention to detail in every aspect of filmmaking that’s evident in this movie that makes Steven Spielberg my all-time favorite director. As a lover of film and history, I firmly believe that every person alive should see it because of the message and historical importance. If you haven’t seen Schindler’s List, prepare yourself first, but you will be amazed and moved in a way no other movie can do.  

#schindler's list #oskar schindler #liam neeson #holocaust #steven spielberg #classic movies #movie review #movie reviews #ben kingsley #ralph fiennes #holocaust movies #world war ii movies #academy award winner #best picture #best director

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Children of Men Movie Review 

Children of Men was released in 2006 and is set in London in the year 2027. The world has become a bleak and hostile place largely because it has been nearly twenty years since the last human baby has been born. Militant governments have sprang up around the world trying to keep the masses stable as disease, violence, and political tensions erupt nearly every day. Clive Owen plays a London resident named Theo whom like most other people around the world, is trying his best to make it through day to day life. Things change when somebody  from his past asks Theo to help guide and provide documentation for a young woman who is an illegal immigrant trying to leave England. She also turns out to be the first woman to be pregnant in decades. The already dangerous mission takes on even higher stakes as the future of humanity sits squarely on the shoulders of Theo and the soon to be mother.

This is a movie I have been wanting to see for awhile but didn’t get the chance to watch it until now. It’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime and a large part of what drew me to it is not only the compelling plot but also because of how much praise it has received from a wide range of sources. I’ve seen many a video essay published about it on YouTube, podcasts calling it one of the best films made in the hosts’ lifetimes, and some even calling it director Alfonso Cuaron’ s magnum opus. After finally watching it, Children of Men didn’t just meet my expectations, it greatly exceeded them.

 It would nearly be impossible for me to pick a single aspect of this movie that I enjoyed the most. The characters are rich, the directing is impeccable, and overarching themes and messages will resonate with me for a long time time to come. What really jumped out to me most about Clive Owen’s character was just how normal he is. Sure, he’s likable enough to be the protagonist, but he’s not particularly heroic or even qualified to be a hero. He’s not a doctor, or a soldier, or even in possession of any set of skills to help the pregnant girl. Despite this, he’s aware of the enormous responsibility he has been given and chooses to do the right thing even though he has little to offer in terms of help. He’s a reluctant but sympathetic hero that given his circumstances and shortcomings, makes for some extremely tense moments.

 Like I mentioned before, Alfonso Cuaron’s direction has been lauded by many and deservedly so. He creates a world where it really does feel like human society is in shambles. Everything from the costumes to the sets has a grimy and grungy look. The lighting also gives a drab but natural feel as well. Cuaron also uses a lot of long takes using a hand-held camera in scenes which makes the most intense moments even more visceral. A musical score is also used very sparingly throughout the movie. This may seem odd, but in this case it’s addition through subtraction. Not using musical cues allows for natural emotions and responses to take place in correlation to what is happening on screen. It makes the shocking moments that much more arresting, and the sorrowful moments that more raw. Cuaron understands this and does it perfectly throughout Children of Men. Children of Men is also heavily layered with deep themes with a considerable amount of social commentary. The fact that the first pregnant woman in decades is not only a young black woman, but an illegal immigrant living a in a militant nation that has ostracized and suppressed foreigners is especially striking. Considering the movie came out twelve years ago, these plot details clearly still have relevance today in 2018. The way I see it, the  infertility of humanity potentially being cured by an immigrant can be interpreted as a metaphor. Instead of carrying a baby that could ensure the survival of humanity, Cuaron is saying that an immigrant may be the key to the next great advancement of humanity. Maybe an immigrant happens to find the cure for cancer, or is a leader for social change, or becomes a brilliant inventor. Considering Alfonso Cuaron was born in Mexico, I am fairly certain he had these and several other ideas in mind when creating this movie.

 In conclusion, Children of Men is a powerful and well-told story that has a profound and topical message. It will challenge you and thrill you with gripping storytelling and some fantastic acting too. I personally enjoy grounded science fiction stories, even more so when they use the world they are set in to give a thought-provoking message. Even if you only watch it for what it is, and want to avoid the potential political message you may pull from it, I encourage you to give it a chance and keep an open mind. I highly recommend Children of Men to not only anyone who loves science fiction and phenomenal storytelling, but also depth and social themes in their entertainment.

#children of men #clive owen #michael caine #julianne moore #alfonso cuaron #2006 movies #science fiction #post apocalyptic #social commentary #immigration #movie review

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The Dark Knight Rises Movie Review

The Dark Knight Rises was released in 2012 as the conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy. Set eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Bruce Wayne has become a recluse and hasn’t made an appearance as Batman since the death of Harvey Dent. Despite losing his sanity at the hands of the Joker and killing multiple people before his own demise, Dent is remembered as a martyr that was killed at the hands of Batman. This created facade is used as a reason for the Dent Act, which allows the city of Gotham to indict criminals without due process or parole. Though this has helped the city in the short term, Commissioner Gordon and others know the truth will come out sooner rather than later. Eventually, the mysterious masked warlord Bane (played by Tom Hardy) arrives to not only expose the truth, but to wipe what he believes is the scourge of Gotham City off of the planet. 

To say this movie had a tough act to follow would  be an understatement. The previous entry didn’t only crush the box office, but also had Heath Ledger’s performance for the ages and redefined the superhero genre for years to come. As the only part of the trilogy I personally saw in theaters, I remember hearing a lot of mixed opinions on it. Rises is easily the largest in scale and spectacle in comparison to the other two movies, and though I always respect ambition in film, I think a lot of people would agree that it hurt this movie as much as it elevated it.

Once again, most of the main cast returns in their respective roles, along with Tom Hardy as the aforementioned Bane there is also Anne Hathaway as Selena Kyle/Catwoman, Marion Cottilard as Miranda Tate, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as detective John Blake . Both Hathaway and Hardy turn in some strong performances, while the part of Miranda Tate could have been played by anyone. Tom Hardy’s Bane is an adversary unlike Batman has ever faced in this series. He’s physically imposing with a brutal fighting style, while also being ruthlessly intelligent. He’s not nearly on the same level as Heath Ledger’s Joker, but he’s a worthy opponent nonetheless. Anne Hathaway as an anti-heroine is a different turn for her, but you can tell she loves every minute she’s onscreen as the conflicted femme fatale. JGL’s role could have also been played by many different actors, but he’s still enjoyable to watch in his scenes. Unfortunately even though the movie is almost three hours long, you see very little of Michael Caine as Alfred. Though he’s far from the most important character in the story, he plays his role so well that it would have been fun to see more of him. 

This movie’s other biggest strength is its continued use of practical visual effects and realistic stunts. The opening scene where Bane and his crew hijacks a plane was filmed with real planes, explosions, and cables holding real people and I still have no idea how Christopher Nolan managed to film it. The new flying vehicle Lucius Fox develops for Batman also looks fantastic while looking and moving like a real functioning vehicle. 

The shortcomings in this movie are almost entirely plot related. There are a lot of loose threads and plot holes, making it feel like Christopher Nolan was either cutting corners or playing it fast and loose when developing the story. The three most glaring examples of this are when Commissioner Gordon sends every single police officer in Gotham in to the city sewers to hunt down Bane, leaving the entire city vulnerable to attack. Also, it is established early on that his time as Batman has left Bruce Wayne’s body in shambles and a doctor warns him that even the slightest injury could do him in. This never really manifests himself later, as he does get injured but recovers very quickly. In the final act, Bruce is abandoned in a remote pit on the other side of the world from Gotham without any money. Not only does he manage to get out, but manages to return to Gotham in a matter of days. Throw this on top of an overly long movie with several different convoluted plot lines taking place in the final act, and you get an story that feels unfocused and at times, frustrating. 

After watching it again and reflecting on it, I feel like most people make Rises out to be far better or far worse than it actually is. It’s definitely the weakest movie in the trilogy, but that doesn’t mean it also has some excellent performances and some memorable scenes. I personally, find it as a satisfying but flawed conclusion to an overall well-made and unique take on the Batman character. 

Now that I’ve reviewed the Dark Knight Trilogy in order, I see it in a new light. Batman Begins is very underrated and deserves much more credit for how well-made it is and sets up its sequel for success. While The Dark Knight is a very entertaining movie, I think Heath Ledger’s Joker performance greatly outweighs the sum of the movie’s parts. It would be interesting to see how different Rises would be had Ledger not died. Even though the final chapter is a bit of a mixed bag, it concludes the series by coming full circle and works for me. 

What trilogy/series should I review next?

#the dark knight rises #bane #batman #catwoman #alfred pennyworth #jim gordon #selena kyle #christian bale #michael caine #gary oldman #anne hathaway #lucius fox #morgan freeman #tom hardy #dark knight trilogy #dc comics #2012 movies #movie review

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The Dark Knight Movie Review

The Dark Knight was released in 2008 and is the second part of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy. Picking up a couple years after the first movie left off, Batman has had a dramatic impact on the city of Gotham. Criminals are terrified of the thought of even seeing Batman, and the organized crime syndicate is nearing the end of its rope. To make things even better, new district attorney Harvey Dent (played by Aaron Eckhart) and police lieutenant Jim Gordon are finally helping the city catch up to administrating justice at the same rate as Batman. Just as things are looking up in Gotham City however, a psychopath known only as the Joker (played by Heath Ledger) emerges to bring a reign of terror and chaos the likes of nobody could have expected.

Like I did with Batman Begins, it’s important to consider what times were like when this movie had when it came out ten years ago this month. While Batman Begins was a critical and financial success, it did not have any where near the same cultural impact that its sequel has had. This is in large part due to Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance and the incredibly deep themes and messages that previously had never been explored in a superhero movie before. After its massive success and that of the first Iron Man being released two months earlier, superheroes came to the forefront of the pop culture spotlight that 10 years later, has yet to be relinquished.  

The Dark Knight is one of several movies I have seen countless times, so it was admittedly hard not have a fresh take on it after viewing it again. I still love it however, and so do numerous other people obviously because there is so much to enjoy about it. Christian Bale is good, but not great in this movie as Batman/Bruce Wayne partly because Heath Ledger’s Joker steals pretty much the whole movie. A lot of people make fun of the gravely voice he uses as Batman but it actually doesn’t really bother me. It does become a bit much in some scenes, but it makes sense that the most famous person in Gotham disguises his voice when beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, and Gary Oldman also reprise their roles well. Aaron Eckhart and the recasting of Maggie Gyllenhaal to play Rachel Dawes are also refreshing. Though she’s still a weak character, I find Maggie Gyllenhaal much more believable in the role than Katie Holmes. Aaron Eckhart brings a charisma to the screen as the hero Bruce wants Gotham to have, an optimist who brings justice without bending the rules like Batman has to. It makes his eventual downfall even more devastating for Gotham in the final act.

Every discussion about acting in this movie begins and ends with Heath Ledger as the Joker. At the time Ledger was known mostly for being a heart throb in romantic comedies, and many people were outraged when his casting as one of the most famous villains in all of fiction was announced. He of course proved all of them wrong by turning in one of the best acting performances of the century, winning an Oscar that may have cost him his life. I could probably write for hours about this performance, and other people have discussed it at great lengths before me. I won’t say too much about it, but my favorite part about Heath Ledger’s Joker is what I think makes him scariest. In a lot of ways, his critiques on order are right and his case for mayhem makes sense. Again, this is a review, not an analysis, so the best I can do is recommend you watch the movie to see Ledger’s brilliance yourself. It’s an intense and chilling performance that will resonate with you long after the credits roll.

Aside from the strong performances from Ledger, Bale, Caine, and Oldman, the best part of this movie is probably the action set pieces, particularly the chase scene that takes place in the second act. The combat scenes are given a much better sense of scope and the camerawork is much better than the fight scenes in Batman Begins. What makes it even better is that again, it was all done with practical effects. Those are actual cars exploding exploding and slamming in to tunnel walls. In fact in this scene, the effects team found a way to flip a full-size semi truck. It’s this dedication to realism that makes moments like these even more grand and pulse-pounding.

As many great moments as this movie has, there are definitely some flaws that are often overlooked. The final act is very convoluted with multiple narratives unfolding all at once. Nolan’s bad habit of unrealistic dialogue also appears a few times, and is distracting. Finally, there is so much that happens in this movie from the Joker’s reign of terror, to the fall of Harvey Dent, and Batman’s shortcomings that it just feels too busy at times. Pacing could have been done a lot better and I’m not sure why some of it wasn’t saved for the next movie.

In the end, my opinion on The Dark Knight has changed quite a bit. For a long time I’ve put it in my top ten favorite movies, but for whatever reason the flaws I mentioned before stuck out a bit more than usual. That does not take away at all, however, from the incredible and sadly final performance from Heath Ledger who died a few months before the movie released in theaters. The Oscar he won posthumously showed Hollywood that comic book movies can have powerhouse acting to go along with thought-provoking themes and messages. I’m not sure if I would put it in my top ten any more, in fact I may prefer Batman Begins. But there’s no way anyone can deny it’s impact on superhero movies h as most consider The Dark Knight  to be the gold standard for the genre. It’s a worthy sequel but one that should be watched within the context of the trilogy for optimal enjoyment.

#the dark knight #batman #dark knight trilogy #christian bale #michael caine #harvey dent #aaron eckhart #morgan freeman #christopher nolan #gary oldman #commisioner gordon #heath ledger #the joker #2008 movies #maggie gyllenhaal

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Batman Begins Movie Review

Batman Begins was released in 2005 and was directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of billionaire Bruce Wayne and the origin of Batman. After his parents are murdered in front of him as a child, Wayne (played by Christian Bale) disappears from the public eye as an adult to travel the world and to understand the makings of a criminal. Along the way, he stumbles upon a mysterious group of warriors called the League of Shadows. After learning from them for several years, Bruce Wayne becomes a master of combat, stealth, and intimidation. He eventually returns home to Gotham City to begin an all out war on organized crime, as well as get to the bottom of its connections with psychiatrist Jonathan Crane. 

I decided to review this movie because this month it will be 10 years since The Dark Knight was released in theaters.To mark the milestone of one of the most critically acclaimed film trilogies in recent years and to look back on the impact it has had on movies, I thought it made sense to rewatch and review each of the Christopher Nolan Batman movies. 

Before I get in to this movie, however, it’s important to look back at the superhero movie landscape and the state of the Batman character prior to 2005. Bryan Singer’s X-Men movies and the first two parts of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy had received praise from both critics and fans as well as being financial successes. It was still three years until the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but most people in Hollywood were realizing that superhero movies could both make money and appeal to a large audience. While the superhero genre was beginning to take off, the opposite could have been said for Batman. The last feature-length movie with Batman in it was 1997′s Batman and Robin  and it was panned by both the public and critics. Though 1989′s Batman had brought the the character back to its dark comic book origins, Batman and Robin returned it to the campy feel and goofy aesthetic of the 1960′s Batman TV show. Most believed the Batman film franchise was to be dead. Warner Brothers decided to give it another shot though, and handed the directing reigns to Christopher Nolan. Even though he’s a virtual household name today, at the time he was almost unheard of. He was known mostly for his cerebral independent films and had never had the type of budget and name recognition that comes with a Batman movie. People didn’t know what to expect when it came out, but fortunately for everyone, Nolan had a vision to reinvigorate the franchise after spandex and Bat-credit cards nearly killed it. 

Of all the things that this movie does well (of which there are many) my favorite and arguably most important is the world-building it does. People expected movies based on comic books to have over the top storylines and to require them to suspend a large amount of their disbelief. Christopher Nolan changed this completely by using mostly practical effects and modifying the story to make it appear as if it is grounded in the real world. This can be seen everywhere, from the length of time it takes Bruce Wayne to become Batman (almost the entire first half of the movie is dedicated to his training) to the Batman’s technology being heavily inspired by actual military weapons, vehicles, and armor. This movie also has a layer of depth which was missing from most superhero movies at the time. Bruce Wayne doesn’t just want to become a vigilante on a whim. Instead he wants to inspire people to stand up for what is right and turn fear upon those who prey upon the innocent. He knows that as Batman, he’ll have a much further reaching and longer lasting impact, transcending his human limitations and becoming a legendary symbol of good. 

Another area of recognition that this movie deserves praise is in casting and acting. Out of the three movies in the trilogy, I think Christian Bale has his best performance as Batman/Bruce Wayne in this one. Especially in the first half of the movie which is heavily character-driven, Bale shows a lot of nuance in his performance as you feel like you’re on this journey with him. You feel him wrestle with the guilt of his parent’s death and his gradual understanding of what he needs to do as Batman. Michael Caine is also fantastic as Bruce Wayne’s butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Many people believe that Michael Keaton is the definitive Batman, but I think Michael Caine is the definitive Alfred. He’s the voice of reason for Bruce and the comic relief while necessary without being annoying. Liam Neeson is also great as one of the leaders of the League of Shadows and so is Cillian Murphy as Jonathan Crane. Liam Neeson carries an aura of wisdom while also being intimidating, making him a perfect mentor to Batman. Cilian Murphy balances creepy with subtle really well, and makes for a good antagonist in this movie’s world. Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman are also memorable as police detective Jim Gordon, one of the few non-crooked cops on the GCPD. Freeman plays Lucius Fox, the person in charge of the Wayne Corporation’s applied sciences division, providing Bruce with the technology and intelligence in his war on crime. 

In terms of weaknesses for Batman Begins, there are a few. Katie Holmes plays Rachel Dawes, assistant district attorney and Bruce Wayne’s love interest. The character herself is forgettable and Holmes doesn’t lend much to the rest of the cast. Nolan has become somewhat notorious for clunky expository dialogue and awkward lines, and there are definitely a few moments like that in here. Moments like these take you out of the movie because people in real life obviously don’t talk that way. For the first time, I also noticed how poorly done many of the action scenes are done. Fight scenes are edited very quickly so it’s difficult to get a sense of what is going on. Not only is it distracting but also comes off as cheap because it seems like nobody could figure out how to get the action right. 

All that being said, Batman Begins is a strong opening to a trilogy. Christopher Nolan deserves credit for reinventing the character by bringing his own unique flavor while still staying true to the source material. The ensemble cast turns in a mostly strong performance and even though there are a few things that could have been better, there is something visceral about seeing probably the closest thing we will get to Batman fighting crime in the real world on the big screen. This is a must-see movie for Batman and superhero movie fans. But even if you have never had an interest in comic books or superheroes, the realism and strong character performances bring a refreshing take on the genre while also making it accessible for all. 

#batman #batman begins #superhero movie #superhero movies #christian bale #gary oldman #morgan freeman #katie holmes #jonathan crane #cillian murphy #liam neeson #ras al ghul #2005 movies #dark knight trilogy

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Incredibles II Movie Review

Incredibles II was directed by Brad Bird and is the highly anticipated sequel to the 2004 Pixar hit The Incredibles. The movie picks up right where the last one left off where a family of superheroes faces the daily struggle not only of living their lives, but doing so without revealing their powers in a society where superheroes have become outlawed. This is despite a near constant stream of villainous foes and cataclysmic events which threaten the city the family lives in. Things change, however, when a corporation lead by a brother-sister team approach Mr. Incredible, Elasitigirl, and Frozone with a plan to improve the public perception of superheroes and legalize their work again. They agree, and Elastigirl/Helen Parr tries to fight off a new villain called the Screen Slaver as Mr. Incredible/Bob Parr begins his new role as a stay-at-home dad. 

Like most people, I love the first Incredibles movie and have only grown to appreciate it more as I’ve gotten older. It’s arguably the best Pixar movie and it’s just as good, if not better than almost any superhero movie ever made. It goes without saying that I have been among the masses who were excited to continue this story, but also nervous as many Pixar sequels have been pretty disappointing. I trusted Brad Bird’s vision however, and I firmly believe that such great characters and a smart story line/plot were well worthy of a second installment.

I heard once that the best sequels build upon the characters and expand upon the world they live in and Incredibles II does this extremely well. A large part of the plot is spent exploring the new problems the family is facing since the events of the last movie. Should they continue hiding their powers? Is there a way superheroes can be made legal again? What about the collateral damage their abilities have on their personal lives as well as the citizens some believe they should be protecting? The movie explores all this and more in a lot of creative and fun ways and there isn’t one dull or slow moment from start to finish. 

The voice-acting as usual with most Pixar movies, is also fantastic. Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, and Samuel L. Jackson all reprise their memorable parts from the original but newcomers Bob Odenkirk and Catherine Keener are also perfectly cast for their roles as the brother and sister wanting to improve things for superheroes. As a fan of Breaking Bad, it was fun seeing Odenkirk play a more clean-cut version of his character Saul Goodman in animated form.

As much as I loved all parts of this movie, what stuck out to me the most is just how human and relateable the characters are as well as the situations they get in to. Obviously nobody is a superhero living in an animated world with a sleek, 1960′s feel to it, but these characters face problems and have reactions that anybody can sympathize with. Whether it’s Bob feeling jealous of his wife being selected as the face of the superhero PR movement or daughter Violet being shy and awkward around boys, these situations and everything in between have something to offer for everybody in the audience. The way Brad Bird and the rest of the creative team behind this movie does this adds an element of magic to it, which is probably why these movies and characters have resonated with so many people, me included. 

In the end, Incredibles II is a fun, imaginative, and entertaining movie that is a worthy follow-up to the original. If I had to pick a nit, I feel as if it doesn’t have the same level of depth or the same social commentary as the first, but this is easy to overlook, as it’s still a movie with a tremendous amount of wit and heart. I highly recommend seeing it, and at the halfway point of 2018, Incredibles II just might be my favorite movie of the year so far. 

#the incredibles #incredibles ii #craig t. nelson #holly hunter #samuel l jackson #bob odenkirk #catherine keener #disney pixar #pixar #animated #animated movies #summer blockbuster #summer movies #2018 movies #movie review #mr incredible #elastigirl #frozone

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The Silence of the Lambs Recast Challenge

One of my favorite things about movies is how every person sees every movie in a way completely unique from everyone else. I can’t remember who said it, but one way I’ve heard it expressed is “Your favorite movie is someone else’s least favorite and someone else’s favorite movie is your least favorite. This variation on the one man’s trash adage also applies to the actors and the roles they play. A character can be taken so many different ways and often the actor’s choices in how to portray a character can make or break the story. This concept as well as the way YouTube personalities from Screen Junkies and the SinCast podcast has inspired me to try my own hand at what I will call the recast challenge. Before I start, here are my ground rules.

1. Actors/actresses in the fantasy recast can’t have been in the original movie.

2. Recasting will be done for all major characters (5-6 people usually) and the director. 

3. Actors/actresses who’s race/gender/ethnicity is different from that of the original actor can be selected.

With that being said, I’ll be doing the recasting of one my personal favorites,  The Silence of the Lambs. In case you haven’t read my review for it or seen the movie, it tells the story of FBI agent in training Clarice Starling. She gets asked by one of her supervisors to question the unnerving and brilliant cannibal and serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (played by Anthony Hopkins) to see if the bureau can use his knowledge to stop a different serial killer on the loose. Considering it swept the major awards at the 1992 Oscars, it’s considered by most to be a classic. I hope it never gets remade, but if that were to happen and I was in charge of casting, these would be my picks. I have placed links in the names of each actor/actress as well as a clip of one of their best scenes if you want to know what they look like or see what other movies they have been in.

Clarice Starling- Originally played by Jodie Foster

Recast pick- Brie Larson

For the lead role in this movie, there needs to be somebody you can take seriously as an FBI cadet. She should be tough and no-nonsense, but also vulnerable and courageous when necessary. On top of that, she needs to be able to hold her own when sharing scenes with one of the most disturbing characters in all of cinema. Jodie Foster did all of this and I think Brie Larson would also be up to the task. Because they look somewhat similar and Larson is around the same age as Foster was in 1992, this may seem to be a cop-out selection but I struggle seeing any other actress playing this part well. Also like Jodie Foster, she started acting at a young age. She has also won an Oscar for her emotionally intensive role in Room. All in all, I think she would do a great job of showing the strength and intellect of her character while also being subtle in expressing her fears and insecurities. 

Jack Crawford- Originally played by Scott Glenn

Recast pick- Mark Ruffalo 

Jack Crawford is the FBI agent who initially asks Clarice to question Hannibal Lecter. In the movie he’s a person who is willing to try new things out but wants to play it by the book when it comes to hard evidence and solving crimes. He’s likable but suspicious of anything unorthodox. This is very much like the character of Dave Tosche in another serial killer movie, Zodiac. Mark Ruffalo also played Dave Tosche who in real life was a homicide detective in San Francisco when the Zodiac Killer was on the loose. Ruffalo has shown he can pull off being smart in the Marvel movies as Bruce Banner and as someone searching for justice in Spotlight. Really it almost goes without saying that Ruffalo is a great actor and fits this part perfectly. 

Frederick Chilton- Originally played by Anthony Heald

Recast pick- Edward Norton

I’d argue the true villain of Silence of the Lambs isn’t Hannibal Lecter or even Buffalo Bill. I think it’s Dr. Frederick Chilton. He’s pompous, arrogant, and condescending. To make matters worse, his ego causes many things to go wrong for the protagonists and never give Clarice the respect she deserves. Maybe it’s too on the nose, but I think Edward Norton would barely have to try acting in order top play this character. He has a reputation of being difficult to work which falls falls in line with the character, but I would hope to see him play the role differently from Anthony Heald. I would want to see him played similar to Norton’s character in Birdman  as an egotistical and volatile actor on Broadway. I think it’s another great fit because of the other roles he’s played and he can pull off being a snarky know-it-all very easily. Like Mark Ruffalo, he also has experience working with my choice of director for this version of the movie. 

Buffalo Bill (Jame Gumb)- Originally played by Ted Levine

Recast pick- Bill Skarsgard  

As the serial killer that Clarice and the FBI are trying to stop, Buffalo Bill has to be on the surface an unassuming if not an odd outsider. Underneath however, is a completely unhinged psychopath. Because of this there are several different actors who could play this part well. The one I ended up landing on though, was Bill Skarsgard, son of Stellan Skarsgard. He’s also fresh off of a terrifying performance as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in 2017′s IT.  If you have seen him as Pennywise, you know he can pull off a combination of creepy, bizarre, and menacing extremely well. In other words, he could easily go from lurking in storm drains to ordering people he has kidnapped to rub some lotion on the skin before it gets the hose again. 

Dr. Hannibal Lecter- Originally played by Sir Anthony Hopkins

Recast pick- Christoph Waltz

If you have seen and love this movie like I do, you know this is the most important casting for many different reasons. First, Anthony Hopkins won and Oscar and became a cultural icon for his portrayal of Lecter. Second, the character only has about 20 minutes of screen time in the original movie, making it difficult to turn in a memorable, let alone award-winning performance. Third and finally, I believe it’s more accurate to call Lecter a plot wild card rather than a out right villain. Most actors would struggle between either making him too helpful and charming or too sadistic and creepy. This is where Christoph Waltz comes in. He can do everything that Hopkins did first while putting his own unique twist on it. His Oscar-winning performance in Inglorious Basterds  and his turn as a Bond villain in Spectre prove he has more than enough ability to play a dark and layered role. He also looks the part by not looking the part. What I mean by that is that he looks like a relatively normal person. He looks like he could be your neighbor or be seen drinking coffee and reading the morning paper at your local diner. Anthony Hopkins appears the same way and that’s part of what made him so chilling as Lecter. He looks like an ordinary, even kind man but in reality he’s ruthlessly intelligent and has developed a literal taste for the morbid. Out of all of the characters and actors I’ve named, I feel the most confident of the fit of the role between Lecter and Waltz.

Original Director- Jonathan Demme

Recast director- David Fincher

As I mentioned earlier, both Mark Ruffalo and Edward Norton have experience working with David Fincher. Ruffalo was in Zodiac and Norton in Fight Club. Along with the former, Fincher also directed the critically acclaimed serial killer film Se7en. It would definitely be familiar ground if Fincher was to direct this version of the movie, which makes him a great pick but also for other reasons. All of his best movies don’t only have an interesting subject matter and plot, but they are also very character-driven. There is also far more themes and questions he asks the audience through subtle storytelling besides the main visuals, which also have a unique feel to them. Behind only Steven Spielberg, Fincher is my favorite director so it only made sense for him to helm this version of one of my favorite movies. 

Do you like my casting choices? Who would you pick? Which movie should I review/recast next? 

#recast #recasting #the silence of the lambs #jonathan demme #david fincher #mark ruffalo #edward norton #brie larson #christoph waltz #oscar winner #clarice starling #hannibal lecter #hannibal

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Solo: A Star Wars Story Movie Review

  Solo: A Star Wars Story was directed by Ron Howard and tells the origin story of one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe, Han Solo. It stars Alden Ehrenreich in the titular role and also features Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, and Woody Harrelson to round out the main cast. As you probably already know, I’m a huge Star Wars fan so even though I found the movie to be unnecessary when it’s production was initially announced, I was nonetheless excited to see what kind of story could told about one of my favorite characters in the entire saga. My interest was sparked even further when it was announced Ron Howard would take over as director after Phil Lord and Chris Miller stepped down because of creative differences between themselves and Disney/Lucasfilm. I have really enjoyed his previous movies such as Apollo 13 and Rush so I felt like the production team made a wise choice by bringing in an accomplished director to finish the project.

  It would be an understatement to say Alden Ehrenreich had some big shoes to fill playing such an iconic character played so excellently by Harrison Ford before him. As is usually the case, the internet pundits were proved wrong by turning in a strong performance which was reminiscent of the Han Solo we’ve seen in the Original Trilogy but also making it clear he is a much different character than the one you meet in that Mos Eisely cantina from A New Hope. As good as Alden Ehrenreich was a Han, I think Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian was even better. He captures the very essence of the character that Billy Dee Williams made so memorable in The Empire Strikes Back. You can tell he can’t be trusted, but he has so much charisma and is so smooth that it’s nearly impossible to not like him. In fact, I think I’d rather have seen a movie focusing entirely on Lando with Han as a supporting character.

  Besides the casting and performances, I also think the movie had some great visuals and action set pieces. The Kessel Run scene especially exciting as Han and Chewbacca fly the Millennium Falcon for the first time, evading imperial ships and navigating through a space storm. The scene where Han and Chewie help Woody Harrelson’s gang raid a cargo train was also a lot fun, which felt like a sci-fi version of a wild west train robbery.

  As good as these parts of the movie were, there were just as many, if not more that were disappointing. Aside from the characters whom have been well-developed in the previous movies (Han, Lando, and Chewie) I didn’t feel attached or interested in any of the other ones. Woody Harrelson’s character is a essentially a mentor for Han, but he could have been played by anyone and by the ending, his part feels pretty inconsequential. Emlia Clarke, while good in her part, isn’t much of a factor in the story. Quite a few times throughout you can tell Ron Howard wanted to have a dramatic moment because of the interactions and revelations of the characters. The problem is, because most of these characters are so weak that most of these dramatic moments don’t really land

I feel like the visions the different directors had also hurt the movie. I think one party wanted to make a movie that features Han as an established smuggler while the other group wanted to make one that was more like a superhero origin story. I feel like Ron Howard tried to do both and as a result, the movie felt very convoluted, especially in the final act. I think it would have been better overall if one story or the other was given more focus. This makes the problems that come from these ways to tell the story even more visible. Because of the origin story element, at times it feels like the filmmakers are trying too hard to connect it to the rest of the universe as well as feeling predictable. Because of the standard adventure story element, there are a lot of plot threads that feel unnecessary and confusing.

  In the end, Solo was unfortunately, disappointing for me. There were some fun moments and good performances, but I still think this movie was unnecessary. It lacked a consistent focus and relied too much upon the established characters and story lines from other Star Wars movies. If you aren’t a fan of this franchise, it probably won’t be worth your money. If you do love these movies, it might be worth checking out. But you should be sure to temper your expectations as there are plenty of missed opportunities and an underwhelming story. 

#solo #solo a star wars story #movie review #may 2018 movies #summer blockbuster #alden ehrenreich #emilia clarke #paul bettany #woody harrelson #ron howard #star wars #star wars anthology #han solo #chewbacca #lando calrissian #donald glover

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Avengers: Infinity War SPOILER REVIEW

Avengers: Infinity War was directed by Joe and Anthony Russo and stars pretty much every actor who has played an important role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s the culmination of eighteen  movies made over the course of ten years where the Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and their associates come together in order to stop the galactic warlord Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones. Should he collect all the stones, he will use them to exterminate half of the population of the universe. 

The buildup for this movie has been tremendous, and just like most people I was excited to see it. Never before has this many comic book character and A-list stars been brought together in one movie. I’m not as attached to the MCU as some other people are, but I enjoy most of these movies. The almost entirely positive reception from fans and critics as well as its record-shattering opening weekend erased any doubts in my mind of seeing Infinity War in theaters. 

I actually saw this movie only a couple days after it opened but I decided to not review it until now for one main reason. The movie is so big, takes so many bold choices, and is so different from other comic book movies before that I felt like I couldn’t write a good review without spoiling anything. I felt as if it wasn’t worth writing a review without getting in to important plot details wouldn’t really be worth it, and it would be fair to anyone who might want to read it to give them a week to go out and see the movie. Obviously, tons of spoilers lie ahead so read with caution!

As usual, I will start with what the movie did well. The Russo brothers for the most part gave all of these characters the screen time they deserved, as well as making sure to split up the characters who have appeared in other movies together before and putting them in to new groups. This is probably best exemplified in the scenes with Tony Stark, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange as well as the the ones with the Guardians of the Galaxy meeting Thor for the first time. It’s clear the Russos were careful to make sure the characters they grouped together would play off each other well without being too similar or too different. This makes for some great action scenes with their different powers and fighting strategies but also for some hilarious, quip-filled banter you come to expect from these movies. 

My two favorite parts of Infinity War would have to be Josh Brolin’s performance as Thanos as well as the narrative choices that were made. Simply put, this performance might belong in the pantheon of great cinematic villains of recent years. Even though he played the role through motion capture and voice over, Brolin brings an intensity and physicality that is usually is usually only present in a role free of so much computer effects. It truly feels as if Thanos is unstoppable, even making the Avengers feel like a group of scrappy underdogs. This is refreshing because almost all of the other MCU villains never seemed like a serious threat, feeling like more like occasional inconveniences in the way of the heroes.  Thanks to the buildup of all the previous movies and Brolin’s peformance, the circumstances seem dire and the stakes have never felt higher. What makes the character of Thanos even better is his motivation. He’s on a mission to prevent what happened on his home world of Titan from taking place in other worlds throughout the universe. He believes balance is the only way to peace. By wiping out half of all life regardless of age, power, prestige, or any other characteristic,  Thanos thinks those who survive will be better off than facing tyranny or violence which would develop in an overpopulated society. Though his methods are questionable, his motives are clear and understandable. These are the hallmarks of a great villain that are enhanced by a fantastic acting performance. 

My other favorite part of Infinity War is what happens in the ending. Thanos wins. It could have been easy for the Russos to have a neat ending where all the heroes survive and the villain gets his comeuppance, but instead almost the complete opposite happens. Thanos faces a low point in the conflict before overcoming his opponents, collecting the Infinity Stones, and ending half of all existing life in the universe. The consequences of his victory are felt right away too. The score takes on an eerie tone and cuts to the heroes spread across the universe. In the most shocking part of the whole  movie, several of the most beloved characters in the MCU are reduced to dust. In a list including but not limited to Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Scarlet Witch, several of the main heroes die not in an epic blaze  of glory, but by tragically disintegrating before the eyes of their friends. Though most people suspected some important characters would die, nobody could have guessed that this many would be lost, especially considering how popular Black Panther and Tom Holland’s Spider-Man were. It was a bold choice. Though I’m skeptical these characters are gone forever (more on that later) it made it that more much clear that Thanos is a force unlike any other that these heroes have encountered before. 

There are a few things that could have been done better in this movie. It did feel bloated especially before the climactic battle. This is a risk you run in a movie with so many important characters but there were quiet a few exposition-heavy scenes and some unnecessary moments. This may be my own personal bias, but I would have liked to see more Black Panther and Spider-Man mostly because they are my two favorite characters in the MCU. This is completely subjective however, and someone else could just as easily feel the same way about their own favorite characters not receiving the screen time they deserve. 

All that being said, this is a movie that has taken more risks than any Marvel movie before it. The Russos made an epic plot and entertaining story that felt satisfying even with the cliffhanger ending. Considering how many times characters have appeared to be killed off in the MCU as well as in the comics only to come back later, I’m fairly certain most if not all of the heroes who died will come back. But even if they are gone, I respect the Russos for making that decision just because it would once again be unexpected. Like most MCU movies, I enjoyed myself but am not nearly as enamored with it as some other people are. If you have seen and enjoyed the past Marvel movies, Infinity War is a must-watch not only for the continued narrative, but for the bold direction it takes and incredible moments spread throughout. 

#avengers #infinity war #tony stark #robert downey jr #mcu #marvel cinematic universe #marvel #movie review #april movies #summer movies #summer blockbuster #guardians of the galaxy #russo brothers #thor #chris evans #chris pratt #chris hemsworth #star lord #black widow #tom holland #scarlet johannsen #spiderman #doctor strange #benedict cumberbatch #hulk #mark ruffalo #thanos #josh brolin #black panther #king t'challa

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A Quiet Place Movie Review

A Quiet Place was directed by John Krasinski and stars himself along with his wife Emily Blunt. The movie is set in a near dystopian future where society has been ravaged by attacks from mysterious creatures with extremely acute hearing.  These creatures prey on humans, and even the slightest sound can alert one to a person’s exact location, killing the said person almost instantly. Because of this, John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s young family must take all precautions necessary to not only survive, but by making as little noise as possible in their day to day lives.

This movie initially caught my interest because of how much positive word of mouth it was receiving. I was also aware of John Krasinski’s work primarily with The Office, and like Jordan Peele’s Get Out last year, I was curious to see what an actor with a comedic background could do directing a low budget horror thriller.

My favorite part about A Quiet Place is the ambition and originality behind it. Probably 80% of the movie is without dialogue, at least in the traditional sense. To prevent attacks from the creatures, the family communicates using American Sign Language. The daughter of the family is also deaf, as well as being played by a child actor (Millicent Simmonds) who is deaf in real life. This adds an extra layer of authenticity to not only her performance, but to the performances from the rest of the cast as well. The element of silence also presents the story in the most visual way possible. The entire cast is fantastic in acting almost only using facial expressions to convey emotion. It’s acting in its purest form, and everyone one onscreen turns in a great performance. The importance of silence and danger of sound also creates some incredible moments of tension. My favorite scene in the whole movie involves the pregnant mother (Emily Blunt) going in to labor as well as badly injuring herself in the family’s empty house. Of course, each of these situations are nearly impossible to experience silently, prompting one of the creatures to break in and try to hunt her down. The silence dominating each scene of the movie also makes the rare moments with sound even more intense, creating a very visceral experience from start to finish.

As much as I like to commend this movie for its originality, acting performances, and excellent directing, there were a few concepts I took issue with. Though the movie has some great sets and practical effects, the look and feel of the creatures it a little off to me. Their aesthetic design was good (imagine a combination of the Xenomorphs from the Alien franchise, the monster from Cloverfield, and the Demogorgon from Stranger Things) but it was easy to tell it wasn’t real and came right out of a computer program. I would have liked it to be more practical, maybe using a puppet or animatronic with a little less use of CGI. With such a small budget, it might have been hard to do this, so it’s only a small issue.

The other problem I had is a plot thread which I think causes a much bigger problem for the story. As you watch the movie, you find out the father (John Krasinski) has dedicated almost all his time to researching the creatures, sound proofing the house, and creating an elaborate system of emergency safety systems in the event of an attack. He’s also been working tirelessly on creating improved hearing aids for the deaf daughter. Several scenes show just how hard he’s been working, with all kinds of tools and books make him very well equipped for surviving in this world as well as caring for his daughter’s condition. Considering it’s been at least four years in the movie’s timeline since the creatures first appeared, the father should be extremely knowledgeable about sound and any possible weaknesses the creatures may have. By the end of the movie however, the daughter discovers a method to fight the creatures which is very simple and effective. I won’t spoil what it is or how it works, but I found it hard to believe that in four years of intensive research and careful planning, never once did the father think of the method or at least test it out. I’m not sure if I would consider it a plot hole or not, as maybe there is an explanation I missed, but it seems like the writers forgot about the logic of this part of the story. Maybe they couldn’t find a way around it or it slipped their minds, but this gap in the story left somewhat of a bad taste with me once the credits rolled.

A Quiet Place is easily one of the most unique movies I have ever seen. I loved the small-scale story, the directing, acting, and the theme of parents’ love for their kids. I was entertained all the way through and it’s worth your time and money.  I’m not quite as high on it as some other reviewers or the professional critics, mainly for the reasons I mentioned earlier. But considering how well it’s doing at the box office, this is a victory for small budget original movies. It will be fun to see where John Krasinski goes next with his directing talent. Hopefully he along with other directors will get more chances to create more original stories like this one.

#a quiet place #john krasinski #emily blunt #millicent simmonds #noah jupe #movie review #2018 movies #april movies #horror #thrillers

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11.22.63 Miniseries Review

11.22.63 is a Hulu original miniseries that debuted on the streaming service in 2016. It’s an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name where high school teacher Jake Epping (played by James Franco) is told by an acquaintance that there is a portal in his diner’s supply closet that will transport him back in time to 1960. The diner owner, played by Chris Cooper, tells Jake that he needs to use the portal to stop the assassination of president John F. Kennedy from taking place. Jake agrees, and what follows is a mission of intrigue and mystery as Jake tries to get to the bottom of one of the most infamous murders in American history. 

I was excited to watch this series because of all the big names that were attached to it along with the subject matter. J.J. Abrams, the director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the producer of the Cloverfield franchise produced the series along with Stephen King. As a lover of history, I have had a deep-rooted interest in the Kennedy Assassination for a long time so I was excited to see what kind of story Abrams and King could tell based upon such a fascinating historical topic.  

I think the most impressive aspect of is how well the novel was adapted in to a miniseries. As I mentioned in my Ready Player One Review, it can be difficult translating a story told through text in to one primarily told through visuals. This is mainly because not everything in a written story can transition very easily to the screen. Everything from small details to key plot points have to be changed, added, or removed completely in order for the story to be told in such a different format. J.J. Abrams and Stephen King as well as the rest of the production team behind the series deserve a lot of credit for having the vision to  reproduce a story originally told through an 849 page novel in to an eight hour series rather than condensing it in to a two hour movie. After completing the series, it felt like it was much longer because so much happens in each episode with very little of it feeling rushed or too long. This is especially impressive because six different people directed at least one episode in the series. It has a consistent tone and narrative that is crucial to maintain when telling story of such length and nuance. 

Another part of the 11.22.63 that I really enjoyed was the buildup of tension not just from the start to finish of the series, but in the smaller isolated moments in each episode. I absolutely love it when a movie or TV show builds tension that feels authentic. Whether it’s through dialogue, camerawork, or acting, 11.22.63 is packed with moments that put me on the edge of my seat and left me clueless as to what could possibly happen next. The buildup to the actual date of the assassination is also done very well. Of course the potential murder of the president carries an enormous amount of ramifications, but each episode shows that various smaller events in history can carry just as much weight, if not more, for certain people in the future. 

The casting and acting in 11.22.63 is also exceptional. James Franco as Jake is a protagonist is easy to relate to. It’s easy to believe this person has the knowledge and improvisational skills to be able to carry out his mission. At the same time, he has definite character flaws and makes mistakes that pretty much anyone else would make the in the same scenario. Sarah Gadon and Daniel Webber are  also great in their respective roles as Sadie Dunhill and Lee Harvey Oswald. Sadie is an important character not simply because she is Jake’s love interest, but also because she is an example of how stopping one negative event in the past from happening can cause several other negative events to take place. Aside from playing a key role in the story’s message, she is also a complex character with a tragic backstory and Jake’s voice of reason in the years leading up to the day of the assassination. As for Daniel Webber playing Oswald, he did a fantastic job in portraying Kennedy’s killer. Not only does he look remarkably like the person he’s playing but he emulates everything from the way he talks to his mannerisms near perfectly. Webber also captures the angst and frustration Oswald was going through that pushed him to commit such a horrible crime. He makes one of the most notorious figures in American history disturbing while also showing a sympathetic and vulnerable side that leaves an impression even after the series ends.

There are a few problems with the series, most of them relating to the ending. I won’t spoil anything, but I found it somewhat anticlimactic and a bit underwhelming. I also feel like Jake’s character arc could had more to it, as he doesn’t change much from the first episode to the final episode. When Jake also returns to the future to see what kind of impact his mission had, it’s dramatic but is presented in a very rushed way without much explanation as to how it is connected to the history Jake has changed. It’s surprising considering how well-paced the majority of the series is. Maybe if there was one more episode taking place mostly in the alternate future it would have felt more complete and easy to understand. Aside from this main problem, there are times where feels as if the writers had painted the characters in to a corner and wrote in a convenient way out for them. This is common in a lot of movies, but at the same time when it happens too often it becomes hard to ignore. 

As a whole, 11.22.63 is an enthralling story with well-constructed suspense, great acting, and themes that resonated with me. Aside from its lackluster conclusion, I had a lot of fun watching this series and would definitely recommend it to any who is a Stephen King fan, loves history, or enjoys great moments of tension in entertainment. It is still available to stream on Hulu and I have also seen it for sale on DVD in places like Best Buy and on amazon.com. If you’re looking for a short series rich with great storytelling and acting, give it a watch and you won’t be disappointed. 

#112263 #jj abrams #stephen king #james franco #chris cooper #daniel webber #sarah gadon #kennedy assassination #american history #historical fiction #john f. kennedy #hulu #hulu original #hulu reviews

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Ready Player One Movie Review

Ready Player One was directed by Steven Spielberg and is an adaptation of Ernest Cline’s best-selling novel of the same name. It’s 2045 and with advances in technology and the decline of both the natural world and society, the majority of the planet’s population spends its time inside a massive virtual reality online world called the OASIS. In it, users create their own avatars and can do everything from finding a to play video games both classic and on the cutting-edge with people from across the world. The OASIS’s enormous success has made its creators played by Mark Rylance and Simon Pegg, the Bill Gates and Steve Jobs of the future. After the the reclusive but brilliant of the two named James Halliday (Rylance) dies, it is announced that he has hidden an Easter egg within the OASIS, and whoever finds the egg will receive complete control of the program and a half trillion dollar fortune. The hunt inspires the players to search the program, filled with countless references to pop culture from the 1980′s as try compete against evil corporaion, also trying to find the egg and claim the prize. The story follows one of the hunters named Wade Watts, played by Tye Sheridan, and his quest for the egg which tests his knowledge of the most popular video games, movies, and music of yesteryear, encountering a wide range of friends and enemies. 

I first heard of this movie last summer when its first trailer released at San Diego Comic Con. Even though I hadn’t read the book, the trailer absolutely blew me away and the fact that Steven Spielberg was directing the project  made it even better. Spielberg is my all-time favorite director, and I could tell it would be a return to form for him. I appreciate the historical dramas he has been making more often in recent years, but I had been craving a new blockbuster from him for sometime. Something I hoped would bein the vein of the Indiana Jones trilogy, Jurassic Park, or even E.T was what I saw this movie as. Once I did get around to reading Ernie Cline’s book (which I highly recommend), I was even more on board with this movie. It’s an exciting and at times frightening glimpse in to the future with a ton of heart and memorable characters. In case you haven’t been able to tell from this paragraph, Ready Player One is among the movies I have been most excited to see this year, and I got my ticket as soon as possible. 

Almost as soon as the movie began, I could tell I would be satisfied with what I was wanting from Spielberg. His trademark of fluid camerawork and eye for stunning visual effects work really well for the world this movie takes place in. One scene in particular literally made my jaw drop with how well it combined modern effects with a classic movie environment. I won’t go in to much detail about it, but I will say it was my favorite action scene in the movie that was also a fitting tribute to the legendary director Stanley Kubrick. 

Acting was also a highlight for me. The core group of characters particularly Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, and Lena Waithe playing their real world characters and OASIS counterparts very well. I however, think the best performances came from Mark Rylance and Ben Mendolsohn as the main villain, Nolan Sorrento. Through subtle acting Mark Rylance makes it apparent that James Halliday has a very awkward but brilliant mind which makes his character admirable and sympathetic. Ben Mendolsohn on the other hand, makes Sorrento ruthless while also being charming, allowing a self-conscious side of his character to come out once in a while. 

Something I think Spielberg achieved with mostly positive results was knowing when to stay faithful to the book and knowing what to change for the movie. I think its unfair to judge a movie based on how faithful it is to the original source because film and text are such wildly different mediums. It’s almost like having two world-class chefs make the same dish and expecting them to make their unique versions of it taste exactly the same way. Spielberg definitely made the right choices in modifying key parts of the story and plot to better fit a two and a half hour run time while also complimenting this visually driven version of the story.  At the same time, he did cut some important character development  and subplots for the characters of Aech, Sho, and Daito. Again, I’ll avoid spoilers, but the book gave all three characters important character arcs which if included, possibly could have made the movie even better. 

Aside from some of the struggles of translating from page to screen, the biggest problem for me in this movie was the structure. At times it felt rushed and at others it felt slow. The rushed scenes made me want more character development and world building and the slower ones took me out of the movie and made me feel its length. Another problem I had was a missed opportunity to use narration to the story’s advantage. Yes, one of the golden rules of film-making is “show, don’t tell” but when done correctly, narration can add an extra layer to the narrative and make the story even more personal for the viewer. The first fifteen minutes or so of the movie has quite a bit of exposition through narration as it sets up this massive world and doesn’t return until the last few minutes. I feel like the narration should have been present throughout or cut completely. 

Though it’s not a perfect movie, Ready Player One is a fun and engaging ride told in a way only Spielberg can pull off. It had the same thrills as his classic blockbusters and if you’re a fan of his as much as I am or grew up in the 80′s, you should have a great time seeing it. The more video games, TV shows, and movies of the past you have seen, I also think the more you will enjoy it. For those of you who have read the book, don’t hold yourself against the differences between it and the movie and I think you will also leave the theater satisfied. As for you who haven’t read the book, read a little background information before you see it as it might help you understand the plot better. Finally, I really enjoyed this movie and may even try to see it again. The storytelling and effects put me squarely in to the imagination Ernest Cline in a film filled with high-stakes, excitement, and humor complete the magic that only Steven Spielberg can bring to the table. 

#ready player one #ernest cline #steven spielberg #tye sheridan #olivia cooke #lena waithe #2018 movies #blockbuster #parzival #art3mis #aech #ioi #gunters #the oasis #james halliday #ogden morrow

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Darkest Hour Movie Review

Darkest Hour was directed by Joe Wright and it tells the story of Winston Churchill’s ascension to the position of Prime Minister of England in 1940. It stars Gary Oldman as Churchill with Lily James as his typist and Ben Mendelsohn as King George. As I have said multiple other reviews, I love films based on historical events. Darkest Hour is also the first of many potential Oscar contenders I have been looking forward to seeing.

Easily the strongest part of this movie is Gary Oldman’s performance. It reminded me of Daniel Day-Lewis’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln. He completely embodies the larger-than-life figure from history while also giving him a humanity that is often forgotten over the decades. He’s as courageous and outspoken as he is often remembered, but he also has a lot of quieter moments where he doubts his abilities or rubs some of his peers the wrong way because of his brash personality. I’d be shocked if the makeup department isn’t at least nominated for their work on Gary Oldman, as they transformed a man who looks nothing like the character he is playing in to one of the most recognizable figures of the 20th century, virtually making him disappear in to the role. 

Lily James and Ben Mendolsohn also turn in some great performances. The only other movie I have seen Lily James in was Baby Driver, however I think she has shown a lot of promise, especially in how she held her own with Gary Oldman in every scene they share. King George is much different in personality from Churchill and Ben Mendolsohn does a great job in making it clear that no matter how popular he is , the King has the final say in anything Churchill hopes to do in order to fend off Nazi Germany. As the the most important person in England, he needs to be won over by Churchill and the movie does a good job of showing the evolution of their relationship. 

The visuals of this movie were also impressive, considering most of the story takes place indoors in what would normally be pretty dull settings. Fortunately, Joe Wright understands the concept of visual storytelling very well, using lighting, the actors’ positions, and camerawork to add extra dimensions to the emotions being depicted onscreen. 

As is the case in most historical dramas, the plot did get a bit slow at times. This was usually in the scenes where Churchill isn’t the main focus. It may be because Gary Oldman is such a strong presence, but I also think more focus could have been put on Churchill by cutting some of these scenes out. I found my engagement rising and then dropping off as the movie went from a strong Churchill scene to one without him that lacked the same level of gravitas.

In end, Darkest Hour has excellent performances with a story that could have been more streamlined. I have a hard time seeing anyone beating Gary Oldman for any of the Best Actor awards in the next couple months, but unless you are interested in history or strong lead performances, don’t be too concerned about missing Darkest Hour in theaters. 

Rating on the Lindburg Scale: 8.3 out of 10

#darkest hour #winston churchill #world war II #biopic #england #Oscar season #awards season #best actor #lily james #gary oldman #ben mendelsohn #king george

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi SPOILER REVIEW

As promised, here are my in-depth thoughts primarily focusing on the major plot points of The Last Jedi. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll assume you have read my spoiler-less review and obviously have seen the movie. I’ll start with what I liked, what I didn’t like, and finish with my final thoughts. So without further ado...

What I Liked: Luke Skywalker

As I said before, Mark Hamill is fantastic in reprising his most recognizable character. It’s evident from the moment he takes his lightsaber back from Rey and tosses it over his shoulder in disgust that he has been through a lot since Return of the Jedi. He has a considerable amount of depth added to his character as well, when he recounts how he feels that he failed Ben Solo and his family by lashing out and trying to kill him when he was in training. I also like how he challenges Rey and the audience about everything they think they know about the Force and Jedi. He raises some valid points about the shortcomings of the Jedi, as well as how the Force is far more powerful and complicated than anyone can imagine. It adds a new layer of meaning, but not in an overly explanatory way that hurts the mystical nature of it.  Finally, Luke’s last stand for the Resistance was absolutely perfect. Looking back, there is a lot of foreshadowing leading up to it, but Rian Johnson never tips his hand entirely. Everything from his apparent return, the dust off his shoulder, to the reveal that he is projecting his likeness to divert Kylo Ren from the survivors of the battle was thrilling. His ending was also tasteful, as he disappears and becomes one with the Force. It was sad, but I am confident they will bring him back in some sort of ghost form in future movies. Much like another character’s surprising appearance in Last Jedi...

What I Liked: the Return of Yoda

Of all the great moments in this movie, this one probably caught me off guard the most and got me the most excited. Much like the return of the Millennium Falcon in The Force Awakens, it wasn’t over the top and didn’t slow down the movie. Rian Johnson knew everybody would know who Yoda is and would get excited for him regardless of how he was revealed. Yoda is one of the great characters in all of Star Wars, and the role he plays in Last Jedi was faithful to the character and helpful to the plot. He reminds Luke of his importance, even in seclusion and how if he wants to stop Rey’s potential turn to the Dark Side, he needs to provide some sort of guidance to her. I also loved how his appearance is consistent with the puppet Yoda from the Original Trilogy, and how Frank Oz was brought back to voice him in the same style as the original movies. All in all, Yoda’s appearance was a welcome surprise and one of my favorite scenes in the whole movie. 

What I Liked: the Battle in Snoke’s Chambers

Another one of my favorite scenes, this is quite possibly the best and most intense Star Wars fight scene put to film, even topping the hallway scene from Rogue One. It begins similarly to Luke confronting Vader and the Emperor in Return of the Jedi, with Rey being taunted by Snoke as he also tries to manipulate Kylo Ren. The tension continues to build as Rey resists Snoke’s temptation, and he tortures her in return. Kylo Ren then decides to step in, killing Snoke and teaming up with Rey to fend off the guards in the room. The choreography of the fight is brutal and the violence depicted is unprecedented for Star Wars. The tension finally comes to a peak, as two relatively inexperienced Force users who don’t trust each are put to the test. If you read my spoiler review, this is the scene I was referring to that shocked me with its graphic nature. Snoke gets cut in half, with his body sliding off the throne he was sitting on and his guards are each dispatched in Tarantino-esque fashion. I think it was a bold choice by Rian Johnson to take the scene in that direction, but I actually haven’t heard  many people comment on it, so I think it’s been accepted by the masses for the most part. 

What I Didn’t Like: Leia’s Near-death Experience

This is the first of a couple scenes that felt very out of place. As the Resistance is trying to escape the First Order, Kylo Ren gets in a starfighter and leads an assault on the flagship Leia is aboard. He reluctantly decides to attack the bridge where is mother is watching, apparently killing everyone inside, including Leia. What follows is a combination of sub par CGI and possibly some poor taste on Rian Johnson’s part. As Leia is floating through space appearing dead, she regains consciousness before using the Force to guide herself back to the ship and be rescued by those on board.  The main reason I don’t like this scene has to do with Carrie Fischer’s passing about a year ago.  There is nothing wrong with showing the death of a beloved character on screen, but to make it appear to be in such a traumatic way while faking the audience out with some suspect computer work, especially with the actress’s death, made the scene feel strange. Maybe it wouldn’t have the same effect if Carrie Fischer had never died, and this scene had been added prior to her passing, but regardless it just didn’t feel like a good fit. 

What I Didn’t Like: Finn, Rose, and BB-8 starring in Viva Las Vegas

While I did like the character of Rose and Kelly Marie Tran’s performance, I didn’t like the excursion on Canto Bight that she takes with Finn to find a hacker to break in to the First Order Star Destroyer. Everything from the execution of the story there to the aesthetic of the planet didn’t work. It felt nothing like Star Wars. YouTube critic Chris Stuckmann even said that Canto Bight felt more like earth than a Star Wars environment (hence the subtitle on this entry). I agree with him, and his opinion that the scene with the freed creatures they ride off on felt more like a short film then a subplot carrying weight in the main story. The problem is, it’s still important to the plot so it would have been difficult to cut the scene from the movie. I’ve heard some people complain about the length of The Last Jedi, and I think it is mostly because of this extended sequence.

Rapid Fire Likes and Dislikes

Porgs- Cute and funny comic relief, Not one bad scene with them in it.

Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern)- Not sure why she was in the movie. Her sacrifice is noble, but wouldn’t it have had made more sense to have Leia do what she did?

Rey’s Parents- I was very relieved to find out out she isn’t descended from any preexisting character. Not everything needs to be connected!

Poe Dameron- Oscar Isaac is a great actor and finally gets the screen time he deserves. His character is explored a bit more without being overbearing. 

Captain Phasma- Would have liked to see a bit more of her and her confrontation with Finn.

 DJ (Bennicio Del Toro)- The character is perfect for Bennicio Del Toro’s acting style. Very entertaining and weird.

Rian Johnson- I know I’ve said it a million times, but I love how this movie was directed. Rian Johnson took everyone’s expectations, prior Star Wars knowledge, and perceptions and flipped them on their heads while still staying true to the heart of Star Wars. It’s about time we see more bold and creative film-making with blockbuster franchises. 

That concludes my thoughts on The Last Jedi. I hope to see it at least one more time in theaters and I plan on buying the Blu-Ray as soon as it goes on sale. With Oscar season starting, I also plan on seeing and reviewing movies like Molly’s Game and Darkest Hour. Thanks for reading, and until next time.

-DL

#star wars #the last jedi #spoilers #star wars spoilers #2017 movies #movie review #spoiler talk #luke skywalker #general leia #finn #poe dameron #rey #vice admiral holdo #yoda #rose star wars #bb-8 #porgs

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review (Spoiler-Free)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was directed by Rian Johnson and returns almost the entire cast from The Force Awakens. Taking place shortly after the events of the previous movie, the Resistance is on the run from the First Order, who bent on avenging the destruction of Starkiller base. While Leia, Finn, and Poe are trying to stay one step ahead of Kylo Ren and General Hux, Rey has found Luke Skywalker and is determined to begin training as a Jedi. Luke however, has become jaded and completely opposed to training anyone in the Force as he believes his failure to stop the fall of Kylo Ren has caused the galaxy to descend in to darkness. The two separate story lines later converge in a final battle to decide the fate of the Resistance. 

I’ll start my positives by saying that Lucasfilm’s choice of Rian Johnson to helm this project was perfect. I like his visual style and story telling techniques, and he didn’t disappoint one bit. This is the best-looking Star Wars movie since The Empire Strikes Back with a wide range of colors and diverse environments creating every shot. Some of the cinematography was jaw-dropping in some scenes as well. In this respect it was a very fresh take on the Star Wars universe, looking through a lenses totally different from the ones in the other movies. 

Another strength to this movie was the fact that the story is very character driven. We learn a lot more about Rey, Luke, and especially Kylo Ren. The story slows down and takes its time, especially in the first and second acts to really focus on these characters’ motives and pasts. Mark Hamill also turned in what I think, is his best performance as Luke Skywalker. Much like what was done with Han in the previoius movie, the creators did a good job of showing how much he has changed since the Original Trilogy, while still staying true to the character. He also has some great moments of humor and ones that tug at the heart strings even. 

The Last Jedi also has some of the best action scenes in the whole saga. There are several fights in space which are riveting, but also some duels between various characters that are very intense, even violent for a Star Wars movie. It came off as jarring to me at first, but again it is a very different turn for the series that I have grown to like and now approve of. 

There are quite a few things about this movie that I would change. Some  are characters brought in, mainly Laura Dern’s, which really aren’t that important and their duties could have been given to another character. While this movie also has quite of few funny scenes, some of the jokes don’t really land because of the tone or timing. 

One scene involving Princess Leia is especially strange. I’ll save the details about happens for the spoiler review, but this sequence features a lot of CGI and feels very out of place. I feel as if this scene should have been cut or at least modified to fit better with the narrative. Another scene that could have been shortened or cut is one taking place when Finn and Rose are looking for Resistance aid in a mining planet’s gambling city. The aesthetic of the planet felt very out of place, not like it belonged in Star Wars at all. It was only made worse when a chase scene takes place on the planet with some horse-like CGI creatures. These and some metallic fox creatures that appear in the battle of Crait both look very unrealistic and more like something from Pokemon than Star Wars. Maybe if they were in the background or featured less I wouldn’t mind them so much, but they get a lot of screen time and just took me out of the movie.

In conclusion, The Last Jedi was a worthy sequel to The Force Awakens. It has a very unique presentation of the universe we are all familiar with, taking a lot of chances visually and with the story. I think almost of these chances paid off, and they meshed very well with the focus placed on characters that we hasn’t been done this well since The Empire Strikes Back. I’ll have to give some time to rewatch and process the movie a few more times to say what I definitively think about it but as of right now,  I may prefer this one to Force Awakens.

Rating on the Lindburg Scale: 9.0 out of 10

#star wars #the last jedi #rey #kylo ren #finn #rose #poe dameron #captain phasma #supreme leader snoke #general hux #luke skywalker #general leia #daisy ridley #john boyega #adam driver #rian johnson #mark hamill #carrie fisher #2017 movies

[lindburgsreviews]

Star Wars 30 Day Challenge- In One Day!

As most of you likely know, the first public screening for the new Star Wars movie releases tonight at midnight. You also probably know about my love for this series and I can’t wait to see review it. I found this video series from the Wars YouTuber HelloGreedo where for thirty days leading up to the release of The Last Jedi, he made a short video covering a variety of different Star Wars related questions. I thought it would be fun to answer the same thirty questions in a single blog entry. Feel free to respond with your own thoughts in the comments!

1. My Personal Favorite Star Wars Memory

My favorite Star Wars memory was seeing The Force Awakens in theaters for the first time. I had never seen a Star Wars movie in the theater to that point, and I was giddy from the time the lights dimmed to the end credits. I felt like a little kid and it made me fall in love with the series again.

2. My All Time Favorite Character

This is a tough one  because there are so many great characters to choose from. As a kid I would have said Darth Vader, but as an adult now I’ve grown to love Han Solo. Harrison Ford is so great in the role and he has so many memorable moments and lines. I also love what he brings to the table as a character, a rough and tumble anti-hero who has a greatr arc through the Original Trilogy.

3. Favorite Original Trilogy Movie

My favorite of the Original Trilogy movies is The Empire Strikes Back. I love how it takes a great premise presented in A New Hope and expands it considerably. You learn more about Vader, the nature of the force, and get to meet some really memorable characters in Yoda and Lando Calrissian. There’s so much depth and I would go as far as to say powerful scenes in what on the surface, just looks like a fun science fiction movie.

4. Favorite Prequel Trilogy Movie

This one is also hard because I dislike pretty much all of the prequels, but I would have to say Revenge of the Sith is the one I like the best. There are a few scenes that are true to the original spirit of Star Wars and also a lot of good visuals.

5. Favorite Star Wars Video Game

This one was very easy. The original Star Wars Battlefront II video game from 2005 just might be my favorite video game ever. I got hours of playtime from it when I was in grade school and had a blast every time. The game was so simple in its concept, recreating battles from the movie or ones we never saw on screen, but that’s what I think made it so great.

6.  Favorite Lightsaber Fight

The final dual between Vader and Luke in Return of the Jedi is by far my favorite lightsaber fight in the saga. There is so much emotional weight to the scene as Luke is torn between trying to redeem his own father who is also trying to kill him. You can’t help but feel for him as he is constantly being taunted by both Vader and the Emperor and trying to remain true to the teachings of Obi-Wan and Yoda. His outburst at the end where he realizes he is slowly becoming like Vader is also poignant, as well as Vader’s sacrifice to end the scene.

7. All Time Favorite Scene

I  could probably make a list of just my favorite Star Wars scenes, but the top would have to be Yoda explaining the Force to Luke and then raising his X-Wing out of the swamp in Empire. Yoda’s dialogue is so well written, and John Williams’ score makes the scene feel both mystical and inspiring. I get chills each time I see this scene and there’s no other one like it in the whole saga.

8.  Favorite Yoda Quotation

After a lot of thought, my favorite Yoda quote might be “You must unlearn what you have learned.” It might not seem to make much sense, but part of why I like it might be because it is similar to one of my favorite quotations in real life “It’s what you have learned after you know it all that counts”. They both speak to how nobody every truly becomes a master at anything, and there’s always something new you can be learning. 

9. Favorite Fan Film

In all honesty I’ve never seen a Star Wars fan film. If anybody reading this knows of a good one to check out, let me know. On to the next one.

 10. Something I Wish Was Different

Like I mentioned before, I really don’t think very highly of the prequels. Yes they are what originally peaked my interest in the series as a kid, but as I’ve grown older I’ve realized how poorly made and pointless they are. I wish they didn’t exist at all, only the original and sequel trilogies were made. None of them are all that good, and create a plethora of plot holes that hurt the original movies.

 11.  Favorite Piece of Star Wars Merch I Own

A couple years ago for my birthday, my parents bought me some wooden portraits with posters of the original movies printed on them. One of them was a pretty standard one for the Force Awakens, but the other two are the ones that I really love. One is for Empire, with Darth Vader’s mask floating in space with the cast list underneath it with the title. The other one is for Return of the Jedi, and but it says “Revenge” instead of Return. This was because George Lucas decided to change the title during filming, making the original posters with this small detail extremely valuable to collectors. Even though what I own isn’t a original copy, I think it’s really cool and have them both hanging up in my room. 

12. Actor I Want to See in a Star Wars Movie

There was a lot different names I considered for this one, but the one I feel the best about is Aaron Paul. If you have watched Breaking Bad, he gives a performance throughout the entire series that is arguably as good as the one Bryan Cranston gives. I think Aaron Paul is a terrific actor, and I’m surprised I haven’t seen him in much outside of Breaking Bad. I don’t have a character in mind for him to play but the Star Wars universe is so big and he’s such a great talent I have no doubt he could play a strong role and really excel.

13. Favorite Member of the Rogue One Crew

Another easy one, K2-SO is by far my favorite character in all of Rogue One. Alan Tudyk’s motion capture performance is fantastic in his comedic timing and vocal work, and by far playing  the best character in the movie in my opinion.

14. Favorite Piece of Star Wars Music

Of all the incredible compositions of Star Wars score, my favorite is Finale/End Credits from Empire. It starts with a slow build up to a strong rendition of Han and Leia’s theme before transitioning in to the typical end credits theme that plays in the other movies. What comes after is what puts it over the top for me though, as it features a medley of the different character themes from throughout the movie. Yoda’s theme, The Imperial March, and finally a return to the love theme are all played and works as a nice musical microcosm of the film. 

15. Favorite Vehicle in the Saga

My favorite vehicle in Star Wars is also one of the best vehicles in all of pop culture, the Millennium Falcon. Its design has always been really cool to me and its so recognizable. I like how it seems like you could live in it, and I love how proud Han Solo is of his ship even though the other characters are constantly making fun of it. I also like how its seen all kinds of action, been to the furthest corners of the galaxy and all of its different features.

16.  Favorite Special Edition Change

The change in the Special Edition that I don’t mind is the general improvement of the visuals and audio. I don’t think it hurts the integrity or undercuts the work put in by the original crew, but enhances their work and helps the movies age a little bit better.

17.  Least Favorite Special Edition Change

In my opinion, the worst of all the Special Edition changes is the CGI creatures and backgrounds added in to Mos Eisely in A New Hope. Not only does it look terrible, but it’s ridiculously distracting and one animal even blocks the entire view of the scene right before Luke, Obi-Wan, and the droids are stopped by the stormtroopers. It makes no sense at all why all of this was added, and that might be why it irritates me the most.

18. Favorite Star Wars Parody

I admittedly haven’t seen the most Star Wars parodies, so I’ll have to go with Space Balls by default, but that doesn’t mean that it is still a really funny parody. It captures the spirit of the Original Trilogy while also satirizing the merchandising it has become famous for, as well as the logic of movies altogether.

19.  Favorite Non-Star Wars Movie from a Star Wars Actor

My favorite for this one would have to be Raiders of the Lost Ark, featuring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Both of these series have a special place in my heart as they sparked my interest in movies as a kid. Harrison Ford is just as iconic as Indy as he is Han, and the rest of the movie is masterfully guided by my favorite director, Steven Spielberg. It never lets up with action, suspense, an incredible score, and I never get bored while watching it. 

20. Favorite Droid

BB-8 is my favorite droid in all of Star Wars. I love his design, how it looks original but still looks like it exists in the Star Wars universe. I also think its really cool how the creators of Force Awakens were able to make a character that is so funny and lovable but doesn’t have any dialogue, much like R2-D2.

21. Star Wars Game I Wish Existed

I’m not a huge video game fan so I don’t know if a game like this exists, but I think an open world game simlar to Red Dead Redemption in the Star Wars Universe would be really cool. Maybe your character would be a bounty hunter or character similar to Luke in A New Hope trying to find his way in the galaxy, but you make the decisions that ultimately affects his fate. 

22. The Star Wars Anthology Film I Want

YouTube movie reviewer Jeremy Jahns actually had an idea for an anthology film that I would love to see. It would focus on Obi-Wan between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. Ewan McGregor would come back as Obi-Wan, but the tone of the movie would be more similar to a western than a space opera. He would be in hiding in Tatooine, riddled with guilt from the fall of Anakin and maybe PTSD from the Clone Wars. He’s on Tatooine not because he feels the need to watch over Luke, but because he just doesn’t want to see a galaxy under the control of the Empire’s iron fist and falls away from his Jedi beliefs. This is where the western theme comes in, as maybe a small settlement near where he’s hiding in the desert is under threat from the Empire or a gang from Jabba the Hutt and he is forced to try and stand up to them. I like this idea because it would be a very different tone for a Star Wars movie and wouldn’t add too much unnecessary backstory.

23. Favorite Force Awakens Moment

I absolutely loved the scene in Fore Awakens where Kylo Ren has just incapacitated Finn tries to use the Force to pull the Skywalker lightsaber out of the snow. He has some trouble getting it out, as it wiggles around and finally comes out, but flies past his face and in to Rey’s outstretched hand. She looks confused and a bit scared after it happens, but the Force theme slowly begins to swell up. I got goosebumps seeing this scene in the theater and me and several other people cheered as it happened. It’s such a great reveal, and it represents everything Star Wars is about, finding something special deep inside you and riding to an occasion with that ability you have. 

24. Favorite Space Battle

Although I didn’t like the movie as whole very much, the last thirty minutes of Rogue One are fantastic. The battles going on in space and on the ground look incredible and are intense, combining new technology with the classic Star Wars action cut scenes from A New Hope. The hammerhead ship crashing in to the Star Destroyer is a great scene and there is a new level of intensity that you don’t really see in the other Star Wars space battles.

25. Least Favorite Star Wars Moment

This might be a cop out, but all of the Anakin and Padme love dialogue scenes are absolutely terrible. They are so poorly written and awkward to watch. I can’t remember the last time I watched Attack of the Clones from beginning to end, but it won’t be again any time soon partly because of these scenes.

26. Favorite Darth Vader Quotation

I think it’s great in Empire when Vader says to Lando “I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it further”. It fits the character so perfectly, being menacing and pithy at the same time. I also love how Lando tugs at the collar of his shirt after Vader turns away, almost like Vader gave him a bit of a force choke as he left. 

27.  If I Were An Extra, What Scene Would I be in?

I’ve always found it funny how in every Original Trilogy movie, there’s a stormtrooper who gets shot and falls from a ridiculous height screaming on the way down. I would want to be one of these guys, because it would be a funny cameo and just a fun scene to be in. 

28. Director I Want to Direct a Star Wars Movie

Jon Favereau, the director of the first two Iron Man movies, The Jungle Book remake, and Elf would be a great choice to direct a Star Wars movie. He has worked with Disney before so he would be able to work with the corporate aspect but also bring a unique flavor to the story, and some great special effects too.

29. A Prop I Would Like to Own

The burnt-up Darth Vader mask scene in Force Awakens would be a cool prop to have. There’s something intimidating about it still, even though it’s heavily damaged and mishaped. I feel like it represents the new trilogy’s connection to the originals though, and would be a unique piece of memorabilia. 

30. Why I Love Star Wars

I love Star Wars because of what it was and what it has become. I love hearing the stories of how the first movie went over budget and schedule, nobody thought it would be any good, and now it might be the  most famous film franchise in existance. I love the fun, light-hearted moments and the ones with depth and emotions too that I think get overlooked too often by film critics. I also love how it has had such a strong impact on my life, and how I will get to pass on the story and my experiences with it to future generations.

That’s it! I’ll have my review for The Last Jedi as soon as possible after I see it. Let me know what your responses to these questions are!

#star wars #the last jedi #The Force Awakens #A New Hope #the empire strikes back #phantom menace #attack of the clones #revenge of the sith #star wars thirty day challenge