Review: Mud

Every once in a while, I get to see an independent film in the theater (as opposed to at home on DVD/Blu-Ray/streaming).  The reason that I don't see them very often is because they usually aren't playing in a theater close to me, and they don't look good enough to make the trek to where it is playing, which can be upwards of 40 minutes.  Independent films almost never get what's called a 'Wide Release,' which means that they only release them in select theaters in big cities across the country.  They usually are distributed by smaller studios, such as Lionsgate and The Weinsteins, and don't go Wide because they don't have mass appeal.  This is fine with the studios because they usually don't cost very much to make.

So, when I was checking the upcoming slate of cinema coming out, I saw that there weren't any Mormon-friendly films getting Wide Release this weekend.  I proceeded to look at the ones getting limited release and saw a film called Mud.  It hit all the soft-spots: it's PG-13 with no nudity (I will see some R-rated movies if they don't have nudity), it was playing within a 20-minute drive, AND it had a sky-high 98% on the Tomatometer.  I was sold.  Chandler Fashion Mall Harkins Theater, here I come!

If you watch the trailer for this film, it gives you almost no idea as to what the movie's theme is.  I watched it twice and had virtually no clue, so I more or less went in blind.  This is actually a preferable method of seeing movies, because you aren't tainted or spoiled from a trailer.

SYNOPSIS
Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.

THE BAD
Nothing.

THE GOOD
Once or twice a year I see a movie that fits in the category "There's no good time to get up and use the restroom."  This movie was so compelling and well-paced that I prolonged my bathroom break until I could hold it no longer.  Every single scene is purposeful and compelling.  It never drags.

The acting by all is phenomenal, but Matthew McConaughey gives the best performance of his life.  He was himself, but subtly different.  I found myself thinking more than once: "Is this really the guy from Sahara?"  I'm not positive he will get nominated for an Oscar for this role, but he certainly will be considered.  Also, the main teenage boy is remarkably believable and likable. I certainly hope we see him again.

As opposed to many movies about the South, this film paints a picture of the it that is very rich and realistic.  It never treats the culture with contempt, although I can't say that it's an endearing depiction either.

It is beautifully and subtly shot.  The color palette matches the story, shapes the mood, and the shots are never shots for shots' sake.

CONCLUSION
I adored this movie.  It's my favorite movie of the year so far, although there's not a lot of great competition.  If you enjoy Independent cinema, then you will most certainly enjoy this Mud.  However, if you consider yourself to be more mainstream, then this is not for you.  4.75/5 stars.

PARENTS GUIDE
There is quite a bit of language and some violence, particularly where one women is thrown around by a man. Not much sexual content, although there is some.  No nudity.

Review: Oblivion

I remain among the minority that still think that Tom Cruise is a fantastic leading man.  I have pondered about his films he has made over the last few years, and there is actually a decent lineup.  I adored Knight and Day and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is a masterful piece of work.  Also, I will watch War of the Worlds any day of the week!   Cruise is so charismatic that I can't do anything BUT enjoy his performances.  Do I disagree with his religious views, among other things?  Yes.  But, if we, the viewing public, were to boycott films that star people that we disagree with, we would end up not seeing any movies.  As a minority among critics (I'm a conservative Mormon), I would have to limit myself to Michael Bay movies.  So, I think that when considering any form of art, we shouldn't discriminate based on the artist's beliefs unless they are forcing them down our throats.  

Oblivion is directed by Joe Kosinki, the director of a little known film called Tron: Legacy.  I adored said film, and was determined to look past the early negative reviews of his new venture because of my love of Tron.  Ultimately, the only prep that one should have going into this film is that it is a love letter to the sci-fi genre and in particular to that genre's best films.  People are complaining about this and the plethora of plot twists.  Neither bothered me.  

THE BAD

The first act and much of the second drags.  I actually blame this on the trailers: I've seen the film's many trailers many times and it gives away the revelation that happens in the first act.  Also, the trailer was deceptive in giving false impressions of how the mood of the film would be.  It was REALLY different than I was led to believe it would be.  

THE GOOD

The plot twists are fantastic.  I really felt that the actual reveals were subtle enough to evoke real emotion and allow the audience empathize with every one of the characters.  I compare the twists to the ones in The Village in that all the problems that many of the character and verisimilitude issues that I thought were present in the first hour were explained and actually well done.  

The music is really quite good.  It feels like it could have been by Daft Punk and has a similar feel to Tron: Legacy.  I wish that the trailer that we as regular movie-goers were bombarded with had included this because I think it would have been a good selling point.  

Morgan Freeman phones in his performance, but even his phoned-in performances are spectacular!  Also, I feel like Cruise gave a great performance.  

It seems that every review that I read mentioned how beautiful the film looks, and they weren't kidding.  The special effects are breathtaking.  The lighting is really good too.  Also, the sound effects (a trivial thing, I know) were well above average.  I wouldn't be surprised if this film takes the Oscar for sound editing. 

CONCLUSION

I started out not caring for this film, but as the plot progressed and I reveled in the reveals, I found myself to be really satisfied.  It's still not one I will own, but it's worth seeing.  4/5 Stars. 

PARENTS GUIDE

This has a pretty intense sex scene for a PG-13.  It has sexual nudity.  Also, it's pretty violent.  NOT FOR CHILDREN.  The sex scene is pretty pointless.  

Man of Steel Trailer #3

CinemaCon is this week, and it's proving to be the release of some pretty substantial content.  Here's the new trailer for Man of Steel.

Star Trek Trailer #3

This is the best trailer of the ones I've seen.  Less than a month away!  #TeamKirk!

Catching Fire Teaser Trailer

Here's the trailer for the most anticipated film of the fall of this year.  I honestly don't know how they are going to keep this rated PG-13, but we'll see.

42: Movie Review

Although I had hoped that a movie called '42' was a sequel to a fantastic film called Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (if you don't get the reference, you should probably read the book and thank me later), a sports movie about racism is a good second prize. 

Doing a race movie can be hard and there are so few that have done it well, which is why I think there aren't more of them (I've often wondered why there hasn't been a biopic of Martin Luther King Jr.).  I will always love Remember the Titans, despite it being one of the more emotionally manipulative films I've ever seen.  Also, Invictus remains one of my favorite Eastwood films.  As a result, and as with most films this year, I was cautiously optimistic. 

It has come to my attention that some of my readers are reading 'The Bad'  section and assuming that I despise a movie because of some harsh critiques.  Please read on!  Film criticism is what this blog is about!  And especially read the conclusion because that's where I give my final verdict.

The Bad
The first 10 minutes felt way too heavy-handed for my tastes.   The setup is really in your face and emotionally manipulative. 

Harrison Ford's character (not his acting, mind you) seems to be the only non-racist white man at the beginning of the movie, and that's the extent of him.  He seems to be one-trick pony, having conviction for conviction's sake.  He came across more as a plot element than an actual character.  That being said, Ford did do a good job in what direction he was given.

 Most of the support players are not going to win any awards for their acting capabilities, either.  They were as one-dimensional as Harrison Ford's character, playing plot devices rather than characters.  I suspect this is the result of bad directing more than anything (although the director was also the writer). 

The Good
The film did a great job helping the audience feel what it must have been like to be a black person pre-civil-rights in America, which I think is what they were trying to accomplish.  There were many times that I teared up because of the cruel realities that African-Americans had to deal with.  I also got emotional when certain characters experienced changes of heart. 

I liked the cinematography more than most, and probably the best I've seen this year (although the competition is far from stiff).  The dugout is a good example of expressionism in film if you'll ever find one in mainstream cinema. 

The fellow that plays Jackie is really versatile and believable.  Also, the main antagonists were really good; they made me believe that they were sincerely racist and had malice in their hearts. 

Conclusion
Overall I quite enjoyed this movie and I recommend it heartily to ALL.  Is it going to win any awards? No.  But it does remove you from the present and teaches the lessons of history in an effective and enjoyable way.  3.75/5 stars. 

Parents Guide
I can see why the MPAA gave this  a PG-13, because it is disturbing to watch the racial cruelty.  However, it is the lightest PG-13 I've come across in a long time.  I would consider this to be a family movie, except for small children.  No nudity, no violence.  Just tense scenes. 

What's on Netflix: Butter

Ever since I was introduced to Juno (a brilliant film that should be seen by all) I have found myself on the lookout for off beat, quirky comedies.  This has produced mixed results, but on the whole I am a fan of this unique film genre.  So, when I was perusing upcoming releases a little under a year ago I saw a film called Butter.  I'm not sure that there is a better name for a movie, so naturally my interest was piqued and I vowed to see it. Unfortunately, it wasn't playing anywhere close to me so I had to wait for DVD or Netflix.  I finally got to see it last week and I was surprised by the result.

SYNOPSIS
In small-town Iowa, an adopted girl discovers her talent for butter carving and finds herself pitted against an ambitious local woman (Jennifer Garner) in their town's annual contest. (via IMDB here)

THE BAD
Jennifer Garner is a great actress, and she can play a superhero/secret agent rather well.  Unfortunately, her talent doesn't extend to character acting.  She over-acts pretty much the entire movie.  I suppose they meant for it to be this way, but I just couldn't empathize with her.  Also, the nature of the caricature that she portrayed was pretty unbelievable.  They seemed to paint any right-wing stay-at-home-mom in Iowa to be a freak without ability to think normal thoughts.  I suppose this provided comedic value, but it didn't do anything for me except turn me off.

THE GOOD
The rest of the cast is fantastic, with Yara Shahidi stealing the show.  The satiric nature of the butter carving contests is done very well.  Also, Ty Burrell (Modern Family) proved to me that he is quite versatile and belongs among the greats.  He is very subtle here and really makes the audience like him and sympathize with his character.  Also, Hugh Jackman's part, although small, is great too. It amazes me that he is so type-cast.  Although I despised Les Miserables, I was glad to see that he got a gig outside of an X-Men/action flick.

CONCLUSION
This was a fun movie, although I can't put it on par with Juno, Up in the Air, Thank You For Smoking, etc. because of some major pacing issues and the over-acting by Jennifer Garner.  3/5 Disco Balls.

PARENTS GUIDE
This movie is Rated R for language and sexual content.  It basically has a bunch of f-words, a scene in a strip club, and a non-explicit sex scene.  I recommend watching it with a filter like Clearplay, partly because of the content it edits, but also it sufficiently removes the poorly paced scenes.  I can't recommend it otherwise.

Netflix movie of the week: 30 for 30 Broke

Of all the ESPN documentaries that are on Netflix, this one is the best.  You don't need to know much about sports and you will walk away with a completely different perspective on athletes.  Just freaking brilliant.

Click Here.

Trailer for Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters

I really felt that they messed up the first one, so I'm cautiously optimistic with this one.  I adore these Novels.  

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog