Jeff's Film Reviews

Friday, February 19, 2016

Hail, Caesar

In Hail, Caesar, Josh Brolin plays a Hollywood fixer. He's the guy who makes sure the movie goes off without a hitch, and does everything in his power to make the studio look good. Things go awry for said studio when a big star played by George Clooney goes missing, and Brolin has to find him in order to save the movie. However, that really is only a small portion of the movie’s plot. There are a lot of characters and subplots in a movie. Now, there is a possibility that these things could tear the movie apart. But, because this movie is written, produced, and directed by the Coen Brothers, all of these elements really work. The cast is huge, filled some very talented people that, in addition to the previously mentioned Brolin and Clooney, includes the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, and Channing Tatum (giving what may just be his best performance). The absolute standout in the movie has to be newcomer Alden Ehrenreich. This is a guy I want to see do more comedic roles in the future because he is absolutely hilarious here. The comedic timing of the script and the fact that all of the actors bring their A game really sell the movie, and make it work. That’s a good thing because there are points where the movie does start dragging a touch, though it doesn’t take away from how good I think the movie is. This is one of those movies where I feel the Coen Brothers are the only ones who could’ve possibly pulled this movie off. This is very much a Coen Brothers movie. If you aren’t a fan, this probably isn’t the one that’s going to pull you over. But, if you have liked their work in the past, then definitely check it out.

9 / 10

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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Let me start off by saying this, I never read the book this movie was based. In a way, I’m kind of glad, mostly because I was able to view the movie without any real preconceived notions or hopes with what to expect. So, no, I can’t really say for sure whether or not this is a faithful adaptation. One of the first things I want to address is something I have fixed feelings about, the way they showed a couple of the violent moments near the beginning of the movie. On the one hand, the point of view shots that are seen through the zombies’ eyes are kind of cool, and not something they typically show. On the other hand, the violence feels a bit toned down, and I almost wonder if this movie would have been better suited with an R rating, mostly because while it isn’t impossible to make a PG-13 zombie movie work, it also isn’t easy. To me, it works better in the zombie point of view shots. It bugs me a little more when they’re showing the third person viewpoints thanks to the minimal blood. I do have a lot to compliment too. The cast is pretty solid. Though I will point out that I find Matt Smith, Charles Dance, and Lena Headey to have been underused. Some of the zombie attacks are actually entertaining even though I personally do think they could’ve benefitted from adding more blood. Everything in between was a little slow for my taste, though not necessarily bad.

7 / 10

Monday, February 15, 2016

Kung Fu Panda 3

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So, when I learned that Kung Fu Panda 3 was being pushed from December to January, I was a little worried. After all, January doesn’t have the greatest track record. Thankfully, I was proven 100% wrong. The movie was pretty much pushed back to avoid competition with Star Wars. For the most part, the jokes actually manage to land. Much like the previous film, Kung Fu Panda 3 progresses the story and characters forward. In this entry to the franchise, Po (voiced perfectly by Jack Black) must progress from student to teacher, and realize that even a master still has things to learn, and always can be more than who they think they are. Most of the supporting cast from the first two movies (save for James Hong and Angelina Jolie) get pushed to the sidelines. Thankfully, the three major franchise newcomers all should be commended. Bryan Cranston as the voice of Po’s birthfather Li Shan comes off as a warm, lovable goofball, as is Kate Hudson as the self-centered and egotistical Mei Mei. But the best is J.K. Simmons as the villain Kai, who is both funny and threatening at the same time. The animation is beautiful, especially the martial arts battles. I also love the dynamic between Po and his two fathers. I will admit that if there is but one flaw, the story is a bit formulaic, though that isn’t nearly enough to hinder a fantastic entry in DreamWorks’ catalogue.

9 / 10

Deadpool

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Deadpool was the movie I was looking forward to the most for this year. It makes me so happy to say that this movie delivered exactly what I wanted. Deadpool is absolutely hilarious, and incredibly violent. The sense of humor is vulgar, disgusting and crass (as it should be). Overall, the acting is pretty damn solid. I’ll admit that I don’t necessarily think Ed Skrein and Gina Carano are the greatest actors in the world, but they work well in their villainous roles. T.J. Miller and Leslie Uggams both make for good comic relief. But, the actor who works best in the movie is Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, no real surprise there. Reynolds as Deadpool is one of those casting choices that is utterly perfect, like Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark for example. I honestly like the way they are able to tell the origin story in the movie, and I even don’t mind the use of the origin story here, because as much as I love Deadpool, and I absolutely understand that he is a fan favorite among several of us comic fans, I don’t know if I’d put him on the same level as, say, Spider-man, Batman, or Superman. I absolutely loved this movie, but I do have to warn people that this is not a kids’ movie (as if the R rating wasn’t already a warning), so I recommend parents and children watch at their own discretion. Everyone else, don't even think about it and go watch this!

10 / 10

Friday, February 12, 2016

Norm of the North

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Norm of the North was released theatrically, so I'm sure that the quality of an animated movie about a twerking polar bear will reflect that. Oh, right. The movie's animation quality is complete and utter dogshit. Rob Schneider voices the main character, and I'm sure he's happy just to be getting work. This is easily one of the worst animated movies I have ever seen (admittedly I haven't seen all of Foodfight or those animated movies about the Titanic). The story is lazily and cheaply put together to make a quick buck, hence the whole hammered in environmental message. The voice acting and dubbing are equally poor. "You can't win an oscar for a commercial, but as long as it can sell condos we've done our job." a company marketing director voiced by Heather Graham says with the flattest, most soulless delivery possible. At points, the dubbing appears to be out of sync. This is also a movie designed specifically for children, so why are there so many references that children couldn't possibly understand, such as puberty jokes and a reference to Pretty in Pink. Besides that, part of the clear sign that writers of this movie clearly didn't care was the fact that Rob Schneider's Norm could speak human, but all the animals are understood in English. However, the difference is never explained, leaving one of the many gaping plot holes that make no sense. Objectively, there is no real redeeming quality to this movie, but if I had to give the movie the faintest leeway, I'll say this, it didn't really piss me off, mostly because I was expecting something truly awful.

0 / 10