A dystopian future is a solid foundation of any interesting film. Bleak surroundings and despicable characters comprise these future worlds and their stories explore the very raw and basic instincts of man. Australian export The Rover is no exception and the results are pretty solid. The talented Guy Pearce turns in an intense, fully believable performance here and Robert Pattinson isn’t half bad in an unconventional role. The film can be described as an Aussie crime thriller and while a bit on the depressing side, it’s chock full of entertaining action and very gritty and realistic performances.
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The Signal
Whether or not we are alone in the universe is an age old question that has racked the brains of mankind for millennia. Extraterrestrial life has been explored and researched countless times over. We have not received a definite answer to the question of whether aliens exist or not but it seems that motion pictures and other forms of art have attempted to answer that question for us. Science fiction allows us to create creatures and worlds that reach out into deep space. The Signal attempts to continue this eternal quest for knowledge and present alien life in a believable, sometimes scary fashion. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t do a very good job at answering the questions it asks.
The Moment
Mental illness has long been a subject wrought with stigma and social taboos. Though even today those stigmas remains people are now more accepting of those troubled with emotional problems. The mission of psychiatric care mission is to learn why people think and behave the way they do. In the new drama The Moment, Jennifer Jason Leigh plays a woman who is struggling with a very personal and internal battle. While the performances in this film are above average, the film as a whole is severely lacking.
Rigor Mortis
Asian horror cinema is one of the most original and frightening forms of storytelling around. Films like Ringu and Ju-on: The Grudge are solid proof that the far east offers exciting new platforms for supernatural creatures (like ghosts) to scare and entice. A slightly interesting but overall mediocre new film, Rigor Mortis continues this trend, but, sadly, the results are somewhat disappointing. This horror-action hybrid from Hong Kong is actually a tribute to the 1985 horror-comedy Mr. Vampire, and contains some of the same actors from that film.
A Million Ways to Die in the West
In his seemingly never-ending quest to provide meaty satire and goofing on many things in real life, Seth MacFarlane knows no bounds. With his mega-popular Family Guy and 2012’s Ted, he certainly knows how to generate laughs. His latest film, in which he wrote, directed, and starred,A Million Ways to Die in the West, is no different. The film continues his farcical tradition and manages to squeeze as much humor, adventure, and romance out of its 116-minute runtime. With an all-star cast and an even more hilarious array of cameos, West may not be an Oscar contender but it’s definitely worthy of a viewing if you’re in the mood for a good chuckle.
The Angriest Man in Brooklyn
When one thinks of comedy, one name always comes to mind. He is a man of supreme funny-man power, impeccable timing, and an almost unlimited supply of improvised genius: Robin Williams. Over the course of four decades, Williams has delighted audiences both young and old, from his wacky comedies and stand-up routines to his occasional voice-over work in animation. Though known mostly for his comedy, he is also a very talented dramatic actor. He is a man who continually surprises. Unfortunately, however, with his latest cinematic effort, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, it seems he may have run out of steam and this is unfortunate because the subject matter of this film is full of true potential.
The Big Ask
Friendship is all about compromise. Any true bond that lasts and endures relies heavily on the notion that he, she, or they will do almost anything for the good of the relationship. Such a bond is tested in the new dramedyThe Big Ask. In this honest, slightly gritty indie film, we see just how much one person relies on his friends and how a rather unusual request can instill random emotions and reactions from a small group of people.
Batman at 75: To All a Dark Knight – The Event
In 1939, artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger created one of fiction’s greatest and most enduring characters, Batman. Since then, this masked hero has been a staple in comic books, film, TV, video games, toys, shower curtains, and almost anything else you can think of. On May 5th, 2014, the Paley Center for Media in New York City hosted Batman at 75: To All a Dark Knight, a very special event celebrating 75 years of the Caped Crusader and the memories created during the iconic character’s history. New memories were created as well during this awesome event, which I had the honor and privilege of attending.
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Chef
Jon Favreau is a man of many talents. Three of those talents, of course, are his directing, writing, and acting abilities. Known the world over for helming the first two Iron Man films and for his comedic roles in films like Swingers, Made (also as writer & director), and for playing one of Monica’s boyfriends on TV’s Friends. Favreau’s latest film Chef, has the man pulling triple duty and this fun, original film may be his best work to date.
Stage Fright
In the last decade or so, the horror film genre has faltered in many ways. The classic slasher formula has diminished and the only genuine scares come from loud crashes caused by malevolent spirits. The Paranormal Activity franchise has dominated the horror film market and originality and freshness has sadly gone out the window. However, there is hope with schlocky little satires like Stage Fright, a unique hybrid of the horror and musical genres. This film seemed to come out of nowhere and if you want some mindless entertainment that will scare as well as amuse, then this is the film for you.
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