Lights, camera, action! When it comes to film knowledge, nothing beat a good trivia game. Many people are like sponges when it comes to movie quotes, scenes or characters and all it takes is a fun, engaging game to bring out the movie nerd in each and every one of us. I was recently at Retro Con in Oaks, Pennsylvania and it was there where I came across a rather interesting fellow and his eye-catching table. Justin Purvis was the gentleman’s name and he was promoting something really rather special, Movie Buff. For those unfamiliar with this item, it is a card came which has been designed to make film aficionados giggle and get all tingly inside.
Category Archives: Review
99 Homes
Ever since the Great Recession hit, many people have lost their mortgages and their homes. The economy took a turn for the worse and people with financial woes were be kicked out of their dwellings. It is a truly sad fact and it is also sad for those whose nasty job it is to evict these poor souls. The new dramatic thriller 99 Homes explores both unfortunate sides: the evictee and the evictor. Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon headline this fantastic yet bleak film which not only sheds a light on something few people may consider but presents it in a way that really quite impressive. This coupled with a stellar script, tight direction and some very strong performances, you have a film that is in a class all in its own.
7 Chinese Brothers
Jason Schwartzman is one of the current film industry’s more curious actors. He’s a good looking guy yet his sense of humor and acting style are quirky, offbeat and sometimes, downright strange. He exists in a category all in his own and it’s something that has worked for him since 1998 when he dazzled indie audiences with the titular character in Wes Anderson’s dramedy classic Rushmore. At only 17-years-old, Schwartzman made a name for himself in the film business and has been constantly delighting audiences ever since. He is an alternative leading man and effortlessly breaks away from the pack. His movie and TV roles (Bored to Death) are almost always on the border of dark and fun and his latest cinematic effort 7 Chinese Brothers is a predictable entry in his filmography however there are a few surprises in the sobering tale.
Sicario
It isn’t very often a quality thriller comes along and blows audiences away. Thrillers are a tricky film genre to tackle but when it’s done right, it’s an absolute pleasure and a treat for the senses. The latest crime thriller Sicario is one such film and with a phenomenal cast, a visionary director a fantastic score, among other elements well in place, it is a movie that only impresses but manages to get viewers on the edge of their seats. It is a film that deals with the conflict that exists on the United States-Mexican border and expands it in a brilliantly dramatic way. Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro and Josh Brolin headline this taut thriller and the results are downright extraordinary.
DVD Review: Big Game
When one thinks of Finland, one doesn’t immediately think of movies. Quality cinema isn’t something the country is particular known for. However, last year, the country was responsible for playing host for a rather big budget film, in fact, the most expensive film to ever be produced in the country. That film is Big Game, an over the top, exhilarating thrill ride of a movie starring Samuel L. Jackson as the President of the United States who gets caught up in a ludicrous game of cat and mouse in the Finnish woods. It is a movie that sets out to do one thing: to entertain, and it does so in glorious fashion. It may not be an Academy Award contender but it is one hell of cinematic trip.
Hitman: Agent 47
The current state of action movies is a mixed and sordid affair. Sure, there are crowd pleasers like Mad Max: Fury Road and many of the Marvel superhero spectacles but there also exist action/adventure films that rely heavily on tired gimmicks, horrendous acting and equally terrible scripts. The latest shoot ‘em up Hitman: Agent 47 follows in this unfortunate train of Hollywood thought. It is violent, flashy and at many times, thinks it’s smarter than almost every other action romps that have come before it. Based on the Hitman video game series, Agent 47 is also a reboot of the 2007 Hitman film starring Timothy Olyphant. This, however, does not make matters any better.
People Places Things
When one thinks of Jemaine Clement, one may think of the actor/comedian/musician’s exploits on the HBO gem Flight of the Concords, that and his villainous role in Men in Black 3, his voice role in the animated Rio films, and his zany vampiric turn in What We Do in the Shadows. Born and bred in New Zealand, Clement is something of an anomaly, someone who is multi-talented and highly recognizable due to his unique comedic style. The new independent dramedy People Places Things is a slight departure from that style and places the gifted actor in a place where he struggles with personal strife surrounding his family and pretty much everyone else around him. The film is a gritty, funny and at times, heartbreaking look at relationships, growing up and responsibility.
Blu-ray Review: A Little Chaos
The period drama usually goes one of two ways. There is the gripping, epic saga full of heroes, villains, blood, and sex. It could have a very interesting story and it can suck viewers in and make them love going to the movies. Then there’s the second option, the dull, boring, and ultimately pointless tale that exists in a time that is long gone. The new drama A Little Chaos falls under this sad category and while its production value is high and it contains some very good actors, it is a film that suffers from a great number of cons. If you are a fan of the time period or more importantly, the actors, then please do check it out. Otherwise, I suggest you look for cinematic entertainment elsewhere.
Soundtrack Review: Max
The bond between man and dog can be a very special one. It’s a deep bond that is based on mutual respect and in many cases, love. In the new family-friendly drama Max, we are shown how one dog survives and overcomes insurmountable odds and must adjust in an environment he knows nothing about. Acclaimed film composer Trevor Rabin (Armageddon, Remember the Titans) delivers a powerful score for a movie that really doesn’t need much more assistance. Mr. Rabin’s contribution to this picture is sensational and it only adds to its already profound impact. The score he has provided is rich and chockfull of memorable cues.
Blu-ray Review: Adult Beginners
The comedic stylings of Mr. Nick Kroll are an acquired taste. He can be dry, sarcastic, zany, or completely off the wall. He’s a stand-up who has graced Comedy Central with his presence for many a year now. You can either love him, hate him, or fall somewhere in between. His latest venture was on the big screen in Adult Beginners, a charming little dramedy with a pretty strong supporting cast. Since this film is a dramedy, it means that Kroll can flex a muscle he normally doesn’t get a chance to flex, that of a troubled and complex serious actor. Sure, don’t get me wrong, you still have that zany Kroll flavor, it’s just now accompanied by angst and self-loathing. All in all, this is a film one might want to check out.
Unger the Radar 