“In a world…” and “One man…” are two of the most overly used opening lines in film trailer history. The film trailer establishes the tone and sets the mood of a movie in no more than two minutes. It is a marketing tool that draws audiences in and puts butts in movie theater seats. Just about every movie has one and more often than not, they can be pretty stupid. The online comedy group (and sensation) Screen Junkies knows this all too well and takes advantage of this by editing these short videos and adds their own commentary. Think of Mystery Science Theater 3000 and you have “Honest Trailers”, a brutally honest take on many of today and yesterday’s ridiculous film trailers.
The terms “geek” and “nerd” used to be something of an insult, labels that denote someone who is introverted, an outsider and just plain uncool but in the last decade or so, these terms have changed and altered society’s perception. Now, these labels seem to describe the very opposite, people who shine brightly in the spotlight and are the very essence of “cool”. Comic Cons across the country have celebrated the greatness of people who appreciate pop culture in all its wonderful glory. Wizard World Comic Con Chicago just took place last weekend and people from all over the world participated in its greatness.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wallace and Gromit is an international phenomenon that has been around for well over three decades now. During that time, the British claymation franchise has had a number of spinoffs. One such spinoff is Shaun the Sheep, a charming television series that centers on Shaun, a sheep who gets into random adventures on the Mossy Bottom Farm, a a large patch of land in the northern part of England. He then spends each episode avoiding detection from The Farmer. A feature film was inevitable and this summer sees the release of Shaun the Sheep Movie, a farm-grown picture of epic proportions. The film’s soundtrack is equally epic, featuring a robust score from Ilan Eshkeri (Kick-Ass, Layer Cake).
When war rocks the world and valuables are stolen or misplaced, said valuables need to be replaced or returned. Art is one type of valuable and in the wake of many wars, such as World War II, these pieces need to be returned to their rightful owners. The latest drama Woman in Gold focused on one such case where the famous painting, Gustav Klimt’s Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I was stolen from Maria Altmann’s family by the Nazis during that turbulent time. This film follows the true account of Altmann as she attempts to legally take back the painting which is rightfully her’s and her family’s. Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren and a spectacled Ryan Reynolds bring this fascinating story to life but sadly the results are a bit underwhelming.
Technology has always helped guide film and bring it to new heights. Since the beginning of the motion picture camera, people have enjoyed the delights of sound and image. 2015 is seeing even more advanced forms of cinematic storytelling especially at Queens, New York’s Museum of the Moving Image, which has most recently played host to an exciting new exhibition. That exhibition is Sensory Stories, a fully immersive and revolutionary film experience that not only takes audiences on a visual and auditory adventure but also stimulates touch and smell. All of the senses (with the exception of taste) are treated to a truly technological and artistic “trip”.
Film reviews and interviews with critic (and Ghostbuster) Randy Unger!! New Episodes Air Mondays at 11 AM EST on Manhattan Neighborhood Network! MNN.org Lifestyle Channel
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