Holiday Movie Wrap-Up

I love the holiday season for so many reasons (the lights, family and friends, the ridiculous amount of food consumed, the mulled wine), but one of those reasons is the movies. Over the last couple weeks I made sure to check out a few of the upcoming awards season’s top contenders.

My favorite would have to be David O. Russell’s “American Hustle.” The movie is nominated for a bunch of SAG and Golden Globes. While I think it’s deserving of many of them, the nomination that best represents this movie is the SAG’s  “Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture,” meaning everyone played their roles to perfection. Christian Bale is the lead con man, who while being hopeless, ethically/morally loose, wearing the most creative comb-over ever and a pot belly (he gained significant weight for this role), is also a Lothario. In his con life he enlists the skills of his lover, played by Amy Adams (whose plunging necklines required a lot of double sided tape throughout filming). At home he has an alcoholic, manipulative wife, played by Jennifer Lawrence. Lawrence seems to be getting the most accolades out of everyone and is well deserved. While she seems a little young for the role, I read she perfected her accent by watching a large amount of reality TV, which tends to be based in New Jersey. Bradley Cooper plays an FBI agent with a pretty killer ‘80s perm. Jeremy Renner has a smaller role in the movie as a mayor who ends up getting caught up in the main scheme. Comedian Louis C.K. plays Cooper’s boss at the FBI and while it’s not your standard “funny guy” role, his scenes are enjoyably laughable. Robert De Niro also has a pretty stellar cameo. It’s clearly a movie from Russell, as the movie is less about the plot and more about the character development. The movie seemed chaotic at times but the characters made it charming. The tacky and glitz 70’s were the perfect backdrop to their con-man shenanigans. So far, I’d say this is the biggest must-see prior to the awards shows.

Last weekend I went to see Martin Scorsese’s new movie, “The Wolf of Wall Street.” I was a little hesitant about this one after hearing a lot of mixed reviews but I usually love Scorsese (and Leo!) so I went for it. First off, I can see why few people over the age of 40 enjoyed it. It’s basically a 3 hour fuck-fest (sorry for the language Mom but it’s the best way to convey it) with c-notes, hookers and drugs. So I’m also guessing every guy under the age of 35 thinks this is the best movie ever. I will say that I liked it despite the graphicness (but I am nowhere near what one would consider a prude). The movie is actually based on a true story believe it or not of Wall Street broker turned convict turned motivational speaker Jordan Belfort. Some of the stories and dialog are lifted directly from Belfort’s memoir while some of the stories (like throwing midgets like human darts) are a little more questionable. The firm Belfort started, Stratton Oakmont, was actually also the inspiration behind the 2000 movie “Boiler Room.” Leo DiCaprio does a great job as the charismatic Belfort. His character narrates asides directly to the camera throughout the movie, giving us more insight into some of his crazy behavior. DiCaprio actually makes the character semi-likable that sometime you want him to get away with everything. Jonah Hill, Hollywood’s new go-to sidekick, is awkward yet brilliant as Belfort’s sidekick. Matthew McConaughey is only in one scene in the whole movie but it’s a totally scene stealer. Another upside, the 3 hour movie flies by like a frantic drug rambling, so there are never really any lulls. I’m glad I went to see once but will I ever watch it again? Probably not. One fun fact not in the movie: While serving time in a while collar prison, Belfort was cellmate with Tommy Chong, of “Cheech & Chong.” Chong was actually the one who encouraged him to write the book.

The other noteworthy movie I went to see was “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the new movie by the Coen brothers. For the most part I really like their movies and think they write great, dry dialog. I wasn’t a fan of their more recent foray, “A Serious Man,” and this one felt very similar. The plot was pretty slow, the scenery bleak and the overall feeling was just depressing. It starred Oscar Isaac, who did a decent job with all the acting and singing. I usually like Cary Mulligan, who was the main female role in this, but even she seemed lackluster. I do have to say though that Justin Timberlake breaks the mold again with a pretty amazing cameo. I never knew I’d be so impressed by his acting chops. John Goodman does a decent job in his role and Garrett Hedlund got paid to pretty much not say anything. I was happy to see Adam Driver (from "Girls") getting movie roles. Young Bob Dylan gets a clever shout out near the end of the movie. Overall, I think the best part of the movie was the cat. Unless you’re in the mood for something depressing or you really like 1960s folk music, I’d say your fine skipping this one. I think it got nominations because of the prestige the Coen name carries but I’d be surprised if it wins any of the Golden Globes it’s up for.

Oops I Did It Again (For the 3rd and 6th Time)!

No, this blog post will not be a nostalgic look back into Britney Spear's career. Although perhaps that would be less embarrassing than what I'm about to admit. Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to the movies alone. Twice. Because I didn't want to tell anyone what I wanted to see. And this is why.

Last Sunday I went to see "The Hangover Part III." I liked the first one a lot. It was hilarious, there weren't any other movies quite like it. Then the second came along with pretty much the exact same plot line, except in Bangkok instead of Vegas. I wanted to see the 3rd as they promised it would be the last one (please keep this promise!), so I wanted to see how it all ended. You could tell they were applying learnings from the first two. Zach Galifianakas and Ken Jeong are clearly the best characters. Jeong as Mr. Chow got a pretty substantial amount of time in this one, as Justin Bartha (boring) got about 10 minutes. Ed Helms as Stu is a fun guy to beat up on. Bradley Cooper is there to be pretty. Funny female roles have been lacking in the first two, although I didn't mind Heather Graham as the happy-go-lucky stripper (who get a cameo in this final installment, as does baby Carlos). This one brought in Melissa McCarthy, the perfect love interest for Alan. And the Wolfpack is back in Vegas, which is how it should be. There's an extra scene that plays shortly into the credits, so don't leave your seats too fast because it is pretty stellar. 

It gets more awkward. And honestly I was more excited for this one. Monday I went to see "Fast & Furious 6" and it was awesome. I can't explain it but I really like these movies. I'd say I was a street racer in a previous life but it would have to be horse and buggy racing. Rowdy. Anyway, outside of the original one, this one was by far my favorite. These movies are so purposefully absurd that it had the audience laughing at multiple times. The one complaint I have about this one is that The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson because he's a "serious" actor now) has a larger role. As special agent Hobbs, he gets the gang back together to catch a gang of mercenaries in exchange for full pardons. He gets them to do this not out of the goodness of their hearts but because he also shows Dom proof that Letty is alive and rolling with this group. I'm so glad they brought Michelle Rodriguez (Letty) back. The movie needs that female badass that provides us women with someone to root for and provides girl fight opportunities for the male viewers. And guess what? There is going to be a seventh!! I know you were concerned, I definitely was. Stay through the credits for a teaser. Spoiler alert: Jason Statham is in the 7th!! I am so excited. And no I'm not being sarcastic.

Some Really Weird Movies Involving James Franco

I feel like all the movies I've seen lately are just weird. Like they're made for people on drugs weird. And coincidentally or not, James Franco played a major role in each.

The first movie I saw fitting this trend was "Oz the Great and Powerful," the prequel to the "Wizard of Oz." This movie focuses on a carnival magician who ultimately ends up becoming the Wizard of Oz. Conveniently enough, his name is Oz. Oz is played by James Franco, who embodied the conceit and swarminess of the character. He was pretty unlikable in the role, which his character was supposed to be. However, at some point the audience is supposed to connect with him and for me that never happened. We meet Glinda, the Good Witch, played by Michelle Williams. Her innocence, optimism and naiveness works in this film. Mila Kunis plays Thoedora who (spoiler alert) tuns into the Wicked Witch from the West. When her character gets green skin and warts, they don't change her voice for some reason so the Witch almost has a sing-songy quality to it. Rachel Weisz plays Evanora, Theodora's evil sister. Her character is actually quite intriguing but they don't finish the story on her, so we have no idea why she's not in the "Wizard of Oz." On this note, there a quite a few things that don't really tie back to the originally movie so fans of the oldie may be disappointed. The only thing is really explains is why the wizard stays behind a curtain and uses a projector. However, the CGI effects for Oz are out of control, so it might be interesting to see in 3D. Or on drugs*. On a tangent, has anyone seen the sequel "Return to Oz"? I remember watching it when I was little and being totally freaked out by the wheelers and hallway of heads. It was recently brought to my attention that the girl playing Dorothy in this version grows up to be the creepy head witch in "The Craft." Anyway, this 1985 sequel is worth checking out, as it brings up valid follow up (i.e. of course they're going to put Dorothy in a mental institute once she starts telling everyone about Oz).

The other movie I saw was "Spring Breakers." When I first saw the preview for this movie my initial reaction was yuck, that looks like a tacky movie meant for teenage boys that's all about boobs and getting hammered. Then I read an article in Rolling Stone (which I was hoping to link to but isn't available online unless you subscribe), along with some review highlights, that made it seems like it was one of those hilarious, voice-of-a-generation type films that shouldn't be missed. They made it sound like director Harmony Korine was making "Trainspotting" for the new generation. It's not. It's not even close. My original assumption was right. There's nothing deeper to this movie that getting wasted and naked girls. And oh, by the way, these slutty college students are also complete psychopaths. Because why just have girls in bikinis when you could have girls in bikinis wielding KA-47s. The only good part of this movie, and only things that elicited laughs from the audience, is James Franco's role, a drug dealer named Alien. With corn rows and a grill, Franco has been completely transformed. There's a scene where he plays a haunting rendition of a Britney Spears song on a white grand piano while his harem of deranged spring break girls dance around him in pink ski masks waving guns. There's also nothing more haunting than his sing-songy chat, Spring break, spring break forever. The females leads are ex-ABC Family/Mickey Mouse Club/Disney stars Vanessa Hudgens, Selena Gomez and Ashley Benson, looking to break out of their PG mold. The 4th girl in the movie is Korine's wife and is also one of the most scandalous in the movie. But apparently he's proud of her for it, so to each their own. It's kind of hilarious that Selena Gomez gets second highest billing when she's barely in the movie. She plays the more conservative, religious girl in the group who bails back to college as soon as things start getting dicey. The only good thing about this movie outside of James Franco is the soundtrack. Dubstep DJ Skrillex teamed up with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Clliff Martinex for 5 quite epic tracks. Other artists on the soundtrack include Ellie Goulding, Meek Mill and Gucci Mane.

*This blog does not advocate the use of drugs. It advocates suggestions on how to enjoy an otherwise awful movie.