Movie Review Madness - Vice

Vice is snarky good fun.  If you liked The Big Short written and directed by Adam McKay, then this film is for you. It’s sharp, clever dialogue and structure cracked me up. Who knew that a film about Dick Cheney could be so amusing?  It’s about an average guy in Wyoming who got a wake-up call from his fiancée – Lynn.  Stop drinking, get your act together, or I’m leaving you. Sure enough, Dick truly got straightened out, went  to school, made connections, and was in the right place at the right time.

Christian Bale gives a genius performance. It’s uncanny. Amy Adams as Lynn is spot on – she’s the Lady Macbeth behind the scenes control. Steve Carell as Rumsfield is a power tool.  And Sam Rockwell as George W. is a bit cliché as the bumbling dude. The movie, from the beginning, is full  of fact and fiction….just roll with it. No matter what, we know what did occur under the Bush presidency, and a whole lot of it was thanks to Vice President Cheney.  This is a movie about power, power grabs, control, and it’s a tad scary as to what did occur – even if it was only fifty percent true.  Crazy times that affect us even today.

But scenes with focus groups manipulating vocabulary. Scenes in regards to the military. Scenes about consolidation of powers.  OMG. It’s sad. It’s a hoot.  I admit I lean left and have despised Cheney. But I had to say “Kudos” to what the man accomplished. And yes, it’s taken with a grain of salt. I like a good chuckle and I laughed out loud a bunch.  I’d say that Christian Bale should start preparing his Oscar speech. Vice is a film. This is NOT a documentary.  It is well done and I’ll use the snarky word again. I like a smart sharp film – this totally entertained.

Movie Review Madness - Nocturnal Animals

Nocturnal Animals had some early Oscar buzz but it fizzled at the box office and reviews were mixed. And rightly so. This is a very weird, rather cold movie. And yet oddly compelling at times. The acting is superb. Amy Adams is truly excellent. She should be Oscar nominated for Arrival, but she shows her versatility with this film too.   The initial opening of the film credits is wacky. I truly thought, “What the heck is going on?” Turns out it was an art opening and Amy is the gallery owner. However, she and her husband (played by Armie Hammer – just there to look awesome) have a troubled marriage and they are living the façade of luxury while drowning in debt. It’s tough to maintain appearance in the fancy crowd. Amy does weary well and we feel how jaded she’s become.

She gets a book delivery – an early copy from her former husband, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. As she reads her “disguised story” In flashback we see them meet, fall in love, defy her parents, exude exuberance for life, and then she screws it up with Armie.  Is this book revenge? There’s definitely a lot of twisted junk going on. The acting is really good and I liked Jake a lot. He’s the sensitive poor writer that the parents do not think are worthy of their daughter. Well snobbery can backfire.

Tom Ford, the designer, directed this film. It is quite posed with beautiful people, but it’s cold. Perhaps that’s the point. I can’t say I liked this film – not at all. I can’t recommend it. I know I see some weird crap…some of it I can give a thumbs up. Nocturnal Animals is ultimately a thumbs down. Consider this a public service review. I am saving you.   You are welcome.

Movie Review Madness - Arrival

Arrival is sorta science fiction but in a good way (in my opinion). It’s more about human emotions and is a thinking type movie. Let’s just say I came out saying, “Wow, hmm.”.  My husband came out saying, “Hmm, what just happened? Oh, okay, I get it now.” He was a tad confused but then okay with the movie. I liked it more than him, that’s for sure. I won’t give away the punchline, but there is a timing question to the movie, a certain sequence and order.  Keep that in mind and you’ll enjoy it more.

Twelve alien objects arrive – they hover close to the ground and do not appear to be threatening. BUT…what do they want?  Linguist Louise Banks (played by the superb Amy Adams) is called upon to try to “talk” to these aliens. Do they have a language?  What are they seeking? Jeremy Renner plays her partner, a physicist, and Forest Whitaker is the military colonel in charge of the operation. Each approach the “problem” with a different viewpoint, and that’s what makes the movie interesting and very viable to today.

Approach in peace?  Or assume the worst and prepare for war?  That’s the dilemma for today’s world.  Naturally Amy’s character has the right touch. She gets out of her space suit and communicates hands on with the beings – inkblot looking creatures.  Are they advanced or primitive?  I won’t give away more but this movie is excellent on so many levels. In this day of instant reaction and eagerness to battle, Arrival asks for patience –a  worthy trait to consider.

Communication is key…..don’t be hasty.  Oh, if only the world would listen and appreciate this story.  Go see it and ponder life, time, and what would you do “if”……

Movie Review Madness - Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

since I blogged A to Z in April - we are now catching up on some older stuff.

It’s too long. I might as well start every review for an action hero movie with that line. It’s true and generally it’s the final big bout of mayhem that goes on and on and on. I get the idea – good vs. evil, blah blah. However, I realize I am not the target audience. I am not a male between the ages of ten and one hundred. I recognize that fact, so use my comments at your discretion. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is worth seeing on the big screen and is entertaining enough. I realize that professionally paid critics have slammed it, but most folks I’ve chatted with gave it a thumbs up. Based on the dollars spent at the theaters, we’ll be seeing sequels, that’s for sure.

Ben Affleck is fine as the new Bruce Wayne/Batman. He’s a good looking guy, been working out, and is a formidable presence on the screen. He’s a tad cranky and has reason to be. Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/ Superman is darn pretty and very buff, but he does lack that certain sparkle that my fave, the late Christopher Reeve, brought to the screen. These guys are so darn serious – c’mon, lighten up a bit. You’re running around in tights, for goodness sake.

Gotham is under attack from evil General Zod. Superman’s battle causes damage to the city and Bruce Wayne Enterprises. Hence, conflict. “We’re all criminals,” says Batman. “No one stays good in this world,” says Superman. Jesse Eisenberg is the demented Lex Luthor, full of tics and fast talking. Amy Adams is Lois Lane, running about in high heels. And Gal Gadot is the mysterious Diana Prince/Wonder Woman – joining in the high jinx. I thought things picked up when she was on screen. The plot is convoluted and the goal is a huge cinematic battle. We are ultimately building toward some Justice League movies.

Face it – it’s DC comics fun brought to the big screen. That’s what  you are paying for and that’s what you get. Eat a huge tub of popcorn, drink a soda, and immerse yourself in another world. Are you team Batman?  Or Superman?   We all win when it’s Batman v. Superman on the big screen.

Movie Review Madness: American Hustle

American Hustle kicks butt. Everyone is scamming somebody in this flick. It's just a question of who can outlast the contenders. Christian Bale gained 40 pounds for this role along with a bad combover. He keeps his cons low key until he meets Amy Adams. With those innocent blue eyes, she lures him into bigger money deals and even though his (big) gut says no, he can't help but say yes. Unfortunately Bradley Cooper's FBI character uncovers this duo, arrests them, and sees larger prey in store. 

It's 1978 and the movie is loosely based on the Abscam scandals. Using a fake sheik and a whole lot of potential money, the FBI nabs congressmen, senators, and a lot of greedy folks looking for the quick buck. Bales's wife, played by the incandescent Jennifer Lawrence (what can't she do on screen) knows he has a girlfriend, but she's the one with the ring on the finger. There's some classy (!) Jersey catfights going on. Jeremy Renner is the mayor of Camden. With his pompadour and frank innocence - he gets caught up in the money laundering scheme.  

This is an adult movie full of a lot of nuanced moments. Some folks might think it moves slow. This critic was along for the ride and enjoying every second of the buildup to the final, final con. The soundtrack adds to the cinema experience. Enjoy the disco music, the polyester clothes, the Jersey accents, and the sheer power of David O. Russell's directing. Do the American Hustle.