Wednesday, December 31, 2014

American Hustle Review

Today's post is going to be on "American Hustle." I'd heard good things about it, but I had never really had the urge to go see it in the theatre so last night I rented it for a buck and gave it a shot. As per usual the actors seen in this movie were a wonder to behold. Christian Bale did an amazing job as only he can in bringing his character to life. It was also entertaining to see other actors like Jennifer Lawrence and Amy Adams stepping into a more gritty role than I had ever previously seen them in. Bradley Cooper was very entertaining as well, and had a different vibe and presence to him as well. All around, A list cast, doing what they do best in a way at least I was not used to seeing them in.


The movie starts of in the life of a con artist (Christian Bale) as he crosses paths with his, I guess you could call her his soulmate (Amy Adams). The two of them start a business that is less than honorable, taking idiots for money by promising them a return of their investment, that of course they never deliver. Enter (Bradley Cooper) an undercover FBI agent who tricks them into taking his investment so he can pin them with fraud. Instead of throwing them in jail, the agent decides to use them, their connections and their knowhow to get bigger criminals and thus begins the long and soul wrenching story. It was great to watch these people, who weren't bad people trying to get bye and wrestling with the fact that they are busting others just like themselves, until Bradley Cooper's character decides to take them in even deeper and go after members of the mob. The story takes many twists and turns and you can't help but fear for these people and cheer for um to get out alive. This movie will make ya laugh, make ya cringe, and ultimately question your view on right and wrong.
5 outta 5 for American Hustle, its a must see for all. (Well maybe not your younger audience.)

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy Review

Hello fellow readers and movie fans. Today I wanted to post a review for Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy! To be honest, I got nothing negative to say about this movie, as I went into the theatre thinking it was going to be stupid. I'd seen the previews, but knew nothing about the comics or even ever heard of them before, so I figured it was just a movie marvel threw together to make a quick buck with some effects and actors we knew to get us in the theatre. How Wrong I Was!

The Guardians of the Galaxy had everything I had been looking for in so many recent movies that let me down. Humor, romance, action, and a whole lot of heart. I guess going in with such low expectations made it that much more enjoyable for me, but I'm not trying to take anything away from the movie by saying that. Even if I had gone in with high expectations I would have loved this movie. The characters are something new and the chemistry between them all just works in a way that I haven't seen in recent films. The idea behind some the characters are even more priceless and unique. Drax "The destroyer" was probably one of my favorites in this tale. He is the biggest and baddest of the whole group but his comedic aspects make him more enjoyable to listen to, than to watch kicking butt. 
"His people are completely literal. Metaphors are gonna go over his head," said Rocket, the talking Raccoon. 
"Nothing goes over my head... My reflexes are too fast. I would catch it."
There are fun little moments like this all throughout the movie, and every character has their own little moments of genius smart ass humor, and it really sets them up as a dysfunctional family in a lot of ways.
All and all, the only thing I was missing from this whole adventure was an actual romance between the two characters you watch the whole time and KNOW are gonna hook up eventually, but its just not gonna happen in this movie. I'm all for building up a relationship and all that but the romantic in me wants to see more than just a few hints to it now and again, especially when its so painfully obvious they are gonna end up together. That aside, this movie is amazing and worth the watch.
4.5 outta 5

Monday, December 29, 2014

Batman Returns Review

This weekend I was watching an older take on the universe that is known by the masses as Batman. A lot of people today hear that and think Christian Bale, Dark Knight, or the even more recent trend, Ben Affleck, which most people say with a sneer or cringe. Honestly I'm not sweating it. Every actor to throw on the cap over the years was hated by batman fans before the movie released, all of them changing their tunes ones the movie was in theaters. I'm willing to bet this time around wont be any different.
Anyway, I'm not looking to talk future for Batman, I'm talking past. For me it was WAY past simply because it was before my time, or at least my recollection. In 1992 ( I was two years old.) Tim Burton released his follow up to his 1989 hit "BATMAN." The reviews for the film were strangely cross for the film, as 50% of people said it was way darker than the first and perhaps too much, while the other half claimed the exact opposite saying it was too light and slightly aimed for children more than adults. For me, I think I saw it for the first time when I was maybe five or so, WAY too young to fully comprehend all the sex and crude humor, but old enough to see a cool suite and the guy in it kicking butt, and thinking to myself, "I could do that... One day I will be a superhero." Then a few years later I was introduced to the world of fighting crime, or at least fighting the "Bad Guys" and I found out ya don't win with a single punch to the face like Batman did in this movie, and when someone hits you, its harder than it looks to just turn back and keep fighting on.

First childhood beat down flashback aside, lets talk about the film itself. Over the weekend I watched Batman Returns for the first time in a long time, and found myself once again captured in the life of the Bat, and more so than previously watch, captured by the whole steamy romance between him and Catwoman. Read my book "The Blood of the Dragon," and see some of my reading choices in the past few years, it becomes pretty clear I'm a sucker for a good romance. This was one of my favorites and has been my whole life, movie, comic, whatever, because its one of the most complicated romances in recorded history. I'm sure comic nuts can counter that statement with a million other relationships that are complicated and cheers to um, but for me this one take the cake. Especially the way it's portrayed in Batman Returns. Batman and Catwoman have always been complicated, but in this movie the odds are stacked when the alter egos of them, Bruce and Selina meet and get together and feel something for one another, while they are also doing battle with each other on the rooftops of Gotham without their knowledge. The funny thing is even in the heat of battle the two share some seriously saucy moments that beg the question, aside from the fact they are fighting and she is trying to frame him for murder... are they into each other...?

Anyway, watching the movie I stayed the corse and followed the story where it went, all the while, secretly waiting for the next Batman/Catwoman rendezvous. The movie itself is entertaining, dark, gritty, and gives fans what they want when they need it, and much to my frustration, leave ya wanting more between the two mask draped lovers instead of bringing their romance to what a true romantic would see as a climactic end. "Ridding off into the sunset," or in their case, the moon light, but true to the Batman Universe, Batman and Catwoman are, as Bruce Wayne stated, "The same. Split right down the center." They both have major issues that they gotta work out and that ultimately keep them apart... at least until their next throw down on the rooftops. Gotta love it, and gotta love the story, and the movie. In general it is worth the watch and ya can't beat that romance. 
Like all movies I like, it gets 5 outta 5.