For the past 17 years, since Toy Story first introduced the idea of computer animation, Disney/Pixar has been at the top of their game. In the early 2000’s, they didn’t miss a beat, stringing out classic after classic. Within the past few years, though, they have done Cars 2, Brave, and their latest, Monsters University. None of these are really “bad” movies; they just don’t quite match the brilliance and originality of Wall-E, Up, Finding Nemo, or the Toy Story sequels. Really, though, it’s holding too high of a standard to expect them all to be masterpieces. Monsters University is still a wonderful and enjoyable children’s movie. Continue Reading »

This seems to be the era for rebooting already existing successful franchises. Within the last ten years, we have had a new Batman, Star Trek, Spider-Man, Hulk, X-Men, and even a Star Wars sequel coming in a couple years. Some of these are better than others (Spider-Man, Star Trek), but they all have one goal in common: to spark an interest in the series, in order to bring in a new generation of viewers, while also satisfying the old-school fanboys. But Man of Steel, the new Superman reboot directed by Zack Snyder, fails to achieve this. What could have been a fresh, interesting origin story instead becomes an awkwardly-paced, unsympathetic, CGI explosion-fest. It may be nothing more than an average summer movie. Continue Reading »

Containing some brilliantly crafted noir-style cinematography, “The Day We Disappear” is a unique, memorable short film, the type that lingers in your mind afterwards. The synopsis is simple: a melancholy artist is out at a sushi bar and unexpectedly gets drugged. From then on, his world gets pulled out from under him, making it hard to identify what is real and what is just in his mind. As the audience, we are brought along for the ride; mesmerized by the haunting, dark images before us. And the explosive soundtrack is just icing on the cake.

Derrick Damions is sheer perfection as the lead role. His fiery, intense eyes speak volumes; even when he doesn’t. If you get a chance, “The Day We Disappear” is definitely a film to see.

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289914/

Trailer: http://youtu.be/0eHumv2Dz_g

Whenever a film like “Mud” comes along, it reminds me why I love the movies. Containing a captivating performance by Matthew McConaughey, who, in recent years, has finally won me over as a “serious” actor; it also has some excellent landscape cinematography, a powerful message, and, finally, one of the best coming-of-age stories to come along in a long time. “Mud” is the best film I have seen so far in 2013.

The director of “Mud,” Jeff Nichols, grew up in the South; in the state of Arkansas. It is easy to see this through his work, as his films are set almost exclusively in the South or in the countryside, dealing with issues that these people must be all-too-familiar with. The story of “Mud” is seen through the eyes of a 14-year-old boy named Ellis (Tye Sheridan) and his friend Neckbone (Jacob Lofland). Growing up in a small town in Arkansas, they amuse themselves in just about the only way they know how: by exploring the vast countryside alongside the Mississippi River on their motorboat. After landing on an island one day to find a large boat that had been lodged in a tree; they meet a long-haired, disheveled stranger named Mud (Matthew McConaughey). Mud had been living on the island for some time, never leaving to go back to town. We soon learn why: he is wanted by the police for murder. Despite this, the two boys are drawn in by Mud and his easy-going personality, and are soon willing to do anything for him.

“Mud” is part buddy-film, part coming-of-age tale, part crime-drama, part love-story. But Nichols never chooses to settle on just one genre; instead he takes the best parts of each, and like a talented seamstress, weaves them together into one multi-faceted quilt. If you were to classify it best, think of the Rob Reiner classic “Stand By Me,” but with the addition of the mysterious stranger so often seen in classic westerns. And instead of looking for a body, the boys here are looking to help this man that they have come to admire. At only 16 years old, the two young actors shine in their respective roles. Though relatively unknown actors, they both perfectly express that deeply felt teenage angst that we all go through at that age just before adolescence.

And the story of Mud could be a movie completely on its own. McConaughey gives the best role of his career, with a performance that is Oscar-worthy. With his mild-mannered, calm Southern accent, confident demeanor, and yet also possessing a few eccentricities; it is difficult to picture this as the same guy who starred in “The Wedding Planner.” Mud is at one point described in the film as a “bad-ass.” But he is really a hopeless romantic, since his motivations are almost exclusively due to Juniper, his long-time love (Reese Witherspoon), who may or may not reciprocate his feelings.

With the calming background soundtrack of mostly light guitar, which could be heard in your typical Southern film, and with the soft natural lighting seen only in the empty countryside, “Mud” deceives the audience once again. Just when you think it’s going to be “A River Runs Through It,” it instead becomes “True Grit.” And some of the camera shots are meticulously perfect, such as the opening overhead sweep across a downward flowing Mississippi river, which helps to set the tone of the film.

But, in the end, it is really the nuances between Mud, Ellis, and Neckbone that makes “Mud” a great film. Mud himself could be a future version of the boys, if they do not learn to move on from the past and accept the changes that come with growing up. But it is the admiration for Mud that, ironically, helps to propel Ellis and Neckbone into maturity. Regardless of how we look at it, it is the people in our lives that help to shape our future, for the better or for the worse.

“Mud” was a very enjoyable experience. Almost everyone will get something out of it, since it exists in that middle ground between gritty and light-hearted, never straying too far in either direction. It really is hard not to like.

“It’s about allowing people to face their inner fears to enjoy the darkness within their lives, because if they don’t enjoy the darkness, they get afraid of it later on.” So begins Mikhail Tank’s documentary “Psychological Antidotes and Soul Prescriptions,” which explains the story and origins of Darksoul Theatre. Not being immediately familiar with the subject, I found this documentary very interesting. Mikhail Tank has a storytelling manner, drawing the audience directly into his world and his life. Continue Reading »

Almost exactly a year after the premiere of “The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3” is the latest in the highly enjoyable “Marvel Cinematic Universe” series, which, at this point, is one of the most successful series of all time. The hype for “The Avengers” last summer was almost equal to “Iron Man 3.” I was wondering how they could possibly reach the level of that last film with only one superhero, as opposed to the variety of superheroes in “The Avengers.” Yet, “Iron Man 3” finds a way. It is a hugely entertaining, solid action film; and a great way to start off what seems to be a very promising summer for movies. Continue Reading »

Whenever I ask people if they have seen the latest Tom Cruise movie, I always hear the same response: “I don’t like Tom Cruise.” But people make this judgment almost solely because of Cruise’s controversial personal life, or maybe it is from an impression he exudes of arrogance and over-confidence in his acting abilities. But just look back at the last 25 years, and of the many great films that Cruise has been a part of: the Mission Impossible series, Top Gun, Rain Man, A Few Good Men, Magnolia, Born on the Fourth of July, Risky Business, Eyes Wide Shut, Jerry Maguire, Minority Report; just to name a few. When Cruise chooses a movie, he usually chooses well. “Oblivion” is no exception. While perhaps not at the top of the list of Cruise’s best, it succeeds as a solid, entertaining sci-fi flick all the same. Continue Reading »

“The Place Beyond The Pines” is a story of families; of life in an urban town; of the choices of parents; and how one incident can change the course of a family’s life forever. It is an expertly crafted film that will appeal to true “movie buffs,” although it may not be as enjoyable to general audiences. As only the second feature film from director Derek Cianfrance; it shows true potential for someone that I predict will be a major figure in the growing world of young directors. Continue Reading »

Sam Raimi’s “The Evil Dead” is often cited as one of the most endearing classic horror films of all time. Made with a very low budget, when Raimi himself was only 22 years old, the film is uniquely styled, with a touch of humor mixed into horror and gore. It was just a matter of time before a remake was made, and this time it is just simply titled “Evil Dead.” While this new rendition may lack the “charm” of the original, and, in numerous scenes may make you uncontrollably cringe in disgust, it manages to somehow entertain as well.

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“Oz the Great and Powerful,” a prequel to the original “Wizard of Oz” movie, may not quite reach the level that the name implies. The experience is more like a carnival adventure ride than a film on its own. Though the CGI-infused effects may envelop the film with vibrant colors and beauty, it doesn’t quite make up for the awkward performances, poor storyline, and overall blandness. The movie has potential; and, in fact, may be worth a viewing just for the eye-popping 3D experience. But, in the end, “Oz” falls short.
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