Oscar Nominations and Contest

Early Tuesday morning the Oscar nominations were announced. This annual event of pure spectacle celebrating everything I love was passed down to me by my Grandma Roth. She would collect clippings and pictures and news stories of the event into scrapbooks for years. These books were a wonder for me as a child as I perused all the glitz, glamor and a world that seemed so magical (it's also where I discovered Grace Kelly). But sadly, these books are gone as she succumbed to Alzheimer's in her later years and gave these scrapbooks away to neighbors.

Because of this fact, even though I have held competitions in the past; I am initiating the first annual Rita Roth Oscar Competition. This is to award the one who predicts the most winners from all available nominations. The prize will be awarded to the winner and will be film related. So everyone, sign onto challenge.oscar.com and make sure that you have me friended on Facebook so we can track each other's progress. We will use their rules to determine the winner. So break out your predictions and let us celebrate cinema, competitions and my late grandmother, Rita Daly Roth!

Movie Review: Split - or, the return of M. Night

So, honestly M. Night Shyamalan has not made a good movie since Signs, so imagine my surprise that Split is actually, well….good. Of course, there are plenty of things that still give me pause. It’s pretentious, way too serious tone, exploits women (I will address that later) and has too many characters standing around doing very little. However, on the whole, it is a great creepy thriller and an excellent showcase for James McAvoy playing no less than 7 characters. Anya Taylor-Joy, whose face I can’t quite place plays the ‘heroine’ for lack of a better term who seems to survive the ordeal of being kidnapped with two other teenage girls by McAvoy’s psychotic personalities. Like most horror films, the plot of Split centers around on will they or won’t they escape. Shyamalan uses a confusing space, and even more confusing captor and just enough hope to have the viewer invested in the outcome.

The parts I do have an issue with are mainly annoyances. Why doesn’t anyone ever smile ever in any of his films? Why is are there so many characters that just stand around. The three kidnapped girls were so stock, I couldn’t decide if Shyamalan didn’t know what to do with them or they were just bad actors. Luckily Betty Buckley as McAvoy’s psychiatrist has some acting chops in this film. The part that really bothered me was the exploitation of the girl's innocence vs. trauma that propels one of the story arcs. The point is made well in this article. In flashbacks, we see that one of them has had to endure abuse in all too real scenarios at the hands of a relative. Using this contrivance neither strengthens the character, nor the story and hence is used merely for sympathy. I think it is dangerous to use female victimization so callously, it just re-victimizes the characters, as well as those who may actually have to endure it.

The best part of the film probably comes from the character building. It’s quite horrible the things that have to occur to create a true monster from McAvoy’s character, but that makes the payoff sweeter. I have always thought that M. Night has made only three good films…The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable and Signs, and now we get a film that returns to those roots and even aligns in the same cinematic universe where those films could occur. The best part is that he doesn’t rely on his trademark twist-ending or big reveal to make the point. The emergence of the villain was not a surprise ending, but a slowly structured build up where we actually buy into a monster like him existing. The most telling sign that the film was good is that I’m actually excited to see the next Shyamalan film, and that’s really saying something!

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother
Share

Movie Review: La La Land - or, why I love movies

It's been so long since I have written a movie review, it would take something of a small miracle for me to get back into the swing of things. That small miracle came in the form of La La Land, from a director I knew nothing about, but actors people pretty much know everything about. La La Land is a musical, but more than an earnest plea for artistry or a social commentary...It is a musical for the pure joy of celebrating music. It is flashy, spectacular, sad, infuriating, beautiful, messy and joyous all in parts. It brazen acceptance of itself as entertainment is what a movie going experience should be, rather than what we have come to expect with are super-sized CG samplings of destruction.

La La Land is the same story of all other great musicals, boy meets girl, fall in love despite all obstacles and sing their way through the ups and downs of a technicolor relationship. Ryan Gosling (boy) and Emma Stone (girl) are not the best dancers, singers or actors, but the way they approach their roles with such gusto and all out abandonment kept me enraptured the entire time. Literally, I was sitting forward in my seat watching the chemistry these two had in parts of the film. This film is truly the sum of the parts is way greater than their individual contributions. Stone's "my eyes convey way more than anything I say" stare will win her some acting awards for this and Gosling proves he is just as good a musician and awkward romantic as he is the cool heartbreaker.

But I have given away the icing on this cake. The film is a nod to everything I love about film. The sound design and choreography are the weakest parts and were still better than anything I have seen in the past decade. The cinematography reminded me of the Douglas Sirk melodramas and saturated tones of Hitchcock's Vertigo. The location was not happenstance and all the nods to Hollywood, the good, bad and magical almost made me tear up (especially everything going on in my old stomping ground on the Warner Bros back lot).

Above all, the pacing was masterful...moving from 5-minute continuous dance shots to quick staccato emotional montages that told a fictional masterpiece story. I was dumbfounded that I could be smiling so big in a film while simultaneously crying my eyes out. That's the best way to describe this film, a contradiction of expectation.  So if you are willing to forgo a film that uses special effects, sex, celebrity, superheroes or space to bombard your senses, try La La Land. Reward yourself with a modern gem of a film that will leave you thanking the filmmakers for relying on story and entertainment to give you something way more satisfying for a change.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother
Share

NFL Rankings - 12/16/14

So, a lot still remained at the top, but the Packers loss slides them down a bit. He's the details:

1. Seahawks - up 1
2. Broncos - up 2
3. Patriots - same
4. Packers - down 3
5. Cardinals - same
6. Bills - up 8
7. Steelers - down 1
8. Bengals - down 1
9. Colts - down 1
10. Cowboys - up 2
11. Lions - down 2
12. Chiefs - up 8
13. Ravens - down 3
14. Saints - up 4
15. Rams - down 4
16. Eagles - down 3
17. Falcons - down 2
18. Chargers - down 2
19. Raiders - down 2
20. 49ers - down 1
21. Panthers - up 4
22. Browns - down 1
23. Dolphins - down 1
24. Texans - down 1
25. Vikings - down 1
26. Bears - same
27. Jets - same
28. Giants - up 3
29. Redskins - down 1
30. Buccaneers - down 1
31. Jaguars - down 1
32. Titans - same

NBA Jazz Player Value - Quarter

Time again to look at the player value of the jazz purely from a stats standpoint. I've basically averaged how much they make by their output to come up with their value. Being 1/4 the way through the season, I felt it was time to asses their contributions based on how much we're paying them. Can't wait to see what new player Patrick Christopher brings to the team.

Above the Line:

1. Joe Ingles (same) - Still at the top because he gets paid so little, and leads with the lowest average for steals, assists and points.

2. Trey Burke (same) - still going strong!

3. Rudy Gobert (same) - averaging a team best $10,066 per rebound, he also leads the team in Field goal percentage at 60.30%

4. Alec Burks (up 1) - Still my favorite player on the team. Basically runs the offense.

5. Rodney Hood (up 1) - With Burks out for a few games, hood had a chance to start and upped his value. He is still last on the team in FG 29% and 3-point average 26.30%.

Below the line:

6. Trevor Booker (up 2) - is this close to being above the line!

7. Dante Exum (same) - is just ahead of Hayward on the value scale, but making only 59.10% of his free throws won't help him.

8. Gordon Hayward (up 2) - making strides in his value index.

9. Ian Clark (down 5) - the largest drop is due to his underutilization, but he's still making a team best 50% of his 3's and 100% of his Free Throws.

10. Enes Kanter (up 2) - I hope he proves me wrong, but we need someone new.

11. Derrick Favors (same) - not doing much as far as value is concerned, but making a huge impat on the court.

12. Steve Novak - (down 3) - not much playing time, but fills a good role. He's tops on the team with 50% 3 pointers.

13. Jeremy Evans - This guy just never gets to play.

Exodus: Gods and Kings - Review

There is a part in Exodus that sums up the movie perfectly..A vengeful God who looks nothing like you probably would imagine, throws a fit of rage as he wants the Pharoah to get on his knees before him, and then calmly says something profound to a lost Moses (Christian Bale), before the next scene evolves into something out of a Jaws movie. Such is the highs, lows and everything in between film of Gods and Kings. The Mood shifts from reverent to violent on a dime and not enough time is spent developing the charaters enough so that we care if they live or die. That could be a good thing since it spares us from a 4 hour run time like the 10 Commandments.

Christian bale plays a confused Moses who doesn't know he's Jewish, and never really accepts it while Joel Edgerton plays his brother-like king Ramses who is as conflicted and twisted as he is a loving father. I have no clue why they promote Sigurney Weaver, she has.. like, 1 line. Ridley Scott is the director and with that dream team assembled it seems like the movie should be way better than it really is.

The move in General is really good. The way the plagues are presented is graphic and realistic, giving this tale more of a sense of dire survival rather than spectacle. The parting of the Red sea is also particularly realistic and incredible. Other elements could have been fleshed out and conversations in the bible never happen on the film. God is inconspicuously absent in most of the film, giving Moses's decisions a sense of desperation rather than obedience. For a film about the works of God, you would expect him to have a larger (both literally and figuratively) role.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother Share

NFL Rankings - 12/9/14

So, here are my latest rankings based on quality wins. Let me know if you have any beef! Good luck to all those who made it to Playoffs in their Fantasy Leagues! I made it to all three of mine. WOOT!!

1. Packers - same
2. Seahawks - same
3. Patriots - same
4. Broncos - same
5. Cardinals - up 1
6. Steelers - up 13
7. Bengals - down 2
8. Colts - up 8
9. Lions - up 2
10. Ravens - up 11
11. Rams - up 3
12. Cowboys - up 8
13. Eagles - down 6
14. Bills - down 6
15. Falcons - down 6
16. Chargers - down 6
17. Raiders - up 8
18. Saints - down 6
19. 49ers - down 6
20. Chiefs - down 5
21. Browns - down 4
22. Dolphins - down 4
23. Texans - down 1
24. Vikings - same
25. Panthers - up 5
26. Bears - down 3
27. Jets - down 1
28. Redskins - down 1
29. Buccaneers - down 1
30. Jaguars - down 1
31. Giants - same
32. Titans - same

College Football - My Top 25 (12/7/14)

By now, everyone has seen who is in the playoffs. Lets see how my Algorithm stands up.

1. Ohio State - up 3
2. Alabama - same
3. Florida State - up 3
4. Oregon - up 4
5. Wisconsin - down 4
6. TCU - down 3
7. Arizona - down 2
8. Boise State - up 3
9. Baylor - up 14
10. Marshall - up 10
11. Missouri - down 4
12. Georgia Tech - down 3
13. NIU - up 3
14. Michigan State - down 4
15. Arizona State - down 3
16. Western Kentucky - down 3
17. Air Force - down 3
18. Stanford - down 3
19. UCLA - down 2
20. Kansas State - down 2
21. UCF - new
22. LSU - down 3
23. Ole Miss - down 2
24. Clemson - down 2
25. Louisville - down 1

So my algorithm chose the top 4 that will actually make the playoffs this year. I would still prefer a playoff with 8 teams, the top 8 conferences all battling it out. All that would do is add 1 more week of games + 4 new bowls. Heres how it would stack up using my scoring.

1. Oregon vs 8. NIU

2. Ohio State vs 7. Marshall

3. Alabama vs 6. Boise State

4. Florida State vs 5. TCU

That way nobody could complain...

NFL Rankings - 12/4/14

Here are my rankings based on quality Wins vs. opponents. You beat good teams near the end of the year, your ranking increases? Anyone got beef with these?

1. Packers - up 4
2. Seahawks - up 12
3. Patriots - down 1
4. Broncos - down 1
5. Bengals - up 10
6. Cardinals - down 5
7. Eagles - up 1
8. Bills - up 9
9. Falcons - up 14
10. Chargers - up 3
11. Lions - same
12. Saints - up 8
13. 49ers - down 1
14. Rams - up 7
15. Chiefs - down 11
16. Colts - down 6
17. Browns - up 1
18. Dolphins - down 11
19. Steelers - down 3
20. Cowboys - down 11
21. Ravens - down 15
22. Texans - down 3
23. Bears - up 1
24. Vikings - down 2
25. Raiders - up 7
26. Jets - up 2
27. Redskins - same
28. Buccaneers - up 2
29. Jaguars - up 2
30. Panthers - down 5
31. Giants - down 6
32. Titans - down 3

College Football - My Top 25 (12/1/14)

Using the same algorithm as before. here is where the rankings stand. Thats dosn't mean I would pick the top 4 for the playoffs this year but it's not far off. Without further adieu:

1. Wisconsin - up 6
2. Alabama - down 1
3. TCU - same
4. Ohio State - down 3
5. Arizona - new
6. Florida State - down 1
7. Missouri - up 6
8. Oregon - down 3
9. Georgia Tech - down 1
10. Michigan State - same
11. Boise State - up 9
12. Arizona State - down 6
13. Western Kentucky - new
14. Air Force - up 7
15. Stanford - new
16. NIU - new
17. UCLA - down 2
18. Kansas State - new
19. LSU - up 3
20. Marshall - down 9
21. Ole Miss - new
22. Clemson - new
23. Baylor - up 1
24. Louisville - new
25. Minnesota - new

NFL - Rankings

I have come up with NFL power rankings based on strength of schedule, point spread and wins. Here are my rankings for this week:

1. Arizona 
2. New England 
3. Denver 
4. Kansas City 
5. Green Bay 
6. Baltimore 
7. Miami 
8. Philadelphia 
9. Dallas 
10. Indianapolis 
11. Detroit 
12. San Francisco 
13. San Diego 
14. Seattle 
15. Cincinnati 
16. Pittsburgh 
17. Buffalo 
18. Cleveland 
19. Houston 
20. New Orleans 
21. St. Louis 
22. Minnesota 
23. Atlanta 
24. Chicago 
25. NY Giants 
26. Carolina 
27. Washington 
28. NY Jets 
29. Tennessee 
30. Tampa Bay 
31. Jacksonville 
32. Oakland

With that being said, here are individual performance extremes:

Wins: Most - Arizona, Least - Oakland

SOS: Hardest - Oakland, Easiest - Cleveland

Points: Most - Green Bay, Least - Oakland

Defense: Best - Detroit, Worst - Carolina

Spread: Best - New England, Worst - Jacksonville

College Football - My Top 25 (11/15/14)

I've came up with an interesting algorithm that awards teams for wins only based on the strength of their opponent at the time they played them. Score is not taken into consideration and a team is not penalized for losses. That means, only the teams that consistently beat other good teams rise to the top. Here's what I have so far:

1. Ohio State
2. Alabama
3. TCU
4. Florida State
5. Oregon
6. Arizona State
7. Wisconsin
8. Georgia Tech
9. Georgia
10. Michigan State
11. Marshall
12. Mississippi State
13. Missouri
14. Texas
15. UCLA
16. Utah
17. Utah State
18. Oregon State
19. Colorado State
20. Boise State
21. Air Force
22. LSU
23. Auburn
24. Baylor
25. Arkansas

Now who wouldn't want to see a playoff with those 4 teams at the top? That would be awesome! As far as conferences go, here's my ranking:

1. SEC
2. P12
3. B10
4. B12
5. ACC
6. MW
7. CUSA
8. MAC
9. AAC
10. SB

NBA - Jazz Player Value

So this year I was intrigued to see how much NBA players were getting paid. (Hint: It's a lot of money). Being that I will see every home game of the Utah Jazz this year, I decided to put together an algorithm that tallies up their stats vs. their salary to see who is the best deal on the Jazz Roster. Now this would take forever for the entire NBA, so you will just have to make do with these stats.

We are now officially 1/8 of the season in, And from my calculations here's the winners and losers from least Valuable, to most Valuable:

12. Enes Kanter - Center

It's good to be Kanter who makes the most money for the smallest amount of effort. With the organization paying him aproximately $1,423,669 per assist and $1,898,225 per steal, Kanter has a lot of work to do to show he's worth the money they are shelling out for him. Granted he adds a lot of intangibles from an inside size perspective, but overall, they are paying way too much for what they are getting.

11. Derrick Favors - Forward

This is just a case of getting paid so much that it will take a while to even out in the stats category. He's a really good player with even more potential, thats why he's making potential money, and not a logical salary. Lets see what he does come the halfway point.

10. Gordon Hayward - Forward

I've always though what the Jazz are paying this guy is ludicrous. He's making superstar money and I'll let you in on a little secret, he's not a superstar. Here's hoping over the next few years he proves me wrong, but it's gonna take a while before his value rises.

9. Steve Novak - Forward

Granted he's not a starter, but they are still paying this guy a whole lot of money to do not much. He's last on the team in rebound value making $1,148,649 per rebound, and points pulling in $287,162 per point. I think anyone in the world would like to be making that much money.

8. Trevor Booker - Forward

How many Forwards are on this frekin' team? Trevor, like Favors is a victim of a large paycheck. He will definately be pulling down better value in the weeks to come as he has found a niche in the defensive scheme of the Jazz. He also has monster flashes on offense, so I expect his value to improve significantly. Even as a backup.

7. Dante Exum - Guard

The unknown from down under is still a bit of an unknown. If he builds up he can turn into the next Burks. Until then, the jury is still out. Lets hope the Jazz didn't waste an amazing draft pick on this mystery.

6. Rodney Hood - Guard-Forward

The two rookies are side by side on the value index even though Hood makes significantly less. That's OK though because he gets significantly less playing time. He has a Jekyl and Hyde complex coming in last in field goals at 25.80% but making 100% of his free throws. If he had the same minutes as Exum, he would be a much better value, and for that reason, I have him above Exum.

5. Alec Burks - Guard

He better enjoy this season from a value standpoint, because when he starts making the big bucks next year, his value will not be near as high. He'll be down in the Favors range. He's second in point value being paid a measly 20 grand per point (measly?) and thats what makes his value so high.

4. Ian Clark - Guard

This guy gets almost no playing time but also makes almost nothing compared to his teammates. He leads the team in FG and 3 point percentage. For that reason, Ian is so high on the list. Its a perfect scenario of making the most of the few minutes your in. Keep this up and he may turn it into a higher paycheck with more playing time.

3. Rudy Gobert - Center

I really like this guy. He's smooth and plays smart. As a backup his value is through the roof because the Jazz aren't paying him an amazing amount. He has the best rebound value on the team at $22,106 per rebound. If he keeps playing at this level with all the minutes he's been given, the Jazz will be forced to make him a better offer, or he'll be gone for sure.

2. Trey Burke - Guard

The unsung hero of the team, Trey can't hit a three to save his life (24.10%) but makes up for it in assists and a relatively low salary wich puts him near the top of the value index. He hasn't emerged as the star the Jazz hoped he would, but he's making strides.

1. Joe Ingles - •Guard-Forward

This is the perfect storm of a ridiculously low salary and high utilization (he's played in every game so far). He leads the team in value for assists ($28,185 per), steals ($72,477 per), and points ($19,513). If he can maintain these numbers on the limited playing time, he will reamin in the tops of player value for the sheer fact that his salary is so low. His one flaw is he has is making a team worst 50% on free throws.

Jack Ryan - Ordinary Recruit

The Jack Ryan franchise has  never really existed in the same tier as Bond, or even Borne for that matter, and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit movie proves it. While not bad by any means, there was nothing spectacular about the plot or writing that would set this adventure apart from his other ones. That and the fact that this was made with yet another actor in the Jack Ryan role (Hunt for Red October) makes it a techno spy-thriller in the most generic sense.

What does save the film this time is the direction and acting. Seriously, the story is the most predictable ever...you know whats going to happen. But luckily Kenneth Branagh infects it with just enough style to get your heart racing. Chris Pine plays an almost humble and shy character as the new recruit into the CIA's most undercover organization. This big change from the cocky energy filled Captain Kirk is worth the view alone. Luckily, we also have Keira Knightley in her most human role to date as the noncommittal fiance and Kenneth Branagh who can do a villain almost as well as Shakespeare. Kevin Costner does...well, Kevin Costner.

In all it was a good attempt at invigorating a character that the late Tom Clancy pulled through his novels with such care. I was glad to see a lot of Russia in the movie and the accents were actually tolerable! It does make me wonder what it could have been with a plot and script to match the actors.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!! 
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother
Share

Iron Man 3: Can Marvel go more over the top?

Iron Man 3 was an incredibly noisy, bombastic, crazy, zany, brainless romp through movie making magic where I am pretty sure every shot has some CGI in it. Judging by the 20 something VFX companies that had all their names listed in the credits in the end, that seems about right. For some reason I don't think I loved this movie as much as some other people did. Don't get me wrong, this is better than Iron Man 2, but my goodness it's hard to like a film where almost everyone in it is unlikable. The story takes place after the Avengers where tony has turned into  a neurotic mess tinkering with suit after suit, mainly because he can't sleep. Meanwhile, his company (run by Pepper pots) is having troubles as well as his relationships and ...oh, yeah, there is a terrorist on this loose blowing things up because, well; thats what Tony gets to figure out.

Biggest props go to the Mandarin (Ben Kingsly) for easily being the one to steal his scenes...mainly because they gave his character a great arc. Robert Downey Jr. does his best Tony Stark impression meaning that his quick quips and dry, scathing wit will always overshadow the self doubt and anxiety he is supposedly feeling. I love the action hero Don Cheedle and was so excited to see Pepper kick some tail. Except it didn't happen. The ending was so sudden and uncharacteristic, it seemed either the writers were either killed, or Robert Downey Jr. wanted an escape clause to get out of playing the roll. I vote for the former. After all, what is Iron Man without Tony Stark.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!! 
Rent it!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

Share

Sundance Film Festival 2013

This year begins my third foray into the volunteering world of the Sundance Film Festival. I will be a crowd liaison at the SLC Library Theater. I like the local flair a lot more than the freezing, sleep deprived nights I spent in Park City two years ago. There seems to be a lot of hype amongst the volunteers about location, parties, celebrities, shifts, friends and teams. Personally, I volunteer so I get to see a lot of new movies, especially fresh and exciting ones that renew my faith in the medium of film. Granted, there is a lot of crud that comes out of the festival too, but for every film I walk out of (2 last year) there is a Beasts of the Southern Wild or Safety Not Guaranteed that make it all worthwhile. So buckle up and lets see if this year will bring a lot more film related experiences and a lot more good reviews as well.

P.S. the Jackets they give us are pretty cool...

Best Movie Trailer Ever?

Here is the new trailer for Cloud Atlas...and dare I say its almost perfect? This my friends, is how you make a trailer, stunning visuals, uplifting voice over, sweet montages and killer music. All that in almost 6 minutes and I still don't have a clue what this movie is about.
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The Avengers: Bum Numbing Sense Bombardment of Awesome!

So this may not be the best or most objective review of the Avengers out there for the mere fact that I had sat through 12 hours of Marvel movie madness at the theater directly preceding the screening of The Avengers. Starting at noon, a few cohorts and I (including my 6 and 9 year old sons) braved achy behinds to sit in a theater for both Iron Man movies, the Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America before the grand unveiling of The Avengers at Midnight. Now this was either the coolest thing, or the stupidest but it was definitely the nerdiest thing I’ve done in a while. Is till can’t tell if it will sway my review more to the positive since it was like being injected with super-movie-watching-serum right before the premiere, or it dulled my senses due to the mind numbing monotony of explosions, muscles and testosterone. But here it goes anyway.

The Avengers is AWESOME! There I said it. Now, I am coming at this film they way it was intended. It will never be a cinematic masterpiece, a brave commentary on society, a showcase for the finest acting of our time or and artistic portrayal of existentialism…but as pure entertainment, this is one of the best out there. If you haven’t seen the film then you should just go out and see it. Judging by the opening weekend numbers it seems like the entire planet pretty much has already seen it. If you have not, I will briefly explain why you should.

ACTION: Seriously, an action scene that lasts like an Hour!! I know that may sound tedious but its done with so much bravado, expert pacing and smart exposition it feels like the scene keeps refreshing itself into even bigger, badder and better.

CHARACTERS: Yeah, we’ve seen all the other movies so we know who they are, but here each of the superheroes gets to grow into themselves. Much more is revealed about the Black Widow and Hawkeye, and we get great glimpses of all of their greatest weaknesses since putting them all in the same room together is akin to pacing them in a mirrored funhouse to their gigantic ids…cool

SPECIAL EFFECTS: This could be tied to the action scenes but there are so many ludicrous things going on it could have easily have delved into cheesy. Instead, it’s pure over-the-top-mind-blowing rad!

HUMOR: I’m not talking slapstick here but the wit of Downey Jr. coupled with the hodgepodge cast of misfit-bruised egos creates some genuinely funny banter. It’s the site gags that draw the biggest laughs though and thank goodness for the Hulks not so subtle strengths.

With that being said, I don’t think I will be doing a movie marathon like that again anytime soon. But for a once in a blue moon experience it sure was a blast. I don’t know if my kids will be grateful that I rubbed my nerdy off on them in the future or not, but I do know that the avengers are in good hands for the foreseeable future.

P.S. let me know if you want me to get more specific in my reviews (even include some spoilers). They seem a little vague to me….

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

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The Hunger Games: Raw and Violent Beauty

I’ve decided to write a review of Hunger Games even though most of the known world has already seen it. 3rd biggest opening of all time? That’s crazy! I guess this is one of those rare times where pop culture (the book), the tween audience (AKA twilight fans), women (like the love triangle), men (like the violence), geeks (awesome nerd factor) and Hollywood (stellar cast) all combine to create an ultimate box office champ if you will. I am not going to bother with a brief plot synopsis because if you don’t know already you have been living under a rock, or in Russia.

The Hunger games opens unexpectedly on a conversation taking place on a television show with all its glitz and glamor then cuts to the decrepit plight of those living in District 12, one subservient area that are oppressed by the Capital. It's this juxtaposition that builds the strength of the film. The constant sense of unfairness, of unnecessary opulence by the capital, of underlying fear and horror for anyone that lives in one of the tribute districts that bring the tension and power of the film.

It’s no secret that Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers as tribute for her district in the 74th annual Hunger games, which pits two children from each district against one another to the death. What the movie brings is a subtlety to the emotions running through Kat, through Her friends, through the other tributes (except heavy-handed Cato) and through her family. Everyone knows the games are a farce, a dreaded punishment and yet everyone participates. “What if we all just stopped watching,” proposes Gale, the one constant in Katniss' life. It’s enough to question our own motives to take part in exploitive behavior and even in some sense to even be watching a movie about kids killing one another.

What I really loved about the movie is the artistry and emotion. I truly felt for the oppressed, I truly loathed the access. I truly cared what happened to Katniss, Rue, Peeta and even some of the nastier characters. Aside from the acting, the filmmaking went beyond the book. Hallucinations from the tracker Jack stings were vividly realized, death is with reverence and beauty and even a killing field can be humanized by the appearance of a single butterfly that kisses the tip of your finger. The use of the ‘televised’ portion of the games came in handy to explain to a general audience the finer details of the dangers, but it is in the images of the trees, the smell of the soil, the stickiness of the blood and earnestness of the glances that the film really earns its emotion, and the involvement of its audience as well.

Final Consensus:
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!!
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

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Titanic 3D: A lavish overhaul for a flawed classic

I don’t know if I am qualified to review this film since I can honestly say I never saw it in theaters on its original run. So, I really have nothing to compare it to other than my memories of watching it on VHS. The whole 3D conversion thing is big amongst earlier blockbusters (see Disney) but has yet to yield a bona fide hit other than the Lion King, which was respectable. I can honestly say that here, the 3D is magnificent, and not just for the spectacle of the sinking ship.

I’m not going to bother with the plot or anything, if you don’t know it you’ve been living under a rock for the past 15 years. I will extol the merits of seeing it on the big screen in 3D. What impressed me most were the close-ups of faces, every wrinkle, reflection and hair are given new dimension from the 3D. It’s a very personal experience. Images of the actual wreck become more eerie and magnificently hulking. Also, the interior shots of the ship before it sank are breathtaking. As the camera moves through hallways, staircases and atriums, there is a real sense of space and grandeur. It also lends becomes frightful during the sinking sequences where looking down a vastly deep corridor filling with water seems all but hopeless.

On the other hand, there were plenty of things the 3D couldn’t fix. The outdated special effects for one, or the atrocious dialogue both remain. The film is not great by any means and is truly a piece of manipulative popcorn fluff; but one thing can be said. James Cameron knows how to tell a story, and with his eye for stunning visuals, the 3D here not only improves the experience, but also leaves you wondering what he could have done had he been filming it in 3D from the start!

Final Consensus: 
See it now!!!!
See it in theaters!!! (for the 3D)
Rent it on DVD/BluRay!!
Wait for it on TV!
Don’t Bother

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