Mad Max Fury Road

Mad Max Fury Road written and directed by George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Holt.

Go see this movie.  One of the best action movies I've seen in a long time.  Visually stunning, with a top notch production that completely helped to draw me into the movie's world.  This movie is flat out insanely crazy but that's what makes it so good as it just rolls with the insanity.  It bathes in it, breathes in it, sleeps in it, drinks it, and eats it all down leaving no left overs at all, insanity is the main course of Fury Road with little room for desert.  This is just a main course meal of action, violence, insanity, and visual awesomeness leaving it a feast for the ages. 

This movie is totally Miller's movie as his command of direction is so far above the immature, wannabe action directors of today.  He never once lost control of the action in this movie.  And he didn't let himself get bogged down with sloppy direction - the kind of direction that solely relies on shaky camera for "effect".  No, Miller is a real director.  He sets up a camera shot and get it while he lets his camera fully take in the world of this movie not hindering the narration or flow of the movie with MTV type of edits and cuts.  His communication with the audience was marvelous to behold as there are so few directors out there today who can't handle the sort of movie that Miller was directing.  I just loved the world he created and how he didn't stop for any kind of explanation of any about the story, it just  kept rolling on, relying on the action and characters to make the movie work.  Too many movies get weighed down with pointless exposition, when they think they need to explain everything - as long as the characters in the movie don't question what is going on, then the viewer won't question anything.  You've got to have faith in the story and the characters.  

This is an odd movie because Mad Max is basically the secondary character in his own movie.  But unlike a Michael Bay movie where the Transformers and Turtles were reduced to secondary Max isn't written out of his picture.  He still is every bit the survivor and bad ass he was in the first three movie.  He's never once is he reduced to some kind of deluded commentary of male castration as a lot of crazy write-ups would have you believe.  Mad Max is still one bad ass dude and not a dude to be trifled with as there are plenty of scenes to bad this up. 

Ultimately this is female action movie and that not a bad thing at all as Charlize Theron is up for the challenge.  As she embodies her character with real purpose and provides the main focal point of the story, with Max basically along for the ride. There's such a handful of good female action movies that when one finally comes along it needs to be celebrated and not dragged through the streets by the Femi-nazis.  I had no issues at all with a female action movie because I bought tickets to see a good action movie and Miller delivered on all of that promise.  Hardy brought the physical presence of Max, making him a worthy successor of Mel Gibson.  A lot his acting came with facial expressions, movement of his eyes and the actual physicality of actions.  Hardy more than did a great job.  His polar opposite was Nicholas Holt - who was frail and thin looking, while his body was completely covered in white, as he sported the shaved head look. He did a good job bringing some life energy to a characters who has plenty of look-a-likes in the movie.  He made himself very unique. 

All in all a great movie experience and this movie needs to be seen on the big screen.

Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Joanna Newsom, Katherine Waterston, Josh Brolin, Martin Short, and Eric Roberts.

This is by far Anderson's worst movie.  Extremely slow and I never once felt invested in what was going on.  For all intents and purposes this felt like a very cheap remake of The Big Lebowski.  For the most part each movie was doing the same thing - trying to dissect the film noir genre with the end result being clearly only one champion - The Big Lebowski. 

There just weren't any characters I cared about in this movie.  The only one I found remotely interesting was Josh Brolin's character who wasn't focused on all that much but when he was on screen I wanted more of him in the movie.  Phoenix's characters was dull and boring where as Bridges' character (from The Big Lebowski - essentially the same type of character) the Dude was still a pot head but was a way more interesting character.  The similarities between these two movies is staggering as it how one can be much better than the other. 

The only reason I kept watching this movie is because I've seen all of Anderson's movies and they are normally interesting.  I kept hoping this one would get interesting but it never did.  And the two and half hour run time didn't help anything.  It's weird because The Master was an extremely slow paced movie but I found the whole dynamic of the two main characters interesting as well as them being interesting. This movie is slowed paced but no where near as interesting as anything else Anderson has done and I found his direction, which is slow paced as well, as not adding any type of pacing to this movie but only multiplying the slowness of everything. 

Watch The Big Lebowki instead. 

Assassin's Apprentice

Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.

I am not a fantasy fan at all but through some friends of mine I've been introduced to a new wave of fantasy that does away with all the binding that Tolkien set up in his Lord of the Rings books - this is a good thing, a very good thing indeed.  I have gotten tired of the same old cliched fantasy story lines over the decades that I stopped reading fantasy all together.  But these writers have completely renewed my faith in the fantasy genre by focusing on characters: Jim Butchers, George R. R. Martin, and Brandon Sanderson.  Now I can add to this list Robin Hobb.  

This book is completely characters driven and reads like Charles Dickens writing a fantasy novel.  It reminded me of David Copperfield - that is by no means a bad thing because her writing so much so captured what Dickens did with his books that it made reading fantasy novel a joy.  Her writing was very easy on the brain and she had a great control of the pacing of the story, just when a plot thread or situation had reached its conclusion or I was starting to get bored Hobb introduced some some to keep me reading.

The one complaint I have from this book is that I've become used to world building on a great scale with Martin, Butcher, and Sanderson that I found her world building on a rather small scale.  But her detailed writing of the main character Fritz helped to not make this lack of world building an issue with me.  His character was so well done that I am looking forward to reading the rest of this trilogy and stories she's created about Fritz.   

Predestination

Predestination written and directed by the The Spierig Brothers, starring Ethan Hawk, Sarah Snook, and Noah Taylor.

This movie deals with time travel in an intelligent way.  It is low budget but it doesn't let the limited budget hinder the story line because this is a movie about characters and the characters move the story line forward to its conclusion. 

Hawk and Snook carry this movie as their characters' past, present, and future are told throughout this movie.  It's low budget movies like this I really like because they aren't focused on pretentiousness or a political agenda but on making a good movie. 

The only down side I found to this movie was I thought the conclusion was a little to predictable and I think they could have found a better way around some of the more obvious camera tricks they used to hind the villain.  This made discovering the ending a little to easy and kind of took away from the story as it progressed.  But none-the-less it was a good watch, not too long, paced just right, and not taking itself too seriously.     

Avengers Age of Ultron

Avengers Age of Ultron written and directed Joss Whedon, starring Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, James Spader, Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, Elizabeth Olsen, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, then also throw in a few more people who had just a scene or two but are still connected with the MCU or are partial famous in their own right.

I've been waiting a long time for this movie to come out and it was worth the wait, completely.  It's really hard to summon up what Marvel has been doing with their movies because it's so unlike anything anyone has done before.  They aren't just making trilogies but making one whole movie experience and so far it's paying off in wonderful ways.  Not that each movie is perfect but they've carefully crafted characters from the comics and use these characters to carry the story of the movie.  These characters do carry everything and are perfectly cast.

This movie is basically just a bunch of action scenes mixed in with some dramatic exposition scenes.  But the actions scenes are spectacular and the dramatic scenes are worth their entire weight.  In fact I found the dramatic scenes even better than the action scenes as the actors completely sold themselves out to their characters and made those scenes worth while.  I was really glad Whedon gave Renner (Hawkeye) a lot more to do in this film.  Renner really stepped up to the plate and made Hawkeye into a more memorable character. The scenes where they go his family home really stand out as some great scenes for Renner as it deepens in his character a lot more and made me care about him because I never really cared for him in the comic.  I just really like how Whedon and Marvel have made these characters into people I would like to hang out with after work and just talk with.  I don't find too many movies where this happens as everything seems to be about the next action scene, the next special effect scene, the next spectacular moment, and nothing else.  Characters fall to the way side with about eve movie released now-a-days.  Marvel and Whedon understand dialogue and acting scenes matter.  If you make the viewer care about the character no matter how insane, crazy, or ridiculous the story gets, the viewer won't care because the characters are what matter the most. 

Enough can't be said for each actor and actress who helped to make these characters come to life, it is with their help these movies have become as likeable as they are.

Hands down my favorite scene in the movie is when Vision hands Thor is hammer.  Whedon build this scene up from the beginning of the movie when everyone was trying to pick it up without success.  Then so see Vision just hand it to Thor was stunningly amazing and Whedon let this scene play out with all the other Avengers also stunned by what happened as they had just been debating the purity or trustworthiness of Vision.  Thor's hammer visual proved that without any dialogue needing to be said. 

Other scenes or things I liked:

Iron Man's Hulk-buster armor and Hulk fight.

James Spader as Ultron.

Hawkeyes talk with Scarlet Witch on the floating island.  I like it when characters acknowledge the craziness going on around them. 

The whole party scene at Tony Stark's building, complete with all the cameos and perfect dialogue.

It was great to finally seen Paul Bettany finally get a body as he is one of my favorite actors.  Looking forward to seeing him in the next movies. 

Black Widow and Hulk's romance.  Wouldn't mind seeing this explored a little more.  There could easily be a movie here if Marvel has the guts to do it because I think it could be interesting.

The opening fight scene.

Lucy

Lucy written and directed by Luc Besson, starring Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman.

A central point my brother and I have talked about for a long time: no matter how ludicrous a story line - create an interesting character and the craziness of that story line won't matter.  Case in point: the Fast and Furious movies as they've been re birthed into heist movie.  These movies are so over the top that my mind boggles as their craziness but I don't care because they focus on the characters in the movie so much so that I feel a connection to them.  I have absolutely no connection the main character Lucy in Lucy, this is one major failing of this movie so that no matter how crazy it gets I found myself not caring about anything happening on screen.  See the movie Limitless with Bradley Copper for a better example of this same story line worked out better.

Dumb and Dumber To

Dumb and Dumber To written and directed by Bobby and Peter Farrelly, starring Jim Carrey, Jeff Daniels, Kathleen Turner, Rob Riggle, Laurie Holden, and Rachel Melvin.

A sequel to movie that didn't need a sequel and this element shows in about every scene of the film. About 90% of the jokes feel forced and flat.  Where as the first movie was a little charming with these two dumb characters this time around they are irritating and annoying.  It doesn't help that the story line is completely boring with no sense of urgency.  Not worth seeing unless you just want to see how a bad comedy can be made and how not to make a sequel.  

Killer the Messenger

Kill the Messenger directed by Michael Cuesta, starring Jeremy Renner, Robert Patrick, and Ray Liotta.

Based on a true story.  This was an entertaining movie completely held together by Jeremy Renner's performance as a reporter who uncovers our government's involvement with drug dealers to fund the contra rebels in the Iran-Contra war.  This movie covers no new ground in the journalistic integrity department as any movie about journalists seems to cover this ground - just wish our journalists today still had this type of ethics and integrity.  Renner continues to prove what an accomplished actor he is, as he carries this whole movie and the movie does shy away from the complexities of his character's past.  

Overall this movie doesn't break any new ground but is an entertaining watch.  You won't regret the two hours of watching it - that is saying something.

The Book of Life (book)

The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness.

A good ending to The All Souls trilogy.  And for a vampire and witch romance trilogy it was good as they as they get.  Her vampires had weight, felt old and ancient not like the wimpy, moaning, teen wanna-be vampires of today.  These vampires were fierce and deadly killers when they needed to be.  The romance between a four or five hundred year old vampire and a history/alchemist witch was thoroughly convincing as I've never understood how a vampire that old could ever have any type of emotional relationship to a teenager like in these new soapy, puking vampire stories of today.   Her two main characters relationship is convincing as they both had a large history and could relate on a mental level with each other as the physical part of their relationship was just a bonus. 

One thing I really like about Harkness world is her world building and the characters she populated it.  Her characters completely sell the story and move it forward with such confidence that no matter how crazy everything gets I didn't care because I was invested the characters.  Harkness isn't afraid to have her characters in scenes talking and actually those scenes I really looked forward to because Harkness not only moved the story forward in these scenes but she also used these scenes to flesh out the characters more.  She wasn't afraid to share information about the story as characters found out things, they didn't hold back information but explained and talked about it like real friends and family would in real life.  There are a lot characters in this story and by a lot, I mean a lot, but she makes them completely unique and interesting.

Her world building was spectacular especially for a romance story.  She created a world in book one and then continued to build on it as her trilogy continued.  From what I've read she doesn't plan on any more books in this world, which is a shame because her world and characters I can honestly say I would like to revisit again.

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher directed by Bennett Miller, starring Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Regrave, and Anthony Michael Hall.

This is without one of the oddest films I've seen in a while but I found it completely captivating throughout.  The main reason for this is the combined talents of the director (Miller), the acting of Carell, Ruffalo, and Tatum, and the juxtaposition of a wealth and class.  All mix together well in this movie, as they support each element of each other in some wondrous ways to make a truly remarkable movie experience. 

Miller did a great job of directing this movie as he never let the story line or themes get to far ahead of anything but kept everything in balance without preaching or being pretentious.  He kept the story line and characters forefront and let them carry the movie.  But boy was his direction spot on.  There were many scenes that had a horror or thriller element to them where tension was just invading the scene - ultimately nothing happened but I still found myself on the edge of my seat so thick was the tension.  And it was justified tension not manufactured tension.  I seem to find too many directs today who want to be flashy or edgy that they short change the movie they make because they make themselves a distraction to the story and characters.  Miller doesn't do that here as he actually sets scenes up and isn't afraid to just let things play out before cutting.  He even shows the production of the movies sets and costume letting them become part of the movie.  Looking forward to seeing if he has more good movies inside him.

 I know Steve Carell, deserve-ably, got acclaim for his performance but I must say it was the combine talents of all three actors that moved this story along with confidence.  Ruffalo and Tatum must also be celebrated as they physically and mentally inhabited the mindset of a wrestler, to some remarkable levels. From their walk and mannerisms I found myself forgetting they were acting much like Carell seemed to have lost himself in his role.  All three were a joy to watch acting in this movie and alone would justify a journey into this world.

The themes of wealth and class play big roles in this movie.  Each one is explored from different perspectives without ever feeling preachy.  These ideas are presented not just from the story but also handled extremely well from the actors and directing.  It's common mix of these ingredients that help these themes to be stirred into the movie so they aren't overpowering the story or characters.  I've seen a lot of movies where the theme dominates everything because the director is being preachy and more or less yelling at me instead of just letting the story or characters move the theme forward (Avatar is a prime example of this).  Despite the fact whether or not I agree with the theme or not - that doesn't matter because if the story and characters are center of the movie I can at least understand the theme without feeling it overbearing to everything else going on. 

This movie is worth seeing and largely went unnoticed, despite all the accolades thrown at Carell.  This isn't just his movie but a great mixture of talent that make it a movie that needs to be talked about more.         

Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin

Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin by John Bream.

First book I've read about my favorite rock band.  I had heard a lot of the stories in this book but this time I got them first had instead of just reading snippets of their stories here or there.  This book doesn't hide anything about the band members and more or less a no holds barred look at them.  It also goes through their entire discography and gives reviews on each album - which is really cool as the reviews go very in depth into the songs and their structure.  There is also a lot of pictures of not just the band but all kinds merchandise from their many tours.  Throw into the mix a great many interviews with musicians about Led Zeppelin and the effect this group had on their life.  All of this adds up to a very good read. 

The Judge

The Judge directed by David Dobkin, starring Roberts Downey, Jr, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Billy Bob Thornton, and Vincent D'Onofrio.

The main reason to see this movie is because of the team up Downey, Jr. and Duvall.  They completely carry this movie from beginning to end and with an ending that for once seems to fully end a story with a satisfying conclusion that compliments the characters without feeling overly emotional or syrupy.  This is not by any means a great movie but the acting of everyone in this movie is great and made it a great watch.  They story line is a typical prodigal son returns home, doesn't want to be there, and they ends up realizing he does.  But despite that cliche being the catalyst for the story line it never felt forced, while the power of Downey and Duvall as they pole positioned their characters to the end helped to sell the cliche aspect of it.  I fully bought in to their characters development and how they stayed true to themselves throughout the movie.  

The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls directed by Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi, starring the voices of Ben Kingsley, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, and Tracy Morgan.

One of the more idiosyncratic movies I've seen - from the visual standpoint and from the storyline standpoint as I'd never heard of a boxtroll before this movie.  Visually this movie is very odd and strange but that oddness and strangeness fully matches creation of the boxtrolls and the world they were creating with these boxtrolls.  From a story line standpoint nothing new is going on here but none-the-less it was an interesting movie to have seen and kept the kids entertained all through out. 

Fury

Fury written and directed by David Ayer, starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Pena, and Joh Bernthal.

I think the one thing that hinders this movie from being truly good is the ending.  For a movie that strives for realism visually (which is succeeds), production design (which is also succeeds), and from character stand point (which it mostly succeeds).  Then have an ending which falls back on typical Hollywood cliches kind of defeats the whole point of the movie. 

But other than that this was for the most part a good watch.  The movie doesn't lose track of main characters of the movie - namely the characters in the tank.  They are the focus of the movie and it doesn't get bogged down narrative-wise in anything else, the story line follows them and them only. Most screenplays now-a-days seemed more focused on everything else happening in the story but what they story is supposed to be focused about thus loosing the narrative of the story.  They  want to tell all the other stories in the movie but the main characters.  This movie is about the tank crew of the tank called Fury. And that is what this movie is about. 

From a visual stand point this movie does a good job of recreating the Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers production design that really helps to shape the world they live in.  It feels like a real war they are in and not some back stage production.  Ayer does a good job of creating the confinement and closeness of the tank crew inside the tank and does wonders when the camera goes outside of the tank as the visuals and wideness of the outside contrast with the smallness of the tank. 

The tank crew does have it's cliche characters but I thought they were a lot more well played than the ones presented in Saving Private Ryan.  I felt these guys didn't seem as forced into stereotyped roles and stayed true to their characters throughout the movie - which is something Hollywood has a hard time doing now-a-days.  All of the actors rose to the challenge with the characters and breathed a good bit of fresh air into them with each scene they were in.  I also liked how all the characters weren't extremely likable - this helped to make them seem more real.

The Book of Life

The Book of Life directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez, starring the voices of Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Ice Cube, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, and Diego Luna.

The style of the animation alone is what drew me to this movie.  It is easily one of the most unique and visually pleasing cartoons I've seen in a while but it doesn't rely on that visual style alone to sell the movie.  It mixes in a good story the fully compliments every aspect on display visually.  The story line isn't trying to reinvent anything it's a simple love story told with a Mexican flavor.  For me another thing I really liked about the movie was the music.  It was some really good songs that made the main character even more intriguing and complex as the style of music, the lyrics, and just the sound really helped to flesh out his character. 

Definitely not time wasted.