TWIN CITIES LIVE- September 5, 2014

TWIN CITIES LIVE
September 5, 2014

It was a pleasure returning to Twin Cities Live after a few weeks off. It's been a little slow at the theaters right now, so we decided to do a fall movie preview instead of reviews of the latest new releases. Here are the four movies we discussed:

1. GONE GIRL
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Sela Ward, Tyler Perry

2. INTERSTELLAR
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Michael Caine

3. INTO THE WOODS
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Christine Baranksi

4. UNBROKEN
Director: Angelina Jolie
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Jai Courtney

Here's the video:



Video courtesy of Twin Cities Live/KSTP

For more on these four movies and my full Fall Movie preview, click HERE.

You can find all of my past segments HERE.

As always, thank you so much for watching and your continual support. I truly appreciate it!

FALL 2014 MOVIE PREVIEW

FALL 2014 MOVIE PREVIEW

1. INTERSTELLAR
Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, John Lithgow, Michael Caine

I am a huge fan of Christopher Nolan, the visionary director of Inception and The Dark Knight Trilogy. This film may be his biggest challenge to date. It is still shrouded in secrecy, but a couple of trailers have been released.  I am stunned and awed by everything I am seeing so far. It has been in the works for the past few years and was originally inspired by physicist Kip Thorne and his theories behind using wormholes in space to time travel. Matthew McConaughey continues his hot streak by leading this ensemble cast as one of the brave few willing to travel to the far reaches of space in hopes of saving the universe. If you were moved by last year’s hit Gravity, you will want to check out Interstellar.

Release Date: November 7



2. INTO THE WOODS
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Johnny Depp, Christine Baranksi

The latest big screen adaptation of a Broadway musical is based on Stephen Sondheim’s hit Into the Woods. Rob Marshall is no stranger to directing musicals after his work on Chicago and Nine. He has another all-star cast led by Meryl Streep as the Witch who makes an offer to a baker (Corden) and his wife (Blunt) that they can’t refuse. The two of them must face other fairy tale characters like Cinderella, the Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel and steal some precious items for the Witch in order for her to reverse the curse of infertility that has been placed over their home. If you know the staged version, you are already familiar with the beautiful music and insanely creative word play in the lyrics. You also know how dark and grim the story can be at times. With this being a Disney property, I will be curious to see how faithful they stay to the original story. There have been rumors floating around that specific numbers and side plots have been cut from the movie that would potentially make it more family friendly. Sondheim was involved in the process so I am going to remain optimistic about it and not give those rumors too much thought.

Release Date: December 25



3. UNBROKEN
Director: Angelina Jolie
Starring: Jack O’Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Jai Courtney

The highly anticipated film is based on the book of the same name by Laura Hillenbrand which stayed on the bestseller list for three years. I recently started reading it, and I can already tell that this will be one incredibly powerful and moving story. It tells the remarkable true story of Louis Zamperini (O’Connell), a record breaking Olympic runner who became an airman in World War II. His plane was shot down and he was left stranded on a raft in the middle of the Pacific. Forty-seven days later, he was rescued only to become a prisoner of war in the Japanese camps. The film is getting massive buzz due its story of survival and perseverance. It’s directed by Angelina Jolie with a screenplay by Joel & Ethan Coen, Richard LaGravenese, and William Nicholson. Expect lots of Oscar buzz around this one.

Release Date: December 25



4. GONE GIRL
Director: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Sela Ward, Tyler Perry

If you have seen any of director David Fincher’s work like Seven, The Social Network, or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, you know he is the perfect choice to tackle Gillian Flynn's bestselling novel "Gone Girl", He is exceptional at capturing these dark and mysterious stories. Amy (Pike) and Nick (Affleck) Dunne seem like the perfect gorgeous couple. On their fifth anniversary, Amy goes missing and Nick becomes the number one suspect. What follows is a twisty ride of deceit, deception, and mystery that was their marriage. It should be known that author Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay for the movie. In an article in "Entertainment Weekly", Ben Affleck mentioned how she rewrote the whole third act of the movie that takes it in a different direction than the book. Who knows if that is true or a ploy to keep the movie a mystery, but I am intrigued to see what these changes are going to be like.

Release Date: October 3



5. FOXCATCHER
Director: Bennett Miller
Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave

If you are a fan of funny man Steve Carell, like I am, you will want to take note of his latest, Foxcatcher. He received all sorts of early Oscar buzz for his role after it screened at the Cannes Film Festival. This is far different than anything we have seen from him before. The film is based on a bizarre true story with Carell playing millionaire philanthropist John du Pont. He was known for sponsoring and mentoring Olympic wrestling brothers Mark (Tatum) and Dave (Ruffalo) Schultz. It started off as promising friendship and working relationship, but tragedy strikes as du Pont’s growing paranoia, suspicion, and erratic behavior leads to murder. Don’t be surprised if Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo also receive high praise for their performances. The film is directed by Bennett Miller who has previously directed Moneyball and Capote, also based on true events.

Release Date: November 14



6. THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Jane Fonda, Connie Britton, Rose Byrne, Kathryn Hahn

It’s become a joke with my parents that I love movies about dysfunctional families. As an actor, I’m always drawn to those types of large ensemble dramas as there are rich characters for the actors to play with. I was immediately drawn to This is Where I Leave You when I first saw the cast list and a publicity photo in "Entertainment Weekly". Jane Fonda, Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, Adam Driver, Connie Britton, and Dax Shepard are just some of the fantastic actors that appear in this adaptation of the Jonathan Tropper novel of the same name. Jane Fonda stars as the matriarch of the Foxman family and insists her children (played by Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Corey Stoll, and Adam Driver) reunite after their father passes away. As you can tell by the trailer, some of them are going through their own drama on top of the death in the family. The cast boasts quite a few actors known for their television work, and I’m excited to see them tackle a different medium. I recently finished the book and absolutely loved it!

Release Date: September 19



7. BIRDMAN
Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Starring: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan

I grew up watching Michael Keaton in Batman and Batman Returns. Frankly, the Caped Crusader or Beetlejuice will probably be the roles he will always be remembered for. His career seemed to stall a bit after those films. He would have a few hits here or there, but none seemed to have as big of an impact on his career like Batman had. It's great to see him back in prime form in a role that seems perfectly catered toward him. In Alejandro González Iñárritu's (Babel) latest, he plays a washed up actor best known for playing an iconic superhero. He struggles to open a new Broadway play in an attempt to revitalize his career. It's been playing at some early festivals to critical acclaim, so hopefully this is the film to catapult Keaton's career back into the public eye.

Release Date: October 17, 2014



8. FURY
Director: David Ayer
Starrring: Brad Pitt, Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Michale Pena, Jon Bernthal, Scott Eastwood, Jim Parrack,

After seeing 2012's End of Watch, I was fully on board the David Ayer train. I thought it was a visceral, front of the line approach to what it's like to be a police officer in the worst area of Los Angeles. His next film was Sabotage with Arnold Schwarzenegger which was released earlier this year. Talk about a complete turn of opinion as I hated that film. It will surely be on my worst of the year list. With Fury, he looks to bring his A-game back into play with the heavy handed World War II drama. Brad Pitt leads the film as Wardaddy who vows to protect his four comrades and tankers in the final days of the war. I can only assume that this will be one of the most brutal and realistic war films we have seen in years. Maybe Ayer will have films on both my best and worst of the year lists.

Release Date: October 17



9. ST. VINCENT
Director: Theodore Melfi
Starring: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Chris O'Dowd, Terrence Howard

I've watched the trailer for St. Vincent a couple of times now, and I am naturally drawn to the feel good vibe and Bill Murray's performance. Others may find it too sappy. St. Vincent (Murray) is that cantankerous old man neighbor that we would rather not deal with on a daily basis. Single mom Maggie (McCarthy) feels no choice but to ask for his help by taking care of her young son. The budding friendship between young boy and kooky neighbor leads to all sorts of adventures that are far too risqué and dangerous for someone so young. I'll be curious to see how moviegoers and critics feel about this one. Will Murray have Oscar potential? Will McCarthy win us back after the dreadful Tammy?

Release Date: December 17



10. THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Martin Freeman, Lee Pace, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Luke Evans

Fans have been a bit hesitant when it comes to The Hobbit movies. I can understand the frustration as Peter Jackson and his writing team of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens took one book and turned it into three movies by adding characters and taking details from the appendices. So far, they are nowhere near as good as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but I feel like The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug was heading in the right direction. I have a strong inclination that this will be the best of this trilogy. Jackson may redeem himself from how the series started. I haven't read the book yet which I am embarrassed to admit, but I think that makes it a bit easier to judge the movies without any preconceived notions of what Tolkien's story originally had in store.

Release Date: December 17



*HONORABLE MENTIONS: THE JUDGE (Oct. 10), THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1 (November 21)

Those are my picks for ten of the films I'm looking forward to in the upcoming months. I'd love to hear from you! What films are you most looking forward to as we come into the fall season?

Movie Review: THE GIVER

THE GIVER
Director: Phillip Noyce
Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Cameron Monaghan, Taylor Swift

There’s a great scene toward the end of The Giver where Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Jeff Bridges get to have a bit of a verbal sparring match. I would have loved to have been an extra in that scene. It’s one of the more exciting scenes in the film, yet it comes far too late. Their community has become a vast, colorless world void of any feeling and emotion. Everything the citizens once knew has been erased from their memories.  There is strict order and rules set in place for everyone to abide by.  Jonas (Thwaites) and his friends Fiona (Rush) and Asher (Monaghan) are at that age where they attend the Ceremony of Growth to receive their official assignment which is part of being a member of the community. The roles are handed out by Chief Elder (Streep), who rules the community with a strict presence. Jonas is passed over and saved for last causing an alert and low rumble amongst the crowd.

Chief Elder reveals to him that he is strong in all of the attributes and therefore is given the task of being the Receiver of Memory. It is a prestigious task that comes with great danger. He is sent to The Giver (Bridges) who lives at the very edge of the community before it disappears into the area known as Elsewhere. They link arm to arm, and Jonas proceeds to learn more and more about the community’s past. When the various memories come into focus, he becomes more distraught over the present state of society. He starts to distrust his Mother (Holmes) and Father (Skarsgard) and those around him. He decides to risk everything by going where no one has succeeded before him in an attempt to restore society back to its original way of life.

The Giver is based on the award winning children’s book by Lois Lawry from 1993. I think I read it when it came out but haven’t picked it up since then. I would like to think this helped me go in with a bit more of an open mind, but it also led to more questions I have with the material and what changes were made with this adaptation. Jeff Bridges is one of the producers of the film and has wanted to get the film made for years hopping from one studio to the next. I can understand why it was now released in the wake of the success of The Hunger Games and Divergent which have similar ideas and themes. The problem is that director Phillip Noyce and beginner screenwriters Michael Mitnick and Robert B. Weide don’t have anything new and interesting to add to this story to make it stand out from those other books that actually came after this one.

The script is quite bland that leaves little for these actors to play around with in terms of their characters. Bridges and Streep fare the best and it should come without surprise that they are the highlights of the movie. As the title character, Bridges has that gruff and mysterious vibe to him that left me wondering what his true motives were with Jonas. There was a bit of mystery that surrounded him where I felt a little on edge with his scenes. With her long grey wig, Streep plays another ice queen with Chief Elder. She’s Goddess Meryl Streep so, of course, she is going to be great with this type of character where she can be menacing and evil without having to really raise her voice or scream. We’ve seen her play this type of character before, and I’ll watch her in anything.

The rest of the cast is an odd mixed bag. As Jonas, Brenton Thwaites is a fresh up-and-coming actor who we previously saw this summer in Maleficent as Prince Phillip. He has a nice boy next door appeal about him. He’s fairly young and will need to take better and more challenging roles as he grows up if he wants to be a stronger leading guy type. Katie Holmes and Alexander Skarsgard play his parents in the film. Don’t let the age difference throw you off as they are not intended to be biological parents. I must admit to having a soft spot for Holmes, but she comes off a bit monotone here. Maybe she was remembering her time of being hypnotized under the Scientology spell and applied that here as a character trait. Lastly, singer Taylor Swift has a very brief role as The Giver’s daughter. It is such a bizarre casting move that I can only assume it was because they wanted another big name to draw people into the movie. I mean, come on. When did we ever think that Taylor Swift and Meryl Streep would ever be in the same movie?

The use of color plays an important part of the world in The Giver. It begins with the black and white of the community and color starts to materialize with Jonas’ awakening. I was reminded of the beautiful Pleasantville which I need to revisit. I think the color shifting was better used in that movie. Even though there is a strict sameness to all of the houses, bikes, and the entire look of the community, there is a distinct look and shape to it without it feeling too drab or boring. The whole art direction and design elements were impressive enough to take some focus off the oddly structured script and bizarre acting. For a ninety minute movie, it felt fairly long with its slow pacing. So much of the backstory is quickly told at the beginning and then it drags out until the finally thirty minutes once Jonas sets his plan into action. Only then does it start to get interesting and pick up in tempo. The broader picture and message of Lois Lawry’s story really comes out in this part, but it takes so long to get there. Without giving too much away, I actually wanted more of an ending. I wanted more of a wrap up and a “what next”. Maybe I’m so used to these types of stories being dragged out into multiple books that I wanted a final scene or two after the resolution. This may be directly how the book ends so I shouldn’t fault the screenwriters if this is indeed a direct match to the source material.

This is one of those movies where you come out perplexed as it has some good things going for it that make the movie enjoyable like Meryl and Jeff, the design elements, and a thrilling final thirty minutes. Then you think about its clunky structure and pacing, odd casting choices, and the whole idea that we have seen that kind of movie before, and it leaves you second guessing on if it’s worth your trip to the movies. In this case, I think more people will enjoy it then not.

Is It Worth Your Trip to the Movies? It's worth seeing on the big screen at matinee prices, but know that it comes with some major flaws.

RATING: 3 out of 5 TICKET STUBS

Movie Trailer: INTO THE WOODS

INTO THE WOODS
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Penn, Johnny Depp, Christine Baranski, Tracey Ullman, Billy Magnussen, Frances de la Tour

We have seen some production stills recently and now the first trailer is here for the highly anticipated new movie, Into the Woods, based on the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical. I must say this is my favorite musical of all time and cannot contain my excitement when it comes to this movie. Rob Marshall is no stranger to directing musicals after his work on Chicago and Nine. He has another all-star cast led by Goddess Meryl Streep as the Witch who makes an offer to a baker (Corden) and his wife (Blunt) that they can’t refuse. The two of them must face other fairy tale characters like Cinderella, the Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel and steal some precious items for the Witch in order for her to reverse the curse of infertility that has been placed over their home.

If you know the staged version, you are already familiar with the beautiful music and insanely creative word play in the lyrics. You also know how dark and grim the story can be at times. I am curious with this being a Disney property how faithful they stay to the original story. There have been rumors floating around that specific numbers and side plots have been cut from the movie that would potentially make it more family friendly. We shall see come Christmas Day how it all turned out. Lapine wrote the screenplay and Sondheim was involved in the process so I am going to remain optimistic about it and not give those rumors too much thought.

RELEASE DATE: December 25, 2014

Here’s the trailer:

Movie Review: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Director: John Wells
Starring: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Julianne Nicholson, Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper, Margo Martindale, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Dermot Mulroney, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sam Shepard

Did you have some family drama over the holidays? People acting crazy around the dinner table? Just wait until you meet the Weston family. Your family will seem a whole heck of a lot more normal after you spend a few hours with the Westons. Patriarch Beverly (Shepard) is an alcoholic and former poet who can no longer tolerate his marriage to Violet (Streep). After thirty plus years and three daughters, the love they once had for each other has vanished. Violet is suffering from mouth cancer and has become addicted to her pain pills and chain smoking. The audience knows from the very first scene the kind of woman, wife, and mother that Violet has become. The word "filter" does not apply to her as she has no judgment on the things that come out of her mouth. She has a loud, brash, tells it like it is mentality no matter who is on the receiving end of her tirade.

After Beverly's sudden disappearance, their family is reunited in their home in Osage County, Oklahoma. Their eldest daughter Barbara (Roberts) returns home with her husband Bill (McGregor) and daughter Jean (Breslin). Barbara is a bit of a control freak even though she watches her marriage fall apart and has to put up with mother's awful behavior and attitude toward her. Violet lays down huge guilt trips to her and has no qualms about telling her how Beverly was always disappointed her in. Barbara has a strained relationship with her two sisters Ivy (Nicholson) and Karen (Lewis). Violet's sister Mattie Fae (Martindale) and her husband (Cooper) and son (Cumberbatch) arrive with their own family dynamic. Once the whole Weston clan is united under the one roof in the hot summer Oklahoma heat, Violet unleashes a fury of "truth-telling" as various family secrets are unleashed leaving no one untouched and unaccounted for.

Playwright Tracy Letts (Bug, Killer Joe) has adapted the screenplay from his own highly successful play. I have seen the staged version, so it is a bit tough going into the movie without instantly drawing comparisons to that version. The dense play is a three and half hour meaty piece that, for obvious reasons, had to be severely cut down and edited to make it work as a movie. Letts is able to keep the integrity and heart of these characters in place without having to sacrifice the supporting characters or their story lines. The piece itself is a very heightened and intense look into this family. I do not know any family like this one that has so many problems with each person. Some of the story gets very dramatic and heavy in the way of the dysfunctional character development which works well on stage as you sit on the edge of your seat watching and hearing these massive family fights. I think director John Wells tried so hard at minimizing that tone to a more naturalistic feel to fit the screen that there is an element that gets lost in translation here. This is only the second movie John Wells directed and it feels a bit out of his comfort zone. He seems unsure of how to play out the tone and pacing of the piece and which characters should be in focus.

Wells has an overall brilliant cast of actors that have been given great material to work with due to Letts' meaty and complex screenplay. The casting of the family is important to the dynamic of this story. No matter how big or small their parts are, the majority of them are able to give strong performances and have a good familial chemistry to feel like they are all family. Julia Roberts gives one of the best performances of her career as it is stripped down and natural type of character that does not rely on her playing another gorgeous romantic lead living some glamorous life. It is quite fun to see her go up against Streep in some epic mother/daughter battles. Thank God she is finally in a good movie again. I HATED Mirror Mirror and Eat, Pray, Love. Ewan McGregor seems oddly miscast as Robert's philandering husband. He is not a bad actor, but does not seem like the right match to be Robert's husband. That may be the point, but I still want to believe they were a healthy couple at some point. Julianne Nicholson and Juliette Lewis are also wonderful as the two other sisters. Even though this is a strong ensemble film, there is no denying that this is Meryl Streep's movie. She is as brilliant as ever as a vial and wretched mother who has destroyed her family. She may be showy and intense in one scene depending on Violet's motivation and beg for sympathy in the next. Streep is always on and present and you cannot take your eyes off of her no matter how deplorable she acts towards her family. She is so unbelievable that it is quite fun watching her plays these mind games and tricks with her family. As Violet states, "Nobody slips anything by me."

Stage to screen adaptations are very tricky no matter if they are coming from plays or musicals. The world of the piece is typically opened up, characters are added, it takes place in numerous settings, scenes and musical numbers may be cut or added. This is the third screenplay Letts has adapted from one of his plays, which helps in creating it for a new medium. The entire play takes place in the Weston house. The majority of the film takes place in the house as well, but Letts and Wells still offer us glimpses of the Oklahoma setting which is vital to Letts' world. If you have seen the play, you might not be able to enjoy the movie as much. Letts' darkly funny script and these strong capable actors make the film work to an extent. I just wish Wells would have pushed them a bit further and made this even more of the elevated and heightened level that it is instead of taking the more natural and realistic take on it.

RATING: ***1/2 (3.5 out of 5 stars)

PAUL'S YEAR AT THE MOVIES: 2013 EDITION

PAUL'S YEAR AT THE MOVIES: 2013 EDITION

It has come to that time where I look back at my trip to the movies in 2013. Every year, I track all of the movies I saw for the first time. Whether they were the new 2013 releases or older films I was just discovering for the first time, I like to jot them down to see how I fare year to year. Before I go any further, I must give a special acknowledgment to my friend and fellow cinephile Max who I stole this idea from many years ago. I looked back at the 2012 Edition in this series where I noted that I had seen 113 new movies in that year. I am surprised to say that I beat that number with 119 new films under my belt in 2013, 81 of which were 2013 releases. As many of you know I got married in June, so my movie going went on the back burner the first half of the year as wedding planning and counting down to that special day was my priority in the first half of 2013. Each year I try to see more and more films, so I am pleasantly surprised to see I beat last year's numbers despite the slow start. I would love to get to every movie out there, but time and money plays a big factor into it.

As far as the blog is concerned, I created some new content including "The Snapshot Trivia of the Day", the "Halloween" Retrospective, Oscar Watch 2014, The Archives plus the traditional trailers, reviews, rewinds, and other articles. I have some new ideas and exciting things coming in 2014 so keep checking back! It has been an exciting year in the networking front as I got to interact with new readers and followers of the blog. In June, I was honored to become LAMB #1588 when I joined the Large Association of Movie Blogs. 2013 also marked my first trip to the Twin Cities Film Festival where I met some other bloggers and critics in the Minneapolis film scene. I love getting to know new people and discussing the films we either loved or hated.

Here is the list, plus My Top 10 of 2013 and the Worst of 2013, some noteworthy performances, and some other tidbits:

The List

The Sessions
Promised Land
Broken City
Side Effects
Amour
Take This Waltz
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Oz, The Great and Powerful
Side By Side
A Separation
Wreck-It Ralph
Compliance
Admission
The Silence
The Prodigal Son
Evil Dead
Flashdance
Days of Heaven
Jurassic Park 3D
Double Indemnity
Room 237
To the Wonder
The Place Beyond the Pines
ParaNorman
Iron Man 3
The Paperboy
The Great Gatsby
Bernie
Star Trek Into Darkness
Oblivion
Now You Seen Me
All Good Things
End of Watch
Lars and the Real Girl
The Way Way Back
Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil
Behind the Candelabra
Man of Steel
Beautiful Creatures
Stoker
Not Fade Away
Identity Thief
Mama
This is the End
V/H/S
The Heat
White House Down
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
World War Z
The Blue Umbrella
Monsters University
Despicable Me
Modern Times
The Conjuring
Red
Pacific Rim
The Wolverine
We're the Millers
Fruitvale Station
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Seven Psychopaths
Bachelorette
Blue Jasmine
Chronicle
Like Crazy
The Spectacular Now
Austenland
Hot Fuzz
The World's End
Best Worst Movie
The Possession
Isidious: Chapter 2
Prisoners
Anna Karenina
Don Jon
Enough Said
V/H/S/2
The Ward
Gravity
Captain Phillips
Nebraska
Honeymoon Suite
We Are What We Are
Winter in the Blood
Truth or Blood
The Search for Simon
Ghost Light
They Will Outlive Us All
Hot 'n Bothered
Casual Encounters
A Better Life
Mud
12 Years a Slave
Much Ado About Nothing (2013)
About Time
Thor: The Dark World
Only God Forgives
Frances Ha
Salinger
Dallas Buyers Club
JFK
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Frozen
Philomena
Parkland
Delivery Man
Prince Avalanche
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Upstream Color
Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa
What Maisie Knew
The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza)
Lovelace
Saving Mr. Banks
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
August: Osage County
The Wolf of Wall Street
American Hustle

Paul's Top 10 of 2013

These are the films that had the biggest impact on me. There may be some different choices on here than you may find on other Top 10 lists out there, but that is what makes each film critic a little different. Please note I have not seen Inside Llewyn Davis (seeing it today!), Her , All is Lost, or Labor Day at this time, so those unfortunately will not be found here.

1. The Way Way Back

This indie hit from the summer just hit that part of my inner soul that spoke to so many of the feelings and emotions I went through when I was the age of the main character. Nat Faxon and Jim Rash wrote a hilarious and touching script that garnered fantastic performances from Sam Rockwell, Allison Janney, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette.

2. Gravity

Alfonso Cuarón's epic 3D masterpiece was an intense, breathtaking, and magical ride. It is one of those movies that is the true definition of why people go to the movies. As years and decades pass, I hope it is remembered as one of the genre's great films like 2001: A Space Odyssey.

3. Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station did not get the audience response it deserved. It hit theaters, but did not seem to last long which is quite unfortunate as it is one of the most important films audiences should have seen this year. It was an emotional kick to the gut with Michael B. Jordan giving one of my favorite performances of the year.

4. Nebraska

Alexander Payne's latest took me by surprise and is another film that touches numerous parts of the soul. Bruce Dern gives one hell of a performance as an cantankerous old man who is determined that he won a sweepstakes in the mail. The scenes between Dern and June Squibb as his feisty wife are hysterical. Payne perfectly captures that small Midwestern town vibe that is all too familiar.

5. American Hustle

David O. Russell has another hit on his hands with this con story somewhat based on the ABSCAM operation in the 1970s. It should come has no surprise that he as created some over-the-top characters brought to life by frequent collaborations Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper.

6. 12 Years a Slave

Not since Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List has a film so vividly captured a horrifying chapter in history. Steve McQueen’s latest left me quite speechless afterwards as I tried to process everything that was thrown at me. Lupita Nyong’o is a revelation who was vulnerable and heartbreaking in every way. Chiwetel Ejiofor is another standout actor of the year who conveys so much emotion and range without it being a flashy or showy performance.

7. Philomena

Dame Judi Dench gives another stellar performance to add to her long resume. She proves yet again why she is one of the greats. Director Stephen Frears precisely executes this film that is based on a true story with the right tone without ever gearing toward Lifetime Movie of the Week status.

8. The Conjuring

I LOVE horror films, so it was refreshing to see James Wan's latest completely hit it out of the ballpark. It was suspenseful and scary without using copious amounts of gore and body parts. The Conjuring is an homage to the horror films of the 1970s that had the slow burn leading up to an insane edge of your seat finale. I think it is one of the genre's best in years.

9. Prisoners

This twisty ethical child abduction mystery thriller left audiences pretty divided. I can tell you that I was engrossed from the very first frame and did not check the watch in the entire two and a half hour run-time. Hugh Jackman was a bit over lauded for his work in Les Miserables, but I think his best performance comes here as a father who will stop at nothing as he searches for his missing daughter. Another high point is the work of ten time Oscar nominee Roger Deakins for his cinematography . He works his magic by framing so many of the shots into stunning visuals that tell their own stories as well as shape the story we are watching before us.

10. Saving Mr. Banks

Emma Thompson is practically perfect in every way as P.L. Travers who had no interest in bringing her novel "Mary Poppins" to the big screen. The supporting cast, including Jason Schwartzman, Paul Giamatti, and Colin Farrell, should be noted for their work in the story. If you grew up watching Mary Poppins like I did, it will be hard to think back to your childhood and the memories you have of that film. Don't be surprised if you start humming along the songs in your seat.

**HONORABLE MENTIONS: Blue Jasmine, Frances Ha, Much Ado About Nothing, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Place Beyond the Pines

The Worst of 2013

Truth be told, I do not end up seeing a lot of bad movies throughout the year. I do not mean for that to come out snobbish as I really do love a good bad movie that is just dreadful. Frankly, it can be easier to write about those God awful movies over a film that is just middle of the road average. It is just hard for me to justify spending money at the theater and wasting my free time on a movie that I know will be bad. Four of the movies below I did see in theaters and wasted some money on them. I had such hopes to only to be highly disappointed.

1. Truth or Dare
2. Evil Dead
3. Oz, The Great and Powerful
4. Only God Forgives
5. The Wolverine
**honorable mention--Pacific Rim

Noteworthy Performances
Barkhad Abdi- Captain Phillips
Amy Adams- American Hustle
Christian Bale- American Hustle
Cate Blanchett- Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock- Gravity
Bruce Dern- Nebraska
Judi Dench- Philomena
Leonardo DiCaprio- The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor- 12 Years a Slave
Greta Gerwig- Frances Ha
Ryan Gosling- The Place Beyond the Pines
Jake Gyllenhaal- Prisoners
Tom Hanks- Captain Phillips, Saving Mr. Banks
Sally Hawkins- Blue Jasmine
Hugh Jackman- Prisoners
Michael B. Jordan- Fruitvale Station
Jennifer Lawrence- American Hustle
Lili Taylor- The Conjuring
Jared Leto- Dallas Buyers Club
Matthew McConaughey- Dallas Buyers Club, Mud, The Wolf of Wall Street
Lupita Nyong'o- 12 Years a Slave
Simon Pegg- The World's End
Sam Rockwell- The Way Way Back
June Squibb- Nebraska
Meryl Streep- August: Osage County

2013 has been a terrific year at the movies, and there are still a few high profile films I have not seen yet. I am really looking forward to a big 2014 and I have some exciting things coming for the blog, so stay tuned! As always, thank you so much for reading, commenting, and sharing the movies that you love. A big thank you to all of those following me on Twitter. Feel free to comment below on all of your favorites from 2013. What films touched your inner soul? What films did you want to run away from? Here's to a great 2013!

Movie Trailer: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
Director: John Wells
Starring: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Abigail Breslin, Ewan McGregor, Dermot Mulroney, Chris Cooper, Sam Shepard, Margo Martindale, Benedict Cumberbatch



When I first heard that Goddess Meryl Streep had been cast as Violet, the pill-popping matriarch of the Weston family, I thought of no one better that could play that role for the big screen adaptation of the Tracy Letts play. After Violet's husband Beverly (Shepard) goes missing, the whole family gathers together in the house they grew up in order to find him. To call this family dynamic dysfunctional would be an understatement.

Movies adapted from stage plays can be tricky and hit-or-miss. Most of the time the casting is way off and the tension and themes of the play get lost in translation. I have seen the stage play, and I hope the movie comes close to portraying these character relationships that are vital to the story. The trailer seems a little light hearted for the first look into the film. The play is so heavy and dramatic but that does not quite come across in the trailer. Letts wrote the screenplay and with this A-List cast I have faith the final product will have the attitude, sharp dialogue, and crazy moments the play is known for having. If it gets good buzz, it could garner some Oscar buzz for Streep, Martindale, and even Roberts.

Release Date: November 8, 2013

Here's the trailer:

Movie Review: HOPE SPRINGS

HOPE SPRINGS
Director: David Frankel
Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, Elisabeth Shue, Jean Smart

Kay (Streep) and Arnold (Jones) celebrate their thirtieth anniversary like any other day. Kay makes Arnold's standard breakfast of two eggs and one slice of bacon as he sits and reads the paper before heading to work. They have a pretty uneventful dinner with their grown children and admit their gift to each other was a cable subscription. At the end of the evening, they head into their own separate bedrooms. Yes, they have spent the majority of their marriage having separate bedrooms leaving their sexual relationship in the distant past. Kay is desperate for a change. She can no longer take the standard boring routine they have been stuck in for thirty years. She heads to the self help/marriage section of the local Barnes & Noble. A book by Dr. Bernie Feld (Carell) seems to be of some interest to her. She navigates his website, watches an introductory video, and decides he may be their only hope. Without warning to Arnold, she books a week long intensive couples therapy session for the two of them with Dr. Feld.

Arnold does not take this news well. He refuses go and thinks Kay has lost her mind. Kay tells him that she has paid for the plane tickets and that they are leaving in the morning. She packs her bags and takes off in the taxi the next morning and heads for the airport. Arnold is being stubborn and does not hop in the cab with her. Kay settles into the plane seat and is surprised to find Arnold walking down the aisle right before the plane takes flight. A giddy gleeful smile comes to Kay's face. Arnold is still not too keen and is not completely open to letting some stranger dissect their sex life. They arrive in a quaint Maine town, and Arnold is not impressed. He complains about the shutters on the windows and the lack of service on his cell phone. There is some apprehension at first during their sessions. The frank sexual talk seems to overwhelm Arnold. Kay is a little bit more willing to be open and honest than he is with her. Dr. Feld gives them sexercises to try with each of their sessions in order to put the spark back in their marriage.

The ending came and I was surprised that it was over. The movie seems fairly short, but there is nothing wrong with that. It centers mainly on Kay and Arnold with a dash of Dr. Feld. Jean Smart, Elisabeth Shue, and Mimi Rogers are in the movie as well, but their roles are left mainly as cameos. You begin to wonder why they cast great actors in such bit parts. Were there side plots left out or scenes left on the cutting room floor? I guess we will never know unless the DVD/Blu-Ray is full of special features and deleted scenes, which I highly doubt it will be.

It is no surprise that Streep and Jones give two touching performances. You have two Academy Award winning legends that have given countless of great performances. The movie works so well because of these two. Streep can have chemistry with any actor she's paired up with: Stanley Tucci, Kevin Kline, Jim Broadbent, and now Tommy Lee Jones just to name a few. The story is not all that original, but it does not have to be. These two actors have given these characters a very real, three dimensional feeling that makes the characters all the more relatable. Jones is not just a grizzly, stubborn older man. Streep is not just the helpless whiny wife. Even if you are not in the same predicament that Kay and Arnold are in, you can relate to something about their marriage. I completely understand Arnold's morning routine. There are times when both of the characters are trying to be intimate and their glasses are getting in the way. I have been there as well. Hope Springs is funny, sweet, and touching. Maybe it is my love of Goddess Meryl Streep, but it is a feel-good movie that will help you unwind after a long day.

RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Unleash Your Inner Foodie: JULIE & JULIA

UNLEASH YOUR INNER FOODIE: JULIE & JULIA

Many of you know I contribute a monthly blog to DeeAnn McArdle and her website "Unleash Your Inner Foodie". For April, I decided to write about the Goddess Meryl Streep and her exquisite performance of Julia Child in Julie & Julia. I seem to write quite a bit about Meryl in my blogs for DeeAnn.

Here's a portion of the blog. It starts with an introduction by DeeAnn and goes into my review

Julia Child has inspired so many of us to venture into the foodie world. She not only revolutionized how we cook, she feel in love with the lifestyle that results from good cooking and good entertaining – in other words, she Unleash her Inner Foodie!

I’m so excited that our favorite Movie Critic; Paul McGuire has chosen to review my favorite movie this month - Julie & Julia. You’re going to love his review. I hope it inspires you to not only watch the movie again but gives you the confidence to try a new recipe – maybe the one you’ve been saving for that perfect gathering!

To read the rest click here

or

http://unleashyourinnerfoodie.com/entertaining-articles/julie-julia/