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In: 2016, Hot Take

Hot Take: The Forest is real… ly dumb. Apparently, the writer and director took the movie’s advice to “stay on the path” if staying on the path in a horror flick means cheap scares and huge, gaping plot holes.

January is never the best month for movies unless there are a few Oscar nominees you missed in December or the occasional late wide release (like The Revenant which released in a few theaters in December and hit wide release on January 8). Instead, the first month of the year is reserved for films like The Forest. Great marketing, a somewhat unique premise, a promise to frighten a little and, when finally viewed, a hollow, cheesy horror film with lame, cheap thrills that it’s better to not think about if you actually want to enjoy what little the movie has to offer.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Brutality and ugliness can be beautiful. The stunning visuals of The Revenant combined with the details of the grisly story are sometimes hard to digest together. It’s a film you don’t want to stop watching even though you feel, at times, maybe you should. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers the performance of his career.

Occasionally, viewing The Revenant feels like a test of endurance. Some will find it to be a task and dismiss the film in a number of ways. For me, it intensified the viewing experience and helped create a rare bond between myself and the main character, Hugh Glass (DiCaprio). Early on, there was a connection that carried throughout which enhanced the film to another level. Typically, those types of connections are reserved for when you can relate to the character. In this case, the cinematography, performances and pacing contribute more to the connection than any personal connection.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Carol is a better movie after the fact, as it sinks in as it’s such a small film it has moments that are somewhat mundane. Afterward, it is in the mundane and humdrum where the film thrives as it’s a classic love story with very little emphasis on the fact that the love story is between two women.

I’m torn when it comes to Carol. On one hand, the film’s ability to capture the 1950s and deliver unbelievable chemistry between it’s two main characters — Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara) — are worth heaping praises. On the other hand, the film’s mundane tale and rather plodding pace might not be worth the payoffs of some excellent scenes. Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: For Quentin Tarantino’s 8th film, there are plenty of Tarantino calling cards and some truly exquisite cinematography (especially if you see the “Roadshow” version). There’s some “haven’t we kind of seen this from QT before?” element but not the overriding factor. In the end, it’s violent, funny, foul, controversial and a hell of a lot of fun (in the sickest and most twisted sense).

Quentin Tarantino is a polarizing filmmaker. His films typically are loved or hated. For those who hate Tarantino’s previous work, it’ll likely be more hate for The Hateful Eight. This isn’t that “very different” Quentin Tarantino film you’ve been waiting for. (Just a guess, you’ll probably never get it.) For those who love his work, The Hateful Eight is loaded with things you’ll love. The casting, the characters, the dialogue, the humor, the score, the violence… it’s all there.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Ever see a Will Ferrell movie before? Well, it’s about the same as the others. That’s not the worst thing in the world but it isn’t the best, either. If movies were segmented, the last 15 minutes might be up for an award. The rest is forgettable but entertaining.

Give Daddy’s Home credit for great timing. Thanks to it’s release date, the winner of the best alternative to Star Wars at the box office has been the Will Ferrell/Mark Wahlberg comedy. However, it feels awfully familiar (partially because of trailer fatigue but partially because it’s kind of like every other Will Ferrell movie) and you’ll probably compare it to 10 other movies you’ve seen. It’ll also feel like it could have been a lot better which the studio must have thought throughout the development process since 5 different writers received a screenwriting credit. (Note to studio: It could have been punched up a few more times.)Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Eddie Redmayne’s transformation is surreal. Alicia Vikander shines. However, The Danish Girl is boring and panders toward a more mainstream audience by trading edginess for accessibility. It’s almost as if the writer and director are saying playing dress up can make someone want to change genders thanks to a very vague and underdeveloped back story.

Last year, Eddie Redmayne turned in an incredible performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. Because of Hawking’s condition, Redmayne had to spend a lot of energy telling the story through non-verbal communication, facial expressions and even eye movement. Director Tom Hooper must have loved what Redmayne did her because he was asked to do a lot more of this type of communication in The Danish Girl. Unfortunately, such painstaking effort was unnecessary since Redmayne’s Einar/Lili was not paralyzed and was able to speak without the help of a computer. Furthermore, the device was actually rather distracting and sometimes even annoying.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: The David O. Russell Film-O-Matic (patent pending) mass produced this late season entry. It will please less and irritate more than American Hustle which already pleased less and irritated more than Silver Linings Playbook.

A few years ago, David O. Russell became a household name with the release of Silver Linings Playbook. A year later, many were thrilled by American Hustle but there were signs of laziness and formulaic tendencies in his filmmaking. Now we have Joy which is basically what would happen if you dreamed while simultaneously watching Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle but only if the dream slowly dissolved into a nightmare.Read More →

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Smart, funny, intelligent, witty, unique… the buzz words to describe The Big Short can go on and on. The film capitalizes on great casting, a compelling topic and the perfect angle by director Adam McKay (best known for Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers???). It’s one of those so sad you have to laugh in retrospect moments in U.S. history and The Big Short delivers just the right mix of information and humor. One of the best of the year!

The Big Short takes on the 2008 economic meltdown in such a unique way, it all makes sense after you see it. With a crisp, sharp script and some great performances (most notably Christian Bale and Steve Carell but unfairly leaving out a number of others) and just the right amount of humor and simplicity, The Big Short delivers a wildly entertaining, fast paced and deceptively angry look at the events that led to the collapse of the housing market and buried the U.S. economy.Read More →

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In: 2016, Hot Take, Trailers

Anticipation (Before Trailer): 65/100

Anticipation (After Trailer): 65/100

The latest trailer for Deadpool doesn’t really add anything compelling. If you saw the first trailer and were intrigued, you’re probably still all geeked up. If you weren’t wowed, you are still probably out. With a February 12, 2016 release date, it should do well at theaters as this is usually not a time for heavy competition.

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In: 2015, Hot Take

Hot Take: Concussion lands a heavy blow against the NFL then jabs it’s way to the conclusion. Will Smith’s performance as Dr. Bennet Omalu is one of the best of his career.

As a society, our entertainment has been at it’s most enjoyable when it is at it’s most violent. This isn’t a new phenomenon. As far back as the Roman Empire, the #1 form of entertainment was watching men die in the gladiatorial arenas. There are countless examples of the masses flocking to witness violence and gore. From public executions to crucifixions to bullfighting, it would seem violence and entertainment go hand in hand.Read More →