The Force Awakens

 

Warning #1 This is going to contain spoilers.  You should have seen this film by now.

Warning #2 This is going to be a longer review, but It doesn't cover an iota of what i want to say.  If you want to discuss more with me about any of the Star Wars films, come on over!!  I could talk for days about it.

I have been waiting to write this review until after I had watched the film 5 times in the theater.  I did this because, back in 1999, I decided that I wanted to watch a Star Wars film 5 times in the theater.  I had grown up with stories about the hype and excitement that was felt around the release of the original films and I wanted to duplicate that feeling.

Unfortunately I had to sit through 5 viewings of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  I could have stopped after 2 viewings and been satisfied. 

My anticipation of excitement and pride in my claim of 5 viewings was downgraded to a claim of shame.  The film was amazing, but it was good.  The reason we still talk about it today is due to the confusion that it gave us.  Even as a 15-year-old boy I would find myself wanting to be somewhere else while I watched the film, but my determination and bullheadedness won in the end. 

 

I remember a feeling of relief when I left my 5th viewing of The Phantom Menace.  It was partially relief to know that I have accomplished a goal that I have set out to do, but the greater part of the relief was due to my knowledge that I would not have to watch that film again. 

I can contrast those feelings with the feeling that I have now.  I returned from viewing The Force Awakens earlier today and I find that I still want to watch the movie.  In fact, I was very excited this morning in anticipation of my trip to the cinema to watch the same film for the 5th time.

I could talk about what is bad about The Phantom Menace for hours, but I could talk forever about The Force Awakens and how much I enjoy it.

I will be clear, this is not a perfect film.  Even today, as I sat with my popcorn and M&Ms, I struggled with a number of lines of dialogue and plot elements in the film, but as a whole I love it.

The Force Awakens is many films in one.  It is a launching pad for a franchise re-boot, it is a continuation of a well beloved story, it is a tribute to the original trilogy, and it is a course correction after the prequel trilogy.

 

 

I love the nostalgia of The Force Awakens.  There were 4 distinct moments in the film when you could audibly hear the excitement in the audience when references were made that pertained to the original trilogy.  These moments were:

1. The reveal of the Millennium Falcon:  As a kid I never really thought of the Falcon as a junker of a ship, but I clearly saw it in this film.
2. The mention of the line: "I've got a bad feeling about this":  This line is said in all 7 of the Star Wars films.  It's a little way for fans to know that the director knows that they exist.
3. Rey's comment about the Kessel Run:  This line was lost in a couple viewings of the film due to laughter from a previous line, but it is my favorite tribute to the original trilogy.  I'm a Han Solo fan, if that wasn't clear by this point.
4. The 3D hologram chess set on the Millennium Falcon:  This is another moment for the fans that showed that the director is a fan as well and was making a movie that was not going to repeat the prequel mistakes.

These moments gave me the feeling of familiarity that I was looking for in the film.  It helped me fall in love with Star Wars all over again.

I haven't even mentioned the new cast.  Daisy Ridley is excellent, Oscar Isaac is great, Adam Driver is evil!  I loved the new characters and I look forward to seeing more of them as the franchise continues.  There are so many stories to tell about each character.

This film awoke my childhood ambitions and playfulness again.  There is nothing more that I wanted The Force Awakens to do than that.  I am more excited for movies than I have ever been.  I look forward to lining up for more Star Wars films each year for the next 5 years... or more.

I categorize this film as:

A well-needed awakening call

Super-Nostalgic.
I want to watch it again and again

5/5 Stanley Cups. I have never had such excitement about a film.  As soon as it ends, I want to watch it again and I want the next film in the series to be here now!!

Format: The Theater.  Once regular 2D, twice 3D, twice 3D AVX.

Viewing Period: 6 weeks

Inspired me to: Talk about Star Wars everyday.  Also to watch Star Wars: Rebels and Star Wars: Droid Tales.

Labryrinth

Labyrinth

Call me old fashioned, but I still find practical effects to be the most convincing form of special effect.  The master of practical effects for me was Jim Henson.  Many think of him only as the man behind (technically below) Kermit the Frog, but Jim Henson was so much more.

Jim Henson saw puppetry as an creative medium that was a unique way to convey a story.  My favorite part of the Henson world is that music was often combined with the puppetry.  So it becomes obvious that Labyrinth,  with it's David Bowie soundtrack and crazy characters, is one of my favorite childhood movies.  I can remember traveling as a family, belting out "Dance, Magic, Dance" until someone in the vehicle got tired of it.

The story of Labyrinth is one that can apply to us in any stage of life.  Sarah, Jennifer Connelly's character is unhappy with here currently situation and feels that life is unfair (a reoccurring theme).  She goes on a journey in a land where nothing is fair and nothing should be taken for granted.  After finding some unconventional friends to help here out, Sarah eventually realizes that her friends are those who she can trust to move her forward on her journey and nothing in life should be taken for granted.  A lesson that we all can take to heart.

Even though I have seen this film numerous times, I watched it in it's entirety and was please by how much I still enjoyed it.  The creepy parts are still creepy, the clothes are still stuck in the 80's, and the journey that Jennifer Connelly's character goes through is still on the cusp of being real for me.

I label myself as a fan of the Science Fiction genre, but my roots are strong in Fantasy.  Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Willow, and Ladyhawke are all films that I enjoyed as a kid and for the most part, with the exception of The Dark Crystal, they hold up to my viewing standards today.  Great characters and a good story with metaphorical undertones help a film go beyond a trending style and make it last for the ages.  For me, Labyrinth is a film that baffles me with its puppetry and keeps me coming back for its story.  Besides, we could all use a little time with David Bowie to bridge the gap between fantasy and reality.

Rest in peace, Goblin King.

I categorize this film as:

Positively professional puppetry.

Nostalgic.
Worth the time to watch again.

4/5 Stanley Cups. 

Format: On my phone.

Viewing Period: Over 3 days while in the gym.

Inspired me to: Find The Dark Crystal and see if it holds up.

Brooklyn Nine Nine (not a film)

 

I am sure that the 12 individuals that read the blog would notice that I have not posted in quite some time now.  I can blame it on the hustle and bustle of life, but in reality I just needed a break.  

When I started this blog it was my intention to re-animate my brain and get me out of the monotony with which I had been passing time.  I had been out-of-shape mentally and I was looking to get back into a new, fresh routine.  As it turns out, your brain is a muscle that needs to be exercised. and if you only use it once in a while, it will cramp up.  I had a cramp, but I'm better now.

So during the past couple weeks my brain needed a break from movies and I took the advice of a trusted co-worker and I started watching a series.

The series is Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and I am well aware that I am late to this fantastic party.  

Prior to my viewing of Nine-Nine I was turned off my the leading man, Andy Samberg.  While Mr. Samberg is the creator of some of my favorite digital shorts from his Saturday Night Live days, he is also the creator of some of the lowest-browed pieces of attempted "humor" that I have come across.  I anticipated watching some of the first episode and then turning if off due to the crass humor.

That is what I expected, but instead I found my new favorite show.

Brooklyn Nine Nine is, at its core, The Office set in a police station.  This comes as no surprise considering the creator of Brooklyn Nine Nine is also the creator of Parks and Recreation, Michael Schurr.  You might best know him best from his portrayal of  "Mose", Dwight Schute's sheltered cousin.  Michael Schurr knows how to make a mockumentary-style series.   

I enjoy the characters that are portrayed in 99th Brooklyn precinct.  Brooklyn Nine Nine has some of the best defined characters of any sitcom I have seen recently.  Samberg's character leads the pack with as a 12 year old in a 30 year old body.  His colleagues range from an emotionless and tough-as-nails detective (Rosa) to an overly strong father of two that loves yogurt. The combination is hilarious.  It makes me laugh out loud so much that I restrict myself from eating or drinking during viewing.

On a recent weekend I had the opportunity to get back to watching films and writing some reviews for my blog.  Instead I binged on the entire second season of Brooklyn Nine Nine, and I a LOVED it!

If real life were to imitate TV shows, I would be elated if my life was more like the quirky, quick-talking group of detectives down at the "nine nine".  That was my life would be hilarious!

I categorize this series as:

Hilarious

Entertaining.
Binge-worthy.

4/5 Stanley Cups.  Up to episode 9 in season 3.  I hope the series continues to excel.

Format: Netflix and HULU

Viewing Period: Any time I could spare.

Inspired me to: Watch Parks and Recreation. I probably won't, but I have the inspiration.

Pan

 

PAN

Sometimes an idea sits and cannot find the traction that is needed to turn into a full feature-length film.  Other times, that same idea can be harvested and it is put on the big screen ahead of its time and it revolutionized what we expect from the cinema.  There is also a third thing that can happen.  It is possible that an idea is harvested in a timely manner and brought to fruition in a flurry of visual stimulation and effect only to leave the viewer with more questions than answers upon exiting the theatre.  I'm sure you can understand where I am coming from by now because I feel like Pan falls into the third category.

We went to see Pan on its opening weekend.  We went in with little knowledge of the film aside from the trailer that we saw a number of weeks prior.  I am a big fan of the Peter Pan-inspired film Hook from 25 years ago.  I enjoy the story.  I played John in a musical when I was 13.  The Peter Pan ride in Disneyland is the first Disney ride I ever rode.  Needless to say, I enjoy the tales of Neverland.

I really liked how Pan started.  It gave Peter an interesting origin and he starts off as an adventurous boy looking for a home to call his own.  I very much prefer that to Peter Pan in the Disney cartoon.  Peter in Pan was likable.  The film showed some magical elements that reminded me that I was watching a fantastical story, and I couldn't take anything too seriously.  I was all on board in the first 1/2 hr of the film.

Then the confusion came.

This is a bit of a spoiler, so consider yourself warned.

When the introduction of Blackbeard comes up, I was impressed by the character.  I am amazed that Mr. Sexy Australian, Hugh Jackman, was underneath the beard, wig and makeup.  Blackbeard is charismatic, evil and cruel.  He is an excellent villain searching for immortality.  Unfortunately for him, there was an artistic choice by the director that made me feel so confused.  The miners and pirates sing contemporary songs in Neverland.  This is nothing to be shocked at, but they only sang 2 contemporary songs.  They sing Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" brilliantly, and then come out with a rendition of "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones.   This would have been fine for me if only all of the songs in the film were done in the same manner.  That would bring some continuity to my brain and it would help me understand the world that I am watching.  Unfortunately, those 2 songs were the only contemporary songs in the film.  There is another song or two that is performed, but it was nothing that I recognized or remembered.  A part of me left the film at that point and just started enjoying the visual aspects of Pan.

That brings me to a major aspect of this film.  The world that is created by the artists in Pan is amazing.  We saw it in 3D and by the end of the film my eyes were actually aching due to the overwhelming stimuli in a beautiful-looking film.  This is something that I would like to emphasize.  Even though I was lost in the middle of the movie due to some creative choices, this should not diminish the great look of this film.  It is worth the watch just to experience the world that is created.  Seriously, rent it in a couple months when it comes out on DVD.

There was another item that bothered me with this film, but it was related to the fact that I was already out of the fantasy of this film so any additional magic was lost on me.

The acting was enjoyable.  I enjoyed all of the main actors and I think Levi Miller is excellent in his screen debut.  I feel bad saying anything bad about this film for his sake.  I look forward to his next project.

I categorize this film as:

Visually stunning.

Confusing.
Missed the mark.

2.5/5 Stanley Cups. 

Format: 3D in the Theatre

Viewing Period: All in one shot on a Saturday night.

Inspired me to: Watch Hook, a tried and tested Peter Pan film.

Duck Soup

Duck Soup

I had recently listened to a podcast that featured Gilbert Gottfried talking about classic comedy films.  He used most of his time speaking about the Marx Brothers.  He spoke about how they were the funniest guys around.  If I had stopped listening to Mr. Gottfried at that time and went to watch Duck Soup, I would have been sorely disappointed.

To compare Duck Soup to any modern comedy would be a mistake.  You have to see the movie in the context of its release date.  Let's take a trip back to 1933...

The cars looked like this:

The televisions looked like this:

 

And it was called a radio.

Finalley, movie theatres looked like this:

 

1933 was also the year that classic films, King Kong and The Invisible Man were released.  The Academy award were in their infancy.  No supporting actor/actress category existed and the Best Picture award was know as the Outstanding Production award.

Now that we can look at Duck Soup through our 1933 goggles, it is a provocative, witty and edgy political comedy.  It is a perfect length at 68 minutes and it does not shy away from some adult humor (which seems extremely tame for 2015) while showing us what great mimes and vaudevillian performers can do.

I particularly enjoy Groucho Marx in the film.  He is the most recognizable of the brothers and his humor makes me feel validated in making "dad jokes".  Every word that comes from Groucho is a set up for a punny punchline that is delivered with such a deadpan inflection that it is easy to miss them.

One of the reasons I wanted to watch a Marx Brothers film was to see the comparison that many people made when The Beatles came to the United States in 1964.  The witty, cheeky, and downright lame answers to questions that The Fab Four gave to reporters is undeniably similar to arguments that the Marx Brothers have on and off camera.  After watching Duck Soup, a viewing of The Beatles' film,  A Hard Day's Night  would be an excellent way to fully appreciate the Marx family for what they did for comedy.

So I'll check it off of the list.  One of the top 100 films of all time, and I have seen it, and enjoyed it!

I categorize this film as:

A Classic.

A piece of history.

4.5/5 Stanley Cups.  A little lagging at times, but brilliant still.

Format: On my iPhone.

Viewing Period: Many different times while I was in the gym at work on the bike or eliptical.

Inspired me to: Watch A Hard Day's Night

Six Days Seven Nights

 

Six Days Seven Nights

Does anyone else remember when this film came out?  I distinctly recall hearing a lot of hype about it.  There was a big deal made about the age gap between Harrison Ford and Anne Heche, but now, it seems a moot point considering that Harrison Ford is ageless.

When I was watching this film, I had to remember when it was made.  1998 was the peak of popularity for pop music like Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.  It was the year when we forgot about steroids in sports and celebrated Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa.  Cinematically, it was a year removed from Titanic and Spice World.  Needless to say, it was a different world.

As I remember it, 1998 was a year when Star Wars was back in the zeitgeist. It was a year after the "special edition" versions of the original trilogy were released and it was a year away from the highly anticipated new film (The Phantom Menace).  Harrison Ford was what people were talking about.  I think he had a bit of a renaissance of his early-80s hero-type roles, which I have no problem with.  For much of my childhood, Harrison for was my favorite actor even though I had only seen him in the Star Wars films and Raider of the Lost Ark.  I am very much a Ford fan.

I attempted to cut this film a lot of slack due to the aforementioned reasons, but I can still come to the conclusion that it is a silly film that could have been better. Here's how I would have made it better.

First of all, David Schwimmer is in this film.  There is no need to have David Schwimmer in a film unless he is lending his voice to an animated giraffe.

Second of all, without the discovery of the pirates, this could have been a cute little chick-flick with the lovers finding common ground while they work to get off of the island.  It would be like Hell in the Pacific, but without the racial tension.

Thirdly, This film could have become and adventure film with some romantic undertones.  This would be in the same genres of some classics like: The Star Wars Trilogy or The Indiana Jones Trilogy both trilogies just so happen to feature a charismatic actor named Harrison Ford.

When the pirates show up in this film I was excited for an adventurous romp with my childhood Cinematic hero, but this film only holds on to the action sequence a method of keeping you awake while the middle section of the film drags on.

It could have been great.  It could have been be good.  It could have been, but wasn't.

Final thought: the final dialogue seems to have been dubbed in afterward as a method to end the film in a comedic manner.  Lame.

By the way, why is it called Six Day, Seven Nights?  Vacations are usually six nights, seven days.  It doesn't make sense.

I categorize this film as:

A missed opportunity.

Full of potential.

2/5 Stanley Cups

Format: On my iPhone.  You can download it off of Youtube.com! 

Viewing Period: Many different time while I was in the gym at work on the bike or eliptical.

Inspired me to: Hate David Schwimmer.

Life of Pi

Life of Pi

Ready for a journey to an exotic locale? Maybe you are looking for an exciting adventure that also brings with it an existentially thought-provoking story?  If this is what you seek, Life of Pi is your film tonight.

I had heard about this film a lot since it came out in 2012.  I had heard that the book was excellent, I heard that it was a beautiful film, and I had heard about the Oscar-winning digital effects company that had gone bankrupt because of this film.

All of what I heard was true.  The film is stunning.  It goes from the colorful country of India to the sandy beaches of Mexico, and it covers the Pacific Ocean in between.  This film really takes you into a wonderful world full of open-ended questions.  Pi, the main character, talks about his life journey and how he lost his family, but never lost hope.

I can't say much else about the film other than it was a pleasure to watch.  It made me think, but not so much that I am going to change my life entirely.  It did make me cry, and it made me laugh.  It helped me have a greater respect for animals and for engineers.  Why engineers?  Pi's journey forces him to built some impressive contraptions with limited resources.  It makes you appreciate the genius that is contained within an engineer.

I categorize this film as:

Beautiful

Thoughtful

An adventure

4/5 Stanley Cups

Format: DVD 

Viewing Period:3-4 parts during nap times and early mornings

Inspired me to: Read the book.