The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, the latest film from writer/director/producer Peter Jackson was a colossal CG disappointment. This movie was a hollow, soulless, unemotional, and embarrassing last bow of the Hobbit franchise. It was a waste of money and time (two and half hours damn near) that you can never get back. That being said I can only give this Hobbit film one bucket of Killer Korn (yes, it was really that bad).













When The Dark Knight Rises was released upon us many said they felt that Christopher Nolan mentally checked out and didn't put his all into the last film. I didn't see that personally. While it wasn't as good as The Dark Knight, and while it had some significant holes in the plot I still thought it was a good movie, one I enjoyed immensely. However I then started to wonder what that would look like on screen, a movie put out by a director who has mentally moved on to other projects but has yet finished the one he or she was currently working on. I now know what that looks like all too well. It looks like The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. I have no idea what Peter Jackson's next project is (according to IMDB it's The Adventures of Tin Tin: Prisoners of the Sun) but The Five Armies looked so bad that Jackson's mind had to have been on Tin Tin the majority of the time. The film looked to be nothing more than a two and a half hour advertisement of Jackson's special effects department Weta Workshop and the computer program they used to create the battle sequences. The acting was laughable, the dialogue was worse, and the movie never got going, it just spun its wheels.

All of the actors that were in the far superior second film, The Desolation of Smaug are back in this one so I won't get into the cast. Howard Shore has returned to offer up his magic on the score but after five movies of the same sound and very little new melodies or themes, the music feels stale. Somehow John Williams has been able to keep that from happening to his scores for the Star Wars franchise and while the score for Desolation was impressive, the music wore thin this time around. And for a movie filmed entirely on location in places like Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire in the UK along with time spent in Pinewood studios the actors seemed to have spent most of their time running around in front of green screens. It felt like practical film making went right out the window. There was nothing impressive about the cinematography and there should have been since this was as the tagline states, "The Final Chapter". The Five Armies should have been a grand spectacle instead of being a disappointing one. It should have taken your breath away instead of making you yawn. It should have made you float out the theater instead of making you run so you could get to the restroom.

Peter Jackson is a good director and if you watch The Hobbit and The Lord of the Ring films in order you'll see that firsthand, and that's what I suggest you do. That way by the time you get to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers the sour aftertaste of this movie would have long been washed away. Peter Jackson seemingly gave a fuck doing the LOTR films and he seemed to give a fuck on An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug, but he then seemed to check out on Five Armies and that was a damn shame because THIS was the one we were all waiting for. Watch the trailer of this film, it is far better than the film itself in almost every way and I'll see you at the theater.

 

Trailer Alert: Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

It's here Kornheads, the teaser trailer for the next installment of Star Wars and it shows you things you've never seen or thought you'd see in a Star Wars movie. X-Wing fighters skimming the ocean surface. The Millennium Falcon doing a maneuver that SCREAMS IMAX! A lightsaber the likes you've never seen before. And another Black face other than Billy Dee Williams! My inner twelve year old has been awakened! This teaser seems to have everything you could want and hope for and for me it has created a burning desire to buy my ticket NOW! It seems JJ has done it again, do you agree?

The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay Pt. 1

The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay Pt 1, the latest film in the Hunger Games franchise from director Francis Lawrence, is a film that was well worth the year long wait. If you were/are a fan of the books then you will definitely enjoy The Mockingjay even if it does require you to wait for part 2. It's a more intense, grander in size and scope movie than both of its predecessors and because of that I am giving The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay Pt. 1 four buckets of Killer Korn.












It's a very rare instance where you can say the third film in a movie franchise is the best of that franchise but that was the case in the Harry Potter films and it's the case for The Hunger Games movies. The third Potter film, Prisoner of Azkaban was directed by the Oscar Award winning directer Alfonso Cuaron. It showed a different side of Harry than the previous two films directed by Christopher Columbus, a more petulant, angry side to Harry no one had ever seen. The same goes for The Mockingjay Pt. 1. Francis gives us a different side to Katniss no one has seen yet, a more determined, hardened, smarter, and somewhat fearless Katniss the first two movies didn't bring to light. In my opinion that makes The Mockingjay Pt. 1 a far better film. The same cast is all back for round three but there have been some new additions. Julianne Moore plays President Alma Coin, Mahershala Ali plays Boggs, Sarita Choudhury plays Egeria, Wes Chatham plays Castor, Elden Henson plays Pollux, and Natalie Dormer plays Cressida.

This time around there is serious unrest in the districts, so much so that any association with the Mockingjay is a crime punishable by death and yet the districts fight anyway. There are some incredibly moving and powerful scenes in this movie. I call them "movie moments", where the director let's it all hang out. Francis did that a few times here so I can rest assured that Pt. 2 will be chock full of them. District 13 has taken in refugees from the utter destruction that was District 12 but that wasn't just done out of the kindness of President Coin's heart. She and Plutarch Heavensbee played once more by Phillip Seymour Hoffman wants no...needs her to be the voice and the face of the rebellion against the Capitol. She of course refuses at first but when she sees that Peeta is still alive she agrees but with conditions of her own and one is that her sister Prim gets to keep her cat. The other more pressing demands is that Peeta and the other Hunger Game victors be rescued as soon as possible. When a deal has been struck Katniss is introduced to Cressida, the best director the Capitol had before she defected. They want Katniss to star in a series of short propaganda films that the other districts can be inspired by. When Katniss sees what was done to District 8 she is more than eager to keep her end of the bargain.

The Mockingjay Pt. 1 is the first of the movies without another contest of kids killing kids, here we have adults finally being killed by other adults and it's a little jarring but great film making. Francis shows us the true dedication many of the Districts have for wanting to be from under the yoke of the Capitol with everything from fighting Capitol aircraft with small arms to suicide missions. The cinematography by Jo Williams was pure perfection. There wasn't a moment where anything looked off or out of place as far as look and feel. The music by James Newton Howard, while not one of my favorite composers did an excellent job with this score and lucky for him he had a lot to work with. There were some truly inspiring moments in this film and James' score was the perfect accompaniment. The Mockingjay Pt. 1 shows that Francis' Catching Fire was no fluke and that he was the right man to take over from director Gary Ross. I highly recommend this movie if you are/were a fan of the books and even if you haven't read them, this movie will still blow you away. Get your ticket and I'll see you at the theater.    

Beyond The Lights

Beyond The Lights, the latest film from writer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood is a tale about a broken superstar and her heroic police officer boyfriend. It is in effect, nothing new. This story has been done countless times and in countless ways, but the one thing those stories didn't have that this one does is one scintillating performance surrounded by great ones. Prince-Bythewood shows us what fame can do to ones soul and ones family in dramatic ways and because of that I give Beyond The Lights three buckets of Killer Korn.











My one biggest takeaway from this movie is that Gugu Mbatha Raw is one absolutely amazing actor. She is nothing less than a powerhouse and is definitely worthy of being a household name. This is two performances back to back that have blown me away. Earlier in the year she play the title role in the fantastic movie Belle and now she plays Noni, an up and coming pop star whose album is about to drop which would bring her more fame than she's ever known. Gina Prince-Bythewood, the woman behind the classic Love & Basketball competently directs this love story, deftly navigating the pop world with a sense of realism and the world of an ambitious police officer named Kaz played by Nate Parker, who is transitioning himself as deftly as he can into the world of Los Angeles politics. The film also stars Danny Glover as Kaz' dad Captain Nicol, Isaac Keys as Jonas, Aml Ameen as Trey, and Minnie Driver as Macy Jean. It's an impressive cast and Minnie and Gugu are perfect as mother and daughter, something I could have never imagined in a million years.

My one big issue with BTL (and the fact that I'm only giving it three buckets and not four) was everything just happened SO FAST! We got no back story on Kaz and how he got the "guard the superstars door" gig. We get no reason why Noni wants to commit suicide, there is no catalyst for such a decision. One minute she's just won her first major award and is signing autographs and the next she's on her hotel rooms balcony with nothing in-between those moments except adoring, admiring fans. Kaz saves her life and is then forced to lie to the press about what really happened. There's friction between the two and feeling bad about the way he treated her, Kaz wants to apologize and they reconcile and that's where Beyond The Lights get's cliche and goes off the rails. Noni woos Kaz because she not only feels safe around him but because she believes he's the first person in a host of people that actually sees that she's broken. She reveals to him her innermost desires and dreams and when something occurs at another awards show, the two run off together leaving everything behind.

Gina brings the movie back on the rails in the third act with Gugu doing an amazing rendition of Nina Simone's Blackbird (and for the record, if that's really Gugu singing, someone should sign her to a recording contract like...NOW). I got frustrated with the cinematography by the talented Tami Reiker. Everything seemed like a close-up or a step too late in following the action. The original songs were impressive but I don't recall the score by the amazing Mark Isham at all. None of those two things distracted from my enjoyment of the movie and while it's not built for a sequel or set up as a franchise, these are two characters I wouldn't mind revisiting. I highly recommend Beyond The Lights, it may just surprise you, and I'll see you at the theater.

Big Hero 6

Big Hero 6, the latest film from writers/directors Chris Williams and Don Hall is a fun filled, action packed, adventure about the practical birth of super heroes and loss. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie and while it did have that Saturday morning cartoon feel at times, it was so engrossing that you forgive that feeling (unless of course...you happen to like that feeling). I loved Big Hero 6, it can make you cry and it will crack you up. Because of that I am giving this movie four buckets of Killer Korn.












The star of Big Hero 6 is Baymax and I want one. No seriously, I want a Baymax. He is a personal medical assistant created by Tadashi (voiced by Danial Henney) because he felt Baymax could and would help those that needed it, even if they themselves didn't realize it for themselves. Tadashi's younger brother, the genius child Hiro (voiced by Ryan Potter) isn't trying to help anyone but himself in the beginning. All he wants to do is immerse himself in the illegal world of robot fighting and win as much money as he can. The two brothers live with their aunt Abigail (voiced by Katie Lowes and who is my second favorite character in the movie) who took the boys in after their parents died. Tadashi feels Hiro is wasting his abilities by not applying himself and Hiro thinks Tadashi is a giant nerd. That is until Tadashi trick Hiro into coming to his college and showing off his lab to Hiro, along with his fellow giant nerd friends. The second Hiro sees what's being built and designed in the lab and all the potential possibilities, he wants in.

Now I don't normally do animated movies because there are no performances to gauge. There is no real cinematography or costume designs to speak of and surprisingly every character is either just alike or they are so ridiculously over the top exaggerated that they border on annoyance. Thankfully Big Hero 6 avoids those pitfalls with some great characters that can stand on their own two animated feet. There's Go Go (voiced by Jamie Chung), Wasabi (voiced by Damon Wayans Jr.), Honey Lemon (voiced by Genesis Rodriguez), Fred (voiced by T.J. Miller) and Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit). All of these characters have something about them that's unique, not to mention their individual quirks that make them as close to real life humans as I have ever seen in an animated movie. The plot is nothing new in Big Hero 6 but what's different about this movie is the desire to not kill the bad guy for his evil deeds but capturing him and getting to the truth. All the while, you fall in love with Baymax. When his battery is low, he comes across as drunk and it is hilarious.

Big Hero 6 is ultimately about loss, coping with the emotions that come from dealing with that loss, having people around you that care, and then learning to let go and live again. It truly is a great movie for children who may be going through that or have gone through that already. The colors are vibrant and the movie is a fun time for kids and adults alike. With a score provided by the very talented Henry Jackman, Big Hero 6 musically and visually doesn't fail on any level. There are even renewable energy nods with wind turbines hovering over San Fransokyo. Now there is that Scooby-Do twist that you can sort of see coming but if you can forgive that then you will enjoy Big Hero 6, I did and I am satisfied with my care. I'll see you at the theater.

    

Fury

Fury, the latest film from writer/director David Ayer is the perfect example of a person sticking to what they know. David Ayer's films have all been about law enforcement and the perks as well as the perils that come with doing that job. He's been very successful, or at least entertaining at showing that life. Fury has him now taking on tank warfare in WWII and it's a big fat swing and miss. The movie was predictable, uninspiring, and lacking any real depth. Because Fury should have never been made I give it a bucket and a half of Killer Korn.











David Ayer wrote Training Day and wrote and directed End of Watch so he got a pass from me. That pass got destroyed when I saw his horrible film Sabotage, which he also wrote and directed. He seemed to have a serious love affair with police so when I heard he was doing yet ANOTHER WWII film to go along with ALL the other WWII films, I was curious because I enjoyed End of Watch so much. I had completely forgot that Sabotage was pure trash. Let me tell you the biggest problem I had with Fury, one of them anyway. It was with the marketing. If you saw the trailers then you saw the movie. The trailers showed you EVERYTHING, making the movie completely predictable from a story standpoint. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing took me by surprise while watching Fury because I knew what was coming. Second issue with this film was Brad Pitt playing the leader of his Sherman Tank squad, Don 'Wardaddy' Collier. If you saw Inglorious Bastards then you have a pretty good idea who Wardaddy was modeled after. Brad brought back Lt. Aldo Raine minus the stupid accent. Rounding out the cast is Shia LaBeouf as Boyd "Bible" Swan, Micheal Pena as Trini "Gordo" Garcia, Jon Bernthal as Grady "Coon-Ass" Travis, and Logan Lerman as Norman "Machine" Ellison.

Don's crew was just what you've come to expect from a movie about the second world war. One quotes Bible scripture, one is truly messed up in the head from war, one is the seemingly sane one, one doesn't quite belong on the front lines as he was trained to type 60 words a minute and has never seen a razor let alone hold a machine gun, and then there's their leader. A fearless, determined, brilliant leader who doesn't duck for cover like everyone else when mortar rounds are exploding around them. It's like they chose to rip off characters from Saving Private Ryan but got lost somewhere along the way. Now four Sherman tanks are given a mission, to hold a crossroads until a larger force can be mobilized. Out of a tank skirmish with a German Panzer tank only one Sherman escapes (guess who's) and heads to the crossroads. As the trailer indicates, the tank loses a tread but the guys stay and fight even though Wardaddy orders them to leave. You can guess the ending can't you?

The look of the film is a muddled mess. The color palette is dark, there is virtually no color anywhere and there's a ton of fucking mud everywhere yet it never seems to rain. The movie is devoid of almost any kind of humanity and while I know it's a war film there have been others that have delivered that necessary touch of decency. The one attempt at that makes no sense and falls completely flat. There was some cool scenes in the movie thanks to cinematographer Roman Vasyanov, I just wish there had been a few more. For a film centered around a tank and her crew, you'd be forgiven for expecting more tank battles than just the one. The music by Steven Price is fantastic. His music for Fury proves that what he did for Gravity was no fluke. There are moments where you "hear" Gravity musical cues but for the most part it provides the film with the emotion it's lacking on it's own. It is a job well done. I'd skip Fury if you haven't already seen it and wait for it on DVD unless you don't mind predictable bangs for your buck. I'll see you at the theater.

Interstellar

Interstellar, the latest from accomplished director Christopher Nolan is a monster of a movie. It contains everything anyone could ever want from a film. The action sequences are riveting, the space scenes are breathtaking, and the emotional impact is sledge hammer like. The cast is perfect and Christopher Nolan has one again delivered a film that will make you think, make you laugh, hold your breath, and even make you cry. I think it's one of the best movies of the year which is why I am giving Interstellar five buckets of Killer Korn.









SEE THIS MOVIE!

Now that I got that out of the way I can continue. The movie is Interstellar and it is beyond anything I have ever seen before, and I have seen a lot of movies. I have been a Christopher Nolan fan since Memento and while I may not have enjoyed all of the films he has directed, he has a winning record in my book so I give him the benefit of the doubt when he has a new release set to hit theaters. I call Chris "the master of the plot hole" because there have been some sizable ones in his films. However, this have never lessened my enjoyment or made me question the invested time and monies I put out to see his work because I am always rewarded in the end. Interstellar is no exception. It is a powerhouse of a movie starring Oscar Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. They are joined by John Lithgow, Michael Caine, Wes Bentley, Ellen Burstyn, David Oyelowo, Mackenzie Foy, Casey Affleck, and Oscar Award nominee Jessica Chastain. Written by Christopher and his brother Johnathan Nolan, Interstellar tells a tale of an earth that is coming perilously close to no longer being able to sustain mankind.

Armed with mathematical calculations Michael Caine's Dr. Brand and a team of NASA scientists believe that the only way to keep our species alive is to find a suitable planet in which to relocate on. The only problem is they don't really have a pilot. Conveniently McConaughey's Cooper is a pilot who actually once flew for NASA, was a one time University student of Dr. Brand's, and he just so happens to fall into their lap when he's needed the most. Dr. Brand convinces his one time student to pilot the mission and save his children, Cooper agrees to go after finding out that there were twelve previous astronauts sent through the wormhole and three of the twelve have been transmitting their locations back through the wormhole to earth. It's Cooper and his team's job to seek out those three planets to see which can sustain life the best. Sounds easy enough but Murphy's Law definitely come into effect and the bad guy is almost so obvious it's almost no shock when he reveals himself. The scene where he says goodbye to his kids and drives off to the countdown of the liftoff is gripping.

I won't call Interstellar a tearjerker but be prepared to have some tissue on hand just in case because the third act is chock full of some serious emotion. There is intrigue, drama, sabotage, and desperation but above all it is the emotion that ties this movie all together. Cooper and his daughter Murph have such a connection that not even a wormhole can sever. The production design by Nathan Crowley takes you from the homey comforts of Cooper's house to the closed in claustrophobic confines of space travel. The cinematography done by Hoyte Van Hoytema was masterful. Most of the images in this movie were breathtaking and I'm not just talking about the CGI work. Christopher once again employed the talents of Hans Zimmer to score the film and once again Hans delivers a score to a movie that didn't really need music that takes Interstellar to another level entirely. I loved this movie and I definitely think it's one of the best films of the year and quite possibly one of the best films I have ever had the privilege to lay eyes on. I'll see you at the theater.

Trailer Alert: Selma

Kornheads, the first time I saw the trailer for Selma, the latest Dr. King film, I was expecting the same garbage I had been given every time there was another film on the icon. Seconds in however, I knew this had the potential to be the best film on King that has ever been made. The more I watched it the more convinced I became. This film looks absolutely amazing and I can't wait to lay eyes on it. I had heard about it awhile back and wasn't all that certain it would be worth my time. I like the actor David Oyelowo a lot, I'm a huge fan but him playing Dr. King didn't seem like a good fit. The trailer still hasn't assured me that it is but the film itself looks powerful! Directed by Ava DuVernay, produced by Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt, and blessed with an amazing cast, Selma looks to make an awful lot of noise in the coming months. Take a look Kornheads and let me know what you think.

Trailer Alert: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Hey Kornheads, it's here. No I'm not talking about the cold weather (though that's here as well), I'm talking about the awesome trailer to the last Hobbit movie. It's freaking epic and if the movie is anything like it, the movie will be amazing. There are many old faces reprising their roles from the previous two Hobbit films as well as some from the LOTR trilogy. The music is fantastic and the film looks as if Peter Jackson is completely on his game. I don't usually look forward to the month of December rolling around but this year, this year I can't wait for it to get here. Take a look at the trailer Kornheads and let me know what you think.

Trailer Alert: Avengers 2: Age of Ultron

I have said it before and I will say it again, I HATED the first Avengers movie. I thought it was utter garbage and I saw it more than once. I did so in the hopes that it would get better, that it would grow on me...never did. So I wasn't looking forward to the sequel at all because it may suck just as bad as its predecessor, but I have to admit that the trailer completely fucking ROCKS! Will it be enough to get my butt in a seat remains to be seen but for now bravo Joss Whedon. The story seems solid and the villain is a childhood favorite of mine so this trailer kicks ass. Check it out Kornheads and let me know what you think.

Nas: Time Is Illmatic

Nas: Time is Illmatic, the debut documentary from director One9 is a magnificent trip down memory lane. The film seems to almost ask you, where were you when you first heard the most influential rap album ever dropped, Illmatic. One9 and writer Erik Parker have put together a film that somehow recaptured the energy of New York during what has proven to be one of the most pivotal times in rap music and hip hop culture. Because of that I give Nas: Time is Illmatic four buckets of Killer Korn.










I can't even begin to lie, this movie brought me back to a time that got pushed to the back of my mind. Thanks to adulthood and adulthood issues, the early to mid nineties got shoved aside because room had to be made for current shit that comes with growing older so this movie was the key that unlocked that door where all those memories were stored. I still listen to Illmatic but I somehow put away the memories that came along with that twenty year old classic. This movie unearthed them and forced me to remember them no matter how pleasing or painful they may have been. Leafing through those times in my memory book made me smile and made me understand why I still relish Nas' classic Illmatic, when I hear that album it transports me back to a time when things were fun's like time stands still.

I was twenty five when Illmatic dropped and I was introduced to it by my boy George and to say that my mind was blown would be an understatement. That was the second time rap music has done that too me. The first time was when I heard Eric B. & Rakim's 12" Eric B. is President, Nas followed that up with Illmatic, and then Eminem blew me away with The Marshall Mathers LP. It was Nas' Illmatic however that hit me the hardest and Nas: Time Is Illmatic offers behind the scenes information on the making of that album that a true fan will always be thankful for. The film is chock full of interviews by those that had a hand in putting Nas on, getting Nas signed, and having a hand in creating his classic debut. The film does more than that though, it takes you on a journey of Nas' life. From the start it vividly details the pain, trials, tribulations, and victories he's had throughout his life and career and it all culminates at the one place that would have seemed like a billion miles away from the housing project Nas grew up in, Harvard University.

Nas: Time is Illmatic touches on all the highs and lows of his life. It speaks to the rivalries he's had with other artists, the loss of his mother and best friend, the breakup and re-connection with his father and so much more. The cinematography was a bit off at times bordering on annoying by Frank Larson but he pulls it together more times than he loses it. For a debut film it was an amazing film and for a true fan of Nasir Jones, this was made for you. If you love Nas and Illmatic then I highly recommend Time. If you aren't that big of a fan of his but remember that period of New York fondly then you should check this movie out if you can, you will not leave disappointed and I'll see you at the theater.  

Gone Girl

Gone Girl, the latest film from master director David Fincher is a stylized, creepy, and insanely good movie on the pitfalls of marriage and a statement on society's unquenchable thirst for scandal. I did not read the novel by Gillian Flynn, who also write the screenplay, and after seeing this movie, I have no desire (or need) to. I don't see how the book could be that much better than the movie and because of that I am giving Gone Girl four and a half buckets of Killer Korn.










THIS IS NOT A DATE FILM! You might want to read that last sentence over again before you think of taking your significant other to the theater to check this movie out with you. That's not to say that this movie isn't exceptional because it is in EVERY way, it just doesn't cast a very pretty light on relationships. And if your significant other happens to be engaged to you, skip this film altogether, seriously. Go see something else, you'll be happy you did. Gone Girl is another notch in the belt of David Fincher, an artist I have been a big fan of since Se7en and who I list as one of my top three favorite directors. He has yet to fail to entertain me and that's saying a lot these days but he's consistently put out quality material so I have consistently been faithful. That consistency has paid off yet again. Gone Girl is adapted from the Gillian Flynn novel of the same name and in a stroke of genius (I don't know whose stroke it was actually) Gillian also wrote the screenplay which gave her a chance to fix or change some things she probably wished she could have fixed or changed in her book. Much in the same way Don Winslow, author of Savages and screenwriter of the movie changed the ending (for the better in my opinion) of Oliver Stone's film. From what I know of the changes made it seems Gillian improved upon her story.

Gone Girl stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, the amazing Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne, Tyler Perry as Nick's lawyer Tanner Bolt, Carrie Coon as Nick's fraternal twin Margo Dunne, Neil Patrick Harris as the long suffering Desi Collings, Kim Dickens as lead investigator Detective Rhonda Boney, and Patrick Fugit as Boney's partner Officer Gilpin. It's an impressive cast and everyone holds their own but make no mistake, this movie belongs to Rosamund Pike. She is absolutely phenomenal and if she isn't nominated come Oscar time that would be a crime. This creepy, gripping story is told initially from Nick's point of view and if you haven't read the book Fincher certainly makes Nick seem like a sociopath who could have easily killed his wife. Nick lies to the police, hides clues, and is overall smarmy in the first act of the movie. The second act is Nick trying desperately to prove his innocence as he and his team try to piece together what could have happened to Amy. The second act is gripping and tense as you watch Nick walk on that thin ice as the police finds Amy's journal which is chock full of slightly incriminating details regarding Nick. The third act though is where this film shines and where Fincher proves how much better a director he is than 80% of the clowns that are behind the camera these days.

Don't get me wrong, Gone Girl isn't without it's flaws. There's way too much Nick running around at night trying to get into houses, the part where they talk about Amy looking to buy a gun was completely unbelievable, Nick's father was barely in the story, and it could have been at least 15 to 20 minutes shorter. Those sins are completely forgivable though because you will be so wrapped up in this drama that you probably won't notice any one of those things. This movie sets you up and just when it has you right where it wants you, it yanks the rug right out from under you sending you careening head over foot. As usual Fincher employs the talented cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth, the two have worked together since Fincher's Fight Club and Gone Girl is another masterful job. Scored by the Oscar Award winning duo of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, the music is moody, dark, brooding, and lush. Coming off their obscure score of Fincher's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl is more straight ahead, direct, and perfect. This movie is a must see regardless of your having read the book or not, you will not be sorry you did unless of course you bring your significant other with you. I told you not to, you never listen to me. I'll see you at the theater (if you can make it out of the house).

The Drop

The Drop, the latest film from writer/director Michael R. Roskam is a gritty, tense, and grown up film with a story line that you can definitely sink your teeth into. The Drop will keep you guessing from the first frame to the end of the film and it is exceptional in between those two points. It's not my pick for best film of the year so far, just the second best and because of that I give The Drop five buckets of Killer Korn.












This is the movie so many other films this year aspired to be (yes I am talking about you Equalizer and A Walk Among The Tombstones), and it's a movie that you just may want to see twice. I know I do. The performances were amazing, from top billed on down there was no weak link in the chain and the story was truly well crafted. Why this movie is receiving such very little buzz is beyond me but I will rant and rave about it until everyone else catches up with it. The Drop is adapted from a short story called Animal Rescue by master storyteller Dennis Lehane who in turn wrote the screenplay (nothing beats continuity). The Drop was so good that I now want to read that story. The movie stars Tom Hardy as Bob, and I have to say I was truly impressed by his performance. Based on the last film I saw him in I didn't think he had something like this in him. He's joined by Noomi Rapace who plays the closed off and walled in Nadia, John Ortiz who plays the wise religious Detective Torres, Matthias Schoenaerts who plays the mentally unstable Eric Deeds, and in his last role ever there's James Gandolfini who plays the scheming Cousin Marv.

The story opens with the audience being clued in that throughout the city there are bars that are drop bars, collecting all sorts of dirty money from those that deal in it. The kind of money no one wants the government knowing about. Those bars never know when they are going to be designated a drop bar until maybe a day or two in advance and Cousin Marv's bar, Cousin Marv is the drop bar du jour. The story starts with the bar being held up at gunpoint after a day of collecting all sorts of illegal monies from an assortment of characters. Bob notices something about one of the robbers and tell Detective Torres, but on the flip side of that, the people that now own Cousin Marv want the money that was taken and they want Cousin Marv and Bob to get them their money. At the same time this is going on, Bob adopts an abused but adorable pit bull puppy he found in one of Nadia's garbage cans on his way home. Dennis finds a way to weave these two stories together as only he can and Tom Hardy brings Bob to life in such a way that will make you pick your jaw up off the floor at the end.

The Drop as stated above is the kind of adult fare one can really sink their teeth in. They can slap down their money or card, purchase a ticket, and walk out utterly satisfied that what they just saw was how movies should be done today. Every facet of movie making is done flawlessly here. From direction, production design, lighting, acting, to cinematography no complaints can be lodged, no fault can be found. I went to see The Drop simply because Dennis Lehane is one of my favorite writers, little did I know that this movie would possess a redeeming performance by Hardy AND one great last performance from Gandolfini. Cousin Marv isn't a stretch from Tony Soprano but it was a role Gandofini knows how to portray convincingly and does. The score by Marco Betrami was subtle and beautiful, heartbreaking almost and a job well done. All in all The Drop is a MUST SEE film. It can even be placed on the MUST SEE AGAIN list, and if you do you just may see me on line. I'll see you at the theater!

The Equalizer

The Equalizer, the latest movie from director Antoine Fuqua is an enjoyable take on the hit 80's TV show of the same name. This movie is over the top at times and it takes itself far too seriously but the cliche's are light and it was better than I thought it was going to be. Because of those reasons, I am giving The Equalizer  three buckets of Killer Korn.












For those like me that have been waiting years if not decades for The Equalizer to come to the big screen, calm down because this movie may only serve to disappoint you. If you've never seen the show then by all means, check this out. This version of The Equalizer starring Denzel Washington as Robert McCall wants to be an origin story from the hit 80's show of the same name, except on the show Robert McCall was a white Englishman living in a brownstone in Harlem. Whereas Denzel's McCall is living in a one bedroom tenement in Boston. TV's McCall was a wealthy retired spy, Denzel's McCall is working in a giant hardware store. If you can get past those differences then you might enjoy Antoine Fuqua's The Equalizer. Granted it's over the top at times and it beats you over the head with McCall being a solitary man, not to mention it doesn't even begin to tell you why he would put himself on the line to help a hooker he only knows from late night diner conversations over books and pie, but I digress. There are some cliches but they aren't overwhelming surprisingly and the violence is brutal. Much of this movie reminds me of the character Denzel portrayed in a far superior movie, Man On Fire. This movie borrows heavily from Tony Scott's film in regards to McCall's personality and dedication to getting things done.

McCall's nemesis in this movie is Teddy aka Nicholai, played cartoonishly by Marton Csokas. He is the right hand man and hammer of one of the heads of the Russian mob, Vladimir Pushkin played by Vladimir Kulich (I know, I know). Pushkin has his hands in everything from oil and gold, to drugs and women and it's one of these women, a prostitute name Teri aka Alena played by Chloe Grace Moretz who befriends an insomniac McCall at a twenty-four hour diner close to his house. Of course nothing good can come out of this situation but before you can tell yourself that one thing leads to another and McCall is a room full of Russian gangsters. The trailer gives you a sense he survives that encounter but what the movie fails to explain is why McCall felt compelled to go in there and risk his life in the first place. Regardless, Teddy comes to town looking for the one or ones responsible and he comes across McCall on surveillance tapes. The two men play a cat and mouse game for the remainder of the movie that tends to drag on far longer than it should, and the ending was, well remember that over the top comment I made earlier? It applies to the ending.

Denzel does a decent job of bringing Robert McCall to life but honestly he seemed uninspired and his performance isn't something new. The Equalizer has Denzel being Denzel in almost every frame. In essence, he just walked through this movie. The last time Antoine and Denzel worked together they delivered the searing Training Day, which won Denzel his second Oscar (first for Best Actor). This time around there will be no such glory. The score, composed by Harry Gregson-Williams was very reminiscent of his previous works, namely the score he did for The Town, so I was somewhat underwhelmed by the music though it did have it's moments, especially at the end. The cinematography and the look of the film was thanks to Oscar Award winner Mauro Fiore. There were times when the tone was somewhat heavy handed and others when it was perfectly done. All in all I would recommend The Equalizer but only if you've never seen an episode of the original TV series and only if you're fine with Denzel being Denzel, and I'll see you at the theater!

A Walk Among The Tombstones

A Walk Among The Tombstones, the latest film from writer/director Scott Frank was mediocre at best. It could have been a lot better, more scintillating, and far more frightening. It starts off somewhat interesting but then if peters out in the end. I was expecting more than what I got from the story and the directors vision, though I was pleased with some of the performances. It's those performances that inspire me to bestow A Walk Among The Tombstones two buckets of Killer Korn.











I have a friend who is an ENORMOUS fan of author Lawrence Block, the man behind the book this movie was adapted from. I am going to tell her to skip this movie because at best it may sour her on the book and at worse it may piss her off. I am sick and tired of movies that don't answer the obvious questions that arise regarding plot, motivations, and tactics and this movie must be thrown into that pile. A Walk Among The Tombstones blew chance after chance to be a gritty and frightening procedural. It started off that way but it lost its mojo somewhere around the second act and I attribute that to a few factors. First off, if you are going to create monsters, keep them monstrous. Humanizing the monsters takes away their power, it weakens the scare factor by ten, and it puts the good guys on equal footing with the monsters. Liam Neeson's Matt Scudder is an ex-cop who is the good guy which suddenly becomes just as intimidating as the monsters thanks to some dubious directing. You no longer fear if Scudder will survive the eventual confrontation with the malevolent force in the film, you start to wonder how he will.

The story starts off good. Scudder, a recovering alcoholic is approached by a fellow 12 stepper Howie who is played by Eric Nelsen. Howie's brother Kenny, played by Dan Stevens needs a service rendered that only Scudder can provide. Kenny's wife was kidnapped and although the ransom had been paid, his wife was slaughtered anyway. Kenny wants those responsible brought to him and he's willing to pay Scudder handsomely to do that. Researching other missing women Scudder comes across a street wise homeless kid name TJ played by Brian Bradley in just his second movie. He's the charm this movie was devoid of before he showed up on the screen. The two hit it off and develop a solid friendship and should there be a sequel to Tombstones, TJ and Scudder's relationship would be a reason worthy of buying a ticket. In the end though, the monsters aren't that intimidating, they are more frightening in the trailer honestly. One of them actually pulls of a Harry Houdini like escape that is never truly explained.

I was hoping for something powerful and instead what I got was a watered down version of something that could have been an incredibly strong drink, the kind that you feel as it goes down. This was a light beer and that was upsetting. The trailer is more intense than the movie. The music by Carlos Rafael Rivera was moody and dark, too bad it was wasted on a light beer. The cinematography was crisp and clear and had impressive moments thanks to Mihai Malaimare Jr. I would have liked to see what he could have done with a more impactful story that answered some of the questions it created as opposed to leaving the viewer hanging. I recommend skipping A Walk Among The Tombstones and read the book instead. You might enjoy this story more that way and I'll see you at the theater.

   

The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner, the first full length feature film from director Wes Ball is an incoherent, jumbled, empty vessel of a film. I have never read the book and maybe those that have will enjoy this film. For those in the same boat as me will be you may find this movie quite confusing. I'll admit that I found the premise interesting, which is the reason why I saw it but I could have missed it and been just fine. I was originally going to give this movie two and a half buckets of Killer Korn, but the more I thought about it the more I realized it deserved no more than a solitary bucket.









The Maze Runner is the first major film by Wes Ball and it looked like it. The movie initially come across as one that seems worthy of your time, attention, and money but the more you think about it the more you realize just how weak it is. The plot holes are massive and the ending is head scratching at best. Maybe those questions are answered in The Maze Runner Chapter II: The Scorch Trials which is currently in pre-production but I doubt that is a movie I'll be seeing since this one did not impress. The Maze Runner stars Dylan O'Brien as Thomas and the movie opens up with him wildly overacting. He's ascending in an elevator and has no idea where he's going, where he came from, or who he even is. He doesn't even remember his name. All he knows is that he has to get out of the little compound where there lives a collection of other boys all around the same age, and out of the maze. The leader of this Lord of the Flies type situation is Alby, played by Aml Ameen and he breaks down the rules and regulations to Thomas and they are to be obeyed no matter what. Thomas Brodie-Sangster plays Newt and is Alby's second in command. He takes Thomas under his wing. Thomas reveals to Newt that he wants to be a maze runner, a group of boys led by Minho, played by Ki Hong Lee that run the maze during the day to map it and see if there is a way out.

Thomas becomes a maze runner after throwing himself into the maze after dark to help Minho save Alby who runs the maze after a runner get's infected and is expelled from the "island". Thomas survives the night and actually kills a creature known as a "griever", something that is extremely hostile and was believed to be invincible. Thomas' stature grows after that and all seems well but that doesn't last long when the only girl is introduced to the island with a note proclaiming that she will be the last one. That's where the story really starts falling apart. So many things happened that just didn't make sense that made the movie that more unbelievable. Teresa, played by Kaya Scodelario was the only girl amongst a horde of boys in their sexual prime and there was not one instance of sexual tension or frustration. Not one boy flipped out and tried to attack her, which would have made sense if the majority of the boys were gay but even that was never spoken on. It was like everyone was neutered in some way, or the producers just chose to ignore the obvious realities of that situation.

The ending of The Maze Runner made absolutely no sense and while I'm most certain the book answered all the questions the movie created, again though if you've never read the book then you will more than likely be just as lost as I was. This film was soulless and not even remotely interesting. The score by John Paesano far too often sounded like a melange of other scores from other composers, completely devoid of anything original. I would definitely skip The Maze Runner and encourage you to read the series of YA books by author James Dashner. I'm sure you'll have a far more enjoyable time going that route and I'll see you at the theater.    

The Hundred Foot Journey

The Hundred Foot Journey, the latest film from talented director Lasse Hallstrom is a touching romantic comedy for the foodie and non-foodie alike. It's a beautiful film to watch, imbued with so much heart and love that you don't want the movie to end, at least I didn't. Not a perfect film but still a great one which is why I'm giving The Hundred Foot Journey three and a half buckets of Killer Korn.  











Right off the bat, The Hundred Foot Journey has an amazing cast and it's their performances that make this an extremely entertaining film. From the subtle facial expressions to the overt shows of emotion, this movie hit a home run on the casting. The story centers around an Indian family that has left Bombay after the destruction of their restaurant. They are seeking somewhere else to live other than under the flight path of Heathrow Airport in London. They wind up in a small town in France and the father, Papa Kadam who is played by the amazing Om Puri falls in love with an abandoned structure and decides to buy it and turn it into a new family restaurant. The only catch is just across the road, a mere hundred feet away lies a highly celebrated restaurant owned and operated by Madame Mallory, played by the exquisite Helen Mirren. Her eatery has already earned a much coveted and seemingly impossible to earn Michelin Star and she desperately wants another. Papa however is undeterred because he feels he has an ace up his sleeve, that would be his son Hassan, played wonderfully by Manish Dayal. Hassan learned everything he knows about cooking from his mother but he doesn't refer to himself as a chef, he considers himself at first to be nothing more than a cook.

Papa opens up his restaurant and the hilarious rivalry begins in earnest. Mallory and Papa go toe to toe over zoning rights, animal vaccinations, and produce from the market. She bests Pap at first but he's a fast learner and eventually evens the score. That goes on as Hassan and the sous chef in Mallory's restaurant named Marguerite played charmingly by Charlotte Le Bon begin to fall for each other but it's not all picture perfect. The rivalry at one point turns racial and even potentially deadly, but that is handled with a deft and light handed touch by Lasse. That same skill is shown when the budding romance between Papa and Mallory comes to light, it will make you smile. Hassan goes from a cook to celebrated chef in Paris but seemingly loses his way. This is the only cliche part of the movie for you see what's coming next, at least I did. It did not detract from the charm this film exudes in any way thankfully. I just wish Hassan's brother Mansur played by Amit Shah and his lovely sister Mahira played by Farzana Dua Elahe were more fleshed out. The questions as to what happens to the restaurant when Hassan leaves is never adequately addressed in my opinion.

As I have said already, The Hundred Foot Journey is a beautiful film to look at. The lighting and camerawork was exceptional. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren did a wonderful job at not just capturing the landscape and quaintness of the small French town Saint Antonin, but also those moments in the kitchens where spices are being sprinkled into a dish and the food is being lovingly prepared. Be warned, this movie CAN make you hungry, I know it did me. The beautiful score provided by the two time Academy Award winning composer A. R. Rahman was the perfect accompaniment for what was on the screen. It possessed the magical blend of classical and Indian music that this playful score was built upon and which this movie was all about. It was a job well done, hats off to you Mr. Rahman. If you are a foodie then see this film, if you're not a foodie, see this film because it has the potential to convert one into a foodie. Best of all though, it will absolutely entertain you and if you have a burning desire to see a grown up movie, go buy a ticket to The Hundred Foot Journey, it will not disappoint. I'll see you at the theater.    

July 21, 1951 ~ August 11, 2014

The world is a worse place today.

The dates above represent the life span of one of the most transcendent talents to have ever lived. His name was Robin Williams. He was an amazingly funny man that left behind a collection of incredible movies that included The World According To Garp, Awakenings, Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, Good Morning Vietnam, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, the voice of the genie in Aladdin, and Good Will Hunting to name just a few. We were not worthy.

Robin quietly (and not so quietly) suffered from depression and battled with substance abuse issues throughout most of his career but his talent could make you forget all of that in a blink of an eye. He could make us laugh to the point of passing out and many times he was the butt of the joke. People watched Comic Relief, the charity to help the homeless because they wanted to see him, Whoopie Goldberg, and Billie Crystal lose their minds on stage and make us feel good about helping those less fortunate than ourselves.

The world is indeed a worse place today than in was yesterday. He was the epitome of the phrase "one of a kind". When people say "there will never be another like him/her", that phrase was never more appropriate than it is when talking about Robin Williams. Thank you for all you've shared with us Robin and have given us and may you finally find peace in death that you could not find in life. We will all miss you so much.

   

Into The Storm

Into The Storm, the latest movie from director Steven Quale is at times a rip roaring roller coaster of a movie. The other times it's a tired melodrama that slows the pace down considerably. Thankfully the roller coaster ride is more of what you get with Into The Storm and because of that I give it three buckets of Killer Korn.












This is Steven Quale's second full length feature film, his first being Final Destination 5. I have no idea if that movie was good or bad and quite frankly I didn't care who directed Into The Storm because they trailer had me at "storm". Let me explain, deep, deep, deep inside me lives this guy who loves storms and get's giddy when there's thunder shaking the buildings and lightning blazing across the skies. He is too small however to compel me to go storm chasing (I shout his behind down every time he brings it up). So when I saw this trailer I was all in, director be damned which is very unlike me but when I saw those jets getting swept up in a F5 tornado, an F5 wouldn't have kept me away. Okay, maybe an F5 would have, but if it were an F3 I would have been there munching on my popcorn and having a great time buddy.

Made for a scant $50 million dollars, Storm should have no problem making that money back and then some at the box office. There are no big names in the film and the cast holds only two really familiar faces. Sarah Wayne Callies who played Lori in The Walking Dead plays Allison, a women with a PhD in meteorology and Scott Lawrence who's a consummate character actor that's been in pretty much everything plays Principal Walker. Richard Armitage who is a good actor in his own right but hasn't done many movies plays Gary, a widower with two young boys under his care. The rest of the cast is comprised of mainly TV actors so they came relatively cheap which is good. You can't have a film called Into The Storm and have a weak looking storm so the money they saved on casting went towards the jaw dropping special effects. So don't go in expecting Shakespeare like performances and you'll be fine. Oh, and this movie is NOT a remake of the 1996 movie Twister, just letting you know.

The plot is a simple one written by John Swetnam, never before seen weather patterns are converging on a small Oklahoma town during high school graduation. Tornadoes touch down and wreak havoc while boy and girl struggle to stay alive in abandoned building before determined dad can save them as he dodges twister after twister. The big moment though is when an F5 forms and touches down, that's when the jaw drops and everything in it's path is destroyed. Yep, I'll admit it, I was giddy. Into The Storm is a pure popcorn summer movie that was far better than Guardians of the Galaxy could ever hope to be on less than half the budget. Think about that if you see it and imagine what could have been had Storm possessed the kind of budget Guardians did and vice versa. Check out Storm, you won't be sorry and I'll see you at the theater!  

Spoiler Time: Get On Up

Hey Kornheads, that's that time of year again, actually it's more that time of week but you know what I meant. This is where I break down everything completely wrong and some of what's right with the Tate Taylor directed Get On Up. Don't ask me why because based on the box office, there isn't a soul in this land that's going to see this movie but this could be fun. Let's get started, shall we?


Making a movie on the life and times of the Godfather of Soul is a daunting task. That is the only pass I give the director, screenwriters, and producers. That man has done so much, accomplished so much, and lived such an amazing life that to try and distill it all down into a two hour movie is a foolish attempt, and yet Get On Up is in theaters today. The problem with it is simply...everything. Outside of the Oscar award winning performance of Chadwick Boseman, this movie is a joke. From the blatant Ray ripoffs to the lack of James Brown's cultural impact on his people, this movie misses on damn near every level.

Did you know James Brown performed for the inmates at Rykers Island in New York back in 1972? Did you know one of his wives died while undergoing plastic surgery? Did you know he recorded three hours of music for the film Black Caesar without ever seeing the movie? Remember his epic concert he gave before the Muhammad Ali, George Foreman fight in Kinshasa, Zaire? Remember his iconic groundbreaking song "(Say It Loud) I'm Black and I'm Proud"? Did you know of his somewhat friendly rivalry between him and Little Richard? Did you know James' first love was baseball but went with singing because the girls loved singers? Did you know he owned radio stations? Did you know his nickname in prison was 'Music Box'? Did you know he had a sit down with President Richard Milhous Nixon regarding the state of affairs in the ghetto? Did you know he was a drug addict up until his death on Christmas in 2006? Did you know he is the most sampled musician in the history of music and that without James there would be no hip hop? If you knew none of this don't worry, you aren't alone because it appeared that those involved with Get On Up didn't know any of this either.

None of the things I listed were in the movie, NOT ONE! And yet Get On Up was supposedly about James Brown. It could have been a movie about some fictional character, say James "Thunder" Early played by Eddie Murphy in the Dreamgirls movie. Then Get On Up would have been decent, but to say this was a movie based on the most influential man in music is a misnomer. It's just flat out not true. Tate Taylor said "this movie is about singing and dancing" which is the absolute wrong idea to have when you call yourself making a James Brown biopic. The man was so much more than that and Tate Taylor needs to be ashamed of himself and he needs to be banned from doing anymore movies that deal with Black people. He obviously doesn't get it. I would have loved to have seen what this movie would have looked like had Spike Lee directed it.

Now the sad part is this, Tate Taylor's career will survive this but Black movies will take a huge hit. As of today, Get On Up has earned just $17,113,630. Hollywood will point to that number and say, "See, there's no market for Black movies" completely ignoring the fact that this "Black" movie is just horrid. And that may have something to do with everyone behind the camera being white and everyone in front of the camera, with a few exceptions, being Black. I'm glad I saw it, just to see Chadwick's mind blowing performance but this movie needs to be burned and forgotten about and the sooner the better.

Tell me Kornheads, when you heard about this movie, were you excited to see it, indifferent, or had no desire whatsoever? I'd love to know!

Get On Up

Get On Up, the latest film from the director that bought the bestselling novel The Help and the terribly unfunny Pretty Ugly People to the screen, Tate Taylor now brings to theaters what has to be the worse idea for a James Brown biopic, Get On Up. This movie is the most disjointed, unfocused, surface only story of the Godfather of Soul that could have possibly been made. I would have given this movie barely a bucket of Killer Korn but because of the amazing performances of the incredibly talented cast, I'm giving it two and a half.









A few days ago I was in a cab and the driver and I got to talking about James Brown and the driver asked me who I thought could play him. I said the only one that could play "the hardest working man in show business" was dead. He asked me who that was and I said "James Brown". I now reject that statement outright because after watching Chadwick Boseman talk, dance, and sing like Mr. Brown I now feel there are two people that could play Mr. Dynamite. Chadwick Boseman didn't impress me in 42 so when I heard he was pegged to bring James Brown to life in his biopic, I was apprehensive. In 42 I felt his performance was stiff and lacked any real emotion and I viewed him as a mediocre talent. After seeing Get On Up I now know that Chadwick is an amazing talent with no limitations, for him the sky's the limit. Sadly though his amazing performance was saddled with a muddled, milquetoast vision of James Brown and his life. Get On Up was more dancing and singing than truly delving into the man himself. It was Ray without being anywhere as good as that film, and Ray could have been so much better. Could it do for Chadwick what Ray did for Jamie Foxx? Perhaps. The possibility for Chadwick winning an Oscar is not inconceivable, not with his scintillating portrayal.

In a movie that was directed by a white man, produced by white people, with a script written by two white men from London, England it's really no surprise that this movie did not touch on what Black people loved most about James Brown. That probably explains why I was the lone Black face in the theater. Black people are staying away from this movie in droves because they somehow instinctually know they will leave disappointed, like I was. There were things I was hoping this movie would reveal about one of the most important and influential men in music and in the end the few things I hoped to learn weren't even discussed in passing. Quite frankly this was a flat out embarrassment to the legend and James would be pissed off that this movie is supposed to represent him to the world and somehow tell his story.  I would like you to read the article penned by award winning screenwriter Gregory Allen Howard about what went on as they put this movie together, The Whitewashing of James Brown. It's extremely telling how Black peoples opinions are viewed as not important.

The cast was an impressive one so the performances were amazing. Viola Davis played mother Susie Brown, Nelsan Ellis from True Blood fame played Brown's best friend Bobby Byrd (portrayed in this movie with having NO backbone), Lenni James played father Joe Brown, Dan Aykroyd played promoter Ben Bart, Oscar winner Octavia Spencer played Aunt Honey, Craig Robinson played the amazing Maceo Parker, Tika Sumpter played Yvonne Fair, and Jill Scott played James' last wife Deedee Brown. Sadly everyone in the cast (other than Dan) proved to be the only Black faces that had anything to do with this movie, but they were amazing. The film itself cut have been trimmed by at least fifteen minutes and it made me wonder if the people responsible for this went to the Quinton Tarantino school of film making. The story jumped all over the place which made it hard to focus at times.

I walked out of Get On Up the same way I walked in and that was upsetting. My memories of James Brown weren't enhanced, I wasn't shown anything new that I didn't already know about and since that was the case, it makes one wonder why do the damn movie in the first place. The answer to the question came as I was exiting the theater. I passed an elderly white couple as the man was trying to explain to his companion exactly what "the groove" was. This movie wasn't made for Black people to see, learn more about, and enjoy their hero, it was made for white people strictly. White people who had no idea what James was talking about when he was talking about "the groove". If you were looking for any real insights to the legend, stay away from this movie and everything that has to do with it. If you want to see Chadwick Boseman light up the screen then check it out and enjoy him as he does his thing and I'll see you at the theater.

Spoiler Time: Guardians of the Galaxy

What's up Kornheads? It's that time again. Time for me to reveal all the questions that this movie inspired that really have no answers. This one will be short and sweet, I promise. Really, so go grab something to drink or get a snack and enjoy the ride. I should have added brief to that ride thing. If you haven't seen the movie yet, maybe reading this will discourage you to do so. SAVE YOUR MONEY people. Seriously, put that shit right back in your pocket and keep it moving!


Guardians of the Galaxy clearly indicates the time of directors paying their dues or making their bones is over. As indicated in my review of this movie, I stated director James Gunn has never directed a film that was profitable. That his only claim to fame, and the film that may have gotten him this gig was a movie called Slither that lost money. He wrote Slither and Super, another movie that lost money along with a few of other films that he didn't direct. He penned the Scooby-Doo movies which were successes at the box office so of course he was pegged to not just direct but write Guardians. Now I always thought that only weather forecasters were the only people that could be wrong or off 80% of the time and keep their jobs. I was wrong.

Guardians starts off with a very young Peter Quill being kidnapped from earth. Seemingly long before the Kevin Bacon Footloose movie was released. I say that because all the music on his cassette tape that he had on him when he's kidnapped are from the late 70's early 80's. Footloose was released in 1984 and since we aren't given a year as to when Peter was taken how would he know ANYTHING about that movie or who in the hell Kevin Bacon is? Is he watching Hollywood movies on the other side of the galaxy? No explanation, you're just supposed to buy that plot hole.

The movie opens with him hot on the trail of a metallic orb. He has no idea what it does or what it contains and he seems to be the only one looking for it. As he dances across a path that leads to the orb he acts as if no one else knows about this thing until later in the movie do you see that EVERYONE gives a damn about it. So then how is Peter the first to arrive on the scene and get his hands on the orb before everyone else? That's never explained, you're just supposed to buy yet another plot hole.

I'm guessing, based on his musical equipment that plays human cassette tapes on his ship that he may have been back to earth. That would be the only logical explanation as to why his Walkman still works. Those things only worked on AA batteries so Peter must have a shit load of Duracell batteries in the hold of his ship somewhere. While he's here getting batteries, is he going to the movies? None of this makes ANY sense and yet you're just supposed to accept this little earth nostalgia stuff as charming.

Glenn Close aka Nova Prime signs a peace treaty with the Krull, getting what they wanted while calling for a cease fire between the two forces and yet when Ronan is on his way to destroy her world, she reaches out to her enemy to help her fight Ronan. Why in the world would she expect any help from her sworn enemy? It's that same reasoning I suppose that causes The Collector's assistant to touch the stone after he explains the destructive power of said stone, thereby obliterating her and destroying his shop.

And lastly (see, told ya...brief), how in the hell does Peter know what a dance off is? Or even what dancing is? He's been on the other side of the galaxy for twenty years. I would assume "dancing" is what humans call that action, not the rest of the galaxy. I would think it would be called something else someWHERE else, or am I mistaken? I won't mention the fact that everyone speaks PERFECT English either, complete with colloquialisms and sarcasm. I know it's a comic book blah blah blah, does that mean you get to be lazy and not put a creative spin on the movie? Nor will I mention the racial thing either, why beat a dead although somewhat significant horse?

I have heard this movie referred to as a "space opera". If this were ANY kind of opera, the diva would have been yanked off the stage and beaten with wet loaves of bread. Oh, and Rocket steals the movie. Later Kornheads!