Stuck In Love

Stuck In Love, the first film from writer/director Josh Boone is a movie that on the surface looks like a cute romcom, but underneath that veneer is a movie rife with heart. There aren't a lot of surprises here, if you seen one movie that deals with teenage angst, then you've pretty much seen them all. Stuck In Love however does add a different dimension, middle aged angst and that is a movie you don't normally see everyday, because of that I give Stuck In Love three buckets of Killer Korn.





To be honest with you, I saw Stuck In Love because I needed something light. With the recent acquittal of a certain individual down in Florida, and after seeing Fruitvale Station, I needed some lighthearted fare (and not to mention some AC). I thought Stuck In Love would fit that bill perfectly. I wasn't in the mood for another bout of Pacific Rim and there was nothing else out there that I pretty much haven't seen already so Stuck In Love won out. Written and directed by first time director Josh Boone, Stuck is a story about a fractured family, both structurally and emotionally. It stars Greg Kinnear (look how far Talk Soup has brought him) and he plays writer William Borgens, a man quite literally, stuck in love. He's in a veritable holding pattern for his ex wife Erica, played by Jennifer Connelly, who has moved on with her life and remarried, though William is sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Erica will return to him. He even goes so far as to set a place for her at the table on Thanksgiving.

Erica and William have two children. Rusty, played by Nat Wolff is the youngest, a seventeen year old who idolizes Stephen King and Samantha, played by Lily Collins is a twenty something year old, college kid who is getting her first book published. Oh, did I mention that she hates Stephen King? Let the sibling rivalry begin. William is a moderately successful writer and he not so subtlety pushes his kids into becoming writers themselves, but while Samantha throws herself at guys for quick flings and shies away from any real connection, Rusty is like a neutered pet. He's in love with a classmate, Kate played by Liana Liberato who's into all sorts of damaging things but sees Rusty as a lifeboat and latches on. Rusty is open and sharing, a dreamer and romantic, and has a pretty good relationship with his mother. Sam on the other hand despises her mother, hides behind walls, and keeps almost everyone except her dad at arms distance. Even with her dad though, she's secretive and cautious. It's not until Lou, played by Logan Lerman enters her life that her walls begin to crack.

William has taken to stalking his ex, going so far as to spy on her and her new husband from right outside their house, an idea that was done with far more creativity and warmth in Crazy, Stupid Love with Steve Carell. Sam hates the fact that her dad can't seem to move on like her mother apparently has, yet she does know her dad is sleeping with  their married neighbor from down the beach, Tricia who's hilariously played by Kristen Bell. Erica can't deal not being in her daughters life in some way, feels she may have made a mistake in leaving William, and even admits that to him at one point. William then divulges a huge secret to Sam and explains why he hasn't moved on with his life. Sam finally understands and tries to make amends with everyone, even Rusty in the coolest way ever.

Stuck In Love is a good movie, it's very well balanced. It has just the right amount of schmaltz and the right amount of heart. At times it takes itself too seriously but those moments don't last all that long. There are some truly endearing moments that will make you smile, and some that will almost bring a tear to your eye, and there are those moments that will make you laugh out loud as you recall being in similar circumstances. The film was shot nicely by cinematographer Tim Orr. There was nothing in the story line that called for any great camera angles or amazing shots, Stuck is pretty much a straight ahead film that was meant to be shot in a pedestrian manner. The music in the film was nice, the moment where Lou shares his favorite song with Sam was timeless. The score though, like the cinematography was pedestrian. There was nothing special or gripping about it, it fit nicely into it's space and it went well with the images. If you need to see something that doesn't require a lot of thought, if you need something light, and you've already seen the popcorn flicks then check out Stuck In Love, it'll make you smile. I'll see you at the theater.

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station, the first feature length film by writer/director Ryan Coogler isn't a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination. What it is though is a beautifully woven tapestry of a young mans last day on earth. It is a serious, emotional film with huge heart, and it's one I think everyone should see. Technically Ryan's technique needs work but he does such a magnificent job of taking us on a journey that I give Fruitvale Station three and a half buckets of Killer Korn.






I know I am not the first person to say this, but if Michael B. Jordan get's the right opportunities, gets the right breaks, and gets lucky, he could be HUGE! I'm talking Walk of Fame and have a sandwich or a street named after him HUGE. Seriously, Michael is incredibly talented and imminently believable as Oscar Grant III. He runs through the gamut of every emotion in this movie so naturally it was like he was born to play this role. Fruitvale Station is a tapestry of the last day of Oscar's life and all those he came in contact with, how this flawed man with a lack of impulse control and anger issues is trying to turn his life around. Oscar isn't a saint, but he's no devil either. What he is is a devoted father, boyfriend, and son to the three most important women in his life. He's a good friend to his boys, a fierce fighter, and a compassionate soul. He sounds like someone I would have liked to have known.

Directoy Ryan Coogler starts Fruitvale off with Oscar being shot at Fruitvale Station by the transit police. The footage is taken from cell phones that filmed the entire incident, the quality is poor but you know what's going on, and the suddenness of the shooting is quite shocking. From there, we are transported back to that morning and a tender moment between Oscar and his girlfriend Sophina played by the incredibly talented Melonie Diaz. From that moment you are immediately shown Oscars devotion to Sophina, but you are also shown that Oscar makes mistakes, especially the one where he cheated on Sophina with another girl. Oscar is trying to put that in the past but Sophina is having a hard time letting it go. The very next moment, you are shown just how much of a devoted father Oscar is to his daughter Tatiana, played by the adorable Ariana Neal who can't sleep.

Oscar wants to be a hard working man who wants to take care of his family, but made a few mistakes along the way which has made that almost impossible for him to do. It's New Years Eve and it's his mothers birthday. Oscars mother Wanda is played by the Oscar Award winning actress Octavia Spencer. Oscar, Sophina, and Tatiana go by to celebrate the day with her. It's after everyone finishes off Grandma Bonnie's world famous seafood gumbo is finished, and Oscar and his mother are doing the dishes where she tells him that he should take the train into San Francisco to watch the fireworks. She ultimately convinces him by telling him there will be far less traffic on the train than the streets. It's a decision that comes back to truly haunt her.

Oscar meets up with his friends, late as usual and they head to San Fran on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). The night goes well until they begin to head home, and though you know what's coming, at times it's hard to watch. The interaction between Oscar and his friends and the antagonistic white cops takes you further down the path where the beginning cell phone video ultimately leads you too. The movie ends in such a powerful way that it's almost hard to take, what's hard to stomach though was the information given at the end of the movie.The cop that shot Oscar was sentenced to only two years behind bars and only does eleven months for the murder of Oscar Grant. There is very little music in this movie, but that's because the movie really didn't need any. Not a scene in Fruitvale Station needed any emotional enhancement, but Ludwig Goransson will get credit for the score. The cinematography by Rachel Morrison looked like it was done by someone fresh out of film school. There were some amazing shots here and there, but overall Rachel needs to improve her skills.

This movie comes at a time in our lives where the world is hurting due to a lack of justice for a young man from Florida. His name can be added to the same list as Michael Stewart, Sean Bell, Eleanor Bumpers, Amadou Diallo, Oscar Grant III and so many others whose names we do not know. Fruitvale Station is a wonderful work of art, and though it may be hard to watch at times, it's absolutely worth going to see. I'll see you at the theater.

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain

Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, the latest concert film from Kevin Hart's world tour was an entertaining romp through his life's ups and downs. He talks about his divorce, his inability to not lie, his experiment with drugs, and his mishaps with his friends. Directed by Leslie Small and Tim Story, the film starts off corny, with Kevin having to defend himself from all the rumors going around about him. That part was directed by Tim Story and it was completely unnecessary. I get that it was supposed to lead into Kevin's need to explain himself, but honestly it was stupid and a waste of time. The movie begins to take off when you follow Kevin and his merry band of misfit friends on tour. You get to see just how much Kevin owes Youtube for a good portion of his success, when he hits the stage of Madison Square Garden, complete with his pointless fire, he crushes it. Let Me Explain isn't as good as his Laugh At My Pain in my opinion but it's still a crazy laugh fest, and if you need a good laugh, like I did when I saw it, it will not disappoint, except for maybe that stupid beginning. Three buckets of Killer Korn.

Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim, the latest film by master filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro is the epitome of a blockbuster, tent pole, popcorn summer movie. It is escapism at it's finest, and even though the Black guy dies (as usual), it's a forgivable sin in my book. Because this movie transports you to another time and place in such a fantastical way, I give Pacific Rim four huge buckets of Killer Korn (with extra butter and a free refill).




Honestly, I had no desire to see this movie when I first heard about it. That was until I saw the trailer and heard Idris Elba who plays Stacker Pentecost tell the gathered masses that "Today, we are canceling the apocalypse". Since I am a huge fan of Idris Elba's work (I think he would be an amazing Bond), I was suddenly curious. Then I saw Guillermo's Hellboy II again and I was sold. Hellboy II was the last film he directed and his imagination was on full frontal display. After remembering how amazing that movie was, I was suddenly itching to see Pacific Rim. This was the perfect vehicle for his wild, over the top imagery and imagination. Giant monsters, known as Kaiju who come to earth through a portal in the Pacific Ocean who fight the  giant robots mankind has built, known as Jaegers doing battle for the planet? That's a project tailor made for Del Toro's talents. Starring alongside Idris is Charlie Hunnam, from Sons of Anarchy fame playing Raleigh Becket, a Jaeger driver who tastes a serious defeat and loses someone close to him in the process. He runs and hides for a few years only to turn up as a construction worker. Stacker has developed a plan and needs Raleigh back, he tracks him down and lures him back to the front lines against the Kaiju.

The rest of the cast is quirky if not entertaining. Rinko Kikuchi plays Mako Mori, a young lady that means a great deal to Stacker. Charlie Day, from It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia fame, plays the annoying Dr. Newton Geiszler, Burn Gorman plays the equally annoying Gottlieb, Max Martini play Hercules Hansen, Robert Kazinsky plays his cocky son Chuck, Ron Pearlman plays Hannibal Chau, and Clifton Collins Jr. plays Ops Tendo Choi, he basically the third operator of Hunnam's Jaeger, he just does what he does while safely ensconced at base. Stackers plan is to use the last remaining Jaegers to close the portal and since Raleigh needs a co-pilot, one that can "drift" with him and develop the neuro-handshake. That is where both members can connect to each other through their  thoughts, get a sense of each others fighting techniques which can help them fight the Kaiju better. This is made easier if one's co-pilot is a family member or someone is so vapid that it makes linking up with them a piece of cake.

Stacker has called in all the last remaining Jaegers for this plan of his, the Germans, the Japanese and so forth. While getting them prepared, Dr's Geiszler and Gottlieb fight over whether or not Geiszler should try to drift with a Kaiju's partially damaged brain. Needless to say he does, and because the brain is damaged, Geiszler only gets snapshots and images of what the Kaiju is all about. He then goes nuts about drifting with an actual intact Kaiju brain because he feels it will just help the mission so he seeks out the man making a financial killing in selling off Kaiju artifacts, Hannibal Chau. Due to Geiszler's drift however, two Kaiju come through the breach and seek him out because he knows more than he should.

My only complaint about this film is that most of the action takes place at night, while it's raining, or completely underwater. I personally would've liked at least one action sequence in daylight. That would have been geektastic, but alas that never happened. Del Toro said he grew up on monster movies while growing up in Mexico and that Pacific Rim was his homage to those movies that thrilled and entertained him as a child. I don't know if there's a kid in Mexico that's going to see this movie and want to pay homage to it when he, or she gets older but they WILL have been entertained, I just don't know if they will have been inspired. The score by Ramin Djawadi will not blow you away, he's done better work on Game of Thrones, but his music hearkens back to those old monster movies and their heroic themes. The cinematography, by Guillermo Navarro was elementary, there was nothing special about any of the shots, nothing that took my breath away, but the movie was captured in frame nicely. The few flaws in Pacific Rim are forgivable because this movie will sweep you up into it, it's unabashed and fearless in almost every way, especially it's campiness. See it and you'll see what I mean. The question now is, will Pacific Rim break even at the box office? It cost a reportedly $190 million dollars to make which means it will need repeat business and while I loved it, I am on the fence as to whether or not to see it again, and I am sure I am not alone there. Check it out, let me know what you think and I'll see you at the theater.

The Way Way Back

The Way Way Back is a wonderful film brought to the screen by co-directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. This movie is one of those "take you back" movies, the kind that can somewhat remind you of what life was like at a certain age, how life was so great one minute, and downright painful the next. Because of the wonderful trip down memory lane, I give The Way Way Back four buckets of Killer Korn.






I have to admit, I was itching to see this movie when I first saw the trailer for it a few months ago. It looked like it would be a good movie, but more importantly, it reminded me of the Bill Murray classic Meatballs. These two movies are completely different in story line but so similar in situations and humor. The Way Way Back takes many of its comedic clues from Meatballs, and since I LOVE that film, that may explain why I thoroughly enjoyed Way Back. Now, what's even more impressive, outside of the casting, was the fact that this movie is the first movie directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. Watching this movie, you really wouldn't know it was put together by directorial newcomers. I think they both have a future behind the camera that just might overshadow their careers in front of it. Both are accomplished TV actors with a few movies on their resume, The Way Way Back being one of them.

This gem of a film was casted perfectly. Liam James plays Duncan, a 14 year old who wants to live with his dad, but is instead stuck living with his mother and her overbearing, and insensitive boyfriend. Duncan's mother Pam is played by the talented Toni Collette, her boyfriend Trent is played by the amazing Steve Carell. The movie opens up with Trent insulting Duncan and their relationship just goes downhill from there. It's the summertime and they are all headed out to Trent's beach house with Trent's daughter along for the ride as well. She is Steph, played by Zoe Levin. Once at the house, Duncan and Pam are introduced to Trent's friends and neighbors, one of them happens to be the wonderful Allison Janney who plays Betty, she has two children of her own, the lazy eyed and hilarious Peter, played by River Alexander, and Susanna, played by AnnaSophia Robb, who slowly takes a liking to Duncan for some reason. Kids...go figure.

After a disagreement with Trent, Duncan finds a bike that used to used to belong to Steph, and takes off. He discovers Water Wizz, a water park that changes his life. He's been running into Owen, played by Sam Rockwell in town, but it's at Water Wizz where the two finally come together and truly bond. There he also meets Caitlin, played by Maya Rudolph, Roddy, played by Nat Faxon, Lewis, played by Jim Rash, and a whole host of other misfits. Owen apparently owns Water Wizz and takes a liking to Duncan who is obviously in pain. Owen tries to break through Duncan's shield with humor which is completely wasted on Duncan. Because of this, he offers Duncan a job at the park, his first assignment, take away the cardboard currently being used by some break dancers in the park. That moment is hilarious and from that moment on, Duncan is affectionately known as Pop N Lock. Owen's character is so completely Bill Murray's character Tripper and Duncan is so clearly Chris Makepeace's character Rudy from Meatballs, one could almost make a case for plagiarism. It's a sin easily forgiven though.

Oh, did I mention that Nat and Jim also wrote this movie? I know, I know, job well done. The balance of the family melodrama and the painful humor of a young man being slowly coaxed out of his shell was perfect. Not too much in either direction and that kept this film from falling into schmatlz-ville. The Way Way Back seemed like it was a labor of love for all involved. It was scored touchingly by Rob Simonson and shot beautifully by cinematographer John Bailey. This film was a refreshing drink of cold water on a hot summers day, it's one I suggest you take a big gulp of if you can. The Way Way Back will make you laugh, will make you cringe, will make you laugh again, and it will have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face. See it, drink from that cup, and I'll see you at the theater.

The Heat

The Heat, the latest film from director Paul Feig is an uproarious, crass, hard outer shell movie with a soft gooey center. It will make you laugh until you cry and though the story line is wafer thin, and it requires no real brainpower to understand, it is thoroughly entertaining. Because of that, I give The Heat three buckets of Killer Korn.





Let's be honest, the only reason The Heat got made was because of director Paul Feig's last film. The was the surprising hit Bridesmaids which cost only $32.5 million dollars and earned a whopping $169 million at the box office, and that only happened because of one person and it wasn't Kristen Wiig. It was because of Melissa McCarthy, and it seems Paul knew this and that is probably the primary reason he chose to work with her again. Melissa can apparently carry a film on her broad shoulders clear across the finish line without even breathing heavy. With her playing the caustic and abrasive funny person to Sandra Bullock's straight laced, buttoned up, and proper character, to the studios I am certain they saw this movie as a gold mine. They were right, The Heat has already made it money back, and it seems like it's not about to stop raking it in at the box office anytime soon.

The story is super simple. FBI agent Ashburn, played by Sandra Bullock needs to head up to Boston to help the local authorities up there crack a major drug ring. Boston detective Mullins, played by Melissa McCarthy is a no nonsense, take no prisoners or bullshit kind of cop, which is made so painfully honest within the first five minutes of her character on screen. She busts a man propositioning a prostitute, then calls his wife while breaking his hand to inform her of what her husband is doing. Ashburn refuses to curse and wants to go by the book while Mullins can't seem to utter a sentence without threatening someone or cursing at them. Another hilarious scene is where she's looking for her police Captain Wood's balls. He's played by Thomas F. Wilson (of Back to the Future fame), Marlon Wayans stars as FBI agent Levy, who comes across as "desperate lackey" at first, hoping for a date with Ashburn, but eventually finds HIS balls and becomes a pretty decent character. Missing in action Michael Rapaport plays Mullins' brother and who has been recently released from hail and is in up to his neck in trouble with the drug gang. All Mullins wants to do is keep him safe, which is the reason she arrested him in the first place.

Jane Curtain, yes THAT Jane Curtain from SNL days makes an appearance as Mullins' mother, the mother of a breed of misfits. Melissa's Mullins happens to be the misfit of that merry band of misfits for locking up her own brother, but it's through him that will allow Ashburn and Mullins to crack the case. That is, after they drink themselves blind and carouse in a particular bar that only seems to cater to the burnt out and the elderly. I don't think Paul did much direction to be honest here, I think he just pointed the camera at these two women and said "go for it" more times than not. The DVD outtakes will be hilarious I'm sure. Demian Bichir plays Hale, Ashburn's boss, Spoken Reasons plays small time drug dealer Rojas, and the hilarious Michael McDonald plays Julian, the supposed leader of the drug gang.

There is nothing visually arresting about The Heat, and there wasn't much of a score, unless you call almost nonstop pop music a score. No, there is nothing exceptional about this movie, except the two leads. Sandra and Melissa bring down the house, and at the rate this movie is raking in the money, be on the lookout for either "More Heat", or "Hotter" (The Heat II just sounds lame). If you need a good laugh, don't mind the F word (or the S word, or the MF word, or the...you get what I mean), and you don't want to think too much then go see The Heat and laugh your ass off. I did, and you will too, and I'll see you at the theater.     

The Lone Ranger

The Lone Ranger, the latest movie from director Gore Verbinski is an overblown, muddled, and directionless film. When I left the theater I wasn't sure if I liked the film or hated it, but the more I thought about it, the more I figured out that The Lone Ranger was a waste of 2 hours and twenty-nine minutes of my life that I will never be able to get back and because of that, The Lone Ranger gets a half a bucket of Killer Korn.






Jerry Bruckheimer, producer extraordinaire must have looked around the landscape of all the reboots of classic and iconic characters in the movies and thought to himself, "Who can I bring back to life?" He must have felt left behind when he saw the Batman/Dark Knight trilogy do a billion dollars collectively at the box office. Then with the Superman/Man Of Steel reboot do booming business, he must have searched high and low for his own reboot vehicle. His answer, The Lone Ranger. Now honestly, that's really not a bad choice because The Lone Ranger is the icon of iconic characters, and he also hasn't been around for a good while so Ranger was rife with possibilities. This was the chance to delve into the Ranger's back story, give the viewer some real information on the man behind the mask, like where he comes from, why home is so important to him, and why justice mattered so much to him. Instead we get little to none of that key information on the Ranger and what we do get is quite frankly damn annoying. Armie Hammer plays John Reid who eventually becomes The Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp plays his reluctant but eventual ever faithful sidekick Tonto. Those two men do the best they can with a dreadful script and worse direction.

Gore Verbinski has made a lot of money for Jerry over the years so I'm guessing he's Jerry's go to guy. I could understand that if Gore had more variety on his resume regarding those films he's directed that did well at the box office. He's only directed ten films, and of those ten, three have been Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Now the first one was fantastic but the last two were awful (he didn't direct the last Pirates movie, that bad film was directed by Rob Marshall). His other movies were Mousehunt, The Mexican, The Ring, The Weather Man, and Rango. Looking at that list you would have to wonder who would keep hiring this guy. Apparently the answer to that question is Jerry B., and that's probably why The Lone Ranger reminds me of a Pirates movie. The same facial close-ups of wide eyed imbeciles looking off into the distance, the same ridiculous over acting, and the same outlandish stunts that made NO sense.

This movie boasts a very talented cast that is absolutely wasted in this film. Besides Depp and Hammer there's the talented William Fitchner who plays Wild Bill Cavendish, Tom Wilkinson who plays Cole, Helena Bonham Carter who plays Red Harrington (a role unworthy of a woman as talented as she), James Badge Dale who plays Danny Reid, Barry Pepper who stars as Capt. Fuller, and Ruth Wilson who plays Rebecca Reid. These talented people are held back and bogged down in a story so lame it's almost laughable and by a director with questionable skills at telling a cohesive story. Questions arise that are never answered and the questions we are given answers too are unsatisfying at best. This movie cost $215 million to make and I doubt very seriously that it'll make that money back, at least domestically, which is good because that means there won't be a sequel. The Lone Ranger doesn't seem to know if it wants to be a comedy or a serious drama and because of that, fails miserably at both. Sure there are chuckle moments in the movie, but there's never enough real drama or real humor to make this movie charming, or even likeable.

Written by Justin Haythe (who has been involved with some impressive movies throughout the years), Ted Elliott (who has been involved with some really bad movies and who is writing the next two installments of the Pirates franchise), and Terry Rossio (who's in the same boat with Ted), these men have concocted a story that's convoluted, muddled, and shallow. They try to give the story depth by speaking on the white man's greed and how that greedy white man fleeced the innocent natives of this land. Problem is, we know all that already and the writers, not taking that into consideration, fail to give us anything new. I'm sure much of the $215 million dollar budget was spent on CG but when the movie did hit some locations, cinematographer Bojan Bazelli did a marvelous job. The one shot of the Rangers at the mouth of the canyon was beautiful. Scored by Hans Zimmer, the music reminded me too much of his work for the Sherlock Holmes movies he did that were directed by Guy Ritchie. Nothing wrong with that except that it didn't feel original. He did redo the William Tell Overture which was impressive and nostalgic, but still not original. If you were ever a fan of The Lone Ranger then I beseech you to skip this film, it will only disappoint you in the end. Save your money, or see something else, and I'll see you at the theater.