Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ is the sequel to the vastly under-appreciated rebooted ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ from 2011 starring James Franco.  The sequel was released in August, which rarely does well comparatively, but it did well enough to merit a sequel.  Respect must have grown as ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ is poised to dominate the box office this weekend.  For those who think this is your father’s Planet of the Apes or even the inadequate Tim Burton reboot from 2001, think again.  Technology is at a point where this story can be told with almost complete suspension of disbelief.  You feel these are apes and not just men in rubber masks.  This incarnation is a much more fleshed out and ‘human’ version of the story with stories of nobility and conflict resonating much more true to the human experience than the previous films.

Spoiler Alert:  For those who remember from the last film, the life of  Caesar, the first genetically enhanced ape, and his relationship with his human family was the focus.  The film ultimately led to Caesar championing the release and escape of the captive ape population as an aggressive super virus began to wipe out the human population. ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ opens ten years later in San Francisco where the surviving humans have formed protective colonies and the apes have begun to build their village in the woods.  They live comfortably apart until one day a human stumbles across some wandering apes and shoots one of them in a panic.  Fear, hysteria, and distrust on both sides mount until Caesar takes it upon himself to lead his apes to the walled off city of San Francisco in a show of force and demand the humans stay out of the forest.  The challenge is, the human survivors are almost out of power and fuel and an abandoned dam in the Apes territory is their only hope for power and survival.

The city’s leader, Dreyfuss (my favorite, Gary Oldman) in panic and desperation, starts talk of war with the apes. However, resident enlightened peace-nick Malcom (Jason Clarke) decides to lead a group, despite Caesar’s warning, to the ape village and ask the ape’s permission to see if they can restart the dam and avoid war.  Malcom’s wife (Kerri Russell) and son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) join along with a few technicians and they put themselves at the mercy of the apes in order to show their good intentions towards peace.  Having grown up among humans, Caeser is inclined to work with them despite the warnings from his advisors.  It’s not that Caeser wants humans around, but he knows the consequences of war and will do all he can to avoid it.  Despite some missteps on both sides, the plan seems to work and we begin to hope that humans and apes can work together.

Unfortunately, both sides let fear and paranoia lead to actions that make it impossible keep the peace and when one of Ceasar’s most trusted advisors betrays him, war becomes inevitable.  I think that is where this movie varies from the original series and smartly so.  A film must resonate with the times to be relevant.  The original series was a metaphor for the civil rights movement and a cautionary tale of what happens when you treat others as less than yourself.  This modern reboot is more of a cautionary tale about fear and paranoia causing us to go to war instead of working towards resolution.  Both sides have the best of intentions, but it takes just a few events by a few individuals to stoke the drums of war.  Whether fear and mistrust leading to war is something we can learn to avoid or is inevitable in the human condition is something for the viewer to decide.

The special effects are so good that we forget we are watching special effects.  At it’s heart, the story drives this film, but the special effects allows us to put aside our disbelief.  This is a tale of survival and the human spirit at it’s most basic level.  When all the trappings of civilization are torn away and we revert to our tribal natures, the question arises as to who will become the dominant species on the planet.  We already know the answer to that, but it’s still a great ride and great story.  If you haven’t seen the re-booted ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ out of bias or contempt due to the original series, I encourage you to set that aside and take a chance.  Watch the reboot and if you see what I mean, then rush out and see this superb sequel.  I have high respect for this film and the previous reboot and thoroughly enjoyed this reimagining of a classic tale.

I give this film *** stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3448876057/

X-Men: Days of Future Past

‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’ was everything I could hope for in a film and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I have to confess, this one might not engage the non-comic geek movie goer.  The success in recent years of the super-hero franchises has been the ability to appeal to the common movie goer without over simplifying it for the detail oriented comic fanboys.  Marvel has this art down to a science.  Unfortunately, as the sequels build upon sequels, it is getting more difficult to appeal to people who have not been previously invested in the stories. For those of you who remember, the original ‘X-Men’ was the film that started the modern era of super hero movies.  Director Bryan Singer returns to the series and combines the original X-Men with the re-booted prequel team from X-Men: First Class in a satisfying time-twisting tale.

Hugh Jackman’s reprises the role of Wolverine for the seventh time (a record for an actor reprising the same character in a film) and, as he is the most bankable star, is at the center of the story.  ‘Days of Future Past’ is loosely based upon the iconic story from the 80’s in which the war between humans and mutants escalates to a level of bringing the world to near extinction (interesting note; the original 80’s story takes place in the distant future time of 2013).  In the film’s dystopian future, Prof Xavier and Magneto hatch a plan to send Wolverine back in time to 1973 to stop Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) from killing Boliver Trask (Peter Dinklage) and thus preventing the events that lead to their current plight.  Wolverine’s job is to convince the younger Xavier and Magneto to help him stop Mystique.  No easy task as at that time they are bitter enemies and neither in a position to help.  

Even though James MacAvoy and Patrick Stewart look nothing alike as Xavier, the movie is able to suspend our disbelief.  During the 70’s time period, Xavier is wrestling with his personal demons and lives in his shuttered up school in a constant state of inebriation with only Hank McCoy aka The Beast (Nicholas Hoult) still at his side. The first order of business is breaking Magneto out of a mega secured prison with the help of one of the film’s highlights; Quicksilver (played entertainingly by Evan Peters).  The character of Quicksilver has been a controversy as two movie studios will be using this character (the next appearance will be in Avengers 2: Age of Ultron).  I’m glad the studios were able to put aside their differences as Quicksilver provide much of the ‘cool’ moments in the movie.

Director Bryan Singer captures the vibe of the 70’s era without spilling over into camp.  While some of the time travel situations strained logic, the back and forth between time periods was done effectively.  It was a pleasure to not only see both teams combined, but also new characters that only the comic geeks would know.  The addition of Bishop (Omar Sy) and Blink (Bingbing Fan) add a lot to an already crowded team.  The film is an obvious attempt to officially pass the baton from the old team to the new.  The time travel adventure that alters the time line (seen even recently in the Star Trek reboot) neatly wipes away most storyline inconsistencies and leaves a blank slate for all new sequels to build.

If you are a fan of the series, this is a satisfying sequel.  I would say a ‘must see’. If you are new to the series or have a terrible memory, this film might be a confusing 2 hours.  If you are a newbie and stay for the ‘after-the-credit’ scene, you will be completely confused.  For the fanboy population, I will say this is the X-men movie they have been waiting for.  

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1525524505/

I give this film ***stars

Chef

         I always like to start off with bias alert when i feel there is one.  I’m biased for this film on several levels.  I love low budget indie films.  I am a huge foodie (it’s why I love Chicago) and greatly admire the kind of artistry and culture that goes into great food.  Finally, there was not an actor in this film that I don’t absolutely love as performers.  Given all of that, I am going to rave about this film from Writer and Director Jon Favreau, knowing that it might not be everyone’s idea of great.  It’s a small movie, but filled with witty dialogue, touching father/son dynamics, and most importantly…food porn.

Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) is an award winning chef stuck in a rut working for a confining boss (Dustin Hoffman in a small yet fantastically acted role).  His work life completely consumes his world making his limited time with his shared custody son (played just cute enough by Emjay Anthony) rushed and mechanical.  After a particularly scathing online food review (a delightfully low-key performance by Oliver Platt), Carl loses it and starts an online and in person war of words that eventually costs him his job.  Out of a job and broken in spirit, Carl struggles to find meaning in his life.  He has lost the fire that gave him early success in his career.

Inez, his ex-wife (played by ‘way out of Favreau’s league’ Sofia Vergaras) suggests that Carl accompany her and their son to Miami for some time away.  Carl doesn’t realize that Inez has the ulterior motive of hooking Carl up with her other rich ex-husband to bank role a food truck idea.  Inez knows Carl well enough to know he will never be happy unless he is working for himself.  The truck is in rough shape, but after father and son put in some elbow grease and bonding time, it begins to come together.  When Carl’s former sous-chef Martin shows up (played by another favorite, John Leguizamo) the team comes together.  Carl decides to take his love of Cuban food and bring it to Los Angeles.  A cross country food truck road trip is needed to perfect his kitchen on wheels and also provide a long needed bonding time with his son.The three set off on a culinary adventure in the deep south.

Carl and Martin are borderline social media illiterate, but fortunately his son is not. Carl has gained tens of thousand followers from his online food critic war and his son is able to market the food truck’s destinations.  Everywhere they go they are met with crowds of people waiting to try Carl Casper’s work.  Greater than their success is the strong bond that forms between the three of them and father and son rediscovering their bond.  

Whenever I travel, I always get irritated by the lack of respect for American cuisine.   ‘Chef’ does a great job, not only highlighting the great regional cuisine’s of Miami, New Orleans, and Texas (granted, inspired by other cultures, but that is what America is all about), but also putting it in the context of the local culture.  Great music abounds in this movie as well as picturesque locales that don’t exaggerate the beauty, but stirs the desire to visit there.  And again, if you are a foodie, the food porn permeates throughout this film.  Favreau can make something as basic as a grilled cheese seem to be a work of art. 

I suppose that is the point I want to make with this review.  Food service is often looked upon as a lower rung job in our society, but I have nothing but respect for the blue collar artistry and discipline that can come from a well run kitchen and a chef with vision.  Favreau states it best when he explains to his son that what he does touches lives directly and in a meaningful way.  I was culinaryingly deprived growing up and I only discovered a love for the infinite variety of cuisines and experiences in my adulthood.  To me food, like any other type of art, is an exploration of the senses and does not get the artistic respect it deserves in the mainstream.  Granted, food can be a pedestrian experience, much like a painting in the room of a Motel 6, but it can also be the Mona Lisa by people who take pride and craftsmanship in their work.  To me, that is what this film is able to convey.  

Because of my bias, perhaps I am being far too kind in my praise of this film, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend it to anyone who will listen.  Caution: If you’re not a foodie, you might become one after watching this.  Believe it or not, despite its’ R-rating (only because of kitchen language), I would even recommend it as a father/son day at the movies.  

http://www.imdb.com/video/epk/vi2927930649/

I give this film *** 1/2 stars

Neighbors

       There is nothing wrong with an unapologetic R-rated comedy with all the shock jokes and lewd sight gags that it entails.  ‘Neighbors’ is that kind of fun movie, just make sure you leave the kids at home. It is a non-stop roller coaster ride that never ceases trying to top it’s previous gag.  And at the end of the day, if you don’t mind that type of humor, it’s just plain funny.  It tries to throw some heart in there to occasionally soften the impact, but try not to take it seriously (shouldn’t be hard).

The plot deals with Kelly (Rose Byrne) and Mac (Seth Rogen), a young couple with a newborn, who are settling down to begin their idyllic suburban life.  While they miss their partying single days, they are more excited about a trendy gay couple possibly moving next door than going out with their single friends.  Unfortunately for them, the gay couple doesn’t move in and the next day they notice Greek letters going up and soon realize a fraternity is moving in next door.  Thinking they are still young and hip they try to be ‘cool’ neighbors and go over and introduce themselves.  Their only request is to ‘keep it down’ a bit because of the baby.  The handsome and chiseled house president, Teddy (Zac Effron, leaving his squeaky clean Disney image behind) assures them it won’t be a problem.  Of course, Teddy has no intention of keeping any of the partying down.  If anything, he is trying to secure his legend in the annals of his Fraternity’s history.  Violating their agreement, Mac calls the cops.  Unfortunatley, they are identified as the one who complained and the war is on.

Rose Byrne proved her comedic chops in ‘Bridesmaids’ and she further demonstrates them here.  One of the things I loved about her performance is that usually in films of this type, the wife plays the disapproving voice of reason, constantly shaking her head at her buffoonish husband’s antics.  Here, Rose Byrne’s Kelly makes decisions every bit as moronic and goofy as her husband as the war escalates.  She is Mac’s partner in bad decision making at every level.  

I have to give Zac Effron credit;  given that he is a boy model Disney alumni, he does a credible job at R-rated comedy.  Along with his side-kick and vice-president Pete (played by James Franco’s more talented brother Dave Franco), he is able to portray Fraternity life as both epic and ridiculous.  Probably the film’s only attempts at heart (and mercifully short lived) is the relationship between the teddy and Pete.  Teddy is living in the moment, but at the same time desperate to leave a legacy as he knows after he graduates his time on top will be over.  Pete comes at it from the reverse angle as he begins to realize how meaningless Fraternity life is in the real world even though the bonds with his brothers are unbreakable.  Whatever their epiphanies, both will not let a couple of ‘square’ neighbors ruin their senior year.

The plot is the typical escalating ‘tit-for-tat’ as is the case with most comedic war between neighbors, but I have to say this one is funnier than most.  Don’t go expecting anything deep or insightful.  The is just good escapism and quality laughs.  I enjoyed all the performances in this and was smiling long after I left the theater.  Not much higher praise I can give to a comedy.

I give this film *** stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi509126681/

The Amazing Spiderman 2

        Disappointing!  That single word sums up all my feelings about ‘The Amazing Spiderman 2’ and this supposed franchise starter.  Viewing this, I kept thinking to myself that Sony movie executives have learned nothing from even recent history. For many decades, superhero movies were not given respect.  They were considered live action cartoons that appealed to the simple minded adolescent and critics and masses alike ridiculed them accordingly.  The Joel Schumaker series of Batman movies (one of which should have ended George Clooney’s career) only reinforced  this stereotype.  It wasn’t until Bryan Singer’s ‘X-men’, Chris Nolan’s rebooted ‘Batman Begins’, and even Sam Rami’s original series of ‘Spiderman’ movies that the world started to take notice.  Not only were they box office successes, but they were begrudging critical ones as well.  The secret?  Lose the campiness and take the subject matter seriously.  Have a director who understands and respects comics instead of someone interpreting what he thinks a comic book is.  

‘The Amazing Spiderman 2’ is a throwback to the Joel Schumaker style of over-the-top and cartoonish portrayals of superheroes.  I wasn’t a fan of the last installment which rebooted Spiderman starring Andrew Garfield as our favorite web slinger for the same reason.  i couldn’t understand why it achieved the success level it did.  Heavy on special effects and low on story is rarely a recipe for success.  Ironically, it is more faithful to the comic book story line than the Tobey McGuire version, but that doesn’t change that the dialogue is stilted and the flow is choppy and manic. In one scene Garfield’s Peter Parker is going through spiritual and emotional angst, then the very next scene he is so perky it appears he’s overdosing on Zanex while cracking the worst jokes imaginable. There has to be a believable dialogue.  In order for this genre to be successful, there has to be a suspension of disbelief and that can only be accomplished with a certain dose of realism.

I think my biggest disappointment was having an Oscar caliber actor like Jamie Fox playing such a buffoonish role as the lead villain Max Dillon aka Electro.  Leave aside that Electro was never the best villain produced from the Spiderman villain gallery, but he was never a cartoonish simpleton.  Electro’s origin story was eye rollingly cheesy and his performance constantly reminded me of Schwartzenegger’s portrayal of Mr Freeze in the worst super hero movie of all time ‘Batman and Robin’.  When Electro started spouting electricity puns, I completely checked out.  Way to waste an actor capable of a Heath Ledger level of performance.

Director Mark Webb stuffs more villains, story lines and sub-plots in this film than it was capable of holding.  This sequel felt (and probably was) like it was just an attempt to set up the future sequels that Sony is planning in an attempt to replicate Marvel’s ‘Avengers’ success.  Dane DeHaan takes on the role of Harry Osborn (aka The Green Goblin) and his story was literally shoe horned in.  First of all, DeHaan was just plain creepy, which I could never get past, but the story line of Peter Parker and Harry Osbourn being best friends after not seeing each other since they were 9 yrs old felt forced at best.  Also, those two just had zero chemistry.  Nothing about Harry Osbourn transforming into the Green Goblin made sense to me, nor did his motivations once he became the Goblin.  You could have removed his whole storyline and still had a full movie.

I don’t want to keep pummeling this movie, but I really don’t know how else to review it.  There were so many plots that I can’t really give a coherent synopsis.  I just never understand how you can have so many high level stars and have it produce such mediocrity (sub-mediocrity).  Sally Field’s Aunt May (totally miscast) was almost an afterthought, where she should have been Peter’s spiritual and moral core.  Dennis Leary as a randomly appearing ghost didn’t really work and Paul Giammatti was totally reduced to a Saturday morning cartoon character as The Rhino. I’m amazed I knew he was Russian as he rarely yelled more than one word at a time.

Mark Webb is a great director.  ‘500 Days of Summer’ is one of my favorite films. Superheroes are just the wrong genre for him.  Sony is being too ambitious and too eager to recreate Marvel’s ‘Avenger’ success and is throwing together a film series that will alienate both comicbook fans and laymen alike.  More is not better and just because you throw in a lot of villains and spend multi-millions on special effects doesn’t change the fact that it’s the story that brings the audience in and keeps them there.  Spiderman was never my favorite hero, but he deserves more respect than this. 

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3570707225/

I give this film * star

Captain America: Winter Soldier

      ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ is another addition to the mighty Marvel universe and it is the most mature and sophisticated one to date.  I say that cautiously as superheroes bring out the kid in all of us, but this addition reminds one more of a political thriller than a flat out super hero extravaganza.  A sequel to the original movie ‘Captain America’, this one is superior to an already excellent film and one doesn't often say that about sequels.  Lots of action that is only augmented by a film that nourishes political intrigue and conspiracies over gratuitous special effects.

Even in the most capable hands, Captain America was always a difficult hero to portray.  On the surface he would seem a one dimensional character.  Basically, a boy scout who goes around spouting patriotic idealism.  While the audiences ate that up in the 1940’s when he was created as WWII propaganda, the current, more cynical audiences like their heroes a bit more complex and grittier. The trick is how does one maintain the integrity of who Captain America is while at the same time creating an engaging story that doesn’t seem passé and hokey?  Well, ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ is able to accomplish that,  The world is dark and sinister, yet Captain America maintains who he is and the audience roots for his strength of character while he struggles to deal with the world around him.

The movie can be considered a sequel to both the original ‘Captain America’ and the mega successful, ‘Avengers’.  It continues  the story line that is ultimately leading to ‘Avengers 2’.  Marvel is very impressive at making these sequels as part of a broader narrative, yet able to stand completely on their own. The movie opens with Captain America (perfectly cast Chris Evans) adapting to his new life in the present day only a few years after being unthawed.  For an idealistic man from the 1940’s, Steve Rogers has a hard time understanding how complex the lines have become between the good guys and the bad guys.  Being a soldier, he does the only thing he knows how to do and that is be a soldier for S.H.I.E.L.D. (America’s covert spy agency).  He is confused by what used to seem so noble and patriotic has become so nebulous and suspect.

Nick Fury (the always cool Samuel L Jackson) returns as the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. We know he is on the side of the angels, but it always seems that what he is saying is probably not the whole truth or even the truth at all.  As Tony Stark described him in ‘The Avengers’; “Even his secrets have secrets”.  We see a more human side of Nick Fury, especially in his interplay with his friend and mentor, Alexander Pierce (a coup in casting; Robert Redford).  Redford puts in a more than token performance (in fact respectable) in a film genre whose script 10 years ago would never have crossed his agent’s desk.  He oozes evil as the high powered government bureaucrat.  As Nick Fury begins to realize that his sacred S.H.I.E.L.D has been infiltrated  by the neo-super-Nazi organization Hydra, his whole world is turned upside down as he begins to realize that there is no one he can trust.

Scarlett Johansen returns as the seductive Black Widow.  Less of a superhero in this film and more of a covert spy, she is the only one that Cap can trust, yet even that bond is strained.  Their interplay is some of the best in the film and it raises the hope that she will get her own film someday.  She is much more complex as, depending on the situation, she is either the good guy or the villain.  I was initially against Scarlett Johansen for this role, but she has made it her own. 

And of course, there is the titular character; The Winter Soldier.  Any self respecting comic book geek knows the full story behind him, so I won’t go into any detail here out of respect for the uninitiated.  I will say the reveal of his identity was anti-climatic (partly because we were expecting it), but also that his appearance was so different that most people don’t recognize him.  For a character who is in the title role, he didn’t have a large or even necessary part.  By the end of the film we realize he was introduced in order to set up the third film.  It was still fun to see him come to life from the pages of the comic book (from arguably the best Captain America story arc ever told).  He is Caps equal in every way.

Marvel does a great job at detail (which comic book geeks obsess over).  There were plenty of ‘Easter egg’ gifts to the fans that the common movie goer wouldn’t catch (so subtle that the laymen don’t feel slighted).  The one that has most of geekdom buzzing was the name dropping of Stephen Strange.  Long rumored to be getting a movie of his own, this leads one to believe that it is in the works given that this is the first time his name is acknowledged in the Marvel cinema universe.  The introduction of Agent 13 is another one that most realize won’t be the last we see of her.  I also admire how they make villains that were ‘cheezy’ on the comics page into more realistic threats, such as the French mercenary, Batroc the Leaper in the beginning of the film.

The most welcome addition was Anthony Mackie as The Falcon.  In the Marvel universe, Captain America and the Falcon are as legendary a team up as Batman and Robin.  Once again, Marvel takes what could have been a disastrous interpretation of a winged flying man  and made us totally suspend disbelief in the context.  It even made him more badass to boot.  Mackie strikes the perfect balance between being the faithful sidekick, yet still being his own man.  I hope he gets larger parts in future sequels and expansions.

Even though ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’ would stand on its’ own as a political conspiracy film, it is ultimately a superhero film with all the necessary fight scenes and explosions expected.  What I love about the Marvel films is that they do not rest solely on special effects, In fact, the character driven aspect of these films improve with every outing and we become more and more invested.  ‘Captain America:Winter Soldier’ is by far the most mature Marvel film to date.  It’s an interesting dissection of the political time we live  regarding NSA surveillance, drones, patriotism, and the confusion of what is right and what is wrong as seen through the eyes of a man who came from a time when they saw it much clearer.  I give this film high, high marks:

I rate this film **** stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi4095715865/

The Grand Budapest Hotel

       Wes Anderson is someone who continually impresses, even if I am not what one would call a ‘fan’ of his work.  He is one of the few directors left that makes films that are distinctly stylized and distinctly his vision.  The Grand Budapest Hotel is probably his finest work and like any work of art, it depends on the viewer to determine how much they appreciate it.  This film is stylized to the brink of abstraction, but not quite.  Impressive storybook photography mixed with intriguing, yet borderline cartoonish characters, The Grand Budapest weaves a tale worthy of a Teutonic picture book fable.

The Grand Budapest Hotel follows the adventures of the concierge Gustave (delightfully effeminate  by Ralph Fiennes) and his Bellhop in training, Zero (played by Tony Revolori).  The time period is between the two World Wars.  Gustave is considered  the epitome of concierges at the most respected hotel in Europe at the time.  He has gained his legendary status in part by bedding the wealthy lonely octogenarian guests at the hotel.  Each professes their undying love for him as well as being impressed by his impeccable knowledge of culture and social graces.  Great fortune turns to trouble when one of his guests/lovers death is determined to be murder.  When it is revealed that a priceless painting was left to Gustave in her will, he becomes the prime suspect.  The race is on to clear his name before he is condemned to prison for life.

The respect for Wes Anderson  in Hollywood is such that a wide variety of top notch actors strive to be in his movies despite their low budgets.  This one is no exception with everyone from Adrien Brody to Harvey Keitel to Ed Norton to Willem Dafoe… the list goes on.  Despite the quantity of characters, each one is richly developed and a pleasure to see fleshed out in their individually quirky ways.  Always comedic, yet flavors of people and personalities we all know taken to extremes.  An artistic vision from top to bottom.

Ultimately, at heart, it is a simple character period piece.  No real surprises or twists and turns, just an artistic vision laid out for everyone to enjoy.  There is not too many other ways I can think to describe this film, so I will just highly recommend it.  Something different from Hollywood other than the generic cookie cutter formulas that make them money but leave viewers craving something different.  This film satisfies that craving while at the same time wanting more.  A Wes Anderson gem.

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1157933593/

I give this film ***stars