Movie Review | Drive

Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising)
Written by: Hossein Amini (based on the book by James Sallis)
Starring: Ryan Gosling (Crazy Stupid Love, Blue Valentine), Carey Mulligan (An Education, Never Let Me Go)
Stupid Rating: R
My Rating: 17+ for severe and graphic violence, nudity (showgirls' boobs), and language.

I first found out about this movie just days before it was released. I don't know how it flew under my movie-lovin' radar, but I suspect it has something to do with how insanely busy I've been lately. It caught my eye because it not only had Ryan Gosling in it, who is amazing, but also two of my top seven girl crushes in the form of Carey Mulligan and Christina Hendricks. And although it seems strange, I was also quite intrigued by the movie because of the font used for the poster. It had that sort of cheesy throwback feel, which I knew meant this film took some sort of risk.

 Drive exceeded my admittedly limited expectations. I assumed it would be worth while because Ryan Gosling tends to choose excellent roles, but car movies can only hold my attention so long. This movie not only held my absolutely undivided attention for the entire 100 minutes in the theater, but the next few days afterward as well. I would have posted this review sooner, but it's taken a few days for me to wrap my head around how genius the film actually is.

As a toast to the old Steve McQueen movies, the plot is simple, the music is gaudy, and most of the characters are seedy and stereotypical. Also true to throwback form, the car chases and crashes are real looking, organic, and relatively unspectacular compared to today's CGI obsession-- something actually very refreshing in my eyes. And then there is our nameless, all-American, leading man who transcends the hero of the American narrative. He's sort of awkward, at times unnerving, and yet I'm trying to think of a recent film's protagonist that I have enjoyed watching more. He's the perfect anti-hero.

I also must note the incredible cinematography. Although the whole film is a near visual perfection (without being a CGI fest), there is one scene in the film that is jaw-droppingly stunning (a hint: showgirls). I probably held my breath through the entire sequence simply because I had forgotten how to breath. It was so subtle and organic and perfect. Mmm.

What didn't I like about this movie? The excess of violence. You know that part in Pan's Labyrinth with the bottle and that guy's face? Yeah, that scene is pretty horrific, right? Well the violence in Drive is like that scene on steroids... again and again. I understand it was purposeful to character development and movie stylization, but sometimes the thought of what's going on off screen is worse than actually seeing that guy's face get stomped in. It was just a little too much for me.

4.5 OUT OF 5 THUMBS UP

brilliant protagonist + throwback feel - computer generated effects + non stop excitement + carey mulligan = a must see for film enthusiasts (who don't mind graphic violence)

Movie Review: Hanna

Directed by: Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice)
Written by: Seth Lochhead
Starring: Saoirse Ronan (Atonement), Cate Blanchett (Aviator, Benjamin Button), Eric Bana (Time Traveler's Wife, Munich)
Stupid Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 13+ for violence and dark themes (MPAA got it right this time). There is some sexually related material, but no sex scenes (just a brief rockin' trailer). Relatively light on language except for one F bomb.

I loved Hanna. Looooooooved it. I saw it maybe 5 or 6 times in the theater when it came out back in the beginning of April and I counted down the days until it's DVD release. However, most people I talk to have never heard of it before. If this is you, and you like good movies, go RedBox it this weekend. Trust me. 

Hanna is not your typical action film. Instead of busty bimbos you have two leading female characters that are strong, yet feminine, without the cliche sexualization you see in every action movie. Instead of vomit-inducing shaky camera work, you have interesting and calculated cinematography working with music that makes you want to stand up and dance. Instead of a boring plot you've seen a million times, you have a reinvented fairy tale and innocent coming of age story. It's not especially deep, nor is it without flaws, but it's oh so fun to watch (and you don't feel like your losing braincells while watching it). 

Hanna is a fun action movie for non-traditional-American-narrative film lovers, but is completely assessable for anyone (yes, even you normal guy not drinking tea while not wearing a scarf). Any of you film snobs that appreciate european cinema like Run, Lola, Run will appreciate this movie. And any of you non film snobs that appreciate other movies besides Transformers and The Last Song, this could possibly be your gateway drug into the wonderful world of non-Hollywoodized movies!

This movie is great fun, people. Go watch it. 

4 out of 4 stars

amazing female cast - cliche sexualization + beautiful action sequences + marvelous music + great themes + FUN = possibly my favorite movie of the year 

Movie Review: Crazy, Stupid, Love

This is my first movie review on my blog, so I'm going to lay down a few ground rules here:

1. I won't give away important story or plot points in my reviews. Why would you want to see a movie when you already knows what happens? There is nothing more annoying than hearing the details of a movie before you see it. I'll give you vague reasons why I liked or hated the movie, but I'll never ruin it with "in the scene at the end where everyone dies... ". I'll also keep it pretty short. Who wants to read a 5 page essay on a movie? Booooring.

2. I am a film snob, BUT I also love a good popcorn flick, AND I understand that art house blah blah blah isn't everyone's cup o tea. I just want to share my love for movies with you so you might love them too!

3. Pay attention to the rating I give it. The MPAA should never ever ever ever ever be the gage you use for your own morals because they are a terrible and corrupt organization (yes, you cute little Mormons who don't watch rated R movies but go to all the PG-13 ones... I'm talking to YOU). You shouldn't base your morals off of my rating either, but I'm going to be more honest and give a more contextual opinion then they are which may help you form your OWN opinion on what is right for you to watch. 

Now, onto my maiden voyage of film reviews! CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.

Directed by: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa (I love you Phillip Morris)
Written by: Dan Fogelman (Cars, Tangled)
Starring: Steve Carell (The Office, Dan in Real Life), Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl, Blue Valentine), Julianna Moore (A Single Man, The Kids Are Alright), Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland) with Kevin Bacon (X-Men First Class, Footloose) and Marisa Tomei (The Wrestler, My Cousin Vinny)
Stupid Rating: PG-13
My Rating: 16+ for adult themes, a lot of swearing, and 1.5 sensual make-out scenes. I would take my friends and parents, but not my grandma. No full nudity, no sex, no harsh or bloody violence.

I'm not sure I'm valid in how much I thoroughly enjoyed Crazy, Stupid, Love. The plot asks "just trust me" too many times for a very unlikely and cliched storyline, it lacked strong cohesion and flow, and there are few moments of needless silliness, yet... I loved it. It had me laughing, full-on, out loud, by myself, in a relatively quiet theater throughout the entire movie.

A lot of this had to do with the brilliant cast. Steve Carell and Julianna Moore make a fantastic married-on-the-edge-of-divorce couple. Their banter and humor was spot on and their emotional moments were surprisingly quite touching. There is a scene that I actually teared up. THIS IS A BIG DEAL PEOPLE. I never cry in movies and I was THIS CLOSE. They were so believable and likable that I simply fell in love with them.

Then there is Ryan Gosling who is one of my favorite actors of all time. Although The Notebook is one of the worst love stories of all time,  he made up for it by Lars and the Real Girl which is one of the best love stories of all time. And then he followed that up with Blue Valentine which is one of the best realistic love (and hate) stories of all time. This guys is amazing (of all time?). I love his character in this movie, and I love, love, love the chemistry between he and Emma Stone. Miss Stone also played her role very well, although I haven't entirely warmed up to her as an actress yet. She's reallllly funny, but her face is kind of weird. 

I recommend it if you're into witty-romantic tragi-comedies like Dan in Real Life, He's Just Not That Into You, The Break Up, 500 Days of Summer, or Stranger than Fiction.

3.5 out of 4 Stars

touching theme + clever dialogue + brilliant cast 

+ endearing characters + fantastic soundtrack 

= ridiculously enjoyable movie despite the cliche romantic comedy plot