The Heat

The Heat

Director: Paul Feig

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Demian Bichir, Marlon Wayans

Distributed by: 20th Century Fox

Release Date: June 28, 2013

My Rating: 7.5/10

Action comedies (cop-duo comedies specifically) have recently become an increasingly frequent genre. A number of movies have been released in the last few years that fall under this category: The Rush Hour film series, Hot Fuzz (2007), The Other Guys (2010), and 21 Jump Street (2012), just to name a few. The Other Guys is the only one of these that I have seen -and thus unfortunately the only comedy I could compare this film to- and although I found it funny, it did not make me laugh nearly as hard as or positively surprise me as much as The Heat did.

Paul Feig (Bridesmaids) directs this hilarious action comedy that stars Sandra Bullock as old-fashioned, tense FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn who is transferred from her field office in New York to Boston to investigate and hunt down a ruthless drug lord known as Larkin. There, she quickly becomes paired up with local BPD Officer Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), a tough and foul-mouthed cop who is determined to solve the case by any means necessary. Despite their enormous personality differences, the two women work together to bring the drug lord to justice and eventually become the unlikeliest of friends.

Like many similar modern comedies, this film is rampant with crude and sexual humor, cursing, comic violence, one-liners, and awkward situations. Unlike many similar movies, it seemed to have a slightly more thought-out and developed plot (for a comedy, that is), developed protagonists, and a handful of genuine, semi-serious moments, many of which are of course rapidly ended with a funny/snarky comment. Oh and more blood than you would expect, too. Melissa McCarthy is the heart and soul of the film, delivering many if not all of her lines perfectly with both a tone and an expression that make it almost impossible for one not to laugh hysterically. She brings a humor to the screen that will make you laugh at her character as much as Megan from Bridesmaids, if not more since she has a lead role. Sandra Bullock provides an excellent role as a lovable, genuine, and well-intentioned agent who recalls her previous characters such as Gracie Hart from Miss Congeniality (2000).  

However, the film is rather predictable in a certain sense. It also feels a touch too long for a comedy, with a two-hour running time: some scenes probably could have been omitted entirely, as they seemed unnecessary because they either detracted from the main storyline, or because they were almost identical to other more important scenes. Nonetheless, this comedy proves to be a true success. I can't blame anyone who isn't willing to spend $11 (or whatever it is) to go see this in theaters -because it does not have any special effects or major action sequences like those in sci-fi movies- but it is definitely worth seeing on DVD at home on a rainy evening.          

Man of Steel

Man of Steel

Director: Zack Snyder

Genre: Action/Sci-fi

Starring: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Michael Shannon

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures 

Release Date: June 14, 2013

My Rating: 4/10

I have always been a great fan of superhero flicks. To name just a few, my personal favorites include Iron Man and The Dark Knight trilogy. After watching several trailers and learning that this film would be produced by none other than this famous trilogy's director-Christopher Nolan-I was naturally very excited and had high expectations. Unfortunately, I was vastly disappointed by the end of this movie.

In this version of DC Comic's classic hero Superman, a young boy born with the name Kal-El on planet Krypton to parents Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and Lara. After a military coup by the evil General Zod (Michael Shannon), Jor-El sends his son to Earth to ensure his safety and so that he may protect human beings. Kal-El lands in a small town in rural Kansas and is raised by an elderly couple, Jonathan and Martha Kent (Kevin Costner and Diane Lane), who name him Clark. As a boy, Clark discovers and learns to control his powers and then as a young man (Henry Cavill), embarks on a journey to find out where he came from and what he was sent to Earth to do: save mankind from dark forces. Also attempting to learn more about Superman's origins is a young reporter for the Daily Planet named Lois Lane (Amy Adams). 

Zack Synder (Watchmen, 300) directs this superhero epic that proves rather short on substance and character development and long on action. Although the special effects are very well created, the fight/action sequences are far too prolonged, to the point where the destruction of New York City-for example-comprises a significant portion of the second half of the film. And there aren't even doses of comic relief like those in 2012's The Avengers to momentarily take the audience's mind from all of the fights and explosions.

The film also seems to be unable to maintain a uniform pace/rhythm all throughout. The beginning appears very slow, while the second half, where the action sequences prevail, seems much faster. I'm sure that one or two scenes from the first half could have been omitted or shortened and the fight scenes reduced as well.

I have never been a big fan of Mr. Snyder's films, as I personally find his style to be rather eccentric. However, this is not to say that his films are all major flops, as he has delivered great works such as 300. Compared to many other superhero flicks however, this movie proved to be a great letdown, although not as much as 2006's Superman Returns, where another virtually unknown actor (Brandon Routh) also played the Man of Steel himself. I also find it ironic that a British thespian was chosen to play a classic American superhero. Hearing Henry Cavill say "I'm from Kansas, General. I'm about as American as you can get" was quite amusing for this very reason. As tragic as it sounds, I suppose it's just simply become difficult to direct any half-decent new versions of movies about this beloved superhero. The Man of Steel's kryptonite has recently been mediocre directing/screenwriting. 

The Great Gatsby

 The Great Gatsby

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Genre: Drama/Romance

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton 

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

Release Date: May 10, 2013

My Rating: 7/10

In this new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic 1925 novel, Tobey Maguire stars as Nick Carraway, a war veteran who moves from the Midwest to Long Island in the summer of 1922 to follow his American Dream and begins working as a bond salesman on Wall St in New York City. Right across the bay live Nick's cousin Daisy (Carey Mulligan) and her husband Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton), with whom he begins to spend time. Shortly afterwards, Nick realizes that he lives next door to a mysterious millionaire named Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), another war veteran famous for throwing large parties. After Nick is invited to a party one night by Gatsby himself, he slowly becomes involved in the world of the rich, their illusions, loves and deceits.

Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann presents a glamorous portrayal of this beloved tale that astoundingly recreates the fashion and customs of the "roaring 20s" while adding doses of a modern twist to the style. Famous rap and hip-hop stars such as Jay-Z and Fergie provide the upbeat songs in the amazing soundtrack that reflect the glitz and glam of the era, with other more mellow artists like Lana Del Rey, Florence and the Machine, and Jack White rounding out the somber tracks that play against the film's backdrop.

Although this constant contrast/fusion of old and new (both with music and other theatrical elements) creates a great and original mix in certain scenes, at others it seems out of place and the anachronisms are more evident. The cinematography, however, is truly incredible and aesthetically pleasing: the party scenes are very colorful and beautifully shot.

Like many book-to-film adaptations, the film does not do the novel complete justice. It omits a number of subtleties contained in the novel, particularly with regards to the thoughts, opinions, and perceptions of the narrator, Nick. The film does keep the first-person narration, however, even though Nick's voice-over only appears in certain scenes, for obvious reasons.

Per usual, DiCaprio delivers an excellent performance (despite a slightly overdone 1920s accent), bringing to life the essence of the character of Jay Gatsby. Tobey Maguire also proves his status as an actor by immersing himself completely into the character of Nick, by incorporating his naiveté and by powerfully and very realistically projecting a wide variety of emotions all throughout the film.
Unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of seeing previous film adaptations of this novel (such as the 1974 version with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow) and thus cannot compare the styles of two or more different directors. I have, however, read the book and conclude that although it is a satisfactory adaptation in some senses, it does not truly capture some of the more abstract elements of the novel, such as the thoughts and feelings of the main characters.

The Place Beyond the Pines

The Place Beyond the Pines 
Director: Derek Cianfrance
Genre: Crime Drama
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Eva Mendes, Bradley Cooper, Ray Liotta
Distributed by: Focus Features
Release Date: March 29, 2013
My Rating: 9/10

Ryan Gosling stars as Luke Glanton, a motorcycle stuntman at a local fair in Schenectady, New York, the town whose name the title of the film is derived. (Schenectady is a Mohawk word that roughly translates to "place beyond the pine planes") One night, Luke is visited by his ex-lover Romina, (Eva Mendes) who reveals to him that she now has a son whom he fathered a year earlier. Upon learning this, Luke decides to quit his job at the fair in order to provide for his young child. Determined to be a responsible father, Luke begins working part-time and for low pay for a mechanic named Robin who tells him about his past days as a bank robber and suggests this as a possible way for Luke to gain more money. Although at first Luke is not convinced it is a good idea, he soon accepts and uses his skills as a motorcycle driver to pull off a series of bank robberies with Robin's help.
Luke's crimes quickly put him in the spotlight and cause him to be pursued by a rookie policeman named Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper). As the two men collide, their actions begin to have significant impacts on their personal and professional lives.

The film is beautifully directed and shot, with a number of scenes filmed dramatically with close-ups and frenetic camera switches that reflect both the somber mood and the fast-paced, suspense-filled and heart-pounding atmosphere that constantly alternate in and pervade the movie. The story is a very human and realistic portrayal of a broken family and the people around them that they affect and are affected by.

The film also intensely depicts the consequences of the decisions and actions taken by each main character, and how these consequences are multiplied in the following years.
Ryan Gosling gives a stirring performance as an unconventional father prepared to risk everything to care for his son, and Bradley Cooper delivers a powerful and visceral performance that I believe to be the best of his career thus far, as he plays a character so filled with a series of emotions that it recalls his Oscar-nominated role in Silver Linings Playbook. Cooper truly seems to immerse himself into the film and become his character.

My only criticism is that it is a rather long film, with a few scenes that could have been reduced or simply omitted entirely, as they seemed to either serve the same purpose or detract from the main focus of the film. Although I have not seen Blue Valentine (another of Cianfrance's films from 2010) and thus cannot compare film styles, what I can certainly say is that director Derek Cianfrance has created a beautiful portrait of two individuals and the life path they choose to follow. This film has single-handedly been one of my favorites of the year. This drama could not be better summed up by a line from the film itself: "If you ride like lightning, you're gonna crash like thunder."

About the Cinephile's Corner

Everyone likes movies, right? Some people might prefer a certain type of movies, like comedy, drama or thriller, but the truth is that films are a form of art and entertainment that have been universally adored for decades.
I, for one, have always been a cinephile (just like Michael Bolton in the Lonely Island's "Jack Sparrow" music video) and have created this blog to share my thoughts and critiques on the latest flicks out there.
I will try to alternate genres every post, so as to provide comments on all different types of movies. I will rate each movie on a scale from 1 to 10.
Disclaimer: The opinions I share on this website are my own and no one else's, and I am open to constructive criticism of any kind on my reviews. Anyone is free to disagree with my opinions.