A perfect film shines light on an imperfect past
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Matt Mungle
Title: Lincoln
Rated: PG-13
When you combine a great American icon and a passionate cause, with one of the greatest actors and directors of our age what you get is a film like Lincoln. It is a movie made more endearing by Daniel Day-Lewis in the title role. Would it have been superb without him? Probably. Is it legendary with him? Absolutely. There is no doubt that the film to see this holiday is Lincoln.
This takes a snapshot from the Civil War era when honest Abe (Daniel Day-Lewis) was battling his own cabinet to try and get the 13th Amendment passed. It is a bold and heart moving portrayal of the man and his soft demeanor in the face of a volatile America. It seldom gets distracted with other motives but instead keeps the camera lens squarely on the President and the passing of this bill. This may disappoint those looking for a bloody war picture or a North South confrontation. But this one offers far more depth.
The supporting cast is magnificent and each delivers a performance that is perfectly compatible with the other. Sally Field gives us the role we have been waiting years for her to give. As Abe's wife Mary Todd she is a woman dealing with the loss of a child and a husband who is unwilling to bend when it comes to the war and his agenda. Much of the film deals with the two opposing political sides. Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens is certainly in line for an award nomination. He is surrounded by names too many to mention here. The entire list of credits is worth mentioning in one way or another.
But there is no denying that the success of this film is in the hands of Day-Lewis. He has this ability to morph into any role he plays. This is evident in the many awards he has received for past projects. The man literally engulfs himself into a character to the point you can't tell where he ends and the other begins. In this one it is as if Lincoln stepped out of time, possessed Daniel, and took over the film. The strong yet soft spoken hero of the people moves about with a familiar gate and puts everyone at ease. His storytelling and likeability makes this Lincoln a screen gem.
Lincoln is rated PG-13 for an intense scene of war violence, some images of carnage and brief strong language. As mentioned the film is not about the war, but there are a couple of brief depictions of what is happening outside the cabinet walls. The language is strong throughout, and if anything is to worry movie goers, it is the expletives used throughout. It is always in the context of heated arguments among the opposing players. Yet still there none the less.
This is a powerful film and director Spielberg (yes that Spielberg) does a perfect job of showing the man and the cause. This was a tumultuous time for our country and though many films have covered the war few have gone inside the political arena. And none like this one. I give it a 5 out of 5 anecdotes. It is that perfect.
Last Updated on Sunday, 18 November 2012 22:23
Hits: 1151
Beautiful movie is a complex undertaking for viewers
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Matt Mungle
Cloud Atlas hits theaters this weekend with a well-stocked cast, and imagery that screams artistic interpretation. Tom Hanks leads the force along with Halle Berry, Hugo Weaving, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, and more.
This is not a film for your typical outing. It is nearly three hours long (172 min) with a back and forth convoluted story line full of numerous characters. Most actors play up to six individual characters. This alone is enough to make it a cerebral undertaking. The concept is beautiful, and you can tell from the trailer that the imagery is unmatched this year. The question becomes whether or not the payoff in the end is really worth the journey. Many will say they love it just to seem smart. Other will genuinely connect with it and praise its glory.
Synopsis: An exploration of how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution. Rated R for violence, language, sexuality/nudity and some drug use it is an adult story, and one only a mature audience can appreciate; or sit through.
Another adult film releasing this weekend is far grittier and certainly not as pretty to look at. When do you root for the bad guy in a film? When everyone else is worse. That is sort of what you deal with in the new R rated crime thriller, Pusher.
Frank (Richard Coyle) is a street smart drug dealer in London. He knows the business and transacts with his numerous clients with an approachable demeanor. Things fall apart when a drug deal goes bad, and Frank ends up owing the wrong people a lot of money. The movie follows one week in his life when everything spirals out of control and Frank has to pull out all stops just to stay alive. What he goes through from Monday to Sunday will keep your nerves on edge and your teeth clenched in anxious anticipation.
Pusher is rated R for pervasive drug content and language, some strong sexuality, nudity and violence. No question that it is an adult film and only for those who can take a visual punch to the face. It is heart pounding and intense. There were times when I found myself holding my breath. This is mainly due to the solid acting and expert filming. When a filmmaker can make you feel like you are in the room with the characters and in the same danger, that is a solid accomplishment. I give it 4 out of 5 Google calendars. Not a film for everyone. But a near perfect one for the genre.
Finally the only thing close to a family film is the PG-13 adventure Fun Size. Sort of this generations Adventures in Babysitting. Stars tween sensation Victoria Justice and is about a girl who loses her little brother while out trick-or-treating. While it looks kid friendly it is better suited for those 13 and up.
Want to watch in the comfort of your own home? These films hit blu-ray shelves earlier this week:
Madea's Witness Protection
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Magic Mike
Disney’s Secret of the Wings.
Copyright 2012 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved.
Last Updated on Sunday, 28 October 2012 21:33
Hits: 1339
New movies offer a range of entertainment
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Matt Mungle
A few choices are available for you to spend your movie dollar on this weekend. A familiar face and some familiar games may help you decide as Denzel Washington takes Flight and John C. Reilly voices arcade icon Wreck-It Ralph. Both options will deliver strong box office numbers, it just depends on what you are in the mood for.
Flight is the R rated drama centering around an airline pilot (Denzel Washington) who goes from hero to scapegoat after he saves a plane from crashing. The ensuing investigation uncovers some disturbing facts. This film comes in a few ticks over two hours, but there is never a doubt that Washington can carry a film that far and longer.
Another plus for this film is that Robert Zemeckis is in the director's chair. He is best known for Forrest Gump, the Back to the Future Trilogy and Cast Away. That powerhouse duo will always deliver a movie worth watching. The issue simply becomes whether you want to root for the characters and all the dumb decisions they make.
Also the dramatic elements make the 2 hours feel more like 3. As to content it is rated R for drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense action sequence. It certainly earns the R rating so be prepared going in.
On a much happier note there is the PG rated Wreck-It Ralph. This Disney film is aimed at kids, but it is the parents that will be just as entertained; especially if they grew up in the world of video games. Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) is a villain in the arcade realm but wants to become a hero. During his quest, he upsets the balance in the world he lives. This one has lots of fun characters and a slew of familiar voices including Jack McBrayer, Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch, and more. Rated PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence.
If you are looking for that dark, quirky, comedy/drama then you can see The Details. Stars Tobey Maguire, Elizabeth Banks, Laura Linney, and Ray Liotta. It is a decent film for fans of suburban dysfunction. The plot is an absurd mess of infidelity, organ donation and other assorted mayhem. Rated R for language, sexual content, some drug use and brief violence.
For those looking to stay on the couch the following hit DVD shelves earlier this week. The Campaign, RUBY SPARKS, and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Last Updated on Sunday, 04 November 2012 21:25
Hits: 726
Variety of films hit theaters this weekend
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Matt Mungle
In 2007 audiences were scared out of their seats by a little low budget film called Paranormal Activity. The film cost around $15,000 to make and grossed nearly 200 million. So it is no wonder that they saw a cash cow and kept cranking them out.
Now sadly, we are up to the 4th installment. I say sadly because I am afraid (no pun intended) that the nostalgia of the first one will soon be lost like those of Jason and little Michael Meyers. Paranormal Activity 4 didn't screen early enough to make this article, but I can tell from the trailers that this one is going to be just as insomnia inducing as the others. It has an R rating and for good reason.
If you like your chills and thrills more in the mystery crime arena then maybe you are better suited for Alex Cross, also releasing this weekend in theaters. Tyler Perry takes up the role as Dr. Alex Cross this time around. Many of us remember Morgan Freeman in the role back in 1997 and 2001.
I for one have a hard time getting on board with Perry. Granted he is a stronger actor and will bring a more physical presence to this installment, but Freeman had this quiet calculating persona that I think better fit the book series. In this film, Cross is informed of the murder of a family member and has to track down the killer.
Fans of the books will find similar plot points in the book titled Cross, though the connections are few. If the studio decides to turn all of Patterson's Cross books into films, Perry might find himself staying busy. Though at this time there are none in production. As long as Madea doesn't show up in this film, I will be happy. Alex Cross is rated PG-13 for violence including disturbing images, sexual content, language, drug references, and nudity. Probably more suited for those 16 and over.
Finally if you think all of this is just fluff and want something more artistic and socially relevant then you can check out Diana Vreeland: The Eye has to Travel opening this weekend at The Magnolia theater. This PG-13 (for some nude images) documentary takes a look at the life and work of the influential fashion editor of Harpers Bazaar, Diana Vreeland.
Want to watch in the comfort of your own home? These films hit blu-ray shelves earlier this week.
* Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted
* Chernobyl Diaries
* That's My Boy
* Moonrise Kingdom
Copyright 2012 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved.
Last Updated on Monday, 22 October 2012 10:13
Hits: 1331
Action sequel depends heavily on Neeson
Written by Phil Cerroni
By Matt Mungle
Title: Taken 2
Rated: PG-13
The filmmakers spent little time working on a title for the new action thriller sequel to Taken. They made it Taken 2 and called it a day. The original film was widely accepted and was a fairly decent time in the theater. There is no doubt that in this one someone is going to get taken; let's just hope it isn't the movie goers.
Former CIA operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is the target this time around when the father (Rade Serbedzija) of one of the bad guys killed in the first film sets out for revenge. Bryan, his daughter Kim (Maggie Grace) and his ex wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) are in Istanbul trying to get in a few days of relaxation when they are snatched up by the Albanian mobsters. Bryan must once again use his "skills" to save his family from certain peril and put an end to all of this.
It is safe to say that this one follows closely to the template that made Taken a success. The tension is felt from the very beginning and you sort of know what is coming. This keeps you on the edge of your seat and locks you in from the start. There is nothing surprising about the story yet the suspense is still felt. Neeson is the same "cool under pressure" op that made his character powerful in the original. Here is a guy that is an overprotective dad and with OCD tendencies. He will do anything to protect his family and luckily has the ability.
This story takes place in Istanbul which adds a nice backdrop for the car chases and rooftop escapades. It is colorful and crowded with narrow streets and dark alleys. The cast work great together and Janssen gets a little more screen time in this one though she is never more than a damsel in distress. Grace is back too and luckily they don't allow her character to do too much in the area of impossibility. Neeson on the other hand carries the entire film, as you would expect, and he doesn't disappoint.
Taken 2 is a slick action thriller that delivers on every level. Fans of the first one will take to this one as well. It doesn't try to recreate the wheel, but allows it to turn as it should. It is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sensuality. The main concern for those who shy away from violence is the body count. Tons of gun fire and fisticuffs will make action fans drool but will be overwhelming for the weaker vessels. Strong characters and expert direction help propel this one into a fun fall outing.
I give it 4 out of 5 tiny phones. Again you can base your reaction to the first one on how you will feel about this sequel. It is easily as good if not slightly better in some areas. And the best part is you really don't have to have seen the first one at all to get in on the action.
Copyright 2012 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved.
Last Updated on Sunday, 07 October 2012 14:17
Hits: 1473
