Limitless Review

Rating: 7.3/10 --> Good film, check it out when you can... 

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This review is gonna be short and sweet.  Limitless, starring Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro and Abbie Cornish is a good movie.  Not a great movie, but a good movie.  The story is interesting and unique, Bradley Cooper delivers an above average performance, and the film is shot/edited really well.  The box office seems to prove my point too.  Limitless cost only $27 million to make, and it made $79 million domestically and $155 million worldwide.  I guess it helps that Cooper can speak French fluently and is really popular across the globe. 

The idea that a pill can allow you to access every part of your brain, ultimately making you 100% efficient is a great idea for a film.  Cooper certainly has the acting chops to pull off the transformation from bum to class act, and he obviously was the best part of the film.  It was a cool movie, and perfect for renting on-demand or from Netflix.  There’s a great balance of action, drama, and humor to keep you interested throughout.  Also, it only runs 105 minutes long, so it doesn’t drag on. 

My favorite part of the film by far was the stylized shots when Cooper was on the pill.  Director Neil Burger made a great choice by over-saturating the shot when he was on the pill, and using dark filters when he wasn’t on the pill.  The contrast between the two worlds was fantastic to look at, and really depicted how Cooper was feeling when he could access all parts of his brain.

Basically this is a good movie.  It’s nothing special, but if you’re a Bradley Cooper fan, you’ll certainly enjoy it.  If it’s available on On-Demand or HBO definitely check it out. 

Captain America -- Best Superhero Movie this Summer

Rating: 7.9 --> Better than Green Lantern by a LONG shot

Source: http://rpad.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Captain-America-movie-poster.jpg

Director: Joe Johnston 

*NOTE* Sweet teaser for The Avengers after the credits 

This summer is overloaded with Comic Book Movies.  DC’s The Green Lantern was a total flop, making only $114 million domestically and $154 million worldwide… it cost $200 million to make the movie.  Marvel on the other hand has done pretty well for themselves so far.  Thor has made $180.5 million domestically and $447.7 million worldwide on a $150 million budget, and Captain America: The First Avenger has started off pretty strong in a very competitive market with movies like Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 2.  In just 2 weekends, Captain America has made a respectable $117.4 million and $170.9 million worldwide (remember unlike Thor this is a movie with a lot of AMERICAN pride and may not sell well to other countries), and the budget is $140 million.  Marvel has to be pretty pleased with themselves considering Green Lantern’s failure.  Despite the money, Captain America was my favorite super hero movie so far this summer, and is definitely worth checking out on the big screen.

I have to admit that I haven’t really read any Captain America comics, but as a fan of superheroes and the Marvel Universe, I know his general story.  From reading Wikipedia, Marvel.com, and talking to some true fanboys, I get the impression that Captain America comics are supposed to be campy, fun, and filled with clichés, so my expectations for the film were to be simply entertained and have fun watching it.  I saw Captain America the weekend it came out, in 3D and in Hollywood, are we having fun yet? Hell yeah I had fun.  Captain America was worth every penny.  It was exactly what I expect out of a summer super hero movie, and here’s why…

The film was really fun and entertaining.  Some people may knock down the the somewhat corny dialogue, and lighter plot, but that’s what Marvel comics are all about.  Captain America was written as a post World War II superhero.  The idea was to give people some joy and hope after a devastating war.  It evoked a feeling of pride into American youngsters for their country, and that’s what this film did.  It made me smile, it made me laugh, and you know what, there were some pretty sweet action scenes too.  Cap’s iconic shield was used a lot, and I was happy about it. 

Tommy Lee Jones and Hugo Weaving really stole the show for me.  Don’t get me wrong, Chris Evans, was a great Steve Rogers/Captain America, but I only really cared about him when he was suited up.  Tommy Lee Jones plays Colonel Chester Phillips, and he couldn’t be any more perfect for that role.  He provides the perfect amount of comic relief, as well as being the hard ass colonel you would expect.  Hugo Weaving is just an awesome villain, nuff said.  As the Red Skull, Weaving does a great job of being sinister and crazy.  The casting department did a great job on that part. 

Also, Hayley Atwell is a total smokebomb.  I use that word around here a lot… but I mean it. Thank you Barstool Sports for providing me with a new word for beautiful woman.  Besides  her absolute beauty, that English accent is very attractive. I don’t know what it is, but throw an English accent on to a total smokeshow and you have a recipe for ultimate hotness. 

Even if you’re not a big superhero or comic book fan you will like this movie.  There’s a little something for everyone in it.  There’s action, humor, a love story, and a cool twist on World War II.  Trust me when I say you’ll be happy to spend the money on Captain America, and if you don’t, well… I’m just an idiot and should probably stop writing this blog.

Moneyball Will Make "Money" at the Box Office

**Check out my post from outsidetheboxscore.com, a sports blog my fantasy football league set up**

Source: Source: http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/moneyball_poster.jpg

Moneyball, a #1 National Best Seller, written by Michael Lewis, has been adapted for the silver screen, and will hit theaters September 23^rd.  Baseball fans are already poppin’ woodies over this movie, and film geeks will soon follow… trust me.  Typically, sports movies tend to market to a niche audience – men, who eat, breathe, and sleep sports; the kind of people who have ESPN engraved into their TVs and refresh Rotoworld every 5 minutes.   Even with superstar Brad Pitt, funny fat-ass Jonah Hill, and Indie legend Philip Seymour Hoffman, you would think a movie about sabermetrics and OBP would have a hard time attracting a mainstream audience.  But that’s where you’re wrong.  Once the public gets word of the players involved, they will want to see this movie.  Moneyball has just started its advertising/marketing campaign (there’s only 1 trailer so far), and we can expect to see a lot more over the next month, that will attract a mainstream audience.  Here’s why Moneyball will meet the hype and make money at the box office.  I’m giving you my Rex Ryan “we’re gonna win it all” guarantee.

Aaron Sorkin and Steve Zaillian Wrote the Screenplay

Don’t know who these guys are? Well you should.  Sorkin won the Oscar for “Best [Adapted]The Social Network and has won a bajillion Emmy’s for The West Wing.   Zaillian, well he wrote a little screenplay called Schindler’s List, which also won the Oscar for “Best [Adapted] Screenplay.”  In the movie world, these 2 guys are high quality writers, whose track records are impeccable.  Some of their other works: American Gangster, A Few Good Men, Gangs of New York, Mission Impossible, and Sports Night. Yeah, these guys don’t fuck around when it comes to screenplays, and they’re sure to bring people to the theater. Screenplay” this year with

Director, Bennett Miller Made a Pretty Damn Good Biopic Called Capote

Bennett Miller has worked with Phillip Seymour Hoffman before.  Bennett Miller was nominated for “Best Director” at the Oscars with his film Capote, which is also based on a book and true story.  Enough said.

The Cast

 

As I mentioned before, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, and Philip Seymour Hoffman probably can’t do it all on their own, but the triple threat will definitely increase ticket sales.  Brad Pitt is a superstar.  He has made so man good movies from Se7en to Fight Club, and is sure to attract the average-joe.  Jonah Hill can be really funny (Superbad and Get Him to the Greek), which leads you to believe that he’ll provide some good comic relief, and will undoubtedly get younger people and younger sports fans to see the film.  As long as he doesn’t act like this is Funny People or The Invention of Lying, which are the types of films I’d wipe my ass with, there shouldn’t be a problem.  Philip Seymour Hoffman is the wildcard that will attract film geeks.  He has a great reputation in the Indie Film scene, and has proven countless times that he has great acting chops.

It Actually Looks Really Fucking Good

Seriously watch the trailer that’s out.  If you are a baseball fan or just a human, how can you not like what you see?  It’s an underdog story and America loves the fucking underdog.  Just ask George Mason Basketball, Mark Herzlich, or Anthony Robles and they’ll tell you.  ESPN eats that shit up, and so does anyone that owns a TV or goes on the Internet.  It’s actually a captivating story, and the fact that it was a National Bestselling novel should help too.

Mark my words; watch out for Moneyball this fall.  The film budget was 47 million, which in the scheme of things doesn’t look so bad when you have huge blockbusters like Green Lantern shit their pants after dropping 200 million.  At the very least, expect to see a few Oscar nods for Moneyball in the winter.  It might be the Oakland A’s only chance of winning anything anytime soon.

My Top 10 Kids Movies (Live Action)

When I got home from work yesterday, my roommates were watching some prime programming on ABC Family.  No, they weren't watching Cyberbu//y, which looks like an instant classic.  They were watching The Goonies, and to my surprise, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (The good one with Gene Wilder) came on right afterward.  This got me thinking, what are my favorite kids movies of all time.  Now, I had to leave out animated films for this list, because it would have been WAY too difficult. Although a lot of you probably won't agree with me, here's a list of my favorite live-action kids movies, that I still love and quote today.

10. Hook 

Here's the thing about Hook, I didn't actually see it for the first time until I was 18. Either way, it's still an epic kids movie, and I would have loved it if I were 7 when I first saw it.  Robin Williams is in his heyday playing Peter Pan.  There are countless memorable moments from Rufio chants to the epic sword fights with Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook.  To make the movie EVEN BETTER, John Williams composed the score and Steven Spielberg directed the movie. Win.

9. The Mighty Ducks (1&2)

Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, Keenan Thompson (when he was funny). What an all-star lineup for the Bad News Bears-esque Hockey movies.  There are classic moments in these films that I still reference today.  I can't tell you how many times we start the slow quack in intramural sports or sarcastically motivate ourselves with DUCKS FLY TOGETHER! I'm pretty sure the Anaheim Mighty Ducks were a result of the movies, which probably brought some actual popularity to the NHL for a little while.  Quality films that never get old, they just don't make kids sports movies like this anymore.  It's KNUCKLE PUCK TIME!

8. Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

I swear this is actually a kids movie produced by Disney.  This film-noir styled live-action, animated combo directed by Robert Zemeckis, came before cartoons had to be politically correct and censored.  Whoever drew Jessica Rabbit has an absolutely sick mind, because for a cartoon ... well never mind... but she even said it, with the famous line, "I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."  Roger Rabbit is definitely an underrated cartoon character, he's funny and absurd, which is a great combination for constant laughs.  There are plenty of cartoon cameos from Donald and Daffy Duck, Mickey, and many many more.  Christopher Lloyd even plays the infamous Judge Doom. 

7. Mary Poppins

There's not much to say, this film is iconic.  Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins) in one of her most memorable roles, accompanied by the versatile Dick Van Dyke (Bert).  It's hard not to sing along with all of the songs, which is probably why it has become a popular musical on Broadway.  Again, a movie with the live-action/animation combo. 

6. The Wizard of Oz

One of the most famous films in American History, this film can be defined by one word, Classic.  The sequence where Dorothy is transported to Oz and everything comes into color may be argued as the best film scene ever.  This movie is timeless, and Judy Garland's performance of Dorothy is amazing.  

5. E.T.

Another classic kids film from Steven Spielberg and fantastic score from John Williams.  Drew Barrymore is an innocent little girl (that didn't last long). Again, this film has so many memorable moments that are spoofed, adapted, and referenced in so many other pieces of pop culture.  These scenes include: Luring E.T. in with Reese's pieces, E.T. pointing and saying, "E.T. phone home," E.T. healing Elliott's finger with his own finger, and Elliott flying on his bike trying to save E.T. with the moon in the background. I mean, who could forget all of those moments. 

4. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (The Good One)

No not that piece of shit, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp as crepy/pedophile Willy Wonka, I'm talking about the fantasmical original version with Gene Wilder.  This is my sister's favorite movie, so I've watched it many, many times.  She liked it so much that she used to watch it two times in a row. Quite frankly I can't blame her.  Like many other movies on this list, there are countless songs that are so fun to sing-a-long with.  The Oompa-Loompa's are creepy, but their riddle-songs are always hysterical.  Gene Wilder plays Wonka with the right amount of humor and creepy/intrigue.  Made in 1971, Wonka's factory was such a beautiful sight, and just made you WANT candy, so, so badly.

3. Back to the Future (Trilogy)

Notice a pattern here? Most of these films are ICONIC. The Back to the Future trilogy certainly fits the build.  Unfortunately this is another film that I never saw until I was 18 (I don't know why, honest), but I have to put it at number 3 anyway.  The first film was by far the best one (they got worse with each sequel), but they are all extremely enjoyable.  It's a lot of fun to watch all 3 in a row, and follow the adventures of Marty McFly and the Doc.  In my opinion this has to be Michael J. Fox's most memorable role and Christopher Llyod does a great cooky, lovable character in the Doc.  Great Scott!

2. The Goonies

I have to thank my buddy Jon for being obsessed with his movie, because I never saw it until (yeah you guessed it) I was 18. **NOTE** I'm pretty sure all the movies I saw when I was 18 I watched in the same day with Jon.  Growing up people always told me to do the truffle shuffle, but I had no idea what they were talking about.  Now I couldn't picture not seeing this film.  The soundtrack is AMAZING, thank you Dave Grusin.  The cast is AMAZING: Sean Astin, Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, and SHORT ROUND! And who could forget Chunk and Sloth, what a great friendship. Oh and what a surprise, Steven Spielberg came up with the story and was an Executive Producer.  Goonies never say die, and this movie will certainly live in children film immortality. 

1. The Sandlot

I don't care what anyone says, this is my favorite kids movie and movie from my childhood... ever. I love baseball, so naturally I like this movie even more.  Every line, ever scene, and every character just resonated so well with me growing up.  I can't tell you how often I quote this movie, because it's way too much.  Whenever someone does something dumb, "You're killin' me Smalls." Whenever I use the word forever, "For-E-Ver." I've even used Squints' famous scene, where he fakes drowning, as the attention getting device for the opening of my impromptu speeches.  This movie is just AMAZING.  I rarely come across someone who doesn't like The Sandlot.  It's everything that was good about kids movies before the late 90s.  I don't know what wrong, but they sure as hell don't make 'em like they used to (Notice that the most recent movie I have listed, D2: Mighty Ducks, is from 1994).  

PS. I really wanted to put Home Alone on here, but I figured Steve Spielberg already had 2 films. 

**HONORABLE MENTIONS:  Heavyweights, Harry Potter (1-4), Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield, The Big Green, Beethoven, Homeward Bound, The Santa Claus, The Little Giants, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and The Little Rascals

Comic Con is Awesome Cause it Gives us Trailers

Although the majority of the world isn't at Comic Con the Internet allows us to benefit from all of the awesome parts of Comic Con without actually going to San Diego.  One of those awesome parts is all of the great trailers for upcoming movies and tv shows this fall, and let me tell you, I am giddy over a slew of trailers. In the worlds of Glen Quagmire, "Giggity Giggity let's go..."

Dexter Season 6 - I love this show. Michael C. Hall is amazing. Now Colin Hanks joins the cast, and there's a religion based theme to the season. Should be real interesting.

PS if you didn't realize it Hope Solo has been playing Deb all of these years...

Drive - I intern for the company that produced this movie, but NO this isn't a shameless plug.  Ryan Gosling is has Oscar nominee written all over in this film, and everyone's favorite villain, Bryan Cranston is also part of the cast.  Oh and who doesn't like hotties Carey Mulligan and Christina Hendricks.

Paranormal Activity 3 - The first one was good. Haven't seen the second. But Here's the trailer for the 3rd.

The Fighter -- Wicked Fawking Awesome

Rating: 8.0/10 --> Great film of 2010

Source: http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/the_fighter-535x383.jpg

Directed by: David O. Russell

Written by: Scott Silver (Based on a True Story)

It’s understandable why The Fighter was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars this past year.  It was a very well done boxing movie that made me think of Raging Bull.  However, there is one significant difference between The Fighter and Raging Bull.  In Raging BullThe Fighter, the supporting roles played by Christian Bale and Melissa Leo carried the film.  David O. Russell did a great job with the directing and shot selection in The Fighter, but there wasn’t anything that stood out about it.  Essentially, I wanted to see Christian Bale and Melissa Leo on the screen as much as possible, rather than Marky Mark and Amy Adams.  Their exceptional acting makes it very clear that they were both very deserving of their Oscar wins. Robert De Niro, who played the lead, carried the film along with Scorsese’s fantastic Directing, whereas in

The Fighter is a story about Lowell, Massachusetts legends: former esteemed boxer, Micky Ward (Wahlberg), and his brother Dicky Eklund (Bale), who was the “Pride of Lowell” when he knocked out Sugar Ray Leonard.  Dicky is Micky’s trainer, but finds himself consumed by drugs, causing him to be late for training sessions and go missing for days on end.  In attempts to become the successful boxer he knows he can be, Micky ditches Dicky as his trainer, and his mother/manager Alice (Leo).  Things start to go well for Micky. He gets a girlfriend, Charlene (Adams), and starts winning more matches.  Since, I don’t want to ruin the whole movie for you, I’m not gonna summarize the ending…

Don’t get me wrong, The Fighter is a really enjoyable, entertaining movie.  Christian Bale and Melissa Leo just so happen to give such powerful performances, that their time on the screen outweighs every other aspect of this movie in my mind. 

The actual boxing scenes are great.  There’s good energy and pace to the sequences that make you feel like you’re sitting just outside the ring.  Russell chose an interesting way to stylize these scenes too.  At times the color and quality are adjusted so that the sequences actually look like they are an HBO broadcast.  I’m not sure if I liked this or if it was distracting, but I certainly noticed it. 

Usually, I would like an orchestrated score for dramas such as this, but the Classic Rock soundtrack certainly works in this situation.  “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake, “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin, and “Strip My Mind” by Red Hot Chili Peppers were just a few of the great songs chosen to pump you up in the movie.  They certainly worked, because when you think of boxing and training, Rock music definitely provides the right tone for the movie.  

All in all, The Fighter is a great film carried by the Oscar winning performances of Christian Bale and Melissa Leo.  It deserved the Oscar nomination for Best Picture, even with a 10-film playing field.  It’s worth it to rent this on DVD and watch it on a big TV.  It’s worth taking 2 hours out of your day to see a crazy Christian Bale reminiscent of his character in American Psycho (because quite frankly being crazy and being on crack are pretty much the same thing).  If you’re a chick… there’s plenty of Marky Mark with his shirt off, don’t worry.  Oh, and there’s plenty of wicked retawded Bawston accents for everyone.

Rayner… Out…

Nickelodeon Finally Gets it Right

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It was announced  yesterday that Nickelodeon will play 90's Nick shows from Midnight-4am on TeenNick.  You can read the article here.

I can't tell you how awesome this is.  When I interviewed with Nickelodeon in April I said it would be great if they brought back some old 90s shows.  I was so prepared to pitch this exact idea to Nick if I got the job, but luckily, Nickelodeon interns from last summer beat me to the punch. Apparently, Nickelodeon finally decided to add the shows to late night TeenNick after various social-networking sites, such as Facebook, had groups pleading to bring back the old shows.  It makes sense that they FINALLY did it. I mean I can't tell you how many times I get into a conversation with someone around my age about how much BETTER cartoons were when we were growing up.  So thank you Nickelodeon, now us college kids will have something to look forward to when we get home hammered after a night of partying.  This sure as hell beats watching random HBO movies late at night or Sportscenter on repeat.