July 2012
192 posts
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“There’s something wrong with your love story, baby.”
—Elena (Salma Hayek)
"Savages" Review
Synopsis: Two best friends, Ben and Chon, go head to head against the Mexican cartel to get the girl of their dreams back into their arms.
Thoughts: Love this film.
Reasoning: Where do I begin? I guess I will start… here.
The cast was amazing. Taylor Kitsch as the brutish “kill first and don’t bother to ask questions” type was great. John Travolta’s character had a nice arc with him as a compromised double crossing federal agent with a cancer stricken wife. Blake Lively performed her own special brand of “trashy rich girl with abandonment issues” wonderfully.
The two best performances in film were by Benicio Del Toro and Aaron Johnson.
Benicio Del Toro made excellent choices to execute his character e.g. when Blake Lively’s character spit on his character’s face, and licked up the spit as if it was a huge turn on for him.
Aaron Johnson was the show stopper of the film. His character, in my opinion, was the only one that got a full arc. I say this because his character went from a “we are the world” mantra, to a “I’ll do anything to get our girl back” mantra; without completely losing sight that his character much rather meditate with his enemies than kill them.
Theater Reaction: They were pissed off about somethings, but that had nothing to do with the film it had to do with AMC Theaters screwing up. Other then that they loved the film.
Conclusion: Buy The Ticket!
Magic Mike Review (A Smig Late)
Synopsis: A veteran male stripper, Magic Mike, takes a newbie under his guidance and ushers him into the fast life of a male stripper.
Thoughts: Where’s my dollar bills? Glad this is an ensemble cast. He needs his ass beat!
Reasoning: Alright, not going to lie, from the moment I heardChanning Tatum was doing a movie that would require him to be booty-butt naked the majority of the time, I immediately pre-ordered my ticket before production could have its wrap party.
The entire time I sub-conciously kept thinking, “where’s my dollar bills” as I reached for a wallet in the theater… several times.
Alright, I’ll actually start the review now. No doubt Channing Tatum’s acting chops has improved leaps and bounds, in fact it’s safe to say that he’s a descent actor now. With that said, I’m glad that he was surrounded by other good to great actors who gave solid performances e.g. Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer and Olivia Munn. I would give Channing Tatum more credit if he hadn’t halfway botched his performance during his “Oscar Moment,” (a major dramatic moment to show off the actor’s chops) when his character was questioning rather he truly wanted to keep stripping at his age.
The plot was well execute, I just wanted to see Alex Pettyfer’s character get his ass beat for being a jerk. Channing Tatum’s character could’ve at least punched him in the head for having to cover his debt, regardless of the insincere apology that Alex Pettyfer’s character gave him while guzzling a margarita.
Theater Reaction: The theater was chock-full of women. I’m pretty sure I actually saw a few stay-at-home moms and grandmas waving dollar bills.
Conclusion: Buy The Ticket!
“How pregnant did you get that girl’s mouth last night?”
—Mike Martingano (Channing Tatum)
“We all have secrets: the ones we keep… and the ones that are kept from us.”
—Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield)
The Amazing Spider-Man Review
Synopsis: An awkward teenage science geek is accidentally bitten by a genetically engineered spider, after sneaking into a research lab and is genetically altered into sub-species of half boy-half spider.
Thoughts: Solid, yet it’s missing something.
Reasoning: The Amazing Spider-Man had a solid storyline that moved from point A-B smoothly without any plot holes to be seen. Andrew Garfield’s character work for the infamous Peter Parker is right on point. He played Parker like the awkward, slightly angry boy without his farther, but hopelessly in love with the girl next locker over perfectly. Emma Stone played the doting “my boyfriend is sweet, but my farther just doesn’t understand” girlfriend perfectly. The rest of the supporting cast was great too, but to be honest there wasn’t any noteworthy performances.
I guess I shouldn’t complain since it’s hard enough for Hollywood to cast solid actors and execute an A-B storyline. However, it just seemed that is was lacking some comedic relief. I’m not saying go all Spider-Man 3, buuuuuuutttt it wasn’t nearly as witty and clever as I thought it would be. The cartoon, Ultimate Spider-Man, is way funnier than the movie.
My final bone to pick with this film, is the major fact that Peter Parker’s and Gwen Stacy’s romanticrelationship was underdeveloped. One minute they’re bumbling their way through a poor attempt to set up a date, the next minute they’re madly in love with one another. I guess it’s natural to make that kinda leap when the guy you “like-like” smacks you on the ass with a string of web he shot out his wrist? I don’t know about you, but I would have a hard time falling in love when I have to help save NYC from turning into a bunch of cold blooded lizards.
Theater Reaction: They clapped at the end.
Conclusion: Buy The Ticket!
P.S. Did anyone think the whole Toyko/Godzilla cracks bordered racist? At least lacking some political correctness, right?
