Review: Iron Man 3

The rest of the Avengers must have been busy.

 

Yes, I know, from a cinematic standpoint it wouldn't be feasible to have ALL of the Avengers/S.H.I.E.L.D agents in every Marvel movie. But I kept thinking, after Tony Stark's house gets blown to bits, where the hell is everybody else? 

 

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is suffering from anxiety attacks and possible PTSD from the New York situation. It's taking a toll on his and Pepper's (Gwyneth Paltrow) relationship. Then a terrorist named The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley in full 'MURICA! mode) starts blowing things up and threatening lives. The military can't catch him. They send in Rhodes, (Don Cheadle) who's War Machine suite got upgraded to the more friendly "Iron Patriot." but still no avail. Then there is man called Aldrick Killian (Guy Pearce) who Tony is really going to regret blowing off 13 years ago.

 

Certainly a step up from Iron Man 2, this one has got even more action to date. It also went the Dark Knight Rises route and stripped Iron Man down until we just get Tony Stark. Robert Downey Jr. makes him real, vulnerable, but still keeps his edge. I hate to admit it, but many super heroes in movies are pretty one sided, Tony Stark is not and it's really all credited to how great of an actor RDJ is. Even Pepper got upgraded from damsel in distress to reluctant badass at one point. I can't give enough praise to Kingsley and Pearce, they were fantastic here. If there was one problem I had with Iron Man 3, it was the little side story with the kid. (played by Ty Simpkins) They could've cast a better actor, I hate to say that about a child, but it's true. Those scenes came off corny when they should've been touching.

 

Bottom Line: Iron Man 3 may be the best of the Iron Man films, and it's always a pleasure to see what Robert Downey Jr. does with Tony Stark. Also, stay until the credits are done. I was amazed at how many people got up and left after they started rolling. This is a Marvel movie! OF COURSE SOMETHING IS AFTER THE CREDITS!

 

Recommended: Yes

 

Grade: B+

 

Memorable Quote: "Dad's leave, no need to be a pussy about it." - Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)

Indie Gems: American Gun

One nation under fire. 

Since guns seem to be the hot topic in the U.S nowadays, it just made sense to re-visit this little film.

 

This movie doesn't feel like it's on one side of the debate vs the other, it's just here to show us the different sides of guns in our cultures. From the honest owners, to the consequences of the irresponsible ones.

 

American Gun intertwines between a few different stories, among them is a inner city high school principal (Forest Whitaker) who's trying to make sure no weapons are brought into his school. He's faced with a decision on what to do with a good student (Arlen Escarpeta) who brings a gun with him to school every day because of the dangerous neighborhood he lives in. There's Janet (Marcia Gay Harden) a mother who's eldest son committed a violent crime at his old high school. Her younger son (Chris Marquette) is now the same age as his brother when he committed the crime. They do their best to just move forward despite the hard time the neighbors are giving them. (It's hard not to get angry at the people harassing Janet and David) Then there's Mary Ann (Linda Cardellini) a timid college student working her in grandfather's (Donald Sutherland) gun shop.

 

The cast is outstanding, particularly Harden and Marquette. It's hard to imagine how terrible it would be for the family members that had nothing to do with a crime one of their own committed. They really were top notch here. With all of these stories going on, sometimes it feels like our favorite actors might not get enough time of their own, but American Gun is certainly a film to seek out if you're a fan of any involved. Especially for Harden and Marquette

 

Grade: B

 

Memorable Quote: "If you have to have a gun to work where you work, maybe you should do your best not to be there." - Principal Carter (Forest Whitaker)

When Good Performances Make You Love The Bad Guy

While obsessing over Game of Thrones these past few weeks, the idea for this list occurred to me. I'm loving Tywin Lannister right now and that's terrible. Tywin is one of the worst people in the series and I shouldn't be excited to see him on screen. But Charles Dance plays him like such a fucking boss, I can't help myself. Tywin is a badass.  So here's 10 performances that made me love the bad guy.


1) Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Why: Tywin Lannister is the one of the most powerful men in Westeros. Even before he was Hand to the King he had his plots.

When things got real: When Tywin tells his youngest son, Tyrion how he really feels about him. How Tyrion doesn't have daddy issues is beyond me.

Favorite line: "We can arrange to have you carried."

Thanks to Charles Dance: He plays him with such authority. Tyrion has a line where he says "Seven kingdoms united in fear of Tywin Lannister." That sums up how intimidating Dance is. Also the way he tells Cersei "Yes you will." when he's forcing her into a marriage is borderline hilarious.

2) The Joker (The Dark Knight)

Why: He's chaotic, loves a little anarchy and some face paint. He's not the kind of guy that comes with a plan.

When things got real: When The Joker made that pencil disappear

Favorite line: "Why so serious?"

Thanks to Heath Ledger: This performance will go down as the greatest comic book villain ever. Even when he wasn't on screen, you are still thinking about him. He was enchanting, and he deserved every bit of the Oscar. I wish I could've seen him accept it.


3) Loki (The Avengers)

Why: Loki felt like an after thought in Thor, but he comes out front and center in the Avengers. He demands attention.

When things got real: When Loki needed that guy's eyeball. Ouch.

Favorite line: "I am Loki of Asgaard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose."

Thanks to Tom Hiddleston: Even with the slicked back black wig, Tom Hiddleston is insanely hot. It's easier to like a good looking villain.

4) Gus Fring (Breaking Bad)

Why: Breaking Bad's notorious drug dealer was all proper and professional when we first meet him. In fact, he's so business savvy, we tend to forget that he's committing a serious crime by running his operation.

When things got real: When Gus takes a box cutter to one of his employees just to prove to Walt and Jesse that no one fucks with Gus Fring.

Favorite line: "What does a man do, Walter? A man provides for his family. "

Thanks to Giancarlo Esposito: Watching interviews with this guy, he's so warm and friendly that it's actually a bit frightening when he get's into Gus's shoes and starts talking about killing babies.

 5) Russell Edgington (True Blood)

Why: Russell had a bit of the Gus Fring thing going on. He seems pleasant enough, but he's the most powerful vampire on the planet and he's on a total power trip. Plus he's the only guy on this list that is getting laid, so what's his deal, really?

When things got real: When he decided to make a cameo appearance on the national news.

Favorite line: "We will eat you. After we eat your children. And now for the weather, Tiffany?"

Thanks to Denis O'Hare: Russell was meant to be the main baddie in season 3, but I wound up hating Franklin more. You just have to respect Russell when he decides to go ape shit on everyone. (I mean, Eric did stake his lover.)

6) Darth Vader (Star Wars episodes 4-6)

Why: Because he's motherfucking Darth Vader. We just pretend that Hayden Christensen didn't play him.

When things got real: The first time he force choked someone to death.

Favorite line: "I find your lack of faith disturbing"

Thanks to David Prowse/James Earl Jones : I have to credit both of them, Prowse for just looking threatening, and Jones for providing that famous voice of his. Efforts combined, this is perfect for the character.


7) Prince Nuada (Hellboy II: The Golden Army)

Why: Villains often steal the show, but Prince Nuana made Hellboy II a far better movie that it should've been. He's a skilled fighter, and he's got this weird connection with his twin sister that opens up so many opportunities for jokes.

When things got real: When he unleashes his "tooth fairies" on a room of innocent bystanders.

Favorite line: "Let this remind you why you once feared the dark..."

Thanks to Luke Goss: He was fascinating in this. Unfortunately I haven't seen a lot of Goss's work, but I'd watch an entire movie dedicated to Prince Nuana if they made it, because that's how good he was.

8) Silva (Skyfall)

Why: Silva had a sick obsession with M, but after what he was put through, can you blame him? He was going to die with M, that's kind of romantic in a twisted way, right?

When things got real: When he shows us what hydrogen cyanide does to you.

Favorite line: "You're hurt! You're hurt! What have they done to you? "

Thanks to Javier Bardem: Parts of his performance reminded me of another great baddie of his, Anton Chigurh in No Country For Old Men. Except Silva had more charisma. I never expected to like a Bond movie. They never could hold my attention. Silva had my attention and my anticipation.

9) Lord Voldemort (The Harry Potter Films)

Why: Because he's the most horrific wizard that ever lived in my favorite book series. He's not afraid to ruin lives to get what he wants. And he yells "Nyyyaaahhhh!"

When things got real: That time he thought he'd go on a routine kill and ended up turning a baby into a pseudo-horcrux and got side lined long enough for him to come back even more pissed off than ever.

Favorite line: "Kill the spare."

Thanks to Ralph Fiennes: He looks exactly like I pictured Voldemort in my head. I seriously pictured evil Fiennes (Hello, Schindler's List) and the first time I saw that scene in Goblet of Fire when Voldemort re-takes a human form, and the camera pans to him as he opens his eyes; I was in shock. I could've screamed like a little fan girl. He's pure evil, and I loved the fact that they made him so scary.

10) Bill the Butcher (Gangs of New York)

Why: He's a scary fuck that plays with knives. Amsterdam is our protagonist, yet I'd much rather hear more about Bill.

When things got real: Technically, when he killed Amsterdam's father, but I'll go with him burning his knife on Amsterdam's face instead.

Favorite line: "Somebody steals from me, I cut off his hands. He offends me, I cut out his tongue. He rises against me, I cut off his head, stick it on a pike, raise it high up so all on the streets can see. That's what preserves the order of things. Fear."

Thanks to Daniel Day-Lewis: It's DDL, how can you not be enchanted with him on screen? If Bill had been played by anyone else, I would've hated him like I should, but when DDL steps in his shoes, you can't help but enjoy the spectacle.

What villains do you love?

DVD Review: The Sessions

Mahhhhk!

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist that header. Helen Hunt's accent was so distracting.

 

 

Set in the late 80's, Poet Mark O'Brien (John Hawkes) was stricken with polio when he was young. Now he spends a minimum of 20 hours a day in an iron lung. One day, he decides he no longer wants to be a virgin. After seeking his priest's (William H. Macy) council, he hires Cheryl (Helen Hunt) a sex surrogate to guide him through sex and teach him about his body.

 

Hawkes and Hunt give great performances. It's no doubt they were Oscar worthy (Hunt got nominated, Hawkes did not, unfortunately) but when you look at the rest of the movie, I hate to say, but it's rather boring. The thinly veiled plot doesn't feel complete. It feels like just a synopsis, much like the one I gave you in the first paragraph. Nothing else really happens. There was potential here and there, but each bit was brief and without conclusion. This was based on a true story, and I have a feeling that the real Mark O'Brien was far more interesting than this movie let on.

 

Which brings me to this question, can a film rest on performances alone? Or does it need the script to back it up? Absolutely. If the performances in this film had not been so superb, this movie would've been a flat out disaster. With them, it becomes just okay.

 

Recommended: Yes, for Hawkes and Hunt, because they are extraordinary, but don't expect much else.

 

Grade: C+

 

Memorable Quote: "Then please visit as often as you can." - Mark (John Hawkes)

 



Rambling TV 5/6-5/12 (The "Incredulous Picard" Edition)



Most of this week was spent watching baseball for me, but here's what else happened.. 

 

Game of Thrones

 

* I find it a little funny that GRRM wrote this episode, The Bear and the Maiden Fair, and it probably strayed away from the book the most.

 

*Tormond finally made a dick joke. I was wondering when we were going to get that. Jon and Ygritte flirted, and Jon lets her know they won't win a fight against Castle Black.

 

*Stannis's BFF, Melisandre told Gendry that he's actually Robert Baratheon's bastard.  He had a look on his face that suggested he'd rather be back with Arya than near King's Landing. Then we cut to poor Arya who is still being sold out by the Brotherhood. She runs, and The Hound catches her.

 

*The Boy is still trolling Theon. In perfect GRRM fashion this scene involved naked chicks for no apparent reason. It's suggested that Theon is going to get his, ahem, little Theon removed. They hinted at this in the books too, but not as explicitly. I still wish I could stop referring to this guy as "The Boy."

 

*Bran and company are still doing jack shit.

 

*Boss Tywin had a scene with Joffrey that didn't end with Joff getting bitch slapped. I still enjoyed it, Charles Dance and Jack Gleeson play their characters so well.

 

*Sansa finally said aloud what everyone else is thinking, "I'm a stupid girl with stupid dreams" (or something like that, I can't remember the exact quote) Personally, I don't hate Sansa. I actually think her naivety is pretty accurate. As a one time teenage girl, teenage girls are stupid.

 

*Shae got mad at Tyrion for his marriage predicament and Bronn encouraged it. Poor Tyrion, like Margaery said, he's not the worst Lannister.

 

*Robb Stark was naked, and it was glorious. Could've used some full frontal though. (Yeah, I said it) People are going to pick his scene with Talisa a part for a couple of reasons. 1) Talisa writing another letter. Some people think that Talisa is actually a Lannister spy. Partly because Robb's wife in the books (Jeyne) was the daughter of a Lannister bannerman. Personally, I don't think she's a spy. It's a solid theory, but I really do think she's just a woman that fell in love with Robb. 2) Talisa being with child. There's a theory in the books, based off how Catelyn and Jaime describe her HIPS of all things, that Jeyne  is actually pregnant with Robb's heir and is in hiding. I couldn't care less about this theory. To me it means nothing. 3) ** is a massive Dance with Dragons spoiler so I will put it at the bottom of the page so no non-readers are spoiled.

 

*Dany met with the slavers of Yunaki, and still Drogon stole all of the dragon screen time. I know he's the biggest badass of the three, but Rhaegal and Viseron could use some love too!

 

*How beautiful did Emila Clarke look in that dress though? Stunning.

 

*Now let's talk about my favorite part of the episode: Jaime and Brienne! They had a really sweet moment before Jaime rides off and she calls him "Ser Jaime." Using his name, just as he asked in the bath house. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau really is one hell of an actor, because you could see the emotional struggles Jaime was having on his face. The show can't show us Jaime's inner monologue like the books can. But when he turns around and jumps in the bear pit after Brienne, it was perfect. I'm disappointed we didn't get the "I dreamed of you" line from Jaime to Brienne, but there's still hope for it in the next episode since they didn't really get a chance to talk .



 

 

 

True Blood
*True Blood is still my TV crack. There's been new promos on TV, and now I'm getting all giddy for it like I do every year. I really hope it isn't as terrible as it was last season.

*I hope they kill of Nora early on, I really dislike her character. Speaking of killing characters, True Blood could definitely lose a few to make the show more interesting.

*I hope the guy that Sookie is making out with in the trailer is short lived. I prefer her with Eric. Or Sam.

*Speaking of Eric, please give us more Eric/Pam scenes. I hated when they were fighting last year, they are the best when they are together.

*More Godric flashbacks would be nice too.

*Less story lines all around. This isn't Game of Thrones, you don't have THAT many interesting character that deserve their own story.

The Fades

*I finished watching the 6 episodes of this wonderful British show, and I'm really bummed they didn't shoot more.

*Joe Dempsie and Daniel Kaluuya really made this show for me. Great performances.

*I almost wonder if this would've did better if it had been on the SyFy channel, or any other American network. It's not that the Brits can't do science fiction. (They can, hello Doctor Who) I just think it would've gotten a bigger audience that way, and thus would've lead to more seasons.

*They wrapped up the first season well, but they did leave a whooping cliffhanger on what could've happened. Still, if you get the chance, check this out.

The Big Bang Theory

*Amy and Sheldon actually had a really tender moment where their D&D characters pretended to have sex. I thought it was perfect. Jim Parsons is really an incredible actor.

*Penny wasn't made to look like a total idiot this episode. I appreciated that.

*Raj and Lucy took their relationship to the next level. Hopefully that means he can talk to women without alcohol.

*Simon Helberg is really good at doing impressions. Loved his Nic Cage.

SNL
*Kristen Wiig hosting SNL was a total let down. Nothing was funny, the good majority of her old characters were never funny or got old quickly. Personally, I don't get all of the praise for her. Yes, she's funny, but she's no where near Tina Fey or Amy Poehlar.


*****MASSIVE GAME OF THRONES SPOILER ALERT*****

The 3rd thing about Talisa being pregnant could lead to a change that I really don't hope they do. You see, in the books, Ramsay Bolton marries a girl posing as Arya Stark so that he can be the lord of Winterfell. Some people think that instead of casting the fake Arya, they will use Talisa since she is already established. I can totally see this happening, especially since Ramsay and fake Arya's scenes would be hella uncomfortable, but to me there's too many gaps in logic for this to work. 1) Talisa being married to Robb only matters when he's alive. When he's dead, she's just another girl again. Even if she was pregnant with his child, with Robb dead she really has nothing. 2) Secondly, in DWD Theon helps fake Arya because he knows her from growing up in Winterfell. Theon left before Robb met Talisa, therefore he would have no attachment to her whatsoever. 3) Last but not least, It's Jon Snow that sends a party to save "Arya." He obviously does this because he loves his sister, but he WOULDN'T do this for Robb's wife that he never met. I doubt he would risk his men." I know this is all purely speculation, but it's a route I really hope they don't go down.


*****ENDING MASSIVE GAME OF THRONES SPOILER**

Indie Gems: Driving Lessons

More than just the Weasleys.

 

Ben (Rupert Grint) is a shy awkward teenager and aspiring poet. His mother (Laura Linney) is a bit over-bearing and Ben really just needs a break. He begins to work for Evie (Julie Walters) a retired actress who takes him under her wing. They enjoy each other's company and Evie guides Ben through the troubles of being a teenager on the brink of adulthood. Eventually Ben gets enough nerve to get laid AND tell his long time crush to fuck off. Brilliant.

 

I guess I have a soft spot for "coming of age" stories. This one stood out to me because at the time, it was the only thing Rupert Grint had done besides Harry Potter. (aside from some terrible sounding kids movie called Thunderpants) This is also one of the rare occasions where I actually purchased a DVD before viewing it. (Because I could not find this ANYWHERE in the States when it first came out) Grint and Walters have awesome chemistry together and great comedic timing.

 

This isn't their best work, but it's a fun little film to watch, and was even more enjoyable upon a repeat viewing. I still think Grint is the strongest actor of the Potter kids, so I look forward to the new films he's got coming out this year. This one is a must see for any fan of his.

 

Grade: B-

 

Memorable Quote: "....Thanks for having me." - Ben (Rupert Grint)

Review: Trance

Do you want to remember?

Simon (James McAvoy) is an art auctioneer who agrees to be in a theft of a very expensive painting. You see, Simon has a bit of a gambling problem, and Frank (Vincent Cassel) has agreed to get him out of debt if he helps him and his crew pull this off. Well, he doesn't. The painting is missing, and Simon took a blow to the head and cannot remember what happened. They enlist the help of Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson)a hypnotherapist to try to help him remember.

 

Danny Boyle's signature style is all over this film. The wonderful music, the bright splashes of color, the way he frames certain shots. It's something I've grown to love about his work. The film has plenty of twists and turns, at times it's a little hard to follow, but it keeps you guessing.

Let's talk about the acting. This role is a departure from the ones I'm used to seeing McAvoy play. It was very welcoming. Cassel is wonderful and sinister as always,(and even does a fabulous Gus Fring impression at one point) and Dawson gives a very bold performance. I was actually kind of surprised with Dawson. She's a good actress, but I didn't expect her to do some of the things this role required.

This isn't my favorite Danny Boyle movie, but it does rank high on my list. A must see for any fan of the director and the leads.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "Strawberry" - Simon (James McAvoy)