Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review

My wife and I caught this one at the midnight showing. I wore my Donkey Kong shirt in case you were interested. I know you are.

I was looking forward to this one after getting sucked in by the Andy Serkis and CGI tacking featurette I saw online, see below. Though, I was still reserved about how yet another apes movie would fare considering they've beaten the subject to chimp crazed pulp.

I was astounded to find that the featurette hype was right on. Though many might feel that the CGI isn't quite there, they do a FANTASTIC job of following Caesar from birth and showing his progression. I think that most complaints are from people who see an emotive ape and aren't used to it. The intelligent eyes and expression set them apart and though it's really what might make them look less believable in the end they hand hold you and explain that this part was very much intentional. They also cover their tracks by explaining that the eyes of the apes are changed by their genetic/mental alteration.

I must preface my score on this one by adding that though I've seen most of the PofA movies I don't consider myself a die hard fan and would be hard pressed to quote much more than the "damn dirty apes" line. Yet geekyness prevailed and I found myself in line at midnight.

James Franco and John Lithgow help give the movie a lot of its heart and crazy as a duo. Freida Pinto does well enough as the required female role. Tom Felton delivers one particular line that feels really really flat, but does well enough being a sniveling coward of a man. He's been typecast of course.

I don't like to give away much plot because personally the less I know about a movie the more I enjoy the experience. If you want a synopsis you can look it up on IMDB. One thing I will say is that this story line MAKES SENSE. Thank you ape script gods. Yup 99% of movie goers will feel like they know what happened. This is a movie that feels like an origin story should. It has 75% heart to 25% action but the action is fierce and well balanced. If you're expecting Ape on Man violence for 2 hours you'll be disappointed but if you want to find yourself genuinely caring for Caesar and rooting for his freedom, then strap in because this film grabs you.

It's a must see. 3.7 out of 4 bananas.

Cowboys & Aliens Review

The whole family (4) went out to this one because the premise envelops so many possibilities. The kids and I just thought it would be immensely cool where as my wife was bracing herself for the worst. The promise of wonders that only a childhood imagination can reach is a tough sell. By naming this movie Cowboys & Aliens you would be hard pressed to find someone who was expecting a serious run at a Western or Sci-fi Thriller.

The way that Cowboys & Aliens grabs you is by doing just that. They set upon making a run at a real Western flick and a science fiction thriller that gets you hopping out of your seat. The cinematography is majestic. Quick, switch to the AMC channel! Yeah, like that. The CGI on all the alien's, their ships, and set pieces are superbly well done.

Harrison Ford teeters on the edge of over acting but holds it together. The resident hottie of the area OK 54 Corral, Olivia Wilde, seemed off throughout the film but though it's distracting it eventually adds to the film. It was refreshing to see Paul Dano playing the roll of Ford's son who did so well in Little Miss Sunshine and was a redeeming voice in Knight and Day. He didn't have to flex his acting chops in the one though. I only had a few odd things which I will bring out later after opening day but by no means are they deal breakers.

Many have seen the opening scene with Daniel Craig seemingly disoriented but with serious hand to hand skills and a descent shot. The movie keeps that hard edge small town survival mode and while it makes stops along the way, they are generally important story points that are also much loved western cliches. Even the silly "townsfolk plucking" seen in the trailers doesn't seem silly at all during it's 118 minutes. It's a fun thriller that does well to move the story along to the action so you don't get swamped up in the details or question why you're enjoying the movie so much.

To my relief most of all the questions thrown at you in the movies early minutes get resolved. Daniel Craig did a fantastic job as the silent hero. Harrison Ford, according to my son, "He's still in shape, I'll tell ya that." My wife thought it was "way better than Transformers, but that's not saying a whole lot" and my youngest thought it was scary in parts but loved it the most. It won't win any awards, but that's not what this movie is about.

It's a must see! Bring fun and imagination, not speculation. Either way you'll likely enjoy it.

Losnsa 8 out of 10

Wife 7.5 out of 10

12 Year Old Son 8.5 out of 10

11 Year Old Son 9 out of 10

Audience Applause?: Yes.

Due Date

I must have had a few bad cinematic months or possibly comedy starved because I really liked Due Date but based on some of the reviews out there it was horrible. Now, don't get me wrong, it had the potential to tank especially based on some of the glaring plot holes that scream sloppy screen writing but they knew that you couldn't lose with Zac Galifianakis and the always great Robert Downey Jr. They were right, but look for Robert Downey Jr. to tear it up as a Swedish Bikini Team model or Sumo Wrestler in his next film because he has solid anti-typecasting strategy.
Nevertheless he plays Peter Highman (They aren't subtle are they) the straight guy trying to get home to see his first child born. Complications ensue when he meets Zac the super perm nut Ethan Tremblay. Its a high wire act of absurd drama and hilarious laughs and if you can step beyond the sloppy plot points, I have faith, you'll laugh yourself into a stupor. Enjoy, I did.

Due Date on IMDB

Inception

I know that most of you have seen Inception by now, but I just want to share a little love for Chris Nolan's latest. As you all may know, I have great love for movies that don't cater to the least common denominator. Just because its complicated a lot of people may not like it and therefore, poof you get dumbed down content year in and year out. Chris Nolan dares to put together a film that tells a great story without selling out. Doing so has given it incredible buzz and kept its lofty heights beyond the release of Salt. I'm sure that there are more complicated movies out there, but this is watchable. Complexity for complexity's sake is not what I'm championing here.

We watched Following, one of his early works, before going out and catching Inception and got a real feel for how this was going to unfold. The movie is complex though he's matured his film making quite a bit. Nolan marries fantastic actors/acting, with incredibly detailed, saturated sets, crisp editing that keeps pace with your senses and a story line that challenges your mind. Go out and catch it if you haven't and if you have, then I already know you are looking for someone who hasn't seen it so you can immerse yourself in your dreams again.

Cyrus

I'll be heading out to get a mouthful of the movie screener for Cyrus tonight. Hope to spew it all over the next blog post. Can they go wrong with this all star comedy threesome? I'll be watching Marissa Tomei's performance particularly. Rar.

http://www.foxsearchlight.com/cyrus/

Update Review:
Cyrus blew me away with exactly the kind of movie I've always wanted. An uncompromising dark comedy intent on making me uncomfortable to the point of hilarity. Jonah Hill works his magic with some inspiring comedic fencing off of John C. Reilly. So, why wasn't I happy? Why wasn't I left wanting a 1000 more movies like this? Did Marisa Tomei tank the film? God no! Blasphemy.
I'm not sure, but I think they were just not funny enough when I expected something entirely different. The drama actually took an equal partnership with the shenanigans and on their own they work well, but together it seemed short. I can only be that much more impressed with the actors and directors that have made the darkest of comedies work seamlessly. This movie has so many things going for it that it has to get great reviews but something was missing and because of that, I won't likely see it again.
I've got one last theory. Somewhere in the middle of filming, everyone realized that this movie was no joke, that they had actors, not comedians, and the real edgy crazy neurotic thing would be to drop the laughs all together and make a real film that hit home about something thats really disturbing. I like that. Maybe I will see it again.