Brave

This is one of my favorite Pixar offerings that is not a sequel in some time. I like it better than Up, Wall-E, Cars, Ratatouille just to begin with. Then I would have to really think about the films I like the most and make an in depth voting system to help me accurately determine where Brave would stand overall. Initially I am thinking 4th behind the Toy Story franchise (Lumped together), Monster's INC, and Finding Nemo. I liked it that much. I liked that I didn't know what the sub plot was going to be. All we know from the marketing campaign is that the heroin wants to change her fate. What is her fate? Well, she is a King's daughter and she is now old enough to be betrothed to someone she has never met. This is where the old adage "Be careful what you wish for" is instituted to the fullest. I thought it was going to be similar to "It's a Wonderful Life", but it couldn't be further from that. I am not going to get into what actually changes in her life, but it turns into a tale of fixing what you have already done, and not taking for granted the people most special in your life. Brave is the most vibrant film since Nemo in my opinion. The ocean has so much to offer as far as color and scenery, and Brave used beautiful landscaped from Scotland along with using very understandable accents and set in the 10th century make this comedy so much fun to enjoy visually alone. The story is fantastic as well, and lots of people were telling me it was dark and my 3 year olds may be frightened. I think I disagree with this. It has one or two scary moments involving a big snarling bear, but when I heard it was dark, I immediately thought of black magic and faces melting ala Raiders of the Lost Ark. That was not the case and my kids were not frightened. I loved it and cannot wait till I can buy it on DVD and wear the disc out from overuse. To me, it was a refreshing rebirth of what Pixar is capable of.


NBM rates Brave - Phenomenal

Safe House

Denzel is definitely at the height of his powers as a Hollywood leading man. He produces nearly everything he stars in, which shows he picks what he wants to do, and he rarely chooses poorly. Though not all his reach critical acclaim, each and every one of them (even when they involve a runaway train) are very good films that seem to be made for everyone. They never seem to go toward one specific group or another. They seem to appeal to everyone. Safe House is no different. I'm sure he had some say in the casting of Ryan Reynolds to play opposite him in this international conspiracy thriller, and he knew what he wanted and Ryan delivered. At what point I was surprised that the kids who started out on the TV show "Two guys, a girl, and a pizza place" could go toe to toe with Denzel, but at times he stole the scene. He is a CIA rookie who never sees any action, or any one for that matter. He babysits an always empty structure used as a Safe House/ Interrogation quarters when such a place is needed. Then the one day he gets a prisoner it happens to be Tobin Frost (Denzel). He is the baddest of the bad. He defected from the CIA some 10 years earlier and is wanted for the highest form of treason possible. He sells secrets about his government and operatives to the highest bidder which is why the government wants him back so badly. The way he is caught raises some suspicion, but the real problem are the people who want him dead more than the US government. Lots of bad people come a callin', and it turns into Reynolds job to keep him alive. This task turns out to be near impossible, but the longer they find themselves with each other, the more tidbits Reynolds collects as to why Frost disappeared to begin with. Great action, a smart plot, and fantastic acting make Safe House a must see for anyone who wants a bang bang shoot em up with heart.


NBM rates Safe House - Phenomenal

The Adjustment Bureau

This is one of the best films I have seen in recent years. Maybe it was the subject matter. Maybe it was that I had it pegged all wrong, and it was unlike anything I could have expected. I don't know, but I now LOVE this film. I thought it was going to be a political thriller much like The Ides of March. Not even close. Politics play a role in the plot, but by no means is this film political. This film answers to a higher power than any government could ever possess. It's mainly about life choices and where they will lead your future, but it is also about intervention when necessary to give one a bit of a nudge in the direction you are "suppose" to go. David (Damon) is about to embark on two moments that will define him as a man. He is about to lose an election for a Senate seat, and he is about to meet Elise (Blunt), aka, The woman of his dreams. It is love at first sight, but it is not meant to be. That doesn't stop him from looking for her, but it will be 3 very long years before he runs into again and this is where we get an inside look into what "The Adjustment Bureau" is. Without giving away to much, they are a group of men who feel they know what is best for every human on Earth, and they are also the ones who give those little nudges I spoke of earlier. The thing about this Bureau is no human knows of their existence. Not suppose to. They merely observe, until observing isn't enough. I immediately related them to the observers from Fringe, but in fact this is based on a book that precedes that show some 30 years, so JJ Abrams is actually the plagiarizer here. Shame Shame JJ. So what we here is actually a really great thriller that will keep you enthralled with the end game, and it may make you think of some of the choices you have made in life that you either regretted or didn't understand why you do such a thing. Is there an Adjustment Bureau, or is all just Free Will? Fantastic film with wonderful performance all around. Buy it, rent it, watch it, pass it along to anyone who hasn't seen it. 

NBM rates The Adjustment Bureau - Phenomenal

This Means War

Exactly what I expected? Sure, but with an added bonus. Great chemistry between the two leading men. They are close as brothers in the film and that could be hard to play, since they probably first met on the set. They successfully made me believe they have known each other for 20 years. This is a sign of great actors. I am a Tom Hardy fan, and this is a bit of a different role for him. Of the two men, He is the more sweet, understanding guy and Chris Pine is the playboy, arrogant stud. It was good to see Hardy tone down his brutish glares and intimidating stares. This is the story of two men who fall for the same woman played by Reese Witherspoon. The catch is, she dates both of them. She is unaware they know each other, and they are unaware they are also dating the same woman. They make a pact that the best man wins. Whoever she chooses will win, and the loser will walk away like a real man. It's all so simple. Ya right. Oh ya, and these guys are highly trained, very lethal CIA spies who have unlimited resources to military grade toys. This little nugget allows them to, well, spy. Not only on her, but on each other. It's funny because that is the gist of the rom-com aspect of This Means War, but the film opens with a plot about international terrorism that ends up being a pretty solid sub plot throughout. Reese is always lovely, but the men steal the show. We just wait to see how they will sabotage each other's next date and it goes from very light to pretty extreme. I never had a dull moment watching this film full of cliches. It also boasted one of the funniest scenes ever when Hardy's character is accused of being "too nice". This leads to an all blitz on a paintball game that will leave you laughing. I was more than pleased with this run of the mill comedy, that had great action, cool gadgets, and a superb way to make the love interest make her choice between the two men. Very enjoyable, definitely worth 90 minutes of anyone's day.


NBM rates This Means War - Awesome

Chronicle

This is another one of those "real" films that is actually fiction. It is all filmed by one guy with his camcorder, and it's an "unedited" look at the adventure these 3 young men embark on after spelunking into a mystery hole they found in a field. What they do know, is they have been blessed with special abilities that over time with patience, and practice, they will be able to harness it becoming the most powerful individuals on the planet. It starts out small. Levitating small objects, but then with time it grows. As they say, it's like a muscle. Build it up and the possibilities are endless. These 3 individuals seem to be level headed about it, but one kid, with a horrible home life and no friends, finds it as an escape from his hell on Earth reality. He begins to scare the others. He can't control his emotion, and people start getting hurt. The other two quickly realize they may have unlocked Pandora's box and they feel they need to intervene. Easier said than done. This is one those rare films that uses a method of film making that can leave you feeling ripped off or left in awe. Chronicle left me in awe. The film itself is full of great dialog, but is also full of great effects. Then the human side of it turns terribly dark and hard to swallow. It is one of the most fun movies I've seen in a long time. So very different from everything else being offered these days and there is not a slow moment throughout. It is definitely worth at least one viewing per person, and I realize some will hate it for reasons I don't care to go into, but if you can get past the "indie" aspect of it with the shaky camera and weird angles you will enjoy what you are witnessing. A very original film with no star power that delivers an extremely powerful film.

NBM rates Chronicle - A Cinematic Work of Art

Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows

I missed the first one in the theater, and loved it on DVD. I tried to get to this one in theater after seeing how good it looked as well, but failed again. In my opinion, the first one is more enjoyable. Game of Shadows is good, don't get me wrong, but it's the same movie with new characters. Not necessarily the same plot, but Guy Richie (Who I love) used the exact same blue print for this one that he did for number 1. I was hoping for something new. He was so visionary with the first one, and I expected some new tricks, techniques, and slight of hand from this one, but it was played out exactly the same. The only difference was it was released in 3D, so there were scenes to prostitute that technology. The scenes would have stood alone without that aspect, but other than that, it's a bunch of foreshadowing by Holmes to know what his moves will be against assailants, friends....everything really. The villain this time around is Moriarty played superbly by the "Great at be creepy, Evil, Odd" Jared Harris. He is Holmes arch Nemesis, and this story delivers a rather unusual form of trickery on Moriarty's part. That aspect I really liked. Basically it's another one of those, "figure out how to stop the bad guy from total world annihilation and not die" film. It's definitely a popcorn movie. It also did what the first film did with explanations. At the end the whole thing is recapped by Holmes in a narrative/speech about how he figured it all out. I know it is supposed to throw us, but to explain everything we just watched seems silly. Like I said Good not fantastic like it's predecessor, but worth a look.


NBM rates Sherlock Holmes : A Game of a Shadows - Awesome

The Grey

I knew this would be worth a look because of Liam Neeson. He is more bankable  right now than he has ever been, and I'm not sure when that happened. Batman Begins helped, but I think it was Taken that did it full on. This very much has the feeling of the movie Alive at the beginning. A plane full of people crashes in unfriendly circumstances. Not only is it freezing, but in The Grey, the survivors have to also fend off a blood thirsty pack of wolves. It's one of those films that doesn't have "a lot". Not a lot of effects. Not a lot of story. Not a lot of character back stories. It's a bare bones script about 7 Men fighting to survive in the wilderness they were thrust into against their will. Luckily for the other 6, they have Ottway (Neeson). A survivalist who actually made a living keeping wolves at bay so the men could work unhindered on the Alaskan rig. He knows the breed and he hunted them down, but more than that, he respected them. An unrecognizable Dermot Mulroney is one of the 7, which surprised us. I thought he would have got a little recognition among this cast of no ones. The adventure that takes place isn't a long one in terms of run time. The Men face obstacles and terrain, but they know it will be the wolves that get them, if they are destined to be got, if you will. An intense film to say the least. Very well done, and Neeson delivers as he always does. If you wanted to see it, but haven't, I'd say the trailers delivered pretty accurately as to what is in store for the viewer.


NBM rates The Grey - Awesome

The Dark Knight Rises

I've been saying it for months that this would be the movie to see this Summer and I was right. There is absolutely nothing not to like with Christopher Nolan's third and final Batman film. It could not have been better in my opinion and that all goes back to story. Without a good story, action can only carry a film so long. Rises gave us months of teasers and posters and hoopla about what was going to happen, but to be honest, we never actual have a clue of what Bane's end game is. We know he wants to tear down Gotham, but why? That is how well the movie was made. We already determined we were going to see because it is to be the end of an era, and The Dark Knight was so brilliant we wanted to see Nolan outdo himself, and he does. At 2 hours 45 minutes it was actually perfect. You may get some saying it was long while others want even more, but with absolutely no loose ends, one of the smartest plots of any film, let alone a Batman film, and total closure, I could not ask for more. There is only one thing I would have changes, but will not add spoilers in my review as I try never to. I did know it was special, but when it was over I was almost relieved. Not that it was over, but that it was as good as I had hoped, which historically speaking, third films in a franchise never live up. I did a lot of reading while avoiding spoilers, but I remember reading about some Batman Begins callbacks. I watched the night before and though I would not have been lost, it really refreshed my memory and I recommend that be the route you take before watching Rises. The mystery surrounding Bane is really the heart of this film, and Tom Hardy with his intimidating eyes, his glares, and his attitude is a complete scene stealer...MOVIE STEALER. Once it was all over I thought back to 3 hours prior and realized I had no idea what this film was going to be about. It begins with one of the coolest scenes ever. Full on action right out of the opening gates and I was in awe. It does take place 8 years after Harvey Dent dies, and The Batman hasn't been seen since. Neither has Bruce Wayne for that fact. He has become a shut in, a recluse if you will. He has no desire to get back in the suit, but Bane makes it pretty hard not to, and from here the plot get smart. It's a bit of a financial thriller to be honest, and we don't know why. It's very clear what is transpiring, but like I said, why? The slew of characters is brilliant. Gary Oldman back as Commissioner Gordon is brilliant as usual, but the new comers are even better than I could have imagined. I love Joseph Gordon Levitt, and he is a mere beat cop. The only difference is, he asks questions and he is intuitive. Honestly I didn't see him getting much screen time, but he is an intricate part of the entire film. Morgan Freeman returns as Lucius Fox, but Michael Cane as Alfred once again shows why he is one of the best actors of all time. His emotion on the big screen will make you emotional. Now we come to Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. Dare I say it? I think I like the Anne Hathaway version better than Michelle Pfeiffer...GASP. I do, but I think it is more of a writing thing. I like where Nolan took her better than where Burton took her. She is beautiful, elegant, but can kick your ass in a hurry. She was a great addition. We could not ask for any better action than we got, and I also am glad I made this my first IMAX movie. It was Epic and I want to watch it again. I don't feel I need to tell you any more than I have, because you are already set whether you want to see it or not. It is one of those big screen movies that should be scene in that scale. I liked it better than The Avengers and I loved that movie, but I also like it better than The Dark Knight because Rises is very smart. Christopher Nolan claimed "Rises" will encompass "Finality" but I will let you decide. 


NBM rates The Dark Knight Rises - A Cinematic Work of Art

Friends With Kids

I was very curious in seeing how accurate a film could be when the Writer/Director/Star, Jennifer Westfeldt, doesn't have kids. Apparently very accurate, and very enjoyable, yet at times very depressing. This is the story of 6 friends who's lives take very different turns. No one in the film opposes marriage, but kids are what change everything. The 6 players are Leslie and Alex (Maya Rudolph & Chris O'Dowd) who were the first to be married and the first to have kids. Missy and Ben (Kristen Wiig and Jon Hamm) are the sexual couple of the film. Their relationship is based on pleasure, but they love each other. They also are married and have a kid. Lastly there is Julie and Jason (Jennifer Westfeldt & Adam Scott) who are not married and are not even involved with each other. They are best friends with absolutely no romantic feelings between them. As everyone's lives begin to move forward in the evolutionary process we all know as "normal",  Jason and Julie feel like everyone is doing it wrong. As they all get together a few years down the road, Alex and Leslie have 2 kids and Ben and Missy have one, Jason and Jules realize, these people are not the ones they were friends with. The daily stress of raising children, no time for romance let alone sex of any kind, they feel depressed for their friends and at the same time happy with their current lives of freedom and friendship. Then Jason comes up with the brilliant idea of being able to have a child without losing his mind. A mutual agreement between friends. They decide to have a kid together, keep their friendship in tact, split the responsibility 50/50, and keep their dating lives exactly the same. Nothing can go wrong here. Their friends take issue with it as it is an asinine idea, but they are adults and can do what they please. Jason and Jules hush the naysayers pretty quickly when the baby is born, but like all things new and exciting, they can quickly become taxing and exhaustive. Tensions begin to flair when each of the become involved with other people. Jason with Mary Jane (Megan Fox) and Julie with Kurt (Edward Burns). This is the point where decision have to be made, and no one wants to face the harsh reality that everyone but Jason and Julie knew would arise. It climaxes at what of the most intense and uncomfortable drunken dinner arguments of all time and lives are forever changed. This is one of the best films I have seen in a while, especially a film that deals with a topic so ordinary to 90% of the population. I really enjoyed it and if you have kids and are happy with your marriage you will too. If you have kids and hate your wife, this may just push you into divorce. It is an eye opener and you may not like what you see.


NBM rates Friends With Kids - Phenomenal

Moonrise Kingdom

This may very well be the greatest love story of all time. There are definitely some aspects that set this film apart from traditional love stories. For instance, the title characters are 13 years old. What does a 13 year old know? Apparently a lot when it comes to commitment and choice. This is the story of Sam and Susie, which in a few years should be as ubiquitous as Noah and Allie when one talks about love stories. I must admit I am biased right out of the gate with this film. This is one of those followings I tend to go head over heels for, and it has nothing to do with the film itself. It is the Writer/Director. Wes Anderson. He is a master of "his" craft. I say "his" this way because he makes films unlike anyone else in Hollywood. He shoots differently. Uses no frills or cheap tricks. All character driven pieces which all seem to come off very personal to him, and he makes no apologies for his work. The average movie goer may not like his style. It takes some getting used to considering it looks like it is shot with a Radio Shack camera in someone's spare time. Moonrise is set in 1965 which also plays well. He shoots this film in a sort of noir tone. Color tone that is, and it is perfect for dating it back some 40+ years. Sam does not fit in, and he decides to leave His Khaki Troop behind. On to bigger and better things. This is where we get a peer into the major plot of what is going on. On his journey he runs into Susie. This meeting is no accident. They are running away together. They both hate their lives and feel they can be happy together. The small water locked town sends out a search party for Sam, not even realizing Susie is with him. This is where Wes Anderson shines. His characters. Bruce Willis is the local cop who seems clueless, and yet is the most brilliant character on screen, besides the kids of course. Ed Norton plays the scoutmaster who "loses" Sam and this is one of his most earnest endearing characters he has ever portrayed. At first we think he might be a dick, but it turns out he is a really sweet guy who wants everyone to be happy. Then we have Susie's parents played by Bill "F*@%!ng" Murray (I know that's not his real middle name) and Francis McDormand. They are attorneys who I wished had more dialog with each other as it always came across very well, but alas this was a vehicle for the kids. With this all star cast of adults playing alongside a handful of kids no one has ever heard of, the kids stole the show. It is amazing. This is the ultimate coming of age film that speaks the way humans do. Not how Hollywood does. It is sweet and pure in every way. Everyone I know who has seen this has said it's his best film to date. Not for me. Personally it comes in 2nd, literally on the coattails of The Darjeeling Limited, but still one of the finest films you will see all year, and once it has the opportunity of a national audience on DVD, I believe it will grow the legs it currently does not have with such a minimal number of theaters taking a risk on it. I was pleased with the turnout for today's show. Noon on a Tuesday, there were 7 other people in there with me and that was spectacular to me. Oh ya, and Wes Anderson's muse, Jason Schwartzman shows up and also a surprising role from Harvey Keitel rounded it out. I loved it, and you may or may not. It depends on how you feel about Mr. Anderson.


NBM rates Moonrise Kingdom - A Cinematic Work of Art