Saturday, September 22, 2012
Premium Rush
This was the most exciting movie that could have been made about a bike messenger in New York City. Anyone remember Phone Booth? Yeah, that's what I thought....
Friday, September 14, 2012
Lawless
Full disclosure, I was really excited for this movie and I got a bit tipsy before I went.
Lawless is a perfect mix of a smartly photographed story, unabashed violence and drinking. John Hillcoat directed the hell out of this movie-save a few plot points that could have been presented a bit better. Starting with nonfiction is always fun because it's difficult to determine where the screen writer took certain creative liberties, and with a story like this, it's no different. The idea that these brothers were a legend in their own right before we properly get introduced to them sets the tone from the opening scene in a pig pen.
Some people have said they thought it felt slow. I'm not really sure how a movie with this much violence can seem slow. I felt more like I was being given a chance to catch my breath and prepare for the next bloody battle. There are many in this movie. However, it never seemed gratuitous or out of character given the time period and occupation of the main characters.
Characters....ah, yes. Where should I start? First let me say: Jessica Chastain-WOW! More like Jessica Rabbit. I have a new girl crush. She seems very at home in the grit, with a proper lady-like exterior. You're rooting for Forrest (Tom Hardy) to make his move the whole movie. Hardy could have been more conscious of his grunts and mumbling because I need him to sound like Forrest Bondurant--not Bane. The scene where Maggie explains to Forrest that she was the one that got him to the hospital was like an acting orgasm and so well acted I needed a cigarette afterwards.
Jason Clarke gives a monster performance as Howard Bondurant, but I feel like this movie is not really about his or Forrest's story. We seem focused on Jack (Shia LaBeouf) becoming-or trying to become-a living legend like his brothers. But it goes terribly awry. Sure, he survives many situations that would leave anyone not named Bondurant dead, but he still manages to muck up everything he gets involved in. Including a budding relationship with the daughter of a local bishop in the Mennonite/Amish community played by Mia Wasikowska. She and Gary Oldman both turn in scene stealing performances. They have fairly small parts (Oldman more so than Wasikowska) but seem comfortable completely nailing their characters in those brief moments. It's quite nice to watch.
I would also like to point out that this movie looks gorgeous. Benoit Delhomme does an amazing job of showing us a literal cock fight after we see the brother spar in a scene. It's subtle and could be seen as just adding to the over all imagery of life in Franklin county during that time but I like to think it was very cleverly done and intentional. Production designer Chris Kennedy does a great job of showing us this life also through his designs. I felt at times Margot Wilson's costumes were a bit heavy and obvious, except for Forrest's gray sweater. I want that sweater.
What would I have done differently? Not a lot. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
Lawless is a perfect mix of a smartly photographed story, unabashed violence and drinking. John Hillcoat directed the hell out of this movie-save a few plot points that could have been presented a bit better. Starting with nonfiction is always fun because it's difficult to determine where the screen writer took certain creative liberties, and with a story like this, it's no different. The idea that these brothers were a legend in their own right before we properly get introduced to them sets the tone from the opening scene in a pig pen.
Some people have said they thought it felt slow. I'm not really sure how a movie with this much violence can seem slow. I felt more like I was being given a chance to catch my breath and prepare for the next bloody battle. There are many in this movie. However, it never seemed gratuitous or out of character given the time period and occupation of the main characters.
Characters....ah, yes. Where should I start? First let me say: Jessica Chastain-WOW! More like Jessica Rabbit. I have a new girl crush. She seems very at home in the grit, with a proper lady-like exterior. You're rooting for Forrest (Tom Hardy) to make his move the whole movie. Hardy could have been more conscious of his grunts and mumbling because I need him to sound like Forrest Bondurant--not Bane. The scene where Maggie explains to Forrest that she was the one that got him to the hospital was like an acting orgasm and so well acted I needed a cigarette afterwards.
Jason Clarke gives a monster performance as Howard Bondurant, but I feel like this movie is not really about his or Forrest's story. We seem focused on Jack (Shia LaBeouf) becoming-or trying to become-a living legend like his brothers. But it goes terribly awry. Sure, he survives many situations that would leave anyone not named Bondurant dead, but he still manages to muck up everything he gets involved in. Including a budding relationship with the daughter of a local bishop in the Mennonite/Amish community played by Mia Wasikowska. She and Gary Oldman both turn in scene stealing performances. They have fairly small parts (Oldman more so than Wasikowska) but seem comfortable completely nailing their characters in those brief moments. It's quite nice to watch.
I would also like to point out that this movie looks gorgeous. Benoit Delhomme does an amazing job of showing us a literal cock fight after we see the brother spar in a scene. It's subtle and could be seen as just adding to the over all imagery of life in Franklin county during that time but I like to think it was very cleverly done and intentional. Production designer Chris Kennedy does a great job of showing us this life also through his designs. I felt at times Margot Wilson's costumes were a bit heavy and obvious, except for Forrest's gray sweater. I want that sweater.
What would I have done differently? Not a lot. It's one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)