Its been awhile since I've gotten some advanced screening passes but I just saw THE MECHANIC at the Theaters at MOA this past Monday.
I almost didn't make it in to this screening as I stepped out of line waiting for my friend to make it through the traffic and snow to get to the Mall of America, however, he got lost and ended up in a neighborhood nowhere near the mall, and I made it into one of the last remaining seats.
Despite being a Minnesota resident for 20 years of my life, this was only my third movie at Mall of America and I haven't really figured out where the best viewing areas are, but then again my choices this time around were limited and I ended up in the middle section about halfway back which wasn't that bad considering my options when I wandered in.
This was my first Jason Statham movie I'd really had exposure to (I have been aware of his films but just never have ended up at one). So, I have nothing really to compare this to, however I don't think fans of his will be disappointed in this film.
Personally, I felt like the beginning of this film wandered around a bit, and didn't really have much of a sense of direction. I felt like the film could have gone any number of different directions in regards to story and style.
However, once the film finally found its legs I was on board with it. There was definitely plenty of action, and a number of very cool explosions - which one would expect from this genre - but it certainly did not lack there. There was also an added layer of conflict which drove the story when Statham takes on the adult son of someone who he had just killed because the son wants to be trained to become a mechanic (one who is hired for assassinations is trained to make them look like accidents and their presence is ideally never discovered).
I liked how it ended, but once again the pacing issues I had with the beginning of the movie resurfaced as I felt it all sort of wrapped up too quickly. And it made me wish that some of the time that I felt stretched out the beginning could have been used to let the end breathe it little bit more.
All in all, THE MECHANIC brings what Statham fans are looking for with some good action and an interesting idea behind the action, but I felt the film was designed around the action sequences and what would look cool and then a story was almost an afterthought.
But there isn't that much out there right now in the action/adventure genre so this should definitely satisfy your need for cool explosions and guns.
2.5/5 stars
The Mechanic is in theaters tomorrow 1/28/11
-Dav3
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Thursday, September 16, 2010
THE TOWN
I saw an advanced screening of THE TOWN at the Roseville AMC on Wednesday evening.
(I have been getting to a few advanced screenings and am going to try to reinvent this blog to try to keep you informed as to what is coming out that I have seen and liked as well as if I get to something new release in theaters or on DVD I will attempt that as well)
The trailer for THE TOWN had peaked my interest but I'll admit I knew little going into it and had tempered my expectations. And once I started seeing advertisements that related this to THE DEPARTED, which is one of my favorite all time films, interest grew.
It had a cast of characters that I was excited to see (Jon Hamm, Blake Lively), was interested to see Jeremy Renner in something else after being exposed to him in THE HURT LOCKER, and I just didn't know what to expect from Ben Affleck.
I was pleasantly surprised at what greeted me on the screen, there are some great shots of Boston right away (and throughout the film) and the entire film takes place in this town where an unusually high percent of bank robbers have come from, almost a "family business" so to speak. And we follow Affleck and his crew as we get launched pretty quickly into following them as they take down their next target.
However, the end up taking the bank manager, Rebecca Hall, hostage...which doesn't seem to be part of the normal plan as we see it creates chaos in the group as to handle the situation. While scouting out the bank manager Ben Affleck's character Doug MacRay shows us a softer side and begins to enjoy interacting with someone who doesn't know his secrets.
I was very pleased with Jon Hamm's performance as the FBI agent, pleased to see him in a dramatic role other than Mad Men, he definitely does not disappoint - however I did wish that he had a little more screen time, to learn more and gain some depth to his character and just because I enjoyed him in the role, however I do release he was not who we were focusing on.
I struggled on whether I liked the choice of Blake Lively for the role she was cast in or not. I ended up deciding on yes, because it was something different from the roles that I have seen her been cast in and gave her a chance to show a different part of her acting chops. Which as someone who has acted before (and hope to again) the roles that are challenging and different are the ones that can help you grow a lot. It also exposes her to a different audience than her normal crowd and so it would be interesting to find out what someone who hasn't seen her in anything thought of the performance and it will be exciting to see her follow up performance in the upcoming 2011 film THE GREEN LANTERN.
Finally, Ben Affleck gave a very solid performance. I'll admit, he hasn't been my favorite actor but he was definitely in his element here. He gives a very real performance (the Boston accent is natural for him and was the icing on the cake) and I was impressed even more when I realized that not only did he deliver such a great performance, but he directed on top of it all.
In fact there was an audible "huh!" (read as positive surprise) from the advanced screening crowd when his name was credited as director at the end of the film.
Outside of the stellar performances there are some great gun fights, and car chases the keep the action up, add a healthy splash of humor and a great sequence in the end involving Fenway Park that made me want to go back to Boston and catch a Red Sox game.
Overall a pleasant surprise
4/5 stars
THE TOWN opens today Sept 17.
-Dav3
(I have been getting to a few advanced screenings and am going to try to reinvent this blog to try to keep you informed as to what is coming out that I have seen and liked as well as if I get to something new release in theaters or on DVD I will attempt that as well)
The trailer for THE TOWN had peaked my interest but I'll admit I knew little going into it and had tempered my expectations. And once I started seeing advertisements that related this to THE DEPARTED, which is one of my favorite all time films, interest grew.
It had a cast of characters that I was excited to see (Jon Hamm, Blake Lively), was interested to see Jeremy Renner in something else after being exposed to him in THE HURT LOCKER, and I just didn't know what to expect from Ben Affleck.
I was pleasantly surprised at what greeted me on the screen, there are some great shots of Boston right away (and throughout the film) and the entire film takes place in this town where an unusually high percent of bank robbers have come from, almost a "family business" so to speak. And we follow Affleck and his crew as we get launched pretty quickly into following them as they take down their next target.
However, the end up taking the bank manager, Rebecca Hall, hostage...which doesn't seem to be part of the normal plan as we see it creates chaos in the group as to handle the situation. While scouting out the bank manager Ben Affleck's character Doug MacRay shows us a softer side and begins to enjoy interacting with someone who doesn't know his secrets.
I was very pleased with Jon Hamm's performance as the FBI agent, pleased to see him in a dramatic role other than Mad Men, he definitely does not disappoint - however I did wish that he had a little more screen time, to learn more and gain some depth to his character and just because I enjoyed him in the role, however I do release he was not who we were focusing on.
I struggled on whether I liked the choice of Blake Lively for the role she was cast in or not. I ended up deciding on yes, because it was something different from the roles that I have seen her been cast in and gave her a chance to show a different part of her acting chops. Which as someone who has acted before (and hope to again) the roles that are challenging and different are the ones that can help you grow a lot. It also exposes her to a different audience than her normal crowd and so it would be interesting to find out what someone who hasn't seen her in anything thought of the performance and it will be exciting to see her follow up performance in the upcoming 2011 film THE GREEN LANTERN.
Finally, Ben Affleck gave a very solid performance. I'll admit, he hasn't been my favorite actor but he was definitely in his element here. He gives a very real performance (the Boston accent is natural for him and was the icing on the cake) and I was impressed even more when I realized that not only did he deliver such a great performance, but he directed on top of it all.
In fact there was an audible "huh!" (read as positive surprise) from the advanced screening crowd when his name was credited as director at the end of the film.
Outside of the stellar performances there are some great gun fights, and car chases the keep the action up, add a healthy splash of humor and a great sequence in the end involving Fenway Park that made me want to go back to Boston and catch a Red Sox game.
Overall a pleasant surprise
4/5 stars
THE TOWN opens today Sept 17.
-Dav3
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
15 movies to describe my time in LA...
So here is a summary of 15 movies that describe my time in LA and a brief reason why:
Star Trek:
This was the first movie I watched in theaters this summer (I know right??) and I watched it on a stormy night after a relaxing couple of episodes of LOST at this sweet little dollar theater outside of Denver, CO. During my day off so I could recover from driving the whole way from MN to CA all by myself. I figure if I'm going to watch one movie this past summer...this was a good one to hit.
Inglorious Basterds:
Sooo, the first day of LAFSC activities like everyone in the center (except for about 5 of us) went to this movie and raved about it for the entire semester. I ended up finally watching it in January. But I feel like it was still a big part of my time in LA either way
(500) Days of Summer:
My first paid movie of the semester (one of four only @14.50 a movie you don't pay that often when you don't have a job...but a plus there are a ton of advanced screenings and free movies in LA) and I went to this with my 3 roommates and another guy that lived in LA and knew my roommate. Yes, 5 guys went to this movie alone, and we were all proud of it. Also, my first movie at the Arclight in Hollywood. I feel like anyone who loves movies should go to at least one movie there in their lifetime. Anyway...Great soundtrack. Awesome movie. My love for this movie may deserve its own post hmmm...
The Hangover:
Ok so when I had the opportunity to intern at WB, before my interview I had to find a way to watch their biggest hit of the summer so I could potentially have something to talk about and so I was knowledgeable about the company that I wanted to work for. Of course I agreed with the large number of people that found the Hangover genius and hilarious. I also list it here because I got to do a minor amount of graphic design on a Hangover poster.
Wizard of Oz:
The 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz came while it was in LA and while I didn't go to its re-release in theaters: I bought tickets for my parents to go as an early Christmas gift because my mom loves it and was jealous when she heard of screenings in the LA area. But I did pick up a DVD copy at WB and also a Bluray collector edition ranked #9000-something out of 250,000ish that one is still in the plastic packaging as I'm debating opening it or not...
Zombieland:
My first taste of free advanced screenings. While writing/filming an in sequence no sound film in 3 hours for class we were stopped by someone handing out fliers for a free screening in the area. I was skeptical and we were on a time crunch but I took the flier and called the number. The screening filled up before I called but they called me a couple weeks later after my first day of interning at WB. I quicked detoured (thanks to my GPS) to the theater. Free movies are awesome, especially when they are Zombieland. Had no idea what to expect and found it quite amusing.
The Invention of Lying:
My first red carpet premiere and first chronological free advanced screening. Just thought it was an advanced screening found at my first experience at GoFobo and it turned out to be the red carpet at Grauman's Chinese Theater no less. Sat 4 rows behind the film's star Ricky Gervias and 7 behind Rob Lowe. Within weeks of getting to LA I was in this situation...crazy
Surrogates:
My first LA Weekly free screening passes. Saw many posters for this but didn't know a lot about it. Needless to say I was thrilled to recieve these passes in my email and check it out! I emailed almost every LA Weekly screening possibility there was in the next 4 months. But I really thought the film brought up some interesting points of reliance on technology (like my senior sem film did too...haha).
A Serious Man:
One of my first paid for films in LA again at the Arclight. It was the new Coen brothers film. And it was set and filmed in MN. Nuff said. Very trippy. A lot of processing was needed afterward, it felt good. Also, b-e-a-utiful cinematography.
Where the Wild Things Are:
This was not one of those books that was an imperative part of my childhood. However I really connected with this film, and while I don't believe it is a film for kids, it is more a film for adults about being a kid. I also saw this at the old huge screen at the cinerama dome at the Arclight. Maybe not the best film to take advantage of the special theater experience but was so good. Another awesome soundtrack here too.
2012:
Had a nice little Man-date with Jeremy T. Navarro to watch this on the big cinerama dome screen. This was the one to catch in the dome. 2 hours and 40 minutes flew by in this disaster movie. The LA film crowd laughed at a few of the cheesy lines (its a disaster movie people, they've got to be in there somewhere) but it was a lot better of a disaster movie than I expected. Loved Woody Harrelson's appearance in this film and I think it had a very decent plot and wasn't just all special effects and CGI - which were AWESOME, thanks for asking.
Gentleman Broncos:
Not really that memorable of a film. But more the events surrounding this free screening (thankfully I didn't pay money for this one). First off it was the Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day red carpet premiere so that was cool to observe that there. As well as seeing: BJ Novak, Chuck Liddell, Carelton (from Fresh Prince of Bel Air), and Audrina from The Hills with whom I got a picture with and ended up getting on a paparazzi camera as we got into the same elevator in the parking garage with her...my small claim to "fame". Oh, and the film was introduced by Jermaine Clement (from Flight of the Concords) who was in the movie and introduced it as his character in the movie. It was so awesome.
The Blind Side:
This was a film that I heard a lot of buzz about before it was released around the office. Including possible best actress for Sandra Bullock in her performance, which she ended up winning and I feel she definitely deserved. I also so a couple executives at the screening who acknowledged me and chatted a little bit which was awesome of them I and definitely respect those people. And it was another movie that I simply enjoyed and was glad to watch it become so successful. And I even cheered for the Ravens a little bit more than I used to. A side note here: we saw this film in Westwood near UCLA, parking is nuts around there, hardest place to find a space in all of my LA semester.
Ninja Assassin:
My second red carpet premiere at the Chinese theater. Recognized a lot of the WB personnel attending the event.
Sherlock Holmes:
Now I didn't see this out in LA but there was a lot of promotion for it going on as it was the big WB Christmas film. I even got to read a little bit of the script in the office, a perk of being in story/development. Never saw it in theaters but the Easter Bunny brought me a copy, and I have posters I got in LA of both Sherlock and Watson which were a good item to remind me of my time in LA.
And while they aren't exactly reviews its what I've been watching and enjoying over the past fall and making up for my absence from this blog. Hopefully I'll be getting more frequent again and that this helped explain out some of my stories from LA as well as giving ya'll some ideas for some possible new DVD rentals.
-Dav3
Star Trek:
This was the first movie I watched in theaters this summer (I know right??) and I watched it on a stormy night after a relaxing couple of episodes of LOST at this sweet little dollar theater outside of Denver, CO. During my day off so I could recover from driving the whole way from MN to CA all by myself. I figure if I'm going to watch one movie this past summer...this was a good one to hit.
Inglorious Basterds:
Sooo, the first day of LAFSC activities like everyone in the center (except for about 5 of us) went to this movie and raved about it for the entire semester. I ended up finally watching it in January. But I feel like it was still a big part of my time in LA either way
(500) Days of Summer:
My first paid movie of the semester (one of four only @14.50 a movie you don't pay that often when you don't have a job...but a plus there are a ton of advanced screenings and free movies in LA) and I went to this with my 3 roommates and another guy that lived in LA and knew my roommate. Yes, 5 guys went to this movie alone, and we were all proud of it. Also, my first movie at the Arclight in Hollywood. I feel like anyone who loves movies should go to at least one movie there in their lifetime. Anyway...Great soundtrack. Awesome movie. My love for this movie may deserve its own post hmmm...
The Hangover:
Ok so when I had the opportunity to intern at WB, before my interview I had to find a way to watch their biggest hit of the summer so I could potentially have something to talk about and so I was knowledgeable about the company that I wanted to work for. Of course I agreed with the large number of people that found the Hangover genius and hilarious. I also list it here because I got to do a minor amount of graphic design on a Hangover poster.
Wizard of Oz:
The 70th anniversary of the Wizard of Oz came while it was in LA and while I didn't go to its re-release in theaters: I bought tickets for my parents to go as an early Christmas gift because my mom loves it and was jealous when she heard of screenings in the LA area. But I did pick up a DVD copy at WB and also a Bluray collector edition ranked #9000-something out of 250,000ish that one is still in the plastic packaging as I'm debating opening it or not...
Zombieland:
My first taste of free advanced screenings. While writing/filming an in sequence no sound film in 3 hours for class we were stopped by someone handing out fliers for a free screening in the area. I was skeptical and we were on a time crunch but I took the flier and called the number. The screening filled up before I called but they called me a couple weeks later after my first day of interning at WB. I quicked detoured (thanks to my GPS) to the theater. Free movies are awesome, especially when they are Zombieland. Had no idea what to expect and found it quite amusing.
The Invention of Lying:
My first red carpet premiere and first chronological free advanced screening. Just thought it was an advanced screening found at my first experience at GoFobo and it turned out to be the red carpet at Grauman's Chinese Theater no less. Sat 4 rows behind the film's star Ricky Gervias and 7 behind Rob Lowe. Within weeks of getting to LA I was in this situation...crazy
Surrogates:
My first LA Weekly free screening passes. Saw many posters for this but didn't know a lot about it. Needless to say I was thrilled to recieve these passes in my email and check it out! I emailed almost every LA Weekly screening possibility there was in the next 4 months. But I really thought the film brought up some interesting points of reliance on technology (like my senior sem film did too...haha).
A Serious Man:
One of my first paid for films in LA again at the Arclight. It was the new Coen brothers film. And it was set and filmed in MN. Nuff said. Very trippy. A lot of processing was needed afterward, it felt good. Also, b-e-a-utiful cinematography.
Where the Wild Things Are:
This was not one of those books that was an imperative part of my childhood. However I really connected with this film, and while I don't believe it is a film for kids, it is more a film for adults about being a kid. I also saw this at the old huge screen at the cinerama dome at the Arclight. Maybe not the best film to take advantage of the special theater experience but was so good. Another awesome soundtrack here too.
2012:
Had a nice little Man-date with Jeremy T. Navarro to watch this on the big cinerama dome screen. This was the one to catch in the dome. 2 hours and 40 minutes flew by in this disaster movie. The LA film crowd laughed at a few of the cheesy lines (its a disaster movie people, they've got to be in there somewhere) but it was a lot better of a disaster movie than I expected. Loved Woody Harrelson's appearance in this film and I think it had a very decent plot and wasn't just all special effects and CGI - which were AWESOME, thanks for asking.
Gentleman Broncos:
Not really that memorable of a film. But more the events surrounding this free screening (thankfully I didn't pay money for this one). First off it was the Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day red carpet premiere so that was cool to observe that there. As well as seeing: BJ Novak, Chuck Liddell, Carelton (from Fresh Prince of Bel Air), and Audrina from The Hills with whom I got a picture with and ended up getting on a paparazzi camera as we got into the same elevator in the parking garage with her...my small claim to "fame". Oh, and the film was introduced by Jermaine Clement (from Flight of the Concords) who was in the movie and introduced it as his character in the movie. It was so awesome.
The Blind Side:
This was a film that I heard a lot of buzz about before it was released around the office. Including possible best actress for Sandra Bullock in her performance, which she ended up winning and I feel she definitely deserved. I also so a couple executives at the screening who acknowledged me and chatted a little bit which was awesome of them I and definitely respect those people. And it was another movie that I simply enjoyed and was glad to watch it become so successful. And I even cheered for the Ravens a little bit more than I used to. A side note here: we saw this film in Westwood near UCLA, parking is nuts around there, hardest place to find a space in all of my LA semester.
Ninja Assassin:
My second red carpet premiere at the Chinese theater. Recognized a lot of the WB personnel attending the event.
Sherlock Holmes:
Now I didn't see this out in LA but there was a lot of promotion for it going on as it was the big WB Christmas film. I even got to read a little bit of the script in the office, a perk of being in story/development. Never saw it in theaters but the Easter Bunny brought me a copy, and I have posters I got in LA of both Sherlock and Watson which were a good item to remind me of my time in LA.
And while they aren't exactly reviews its what I've been watching and enjoying over the past fall and making up for my absence from this blog. Hopefully I'll be getting more frequent again and that this helped explain out some of my stories from LA as well as giving ya'll some ideas for some possible new DVD rentals.
-Dav3
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