What Else I Watched This Week

• Inglorious Basterds 
• Fetching Cody
• Hard Knocks (HBO)
• Witness: Rio (HBO)
• Heir To An Execution (HBO)
• George Harrison: Part 1 (HBO)
• Community (Hulu)

New Star Wars Taking a Cue From Original Trilogy

Many people have mixed feelings about Disney's acquisition las year of LucasArts for the tidy sum of $4.05B, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't one of them, especially after they announced that there would be three new films. This new trilogy will be the first not to be headed creator George Lucas, and instead by Star Trek director J.J. Abrams. Fan boys can breath a sigh of relief, as Abrams has announced that still untitled Episode VII will be shot entirely on 35mm Kodack film.

Abrams has long been a proponent of film over digital when it comes to shooting his movies, saying it makes it "feel real" and that film gave "a familiarity and comfort, a real warmth." The switch back from the all high definition of the prequels should help evoke the feel of the originals. Though Disney has released very little information about the story, George Lucas did come up with some story treatments back in the 80's, some of which can be found here.

Ben Affleck to Play Batman in Superman Sequel

Ben Affleck has been a hot name in Hollywood the past couple of years, the. The Oscar winning Actor/Director/Writer/Producer behind films such as Good Will Hunting, Argo and The Town has been reported to have shifted his sights back to the world of superheros. Affleck will be donning Batman's cowl and cape opposite Henry Cavill for the 2015 Man of Steel sequel directed by Zach Snyder (300, Sin City). Not since his role in Daredevil has Affleck played a comic book character. It should be interesting to see how Affleck approaches the role compared to the way Chirstian Bale portrayed the Caped Crusader in Christopher Nolan's iconic Dark Knight trilogy. The film will also feature Amy Adams, Lawrence Fishbourne, and Diane Lane.

Quick Review: Jobs

Director: Joshua Michael Stern

Starring: Ashton Kutcher, Josh Gad, J.K. Simmons, Matthew Modine, Dermot Mulroney, Lukas Haas

Genre: Biopic

Year: 2013

Run Time: 122 Minutes

How: Theaters

If you have been alive within the last 10 years, chances are you have heard the name Steve Jobs. The late Apple founder undoubtedly changed our world, but does this new biopic really do justice to the man who brought us personal computing and so much more. 

The film opens with an older Jobs about to unveil the iPod. Ashton Kutcher does a solid Jobs impression for the most part, but occasionally the makeup seems obvious and all to often I found myself seeing too much Kutcher and not enough Jobs.

Soon enough we find ourselves in 1974 Portland, following young Steve, who has dropped out of Reed College, but is still attending classes, including a calligraphy course which made a deeply impactful for him. After studying at Reed and experimenting with LSD, Steve spends  seven months in India studying Zen Buddhism.

Jobs returns to Palo Alto and begins working for a budding Atari, designing  the circuit board for Brick Breaker. Even at Atari, Job's berating aggressive management style is apparent, as he yells a developer who insists color isn't possible on the primitive machines. Jobs recruits his neighbor, computer wiz and fellow Steve, Steve "Woz" Wozniak (Gad) to help. Jobs stumbles upon one of Woz's pet projects, which allows a computer to be hooked up to a monitor and keyboard. Steve sees the massive potential of Woz's creation and quickly works to convince Woz that they should sell the primitive Apple 1. After a presentation at the Homebrew Computer Club, Jobs gets an offer from the owner of computer parts store. The pair begin producing computers in Job's parents garage (actually filmed at Job's childhood home), bringing on a few friends to help.

Selling the Apple ones, Jobs immediately begins work on the Apple 2 which will be a all in one device, complete with keyboard, monitor and color graphics. The film explores the growth of Apple, the failures of the Lisa, Newton and original Macintosh, as well as the boardroom drama that unfolded in the 90's, which led to Jobs being ousted and eventually brought back to run his struggling company.

Kutcher does manage to capture Job's silver tongue as well as his rage. Kutcher even became a fruitarian and  went barefoot in order to channel the real Jobs, something which landed him in the emergency room. Job's attention to detail and desire for perfection are not overlooked, as seen when he fires a programmer who doesn't share his view on the importance of type face .Josh Gad is an endearing, laid back Woz, complete with crazy hair. His presence and technical know how is a strong counterpoint to the outspoken Jobs.

All things considered this is a fascinating story and Kutcher give a great amount of effort, but ultimately it falls short. The film seems like it can't make up its mind, trying to focus on both the company and the man, but doing neither too spectacularly. It often felt like parts of the story were merely glossed over and barely addressed, like his rivalry with Bill Gates or his girlfriend becoming pregnant and his prompt declaration that the child was not his. 

The film ends with a side by side comparison of all the real people and their actor equivalent, which seemed like a "look how well we cast these people" ploy, which would be cool, if this was a better movie.  It is a truly ambitious film, but lacks execution. Director Joshua Michael Stern was probably not the man who should have been trusted with this project, based on his limited and unimpressive track record (Swing Vote, Neverwas). 

The film has received backlash from Woz himself, saying that while the acting was on point, he was "abhored" by the script. It looks like anybody looking for a great Jobs biopic might just want to hold out for the Aaron Sorkin adaptation of the Walter Isaacson biography, which is currently in the works.

Ultimately for a film about the Machiavelli of the Mac, a man  whose vision revolutionized the computer, music, and communication industries, the film fails to live up to the man. A shame for a movie that could have been so much more.

Rating: 5.3

What Else I Watched This Week 8/12

• Hard Knocks (HBO)
• Dexter (Showtime)
• 30 For 30: The Marinovich Project (Netflix)
• Eastbound and Down (HBO)
• Drunk History
• Goldfinger (Netflix)
• Momento (Netflix)
• Too Big To Fail (HBO)
• Jobs (Theaters)
• Bobby Fischer vs The World (HBO)
• The Newsroom
• Steve Jobs: One Last Thing 

Eastbound And Down Returns

Kenny Powers will be back on HBO for a fourth and final season. Danny McBride's absurd character will once again be gracing us with his brash antics in 8 new episodes.

It has been confirmed that Lindsay Lohan, fresh out of rehab, will be joining the show as the daughter of one of the main characters.

Eastbound and Down will premier on HBO  at 10:30 on September 29th.

Exit Through The Gift Shop

Director: Banksy

Starring: Thierry Guetta, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Space Invader

Genre: Documentary

Year: 2010

Run Time: 87 Minutes

How: Apple TV (Netflix)

Notable Awards

Academy Award For Best Documentary - Nominated

Thierry Guetta is a strange man. There is no way around it. Thierry has spent the better part of his life filming...everything. As we learn, Thierry's obsession spawn from childhood trauma and a need to immortalize every moment on film.

Thierry got into the street art scene completely by accident. While visiting family in France, he meets up with his cousin, Invader, a prominent street artist known pasting mosaics of the classic  Space Invaders arcade game in public spaces. Invader lets Thierry tag along while he does his nocturnal activities, and Thierry immediately becomes hooked.

When Invader comes to LA a few months later, he arranges for Thierry to meet Shepard Fairey, a notable street artist most commonly known for the Barack Obama Hope posters. Thierry shadows Shepard as he plans, makes, and places his art, learning the all about the world of street art. Shepard is confused by Thierry's enthusiasm for the subject, not knowing what he plans to do with the hours upon hours of footage he has filmed. Thierry, faced with this question, declares he is going to make a street art documentary, and the two travel around the world, filming several other artists.
Through their travels there was one artist that continuously eluded Thierry, that man was the mysterious Banksy. Banksy, known for his political commentary and style, has gone to great lengths to conceal his identity. By sheer luck, Thierry is put in contact with the enigmatic artist by Fairey and Thierry quickley makes himself indispensable to Banksy, showing him walls, as well as filming the reaction to the art. 

Banksy was intrigued by the enigma that is Thierry. 

Rating: 8.0

What Else I Watched This Week 8/5

• The Newsroom (HBO)
• Snow on Tha Bluff (Netflix)
• Hard Knocks (HBO)
• Spinal Tap
• Comedy Bang Bang (IFC)
• Vice (HBO)
• Portlandia (IFC)

Sharknado Sequel Title Announced

A sequel to this summer's absurd hybrid movie: Sharknado has already been announced. Syfy's so bad its good made for film took the internet by storm earlier this year, so not ones to pass up a buck, the network has begun production on Sharknado 2: The Second One. I personally think they should have called it Sharknado 2: The Sharkening.  The sequel, which will definitely not be devoid of shark spewing tornados, is to take place in New York. Not much else has come out about the abusurd movie, but we can only hope it lives up to the many other Syfy hybrid pics such as: Piranhaconda, Sharktopus, and Aztec Rex (where Mayans worship a pair of living T-Rex). The movie is slated to be out July 2014.

The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh

Director: Rodrigo Gudiño

Starring: Aaron Poole, Vanessa Redgrave
Genre: Horror

Year: 2012

Run Time: 77 Minutes

How: DVD (Redbox)

Usually, horror movies are not my thing, not because they are scary, but mostly because I feel that the vast majority of them are wildly cliche and just plain bad. The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh reaffirms that belief.

As you may have gathered from the title, Rosalind Leigh is dead. She  has left everything to her estranged son Leon (Poole), who has now returned to her predictably creepy house. Cue the classic Scooby-Doo plot line. The house is full of weird objects, one in particular is a giant black mannequin with stark white eyes, another, the shrine conveniently located in the bathroom. Leon's mother (Redgrave) narrates much of the movie, but really fails to set up the plot. We spent a fair portion of the movie trying to figure out her relationship to Leon and why Leon would stay in the strange house without any real incentive. Leon, of course stays alone in his childhood home, only be scared by the old house and left questioning his sanity.

Leon's parents were part of a strange angel worshiping cult, as seen by the plethora of angel statues found in the house. Leon has rejected his parents faith, which why his mother believes hes no longer "protected by the angels."  Leon's father died as part of a cult suicide, something that is featured several times throughout the film, though it seems more a triviality than belabored plot point.

Poole's character is cold and unengaging, which is unfortunate since he is essentially the only one in the entire film. Oddly enough, he is completely calm as he's being terrorized by a Gollum looking creature.  He also seems too young to be the son of the Rosalind who only appears in pictures, which leads to some confusion. Leon is an underdeveloped character who gives us little reason for us to to care what happens to him. As Aaron gets more and more creeped out by the house, we cant help but wonder, why doesn't he just leave. 

If you are looking for scares, The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh does not deliver. The film does, however, deliver plenty of run of the mill tension, achieved through long shots which have you searching for something to jump out. Despite the creepy house, there are maybe only two instances that might make you jump. The movie commits too many of the classic horror faux pas and has no real ending, which is just laziness on the part of writer/director Rodrigo Gudiño. The film is slow, not scary, and ultimately accomplishes very little.

Rating: 2.5

Arcade Fire, Spike Jonze Team Up Again

Filmmaker and name enhancer Spike Jonze, has once again joined forces with Canadian indie rock band, Arcade Fire to score his next film. The band is scoring Jonze's new film Her, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as a lonely writer and Scarlett Johannson as the voice of the worlds first artificial intelligence.

The last time Jonze collaberated with Arcade Fire was in Where the Wild Things Are, where the song "Wake Up" was used in the trailer. Jonze has said that he wrote the entire Wild Things  script while listening to the the band's 2004 album Funeral. 

The Newsroom

Creator: Aaron Sorkin, 

Starring: Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Olivia Munn, Sam Waterson, Dev Patel, Allison Pill, John Gallagher Jr., Thomas Sadoski

Genre: TV Drama
Years: 2012 - Present
How: Apple TV (HBO)

Notable Awards

• Golden Globe For Best Drama Series - Nominated
• Golden Globe For Best Actor in a Drama Series- Jeff Daniels

Legendary showrunner Aaron Sorkin has struck gold again, this time on HBO. The West Wing creator's return to television takes us behind the scenes at a cable news network ACN, a hybrid between CNN, NBC, etc. anchored by moderate Will McAvoy. Set in the not too distant past, The Newsroom examines many of the major news events of the last few years through the lens of the producers and analysts who are learning of these in real time. 

McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels, is likable newsman more concerned with not upsetting viewers than taking a stance on issues, being called the Jay Leno of news. His image begins to change after a disillusioned outburst at a Northwestern debate. Will's team, including his executive producer Don, leaves News Night  for a new show on ACN, leaving him to find a new one.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie "Mac" McHale (Mortimer), Will's former EP, returns from years abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan with her crew. Mac is both mentally and physically exhausted and just wants to get back in the news room, much to the discontent of Will. They make it clear that Mac and Will used to be together and the there is some unresolved tension between the two but, insist on not revealing why. When Will's boss, Charlie (Waterson) hires Mac as the new EP, Will storms off to his agent's to renegotiate his contract to give himself power over her.

Mac wants to rebrand Will's show as a moderate forum where facts judged on their merits are presented in the context of humanity, rather than a soapbox from which guests get to spew the agenda. Will's love of truth and his unfettered, sometimes aggressive style of interviewing, gains him enemies among a number right wing talking heads. 

The team of analysts, researchers, and producers behind Will is both talented and entertaining. Featuring Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) as Neal a blogger and all around citizen of the internet. Allison Pill plays up and coming Maggie Jordan, an Associate Producer on the show, who is in a relationship with Don. Sloan Sabbath (Olivia Munn), is the show's resident economist, and devoid of most social skills. 

The show is fast paced and pulls stories from the headlines, much like you would expect from a Sorkin penned show. The covers major stories of the last couple year such as: The BP Oil Spill, The Tea Party, The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster and many more.

Quick Review: Bourne Legacy

Director: Tony Gilroy

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Genre: Spy Thirller
Year: 2012
Run Time: 135 Minutes
How: Laptop (HBO)

The Bourne Legacy had big shoes to fill. The previous three films had set the standard for action over the last 10 years and that's one of the main issues that plagues this installment. The Bourne name carries expectations, expectations that the fourth installment was not ready to fulfill.

This film feels like its trying to hard to be the previous three, despite the new story lines. Written and directed by Tony Gilroy, who also wrote the first three, the film doesn't have the same hyperkinetic style that previous director, Paul Greengrass brought to the series. The action is still there but, some scenes, like a rooftop/alley/motorcycle chase through Manila feels very similar to the one Jason Bourne does in Morraco.

In this iteration, Jeremy Renner plays Aaron Cross, an enhanced CIA assassin much like Bourne. The film takes place during the same time frame as Ultimatum, though any hope of seeing Matt Damon is limited to a few pictures. Cross is a part of Outcome, another behavior modification program much like Treadstone or Blackbriar, only in this version Cross's abilities derived from a pair mysterious viruses, which he maintains through a regimen of pills.

Aaron quickly loses his supply of pills in the mountains of Alaska and spends most of the film searching for more. After nearly getting blown up and eaten, Cross's quest for "chems" takes him all the way from Maryland where he meets up with Marta Shearing (Wiesz). Shearing is a biochemist who is engineering the chems and preforming tests on the Outcome agents.  After a grizzly and somewhat disturbing workplace shooting scene, which feels like it goes on too long, Shearing is nearly killed once again by agents trying to cover up Outcome but, she is inevitably saved by Cross. Wiesz's is reminiscent of Julia Stiles' character in the first three movies, slightly aware of what the CIA is up to and gets roped into helping Cross weather she wants too or not.

Cross and Shearing end up flying to Manila, and as one might expect, shoot and punch their way to the drugs. The action is entertaining but sometimes absurd; like when Cross manages to dispatch a number of gunmen, then climbing up three stories on the outside of a house in a cool 10 seconds.

Top: David Straithairn as Noah Vosen
Bottom: Norton

The acting is not stellar but it is adequate enough to carry the sometimes convoluted story. Edward Norton plays Eric Byers, a character that just seems like it was written for David Straithairn's character from the third film, but then given to the younger Norton. Rachel Wiesz's performance is strong, though not aided by the movie's sometimes clunky script. Renner, on the other hand, while he's not pummeling anonymous baddies, is trying to find his next fix of chems. This reliance on the drugs for his performance seems like something out a mild science fiction movie rather than the gritty action series the Bourne series has built on.  Unfortunately for all involved, the film doesn't really have and conclusion, it kind of just meanders towards the finish line and does little to actually wrap up the plot.

The film is not a bad one, but its not a masterpiece by any means. The story adds to the Bourne universe, but you cant help but wonder: What if Damon had reprised his role as the movie's namesake amnesiac assassin? That's ultimately whats what sinks Legacy. It simply feels like its trying to hard too be something that its not.

Rating: 5.5/10

What Else I Watched This Week 7/29

• Jiro Dreams of Sushi
• Hunt For Somali Pirates
• Bourne Legacy
• Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
• Manhunt (HBO)
• Exit Through the Gift Shop
• 30 For 30: Pony Excess
• Gasland Part II (HBO)
• The 5 Year Engagement

What Else I Watched This Week 7/22

• 30 For 30: Run Ricky Run
• Ted
• 30 For 30: Little Big Men
• 30 For 30: The 16th Man
• Dexter
• 30 For 30: Without Bias

Senna

Director: Asif Kapadia
Starring: Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost
Genre: Documentary
Year: 2010
How: Apple TV (Netflix)

Notable Awards:

• Sundance Film Festival: World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary

Arguably one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers in history, Aryton Senna is often overlooked due to a career tragically cut short. Delving into the life of a driver at the top his career, and the politics surrounding the sport, Senna is gripping, even for those unfamiliar with Formula 1.

Ayrton Senna was born to a wealthy family in Sao Paulo. Even at an early age he showed great prowess behind the wheel, first driving at the age of seven. By thirteen, Ayrton was competing in karting, which later in life he would regard as "the purest form of racing." The was no money in it, no politics, just racing.  

He swiftly moved up in the racing world and by 1984, had a ride with Toleman, a newer team and not one expected to be very competitive. Senna quickly proved himself an extraordinary driver, especially in the rain, something that he demonstrated at the Monaco Grand Prix. Starting 13th Senna quickly worked his way up to second. The rain continued to intensify, yet he making up a staggering four seconds a lap on the leader, Alain Prost. The race was called before taking the lead but his reputation had been established.

For the 1985 season, Senna joined Lotus-Renault. In the second race of the season, Ayrton took his first career pole and converted it first career win, in what was a very rainy Portugese GP. Senna would stay with the team for another two season, honing his skills before leaving for the more formidable McLaren team.

Much of the story is about Ayrton's rivalry with French driver Alain Prost. Prost, already a two time champion, was known as the "Professor" due to his calculating, methodical approach to racing, doing whatever it took to be ahead on points, a stark contrast to Senna's passionate style. Ayrton was not very comfortable with the politics of the sport, something Prost excelled at. Their rivalty truly evolved during the 1988 season, when Senna joined Prost at McLaren.

Senna and Prost put up a facade of friendliness, but both grasped what Ayrton's signing would mean for the team. McLaren dominated the rest of the field. Between the two, they took all but one pole and one victory the entire 1988 season.  Their only real competition came from each other. The season would come down to the final race in Japan. Senna had the point lead going into the final race of season in Japan. If he won that race he would win his first championship. But Senna stalled at the start, falling to 14th, but then it started to rain. Ayrton would drive an amazing race and storm all the way back to snatch both the victory and the world championship from Prost.

The 1989 season saw the two drivers become more alienated and the politics of the sport come into play. Something Senna did not enjoy. Once again the season came down the race in Japan, only this time if Senna did not finish, Porst would take the championship. The race was neck and neck, then Prost and Senna came together. Prost race was over but Ayrton drove down a slip road and proceeded to win in spectacular fashion, a result Prost would contest. The president of the FIA at the time, Jean-Marie Balestre, was close with Prost and ruled in favor of the Frenchman, giving him the Championship and suspending Senna from the 1990 season. After, Prost would leave McLaren to drive for Ferrari.

For a third third year in a row the season hinged on the race in Japan. Senna won the pole , only to find that pole position had been moved off the racing line, to a part of the track with half the grip, a decision undoubtedly influenced by Balestre.

The film is a fantastic weave of archival F1 film inter-spliced with TV interviews and rare footage from things like drivers meetings. Despite the often low resolution offered in the 80's the quality and breadth of the material makes the documentary incredibly immersive, sometimes feeling like you are hurtling around the track along with Senna. This is a documentary that transcends the racing genre. Even people who don't even like cars will be able to amazing and tragic story.

If you need any more proof check this out, Honda pays tribute to Senna's record breaking lap at the Suzuka Circuit, only in light and sound. 
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2013/07/honda-senna-tribute/

Rating: 9.1/10

6 Word Reveiw of Gasland

Director: Josh Fox
Starring: Josh Fox
Year: 2010
Genre: Documentary
Run Time: 104 Minutes
How: Apple TV (HBO)

Notable Awards: 

•  2011 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for Nonfiction Programming
•  2011 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature - Nominated

Test your water. Fracking is scary.

Rating: 8.1

180° South

Director: Chris Malloy
Starring: Yvon Chouinard, Doug Tompkins, Jeff Johnson, Keith Malloy, Timmy O'Neil, Makohe
Genre: Adventure Documentary
Year: 2010
Run Time: 85 Minutes
How: Apple TV (Netflix)

Patagonia. One of the last great, unspoiled wildernesses left on the planet. Located at the end of the world, it has some of the most extreme terrain, Ranging from coastline to thick forest to jagged peaks, blanketed in ice. That was what drew Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins there back in 1968.

Back then, Yvon and Doug were living in Ventura, California, surfing, rock climbing, even  making their own equipment (Yvon founded Patagonia Clothing and Black Diamond and Doug, The North Face). Both were very accomplished climbers, having made many notable ascents all across North America, and had set their sights on Mt Fitzroy in Patagonian Chile. So in 1968 the two packed up a van with surfboards and climbing equipment and set off on a 6 month, 10,000 mile journey along the Pan American Highway. They made it to Mt Fitzroy and scaled it over the course of three weeks, much of wich was spent in a snow cave waiting for deadly storms to pass. 

Jeff Johnson, a friend of Yvon and Doug's and fellow surfer/climber, found the footage of their trip and was inspired to recreate it. Jeff's goal was to be Corcavado, a mountain Yvon had given him a picture from his first trip.

Corcovodo

Jeff joins the crew of a small sail boat named the Sea Bear, which is relocating from Seattle back to Chile. Jeff has never sailed long distance before, but relishes the change of pace that life at sea offers. They sail down the coast of Mexico and to the Galapagos Islands. over a thousand miles off the coast of Chile, the Sea Bear's mast snaps, their only option, motor to Rapa Nui a.k.a Easter Island. Stranded on this remote island while they repair their ship, Jeff explores his surroundings. He meets a local woman named Makohe, who is also intrigued by his journey and asks if she can join them when the leave.

After a about a month in Rapa Nui, Jeff and the crew are finally able to remast, using an risky strategy, sailors used to perform such repairs while anchored at sea. With Makohe aboard, the Sea Bear heads east, for Chile. Once in port, Jeff and Makohe continue their journey south by bus. Soon they meet up with Yvon and Doug, both of whom now live in Patagonia.

Yvon and Doug have dedicated their lives trying to preserve Patagonia. They have taken it upon themselves to use their own life savings  to buy up large tracts of land, creating Concervaion Patigonica, basically a national park on private land larger than Yosemite. The film focuses a lot on conservation, how we need to protect our wild spaces, not build factories in pristine wilderness. It kind of become old hat, but you almost forgive it for the beauty of the of the place.

After a long arduous journey they finally make it to Corcovodo. Joined by Jeff's friends, Keith Malloy and Timmy O'Neil, Jeff, Makohe and Yvon being their ascent. There is something compelling about seeing a place few people have ever set foot, even on film. 

The film features a great soundtrack, mainly consisting of music by Ugly Casanova, featuring Isaac Brock, front man of Modest Mouse. It is also interspersed with the likes of Billy Bragg & Wilco and James Mercer. All together the music compliments the breath taking visuals and journey's laid back feel. Though a compelling documentary, the environmentalism in it gets a little stale, Patagonia itself makes for the any wrongdoing.

Rating: 7.8/10

Moon

Director: Duncan Jones
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey
Genre: Sci-Fi
Year: 2009
Run Time: 97 Minutes
How: DVD

When Zowie Bowie directs a film, you know its gonna be just as out there as his notorious father, and Moon does not disappoint. Sam Rockwell is Sam Bell, the sole employee at one of Lunar Industries Helium-3 mining facilities on the far side of moon. Near the end of his 3 year work contract, the only company Sam has had, aside from the occasional recorded message from his wife, has been the mining bases artificial intelligence, GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey). GERTY is reminiscent of HAL from 2001: A Space Odyessy, in an eerie, criminally insane sort of way, and its emoticon faces don't do much to change that perception.

Two weeks before Sam is supposed to return for earth, while he is out maintaining on of the harvesters, he begins to hallucinate. Sam's rover crashes into the harvester and Sam is knocked unconscious.

Sam wakes back at the base, with no recollection of the crash or how he got back. GERTY tells him he is not allowed to leave the base until a rescue team arrives. Sam gets suspicious and tricks GERTY in to letting him outside. Sam takes a rover to the site of his crash, only to find something that will alter his perception of reality, but I don't want to give it away.

Duncan Jones's vision is a unique one. Exploring the effects of extended solitude as well as the ethical questions that may arise with advancing technology. He definitely evokes Kubrick which is never a bad idea. This is the type of sci-fi film that is all to rare these day. The kind that shies away from massive explosions, and equally massive budgets . One that delves into the human psyche and our interactions with artificial intelligence as our comprehension of what is real. Rockwell puts on a powerful performance, as a man on the brink, questioning his sanity, and determined to get back to earth. Moon is a smart movie that will keep you trying to understand what could be going on until the end.

Rating: 8.2/10

Quick Review: Lone Ranger

Director: Gore Verbinski
Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson, William Fichtner
Genre: Western Action
Year: 2013
Run Time: 149 minutes
How: In Theaters

The Lone Ranger had a fair amount of hype leading up to its release, and why not? It was just Disney's latest 225 million dollar movie. Now 2 weeks later, it is destined to be one of the biggest flops since John Carter.

The Lone Ranger is undoubtedly a visually appealing and spectacular in terms of special effects, but it suffers greatly from a story that just seems to drag on for ever. It takes an hour for Armie Hammer (insert ridiculous name joke here) to even put on the iconic mask. At two and a half hours long, the film often seems bogged down scenes that have little bearing on the story itself (ie. The young boy talking to Tonto in the museum through out) most of which could have been cut without the movie losing any substance.  

One of the few bright spots in the movie is Johnny Depp, who is good for a laugh several times throughout, though it some times feel like Tonto is just a Comanche Captain Jack Sparrow. This is unfortunately is countered by the rest of the cast both absurd and cliched. Helena Bonham Carter is the same character she often does only this time she a old western madame who just happens to have a gun in her prosthetic leg. While William Fichtner is Butch Cavendish, complete with cross dressing gang of dim wits.  Cavendish is like a bad bond villain, who both monologues and should have been killed on 4 separate occasions yet never seems to die.   

All said and done, this movie was definitely a bold follow up for Verbinski and Pirates of The Caribbian but I'm not sure it paid off. There is a fair amount of bad but its not all unwatchable. If your looking for a long, throwback complete with more than its share of train wrecks, gun play and explosions and less story, then your in luck.

Rating 3.9/10

Being John Malkovich

Director: Spike Jonze

Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean

Genre: Comedy
Year: 1999

Run Time: 112 Minutes

How: DVD/Netflix

Notable Awards

• Academy Award For Best Director - Spike Jonze - Nominated
• Academy Award For Best Original Screen Play - Charlie Kaufman - Nominated
• Academy Award For Best Supporting Actress - Catherine Keener - Nominated

New York City - A struggling, unemployed puppeteer, Craig Schwartz (Cusack) is putting on a rather saucy sidewalk marionette show. Schwartz is a rather disheveled, long haired man, whose unique skill set make him ill equipped for most lines of work. Schwartz's wife Lotte, portrayed by an equally frumpy Cameron Diaz, spends her time doting on the couple's numerous pets, specifically a chimp with childhood issues named Elijah. 

Desperate for  work, Craig answers a job posting for Lestercorp, simply looking for someone with "skilled fingers." Lestercorp is wonderfully eccentric on every level. From the man, Dr. Lester (Bean), to the office located on the 7 1/2th floor of the Mertin-Flemmer Building ("For the low overhead"), to the mysterious doorway. During his orientation video Craig meets and immediately becomes infatuated by Maxine (Keener), who makes it quite obvious that she has no interest in the often awkward Schwartz. 

While filing in cramped offices of Lestercorp, Craig stumbles across a small door hidden behind a filing cabinet  Naturally he decides to crawl into the tunnel only to get sucked all the way in. Once inside Craig realizes he in inside John Malkovich's  head, seeing what Malkovich sees, feeling what Malkovich feels. After a little while Craig is ejected unceremoniously on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike.  

Craig immediately tells Maxine, who is understandable skeptical, watching Craig assert the meta-physical significance of the door. How being able to be Malkovich allows him to actually be someone else, something Craig gets out of being a puppeteer. Maxine proposes that they create a business out of it, allowing people to be Malkovich for $200. 

Craig also shares his discovery with Lotte, who's experience inside Malkovich is transformative. She becomes obsessed with being him and a man, to the point she declares herself a transexual. She too falls in love with Maxine, though only as Malkovich. 

The film really picks up as Craig begins to learn to control Malkvich and the love triangle (square?) complicates itself further, classic Charlie Sheen makes a cameo, and the age old question: What happens when John Malkovich becomes John Malkovich? is answered. Malkovich plays himself brilliantly and has a great to see he has a sense of humor about himself. Spike Jonze's vision is wildly original and has plenty of rewatchability. Only Sesame street has had as much success with puppets.  

Rating: 8.5/10 Malkoviches

Fun Fact: This film was produced by Michael Stipe from R.E.M

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Director: NIcholas Stoller
Starring: Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis Paul Rudd, Bill Hader
Year: 2008 
Run Time: 110 Minutes
How: Apple TV (iTunes)

Peter Bretter (Segel) is a composer is musician who composes the music for his beautiful actress girlfriend Sarah Marshall's (Bell) TV Show, that is until Marshall breaks up with him and reveals that there is another man. Peter goes into a spiral after the breakup and at his brother's (Hader) insistence, he flies to Hawaii to clear his head as the title suggests. 

Peter arrives in Hawaii only to find that Sarah is staying at the same resort with her new lover Aldous Snow (Brand). Snow is a lothario rock star and is yet another roll in which Brand plays himself, though he manages to be funnier than most of his other work. Peter frets over this for a while but starts the befriend the hotel staff, including the hilarious Paul Rudd as Kunu the surf instructor who doesn't quite all there mentally. Meanwhile Peter falls for the front desk girl played by Kunis.

Produced Judd Apatow, the film feature many of his regular actors, notably: Segel, Paul Rudd, and Jonah Hill.  Segel once again showcases his musical abilities which we have seen as far back as Freaks and Geeks, which was also produced by Apatow. Peter performs songs from his Dracula musical, which features puppets (along the lines of Avenue Q).

The film is solid throughout with a strong performance by Segel and Kunis. Brand holds his own but fails to show any range, once again playing a role similar to himself. Rudd, Hill and Jack McBrayer all provide laugh out loud moments and help make this movie quite rewatchable.

Rating: 7.2/10

Average User Rating: 9

Bottle Rocket

Director: Wes Anderson
Staring: Owen Wilson, Luke Wilson, Robert Musgrave, Andrew Wilson

Year: 1996

Run Time: 91 Minutes
How: Apple TV (Netflix)

Bottle Rocket was Director Wes Anderson's first major film. Along side friend and co-writer/actor Owen Wilson, Anderson directs a quirky heist movie in his own unique style.

The film opens in Texas as Dignan (Owen Wilson) "rescues" Anthony (Luke Wilson) from a voluntary mental facility where Anthony has been staying for exhaustion. Dignan, has developed a 75 year for the pair to work their way criminal world. 

Dignan is eager to please, but does not take criticism well and has a compulsive need to be in charge. The first step in this plan is for them to rob Anthony's do a series of practice heists.

Dignan recruits Bob Mapplethorpe (Musgrave) to be the crew's getaway driver as he is the only person they know with a car. The gang buys a gun and Digan plans to rob a bookstore and subsequently "go on the lam". All this is in order to impress Dingnan's old boss and rumored thief, Mr. Henry (Caan).

The crew hides out at a motel where Anthony falls madly in love a housekeeper named Ines. The two spend time together while she works. After Bob takes off in the middle of the night to bail his brother, played by third Wilson brother, Andrew. Dignan feels betrayed by this. Meanwhile Anthony asks Ines to run away with him, but she knows can't just pick up her life and leave with him.  

Dignan and Anthony have falling out and Anthony goes off to live with Bob. Dignan goes back to work for Mr. Henry and plans yet another heist. This one of a cold storage facility and tries to recruit Anthony once again.

This film, being Anderson's first, lacks a lot of the polish of his later work. His trademark visual style, highlighted by symmetry, bold colors, and framing are not as pronounced as you see in his newer films. This also is the first film of both Wilson brothers and it shows. Its an interesting film that show the promise  of a young director. It can move a little slow at times, but it is heartfelt and unique in a way only Wes Anderson can be. 

Rating: 6.5/10

You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W Bush

Starring: Will Ferrell
Genre: Taped One Man Show
Run Time: 115 Minutes
How: Apple TV (HBO)

This is the first movie I will be reviewing for my currently unnamed blog so Im going to make this quick. This one man show was put on by Will Farrell in 2009 after Barack Obama was inaugurated. Based on Farrell's infamous SNL sketches. This is a new blog and please reply with movie you want me to review, ways I can improve the blog and things you want to see in the future.

Rating: 6/10


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