The Ice Storm (1997)

The Ice Storm is one of those films like American Beauty that's so deep and nuanced on so many levels that you feel swamped by all the meaning and hidden truths and you're sure you'll never be able to decipher it all... but you're wiser for the experience. 8/10.

DC Comics Animated One-offs

Last week I watched five of Warner Brothers Animation Studio's releases of DC Comics based stand-alone films, that is, storylines independant of any WB/DC television series.

Batman: Under The Red Hood (2010), based on the Batman comics storyline of the same name, was about as good as any live action movie. Well animated with a killer script, with top notch voice acting to boot. I remember when Batman: The Animated Series changed the game of cartoons. Nice to see the franchise still hasn't lost it's touch. 9/10.

Justice League: Doom (2012) was enjoyable as well. Batman is one wary dude. Also, Batman is correct. When Superman says "Maybe I can move the Earth's orbit out of the path of the flare." The right reply is "Even if I had a week I couldn't explain all the reasons that wouldn't work." 7/10.

Superman Batman: Apocalypse (2010). I ended up quite liking this in spite of Kara Zor-El's annoying affect in the first half. Character introduction and development, cartoon babes, Batman being a cold badass. Plus, it had some of the best animated fight choreography I've seen in an American release. 7/10.

Superman vs. The Elite (2012). Was worth watching for the sole purpose of witnessing Superman's defense of why he never kills anyone. His illustrative example at the climax of the movie is well worth beholding. As a friend of mine said, "It... it's somethin'!" 6/10.

Batman: Year One (2011). The animated version of Frank Miller's graphic novel of the same name was top notch. Briskly paced, fabulously voice-acted, and an animation style that remained true to the source. However, as an aside, I kept comparing it to the Nolan films, to which there's really no equal. In my opinion Nolan took the best parts from all of the Batman storylines and added his own genius touches and ideas to make The Dark Knight trilogy the ultimate Batman story. Regardless, as a stand alone or in that context, I happily give Batman: Year One 8/10.

Summer Blockbuster Season 2013

I basically go to the theaters to see movies that are big, action/effects filled and exciting. Movies that would loose alot of their punch viewed on my home theater as opposed to The Warren Theater's cutting edge equipment. I figure regular dramas and comedies are more acting and dialogue oriented as opposed to the visual/audio feast that is a big budget action/adventure flick. I can pretty much enjoy dramas and indie fare on DVD or Blu-ray just fine. That being said, each year I make a list of movies I plan on seeing during the Summer Blockbuster season. Here's this years list:

  4/5  JURASSIC PARK IMAX 3D
4/12  OBLIVION
  5/3  IRON MAN
5/17  STAR TREK 12
5/24  FAST & FURIOUS 6
  6/7  AFTER EARTH
6/14  MAN OF STEEL
6/21  WORLD WAR Z
6/28  WHITE HOUSE DOWN
  7/5  THE LONE RANGER
7/26  THE WOLVERINE
  8/2  300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
  8/9  ELYSIUM
8/16  KICK ASS 2
8/23  THE WORLD'S END
  9/6  RIDDICK
9/13  MACHETE KILLS
9/20  RUSH
10/4  SIN CITY: A DAME TO KILL FOR

Final trailer for Star Trek: Into Darkness

For those frustrated that Abrams films are too action oriented, not enough diplomacy and exploration, please read this.

Basically it works as follows. Star Trek was Paramount's golden goose for twenty years until Brannon Braga killed off the franchise. Paramount misses that dearly. Abrams has succeeded in restoring public interest in Star Trek. He did this by making a widely accessible action movie. Paramount saw great profits with the reboot, and if they see enough of the same with this one, I'm willing to bet the title to the Enterprise that they will put a series on the air. Then you will get lots of diplomacy, exploratory story arcs and philosophical heaviness, simply because there's not enough budget in a TV series to sustain constant sci-fi action. They've got to fill the time with other stuff, like quality story.

So if you want to see Star Trek like it used to be, your best bet is to buy a ticket to this movie. Paramount is just as greedy as every other studio. And if these films make enough money, the studio will likely produce a series to capitalize on them.

Also, I can't wait till May!

Die Hard (1988)

So I watched Die Hard for the first time in years in preparation for going to see the new one on Tuesday. Man, it seems pretty dated now. Compared to the action films of today it's paced pretty slow and is awful quiet in a lot of parts. Still a classic though. 8/10.

The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada (2005)

Tommy Lee Jones' directorial pacing was a little terse, and the non-linear narrative of the first half was pointless. But he sure coached some damn fine performances out of his cast. Barry Pepper was phenomenal, and even the usually dead January Jones emoted well. 7/10.

Sling Blade (1996)

This was only the second time I've seen this movie... I think. The first being in the theater in 1997. It made such an impact on me from the first viewing that I remembered everything in the movie pretty accurately. It's still unique in it's force.

Also, I don't think I've ever seen the part of the abusive white trash boyfriend/stepfather character written and portrayed as accurately as Dwight Yoakam's Doyle.

9/10.

Predator (1987)

So it had been years since I actually sat and watched PREDATOR. At least five years or more. For some reason I was inclined to rent it on Blu-ray today at Hastings.

It was awesome.

I remember first seeing this movie when I was like 9 or 10 years old. I was over at a friends house one night and his dad had rented it on VHS (this was like 88 or 89). I was terrified. It was the first bloody action/horror movie I'd seen. And it was the first one I'd seen with a scary alien. Basically I lost my R rated movie virginity to this flick. I had nightmares for days afterwords. But it was totally worth it.

And it still stands the test of time. I think largely because it's such a basic, primal story: hunters must survive being the prey of a monster. It goes way back to caveman times. And it's all put together in a way that's visceral and terrifying.

Now I'll admit that it's impact has been tamed by too many syndicated viewings on Saturday afternoon TV, complete with commercial interruptions. I'm sure many of you are like me and probably quit changing the channels when it comes on, cause it's always good to watch. So I suggest you try this. Get your copy off the shelf, or rent it, wait till dark and watch it alone, with no lights and with no interruptions. It's like seeing a totally different and far better film than the one they play on TV. Even if you don't get nostalgic terrors like I did, you'll treat yourself to one of the greatest action movies ever made.

10/10.

P.S. To wet your appetite, here's Alan Silvestri's theme from the movie. There's no mistaking it for any other piece of music.

Up In The Air (2009)

This is a practically perfect film. George Clooney doesn't act condescendingly didactic, Jason Reitman isn't chained to a set of irritatingly affected Diablo Cody characters and is able to set just the right airy tone, and Sam Elliot makes a cameo appearance. Touching script too. Wonderful! 10/10.

Robin Hood (2010)

I have no idea why this bombed in the theaters. It was fantastic! I love Medieval settings and this had the perfect mix of adventure and history. So much fun to watch. 8/10.