Ben Affleck's third directorial feature looks like it may be the one that will finally earn him acclaim. Let us hope that he keeps the shaggy do for the awards ceremonies. Along with Affleck, Argo stars John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Kyle Chandler and Bryan Cranston. By the way, does Bryan Cranston sleep? It seems like he has been in almost every other movie lately.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Round One: Acting
Edward Norton outshines Eric Bana as the dual persona of the meek Bruce Banner and the rage-induced Hulk. Eric Bana was given little to do but run and fight and often the audience was just waiting for him to transform. With the Incredible Hulk, Norton's Banner is fully fleshed-out and we are given a reason to care about him. Being allowed to go a little dark with Banner's scenes questioning what is left of his life provided emotional resonance to the character that Hulk lacked. Yet even with the capable performance that Norton gives there was something to be desired. Throughout the majority of Incredible Hulk we are welcomed to thrown punches instead of character development. Mark Ruffalo shines in his brief portions of Avengers, but despite his immense charisma, his shortened screentime puts him at an advantage against Edward Norton. This round goes to The Incredible Hulk, by an edge.
Round Two: Kick-Assery
Hulk features mutated, giant battling dogs, and then a lightning monster played by Nick Nolte, hardly fitting of the Hulk's talents. The Incredible Hulk benefits from the climactic showdown with Tim Roth's demented Abomination that destroys most of Harlem, however it is not enough to best Ruffalo's romp through the third act of The Avengers. Loki's interrupted monologue will attest to that.
Round Three: Effects
Hulk suffers from a lot of helter-skelter motions that visually distracts audiences from the film. And again, giant CGI dogs: Hulk is disqualified immediately. The Incredible Hulk steps up a few more rungs on the technological ladder due to the sheer benefit of several years of advances in the computer generated images. Even with that concession, the Hulk hardly resembled Edward Norton. It is The Avengers that provides the most realistic looking Hulk and one who actually matches his alter-ego. There is no need to hide this Hulk in shadows, he can battle it out in daylight in the middle of Manhattan.
Final score: Hulk (0) The Incredible Hulk (1) The Avengers (2)
So with a final score of 2-1-0 Ruffalo's Hulk takes this match-up. Ultimately, the 2003 and 2005 films are middling at best, so it made the competition very easy considering The Avengers finally had an actor and an auteur who knew how to write to his jolly green benefit.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
The concept of teaming up Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and Thor was a dream years in the making for most film fans. Then, finally, in 2010 proto-geek Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly, Cabin in the Woods) was named director of The Avengers.
For comic book enthusiasts The Avengers proves to be everything wanted from a team-up. For those who are less familiar with these heroes and their storylines, the film is a proverbial menu to choose from. Enjoy history and the limits that one man will go for his country? Captain America, at your service. How about Norse mythology? Thor, at the waiting. Eccentric billionaires with an addiction to thrill-seeking? Iron Man is around here somewhere. Rage problems? Hulk, please don't make him angry.
Really the only major roadblock for The Avengers is one Whedon similarly handled for Serenity: these are characters who already know everyone in their own universe, but now find themselves introduced into new ones. A fine line has to be drawn between making the introduction scenes informational enough for those unaware of the Avengers and witty enough for devoted fans.
These four heroes are members of a team, but instilled is a tension that can only come up with grave consequences. They are all successful in their own right and see no reason to coalesce with others. Tony Stark is a star in his own right and takes being given orders in a poor light. Captain America, however, recognizes this behavior from several decades ago. And they do not get along.
To make matters worse, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is a master manipulator of the mind. These heroes are already fractured, but Loki wants to break them; prove that mere mortals are not fit to face him down. Loki has made a transition from Thor and it is indeed a nasty one. What was once a man conflicted by his loyalty to family and his true nature gives way to a Machiavellian villain. Loki is feral now. The Avengers needed a villain large enough to deserve the team up of these heroes and Tom Hiddleston performs admirably.
It is an oddly precarious situation for these heroes to be in. They found themselves pushed into making frighteningly real decisions and the choices they make won't necessarily be likable. However, decisions that gave Bruce Wayne pause about making in The Dark Knight are made without hesitation by Nick Fury when dealing with Loki. The Avengers are well-meaning, but they are still tools for S.H.I.E.L.D. The Avengers is not a deconstruction of the comic book genre that The Dark Knight was, however it was never meant to be. And scenes in which Thor and Iron Man bicker, "do not touch me" and "then don't take my stuff" remind the audience that this is nothing more than fun. Despite the fact that these men are nearly God-like in their power, they are still boys with (extremely dangerous) toys.
Speaking of dangerous, the Hulk finally gets his chance to shine in his third effort on the big screen. While Eric Bana and Edward Norton were limited in what they could do with the character Mark Ruffalo inhabits the character as something more than a villain lurking in a hero's body. A potential stumbling block, Ruffalo's Hulk manages to supersede everything before it. Several scenes are made by a line delivered by, or a look that encapsulates the scene. Ruffalo is the embodiment of the Hulk that was made for the silver-screen.
Verbal barbs exchanged just as often and as intently as uppercuts, the dialogue that Whedon is known and loved for is on full display. More importantly, the action in the film is truly spectacular. The dramatic conclusion to the film can only be described as awesome. Every conceivable scenario discussed in school yards during playtime is on display: Hulk tangles with Thor, Iron Man takes on an army, and finally, Thor's hammer (mjölnir) meets Cap's shield (vibranium).
The Avengers proves that superhero team-ups are possible, but only if they are as well developed as the characters and universes crafted by Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and the always cool, Samuel L. Jackson. This is for every comic book-loving-ten-year-old that grew up and still kept those geek tendencies. This is for us.
***1/2 out of ****
Friday, May 4, 2012
Jack Black has a history for doing roles that only require he speak louder to be effective, but here he completely disappears as Bernie Tiede. How he came to be at Carthage is rarely mentioned, but upon his arrival he was adopted as one of their own.
From the onset of Bernie, we are introduced to a man seemingly without flaws. He practices his craft without peer, he volunteers with the local arts, he sings for the church, and there is hardly a favor he wouldn't do. He is possibly the most loved man in Carthage, Texas.
Marjorie Nugent (welcome back Shirley MacLaine) is recently widowed and lies on the opposite side of the popularity spectrum. Not a single citizen can be bothered to say a nice thing about her. So it strikes the locals as odd when Bernie takes such a personal interest in the widow. Her money was of use to him, but he certainly didn't live high on the hog. There was no romantic notions held in the opinion of others—the most affectionate moment between the two involves holding hands. Whatever Bernie's reasoning is for befriending Marjorie, it takes.
Things start off well enough for Bernie, the woman hated all across Carthage was now out-and-about abandoning her misanthropic ways, and it was all due to him. It is almost enough to make you forget that we are told almost immediately that he is also the man who murdered her.
Most are skeptical that Bernie could commit such a crime, but two of his detractors are thoroughly convinced. One of which is District Attorney Danny Buck (Matthew McConaughey). Buck, depending on how you look at him, serves as the goofus or gallant of Bernie. The D.A. is not looked upon kindly, but whether it be out of self-promotion, or a sense of duty, he is committed to sending Bernie to prison.
Bernie tries desperately to cling to a slicked rope as a man who was once beloved, now faces a lifetime in prison.
As we watch how everything sorts out, one of Bernie's shining highlights is the city of Carthage itself. Richard Linklater should be lauded for using footage with the real residents of the town. Too often films based on true stories look at locals with distaste, however, these onlookers provide an unique flavoring to the story.
Credit Linklater and script collaborator Skip Hollandsworth (who wrote the article the film is based on) for making a mockumentary without the bitter self-awareness of most post-modern films. While the line between comedy and drama blends into greys, most of the film's laughs are derived from incredulity, not vitriol.
Who says true stories are boring?
***/****
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
With Marvel's The Avengers coming out in less than two days, I thought it would be nice to bring everyone up to date with the timeline of all of the character's films: Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, and Iron Man. Thankfully, Patrick Casey Bennett of Comic Book Movies went to all the trouble for us. For the entire infographic check out the link below.
(Courtesy: Comic Book Movies)
(Courtesy: Comic Book Movies)
Summer 2012 is shaping up to be a prolific one for action movies. Whether you're a kid on school break, a die-hard action movie buff, or looking to score some AC, there are a variety of action flicks coming out this summer that will get your adrenaline flowing.
The Avengers
Loaded with a plethora of prominent Hollywood actors (Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans) and a superhero team of all-star proportions (Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America) The Avengers is sure to be a treat for every movie geek. Under the threat of intergalactic invasion, these heroes must assemble to fight a planetary threat.
The Amazing Spider-Man
Another lucrative comic book movie franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man follows the story of Peter Parker and his newfound alter ego. While finding clues and investigating the death of his parents, Peter Parker comes face to face with his father's former partner, Dr. Curt Connors, and his hideous transformation, the Lizard. Box-office analysts will be curious to see if Andrew Garfield can adequately fill the shoes of Tobey Maguire.
The Dark Knight Rises
Director Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale return for what is shaping up to be one of the greatest trilogies of all time. Eight years after Batman took the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes and murder, a new terrorist leader called "Bane" wreaks havoc on Gotham. Batman, shunned by the city, must return to protect and safeguard the city of Gotham.
The Bourne Legacy
The hugely popular espionage franchise based on Robert Ludlum's novels has raked in over a billion dollars at the box office. Under the new direction of director Tony Gilroy and a new CIA operative, played by Jeremy Renner. The stakes are life or death for this new Bourne. Will audiences flock to it?
Other notable summer 2012 actions films include Prometheus, Dark Shadows, Lawless, Snow White and the Huntsman, Men in Black 3, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer, Dark Shadows, and Savages.
The Avengers
Loaded with a plethora of prominent Hollywood actors (Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans) and a superhero team of all-star proportions (Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America) The Avengers is sure to be a treat for every movie geek. Under the threat of intergalactic invasion, these heroes must assemble to fight a planetary threat.
The Amazing Spider-Man
Another lucrative comic book movie franchise, The Amazing Spider-Man follows the story of Peter Parker and his newfound alter ego. While finding clues and investigating the death of his parents, Peter Parker comes face to face with his father's former partner, Dr. Curt Connors, and his hideous transformation, the Lizard. Box-office analysts will be curious to see if Andrew Garfield can adequately fill the shoes of Tobey Maguire.
The Dark Knight Rises
Director Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale return for what is shaping up to be one of the greatest trilogies of all time. Eight years after Batman took the fall for Harvey Dent's crimes and murder, a new terrorist leader called "Bane" wreaks havoc on Gotham. Batman, shunned by the city, must return to protect and safeguard the city of Gotham.
The Bourne Legacy
The hugely popular espionage franchise based on Robert Ludlum's novels has raked in over a billion dollars at the box office. Under the new direction of director Tony Gilroy and a new CIA operative, played by Jeremy Renner. The stakes are life or death for this new Bourne. Will audiences flock to it?
Other notable summer 2012 actions films include Prometheus, Dark Shadows, Lawless, Snow White and the Huntsman, Men in Black 3, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer, Dark Shadows, and Savages.
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