Last Vegas (Turteltaub, 2013)

There are only four reasons to see Last Vegas: Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Kline. 

With all the people that are necessary to make a movie, sometimes it comes down to the actors to determine how good a film really is. In the case of Last Vegas, at best decent direction comes through as entertaining comedy when the stars take center stage. 

Michael Douglas leads the cast as Billy, a wealthy businessman who finally decides to settle down and get married... to a woman nearly half his age. He calls up his three childhood best friends, Paddy (De Niro), Archie (Freeman), and Sam (Kline), who are living at various locations across the country. The friends decide to hold a bachelor party for Billy in Las Vegas, to take a break from their now monotonous lives. 

In Vegas, the guys meet Diana (Mary Steenburgen, who manages to hold her own against four powerhouse performers), a lounge singer who helps the men loosen up and enjoy the city. Health problems and a lack of connection with the younger Vegas crowd causes hilarity to ensue. But soon, jealousy and a long-standing feud between Billy and Paddy could cause the four guys their friendship. 

The movie itself is clichéd storytelling, with a minimalistic effort done on the part of the production team. Fortunately, Last Vegas succeeds thanks to it's four charismatic lead performers, arguably the best male actors in the motion picture industry today. Their chemistry is undeniably addictive to watch. 

Michael Douglas plays his usual charming businessman, and manages to wrangle the most effective drama in the story. Kevin Kline steals every scene he is in, and he has the best lines of the film. The comedic performance evokes his glory days of A Fish Called Wanda and The Big Chill. Morgan Freeman's family subplot is uninteresting and done before; but he, like Kline, nails his dialogue, and seems to be having the most fun of the leading cast.  

Robert De Niro feels out of place, and is the "one of these things is not like the other" factor in the film. Nevertheless, he plays his usual character: a tough-as-nails paternal figure who harasses his friends, but in the end is passionately loyal, and the one you want watching your back. His participation in Last Vegas is certainly not the worst comedic decision the actor has made either (Little Fockers, anyone?).

Kudos to the casting department, by the way, who managed to find four young actors that completely look and act like the four leads for the film's opening credits. 

The comedy is good, better than the average modern farce. It jokes on getting older in an affable way, and puts the characters in some truly hillarious situations. This is both fun to watch and easy to relate to, no matter how old the viewer is. The best work done by director Jon Turtetaub in the movie is the frequent phone conversations, which are nicely edited to create a standout comic effect. Again, not to beat a dead horse, but this is mostly due to the stars. 

Last Vegas frequently dabbles in murky subjects, most of which could have been removed with little to no impact. Themes such as aging, loyalty, love, and death are heavily emphasized with lackluster energy. There are several slow scenes that bog down the picture; however, the scenes with the four stars are highly entertaining, and they go on fun misadventures that will make viewers laugh hysterically.

Ultimately, your appreciation for Last Vegas will come from how much you like the four stars. If you don't, then the movie is a slightly better-than-average comedy that may or may not make you laugh. If you do, on the other hand, then Last Vegas is a special treat that will provide escapist entertainment for a little under two hours. 

Three out of five stars. 

Flashback Friday: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Sharman, 1975)

Let's do the time warp, shall we?

Most movies that bomb fade away after a short time. Once in a full moon, however, the perfect audience combines with the right film to create something truly magical. Even if that magic involves rice, toast, water, newspapers, playing cards, costumes, and a live cast singing along with the show. It's the midnight movie that arguably has the largest single-movie cult following of all time. For after all, it's just a jump to the left, then a step to the right. Put your hands on your hips and lock you knees tight. You do the pelvic thrust, it really drives you insane. Let's do the time warp again today on Flashback Friday's look at The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

No, this movie is not a critical masterpiece, in any stretch of the imagination. But in terms of pure theater enjoyment, pure longevity, and pure madness, there's hardly a film like it. It's an acid-trip of a plot, nightmarish yet thoroughly enjoyable. From the crazy songs to trippy story-lines, you will have more fun watching and participating in The Rocky Horror Picture Show than any other horror-fest this Halloween. There's a reason 20th Century Fox has kept it in limited release for almost 40 years... longer than any movie in the history of cinema.

Director Jim Sharman had no idea the sensation he was making, a film based on the successful stage musical The Rocky Horror Show. Richard O'Brien, the brainchild of the theater production, helped Sharman to write and develop the feature length adaptation.

The movie follows Brad Majors ("ASSHOLE!") and ("Dammit") Janet, a couple who get lost on their way home from a wedding. They make their way to a mysterious castle, the home of Dr. Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry). But the couple quickly learns that this is no ordinary castle, and after a dance rendition of "The Time Warp", find themselves coming face-to-face with the "sweet, sweet transvestite" himself.

It was the film debut of Tim Curry, who played the iconic Dr. Frank N. Furter on Broadway and in the motion picture. Curry was highly involved in crafting the character, and played him throughout several productions of The Rocky Horror Show all over the world. His appearance in the movie made him an international celebrity and cult icon.

Brad Majors is played by Barry Bostwick, best known for this and his role as the Mayor on the '90's television sitcom Spin City. Janet is played by none other than Academy Award-winner Susan Sarandon, thrust into the world of the bizarre. Charles Gray (best known for playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld in Diamonds are Forever) plays the narrating criminologist, Meatloaf cameos as "the ex-delivery boy" Eddie, and Richard O'Brien rounds off the main cast as the Igor-like Riff Raff.

As a glorious tribute to B-rated science fiction and horror cinema, the movie's castle setting is reminiscent to the mise en scene of Hammer Horror films (movies about monsters like Frankenstein and Dracula, and frequently starred the likes of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee). The style of these movies are different than, say, Universal Horror, but their gothic interpretations inspired The Rocky Horror Picture Show's plot and setting.

As shocking as it may seem, a movie that featured transvestites, dance numbers, and Meatloaf did not do well in theaters during it's initial run. Halloween theater runs in 1975 were cancelled after it became a commercial bomb in the locations it did open at. Distributer 20th Century Fox even tried to release it for cheap at colleges for a double feature, but it flopped there as well.

Then, as if almost instantly, the movie had midnight performances in New York City throughout April 1976, and eventually many of the same patrons kept returning to see the show again. As this developed, audience members began shouting at the screen, talking back to characters and singing/dancing alongside them. By Halloween of 1976, people arrived at The Rocky Horror Picture Show in costume, and within two years it became a national midnight sensation.

Critics have always looked favorably on the film, with nearly unanimous praise for Curry. However, many agree that the film needs to be seen on a big screen with audience participation to truly appreciated as a cultural icon. Seeing the film by itself is kind of weird, and almost laughably bad.

The midnight shows continue to this day, with each theater having a unique set of shouts, props, costumes, and interactions. Oftentimes, a shadow cast mirrors the movie onstage. No experience is doubled from theater to theater- a very rare feat when it comes to movies. Seeing it annually under these conditions makes for a wonderful perk, and people have been watching this film for the past forty years. It's a part of their Halloween tradition as much as watching It's a Wonderful Life at Christmastime.

The words "cult following", "midnight showings", and The Rocky Horror Picture Show are synonymous. It's a Halloween experience not to be missed. So find a local theater playing it, buy tickets, dress up in drag, and check it out.

And in case you don't know it:

Flashback Friday: The Mask of Zorro (Campbell, 1998)

Robin Hood. Django. The Lone Ranger. These are just a handful cinematic heroes who have appeared in a multitude of films and sequels, oftentimes having very little to do with one another (besides the central hero himself). These movies, popular in the 1940's and 50's, brought repeated heroes that captivated audiences back to the big screen. Another popular hero was the character of Zorro, a Californian vigilante who protected the people and fought against the corrupt Spanish who ruled over them. In the late 1990's, the character of Zorro returned to the movies, in the form of a man who would become one of Spain's most prominent actors. It eventually became one of the best swashbucklers in the better part of two decades. Today on Flashback Friday, we're putting on The Mask of Zorro.

The character of Zorro was created by pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919, and since then has become a staple of film, television, comic books, and novels. Much like Batman and Robin Hood, he fights for the greater good, the poor who otherwise cannot defend themselves. His secret identity is Don Diego De La Vega, a Spanish nobleman living in California. In The Mask of Zorro, Don Diego is played by Anthony Hopkins, who had long desired to star in an action flick. The role was originally written for Sean Connery, who after months of stalled development had to leave the project.

The Mask of Zorro had a troubled start, with Steven Spielberg initially spurring interest in the idea in 1992. After the script was written, the film was passed along to several directors who all dropped out to pursue more stable pictures. Robert Rodriguez, the at-the-time much discussed director "cheap" movies, was eventually hired in 1995 due to his ability to work under a tight production budget. He brought Antonio Banderas, the star of his own El Mariachi and Desperado, to play the titular character.

However, when Rodriguez refused to budge on lowering the budget, TriStar asked him to leave. With Banderas still attached to star, the studio turned to Martin Campbell to direct. Campbell was fresh off his success on the James Bond film Goldeneye, and he agreed to direct The Mask of Zorro instead of the next Bond movie, Tomorrow Never Dies.

The Mask of Zorro furthers the tale of Don Diego De La Vera (Anthony Hopkins), who at the beginning of the picture decides to retire from his life of heroism, and settle down with his wife and baby daughter. However, a series of events leads to his imprisonment, and bent on seeking revenge against the corrupt Don Rafael Montero (Stuart Wilson).

Years later, Alejandro Murrieta (Antonio Banderas) and his brother live their lives as successful thieves, but during one botched heist Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher) ambushes and kills Alejandro's brother. Fueled with rage and eager for revenge, Alejandro comes across the path of Don Diego, who soon identifies himself as the hero once known as Zorro. Don Diego agrees to train Alejandro to be the next Zorro, so that each may exact their destinies.

Meanwhile, a beautiful woman named Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones) captures the eye of Alejandro. Zeta-Jones was introduced to American audiences in The Mask of Zorro, and quickly earned her title as one of the world's most beautiful women. She is greatly talented as an actress, able to integrate heavy dramatic emotion, comedy, and physical prowess into her performance. She herself credits this movie as her breakthrough film.

Martin Campbell again proves himself as a capable action film director, because he can combine emotion with the action. The sword fights and horse chases are a ton of fun. The drama scenes are just as amusing, with lots of humorous dialogue and situations, as well as touch of heart, too. In fact, the party scene may just be the best part of the movie. But above all else, this is an action flick, and in that regard it doesn't fail.

The Mask of Zorro works because it is a mindless swashbuckler, yet has a fairly decent plot. It's highly entertaining to watch, despite the near two-and-a-half hour runtime. Some '90's touches none-withstanding (the hero emerging from the fog in the first frame, and slicing the iconic "Z" into the screen; the subdued sexuality; lots of largely unnecessary explosions; the "poppy" end credits love song), the film is a lot of fun.

So, pick up your sword, fire up your Netflix Instant queue, and get ready to have some good old-fashioned fun.

Gravity (Cuarón, 2013)

The camera fades in to a picturesque view of Earth. From the distance, an astronaut slowly approaches, floating through space towards the viewer. He begins to move towards a spacecraft, where two other astronauts are working. They talk to mission control, laugh about former flames, and float through space as if nothing else matters. Suddenly, mission control warns them of an impending doom: a debris cloud is hurtling towards them, and in minutes they could be decimated. The astronauts try to break free, but they lose contact with mission control, and the debris flies towards them with ferocity. One of the astronauts becomes unattached, and spins uncontrollably towards the distance, and… 

Did I mention that the movie just now cut? And that the sequence is a 15-minute, continuous tracking shot, the longest ever done in 3-D? 

Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is the most immersive cinematic experience in the better part of a decade. It’s a roller coaster ride of a film that will literally leave you breathless, and demands that you see it on the biggest screen possible. 

Filled with spectacular visual effects and one-of-a-kind cinematography, Gravity took four years to produce- and for good reason. It effectively redefines cinematic technology, and will remind viewers of the true magic of the movies. 

There are special effects and camera movements in the film that I cannot even begin to explain; there will be film veterans who have no idea how Cuarón pulled off some of these tricks. As just an example, in one continuously moving shot (without cuts, or breaks in the film), the camera moves close to outside an astronaut’s helmet, watches her panic to the situation, then suddenly moves inside of the helmet, without ever cutting. The camera goes through a physical object. Absolutely mind boggling cinematography. 

Sandra Bullock gives arguably the best performance of her career as Ryan Stone, a rookie astronaut who’s trying to get through her first space mission in one piece. George Clooney plays the only other real character of note in the picture, a veteran space pilot who lives for adventure and provides comic relief. They each manage to give genuine physical and emotional performances, despite spending the entire picture in zero gravity. Both are very plausible candidates for acting Oscars. 

The editing is crisp and very efficient; unlike most other Hollywood productions of today, Gravity clocks in at just over an hour-and-a-half. It keeps you hooked and entertained without ever letting up. Plus, the majority of the shots are long takes, making you feel deeply immersed into the world of the film. To give an idea on how this film is different than the rest, there are about 5000 cuts in the average movie; Gravity contains only 200. 

The visual effects team just may as well start writing their Oscar acceptance speeches now. Not since Avatar has a movie used 3-D this well. Life of Pi did a great job, arguably wonderful; but viewers will forget that they’re not actually in outer space during Gravity. And of course, the comforting presence of Earth is always there.    

Resident cinephiles will catch a surprising amount of allusions during the movie. Sandra Bullock floats like a baby in the womb of the spacecraft (2001: A Space Odyssey), an astronaut uses music to calm the situation (Space Cowboys), and mission control is played by an actor who’s very familiar with NASA (hint: he’s in Apollo 13). 

You absolutely, positively, without a doubt should see Gravity on the biggest screen possible. It is actually shot in IMAX 3-D, so it is definitely worth the extra $5 to see it in that format. At a bare minimum, you should see it in 3-D. If the glasses concern you, don’t worry: space is supposed to be dark, and the lens barely dims the screen. Even that amazed me.  

That 15-minute opening shot? It’s one of only a handful of masterful scenes in this motion picture event. Gravity will singlehandedly reaffirm passion for the movies. It is a film that defies all expectations, and should be viewed the way it was meant to be seen. It should and will win big at the Academy Awards, and will leave you utterly speechless. If you ever wanted to go into space, or if you ever wanted to truly feel alive, go experience Gravity.  

Five out of five stars. 

The Top 10 Movies I've Seen Recently

I'm feeling a little whimsical today. First off, I would like to apologize for not writing any reviews recently; I have been to the theater several times, but have not had the time (until today) to write reviews of what I have seen. In addition, I've been wanting to make another "Top 10" list for a while now. So, I thought why not combine the two things I want to do? Here is my personal list of the best movies I have seen over the past few weeks. I will also catch up on my reviews, so, (partially inspired by my #5 pick) I will write three micro-reviews on one post. These movies were watched in their entirety, and I did include films that I caught on TV (otherwise, the list would include Iron Man and Pulp Fiction). Call it Flashback Friday on steroids, playing catch up, or simply just having a fun film conversation, but here it is: The Top 10 Movies I've Seen Recently.

10. The Fifth Estate (Condon, 2013)

(Ok, so this isn't exactly a fair inclusion on a "Top 10" list, because I actually didn't like this movie. But since it's a new film that I haven't had the time to review, I'm including it on the list. It had to replace The Bicycle Thief on the Top 10, but I decided that particular film deserves a post of it's own.)

Despite having a story catered for the cinema, The Fifth Estate is a garbled mess of a movie. It's clunky, uninteresting, and tediously long. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a convincing Julian Assange, but the character remains annoying throughout the picture. The rest of the ensemble, Daniel Bruhl especially, is poorly cast and cumbersome. Instead of focusing on the story's more interesting tidbits, The Fifth Estate dabbles in cliche moral ethics, drowning itself it's own vanity without actually proving a point. Condon's choice of cinematography is uninspired, frequently switching to some out-of-this-dimension-real-life-computer-world-thing that is never explained well. The film is boring and a waste of a perfectly good news story. One and a half out of five stars.

9. The Accused (Kaplan, 1988)

(Now we're back to the good stuff!)

Jodie Foster may best be remembered for her iconic portrayal of Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs, but she actually won an Oscar before that film. In The Accused, she delves into the role of a gang-rape victim in Academy Award-winning glory. Every breath and every step she takes in the picture seems confident, but has a hint of emotional trauma. She steals every scene she is in with a heavy drama that captivates the viewer. Of course, Kelly McGillis is not so bad herself; as Foster's attorney, she comes up with a landmark defense strategy: going after the men who cheered on the bar rape. The courtroom scenes are breathtakingly devastating, right up until you see the actual brutal incident itself in the film's final moments. Jodie Foster's work in The Accused may arguably be the actress' greatest triumph to date.

8. Prisoners (Villeneuve, 2013)

No, despite what the ads say, Prisoners is not the best crime thriller since Se7en. However, it does remain a fine piece of cinematic mystery. Prisoners benefits from great actors playing smartly written characters, and despite the somewhat abrupt ending, the direction is expertly well done. There are a lot of characters in this film, and each one at some point gets their due. The movie builds on parallels and labyrinths within the story, and the contrast between Hugh Jackman's extremist father and Terrence Howard's much more passive way of coping is fascinating to watch. The acting is the highlight of the film, but the direction from Denis Villenueve and the screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski remains wonderful. Be forewarned: the film runs over 150 minutes, and the story will be very intense for certain viewers. But if you can stomach it, Prisoners is a heck of a fun maze to run through. Three and a half out of five stars.

7. Misery (Reiner, 1990)

Another Best Actress winner, Kathy Bates radiates "cock-a-doodie" insanity in this horror film. To get you ready for her upcoming TV role in the anthology series American Horror Story: Coven, a lot of comparisons will be drawn to her breakout role as Annie Wilkes, a nut-job nurse who rescues her favorite author (James Caan) from a car crash. The character, ranked among AFI's top 20 movie villains, tortures Caan when she learns that he kills off her favorite heroine. A Stephen King thriller with sharp plot developments, it's easily the most faithful adaptation of one of the horror king's novels, and certainly one of the most memorable. A lot of people are still "number one fans" of this film.

6. Don Jon (Gordon-Levitt, 2013)

Don Jon is a smart, very modern romantic comedy that may come across as a little bit of a vanity project for writer-director-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Nevertheless, the actor's directorial debut is an excellent one, and could springboard a whole new set of potential winners from this entertainer. He makes his Jon a likable lead, not an easy task considering the daily life of the "Don". A porn addict who can't seem to find true love, he finally meets the girl of his dreams (Scarlett Johansson), who has her own higher-than-life ideals for dating. Julianne Moore co-stars as a fellow student in Jon's night classes, and there are several hilarious cameos throughout the film. Don Jon will strike a cord because of the sheer modernity of the picture; porn is a very real outlet for men, and in this modern age, it's surprising it took this long to make a clever, funny film dealing with that (for lack of a better word) "media outlet". Gordon-Levitt makes it work, however, and only includes footage when absolutely necessary (which apparently is a lot). This may be the best romantic comedy of the year, and one that both men and women can enjoy. Four out of five stars.

5. Ocean's Eleven (Soderbergh, 2001)

One of a few remakes that actually improved upon the original, Ocean's Eleven defined the suave, cool look of thieves for the new century. George Clooney is brilliant as Danny Ocean, a crook who puts together a band of misfits to pull off a daring heist- robbing three Las Vegas casinos simultaneously. All of Ocean's Eleven are excellent, and include legends like Carl Reiner and Elliot Gould, modern high-end players like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Don Cheadle, and the late great Bernie Mac. Andy Garcia plays the dangerous villain, while Julia Roberts is Ocean's love interest. The film is great fun, and the heist itself is meticulously executed and thoughtfully planned out. The sequels were so-so, but Ocean's Eleven remains one of the early 2000's greatest achievements.

4. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Capra, 1939)

The Ted Cruz debacle spurred this one. Jimmy Stewart is one of cinema's all time great nice guys, and he was perfectly personified in this Washington, D.C. political drama. It makes government optimistic, and shows the corrupt side of Congress. Stewart plays a Senator hired to keep his mouth shut while a mob boss runs the show, but no one accounted for Stewart's passion for history and blissful nature. He is overly optimistic about what can get done, and quickly becomes a favorite throughout the country- except for the members of Congress, of course. When they attempt to pass a bill that will hurt the environment, Stewart leaps in to filibuster his goals. It's a Hollywood classic with a lot of heart, and should be required viewing for all government officials. This is how things should get done.

3. Airplane! (Abrahams, Zucker, and Zucker, 1980)

By far the stupidest, most ridiculous, most looney, most hilarious film ever captured on celluloid. From puns and innuendos, to every offensive joke imaginable, they just don't make 'em like they used to. Airplane! is pure comedy, without a shred of seriousness about it. It is by far one of the most quotable movies ever made, and is so much fun you'll die of hysterics each and every viewing. The whole film can be summed up with one line: "Surely you can't be serious." "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley." Definitely check this movie out if you haven't seen it.

2. The Paper (Howard, 1994)

Ok, so this movie isn't a classic as much as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington or Airplane!, and isn't even as entertaining as Ocean's Eleven or Don Jon. But each "Top 10" list should include a "propaganda" choice, a film that normally wouldn't be on the list, but the writer feels it necessary to promote the movie. Well, The Paper is my propaganda selection; and as for this list, it is one of the most enjoyable movie-watching experiences I have seen "recently", so it earns the #2 spot on this particular Top 10. I think I liked it so much because it came out of nowhere; the movie popped up on my Netflix suggestions, and I saw that it was about a day-in-the-life of a newspaper company. It starred some actors that I liked, like Michael Keaton, Glenn Close, and Robert Duvall, so I decided to give the film a chance. Did you know that Ron Howard directed it? It's a wonderful motion picture, one that has more heart and emotion that most movies today even dream of. The Paper is a fascinating look into newspaper culture, and while it's a little dated, the film is just as refreshing as I'm sure it was in 1994. For an entertaining, educational, and passionate film, look no further than your local Netflix. Oh, and read a newspaper. You would not believe the work that goes into them.

1. The Wizard of Oz (Fleming, 1939)

If you haven't seen this movie, stop reading this post and watch it immediately. In fact, I'm a little ashamed that you didn't see it for the first time on the silver screen. A group of people spent years improving the quality of the film negatives, so that it could be re-released in IMAX 3-D a few weeks ago, for the film's 70th Anniversary. I jumped at the opportunity to see it in theaters, as I have said earlier that it is the way movies should be seen, and absolutely loved it. When Dorothy (Judy Garland) opens her Kansas door and looks out into the beauty of Oz, I got chills staring in wonder along with her. Hearing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (often considered to be cinema's best song) in a theater surround sound was incredible, and the Wicked Witch of the West is even more horrifying. Even the special effects look amazing for 1939. No other movie has captured the imagination of more viewers than this timeless classic, and I relished the opportunity to see it again in a movie theater. It easily is the best movie that I have seen recently.

Well, there you have it. I hope you've enjoyed reading the Top 10 Movies I've Seen Recently, and that it has inspired you to check out a movie or not, in the case of The Fifth Estate (seriously, don't see it). Enjoy your viewing time!