I watch movies every week and then write down my thoughts. Read my previous reviews!
My rating is simple, Watch It, It Depends, Skip it.
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| Whiplash - Perform until it hurts. |
Whiplash (2014)
Watch Whiplash
Written by: Damien Chazelle
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist
Rated: R
Plot:
An ambitious student set on becoming one of the greatest drummers collides with a professor determined to develop talent by pushing students beyond all reasonable measures.
Review:
This is engrossing from the start. It opens with a blistering tempo that continues through to the end. This movie is almost tiring in its relentlessness. This is a movie about drumming, but it's riveting. It speaks about artistry. How far do you push yourself? Should you keep chasing a dream or do you reach a point where it's not worth it?
At the same time the teacher is using someone up. It's two sides of a selfish situation, with a teacher and student both devising plans for their own success at almost any cost.
Andrew (Miles Teller) has ambition to be the best, while his mentor, Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), has ambitions to push and compel the best from each student, especially Andrew. J.K. Simmons delivers an amazing performance as the overbearing teacher, winning a supporting actor Oscar.
The ending is a complete culmination of all the events leading up to that point. Is the ending real or is it a dream? It's also revenge back and forth. Has Andrew lost it, now a puppet to his teacher or has he finally impressed his teacher. It's a stunning ending.
Watch it.
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| Jersey Boys - If only the film was as good as the music. |
Watch Jersey Boys
Written by: Marshall Brickman & Rich Elice (screenplay), Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice (musical book)
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen, Michael Lomenda
Rated: R
Plot:
The story of how the iconic '60s group The Four seasons came together and fell apart.
Review:
It's a good look at an influential group. Unfortunately it's a biopic and doesn't go above that. The actors lack the charisma to take the movie to the next level. While the music is good, even that feels underwhelming. There are a few questionable design choices. The fourth wall breaking, which occurs frequently, only works in one scene towards the end. The musical performances don't nail it like they should. There is lot of missed opportunity with a solid ending. Though, you will hum the songs for the next few days.
It depends.
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| Cassandra's Dream - |
Watch Cassandra's Dream
Written by: Woody Allen
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Colin Farrell, Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell
Rated: PG-13
Plot:
Two brothers buy a boat and then stumble into a financial bind. A crime helps them find their way out of it, but not without repercussions.
Review:
There is a lot of set up and less payoff, with the big event happening too late. There is nothing very unique. It's a fairly boiler plate warning of greed and lust.
Skip it.
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| Marathon - It's always about the diamonds. |
Watch Marathon Man
Written by: William Goldman (screenplay), William Goldman (novel)
Directed by: John Schlesinger
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Laurence Olivier
Rated: R
Plot:
When his secret agent brother is murdered by a Nazi war criminal seeking diamonds, Dustin Hoffman's character is unwittingly caught in the conspiracy.
Review:
It starts slow, but the last half is intense. It has a great torture scene. Everyone fears the dentist and the torture scene takes full advantage of it. It is a great scene in a movie with great acting. Hoffman method acted his way through and Olivier is impeccable as a cold calculated villain.
It depends.
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