Seriously though, I did go out and see 4 movies today. While a lot, it's not a record for me, as the most I've seen in one day is 5 (which I've tied every year during AMC's Best Picture Showcase).
As for the movies I saw, I went and saw Courageous, Restless, 50/50, and What's Your Number? (in order). It turns out, I am getting better and better and timing out when a movie will start, and when a movie will end, as I've been right the last several times I've seen multiple films in a row.
Anyways, I will start with Courageous. I'm going to give a brief review on this film in this entry, with a longer one coming later in a separate entry. The movie for those that don't know, is one centered around faith and how it deals around five men, and how the men go on to use their faith to better themselves as fathers. The acting was done really well in the scenes that called for dramatic parts, and in large part, the cast are relatively unknowns. In my opinion, the weakest actors in the film were the actors that played Javier and his wife. They came across as unbelievable, and really poor actors to say the least. Nonetheless, the actors in this film, are not the film's greatest strength (granted, there are a few actors in here that give solid performances) but largely the films overall message. If you are prone to crying when seeing films, then you'll probably want to bring a box or two when you see this film. It is the tear jerking scene where faith in God really starts to hit home.
There were a few people that did walk out during the movie, but I can assure you it has nothing to do with the quality of the film, as it is really good movie, but more along with the message of the film. I noticed the same thing when MercyMe was performing at Angel Stadium this past summer. Overall, I would say what's keeping this movie from possibly being nominated for Best Picture at next year's Academy Awards, are the fact that it is largely based on faith (not a bad thing of course), and as mentioned certain performances from a few of the actors, which could and should have been better. For instance, there is a scene that requires crying from Javier's wife, yet when she cries there is no tears, yet she's acting like she's crying (not convincing at all). The acting by the two really look like that you'd come to see on some cheesy soap opera or something along those lines.
After seeing Courageous, I went ahead and saw Restless. This movie stars Mia Wasikowska, and Henry Hopper. This movie is a rather sombering film, and at the same time has its funny moments. The premise of the movie however, makes it seem a bit far fetched to say the least. The movie starts off with Enoch (played by Harry Hopper) crashing memorial services, and by crashing I'm referring to sitting in on strangers memorial services. It's through the first memorial service in the film where he meets Annabel (played by Mia Wasikowska).
It is after this meeting, where Annabel then follows Enoch, and thus sets off an odd friendship at first, that goes beyond friendship and later turns into a relationship. Annabel as it's later learned is a patient that has terminal cancer, and Enoch, is odd in a sense that not only does he like crashing services of strangers, but he can also talk to a Japanese Kamikaze World War II pilot, that the film doesn't really explain until more than halfway into the film, which is also around the time frame that more is revealed about Enoch's mysterious life.
Having said that, this film is nowhere near a bad film. In my opinion, this film is a step above a good film, and a few steps below a great film. The film does have it's flaws, but in large part, the performances from the two lead actors more than makes up for it. The overall point this film was trying to hit home, which in my opinion is that death doesn't always have to be so bad, was a rather successful one, and was rather moving. I would recommend you go and see this film, while it's still in theaters, as it does make for a good date movie.
The third movie on the day I saw, after seeing Restless was 50/50. This movie stars Joesph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, and Bryce Dallas Howard. The film centers around Adam (played by Levitt) and him being diagnosed with, and dealing with cancer. The movie in my opinion although it is really good, tries a bit too hard at aiming for best picture quality, and falls just short. Bryce Dallas Howard plays Levitt's girlfriend in the film (for anyone that's seen The Help, she's the mean one), and in my opinion, she really had no chemistry with Levitt, nor did the film make them convincing, in fact they seemed distant (for the time that they where boyfriend-girlfriend in the film).
Seth Rogen, plays Kyle (Adam's best friend), and delivers a typical performance you'd come to expect from him. It would be fine, if this movie was billed as a comedy, but it's not, and at times Rogen feels out of place. My big complaint with Rogen, is it seems he can't go one movie without using Weed in a film. It's almost like a long drawn out joke that is said over and over again. If he has done a film without using weed or making references to it, I would surely like to know.
Anna Kendrick, plays Katherine, at times a very convincing doctor in training, and at times looking out of place. This isn't a knock on the actress, as she is slowly becoming one of my favorites, but more as a general observation. There is a relationship that does start to brew between Adam and Katherine, that seems fake and pushed, when it really shouldn't have been, but in large part this doesn't effect the quality of the film.
This movie in large part is Joseph Gordon-Levitt's breakout film in terms of whether or not he can be a leading man in Hollywood. He does have a film coming out early next year that will further test this notion, but whether or not this happens remains to be seen. I will say that he does give a Best Actor type performance in this film. Whether or not he gets a nomination remains to be seen. I can't speak for the accuracy of this film in terms of what it's like dealing with cancer, but I can speak for the accuracy for the film in terms of how cancer affects those that care about the person, as I have had to deal with a close family member having and ultimately dieing from cancer (my mom). Overall, I would recommend this movie. It's a flip of the coin with Restless in my opinion, as I really did enjoy both movies equally as well as the other.
Lastly, I finished off my latest movie adventure seeing What's Your Number? starring Anna Faris, and Chris Evans. This movie as the tile implies deals with guys asking for Anna Faris' phone number. All joking aside, this film is about the number of men Ally Darling (played by Anna Faris) has slept with, and after reading an article, determined to make it work with one of her exes so she doesn't go past the number until it's with the one she's destined to marry.
This film, like most of Anna Faris movies is a comedy, and really doesn't pick up until 15 to 20 minutes into the film, which is also near the time we first see Colin (played by Chris Evans). This movie is one that won't win any awards, and is a more feel good get away from it all while laughing type of films. There is more convincing chemistry in this film between Faris and Evans, and depending how well this film does or doesn't do in theaters, could be the start of a comedic team, although you don't really see much of that these days in Hollywood. Overall, if your not in the mood to see a serious film, but want to see a comedy, this one is worth seeing. If you are looking for something else, then this film isn't for you.
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