Or to simply put, yesterday I went out and saw (in order) Real Steel, Dream House, and The Ides of March. I pretty much have the timing down as to when they'd start, so my showtimes were perfect (10:15, 12:25, and 2:00 respectively). The movies actually start roughly 16-20 minutes after their showtimes.
The first movie Real Steel, I actually did go in thinking it would not live up to its hype, for the reason that Hugh Jackman actually appeared on an episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, and in large part for the reason that movies that are promoted on Raw in large part turn out to (for lack of a better word) suck. Needless to say, I was wrong. I really enjoyed Real Steel, and if you thought the film's main plot line, was fighting robots, you along with myself thought wrong.
The movie is more than just fighting robots. The movie is also about redeeming oneself, in the case of Charlie Kenton (played by Jackman), whom happens to be a dead beat father, gets that opportunity when his 11 year old son comes back into his life, following the death of the kids mom (that they don't show). Originally when Charlie's son is brought into the picture, he's only looking at it from the money side of things, but as most films with this plot, that gradually changes over time.
Overall, this movie is really enjoyable. Will this film win any awards? Probably not, aside from visual effects, but when it comes to fighting robots, Transformers has this beat in terms of the visual effects department. The acting side of things, this film has Transformers beat.
My second film of the day was Dream House, which for those not familiar, is a psychological thriller, and in my opinion Daniel Craig's best film to date this year. (Happens to be the second film I've seen of his this year, the first being Cowboys & Aliens, which ultimately was a big disappointment). This film however, was the opposite of disappointment, but rather a pleasant surprise.
Although predictable, the film was done really well, and the more I think about it, took a page out of the sixth sense's book. Daniel Craig plays Will Atenton, and as the film plays along, you learn that it's a made up name he gave himself. I can go on and on, but I would simply be giving spoilers, so I won't. I will just say that if you do enjoy thrillers, or your simply a fan of Daniel Craig or Rachel Weisz, you won't be disappointed with this film at all. Outside of the predictable plotline, the film does leave you thinking, and reflecting on things (at least it did for me).
The third movie of the day for me, was a movie that could very well be up for several Academy Award nominations come Oscar time. That film would be The Ides of March, starring Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, and Marissa Tomei.
This film is really another instance in which Ryan Gosling (whose quickly rising up on my list of must see actors) shines, perhaps as equally, if not more so than he did in Drive. At first glance, you would think that this movie was just about an election, and the process behind it, and the movie played out that way for the first 20 to 30 minutes or so, but the film goes deeper than that.
Ryan Gosling plays Stephen Meyers, a head Democratic strategist for Governor Mike Morris (played by Clooney). However, he isn't the top strategist for the campaign as of yet. That honor would go to Paul (played by Hoffman). As mentioned, the film goes deeper than what goes on in a normal campaign. This film shows how a campaign can change a person, in some cases for the better, but in other cases like this film, for the worst.
Stephen Meyers in large part was your normal, up and coming, hard working Democratic strategist in the Democratic Party, who gets involved with Molly Stearns (played by Evan Rachel Wood), and it isn't until their relationship starts to grow, where Meyers learns of a side relationship with the Governor in this film. Upon learning of the relationship, is where the film takes off, and you see the bad side of politics, and how they can change a person. There are ultimate issues this film points out, some that could create good conversation starters.
Having said that, I found this movie to be even more enjoyable than Real Steel. Then again, I do like critically acclaimed movies as much, or more so than big blockbuster type films (which Real Steel is). If you are into politics, whether you be Democrat, Republican, or simply an Independent, you should go see the film. It gives one an insight into politics, or at least attempts to.
My recommendations for this week, is to go with either Real Steel or The Ides of March. You can't go wrong with either choice.
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