This past week turned out to be a movie filled week for me. I managed to go out and see a total of 5 movies. In order, the movies I saw were as follows: Immortals, J. Edgar, Jack and Jill, Hugo, and The Muppets. Rather than break down the films in that order, I'm going to go from my favorite to the worst.
Leonardo DiCaprio. What more is there to say? He is without a doubt one of the best actors in Hollywood, and this movie proved no exception. This movie was directed by Clint Eastwood, and chronicles the rise, and ultimate fall (death) of J Edgar. There isn't much fault (if any) you'll find with the acting in this film. In fact, if I were to guess, this film has put DiCaprio in the lead to win best actor at next year's Academy Awards (of course I'm putting the cart before the horse, as the nominations aren't out until January). For those unaware, J. Edgar (J. Edgar Hoover, was the director of the FBI), and Leonardo DiCaprio plays the director at a young age, and in makeup at an old age.
The makeup in this film was superbly done, Leonardo DiCaprio for the most part, was convincing in playing an old man. Rarely did his voice slip up, while he was in makeup playing an old man. Granted there were times where you noticed he sounded like a young man, while he playing J. Edgar at an older age, but it was barely noticeable.
Around this time of the year, is when Oscar oriented movies are released, and outside of the Help, and perhaps Warrior, among others, this one could lead the pack in terms of Oscar nominations. Clint Eastwood delivered a great directorial performance, with the lighting, the way the film switched back and forth between the days where Edgar was a young man, and when he was old. As far as recommending this film, I would highly recommend it.
Coming in at second, was Hugo. This film was directed by Martin Scorsese, and marked his first plunge into the world of 3D. Granted I didn't see this film in 3D, and the only reason being is that the AMC I saw this at, does not have any 3D screens.
Having said that, this movie was highly enjoyable, and an all around great family movie, that the adults out there would not mind seeing. The film centers around a 12 year old boy, whom has lost his father, and goes on to live in a train station, where he fixes clocks, and other mechanical devices. The boy thinks a mechanical machine in the shape of a small boy (I honestly forget the name of the device) holds a message from his father, but in truth, the machine holds more than that, and ultimately brings about everlasting relationships with a girl he meets and her godparents, along with the Train Inspector, and others you see in the train station. How that is, I shall not say. I will say that the "villain" in this film, and I use this word lightly, isn't really a villain at all, as he has no motive for his actions.
Coming in at third was The Muppets. What more is there to say? This film was a very good family movie, and if you are a fan of the Muppets in anyway shape or form, you won't be disappointed with this film. The main plot deals with a Muppet (although at the time he doesn't view himself as a Muppet, but more of a boy) getting his wish to travel to Los Angeles, and see the Muppet Studio in person. It is there on his tour of the studio where he learns of the plot to tear down the Muppet Studio, and it is there where the adventure takes off.
The adventure you ask? Simple. Get the band back together again. There is nothing really more to add to this, other than it is genuinely 2 hours of family fun, that won't leave you disappointed.
Up fourth this week was the 300 knockoff, otherwise known as Immortals. It's not surprising considering it's made from the same people, however it felt almost like they followed the same format as 300, and as a result it was rather predicable. The visual effects were (like 300) rather impressive and gorgeous at times, and at times it was again being reminded of 300.
The film deals with Theseus, and his rise from a mere peasant, to a man that would go on to defeat King Hyperion and his army. The film attempts to showcase a battle between Gods, Titans, and mankind itself, and like I mentioned follows the path of 300. Was this film bad? No, not in the slightest. Was it good? Depends how you look at it, but in my opinion, this film was average. Had we not seen 300 a few years earlier than this film, then it would have been something special, but alas that is not the case.
The lead actors in this film (Henry Cavill - whom for those unaware playing Superman and Mickey Rourke) delivered solid performances in terms of acting, and were not a part in why this film felt the way it did. In fact the acting in this film, in my opinion was a bright spot. If you are a fan of 300, then by all means I do recommend this film, but if your one of those that felt like the Hangover 2 was too much like the first one, then you'll get the same vibe with this film, even though Immortals is not a sequel of 300.
Last, and certainly least is none other than Jack and Jill. I will say that a week before I saw this, I did receive a Jack and Jill prize pack from Rave Movies, so that got me to give this movie a chance. Otherwise, I was completely ok and open to skipping this movie.
After seeing it, I kind of wish I didn't see it (ok, not really, I do like going to see a movie). This film served no other purpose other than establishing that fact that Adam Sandler has no business in playing the role of a woman. He was absolutely terrible in this film, and as a result, this film suffered greatly. The only bright spot of this film, and in all honesty what saved this film from being worse than the movie Abduction (worst movie I've seen this year in theaters), was the performance of Al Pacino.
Al Pacino, delivered an hilarious performance, and was consistent from his first he appeared in this movie, to his last. For reference on his role, think of Adam West and how he makes fun of himself on Family Guy. There was no difference, and the more you think about it, the more it looks like that's where they got the idea for Pacino's category. If you've had any incling to go and see this movie because your a fan of Sandler, or simply because you want to go see it, I would recommend skip. This film isn't even worth a rental, and you'd be better off waiting till it hits a premium movie channel in the future.
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