It’s been some time since I’ve written a review, so let me get you caught up on what MWK’s been up to.
For the past month or so I have been working on a television show for Animal Planet. (and no, I am not the animal that the show is focusing on.) It has been great work and a fun learning experience, but it takes up a lot of time, so I haven’t been able to pen my reviews. But I have been able to sneak out and catch quite a few flicks.
So that’s what I’m going to do today. I am going to rattle through four or five quick reviews of some films I’ve seen recently. Try to keep up, I’m a speed demon.
April 3: “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
Seems like everyone liked this movie. (or has at least seen it.) Personally, I don’t fall for the hype that it’s the best film of the year (so far). Yes, I liked it. But the feel of it reminded me of “The First Avenger” too much. Steve Rogers didn’t have that wholesome feel to him as he did in the original. The whole “Bucky Barnes” plot line had some holes in it, and honestly, the climaxes were not orgasmic. Yeah, I said it. Just when you thought the big bang was being laid…. Nothing. (or at least nothing over the top.) I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
April 12: “Under the Skin.”
What the hell was this all about? Scarlett Johanssen stars in this sci-fi, drama that takes place in Scotland and is about a beautiful woman who preys on male hitchikers.
It’s not too often I get to see a film that I have no clue about the story, who’s in it, or who directed it. I got lucky with this film. I had NO IDEA what it was about going in to the theatre. And if not for the last two minutes of that movie, I would’ve had NO IDEA what was going on after I left the theatre! This film is whacked. But the ending made it for me. I would have ripped this film apart if not for the ending. I love being surprised. It shocked me. Maybe I should have read up on this film before seeing it. Nevertheless, I gave this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.
April 16: “Draft Day.”
Guess who’s quietly been making a resurgence in films lately?
Kevin Costner. Just recently he has been in “3 Days to Kill,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” and “Man of Steel.” Now, he’s diving back into the sports arena with “Draft Day.” Does Costner have enough gas in the tank to pull off yet another great sports film? My answer: ABSOLUTELY. “Draft Day” is not necessarily about the NFL draft at all, it is more about the character Costner plays and the life he breathes into that character. It is a wonderful film, and I feel bad for the people who won’t see it because they think Costner is washed up. He is not. This film is great. I gave this film 4.5 out of 5 stars.
April 19: “Transcendence”
This film starts off with Johnny Depp’s character, (Dr. Will Caster) fiddling around in the garden in his back yard. He’s wearing a ratty old, white v-neck t-shirt. It has yellow pit stains under the arms, there is dirt all over it, and the neck hole looks like an elephant put his head through it.
This is not what bothered me about the film… it’s the next scene that bothered me.
Dr. Caster has to go to a black tie affair, and without showering, or even taking off that gross t-shirt, he slips on his freshly pressed white, button down shirt and proceeds to throw on his tuxedo! (with the help of his wife, no less!) I found this disgusting and it just set the tone of the movie for me. It also didn’t help that the story was flimsy and dull. There was nothing redeeming about this movie. It is forgettable. I feel bad for Depp because he will be the only one remembered for this film’s failures. Not the director, not the screenwriter, and not the co-stars. Just Depp. (Undeservedly so.) I gave this film 1.5 out of 5 stars.
April 19: “Heaven is for Real”
Are you a believer in Christ? Then you will love this movie.
Are you a believer in movies? Then you should love this movie.
This is the true story of a 4 year old boy who has a near death experience and visits heaven while he is on the operating table. His father, a pastor, then questions his own faith and beliefs when his son begins to tell him vivid details of heaven and the people he has seen there.
Greg Kinear stars as the boys father and he does one hell of a job. I don’t know if Greg Kinear doesn’t get offered many acting roles, or he turns down many acting roles, but to me he is a great actor who we should be seeing more of.
There is one small flaw with this film. Both the boy and a young girl from the Ukraine meet Jesus. Both of them picture him looking EXACTLY like Barry Gibb. Now don’t get me wrong here, I like Barry Gibb, but when I go to heaven MY Jesus in going to look like Andy Gibb! I gave this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.
April 23: “Dom Hemingway”
This is a film where the actor overshadows the film. Don’t get me wrong here, this was an excellent film. It’s just that it’s star, Jude Law, was such a force that it was tough to take your eyes off of him and really focus on the story.
The story is about Dom Hemingway (Law) getting out of jail after 12 years and getting what is owed to him. The man’s lost 12 years of his life, he’s lost his wife, his daughter, and his mind. Just to see Law act so much differently than what I am used to is so refreshing. I love to see actors step out of their comfort zone and get crazy. Jude Law was a treat to watch and the story was quite well done too. I gave this film 4 out of 5 stars.
So there you have it. I have caught you all up on the most recent films I have seen. There are some good flicks out there, so why don’t you heed my reviews and catch a couple.
Just remember what I always say:
“There’s only one movie reviewer in the world better than me…. and that’s you.”
Matty W. Kelley, A Seat Apart Productions, reporting.