Chris's Review: Pixar wonderfully mixes the Joy and the Sadness in ‘Inside Out’

Okay, Pixar. You did it again. You got me. You tugged on my heartstrings. Inside Out, the new film from the reigning king of animation, hit me right in the feels. And it couldn’t have caught me at a more apt time – just a little over a month after the birth of daughter (This is my second review already this week to mention my new daughter. I am sensing a trend).

Chris's Review: ‘Jurassic World’ – T-Rex and nostalgia still reign supreme in worthy sequel

Okay, I really want to go to Jurassic World, you know, before all the dinosaurs escape and start eating people. It seems amazing–equal parts zoo, wildlife reserve, Disney Land, and science project. There is a world-class hotel, petting zoo (petting dinosaurs!), water show, rides, and even a Margaritaville! Okay, maybe that last one isn’t that great, but you get the idea – this place is all-around amazing.

More than two decades ago, Steven Spielberg–the ever-consistent fabricator of childhood wonder and nostalgia–brought audiences Jurassic Park, a truly once-in-a-generation film that captured everyone’s awe and imagination. Since then, the series has endured two significantly sub-par sequels and a nearly 15-year hiatus. It returns (because nothing is ever completely dead in Hollywood), with a new action-packed adventure called Jurassic World. And though nowhere near as great as the original, the new film is still a fun and worthy ride.

Aiming–somewhat successfully–to be a true sequel to the original (and mostly bypassing The Lost World and Jurassic Park III altogether), the new film takes place 22 years after the events of JP. John Hammond’s dreams have finally been realized with the massive success of an interactive theme park filled with live dinosaurs and thousands of daily visitors.

Already in operation for several years, Jurassic World is seeking a new attraction – a bigger, scarier dinosaur – to drum up international interest and attendance. As one character notes in a bit of meta-cinematic commentary, people are not impressed with just dinosaurs anymore, they want bigger, faster, and more dangerous dinosaurs. Makes sense knowing today’s short attention spans and demand for carnage, but still, simultaneously, a good and bad idea.

Caught on opposing sides of this argument are the film’s leads – Owen (Chris Pratt), a cocky, ex-Navy animal trainer, and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), a stuffy workaholic in charge of the park’s day-to-day operations. Naturally, these opposites hate each other, yet are unquestionably attracted to one another. A rather unnecessary romance subplot, of course, unfolds.

Along for the ride are Claire’s young nephews (Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson), who are growing apart in age as the family heads for an imminent divorce - another half-formed subplot. The film also stars Irrfan Khan as John Hammond’s ambitious & careless replacement, plus Vincent D’Onofrio as the closest thing to an antagonist (other than the dinosaurs), Jake Johnson as the comedic relief, and BD Wong as the only carryover from the original film.

The film’s action is impressive, as are the set pieces and special effects. The film rightfully hearkens back to the original as often as it can, whether it be familiar locations, recycled dialogue, or old jokes. And I must admit, when John Williams’ iconic original score swells, I cannot help but feel like an 8-year again, staring up in awe at the stunningly captured dinosaurs on the big screen.

As stated before, the film frequently mentions the notion of visitors wanting bigger and better attractions, much like the average moviegoer. The fact that the filmmakers recognize this and utilize it as a slight bit of humor, still does not stop the film from falling into this very same trappings. Most notably, the film sacrifices some story and character development for over-the-top action and killer creatures – such is, unfortunately, the nature of Hollywood blockbusters these days.

But the original was able to maintain both successfully, why couldn’t this long-delayed sequel? Well, in addition to that old “times have changed” adage, there is the issue of pedigree. Through highly capable, director Collin Trevorrow, with his first major studio film, is not Steven Spielberg nor does he have the same control over the story and production that the legendary director had to craft such a memorable film.

The characters are a bit stock and storylines are mostly clichéd, but in the end, audiences are coming for the action, effects, and excitement. And there, Jurassic World succeeds in creating a worthwhile and enjoyable sequel. Though one thing has not changed in the intervening decades, no matter how many new dinosaurs are introduced or artificially created, the T-Rex still reigns supreme.

Jurassic World is now playing on over 4,200 screens nationwide.

Chris's Review: ‘Ex Machina’ is an engrossing, satisfyingly cerebral sci-fi film

The idea of artificial intelligence and human-like robots interacting with people is utterly fascinating and is widely explored in the future worlds of sci-fi movies. But in reality, it is far more of a philosophical, and even physically terrifying, conundrum.

Many of today’s great tech minds have expressed awe, desire, and fear over this very topic – as very cleverly outlined in the ominous advertising for the new film, Ex Machina.

“The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.”

 – Stephen Hawking

“AI would be the biggest event in human history. Unfortunately, it might also be the last.” 

– Elon Musk

While many films have touched, or even focused, on both sides of that coin, very few have explored both sides as thoroughly and effectively as Ex Machina.

Like a more contained Blade Runner for the digital age, Ex Machina probes deep into the minds of creator and creation alike. The brooding Oscar Isaac plays Nathan, an Elon Musk/Mark Zuckerberg hybrid genius, who is a confusing mix of congenial, mysterious, and intimidating. After creating a groundbreaking search engine, he has taken the next step in AI evolution by creating Eva, a nearly flawless humanoid robot. He is well aware of the ramifications of his creation, but casually dismisses them. He is not a mad scientist, just an arrogant one.

Built with a mesmerizing mesh silhouette, Eva is angelically embodied by Swedish actress Alicia Vikander. Delicate and complicated, manipulative and childlike, it is fascinating to watch her evolve as the film progresses. She learns and adapts quickly, which only makes her more fascinating, yet foreboding. The film does a terrific job of humanizing her. The audience, fully aware of what she is, truly cares about her - perhaps we have already failed the Turing test.

The other human element in this cinematic Turing test (a frequent reference in the film) is Caleb, the polar opposite of Nathan, played by Domhnall Gleeson. As an employee of Nathan, Caleb is the winner of a company-wide contest selected to visit his boss’ top secret mountain laboratory to help test Eva’s consciousness.

Everyone (and everything) in this film is incredibly intelligent. The three characters play a continual game of chess (another frequent reference) with one another – and the audience. Motives are questioned, allegiances are switched, and actions are surprising even when they are predictable. From the start, Caleb is seemingly just a pawn in their game, but he eventually attempts to take matters into his own hands. Everyone has an agenda and nothing is revealed to the audience until the filmmakers want us to know. And often our assumptions are wrong, likewise for the characters in the film.

Though Caleb is the obvious surrogate for the audience, he is not the only relatable character. Quite knowledgeable, but not nearly as smart as he thinks he is (like the audience), this everyman is highly susceptible to emotion (like the audience). Just when he thinks he has figured it out (like the audience), a new wrinkle is revealed. Similarly, Eva also shares connection with the audience. She is constantly learning and building upon previous knowledge (like the audience). She catches on as the action unfolds before her (just like the audience). But with all characters, nothing is at is seems.

Ex Machina does hit some familiar genre notes – it’s unavoidable – but in the end, it explores them far more deeply and satisfyingly than its predecessors. The film is a multi-layered commentary that plunges the depths of such heady themes as consciousness, voyeurism, technology, and our very existence. The film is a fully engrossing trip, one of the most satisfyingly cerebral sci-fi films in quite awhile, and easily the best film of the year so far.

* * * * ½ out of 5 stars

The Marvel Movie Lists

Now that AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON is out and people are basking in its awesomeness, the time is here to rank the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So far, eleven films from this Universe have been released (sorry, while X-MEN is Marvel, it is not part of the Cinematic Universe). With no signs of slowing (there are at least ten more films planned for the Universe), it should be stated that this is one incredible franchise. Crossing over that many properties and characters was a gargantuan task and should be considered one of the greatest successes in film history. So we proudly present . . .

The Marvel Movie Lists

Dan's List

11. The Incredible Hulk
I respected the risk of not doing an origin-story film, but the lack of good dialogue was hard to take.
The usually stellar Ed Norton, was reduced to nothing, as most of his scenes were stunt doubles or computer generated. It's by far the weakest film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

10. Thor: The Dark World
A beautiful looking film, but it's a complete snooze fest when Loki is not around.
It lacks the charm of the original and instead tried to "go dark", (just look at the title).
This would have been better off as a romantic comedy with Thor and Jane.

9. Thor
Beautifully shot, funny and just campy enough to maintain its integrity in the Universe.
I loved all of the stuff with Thor on Earth, and Natalie Portman should be in every movie.
Throw in the best work of Kat Dennings career and the badassness of Loki, and it was a good time.
Don't be fooled by how low it is on this list, Thor is definitely a solid popcorn flick.

8. Captain America: The First Avenger
Solid origin story, full of good ole Greatest Generation nostalgia.
The only (slight) problem with Captain America is that he is just so darn sincere ... and moral.
I always like an edge to my comic book heroes: Batman, Wolverine, Tony Stark,
They do their best to have a good time with how square he is but, let's be honest, the other Avengers are just more fun. However, I do feel bad that he missed his date.

7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
An underrated part of this film was the TV tie-in with "Agents Of  S.H.I.E.L.D.".
You could still enjoy it without the TV backstory, but it definitely rewarded you for weekly viewing.
It also had impressive action sequences, a lot of Black Widow and the welcome addition of Falcon.
Again, don't be fooled by the placement on this list: this movie is worth your time.
On your left!

6. Iron Man 2
The highlight of this film is obviously Mickey Rourke as the villain Ivan Vanko:
"Where eez my bird?" "Droid better." "This is not my bird."
Unfortunately, Mickey wasn't very happy with it how it turned out:
He accused Marvel Studios of making him one dimensional with bad editing.
Don't worry Mickey, I loved it anyway and you're still the man.
Rumble Fish for life!

5. Avengers
 They assembled and it was awesome.

4. Iron Man 3
IRON MAN 3  has great action, story, wit, style and (real) substance.
In perhaps his best turn as in-flux hero Tony Stark, Robert Downey Jr. reminds us why this franchise became so huge, so fast. Downey and director, Shane Black, furthered a genre that was becoming increasingly obvious and easy. They delivered a complete film, that will entertain people of all ages and is far greater than the usual Summer Blockbuster. Read my original review here.

3. Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Yeah, I said it.
This movie is better than the first.
Even when the fate of humanity hangs in the balance their banter is still on point.
James Spader killed it as the voice of Ultron and the Twins (Quicksilver/Scarlet Witch) were dope.
Are you hammer worthy?

2. Iron Man
Ah, Tony Stark, so glad to have met you.
I remember hearing about this movie and thinking it was going to be awful.
However, the rejuvenated Robert Downey Jr. and the directing of Jon Favreau, left me satisfied.
Iron Man showed that comic book films can be serious, but also funny.
Make sure to thank RDJ if you meet him, his performance saved the Universe.

1. Guardians Of The Galaxy
The Marvel Universe was becoming too procedural and repetitive:
Enter a rag tag group of trash talking Aliens to save the day.
Guardians gave us a lot of new things to digest and it was exactly the breath of fresh air needed.
I like this film more every time I watch it:
The action, the music, the wide-shots, the deep focus and of course, that title screen!




Chris's List

Spoiler Alert: I love Captain American and don’t really care for Thor

11 - Thor: The Dark World

I know I have seen this movie, but honestly, I hardly remember anything from it. There were some aliens, right? Loki is probably funny and the best part. That’s all I’ve got.

10 - The Incredible Hulk

An oddity for sure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – simultaneously a sequel and a one-off. A decent film, but Norton is still an odd choice for Bruce Banner. Ruffalo is better.

9 - Thor

Thor again, but this one I actually do remember. And I did like it, but it’s obviously on the lower end of the scale for Marvel. It’s not Chris Hemsworth’s fault, and it’s definitely not Tom Hiddleston’s – maybe it’s the rainbow bridge or blue aliens or the small NM town setting.

8 - Iron Man 2

While not great, it certainly was not the trainwreck everyone thought it was upon release. Sure, it paled in comparison to the first, and ultimately overshadowed by the third, but it’s still a fun film. And Robert Downey, Jr. sparring with Sam Rockwell will always be great. Plus, it introduced us to Black Widow.   

7 - Avengers: Age of Ultron

I liked the Avengers sequel, I just didn’t love it. I thought it was overstuffed, forced, and a bit hollow compared to the first and all other MCU movies, but still a really fun ride. Check out my review here.

6 - Iron Man 3

A great movie that I loved after seeing it the first time, but then, kind of forgot. I caught it again a few weeks ago and was glad to see it still did it for me. Ben Kingsley and the twist were excellent. Give director Shane Black more movies!  

5 - Guardians of the Galaxy

I had my doubts about this one from the start, but I am happy to admit that I was wrong. A super fun movie, thanks to Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, and even Vin Diesel. I wanted a bit weirder though (like I was promised!).

4 - Captain America: The First Avenger

I love the period setting that helps separate it from all other Marvel entries (the war bonds montage is terrific). Also, has one of the best supporting casts in any Marvel movie – Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Haley Atwell, and Toby Jones. Plus, old school Hydra is the best kind of villain-producing factory.

3 - Iron Man

Downey as Tony Stark started it all and the first film holds up as a really solid and fun flick.

2 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Almost my #1. Just a great action film. Chris Evans nails the moral compass that is Captain America, The Falcon is a great addition to the team (if they would ever invite him along), and the increased role for Scarlett Johansson is a big plus for everyone.

1 - The Avengers

Dan is crazy, the first Avengers is leaps and bounds better than the overstuffed sequel. The first is the perfect balance of each character, great story and dialogue, and an actual villain.


Thanks For Reading!

Chris's Top 30 Films of 2014, and Other Best Of Lists for the Year in Cinema

No explanations, just my Best of 2014 lists. 

30 - Boyhood
29 - The Imitation Game
28 - Joe
27 - Gone Girl
26 - Starred Up
25 - Obvious Child
24 - Calvary
23 - The Babadook

22 - Foxcatcher
21 - Guardians of the Galaxy

20 - Love is Strange

19 - Listen Up Phillip

18 - Venus in Fur

17 - Selma 

16 - Interstellar

15 - X-Men: Days of Future Past

14 - Nightcrawler
13 - Ida

12 - Dear White People

11 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier 
10 - Inherent Vice 
 9 - The One I Love

 8 - Snowpiercer
 7 - A Most Violent Year 

 6 - Frank

 5 - Enemy

 4 - Whiplash 
 3 - Birdman, or the Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance
 2 - The Grand Budapest Hotel  
 1 - The Immigrant

For more (including Best Actor/Actress, Best Scenes, and Most Overrated Movie...

Now Playing: Hot Tub Time Machine 2, The DUFF, McFarland USA

Hot Tub Time Machine 2

Official Synopsis:
This time around, Lou (Rob Corddry) finds himself in a whole heap of trouble, and the rest of the gang must fire up the hot tub to get back to the past, but accidentally get sent to the future.
It’s time to alter the future, to save the past which is actually just the present…

North's Thoughts:
Although it didn't set the box office aflame, Hot Tub Time Machine got some love when it hit video.
Who could resist the 1980s retro charm, Lougle, and stealing pop songs from the future?
John Cusack is missing from the gang, but I still want to ride with these dudes again.
They've brought in the always funny Adam Scott and will surely go back to some old gags.
If it turns out to a bad time in the tub, you can always go back five years and be happy once again.



The DUFF

Official Synopsis:
Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as 'The DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends (Skyler Samuels & Bianca Santos). Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher (Ken Jeong), she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby (Nick Eversman), and enlists Wesley (Robbie Amell), a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school's ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone's DUFF.

North's Thoughts:
With genuinely funny people like Mae Whitman and Ken Jeong, I hope to get some good laughs.
High School Movies can be amazing or amazingly bad.
Always give them a chance because every now and then you also find a hidden gem, like Project X.
Here are the Top 5 High School Movies Of All-Time:
5. Clueless
4. Fast Times At Ridgemont High
3. The Breakfast Club
2. Dazed And Confused
1. Ferris Bueller's Day Off


McFarland USA

Official Synopsis:

From Disney comes MCFARLAND, the true against-all-odds story of the 1987 McFarland high school cross country team in an economically challenged community. 

North's Thoughts:

I love how Disney doesn't even bother with an extensive synopsis:

Disney. True Story. Sports.

Here's The Top 5 Disney Sports Movies Of All-Time:

5. The Big Green

4. Cool Runnings

3. D2: The Mighty Ducks

2. Remember The Titans

1. The Mighty Ducks

And while we're at it, Kevin Costner is really the king of the sports movie.

Plus, he was a good athlete in real life:

He hit a Home Run in a major league stadium during an all-star event and has a good arm.

Sports movies are so much better when the actor can, you know, actually play the sport.

Here's The Costner Sports Movie List:

6. For Love Of The Game

5. American Flyers

4. Draft Day

3. Tin Cup

2. Bull Durham

1. Field Of Dreams

Check Out Other Recent Editions Of Now Playing:

Now Playing: Fifty Shades Of Grey, Kingsman: The Secret Service

Now Playing: Jupiter Ascending, The SpongeBob Movie, Seventh Son

Now Playing: A Most Violent Year, Project Almanac, Black Or White, The Loft

Now Playing:  Mortdecai, Strange Magic, The Boy Next Door

Now Playing: American Sniper, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington and Blackhat

Now Playing: Selma, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, Taken 3

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Now Playing: Fifty Shades Of Grey, Kingsman: The Secret Service

Fifty Shades Of Grey

Official Synopsis:
E.L. James' kinky best-seller gets the big screen treatment with this Universal Pictures/Focus Features co-production. The steamy tale details a masochistic relationship between a college student and a businessman, whose desires for extreme intimacy pen from secrets in his past.

North's Thoughts:
If you haven't at least heard of "Fifty Shades Of Grey", I must assume that you live off the grid.
Once the series of novels took off, the first question became:
How will they make this movie?
Hollywood has shied away from the "sex scene" in recent years.
The days of extended, steamy montages like the one in Top Gun are long gone.
What was once commonplace, is now often one of the first things to be cut out of the script.
So can Fifty Shades revive a once proud Hollywood tradition?
Audiences hope so, as the pre-sale ticket numbers were huge enough to greenlight the next two films.
And don't forget to add the extra couple of million dollars to Shades total for theater-jumpers.
This will be the number one movie of the week, so don't get left out of the conversation on Monday.



Kingsman: The Secret Service

Official Synopsis:
Based upon the acclaimed comic book and directed by Matthew Vaughn (Kick Ass, X-Men First Class), Kingsman: The Secret Service tells the story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency's ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.

North's Thoughts:
I've been excited for this release since I saw the first trailer months ago.
Kingsman looks like an action packed cross between a James Bond film and 21 Jumpstreet.
With crazy fight sequences, cool gadgets and an updated spy world, this could be great one.
It is helmed by talented director Matthew Vaughn (if you haven't seen Layer Cake, do so directly).
It also features the consistently great Samuel L. Jackson and Academy Award winner Colin Firth.
Basically, it should be tons of cinemaplex fun and could become a series of films if it succeeds.

Check Out Other Recent Editions Of Now Playing:

Now Playing: Jupiter Ascending, The SpongeBob Movie, Seventh Son

Now Playing: A Most Violent Year, Project Almanac, Black Or White, The Loft

Now Playing:  Mortdecai, Strange Magic, The Boy Next Door

Now Playing: American Sniper, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington and Blackhat

Now Playing: Selma, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, Taken 3


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Now Playing: Jupiter Ascending, The SpongeBob Movie, Seventh Son

Jupiter Ascending

Official Synopsis:
From the streets of Chicago to the far-flung galaxies whirling through space, "Jupiter Ascending" tells the story of Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), who was born under a night sky, with signs predicting she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people's houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along-her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

North's Thoughts:
I can tell this much from the trailer:
the movie looks beautiful.
The space ships, the cities, the aliens and the battles, could make for some epic 3D fun.
It's written, directed and produced by the Wachowskis, who gave us The Matrix series.
Even if one of their films flops, it will always bring pleasure to the eyes.
Sure, Speed Racer got people fired, but it looked dope!


The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out Of Water

Official Synopsis:
SpongeBob SquarePants, the world's favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.

North's Thoughts:
The synopsis and title are one in the same:
SpongeBob On Land.
I've got to admit, aside from passing it on TV, I've never seen any of SpongeBob's work.
Did he start off doing theater?
I have seen thousands of clothing items, toys, videos, and cars, so obviously he's a big deal.
This is the best reviewed new film of the week, so go in to get your Spongebob fix with confidence.


Seventh Son

Official Synopsis:
In a time long past, an evil is about to be unleashed that will reignite the war between the forces of the supernatural and humankind once more. Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) is a knight who had imprisoned the malevolently powerful witch, Mother Malkin (Julianne Moore), centuries ago. But now she has escaped and is seeking vengeance. Summoning her followers of every incarnation, Mother Malkin is preparing to unleash her terrible wrath on an unsuspecting world. Only one thing stands in her way: Master Gregory. In a deadly reunion, Gregory comes face to face with the evil he always feared would someday return. He has only until the next full moon to do what usually takes years: train his new apprentice, Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) to fight a dark magic unlike any other. Man's only hope lies in the seventh son of a seventh son.

North's Thoughts:
Love Julianne Moore.
Love Jeff Bridges.
So Seventh Son should be awesome, right?
Please?
Maybe?
Oh well, if it doesn't pan out for them, at least we will always have this.


Check Out Other Recent Editions Of Now Playing:

Now Playing: A Most Violent Year, Project Almanac, Black Or White, The Loft

Now Playing:  Mortdecai, Strange Magic, The Boy Next Door

Now Playing: American Sniper, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington and Blackhat

Now Playing: Selma, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, Taken 3


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Follow Us On Twitter For Daily Movie News And Links: @NorthSouthFilm

Now Playing: A Most Violent Year, Project Almanac, Black Or White, The Loft

A Most Violent Year

Official Synopsis: 

Set during the winter of 1981 -- statistically one of the most crime-ridden of New York City's history -- A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is a drama following the lives of an immigrant and his family as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream, while the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built. 

North's Thoughts:

This looks awesome and I love films set and/or shot in 1970s and 1980s New York City:

Mean Streets, The French Connection, Taxi Driver, and The Warriors come to mind as classics.

It features Oscar Isaac, who is a star on the rise:

He scored a Golden Globe nomination for Inside Llewyn Davis and is a lead in Star Wars VII.

Also, Jessica Chastain who is always superb and was nominated for a Golden Globe in this role. 

Project Almanac

Official Synopsis:

A brilliant high school student and his friends uncover blueprints for a mysterious device with limitless potential, inadvertently putting lives in danger. 

North's Thoughts:

Okay, the synopsis isn't exactly detailed, but bottom line: time travel movies are always watchable.*

Will Project Almanac become the next Back To The Future?

Probably/Definitely not, but I'll watch almost all time-bending flicks once.

Here's my Time Travel Top 10:

10. Flight Of The Navigator

9. Back To The Future III

8. Hot Tub Time Machine

7. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

6. Groundhog Day

5. Primer

4. The Terminator

3. Back To The Future II

2. Terminator 2: Judgement Day

1. Back To The Future

*Exception: The Butterfly Effect which is a horrible film and should be erased from history.

Black Or White

Official Synopsis: 

BLACK OR WHITE is the story of a grandfather (Academy Award winner Kevin Costner) who is suddenly left to care for his beloved granddaughter. When her paternal grandmother (Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer) seeks custody with the help of her brother (Anthony Mackie), the little girl is torn between two families who love her deeply. With the best intentions at heart, both families fight for what they feel is right and are soon forced to confront their true feelings about race, forgiveness, and understanding. Anchored by an all-star cast and based on real events, the movie is a look at two seemingly different worlds, in which nothing is as simple as black or white.

North's Thoughts:

A family drama, with some heavy hitters in Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer.

Quick Costner Top 5:

5. American Flyers

4. The Untouchables

3. Bull Durham

2. Field Of Dreams

1. JFK

The Loft

Official Synopsis:

Karl Urban (Star Trek Into Darkness) and James Marsden (2 Guns) star in the tense psychological thriller THE LOFT, the story of five guys who conspire to secretly share a penthouse loft in the city--a place where they can indulge in their deepest fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they realize one of the group must be involved. Paranoia seizes them as everyone begins to suspect one another. Friendships are tested, loyalties are questioned and marriages crumble as the group is consumed by fear, suspicion and murder in this relentless thriller.

North's Thoughts:

Why is James Marsden listed as the star of 2 Guns in the synopsis? 

He headlined several films and is best know as Cyclops, from the hugely successful X-Men series. 

Not the seventh lead in some long forgotten, Mark Wahlberg action flick.

Plus, don't forget about Disturbing Behavior.

Marsden, Nick Stahl, Ethan Embry and of course, Katie Holmes.

Katie took home an MTV Movie Award for her work and the rest in history.

Hopefully, The Loft will become Marsden's go to credit.

Check Out Other Recent Editions:

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Now Playing: American Sniper, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington and Blackhat

Now Playing: Selma, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, Taken 3


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Now Playing: Mortdecai, Strange Magic, The Boy Next Door

Mortdecai

Official Synopsis:
Juggling some angry Russians, the British Mi5, his impossibly leggy wife and an international terrorist, debonair art dealer and part time rogue Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) must traverse the globe armed only with his good looks and special charm in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold.

North's Thoughts:
At one point in his career, Johnny Depp was one of the coolest actors alive.
He was churning out great roles, in good films like Edward Scissorhands and Ed Wood.
Chris and I did a Best Of Depp and it was hard to narrow it down to 5 films each.
More recently he has been starring in miss after reviled miss.
But with each new film Depp still casts the glimmer of hope we'll get to see his best again.
The rest of the cast is solid: Gywneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor and Olivia Munn.
So the big question: is this Johnny's next flop or smash?
I guess we will know by Monday morning.

Strange Magic

Official Synopsis:
"Strange Magic," a new animated film from Lucasfilm Ltd., is a madcap fairy tale musical inspired by "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Popular songs from the past six decades help tell the tale of a colorful cast of goblins, elves, fairies and imps, and their hilarious misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and Industrial Light & Magic bring to life the fanciful forest turned upside down with world-class animation and visual effects.

North's Thoughts:
I find it very tough to gauge animated films before I've seen them.
I thought Rise Of The Guardians and Arthur Christmas looked like duds, until I gave them a chance.
And I'm glad I did because they have both become holiday viewing staples at my house.
If Strange Magic has the charm of those films and couples it with good music, it could be a big hit.
Never forget what can happen when an animated movie takes off . . .

The Boy Next Door

Official Synopsis:
Jennifer Lopez leads the cast in The Boy Next Door, a psychological thriller that explores a forbidden attraction that goes much too far. Directed by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious) and written by Barbara Curry, the film also stars Ryan Guzman, John Corbett and Kristin Chenoweth.

North's Thoughts:
My Jennifer Lopez Top 3:
3. The Cell
2. Out Of Sight
1. Selena
She was nominated for a 1998 Golden Globe for Selena and should have won.
Sorry Helen Hunt, nobody has watched As Good As It Gets in the last ten years.
Oh well, I guess J-Lo has to settle for being one of the most beautiful humans to ever live.


Check Out Other Recent Editions:

Now Playing: American Sniper, The Wedding Ringer, Paddington and Blackhat

Now Playing: Selma, The Imitation Game, Inherent Vice, Taken 3


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The Michael Mann Lists

With his eleventh feature, Blackhat, hitting theaters today, Michael Mann is back in our lives.

It's been five years since his last film (Public Enemies) and we are excited to see our old friend back where he belongs, doing crime films for the silver screen. Over the years, he has developed a signature style that saturates his films and has caused movie geeks like us to head to the cinema over and over. So let's look back and celebrate a great career with . . .

The Michael Mann Lists

Dan's List

#5. Thief

James Caan is an all-time badass of cinema.

The unchecked emotion and the explosions that follow are incredible to watch.
He shoots and seethes his way through Mann's debut feature to great success.
Thief is full of Mann's signature style: the close-ups, the criminals and of course, the pounding music.
The composer for Thief was the group Tangerine Dream, who always bring a powerful sound.
Have you ever seen Risky Business? Yup, thank Tangerine Dream for that banging score too.

#4. Miami Vice

Mann was the Executive Producer of  "Miami Vice" (TV), and he came full circle with this film.
I'm not going to lie, I didn't love Miami Vice the first time through, but it grew on me over time.
Mann may be from Chicago, but the glitz of Miami at night is is a perfect setting for his edgy cops.
The Ferrari, the powerboats, the drugs and the suits were all great call-backs to the show.
And don't forget about the trailer with the cool Jay-Z/Linkin Park mash up.
Even Harold Faltermeyer would have loved that!


#3. The Insider

This is the film that put Russell Crowe on the map.
It gave him his first of three consecutive Academy Award nominations for Best Actor .
It's not the typical Mann fare as the "shoot-outs" here are metaphorical.
Still, it delves into the criminal side of big business and remains thrilling throughout.
The Insider was nominated for seven Oscars, but American Beauty took home most of the hardware.

#2. The Last Of The Mohicans

The French-Indian War just got awesome with this flick.
How Daniel Day-Lewis didn't get a nomination for this is beyond me.
This film proved that Mann can do anything, including a historical epic.
While it differs from his other films in terms of setting, the action is still incredible.
Certainly a great film to check out if you've never seen it or want to see top level directing in action.

#1. Heat

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Val Kilmer make this heist film an absolute classic.
Throw in Jon Voight, the once great Tom Sizemore and you've got one of the 1990s best films.
The bank robbery scene will go down in film history and rightfully so:
The shots are incredible and the sound makes you want to duck in your seat.
This is the quintessential Mann film and remains one of the best cops and robbers tale ever filmed.

Chris's List

5 – Manhunter

The big screen’s first incarnation of the legendary serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (played here by a still-chilling, though less refined Brian Cox). Mann, in all his 1980s glory, shows signs of future brilliance and dominance of the thriller genre. 

4 - The Last of the Mohicans

 Daniel Day-Lewis + historical drama = sold. A beautifully shot epic.

3 – The Insider

A fascinating, superbly acted (Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, etc.) film about a tobacco whistleblower courted by “60 Minutes.” Sounds slow and dry, but Mann injects an enthralling amount of tension and paranoia into the film. 

2 – Heat

One of the best crime dramas ever put on film. Amazing cast, gripping story, several fantastically shot action sequences, and that trademark moody Michael Mann atmosphere. 

1 – Collateral

Michael Mann’s films truly come alive at night. So, a film that takes place completely after hours, in downtown Los Angeles no less, is right in Mann’s wheelhouse. Throw in an absorbing hitman plot and arguably Tom Cruise AND Jamie Foxx’s best performances, you have one amazing film (that Dan, for some unknown reason, just does not care for).



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Bill Murray - Brad Pitt - Robert Downey Jr. -  Denzel Washington - Robin Williams 
Christian Bale - Matt Damon - Johnny Depp – Jamie Foxx - Reese Witherspoon
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Space Movies – Movie Lawyers – Movie Bars – Concert Movies - Airplane Movies - War Movies
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