Rocky Balboa is one of the all time great characters. ROCKY is one of the all time great movies. The franchise, like the character, has defied all the odds and stuck around for 40 years. There were ups and downs of course, but the sixth and intended last entry in 2006 proved that Stallone knew exactly how to retire the character. I find the first and sixth entries to be wonderful bookends to Rocky, and all would have been well if we never saw the character again.
But then director Ryan Coogler came up with CREED and proved that the champ still wasn't done.
Obviously, the movie is called CREED and not ROCKY, so Stallone takes a step back here. And that's OK, because Michael B. Jordan is great in the title role. His Adonis Creed is the result of an affair his father Apollo had just before his fight in ROCKY IV. His mother died while he was young and Apollo's widow tracked him down and took him in. Against her wishes he pursues boxing. His natural talent gets him quite far, but not far enough, and eventually he is drawn to Philadelphia in the hopes to get his father's greatest opponent to train him. Cue the montage.
Like I said, Jordan is great. Adonis is desperate to make his own way and thus fights under his mothers name, but he is also desperate to make a connection with his father. He immediately identifies Rocky as family, even calling him "Unc" (uncle) from their first meeting. Jordan sells all of this expertly, with anger, determination, and even excitement all screaming through his eyes. There is of course great physicality on display, but Jordan manages to say it all with very little.
The movie touches all the bases we expect it to with the training montages, the running through Philadelphia, and the edge of your seat fight sequences, but like the best of the franchise CREED shines when its characters are just sitting together and talking. Adonis gets a great love interest in Bianca, played by Tessa Thompson. Their first date is simply them talking over dinner, and director Coogler keeps it simple, allowing these two to get to know each other. They're two very likable characters, and while they don't quite live up to the pairing of Rocky and Adrian in the first film, they make for a great pair, pushing each other to be better. Great work from all involved.
But guys, Stallone is heartbreaking here. I honestly think this is his best performance. He has always had a bit of a droopy face, but age has exaggerated that droopiness, and with it comes an extra layer of sadness. Not only is Adrian gone, but so is Paulie. And his son, only seen in picture form, has moved to Vancouver. It doesn't help that the picture is of Stallone's real life son who passed away in 2012. UGH. But Stallone brings all of that baggage with him, and he finds a new reason to keep fighting. A new reason to give his all once again.
There is a lot of nostalgia at play in CREED, but none of it feels like fan service. It references the previous films but it doesn't rely on them. It's a natural extension. Everything that Rocky has been through these last 40 years is still there, and now he is able to put all of that knowledge and experience to use for the son of his greatest opponent. And I cried like a baby.
There are two main fight sequences in the movie, and the first is done in an incredible single take. The tension is high and Coogler puts you in the action and makes you feel every hit without sacrificing the geography of the scene.
But guys, the second and main fight. Guys. The Cold War isn't at stake here. No one has to avenge Mickey or Apollo. Adonis just has to prove himself, and the stakes couldn't be higher.
Some of the best moments of my movie-going career have been at the Alamo Drafthouse. The crowds there are exactly the kind of crowds you want to see a movie with. They cheer and laugh at all the right moments. The entire theater is united for two brief hours.
I did not see CREED at an Alamo Drafthouse.
But during that final fight, when Rocky's theme finally plays for the first and only time in the movie, the crowd gasped, and each and everyone of us in the theater instantly leaned forward, glued to the screen. This fight mattered. It meant everything. And it was glorious.
CREED is an amazing film. It confidently ranks among the best of the franchise and reminds us that life is the greatest fight of all. Cheesy? Yea, probably, but it's still fucking great.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
The Sand
Well this opportunity fell in my lap. I was given the chance to review The Sand, a creature feature about a sand dwelling monster praying on a group of hungover college students who got more than they bargained for after a night of partying at the beach.
The film's press release describes itself as a loving homage to B-horror films like Tremors, and while I can't quite say that The Sand is anywhere near as funny or memorable as that great Bacon horror-comedy, the film still manages to do quite a bit with an equally silly premise and single location.
The movie starts off with a party fueled prologue that drops some very minor hints as to how the creature arrives on the beach, though it wisely avoids any real explanation, instead just taking its premise and running with it. The rest of the film follows a who's who of standard horror characters (The Blonde, The Jock, The Guy Best Friend, The Ex-Girlfriend) as they drop one by one trying to figure out how to get escape with their limbs and lives intact.
The Sand establishes its rules early on. If your skin touches the sand, the creature will slowly suck you in, tearing away skin and body parts along the way. As with any good monster movie, a lot of the fun comes with watching the characters try, and fail, to escape their horrible situation.
Now, writers Alex Greenfield and Ben Powell have made the welcome decision to actually make the characters smart and think out their actions, a rarity in the horror genre. Each time someone suggests an idea of what to do or how to escape, at least one other person offers a reason of why it works or why it doesn't, and it actually makes sense. It adds quite a bit of suspense and surprise to the proceedings, making trying to figure who dies next all the more complicated.
The cast is lively and game, and director Isaac Gabaeff helps the film fly by with its quick pace. The low budget is well hidden for the most part, with most of the big effects being saved for the finale. Some of the bloodier parts rely more on digital effects than I usually prefer, but the kills are slow and nasty as they should be in a film like this, which helps make up the difference.
Overall, The Sand is a quick and fun little monster flick that wears its B-horror movie roots on its sleeve. So if watching attractive twenty-somethings die one by one, check it out on VOD and DVD October 13.
The film's press release describes itself as a loving homage to B-horror films like Tremors, and while I can't quite say that The Sand is anywhere near as funny or memorable as that great Bacon horror-comedy, the film still manages to do quite a bit with an equally silly premise and single location.
The movie starts off with a party fueled prologue that drops some very minor hints as to how the creature arrives on the beach, though it wisely avoids any real explanation, instead just taking its premise and running with it. The rest of the film follows a who's who of standard horror characters (The Blonde, The Jock, The Guy Best Friend, The Ex-Girlfriend) as they drop one by one trying to figure out how to get escape with their limbs and lives intact.
The Sand establishes its rules early on. If your skin touches the sand, the creature will slowly suck you in, tearing away skin and body parts along the way. As with any good monster movie, a lot of the fun comes with watching the characters try, and fail, to escape their horrible situation.
Now, writers Alex Greenfield and Ben Powell have made the welcome decision to actually make the characters smart and think out their actions, a rarity in the horror genre. Each time someone suggests an idea of what to do or how to escape, at least one other person offers a reason of why it works or why it doesn't, and it actually makes sense. It adds quite a bit of suspense and surprise to the proceedings, making trying to figure who dies next all the more complicated.
The cast is lively and game, and director Isaac Gabaeff helps the film fly by with its quick pace. The low budget is well hidden for the most part, with most of the big effects being saved for the finale. Some of the bloodier parts rely more on digital effects than I usually prefer, but the kills are slow and nasty as they should be in a film like this, which helps make up the difference.
Overall, The Sand is a quick and fun little monster flick that wears its B-horror movie roots on its sleeve. So if watching attractive twenty-somethings die one by one, check it out on VOD and DVD October 13.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Top Ten of 2014
Hey dudes. Last year was a pretty damn good time at the movies. So good that I still haven't had the chance to see all the ones I wanted to. Shit like Top Five, Whiplash, Foxcatcher, INHERENT VICE, and A Most Violent Year. There are others of course, and I'll get to them soon enough.
But for now I'd like to talk about some movies that I did see. First, I'm just gonna list off some movies that I really liked but don't feel like explaining why. So here that goes. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1, The Lego Movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past, 22 Jump Street, Interstellar, Neighbors, The Interview, The One I Love, Noah, Lucy, Godzilla, Wild, Boyhood, Begin Again. Sabotage, Obvious Child, Nymphomaniac volumes I & II, Joe, The Guest, Enemy, Blue Ruin, A Most Wanted Man, Only Lovers Left Alive, Cold in July, Under The Skin. Shit man, I'm sure there are numerous films I'm forgetting, but these are the ones I remembered seeing and really liking while scouring Box Office Mojo.
And then were some films that I absolutely fucking loved that have just missed my top ten. Let's take a moment now and remember those that came THIS close to being honored.
Selma- Oof, what a movie. I realize the Oscars don't really mean much, but come on dudes. How could you screw this one up? Featuring a monumental performance from David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr, Selma is the movie Lee Daniels' The Butler wanted to be. A true movie of the moment, Selma features incredible control from director Ava DuVerrnay. Oh, and that script. The filmmakers did not have the rights to any of Dr. Kings speeches, and were forced to completely make up the ones featured in the film. Holy shit they do a great job. Not only do they capture the voice and power of King, but they write the best monologues of the year, period.
Edge of Tomorrow- My love of Tom Cruise should be new to none of you. Edge of Tomorrow only strengthens that love. Smart, funny and exciting, this movie was easily one of the best that came out in the summer months. Fucking watch it already.
Ok, the moment you (as in YOU, the one person who is reading this (me)) have all been waiting for, my favorite movies from 2014.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy- This movie rules. Chris Pratt rules. Zoe Saldana rules. Dave Bautista rules. Bradley Cooper rules. Vin Diesel is God. Easily one of my favorite theatrical experiences last year. Actually, this was probably the best audience I experienced in all my years in North Carolina. Everyone in the crowd was with this flick from the very beginning. That's what I really love about Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie as a whole is infectious. In Marvel I trust.
9. The Raid 2- I'll get this out of the way right off the bat, I love the first movie more. BUT, The Raid 2 is without a doubt an action masterpiece. I appreciate that the two films really mesh well together, especially as a double feature. The first is a breathless piece of action film making that never wastes a moment, and the second one slows it down, allowing you to catch your breath a bit. That is, until it decides to unleash some jaw dropping action in your lap. And yes, that final knife fight is as good as everyone says.
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes- I actually thought this was gonna be a bit higher on the list, but then all the other movies ended up being really good, so whatever. Anyway, this flick actually hit me pretty hard. It's a return to the roots of the original films, in that it actually attempts to play with ideas in a way that only good science fiction can do. I don't think this movie is as good as the originals are, but it comes damn close. Ugh, and that tank sequence. So good. ALSO, just give Andy Serkis all of it. Everything. The man is so god damned good that he deserves it all.
7. Nightcrawler- If Jake Gyllenhaal ever wins an Oscar, it's because he wasn't nominated for this movie. That's not entirely accurate of course, but you know, it is. Moving right along, Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Lou Bloom is an all-timer, a true cinematic creep. "What if my problem wasn't that I don't understand people but that I don't like them?" One of the coldest, scariest lines in a movie all year, and Gyllenhaal crushes it. Much credit is also due to director/writer Dan Gilroy for crafting such a cold and darkly funny movie.
6. Locke- "Traffic is fine." I uttered that line to myself in my absolute perfect Tom Hardy voice more than any line from a movie this year. Thankfully, Hardy continues giving incredible vocal performances, giving myself ample opportunities to perfect my already perfect Tom Hardy impression. Taking place entirely in the titular characters' car for 90 minutes as he talks to numerous people on the phone, the film avoids any gimmicky traits and instead becomes a fascinating study of a genuinely good and deeply flawed human being. I joke about Hardy's varying accents from film to film, but the fact is the guy is an incredible actor, and Locke is the best example of that yet. Quick sidenote, I just watched The Drop before writing this article, which also features Hardy and another great accent. It's entirely possible that if I had seen the film earlier or waited longer to write this and let it simmer in my brain that the movie could sneak up on this list. Either way, watch both movies and marvel at how good Hardy is.
5. John Wick- I love this movie. It's just so confident and fun, showing us a world of hit men that's only hinted at and leaves you wanting more. The action is straight forward and easy to follow, and of course awesome. John Wick shoots so many people in the face. No really, if he has the option to shoot someone in the face, he takes it pretty much every chance has. Honestly, John Wick is as good as it is because the film makers took the time to create a sympathetic hero, design exciting action sequences, and then followed through. Here's hoping that the sequel is just as good if not better.
4. Snowpiercer- Another great science fiction flick, I tried to write up a piece about it after my initial viewing and just could not get out what I wanted to say. Not really sure why. The film is so weird and totally OK with it. Filled with a great cast and fucking incredible production design, Snowpiercer is just a delight.
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel- Full disclosure, I really didn't care much for this one upon first viewing. Maybe it was the hype train, my mood or whatever, but this was a real miss for me. I love Wes Anderson of course. His last film, Moonrise Kingdom was one of my favorites of 2012, and I love just about every one of his other films. So I knew I had to give this one another shot. I don't know exactly what changed for me on that second viewing, but everything clicked. From the wonderfully funny and melancholy performance by Ralph Fiennes (the one true Oscar snub of 2014), to the amazing production design (a theme?) and whimsical nature that Anderson has adopted as of late. Simply put, The Grand Budapest Hotel hit me like a bag of bricks. So sad, yet so funny. So bright, yet so dark. So much is going on in this movie, and all of it so, so good that there really isn't enough space anywhere to truly talk about it.
2. Gone Girl- Oh man, this movie. So cold, so ice cold. Every time I watch Gone Girl I feel like I'm being cleansed, like every bad movie I watched before hand is being washed away. David Fincher makes is look effortless, because duh. The score slowly and quietly begins to haunt its way into you, and the screenplay is so funny and has such a twisted take on marriage, media, and people in general that I can't help but love it. Seriously though, this movie is funny. The blackest of black comedy, yes, but after multiple viewings there is no way that Fincher and screenwriter Flynn didn't intend for this to be a comedy. Affleck's awkward and ill-timed rendition of the Law & Order theme makes me laugh just thinking about it. So bleak, so mean, and so fucking good.
1. Captain America: The Winder Soldier- There wasn't a movie I revisited more than Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. Not only is the movie incredible by itself, it's also a huge step forward for Marvel as a studio. They go out of their way to present the stakes here, effectively destroying the cinematic universe as we've come to know it. Now of course, I can't merit this film on the effect it has on other movies, but it makes life easy when the flick is just so damn good. The action is well put together by the Russo brothers, giving everyone a moment to shine. But more importantly, they give the man out of time such a great story that helps make him so, so relevant in today's world. Chris Evans owns this character just as much as Robert Downey, Jr owns Iron Man at this point, and his unwavering belief in what is right is perfectly sold by Evans. And again, the stakes in this movie are sky high, and the movie SELLS it! If shit goes wrong here, it really goes wrong everywhere. And that's what makes Captain America: The Winter Soldier so exciting. It matters what these characters do, it matters that they succeed. I cannot wait to see what these next few flicks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have in store, because they will be directly influenced by this movie.
So there it is, the list that no one wanted.
Will I be on here more this year? I hope so. I still like movies, as the title of this blog implies, so hopefully I can find some time in my (not) busy schedule to ramble about my incredible opinions.
Until then, so long dudes.
But for now I'd like to talk about some movies that I did see. First, I'm just gonna list off some movies that I really liked but don't feel like explaining why. So here that goes. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 1, The Lego Movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past, 22 Jump Street, Interstellar, Neighbors, The Interview, The One I Love, Noah, Lucy, Godzilla, Wild, Boyhood, Begin Again. Sabotage, Obvious Child, Nymphomaniac volumes I & II, Joe, The Guest, Enemy, Blue Ruin, A Most Wanted Man, Only Lovers Left Alive, Cold in July, Under The Skin. Shit man, I'm sure there are numerous films I'm forgetting, but these are the ones I remembered seeing and really liking while scouring Box Office Mojo.
And then were some films that I absolutely fucking loved that have just missed my top ten. Let's take a moment now and remember those that came THIS close to being honored.
Selma- Oof, what a movie. I realize the Oscars don't really mean much, but come on dudes. How could you screw this one up? Featuring a monumental performance from David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King, Jr, Selma is the movie Lee Daniels' The Butler wanted to be. A true movie of the moment, Selma features incredible control from director Ava DuVerrnay. Oh, and that script. The filmmakers did not have the rights to any of Dr. Kings speeches, and were forced to completely make up the ones featured in the film. Holy shit they do a great job. Not only do they capture the voice and power of King, but they write the best monologues of the year, period.
Edge of Tomorrow- My love of Tom Cruise should be new to none of you. Edge of Tomorrow only strengthens that love. Smart, funny and exciting, this movie was easily one of the best that came out in the summer months. Fucking watch it already.
Ok, the moment you (as in YOU, the one person who is reading this (me)) have all been waiting for, my favorite movies from 2014.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy- This movie rules. Chris Pratt rules. Zoe Saldana rules. Dave Bautista rules. Bradley Cooper rules. Vin Diesel is God. Easily one of my favorite theatrical experiences last year. Actually, this was probably the best audience I experienced in all my years in North Carolina. Everyone in the crowd was with this flick from the very beginning. That's what I really love about Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie as a whole is infectious. In Marvel I trust.
9. The Raid 2- I'll get this out of the way right off the bat, I love the first movie more. BUT, The Raid 2 is without a doubt an action masterpiece. I appreciate that the two films really mesh well together, especially as a double feature. The first is a breathless piece of action film making that never wastes a moment, and the second one slows it down, allowing you to catch your breath a bit. That is, until it decides to unleash some jaw dropping action in your lap. And yes, that final knife fight is as good as everyone says.
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes- I actually thought this was gonna be a bit higher on the list, but then all the other movies ended up being really good, so whatever. Anyway, this flick actually hit me pretty hard. It's a return to the roots of the original films, in that it actually attempts to play with ideas in a way that only good science fiction can do. I don't think this movie is as good as the originals are, but it comes damn close. Ugh, and that tank sequence. So good. ALSO, just give Andy Serkis all of it. Everything. The man is so god damned good that he deserves it all.
7. Nightcrawler- If Jake Gyllenhaal ever wins an Oscar, it's because he wasn't nominated for this movie. That's not entirely accurate of course, but you know, it is. Moving right along, Gyllenhaal's portrayal of Lou Bloom is an all-timer, a true cinematic creep. "What if my problem wasn't that I don't understand people but that I don't like them?" One of the coldest, scariest lines in a movie all year, and Gyllenhaal crushes it. Much credit is also due to director/writer Dan Gilroy for crafting such a cold and darkly funny movie.
6. Locke- "Traffic is fine." I uttered that line to myself in my absolute perfect Tom Hardy voice more than any line from a movie this year. Thankfully, Hardy continues giving incredible vocal performances, giving myself ample opportunities to perfect my already perfect Tom Hardy impression. Taking place entirely in the titular characters' car for 90 minutes as he talks to numerous people on the phone, the film avoids any gimmicky traits and instead becomes a fascinating study of a genuinely good and deeply flawed human being. I joke about Hardy's varying accents from film to film, but the fact is the guy is an incredible actor, and Locke is the best example of that yet. Quick sidenote, I just watched The Drop before writing this article, which also features Hardy and another great accent. It's entirely possible that if I had seen the film earlier or waited longer to write this and let it simmer in my brain that the movie could sneak up on this list. Either way, watch both movies and marvel at how good Hardy is.
5. John Wick- I love this movie. It's just so confident and fun, showing us a world of hit men that's only hinted at and leaves you wanting more. The action is straight forward and easy to follow, and of course awesome. John Wick shoots so many people in the face. No really, if he has the option to shoot someone in the face, he takes it pretty much every chance has. Honestly, John Wick is as good as it is because the film makers took the time to create a sympathetic hero, design exciting action sequences, and then followed through. Here's hoping that the sequel is just as good if not better.
4. Snowpiercer- Another great science fiction flick, I tried to write up a piece about it after my initial viewing and just could not get out what I wanted to say. Not really sure why. The film is so weird and totally OK with it. Filled with a great cast and fucking incredible production design, Snowpiercer is just a delight.
3. The Grand Budapest Hotel- Full disclosure, I really didn't care much for this one upon first viewing. Maybe it was the hype train, my mood or whatever, but this was a real miss for me. I love Wes Anderson of course. His last film, Moonrise Kingdom was one of my favorites of 2012, and I love just about every one of his other films. So I knew I had to give this one another shot. I don't know exactly what changed for me on that second viewing, but everything clicked. From the wonderfully funny and melancholy performance by Ralph Fiennes (the one true Oscar snub of 2014), to the amazing production design (a theme?) and whimsical nature that Anderson has adopted as of late. Simply put, The Grand Budapest Hotel hit me like a bag of bricks. So sad, yet so funny. So bright, yet so dark. So much is going on in this movie, and all of it so, so good that there really isn't enough space anywhere to truly talk about it.
2. Gone Girl- Oh man, this movie. So cold, so ice cold. Every time I watch Gone Girl I feel like I'm being cleansed, like every bad movie I watched before hand is being washed away. David Fincher makes is look effortless, because duh. The score slowly and quietly begins to haunt its way into you, and the screenplay is so funny and has such a twisted take on marriage, media, and people in general that I can't help but love it. Seriously though, this movie is funny. The blackest of black comedy, yes, but after multiple viewings there is no way that Fincher and screenwriter Flynn didn't intend for this to be a comedy. Affleck's awkward and ill-timed rendition of the Law & Order theme makes me laugh just thinking about it. So bleak, so mean, and so fucking good.
1. Captain America: The Winder Soldier- There wasn't a movie I revisited more than Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. Not only is the movie incredible by itself, it's also a huge step forward for Marvel as a studio. They go out of their way to present the stakes here, effectively destroying the cinematic universe as we've come to know it. Now of course, I can't merit this film on the effect it has on other movies, but it makes life easy when the flick is just so damn good. The action is well put together by the Russo brothers, giving everyone a moment to shine. But more importantly, they give the man out of time such a great story that helps make him so, so relevant in today's world. Chris Evans owns this character just as much as Robert Downey, Jr owns Iron Man at this point, and his unwavering belief in what is right is perfectly sold by Evans. And again, the stakes in this movie are sky high, and the movie SELLS it! If shit goes wrong here, it really goes wrong everywhere. And that's what makes Captain America: The Winter Soldier so exciting. It matters what these characters do, it matters that they succeed. I cannot wait to see what these next few flicks in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have in store, because they will be directly influenced by this movie.
So there it is, the list that no one wanted.
Will I be on here more this year? I hope so. I still like movies, as the title of this blog implies, so hopefully I can find some time in my (not) busy schedule to ramble about my incredible opinions.
Until then, so long dudes.
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