Lawless

Bill I’s Review – 3.5 out of 5

I had no expectations going into this film, and loved being immersed in the time period (1930), the place (rural Virginia), and mileu (band of brothers running a profitable bootlegging business during prohibition). Into this “lawless” county, the wettest in the country supposedly, where the local sheriff and his boys buy the hootch along with everyone else, steps an over the top villain as new law in town, a sadistic dandy played by Guy Pearce, here:

I was thinking of the recent spate of villians, including Michael Shannon in Hit and Run and Bane in Dark Knight Rises (played I realized by Tom Hardy, who here plays the lead brother – I guess a good guy… sort of, at least you root for him), that Pearce out does them all. There’s plenty of blood spilled, guns shot, and even some young courting (Shia LaBeouf as the younger, and wannabe gangster brother out to prove himself, spies the innocent daughter of local Amish-like preacher, Mia Wasikowka, here

Mia Wasikowska Picture

The plot is pretty simple: brothers want to keep selling hooch, Pearce wants to shut them down and ideally kill them, and lots of bad things happen, seemingly without much forethought. The brothers wait around to get attacked, then they fight back brutally. The wonderful Jessica Chastain supplies the female perspective, as a hardened but somehow vulnerable city girl from Chicago looking for a quiet place to live, and becomes the brothers’ bartender/manager/girlfriend in waiting. Jessica, seen here

can convey her thoughts and emotions without saying anything like almost no other actor I know, and look great while doing it. She inhabits a character, usually 180 degrees different from her prior role, that just amazes me. If you want to escape the current 2012 US, and enter another world for a couple of hours, that seems realistic and historical (movie is based on real life brothers, written by one of their gransons), then check this out.

Hit and Run

Bill I’s Review – 3 out of 5

I saw this back-to-back (Katie style for those who know my daughter) with Premium Rush and it doesn’t quite measure up to that film, both of which are based on bad guys chasing “good” guys. The reason behind the pursuit in this film is somewhat contrived (former partner in crime, played with glee by Bradley Cooper – or is it Paul Rudd?

Bradley Cooper Hit and Run

– who wants revenge and money owed), and the urgency is forced (Dax Shepherd must deliver his girlfriend, Kristen Bell, to LA for a job interview by a certain time). The surprising highpoint is any scene that Tom Arnold is in. I never realized what a good comic actor he is. Overall, a fun movie if you have nothing better to do, but see Premium Rush first.

 

Premium Rush

Bill I’s Review – 3.5 out of 5

I was pleasantly surprised that a film that tracks pretty much in real time a bike messenger through New York City would keep my interest, but it did so and was a lot of fun. Joseph Gordon Levitt plays the three time winner of the bike messenger of the year, as a reckless, aggressive, no-brake, one gear rider who cuts in and out of traffic to deliver whatever mail package has been given to him. He’s got a rocky relationship with another rider, the beautiful Dania Ramiriz, (see below)

Dania Ramirez Picture

who I remember as Turtle’s assistant turned girlfriend on Entourage. They are both terrific and believable as riders. Michael Shannon is perfect as the bad guy, continuing his typecasting from HBO’s  Boardwalk Empire. Shannon gives the film urgency and logic for the pursuit, as Gordon-Levitt and his pals swerve in midtown traffic. One of the coolest aspects is when he comes to a packed intersection, and the camera freeze frames while you see him working out visually which path will leave him untouched and not have to stop, reminding me of an NFL running back looking for daylight through the tacklers. I don’t see how this movie could have been better. From now I will look at those wrong-way bike riders a little more symathetically, for sure I won’t mess with them. I highly recommend this for all ages (well, over the age of 12 I guess).

Sleepwalk With Me

Bill C’s Review – 3.5 out of 5

‘Sleepwalk With Me’ stars Mike Birbiglia in this semi-autobiographical movie based on his stage play of the same name.  Birbiglia is a stand up comedian and the movie focuses on his relationship with his girlfriend as he struggles to find his voice voice/success as a standup while trying to ignore his very real sleepwalking problem.

I liked this movie a lot. It is consistently funny. Unlike Celeste and Jess Forever. I cared more about what happened to the couple as Mike became consumed with starting his comedic career by going on the road and let the pressures of his relationship and burgeoning comedic career exacerbate his sleepwaling.

I like the performances. Birbiglia is likeable and I liked Lauren Ambrose as his love interest.  Carol Kane was good as his mother and the cast also included numerous cameos by comedians..

Admittedly I was also pre-disposed to like this movie as I am an avid listener of WTF podcasts with Marc Maron  which focuses on comedians (he has a cameo).  Birbiglia has been his guest and many episodes deal with comedians and their early career struggles.  Check out the podcasts and check out the movie.

Bill I’s Review – 3 out of 5

I found it funny, pleasant, but not exceptional. It was akin to a good TV episode, in fact, this would probably be a good weekly show, following the aspiring comedian hitting the road while trying to maintain some kind of personal relationship. Kind of the anti-Sienfeld, but  hopefully very funny as well. There’s not much to laugh out loud in this film, other than a couple of Biriglia’s on stage jokes.

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Celeste and Jesse Forever

Bill C’s Review – 2.5 out of 5

Celeste and Jesse Forever is the story of a couple going through a divorce, trying to maintain their friendship while moving on with their lives. They clearly still love each other and at times would like to reconcile but seemingly never at the same time.

The movie stars Rashida Jones  (Parks and Recreation) and Andy Samberg (SNL), with Rashida getting more of the screen time showing a good range of her character’s ups and downs. Jones also co-wrote and produced the film.

The movie was moderately funny, which is probably a pretty good achievement for a movie about a couple going through divorce. I was expecting to care more about whether they ultimately got back together or not, but while I hoped that things worked out for them, it ended up not mattering to me whether or not ‘working out’ meant getting back together or just moving on with their lives. Overall this movie was OK, but I found it a little disappointing based on the good things I had heard about it..

IMDB

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EK Tha Tiger

Bill I’s Review – 4 of 5
Short review for now: my first Bollywood movie and I loved it! Fun combination secret agent action thriller/love story. Ending is somewhat similar, but much better, than in Bourne Legacy. Go see this and enjoy the incredible stunts, scenery, comedy and beauty.

The Campaign

Bill C’s Review – 2.5 out of 5

I had high expectations for this Will Ferrell/Zach Galifianakis satire.  It’s a timely film taking on our sad acrimonious political environment where politicians don’t honestly talk about the issues and say whatever is necessary to get elected with two very funny actors.    While this had some good laughs I didn’t think the satire was biting enough and thought the filmmakers often went for the cheap laugh.

This film also lost a quarter of a point for breaking Bill I’s cardinal rule of film advertising by using the funniest moment of the film in the coming attractions/TV ads.

IMDB

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Searching For Sugar Man

Bill C’s Review – 4 out of 5

‘Searching for Sugar Man’ played at this year’s SXSW.  I had heard a lot of good things about this documentary about early 70s musician Sixto Rodriguez but wasn’t able to make it to the screening.  I was looking forward to it’s opening in Austin this week and was listening to my ipod in shuffle mode when ‘Sugar Man’ (listen here) by Rodriguez started playing.  This increased my anticipation for the movie as I had no idea that I knew or had any of his music.

This movie did not disappoint.  Sixto Rodriguez, from Detroit, had two albums released in the early 70’s.  They were total flops in the U.S but somehow, unbeknownst to Rodriguez, became  incredibly influential and successful (despite some of the protest songs being banned from the radio) in South Africa during  apartheid.  Rodriguez was dropped by his record company and while his popularity continued in South Africa there were numerous rumors about his fate.  Two South African fans looking successfully search for Rodriguez.  While Rodriguez in many ways remains an enigma the story of what he did with his life both before and after he was found is fascinating especially considering what his life could have been if he had been successful in the U.S.  The music is good and it’s interesting to see the power that music can have (in this case in South Africa).

This is definitely worth seeing and I am now looking forward to Rodriguez coming to Antone’s in Austin this October.

IMDB

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The Bourne Legacy

Bill I’s Review – 4 out of 5

Awesome movie, just like it’s predecessors! I guess Matt Damon is not essential, as Jeremy Renner does an admirable job as the new “rogue agent” being tracked down by the evil US spy agency black ops. I don’t think Jeremy can punch as fast as Matt, but he certainly can jump from rooftops as well, and ride a motorbike like a champ (incredible chase scene in Manila traffic – remind me never to drive in Manila). Rachel Weisz is perfect as the “innocent” scientist; her character makes you think about true guilt and innocence. The film’s opening 15 minutes is great because it immerses you in a couple of scenarios where you have no idea what’s going on, or how these people figure in the plot, or even what the plot is. So, a thought provoking thriller, that ends up as a more typical chase movie, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. The ending (no spoiler here) seems abrupt; I was hoping for more, but I guess two hours is long enough. Can’t wait for next Bourne.

Bll C’s Review – 3 out of 5

I agree with most of Bill’s review.  This is a good, quick paced action movie that is never boring.  I also like the opening sequence (the parts with the wolves made me think Liam Neeson could have used Jeremy Renner’s help in The Grey!)  Both Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz were good (Renner’s fighting looked pretty good to me).  I also liked Edward Norton as the person directing the chase for Aaron Cross (Renner).  The movie did end too abruptly and could easily come back with a fifth Bourne movie if they desire

For the most part I found the plot interesting and challenging although not all made sense to me (BEGIN SPOILER ALERT: they decided to eliminate all of the Bourne like agents but when they have trouble killing Aaron Cross they whip out another, later edition one that they had kept in reserve!  END SPOILER ALERT).  I liked part of the action sequences but parts went overboard.  BEGIN SPOILER ALERT!:  The motorcycle chase is good but there were a couple of parts that were ridiculous (ok – i know the whole thing was ridiculous) but when Aaron Cross is barely squeezing between things on a motorcycle in totally chaotic Manila traffic there’s no way the guy in the car should be able to keep up and there’s no way Rachel Weisz would not have fallen off, etc.! END SPOILER ALERT

While I did have my quibbles I did enjoy the movie.

  IMDB

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Killer Joe

Bill C’s Review 3.5 out of 5

Matthew McConaughey gives a very good performance as Killer Joe, a policeman by day and a hit man by night.  He is hired by a family that needs the insurance money from knocking off the mother/ex-wife.

Killer Joe is rated NC-17 due to violence and the rating is well earned.  This is a dark comedy with much of the comedy coming in the final third with McConaughey’s very polite but ruthless character. There are also good performances by Thomas Haden Church, Gina Gershon and Juno Temple.  The excellent  screenplay was written by Tracey Letts based on his play (he also wrote August Osage County) and is well directed by William Friedkin (The French Connection and The Exorcist)

It’s a good story with some good twists and surprises thrown in and if you don’t mind the violence you should check this out.

IMDB

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