Magic Mike XXL

Directed by Gregory Jacobs and written by Reid Carolin, Magic Mike XXL is the sequel to 2012’s Magic Mike in which a former male stripper reunites with old friends for a stripping convention in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina as he copes with some of the choices he’s made as well as helping out his old friends. The film is partially a road trip but also an exploration into debauchery and camaraderie between men trying to take the next step of their lives. Starring Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, Matt Bomer, Gabriel Iglesias, Amber Heard, Donald Glover, Andie MacDowell, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Elizabeth Banks. Magic Mike XXL is an entertaining and wild film from Gregory Jacobs.

Set three years after the events of the first film, the film revolves around a former male stripper who is trying to run his own furniture business as he is coaxed to reunite with his fellow strippers who have been let go by their boss as they want to go on one last hurrah at a convention in Myrtle Beach. It’s a film that explores a man trying to be an adult as he reluctantly returns to what made him a big deal as well as a lot of money where he also realizes he has to smooth out issues he has with his former friends in order to do this. At the same time, the journey would force Mike (Channing Tatum) and his friends to think of new ideas for their show as they would turn to an old friend of Mike’s for help for the show in Myrtle Beach.

Reid Carolin’s script doesn’t just explore Mike’s reluctance to return to stripping but also the friends he had left behind as they’re all struggling to figure out what to do after this road trip. Especially as they also deal with the fact that their boss Dallas had abandoned them and never really give them anything to do creatively as entertainers. The script also reveals Mike’s own struggles to keep his business afloat as well as his own personal setback in his life where he rallies his buddies to really go out on one last hurrah. All of which is told in a traditional three-act structure where the first act is about Mike joining the boys on the road while the second act largely consists of him meeting his old friend/boss in Rome (Jada Pinkett Smith) and entertain some housewives. The third act is set in Myrtle Beach where it is the film’s climax where Mike, the Kings of Tampa, and a couple of Rome’s boys would create the ultimate show.

Gregory Jacobs’ direction is quite simple while it also has a flair for style in the way many of the stripping performances and staging are presented. Shot on location in Tampa as well as parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and its climax at Myrtle Beach. Jacobs does create moments that are simple in its approach to the compositions while displaying a flair for style in a few tracking shots and some long shots. Even as he maintains an intimacy in the medium shots and close-ups for Mike’s solo dance early in the film as well as very enjoyable moment when Richie (Joe Manganiello) does an impromptu dance at a convenience store. The latter of which is a key plot-point that would serve as a major catalyst for what Mike and the boys want to do as entertainers as it has an element of liveliness in the direction. Jacobs would also use a few wide shots to establish some of the locations along with some of the large group conversations as it plays into this world of debauchery and excess. The film’s climax at the convention doesn’t just have this air of excitement but also displays different styles of performances as it has an air of class but also raunchiness that is about making women happy. Overall, Jacobs creates a fun and exhilarating film about male strippers going to a convention for one last show.

Cinematographer/editor Steven Soderbergh does brilliant work with both the film‘s cinematography and editing where he infuses a lot of unique visual styles in the lighting for the scenes at night in the former in his Peter Andrews alias while doing a lot of stylish cutting with its jump-cuts and some straightforward cuts in his Mary Ann Bernard alias. Production designer Howard Cummings, with set decorator Barbara Munch and art director Eric R. Johnson, does fantastic work with the look of the home that Rome lives and works at as well as the staging on the convention. Costume designer Christopher Peterson does nice work with the costumes as it is largely casual with the exception of the clothes the guys would wear for the ultimate show.

Visual effects supervisor John Bair does terrific work with some of the minimal visual effects as it relates to the ending but also a few moments of set dressing. Sound editor Larry Blake is superb for the natural approach to the sound in how music is heard as well as the reaction of the crowd at the convention. Music supervisor Season Kent does amazing work with the film’s soundtrack with its mix of pop, R&B, electronic music, rock, and dance as it plays into the kind of stuff the guys strip to as it is a plethora of music from Ginuwine, 112, 50 Cent, Bruno Mars, Nine Inch Nails, the Backstreet Boys, D’Angelo, Ozzy Osbourne, Donna Summer, R. Kelly, Jodeci, and many others.

The casting by Carmen Cuba is great as it features some notable small roles from Michael Strahan as a stripper at Rome’s house, Stephen “tWitch” Boss as another stripper of Rome’s that would do his performance with Mike, and Donald Glover as another stripper of Rome’s club as he is also a singer that befriends Ken. Amber Heard is wonderful as a photographer named Zoe that Mike would run into often as they become friends as she would attend the convention out of curiosity. Andie MacDowell is terrific as Nancy as a housewife who lets Mike and the guys stay at her place as she has a great interest towards Richie. Elizabeth Banks is amazing as Paris as the convention’s organizer who knows Mike as she isn’t sure if she can get a spot for him and his friends only to reunite with an old friend she loves. Jada Pinkett Smith is fantastic as Rome as an old friend/boss of Mike who still has some resentment about how Mike left her as she is reluctant to help him and his friends.

Kevin Nash is excellent as Tarzan as the big and muscular guy who is also very good at making art as he is the one who missed Mike the most as he is happy Mike came along for the trip. Gabriel Iglesias is superb as Tobias as the gang’s DJ/MC who is trying to start a yogurt business with Tito as he would get sick early in the film forcing him to not join the boys for the rest of the trip. Adam Rodriguez is brilliant as Tito as the stripper who wants to create yogurt that is healthy as he turns to Mike for business advice. Matt Bomer is marvelous as Ken as the model who has some issues with Mike as he tries to maintain a positive attitude as he eventually turns to Mike about getting help for his acting career. Joe Manganiello is incredible as Richie as the guy with the big dick who is more uncertain about what to do after the gig as well as realizing he’s got a lot more to offer where Manganiello displays a lot of charisma to his role. Finally, there’s Channing Tatum in an incredible performance as Magic Mike as a former stripper who is coaxed to get back in the game as he smooth out some issues he has with friends as well as deal with the fact that he is who he is and be able to accept that.

Magic Mike XXL is a marvelous film from Gregory Jacobs. Featuring a great cast led by Channing Tatum, some wild and entertaining moments, and a fun soundtrack. It’s a film that is all about having a good time and guys taking off their clothes to entertain the ladies. In the end, Magic Mike XXL is an awesome film from Gregory Jacobs.

Related: Magic Mike

© thevoid99 2016

Love & Mercy

Directed by Bill Polhad and screenplay by Oren Moverman and Michael Alan Lerner from a story by Lerner, Love & Mercy is the story of the Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson told in two parallel narrative that focuses on Wilson in the mid-1960s where he was considered an eccentric but gifted music genius and in the late 1980s as a shell of his former self under the abusive of his therapist until a Cadillac saleswoman saves him. The film is an unconventional bio-pic that explores Wilson’s rise and descent into madness and mental illness and later be saved when he is at his most vulnerable as Paul Dano and John Cusack play the role of Wilson in the 60s and 80s, respectively,. Also starring Elizabeth Banks and Paul Giamatti. Love & Mercy is ravishing and touching film from Bill Polhad.

The name Brian Wilson isn’t just synonymous with not music that would stand for eons but a man who was gifted yet troubled where he would succumb to mental illness and depression only to re-emerge a survivor and an icon. The film is about not just Wilson’s time in the mid-1960s where he would create the landmark album Pet Sounds as well as his attempts to make the album Smile. It’s also about the man 20 years later as he is under the control of therapist until he falls for a Cadillac saleswoman in Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks) who would later become his savior. All of which is told in a parallel, back-and-forth narrative style that reflects on Wilson’s mental descent in the 1960s as well as emerging out of that dark cloud of abuse and confusion in the 1980s.

The film’s screenplay by Oren Moverman and Michael Alan Lerner create this narrative that plays into the highs and lows that Wilson would endure as a co-founder of the surf rock band the Beach Boys who were considered the American rivals to the Beatles in terms of creating top-notch pop songs. The film does give a brief insight into the Beach Boys’ rise where the bulk of the 1960s narrative begins with Wilson’s breakdown in an airplane that would ultimately keep him out of the road. Being grounded, Wilson would find a sanctuary at the studio where he would have all of the time in the world to create songs at his own pace while would wait for the band to return from touring to contribute vocals. That strand in the narrative shows not just the exuberance that Wilson had but also the emergence of his mental descent which was due to a lot of things such as drugs as well as his strained relationship with his father Murry (Bill Camp). The script also reveals the tension between Wilson and the band that ultimately led to the shelving of Smile.

The 1980s narrative which would inter-cut with the 60s narrative shows Wilson as a middle-aged man where it begins with him looking for a car to buy where he would meet Ledbetter who has no clue the man she was talking to is Brian Wilson. Yet, she somehow finds herself going out with Wilson, despite the presence of his therapist Dr. Eugene Landy (Paul Giamatti), where she gets to know the man and see someone who is a good person but also in need of help. Especially as he had been disconnected from his family including two daughters, his ex-wife, his mother, and his band that includes his brother Carl and cousin Mike Love under Landy’s supervision as Ledbetter gets to know more of the real Wilson but also observe what Landy does. One key scene involves Ledbetter coming to Wilson’s home to bring food where she hears Landy screaming at a heavily-medicated Wilson during a songwriting session as Ledbetter learns from Wilson’s maid Gloria (Diana Maria Riviera) about the extent of Landy’s abuse. It’s a key sequence in the film that would have Ledbetter take a stand no matter what kind of dirt Landy could dig up on her. Though there are a few dramatic liberties that Moverman and Lerner do for dramatic reasons, they don’t stray too far from the real story nor do anything to exaggerate things other than show a very fragile man in need of saving.

Bill Polhad’s direction definitely has an air of style as it play into not just the world Brian Wilson was in but also in somewhat Hellish-existence he was living in under Dr. Landy’s abuse. Due to the film’s complex narrative, Polhad definitely aims for different visual styles as it relates to tone of the times as well as Wilson’s own state of mind. The 1960s narrative definitely owes a lot to style in terms of its usage of different film stock which help play into the Beach Boys rise and Wilson coming into his own as a producer and songwriter. Many of the compositions are quite simple in its usage of close-ups and medium shots where it would play into what Wilson is doing as he hears ideas in his head that would unfortunately morph into voices of doubt from his father and cousin Mike (Jake Abel). There is a bit of usage in the hand-held cameras yet Polhad prefers to keep things simple while also create elements that play into Wilson’s encounter with psychedelic drugs that were helpful at first only to turn on him towards his mental descent. The 1980s narrative has Polhad go for something much simpler but also with a look that is a bit more polished as it play into a world that is sort of modern but one that Wilson seems detached from.

While many of the compositions are a bit more detached in some aspects as it relates to Wilson’s mental state, it does play into a man trying to get back into the world through Ledbetter. One sequence in which Ledbetter spends the night with Wilson has this unique tracking shot where Wilson becomes paranoid that someone is watching as he begs Ledbetter to leave but still be with him as it is a heartbreaking scene that shows how scared Wilson is. Another sequence in the film’s third act is this strange montage that has the older Wilson confront his past in flashbacks and hallucinations as it relates to the voices in his head where the two Wilsons do see each other as it play into what he lost and what he could gain. Overall, Polhad crafts a mesmerizing and riveting film about the life of Brian Wilson through all of its trials and tribulations in two different time periods.

Cinematographer Robert Yeomen does amazing work with the film‘s cinematography from the way many of the Californian location exteriors look to play into that sunny environment that inspired the music of the Beach Boys to some of the lush interiors inside the recording studios and the look of Wilson‘s two homes in the 80s that has this very lovely but unsettling look. Editor Dino Jonsater does brilliant work with the editing as it does play into the film‘s unique narrative style with its smooth transition cuts as well as some stylish montages and other cutting styles to play into some of the exuberance and dark moments in the film. Production designer Keith P. Cunningham, along with art directors Andrew Max Cahn and Luke Freeborn and set decorator Maggie Martin, does fantastic work with the home Wilson had in the 60s with its piano on top of a sandbox and the recording studios as well as the homes he had in the 1980s that are very sparse but also empty. Costume designer Danny Glicker does wonderful work with the costumes from the look of the 1960s clothes that many wear to the more casual look of the 1980s with the exception of the clothes that Ledbetter wore.

Makeup effects designer Tony Gardner does nice work with the look of some of the characters in the way they evolved in the 1960s as well as the comical yet terrifying look of Dr. Landy. Visual effects supervisor Luke T. DiTommaso does terrific work with some of the film‘s visual effects as it relates to Wilson‘s first acid trip that play into his desire for a new sound and some of its purity as well as a flashback sequence that relates to the story about how his father damaged his right ear. Sound designer Eugene Gearty and sound editor Nicholas Renbeck do excellent work with the sound in the way Wilson would hear things including a dinner sequence that would scare him as well as the more sparse moments during the scenes in the 80s where Wilson tries to deal with his mental state. The film’s music by Atticus Ross is incredible as it is largely a mixture of ambient sound textures as well as a collage of the music of the Beach Boys as their music is prominently featured along with a new song by Brian Wilson and other music that is played on the film from Dusty Springfield, the Moody Blues, Kenny G, and Heart.

The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is great as it features some notable small roles from Oliver Polhad as the adolescent Brian Wilson in the flashback sequence, Morgan Phillips as Dr. Landy’s son Evan who watches over Wilson and Ledbetter during a boat trip, Erik Eidem as one of Wilson’s caretakers in Doug who becomes concerned of Dr. Landy’s treatment of Wilson, Joanna Going as Wilson’s mother Audree in the film’s flashbacks, and Diana Maria Riviera in a terrific role as Wilson’s maid Gloria who would help Ledbetter in saving Wilson. Other noteworthy small roles as members of the Wrecking Crew session players in Teresa Cowles as bassist Carole Kaye, Gary Griffin as keyboardist Al de Lory, and Johnny Sneed as drummer Hal Blaine along with Mark Linett as engineer Chuck Britz, Jeff Meacham as Pet Sounds lyricist Tony Asher, and Mark Schneider as Smile lyricist Van Dyke Parks as they play into the people who are in awe of Wilson’s gift as an artist.

Nick Gehlfuss and Graham Rogers are terrific in their respective roles as Beach Boys members Bruce Johnston and Al Jardine who both express a bit of reservation into what Wilson is doing. Bill Camp is excellent as Wilson’s father Murry who isn’t keen on what his son doing feeling it is straying from the formula as well as being this domineering figure that would continuously haunt Wilson for much of his life. Brett Davern is superb as Wilson’s younger brother Carl as one of the few who likes what his brother is doing while becoming concerned for his mental state of mind. Kenny Wormald is fantastic as Wilson’s youngest brother Dennis who likes what Wilson is doing while having a few reservations about its commercial prospects. Erin Darke is wonderful as Wilson’s first wife Marilyn who expresses concern about her husband’s mental state as well as trying to form the family that he would unfortunately become estranged to.

Jake Abel is amazing as Wilson’s cousin/Beach Boys vocalist Mike Love who expresses concern of not just what Wilson is doing musically but also for the fact that Wilson is straying from what made their music so popular. Paul Giamatti is marvelous as Dr. Eugene Landy as Wilson’s therapist during the 1980s who is trying to take care of him but his methods become abusive where he would even try to threaten Ledbetter as it’s a monstrous performance. Elizabeth Banks is phenomenal as Melinda Ledbetter as the woman who would become Wilson’s second wife as this former model-turned Cadillac saleswoman who befriends Wilson only to fall for him where she would also be the person that would save him and get back in touch with what was good in the world.

Finally, there’s John Cusack and Paul Dano in outstanding performances as Brian Wilson where both men provide unique aspects to the man. As the middle-aged Wilson in the 1980s, Cusack displays that sense of confusion and anguish into a man lost in a haze of medication as well as trying to find some good despite the paranoia he carries as it relates to Landy. As the young Wilson in the 1960s, Dano provides the exuberance to someone who realizes the power of his creativity as well as an innocence that he would eventually lose due to drugs and demons. Both Cusack and Dano create something that allows so many layers to the Brian Wilson myth but also ground it with a humanity and fragility that nearly destroyed the man.

Love & Mercy is an incredible from Bill Polhad that features the amazing dual performances of John Cusack and Paul Dano as Brian Wilson. Featuring an inventive narrative by screenwriters Michael Alan Lerner and Oren Moverman, a ravishing score by Atticus Ross, and Elizabeth Banks’ graceful performance as Melinda Ledbetter-Wilson. It’s a film that doesn’t play by the rules of the bio-pic genre while creating a unique study of a man/artist struggling with demons and his desire to create great music. In the end, Love & Mercy is a magnificent film from Bill Polhad.

© thevoid99 2016

Pitch Perfect 2

Directed by Elizabeth Banks and written by Kay Cannon, Pitch Perfect 2 is the sequel to the 2012 film where a group of female a capella singers try to enter a global a capella competition in the hopes to save their sorority following a national scandal. The film is another tale about a group of young women who find themselves in a new world as some try to cope with life after college along with the fact they’re being scrutinized over something that was an accident. Starring Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Skylar Astin, Ester Dean, Anna Camp, Adam Devine, Ben Platt, John Michael Higgins, Katey Sagal, Flula Borg, Brigitte Hjort Sorenson, and Elizabeth Banks. Pitch Perfect 2 is a delightful and witty comedy from Elizabeth Banks.

Set three years after the events of the first films, the Barden Bellas become a national treasure in the world of a capella singing until a concert in front of the American president becomes a scandal where the group is faced with suspension and not being able to perform or bring in new members. This sets the course for what happens in this film where they find a loophole that would allow them to compete in a global a capella singing competition though their chances of winning is very long. Along the way, the group takes in a new member whose mother was a Bella while the group’s co-leader in Becca (Anna Kendrick) becomes an intern for an egocentric music producer. It’s a film that isn’t just about these ladies wanting to redeem themselves but also face with the prospects of growing up and dealing with life after college as it’s something Bella co-leader Chloe (Brittany Snow) isn’t ready to cope with as she had purposely flunked classes to remain a Bella.

Kay Cannon’s script doesn’t just play into the growing conflicts and struggles the group face from within but also in the fact that they’re considered pariahs over the scandal caused by Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) when she accidentally exposes herself in front of President Obama during a birthday concert. Adding to their struggle is the fact that they’re being replaced by a super-German a capella group known as Das Sound Machine who provide a lot of things that overwhelm the Bellas in their attempt to redeem themselves. While Cannon provides some funny one-liners and some structure to the story, the story does feel a bit familiar but it has some unique subplots such as the group taking in freshman Emily Junk (Hailee Steinfeld) who is a legacy as she wants to write songs. Another subplot involves Fat Amy’s own attraction towards former Treblemaker leader Bumper (Adam Devine) who is now the university’s security chief.

Elizabeth Banks’ direction is quite straightforward in terms of the compositions that are created while maintaining that lively sense of humor that made the first film so special in the first place. Though much of what happens is quite conventional, Banks does make sure many of the moments of the film are engaging while having that sense of feeling improvised to make it feel more natural. Banks’ usage of medium shots and close-ups help maintain that sense of intimacy as well as the importance of sisterhood among the young women while using a few wide shots for some of the performances including an attempted comeback performance in the second act where the Bellas try too hard to outdo the Das Sound Machine. Shot largely in Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the film doesn’t just play into something that is vibrant as well as modern while using some of its older streets for the film’s climatic showdown at Copenhagen. Even as Banks knows that the film’s heart is in the music and singing a capella where it manages to do a lot in its performance and a whole lot more. Overall, Banks creates a fun and exhilarating film about a group of young ladies trying to win back their respect in an a capella competition.

Cinematographer Jim Denault does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography with its naturalistic yet colorful look for many of the daytime scenes set at the college campuses to the usage of lights for some of the musical performances and scenes set at night. Editor Craig Alpert does nice work with the editing as a lot of it is straightforward with some stylish usages of jump-cuts and montages for some of the livelier moments of the film including musical performances. Production designer Toby Corbett, with set decorator Monique Champagne and art director Nate Jones, does fantastic work with the look of the Bellas‘ house as well as the studio Becca would intern at along with the retreat camp the girls would go following a humiliating performance. Costume designer Salvador Perez Jr. does wonderful work with the clothes from the casual yet stylish look of the clothes to the array of stylish costumes the Bellas would wear as well as the clothes of Das Sound Machine.

Key hairstylist Meagan Herrera and key makeup artist Judy Yonemoto do terrific work with the look of the characters in the way they would present themselves during a musical performance. Visual effects supervisor Steve Parish does superb work with some of the film‘s visual effects as much of it is set dressing for the scenes set in Copenhagen. Sound editor Erin Oakely and sound designer Jack Whittaker do amazing work with the sound in capturing the naturalistic sound of a capella singing in all of its layers as well as the raucous sounds of the crowds and parties. The film’s music by Mark Mothersbaugh is brilliant for its mixture of electronics, dance and orchestral music as well as providing that same mix for the sound of a capella music while music supervisors Sarah Webster and Angela Leus would create a soundtrack filled with contemporary pop tunes and hip-hop into some of the songs as well as what is playing in the background.

The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is incredible as it features appearances from Clay Matthews, David Bakhtiari, Don Barclay, Josh Sitton, and T.J. Lang as real-life players of the Green Bay Packers who do sing a capella, David Cross as a riff-off host, Keegan-Michael Key as a music producer Becca is interning for, Shawn Carter Peterson as the producer’s hipster yet dim-witted nephew, Snoop Dogg as himself, and as members of the Tone Hangers group, Reggie Watts, Joe Lo Truglio, Jason Jones, and John Hodgman. Other notable small roles include Kelly Jakle and Shelley Regner in their respective roles as senior Bellas Jessica and Ashley, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen and Flula Borg as leaders of Das Sound Machine, Ben Platt as Treblemakers co-leader Benji who has a crush on Emily, Skylar Astin as Treblemakers co-leader/Becca’s boyfriend Jesse, Anna Camp as former Bellas leader Aubrey who runs a retreat camp as she would help the team get back up, and Katey Sagal as Emily’s mother Katherine who is considered a legend among the Bellas. Hana Mae Lee is a total delight as the very quiet yet creepy Lilly who is the group’s beat-boxer as she always says some very funny things.

Ester Dean is excellent as the soulful lesbian Cynthia with top-notch rhyming skills while Alexis Knapp is wonderful as sensual Stacie who often uses her sex appeal to get ahead. Adam DeVine is hilarious as the former Treblemakers leader Bumper as the college’s new security chief that is trying to get himself back into the world of singing. Chrissie Fit is fantastic as the Guatemalan exchange student who joined the Bellas a year after the events of the first films as she provides some very funny comments about everything that is foreign to her. Hailee Steinfeld is amazing as Emily Junk as a freshman who is accepted by the Bellas because of her mother as she copes with her new surroundings as well as wanting to create original songs. Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins are incredible in their respective roles as a capella broadcasters Gail Abernathy-McKadden-Feinberger and John Smith as they provide some funny commentary with the latter being very misogynistic.

Brittany Snow is brilliant as Chloe as a super-senior Bella who is obsessed with trying to win as it is really a cover for the fact that she’s not ready to leave college and the Bellas while being very funny. Rebel Wilson is phenomenal as Fat Amy as the Australian in the group whose accidental actions has given the Bellas a lot of trouble as she tries to set things right while dealing with her own feelings for Bumper. Finally, there’s Anna Kendrick in a remarkable role as Becca as the group’s co-leader who is trying to help the Bellas redeem themselves from scandal but also deal with her own future where she learns what it really takes to become a record producer where she finds inspiration and help from a Bella.

Pitch Perfect 2 is a delightful and entertaining film from Elizabeth Banks. Led by a great cast, some very funny moments, and wonderful musical performances, the film is definitely something that has a lot to offer while providing enough substance and characters for audiences to care about. In the end, Pitch Perfect 2 is a sensational film from Elizabeth Banks.

Pitch Perfect

© thevoid99 2016

Catch Me If You Can

Based on the book by Frank Abagnale and Stan Redding, Catch Me If You Can is the story about a young Abagnale who manages to concoct several successful cons before the age of 19 as he’s often in pursuit by a FBI agent. Directed by Steven Spielberg and screenplay by Jeff Nathanson, the film is a quirky comedy of sorts where a young man forges checks to create elaborate cons as he deals with being pursued by a FBI agent who refuses to give up as Leonardo diCaprio plays Frank Abagnale and Tom Hanks in the role of FBI agent Carl Hanratty. Also starring Nathalie Baye, Martin Sheen, Amy Adams, Jennifer Garner, James Brolin, and Christopher Walken. Catch Me If You Can is a witty yet adventurous film from Steven Spielberg.

The film revolves around the life of a young man who decides to forge checks in order to con banks out of their money as his actions get the attention of a FBI agent who would chase him for several years. It’s a film that plays into two men involved in this cat-and-mouse game where there is a bit of mutual respect between the two even though Frank Abagnale is a criminal and Carl Hanratty is a FBI agent. Though Hanratty’s motivations is to capture Abagnale and retrieve all of the money that was stolen, it is Abagnale’s motivation that is clearly far more interesting. Especially as he is doing these schemes on banks as an act of revenge when his father Frank Sr. (Christopher Walken) was turned down by banks for a loan due to various things involving the IRS. By pretending to be a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer, Abagnale does whatever it takes to survive but things eventually get out of control which forces Abagnale to get more desperate in order to evade the FBI.

Jeff Nathanson’s screenplay does have a unique narrative as it’s told in a reflective style where Abagnale is returning to the U.S. from France as he’s accompanied by Hanratty. While the film does have a traditional structure, it is more about Abagnale’s motivations as he once lived a good life with his parents until money issues and his French mother Paula (Nathalie Baye) having an affair with a friend of his father in Jack Barnes (James Brolin) which lead to the end of the life that Abagnale had. The divorce of his parents would lead Abagnale to run away and use his mastery to con people would provide him as a means of survival where he would live well and woo women. All of this gets the attention of authorities where Carl Hanratty would be the one chasing him throughout the years as it’s all set during the 1960s while the scenes of Abagnale and Hanratty coming home to the U.S. is set in the 1970s.

While the presentation of the story is comical as the chases does have Hanratty in a series of humiliating moments. It is still a drama at heart where there’s these conversations from a pay phone that Abagnale would have with Hanratty on Christmas Day where it is about these two men getting to know each other as an act of respect between two opponents. Even as Abagnale would have thoughts of giving up his criminal schemes where an encounter with a young pregnant nurse named Brenda (Amy Adams) would raise those thoughts. While it’s third act plays more into what Abagnale would endure as a captured criminal and what he would have to do to avoid spending more time in prison where the roles of Abagnale and Hanratty would sort of change in terms of who gets humiliated. Still, it is about a sense of one-upmanship as well as how Abagnale would use his skills into this new life and find some fulfillment in his life.

Steven Spielberg’s direction is very stylish as it plays up this vibrant world of the 1960s as well as creating something that feels upbeat and lively. Especially in the way he definitely mimics films of those time while creating something that feels intimate with the compositions he creates. Some that intimacy with its use of close-ups and medium shots play into the life that the young Abagnale had with his family including the scenes between Abagnale and his father which expresses Abagnale’s desire and loyalty to his father. It’s among these smaller moments that Spielberg creates that is quite magical while having airs of sentimentality since it showcases Abagnale’s willingness to make his father proud. The direction also has Spielberg use some unique compositions to play into the phone conversations between Abagnale and Hanratty where Spielberg uses a few wide shots to play into the loneliness that looms in Hanratty as he is never seen not working.

The scenes where Spielberg plays into the chase scenes have these intricate steadicam shots play into the frenzy of Hanratty’s desperation to capture Abagnale. Even as Spielberg infuses some style with some tracking shots as well as scenes that play into some of the chases along with an extravagant scene where Abagnale hires women to pretend to be stewardesses. There is a sense of extravagance in these moments but it plays to how elaborate Abagnale’s schemes are as things do slow down in the third act. Yet, Spielberg does manage infuse some style in his compositions as well as in creating the conflicts in Abagnale in what he has to do in the third act. Overall, Spielberg creates a very compelling yet whimsical film about a cat-and-mouse game between a FBI agent and a young con artist.

Cinematographer Janusz Kaminski does brilliant work with the film‘s photography with its array of stylish approach to interior lightings for the scenes set in the bars and restaurants as well as some of its nighttime exteriors in the U.S. and parts of France. Editor Michael Kahn does fantastic work with the editing with its rhythmic approach to humor that includes the chase scenes along with some straightforward cuts to play into the drama. Production designer Jeannine Oppewall, with art director Sarah Knowles and set decorators Claudette Didul and Leslie A. Pope, does amazing work with the set design from the look of the hotel rooms and places that Abagnale stayed in to the FBI office building where Hanratty is at in his job.

Costume designer Mary Zophres does excellent work with the design of the Pan Am pilot uniforms and stewardess costumes as well as some of the clothes Abagnale wears to play into the sunny world of the 1960s. Visual effects supervisors Nathan McGuinness and Patrice Mugnier do nice work with some of the minimal visual effects which plays more as set-dressing in some sequences in the film. Sound editors Charles L. Campbell and John A. Larsen do terrific work with the sound to play into some of the machines that Abagnale would use later in his cons as well as the planes and location scenes to play into the world that the characters are in. The film’s music by John Williams is incredible as it is this nice mix of jazz textures and lush orchestral music to play into the humor and drama as the soundtrack features music from Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Dusty Springfield, and the trio of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Stan Getz, and Joao Gilberto.

The casting by Debra Zane is phenomenal as it features some notable small roles from Elizabeth Banks and Ellen Pompeo as women that Abagnale would woo in his adventures, Brian Howe, Chris Ellis, and Frank John Hughes as a trio of FBI agents who work with Hanratty as they’re often seen as bumbling fools, the real Frank Abagnale as a French policeman who would arrest Abagnale in France, Jennifer Garner as a call girl Abagnale would woo during one of his schemes, and Nancy Lenehan as Brenda’s mother who definitely takes a liking to Frank as she is excited that Brenda found a good man. James Brolin is terrific as Jack Barnes as a man who was a friend of Abagnale’s father who would betray him by sleeping with Abagnale’s mother and later marry her. Martin Sheen is excellent as Brenda’s father Roger Strong who is a bit suspicious of Abagnale yet takes him under his wing when Abagnale thinks about becoming a lawyer.

Amy Adams is fantastic as Brenda Strong as this young nurse who falls for Frank as she comes to him thinking he’s a doctor about having an abortion as the two fall in love where Adams exudes a sense of innocence to her role. Nathalie Baye is superb as Abagnale’s French mother who met Abagnale’s father when she was 18 and would marry him as she is really an interesting character as a woman that wanted a different life as she has no clue into how bad she hurt her son. Christopher Walken is brilliant as Frank Abagnale Sr. as the man that the young Frank idolizes as Walken has this sense of charm and warmth into his role as a man who wants to do what is best for his family while he would learn exactly what his son has been doing.

Tom Hanks is amazing as Carl Hanratty as the FBI agent who would be chasing Abagnale for several years as he tries to figure out how he does his schemes and such where there’s a bit of admiration in the character as well as some humor as Hanks manages to create a character that is fun to watch despite some shaky moments in his New English accent. Finally, there’s Leonardo diCaprio in a remarkable performance as Frank Abagnale as this young man who would start his cons at the age of 16 in an act of rebellion against the banks that cheated his father as diCaprio brings a lot of charm and wit to his role as well an energy and anguish into someone that wants to make his father proud as it’s one of diCaprio’s finest performances.

Catch Me If You Can is a sensational and fun film from Steven Spielberg. Armed with a great cast led by Leonardo diCaprio and Tom Hanks as well as very exciting premise that is told with such style. The film is definitely one of Spielberg’s most entertaining films as well as one of his funniest. In the end, Catch Me If You Can is a marvelous film from Steven Spielberg.

Steven Spielberg Films: (Duel (1971 film)) - (The Sugarland Express) - (Jaws) - (Close Encounters of the Third Kind) - (1941) - (Raiders of the Lost Ark) - (E.T. the Extraterrestrial) - (Twilight Zone: the Movie-Kick the Can) - (Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom) - (The Color Purple) - (Empire of the Sun) - (Always) - (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) - (Hook) - (Jurassic Park) - Schindler’s List - (The Lost World: Jurassic Park) - (Amistad) - Saving Private Ryan - (A.I. Artificial Intelligence) - (Minority Report) - (The Terminal) - (War of the Worlds (2005 film)) - (Munich) - (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull) - (The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn) - (War Horse) - (Lincoln) - (Bridge of Spies) - (The BFG)

© thevoid99 2014

The Lego Movie

Written and directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller from a story by Lord, Miller, Dan Hageman, and Kevin Hageman, The Lego Movie is the story of an ordinary construction worker who is asked to join a quest to help a wizard defeat an evil lord. The film is an animated feature inspired by the Legos building toys as this ordinary person is believed to be part of a prophecy to help the world of Legos from this evil tyrant. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Alison Brie, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, and Morgan Freeman. The Lego Movie is a truly fun and extremely awesome film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Set in a world where it’s built entirely on Legos, the film revolves around an ordinary construction worker who finds a relic that is believed to be part of a prophecy to stop an evil lord from wreaking havoc and instill conformity as part of his vision of perfection and order. By taking part in a quest with a group of misfits led by a wizard, this ordinary worker in Emmett (Chris Pratt) finds himself realizing that he has been in a world where he doesn’t feel special as those question about whether he is this master builder that the prophecy claim to be. It’s a film with a simple premise yet it has compelling themes on the idea of conformity vs. individuality where the latter is rebelling against the ideas of this evil lord in Lord Business (Will Ferrell) as they’re known for creating things based on spontaneity. Yet, Lord Business is an individual who hates these ideas where Emmett would force this band of misfits to work together and find a way to use their spontaneity to defeat the evil lord.

The film’s screenplay definitely plays into aspects of conventional ideas about conformity vs. individuality yet the balance of that is Emmett as he is just this ordinary construction worker that is just trying to fit in as he works on creating buildings based on instructional manuals. When he meets this mysterious woman named Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) where he would accidentally find this relic, he comes across something where it is clear that he wasn’t meant to find this thing as he would team up with Wyldstyle and this wizard named Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman) who is a master builder that leads a group of master builders. Yet, they’re pursued by Lord Business’ henchman Bad Cop (Liam Neeson) as they trek through different worlds as they do whatever it takes to stop Lord Business from unleashing the mysterious weapon known as the Kragle.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s direction is definitely wondrous not just for the fact that they created this unique mix of 3D computer animation with traditional elements as they would use Legos as their template. It’s also in how they use Legos to tell the story as well as play into how these characters interact with one another and feel like they’re a part of something. It’s part of the dramatic conflict that occurs in someone like Emmett who wants to fit yet he is unable to stand out as many of his co-workers just think of him as just no one. Much of the compositions aren’t just simple but they also have elements of surrealism in the way Emmett interacts with his surroundings as they’re very strange worlds that he is in. Among them is a world of the West, a medieval world, a world set in the clouds, and all sorts of crazy things that is definitely everything that Lord Business wants to get rid of.

The direction of the film also has elements that feels like a low-budget film where it’s clear that Lord and Miller are having fun as if they are playing with actual Lego toys. Even as the sense of spontaneity comes in whenever characters create something to get out of a bad situation. There’s also superheroes such as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Gandalf, and many others that appear in the film as they do serve some importance to the film as it also plays to how silly things are in the world of Legos. Especially into what the object known as the Kragle is as there are elements that add to this strange sense of surrealism which does bring a sense of joy and weirdness that feels very accessible. Overall, Lord and Miller create a very delightful and extremely fun film about an ordinary construction worker trying to save his Lego world and its people.

Cinematographer Pablo Plaisted does excellent work with some of the lighting schemes needed for some of the film‘s interior sets to play into the colorful look of the film. Editors David Burrows and Chris McKay do fantastic work with the editing to play into the energetic tone of the film as well as slowing things down for the suspenseful moments. Production designer Grant Freckelton does brilliant work with the look of the Lego buildings and other objects to play into the strange world of Legos. Sound designer Wayne Pashley does superb work with the sound effects including the smaller things into how some things are built. The film’s music by Mark Mothersbaugh is amazing for its mixture of orchestral music with elements of electronic and other offbeat music as it also features the song Everything is Awesome by Tegan & Sara.

The voice casting by Mary Hidalgo is incredible as it features voice cameos from Will Forte, Dave Franco, and Jorma Taccone in small roles as well as other voice performances from Cobie Smolders as Wonder Woman, Channing Tatum as Superman, Jonah Hill as Green Lantern, Shaquille O’Neal as a Lego version of himself, and Charlie Day in a very funny voice performance as 80s space guy who always wants to keep building a spaceship. Other notable small voice roles include Alison Brie as a very optimistic hybrid of cat and unicorn called Princess Unikitty while Nick Offerman is hilarious as a pirate character called Metalbeard who seeks vengeance of Lord Business. Morgan Freeman is excellent as the mysterious wizard Vitruvius as he is this wise man that is often in some very funny situations. Liam Neeson is superb as Bad Cop as this good cop/bad cop who is often forced to do Lord Business’ bidding as Neeson also voices Bad Cop’s parents and his good side.

Will Arnett is fantastic as the voice of Batman as this hilarious variation of the superhero who is often full of himself and thinks he is better than everyone. Will Ferrell is brilliant as Lord Business as this evil tyrant who is keen on making sure that everyone is doing things his way in an act of conformity. Elizabeth Banks is amazing as Wyldstyle as this tech-savvy fighter who was trying to find the mysterious relic as she becomes an object of affection for Emmett while dealing with her own flaws as an individual. Finally, there’s Chris Pratt in a remarkable voice performance as Emmett as this ordinary construction worker who learns that he is part of a prophecy that can save the Lego world as he copes with trying to live up to those expectations while admitting that he is just ordinary.

The Lego Movie is a phenomenal film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Featuring a great cast as well as a unique premise that is inspired by Legos, it is a film that manages to be full of imagination as well as bring out all sorts of joy for those who love Legos. Even as it manages to infuse elements of surrealism and weird things that manages to be crazier than it actually is. In the end, The Lego Movie is a sensational film from Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

Phil Lord & Chris Miller Films: (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) - 21 Jump Street - 22 Jump Street

Related: The Lego Batman Movie - (The Lego Ninjago Movie)

© thevoid99 2014

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Based on The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is the follow-up to the 2012 film where Katinss Everdeen becomes a political target as a rebellion is emerging where she and Peeta Mellark are forced to play the next Hunger Games against previous winners. Directed by Francis Lawrence and screenplay by Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy, the film is an exploration of a young woman trying to comprehend her feelings while dealing with a target in her back as Jennifer Lawrence returns as Katniss with Josh Hutcherson as Peeta. Also starring Donald Sutherland, Liam Hemsworth, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Amanda Plummer, Jena Malone, Sam Claflin, Toby Jones, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a rapturous yet chilling film from Francis Lawrence.

In the second part of the trilogy where Katniss Everdeen becomes this unlikely beacon of hope for a futuristic, dystopian America. The second part is about Katniss becoming a political target against leader President Snow (Donald Sutherland) who tries to get Katniss to be in his side in order to quiet down this emerging rebellion. Instead, Katniss and Peeta’s plans to pretend to be this couple as a distraction doesn’t work until the new game maker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes a plan to get all surviving victors of previous Hunger Games to take part in the 75th game where the rules are much more different as is the competition. With Peeta volunteering in place of his mentor Haymitch (Woody Harrelson), the two agree to protect each other during the game with the help of a few allies. It’s a film that plays into a world where things become more chaotic as this young woman is becoming a symbol of hope but she is overwhelmed by memories of the past games as well as her feelings for Peeta and her longtime beau Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth).

The screenplay by Michael Arndt and Simon Beaufoy definitely has a much broader structure where the first act is about Katniss and Peeta going on a tour on several districts in order to quiet down this rebellion and pretend to be a couple for the cameras. Yet, it becomes far more troubling when the rebellion starts to grow forcing President Snow and Heavensbee to make plans about how to quiet things down. The second act is about the planning of the 75th Hunger Games as tributes from previous game have to play and kill each other bringing more trouble for Katniss and her family. The third act is the game itself where Katniss and Peeta have to find allies in order to survive as there’s something far more that is happening. Even as Katniss is unsure of who to trust with the exception of Peeta as it gets more complicated.

Katniss is much more troubled in this film than in the first one as nightmares, confused feelings for both Gale and Peeta, and the need to protect her family has overwhelmed her. Even as the game itself becomes far more brutal not just physically but mentally as well where Peeta has to ground her as he also wants to protect her though he is also falling for Katniss. It’s not just Katniss and Peeta that are given more to do as their team that includes Haymitch and their publicist Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) are more fleshed out as the latter starts to show more emotion as it becomes clear on how much she cares for both Katniss and Peeta. Then there’s some of the other tributes the two have to face as it ranges from all sorts of individuals where many of them are very strange that includes the very smart and eccentric duo Beetee (Jeffrey Wright) and Wiress (Amanda Plummer), the very charming and powerful Finnick Odair (Sam Claflin), and the very unpredictable yet vicious Johanna Mason (Jena Malone). Yet, they know what this game is about Katniss and Peeta are reluctant to team with them since they all agree that the real enemy is President Snow.

The direction of Francis Lawrence is really spectacular in not just the world that he creates but also in fleshing out the story. Especially as he maintains some simple and some stylistic compositions for the scenes at the Victors village where Peeta and Katniss live with Katniss’ family but also the other districts that is seeped in this dystopia where a rebellion is emerging. The use of wide shots and medium shots for the locations set in parts of the American South including Atlanta plays into a world that is quite troubling and chaotic. Even in contrast to the world where President Snow and the rich live where it’s extravagant and quite artificial. The scenes where the pre-show games showcase a sense of disconnect between the rich and the tributes that are to play the game as Lawrence maintains something that is simple and to the point.

For the film’s third act in the games, Lawrence definitely goes for something that is far more sprawling in the way the games are. Especially as he aims for something that is more controlled as opposed to the shaky-cam approach of the first film. While there are some intense moments of danger, it is presented with some crane and steadicam shots in order to get an idea of what is out there where the camera work is much tighter. Even as there is an air of unpredictability about what is happening where the film ends on a somewhat abrupt note. Yet, it plays to what is to come for Katniss who is a key part of a growing rebellion that is emerging. Overall, Lawrence creates very sensational and engaging film about a young woman dealing with her role as a beacon of hope.

Cinematographer Jo Willems does fantastic work with the film‘s photography from some of the naturalistic look of some of the exterior scenes in the forests and at the dome of the game but also some stylish lights for the interior scenes including the parties and games presentation. Editor Alan Edward Bell does excellent work with the editing by maintaining a steady yet stylistic approach to the cutting with some rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action while slowing things down in its dramatic moments. Production designer Philip Messina, with set decorator Larry Dias and supervising art director John Collins, does amazing work with the set pieces from the look of the Victors‘ village as well as the game dome where everyone else has to kill each other.

Costume designer Trish Sommerville does brilliant work with the costumes from the lavish costumes the tributes have to wear in the pre-game shows as well as the suits they have to wear during the game. Visual effects supervisors Janek Sirrs and Mark Varisco do terrific work with some of the visual effects such as the creatures the characters have to deal with in the game as well as some of the exteriors of the Capital. Sound designer Jeremy Peirson does superb work with the sound from the way gunfire is heard to some of the moments that occur in the games with its mixture of intimate forest scenes and sounds of cannons. The film’s music by James Newton Howard is incredible for its sense of orchestral bombast that plays out in much of the film as well as some serene moments for some of the dramatic moments in the film.

The casting by Debra Zane is just outstanding for the ensemble that is created for the film as it includes some small but notable appearances from recurring characters such as Toby Jones as the Hunger Games reporter, Paula Malcolmson as Katniss’ mom, Willow Shields as Katniss’ sister Prim, Stanley Tucci as the Hunger Games broadcaster Caesar Flickerman, and Lenny Kravitz as Katniss’ dress designer Cinna. Other notable small roles as previous winners include Meta Golding as the teeth-baring Enobaria, Bruno Gunn as the massive Brutus, Alan Ritchson and Stephanie Leigh Schlund as the skillful siblings Gloss and Cashmere, Stef Dawson as Finnick’s wife Annie who was supposed to compete but only to be spared by Mags and Lynn Cohen as the aging yet silent winner Mags whom Finnick cares as she was his mentor and friend. Amanda Plummer is terrific as the very eccentric but smart Wiress while Jeffrey Wright is superb as the brainy Beetee who tries to find a way to beat the game.

Woody Harrelson is amazing as Katniss and Peeta’s mentor Haymitch Abernathy as he tries to get them ready for the games while Elizabeth Banks is delightful as Effie Trinket as their publicist who becomes aware of the reality that is occurring as she grows more fonder of Katniss and Peeta. Philip Seymour Hoffman is excellent as the game maker Plutarch Heavensbee as a man who is eager to ensure that the games will go smoothly as planned as he concocted the idea of doing something radical for the games. Donald Sutherland is brilliant as President Snow as this slimy individual who wants to suppress this rebellion while trying to force Katniss into doing things so that he wouldn’t kill her and her family. Sam Claflin is fantastic as the very charming and skillful Finnick Odair who raises suspicions from Katniss yet proves to be a formidable ally who is aware that something bigger is happening.

Jena Malone is just astounding as Johanna Mason as this very sarcastic and vicious loner who is very unpredictable and cunning yet becomes this unlikely wildcard ally that Katniss needs as Malone just steals the film from everyone. Liam Hemsworth is pretty good as Gale Hawthorne as Katniss’ beau who tries to deal with Katniss’ relationship with Peeta while dealing with the chaos that is happening where he gets beaten by authorities only to be saved by Katniss, Haymitch, and Peeta. Josh Hutcherson is excellent as Peeta who decides to participate in the games for Haymitch despite his chances as he also tries to ensure that Katniss stays alive while deal with his feelings for her. Finally, there’s Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen where Lawrence is just phenomenal in displaying Katniss’ internal conflicts and her confusion for both Peeta and Gale as she also deals with nightmares as well as the fact that she is this symbol of hope against President Snow where Lawrence just adds that weight to make Katniss one of the great characters in film.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a marvelous film from Francis Lawrence that features a truly exquisite leading performance from Jennifer Lawrence. Along with some notable supporting performances from Josh Hutcherson, Jena Malone, Woody Harrelson, Sam Claflin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Elizabeth Banks, and Donald Sutherland. The film is definitely something much more than just the typical young-adults blockbuster as it takes time to explore rebellion and a young woman dealing with the role that she has to take. In the end, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is an extraordinary film from Francis Lawrence.

The Hunger Games Films: The Hunger Games - (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 1) - (The Hunger Games Mockingjay Pt. 2)

Francis Lawrence Films: (Constantine) - (I Am Legend) - (Water for Elephants)

© thevoid99 2013

Pitch Perfect

Based on the non-fiction novel Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory, Pitch Perfect is the story of a college freshman who joins an all-girl a cappella group to compete against a rival all-male group from the same school for an a cappella singing competition. Directed by Jason Moore and screenplay by Kay Cannon, the film explores the world of singing competitions and the dynamics of a group as a young woman tries to bring something fresh to her team. Starring Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Alexis Knapp, Adam DeVine, Ben Platt, John Michael Higgins, and Elizabeth Banks. Pitch Perfect is an exciting and entertaining film about singing and having fun.

The film revolves around an all-female a cappella singing group known as the Bellas where it’s a new season as its leader Aubrey Posen (Anna Camp) is seeking to redeem herself after a humiliating incident she caused at the national collegiate finals. Joining the Bellas is a music-loving freshman named Beca Mitchell (Anna Kendrick) who reluctantly takes part in the group to appease her father (John Benjamin Hickey) as she learns about the world of a cappella singing competition where it’s quite brutal at times. Notably as the more traditional Aubrey and the rebellious Beca butt heads a bit about what to sing in order to win where the two eventually find a way to beat their rivals in the Treblemakers led by the egotistical Bumper Allen (Adam DeVine).

Kay Cannon’s screenplay doesn’t just explore the politics and the rules of what it takes to be a powerful a cappella singing group but also how fierce the competition can be. Though Beca is an outsider of sorts who listens to all sorts of music and creates her own vocal mixes from her laptop as she aspires to become a DJ. She takes part of the group because of her college professor father who makes a deal with her to take part in something for a year and if it doesn’t work out, he can send her to Los Angeles to become a DJ. Though the Bellas are this very talented singing group that sings mostly pop songs, their act is unfortunately a bit tiresome as they sing to an indifferent audience as its leader Aubrey has a hard time trying to get everyone to stick to the game plan.

Especially as the new version of the Bellas consists of an eccentric group of characters like the comedic Tasmania student Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), the lesbian Cynthia-Rose Adams (Ester Dean), the very sexual Stacie (Alexis Knapp), and the very quiet yet strange Lily (Hana Mae Lee). While there are elements of the script that is quite formulaic in terms of its plot where it does climax with the Bellas and the Treblemakers facing off again in the finals. The script allows the audience to want to root for the Bellas and the obstacles they face though the Treblemakers are actually a singing group that do have respect for the Bellas despite their leader Bumper who is very full of himself. Particularly as Beca is sort of falling one of the Treblemakers in a freshman named Jesse (Skylar Astin).

Jason Moore’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of compositions and such while he does infuse a lot of energy into the musical performances and rehearsals. Notably the audition sequence where he creates a lot of moments to reveal many new characters as they’re singing Kelly Clarkson’s Since You’ve Been Gone in a very creative montage. The direction also gets the chance to let scenes play out while reveling into the characters as Moore gives them the time to develop in terms of the drama and comedy that’s happening. In the musical performances, Moore keeps things simple and natural to create something that is happening while using some of the performances to help tell the story including the tension between Aubrey and Beca. The comedy also has a sense of looseness where it has moments of improvisation but also doesn’t deter from the story. Overall, Moore creates a very funny and engaging film about singing and being part of a group.

Cinematographer Julio Macat does excellent work with the cinematography to give the film a very naturalistic look for many of its daytime exterior scenes while using more stylish lighting schemes for the concert scenes. Editor Zach Chemberlene does amazing work with the editing in creating montages and rhythmic cuts to play out some of the training sessions and auditions. Production designer Barry Robison, with set decorator David Hack and art director Jeremy Woolsey, does nice work with the set pieces from the stages where the singers perform to the look of the college campuses.

Costume designer Salvador Perez Jr. does terrific work with the costumes from the more casual look of the Treblemakers to the more refined look of the Bellas in their stage performances. Sound editors Sean McCormack and Erin Oakley do brilliant work with the sound editing to capture the intimacy of the singing as well as some of the comedic moments in the film. The film’s music by Christoph Beck and Mark Kilian is quite good as it‘s mostly alternative-rock based while music supervisors Sarah Webster and Angela Leus do fantastic work with the film’s soundtrack as it consists a wide range of music styles from pop, hip-hop, R&B, and rock while many of the actors in the film do their actual singing which helps elevate the music as a major highlight of the film.

The casting by Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee is marvelous for the ensemble that is assembled as it features some appearances from Christopher Mintz-Plasse as an audition launcher, Donald Faison, Har Mar Superstar, and Joe Lo Truglio as a singing group, Freddie Stroma as a college radio deejay whom Beca and Jesse intern for, Jinhee Joung as Beca’s very chilly roommate, and John Benjamin Hickey as Beca’s college professor father who insists that Beca takes part in a group just so she can have a good college experience. John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks are excellent as singing competition commentators John Smith and Gail Abernathy-McKadden, respectively, as both of them bring some very funny comments to the singing. Utkarsh Ambudkar and Ben Platt are terrific as the Treblemakers vocalist/beat boxer Donald and Jesse’s nerdy/illusionist roommate Benji as the latter is a big fan of the Treblemakers.

Adam DeVine is brilliant as the Treblemakers leader Bumper as a guy who is so full of himself and loves to win while being a jerk to everyone as even his own teammates don’t like him very much. Hana Me Lee is fantastic as the strange yet very quite Lily as she someone who speaks so quietly that she’s barely audible yet is revealed to be a gifted beat-boxer. Ester Dean is wonderful as the soulful lesbian Cynthia-Rose while Alexis Knapp is superb as the very sexual and energetic Stacie. Brittany Snow is amazing as the very kind Bella vocalist Chloe who tries to get Aubrey to do something new while convincing Beca to join the Bellas. Rebel Wilson is very funny as the comedic Fat Amy as someone who is a very talented vocalist who brings excitement to the Bellas. Skylar Astin is stellar as Jesse as a talented singer who befriends Beca as he tries to show her films as well as being the guy in the Treblemakers that can ground them.

Anna Camp is a delight as the Bellas’ leader Aubrey as a woman trying to redeem herself following an embarrassing incident as she wants to win but is unable to take risks that would help her group. Finally, there’s Anna Kendrick in a remarkable performance as Beca as an aspiring musician/DJ who reluctantly takes part in the Bellas due to her singing ability as she also wants to do something that can help them as a group.

Pitch Perfect is an extraordinary film from Jason Moore that features a wonderful leading performance from Anna Kendrick. Along with a great supporting cast as well as an amazing soundtrack. It’s a film that plays into the love of music as well as being part of a group that allows someone to have fun as it is also quite funny. In the end, Pitch Perfect is a superb film from Jason Moore.

Pitch Perfect 2

© thevoid99 2013

Wet Hot American Summer

Directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, Wet Hot American Summer is the story about a group of people attending a Jewish summer camp as they’re all hoping to do something on the camp’s last day. Set in 1981, the film is an exploration into nostalgia as well as adulthood and finding love. Starring Janeane Garafalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, Marguerite Moreau, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, Zak Orth, Amy Poehler, A.D. Miles, and Christopher Meloni. Wet Hot American Summer is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy from David Wain.

The film is essentially the story about a camp director and several staff members at a Jewish summer camp as they spend their last day looking for love or deal with their own issues in the course of an entire day. In this day, a lot happens surrounding many characters as they each hope to give this last day something for themselves and the kids to remember. There’s the camp director Beth (Janeane Garafalo) who falls for an associate astrophysics professor named Henry (David Hyde Pierce) as they both are unsure how to express their attraction towards one another. Meanwhile, a young camp counselor in Coop (Michael Showalter) has a crush on another camp counselor in Katie (Marguerite Moreau) who is dating the unfaithful Andy (Paul Rudd).

While the script that David Wain and Michael Showalter doesn’t have much of a traditional structure in order to leave room for the actors to improvise and do things that has nothing to do with any big storylines. Its lack of plot does allow the script to focus on the characters and their own desires to find love or something that can make their last day at camp a great one. A lot of which involved with people all finding something whether it’s the arts and crafts teacher Gail (Molly Shannon) dealing with her divorce, talent show director Gail (Amy Poehler) trying to create the best show, a shell-shocked Vietnam veteran in chef Gene (Christopher Meloni) dealing with demons, or a counselor in Victor (Ken Marino) trying to score with one of the counselors in Abby (Marisa Ryan).

Wain’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of compositions yet he does display a sense of looseness in the way he directs actors in a scene. Notably as he would create moments that do play into the idea of summer camp where it’s all about doing silly things as well trying to capture the sense of innocence that occurs in summer camp. While there’s a lot of storylines that occur between many characters, Wain does ensure that he finds the time to let many individual stories unfold while adding bits of humor to occur. Sometimes, there’s humor that is absurd in a few sequences which does lead to the climatic talent show where a lot happens. Overall, Wain creates a very funny comedy about the joys and exuberance of one entire day at a Jewish summer camp in 1981.

Cinematographer Ben Weinstein does excellent work with the film‘s colorful photography to display the beauty of the locations set in Maine to capture the beauty of the summer. Editor Meg Reticker does nice work with the editing by creating some unique rhythmic cutting to play out some of the comedy that occurs including a hilarious montage of what some of the camp people do outside of camp. Production designer Mark White, along with set decorator Lisa Scoppa and art director Bryan Hodge, does fantastic work with the look of the summer camp as well as some of the cars to make it look like it‘s 1981.

Costume designer Jill Kliber does great work with the costumes as a lot of it is casual as well as ragged to play out what people would wear in 1981. Sound editor Stephen Altobello does very good work with the sound to capture the energy and atmosphere of the activities that occur in camp. The film’s music by Theodore Shapiro and Craig Wedren is a real delight with its mixture of folk-based music and upbeat rock to play out the sense of nostalgia. Music supervisors Alison Chernick and Paul Parreira create a wonderful soundtrack that features music from Loverboy, KISS, Jefferson Starship, Kenny Loggins, and Rick Springfield.

The casting by Susie Farris is incredible for the rich ensemble that is created for this film. Notable small roles include Judah Friedlander as Gail’s ex-husband, Nina Hellman as the camp nurse Nancy, Kevin Sussman as the eccentric wannabe robot Steve, Joe Lo Truglio as the counselor Neil, Marisa Ryan as the slutty Abby, Samm Levine as the voice of the radio broadcaster Arty, and H. Jon Benjamin as the voice of a mixed vegetables can. Other noteworthy yet funny performances include Elizabeth Banks as the very sexy counselor Lindsay, Molly Shannon as the heartbroken arts and crafts teacher Gail, Amy Poehler as the obsessive drama teacher Susie, Bradley Cooper as Susie’s drama associate Ben, A.D. Miles as Gene’s apprentice Gary, Zak Orth as the fun-loving counselor J.J., and Ken Marino as the sex-obsessed Victor who hopes to get laid at the end of the day.

Michael Ian Black is funny as the very secretive McKinley whom J.J. and Gary wonder what he does and try to get him laid. Christopher Meloni is hilarious as the shell-shocked chef Gene who always says some very crazy things as he is complete denial about his issues. Marguerite Moreau is wonderful as Katie who finds herself connecting with Coop as she is having issues with Andy. Paul Rudd is awesome as the somewhat douchy Andy as he is a guy that just wants to be cool yet treats Katie very poorly. Michael Showalter is delightful as the socially-awkward Coop who tries to woo Katie while doing whatever to win her heart. David Hyde Pierce is fantastic as the astrophysics associate professor Henry who falls for Beth as he tries to find a way to win her while connecting with the kids at the camp. Janeane Garafalo is terrific as Beth as she tries to deal with the chaos of the camp while trying to win over Henry by studying astrophysics.

Wet Hot American Summer is a marvelous comedy from David Wain. Featuring a brilliant ensemble cast and lots of hilarious moments, it’s a film that truly captures the spirit of life during a summer camp. It’s also a film that isn’t afraid to be absurd or off-the-wall while finding time to be sweet and full of heart. In the end, Wet Hot American Summer is an extraordinary film from David Wain.

David Wain Films: (The Ten) - (Role Models) - (Wanderlust)

© thevoid99 2013

The Hunger Games

Based on the novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is the story about a post-apocalyptic world where a young girl volunteers, in place of her younger sister, to be part of a game where kids kill other kids in a televised contest. In the game, she has to survive while she would befriend one of her competitors. Directed by Gary Ross and script adaptation by Ross, Collins, and Billy Ray, the film is the first part of a trilogy of stories about a young girl who would eventually rebel against the games that would force her to kill various people. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Wes Bentley, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, Alexander Ludwig, Isabelle Furhman, Willow Shields, and Donald Sutherland. The Hunger Games is a sprawling yet chilling film from Gary Ross.

In the aftermath of an apocalyptic period that left parts of Panem in poverty and separated in 12 different districts. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected to participate in a brutal game of survival where only one survives in game known as the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is a young girl whose younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) has just turned 12 as the selections of who will represent the district is ahead. Led by its representative Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks), Primrose is selected until Katniss decides to volunteer while a teen named Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) is also selected to represent District 12. Sent to the lavish Capitol City, Katniss and Peeta meet their mentor Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) who shows them what to do while Cinna (Lenny Kravitz) helps them get ready to be introduced for the world.

The game’s director Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) meets with President Snow (Donald Sutherland) to discuss the upcoming games while Katniss and Peeta try to deal with the media attention where Haymitch helps them in doing what is to be said as they’re portrayed as star-crossed lovers. With Katinss being the odds on favorite despite the competition that is ahead, the Hunger games go underway. In the course of two weeks, many are immediately killed as Peeta reluctantly joins the sadistic Cato (Alexander Ludwig) in an alliance while Katniss tries to evade everything despite making a few friends along the way. Yet, she realizes what is going on as many watching where rules are eventually changed as she does everything she can to survive this game.

The film is the story of a young girl from a post-apocalyptic world who volunteers for her younger sister to be in the games. Unaware of how brutal the games are as well as what the powers that be are trying to do in order to make the game much more complicated. She does all that she can to survive but she becomes emotionally attached to those she starts to care about including her old friend Peeta who is the underdog in these games. Yet, it would be seen by these people who run the game as they hope to make a big event out of their relationship where emotions run high and things become complicated.

The story about the game itself where children have to kill children in order to survive definitely harkens back to the story Lord of the Flies. The screenplay that is created succeeds in exploring the circumstances these characters have to do. It’s not just in the game they’re playing but also make an impression for those watching on TV all over the country. Behind the scenes become much more complicated as the game’s director sees something that can get ratings but the actions of Katniss will end up threatening everything where even the country’s president starts to notice. A lot of its narrative is told from the perspective of Katniss Everdeen who is this young woman that is just trying to take care of her younger sister and mother in this poverty stricken town. She also has a boyfriend in Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) whom she also cares for. When she volunteers to spare her sister’s life from participating in these games where it’s very likely that she’ll die. She realizes that it’s not just training to survive that she must do.

Since it’s a media event, she has to be presentable to a public clamoring for people to root for. She may be the most skilled person in these games where she would make a grand impression on Crane. She is also the most troubled due to the emotional baggage that she’s carrying as her mentor Hamish is a former participant that remains haunted by his own participation as he tries to help her out as well as Peeta. Peeta may not be as interesting as Katniss as his only skills of survival is his strength and to hide via camouflage. He is aware of the dangers and the fact that he’s a long shot while he also has feelings for Katniss. Though the script does have a few flaws since there is a lot of exposition needed to be explained. It does succeed in creating an element of suspense and terror that occurs as well as creating a world that is truly surreal.

Gary Ross’ direction is pretty good for the way he creates this very different world through amazing wide shots for its locations, in North Carolina, as well as being in the center of the chaos that occurs in these games. He definitely knows how to build suspense in the scenes during the game where it’s all about the uncertainty of survival and what people will do to get ahead. Though a lot of the film in that section isn’t as plot-driven as the film’s first half, Ross does do enough to make it very engaging. Even in moments where he knows to slow things down so that some of the characters can catch a break and strategize.

While it’s among a lot of the highlights of the film that Ross does, the one part of the direction that doesn’t entirely work is the approach to shooting the film on hand-held cameras. In some parts of the dramatic moments of the film as well as the action scenes, the hand-held camera shots do become too shaky where it becomes confusing over what is happening. While it’s not as shaky as some of the current action films of the 2010s, it does become jarring at time where there’s a demand for the camera to remain still. Ross is able to create some amazing tracking shots and controlled camera work yet it’s the hand-held material that really falls flat for the film. Despite the flaws in the direction, Ross is able to succeed in making a solid and entertaining action-thriller.

Cinematographer Tom Stern does a nice job with the film‘s colorful yet lush cinematography from the naturalistic look of the forest scenes to the more extravagant lighting schemes for the capital city scenes. Editors Stephen Mirrione and Juliette Welfing, w/ additional work from Christopher S. Capp, do excellent work in the editing to play up the chaos of the Hunger Games while not delving too much into traditional fast-edits for the action scenes despite the shaky hand-held camera work. Production designer Philip Messina, along with set decorator Larry Dias and art director John Collins, do great work with the set pieces such as the design of the capitol city world as well as the interiors for the training room and penthouses the games‘ participants live in.

Costume designer Judianna Makovsky does an extraordinary job with the lavish costumes created for the film that includes the dresses that many of the female characters and participants wear for the interviews portion of the pre-game scenes. Makeup designer Ve Neill does brilliant work with the crazy look of Effie Trinket as well as some of the camouflage that Peeta wears. Visual effects supervisor Sheena Duggal does some very good work with some of the visual effects made such as the capital city exteriors, the game console room where creatures are created, and the fire that Katniss has to wear on her costume to make her first impression to the public.

Sound editor Lon Bender and sound designer William R. Dean do terrific work with the sound from the naturalistic environment of the Hunger Games location as well as the sound of cannons to signify a death in the game as well as raucous crowd sounds in the capitol city scenes. The film’s score by James Newton Howard wonderful for the bombastic orchestral pieces that is created in some of the film‘s tense moments, notably in the Hunger Games scene, while some of the music is mixed in with dabbles of folk and country courtesy of music supervisor T-Bone Burnett who also compiles a soundtrack ranging from folk to country to play the poverty-world that Katniss and Peeta lived in at District 12.

The casting by Debra Zane is superb for the ensemble that is created for the film as it includes notable small roles from Toby Jones as a Hunger Games reporter, Willow Shields as Katniss’ sister Primrose, Liam Hemsworth as Katniss’ friend Gale, Stanley Tucci as the games’ flamboyant emcee Caesar Flickerman, Lenny Kravitz as the sympathetic make-up artist Cinna, and Elizabeth Banks in a very lavish performance as games representative Effie Trinket. In the roles of some of the participants of the Hunger games, there’s standout performances from Amanda Stenberg as the young District 11 participant Rue, whom Katniss befriends, and Isabelle Fuhrman as the sadistic Clove. In the role of the vicious Cato, Alexander Ludwig is terrible in the part as he is very unconvincing in playing a smug, despicable character. Wes Bentley is excellent as the controlling Seneca Crane who tries to mastermind the game on his own terms.

Donald Sutherland is wonderful as the devious President Snow who tries to control everything around him including the games. Woody Harrelson is brilliant as the troubled mentor Haymitch Abernathy who tries to show Katniss and Peeta the ropes to survive while aiding them outside the confine of the games. Josh Hutcherson is good as Peeta who tries to deal with his odds as well as his feelings for Katniss though it’s not entirely remarkable as Hutcherson seems lost in his portrayal of the young kid who doesn’t have a lot of survival skills other than to hide and have physical strength. Finally, there’s Jennifer Lawrence in a marvelous performance as Katniss Everdeen as Lawrence brings a real sense of grit and determination to a character trying to survive as well as wonderment when she deals with the world she’s in. It’s a true star-making performance for the young actress as she makes Katniss Everdeen her own.

The Hunger Games is a stellar yet thrilling film from Gary Ross that features a mesmerizing performance from Jennifer Lawrence. While the film is flawed due to a few directorial decisions, it is still a very engaging story that explores a dystopian world where it’s all about survival that features a strong female protagonist. In the end, The Hunger Games is an enjoyable suspense-drama from Gary Ross.

Gary Ross Films: (Pleasantville) - (Seabiscuit) - (Free State of Jones) - Ocean's 8

The Hunger Games Films: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire - (Mockingjay Pt. 1) - (Mockingjay Pt. 2)

© thevoid99 2012