Well, 2015 definitely got off to a very good start as I thought it was time to start anew and do some things that were very different. Especially as it came to film-watching where I wanted to slow things down more and take my time with everything. At the same time, I decided to do other things to fill in my time as I was glad to find a new TV show in Marvel’s Agent Carter which I’ve been enjoying as of late. Especially as I’ve been thinking about creating another blog just based on TV shows as I’ve reviewed TV shows in the past but it was a very different medium in comparison to films. The one show that I have been wanting to do for a long time is Twin Peaks as I’m a fan of David Lynch and I want to watch the entire series in anticipation for the show’s return in 2016.
I don’t often watch TV shows as it’s hard to get into from the start though shows like Agent Carter has managed to be a breath of fresh air for me as I wish it would get better ratings. Then there’s the world of professional wrestling as I’ve been trying to distance myself further and further away from WWE as I was glad that I didn’t watch this year’s Royal Rumble as the titular match itself was a fucking disaster. I’ve been watching Ring of Honor’s TV show where I do enjoy its emphasis on wrestling and its matches but I found its production to be a mixed bag. There’s also New Japan Pro Wrestling which is very different from everything I’ve seen as it’s been hard to get into at this point. Maybe it’s because I’ve been spoiled by American wrestling as the Japanese style feels so foreign to me. Yet, it beats having to watch bad sports entertainment programming where Vince McMahon tries to convince everyone that Roman Reigns is the next big star despite the fact that he’s got a limited move set, lack of passion for the business, and can’t talk for shit.
In the month of January, I saw a total of 41 films in 28 first-timers and 13 re-watches. Not a bad start as many of the films I saw this month were really good. The highlight of the month was definitely my Blind Spot assignment in The General as I had a blast watching this film. Here are the top 10 First-Timers that I saw for January 2015:
1. Children of Paradise
2. The Cameraman
3. Whiplash
4. The Freshman
5. Inherent Vice
6. A Night at the Opera
7. Sherlock Jr.
8. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
9. La Cienaga
10. The Great Train Robbery
Monthly Mini-Reviews:
Rio 2
Now I enjoyed the first one due to its music and portrait of Rio de Janeiro as the second one is quite entertaining but it lacks spark and the humor doesn’t really work. At the same time, the music is really uninspiring with its unnecessary usage of the Autotune which makes it even worse. Plus, I was annoyed by a character voiced by Bruno Mars who comes off as very smug and idiotic as he tries to sing his way to impress Anne Hathaway’s character. Kids deserve much better than this shit.
The Shawn Michaels Story: Heartbreak and Triumph
I’m a fan of the Heartbreak Kid as there’s no question that Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest wrestlers ever. This documentary covers his career from the early years in the independents to 2007 at WrestleMania 23 where he would face off against John Cena for the WWE Championship. It covers everything from his days with the Rockers with Marty Jannetty, the backstage politics he was doing in the mid-90s with other wrestlers known as the Kliq, the formation of DX, his early retirement, and his return in 2002 just after he had become a Christian. It’s definitely an enjoyable watch as it showcases the man who is Mr. WrestleMania as he would reveal highs and lows while admitting that he wasn’t always the most fun guy to be with during the 1990s.
The Other Woman
This was fucking terrible. I really have no idea why it made so much money as I found no one to root for. Sure, I understand that Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann, and Kate Upton were being played but they came across as morons. Diaz definitely tries to play the straight woman but it feels forced as it looks like she is starting to age. Mann is trying to be funny but overdoes it while Upton is just there because of her tits. It’s an unfunny film where Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is being humiliated in the worst possible way.
The Love Punch
This was a decent film about a divorced couple who get back together when they realized that their pension has been revoked as they go after the man that stole their money with the help of a couple of friends. It’s very predictable but the performances of Pierce Brosnan, Emma Thompson, Celia Imrie, and Timothy Spall were fun to watch. Especially seeing Thompson pretending to be a Texan which was a total hoot.
Blended
I do have a tendency to watch bad films as I wanted to see how much I could take. Fortunately, this film wasn’t as bad as previous films that Adam Sandler did as it’s actually watchable but it still has elements that showcase why audiences are being turned off by him. While it’s good to see him working with Drew Barrymore again, the film feels like the two are trying to create something that works but much of the humor feels forced while there’s reminders that they’ve done better films. There are moments that is quite funny such as a scene where Terry Crews and a chorus of African singers mock a young guy for losing a basketball game to a girl where the singers sing “you suck, you suck, you suck, you suck” repeatedly. There’s also this moment between Sandler and Emma Fuhrmann as one of his daughters that actually touched me as his character is a widower and Fuhrmann is one of his daughters who still couldn’t let go of her mother as she would often talk to her as if she’s invisible.
Top 10 Re-Watches:
1. The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
2. Full Metal Jacket
3. Before Sunset
4. Aliens
5. A Fistful of Dollars
6. The Incredibles
7. Happy-Go-Lucky
8. Before Night Falls
9. Licence to Kill
10. The Lego Movie
Well, that is all for January 2015. Since the Oscars are coming, I will be reviewing films that won Oscars including some Best Picture winners like Patton, Ben-Hur, and Unforgiven along with some old-school films like Sweet Smell of Success, Tess, and The Age of Innocence. With my Auteurs piece on Noah Baumbach finished and set to come out in February, I will work on the next piece on Julie Taymor as I will watch Titus and other Auteur-related films by Julian Schnabel and Xavier Dolan. As for new or current theatrical releases, that is up in the air. Until then, this is thevoid99 signing off…
© thevoid99 2015
Based on the play by Roi Cooper Megrue, Seven Chances is the story of a young heir who must find a bride to marry before 7PM to collect the money his grandfather is giving him as part of his inheritance. Directed, starring, and edited by Buster Keaton and screenplay by Clyde Bruckman, Jean Havez, and Joseph A. Mitchell from a story by David Belasco, the film is set in the span of an entire day where a man has to marry someone where a lot of craziness ensues during the day. Also starring T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Edwards, Jean Arthur, and Ruth Dwyer. Seven Chances is a hilarious film from Buster Keaton.
The film is a simple story where a young man is about to inherit $7 million on his 27th birthday if he can marry someone by 7PM. It’s a film that takes this simple premise where a young man is in love with someone but his screw-ups forces him to try and find other brides with the help of his business partner and a lawyer as chaos ensues. All of which plays into a series of events where Jimmie Shannon (Buster Keaton) is put into a situation as it climaxes with a wild chase as news was revealed about what he needs in a desperate attempt to claim his fortune.
Buster Keaton’s direction has elements of simplistic images from the opening sequence of Jimmie spending time with his girlfriend Mary (Ruth Dwyer) as he tries to tell her that he loves her. Much of it involves some unique medium shots and a few gags as Keaton does start things off in a simple manner to build up the humor of the story once Jimmie’s situation comes into play. Especially as the gags become more inventive in a sequence where Jimmie tries to talk to many prospects only to fail where Keaton’s rhythmic editing help play to the timing of the gags. All of which leads to a climax where Jimmie is being chased by lots of brides where Keaton’s use of wide shots, tracking dolly shots, and crane camera angles come into play. Especially where Keaton would perform these crazy stunts to play into Jimmie’s own predicament as he is trying to avoid all of these brides in a climax that is thrilling and full of laughs. Overall, Keaton creates a very fun and exciting film about a guy trying to get married to collect his inheritance.
Cinematographers Byron Houck and Elgin Lessley do brilliant work with the film‘s black-and-white photography though it‘s mostly presented in a sepia-like tone with the exception of an early version of Technicolor film stock for the film‘s opening sequence. Art director Fred Gabourie does nice work with the minimal set pieces from the home where Mary lived as well as the country club that Jimmie goes to. The film’s music by Robert Israel (for its 1995 reissue) is amazing for its very playful piano score with some orchestral flourishes to play into the film‘s humor and sense of adventure.
The film’s excellent cast includes some notable small roles from Jean Arthur as a country club receptionist, Frances Raymond as Mary’s mother, Erwin Connelly as the clergyman, Snitz Edwards as the lawyer, and T. Roy Barnes as Jimmie’s business partner who tries to help him. Ruth Dwyer is wonderful as Jimmie’s girlfriend Mary who is baffled into why he wants to get married immediately as she tries to figure out what is going on. Finally, there’s Buster Keaton in an incredible performance as Jimmie Shannon as this guy who learns he’s about to collect a major inheritance as he copes with his situation as Keaton brings a lot of guts into his stunt work including scenes where he is running down a hill with rocks behind him as well as the chase sequence as it’s one of Keaton’s finest performances.
Seven Chances is a remarkable film from Buster Keaton. While it does have a few flaws that play into that time period, it is still a very entertaining film that has a fun premise that manages to deliver and more. In the end, Seven Chances is a sensational film from Buster Keaton.
Buster Keaton Films: (The Rough House) - (One Week (1920 short)) - (Convict 13) - (The Scarecrow (1920 short)) - (Neighbors (1920 short)) - (The Haunted House (1921 short)) - (Hard Luck (1921 short)) - (The High Sign) - (The Goat (1921 short)) - (The Playhouse) - (The Boat) - (The Paleface) - (Cops) - (My Wife’s Relations) - (The Blacksmith) - (The Frozen North) - (The Electric House) - (Day Dreams (1922 short)) - (The Balloonatic) - (The Love Nest) - (Three Ages) - (Our Hospitality) - Sherlock Jr. - The Navigator - (Go West (1925 film)) - (Battling Butler) - The General - (College (1927 film)) - Steamboat Bill Jr. - The Cameraman - (Spite Marriage) - (The Gold Ghost) - (Allez Oop) - (Tars and Stripes) - (Grand Slam Opera) - (One Run Elmer) - (Blue Blazes) - (Mixed Magic) - (Love Nest on Wheels)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Woo-Sang Park and Y.K. Kim and screenplay by Joseph Diamond from a story by Park and Kim, Miami Connection is the story of a group of biker-ninjas who try to take over the Miami drug trade only to get into some trouble with a martial-arts rock band who just want to create peace and good tunes. The film is simple martial arts film filled with all sorts of craziness, good-time music, and lots of ass-kicking. Starring Y.K. Kim. Miami Connection is a silly yet absolutely exciting film from Woo-Sang Park and Y.K. Kim.
Set in the world of the 1980s drug culture in South Florida, the film revolves a martial-arts rock band who are threatened by a group of gangs over a spot at a club in Orlando where things get more intense involving a vicious group of biker-ninjas who are controlling the drug trade. It’s a premise that is very simple as it has a lot of B-movie aesthetics and storylines where it isn’t much about plot or big ideas though there is a message about the need for world peace. Yet, it is told with a sense of style as it plays into five guys who are college students by day and a rock band by night as they deal with a bunch of bad guys who want to bring drugs into Orlando from the drug-induced world that is Miami. While there are subplots involving one of the band members trying to find his long-lost father and another who is in a relationship with the group’s female singer as her brother is the second-in-command in this secret group of biker-ninjas. It all comes together as it involves some very bloody fights as well as this intense climax.
The film’s direction by Woo-Sang Park, with additional re-shoots by Y.K. Kim, definitely plays to a lot of the visual aesthetics of 1980s B-movie in terms of action and fight scenes along with moments of humor. While some of the dramatic moments in the film kind of comes across as cheesy, it does play into something that is unintentionally funny at times. However, it doesn’t deter into what the film wants to say as Park is shooting the film on location in Orlando, Miami, and other places in South Florida with its use of wide shots and medium shots. With the help of choreographer Yeong-Mun Kwon, the fight and action scenes definitely have a sense of rhythm and power in terms of the impact of the fights where there’s elements of gore that occurs. All of which leads into a bloody climax between the members of the band Dragon Sound and this mysterious group of biker ninjas. Overall, Park and Kim create a very engaging and action-packed film about a bunch of martial arts musicians who take down some bad guys.
Cinematographer/editor Maximo Munzi does brilliant work with the film‘s cinematography, despite its low-grade film stock, to capture some of the stylish elements for the scenes at night while using some stylish slow-motion and fast-paced rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action scenes. The sound work of Raymond Vasquez is superb for the sound effects that are created as well as the sound of the crowds in the club scenes. The film’s music/special makeup effects by Jon McCallum is fantastic from design of the severed limbs and blood spurts in the film while the music is largely electronic-based to play into the world of Miami dance music. The original songs by Lloyd C. Sharpe are very cheesy in its 80s synth-rock sound with some very lame but earnest songs about friendship and martial arts though they are quite catchy.
The film’s amazing cast includes some notable small roles from William Ergle as the biker-ninja gang’s second-in-command Jeff, William P. Young as the club owner, Woo-sang Park as a restaurant owner the band hangs out at, John F. Escobar as a Miami drug dealer in the film’s opening scene, Jack McLaughlin as a old rock band leader who despises Dragon Sound, and Siyung Jo as the biker-ninja gang leader Yoshita. Angelo Janotti is terrific as Dragon Sound’s singer/lead guitarist Tom who is the musician of the band while screenwriter Joseph Diamond is superb as the band’s drummer Jack who knows some tae kwon do to help his boys.
Kathie Collier is fantastic as Jeff’s younger sister Kathie who disapproves of her brother’s criminal activities as she is also a singer in Dragon Sound as well as dating the band’s bass player John. Maurice Smith is pretty good as the band’s keyboard player Jim who is searching for his long-lost father as he doesn’t exactly sell his big emotional moment. Vincent Hirsch is excellent as John as a straight-laced young man that likes to play bass and be with Kathie while can also kick ass. Finally, there’s Y.K. Kim in a dazzling performance as the Dragon Sound guitarist Mark as it’s a performance that is quite silly since Kim can barely speak English while he’s miming the guitar yet makes up for it with his ability to kick ass in the most fearsome way.
Miami Connection is an extremely ridiculous and absolutely awesome film Y.K. Kim and Woo-sang Park. While it’s not the kind of film that will change the world or anything, it is a film that manages to be thoroughly entertaining with everything martial arts films always have to offer. Even as it’s not afraid to play up its B-movie aesthetic as it’s perfect fodder for late-night movies where one can sit back, relax, and enjoy. In the end, Miami Connection is a phenomenal film from Y.K. Kim and Woo-sang Park.
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp and written by Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, Jean C. Havez, and Joseph A. Mitchell, The Navigator is the story of a young rich man who boards on a cruise ship unaware that he and his girlfriend are the only passengers are there due to some devilish scheme. It’s a film that plays into the misadventures of a young man and his girlfriend as the former tries to impress the latter. Starring Buster Keaton and Kathryn McGuire. The Navigator is an extremely funny and entertaining film from Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp.
It’s a film with a very simple premise about two spoiled rich kids who both go aboard on a cruise ship unaware that they’re the only people onboard due to a scheme made by a rival faction during a war. Along the way, these two kids are forced to fend for themselves as they deal with being alone in a cruise ship as a lot of hilarity ensue as it’s a film that showcases what happens when two people who often have people do things for them are forced to make their own coffee and cook their own food. It’s simple premise adds to a lot of ideas of what could be done and the screw ups that these two character have to endure.
The film’s direction by Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp is definitely ambitious in terms of its set pieces and stunt work that is created where much of the film takes place on this cruise ship. Especially as Keaton and his co-star Kathryn McGuire create some intricate stunt work and gags that add to the sense of two spoiled kids having to fend for themselves. The use of medium shots and wide shots on this ship add to the humor such as a scene where Keaton and McGuire are running around the ship trying to find each other as Keaton’s editing would help play to that humor with some unique rhythmic cuts. Even as Keaton would slow things down to play into the sense of not knowing where he and McGuire would be shot in medium shots while each providing subtle moments into their performances. Overall, Keaton and Crisp creates a very funny and thrilling film about two spoiled young adults stuck on a cruise ship by themselves.
Cinematographers Byron Houck and Elgin Lessley do excellent work with the film‘s black-and-white photography from the interior scenes at night to the daytime scenes set on the ship. Costume designer Clare West does brilliant work with the costumes from the rich clothes the main characters wear to the sailor uniforms they would have to wear. The film’s music by Robert Israel (for its 1995 reissue) is fantastic for its very playful score as it is driven by piano and an orchestra to capture some of the antics in the film.
The film’s superb cast include some notable small roles from H.N. Clugston and Clarence Burton as the two spies that would be responsible for the ship to drift, Noble Johnson as a cannibal chief, Donald Crisp as scary picture, and Frederick Vroom as the girl’s father who sold the ship that plays a key part in the film. Finally, there’s the duo of Kathryn McGuire and Buster Keaton in incredible performances in their respective roles as Betsy O’Brien and Rollo Treadaway. McGuire serves as a great foil for Keaton in terms of the physicality of the comedy as well as being a character that manages to get things down. Keaton displays his mastery in physical comedy and stunt work while proving to do some funny things in little moments as it showcases his gift as a comedy actor.
The Navigator is a phenomenal film from Buster Keaton and Donald Crisp that features a fantastic supporting performance from Kathryn McGuire. The film is definitely one Keaton’s finest films in terms of his approach to physical comedy and how stunts can help provide some of the finest gags captured on film. In the end, The Navigator is a remarkable film from Donald Crisp and Buster Keaton.
Buster Keaton Films: (The Rough House) - (One Week (1920 short)) - (Convict 13) - (The Scarecrow (1920 short)) - (Neighbors (1920 short)) - (The Haunted House (1921 short)) - (Hard Luck (1921 short)) - (The High Sign) - (The Goat (1921 short)) - (The Playhouse) - (The Boat) - (The Paleface) - (Cops) - (My Wife’s Relations) - (The Blacksmith) - (The Frozen North) - (The Electric House) - (Day Dreams (1922 short)) - (The Balloonatic) - (The Love Nest) - (Three Ages) - (Our Hospitality) - Sherlock Jr. - Seven Chances - (Go West (1925 film)) - (Battling Butler) - The General - (College (1927 film)) - Steamboat Bill Jr. - The Cameraman - (Spite Marriage) - (The Gold Ghost) - (Allez Oop) - (Tars and Stripes) - (Grand Slam Opera) - (One Run Elmer) - (Blue Blazes) - (Mixed Magic) - (Love Nest on Wheels)
© thevoid99 2015
Based on the Marvel comics series by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the story of Captain America uncovering a conspiracy involving the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization as he is also targeted by a mysterious assassin prompting him to face demons and new ideals about his new world. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, the film has Captain America/Steve Rogers adjust to living in the 21st Century following the events in the 2012 film The Avengers as well as his past as Chris Evans reprises the role of Captain America. Also starring Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Frank Grillo, Emily VanCamp, and Robert Redford. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a rapturous and exhilarating film from Anthony and Joe Russo.
The film revolves around Steve Rogers working for S.H.I.E.L.D. as he copes with not just what he’s asked to do but also a world that is far more complicated once S.H.I.E.L.D. has been compromised by forces from within forcing Rogers to become a fugitive as well as being targeted by a mysterious assassin known as the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). There, Rogers is forced to realize that all of these ideas of keeping things in control have been compromised as he has very few allies he can count on such as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) who aids him in uncovering the mystery. It’s a film that explores the idea of what people are willing to do to avoid war and to keep people safe as someone like Rogers who lived during the time of World War II has a hard time trying to understand what S.H.I.E.L.D. is trying to do as he questions what Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) about these reasons to arm the world and keep them under heavy watch.
The film’s screenplay definitely plays into this world of conspiracies where Rogers would meet one of the heads of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) who is trying to get a project unveiled as he is an old friend of Fury where he questions Rogers about his own ideas and such. It is in that moment where the film’s second act comes to play where Rogers is on the run as the only people he can trust is Romanoff and a former USAF pararescueman in Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) as the latter is a soldier that Rogers can relate to. When Rogers and Romanoff uncover more secrets about what has happened within S.H.I.E.L.D., it becomes clear that there’s elements of Rogers’ past that has come back to haunt him as well as the identity of the Winter Soldier which would only trouble Rogers. The eventual confrontation between Rogers and the Winter Soldier does come ahead in the third act but the stakes are much higher as it relates to what Rogers can do to make the world safer amidst the terror from within.
The film’s direction by Anthony and Joe Russo is definitely sprawling in terms of its action sequences and set pieces but the Russo Brothers know what to do when there’s a need for a break from the action. Much of it involves some inspired use of wide and medium shots where a lot of it is shot in location in Washington, D.C. plus locations in Cleveland and Long Beach, California. There’s also some close-ups as it plays to the drama along with some very key moments in the film as it relates to some of the things that Rogers would encounter that includes the eventual identity of the Winter Soldier. The usage of high camera angles, wide shots, and medium shots play into the sense of action that occurs as it’s very frenetic which plays to the sense of danger and no-holds-barred attitude that Rogers, Wilson, and Romanoff are facing.
There’s also elements of flashbacks that play into Rogers’ past as he is trying to hold on to ideals that he had grown up on where he knows that he need to hold on to them as it adds to the drama and elements of suspense. It’s climax where Rogers has to face the Winter Soldier is definitely gripping as it’s filled with massive set pieces where it adds to the sense of high stakes for Rogers and his need for people to believe in something all over again in a world that is very cynical and chaotic. Overall, the Russo brothers create a very intelligent yet engaging film about a hero dealing with his new surroundings and the need to keep his old ideals intact.
Cinematographer Trent Opaloch does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography with its use of low-key lights and sepia lighting schemes for some of its interiors to the usage of low-level lights for the exteriors set at night. Editors Jeffrey Ford and Matthew Schmidt do amazing work with the editing to create some unique fast-cutting styles to play into some of the fights and action scenes while slowing things down for some of the film‘s suspenseful and dramatic moments. Production designer Peter Wenham, with set decorator Leslie A. Pope and supervising art director Thomas Valentine, does brilliant work with the look of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building as well as the heli-carriers and the secret buildings where Rogers and Romanoff uncover a very dark secret. Costume designer Judianna Makovsky does nice work with the costumes as it’s mostly casual with the exception of Rogers’ Captain America uniform.
Visual effects supervisors Dan DeLeeuw, Russell Earl, Bryan Grill, and Dan Suduck do fantastic work with the visual effects from the look of the heli-carriers in the sky to design of some of the big action sequences as well as the look of a character from Rogers‘ past. Sound designers David Hughes, Shannon Mills, and Al Nelson, along with co-sound editor Daniel Laurie, do superb work with the sound in not just creating some unique sound effects but also in the way the sound adds to the sense of terror and suspense that occurs in the film. The film’s music by Henry Jackman is terrific for its mixture of bombast and lush orchestral pieces to play into the action and drama while music supervisor Dave Jordan brings in a couple of music pieces from Marvin Gaye and Harry James’ Orchestra.
The casting by Sarah Finn is great as it features some notable cameos that includes the obligatory cameo from Stan Lee plus small roles from Garry Shandling as Stern, Maximiliano Hernandez as S.H.I.E.L.D. official Jasper Sitwell, Danny Pudi as a S.H.I.E.L.D. technician, DC Pierson as an Apple store employee who helps Rogers and Romanoff, Gary Sinise as a Smithsonian narrator for a Captain America exhibit, Georges St. Pierre as a mercenary Rogers confronts early in the film, and as a trio of council members of the World Security Council are Chin Han, Alan Dale, and Bernard White. Other notable small roles include Jenny Agutter as a World Security Council member, Hayley Atwell in a brief but memorable appearance as Rogers’ old flame Peggy Carter, and Emily VanCamp as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent assigned to protect Rogers at his home. Frank Grillo is terrific as the S.H.I.E.L.D. strike-team commander in Brock Rumlow who is part of the conspiracy as he proves to be a formidable opponent that is willing to take down Rogers and his cohorts.
Toby Jones is superb in his brief but eerie performance as Dr. Arnim Zola whom Rogers had dealt with back in the 1940s as he would be a key figure into uncovering the mystery that Rogers would have to deal with. Cobie Smulders is fantastic as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill who is one of the few people that Rogers and Romanoff can trust as she would help them and Wilson uncover the mystery behind the conspiracy on S.H.I.E.L.D. Sebastian Stan is excellent as the mysterious Winter Soldier who is known for being a fearsome assassin that is willing to cause damage as it’s a very menacing and nearly-silent performance that is all about action rather than words. Anthony Mackie is brilliant as Sam Wilson/Falcon as a former pararescuer who befriends Rogers as he later helps him and Romanoff uncover the mystery while proving to be a formidable soldier that Fury needs. Robert Redford is amazing as Alexander Pierce as a senior official of S.H.I.E.L.D. who would be the one that would make Rogers a fugitive over secrets Rogers refused to divulge as he represents this man that was part of an old world order as he wants to start something new for the sake of maintaining control in the world.
Samuel L. Jackson is great as Nick Fury as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. who is aware of Rogers’ reluctance about the ways of the world as he starts to question things himself where Jackson brings some humility to Fury who is forced to realize that his organization has been compromised. Scarlett Johansson is phenomenal as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow as this agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. who realizes what has been going on as she helps Rogers in trying to uncover the truth as Johansson brings some wit and a lot of ass-kicking into her role. Finally, there’s Chris Evans in a remarkable performance as Steve Rogers/Captain America who copes with not just the new rules of the world but also the conspiracy within S.H.I.E.L.D. as he tries to unravel its mystery as well as elements of his past as Evans brings in that very straightforward manner to someone who feels out of place in the world but with old-school values that still means something.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a dazzling and thrilling film from Anthony and Joe Russo that features great performances from Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson. Not only is a blockbuster that entertains and enthralls but it’s also a film that is very smart and engages the audience into uncovering a lot of the suspense and intrigue that looms over the film. Especially with characters that audiences can root for as it has a lot of real-world ideas about the ways of the world. In the end, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a sensational film from Anthony and Joe Russo.
Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)
Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man
Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home
Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool 3) - (Captain America: Brave New World)
Phase 6: (Thunderbolts) – (Blade (2024 film)) - (Fantastic Four (2024 film)) – (Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) – (Avengers: Secret Wars)
Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World
© thevoid99 2015
Directed and edited by Buster Keaton, with additional direction from Fatty Arbuckle, and written by Clyde Bruckman, Jean Havez, and Joseph A. Mitchell, Sherlock Jr. is the story of a film projectionist who dreams about being in a mystery movie as he finds himself in the movie. The film is a mystery-comedy where a man finds himself being part of a case and does whatever to help the characters in the film. Starring Buster Keaton, Kathryn McGuire, Joe Keaton, and Ward Crane. Sherlock Jr. is a whimsical and dazzling film from Buster Keaton.
The film revolves around a wannabe detective who works as a film projectionist as he dreams about being in a movie where he plays a detective trying to solve a mystery. It’s a film that sort of mirrors what is happening with this young projectionist in the real world as he has been accused of stealing his girlfriend’s father’s pocketwatch and pawning it off. It’s a film that blurs the idea of reality and fiction where this young man dreams that he is in a movie by walking into the movie that he is playing in the theater and becomes part of it. It’s an idea that is truly filled with a lot of imagination as well as ideas of how cinema can shape the direction of a young man. Even as the movie he is in has him fulfilling his own fantasies to become a detective.
Buster Keaton’s direction is definitely filled with lots of imaginative ideas not just in his approach to gags but also in how the ideas of fantasy can play into a young man’s desire to succeed. Much of it involves some inventive use of compositions in the way Keaton frames himself in the projection booth or in medium shots to showcases his approach to comedy. Even as the gags are very spectacular such as a car chase scene or Keaton playing the detective in following the man he suspects. Keaton’s usage of tracking and dolly shots to capture some of the action as well as his own inventive use of editing in a very funny sequence of his character being in one scene and then in another in a rhythmic cutting style that adds to the whimsical tone of the film. Overall, Keaton creates a very charming and majestic film about a young projectionist who wishes to be a detective.
Cinematographers Byron Houck and Elgin Lessley do excellent work with the film‘s black-and-white photography to create some unique lighting schemes for a few of the film‘s interior settings including the sequence where Keaton enters the movie screen. Art director Fred Gabourie does brilliant work with the set pieces from the homes that are used for some very spectacular gags as well as the look of the theater where Keaton‘s character is working at. Costume designer Clare West does superb work with the costumes from the clothes in the real-world scene to the more lavish look of the clothes in the movie-within-a-movie sequence. The film’s music by the Club Foot Orchestra is amazing for its approach to old-school jazz music and orchestral music to play into its humor and romance as it adds a lot of energy to the film.
The film’s fantastic ensemble includes some notable small performances from Erwin Connelly in a dual role as a butler and a hired hand for the film’s villain in the fantasy sequence as well as Joe Keaton in a terrific performance as the girlfriend’s father in both the real-world and fantasy sequences. Ward Crane is excellent as the film’s antagonist in dual versions as the rival in the real-life scene and as the thief in the fantasy scenes. Kathryn McGuire is amazing as the girl whom the film’s protagonist loves as she appears in both the real-life sequences and the fantasy sequences as she is far more interesting in the real-life sequences. Finally, there’s Buster Keaton in a phenomenal performance as the projectionist who wants to be a detective as he would live out his fantasies as the titular character where Keaton’s approach to physical comedy and intricate stunt work is among one of the reasons why he was so revered in the era of silent films.
Sherlock Jr. is a remarkable film from Buster Keaton as it’s definitely one of his finest films as well as one of the essentials in silent comedies. It’s a film that has a lot of ambition but also imagination that manages to showcase what could be done with cinema. Especially as it manages to transcend ideas about reality and fiction. In the end, Sherlock Jr. is an incredible film from Buster Keaton.
Buster Keaton Films: (The Rough House) - (One Week (1920 short)) - (Convict 13) - (The Scarecrow (1920 short)) - (Neighbors (1920 short)) - (The Haunted House (1921 short)) - (Hard Luck (1921 short)) - (The High Sign) - (The Goat (1921 short)) - (The Playhouse) - (The Boat) - (The Paleface) - (Cops) - (My Wife’s Relations) - (The Blacksmith) - (The Frozen North) - (The Electric House) - (Day Dreams (1922 short)) - (The Balloonatic) - (The Love Nest) - (Three Ages) - (Our Hospitality) - The Navigator - Seven Chances - (Go West (1925 film)) - (Battling Butler) - The General - (College (1927 film)) - Steamboat Bill Jr. - The Cameraman - (Spite Marriage) - (The Gold Ghost) - (Allez Oop) - (Tars and Stripes) - (Grand Slam Opera) - (One Run Elmer) - (Blue Blazes) - (Mixed Magic) - (Love Nest on Wheels)
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Michael Mann and written by Morgan Davis Foehl, Blackhat is the story of a convicted hacker who is asked by U.S. and Chinese government officials to aid them in uncovering a cyber-terrorist following a series of cyber-terrorist activities. The film is an exploration into the world of cyber-terrorism as it is becoming prevalent in the 21st Century where a hacker is asked to find the criminals as he copes with some of his actions. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tang Wei, Holt McCallany, Wang Leehom, and Viola Davis. Blackhat is a riveting and compelling film from Michael Mann.
With the news of cyber-terrorism finally coming into the forefront of the public, the film is about the dangers of cyber-terrorism when a Chinese nuclear power plant was attacked prompting a Chinese government official to work with the American government to get an old friend out of prison so he can help uncover these acts of cyber-terrorism. It’s a film that plays into the idea of what is a new world order as well as the dangers of technology in how it can create chaos where the enemy itself are faceless individuals who are wreaking havoc on the world of economics which makes countries vulnerable. There’s a lot of intriguing ideas that goes on in the film as it relates to the world of cyber-terrorism but it has elements in the script by Morgan Davis Foehl that doesn’t work.
Part of the flaws in the screenplay involves some of the conventional dramatic elements involving its protagonist Nick Hathaway (Chris Hemsworth) and Chen Lien (Tang Wei) as the latter is the younger sister of China’s cyber warfare official in Captain Chen Dawai (Wang Leehom) who was a former college roommate of Nick and was the one that got him out of jail so that Nick can be helpful. The romance between Hathaway and Lien feels like it’s part of another film as it doesn’t really seem necessary to the story as a lot of it involves intrigue and what needs to be done. Especially as the trio are working with two FBI agents in Carol Barrett (Viola Davis) and Jessup (Holt McCallany) to find out who are the hackers and why they’re creating chaos. The eventual reveal of the villains themselves do come to ahead but their motivations aren’t very clear other than money as it is very ambiguous where it is among some of the conventional elements of the script that doesn’t really work.
Michael Mann’s direction is very entrancing as it is set in various locations in order to make the film play into this feeling of a new world that is being torn apart by modern technology. Much of Mann’s direction has him playing into a world that is chaotic where he uses a lot of hand-held cameras for some of the film’s action and gunfight sequences while creating elements of suspense in other scenes to convey this sense of a new world order. Shot in various locations in places like Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Kuala Lampur in Malaysia, and Jakarta, the film does have this sense of a feel that this worldwide where Mann’s approach to wide shots add to a film where it’s taking place around the world. Even as Mann creates feels very intimate in some of the drama with his usage of close-ups and medium shots to play into these characters embarking on something that they don’t really know.
Much of that intimacy and frenetic approach to action and suspense is shot on digital where Mann definitely aims for something that is not very polished but rather grainy as if it adds to this dark tone of the film. Especially for scenes set at night where Mann seems at home in displaying these elements of gunfights as well as in the action that includes its chilling climax in Jakarta. The usage of sequences inside the computers add to the air of suspense as well as the feeling that this is a new world and terror could come from anywhere. Even as the weapon is a simple laptop can trigger a nuclear power plant meltdown as it adds to the sense of a world that is far more dangerous than what it was. Though not everything in Mann’s direction works as well as the flaws that are present in the film’s script. The overall results still showcase Mann creating a very engaging film about the world of cyber-terrorism.
Cinematographer Stuart Dryburgh does brilliant work with the film‘s very wobbly yet entrancing cinematography with its element of blurry images as well as the use of lights for many of the scenes set at night in the film‘s many different locations. Editors Joe Walker, Stephen Rivkin, Jeremiah O’Driscoll, and Mako Kamitsuna do excellent work with the editing with its usage of montages to play into the effects of the hacks as well as some intense rhythmic cuts to play into the action and suspense. Production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas, with set decorator Victor J. Zolfo and supervising art director Tom Reta, does fantastic work with the set designs from the FBI and Chinese government offices to the quaint apartments in Hong Kong where the main characters do their work.
Costume designer Colleen Atwood does nice work with the costumes as it‘s mostly casual with the exception of the uniform that Dawai wears in China as well the stylish clothes that Lien wears. Visual effects supervisors Phil Brennan, Joe Farrell, and John Nelson do superb work with the visual effects for the computer hacking sequences as well as a few moments in the action scenes. Sound editor Victor Ray Ennis and sound designer Tony Lamberti do terrific work with the sound to play into the way computers and their codes hack into certain places as well as the moments in some of the film‘s action scenes. The film’s music by Harry Gregson-Williams, Atticus Ross, and Leo Ross is wonderful for its score as it is largely electronic-based courtesy of the Ross brothers with a few orchestral flourishes from Gregson-Williams while music supervisor Gabe Hilfer brings in bits of traditional Asian music, electronic, and rock music into the mix.
The casting by Bonnie Timmerman is incredible as it features small performances from William Mapother and Jason Harner Butler as FBI officials, Andy On as a Hong Kong police inspector, Ritchie Coster as a mysterious figure named Kassar, and Yorick van Wageningen as another mysterious figure who is connected to the acts of cyber terrorism. Holt McCallany is terrific as FBI Agent Jessa as someone who is keeping an eye on Hathaway while knowing what is at stake as it relates to the mission at hand. Viola Davis is fantastic as FBI Agent Carol Barrett as this no-nonsense agent who knows about Hathaway’s reputation as she is reluctant to trust him while becoming aware that she and her team are facing an unknown enemy as Davis plays it straight with bits of humor into her performance. Leehom Wang is brilliant as Captain Chen Dawai as an old friend of Hathaway who asks for his help as he tries to uncover the mystery of the hacks as well as dealing with what he’s being asked to do by his bosses.
Tang Wei is excellent as Dawai’s sister Lien as she is also good with a computer as she aids in uncovering the mystery while dealing with her attraction towards Hathaway. Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a superb performance as Nick Hathaway as this accomplished hacker who is temporarily released from prison as he helps the FBI uncover the hacker attacks as he copes with returning to prison as well as the dangers of what he’s facing.
***The Following is an Overview of the 2016 Director’s Cut Written and Posted on 10/19/24***
The director’s cut version of the film supervised by Michael Mann is a vastly different film than its 134-minute U.S. theatrical version and the 133-minute international version. At a slightly shorter running time of 132-minutes, Mann would create a version of the film that is not just paced better but also has a way to build up the suspense. Notably in making the film’s opening scene set in an empty room at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange where TV screens and computers are overseeing stock prices. It then cuts images inside a computer where microchips start to light up to raise the prices of soy stock. In the theatrical version of the film, it is a scene that comes early after the nuclear meltdown scene, but it is more effective in the director’s cut as it helps build the suspense slowly and give this sense of immediacy of a world thrown into chaos.
Mann does more with certain sequences and shortens some scenes from the theatrical version as the scenes of Nick Hathaway in prison is turned into one entire sequence while there are a few extended bits such as FBI Agent Carol Barrett looking into a suspect where she notices a tattoo on his body. The nuclear meltdown scene that opened the film is moved into the middle of it as all scenes relating to the nuclear site is turned into one entire sequence. Mann not only maintains a sense of consistency in where these characters are, but it also allows the suspense to move much slower to have the characters go on the search for clues. There is also a scene in Hong Kong where Hathaway, Chen Lien, and the U.S. Marshal Jessup arrive in Hong Kong as they realize they are being followed as they go to this posh hotel checking in. Yet, it turns out to be a ruse as it is this brief scene that has elements of humor but also highlights these people must do to not be seen.
The pacing in the director’s cut is much better as Mann’s new presentation does make the film easier to watch while he also adds more to what is at stake and brings more weight to the performances. Notably Hemsworth as Hathaway where has a lot more emotional weight into his situation while is trying to assess what is he trying to find even though he has a limited amount of freedom despite the leniency and trust he gained from Barrett and Jessup. The film’s third act remains the same in comparison to the theatrical version though it gains more context into everything that had happened in the previous two acts. Even in what is at stake and what Hathaway discovers which proves to be bigger than he realized as it relates to those that want to watch the world burn.
***End of Director’s Cut Overview***
Blackhat is a stellar yet flawed film from Michael Mann. While it has an excellent cast as well as compelling ideas about cyber-terrorism, it’s a film that falls short as it relates to being far more intriguing due to some of the conventions of the screenplay. However, it does play into a world that is becoming more uneasy as cyber-terrorism is becoming big news in the modern world. In the end, Blackhat is a very good film from Michael Mann.
Michael Mann Films: The Jericho Mile - Thief - The Keep - Manhunter - L.A. Takedown - The Last of the Mohicans (1992 film) - Heat - The Insider - Ali - Collateral - Miami Vice - Public Enemies (2009 film) - Blackhat - Ferrari - (Heat 2) - The Auteurs #73: Michael Mann Pt.1 - Pt. 2
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Edward Buzzell and written by Irving Brecher, Go West is the story of three men who travel to the American West to thwart some bad guys and help a couple in their relationship. The film is a western-comedy that stars the Marx Brothers in Groucho, Chico, and Harpo as they bring in their unique approach to chaos-based comedy. Also starring John Carroll, Diana Lewis, and Tully Marshall. Go West is a messy yet entertaining film from Edward Buzzell and the Marx Brothers.
The film revolves a group of three men who travel to the American West where two of them are given land which a young man wants to use for the railroad where a group of scheming businessmen want to get that land for themselves. It’s a film with a simple premise as it features many of the attributes that is expected from the Marx Brothers in their approach to chaos. Yet, the story does lose sight as it’s quite messy and a bit hard to follow because there’s so much that is going on. Even as the motivations of the supporting characters for the main story gets overwhelmed by the antics of the Marx Brothers.
Edward Buzzell’s direction does have some unique compositions as well as elaborate gags and set pieces. Especially in scenes involving the train where there’s a lot of chaos that goes one while some of the dialogue features a lot of anachronisms that are intentional. It adds to the sense of chaos in the film with its use of close-ups and medium shots to capture the sense of action as well as some of the musical numbers in the film. There is a lot of energy that occurs but once the story involving the leads and the other characters come together, it loses some of its luster only to pick things up in its third act that involves a train chase and a confrontation with its antagonists. Overall, Buzzell creates a very entertaining but uneven film about three guys trying to stop crooked businessman from stealing land in the American West.
Cinematographer Leonard Smith does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography with its usage of low-key lights for scenes set at night while using some stylish ones for some of the film‘s interior scenes. Editor Blanche Sewell does nice work with the editing as it‘s straightforward with a few rhythmic cuts for the comedic moments plus fade-outs and transition wipes. Art director Cedric Gibbons and set decorator Edwin B. Willis do fantastic work with the look of the saloon where some of the characters encounter each other as well as the small town where much of the film is set. Costume designers Gile Steele and Dolly Tree do terrific work with the costumes from the hats and clothes of the men designed by Steele to the women dresses created by Tree. Sound recordist Douglas Shearer does superb work with the sound to create some of the sound effects and capture the sense of chaos in some of the film‘s comical moments. Music director Georgie Stoll creates a wonderful soundtrack filled with original score music by Stoll plus a lot of original songs that are co-written by Gus Khan.
The film’s phenomenal cast includes some notable small roles from Mitchell Lewis as an Indian henchman, Joe Yule as the saloon bartender, Tully Marshall as the owner of the land who gives it away as he has no use for it, June MacCloy as a showgirl that is often flirted by Quayle, Robert Barratt as a devilish gunslinger named Baxter, and Walter Woolf King as the antagonist in the scheming John Beecher. Diana Lewis is wonderful as the land owner’s granddaughter Eve who is love with the man who is a family rival who wants to help the land. John Carroll is terrific as Terry Turner as Eve’s lover who wants to gain access to her grandfather’s land so he can use it as a railroad station and make money for the town and for her grandfather to settle a long-standing feud. Finally, there’s the Marx Brothers in brilliant performances with Chico as the smart-talking and cautious Joseph Panello while Harpo is hilarious as the silent but cunning Rusty Panello. Groucho is superb as S. Quentin Quayle as a schemer that wants to buy the land and help Turner and the Panello brothers make money while being very wry in his comments about everything.
Go West is a stellar and superb film from Edward Buzzell and the Marx Brothers. While it may not have a strong story that is often overshadowed by the antics of the Marx Brothers which makes it uneven and messy. It is still a film that is very enjoyable where they do bring in some fine laughs. In the end, Go West is a very good film from the Marx Brothers.
Marx Brothers Films: (Humor Risk) - (I’ll Say She Is) - (The Cocoanuts (1925)) - (Animal Crackers (1928 film)) - (The Cocoanuts (1929 film)) - (Animal Crackers (1930 film)) - (The House That Shadows Built) - (Monkey Business) - Horse Feathers - Duck Soup - A Night at the Opera - A Day at the Races - Room Service - At the Circus - (The Big Store) - (A Night in Casablanca) - (Love Happy) - (The Story of Mankind)
© thevoid99 2015
