Movie Monday - Raging Bull

Raging Bull

I have to preface this review with the awareness that I couldn't give this movie my full attention. I was doing laundry / doing push-ups. That said I think I was paying enough attention to write an accurate review. The movie of the week is none other than 'Raging Bull.'

I was introduced to this movie by my wife. Believe it or not I had never heard of it, I've never seen a preview, and I didn't know anything about the plot. What I did know was that it was directed by Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro won an Oscar for it... and that's about it. I love going into movies blind.

It's because of movies like 'Raging Bull' that we respect Scorsese so much. It is a beautifully filmed piece of theatre. The editing is brilliant and the black and white stylization is superb. The small splash of color right in the middle of the film is refreshing and excellent.

Let's just talk about the acting for a minute shall we? I want to use a word like succulent, or divine, or astonishing, but really 'great' is just the word I need. Everyone was great. De Niro was genius. And the rest of the cast was right up there with him. Excellent job all around.

The story was solid. Triumphant and tragic all in one swoop. The story of the great boxer Jake LaMotta. We love him we hate him. We cheer for him and we curse him. A complex character to say the least. My only complaint is that it runs a bit long. Other than that it was a really fantastic film. I definitely recommend it.

One of these days I'm gonna watch a movie I don't like... until then I give 'Raging Bull' an 8/10.

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On a side note I've been invited by this website to publish my reviews. It's pretty cool. If you're looking for a great place to read movie reviews I recommend it.

-TravLCox_

Movie Review Monday - Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland Review

I have to be honest with you. I waited a long time to see this movie because I was very very skeptical. When the screen shots were first released a million years ago I was pretty excited. From what I could tell all of the design elements were really clicking, and everything looked super interesting. But then I remembered Sweeney Todd. The screenshots of that movie also looked awesome. But I did not enjoy the film at all. Also adding to my skepticism was Tim Burton's take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; Big disappointment in my book. Anywho, what I'm saying is that I was very worried that I would not like this movie one bit... I went and saw it anyway.

Honestly, it was quite good. As I expected visually it was stunning. I'm not sure if Tim Burton is a great director, but as far as I'm concerned he's one of the best designers in the business. The 3D element was not abused and I didn't feel like it took over the story, but simply added to it.

The greatest success for this film, in my opinion, is the casting.

I, for one, can't blame Tim Burton for casting the same people over and over again ie Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Timothy Spall, Alan Rickman, etc... if they consistently do a good job.

Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter had this great duality to him which was wonderful to watch. I loved the Scottish war hero that popped out now and then, even if there were some Jack Sparrow traces mixed in their somewhere.

Alan Rickman was perfect for the Blue Caterpillar, and Matt Lucas was, well, adorable as Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. Of course Helena Bonham Carter and Timothy Spall were great, respectively, as well.

My favorite character, though, was Stephen Fry as the Chesire Cat. I don't know what it was, but something about him was extremely like-able. In a freaky, not quite sure if I should trust you kind of way...

If I'm honest I wasn't really bothered by Mia Wosikowska as Alice, but I also wasn't extremely impressed. Her choices seemed obvious and safe. I was never taken out of the story by her... I just think she could've gone further is all.

The only casting choice I didn't agree with was that of Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. Not that I don't like her as an actress because I do. I can't even pin down what it was that I didn't like about her in this role. There was just something that I didn't like about her in this role.

The biggest failure for this film is the script.

Right from the beginning we know how it's going to end. We know she's the real Alice, we know she's gonna kill the Jabberwocky, and there are no great surprises along the way. Even the obstacles Alice had to overcome seemed conveniently easy to surpass. Particularly the whole get the magic sword mission. "Here's your eye back big creepy thing, thanks for the key."

The one nugget of unexpectedness that I liked was the little romantic sub-plot between Alice and the Mad Hatter. That was fun for me.

Other than that, the dialogue is fine, it's just the arch of the story that is unoriginal and predictable.

To wrap it up.

Beautiful visually.

Great casting, and acting.

Lacking in the script area.

I give it a 7 1/2 out of 10.

Movie Review Monday - Men Who Stare at Goats

I know it's no technically Monday anymore... but it's close enough. I'm going to start reviewing a random movie here on this blog every week. If you have a movie you'd like me to review let me know. I'll be rating on a scale of One to Ten. This weeks movie is:

'Men Who Stare at Goats.'

From the moment I saw the poster for this movie I could not wait to see it. It is chalk full of actors whom I love. ie: Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey... you have to love them. Then I saw the trailer and wanted to see it even more. Witty dialogue, quirky humor, and truly unique premise. I thought I was in for a treat. Then it came out in theatres. I wasn't able to see it... and I didn't hear much about it. Then I forgot about it... for a while.

Then I walked past a redbox and saw it there, then I rented it, then I watched it. Now I'm reviewing it.

Overall I'm going to say that it's a good movie. Maybe not quite as good as I had hoped, but still quite excellent.

Here are the reasons it is good:

1) Great low stress acting - No super amazing acting moments, but beautifully simple and honest reactions.

2) Incredible dialogue - The dialogue is very honest and believable. It never feels forced or contrived.

3) Jeff Bridges - This man can do no wrong in my book. He is amazing and then some.

4) Everyone else - No weak links in the actor line-up. Great to see these guys playing characters they don't normally play.

5) The Announcement at the Beginning - "More of this is true than you would believe." So awesome.

6) The Dancing - You just have to see it. It's fantastic.

Here are the reasons I probably won't watch it again for a while:

1) The Story is About the Reporter - I understand why it had to be that way... but, (no fault of Ewan McGregors) he's not the interesting one. I was more interested in the psychic powers of the soldiers not the journey of the reporter.

2) It's Fairly Slow Moving - Don't watch this while twittering or playing pacman... you'll get bored. Make sure there are no shiny objects to distract you.

That's about it! Other than that it's a fantastic movie. I think I have to give this movie a 7ish out of 10... If you haven't seen it yet, do.

-Travis_