Movies of 2013 thus far

My own blog and I can't be consistent but here I go. This has not been a banner year for movies thus far, really it's looking to be one of the worst in my opinion, just not enough good movies. There have been a few sprinkled in but it's just not a good year. This year could get saved by the coming fall movies which I'm hoping for, there looks to be some really good ones coming soon, I can't wait.
You always kind of expect a drop off from the oscar push at the end of the year, in which maybe there's a couple of films that start the new year off on a good note. That has not been the case and I expected bigger things once the summer season was upon us and I can honestly say it's a big let down. I'm not just talking about the summer blockbuster, but even the smaller independent movies. It didn't help that one of my favorite places to catch up on my independent films closed down this year, the Cinedome in Concord, such a a travesty, so many great films that I saw there, gone now. Not only that but all these smaller films are only in the theaters for a short period before there gone and I guess I have to wait for the dvd to rent.
I'm glad I've begun posting mini reviews on facebook but I was taken to task recently regarding one of my reviews, it all stemmed from the fact that I didn't agree with someone from my work about The Man of Steel. You see I gave Pacific Rim a good review, I never said the movie was great, but I said it was a fun time at the movies and I found Man of Steel to be underwhelming, so he didn't agree with me. In fact my co-worker said it was one of the best films of the year for him and I'm glad he holds on to his conviction because that's what I love to hear, people who love movies even though in this case he's wrong, no I'm joking of course.
My problem with The Man of Steel is that I never felt a real connection with the character and I wished they'd have fleshed out more of his back story, of course there's more but that's not what this blog is about.
I can say this about Pacific Rim it never pretended to be anything other than it was, no it wasn't great but I could just go in watch the movie and escape for a couple of hours while having a good time. Or as my good friend Chris always says "It wasn't a couple of hours I wasted and can't get back".
Here's a list of movies I've really enjoyed for this year thus far:
Side Effects
Disconnect
The Place Beyond the Pines
Blue Jasmine
World War Z
Star Trek Into Darkness
Of course I'm hoping to catch up on all those independents I missed as they're released on dvd because there were quite a few I missed.
One last thing, I don't know about you but I used to always enjoy when the lights would go down and the trailers would start, but now it seems that there are literally a million trailers before each film and it's as if you don't have to watch the film because they give away the whole movie in that trailer. Note to film industry cut down on how many trailers you bombard us with and how much plot you give away in the trailers.
Until next time, let's keep watching movies because it's what I love doing.

Roger Ebert

It is a sad day for those who enjoyed watching Roger on At the Movies, but I remember when he and Gene Siskel were on PBS Sneek Previews. Recently I was asked if I used to watch these guys and I said yes, the reason I was asked this question is because I had shown these individuals my top ten for last year and of course they didn't agree with my selections. Which brings me to Mister Ebert, in the beginning I didn't really like him and it was because we weren't seeing eye to eye on his reviews and it seemed Gene and I were more alike, but of course there were times when Gene and I didn't agree on movies either. I kept watching these two for many years and in the course of watching these two I began to appreciate their love of movies because I felt like we were separate from everyone else in our love of movies. It was a sad day when Gene Siskel died but Roger kept going and my earlier dislike for him changed, I began to appreciate him and his reviews, yes we didn't always agree on movies but what I appreciated was his conviction on his reviews. It wasn't that he had to be right, he either liked what he saw or he didn't and wasn't afraid of telling you.
When at the Movies was canceled I was saddened by the news because it was apart of my life for so long, it was like when your a kid and you move away you feel like your losing your friends and that's what this felt like, like I was losing a good friend. Roger and his wife Chaz were able to bring back his show, in fact he went back to where he started on PBS, unfortunately it only lasted a year. I kept waiting to hear word that they may bring it back, but it didn't happen. So Roger I'll miss you and our disagreements but I'll mostly miss another who loved movies as much as I do.
As I've gotten older I've learned that we all get something out of movies differently, what I might like someone else might not but that's okay because all that matters is that you were entertained. I'll always be someone who stands by my convictions and I don't always expect anyone to understand why I like certain movies but it's probably because it touched me or moved me. I would love to have my own show and talk movies, that would be my dream come true.

Actors

I find it funny hearing interviews with actors who complain about the movies they've done and how it has no artistic merit or integrity, basically it's below them. Shia LaBeouf is one recent actor lamenting his movies, it's as though someone forced him to make The Transformers or the last Indiana Jones movie because now all he wants to do is make real movies with real directors, something worthy of his talents, his gift. I wonder if he'd be saying the same thing if he was still on the Disney channel doing Even Stevens or some other T.V show that didn't make him as rich as those movies have made him. I think it's disrespectful to the fans when you make such inane comments because without them you wouldn't get to showcase your mediocre talents that they appreciate by flocking to see your films. I think Shia LaBeouf is a decent actor with limited range but he has yet to show me anything more but since he's only going to be making real movies perhaps I'll see something different.
I have always appreciated actors who know what there strengths are and make movies that compliment their limited range, basically if it ain't broke don't fix it. We all have favorite actors and actresses that we enjoy watching and the movies they make because it brings us comfort and for the most part we know we'll be entertained.
Of course there are actors and actresses who fluctuate between making blockbusters and independent movies because on one hand it makes them money and on the other it taps into their creative outlet. The other reason they make blockbusters is that they may have a pet project they want made, so a studio will front them the money when they finish their obligation with the blockbuster. This can be a win win for both the studio and the actor or actress because if the blockbuster takes off and does huge business the studios profits go up and if the pet project by the actor or actress does well and even scores an academy award or other awards that's even more profit and acclaim for the studio.
I think when these people complain about the movies they make they forget that it doesn't last forever, because fame is fleeting and when no one is calling you to act in their movies at that point you'd take anything. I've read interviews of those who got a second chance and are just thankful to be working no matter what film or T.V show they're making because the bottom line is they know how lucky they are to be working and making a living.

The Academy Awards

Well it's only a week away and yes I'll be watching, although I'm not completely happy with all the nominees. I'll start with the best picture nominees, I'm okay with the majority with the exception of two which are War Horse and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Those two movies have no business being nominated, War Horse is a good movie but it was quite lacking which was rather surprising considering it's a Steven Spielberg film, it did move me like I was hoping, it just left me wanting or wishing it could have been great. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was a bit maudlin which was sad considering it's topic, it never gripped me and felt very heavy handed like it was trying to shove it's topic down your throat which is sad because I'm sure there's a great film in there somewhere.
There's at least three other films I'd add to the best picture nominees and they include 50/50, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Drive. If I was to add a dark horse nominee that would be Warrior which I feel is a very underrated great film not seen by enough people.
I can't really argue with the best actor nominees because I think all of them deserve to be nominated and I think it's going to come down between George Clooney and Jean Dujardin both of whom deserve it, but it isn't who I think should win, that honor belongs to Michael Fassbender who wasn't even nominated in a role that was very raw and gritty in the movie Shame.
The best actress nominees I think are all sound picks and unfortunately I didn't see We need to talk about Kevin because it was never released and I've heard that Tilda Swinton was amazing in her performance and should have been nominated. It's going to come down between Meryl Streep and Viola Davis but I would have gone with Michelle Williams who is simply amazing as Marilyn Monroe. I was going to argue that Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady was good but not great but that wouldn't be fair because I'm basing her performance on the whole of the movie which was average and nothing great. It's actually her performance that saves the movie because she is probably the greatest actress of all time and she is Margaret Thatcher.
In the best supporting actor there's at least two nominees I'd change Johan Hill and Max von Sydow and in their place I'd pick three others, obviously Albert Brooks in Drive, Armie Hammer in J.Edgar and Patton Oswalt in Young Adult.
In the best supporting actress there's only one I'd change and that would be Jessica Chastain in The Help, she was good but I don't think deserving of a nod, instead I'd choose Anna Kendrick in 50/50 and Carey Mulligan in Shame.
There is one more movie I felt was ripped off not being nominated and it's in best animated category and that's The Adventures of Tintin which should have easily walked off with the oscar, it was just a great film that can be enjoyed by the whole family or anyone who likes great films.
I'm often asked why I liked certain movies, especially when I post my top ten for the year and to be honest it comes down to if a movie moved me or touched me in some way, there's really no rhyme or reason we all like what we like and sometimes people will agree with those choices and other times they'll scratch their heads and think your crazy, but as my friend Chris told me it is my top ten.

Attendance at the movies

It seems that I keep reading how attendance at the movies is diminishing year after year. I attribute that to higher admission rates, zero tolerance to mobile devices, along with not putting up with people talking and T.V. I'll add that scripts haven't been up to snuff and people are downloading more movies and watching on the go.
I for one am shocked that there are not more discount movie theaters, especially in these economic times, it would be one way to bring more people back to the movies. I've even thought that the big theater chains could have special days during the week to entice more customers, but that's a whole different story because movie studios have a lot of say in that.
Having a zero tolerance stance from every theater would be tremendous because I can't stand people who use mobile devices or talk during a movie. The Alamo Drafthouse has a zero tolerance in place, so if you're caught using a mobile device or talking during a movie you're automatically kicked out of the theater without a refund, as it should be.
One of the biggest reasons I think people are going less to the movies is because of television. There are so many good shows on these days that offer great writing and stories, that it's like being able to watch a movie every week in the comfort of your home. I almost think that people in Hollywood have forgotten how to write or they ended up writing for a television series. I can't lie there are T.V shows that I have to watch and they seem to be on year round now.
The other biggest reason attendance is low is that people are downloading movies and watching at home or on the go with there mobile devices. It amazes me how fast movies are available on the internet, some that are brand new at the theaters. I guess it's not that shocking because the futures here and what was once thought impossible, is now possible because people want things faster and don't have the patience to wait any more.
All things said I still love going to the movies and escaping in the story but I won't lie because I love watching movies on my Blu-Ray player and not having to put up with stupid people in the comfort of my home.

Bandslam/Flipped

Well it's been far to long since I've written anything, but I've got two movie recommendations that I feel are a must see and what I might consider hidden gems.
The first movie is Bandslam it's a story that centers on a high school outcast and a popular girl who form an unlikely bond through their shared love of music. Assembling a like-minded crew of misfits, the friends form a rock group and perform in the battle of the bands competition at their school. Now when this movie was released it was quite easy to overlook because it looked like another stupid teenage movie that starred Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka, of whom you'd only know about if you watched High School Musical or the Disney channel. If your wondering, no I've never seen either the movies or the T.V show that these young actresses were on but I do read a lot about movies.
Will the central character as played by Gaelan Connell is someone I could relate to, he has an extensive knowledge on music and truly loves it, similar to my love with movies. Will is an outcast and considered odd because of something in his past but he is so much more than that and it shows when he helps and basically puts the band together. Vanessa Hudgens and Aly Michalka are very good and have good chemistry with the rest of the cast and are definitely talented singers.
School of Rock was one of my favorite movies when it came out and I'm not comparing but there are similarities, basically these are fun movies to watch that often get overlooked and that's a shame because sometimes you might be missing out on something quite enjoyable.
My second recommendation is the movie Flipped which is about A young schoolboy realizes that the same girl he struggled to avoid may actually be his one true love in this coming-of-age romantic comedy from director Rob Reiner. Adapted from the book by Wendelin Van Draanen, Flipped tells the story of mischievous schoolboy Bryce (Callan McAuliffe) and his neighbor Juli (Madeline Carroll), who's had a crush on her girl-phobic classmate since second grade.
This is probably Rob Reiner's best work in along time that unfortunately didn't get seen by many people because it wasn't released to a wide audience.
This charming movie has the distinction of showing both vantage points from it's lead characters, which is rather refreshing in the way it's used in this movie and doesn't come across as a plot device but feels natural in telling the story.
Callan McAuliffe as Bryce and Madeline Carroll as Juli are outstanding and very charming as the leads and remind you of your first time being in love.
I really feel this is one of those movies that can be watched during the holidays and shared with families for movie nights, mind you of course there are a few curse words in this movie, especially for those who try to limit what their kids hear.
I hope if you choose to watch these movies that you enjoy them as much as I did and do still and let me know what you thought.

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