Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Taken 2







Release Date: Oct 05, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 32 min. 
Director: Olivier Megaton 
Cast: Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, Famke Janssen, Rade Sherbedgia, Luke Grimes.

When in doubt, you stick to what you know, and for Olivier Megaton, it's taken quite literally. (no pun intended.) Acting as a followup to the 2008 breakout hit, "Taken 2" shows little to no indication of change. Liam Neeson returns as vigilante Bryan Mills, this time taking on the vengeful Albanians in Istanbul, Turkey. When he and his wife become the targets of abduction, it's up to his teenage daughter to step in and break them free. As plausibility was never a strong suit for the original, it continues to be the weak link here. Maggie Grace as victim-turned-survivor is somehow less convincing as a heroine than Neeson's ability to blindly memorize road maps. With all logic aside, the comicalness of such daring feats is irrepressible upon seeing a feeble girl who is suddenly a stuntman behind the wheel. Similarly, the rate of death or disturbances that go unnoticed in the city is highly debatable, though it's far less vehement than the first go around. While the action is comparatively sparse due to his brief captivity, Neeson upholds his end of the bargain when it comes to ass-kickage. Age knows no bounds with a man on a mission, and he's not one to go down without a fight. Disappointingly, the final showdown doesn't share the same sentiment, ending sooner than you can say "Taken 3." But another sequel there will be, as box office numbers don't lie. With nothing left to be taken, it's justly due for a new course.

Rating: 2½ stars

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Argo







Release Date: Oct 12, 2012 
Runtime: 2 hr.
Director: Ben Affleck 
Cast: Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, John Goodman, Bryan Cranston, Victor Garber.

If someone had said back then that Ben Affleck would direct not one, but three Oscar-worthy films, it would have sounded preposterous. The guy who starred in such flops as "Daredevil" and "Jersey Girl," not to mention the ill-fated "Gigli." Yet as inconceivable as it may be, he's proven himself time and time again, delivering quality dramas that equal the fortitude of any trained director. Continuing this momentum, his third effort "Argo" is easily his greatest achievement yet, and ranks as one of the best films to be released this year. Based on the wildly true story of the 'Canadian Caper,' it recounts the rescue mission of six American delegates during the Iranian hostage situation. Starring Affleck himself in the role of CIA specialist Tony Mendez, he joins a diverse cast of talents to create movie magic the movie in this case being a science-fantasy adventure titled "Argo." Under the guise of a fake production, and with the aid of the Canadian embassy, he undertakes an impossible mission that will decide the fate of innocent civilians. Tense, detailed and often than not engagingly funny, the film is a melting pot of sensational performances as well as dramatizations. From the opening scene at the U.S. embassy, the intensity is palpable, eliciting fear and anxiety which carry throughout in intervals. As a counterintuitive, humor is then deliberately introduced by the likes of John Goodman and Alan Arkin; a genius combo that double-handedly steals every scene they're in, dispensing more laughs than typical comedies. It's this blend of tautness and witticism that makes for an engaging rollercoaster ride, while synchronizing events that occur in real time. Affleck, for his part, is as conducive in front of the camera as he is behind it, attesting once again that he is his own best muse. His scraggly appearance doesn't mask the fact that he's grown as an actor who's had his fair share of critical disappointments. While the story itself is not unfamiliar, and the outcome already foreseeable, it's still a heart-pounding race that never lets up until the final remaining seconds. Non-fictional or not, "Argo" is certainly a film worth viewing because come award season, this is the one to watch.

Rating: 5 stars

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

End of Watch







Release Date: Sep 21, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 
Director: David Ayer 
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera.

If you ever wondered what an episode of "Cops" would look like with Hollywood actors and a scripted dialogue, then look no further. Written and directed by the writer who brought you "Training Day," "End of Watch" follows two partners in their day-to-day routine in the tumultuous line of duty. Using personal cameras via the 'found footage' approach, it's an intimate yet dramatically intense look into the violence that plagues South Central LA. More importantly, it's about the camaraderie that the two characters share that drives the bulk of the movie, adding humanity that's commonly forgotten in such hard-hitting genres. Gyllenhaal expands his range playing the reckless Brian Taylor, alongside Peña who continues to be an underrated but immensely talented actor. As the camera accompanies the two on their drug busts and house calls, it's easy to get caught up in the moment when brutality erupts. Having done a handful of films regarding law enforcement already, Ayer is a pro when it comes to embellishing the action. He also manages to conjure a bit of humor whenever the lead actors aren't too busy pummeling victims, a thankful reprieve from all the violence. Though the film feels almost like a mesh of assorted episodes, the final climax is enough of an adhesive to bring it all together. Not to be one that's outdone by himself, Ayer gives us another solid film that pushes the boundaries.

Rating: 4 stars

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Looper






Release Date: Sep 28, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 59 min. 
Director: Rian Johnson 
Cast: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, Noah Segan, Jeff Daniels, Piper Perabo.

Whether it's past, present, or future, the concept of time travel has perpetually eluded even the most brilliant of minds. How does it work, and who or what does it affect? Do multiple timelines exist, and if so, which is the reality? While the answers may never be concrete, Rian Johnson explores the possibilities in his latest project, "Looper." Set in two variations of the future, crime bosses use time travel to dispose of unwanted bodies, delegating so-called "Loopers" to get the job done. The only rule of thumb? Don't lose your target. For Joe (Gordon-Levitt), it's a mundane life with high rewards and low risks...until the day he makes the error of letting his future self (Willis) get away. If you expected a fast-paced thrill ride as shown in the trailer, then you'd be somewhat disappointed. While the film exhibits classic sci-fi elements, it also circumvents the usual parameters surrounding time travel, instead questioning the moralities behind it in a 'what if' type of situation. Heavily allegorical at times, and slow to transpire, the plot is more intricate than it initially implies. And that's where it gets tricky as variables come into play, with Old Joe wanting one thing and Young Joe wanting another. It's enough to make your mind churn with paradoxes and plot holes, in addition to a secondary storyline that seems strangely out of place. But Johnson gets credit for originality and audaciousness, crafting a sci-fi thriller that hinges on perplexity, not to mention casting two leads who look nothing alike. Prostheses or not, Joseph Gordon-Levitt does a brilliant job of playing young Bruce, voice mimicry and all, to the point where it's eerie when the two share the same screen. Willis, himself, gives a moving performance while retaining his tough guy ego, undoubtedly being one of his best to date. With the recent surge of highly-stylized, futuristic reboots, a la "Total Recall" and "Dredd," it's refreshing to see a stripped down version that does more with less. While "Looper" is by no means a flawless time travel conception, it's still honestly thought-provoking. Just don't overthink it too much or you may find yourself closing the loop.

Rating: 3½ stars