Jack Ryan...For A New Generation

    For those who grew up in the 90's, most of us remember Harrison Ford bringing Jack Ryan to life in Clear And Present Danger and Patriot Games. Ben Affleck was cast a few years back to reboot the franchise, but it didn't quite work as well as they hoped.  The analyst turned C.I.A. field op is back in another reboot. Is the audience ready and will it work?

  

    Chris Pine is takes over the role from Affleck and Ford. We meet Jack as a college student who gets patriotic and joins the Marines after the events of 911. He is injured and goes back to finish his PHD and is recruited by the C.I.A. He takes a cover as a Wall Street Exec and uncovers a plot to destroy the American dollar. He is mentored by Kevin Costner and tries to balance his secret life as an agent with his personal life  life. His girlfriend becomes involved and after they head to Moscow to prevent the fall of our economy, his life gets even more intense.

 

  The film isn't without flaw, but that's OK. The cast is really good. I am truly a fan of Chris Pine. He's like able, believable in action roles, and has genuine charisma. He gives an, "average Joe," quality to the character that is really enjoyable to see on screen. Kevin Costner is great in the mentor role. Costner seems to be picking the right roles these days. He is easily believable as the chiseled agency veteran and has great chemistry with Pine. It is Kira Knightly that does it for me. I never liked her in the Pirates films, but she truly feels part of this. She is simple, but beautiful and there is something about her fake American accent that I liked.

   The film isn't overly difficult to follow. It is not overly thrilling or explosive, but it just works. Kenneth Brannagh keeps the story simple to follow and doesn't waste a lot of the movie goer's time. It's a fun ride with serviceable villains and a decent plot. It's not your dad's Jack Ryan, but that is OK. I would have loved to see a Harrison Ford cameo, but I didn't leave disappointed.

Let's Talk More Than Just About .....Her

I am sorry it has taken me so long to write my review for this movie. It has been a bit of a chaotic new year so far. I am still not sure how to react by this film. The effect is so profound that I have decided to blog beyond a review.

In regards to the film, a man essentially falls in love with his life like “Siri” app and struggles with that relationship. The film has a very 80's “Elementary School, color palette. It is almost like some kind of strange futuristic world, but we are supposed to believe it is now. It isn't a bad movie, but it felt like I was intruding on someone's private chat conversation. Maybe that was the goal.

Her is a very interesting movie in the sense that it provides a very sad look at what our society is becoming. Loneliness is a vicious creature. We all want to be with someone. Companionship is such a basic human need and yet there are plenty of people who have no one. I had lunch with a former intern who declared that meeting online is the new millennium way of dating. I truly hope not.

You can find sites all over the place and millions of people use them. We sit at our computers, we type, we text, we do anything but have physical conversations. I have never been a fan of online dating. I am a firm believer that we hide who we really are to create illusions of who we want to be. Online, a person can be anyone and we play this ridiculous fantasy role playing game.

There are so many predators out there and yes they exist in all walks of life, but they seem to be more prominent in the digital world.

There are those who argue that feelings are real and they may very well be, but I don't want to date someone I can't touch. People will say that they met online and are still together. To them I say, congratulations! I could dive into the psychological traits of the people who meet online, but it would probably become insulting and that isn't my goal.

I admit that it can be difficult meeting people if you move to a new town and some would say that meeting in bars can be worse. Agreed, but I go back to touch. The comfort of a simple hug, the kiss after a long day, holding hands while crossing a parking lot, and a hundred other examples are such an important part of the deal. The eyes are the window to the soul and can be hidden so well over a web cam or keyboard.

Technology is great, but something has been lost. The face to face conversation. People are free to do what they want, but I say lets be bold. Go out and actually talk to someone. Get to know them over time or make a mistake and find out the hard way. That is innovative. Physically touch them, see for yourself what they like and dislike, learn how they handle situations, and live life beyond the four walls that you live in. Loneliness is brutal, but being afraid to live life is much worse. Fantasy is fun and we all role play, but when it comes to dating.....learn how to unplug.

Another Year, Another Chapter.....

    2013 winds down and for whatever reason I tend to think and reflect this time of year. It probably has something to do with visiting my grand parents grave site. I wrote a whole other blog about that so feel free to read if you need more about that. Christmas is never really an easy holiday for me. I am not being selfish, but it has been the same since my grand mother passed. I suppose I don't have one particularly great Christmas memory of my grandma beyond the fact that she was always there. I suppose that is special enough. My family is spread out and it's been awhile since we were all together at the same time on Christmas. This year Lauren will experience her first Christmas without her great grandmother, who was the center of her family holiday. I truly hope her holiday is a good one.

   When I look back at 2013, I can't help but wish things were a little closer to what they used to be. People are certainly different. I remember the excitement that used to surround the holiday. Don't get me wrong, there is still excitement, but I overheard the conversation of two moms in Target and they were not quite happy. Christmas has become the most materialistic time of the year and not everyone can keep up. I didn't start writing to bring anyone down, but reality is reality.

   I look at where I have come from in the last year and I count myself among the blessed. I get to do a job that I love. I was given the opportunity to build something and while it is challenging, it is starting to become what I envisioned nearly two years ago. Despite what people will say about it, my company has done nothing short of show me respect and provide me with opportunities to grow. My career finally feels like it is growing and after several years, it's a good feeling. I have a building full of great people to work with and that doesn't happen very often and for me it has happened a third time. Dysfunctional our work family may be, but I get to work with some good people and at the end of the day, I am thankful for that.

  It's not been an easy year for my family, but somehow they manage to pull through. I am finally accepting the fact that my step dad isn't immortal, but he will always be my hero. If I have a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, Bob is certainly the angel and my conscience. I hope the stress on my mom lessens. She deserves it. We have lived with nothing and dined like kings and in both cases my mom made sure we had the best she could give. I look back an appreciate both now more than ever before.

The world will not do anyone any favors. I get irritated when I see people selling lies and pretending to do well. I try to treat people the same year round. If I don't like you in March, I still don't like you in December. I try and do things for the right reasons and not so I look good doing it. I have learned to be less temperamental. I have my moments, but we all do.

 So at the most materialistic time of the year, I have this to offer. Gifts will always mean more from the heart and not from the wallet. I love nice things. We all do, but at the end of the day a little good will is a gift that the entire world could use.  If you have wasted 2013 trying to keep up with or live someone Else's dream, I hope 2014 is the year you live your own.  The world isn't perfect, situations are never perfect, but we only get out of it what we put in. It gets frustrating to keep fighting and not get ahead, but winners hustle harder and it can't rain all the time.

 I'll end with a quick note to my grandma. I am lucky enough to go home everyday to someone who love me for me. Accepts my faults, (and there are plenty of them) stands by me, and appreciates what I am trying to be. It feels good to be back home. I am a better person. I love life again. I accept it's challenges and am excited again for the next chapter. I hope you like the flowers I left you and I hope you are proud of who I am becoming. I am not completely alright, but I am doing OK.

 To everyone else, I simply say Merry Christmas and good will towards men and women.



 

Anchorman 2 Breaking News or a Re-run

   
        Let's be clear, sequels are not easy. Comedies are even more difficult. It is hard to capture the same appeal of the first movie without being a carbon copy. Case in point, The Hangover 2. The original Anchorman is still quoted by people today and that is a lot of hype to live up too. The original cast is back and Will Ferrel seems to have fun with the Ron Burgundy character. I hope so because from ESPN to Dodge commercials, Burgundy is everywhere. Is it enough for the movie to work?

      Ron and Veronica have some issues and he quits the news business. Twenty four hour news is on the verge of launching and Ron and the team are recruited for the overnight shift. Burgundy does his thing and quickly they are back on top. New rivals, friendships, traumatic experiences, and the pressure of being the best force Ron Burgundy to decide whether it's news or family that he wants the most.

   The movie is silly. Almost too silly at times, but it's almost necessary. Anchorman 2 does a great job of not taking itself too seriously. The cast is great together, but I liked Steve Carell better the first go round. I think this time we get a little too much Brick for my taste. James Marsden is great as Burgundy's new rival and Megan Good is a lot of fun as Ron's new boss. Fans of the first will recognize the similarities from the first, but the movie does a good job of changing some of the classic moments from the previous installment.

   The cameos in the film are pretty impressive. Drake, Will Smith, Harrison Ford and more all add some fun moments to the film. I won't ruin all of them, but there are plenty to go around. The story is good, but it does go a little over the top at times. The supporting cast is great, but make no mistake, it is all about Burgundy.

   Will brings back everything you loved about Ron from the first film. The one liners are there, but not quite as strong. Magic is tough to capture twice, but Anchorman 2 does it's best. There is plenty of salon quality hair and news reading. There is a little jazz flute, some sex panther, and plenty of scotch. At the end of the day Ron Burgundy's legend continues and it's not bad. It's just not quite as good. Now you go see the movie and you stay classy blog readers.

The Hobbit....The Longest Good Movie You May See This Year....

    The first Lord Of The Rings trilogy connected with a massive audience. Peter Jackson and the cast proved that fantasy, if done correctly, can be profitable and widely accepted. We were taken back to middle earth last year when Peter brought The Hobbit to the big screen to mixed reviews. The book is a single novel, but the movies have been split into another trilogy. There are plenty of people who disliked the first one, but I don't count myself among them. While I will admit that it didn't quite recreate the magic of Lord Of The Rings, it was entertaining. It was also long. We are now set to embark on another journey to middle earth so we ask the question, is it worth the trip?


  We pick up where the first leaves off. The Dwarfs are still attempting to reclaim their homeland and are being hunted by Azog (Manu Bennet) and his Orc army. The must get to their mountain home so that a secret door into their kingdom can be revealed. In the midst of their running, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) senses that a greater evil is returning and leaves the company. Bilbo and  the dwarfs continue to run from orcs, elves, giant spiders in their attempt to reach the underground kingdom. Ancient prophecies, a magic ring, and one danger after another makes it a difficult task. The company is also faced with a sleeping dragon that guards their stolen kingdom. If they can reclaim their home, what evil will be released to the world?

  This time around we are treated to much more action. Skirmish after skirmish helps us meet a couple of  new characters and get reintroduced to an old favorite. Legolas is back! Orlando Bloom has aged and gained a little weight and it does make a noticeable difference. We are meeting Legolas for the first time and to me he didn't look younger. He does command the screen and the same battle skill that we loved the first time around is back and fun to watch. Luke Evans debuts as Bard the Bowman. His heart is in the right place and I am interested to see his role expand in the third chapter. The skin changer, Beorn, makes a brief but memorable appearance too. We spend the most time with Bard, but when you have so much going on and so many characters, we don't always get enough time with some characters.

    Tauriel is the new character that stands out the most. Evangeline Lily brings her to life. She is tough and definitely battle tested, but she does have a heart. Her conflict over her kings wishes, but her kindness to the dwarfs makes for a great story. She has come a long way from Lost and watching her fight along side of Legolas is beyond entertaining. The story this time around is much better. Jackson does a great job of keeping each of the characters involved and even though it's long, it doesn't drag. 

   What I love about all of these movies is the look. Peter Jackson does a fantastic job of bringing middle earth to life. The details are so perfect. Everyone looks the part and nothing comes across low budget. The grunge of  Watertown, the epic scale of the mountain kingdom, and even the forest look flawless. We even take a trip back to the Prancing Pony and it looks the same as it did in The Fellowship of The Ring. 

 The movie is about Bilbo and Smaug. Their dialogue in the treasure room is a lot of fun. Benedict Cumberbcach is very well cast and the dragon looks amazing. Martin Freeman comes across more comfortable as Bilbo this time around. He event hints at little madness the more he secretly uses the one ring. Bilbo is still fumbling and awkward, but when mixed with Smaug's wit and arrogance, it really plays well. I still don't feel like the Hobbit films recaptures the heart of the originals, but it is worth a return trip to middle earth. I did find myself missing Golum, but I'm sure he'll be back for the next run. 

Catching Fire and a Truckload of Money

   The buzz around the Hunger Games sequel is at an all time high. Sellout early showings and a massive fan base are quickly poising the film for one of the biggest openings of the year. The first film found new fans and of course those familiar with all of the novels. Catching fire picks up where the first movie leaves off. Katniss and Peeta are pretending to be in love while on their victory tour. They are given cue cards and told what to say. Fed, clothed, and treated like celebrities. The problems begin when Katniss becomes conscious of the problems in the districts. Rebellion is brewing and she has a hard time towing the line. President Snow resents her, the people love her, and all the while she is torn between Gale (Hemsworth) and Peeta.

   In order to eliminate Katniss the powers that be decide to bring previous winners back for the Quarter Quell. A tournament of champions so to speak. We meet a lot of new tributes. Each one with new traits and abilities. Peeta and Katniss train and attempt to make allies and keep their enemies to a minimum. Katniss is made more aware of the corruption that controls the people and is forced to compete in an even deadlier Hunger Games.

  
    The things you have come to expect are there. The costumes, the grit, and larger than life personalities. The new cast fits in well, with fan favorite Finnick being one of the stand outs. The movie can be confusing and at times tedious, but overall still fun to watch. It sets up Mocking Jay and gives you a better feel for the conflict of the characters. It will probably live up to expectations and Jennifer Lawrence deserves all of the praise she has come to receive. It won't be for everyone, but the Hunger Games Catching Fire left me hungry for more.

Thor The Dark Wolrd, but The Right Movie....

     Marvel has a winning record. They have made some mistakes. Two of their biggest properties are controlled by other studios. I am OK with what Sony is doing with Spider Man, but Fox just cannot get the X-Men universe right. Marvel has figured out what putting the rest of it's core characters under one umbrella. It has paid off, but raised expectations. Let's get this out of the way right now, Thor The Dark World delivers in many ways. It has short comings, but they don't doom the film.

   After the events in New York, Thor has been bringing law and order to the nine realms and prepares to ascend to the throne of Asgard. He broods over Jane, but with Hemidol (Idris Elba) keeps a distant watch over her. When she unwittingly discovers and awakens an ancient evil. Enter the Dark Elves and Malekith (Christopher Eccelson). They seek to destroy the nine realms during an event called the convergence. It's where all worlds perfectly align creating portals between them. Odin believed these elves to be long destroyed by his father, but after attacking Asgard he learns differently. Thor must then defy his father and align with his evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddelston) to save Jane (Natalie Portman) and the universe.

 
  Overall the story is simple. It is easy for even a novice to follow. I was impressed with the way the continue to handle the universe of Thor. It is not an easy world to bring to reality. Marvel has done a very good job at making it slightly more realistic. The supporting cast is good. Kat Dennings is their for comic relief and has an increased role. I was a little disappointed that Stellan Skarsgard's Dr Selvig was reduced to comic relief, but it somehow worked.

 
The first film did a fantastic job with the complicated father son dynamic between Thor and Odin. This film equally satisfies in that department. You can truly tell that Anthony Hopkins is having fun with the Odin character. He and Hemsworth have a good chemistry and it carries large portions of the film.

 Loki steals the show, again. You never truly know where his allegiances lie until the end. Tom Hiddelston plays a villain that you love to hate. Technically he is not the real threat in the film, but he is again a great villain. He is evil and comedic all at once and the story is definitely better with him in it.

 While I loved Loki,  I was not impressed with Malekith. I like villains that you fear. I was never impressed here, but I am not truly familiar with Thor's rogues gallery. He is not a great villain, but he is serviceable for the film. He works well with the story, but I found him slightly on the silly side as opposed to terrifying.

 Jamie Alexander is great as the warrior maiden Sif. She is given more to do this go around and that was the right move. If the film has a major flaw, it is with her. They tease a triangle with her and Jane Foster, but they never truly develop it. Still, this short coming isn't enough to derail the film.

 In the end , there are twists, set ups for other films, and a fantastic Avenger cameo. The movie brings Thor's world back to reality and if another adventure is lined up, it will be worth the ride. Action, comedy, and a little sadness. Thor the Dark World is a fun trip, but make sure you stay through the credits!

Excelsior!