NEWS: Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx Reunited

You read the title correctly. That's right, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx are teaming up once again.  However, this time it won't be the shoot-out bloodfest of Django Unchained.  This time it's for an adaptation of the soon-to-be-released novel, Mean Business on North Ganson Street.  The film will follow the lives of two hardened detectives who become partners in an unsavory Missouri town.  When officers start turning up dead around them, the two believe a conspiracy may be happening.  So, they start to take matters into their own hands.

Mean Business on North Ganson Street was purchased for Warner Bros. and will be produced by both DiCaprio and Jennifer Davison Killoran.  As of now, there has been no director hired for the job and the screenplay will be written by Craig Zahler, who also wrote the book.

If DiCaprio and Foxx can work their magic on screen again, then we should expect to see another fantastic film.  In the meanwhile, we'll just have to wait.  With a cast being assembled, a director should soon be hired.  Any guesses on who may get the job?  Comment below and let us know!

There is no word yet on when production will get underway for this project.

REVIEW: Much Ado About Nothing (2012)

   This film is a treat. It's been a very, very long time since I've walked out of a theater with such a smile on my face, and it was well-worth the two-hour drive I had to take to see it. I understand all of our audience won't do that, but I MUST share this jewel. Everything from the direction to the cast the the set to the writing to the costumes to the style is amazing. It takes a lot for me to love a film so, so much. For this, I feel safe using the term, "Perfect."
   Joss Whedon + William Shakespeare = Success. 'Nuff said. They mix together hand in hand. Shakespeare is a master writer, and Whedon does a lot to add to the script without changing any of the original text or meaning. It's in the small details, the silly things the different characters do. Mostly in little motions different characters make, or even some small sound. Grabbing a cupcake after walking out on a wedding. Roaring like a lion after a sexy line. You can tell the actors were having a ton of fun, which helps the viewer laugh along with them.

   (You'll notice here that I haven't included a summary of the story, so see the NEWS story below for that.) The true talent in this film comes in the actors. There isn't a single one that stands out as being "bad," but even more than that, every one is amazing. It's in the delivery of their lines. I cared for smaller roles like Margaret (Ashely Johnson), who can often be a forgettable character compared to the others. Then, I loved characters I usually hate, like Hero (Jillian Morgese), who handled the role in a completely different way then I've seen before. Johnson had the wit and fantastically funny side stares at those around her. Morgese played the part with such power, turning a usually weak character into someone who thinks for themselves. 

   Our leads, Benedick (Alexis Denisof) and Beatrice (Amy Acker), carry the film. Every little action each actor took added a laugh into the movie, even if it wasn't scripted. They're facial expressions made one's eyes stick to the screen. Leonato (Clark Gregg) played an amazing father-character. Something different with this performance of him is that he seemed much more like a father. Combining his lines with that of his brother's, Antonio's, made him seem like more of a father to Hero. Not leaving her to fend for herself. 

   Don Pedro (Reed Diamond) certainly was the one in charge, and Claudio (Fran Kranz) was directly behind him. Inseparable, too. Don John (Sean Maher) and his team, Conrade (Riki Lindham) and Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark) were truly terrible, "evil" characters . Dogberry (Nathan Fillion), Verges (Tom Lenk), and the Watch (Nick Kocher, Brian McElhaney) were some of the funniest characters with the best chemistry I've ever seen in a film.

   Style is a word that I think of when writing about this film. It was shot in black and white, which adds a classic-type of feeling. That, and Shakespeare's language isn't changed a bit. But, with that being said, those who aren't well-versed in Shakespearean language shouldn't have a problem trying to understand this play. They are sure it is very much clear. The film is shot beautifully, taking advantage of all the possible angles that Whedon and Kai Cole (Whedon's wife and producer of the film), could think of for use in their film. Sound is blended very well, with music written and done by Whedon along with his brother Jed Whedon and Jed's wife, Maurissa Tancharoen.

   Overall, this movie leaves one with a nice feeling. You'll be happy after having watched this amazingly hilarious film. One with a lot of heart, too, where one will care abut each and every character. Not only that, but the cast. You can tell they had such a fun time putting together this piece or art, along with just being together after such a long time. This film was completed in 12 days at Whedon's household in Santa Monica while working on The Avengers. Whedon and Cole cancelled their anniversary to work on this dream of creating this. It's something Whedon has wanted to do for a long time. Getting together these friends and family was special. Whedon fans and others alike are sure to appreciate this miss. Not one to miss. Again, 'Nuff said.

RATING: 5/5

This film is rated PG.

NEWS: Much Ado About Nothing Receives Full Release

   Joss Whedon fans will soon be treated to his next film and the latest adaptation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. This is the first time this play was adapted for film since Kenneth Branagh's 1993 film of the same name. The film is the first to be published by Bellwether, created by Whedon and his wife, Kai Cole, who also worked on the film. The film was shot with multiple actors and actresses from previous Whedon projects like Firefly, Serenity, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dollhouse, The Cabin in the Woods, The Avengers, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

   The film originally had a limited release, starting on June 7, but had a wider release on June 21 across the country. (See link below for theaters in the U.S.) The film was filmed in only 12 days at the Whedon household in Santa Monico during work on The Avengers.

  
   Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing is a story full of deception, masking feelings, mistaken identity, and the opposite sex. The film follows a story of love in Messina and those who live there. Governor Leonato (Clark Gregg), along with his daughter Hero (Jillian Morgese) and her best friend Beatrice (Amy Acker) wait for the return of Don Pedro's (Reed Diamond) soldiers, Claudio (Fran Krans) and Benedick (Alexis Denisof) from a victorious battle. Soon after, Claudio and Hero announce their plan to marry. With the help of Don Pedro and Leonato, they also try to start a relationship between their friends Benedick and Beatrice, who have been at odds for some time, but retain some long-time feelings for one another that all seem to see but them.
   Over the course of the play, secrets are spread and lies are told, which causes very many misunderstanding. Don Pedro's brother, Don John (Sean Maher), is the source of these lies, who wants revenge of his brother and those around him, as Don John tried to start a rebellion, which was crushed by his brother. With the help of the watch, lead by Dogberry (Nathan Fillion), they try to foil his plans.

   This is a movie that Whedon fans have waited for for a long time since its initial announcement and trailer. For those fans, it is a lot like a reunion of those they love from Whedon's past creations. The film has a very "artsy" feeling, being shot in black and white and retaining Shakespeare's original text. Critics have been praising it thus far, and it is looking to be one of the big surprises this summer. Besides, a mix of Whedon and Shakespeare is sure to be interesting in the least. If you have the chance, you should try to catch a showing in one of the theaters showing it across the country. Hopefully, with its success, we'll see an even more theaters showing it.

For theaters, visit: http://muchadotheaters.blogspot.com/

REVIEW: Monsters University

Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend the premiere of Pixar's return to the wonderfully animated world of monsters in their latest feature film, Monsters University.  While very different in tone, theme, and setting, Monsters University is still able to rise to the challenge and stand proudly next to Monsters, Inc.

Monsters University rewinds the clock and takes us back to the college years of both Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. "Sulley" Sullivan (John Goodman).  Long before they were lurking in closets for a living, Mike and Sulley were just two Scaring majors at Monsters University, dreaming of the day they would make children shriek in terror.  When their heated competition to be the most fearsome in their class gets out of hand; however, Mike and Sulley find themselves ejected from the prestigious Scare Program, and they are forced to seek the aid of their oddball friends in order to get their education back on track.  Everything is on the line: it's either get back into the Scare Program or leave Monsters University... forever.

Pixar is once again at the top of its game in their latest film.  Monsters University has it all.  Laughs.  Smiles.  Sadness.  Joy.  Suspense.  And fun.  Oh, and not to mention the typical Pixar heartwarming ending.  What is particularly great about this film is the fact that it ties up all the loose ends from the first movie.  Monsters University reveals why Randall and Sulley are enemies, how Mike became interested in scaring, how Mike and Sulley got jobs at Monsters Incorporated, and most importantly, how the two became such close friends.  The movie also does something incredibly surprising.  It changes the way you'll view Monsters, Inc.  Never again will I look at that movie the same way, but I won't spoil anything here.

One thing you'll probably notice in this prequel is that there is a shift in focus.  While Monsters, Inc. focused more on Sulley, Monsters University focuses more on Mike.  You'll also notice a change in setting.  Monsters Incorporated is in the movie for a total of five to ten minutes.  The vast majority of the film is set at Monsters University and the frat house for Oozma Kappa, the most lovable set of misfits you'll ever meet.  I won't spoil anything, but there is also a profound message for people of all ages towards the end of the film.  In fact, I would even say this is one of Pixar's strongest messages in their history.

As always, the voice acting is phenomenal.  Billy Crystal and John Goodman fall right back into character and deliver outstanding performances.  Another stand out is Helen Mirren, who captivates the audience every time her character is on the screen.  Helen plays Dean Hardscrabble, who is menacing and intimidating.  By the end though, her character reminded me a lot of Professor McGonagall from Harry Potter, so I didn't hate the Dean too much.  All the other voice actors do a fine job and add life to the film.  Not to mention the fact that all the characters themselves are simply lively.  The script is near perfection and all the characters are pretty well fleshed out.  By far though, my new favorite minor character is Squishy's Mom, who is hysterical.  This is the one character that made me laugh every time she was on screen.

The pacing of Monsters University is also well done.  It stands at about 1 hour and 40 minutes, so it's not too long for little kids.  Never once did I feel the need to check my watch and the movie just flew by.  There were no really boring parts and the movie avoids repeating itself, making it feel fresh and new.

Is Monsters University better than its predecessor?  That's up for you to decide.  I went into the movie expecting it to live up to Monsters, Inc. and be a super fantastic movie.  So when it started, I was beginning to feel a little let down.  However, eventually I forgot about the other movie and simply enjoyed this one as it is - a great animated film.  Both Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University are wonderful Pixar movies, just in very different ways.  I highly recommend you see this movie in theaters, no matter your age, and learn what life was like before Monsters, Inc.

RATING: 4.5 / 5

This film is rated G.
  

REVIEW: Monsters Inc.

For this Throwback Thursday, I decided to go back into the Pixar archives and take another look at the delightfully funny, Monsters, Inc.  Also, the timing of this review seems appropriate considering the fact that Monsters University, the prequel to Monsters, Inc., is released to general audiences tomorrow.  So now, let's turn back the clock and return to the safeness of our childhoods as we take a look at Pixar's Monsters, Inc., directed by Pete Docter and David Silverman.

Monsters, Inc. follows the lives of Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. "Sully" Sullivan (John Goodman) as they work at the industrial plant, Monsters Incorporated, which produces the power used in the monster world.  Sully is the top-scarer, meaning that he has extracted the most energy from children's screams.  Despite getting their energy from children, monsters are terrified of them, so when one enters their world, everything is turned upside down.  Mike realizes the danger the human child Boo (Mary Gibbs) presents to both himself and Sully, but Sully becomes attached to the child, leading to a comedic adventure of friendship and loyalty.

Monsters, Inc. is a piece of Pixar gold.  It's funny, thrilling, suspenseful, and heartwarming.  And like many other Pixar films, while it may be geared towards children, it can be enjoyed by people of any age.  Even if you don't enjoy the story, you have to give Pixar credit for the gorgeous animations.  From Sully's individual blue and purple hairs to Mike's smooth, shiny texture, the world of Monsters, Inc. feels lush and alive.  While animations have improved since the film's debut in 2001, it still stands as a testament of good graphics and it was top-notch during its day.

The voice actors in this movie also add life to this animated film.  John Goodman's gruff voice lends itself to the hairy beast, Sully, but is soft and soothing at all the right times.  Almost every time Billy Crystal talks as Mike, people laugh.  He adds comedy to the movie and makes it very lighthearted.  Together, Goodman and Crystal make a truly dynamic duo as Sully and Mike.  However, all the other actors do a fine job as well.  Mary Gibb's voice is just as cute as little Boo and James Coburn's voice is just as scary and intimidating as the eight-legged Henry J. Waternoose. However, Bob Peterson steals the show at certain points as the dreary, miserable manager Roz.  Anyone who has seen the film will, I'm sure, remember Roz's line, "I'm watching you Wazowski.  Always watching.  Always."

Monsters, Inc. is a delightfully fun movie for anyone, whether you be 2 years old or 100 years old.  There is probably something in the movie that will make you smile and laugh.  And chances are your heart will be warmed at the end.  After all, when it comes to heartwarming animated endings, who better to do it than Pixar?  This movie is, without doubt, worth a watch and worth the money to buy it on Blu-Ray or DVD.

RATING: 4.5 / 5

This film is rated G.

NEWS: Trailer Released for The Wolf of Wall Street

Big news today for Martin Scorsese fans as well as Leonardo DiCaprio fans.  The first trailer for their upcoming film, The Wolf of Wall Street, was released today!  This film will mark the fifth Scorsese / DiCaprio collaboration.  If it does as well as the past four, it should be yet another masterpiece in the Martin Scorsese collection.

The Wolf of Wall Street is based on the memoirs of Wall Street stock broker and party boy Jordan Belfort (DiCaprio).  It tells the thrilling story of Belfort's quick rise in the stock game, excessive lifestyle, and shady business dealings.  And now, without further ado, the trailer for The Wolf of Wall Street.

This trailer is fast-paced and packed with a wide variety of scenes, from pure comedy to something more sinister at large.  With some serious undertones, this trailer is overall quite funny.  While the trailer portrays a different kind of Scorsese film, I'm sure it will be well done.  The film also stars Matthew McConaughey and Jonah Hill.  So, what do you think of the trailer?  Will Scorsese hit gold again, or will the film fall short of his standards?  Comment below! 

The Wolf of Wall Street hits theaters November 15, 2013.

REVIEW: The Purge

   James DeMonaco's The Purge is the latest horror feature to hit the theaters and pollute our televisions with commercial after commercial of cheap scares. Most would dismiss this film at first glance or go see it for dumb entertainment to sit and enjoy a bit of popcorn and Coke, but this film proves to be more than your average scare-fest, but a little deeper of a film. In fact, it isn't very scary at all (We'll talk more about this later).
   Set in the United States in 2022 in a "new" country, where unemployment is at an all-time low and the economy is at an all-time high. In this future, crime is handled in a much stricter sense, except for one 12-hour period each year called "The Purge." During this Purge, crime is legal (even murder) and all emergency services are suspended. The point of this Purge is to cleanse the "evil" or bad emotions from yourself. The way each person or family treats the Purge is very different, as some hide in their houses, while others band together in large parties to murder certain targets or simply cause trouble.

   The story follows the Sandin family and their father, James (Ethan Hawke), who sells security systems to wealthy families to stay safe during the Purge. We meet some of their neighbors, where we learn that they often have a neighborhood "Purge Party," but the Sandin family decline their invite. James and his wife, Mary (Lena Headey), try to explain the importance of the Purge to their children, Zoey (Adelaide Kane) and Charlie (Max Burkholder), but both dismiss this and disagree with their parents. After the "lock-down," Zoey's boyfriend Henry (Tony Oller) sneaks inside to confront her father, while Charlie sees a stranger (Edwin Hodge) who is shouting for help outside their house, and lets him inside. What follows is the plot for the next hour, as a group of masked murderers under the command of their leader (Rhys Wakefield) go to the Sandin house in search for their target: the stranger who is in there with them.
   The film has a very interesting premise, but the problem is in the delivery. It feels as though our director/screenwriter (James DeMonaco) has a "message" or many that he wishes to present, but he never makes them clear. Is this some statement about the state of the America? Are the unemployment and economy issues here supposed to appeal to us? I don't know. The most bizarre bit of this horror film, though, is how it isn't scary. This film has been advertised as a horror-thriller, where it would've been better had it been advertised as simply a thriller. The only scares (if we can call them that) are cheap moments where we hear banging at the window or someone jumps around a corner. We're startled here and there, but never scared.

   With that being said, we do have a downright suspenseful thriller with some decent performances. Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey carry the film as the leads and each actor in his family brings something more to the movie. Some play the cliches, with Kane as the "Rebellious Schoolgirl" and Burkholder as the "Technology Genius," but they bring something special, too. Action scenes and choreography are also a highlight, with one particular fight scene standing out as a shining moment in the film. (It was one of the better fight scenes I've seen in the theaters in a while). Atmosphere is important, especially in a film like this. The Purge delivers here, with an eerie feeling throughout the film that helps create its own image.

   However, there are some terrible twists that we see coming from miles away. Even if I wasn't 100% on their delivery, I called every single "twist." Sadly, the "twist" damages many movies coming out these days. Ever since The Sixth Sense and Seven, this has been a staple in these sorts of films. The Purge would've been much more powerful had it left this out or handled it completely differently. Also, when I'm in the theater and this sort of film ends with the entire crowd giggling, something is wrong. This isn't a genre where laughing should be the final thought. Remakes and sequels plague Hollywood these days, though, especially in these movies. It's nice to see something truly unique, and is worth at least one viewing in the theater. If for nothing more than a fun time and an excuse to eat some candy and Coke. Oh, and to see some fun, suspenseful scenes and decent performances.

RATING: 3/5

This movie is rated R (strong disturbing violence and some language)

REVIEW: Blazing Saddles

In honor of Throwback Thursday,  I decided to review a movie from the days of yesterday - the slapstick comedy, Blazing Saddles.  Directed by the quirky Mel Brooks, director of Young Frankenstein and Spaceballs, this Western comedy offers a wide variety of hilarious craziness and racial slurs.  Despite some crude, offensive jokes and a weak plot, the movie still works and fits into the traditional Mel Brooks style, offering the audience a rootin'-tootin' good time.

Blazing Saddles follows the life of "Black" Bart (Cleavon Little), a lowly railroad worker who, through a series of corrupt politicians, ends up the sheriff of a small Western town called Ridge Rock.  While there, he meets and befriends the infamous Jim the Waco Kid (Gene Wilder), the fastest shooter in all the West.  This dynamic duo work together to eliminate crime and protect the town from an underhanded plan to destroy Ridge Rock and put up a railroad in its place.  The question is: Will they be up for the challenge?

Mel Brooks seems to be the only director that can make an incredibly racist movie and get away with it.  I found myself numerous times laughing at things and then thinking, "Should I really be laughing at that?"  From black jokes, to Hitler impersonations, to derogatory remarks about women, to ethnic slanders, this movie has it all.  And yet,  it is all done in a weird, wacky, and surprisingly lighthearted way.  The movie is, without doubt, a slapstick comedy.  If you're looking for a movie that makes you think and has a few jokes along the way, then look elsewhere.  The film relies heavily on silly jokes, bizarre visuals, and unusual situations.  Usually, I don't like slapstick very much; however, Blazing Saddles had enough wit that I still enjoyed it.

The script is kooky and the plot is practically nonexistent.  Had anybody else directed this movie, it would have been garbage.  But Brooks handles the movie well and you forget that the movie really doesn't have a plot.  Just sit back and enjoy the laughs.  Also, the acting in this film is great.  All the actors add to the comedy of the movie and their timing for certain aspects is spot-on.  Of particular, Madeline Kahn nails it as the slutty Lili Von Shtupp.  Her song, I'm So Tired, is a piece of comedic genius.

Blazing Saddles has earned its place in film history for a reason.  Despite offensive, racial jokes, the movie just works.  If its main job was to make people laugh, then it succeeded. Did it offend some other people along the way?  Probably.  But in comedy, somebody is bound to be offended.  Mel Brooks lets everything fly in this wild, wild Western comedy, and for the most part, it succeeds.  It's well worth a watch anytime you need a good laugh.

RATING: 4 / 5

This movie is rated R (language, sexual references, alcohol consumption, use of a weapon, and racial slurs)  

REVIEW: After Earth

M. Night Shyamalan returns to the directing chair for yet another science fiction flick.  This time around it's After Earth, starring Will Smith and his son, Jaden Smith.  While certainly not Shyamalan's worst film, After Earth still falls far from the glory of The Sixth Sense due to pacing issues and a weak script.

After Earth follows the lives of a father, Cypher (Will Smith), and his son, Kitai (Jaden Smith).  Having a weak family relationship, Cypher decides to take his son with him on his last voyage so that they can bond and spend some time together.  Unfortunately, during the flight to their destination, the ship falls victim to an asteroid shower.  They crash land on the planet Earth, which is now void of human life because humans left due to environmental issues.  Only Cypher and Kitai survive the crash.  But both of Cypher's legs are broken, so it is up to his son, Kitai, to retrieve a distress signal device located miles away.  In order to get the signal device, Kitai will have to survive a jungle of vicious animals and monstrous aliens.  However, if the signal device is not retrieved in time, the two will die.

Director M. Night Shyamalan was once considered a superb movie-maker with his groundbreaking success, The Sixth Sense.  However, in his later years, he has become somewhat of a laughingstock, with one bad move after another.  I was really hoping that After Earth would be his redemption, but sadly, it just isn't.  The movie is built on cliche after cliche and offers practically nothing new to the sci-fi genre.  I mean, come on, a spaceship filled with numerous military personnel and only Cypher and Kitai survive.  Give me a break.  But I was willing to forgive this and several other instances because the story had to be set up somehow.  I thought the movie would get a lot better after Kitai left the ship and journeyed through the jungle.  But, I was wrong.

The jungle scenes, which make up the majority of the film, are long and drawn-out.  I found myself checking my watch several times, hoping that maybe it would speed the movie up.  The pacing could have been overlooked had there been a strong script with powerful performances, but neither happens.  The script is pretty weak and Jaden does little to add to it.  Even Will Smith, who usually turns in strong performances, is bogged down and delivers only a mediocre performance.  You would think that, since Will and Jaden are really father-son, there would be a touching father-son performance.  But I was rarely moved by their relationship in the movie.  In fact, the only relationship in the movie that got some emotion from me was between a giant bird and her babies.  No doubt, the bird was the best thing in this otherwise lackluster summer blockbuster.

So, what did the movie do that was good?  Well, the special effects and animations are decent.  I've seen better effects, but I have also seen far worse.  And the movie does have that futuristic look, so you never forget the time period.  The film also has a good ending, even if it was incredibly predictable.  My favorite parts in the movie occurred whenever Jaden stood on a cliff.  The landscapes are beautiful and lush and add life to the movie.  Unfortunately, those scenes rarely occur.

After Earth falls somewhere between The Sixth Sense and The Last Airbender.  It wasn't terrible.  It wasn't a masterpiece.  It was just rather boring and cliched.  Is it worth the money to go see it in the theater?  Probably not.  But it's at least worth a rent when it comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray, if for nothing else than to see the giant bird.

RATING: 2.5 / 5

This movie is rated PG-13 (sci-fi action violence and some disturbing images)

REVIEW: The Great Gatsby

People that know me are probably not surprised that my first movie review is The Great Gatsby.  It's based on one of my all-time favorite books of the same name and it features one of my all-time favorite actors - Leonardo DiCaprio.  In this 2013 film adaption of the novella, director Baz Luhrmann takes us back to one of the most tragic love stories ever told.  I went into this movie with very high expectations, and they were fulfilled... for the most part.

Set during the height of the "Roaring 1920's" in New York City,  The Great Gatsby is narrated by Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) - a Yale graduate and a writer-turned-bonds salesman who moved from the Midwest to West Egg, an area on Long Island.  Nick reunites with his second cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan), who is married to the unlikable Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton).  Nick's neighbor on West Egg is a man known only as "Mr. Gatsby," a multimillionaire that apparently no one has ever seen, and yet he throws the most extravagant parties that almost all of New York attend.  As the story unfolds,  Nick meets Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio) and is drawn into his world of mystery and romance - a world where anything and everything can happen.  

  
This is not the first time The Great Gatsby has hit the big screen.  It has been adapted into a movie four other times prior to this, once in 1926,  again in 1949, then again in 1974, and finally in 2000.  However, this 2013 film adaption is the most unique and fresh take on the classic 1920's novella.  Baz Luhrmann attempts to connect with modern audiences by including a modern soundtrack,  produced by Jay-Z.  While the soundtrack has caused quite a bit of controversy and I'm sure some people will find it unappealing, I thought the music worked incredibly well.  In fact, after 15 minutes into the movie, I completely forgot about the music.  It simply complimented Luhrmann's outlandish style.

Visually, the film is a masterpiece.  The costumes designed by Catherine Martin, Luhrmann's wife, are impeccable and are, without doubt, Oscar-worthy.  The sets are all detailed and make the world feel lush and vibrant.  At some points in the film, the backgrounds are obviously CGI animated; however, they never distracted me from the movie and they seemed to add to the superficiality of Nick's world.  

As far as the acting in the movie goes, Leonardo DiCaprio and Joel Edgerton steal the show.  DiCaprio plays the mysterious Gatsby perfectly, showcasing Gatsby's sinister side as well as his vulnerable, childlike side.  Gatsby is one of the most complex characters in American literature, and DiCaprio handles the character extremely well.  Edgerton portrays the scumbag unlikable Tom Buchanan and definitely makes you hate the character.  But he also adds some complexity to Tom, which was not found in the book, and I liked this unique interpretation.  That being said, everybody in this movie was great.  Mulligan does the best interpretation of Daisy I have seen and Elizabeth Debicki does a breakout performance as the sleek golfer, Jordan Baker.  Despite all the hate Tobey Maguire has received for his performance as Nick Carraway, I thought he did a decent job and did what he had to do in the film.

The only problem I had with the movie was the pacing in the middle of the film.  Luhrmann sticks to the novella almost exactly, and I felt it slightly hurt the movie in the mid-section.  Not that I was begging for the movie to speed up, but this portion of the movie could have been trimmed back just a bit.  Other than that, this movie is fantastic.  If you love Baz Luhrmann and his previous work (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet, Australia, Strictly Ballroom), then you will most likely love this movie.  It is currently being shown in both 3-D and 2-D.  I have seen the movie in both formats, and it doesn't matter which one you choose.  They're both fine, in my opinion.  

RATING: 4.5 / 5

This movie is rated PG-13 (violent images, sexual content, smoking, partying, and brief language)

Welcome! (Part 2)

Hello all! This is the co-conspirator of Eric, Tyler A. Pangonis. Those of you who know me, know that film is more or less my life. So, when Eric texted me and asked if I ever considered writing reviews for a blog, I was instantly interested.

Like him, I love writing. Like him, I also enjoy giving praise (or tearing apart) film. So, I accepted his offer to aid him in this little journey. I like wasting money on film both good and bad, but most people wanna know if it's worth it or not, right? Well, that's where we come in. We'll be reviewing film for our friends (and any strangers who happen upon our blog). Whether you agree with us is up to you, but we're both fair. For those interested, I am joining the U.S. Air Force for Radio and TV Broadcasting and hope to attend film school after my tour is done. I have a collection of nearly 1,000 films, at this point. And, I have written for Pottsville Area High School's TideLines as a movie reviewer, so this isn't completely new to me. Enjoy, comment, agree or disagree. Everyone has an opinion. See ya around!

Welcome!

Hey everyone, and welcome to the Movie Viewerz blog webpage!

My name is Eric, and as I'm sure you can guess, I love film.  In fact, if I could live out my dream jobs, I would be living in California directing movies and writing books.  But, for now, I enjoy watching movies, and looking for aspects that are really good and aspects that are really bad.  Also having a passion for words and writing, I thought it would be a cool idea to start a movie review blog during my spare time.  Of course, I can't see every movie that comes out, nor do I have time to write an extensive review for each film.  I needed help.  And that's where my fellow movie reviewer comes in...