Aug 21: Se7en

"Two detectives, a rookie and a veteran, hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi."

Directed by: David Fincher, Rated: R, 127 minutes

There aren't as many serial killers movies as one would think, let alone effective ones. The idea of a man (or woman) going around a city murdering unsuspecting people, leaving calling cards or signatures, has always been a creepy fascination a lot of us have. But in that fascination, there is fear and one would think that movies inspired by that fear would be aplenty. Some of cinematic history's greatest villains are serial killers- Norma Bates (Psycho), Alex DeLarge (A Clockwork Orange), Hannibal Lecter (The Silence of the Lambs). These performances are also considered some of the best of all time, so perhaps a big reason there aren't as many serial killer flicks is because of the level set so high by these previous people. However, David Fincher has managed to produce two terrific movies about this topic- Zodiac, an underrated masterpiece about the Zodiac Killer, and his most certain masterpiece, Se7en.

The movie also has the most disturbing opening credits of all time. 

Se7en follows Dt. David Mills (Brad Pitt) and Dt. William Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) as they pursue a serial killer that bases each of his murders on one of the seven deadly sins. As the two detectives get closer to discovering the identity of the killer, they're thrown into a loop and find themselves even further away. The film's plot is formulaic, and you know that another body will be discovered every fifteen minutes or so, but the way Fincher crafts the story makes everything more intense and downright eerie. Going into the film, most people are aware of the seven deadly sins, but the creativity (if that's the right word) that goes into each of the murders, turns the film into something you can quite never expect. 

You won't be able to eat spaghetti for a long time after watching the film. 

As in all of his films, Fincher throws fully fleshed out characters into an absolutely miserable and bleak setting, where right off the bat he abandons all hope. You're constantly on edge, as are the characters, and each turn holds a danger you know is there, but still can't avoid. It's full force fear in the most successful way, and Se7en grabs your throat at the beginning of the film and only lets go (and throws you to the ground) days after the credits roll. Se7en also features one of the most compelling, frustrating, and genius endings in movie history and brings everything together in the most depressing way possible. As for the identity of the killer, you're completely left in the dark with the detectives, and it's only when they know "whodunit", that the audience is aware as well. Se7en also has terrific performances from both Pitt and Freeman as well as a phenomenal performance from the killer (who's identity I will not disclose for those who have not seen the film). 

Who is the man behind the murders? *ominous music*

I cannot recommend this film enough. Fincher has quite the filmography under his belt, with films (along with the previously mentioned Fight Club and Zodiac) such as The Game, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Panic Room, and The Social Network. With films like those, it means a lot when I say that Se7en is his best film. It's full of f**ked up imaginative murders, taps into the fear we all have, and creates something so dark with no hope you can't help but feel uncomfortable. The audience only witness the destruction one man puts out on a bunch of strangers, and while we never see the actual act of murder happen on film, the consequences and aftermath are all on display. Each glimpse leaves you bothered but also intrigued, and while the film doesn't make you a bad person, it taps into a part of your curiosity you probably wouldn't want on display. 

The Good:
great performances from the entire cast, who are each given moments to shine
The Better:
masterful sequences that play close to even the smallest of details, showcasing a man so disturbed and so twisted, yet genius in his work
The Best:
an overall eerie feeling that doesn't leave you right away and a lasting effect that leaves you knowing full well that you just witnessed a masterpiece

Overall: 9.7/10

Trailer:

July 20: The Dark Knight Rises

"Eight years on, a new terrorist leader, Bane, overwhelms Gotham's finest, and the Dark Knight resurfaces to protect a city that has branded him an enemy."

Directed by: Christopher Nolan, Rated: PG-13, 164 minutes

The Dark Knight Rises is the final installment in what will now go down as one of the greatest trilogies of all time. It's hard to believe that just seven years ago, Christopher Nolan resurrected The Caped Crusader with Batman Begins and it's even harder to believe that it's now all over. And boy, what a conclusion it is. The Dark Knight Rises is massive, on a scale never seen before. While The Dark Knight will probably be looked back upon as the strongest film in the series, The Dark Knight Rises will be remembered as one of the greatest conclusions in modern film history. Yes, it has plenty of flaws (the middle is a bit of a mess), but when the parts all come together the way they do, and the series comes to a beautiful finale, all is forgiven. 

Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, TDKR shows Gotham in a time of peace, where a law set in place locks up criminals much easier than before. Batman's been missing the entire time, as the police and the public look at him as a murderer. Bruce Wayne has become a recluse, hiding in his mansion and refusing to make any kind of public appearance. His body is clearly worn out as well, and the billionaire playboy limps through life with a cane. The toll of being Batman clearly has taken a toll on Bruce, physically and mentally. He's a shadow of who he was, both as a man and the hero. Unfortunately for Gotham, a time of peace can never last and one can consider it the calm before the storm. Enter Bane (Tom Hardy), an absolute beast of a man, with unimaginable brute strength that tears through anyone, or anything, in his path. The man has a plan and there is seemingly nothing that can stop him. As Bane descends upon Gotham with his army of soldiers, Bruce must contemplate whether or not to return to the cowl, and if Gotham is even ready for him to return. There is also the beautiful Selina Kyle (played with the perfect combination of sass and sexy by Anne Hathaway), a cat-burglar who is using the time of peace to steal from the rich and eke out a living any way a girl can. Of course, Bruce still has his allies, as both Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) have not given up on the man. While Alfred hopes that Bruce will leave the symbol behind and move on in his life, Lucius continues to produce gadgets and vehicles Batman could add to his arsenal. As for Batman, his ally in Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) remains steadfast, as the two have shared a dark secret over the last eight years. Gordon has turned the Gotham Police Department into a great task force against crime, but he's always weary and on alert that all of that can change in an instant. Enter John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a young "hothead" cop who knows that there's never a time to relax and that the fight on crime is constant, even when it's just petty thieves and criminals. As everything around all of these characters begins to fall apart, and the city falls into chaos, each person plays a vital role in what happens. 

The Dark Knight Rises uses incredible set pieces and larger than life settings to completely bring Gotham to life. It really is one of the country's greatest, and largest cities and it's in this film that we really see how connected it is to the world we know. Just like New York City, Boston, San Francisco, and LA, Gotham has it's own character (it even has its own football team). Nolan uses every block and every building to his advantage, and when something on this large of a scale falls apart, the emotional effect is even stronger. We see the city lay in ruin with all hope seemingly lost and you really feel anxious for everyone on screen. Once the action gets going, there's a terrible sense of dread throughout the movie and there is very little that can be expected. Gotham is at war and The Dark Knight Rises is an incredibly unflinching look at what could easily happen in the real world. 

The Dark Knight Rises is more than just a Batman film. It's really a story about people doing whatever it takes to survive and it just so happens that a man in a black suit is at the center of it all. The cast of characters is much greater than its predecessors and thus, is all about the performances by the actors and actresses that embody these roles. Christian Bale is at his best and The Dark Knight Rises really gives him a lot of time to play the emotional, human side to Batman. A large focus of the film is Bale as Bruce, and the heart-breaking struggles he faces. Of course, a hero is only as good as the evil he faces and Tom Hardy delivers an absolutely terrifying performance as Bane. Hardy is a masked brute that tells his story with his massive muscles and his evil eyes. Imagine a circus and the villains of The Dark Knight Trilogy. Ra's al Ghul is the ringleader, opening the show with a message, giving a vague idea of what is to come. The first act, Scarecrow, disrupts the normality of things and fogs the senses, giving false illusions to what is actually going on. Then, The Joker appears. He has a thing for the theatrical and demands attention. He throws the show into chaos, disrupting the order of things ever so slightly, but enough to leave a lasting impression. He's the entirety of the circus, both the main event and the sideshow. Then, just as everything seems like it's over and the show is ready to pack up and move on, Bane enters and tears everything apart, taking the show hostage. He transforms the circus into something entirely different, changing spectacle into horror. As the tent falls down, nothing is safe, and what was expected is something entirely different. 

The Dark Knight Rises is not a perfect film, but it's a perfect ending to an incredible story told across three different movies. It wraps up everything completely, referencing both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight to great effect. There is a huge feeling of satisfaction at the conclusion and it really feels like the journey is complete. The last ten minutes alone will leave many dazed and amazed, and will certainly go down in history as one of the greatest finales of all time. Christopher Nolan created a detailed, gritty, realistic world with Batman Begins, and by the end of The Dark Knight Rises, the world feels both entirely explored and invested in. It's quite the accomplishment in, not only story-telling, but film-making. It sets the bar incredibly high for the future. It's brave, it's bold, and it's incredibly memorable. 

The Good:

a fitting finale for Batman, his allies, and his city

The Better:

a story's final chapter that plays out wonderfully on an ambitious scale with fierce brutality and packed full of emotion

The Best:

seeing the trilogy as an entire story, and how perfectly everything comes together when looked at as a whole

Overall: 9.5/10

Trailer:

July 19: The Dark Knight

"When Batman, Gordon and Harvey Dent launch an assault on the mob, they let the clown out of the box, the Joker, bent on turning Gotham on itself and bringing any heroes down to his level."

Directed by: Christopher Nolan, Rated: PG-13, 152 minutes

While Batman Begins is a quiet little masterpiece, The Dark Knight is one for the ages. It's an instant classic that fuses both genius film-making and incredible storytelling, all on an epic scale like nothing you've ever seen before. It's the purest of films that ignites something in all of us, whether you're already a fan of The Caped Crusader or not. The Dark Knight is not merely a superhero movie, but a sprawling crime epic that pits the purest of good versus the most chaotic of evil, and puts the battle on a massive stage. Batman Begins is simply the portal to The Dark Knight, and once you pass over the threshold, the movie opens up into an expansive world, inhabited by people just like us, struggling to survive in a world of the corrupt and insane. Everything about The Dark Knight is bigger than before and the heights it reaches are of epic proportions. Even then, it's not just about the action sequences, as the heart of it all consists of incredible performances and a story so simple yet so complex, that sees how badly the world needs a hero like Batman. 

The Dark Knight introduces us to Batman's greatest foe- The Joker. Some can argue that you can't have one without the other, and the movie plays on this idea incredibly well. While Batman is morally good, the Joker is a chaotic evil that simply "wants to watch the world burn". One is driven by the determination to do good, no matter what the cost, while the other is out to destroy everything he can. It's really what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, and the calamity that ensues is both brutal and visceral. Of course, this game is only as good as its players. Heath Ledger gives one of the greatest performances in movie history as The Joker. Everything about him, from his facial tics, to his mannerisms and his voice, become The Killer Clown. Every moment he's on screen, you're enthralled and cannot look away no matter how hard you try. Every line he utters is instantly a classic and is just as memorable as the performance. Unfortunately for Ledger, this performance was his swan song and it leaves you aching for more. The man is the rare breed of talent that comes along once in a lifetime, and The Joker embodies every ounce of it. The only downfall to his acting is the fact that he overshadows the rest of a very large cast. Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman but, unlike in Batman Begins, he's more of a man in the suit than the soul behind the cowl. There is not as much focus on his Bruce Wayne alter-ego as there was in the past, but we still are able to see him struggling with the symbol that he created and his search for a replacement that the city can look to in times of darkness. It's in that search that Wayne finds Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Gotham's district attorney whose mission is to rid the streets of crime and bring swift justice for all of those responsible. He's the White Knight of Gotham. Eckhart plays the part beautifully and his inevitable downfall and transformation into the villain Two-Face is not only tragic, but hard to watch. Eckhart is a man who's known for his nice, charismatic, guy roles and seeing him fall from grace is not only different, but a nice change of pace. Returning to all of their roles are Morgan Freeman (as Lucius Fox), Michael Caine (as Alfred), and Gary Oldman (Jim Gordon), each in a bigger part than Batman Begins. Before, each man owned the role, but this time around, they really are the men they play, and are even bigger allies to Batman. 

Brilliance is not enough to describe this Academy Award winning actor. 

The Dark Knight is Christopher Nolan's greatest film, and with a filmography that includes Memento, Inception, and The Prestige, that's saying a lot. Like I said before, the film pushes the boundaries of film-making, combining real sets and live effects with the most minimal amounts of CGI. While Batman Begins felt contained and restricted to what it could do, The Dark Knight breaks out and the city becomes another character in the film. Everything about the movie feels real and tangible, and Nolan truly turns Chicago into Gotham. In this increased scale, Batman and the villains are free to explore (or destroy) the city, and the size of the populous adds a sense of urgency to everything that's going on. Time plays a crucial part in the film, and we're reminded that Batman is simply one man and cannot be everywhere at once, while The Joker, "an agent of chaos", seemingly has the means to do just that. This contrast, in fact, is the perfect example of how easy it is for man to fall to darkness and how Batman's cause is far greater (and harder) than one can imagine. It's this theme that really is center of the story and it's what makes the story so masterful. Every man has a price, and a limit, and The Dark Knight tests every character's strength. How can one man- one symbol, put together everything that falls apart, while maintaining a moral code and keeping everyone safe?

I really, really, love this film and can't recommend it enough. Whenever asked what my favorite movies are, The Dark Knight is always at the top of the list. While I try to remain unbiased toward the film, re-watching it only confirms my feelings. It's as close to perfect as any movie I've seen and takes someone we are all familiar with to new heights and places we could never imagine. With a stellar cast, led by the phenomenal Heath Ledger, an unforgettable score by Hans Zimmer, and set pieces you could only ever imagine, The Dark Knight is the masterpiece Batman deserves. 

The Good:

a story with balls, never relenting on the physical and mental punishment that Batman suffers, and going places you'd think would be taboo for a summer blockbuster

The Better:

the massive scale on which that story is told, incorporating both real settings and effects 

The Best:

Heath Ledger delivering one of the greatest performances in cinematic history

Overall: 9.9/10

Trailer:

July 18: Batman Begins- 200th Review

"Bruce Wayne loses his philanthropic parents to a senseless crime, and years later becomes the Batman to save the crime-ridden Gotham City on the verge of destruction by an ancient order."

Directed by: Christopher Nolan, Rated: PG-13, 140 minutes

How fitting it is that my 200th review is the first film in an epic franchise that concludes this Friday with The Dark Knight Rises. Where do I start when discussing Batman Begins? It's the film that re-introduces one of the world's greatest superheroes and turns him into a legend of epic proportions. The film made Christopher Nolan and Christian Bale both house-hold names and set the precedent for not only superhero movies, but film as a whole. It combines both excellent story-telling and great spectacle, and shows that a blockbuster movie doesn't need to be all about the visuals. Batman Begins is a film that never loses itself in its scale, and knows that it's human emotion at the heart of the story. Batman is more than just a man in a suit and Nolan paints a tragic, yet beautiful portrait of the soul in the cowl- Bruce Wayne (Bale). 

He's also our rippest Batman, yet. 

With most superhero movies lately, the biggest flaw is the re-telling of the origin story, or how so-and-so became the hero. With Batman Begins, the origin story is turned on it's side, as it delves into the actual process Bruce goes through to become The Dark Knight. He's a man-made hero and we witness him training and learning how to not only fight with his fists, but with his mind and ideas. Unlike most origin stories, however; scenes of his training are intertwined with those of his homecoming to Gotham and even flashbacks to his childhood. It's all broken up very well and not one story gets too tedious. It's a unique way to build Bruce's character and we see how flawed a character the man really is. He's not perfect, but he's determined, and it's in that determination that a hero emerges. He's not from a distant planet, he's not bitten by a radioactive spider, and he's not in some accident involving toxic waste or a failed experiment. We literally see his creation every step of the way, from his suit and utility belt, to his own version of the Batmobile. His power is his muscle and his mind, all of which he pushes to the limits. It's in this humanity and realism of Batman Begins that the movie flourishes. Gotham is a city destroyed by crime, not by supernatural forces or super-powered villains, but simply by bad men with bad intentions. 

Ras al Ghul is the leader (also Bruce's mentor) of the League of Shadows, a secret organization that claims to be involved in the rise and fall of countless civilizations. In the eyes of Ras al Ghul, Gotham is a city on the verge of destroying itself and must be destroyed to not only save itself, but prevent the spread of it's evil. When Bruce gets wind of this news, he escapes his training grounds in Asia and returns home. He sees that the city is indeed not what he remembers it to be, and knows that something must be done. Bruce designs a symbol, inspired by his own fears, to take to the streets of Gotham. He knows that if he can create a persona, or even an idea, that's strong enough to evoke fear into the hearts of Gotham's criminals, things will get better. Thus, Batman, his symbol, is born. As Batman fights the criminal and the corrupt, he discovers that the man behind it all is Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson), who owns half the city through payoffs and fear. If Batman can take down Falcone, he knows he can take down the mob. However, even the mob has it's tricks and Falcone has Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), a psychologist who has a rather unusual way of "treating" his patients. Using a neurological toxin, Crane has the power to expose the hidden fears in everyone, and as the League of Shadows takes claim to Gotham, Crane relishes in the chaos and panic. Batman must face a great challenge before he can even make a dent in Gotham's crime. Of course, a hero is only as strong as his allies, and Batman has not only the loyal and wise Alfred (Michael Caine), but the courageous and honest Lt. James Gordon (Gary Oldman), the beautiful Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes), and the inventive Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). 

There's so many good things about Batman Begins, it's hard to pinpoint any specific moment that elevates it to greatness. The realism is its biggest strength, and understanding that a man has the power and determination to become a hero makes it so much better. It also helps that the movie has a pitch-perfect cast, with each actor filling their respective role brilliantly. Bale not only becomes the suave, playboy Bruce, but the heroic, badass Batman. Michael Caine lends his natural sophistication and knowledge to Alfred. Gary Oldman, usually a chameleon in his roles, stands his ground as Gordon and makes you want to give every honest cop you know a hug. Morgan Freeman owns the role of Lucius Fox, a character that was all too unfamiliar before the film. Liam Neeson is the perfect mentor and teacher and, even if his cause seems immoral, you can't help but wonder if he's right. Cillian Murphy borders the thin line between genius and psychotic brilliantly. It's the sum of its parts that makes Batman Begins a masterpiece, and without any of these men in their roles, it would not be the same. Even the smallest characters add a lot to the film and I have got to give recognition to Linus Roache who gives a small, but incredibly effective performance as Bruce's dad, Thomas. 

He has less than five minutes of screen time but is so damn good in his role. He has an intangible characteristic that makes him shine, and every time I watch the movie I can't help but wish he was in it even more. 

Batman Begins is a quiet little masterpiece. In retrospect, it's a little difficult watching the film without realizing its importance as a precursor to The Dark Knight. However, even then, it's a strong film on its own and a beautifully dark introduction to the world's favorite hero. Christopher Nolan is a great director, and while Batman Begins is nowhere near the scale as its sequels, its self-contained, emotionally driven story turns it into something much bigger. I can't recommend this movie enough and I cannot wait for the trilogy's epic conclusion this weekend. 

The Good:

Christian Bale is Batman, I don't care what anyone says

The Better:

a realistic approach at one of the world's most recognized and loved superheros, giving Batman the dark, gritty tone he deserves 

The Best:

along with Bale, a phenomenal cast that rises to each and every occasion, owning his/her respective roles without any doubt

Overall: 9.4/10

Trailer:

Jan 17: Dolphin Tale

"A story centered on the friendship between a boy and a dolphin whose tail was lost in a crab trap."

   I have reviewed foreign, animated, dramatic, pulpy, and comedic movies, so I figured it was time for a heart-warming sappy family film. Well, I really didn't choose to watch this, it was a request from a friend, who I now can say I have lost much respect for with this recommendation. So with that, I think you can tell where this review is going. 

  Dolphin Tale is a movie that takes every possible opportunity to squeeze any bit of that oozy sappiness out of every single chance it has. When you think everything is going swimmingly (yeah, I just did that), the movie throws some kind of handicap your way, be it an Iraqi vet or a little girl. Yes, the movie holds nothing back in trying to get you to drip out the smallest bit of emotion. Oh, and there's a hurricane too. 

There are kittens and dreams inside that storm. 

   The movie's plot is simple. A boy named Sawyer, who's left out of everything (he doesn't even try!), finds a hurt dolphin named Winter on the beach. He then helps the dolphin recover and eventual fit with a prosthetic tail. And of course, through the use of movie magic, Sawyer comes out of his shell and gains a bunch of new friends after all is said and done! So, to all of you lonely little boys and girls out there- comb your local beaches for hurt wildlife if you want friends!

Mommy! This means I'm going to have friends now!

   But in all seriousness, Dolphin Tale did have a good message. Winter is a great inspiration to a lot of people, especially those who are handicapped themselves. The film ended with real footage, showing hundreds of people flocking to see Winter and hear her story. The material used for her prosthetic fin has also been used in those for humans and other animals. I think the story would have been more interesting if it were a documentary and not a full length movie. 

  I am going to do something a little different this time. Instead of writing paragraphs about the technical aspects of the film, I will just list that all below:

Sight: The film is shot like any family flick, with no special tricks or camera angles. There are scenes with multiple instances of awful CGI, including one where a RC helicopter goes loose in the aquarium. The scene doesn't fit at all and just pushed me off into the deep end of disgust. 

Sound: Dolphin Tale is a Michael Jackson song away from ripping off of Free Willy even more. But instead, we get the now overplay Jason Mraz song "I'm Yours" because of it's laid back, tropical and wide appeal. 

Skill: The movie does have an impressive cast. Morgan Freeman plays the doctor who makes the fake fin and he is incredible as always. Without him, the film would have sunk into even lower depths. The boy who plays Sawyer shows that there is hope for some child actors, even though more than half the time they are awful. 

Script: The script is nothing special. If awards were given out for how sappy and cheesy a movie can be, then this one would have walked away with them all. 

Overall: 4.3/10 

Best Quote: 

Winter: "Kee Kee Kee!" (or something like that)

Oh, and the film features a pelican. Pelicans and Family Circus are two things I hate more than anything in the entire world. So for that, Dolphin Tale, I say f**k off. 

The devil himself asked God for permission to make this bird.