Movie Review: The Jungle Book (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!! We've seen the original, how's the live action?

Hello All,

    No one is really truly excited for a remake, especially for a film that some people thinks didn’t need a remake at all. There is a very long explanation that I can one day deliver, but now is not the time for that, as we have a remake to judge. So let’s get to it shall we?

Plot Summary - Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is a young orphan boy living in the jungle with a wolf pack. When the Tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) returns to the jungle and threatens to kill the boy, he decides to leave the jungle with the help of the Panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and the Bear Baloo (Bill Murray).

Pros - It very much follows the plot of the animated film, while expanding on elements that we never really saw. Mowgli’s departure is more emotional, we get a better backstory of where he came from, and we get a better look at Shere Khan’s motivation. We also get a better look into Mowgli’s character as well.The CGI animals looks remarkable too as they basically never look fake and blend into the really good looking forest as well. The voice cast is phenomenal, and we even get to hear Bill Murray and Christopher Walken sing. They even massively improved the original’s ending

Cons - I got nothing.

Final Score - 10/10

It’s one of the rare remakes that actually improves dramatically over the original. I still love the animated version, but for a more emotional and in depth story, the newer one is the better view.

Next: Criminal - I’m seeing this one early, but I won’t be home until later that night. I hear it’s awful, I’m looking forward to it.

Twitter Account is here - https://twitter.com/RyansMovieBlog. If I hit 25 followers, I’ll maybe make an open suggestion poll, with some restrictions because I know you people too damn well.

Until then I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Demolition (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!! Today let's just go break some stuff with Demolition

Hello All,

    Man I’ve been busy this week, but luckily with the weekend catching up on us I’ve managed to catch up a bit on the releases around me. That being said, I know I have another two  or three ahead of me over the next few days so it’s also been a bit of a mental exercise for me keeping track of everything. That being said, let’s dive into the next review shall we?

Plot Summary - Davis Mitchell (Jake Gyllenhaal) struggles emotionally after losing his wife in a car accident. After a complaint letter to a vending machine company turns into a series of confessional letters, he forms a connection with Karen (Naomi Watts), who's been receiving the letters, and begins to take apart the life he knew.

Pros - The cast is really good in this film, especially Jake in probably one of his better performances. The supporting cast is really good as well, and overall it is a solid looking film as well. It also manages to keep up the pace with how the main character feels in the film...

Cons -....That being said, it does end up sort of meandering from point to point. It also desperately tries to be deep and meaningful but instead kind of comes across as cliched. It’s also a touch on the slow side and for the most part the film feels kind of lifeless.

Final Score - 5/10

While not a bad film, it does come off as very generic. This is actually the third collaboration between Jake and this director, I've seen their other films, they’re much better. So go watch those instead unless you don't really mind average, not that that’s a bad thing.

Next: The Jungle Book (2016) - That’s right folks, it’s time now to see the new live action version. I gotta say, I’m stoked.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Retro Review: The Jungle Book (1967)

Newest Review is LIVE!!! Today we go retro with the animated Jungle Book

Hello All,

    With one of the more anticipated live action remakes coming up on us this week, Jon Favreau’s version of the Jungle Book, I decided to take a look at the version that I remember growing up, the 1967 musical animated version. The reason I’m more familiar with this one is due to two reasons. One: I was in boy scouts and the jungle book was basically a guide for us, and two: I have an aunt who loves disney films, so we watched basically all of them growing up. Besides who doesn’t love The Bare Necessities? Plus with the day I had yesterday, I needed something light to bring my mood back up. So let’s take a look at some nostalgia shall we?

Plot Summary - After being raised by wolves all his life, Mowgli (Bruce Reitherman) finds himself being escorted out of it by Bagheera (Sebastian Cabot) after the Tiger Shere Khan (George Sanders) threatens to kill him. With the help of the bear Baloo (Phil Harris) they must avoid the dangers of the jungle and take him back to the man village to be with his own kind.

Pros - For a nearly 50 year old movie, a lot of it is still pretty good even by today's animation and voice acting standards. The acting is great, if a touch corny, but the animation I think still serves as one of the best examples of disney’s best work of that time period. The story is well told and heartfelt, and the soundtrack is pure 60’s jazz gold. The pacing of the film flows smoothly and nothing really feels out of place or awkward.

Cons - At 75 minutes the story does feel a touch on the short side, especially at the beginning. You really don’t get most of those heartfelt moments until the end. Also the ending leaves a touch to be desired, it isn’t bad, more towards weird.

Final Score - 9/10

The few flaws aren’t really enough to drag down the rest of the film. It’s still one of Disney’s best and I definitely recommend it if you have the time.

Next: Demolition - This one will most likely be out later tomorrow night, unless the theatre opens before 5pm.

Bored on Twitter? Why not follow the new blog account here https://twitter.com/RyansMovieBlog

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Midnight Special (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!! Today's let us stay up late with Midnight Special.

Hello All,

    In an effort to try and play catch up with some of the limited release movies today, I spent all day riding buses to get to the other side of the city to see a movie most people probably haven’t heard of. If that sounds pompous, I apologize I’m literally exhausted. So I’m going to try and keep this short today. Let’s get to it shall we?

Plot Summary - Roy (Michael Shannon) is escaping a religious cult with the help of his long lost friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) with his son Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) in tow, after discovering that Alton has supernatural powers and must go to an undisclosed location within four days, with both the government and the cult following close behind them.

Pros - The cast is really good in this, especially young Jaeden. The film is also well shot and honestly has a pretty solid and interesting story to boot.

Cons - It’s a bit heavy handed with the deeper meanings it’s clearly trying to go for, and the ending may be frustrating to those who prefer to get definitive answers.

Final Score - 8/10

If you like sci fi and drama, this one will be good for you. If lack of answers drive you nuts, stay away.

Next: Jungle Book (1967) - That’s right folks, We’re doing a retro review. Thank god because that means I can stay at home.

If you’re looking for a new twitter account to follow the blog’s account is here: https://twitter.com/RyansMovieBlog. I also might take some time next week to change the look of the blog just a tad so keep an eye out for that.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Hardcore Henry (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!!!! Today we take control of Hardcore Henry

Hello All,

    Well this is a first for me. I can easily say that I have never seen a movie shot entirely from the point of view of the main character. The closest I ever came was actually an episode of the Tv Show M*A*S*H that had you take the point of view of one of the patients. In fact it was literally called Point of view which you can read about here. I will admit though, it’s not one of my favorites, but at least it was watchable and unique. But how would it work applying that idea not only to a Movie, but an action movie. Let’s find out together shall we?

Plot Summary - Henry wakes up in a lab with no memory of his past. As he is being rebuilt, the technician working on him reveals her name is Estelle (Haley Bennett) and that she and Henry are married. When a man named Akan (Danila Kozlovsky) attacks the lab and attempts to capture Henry, they kidnap his wife instead and throw him over a bridge. When a man named Jimmy (Sharlto Copley) shows up and claims he’s there to help him, the two men must overcome all odds to stop the bad guy, and save the girl.

Pros - Let’s start with the main feature of the film, the point of view perspective. I honestly think the way they made it work with the film is mind blowing. It just manages to capture the scenes just right, and it makes everything that much more intense because it’s all so much closer to you. It’s the same with interacting with characters, you’re more emotionally invested because you do believe they are talking to you. The different things all balance out well too, including a really awesome sniper sequence. Speaking of the cast, they are all awesome, but Copley especially can use this as his acting resume forever. He basically plays different versions of himself and pulls off each version awesomely. The way the film looks and plays out too is well done, as they have just the right balance so that it doesn’t feel too chaotic when it shouldn’t, but when it’s supposed to be chaotic making it flow well enough that you don’t get lost. The action scenes were really cool too, as they have Henry do a lot of different stuff and again the balance is just right. It also doesn’t try and pad itself out with unneeded scenes, making the whole thing just flow smoothly. The music is also fantastic. Look up the soundtrack if you can, it’s on Spotify and Itunes.

Cons - The villain has some abilities that are never really explained, but considering everything that goes on in this movie I guess they expect the audience to play along. Also, if you do get motion sickness, prepare yourself before seeing it.

Final Score - 10/10

It’s a simple concept, executed brilliantly, and honestly it reminds me a hell of a lot of Repo Men, which is always a plus. If you can, go see this movie. It’s an experience you need to have in your life.

Next: Either Midnight Special or Demolition. It depends on how much travelling I want to do. Also I’m going to try my best to do a retro review of the animated Jungle Book movie so keep an eye out for that.

Alright folks, the poll for the next bad movie to review is now closed, as in I’m not checking the results again after this review. The results with a total of six votes is:

A Split Decision.

Okay, so basically two of the options tied, so instead of dragging out I’ve decided to do the following:

The First Review will be: Hitman Agent 47.

The Second Will Be: Review a Critically Loved Movie you hate instead!

I’m doing it like this because it’ll take me longer to find a movie for the second option. The next poll will be up with the second review for the next round of voting. Thanks so much to everyone who voted, if yours did not get selected, round up some supporters, and get them to vote.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: The Boss (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!!!! Today we clench our buttholes in fear, as we go to see The Boss

Hello All,

    A couple of quick updates before we proceed:

1. This will be the last review to vote on the next bad movie I like to review. You can vote for that here: http://goo.gl/cuj0Cu The results will be posted at the end of the next Review.
2. I have a twitter account, if you’d like to follow it, do so here: https://twitter.com/RyansMovieBlog

That out of the way, let’s begin.

   

    My viewing of the Melissa Mccarthy movies is sporadic at best. Off the top of my head I’ve seen Bridesmaids and Spy. I skipped Tammy, forgot The Heat was a thing and anything else I’m forgetting I apologize. Yet apparently I have seen the only good ones according to most as she seems to have a rather big divide in terms of popularity. I’ve met quite a few defenders of her work, and for an example of how much she’s hated I need only to point to the backlash of her doing the Ghostbusters reboot. I have nothing against her personally, I think she can be rather funny and I’m actually looking forward to Ghostbusters. But after seeing this one, it’s going to be hard to defend it because…….oh dear.

Let’s take a glance at my misery together shall we?

Plot Summary - When Mega CEO Michelle Darnell (Melissa McCarthy) gets arrested for Insider Trading, she gets out of prison eager to find a new business and rebuild her empire.

Pros - There’s a pretty surreal scene where there are two parody girl guide groups beating the shit out of each other. That’s about it.

Cons - I will only say this once: IT IS NOT FUNNY! Why? Every joke is predictable, the writing is lazy, the story is so cliched that they actually point it out in the movie in an attempt at irony and fails miserably at it. The characters are stereotypical, and while the actors are trying my god they have nothing to work with. I actually had to get up and step outside for second. I can’t even quote you a single joke from it and it hasn’t even been 4 hours at the time of writing this. What more can I say other than it’s bad?

Final Score - 1/10

I feel like I owe The Brothers Grimsby an apology. I will say if you like Melissa McCarthy then you will enjoy this, but people, you deserve better from her. I hope she can redeem herself in Ghostbusters.

Next: Hardcore Henry - Wild Horses couldn’t keep me from this one. You have no idea.

Until then, I’ll see you folks at the movies.

Movie Review: Eye in The Sky (2016)

Newest Review is LIVE!!!!! Today let’s go soaring with Eye in The Sky.

Hello All,

    Three orders of business before we get started. Please read all of these as some of these need your help.

1. You guys voted and because of that I got a Twitter account. You can follow me here: https://twitter.com/RyansMovieBlog as I will be posting not only when the new reviews are up, but when I’m also streaming on Twitch, and any movie news or trailers I come across. So I’m more annoying across more websites…..wait…..
2. The next poll is up, you lovely people get to choose what bad movie I review next, and I need your input, because right now it’s a three way goddamn tie! You can vote here http://goo.gl/cuj0Cu because I can’t make a choice until the tie is broken.
3. I’d like to apologize for the delay on this review, but I got home way late sunday night and I’ve been dealing with a sore shoulder on my dominant arm so doing most things is a massive pain in my butt. I’ve also been setting up the Twitter account and been trying to figure out a way to tie all of my stuff together to make the whole operation run smoother, so there might be slight changes in formatting over the next couple of reviews while I tinker with stuff.

    Now that all that stuff is said and done, let’s talk about the movie shall we?

Plot Summary - When a group of British and American soldiers find themselves piloting a drone over a terrorist house in a crowded neighbourhood, they find themselves debating the ethics of following through on a drone strike, made tougher by the presence of a little girl near the blast site.

Pros - The casting is really good in the film, with special mention going out to Helen Mirren, who's always awesome, and Aaron Paul, who brings some really good dramatic tension to the mix. The movie is really well shot, and does have it’s kind of intense moments as well.

Cons - The whole movie is a bunch of people in rooms around the world discussing politics and war at each other for 1h 45m. A lot of that is padding as well by means of just drawing things out by insane lengths of time. For as much tension as there is, you can’t help but feel the padded out scenes as well. You can pretty much also tell everything that’s going to happen, while good or bad.

Final Score - 7/10

This was almost a 6, but goddammit it’s well made and well acted enough that I bumped it up one more.

Next - The Boss: Because fuck God’s Not Dead 2, The Boss is getting a Thursday night showing, then (hopefully) a double feature of Hardcore Henry and Everybody Wants Some!!. I cannot wait.

Until then, follow the Twitter, answer the poll, and I’ll see you folks at the movies.