Saturday, August 23, 2014

Boyhood


Boyhood is written and directed by Richard Linklater.  It stars Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, Lorelei Linklater, and Ellar Coltrane as Mason. The film is a coming of age story, that takes us from when Mason is young boy, to a young man.

Few films can say they've achieved what is accomplished in this film. The fact that it was completed over a span of 12 years, is amazing onto itself.  It's best to walk into this work, with an open mind. As in life, sometimes it's exciting, and sometimes it's just day-to-day happenings.  There aren't any dramatic cues, to let you know that it's time to tear up, and get emotional.  Even when one thinks a tragedy might occur, it just moves on.  While I felt cheated at times, due to the lack of said tragedies, I realized, this film wasn't going for the conventional response from it's audience. Honestly, most films these days are the equivalent of Smell-o-vision. You are "told" when to experience reactions in a movie.  The music swells, and a Pavlovian response is supposed to follow.

The pacing of the film, takes some getting used to, but it's best to keep in mind that every scene, is a jump forward.  The cast, is believable, and definitely noteworthy.  I walked away loving Patricia Arquette after this film.  I've never been a big fan of her work, but she was absolutely brilliant as the family matriarch.  I think we all see a bit of our mother in her.  Ethan Hawke, well, he's Ethan Hawke.  He excels at making the audience love an imperfect character. I even grew to love Lorelei Linklater, who plays Mason's sister. As for Ellar Coltrane, well, I don't even think of what he is doing on screen, as acting.  He just simply is, and this journey, that he takes us on, makes us all grow up with him. Together they create this environment that feels like home.

My only big complaint about this film, is a scene towards the end, involving a waiter. That's the only time I felt it was trying to reach too far.  It felt like it had been shoehorned into the film, and was really unnecessary.

This film has earned every bit of the praise it's received, and I truly hope it's not forgotten, come awards season.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

X-Men: Days of Future Past



Let me begin by saying that I love the X-men.  I've been reading this book since about '83.  I'm very open to different interpretations of what is considered Mutant Gospel, by way of the comic books, but while there are some amazing elements to the films, they always fall a bit short.  Although, I absolutely loved First Class. That remains the best film, followed by X-2.


Days of Future past has always been gold, as far as fans go.  It's an amazing story, Created during the Claremont era, that brought more weight to an already loved comic book title.

Needless to say, I was beyond excited to see it made into a movie. There are some fantastic elements in this film, but it just doesn't have good flow.  I never felt invested in the characters, and nor did I feel there was anything at stake..

Although, the, one scene, with Quicksilver at the Pentagon, pretty much stole the movie.

I feel as if I've forgotten the animosity that is thrown at Mutants.  I wish there would have been an overview of it again.  A little more of that fear of the unknown, over the years, that led to this point.  Even if it was just in the credits, via news clippings, tv footage.  

It all left me a bit numb.  I had the same reaction to Captain America 2, and Godzilla.  Which are great flicks, but in the end, forgettable, and certainly not classic.  I realize my opinion, is not the popular one, but I'm just not buying what's being sold in a good chunk of the films as of late. 

I don't blame the actors here, but the weak script.  It definitely needed to have more weight.


Stay for the end credits scene, it will blow your mind.


I give this film: 3 out 5 pitchforks.