Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Toy Story That Time Forgot


85%

Toy Story That Time Forgot is the latest installment in the cherished ongoing story that has touched the hearts of millions of people.  They continue to live through their shorts and all of their shorts have seemed to live up to every expectation of the films, but with different criteria.  Each story has focused on a different toy from the series and the latest one focuses on Trixie, Bonnie's dinosaur.  The gang is taken by Bonnie to a play date and when they arrive she sees her friend playing an Oculus Rift type video game and ignoring her toys.  She wants to play that, so she throws her rocket backpack into the other room that is full of toys and the action begins.  Trixie and the gang meet up with a brand new toy set of dinosaurs and a dinosaur world.  The only problem is, these toys haven't been played with so they do not believe they are toys.  War begins.

The new story of the latest installment brings back a lot of nostalgia with it's story.  It seems to recycle Buzz's story when he first encounters Woody and the others and firmly believes that he is a real spaceman.  They use this premise, along with Bonnie's toys being able to play any part that she may want - not just a dinosaur or a spaceman.  Pricklepants seems to be a big catalyst in everyone being okay with having different roles, seeing how he has "acting experience."  This makes the toys almost seem more lovable in a way.  It gave our old friends a new feel.  I like catching up with old friends and new things have happened.  That is what this is.  The story is not recycled when the "King Dinosaur" discovers Bonnie's name under her foot.  This is a play in the original that broke our hearts with Andy marking on Woody and then giving Buzz the same marking and forgetting Woody - this is different.  They cut the ties with toys believing they are real and not by calling her mark a "Mark of Obedience."  Meaning she has fallen claim to an owner and therefore isn't her own person.

Trixie is in full force in this one as the main character, a love interest, and the hero.  Once the action pursues, which has a fantastic "Bloody Scene," thanks to crayon wax, has Trixie trying to get to Bonnie to play with these toys and reset the balance.  The best part of every short is the spotlight of a toy that's been a sideline character.  It's a focus shift that can continue in this universe for a long time.

Instead of showing the owner's connection to these toys or the toys need to be played with as the previous movies displayed - I felt this one was more of the toys were playing with the owner.  They enjoy acting.  They are taking new roles and they are having as much fun being whatever they can as opposed to fighting for playtime as what they are.  

This 30 minute Toy Story "short" (episode?) - what are these now? - ranks above Toy Story of Terror because I did not feel Toy Story of Terror met it's theme correctly at the end.  This one had an ending that could have continued and could inevitably be written into the next Toy Story movie.  I would match this with Toy Story Toons - Small Fry.  I enjoy the Toy Story shorts greatly and it seems like these 30 minute episodes could use more time to get their full story out.  The shorts pack a big punch and end in the time needed.  I wanted more from tonight.  I hope I get more.

I will be a Toy Story lover for life and will continue to watch them.  This one did not disappoint, it just made me want more.  I wasn't fulfilled at the end.  Rushed.  It's a beloved story to get into a small segment.  I will be back again the next time they have them though.  It's a part of my childhood like all of my actual toys were.  

Thank you, Pixar.  



Tusk Review - Second life coming to VOD


Tusk Review - Will it find a new life on VOD?

Tusk is about to be released on VOD and at the end of December it will be released on DVD.  Not a lot of films these days, get box office redemption and a new life on VOD or DVD (Unless you’re Adam Sandler), but after breaking even in its theatrical release, Tusk is primed to find new traction being available to the masses, including the millions of Smith followers and fans that didn’t get the film near them.  Tusk is a movie that can show you that you don’t have to have a serious concept to bring out brilliant performances and leave you with a film that you will never be able to forget.  The premise is very straight forward about a podcaster (Justin Long) that interviews strange people that he finds on the internet.  He stumbles upon a man (Michael Parks) who would like to share his stories of travel and survival.  It turns out this man missed his Walrus friend that helped him survive on Ponder Rock and wants to turn Justin Long into a human walrus. Yes, a human walrus.  He makes his escape call and then you get his friends (Haley Joel Osment, Genesis Rodriguez) on the trail to find him.

The only thing that everyone can think of when they hear this premise is, Human Centipede.  This is not Human Centipede.  This film is Silence of the Lambs meets the Jersey Universe that Kevin Smith created.  The story, if you leave out the walrus, is a creepy story that, in this era of the internet, very logically could happen.  Everyone is trying to create the next big podcast, while there are people like the Craigslist Killer out there waiting to prey on people searching through the internet for anything from household items to a spouse.  The progression of Michael Parks slowly turning Justin Long into a walrus is one of the best paced, creepiest amount of time I have seen in film in a long time.  The anticipation of seeing if Long actually goes Full Walrus is more than enough to keep you entwined in this film.  Along with this skin crawling scenario, you then get an old school detective story (filled with nostalgic cop show camera shots) which features a very hidden Johnny Depp in a character you never thought you would see him portray, but he does it, perfectly.

The acting and writing of this movie stands out the most.  This movie was clearly written for Michael Parks and he completely became Howard Howe.  The believability in this performance is very reflective of Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector.  You forget the premise of what you are watching and you become enthralled with his performance and how you would never want to meet this man.  Parks was fantastic in Red State and From Dusk Till Dawn, but whoever views this film will say, “This was Parks greatest performance.” I would even chalk this up as the best villainous performance of the year, and am sad when I think that due to the films content, no one would take it seriously for an Oscar.  Although the film is heavy with Parks’ brilliant performance, you cannot count out Justin Long.  He plays his obnoxious podcaster role well, but shines as a victim.  The sympathy and heartbreak that I was truly feeling while watching this made me feel as if it were actually happening.  Parks and Long as villain and victim are a combination that I never thought I would say I couldn’t have been more happy with.  The supporting cast do not play too big of a role until they are on the hunt, so they do not get as much play, but when they do they are overshadowed by a dopy detective played by Johnny Depp.  This is not a role that Depp fans will enjoy, but you can clearly see the fun that Kevin Smith was having in developing this character and getting Depp to play him.  This character is there to remind you - This is not a serious film (although I would strongly disagree in some of the parts.)

“Tusk is a movie that shouldn’t have been made.” This is a direct quote from the Jersey auteur himself Kevin Smith.  He uses the word “shouldn’t” due to the movie’s premise and how Hollywood and audiences would accept it.  His huge fan base wanted this from the start and said #WalrusYes, but they could not all have access to it.  That is my reasoning for its box office numbers.  This movie hits VOD and DVD soon and I firmly believe it is about to find a new life - much like Mallrats.  Word of mouth from this film will keep it alive and passed from friend to friend.  If you are staying away due to the premise, give it a rent or purchase for the performances.  You will not be disappointed.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Let's Be Cops


89%

Let's Be Cops is a gem of comedy during an unfunny Summer.  It came a little late, but at least the funny arrived before we end the summer and we can forget about movies that promised us laughs and never delivered.  I am speaking of at least Sex Tape and Tammy.  Let's Be Cops delivers what you see in the trailer and gives you a surprisingly good story arc to go along with the normal buddy movie.  It takes a little bit to get into the laughs, but when you get there it stays.

Let's Be Cops seems like one of those movies that spoils the funny parts during the trailer - not true.  During the first quarter of the movie you begin to wonder where this movie is going and where the funny is, but soon after everything unravels and pulls you in.  The trailer doesn't show the main story focus after they begin pretending to be cops and get in the mix of a mob shaking down a local business and decide to investigate.  Jake Johnson's character does not have much of a life of his own so he takes the police work very seriously - so much so that you forget he is not a real cop.  Damon Wayans Jr. has a little more of a life and doesn't want to go to jail so he plays everything down and tries to stop the shenanigans.  They may be fake, but this mob is real and thanks to YouTube they may be taken down.

Jake and Damon's chemistry from New Girl transfers wonderfully onto film.  You can tell these two had a lot of fun filming and are proud of their work.  The characters are similar to their New Girl counterparts which should bring that whole audience into theaters.  When it is time to get serious or throw in some action, these guys deliver just as easily as they do in their comedy.  The comedy peaks going into act 3 with Damon Wayans Jr. shining like he has never shined before.  This will be the hardest you have laughed all summer.  

During this wake of the summer dying, Let's Be Cops takes us out of the galaxy and off of a planet ran by apes and takes us home laughing.  This is a movie you will want to pay attention to as the jokes come pretty quickly.  Laugh with everyone, but be alone in the theater.

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles


43%

Remakes are getting made all the time and sometimes you have to ask, why?  Some writers or producers want to keep things alive and present them to a new generation just to bring that love back into the culture.  I do not believe there has been a remake that has startled everyone as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did when it was announced.  No one wanted to see a Michael Bay version of their childhood as they have already seen before.  More importantly the phrase that came from this was people didn't want "their childhood ruined."  The heroes in half-shells were iconic in their cartoons and reached even higher with movies that every child loved.  Well now we have a two-fisted movie - We are introducing a new generation to a new form of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and we are ruining our childhood at the same time.  

This review will seem bias to my childhood, but I stepped outside of my childhood self to give this movie a chance - it did not bode well.  The origin story for the TMNT has been altered and it is no longer the ooze from an accident, rather it is an experiment for an eventual villain who needs the turtles blood.  If you are new to the turtles then you will enjoy this origin story and kids will want all of their pets to be mutants.  Shredder is more of a Transformer than anything else.  I could not tell when one part of his armor started and another ended, but when I almost figured it out, more items and blades came out of nowhere.  The (spoiler free) climax happens when the poison that is about to take over the city is actually placed on top of the science building. 

Let's take a minute to think of the originality of using the top of your building to try and infect a city.  It is overplayed and unoriginal.  

The acting in this film is nearly unbearable.  Megan Fox delivers the worst performance she has ever given.  I want to watch Jennifer's Body after watching this movie.  She does not portray a graduated journalist and she cannot deliver a line without sounding like a stereotypical high school blonde.  Will Arnett needed to have more lines because he did the impossible - he made Megan Fox enjoyable when she was with this comedic counterpart.  The choice to use known actors for the voices of some of the CGI characters was a bad idea.  You spend time figuring out who it is instead of enjoying the character.

I saw this in an early screening and was alone in the theater.  When you encounter a film that you cannot find bearable, some might find it enjoyable and you should still be respectful.  Leave or sit and be alone in the theater. 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy


95%

Any review or opinion of the movies can be cut down from paragraphs to one world - fun.  This movie has everything that any audience can enjoy and they utilize humor, action, tragedy, good/bad, and nostalgia to the fullest.  The soundtrack to this film gives you a nostalgic feeling and a great 80s tone to this movie - as it does take place in 1988 at the beginning.  The juxtaposition of the incongress (characters) add to the hysterics as they all have mega-egos that cannot be one-upped.  The climax of the film is a battle over an orb that can destroy planets and a super villain that seemingly has the highest pain tolerance in the galaxy.  The two plot points that I did not understand too well as it isn't explained thoroughly.  

The acting in this film is spot on.  Pratt is cast perfectly and delivers on every line in the script and every action point.  I never would have thought that goofy character from Parks and Rec could every be a believable galactic outlaw - I ate my words.  Zoe Saldana.  That's all you need to hear these days in mega movie franchises - Zoe Saldana.  Bradley Cooper is almost undetectable as Rocket if you did not see his name in the credits.  His voice and inflections match perfectly with this perfectly CGI'd raccoon.  Rocket is easily one of the best parts of the movie.  Vin Diesel Groot is hilarious in his very simple way.  He is also very lovable.   Dave Bautista as Drax is very well done and is completely psychopathic.  

The fault that I saw in this film is the object of everyone's desire and the villain.  There was quite a bit of the film dedicated to back story of the characters which is absolutely needed and adds to the fun of the movie.  You see the object for the majority of the movie and when it is explained what it inside of it, I felt that it fell short and confused me.  When you meet the villain, there is never an explanation for the amount of attacks this guy can withstand.  These two parts left me confused, but I kept forgetting about them because I was having a lot of fun.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the most fun that you will have at the theater all year.  I would not compare it to any super hero movie, because that is not what this is.  It is a sci-fi movie that you can revisit any time and have just as much fun.  

There is a great post credit cameo that reaches into Lucasfilm's vault.  It was great seeing this guy briefly again.  

This is a movie that will be packed when you go to see it.  I saw this in a pre-screening and I was literally alone in the theater.  Find a way to ignore everyone, keep your eyes on the screen, and be alone in the theater.


Sunday, July 27, 2014

And So It Goes


75%

There is a key element that has to be followed in order for movies like this to work - It isn't the acting, it isn't the directing, it is all in the formula.  The title of the film suits it very well because it describes 90% of films in this genre.  If you've ever made the connection between Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Notting Hill - they are essentially put together the exact same way.  The best part of this formula is that it works.  It works every time and just makes movies enjoyable to watch.  And So It Goes follows the formula. Simple.  (Man and woman don't like each other, catalyst, enjoy each other, action to dislike, man and woman get together...and so it goes)

This film does feel like a Rob Reiner, but does not sound like a Reiner film due to him not writing it.  You have the cynical man that has skeletons in his closet and the upbeat hopeful with similar skeletons in her closet.  They do not like each other during the beginning of act one and then a catalyst is brought in that connects the audience to these two and brings a glimmer of hope for both of them.  The movie moves linear throughout its acts and does not keep me in the emotional moments that it contains.  Once the emotion happens, it ends, and we move on.  This is where the script and the story needed help and I feel the writer, Mark Andrus, could have asked Reiner to put his touch on it.

Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton are terrific in their roles, as always.  Douglas can attach himself to the dark side of characters with ease and turn the light on on that character just as quick.  His drunken character in this film is better than the lighter side toward the end as nothing in the story is overtly wowing.  Diane Keaton is Diane Keaton and there is nothing else you would want.  The part is seemingly written specifically for her, as her.  This is a continual occurrence as it seems she is the same in every one of her recent roles.  Why?  Because it works.

Think of a time where a movie is on and you stop because the movie is so easy to watch.  The plot flows, there is no over-thinking, you are satisfied with the ending, and then you go about your day. This is that movie you will see on tv, stop, and just enjoy.  It is simple, it is easy, takes nothing from you, but also gives you nothing as well.  I can't pick any point of this film that I would necessarily describe as must see nor are there any 'don't go see this' moments.  

The older generation movies still connect and still work.  The audience is still there and the actors and actresses are some of the best in our time.  These films need focused on and produced with the passion of all film if it wants to maintain a vast audience and not pander to a certain demographic.  

If you enjoy film then you should support it all and not just "your age" films or films you might now know actors from.  Go meet them for the first time at the theater.  Sit down and enjoy their presence alone in the theater.


Trailer Review - Tusk


Most Anticipated

Trailer Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60EUG-CDC_k

Before the trailer for Tusk came out, this was a movie that I anticipated very much.  I have been a fan of Kevin Smith since the early days and there isn't a piece of his work that I have not enjoyed.  This trailer is everything that a Smith fan wants and everything that a thriller genre lover will want.  It appears we will get a light side and some really funny gags at the beginning with Justin Long and Haley Joel Osment, but then we will get the yang to the yin in the second act as Michael Parks will take us into something completely dark.  Parks was great in Red State as a dark character, but this could put him in genre infamy.  He sounds as chilling as Hannibal Lector and seems as psychotic as Norman Bates.  Smith has always been skillful in his writing and Parks is someone the audience should see he loves writing for.  Smith and Parks should be a genre.  Long isn't a a newcomer to horror/thriller and has played the victim before (Jeepers Creepers).  His physique works well as a victim, but his acting ability is what takes him above and beyond to work great with Michael Parks.  

This movie went from being on my radar to being one of my most anticipated for the year.  Horror and thrillers, with the exception of Deliver Us From Evil, have not been that great and this will be a chilling breath of fresh air.  The comedy at the beginning and thriller denouement makes the plot, not the characters, a great juxtaposition.

Put this on your list of films to see whether you are a fan of Smith's or not.  After this film I think Kevin Smith will not fully retire because he has found a new genre that he loves to write for and he writes it well.  

I absolutely cannot wait to see the transformation of Long into the walrus.  #Tuskyes

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Lucy


94%

Lucy is a movie that reminds me to always pay attention to what is on the screen, not "what should be" or "that cannot happen."  There is a specific story created and the audience should go on that ride and not try to dwell on what could have been or what isn't on the ride - you will enjoy films much more if you try and think of how you would do it better.  This is not a movie that everyone will enjoy, but I can tell you it will be one of those movies that become more clear the more you view it.  This film seems to have been made to attempt to unlock more than 10% of the audiences brain as it is that in depth and sometimes difficult to comprehend and you find yourself trying really hard.  I felt slightly ignorant watching this and that is a sign that this movie succeeded greatly.  I was trying to grasp on to every detail and make sense of it, but at times, much like Morgan Freeman's research in the movie, was just unexplainable because it has never happened before.  

Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman drive this film from beginning to end.  The evolution of Scarlett's Lucy is flawlessly performed.  When you first meet this character she is tricked into getting involved with a drug deal and she is a naive, seemingly ignorant nobody.  Once the occurrence takes place that catalyzes her to being able to utilize more than 10% of her brain, Scarlett clearly shows you every increment of percentage that is opening up in her brain.  Morgan Freeman plays a scientist that has studied the brain his entire career and focuses on what can happen in the future when evolution allows us to use more of our brain.  His character beautifully describes the fact that evolution has not finished and there are capabilities that nature has yet to evolve into.  This is the first instance of this film that really makes the audience think and has you buying into the story line.  These two come together and the intelligence and visuals are breathtaking and a lot to grasp onto on the first viewing.

The only problem that I had with the film is the connection that I did not have with any character -  including her brain.  The beginning of the movie has you sympathetic with Lucy.  Once you are quickly upset with what has happened to her the plot shifts and her brain is a character in the film.  She shows one small modern human aspect with the police officer she utilizes, but that is instantly gone when you have hope for her underneath all of the brain work.  Morgan Freeman's character enlightens you at the beginning of the film, but is quick to tell you that he does not know what could happen after a certain percentage is unlocked.  He doesn't know, Lucy doesn't know, and the audience is trying their hardest to understand.  

The work in trying to understand is a very enjoyable part of this film.  We get to be a part of the action because no one in the movie knows exactly what is going to happen to her.  While we feel ignorant at times, we are on the same level of the scientist at a certain point.  

Lucy is a film that not only deserves and demands 100% of your attention (and your brain if you can unlock it), but deserves multiple views.  This film will only get better with age and the amount of times that you view it.  I could not remember some of the things Freeman talks about at the beginning of the film, but now that I know what happens, I will be paying attention to those details next time.  This is a perfect example of a film that needs you to be alone in the theater. 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Begin Again


100%

If there is ever a reason to go see a movie - it is films like Begin Again.  There are some performances that show you deep into an actor's soul - Begin Again brings you face to face with Mark Ruffalo's soul.  At first glance, one might think that this movie is just for music lovers and not for general public - in other words it's a niche film - Wrong.  This movie is for everyone that has lost love, lost family, lost their jobs, become a monster, and anyone who just wants to begin again.  The title is perfectly chosen and never spoken in the film, it is felt.  The movie doesn't rely on "bad circumstances," it relies on human fault and what it takes to start over and feel alive.  The actions of the characters are moved through this film with the help of the songs written in the film to piece everything together and connect with the souls in the theater that have experienced something bad happen to them.  

Mark Ruffalo is at the best and in his prime as Dan in this film.  When you see this film, he is going to bring you into his character like you have never experienced.  His eyes, tone, actions, reactions, and movements work so breathtakingly together that it is mesmerizing.  Following very close behind him is Keira Knightley.  Her broken heart has made an impact on her character, but what the music and passion for that does to bring her out of the hole she was in is terrific.  She is a fantastic counterpart to Ruffalo.  Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener round out the cast of people that have self-inflicting problems.  Ruffalo's mending relationship with Steinfeld will bring a smile every time they are happy together - Levine brings out your hatred and never wins back your sympathy - Keener knows what she did and plays such a subtle role that has impact in a few scenes.  

There is a moment in this film, one of my favorite musical moments, when Ruffalo's character discovers Knightley's character at an open mic night.  He is drunk and you see his genius kick in - this moment is pure magic and you know the journey you are about to take with this characters will be well worth the ride.

Small movies like that are the ones that can touch us the most.  If this film makes it to your town, you owe it to yourself to watch it.  This movie can have an impact on you and you should let it.  Go by yourself or with someone that is close to you, but pay attention - Be alone in the theater with this movie, you and the film deserve it.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

The Purge: Anarchy


37%

The Purge is one of those movie gems that could go on forever and always have a fresh story because the event that takes place in the movie is annual.  Unfortunately the second movie in the possible franchise has put the flame out of the torch that could have burned for a very long time.  The trailer gives you 75% of the story and the important (that aren't important at all) parts of the film.  When the first film came out, I fell in love the everything about this film and what sequels would do with it.  My answer - Nothing.

 The first Purge introduced us to the annual event and made us ponder what would happen if this could actually happen.  The second starts with what could have been a very suspenseful event when a vehicle breaks down moments before the purge is happening while they are on their way home.  When you start to breathe heavily with them the movie cuts to a mother and daughter preparing for the purge.  Before you learn anything about them there is a cut to a lone man clearly looking for vengeance, for some reason unknown.  Three stories here that did not give us enough time with them to connect enough to get us to care what happens with them on this night.  The three stories come together on a random street and the lone man has to protect everyone and he does his job.  Enter the villains - The main villains are attempting to kidnap as many people as possible and another is hanging out in a semi with a machine gun.  The upper class is kidnapping the lower class and hunting them to get their own personal purge on.  Hunger Games meets The Most Dangerous Game and its a horrible scene in the movie.

The Purge: Anarchy focuses everything on the night itself and society.  The characters do not really matter as they are a small group of the whole collective of lower class citizens that the upper class is trying to get rid of.  I do not know if this film is trying to be satirical toward our society or if it was attempting a fresh story for the annual event.  The movie that could go on forever introduces a Malcom X style character that is trying to get rid of the purge and when the movie ends, you are left not knowing if he has accomplished anything.  The lone man has his moment of glory and the film does nothing with it.  There is no problem with any of the actors or actresses in this film.  They were doing the best with what they were given.

I was extremely disappointed with this because I had bought into the first one so much.  I did not care that the annual purge was happening, I did not connect enough with the characters to care what happens to them, the movie didn't explain the disconnect between upper and lower class and really did not relate it to real life, and even if I pushed and tried to care, the film did not have enough passion to care to pull me in.  The third Purge film, if there will be one, is going to have to work hard to build from this or pull a Halloween 3 and pretend it never existed.  I can pretend that it did not happen.


The matinee of a thriller is a great way to focus completely on the film.  People prefer to go to a thriller when it is dark or for a date - this thriller is not even worthy of a date to have someone to hold on to.  I did not enjoy this film, but I paid complete attention to it to let it try to connect with me.  Don't disturb others if you do not like something - try - and just be alone in the theater.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Sex Tape


70%

Tonight I added a new element to what I want this blog to be.  I did my very first Live Tweet of a movie (and trailers) in theaters and gave my (@drewyk) followers or anyone that was following the #SexTapeMovie feed.  I had a couple of gratifications from this: 1. It was spoiler free and mainly the emotions and thoughts running through my head as things were happening so it gave whoever was reading knowledge of the movie from beginning to end. 2. It gives an idea of how many times this movie made me laugh or when a character was great. 3. Most important - it isn't a critique of the movie, its about the actual experience.  I won't do a Live Tweet of every movie that I see, but the important movies or movies that you may be on the fence about - these will be the movies I Live Tweet. Follow @drewyk for all Live Tweets and future reviews.

On to Sex Tape.  Sex Tape is a movie with a great premise with elements that sells a movie perfectly - Sex and a funny adventure.  The only problem is that those two elements is that you don't get enough of either.  The movie is very distinct in the 3 acts and it is easy to tell when one ends and another begins.  Jason Segel has fantastic writing ability and it really shows in the few parts that you can tell he focused on certain conversations more than the connecting actions and witty banter.  These conversations really pull you in and hit home - There is a conversation about losing their sex drive with each other that, if you have ever experienced that problem, will have you enamored.  Segel has also done it once again - he has written himself into a fantasy of every man.  

The acting in the movie is good, no one can deny that, but it isn't overly comedic.  Segel's character is clearly himself and it seems that what he says (especially when Cameron Diaz's character has the idea for the Sex Tape) is exactly what you think he would say and how he would act in real life.  It doesn't show it too much, but his character still thrives for more of a physical relationship where Diaz's character is fine with how they are physically and doesn't make the move to better it.  There were hardly any laughs from Segel and I don't remember laughing once at Diaz.  The supporting cast take their scenes.  As I said in the Live Tweet, post Parks and Rec Rob Lowe is a great character actor and the scene in his mansion is fantastic.  This was the first laugh of the film.  There is a cameo toward the end of the movie, I do not recommend looking at IMDB, that has another great laugh.  Rob Cordy and Ellie Kemper seemed like they were written there just to be there and help a bit antagonize in the 3rd act.  This movie clearly has 2 stars with everything else orbiting them.  The two kids that they have in the movie are fantastic at the beginning and I really wish we would have seen more of them.

The movie has 3 acts - Sex in the honeymoon stage then losing the physicality, the sex tape gets out and they go get it, and the antagonizing villain they need to save themselves from.  You can see when these start and finish.  One meaningful conversation in each act (the last comes from the cameo that is very deep in a very weird phrase) with barely any action or words to connect them.  Two main laughs in the movie that last for a short period of time.  This movie had two of the best selling elements Sex and Adventure and really did nothing beneficial with either of them.  In a clustered weekend of openings this is going to be the one that adults want to see, but I think if you had other movies you've been wanting to see - see them.


I Live Tweeted this film and found it brought me a little closer to it as I was exploring my emotions as the events were happening.  It brought my emotions closer to the film and showed you my thoughts as I was alone in the theater.

Follow me @drewyk on Twitter for more review updates and Live Tweets.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes


100%

The only way to start this off is to tell you that this is the blockbuster you need to see.  This is the movie-goers movie - it has action, emotion, weapons, fire, and above all complete passion.  I went into this movie reading a few things about it and people saying that it is fantastic - I hate going into movies with high expectations because it leaves room for disappointment.  This film does everything but disappoint.  

I am not going to break this review down into story and acting because they work so perfectly well with each other that it will be the same paragraph repeated.  When I left the theater, completely involved with what I had just viewed, I tried to think about what I did not like about the movie and I could not think of anything.  The pace is spot on for what is happening on the screen, the run time could have ran for three more hours and I would not have complained, cast was amazing, visual effects are stunning, and this unbelievable plot was very believable and I bought in completely.  

When I started to wonder what I did not like it hit me - Had I experienced something that I did not like while watching it, I would have known it right then.  Movies have a way with connecting with us and blurring the lines of reality or they are disconnected with certain people and its a feeling in your gut.  This movie pointed out to me, as movies have in the past, that some movies don't have to have something wrong with them if you were enthralled with it as it should have made you.  This is one of those movies.  

The one thing out of this movie that I would love to see happen is to give these motion capture actors a shot at an Oscar Nomination.  Not only are their voices coming across with so much emotion, their actual actions are being captured as well - which makes you fall in love and absolutely loathe these characters.


This is a film to see on the big screen.  The only way to get the full experience out of this action and emotion packed film is to watch it alone.


Drew Oliver

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Life Itself


100%

"...And the Oscar for Best Documentary goes to....Life Itself, Directed by Steve James." 

Richard Roeper said that Roger never spoke of a movie after they watched it and left it for the show.  When they saw Monster, Ebert said "There is your Best Actress.".  Well...here is  your Best Documentary. 

I will be completely honest in telling you that I have no idea how to write this review.  No one should be able to tell you how they wrote it or how they judged it - because it was straight from the man who lived it.  Life itself is Roger Ebert's life.  Life itself is Steve James' documentary.  

Roger documented so much of his life that all Steve James had to do was put it together and show us what Roger wanted us to see.  This brilliant piece of work shows Roger Ebert narrating his own documentary thanks to the audio version of Life itself.  It is tied together with Steve James gathering the characters from Roger Ebert's movie (his life) and getting them to talk about their performances in this man's film.  Roger says, at the beginning of this film, that "he was thrown into the movie of his life"...and later people talk about him not just being a character in this film, but he is also the director.  This movie (life) inspired a lot of people and truly made people understand film a lot more.

The brilliance of this documentary is the audio book of Life itself.  This, to me, is the most important part.  You are seeing these events in Roger's life happening and you are hearing about them, from him, years later in his life.  You can't hear his tone, but you hear his words and every word has a meaning.  

This film takes your before Roger Ebert, the film critic, and takes you to Roger the teenage writing prodigy that he was.  You meet his friends in the newspaper game, you meet his adversaries in the newspaper game, you meet drunk Roger, sober Roger, asshole Roger, husband Roger, friend Roger, blogger Roger, deep friend Roger - You meet Roger Ebert.  

Roger documented his life and obviously wanted to share his story.  He trusted Steve James to do this.  This story is not complete without what Steve did to get people that knew him to talk about their experiences.  More importantly this movie would not exist if you did not feel that you were with Roger during the worst time possible for him health-wise, but one of the best times possible for his excitement.  You are literally with him on his death bed with Chaz, and if you were a fan, it makes you that much closer to an idol and an icon.

This is a film that I will revisit at least once a year and ponder what he would have thought about films today.  I watched Life itself on VOD and I know that Roger cherished films on the big screen, but this is how he would have watched it in his final days.  

One of the biggest inspiration that Roger Ebert gave me was the E.T. affect.  You can only have a first viewing of a movie that moves you one time and you can never get that feeling back.  I can honestly say that I can watch Life itself again and still feel like a 12 year old watching Siskel and Ebert on television and being inspired.  

He found his voice in film, he was the voice of film, and he lost his voice in film. 

Hey. Roger, I'll see you at the movies.


VOD is brilliant as it gives you a chance to sit alone with the medium and truly be alone with it.  Grab your headphones and your laptop and be alone.


Drew Oliver

Friday, July 4, 2014

Deliver Us From Evil


91%

In an era that gore and quick thrills cluster the theaters, Deliver Us From Evil is a breath of fresh air.  The movie follows a police officer who is investigating a series of events that are connected by what appears to be evil.  The cop has lost his faith, disengaged with his family, and has devoted his life to his work.  The events of the film and the help of a hip, modern priest help him realize that there is something else out there, something more powerful than any of them.

The movie is completely content based and does not rely on cheap thrills to get your skin to crawl.  There is one quick action that does make you jump, but nearly the entire movie has you tense and makes you think - especially with the "Inspired by actual events" tagline.  When you think of horror movies that are content based, the main one that comes to mind is The Exorcist.  If The Exorcist was released today, it would not hold it's place on the pedestal that it is on, because of the less sensitive audience.  If this movie was released at an earlier time, it would hold almost that same place.  There is an element at the end that brings the family closer and brings peace to the police officer.  I want to meet the police officer and this priest and learn as much as I can about these events.

The cast is perfect.  Eric Bana plays a great stern police office that clearly has a chip on his shoulder.  Olivia Munn is a great wife that feels her husband is disconnected from the family and, although she is clearly on his side, her performance tells you she needs more.  Joel McHale who is usually hilarious, steps out of his comic role and into a partner that is just as stern as Bana.  Edgar Ramirez is the real star here.  He is a hip priest that has been affected by his work and is very down to Earth.  You really connect with him as a human being before you see him in action as a priest.

I can tell that this is a movie that will go unseen by a lot of movie-goers.  I am not a religious person, but this film is captivating on many levels and had me sucked in.  If you are religious and enjoy horror movies, this movie will absolutely terrify you.  If you are a non-believer and enjoy horror movies, this movie will terrify you.  It's a film that stays with you and will leave a mark.


This is the kind of movie that deserves attention.  Due to it not thriving on cheap instances that scare you (and sometimes make people laugh due to their jumping), there is no sound in the theater and you could hear a pin drop.  The theater was not full, but everyone there was alone watching this film.


Drew Oliver

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Earth To Echo


69%

Earth to Echo gave me the opportunity to watch some of my favorite movies rolled into one, which got me excited, until I realized these elements are loosely tied together with no emotional support.  The movie follows 3 kids (a fourth joins later on) following a map that their phone "barfed" up to find an alien that needs to get home after it's ship was shot down.  Oh and they film their experience to share it with the world that would never believe them.  

This movie takes it's idea from three children adventure movies.  The found footage aspect comes from Super 8.  The children find and befriend an alien and make it their business to get it back home is taken from E.T.  Tie this adventure together with this happening on the last night these friends will see each other because their housing addition has been purchased by the government was lifted from Goonies.  Three great child adventure films that can be revisited any time and still feel the same as it did when you were 12.

The elements of these three movies are great, but not when you just push them together to evoke nostalgia - and have no nostalgia.  The plot of this movie starts with learning about these 3 friends and it somewhat assumes that you already knew them as it just shows them together.  One is a foster kid, one is touted to be "different," and the other is the leader of the group.  Due to them just jumping into these kids worrying about the map on the phone, the film disconnects us with the characters and gives us no emotional connection to any of them and makes it hard to cheer them on.  These children turn out to be excellent criminals and can go undetected in a house where people are five feet away.   The best element of this group comes halfway through when a girl that they go to school with (who's house they broke into) joins the group on their adventure.  The alien isn't even the best part of the movie, it is actually pretty minimal in its appearances and actions.

The kids in the movie, other than Alex and Emma, were cast wrong in these roles as well.  This helped disconnect me from the film and really care about these characters.  There is a bit of romance element at the very end, but never builds or is noticed in the beginning.  The interaction of the kids and the government is minimal and pretty much hatred - until the government decides "maybe these kids should help our agenda."  This tension is rushed because it takes so long for the kids to find the alien and help build it's key.  

Earth to Echo is a slow paced build up to an accelerator climax and an immediate final action.  Instead of trying to be subtle in taking its ideas from classic adventure movies, it should have showcased them proudly.  If you have children and plan on seeing this film, please show them E.T., Goonies, and Super 8 first so that they do not compare those movies to this one and they compare Earth to Echo to these films.  


A matinee is a great time to see a film with minimal interruptions.  Movies like this could have children in them that get loud and interrupt your viewing.  Sit away from the crowd, zone in, and be alone in the theater.


Drew Oliver 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Premature


55%


"This is Groundhog Day meets American Pie."  This is the statement that made me want to watch this film, and then that statement made no sense.  This movie is about a teenager that has an experience with a girl, that appears to be his dream girl in school, and he prematurely 'finishes his business' and then wakes up to experience the same day over again.  He experiences the day again maybe 2 more times before he understands what is happening.  Once he sees that he has lived this 4 maybe 5 times, he immediately jumps into being an asshole - and an asshole he is throughout the rest of the movie.

This may seem in pieces and I apologize, but this is all I could think about during this film.  There was a lot that could have been covered and fulfilled a lot of viewers dreams of "what if I could go back."  As pieced together this movie is...as is my review...kudos to Katie Findlay.  

I love the performance of Katie Findlay as the best friend (and should have been love interest in the beginning), but I truly hated every other character as they developed, or in this case, stayed the same. 

This film had a lot of potential to show what every high school kid could have went back in time to get right, but it goes back to do nothing multiple times.  

I am someone who would love to relive a few days that I had in high school - to get them right - but this kid just goes back and doesn't care.  

The only good thing about him going back that we are looking for is Katie Findlay, and every time it should break our heart because she deserves better.



A movie that is big or small deserves your fullest attention.  Headphones can give you the surround sound that you may need which is how I was alone in the theater. 


Drew Oliver



Please leave comments if you found a way to be alone in a theater to watch this.  Agree or disagree is fine when we are all alone viewing it..


Sunday, June 29, 2014

They Came Together


92%

If the world was half as self-aware as this movie is then it would be a much better place.  From start to finish, this film knows what it is and is a champion of its craft.  They Came Together is the story of two people in and out of love and what happens in between and it is predictably unpredictable.  The film is predictable in that it tells you at the beginning what is going to happen.  The film is unpredictable by the journey that it takes you on to get from point a to point z (a lot of unexpected hilarity is b - y).

If I had my way of describing these characters it would be this:  These are the kids we never met in Camp Firewood that were being overseen by those horrendous counselors and this film is the result of the affect the camp took on them in the real world.  Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler satirize a romantic comedy couple perfectly and the supporting cast (Christopher Meloni, Cobie Smulders, Michael Ian Black, Ed Helms, and Jason Mantzoukas) bring Muphy's Law to the party - Not just everything bad that can happen, but literally everything.  

Just as in life, it is not that destination that you get to, but it is the journey that it takes to get there.  This film is completely about the journey and Michael Showalter and David Wain are your captains.  The writing style of these two is unlike any other.  When you are zigging, they pull you into a zag.  When you are zagging, they throw you off the road and when you are coasting into your destination they crash into you head on.  

At first glance, this film may seem a bit over the top, but the dryness of the jokes and the performance of the actors really make this movie down to earth and downright hilarious.  The journey is a simple one that just makes you spontaneously burst into laughter straight from your gut and does not give you an opportunity to really connect or fall in love with any character - so whatever happens to them, you are completely fine with.  

Warning:  When you watch this and you burst into laughter, make sure that you are ready for the next moment or you will miss something hilarious.  I have a feeling the more you view this, the more you will pick up on things, and the more you will love it.


This was another VOD watch for me and the headphones and screen are all I need.  He came, she came, they came together, and now lets all come and enjoy this hilarious film and give it the attention it deserves and connect with it alone in the theater.


Drew Oliver

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Happy Christmas


94%

Happy Christmas is a story of an irresponsible twenty-something that moves in with her brother and sister-in-law after she experiences a breakup with her boyfriend in Chicago.  Anna Kendrick plays Jenny who is a catalyst for all things good and bad in this real life drama and she shines in her performance.  The supporting cast (Melanie Lynskey and Joe Swanberg) work perfectly together to string this hum drum family together and add in the help of her friend (Lena Dunham) and you have a small, gritty film that imitates life and the people that we know.

(Side note - this is clearly a great case to get Anna Kendrick on Girls!  Her chemistry with Lena Dunham was fantastic and Anna could bring a lot to that already great show.  Come on Lena!)

This film is completely performance driven and everyone delivers.  I would compare this type of film to Rachel Getting Married as it follows family and trials and tribulations of someone who's life is not going the way they would like it to go.  Every action has a reaction and the long shots that the director, Joe Swanberg, went with show this drama unfold perfectly.  The cinematography, along with those long shots, make the film seem more realistic and puts you into the heart of each character.  You laugh with them, you are hopeful for them, you want to choose their actions, and then you are angry at them for what they decide and that they did not listen to you.

The only thing is that I didn't get a chance to really put my heart into Jenny's character - yes, you do see her at the bottom and starting to climb, but I needed a spark with her and I would have went a little more in depth of a feeling for her either way her choices took her.  I could relate with some of her choices and what she was doing, but without that spark I was just a spectator and not fully "in it to win it" with her.  

The timing of this movie being released and that it is titled Happy Christmas is brilliant, as it helps with the grittiness of the feel and the emotions of the actions.  I do not feel it's Christmas outside (because it is June) and I did not feel like it was Christmas in that household because of the tone and mood of the very real characters.  

Very well done and if you have seen Drinking Buddies - You will want to see this.  I am a big fan of Joe Swanberg and look forward to his next project.


I watched this with VOD and headphones on a laptop.  Just another way you can be alone in a theater and connect completely with the subject you are viewing.  


Drew Oliver

TV Review - Girl Meets World


90%

Last night I got to, somewhat, relive a big part of my childhood.  Throughout the 90's I made sure that I was home every Friday night for TGIF and their awesome lineup.  Boy Meets World was a major part of that lineup that kept me home and glued to my TV.  The rumblings of a sequel series that follows adult Cory and Topanga and their children intrigued and excited me and I could not wait for this to happen.  Last night it happened and I was not disappointed with the result and what is to come.

The show focuses on Cory and Topanga's daughter Riley and her best friend Maya through their journey through adolescence.  Right out of the gate, you can see nostalgia in our two main characters as they are very much Cory and Shawn.  Riley was raised and follows in the footsteps of her father and we don't quite know Maya's story, but it is one that I am very fascinated with and want to learn more of where she comes from.  Maybe it's a trailer park, maybe its a single parent family, maybe parents just don't care, or maybe she just doesn't fit in with the rest of her family.  The dynamic between these two is going to unravel greatly as we see them get into more situations like Cory and Shawn did. 

The supporting cast gives you that first season feel of Boy Meets World with Farkle being the smart kid in class and having an interest in our two main characters (as Minkus was with Topanga).  A love interest is introduced early on as well, but he isn't world about astrology or the afterlife as Topanga was at the beginning - he seems normal.  

The awkwardness of growing up still rings true and this show is going to bring it out for this generation just as Boy Meets World did for mine.  This show has to be a stand alone and not always compared to Boy Meets World if it is to be enjoyed throughout it's lifespan.  The cast is perfect and the soundtrack is perfect.  The 10% was taken off just because it was updated a bit for how Disney shows feel today and sometimes it is deviates from the era of the sitcom in the 90s.  Again, this show needs to stand alone and not be compared to Boy Meets World and it will not be any more since we got the first show jitters out as an audience.  

I have to admit I got chills when Cory came in, again when Topanga came in, again when Feeny came in, and a big chill when the Michael Jacobs logo and soundbite came on at the very end.

I am here for the ride and I hope the show doesn't stop in some random city that may or may not have the best pie around and just leave me here without a ride or enjoyment.
  

Your living room can be just like a theater if you let the TV screen take you into it's world.  Be alone with the screen and enjoy every minute of it. 

Drew Oliver

Friday, June 27, 2014

Transformers: Age of Extinction


70%

The wettest of dreams that Michael Bay has ever had is now in movie form.  He fell asleep one night and as always has a notebook on his nightstand so that he can analyze his dreams.  He woke up and wrote this dream down in his notebook without dialogue, but very detailed "Fire, robots, dinosaurs, Wahlberg, Tucci, an attractive female, many more male actors, forward and backward driving, and spaceships.  Transformers: Age of Extinction combines all of these elements and weaves them together with poor writing and exhausting special effects.  They not only exceeded the normal amount of effects, but I was literally exhausted upon leaving the theater.  The amount of different story lines is overwhelming as well.

Now what we have to remember here is that movies are subjective in their genre and content.  I am comparing this movie to previous Transformers movies and movies similar in genre.  I am, in no way, comparing this to films that it doesn't share a topic with.  

Believe it or not, I found the acting in this movie to be very well done.  Mark Wahlberg gives a very good performance and Stanley Tucci is always at the top of his game.  The only problem with the acting is the words that they are speaking does not put the writing of this movie in a top ranking category.  Poorly timed jokes and poorly written Autobot dialogue does not stitch this movie together well.  The acting that Mark brings to the table made me want to see him start and finish the entire franchise and Shia never have been a part of it.

If you are an "action only" fan then you will have no problem jumping into this fast paced war.  There were even some people in the theater that clapped when the movie was over.  They were quickly identified as action junkies that only want that type of an experience.  There is a movie for everyone and if you are a pedal to the metal movie-goer, then this is the perfect movie for you.

I did not put a premise into this commentary because I am assuming you have seen the trailer or are familiar with this film.  This movie is getting a 70% from me due to the fact that it is better than other Transformers movies and the acting is well done.  30% deduction was due to the writing, poorly timed jokes during huge sequences, and lack of a story (or more than one going on at a time) in between the action sequences.

Although this blog is me trying to put everything in my surroundings away during a viewing, there was a man with an E-Cig 3 seats away from me with that annoying light and 4 people directly behind me laughing and ribbing the film during it's entirety.  I politely asked them to quite down and they refused, so I moved.

Remember everyone - Put your cell phones away, chat after the movie, and find a way to be alone in the theater.

Drew Oliver

Jersey Boys - The Movie


90%

I am a very big fan of live theater.  I have seen some of the greatest stage productions of all time and cannot get enough of it.  I am, however, very skeptical of film adaptations of popular stage musicals.  The stage and the screen can be two very different animals - know what I'm saying Rock of Ages?  I do get excited when I hear one is being adapted and one of my favorites is Jersey Boys.  The story of The Four Seasons and how they came about.  Just thinking that I could grab a copy of my own and watch this story whenever I wanted got me really excited.  Did it hold up to its stage counterpart?

The songs they chose to showcase and the major parts of the story that they hit one were fantastic, but without the full story and music catalog this is a watered down version of the stage - but a great stand alone film.

Clint Eastwood has not failed yet on any projects that he has brought into our lives and this piece of art is no exception.  The cinematography is beautiful to gaze upon and the sound editing makes you feel as if you are in the audience watching these 4 performers.  Eastwood also gives us something that we have yet to see at the end of a musical - a lasting curtain call.

The movie brought together 4 performers from the actual stage musical to make it more of an authentic Broadway production.  This shines during their musical performances and falls a bit flat during some of their non-singing performances.  They actors mention the names of all the songs in the Broadway hit and they sometimes are playing on the radio, but are definitely not showcased as they are on stage.

If you have not seen the stage performance or even like Broadway then I think you will love this film and you will be singing/dancing in your seats.  Christopher Walken brings some big acting chops to the screen and Clint backs up everything the actors are bringing to you.  

As I said previously, as a stand alone film this is a great one, but if you are looking for the stage production, it's close, but not all there.  Standing alone I would give this film a 90%.  Go into the movie without a previous idea of what you are about to see and let it take you away.  Let these actors take you back to a time that a lot of us romanticize with and wish we could have experienced.  Let this movie educate you on 4 guys, standing underneath a street lamp trying to find their sound.


Put your cell phones away, don't chat with your neighbor, just be there - alone in the theater.


Drew Oliver



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

How am I alone in the theater?



Tonight I went to the theater and enjoyed my second viewing of The Fault In Our Stars.  This has been a huge success and I clearly was not the only one in the theater watching this gem about love, life, and just living, but there is a point that the movie brought me in and no one else was in the theater.  This feeling, of course, has come over me multiple times while enjoying a great piece of cinema, but now I feel that it's about time to talk about that feeling that I am sure we all get at one point in any movie.  Whether you are a fan of Action, Romance, Science Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, or Comedy there is a moment in every movie where everything disappears.  If you enjoy seeing a movie at midnight and love the crowd interaction when Yoda does flips and has a light saber battle, then you relished in the silence during the battle with Darth Maul.  The silence is the moment that makes movies special for everyone, as individuals - the moment that we went to have.

My name is Drew Oliver and I want to be alone in every movie theater that I go into, and I am. This blog is going to be designed for personal experiences during a film.  I have been an avid movie-goer for a very long time and studied film at Ball State University.  I want to explore the personalization of film and how it affects us and gives us a limited time in a different reality.  The opening, rising story, climax, denouement, and the characters all give us a reason to be together and to be alone while watching a film.  This blog will focus on those moments where everything drops away and you or I become one on one with what we are watching and nothing else matters.  I am really excited about this - and I hope to hear about moments that take you out of reality and straight into the film.

Now, here are my thoughts on being alone in The Fault In Our Stars.

I will start this off by saying that I am not a fan of seeing movies on their opening night, if I know the theater will be packed and it will possibly ruin the movie for me.  So, I viewed The Fault In Our Stars on its opening night and enjoyed it.  By now, I am assuming you know the plot and/or have seen the movie.  On the night that I viewed it, there were a lot of young adults (as the novel suggests read it) and their parents.  I love the passion that everyone had coming into the movie, but everyone knew what to expect and I could feel what to expect from it.  Gasps came before gasps were needed and sobs came before sobs were ever called for and the whole audience burst out into applause after the "Douche Pants" quote happened.  I was taken in and out of this film.

I saw this film again today and it meant something else to me. Some would argue that the more you see or read something, the more important it becomes.  I disagree.  This time around, I was not going to pay attention to others and not care if the theater was packed.  I should have viewed the movie the first time as my own viewing, but I was bitter about a full audience ruining it for me.  This time, in a lesser packed theater, I heard weeping and sniffling, and it was unified.  I realize they are having their own moment and I should have had mine the first time I watched this film.

This is a chance you do not get back.  Ebert called it the "E.T. Experience."

Thanks to me paying attention to a full theater during my first viewing, I got that experience back.

Do not pay attention to your friends or others during a movie and get what you are supposed to get out of a film.  Whether you want your adrenaline pumping, your skin crawling, your tears flowing, or your date to like you - let the movie do it's work and go for the ride.

I have now explained a bit of what this blog will be about and you can go on this journey with me.  It's about the experience of the film and how it affects you as an individual and not the group you came with or the whole group of a full theater.

This blog will be about film reviews and a constant reminder of remember how movies affect us as individuals.  I will share how these movies, every week (new and of yesterday) have and will affect me.  I encourage you to think about the same thing.  There will be somewhat of a review, but I am focused on my experience in the movie.  I hope you enjoy.

Roger Ebert said, "Movies don't change the world, but they have the power to change our individual lives."

So turn your phone off ,put your arm rests down, and be alone in the theater.


Drew Oliver