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Dope (2015)
Wish More Films Were Like This
It's a rare thing to have a movie as clever, silly, funny, witty, honest, relatable, and entertaining as Dope. There's really something for everyone, especially people like me who are tired of seeing every "teen movie" covered in white people acting out completely banal and tired plots. Sorry, but some change was long overdue. Dope is nothing like that; it leaves no one out, and deals with every stereotype, and reality, head on.
Where else would you see geeks running around selling dope and evading cops while still worrying about prom and college applications, all to the tune of excellent original songs and a smorgasbord of 90s hip hop gems? Nowhere's where.
I broke out with applause for this movie more than I ever expected to. It surprises you, this movie. All the actors are stellar, and perfectly casted. The direction is clever, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, and honestly very aesthetically well-composed. The comedy is fast and multifaceted. One scene might have a throw up punchline, another might feature a brilliant interjection about how truly revolting Macklemore is. Which, as we all know, he is.
And it is just like nothing else because it gets so much right! I just finished the college process, and I may not be from Inglewood, but the experience of applying to various places as someone who doesn't "fit in" like Malcolm so perfectly explains, is perfectly depicted in this film. This movie is a gift, and I hope it is revered as such.
Bravo to all involved.
They Came Together (2014)
Why Don't People Get It?! This Movie Is Fantastic!
They Came Together is the first great film satire in years. It skewers everyone, from the most renowned romantic comedies to the most idiotic chick flicks. Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler are perfect, parodying the roles they could very conceivably be cast in (and I believe Paul Rudd has done a few times). Not every joke lands, and most of them go by so quickly it could all be a 30 Rock cutaway, but nevertheless this movie is a delight for anyone who has noticed how brainless and predictable most romantic comedies end up being. Cheers to everyone involved in this movie, and to everyone who gets the joke. Watch it; I hope you find yourself laughing as hard as I did (all three times I watched it).
Gravity (2013)
Space Doesn't Get Any Better Than This
It has been a while since I've seen any film this good. To all who may know me, I don't hold back my complaints about movies very often. But I truly have nothing to complain about here. Everything was done exceptionally well. The camera movement is enthralling, the visuals are immersive, the acting is excellent and the story itself is very impressive. Cuarón anticipates exactly what the viewer expects, and what the viewer fears, to an astounding degree. Every tense moment is made doubly tense for the audience, who knows, just knows, that something else will happen, even more jaw-dropping than the last event. I won't spoil anything here, but the progression of the story is so compelling that I hardly ever took my full attention off what was happening. An incredible effort, an absurdly impressive payoff. Give it all the awards.
This Is the End (2013)
Oh it's funny. But it's not great.
I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy myself watching this movie. It's pretty hilarious at times, and in a few parts quite well written/ad-libbed. But this only lasts for about half the movie. Once the cabin fever starts really heating up, the movie takes a turn that is far too strange and unneeded for it to be funny, or for it to work. It becomes a big mess of good one-liners and shocks, but no real substance or wit any more. There are a few excellent sequences, like Franco's almost-ascension, and a cameo from a brilliantly surprising actor as a gimp, but really the film totally lost its magic for the last half-hour at least. Much of the movie, regardless of its sometimes unnecessary absurdity, is like watching a video put together by a group of great friends, who you don't know at all. Much of the charm comes from the group's in-jokes, which are funny when they appear in films like Knocked Up, Funny People, etc (most Apatow movies), but they fall flat and get irritating in a two-hour-long movie. They're a great group of comedians, who can deliver some good laughs. But without structure, without real substance, they just can't pull together a whole movie. It's funny, it's somewhat entertaining, but overall it is severely disappointing.
Pacific Rim (2013)
Absolutely Great For So Many Reasons
Seeing this maybe one of the most fun times I've ever had watching anything. Made with an obvious and beautifully apparent love for movie-making and entertainment, this film kicks down the door and strides onto the screen with such bravado and comfort in its substance and nature that I can see no way to dislike it. Yes, the plot is goddamn ridiculous at times. Yes, it's a little over-the-top at times. But you know what? That's beautiful. And we need more of that in our lives. A little unburdened fun is something we all could use, and this film delivers heaps upon heaps of unburdened fun. Let us not forget, though, that it is not all giant-robots-punching- giant-aliens in every scene (welcome though those incredible scenes are). No, this film is just as much story and characters than it is style and action. The identities of the main characters in this film are some of the most appropriately portrayed I have seen from the action/sci-fi genre in a long time. It's not a character drama, so not too much must be read into and there isn't too much weight or seriousness to the more calm parts of the story, creating a few meaningful plot points, which is perfectly enough to satisfy even the viewer who is suspicious of massive films like this lacking any plot whatsoever (and I have been accused of being one of these). I can't say exactly how I felt when it finished, but I was content with its conclusion, (though it was a tad sudden), and I was delighted that I'd taken in this film. Mr. Del Toro, you're a masterful entertainer and filmmaker, and thank you for creating a film that can stand up, be confident in its massive substance, and strive to entertain and create a good time. Because above all else, if you still need a reason to see it, Pacific Rim can guarantee a real goddamn good time at the movies.
Breaking Bad: Dead Freight (2012)
Incredible episode. And that ending...
This episode really blew my mind. My heart was actually pumping in my ears for the entire last 20-25 minutes. It was exhilarating and exciting, and I couldn't take my eyes off of the screen. This episode is the best of Season 5 so far. I loved seeing Jesse come up with more great plans, he is really coming in to his own. Now for the ending...
SPOILERS: I am very conflicted with that ending. Throughout the episode, I was worried Todd would be killed/left behind/screwed over in some way by Walt because it seemed like something Walt could do to show he is really becoming evil. I thought maybe he would sacrifice Todd somehow to complete the methlamine transfer, or kill him for less witnesses or something. Vince Gilligan had warned this episode was shocking and/or mind-blowing for something that happens in it, and I was sure it would be Walt who shocked us. But no, it was Todd, shooting an innocent child who happened to be in the wrong place at the absolute worst time. I have re- watched that ending and thought it over and I am so excited to see how Jesse, Walt, Mike, and even Todd react to what he has done. Of course there was that scene where Walt looks menacingly down at Todd and makes sure he knows NO ONE can ever know about this, which is the only reason this child murder is not entirely unjust to me, at least from Todd's point of view.
Of course I think killing the boy is absolutely horrible and I hate Todd, but I'm looking at it from his point of view. There are some reasons I think it was a good idea for Todd to do this deplorable act: Mike made it very clear that Walt and Jesse were to be obeyed wholeheartedly and entirely by the Vamanos Pest crew, Todd included. So their orders, like 'make sure nobody ever knows about this', were just being followed. Then there's the fact that Todd may have been scared of the consequences should he be linked to a meth-manufacturing team and a train robbery, and he killed the kid so quickly in an act of self-defense and fear of the alternative. The cons, however, are many: there's the fact that he is now a murderer, of course, then the fact that the whole idea of the siphon/exchange system of the robbery was to ensure that no one was killed, (even though he may not have known that). Then there's the fact that Todd may have been too sure of himself and independent. There was already mention this season of Gus's murder of Victor, via box cutter to the neck. Walt had commented to Jesse that he had begun to understand further why he had done it, something along the lines of Victor taking too much authority and independence, where Gus was really the boss and Victor was stepping out of his role essentially. He was almost challenging Gus's power. Something similar happened here. Todd didn't await orders or ask for his bosses' permission. He just drew his weapon and shot a child to death. In fact Jesse even screamed "NO!" before he fired, so Todd theoretically could have stopped before he shot, but he continued anyway.
Jesse will undoubtedly be livid because a person, even worse a child, has been murdered because of them, and because, I'm sure, he feels Todd had no right to make that decision. Walt I'm less sure of, because he may even like how dedicated Todd was to following orders. On the other hand, as mentioned, Todd definitely stepped out of his role and acted on his own, almost challenging Walt's authority in an interesting parallel with Victor from the first episode of season 4. I don't think Todd will be around much longer, and from the look of the quick "next on Breaking Bad" set of clips at the end of the episode I think Mike will be angry as well, and something bad will happen to Todd, any way I look at it.
Anyway, very excited for next week. Best episode of season 5 yet. I'm off to buy it now, and get all exhilarated all over again.