Showing posts with label Bradley Cooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bradley Cooper. Show all posts
Not Required Viewing, But Good “Book Club” Material
Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper) is a struggling writer that is trying hard to succeed. People have told him that he is extremely talented, but he can’t seem to find a way to get his book published. He has currently found a groove as a mailroom supervisor at a publishing company, not his dream job…but he is in the business. Despite his struggles in his professional life, Rory has a great personal life. His sweetheart Dora (Zoe Saldana) has agreed to marry him and they set out on a honeymoon to Paris. It’s on this honeymoon that Rory finds a bag. It is this bag that will change his life.
Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper) is a struggling writer that is trying hard to succeed. People have told him that he is extremely talented, but he can’t seem to find a way to get his book published. He has currently found a groove as a mailroom supervisor at a publishing company, not his dream job…but he is in the business. Despite his struggles in his professional life, Rory has a great personal life. His sweetheart Dora (Zoe Saldana) has agreed to marry him and they set out on a honeymoon to Paris. It’s on this honeymoon that Rory finds a bag. It is this bag that will change his life.
Back home in the states, he finds a compartment containing a manuscript. The manuscript is enthralling, and he can’t put it down. Rory is so moved by the manuscript that he wants to feel the words and starts typing it into his computer to experience word for word the experience that has enthralled him. But after Dora finds the file, and encourages Rory to submit it to a publisher, the deception begins. Dora doesn’t know it’s not Rory’s work, and Rory doesn’t let on that the finished product only came through his fingers, and not through his hands. When the story grows, Rory finds his worst nightmare as an old man (Jeremy Irons) enters the picture. He knows the book is not Rory’s, but what is his motivation? What is this old man after and can it torpedo Rory’s entire life?
The above is all the brainchild of Clay Hammond (Dennis Quaid). He wrote the story that Rory and Dora are acting out. Yes it’s a story within the story. Quaid is reading parts of the story to an appreciative audience and we are able to share this journey by what we see on screen. But at this reading he meets the lovely Daniella (Olivia Wilde)who is there to find out more about him. It is on this journey that we learn that truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction, and that words can tell an amazing story.
A talented group of actors lead this story that can confuse if you don’t pay attention. The weaving between reality and fiction is melded with non-fiction and truth. It’s this journey that takes on the important question of plagiarism and if there is ever any time where it is acceptable.
What works here is a cache of great acting talent. Jeremy Irons stands out, as he usually does, as the old man with a past. He is able to make your heartbreak and anger rise in every scene. Working with Bradley Cooper along the way, they play against each other and allow you to appreciate the words in the screenplay. Couple these two with Dennis Quaid as the author that is enjoying his fame and fortune and a wide eyed Olivia Wilde and you’ve got an enjoyable set of actors portraying the characters.
Where the film falls short is that it can tend to wander. The stories need to be fleshed out more. The sequence in Paris is almost an afterthought in its feel and Quaid’s role feels underplayed (though probably as a result of the excellent performance of Irons).
If you’re a book fan, The Words will bring the book experience to the screen. But this one falls short of being a first class classic. Instead of being required viewing, it is closer to “book club” material. But that’s not all bad.
B-
Sony Pictures
Director: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Zoe Sladana, Olivia Wilde
Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language and smoking.
Runtime: 1 hour 36 minutes
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| The cast of American Hustle |
"Sometimes all you have in life are fucked-up, poisonous choices."
Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) is a married con artist/loan shark with a really elaborate comb-over who works with his lover, Sydney (Amy Adams), in conning desperate and larcenous people out of their money. They get caught by arrogant, ambitious agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), who tells them they can stay out of jail if they help him in a sting operation. The target for entrapment is Atlantic City mayor Carmine Polito (Jeremy Renner of Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol), who needs money to bring gambling to AC [this takes place in the late seventies]. When Polito begins making deals with gambling experts who happen to be mobsters, such as Victor Tellegio (Robert De Niro), Richie, who begins an affair with Sydney, figures he can bring down even bigger fish than Polito. Realizing they are the ones the gangsters will go after when the whole thing blows up, Irving and Sydney come up with a secret counter-scheme, but will Irving's jealous wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), cause more problems than they can handle? American Hustle is an okay movie with some clever moments and a fairly satisfying ending, but it's incredible that it won an Oscar as Best Picture -- all four lead actors won Oscars as well -- proving that studio backing and aggressiveness can and often is more responsible for the garnering of awards than genuine quality. The acting is okay [but never outstanding] for the most part -- one could single out Bale [American Psycho] for his character role -- but the cast members all seem to be exuding personality in a naturalistic manner rather than acting [a common occurrence in modern-day movies]. Also the movie is played as a black comedy, which is also typical of many new movies, and has not a single likable character. It also has senseless scenes, such as a girl-on-girl kiss between wife and startled mistress in a ladies room, that seem thrown in for titillation and nothing else. American Hustle also tells an 80 minute story in two and a half hours! It in no way compares to great con man/film noir classics of the past such as Too Late for Tears/Killer Bait.
Verdict: This isn't terrible, but a masterpiece with truly great acting it is not. **1/2.
It Happened Again
The wolfpack is back and this time they are headed for Thailand. Sure there have been some minor changes since the group was together in Las Vegas. This time, Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married, again, but it is too a woman he really cares about.
Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha) are coming along and what would the trip be unless Alan (Zach Galifianakis) could find a way to be part of things. Now it’s a seemingly harmless night out on the beach with a couple of friends and a couple of beers that will lead to another “lost” evening.
Waking up in a Thai hotel is a little different that in a Las Vegas suite. They are there with a couple problems. When they wake they have not only lost Doug this time, but they have also lost Stu’s future son in law, Teddy.
Now they will have to once again, retrace their steps. This time they will find Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), a gangster (Paul Giamatti) and a monkey as part of their pre-wedding wild night. Oh, and there are strippers, a gun runner and a monk that all had a part in their night that everyone can’t remember.
Now will Stu be able to hold his head high while he marries the woman of his dreams or did things go so crazy that he has lost her forever.
The number one question I’m always asked with sequels is, “Can I see it without having seen the first film?” With The Hangover 2, the answer is yes. In fact if you’ve seen the first film, you’ve seen this one.
The Hangover 2 doesn’t go far beyond what worked the first time around. There is really no expansion of the characters. There are no wildly different storylines. There are just lots of laughs. And that’s ok. I don’t believe anyone is going to go to this film expecting these characters to be anything different than what they were in the first film. Though that is true, it would have been nice to see a couple more diversions along the way instead of rehashing the same plot. This is literally the first film redone.
One last thing that didn’t change about the film, it STILL makes you laugh. In a market that is always a bit hit or miss, The Hangover 2 remains a hit with the laughs. Raunchy as ever, and full of craziness they weren’t lying when they say “It happened again.”
B
The Hangover 2
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong
Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
READ MORE
The wolfpack is back and this time they are headed for Thailand. Sure there have been some minor changes since the group was together in Las Vegas. This time, Stu (Ed Helms) is getting married, again, but it is too a woman he really cares about.
Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Doug (Justin Bartha) are coming along and what would the trip be unless Alan (Zach Galifianakis) could find a way to be part of things. Now it’s a seemingly harmless night out on the beach with a couple of friends and a couple of beers that will lead to another “lost” evening.
Waking up in a Thai hotel is a little different that in a Las Vegas suite. They are there with a couple problems. When they wake they have not only lost Doug this time, but they have also lost Stu’s future son in law, Teddy.
Now they will have to once again, retrace their steps. This time they will find Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), a gangster (Paul Giamatti) and a monkey as part of their pre-wedding wild night. Oh, and there are strippers, a gun runner and a monk that all had a part in their night that everyone can’t remember.
Now will Stu be able to hold his head high while he marries the woman of his dreams or did things go so crazy that he has lost her forever.
The number one question I’m always asked with sequels is, “Can I see it without having seen the first film?” With The Hangover 2, the answer is yes. In fact if you’ve seen the first film, you’ve seen this one.
The Hangover 2 doesn’t go far beyond what worked the first time around. There is really no expansion of the characters. There are no wildly different storylines. There are just lots of laughs. And that’s ok. I don’t believe anyone is going to go to this film expecting these characters to be anything different than what they were in the first film. Though that is true, it would have been nice to see a couple more diversions along the way instead of rehashing the same plot. This is literally the first film redone.
One last thing that didn’t change about the film, it STILL makes you laugh. In a market that is always a bit hit or miss, The Hangover 2 remains a hit with the laughs. Raunchy as ever, and full of craziness they weren’t lying when they say “It happened again.”
B
The Hangover 2
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong
Rating: R for pervasive language, strong sexual content including graphic nudity, drug use and brief violent images.
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
Just Relax and Focus
Focus, it’s something we all long to do more of every day. What if there were a drug, that was about to be approved for use, that would allow you to gain total focus and utilize every part of your brain. You know, those tasks you get distracted from, you would no longer have to worry as the ability to complete them would be within your grasp.
Eddie (Bradley Cooper) is a struggling writer. He is struggling with a block right now that nothing seems to cure. And it is starting to have an impact on other aspects of his life. But now, he is offered a unique drug, NZT. NZT he is promised by his ex brother-in-law will give him the focus he needs to turn his life around. It will give him the precious focus and allow him to make the best use out of his mind and the knowledge he has gained over the years. And he finds out quickly, it’s all true.
But that’s when things turn for Eddie. As he goes to secure additional pills, his connection meets a different fate. But now he has the material and it is turning his life around. Every pill puts him closer to a life of freedom that he’s dreamt of, and deeper into an intriguing web of individuals that have an impact on his life.
Along the way Eddie meets Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro). Carl is the preeminent business icon that has heard about Eddie exploits as a day trader, and wonders how he does it. No matter, he’s going to get him on his team with one of the biggest deals he has ever been a part of and he wants Eddie’s proven wealth of knowledge.
But Eddie has others that are out to get him. A mobster that wants NZT for himself, a mystery man that is tracking him down at every turn, and a drug that is having a variety of effects are among the situations that challenge him. Now, will he have what it takes to weather the storm and come out of the situation better than ever?
Limitless is one of those movies that just didn’t totally click with me. It’s a unique story that everyone can relate to, gaining the strategic advantage of constant and unfiltered focus. But it’s a bit messy in its makeup and will come off as confusing as the trip Cooper goes on. There are a number of storylines that seem to start and go nowhere. This includes his relationship with his ex-wife, with his ex-girlfriend, and with really all the women in his life.
I think this one could find a real place in my mind after multiple viewings, but after the first viewing alone, my focus is somewhat limited, and my grade matches. But if that NZT works, imagine the results…and the grade for NZT…
B- / C+
Limitless
Dreamworks SKG / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert DeNiro
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language.
Runtime: 105 minutes.
READ MORE
Focus, it’s something we all long to do more of every day. What if there were a drug, that was about to be approved for use, that would allow you to gain total focus and utilize every part of your brain. You know, those tasks you get distracted from, you would no longer have to worry as the ability to complete them would be within your grasp.
Eddie (Bradley Cooper) is a struggling writer. He is struggling with a block right now that nothing seems to cure. And it is starting to have an impact on other aspects of his life. But now, he is offered a unique drug, NZT. NZT he is promised by his ex brother-in-law will give him the focus he needs to turn his life around. It will give him the precious focus and allow him to make the best use out of his mind and the knowledge he has gained over the years. And he finds out quickly, it’s all true.
But that’s when things turn for Eddie. As he goes to secure additional pills, his connection meets a different fate. But now he has the material and it is turning his life around. Every pill puts him closer to a life of freedom that he’s dreamt of, and deeper into an intriguing web of individuals that have an impact on his life.
Along the way Eddie meets Carl Van Loon (Robert DeNiro). Carl is the preeminent business icon that has heard about Eddie exploits as a day trader, and wonders how he does it. No matter, he’s going to get him on his team with one of the biggest deals he has ever been a part of and he wants Eddie’s proven wealth of knowledge.
But Eddie has others that are out to get him. A mobster that wants NZT for himself, a mystery man that is tracking him down at every turn, and a drug that is having a variety of effects are among the situations that challenge him. Now, will he have what it takes to weather the storm and come out of the situation better than ever?
Limitless is one of those movies that just didn’t totally click with me. It’s a unique story that everyone can relate to, gaining the strategic advantage of constant and unfiltered focus. But it’s a bit messy in its makeup and will come off as confusing as the trip Cooper goes on. There are a number of storylines that seem to start and go nowhere. This includes his relationship with his ex-wife, with his ex-girlfriend, and with really all the women in his life.
I think this one could find a real place in my mind after multiple viewings, but after the first viewing alone, my focus is somewhat limited, and my grade matches. But if that NZT works, imagine the results…and the grade for NZT…
B- / C+
Limitless
Dreamworks SKG / Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director: Neil Burger
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert DeNiro
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material involving a drug, violence including disturbing images, sexuality and language.
Runtime: 105 minutes.