Showing posts with label Dennis Quaid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis Quaid. Show all posts
Kick Off Your Expectations, Footloose Is Toe-Tapping Fun
Paramount Pictures
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We have radio stations devoted entirely to the 80s. We’ve been remaking some of the best and worst movies of the 80s. Would I call the Footloose I saw as I was transitioning to high school one of the best of the 80s, nahhh, but it was one of the more fun films of the decade.
The story is virtually identical to the original; but let’s recap…shall we?
Ren (Kenny Wormald) is the big city kid who has come into a small town to stay with relatives. Coming from the city, he’s not familiar with the restrictions that the law has in place here. No loud music, no alcohol parties and absolutely no dancing. Laws that were enacted after a tragic accident seem outdated and out of place to all the kids in town.
The Reverend (Dennis Quaid) is trying to guide folks to the Promised Land. Little does he know, his daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough) might well be the wildest child in the town. These laws were in place to protect kids like her and yet all she wants to do is cut loose.
Ren leads the charge to get the law changed to let these kids experience all the dancing can be. But the battle won’t be easy; there are those in this town that don’t want to relinquish control. Will there be “Dancing in the Sheets” or anywhere?
Let’s face it, seeing an updated version of Footloose sends one to the theater with a bit of trepidation. But this film was released in 1984, so teenagers that grew up with it are now in the 40’s. Tastes evolve, music evolves and this film evolves; just a little bit. Director Craig Brewer keeps on a fairly consistent track and we have the same characters in virtually the same situations. And that’s not all bad.
Wormald seems a little too nice in his portrayal as Ren. I had a hard time buying the big city attitude he was to have. Julianne Hough has a look that just screams like she could be that wild child and she’s obviously got the dancing down, as does Wormald.
The dialogue is cheesy and out there, but it was in the 80s as well. The soundtrack uses many of the same songs that were made famous by the first film, with new and clever arrangements where possible. And before you get worried, Kenny Loggins is used…plus some of the others, in their classic form.
Here’s the thing about Footloose. This is a fun film for today’s generation. The story that is told doesn’t completely update to today’s standards, but it will have today’s kids tapping their feet just as those in 1984 did. Sure many expected me to “cut loose” on this one with a scathing review. But I can’t. It was fun and will have a new generation “kicking off their Sunday shoes”.
B
Paramount Pictures
Director: Craig Brewer
Cast: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowellRating: PG-13 for some teen drug and alcohol use, sexual content, violence and language..
Runtime: 1 hour 53 minutesNot 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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| Dennis Quaid, Eduardo Noriega and Richard T. Jones |
During a summit on terrorism with western and Arab leaders, the president of the United States (William Hurt of Mr. Brooks) is apparently shot when he addresses the crowd in the square. Moments later there's an explosion. The film then repeatedly goes back in time to show what happened just before, during and after the crisis from the viewpoint of several different characters: secret service agent Thomas Barnes (Dennis Quaid of Legion); tourist Howard Lewis (Forest Whitaker); a mother and her little girl; and others. Eventually the details of the plot are revealed, as well as its architect and the traitor who is helping the conspirators. Richard T. Jones and Matthew Fox are other agents; Eduardo Noriega is a man caught up in the conspiracy; and Sigourney Weaver [Death and the Maiden] is a news director. Vantage Point holds the attention and is an interesting idea, but it doesn't have any real resonance.
Verdict: Okay thriller with some suspense. **1/2.
A Message That Comes Right Down The Pipe
The story of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) has made national news. A young woman, progressing on a path to a promising career in the surfing world has a terrible accident, through no fault of her own. An attack in the middle of the ocean leaves Bethany and her family searching for answers.
Her parents (Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt) have always encouraged her with her dreams. But now they are as devastated as she is that her life will undergo changes beyond what anyone can imagine.
Bethany doesn’t view this as a change in lifestyle. Bethany views her physical condition as yet another challenge that is put in front of her. This journey to greatness will be met with a speed bump. A speed bump that would cause some to fall off the road is just a bump for Bethany. Her family realized long ago that with God all things are possible. And with Bethany’s determination she’s going to make that happen. It may be a different path, but she remains on the same journey.
Soul Surfer makes no excuses for delivering a Christian message in a mainstream movie. From the get go, as Bethany heads from the water, Church plays a prominent role in the film. But it isn’t the only force at work in this film. In fact, I think that if the story has as much of a faith component to it, it would have been truly refreshing to see more overt leaning on God after the first 30-40 minutes of the film.
But that doesn’t distract from the message of determination being delivered in this film. And the delivery of the message is the point of this film. It is a solid message of determination and finding your way through the darkness. Bad things “can” happen to good people. Good people have a way of making those bad things work to their advantage, and that is the case here.
Bethany is a picture of encouragement and the story works on so many levels. But where that works, there is a number of things that didn’t. The dialogue was clunky and out of place at times. There were moments that should have been stronger but seemed to suffer amidst setup and dialogue issues that held the actors back. The accident sequence was “Jawsesque” and not in a good way. But that’s ok; it was good that the scene was slightly toned down.
Films with overt Christian messaging have come a long way and while some of the “cheesy” elements of Soul Surfer distract from the film as a whole the message “hangs ten” and comes right down the pipe.
B-/C+
Soul Surfer
TriStar Pictures
Director: Sean McNamara
Cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo
Rating: PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material.
Runtime: 106 minutes.
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The story of Bethany Hamilton (AnnaSophia Robb) has made national news. A young woman, progressing on a path to a promising career in the surfing world has a terrible accident, through no fault of her own. An attack in the middle of the ocean leaves Bethany and her family searching for answers.
Her parents (Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt) have always encouraged her with her dreams. But now they are as devastated as she is that her life will undergo changes beyond what anyone can imagine.
Bethany doesn’t view this as a change in lifestyle. Bethany views her physical condition as yet another challenge that is put in front of her. This journey to greatness will be met with a speed bump. A speed bump that would cause some to fall off the road is just a bump for Bethany. Her family realized long ago that with God all things are possible. And with Bethany’s determination she’s going to make that happen. It may be a different path, but she remains on the same journey.
Soul Surfer makes no excuses for delivering a Christian message in a mainstream movie. From the get go, as Bethany heads from the water, Church plays a prominent role in the film. But it isn’t the only force at work in this film. In fact, I think that if the story has as much of a faith component to it, it would have been truly refreshing to see more overt leaning on God after the first 30-40 minutes of the film.
But that doesn’t distract from the message of determination being delivered in this film. And the delivery of the message is the point of this film. It is a solid message of determination and finding your way through the darkness. Bad things “can” happen to good people. Good people have a way of making those bad things work to their advantage, and that is the case here.
Bethany is a picture of encouragement and the story works on so many levels. But where that works, there is a number of things that didn’t. The dialogue was clunky and out of place at times. There were moments that should have been stronger but seemed to suffer amidst setup and dialogue issues that held the actors back. The accident sequence was “Jawsesque” and not in a good way. But that’s ok; it was good that the scene was slightly toned down.
Films with overt Christian messaging have come a long way and while some of the “cheesy” elements of Soul Surfer distract from the film as a whole the message “hangs ten” and comes right down the pipe.
B-/C+
Soul Surfer
TriStar Pictures
Director: Sean McNamara
Cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Kevin Sorbo
Rating: PG for an intense accident sequence and some thematic material.
Runtime: 106 minutes.