Showing posts with label Matt Damon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Damon. Show all posts
What Comes Next?
It’s a question that we all ask ourselves. What comes next? When we leave this earth, what can we expect? It makes for a fascinating new film from Director Clint Eastwood and Writer Peter Morgan.
There are three different arcs in the new film Hereafter that merge together and deal with current, topical situations that have taken place in the world.
Marie (Cecile De France) is a popular French reporter. On vacation, enjoying life and her success she is met with the unthinkable. She is a part of the tsunami that rips apart the lives of thousands. During that tsunami, she dies for a bit, and her life will never be the same after seeing the other side.
Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren) are twins that are dealing with a tough home life. They will do anything for each other to keep their family together. But tragedy strikes and life is not the same without the twins working together to preserve the remaining family unit.
George (Matt Damon) used to talk to the dead. He can still talk; he just chooses not to any more. As he is trying to reacquaint himself with a normal life he meets a woman in a cooking class (Bryce Dallas Howard) who is fascinated by the stories, and in the infancy of the relationship wants him to see what he “sees” with people from her past. But as George is quick to warn her, these readings do not always lead to a stable relationship.
All of these individuals have needs, and it is the hereafter that will connect them. What lies out there, and what do people look to find out about the future? Is there more than what we have on this earth?
Anyone who has a religious foundation has a belief of what comes next. Most people who don’t have that religious foundation also have an idea of what DOESN’T come next. But who is right? Eastwood examines the hereafter in a clever and unique way. The use of three stories to come together is an intriguing and clever way to develop thoughts and questions about the topic.
The problems with the film are mainly in pacing connecting the arcs dots. Eastwood has always been someone who moves at a deliberate pace, but here it felt like this pacing was not beneficial to the overall film. While times it works (the tsunami destruction and deaths), other times it is too much. And when the arcs meet, it feels like a forced encounter that has a lot of the natural feel sucked out of it.
There are solid performances by Damon and De France here that will stay with folks for a long time. Moments in this film are brilliant, but it just felt overall like a disappointing effort at a truly fascinating topic.
Expecting a lot when I sat down in the theater, Hereafter came up short. And despite my unabashed love of Clint Eastwood and everything the man does; I found myself asking the same question as those in the story. What comes next?
B-/C+
Hereafter
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Matt Damon, Cecile De France, Jay Mohr, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements including disturbing disaster and accident images and for brief strong language.
Runtime: 129 minutes.
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It’s a question that we all ask ourselves. What comes next? When we leave this earth, what can we expect? It makes for a fascinating new film from Director Clint Eastwood and Writer Peter Morgan.
There are three different arcs in the new film Hereafter that merge together and deal with current, topical situations that have taken place in the world.
Marie (Cecile De France) is a popular French reporter. On vacation, enjoying life and her success she is met with the unthinkable. She is a part of the tsunami that rips apart the lives of thousands. During that tsunami, she dies for a bit, and her life will never be the same after seeing the other side.
Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren) are twins that are dealing with a tough home life. They will do anything for each other to keep their family together. But tragedy strikes and life is not the same without the twins working together to preserve the remaining family unit.
George (Matt Damon) used to talk to the dead. He can still talk; he just chooses not to any more. As he is trying to reacquaint himself with a normal life he meets a woman in a cooking class (Bryce Dallas Howard) who is fascinated by the stories, and in the infancy of the relationship wants him to see what he “sees” with people from her past. But as George is quick to warn her, these readings do not always lead to a stable relationship.
All of these individuals have needs, and it is the hereafter that will connect them. What lies out there, and what do people look to find out about the future? Is there more than what we have on this earth?
Anyone who has a religious foundation has a belief of what comes next. Most people who don’t have that religious foundation also have an idea of what DOESN’T come next. But who is right? Eastwood examines the hereafter in a clever and unique way. The use of three stories to come together is an intriguing and clever way to develop thoughts and questions about the topic.
The problems with the film are mainly in pacing connecting the arcs dots. Eastwood has always been someone who moves at a deliberate pace, but here it felt like this pacing was not beneficial to the overall film. While times it works (the tsunami destruction and deaths), other times it is too much. And when the arcs meet, it feels like a forced encounter that has a lot of the natural feel sucked out of it.
There are solid performances by Damon and De France here that will stay with folks for a long time. Moments in this film are brilliant, but it just felt overall like a disappointing effort at a truly fascinating topic.
Expecting a lot when I sat down in the theater, Hereafter came up short. And despite my unabashed love of Clint Eastwood and everything the man does; I found myself asking the same question as those in the story. What comes next?
B-/C+
Hereafter
Warner Brothers Pictures
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Matt Damon, Cecile De France, Jay Mohr, Bryce Dallas Howard
Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements including disturbing disaster and accident images and for brief strong language.
Runtime: 129 minutes.
A Visually Stunning, But Emotionally Lacking Future
Elysium is utopia, circa 2154. Devastation, disease and destruction have overtaken the Earth. Now the Earth is filled with struggle and discontent. The people who live there work hard and have not had easy lives. Max (Matt Damon) is one of those people. He has worked hard and faced the wrong side of the law on
Elysium is home to those who have. Money, health, friends, the best of everything lives in Elysium. The inhabitants have the best of everything and seem annoyed with the smallest blade of grass out of place on a lawn. They have a machine that will heal all ills, and is kept in every house. Residents will stay on top of the world. And everyone wants to get in there. The health care alone will do wonders for the residents of Earth, but when they approach without permission; Defense Secretary Delacourt (Jodie Foster) has them taken down with prejudice.
Now after a drastic accident, Max has nothing to lose. He takes a job that no one else wants that will get him a ticket to Elysium. This job will be harsh and will risk everything he has, but there is no turning back now. Elysium is the only thing that will help him overcome his illness and get a new life. But will he succeed?
Neill Blomkamp has proven he can produce a visual spectacle on the big screen and Elysium is no exception. Big, bold and visually stunning Elysium explodes on the screen in both the good and the bad sections of the new reality. Blomkamp gives you a feeling that is true and you absorb every aspects of his style.
But more than a visual style is needed to pull off this film.
I’m all for a check your mind at the door film that lets you escape into a far off land. An altered state of reality that provides a journey that surrounds you is a smashing way to go some times. But the more I thought about things, the more I was disappointed with Elysium. So many details are left unspoken and provide incredible gaps in realism, or proposed realism.
Matt Damon is fine in his role as the rebellious Max, but Jodie Foster (an actress I love) seems out of place here. Sure she is supposed to be cold as the Defense Secretary with an agenda of her own, but that chill is beyond ice and she just doesn't feel natural.
The rest of the characters become afterthoughts, but it was never about them. It’s about the visual styling in the film.
If you check your mind at the door and just enjoy the visual styling of the film, you might have a good time. Just don’t think too much…well…just don’t.
Elysium is a visually stunning film that is lacking in emotion.
B- / C+
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Cast: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley
Rating: R for strong bloody violence and language throughout.
Runtime: 1 hour 49 minutes
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| Matt Damon and Michael Douglas |
There seems to be no way around the fact that popular entertainer Liberace (Michael Douglas) was a big, flamboyant, outrageous gay stereotype, and this telefilm makes no attempt to get around it. It is also based on the book by Liberace's [ex] lover Scott Thorson (Matt Damon), so really has to be taken with a grain of salt. Thorson appears to be a type of [supposedly bisexual] hustler who moves in on Liberace even as Liberace moves in on him -- and suggests he move in with him. The movie suggests that the promiscuous entertainer eventually wanted to replace Thorson with a younger model, making him little different from a lot of straight guys. The one thing the telefilm has going for it is the acting, with Douglas [The China Syndrome] giving an outstanding performance that almost makes Liberace likable, and Matt Damon [The Departed] is not far behind him. Rob Lowe is also quite good as the shady "feelgood" Dr. Startz. Dan Ackroyd and Cheyenne Jackson [The Most Happy Fella] also have significant roles, and Debbie Reynolds is fine as Liberace's mother. Soderbergh also directed Douglas in Traffic.
Verdict: It's well-acted and certainly holds your attention, even if it often comes off like a gay dirty joke. ***.
A Couple Adjustments Short
David Norris (Matt Damon) is on a beeline to the top. He has seen a political career that has grown by leaps and bounds. From a young congressman he has decided to take on the US Senate and it looks as if nothing will keep him from that goal. His main competitor to the challenge just might be himself.
When a devastating story is released, he sees an almost insurmountable lead in the polls disappear and his dreams are cut short. But it’s the meeting with the lovely Elise (Emily Blunt) that changes him. In a men’s room, trying to compose himself after a rare defeat, Elise sets him on the right path. Her frank comments encourage his frank comments. He is now a refreshed politician that just might make a comeback, someday. But for now, all David can think of is the woman that changed his perspective. Where is Elise?
But how is it that Elise and David got together? Was it part of a plan that was predestined? Were they together simply by chance? Or were there some individuals that helped to nudge them in the correct direction to make sure they stayed on their path.
Is there a plan for David? And is there free will? Questions that have baffled individuals for years are examined in this sci-fi thriller. Who is the adjustment bureau and what are they up to?
I really am starting to dig Matt Damon as an actor more and more. Every time out he seems to create an interesting character that fits the film. That is absolutely true with this film as he is perfectly cast as the up and coming politician who could one day take the next step. Emily Blunt works well with Damon and the two do a nice job of carrying through despite some rough patches.
Anthony Mackie feels underutilized. It was the one character that seemed to have more existing, but remained unexplained.
There are some light, fun moments that break up the action and it is, perhaps, those moments the make the film feel right. Now if this didn’t make us believe too many weird occurrences too often, it really would have been a great film. Should I be surprised though, that a film about adjustments could have used an adjustment or two?
B-
The Adjustment Bureau
Universal Pictures
Director: George Nolfi
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 105 minutes.
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David Norris (Matt Damon) is on a beeline to the top. He has seen a political career that has grown by leaps and bounds. From a young congressman he has decided to take on the US Senate and it looks as if nothing will keep him from that goal. His main competitor to the challenge just might be himself.
When a devastating story is released, he sees an almost insurmountable lead in the polls disappear and his dreams are cut short. But it’s the meeting with the lovely Elise (Emily Blunt) that changes him. In a men’s room, trying to compose himself after a rare defeat, Elise sets him on the right path. Her frank comments encourage his frank comments. He is now a refreshed politician that just might make a comeback, someday. But for now, all David can think of is the woman that changed his perspective. Where is Elise?
But how is it that Elise and David got together? Was it part of a plan that was predestined? Were they together simply by chance? Or were there some individuals that helped to nudge them in the correct direction to make sure they stayed on their path.
Is there a plan for David? And is there free will? Questions that have baffled individuals for years are examined in this sci-fi thriller. Who is the adjustment bureau and what are they up to?
I really am starting to dig Matt Damon as an actor more and more. Every time out he seems to create an interesting character that fits the film. That is absolutely true with this film as he is perfectly cast as the up and coming politician who could one day take the next step. Emily Blunt works well with Damon and the two do a nice job of carrying through despite some rough patches.
Anthony Mackie feels underutilized. It was the one character that seemed to have more existing, but remained unexplained.
There are some light, fun moments that break up the action and it is, perhaps, those moments the make the film feel right. Now if this didn’t make us believe too many weird occurrences too often, it really would have been a great film. Should I be surprised though, that a film about adjustments could have used an adjustment or two?
B-
The Adjustment Bureau
Universal Pictures
Director: George Nolfi
Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 105 minutes.