Showing posts with label Olivia Wilde. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olivia Wilde. Show all posts
TRON Finds Itself Stuck Inside The Game
In the years since the original Tron, things have changed. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has been missing for 20 years, and his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) longs for the dad who told him stories or his legendary accomplishments. Sam has a mind of his own and marches to the beat of his own drummer. He has seen his dad’s company become solely interested in profits, with no regard for customers.
But when a mysterious page is received, yes I said page, Sam goes to investigate his dad’s office at the arcade. There he finds many mothballs, lots of vintage games, and his father’s office the way he left it. When Sam examines things a bit closer, he soon finds himself inside the programs that have been his father’s home.
Now Sam must join forces with his Father and find a way out of this world. His father has created so many of the programs around him, and some help, while others do not. Quorra (Olivia Wilde) is a program that is viciously loyal to her creator. She’ll do everything she can to protect Kevin and his son. But the other member of this equation is Clu, the younger version of Kevin who was with him and wanted to help him create the perfect environment. Who will reign victorious? Can Sam and his Father exit the game and continue with life?
This is a really tough film to talk about. I wanted this to be an amazing experience. I wanted to love every aspect of this go around with Tron. I wanted to walk out and tell my friends, get your tickets now. Unfortunately, none of what I wanted became reality.
While it was fun to see they “younger” Bridges, the sexy Olivia Wilde, the charismatic Michael Sheen and more, it just wasn’t enough. The action sequences were exciting when they were happening, there were too few occurrences in this slightly over 2 hour long film. Instead of keeping the pace hoping, there were many places where the film tried to get overly philosophical and dragged endlessly.
Tron isn’t awful; I guess I just expected more. Instead of breaking outside of the realm that contains it; TRON: Legacy finds itself stuck inside the game.
C / C-
TRON: Legacy
Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, Bruce Boxleitner
Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.
Runtime: 127 minutes.
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In the years since the original Tron, things have changed. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has been missing for 20 years, and his son Sam (Garrett Hedlund) longs for the dad who told him stories or his legendary accomplishments. Sam has a mind of his own and marches to the beat of his own drummer. He has seen his dad’s company become solely interested in profits, with no regard for customers.
But when a mysterious page is received, yes I said page, Sam goes to investigate his dad’s office at the arcade. There he finds many mothballs, lots of vintage games, and his father’s office the way he left it. When Sam examines things a bit closer, he soon finds himself inside the programs that have been his father’s home.
Now Sam must join forces with his Father and find a way out of this world. His father has created so many of the programs around him, and some help, while others do not. Quorra (Olivia Wilde) is a program that is viciously loyal to her creator. She’ll do everything she can to protect Kevin and his son. But the other member of this equation is Clu, the younger version of Kevin who was with him and wanted to help him create the perfect environment. Who will reign victorious? Can Sam and his Father exit the game and continue with life?
This is a really tough film to talk about. I wanted this to be an amazing experience. I wanted to love every aspect of this go around with Tron. I wanted to walk out and tell my friends, get your tickets now. Unfortunately, none of what I wanted became reality.
While it was fun to see they “younger” Bridges, the sexy Olivia Wilde, the charismatic Michael Sheen and more, it just wasn’t enough. The action sequences were exciting when they were happening, there were too few occurrences in this slightly over 2 hour long film. Instead of keeping the pace hoping, there were many places where the film tried to get overly philosophical and dragged endlessly.
Tron isn’t awful; I guess I just expected more. Instead of breaking outside of the realm that contains it; TRON: Legacy finds itself stuck inside the game.
C / C-
TRON: Legacy
Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, Bruce Boxleitner
Rating: PG for sequences of sci-fi action violence and brief mild language.
Runtime: 127 minutes.
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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| Hunnam, Wilde, Bana and Kristofferson |
Addison (Eric Bana) and sister Liza (Olivia Wilde) have participated in the robbery of a casino and are on the run during a blizzard. When they decide to split up and meet later, Liza encounters an ex-boxer/jailbird named Jay (Charlie Hunnam), who is also on the run from police. Jay takes Liza home to his parents' place, where Addison shows up to reconnect with Liza -- and finds a whole family of hostages. But will the sheriff's daughter, Hannah (Kate Mara), manage to save the day? Bana, Wilde, Hunnam and Mara [House of Cards] all give very good performances in this and there's an interesting supporting cast, with Treat Williams as the sheriff, and Kris Kristofferson [Blade] and Sissy Spacek [Carrie] as Jay's parents. The movie has a kind of old-fashioned script with abrupt character reversals but also a certain degree of suspense. Bana makes a dynamic lead.
Verdict: Passable crime drama. **1/2.
A Fastball to the Funny Bone
Dave Lockwood (Jason Bateman) is a family man. He’s a man that has moved forward with his career, he’s about to become a partner at the firm. He’s got wonderful family that loves him. Everything a guy would want; well most guys.
One guy who wants what Dave has is his friend, Mitch Planko (Ryan Reynolds). Mitch is the guy who has never grown up. Drinking, cussing, carousing and more every hour of the day, Mitch lives for the next girl, or his Tuesday night girl.
The two envy each other so much that in a drunken stupor one night they each cry out their wish to be the other. And of course, that is who they wake up as the next morning.
Now Dave is Mitch and Mitch is Dave. As is usually the case, the grass is not always greener on the other side and as each other Dave learns that is wife isn’t as happy as he had thought. And Mitch learns how much his Dad does appreciate them.
Ok, sure, along the way there are some diversions from the funny, to the gross and everywhere in between. The big question is, will they get back to the people they were before or are they “stuck” in their new roles? And a second question, do they want to return to their old life?
We’ve seen the body switching movies before. Freaky Friday, Like Father Like Son, Vice Versa and the list rolls on. When you are dealing with this kind of comedy, it is essential to get funny people in the rolls, or the switch doesn’t work. Thankfully, for the most part, there are funny people involved in this film and you will find yourself laughing more often than not.
Call me a fan, but Jason Bateman has a way of delivering the goods when he steps in front of the camera. No matter what he is asked to do, it seems he always delivers the goods. Working with Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde and more only adds to the fun in this case.
There are a number of scenes that seem way out there and in fact derail this film from time to time. (Did we really need the poo to the face scene?) But overall with a decent script and some funny folks involved, The Change-Up is a straight on fastball to the funny bone.
B / B-
Universal Pictures
Director: David Dobkin
Cast: Jason Bateman, Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Mann, Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, Gregory Itzin
Rating: R for pervasive strong crude sexual content and language, some graphic nudity and drug use.
Runtime: 1 hour 52 minutes
Note: As I'm playing catch up from vacation...here is an abbreviated version of my Cowboys And Aliens review.
Cowboys and Aliens Light Up The Screen
Universal Pictures
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference.
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
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Cowboys and Aliens Light Up The Screen
Aliens have filled are silver screens for years. Will Smith fought them in Independence Day. Sigourney Weaver went toe to toe with them in the Alien trilogy. And we even had a friendly guy named ET that needed to phone home. But for boys of all ages, what could be cooler than Cowboys and Aliens? Heck it’s Woody and Buzz, only Buzz isn’t so nice in this film!
A mysterious man (Daniel Craig) enters a sleepy town not remembering much after being dropped in the middle of the desert. As he soon finds out, the person he was, Jake Lonergan, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way.
Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) more or less runs this town. He has the money and the influence to make everything in the town work to his advantage. Dolarhyde’s son Percy and others get whisked away by spacecrafts; the town bands together to make every effort to fight back. Now the battle begins; Cowboys take on Aliens.
I love, love, love the acting talent on display in this film. Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford lead the way with the incredible supporting cast. As a team you will enjoy them. The visuals are stunning, coupling the old west with space age technology.
For this one, I have my hiccups with the aliens themselves. They came off a bit weird in behavior and style in the film. And the film itself tends to feel a bit long and overreaching.
Between the visuals in the film and the acting talent on display, Cowboys and Aliens light up the screen.
B-
Universal Pictures
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Olivia Wilde, Sam Rockwell, Paul DanoRating: PG-13 for intense sequences of western and sci-fi action and violence, some partial nudity and a brief crude reference.
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes