Do the Hustle

The last time Christian Bale was in a film by director David O. Russell, he was in quite the emaciated state playing a drug addict in The Fighter. Now that he's re-teamed with him, he's living life like a fat cat in the 70s. To see Bale and the rest of this all star cast which includes Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence check out the trailer for American Hustle posted below.

Fight or flight

Back in 2006, the attempt to reboot the Superman franchise seemed like a sure bet. Comic book movies had been growing in popularity and this film was being directed by a man who had already successfully kick-started a different comic book movie franchise. And yet despite all the things it had going for it, Superman Returns never really took flight. There were several theories as to why it didn't catch on with the public. Some went as far as to say that perhaps a good Superman movie was impossible given the dramatic limitations associated with his character.

Fast forward to 2012 where Marvel sees huge success with The Avengers film. Not to be outdone, DC Comics became dead set on making a Justice League movie, in order to have their own successful film featuring a group of superheroes. But for that to happen, they need to once again re-establish the characters individually. Enter Man of Steel, the latest attempt at establishing the Superman franchise.

Once again, we begin with a telling of the familiar story of how Kal-El was sent to Earth, Smallville, Kansas to be exact, because his home planet is on the brink of extinction. Superman's father, Jor-El (Russell Crowe), struggles with the decision to send his son away while also dealing with the treasonous General Zod (Michael Shannon), who differs philosophically from him on how the future of Krypton should be handled. The end result is General Zod being sent away to a limbo prison known as the Phantom Zone; this confinement is short-lived, however, as the destruction of Krypton enables Zod to become free

The film hits its stride as the scene shifts to Earth and focuses on Kal-El, now Clark Kent, and his upbringing. The film takes a non-linear approach to show how Clark has struggled with being different from everyone else, yet unable to show this to the world. Kevin Costner playing Clark's Earth father Jonathan is excellent in his scenes. He adds an emotional heft to his scenes that almost make it feel like he's in a different movie than everyone else. You feel the struggles he goes through to give protect Clark from the rest of the world while also protecting the rest of the world from Clark. The other interesting thing about this portion of the film is the decision to make Clark a wandering loner once he becomes an adult. Unsure of who he is or why he's different, Clark migrates from one town to the next hoping to avoid arousing suspicion. I like the Bruce Banner/Hulk approach they take to depicting this character and since it seems like we aren't going to be seeing another film solely featuring the big green guy anytime soon, why not use it here.

Though familiar, this front half of the film largely works. The back end of the picture is a different story as the plot shifts to the central conflict between Superman and Zod, who has come to Earth seeking Superman with plans to use him as a way to create a new Krypton. From the moment these two meet the film turn into a seemingly endless collection of action scenes that never find a way of differentiating from each other. It is one fistfight after another as Superman takes on Zod and his group of devoted soldiers. With Zod's group all being Kryptonians, they too have the same powers as Superman on Earth, which means their battles are quite epic and destructive. One of the driving narratives in all Superman stories, this film included, is Superman's devotion to Earth and to protect its citizens. Those motives can be questioned here given the way he leaves multiple towns in complete ruin in an effort to stop Zod.

Christopher Nolan's presence as a producer for the film does not seem like it was enough to counter director Zach Snyder's (300, Watchmen) compulsion for mind-numbing action. With his Batman trilogy, Nolan focused more on theme and narrative. Snyder takes an approach more akin to the Transformers franchise where the focus is on maximizing carnage instead of developing a compelling story. By the time the movie reaches its inevitable end, I felt exhausted, not enthralled.

While Man of Steel is a flawed film, I don't feel as if its problems set the franchise back in the same way that Returns did. This film suitably establishes the key pieces that can be used to set up future films. British actor Henry Cavill, though occasionally wooden in his delivery, has the perfect look for the role and I'm certainly interested to see what he could do in this role a second time. Amy Adams is also good as a more modern take on Lois Lane. In a way, Man of Steel works similarly to the first film of his Marvel counterpart, Captain America. Both films have their flaws, but succeed in at least showing us that these modern defenders of America still have a place in our post-modern society. Grade: C+

Super trooper

For certain films, I find myself on the fence as to whether or not I actually want to see it and it usually takes a really good trailer to convince me. Well the latest Superman movie, Man of Steel was one of those movies and the latest trailer has won me over. I'm now ready to see Superman take flight again. If you haven't seen it yet, here's the trailer for you to see.

RBR: The Master

I actually watched this several weeks ago, but have had difficulty finding the time to write this review. And I don't mean that I haven't had any free time, it's that this movie had a more profound impact on me than most that it made it more difficult to put my thoughts into words. This is the latest film by noted director Paul Thomas Anderson, who also helmed films like Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood. Once again he displays visual mastery with the way he depicts the action that unfolds on the screen. He also has another sprawling, yet captivating narrative that establishes interesting characters that equally puzzle and fascinate audiences. Anderson seems to frequently tell stories that rely on the theme of mentor/protege and in this film, that relationship is brought to the forefront. The Master earned a lot of buzz prior to its release when it was believed that this film was intended to be a scathing commentary on Scientology. While some parallels can be drawn, I found myself not really caring whether or not this was based on any actual group and was instead just invested in these particular people. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays Lancaster Dodd, the charismatic leader of a group referred to as The Cause, who takes Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix), a Naval veteran struggling with issues of anger and alcoholism, under his wing. As we listen to Dodd and watch the way Freddie follows him, it becomes apparent that this movie is more than just determining whether or not Dodd is a charletan. This is about control and the tenuous nature of staying in control. When do we let others control us and when, if ever, do we take control of our own lives? The answers aren't always clear and Anderson doesn't make it any easier for us to try and find out those answers with the way he presents this story. Certain scenes take on an almost dreamlike state to make you further distance you from a grounded reality. This is not the easiest film to follow, but those who are up for a challenge will be greatly rewarded. The film looks great, is filled with terrific performances (included an understated performance by Amy Adams playing Dodd's wife), and gives you plenty to think about long after you've finished watching it. I can't say this is a movie that I eagerly want to watch repeatedly, but if I get a chance to see it again, I feel I will no doubt uncover even more about what's going on than I did in my first viewing. It's a shame that this did not get even greater recognition during the awards season, because it's certainly worthy of it. Fans of Paul Thomas Anderson need to do themselves a favor and check out this spellbinding film. Rating: **** 1/2

RBR: Trouble With the Curve

Before I get to the review, I just wanted to say that I was disappointed in myself for the lack of posting I had in January. So to make up for it, I've decided to do a little experiment. I'm going to see how many days in a row I can post a new movie review on here. My goal is to go at least a month, but we'll just take it one day at a time. And now on with the review...

At this point in his life, Clint Eastwood doesn't need to still make movies, but I'm certainly glad he does. In Trouble With the Curve, he plays Gus, a baseball scout who's struggling to keep his job as his eye sight begins to fail him. To ensure a successful scouting trip, Gus' daughter (the always adorable Amy Adams), who has an, at best, strained relationship with her father decides to go on the road with him. Being a fan of baseball, I always appreciate when it's the central focus in a film, but this is not one of the better depictions of the sport. Here, it pretty much serves as a backdrop for the father-daughter story. I'm perfectly fine with that though because I was engaged by that story. Adams gives a wonderful performance and Clint has the crabby old man part down to a tee by now. You also have likeable performances from Justin Timberlake as a young new scout and John Goodman as the head of scouting and Gus' best friend. I wish the film had a few more surprises. It is patently obvious how every storyline will play out 30 minutes into the film. Even someone with as bad of eyesight as Gus would be able to see what's coming. Thankfully the amiable cast and the usage of baseball make this an enjoyable film, especially on the small screen. If you happened to miss this one in the theaters, like so many people did, I suggest you give it a shot now that's out on DVD and Blu-Ray. This isn't a home run, but I'd say it's at least a satisfying double. Rating: ****

Scout's honor

While most have been anxiously awaiting the long return of Batman, another tough guy has been off the screen nearly as long. That's right, Clint Eastwood is back. This time he is teaming up with America's pasttime. Given how terrible the Indians are these days, it looks like this is the only baseball I'll look forward to watching in September. Here's a look at the first trailer.

RBR: The Muppets

This is one of the few films from 2011 that I would have actually preferred to see in the theaters instead of waiting for it to come out on DVD, but it just wasn't in the cards. With that said, the wait was worth it as this is a terrific film that people of any age can enjoy. Thanks to Jason Segal (How I Met Your Mother) who spearheaded this revival our favorite felt friends have returned to the big screen in a film that feels fresh while staying true to what made Muppet movies so special in the first place. This one centers on Gary (Segal) and his adopted brother Walter, who is a Muppet himself, helping to bring Kermit and the gang back together so that they can save the old Muppet studio from being destroyed by an evil oil tycoon (played by Chris Cooper). Their plan involves throwing together a telethon to help raise money to save the theater. This is a simple, yet effective plot that also helps in allowing for several celebrity cameos (I won't ruin who all shows up, but it is a great cast of famous faces who clearly look like they're having a blast being a part of this movie). There are a few minor quibbles I had with the movie. Of course, the Muppet voices are not what we remember as other people gamely try to replicate the brilliant Jim Henson's work. I also felt there were a few times where songs were forced into the film instead of developing organically. Having said that, some of the songs included are terrific and will likely be stuck in your head for days. Overall, this film is just a pure joy to watch. Few films featuring human actors are able to yield the gamut of emotions I experienced while watching this one consisting mostly of puppets. If you were ever a fan of the Muppets, you won't be disappointed with this revival and if you are new to Kermit and co. then do yourself a favor and become a part of this rainbow connection. Rating: **** 1/2