Finally, out of a moment of extreme boredom and a thirst for the theater, I finally made my way to the closest cinema to check out a movie. I was originally hoping to see "Warrior" (because of that whole MMA thing I'm into, plus the fact that I'd been watching Bruce Lee, Van Damme, and some other martial arts movies), but I may have missed the ball on that one. So I figured I'll go with some new release that has some hype behind it and maybe is more to my taste. It didn't take much deliberation to choose what ticket to get:
Drive
The nameless protagonist of this film (Ryan Gosling) is an extraordinary driver who puts his talents to use on two types of jobs: movie stunts and getaway driving. After making friends with a neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son, he sees the upside to life until her jailbird husband returns home. In debt to some gangsters, the "driver" helps him with a heist that goes way off course, and ends up putting himself, his neighbor, his mechanic shop boss (Bryan Cranston) in some big trouble with a couple of mobsters (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman).
Make no mistake, while the well-known veterans play their parts well, this is Gosling's movie. I would consider this his break-out role (the only other movie I've seen him in is "Remember the Titans"), as he plays the calm, cool, and collected main character who is all business when sh!t hits the fan (best way I can put that). He has a flair for this type of drama, and other than his good looks he is something different from the tough Hollywood-action guys that have been coming around lately.
This movie definitely oozes with style. It's a modern movie with a touch of the 80's thrown in (the music and some of the clothing invoke that), and there is bit of that "mobster" look thrown in for good measure. Everything about the setting is believable, with the setting in Los Angeles as the perfect backdrop for the story.
If you were expecting this to be a full-fledged action movie, you may want to rethink that for a moment. While there are a couple of dedicated scenes to some action, this is very much drama-driven compared to other movies like "Fast Five." A couple of fight scenes and driving sequences, while very well done, are not the central focus. Most of that goes to the character played by Gosling (rightly so I feel) and his relationships with his neighbor and his mentor. So definitely don't look for an adrenaline-rush from this one (though I'll admit a couple of moments will make you sit up) as it is explicitly done in a slow manner.
Those out there who appreciated some of the old-school heist films (which this movie draws inspiration from) may enjoy this type of movie. Action-goers may not find what they're looking for, but I personally would recommend this movie to them anyways. Seeing something different like this may be good for a change. You're still seeing a strong, well-acted, stylish film that though inspired by the past stands out on its own when compared to other movies this year. Give it at least five minutes, and even the opening will get your attention. Five minutes factors into the rules set by Gosling's character:
If I drive for you, you give me a time and a place. I give you a five-minute window, anything happens in that five minutes and I'm yours no matter what. I don't sit in while you're running it down; I don't carry a gun... I drive.
Truth be told, I got in my car after this movie and definitely felt different. It was an adrenaline rush like after seeing "Fast Five" but it was more........contemplative.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
New Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau
Yes, I'm still alive. Yes, I know I haven't posted anything on here for a while. No, I haven't given up any forms of entertainment. No, I haven't taking a job at a strip club on the weekend nights. These are the common questions I get relating to this blog, I swear...........
Anyway, having $50 worth of gift cards for the AMC Theaters, I had a good enough excuse to actually go to one. Despite the fact that I wanted to see one of the recent Oscar-worthy films still out, I decided to see something brand-spankin'-new. Basing my decision on seeing an actor who has been consistently good as of late and would least likely disappoint, I went with this Matt Damon-led film:
The Adjustment Bureau
Matt Damon leads on as Senate-prospect David Norris, who even though has lost his bid for Senate has found the love of a good woman in Elise Sella (Emily Blunt). However in a big display of "chance", Norris discovers the workings of a group that has a "master plan" that they follow, which includes keeping him and Elise apart. What follows is Norris' own dealings with the group, including making Elise a part of his life and how they continually try to stop him.
Once again, Matt Damon is top notch as the lead. A little more subdued than what you see in his dramatic/action roles, he still takes control of the screen. Aside from Emily Blunt, everyone else (including the members of the Bureau) are there just to play their parts. This actually works for the "adjusters" as they're really supposed to be unnoticed in real life.
The story is a complex one that will have you getting very invested into what exactly the bureau does. Some cool visuals, simple as they are, get you more and more involved as you go. This build is great, but I will say it does falter a little in the ending, which seems to be very abrupt.
Matt Damon leads another good one here, and is worthwhile if you're a fan of his. If you're also a fan of the sci-fi works of Phillip K. Dick (his works brought to the screen Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report to name a few), definitely check this one out. It's engaging and well done overall. It'll keep you wondering how much "free will" you think you have.
I usually throw a quote from the movie in here, but I can't seem to pinpoint a really good one.
So where to go from here? My entertainment levels have stepped up recently with the arrival of my Playstation 3, so now including many games for that system I also get the experience of Blu-ray movies. My options are wide open now, which means so are yours too. Take it all in, and find something thatyou would consider..........entertaining!
Anyway, having $50 worth of gift cards for the AMC Theaters, I had a good enough excuse to actually go to one. Despite the fact that I wanted to see one of the recent Oscar-worthy films still out, I decided to see something brand-spankin'-new. Basing my decision on seeing an actor who has been consistently good as of late and would least likely disappoint, I went with this Matt Damon-led film:
The Adjustment Bureau
Matt Damon leads on as Senate-prospect David Norris, who even though has lost his bid for Senate has found the love of a good woman in Elise Sella (Emily Blunt). However in a big display of "chance", Norris discovers the workings of a group that has a "master plan" that they follow, which includes keeping him and Elise apart. What follows is Norris' own dealings with the group, including making Elise a part of his life and how they continually try to stop him.
Once again, Matt Damon is top notch as the lead. A little more subdued than what you see in his dramatic/action roles, he still takes control of the screen. Aside from Emily Blunt, everyone else (including the members of the Bureau) are there just to play their parts. This actually works for the "adjusters" as they're really supposed to be unnoticed in real life.
The story is a complex one that will have you getting very invested into what exactly the bureau does. Some cool visuals, simple as they are, get you more and more involved as you go. This build is great, but I will say it does falter a little in the ending, which seems to be very abrupt.
Matt Damon leads another good one here, and is worthwhile if you're a fan of his. If you're also a fan of the sci-fi works of Phillip K. Dick (his works brought to the screen Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report to name a few), definitely check this one out. It's engaging and well done overall. It'll keep you wondering how much "free will" you think you have.
I usually throw a quote from the movie in here, but I can't seem to pinpoint a really good one.
So where to go from here? My entertainment levels have stepped up recently with the arrival of my Playstation 3, so now including many games for that system I also get the experience of Blu-ray movies. My options are wide open now, which means so are yours too. Take it all in, and find something thatyou would consider..........entertaining!
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