Tag: Silver Linings Playbook

Geekscape Movie Reviews: A Star Is Born

by MCDave

People Magazine named him the Sexiest Man alive in 2011, but since then Bradley Cooper has proven to be far more than just a handsome face. The gifted performer’s emergence as an awards season fixture, thanks to a trio of fairly recent Oscar nominations (Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and American Sniper), has helped transform Cooper into one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Yet, an artist is never content. Craving more responsibility and a yearning for the highest admiration possible, it’s no surprise to see Cooper transition into the director’s role for his critically-adored directorial debut, A Star Is Born. The story is one that’s often been told, as Cooper’s rendition will be the film’s fourth time in production. However, megastar Lady Gaga’s first crack at a major dramatic role and a sober Cooper’s familiarity with his alcoholic character’s struggles lend an innate chemistry that allows the film to soar.

Rock star Jackson Maine (Cooper) finds himself liquored up, as usual, after another successful concert and stuck in between his travels. Unsurprisingly, he forces his trusty driver pull over at the first bar he sees and it’s there where the rock star crosses paths with the angelic voice of Ally (Lady Gaga). Jack immediately becomes transfixed by her talents and the two share a lovely evening together, one that evolves into a loving relationship. But after Jack introduces Ally to the listening world as a backup singer on his tour, her solo career eventually takes off and this leaves Jack alone once again with nothing to do but return to his old drinking ways. Can their love thrive through the distance and separation between these two touring stars, or is devastation inevitable?

A Star Is Born reaches for the sky, bravely tackling a myriad of themes and subplots underneath its often heartbreaking love story. Aspiring singers and musicians will marvel over the film’s early depiction of Ally’s dream-like climb to fame, while others will recognize the story’s somber reflection on real-life issues like addiction and mental health. And that’s what makes A Star Is Born so impactful, the film’s daring authenticity mirrors all of our lives in some way or another. But if that wasn’t enough, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper deliver two of the year’s most notable turns, and ones that will be fast-tracked to January’s Oscar Nominations. The pair’s comfort in their characters’ shoes enables a natural fluidity to the film. You fall in love with Jack and Ally because you genuinely believe these performances, which helps raise the emotional stakes when times get turbulent for the couple. Throughout the film you often here Jack mumble on about having “something to say” and using your voice, it’s even a blueprint to the fabric of Cooper’s recycled tale. Ironically, Cooper uses this theme, along with many others, to tell us quite a lot about love, loss, and what it is to be alive. And after a wonderful debut feature such as this, we can only hope that Bradley Cooper continues to find something worth saying for many years to come.

GRADE: 4/5

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Age of Adaline

by MCDave

Back in my younger years, 2008 to be exact, I stubbornly brushed off an unusual tale of aging that went on to win a trio of Oscars. The movie was called The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and the film turned out to be one that I absolutely adored once I came to my senses and viewed it with an open mind. At first glance Lee Toland Krieger’s The Age of Adaline transported me back to 2008, and I refused to allow myself to make the same mistake twice. So I eagerly ventured to the city for an advanced screening of this mystical love story.

Adaline Bowman (played by Blake Lively) was born shortly after the turn of the century in 1908. Following a surprise meeting with a charming young man, she marries him less than three months later and gives birth to their daughter, Flemming. One fateful night while traveling home during a rare snow storm in California, an unexpected car accident delivers Adaline with the ability to never age. Unfortunately, this unwanted curse forces her into a remote life for many decades until she meets Ellis (Michiel Huisman), a charming young man who may be worth the risk of divulging her closely kept secret.

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The young beauty, Blake Lively, takes center stage in this whimsical tale of an ageless woman who defies science and logic in every way imaginable. Yet, despite Lively’s finest efforts, a ludicrous and blindly absurd tall-tale stands firmly in her way of success. Everything from an unnecessary and irritating narrator, whose only purpose is to spew blasphemous scientific gibberish that somehow supports this completely fabricated medical condition, all the way to a typical over-acted role by Harrison Ford that we’ve come to expect in the twilight of his career.

The Age of Adaline is a mightily flawed film that suffers from lazy writing and over-embellished dramatics. As a bull-headed Adaline refuses to give into the advances of a persistent and intriguing young man, only a rare meeting with her daughter – who at this point appears even older than she does – can sway her opinion. But in an unconvincing fashion that’s essential to the progression of the plot, Ellyn Burstyn’s character bullies her neurotic mother into pursuing a relationship with a guy that neither of them know anything about. This is just one of the many examples of cheap and paper-thin writing that plagues The Age of Adaline.

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For as unappealing and careless as the film is, The Age of Adaline does offer some exceptional cinematography and costume design. The constant flashbacks to early in Adaline’s life do a superb job of transporting the audience to that time period. Furthermore, the onscreen efforts from Blake Lively and her love interest, Michiel Huisman, are anything but a hindrance to the feature. Instead, obvious twists and turns in the screenplay blend together terribly with an out-stretched running time to ultimately tear down an already flimsy foundation.

I’m a huge fan of well-executed and wonderfully told love stories. Films like Slumdog Millionaire and Silver Linings Playbook transcend the romance norm, but do so on the back of solid story-telling and carefully constructed characters. The Age of Adaline feels more like a gimmick, and one that isn’t nearly worth the investment.

GRADE: 2/5

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Geekscape Second Opinion: ‘American Hustle’

by jake108

American Hustle is yet another entry into what is beginning to shape up as the Golden Era of David O. Russell’s career as a filmmaker. Following last year’s hit Silver Linings Playbook, Russell stacks his cast with many of the same faces. The film is set around two con artists and one FBI agent. The film begins by setting up the two con artists, using conventions and techniques usually found in the gangster genre. Think Casino. The first 20 or so minutes have inner monologues, tracking shots, and long takes that all take character over plot. However, as long as we’re talking about David O. Russell here, character over plot isn’t a bad thing.

American Hustle is very much a character driven film, as it should be. Christian Bale knocks this role out of the park. And Jeremy Renner? It almost made me completely forget about how static Hawkeye was in The Avengers. Moving on. Both Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence are definitely deserving of best acting nominations. As the film went on, I couldn’t help but think that the two were playing themselves in some scenes. This thought was solidified upon further reading that there was more than a few scenes where the actors would improv. Bradley Cooper delivers what seems to be his greatest performance yet and has great chemistry with both Adams and Bale. Regardless, an ensemble cast that works this well together should not be so quickly overlooked. American Hustle deserves audiences for this feat alone.

As hinted at earlier, Russell’s directorial style is hitting a smooth stride; a stride so flawless, so self-reflexive, you can tell he’s having fun with it. It’s a film made with the same love and care that Silver Linings came from. The director trademarks are there, such as close ups of handholding, and the various musical montages are a blast. All this while the production and costume design will have you invested in the film’s setting and story.

Aside from a few ADR and editing quips, American Hustle delivers a powerful experience, one that with themes and questions that’ll have you thinking while you’re walking out of the theater. In American Hustle, everyone hustles to survive. Do you?

American Hustle is currently in limited release and goes wide on December 20, 2013.

I’d love to talk more about the film as you all see it, so don’t be afraid to comment below!

Be sure to read MCDave’s review of the film here!

Geekscape Movie Reviews: American Hustle

by MCDave

To steal a quote from Woody Harrelson in the 1992 comedy White Men Can’t Jump, filmmaker David O. Russell is “in the zone”. Russell finds himself in the midst of an unbelievable directorial stretch that will surely bring him his third consecutive Best Picture Nomination when they’re officially announced early next year. In his latest masterpiece, American Hustle, the writer/director puts a clever fictionalized spin on the FBI’s ABSCAM operation which took place in the late 1970s. So clever, in fact, that we may have found our next Academy Awards Best Picture winner.

After con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his seductive mistress, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), are arrested for loan fraud by up-and-coming FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), they have two options: either face some serious jail time, or help DiMaso bring down four other high profile criminals. Needless to say Irving and Sydney choose the latter, assisting DiMaso in a sting operation that couples New Jersey politician Camine Polito (Jeremy Renner), countless political officials and dangerous members of the mafia. The only wild card in the matter is Irving’s wife, Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), whose instability could put the whole operation in jeopardy.

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With David O. Russell’s American Hustle, you can expect a big-time splash that will leave a ripple effect on just about every major Oscar race out there. The filmmaker has coached his two previous casts to 7 … let that sink in for a minute … 7 Oscar nominations with their work in both Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter. Current cast members Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence understand the greatness of Russell as he helped lead both of them to their only Academy Awards victories. As expected, American Hustle delivers no shortage of fine performances. From top to bottom the cast is excellent. It all starts with leading man Christian Bale who packs on the pounds and shaves the center of his head to truly capture the art of the comb-over. Not only does Bale display onscreen excellence yet again, he continues to remind us of his dedication to the craft. There may not be a more committed actor on the entire planet. But he is far from the only shining star, perhaps Bradley Cooper is most impressive with a towering turn as Richie DiMaso, a young FBI agent who becomes more and more obsessed with making the biggest bust in U.S. history. And let’s not forget Jennifer Lawrence. While the young actress moseys along and embraces all of the onscreen recognition and public love she’s been receiving, her performance actually feels like one of the least convincing roles in the film, although still fantastic. American Hustle‘s ensemble is spectacular and, without question, the finest of the year.

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You’ll need to search for flaws in David O. Russell’s American Hustle, but one irritating aspect is the director’s fixation on the time period. There’s no subtlety to it whatsoever. Russell continually throws the 1970 vibe right in your face by purposely calling attention to it throughout the entire film. In some ways it feels as though he sacrifices substance for style and it’s a shame. Furthermore, American Hustle does tend to drag on in its latter stages. You can sense where the movie’s headed, but Russell takes his merry old time getting there. Thankfully, the writer/director has mastered the art of story-telling and uses a sharp comedic tone to help balance his out-stretched tale of power, greed and pushing the limits. By the time American Hustle is all said and done, it’s obvious that Russell has a winning effort on his hands, one that’s assured to garner plenty of attention on its road to the Oscars.

With the clock winding down and the cinematic year coming to a screeching halt, 2013 finally has a film that stands out above the rest. American Hustle is an energetic and hilarious adventure. And despite the fact that its dramatics aren’t overly “touching” or “moving”, nor should they be, American Hustle is a fun and engaging ride that you won’t want to miss.

GRADE: 4.5/5

Check out lots of other reviews and fun movie lists at Movie Reviews By Dave.

MCDave’s 2012 Movie Awards

by MCDave

In honor of the Academy Award Nominations which will be announced on Thursday January 10th, I give you my personal 2012 year-end movie awards. 2012 proved to be an extraordinary year in cinema (view my top ten films of 2012), one that will certainly leave its mark in history. Having seen nearly 100 new releases over this past calendar year, here’s my top 5 picks for each of the 6 major races:

Notable films I missed in 2012: Amour, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Skyfall and Rust and Bone

 

Best Supporting Actress

#5 Sally Field – Lincoln

#4 Amy Adams – The Master

#3 Helen Hunt – The Sessions

#2 Pauline Collins – Quartet

and the winner is …

#1 Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables

 Much like the Academy is sure to do in late February, I reward Anne Hathaway with the Best Supporting Actress role of 2012. For all of the focus on Jean Valjean’s character in Tom Hooper’s Les Miserables, it’s Anne Hathaway who serves as the film’s heart and soul. Her emotionally-crushed rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” will live on as a Hollywood highlight reel forever, making her the clear cut winner here.

Best Supporting Actor

#5 Benicio Del Toro – Savages

#4 Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

#3 Sam Rockwell – Seven Psychopaths

#2 Ezra Miller – The Perks of Being a Wallflower

and the winner is …

#1 Christoph Waltz – Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino’s Spaghetti Western Django Unchained stood out as one of the year’s funnest movie experiences. The film’s most lovable character was Dr. King Schultz, played by Academy Award Winner Christoph Waltz. While I am starting to feel as though Waltz will be the odd man out in the Best Supporting Actor category when Oscar nominations are announced on Thursday (read about my 2013 Oscar Nomination Predictions), it would be a shame for the Academy to omit his transcending performance.

Best Actress

#5 Helen Mirren – Hitchcock

#4 Naomi Watts – The Impossible

#3 Zoe Kazan – Ruby Sparks

#2 Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

and the winner is …

#1 Jessica Chastain – Zero Dark Thirty

After storming onto the scene in 2011 with a handful of unforgettable roles, it seemed like a forgone conclusion that Jessica Chastain was a star in the making. Taking home my 2011 Best Supporting Actress Award for Take Shelter, Chastin raises the bar again with her phenomenal portrayal in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty. Chastain’s character transforms throughout the feature and her development becomes a valuable aspect of the narrative. Although she finds worthy Oscar competition from my runner-up, Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Chastain gives the most decisive female performance of the year.

Best Actor

#5 Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

#4 Denzel Washington – Flight

#3 Joaquin Phoenix – The Master

#2 John Hawkes – The Sessions

and the winner is …

#1 Daniel Day-Lewis – Lincoln

This race feels like the biggest “no-brainer” to me. For as many brilliant lead actor performances as there were this year (and believe me there were a TON), none of them were even in the same stratosphere as Daniel-Day Lewis’ once in a life time portrayal of Abraham Lincoln. Every chance I get to watch Day-Lewis deliver groundbreaking role after groundbreaking role, it becomes more apparent that I’m experiencing greatness. Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture contender, Lincoln, survives solely on the shoulders of the actor’s performance. There’s no question who deserves this win.

Best Director

#5 David O. Russell – Silver Linings Playbook

#4 J.A. Bayona – The Impossible

#3 Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

#2 Kathryn Bigelow – Zero Dark Thirty

and the winner is …

#1 Ben Affleck – Argo

The Best Director race was the most difficult for me to decide. The Kathryn Bigelow/Ben Affleck debate becomes very difficult to dissect. The direction’s outstanding in both Zero Dark Thirty and Argo, but the difference-maker was Affleck’s ability to conjure up a multi-dimensional movie experience. Bigelow’s feature is more of a character based journey, while Affleck focuses on bringing a remarkable true story to life. Distinct opposites in approach, both films are premier examples of modern day filmmaking. However, I just happened to enjoy Argo slightly more than Bigelow’s gripping manhunt tale.

Best Picture

#5 Perfect Sense

#4 The Sessions

#3 Zero Dark Thirty

#2 The Impossible

and the winner is …

#1 Argo

No one can question the abundance of top tier films released in 2012. It was a difficult decision and very close, but I’m going with Argo as the Best Picture of 2012. A roller coaster ride of emotions, Ben Affleck’s Argo interweaves between espionage thriller and comedy. The pacing and tone is perfect, making Argo the most enjoyable film of the year. Its Oscar hopes are still very much alive, despite a major December-long onslaught of competitive releases. Affleck continues to solidify himself as a bonafide filmmaker and gives us Argo, 2012’s Best Picture.

*** Where am I right and where am I wrong? Leave a comment and spark a debate. You can view other work by MCDave at Movie Reviews By Dave

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Silver Linings Playbook

by MCDave

This year’s Philadelphia Film Festival couldn’t have lined up a better Opening Night Film. David O. Russell’s latest work, Silver Linings Playbook, truly embodies the City of Brotherly Love. Everything about the film looks, sounds and feels like Philadelphia. From the carefully selected suburban neighborhoods that appear throughout the movie to our beloved football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s clear that David O. Russell “gets” this often misunderstood city. The director creates a strong and unbreakable kind of bond that’s sure to last a lifetime … especially around here.

Bradley Cooper stars as Pat Solitano, a former high school teacher doing a stint in a mental facility after coming home to his wife having an affair and then severely beating her lover. It’s safe to say that Pat has some issues with anger management and certain “triggers”, like his tainted wedding song that’s guaranteed to set him off on a rampage. On the other hand there’s Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence), a recent widow whose self loathing and erratic antics help support the fact that she’s clearly off her rocker too. But when the pair of crazies decide to help one another out with some sizable favors, they soon discover the best way to help make sense of this screwed up world.

David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is a surprisingly upbeat and off-the-wall examination of mental health disorders. Way funnier than I anticipated it to be, the director chooses to approach this serious issue with a delicate sense of humor. What could have easily been sold as a dark comedy with a completely different tone, Silver Linings Playbook stays light and refreshing throughout its two hour running time. Perhaps most impressive about David O. Russell’s latest work is the script’s ability to generate a fluent tempo. The character development and plot are frequently progressing, giving Silver Linings Playbook a perfectly suited pace. Never lethargic or lifeless, the film has a pair of tremendously talented stars to thank for such an excellent result. Bradley Cooper continues to elevate his work and a performance such as this one should clearly put him on the Oscar’s radar. But for as phenomenal as Cooper is throughout the film, his counterpart, Jennifer Lawrence, still tends to overshadow his efforts. Lawrence, who has already landed a Best Actress Nomination for her work in the indie hit Winter’s Bone, uses this role to stamp her claim as one of Hollywood’s fastest rising female stars. There’s no limit to what the future has in store for her. Although the two leads steal the film, the quality of the cast doesn’t stop there. Robert De Niro’s name is already floating around the Best Supporting Actor race for his portrayal of Pat’s football crazed father, Pat Sr. Even though I can agree with the praise being thrown De Niro’s way, I was almost equally impressed by Chris Tucker’s character. Completely outside of his normal loud-mouthed range, Tucker demonstrates a more mature style of acting which shouldn’t be ignored. Once again, writer/director David O. Russell assembles a fantastic collection of talent and uses their glowing performances to constantly elevate his work.

Despite all of its commendable aspects, there are a few fair complaints with Silver Linings Playbook. Most notable is an uncomfortable and awkward feel surrounding the character Jake Solitano (played by Boardwalk Empire‘s Shea Whigham). As Pat’s older brother, Jake never finds his niche in the story and it results in plenty of stumbling scenes. Knowing that Silver Linings Playbook is based on Matthew Quick’s novel of the same name, maybe Jake’s character serves a more purposeful role in that platform. Yet, here he does nothing but detract from the otherwise smooth flowing pace of the film. Another small blemish with the feature is some inconsistencies revolving around the final scenes. The audience, like Pat, is force fed a dose of reality that his ex-wife is no longer interested in talking to him. As if her restraining order against him isn’t proof enough. Therefore, when she comes back into the story at the movie’s conclusion, it feels like a bloated Hollywood-esque move on behalf of the writer and director David O. Russell. While none of its faults are detrimental to the success of the film, Silver Linings Playbook easily moves past these flaws and remains one of the year’s best pictures.

With an early head of steam in the race to the Oscar’s, David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook is a serious contender. Finding a large amount of solace in its surprisingly original comedic tone, this Oscar hopeful is in a league of its own. Because of a dazzling ensemble and a lovable pair of crazed characters, Silver Linings Playbook clearly stands out among its Oscar competitors. Due out around Thanksgiving, Silver Linings Playbook is the type of fun and energetic film you make it a point to see. Heed my advice and mark your calendars.

Grade: 4/5

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