Reviews

Taken was the film of 2008 that, in my mind, took home the award for "Best Mindless Entertainment." Of course, in actuality, Taken was kind of a good movie but, regardless, a guilty pleasure through and through. It wasn't as great as the likes of a Die Hard, but it was what it was – an entertaining shoot-em-up action movie, but with appeal in their use of family bond. By Taken 2, a lot of that was put to the test and, if anything, detracted from the appeal of the original. It's not that Taken 2 was bad, for it certainly took the level of "mindless entertainment" farther than the original did; however, for that reason, the 2nd film's ultimate problem was just that: it pushed the mindless entertainment aspect of the first film way too far. You know how in action movies people (namely the hero) unabashedly blows stuff up, causes massive car crashes, and shoots up numerous people, but they never get arrested or charged for obstructing justice or disturbing the peace? Well, Taken 2 was probably the crowning achievement of exemplifying that theme (just throw grenades into public areas so I can hear where you are). For that reason, I was a little weary about Taken 3: A film that isn't bad but isn't necessarily good and, if anything, proves Taken may have been ultimately better left as a standalone film to begin with.

In some ways, I admired Taken 3 certainly more than I did that of Taken 2. For one, this film is more of an adventure type film, as opposed to a purely action based one that the predecessors might have been. The film isn't constantly worried about having "another one bites the dust" moment and, if anything, I appreciated how the film was taking time to actually focus on the story and on the aspects of death, loss, and grief. Still, some of the storytelling methods were questionable: For example, do you really think a man as smart as Bryan would run from the police? And some of his techniques to prove his innocence (such as his sudden possession of resources or outside contact) seem like lazy writing to me, for many of them appear out of nowhere without having been set up properly. Also, while I appreciated the film trying to add some twists to the plot (some of which works), I think, in the context of being a concluding chapter to this trilogy, it pretty much ignores this fact and, rather than pay tribute to or even really acknowledge the first two films, we get, more or less, a standalone sequel that has not much of anything to stand on.

By this time around the characters feel like caricatures of their former selves, and the script doesn't seem to do much to enhance this. Rather than have the majority of them mature but keep their same charm, I think the film is a little too desperate to focus on Bryan Mills' "special set of skills" (i.e. his technique of relying on precision and accuracy) rather than the character behind the skills. Really, the film doesn't seem that interested in any of the villains and, save for a few, the fight scenes aren't near as entertaining because many of the antagonists are just very void – as if to suggest that we should want the "bad" characters to be killed simply because the film says we should want them to be killed. Maybe it's just that all the characters have overstayed their welcome? That being said, the acting is still pretty good and, while it does feel to some degree many of the actors are just there by contract, they still don't condescend the material and they give it their all. Maggie Grace, again, has really proved herself worthy of emotionally charged scenes, and I hope to see her in more serious films. Also, by Taken 3 a lot of what made the first one likable, and the second one tolerable, starts to become slightly comedic this time around. One could argue that the film is intentional in this but, come on, why try and trick the audience into thinking a certain character is supposedly dead from a big action stunt when we know there's at least 40 minutes of running time left in the film?

The bottom line is that, for Taken 3 to be cited as the concluding piece in this trilogy, it kind of fails as a final installment, and barely cuts it as being a passable sequel. By Taken 3 you want to feel satisfaction and even warmth and comfort in this being the end – a celebration of the first 2 films and whatever legacy that remains. In the end it's more "Meh, I could have done without this one."

Noah Baumbach is sometimes a hit or miss with me. When he misses? It's not a huge miss, but it is a miss. I wasn't a fan of his previous film, and collaboration with Greta Gerwig, Greenberg, which I felt had characters that weren't developed enough and that were too forced in terms of wanting to be likable, but seeming "real" and "hurt." However, when he hits, he hits hard. There wasn't a character in Kicking and Screaming or Highball whom you didn't already know someone like, The Squid and the Whale hit way too close to home, and Margot at the Wedding wasn't a film that you easily forgot; however, his style is not for everyone. If you're not a fan of dark" don't know whether to laugh," humor, and/or unlikable characters, than you probably wouldn't like his other films; notice I wrote other films. Of all his films, Frances Ha is probably his most lighthearted (I think Greta Gerwig's collaboration is to credit for that), but even still it has it's "real" world problems moments. Unlike his other films, here it actually seems to provide an encouraging, or at least, honest (as opposed to his normal brutal honesty) approach that material like Frances Ha deserves. Too put it simply, Frances Ha is a strong hit for Noah's career, and is a film that defines an age group and period in most everyone's lives.

I almost hate to write this, but Frances Ha seems to be part of (or marketed as) this new trend involving young adults trying to adapt to life, but also providing some quirkiness to the situations and characters. I think this film is more relatable and while it's honesty is kind of sad in that "the truth hurts" way, because it involves reading between the lines, it's honesty is more of a tender gentleness that, like in our lives, we just have to accept. It doesn't rely on the typical hipster dialogue that so many of independent films think they need in order to stand out, but feels more like conversations that you've listened to and/or been a part of yourself. Never do the conversations feel unrealistic, and they never seem to go out for "shock value." The entire film isn't thankfully centered on sexual mishaps and social misfires, but more of an adaptation to the world around you in the growing up process.

The plot progression is a lot like Frances herself, not really directed, kind of planned but mostly random, and, while it walks a fine line in some parts, it never entirely ever burns itself out on a particular location or supporting characters. Granted, toward the last act this technique becomes a little too forced and hard for the audience to believe, but the material is still right and seems to have justification for where it takes the story. I do, however, wonder if the spontaneous use of alternating locations is done for comedic purposes or to build dramatic tension? While it does further progress Frances' sadness with adapting to her life and where it's going, many times certain scenes, while overall good scenes, feel a little bit like missed opportunities to expand the characters more, or at least, not strictly confide them to awkward conversation.

It's impossible not to love, or at least admire, Greta Gerwig's portrayal of Frances; I think it's driven enough to where she never really gets on your nerves, if she does, it's often understandable. She does give Frances a bit of a naive sense, but never to a point to where you think she's being childish. You don't entirely question her decisions, and you always empathize with her, if only because we've all been in her shoes. Frances could have easily been this wannabe hipster or desperately forced "free spirit," but she's really not. Sure, she has her moments, but at that age, trying to maybe cling to whatever shred of youth you have left? Why not? Most admirable, however, is Gerwig's quiet restraint that Frances has. Frances could have been this obnoxious, erratic free spirit, but in the real world, most people don't say how they feel, and Gerwig captures that perfectly. Her half widen smiles, the look of hesitation in her eyes, and the forced laughter all the more hits close to home with the viewers.

The element that really won me over with the film is its honesty. I think, whether we want to admit it or not, it defines a certain age group, and it maybe the majority of the world. What happens when you're suddenly having to grow up? Where do you go from when you realize that your dreams most likely will never come true? What happens when being alone seems all to plausible? You settle. It captures this perfectly because it never makes it seem like it's a bad thing, but obviously, not entirely showing it's a good thing. It is what it is - you do what you have to do. The film is optimistic about that, and furthermore perfectly exemplifies this with the final shot of the film, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of anyone watching, and definitely guaranteed to trigger a "Oh so that's why it's called…," moment.

Overall, Frances Ha is certainly a highlight in not only both Baumbach's and Gerwig's career, but also a strong highlight for this year. I imagine the film will be boring for some, and tiresome for others, for, like I said, it really is in one's best interest to read between the lines to better understand and take in the film. Noah Baumbach claims to be reinventing himself with this film, while I'm not really sure what he means by that (the film closely resembles the likes of his early work, in my opinion), but if his next film is as enchanting as Frances Ha? Let's just see what ya' got.

From the looks of the previews, Bad Teacher seemed to scream with mediocrity. It seemed like the kind of movie that looked funny, but ultimately would be just a headache of a time to watch. Would it be one of those movies that tried to pursue the persona of being this raunch fest with punchlines? They only go so far, and Bad Teacher looked like one of those movies where they showed all the funny parts in the previews. Still I was curious, and had no desire to be in a theater with children seeing Cars 2, so maybe this film caught me in a good mood, but I sort of enjoyed it.

Bad Teacher is probably going to be one of those divided movies. You either really liked it, or didn't care too much for it. I won't deny, Bad Teacher works on some levels, and doesn't on other levels, but if you're enjoying the film the levels where it does succeed on, it sort of seems to just enhance the film more. Sure there are some scenes that seemed as if they were written specifically for a punch line, or that are completely unrealistic. Like I said though if you're enjoying the movie you sort of take it for what it is.

The thing that makes Bad Teacher work for me, is how they cleverly avoid the cliché romantic movie formula, don't get me wrong the movie does have that, but it's not the main film. I absolutely loved how the mean and shallow characters stay that way for the entire film for the most part. I liked that a lot, and it made it much more entertaining to watch. Plus I loved how the bad guy (ironically the one the audience is intended to identify with) wins, and gets the devious satisfaction. For example there are no breakdown moments from the main characters who have had an epiphany or moment of redemption. The film does no stray into these characters who seem damaged, but humorously mocks them. Which is what brings me into how I love how this film has a dark sense of humor, that I think really caught the audience off. The kind of humor where you don't really know whether or not to laugh, like the kind of very cruel but funny jokes that make your mouth drop in shock. I love that kind of humor, and the audience I was with I don't think knew what hit them. That's where Bad Teacher to me stands out slightly above recent comedies who seem to pursue this goal of making raunchy comedies. Sure the film blatantly talks about sexual situations, and has a few gross out moments, but ultimately it is the film's dark and very quirky sense of humor.

Okay there are tons of other movies I would recommend over Bad Teacher, and I don't mean to sound as if I'm over praising it. For certain subplots I felt to not be fully completed when faced with the ultimatum, and again on some levels the unreality of situations in the film is fine, but on other levels it seems to be a little annoying. Plus I felt Justin Timberlake's character to be very under written, and that should have been much more. Also the film does push the reality button, and pushes the audience into accepting what's going on. Like just how much you will be able to accept a character going to major extremes for some certain mission.

Bad Teacher is a movie where you just accept what it is, and I enjoyed it nevertheless. Maybe thinking about it later I'll change my opinion on certain things, but as for now Bad Teacher did what every comedy should set out to do- make you laugh, and make you feel joyful in some way.

Fox Searchlight Pictures, having become something of a prestigious name amongst indie distribution, usually never tends to disappoint. Somehow they can always manage to find feel good, fresh, and original films that typically have a mainstream marketability and yet still seemingly has that indie charm, (500) Days of Summer isn't one of them.

This movie has to be, without a doubt, the most wannabe, and pretentious film I have ever seen. Many scenes it becomes so blatantly obvious that the writers thought that they were just spinning out magic. That's not to imply that there isn't any passion here, I just don't think the film, nor writers behind it, are entirely deserving of this so-called praise when everything is contrived and desperate to pander to an audience equally pretentious and mundane. As bad as this film wants you to believe, there's nothing independent about it - in the sense that it doesn't possess this original, witty charm that it wants you to think it does. It's as if they watched every successful romantic comedy/ independent film and tried to mimic what they did – and believe me, it's not as wonderful as it sounds. Never have I rolled my eyes so many times at a film, strictly because every scene oozes with "Oh wouldn't this be so original," or "oh this is going to be so witty! This'll definitely get us that Best Screenplay nod and earn us our hipster credibility."

Elaborate you ask? Let's start with the blatant use of "off the wall" humor: To exemplify how this Summer character is supposedly such an extraordinary person who makes an impact anywhere she goes, it portrays her as having a charm so profound that some major study shows ice cream sales increasing all because she was working in a parlor or something. So original and desperate to seem quirky. And a comedic approach to Tom's depression? Breaking plate after plate after plate. So quirky and so innovative! Why couldn't this film be in 3D on the off chance that a shard of the plate fly into my eyeballs? And the wisecracking down-to-earth little sister, and what's that, she curses to? That is SO funny. It's not entirely that these are bad things, they're not, they are- to a certain degree- original or at least have potential but it's all too much of a desperate attempt to seem likable and to achieve "greatness" they haven't earned. I imagine the film was planned like this: "Let's do this love story, but an ANTI love story (although there's nothing really anti about it), and this guy will have the most random, quirkiest job we can think of, and he'll be smitten with her with a Smiths reference (because nothing screams great indie musical taste like the Smiths – hipster thinks he's cool because he listens to the Smiths?). Oh and there has to be this drunken karaoke bar scene and he'll sing a Pixies song! What Pixies song would ever be in karaoke machine, maybe "Where is My Mind," never "Here Comes Your Man." Just saying...

The film's execution of their so-called romance is even more infuriating. It's not that the writing is lazy, the sad part really is that the writers think it's good - I guess misguidedly uninspired? The ending did surprise me in that, even though I was not emotionally invested in the film/ characters, I was still annoyed and rather irate about the ending.

Zooey Deshanel and Joseph Gordon Levitt play their characters well enough to make me want to like them, but again, they did nothing to earn my sympathy or care. If the film had suddenly taken a violent turn and have their entire office burn down and kill everyone inside? I wouldn't have cared. Maybe it caught me on a bad day, or maybe it just sucked? I guess a lot of people disagree with me, and I guess generally speaking I would recommend it, but personally I wouldn't because this one just didn't do it for me.

"Obsessed", is one of those movie I just couldn't resist seeing. Because A. I love the stunningly hot Ali Larter. B. It looked indulging enough. C. It seemed like a movie I'd enjoy, so why not. Well while this movie suffered from a lot of things, it still managed to keep me entertained, and to keep my eyes and mind into it. Well the movie was just a little bit too much "Fatal Attraction", and not that it made it less watchable, it just helped you predict it that much more. Besides this movie would have been predictable anyways with or without "Fatal Attraction" as a background. Next it just could have been so much more than what it made itself out to be. Like their was a lot of plot elements that didn't seem to go well with the story or plot itself. For example I just hate the whole typical romance trouble elements, and it just made this movie seem very annoying at times, and just very even uninteresting. Like honestly why on earth would Beyonc'e's character not believe what her husband was telling her, it was just very unlikely, and if not that than, very boring for the audience. Also I just didn't ever see Ali Larter's character as THAT much of a threat! I mean honestly, her character had no business being killed the way she way, and frankly I don't care that much for Beyonc'e, so seeing her beat up Ali Larter, wasn't a sight I liked. However like I said it did greatly keep my attention, and Ali Larter was very likable, even if she does greatly steal the show. All in all, while this movie may bite off more than it can chew, it was still a fair attempt, and I myself found it to be entertaining.