Jurassic World

In a time when CG was a new development and good stories sold tickets, the world experienced the original Jurassic Park and fell in love with it's simplicity, and it's complexity at the same time. Now, when every movie is over-saturated by special effects and the story has taken a back seat to expensive spectacles and cheap thrills, Jurassic World entertained but didn't satisfy.

For anyone who hasn't seen Safety Not Guaranteed, please go watch it and fall in love with the small-time director that is Colin Trevorrow. That movie will show what kind of great storyteller this guy really is. When I heard he was going to direct Jurassic World shortly after finishing Safety, I was really excited to see Universal/Amblin Pictures hire someone so new to a huge franchise. A lot of blockbuster films have recently been hiring smaller (cheaper) directors in the hope that ushering in fresh blood will bring new ideas and revitalize the industry. It has largely been successful as far as the box office has shown, but creatively I haven't seen much difference. We keep seeing extremely simple stories overloaded by unnecessary special effects. But who am I kidding. These big budgeted movies aren't meant for the artsy-fartsy crowds that fill in old dusty theaters showing Sundance films. Jurassic World has beautiful special effects and fast paced action that keeps the characters moving forward. Sometimes we don't need complex story lines to keep audiences attention. At the same time though, we do need to have compelling characters to cheer for, and that is definitely lacking here. Why can't we have both anymore? Can't we find a peaceful middle ground? Like Mad Max did?

Jurassic World doesn't offer much in the "interesting character" department. The main characters don't develop beyond who they were in the beginning. They all go on a life-changing adventure and still not much changes. Except for the dinosaurs. If you don't believe me, watch the movie again! None of the humans really make any big character leaps, but it's the velociraptors that grow the most. I don't think this was done on purpose but in the end I didn't really care about any of the humans. Sure Chris Pratt is funny and it's great seeing him in a tough guy role, and Bryce Dallas Howard is a fantastic actress but when they kiss in the end (not much of a spoiler there...) they don't deserve it. I was just annoyed that they tried to force a relationship between these two people when they really didn't have anything in common besides not wanting to be eaten.

You can have all sorts of special effects, plot holes and cheesy dialogue and still make a good movie if you have compelling characters, and they have some sort of arc. It almost seemed like Jurassic World tried to keep their characters as stoic as possible so they can keep playing the same games with the dinosaurs. Hide and run. Hide and run. SHOOT!! Hide and run. Hide and run. After a while it started getting boring watching people try to figure out a smart dinosaur, so they had dinosaurs fight each other. You would think having giant dinosaurs fighting would be great, but it actually wasn't all that epic.

In all reality, I had some fun watching this movie. Not a lot, but enough. Even though I laughed at some really awful dialogue and was disappointed with story plot lines, it was fun to watch. Maybe that was because I was in a theater with an audience that absolutely loved the movie or maybe it was because even with all of the disappointments, the highs were somewhat high and the low's weren't so terribly low. I'm not certain which is which. What I am certain of is that it doesn't deserve the billion dollars it's earned in the box office. It's nowhere near that good. That should be reserved for something as glorious as Star Wars Episode VII, because we all know that will set the new standard for everything good in this world.

To close, I would like to quote one of my best friends on his thoughts after walking out of the theater:

"In Jurassic World, a greedy corporation takes something that was once special and awe-inspiring and, out of their infantile understanding of what made the original thing so special, decides to cobble together a hideous monstrosity for no other reason than to attract an audience hungry for cheap thrills.

The irony is just sublime." - Daniel King

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Inside Out

I have always loved Pixar. They have the unique ability to tell compelling and original stories again and again without fail. Even the lesser of their movies are financial and critical successes. They can balance realistic relationships, they can nail both intelligent and silly jokes, they can pull on your heart strings, and they can advance the technology, sophistication and art that is animation. Pixar is easily the leading studio standard for Animation and in fact, Hollywood in general. Inside Out, is proof of that.

Pete Doctor writes and directs this beautiful movie that shows the inner turmoil of an eleven year-old's emotions. Influenced by Doctor's own daughters, Inside Out wonderfully illustrates the complexity of a young girl's mind while trying to find their identity transitioning into adolescence. Once again proving that animation is not a genre but a chosen medium/art form, we follow the emotions in Riley's head, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling), and Fear (Bill Hader) in a thought provoking and heart felt journey of discovery.

The greatest quality of this movie is it's story. Funny how rare that is nowadays... I absolutely loved every character and the journey they all went on. In the beginning, every emotion is purely that emotion. Joy is joy, and Anger is anger. They don't rely on each other, they just work together. As we progress these characters grow more complex and don't always represent their named emotion. Joy feels sadness, and Sadness feels joy. As they explore the mysterious corners of Riley's mind, they discover more of their own past and their potential future.

Inside Out doesn't portray what normally comes to mind when you think of an animated movie. Today, most animated movies are targeted to families with little kids, and then carefully balanced so that the kids and parents can enjoy the movie. They teach courage, faithfulness, love, self-respect, honesty, etc., all the while making jokes, singing songs and bringing life to inanimate objects. It's a very fine line that caters to two audiences at one time. While that kind of movie is great at times, this is not that movie. Sure, I did see kids in the theater. I saw courage, love, honesty portrayed in the main characters, and I did laugh out loud multiple times. I still don't think this is a "kids" movie. I honestly believe this must have been one of the hardest movies to produce and market for Pixar because it doesn't work like their past films. I think it's closest relative would be Finding Nemo because both movies have deep, emotional characters trying to find their way in a brand new world. Inside Out tackles crucial, resounding issues that every person on earth has felt: the pain of losing someone you love, the joy of success or a beautiful day, the confusion and frustration of changing everything you know, the anger and fear of not knowing what is going to come. Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), is just a young girl discovering her emotions and the importance of every single one of them.

As Joy and Sadness traverse Riley's mind, Pixar really shows off it's fun side. They play with common phrases such as "train of thought" and "abstract thought," then show how dreams are made and what happens to long term memories. It's a lot of fun to see how they can twist psychological terms and phrases and make them into useful story points. For example, the train of thought is an actual train that brings thoughts to the brain (they obviously needed to stock up on thoughts to daydream about later just in case school gets boring). Pixar has always filled their movies with little jokes and hidden secrets, and I think the way they used the landscape of the mind was one of them. It was fun to see how Pixar creatively weaved it's way around the mind and played with different types of consciousness, and how emotions effect your perception of your world.

What makes a great story even better? A fantastic cast. Animation is always difficult to cast because you have to try and find a voice and personality that fits your character, and yet follow the trend of casting high-profile names so that your movie has a little bit of star power behind it. Other animation studios seem to have trouble here as they usually go for the bigger names before the voice. While Pixar isn't afraid of casting big names (Tom Hanks in Toy Story and Billy Crystal in Monsters, Inc.), they focus on the soul of the character first and go from there. That is where the real magic happens. It also seems like they cast in teams. I'm not positive about this but I think they may even record actors together so they can play off of each other. So not only do they cast the voice and personality before the star power, but they also keep in mind the chemistry between the actors. Once you find that perfect pocket of chemistry and character soul, you're golden.

Normally when a big studio like Pixar/Disney/DreamWorks comes out with a new movie they advance the animation technology in some way. Inside Out didn't have any "wow" moments for me as far as the animation and design goes, because that aspect of the movie took a back seat. It honestly was slightly boring to look at because it was so empty. Now I realize that may be a story point because we're in the mind of a child who still has thousands of days to seize, but it wasn't anything exciting. What was more important was the acting. There were subtle acting performances that were just perfection. I don't think I've seen such awesome acting from an animated character since Toy Story 3, or even Dawn of the Planet of the Apes if you want to go that route. Subtle acting in animation is very difficult and Pixar's animation team should be very, very proud of themselves for accomplishing just that.

Now that I've spent a couple days sifting through my own thoughts on this I can positively say, I adore this movie. There are so many other positives that I can get into but I don't want to make this entry even longer. Inside Out isn't a game changer because of the technology, but it is a game changer for what should be expected of every animation studio, and filmmaker out there. This was a compelling and heartfelt story that I believe should be watched by every parent and teenager to better understand each other and themselves. We are all uniquely and beautifully made, emotions and all. It's funny how a "kids" movie can help us see that.

One more thing: Bing Bong.... The best imaginary friend a kid could ask for.

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Daredevil

Netflix, once again, hits it right on the nose with this fun, adventurous and engrossing story about a blind man beating the crap out of bad guys. It's rich character arcs, awesome practical and special effects, made me binge watch it over the course of a couple days. Daredevil is an awesome show that now has the unique problem of matching it's success with an even better second season. 

Completely forgoing the disaster that was the 2003 Daredevil movie and it's superhero shtick, this series was able to naturally capture the life and story of Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) without any comic book gimmicks or cheesy voice overs about having supernatural powers. It definitely helped that they had 13 hour-long episodes to explore their story, which gave them plenty of time to delve into everyone's side of the story. Within 13 episodes, not only do we get to know our hero and what makes him tick, but we also get to know our antagonist, Wilson Fisk, (Vincent D'Onofrio) really well. The humanity and humility behind the eyes of a madman, and the dark secrets of our hero are all pulled back for us to see. 

Overall, the series takes a pretty natural perspective with their world: there is the good guy who fights for what he believes is right, and then there are the bad guys who stand in his way. What would happen if our hero is a blind man that has to fight everything from a boxer to a ninja? It can easily get lost in translation, get super sloppy, or it could be so well balanced that it never crosses the line of absurdity. They really do come up with some spectacular fight sequences, as well as dramatic sequences, all while maintaining that balance. I know it sounds really weird but it's production value was so high, it felt like I was watching a movie for every episode. Every aspect of this show (costumes, camera, acting, directing, locations) was on point. Most TV shows have those really fake sets that are lit unnaturally and the walls all look paper thin, but with Daredevil everything seems to be grounded in reality. They don't overthink anything but approach every scene with how it would look/sound/feel in the real world and shoot it like that. What a crazy idea! The only disappointment I have is with the costume at the very end. I really loved the Dread Pirate Roberts black mask, and found the final Daredevil costume a bit weak. 

One of my favorite things about this series was that it displayed the differences between people's expectations of limitations, and then the reality of their advantages. Everything in his life gets torn up and tossed around multiple times and after a while most of us would throw in the towel. Most of us would give in, put our head down and just go with the flow. But what this showed reminded me of is that every person has some sort of advantage and disadvantage. While we may know some of our own limitations, it's never a good idea to assume what other people aren't capable of. Even a blind guy can kick some serious ass. 

Overall, this is a fantastic series that I completely devoured as fast as I could. I'm already looking forward to see how they incorporate the Punisher in the second season, and how they continue to flesh out Fisk's character. But before this ends, can I just take a moment and point out that not only is Netflix team a master of storytelling, but they also have incredibly awesome opening title sequences? I first noticed it on the first season of House of Cards with really great time lapse photography, next I noticed it with Bloodline with another unique take of time lapse photography, and then the hilarious Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt theme song that you just can't get out of your head. Daredevil follows in the same suite, with incredible images of locations and characters being slowly covered in what looks like blood. I actually don't fast forward through their opening credits but enjoy watching and listening to the tone they're setting. It totally works and I only hope Netflix continues with it! Even though the quality isn't all the great, this gives you an idea of what the opening titles look like:

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Bloodline

After binge watching the likes of "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" I'm basically in the palm of Netflix's hands. They could release a show about anything and I'd just about watch it. Netflix has proved time and time again that they know how to tell stories, and with Bloodline, Netflix continues their domination of original storytelling and sets their new standard.

The Rayburn Family is a very well-respected family in the Florida Keys, and not because of their wealth or power, but because they are known to be good people. They're a family that never thinks of themselves. Everything they touch seems to be blessed with good fortune. That is, until Danny comes home. Danny is back to churn up the past and reveal the true family legacy.

Leading the Rayburn family and the beginning of stunning casting decisions, is Kyle Chandler, the proud Sherrif John Rayburn. His loving mom (Sissy Spacek) and dad (Sam Shepard) run a vacation home in the Florida keys, where his beautiful sister Meg (Linda Cardellini) is a lawyer and brother Kevin (Norbert Leo Butz) is a fisherman. They are the perfect family living on a picture perfect beach with no worries in the world. But there's also the long lost eldest brother Danny, portrayed with incredible depth by Ben Mendelsohn, who is a drug addict with a disturbing past of obstacles and failures. When Danny comes back home to celebrate the anniversary of his parents, he instantly becomes the thorn in everyone's side. Slowly but surely the Rayburn's start deteriorating until their weaknesses are revealed. In the end, all Danny wants is to be accepted back into his family and to be seen as a brother instead of a nuisance, but after numerous rejections and near successes, maybe only revenge will satiate his appetite.

In this first season, the familial bond of love and forgiveness is tested around the Rayburn's past. Every character in this series has a history they are struggling with, and Danny is the only one that makes them confront it. It's impressive to see a story interweave all of it's characters through so many highs and lows that in the end you love and hate every single one of them.

The entire cast was phenomenal, but there were two that stood above the rest and that was Kyle Chandler and Ben Mendelsohn. Their balance between delusion and devotion was so well directed as they embraced and chased each other. I don't remember the last time that I've seen a stronger or more complex relationship displayed onscreen.

With the ideal cast, an elaborate and engaging story, absolute beautiful locations juxtaposed against a destructive family, everything about this was absolute perfection. There are still so many other things about this series that I wish I could describe but I don't want to give too much away. This may be the best produced series I have ever seen and I cannot recommend this highly enough.

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Mad Max: Fury Road

This is the perfect summer movie for me. Mad Max: Fury Road doesn't try to overcomplicate it's story or take itself too seriously but deliveres an action packed movie for all, men and women, to enjoy.

This movie is basically one giant car chase, and I never was bored or saw the same thing twice. Colorful explosions all over the place, cars flying through the air, gun fights, insane stunts, this movie has it all. Everyone and everything is in constant motion. They're either chasing someone or being chased. Reading that over again, it makes the movie sound pretty boring but with so many different moving pieces, a huge stockpile of explosives and giant cars suited up for war, you can't help but have a great time. There's a guy playing a flame-throwing guitar in front of a wall of amps! It doesn't get much better than that...

If we look a little deeper at the story, we see that everyone is fighting for their own personal version of freedom. Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) fights for his own personal freedom. Imperator Furiosa (Charlize Theron) fights for the freedom of others. Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) fights for his control over others'  freedom. Everyone's freedom and control is constantly shifting back and forth between each other and what makes this so exciting to watch, along with all of the absolutely insane practical effects and stunt work, was how the story was so unpredictable.

While Max is the first person we see and the first person we're trained to route for, we soon meet Furiosa and from then on, the story belongs to them both. They're strong characters from the very beginning, both physically and mentally. While Max seems to be the typical tough guy we're always supposed to cheer for in big action movies, Furiosa is definitely the one who steals the show. It's almost her story with Max acting as the passenger. They start out as strangers and are forced to trust each other as they have a common enemy. Their connection doesn't come from awkward hand touching, second glances or long monologues about love or anything like that, it comes from their mutual respect and dependance on each other. They hardly ever speak as it is! Hardy and Theron are truly transformative in these roles. It's been a long time since I've seen such strong and capable characters with so little dialogue.

The biggest news making it's rounds regarding this movie is how it treats it's female characters. This, in of itself is very sad. Why can't an action movie, let alone any movie, treat their female characters with strength and integrity? I don't believe this movie has a feminist lens or is purposefully shoving feministic propaganda down anyone's throat. There is so much more to it than that. The combination of relationships between Max and all of the women is fantastic because it's codependent. They both need and save each other. It's a perfect representation of an actual relationship! All of the women in this movie are strong, beautiful, smart, and resilient. No one is sexualized, or given the normal archetypes that women are unfortunately always placed in. Instead director George Miller gives them an actual purpose and treats them with respect and maturity. It's sad that these kind of characters are so rare. We'd all be better off if we heard/saw more stories with respected female characters such as this.

Even though I've said very little about the story itself, there is already so many great things about this movie that make it worth seeing in theaters. It's certainly a spectacle, and that deserves the movie theater experience for sure. The story is solid and emotional. The practical effects are game-changing.  There were a few 3D gimmicky moments, but the special effects are mostly amazing. Literally everything about this movie makes it the perfect summer blockbuster and it deserves all of the accolades it's receiving. I hope it stays in the top of the box office for weeks to come! It is easily the most fun I've had at the movies this year!

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Pitch Perfect 2

Well that was a disappointment.

Without comparing this movie to it's shining predecessor, it's barely passable. I tried giving this one a fair shot. I really did. But after all of the reoccurring fat and racist jokes, bland songs with poor choreography, and dull direction, I realized this was simply a cash grab for all involved.

Nowadays sequels are normally already cash grabs but I was hoping that newcomer (to the directors chair) Elizabeth Banks would have been able to challenge everyone, upset the established order and give us all something interesting to watch. Instead, Pitch Perfect 2 was Pitch Perfect without the heart and forced drama.

This movie begins three years after the first one ends with the Barden Bellas on top of their a cappella game, with mash-master Beca (Anna Kendrick) at the helm. Following her every move is the same crew as before with Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson), Chloe (Brittany Snow) and new to the group, Emily (Hailee Steinfeld). Right off the bat we see the group performing for the most prestigious of audiences: the President of the United States. And as per the Barden way, an embarrassing costume malfunction disrupts the performance and lands the BB's in hot water. They are disbanded and no longer allowed to perform in any further tour obligations. Everyone sees them as the sore thumb of the a cappella world and the only way the can win back their reputation and respect is to win the world championship, which no American team has ever won.

So to recap the plot, something terrible happens in the beginning during a performance, they are shamed and then find a seemingly impossible goal to get back on top. Then, they have to regroup, bring in some new blood, rework their set, randomly battle with other a cappella groups, have a fight about life and priorities, and then come together again just in time for the final battle and win everything. Sound like a familiar plot line? It should. It's basically the same as the first movie. The only parts of this movie that were actually interesting, was the relationship between Bumper and Fat Amy and Beca's real life questions/concerns about what to do after graduation. Those were real moments that I wish they would have explored more. Instead they put those in the background just so they could say the movie was different than the first, when in all reality, it was beat for beat the same.

Irregardless of everything above, there were moments that I really enjoyed. Some of their jokes landed hard and had the entire audience in stitches. Some musical numbers were great, but the choreography wasn't as impressive as the first. One thing I think Elizabeth Banks really brought to the table on this one was her eye for random humor. How can you make a sing-off more entertaining than the last movie? Bring in the Green Bay Packers! Do you have a character that doesn't bring a lot to the table and could be too serious? Bring in Keegan-Michael Key to ad lib and just go for it! Those were the funniest parts and what seemed to be direct decisions from Banks. When the actors just ad libbed and did their thing, the audience was laughing. But with so many fat jokes, racist jokes, and sexist jokes, I didn't know what to do. It felt as if they looked at the first movie, made a note of whatever got a laugh, and then did that same exact joke about forty more times in this one.

This movie is definitely not worth seeing in theaters, but it may be fun to put in when a group of friends are over so it plays in the background. Without any characters to really bond with and some fun music, it's perfect for background noise. It's nowhere near as entertaining as the first, but still has something there.

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