Robocop REBOOT, because Why Not?

Robocop was re-done and promptly shit all over. It's on Netflix, so we took a flyer on it (T.R. & myself). The cast boasted an impressive bunch in Michael Keaton, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Willams (OH SHIT, OMAR'S COMIN')Gary Oldman, Sammy Jackson, and Abby Cornish, who I only listed because I find her VERY attractive. All are in secondary roles are loaded with star power, but the rest of the money was spent on CGI and the writers and other actors were paid in food and a warm place to sleep apparently. Bad: The script is pretty atrocious, Joel Kinnaman is pretty underwhelming, and it's PG-13. Good: The real actors, Abby Cornish, and CGI. The story is similar, but really drags a lot more of his human side in to everything, which sucks. Keaton is especially awesome because he can do NO WRONG lately. Oldman is excellent as a scientist at the heart of the Robocop project. Just because you're a fan of the first Robocop, don't see this thing. Bottom Line: 4.1 out of 10. It really isn't worth seeing this movie. It's that simple.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

I got around to seeing the final Hobbit movie EVER (I'm doubting that). It's at the cheap seats, so it worked out perfectly. The film picks up where the Desolation of Smaug ended, with Smaug (a dragon) destroying a city. I'm going to save the backstory and just say the dwarves take over their ancient castle that Smaug was occupying. The treasure makes the King (Thorin) lose his mind. Bilbo hides the "Arkin (Alan?) Stone" from Thorin because he's certain it won't help him be any less crazy. An army of Elves lines up outside the castle because there are ancient stones that belong to them. The people from the city Smaug laid waste to also lineup for money that was promised to them by Thorin. An army of orcs show up out of nowhere to really fuck things up and more dwarves come to make this thing a complete shit-show. The last solid hour is just epic CGI battles, which I'm a sucker for. The movie helps define certain parts of the LoTR trilogy that helped me understand some of the backstory a lot better. Bottom Line: 8.3 out of 10. I really enjoyed this movie, especially on the big screen. The CGI is impeccable as always and I'm a sucker for EPIC battle scenes. Needless to say if you liked LoTR and the other 2 Hobbit movies, you're going to like this one as well. Shockingly astute, I know.

Finding Forrester

Coming across this film that I should've seen 14 years ago I decided during this lazy afternoon to watch it on Netflix. It is the story of a talented basketball player/poet/writer named Jamal (some people have it ALL) from the Bronx and the relationship he forms with a reclusive writer named William Forrester (played magnificently by Sir Sean Connery). Rob Brown is phenomenal, especially considering he was 16 years old when shooting of the film started. It's refreshing when an actor can actually play basketball when he's supposed to be a scholarship athlete. Jamal experiences racism/prejudice at his new prep school who has a literature professor (the awesome F. Murray Abraham) who refuses to believe Jamal writes the work he submits. He connects on a final paper Jamal hands in that is titled and uses the first paragraph from a work by Forrester submitted to the New York Times in the 60's. Jamal doesn't mention that Forrester is helping him/allowed him to use his work, but instead faces a looming decision of the school board that may include expulsion, but not before the almighty state basketball tournament that Jamal has led the team to. The film is carried by two excellent performances with some excellent help from Abraham, Anna Paquin, a sprinkle of Michael Pitt & Busta Rhymes as well. You can predict most of what happens, but that's alright because Somewhere Over the Rainbow being performed at the end was a surprise that was awesome. Bottom Line: 7.2 out of 10. Glad I saw it and recommend you should too. It's just a story we've all seen before for the most part.

Princess Mononoke

I, after much debate and thought, bought Princess Mononoke, which is often considered certainly among the best anime films ever. I did purchase the English language version vs. the original with subtitles, but this version is also highly touted. Billy Crudup, Gillian Anderson, Billy Bob Thornton, Minnie Driver, Claire Danes and Jada Pinkett Smith all lend their voice talent. The movie is relatively new (1997) and the animation is excellent. I was impressed with both of those aspects of the film. The movie starts with a small village being attack by a huge wild boar, who you later find out is a demon possessed former forest God. The boar is killed by Ashitaka, our hero, but it comes at a price at his arm is infected from being touched by the demon. He begins a quest to find the God of the Forest to heal his wounds before he becomes possessed and dies. You meet the humans, represented by "Iron Town" and Lady Eboshi who cut down the forest for firewood to stoke the flames to create iron and industry. They fight with the animals of the forest with guns and explosives and are currently winning. The movie follows this battle of nature vs. progress, industry vs. preservation, animal vs. human. It doesn't really choose a side, but shows that both side is driven by hatred and prone to destruction. It's a very good story that's relevant to all cultures and people. I did fall asleep twice when I would try to watch this film late at night, but it wasn't from a lack of interest. Bottom Line: 8.2 out of 10. I was impressed by a lot of the film and I highly recommend a viewing. It's not available a lot of places, but if you can get your hands on it you won't be sorry. It's the best cartoon film that I've ever seen.