In the Heart of the Sea

Released in late 2015 In the Heart of the Sea, or as I like to refer to it 'Chris Hemsworth vs. A Big Whale', didn't do well with critics or at the box-office. While I do think there are parts of a good movie here, it doesn't completely deliver the goods.

The film is about an old man named Thomas (played by Brendan Gleeson) recounting the story of his survival when he was a young lad aboard a whaling ship named Essex in 1820. Crew of the Essex is played by some pretty good actors like Benjamin Walker as the Captain, Tom Holland as the young version of Thomas, and Chris Hemsworth as Owen the first mate who's accent is inconsistent throughout. There's a lot of sailing around searching for whales early on, and this part of the film could've been trimmed down a bit. However, the whole thing picks up when the crew encounters a Moby Dick-esque whale that destroys the Essex, leaving them stranded on the ocean in much smaller whaling boats. They drift along helplessly with little food or water, and even reluctantly decide to cannibalize the dead. After several weeks stranded at sea a few men who survived are actually rescued. There's also a bit toward the end about the whale oil company trying to deny that a whale destroyed one of their ships, but this didn't add much to the film for me.

Overall, I like a lot of these actors, Ron Howard is a good director, and there are some really captivating visuals. There just isn't enough to push this one over the line from solid movie to great movie.

I give it a 3 out of 5.

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave a comment below.

The Ghost and the Darkness

This one was recommended to me recently, and the plot sounded so interesting that it immediately jumped to the top of my watch-list.

Released in 1996, The Ghost and the Darkness is about the construction of a railway bridge in East Africa that is being delayed by two man-eating lions that have been picking off the workers. After several failed attempts by the construction engineer (played by Val Kilmer) to kill the lions, a world-renowned big-game hunter (played by Michael Douglas) is brought in to help. It's not long before it is revealed that these lions aren't so much hunting for food, but rather for sport. Perfect for any one that enjoys a good 'the hunter becomes the hunted' type of story.

The film has some really tense build ups with good payoffs, it's paced very well, and it's overall a very interesting story. However, it isn't perfect. Kilmer's acting is a bit uneven, and there are a few scenes that probably could've either been reworked to add to the tension or cut out entirely. Also, the Sir Robert Beaumont (played by Tom Wilkinson), who sends Kilmer's character to Africa in the first place, is a really one-dimensional character. He's essentially just there to be a jerk and tell Kilmer that the bridge needs to get done.

 

I'm tempted to give this one some bonus points because I really like the cast and I'm a big fan of late 19th century/early 20th century period-pieces, but I try to make these reviews as objective as possible and you can find faults in this one if you're looking for them.

Overall, while it isn't perfect, I did really enjoy it and recommend checking it out.

3.5 out of 5.

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave a comment below.

Trouble with the Curve (2012)

No one plays angry, grizzled, old man as well as Clint Eastwood... and, if you can buy into the idea that his character has the ability to hear if a player can correctly hit a curveball, then your going to have a good time with this movie. 

The plot centers around an aging baseball scout named Gus (Clint Eastwood) who is sent by the Atlanta Braves to check out a hotshot prospect down in the Carolina League. The only problem is that Gus is losing his eyesight. A friend and colleague (played by John Goodman) convinces Gus' daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to go look after her dad. 

Mickey is a workaholic lawyer and so the film has her constantly butting heads Gus. While at a game in North Carolina, Gus is approached by a former player turned scout that the Braves drafted a few years back named Johnny Flanagan (Justin Timberlake). Johnny is now a scout with the Red Sox and also quickly takes a liking to Mickey. The plot pretty much goes exactly where you expect it to; Even after Gus warns the team he is proven correct when the Braves find out that their new prospect can't hit a curve. Mickey and Johnny end up falling for each other. Mickey doesn't get her big promotion and realizing the time with her dad was more important...

Overall, it's definitely not going become my favorite baseball film, but it's a good movie. The cast is solid and they have great chemistry, the film is well shot, well paced, and even though it hits a lot of those expected beats it still ends up being a satisfying story.

I give it a 4 out of 5. 

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave a comment below.

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)

A psychological-thriller based on a novel that I didn't read, Before I Go to Sleep is one of those films that is so close to being really good but just falls short. 

The story is that of a woman named Christine (played by Nicole Kidman) who wakes up every morning unable to remember the previous day's events. This condition came about after a traumatic event some years earlier. A neuropsycholgist named Dr. Nasch (played by Mark Strong) gets her to start using a camera each night to document a brief summary of her day to, hopefully, help with her memory loss. The more Christine does this, the more she begins to uncover about her current life. What really happened? Has her husband Ben (played by Colin Firth) been lying to her about their life together? etc. 

If any of this sounds like numerous movies you've seen before, that's because it kinda is. Rife with genre clichés and fairly predictable plot twists, the film probably isn't going blow your mind.

However, the movie is well acted with Nicole Kidman giving a particularly good performance. At approx. 90mins the movie is briskly paced which helps keep the main story on track, but does cause a couple of potential plot threads to be brushed aside.

Overall, it's a decent flick that will likely be satisfying enough if you're really in the mood for this type of story.

I give it a 2.5 out of 5

A Brief Review of 'Phantom'

 

Phantom is a 2013 Cold War thriller that is "inspired by true events". The film stars both Ed Harris and David Duchovny but, despite having some good actors in leading roles, the movie is a bit of a tough watch. 

The plot involves the Soviet Union using a new device called 'The Phantom', which is mounted to a soviet submarine, with the goal of starting a war between the U.S. and China. The Phantom device can disguise the sub's acoustic signature to make it appear on radar to be any number of other ships. Thus, the Soviets can make it seem like the Chinese have launched a nuclear attack on the U.S. and start a war. The plot is a bit clunky and, surprisingly, almost completely devoid of tension. You will feel every minute of this 98min runtime. Plus, the effects are not good.

Overall, this is a perfect film to pop in on a lazy Sunday afternoon... if you want to take a nap.

I give it a 1.5 out of 5

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave a comment below.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009)

 

If you've never seen 2009's Beyond a Reasonable Doubt then you're not alone. The film was a massive failure both critically and commercially, and it was a one that I only recently picked out of a bargain bin out of curiosity. The film is a remake of the 1956 Fritz Lang film of the same name and it is about a man who frames himself for murder in order to prove that the District Attorney has been planting evidence to secure convictions. 

The cast is bit of a mixed bag with Jesse Metcalfe playing a investigative journalist, Joel Moore as his friend and colleague, Amber Tamblyn as the love interest/Assistant DA, and Michael Douglas as the District Attorney. The plot is clunky and extremely predictable (even if you've never seen the original). I love suspense films so I do appreciate the effort, it just doesn't work in this one.

Overall, this isn't unwatchable by any means, it just feels like a subpar, paint by numbers crime-thriller. The last line in the movie is actually a closeup of Amber Tamblyn looking at the camera and saying "F*** You." I know that this is directed at Jesse Metcalfe's character, but I like to imagine that line was for the audience. 

I give this one a 2 out of 5.

Have a suggestion for a review?

Leave a comment below.

Black Panther

Black Panther is the latest in a long line of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, and it is... just ok. I found myself checking my watch on more than one occasion. 

I went into this one with slightly lower than usual expectations for an MCU movie because, with this being the last one to be released before the big event film Avengers: Infinity War, I figured the stakes would be pretty low and this would exist more to flesh out the character of T'challa/Black Panther than anything else. I, unfortunately, was correct. There is a lot of explanation and 'world-building' with regards to the fictional nation of Wakanda, as well as, how it's citizens view T'challa, his role there, etc. A lot of it is barely interesting. 

The acting in the film is mostly good, and the effects are mostly on par with what you'd expect in an MCU film with a couple dodgy moments. I like Chadwick Boseman as an actor, I loved the idea of Michael B. Jordan as a villain and he's good in the film, and there are a few decent sequences with him scattered throughout. Also, while I think Ryan Coogler is a solid Director, this is may the weakest of his feature films so far.

 Deep down I was hoping to love this movie but, I left the theater a bit underwhelmed. I thought Black Panther was a fun addition when he showed up in 2016's Captain America: Civil War but, after seeing this movie, I think he may be a character better suited to team-up movies similar to Hawkeye or the Hulk.

Overall, if your a really big fan of the Marvel movies then you should go see it because there is probably enough to keep you entertained. On the flip side, if you're not super into these movies or are just suffering from a little superhero fatigue, then you can definitely skip this one. 

 I didn't hate it, but I definitely didn't love it. 

It's not one I recommend. 

I give it a 2.5 out of 5