"So, What Can Old People Do In Vegas?"

My thoughts...

A movie about 3 friends of 60 years that are reunited with the 4th friend of the group in Las Vegas for his bachelor party. 

Starring Sam (Kevin Kline), Archie (Morgan Freeman), Billy (Michael Douglass) and Paddy (Robert Diniro), the film centers around the feud between Billy and Paddy because Billy didn't show up for Paddy's wife's funeral a year prior. 

Knowing Paddy wouldn't go if Billy was there, Archie and Sam trick Paddy into going. When the trio arrive Paddy learns the truth of what the trip is all about. 

Last Vegas is a hilarious comedy about rekindling a friendship that was lost because of a secret kept for too long. It also hinders on accepting the fact of growing old and what it truly means to be happy with yourself. 

This film has plenty of genuinely funny components but is also a great narrative catering to any age. If you want to know how old people would act in a young and hip Las Vegas scene, go see this movie. 

Should you go see it? This movie is for anyone who is old or young, or anywhere in between - as it is relatable to both demographics. Not a must see, but a good Sunday matinee show. 

Rating: 3/4 STARS 

These are my thoughts... Not yours! 

-- Big Red

"TOY STORY OF TERROR! Is not really scary, but is very awesome!"

My thoughts...

Disney released a Halloween themed television spin-off of their iconic Toy Story series, Toy Story of Terror, Wednesday night on ABC. A lot of people were biting their lips with nerves that the movie would be a total bomb compared to the success of the trilogy, but Disney did not disappoint.

Bringing back the classic characters that made Toy Story so successful, Toy Story of Terror is a tale about Woody, Jessie, Buzz, Mr. Potatohead and Rex as they are on a road trip with Bonnie (the little girl that Andy left his toys with at the end of Toy Story 3) and her mother. Then things take a turn for the worse.

The car blows a tire and they are forced to spend the night at a roadside motel. After Mr. Potato Head goes missing, more toys begin mysteriously disappearing because of a monstrous creature lurking around motel...

New toys are introduced, including the hilarious and witty Combat Carl to aid the toys in saving the day and solving the mystery of the disappearing toys.

The short TV movie is classic Toy Story storytelling involving all of the toys working together to save the day. My only critique is that it borders too close to the plot of Toy Story 2. Keeping things original is a big drawing point for all three movies and this TV special.

My favorite part of the movie, was definitely setting the stage for a Toy Story 4, which people my age (college kids) might not be in total agreement with because of the satisfaction we received when Andy went off to college.

As long as there are more toys to save, Disney can make Toy Story 20 and I'll still be first in line at the theaters.

Should you go see it? Well, it was a TV special, so hopefully they'll release it on Blu-Ray/DVD so we can enjoy it over and over again.

Rating: 4/4 (DUH!)

These are my thoughts... Not yours!

--Big Red

"And that is why Tom Hanks is Tom Hanks - Brilliant"

My thoughts...

I realized the best part about watching Captain Phillips was that I followed the news about the USS ALABAMA back in 2009; but I never knew exactly what happened. I know they saved the ship and the Captain, but I didn't know how.

And that is why this is one of the best films I've seen this year. It's not because Captain Phillips (Tom Hanks) is rescued in the end (spoiler, but not really because that was in the news). The pure greatness in this film is in the journey we're taken on to save Captain Phillips and that's where I won't spoil it for you.

I was captivated by not only the story of the crew who is risking their lives to make a shipment to a third world country, but by the Somalian Pirates who are humanized, even though they commit these terrible crimes.

There are so many ways this film could have taken shortcuts, but they dug deep into every backstory to allow the audience feel like they were living the film.

One way they could have cut corners was to make the Somalian Pirates who hijack the USS Alabama villains, and nothing more. Instead, they bring you to their village where they show you the conditions they live in and how they are forced to commit these crimes just to survive. It's not a matter of greed for them; it's a will to survive.

I don't condone the behavior of the Somalian Pirates, but I empathize with them because this poverty is their life. The filmmakers put this element in the film because they wanted to tell their story too. I heard it loud and clear.

The filmmakers could have just had the Navy Seal team that saves Captain Phillips swoop in and save the day out of nowhere without any context as to who the Seals are. The film even takes the time to properly introduce and establish the Seal team. Excellent!

Tom Hanks is absolutely captivating in his performance. I'll just say he had me in tears at the end of the movie, he was so brilliant. Expect an Oscar nod for this film! If not, I will personally protest the Oscars.

The Somalian Pirates, led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi), were also a phenomenal group of actors. The hair stood up on the back of my neck anytime they were on the screen. They held a very eerie aura about them by talking very calmly in a high pressure situation. Instead of being exuberantly violent, they were alarmingly calm and in control when taking over the ship.  

Captain Phillips was Barkhad Abdi's first feature film credit. Doing such a great job on a film with a scale this size for your first film is not done everyday.

Should you go see it? Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a film that is unyielding in value. Bring tissues!

Rating: 3.75/4 Stars

Those are my thoughts... Not yours!

--Big Red

"G-T-L Has Added A New Letter, 'P'"

My thoughts...

I was pleasantly surprised after watching Don Jon. I had preconceived notions, after watching the trailers, that it was going to be a serious and intense drama. It most certainly was not!

Don Jon is a hysterical, satire-styled film paying homage to the "guido" lifestyle made famous by MTV's Jersey Shore (if you don't know the reference, watch an episode of Jersey Shore on YouTube or MTV before you go and see Don Jon).

Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) plays a stereotypical, Italian American obsessed with 3 things: keeping his muscles toned, keeping his apartment clean and picking up women at the club where he bartends. Aside from the stereotypes implemented about Jon, there is one additional thing that he is obsessed with: porn.

Jon sees porn as a healthy habit and doesn't think there’s anything wrong with it. In my opinion, his justification for why he loves porn so much is actually somewhat logical (I'll let you figure that one out when you see the movie and decide for yourself). Jon goes on to say that porn is better than real sex (I don't know about that).

The plot:

Jon and his two best friends, Bobby (Rob Brown) and Danny (Jeremy Luke), make a game of picking out women at the club and rating them 1-10. One night, Jon spots a 'dime' (Scarlett Johansson) and is happy to pick her up and keep his perfect record. Jon has never gone a night without bringing a girl home.

Jon woos Barbara (Scarlett Johansson).  Using all the cliché lines he knows, he tries desperately to get her into bed; but to no avail.  At the end of the night, he goes home alone. Jon is very confused as to why none of his tricks worked. He then realizes that Barbara is different from most girls; but because she’s a dime, he is willing to give her a chase. At first, it’s just a quest to get in her pants, but then he finds himself in love with her.

He begins to recognize that his love of porn is actually an addiction. He naively believes that the emotional connection with Barbara will immediately negate his addiction to porn. 

Don Jon is a good story about doing what makes you happy and learning to love yourself for who you really are. It also serves as a reminder to not harp on the little things that others would damn you for.

The movie has dimensional characters.  They keep the beats of the film moving at a nice pace which, in turn, keeps the viewer interested.  Nice job!

What I liked:

1. The theme of the film is blunt, but it’s deep enough to keep you thinking after you've left the theatre.

2. The play on stereotypes works really nicely in this film. They use them without abusing them; and even freshen some up a bit. 

3. Julianne Moore is AWESOME in this movie. Though it’s a supporting role, she emotionally hooks the audience the moment she steps on screen. Wow!

What I didn't like: 

1. Enough with all the sex scenes! Repetition plays a huge roll in the movie; but over and over and over and over . . . well, you get the idea.  I worry that the overkill on naked women will persuade people to see, or not see, this movie for the wrong reasons.

2. Could the filmmakers have been a little too, "in your face" with trying to get their message across (i.e. “this dude is addicted to porn”)? I thought it was a bit much.

3. There seemed to be a hint of distain about how the Catholic Church is run. I could have done without it.

Should you go see it? I think so. But be careful who you take. Don't want to bring a first date, or mom & dad, to see this movie. 

Rating: 3/4 Stars

Those are my thoughts... Not yours!

-Big Red