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The Equalizer (2014)
One of the best action films in a while
When I first sat down to watch this film I came in with little expectations. I hadn't seen the TV series it was based off and I hadn't read up at all on the plot. I saw the trailer, it looked interesting, and when I left I had felt a certain pleasure that I rarely feel when watching a film.
The Equalizer is easily a contender for being one of the best action films in a long while. Safe to say that Denzel Washington nailed the role as the lead character and the supporting roles - especially the antagonist - were equally well done. What we have here is an action film with the right stars, a solid plot, and superb cinematography to match.
Perhaps a particular favourite was the creativity in action scenes. It felt real, I didn't stop for a moment to think "No way could that happen." I felt the same for the characters, not a single one was out of place. Particularly the main character whom you never really know much about -- his past remains a mystery.
It might seem Cliché from that perspective and I know some are going to be shocked - as I was - at the plot's progression. It was simply well done; it made sense, it paced fantastically, and it ended fine. When it comes to an action film starring Denzel Washington I don't think you can get it better than that.
As far as criticism goes. There is a specific character - who I will not spoil - that acts as the primary catalyst for the film's events. I personally felt the resolution was redundant and that the character existed solely as a plot device. Her acting was great, however.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Best Marvel Film (yet) and one of the best films I've ever seen!
I had good expectations walking into the theater and knew that this film would be good. After all it received a lot of attention but none of the praise I've heard so far met it halfway. This film was simply amazing.
Action, comedy, and even a little bit of drama -- this film had it all the way through and kept it coming. The acting just as the directing was stupendous to say the least. Compared to other series in the Marvel Universe this was one of those that didn't seem to be lacking. The drama felt real and not scripted, the comedy was very reactive and didn't feel planned, and the action was done well but not too much. Guardians of the Galaxy was just a film that got it right. For many superhero films they happen to have all the ingredients but never in the right proportions; which for this film wasn't the case.
Many praises to Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Dave Bautista for their roles. The rest of the case did an excellent job as well; I must say that Ronan was perhaps my favourite villain yet--next to Loki--Lee Pace had the role spot on and definitely gave me the feel of being perfect for those shoes. James Gunn's directing wasn't any less praise-worthy and really knew how to set up each scene to form subtle references to spot-on jokes.
Above all this was a good film and no scene felt hindered in any way. For those who haven't seen this I say you should -- this is a must-see on the big screens.
Elysium (2013)
Good action. Bad plot.
Matt Damon did a fine performance as always but I felt the direction and writing of the film fell short and even then it was constantly masked by scene-after-scene of action which made it somewhat confusing to follow the importance of what was going on.
Dues Ex? Check. Over-the-top bad guy? Check. Outrageously violent action scenes? check.
So the film hits the list on action cliché's but what made it lose a lot of potential in my book was the fact I felt like I was watching an action flick where the director constantly wanted me to notice that only bad guys have money, drive Bugatti's--in this case fly--and always are found in the corporate scene. What happened to better ulterior motive than a coup d'etat? Seriously. This lacked the imagination I thought it would bring.
Regardless of my complaints, the film did at least provide entertainment value for a Friday night.
Need for Speed (2014)
Better than it looks!
The first thing I thought when I heard this film was coming out was "Oh no, not another money-milker." because Need For Speed (the game) was something that I grew up with.
Upon actually renting--and of course seeing--the film I realized that there was more to it than that. Unlike most car films this one doesn't really start out with a bang or huge showmanship. Which was unexpected and even, only at first, quite boring. It was there to build plot and that was something I honestly give them credit because they absolutely tried to make the film interesting and not just an excuse to watch street races and car crashes. Did they succeed? Not quite, no. It still felt like a film for the sake of action but that wasn't a bad thing at all.
The fact that this film stayed away from CGI, fancy SFX, and editing trickery (for the most part) is what makes it great. I dare say that this is perhaps amongst the best of car films in a long while. I truly felt the thrill of watching a car fly by at insanely fast speeds just knowing that some guy actually did this -- not Aaron Paul -- but a guy who knew what he was doing. That with the painfulness of watching my favourite cars get trashed, albeit most were fake bodies, was something that I couldn't exactly put my finger on... It took me until after to realize that a cheesy car-film with mediocre acting actually got my involved.
As for the rest we find that Aaron Paul was just about the only one who pulled off acting properly. Can't blame him or the rest really, the plot just didn't call for good acting because about cars. Honestly -- that fact alone is why this film delivers more than a good Saturday night. It was a film that I know I'd just have to watch again.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Good action. Cliché, but fun to watch.
Let me start off by saying I was never actually impressed with the first film at all. It seemed cut short and changed direction in a way that made very little sense.
That being said, the second movie felt the same way.
Now, as far as action movies go this has done a great job at that. I'm not going to say that this wasn't a fresh change in those regards but the script was terrible.
The actors did a decently good job but everything felt like they just wrote in an excuse for certain shots and to decide an outcome that better represents the portrayal of Tim Burton's version. Anyone who assumes that these films are wrong and will differ from the others, don't forget that they literally made mention of Tim Burton's film with a news story and headline in the paper, that was in the first film, of course.
So. This is supposed to be a prequel to Tim Burton's remake of the original. I assume the next one will be the last. With that said, let me go on to what I mean about terrible scripting.
First off. The beginning of the film started with two apes who found their way in a tree-line and met up with a group of humans. One of them, was straight up over-the-top trigger-happy guy. As the film progresses this character seems to be the climax for just about /every/ conflict. It's one of the biggest action clichés. Of course, I wondered "Why don't they just kick him out of their stupid group and let him stay home?" Well, they said "He's the only one who knows how the water dam works." which you know what. That'd be all fine if he actually ends up doing something, which he doesn't. He just tells them they need to clear the debris and the rest of that segment the other group members do it on their own. So I am 100% certain that they just made that line to create an excuse for an unrealistically over-the-top trouble maker who can give the writers a thoughtless excuse to create tension.
If you still don't think so we can go further up the line. They just took his word for it, they could've asked him not to cause trouble, because you know.. They said they'd kill them if not otherwise.
Further on the movie portrays Garry Oldman's character as a bad guy near the end. "I'm going to blow us all up because I tragically lost my family so now I'm senseless." Where as the main character disagrees, threatens to shoot his friend he's known for how long and they built a town together, just to side with an entirely different species based on a few days.
The Apes caused all the trouble in the first place despite that there seems to be recognition of this "I'm sorry that we killed all you guys, but you can't stay in your homes now. Go away, humans. But we're cool, right?" and that was the end.. Well no, wait. We saw a 10 second closeup of a CGI face, what a way to end an action film. Not like they could've ended it with a short portion of the only-spoken-of military entering the scene before credits roll.
Moving back a few moments they just acquired guns, and all a sudden know exactly what rounds they need, and we see an ape on horseback dual- wielding two LMGs and their apparently special-ops skilled firearms tactics forced the high-ground humans to take cover IMMEDIATELY because obviously, despite having had guns for presumably years, it never mattered.
All in all? In terms of writing, the story, and character arcs. This film was terrible at it and the director obviously had no shame in that. This was just a summer blockbuster that aimed to make money. It did just that.
So , I give it 6/10 rather than a low-score. Because I enjoyed the action. It was fun, I don't regret watching it. It'd deserve a 7 if for not forcing me to pick it apart due to how insensible it was.
Am I also the only person who felt like that one 20-year-old son could've not been in the film and nothing would've changed? Also, why is the main character okay that all his friends just got killed, including the innocent radio guy who didn't want to be there? I mean, like. Nothing made sense. It was almost as bad as when in Oblivion the girl was totally okay that her husband was just a fake copy , yet she'd giggled like a teenager who tried love for the first time. It was the same thing. Nothing made sense.
- rant over -
Psych: 100 Clues (2013)
Best episode yet!
I've been disappointed by the way this season started off and all the little changes they've made that at least I, and maybe a few of you, felt like the magic was missing.
After seeing 100 Clues I can honestly say that this was the best episode yet and am very much thrilled about the upcoming possibilities of the season including next week's episode. Over the last few episodes my main complaint was the lack of investigation -- everything was solved at the end with no apparent connection to the rest of the episode -- but I can safely say that while this one wasn't a typical case it was by far a brilliant enough episode filled with lots of humor, references to pop culture, and while there are a few things I could pick at, I think it's best to just leave it at what it is; a job well done.
Psych: Juliet Takes a Luvvah (2013)
Funny but fell short
I think most people were left disappointed by the first episode of the new season. This episode was the one I hoped would bring things back into the typical Psych feel, while I found it much funnier than the first episode I was still left with a bit of disappointment.
The issue with this was the introduction of Rachel and finally giving Gus a relationship -- too much drama -- which was something none of us really wanted, well maybe some, but not many because it was a big part of his Character falling for the Girl. I miss Shawn the Bachelor too but his relationship with Juliet has been quite hilarious at times but Gus is the guy who always gets his girlfriend all wrong and then they break up within a week the moment Rachel came into play I knew she was going to be a normal person who will be with Gus, especially when Shawn accusing her never became a problem (Remember,From Earth to Starbucks? I thought it would've ended the same!) and again as with the first episode, the case wasn't very good, in-fact it wasn't about the case as it was a relationship episode between Shawn's parents, Shawn and Juliet, and Gus and Rachel and the case only made a big impact in the very end of the episode. I miss investigating, I miss Shawn's wits, and I miss Shawn & Gus being themselves.
Psych: Lassie Jerky (2013)
A shaky but good start!
I honestly have few complaints this episode -- aside from the way camera's worked (I find that style annoying, thanks for starting this Cloverfield) which gave me a headache.
The episode was good, funny, and even though it wasn't exactly a case and for some reason went completely far off and involved the Mafia, it was good to see Shawn & Gus being Shawn & Gus and that's honestly what made this episode great -- other than the guy who wouldn't die! -- and Lassie was amazing in this episode and the Hawk part was actually in a weird way, hilarious.
Despite not living up to all my expectations I think they deserve an 8/10 for going back to the basics and making this the best episode of the season, yet.
Psych: No Country for Two Old Men (2013)
Brilliant but too soon!
I'm giving this episode the same rating I gave the last. Honestly this episode was really good from a comedy perspective and we don't get enough of Henry and I always wanted to meet the character of Juliet's step-dad which has only been so briefly mentioned.
The episode was too soon though. So far there hasn't been a *real* case. While I enjoy the character it's also fun to have a case a "who-did-it" moment and watch Shawn & Gus investigate but there hasn't been that really, it's one thing to see Shawn "see" things and another thing to actually have him discover something -- the magic is gone -- there needs to be an episode with a *real* case not just about the relationships and characters. We're not here fro drama (comic relief is good though!), this show was made for its hilarity and being unique as a laid back, popcultured, modern Sherlock Holmes in California which didn't turn out as such this season.
Despite my latest ramblings I still have found this episode funny and fresh but Season 7 -- so far -- is lacking the magic.
Psych: Santabarbaratown 2 (2013)
Interesting, new, but could've been better!
I felt that the premiere was rushed and far too serious. I mean I never minded the drama in Psych even though it has been a tad bit too much in Season 5 (though 6 was great!). There really wasn't any dialogue worth noting about and there was no investigating; it turned out to be an action flick rushed through to the very end with only a few moments where I actually found something funny.
It was poorly executed in the beginning, Shawn's "adrenaline mode" with seeing things at x10 speeds and acting like an action hero also wasn't very pleasing about this episode and I honestly hope it doesn't happen again. We all know he's a quick shot and we know he's hyper observant but what happened to him being "woefully out of shape" as referenced in many episodes? When did he get good at fighting? He's always had a hard time with hand-to-hand combat and managed to ninja kick the bad guy. I really didn't even catch half of their names just because they had 40 seconds of footage and the rest was all about Spencer and not about Gus or any of the other colorful characters that make the show so delightful. There wasn't enough Shawn and Gus shenanigans, and everything just felt way too scripted but what I liked about the show was that they solved crime in a realistic fashion, allowed you to get your own idea of what was going on, but then in threw you off and left you with a smile and a lot of good laughs.
It didn't make my expectations but despite me picking away at all the annoyances in this episode, it wasn't bad, and I know I'll stick around to see when it gets good again but it just seems that the characters are way too scripted and predictable.
Too those about the new observation effects, I believe that was specifically for this episode because he was rushed full of adrenaline which explained his erratic and aggressive behavior; which by-the-way I enjoyed the constant breaking of glass.
The biggest annoyance in my opinion wasn't the fact that everything seemed too planned out and predictable but also that they were out-of- character and they broke so many police violations and it all ended up good. I cannot stress enough that they're turning into the kind of show that repeats characteristics far too much which we saw with Gus. Even though they all have personalities they still are unique and sometimes speak differently in certain situations and in this episode Gus was far too stereotype Gus being gullible and childish and Shawn made terribly bland references and jokes. I know Lassie generally doesn't like Shawn but they always seem to have an episode where they work together but this one played out way too quickly and it wasn't about the characters, adventure, and humor as it was about getting the bad guy and closing up the episode with a father-son relationship between Shawn and Henry.
So for that I give it 6/10 stars and am looking forward to the Psych mood with Episode 2.