Avatar: The Way of Water

 Grade: B

The original Avatar is in my top 10 favorite movies of all time, so I have been waiting for over a decade for this sequel, and my expectations were super high.  I am also a huge fan of James Cameron, and I have total faith in everything he does, so my excitement was shy high for this film!  Having said all that, I am disappointed in this movie, although it's still worth the watch and a must-see movie for Avatar fans.  There are many aspects of the story, but to break it down, it's about environmental issues, family, coming of age, and all too often revenge plot.  

Let me begin with the best part of the movie, which is the visuals, the overall look of the movie.  It's fantastic! It is second to no other as I would have expected.  We are engulfed into a beautiful looking world that will have you wishing to leave earth and make Pandora your new home for life, at least that is how I feel.  Everything about the landscapes and water is so pleasing to the eyes, it just makes you feel joyous inside.  It is not without its dangers as you would anticipate in real nature, but that just adds adventure to all the wonderful beauty.  I would recommend seeing this in 3D IMAX or XD.  To me it's the only way to watch this movie -- it's the best 3D experience I have had to date. 

We get some of the original cast and characters back, and also many new characters with some surprising angles to add some drama to the story. There is lots of youth this time, and it is very family driven (mostly father and son type) and quite emotional at times, so especially for you parents out there, expect to experience some tears, be it joyous or sad.  We also get many new inventive and cool looking creatures which adds to our excitement.  And what's an Avatar film without messages about man's destruction to the environment -- a bit overkill here for my liking, nonetheless relevant.  

What disappoints me most is the main storyline and dialogue.   It is the overused revenge plot, and they push it to the nth degree, and I just had to roll my eyes as I expected much more imagination.  I feel the main villain dominates the body of the story, and be it an interesting character, I wanted more of the other main characters.  For example, Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana, has very little to do in this movie for my liking.  She was what made the first Avatar great, but here she us underused, although she does have one great kickass scene that gets you pumped, but I wanted more.  We also get some the same recycled theme of youth hating on youth with the same type of tedious dialogue, but what can you expect from young talk?   From a fictional world, I expect something fresher.  

It is over 3 hours long, but that was not an issue for me, I never noticed the time.  It's one of the best movie events of the year, perhaps the century, despite my disappointments.   

What I liked about this movie:

• Cinematography -- outstanding beautiful visuals
• 3D experience -- second to none!
• Invented creatures
• Pandora world -- the overall look and feel
• Good fight action

What I didn't like about this movie:

• Overused revenge story
• Poor dialogue
• Not enough Neytiri
• Poor character decisions
• Environmental theme overkill

Who should see this movie?

This is a must see for all Avatar fans, and a should see by the casual movie goers, and for people who have lost interest in movies.  Even if you didn't like the first Avatar, this version may win you over, give it a shot!

The Grandmaster

Grade:  B+              

Rated:  PG-13, 2 hr. 10 min.
Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Special Interest

Directed By: Kar Wai Wong

Starring:  Tony Leung (Ip Man), Ziyi Zhang (Gong Er), Chen Chang (The Razor), Zhao Benshan (Ding Lianshan), Xiao Shen-Yang (San Jiang Shui), Hye-kyo Song (Zhang Yongchen)



What's it about?

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, THE GRANDMASTER is an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China's last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war that was also the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Filmed in a range of stunning locations that include the snow-swept landscapes of Northeast China and the subtropical South, THE GRANDMASTER features virtuoso  performances by some of the greatest stars of contemporary Asian cinema, including Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang.(c) Weinstein

I enjoyed The Grandmaster.  It's not strictly a martial arts action film, as it's also part romance novel, and part political diatribe.  It's very artfully shot, emotional moving, and quite thrilling.  The fight scenes are done in good taste, a bit too stylish perhaps for my taste, but well done.  It stays true to its PG13 rating, as this isn't about bloody violence.  It's more about competition and honor.  Although highly entertaining, it does lose itself at times with its lack of storytelling.  It tends to jump around in the history of the characters making it hard follow.  But, that's just a minor complaint for a well directed movie.

Tony Leung is smooth and cool, and fun to watch.  I enjoyed everything about his performance.  And what can I say about Ziyi Zhang? I still love her.  She is such a beauty in appearance and acting style.  The chemistry between her and Tony Leung is pretty powerful.  All the surrounding cast is pretty good as well.  They aren't the best of actors, but they know their martial arts.  This is in subtitles though, so its a littel distracting.

What I like about this movie:

• Lots of martial arts
• Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang are fantastic
• The romantic tones

What I didn't like about this movie:

• The story-line is a bit choppy and confusing at times
• The subtitles

Who should see this movie?

If you are a fan of the Ip Man series, or Chinese martial arts, this should be a joy for you. It's not a strong action movie, as it's done artfully, which may turn off the adrenalin fans.  The subtitles will be annoying for some.  

Closed Circuit

Grade:  D                                     

Rated: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Genre: Mystery & Suspense

Directed By: John Crowley
Written By: Steven Knight

Starring:  Eric Bana (Martin Rose), Rebecca Hall (Claudia Simmons-Howe), Ciarán Hinds (Devlin),
Riz Ahmed (Nazrul Sharma), Anne-Marie Duff (Melissa), Kenneth Cranham (Cameron Fischer)




What's it about?

In the international suspense thriller "Closed Circuit," a high-profile terrorism case unexpectedly binds together two ex-lovers on the defense team - testing the limits of their loyalties and placing their lives in jeopardy. One morning, a busy London market is decimated by an explosion. In the manhunt that follows, only one member of the suspected terrorist cell survives: Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto), who is arrested and jailed. Preparations begin for what promises to be the trial of the  century. But there's a hitch: the government will use classified evidence to prosecute Erdogan, evidence so secret that neither he nor his lawyers can be allowed to see it. Hence the need for the Attorney General (Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent) to appoint a Special Advocate, an additional government-approved defense lawyer (Claudia Simmons-Howe, played by Golden Globe Award nominee Rebecca Hall), one who has clearance to see classified evidence and who can argue for its full disclosure when the trial moves to "closed" session. The rules for the Special Advocate are clear: once the secret evidence is shared with her, Claudia will not be allowed to communicate even with the defendant or with other members of the defense team. But just as the case is on the eve of going to trial, Erdogan's lawyer dies suddenly, and a new defense attorney, Martin Rose (Eric Bana), quickly steps in. Martin is tenacious, driven, and brilliant - and an ex-lover of Claudia's. The two lawyers make an uncomfortable pact to keep their former affair hidden. But as Martin begins to piece the case together, the outlines of a sinister conspiracy emerge, one that will draw him and Claudia dangerously close again. (c) Focus Features

This is a real yawner!  It's an over-explained drama that gets more and more dull as it goes along.  The lawyers are supposed to be former lovers, but the story doesn't allow the leads to display any chemistry, and it also doesn't generate any suspense from its conspiracy theory premise.  There are no thrills and it's  nowhere near as clever or controversial as it clearly believes itself to be.  It's a film you should avoid.

SPOILERS CLICK HERE

What I liked about this movie:

• A good cast

What I didn't like about this movie:

• It was just simply boring

Who should see this movie?

I don't recommend it for anyone.

The Road

Grade:  D-                                        

Rated:  R, 1 hr. 51 min.
Genre:  Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Directed By: John Hillcoat
Written By: Joe Penhall

Cast:  Viggo Mortensen (The Man), Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Boy), Robert Duvall (Old Man), Charlize Theron (Wife), Guy Pearce (The Veteran), Molly Parker (Veteran's Wife)



What's it about?

Based on a Cormac McCarthy novel: The world is in ruins after an apocalyptic event and a man and his son (Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee) struggle to survive and hold onto their humanity while making their way across a wasteland.

This is a very bleak movie without much promise for that light at the end of the tunnel.  The images through out are constantly gray and gloomy -- a real downer.  It really is a hard watch, and not because it tries to test humanity, and it does, but because it's hard to keep from being bored.  It's very slow paced without any real drama.  I just couldn't feel much emotion for the characters and what they were going through.  It's a good cast, but they just didn't emote anything to me worth noting.  I will say it attempts to be a portrait of what it's like to be a parent, and there is truth on how it comes across, but it's so negative, I just don't get anything of value from watching this -- its not like the performances were mind-blowing.

SPOILERS CLICK HERE

What I liked about this movie:

• Nothing

What I didn't like about this movie:

• It's depressing
• It's uninspiring
• Mediocre performances from a good cast

Who should see this movie?

I don't see anything positive in watching this film.  I don't recommend it to anyone.

Arbitrage

Grade:  B

Rated:  R, 1 hr. 47 min.
Genre:  Mystery & Suspense, Drama

Directed By: Nicholas Jarecki
Written By: Nicholas Jareck

Cast:  Richard Gere (Robert Miller), Susan Sarandon (Ellen Miller), Tim Roth (Detective Michael Bryer),
Brit Marling (Brooke Miller), Laetitia Casta (Julie Cote), Nate Parker (Jimmy Grant)



What's it about?

When we first meet New York hedge-fund magnate Robert Miller (Richard Gere) on the eve of his 60th birthday, he appears the very portrait of success in American business and family life. But behind the gilded walls of his mansion, Miller is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire to a major bank before the depths of his fraud are revealed. Struggling to conceal his duplicity from loyal wife Ellen (Susan Sarandon) and brilliant daughter and heir-apparent  Brooke (Brit Marling), Miller's also balancing an affair with French art-dealer Julie Cote (Laetetia Casta). Just as he's about to unload his troubled empire, an unexpected bloody error forces him to juggle family, business, and crime with the aid of Jimmy Grant (Nate Parker), a face from Miller's past. -- (C) Official Site

This is a thought-provoking movie that's an intelligent psychological thriller and character study that works to connect public and private immorality.  It keeps us guessing, which is one of the best compliments one can pay to a movie of this genre.   However, it does depict money as the ultimate motivator which isn't anything new.  It's a common theme in these type of movies.  In this case, in which you could imagine millions of regular people being ruined by a financial collapse, this movie actually has us sympathizing with one of the unfortunate guys responsible!  I really didn't know who I should root for here, but ultimately it didn't matter as I was entertained.  This is one of Richard Gere's best performances of his whole career.  He's up there in age now, but he still fits right in with the sharp suits and slick hair as he ever did.  He his surrounded by a wonderful cast as well.  I enjoyed all the performances.  This is a solid movie.

SPOILERS CLICK HERE

What I liked about this movie:

• Richard Gere is excellent
• Very good supporting cast
• The movie is never dull as it keeps you guessing

What I didn't like about this movie:

• Relies on money once again as life motivations

Who should see this movie?

Fans of Gere will enjoy this movie I believe.  It's well made and entertaining for most mature audiences --  probably for the over 40 crowd.  It's worth a look and is currently on netflix free streaming.  

The Spectacular Now

Grade:  B+                                     

Rated:  R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Genre:  Drama, Romance, Comedy

Directed By: James Ponsoldt
Written By: Michael H. Weber

Starring:  Miles Teller (Sutter Keely), Shailene Woodley (Aimee Finecky), Brie Larson (Cassidy),
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Holly Keely), Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler (Thomas Keely)


What's this about?

With sly humor and an intensity of feeling, THE SPECTACULAR NOW (directed by James Ponsoldt) creates a vivid, three-dimensional portrait of youth confronting the funny, thrilling and perilous business of modern love and adulthood. This is the tale of Sutter Keely (Miles Teller), a high school senior and effortless charmer, and of how he unexpectedly falls in love with "the good girl" Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley). What starts as an unlikely romance becomes a sharp-eyed, straight-up snapshot  of the heady confusion and haunting passion of youth - one that doesn't look for tidy truths. (c) a24 Films

Unlike other teen movies, the characters are molded to seem real; they are not abnormally modeled or beautiful. These young actors come off believably to express the confusion and insecurities that are common among teenagers. The story is totally compelling, and drives a bittersweet note making this one of the most humane movies of the year.  It's a hard watch at times because it deals with the harsh realities of broken families, drinking, and self-condemning.  It also has its sweet and lovable moments making for a more balanced story.  I personally wasn't too keen on these characters, but they made for an entertaining watch, and the performances were very good.  It not a particularly humorous movie, but it's good coming-of-age drama.  It's one of the best films of the year so far.

SPOILERS HERE

What I liked about this movie:

• It held my interest from beginning to end
• Great performances all around
• It felt authentic

What I didn't like about the movie:

• It reminds you of the negatives of growing up and tends to leave a bad feeling inside
• Profanity is made light of

Who should see this movie?

This is a good watch for true movie goers, not the casual fan of blockbuster action movies.  It moves at a slow pace, but entertains.  There are sex scenes, but in my opinion done in good taste.  The movie is rated R, but this isn't a violent movie, although its fairly high in profanity.  Not a movie for kids.  

Blue Jasmine

Grade:   A                  

Rated:  PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.
Genre:  Drama-Comedy

Directed By: Woody Allen
Written By: Woody Allen

Starring:  Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Alden Ehrenreich, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg, Louis C.K,.
Sally Hawkins, Andrew Dice Clay


What's it about?

A socialite (Cate Blanchett) suffers a series of losses, regrets and moral dilemmas that lead to mental confusion. Needing a fresh start, she moves from New York to San Francisco to join her struggling divorced sister (Sally Hawkins); her new boyfriend (Bobby Cannavale) and her sister's own new suitor (Peter Sarsgaard) along with the real world of work provide new regrets that are similar to the old ones.

This movie is all about the great dialogue and the superb performances.  Woody Allen makes this a tremendous character study, and the film builds to a powerful emotional pitch.  Cate Blanchett gives a fiery, vulnerable and complicated performance that is sure to get her a best actress Academy Award nomination.  She already has my vote as best actress of the year, and dare I say one of the best, if not the best, performance I have ever seen!  She is that good.  The amount of range she shows through out the whole film is incredible.  I enjoyed seeing Alec Baldwin, and the whole supporting cast is very good as well.  It labeled as a comedy, but its more of a drama with some serious relationship issues, with a hint of dark humor mixed in the story. I loved the movie.

SPOILERS HERE

What I liked about the movie:

• Cate Blanchett's performance.  I was blown away by her range of acting.  Oh, shes hot too!
• Fun supporting cast
• Woody Allen's writing -- His best stuff in 20 years or so

What I didn't like about this movie:

• No complaints

Who should see this movie?

It's a must see for Woody Allen fans.  Also, its worth seeing just for Blanchett alone.  I predict her as best actress award winner at the Oscars.