Silver Lining Playbook

This is a cool film that does not fit into any particular niche but it’s a very good movie. Part drama, part comedy, and part love story. SLP is about a teacher played by Cooper who loses it one day and spends time in a mental institution. After being released he moves back in with his parents and tries to reconcile with his ex-wife. Things get more challenging when he meets Tiffany played by Jenifer Lawrence who was the breakout star of Hunger Games. It’s amazing how Bradley Cooper was in Wedding Crashers and no one noticed him. Now after Hangover he is a leading man. Can anyone become a star? Cooper’s prior movie, Limitless, I felt was high gloss nonsense and made Robert De Niro look like a putz. But in this 2nd pairing with De Niro Cooper shows that he can be a good actor and Robert De Niro, who plays his father, still shows that he can act and has a little fire in the belly. Chris Tucker, who has not been in a movie in 5 years, is in a understated supporting role that works for him.


Veridict:
This movie is about how losers can win. Cooper will be able to break away from Hangover because in this film he shows that he has skills. He should be nominated for an Oscar. What do you think?

Breaking Dawn Part 2

I never read any of the books but I have seen all the movies. I thought that the first film which introduced the characters was good but this last one is great. In Breaking Dawn Part 2, we have Renesmee. Renesmee is Kristen Stewart’s baby with Robert Pattinson and in this movie the Cullens gather other vampire clans in order to protect the child from a false allegation that puts the family in front of the Volturi. Confusing? Somewhat and it will be tough for someone to watch this movie if they have not read the books or seen the previous films. What makes this movie work however is that you have a great villain named Aro who is played by Michael Sheen.
Without him playing a large part in this movie and the ending which has a twist, this movie would be similar to New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn Part 1 which in my opinion are just ok.

Verdict:
Loved it! Makes my Top Ten of 2013. Will this be the last Twilight movie? Based on the Box Office I doubt it, what do you think?

Skyfall

Everyone should know at this point that the Bond franchise will never die regardless of who plays him. Why? Prior to this movie did you not drink the Kool Aid? Everywhere I went or looked prior to this movie opening I was bombarded by James Bond movies, merchandise, trailers, billboards (which were cool) etc. MGM has done a fantastic job marketing this movie.
I admire Daniel Craig's skill as an actor but I don't like him as James Bond (to me Sean Connery is the Michael Jordon of the actors who have played Bond), regardless of that I couldn't wait to see this movie.
I drank the Kool - Aid in all flavors. In Skyfall Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) has brought back the jokes and follows the blueprint of earlier Bond hits by filming in exotic locations, incorporating a great villain, and having beautiful women. Mendes also adds underrated British actress Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Carribbean) to the cast. Look for her to be part of the series moving forward.

Verdict:
Must see movie for all. James Bond is part of our history and has been passed down from each generation.
Millennials will not be disappointed. Who do you think was the best Bond?

Lincoln

Steven Spielberg, Daniel Day Lewis, & Sally Field have all won Oscars and a boatload of awards. So how can this movie be bad? It’s not, this is an excellent movie. If I was not told in advance that Daniel Day Lewis was portraying Lincoln I would not have known it was him, he is that good. Sally Field who was a hottie (believe it or not) back in the seventies plays Mary Todd. Field gained over 20lbs and she nails the role. Spielberg also throws in the great Tommie Lee Jones in a supporting role and he almost steals the show. The movie covers the period during the Civil War when Lincoln struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and as he fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. I am not worried if the movie portrays all the facts correctly or if Lincoln's voice was booming or not. I was entertained and that's one of the reasons why I enjoyed the movie.


Verdict:

I have viewed every actor that has portrayed Abraham Lincoln in anticipation of this film and Daniel Day Lewis has done the best job to date. Oscars all around for this group, what do you think?

Flight

I was not aware of what Flight was about prior to seeing it. The studio has done a poor job of letting the public know what the movie is all about. I have been a Denzel fan for quite some time but I have to say that this is his greatest performance to date. The story is about an airline pilot who saves a flight from crashing, but an investigation into the malfunctions reveals something troubling. Robert Zemeckis, Forrest Gump, directs and does a masterful job of capturing the airplane accident. The movie also stars Kelly Reilly who has been in various movies but this is a breakout role for her. The movie is engaging and is well paced.

Verdict:
This is a must see movie. It is one of the best movies I have seen this year, Flight is the movie Denzel should win an Oscar for, what do you think?