Phoenix & Hoffman deliver a pair of Masterful performances

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: The Master
  • IMDB: link

the-master-posterIt’s only September, but it’s quite possible the latest film from writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson may be the best collection of acting seen in theaters this year. The Master, inspired (in part) by L. Ron Hubbard and the rise of Scientology, is a terrifically produced look into the life of a disturbed young man and his relationship with the leader of a cult.

The film is less concerned about the specific inner workings of a cult than what kind of life it’s leader might live and how he might react to those around him and those in need of his help.

When we meet Naval Officer Freddie Quell (Joaquin Phoenix) in the final days of WWII it’s obvious there’s something very wrong with the man whose violent and blunt interactions with everyone he meets fail to earn him friends. After the war, Freddie travels around the country in various jobs, including a department store photographer and field hand – both of which he’s forcibly removed from due to his poor judgement.

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Phoenix & Hoffman deliver a pair of Masterful performances Read More »

Eastwood and Adams have plenty of Trouble with the Curve

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Trouble with the Curve
  • IMDB: link

trouble-with-the-curve-posterTrouble with the Curve, a tale of an old baseball scout (Clint Eastwood) reconnecting with his estranged daughter (Amy Adams) on his final recruiting trip, is exactly what you’d expect. In fact, less than halfway through the film I correctly predicted how every single storyline would end.

The by-the-book tale is an odd mashup cashing in on the success of Moneyball and Grand Torino (with a romantic comedy thrown in for good measure). Sadly, but not surprisingly, Trouble with the Curve is nothing more than blatant Oscar bait and forgettable feelgood pre-holiday fodder.

Clichéd and as subtle as a kick to the groin, the screenplay by first-time screenwriter Randy Brown doesn’t so much foreshadow events as scream loudly from Hollywood playbook exactly what will occur. Overly sentimental, and not ambitious in the least, the film is a crowd pleaser with well-placed grumpy old man jokes that won’t force audiences to think much (or at all).

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Covert Affairs – Let’s Dance

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: Covert Affairs – Let’s Dance
  • tv.com: link

Covert Affairs

While recuperating Annie (Piper Perabo) comes up with a risky plan to find Lena (Sarah Clarke) who the CIA believes has fled to Moscow. Still not cleared for field duty, willing to take far too many risks, and emotionally volatile following Simon’s (Richard Coyle) death, neither Arthur (Peter Gallagher) nor Joan (Kari Matchett) can approve her plan. Joan, realizing there’s no way she can stop Annie from going on her own, approves her mission up to and only finding proof that Lena is in Russia.

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Batman and Robin #0

/ / Comics

batman-and-robin-new-52-0-coverOne of the most frustrating aspects of the New 52 is DC Comics’ choice to alter timelines, costumes, origins, and motivations for characters without a second thought. Quizzically, the character DC Editorial decides to leave alone is Damian Wayne, someone whose origins could definitely use a little tweaking. Batman and Robin #0 is little more than a summarization of the beginning of Grant Morrison‘s “Batman & Son” 2006 arc which introduced Damian.

Not only do we get Damian’s bloody upbringing and the League of Assassins‘ army of Man-Bats (really, this needed to be included in the New 52?) but the final panels are directly ripped from artist’s Andy Kubert‘s work. Sadly, but not suprisingly, DC goes straight for Morrison’s take on Damian’s origins rather than the original (and far superior) graphic novel that introduced the idea of a Batman/Talia child – Batman: Son of the Demon.

Is it worth a look? Maybe. There one or two moments, although there’s little here for those who have already read Morrison’s story. For fans.

[DC, $2.99]

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White Collar – Vested Interest

/ / Television Reviews
  • Title: White Collar – Vested Interest
  • wiki: link

White Collar

While giving a talk at a FBI convention with a disgruntled Neal (Matt Bomer), Peter (Tim DeKay) learns a thief (Jason Pendergraft) has conned his way into the convention to steal an important piece of defense technology right under the nose of 500 FBI agents. Returning to the convention with Neal, Jones (Sharif Atkins) and Diana (Marsha Thomason), the group tries to find the impostor before he can finish his job.

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White Collar – Vested Interest Read More »