Author: Rob Dean (Page 9 of 9)

Coming Soon: A Moviegoer’s Guide to June

May 27, 2016 / Rob Dean

Summer blockbuster season rolls on as June brings sequels to previous box office successes, a few new comedies, and a couple of films that look to start franchises of their own. For those that like large explosions and massive battles, there’s a lot to offer this month. There’s less on hand for those that prefer smaller fare, but you’ll still find a couple movies worth seeking out in June. All this and a farting corpse film that will tug at your heart strings!

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows”

Who: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Stephen Amell, Tyler Perry and Laura Linney
What: The Turtles return to save the city from a dangerous threat.
When: June 3rd
Why: The first “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” film under producer Michael Bay was a big hit with families and even a few die-hard TMNT fans. Those nostalgia-based fanatics get to relive the cartoon on the big screen in this outing that finds the ultimate mash-up quartet finally facing off against the likes of Krang, Bebop and Rocksteady. Gonzo casting like Tyler Perry as the scientist that eventually becomes a bug man may point to this film being a bit more interesting than its precursor, and hey, Megan Fox is always fun to watch.

“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping”

Who: Andy Samberg, Imogen Poots, Bill Hader and Sarah Silverman
What: When it becomes clear that his solo album is a failure, a former boy band member does everything in his power to maintain his celebrity status.
When: June 3rd
Why: With two cult favorite comedies under their belts, directors Akiva Schaffer (“Hot Rod”) and Jorma Taccone (“MacGruber”) – two-thirds of the comedy music group The Lonely Island, along with Andy Samberg – are back to deliver what may be the “This Is Spinal Tap” for the social media generation. Samberg is great at playing blustery buffoons with big egos, and this film looks to skew all manner of elements of both pop music and celebrity culture. Plus, it involves Samberg fighting another old guy, this time in the form of Martin Sheen. What’s not to like?

Entertainment, Movies

Coming Soon June movies monthly movie previews new releases

The Buddy System: How Shane Black has continually reinvigorated and redefined the buddy cop film

May 13, 2016 / Rob Dean

While usually thought of as a hackneyed cliché from the ’70s and ’80s, the buddy cop film has actually been around a lot longer than that. Some trace its roots back to Kurosawa’s 1949 film “Stray Dog,” with early adopters being the politically charged “In The Heat of the Night” (1967) and the “I Spy” TV show in 1965. But it really grew legs with such films as “Hickey & Boggs” (1972), “Freebie and the Bean” (1974) and “48 Hrs.” (1982), each adding to the genre its own flair and nuance. (Please note: while the term is “buddy cop,” in this post the genre includes films with people that aren’t necessarily police officers; rather it’s just two, usually mismatched, partners joined together to solve a mystery.) So although it’s not as if famed filmmaker Shane Black invented the buddy cop film, for the past four decades, he has reinvented and reinvigorated an otherwise predictable and tired genre by using recurring tropes, witty banter and impressive action.

After “Die Hard,” “Lethal Weapon” is easily the most influential action film of the last 35 years. The spawn of homages and knockoffs that came after it is staggering, using Black’s template of the loose cannon and his straight-laced partner who engage in comic repartee while also delivering explosive violence. But many of the imitators that followed, including the “Lethal Weapon” films where Black isn’t involved (although he originally scripted the 1989 follow-up, it was heavily rewritten), missed that special mystery ingredient he brought to the first entry. “Lethal Weapon” is unique not just for its go-for-broke take on action, but also because it begins the type of story and archetypal characters that Black would revisit time and again over his career.

Entertainment, Movies

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Mommy Fearest: A look at the toughest mothers in cinema

May 4, 2016 / Rob Dean

Motherhood is unquestionably the hardest job in the world. Even putting aside the crap hours and wages, the physical and emotional turmoil of pregnancy and birth is daunting enough, let alone raising a child and instilling in him proper virtues and morals to avoid raising a psychopath. Parenting eats up time, energy and resources like a ravenous Pac-Man devouring all in its path, but it also gives back immensely satisfying rewards. And rest assured, if anyone threatens a cub, it’s the mama bear that rears up and tears that intruder to shreds. So while every mom in cinema (and around the world) is a badass in their own right, there are some who have answered the call above and beyond their duty to protect (or avenge) their child. This is a list of those sweat- and blood-drenched mothers who personify to extremes the rigors of being a mom and raising a child.

Sarah Connor, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day”

Imagine having a baby with a time traveler, who is then killed by a psychotic robot, and then have the baby taken away from you after you are sent to a mental institution when no one believes any of this time traveling robot nonsense. It would be a bit of a strain on anyone’s mental state. Yet the one thing that shines through all of the psychological wear and tear is Sarah Connor’s (Linda Hamilton) devotion to her son, John. She has to team up with the fuel for her nightmares to take on an even deadlier robot, but is willing to do so all for the sake of protecting her son. While people think that Arnold’s T-800 is a relentless killing machine, clearly they haven’t seen anything yet when John Connor is put in jeopardy.

Entertainment, Movies

Aliens Friday the 13th Kill Bill Mother's Day Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Coming Soon: A Moviegoer’s Guide to May

April 29, 2016 / Rob Dean

The next month is an interesting mixed bag of some would-be summer blockbusters, a few festival favorites and a couple of very promising comedies. Will “Captain America: Civil War” live up to its hype and buzz when it hits theaters? Can an “Alice in Wonderland” sequel actually be entertaining and not some Hot Topic-infused nightmare like its predecessor? Whether you’re interested in social commentary, buddy cop shenanigans or large cataclysmic affairs with things that go boom, there’s a little something for everyone.

“Captain America: Civil War”

Who: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Chadwick Boseman, Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner and Daniel Brühl
What: Political interference in the Avengers’ activities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man.
When: May 6th
Why: After their impressive work on “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” the Russo brothers return with this culmination of two Captain America films and two Avengers films. The storyline finds the Marvel Cinematic Universe at a crossroads and alliances tested on a personal level, while the action in the trailers looks larger in scope with many moving parts. This film also features the introduction of both the Black Panther (Boseman) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) to the MCU, and based on early reviews, promises to be a thrilling ride that offers real emotional stakes for the audience. Plus, who doesn’t love superhero on superhero fisticuffs?

“Money Monster”

Who: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell and Dominic West
What: Financial TV host Lee Gates and his producer Patty are put into an explosive situation when an irate investor takes over their studio.
When: May 13th
Why: While this topic, taking Wall Street and its subcultures to task for their hubris, may be a little stale eight years out from the market crash, it’s sadly still relevant today for many people in the country. The trailer seemingly gives away most of the film, but it looks like a serious take on the repercussions of politics and financial institutions failing the common people, but with a real-time ticking clock (attached to a bomb) involved to make the tension even more palpable. Plus, it’s been five years since Jodie Foster last directed a film, so it’ll be interesting to see how she fares with this stellar cast and potentially hot-button topic.

Entertainment, Movies

Coming Soon May movies monthly movie previews new releases

The Versus Problem: Why we love watching our superheroes fight each other

April 19, 2016 / Rob Dean

“Who would win in a fight…?”

It’s the way millions of playground discussions begin, and have for decades. Pitting one character against another is a great pastime for nerds of all types, weighing the pros and cons of each before being forced to come to a decision on which one would emerge victorious. But recently it has crossed over from idle banter and comic book events into the mainstream with Hollywood getting in on the fun. Two new blockbusters, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and “Captain America: Civil War,” both have heroes fighting heroes as the centerpiece of their plots (and marketing). But what is it about pitting the good guys against each other that is so compelling to audiences? Why is this story such an interesting hook that it has been used by comic book companies for years and has now bled into their cinematic counterparts?

Part of it is an innate need in many to rank items – particularly those of a nerdier set, of which I count myself. Consider the popularity of top ten listicles, various award ceremonies, championships or March Madness; these are all ways for people to determine what is “the best” in any given facet of life. It’s an extension of those playground discussions, wanting to place an order (however arbitrary) on a subjective element and come up with something that resembles an empirical and objective judgment on that element. Is the Best Film winner at the Oscars really the best film of that year? Of course not, but it lends credence to one’s devotion if a film you love is recognized by many to be great.

Entertainment, Movies

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