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In 2013 we were subjected to a Steve Jobs biopic that offered no real emotion, a sloppy story line, and an underwhelming performance by Ashton Kutcher. Two years later, we can wash that bad taste out of our mouths as Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) and Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Moneyball) have treated us to a captivating film with a brilliant script.
Let’s be frank. This film was going to be better than that first attempt of Steve Jobs’ story by default. This cast, this director, and this screenwriter already had the upper hand. Fortunately, the talented combination delivered.
Steve Jobs is set in three acts; each containing a few necessary flashbacks built around Jobs’ (Michael Fassbender) first three big product unveilings. Essentially, we are seeing three days in his life spread out over 14 years. Adding to the authenticity of the movie, each day is filmed using the technology of that specific time period.
In each of the three acts, Jobs has what seems to be some of the most pivotal and confrontational conversations with the same five important people: His PR person (Kate Winslet), Steve Wozniak (Seth Rogen), Andy Hertzfeld (Michael Stuhlbarg), John Sculley (Jeff Daniels), and his daughter. All of which are equally captivating. Within these fast-paced moving acts, we get emotionally invested in all these characters, including Jobs. Oddly enough, you can’t help but root for all them even though at times they are on opposing sides. Though all his relationships were enthralling, I mostly enjoyed watching Jobs’ development with his daughter, who was played by three different actresses (Makenzie Moss, Ripley Sobo, and Perla Haney-Jardine). It’s touching to see the gradual transformation of Steve Jobs, as he first goes from denying any paternal role to eventually proving just how much he cares for his daughter.
The acting is superb. Michael Fassbender gives a mesmerizing performance as Steve Jobs, and Seth Rogen is no laughing matter as he succeeds to show off a more serious side as “Woz.”
It’s a film that will make you feel as though we have been given an inside look into three of the most significant moments of Jobs’ life. This is how Steve Jobs’ story should be told.
Rating: 4/5
Steve Jobs opens in theaters October 16.
“Steve Jobs” Official Trailer HD
DARK PLACES marks the second film adaptation of a Gillian Flynn novel. And no, it’s not a GONE GIRL sequel. This film just proves once again that Flynn knows how to capture her audience with intricate story-lines that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Not even the Oscar-winning lead actress can save this pathetic excuse for a comedy.
I’m not really sure why Reese Witherspoon signed on to this film. She certainly doesn’t need the work, and the movie is slightly beneath her. But I guess she felt after her captivating performance in Wild, she would just do a flick that requires much less thought and effort.
Hot Pursuit might as well be this year’s Tammy; a lazy, predictable, disaster road trip comedy that manages to have everything go wrong up until it’s final destination. We’ve seen this formula many times. For the most part, films like these never have any real substance, and the slapstick comedy fails to produce any real laughs. The exceptions are a few rare gems like Dumb and Dumber, Overnight Delivery, and Road Trip (Personal favorites).
In Hot Pursuit Reese Witherspoon plays, Cooper, an uptight, by-the-book cop who is stuck working in the evidence room. She has no life and no boyfriend. She’s too intense and scares guys off. But things start looking up for Cooper, when her boss assigns her to protect a newly widowed drug dealer’s wife, Daniella (Sofia Vergara). She must get Daniella safely to Dallas so that she may testify against a murderous drug lord. Of course, what should be a simple task turns into a road trip from hell. As they race through Texas, they are chased by dirty cops and vicious gunmen. They never seem to catch a break. And in a twisted turn of events, they suddenly become two wanted fugitives.
Oh and if you were concerned about Officer Cooper’s love life, don’t be. She runs into a random man (Robert Kazinsky) who’s had trouble with the law himself, and what do you know? He likes how intense she is. It’s a forced romance that lacks chemistry, intrigue, and in all honesty is completely forgettable.
I wish I could say Hot Pursuit was at least funny at times, but the film uses recycled shticks that are poorly executed. The story-line and jokes have no originality, and I could care less about these characters. That might be the most frustrating aspect of the film. Cooper and Daniella never seem to connect with each other, nor do they “make a good team.” A redeeming factor in a comedy that begins with two people hating each other is the end result of them finally caring for one another. Unfortunately, throughout their journey, Cooper and Daniella never have a genuine moment where the audience can believe that these two would become “real” friends.
Hot Pursuit might as well not even be on your radar this weekend. There are plenty of other great films out that provide a much better source of entertainment. Just go see Avengers: Age of Ultron, or Ex Mchina, or literally anything else.
Rating: 1.5/5
Hot Pursuit open in theaters May 8.
It’s Retro Night at B&B Theatre in Wylie and you can win a free pair of tickets to see the original “Rocky” film! The first two people to either email, message or comment me will be the winner.
Movie Info
SCREENING: May 7th at 7pm
ORIGINAL RELEASE DATE December 3rd, 1976
STARRING Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers and Burgess Meredith
RATED PG
SYNOPSIS Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed, in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
I sat down with Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones) to discuss his new film, The Age of Adaline. We talked about the blessing of growing old with someone you love, which decade he would have enjoyed living in, and the importance of banter in a relationship. Click the link below to see the full interview with the star.
The Age of Adaline opens in theaters on April 24.
I got a chance to sit down with Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook), Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland), and Scott Eastwood (Fury) to discuss their latest film, The Longest Ride. We talked about love, how to impress someone you’re dating, sacrifices made in relationships, and the teachers who impacted them.
The Longest Ride opens in theaters April 10th.
We spoke with Jim Parson (The Big Bang Theory), director Tim Johnson, and Good Morning America contest winner, Cheryl Jackson at the North Texas red carpet premiere of Home.
Click Here to watch Interview with Jim Parsons, Director Tim Johnson, and Cheryl Jackson
Home opens in theater everywhere March 27.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson star in the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey
Bondage, Flogging, and Spanking, these are a few of Christian Grey’s favorite things. But when Anastasia Steele comes into his life, his particular routine in sexual activities begins to fluctuate.
Those who have read Fifty Shades of Grey have anxiously been waiting to see Christian and Ana’s story come to life on the big screen. Though readers anticipate the film, they also worry about how the “movie version” of their beloved tale will stay true to the book. In this case, fans are concerned with the casting, the chemistry, and just how graphic the sex scenes are going to be. E. L. James’ best-selling novel did an incredible job at describing a hot, titillating romance, which originated from a Twilight fan fiction series. Well you can be rest assured that the film exudes enough heat to warm up your entire theater.
Both Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, who play Christian and Ana, have great chemistry. Their instant attraction to each other is believable, and the relationship never feels forced. These two characters meet all thanks to fate. When her best friend, Kate (Eloise Mumford), gets the flu, Ana fills in for her journalism assignment interviewing Christian Grey, a 27-year old billionaire who is going be the guest speaker at their college graduation. After an unforgettable and intense interview, Christian makes a few surprise appearances in Ana’s daily life, making their attraction grow stronger. Christian quickly puts a halt to their “situation” and tells Ana to stay away from him, as he is no good for her. That break lasts about all of two seconds. Ana gets drunk and calls Christian to tell him off. He comes and saves her from the drunken state she’s in. The next morning the two share a passionate kiss in an elevator.
You ain’t seen nothing yet!
Ana should be relishing in that fact that she has just found her dream man. Christian is handsome, charming, and rich. The only problem is, this young billionaire has got a dark past and can only be in a dominant/submissive relationship. So while Ana hopes to have the normal dinner and movie dates, all Christian can think about is whipping her in his “playroom.”
As for the sex scenes, director Sam Taylor-Johnson plays it safe. They are tastefully done in an effective way that shows us just how sexy and twisted Christian is. Nudity is limited to topless and butt shots. Sorry ladies, don’t expect to see Christian full frontal.
Unfortunately since Dornan’s role is meant to be controlling and lack emotion, he comes off stiff. It is Johnson who shines and gives a break out performance as Anastasia Steele, giving an at times irritating character humor and likability.
Here’s the thing. As a fan of the book, I was enthralled by this film. They cut out all the bad parts of the book and focused on the emotional struggle of the couple’s relationship. However, I find some of my fellow critics to be warranted in their negative reviews. The plot of the story is thin and a tad redundant. Ultimately, we’re watching a girl date a guy that she’s hoping will change for her. It is an interesting character study, especially on the troubled Christian Grey, who can’t seem to let anyone in. That just may not be enough for the regular movie-goer.
If you go into Fifty Shades of Grey with an open mind and have fun with the story, then there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the movie. Given that there is an added kink to this romance, that aspect of the film is something different to look forward to. And for the fellas who are being forced to watch, I’m sure you will be rewarded with plenty of enjoyment after the film is over.
RATING: 3/5
Fifty Shades of Grey opens in theaters tonight at 8pm.
“Fifty Shades of Grey” Official Trailer HD
Black Sea tells the story of Robinson (Jude Law), a submarine captain who, in order to make good with his former employers, takes a job with a shadowy backer to search the depths of the Black Sea for a submarine rumored to be loaded with gold.
We got a chance to sit down with the Academy Award winning director, Kevin MacDonald (The Last King of Scotland), to discuss his latest film.
Besides the fear of being at the bottom of the ocean, these men are also kind of thinking about this money that they are about to find. And some of them aren’t too happy about the fact that they have to do the even split, even though it would still be plenty of money. What do you think it is about money that changes people and makes them act in psychotic ways?
“Yeah I mean; I think the center of this movie is sort of what greed can do to people. And not even so much what money can do to people, ‘cause it’s not sort of anti-money in this film. It’s sort of anti-greed, I suppose. And it’s the idea that, people, instead of realizing when you’ve got enough, it’s like I always want more. I want more and more! And that’s kind of part of human nature. That kind of dark part of human nature, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s the positive and negative of human nature, both present in this extreme circumstance.”
This was probably one of my favorite roles to see Jude Law in as Robinson. I really felt for his character, especially, with him losing his family to his job. Because I think in any work that you do, you can get wrapped up in it and kind of lose sight of the ones you love.
“I think that’s exactly, that’s the sort of central theme I suppose. And it’s a very simple one really of this movie. Is that we all kind of think that our jobs are so important; that we only get respect from other people, because of whether we’re successful in our jobs and all these sort of things. And the pressure that there is to be successful to earn money, but actually when all is said and done; that’s not what’s important about life. And at the end of our lives none of us are going to think, “oh I wish I had spent more time at the office.” We’re going to think, “I wish had spent more time with my family. I wish I loved that person more, and made that relationship work.” Those are the things that you’ve got to think about. And I guess that’s what’s fundamentally at the heart of this movie.”
I mean for me, the moment they entered the water; I was on the edge of my seat. I was just terrified the whole time. So, is there another film for you that has given you that same excitement while watching?
“I mean, I think Gravity has that feeling for me. You know pretty much as soon as the movie starts, and you’re in this precarious situation space walking with Sandra Bullock. You’re terrified. And you’ve got vertigo (laughs), and yeah, I think this is sort of the underwater version of that.”
Yeah, it is. It gave me the same effect actually, because I struggled to breathe in both those films.
“(Laughs) So there’s a good recommendation. If you want to struggle to breathe, go and see this movie!”
Black Sea opens in select theaters January 30.