Nothing to Dread

Remakes of movies are like, well nothing good. Rarely is a remake considerably better than the original. This review is about "Dredd" which is a remake of "Judge Dredd." Perhaps remake is not the right word, because I suppose Dredd may be intended as a complimentary story to Judge Dredd, or a retelling of the story. Regardless, the main character, Judge Dredd, is fairly different in the Sylvester Stallone and Karl Urban versions.

Karl Urban is a better Dredd than Stallone. He has the right amount of grit and anger for the job. Olivia Thirlby was a a welcome addition to the Judge universe. Her character was surprisingly complex for a popcorn action movie. Lena Headey is as an extraordinarily dark villain. This is a fun, crazy, dark, great action movie. One note is that the fake drug that sits at the center of the movie results in some beautiful trippy cinematography when characters in the movie take the drug. Once the movie was done I wanted the knowledge that there will be a sequel. The movie ending certainly allows it, but who knows.

8/10. Oh you think that is a high rating? Too bad. This is a great movie.

Netflix won, and I guess Jack Ryan

For months Netflix has been trying to get me to watch Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. I finally caved, and I can honestly say I was not disappointed. I also didn't know that Kenneth Branagh was the director, let alone the fact that he was the director of Thor.

This is a solid movie. Chris Pine is a very convincing Jack Ryan. That isn't an empty statement. Chris Pine had to compete against Alec Baldwin in The Hunt for Red October, and Harrison Ford in Patriots Games and Clear and Present Danger, oh and I guess Ben Affleck in Sum of All Fears, but he wasn't much competition. In fact, if you like spy movies you will love this movie.

I will say that the characters are not terribly compelling. Keira Knightley is a bit forgettable as Jack Ryan's wife. Kevin Costner is actually pretty good as Jack Ryan's boss. Listen, what do you want from me? This is a decent Saturday afternoon movie. Just watch it.

7/10, but like an 8 7 not a 7 7. That makes no sense.

A Man No Longer Included

A Man Most Wanted is a sad tale. A story of a broken man who is no longer included, and he knows it. Director Anton Corbijn shoots a wonderfully dark, dreary, and ultimately depressing story about the international war on terror. Negative superlatives aside, I highly recommend this movie.

This was Philip Seymour Hoffman's last film, and one of his best performances. PSH is in charge of anti-terrorism efforts in the city of Hamburg, Germany, a post he excels at, but is actually a demotion from where he once stood in the anti-terrorist hierarchy in Germany. You can feel PSH's character pain at the disrespect he receives from his superiors, and you get a sense of a man who is trying to get heard by yelling into the wind. Robin Wright masterfully plays an engaged, but detached CIA agent. I think my favorite performance was Nina Hoss as PSH's top lieutenant. The immigrant at the center of the story is played by Russian actor Grigoriy Dobrygin. His character, Issa, comes off as fairly naive, and easily manipulated by the powerful forces swirling around him. Rachel McAdams is alright as a human rights lawyer for Issa. Did you know she was Canadian? Me neither.

This movie is a welcome addition to the war on terror movies that have been released over the years. Incidentally, the movie is based off a John La Carre book so you know it's good. That is if you enjoyed Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, which how could you not?

I give this 8/10. Great solid movie about the war on terror.

I have more in common with The Fifth Element than I do with The Matrix

The Wachowskis' most recent movie Jupiter Ascending is over the top in both a bad and good way. The movie is not great, but it is worth seeing. Wired has an excellent article on why you should see Jupiter Ascending, even if the movie is a bit silly.

Jupiter Ascending is gorgeous and breathtakingly absurd. The Wachowskis created a world worthy of their pedigree. As the Wired article linked to above mentions Jupiter Ascending borrows from a great many sci-fi movies including the Matrix series which established The Wachowskis as having a unique voice in Hollywood. This movie is about fun, science fiction, love, and sitting back and accepting a ridiculous plot. I allude to the fact that Jupiter Ascending has more to do with The Fifth Element than the Matrix and that is because like the indulgences of The Fifth Element, Jupiter Ascending doesn't take itself too seriously.

The actor's performances are passable, but nothing special. Channing Tatum can do no wrong these days. Mila Kunis is, well Mila Kunis. Eddie Redmayne is delightfully unhinged. I haven't seen anything before with Douglas Booth, but he was a welcome addition to the cast. The same can be said for Tuppence Middleton. That is one heck of a name, Tuppence. Huge spoiler alert. Sean Bean is in this movie. He doesn't die.

Is this a "good movie?" What does that even mean? If you go in with an open mind and low expectations you will enjoy this movie. Enjoy the visuals if nothing else. I give it 7/10. 6/10 if I am feeling overly critical.