One Minute Movie Review: Total Recall (2012)

Very few remakes, or reboots as they are referred to now, are able to match or improve upon their originals. There is that rare instance when it does occur and Len Wiseman, director of the only two Underworlds that matter is one of the few directors that are able to accomplish that feat. The 1990 Schwarzenegger vehicle was groundbreaking in its story, action, and special effects taking great liberty with a short story by Philip K. Dick. That version focused on a quest to free Mars while the current manifestation focuses on a more terrestrial storyline. Again, I refuse to divulge any spoilers but will instead focus on key elements of the film beginning with the acting. Farrell, Beckinsale, and Biel all deliver top notch performances and their characters are believable and compelling. Farrell's take on the amnesiac Quaid, I have to say, is a far more honest and engaging character than Arnold's. But it is Beckinsale's villainess that unequivocally steals the show. The action is fast-paced and exciting, and the special-effects are outstanding, far more sophisticated than 90s technology could have produced. The most impressive element is Wiseman’s ability to take a predictable plot, thanks to the original, and provide a unique and creative spin making it less quirky and more authentic. Being a tremendous fan of the Terminator, it pains me to say that this 2012 vision overall is just a far better production. 3 out of 5 Kernels: I believe one of the finest authors of science fiction would have been pleased to see this adaptation of his work on the silver screen.

One Minute Movie Review: The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The relatively unknown Peter Hedges creates a film that doesn't just attempt to pull at the heartstrings but goes for the emotional jugular.   With that said, it is quite difficult to critique this movie without invoking any spoilers, so, I will tread carefully.  First let me say, Jennifer Gardner provides one of the best performances of her career emanating an authenticity in her role that is both engaging and heartfelt. CJ Adams is a perfect cast for his part and brings Timothy Green to abundant life.  Although the film has a few plot loopholes and is a bit sappy and fantastical, overall it is a well written remarkably unique story that instantly connects with the audience and continues to hold it until the very end.  The humor is subtle, honest, and effective, and the drama hits its mark every time.   In some instances,  it is very predictable;  however, the story so well-crafted that fact is forgivable.   Again, in order not to disclose anything that would ruin the experience I have to conclude with stating just this; that the moral is exceedingly clear.   One, that  our children are an absolute gift, and although they may try every bit of our patience or make us painfully realize how ill-equipped we are as parents they are undeniable proof that miracles still occur moment by moment.  Secondly, that one doesn't need to focus on what mistakes his or her parents made by trying overtly to avoid or correct them but instead  to successfully parent is to love unconditionally and to be the best parent we can be solely based on whom we are.  Very few films have drawn tears, this one is the rare case. 4 out of 5 of five kernels:  the rare instance, where the consistently commercial mouse spins out a truly endearing tale.

One Minute Movie Review: Hope Springs

This is a difficult film to dissect.   Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep provide such authentic performances as a troubled couple trying to make sense of 31 years of marriage that the film moves from entertainment to a sense of voyeurism.   Every scene, whether involving their own interaction or counseling sessions, are so true to form that you almost feel guilty peering into the private lives of two people desperately trying to rescue their relationship.   With that said, the film moves at the pace of a documentary,  more than fantasy,  in order to effectively  weave its tale. The scenes are so realistic that the audience makes an immediate connection with both story and players which are both thoroughly engaging and, at times, definitively uncomfortable.  Corel’s performance as the marriage counselor is one of his best, moving him from his relentlessly overbearing reluctant comedic hero stature to a more subdued and sophisticated portrayal that is both believable and sympathetic.   For the younger set,  the film has a strong moral about keeping a marriage fresh, however, the older crowd might find the topics a little too edgy especially if they fall under the prudish category.   Not a movie that you would watch over and over again but certainly worth the time spent.   3 to 5 kernels: the real lesson;   Hope springs, not from any artificial means,  or by accident, but by the deliberate choices of the heart.

One Minute Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Tolkien was a true literary genius, methodically and majestically crafting his creation of middle earth and its inhabitants, perfectly combining fantasy and allegory shaped by his own deeply personal experiences of tragedy and heroism. No one could have better captured that stunning vision than Jackson, who answers his extraordinary interpretation of The Lord of The Rings Trilogy with a prequel of the same scope, sweep, and quality. Not only is Jackson able to bring this classic tale to life, but he found away to extend it into another Trilogy, a feat, I must admit I was first highly skeptical about. That skepticism, was quickly eliminated. As in the first three, the audience is immersed in Tolkein's world; surrounded by breath taking scenery and landscapes, entranced by his myriad of characters, and wholly engrossed by yet another story of the truest definitions of heroics and adventure. This is homage in its perfect form. Ian McKellen reprises the endearing role of Gandalf, a character you can tell he utterly enjoys.  Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo Baggins. Richard Armitage plays the beleaguered dwarf prince with unbelievable energy and passion.  In fact, the entire dwarf cast works fluidly together with so much authenticity and comradery you forget your watching a movie. Look for the return of many favorite characters and a exceedingly cool, seamlessly interwoven sub plot foreshadowing Sauron's return to power. I am truly looking forward to the evolution of this retelling. The battle sequences are cinematic magic, and the quick and sharp instances of wit hit their mark with more potency and accuracy than Legolas' bow (who will also make a future appearance). Jackson takes many liberties with the story and expounds upon it with consummate flair, but it only adds to the wonder rather than under or over whelm it. A rare prequel that equals, even surpasses in some instances, the originals. 5 out of 5 Kernels: a fitting tribute to a man who put his heart and soul into his novels and became an inspiration for generations past, present, and future.

One Minute Movie Review: MIB3 (Men In Black 3)

Rarely is a third installment in a series able to capture the quality or potency of its predecessors and this film is no exception. The first law of the cinematic physical universe any sequel must obey is continuity of story. This conclusion to the franchise altogether violates that, and the plot itself has more holes in it than a Charlie Sheen alibi. Add in the lack of humor, charisma, and uniqueness that the first film was riddled with and the subsequent attempted, and this misstep goes down in the record books as just another Hollywood money grab. The key to these films was the chemistry between Jones and Smith, so what does the brainiacs who developed this story do, remove that element and throw in Brolin, who has all the charm and charisma of a bowl of cold oatmeal. Smith is overtly emotional, appearing as if he is going to burst into tears with every sentimental moment fail and Brolin tries so hard to imitate Jone's character that it comes off as just that, a bad karaoke like copy. Missing is all the quirky characters of the past as Sonnenfeld tries to create a darker, more elaborate production that just doesn't work with the spirit and style of what he originally created. The first was quirky and cool, the following a haphazard attempt to rekindle the comradery and witty banter of the first, and the closure is just not funny, unrelatable, and downright shoddy science fiction. Smith and Jones should both know better.  I bet they both wished they could see into the future to have avoided this disappointment. 0 out of 5 Kernels: a time travel tale that runs over time with a storyline that runs out of time all at the same time.

One Minute Movie Review: Abraham Lincoln:Vampire Hunter

The director of Wanted, Timur Bekmambetov, brings this novel to the silver screen in one of the most peculiar efforts in mixing historical fact with outlandish fiction that I have ever witnessed. Slow to start, clunky in the middle, but provides a fairly impressive pay out at the end, this odd tale of the greatest president who ever lived beginning his young life as a slayer of the undead is both difficult to comprehend and yet somewhat engaging. The special effects are so specialized, and over the top they look more like a high tech video game more than an enhancement to the film with considerable over use of the Slo Mo cam. The overall acting and interaction between characters feels two dimensional and at some points, stale. Even the rivalry between honest Abe and the lead vamp Adam never truly makes a connection with the audience. The love story between Lincoln and Mary Todd fares even worse. Benjamin Walker, looks and sounds like Lincoln, but that authenticity is over whelmed by under whelming performances by him and his fellow cast mates. Visually stunning, to say the least, but that can't carry a film, especially one with such story weight. The plot is intricately woven, but you need talent to bring that story to life, make it seem real, and, unfortunately, that never happens. The conclusion is impressive but predictable, an indication of where most of the movie's budget went.  Ultra violent and bloody, sometimes to ridiculous levels.  Most troubling is the way this feature characterizes the fight against the atrocity of slavery in such a comic book style.  1 out of 5 Kernels: a film that is difficult to digest, overtly laden with effects, and the only genuinely scary aspect of the undead in this feature, was their acting.

One Minute Movie Review: Dark Shadows (2012)

This tongue and cheek take on the inventive, eccentric, and over the top 70's TV serial attempts to do too much with far too little time. Borrowing much from the original, Burton still crafts it with his own sense of Avant-garde style and range.  The down side, the film never actually defines itself, always falling between a slick and stylish reboot and joke of  itself. His attempt to squeeze years of storyline from the vamp classic into a 113 minute silver screen adaptation ends up diluting key elements of the melodrama, transforming into a campy and sometimes silly and  choppy retelling. The upside, Depp's performance is outstanding; as his adaptation of the brooding Barnabas Collins again defines why he is the best character of modern time. He owns every persona, good and lousy and creates, in this movie, one definitive  hip and romantic, Nosferatu style blood sucker. However, the rest of the cast earns a B- at best.  Even Mortez, who has an impressive resume of stellar performances, is lackluster. The dialogue and chemistry between players is not inimical or impressive either.  The love story has no authenticity or emotion. Burton's recapturing of the 70's is, for what it is worth.  The comedy is a bit stale for the most part with only a few laugh out loud moments. Don't expect any horror or suspense unless you find the Haunted Mansion at Disneyworld terrifying. In the end, what you do get is Burton doing what Burton does best, making films that are undoubtedly his own, exuberant costuming, impressive set work, and fantastic glimpses into his own demented view of reality. 2 out of 5 Kernels: I am thoroughly convinced that the Twilight Saga has continually besmirched the good name of the nocturnal legend, this is yet one more example of that after effect.