The Intern

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

    

Frederick William Springer III

 

The Intern

Release Date:  25 September 2015                                                 Runtime:  121 Minutes              

Review Date:  26 November 2015                                                  Rating:  4 (of 6)

 

 

      Titled The Intern, the movie is almost equally about his boss.  While the story was alright and it had a good cast (Robert DeNiro, Anne Hathaway and Rene Russo), if you're looking for a comedy about older interns I'd go with The Internship which came out 15 months earlier.



The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Release Date:  14 August 2015                                                             Runtime:  116 Minutes              
Review Date:  1 November 2015                                                           Rating:  3 (of 6)

      Artistically, I loved the color scheme of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. poster.  Unfortunately, you shouldn't use such aesthetics as the basis of choosing films to view.

     On the whole, the movie was just stale.  Here Superman seems like he's doing his best to do a Cary Elwes impersonation which makes no sense because he's playing an American and sounded like one while portraying Clark Kent in Man of Steel.

     This picture is based on the 1964-68 television series of the same name.  Long before my time and not something I ever caught in reruns, I can't say how faithful it was to its predecessor but I can say I didn't have any nostalgia affecting my opinion.  This movie follows the original 2 main characters in a prequel showcasing how it is they became partnered up, apparently something that wasn't really addressed in the TV show.  Holding no enchantment for me, it didn't awaken any interest in the TV series or desire to see any sequels it may spawn.

Ant-Man

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Ant-Man

Release Date:  17 July 2015                                                                  Runtime:  117 Minutes              

Review Date:  1 November 2015                                                           Rating:  4 (of 6)

 

     Ant-Man isn't the best, nor the worst, in the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe stable.  The story, acting and effects are all decent and there are a few fun moments tossed in.  No need for me to drone on any further.

Sinister II

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

Sinister II

Release Date:   21 August 2015                                                                 Runtime:  97 Minutes     

Review Date:  6 October 2015                                                                     Rating:  2.5 (of 6)

     Lame.

     This time around, we witness firsthand how the type of snuff film home movies discovered in the last installment were created.

     While that description has promise, the creepiness the original contained is lost here, any "scares" manufactured by blasts of sound not even made by objects in the environment but in the score--the cheapest, most empty gimmick a horror film can employ.

 

Jurassic World

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

Jurassic World in 3D

Release Date:  12 June 2015                                                            Runtime:  124 Minutes              
Review Date:  25 August 2015                                                         Rating:  5 (of 6)

     Jurassic World was the invigorating shot in the arm that the franchise needed and it didn't surprise me at all to see it was provided by the same writing team that successfully launched the reboot of the Planet of the Apes series.

     Technology coming a long way in 22 years, the original really being one of the first to use it, the CGI looks less like CGI and makes the story more seamless.

     For die-hard fans of Jurassic Park (and its sequels), there are enough Easter eggs and throwbacks peppered throughout for reminiscent nods, much as Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver did with Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  The cool thing about this duo, besides being talented, is that they're fans too and it shows.

Mad Max: Fury Road

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

Mad Max: Fury Road in 3D

Release Date:  15 May 2015                                                          Runtime:  120 Minutes              
Review Date:  6 August 2015                                                         Rating:  4 (of 6)

     The cinematography is great.  The story is alright.  If you're an action junkie, the practically non-stop pacing of Mad Max: Fury Road will scratch your itch.

     I must say the band was ridiculous.  And awesome.  Everyone should have one on their travels.

Tomorrowland

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

 Tomorrowland

Release Date:  22 May 2015                                                                Runtime:  130 Minutes              
Review Date:  14 July 2015                                                                  Rating:  3 (of 6)

     Lackluster is a good description of Tomorrowland.  The whole first hour until the main characters finally begin to interact with one another onscreen is dull, only becoming a little more interesting once they do.  If this serves as any kind of indicator, I think writer/director Brad Bird ought to stick to computer animation with fare such as The Incredibles.

     I do appreciate the minor social message, that people have within their power the ability to make positive changes rather than seeing the negative as inevitable and doing nothing at all.  However, I do think that's over simplifying the issue as most people more likely have ostrich syndrome, not even realizing a problem exists or ignoring it if they do, sticking their head in the sand.  Or they see negative repercussions or positive restructuring as something that takes too much time with the payoff being too far down the road for them to care beyond themselves in the moment NOW.