Flight

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Flight

Release Date:  4 November 2012                                                         Runtime:  138 Minutes              

Review Date:  22 January 2013                                                             Rating:  5 (of 6)

     Most things Denzel Washington touches turn out good and Flight is no exception.  The story was solid, as were the performances.  The trailer I had seen beforehand was a little misleading in that I thought it was to be a movie wherein the authorities are trying to make Washington’s character Whip Whitaker a scapegoat for the accident, suggesting the crash was due to his drinking, in my mind it seeming like this wasn’t the case at all and that he had to prove them wrong.  But in the movie you know right away that Whip is a user and an abuser.

     And, an old pervert like me has to say it had the best opening ever!  More movies should follow suit.  For anyone that ever wanted to see a little more of Catalina (Nadine Velazquez) on My Name Is Earl, you get quite the eyeful here.  Enjoy!

Hotel Transylvania

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

by Frederick William Springer III

 

Hotel Transylvania

Release Date:  28 September 2012                                                      Runtime:  91 Minutes              

Review Date:  6 January 2013                                                              Rating:  2.5 (of 6)

 

     Hotel Transylvania?  More like “Hotel Transyl-Big-Pile-Of-Shit.”  Traditionally, movies have a hook in the first couple of minutes to “hook” you into wanting to sit through the rest of the film.  Had I been watching at home rather than the theater, I would have shut it off in that time.  Right from the start, they begin with cheesy jokes that aren’t funny whatsoever, unless maybe if you’re a 2-year-old (though I shouldn’t insult a 2-year-old’s intelligence), particularly starting with a lame reworking of a nursery rhyme.

     Pulling you right out of the story from the get-go, Dracula sounds like Adam Sandler with a Transylvanian accent.  I didn’t know what misguided casting that was--why would anyone want to sound like Adam Sandler doing a Transylvanian accent?  But then, low and behold, when the credits roll we see it actually was Adam Sandler (who also Executive Produced).  Adam Sandler as Dracula does not work on any level other than horrific, which is something you would normally aim for in a Halloween movie, but not in this manner.

     Furthermore, the plot to the movie is all screwed up.  The hotel is supposed to be a sanctuary for monsters, where they can escape their normal lives, particularly the main characters coming for Dracula’s daughter Mavis’s annual birthday party.  The monsters don’t live at the hotel, they’re visiting, yet somehow they are all oblivious as to how modern humans act in present day.  Are they literally living under some rock when not at the hotel?  Their cluelessness would be understandable if they all lived at the hotel year round, but that isn’t the case.

     The number of times I laughed during this movie: 0.  The amount I cracked a smile: 1.  The only thing I did find amusing was that the end credits have a traditional 2D animated sequence.  But that’s just me, a personal thing, I happen to like when movies have animated credit sequences.

     I would not recommend this movie to anyone—not to horror fans, not to comedy fans and not to kids.  As I said, maybe it’ll get a few laughs from kids but, as Pixar has repeatedly demonstrated, it is possible to make computer animated films that are enjoyable to children and adults alike.  Save your time and money on this one.  And do yourself a favor—tear out your eyeballs before ever contemplating seeing the sequel currently slated for 2015.

Seven Psychopaths

TAKE 1: One Man’s Opinion

…because film is largely subjective

 

by Frederick William Springer III

Seven Psychopaths

Release Date:  12 October 2012                                                           Runtime:  110 Minutes              

Review Date:  1 January 2013                                                               Rating:  4.5 (of 6)

     A dark comedy which I don’t see going mainstream, Seven Psychopaths was an enjoyable viewing experience.  Sam Rockwell’s character is amusing to watch and so is the quirkiness of Christopher Walken’s Hans.  Throw in Colin Farrell and Woody Harrelson for equal measure and you’ve got a fun film for those with a dark sense of humor. 

I do believe that casting had a lot to do with the magic of this flick as, in the wrong hands, the material could have fallen flat.  On that note, I also have to acknowledge the material itself, which was brilliantly crafted, written and directed by Martin McDonagh.  I definitely will be looking forward to his next project and will be looking back at his past.