REVIEW: The Longest Ride

THE LONGEST RIDE

RELEASED: Out Now

RATED: PG-13

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Based on the bestselling novel by master storyteller Nicholas Sparks, THE LONGEST RIDE centers on the star-crossed love affair between Luke, a former champion bull rider looking to make a comeback, and Sophia, a college student who is about to embark upon her dream job in New York City's art world. As conflicting paths and ideals test their relationship, Sophia and Luke make an unexpected and fateful connection with Ira, whose memories of his own decades-long romance with his beloved wife deeply inspire the young couple. Spanning generations and two intertwining love stories, THE LONGEST RIDE explores the challenges and infinite rewards of enduring love.

 

THE PRO'S: A beautiful love story from both decades it's set in. Excellent acting. An engaging, and interesting story. Probably the strongest Sparks story I've seen yet. 

THE CON'S: Some minor cliches that it could have done without.

THE REVIEW: 

I have to be honest, I have never read one of Sparks books. But I have found all three movies I've seen by him (The Lucky One, Safe Haven, and this) enjoyable. So I am not entirely surprised to say that I really find The Longest Ride to be a great, if not somewhat-sad story.

The film tells two different stories. That of professional bull rider, Luke, who is in the midst of a comeback, and Sophia, a college student preparing to go to New York as they find love in each other. And that of Ira, a Jewish man before and after WWII who meets and falls in love with Ruth, the new girl in town, and an art lover. Both stories intersect when Sophia and Luke save an aging Ira from a car crash, and a bond between Sophia and Ira forms.

What I find most interesting about this movie is how seamlessly it intertwines the stories. Neither of them is rushed, rather, it takes its time to tell each one to its fullest. I personally found the story of Ira and Ruth the most engaging, as it was very interesting and the twists were great. But that is not to downplay Sophia and Luke's story, which, while not as touching, was very engaging and kept my interest constantly.

This is very much helped by the cast of the movie. Both Brittany Robertson and Scott Eastwood are extremely promising young actors that sold me on the story from the get-go. I never once felt with either of them that I was watching film characters, they really pulled me in. The same goes for Alan Alda, who plays older Ira, and his younger self, played by Jack Huston. And the love of his life, Ruth, who is played by Oona Chaplin. All four carry the movie so perfectly and sell their loves so well that you can't help but be invested. 

To that end, I feel like the characters were another strong point of the film. Not just because of the actors, but because of how human they all feel. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, and not once does the movie desert those to further it's story. It does a fantastic job of keeping the characters human, something I think each of his movies has actually managed to do very well.

The only complaint I have with the film is a few of the cliches it held. I can't say them without spoilers, but I will say for those who've seen it that I in no way mean the (AWESOME) ending. But sprinkled throughout were some cliches that I overall thought the movie could have done without. So therefore, this is my (albeit minor) complaint.

So...

 

IN CONCLUSION:
 

It's not the deepest love story out there, or most original. But The Longest Ride is an engaging, heartwarming, and well-written love story that managed to warm my heart. I definitely recommend it to everyone, Sparks fan or not.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

 

 

HULU REVIEW: The Forger

THE FORGER

RELEASED: OUT NOW (On Hulu)

RATED: PG-13

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) Joshua, a teenager with a drugged-out mother on the run, wanders into the affluent community of Carmel, California. After getting himself into trouble, the authorities try to track down his mother. But in the meantime, a successful artist/businessman offers to take in Joshua and let him have a chance at a good life. His motives are questionable considering his line of business and how he plans to use Joshua's artistic talents, but Joshua has met a girl and he's not sure if the money is worth selling off his morals.

THE PRO'S: Extremely well written and acted. Some extremely well done messages placed throughout. Interesting and engaging storyline.

THE CON'S: None really.

THE REVIEW:

The Forger was another one that has been on my radar for quite some time. Not only because of it's awesome cast (Josh Hutcherson, Hayden Panatierre, AND Alfred Molaina, just wow!) but because the premise was so interesting. And thankfully, the three-year wait to watch this was well worth it.

The movie tells the story of Josh, a runaway who has been abandoned by his mother, a drug addict. Stopping into a small down, he breaks into the home of an art forger, and finishes a forged painting. Amazed at his talent, the man takes Josh under his wing, and leads him into his "world". A world which Josh comes to learn is even more dangerous than the one he left behind.

It's a fairly simple premise, but it plays out wonderfully. The story is told in a far-from-generic way, and each character seems to take on a life of their own. It's not always the most original story, but it does do a good job of keeping it engaging, and fascinating. The best part of the story being how seriously it seems to take the story it's telling.

As I said before, the acting here is also stellar. Josh Hutcherson, as usual, delivers an excellent performance for a young actor, as does Hayden Panettiere, who just continues to wow. While film veterans Alfred Molaina and the late Lauren Bacall also lead the charge from the adult side of things, and do it wonderfully. Though his role is small, a young Scott Eastwood also plays a role here and is memorable as Panettiere's brother.

What's more, it's actually a beautiful movie to look at. The scenery of the coastal town tends to be breathtaking, and all of the art in the movie is elegant as well. While only the latter is the focal point of the story, the former does provide good scenery eye candy and add something in and of itself. So I'd definitely count that among the pluses.

But what I love most about this movie is it's message. Both about love and honesty. Both are handled in a wonderfully realistic way, and treated with great care. Which is another thing this movie gets very right: the realism. I felt like any one of these characters are people I could walk up to on the street. With major props to the writer for the sheer realism both in their actions and their dialogue. 

So...

IN CONCLUSION:
 

The Forger is a wonderfully shot, written, and acted movie. It's definitely worth a look if you're looking for a fun, engaging drama and hopefully you'll enjoy it just as much. The performances, and story alone are worth it.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATIONS

ON-DEMAND REVIEW: The Harvest

THE HARVEST

RELEASED: OUT NOW (On-Demand)

RATED: N/A (I'd put it at R though)

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) A couple who keeps their sick son in a secluded environment find their controlled lives challenged by a young girl who moves in next door. 

 

THE PRO'S: Engaging and disturbing mystery. Keeps you on your toes. Mostly good acting.  A terrifying villain. Good character development.

THE CON'S: By contrast, the movie at times has laughable acting. Disturbing content makes this not for the faint of heart.

THE REVIEW:

I've had my eyes on "The Harvest" for a while now, due to it's intriguing and mysterious premise. I will say I was not disappointed, but this unsettling movie is one of the hardest I've sat through. If not one of the best on-demand thrillers out there.

The film tells the story of Maryann who moves in with her grandparents after the sudden death of her family. There, she makes friends with Andy, a neighbor who is very sick, and in the care of his overbearing and shady mother Katherine. And somewhat mild-mannered, skittish father, Michael. But as Katherine's behavior becomes more unstable and disturbing, Maryann begins to wonder if there's more to Andy and his family than meets the eye. 

The movie, as one can imagine, is a very intense thriller. With some great suspense, and a fantastic build-up. To say the least, with every passing moment, you're left wondering what the dark secret this family is hiding may be. And though it's  not clear until the very end, it's an extremely well-done, and executed pay-off. If not a bit disturbing.

One of the things that both does and doesn't work well is the acting. Both child actors: Natasha Callis and Charlie Tahan are on-point and fantastic, as is the mother, who is played by Samantha Morton. Each brings a lot of life, and realism to their performance. And the Grandfather, who is played by the great Peter Fonda. In fact in Morton's case, she truly made me terrified of her. But there is a lot of weaker acting on the part of the Grandmother and Father. Who both play large roles in the movie, but  whose acting ranges from dull to rather over the top from scene-to-scene and somewhat takes away from the better acting of the other actors. 

But that's okay, because overall, it doesn't take The Harvest down at all. The story presented in this movie is not only compelling, but scary as well. I genuinely was gripping the edge of my seat every once in a while. And more than once found myself begging for answers. The more twisted the movie becomes, the better it becomes. And in general, it's an attention-grabber.

That said, this is NOT a film for everyone. The Harvest goes down some very dark roads, and if you're not a fan of overly dark movies, it's best to stay away. A lot of the content involves kids (though it's never anything graphic), and though it's handled well, anyone unnerved by them in danger should definitely stay away. 

 

But if you can get through it, The Harvest is an excellent suburban thriller. And overall, well worth the watch.

So...

 

IN CONCLUSION:

The Harvest is an exceptionally well-made, dark thriller. Though it may not be for everyone, and some of the acting is sub-par, it still is a satisfyingly interesting movie. And one I'd highly recommend to those who can handle it.

 

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

ON-DEMAND REVIEW: Annie (2014)

ANNIE (2014)

RELEASED: December 19th, 2014 (Theaters), OUT NOW (DVD & ON DEMAND)

RATED: PG

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (via IMDB) Academy Award® nominee Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) stars as Annie, a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) - advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) - makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around. 

THE PRO'S: Very, very faithful to the spirit of the original movie while doing its own thing. Well acted, cast, and sung. A surprisingly fun performance by Cameron Diaz who also shocks with a great singing voice. Very, very fun overall.

THE CON'S:  Could have done with a less-rushed ending.

THE REVIEW:

Annie has come with a lot of controversy, from the change of her race (handled in a very funny way at the beginning of the film), to the change of musical style. But I am here to say my gut instinct was right from the get-go: Annie is JUST as fun as the original, and lived up to every expectation I had.

The story of Annie has gone through some changes from the original. Annie Bennet is an abandoned child in the foster care system, in the care of bitter Miss Hannigan (portrayed as far less evil here). When prospective mayor of New York City, and Daddy Warbucks stand-in Will Stacks inadvertently saves her from being hit by a car, she creates a media sensation. Stacks, seeing an opportunity, takes Annie into his home for publicity, but what neither suspect is that a warm bond that begins to form between them both, as well as Stacks's vice president, Grace. 

Let's start with the obvious: how well did they modernize this movie and musical classic? In my opinion, they did a GREAT job! It definitely keeps the same spirit of the original, and tells the same story in a new way. Some story beats are the same, while others are changed, moved around, or omitted. But overall, everything that needs to be there, is there.

The most impressive is that they don't handle the foster home exactly like the orphanage. Sure, Hannigan is still overbearing and bitter. But they also acknowledge the state of foster care is very different than that of a depression-era orphanage. And those who worried they wouldn't can rest easy, because it is handled very well with this being put in mind.

The acting here is really great. The young actress who plays Annie,  Quvenzhané Wallis, is a little bundle of energy. By the looks of it, considering how well she did with this, and from what I've heard, Beasts of the Southern Wild, she has a long and lucrative career ahead of her. And wow! Whta a voice too! She has the potential to be a powerhouse when she's older. For that matter, big shout outs go to Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, and Cameron Diaz, who all do exceptionally well. With Diaz surprising me with her excellent vocal talent from what little she gets to sing. 

Everyone's favorite tunes such as "Hard Knock Life", "I Think I'm Gonna Like it Here", and "Tomorrow" are all there. And, to my surprise, wonderfully modernized without ruining the originals in any way. The composer and songwriter both knocked it out of the park, doing a fantastic job of delivering a great blend of old and new styles. 

The only complaint I have with Annie is how quickly the ending is rushed into. Without spoiling it if you've never seen the original, a bit of history between characters is cut. And thus it comes off as sort of rushed, and is resolved very quickly. That said, the way it is resolved is clever, and thus, I could let it pass without it hurting the film too much.

So....

IN CONCLUSION:

Annie is a heart-warming, family-friendly, and enjoyable little film that is worth a look for fans new and old. It remains an inspirational and fantastic story, even though the times have changed. See this one with the kids too, as this has a great message every kids should hear.

4 OUT OF 5 STARS
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

REVIEW: Unfriended

UNFRIENDED

RELEASE: OUT NOW

RATED: R

RATING: ****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) While video chatting one night, six high school friends receive a Skype message from a classmate who killed herself exactly one year ago. At first they think it's a prank, but when the girl starts revealing the friends' darkest secrets, they realize they are dealing with something out of this world, something that wants them dead. Told entirely from a young girl's computer desktop, CYBERNATURAL redefines 'found footage' for a new generation of teens.

 

THE PRO'S: Chilling, well acted and written, VERY original, great use of suspense, great twists along the way.

 

THE CON'S: Underused character brings down the production for a short portion of the movie. The type of movie that is likely not to age well.

THE REVIEW:

Now this is a movie that surprised me a great deal. When I first heard of Unfriended, I honestly laughed at the premise and first trailer. It seemed so ridiculous to set an entire movie on a computer monitor, let alone a horror movie. Then the second trailer came out, and suddenly it was getting tons of reviews praising it, and my interest was piqued and I got excited.

It turned out, I had good reason to be.

Unfriended tells the story of Blaire, Mitch, Val, Adam, Ken, and Jess who on the one-year anniversary of a friend's suicide are in a video chat. While Blaire looks back on the online video, and cyber-bullying that lead to said-friend, Laura's suicide, an unknown user enters their video chat. Someone using Laura's account, someone who is determined to find out who put the video up, by any means necessary.

The original premise, and story are really the two best assets the movie ended up having. The movie is an unpredictable, chilling, roller coaster ride into the horrors of cyber bullying. And it's not one that lets you ever take a breath or feel safe either. Even though I had a small portion of the ending spoiled, everything that lead up to it, and took place was absolutely shocking. With every passing moment creating more tension not only for the characters, but for the audience as well.

The fact that the movie had great acting in it did help as well. Driven by a very well-written script that feels authentic, with very realistic dialogue and pacing, the actors do their job well. One of the actors, even though they were the weak link, and their character seemed so useless, was even able ot hold their own which said something. It's hard to really point out any "best" actor in this movie, but Shelly Hennig and Moses Jacob Storm, who play Blaire and Mitch both pull off excellent performances and are probably the main stand-outs of the movie.

Another fantastic thing about this movie is how generally unnerving the film is. Throughout the film, the villain is mostly unseen, creating a feeling of dread as to who goes next. As their numbers dwindle down, the atmosphere builds and builds and creates some of the best atmosphere in a found footage film in years. 

But what really stands out to me? Is the fact the story is told so perfectly. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, even knowing some spoilers, it would drag me in the opposite direction. It did a great job of presenting and pulling some fantastic twists and keeping you on your toes and guessing until the final credits at last rolled. Even so I suggest not reading anything going into this like I unfortunately did, even though it was still full of surprises there'll be even more insane moments if you don't.

That said, the main sad thing about this movie is that it isn't likely to age well. This is a very "modern" movie, and while it works well in the social media age there's no telling if this will be a thing in the future. Which is too bad because it's such a fantastic and well-crafted story. But even so, that's okay, it's here for now, and it's good enough that it doesn't really matter.

So....

IN CONCLUSION:

"Unfriended" is an exhilarating, and chilling roller-coaster ride. And while it probably won't stand the test of time, it is definitely worth checking out and watching now. If you only see one found footage piece this year, make sure this is the one you see! We need more horror films like this, It Follows, and The Babadook!

4 OUT OF 5 STARS

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

REVIEW: It Follows

IT FOLLOWS
RELEASED: OUT NOW

RATED: R

RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) For nineteen-year-old Jay, Autumn should be about school, boys and week-ends out at the lake. But after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, she finds herself plagued by strange visions and the inescapable sense that someone, something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her friends must find a way to escape the horrors that seem to be only a few steps behind. 

THE PRO'S: Absolutely terrifying. Great story, acting, writing, and suspense. Old-school, classic horror storytelling in a modern setting. AMAZING soundtrack.

THE CON'S: None really.

THE REVIEW:

It Follows is the kind of movie that will leave you looking over your shoulder as you walk out of the theater, and stay with you long after the end credits roll. There's a reason why this movie is getting so much hype, and that's simply because it is the most unique and well-done horror movie in at least a decade.

The story of It Follows follows Jay, who after having sex with a date, is given a dire, and disturbing warning. Through the intercourse, he has passed onto her an entity that only she and others like her can see. An entity that will follow her, and stop at nothing until she's either dead, or has passed the curse onto someone else. Pulling Jay, and her friends, into an unexpected fight for survival. 

To keep this review simple, this movie is a modern horror masterpiece in every way. I would like to praise the cast especially though, there was no weak link in the bunch to be found. None of them are big names, but if this movie is anything to come by, they all, especially Maika Monroe, who plays our heroine, Jay, have very bright futures ahead of them. It's very rare you see acting of this caliber in a horror movie, but this is one of the few times it truly is excellent in recent years.

But that's not the only thing that makes It Follows a great horror movie. The score and suspense are both amazing, with the former harkening back to the glory days of such horror movies as Halloween and Jaws. I don't think I've ever dreaded hearing a soundtrack in a horror movie this much since the first time I heard either of those themes. 

To add onto this, the movie is just flat-out terrifying. Every time that "It" shows up, I found myself gripping the seat extremely tight. And furthermore, just walking out of the theater, I genuinely looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me. This is the type of movie, like I said, that will keep you on edge long after the credits roll. And in my opinion will do for teenage sex what Scream did for caller ID if it gets any more popular. 

And for those who really don't like gore or constant nudity/sex, you're definitely in for a treat here. I was impressed that the movie gets by with very little gore and sex at all. The sex is only used when it furthers the plot, and despite one or two gory scenes at the beginning and endings of the film, it's relatively blood-free. The whole thing is handled very old school, and relies more on its scares then on constantly shocking the audience by how much gore and cleavage it can show in one movie.

 

So with all of this said....

IN CONCLUSION:

 

It Follows is the best horror movie of this past decade. Very original, terrifying, and suspenseful, this is a must-see for ANY horror fan. With a haunting soundtrack, excellent acting, and a great suspenseful story, this is going to make waves in the horror industry. And I desperately hope we will see more movies like it in the future.

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECCOMENDATIONS

REVIEW: Cinderella (2015)

CINDERELLA (2015)
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW

RATED: PG
RATING: *****/*****

PREMISE: (Via IMDB) When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger.

THE PRO'S: Pure, Disney magic at its finest. Amazing writing, casting, directing, acting, and visual effects. A near-perfect movie.

THE CON'S: Hard to find any. So I'll just say I wanted more of the Fairy Godmother.

THE REVIEW:

I will be the first to admit that when I first heard about this movie, I had NO desire to see it. On paper, the ideas they had didn't seem to be good, and the initial promotional campaigns for the film were, by all accounts weak. So it is to my great delight, and pleasure to tell you this ended up being my favorite Disney film in years (surpassing even my love of Frozen).

Though I'm sure most people will know, Cinderella tells the story of a fair young maiden known as Ella, who works as a servant for her rich, spoiled stepmother and her two step-sisters.  Fortune soon turns around after an unknowing encounter with one "Kit", who she is unaware is "Prince Charming" and an invitation to a gallant ball being thrown in the prince's honor. Could this finally be the ticket out of her horrific life? It all comes down to a little bit of magic, and a single, glass slipper.

I think what makes Cinderella excel beyond other recent Disney movies is  that it gets what makes Disney magic, well, magic. It doesn't rely on gimics or an extremely popular, catchy tune. What it relies on is a lot of heart, a wonderful cast, and a heartwarming message that still connects with people today. There are a lot of new story beats here that add to this fact, without giving much away, and work to even enhance the story and keep it on-level with Walt Disney's classic.

And when I say "the wonderful cast" I mean it. It's really hard to point out just one amazing performance here. Lily James is PERFECTION as Cinderella, they could never have cast someone more suited for her, she's fabulous. With the same going to Richard Marsden (who plays The Prince), Cate Blanchett (The Wicked Stepmother), Helena Bonham Carter (The Fairy Godmother), as well as Holiday Granger and Sophie Mcshera as Drizella and Anastasia respectively. They could not have had their roles down pat any more if the characters themselves had been plucked off the screen to act in the remake. There are a lot of new characters as well, all of whom absolutely stand-out and are well crafted, as well as acted brilliantly. My favorite, by far, being Captain! (In fact, my only complaint is that I wanted more time with the fun Fairy Godmother character)

Of course, I'll leave a shout-out here to the cutest characters in the movie: THE MICE! Jauq and Gus-Gus have as much a presence here (this time as "real" mice) as they did in the original. And they are adorable to watch. So much character is brought to her little mice friends, that you just can't help but love them. And good thing too, I know I loved Gus-Gus as much as I did as a child. 

The effects, scenery, and costuming in this movie are another high point of the film. From the transformation for the ball, to the world around Cinderella it's BEAUTIFUL to look at. I especially love how they did the palace ball sequences, which are just mesmerizing. I felt like I was taken to a whole other world while watching this movie, as it should be.

The story is well-handled as well. It doesn't exactly bring anything new to the table, but does expand the story we know and love from the Disney classic quite well. Every addition is done with great care as to not detract from the story or message, and overall all the classic scenes are there in some shape or form. As a result, I feel it will please both old fans of the original, and newer little fans who are just discovering this timeless story.

I can go on and on, but instead I'll just say.

IN CONCLUSION: 

If you love the original? See it. If you love  fairy tales? See it. If you still believe in Disney magic? DEFINITELY see it. Cinderella is a modern day masterpiece, no question about it. Definitely proof Disney has not forgotten its roots, and hopefully will continue to honor Walt in much the same way in their other upcoming remakes. (Beauty and the Beast is set for 2016!)

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

MY HIGHEST RECCOMENDATIONS