Tag: Jon Favreau

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013)

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Directed by: Martin Scorsese 
Written By: Terence Winter 
Based on the Book “The Wolf Of Wall Street” By: Jordan Belfort 
Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robie, Matthew McConaughey, Jon Bernthal, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Favreau, Shea Whigham, Jean Dujardin, Joanna Lumley, Cristin Milioti, Aya Cash, Christine Ebersole, Ethan Suplee,  P.J. Byrne, Kenneth Choi, Jake Hoffman, Rizwan Manji, Thomas Middleditch, Fran Lebowitz 

Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stock-broker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

This film at heart is more of a dark comedy than a drama. Yes, it’s based on a true story and there are many victims in this tale who barely get any attention. As the film’s protagonist is the con-man who ripped them off, but the film feels like no matter what it wants us to root for him and feel for him overall.

Leonardo DiCaprio gives one of his best performances and one of his out-and-out funny comedic performances. As we have never seen him this loose and open in a performance. that truly astonishes

 It’s not only him the film is filled with recognizable actors playing real-life people but while they are characters and three-dimensional they are also played so big that they come off naturally more comedic. Even though their crimes hurt many. As Jonah Hill, Matthew McConaughey, and Jon Berenthal all have their times to shine and at least a scene to highlight. 

At a certain point, they are doing so many illegal things that you can barely tell what is right and what is wrong. As the business they build seems to get off on debauchery and the film treats it as both revelatory letting us participate In The mayhem and experience the 1980’s excess but also giving us enough details to see it as a cautionary tale and see the harsh aftermath for some.

This also is Margot Robbie’s debut and introduction to the public as a sex symbol. Just as Charlize Theron made her debut in the movie 2 DAYS IN THE VALLEY. Here at first, you notice Ms. Robbie’s looks then you notice she is actually quite a good actress and one of the memorable ingredients to this movie. 

Now this tale could have been told in a smaller way but just like the main character it must be told larger than life and feel rather epic in size. As it is a rare film where we kind of root for the bad guys. Even if we know they are horrible. As we have been following them from the beginning and in essence living the life of excess with them in the film. So that even when we see them do bad things we have a weakness for them and want to see them succeed even at the expense of others. 

The film feels like a crime spree as it is episodic as we are taken throughout the crimes and how the businessmen stay afloat and the deals they have to make to keep laundering their money and stay on top. The film even follows their international adventures that open up the film to be more global and have more consequences. As they have their overseas adventures. Even with the law on their tails embodied by a character played by Kyle Chandler who seems to be incorruptible and always right behind.

The film even though his character later In The film asks if it is worth it. Being honest and in the straight and narrow. Still having to scrape by when you could easily turn a blind eye, do the wrong thing, and live in Luxury. 

This is the most electrifying and energetic director Martin Scorsese has been with a film. Also, his first film has come close to a comedy since AFTER HOURS. Though the film condemns the characters. The film also has a lot of fun with them. Leaving behind plenty of classic moments. 

The film gets to glorify and highlight the 80’s and 90’s excess and over-the-top nature of business and the stock market. A kind of juvenile version of the movie WALL STREET, but just as powerful and memorable. Only here do you see more behavior outside of the office than necessarily the more business side. Which marks the film all the more attractive. 

In the end, even for a somber tale,  the film is a good time. A misogynistic fantasy that offers what happens after you wake up from the dream and have to pay for it. As the film presents its a tale with the highs like being on drugs but then eventually you have to come down and sober up and the pain of what sobering up feels like. 

GRADE: A

COWBOYS & ALIENS (2011)

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Directed By: Jon Favreau 
Written By: Robert Orci, Alex Kurtman, Damon Lindelof, Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby 
Story By: Steve Oedekerk, Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby 
Based On The Graphic Novel By: Scott Mitchell Rosenberg 
Cinematography By: Matthew Labitque 
Editor: Dan Lebantal, Jim May 

Cast: Daniel Craig, Olivia Wilde, Harrison Ford, Paul Dano, Adam Beach, Clancy Brown, Sam Rockwell, Abigail Spencer, Ana de la reguera, Toby Huss, David Carradine, Walton Goggins

The Old West.. where a lone cowboy leads an uprising against a terror from beyond our world. 1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Dolarhyde. It’s a town that lives in fear. But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known. Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he’s been 

This film you get exactly what you would expect from the title. A fun filled action extravaganza. That delivers the thrills. It is the very definition of a popcorn movie. It’s big loud and dumb and passes the time in a entertaining way. Impressive considering how much of a disaster it could have ended up being. It’s competently directed. Instead of feeling like it is based on a popular graphic novel. The film plays out instead more like a video game adaptation with familiar clichéd stories of proving yourself.


The effects certainly make the film lead that way and half the time it feels like you are playing a video game while watching it. The film feels overblown and just a genre mash-up with little other reason for its creation or to exist.

Strangely for such a big extravaganza it also oddly feels rushed.
 

This is the first time I have really seen Daniel Craig as a true lead and action star. He brings the Tall dark and quiet qualities that the led character of this film needs. He reminds you of a later day Steve McQueen. Craig is Mysterious dangerous and moral to a point.

Harrison Ford is nice to see giving a supporting performance. Rather then a lead one. It gives him a chance to play a character. Not an icon or heroic lead. It gives him more of a flavor then the vanilla he usually plays.  Olivia Wilde while very beautiful and nice to look at has a role that makes no sense.
 

Paul Dano is a good actor. Who I am starting to get annoyed with always playing the dweeb characters. Certain actors have their schtick when playing characters. As this seems to be his in particular usually in big-budget movie supporting roles. While he has an odd look, He is certainly better then the roles he plays. look at TAKING LIVES he is dangerous in. In THERE WILL BE BLOOD he holds his own against Daniel Day-Lewis of all people.  

Wait for Cable

 
 GRADE: C

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (2019)

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SPIDER-MAN: ™ FAR FROM HOME

Directed By: Jon Watts
Written By: Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers
Based On Characters Created By: Stan Lee & Steve Ditko
Cinematography: Matthew J. Lloyd
Editor: Leigh Folsom Boyd & Dan Lebental 


Cast: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jake Gylenhaal, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau, Cobie Smulders, Marisa Tomei, Jacob Batalan, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, J.B. Smoove, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Peter Billingsly, Angourie Rice 


Our friendly neighborhood Super Hero decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent.

This is a review of the first version not the extended cut.

This is immensely better than the previous spider-man movies. As far as the THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN movies go. As these feel less interferes with. Yet manage to stay just as marketable and enjoyable. They also stay true to the character origins.

The film works as as a teen comedy on its own and packs an emotional sincerity about loss. It fits in with the franchise as well as you don’t have to see the previous films but helps. And is also generally funny.

Here the film also becomes more about the romance especially with being overseas in Europe in these classic cities where love is happening all around them. So much so that while trying to be a superhero and defeat villains. He also has to go against a romantic rival. So here he has to face more parallel responsibilities.

This feels more like a film. Not so much a calculated product or stepping stone in a franchise that leads to an even bigger piece of an overall universe necessarily.

What I enjoy about these series of films is that with each series of films in this franchise not only has a different vision that is allowed as far as the directors go. Which also reminds me of the comic book series where you had The comic book series THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN and actually SPIDER-MAN. Which is almost the same of these franchises having all these continuing adventures and different universes.

As also each spider-man series of films has allowed the director’s vision to be complete with the character. They shaped those universes as no one replaced them And had to renew or copy the previous directors. It also gives every generation their own set of spider-man movies.

This feels like the most fun as it gives the fans more of what they want and can still appeal to teenagers and also offering minor or overlooked villains giving them More their due and giving them A rich back story and motivation.

They also have great action sequences that do have you on the edge of your seat.

Here what could easily have been a by the numbers superhero film offers quite a few twists and from what could have been a weak villain though one of my favorites from the comic book. Not the strongest of origins but allowable in this universe that it could be easily believable for the characters to believe the multiple universe theory especially with the spider verse movie coming out last year And even with that films excellent quality this is still a good runner up.

What we have here is a longer cinematic version of peter dealing with the death of a mentor. Usually we see this side with the death of uncle Ben. Here we are dealing with the aftermath of the death of Tony Stark.

Wondering if this life is worth it when it might be easier to take less responsibility and pass the work onto someone else. So that he can leave and enjoy his own life. Only here he learns his merit and worth more. A kind of rebirth of confidence. Where as soon as he becomes comfortable his works is rocked yet again.

Tom Holland is charming with a certain innocence and physicality making him a constantly entertaining lead and presence. As his character is so strong yet fragile emotionally and still shy when it comes to his feelings.

Zendaya is a star and here she is so good. As the sarcastic love interest who shows some vulnerability this time. As well as similar romantic feelings.

Have to give credit to director Jon Watts who has really helped to resurrect the franchise by design and content and so far has not made a bad movie on his resume.

This film even let’s the minor and supporting characters have their moments. Which only adds to the fun of the movie.

This film actually supplies a shocking ending. Which might make up for the obvious twist the film offers in the middle of the film that anyone who follows or has read in the comic saw coming ever since the preview for this film.

Grade: A-