Tag: Rachel Weisz

FRED CLAUS (2007)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: David Dobkin

Written By: Dan Fogelman

Story By: Jessie Nelson and Dan Fogelman

Cinematography: Remi Adefarasin

Editor: Mark Livolsi

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey, Rachel Weisz, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, Kathy Bates, Miranda Richardson, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Bobb’e J. Thompson

Always living in the shadow of his younger and utterly popular brother, Nicholas–or the one and only, Santa Claus–the polar opposite of his holy sibling, Fred Claus, now faces an unforeseen predicament that drags him all the way up to the frozen North Pole to beg for Santa’s help. However, there’s a catch. To get off the hook, Fred must work his fingers to the bone along with the jolly elves during the hectic pre-Christmas Eve period, against the backdrop of a thorough and merciless efficiency inspection. Can the wayward brother Fred save himself, and above all, Christmas?

This film has very few factors going for it. The Christmas morning scene is the only time this film truly feels believable and shows the beauty and heartwarming side of Christmas. It’s about family, magic, happiness, and amazement, and that one scene finally touches what the whole film is supposed to be about.

What comes before is more of a shallow exercise that wants to be heartwarming but comes across as conniving and faking the funk.

The problem is that it builds up this whole fantasy realm and lower, but doesn’t exactly quite explain it or give the rules so that’s your loss so that you can just throw anything in there. sort of like Vince Vaughn is supposed to be the older brother of Santa Claus, but they never quite explain how long Santa Claus has been in his current position except that he was born for it. Even in a certain part of the movie remember that a certain character wanted a gift way back in 1968 but Vince Vaughn is the older brother has he been away from the North Pole and living in the real world and why doesn’t he age or have any certain magical powers, that he pretty much struggling for the most part and afraid to get into a romantic relationship.

That last part helps when it comes to explaining his mentality thinking he’s afraid of attachments because he’s on the out with his family so he doesn’t really trust anyone even the people he should because he’s all out for himself but throughout the movie learns to love his family, who have always just wanted the best for him And others and together for greater cause.

Which is a great message. You just wish that the film had bothered you. To find a plausible and more believable way there. it just feels like a comedy built around the holiday built around the persona of star Vince Vaughn. He is a good actor and works well as a fast-talking hustler as that is his stick so it’s no surprise to find out that most of his lines were the result of improv.

However, that style doesn’t quite match the material as it’s better in his more R-rated juvenile comedies rather than a family film as it just makes him seem more like a bumbling liar half the time or a bumbling man. One who would never believe.

Kevin Spacey makes no sense as an efficiency expert but who sent him that’s never explained. Why is he hell-bent on taking down Santa and what was he going to replace the North Pole in the factory with never explained how to get away with his plan at parts and times he even cheats to sabotage Santa. So you would think the powers that be if let’s say this word to become a religious film when they see that and Disapprove?

Understandably these are things you’re not supposed to think of when watching this film but the shenanigans that the film produces you can’t help but think that. One this is obviously made for children and families. There should still be some explanation rather than feeling like the film is like the main character making up things on the spot.

I don’t want to be a Grinch. The cast tries Vince Vaughn, whose movies can be hit or miss nearly seems like for the most part. He isn’t sleepwalking through this role, but he doesn’t seem that enthusiastic all the time to be there so he does bother to put in high energy, this just wasn’t the material for him.

It’s rare that a scene works sort of like when he goes to therapy for brothers who don’t feel they get enough credit as their more famous brothers that was funny but could have gone a bit over the top and been funnier, but it feels like it’s holding back mainly because it’s a family film, but also exposes the film as being more of a series of skits with an overall story rather than a true film.

Grade: D

CONFIDENCE (2003)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: James Foley 
Written By: Doug Jung 
Cinematography By: Juan Ruiz Amchia 
Editor: Stuart Levy 

Cast: Ed Burns, Rachel Weisz, Dustin Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Brian Van Holt, Morris Chestnut, Louis Lombardi, Andy Garcia, Robert Forster, Robert Pine, Leland Orser, John Caroll Lynch, Luis Guzman, Donal Logue, Tony “Tiny” Lister, Franky G, Nicole Lenz 

Jake Vig is a consummate grifter about to pull his biggest con yet, one set to avenge his friend’s murder. But his last scam backfired, leaving him indebted to a mob boss and his enforcer.

I have never seen a film try so hard to be a modern version of THE STING.

The film offers likable quirky thieves and a handsome protagonist. Who is in over his head? An untrustworthy femme fatale and a big-name legendary actor playing the villain raise the stakes of the endeavor and make it seem like a challenge to the other actors to impress him or even hold the screen with him.

Then you get the requisite double crosses. Everyone is who they seem or say they are. I really wish I could have disliked this film. It ends up winning you over as long as you don’t look too deep. As it is a film that openly challenges you and wants the audience to overthink. So that while you are doing that it is sneaking stuff right by you.

Ed Burns is the lead con man. I will admit that when it usually comes to him in acting performances. He tries to play more laid-back characters but there is a certain arrogance in his performance that is perfect for the character he is playing here. Here he has his qualities actually work for him.

It helps that this film is stocked to help support him with so many character actors. Who he actually holds his own with. Under those conditions, you have to bring you a game and pray that some of their talent and charisma Rub off.

It’s hard to talk about this film and really have too much to say, when most of the enjoyment comes from watching these twists and turns in action.

It’s actually quite a charming film that is perfect to watch with an audience. Though you will probably only need to see it once. Since after that you know what it is all about. And not as much fun.

Watching it feels like you are playing a game. Once you watch it will All have the same outcome.

The film tries to be gritty but it comes off more as fascinating. As the film is much better than you would expect and is stylish to a degree, but feels like it is a victim of itself when it comes to the intelligence of the script. It thinks it’s smarter than it actually is. Even includes the will they or won’t they sexual tension between the con man leader and the new sexy recruit.

Watching this at the time it seemed part of a bunch of movies that were trying to be about con games or at least trying to fool the audience. That also seemed more in being self-promoting. This is worth a shot but more as entertainment than anything else.

GRADE: B-

BLACK WIDOW (2021)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

Directed By: Cate Shortland
Written By: Eric Pearson 
Story By: Jac Schaeffer & Ned Benson
Cinematography: Gabriel Beristain 
Editor: Leigh Folsom Boyd & Matthew Schmidt 

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, Ray Winstone, O-T Fagbenie, William Hurt, Olga Kurylenko, Nanna Blondell

Natasha Romanoff aka Black  Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

This film is a prequel of sorts that is almost a last hurrah for actress Scarlet Johansson in the role. Though it gives the character her props. It still manages to be a setup for future marvel series and movies. As we know the eventual fate of Johansson’s character in other Marvel movies.

Though in the marvel universe that keeps setting up a multiverse. They have proven the saying “Never say, Never” 

The film has top-notch action sequences. Though you might find yourself hoping for more grittiness in them and throughout the rest of the film. As it seems like it will be going down and dirty, but comes off almost too polished. The film relies heavily on hand-to-hand action scenes.

At least this movie offers more action and fighting than some other Marvel films. So much so that when there are dialogue scenes the film seems to drag. 

As at heart, this is a full-on espionage film, only simplified and without most of the confusion, those films can bring. 

The film’s theme seems to be that we all must pay for past crimes. Even throughout, the Black widow doesn’t bother to change her look or Into too many outfits. So she always seems barely hidden in plain sight.

It’s clear throughout that the cast is having fun and David Harbour in particular is a riot. One only wishes his HELLBOY performance was as much fun. 

The film’s main weakness is the villain. Who feels hollow. A similar problem was felt in ANT-MAN & THE WASP. Where the villain was weak in terms of creation and really only behind a truly bigger one who was using them. So essentially they are more of a weapon than a character or menace. That is the character of the TASKMASTER in this film. 

The main villain is Ray Winstone here he is good as always playing a villain and is believable in villainous roles usually. Especially ones who are made to be hated and despicable. Where do you believe he really would enjoy assaulting females by punching them in the face. 

It might be that the villain here is too simple and pedestrian compared to the ones we have seen in other Marvel films. Which can be a nice change of pace. Though might have helped if the film was made or brought forth earlier. As of now, it feels like a kind of break from world changers. 

That’s what it is good at. Just as ANTMAN & THE WASP was a more comedic adventure with science. It makes you totally forget the lacking villain. In fact hard to remember the villain from the get-go. 

The film goes for diversity as most of the female assassins under the villain’s plan are women of color. Who he considers as early on it’s noticeable and disturbing that the bench people the heroes fought and killed were mostly minorities. Which is kind of explained with the villains’ attitude towards them yet not the films? 

A little shocked when watching these films that respected actors such as Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz are in it, but these days who isn’t in a superhero or big-budget franchise movie?

In the end the film comes across as trying to be more serious than what it is meant to be pure entertainment and fun. 

Grade: B-

YOUTH (2015)

~ jbg ~ Leave a comment

youth

Written & Directed By: Paolo Sorrentino
Cinematography By: Luca Bigazzi
Editor: Christiano Travaglioli
Production Design: Ludovica Ferrario 


Cast: Harvey Keitel, Michael Caine, Paul Dano, Rachel Weisz, Jane Fonda, Madelina Diana Ghenea, Chloe Pirrie 


Fred and Mick, two old friends, are on vacation in an elegant hotel at the foot of the Alps. Fred, a composer and conductor, is now retired. Mick, a film director, is still working. They look with curiosity and tenderness on their children’s confused lives, Mick’s enthusiastic young writers, and the other hotel guests. While Mick scrambles to finish the screenplay for what he imagines will be his last important film, Fred has no intention of resuming his musical career. But someone wants at all costs to hear him conduct again.

Continue reading “YOUTH (2015)” →