Movie Review: "A Million Days To Die In The West"

Howdy movie fans!

Seth Macfarlane continues to branch out farther from his Family Guy origins, and further into the realm of hollywood this week with "A Million Ways To Die in the West."

Like in his last movie, Ted, Macfarlane wrote, and directed... but he also stars this time, as "Albert" a sheep farmer who is open about his hatred for the wild west, and desire to live more than face anyone in a gun fight. After Albert's girlfriend dumps him for a mustached Neil Patrick Harris, he's ready to chuck it all in, until he meets a beautiful stranger with a dangerous past.

It all may sound serious, and like most great comedies, the plot plays like it could be serious, but it all just serves as set pieces to help set up the various jokes the cast keep shooting out. While it's chock full of good humor, the film is at its best when it pokes fun at some of the most common western sterotypes. From gunfights and bar brawls, to the even things like fashion, music, facial hair, and blatnent racism that was rampant in that time.  Like all really good humor, there's a lot of truth in the jokes that send up the cliches we've all grown up with.

And, just for the record, the jokes are good. The timing, delivery, and the pace were dead on, providing the audience with enough shocks and sly nods to keep us laughing throughout. But I do have a beef... if you've seen most of the trailers, you have already seen many of the best jokes! I mean, you hane't seen ALL the jokes, but you've seen a lot of the really good ones. It's kind of a let down.

So, a lot of you may be thinking... this sounds a lot like "Blazing Saddles"... and you would be right. Its a subject that McFarlane seems to acknowledge and take advantage of early on.  While Mel Brooks focused mainly on the stereotypes of the 60's westerns, "A Million Ways To Die in the West" keeps an eye on the brutal reality of the time period. I think they films are good companions to one another... and if you wait until after the credits, it appears Seth seems to agree.

This is a bit of a shortened review, so I can't get into all of the cast, but I just want to mention that they all do a good job at keeping the laughs count high, without, for the most part, making the film seem like a farce.  And the humor, except for a few jokes, is focused on the western concept... so unlike Ted, you won't have to go back and watch Flash Gordon again just to understand half the jokes.

Parents, there are some really, REALLY violent scenes, and deaths in this movie... and the jokes are just as filthy. So, if you're taking your kid, you're one of those opened minded parents that other parents will judging look at. ANd they'll say things like, "This isn't exactly a KIDS movie," and "You're one of those Opened Minded parents,"

So, time for the round up pardners. In a summer full of action films, and destruction, it's nice to have a nice, light comedy to change things up. "A Million Ways To Die in the West" may not be a most deep, thought provoking comedy, but it is light years above most of the inane films we see out there... but, much like the pioneers, you'll need to have a thick hide to make it through unoffended.

That's it for this time, make sure you check out my review of "Maleficent" also posting today.

Happy trails, Movie Fans! 

Movie Review: "Maleficent"

Hey movie fans!

 Two movies this week, so I need to keep them a bit brief. 

Disney's live action re-telling of the classic story of "Sleeping Beauty," "Maleficent" is for everyone who has always been fascinated by the bad guy... or woman in this case.  

The story stars Angelina Jolie as the title character. In this version,  she's less of an evil witch, and more of a vengeful queen,  fighting to protect her fairy kingdom, and to strike out at the man who betrayed her. To do this, she lays a curse upon the King's newborn child... that she shall prick her finger on a sewing spindle on her 16th birthday, and fall into a death like trance... but a lot can happen in 16 years.

So, it's obvious from early on, that this film is all about Angelina Jolie. I mean, not that that is such a terrible thing. She does a really good job at playing a dark character. and when she's at her most evil, you can see how much fun she's having. And, of course, she looks perfect for the part.

The problem rises, however, as the story carries on, and the plot is forced to keep finding ways to make us root for her, and still hit all the main plots from the classic tale.  In fact, almost every character, from the king, to the fairy god... er aunts... are portrayed either as evil, foolish, or both. The only ones who seem to escape this are Princess Aurora, who is unbearably sweet, and Prince Phillip, who is about as interesting as a Jonas Brothers concert.

The special effects are really good, however, and imaginative. The fight scenes are really played out well, with lots of good dramatic actions, and some good, but not mandatory use of 3D effects.  Some of the best, as you may well imagine, center around Maleficent herself.

As for violence, there is a lot of fighting going on in this flick... but it is still a disney film. that means little blood, and almost no on screen deaths. Still, some of the sequences are very dark, and violent, so you may want to take a bit of caution before bringing the kids.

All in all, just like Maleficent herself, this movie isn't really good, it isn't really bad, but it is pretty, and nice to watch.

Well, that's it for this review. Make sure you keep an eye out for my review of "A Million Ways To Die in the West," also posting today.

So, until next time... may you live happily ever after. 

X-Men: I forgot!

Wait until the end of the credits!

"X-Men: Days of Future Past"

Hey Movie fans!

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

People sometimes forget, but there was a time before there were many really good comic book movies.  I mean, there were a few, yeah. But they were mostly DC based... and to be honest looking back, some of them don't hold up in comparison to what we expect from a Superhero movie now.

Then,  in 2000, came the X-Men. Brian Singer gave fans of the heroic mutants something they could have only dreamed about: a great movie. It had action, pathos, and a believable script that audiences were really wowed to see. That, and really spot on performances by Patrick Stewart, ian mckellen, and the soon-to-be household name, Hugh Jackman made this a film for die-hards, and casual fans alike. A few years later, and we would get a great sequel.. spider man movies, and eventually, the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

But , the ole- X-Man franchise suffered a few bumps down the road. Despite the build up, I was disappointed the moment I walked out of X-3. And the Origins Wolverine didn't help much either. In fact, people were thinking of giving up hope, when they seemed to turn things around with X-Men first class. Set in the 1960's, this film had some similar visuals as the other X-films, but some parts of the plot just didn't add up, and despite a cameo from Hugh, the film makers had thought they were making the first of a re-launch.

Instead, we get a merger, with Fox trying to use the best from the old, to re-enforce the new... and by the old, we don't mean just the original cast, we also mean the original director, Brian Singer.  And what better way to bring the two franchises together across the gulf of time than one of the most classic story lines in X-Men history.

In Days of the Future Past, The Mutants in the future live in a dire world, run by nearly unkillable Sentinel robots. But they come up with a plan, to send Wolverine back into the past, the 1970's to be exact, to stop an event that would set the current events in motion. To do it, he needs to re-unite some help from 1970's Professor X, Magneto... and, considering how First Class ended, you can imagine that's not going to be easy.

What follows is what a great example of taking the best qualities of two worlds and making one fantastic whole. To say it briefly, "Days of Future Past" is a great super-hero flick.  The action is quick, and constant. We really get to see some creative use of some cool mutant powers right from the get go. And despite this being a film about time travel, the plot is straightforward enough to follow... even if you may have to remind yourself of William Stryker is.

Both James Mcavoy, and Michael Fassbender, reprising their roles from from First Class, continue to do great jobs as Professor X, and Magneto, continuing their struggle with ideologies, even as they unite for a common cause. And the story gives no easy answers. Magneto may be ruthless, but you can't help but understand his stance. And Professor X may have all the best intentions in the world, but his actions seem to hurt those who he had wanted to protect. Its some great pathos that is great to see develop, and to see how it all comes to an end,

Also of special note, in my mind, is peter Dinklage, as Bolivar Trask, the man whose fear of mutants is at the center of the movie. Dinklage is does a fine job humanizing a character it would be easy to simply dismiss as an evil monster. The more important thing to note, is that Dinklage is playing a role that does not need to be a portrayed by a person with Dwarfism. There is nothing about Trask that needs this trait. there's nothing about his storyline that hints that his motives are sparked by his height. Trask's merits, and faults could be found in any person. it would easy.. .VERY easy for the script to have included Trask waxing about how he envied the Power of mutants. Instead, we see a role being given to Dinklage for the only two reason's that matter. One he's a great actor. and two, thanks to Game of Thrones, he's really well known right now, so he adds name recognition.

Anyway, this is getting longer than I had anticipated, and I need to work tomorrow.

So, one thing the Xmen films have always done well is special effects, and the latest film only ups the ante. Not only are there great action scenes full of amazing powers and stunts. Also, and I don't say this often, if you can afford it, I would recommend seeing it in 3D. Normally, I don't really think 3D is really worth the price, but not only does 'Days' use the 3D effects well, but there are some scenes that really benefit from the effects. I doubt you will lose anything if you don't see it in 3D however, so if you want to save the cash, or if you're one of those people who just cant, or won't see  3D, you will not feel left out.

There are some problems with 'Days,' but there they kind you may expect in a film of this nature. First off, there's some pretty big continuity problems. They may get around to solving them one day, but right now they almost feel like elements that were just washed over for the sake of simplicity. The second, and I'm afraid this is a bit of a spoiler, so be warned... i hate it when characters who were main characters in the first movie, are killed off between films. I know why it's done, and I don't care. It always feels like it re-colors the end of the last film in the series. I'm not going to say more.

As for violence, due to the nature of the plot, "Days" has some scenes that are  much darker than the other X-Films. In fact, you see, pretty graphically, be it bloodlessly, some on camera deaths.  And these are some intense moments. For adults, this won't be a problem, but this really isn't a film for younger kids. As always, consider the audience.

So, there you go. "Days of Future Past" is a great, fun way to spend the memorial day weekend, and I 

recommend it to anyone who liked the first movie, or first class.  Lets hope this film helps define the franchises 'future.' See what I did there. I'm so clever.

Next week, Angelina Jolie reminds us how good evil can look, and Seth Macfarlane reminds us how The Old West was a terrible, terrible place to live.

Until then, this is Ron Edens reminding you, I'm the best at what I do, and what I do isn't pretty.

POST EDIT:
Almost forgot! Wait until the end of the credits!

Movie Review: Godzilla

Hey Movie Fans!

When I was a young kid,  I loved Saturday Afternoon movies.  Kung Fu, Sci-Fi, they were all great. But when I would turn on the TV, and Godzilla was on, it was like I had just hit a jackpot. I didn't matter to me if it was a great one, or a terrible one, I would plant myself in front of the TV, until I was so excited I would run around my living room smashing fake cities. Mind you, I was 17 at the time.

Anyway, I've never lost my love of Godzilla. I even bought tickets to see a special advanced screening of 1998 Godzilla movie.  Then, I had to go to an advanced screening of Godzilla 2000 to drive that out of my head. So, you can imagine the mix of excitement and fear that I've been waiting for this latest Godzilla movie. And I want to say right-off,  THIS Godzilla kicks all kinds of monster butt.

The story centers around a US Soldier, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson,  caught in the middle of a conspiracy surrounding giants monsters. 

Ok, really, you're not going to see this for the plot. I mean, there is plot there. The investigation into the conspiracy is interesting, if only because the entire audience knows what's really going on. I mean, it's Godzilla.  Anyway, once the giant monsters start breaking out, it's all action from there, as the action builds to a huge fight between some big, scary monsters. 

I should mention, just to sound professional, that the acting in the film was adequate, with the best scenes going to Bryan Cranston, (as you can imagine) and Ken Wantanabe.  Taylor Johnson does a well enough job, but nothing better than expected. The direction, and the pacing really helps build the excitement for the final fight. even if its clear that the real star is a giant CG Monster.

My only complaint, and some people might actually be pleased by this, is that there wasn't enough giants monsters fighting. The first big conflict is cut off before it gets good.  They then just give glimpses of the destruction, as the little humans scramble to find a way to stop them.

But boy, when they do face off,  the pay off is worth it. This is some GREAT giant monster stuff.  They're big, the city is smashed all to hell. I really don't want to give too much, because there's lots of good surprises in the final fight itself. and, I'm afraid I'm going to go overboard with how great it was. 

I will say, I don't know if the 3d is needed. There are some scenes where the 3D is nice, but I can't think of any scene where it really struck me as needed. Now, if you do feel like spending he money for the experience,  I didn't find the 3D distracting, so you should feel free.

Parents, you know exactly what you're getting here. Lots of people get crushed, stepped on, and there are 

some scary moments, some focusing on kids. Sensitive kids might be upset, but, honestly, most kids who like action movies should be fine. 

So, in case you didn't get it from my main post, I really liked Godzilla.  There's a good chance I'm going to 

pick up the 3D movie when it comes out. If you are a fan of Godzilla films, or if you like last years "Pacific Rim" then you should check it out as soon as you can.

Next week (barring giant lizard attack) X-Men!