Movie Review Monday: Groundhog Day

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is the 1993 classic, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray and written and directed by the late, great Harold Ramis.

I had seen and heard a lot about this movie over the years but I have never sat down and watched the movie in its entirety. I'm glad I could enjoy it finally, as it is a simple movie with a simple message that I think we can all appreciate.

The premise is simple its implementation. We don't get any reason why but nevertheless, Bill Murray's character, Phil, is forced to relive the same day over and over again, which creates a cavalcade of humorous scenarios that he plays out since he'll just wake up with no ramifications. The movie hinges on Murray, and he masterfully carries the film. The premise of reliving the same day over and over again also acknowledges the dark side of this, as Phil continually tries to kill himself to end the perpetual nightmare.

The movie succeeds near the end as Phil begins to do the most good he can for others in a single day. Only when he maximizes the experience for others rather than himself, does the cycle end. Phil begins the movie as a disillusioned, egotistical, and rude character, but ends it as someone who is changed for the better. The moral of the whole story being to encourage us as the viewer to live each day to the fullest and do good for others.

While the premise has become common fodder for storytelling nowadays, this film popularized the concept and is constantly referred to as a benchmark. It earns its place as a classic comedy that will surely stand the test of time.

You can check out Groundhog Day streaming right now on Netflix.

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Movie Review Monday: Rain Man

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is the 1988 classic Rain Man starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.

The plot of the movie surrounds Cruise's character, Charlie Babbitt, as he discovers he has a brother, Raymond (Hoffman) he never knew about in the wake of their estranged father's death. Charlie only is interested in his brother for the possibility of an inheritance that he lost out on, but eventually Charlie learns more about his father, his brother, and why he never knew about Raymond. Charlie grows as a person from the experience and the journey in unexpected ways for him.

This movie is now dated quite a bit but it holds up for the most part. I had some problems with the pacing of the film, but the dialogue is excellently done. Cruise and Hoffman have to carry the movie on their shoulders and they do wonderfully. Cruise's natural charisma is here even when his character is being awful to the people around him. Hoffman gives depth to his portrayal of Raymond as an autistic savant. I've seen a lot of actors try to do this and fail miserably. At the very least, it comes across as gimmicky or inauthentic. Hoffman does well here to avoid any of the common pitfalls, and it is surprising he is able to do so since his was one of the first major film roles of a character with autism.

If you're looking for a heartwarming dramatic comedy, this is a great choice. It is a classic film that you should also just watch at some point regardless.

You can find Rain Man streaming right now on Netflix!

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Movie Review Monthly: February 2015

Welcome to this monthly wrap up of my weekly movie reviews!

This month had some cool independent movies as well as some captivating documentaries available to stream instantly via Netflix. Each week I hope to bring you a fresh new review of a great movie in the Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime streaming library. Recommendations are always welcomed!

• Food, Inc.
• Burt's Buzz
• A Long Way Down
• Chef

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Review Monday: Harmontown

 

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is the 2014 documentary Harmontown focusing on Dan Harmon, creator of one of my favorite shows, Community.

The film is a sort of character study of Harmon, a quirky, brilliant, egotistical, unique individual as he goes on his bus tour around the country after he was fired from his show in 2012. Harmon's personality is off-putting to many but he has an one of a kind genius comedic mind. We see and hear from the likes of Sarah Silverman, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, and the entire Community cast about their experiences working with Harmon. His originality and vision are unlike anyone else but his personality tends to get in the way of his work with others.

The tour portions of the movie are fun as Harmon takes his podcast (also called Harmontown) on the road and does live shows all across the US. The show is always live but they had never gone out to most of the country to connect with more of their fans. The film shines the spotlight on a lot of the fans who come out and it's fun to see all the people who come from hours away to see Harmon and share their appreciation for him. It's a sort of family of misfits and nerds so it warmed my heart (as it always does) to see people come together like they do here.

I encourage you to check out Community if you haven't already. It is an awesome show and it will help you appreciate this film even more. All of the episodes are on Hulu and the new season premieres on March 17 on Yahoo Screen.

You can watch Harmontown streaming right now on Netflix!

Check out the film and podcast's website for some additional information.

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Movie Review Monday: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is the 1978 version of the classic sci-fi thriller, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, starring Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, and the recently passed Leonard Nimoy (RIP).

Taking most of its queues from the original 1956 version (even having a clever cameo to boot), this version of the film has more of an edge to it, with a bit more violence, more visual thrills, and even some slight nudity. If you've seen the original, this is an interesting remake but the basic storyline is the same so there are not many surprises.

I'm not sure what the point behind this movie being made was since the original provides a timeless tale of paranoia, emotions, and fighting an insidious conformity. This movie also has been remade twice (once in 1993 and again in 2007), neither seeming to have the same impact as the others. The 1978 version does have an unexpected ending, which has unfortunately been spoiled for many people, me included, in the nearly four decades after it's release. As such, it lessened the impact since I was expecting it the whole time.

This phenomenon is a common occurrence for me since I've been trying to watch a lot of classic sci-fi movies that often have some twist involved but it has been spoiled or parodied since its original release. This movie suffers in that way for me but I would still recommend it for anyone who hasn't had the movie spoiled for them. It is a solid film and maintains the thrills and tension of the original. If you haven't seen the original, I'd recommend that one first as it is a foundational sci-fi film.

Check out Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978), streaming right now on Netflix!

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Movie Review Monday: Chef

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is Chef, the recently released project that was written, directed, and starring Jon Favreau.

The premise of the film is that Favreau plays a disillusioned chef who loses his fancy restaurant job and then opens up his own food truck which becomes a massive hit and makes him happier than he has ever been, as well as closer to his family.

I mentioned this movie once before in a weekly geek out after I watched it via a rental from Redbox. I really enjoyed the movie and heard many good things about it, which is what led me to check it out in the first place. It's a great look at food, family, love, and the artistic and emotional connection we can have with food.

Favreau is awesome in this movie, as is the ensemble supporting him. There is a very natural flow of humor and authenticity in the movie. It is fun, fresh, and a light feel good movie. It will make you smile (and make you hungry!). The whole thing just felt right and I can see this having been a true passion project for Favreau. It seems like it is exactly the movie he wanted it to be and I'm glad it exists. There isn't much out there in the mainstream that feels original and engaging like this film does.

I recommend you stream Chef, which is available right now on Netflix!

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Movie Review Monday: A Long Way Down

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday! 

This week's movie is A Long Way Down (2014), starring Pierce Brosnan, Aaron Paul, Toni Collette, and Imogen Poots.

The premise of the movie is that four broken people all meet on the roof of a building in London on New Year's Eve, all looking to jump off and commit suicide based on their own personal struggles. They connect and eventually affirm to make a pact to not go through with their original intentions until Valentine's Day. The four individuals support each other and learn more about what led them all to be up on that roof that fateful night.

A Long Way Down is a dark dramedy, with some light elements and some sobering, sadder moments (obvious given the subject matter). All the characters are given their due and a moment to shine, creating a solid ensemble for the movie. There are also some excellent supporting characters played by the likes of Rosamund Pike and Sam Neill. An interesting aspect of the plot that pushes the story ahead is that since Brosnan plays a former television show host, the four gain some notoriety and are hounded by the press for all being together that night.

This movie seems to have not been as well received as it was with me (it has a 22% from critics and a 39% from users on Rotten Tomatoes). I found it to be a simple, emotional, and engaging movie. It is certainly not the best I've ever seen but based on my mild curiosity, it paid off. The actors all do well in the movie and I like how it ended. I don't know how it fares when compared to its source material, but I found the movie enjoyable enough.

You can watch A Long Way Down streaming right now on Netflix.

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Movie Review Monthly: January 2015

Welcome to this monthly wrap up of my weekly movie reviews!

This month had some cool independent movies as well as some captivating documentaries available to stream instantly via Netflix. Each week I hope to bring you a fresh new review of a great movie in the Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime streaming library. Recommendations are always welcomed!

• In a World...
• The One I Love
• Inequality for All
• To Be Takei

Thanks for stopping by!

Movie Review Monday: Burt's Buzz

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie is the 2013 documentary Burt's Buzz.

The film examines the life of Burt Shavitz, the interesting and unique man behind the popular Burt's Bees brand and his estranged relationship with the company that shares his name.

I felt compelled to check out this movie since it has a Maine connection (where Burt resides now) and I've used a handful of different Burt's Bees products over the years. I was curious how the person synonymous with this brand could have such a dysfunctional connection with it in reality.

The essence of the film is just a snapshot of Burt's life currently, and how he got to be there. His relationships with the Burt's Bees company, which is a global corporation, became strained after Burt felt at odds with this rapid expansion, which was pushed by his partner at the time. He left the company but still positively represents the brand at public engagements. This creates an awkward balance since he doesn't like what the company has become but he still supports it since it is still his namesake.

I liked this movie and Burt's message of simplicity. He lives a humble life but could have easily had much more. He was a wayward soul his whole life who did whatever he wanted to do however he wanted to do it. He lives on his own terms and keeps a minimalist, natural life which I can appreciate in an age where many people have too much, love too little, and are always looking for what they don't have and (think) they want/need.

Check out Burt's Buzz, streaming right now on Netflix!

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Movie Review Monday: Food, Inc.

Welcome to another awesome edition of Movie Review Monday!

This week's movie the 2008 documentary Food, Inc.

I've heard about this film before and just never got around to seeing it. It got into my Netflix queue recently and I decided to finally just sit down and watch it. Focusing on the production of food in our nation, it is a harsh critique of the machination of the whole process, which has negative consequences for our health, our planet, and our collective souls.

What I appreciate about the points made in the film is that it isn't a movie trying to make you into a vegetarian or vegan. It showcases how we can responsibly raise meat as well as how all vegetables aren't created equal either. We should be conscious of what vegetables and fruits are in season locally as well as how animals are treated and raised. A big takeaway from the movie on this is encouraging people to go to their local farmers' market for more natural, wholesome, and responsibly raised food (and make sure they accept EBT!).

Our diets are a major aspect of our wellness and more people should have access to nutritious sustenance. Fast food and other artificial, empty meals are easier and cheaper for people to obtain. You should also make sure to drink plenty of water (get a glass refillable bottle!) and avoid things like high fructose corn syrup (it is in a lot more than you think). Vote with your dollars to support local, natural, and sustainable food options.

If you're looking for another good documentary about food, diet, and weight loss, check out Hungry for Change, which is a great look at our eating habits and how we can make simple, powerful, positive changes for ourselves and our families.

You check out Food, Inc. streaming right now on Netflix!

Thanks for stopping by!