Flight Movie Review

 Flight: Denzel Washington gives a very emotional performance in the first live action film in 12 years from director Robert Zemeckis.  Denzel Plays Whip Whitaker, an airline pilot with a drinking problem. When his plane malfunctions during flight he miraculously saves the plane and most everyone on board with a rough crash landing. However before he can be proclaimed a hero an investigation on the crash is conducted. This could turn the spotlight from heroism to his drug and drinking problems. The story is really about substance abuse and the challenges a person must overcome to deal with it. How many lies can the conscious take? Washington’s performance as the troubled soul is extremely strong. The ending of the film is emotionally powerful mainly because of Denzel’s acting. And Speaking of acting – Don Cheadle is great here as the lawyer defending Denzel during the investigation. Also John Goodman pops up as his drug buddy.  He only has 2 scenes in the film, but both had the audience rolling with laughter. Meanwhile Zemeckis gives us another memorable movie plane crash (who could forget the scary scene with Tom Hanks in Cast Away). I appreciated the fresh take on substance abuse, the idea of a man under the influence still being heroic at times made for an interesting plot. Don’t wait to see this one on a plane...

Rythemovieguy's  Grade: 3.5 Jaws / B+ 

If this movie had parents they would be: Leaving Las Vegas & Airplane  

The Sessions Movie Review

The Sessions: John Hawkes and Helen Hunt star in the true story of Mark O’Brien, a man who lost the ability to control his body muscles due to polio. He was basically paralyzed from the neck down, however he did still have feeling throughout his entire body. Most of the day he lived in an iron lung which helped him to breathe, only being able to stay out on his own for 3 hours a day. At age 36 he meets a sex surrogate and loses his virginity. The Sex Surrogate is played by Helen Hunt, who at age 49 courageously bares it all a couple of times on screen. John Hawkes meanwhile pours in a tremendous performance as Mark O’Brien, he basically has to convey all his feelings with just his facial expressions because for most of the movie he is laying on a bed under covers . I would be shocked if he does not get an Oscar nomination for this. Although the subject matter is on the sad side, the movie has plenty of humor. Some of the funniest scenes involve William H Macy who plays a priest that Mark confides all his sexual experience too. The chemistry between Hunt and Hawkes brings some heavy emotion to the story – see this one for the performances alone!

 Rythemovieguy's Grade: 3 Jaws / B

If this movie had parents they would be: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly & American Pie

Cloud Atlas Review

Cloud Atlas: “Everything is connected” – This is the main theme in this ambitious new film from Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski. The story spans thousands of years over six different storylines. The large cast, including Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent all play multiple characters throughout the film. Tom Hanks (6 different roles) for instance, plays characters whose soul makes a complete cycle from killer to hero. Other big ideas are introduced, such as how an act of kindness can have a ripple effect that can change lives for hundreds of years. We are treated to many different genres, from drama to comedy to mystery to sci-fi; this is truly an epic film. Although there are some clear crossovers between the storylines, for the most part they stand alone. It is the themes that crossover and connect in different ways. I found the cinematography to be downright gorgeous at points. I also loved the score, it is big, beautiful, and connects with the emotions of the movie perfectly. The Wachowskis explained in a Q&A after the screening how they adopted this complex book from David Mitchell to the big screen. One of the big changes was interlacing all the storylines together, whereas the book sticks with 1 storyline at a time. I have to compliment them on how well the movie flowed; it was easy to follow and kept each storyline on the same pace. This is not a film that has a definitive conclusion, instead it offers big ideas and grand themes that you can reflect on for hours after the screening. See it in the theater, open your mind, and enjoy.

(RytheMovieGuy with Lana Wachowski). After the screening Lana also explained that the three directors worked as a unit. Instead of each directing certain segments, they worked as a team directing the movie as a whole. (The DGA made them put credits at the end to the contrary).

Rythemovieguy's Grade: 3.5 Jaws / B+

If This movie had parents they would be: Babel & Solaris

Argo Review

Argo: Ben Affleck makes it 3 for 3 on his directing efforts. In Fact Argo is his best film to date as a director. The Movie is based on a true story; In 1979 With the Iranian revolution at its peak, students and militants stormed the US Embassy in Tehran taking 52 Americans hostage. However 6 US Diplomats did escape the Embassy during the raid and they took refuge at the Canadian embassy. Figuring away to get these 6 Americans out of Iran proved difficult. The Idea the CIA rolled with was to send in CIA agent Tony Mendez (Affleck) posing as a Canadian film producer. He would meet up with the 6 American diplomats and have them all pose as a Canadian film crew scouting locations for a new Sci-Fi film titled: Argo. Giving them all Canadian passports and identities, not to mention setting up the movie with a studio, securing a budget and having actors reading for parts to make the film look legit in case there was any inquiring by Iran was all part of the plan. This is one tense ride, the kind of story that will have you on the edge of your seat a few times. It all starts with one heck of a scary opening scene inside the Embassy. From there, the story is engrossing and easy to follow. The style and look of the film are perfect.  We are also treated to some humor, thanks to John Goodman and Alan Arkin who are involved in the Hollywood studio behind Argo. This is one of the year’s best films – Don’t Miss it.

Ry’s Grade: 4 Jaws / A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Wag The Dog & Munich