For The Star Trek Generation

 

 

     The original television series, Star Trek, aired only 3 years before being cancelled in 1969 due to poor ratings.  Yet the series developed such a cult following in reruns that Paramount studios decided to reboot the series in film beginning with the 1979 release of "Star Trek: The Movie".  It was a full ten years since original series left the air but hard core "Trekkies" , including me,  could hardly wait.  Since then there hasn't been a time you couldn't see Star Trek in film or on television in one of it's many incarnations.  Opening today in wide release, "Star Trek: Into Darkness" is the twelfth installment in this, the longest running film franchise of all time. Fans of Star Trek are legion and know the mythology established as though it were a religion.  As such, story lines, plots, histories between films should fit together seamlessly or the fans will spot discrepancies almost immediately. 

     Into Darkness is the follow up to the 2009 release simply titled Star Trek, which introduced a completely new cast who play all the principals of the original series in an earlier time frame.  A bit of a prequel if you will.  This approach is a bit risky because the true fan knows these characters as though they are real people.  No small testament to the acting of the original cast in the television series and later in a half dozen films.  Even though Star Trek is technically science fiction, the story lines are by and large character driven.  I think that is what makes this franchise so timeless.  Each character has their own personality traits and over time we come to know each one.  Star Trek introduces us to a young James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock, Bones and all the rest.  What really makes it special is that we get to see how each character develops as a young cadet into the fully functioning crew member we all remember from the original series.  The cast was perfectly picked, especially Mr. Spock.  The intonation of his voice, the look on his face, it all fits together perfectly.  Into Darkness picks up where Star Trek left off.

     Now for the movie itself.  Into Darkness is a rip roaring thrill fest.  From the opening moments to the final scenes there is hardly a chance to catch your breath.  Sometimes there is so much going on at once that it is easy to forget exactly what is going on.  Don't worry, if you wait a few minutes all will be made clear once again.  There are revelations, and references to previous films and television series'.  Heck there is even a tribble!  (The furry little creature comically featured in one of the most popular episodes from the original series: The Trouble With Tribbles)  All of which adds up to a great time for the true Star Trek buff and for those who may not know anything about Star Trek at all.  (is that even possible?)  This is truly a stand alone film so it isn't necessary to be a die hard fan.  You will enjoy the film regardless.  The villain in this movie is much like a terrorist in the world today.  Any great science fiction film requires a great villain.  Into Darkness does not disappoint and when the true nature of the identity of the villain is revealed: it's an "oh I get it now" moment.  It is just so refreshing when all the pieces fall together and we as audience members are treated like we have a brain.  I could go on and on about this film but I just don't want to give too much of the plot away.  I will say this: if you are a Star Trek fanatic you will LOVE this movie.  If you are a science fiction/action movie fan you will LOVE this movie.  If you want to have fun you will LOVE this movie.  If you aren't any of these things you will like this movie.  What does Into Darkness have in it?  It has lots of chases, space battles, phasers firing, explosions, people being sucked into outer space, references to the Star Trek mythology, romance, a tribble, and a lot of humor of course. In case you haven't figured it out yet.  I LOVED this movie. 

Star Trek: Into Darkness is a great date movie and I give it a grade of.....A

Gatsby: the first Great Film of 2013

     Stanley Kubrick, one of my favorite directors once said of "The Shining", that he wanted to create a film that would be like "watching a dream".  If that film was a dream it was a nightmare!  Baz Luhrmanns'  "The Great Gatsby" is like watching a beautiful dream.  Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel of the same name, "The Great Gatsby" has been turned into a movie no less than four times.  The most memorable being the 1974 release starring Robert Redford in the title role.  The film was very successful and makes one wonder why in the world would one more movie even be necessary.  This film takes the story to new heights with the Luhrmann treatment.
    Baz Luhrmann is also one of my favorite directors.  He is a love it or leave it type, whose films the critics either love or hate. His signature is gaudy, over the top productions, bursting with color,  and soundtracks updated with contemporary music reworked to fit the period of the film.  I find this very amusing.  There is no middle ground here.  His 2001 release of "Moulin Rouge!"  is a case in point.  I myself loved the over the top nature of his direction and bought the DVD as soon as it became available.  But there were plenty of people who hated it.  Gatsby delivers the Luhrmann treatment in spades although I am sure it will have plenty of detractors.  According to the "Rotten Tomato"  roughly half of all critics give this a positive review and half....not so much.  But what do critics know anyway?  (The Rotten Tomato is a great website dedicated to compiling statistics on reviews for all films.  A great research tool or a way to kill a couple hours.  Check it out.)  I find him to be one of the most unique and creative film makers of our day.  His films bring a new meaning to the term "eye candy".
     So what about the movie?  This is a great movie and the first best film of 2013.  The story is set in the rip roaring twenties.  A time of intense debauchery and general all around craziness.  You thinks the '60s and '70s were loose?  Take a look at the twenties.  Sorry, I digress.  If I were to boil the plot down to one theme I would say it is about a mysterious wealthy man who yearns for a lost love.  Isn't it terrible when falling in love defines a person, even years after the relationship has ended?  I hate it when that happens.  
     Nick Carraway, played by Tobey Maguire of Spiderman fame, is an erstwhile writer, who lands in a sanitarium for being a morbid alcoholic.  Many people who partied hearty in the 1920's ended up like that or worse.  Carraway relates the story as a remembrance of the most "remarkable" person he has ever met.  While he tells the story it comes to life before our eyes on the big screen.  But in a dream-like effect rather that a literal one.  When people think back on life there is a tendency  to romanticize our memories.  That's just human nature, and his respect and affection for Gatsby is clear right from the start.  Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jay Gatsby with much aplomb turning in what I consider an Oscar worthy performance.  Yes you heard it here first.  Leo will be nominated for his portrayal.  It will be a crime if he isn't.  Now that DiCaprio has finally grown into a mature man and no longer the pretty boy his acting chops are coming to the fore.  And an excellent actor he is.  He creates a three dimensional character that I think anyone would like to know.  Sinfully handsome, cool as a cucumber, and internally a tortured soul, Gatsby is a complex and conflicted character.  Oozing a smooth charm and ease that hides inner demons, Jay Gatsby is one of American literatures' classic characters.   DeCaprios performance is a slam dunk.  I never want to give too much away in my reviews but the major demon is a lost love, Daisey Buchanan, played by Carey Mulligan.
The beautiful Mulligan plays Daisy with style and grace.  It is easy to see why Gatsby is haunted by her.  
     Everything about Gatsby is beautiful.  The people, the costumes, the sets, and the telling of the story.  Of course conflicts arise and subplots abound but at the core is Gatsby yearning for the love he lost five years prior.  Oh yes, the music for this film is also great.  In keeping with the Luhrmann effect the soundtrack is updated with new original music by contemporary musicians.  Gotye, Jay Z, Beyonce Knowles, Florence + the Machine and others make contributions to the soundtrack.  If you haven't figured it out yet......I loved "The Great Gatsby".  
This would make an excellent date movie.
I give "The Great Gatsby" a grade of a solid: A

....just keeps getting better.

     I know that I am a little late in getting this review out, seeing how this film opened last weekend.  I figure that it is better late than never.  I went to a 3D showing Thursday afternoon and I loved it.  First of all there were only four other people in the theater besides me which I LOVE.  I had a whole row to myself.  OK, enough of the small talk, on to the review.  

     Opening seven days ago, this film is the third installment in the Iron Man franchise.  Iron Man 2 was better than the first Iron Man, and keeping with that, Iron Man 3 is better than the first two.  This movie really has it all.  Humor, special effects, bonding with a boy, a terrorist threat, romance and Robert Downey Jr.  Can anyone in the world play the cynical smart ass better?  I think not.  However in Iron Man 3, Tony Stark is toned down a bit.  Suffering from anxiety, probable depression, he seems bored, and thus spends his time building dozens of Iron Man suits.  Downeys' acting is a little understated and spot on for the Tony Stark character.  Things have changed since the first two films and the characters have grown, giving them a lot of added depth.  Which is much more than your typical offering in this genre.  Pepper Potts is played again by Gweneth Paltro and is no longer Starks' assistant but the CEO at Stark industries.  Stark and Potts are committed to each other as they now live together and act much like any other couple with the usual squabbles and tiffs.  Even though this man IS a superhero, he is a superhero with many of the same failings we normal guys possess.  Refreshing.  Don Cheadle reprises his role as James Rhodes, Stark's best friend, and liaison between the air force and Stark industries.  There is a ton of good natured jocularity between the two.  Rhodes helps to keep Stark grounded in ways that Pepper just can't.  In a comical turn, Sir Ben Kingsley plays the evil "Mandarin".  Spoiler alert, he isn't a real terrorist, he's a fake terrorist.  When the truth is revealed many chuckles ensue.  Of course all leads up to the epic final battle which is required for any movie of this genre.  I don't want to give too much away but I promise you will not be disappointed.  This film is filled with all the usual cliche's you would find in a super hero movie.  What raises Iron Man 3 above the rest of the herd is the character development and the ensemble cast which is perfectly balanced by judicial use of CGI effects.  This genre has a formula to follow and Iron Man 3 follows right in step.  Iron Man 3 even introduces a boy, Harley, who ends up helping Tony Stark.  The two bond and as such helps to give the film a heart warming ending.  Ever see that before?  

I thought so.  Iron Man 3 is a very good movie and would make a great date movie.

I give this film a grade of: A-