Sep 27 2013

Rush

To this day the 1970’s brutal rivalry between Formula One drivers James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Daniel Brühl) remains legendary. Two men of polar opposite character but both with an unrelenting hunger to prove they’re the best. A hunger that came at the cost of relationships, destructive behaviour, and perhaps even their own lives, this is their story.rush Directed by Ron Howard and written by Peter Morgan this 37 year old romance of man, machine, their mistresses, and their unflappable perseverance is recounted in gripping detail that’s just as relevant and thrilling today as it was then. Impeccable performances from Hemsworth and Brühl address the arrogance and hubris of each figure along with their respective eccentricities. Well choreographed and thought out cinematography sucks the viewer into the driver’s seat and for just a moment into the mind of a Formula One genius. Meanwhile, Hans Zimmer’s score adds that certain flavour, which while not a stretch for Zimmer in any regard, still feels appropriate. Winner winner chicken dinner. Rush is rated R.


Sep 27 2013

Baggage Claim

In an effort to impress her family before her little sister’s wedding, flight attendant Montana Moore (Paula Patton), and her air travel friends set out to find a fiancé. But, to find the one who really matters she’ll have to go through her dating rolodex of hits and misses to refine her relationship criteria and requirements. Oh Mr. right, where are you?BaggageClaim Playing out like a culturally repackaged “What’s Your Number?” it’s pretty clear this film isn’t for everyone. That being said, it did appear the test audience was entertained despite the sub-par acting, go figure. And with a cast of pretty people, Taye Diggs, Derek Luke, Boris Kodjoe, and Djimon Hounsou to name a few there’s plenty of eye candy for the ladies. But if you’re looking for intelligent script, witty dialogue, or pure screen chemistry, eh, keep searching. Bottom line, I’m almost certain if you want to see this film there’s very little I can say or write that will dissuade you from your decision. No judgement, but really, think about saving your entertainment dollars on this one, please? Baggage Claim is rated PG-13.


Sep 27 2013

Metallica: Through The Never

Life is hard on the road for musicians and their crew; the hours are long, the labor is tough, precious sleep is often found in small doses, and at the end of it all the rewards are often small– nothing could be truer for Trip (Dane DeHaan), a young roadie for the band Metallica. Sent out on a special mission during the band’s performance the lines between fantasy, reality, and the apocalypse are blurred into an unforgettable adventure.ThroughTheNeverWritten by the members of Metallica and Director Nimrod Antal two things are immediately apparent 1)This “greatest hits” of Metallica in concert is a powerful and perfect example as to why the band remains relevant and kings of the Heavy Metal Thrash world and 2) The band should stick to writing music and not screenplays. While the attempt is being made to offer more than just a live performance, the imaginative power and creativity involved in Through The Never plays out like a 13 year old’s fantasy scribbled out on a napkin from a late night diner stinking of yesterday’s hash browns and a floors that look like they haven’t been earnestly mopped in months. Unquestionably, Metallica’s live performance continues to be one of the highest energy and explosive (literally and figuratively) shows on earth; and, captured in 3D with the sound of IMAX to make your ears bleed, the experience is probably the closest one can get without actually being there. Albeit, in this memorex format we hear distinctly less profanity than what this long time fan is used to, eh, so there’s that. So it’s mixed feelings, while the music holds up, the accompanying “storyline” plays out so corny and eye rolling you just kind of have to wonder, who’s idea is this? Metallica: Through The Never is rated R.