My Top 10 Superhero Films

In a very short time, Christopher Nolan will deliver the final chapter of his Batman Trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Nolan’s trilogy has represented a new dawn for superhero movies, much like George Lucas’ Star Wars Trilogy did for science-fiction. Amidst this new-found admiration and appreciation for superheroes, Hollywood has been overrun with a smattering of superhero films. So I feel I must take a moment and share the 10 superhero films that I consider personal favorites. Before we go any further, I must specify my criteria for judging these films.

Ultimately, more important than the film itself, is the hero it is about. There are movies that are exceptionally well-made that you will find totally snubbed from this list, and the simple explanation for that is that I either don’t like, or legitimately dislike the superhero it is about (cough-Spiderman-cough). To me, Superheros are idealistic representations of mankind. They personify the myths of old- our modern day Hercules, Achilles and Perseus. They are awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and oftentimes genuinely bad-ass. Next is the film itself, and how much care and concern the filmmakers, actors and the rest of the crew show for the subject matter.

1) SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE (1978)

Directed by Richard Donner

The forerunner for anything minutely related to superheroes, is Superman. Even the phrase “super”hero wouldn’t exist without Superman. In 1932 Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created the most popular fictional character of all time. In 1978, “Superman: The Movie” was released, and it’s phenomenal success would pave the way for future superhero films. Richard Donner, the film’s director, spearheaded the film with a mantra of verisimilitude – to make the film appear as real as possible. He wanted kids to believe in Superman like they did in Santa Claus. This dedication to such a fantastic ideal is what makes the movie incredible. Amongst the phenomenal cast was Marlon Brando as Superman’s biological father, Jor-El; and Gene Hackman as the film’s villain, Lex Luthor. And in the title role was a young unknown actor by the name of Christopher Reeve. The epic film featured the origin story of the infant Kal-El, his adoption as Clark Kent, and his destined role as Superman. It featured a diabolical plot by Lex Luthor, and a rousing finale. John Williams created one of his most masterful compositions for the film’s soundtrack, a score  that has become synonymous with Superman, and superheroes in general. Donner made the film as bright and colourful as possible, paying tribute to the iconic character on whom it is based upon. Everything about the film, even the tagline – “You’ll believe a man can fly” – was filled with the same idealised, almost naive positivity that Superman is known for. And it delivered on all it’s hype with overwhelmingly positive reviews and a huge box-office intake. The most thrilling part about the film is Christopher Reeve’s performance. To step into the role of the most iconic character of all time is no easy task. But to see Christopher Reeve totally transform himself and deliver a committed, brilliant portrayal of both Superman and Clark Kent is truly extraordinary. I don’t even hesitate when I state in my opinion, that it’s the greatest performance in film history.

2) BATMAN BEGINS (2005)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan is a name that will be whispered with awe amongst fanboys all over the world. In 2005, Nolan breathed new life into the Batman film franchise, that was abandoned after Joel Schumacher took a giant dump on it and called it “Batman and Robin”. With Batman Begins, he brought a gritty realism that echoed that old mantra of verisimilitude. Except that realism is a bit different for Batman than it is for Superman. Batman is finally adapted with a reverence that we have never seen before. With Batman Begins, Nolan did something that very few directors do when handling a superhero film- He took it seriously. Revamping the characters origin story, the film depicts in vivid detail Bruce Wayne’s physical and psychological training that eventually shapes the Batman. In the title role, Christian Bale delivers a powerhouse performance as the Caped Crusader. I’ve heard several criticisms of his portrayal. However, as a dedicated fan of the comic, I know that Batman’s voice is described as “each word resembling a piece of glass cutting his throat on the way out”. So Christian Bale, unlike so many actors before him, shows true dedication to the character. In supporting roles are great performances from Gary Oldman as Lt. James Gordon, Michael Caine as butler Afred Pennyworth, and Liam Neeson as the mastermind villain, Ra’s Al Ghul. The dedication shown towards this film is reflected by the positive reviews it recieved, and Batman’s evolution into one of the decade’s most popular iconic characters.

3) THE DARK KNIGHT (2008).

Directed by Christopher Nolan

The Empire Strikes Back to Batman Begins’ Star Wars. Darker, grittier and more downright villainous. And Batman Begins was already full of all those things. Chris Nolan settles on The Joker, comics’ greatest villain, as the antagonist for Batman this time around. The clown price of crime is played by Heath Ledger. Michael Caine, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale return in their respective roles; and Aaron Eckhart joins the cast as Harvey Dent/ Two-Face. Chock full of chase scenes, action sequences and puzzling schemes “The Dark Knight” was prime box-office fare. And it’s incredible success at the time showed a new reverence for superhero films, from both audiences and critics alike. The film recieved tremendous praise for its visual effects, storyline, and performances. the most alluring part of the film for me is the deep psychological drama that it depicts between Batman and The Joker. The image of a man taken to the brink of chaos and his ideals terribly shaken by another who “just wants to watch the world burn” is chilling. It’s a vintage comic archetype that is characteristic of Batman and The Joker, and it’s perfectly captured in the film. And finally there’s the Academy-Award winning performance from Heath Ledger. What more praise can I deliver that hasn’t already been heaped upon him?

4) THE AVENGERS (2012)

Directed by Joss Whedon

Speaking of prime box office fare… The world is still shaking from the thunderous success that Marvel’s master plan “The Avengers” has had. I first heard talk of an Avengers film when “Iron Man” came out in 2008. The sheer enormity of such a project was enough to get fanboys around the world scoffing at such a preposterous idea. In a short 5 years, however, Marvel found huge success through it’s “Iron Man” franchise and moderate success with “Thor” and “Captain America”. It then hired geek-god Joss Whedon to helm the project, and I’m sure even the most skeptical of fans dared to hope for success. To say that “The Avengers” exceeded expectations would be an understatement. Whedon spearheads the project with all of the wit and charm that he is known for, and he creates a rousing film that is  totally appealing. With jaw-dropping action choreography, and phenomenally well-written dialogue, The Avengers is all a fanboy could ever hope for, and much-much more. It also features the whole doggone cast delivering strong performances. Robert Downey Jr. is as charming as we’ve come to expect as Iron Man, and Tom Hiddleston is wonderfully cunning as Loki. Even Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans, portraying Thor and Captain America, are more likeable in this film than in their solo films- It’s a testament to Whedon’s ability to create truly fascinating chemistry for his characters. Mark Rufallo steals the show with his performance as Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk, capturing the character better than anyone before him has done. As a final note, I must state that I never was much of a Marvel fan. And I would never thought I would say it, but The Avengers deserves all the praise that it has and continues to recieve.

5) WATCHMEN (2009)

Directed by Zack Snyder

Anyone who claims to be a fan of comic books will have read Alan Moore’s masterpiece “Watchmen”, or else they’re pathetic hypocrites. Sorry if that was harsh. But that’s exactly what Watchmen is. It’s a seminal work to the medium of comics. It is to comics what “The Godfather” is to film. So I’ll be the first to say I had no faith in Zack Snyder when I heard he was adapting this masterpiece into a film. The story takes place in an alternate reality where superheroes are real, and have provided aid to the government. However in the midst of the escalating Cold War, paranoia has led to distrust of the the costumed heroes. And in the late eighties, at the height of the Cold War, a conspiracy emerges that revolves around the murder of a costumed hero. I expected a bit of a train wreck, but upon seeing the film, I was quite impressed. Upon re-watching it, I was further impressed, and I realized that it could very well be as good an adaptation as we will get. It’s not perfect, certainly. But I don’t see anyone “perfectly” adapting the comic book, because quite frankly, I don’t think it would be a good film.  What makes the comic great is unique to the comic, and it’s medium. But Snyder finds his own unique ways to make his film great. Contrary to what I was expecting, the movie has a much more campy feel to it. It’s still the same dark storyline, but it features the gloriously stylized action that Snyder made famous in “300”. I realized that this reflects the oddly colorful and bright artwork that is present in the comic. In the end, the film is what I would expect if the panels in the comic could move. There are some clear issues, but they’re ones I feel cannot be resolved in a film. Snyder does his best, and in my opinion, its good enough. Also, the movie features the best opening titles of all time.

6) SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006)

Directed by Bryan Singer

Sadly underrated, and sadly misunderstood. “Superman Returns” was supposed to do for Superman what “Batman Begins” did for Batman. However, WB was disappointed with its $391 mil. box office showing. The sad thing is, “Returns” recieved positive reviews upon release, but has since been overlooked. I really feel like Singer’s Superman (one not so different from Donner’s original vision) just didn’t appeal to modern audiences. Singer delved deep into the character’s iconic status, and using astoundingly gorgeous visuals, crafted the most majestic image of Superman that we have ever seen. But I’m sure modern audiences just wanted to see him kick some ass. However, Singer showed sincere dedication and appreciation for the Man of Steel. He kept true to all the moral uprightness and stoicism of Superman, demonstrated in action sequences that were shockingly understated. There’s very little flash or flair to Superman’s movements or his character. He’s the humble, unassuming and sensitive hero of old. Kevin Spacey does a great job as Lex Luthor, conveying equal amounts of humor and intimidation. In the lead role, is another unknown by the name of Brandon Routh, and he does a great job, proving he’s a worthy replacement for the legendary Chris Reeve.

7) BATMAN (1989)

Directed by Tim Burton

DC’s first attempt to bring their other popular hero to film (independent from any TV shows) was a rousing success. Tim Burton is the perfect choice for director, bringing a Gothic flair to create a dark and grim Gotham City. Michael Keaton was originally berated and bemoaned by fans as a poor choice for Batman, but he proves them all wrong with a very strong performance. Jack Nicholson plays the Joker with a great theatrical and campy flair, perfectly capturing the Silver Age representation of the character. Danny Elfman contributes with a rousing score that I still find myself humming restlessly. It’s a truly entertaining and honest interpretation of the Dark Knight.

8) IRON MAN (2008)

Directed by Jon Favreau

The start of Marvel’s phenomenal collection of home-run films, and the comeback of a lifetime for Robert Downey Jr. Director Jon Favreau hits all the right buttons to create an explosive, entertaining vision of Iron-Man. The film features an origin story that is probably one of the very best for any superhero film. Robert Downey Jr. is fantastic as billionaire Tony Stark, bringing an irrevocable charm and wit to the character, making him instantly likeable. In a strong supporting performance is Jeff Bridges as antagonist Obadiah Stane. It also features some awe-inspiring visual effects and a butt-load of cool gadgets that will continue to evoke “ooh”s and “aah”s from audiences. The film brought a new vision for Marvel superheroes, and it continues to be a measuring stick for all films to follow up in that cinematic universe.

9) SUPERMAN II (1980)

Directed by Richard Lester

The second installment of the Superman franchise features a more existential Kal-El, and an epic set of supervillains. Superman faces off against a band of lost Kryptonian criminals with a desire for vengeance, led by General Zod- portrayed in iconic fashion by Terence Stamp. I understand there was a string of production issues with the film, including a change in directors, so its’ incredible that a great film can still come out of it. I normally wouldn’t be a fan of a Superman who approaches a near angsty state, but Christopher Reeve does an incredible job, portraying the character with a genuine emotion that would be hard to ignore. And the film also features a smattering of epic action scenes just like it’s predecessor.

10) BLADE (1998)

Directed by Stephen Norrington

Pure, unadulterated fun. Not only is Blade one of my favourite superhero films, but it would easily make it into a list of my favorite vampire films as well. In an inspired casting choice, the highly talented Wesley Snipes portrays the daywalker, Blade. Fairly different from the comic version, Snipes’ Blade is a more imposing, fearless, and downright bad-ass representation. Kris Kristofferson provides a strong supporting performance as Blade’s mentor, Abraham Whistler. Wesley Snipes in the lead role means two thing that instantly make the film appealing: A deep bone-chilling voice that I could listen to recite the phone book, and some ass-kicking action scenes and fight choreography. Add to that the visceral directorial style employed by Stephen Norrington and David S. Goyer’s fascinating storyline, and you’ve got a genuinely thrilling superhero/vampire/action film.

Special mentions: Batman Returns, Blade II, X-Men: First Class, Spider-Man, X-Men, Spider-Man 2, The Green Hornet.

Young Adult Review

“Young Adult” (14A)

Directed by Jason Reitman

Rating: 4.5/5

As I sat through this film, it had me smiling, contemplating, chuckling and feeling quite gloomy. All in all, a really bang-up job. I am also severely attracted to Charlize Theron, but I digress. Approach the movie expecting all the humour that we would find from Diablo Cody – à la Juno – but beware the unflinchingly bittersweet tone of the entire film.

Young Adult marks the second collaboration between director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody, following 2007’s darling Juno. Diablo Cody stated that this movie came as a result of the press hassling her over her fixation with adolescence. And so in Young Adult, she pours all of her fixation into Mavis Gary, a young adult fiction author who makes a trip back to her boring hometown of Mercury. Mavis’ reason for this visit is to win back her old high school flame, Buddy Slade, who is now a happily married father. While back in Mercury, she strikes up an unlikely bond with a former geeky classmate, and is struck by the harsh reality of her life and the lives of people in Mercury.

Diablo Cody really is a great screenwriter, and any asinine belief I may have had that Juno was a flash in the pan is instantly put to rest. With Young Adult, she finds a great wealth of humour in many forms, from deadpan wit to biting sarcasm. The scenes shared between Mavis and the geeky Matt Freehauf are pitch perfect for comedic timing. Cody also finds a great deal of sentimentality that is often heartrending despite its deliberately dismal approach. Jason Reitman is proficient as director, with an adept timing for humour and gloom.

And finally, my digression ends here. CHARLIZE FREAKING THERON does an incredible job in her performance as Mavis Gary. And don’t let my gushy schoolboy infatuation fool you; her performance has a lot more to it than looking pretty. I was struck by her effortless transition between cold cynicism, unsettling angst and straight up bitchiness. I must also compliment the two strong supporting performances from Patton Oswalt as Matt Freehauf, and Patrick Wilson as Buddy Slade. Patton Oswalt retains the same comedic personality that you might be familiar with, but manages to give a fair amount of gravitas to his performance. And it’s rare that I’ll see a character defined as simply as “nice” and “kind” and have them come off fitting those descriptions so well, but Patrick Wilson does just that. He’s the everyman niceguy, and is very well cast.

So in conclusion, Young Adult sort of met the expectations that I set for it. To be honest, I’m not entirely familiar with Charlize Theron’s work, unless you count the billion-something times I’ve seen her Dior ad on TV. So when I heard about her starring in a Reitman/Cody project, I figured I had a chance to shed the immaturity of my infatuation and actually see her utilize her acclaimed talent. And I got just that: she delivers a first class performance, and Cody and Reitman provide the perfect vehicle. Mind you, it broke some of my expectations too, and I’m still reeling a bit. In severe hindsight, Young Adult is undoubtedly in my top ten films from 2011.

The Post About Everything

So I realized I haven’t posted anything all week following my week-long WrestleMania geek-fest. During this week there has been a load of stuff that all warrant a post entry. I’m talking movie reviews, insightful attempts, and an unhealthy amount of personal anecdotes. So I’m gonna attempt to blog about all of it. If you meet me on the street sometime soon and slap me across the face, I shall know it’s because you are bewildered by this post. And then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.

• WrestleMania was awesome, as I expected, The Rock beat John Cena, which I did not expect but totally enjoyed, and my friend really damaged his throat yelling at the screen. He’s a metalhead. I still laugh at his misfortune, but really, I’m glad he enjoyed himself so much.
• I watched “What’s Up Tiger Lily?”, which is director Woody Allen’s debut. Its a Japanese Crime movie that’s been dubbed over with shoddy American dialogue. It’s hilarious, and gives me hope that being totally silly can still lead to an enlightened career.
• I started watching “Sons of Anarchy”, and I’m very impressed. I will someday ask Ron Perlman for a hug while secretly hoping he punches me in the face instead. And then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.
• I watched “Take Shelter” recently as my parents scratched their head. I then spent the rest of the day looking outside my window putting off going outside because it was cloudy.
• I also watched “Warrior”, and I had to turn on my subtitles to understand what Nick Nolte was talking about. I marked out when I saw Kurt Angle, and I can’t wait to see Tom Hardy as Bane. The guy’s a tank.
• What else did I watch? “50/50”, and I nearly cried. Seriously. But again, i was very impressed. I think the ideal time for me to try marijuana would be with people triple my age who have it prescribed to them. Or with Seth Rogen in a parking lot.
• You read correctly. I have not smoked marijuana.
•  This changes almost on a weekly basis, but as of today, I want to marry this girl:

• ^That girl^ is Peggy Olson. She’s on “Mad Men”. She’s cute, funny, and assertive. And she dresses like she’s from the sixties (coz she’s from the sixties….) Watch “Mad Men”!
• I also watched “The Passion of the Christ” and even as I write this I’m trying to think of ways that I can avoid controversy. I really liked the movie.
• Happy Easter! this post is related to the last one, in case you missed my poor attempt at subtlety. I ate a lot of chocolate over the past 24 hours. If you see me sometime soon, please knock whatever sugary item I am holding out of my hand. Unless its a Cadbury Creme Egg. Because then we shall be forced to throw down fisticuffs.
• As I write this I’m watching a show on FOX called “Excused” Its about some girls that get to pick mystery dates, and they’re really sassy. The host is really funny. I’m actually enjoying it, and I feel kinda guilty about it. And as my parents just walked in the front door I hastily changed the channel

Ratings for the movies I mentioned:

• “What’s Up Tiger Lily?”: 4/5
• “Take Shelter”: 4.5/5
• “Warrior”: 3.5/5
• “50/50”: 3.5/5
• “The Passion of the Christ”: 5/5

Notice how I made the whole post about me? That’s because it’s MY blog. Also clear after that blog, is that I watch a lot of movies and TV. It happens to be what I want to do with my life, so lay off. But seriously, I need to get out more. As soon as those clouds pass…

MARGIN CALL REVIEW

“Margin Call” (R)

Directed by J. C. Chandor

Rating: 4.5/5

J. C. Chandor spent the first 15 years quietly working on documentaries and commercials, before finally dropping his thrilling feature film debut on us last year – Margin Call. A movie that is totally engrossing, and extremely well-constructed.  As a movie that takes place over a short 12 hour span, it’s incredible how much Chandor can pack into his 110 minute film that manages to entertain and fully capture our attention.

Margin Call follows a Wall Street financial firm during the first 12 hours of 2008’s financial crisis. In the wake of  a major cutback, Zachary Quinto plays an entry level financial analyst who uncovers the first signs of the crisis after his recently fired boss (Stanley Tucci) leaves him some unfinished research. His superiors, that include Kevin Spacey, Paul Bettany, Demi Moore and Jeremy Irons must now contend with the problem and make decisions that could potentially affect the future of the American economy.

The 2008 financial crisis is one of those events that winds up being a huge media story, but for the life of me I can never understand. Like the DOW Jones Index, or the Kardashians. So it is quite commendable that writer/director J. C. Chandor manages to explain this this crisis by providing an intriguing and deeply human story to it.  He presents an astoundingly well-constructed screenplay that fully maintains interest. Probably the most fascinating thing about Chandor is his use of characters, as he finely crafts them to seem all too real. We can associate with most of them, and even those that might seem unfamiliar, he makes damn sure we understand them.

 Speaking of the characters, it’s incredible how star-studded this cast is, and it’s even more incredible how well they are all casted. Chandor employs an inspired introduction for each major cast-member, slowly adding more to his thrilling mix, until he’s finally crafted a colorful cast of characters. The entire cast deserves commendation, as they all did fantastic jobs. Zach Quinto shines in the lead role, and he’s supported by another young actor with a surprisingly strong performance in Penn Badgley. In their various supporting roles, Paul Bettany, Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Demi Moore and a particularly great Stanley Tucci deliver strong performances. The characters wind up making this film, and the actors do their best to make them believable.

Margin Call wound up picking up an Oscar nom for it’s original screenplay, and it is well-deserved. It’s a riveting financial thriller that will stand up alongside classics like Wall Street. It’s an overwhelmingly successful debut for J. C. Chandor.

Calvin’s Most Anticipated Films for 2012

Another annual list that I like to share is my anticipated films. The Oscars represent an end to the fiscal year of films. So with a new year of films ahead of us, here are my most anticipated films for 2012, in no particular order.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Directed by Peter Jackson

After a ridiculously long wait, The Hobbit will finally hit theaters this winter. As exciting as Guillermo Del Toro would have been, Peter Jackson takes the reins with all the epic command that he had over the Lord of the Rings trilogy. And after watching the first trailer, I am instantly reminded of all the glorious entertainment I had with the Trilogy. Watch the trailer again and savour all of the sheer epic-ness: the thrill of seeing Ian McKellan in full Gandalf gear again, the promise of the great performance Martin Freeman will deliver, or hearing the first strains of some new compositions that Howard Shore will lay down. It looks incredible, and I cannot wait.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T90Holdcrps

THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

Directed by Christopher Nolan

And so Chris Nolan brings his epic trilogy to a close. Nolan’s Batman has been one of the most popular characters in the past decade, and will forever be cemented as a pop icon. The trilogy itself will most likely be looked at as an important milestone in film history, much like the original Star Wars trilogy is regarded. Nolan’s series kicked off a new dawn for superhero movies, and he will forever be regarded as a God to fanboys. The Dark Knight Rises looks every bit as promising as the previous films were. DEY SHAY BAH-SAH-RAH! BAH-SAH-RAH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GokKUqLcvD8

PROMETHEUS

Directed by Ridley Scott

Probably the best trailer I saw last year was the trailer for Ridley Scott’s new film, Prometheus. Every single moment of that trailer gets me excited. It’s been 30 years since Scott has dabbled in science-fiction, a genre that he helped pioneer. And with Prometheus, he revisits his Alien franchise with a fresh perspective. Prometheus will serve as a prequel to the first Alien, and as the trailer indicated, the film appears to have the same incredible style that Scott adapted for Alien.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftuxbvGwiU

THIS IS FORTY

Directed by Judd Apatow

There’s no doubt that Judd Apatow has quickly become someone I look up to when it comes to comedy. His last film, Funny People, wound up being one of my favourite films of all time. And with This is Forty, it’s apparent that he will once more deliver a movie with his signature humour, and more importantly, his signature emotion. The movie is a spin-off of his 2007 film Knocked Up, and follows the lives of Pete and Debbie, the charming couple played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. Apatow and Mann’s daughters, Maude and Iris, return to play Pete and Debbie’s kids.

SKYFALL

Directed by Sam Mendes

I love Daniel Craig. The most bad-ass James Bond of all time returns to the big-screen, and it’s never looked more promising. The project is being helmed by Sam Mendes, the director of masterpieces like American Beauty and Revolutionary Road. The cinematography will be conducted by one of hollywood’s most legendary cinematographers, Roger Deakins. And to add icing to the cake, Javier Bardem has been cast as the film’s primary villain.

NERO FIDDLED

Directed by Woody Allen

Like clockwork, Woody Allen will churn out another movie in 2012, titled Nero Fiddled. Just as he used great cities like New York, Barcelona and Paris, Rome serves as the location for Nero Fiddled. Starring in the film is Jesse Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Roberto Benigni, Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin and Allen himself in his first acting role since 2006. There’s nothing more to say. I’m perpetually excited about anything involving Mr. Allen.

THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES

Directed by Derek Cianfrance

I love Ryan Gosling too. And boy oh boy, does he look impressive in The Place Beyond The Pines. The movie will be directed and co-written by Derek Cianfrance, who Gosling previously worked with on the amazing Blue Valentine. The story is about a motorcycle stunt rider played by Gosling who considers comitting a crime in order to provide for his newborn child. He is opposed by a cop-turned-politician, played by Bradley Cooper.

WORLD WAR Z

Directed by Marc Forster

Zombies, baby. The ultimate tome of zombie literature will finally be adapted into a feature length film. Brad Pitt will produce and star in Max Brooks’ oral history  of the zombie war. The novel consists of a series of interviews that Brooks conducts with survivors of a fictitous zombie war. It was one of the most terrifying books I have ever read and it haunted me for months. I have no idea how this will be adapted, but rest assured, this will not be any average zombie story. This will strive to be a masterpiece in every sense of the word. 

THE GREAT GATSBY

Directed by Baz Luhrmann

Baz Luhrmann, director of Moulin Rouge and Romeo+Juliet is set to adapt F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, The Great Gatsby. Previous adaptations of the novel  include the 1974 classic starring Robert Redford, Mia Farrow and Sam Waterston. This year, Tobey MacGuire takes the role of narrator Nick Carraway and Carey Mulligan takes on the role of Daisy Buchanan. In the title iconic role of Jay Gatsby is the astoundingly talented Leonardo DiCaprio. It will also feature the Hollywood debut of a Bollywood icon in Amitabh Bachchan. There really is no better person to helm this film than the grand and regal stylings of Baz Luhrmann. And there really is no better man to step into the shoes of one of literature’s most iconic characters than Leo DiCaprio. Give this man an Oscar already.

THE EXPENDABLES 2

Directed by Simon West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCUjFRC4Tvw

Need I say more? Give all these guys Oscars already.

Calvin’s favourite films from 2011

This always takes me forever to compile. I also want you to rest assured that this is always changing. I always add to it or take off from it as I see more movies. However, this is how it currently stands.

1) THE TREE OF LIFE

Directed by Terrence Malick

A strong contender for the greatest movie of all time. Beyond description.

2) MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

Directed by Woody Allen

Woody Allen crafts another stellar film, pouring all of his passion for Paris into a film that is charming and witty. Owen Wilson delivers the finest performance of his career, as he’s supported by an incredible cast. Allen is still the same clever genius he’s always been. His writing in this film is extremely strong, and we will likely see him pick up his record third screenwriting Oscar for his work (after a record 15 nominations).

3) SUPER 8

Directed by J. J. Abrams

One hell of an entertaining ride. It reminds us of what blockbusters used to be, and how they should be. A charming tale of friendship and monsters, Super 8 is an awesome theater-going experience. Abrams borrows a bunch of directing techniques of Steven Spielberg and crafts a thrilling film of his own. He’s quickly establishing himself as a powerful director with immense potential.

4) DRIVE

Directed by Nicholas Winding Refn

The coolest movie of the year and destined to be a cult classic. Drive is the visceral thriller from Nicholas Winding Refn. Ryan Gosling delivers a manic performance as one of the most fascinating characters of the year. Perfectly balancing action and romance, it’s a carnal experience that is entertaining to watch (with a kick-ass soundtrack to boot).

5) THE ARTIST

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius

The revolutionary film that’s drawing all kinds of attention. Michel Hazanavicius crafts a charming film that captures our attention with virtually no dialogue at all. A silent film about the silent era, The Artist is a film that simply must be experienced. Jean Dujardin delivers one of the best performances of the year as the weary film star George Valentin. Michel Hazanavicius uses several techniques from silent films in order to create a masterful tribute.

6) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

Directed by David Yates

The final, impeccable conclusion to J. K. Rowling’s magnificent fantasy saga. David Yates’ two-part finale is the finest of the series, and a fitting farewell. The beloved characters have all grown up, and the astounding young cast finally delivers mature performances that I can honestly say are some of the finest of the year. Alan Rickman steals the show with a stunning performance as Severus Snape. David Yates utilizes his two films well, by packing a large number of amazing battle scenes into Part 2 to make up for the slower paced Part 1. Harry Potter will undoubtedly pass into history as a pop-culture icon. It all comes to an end with this film, and I could not have asked for a better conclusion.

7) THE MUPPETS

Directed by James Bobin

Jason Segel ushers in the glorious rebirth of Jim Henson’s beloved Muppets. Everyone that worked on this film deserves a great amount of praise, especially Segel and Nick Stoller for the screenplay, James Bobin for his direction, and Bret McKenzie for the fantastically appropriate soundtrack. McKenzie had damn well better pick up an Oscar for his original songs. Everyone does their part, and fully commits to creating a movie that Jim Henson would have been proud of. It made me laugh, it damn near made me cry, and it introduced a whole new young generation to the wholesome entertainment of The Muppets.

8) JANE EYRE

Directed by Cary Fukunaga

I was completely captivated when I first read Charlotte Brontë’s masterpiece. And I was astounded when I watched Cary Fukunaga knock it out of the park with his amazing adaptation. It’s a powerful tale of love and strength, and it’s given it’s due respect in Fukunaga’s film. The romance and the intrigue are perfectly captured. He doesn’t try to modernize it. Instead, he just tries to tell the same magnificent story that Brontë told. It features the two most under-appreciated performances of the past year: one from suddenly infamous Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester, the other from the young Mia Wasikowska as the stoic Jane Eyre. A radiant and sadly overlooked film.

9) BRIDESMAIDS

Directed by Paul Feig

Truthfully, Bridesmaids wasn’t as funny the second time around. But there’s no denying it’s one of the funniest films of the year. Kristen Wiig finally displays the full extent of her comedic genius by co-creating a hilarious screenplay that earns her an Academy Award nomination. With brilliant performances from the entire cast, Melissa McCarthy shines with an Oscar-nominated performance of her own. As a Judd Apatow production, I had a good idea of what to expect, and I was extremely pleased to see this film exceed my expectations. If Bridesmaids does get labelled as a ‘chick-flick’, then it’s undoubtedly the best one yet.

10) SOURCE CODE

Directed by Duncan Jones

Duncan Jones’ new film gets a wider release than his directorial debut, Moon, and its good to see that he’s fine-tuning his skills. Source Code takes on a more mainstream action movie feel, but Jones manages to bring in a sense of deep deliberation that we witnessed in Moon. The story is very well-constructed and splendidly directed. It’s reminiscent of Twelve Monkeys, and Jones does not try to shy away from this. The ending is probably my favorite part, and it’s a testament to good science-fiction. It doesn’t quite go the way I expected, in terms of plot, mood and story. It’s some damn good sci-fi. Zowie Bowie’s got a bright future.

Winnie the Pooh Review

“Winnie the Pooh” (G)

Directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall

Rating: 4/5

Walt Disney Animation Studios decides to give us a healthy dose of nostalgia this year, by releasing a hand-drawn, traditionally animated new entry into the beloved Winnie the Pooh franchise. With great voice talent, a pleasing soundtrack and a mellow mood, Winnie the Pooh stands as one of the finer animated movies released in 2011.

The movie features three simple storylines that are interwoven: the quest to find Eeyore’s tail, the quest to rescue Christopher Robin from an imaginary foe, and Pooh bear’s unending quest to find some honey.

Winnie the Pooh features an incredible voice cast that does a great job of charming the audience. John Cleese is perfectly cast as the narrator, bringing a wonderfully jovial balance to the movie. Craig Ferguson stands out with a hilarious performance as Owl. And in the lead is the veteran Jim Cummings, who has nearly reached a legendary status as a voice actor. His vocal performance as Pooh and Tigger is pitch-perfect- a voice that you could not imagine anyone else replacing.

The film is presented in a simple, clean-cut format. It is pleasing to all the senses- a movie that children cannot help but love. With colorful backgrounds, attractively animated character expressions, and a pleasing soundtrack, it is amicable in every meaning of the word. The film also features tasteful witty dialogue that will transcend generations and will certainly garner a few laughs from adults and children alike. Worthy of special mention is the film’s cheerful soundtrack, featuring some performances and original songs from Zooey Deschanel, whose voice complements this film as well as Elton John’s did for The Lion King.

It’s really quite disappointing that this film never got a wide release in theaters, since it easily tops some of the blockbuster animated films that were released in 2011, like Rango, Puss in Boots or Rio. I also feel the film could easily have tried for a longer run time. At 63 minutes, it ends a bit too soon. I feel it could easily have sustained a child’s attention with the original idea for five stories rather than three.

Winnie the Pooh is a refreshingly nostalgic animated film, deviating from the modern age of 3D and chaotic visuals to deliver a good-humored, altogether pleasing product.

Drive Review

“Drive” (R)

Directed By Nicolas Winding Refn

Rating: 5/5

After the first ten minutes of Drive I was completely captivated. It’s a visceral, gritty movie that can be defined as an action/thriller/romance. It’s spectacularly directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and features a masterful, stoic performance from the dreamy Ryan Gosling. It’s also accompanied by mesmerizing cinematography, sharp editing and a killer soundtrack. It seems to do everything right. Prepare yourself for a lot of praise in this review.

Ryan Gosling is the Driver – a mechanic, a stunt driver, and most importantly, the getaway driver. When Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio enter into his life, he falls in love and finds himself committed to taking care of them. When Irene’s husband is killed in a failed robbery that the Driver was aiding him in, a web of corruption and treachery is exposed. The Driver must now do everything in his power to keep her and her son out of harm’s way.

The Driver is a fascinating character, echoing Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver or The Man With No Name. Gosling is perfectly cast in this lead role. He delivers a performance that I easily consider one of the year’s best. It’s a role that will likely heighten his star status amidst a year of high profile performances he’s delivered. With little dialogue, Gosling commands attention. Apart from his dreamy persona, every expression – a small smile, a tightened jaw, contemplative glances – is simply riveting. In the supporting roles are some fine performances from the charming Carey Mulligan, the genial Bryan Cranston, and the callous Albert Brooks.

Winding Refn picked up the Best Director Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and its clearly well-deserved. He manages to balance an enthralling action film with a genuinely touching love story, and he does so magnificently. There are moments when the movie literally fades from one genre into another, and it’s incredible to witness. I’ve only seen Valhalla Rising out of his previous filmography, and I can pick up on his clever techniques. He does not crowd his film with dialogue, or campy action sequences. Instead he seems to put it on a slow-burner and bombard us when the time is right.

A movie titled Drive should obviously have some great chase scenes, right? Right on the money, however, this is no Fast and the Furious. With some incredible cinematography and sharp audio/video editing, the chase scenes are a gritty, almost carnal experience. The cinematography produces gorgeous images both on and off the road. This is coupled with incredible use of sound, so that when the moment comes, you feel every swish of the car, every rev of the engine and every bone-crushing blow that is delivered. Also worthy of special mention is the film’s groovy soundtrack. The retro, electro-pop tunes perfectly complements the film to create a harmonious, congruent total package.

Wildly entertaining and fascinating, Drive is a gritty experience that stands as one of 2011’s best films.

X-Men: First Class Review

“X-Men: First Class” (PG)

Directed By Matthew Vaughn

Rating: 4/5

X-Men: First Class unquestionably constitutes my favourite superhero film from the past year. I must state up front that I am not a very big fan of Marvel Comics and have been consistently underwhelmed by their films, especially since the Disney purchase. So there is no doubt that First Class surprisingly exceeded my expectations. With solid performances and fast paced action, it managed to be a thrilling summer blockbuster. The movie is the latest instalment to the X-Men franchise. The previous films in this franchise starred the likes of Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan and Halle Berry. But with strong performances from a young cast and monumentally improved writing, First Class manages to outshine its predecessors by miles.

X-Men: First Class focuses on the origins of the mutant community, and specifically the relationship between Charles Xavier and Eric Lensherr. Charles possesses telepathic ability, while Eric can generate and control magnetic fields- abilities that will give them the aliases of Professor X and Magneto, respectively. As Eric and Charles develop a friendship, they must stop the villainous Sebastian Shaw (who has regeneration and power absorption abilities) from destroying humanity and ushering an era of mutant supremacy. They assemble a team of mutants to combat Shaw’s own collection of rogues. Amongst the heroes are Charles’ childhood friend, the shape-shifting Raven Darkholme (soon to be Mystique) and the genius with ape-like athleticism, Dr. McCoy (soon to be Beast). Amongst the baddies is the telepathic, diamond armored Emma Frost. However, as we learn through Eric’s childhood, Sebastian Shaw once used the alias Klaus Schmidt, and under Nazi regime killed Eric’s mother. Charles’ determination to find peace contrasts Eric’s desire for revenge, and though they share they share a friendship and the common goal of stopping Shaw, they are set on two separate life paths. This is a refreshing story to cover, abandoning the WOLVERINE! WOLVERINE! WOLVERINE! focus that the previous movies had. The story of Charles and Eric is fascinating, and the writers do a great job of covering it in this film.

Although I have stated that I am not very fond of Marvel Comics, I must also declare that Magneto is one of my all-time favourite comic-book characters, and he possesses an incredible origin. This gritty tale of a young Jewish boy growing up under Nazi persecution is a powerful tale, and while it may not be perfect, the writers and the director do a great job of paying it serious attention. To further enrich this character, he is portrayed in spectacular fashion by Michael Fassbender- delivering a show-stealing performance. Fassbender is supported by an exceptional James McAvoy as Professor Xavier. The rest of the cast all manage to shine, with notable performances from Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and Nicholas Hoult as Beast. Kevin Bacon is memorable in his evil turn as Sebastian Shaw. This strong cast is undoubtedly the best part of the film.

The writing team must also be commended for providing a decent script for their talented actors. Finally, there’s the energetic pacing from director Matthew Vaughn. He packs a lot of story into a 2 hour film, while simultaneously taking time to develop characters and entertain his audience. I wasn’t lost or bored at any point in the movie, which is highly commendable for a summer blockbuster. I read somewhere that Vaughn had the idea of shooting the film somewhat like a James Bond movie. This idea plays out fairly well, and Vaughn must be commended, because it shows his consideration of adding a touch of class to a superhero film rather than dwelling on cheesy dialogue or crowded action sequences.

The few shortcomings of First Class come from its need to cover such a wide story. As unlikely as it may be, a story simply focusing on Charles and Eric would be highly appreciated.  And as I stated before, Magneto is a fascinating character. Dare I hope for an origin film starring Mr. Fassbender? I have my fingers crossed.

This film exceeded my expectations and gave Marvel some much needed class amidst their year of  over-hyped cheesy movies. Its not just a good addition to the X-Men franchise. It’s the best part of the franchise.

The Artist Review

“The Artist” (PG)

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius

Rating: 5/5

It seems The Artist was just waiting for me. Its a movie that I knew I had to see as soon as I heard of it. Perhaps its because it recently picked up 10 Academy Award Nominations and is considered a favourite for the coveted Best Picture award. Perhaps its because the trailer completely blew me away. Perhaps I just like to see dogs on screen. But the truth is that there’s an undeniable magic to the film. Whether its the poster, the trailer, the music or the premise itself, The Artist demands to be seen. Its a cinematic experience that cannot be missed.

As a black and white film that is almost entirely silent, it seems totally revolutionary. It very well may be, because it dares to unabashedly use nostalgic means of film-making in an era that strives to adapt newer methods. It utilises a 1:33:1 screen ratio, makes great use of inter-titles to replace dialogue, and even wallows in its own melodramatic story. It’s not simply nostalgia. It’s well written, well directed, damn good nostalgia.

The film is set in depression-era Hollywoodland, U.S.A. It follows silent film star George Valentin from the pinnacle of his career through his downfall. It also follows the young starlet he discovered, Peppy Miller as her career skyrockets. As his beloved film industry is revolutionized through the adaptation of sound, George is left behind and Peppy finds success. George must now find a way to overcome his pride, realise his love and save his career.

Director Michel Hazanavicius seems to consider every little detail in his film. Whether its the set design, the costumes or the story itself, The Artist captures all of the emotion that a real silent-era film would. Hazanavicius finds brilliant comedic timing, and crafts tender dramatic moments. He throws in little pieces of montage or dramatic lighting that immediately reminds us of classic silent-era films. He even throws in a little tap-dance for good measure.

The performances in this film have to applauded, with great performances from familiar faces James Cromwell and John Goodman. The female lead, Berenice Bejo delivers a great performance in her own right, by morphing into the classic “Hollywood Sweetheart” in Peppy Miller. Then there’s the astounding lead performance by Jean Dujardin as George Valentin. Every expression and every gesture that this man performs evokes the image of a true silent film star. He commits to his role and clearly pours his heart and soul into it. Its a performance that will most likely win him an Academy Award.

The Artist was a movie that captured my attention and held it. As I experienced this in a relatively crowded cinema, I was infatuated by the entire spectacle: the charm of the performers, the stirring melodrama and the tongue-in-cheek humour. And during the few moments that I did glance away from the screen, it was to see the expression on my fellow audience members’ faces. And it’s a beautiful sight to see an audience captivated, holding their breath or smiling broadly at a screen with no dialogue to be heard.

It’s magical.