The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

I am pleased be well along the way in my process of adapting to life in London, UK. Even more, I am overjoyed to be back in the world of cinephiles. The world of film and media in the UK is small compared to that of the US, but what it lacks in size it overwhelms with quality and exclusive content. Thanks to Cineworld UK, I had the immense pleasure of attending a secret screening of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; five weeks in advance of its US and UK theatrical releases.

Walter Mitty can easily be summed up as the story of a magazine worker who lives inside fantasy worlds and sets off on a global journey to find a missing picture. Going a step further, I would say that it is the story of a man that wants to desperately live his life but has long forgotten how. The film begins with a diminished Walter (Ben Stiller) simply going through the motions of his life until a series of events lead him toward an adventure of a lifetime. As the film progresses, we get to witness his transformation from an introspective loser to a world traveler and adventurer.

Unlike other films of its kind, Walter Mitty is a tale of a midlife crisis and the self-discovery that comes with it. What do you do when you realize that you're entire life is changing and not for the better. The subject matter hits very close to home for myself as I have been faced with a similar situation as Walter Mitty. Out of a sheer will for survival, Walter Mitty embarks on a journey that takes him from New York City to Greenland to Iceland and much further. His journey is racked with unbelievable feats of courage, stupidity, and the kind of laughter only one who has traveled the world can appreciate.

Adapted from a short story written by James Thurber, Stiller directs his vision for this film to be daring, intimate, and provocative. It easily shines as a poignant addition to the American film pantheon. I highly recommend this piece of cinematic art to anyone that dares to dream that theirs lives can be so much more. It's a testament to the human spirit and how we compartmentalize and deal with common stressors like the loss of a loved one or being fired from a job that you worked at for nineteen years. Kudos to Ben Stiller and his formidable co-stars (Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, & Sean Penn) for bringing creativity, adventure, intelligence, and heart back into the world of dramatic comedy.

Rating 5 (Maximum of 5): A beautifully executed comedy of immense proportions.

Don Jon

     It's not a common occurrence for a single person to be the Director, writer, and star of their own film. When this rare phenomena takes place, the results are unpredictable. In the case of Don Jon (Rated R), Joseph Gordon-Levitt shines in all areas.
     The film takes place in New Jersey and follows the sexual adventures of Jon Martello (Levitt). During the course of the film we experience life as Don Jon does. Levitt is blunt and brutally honest with his character's misguided realities. Things change drastically after he meets the vivacious Barbara Sugarman (Scarlett Johansson). As the cracks in  life begin to take the toll on his various relationships, meets a potential guiding force in the troubled Esther (Julianne Moore). 

     While Don Jon is overwhelmingly raunchy, and explicit with the subject of Martello's libido, it serves a very important purpose...reality. From his faith, to his friends, to his awkward Jersey Shore family, we pleasantly experience Don Jon in a relatable manner. The laughable, intoxicating, oft-times difficult to watch reality of Don Jon's life is what separates this artistic film from traditional sex romp comedies. There is nothing over-the-top about the film or any of it's characters. Whether you frown at the behaviors depicted or disagree with the ambivalent treatment of religion; the single fact remains that it is a reality for a great many men (and women) in our modern American society. The norms of our predecessors are no more than meager ideologies.  Moreover, the film combines film editing techniques that are uncommon in today's box office driven Hollywood. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has an open-mind and most importantly a sex life. 

Rating 4 (Maximum of 5) - for sheer audacity and attention to detail.

Elysium

     In the year 2154, the current wealth gap explodes to an extreme that most didn’t think possible. The extremely wealthy and affluent members of society escape the pollution and over population of our planet for a virtually perfect existence on a space station called Elysium. The rest of the human race is left behind on a dying planet to starve and suffer abuse by a system mechanical operated authority and sub-par living conditions. That all changes when Max (Matt Damon) suffers a life-threatening injury and uses his steely resolve to fight the system and embark on a mission that could balance the scales of justice and welfare once and for all.
    Elysium (Rated R) is a breathtaking and often eerie projection of a future is more possible than most would care to realize. It’s this jarring expansion of the current socioeconomic crisis that makes this film almost too relevant. Many can easily misconstrue the film as a vehicle for political agenda rather than a science fiction drama. This movie is an allegory of immense proportions and a very well-crafted one.
    State-of-the-art special effects and a well driven plot vehicle allow star Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, and Sharlto Copley (District 9) to deliver superb performances that will have you at the edge of your seat and discussing the film with friends for days.
    Like all films, Elysium is not perfect. Jodie Foster’s fake accent is skeptical at best, but she makes up for it with venomous attitude and electric elocution. Some will recognize on-going themes from director’s first major motion picture, District 9 and criticize his single-mindedness. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Elysium. The film is poignant, visceral, and has none of the pacing issues of its predecessor. Fans of director Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 will adore Elysium, others will merely speculate on the film’s minor flaws.

Rating: 4 Stars (Maximum of 5)

The Butler

     In the brief history of the United States of America, many people from several cultures suffered at the hands of racism and ignorance while trying make better lives for themselves and their families. Most famously, the American Black community suffered injustices of a grand scale and endured humiliation of a level that no other race can attest to.
      In Lee Daniels' new film "The Butler" (PG-13) follows the often tragic life of Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker). We watch as he painstakingly works his way from the cotton fields and eventually to The White House where he works as a butler under eight presidents, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War.
      This film succeeds on multiple levels, but most importantly in its deft transitions between the changes in American Society and its effects on Cecil's family and life. Stunning portrayals of intimate encounters within and outside The White House create on screen tensions on a level I have not seen depicted in a decade of film.
     From John Cusack's Richard Nixon to Jane Fonda's Nancy Reagan, "The Butler" soars with accurate character acting and lethal undertones woven into a complex and meticulous script. Oprah Winfrey shines as Gloria Gaines, the oft withdrawn alcoholic housewife that struggles with her and her husband's demons all whilst raising two boys during one of the most turbulent time periods in American history. It is easy to say that this is one of the first truly great movies of the year so far and will go down as an instant American classic.

Rating: 5 Stars (Maximum of 5)

Special Note To My Readers

Special Note To My Readers:

    After nearly a year away from writing, I have finally found my passion for it again. My current position at the Radisson Blu Hotel Chicago is coming to an end and I am  leaving the U.S. to live in London. During my time overseas I will be wholeheartedly dedicating myself to my relationship and rediscovering myself and my passions. Recently, I have been encouraged by my hotel's General Manager to write for the Radisson Newsletter "Blu's News". I am deeply appreciative for my GM's support and encouragement. Without him pushing me, I probably would not have returned to this blog. I hope that there are people who are still reading this and I welcome all new followers along in my epic journey to revitalize myself and bring my once dead dreams into a vibrant reality.

Skyfall

This post has been written by someone very dear to me. He took the time out of his busy schedule to contribute to this blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

     Being based in the UK, I've had the privilege of seeing the latest chapter in the Bond saga,"Skyfall" before its release in the US. As such, EpicD has asked me to share my thoughts on it so here it goes.
Bond films follow a pretty standard blueprint, British national secrets are in danger. Bond goes after the bad guys, gets distracted by some girl, and M. gets him back on track. Finally, he [Bond] saves the day. In many respects, "Skyfall" follows this very pattern, but with some unexpected twists.
     With a running time of 2 hours and 23 minutes, this addition to the 007 series will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The series is somewhat showing its age, as Skyfall is a definite attempt to modernize and bring a new-found sense of relevance to the saga.
     The films formula is simple: MI6 is under attack from multiple angles and 007 (Daniel Craig) must come out of 'retirement' to save it. Bond's loyalty to M. (Judi Dench) is tested as her past, in the form of Silva (Javier Bardem), appears from the shadows to haunt her. Of course there is the girl, Eve (Naomie Harris), to keep 007 healthily distracted.
     Directed by Sam Mendes, the film starts out in unfamiliar territory. Is bond still relevant? Do we still need spies in a post cold war era? 007 and MI6 struggle to prove their relevance in what ends up a very personal conclusion surrounding the Bond we all know and love.
 

Rating: 4 Stars (Maximum 5) - Action, wit, and secrecy of a bygone era clash with the modern world resulting in an epic addition to the Bond franchise.

Looper

     In my triumphant return to writing, I am briefly discussing sci-fi/action film Looper. Since February, I have been vexed by the vicarious vicissitudes of fate. Now that things have calmed down, I will resume doing what I love most...watching and critiquing movies. Without further adieu, here is a brief synopsis of Film District's Looper.
     Fate, providence, predestination, consequence, future, and death are all themes in Looper, a time traveling action epic starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt. Looper, takes place in the not so distant year of 2074. It is a society where one can work as an assassin for mob syndicates that send victims 30 years back in time for execution. These "assassins" are known as loopers. Loopers lead a relatively easy life as long as they kill each mark put in front of them. The job continues until they assassinate their future selves. Upon completion of this inevitable task, the "loop" is closed. Effectively closing all loose ends that tie these assasins to their emloyers. This is where the problem begins...
     Looper begins with a brief glimpse into the life and addictions of Joe (Gordon-Levitt), a looper whose future will bring drastic changes to his present. Once this change occurs, we are violently introduced to future Joe (Bruce Willis). A man with his own set of memories and life history that are about to be disrupted by the consequences of time travel. From this point forward the film takes a jarring turn towards rapid story progression, time-paradoxes, and stylized action of the likes we have not seen since Die Hard With A Vengeance. As a bonus, Sara (Blunt) provides an interesting turn of events that will undoubtedly lead to many conversations with friends on the laws of astrophysics, time travel, and evolution.
     What happens when your future and past intersect? What happens to the past that you remembered before the time/space continuum was corrupted? How do you alter the future without knowing that your actions are the cause of the problem you are trying to solve? These questions are just a few of the conversation starters that will make this movie a must-see-event for years to come. All in all, Looper provides a gripping tale of the consequences of a person's actions and delivers it on a special effects driven platter ensconced in breathtaking brutality that we have not in any film this year. A superb effort from director and writer Rian Johnson, a film that should not be missed.

Rating: 5 Stars (Maximum of 5) - Brutality, science, and masterful storytelling combine in Looper, the best action film of 2012.