Looper Review

Joseph Gordon-Levitt gets ready to dispose of a future man in Looper

Looper

A+

A Review by Frederick Cholowski

Great original thrillers are really hard to come by nowadays; great original Sci-fi thrillers are now nearly impossible to find. This makes Looper, the brilliant time travel thriller from Ryan Johnson, a massive breath of very fresh air. Looper represents the best sci-fi has had to offer since 2002’s Minority Report and the best original thriller since 2000’s Memento (and even that was kind of sort of based on a short story that one of the screenwriters wrote). Looper also represents an amazing start to what looks to be a promising fall film season.

“Time travel has not yet been invented. But thirty years from now, it will have been.”  So the premise of Looper is set up. Loopers, future assassins, are people who kill and dispose of people that people thirty years in the future want to be killed and disposed, as with new tagging systems thirty years in the future it is impossible to do so without getting caught. Once Loopers are no longer needed they are given a future version of themselves to kill along with lots of gold and thirty years to live in peace. Meet Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) a young valuable Looper who, while makes a lot of money, is lost and is seemingly searching for a way to get out sooner or later. After helping then giving up his dimwitted friend Seth (Paul Dano) due to Seth not being able to kill his future self Joe is soon given his way out in the way of his future self (Bruce Willis) being delivered to him. Unfortunately for Joe his future self has other plans, prompting both Joes to go on the run from each other, and the criminal boss Abe (Jeff Daniels) who will track them down at all costs.

Looper is plain and simply a really tightly written thriller. Everything fits together in a logical, creative ways and there are no lose ends or plot holes that get left behind. It never follows a formula or structure similar to other more generic thrillers. Twists come in small doses throughout the film and who is the “good guy” is never clear. If you’re a person looking for the average game changing big twist or reveal at the end this isn’t the film for you.  Looper is also thriller with a clear ending that is justified and logical, a refreshing diversion from the many thrillers where the ending is the last thing on the screenwriter’s mind. No ambiguity or unnecessary cliffhangers to be had here only a beautifully crafted thriller with a beautifully crafted ending.

Time travel movies, or movies with a sci-fi concept at their cores, often fall one of two traps either over explaining their concept, or making it an under explained plot hole. Looper strays far away from these problems by making time travel prominent but never allowing it to be the crutch of the film. The film has a non invasive logic in regards to the time travel plot and never makes in undeveloped or in the way. It’s just another sign of how well thought out and put together Looper truly is.

The other fantastic thing is that the plot and twists never get in the way of the characters and emotional links. Every character in this film is developed and has a real emotional reason to exist and take part in the plot. This is a part the great writing and a part the fantastic cast involved. Joseph Gordon-Levitt keeps getting better and better with every role and this is his best yet. Levitt has the challenge of never actually playing a definite “good guy” making this his most challenging role yet. Bruce Willis proves here that he can still act and act very well when he gets the right script. Jeff Daniels makes for a great villain (who seems to me kind of like Will McAvoy the mob boss, I was waiting him to say “I’m on a mission to civilize!”) who isn’t really all that much a villain as he is just an angry boss. The other supporting players (who I won’t mention in fear of spoilers) work very well here and there isn’t a questionable performance throughout the entire film.

Visually the film works very well. This is no sci-fi epic with a huge budget so the feel is a grittier more “realistic” depiction of the future (just like the amazing lower budget District 9 was a “realistic” alien film) that gives the film a unique edge. The film is shot very well with most of the time the camera being closer to the view range of the characters instead of a more objective view. The score is forgettable but does its job in creating a mood and atmosphere to go along with the plot and characters.

Looper is one of the best original concept thrillers I have seen in a long time, or maybe even ever. This film, unlike many of its bigger counterparts, feels like a film that will hold up upon second and third viewings as the plot is so tightly constructed and the logic so sound that it would be hard to pick away at the films structure and design. Ultimately though, Looper is a great film that represents the ashes of a dying breed of thriller and sets the fall film season off to one of the best starts possible; it’s going to be a real challenge to top this film.

Emmy Predictions 2012

The Emmys 2012

Hey look it’s the television Oscars! The 2012 Emmys are here tomorrow (or tonight depending on when you read this) night and it’s time to do some predicting. Rules are, well these are only categories I care about so if you’re looking for predictions in the comedy or miniseries section check elsewhere. For everyone else it’s prediction time!

Outstanding Supporting Actor Drama

Nominees:

Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"
Brendan Coyle, "Downton Abbey"
Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"
Giancarlo Esposito, "Breaking Bad"
Jared Harris, "Mad Men"
Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"

Should win: Talent wise this is probably the hardest categorie. First off let’s start by throwing the two Downton Abby guys out as I am not particularly a big fan of either role. That still leaves us with four spectacular roles, wow!  Peter Dinklage (who should probably be a best lead) is fantastic still as my favorite George RR Martin character Tyrion and Jared Harris has the fantastic “Commissions and Fees” on his side but ultimately to me this comes down to the two Breaking Bad actors. While I think Aaron Paul is amazing I got to pick Giancarlo Esposito for just how much his villain Gus brought to the show in season four.

Will Win: Fun fact no one has one this award twice since the mid Nineties so Dinklige and Paul (who won it last time he was eligible). Also at this point Emmy voters refuse to give Mad Men actors awards so that leaves us with Giancarlo Esposito. Yay!

Outstanding Supporting Actress Drama:

Nominees:

Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"
Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad
Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"
Archie Panjabi, "The Good Wife"
Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"

Should Win: Easy one here; while Anna Gunn comes in close second, Hendricks is the clear best out of these picks and has the best submission episode “The Other Woman”. Easy pick…

Will Win:  …But as previously mentioned Emmy voters don’t give awards to Mad Men actors and they love big prominent British actresses. So Maggie Smith has the best chance to win this one.

Outstanding Writing Drama:

Nominees:
"Downton Abbey," "Episode 7" - Julian Fellowes
"Homeland," "Pilot" - Alex Gansa, Howard Gordon & Gideon Raff
"Mad Men," "The Other Woman" - Semi Chellas & Matthew Weiner
"Mad Men," "Commissions and Fees" - Andre & Maria Jacquemetton
"Mad Men," "Far Away Places" - Erin Levy & Matthew Weiner

Should Win: Well I guess this comes down to the three Mad Men episodes (even though I do like the Homeland pilot). “The Other Woman” is great and so is “Commissions and Fees” but the true winner here is the amazing “Far Away Places” which was the best episode of Mad Men this year. Roger on LSD!!! PS Breaking Bad not getting a writing nod is a massive, unforgivable crime…

Will Win: Here comes the curve ball. While my initial thought was to roll a dice to decide on which Mad Men episode to pick the idea crept in (and soon became prominent in my head) that the Emmy voters like pilots and Homeland’s pilot is pretty well written. So, surprisingly enough I’m going to say Homeland is the front runner here (but if you go for the any of the three Mad Men episodes you also have a great chance).

Outstanding Direction Drama

Nominees:
"Boardwalk Empire," "To the Lost" - Tim Van Patten
"Breaking Bad," "Face Off" - Vince Gilligan
"Downton Abbey," "Episode 7" - Brian Percival
"Homeland" "Pilot," - Michael Cuesta
"Mad Men," "The Other Woman" - Phil Abraham

Should Win: This one’s tough… I love Van Patten’s work on Boardwalk Empire and I thought the “Other Woman” was spectacularly directed. But again you get to Breaking Bad’s phenomenally directed season four finale and you just stop and say this is the clear winner. I recently went back and rewatched it and it would be a crime if it didn’t win!

Will Win: This one is a Downton vs. Homeland battle sadly… So I’ll go with Homeland since it’s a pilot and I like it better.

Outstanding Lead Actress Drama

Nominees:

Kathy Bates, "Harry's Law"
Glenn Close, "Damages"
Claire Danes, "Homeland"
Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"
Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"
Elisabeth Moss, "Mad Men"

Should Win:  Easiest award ever. Claire Danes, no one comes close to her in this category…

Will Win: This should be called the Claire Danes award…. Really, next…

Outstanding Lead Actor Drama

Nominees:
Hugh Bonneville, "Downton Abbey"
Steve Buscemi, "Boardwalk Empire"
Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"
Michael C. Hall, "Dexter"
Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"
Damian Lewis, "Homeland"

Should Win: You look at the list and go, hey this is tough; until you get to one name, Bryan Cranston. This just isn’t fair, not only does he have three Emmys for his role (every year he’s been eligible), but he also has the best submission episode he’s ever had “Crawl Space”. I mean I can imagine Emmy voters just turning off the television giving him the win right after they watch the final ten minutes of that episode no matter if they saw the other’s submission episodes or not.

Will Win: Cranston, no problem.

Outstanding Drama:

Nominees:
"Boardwalk Empire"
"Breaking Bad"
"Downton Abbey"
"Game of Thrones"
"Homeland"
"Mad Men"

 

Should Win: This battle essentially comes down to the two AMC shows Mad Men and Breaking Bad. In this case Breaking Bad season four just edges out Mad Men season five. Why? Because Breaking Bad had literally the perfect season with season four and it’s hard to beat the perfect season, even if you are Mad Men.

Will Win: While it comes down to Downton, Homeland, and Mad Men on this one. I got to go with my heart on this one and go Mad Men just because it’s the perfect Emmy show (nostalgic enough for the old crowd and hip enough for the new) and just because I like it better than the other really close potential winners

What do you think? Leave a comment on who you think should and will win!

Boardwalk Empire: “Resolution” Review

Fancy dancy Egyptian party on Boardwalk Empire

Boardwalk Empire, the HBO prohibition era mobster drama (or the drama that got me into good television), returned tonight with the Premiere “Resolution” and we will kick off this season of recap/reviews (with full spoilers) after Nucky gets to go full gangster…

“Put a bullet in his f***ing head”-Nucky Thompson

So we’re back in Atlantic City and a lot seems to have changed since poor Jimmy was shot at the end of last season. “Resolution” picks up about a year and a half after the second season on the eve of 1923. Nucky returns this time as a full on gangster, with a colder approach to friends and enemies alike and a cleaner, less politically complicated plan to move his booze. New enemies made and plots are formed in the solid premiere of a solid show.

Let’s start with the set up to what seems to be our new villain. Rosetti get’s introduced to us in the opening scene of the premiere by beating a poor man who attempts to help him with his car and then leaving him in the street to potentially send a message. Yes Rosetti is definitely a knock off of the Joe Pesci character from Goodfellas, a violent man who disguises himself as a joker, but the scene pops and sets us up for a good potential showdown opponent.

As the episode deepens, i.e. at the Margaret and Nucky Egyptian party, Rosetti’s role begins to take a little more shape (and becomes more and more like a Joe Pesci character) when Nucky turns him down he goes on a bit of a joking verbal rampage ending with the very creepy moment in which he gives Margaret the puppy that he stole from the man he shot in the opening scene of the show (yeah dramatic irony as Margaret had no idea where the puppy came from it’s just a strange man handing her a new puppy).  I wonder where we will be going with this…

Now that’s out of the way time to move to the episode as a whole. As mentioned earlier this was a solid premiere that helped put numerous plot pieces in motion. Nucky, again as mentioned earlier, is now in full on gangster mode and is not taking any crap.  The first Nucky scene involves him calmly calling for the murder of the thief he captured after allowing the thief to begin to get comfortable. Classic cool gangster fake out! Nucky seems to have no problem getting his hands dirty now after two seasons of wallowing in half politician position. Sure Nucky still has the big New Year’s party featuring high class politicians and big men of society but it seems like Nucky now seems more aware of who he is and what his role is.

In Chicago Al Capone get’s some brief scenes that really don’t amount to much but setting up a semi central conflict. Van Alden also ends up in Chicago as a now disgraced iron salesman. The Chicago stuff works in this premiere but I fear, as has happened to the series in the past, the supporting characters will get lost in a limbo of having arcs that have little connection to the Nucky situation. It’s great to have these guys and gals on the show, as their scenes on their own are fantastic but let’s hope the series doesn’t get too caught up on things that bog down the narrative like last year. Also no Eli and Chalky in the premiere as well leaving the thought that we won’t see everyone in all the episodes this year which could be a good or a bad thing.

Finally my new favorite character on the show, Jimmy’s former gunman and friend Richard, deals with the dynamic between Jimmy’s mother Gilligan and Jimmy’s son throughout the episode. Gilligan is still in denial of Jimmy’s death and tries to convince Jimmy’s poor son that she is his actual mother. He tries to tell the kid stories of Jimmy and his wife but ends up getting shut down. This leads to the great climax of the episodes in which Richard gun’s down one of Nucky’s main men at his own house as he himself is going to off someone (more irony). Whether it leads to much in the next few episodes or not, it was the standout character arc of the episode and made for a nice climax to the episode.

Overall Boardwalk Empire get’s off to its usual strong and slow start. The show still looks great, has an amazing atmosphere, and has solid individual characters. How well the individual moments arcs is still to be determined but for now what was here definitely made a fine hour of television.

Other Thoughts:

• Oh Margaret and her church. We find out that the large sum of land was indeed given in the church and that it was made into a seemingly poorly run hospital. This has also rendered Nucky and Margaret’s marriage practically null and void with Nucky hating her for the land movement and Margaret disliking his full gangster mode.

• The violence was around in full force this episode as the opening sequence featured the most brutal violence on the show in a while; the scene involved Rosetti pounding the pulp out of an innocent bystandered with a wrench with lots of brutal glorious detail. Also numerous people get shot in the head this episode (the ideal way to kill people this week apparently) in many dynamic fashions.

• Great Egyptian party sequence that involved good music and Nucky giving away lot’s of treasure. Man parties were cool back then. 

• Sorry about the jumpiness of the review this week but the show is a little jumpy and sometimes stories really don't connect to one another (at least at the beginnig of the season). So expect these reviews to be a little jumpy sometimes.

That’s just me. What did everyone else think?

The Summer Movie Awards 2012

The Summer Movie Awards 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen fasten your seat belts and rev up your engines because it’s time for the third close to annual Summer Movie Awards! This was one of my first columns back in the day (please don’t read it it’s horrible!) and for those who don’t know how this works, this is the time where I give out random awards and overall have a general excuse to reflect on the films of the summer. So here we go for the third time in four years here is the summer movie awards for this year.

The Summer in General:

Let’s start general shall we… The summer of 2012 was definitely better than last year’s that’s for sure. For the people who have read the blog a lot you know that I didn’t write one of these last year due to the fact that A I didn’t have time to see many of the films of the summer and B I had no real motivation too. This year on the other hand we got some big ones like Marvel’s the Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises that were enticing enough (along with a few others of course) to go to the movies this summer. Sure it surely won’t be as good as the winter will be but at this point it’s difficult to expect it to be. The summer has begun the time for a few good films and the rest are just studios throwing anything at the screen to make a little cash. Despite this though there is still entertainment to be had (lot’s of it in fact) so it’s hard not to like at least a few summer ones right?

Most Disappointing

Brave

Pixar what’s going on? Two years in a row now Pixar has made a lackluster film that failed to reach up to their usual (although it’s hard to judge now) seal of quality. Please Pixar ignore the last two years and make something more along the lines of your usual greats!

Runner Up: Bourne Legacy

Most Pretty (Best Cinematography):

The Dark Knight Rises

Wally Phister sure knows how to shoot films doesn’t he. Inception won him an academy award two years ago and I expect the same to happen this year for his work here. Every shot is beautifully realized and constantly breathtaking. There is really no other film that came close to TDKR in this category so if that doesn’t say anything than I don’t know what does.

Runner Up: Moonrise Kingdom

Most Overrated:

The Avengers

Fanboys be angry! Let’s not have a misunderstanding I like the Avengers quite a bit, but is it an A+ like I gave it at the time… No not at all. No I’m not going to change the score in the review or re-review the film now but I will say upon 2^nd and 3^rd viewings the film doesn’t hold up quite as well. By no means is it significantly worse than initially but it’s not A+ material.

Runner Up: Amazing Spider Man

Most Underrated

The Dark Knight Rises

 

Ok let me explain this one. While people went to see the film in flocks some critical reception to this film was a little unfair. I won’t mention names or anything but some critics panned the film for some of its more minor problems. I mean the film at times is quite flawed, no doubt but it is still an amazing, ambitious achievement in the realm of big action pictures and is something to be reveled at not panned.  It’s not quite as good as the Dark Knight sure but that was a masterpiece and just because of that does it has to be bad?

Runner Up: insert your favorite that no one liked as much here

Most Overlooked

GI Joe Retaliation

Why was this so overlooked this year? Because it didn’t come out this year as planned (or as advertised)! Why? Because of stupid 3D! Wow….

Runner Up: (I know it was technically fall originally but…) Gangster Squad

Best Action Sequence

The whole last 45 minutes of The Dark Knight Rises

Big, dark, and breathtaking the last 45 minutes of The Dark Knight Rises was something special. The football field sequence, the big battle in the financial district (with real extras thousands of them, that’s how it’s done!), the breathtaking race to the climax all of it was super fantastic and was a fantastic way to end a fantastic trilogy!

Runner Up: All of the Avengers

Best Little film that Could

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Sure it was at Sundance in January and then at Cannes in the spring, but the truly fantastic Beasts of the Southern Wild came out nationally during the summer so it fits perfectly in this category. Beasts of the Southern Wild is a triumph of an indie film that was a success in every way possible. From the personal to the metaphysical Beasts of the Southern Wild is the achievement of the summer because of how much is done with so little.

Runner Up: Moonrise Kingdom

Best Big Blockbuster

The Dark Knight Rises

Big, dark, and ambitious The Dark Knight Rises is a special film in the realm of big summer movies. The film tries to say something and still manages to blow things up in the process. It allows for the brain to be active throughout and therefore it’s the one that deserves to be put in the highest spot amongst the biggest films of the summer.

Runner Up: The Avengers

Most Redundant Sequel/Remake

Men in Black 3

There were a lot of these this year and picking only one was no easy task. Would it go to the messy retread The Bourne Legacy, or perhaps to the dull Total Recall, a film with no personality? In the end though there is only one film that can fit here and that’s the awful Men in Black 3. The question we ask ourselves must be how is this franchise still relevant?

Runner Up: Most of the films this summer

Worst of the Summer:

Battleship

I was going to review this during a “catching up on DVD” segment, but Battleship was so bad it wasn’t worth the time and effort. It’s amazing how many man hours could have been saved not working on this disaster. Where to start it’s a cheap money grab, futures annoying actors, has even more annoying writing, and features redundant amounts of exploding things. The only redeeming quality was that it tanked at the box office. Victory is ours!

Runner Up: Men in Black 3

Best of the Summer:

Beasts of the Southern Wild

When it came down to it this was almost a no brainer. Sure there were some amazing films this summer (Moonrise Kingdom and The Dark Knight Rises) but Beasts of the Southern Wild was, in the end, the mightiest of them all. It was an adventure that is so personal, so emotional, and so powerful that it resonates a long time after the film ends. The acting was unforgettable, the message unforgettable, the look unforgettable, and furthermore the film was unforgettable.

Runner Up: Moonrise Kingdom