Review - Magic Mike

Putting the Magic In Your Love Life

Stripping, it’s been a female game at the movies for many years, but not anymore. Magic Mike (Channing Tatum) is an entrepreneur. Really, he is! He’s more than just a male stripper. He has a couple other business ventures on the side including as part of a construction crew and his dream business creating unique furniture from pieces that wash up on the beach.

Dallas (Matthew McConaughey) is his boss and together they are running one of Tampa’s best male exotic dancing establishments. Of course there is drama to be had here as not everything goes the way that it should at this club for the ladies to have a wild night. But the dreams of Mike also include being an equity partner at a new club in Miami.

Mike gets teamed up with a new kid at his construction job with Adam (Alex Pettyfer). Adam is a naïve 19 year old that follows Mike around, almost like a lost puppy. When he is exposed to the lifestyle that Mike lives outside of his day job; he is immediately hooked.

Now as they dance for their dinner and much more, will they be able to avoid the trappings of the stripper lifestyle and thrive? Or will they fall down and need help to find their way off the stage.

Director Steven Soderbergh brings his individual fell to a movie that we have seen before. The movie that we have seen before usually features women in the roles that are played by men here. Soderbergh’s visual style gives that look to the club like only he could.

I found myself enjoying the chemistry between Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey and Alex Pettyfer. Each actor took their character and became the individuals they were portraying. That and the supporting cast help make Magic Mike work on so many levels.

Now, of course, this movie will appeal to women more than men, but I have a suggestion for the men out there. If your lady wants to see this (and they don’t have a girls night planned) take her. It’s a win/win scenario as when the night is over…I gotta believe everyone will be happy. Magic Mike will put the magic in your love life.

B

Magic Mike

Warner Brothers Pictures

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Cast: Channing Tatum, Matthew McConaughey, Alex Pettyfer, Olivia Munn

Rating: R for pervasive sexual content, brief graphic nudity, language and some drug use.

Runtime: 1 hour 50 minutes

Review - Brave

Bravely Moving Forward

Pixar has been the ace in the hole for animated films for years. Despite a bit of a let down in 2011, the anticipation level for the new film Brave has been pretty high. When the bar is set as high as Pixar has it set for them, there is bound to be the occasional let down.

In the case of Brave, I don’t feel there was a huge let down, but this is a film that wasn’t marketed well…and I don’t think that will help the impression left with many viewers.

Here’s the plot in a nutshell. The beautiful Princess Merida (Kelly Macdonald) has reached the age where it’s time to look for a suitor. Her parents King Fergus (Billy Connolly)and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson)have sent out the requests and have three suitors from the various corners of the kingdom. But this is not what Merida wants. She is young, vibrant, and the antithesis of many things associated with the royal position.

 Merida decides to defy her parents and a rift between her mom and her occurs. But a journey into the forest, following a path created by wisps is about to change her life forever. It’s on that journey that she finds a small wood carving shop, or so it would seem. There a witch (Julie Walters) grants her a wish and she just wants mom to see things differently.

But sometimes, wishes don’t lead to the results you expect. And spells are not an easy thing. So when a certain Queen becomes a bear, trouble is brewing for all. Now can Merida put aside her differences and save her mom from a life as a bear, or certain death at the hand of the King?

What did I like about the new Pixar effort?

Visually it is a stunning piece. Pixar has a way of bringing things to life like no one else. The film rolls over the countryside with grace and leaves you yearning for the place that Merida calls home.

Voice talent is solid and drives some very cool characters through the film.

There’s good comic relief from the triplet brothers that occupy the screen.

The story, as laid out, is relatable to both older kids and adults. That story being, the relationship between Mom and Daughter. But it’s in that story that I think people might be let down.

The let down comes from the marketing that led one to believe that this was going to be about a young girl that exudes specific and life affirming bravery throughout a journey. I believed this was going to be the story specifically about Merida and her growth on her own. Instead, it’s more of a Mother/Daughter story that shows the growth of both individuals. Maybe it’s the title that is misleading, but something seemed amiss with the expectations for the film.

Though despite being a bit misleading and not the film I expected, it still is a film that should make Pixar proud of the result.  I think this is one of those films that can make for a great Mother/Daughter day at the movies. There were lots of hugs between my daughter and her mom (my wife) at the end and that to me makes for a successful outing at the movies, even if it was less than I expected. This film shows Pixar is bravely moving forward, even if it’s not for everyone.

B

Brave

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell

Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane, Craig Ferguson

Rating: PG for some scary action and rude humor.

Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

Review - Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Asteroids, Death, Destruction – Road Trip?

It’s summer at the movies, so of course we have movies about the end of the world. Massive destruction is on the horizon as a huge asteroid is on a collision course towards earth. Will Smith, Ben Affleck and/or Bruce Willis are coming to the rescue and there will be tons of explosions that will leave the crowd cheering as we prevail over the evil asteroid. (No doubt the entire evil plot was devised by an alien race or Superhero arch nemesis.)

Wait…hold on. This one is R-rated? It doesn’t feature those actors I mentioned above? Hmm…interesting.

That’s right, this is an end of the world film that deals with some of the harsh realities of life and the soon to be extinction of the world as we know it. There’s some humor and fun along the way too, so let me get to this movie.

Dodge (Steve Carell) has heard the worst is coming, and it must be. As he hears we all have 21 days to live, his wife RUNS from the car – an I MEAN RUNS. She is off to enjoy her last 21 days without Dodge, even while he continues to go to work to sell life insurance.

Life continues, albeit in an end of the world type of way for Dodge and the rest of the inhabitants of our planet. There are parties that include drinking, debauchery, and so much more. There are people around Dodge committing suicide as they don’t want to wait for their annihilation. All the while, Dodge continues his “daily grind”. He just wants someone to move towards then end with, a friend.

In his building, the free spirit Penny (Keira Knightley) is having her own issues. One night when she is found on his balcony in tears, Dodge and Penny strike up a friendship. It is then that they decide to help each other get that one last thing they so desire.

Dodge wants one last connection with the one that got away. Penny wants to see her parents “across the pond”. So the two of them run from a riot in the streets and set out on a journey like no other.

Along this journey they meet a number of colorful characters and come across a variety of situations, all of which make for a journey that is sometimes filled with laughter, sometimes with melancholy and still others with sadness. It’s a real end to the world that Dodge and Penny are in, but will they achieve their final goals?

Here’s the scoop with this one…it’s not a happy movie. Sure there are some funny moments, but the topic of the end of the world is real as are the consequences facing the characters.

Carell does a solid job in the deadpan role of Dodge. He seems like that nice guy that has always had a decent life, but is never quite happy with the way things turned out. Knightley is a solid cast across from Carell as she is everything that he isn’t, and brings an air of independence and risk taking to the story that he has not experienced.

I found myself absorbed by the story, and wanting to see what would happen next. While it seemed to cu a couple corners along the way, the journey seemed real. The characters that are added to the story along the way make the ride extremely interesting and even thought provoking at times. What would you do if you knew there was 21 days left on Earth?

Many will anticipate a humorous film with Steve Carell involved, but it’s not a comedy. Not everything is happy with a topic like this. And while you won’t be “whistling Dixie” when you come from this film. You will appreciate what was on the screen and the depth of Steve Carell. We’ve seen it from Knightley before, and the two together were a couple of strangers that you could root for a positive outcome to their stories.

I really enjoyed the ride, even if there was no Bruce Willis to save the day. The asteroids, death and destruction were muted, but the road trip continues.

B+

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

Focus Features

Director: Lorene Scafaria

Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley

Rating: R for language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence.

Runtime: 1 hour 41 minutes

New Trailer - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2

Let's face it -- I watched the MTV Movie Awards - It's still what everyone is waiting to see...here is the newest trailer for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2.

Home Screening Room - Big Miracle, Project X and Wanderlust

A diverse group of titles this week to satisfy multiple demographics in your household with a dvd this weekend. One for the teens, one for the families, and one for the 30somethings…ok maybe 40somethings out there.

This Week's Big Releases

Big Miracle- Rated PG (Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski)
The story of trapped whales, Alaska, a small town reporter and a Greenpeace activist among others. Great for the whole family, my 7 year old LOVED it.
READ THE THEATRICAL REVIEW

Jeff, Who Lives At Home - Rated R (Jason Segel, Ed Helms)
Such a great cast… includes Susan Sarandon, Judy Greer, and Katie Aselton – from the Duplass brothers.

Project X  - Rated R (Thomas Mann, Jonathan Daniel Brown)

A House party that gets out of control. Wanted to be something incredible and groundbreaking and came up short. Don’t believe me, see for yourself this week.

Wanderlust - Rated R (Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd)
Going from the big city to a commune is going to cause all kinds of problems in this relationships.
READ THE THEATRICAL REVIEW

Also New This Week

Cat Run – Not Rated (Paz Vega, Janet McTeer)

Charlie’s Angels: The Complete Series (2011)

Franklin and Bash: The Complete First Season – (Breckin Meyer, Mark-Paul Gosselaar)

The Jerk Theory – Rated PG-13 (Josh Henderson, Jenna Dewan Tatum) Is it better to be a jerk than the nice guy? Depends on the girl...right?

Radio Rebel – Not Rated (Debby Ryan, Sarena Parmar) Crazy, I know..but I kinda dig Debby Ryan -- comes from all the Radio Disney listening I do with my daughter I guess -- the Disney movie comes to DVD.

Reel Love – Not Rated (LeAnn Rimes, Burt Reynolds)

And Finally

Seeking Justice – Rated R

(Nicolas Cage, January Jones, Guy Pearce)

Action and more as a man gets with a vigilante group to “seek justice” after a brutal attack. Watch the trailer below for more…and you’ll also see what Nicolas Cage is up to if you do.

 




DVD/Blu-ray Tidbit of the Week

I was a big fan of Alcatraz on Fox this past year, the whole first season will come home on July 31.

Pick of the Week

Tough week beyond the family film Big Miracle. Perfect for the whole family..

Pop Popcorn, Do the Dew, and Bust out the Blu and remember to Save Me A Seat!

Real Milwaukee appearance - 6/19/12

So I had a special TUESDAY appearance on Real Milwaukee today -- I was getting a makeover (as you'll see in the video). Watch below -- and visit the facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CommonGuyFilmReviews for a chance to win some Madagascar 3 goodies. "Like" the page when you are there too...please....


Now enjoy yourself...and watch the video.

This weekend's new movies

Thought I'd give you a couple excerpts from the full reviews for your weekend at the box office...

Rock of Ages -- Not a great movie, Cruise is good and the music is fun. Fan of late 80s rock? You'll love it.

That's My Boy -- Not as bad as Jack and Jill -- about 30 mins of really cool Sandler laughs. The problem is there is at least another hour of material that is gross out, childish humor that made me look through my fingers at the problem. That said, I'm a Sandler apologist...and most fans will still have an ok time with this.