Quick & Dirty Reviews

Real Steel (3 out of 5) 

This film is a testament that shitty marketing and trailers can seriously undermine a good film. From a distance Real Steel looked like nothing more than rock'm-sock'm robots, it just seemed like the dumbest derivative idea for a movie. Well I'm going to have to eat my words, because damn did I like this movie. The Rocky comparisons are apt as an underdog "sparring bot" makes his way up the robot fighting ladder. But its not the cool robot fights or great robot designs that make this movie, its the relationship between Jackmans character and his wayward 11 year old son. Jackman can make anything compelling, its the reason the Wolverine spin-off did so well, at least that's what I keep telling myself cause I don't want to believe audiences are that dumb. He does it again here making a true asshole/sleazebag really compelling and though his eventual redemption can be seen a mile away its a great ride anyways. So while this movie is incredibly cliched and filled with stupid, its big, loud and incredibly crowd pleasing.

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (4 out of 5)
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a cold war spy film set within the Circus, this films MI6 equivalent as the head operatives try to find out who is selling information to the Russians. A measured and exacting pace make this a difficult film to get through with a two hour run time that oftentimes feels like three. Don't get me wrong this isn't a boring film, on the contrary its a riveting mystery with deceit and betrayal motivating all players, but it is very methodically paced. Some of the best performances of the past year are on display here with Gary Oldman in particular giving a truly transformative turn as the ironically named Agent Smiley. There is a scene no longer than 4 seconds in length near the end of the film where Oldman clasps the banister of a stairwell a little to tightly after an eventful night and its an immensely saddening scene, and one in which not a single word is uttered. Its really the perfect example of this movies approach, a film in which things are left for the audience to interpret as they will and things are expressed with simple gestures and glances instead of contrived monologues. This movie respects its audiences intelligence and oftentimes asks them to come to their own conclusions. Its a slow burn but the engaging performances and cold war spy intrigue elevate this to one of the best film of the past year.

Warrior (4 out of 5)

I've said it before "I buy into movies", and this film about two brothers fighting in an MMA tournament was a film that had me tearing up in the big final fight. Warrior is an absolutely thrilling sports film, with hard-hitting action and strong performances all around. Nick Nolte had me in pieces as an ambiguously bad father who continously takes the verbal abuse of his two sons while trying to atone for past sins. Tom Hardy gives a rage filled and emotionally baggaged performance that unfortunately has more nuance than the film ultimately had time for. I cannot stress enough how much I became invested in this movie, I was really striken by this film, I was enthralled by the fights which had me clenching my fists nearly as hard as the fighters must have been. It unfortunately leans heavily on the typical cliches of the genre, but damn if it isn't one hell of a rousing film. By the time the two leads make it to the final round of the tournament, I was invested in both of their plights and as the two estranged brothers wailed on each other while weeping and shouting I'm sorry I just couldn't keep myself together. 

Portlandia Season 1 Review

Portlandia is without a doubt the most divisive television show out there. You will either hate this show with a flaming passion or completely worship its dedication to breaking the mold to sometimes off-putting results. Portlandia aims to poke fun of, you may have guessed the city of Portland, Oregon and its often publicized wacky denizens. This is defiantly a show for the more internet savy, not for any particular technological reason but because of the ever growing hate and ridicule for the very people this show chooses to mock the hipsters, tree huggers, indie darlings, striped sweater and horned rimed glasses wearing folk who have quickly become the target of much disdain.

Portlandia is hit'n'miss emphasis on the miss, with creative talent from the current minds of SNL its really no surprise. And while I nearly cried laughing several times, I also took long breaks from watching particularly comfortably unfunny skits.  The show which I probably should have mentioned by now is a sketch comedy show, so between Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein the stars of the show they play about 10 characters each. Ranging from two lesbian bookstore owners too a couple who find themselves helping the mayor played brilliantly by Kyle Maclachlan  with his every whim. There are some bad skits that go on for excruciatingly stupid amounts of time, resulting in either enraged wonder or giggling disbelief on your part, it really varies on your tastes.

Portlandia is a show that's easy to test the waters with, each episode is less than 25 min and you can tell within a fraction of that if your going to enjoy the show. Its often unfunny even uncomfortably awkward but when it hits, it strikes gold, with hilariously insulting and subversive jokes that will have you wondering if this often times impossibly ludicrous city of Portland really exists as it does on this show. I really need to stress that Portlandia will be incredibly off-putting to many but to some it will be the greatest comedy on television; its smart, it defies conventions and points and laugh even when not appropriate. Give the show a chance it wont hurt, it actually might, but you cant be sure unless you try; I for one can't get enough and I'm very excited for the next season.

(3 out of 5)