The Pop Culture Pusher

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Film: Robocop

GENRE: Action

RATING: PG for gun violence and brief language
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 48 minutes

STARRING: Joel Kinnaman (The Killing, Girl with Dragon Tattoo )

Gary Oldman (Batman Begins), Michael Keaton (Batman)

DIRECTOR: Jose Padilha (newcomer)

WRITERS: Joshua Zetumer (newcomer)

PLOT: A good cop is critically injured and ends up as a half-man, half robot police officer controlled by an evil corporation.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 This film was okay for a reboot of the 1987 original. Some cool new things but mostly just a generic cop action flick.

2 I enjoyed Kinnaman’s cop much better than Peter Weller’s; he seemed to have more heart.

3 Jay Baruchel was fun to watch as the marketing man, Tom Pope.

4 It’s also nice to see downtown Vancouver in films, even when it’s supposed to be Detroit.

5 The tin man references were cute.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for TBS, if that

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Grand Budapest Hotel

Monday, February 10, 2014

Film: The Lego Movie

GENRE: Animated Action Comedy

RATING: G for mild action
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 40 minutes

STARRING: Chris Pratt (Parks & Recreation, Moneyball )

Elizabeth Banks (Hunger Games), Will Ferrell (Anchorman)

DIRECTORS: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (21 Jump Street)

WRITERS: Lord & Miller (Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs)

PLOT: A seemingly ordinary Lego figure is mistakenly thought to be the savior of the Lego universe.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 If I had to describe this movie I would have to say it’s like Toy Story on Red Bull. Great nostalgia and clever jokes mixed with crazy fast action and meta-humour. Brilliant.

2 Everything is awesome. Big kudos go to Pratt who is perfectly cast as the voice of Emmet. His happy cluelessness is infectious and fun.

3 I loved the message of using creativity instead of always following the instructions.

4 While this is a fantastic film for both adults and kids alike. I do think that it is more for boys than for young girls. I’m sure there are exceptions to this theory though.

5 Spaceship!

RECOMMENDATION: See in the theatre, 3D not needed

UPCOMING REVIEWS: RoboCop

Sunday, February 09, 2014

Film: The Monuments Men

GENRE: Drama, History

RATING: PG for some violence
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 58 minutes

STARRING: George Clooney (Gravity, Ocean’s Eleven)

Matt Damon (Bourne series), Bill Murray (Moonrise Kingdom)

DIRECTOR: George Clooney (Ides of March)

WRITERS: Clooney & Grant Heslov (Good Night & Good Luck)

PLOT: A group of artists join the war to rescue art masterpieces that have been stolen by Nazi thieves.

FIVE OBSERVATIONS:

1 I like the fact that this was based on a true story. I appreciate that people were working hard and sacrificing themselves for priceless art works.

2 This film was just good but not great. I wish there was more tension and action but I did enjoy some of the light-hearted tone.

3 Bill Murray is great as usual. He’s always fun to watch.

4 I usually enjoy Cate Blanchett but found that she didn’t add that much to this film. Her scenes with Matt Damon didn’t work for me.

5 Some of the soundtrack sounded too Pixar-ish.

RECOMMENDATION: Wait for TBS

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Lego Movie

Monday, February 03, 2014

Being in Canada, we didn't get to watch the American commericals in between the Seahawks crushing Denver. So after the game, I scoured the internet and watched all the ads that were shown. Not a lot of funny ones this year. Too many 'America is great' stuff. The "What the ....?" award goes to Axe for it's Axe Peace Bodyspray. I appreciate that it wasn't just women hanging on men who use Axe but the dictator idea was just too wierd. Anyway, here are my favourites:

1. Doritos - Time Machine

Everything just works in this ad. I love the kid kicking the machine.