"Sausage Party" Movie Review

 

  Folks.....i loved this movie, I'm just gonna start right there. Sometimes you just see a movie that for whatever reason connects with you and that's what happened here with "Sausage Party". Everything about this movie just works for me. Sure its a ridiculous, borderline offensive, concept at times but the way Seth Rogen and company fully embrace their idea and go for it made this an absolute blast to watch. Its also once again proof that you don't need a huge budget in any medium to produce outstanding work as long as you have a script and idea that stand on their own as this one does in spades.

   So lets start with the set-up. Basically imagine all your food is sentient and all their lives all they're looking forward to is being chosen at the supermarket and go to the "great beyond" with the "gods", which is what they call us humans. The story itself centers on Frank Wienerton (Seth Rogen) and his girlfriend Brenda Bunson (Kristen Wiig), a sausage and bun destined to be together due to their proximity on the shelves. Both are excited since its 4th of July weekend and their both excited to have Frank sliding into Brenda, yup its a sex thing. Anyway all is going good, the two are even chosen by a god, but it all comes apart when Honey Mustard (Danny McBride) is also chosen. He's seen what happens on the outside and has no intention of returning. Anyway this all leads to Frank, Brenda and their new friends Lavash (David Krumholtz), Sammy Bagel Jr. (Edward Norton) and Teresa Del Taco (Salma Hayek) going on a quest to return to their proper shelves and be chosen again. However along the way Frank learns the dark truth and must warn the others before its too late, wll while being hunted by a damaged and deranged douche (Nick Kroll).

   Sure there is nothing groundbreaking in the plot itself but as is usually the case its the journey that matters. This is 100% NOT a cartoon for children, if you try to convince yourself it is and let the kids hang around you'll change your mind in the opening musical number (written by 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken might i add). The swearing flies fast and furious so if you're expecting a slow ramp up then don't. This is 100% the type of movie one would stereotype Seth Rogen in, complete with drug use, shocking sex and a cameos from all the usual suspects. (Try and catch James Franco and Paul Rudd before the credits) The fact they're working in animated form really loosens them up to go in pretty much any direction they want for jokes and humor and this freedom really pays off as this movie is hilarious the entire way.

   So on to the humor, i hope you're a fan of food puns because not surprisngly there is a TON of them in here. Luckily though its not the sight gag Carrot Top kind and more the play on words type which will catch you off guard in a good way at least a few times. Another area a ton of the humor is played from is the horrific violence against the food. I mean its pretty graphic stuff but considering again the format it takes the edge off and allows you to just laugh at the absurdity of it all. Humans aren't left out of the fun either though as a few human characters as well have some pretty gruesome things happen to them. I won't spoil it but they do provide some of the best laughs in the film. Also leave your PC hats at home because there are racially and steroetype charged jokes as well. This never comes across as offensive however because not one group is spared, This film is an equal oppurtunity offender and if Mel Brooks has taught us anything about comedy its as long as you hit everybody then swing away! It also helps that at 88 minutes the movie always keeps moving and doesn't get bogged down in one joke or scenario for too long. This keeps the momentum going as well as making sure it never overstays its welcome.

   Now thats not to say this entire movie is just raunchy humor either. Suprisingly there is a real question and theme about the nature of religion in here as well.  It does also question, but not entirely tear down the idea, of the blind faith alot of people have towards a deity. About how the whole thing could (and probally is) one big story made up to spare people the existential and actual dread of oblivion and what death really is. Its not just a one-sided view of whether "having religion is dumb" however as it also gives the opposing view of "how is believing in nothing better?". It does lean in one direction for sure but the fact they included these themes and ideas at all considering the rest of the movie was both surprising and refreshing. Its an example of knowing who your audience will be, in this case 20-30 something adults, and catering the humor and level of ideas towards them. Maybe the kind of specialized writing more in Hollywood should adopt.

   I haven't even gotten into the voice talent involved either. In addition to the already awesome cast previously mentioned Bill Hader, Jonah Hill and Michael Cera also join in on the fun and everyone is superb. Its almost like the whole cast is feeding off the absurdity of the concept and just going for broke. Every performance is spot on comedically, as one would expect, and also able to add some depth in the few places its needed. Really helps the material as it strikes the right balance between serious and ridiculous.

   Overall i can't suggest this movie enough. Whether you're looking for a hard R-rated comedy, a allegory on religion or you just like cartoons with swearing in them this is the movie for you. Highly recommended for everyone........except for kids under 15.

**9/10 Stars**

Awesomesauce

Movie Scoring System

   So I've gotten a few emails regarding how exactly my rating system for movies works. Whether I'm doing them in more of a critical viewpoint or a more popular perspective. Well i tend to believe its a mixture of the two. In the end it mostly comes down to how i feel about a movie, as in did i enjoy watching it. That's where the review pretty much starts. For instance a "terrible" movie can still receive a good review if its enjoyable. No one will ever call "Don't tell mom the babysitters dead" an excellent movie but I'll be damned if i don't enjoy the hell out of it. Its probably the movie I've seen the most in my life and I'm not even sure why. My point being just because something is dumb doesn't mean it cant get a good review from me,

   That being said i wont overlook if a movie totally sucks it up in the more critical areas as well. If the movie looks like garbage, the acting stiff or plodding or if the direction isn't where i think it should be i will have no problem calling it out and holding it against it. Also don't expect just because something is set up or hyped for the Academy Awards that means it will get its ass kissed here either. Critics notoriously sing the praises of movies that when viewed without that lens tend to be boring or not what people are told it will be, "The Witch" being an example of a movie many critics loved but as i watched it i found myself wondering what all the hype is about.

   Basically this all boils down to my rating system being based solely on how i myself enjoyed a movie. Yes some ratings when taken at number value will seem a bit weird, "Deer Hunter" and "The Nice Guys" are only half a point apart in my view after all, which is why its important to read the whole thing in order to know why it receives the rating it does. Guess i could have said that right from the start but hey content is content right? Anyone email me anymore questions to thedrizzle37@outlook.com and i'll reply post haste.

"The Magnificent Seven" Movie Review

   So right off the bat I'm a huge fan of the original "Magnificent Seven", it was one of the first westerns i ever saw and remains a favorite of mine. It's because of that i went into the remake just dying to fall in love with it but unfortunately that's not what happened. While still a fun and enjoyable movie in parts it falls well short of its pedigree.

      Now for those who don't know the original itself is a remake of the Japanese classic "Seven Samurai" which means the new movie has quite a large and distinguished history attached to it. The story is a group of villagers are being taken advantage of by some thugs and they hire some mercenaries to protect them. Simple plot really but one that leaves a ton of room to flesh out the world. What the original and Samurai had in common was they not only focused on the leads but also spent quite allot of time developing the side characters as well. No member of the group in either film was without some kind of story arc or personal quirk which not only let you relate to their actions but also made you care about whether they lived or not. One of the issues in the new movie is it doesn't do a great job of endearing all the members of the seven. I found myself staining to remember all the members because of the very limited screen time some receive. I understand you have Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt as your leads, both of whom are excellent BTW, but Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen were just as big stars and they had no problem sharing the screen. In an ensemble piece like this it's important that every character has some reason or skill that justifies their being around. This is a rule director Antoine Fuqua seems to have forgotten. That's to say nothing of the almost nonexistent screen time our villain receives. He's in possible 4 scenes the entire movie which is a shame really as there are hints that they could have done more with him as Peter Sarsgaard does give an intriguing performance in limited time.

   

   The movie also suffers from some pacing issues. There's a huge chunk in the middle where the movie grinds to a halt and becomes boring in what should be some of the best parts, assembling the team. Ideally you want this to be a series of vignettes highlighting the skills of each member and giving the audience a concise idea of their personality and skills. Instead it almost seems like they just stumble upon each member with a minimum of explanation why or how they were chosen. Worse yet is a few members of the group are pretty much forgotten about. Vazquez (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and Red Harvest (Martin Sensmeier) make such a small impression that's its easy to forget they're even on the team.  Another issue, as in most westerns is how fast people get around the world. Seems horseback is just as fast as driving, that or everyone lives so close to one another its hard to believe they haven't met already. Not to mention how fast everyone seems to be getting around on horseback. 

  

   Now i don't want to just shoot down the movie because i did enjoy parts of it. The action is actually top notch, a bit more modern then one would expect for a movie set in the old west but still once things get rolling the action is quite enjoyable. Its also at this time that each member finally gets to show what they bring to the table and when it starts to feel like an actual team and not just a bunch of individuals. Antoine Fuqua has always had a talent for directing action and he doesn't disappoint at all here. Just makes you wish they'd have gotten to this part sooner. 

   Another highlight is the acting, well for the most part that is. Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt are both charming and believable but really what else do you expect. Sure there's not too much "heavy" acting to be done but they could have easily just phoned it in and coasted on charisma. Neither does it and it saves the movie in those slow scenes in the middle. Haley Bennett is fine as the widow who hires the group but ultimately is kind of forgettable. Vincent D'Onofrio and Lee Byung-hun are both very good in limited roles and both show what can be done when you take advantage of time you're given no matter how small. They both give a hidden depth and hint of humor to their characters when they easily could have just faded into the background....kinda like two of their previously mentioned co-stars. Ethan Hawke however is a real standout among the cast as he jumps from charming drunk to intimidating solider and to a man haunted by his past effortlessly and easily gives the best performance in the movie. Truly am surprised how good of an actor he's turned out to be.

This is the guy from "Singles" right?

   Overall I'd say that "The Magnificent Seven" is an enjoyable yet ultimately unnecessary remake of a couple of classics. Its the kind of movie you won't feel cheated for having watched, even enjoying quite a few parts of it, but once its done you're not going to remember it because there is nothing more to it then surface level. The utter definition of a summer popcorn flick.

**7/10 Stars**

Hardcore OK

"Gummo" Movie Review

  This is going to be a relatively short review because there really isn't that much to say, "Gummo" is pure garbage strung together and called a movie. There isn't anything redeeming about this one at all. If a friend asks you to watch this movie, know that they are not truly your friend. If a store were to give you this DVD for free they're still charging you too much. If someone at a party says that they liked this movie know that they also enjoy smashing their fingers with a hammer just for the sexual thrill, it's also less painful then watching this "movie". If a stranger hands you a copy its only so they can distract you long enough to begin stabbing you in the neck, also less painful then watching it. Needless to say this movie sucks.

   So why does "Gummo" suck so bad it made it made Helen Keller grateful of her situation? (That's the level and kind of "humor" this movie goes with folks) Well lets start with the obvious culprit, the King of the awful movie himself Harmony Korine. A man with a line of terrible movies longer then a Black Friday sale. His direction, if you can call it that, is basically to turn on a camera and allow actors with no training and apparently no rehearsal time to say their lines with the least amount of believability possible then  jump cut to some random nonsense and call the whole thing an "Art House" movie to try to give it some merit/cover. The fact that they waited until literally the last day of production to film ANYTHING shows the level of care that went into this. It appears to have been entirely one take and go, which can add realism if by realism you mean actors with the look of someone trying to remember what they're supposed to be saying and doing on their face the whole time. Its an especially stupid thing to do with non-professional actors when you also expect them to improvise their dialogue. There is no attention or care given to the acting process or any part of  film making in general at all. It basically appears someone gave Korine a bunch of money to make a movie and then he basically did nothing (except a ton of drugs I'll bet) until the last day, threw something together and released it calling it "experimental art house" cinema. Sure a bunch of critics who look for deeper meaning in even when there is none, which there isn't here, might force themselves to look for what he's trying to say in their minds but as a guy who enjoys movies this movie was just an exercise to see how long i could watch this boring movie with a non-existent plot before reaching for the off switch. Too bad for me as i watched it with a group of people, all who also hated it, that option wasn't available.

   So lets talk about the plot.....OK all finished. There is no arc here, just a collection of scenes loosely held together merely by the fact the same actors appear in different scenes. Its supposed to be about life in post tornado Ohio but really nothing is done with the idea. You can make "day in the life" movies well, its been the bread and butter of Hollywood for years, but even the most basic framework of a plot is ignored here. There's simply no reason for us to care about anything that happens to anyone. The fact that every character is some weird, stylized form of trailer trash isn't even to blame for it being borderline unwatchable. John Waters has been making movies featuring horrible people for years but he at least remembers to make them and the film interesting or fun. Korine seems intent on not doing even the basic elements of character development and instead leaves it to the viewer to makes sense of it. Nice try guy but last i checked its your job as Director to do those things and have a vision for your movie, not bail on that responsibility and push it to the audience. Maybe less time partying and more behind the keyboard was where Korine's priorities should have been.

   The acting? What acting. I'm not going to fault entirely a group of non-actors put into roles and expected to somewhat emote but i mean come on people, are you even trying? Best roles in the movie go to a kid in a bunny hat ("Bob's Burgers" style) who says nothing at all and a drunk guy wrestling a kitchen chair. There simply no acting happening here and I'm not gonna waste anymore time pretending there is because then I'd be the best actor associated with this film.

   So is there anything redeeming about this movie at all? Well it got made, that's something i guess. One or two scenes are at least able to illicit a "What the hell is going on?" nervous/confused laugh but in general this movie is a complete waste of time, money and film stock. The fact Harmony Korine is still making movies, all of which are still bad i should mention, is simply astounding after watching this abomination. Do yourself a favor and stay as far away from this one as you can

**0/10 Stars**

Pure Trash

"The Nice Guys" Movie Review

  
   Every year a few really good movies get passed over or lost in the crowd and audience ignore them despite them being really good, "The Nice Guys" is one of those movies, which is unfortunate because its really good and fun.

Why didn't people come to see this movie?

   Written and Directed by Shane Black, the man behind the first "Lethal Weapon" and "Iron Man 3", this movie has his fingerprints all over it. From the Christmas setting to the the buddy dynamic to the R-rated and sometimes dark humor this is for sure a Shane Black movie....and no that's not a bad thing at all. 

   So what is it about? "The Nice Guys" is basically a buddy cop movie where neither of the stars are Police. Russell Crowe plays Jackson Healy, a semi-famous magazine tough guy for hire who makes his living beating up undesirables for money. Ryan Gosling is Holland Marsh, an alcoholic private detective with a tragic past and a independent pre-teen daughter. These two come together as they're separately hired to complete jobs that overlap in a funny and violent way and lead the two to try and crack the case. Typical plot sure but as always its about the journey and "The Nice Guys" delivers in spades on that front.

   Now this may not seem like the plot set-up for comedy gold, nor does the Gosling/Crowe combo inspire much enthusiasm, but the two of them are fabulous together and actually look like they're having fun. Crowe can be a bit dour at times in his movies lately, as well as in real life, but here he looks to be having a ball playing a less-serious character who's tendency towards violence prolly does mirror his own life a bit. Gosling is playing the comic relief of the duo despite the tragic arc and also looks to relish the chance to switch between serious and goofy. He's definitely the cause for a good share of the films laughs and the excellent chemistry between the two is what makes this movie as good as it is. Special mention should also go to a standout performance by Angourie Rice as Holland's daughter Holly. She actually comes across as the brains and heart of what is ultimately a trio by the end while also avoiding being either a damsel in distress or just another annoying child character. Even though she gets into a few tight spots she's able to get herself out of them without burdening the story or the leads. She may be an actress to keep an eye on in the future.

Keep an eye on this girl, she might be going places

   The setting is very interesting as well. Hollywood in the late 70's is known for being in a bit of a downward trend what with the porn (experimental film) industry being such a major part of the culture and that is on display here as it plays a huge part in plot. Shane Black is however able to inject an energy and humor into the movie that the whole thing keeps a playful vibe even though some very violent and dark things happen throughout. It also bears repeating that this movie is also very funny, which i was not expecting. Jokes jump from being witty banter to slapstick to macabre from scene to scene which keeps things fresh and never letting you guess whats coming next.

Bomer doing his best to look like Ramsay Bolton

   I guess if i had to name a few gripes its that the side characters and villains are a bit underwhelming. Kim Basinger has basically a 2 scene cameo as the Head of the Justice Department. Matt Bomer plays a hit man but he shows up so late in the movie you barely get a chance to build any menace behind him. His performance itself is pretty interesting which makes it a shame he shows up too late to really shine. In addition Keith David and Beau Knapp show up as two guys pulled so far from the back of the stock villain closet they weren't even given names that you appreciate more the way Gosling and Crowe keep this moving rolling at such a high level.

Sure they'll green light a sequel Russell......Sure they will

   A missed gem in this summers movie deluge "The Nice Guys" is an excellent movie that any fan of the "Lethal Weapon" series will instantly fall in love with. The action is great, the comedy is good and varied and the performances are all top notch. Do yourself a favor and go check out this movie.

**8.5/10 Stars**

Awesome

"The Deer Hunter" Movie Review

   Last night i got the chance to jump way back in time to watch the 1978 Best Picture winner "The Deer Hunter" starring Robert DeNiro (Mike), Christopher Walken (Nick) and Meryl Streep (Linda) and folks boy do i have some things to say about it. Now of course there will be some spoilers in here but lets face it you've had 40 years to watch this movie and if you haven't well then sorry i can't help you.

Robert DeNiro shines in this movie

   OK so right off the top lets get my top peeve about this movie out there, this flick is way way way way too long and the time is misspent in my opinion. It clocks in at 3 hours and 3 minutes and while i can allow that length for certain films, whether they need it for plot purposes or its just that damn entertaining the whole way through, this one for sure could have left tons on the cutting room floor or refocused where that time is spent and been a superior movie. About 45 minutes right off the bat is spent at the opening wedding scene and it makes one wonder if Director Michael Cimino had maybe watched "The Godfather" recently and decided to borrow that technique to introduce the characters and their relationships. Now i will admit there are some character things in there to mine and setting up the hierarchy and interactions between the leads is helpful but its nothing that couldn't be handled in much briefer exchanges/scenes or that aren't already covered by the hunting scene immediately following. To modern audiences, myself included, this leads to a feeling of "get to the point or plot already" and can give you the itch to reach for your phone, not the things you want in a character drama like this. It becomes even more noticeable later on as the much more pivotal scenes in Vietnam and also back home after the war sometimes feel rushed. I understand that you need to see the stark difference between the men pre and post war but again there are more economical time ways to do that.

   The movie also does a dismal job of covering the passage of time in the story. You're given no idea how much time goes by throughout the course of the movie, except for the final Russian roulette scene happening at the same time as the fall of Saigon, and therefore have a hard time catching up to some of the severe personality shifts that occur as the movie progresses. We go from everyone enjoying a nice, quiet piano solo to a jump cut of villages destroyed and DeNiro lighting a guy up with a flamethrower with no idea that months have passed between these two events which are back to back. The length of time Nick, Mike and Steve (John Savage) spend in a POW camp is never addressed at all either so we have no context for Steve's mental break or the way it begins to break Nick's spirit as well. Plus we get shown Mike's inability to "go back home again" as they say but again it feels rushed and kind of out of nowhere. To me the real emotional pay dirt is in these scenes in Vietnam and afterward and the time we should have spent there is instead wasted on lengthy aisle walking and DeNiro streaking scenes.

   Now that we've gotten all the negatives out of the way lets get to the positives, of which there are many. First off this film is absolutely GORGEOUS! I'm not exactly the outdoors type but some of the views of the mountains of Pennsylvania/West Virginia made me want to go for a weekend hike and possibly not come back. The way the mist curls around the mountains is breathtaking and also makes you feel the stark difference between the cold/serene forests surroundings home to the hot/frantic jungles of Vietnam. This visual change of weather also ties into the story as DeNiro at one point comments on not being used to the cold after returning even though its where he grew up. A subtle hint that things have forever changed for Nick and nothing can ever be the same again. The town itself is also beautiful in its decay as well. You get the rundown town feeling in every inch from the church to the mill to the bar and really get the sense of the close knit small town community these men come from. Also this is the first movie set in Vietnam to actually be shot on location (Well Thailand at least) and this authenticity shows. You cant fake the way the jungles of Southeast Asia grow in a back lot and the decision to film there was a masterful one. You can feel the humidity in the air, see the sweat and muddy water covering everything and hear the bugs in your ear as they are trapped on/in the river. Allot of the punch of this movie could have been lost in less capable cinematography hands but Vilmos Zsigmond pulls it off masterfully.

Oh for the days Christopher Walken was a real actor

   Now lets get to the real highlight of this movie, the acting. When you have a film where you can say that Meryl Streep is the weakest performance then you know you have something special. Lets start at the top, Robert DeNiro was at the top of his game in this time frame and it shows as he gives one of his best performances. His ability to switch between overbearing macho man to concerned and loving friend, sometimes in the course of one scene is something to behold. His unbreakable loyalty to his friends and to his promise of bringing them home is the driving force behind this whole movie and if DeNiro was even slightly off the whole movie could have fallen apart. Luckily he was more then up to the task. Its hard to believe but he was actually a last minute replacement as Roy Scheider was originally cast but dropped out at the last minute, fortunately for us all i think. Christopher Walken won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Nick, the calming influence of the group who eventually loses all hope and ends up as a heroin addicted Russian roulette player in Saigon. Walken shows all the talent he possessed before he became a walking parody of himself. His unique look gives him an ethereal quality later in the film and draws your eyes to him early on as he fights for screen time. Far and away the best work of his career, especially as he sobs uncontrollably as he's unable to remember his parents birthdays. Just heartbreaking stuff. The rest of the cast is excellent and 100% believable as well, John Cazale puts in his usual outstanding performance in his last role before death as the loser or "Fredo" of the group if you will. Giving us the most obvious example of how DeNiro's viewpoint has changed by the end of the film. John Savage as the ill-fated Steve is also heartbreaking as he goes from life of the party at his wedding to near mute and shut in by the end, even forsaking his wife who is also overtaken by grief over whats happened and who's life is destroyed. Meryl Streep is servicable as the love interest but either through not understanding her characters arc or bad writing/direction this is the one role where the movie falters but otherwise its absolutely top notch!

   "The Deer Hunter" has a well-earned reputation as one of the best movies of all time and it is, its not without its fault though as it does drag in parts and the length of time the movie happens over is always muddy and does distract from the plot but those small qualms aside this is for sure a must watch for anyone who enjoys either excellent acting or amazing cinematography. If you havent seen it i highly recommend you give it a look.

**9/10 Stars**

Classic

Just a quick update

   Alrighty welcome back folks. So no real topic right now just giving everyone an update on the status of things, Got my web cam and microphone all hooked up and working now so am all set up on the recording front. Currently still trying to figure out exactly what i want to do with the station but i guess I'll figure out the exact format once i get in there and record a few. Experience is the best way am i right? Also gonna be teaching myself the editing process, which i have zero experience in, so that should be an interesting work in progress as well. Live and learn i suppose.
 
   I assume for the beginning going to try to make it your basic segmented YouTube show with a group of topics and maxing out at around an hour overall. Perhaps a bit boring but everyone has to start somewhere. Plus has the added bonus of getting them up quicker and build some content quick which is really what you want to do. Working on the cover art as well but i think for now that kind of on the back burner as there's plenty of stuff online to borrow for that.
 
   Here on the blog front not much to discuss at the moment, Haven't had anything really inspiring me to write about the last week, post election blues maybe, but i assure you more will be coming soon, If you have any suggestions I'm all ears, just email me at TheDrizzle37@outlook.com. Until next time folks.......

Been Awhile but we're back......

   Why hello there strangers. So obviously its been quite awhile since i added anything to this blog and that's mostly out a mixture of being lazy and not having enough time to do it, a truly deadly combination in the blogging world. Well now with all the things going down in real life, the election obviously being the biggest one, i feel like i need a spot to vent and/or distract myself. So I'm reopening this blog and plan on adding things to it at a much better pace. Now i can't say that I'm sticking to the old format of entertainment only news as i fully plan on broadening the scope to pretty much cover anything i feel like at the time. Needless to say expect many different kinds of posts and formats to pop up on here from here on out. Anyway back to the grind for now as they say so be back soon folks.....