ALOHA - It Must Be Seen to be Believed

By Daniel Epler

There's a reason some films are labeled a "train wreck". Train wrecks are a horrific thing. Everything has gone so vastly wrong that results in a brutal tragedy. And it's so huge and so horrible you can't look away. You're fascinated by the catastrophe. Aloha by Cameron Crowe.... is a train wreck.

Aloha is a romantic comedy from wonderful film maker Cameron Crowe and it should be exactly the kind of film I would love. I love Hawaii. I love romantic films. And I love Cameron Crowe. But I am utterly fascinated by how terrible a failure Aloha is. It's about Bradley Cooper as... a washed out army man... and he works for billionaire... and needs to set off a satellite.... and all the while Emma Stone is going to follow him around to be his body guard... and there's going to be Hawaiian legends.... and missals.... and Chinese terrorist hacks.... I think. I'm doing the best I can to explain this. It's such a mess.

Besides the fact that the script's plot is jumbled and doesn't make sense (and I don't understand how you make a romantic comedy have too convoluted a plot), the dialog is atrocious. No one acts like a real human being in this movie. They say insane things that make no sense, and then retort back with more insane things. People suddenly get crazy angry for no reason, and then get romantically exited for more nonsense. The performances are mostly terrible, although I can't fault the actors. I have to believe it's the script and direction. Emma Stone is particularly awful as she channels Jim Carrey and thinks she's in Dumb and Dumber To. I truly cannot believe how insanely over the top she is. She's such a wonderful actress and is so charming, I can't begin to understand what she was thinking. At least she mellows out a bit once the script doesn't want us begging her to get off screen any more. Bradley Cooper seems fine, but when you look closer you realize he has no idea who his character is. He gives a generic performance of the generic cool guy, even though he's supposed to be a damaged, beaten down war veteran who's messed up.

There's another plot going on where Cooper reconnects with an old girlfriend, played by Rachel Mcadams. Here lies my biggest issue with the film. First of all, the whole story line doesn't fit in in the least. It's a whole other film shoved into this already convoluted plot because I guess McAdams hadn't hit her romance movie quota for the year. But it could be interesting, right? Maybe the two of them have that old romantic spark. But the problem is McAdams is married to a good man (played by John Krasinski) and has two kids. But the movie doesn't care about them. This film drags Krasinski's character through the mud and treats him with zero respect. McAdams immediately gets flirty with Cooper with no care whatsoever to how her husband would feel about it, and the husband doesn't even react to any of this till the third act. Why is she doing this? We don't even see them have any marriage problems until much later in the film. And the problem they have is so incredibly ridiculous and cartoonish that it can't possibly be taken seriously. So now we get McAdams and Cooper sitting around, flirting, and making fun of her good, decent and hard working husband. I found these scenes not only revolting, but completely nonsensical. It further proves the point that no character in this movie has any idea how to act like a real person.

There are so many great actors in this film. But Bill Murray is totally miscast and just gives us a series of very uncomfortable moments that go on way too long. Alec Baldwin yells so much he might think he's in a spoof movie, and Danny Mcbride... well he was fine I suppose. But there's really nothing to recommend about this movie. There are two moments at the end that I think work, but that's really it. This movie even makes Hawaii look unappealing. I have never seen that before. It left me dying to watch 'The Decedents' for the 100th time. I'm still a great respecter of Cameron Crowe and most of his work, but he has a huge hole to dig himself out of from this one. I'm still glad I saw this movie. I really think it's a movie so bad in such epic proportions that it must be seen to be believed. See it if you dare.

What We Do In The Shadows - Review

"I think we drink virgin blood because... it sounds cool."

'What we do in the shadows' is a New Zealand made comedy/horror film about Vampires. Several vampires live together as flatmates and the movie tells of their 'wacky misadventures'! And there are so many fun surprises along the way, that I don't feel the need to tell you about them. Because this movie is FUN!

This film very successfully utilizes the 'mockumentary' style and I think it's a great choice. It sets up a world where all this seems normal! There's vampires, werewolves, witches, people flying, people turning into animals, and because our point of view is with monsters, it's all fine and dandy! The filmmakers also are very respectful to the lore they're playing with. You really feel like they love vampire and monster movies. The movie uses old school style vampires that we all know and love! There's even one that resembles Nosferatu. How fun it that??  They have fun with it all! This is one reason horror fans are sure to enjoy this movie. And I certainly enjoyed this movie!

This movie is a comedy and it succeeds because it makes me laugh! It's funny, but it's also funny in a subtle way that I feel I'll catch some new joke every time I re-watch it. The way the characters react to a character named 'Stew' is one of my favorite running jokes. The actors are wonderful comedic performers and I really hope to see them do more comedies in the future. Special shout out to Jonathan Brough who was hilarious as Deacon! He's actually a TV director and this is his only acting credit. Can you believe that? Well done Mr. Brough!

For how low budget the film is, the effects are excellent and very effective. Interesting how if a film is found footage or documentary style, the effects become more impressive. Well it certainly works for this film!

Honestly, if you're a horror fan or you just like to laugh, I can't imagine you won't enjoy this film. It's currently available on VOD and you can rent it for $4. Check it out and have fun! Oh, and remember. We're werewolves... not swearwolves.

Tomorrowland: An adventure into a world of originality

In a world of remakes, sequels and reboots… somehow there is Tomorrowland.

Tomorrowland is Disney’s latest attempt to make a new hit blockbuster. It worked out very well for them in 2003 with Pirates of the Caribbean, but not since. This time it’s about a futuristic world called, you guessed it, Tomorrowland. But mostly it’s about a young girl’s journey to get there. And as a favor to you, that’s all I’ll say.

Here’s where I’ll let the cat out of the bag. I loved Tomorrowland. Tomorrowland is very different than most blockbusters because it very much feels like the product of one man’s imagination and voice. That of director Brad Bird. In an age when most blockbusters appear to be money-making machines where studios find some guy to do what they want, I find this movie refreshing. This is an incredibly imaginative, and completely original vision of a man with a story to share. And he shares it with breathtaking skill.

Just to lay my cards on the table, adventure is my favorite genre of film. And Tomorrowland took me on a journey of adventure and discovery. Almost everything about this movie surprised me and filled me with wonder. The actors give their all playing their characters! George Clooney once again proves why he’s a movie star, and he does it by playing against type. He’s grumpy and not suave in any way. It has to be seen to be believed! The action sequences are unusually brilliantly handled and tension filled. There’s more of Brad Bird’s handy work!

I recognize that the message of the film is a bit on the nose. Some (not I) are even saying it’s shoved down your throat. But I really don’t care. I respect that this film has something to say. This film isn’t just concerned with taking your $9 and setting up for a sequel. It doesn’t just want to give you a chance to shut your brain off for two hours. This film wants to change your outlook on life, and for the better. I commend the film for that. It’s not just a money making machine. It’s a man’s vision with a distinct voice to take you on an adventure and even say some things about the world around us. For these reasons, I am thankful this film exists.

The film isn’t perfect. What film is? There’s a bit of a brief pacing issue near the end. Nothing major. But the bottom line is this film is completely original and different and it succeeds at what it set out to do. I couldn’t recommend it higher!

5 Things WRONG with Avengers: Age of Ultron

Let me make one thing very clear first. I enjoyed the Avengers sequel. As a matter of fact, I enjoyed it quite a bit. It’s a funny, action-packed summer blockbuster that’s practically guaranteed to put a smile on your face. That being said, it is not a great film. Not by a long shot. And just because I thought last year’s Captain America: Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy were absolutely brilliant doesn’t mean I’ll bury my head in the sand and ignore when this franchise runs into some problems. And the Avengers sequel most certainly does. Here are 5 things WRONG with Avengers: Age of Ultron.

1. It’s a shorter film than it was supposed to be - I’ve heard that Joss Whedon’s original cut of this film was well over three hours long. It shows. The film has an unfortunate habit of bringing up plot developments and then discarding them never to be brought up again. We get backstory fairly early in the film about new characters Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. This back story explains to us why the characters would want to join Ultron (the villain) in his fight against our heroes and it’s kind of a big deal. But if you happen to go refill your popcorn at that moment, don’t worry about it. It has nothing to do with the rest of the film and won’t change the characters decision making about where their loyalties lie at any point. We’re also treated to a side story about a quest Thor goes on on his own, but the point of it is lost on me. And lastly, all through the film characters will be at certain points and I’m left wondering, ‘how did we get here?’ I’m very interested to seeing the full cut of the film on the blu ray to see if the film then makes more sense,
2. Iron Man 3 is ignored - I realize many people don’t like Iron Man 3. But it does still count as part of this universe, right? At the end of Iron Man 3 Tony has decided to hang up the armor of being Iron Man. He decides he just wants to live his life peacefully with the woman he loves. Nevertheless, at the start of this movie he’s Iron Man. No explanation. No nothing. Does this mean events that happen in this universe don’t necessarily matter anymore? This is the first successful cinematic universe so I suppose they can make their own rules.
3. Ultron - Let’s get this out of the way first. Ultron is a TON of fun to watch on screen and he’s very charismatic! He’s definitely a cut above most Marvel villains. But I believe that has more to do with the actor James Spader than the writing. The origin of our villain is SO unbelievably rushed that we’re just left to accept that he wants to destroy human life to protect the earth without getting any reason why. Or getting much insight into him as a character. I wish Spader’s great performance wasn’t so heavily relied upon, and they gave him more development in the script. But this may also be fixed in the extended cut.
4. Civil War - Any self respecting movie nerd knows that next year we’re getting a movie called ‘Captain America: Civil War’. In this movie, Captain America and Iron Man are going to turn against each other and become enemies. And this movie does a very good job building tension between the two characters. I fully believed they were on the edge of becoming enemies. *MINOR spoilers* But at the end of the film, the two make up and everything is perfectly fine between the two. This makes no sense to me. Why are we building tension and then resolving it, while knowing we’re just going to have to build it all over again in the very next movie?
5. The Trailers - This isn’t really even the movies fault, but I feel I have to address it. And it’s a growing problem I’m noticing a lot lately. Because of all the trailers for this movie, there was very little I didn’t know was going to happen. There was some! But not much. Now one could say, just don’t watch the trailers! But in our media heavy age, this is easier said than done. I love going to the movies and I’ve seen the trailers for Avengers many times before other movies. Is there no respect for the movie going experience anymore? Is there no joy left in the discovery of a film? Do we really need to see almost every plot point and every action scene set piece in the trailers? Trailers these days make me want to show up 10 minutes late to every movie just to avoid the spoiler heavy trailers. In fact, that’s not a terrible idea.

Now I’m sure this sounds like a fanboy nitpicking a movie that’s just suppose to be fun. And believe me I did have fun! In fact, I wouldn’t even say I’m disappointed. But I’ve seen Marvel make films are more than fun and are truly great, like Winter Soldier. And these are just my observations on what kept this film from reaching that status. Have fun at the movies and thanks for reading!