Hey, I appreciate you uncovering me from stasis last year... but that doesn't mean I'm giving
you a pass.
So pick it up Cruise, let's go already!
/ Jesus, are you alright?
/ I think I broke something.
/ Well tough shit, soldier... we've got some movies to review.
/ The only thing I can feel are my lips.
/ Excellent.
If you can speak, you can review.
/ Why?
/ Because this is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, in-depth reviews in five-minutes or less.
I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Tonight, we'll take a look at three brand new June releases, beginning with a film I
provided an early review for two weeks ago on the "Archive" channel, but this time with
your audience comments and score, here again are my thoughts on "Edge Of Tomorrow".
This Doug Liman science fiction action film was released worldwide on May 30, 2014, and
stateside the following week.
Produced on a budget of $178-million dollars, the film is forecast to bring in at least
$300 million internationally, but it has the potential to do much better.
The incredibly versatile Tom Cruise stars as a freshman solider fighting a war against
an invading alien force, who is forced to relive the same day over and over again every
time he dies in battle.
The picture borrows heavily from the repeating time-loop concept made famous by the brilliant
"Groundhog Day", but puts its own unique spin on the concept, not the least of which is
providing a quasi-believable sci-fi explanation for what's cause the temporal anomaly.
Now in his 50's, Cruise is still as charismatic, charming, and athletic as ever... perfectly
suited for the wide-ranging duties required of him in this mile-a-minute 116-minute picture.
I've seen over 25 of his films, and with very few exceptions: this guy has never made a
bad one, indeed this thrilling experience is no exception.
On his repeating day from hell, Cruise encounters a wise-talking drill sergeant from Kentucky,
wonderfully portrayed by the always capable Bill Paxton, a fierce and formidable solider,
played by Emily Blunt with a delicate balance of feminism and strength, and Brendan Gleeson
as an uncompromising general.
Initially, Cruise is a frightened and inexperienced solider, complaining to another private that's
he's not ready battle.
This character playfully replies, "I've never been with two girls before, but you can bet
when that day comes, I'll be ready."
With each death, Cruise learns more about his futuristic tech, his compatriots, and
how to battle their alien enemies.
Later, during a fast and entertaining training sequence, Blunt amusingly helps Cruise improve
his skills by intentionally resetting time, so he can start fresh.
That is to say, she repeatedly shoots Tom in the head, following a montage of fails
and losses.
It's this unexpected, morbid sense of humor that anchors the film from becoming too serious
or preachy, infinitely strengthening it as a result.
The PG-13 rated
movie boasts some absolutely superb visual effects, especially with the alien adversaries.
Never before has a creature been so frightening yet simultaneously intriguing...
their full reveal smartly saved until 30 minutes into the picture.
Behind each gritty and vibrant frame is the brooding and appropriate sounds of Christophe
Beck's powerful score... which revs in intensity during the thrilling action sequences, but
remains emotional during the film's slower character moments.
Despite the rather outlandish and absurd premise, the events on-screen unfold with a fair amount
of realism and believability...
these are authentic characters exploring a very lived-in world.
A combination of several different tropes and gimmicks we've seen before, the blended
execution here is a markedly better than the sum of its parts...
resulting in a white-knuckle adventure that remains playful, thought-provoking, and an
absolute blast to watch.
While this movie doesn't reinvent anything, it is, without a doubt one of the best science
fiction action films in years - which, as you know, is my favorite genre.
Sure, it has its share of flaws, but the magic of this picture is the sleight-of-hand tricks
it employs to make you forget about all of that.
Distracting with jokes, explosions, and the overall spectacle, the few issues that do
exist quickly fade from relevancy.
A rare treat that is masterfully edited, this picture delivers a truly entertaining experience
from the fascinating start to the suspenseful finish.
I can't wait for a temporal reset so I can watch it again.
"Edge Of Tomorrow", a "Smart premise with spectacular execution".
Here's what you had to say about this picture in the YouTube comments.
"Edge Of Tomorrow" receives a NINE and a TEN from us.
Praising the unexpected, but effective humor, as well as the big-budget action, you thought
this film was AWESOME.
Undoubtedly, my being a fan of sci-fi action with a twist of time-travel, and starring
one of my favorite actors was bound to be a recipe for success.
And although this movie is far from perfect, I have no answer to the question: why doesn't
it deserve the highest score?
I thought it was AMAZING, and I encourage you to and see it.
For tonight's poll question: which movie are you most excited to see this summer?
Leave your response as a comment below.
Second up tonight, "The Fault In Our Stars".
This Josh Boone romantic comedy-drama film was released nationwide on June 6, 2014.
To the surprise of no one in Nerdfighteria, it quadrupled its $12-million dollar budget
on opening weekend.
Based on the best-selling book of the same name by, and I can't believe I'm saying this
- my friend, and fellow YouTuber, John Green - the PG-13 rated narrative shares the story
of two teenage cancer patients who begin a doomed, but beautiful romance after meeting
at a support group.
The immensely talented and adorable Shailene Woodley continues her rise to prominence with
one of the best performances I've seen all year: bringing a true depth and understanding
to such a complicated, but up-lifting character, who opens the picture by unapologetically
narrating, "This is the truth, sorry."
Equally incredible opposite is Ansel Elgort as her charming and handsome love-interest...
an impossibly well-spoken gentlemen who sucks on unlit cigarettes to feel more in control
of his health and fate.
Although the actual dialogue between them feels a bit idealized, their relationship
is a fundamentally sincere one, filled with all the authentic and awkward moments that
embody adolescence.
Contributing smaller roles, Laura Dern, Mike Birbiglia, Nat Wolff, and Willem Dafoe are
integral to the plot with their excellent performances.
Examining the cruel realities of life and death, the 125-minute narrative stays decently
paced, and unpredictable until the last moments, especially if you're not familiar with the
source material.
Although its tragic story will undoubtedly elicit tears from most of the audience, the
quirky script remains hopeful and light with the occasional well-placed joke or smile.
A particularly amusing scene has Wolff egging the car of an ex-girlfriend, who dumped him
for losing his eyesight to cancer.
It's this playful, immature response to serious situations that help alleviate the strong
emotions of this picture that loom under ever scene.
The earnest and realistic relationship that plays out center stage is a sad and moving
one, but never depressing or painful.
This delicate mood is underlined by a minimal original score, and some indie folk music
from an array of performers, including Ed Sheeran, Birdy, and Ray LaMontagne.
The slow and conventional cinematography carefully frames the actors and their environments,
like a close-up of dinner leftovers, subtly illustrating the personalities of Woodley
and Elgort.
Conveying a wonderful message about resilience and love conquering all, but accomplishing
this without ever feeling too preachy or corny, this is a very enjoyable experience I wouldn't
mind seeing again.
"The Fault In Our Stars", "Dignified portrayal of inspiring romance."
Now let's read some of your comment reviews."
"The Fault In Our Stars"... scores a double NINE the rate-o-matic.
Calling it brilliant and heartwarming, you applauded its adaptation of the novel, and
rated it an AWESOME.
A powerful and moving picture that examines the truth depth and value many take for granted
in their lives and relationships, I thought this film was AWESOME as well.
A reminder now to check out the Movie Night Archive channel for an organized collection
of all our reviews, and to hear my thoughts on upcoming movies, including the new trailer
for "Dumb And Dumber To" which I reviewed earlier this week.
Finally tonight, my review for "22 Jump Street."
This $50-million follow-up to 2012's big-screen adaptation of the 1980's TV series was released
worldwide on June 13, 2014, and will most likely earn back a healthy profit.
Co-directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller return for this frenzied, self-aware comedy
action film that despite doing literally nothing different from its predecessor, remains equally
as entertaining.
Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum return as two bumbling cops, this time send undercover to
college to track down the origin of a new synthetic drug.
The two exhibit absolutely perfect chemistry together, bouncing off each other's improvisation
and physical mannerisms seamlessly.
The supporting cast includes the always capable, but often type-cast Peter Stormare, quick
return appearances for the obnoxious Rob Riggle, Dave Franco and Nick Offerman, along with
descent performances from lesser known talent like Amber Stevenes, Jillian Bell, and Kurt
Russell's son, Wyatt.
The standout character however is definitely Ice Cube, who returns in a much larger capacity
as the loud and unforgiving police Captain, who delivers one of the movie's funniest moments
when he totally flips his shit.
Later, when he threatens the criminals by shouting, "We Jump Street, and we 'bout to
jump in your ass.", you're not sure if you should laugh, or cower.
Attempting to maintain his cover and impress a female friend, when Hill's live slam poetry
session devolves into 'scat man', I couldn't help but break down in laughter.
The R-rated comedy is heavy on cuss-words, dick jokes, and prat-falls, but it does so
with a tight script, and clever writing... even if references to Maya Angelo and Tracy
Morgan were poorly timed.
Littered with wonderful callbacks to the first film, including a running gag poking fun at
the two picture's remarkably similar plot, the movie is one of the very rare comedy sequels
that maintains the freshness of the franchise without alienating the style made it work
so effectively.
Speaking of style, the quick and lively editing remains flashy and entertaining, making great
use of split-screens, montages, and the film's pop-oriented soundtrack.
Although a touch long at 112-minutes, the film finishes strong with a terrifically inspired
credit sequence that quickly, and playfully lists off the next 20 potential gimmicky sequels
for the franchise, from "23 Jump Street: Medical School" to "41 Jump Street: Dance Academy."
As shallow fluff, this picture would still be amusing and enjoyable... but thanks to
deeper emotional moments provided by Hill and Tatum's bromantic chemistry, the film
has a heart as well.
A fantastic sequel that should provide laughs for years to come, "22 Jump Street" was a
"Brilliant satire with ridiculous characters."
Sans audience scores for this one, I'll give "22 Jump Street" an EIGHT.
A brazen, and unapologetic comedy that is every bit as entertaining as its sequel, I
definitely enjoyed this one, I thought it was GREAT.
Finally tonight, a look at other films currently playing in theaters with some of your Tweet
Critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
Next week will be the last episode of the season before Movie Night takes its annual
summer hiatus - but we're be going out in style by reviewing five more of the worst
movies ever made, Ed Wood's infamous "Plan 9 From Outerspace", "The Garbage Pail Kids
Movie" from 1987, The Room, Paris Hilton's "The Hottie & Nottie", and a more recent comedy
disaster, "Movie 43".
Once you've seen these films, share your opinions by voting in the polls below, or by leaving
a comment review.
If you'd like to watch more Movie Night reviews, check out the "related videos" on the right,
or click SUBSCRIBE to be notified of all new content.
Also be sure to follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or Instagram for updates between
episodes.
Once again, my name is Jonathan Paula, thank you for watching and listening.
Until next time, have a good Movie Night!