Oh, thank goodness - their little pirate ship broke.
At least now I can get back to delivering this cargo ship full of Lunchables and Hot
Pockets to the good people of Mombassa... because this is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, arriving a few days late because I had some unscheduled
computer upgrades to deal with... but on the bright side, this is the first episode edited
on Premiere Pro CC.
Anyway, I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Tonight we'll take to the high seas to review some ocean-related dramas, beginning with
"The Perfect Storm".
This biographical disaster film by accomplished German director Wolfgang Peterson earned back
nearly triple its $120-million dollar budget following its June 2000 release.
The 130-minute feature is based on the heartbreaking true events surrounding the unique and intensely
unique titular weather event that ravaged the North east Atlantic in October of 1991.
For individuals from the affected areas , like myself, who saw the storm's power firsthand
- this film certainly hits close to home.
The opening credits sequence is a beautiful tribute to all those who make their living
on the ocean, especially Gloucester, Massachusetts, in particular.
Although taking some artistic license during the third-act, the story follows a group of
fisherman looking for the last big haul of the season, when their rickety fishing boat,
the Andrea Gail gets caught up in the massive nor'easter.
The ship's captain, the ruggedly handsome George Clooney, leads the all-star cast with
a decently believable Boston accent, and plenty of charm, as his foolhardy determination unfortunately
puts his fishing exhibition at risk.
He proudly reminiscences with his female counterpart, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, "You're a goddamn
swordboat captain!
Is there anything better in the world?"
- it's a poignant line that caps off a stirring monologue, one which is repeated at the end
of the film with great effectiveness.
Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, William Fictner, and John Hawkes make up his fisherman deckhands
- with outstandingly relatable performances.
The talented cast also includes the beautiful Diane Lane as the weeping girlfriend who stays
ashore, Michael Ironside as the gruff boat owner, and a standout role from Rusty Schwimmer,
as the unlikely romantic foil for Hawkes.
Meanwhile Bob Gunton, Cherry Hones, and Karen Allen also contribute great moments in a parallel
story that although tense and interesting, really only serves to bog-down the main event.
Backed a inspirational and pardon the pun, swelling score form James Horner - it's hard
not to get swept up in the emotion of this film, and its characters - six men lost deep
at sea during the storm of the century, fighting for survival, and for each other.
One especially riveting scene arrives late, when Clooney risks life and limb to severe
a swinging anchor, that threatens to fly back and damage the boat.
The writing is on the proverbial wall from the outset... but your heart will refuse to
read it.
Masterfully directed by Petersen, the PG-13-rated nail-biter is well-edited, perfectly blending
gritty close-ups with gliding crane-shots.
Although a bit too cliché at times, this is an otherwise wonderful, and realistic film
with plenty of re-watch value, "The Perfect Storm", "Powerfully rewarding thriller with
charisma".
Now lets check out some of your reviews.
Our scores... a SEVEN and an EIGHT.
You applauded the acting and action, but faulted the plot, even though it was based on real
events - you thought "The Perfect Storm" was COOL.
It certainly helps that I grew up just down the road from where this picture takes place,
but I've always enjoyed it every time I watch.
I thought it was GREAT.
While we're on the subject of disasters films...
what is your favorite in that category?
Leave your response as a comment below.
Second tonight is "The Guardian."
Released in late September 2006, and directed by Andrew Davis - this $80-million dollar
film only earned $15-million in profit.
Kevin Costner and Aston Kutcher star in this action-adventure drama film that focuses on
the life and training of the United State Coast Guard's elite rescue swimming team.
Neal McDonough, Melissa Sagemiller, and Clancy Brown round out the supporting cast with commendable
contributions, but the real focus on this picture is Costner and Kutcher.
Costner is an extremely proficient rescue diver, capable of saving everything but his
failing marriage.
Whereas Kutchner is the hot-shot trainee more focused on breaking swimming records than
saving lives.
Both men are brilliant in their respective teacher / student roles, bouncing off each
other with charged performances, especially in one emotional scene where Costner opens
up about his troubled past, advising his protégé, " Save the ones you can.
The rest, you've got to let go."
Bookended by positively thrilling rescue-sequences on the turbulent seas in the Gulf of Alaska,
the majority of the picture is your typical "boot camp" story...
as we watch a group of promising cadets go through every test of endurance and skill
to prove their readiness, as only 280 make the cut from a pool of 39,000.
The 139-minute feature doesn't break any new ground during this middle-portion, but it's
competently executed with effective use of Trevor Rabin's hory-heavy score and some brisk
editing.
With one lone exception however, the requisite training montage was stylistically, but curiously,
filmed on low-definition video.
An impressive chunk of the water scenes were filmed in a giant indoor pool built specially
for this production...
but its incorporation is so flawless, you never notice.
The pacing of this picture never feels slow, but it does seem to contain a bit too much
story for its own good, the middle training academy portion honestly could have been its
own standalone movie.
What "Top Gun" is to fighter pilots, this fun and re-watchable experience is to the
US Coast Guard.
The PG-13 rated adventure is capped off with a beautifully resounding epilogue that definitely
stayed with me.
Although fairly predictable and formulaic, this is a wonderful film that will make you
laugh, cry, and of course, appreciate the real men and women who serve around the world.
The Guardian", "Long-winded, but occasionally inspiring."
Here's my final score... a SEVEN.
Although fairly contrived and familiar, this picture definitely works, least of all because
of its talented lead actors - I thought it was COOL.
And now, your weekly reminder to subscribe to the Movie Night Archive for exclusive trailer
commentaries, and an organized library of every review I've done to date.
Speaking of which, here's number 333.
Based on the true events of a 2009-hihacking at sea in the Indian Ocean, this picture has
already quadrupled its $55 million dollar budget, and scored six Academy Award nominations,
following its October 11, 2013 release.
Veteran A-lister Tom Hanks stars in the title role of this taut and suspenseful 134-minute
picture directed by the talented Paul Greengrass, who previously wowed audiences with the brilliant
"United 93".
Although snubbed for a nomination, Hanks brings his absolute best, showcasing a marvelous
performance that'll having you rooting for him the whole way - especially in his finale
scene, where he's really pushed to the brink of human emotion, overcome with shock and
disbelief at his circumstances.
Sticking to what he's known for, Greengrass relies heavily on a handheld cinéma vérité
style, which works well to illicit a documentary-feeling, but becomes noticeably claustrophobic and
by the picture's end.
Another Greengrass trademark is populating his cast with no name participants, and this
film includes a breakout role from Barkad Abdi as the lead pirate, who sternly warns
Hanks after taking over his cargo ship, "I'm the captain now".
His performance here is not only terrifying, believable, and occasionally even relatable,
it also scored him an Oscar nomination.
The remainder of the cast is largely inconsequential, including Catherine Keener, who is featured
as Hanks' wife, but is gone after only three minutes of screen time.
Breathlessly tense throughout, the adversarial relationship between Adbi and Hanks showcases
all the cunning strategy of a chess match, with each player positioning himself to come
out on top.
The subtle score from Henry Jackson is used sparingly, instead dropping out entirely to
allow for the actor's own anxiety to carry each scene, especially in the stressful bridge-takeover
sequence.
Although it takes a while to really get going, and many portions are repetitive and dragged
out, if for no other reason than historical accuracy, the movie is - thankfully, incredibly
realistic - with production taking place on an actual contain ship, on the open ocean,
with actual Somali actors playing the pirates.
The PG-13 rated experience doesn't make any political statements about the heroism or
sensibility of the massive rescue operation, nor does it ever escape the small physical
confines of its story, leaving everything feeling very immediate, but unfinished.
However, as a believable and dramatic thriller, it certainly accomplishes.
"Captain Phillips", "Captivating portrayal of harrowing events."
Here are some of your thoughts now from the comments.
A double EIGHT for "Captain Phillips", while praise was obviously unanimous for Hanks'
outstanding performance, criticism over the length, and familiar hostage-scenario theme
resulting in you rating this a GREAT.
I have to agree... if this film wasn't released after Labor Day, it's doubtful it would have
even scored a Best Picture nomination...
but definitely a enjoyable time, I thought it was GREAT as well.
Finally tonight, let's take a look at your Tweet Critiques to see what you're saying
about films currently playing in theaters.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
Next week we'll be visiting Boston, Massachusetts to review some contemporary classics, "Good
Will Hunting", "Mystic River", and "The Town".
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, and be sure to follow me on Twitter,
Facebook, or Google+ 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!