The rings will also determine who gets cut.
// Cut?
Like with a knife... or like a football team?
// At the end of each stage of training the lowest ranked initiates will be leaving us.
// To do what?
// There's no going home to your families, so you live factionless.
// Hey, wait a minute...
it's Easter weekend, I was going to see my parents tomorrow!
... and also...
what's an "initiate"?
I'm just here because I chose to review your silly movie, but maybe I shouldn't have!
// Would you have chosen differently?
Out of fear?
// Well...
I... you know what?
I don't have to answer that... this is my show!
This is Movie Night!
Hello and welcome to Movie Night, the best produced review show on YouTube.
I'm your host, Jonathan Paula.
Tonight we'll be taking a late look at some of the biggest movies from Spring 2014, beginning
with that picture I spoofed in the opening, "Divergent".
Based on the first book in the best selling trilogy by Veronica Roth, this science-fiction
action film is well on its way to doubling its $85 million dollar budget a month after
its March 21, 2014 release.
Set in a futuristic dystopian Chicago, society has been split into five factions with overly
hokey names like "Abnegation" and "Erudite" - where all 16-year-olds are forced to choose
a group, and stay with it for life.
The ill-intentioned overseer, Kate Winslet coldly reminds everyone, "The future belongs
to those who know where they belong."
The beautiful Shailene Woodley stars as a young and courageous citizen who is disheartened
and frightened to learn she has a "divergent" personality, making her ill-suited for any
one faction.
If you weren't familiar with the immensely talented actress before, this blockbuster
adventure will surely put her on your radar.
She has a bright future ahead of her in Hollywood, with a career that'll undoubtedly have her
competing against Jennifer Lawrence for many roles.
Throughout her journey, she encounters new friends, enemies, and unlikely allies - with
Theo James featured as the love interest and helpful instructor.
A
sequence where the two enter a drug-induced fear-based dreamscape is an inventive and
dramatic resolution to one plot-thread.
Ansel Elgort, Tony Goldwyn, Ashley Judd, Ray Stevenson, Maggie Q, Jai Courtney, Zoë Kravitz,
and Miles Teller make up most of the PG-13-rated film's large supporting cast.
With a young female lead who challenges authority while falling in love with her hunky co-star,
the comparisons to other young adult book adaptations, like "Twilight", or "The Hunger
Games" are inevitable.
With a trilogy of sequels already in development, it's obvious to see this story's appeal with
adolescents however; at its core, it's inherently nothing more than an allegory to fitting in
with society.
Director Neil Burger does a great job balancing the strong character arcs and personalities,
but the story gets away from him in this derivative and bloated 139-minute experience.
The middle hour plays out like a post-apocalyptic boot camp, with all the trappings of a stay
at summer camp; each rookie participant oblivious to the cliques and traditions of their surroundings.
Far too much time is wasted here, watching Woodley slowly transform herself into a powerful
soldier through a series of unnecessary montages.
Otherwise, the picture is very technically proficient, blending a lively and gritty score
from Junkie XL with convincing visual effects and sharp cinematography.
The movie is interesting enough that I won't mind re-watching it next spring before its
first follow-up, "Insurgent" is released.
Although residing in a decently familiar dystopian environment, the strong and resourceful characters
make this a compelling picture, and an intriguing start to a new quadrilogy.
"Divergent", "Believable heroes in conventional situations."
Here's what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
Our scores for "Divergent", a SIX and an EIGHT.
You thought it was disappointing and poorly written, but still better than expected, rating
it a GOOD.
I definitely was surprised by this movie... despite its many issues, when it worked, it
was a very entertaining film, I thought it was GREAT.
For tonight's poll question, what's your favorite post-apocalyptic film?
Plenty of options to choose from in this sub-genre, so leave your response a comment below.
The second movie I'm reviewing tonight is "Captain America: The Winter Soldier".
Co-directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, this $170 million dollar superhero adventure film
has already grossed over half a billion just two weeks after its April 4, 2014 release.
This ambitious follow-up to 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the ninth installment
in Marvel Comics' "cinematic universe", and at 136-minutes in length, it's also the second
longest.
Fortunately, the Russo brothers do a great job balancing all the moving parts, making
this sci-fi experience fly by.
Everyone's favorite propaganda parkour artist is back with his unlimited stamina and Vibranium
shield... ready to tackle the forces of evil, and the titular villain; this time emanating
from within the one organization he felt he could trust.
Portraying the title character for a third time, Chris Evans is perfectly cast as the
down-to-earth hero still adjusting to life in the 21st century... never afraid to show-off
his ridiculously toned physique.
Before unraveling a conspiracy within the 'SHIELD' agency, he grows wary of their tactics,
warning, "This isn't freedom.
This is fear."
The feisty and beautiful Scarlett Johansson is back alongside him, to help vanquish the
never-ending supply of evil henchman and bad guys.
Samuel L. Jackson returns as well, and thankfully is given a much larger role, including a truly
thrilling action sequence early in the film where he attempts to survive and escape a
ferocious assassination attempt.
Joining the group is Anthony Mackie as a humorous, but still dangerous sidekick, and Robert Redford
in a rare supporting role, as a determined World Security Council member.
His decades of experience and gravitas elevate every scene he's in, making this comic book
universe all the more believable and realistic.
Other familiar faces like Haley Atwell, Toby Jones, and Cobie Smulders make minor appearances
as well - but since none are really given anything to do, especially Smulders - their
inclusion seems more like fan-service than anything else.
The Russo brothers expertly balance the trademark wit and humor of the Marvel mythos with the
whiz-bang explosive set-pieces that perfectly space out the PG-13-rated picture.
Henry Jackman's loud and appropriate score is an effective contribution, but it rarely
stands out.
As expected, the visuals and effects are top-notch here, bringing to life ridiculous situations,
like dueling aircraft carriers hovering over the Potomac River, or Mackie's foray into
the wild blue yonder as "Falcon", wearing an agile jetpack-like apparatus that sort
of gives him vulnerable Iron-Man abilities.
While this massive undertaking never quite approaches the blissful excitement that "The
Avengers" was able to accomplish, this is certainly the strongest stand-alone installment
since the original "Iron Man" picture.
I'll be the first to admit my four-out-of-ten score for the first "Captain America" picture
was a bit harsh, but even still - this sequel is bigger, more tightly crafted, and infinitely
more entertaining than its disappointing predecessor.
With its mid-credits teaser appropriately setting us up for next year's "Age Of Ultron",
this is easily a movie I could see myself re-watching before then.
"Captain America: The Winter Soldier", "Blistering thrills with laid-back characters."
Now lets read three of your reviews for from the YouTube comments.
"Captain America: The Winter Solider"... gets a double NINE on the rate-o-matic.
Calling it tense, fast, and fun - you really loved this picture, with everyone agreeing
it was better than the original, you thought it was AWESOME.
I have to agree here... this is a wonderful blend of humor, action, and espionage elements
in a very entertaining package, I've scored it an AWESOME as well.
For those who haven't already, don't forget to check out the Movie Night Archive channel
for any of my 37 trailer commentaries, and an organized library of every review we've
done on the show.
Finally tonight, let's take a look at "Draft Day".
Released nationwide on April 11, 2014 - this sports comedy drama film from director Ivan
Reitman is a fun, and exciting picture... where everything takes place in a single day.
Produced on a $25 million dollar budget, this movie is technically very simple and limited,
and given it's niche subject matter, it will be unexpected if it turns a huge profit.
In what seems like his umpteenth sports-related picture, Kevin Costner stars as the General
Manager of the National Football League's Cleveland Browns - who struggles to decide
which talented athlete he'll select with his team's coveted #1 draft pick... but not before
a lot of backdoor negotiations, intense phone calls, and plenty of second-guessing by those
around him.
The ambitious Costner defends his unpredictable and seemingly poor decisions by saying, "I
want this team's future back!".
Nearing 60 years old, this old Hollywood veteran still has the chops, and defiantly commands
the film every time he's on screen... perfectly balancing nuanced emotions with undeniable
charisma.
When he goes toe-to-toe with his team's head coach, played by an angry Dennis Leary...
the two have no issue shouting at each other while important documents burn right between
them; neither stubborn party willing to budge
on their position.
The beautiful Jennifer Garner might be a bit young to be believable as Kevin's love interest,
but the two strengthen each other's performances.
Frank Langella, Sam Elliot, Tom Welling, Terry Crews, Chi McBride, Kevin Dunn, Sean Combs,
and a host of cameos by real NFL players and sportscasters also pop in and out of the fast-moving
109 minute picture.
Commendably, this is one of the rare motion pictures to have secured full rights from
the NFL itself... which really helps sell its believability.
With Reitman behind the helm, it's no surprise this is a sharp and fresh film - he's been
responsible for some true gems over the years, like Ghostbusters, Twins, Dave, and Evolution
- and he once again concocts magic in a bottle with this troupe of actors.
Since a large number of scenes take place via phone call, some inventive split-screen
chroma-key effects are used to keep everything visually interesting and unique.
The music from John Debney never stands out, but provides a suitable backdrop to the heated,
fast-moving script.
Although obviously fictionalized, the PG-13 rated narrative is great drama for all sports
fans... but its ability to successfully entertain the more casual viewer is perhaps more impressive.
A realistic, but ultimately contained and limited experience that's definitely worth
watching at least once, even if you're not a sports fan, "Draft Day", is a "Sharp, quick-witted
dialogue drama".
Now let's bring in the rate-o-matic for my thoughts, an EIGHT.
Going into an early screening of this picture completely blind, I had few expectations,
but this film pleasantly exceeded them all.
Seek it out if you can, I thought it was GREAT.
Lastly tonight, here's what you're saying about films currently playing in theaters
with your Tweet Critiques.
If you see a new movie in theaters, Tweet your review with the #JPMN hashtag.
Next week, for no particular reason, we'll be reviewing three John Hughes classics, "The
Breakfast Club", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", and "Career Opportunities".
Once you've seen these films teen drams, 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, 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!