Month: January 2016

One of the most important aspects of a film is it’s use of music.  Now, it doesn’t have to be the actual score, but it can use songs to either help tell a story or to convey a specific emotion.  It’s nearly as important as the actors or the writing.  If you don’t get the music right, you end up giving the audience mixed signals about what to feel about what’s happening on screen.  You’ve got stuff like the soundtrack to Star Wars which makes audiences excited and on the edge of their seats to see what happens next.  Then you’ve got music for movies like Saving Private Ryan which are far more subtle when it comes to music, but it’s no less important.  There are also movie that employ the use of musical bands and their songs.  These are generally chosen to fit in with the theme of a particular movie.  For this list, I’m going to forego the actual orchestral sounds in favor of music with lyrics and are sung by people.  A couple of things:  Some of these songs may be written specifically with a movie in mind, and some may not but were used regardless.  These are the songs that speak the most to me, and that I love the most.  So, let’s begin, shall we?

Highlander: Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen

While Highlander has MANY great songs, this one fits perfectly with the film, because it truly emphasizes the enormous tragedy that the Immortals have to deal with: Loss.  The people they love and cherish end up dying eventually, while the Immortal continues to live.  The combination of Queen’s lyrics and Michael Kamen’s score make this an extraordinarily powerful song that is not just tragic, but epic as well.  The guitar work along with the drums and Freddy Mercury’s astounding voice are, for the lack of a better word, perfect.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring: May it Be by Enya

This song was specifically written for The Fellowship of the Ring.  No percussion instruments, but a lot of woodwind as well as Enya’s incredible voice, make this a very special song.  It’s not only epic, but it recalls to mind some of the greatest moments of the fantasy film genre, not just LOTR.  The use of Elvish in May It Be is a brilliant touch.  It was a great closing song for an incredible film, but it also gives us hope.  That’s what I think it’s about.  This is one of those songs that I like to chill out to.  It’s a very soothing melody and among the most memorable.

007: Live and Let Die: Live and Let Die by Paul McCartney

One of the greatest things about a James Bond film is it’s opening song.  Say what you will about Roger Moore’s first outing as 007, but the song that was used is simply fantastic.  It’s got some amazing guitar-work, drums and Paul McCartney’s voice is second to none.  I’ve seen all the James Bond movies, but this song is the one that I remember the most.  It certainly has a very playful feel to it and it’s very energetic.  It’s quite appropriate for a James Bond film.

The Lion King: Circle of Life

Of course I’m going to have something from Disney in here.  The music for The Lion King is some of the best that I’ve ever heard.  Written by Tim Rice and Elton John, we have some of the greatest tunes in a Disney movie.  The song Circle of Life opens the film with a grand majesty that is spectacular in almost every way.  With the excellent animation and sound, this song is one of my personal favorites.  I loved this movie as a kid and now as an adult, I appreciate it even more.  It’s just one of many songs that Disney got right during the 90s.

Return of the King: Into The West by Annie Lennox

Like May It Be by Enya, Into The West is a very powerful song, but unlike May It Be, this song is more about the end of a journey.  As a result, there is a very melancholy and somewhat downbeat feel to the song.  But it also gives us the impression that there may be something beyond our world that we can look forward to.  The song is absolutely perfect for The Return of the King  The amazing vocals by Annie Lennox as well as Howard Shore’s great score help sell the end of one of the greatest journeys in book and film history.  It is an emotional song, and for that reason I really like it.

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies: The Last Goodbye by Billy Boyd

It seems like I’m cheating with three songs from Peter Jackson’s films, but they are just so damn good, I can’t really resist.  This one in particular, like Into The West, is about the end of a long journey for Bilbo Baggins.  I love it because Billy Boyd, who played Pippin the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, gives the song an incredible sound and spirit that befits The Hobbit.  Say what you will about the films, but the music for these movies is one of the best parts.  It’s unlikely we’ll ever see another film in J.R.R Tolkien’s world, so this is a very appropriate song.  For those of us who willingly spent so many years in Middle-Earth, this a very emotional song.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves: (Everything I Do)I Do it For You by Bryan Adams

This is one of those great songs that I could listen to all day and NOT get tired of.  Co-written by Michael Kamen for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, this is the romantic theme for Robin and Marian.  I guess I’m a bit of a sentimental fool, but this song is just one of the greatest.  Adams’ voice, along with the great piano and guitar-work make for an incredibly heart-felt performance.  It’s a perfect theme for an imperfect movie, but you can’t doubt the song’s staying power.  Every time I hear this song, I just have to stop and listen to it.  For that and many other reasons, this song is my personal favorite song used in a movie.

There is real power in music, and if you allow it, it will allow your spirit to soar to unbelievable heights.  Music affects people in many different ways, but there is no doubt that it DOES have an effect.  These are some of my favorite songs period, regardless of the film.  I hope you enjoy this little glimpse into what I enjoy listening to, and hopefully given you something new to listen to.  Never underestimate the power of music, because it can be used to bring us all together, hopefully.

Released: October 2015

Director: S. Craig Zahler

Run Time: 132 Minutes

Not Rated

Distributor: RLJ Entertainment

Cast:
Kurt Russell: Sheriff Hunt
Patrick Wilson: Arthur
Matthew Fox: Brooder
Richard Jenkins: Chicory
Lili Simmons: Samantha
David Arquette: Purvis
Sid Haig: Buddy

The Western has been a favorite genre of mine for years.  From the old Roy Rogers films to John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, the Western sometimes gives us a somewhat romantic glimpse into what life must have been like in the Old West.  But over the past 40 years, the genre has kind of slowed down a little.  Some people claim that the genre is dead.  I STRONGLY disagree.  Some of the best MODERN Westerns include movies like Silverado, Tombstone, and The Unforgiven.  Recently we’ve seen some pretty solid entries like Seraphim Falls, Appaloosa, and the remake of 3:10 to Yuma.  These are fantastic movies that showcase some of the best things that the genre has to offer.  No, scratch that, some of the best that cinema in general has to offer.  You’ve got incredible landscapes, wild and quirky characters, and character-driven stories that are both dramatic and exciting.  But we’ve also seen some filmmakers try to combine genres like the Western and science fiction.  The most recent example would be Cowboys And Aliens, which was a….mixed bag to say the least.  But it’s not very often that somebody tries to combine Westerns and horror.  Writer-Director S. Craig Zahler brings us a new Western starring Kurt Russell: Bone Tomahawk.

In the small town of Bright Hope, on the edge of the Western Frontier, a mysterious stranger is discovered burying some objects near a tree.  After being confronted by Sheriff Hunt, the stranger, Purvis is shot and taken to jail.  Sheriff Hunt calls on the local doctor, Samantha, to bandage up Purvis.  During the night, a local stable boy is brutally butchered by a mysterious force.  In the morning, Hunt is informed that not only is his prisoner missing, but the doctor and his deputy as well as several horses.  Samantha’s crippled husband, Arthur, along with gunslinger Brooder and the back-up deputy, Chicory, the group sets off to find the abducted folks.  As far as Westerns go, the story SEEMS pretty straightforward.  It’s a fantastic story, but I’m not entirely sure that people looking for your typical Western are going to appreciate the extremely violent and brutal final 25 minutes of the film.  It definitely heads off into left field in terms of tone, but it works because of the kind of story that Zahler wants to tell.  Life in the Old West was not easy, and it’s portrayed that way in the film, although I’m sure the random bloodthirsty cannibal was just a rare occurrence.

For those expecting a Western like Tombstone, because Kurt Russell’s in it, look elsewhere.  This is a very methodically paced film.  It’s a slow-burner with some small acts of violence throughout.  I will say, that when the violence hits, it’s brutal.  But it’s nothing compared the last 25 minutes of the film.  I won’t spoil it for you.  The landscapes and the cinematography are second to none.  You would not expect a small and independent film like Bone Tomahawk to look a big-budget picture.  Zahler does an incredible job immersing you in the world using the landscapes.  It’s not just the world itself, but also the characters that are absolutely fantastic.  Kurt Russell was born to be in Westerns.  He can carry a full beard and mustache like it’s nobody’s business and he’s a bad-ass sheriff to boot.  His performance is fantastic.  Patrick Wilson plays the cripple husband of Samantha, one of the abducted, and he just sells the whole deal.  When this guy falls on his injured leg, you feel it with him.  The character is determined and willing to do whatever it takes to rescue his wife.  I’ve never really thought much of Matthew Fox before.  I always thought he was kind of…bland.  Not here.  I could barely recognize him as the suave, yet egotistical gunslinger with a past of his own.  The guy that steals the show is Richard Jenkins as Chicory.  This character is the heart of the picture.  He’s the one that questions the morality of some the actions that have taken place.  The character is not the brightest tool in the shed, and sometimes he’s annoying, but other times he’s a wonderful character.  He’s loyal and determined.  I think Richard Jenkins deserves an Oscar for best supporting actor.  He’s that good.

The strength of a good Western lies in its writing, and Bone Tomahawk is one of the strongest Westerns I’ve seen in years.  It’s not just the story that’s good.  The characters are very well-written.  These are fully three-dimensional characters that have flaws, personality quirks, and history.  We learn that Chicory was married at one point and was in the Civil War, which gives a pretty good timeline when the film takes place.  Brooder has dark history with Native Americans, so his cavalier attitude and hatred towards them is understandable.  Arthur is a guy who is trying to do the best he can for himself and his wife, but ends up making a mistake that could cost him his leg.  Very rarely have I seen characters this fleshed out, in ANY movie.

This being a Western, you would expect their to be some gunfights.  There is some minor action throughout the film, but they’re in very small spurts.  But they are memorable and they are brutal.  As I said before, the majority of Western fans could be jolted by the sudden turn in tone in the last 25 minutes, when the film goes into horror movie mode.  It’s bloody, gory and unflinching.  No CGI is used and the legendary artists at KNB Effects are not employed here.  It’s still very convincing, especially when the cannibal Indians communicate by using this whistle thing that’s lodged in their necks.  It all culminates in an extremely satisfying way.

The whole thing has a great epic feel to it, due it’s phenomenal cinematography and camera-work.  Bone Tomahawk is the directorial debut of S. Craig Zahler, and if this film is ANY indication, he’s got a great future ahead of him.  I’m genuinely excited for what he’s got planned next.  Bone Tomahawk is one of the best Westerns I’ve seen in years, and certainly one of the finest horror movies ever made.  The fact that it’s a well-executed combination of the two is nothing short of amazing.  If there’s one minor nitpick I have with the movie is that it does kind of run a little too long, but the payoff is totally worth it.  I’m giving this one a 9.5/10.  Highly recommended for fans of Westerns who don’t mind a bit of gore with their gunfights.

Released: October 2015

Director: Joe Wright

Rated PG

Run Time: 111 Minutes

Distributor: Warner Bros.

Cast:
Hugh Jackman: Blackbeard
Garrett Hedlund: Hook
Rooney Mara: Tiger Lily
Levi Miller: Peter

Peter Pan is one of those stories that everybody grew up with: The story of a boy who wouldn’t grow up, became friends with the local Indians, and fought the pirates lead by the infamous Captain Hook.  There have been multiple adaptations of J.M. Barrie’s legendary story.  You have the famous Disney animated picture, Peter Pan for starters.  Next was Hook, with Robin Williams and Dustin Hoffman.  There was another film in 2003 starring Jason Isaacs.  Now, Warner Bros gives us…..wait for it….an origin story of Pan, how delightful, because we NEVER grow tired of origin stories.  I kid you not, Pan: Smells Like Teen Spirit is an origin story.  And a lousy one at that.  And no, that’s not the official title, it’s just the one I decided to use, because this thing stinks.

Imagine, if you will, a movie that begins in London during World War II.  The setting:  An orphanage straight out of Oliver Twist.  Every night, kids disappear when young Peter wakes up when this happens, and he himself is abducted by….pirates.  In a flying pirate ship.  Yes, a flying pirate ship.  After going up against a couple of British war planes, the Jolly Roger takes flight to a mysterious world called Neverland.  Fuck it.  I don’t give a damn about the story now, and neither should you.  2015 was one of those years where origin stories were all the rage.  Audiences are fucking sick of it.  I know I am.  The main villain of Pan is not Captain Hook, but rather Captain Blackbeard.  Yes, THAT Blackbeard.  A man who seems to have found the path to immortality using….fairy dust.  I would be okay with that if the first third of the movie didn’t take place in a boring mine.  Yeah, the action starts off in a mine where miners are singing, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from Nirvana.  I’m not kidding.  Don’t believe me?  Just watch:

Ridiculous, ain’t it?  Kurt Cobain must spinning in his grave.  This whole movie is like a bad acid trip.  Don’t get me wrong, some of the visuals are exquisite, with eye-popping colors and landscapes, once you get out of that goddamned mine.  The CGI in this movie is absolutely horrendous.  The creature effects are incredibly dull, except for the crocodile which was kind of cool.  But it is PAINFULLY obvious that most of this was staged on a green screen.  Aside from the…songs, the musical score is quite epic.  I would have been okay with Peter and Hook being friends at the beginning before turning into enemies later on.  But that doesn’t happen.  Instead, we get Garrett Hedlund’s horrific performance as Hook, with a terrible American accent.  Rooney Mara is too fucking pale to be playing Tiger Lily, and Hugh Jackman just hams it up as Blackbeard.  I can’t help myself, just look:

What is up with that outfit?  Pompous doesn’t even begin to describe that horrible costume.  Jackman’s performance, while fun to watch, is nothing short of anti-Oscar.  I’m sure he had a great time making the movie.  It’s just too bad that nobody had a great time watching it.  In fact, NOBODY watched it.  The film cost 150 million to make and didn’t even bring in that much.  It flopped.  Big time.  The movie got hammered by critics left and right.  There was no mercy, and there shouldn’t be.  It’s a bad movie.  Oh, and did I mention they used “Smells Like Teen Spirit?”  I knew going in to the film that it was going to be, well, not good.  I wasn’t expecting it to be atrocious.  The costumes are HILARIOUSLY awful:

Need I go on?  Probably not, but I’m going to anyway.  This movie pissed me off, I need the therapy.  When Peter finally learns to fly, they don’t use a person on wires.  No, they completely digitize the character.  That means what you see is a fully CGI character that’s flying around.  It’s obvious.  If there’s one decent thing about this film, aside from a lot of the visuals, is that they found young actor, Levi Miller to play Peter Pan.  I actually didn’t mind him at all.  I thought he did pretty good.  That doesn’t make up for the fact that the rest of the film is complete and utter bollocks, as my British friends would say.

I think all the actors will survive this atrocity.  It certainly won’t dent Hugh Jackman’s career.  I like Garrett Hedlund, but Rooney Mara needs to go the fuck away.  I’ve seen my fair share of train-wrecks.  The other good thing is, is that this movie is better than Fant4stic and Pixels.  Between this movie and those two, I highly recommend you go get drunk and forget about tomorrow.  Seriously.  Getting hammered would be a lot more fun than sitting through this shit again.  They should have called the film, Pan: Smells Like Teen Spirit.  Final Score: 3/10.