Review by-Jarrett Leahy
A former Marine Lieutenant with an expertise in finance, Jack Ryan is recruited to become an agent for C.I.A., secretly infiltrating a Wall Street investment company to track suspicious transactions and expenditures. Upon discovering unusual bank activities with one of his company’s biggest Russian investors, Agent Ryan uncovers a clandestine conspiracy that not only puts his life jeopardy, but threatens the financial stability of entire U.S. economic system.
As the case is every year with a large majority of films released during the months of January and February, the quality of many of these movies just simply isn’t good enough to justify spending the ever-increasing theater prices to see them. As the month of June begins to wind down, the first run of 2014 movies are starting to hit DVD shelves and Redbox machines, allowing for movie fans to get caught up on films they originally ignored. One of this year’s crop of January released films, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is the latest cinematic reincarnation of the popular Tom Clancy created literary character, this time played by Chris Pine, who joins Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck as actors tabbed to portray this famed, fictional C.I.A. analyst. Pine, who is best known for assuming the legendary role of Captain James Kirk in the recent franchise reboot of Star Trek, brings a quiet swagger and general appeal to this well-known character. A covert agent specializing in finance espionage, Pine captures the alarming confusion of a man suddenly thrust into a treacherous operation with real life-and-death consequences. At the same time, he capably displays the physicality one would expect from a former Marine with elite combat training.
After years of relative exile due to the prolonged backlash caused by the critical failures of Waterworld and The Postman, former megastar Kevin Costner has recently witnessed a career reprieve thanks in large part to his Golden Globe winning portrayal in the 2012 television mini-series, Hatfields & McCoys. Cast to play Ryan’s C.I.A. superior Thomas Harper, Costner’s imperturbable and aloof delivery typifies a man who always seems to know more than he reveals. Through the use of subtle facial expressions, Costner exudes the perverse amusement of his character as Harper influences and manipulates Ryan into the agent he needs him to be.
Famed UK thespian and five-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh not only was cast as the film’s Russian antagonist, Viktor Cherevin, but also chosen to helm its creation, becoming Branagh’s thirteenth directorial effort. A man once thought to be the next Laurence Olivier, Branagh’s Cherevin in all his intimidating, vehemence, has the slightest undertone of satirical jest that attempts to convey the sly message of, “now don’t take me too seriously.”
The film’s biggest failure involves the storyline surrounding Keira Knightley’s character Cathy Muller. Like so many action films of the past, Knightley gets relegated to the suspicious, vulnerable arm candy for Pine’s Ryan. Upon the discovery that Jack had been keeping his C.I.A. status a secret from her for over three years, her initial reaction was not to be upset by his deceit or of the imminent danger he has now put her in, but instead offering us the trite response of, “thank god, I thought you were having an affair”, all while staring at the giant handgun sitting next to her at the foot of the bed.
Amidst our recent strained relations with Russia and their egocentric leader, I must concede an unexpected, newfound enjoyment for the film’s exhausted Russian antagonist storyline. While at times the performance from Branagh the actor slips into a hackneyed cliche of your typical Russian villain, Branagh the director, appropriating from a plethora of spy films of the past, brings enough twists and turns to keep most viewers guessing to the end. Though offering no groundbreaking innovations to the spy sub-genre, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is a tense, frenetic espionage thriller worth giving a second look now that it’s available on DVD and Blu-ray.-JL
Review by-Jarrett Leahy
One of Amy’s “favorite living poets” is Rat Billings, a local, washed-up writer who has been riding his former wunderkind title for quite some time. Amy, desperate to become his “protege”, begins stalking the recluse author until he finally gives in and agrees to read over her work. Veteran actor John Cusack, who was brought in to play Billings, has been riding his own former glory to land a recent glut of independent movie roles. As the abrasively sarcastic Billings, Cusack offers an amusing supporting performance complimenting that given by Roberts, and even carrying her at times when her portrayal becomes a bit too childish. Always the consummate professional, I love that even when on autopilot, like he appears to be in this movie, Cusack can still deliver a uniquely engaging and droll performance.
My biggest bone to pick with Adult World was its glaring under-use of the hilariously accomplished Cloris Leachman, who was cast to play one of video store owners. While adding a few laughs to film, including a cringe worthy make-out session, I was a bit stunned to see that this gifted Oscar winner wound up being nothing more than a surprising afterthought. Overall, Adult World is your garden-variety, middle of the road independent comedy that offers a diverting escape to those looking for a cute story and a few good laughs.-JL
Review by-Jarrett Leahy
Cast as Gary Jones, Ty Sheridan is a name you will be hearing a lot more of in the next few years. A talented young actor, Sheridan, in his first two projects as an actor, had the fortune to work with legendary director Terrence Malick in his 2011 avant-garde masterwork, The Tree of Life, and easily held his own along side Matthew McConaughey in the 2013 backwoods drama, Mud. In Joe, Sheridan is once asked to play a rural teen who is desperately trying to escape and overcome his lot in life. While Ty shows his usual flashes of skilled acting proficiency, if pressed, my one frustration with Sheridan’s performance were these bizarre, random bouts of…goofiness that at times would take me out of the moment. Overall however, Sheridan and Cage share an entertainingly singular on-screen bond.
Gary father’s Wade is one of the most frighteningly barbaric depictions I’ve seen in quite some time. Completely out of touch with reality or any sense of morals, Wade is a man so vile and hell-bent in his addictions that he has no qualms harming anyone standing in his way, including his family. The part and performance became even more fascinating to me when it was discovered that Gary Poulter, the actor who plays Wade, was in fact a local homeless man that director David Gordon Green came across and decided to cast in the role. Tragically, it was later reported that Poulter passed away on the streets of Austin, TX mere months after filming wrapped. Despite no previous acting experience, what Poulter manages to leave behind is a raw, bullish performance that is definitely worthy of recognition.
Somber and ominous throughout, with a foreboding tone of the inevitability to come, the film depicts a man who longs to be at peace and free of the inner demons that have controlled so much of his life. But he knows as well as us, that despite all good intentions, in the end, his fate is something he just won’t be able to shake. David Gordon Green has been desperately trying to recapture the magic of his 2000 surprise, breakout debut, George Washington. Thanks to Nicolas Cage’s noteworthy portrayal, Joe is evidence that perhaps Green is back on the right track. While trying to decide the overall grade for the film, I mentioned during a text conversation with Jason that I wanted to give it a B-, but deep down I just didn’t think I could truthfully sell it that high. Jason (a contributing writer to the site that I swear WILL one day contribute his unique voice) in all his sage and infinite wisdom, had this to say about Joe, “if I hadn’t already seen Winter’s Bone, Mud, and especially Justified, I maybe could have gone higher. But it’s like I had already been down that road before and seen it done better.” Well said my friend, I couldn’t have put better myself.-JL
Review by-Jarrett Leahy
The film’s biggest attraction is Shailene Woodley, who has recently been thrust into role of young adult darling. Unlike many others, I have yet to drink the Kool-Aid when it comes to anointing her the next big star. Admittedly however, Woodley’s innocent, girl next door charm fits perfectly the slew of sweet, high school student roles she’s been gobbling up recently, making her this generation’s version of Molly Ringwald. The Fault In Our Stars is her most demanding role to date, as she is adeptly captures the frustrations of a vibrant, spirited young woman whose path in life is now being dictated by this unrelenting disease.
With so many of us directly or indirectly effected, cancer is never an enjoyable topic. One of film’s true gifts was its graceful examination such a frightening subject matter without ever over-sensationalizing or sugarcoating. Josh Boone, in only his second directorial effort, does a capable job exploring topics that include the effects cancer has on the family and acceptance of the real possibility of death, all while adding just the right touch of humor to help break up some of the more heartrending moments. Boone also however, makes sure that the cancer storyline never overshadows the film’s true star, its earnest love story.
Review by-Jarrett Leahy
When DreamWorks announced a sequel was in the pipeline, I was cautiously optimistic to see where they would take this enchanting tale while also concerned that if mishandled, it could ruin the legacy the first film worked so hard to build (i.e. what happened to the Shrek series). However, any fears I may have had going in quickly dissipated as this second effort not only met my expectations, but far exceeded them. Like in the first film, the ethereal partnership the two main protagonists, Hiccup and Toothless, share is profoundly heartfelt, as we truly connect with the affectionate devotion these two have for one another. While Hiccup, voiced with the uniquely nasaled pitch of comedic actor Jay Baruchel, remains the scrawny, peacekeeping underdog, Toothless once again steals the show, emoting a charming likeability that ranks right up with Hollywood’s most beloved animal sidekicks. Together, they make an undeniably charismatic duo.
As these franchises have developed into huge money making ventures for studios, animation voice-over has become quite the lucrative side gig for actors. Joining Baruchel is a who’s who of Hollywood acting talent, each lending their unique inflection skills to aid in the voicing of these many characters. Cate Blanchett is the biggest addition to the sequel, joining Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill, America Ferrera, Kristen Wiig, and Djimon Hounsou, whose maniacal delivery perfectly captures the frenzied persona of the film’s villain, Drago. Together, these and many other gifted actors bring an extra level of respectability to an art form that was once thought of as just for kids.
In regards to the film’s visuals, How To Train Your Dragon 2 offers an exalted, aerial ballet seldom seen on screen in any genre, let alone animation. The aeronautical scenes take you on an eye-popping joyride, as the extremely gifted animators expertly capture what it would be like to swoop and soar among the clouds. Battle scenes, especially those between the great Bewilderbeasts simply took my breath away, as the sheer overwhelmingness of these majestic creatures engulfed the visual scope of the screen, leaving me feeling like a tiny, awed child sitting in my theater seat.
In one of my most recent reviews about 22 Jump Street, I touted that directors Lord and Miller’s other 2014 film, The Lego Movie, was the current Oscar front runner for the Best Animated Feature Film. Well, The Lego Movie now has some seriously stiff competition for that honor in How To Train Your Dragon 2. I haven’t been this excited about an animated feature since Pixar’s Up. DreamWorks Animation has accomplished the near impossible, creating a sequel that not only builds on the success of their esteemed first film, but far exceeds it. How To Train Your Dragon 2 is a truly exhilarating piece of cinema that ascends to the upper echelon of the all-time animated feature films.-JL
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