It Is Tuesday! Four New Releases for Home Viewing!! Highlighted by The Gift!!

Well I have four new releases to note this week:

Lets start with:

PIXELS
Directed by Chris Columbus
Screenplay by Tim Herlihy and Timothy Dowling
Starring Adam Sandler; Kevin James; Michelle Monaghan; and Peter Dinklage



When aliens misinterpret video feeds of classic arcade games as a declaration of war, they attack the Earth in the form of the video games.

I did not do a review of this film when it came out in the summer. It was beat up by many across the country. I do not think it was as bad as what many reviewers say. Was it good? No. It was just okay.

The whole idea sounds fun and cool. Something went wrong here. I think the plot sounded good enough to draw in a fantastic director like Chris Columbus and stars such as Michelle Monaghan and Peter Dinklage. It looks like one of these situations where the screenwriters had a great idea, kind of modern and retro at the same time, however they had no where to go with the idea and it seems like it was thrown together with bad Special Effects.
Still there are some funny moments and maybe the special effects will not be as bad on the smaller screen. I do think for home viewing it can be a fun film to watch. 2 out of 5 stars. I just feel it could have been better in the right hands.


SOUTHPAW
Directed by Antoine Fuqua
Screenplay by Kurt Sutter
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal; Rachel McAdams; Oona Laurence; Forest Whitaker; and 50 Cent



Boxer Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) turns to trainer Tick Willis (Whitaker) to help him get his life back on track after losing his wife (McAdams) in a tragic act of violence and his daughter (Laurence) to child protective services.

Well yes, reviews for this film were mixed. I can see why, the wonderful acting throws reviewers off a bit. The actors in this film (except 50 cent who is stiff as a board) are wonderfully cast and are all fantastic in their roles. Is Gyllenhaal's performance Oscar worthy? Yes!!! He is really good as an almost crazy/punch drunk Billy Hope. I also think Oona Laurence who plays Leila the daughter is fantastic and maybe, if the Academy remembers her role in January, she should get a strong look at for a nomination. Also Whitaker gives a possible Oscar worthy performance. And lastly Rachel McAdams in a small role is really good.
So we come now to the script. When McAdames dies (not a spoiler it is in the trailer) the film becomes very cliché. While McAdams is alive we get this  interesting look at the behind the scenes life of a successful boxer. The pain, not only the physical pain we see of Billy Hope bleeding, and barely walking the next day, but also the pain and anguish it causes the family. However, like noted, when Maureen Hope dies, the story, which was interesting dies also. It becomes a boxing film we have seen before. The film breezes over some subjects that could be interesting. Like he loses all his money. How? He has an interesting relationship with his daughter and new trainer but it does not dig deep into the "Hows" and "Whys" that makes him change. There was something here but it fell apart.

3 1/2 stars out of 5 for Southpaw. It is worth a look for home viewing, mainly because of the performances.


THE GIFT
Directed and Screenplay by Joel Edgerton
Starring Jason Bateman; Rebecca Hall; and Joel Edgerton



A young married couple (Bateman and Hall) lives are thrown into a harrowing tailspin when they move back near Bateman's  town that he grew up in, only then to meet an acquaintance from the husband's past who loves to drop off gifts at the doorstep of their new home.

Secrets. It is all about secrets. I think back to the musical Wicked where they take the Wizard Of Oz and spin it and what you thought you knew or see may not be what it appears. This is The Gift.

First we are introduced to the house. The new house. The realtor says..."Nice lighting". Well it is dark and shiny and open with glass walls ("People who live in glass houses should not throw stones"). The mood is set by that house. So Matthew Floyd Ferguson gets a shout out. He is the set director. The house maybe the main character in the film.
For those who did not see Parades End let me introduce you to Rebecca Hall. Though we all know Jason Bateman, Rebecca Hall is the star of this film. She makes it work. She knows something is happening. She has fear in her eyes. Knowledge in her eyes. Compassion in her eyes. Knowing in her eyes. Perfectly cast as the confused wife Robyn. You, as the viewer, are her. You are as confused as she is, but wanting to know more.
Jason Bateman. You go back to Juno and you remember he can be smarmy. In fact if you think about him in his comedies he usually plays the funny, dry, smarmy guy. So with that he is perfectly cast.
Joel Edgerton's Screenplay is perfectly toned. Filled with suspense. Keeps you on the edge until the crazy ending. He also stars in this film he directed as Gordo the man from the past who is kind but creepy. I do think this may have a shot at being a nominee for best original screenplay. It comes off a little bit as a stage play.
Negatives. Not sure if I liked the ending but it went there and it worked. I also think a little editing is needed, it did seem long at 110 minutes.
Still....what a story. Disturbing in many ways.
4 stars out of 5 for The Gift, well worth a look.

MAX
Directed by Boaz Yakin
Screenplay by Boaz Yakin and Sheldon Lettich
Starring: Lauren Graham; Thomas Haden Church; Josh Wiggins; Carlos



A dog, Max, that helped US Marines in Afghanistan returns to the U.S. and is adopted by his handler's family (mainly Justin played by Josh Wiggins) after suffering a traumatic experience.

Over 3000 dogs have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 26 dogs and 25 handlers have died in the line of duty. Those numbers surprised me, so there is a story there to be told. Sadly this film only tells half the story.
The story of this dog is buried under a story about "gun running" into Mexico and some bad guys. The film comes across as a low budget TV film.  However this cannot be on TV because it should not be PG, there is a lot of violence here with some dog fights, the film probably should be PG13. I just felt that the subject here did not need a plot added to it. I was interested in how this hero dog assimilates back to society. And how dogs can have Post Traumatic Stress and how is that handled. Sadly that is lost here. The script is just messy, with an odd story line and some strange cringe worthy lines. I was disappointed because I wanted to like it so much more because the subject has not been touched upon in film. Sad.
Well, there are some good moments to note:
All the actors do very well with the limited script including a very good newcomer Mia Xitlali as  Justin's friend Carmen, she almost steals the movie. Also I have to note Carlos, the dog who plays Max is such a great actor!!
There is one nice scene I want to note, when fireworks are going off on 4th of July, it of course shakes Max up. Justin crawls up next to him and lays with him to keep him calm. I wanted more of that!!!
3 out of 5 stars for a just a little better than average movie. It may be worth a look for home viewing.


From the shadows as always thanks for your time.