MOVIE REVIEW: The Dark Knight Rises (2012) + some thoughts on the shooting

This past Saturday, I walked into a packed AMC with three security guards keeping watch at the ticket booths. Perhaps relieving to some after the events of this past weekend, though it was hard sitting down and trying not to think about what happened. Ultimately, I let myself go with the film. I can attest that it fulfilled it's purpose; we go to the movies in order to escape the pressures of the day. Even though The Dark Knight Rises is a gritty, violent thriller, it's a story of good versus evil at it's core. What happened in Aurora was an unfortunate and tragic consequence, and at this stage in the game, I feel like enough has been said as far as gun control in the United States. There's still a lot of questions that need answering, but it's important that I move on.

Eight years after the death of Harvey Dent and Joker's reign of terror, a new villain surfaces in the form of Bane, and Commissioner Gordon struggles to keep crime under control. After the previous film's events, Bruce Wayne is reduced to a near-recluse with a limp, until he encounters a new adversary in the form of "cat burglar," Selina Kyle. Eventually, while pursuing Kyle, Wayne crosses paths with Bane and learns that he has an even grander scheme to destroy Gotham than ever before. However, conflicts both personal and formidable prove daunting to Wayne, even for this installment.

This is perhaps the darkest of the Dark Knight Trilogy, second sequels usually are. And with strong film sagas, this film had a tough act to follow with it's predecessor's first-class production. The story had some strong twists and continued Christopher Nolan's excellent tradition of bringing great character development to the series. Action sequences are not as plentiful as in the previous film, but come in short, exciting bursts. Production values were absolutely strong across the board.

Acting was solid; the reprising characters continued their roles in fine form. Bane is one of the more interesting villains I've seen in a film; he's a dangerous combination of brains and brawn, looks like Darth Vader crossed with Steve Austin, and sounds like Patrick Stewart doing a bad, garbled impersonation of Albert Einstein. Anne Hathaway stole the show for me as Catwoman, sure, I probably have a thing for her, but it's the restrained sexiness and cunning wit that won me over. She's one of the best things about the show.

Ultimately, I can't say if Rises is going to be a standalone classic, but it's a fitting conclusion to arguably the best comic-book superhero trilogy in film history. And in case you were wondering, I personally think it may be slightly better than this year's box-office behemoth The Avengers, because of the more dramatic tone of the story.

9/10

Peace, and God bless the families in Aurora, Colorado.
- Jon

MOVIE REVIEW: Ted (2012)

Some of my friends have grown weary of Seth MacFarlane, saying "Family Guy" is no longer funny and several of his other TV exploits are equally perfunctory. Thankfully, the man had the good sense to transition into film this year; with a concept I was instantly sold on - a foul-mouthed teddy bear who gets stoned, drinks, and picks up women. What could a guy not possibly love? It's a unique twist on the "bromance vs. romance"-type of story that doesn't quite escape the cliche'd trappings, but is fresh and enjoyable take on what happens when the characters of an innocent, childhood fable grow up. This, ladies and gentleman, is Ted.

On Christmas Day, 1985, a young, lonely Boston boy named John is given a teddy bear by his parents. Having no friends to call his own, he names the bear "Ted" and makes a wish that his bear could talk. His wish is granted and the now-inexplicably anthropomorphic Ted becomes an overnight celebrity, making rounds on the talk-show circuit but remaining a consistent source of companionship to John, and the two become best friends. Flash forward to 27 years later, John works as a clerk for a rental car company, is in a four-year relationship with an advertising exec named Lori, and still lives with Ted. Over the years, Ted has picked up a penchant for partying, smoking a bong, watching bad movies, and bringing hookers back to the apartment, much to Lori's chagrin. She gives John an ultimatum: Kick Ted out, or she'll kick herself out; something the two best buds have difficulty dealing with.

As earlier stated, Ted is a typical story of "bromance vs. romance" wrapped in a fluffy, fuzzy package (...that sounded odd...). This gives the film an unfortunate sense of predictability that it doesn't shake throughout the entire run, but that doesn't stop it from being entertaining. Seth MacFarlane's crude, oddball humor thankfully outweighs the cliches. Some jokes fall flat, but most of them work. It's the concept that I'm really enamored with, and the performances from the cast are strong enough to carry the story through the bumps. There's an interesting twist/subplot towards the end that involves Ted getting himself into serious danger. It made me kind of wish the film based it's story more around that sort of structure, but for the most part, I was happy with the result (and the fact I only spent $5 for a ticket).

I had a difficult time rating Ted, because the more I dwelled upon the film, the more I felt better about it. I think it's just that I'm so enamored by the concept, that I'm allowing it to let me forgive some of it's more glaring flaws. Could Ted have been better? Sure. Is it enjoyable and entertaining? Absolutely!

...And how can I forget the Thunder Song:

8/10

Peace,
- Jon