Let’s Be Cops [MOVIE REVIEW]

Let’s Be Cops 2014

Let’s Be Cops is like that friend you have that is overly predictable, yet you love being around them. Watching this film in a semi crowded theater had the audience filling the room with honest laughter from beginning to end. It was the first time in a long time where I watch a comedy that was balanced with jokes and one liners throughout. And yes, if you like New Girl, you will love this film.

Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr.  star in a film that centers around two best friends that tried to ‘make it’ in LA after college, yet had too many flaws holding themselves back. In a moment of boredom and recently discovered old age they decided to act as cops, with finding all the benefits and excitement that comes with wearing the badge. Deciding to keep it up the soon find themselves in real LAPD trouble. The experience helps them find their true calling and overcome their flaws to rekindle their friendship (what a surprise).

I have read some reviews that are not so good about this film. I was just glad it wasn’t another slapstick, or an hour and a half movie of dick jokes. There was friendly chemistry and extended scenes that were worthy of talking about on the car ride home. It is not a Lethal Weapon 5, the film carries its own humor. The plot was simple and there wasn’t a big twist or shocking ending, but it was a feel good ab cruncher. Sometimes the flair in a film is being fresh, its  not like everything else we’ve been watching. I am glad that they used Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans, this will be a starter comedy for both actors as they come into their own. That way we dont have to wait for James Franco and Seth Rogan to come out with a new comedy, and we can again have a varity in our laughter choices.

Teller to All

Miles Teller to be the next Hanks

The best actors are the average joes that blast into theaters in every genre. Classic example of this would be Tom Hanks, the Oscar winning actor for Forest Gump. He began his career in comedies, but never let Hollywood typecast him. He has played the romantic, the survivor, the war hero, and the famous story telling chocolate eating runner. It takes hard work in order to avoid being type casted. The best way is to have that rhino vision with your acting career. Put your head down and run as fast as you can forward taking everything down in your way.

Miles Teller is in his moment of rhino vision. He isn’t waiting for the right roles, he is taking on every experience possible and this will shape him to be a versatile actor. First seen as the country boy in Footloose, Teller took off running with five movies in 2014 and five more to come in 2015. He has displayed his funny young side with Project X and 21 & Over. He has also touched our hearts with the romantic in him shining through in The Spectacular Now. He hasn’t been shy with the blockbusters either, playing Peter in Divergent. Ladies can look forward to his date night flicks such as That Awkward Moment with Zac Efron, and his new romantic comedy with Two Night Stand. It’s a great resume for establishing diverse range.

Not only will he be in the blockbuster sequel Insurgent. Teller has also signed up to be Mr. Fantastic in the promising remake of The Fantastic Four, with a sequel already announced. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him with an Oscar nomination within the next five years. Turner and Hooch remake anyone.  He might not have the house hold man yet, but by next summer no one will out shine the average Joe actor.

Soap in Your Soup: Part 2

One of the beauties of film is its allowance for a range of passions to be expressed. Directors can have a passion for taking something on paper and creating the most enlightening way to expose that story. Actors, on the other hand, have a passion for engulfing themselves into becoming another person and accurately delivering the purpose of that character onscreen. Writers have the privilege of taking a thought and molding it to establish a films foundation and purpose. Then there is that special occasion when an actor, writer, or directed drift into another role in the film world. They fall in love with a story to the point that they can’t trust anyone else to deliver the job justice, they must do it themselves. In Part 1 of Soap in Your Soup we revealed multitasking musicians who have become actors. Part 2 will be discovering the all-time greats, and the upcoming actors that take on the role of director, wearing many hats on one project.

Some of the classic comedies we find are flavored with a particular style. Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Charlie Chaplin, when you hear these names originality comes to mind. Each one of those gentleman have mastered the craft of directing and acting in their own films. Together they have made this task look easy, they have challenged the following generations to go to a higher standard of film making. Of course Allen, Brooks, and Chaplin had particular themes and central ideas in all of their films, but what has newer actor/director combos done?

Kevin Costner – Starring and directing Dances with Wolves won him an Oscar for Best Director, Best Picture and a nomination for Best Actor. Kevin Costner turned down the offer for the squeal because he believed it would ruin the original movie, knowing it could never measure up to all that he put into the original

George Clooney – More then just one occasion has Clooney honored us with his many talents. In 2005 not only writing but also making his directoral start with Good Night and Good Luck, nominated for 6 Acadeny Awards. Clooney played Fred Friendly, a man hiding his marraige from the news studio where he so fought to obtain its objectivism. Clooney knew it was just the begining of his love for being behind the camera. He also starred and directed Leatherheads, and Ides of March.

Jamers Franco – Franco is known to dive into many projects at once, currently in the Broadway musical Of Mice and Men, an artist, author, soap star (yes, ABC’s General Hospital) and film professor at NYU. Known mostly for his acting, James Franco has also dove into the role of wearing three hats in his film As I Lay Dying, he adapted the screen play, directed, and starring in. Franco might be spread thin, but his films do not lack character.

Ben Affleck – Sadly dispointing for not wining Best Director for his 2012 film Argo, Affleck has a major fan base on both the acting, but more directing stand point. Argo was just one of many films where Affleck has been both behind the scene as well as the star. With best friend Matt Damon they together wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting with recently passed Robin WIlliams. Not to mention the ‘to close to home’ film The Town.  Affleck has a nack for directing intense escape films, as well as writing a heart warming stories of a poor geniuses, and acting as a regreting bank robber.

Joseph Gorden-Levitt – Recently unvieled his first writing , directing, and starring in film opposite Scarrlett Johansson and Julianne Moore in Don Jon. Definately a film to be proud of, Don Jon breaks bounderies with creating stapel character with unchangable characteristics and watching them develop into something less culterally acceptable but more gratiying and fufilling. Just look past all the masterbation.

Multi-taskers can often lose sight of important tasks at hand becasue they are spread so thin. But for these entrepreneurs who go all in with directing and starring in their own films, well that is just a over achiever, a dreamer and doer. Look at Sylvester Stallone, one of the best all-time action film writers. His start to fame with Rocky is an inspriation to many writers. After writing the scrpit Stallone refused offers from major film producers because he wouldn’t settle without being the star of the film. That is dedication to your project. A new up and coming director is the heart throb Ryan Gosling, who will soon release River Lost, a film about a boy who finds a secret town under water. Even though Gosling is not starring in the film, it is his first take on writing a directing. Down the road we might find our next Clooney or Affleck. These fellas on and off screen have proven they can provide film with flair, and that it is possible to multi-task without getting soap in your soup.

Soap in Your Soup: Part 1

Funny Girl

It has been said that multi-taskers are also slackers. Seems like an oxymoron, but in actuality they are never giving their full attention to just one task. Splitting their attention to numerous jobs individually only concludes into lacking results. You can’t expect a gourmet Italian meal is the chef is stirring the sauce while simultaneously washing dishes, you’d have soap in your soup.

In film we have many types of multi-taskers, there are those who go all in on one project; yet do every job possible, people that write, direct, and star in their own films. Then you have the cross project gurus who work on multiple projects at one time. In part one of this two part multi-tasking venue the focus is directed toward those who cross over from the world of music into film. Is it more than star power that drives these multi-taskers? Or is it forced behind the scenes to sell a face in every industry possible.

The number one epic fail of film transitions for a vocal artist goes too… you guessed right, Mariah Carey!!! Glitter was rated in IMDB’s worst movies of all-time list. OUCH! Now it wasn’t all Ms. Carey’s fault, there was bad writing and directing to complement Carey’s unchaining on screen performance. Then again after years off-screen she appeared in Precious, where by surprised she shocked everyone with the depth and realistic principles she brought to her character. What a bounce back! Kudos to you Mariah! Some transition fails are not so lucky to have a comeback on screen. Sometimes the momentum of a fasted famed star can only result into a train wreck. From Justin to Kelley was the musical that was to bring competitive show contestants into multi-talented movie stars! The producers must have forgotten the multi-talented part. Kelley Clarkson was just learning how to handle her first record or how to be in the spotlight at all. While Justin Guarini was trying to hang on to whatever 15 minutes of fame he had left on his stopwatch. A disastrous summer musical was not the answer. Gladly producers Simon Fuller and John Agoglia realized or else we would be talking about From Clay to Ruban. Thankfully Kelley Clarkson never dipped into the multi-tasking world of music and film again, and that is why her rocking music is so successful.

At times we can put down one project to focus on another before returning to our original endeavors. There are many who have done well with this multi-tasking technique. Jennifer Lopez had a semi successful music career before going into film. Her motivation for success led her to soften our hearts as the Maid in Manhattan, displayed strength in Enough, and made us weep as Selena. Being so consistent in film, she again has drifted back to the music world. The film industry has open arms for the cross over star. Even though this pretty face has suffered some bad criticism, audiences love seeing Justin Timberlake on screen. His natural charm and humor sour off the screen and coat our inner NSYNC craved child. Behind a microphone on stage or on SNL, Justin has a way to make us fall in love with him over and over again.

Only if there was a hall of fame for super stars. The greatest actors to transition from music are ones some of us have forgotten about their past vocal talents because their impressions come from the amazing presentations on screen. Mark Wahlberg, once a boy band member, now an action hero super star in the third Transformers film. He has also given justice to his humorous side with TED and The Other Guys. Some people might miss Marky Mark, but others are glad he has cap sized in film. Will Smith, forever our Fresh Prince, but now will always be the man who can make anyone want to give their heart away. He humbled us in Pursit of Happyness and had us laughing in Hitch, he is an actor no doubt after watching his performance in Ali. Jennifer Hudson, Oscar winner, and will never be in someone else’s spotlight again. She can handle both music and film well, she is the pure American dream. The number one all time successful multi-tasker is Barbra Streisand with an Oscar for Best Actress in Funny Girl, and 10 Grammy Awards, no one holds a candle to this Guilt Trip gem.

There is no shame in travelling into the unknown, or pushing your talent boundaries. When you are engraved with a talent you embrace it. The lesson here is to go for it, but know there is a chance one can fail miserably and learn that you can try again later. Others might find passion in two worlds and navigate according to a true calling. Or you may never look back at what brought you to where you are and master the art of leading a multi-tasking career. Honor those who can avoid the criticism and hardship of getting soap in their soup.

Lights, Camera, Rain!

What is so wholesome and yet uncontrollable; so scary yet it can still your nerves? Rain. A natural element that can flood our hearts. Rain has been used as a symbolism in various cinematic plots. Rain like the sugar in your coffee, it gives it that sweetened satisfaction that compliments its purpose.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s final scene

When you think of movie moments with rain some truly impressionable scenes come to mind. It is safe to say that Breakfast at Tiffany’s might not have been so stamped in our minds if in the finally scene Holly and Paul were searching for Cat on a sunny day. The film built up so much transformation between the characters that when Holly was finally stripped down to her most vulnerable and forced to believe that someone could love her as who she truly was, it had to rain. It made all the sense in the world to finalize that love story under a moment of cleansing and revealing truth.

Can’t hide from the rain…

In many films love is truly confessed in the rain. The Notebook is a current classic example of rain symbolizing true vulnerability. There wasn’t umbrellas in that scene for a reason. No hiding from the person you really love. Years of built up questions and unclear closure resulted in a moment of desire and deliveries the appearance of reality.

Rain not only represents the moment one confess their love for another, but also popular in moments of change. In literature, Jane Austen used rain to signify a plot twist. A classic example is in Pride and Prejudice when Elizabeth confronts Mr. Darcy about the letter she received in regards to Mr. Darcy changing Mr. Bingley’s mind about Elizabeth’s sister Jane. What made that moment so impactful for an audience was because Elizabeth for once had a change of heart for Mr. Darcy, believing that she might have found her intellectual match. In that moment she had to selflessly shove down her feelings to be the outspoken sister she always was.

Changes or plot twist gain momentum in audience’s emotional connection to characters and happy endings. Such as in the Twilight Saga New Moon when there was suspected a love interest with Bella and Jake. Bella’s few flickering moments of happiness had once again been taken from her and she decided to confront Jake. We know he has a special place in the story, but he isn’t replacing Edward. At the pivotal moment Bella confronts Jake, it rains, after realizing that ‘he isn’t good for her anymore’ a werewolf is introduced into a vampire love triangle.

Be yourself!

Rain has the ability to flood out the masks one uses to hide behind. Other times rain can be used to give a sense of freedom to a character. That natural element of uncontrollable freedom. It is used slightly in Crazy, Stupid, Love when Hannah is sick of being perfect and decides that she need ‘that guy at the bar’. Leaving her comfortable congratulatory party she daringly marches into the bar to unveil herself to Jacob. Which in return the dirty deeds are on hold while Jacob turns the tables and changes his routine. Thank you rain, for allowing Jacob and Hannah to be themselves.

Freedom comes with a cup of coffee and some rain.

Besides the liberation from ones personality, what about freedom from society, cultural boundaries or prison. Talking about movie scenes in the rain we cannot forget about Shawshank Redemption. The moment we understand Andy had a plan to escape and is now free of the world that wronged him for years. In that moment rain was a friend. It cleansed Andy of all that went wrong, it comforted him in a moment of true escape. Rain was the sugar in Andy’s coffee.

Of course there are many impactful cinematic moments where rain influenced our hearts and flattered our taste in plot climaxes. We could go on to dissect the films not mentioned, instead let’s celebrate the moments that use rain to contribute that unforgettable flair in film. While rain plays a part in unmasking characters, falling in love, and introduce plot twists, it also puts the aww in our hearts and embroiders characters into our souls, and that is why rain is such a powerful flair in so many monumental movie moments.

RIP O Captain My Captain

As most stunning news, Monday August 11, 2014 Robin Williams was found dead at his place of residence in CA. Genreations have been truley touched by his work, and more generatiosn to come. Below is a poll. What is your favorite Robin Williams character:

 

Two Worlds One Passion

Entertaining the idea of a day in the life as a A-Lister is a lot like playing the ‘if I won the lottery game’, but with a horrible plot twist that turns a cloud nine vision spiraling into an endless nightmare of doom. Yes I said it. Think about an actor’s journey to the ‘top’. The criticism, no’s, and sacrifices they personally take on to one day gain the ‘break’ everyone is searching for. What motivates someone to expense so much of themselves to get to their dreams? Well for some it’s that negative motivation of one day having the sweet perception of satisfaction in proving those around you wrong. But for most it’s the passion for the innovative craft and flair film offers to the world.

No matter what the media says to boost our interest in a professional’s personal life to gain a dollar, the foundation of film is based on the idea of unique storytelling. Film is an art that takes the humanistic values of life and emotion and places it on screen. Yet someone saw that as an opportunity to create virtually a second dimension of this world to have an impact on Wall Street. Thank you who-ever wrote up the first tabloid, in ruining the humble beauty of what film truly is.

To prove my point actors have gone in silence to express their doubt in Hollywood’s true value toward celebrity.

Gene Hackman, now a successful author, once had a passion to elevate characters on screen to be loved and hated. His name on a movie poster would immediately add value to the screenplay, because he always delivered such a profound interaction with the plot. Now he adds value to telling a story on paper rather than on our TV screens.

Greta Garbo, might not immediately ring a bell, but she once was known to be the actress to change the evolving movie industry and raise the stakes for actresses. Where did she go so suddenly? She became an art collector and spent time with her family until her passing at age 84. She was so disgusted with Hollywood she never picked up her Honorary Oscar that she earned in 1955.

Johnny Depp is currently starring in the upcoming Disney’s Into the Woods, and with more to come from him such as his sequels for Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp moved out of the United States to get away from the paparazzi and live a normal life. Of course many Hollywood resources despised him for wanting to be human, he continued to entertain us with his ever so corky and inventive characters.

Dave Chappelle was quoted saying “…it quiets the ego [about leaving Hollywood] … I want to be balanced.” Even young heart throbs that fall off the face of the Hollywood Sign, such as Freddie Prinze Jr. called acting “a weird life” in 2003.

It is disappointing to the true fans of film but also to those who pursue it as a career and get condemned by the defeating world of the superstar crazed and the idolizing minions of the world. What the face of Hollywood has become has taken away the art and beauty of what film has the potential to blossom into. If you want to see real film, true story telling at its supreme you have to dig deep. Go where the actors are silenced and what the reels have to say are supplementary to your imagination. I challenge you to watch independent films, short films, and find the people that are on their journey to the big time. Find the names not in the lights, because that is where the true passion of film is infused into their work.

Jennifer Lawrence feared to take on the role of Katniss Everdeen, because she knew that the power Hollywood could have over such a profound story could potential launch her into a spotlight that would blind her of her original reasoning to begin acting. Thankfully her humbling personality and light hearted charm has only resulted into fantastic portrayals of unique characters and Oscars.

Josh Hartnett left Hollywood for independent film making to give light to the great stories that might not get the attention of the Hollywood hounds. He has recently returned to acting in Showtime’s Penny Dreadful. For Hartnett fans you are more likely to find him behind and front of cameras occupying his flair on unique plots and adapting characters at film festivals where his work has more personal meaning then who he might be dating on scene.

Sometimes our dreams are unmatched to the strength of our character. As people we want fulfilling lives. A life in which our journey has meaning, daily purpose, and channels our passions into our careers. Sometimes we have to get to where we want to be to just find out that isn’t where we belonged to begin with. Sadly, Hollywood draping its destiny to create fame and money off of film has filtered our vision of true film making. So my tip for you film lover out there, embrace the movies that are casted in the shadows of blockbusters. That is where the best stories are left. Remember, to find enjoyment in what your passion is you might have to sacrifice the journey to get your name in lights just to be the one to turn them off.

Top 5 Romantic Book-to-Film Adaptation

“While we look to the dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.” -Oscar Wilde

Audiences love the epic, once in a life time, happy ever after, conquer all, bleeding love type of romance. We find the perfect heart throbbing love in literature and film. The final ‘seal the deal’ on a great romance is the realistic take, or the believability factor.

When researching book-to-film adaptations I kept these concepts in mind. A book can give you every detail about the story between two lovers, but when the story hits the big screen the director must reveal the journey and adventure in two hours, and the actors must portray the emotions of the characters perfectly aligning with the ideas set in place in the literature. Much goes into play with a romance adaptation. These 5 films, in my opinion, conquer all factors in an epic romance that flow from paper to film.

5. Bridget Jones Diary (2001)- Novel by Helen Fielding.  Starring Colin Firth and Renee Zellweger. This film demonstrates a personal and comedic look at how romance can come when one might just not be looking. The realistic take on the story is that this very average woman takes a vow to change herself, and in the process finds love. The ideas are so relate-able, and delivers a sense of romantic hope for the average woman.

4. Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961)- Novel by Truman Capote. Starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard. The beauty of the love story here is that both characters live in an unrealistic world to escape their fears of facing their true selves. Director Blake Edwards carefully builds the friendship between the characters of the film and symbolism to expose the theme of facing ones true self. This journey leads to one unforgettable monumental kiss in the rain.

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)- Short story by Annie Proulx. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger.  A unique romance is what pulls in the audience, to gain an understanding of how far love can go. This film we can truly say brings to light the Oliver Wilde quote, “…dramatist to give romance to realism, we ask of the actor to give realism to romance.”

2. Wuthering Heights (2011)- Novel by Emily Bronte. Directed by Andrea Arnold. A new interpretation of the classic dark romance by Emily Bronte. Many people are ready for this film to be released in theaters in the US this year.  The film not only expresses the truth behind the revenge and romance in the underlining story but Arnold does this with such grace shown through beautiful breathtaking imagery that tells the story so poetically, just as this novel deserves.

1. Pride & Prejudice (2005)- Novel by Jane Austen. Starring Keira Knightley  and  Matthew Macfadyen. By far an iconic love and recently iconic film. Fans of Jane Austen can be refreshed to know that this version of the story is true to the dialogue and the beauty of the book. Director Joe Wright had such innovative ideas on camera angles and scenery that highlighted the demanding honesty that is demonstrated in the novel.

As we fall in love with a romantic novel, the story itself provides that flair we love. It gains more independence when a director can establish truth and express the beauty we first fall in love with when reading the book. As the actors provide a realistic and relate-able feel, we gather more love and appreciation for the romance itself when it can be accurately displayed on film. These 5 films have all the flair you could ask for in the perfectly executed book-to-film romance.

This is (for) 40 (and 20 plus)

What was your favoirte thing about Knocked Up? The unrealistic love story, or the realistic sister and her relatable family situation? …That’s what I thought.

Director and writer of 40-year Old Virgin, and Pinapple Express, Judd Apatow, has a new project branching off his 2007 comedy Kocked Up. This is 40 is a spin off from about Debbie and Pete. You might remember the characters from the film, Pete was the jerk husband who secretly went to fantasy baseball meetings and Debbie was the paraniod mother who says whatever is on her mind.  

The film takes a look at the couple and their decisions to enhance their lives, now that they are reaching 40. Knowing that this is a Judd Apatow film, audiances can take comfort that this won’t be a film directed at one generation. This isn’t the next ‘Something’s Gotta Give’.  

The solid cast will draw in audiences from all generations. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann (Judd Apatow’s wife) are a dream duo. Also in the film is the halarious Jason Segel from I Love You, Man and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Bridesmaids Melissa McCarthy, and apperiences from Chris O’Dowd and Megan Fox.

The film will hit thearters this Christmas, the perfect time for married couples to laugh at themselves. Don’t be surprised when you see all ages of people in the seats next to you, because this film has flair.

This IS 40

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

 

Micheal Duncan

Graced with his humor, and blessed with his talents, we remember and respect the career of Michael Clarke Duncan, 1957-2012.

FIlms that come to mind are The Green Mile, The Scorpion King, Friday, Armageddon, and The Whole Nine Yards. His versatility helped him establish a vast range of fans. His comedic appeal, dancing in his animal print speedo in Armageddon, or his talent to touch our hearts in The Green Mile. Michael Clarke Duncan will not be easily forgotten.

He left a concrete foot print in the film world for us and more generations to enjoy and appreciate.  Michael Clarke Duncan passed away September 3, 2012 at the age of 54. He will be missed and forever we are grateful for his acting career.