Michael Bay's "13 Hours" is Awesome; "The Hateful Eight" is Even More Awesome! Also: "Joy" and "Daddy's Home"

 
   Michael Bay has been a name that has lately tended to leave an explosion of bad taste in one's mouth. His tendency to bloat certain projects has become as synonymous as peanut butter and jelly. However, when his overly-bloated movies make millions upon millions of dollars, can we really blame him for doing a job that ultimately pays? I mean lets face it, the last Transformers movie wasn't the greatest, but is still managed to make a ton of money. And when the news broke that his name was connected to the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles project, fan boys wept as they saw their childhood explode before their eyes...yet it was successful. I got to hand it to the guy, he puts out Big Macs when all we want is steak, and yet we keep stuffin' our faces with those blasted Big Macs. So how much blame can we really throw his way?

   That being said, the guy is a filmmaker with an extensive resume of mostly dollar menu goodies with a few delicious steaks in between. His latest film "13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi" is far from Big Mac status. For the first time in quite a while, we have a movie by Michael Bay that is actually really good, and I mean really good. Based on the true events, the film follows the account of the American security team contracted to serve in Libya in 2012. When an American Ambassador is killed during an attack at a U.S. compound on September 11, 2012, this six man security team struggles to make sense out of the chaos. More than just a recounting of events, "13 Hours" does the daring job of expressing a powerfully emotional story amidst some controversial themes.

   The movie is very "Michael Bay" in that his kinetic style of cinematography is plastered all throughout. His action sequences are really engaging, some of the best I've seen in most war movies. The reason being, I feel, is due to the time given to establish the characters and the emotional tension. When pitted against doing what you're commanded to do in light of national security or ultimately doing what you feel as a human being is right to do, these men showed that by taking the morally high ground in trying to not only save the Ambassador but to protect the CIA compound, that fighting for survival is much more than a political ideal. The acting in this movie was really good. John Krasinski showed a whole different side to his acting with a much more dramatic role. Known for his comedic chops, he gives a riveting performance. The acting all around was great, which served the story well. I cared for these guys, and through the fun and immersive cinematography, I felt like I was there with them in the firefight.

   This movie is in no way a masterpiece, but it's one of the better Michael Bay films you're gonna see. If you like war movies, this one will entertain you. Knowing that Michael Bay recently announced that he'll be doing a fifth Transformers movie, this movie gives me a semblance of hope that it won't be completely bad. At any rate, if you're looking for a fun time this weekend, this movie might do it for you.

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  Quentin Tarantino's "The Hateful Eight" is absolutely amazing. That guy...his movies keep getting better and better as each one comes out. I still think "Django Unchained" might be my favorite, but this film is right up there. Tarantino is such a specific type of filmmaker that his originality, his dialogue, cinematography, and overall storytelling is some of the best I've seen. Not a lot of people really enjoy his style of movies, and that's perfectly acceptable. He's an acquired taste, I get that. But man, I look forward to his films with excitement and curiosity because he always brings something new.

   There's not a lot of action in this movie. More like a western version of "Clue", "The Hateful Eight" takes place in the dead of a Wyoming winter. A bounty hunter named Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson) is looking for a ride into Red Rock with a pile of bodies he's looking to turn in. Fortune finds him when a stage coach crosses his path carrying bounty hunter John Ruth "The Hangman" (Kurt Russell) and his prisoner Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh). They find shelter from an impending blizzard at Minnie's Haberdashery, which they find currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.

   The magic in this film is found within the dialogue and the performances. Tarantino has this tendency to utilize these long monologues that are down right compelling. This movie takes place primarily in one room. It's like watching a stage performance. Each character shines through their respective actors. Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Demian Bichir and Bruce Dern play the Haberdashery members found by the bounty hunters and each are compelling in their own right. Kurt Russell is fantastic and there's a truly remarkable performance from Channing Tatum that really shouldn't be missed. That being said, the three stand-out performances were from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins and Samuel L. Jackson, with the latter two I feel giving the best performances of their careers in this movie.

   All the awesomeness however can be funneled down to the story's creator. Tarantino is a one-of-a-kind director who's unique style is like no other. Without seeing any credits, his movies are distinguishable above all others, and that's refreshing. This movie was shot in 70mm panovision which hearkened back to a time when films had that distinct look about them, before the refined digital age we're in now. I think that was a brave move on Tarantino's part, and it really plays to the movie's strengths. His 70mm roadshow edition of the movie came with an overture and an intermission which you don't see anymore. It's an experience that is missed today. However you see this movie, just go see it. It's just so stinkin' awesome.



ALSO THIS WEEK...

   

Can Jennifer Lawrence do no wrong? Her latest movie "Joy" is just another example of why this woman is a two-time Oscar winner. "Joy" is the story of the title character played by JLaw, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty. The movie explores themes like betrayal, treachery, the loss of innocence and the scars of love. It's visceral, emotional, and at it's core it's a human comedy about becoming a true boss, in every sense of the word. Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Isabella Rossellini, Diane Ladd, and Virginia Madsen give stunning performances that are amazing and ultimately bolster the awesomeness of Jennifer Lawrence. A drama that will tug at the fabric of human emotion, "Joy" shouldn't be missed.

 
   So I finally got around to seeing "Daddy's Home", the new comedy from director Sean Anders (Horrible Bosses 2, That's My Boy). Starring Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, this movie is full of laughs, heart, and over-the-top silliness. It's everything you would expect from a tame Will Ferrell comedy. Ferrell has a specific brand of comedy that not everyone digs. I happen to love it. He plays the dufus so well, that when he adds the simplest level of realism and heart to his performances, it only serves to heighten the ridiculousness of his performance as a whole. You get a healthy dose of the stand-up ding bat in this film with Ferrell's Brad Whitaker, which plays great against the tough, handsome, douchey Dusty played by Mark Wahlberg. In a nutshell, Brad is a stepdad. Though he brings home the bacon as a radio host, most of his time is spent trying to get his stepchildren to love him and call him Dad. But his plans eventually turn upside down when the biological father, Dusty Mayron, returns. It's a slapstick comedy with over-the-top gags and a heartfelt message underneath. I thoroughly enjoyed this film, and if you love heart-warming comedies, you will too.