Release date: November 22, 2016
Studio:CBS Films, Lionsgate
Director:David Mackenzie
MPAA Rating:N/A
Screenwriter:Taylor Sheridan
Starring:Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Gil Birmingham
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“To Hell and High Water” what an amazing exercise in desolate beauty! This is an amazingly understated crime Thriller with a focus on on Hollywood exaggeration. “Hell and high water” is wonderfully stripped down, no frills, and bare bones… and I loved it!
You start out by jumping right into the action, but even that is presented in a wonderfully toned down fashion. There’s a certain greatness to the overall tone, or palate of the film, which I really appreciated. The film accomplished an amazing feat in keeping us on the edge of our seats while, the same time, presenting deep and complex characters which you really become involved with emotionally. The latter statement is true of just about every character in this film, from the smallest part to the main stars.
The main actors Jeff Bridges, Ben Foster, and Chris Pine did a phenomenal job representing and flushing out their individual characters, however it is clear that the director make sure that everyone had a richness about their characters. There is one particular scene that involved a waitress and even though the part was fairly small the actress presented an amazing assortment of emotional levels.
The story revolves around two brothers (Chris Pine and Ben Foster) who have come up with a plan to get themselves out of the horribly impoverished situation that they are in. That plan being, unfortunately, to relieve certain banks of their drawer money.
One of the many interesting facets of this film was how it opens up. It’s a kind of 360 shot that shows the town, assorted buildings, a woman going towards the bank, a few cars and then the two main characters getting out of one of those cars. The reason I mention this is because most Hollywood films jump right into explosions and gunfire and things of that nature. What I liked about this film is that it did not do that. The movie focused on the characters and their backstory. Now don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of action in this film! Ben Foster’s character “Tanner Howard” made sure of that! Tanner is a just out of jail fireball. He is the bull in the China shop in contrast to Toby Howard’s (Chris Pine) calm planner type.
The plan is strike several banks for a specific purpose. The interesting thing is that this is not a Robin Hood story. This has a very interesting underlying message of frustration over banks abusing their power and taking advantage of the common citizenry.
One of the other things I appreciate it is that Jeff Bridges character it’s simply not politically correct. He and his partner share a certain repartee with each other. And what I would imagine we’ll be typical fashion they insult each other quite regularly throughout the film. I found this rather refreshing seeing as how we live in a very, very sensitive environment. I appreciate it that they were both thick skinned enough handle a playful banter. Story follows through very smoothly and the characters information previously very rich and texture. I couldn’t more highly recommend watching this movie as it is a refreshing rather fresh air combining dismal Beauty, believable action and twists in the characters to keep you very entertained.
If you were born in the ’80s, ’90s, or literally ANY decade after those, you know about Super Mario. A cultural phenomenon was brought to life on the big screen this last weekend. One that has not only stood the test of time but reinvented itself time and time again. This wasn’t even the first time it’s been made into a movie but, well, let’s be honest.. some of us choose not to acknowledge the LIVE action adaptation of the beloved game from 30 years ago.
It was pretty bad… But this was animation. ILLUMINATION animation at that. The Universal company that brought us Gru and his Minions, showed us the Secret Life of Pets, and gave us a reason to SING! Still, I had my reservations and even some concerns, especially when the casting was announced.
Eyebrows were raised. As big of stars as they were on paper, could they really deliver on voicing characters from a staple of our childhood? They did.
Chris Pratt and Charlie Day may not be Italian, and Jack Black may not be a King or Turtle creature from the Mushroom Kingdom, but they make the characters their own all while paying homage to the lore of a video game.
From the jump, the story reintroduces us to the brothers that just want to save Brooklyn one clogged sink at a time. We feel an instant connection and relate to these “underdogs of the plumbing world”. The movie is riddled with easter eggs, each of which tugs on the heartstrings of every generation of Mario fandom. And the soundtrack was beautifully put together to not only make us feel like we’re taking a walkthrough of the game but like an experience all its own with some familiar favorites thrown in.
Every word in the movie is pure eye candy for both those that are casual fans, and those analyzing every frame to see what they’ll catch next. Bowser’s ship, the Mushroom Kingdom, Kong’s arena, and the Rainbow Road.. They’re all meant to give us just enough of a “new” look at these amazing worlds, but stay true to how we remember them.
The movie itself moves along at the perfect pace. Although, if you don’t really know ANYTHING about the Super Mario Bros, you may have gotten a little lost and felt left behind in the green tunnel. But that’s ok! It’s an adventure of the imagination and a classic story of a boy that meets a girl and tries to save the world from a monster that wants to destroy it.
What’s funny is that you could easily say this is a story about two characters who couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, battling to win the heart of a princess. Who would’ve thought that the King of the Koopas was just trying to impress his crush?
And that song? Ohhh THAT song! It’s my new ringtone and deserves the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Back to the movie.
Universal and Illumination clearly understood the assignment. Is it missing some things or could things have been done differently or even better? Absolutely! We’re the worst critics of the things we hold nearest and dearest to our hearts. But if you’re up for going on a 90-minute adventure through amazing worlds, with awesome music, and characters that’ll make you smile and laugh, then this is the perfect movie to spring you into that warm summer feeling.
Plus there’s the whole part with karts and shells, and banana peels and oh my goodness how amazing was that?? It’s enough to make you want to stand up and cheer, then go home and destroy your friends and family on your favorite track haha.
The bottom line, it pays homage in all the right ways to the little guy with the mustache, while giving us something new and exciting. Take the kids and go see Super Mario Bros. You’ll be glad you did!
Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Opening Act Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m. on North 200A. Talent confirmed so far to participate in the post-screening panel is Natalie Alyn Lind (Big Sky, The Goldbergs, Gotham) as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince and longtime RWBY cast member Lindsay Jones (Camp Camp) as Ruby, Kara Eberle ( RWBY: Ice Queendom) as Weiss, Arryn Zech (Detective Now Dead) as Blake and Barbara Dunkelman (Blood Fest) as Yang – along with Jeannie Tirado (Soul, Saints Row) as Green Lantern and Tru Valentino (The Rookie, The Cuphead Show!) as a cyborg. Also attending the panel will be producer/director Kerry Shawcross (series RWBY) and writer Meghan Fitzmartin (Supernatural, Justice Society: World War II).
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023 with the big screen debut from DC Animated Films: highlights this year include the world premieres of the highly anticipated Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham and Justice League x RWBY: Superheroes & Hunters Part One the weekend of March 24-26 in Anaheim, California. Both screenings will be followed by panel discussions with actors and creators. Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham premieres at The Arena on Friday, March 24 at 6 p.m. Tati Gabrielle (Kaleidoscope, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Uncharted) as Kai Li Cain, Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Insatiable) as Oliver Queen, David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad, Ant-Man) as Grendon, producer/co-director Sam Liu (The Death and the Return of Superman), co-director Christopher Berkeley (Young Justice) and screenwriter Jase Ricci (Teen Titans Go! and DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem Across the Multiverse).
Both films will have encore screenings in the Arena on Sunday, March 26. Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One will screen at 12:15pm, followed by Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham at 2:00pm
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment returns to WonderCon 2023
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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‘Knock at the Cabin’: Puttin on your boogie shoes!
No Question Mark Box Here; Super Mario Delivers a 1-Up in Theaters
Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
An Askewed View Episode 7 Jay And Silent Bob Reboot
