Pitch Perfect

'Pitch Perfect' is definitely one of those films that you're either going to love or hate from the get-go. You're either going to find the constant acapella singing extremely annoying or you're actually going to find it quite entertaining like I did. There's no doubt that the film holds many similarities to 'Glee' (*vomits*), but the film is infinitely more charming and keeps the extreme cheese to a minimum. Anna Kendrick is fantastic in the film and Rebel Wilson ('Fat Amy') damn near steals the show. The supporting cast which includes Skylar Astin, Brittany Snow and Anna Camp, all hold their own. The only gripe I have with the film is a constant vomit gag that runs throughout most of the movie. It was unnecessary and flat-out crude. Overall, the acapella performances are wonderful and if you keep an open mind, you will definitely find a lot to like in 'Pitch Perfect'. Give it a chance! Recommended.

The Words

Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid give it their all, but can't save the convoluted mess that is 'The Words'. Here's your brief plot description! Dennis Quaid stars as Clay Hammond, a celebrated author whose new book parallels the lives of Rory Jensen and Dora (Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana). Rory is an author who lacks inspiration. Rory's wife Dora buys him a leather satchel which ends up containing an old manuscript. Rory begins to read the manuscript and is immediately inspired to...well... plagiarize. The book is a huge success and Rory and Dora are living happily ever after, until an Old Man approaches Rory and tells him of his own life story. His life story turns out to be the manuscript. Rory is intimidated and tell his wife of his actions. Guilt ensues...and the film's climax feels similar to 'Inception'. There is no doubt that all of the actors in the film are trying to rise above the material, but the screenplay is so confusing when it really doesn't need to be. I'll praise some of the cinematography, but the film only warrants a rental. 'The Words' is a one-time watch for me!

The Details

Tobey Maguire stars as a devoted husband and father who suffers the consequences of his actions in 'The Details'. While the film starts out as a comedy, it quickly becomes darker in tone. The way the film plays out is almost like a chain reaction. For example, in an attempt to trap the raccoons roaming his backyard, Maguire's character poisons a can of tuna. In return, he kills his crazy neighbor's cat. This leads to even deadlier consequences. The film is definitely not for everyone because of how outlandish it becomes towards its climax. The performances are great all around from Kerry Washington, Ray Liotta, and especially Laura Linney as the crazy neighbor. I recommend this film as a rental at best. The film is currently on VOD (Video On Demand).

Hope Springs

Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones star as an unhappily married couple who go on a retreat to invigorate their sex life in 'Hope Springs'. The film is both poignant and incredibly moving. The film also does not hold back when it comes to the subject of sex in an unhappy marriage. Steve Carell is excellent as a sex therapist whose sessions with Streep and Jones manage to be both hilarious and extremely uncomfortable at the same time. It truly is refreshing to see such a heartwarming film nowadays. The film is a must-watch, and with two of the most fantastic actors of the silver screen, you can't go wrong. Highly recommended!

Silent Hill Revelation

Oh boy. Where should I even begin? 'Silent Hill Revelation' is right behind 'Resident Evil Retribution' as one of the worst films of the year. Just how bad is this film? Lets just say it makes the first 'Silent Hill' film look like a work of art. To be honest, I didn't mind the first film and it definitely has some replay value. This film is a different story. The plot follows Heather Mason (the protagonist of the game 'Silent Hill 3') as she returns to Silent Hill in order to find her father who was kidnapped by The Order. Tagging along with her is Vincent played by Kit Harington of 'Game of Thrones' fame. If you want me to delve any further into the plot it would basically be spoiling the entire confusing and downright perplexing plot. For those who have played 'Silent Hill 3', the film does follow the game's plotline, but takes its liberties. Most of which are not good. I've been pretty nice so far. Here's where I cross the line. 'Silent Hill Revelation' features some of the worst acting I have ever seen on screen. Kit Harington should stick to 'Game of Thrones'. He was painfully bad in this film. Adelaide Clemens embodies Heather Mason, but she can't rise above the material she's given. I won't even comment on Malcolm McDowell and Carrie Anne Moss because they are in the film for only about five minutes. The film's dialogue is brutal. The film drew many unintentional laughs because of how bad some of the lines were. The film feels like a first draft that no one else had the chance to revise. What I will say is that the film is aesthetically beautiful. The atmosphere of the games is beautifully translated to the screen. This is only enhanced by the wonderful 3D. In fact, the 3D saves the film. If you don't see the film in 3D, you will definitely run back to the ticket vendor and ask for a refund. The ashes that engulf the town of Silent Hill really pop out of the screen, and a scene involving a mannequin monster is probably the best scene out of the whole film. Pyramid Head also pops up in the film and the 3D aspect definitely serves him well. Overall, I really can't recommend this film. I can't even recommend it to fans of the games because you will probably walk out of the film enraged. If you must see it, you must see it in 3D. I think it's safe to say that there won't be a 'Silent Hill 3' anytime soon.

Sinister

If you're planning to see a horror film in theaters this Halloween, the film you should see is 'Sinister'. Ethan Hawke stars as Ellison Oswalt, a famous author who gets his inspiration from staying in the vicinity of houses in which brutal and sadistic murders took place. Unbeknownst to his wife and two kids, Oswalt decides to move into a house that is basically a crime scene. In the attic, Oswalt finds a box of home movies that reveal a lot more than he bargained for. 'Sinister' plays out a lot like 2010's 'Insidious', which is not a coincidence considering both films have the same producer. 'Insidious' was all about the build-up. 'Sinister' is the same. The downside of both films is their third act which takes away the true scare factor that was established in the first hour of the film. 'Sinister' stays based in reality for most of the film and then takes a wrong turn towards its climax. That's not to say the film is a disaster. Why else would I recommend it as the perfect Halloween 2012 film? For the first hour, the film is a scare-fest. It's unsettling and flat-out chilling. Ethan Hawke gives a great performance as Ellison Oswalt and the supporting characters are great as well. I jumped multiple times. I will say that some of the jump scares were cheap, but they still got me! Overall, this is one to watch in the theater. Watching it at home won't have the same effect. While the film's climax is a bit of a spoiler, the rest of the film is disturbing and sends chills down your spine. The moral of the story is that curiosity definitely kills the cat!

Taken 2

Liam Neeson returns as Bryan Mills in the sequel to the 2009 smash hit, 'Taken'. While not as good as the first film, 'Taken 2' provides plenty of suspense and non-stop action. This time around, Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of the son Bryan had murdered in the first film. It's now up to his daughter to find them with her father guiding her every step of the way. Regardless if you enjoy the plot or not, it is a thrill to see Liam Neeson kick ass over and over again. He is what makes these films truly entertaining, because there are times when the plot does get quite ridiculous and illogical. Overall, I recommend the film, but don't expect what you received the first film. The higher budget definitely shows, and it makes you kind of miss what was done with the little budget they had for the first film. It's obvious there will be another film, and I will definitely be watching!

Killer Joe

The poster for William Friedkin's 'Killer Joe' refers to the film as 'A Totally Twisted Deep-Fried Texas Redneck Trailer Park Murder Story.' Yep, sounds about right. Based on a play by Tracy Letts, 'Killer Joe' is gripping from beginning to end. To reveal any of the plot would be a crime because it is just so entertaining to watch it unfold. What I will say is that Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church, and Gina Gershon give fantastic performances. But above all, Matthew McConaughey's performance as Killer Joe Cooper takes the cake. Killer Joe Cooper is so sick and maniacal that you are both revolted and intrigued by his character. While you fear his return, you almost can't wait for him to come back on screen to see what he does next. One last warning. A scene involving a fried chicken drumstick is not for the faint of heart! The movie is rated NC-17 for a reason! I highly recommend this film. William Friedkin hardly ever fails, in my opinion. Besides, he did direct one of my favorite films of all time, 'The Exorcist'. Definitely watch this film with an open mind and you'll be just as intrigued and entertained as I was!

Little Shop of Horrors (Director's Cut)

As crazy as it may sound, the Director's Cut of 'Little Shop of Horrors' made me cry. First off, the film is very nostalgic for me because it was one of the first films I embraced as a teen. Secondly, the alternate ending is a masterpiece. When the film was screened in 1986, the alternate ('bad') ending was booed by audiences and ultimately forced re-shoots. The result was an ending that pleased audiences, but was quite unrealistic. The song 'The Meek Shall Inherit' pretty much sums up the film in a nutshell. The Ronnettes sing, 'They say the meek shall inherit.You know the book doesn't lie. It's not a question of merit. It's not demand and supply. They say the meek gonna get it. "And you're a meek little guy."You know the meek are gonna get what's comin' to 'em By and by...'. The movie holds up to this day. The songs are incredible and the puppetry is superb. Audrey II has to be the most detailed piece of puppetry ever created, and on Blu-Ray, you can pretty much see every detail of the plant. Actually, the whole film looks incredible in 1080p. You wouldn't think the film is 26 years old. The special features are also fun to watch. Overall, the Blu-ray definitely warrants a purchase, and if you've never seen the film, it's the perfect way to experience it for the first time! Just remember, 'Please, whatever they offer you, Don't Feed The Plants!'

Safety Not Guaranteed

Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass and Jake Johnson star in a film about a reporter, two interns and a man who claims he can time travel. As crazy as this film sounds, it is an incredibly fun ride. Great performances all around especially from Aubrey Plaza and Mark Duplass. Everyone in the film is missing something in their lives and by the film's conclusion, everything comes full circle. It is truly fantastic that the writer took a simple ad and turned it into a full feature film that has a lot of meaning. It's films like this that make me truly appreciate indie films a whole lot more than mainstream films. Highly recommended.

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

Steve Carell and Keira Knightley star in a film about love and friendship under the worst possible circumstances. I had very low expectations for this film and it was actually not that bad. The film is marketed as a comedy, but I found very little of the film to be funny. The film had a very nice message about friendship but I did lose interest at several points and the ending was quite depressing (You can probably guess why). I recommend this film as a rental at best.

Cosmopolis

Don't get me wrong, I am HUGE fan of David Cronenberg. 'Videodrome' is one of my favorite films, and 'Crash' is definitely a guilty pleasure. On the other hand, 'Cosmopolis' based on Don DeLillo's novel of the same name, is a mess. 'Cosmopolis' is a film that is tough to describe. Robert Pattinson stars as a 28-year old billionaire named Eric Packer. At the beginning of the film, Eric decides he wants a haircut. Eric has his own custom-made stretch limousine. While riding in this limousine he is visited by several different characters that serve as metaphors for greed and corruption. Others are just there to serve Eric's sexual desires. Eric also passes through a full-on protest, a musician's funeral, and a presidential barricade on his way to get a haircut. Almost the entire film takes place in Eric's limousine. Other locations include a diner, a bookstore, and an abandoned apartment building where we meet Paul Giamatti's character. To be quite honest, I don't even truly understand what I watched. Going into detail about this film will only further confuse you. What I personally believe is that the book was never truly meant to be translated into film. The film goes nowhere and ends on an ambiguous note. To be fair, I won't blame any of the actors for this mess. I believe that Pattinson and his co-stars were asked to act like human beings devoid of any personality and / or blood flow. I still feel that Pattinson has potential. This film does not do him any favors. I do applaud Cronenberg for taking on this material, but the film is an incoherent and pretentious mess. I'll stick to his classics.

Silent House

Chris Kentis and Laura Lau's 'Silent House' is a remake of the 2010 Uruguayan film, 'La Casa Muda', which gained notoriety because of the fact that it was presented as an 88-minute 'uninterrupted' take. This technique was better utilized by Alfred Hitchcock in his 1948 film, 'Rope'. Elizabeth Olsen plays Sarah, a young woman who is helping her dad pack things up in their lakeside retreat which is up for sale. Sarah's uncle also comes to the house in order to clean things up for potential buyers. When Sarah's uncle leaves Sarah alone to call for an electrician, all hell breaks loose. Suddenly, Sarah and her dad are attacked by an unseen force in the house. Sarah is haunted by strange noises and believes that someone lurking the house is out to kill both her and her father. Some viewers might see the conclusion coming from a mile away, while others might be pleasantly surprised. Some might actually think it's downright ridiculous. The film definitely lags at certain points, but Olsen's performance is what redeems the movie. Elizabeth Olsen has emerged as one of the brightest stars in Hollywood after a strong debut in 2010's psychological thriller, 'Martha Marcy May Marlene', and she gives another strong performance in 'Silent House'. In fact, Olsen carries the weight of the film on her shoulders. If not for her nuanced performance, the film would be a complete chore to sit through. Overall, I would say 'Silent House' is a rental at best.

Jeff, Who Lives At Home

I love a good indie film. In fact, I respect indie films a whole lot more than big budget studio films. In recent years, Jay and Mark Duplass have emerged as big players in the independent film scene. While I find most of their films quite good, they have created a gem in 'Jeff, Who Lives At Home'. Jason Segel stars as Jeff, a 30-year old man who living in his mother's basement. Jeff is trying to find his destiny. Jeff's inspiration in life is M. Night Shyamalan's film, 'Signs'. After receiving a phone call which was meant for someone else named Kevin, Jeff is led on a journey which will not only impact his own life, it will impact the lives of those who surround him. On the other hand, Jeff's brother Pat (Ed Helms) believes his wife (Judy Greer) is cheating on him. When it comes to Jeff, Pat believes he is nothing but a slacker with no aspirations. As the film goes on, Pat begins to confide in Jeff because of how miserable his own life has become. Meanwhile, Jeff and Pat's Mom (Susan Sarandon) is quite unhappy as well because of her inability to motivate Jeff and her constant arguing with Pat. She also has a huge void in her life because of her lack of a significant other. While at work, she receives an instant message from a secret admirer. This constant game of cat-and-mouse throughout the film leads to a reveal that I personally found a little predictable. Maybe I just watch too many movies! At the film's finale, all of the main characters are stuck in a traffic jam which leads to a string of events that ultimately bring fulfillment to the lives of Jeff's relatives and to his life as well. Jason Segel is endearing as Jeff, and the rest of the cast is fantastic in a film that shows that everything in life happens for a reason. It is such a pleasure to see a film in this day and age that doesn't rely on bells and whistles to attract an audience. Highly recommended.

Gone

There are many questions one should ask themselves while they're watching 'Gone'. The main one should be, 'What was Amanda Seyfried thinking?!' 'Gone' is a complete mess from start to finish. Amanda Seyfried stars as Jill, a girl who we learn was kidnapped in the past and suffers from severe anxiety in her everyday life. Jill lives with her sister Molly, a Grade A student and a perfectly happy individual. When Molly leaves to go to work one night, she returns to find that her sister is gone without a trace. Jill is immediately convinced that her kidnapper is the one who took her sister, and this leads Jill on a road filled with ridiculous plot holes. Jill goes to the cops, they immediately shun her. Some police department. One detective seems shady (red herring), and the other refuses to help Jill because he knows of her past. The one female officer in the film looks like she just rolled out of bed and went to work. Detective Powers, played by Daniel Sunjata, keeps trying to tell Jill that there is no killer because when she escaped her kidnapper, he was never found. Jill was also committed to a mental facility after her ordeal because they all thought she was crazy. I won't spoil the movie for those who really want to watch this dreck, but the ending is so awful and nonsensical that it renders the movie pointless. It makes you think to yourself, 'I wasted over 90 minutes of my life for a damn PLOT HOLE?!' I personally think Amanda Seyfried is a really good actress. I liked her in 'Chloe' and really look forward to seeing her Cosette in 'Les Miserables' this Christmas. This was a major misstep for her, but I have full belief that this movie will be tossed aside and quickly forgotten. The supporting cast overacts their way through the film, and Jennifer Carpenter (Debra from 'Dexter') is criminally underused. I won't go into a critique of the direction by Heitor Dhalia because the film is so convoluted and disjointed. Overall, I can't recommend this film in anyway, and it should have gone straight to Lifetime or VOD. The film's box office gross says it all.

Take This Waltz

KILL ME NOW. No, seriously, do it. I don't think I have watched a movie this repulsive in quite a while. 'Take This Waltz' is a story about an unhappy marriage between Lou and Margot Rubin played by Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams. Margot writes travel brochures, Lou is writing a cookbook revolving around chicken. The couple seems to be in love. While traveling back from one of her expeditions, Margot meets a man named Daniel. Daniel is mysterious, Daniel is irritating. Daniel turns out to be everything Margot looks for in a man. He also happens to live across the street from her house and drives a rickshaw. And thus, the love triangle commences. What follows is a series of scenes in which we see Lou and Margot's marriage falling apart due to her weird and indifferent personality around Lou. We also see Margot meet with Daniel at a cafe in which he proceeds to discuss what he wants to do to Margot sexually which was incredibly cringe-worthy. Sarah Silverman, who gives some life to the film, plays Margot's sister Geraldine. She is only featured in a few scenes, one being a pretty horrifying and unnecessary nude scene in a gym shower. Following the wonderful 2006 movie 'Away from Her', Director Sarah Polley has taken a step down with this film. Bottom line, the film is boring, pretentious, and filled with unlikeable characters. Seth Rogen, Michelle Williams, and Sarah Silverman are MUCH better than this film.

Bel Ami

For those who are not familiar with the 1885 novel "Bel Ami" by Guy de Maupassant, here's a brief synopsis. The main focus of the story is Georges Duroy, a man who has left the military after serving three years in Algeria. After working as a clerk in Paris, Duroy meets a former comrade named Forestier who helps him to become a journalist. Long story short, Georges Duroy embarks on a journey of corruption in which he seduces and manipulates three wealthy mistresses in order to become one of the most powerful men in Paris. Robert Pattinson of 'Twilight' fame plays the role of Georges Duroy. While I despise the 'Twilight' films, I do think that he has plenty of potential as an actor. I actually liked him in the 2009 film 'Remember Me' which caused quite a stir because of its controversial twist ending. Unfortunately, I think he was a poor choice for the role of Georges Duroy. It has absolutely nothing to do with his 'Twilight' roots, it has to do with the fact that I can see almost any other high-profile actor playing this role. Pattinson seduces three mistresses in the film, and his performance stays one-note throughout the movie. If I watch an actor in a film and all I can think of is another actor in his position, that's a horrible sign. On the other hand, Christina Ricci gives a fine performance as Clotilde de Marelle. In fact, she is the only character in the film that the audience can really connect with on an emotional level. Uma Thurman and Kristen Scott Thomas' performances as the two other mistresses border on campy. More so with Thomas, who later on in the film, serves as comic relief. Director Declan Donnellan does a serviceable job in the director's chair. The film moves at a brisk pace despite some scenes that begin to drag. For all of the hoopla about how the racy the movie was supposed to be, there is nothing all that erotic about the film. In fact, the scene in which Thurman and Pattinson have sex is quite painful to watch. All in all, the film is mediocre at best. Pattinson is miscast, and the rest of the cast does the best they can with the material. I'm not surprised the distributors decided to send the film straight to VOD. Like I said earlier in the review, Pattinson does have potential, and I do look forward to seeing his performance in David Cronenberg's new film 'Cosmopolis'.

Hey Everyone!

For those who know me and those who don't, my name is Robby Lerman and I am a HUGE movie buff. When I was a little kid, I would visit the video store across the street from my building and rent as many movies as I could. I would study every genre. Comedy, Drama, Horror, Romance, I had no specific preference. It was at the age of seven that I realized what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be an actor. When I was eight years old, I began studying at the Lee Strasberg Institute in NY.  When I was 15, I left the institute and put acting on the back burner.

After graduating college, the acting bug bit me again, and I am now a freelance actor waiting for my big break! Since my other love is critiquing movies, I decided to start this blog and share my thoughts on recent films I've seen as well as some of my personal favorites. Well, I think I've said just about enough! Enjoy my brief, but insightful movie reviews!