Hey everyone, if you’re interested, you can check out my review of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s production of My Fair Lady. It’s over at The Artifice, I hope you enjoy reading it. 
Iron Man 3 Review
In the first five minutes of Shane Black’s “Iron Man 3”, it becomes clear that this is not just some rehashing of the first two movies. After the title faded, and exploding metal suits filled the screen, gone were the thoughts that this would be just another light-hearted, silly ‘popcorn flick’.
As the first post-Avengers movie, “Iron Man 3” had big shoes to fill if it wanted people to forget the $1 billion grossing film. Prior to release, Marvel and Disney said that “Iron Man 3” would different as Jon Favreau, director of “Iron Man” and its first sequel.
In Favreau’s chair was 51-year-old Shane Black, known for his directorial debut “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”, a film that also starred Robert Downey, Jr. Despite underperforming at the box-office, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” became a cult success and helped Downey rebuild his career after his drug arrests in the late ‘90s.
Black and Downey’s reunion film is bold to say the least. The film follows Downey as Tony Stark, who must battle The Mandarin, a villain of unknown origin who wants to bring the United States to its knees.
Stark also suffers from anxiety attacks due to the events of 2012’s “The Avengers”. That, coupled with a lack of help from Shield, or the Avengers, leaves Stark to battle The Mandarin and his minions alone.
Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle also return as Pepper Potts and Capt. James Rhodes, respectively. They earn their screen time due to great chemistry with other supporting pieces and Downey.
Guy Pearce also co-stars as Aldrich Killian, a villainous opponent from Stark’s past. Pearce performs with intensity, similar to his roles in “Memento” and “Lawless”. As far as villains are concerned, Pearce has become the go-to guy for all things evil.
Ben Kingsly plays The Mandarin in a way not depicted in any of the comics. The character starts out dark and mysterious and Black goes to great lengths to make the unraveling as enjoyable as possible. Kingsly’s 41 years of acting experience do well as he brings in several dynamics to Tony Stark’s arch-nemesis.
Black’s directing is very much the same as in his other film, “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang”. Black’s use of light, and darkness, provided gloominess not yet utilized in a Marvel film. His directing differs greatly from the other well-known Marvel directors, like Favreau, Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon.
The script, co-written by Drew Pearce and Shane Black, mixes Iron Man lore and an original tale that works exceedingly well. While there are liberties taken in regards to the series that film is based on, this does allow for an unpredictable film.
The film’s dialogue is similar to Black’s previous movies, with many one liners reminiscent of “Lethal Weapon”. Some of the film’s darker scenes are still filled with witty dialogue, which is always nice.
While it might alienate die-hard fans of Iron Man, this film is worth the price of admission.
Sinister (Re-review)
A struggling writer of true crime novels moves him and his family into a house where a grisly murder took place years before. He soon discovers a box filled with “home movies” which turn out to be videos of different families being murdered. He then starts to see some of the crazy things in his new house. Things that would make most men run away, far away.
Director Scott Derrickson really delivers at providing that audience with a good, violent and scary film. Derrickson was able to work with a low-budget and provide thrills throughout the film’s near 2 hour run time. Continue reading
To the Wonder Review…what did I just watch?
63 of 200 new films watched in 2013
Premiering at the 2012 Venice Film Festival, Terrence Malick’s “To the Wonder” experienced a limited release in the United States, making it a bit difficult to find. The film follows an American man named Neil as he moves back to America with his French girlfriend, Marina, and her young daughter. The two lovers are soon separated by distance as Marina moves back to France with her daughter.
Malick’s use of camera technique is worth applauding. His wide shots show just how small these characters are and his up-close shots frame the stone buildings of the European countryside. Continue reading
Pramface (Season 1 & 2 Review)
If any of you guys read my tweets (follow me if you don’t 
), then you most likely know that these past few days, I have watched way too much of the short series Pramface. Having finished both season one and two, I’d like to review the two seasons. The show follows Jamie and Laura. Two strangers that meet at a party and have sex. Next thing they know, Laura is pregnant, forcing the two strangers to get to know each other. The relationship is made weirder as Jamie is a 16-year-old school student and Laura is 18 and spending her first year at University. Continue reading
Small Announcement
Hey everyone, I just wanted to fill you in on what’s been happening the past few days. I’ve been approaching finals and so that has forced me to study (UGH!). Continue reading
My Luck Keeps Getting Better
As you probably know by now I'm producing a short film in July called Once Bitten, Twice Shy (If I hear another 'Great White' gag I'll scream) and planning is, well...almost complete!
I'm not the luckiest person in the world, I've always lived with the belief that if something can go wrong for me, it will. I didn't expect the planning of the film to run smoothly at all, and I thought that I'd be so exhausted and depressed by now that I'd have thrown in the towel already.
This is really great!
