Big Game - Review

PG-13  |  110 min  |  Action, Adventure
Review - Matt Mungle

BIG GAME in theaters, on VOD and iTunes on June 26th

Synopsis: In the rugged countryside of Finland, a young thirteen-year-old (Onni Tommila) embarks on a traditional quest to prove himself by spending 24 hours alone in the wild, armed with only a bow and arrow. After witnessing a spectacular crash, he discovers the escape pod from Air Force One, containing the President of the United States (Samuel L. Jackson). When they realize a group of kidnappers is hot on their trail with the intention of taking the president, this unlikely duo must escape their hunters as they search for the American Special Forces team sent out to find them.


Review: There are some standout elements to this film that make it a solid watch. The question of course is does it have the uumph to stand up to the summer blockbusters or is it best served as a VOD streaming item. The answer is yes to both. The film looks great, the script is pretty solid and you can't beat Samuel L. Jackson as President. Here he is being "rescued" by a 13 year old but Jackson still has the swagger to give the Commander In Chief some attitude. 

Another selling point is that even though a main cast member is a kid it is not a kid movie. At first glance you get the feeling they are playing to the young Hunger Games crowd. Even though there is plenty for them to latch on to, the action, dialogue, and thrills are adult enough to give it older audience appeal. This is a serious rescue mission and a mad dash for our government to find and save our leader. Possible Secret Service moles, terrorism, and the concept of humans being hunted elevate the playing field. 

The film also looks great. The landscape and action sequences are big screen worthy. There are a few green screen moments but for the most part it top notch cinematography. Tommila does ok in the role. It is hard to ever critique a kid actor and you want to find nice things to say. His character is written with some teenage drama and at times it feels like he is forcing the angst. Luckily he has Jackson as a screen partner to help keep him in check. Your attention is drawn to Samuel in most scenes and it will divert you from any bad acting going on. 

The supporting cast is impressive and adds serious chops and recognizable faces. Ray Stevenson (Divergent, Thor), Victor Garber (Titanic, Argo), Felicity Huffman ("Desperate Housewives") and Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter series, Gangs of New York) round out director Jalmari Helander's all-star cast. 

BIG GAME is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some language. As mentioned before it would pass on the big screen but may also be a more perfect renter. Your older teens may like the idea of having a more adult film star one of their own and parents will never feel talked down to. I give it 3 out of 5 missing shoes. Mainly it is great seeing Jackson as President; even in this scenario. 

New Blu-ray and DVD Releases - Tuesday June 23, 2015

FEATURED

A woman who works for the U.S. State Department gets assigned to a post at the embassy in London, where she is supposed to work to ensure that terrorists are not able to go into the United States. This job makes her a target of the very terrorists she hunts, and she soon finds herself being besieged with false accusations and framed for horrific crimes she did not commit. She goes on the run, but she's already learned of a plot to unleash a massive attack on New York on New Year's Eve. Will she be able to stop it? BUY NOW

Inside Out - Review

PG  |  94 min  |  Animation, Comedy, Drama
Review - Matt Mungle

Synopsis: After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith) - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Review: The creative minds over at Pixar have decided to take on the human psyche in the new animated family comedy, INSIDE OUT.  It is a hilarious look at the thoughts and emotions that we take for granted every second. They spared no detail when it comes to how our brains compute, decipher and store data. It is this attention to the specifics that make this, like every other Pixar film, stand out.

It wasn't enough that they had to examine the layers human emotion, but to do it in the mind of an adolescent young girl? That's some serious layers. Even though the film is about Riley and they are her emotions the story still is generic enough that we can all relate and laugh at the possibilities outlined in this one. Terms like "train of thought" and "long term memory" take on animated life. As Joy and Sadness butt heads and eventually have to team up to help Riley overcome her new season in life we get to see the ins and outs of Riley's mind.

The film has lots of laughs but also conveys a lot of emotion. Literally. We see Riley struggle with many new changes and each of them take a toll on her memory banks and "islands". Friends, family, hobbies; all take a hit as she adjust to her life in San Francisco. The 5 emotions seamlessly help her navigate uncharted waters. Joy is the one who tries the hardest to keep Riley in good spirits. It will make you pause and think about how emotions drive our daily decisions.  We can let fear, anger and sadness be our driving force or allow Joy to stay behind the wheel.

All of the voices will be recognizable to adults (especially fans of The Office and SNL) which always makes the film a bit more engaging. Also there are plenty of jokes and site gags that will be lost on young movie goers. Us older audience members will appreciate how they handle memory loss and adult decision making. We truly are very funny creatures of habit. The pre teens have a lot of visual imagery to process and enjoy. The characters are cute and emotive. The story line sweet and endearing. All of this make it a perfectly balanced film for the entire family. But would you expect anything less from Pixar?

INSIDE OUT is rated PG for mild thematic elements and some action. There are some edge of your seat moments and intense situations.  I was often holding my breath or tearing up. Then a moment later I was busting out laughing. I give it 3.75 out of 5 fear and loathing in San Fran. It isn't the best Pixar film ever but certainly one of the most clever.

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story - Review

90 min  |  Documentary, Biography, Drama
Review - Matt Mungle

Releasing theatrically in select theaters June 19, 2015, currently on demand and iTunes

Synopsis: or 45 years, Caroll Spinney has been beloved by generations of children as the man behind Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch - and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping. A loving portrait of the man in the yellow suit, I AM BIG BIRD features extraordinary footage of Spinney's earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces his journey from bullied child to childhood icon. And as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart.

Review: Spoiler alert! Big Bird is not a real bird but there is actually a man inside there! The Sesame Street icon has become so endearing and so grafted into our lives that often we forget that he is a character. And there is no doubt that Spinney would have it no other way. He has given his entire life to bringing joy to countless  people in all countries. Big Bird is a one of a kind spirit and this documentary shows how genuine the spirit behind the bird is as well. 

The film offers rare behind the scene footage of both Sesame Street and Caroll's transformation into the yellow suit. There are numerous shots of Jim Henson, Frank Oz and all the Sesame Street cast. Heartfelt interviews show just how loved Spinney is and how much those around him are touched by his sincerity and dedication to the craft.

It is a strong reminder of just how emotionally in-tune Big Bird is to our own feelings. There are touching moments of Spinney interacting with children and reflecting on Jim Henson's passing. Plus we get the humor of Oscar the Grouch and how he balances both sides of Caroll. Family, friends, and co-workers all chime in with candid clips and interviews. Fans of puppetry will appreciate the inner workings of getting something as large as Big Bird to live and breathe. It truly is an ordeal and one that the 80 year old Spinney keeps right on doing. 

Big Bird was famous enough to get a few of his own full length features and the documentary also takes us behind the scenes of those shoots as well. With every new clip you see more and more how much our society loves and acknowledges Big Bird. Talk Shows, SNL, politicians, movies; all at one time or another have crossed paths with the big yellow guy. 

I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story truly is a wonderful, emotional, and fascinating look at one of the most well known Sesame Street characters. You will be moved to tears one moment and bust out laughing the next. But the mainly you will be touched and inspired by the man inside; the soul of the big bird. I give it 4 out of 5 beaks. I will never look at Big Bird the same and in fact will cherish him even more. 

New Blu-ray and DVD Releases - Tuesday June 16, 2015

BUY NOW

Jimmy Conlon has tried hard to put his past behind him. He spent most of his life working for the mob as a hit man, a line of work that has left him with few friends, an estranged family and a police investigation always at his back. Jimmy just wants to move on, but when his son shows up as a potential target, he has no choice but to act. To save his son's life, Jimmy puts everything on the line and tries to do the right thing for the first time and maybe the last time in his life.

BUY NOW

On the day of his birth, a robot named Chappie is kidnapped by two thieves and taken back to live with their dysfunctional band of misfits. Adopted into this odd family, Chappie grows to be gifted; a prodigy in his own right, and extremely bright with a thirst for living. However, as Chappie gets older, he begins to wonder why he is different from his neglectful parents; and their nefarious needs. Showing more humanity than the human company that surrounds him, Chappie becomes defiant, developing a knock-out personality that will eventually lead him to a higher purpose and happier place.

• Chappie 
• The Lazarus Effect
• Unfinished Business
• Wild Tales