by Cory Woodroof | Jun 11, 2012 | Uncategorized
In the film world, Prometheus has been arguably one of the most anticipated projects in quite some time. Seeing director Sir Ridley Scott return to the genre that made him famous with Alien has been a fanboy’s genie wish for ages. Having Scott return to the Alien universe? Don’t even get some people started. Prometheus initially started out as a straight prequel to Alien. Eventual co-writer John Spaihts created a draft for the prequel, but when the film headed in a different direction, elements of Spaihts’ story remained intact. Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof then took the reins and largely crafted the movie seen today. Both received credit for their work. If I can say anything about Prometheus, I’ll say that this factor looms heavily over the final product. In a brilliantly maddening way, Prometheus lives up to the hype of its ideas but drops the ball when it comes to narrative coherence. A film that tries too hard to be something that it is and probably shouldn’t be (an Alien quasi-prequel), Prometheus suffers from not being able to be its own film, but then again, some of the key plot points would not have received their greatness without a connection to the Alien universe. See where I’m at? Let’s start with what works before I get all flustered. Story-wise, just know a crew of space explorers aboard the Prometheus (led by Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, funded by Peter Weyland – a dying industry titan) head to a new planet to discover answers about the beginning of mankind. Once arrived, the crew finds out certain, terrifying truths that might alter the...
by Cory Woodroof | Jun 5, 2012 | Uncategorized
Usually, I give a film the chance to redeem itself after a dreadful opening. Sure, over the many years I’ve ventured out to the theater, I’ve seen my share of flops. I’ve written scathing reviews about placid products that didn’t deserve a second of my time – it’s a part of the job. But, do I ever want a film to continue in the same mistakes of its opening minutes? Nope. Not since Zack Snyder’s musical train wreck Sucker Punch have I fought the urge to walk out of a film like I did while watching Snow White and the Huntsman. While the trailers sold this film as a revisionist’s delight – the sort of game changing fairy tale reimagining that could both win over critics and audiences alike under the banner of its stellar cast and brilliant first-time direction – the final product ended up being something different entirely. I knew this film was in trouble from the start. The film begins in a confusing narrated sequence where the audience learns of the wicked queen Ravenna’s (Charlize Theron) ascension to power. In a lazily scripted opener, the events unfold almost in spite of themselves, shoe-horning their way into creating a stage for the film. I know that you’ve got to get the ball rolling somehow, but I mean, seriously? The film’s manipulative beginning comes to light almost as effortlessly as Ravenna’s rise to the throne. After the dreadful opening, I kept hoping the film would improve, but my wishes were never made a reality. The languished film never realizes its vision, and as the audience, we are the true victims to...
by Cory Woodroof | May 31, 2012 | Uncategorized
Unlike most folks, I have a definitive soft spot for Men in Black II. Sure, the film fails in comparison to the original and has some outstanding flaws, but there’s just something about the goofy follow-up that makes me defensive. Is it a good movie? Eh, not really. When I think of MiB II, I think of Ghostbusters II – a sequel full of fun villains and silly antics. Come to think of it, Ghostbusters and the original Men in Black also share some striking similarities. Both were game-changing works of sci-fi comedy that still carry a strong following. I say all that to say I really dug Men in Black 3. Let me back up a bit. When Men in Black 3 was announced, immediate groans were heard across the galaxy (see what I did there?). Viewed as nothing more than a needless sequel, fans of the original feared yet another lackluster follow-up to tarnish the reputation of the once-popular series. While I may be a fan, I’m in a small group. Honestly, adding in a third installment after a poorly received second feature will never be an easy journey. Just look how Ghostbusters III is doing. Thankfully, Men in Black 3 both returns back to the basics that made the original so fun and avoids the mistakes of the second installment. This time around, the audience finds Agents J (Will Smith returning to the screen after nearly four years away from movies) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) facing a new, time-altering threat in Boris the Animal (Jermaine Clement of Flight of the Conchords), a one-armed time traveling...
by Cory Woodroof | May 9, 2012 | Uncategorized
Ever since the post-credit sequence in 2008’s Iron Man, fanboy audiences world-wide have eagerly awaited the assembling of The Avengers, Marvel’s answer to DC’s Justice League. The Avengers, made up of such heroes as Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America and Thor, has always been a beloved comic book property for diehard Marvel fans. Under the watchful eye of S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury, The Avengers would team up to take on the villains in the Marvel canon while saving room for constant bickering among themselves. Ever since the moment Samuel L. Jackson’s Fury told Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark of the planned initiative to bring earth’s mightiest heroes together, Marvel Studios has introduced audiences to not just the carefree, narcissistic Iron Man. Edward Norton brought the Hulk to the screen (again) in ’08, but due to some contractual/creative differences, Norton’s satisfying take on the big green man marked his only outing as the beast. Stark returned to the screen in 2010’s love it-or-hate it Iron Man 2. Aussie Chris Hemsworth (best known at the time for a flash-shot performance in 09’s Star Trek) brought the proud, Shakespearean Thor to the big screen in 2011. In the same year, Chris Evans completed the pre-Avengers rally with Captain America’s origin. Through the thick and thin, these set-up movies have had their strengths and weaknesses. Everyone loves Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, but many complain the Iron Man movies lacked the scale necessary for superhero glory. Most have already forgotten about The Incredible Hulk (a shame, really. I find the film highly underrated.), and Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger were enjoyable...
