Killing Them Softly

Film: Killing Them Softly

Starring: Brad Pitt (Moneyball), James Gandolfini (HBO's The Sopranos) and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas)

Director: Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford)

U.S. Release: November 30th, 2012 (Rated R)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 97 minutes


In 2007, writer and director Andrew Dominik teamed up with leading star Brad Pitt to offer the Oscar nominated western The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. The feature's critical praise helped solidify Dominik's status all throughout Hollywood. A handful of years later, the director and Pitt return with Killing Them Softly, a satirical look at capitalism's greedy impression on the current mob underworld. After receiving massive amounts of acclaim since its Cannes Film Festival premier in May, perhaps Killing Them Softly could be another Oscar-worthy effort from Dominik and Pitt? Not so fast.

When three unintelligent lowlifes decide to rob a protected Mob card game, the local criminal economy feels the repercussions. Through sheer stupidity on the part of one of the robbers, hitman Jackie Coogan (played by Brad Pitt) is brought in to take care of the culprits and restore proper order to the Mob.

To be perfectly honest, Killing Them Softly was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. Back in the Spring, early buzz out of Cannes managed to peak my interest and, knowing the Weinstein Company, I braced myself for a Fall release. After finally viewing the film, it's clear that Killing Them Softly is a tunnel-visioned examination of economic greed and its divisive consequences. But rather than quietly using executioner Jackie Coogan's story as an effective metaphor, Andrew Dominik wastes almost no time shoving his film's purpose directly into your face. As a result, Killing Them Softly feels more like a force fed political satire than a subtle piece of artistic beauty. By selling its soul and taking a satirical approach, Dominik attempts to deliver an off-beat and stylish dark comedy. Instead, the movie comes off as a cheap Coen brothers imitation with much weaker writing and far worse cinematography. As for any stylistic comparisons between Killing Them Softly and last year's surprise hit Drive, they are completely off base and offensively inaccurate. For as promising as the movie appears at a chopped up and edited glance via its trailer, Killing Them Softly is a mightily flawed viewing experience.

Despite my harsh criticisms and to be perfectly fair to Andrew Dominik, Killing Them Softly is a well intended and immensely thought out piece of work. Dominik's characters have depth and purpose to the story, which is always easier said than done. Brad Pitt is the true highlight of the film and he delivers another knockout performance. As someone who wasn't always an outspoken fan of Pitt, he has clearly won me over and his work here is just another fine example of why he's one of the best in the business. In addition to Pitt, James Gandolfini gives a valiant effort in his small supporting role. The former Soprano's star continues to struggle breaking out of his "Tony Soprano" label, but his work here is both heartfelt and genuine. Gandolfini's character oozes with emotion and instability and hopefully we get to see plenty more of the same from him in the future. As imperfect as it is, Killing Them Softly conjures up enough redeeming qualities to see you through the finish line.

In the end, disappointment reigns supreme in Andrew Dominik's long awaited return to the director's chair. With Killing Them Softly, top notch acting fails to salvage a mediocre script and a blatant in-your-face message. Unlike Dominik's The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Killing Them Softly is far from the preconceived Oscar contender may of us believed it could be. Lacking in substance and memorable scenes, the film is a rather dull 97 minute experience. Unless you "have to" see it, I recommend taking a pass with Killing Them Softly. It's not what you'd expect ... in a bad way.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C

November 2012 Poll Recap

After the close of yet another month, November has brought us one step closer to our journey through the new year and on to the Academy Awards. Being that the BIG TIME Oscar contenders always seem to hold of their releases until the end of the calendar year, November harbored many promising films. In an effort to understand where the public's anticipation was targeted, I posed last month's poll question asking, "Which November release are you most excited to see". In unbalanced fashion, Steven Spielberg's Lincoln destroyed its competition by walking away with 54% of the votes. While many feel as though only Tom Hooper's Les Miserables can stand in the way of Lincoln's Best Picture chances, I still tend to throw caution to the wind. But either way, Lincoln proves to be a bona fide Oscar contender from top to bottom. In the poll, there was a tie for the runner up spot between David O. Russell's Silver Linings Playbook and Andrew Dominik's Killing Them Softly (both of which finished with 18% of the votes). The newest James Bond installment, Skyfall, was the only other film receiving votes and it walked away with 9% of the total.

Be sure to check out December's poll question (which is located in the top right hand corner of the page) asking, "Which 2012 film would have your vote for Best Picture". And stay tuned all month for what's sure to be a bumpy ride through the start of the award's season.

Now You See Me and Freeloaders Trailers

Director Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans) brings us his latest work, Now You See Me, which sports an all star cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson and Morgan Freeman. The film centers around a group of illusionists who rob a bank during a performance and give the money to the audience. As a result, they become part of a major investigation by the FBI to understand how the feat was pulled off. Sporting a suspenseful and action-packed vibe, Now You See Me could make for a riveting Summer blockbuster. Check out its trailer below.





Next up is the trailer for Freeloaders, the newest release from the Broken Lizard's team that brought comedies such as Super Troopers, Beerfest and Club Dread. The film follows a bunch of middle-aged adults who spend their lives shacking up in a paid-for mansion living a life of endless partying and no responsibilities. But when a real estate agent shows up to let them know that the property is being put on the market to be sold, the group of slacker friends need to find a way to keep their dream house from being sold. Far from an original storyline, Freeloaders could either be a welcome addition from the talented comedic minds that created Super Troopers, or a disaster waiting to happen. Check out the trailer below and form your own opinion.

The Road to the 2013 Oscars

Having taken a break from movie watching during the Thanksgiving holiday, I have to get in gear for the stretch run to the 2013 Oscars on February 24th, 2013. Up until that Sunday evening, we should expect many changes to occur in each of the 6 major races. And with big time Oscar hopefuls such as Les Miserables, Zero Dark Thirty, Django Unchained, Promised Land, Hitchcock, and The Impossible yet to reach major audiences, every category remains anyone's game. But as it stands, here's how I see the major categories shaping up:

Best Picture: Les Miserables

Although it is WAY too early to call it a sure thing, Tom Hooper's Les Miserables appears to be a formidable frontrunner for the Best Picture race. With a release date set for Christmas Day, Les Miserables will have a head of steam to live up to. But if it does meet expectations, Tom Hooper and company will be singing their way to a golden statue.

Other Major Contenders: Lincoln, Argo, Silver Linings Playbook and Life of Pi

Other Possibilities: The Sessions, The Master, Zero Dark Thirty and Beasts of the Southern Wild

Best Director: Ben Affleck (Argo)

Ben Affleck has found himself at the top of the pack with the director's latest effort, Argo. Since Steven Spielberg and Tom Hooper having already reached the pinnacle of success with Oscar wins of their own, perhaps this will be Affleck's year to claim the highly regarded prize. 

Other Major Contenders: Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), Tom Hooper (Les Miserables), Ang Lee (Life of Pi) and Paul Thomas Anderson (The Master)

Other Possibilities: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty) and Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom)

Best Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

If you're wondering just how good Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of the iconic figure Abraham Lincoln was, it was THAT good. With two Oscar wins already under his belt, Day-Lewis' performance was so superior that I find it almost impossible to deny him the hat trick. The resemblance was uncanny and I would expect to hear his name called during the 2013 Oscars.

Other Major Contenders: Joaquin Phoenix (The Master), John Hawkes (The Sessions) and Denzel Washington (Flight)

Other Possibilities: Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables), Anthony Hopkins (Hitchcock) and Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

While many of the teenyboppers will recognize Jennifer Lawrence for her role in The Hunger Games, more mature audiences will appreciate her efforts in David O. Russell's mental disorder comedy Silver Linings Playbook. Lawrence out-shined her co-star Bradley Cooper and left her mark as the most outstanding aspect of the Best Picture contender. Her performance was so strong that I see her as a legitimate leader in the Best Actress race if it were to end right now. But with most of her competition coming from films that have yet to be screened, it's still too early to call.

Other Major Contenders: Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) and Quvenzhane Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild)

Other Possibilities: Helen Mirren (Hitchcock), Naomi Watts (The Impossible), Emmanuelle Riva (Amour) and Marion Cotillard (Rust and Bone)

Best Supporting Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master)

Whether you loved it or hated it, Paul Thomas Anderson's The Master was a tantalizing piece of work. Thanks in large part to its brilliant cast which was headlined by a trio of Oscar worthy performances from Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman seems to be the most likely winner from the bunch, as one of them clearly deserves a statue.

Other Major Contenders: Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln), Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook), Alan Arkin (Argo) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Django Unchained)

Other Possibilities: Russell Crowe (Les Miserables), Jim Broadbent (Cloud Atlas) and Hal Holbrook (Promised Land)

Best Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables)

Anne Hathaway appears to be quite impressive from early glimpses into Tom Hooper's Les Miserables trailers. And since we all know she can sing (i.e.  when she hosted the Oscars) and we all know she can act (i.e. just about everything she's ever done), it's a safe bet to double down on her as the frontrunner in the Best Supporting Actress category. However, a very late release date can prove to either make or break a film/performance. Therefore, we'll just have to wait and see.

Other Major Contenders: Amy Adams (The Master), Helen Hunt (The Sessions) and Sally Field (Lincoln)

Other Possibilities: Ann Dowd (Compliance), Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook) and Samantha Barks (Les Miserables)


Remember to keep checking back for news and the latest updates on these major Oscar races.

Lincoln

Film: Lincoln

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis (There Will Be Blood), Tommy Lee Jones (No Country for Old Men) and Sally Field (Forrest Gump)

Director: Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan)

U.S. Release: November 16th, 2012 (Rated PG-13)

Genre: Drama/Biopic

Runtime: 149 minutes


Throughout the history of mankind it has become an accepted fact that certain things belong together. Peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese or the thought of Steven Spielberg and his newest baby, Lincoln. Even during War Horse's 2011 run to the Oscars, it was the anticipation of Spielberg's Lincoln that sat in the forefront of everyone's mind. With Daniel Day-Lewis, who I confidently refer to as "the greatest actor alive", signed on to portray the semi-controversial historic hero Abraham Lincoln, the possibilities seemed endless. Now, as 2012's stealth-like conclusion wanders within the eye's reach, Steven Spielberg's Lincoln is finally here. And it's about time.

Set during the closing months of the Civil War in 1865, Lincoln examines the personal and political struggles that our nation's 16th president endured while working to pass an amendment to the constitution to forever ban slavery. However, the confederate army becomes open to the idea of a peaceful immediate conclusion to the war. But if the confederate states rejoin the union before the house's vote on abolishing slavery, it would surely put an end to the passing of the amendment. As a result, President Abraham Lincoln (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) faces grave inner turmoil and guilt over allowing a deadly war to continue at the hands of freeing millions of black slaves.

Let me preface by saying that I am by no means a historian, and nor do I pretend to be. When I offer up my opinion on director Steven Spielberg's Lincoln, I am viewing the film in a cinematic context only. Historical debates aside, Lincoln is a deeply effective and fundamentally involved character study. In many ways feeling quite different from his typical style, Spielberg's biopic is very restrained and genuine. He never allows the movie to get too over-dramatic or flashy, instead giving the reins to two-time Academy Award Winner Daniel Day-Lewis who aptly carries the film for 149 minutes. To say that Day-Lewis is a spitting image of our former president, is to put it all too lightly. The infallible actor completely encompasses the aura of our nation's historical hero. Scene after scene, Day-Lewis astonishes with hair-raising performances that will surely land him a gaudy-sounding fifth Best Lead Actor nomination from the Academy. Outstanding acting is far from the only glowing aspect of Spielberg's Lincoln. Strong collaborative efforts from costume & makeup as well as beautiful cinematography join together to make the feature a clear technological achievement. From top to bottom, Lincoln succeeds as a carefully crafted molding of countless notable attributes.

If there is one major downfall to Lincoln, it resides in the enormous running time that can't help but wear down the audience. Ironically, Spielberg's film proves to be a massively draining viewing experience for the moviegoer. Much like the feature's hero who battles to balance a violent war and the passing of a landmark amendment, the audience leaves the theatre feeling as run down and feeble as President Lincoln does. To a fault, Spielberg force feeds a myriad of characters which helps to keep the runtime bloated. Some more pivotal to the story than others, the result is a culmination of subplots galore that manage to overtake Lincoln and hold the film hostage. Although it has become a recurring theme with the legendary director, Spielberg ends up as his own biggest obstacle. I can only imagine the difficulty for an accomplished director of his talents to constantly re-invent the wheel. However, his visions of perfection have often hindered his finished products of late.

Despite Lincoln's prolonged running time and stagnant feel, Steven Spielberg addresses this prominent historical figure with such precision and delicacy. You can tell the director's passion for the project by the manner in which the film unfolds. He allows for Daniel Day-Lewis to shine and, for once, plays second fiddle. Day-Lewis and a supporting cast that is unquestionably headlined by Tommy Lee Jones help elevate Lincoln to a credible piece of cinematic art. However, this is by no means a ringing endorsement for Spielberg's latest effort. Instead, take this as a nod of approval for fans of period pieces, biopics and the always great Daniel Day-Lewis.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-

Oz the Great and Powerful and Admission Trailers

The Wizard of Oz is an irrefutable timeless classic. For that reason alone, it's a perfectly normal reaction to cringe at the sound of a prequel. However, director Sam Raimi's second trailer for Oz the Great and Powerful has me quite intrigued. Starring Academy Award Nominee James Franco as small time magician Oscar Diggs, Oz the Great and Powerful follows Diggs on his magical journey and inevitable transformation into the well-known the Wizard of Oz. If you can withstand the thought, check out the trailer below.





Saturday Night Live writer Tina Fey returns in 2013 with the romantic comedy Admission. Fey stars as a college admissions officer who falls for an old classmate (played by Paul Rudd). While I was a little unimpressed by the half-hearted laughs that the trailer generates, Fey is always a wild car who can show up strong and surprise you. Check out the trailer for Admission below.