Ryan Jay Movie Club
October 11, 2013
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CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
October 11, 2013
RYAN: This movie is such a big, excellent film; one of the best of the year, so it warrants an extra big review. So joining me now are Chuck and Tiffany. This movie blew me out of the water, pun intended. It’s amazing and well crafted in every sense. But Tom Hanks’ performance – WOW! It ranks up there, among his Oscar-winning turns in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, which defines much of this movie’s greatness. Now with Captain Phillips, you can’t separate it from his outstanding body of work.
CHUCK: It’s amazing how he just gets better and better in his craft. He’s so meticulous in his performance yet so everyman.
RYAN: There’s no pretense.
TIFFANY: There’s a reason Tom Hanks is my favorite actor; he and Robin Williams. In this movie, he proves why he’s one of the most legitimate actors of all time.
RYAN: He is. He’s almost like the male Meryl Streep. He’s so consistently good. It usually takes only one moment in a movie to earn an Oscar nom and while Tom is consistent in the whole film, he actually has two or three moments that just gut you with Oscar-worthiness.
CHUCK: And they come out of nowhere. You’re following the story and then even with just a look, he creates a moment.
RYAN: You almost feel like you are him in the movie because each step of the way, this character does things that you just think, in comparison, you’d never have been able to do.
TIFFANY: Yeah, you can almost follow his train of thought. He says so much just with his eyes. Like even without dialogue, in the movie Castaway, he honed those skills and can portray everything he’s thinking in his head without saying a word.
CHUCK: You never question that he is this character. He loses himself into the role.
RYAN: He really does throw his heart and soul into it completely. I also love that the movie is so suspenseful, intense and edge of your seat in a way that’s almost like a good horror movie; that sense of when you’re hiding under the bed, hoping the monster won’t come in the room and find you… you have that feeling in this movie.
TIFFANY: Every muscle in my body is tense. Through the whole film, I’m actually sore and physically exhausted from watching it.
CHUCK: I could see you rocking back and forth during this.
RYAN: Let’s be honest, part of that was because she was holding her pee.
TIFFANY: [laughs] It’s true! And I heard five people in the bathroom say, “I just held that for forty-five minutes!”
RYAN: I was also holding but this is the kind of movie where you can’t run to the bathroom in the last third of the film.
CHUCK: No! Going back to the direction, it’s a testament to the solid level of Paul Greengrass. There wasn’t one wasted moment.
RYAN: That’s true. In a two hour and fifteen minute movie, it has you in the palm of its hand the whole time. What about our BFF Chris Mulkey as one of Tom’s shipmates?
TIFFANY: Love Chris Mulkey. I was eagerly anticipating seeing him and his first line. All of the crew members were so believable. There’s not a weak link in the cast. They’re all everyday guys. They look like your uncle, your neighbor…
RYAN: What I loved especially about Chris was he had such urgency in his lines and he helped build the feeling of intensity and suspense because what his character is feeling is exactly what I think I’d feel in that situation. He brought another level of humanity to the film.
CHUCK: The casting of the pirates was incredible. They’re all Somali-born men who had no prior acting experience.
RYAN: Right. It’s very bold casting people with zero experience, but Paul clearly had the right instincts. These are Somali men who’ve been living in Minneapolis since childhood. But that captain could get a best supporting nom.
TIFFANY: Absolutely.
CHUCK: Such a terrifying and real portrayal.
RYAN: These are the kinds of movies that scare me more than horror films – because not only can it happen – it did happened. It’s insanely terrifying.
CHUCK: Can we just talk about the hot Navy SEALS?
TIFFANY: They were huge! So buff!
RYAN: Yeah about three-quarters of the way through the film, there is major man-candy, men in the Navy, ripping off their shirts for apparently no reason, and all I could think in that moment was, “thank you.”
CHUCK: [laughs]
TIFFANY: [laughs] God bless America.
RYAN: [laughs] Amen.
TIFFANY: Do you think there was a dry eye in the theater?
RYAN: No way. That climax is wrenching. Tom’s performances is so top notch.
CHUCK: I was balling my eyes out.
TIFFANY: Water works. The acting is so real. You can’t help but be overcome with emotion.
RYAN: I was welled-up with tears and fighting them back for a great portion at the end. Tom’s perf is just such a tour de force.
TIFFANY: I remember reading about the Somali culture and how eye contact is viewed as a threat. So in this movie, when it was happening, it made it all the more dramatic and real.
RYAN: The details really are outstanding. Even though this is based on a true story and you know the outcome, the intensity still doesn’t wane.
CHUCK: It’s like Titanic. You know the ship is gonna sink but you have hope and want to see how it all happens.
RYAN: Right. Still an effective movie. ‘Tis the season and this is an awards contender, but we have a couple months yet to see this movie’s competition. There’s just nothing better than walking out of a movie and feeling so elated because it was that good. This movie has us all fired up because it’s such phenomenal entertainment.
— RATING —
MACHETE KILLS
October 11, 2013
RYAN: This is writer/director Robert Rodriguez’s sequel to the cult hit Machete and it’s basically more of the same, which is a good thing.
CAROLINE: I didn’t see the first one but remember your reaction to it.
RYAN: These movies really sensationalize women and violence and certain dated action movie themes in a very tongue-in-cheek way. And it’s become a sub-genre called Mexploitation – and that’s courtesy the director, himself. He did a Q&A after the press screening I attended in Chicago. He seemed like a cool guy.
CAROLINE: No doubt of it. He did Sin City, Grindhouse, Once Upon a Time in Mexico…
RYAN: The Spy Kids movies and also From Dusk Till Dawn.
CAROLINE: Oh that’s right. That all paints a picture. So just how gory is this?
RYAN: Well it is bloody and violent and completely gratuitous at times but I guess after the first one, I’m a little desensitized. I remember feeling shocked by the first one – partly because I didn’t realize going in all that it was going to be – so this one didn’t shock me. It’s still crazy and funny and campy and cool though.
CAROLINE: The casting is bananas. Hello, Charlie Sheen.
RYAN: You mean, Carlos Estevez.
CAROLINE: Right, he used his real name for this.
RYAN: He plays the President. It’s a stunt casting at its best.
CAROLINE: What about Mel Gibson?
RYAN: He’s the villain and he’s good. Same with Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lady Gaga. I wish that she had actually played the role though, instead of just appearing as Lady Gaga. She was still working her Gaga image with costume and everything as opposed to actually acting a part.
CAROLINE: That’s interesting, but again, as you said, stunt casting.
RYAN: There’s also Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Alexa Vega, Antonio Banderas, Demian Bichir, Vanessa Hudgens, Amber Heard, Sophia Vergara… get the picture?
CAROLINE: It’s stacked!
RYAN: It’s a fun movie to watch and must be fun to make because it’s so out there. The director mentioned every actor at the top of his list wanted in so they knew they were signing up for a good time.
CAROLINE: What about the star, Danny Trejo?
RYAN: It’s the role of a lifetime for him, right? Machete is larger than life. He’s like James Bond, an invincible superhero. And in his own way, he’s made this role iconic for what it is. I can imagine no one else in the role.
CAROLINE: Still it’s not really my kind of movie.
RYAN: It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. But there is a smart, art-house quality to this film and I appreciate what Rodriguez is saying with these films and at the end of the day, if you can handle the violence, blood and Mex and sexploitation, it’s truly entertaining.
— RATING —
WE ARE WHAT WE ARE
October 5, 2013
RYAN: We just screened We Are What We Are as part of the Cinema Hooligante lineup at this year’s Milwaukee Film Festival and it’s one of the best examples of why we have such a terrific film fest in this city. It brings such remarkable talent and diversity in film from all over the world that wouldn’t otherwise be here; and this title is actually produced by Jack Turner, a native Milwaukean, who has many big projects in the pipeline. He was in town tonight, from NY, to introduce the film and do a Q&A after. He couldn’t be nicer or cooler. He mentioned some of his upcoming work, including a sequel to this film. He’s producer I trust in choosing to work on great entertainment and We Are What We Are is a wonderful example.
CHUCK: It’s great having a Milwaukee connection to a Hollywood movie like this. This film has already screened in Cannes and at Sundance – and now here, Milwaukee’s film festival really does showcase quality films. It’s impressive.
RYAN: I’m excited that you made the exception of coming to a horror movie which I know is not your favorite genre.
CHUCK: That is correct. I really wrote them off after some scary movies in the 90s.
RYAN: Was this one okay to the point where maybe you’d come to more horror movies?
CHUCK: No. [laughs] Because it was good! It scared me. It’s gothic and well paced and it got to me.
RYAN: It is very atmospheric and deliberate. It’s a slow burn that I was hoping, patiently throughout, would have a terrific climax and payoff and I’m so happy it delivered.
CHUCK: And it does give you a number of nibbles, pun intended, of freaky moments throughout.
RYAN: Nice one.
CHUCK: Even within the first five minutes there’s a fantastic opening that sets up the mood immediately. It’s almost like the movie is shot in black and white in parts because it’s so dreary and drab.
RYAN: It is very desaturated and overcast. It all adds to the film’s environment. I love that it’s a reimagining of a Mexican horror movie but it’s not cliche to the genre at all; especially in comparison to other horror remakes or American horror fare. You’re not cheaply manipulated into being scared by music and editing. The fear is built upon your greater sense of knowing something’s wrong.
CHUCK: Totally. The score was very good.
RYAN: The mythology scenes within the film were almost like a fairy tale and I really enjoyed those.
CHUCK: They were dreamlike.
RYAN: Very Hansel and Gretel or Red Riding Hood in essence.
CHUCK: Right, it establishes the series of actions that this family participates in.
RYAN: I love that Kassie DePaiva, whom I loved on TV’s One Life to Live, had a part in this.
CHUCK: She was the mom, Yes! I couldn’t place her. She’s been around forever but has a face you just recognize. She doesn’t have a huge part but she’s pivotal and leaves you with a “Holy cow, what just happened!” feeling. And It’s so fantastic to see Kelly McGillis back on the big screen. She has such a good presence.
RYAN: She grounded the movie a bit more.
CHUCK: And the little boy in the movie, Jack Gore, is now on the new Michael J. Fox Show which was weird for me because I watched it last night on TV and when he popped up in this horror movie, I was, like, “wow!”
RYAN: And the girls in this film, Ambyr Childers and Julia Garner, were both wonderful and convey so much with their eyes and sallow expressions. The wardrobe and makeup really helps. There’s amazing horror effects makeup.
CHUCK: Those girls were both absolutely stunning. And the dad was creeptastic.
RYAN: It’s a strong film – beautifully, artfully directed and edited; well performed and I like horror movies, you don’t – and that we both enjoyed this movie says a lot about it’s strength.
— RATING —
GRAVITY
October 4, 2013
RYAN: One of the biggest movies of the year is Gravity from now visionary director, Alfonso Cuaron, who is one of my faves since even before directing the third Harry Potter film and what he’s done here is a real masterpiece. Unlike anything you’ve seen before, breathtaking in story and scope – it’s so ambitious, I was awestruck watching this entire movie.
CHUCK: I still don’t feel like I’m breathing. There were so many moments of held breath and not only for what was happening on screen…
RYAN: Like, tense, nervous energy.
CHUCK: Right, but just contemplating how they made it all happen. Yes there’s CGI, but the seamlessness of it, the brilliance in direction.
RYAN: The 3D and effect are so good. You’re kind of snapping back and forth between your involvement in the story and marveling at how amazing he effects are.
CHUCK: This is the kind of movie that 3D was invented for. But it also has to do with the direction and his brilliance. It’s like watching Life of Pi last year from Ang Lee, just the same level of “Holy cow, I can’t believe it!” You couldn’t tell it wasn’t real.
RYAN: It’s produced by David Heyman who did all eight Harry Potter films.
CHUCK: That makes sense.
RYAN: They obviously have a good working relationship. But, man! The power for CGI and computers today. It’s unbelievable. I can’t imagine if you were to compare on paper what this movie looked like as a script to what it is on screen, I would give the screenplay the Oscar just for that alone.
CHUCK: It was written by the director and his son and I bet even they couldn’t have contemplated how beautiful it would look. Maybe they hoped for it.
RYAN: So many aspects had to seem cost-prohibitive on the page but they just went for it. And Sandra Bullock! When she won best actress for The Blind Side, please. She’s so much stronger in this performance already. Who knows who else will be in her category but in this movie she is stellar.
CHUCK: She has to already be a huge frontrunner for best actress even just for what she had to do physically for this role.
RYAN: Her body is amazing. She had to practically hyperventilate in every scene. Her erratic breath patterns were out of control.
CHUCK: It never ended. And the sense of claustrophobia she conveys is amazing.
RYAN: On the other hand, George Clooney was fine but he was just playing himself – fun, charming, affable. It was not a stretch for him.
CHUCK: He was playing a hot shot astronaut.
RYAN: But it served the story and he was well cast.
CHUCK: Perfectly and their chemistry was fantastic. Even if you think you know what to expect in the movie, you don’t. It’s not all you think it will be from the trailer. He’s a director that relies on the subliminal and subtleties. There’s a real theme of rebirth and in utero.
RYAN: Completely. I think that is the overall message.
CHUCK: And it’s going to go over the heads of some people. It’s not a big action movie. It’s somewhat quiet.
RYAN: Right. It’s a deliberate, character study of human nature and the will to survive. It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite films, Contact, not only because of outer space, but even the first shot and it’s stillness in space.
CHUCK: I didn’t think of that but you’re so right. It has a similar sense of rediscovery.
RYAN: The star of this film is the director. It’s his story, his vision, the performances are almost secondary to the overall piece. He has you in the palm of his hand.
CHUCK: He really does. It’s an incredible accomplishment.
RYAN: Some things are implausible, but as with all good movies, you suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. You need it in horror, in romantic comedy, everything.
CHUCK: You need it even in movies based on true stories to believe that the reenactments are good.
RYAN: And how ever they accomplished the zero gravity look in this film is incredible. It’s never looked better in film.
CHUCK: Apollo 13 is the best predecessor and this just blows it out of the water. This just makes Cuaron such a cool director.
RYAN: He could win best director, considering last year Ang Lee won for Life of Pi.
CHUCK: He totally could. There is just so much artistry packed into this movie and it was all done on a computer. Mind blowing.
RYAN: Like Avatar, this movie is a game-changer; not only for the technology and vision involved but for the story and sheer ambition by the director. It’s a masterpiece. People sometimes complain about the overuse of green screen and CGI but this is a movie where it can’t have been accomplished any other means. And it succeeds on every level.
— RATING —
RUNNER RUNNER
October 4, 2013
RYAN: Runner Runner is a gambling crime drama starring Justin Timberlake and I’d like to start there because one, Justin is not a great actor and two, what business does Ben Affleck have playing second fiddle to JT?
CAROLINE: [laughs] Oh totally! It’s kind of a joke.
RYAN: Ben’s a good actor but horribly miscast in this film. The role should have been, like, Jack Nicholson or Gene Hackman.
CAROLINE: But they’re so much older.
RYAN: They’re the better type though. Ben just didn’t pull off this role at all. I didn’t buy him for a second but I still believe in him and love him anyway.
CAROLINE: Why is JT so bad?
RYAN: He’s wooden. He’s self aware and fake. You can tell he’s trying to act the whole time. It’s not natural and it sucks because he’s so good as a performer and a comedian on SNL that this is just annoying. Stop trying to be a serious actor; not that this is a serious film, but even in this B-movie, he’s not good.
CAROLINE: He was pretty decent in The Social Network though.
RYAN: True. He was good there. But that was a small part with a brilliant script and director, LBH.
CAROLINE: Point taken.
RYAN: This movie has the same theme and tone of The Firm or some gambling movies but it lacks suspense and intensity. Even though the stakes are obviously high for the characters, you feel no investment in them. It comes down to a weak script, editing and performances. It feels very recycled and unoriginal.
CAROLINE: How annoying. Was it long too?
RYAN: Thankfully it’s just 90 minutes so that was good.
CAROLINE: What about Gemma Arterton?
RYAN: She was the best thing about the film – not good enough to save it though. She’s gorgeous and her dresses are beautiful. I like her. Anthony Mackie was also very good as an FBI agent but it doesn’t matter how many good actors you put around JT. He cannot carry a movie.
CAROLINE: Yeah he should really stick to supporting and character roles.
RYAN: I get it. He’s a charismatic guy. But he’s just not a strong actor; ruined the movie.
— RATING —
ENOUGH SAID
October 2, 2013
RYAN: This is the latest film from writer/director Nicole Holofcener starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini. It’s a rom com and I’m a fan of this auteur and this is my favorite of her films so far. It’s the closest I could ever personally identify with her characters, because I’m a divorced single mother with a child going off to college.
CHUCK: [laughs] Right.
RYAN: But also, Julia’s performance is outstanding and it’s bittersweet seeing James.
CHUCK: I agree. I’m not familiar with this director’s work, aside from possibly an episode of Sex and the City which you’ve mentioned she directed a bit of. Julia was refreshing and wonderful. It was great seeing her outside of the broad comedy she does on TV. She’s brilliant at all of it but here she’s contrasting, playing a restrained woman.
RYAN: She played with a lot of subtlety and said a lot with a glance or a lip curl. You could read all she was feeling.
CHUCK: It’s a really delicate performance. As far as James, I loved him in The Sopranos but, to his credit, I really didn’t think of that at all here.
RYAN: I also really bought him as this character. I didn’t even remember he’s gone until about three-quarters of the way through when it kinda hits you.
CHUCK: Same with me!
RYAN: He’s so good and present in this character that when you remember, it’s a sad realization.
CHUCK: Absolutely. I wonder when the point was because the same thing happened to me about three-quarters of the way through. We’re never gonna get this from him again.
RYAN: He has one more new movie coming out next year but that would be the last.
CHUCK: This movie also features Catherine Keener who looks great.
RYAN: Nicole has put her in all of her movies. She’s the Johnny Depp to her Tim Burton.
CHUCK: She’s her muse.
RYAN: They’re BFFs or something. She’s great in this.
CHUCK: There’s also Toni Collette who I love.
RYAN: Love her. She didn’t have a huge part but she’s always a delight.
CHUCK: Ben Falcone played her husband.
RYAN: And in real life he plays Melissa McCarthy’s hubby.
CHUCK: Nice one.
RYAN: Thanks. It’s a good ensemble cast but what I love most about it is the writing which is so natural that it’s almost like watching a reality show. It’s so true to what mid-life dating is like; all the complexities of relationships so well detailed.
CHUCK: And it’s how people actually talk to one another. There’s authentic communication going on. No lines were contrived. The trailers, however, do make this look more like a comedy.
RYAN: I am noticing a trend with a lot of rom coms that are more dramedy, they don’t really sell the drama in the previews.
CHUCK: I wasn’t too excited about this but it’s more real and a lot better than I expected. Julia is pigeonholed to the small screen and she is one of TV’s best actresses. How many Emmys has she won? Seeing her like this was really nice.
RYAN: I love that she got to show more of her range in this film. And I like how the set design in each home comments on the characters who live in them.
CHUCK: I loved the fantasy LA it created with the Priuses and the speed bumps in the suburbs, everyone taking off their shoes and socks. I’m sure there are parts of LA really like that.
RYAN: It’s the perfect length at 90 minutes and while it could be enjoyed at home as a smaller relationship movie, there’s no regrets spending money on this one at the box office. It’s a good date movie and overall brilliant relationship study.
— RATING —
Ryan Jay Reviews 
