Chris Reviews Her

This is the first movie I've gotten a chance to see in theaters this year. I only heard about it a month ago when I saw a trailer before Saving Mr. Banks and the premise of a man falling in love with a operating system really intrigued me so it instantly went on my watch list. My interest only increased when I heard very good reviews from friends and seeing that it had been nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture. So did this live up to my expectations or was it another over hyped and mediocre oscar nominee? Keep reading to find out.......

The Good-

This is an extremely well written film that goes pretty deep in its exploration of human relationships. While I cannot personally relate to everything the film goes into, I still found it very engaging. I also really enjoyed the performances, especially Joaquin Phoenix who gives a very authentic performance that the viewer can really relate to. The writing and acting  really help accentuate a very good science fiction story. It is a very minimalist Sci-fi film from a visual standpoint but it seems very realistic as all the technology in the film feels like a natural progression from what things are like now. That is what I think this film does the best at in that it tells a good Science Fiction story while also being able to hook people who would not normally be into the genre.

The Bad-

The only problem I could see people having with this film is that it's very dialogue driven and is paced fairly slow. This is definitely more of an Indie Sci-fi/Drama so the average Transformers fan is not going to like it. 

Summary-

I definitely understand why this got some award consideration and why everyone I have talked to about it has liked it. If you are looking for a film that has a little bit of Sci-fi, a little bit of Romance and  something to say about humanity then you should definitely check this out. Overall a great film that is a good start to my 2014 movie going experience!

MY RATING- 

4 out of 5

-Chris "Da Franchize" Hart

Most Anticipated Movies of 2014

Now that we have begun 2014 I wanted to post my 12 most anticipated films of the year. Hopefully I will be much more satisfied with this year than last year!

Interested In (But didn't make the top 12)
-Her- Jan. 10th
-Robocop- Feb. 14th

-Million Dollar Arm- May 16th
-A Million Ways to Die in the West- May 30th
-Edge of Tomorrow- June 6th
-22 Jump Street- June 13th
-Jupiter Ascending- July 25th
-Guardians of the Galaxy- August 1st
-Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles- August 8th
-The Equalizer- September 26th
-Gone Girl- October 3rd

12. Sabotage-
Director: David Ayer
Release Date: April 11th

I'm always on board for an Arnold action movie and David Ayer (End of Watch) has proved to be proficient at making crime movies so that's enough enough to peak my interest.   

11. Noah-
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Release Date: March 28th

Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) is a very skilled filmmaker so I will be interested to see his take on a this story and I always like Russell Crow. That being said I could see this either being really good or really bad. 

 

10. Need for Speed-
Director: Scott Waugh
Release Date: March 14th

I don't think this is going to be a particularly good movie but that's not what I'm expecting. This looks like it could be a fun B-movie that provides some cheesy Fast and Furious type action.

9. The Monuments Men-
Director: George Clooney
Release Date: February 7th

George Clooney has proved to be a solid director and his latest project looks to be a ton of fun! A WW2 action film about a group of guys trying to save valuable pieces of art from the Nazi's sounds like a fantastic premise and it features a stellar cast.

8. The Grand Budapest Hotel-
Director: Wes Anderson
Release Date: March 7th

I'm on board for anything that Wes Anderson makes, he is without a doubt the best comedy filmmaker in the industry today.

7. Sin City: A Dame to Kill for-
Director: Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
Release Date: August 22nd

The first film is in my Top 100 so of course I'm excited for the follow up!





 
6. The Expendables 3-
Director: Patrick Hughes
Release Date: August 15th

The second film really rejuvenated my interest in the franchise after a lackluster first film. Patrick Hughes (Red Hill)  is an intriguing up and coming filmmaker and the cast is even more stacked with the additions of Antonio Banderas, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Harrison Ford, Kelsey Grammer and one of my all time favorites Robert Davi!

5. X-Men: Days of Future Past-
Director: Bryan Singer
Release Date: May 23rd 

This is arguably my favorite franchise of the super hero genre so no matter what I was going to be intrigued. The fact that this features both casts and Bryan Singer is returning to direct only increases my excitement!




4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Director: Anthony & Joe Russo
Release Date: April 4th

I think I enjoyed the first Captain America film better than all of the other Avengers films which is saying something. Not only that but "The Winter Soldier" is my favorite Captain America storyline as well!




 
3. Godzilla-
Director: Gareth Edwards
Release Date: May 16th

I love monster movies and I love Godzilla and thus it is one of my most anticipated movies. Director Gareth Edwards is an exciting up and coming filmmaker who's first film Monsters is a prime example of a great low budget Sci-fi film. Based on that film and the way they have been marketing the film it seems that we will have a dark, serious and visually stunning film that could be THE movie of the summer!

2. The Raid 2: Berandal-
Director: Gareth Evans
Release Date: March 28th

The Raid is one of my all time favorites. It may have been a simple story but it is one of the most intense and superbly choreographed martial arts films I have ever seen! Gareth Evans showed that he knows how to make an action movie and the follow up looks to tell a much larger story with equally impressive choreography!




1. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes-
Director: Matt Reeves
Release Date: July 11th          

Planet of the Apes is one of the best Sci-fi film franchises of all time and the original 1968 film may be the best Sci-fi film of all time. So when the franchise was resurrected by Rupert Wyatt in the excellent Rise of the Planet of the Apes I was thrilled. Now the follow up looks to up the ante as a dark post-apocalyptic epic that will feature a final showdown of man vs. ape!




-Chris "Da Franchize" Hart