Review: The Counselor (2013) – Ridley Scott (In Theatres)

THE COUNSELOR: Directed by Ridley Scott

– This one is packed with big stars: Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, and Javier Bardem.

– Cormac McCarthy has had many of his novels adapted into films, but this is the first story he’s written solely for the big screen.

– Michael Fassbender (The Counselor) tries to get involved in drug trafficking to help create a good life for him and his fiance, Laura (Penelope Cruz).

– When I first watched the teaser and saw the cast, I was very excited.  So many big films are coming out around this time, and I thought this one had the potential to be one of the best.

– Like I said in my KILLING THEM SOFTLY review, Brad Pitt has a presence on screen that many actors don’t have.  In his ‘short’ appearance in this, he’s great again, and it’s too bad his character wasn’t more involved.

– I think that Cameron Diaz is one of the most annoying actresses in Hollywood.  She plays the same unlikeable character in every film.  I went into the film hating her, and knew what I was getting myself into.  She’s not any worse in this than she is in anything else though.

– Even though this is getting really bad reviews, it’s not THAT bad.  The film looks really good and is well made.  It’s not like other films I’ve seen that are noticeably sloppy and rushed.

– I was disappointed with Michael Fassbender.  Being ‘The Counselor’ and main character in the film, he had the opportunity to step up here, but I found him to be very inconsistent.  Half the film I thought he was great, and the other half I just wasn’t buying his performance…like in some of the scenes when he’s crying…

 

From its very first moment, The Counselor brings its audience into a world where nothing is shied away from. Director Ridley Scott creates a highly-stylized environment where every detail is accounted for, and this is also a world where the characters are as compelling as their surroundings – See more at: http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/reviews/the-counselor-review.php#sthash.JXnyaBMq.dpuf

the film’s biggest problem is without a doubt Cameron Diaz, as Bardem’s femme-fatale lover, Martika. Diaz is not known for her meaty, dramatic parts, and she’s terribly miscast here – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.VwEzCaV6.dpuf

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07k.dpuf

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07k.dpu

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07k.dpuf

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07k.dpuf

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07k.dpuf

if Pitt’s only in fifteen minutes of a two-hour movie, where does that leave the rest of the film? – See more at: http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/review-the-counselor-bumbray#sthash.14L0g07

Written by Cormac McCarthy and having this star-studded cast, THE COUNSELOR held extremely high expectations by everyone, and I think that’s partially why it’s receiving such bad reviews.  Currently on Rottentomatoes.com, it has a score in the 30% range…but I’ve seen MUCH MUCH MUCH worse films that have around that same score.  I enjoyed my time watching this, and although I understand where some criticism is coming from, there’s not much I hated in the film…except Cameron Diaz.

THE COUNSELOR: 6/10

Related articles

• Ridley Scott’s Star-Packed ‘The Counselor’ Bombs At Theaters (businessinsider.com)
• Some Counseling About The Counselor (stupidopinionswrittenpoorly.wordpress.com)
• Movietown Movie Club: ‘The Counselor’ (newsherald.com)

TIFF Review: Child of God (2013) – James Franco (TIFF)

CHILD OF GOD: Directed by James Franco

Plot Summary from tiff.net:

“Lester Ballard (Scott Haze, spitting and scratching at himself) is an abandoned soul, unable to fit into the established social order. As he increasingly withdraws into his own mind, he turns to violence and, ultimately, necrophilic relationships, looking for solace in a world that continually rejects him. The town sheriff (indelibly portrayed by Jim Parrack), both sympathetic to and fearful of the man, slowly closes the net around him — but a mob of townfolk have ideas of their own. Here the frame of the film turns, exposing a society where politesse is only a fingernail scratch away from pure hate and greed.”

– Of every film I had tickets for, this was the one I was most nervous about.  If it wasn’t directed by James Franco I don’t think I would’ve ever risked sitting through something like this…but I’m glad I did.

– This film shows how talented James Franco is.  No one knows how he has time to do everything he does, and to make a film with this storyline was risky and impressive…while acting, writing, and directing other films at the same time.

– A quote from the novel near the beginning of the film says something about how everyone is a ‘Child of God.’  This made me think about how every person is born into the world the same, yet somehow some people turn out to be completely crazy.

– There’s no surprises from Franco as he makes the audience watch the main character poop in a forest.  This probably wasn’t even in the original script, but he added it in to be funny.  It’s pretty gross, but I was laughing so hard to myself…I don’t think the rest of the audience was impressed though.

– Scott Haze plays Lester Ballard, one of the most messed up characters I’ve ever seen…he’s one of those completely crazy people I mentioned above.  The whole film is basically of this character on screen by himself, living in forests and caves doing messed up things.  Scott Haze delivers an AMAZING performance.  The film is so weird that if his performance wasn’t spot on, it wouldn’t have worked at all.  He’s the reason I was able to sit through this.  He was at the screening and did a Q & A afterwards, but unfortunately I had to leave right away to make another film.  I wish I could’ve stayed because his performance was so good that I didn’t believe he was even a ‘normal’ person.

CHILD OF GOD was a big surprise because I thought it would be really boring.  I really enjoyed watching a film that I wouldn’t have normally watched, and it was amazing to see Scott Haze play this really weird and crazy character.  The film is by no means for everybody as some people did leave the theatre…but I don’t think James Franco cares at all about stuff like that.  He knew this film wouldn’t be liked by everybody, but he did it anyways, and I respect that.  Some people are going to love this film, and others won’t be able to make it through 15 minutes.  James, if you’re reading this; I’ll always be a big fan of whatever you do…but you’re one weird and messed up guy…..psycho.

CHILD OF GOD: 6/10

TIFF Review: The Face of Love (2013) – Arie Posin (TIFF)

THE FACE OF LOVE: Directed by Arie Posin

Plot Summary from tiff.net:

“Five years after the death of her beloved husband Garrett (Ed Harris), Nikki (Bening) meets a man who seems his exact duplicate. Not only does this stranger possess the same deeply lined face and startling blue eyes, he also shares Garrett’s kindness, humour, and passion for art. And yet he is a stranger.”

– I’m not sure why I chose to get a ticket for this, and it made it worse that I had to go directly from WORDS AND PICTURES to wait in line.  There’s nothing worse than being in a theatre filled with middle aged and older ladies, but I had to get through it to give this film a chance.

– It’s definitely made for the older crowd.  I wasn’t able to relate to anything in this film, but I still found it to be decent.

– The idea seems really stupid, but it worked.

– It strives on its strong performances.  There are basically only four actors, and they all do a great job.  Annette Bening was very very good, and she’s the main reason why the film will be enjoyed by the right audience.  Ed Harris, Robin Williams, and Jess Weixler are great alongside her.

THE FACE OF LOVE was better than I thought it would be.  The story’s a little farfetched, but I think the target market (older women) will be able to look past that.  It definitely isn’t made for people of my demographic, but this is actually a pretty good film for the right crowd.  As you can tell from this terrible review, I don’t have much to say.  Upcoming this weekend there are a lot of films I have high hopes for, so hopefully I’ll be able to write some passionate reviews for them.

THE FACE OF LOVE: 6/10