Unfocused Spider Senses

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
Directed by: Marc Webb
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans

Marc Webb’s previous film “(500) Days of Summer” was highly successful walking away with numerous positive praise from both critics and normal audiences alike. It captured the hearts of so many viewers that Webb, a famed former music video director, quickly dug his way up into one of the most promising directors in America. Looking to widen his breadth, he grabs the opportunity to direct the reboot of the Spider-Man series. But, contrary to great expectations, Webb was far too comfortable over his first-attempt success. I don’t think he is quite ready to move into larger projects.

The Prologue Of A Space Symphony

Prometheus (2012)

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, and Michael Fassbender

Serving as a prequel to the Alien series but refusing to follow in the steps they have taken, Prometheus is more of a question than a film and it is also more of a philosophical journey rather than a science fiction adventure. The origin of mankind is quite a sensitive subject to handle. Some people believe in deities, others believe in Science as the root of it all, while others choose to believe in nothing at all. In the end, it all boils down to what you, as a person, choose to believe in. Prometheus revolves around this principle and it poses several questions that are highly improbable yet interesting to give thought to.

J. Edgar: A Primetime Soap Opera

J. Edgar (2011)

Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, and Naomi Watts

It’s difficult to rule out J. Edgar Hoover when you examine the 20^th Century. J. Edgar Hoover was as iconic as The Beatles were in music and as remarkable as Marlon Brando’s performance as Don Vito Corleone in the hall of fame of acting. It’s a bold statement but not distant from the truth at all which is why a film that entails his life would definitely be essential. Sadly, Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar is the complete opposite of essential and is absolutely one of the most disappointing outings in recent years.

The Maestro, The Madman, The M, and The Mansion

Skyfall (2012)

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and Javier Bardem

Skyfall, the 23^rd James Bond film, is a celebration for the 50 years of James Bond’s existence in films. The first Bond film, Dr. No (1962), laid down a few ground rules and standards for the upcoming films of the franchise and while Casino Royale (2006), the first product of the reboot, breaks these and introduces us into a new age of James Bond, Skyfall clashes the modern with the traditional. It manages to salute every Bond film there is including its brother films in the reboot (and surprisingly even David Niven’s side-splitting Bond film) while still trying to maintain the fundamental entertainment that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The Uncool, Unsavory, and Underwhelming Bond Material

Quantum of Solace (2008)
Directed by: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Mathieu Almaric, and Olga Kurylenko

The James Bond saga faced a thorny reconstruction through Casino Royale (2006) and the product was perplexing in all levels. With its sequel Quantum of Solace, the writers seek to bring the unfinished business in Casino Royale to an end. While the decision of Casino Royale to end in such a way that not everything is resolved was perfect, it unknowingly injured its sequel because it would have start where it left off kind of like past films with Part 1 and Part 2 and usually the 2^nd part has to recall the story in a way that you feel like you’ve watched the 1^st Part. Quantum of Solace fails to accomplish this essential job and falls in line with the disappointing Bond films of the past.

The High-Stakes Life Or Death Betting Game

Casino Royale (2006)

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, and Mads Mikkelsen

This reboot for the James Bond series booted the aging and fading Pierce Brosnan off the once raved-about project and places Daniel Craig as its main tile. The past few James Bond films have exhibited amazing gadgets but failed heavily when it comes to faring with both critics and audiences alike. Like the Batman series (1989-1998) heavily emphasized dialogue silliness and character outlandishness, the James Bond films mostly fare through the sometimes cool but sometimes strange gadgets and like Christopher Nolan wipes the stains off the Batman series with Batman Begins (2005), Martin Campbell (Goldeneye) works on Casino Royale to make a Bond that will level with most of the action films that have recently come out but with adding a little style of sexiness. While it shares the glory of appreciation that Sean Connery’s hitmakers had during the 1960’s, it wanders far from them in terms of style and approach to the audience.

Painfully Coming Back To Los Angeles

Due Date (2010)

Directed by: Todd Philips

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, and Michelle Monaghan

Todd Philips was placed under the red spotlight for his films that feature wild characters driven to wacky madness such as Road Trip (2000), Old School (2003), Starsky and Hutch (2004), and The Hangover (2009). He doesn’t focus much on the plot nor the characters but he usually has more concern with what ridiculous tragedies might befall his characters even if it meant forcing events just to squeeze laughs out of the audience. With Due Date, he has one-upped his attempts in making a good comedy by adding a few things and these few things were so good that they shocked me more than any celebrity pair-up’s divorce during the past 10 years. I didn’t believe Philips would actually manage to feed us something like this: a film that has the potential to put aside activities that will amuse us and actually connect with us.