Wolf of Wall Street (2013) reviewed by Mariah Ortiz
Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot
Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon
Favreau, Jean Dujardin, Joanna Lumley, Cristin Milloti, Christine Ebersole
Director: Martin Scorsese
Synopsis: Leonardo DiCaprio heart-wrenchingly portrays
Jordan Belfort, an original penny stockbroker who moves his way up through the
jungle of Wall Street by scamming investors with smooth propositions and a
go-getter attitude. Belfort’s utmost confidence and false lines of assurance
parallel his insane drug and sex addiction. This addiction aids in leading the
multi-million dollar stock company he quickly builds and also makes itself
known in his personal life; Belfort leaves his wife and eventually marries model
Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie) and soon thereafter, his drug-tainted and power
hungry mind cause his personal and professional life to spiral out of control.
Belfort is ultimately audited by the FBI, in which he refuses to turn himself—or
any of his co-workers—in for the crimes they committed both domestically and internationally.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
Review:
Throughout
the entire three hour run-length of Wolf
of Wall Street, my mind and senses were taken on a whirlwind ride of
suspense, surprise, shock, and tonal sensation. Scorsese unapologetically and,
at times, appallingly paints the portrait of a man amazingly obsessed with
money and power. The title, Wolf of Wall
Street, immediately becomes appropriate as DiCaprio channels the depths and
emotions of someone plagued by the satisfaction of fleshly materialism.
The
acting within this film, by DiCaprio specifically, remains one of the most
poignant and unforgettable performances I have ever seen. The immense and
varied emotional highs/lows perfectly hit by DiCaprio is unsettling; one scene
depicts him in a comical power-thriving business meeting followed by a scene of
extreme drug overdose and hysteria. DiCaprio’s ability to portray a man so
deeply embedded with emotional pain and worldly separation is a feat within
itself. DiCaprio invites the audience into the world of Jordan Belfort, and
invites them to not only witness both the tragic and victorious points in his
career, but to also experience them
with him. Each supporting actor (Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, etc.) also
beautifully create successful performances and portals for the audience to view
Belfort through. Through each of their performances, the audience gains the
ability to draw full conclusions on Belfort’s actions, choices, and
motivations. Each character is then perfectly embedded within the time period
of a 1990s-New-Yorker.
The
most significant and ground-breaking elements within this film remains the
directing. Scorsese’s honest and true direction/portrayal of Belfort’s life
remains unmatched by any film. Scorsese’s pacing, primarily, is incredible. The
movie sprints forward in action and reactions, providing the audience with
cut-throat events, dialogue, and climactic components. Throughout the film,
Scorsese chooses to have Belfort break the fourth wall and talk directly to the
audience; this perfectly matches the 90s infomercial content and absorbs the
audience into the happenings of each character. What most films are afraid to
do, Scorsese blasts through - unapologetically, whimsically, and wildly fast.
Realistic scenes of drug use, sex, and ultimate self-obsession are blatantly
revealed and almost shoved in the audience’s face. Appropriately, the
consequences of said vices are also shamelessly plugged. Scorsese directs the
film in a way that provides an unabashed and overt view into the full cycle of
Belfort’s rise and fall within the stock market, his personal relationships,
and ultimately his inner being.
Within
the directing and overall production, one of the most shocking and unexpected
elements within the film were the abrupt mood and tonal changes. The Wolf of Wall Street demonstrated
substance within the genre’s of comedy, romance, action, adventure, and crime - all within the span of 3
hours. Immediate tonal changes almost left me with a sense of confusion when
determining what the film was truly trying to be. That’s when I realized it - Wolf was an amazingly complex and
invigorating film because it was not trying
to be anything. Scorsese, DiCaprio, and all of the other elements within it
provided such a realistic and appropriate portrayal of Jordan Belfort that the
tonal changes almost mimicked real life. This, remains Wolf of Wall Street’s most astonishing task.
Receiving
a 4.5, this film remains a shockingly beautiful, exciting, enticing, and
heart-breaking story. The realistic portrayals of drugs/sex/scandal (warning:
the film is VERY crude and vulgar) causes me to drop it from a perfect 5. Yet,
the mere rawness and emotional bewilderment so perfectly captured within this
riot of a film has me perplexed - happily so - still today, weeks after viewing
it. Overall, the acting, directing, plot-line, and delivery of every aspect of The Wolf of Wall Street remains superb.
By:
Mariah Ortiz
Man of Steel (2013) reviewed by Derrick Dallmeyer
Man of Steel
(2013)
Cast: Henry
Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Christopher
Meloni, Laurence Fishburne, Jadin Gould.
Director: Zack Snyder
Synopsis: Henry
Cavill stars as Kal-El, (or Clark) who is later known as Superman in a new and
improved remake of the classic film, “Superman.” Man of Steel starts with the
origins of Superman and how his home planet of Krypton is under its final
moments before all life on the planet ceases to exist. At this point Kal-El is
only an infant when his father Jor-El (Russell Crowe) decides to save his son
in the midst of all the chaos by sending the child as well as the DNA from
their home planet of Krypton, with him to a distant planet known as Earth.
While this is all happening, General Zod (Michael Shannon) tries to get what is
known as the codex, but evidently finds out that it is with Kal-El hurling
towards and unknown distant planet, but promises to find the baby and the codex
to one day restore a new Krypton to fit his own agenda. Kal-El, now known as
Clark, is taken in by his new earthly parents Jonathan (Kevin Costner) and
Martha (Diane Lane) and spends his childhood figuring out what it means for him
to not be apart of this new world that he finds himself in. As Clark grows up
he ventures into the world and later discovers a space ship thousands of years
old and realizes that this ship is originally form from his old home planet,
Krypton. General Zod, still alive, discovers the location of Clark and demands
that Earth gives him up, otherwise they should expect destruction. Clark, or
Superman at this point, must decide either to give himself up and leave the
fate of Earth and his new love Lois Lane (Amy Adams) in the hands of the unsure
motives of General Zod, or fight to save his new home and the Earthlings he has
grown to love.
Reviewer’s
Rating: 4/5
Reels
Review:
If
you are easily entertained like I am, with suspenseful films filled with
action, explosions, love, heartbreak, and victory, than I recommend Man of Steel as a film fit for your
liking. Director Zack Snyder tell the story of the origins of Superman very
well. From his humble beginnings at Krypton, his childhood questioning of where
he belongs in this new world he finds himself in, to defeating General Zod and
saving planet earth, Snyder puts his perfect spin on the story of Superman. 
You
will be on the edge of your seat throughout the whole movie waiting for the
next big move. However, the amount of action does not take away from the plot.
There is a poetic feel to the film that captures Clark’s story and struggles
along the way. Snyder does a good job in relating this film to everyday life
where we ourselves often try to find meaning out of our lives, and why we are
here to begin with. Snyder deals with the big questions of life, while
perfectly encapsulating them into the life of Clark and his journey in
discovering his identity—Superman.
By:
Derrick Dallmeyer
The Lego Movie (2014) reviewed by Mitch Vezeau
The LEGO®
Movie (2014)
Cast: Chris
Pratt, Will Arnett, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman, Liam Neeson,
Nick Offerman, Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum
Director: Phil Lord,
Christopher Miller
Synopsis: This
animated film brings the childhood favorite LEGOs to life as Chris Pratt stars
as the voice of Emmet, an average construction worker who stumbles upon an
artifact that could save the universe from the evil President Business (Will
Ferrell). Emmet tries to unleash his potential as the very unlikely hero amidst
a team of master-builders including Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks), Batman (Will
Arnett), and the wise sage, Vitruvius (Morgan Freeman), all trying to stop
President Business’ evil plan.
Reviewer’s
Rating:
4/5 Reels
Review:
The
LEGO® Movie is an action packed, animated adventure comedy. Its computer
animation is meant to simulate a stop-motion picture, which, although at times
is harder on the eyes, really makes the LEGOs come to life.
The
plot is a typical underdog story in which the main character, Emmet, has the
cookie-cutter appearance of most LEGO characters and is by all LEGO standards
an average guy. It is not until something draws him away from his daily routine
that he stumbles into a grand adventure – one where he is the hero.
There
are several themes in the story, but the biggest one is about being special. A
prophecy, later found to be fake, stated that there was one MasterBuilder who
would be known as “The Special.” When Emmet stumbles upon the Piece of
Resistance (a cap) against evil President Business’ weapon of mass destruction
Kragle (Krazy Glue with mixed up letters), he becomes the fulfillment of the
prophecy – The Special.
However,
Viturvius (the wise sage) uses his dying words to tell Emmet that his prophecy
was made up. But after Emmet sacrifices his life to save the other
MasterBuilders, Vitruvius’ ghost appears to him telling him that it was not the
prophecy that made him special, but he was the Special because he believed in
himself. Therein lies the message of the movie: “If you believe in yourself you
will be special. Then you can achieve whatever you want.”
It
is this kind of idealism that is seen in many children’s movies. However, despite
its lack of originality in plot and message, I still give the movie a high
rating. Overall, the movie is quite enjoyable. For the LEGO-lovers out there,
the film utilizes all the favorite LEGO play-sets including the skyscrapers,
construction sites, saloons and wagons, and others. Countless cameos alluded to
LEGO sets based off of pop-fiction characters from Batman to Gandalf and Abe
Lincoln to C-3PO.
Another
theme came out in the film’s use of humans as the orchestrators of all that
take place in the LEGO world. When Emmet has a vision he recalls seeing very
clearly the hand of “the man upstairs.” We later find out that this man is the human
creator of the LEGO world, and that his son is orchestrating the story as he
plays with his father’s LEGO set, despite the many Do-Not-Touch signs.
The
story parallels when the father (Will Ferrell) turns out to be the same voice
as evil President Business. His son has made Emmet the unlikely hero who will
put the Piece of Resistance on the Kragle to stop President Business from
gluing all the pieces together, keeping everything in perfect order and
preventing anything from going against the authoritative Instructions.
One
of my favorite moments in the movie is when Emmet actually comes face to face
with the son who has been creating the story as he plays with the LEGOs. Seeing
him on the floor, he picks him up saying, “Emmet?” to which Emmet responds,
“You know my name?” Perhaps this was not meant to have any parallel to the
relationship between humans and a creator, but this is a moment that resonates
with all who see it. Emmet’s desire to be known is fulfilled in this moment
more than he ever imagined it could be. This is the major moment propelling him
forward to be the true hero.
All in all, The LEGO Movie is a great hit. Incorporating witty references to American pop culture and plenty of well-known voices from Hollywood, it is engaging, exciting, and fun for viewers of all ages.
By:
Mitch Vezeau
Frozen (2013) reviewed by Lindsay Norton
Frozen (2013)
Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan
Groff, Josh Gad, Santino Fontana
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Synopsis: Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel star as
sisters, Anna and Elsa, in this lively Walt Disney animated musical-comedy.
Based off Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale, The Snow Queen, the film follows the journey of Anna and friends to
find the recently estranged Elsa. Born with magical powers, Elsa inadvertently
cast the entire kingdom in a perpetual winter and flees to the mountains. With
the help of a bubbly snowman, a mountain man, and his pet reindeer, Anna and
crew search for Elsa to persuade her to bring back summer.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4/5 Reels
Review:
Frozen is wonderfully family-friendly, with
witty one-liners and songs that will stick in your mind. Buck and Lee did a
great job creating a film endearing to both adult and children. The film leaves
audiences with a heart-warming message of love: “An act of true love will melt
an icy heart.”
The actors
were brilliantly cast, as the voices match the characters perfectly. Anna’s
sweetness comes through Kristen Bell’s melodic voice, while the deeper pitch of
Idina Menzel conveys the maturity of Elsa.
The
character of Olaf the snowman is the greatest source of comedy in the film. Although
not a key component of the story, Olaf’s childlike naivety transforms simple
comments into humorous one-liners, such as the observation that he lacks a
skull. His sincerity and unrealistic optimism make him a character beloved by
all ages.
The most
obvious flaw in the film is the lack of details and nonlinear storyline. The
audience is never told how or why Elsa acquired her magical powers; the only
comment made is that she was born with the ability to create ice and snow. No
explanation is given as to why a child born to non-magical parents with a
non-magical sister would hold powers. Additionally, the winding turns of the
storyline cause the film to lose any real plot. The audience is lead on a
journey that does not truly make sense until the ending, where they are met
with a surprise plot twist.
Overall, Frozen is a unique family film that
highlights the sisters’ love rather than the typical Disney romance. Light-hearted
and fun, the film is full of catchy songs and clever humor. As parents and
children alike can appreciate the jokes, Frozen
is sure to be a hit to all ages.
By: Lindsay
Norton