The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989)

Real life brothers Beau and Jeff Bridges play onscreen brothers Frank and Jack Baker, respectively, in Writer/Dir. Steve Kloves' mature drama about relationships both personal and professional. The duo are pianists, earning a living playing bars and functions, playing the same hackneyed songs over and over as they provide a soundtrack to other people's lives, but suffer their own. When Susie (Pfeiffer) storms into their midst, her seductive and destructive nature causes deep introspection.
There's a sombre tone, as if a spiralling downward motion is nearing its end, but there's a feeling that its corollary exists therein, waiting to break free.
Performances from the three leads are terrific. Being a counterpoint to the brothers means Pfeiffer stands out, but it's honestly some of her best work.

4 circular motions out of 5

HELL OR HIGH WATER [2016]

Starred Up director David Mackenzie cleverly strips down the tragically violent folk ballad in his Western heist lo-fi thriller Hell or High Water.
Dissecting the rich from the poor and the fatuity of American gun control, the tale follows two born loser brothers that hatch up a clever plan to pay back the thieving bank they are heavily in debt to.
It questions tormented destiny, what is your life worth sacrificing for, the love of family and can you ever escape what you're born into.  Heavy handed themes are afoot but rather than beating the viewer over the head with them, it subtly places them in random actions, surprising flashes of humor and bits of "meaningless" dialogue as we grow closer to the mesmerizing characters.  Aided by some kick-ass music from Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, Scott H. Biram, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis and more, it helps making for a stylized thoughtful romp that is both quiet and intense.

4 enemies of everyone out of 5

THE FISHER KING [1991]

Director Terry Gilliam once again sets out on a quest for the Holy Grail only this time it clashes with a harsh reality in the whimsical off-beat drama The Fisher King.
Jeff Bridges plays a former shock-rock radio personality who searches for redemption by helping out a mentally ill homeless man,  played near-straight by Robin Williams, who's life he inadvertently destroyed.  New York City seen through Gilliam's eyes is a fantastical concrete jungle that shines it's spotlight on a interesting host of different classes, all of which finds ways to intertwine quite comfortably.  The wonderful story about redemption, wounded souls, romance and bravery is complimented by wonderful performances from all it's leading actors.   It's funny, sad, touching and most of all flourishing with Gilliam's unique touch.

5 wooden boys out of 5

THE GIVER [2014]

Director Phillip Noyce comes in at the beginning of an over-abundance of films based on YA social science-fiction novels with Lois Lowry's The Giver.
In a nutshell (see what I did there?) the film is about a young boy, who resides in a seemingly perfect community, that learns all about the world that existed before this false utopia.  This is Jeff Bridges' passion project, seeing as he optioned the rights to the book over twenty years ago and has been attempting to get it made since and for the most part, the dedication shows.  However it's impossible to fit in all the themes, depth and subtleties of the novel without leaving out a great deal of it's purpose.  There's some really powerful moments, interesting techniques and ideas brought to the table in a cinematic sense but they don't all work to form a seamlessly coherent narrative.   It's aiming in the right direction and perhaps with a better director it might have hit it's mark

3 lies for personal amusement out of 5

Seventh Son (2014)

Adapted from the children's novel The Spook's Apprentice, this epic fantasy tale follows Master Gregory (Jeff Bridges) as he trains a seventh son of a seventh son (Ben Barnes) in his monster-fighting ways. While fitting for such an eccentric character, Bridges muffled accent is utterly distracting. While Barnes fits the role of the over-zealous Tom Ward, his performance is somewhat stiff and bland. The master/apprentice interactions lacked a good amount of humor leaving many scenes dull. Surprisingly the CG heavy action scenes were the highlight. As the story takes place in a different realm it was fun learning some of the world's mysteries and meeting a good variety of its creatures, but overall the coming-of-age fantasy plot was pretty standard.

2 werebears out of 5

Wild Bill (1995)

WB is a Hickok story that acknowledges the embellishments surrounding the real life character and works them into the plot. I liked that. But the shifting back in time via black and white flashbacks is something that I didn't like. It was distracting and made everything feel disjointed.
What drags it down more than anything else, however, is the casting. Jeff Bridges as the marshal with a gun in each hand would definitely seem a good idea on paper, but it didn't work so well onscreen. Likewise, John Hurt is a fine actor but not a good choice for Bill's close friend Charlie. Jane's role is necessary; it's a shame she's annoyingly melodramatic. The worst of all is David Arquette's piss-weak attempt at being the antagonist.

2½ remedies for the restless spirit out of 5

TRON (1982)

If you’re twelve, TRON is the best thing ever. It was visually mind-blowing in the 80s and despite the advances in technology since it still holds that same power today. Wendy Carlos’ music is great. The creativity and steps taken behind the scenes to make it unique earn it maximum respect.
Realistically, though, the protagonists are given just enough characterisation to prevent them from slipping into two-dimensionality and the plot is wafer-thin in the second half. But none of that matters, because every time I watch it part of me is still twelve. That's the power of TRON.

4 conscripts out of 5

R.I.P.D. [2013]

Red director Robert Schwentke adapts Peter M. Lenkov's comic book R.I.P.D. for the big screen with very mixed results.
On one hand, it's got some inventive ideas used sparingly, some good chuckles courtesy of Jeff Bridges & Mary Louise-Parker and some wild action sequences.
On the other hand, it's Men In Black-ish script is transparent and dull, the character interactions are more than forumlaic and some boring action sequences to make up for the wild ones.
It's a pretty mixed bag of shit and fun which tests your patience like a slap in your neighbor's face with a wet fish.

2 banana guns out of 5

TRUE GRIT [2010]

Joel & Ethan Coen make a faithful adaptation of True Grit, the American classic serial Western by Charles Portis.
Unlike the John Wayne film and it's shittier sequels, this version stays true to it's source material by telling it from Mattie Ross' point of view (meticulously played by Hailee Steinfeld).  For a Coen Brothers film it scales down the peculiarities of their previous films but still manages to flow with bizarre dialogue structures, exaggerated costumes and beautiful music.  There's nothing particularly flashy or special about this film but it's simply just good ol' fashioned American storytelling.

4 introductions on the shitter out of 5

Iron Man (2008)

An Iron Man origin story that sadly lacks a good villain, a factor that could've been easily compensated for by elevating the conflict between Tony and his limitations, or between his conscience and his past, but unfortunately neither of those things are given enough attention. Most of the time it really doesn't matter because Robert Downey Jr is simply amazing as the arrogant, billionaire playboy with the silver tongue and well-groomed facial hair. He makes the film more than the sum of its parts. Without him, it would be just another superhero film.

4 Stark raving awesomes out of 5

CRAZY HEART [2009]

Jeff Bridges delivers a delicately realistic performance in this ode to the country music that the mainstream  forgot.

Crazy Heart follows the life of a washed up alcoholic country artist who's grasping onto a once glorious career by performing in small town bars and bowling alleys.  Despite having an all too familiar story and never touching on some subjects as harshly as it should, the film is raised up a notch by the superb performances and wonderful music.

4 weary kinds out of 5

The Big Lebowski (1998)

The Dude is an everyman who takes pride in his laziness and likes to have the occasional drink; occasional being all the time. He also likes to bowl.
He gets unwillingly embroiled in a case of mistaken identity, so decides to seek reparations. You'll likely either love it or wonder what all the fuss and fan-following is about. I love it. It's my favourite Coen brothers film.

5 beverages out of 5

TRON: Legacy (2010)

A slickly, neon-lit hollow experience. It’s like putting Christmas lights on a carcass. The deeper meanings are glossed over, if indeed they ever existed in the first place. Who knows? There was so many writers involved and it’s still painfully predictable.
It’s eye candy that looks attractive until you realise the sugar topping is an artificial sweetener. Perhaps today’s kids will look on it as fondly as I do the original? I won’t be around to find out.

1½ shite cycle out of 5

Starman (1984)

Jeff Bridges leaves his alien planet (and presumably his record player) behind in order to answer a decades-old invitation to come to Earth. Whilst there, he acts as a mirror to our baser instincts. Along the way he learns practicalities and in return helps a widowed woman experience what it is to feel alive again, all to the sounds of a pleasing electronic score by Jack Nitzsche.
It's a sweet film that becomes more endearing after repeated viewings because there's a genuine sincerity to many of the players and the decisions they make (and Karen Allen has a voice that I could fall in love with).
I also like that I can squeeze it into my Dir. Carpenter theory (something inside trying to get out, etc), albeit in a less straightforward fashion.

3 magic fingers of 5