Here (2024)

We view a section of land from a fixed vantage point spread across millions of years, from prehistoric to modern times. A house is eventually built on this spot, and we watch those lives play out before us, juxtaposing back and forth in time (sometimes simultaneously). Robert Zemeckis's latest effort unfolds like an experimental, high concept play. At the heart of this story is a couple's evolving relationship through decades (with lots of CGI transmogrification to accomplish this effect). Contains multitudes of sadness and generational trauma, as we see that life is just one tragedy after another over time. Why would anyone want to perpetuate that cycle? Regardless, it's a simple story told well and it aims for the heartstrings. Life moves fast and then it's over. It may be excessively sentimental and gaudy, but it's good schmaltz. Reunites Zemeckis, Tom Hanks and Robin Wright (as well as composer Alan Silvestri) for the first time since Forrest Gump.

3½ Relax-Y-Boys out of 5

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON [2015]

Director Joss Whedon returns for his final stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the second full-fledged Avengers film, Age Of Ultron.
Basically it's Earth's Mightiest Heroes, still feeling the repercussions of what their solo films put them through, team up to save the world from an humanity destroying machine known as Ultron.  The concept is simple enough for first time viewers to still enjoy the film without any prior knowledge, yet, like the MCU films & TV series before it, it features just enough back-story to excite fans who know the pieces for the Infinity Gauntlet and Civil War are all falling into place.  It doesn't quite have the same impact of "hey that Whedon guy did a great job" as the first one did but it still manages to pretty damned good fun.  Whedon's at his strongest when he's featuring his ensemble team working (or fighting) together in both dialogue heavy scenes or full all-over-the-map action sequences.  It's front-to-back a modern Hollywood spectacle but it proves Transformers is not how you do popcorn films.

3 drunken excelsiors out of 5

TRANSCENDENCE [2014]

Cinematographer Wally Pfister steps out from under Christopher Nolan's shadow to make his directorial debut with the sci-fi/thriller Transendence.
Rebecca Hall plays the wife of a man (Johnny Depp) that turns himself into a frightening form of artificial intelligence.  It's visually beautiful and breathing with a comfortable atmosphere but beyond that the film aims for more ambition than it can actually juggle.  By asking big questions and giving silly answers you get the feeling Pfister wasn't entirely sure what the script was attempting to say and instead focused on flash 'n flair.  Another jarring problem is I felt Hall (and Depp's voice) could have easily carried the entire film on her own with a bit of script re-working and deleting the rest of the useless supporting characters.  

2 digital dreamcatchers out of 5

The Tourist (2010)

Spy caper. Strangers meet on a train. Depp becomes the wrong man... You see where it could've gone? Sadly, it didn't go anywhere but downhill steeply. Jolie piles on a mountain of makeup and Depp looked mostly lost in a role that gave him little to do other than drift.

1 point for the set dressings out of 5

Priest (2011)

Took me two separate viewings to get through it all, but I was vigilant. Super Priests vs. Vampires. What the hell was I expecting? Boring, shallow, two-dimensional (what is...this movie, Alex?) Not worth the 15 minutes it took me to download it for free.

0 crucifix throwing stars out of 5