Bad Grandpa

If one wants to see gross examples of “Candid Camera” gone wrong, this is the movie for them. It is laugh out funny, yet is purposely disgusting at times, so note that intent beforehand. Unwitting people witness and interact with offbeat, insane, and sometimes inane antics and their reactions are recorded. The antics are hilariously incorrect which surprises those who stumble across these actions.

This movie connects the series of trickery on unsuspecting people into a plot. This makes the movie a little more interesting as there is a storyline. While many scenes result from spontaneity, the plot is established. Some of the scenes contain planned dialogue to move the plot. Still the focus is on hidden cameras capturing reaction shots from people witnessing planned set-ups.

There is lots of foul language and sexual content, much of which occurs t in front of a child actor, which may disturb some. There is “gross out” humor and inappropriate humor galore. That was what the movie intended. If you don’t mind this, you may well find this movie hilarious. If you do mind that, you may be offended. Yet we may even be offended and find yourself laughing out loud. The comedy is generally well timed. The reactions are real and capturing that is what makes this movie work. It ain’t Shakespeare, but it is fun.

Captain Phillips

“Captain Phillips” is a thrilling adventure of modern day piracy and kidnapping at sea. The story and script are excellent as one learns about the characters, both criminals and victims. The motivations and lives allow viewers to understand where each comes from and what their desires are. Most of the movie presents an almost constant struggle. The tension is nearly non-stop. The actors all make the movie very believable. This movie should be noted as one of the greatest “edge of your seat” thrillers of all time.

The photography and scenery bring viewers into the story. The story and the dangers are very believable. Each actors displays convincing emotions. This movie is about as good as a realistic action drama can get.

Girl Most Likely

This is a good presentation of a woman watching her life heading towards destruction and her efforts to climb back upwards. The initial story is not a compelling: she does so poorly at work she deserves to be fired. Her boyfriend leaves her and she creates her own crisis to win him back only to find herself sent to live with her estranged family. The greater and more interesting story is of a woman who is lost in who she is and her struggle to find who she is. The storyline rapidly and continually improves as increasing difficulties are thrown at the main character as she struggles in coping with eccentric family members and boarders. Yet it is they who help her turn her life around.

This is a comedy and has some “laugh at loud” moments. The humor does not detract from its being serious and introspective look at depression. The real story is that of a woman who failed to live up to her potential and has given up on achieving what she once thought she could. Learning who she is, what she can do, and what is important in life, the viewer learns, is what really matters.

The dramatic turn near the end is a stretch from realism, which is a shame for a movie that otherwise is quite realistic. The bizarre brother role is skillfully portrayed with an authenticity that kept this movie appearing lifelike. The climax ties into earlier elements presented throughout the movie. It also has a display of great symbolism in what the brother constructed. The climax, though, failed to adhere to the realistic feel that existed throughout the rest of the film although it does resolve most of the story’s questions, creates heroes, and vindicates some.

Kristen Wiig is convincing as the lead character. The sustaining cast each add their own special elements to this movie. The acting is all around excellent and the dialogue is good. The plot could have been more dramatic and the climatic twist was lacking. Overall, this is a fun movie that achieves both tragic plot elements as well as humor.

Crime Fiction

“Crime Fiction” challenges viewers to consider whether the protagonist is in fact a villain. One sees the failures of a fiction writer who finds success from writing about an accidental death. His guilt drives him to write about what he did. Yet others begin wondering where “fiction” meets “fact”, including a well known writer who seeks to manipulate him. Overall, this is a well written script about deception. Viewers seeking a good hero will be disappointed. Viewers seeking intrigue and manipulation with no real heroes may be satisfied. It is well acted and holds one’s interest.Fans of crime movies should enjoy this movie. 

Sharknado

If ever people decided to make a movie so bad it would be good, it would have to be “Sharknado”. It has great special effects showing the devastating end of many Los Angeles area sites. While bloody scenes detract from the whimsy, much of the destruction is more laughable than frightening. The movie requires a remarkable suspension of belief, although that probably is intentional, including the basic fact that sharks don’t like to eat people. Following a process that does not exist but in theory, tornados are destroyed by bombs. The downside, of course, is that sharks trapped in said tornadoes will then fall, mostly without harm to themselves, onto Los Angeles where they will feed among Angelenos. It is good many L.A. people keep in shape for a healthy shark diet. The improbably stories and ending are just that. This is a movie to sit back and enjoy watching such things as fighting sharks with bar stools. There is an attempt at a storyline yet the focus on the sharks means the story arcs are diminished. This is not a movie to be taken seriously.

Justified: Season Four

The fourth season of “Justified” continues this show’s greatness with continued coming  great scripts and stories that offer good twists. This season focused more on the local characters and their  interesting eccentricities and traditions, which is more interesting than past times when the emphasis shifted to almost traditional out of town mob villains. The interwoven lives of the characters continues drawing interest. The continuing drama between the good of Raylan and the bad of Boyd continues making both most intriguing characters. For viewers who like a modern day battle between U.S. Marshals and a number of villainous characters who are also trying to put something over each other, this season will be a delight.

Mad Men: Season Six

The sixth season of “Mad Men” moved the storylines along nicely. It was interspersed with enjoyable subtle humors where audiences of today laugh at some of the values and lifestyles of the 1960s. The season began with an emphasis on romantic affairs before settling more towards advancing plots. As the season progressed, the intrigues of the advertising business and its interesting characters emerge along with the affairs that interfere, often badly, with their lives. The lead character, Don Draper surprisingly emerges as a bit of a brute at times, yet he pays for that. Viewers learn more insights into Don’s childhood and how that now affects his behavior. This is an excellent show. The acting is great. The characters are flawed, yet in captivating ways so viewers love following them. This series is well written. This is a good adult series.