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.

Rock of Ages

“Rock of Ages” presents a mastery of 80s hard rock music well sung by the notable actors performing in character. It is a problem that breaking out in song and dance works well on stage yet risks appearing abnormal or “hookey” on film. Some of the dance sequences are excellent and some appear cheesy and out of place. The plot could be stronger and the stakes higher. Love interests come and go in a matter of a song. This is a nice visual and audio stroll down memory lane for 80s music lovers. Somewhere in the music a movie breaks down, but not long enough. This movie decided to be a long rock video without the intricacies of music videos when it may have been better as a movie with musical backgrounds. It chose a middle ground that may be less satisfying.

Sons of Anarchy: Season Five

The fifth season of “Sons of Anarchy” is amazing. It continues throwing new obstacles at the characters as they attempt to resolve their problems. There may have to be a bit of suspension of belief that things work as they do, but they do work. Jax has critical decisions to make, and is he turning into the step father he despises? Opie makes critical decisions about what he can do for the club. The results of this are shocking and help guide the continuing storyline. We see sympathy when Tig rescues a defeated fighter dog, and that sympathy follows us as Tig faces more challenges. We see the heartache of Tig watching a most horrific event sees a daughter murdered.

Tara makes moves to solve her family problems only to see them become more complicated than before. This all leads to a suspenseful conclusion where the fates of Clay and Tara hang in the balance. This show continues leaving viewers on the edge. This is one of the most creatively constructed shows in history. Viewers should note that many scenes are violent. The heroes are criminal killers. Yet we see the humanity in these characters, and it makes viewers hope they find their way out of their dilemmas.

Blue Jasmine

“Blue Jasmine” is an excellent introspective look into the life of a group of very interesting characters. A key dilemma is how much does someone know, what does she do with what she knows, and what consequences result. The writer-director has created a cast of divergent believable characters who are, above all, interesting. Each character has flaws and good elements. The movies makes excellent use of flashbacks, a technique that often is difficult to implement. Here, the flashbacks work as they drive divergent story lines and helps us appreciate the future and flashback stories much better. While writer-director Woody Allen is known primarily for comedies, this is a serious drama. Do not arrive expecting a typical Woody Allen comedy. One should find a sensitive look into the lives of people with their own torments and hopes. The acting is superb. As one who has liked Woody Allen’s films yet criticized that sometimes needs someone overseeing his own work to help him trim some lines (which is a danger of writing and directing your own film), I have no such criticism for this film.  The screenplay is brilliant and the directing appears superb. Most characters arrive at satisfying arcs, although some may quibble that while Jasmine reaches an arc in her story line, one does not know what the future holds for Jasmine. Although, that probably is the point. This is an excellent dramatic film.