Michael Mann has had great success in the crime genre. His films include Heat, Collateral, and Miami Vice, all three of which I highly enjoyed. Public Enemies has elements of these films, such as the character exploration of the villain. Mann has always turned the audience around to see things from the villain’s point of view. John Dillinger is a perfect antihero to fit this style of storytelling.

Dillinger is played wonderfully by Johnny Depp, who gave a brilliant performance that captures the audience. Viewers root for Depp just as real citizens did for Dillinger in the 1930s. His Robin Hood style of robbery combined with his smooth charm makes him a captivating lead character. Combine his exploits with his love interest and Public Enemies has a very entertaining and complex lead. As the film progresses we see Dillinger’s deconstruction from an untouchable mobster to an illusioned and desperate man.

The story is more emotion than narrative. I identified with the characters much more than I anticipated the next stage of the chase between Dillinger and Agent Melvin Pervis (Christian Bale). At times the plot was confusing, and though Depp was excellent, we did not see enough of Bale. Without the exploration of the cop side of the case, it was hard to develop a real interest in their cat and mouse game. I think with the balance tilted slightly more towards the story behind the law enforcement the story could have been more engaging. Additionally, I feel that there was more to the character of Agent Pervis than the stereotype tough agent we were given.

I would not be willing to sacrifice much of Dillinger’s story however, but it would be difficult to add anything to the film. At 2 hours and 20 minutes Public Enemies is certainly not lacking content. I noticed the runtime a little bit, but that could have been because I saw it in a packed theater at approximately 1000 degrees. I understand the length because time is needed to delve into the characters as Mann wants, but there were some areas that could have been cut with little consequence.

Public Enemies is a thoughtful crime drama that I did enjoy. The action and story are solid, and the acting is phenomenal. It is nowhere close to Heat, but then again few movies are.

7.5/10

The old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” can often be said of many forms of entertainment. The problem with Transformers adopting this philosophy is that the first movie was broken. The story was weak, and the battles were framed so tightly I could not tell if I was watching two fighting robots or an oil change instruction video.

I will credit Revenge of the Fallen on improvement in that area. This time around I was able to enjoy the battle scenes as they are always completely visible. The action overall shows a much more polished effort both in the computer graphics and the intensity of each battle. RotF also boasts the Michael Bay standard explosion rate (approximately 1 per second), so special effects fans will appreciate the technical achievements.

Unfortunately the explosions are the only part of the film that were given any attention. The story is non-existant. It is nothing more than a series of scenes that are either played for low-brow laughs or punctuated with terribly cheesy lines. The dialogue is so poor that at several points during RotF I looked around the theater to see if anyone was as shocked as myself at just how pathetic the writing was. I suppose since they were laughing hysterically the answer there was “No.”

The characters are so generic and the acting is so awful that I could not take any plot point seriously. In between the one-liners written by 12-year-olds and the story that can be figured out within the first 5 minutes, I suppose I was hoping for a performance that might stand out. There is no justification for the runtime (2 hours plus) considering there is absolutely no substance, and often times no attempt at any sense.

Revenge of the Fallen is a high-budget, low-intelligence popcorn flick destined for back-to-back’s on TBS every other weekend. Each time I think about it I realize more what a failure it really was, and with each sentence written I wonder how I could have already told others it was “ok.” Save your brain cells and avoid this movie.

4/10

The reason I have to bring up Pixar as a studio is that their level of quality is spectacular. Every single year they release a film that is a contender for the best animated, or best overall picture. They deserve credit for the consistent greatness and creativity that is delivered with each movie. As a huge fan of their work, I was very excited to see Up.

Up marks the first Pixar film that is available in 3D. Truthfully it does not add much to the experience. The 3D glasses allowed a deeper field of vision, but there was nothing that made them absolutely necessary to the experience. It was not worth the $5.00 required for the two pairs of glasses I purchased, save for some of the trailers that jumped out of the screen.

But technical spectacle is not what makes Pixar films stand out. When Toy Story first released it was marvelous to watch because it was breaking new ground, but the reason it remains a classic is because of its heartfelt story and memorable characters. Similarly, Up is more than just visuals or 3D effects show, though it is a beautiful sight to behold. The vibrant colors and the flawless animation create a perfect presentation for the story.

The visuals and the characters are brilliant

Beyond the bright balloons, there is plenty to love about Up. There are laughs, but it is far from a comedy. This is Pixar’s most serious film to date. There are talking dogs and houses floating on balloons, but beyond that layer are characters and dialogue telling a tale of love and achievement.

The audience is brought up to speed with the life of lead character Mr. Fredricksen through a short segment at Up’s opening. Within this fast-forwarded lifetime there is more emotion and warmth than in the entirety of many other films.

The emotional storytelling in Up creates a touching tale of love and adventure. The story is its strongest point, but it is supported by humor and even action. Up has laughs and tears, but through both it achieves a connection that the audience can feel. I was engaged and involved from the start of the film and it never let me go.

After my review of Wall-E last year there was a lot of angst about the score. One of my goals in reviewing movies is to review each one independent of outside opinion or my opinions on other films. With that in mind, I carefully considered Up for several weeks before this review was written. Even after this lengthy deliberation, I can find no faults. I was moved by Up, and I continue to be impressed by what Pixar brings to the table each year.

Up is a fantastic film with a wonderful story and a lot of heart. I have no reservations giving it my highest recommendation.

10/10

My unhealthy obsession with Pittsburgh sports is well-documented on this site. One can imagine my current excitement level, seeing that both the Steelers and the Penguins have championship trophies right now.

I should probably have my heart checked after those two championships games. Big Ben led the Steelers on a game-winning touchdown drive in the final minutes of the game. The intensity within the city, and even within the room in which I watched the game, was almost tangible.

That intensity level was heightened as the Penguins entered game 7. The up and down series culminating in a final battle on the ice was almost too much to handle. Anyone who was with me as I watched the third period of the game can likely still hear my heart pounding. And when it was all said and done, I watched history. I watched Marc-Andre Fleury make a diving save with only a second remaining. I watched Evgeni Malkin raise the Conn Smythe. I watched Sidney Crosby raise his first Stanley Cup.

The Penguins traveled an extremely hard road to win the Cup, as I chronicled earlier. Winning on the road in a game 7 is simply incredible, but when one takes into consideration everything they did before that…it is seemingly impossible. But just like the 6th playoff seed Steelers a few years ago, the Penguins went to Detroit and brought a championship home.

The excitement has not faded, nor will it any time soon. Pittsburgh as a city is buzzing with pride, and they have earned it. Pittsburgh is a city that supports their teams to the fullest extent. They cheer, they travel extremely well, and they certainly know how to throw a victory parade.

The other aspect of Pittsburgh fans that can sometimes be ignored is class. As the Penguins passed around the Stanley Cup, booing was heard from the Detroit fans. It lasted the entire ceremony. I was stunned that is lasted that long, when only a year ago in the exact same situation Penguins fans stayed and watched respectfully. Because of that incident I have no sympathy for Detroit and I am inclined to make a few Lions comments.

If I sound proud, that is because I am. It is hard to stay humble when your favorite teams keep on winning. Pittsburgh has 3 titles in the last 4 years. Each one will stand in my memory as long as I live, and I hope I see many more. The important thing to note is that I am going to cheer just as loudly, watch just as many games, and eat just as many plates of nachos no matter what happens.

That said, the Penguins have a young core locked up for several years (not to be greedy). If Shero keeps pulling strings and dealing for role-players to surround the stars, this could be just the beginning. Crosby is only 21 years old. Malkin - 22, Fleury - 24, Staal - 20! This team just won the Stanley Cup, and not one of them has come close to hitting his prime. It should frighten the rest of the league that this group is going to get better.

Regardless of the future, this team’s accomplishments will not be forgotten. Nor will 2009 for what it held for Pittsburgh sports.

Welcome back, Lord Stanley. We missed you.

A tumultuous season full of injury, doubt, and change led into a challening playoff run. After defeating the state rivals, the star rival, and even the rival brother, the Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in the same place the Steelers were this year–their Super Bowl.

Stanley Cup Playoffs, Game 7. A single game, winner-take-all battle between the two best teams in the National Hockey League. It might not be called the Super Bowl, but its implications are the same. And after 6 grueling games with the Red Wings, the Penguins have set an even more dramatic stage than the Steelers did only a few months ago. Penguins fans, hockey fans, and simply sports fans are in for a classic tonight.

It was last year at this time that I was suffering along with fellow Penguins fans. Detroit wrapped up the series at Mellon Arena, and the television showed Zetterberg hoisting the Stanley Cup rather than Crosby. The hurt continued into the early stages of this season where nearly every game it seemed was a complete disappointment. The Penguins were a shell of the team of the previous year, until things were turned around by Dan Bylsma. Starting with his (and let us not forget, Gonchar’s) arrival, the Penguins turned things around almost immediately. They continued on a tear for the remainder of the season that brought them from the 10th spot (outside the playoffs) all the way to the 4th (home ice advantage).

That amazing run continued into the playoffs, but the Penguins had to work very hard to keep winning. The series against Philadelphia was tough, but it was here that Crosby began to rise to another level right in front of our eyes. As the Philly fans kept reminding him their feelings about his play, he kept putting goals in the net.

Crosby rose to yet another level in the series against Washington, which is arguably the greatest series he has ever played. 8 goals, 5 assists, and a triumph over Alexander Ovechkin. Unlike many of my friends, I wanted this series even for the first round. After an entire season of the media praising Ovechkin and declaring him the superior player, I wanted Crosby to have the opportunity to show the world the player he could be. I think he proved a point.

After steamrolling the Hurricanes and turning the city of Pittsburgh against Bill Cowher, the Penguins entered Detroit. After the first two losses, the series was pronounced over by most. I allied with a group of friends in front of the Trib Tron outside Mellon Arena to support the Pens as the comeback started. A Gonchar game-winner and a sixth man on the ice later (calm down, Olczyk), the Penguins had tied the series. Fans were now beginning to believe. They were soon tested however, with the blowout of game 5. The Penguins responded with a mostly dominant, later nail-biting game 6 victory.

And he were are. The greatest stage that the NHL has to offer.

I am not going to make any predictions or analysis, because anyone reading this knows who I want to win. They know my favorite players. They know whose jersey I wore to work today. They probably know what kind of nacho cheese I am going to heat up around 8:15pm.

What they might not know is that tonight is the 87th game of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Let’s. Go. Pens.

Up

It is no surprise that Up is a must-see film for me this summer. Sometimes my love for Pixar can be misunderstood, but I think everyone can agree that they create amazing movies. Up may not be as cinematic as Wall-E or as hilarious as Monsters, Inc., but I am confident that it will be another quality offering from the masters of 3D animation.

(view trailer)

Moon

I am not sure when Moon will actually be available for the general public to watch, but even with its limited release this summer I had to include it. Moon right now is my most anticipated movie of the year. It has a sci-fi feel that reminds me of Sunshine because of its somber mood and intellectual plot. It looks absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait to see if it lives up to my expectations.

(view trailer)

Angels and Demons

The book Angels & Demons is an addicting page-turner that had me hooked from the beginning. I am somewhat hesitant about the adaptation to the silver screen, because it is hard to imagine the same energy of the book being condensed into “movie time”. Reviews have been shaky, but I am curious to see how the film turned out.

(view trailer)

Away We Go

Here is the token quirky, indie flick that all of your hipster friends will love far beyond its worth. Through its Juno vibe it still looks like Away We Go could be an enjoyable love tale. I am most interested to see if Jim Halpert can act (as opposed to just giving half-smiles to the camera).

(view trailer)

Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

You have to respect that ’stache. The trailer reminds me a lot of Die Hard with a Vengeance. I am not sure if that is good or bad. TP123 also reminds me of Swordfish, Inside Man and Deja Vu…in fact I think Travolta and Denzel have both already made this movie. Regardless it could be worth a look as a summer popcorn flick.

(view trailer)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

The first Transformers was a decent summer action movie. Not too much story, decent action (though I wish they would zoom out and show more of the robots). To me Revenge of the Fallen looks exactly the same as the original, so those who enjoyed Transformers will definitely enjoy the sequel. One thing Michael Bay is good for is plenty of explosions, so I think Revenge of the Fallen will provide some summer excitement for a rainy day.

(view trailer)

Public Enemies

Michael Mann is one of my favorite directors, and even though Public Enemies is set in a different era it seems poised to be another classic crime film. Mann has delivered previous gems such as Heat, Collateral, and Miami Vice. All have generally the same theme in which Mann takes a criminal and presents him from a different perspective. The same holds in the trailer for Public Enemies, where Johnny Depp plays a criminal on the run that the audience will root for. It looks excellent and I hope can it deliver, even though Mann will never top Heat.

(view trailer)

G.I. Joe

Hear me out. G.I. Joe is not going to be an epic masterpiece. Technically speaking it might end up being horrendous. And yet, I cannot help myself from wanting to see this movie as soon as humanly possible. It has the makings of a celebration in ineptitude (with guns and stuff!), and I think many of its failures will become successes. The action seems to be a rare hybrid of awesome and absurd. Just watch the trailer. You will want to see it too.

(view trailer)

District 9

Along with Moon and Up this is among my most anticipated films. District 9 is a science-fiction movie produced by Peter Jackson of Lord of the Rings. The trailer in itself is so creative that I have to see it. My only question: is the alien blurred to hide its look from moviegoers, or is his identity being protected within the film? I am leaning toward the former, though I believe the latter would be more interesting.

(view trailer)

Closing Thoughts

These movies stood out to me and I will keep my eye on them as the summer progresses. You can expect reviews of any as I view them. Did I miss any that you are looking forward to? Which films on this list are you anticipating?

In our culture today I doubt anyone has not heard of Star Trek. Perhaps Star Wars is more widely accepted, but both stand as the most famous pieces of science fiction our country has to offer. I never watched Star Trek the series. Other than maybe five minutes here or there while flipping through channels, I have no knowledge about the series.

But I suppose that is not entirely true. Star Trek has put so many words into the English lexicon that most people know them without ever watching the series. I cannot imagine someone getting through middle/high school without hearing “Set phasors to stun” or “Beam me up, Scottie!”. There are many examples that demonstrate how someone like myself could have a basic knowledge of Star Trek without ever watching an episode or film.

The new Star Trek film has a fantastic trailer that grabbed my interest even though I had no history with the franchise. The modernized franchise reboot is very much en vogue right now, with Batman Begins and Casino Royale being the two prime examples. Star Trek takes a similar approach and offers an origin story of the U.S.S. Enterprise and its crew.

The brilliance of the move is that director J.J. Abrams has taken a franchise with a long, rich history and made it accessible to the masses. Many of the references are simple enough that I caught them, though I am sure there are plenty that I missed. Star Trek also is exciting for longtime fans, judging from the amount of clapping and cheering I observed from Trekkies when in the theater. Pleasing both crowds is no easy task, but Star Trek seems to pull it off.

It stands on its own as a great sci-fi action film too. What I loved about Star Trek was that there was never a dull moment. Either the story was progressing, or the action was going all-out. It is an exciting combination of intriguing plot and spaceship battles.

The characters are superb. The drama between the characters and the way they develop through the movie are both excellent. I do question some of the acting choices for the supporting cast, but the magnificent performances of Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto) overshadow that. Both their individual performances and their chemistry together powers a lot of Star Trek.

If you like science fiction, you will enjoy the plot. Know that it is definitely a pay-attention-or-else situation. At some points it was a bit hard to follow, but overall it is very enjoyable. Star Trek combines sci-fi with summer blockbuster (and plenty of lens flares). It is a great summer movie, and a great example of science fiction done in a way that can appeal to all types of moviegoers.

8/10

The second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs will feature the league’s most intriguing matchup. As the Penguins take on the Capitals, the NHL has a golden opportunity to market a series featuring its two biggest stars. I can only hope that they do not miss a chance to expand the brand.

If the NHL cannot market this matchup…

When I was growing up it was commonplace to speak of the four major professional sports: the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Unfortunately leading up to and following the strike a few years ago, it is safe to say that nationally speaking the NHL has fallen to a distant, distant fourth. Part of the reason is the suits are not able to market the NHL as a mainstream sport. I have seen that more than the others hockey is an “exclusive” sport. There is certainly an inner circle of hockey fans, whereas almost every person (male or female) walking down the street can give a thought or two about the NFL.

That is very unfortunate, because in my opinion hockey is easily the best live professional sporting event to attend. I love going to all sports games, but nothing matches the intensity of live hockey. Baseball, basketball, and football all have plenty of downtime during the game. When you attend a hockey game, the action is non-stop while the players are on the ice. It also has the almost soccer-like importance of each goal. This is not to say that the other sports are unenjoyable in person, as I love to attend Steelers and Pirates games as well. But hockey, well, has the edge.

This is why I hope the NHL has a huge success with this playoff series. I hope it draws in new fans with the exploits of the league’s two biggest superstars. I hope that both fans new and old can enjoy their own Crosby or Ovechkin arguments in sports bars and living rooms across the nation. If any series can draw in potential new fans, it is this one.

As for the argument itself, I cannot speak objectively. I am a lifelong Penguins fan. I was raised by a hockey-loving father who would dominate me in NHL 94 for the Sega Genesis before we sat on the couch to watch the Penguins dominate the competition. Unfortunately I only vaguely remember the Penguins winning Stanley Cups because at the time I was four. However I have tasted the bitter defeat in the Finals and I want nothing more than to taste sweet victory for the Penguins in the future.

It is then no surprise that I think Crosby is the better player. This season was arguably his worst as a pro and he only trailed Ovechkin by 7 points and was the third overall scorer in the league. This year we have seen the worst that Sidney Crosby has done. Meanwhile, Ovechkin might win the MVP. Therefore I think that Crosby’s best is better than Ovechkin’s best. Ovechkin is a great player, and certainly the best shooter in the game. Crosby had an up-and-down year but he is bringing it in the playoffs, and this series allows both players the opportunity to show their skill.

The best player in the world right now.

The argument almost does not matter because Evgeni Malkin is better than both of them, but ignore that and we can enjoy a series between the two rivals. I expect Crosby and Malkin to come up big for the Pens right now. I have loved what I have seen from the Jordan Staal line, and if they continue to work as hard as they have been the goals will come. When you are watching the series, count how many times Bill Guerin makes a bad decision. So far I am at zero. His veteran play has been huge for the Penguins.

The main key, as it always is in the playoffs, is goaltending. The Penguins have a distinct advantage in this area with the playoff-tested Fleury going against a rookie in Varlamov. Hopefully Fleury can also elevate his game to help lead the Penguins to victory.

Crosby versus Ovechkin. Winner goes to the Conference Finals, and is crowned current face of the league.

Pens in 6.

The name might not be the best, but Fast and Furious is the first true sequel to the original film. All the major players from the entire original cast return, and the story basically picks up where the first left off. This movie should have been made five years ago, but better late than never I suppose. Fast and Furious throws out so many references to the original film that it is as if the creators want to forget the two interim sequels even happened.

Fast and Furious does not break any new ground for the series, nor should it. The movies have always been about intense action and sweet cars. The plot is mediocre as is the acting, but as with many action films they are not the focal point. The goal in going to the theater is to see crazy driving and various explosions.

The opening sequence was one of the most thrilling I can remember. Fast and Furious instantly ignites the audience with an edge-of-your-seat action scene. For the most part the breaks between the action are brief, and the energy is consistently high.

Vin Diesel’s Chevelle

The cars are naturally a big factor, and overall there was a solid group of cars to make everyone in the audience jealous. For me the best were Vin Diesel’s Chevelle and Charger, but I love American muscle. Paul Walker rolls in a Skyline, but inexplicably ends up driving a crossover in the latter stages of the movie. This is honestly my biggest problem with Fast and Furious. The movie is about cars, so why not give the lead character something appealing to drive for the finale?

Anyone already anticipating Fast and Furious will not be disappointed. It is exactly what it should be as a pulse-pounding, ridiculous action film. It is not much more than a popcorn flick, but that is exactly what I was expecting. Fast and Furious delivers fun and excitement, and is sure to inspire plenty of peeling out in the parking lot.

7/10

Of course there are others, perhaps most notably the use of Monroeville Mall for the classic horror film Dawn of the Dead. As one who grew up in the great city of Pittsburgh, I appreciate this history. Similarly I became excited when I found out that the film Adventureland was being filmed at Kennywood Park.

It is hard to estimate how many times I have been to Kennywood, but I can safely say that I have ridden the visible attractions in Adventureland. The Jack Rabbit, the swings, the old track cars…nearly every location seen at the amusement park was also a spot I visited as a child. That kind of “inside information” made the film interesting as I tried to identify park spots and city areas that the film contained.

Unfortunately, that is where the achievement ends. Had I not personally grew up visiting the mythical Adventureland as Kennywood, there would have been very little to engage me as I sat in the theater. Though the trailer markets Adventureland as a crazy comedy, there is very little humor. Even what is there is a slight chuckle at best. Perhaps the only funny character in my opinion was the Adventureland owner played by Bill Hader.

With few attempts at laughter, the film is more of a teenage coming-of-age story. Adventureland is heavy on the drinking, drugs, and drama, but it is missing a key ingredient: depth. The completely flat story is basically laid out within the first fifteen minutes at a feverish pace. Everything then comes to a grinding halt for the remainder of the two hours while the audience hopes for it to pick up.

It does not help that the story of love and lust is being led by a Michael Cera impersonator. The main character, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), attempts the exact same quick-witted, soft-spoken delivery of Cera. The problem is that the dialogue is not amusing, nor is the story touching. Either of these qualities could have made his performance and Adventureland as a whole more enjoyable. What is presented instead is not humorous, not dramatic, not surprising; it is just there.

Adventureland approached a fork in the road of success and plowed straight down the center. By doing so it made itself nothing more than a poor man’s Garden State. Not even shots of the Racers or mentions of Route 30 could save it. I wanted to like this movie, but it was just as boring as the line for Phantom’s Revenge.

5/10