Santikos Cine-opsis

La Prensa film critics, Angela Covo and Dennis Ayotte, Jr., bring you the truth about Hollywood’s current offerings every week. Look for their reviews at www.laprensasa.com under the “At the movies” tab whenever you need to know more about the latest films. This week, our critics almost agree about “Contraband” and you can catch their reviews for “Joyful Noise” online. For the 2012 movie season, the team has decided to change its rating system to a more classical FIVE STAR RATING system to better reflect their opinions. Also, thanks to the growing audience using “At the movies with Covo & Ayotte” as a tool to pick the best pics, Covo & Ayotte’s reviews are now also available online at the Santikos Theaters website at Santikos Cine-Opsis. Next week, look for the duo’s reviews for “Haywire.”

The guide from best to worst:

Covo on “Contraband”: Don’t bother! 1.5 stars

The January juncture is anything but a fun time for film critics – it’s the season when many studios decide to release films that have to be distributed even though everyone knows many are more-or-less disasters. “Contraband” is no exception to the January junk rule, although it is less of a disaster than other films I’ve had to watch in January.

According to the production notes, there’s really no excuse for this film to be so out of sync with the original because Nordic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur directed “Contraband“ from a screenplay by Aaron Guzikowski based on the film “Reykjavik-Rotterdam” and written by Arnaldur Indriðason and Óskar Jónasson.

And here’s the rub: Kormákur starred in the original, which made it into the 2010 Oscars as a foreign film entry. But directing the re-make for American audiences just didn’t yield the same result … at all.

The film simply drags in the first half, with such half-hearted character development that the audience has no reason to empathize or care very much about what happens to the characters. The plot is contrived at best – with one predictable scene after another.

A few interesting scenes emerge on the cargo ship, when the team works together to pull off the swindle, but then the film drops into an abyss of stupidity, with Chris the smuggler (Mark Wahlberg) attempting to pull off a rather complicated deal in a couple of hours in a foreign country. True to the format, vehicles become available as needed, the police ignore Chris and his criminal antics – and the screenplay just completely fails.

The biggest surprise is that there are none — except perhaps for the fact that there seem to be no penalties at all for bad behavior. And sadly, even though the movie does pick up the pace in the second half, it doesn’t pick up enough speed to justify the cost of a movie ticket. Instead, go catch one of those Oscar contenders you missed earlier in the season .

The film opens nationwide Jan 13 and is rated R.

Ayotte on “Contraband”: Don’t rush! 2.5 stars

Is it bad that I rated “Joyful Noise” higher than “Contraband”?—no.

It’s not my fault. Blame Mark Wahlberg for making another one of those films where he’s “the guy,” like today’s Steven Seagal (minus the sweet pony tail).

It’s all about Wahlberg and what he has to do to make his family, what he has to in order to strike revenge, what he has to in order to end up on top—you see the pattern.

“Contraband” brings nothing really that special or spectacular to the big screen. There are some cool action scenes, an okay premise but no real “wow” factor that will make you remember this film six months from now.

What saved this film from future-obscurity was the acting. Kate Beckinsale (Kate Farraday) plays Wahlberg’s wife and is stunning as always, Caleb Landry Jones (Andy) plays one of the best screw-ups I’ve seen in a while and Wahlberg (Chris Farraday) always plays “the guy,” but does a damn good job nonetheless.

The two that outshine the entire cast are Ben Foster (Sebastian Abney) and Giovanni Ribisi (Tim Briggs). They are both silly-good in “Contraband.”

I’m not one for man-crushes but Ribisi is on fire right now — his performance in “The Rum Diary” was out of this world, now this—he kills it playing the ex-con with a short-fuse and no conscience.

Foster is a recovering alcoholic and Wahlberg’s right-hand man with a dirty little secret—he sleeps with Wahlberg’s wife the whole movie. Well, that’s not true — but he does have a secret. Foster possesses that uncanny ability to make the audience completely buy into one character when in reality he’s a totally different guy.

I expect “Contraband” to get a lot of play seeing as it’s the first action thriller of the year and Wahlberg is the star, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is going to better than “Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,” because it’s not. The trailers for “Contraband” are deceiving and it would have been nice to have seen an alternate ending with more blood, more violence, more … something.

If you’re still a die-hard “Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch” fan or a sucker for cookie-cutter action films –  then go ahead and spend nine bucks at the movies, but if you’re unimpressed remember you’ve been warned. You’re not missing much if you wait for it to hit Redbox or Netflix.

Covo on “The Devil Inside”: Don’t bother! 1 star

The best thing about “The Devil Inside” is that it’s just 97 minutes long.

If you are seeking thrills and chills, this is not the film you want to see. Sadly, this movie can’t hold a candle to the great films of this genre like “The Exorcist,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” or even the more contemporary “Exorcist 3.”

The lack of originality is underscored by the fact the filmmakers chose to use recycled cinematography techniques to make the movie look like a documentary with lots of found-footage-type scenes. The plot is contrived and tenuous as well, and in the case of this flick, the devil is not so much inside as it is in the details.

Young Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade) wishes to discover what is really wrong with her mother, Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley), 20 years after mom is taken away for committing a triple murder. Mom, found not guilty due to insanity, is allowed to go to a criminally insane hospital in Rome, Italy from Hartford, Connecticut. Really?

When Isabella travels to Rome to visit her mother with her friend Michael, the “camera guy,” they are both allowed to attend classes in the Vatican – exorcism classes. In the classes, they meet two young priests who are dedicated to performing illegal exorcisms, presumably with the training they are getting at the Exorcism School at the Vatican.

What’s worse is that the audience constantly has to adjust to the quirky filming, shots that could certainly benefit from a little image stabilization available on any basic camera today. Sometimes watching this movie was distressing simply because the filmmakers wanted it to seem like it was filmed by an amateur – the one thing they accomplished well.

With the exception of Maria Rossi, the characters are not compelling and even the extra exorcism scene thrown in so we could see how the two priests combine heart rate monitors and otoscopes into their rites is laughable. We meet the poor demonically-possessed teen in her parents’ bleak brick basement resting in a ridiculously contorted position, which is instantly relieved by an injection of muscle relaxants from one of the priests. She immediately unwinds her body, cooperates and reclines on the bed properly so the priests can apply restraints and get on with the job at hand.

The actors did the very best they could with the material they were given to work with, and Crowley as the possessed Maria Rossi actually gives an outstanding performance as a woman possessed by four demons.

Still, none of it rings true, none of it is scary – and several members of the audience actually laughed out loud during what might have been this movie’s scariest parts. Save your money and catch another film this weekend at the theater – there are several good films to choose from.

“The Devil Inside” is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian) for language and adult situations and opens in theaters nationwide Jan, 6.

Ayotte on “The Devil Inside”: Don’t wait! 3 Stars

“The Devil Inside” isn’t convoluted with useless storylines that don’t provide any substance to the film, it’s simply brevity at its best,” Ayotte says. 

“The Devil Inside” is awesome—chilling, humorous at times, artistic and well paced.

However it’s awesome its own way most people may not like. It one of those films where one or two of your friends will like it judging by my questions to a few fellow screeners who either liked it our hated it.

An older lady that sat behind me enjoyed it and others were undecided, but some younger members of the audience didn’t like it at all. Their comments were either it was too short (I would argue the length was perfect for this type of film) or the ending was terrible. Those on the other end of the spectrum found it concise, to the point and possessed a fresh take.

It’s not “Blair Witch Project” nor is it “The Exorcist.”

It is unique in itself—shot in a documentary-style format but marketed as a main stream film, which provides for some interesting cinematography. The acting isn’t out of this world but its unique style mutes that fact. Don’t expect award winning performances. The film is tricky in the sense you think they’re normal people portraying themselves but indeed they are actors. So you could argue they were good at acting bad or like normal people.

The cinematography stays true to the low-budget documentary style: the scenes are shaky, there are interviews cut in throughout the film and commentary from the filmmakers.

It has crisp rawness, something a true film buff will enjoy.

Right out of the gate the movie starts with a chilling phone call to 9-1-1. “Three…,” says the creepy voice on the phone. As cops arrive on the scene they find three people dead and a surprise they weren’t expecting. Maria Rossi (Suzan Crowley), the perpetrator, is hauled off to jail, declared insane and shipped off the Italy.

Fast-forward 20 years and her daughter, Isabella Rossi (Fernanda Andrade) seeks to find out what actually happened with her mother. With a documentarian at her side she heads to the Vatican where her mother is being held in an insane asylum. Doctors are convinced she is insane, but her daughter feels otherwise.

Then, Isabella and the documentarian befriend two local priests; Isabella’s plight to find out what is truly wrong with her mother the film goes next-level.

Her priest friends agree to help only to find out it’s more than they could have ever anticipated and then all hell breaks loose–they indeed find out her mother is not insane but freakishly possessed.

The movie is short at just over 80 minutes long, which I will take over a two-hour long sob fest or Steven-Spielberg-action-movie-fail any day.

“The Devil Inside” isn’t convoluted with useless storylines that don’t provide any substance to the film; it’s simply brevity at its best.  

Disney TRON: LEGACY has been riding a wave of hype since January 2010 and everyone is talking about this film including my mom (who doesn’t speak English). I finally got a chance to see it, and let’s just say while I wasn’t disappointed I wasn’t thrilled as well (mostly with 3D while the D-BOX was ok). To be fair, the film does warn you before it starts that “scenes were shot in 2D and intended that way, so please don’t take off your 3D glasses” (something to that effect) yet I still feel for a film that generated a following, with first CGI effects I wanted to see something “Avatarish” or great!

The plot is not bad, and it’s a good film, especially if you’re a geek like me with some awesome visuals and interesting dialogue. Lots of tech talk like the original, with some nice surprises that I was not expecting so overall a good film I can watch again. They did leave it open for a next TRON II film, and wasn’t disappointed with that like I usually am. 3.5 bags of popcorn.

I have a love/hate relationship with the annual film awards season.  One one hand, I love getting to sneak peeks at some of the year’s best movies and review them.  On the other hand…do they have to release them ALL within a 2-month time span?

I get it.  It’s best to release your indie darling Oscar hopeful three weeks before judging ends so its fresh in everybody’s mind and has plenty of buzz heading into the show, but movie critics are subject to burnout just like anybody else!

How many low-budget documentaries do you think I can watch in a weekend, studios? ‘Cause ya sent me 6!

Luckily for you guys, you don’t have to worry about voting.  You can just sit back and watch some really awesome movies, especially in the next few months.  Here are a few that I’ve seen recently that you should probably keep on your radar.

1. “Black Swan”

“Black Swan” has quickly become the year’s awards darling.  It’s led most nominations in the Critic’s Choice, Golden Globes, and SAG awards, and will likely do the same when the Oscars are released.  Natalie Portman’s performance as a meek ballerina who gets pushed into finding her dark side has been universally applauded, and plus, there’s some sexy time between Portman and Mila Kunis that’s worth the price of admission!  Stimulating, provocative, and flat-out silly at times, “Black Swan” is the first Darren Arronovsky movie that I can watch repeatedly without vomiting or slitting my wrists.  And that’s saying something!  “Black Swan” opens up in theaters today (Friday, December 17th).

2.”Blue Valentine”

I’m not usually big on romances.  I’m not usually big on hyperrealism.  I’m not usually big on independent character studies.  So you’d think that I’d hate a hyperrealistic indie romantic character study like “Blue Valentine,” but I didn’t.  I loved it.  Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams both got Best Actor and Actress nods from my fellow BFCA voters in the Critic’s Choice voting, and I’m very proud of us for that.  They’re both fantastic, and the movie is sweet and funny and tragic and devastating thanks to their chemistry and dedication.  It doesn’t come out until early next year in most markets, but keep an eye out for it.  You won’t be disappointed.

3. The FIghter

Talk about a movie that’ll leave you black and blue!  “The Fighter” is a brawler of a film, one that just gets you up against the ropes and pummels you into loving it.  The “based on a true story” tale of Mickey Ward’s late-career resurgence is one of those sports movies that’s really about so much more than sports.  Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale turn in terrific performances, and Amy Adams has a real shot at pulling in a best supporting actress nod for her role as Mickey’s love interest/trainer/manager.  Its one of those movies that will have you standing up and cheering in the theaters, especially if you go see it this weekend with a big crowd.  “The Fighter” opnes up today (Friday, December 17th).

As I work my way down this massive stack of movies, I’ll leave more tips.  I didn’t even get to “The King’s Speech” (amazing!) or “True Grit”, but as soon as I do, I’ll let you know.  Until then, enjoy “Black Swan” and “The Fighter” because they’re both terriffic.

Between a rock and a hard place

It felt like I was watching this film for 127 hours. I was intrigued on how this film could keep me engaged for the span of the film. I guess curiosity bored the cat. This film is based on actual events, which is the crazy part. But throughout the film I knew what he had to do to survive. There was no second guessing, no well maybe if this happens. It really is very predictable.

Also not really into the way it was shot. Felt very underwhelming as much as entertaining as a guy getting his hand stuck in a rock for 127 hours could be. I mean I could relate to him, I would think back on life and imagine myself if I was in his position but seriously…

If you like gory films, this could possibliy be your film, I mean it is pretty graphic, I had to close my eyes a couple of times. 2 out 5 stars. A sympathy vote cause Kate Mara and amber tamblyn play a very limited role in the film and James Franco was probably the best he could be in this film.

One of my favorite parts of the Thanksgiving weekend is going to see a movie on Thanksgiving night all stuffed and full of turkey…and this year, the box office is as stuffed as I plan to be!

We’ve got “Faster,” “Burlesque,” “Tangled,” “Love and other Drugs,” and “127 Hours,” not to mention “The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet’s Nest” at the Bijou!

If you’d like to know a little bit more about some of these movies, click on the link for a Thanksgiving-themed “Preview Review” that I did this week at Fox 29.  Hope you like it!  See you at the theaters!

Since the final installment of the Harry Potter series was so chock full of unnecessary filler that it had to be split into two parts, I thought it only fitting to do the same with my review.

Review Part Two: For the first time since “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” a Harry Potter movie remembered that there was an actual Muggle audience involved in the film-making process that needed to be entertained. There’s more action in the first 30 minutes of “DHpt1″ than in the last three movies combined.

Unfortunately, there’s also more action in the first 30 minutes of “DHpt1″ than in the rest of “DHpt1.”

For some inexplicable reason, the film just careens off the dialogical deep end about 45 minutes in, parading its cast through a meandering sequence of magical traveloguery that is both tedious and unnecessary. There’s no reason ($$!!) that this movie needed to be split into two parts.

The decision to focus on Harry’s homesickness is even more puzzling when we find out all the other things that could have been more entertaining to see. Now, I’m no Potterphile, but I’d much rather watch how Voldimort’s cronies took over the Ministry of Magic, or how Alan Rickman is now ruling Hogwart’s with an iron fist, than try to stay awake while Harry and Hermione ballroom dance in an invisible tent.

However, despite its missteps, “HPATDHpt1″ is still the most engaging Potter film in the franchise’s recent history. It’s still not good enough to be split up into two parts, but at least its better than “Half-Blood Prince.” 3 out of 5 bags of popcorn.

I got to see “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 1″ earlier this week. And in honor of film, I’m posting my review in two parts.

Part one: Blah blah blah blah blah someone dies. Blah blah blah someone else dies. Blah blah blah there’s some magic items blah blah blah they have to find them, Blah blah blah blah blah the kids look really old for their roles blah blah blah the acting has gotten a little bit better blah blah blah except for Ron.

So, check back tomorrow for part 2!

Highly buzzed about film, that I couldn’t wait to see and now that i saw it, Im left wondering why I wanted to see it. With a cast of Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, Ben Stiller, and yes even Brad Pitt I thought what a concept, the bad guy doesn’t want to be bad anymore, and he creates a good guy cause he is bored with not having a arch rival. The plot seemed original, seemed creative, yet why did I leave disappointed with the film?

Saw it in IMAX 3D and wasn’t impressed with the 3D, ill have to see it in 2D, but early impressions are its ok. Sure there a good couple of Will Ferrell (Megamind) quotes that remind me of Anchorman and even Tina Fey had me laughing “straight up gangsta” style. Yet, overall it was very ok to me. Maybe its because im not its demo, or just because I wasn’t really laughing cause I had high expectations of an all star comedy cast. Who knows but I do know Ill watch it again.