Matt-144-792009

In Batman V Superman, we join not long after Man of Steel (2013) left off. Batman played by Ben Affleck, has grown increasingly concerned with the massive casualties caused by Superman's epic battles. Just as Superman (Henry Cavilll) has concern with Batman's torturous vigilante behavior. Mix in Lex Luthor stirring the villainous pot in provoking them to kill off each other and there you have the plot. I have a number of problems with this very flawed all be it, very flashy movie. First and foremost it feels rushed. I felt like a girl on prom night getting rushed through the fore play to get to the sex that is the soon to follow Justice League movie. In an attempt for DC to catch up with Marvel with their already popular Avengers franchise. Only problem is Avengers had two already strong franchises with Iron Man and Captain America to anchor it off. With BvS you get a decent Superman franchise reboot then a Batman Reboot after what was arguably the best superhero franchise with Christopher Nolan's Batman series. And now to vent on Ben Affleck for a moment. He has always been a hit or miss actor. He is far too goofy and smug to play the Dark Knight, this film was a perfect example of that. I wanted more the Town (2010) Affleck and I got what I expected, Daredevil (2003) in different tights. Sci-Fi/Action hero you are not. Stick to directing and dramas. Although he wasn't the most unappealing thing about this film. There was all too much digital effects and not enough time taken to create a good script. No spoilers here, but there are several eye-rolling plot points. It felt like watching someone play a video game for 2 and a half hours. Snoozers… BvS does have one shinning gem, Jesse Isenberg as Lex Luthor. Imagine Mark Zuckerberg as a convincing Bond villain. With the two main characters battling it out, he manages to steal the show from hours of mindless CG explosions. If this series wants to stay relevant they need more Jesse Isenberg and less Affleck. I was shocked with all the A list actors in this, (Lawrence Fishburne, Holly Hunter, Jeremy Irons, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Amy Adams) he was the only real acting standout. I think post Deadpool (2016) the superhero movie franchise makers need to reevaluate the some things. Much in the way Daniel Craig claims Austin Powers (1997) did damage to the Bond franchise, Deadpool poked fun at the genre while simultaneously reinventing it. I'm not saying they need to reinvent the wheel here, but gone are the days where you can show an audience 2 hours of CG action with and intelligence insulting script and weak plot. With all that being said…. AFFLECK YOU DA BOMB IN PHANTOMS (1998) YO!!

In Sisters (2015) Amy Poehler and Tina Fey play Kate and Maura Ellis, two dysfunctional adult sisters with fond memories of their child hood. After discovering their parents have sold their childhood home, the two decide to have one last epic house party, cleverly named Ellis Island. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will go down in history as one of the great comedic duos like Martin and Lewis, Lemmon and Mathau, Bing and Bob Hope. Sisters is the long awaited comedy film paring of the two since Baby Mama (2008). There is a chemistry between the two that is undeniable. Weather its co-hosting SNL, the Golden Globes, or appearances on Jimmy Fallon, the two work comedy magic together. Fey usually playing strait man to Poehler's wackier characters. So my question is, why mess with the formula? In Sisters there is a reversal of roles, Fey is the screw up and Poehler the strait laced. I am sure in putting this film together the question was asked, "Why can't Tina be the screw up for once". Unfortunately Tina, you have painted yourself into a bit of a corner and you are now typecast as the smart, wise cracking, sarcastic, professional. Much in the way we all love to see Poehler wheels off wacky. Raunchy dialogue and reckless abandon fits on her about as poorly as the dresses the two try on in one very funny scene. The miss match doesn't derail the comedy by any means. There are far too many brilliantly cast supporting characters to keep the laughs on track. From John Leguizamo, to Diane Wiest, to other SNL alum like Kate Mckinnon, Rachel Dratch, Mya Rudolph and Bobby Moynihan. I would have liked to see more of Kate Mckinnon, but was pleasantly surprised by a very funny over the top performance by Moynihan. And the award for best comic cameo in several movies goes to John Cena. Cena has garnered many hilarious roles this past year in films like Train Wreck (2015), Daddy's Home (2015) and now Sisters. I'm not sure if he is ready to headline his own comedy, but he has yet to disappoint. If you were a fan of Neighbors (2014) or Stepbrother (2008), sisters has a similar feel. The adults refusing to grow up, the not as good as we once were type laughs are the classically funny reoccurring themes. Two great comics at the top of their game. I think in the long run on Netflix, DVD and cable the laughs give this film quote-ability and re-watch-ability. All in all, good for some laughs if it's your turn to pick.

In the Big Short director Adam McKay directs a very talented ensemble cast of characters based on the book by Michael Lewis. In which Jared Vennett, played by Ryan Gosling narrates, highlighting the key players of the events leading up to the housing market collapse. With Christian Bale as Dr. Michael Murray, Steve Carell as Mark Baum and Brad Pitt as Ben Richert the audience is entertainingly explained what happened in what was and in some lasting instances still is a very turbulent time in the America and the world's economy.

When I first saw the trailer for the Big Short I was immediately excited by the cast, the mad cap back and forth made it seem very Wolf of Wall Street (2014) reminiscent. Although given the topic, I felt under the wrong director with a message driven cross-to-bare we could have a two-hour snooze fest. Great performances loaded with dialogue heavy dramatic scenes. Then I noticed the director, Adam Mckay. For those of you not familiar with his work, Adam McKay is usually at the helm of such Judd Apatow produced affairs as Anchorman (2004) and Step Brothers (2008). Heavy on the sophomoric pull my finger hilarity not ripped from the headlines current event pictures. A film like this you would expect to see a David Fincher, Danny Boyle or even Oliver Stone directing. Only that would only add sawdust to what is already dry material. What Adam McKay brings is levity and comedic irreverence. In the spirit of shows like the Daily Show or Last Week Tonight with John Oliver a spoon full of comedic sugar makes the news worthy information go down; infotainment at its best. In a brilliant bit of A.D.D. pandering direction, unconventionally placed real life celebrities explain some of the more hard to pay attention to plot points. Example: hot Hollywood starlet Margot Robbie explaining Sub-prime loans from a bubble bath, Brilliant. This movie marks a very exciting change in trajectory for Adam McKay's career, leaving me anxious to see his next project. There are some great as to be expected performances by Christian Bale and Carell; but for me it was Ryan Gosseling's Leo in Wolf of Wall Street style narrative that kept me laughing while learning. This film is important in that America needs to have a more informed level of outrage in response to the housing market collapse. Now I realize this may not be the best way to inform, with a Hollywood film. But then again is that any worse than Fox News. This film is universally informative and fun, extremely palatable for any level of taste, education or humor. A great selection if it's your turn to pick.