Thursday, July 31, 2014

Guardians of the Galaxy


95%

Any review or opinion of the movies can be cut down from paragraphs to one world - fun.  This movie has everything that any audience can enjoy and they utilize humor, action, tragedy, good/bad, and nostalgia to the fullest.  The soundtrack to this film gives you a nostalgic feeling and a great 80s tone to this movie - as it does take place in 1988 at the beginning.  The juxtaposition of the incongress (characters) add to the hysterics as they all have mega-egos that cannot be one-upped.  The climax of the film is a battle over an orb that can destroy planets and a super villain that seemingly has the highest pain tolerance in the galaxy.  The two plot points that I did not understand too well as it isn't explained thoroughly.  

The acting in this film is spot on.  Pratt is cast perfectly and delivers on every line in the script and every action point.  I never would have thought that goofy character from Parks and Rec could every be a believable galactic outlaw - I ate my words.  Zoe Saldana.  That's all you need to hear these days in mega movie franchises - Zoe Saldana.  Bradley Cooper is almost undetectable as Rocket if you did not see his name in the credits.  His voice and inflections match perfectly with this perfectly CGI'd raccoon.  Rocket is easily one of the best parts of the movie.  Vin Diesel Groot is hilarious in his very simple way.  He is also very lovable.   Dave Bautista as Drax is very well done and is completely psychopathic.  

The fault that I saw in this film is the object of everyone's desire and the villain.  There was quite a bit of the film dedicated to back story of the characters which is absolutely needed and adds to the fun of the movie.  You see the object for the majority of the movie and when it is explained what it inside of it, I felt that it fell short and confused me.  When you meet the villain, there is never an explanation for the amount of attacks this guy can withstand.  These two parts left me confused, but I kept forgetting about them because I was having a lot of fun.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the most fun that you will have at the theater all year.  I would not compare it to any super hero movie, because that is not what this is.  It is a sci-fi movie that you can revisit any time and have just as much fun.  

There is a great post credit cameo that reaches into Lucasfilm's vault.  It was great seeing this guy briefly again.  

This is a movie that will be packed when you go to see it.  I saw this in a pre-screening and I was literally alone in the theater.  Find a way to ignore everyone, keep your eyes on the screen, and be alone in the theater.


Sunday, July 27, 2014

And So It Goes


75%

There is a key element that has to be followed in order for movies like this to work - It isn't the acting, it isn't the directing, it is all in the formula.  The title of the film suits it very well because it describes 90% of films in this genre.  If you've ever made the connection between Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Notting Hill - they are essentially put together the exact same way.  The best part of this formula is that it works.  It works every time and just makes movies enjoyable to watch.  And So It Goes follows the formula. Simple.  (Man and woman don't like each other, catalyst, enjoy each other, action to dislike, man and woman get together...and so it goes)

This film does feel like a Rob Reiner, but does not sound like a Reiner film due to him not writing it.  You have the cynical man that has skeletons in his closet and the upbeat hopeful with similar skeletons in her closet.  They do not like each other during the beginning of act one and then a catalyst is brought in that connects the audience to these two and brings a glimmer of hope for both of them.  The movie moves linear throughout its acts and does not keep me in the emotional moments that it contains.  Once the emotion happens, it ends, and we move on.  This is where the script and the story needed help and I feel the writer, Mark Andrus, could have asked Reiner to put his touch on it.

Michael Douglas and Diane Keaton are terrific in their roles, as always.  Douglas can attach himself to the dark side of characters with ease and turn the light on on that character just as quick.  His drunken character in this film is better than the lighter side toward the end as nothing in the story is overtly wowing.  Diane Keaton is Diane Keaton and there is nothing else you would want.  The part is seemingly written specifically for her, as her.  This is a continual occurrence as it seems she is the same in every one of her recent roles.  Why?  Because it works.

Think of a time where a movie is on and you stop because the movie is so easy to watch.  The plot flows, there is no over-thinking, you are satisfied with the ending, and then you go about your day. This is that movie you will see on tv, stop, and just enjoy.  It is simple, it is easy, takes nothing from you, but also gives you nothing as well.  I can't pick any point of this film that I would necessarily describe as must see nor are there any 'don't go see this' moments.  

The older generation movies still connect and still work.  The audience is still there and the actors and actresses are some of the best in our time.  These films need focused on and produced with the passion of all film if it wants to maintain a vast audience and not pander to a certain demographic.  

If you enjoy film then you should support it all and not just "your age" films or films you might now know actors from.  Go meet them for the first time at the theater.  Sit down and enjoy their presence alone in the theater.


Trailer Review - Tusk


Most Anticipated

Trailer Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60EUG-CDC_k

Before the trailer for Tusk came out, this was a movie that I anticipated very much.  I have been a fan of Kevin Smith since the early days and there isn't a piece of his work that I have not enjoyed.  This trailer is everything that a Smith fan wants and everything that a thriller genre lover will want.  It appears we will get a light side and some really funny gags at the beginning with Justin Long and Haley Joel Osment, but then we will get the yang to the yin in the second act as Michael Parks will take us into something completely dark.  Parks was great in Red State as a dark character, but this could put him in genre infamy.  He sounds as chilling as Hannibal Lector and seems as psychotic as Norman Bates.  Smith has always been skillful in his writing and Parks is someone the audience should see he loves writing for.  Smith and Parks should be a genre.  Long isn't a a newcomer to horror/thriller and has played the victim before (Jeepers Creepers).  His physique works well as a victim, but his acting ability is what takes him above and beyond to work great with Michael Parks.  

This movie went from being on my radar to being one of my most anticipated for the year.  Horror and thrillers, with the exception of Deliver Us From Evil, have not been that great and this will be a chilling breath of fresh air.  The comedy at the beginning and thriller denouement makes the plot, not the characters, a great juxtaposition.

Put this on your list of films to see whether you are a fan of Smith's or not.  After this film I think Kevin Smith will not fully retire because he has found a new genre that he loves to write for and he writes it well.  

I absolutely cannot wait to see the transformation of Long into the walrus.  #Tuskyes

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Lucy


94%

Lucy is a movie that reminds me to always pay attention to what is on the screen, not "what should be" or "that cannot happen."  There is a specific story created and the audience should go on that ride and not try to dwell on what could have been or what isn't on the ride - you will enjoy films much more if you try and think of how you would do it better.  This is not a movie that everyone will enjoy, but I can tell you it will be one of those movies that become more clear the more you view it.  This film seems to have been made to attempt to unlock more than 10% of the audiences brain as it is that in depth and sometimes difficult to comprehend and you find yourself trying really hard.  I felt slightly ignorant watching this and that is a sign that this movie succeeded greatly.  I was trying to grasp on to every detail and make sense of it, but at times, much like Morgan Freeman's research in the movie, was just unexplainable because it has never happened before.  

Scarlett Johansson and Morgan Freeman drive this film from beginning to end.  The evolution of Scarlett's Lucy is flawlessly performed.  When you first meet this character she is tricked into getting involved with a drug deal and she is a naive, seemingly ignorant nobody.  Once the occurrence takes place that catalyzes her to being able to utilize more than 10% of her brain, Scarlett clearly shows you every increment of percentage that is opening up in her brain.  Morgan Freeman plays a scientist that has studied the brain his entire career and focuses on what can happen in the future when evolution allows us to use more of our brain.  His character beautifully describes the fact that evolution has not finished and there are capabilities that nature has yet to evolve into.  This is the first instance of this film that really makes the audience think and has you buying into the story line.  These two come together and the intelligence and visuals are breathtaking and a lot to grasp onto on the first viewing.

The only problem that I had with the film is the connection that I did not have with any character -  including her brain.  The beginning of the movie has you sympathetic with Lucy.  Once you are quickly upset with what has happened to her the plot shifts and her brain is a character in the film.  She shows one small modern human aspect with the police officer she utilizes, but that is instantly gone when you have hope for her underneath all of the brain work.  Morgan Freeman's character enlightens you at the beginning of the film, but is quick to tell you that he does not know what could happen after a certain percentage is unlocked.  He doesn't know, Lucy doesn't know, and the audience is trying their hardest to understand.  

The work in trying to understand is a very enjoyable part of this film.  We get to be a part of the action because no one in the movie knows exactly what is going to happen to her.  While we feel ignorant at times, we are on the same level of the scientist at a certain point.  

Lucy is a film that not only deserves and demands 100% of your attention (and your brain if you can unlock it), but deserves multiple views.  This film will only get better with age and the amount of times that you view it.  I could not remember some of the things Freeman talks about at the beginning of the film, but now that I know what happens, I will be paying attention to those details next time.  This is a perfect example of a film that needs you to be alone in the theater. 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Begin Again


100%

If there is ever a reason to go see a movie - it is films like Begin Again.  There are some performances that show you deep into an actor's soul - Begin Again brings you face to face with Mark Ruffalo's soul.  At first glance, one might think that this movie is just for music lovers and not for general public - in other words it's a niche film - Wrong.  This movie is for everyone that has lost love, lost family, lost their jobs, become a monster, and anyone who just wants to begin again.  The title is perfectly chosen and never spoken in the film, it is felt.  The movie doesn't rely on "bad circumstances," it relies on human fault and what it takes to start over and feel alive.  The actions of the characters are moved through this film with the help of the songs written in the film to piece everything together and connect with the souls in the theater that have experienced something bad happen to them.  

Mark Ruffalo is at the best and in his prime as Dan in this film.  When you see this film, he is going to bring you into his character like you have never experienced.  His eyes, tone, actions, reactions, and movements work so breathtakingly together that it is mesmerizing.  Following very close behind him is Keira Knightley.  Her broken heart has made an impact on her character, but what the music and passion for that does to bring her out of the hole she was in is terrific.  She is a fantastic counterpart to Ruffalo.  Adam Levine, Hailee Steinfeld, and Catherine Keener round out the cast of people that have self-inflicting problems.  Ruffalo's mending relationship with Steinfeld will bring a smile every time they are happy together - Levine brings out your hatred and never wins back your sympathy - Keener knows what she did and plays such a subtle role that has impact in a few scenes.  

There is a moment in this film, one of my favorite musical moments, when Ruffalo's character discovers Knightley's character at an open mic night.  He is drunk and you see his genius kick in - this moment is pure magic and you know the journey you are about to take with this characters will be well worth the ride.

Small movies like that are the ones that can touch us the most.  If this film makes it to your town, you owe it to yourself to watch it.  This movie can have an impact on you and you should let it.  Go by yourself or with someone that is close to you, but pay attention - Be alone in the theater with this movie, you and the film deserve it.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

The Purge: Anarchy


37%

The Purge is one of those movie gems that could go on forever and always have a fresh story because the event that takes place in the movie is annual.  Unfortunately the second movie in the possible franchise has put the flame out of the torch that could have burned for a very long time.  The trailer gives you 75% of the story and the important (that aren't important at all) parts of the film.  When the first film came out, I fell in love the everything about this film and what sequels would do with it.  My answer - Nothing.

 The first Purge introduced us to the annual event and made us ponder what would happen if this could actually happen.  The second starts with what could have been a very suspenseful event when a vehicle breaks down moments before the purge is happening while they are on their way home.  When you start to breathe heavily with them the movie cuts to a mother and daughter preparing for the purge.  Before you learn anything about them there is a cut to a lone man clearly looking for vengeance, for some reason unknown.  Three stories here that did not give us enough time with them to connect enough to get us to care what happens with them on this night.  The three stories come together on a random street and the lone man has to protect everyone and he does his job.  Enter the villains - The main villains are attempting to kidnap as many people as possible and another is hanging out in a semi with a machine gun.  The upper class is kidnapping the lower class and hunting them to get their own personal purge on.  Hunger Games meets The Most Dangerous Game and its a horrible scene in the movie.

The Purge: Anarchy focuses everything on the night itself and society.  The characters do not really matter as they are a small group of the whole collective of lower class citizens that the upper class is trying to get rid of.  I do not know if this film is trying to be satirical toward our society or if it was attempting a fresh story for the annual event.  The movie that could go on forever introduces a Malcom X style character that is trying to get rid of the purge and when the movie ends, you are left not knowing if he has accomplished anything.  The lone man has his moment of glory and the film does nothing with it.  There is no problem with any of the actors or actresses in this film.  They were doing the best with what they were given.

I was extremely disappointed with this because I had bought into the first one so much.  I did not care that the annual purge was happening, I did not connect enough with the characters to care what happens to them, the movie didn't explain the disconnect between upper and lower class and really did not relate it to real life, and even if I pushed and tried to care, the film did not have enough passion to care to pull me in.  The third Purge film, if there will be one, is going to have to work hard to build from this or pull a Halloween 3 and pretend it never existed.  I can pretend that it did not happen.


The matinee of a thriller is a great way to focus completely on the film.  People prefer to go to a thriller when it is dark or for a date - this thriller is not even worthy of a date to have someone to hold on to.  I did not enjoy this film, but I paid complete attention to it to let it try to connect with me.  Don't disturb others if you do not like something - try - and just be alone in the theater.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Sex Tape


70%

Tonight I added a new element to what I want this blog to be.  I did my very first Live Tweet of a movie (and trailers) in theaters and gave my (@drewyk) followers or anyone that was following the #SexTapeMovie feed.  I had a couple of gratifications from this: 1. It was spoiler free and mainly the emotions and thoughts running through my head as things were happening so it gave whoever was reading knowledge of the movie from beginning to end. 2. It gives an idea of how many times this movie made me laugh or when a character was great. 3. Most important - it isn't a critique of the movie, its about the actual experience.  I won't do a Live Tweet of every movie that I see, but the important movies or movies that you may be on the fence about - these will be the movies I Live Tweet. Follow @drewyk for all Live Tweets and future reviews.

On to Sex Tape.  Sex Tape is a movie with a great premise with elements that sells a movie perfectly - Sex and a funny adventure.  The only problem is that those two elements is that you don't get enough of either.  The movie is very distinct in the 3 acts and it is easy to tell when one ends and another begins.  Jason Segel has fantastic writing ability and it really shows in the few parts that you can tell he focused on certain conversations more than the connecting actions and witty banter.  These conversations really pull you in and hit home - There is a conversation about losing their sex drive with each other that, if you have ever experienced that problem, will have you enamored.  Segel has also done it once again - he has written himself into a fantasy of every man.  

The acting in the movie is good, no one can deny that, but it isn't overly comedic.  Segel's character is clearly himself and it seems that what he says (especially when Cameron Diaz's character has the idea for the Sex Tape) is exactly what you think he would say and how he would act in real life.  It doesn't show it too much, but his character still thrives for more of a physical relationship where Diaz's character is fine with how they are physically and doesn't make the move to better it.  There were hardly any laughs from Segel and I don't remember laughing once at Diaz.  The supporting cast take their scenes.  As I said in the Live Tweet, post Parks and Rec Rob Lowe is a great character actor and the scene in his mansion is fantastic.  This was the first laugh of the film.  There is a cameo toward the end of the movie, I do not recommend looking at IMDB, that has another great laugh.  Rob Cordy and Ellie Kemper seemed like they were written there just to be there and help a bit antagonize in the 3rd act.  This movie clearly has 2 stars with everything else orbiting them.  The two kids that they have in the movie are fantastic at the beginning and I really wish we would have seen more of them.

The movie has 3 acts - Sex in the honeymoon stage then losing the physicality, the sex tape gets out and they go get it, and the antagonizing villain they need to save themselves from.  You can see when these start and finish.  One meaningful conversation in each act (the last comes from the cameo that is very deep in a very weird phrase) with barely any action or words to connect them.  Two main laughs in the movie that last for a short period of time.  This movie had two of the best selling elements Sex and Adventure and really did nothing beneficial with either of them.  In a clustered weekend of openings this is going to be the one that adults want to see, but I think if you had other movies you've been wanting to see - see them.


I Live Tweeted this film and found it brought me a little closer to it as I was exploring my emotions as the events were happening.  It brought my emotions closer to the film and showed you my thoughts as I was alone in the theater.

Follow me @drewyk on Twitter for more review updates and Live Tweets.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes


100%

The only way to start this off is to tell you that this is the blockbuster you need to see.  This is the movie-goers movie - it has action, emotion, weapons, fire, and above all complete passion.  I went into this movie reading a few things about it and people saying that it is fantastic - I hate going into movies with high expectations because it leaves room for disappointment.  This film does everything but disappoint.  

I am not going to break this review down into story and acting because they work so perfectly well with each other that it will be the same paragraph repeated.  When I left the theater, completely involved with what I had just viewed, I tried to think about what I did not like about the movie and I could not think of anything.  The pace is spot on for what is happening on the screen, the run time could have ran for three more hours and I would not have complained, cast was amazing, visual effects are stunning, and this unbelievable plot was very believable and I bought in completely.  

When I started to wonder what I did not like it hit me - Had I experienced something that I did not like while watching it, I would have known it right then.  Movies have a way with connecting with us and blurring the lines of reality or they are disconnected with certain people and its a feeling in your gut.  This movie pointed out to me, as movies have in the past, that some movies don't have to have something wrong with them if you were enthralled with it as it should have made you.  This is one of those movies.  

The one thing out of this movie that I would love to see happen is to give these motion capture actors a shot at an Oscar Nomination.  Not only are their voices coming across with so much emotion, their actual actions are being captured as well - which makes you fall in love and absolutely loathe these characters.


This is a film to see on the big screen.  The only way to get the full experience out of this action and emotion packed film is to watch it alone.


Drew Oliver

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Life Itself


100%

"...And the Oscar for Best Documentary goes to....Life Itself, Directed by Steve James." 

Richard Roeper said that Roger never spoke of a movie after they watched it and left it for the show.  When they saw Monster, Ebert said "There is your Best Actress.".  Well...here is  your Best Documentary. 

I will be completely honest in telling you that I have no idea how to write this review.  No one should be able to tell you how they wrote it or how they judged it - because it was straight from the man who lived it.  Life itself is Roger Ebert's life.  Life itself is Steve James' documentary.  

Roger documented so much of his life that all Steve James had to do was put it together and show us what Roger wanted us to see.  This brilliant piece of work shows Roger Ebert narrating his own documentary thanks to the audio version of Life itself.  It is tied together with Steve James gathering the characters from Roger Ebert's movie (his life) and getting them to talk about their performances in this man's film.  Roger says, at the beginning of this film, that "he was thrown into the movie of his life"...and later people talk about him not just being a character in this film, but he is also the director.  This movie (life) inspired a lot of people and truly made people understand film a lot more.

The brilliance of this documentary is the audio book of Life itself.  This, to me, is the most important part.  You are seeing these events in Roger's life happening and you are hearing about them, from him, years later in his life.  You can't hear his tone, but you hear his words and every word has a meaning.  

This film takes your before Roger Ebert, the film critic, and takes you to Roger the teenage writing prodigy that he was.  You meet his friends in the newspaper game, you meet his adversaries in the newspaper game, you meet drunk Roger, sober Roger, asshole Roger, husband Roger, friend Roger, blogger Roger, deep friend Roger - You meet Roger Ebert.  

Roger documented his life and obviously wanted to share his story.  He trusted Steve James to do this.  This story is not complete without what Steve did to get people that knew him to talk about their experiences.  More importantly this movie would not exist if you did not feel that you were with Roger during the worst time possible for him health-wise, but one of the best times possible for his excitement.  You are literally with him on his death bed with Chaz, and if you were a fan, it makes you that much closer to an idol and an icon.

This is a film that I will revisit at least once a year and ponder what he would have thought about films today.  I watched Life itself on VOD and I know that Roger cherished films on the big screen, but this is how he would have watched it in his final days.  

One of the biggest inspiration that Roger Ebert gave me was the E.T. affect.  You can only have a first viewing of a movie that moves you one time and you can never get that feeling back.  I can honestly say that I can watch Life itself again and still feel like a 12 year old watching Siskel and Ebert on television and being inspired.  

He found his voice in film, he was the voice of film, and he lost his voice in film. 

Hey. Roger, I'll see you at the movies.


VOD is brilliant as it gives you a chance to sit alone with the medium and truly be alone with it.  Grab your headphones and your laptop and be alone.


Drew Oliver

Friday, July 4, 2014

Deliver Us From Evil


91%

In an era that gore and quick thrills cluster the theaters, Deliver Us From Evil is a breath of fresh air.  The movie follows a police officer who is investigating a series of events that are connected by what appears to be evil.  The cop has lost his faith, disengaged with his family, and has devoted his life to his work.  The events of the film and the help of a hip, modern priest help him realize that there is something else out there, something more powerful than any of them.

The movie is completely content based and does not rely on cheap thrills to get your skin to crawl.  There is one quick action that does make you jump, but nearly the entire movie has you tense and makes you think - especially with the "Inspired by actual events" tagline.  When you think of horror movies that are content based, the main one that comes to mind is The Exorcist.  If The Exorcist was released today, it would not hold it's place on the pedestal that it is on, because of the less sensitive audience.  If this movie was released at an earlier time, it would hold almost that same place.  There is an element at the end that brings the family closer and brings peace to the police officer.  I want to meet the police officer and this priest and learn as much as I can about these events.

The cast is perfect.  Eric Bana plays a great stern police office that clearly has a chip on his shoulder.  Olivia Munn is a great wife that feels her husband is disconnected from the family and, although she is clearly on his side, her performance tells you she needs more.  Joel McHale who is usually hilarious, steps out of his comic role and into a partner that is just as stern as Bana.  Edgar Ramirez is the real star here.  He is a hip priest that has been affected by his work and is very down to Earth.  You really connect with him as a human being before you see him in action as a priest.

I can tell that this is a movie that will go unseen by a lot of movie-goers.  I am not a religious person, but this film is captivating on many levels and had me sucked in.  If you are religious and enjoy horror movies, this movie will absolutely terrify you.  If you are a non-believer and enjoy horror movies, this movie will terrify you.  It's a film that stays with you and will leave a mark.


This is the kind of movie that deserves attention.  Due to it not thriving on cheap instances that scare you (and sometimes make people laugh due to their jumping), there is no sound in the theater and you could hear a pin drop.  The theater was not full, but everyone there was alone watching this film.


Drew Oliver

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Earth To Echo


69%

Earth to Echo gave me the opportunity to watch some of my favorite movies rolled into one, which got me excited, until I realized these elements are loosely tied together with no emotional support.  The movie follows 3 kids (a fourth joins later on) following a map that their phone "barfed" up to find an alien that needs to get home after it's ship was shot down.  Oh and they film their experience to share it with the world that would never believe them.  

This movie takes it's idea from three children adventure movies.  The found footage aspect comes from Super 8.  The children find and befriend an alien and make it their business to get it back home is taken from E.T.  Tie this adventure together with this happening on the last night these friends will see each other because their housing addition has been purchased by the government was lifted from Goonies.  Three great child adventure films that can be revisited any time and still feel the same as it did when you were 12.

The elements of these three movies are great, but not when you just push them together to evoke nostalgia - and have no nostalgia.  The plot of this movie starts with learning about these 3 friends and it somewhat assumes that you already knew them as it just shows them together.  One is a foster kid, one is touted to be "different," and the other is the leader of the group.  Due to them just jumping into these kids worrying about the map on the phone, the film disconnects us with the characters and gives us no emotional connection to any of them and makes it hard to cheer them on.  These children turn out to be excellent criminals and can go undetected in a house where people are five feet away.   The best element of this group comes halfway through when a girl that they go to school with (who's house they broke into) joins the group on their adventure.  The alien isn't even the best part of the movie, it is actually pretty minimal in its appearances and actions.

The kids in the movie, other than Alex and Emma, were cast wrong in these roles as well.  This helped disconnect me from the film and really care about these characters.  There is a bit of romance element at the very end, but never builds or is noticed in the beginning.  The interaction of the kids and the government is minimal and pretty much hatred - until the government decides "maybe these kids should help our agenda."  This tension is rushed because it takes so long for the kids to find the alien and help build it's key.  

Earth to Echo is a slow paced build up to an accelerator climax and an immediate final action.  Instead of trying to be subtle in taking its ideas from classic adventure movies, it should have showcased them proudly.  If you have children and plan on seeing this film, please show them E.T., Goonies, and Super 8 first so that they do not compare those movies to this one and they compare Earth to Echo to these films.  


A matinee is a great time to see a film with minimal interruptions.  Movies like this could have children in them that get loud and interrupt your viewing.  Sit away from the crowd, zone in, and be alone in the theater.


Drew Oliver 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Premature


55%


"This is Groundhog Day meets American Pie."  This is the statement that made me want to watch this film, and then that statement made no sense.  This movie is about a teenager that has an experience with a girl, that appears to be his dream girl in school, and he prematurely 'finishes his business' and then wakes up to experience the same day over again.  He experiences the day again maybe 2 more times before he understands what is happening.  Once he sees that he has lived this 4 maybe 5 times, he immediately jumps into being an asshole - and an asshole he is throughout the rest of the movie.

This may seem in pieces and I apologize, but this is all I could think about during this film.  There was a lot that could have been covered and fulfilled a lot of viewers dreams of "what if I could go back."  As pieced together this movie is...as is my review...kudos to Katie Findlay.  

I love the performance of Katie Findlay as the best friend (and should have been love interest in the beginning), but I truly hated every other character as they developed, or in this case, stayed the same. 

This film had a lot of potential to show what every high school kid could have went back in time to get right, but it goes back to do nothing multiple times.  

I am someone who would love to relive a few days that I had in high school - to get them right - but this kid just goes back and doesn't care.  

The only good thing about him going back that we are looking for is Katie Findlay, and every time it should break our heart because she deserves better.



A movie that is big or small deserves your fullest attention.  Headphones can give you the surround sound that you may need which is how I was alone in the theater. 


Drew Oliver



Please leave comments if you found a way to be alone in a theater to watch this.  Agree or disagree is fine when we are all alone viewing it..