Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

"Moonrise Kingdom" has everything you've grown to expect from a Wes Anderson film -- young love, rebellion, whimsy, humor and heart.

The movie is about two young kids living on a small island who fall in love and plan to run away together. Both are outcasts from their peers and find hope and acceptance in each other.

Although it's a basic premise, the story is very engaging and heartfelt. Anderson is a truly unique storyteller, and I always enjoy watching his films because I feel like for those two hours, I'm seeing the world the way he does. It's a colorful, beautiful, funny, sad, and sometimes weird place.

I've also noticed that Anderson has a seemingly effortless way of creating cinematic depth and charm. Sometimes, his most powerful scenes are the ones with little to no dialogue.

I am also a fan of his casting. "Moonrise Kingdom" had some of his usual players, such as Bill Murray and Jason Schwartzman, but it also brought on some talented new faces, such as the two leading kids, whom I had never seen on screen before. And I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the brilliant performances of Edward Norton and Bruce Willis. Such a dynamic cast in what came together to be a delightful story of first love.

Was it my favorite of Anderson's films? No. That title still belongs to "The Royal Tenenbaums." But it was still a Wes Anderson movie, which means it has to be wonderful.

-----------

PG-13, 1 hr. 34 min.
Comedy

Directed By: Wes Anderson

Written By: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

In Theaters: May 25, 2012 Limited
On DVD: Oct 16, 2012
Box Office:$45.5M

Focus Features

Red (2010)

When you take legends like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Karl Urban and top if off with shots of Helen Mirren firing a sniper rifle, you really can't go wrong.

'Red' is an action-comedy about a retired -- and somewhat bored with all his new-found free time  -- black-ops agent named Frank Moses (played by Willis) who unexpectedly becomes the target of a CIA hit mission. Frank rounds up his old team (Freeman, Malkovich and Mirren) in effort to get to the bottom of what is really going on. Mary-Louise Parker plays Sarah, the case worker at the government pension processing center, and Fank's only recent joy. Because Sarah's life is also at stake, she is taken along for an experience she only read about in her action-romance novels.

I enjoyed this movie thoroughly. It combined just enough action, comedy and romance. My favorite scene would have to be the throwdown between Willis and Karl Urban, who plays William Cooper -- the lead agent on the case to hunt down Frank. Despite the age difference, William still had his ass handed to him on a silver platter. Mid-brawl, while Frank has William's faced pressed against a table, he asks "Kordeski trained you?" to which William answered yes, and Frank retorted with "I trained Kordeski." Seemingly a bunch of over-the-hill ex-CIA agents, the team kicks some serious ass. Cue Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle." 


The dynamic cast makes for a fun film to watch. And, on a personal note, it was a treat to see Mirren in such a kick-ass role.

--------


Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
Synopsis:  Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan... Based on the cult D.C. Comics graphic novels by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED is an explosive action-comedy starring Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA's top agents - but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.

Rated: PG-13   for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language
Running Time: 1 hr. 51 min.
In Theaters: Oct 15, 2010 Wide
Box Office:$90.4M

Distributor:Summit Entertainment
Directed By: Robert Schwentke
Written By: Erich Hoeber