Friday, June 21, 2013

'Hangover' Finale Completely Wasted Without the Morning-After Mysteries

The Wolfpack and Mr. Chow are in the heart of Tijuana for the third and final installment 



















While completely absent of any ridiculously inebriated bachelor parties or morning-after mysteries, it's a wonder how The Hangover Part III even wears that title with pride. Four years ago, Todd Phillips' The Hangover shocked audiences and critics alike becoming not only the undisputed breakout film of that summer, but earned a grander accolade as the highest grossing R-rated comedy to date.

After a series of déjà-vu incidents in the heart of Bangkok, Stu (Ed Helms), Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Alan (Zach Galifianakis) get mixed up in the affairs of effeminate international criminal Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong), who stole $21 million in gold bars from mob leader Marshall (John Goodman). With their friend Doug (Justin Bartha) used as Marshall's leverage, the Wolfpack are on a hunt for Chow, ultimately leading them back to where the whole saga started, Sin City.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Independent Crime Drama Weighs In on Hard-Hitting Consequences

Desperate times call for desperate measures as stuntman Luke robs banks to provide for his family.







What else can be said about the aura surrounding Derek Cianfrance's crime drama, The Place Beyond the Pines other than simply calling it the most electric, impactful piece of cinema to hit theaters in the past twelve months, perhaps even longer? There are not many films out there that can say they firmly stay on the minds of audiences after the credits roll, however The Place Beyond the Pines takes that to another level completely with its masterfully crafted narrative that will keep audiences contemplating more than just a few hours afterwards.

In The Place Beyond the Pines, Ryan Gosling plays Luke Glanton, a traveling carnival daredevil who finds his world turned upside down after he finds out his one night stand resulted in an infant son. With no way to amply provide for his only child, Glanton turns to a life of crime as the Moto Bandit, partnering up with a reclusive auto mechanic to hit up various local upstate New York banks.