My Mind on Media

My name is Paul J Schmidt. and I love film and television. I've been asked over the years my opinion on new releases, old favorites and so on. Now, I've actually decided to focus this blog on that specifically. So, journey with me as I peruse the thing...

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Review: War Dogs

Starring: Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Ana de Armas, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Pollack

Directed By: Todd Phillips

Synopsis: Based on the true story of two young men, David Packouz and Efraim Diveroli, who won a $300 million contract from the Pentagon to arm America's allies in Afghanistan. (imdb)

Positives: Jonah Hill was absolutely spectacular in his role of Ephraim Diveroli. He is really showing off a wide range of skills. The script had great foreshadowing elements when it came to his character that came true in the end. Almost everyone fell in to their roles and it’s obvious Bradley Cooper is one of the director’s favorites. The pacing of the film was excellent and the editing was top notch with a great soundtrack that helped illustrate key moments.

Negatives: Miles Teller was not the right fit for this. He seemed to lack the panache in the straight man role and was dull, of course that may be why they cast him. The story arc between his wife and him was just a buzz kill when it came to what this movie was about and within this finely paced film, kind of slowed it down a bit. Plus, there was not enough of Bradley Cooper. I would’ve liked to have explored his character more.

What to Watch For: The way the cinematography and art direction created the feel for Albania versus Miami. It’s a great contrast that the director truly personalized. 

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On Netflix: The Sixties

Starring: Various

Created By: Tom Hanks, Mark Herzog

Synopsis: A ten-part documentary series focusing on the politics, music, technical advancements, drugs, and the "free love" movement of the 1960s. (imdb)

Positives: This was a well-crafted documentary series that used a lot of the film and television footage of that time. The editing in this series was spectacular as the wading through all of that material and then using the right bits at the right time had to have been a chore. It was great to see the young faces of the news men that I grew up with on screen and to have them come in to do the interviews. I really liked how the interviews were shot and composed and then inserted into the story. Each episode was paced well and very entertaining.

Negatives: I thought the exclusion of sports in general as part of the narrative was a glaring omission. When you have the Vietnam War as a backdrop in several episodes, not talking about Muhammed Ali or the track stars at the Olympics was sorely missed. Not only that, but no mention of Malcolm X and his influence both good and bad at that time. That was the biggest knock I can think of.

What to Watch For: Once again, seeing the newsmen you grew up getting their start reporting the news in one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

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In Memory of Gene Wilder 1933-2016

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On Hulu: 11.22.63

Starring: James Franco, Chris Cooper, Daniel Webber, Sarah Gadon

Created by: JJ Abrams and Stephen King

Synopsis: A high school teacher travels back in time to prevent John F. Kennedy's assassination. (imdb)

Positives: The art direction, production design, costuming and cinematography were all top notch and really got you to believe you were in different places in time. The set up to this program was well done and the concept for this program was of course great. Chris Cooper and James Franco were excellent choices to be the headliners and Daniel Webber’s portrayal of Lee Harvey Oswald was haunting.

Negatives: This was probably the one Steven King book that could have been condensed to a 2 hour movie. Having it be an 8 hour mini series bogged it down and made the show drag from episode 5 on. The ending itself was excruciating. I also didn’t think they did enough with the past fighting back. it was a slow crawl towards finishing. The rest of the cast beyond Franco, Cooper and Webber was a drop off as well. I really didn’t think they held their own with the stars and that could be attributed to direction and the script as well, which were definite drop offs at the mid point of the series.

What to Watch For: James Franco’s character’s references to future pop culture events that confused the people in 1963.

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Review: Suicide Squad

Starring: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Jared Leto

Directed By: David Ayer

Synopsis: Based on the DC Comic, the government gives a team of super villains a chance at redemption. The catch: their mission will probably kill them all. (imdb)

Positives: The makeup and costuming were great. Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker was not as annoying as I anticipated. I didn’t like the look, but his characterization was good.

Negatives: Everything else in this movie was just disappointing. The direction was disjointed, The script nonsensical. The character development was incomplete. I couldn’t stand Killer Croc’s voice or the characters of Deadshot and Rick Flagg. Harley had the best lines, but her punchline was always muted. The choice of music was a nod to Guardians of the Galaxy but failed miserably because it was placed haphazardly. It was a big cluster from the beginning and kept failing throughout. I cannot recommend seeing this film.

What to Watch For: Harley and the Joker. They are the only ones worth watching in this film. But they get severely mis-directed.

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Review: Star Trek Beyond

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg

Directed by: Justin Lin

Synopsis: The USS Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a new ruthless enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test.

Positives: I love this cast of characters. They just seem extensions of the actors and they just fit right in. The development of the relationship between Spock and McCoy was a very nice touch and will play to future stories. The pacing of this film was much faster due to the director and I thought it worked. There was no drop off in intensity and the villain was excellent. The editing in this film was top notch and the visual effects and make up were awesome. They have carried on the tradition of being a true rival to the Star Wars franchise.

Negatives: I felt the story was simplistic in its concept. I liked some parts of it, but was not wowed by the storytelling. I was kind of hoping to see some retaliation by the Klingon Empire due to what happened in the previous film, but that wasn’t there. If you were there for the characters, you won’t be disappointed. But, that’s the only flaw in this movie, being a little simplistic in the storytelling. The rest of it worked.

What to watch for: The use of 20th century music that’s strategically placed in this film. It’s pretty cool.

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On Netflix: Spotlight

Starring: Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery

Directed by: Tom McCarthy

Synopsis: The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core. (imdb)

Positives: Great cinematography. I really loved how the DP chose to use a flat realistic look. Great Direction. None of the actors stepped over each other nor was there any drop off in talent. Everyone held their intensity and performed well. The cast. This was one of the best ensemble casts put together for such a great story. This is a must see film.

Negatives: Throughout the film, intensity was set, dialogue was expertly delivered and the pacing was excellent. I, however, was a little disappointed in the ending. I felt it was a little to anti-climactic. I wanted to see more of a dramatic ending due to all the set up. I know that wasn’t the case, but still. I would also have liked to see a little more drama surrounding 9/11 and this story.

What to watch for: The performances of Liev Schrieber and Stanley Tucci. Those two had the characters down and were ready to inject those characters when needed. They added quite a bit to this film in very subtle ways, but you could not forget the impact they had.

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On Netflix: Salinger

Starring: Various

Directed by: Shane Salerno

Synopsis: An unprecedented look inside the private world of J.D. Salinger, the reclusive author of The Catcher in the Rye. (imdb)

Positives: I really liked the theme of the story and the use of  the non-linear timeline in which it flowed between Salinger’s modern day versus his time during WWII. The director did a very thorough job of painting the picture of who JD Salinger through other people. Great editing and the creation of JD Salinger through art was a very nice touch.

Negatives: This documentary was a not a two hour long affair. It dragged and repeated itself a bit. A good 30 to 45 minutes could have been knocked off and this would be a great documentary. I also didn’t see the need for Hoffman, Sheen, Cusack, Apatow or Norton. I don’t understand the reasoning that they are in there and they didn’t add anything to the story. 

What to Watch For: The story arc with Joyce Maynard was particularly interesting in how it was edited to one story between two separate interviews. It was engaging and masterfully done.

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In Memory of Kenny Baker (R2-D2)

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On Netflix: An Inconvenient Truth

Starring: Al Gore

Directed by: David Guggenheim

Synopsis: Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change in the most talked-about documentary at Sundance. (imdb)

Positives: This was a very well put together documentary about the keynote speech on climate change and global warming from Al Gore. He does a wonderful job in telling the story and creating the conflict with what is happening and what is believed. He takes you through the numbers and is absolutely engaging while doing so. 

Negatives: I’m not sure adding in the personal aspects of Al Gore was necessary, I thought that it was kind of a detraction as the director has you step away from the keynote and into the mind of Al Gore. I would have rather have the personal anecdotes stay within the keynote, and if you are going outside the keynote, illustrate that with news clips of issues he’s talking about. I just felt the Al Gore story was a distraction to the overall story of climate change.

What to watch for: The slides he had to help illustrate what he was saying during the keynote were spectacular. I would have loved to see this keynote in person. 

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In Memory of John Saunders. Fellow Bronco and much respected sports analyst....

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On Netflix: Stranger Things

Starring: David Harbour, Winona Ryder, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobbie Brown, Matthew Modine, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton

Created by: The Duffer Brothers

Synopsis: When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back. (IMDB)

Positives: Where do I start. The story for one was excellent. It drew me back to my time as a child watching the classic horror movies at that time. The art direction and production design was top notch, costumes were excellent and the whole eighties feel was nailed from the hairstyles to the wood paneling. The performances were another thing. These kids were incredible and held their character within incredible tense scenes. Winona Ryder will probably get an Emmy nod for her role as Joyce Byers. She was just spectacular. This is a must see program for anyone. Especially those of us who grew up in the 80′s. You won’t be disappointed from episode 1 on.

Negatives: Sometimes the CG of the creature was a bit off. However, that’s meager. The only other negative I have is that I’ve watched it all and I have to wait for more. Incredible storytelling. 

What to Watch For: The great homage it plays to the masters of thrillers back then, such as John Carpenter, Wes Craven and Steven King. This show is an instant classic. 

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Review: Jason Bourne

Starring: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Vincent Cassel

Directed By: Paul Greengrass

Synopsis: The CIA's most dangerous former operative is drawn out of hiding to uncover more explosive truths about his past. (imdb)

Positives: The bad ass character that is Jason Bourne. A couple of okay car chases.The editing was spot on as usual in this series. 

Negatives: I really did not care for this story or the execution of this movie. It seemed slow and plodding. Not like any of the other Bourne movies. I am completely excluding the Renner Bourne. Where was Tommy Lee Jones character before in the series? Where was Joan Allen? Or David Straithairn? What, they didn’t exist? Also, Julie Stiles was rusty as hell, her acting couldn’t be more stiff and Alicia Vikander was also very wooden with a terrible time trying to have an American accent. If this is what we were going to be given to replace the Jeremy Renner Bourne Legacy, they should have just left the franchise alone. This was not a good outing for anyone. I don’t know how it could recover from this. 

What to Watch For: The moments that Jason Bourne shows off his complete badassery. It’s few and far between, but Matt Damon still can carry it when allowed. 

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Review: The BFG

Starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Synopsis: A girl named Sophie encounters the Big Friendly Giant who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike them, he refuses to eat children. (imdb)

Positives: This must be the best adaptation of a Roald Dahl novel I’ve seen. It captured the spirit and the magic of the story and never let up. It felt almost like a Harry Potter like world. The BFG himself was a very likable character and Ruby Barnhill performed miraculously seeing as she was mostly by herself, technically. The visual effects were absolutely incredible. This is a great family film and one of Spielberg’s best works in the same vein of Hugo for Scorcese. 

Negatives: Not very many, but selfishly, I would have liked to see more scenes with the other giants. However, I’m sure their activities that are spoken of would have given this film a different rating. This is fantastic storytelling.

What to Watch For: How the BFG works to blend in to his surroundings while out in the real world. It makes you want to look twice at your surroundings. A masterful introduction to the character. 

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On Hulu: Interstellar

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine, Jessica Chastain

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Synopsis: A team of explorers travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival. (imdb)

Positives: This movie is visually stunning. The cinematography and visual effects are just absolutely top notch. It has a great cast and an original story. This is a true science fiction narrative with really good and not too far fetched concepts.

Negatives: The third act takes the science fiction of it and turns up the science. It gets really confusing and a little out there. It just didn’t have the punch I was hoping for and felt it dragged the film along to get to the end. It was a difficult watch at the turning point. 

What to Watch For: The homage to Ken Burns documentary, The Dust Bowl. See if you can pick it out.

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On Netflix: Orange is the New Black Season 4

Starring: Taylor Shilling, Laura Prepon, Kate Mulgrew, Nick Sandow, Danielle Brooks, Uzo Aduba, Natasha Lyonne

Created By: Jenji Kohan

Synopsis: The story of Piper Chapman, a woman in her thirties who is sentenced to fifteen months in prison after being convicted of a decade-old crime of transporting money to her drug-dealing girlfriend. (imdb)

Positives: I’ve always enjoyed learning more about the inmates pasts and you are not disappointed in this season. The tension between the new guards and everyone in the prison is a nice dynamic as well as the tension between the races. Much better writing than season 3 and the reduction of time with Piper is always a plus for me. She is one of the most annoying characters in television. 

Negatives: Besides Piper, I felt the story arcs were stronger in this season, they are still reaching for that season 1 and 2 magic and haven’t found it just yet. It’s really starting to wane. If it wasn’t for great season ending cliff hangers, I wouldn’t watch another season.

What to Watch For: Lori Petty. Period. She’s just incredible in this season and I hope she gets an Emmy nod for her role of Lolly. Her evolution and subsequent devolution of her character was masterful. I can just imagine the directors giving her very little direction, because how could they imagine what she could do? 

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In memory of Garry Marshall