Looper is More than a Genre Film, this Film, and Rian Johnson proves the power of the screenplay

Looper (4 out of 5 Stars) 

Written and Directed by Rian Johnson (The Brothers Bloom, Brick)

Starring: Joseph Gordon Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt

Looper is more than a genre film, and Rian Johnson proves the power of the screenplay.  I often sound like a broken record when I talk about the power of good screenplay, but this film is one example that not only proves my point, it proves that there are original ideas that still exist in Hollywood films.

Looper is set within the year 2044, and "time travel is possible" but not in the specific time in which we see the film.  30 years in the future gangs are using time travel in order to kill people.  In the future it is possible to track people deaths so these gangs use time travel, and the loopers to carry out the executions.  When the gangs are done with the looper they send them back to the past to "close the loop" and have them executed.  Soon a new pattern starts to reveal that the loopers are starting to "close the loop" more and more frequently.  Joe (Joseph Gordon Levitt) comes face to face with a version of his older self played by Bruce Willis, but Old Joe runs and soon the gang is after both these men.

Rian Johnson is the master behind this film.  Johnson whose previous work includes the well written thriller Brick, and the dark comedy The Brother Bloom.  Johnson's tight screenplay is the biggest accomplishment of this film; he knows how to not only close the loop himself, but fully realize the intricate details of his film.  In this film Johnson explores the multiple aspects of the sci-fi genre, and the realistic darkness to a futuristic society.  Johnson points out that society has mutated even, some individuals have Telekinesis, or TK as it is referred to in this film.  As TK seems like a secondary focus within the film, Johnson never lets his script escape his grasp; he connects the dots well pulling together all of the dots, as though they were a precise plotting of a much larger story.

Societal devastation and exploitation are themes that run throughout this film.  The loopers are criminal elites like Joe who were found by the gang leader from the future.  These loopers pay their debt, and get paid to rid the world of those who challenge the mafia's power within this future world.  The background sets American society within a barren wasteland in 2044, and even though we do not see the world thirty years later (except for in some brief flash forwards) it gets even worse.  Powers that be like the Rainmaker control society in the future and take advantage of the sprawling bombed out urban society.

Johnson's script and direction are key players in bringing this world to life.  Bob Ducsay's editing brilliantly blends the complicated elements of the story.  There are moments when you feel that the complicated nature of the story could hold the film back, but Docsay's editing helps strengthen the power of the story, with quick cuts that blend the stories of young and old Joe.

Gordon Levitt and Willis have had a banner year.  Gordon Levitt appeared in The Dark Knight Rises, Premium Rush, and will have a supporting role in Lincoln.  Willis has seen a career boost, his supporting role in Moonrise Kingdom showed his great comedic acting chops, while his role in this film, and Expendables 2 proved this guy is still a bad ass.  What sets this film apart along with the writing is the great on screen connection/chemistry between these two men.  There scene in the diner is proof that they needed no make-up to create a connection.  Blunt is also solid as Sara, a woman who connects these men on their own unique journeys.

Looper is a film that sounds complicated, but uses the simple undertones and great writing to create a world torn apart.  How do you repair things?  Can society evolve beyond what we set it up to be?  The film looks at the deeper meaning to issues within society.  This is not a silly sci-fi genre flick, but analyzes societal milieus, and how we pay a role in constant cyclical aspects.

The Dark Knight Rises to Meet the Expectations of Truly Impressive Conclusion

The Dark Knights Rises (4 out of 5)

Directed by Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception, Memento)

Written by Christopher and Jonathan Nolan (Memento)

Starring: Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Gary Oldman, Marion Cotillard, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman

Last night I was able to experience all three Batman films from Christopher Nolan back to back. What a way to watch this "trilogy!"  Batman Begins started at 6:30, and set the pace from one of the entertaining film experiences I have ever had.  The film series has changed the face of "comic book" or pulp film, and this film is the largest undertaking for Nolan to date within this series.

The films starts eight years after The Dark Knight, Batman and Bruce Wayne have both disappeared from the public since the fall of Harvey Dent.  Batman is public enemy number one for the police, and Wayne himself has isolated himself from the outside world because he felt as though he failed at saving Gotham, and its people from the chaos the Joker imposed.  Bruce Wayne is drawn back in the world of Batman when a cat burglar named Selina Kyle (Hathaway) breaks into his home stealing his finger prints.  This thief leads way to another criminal mastermind Bane (Hardy( who wants to release Gotham from the chains of the government and take chaos to a whole new level.

Revealing any more of the plot would the pure enjoyment for audiences.  The film is epic and Christopher Nolan has taken on some mammoth productions in the past, but this films large scale ups the ante.  Nolan has tied together some modern elements of societal problems within this film like within his other films to make this world more salient.  Financial troubles are at the center of this film, and mistrust of the government.  In the current socio-political/economic climate (on a global level) there is a mistrust of those who were born with silver spoons in their mouth.  There are numerous points in the film when characters like Selina Kyle and others point out the fact that Bruce has never had to struggle financially so he does not understand the way these "villains" have built up this fierce anger and hatred toward those who have never had to fight or even work for what they needed.

As Wayne Batman have grown weaker and goes further into seclusion the League of Shadows new leader Bane becomes "Gotham's reckoning."  Hardy does not get to act in the same fashion Heath Ledger did with his version of the Joker, but the Bane villain is different.  Bane wears a mouthpiece because of something when he was younger, the apparatus on his face keeps him alive.  People are going to complain they can't understand Bane, although it was much better in this film than in the initial test screening.  Bane represents more than an agent of chaos; he wants to turn Gotham inside out, and has no fear about bringing the people of Gotham to their knees.

Selina Kyle wants to see the people of Gotham suffer too.  Kyle's cat burglar is done incredibly well; she does purr, or become overly cat like, she is more of a bad ass acrobat.  Hathaway does a great job with being sultry, and has incredible chemistry with Bale.  The character never feels out of place like I thought it would.  The other female in the film Miranda Tate (Cotillard) is the financial savior for Wayne Enterprises, the character is a bit bland throughout and has sexual encounter with Bruce Wayne that does not seem to make sense because of Kyle, but the end result is brilliant.  

Another new character on the scene is John Blake (Gordon-Levitt) a cop who becomes a detective.  Through John's eyes the story tells a sign of the hope youth have in the the symbol of someone like Batman who will come in and save the day.  Gordon-Levitt is a great addition to this film, and it fits that Gary Oldman's Commissioner Gordon (one of the best working actors) finally has a cop on his side who understands what Batman represents.

Batman himself or the broken Bruce Wayne played by Christian Bale has evolved so much.  Watching Bale in all three films yesterday have proven to show that not only has this man grown as an actor, but he truly has taken fans of this franchise on an evolutionary journey with this character.  Bale's Bruce Wayne and Batman has taken flight within this film, and this is one great performance. 

While Bale and Nolan do an incredible job within this film, there are still flaws that exist.  Some will call this film "clunky" and while I disagree with that label I can see where the boom can over power.  The opening sequence tries to replicate the introduction of the Joker, but there is no way to repeat that brilliant introduction.  Hans Zimmer's score for this film has moments where the music overpowers the dialogue or becomes to bombastic, but yet there are also the quiet moments when the score reveals some of the most wrought moments.  There were times in the beginning when Nolan seemed to be going in too many directions with too many characters, but the film filtered that, and even as the end (like in The Dark Knight) feels as though its taking too long to get there you are on the edge of your seat because of the built up with anticipation.

As a comic book reader this film hit it out the park with some of the most interesting Batman stories.  While I know Nolan wants to end the story with this film, and it feels like it could be an ending there are so many stories to explore further.  If this is the end, as Nolan states this was an incredible way to end this series, and I feel as though the closure given provides enough on an opportunity for the caped crusader to disappear into the night. 

Television and Film Characters that I Wish I Could Date

Tonight while watching Parks and Recreation my crush on television character Ben Wyatt was furthered; he is one of the most adorkable characters on television.  This made me think about the other television and film characters that would be worth dating, or based on their character that I would like to be with.  This had nothing to do with looks although all of these guys are pretty darn attractive too.

Ben Wyatt (played by Adam Scott) Parks and Recreation-The man who started the list; he is smart, funny, dresses up like Batman, what more could I want?

Tom (played by Joseph Gordon Levitt) 500 Days of Summer-A hopeless romantic who even though there is a bit of an obsessive behavior, he a great funny guy, who likes The Smiths.

Noah (played by Ryan Gosling) The Notebook-He built her a house; he read to her everyday in the nursing home (while older), he climbed a Ferris Wheel to sit next to her, this guy has a crazy side to him, but wow is he the ultimate romantics fantasy.

Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) Say Anything-Holding a boom box (yes a boom box not a ipod home) over your head and playing "In Your Eyes" nuff said.

Christian (played by Ewan McGregor) Moulin Rouge!-Love is many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong; he sings, and falls for a whore.  Christian has the soul of a poet, and there is something beautiful about his belief in love.

Sam Seaborn (played by Rob Lowe) The West Wing-A smart, sarcastic, political strategist who works in the White House, who wouldn't want to be with him?

Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick) Ferris Bueller's Day Off-He breaks all the rules, does what he wants, and still is a great guy, where are the real Ferris Buellers ?

Ben Bruckner (played by Robert Gant) Queer as Folk-The professor with the pecs of steel. I love Ben; he is one of the good guys on this show, not only does he stand up for his man, but he is one of the best boyfriends I have seen on television.

Hubbell (played by Robert Redford) The Way We Were-Your girl is lovely Hubbell, five of the most heartbreaking words ever spoken on film.  Hubbell is the jock, the boy next door, and has this soft beautiful side on the inside.

Marshall Eriksen (played by Jason Segel) How I Met Your Mother-Marshall has always been the perfect best friend, and husband, although he is a little (or a lot) awkward, he still is one of the best guys.