The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

The Tobey Maguire Spider – Man Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

Spider–Man (2002)

C – 121m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man: The Motion Picture, Spiderman
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screenplay By: David Koepp
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Cliff Robertson, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Joe Manganiello, Gerry Becker, Elizabeth Banks, John Paxton, Jason Padgett, Jim Ward, David Holcomb, Octavia Spencer, Jim Norton and Stan Lee.

A geeky high school outcast gets bitten by a spider and gains superpowers. A very entertaining way to bring the comic book hero to the big screen. A good start to the trilogy.

Trivia: Hugh Jackman was supposed to have a cameo as Wolverine and even showed up to shoot the scene but the idea was scrapped because the production could not get the costume from X–Men (2000). Tobey Maguire’s nose kept filling with water during the upside–down kiss in the rain. The first issued film poster was recalled because it featured The World Trade Center as part of the NYC skyline, 9/11/2001 had just occurred.

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound and Best Visual Effects.
Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Violence & Action
Available on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Spider–Man 2 (2004)

C – 127m (Theatrical Cut) / 135m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 2: The IMAX Experience, The Amazing Spider–Man, Spider–Man: No More, Spider–Man 2 Lives, Spider–Man 2.1, Spider–Man 1.5, Spiderman 2
Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Michael Chabon
Screenplay By: Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, Dylan Baker, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, Elizabeth Banks, Bruce Campbell, Stan Lee, John Paxton and John Landis.

Peter Parker’s personal life is in a tailspin as he battles Dr. Otto Octavius. Smart sequel and by far the best entry in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy. Everything works! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut. 

Trivia: Tobey Maguire was having back problems and almost didn’t make this film. Jake Gyllenhaal was set to replace him but Maguire returned for the film. The, “My back!” joke after Peter Parker falls from the roof, just happened to be in the script before Maguire’s back issues arose. (Anyone else skeptical?) When Peter Parker flips over an oncoming car, Tobey Maguire did the stunt himself. A stuntman also did it but director Sam Raimi liked Maguire’s take and thought it looked more natural, so he used it. 

Oscar® winner for: Best Visual Effects. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Stylized Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Spider–Man 3 (2007)

C – 139m (Theatrical Cut) / 137 (Editor’s Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Spider–Man 3: The IMAX Experience, Spiderman 3, 3
Marvel Comic Book By: Stan Lee and Steve Ditko
Screen Story By: Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi
Screenplay By: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Alvin Sargent
Exec. Pro.: Stan Lee
Dir.: Sam Raimi
Starring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Thomas Haden Church, Rosemary Harris, J.K. Simmons, James Cromwell, Theresa Russell, Dylan Baker, Bruce Campbell, Elizabeth Banks, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson, John Paxton, Becky Ann Baker, Stan Lee and Joe Manganiello. 

A dark entity from another world threatens to take over Peter Parker as he battles new villians, causing inner turmoil. Dismal final outing in the Raimi – Maguire trilogy leaves one feeling sorry that the story came to this. Watchable only as part of the series. The preferred cut is the theatrical cut, oddly.

Trivia: All of the screams Kirsten Dunst has in this film are reused from Spider–Man 2 (2004). The film took two years and ten months to make. At one point it was a consideration to split the film into two parts. Many scenes were shot that were never released theatrically as part of the film or on home video as part of the bonus features. Many of them considered too dark for consumption. This was Cliff Robertson’s final film before his death on September 10, 2011 at the age of 88.

Rated: [PG–13] Sequences Of Intense Action Violence
Available in Theatrical Cut and Editor’s Cut on 4K and regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Shape Of Water (2017)

The Shape Of Water (2017)

C  / B&W – 123m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Story By: Guillermo del Toro
Screenplay By: Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale
Pro. – Dir.: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Octavia Spencer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Doug Jones, David Hewlett and Nick Searcy.

In the 1950’s a lonely janitor at a top-secret research lab starts a relationship with an amphibious creature that is being held in captivity. A creature film in the style of The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954), right down to the design of the creature; difference being: this is a love story. The film is by no means fast paced but it has the visual flair of del Toro to off–set it. Period detail is nice, sets are impeccable, costumes are tops and the actors play their parts with gusto. How can you go wrong? The only complaint here is that it is a creature film from the 1950’s released in 2017. In short: It has all been done before. Unlike most creature films though you actually feel for the creature here. Between that and the romance element being played in an entirely different way makes this a film worth watching. 

Trivia: The creature’s design here was heavily influenced by the title creature in the film: The Creature From The Black Lagoon (1954). Guillermo del Toro reportedly wrote backstories for all the characters and offered them to the actors. Some utilized them (Michael Stuhlbarg) while others ignored them (Richard Jenkins). Guillermo del Toro started work on this film in 2011.

Oscar® winner for: Best Picture – Guillermo del Toro and J Miles Dale, Best Director – Guillermo del Toro, Best Original Score and Best Production Design. Additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Actress – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Golden Globe winner for: Best Director – Motion Picture – Guillermo del Toro and Best Original Score – Motion Picture. Additionally nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama – Sally Hawkins, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture – Richard Jenkins, Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture – Octavia Spencer, Best Original Screenplay – Guillermo Del Toro.

Rated: [R] – Sexual Content, Graphic Nudity, Violence & Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Shack (2017)

The Shack (2017)

C – 132m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Based on: The Shack by William P. Young
In Collaboration with: Wayne Jacobsen, Brad Cummings
Screenplay By: John Fusco, Andrew Lanham and Destin Daniel Cretton (as Destin Cretton)
Pro.: Brad Cummings
Dir.: Stuart Hazeldine
Starring: Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw, Radha Mitchell, Megan Carpentier, Gage Munroe, Amelie Eve, Avaraham Aviv Alush and Graham Greene.
Music By: Aaron Zigman

A grieving man receives a mysterious and personal invitation to meet God at a place called, “The Shack.” A sad story, to be sure, is turned into an even sadder and boring film. The only bright moments are the cinematography around The Shack. This reviewer notes that the CGI is painfully obvious.

Trivia: Forest Whitaker was originally attached to direct but dropped out.
Rated: [PG–13] – Thematic Material Including Some Violence
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Bad Santa (2003) & Bad Santa 2 (2016)

Bad Santa (2003)

C – 91m (Theatrical Cut) / 88m (Director’s Cut) / 99m (Unrated Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Badder Santa
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Tony Cox, Brett Kelly, Lauren Graham, Bernie Mac, John Ritter, Octavia Spencer (as Octavia L. Spencer), Cloris Leachman and Sarah Silverman.

A conman and his assistant pose as Santa and Elf in order to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. Trouble ensues when the conman befriends a kid with issues. Amusing and definitely crude humored black comedy is an annual favorite for this reviewer. Great performances and perfect pacing for the three cuts of the film: Theatrical Cut – 91m, Unrated Cut – 99m, & Director’s Cut – 88m. The Director’s cut is the darkest cut of the film. This reviewer favors the Unrated Cut. Nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor – Musical Or Comedy – Motion Picture – Billy Bob Thornton. Followed by Bad Santa 2 (2016).

Trivia: Larry David was considered for the role of Willie. Bill Murray was signed as Willie but dropped out the make Sophia Coppola’s Lost In Translation (2003). Billy Bob Thornton has said numerous times that he was legitimately intoxicated during the making of the film. This was John Ritter’s final film and it is dedicated to his memory. Tony Cox adlibbed the, “You probably shouldn’t be digging in your ass,” line. It cracked the director up both on the set and in the middle of the night. Jack Nicholson read the script and wanted to do the film but had to turn it down because he was already committed to the Nancy Meyers film, Something’s Gotta Give (2003). The Unrated Cut of the film holds the record for Most Curses In A Christmas Film: 170 uses of the “F” word, 74 uses of the “S” word, 31 uses of the “A” word, 10 uses of the “B” word, and 1 use of the other “B” word in various forms. And finally: In a deleted scene Sarah Silverman played a Santa trainer.

Rated: [R] – Pervasive Language, Strong Sexual Content & Some Violence
[UNRATED] – More of the same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Bad Santa 2 (2016)

C – 92m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Billy Bob Thornton, Kathy Bates, Tony Cox, Christina Hendricks, Brett Kelly, Ryan Hansen, Mike Starr and Octavia Spencer.

The conman and his assistant are at it again in Chicago at Christmas time, this time with the conman’s mother. This is certainly a step down from the first film but still enjoyable. It takes a bit to get going story wise but once it gets there, it stays active to a satisfactory level. Fine performances as before.

Trivia: A slimmer Brett Kelly gained more than 40 pounds by eating smoked meat sandwiches in Montreal, Canada – where the film was shot. This being the sequel, was released almost exactly 13 years to the day of the original film’s release, November 26, 2003 and November 23, 2016 respectively. And finally: Willie shares some of the same biographical information as Billy Bob Thornton, who plays him: 1.) Born August 4th & 2.) Born in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Rated: [R] – Crude Sexual Content And Language Throughout & Some Graphic Nudity
[UNRATED] – More of the same
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Mothers & Daughters (2016)/Fathers & Daughters (2016)

Mothers And Daughters (2016)

C. – 90m
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mothers Day
Starring: Selma Blair, Luke Mitchell, Christina Ricci, Ashanti, Sebastian Siegel, Courteney Cox, Sharon Stone and Susan Sarandon.

Interwoven vignettes of motherhood seen through the eyes of a photographer who is herself, pregnant. Typical run of the mill tapestry film has a few funny and touching moments. The pacing is slow and it takes time to get started but there is a satisfactory conclusion to it. If for no other reason, it is worth watching because of the cast.

Rated: [PG – 13] / [NOT RATED] – Some Mature Thematic Elements & Brief Drug Use.
Available on DVD & Digital Copy

Fathers And Daughters (2015/2016)

C. – 116m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
Starring: Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Aaron Paul, Diane Kruger, Bruce Greenwood, Jane Fonda and Octavia Spencer.

A Pulitzer Prize winning author struggles with being a widower and a father after a nervous breakdown, while, 27 years later his daughter struggles to forge connections of her own. Ultimately a sad story is an interesting character study and a strong contender for showing to psychology, psychiatry and social worker students. Fine acting by a great cast and an interesting set of characters make this a film worth watching.

Rated: [R] – Some Sexual Content / References
Available on DVD & Digital Copy