Movie Review

Limitless

I always intended to see this movie because I’m a huge fan of Bradley Cooper and finally here was his chance to carry a big movie by himself.  The trailers did not intrigue me.  Actually, they kind of killed my enthusiasm.   But, loyalty to actors I admire plus a general love of film won out and I went to see it and hoped for the best.  I was pleasantly surprised.  I was actually excited as I was watching it.  That’s a rare thing for me.  I wasn’t Hot Fuzz excited or Grindhouse excited (to date, the two best experiences I’ve had at the movies), but I was pumped never the less.  By the time the mobsters broke into his apartment, I was in love with this movie.

            The film is about a procrastinating writer named Eddie Morra.  He gets his hand on a drug called NZT that will unlock all of his potential.  He speeds his way to the top, gets rich, and a makeover (thank goodness).  Unfortunately, there are some nasty side effects that he didn’t count on.  What I wanted out of this was just a chance to see Cooper act, with all the focus on him and that’s what I got.  He really got a chance to show his stuff.  He wasn’t the cocky charmer or the jerky boyfriend.  He got to do some drama and he did it well.  He owned this part and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results.  Hopefully, this will open the door for him to get more leading man roles outside of comedies.  There are really no other performances to mention because the other parts are small and not particularly memorable.  This movie is completely about Eddie and I found myself wondering what Robert De Niro was doing in it.  It’s a very minor role that I wouldn’t have expected him to take.

Acting aside, I like the way the story was told.  It was a very up and down story as opposed to one build up to one climax.  Yes, there were some loose ends and I could probably write a paper on what he did wrong and what I would have done differently, but ultimately, none of that bothers me because I was enjoying it too much.  The direction was very stylized and it verged on distracting at times, specifically the first time Eddie takes the drug.  It sorted itself out though and the multiple long zoom shots through the city were like being on an amusement park ride.  It was very fun stuff.  Though, it would have been more fun if I hadn’t been fighting off a cold at the time.  There is one scene that tracks Eddie through 18 hours that he later forgets and it’s just captivating.  The changing of color tones from dull to bright depending on if he’s on the drug or not isn’t exactly subtle but the film isn’t attempting to be pretentious or deep so that kind of thing works and just adds to the fun of the story.

            I don’t want to give away the ending but it surprised me.  Usually, movies have very clear morals about drugs and I bet on there only being two possible outcomes.  Yet, the film dodged both of them and went off in a third direction.  The movie didn’t set out to teach me a lesson that I’d heard a million times before and I appreciate that.  I hesitate to put it like this, but it almost made the movie more realistic.

            Limitless is a movie I’m planning on buying and I can’t wait until it comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray.  The story itself surpassed my expectations.  Cooper got a chance to play a lead role in a relatively serious movie and he did not disappoint.  I left the theater in a great mood.  This might just be the best movie I’ve seen so far this year.  But, it is only March.

Top 20 Most Influential People of 2010

 

20.) Olivia Wilde –

          Movie/Show: Tron: Legacy

Why: Because she’s so fun and funny and she manages to look awesome while sporting an asymmetrical hairstyle.  She made her Tron character, Quorra, strong but still innocent.  She plays one of the most hated characters on House but still keeps an awesome attitude. I’m so happy that she’s proving all the haters wrong by becoming a star.

         

19.) Gina Bellman-

          Movie/Show: Leverage

            Why: Because she’s over 40 and gorgeous and doesn’t have to dress like a slut to prove it *coughLisaEdelsteincough* Because she gets to play a con artist.  Because her Leverage character, Sophie, lies and fools everyone for a living.  That fills me with so much hope for female characters, I can’t even say.  Sophie is strong, intelligent, and fun loving.  She’s nurturing without being overly being smothering or stereotypical about it.  We need more characters like her on television.

18.) Sam Rockwell-

          Movie/Show: Moon

            Why: Because I never gave this man a second thought until I was blown away by Moon.  That was one of the most beautiful performances in one of the most beautiful films I’ve ever seen.  It’s a crime that he was overlooked at Oscar time.  He’ll make that movie stay with me for a long time.  I now know that he’s an actor to keep an eye on.

17.) Helen Mirren-

          Movie/Show: RED

            Why: Because she handled a lot of big guns in RED.  She kicked so much butt in that movie that it’s ridiculous.  She had nearly every fist pumping moment in that movie.  Here’s a woman in her mid sixties starring in an action movie and stealing every scene she was in.  If that’s not talent than I don’t know what is.

16.) Arthur Darvill-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

          Why: Basically, for being what Jack and Mickey couldn’t be; a successful, fulltime male companion to the Doctor.  For not settling for being second best.  For actually getting the girl instead of playing back up to the Doctor.  Arthur’s character, Rory is sweet, smart, and incredibly loyal.  He waited for Amy for 2,000 years.  What guy can say that?  He’s going to get to play one half of the first ever married couple of the TARDIS and I can’t wait.

15.) Freema Agyeman-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Law and Order: UK

            Why: On Doctor Who, she played my favorite companion, Martha Jones.  Martha was pragmatic and stronger than she was ever given credit for.  When she saved the world, she did it on her own, using her brains.  She wasn’t given superpowers to do it like Rose and Donna were.  Martha deserves more love than she gets.  At least on Law and Order: UK, people freaking appreciate her.  Freema just has the bubbliest personality and she always seems so happy and energetic.  She’s like a ray of sunshine.  I hope she continues to get good roles because I guarantee that I’ll happily follow her career wherever it goes.

14.) Kyle MacLachlan –

          Movie/Show: Twin Peaks

            Why: Because, frankly, Agent Cooper is one of the greatest television characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.  By looks alone, I figured stereotypical FBI agent, cynical, stoic, cold, is going to hate being in this town.  What did I get instead?  A happy, friendly, open to believe anything guy who loved the town and the people in it.  MacLachlan made the show for me.  He put it on another level.  He’s not all that terrible looking either.

13.) Billie Piper-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl

            Why: On paper, Rose Tyler is a pretty vile character.  She’s selfish and treats her family like garbage.  She walks around believing that she’s the most important girl in the universe (and the Doctor’s more than happy to indulge that belief).  She’s jealous of any woman who so much as looks at the Doctor.  Luckily, Billie Piper played her and she brought a charm and sweetness to Rose making it impossible for me to hate the character.  Billie went from a mediocre pop princess to a surprisingly capable actress.  I love her even more on Secret Diary of a Call Girl because she’s carrying the show there.  Other characters flit in an out but you’re with her character completely, inside her head.  Billie plays the drama as well as the humor with a dignity she seems to always carry with her even when she was singing Honey to the Bee.

12.) John Barrowman-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, Torchwood

            Why: Because another year has gone by and he’s still my hero.  He is unashamedly himself no matter what.  He makes me want to be like him.  He has a passion for life that I’ve never felt.  He loves his career, he loves his family, and he loves his partner.  He has worked very hard to get where he is.  Best of all, he is always incredibly gracious to his fans.  He knows that we love him and he loves us right back.  Plus, he’s the hottest man on the planet.  True story.

11.) Alex Kingston-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

            Why: Because I hated the character of River Song in series 4 and Alex went and turned her into one of my favorite female characters of all time in series 5.  River is just about the flirtiest flirt who ever flirted.  She would do anything for the Doctor and she clearly enjoys knowing something he doesn’t know.  I can actually take River seriously as a love interest for the Doctor.  That’s something I was never able to buy with Rose who was just a silly little child.  She’s so mysterious as well.  Who is River Song?  I can’t wait to find out.

10.) Emma Stone-

          Movie/Show: Easy A

            Why: For being the surprise of the year.  I’d seen her before but she was never given the chance to shine like she was in Easy A.  She was funny.  She’s a young woman who is pretty and funny.  Who would have thought that was possible?  It’s rare that a woman gets to be both and pull it off in Hollywood.  She proved to me that she’s star material.  I’m excited to see what comes next for her.

9.) Carey Mulligan-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who, An Education, Never Let Me Go, Wall Street Two

            Why: So Sally Sparrow became an Oscar nominated star.  That’s amazing.  It was over a year ago when I just knew Carey Mulligan as Sally Sparrow from one of the greatest Doctor Who episodes of the new series.  Now look at her go.  She’s become a much respected young actress and she’s getting fantastic roles to really show off her talent.  It’s always a good thing when a Doctor Who actor hits it big and as of now, she’s the biggest success story they’ve got.

8.) Matt Smith-

          Movie/Show: Doctor Who

            Why: Because he took on a daunting task.  He took over the role of the Doctor from David Tennant.  You’ve gotta be pretty brave to try that.  What’s more, he did a great job.  His Doctor has been the best thing about series 5.  Smith is the youngest actor to ever play the role but really seems the most like a very old man trapped in a young body.  His Doctor is a total nerd and captures the manic energy in a different way than both Tennant and Eccleston.  I can’t credit him enough with making the last series worthwhile and letting me keep my love for the show and the character.

7.) Dwight Schultz –

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because I discovered The A-Team this year and he’s by far the best part of the original show.  He was so funny on that show.  The man is extremely talented and it’s a shame that he didn’t have bigger career.  Obviously, he had comedy down.  But Fat Man and Little Boy showed me that he could play straight drama just as well.  Schultz made me hate Oppenheimer and love Murdock.  I don’t know how the others could keep up with him on The A-Team, especially Mr. T (that’s not a shot at Mr. T…okay yes it is).  The more Murdock was in an episode, the better the episode was.  Simple as that.

6.) Dirk Benedict-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team, Battlestar Galactica

            Why: Okay, truth be told, I have mixed feelings toward the man.  He comes across as pretty sexist and occasionally douchey.  But, the man cured himself of cancer by changing his diet.  No surgery or medicine, he just trusted himself.  That’s pretty amazing.  He’s led a fascinating life, whether I agree with his opinions or not.  He raised his two kids on his own and I admire a man who is willing to do that.  Plus, onscreen, he was ridiculously charming and handsome.  Jeez, was he hot back in the day. 

5.) Jessica Biel-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because she played the token female in an action movie but she did it with dignity.  She was more than the love interest.  The only time she even kissed the leading man was a plot point and not purely a romantic thing.  She was one step behind the guys the whole time.  She had her own lackeys for crying out loud.  She was driven and ambitious.  She didn’t take crap from anyone.  As my sister put it, “she’s scary.”  But, I don’t think she crosses the line into just being a rigid bitch as often happens in these movies.  She has every reason to be mad given her situation.  I usually hate anyone who is not automatically on my favorite character’s side but I like her.  She makes me want to be tougher.  Plus, how many former 7^th Heaven stars can say that they still get regular, high profile work?  Yeah, that’s what I thought.

4.) Bradley Cooper-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Because for some reason I didn’t fall for this guy in The Hangover but it suddenly clicked with The A-Team.  Maybe it was because he was kind enough to walk around with his shirt off for a while during it.  He’s so nice and genuine in interviews.  He’s a big movie geek too, which is always a plus.  He’s funny, he’s sexy, and he’s charismatic.  He needs to do more action movies because he definitely has it in him.  But, he should also keep doing comedy because he’s too good at it to give it up.  He also needs to keep his hair long.

3.) Edgar Wright-

          Movie/Show: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

            Why: This guy is the only non actor on my list.  He’s a writer and director and he had to be included.  I wish he would make more movies than he does because he is one of the most meticulous directors around.  There is so much detail in his work.  He obviously cares about what he’s doing and has a passion for it.  I have to watch his movies several times to catch new details each time.  I’m sure I still haven’t spotted them all.  He’s a genius and he’s tragically underrated.

2.) Melinda Culea-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team

            Why: Oh, this woman.  She just got a crappy deal.  She was phased out of the show in early season two due to a persistent and misogynistic George Peppard (I hate him).  As Amy Allen, she was a surprisingly talented actress.  She brought weight to the show and to the character.  She did have good chemistry with Schultz and Benedict and there was so much potential in her character.  I hate that it was never realized.  They could have done things with the character of Amy.  Instead, more often than not, she was in the background.  Still, when she was allowed to shine, she really did.  She had more going on as a character than it appeared.  She could be manipulative.  She may have been soft spoken but she was extremely determined and she went after what she wanted and made no apologies for it.  She had a blast getting in on the action with the guys (on the rare occasions she was allowed to).  I love the character for all of that and I love the actress for trying in an impossible work situation.

1.)  Sharlto Copley-

          Movie/Show: The A-Team, District 9

            Why: I am endlessly fascinated by this man.  He’s so wacky but clearly very smart.  What amazes me is that he didn’t start out as an actor.  He was a successful behind the scenes man.  He ran his own business.  He was a producer among many other things.  He fell into stardom almost by accident.  When his friend Neill Blomkamp made District 9, Copley was only supposed to produce but Blomkamp eventually decided that he wanted him to play the lead.  For someone who was not a professional actor, he completely carried that movie.  And that movie was wonderful.  Copley’s story is so unique and I wish him nothing but continued success in this new chapter in his life.  Also, he’s hot and I’m shallow.  What?