Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman) thought he was untouchable..above the law…or at least beyond reproach. It’s too bad he was a man lost in time. A smart man who couldn’t resist … Continue reading ‘The Front Runner’ informs and entertains, and it has Hugh Jackman
A gritty and raw sendoff with a never better Jackman
When I left this movie, the first thing I wanted to do was go home and hug my son. The second thing I wanted and needed to do was inform everyone within a ten mile radius how important it is for this movie, Prisoners, to be seen. Easily one of the year’s best films, French Canadian director Denis Villenueve’s spellbinding tale will get inside your bones and stay there a while. Few movies have the power to be present you with a moral dilemma and take the necessary time to lay out their story while inserting every scene with authentic tension. Never mind the trailer that some believe gives away too much. What you get there is a basic setup that covers a third of the film’s running time. Prisoners is full of juicy compelling moral questions and features the best ensemble cast of 2013. Let’s dig in.
Hugh Jackman’s work as Keller Dover deserves Oscar attention. It goes without saying that the actor is as versatile a talent in Hollywood as one can find, but here he puts on display his best screen work to date. He turns it all up a notch. Forget his Oscar nominated work in Les Miserables last year. That is surface imitational work compared to what he does here as Dover, a father who won’t be stopped until he finds out where his daughter is. A survival specialist who keeps natural selection close to heart, Dover won’t be stopped and Jackman electrifies with his portrayal. This is the same man who grows claws out of his hands as Marvel’s Wolverine and dances on Broadway. Jackman is astounding and the emotional glue that holds the film together. (more…)
First, let me state that I have never truly been a fan of Jimmy Fallon’s work until a few months ago. He usually came off to me as childish and overaggressive with 
celebrities. This is a new love for me. When he was given the reins to the Tonight Show(authorities are currently blocking Jay Leno from entering the building to retake the show) I didn’t give it much thought and figured it was all relative inside the NBC family. However, after reading up on Fallon and how much he has worked for the position and how cool and down to earth of a guy he is, I took a chance and watched his show last night.
It was very seamless. He hit the stage and immediately took off the shiny armor that hosts usually carry to their grave. He talked about growing up in New York, filming the intro sequence with Spike Lee, pointed at his parents in the audience, and revealed that he was over the mountain in affection for his 6 month old girl. Fallon stripped away everything before getting into the meat of the show. It involved dancing with Will Smith, talking to him about skydiving and having U2 perform a song on the roof of the Rockefeller Center(where the show is hosted) and on the couch next to him to end the show. For you Bono and U2 haters, the man and the band have still got it and he can sing effortlessly in any setting. Great show. Fallon talked about bringing the show back to New York and “hosting a show once hosted by Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O’ Brien and Jay Leno”. Fallon doesn’t laugh at all his jokes and I thank him for that.
Here is the reason I am going to watch Fallon. He is fresh and starting something new here. He seems more confident and has grown up while hosting the Late Show after Conan’s departure 4 years ago. Elsewhere, David Letterman has lost a lot of steam on his fastball and seems bored. Leno was just bland so I am glad he is gone. I’ll always have a soft spot for Conan but he doesn’t get the guest lists he used to due to his battle with Leno. I like Conan and still watch on occasion but he has reduced himself to severe self-deprecation. Craig Ferguson is a hoot but also doesn’t get the guest lists and has a ridiculously long monologue. Jimmy Kimmel is decent as well and has wild segments and guests but for some reason he isn’t a guy I look forward to. He needs to do more stand up comedy. At this point in time, Fallon is fresh and I tying my boat to his cruise ship.
Here are a few other reasons I am going with Jimmy-
There comes a time when I must spotlight a little of my Film-Addict work on the blog because I can’t trust everybody that needs to hear about a certain film to go to the site. Consider this a Dose of Buffa Special.
Movie-Prisoners
Rating-R
Running Time-153 minutes
Directed by Denis Villenueve
Cast-Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo and Paul Dano
Plot-How far would you go to protect your family? Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) is facing every parent’s worst nightmare. His six-year-old daughter, Anna, is missing, together with her young friend, Joy, and as minutes turn to hours, panic sets in. The only lead is a dilapidated RV that had earlier been parked on their street. Heading the investigation, Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrests its driver, Alex Jones (Paul Dano), but a lack of evidence forces his release. As the police pursue multiple leads and pressure mounts, knowing his child’s life is at stake the frantic Dover decides he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family?
Buffa’s Take-When I left this movie, the first thing I wanted to do was go home and hug my son. The second thing I wanted and needed to do was inform everyone within a ten mile radius how important it is for this movie, Prisoners, to be seen. Easily one of the year’s best films, French Canadian director Denis Villenueve’s spellbinding tale will get inside your bones and stay there a while. Few movies have the power to be present you with a moral dilemma and take the necessary time to lay out their story while inserting every scene with authentic tension. Never mind the trailer that some believe gives away too much. What you get there is a basic setup that covers a third of the film’s running time. Prisoners is full of juicy compelling moral questions and features the best ensemble cast of 2013. Let’s dig in.
Hugh Jackman’s work as Keller Dover deserves Oscar attention. It goes without saying that the actor is as versatile a talent in Hollywood as one can find, but here he puts on display his best screen work to date. He turns it all up a notch. Forget his Oscar nominated work in Les Miserables last year. That is surface imitational work compared to what he does here as Dover, a father who won’t be stopped until he finds out where his daughter is. A survival specialist who keeps natural selection close to heart, Dover won’t be stopped and Jackman electrifies with his portrayal. This is the same man who grows claws out of his hands as Marvel’s Wolverine and dances on Broadway. Jackman is astounding and the emotional glue that holds the film together.
Gyllenhaal is nearly as brilliant, playing a detective who fills his whole life up with police work. He doesn’t have a home he dares to sleep in nor a vacation to seek. Detective Loki’s life is consumed by his cases and Gyllenhaal doesn’t fake a second of it. Concentration as sharp as a knife even though his eyes continue to blink and beg for starvation, the actor becomes this character and doesn’t stop at merely impersonating an officer. Gyllenhaal’s work in End of Watch must have helped him greatly here.
The rest of the cast is stellar. Bello, showing loads of despair but never creeping towards manipulation, turns in her best work since The Cooler. Davis and Howard, parents looking for their child with less hostile maneuvers, turn in solid work. Dano cranks up his quirky weird vibe on the outside yet slowly reveals a tortured soul beneath as his story line collides with Jackman’s. Melissa Leo, in a few scenes, creates someone that doesn’t leave your head far after the credits roll. She is the picture of realism.
Villenueve has only done a handful of films, but one can only hope he trusts the Hollywood system to deliver more of these style of films. The film is shot beautifully by Roger Deakins, covering the dark tale in perfectly set grey tones. Editor Joel Cox doesn’t waste a single frame in conveying the director’s message. The production work here is aces across the board right down to the understated and powerful score by Johann Johannsson.
If art’s goal is to imitate life, this film comes pretty close. Prisoners is a truly complete cinematic experience. The story is pulverizing and shocking. It won’t just take a piece of parents, but any soul with warm blood flowing through it. It’s challenging for moviegoers because it presents lingering questions that begin and end with emotional response. The end isn’t tied up like a cute little knot. A very deserving film of your attention, Prisoners may be the best film I have seen in 2013.
Buffa Rating-5/5
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Dose of Buffa 