The Next Three Days and Shawshank Redemption

The Next Three Days/Shawshank Redemption

                The Next Three Days and Shawshank Redemption are obviously both films about breaking out of prison. Tim Robbins goes away for the murder of a man who had an affair with his wife and Lara Brennan went to prison for the murder of her boss. Both people were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and suffered greatly for it. In Shawshank Redemption we follow Tim Robbins as he serves decades in a state pen being raped at times but also affecting people in very good ways. Comparing The Next Three Days to this movie seems pointless because in terms of quality and performance there is no comparison.  Morgan Freeman is one of the greatest actors to ever live and his role as Tim Robbin’s long term best friend in prison outweighs Russell Crow’s performance in The Next Three Days by a landslide. Freeman has real depth as an actor and even though he acts basically the same in most films he never lets that become a problem because he does it so well. In both films the prisoners escape. Tim Robbins does it with a little help from a friend and a whole lot of elbow grease.  Banks does it through the never ending love of her husband.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. and Star Wars

Harry Potter/Empire Strikes Back

                I think it’s easy to say that both these films are epic and will survive with us for many years to come. Both are part of insanely successful and original series that have made the stars rich beyond belief. Luke and Harry are both very special individuals with a common destiny. To destroy the most evil, hateful, malicious person to walk the earth (or the solar system). Both these characters were raised by someone other than their parents, learning about their true identities later in life. Both are filled with immense hatred for their nemesis and this constant inner rage drives them both close to the edge. But they are blessed with extraordinary sidekicks to help them in their quest to defeat the forces of evil. With tons of flying, shooting, and killing, both these films can keep you entertained from beginning to end. One great aspect of these films is that they are just one part to a series that has been ongoing for years. So if you feel like you want more Luke or Harry all you have to do is watch another in the series.  These films are two of the best in capturing good vs. evil and everything that comes with it.

Due Date and Planes, Trains, and Automoblies

Due Date/Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

                I wasn’t a huge fan of Due Date but I have to say I enjoyed it much better than Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The similarities between these two films are obvious in that they are both about a pair of men traveling across country. Dean Martin’s and Downey Jr.’s characters are similar because they are both in a race against time to get home to loved ones but happen to be stuck with a fat, annoying, hairy man than can’t shut his yap. Dean Martin is a legendary actor/comedian but I just didn’t feel like he did his career any justice by playing this role. He’s a funny guy but I can’t remember a single moment that I laughed out loud in this film. Downey does a much better job with roles as a serious person whose dialogue is funny. John Candy is also an extremely hilarious actor but I felt much more annoyed than amused by his character. Galifiniakis in Due Date had pretty much the same effect on me but he’s the kind of guy you can laugh at just by looking at him. In my personal opinion neither of these films are really worth much to brag about.

Megamind and Young Frankenstein

Megamind and Young Frankenstein

                Both these films have in common a scientist, faithful servant, and a beautiful love attraction. In Megamind we have the villain scientist trying to defeat the good guy by kidnapping the girl with his pal Minion. After finally killing the hero Megamind finds himself in a position to do good and be loved. Dr. Frankenstein is the grandchild of the Frankenstein notoriously known for his work in bringing the dead back to life, a legacy he has always run from. When the old Frankenstein dies Young Frankenstein is left with his castle complete with an awkward little hunchbacked man named Igor and a gorgeous blonde lab assistant named Inga.  Not to mention the chamber maid Frau Blücher who causes the horses to go wild every time her name is mentioned. Young Frankenstein and Megamind are both brilliant and funny, Megamind however, turns to the good side in the end whereas Frank travels to the dark side for a bit. After running from his family history forever Frankenstein ends up taking over the family business anyway creating a new monster with a huge shlong that de-virginizes and steals his fiancé. They both get the girl and live happily ever after.

Catfish and Catch Me If You Can

Catfish and Catch Me if You Can

                Catfish is a documentary following a young photographer who begins an online relationship with a middle aged woman in Michigan after receiving a painting from her 8 year old daughter. Yaniv is led to believe he is in a relationship with her older sister, is receiving paintings from her regularly, and speaks with the three of them over the phone and through Facebook. Then we all find out he has been played the whole time and it was actually just another bored twisted woman trying to fill some void in her life by gaining the attention of a gullible young man who wouldn’t know better. Catch Me If You Can is a crime/drama/biography about a kid who becomes one of the best forgers of all time fooling airlines, hospitals, banks and beautiful women.

                Frank Jr. in is similar to Angela in the way that they are both conning people constantly. At least Frank has something real to gain from it unlike Angela who will only be remembered as some crazy old lady. Frank used charm, wits, and a lot of effort to pull off the things he did. Making fake checks and running a doctor’s office takes some real intelligence and some big balls if you ask me. Creating fake identities on the internet and using them to toy with people’s minds takes nothing more than someone with no life and a computer. Catch Me If You Can is one of my favorite movies and every time I watch it I notice new things and can’t help but chuckle at Tom Hanks as a grouchy Detective.  You couldn’t pay me to watch Catfish again the people in it were uninteresting and the plot was weak.  These movies don’t compare in quality, only the lies compare.

The Town and The Public Enemy

In comparing the “The Town” to “The Public Enemy’ I didn’t see much to contrast. The Public Enemy is a very old movie and I have a hard time appreciating the directing capabilities of that time. I found myself getting bored very quickly and wasn’t excited about what was happening in the film. The Town wasn’t the best movie in the world but it did have a edge that was lacking in The Public Enemy. Tom Powers was hardly a likeable character, he fancied himself to be a big shot but all he did was take orders. Doug in The Town was a smart, witty, man who had a couple hard breaks in life but he was a leader and the brains of the group. He also didn’t believe in hurting people for no reason and acting reckless. He also carried himself modestly not flashing his stolen cash or arrogantly bragging about it. I found myself despising Tom Powers for being a cocky prick with a loose trigger finger and no respect for women aside from his mother. The only justification between these movies is that Powers dies and Affleck redeems himself in the end with a completely selfless good deed.

The Social Network and Citizen Kane

            Citizen Kane and The Social Network are both stories of men who are constantly thriving for success and acceptance. Citizen Kane is a story of a young boy adopted by an extremely wealthy business man who wants to turn the boy into the most successful richest man in the world. He succeeds; however, this boy grows to be overwhelmingly narcissistic feeding off the love from his peers and admirers. Over the course of the movie he loses everyone that truly cared about him including two wives and a best friend. He ends up sad and alone in the largest mansion ever made with nothing but his thoughts and regrets. The Social Network is similar to this movie in that it centers on a young guy seeking the love and acceptance of the people who would otherwise look down on him for being the typical geeky nerd type. He seems to think being an extreme success automatically brings friendship when to his surprise it leads him down a road that ends in lonely sorrow. His girlfriend leaves him, his best friend sues him, and by the end he has a million friends and no one to talk to.