All Things Fall Apart Movie Review

All Things Fall Apart (DVD Release)

Directed by Mario Van Peebles

Written by Curtis Jackson and Brian A. Miller

Everyone remembers 50 Cent’s Twitter picture of a sickly and frail man. We later come to find out that this man is actually Curtis Jackson himself, and he lost 100 something pounds for a movie role. The revelation shocked millions of 50 Cent fans. After seeing this true commitment to a role from the rap star, I just thought “Oscar?” and thought I’d see previews for it on the television.

I saw it on the shelf a few weeks ago, and thought “Oh, it’s a creative low budget indie film”. On Friday I decided to watch it on Netflix, and see what it’s all about. Here’s my All Things Fall Apart review.

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson plays Deon. He’s an all-star college running back who has all the skills you see in an NFL prospect, and that’s exactly where he’s bound. He’s a charismatic playboy off the field who gets all the girls, and takes advantage of the good things he has because he knows nothing else. His younger brother is left in his shadows, while Deon’s mother and boyfriend spend all their energy on rooting Deon to an NFL career (salary). His mother’s boyfriend (played by Mario Van Peebles) puts all his efforts into pushing Deon on to a career that he never got.

It all ends when Deon finds out he has cancer, and that he’ll never play football again. His once valued existence uncovers itself as a burden, when his family is forced to work overtime to pay for his medical bills. Deon, who is now left with nothing, must find a way to right his wrongs before he loses everyone and everything he loves.

It’s a great concept for an Oscar winning formula, but the talent wasn’t there. The screenplay for the film was written by 50 Cent and Brian A. Miller (Directed nothing you’ve seen), and lacks depth. There are a lot of silent parts to fill the film, and very subpar dialogue (typical of a TV movie). 50 Cent’s haunting physical appearance of a cancer patient is superb, but he doesn’t have the necessary acting skills to carry the meat and potatoes of this 2 hour drama (besides of few scenes where he cries). I was never able to connect on personal level with his character, and never really bought the emotions they wanted me to feel.

Mario Van Peebles and the mother (Lynn Whitfield) were by far the best parts of the film. They were constantly overshadowing the main character’s issues with their own personal demons (something that really disorients the viewers). The film’s end was very typical of an inspirational film with the protagonist running in glory and it ending that way (I was hoping for him to keel over on the field. It would have been a lot more effective).

All and all it was a ok film that would have gone much further if 50 Cent stayed behind the camera, and let a more seasoned actor portray the cancer stricken Deon (Also having to listen to Wanksta, didn’t help). But for a first stab at a screenplay, it wasn’t that bad.

4 out of 10

The Avengers Movie Review

The Avengers

Director: Joss Whedon

Written By: Joss Whedon

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson, and Tom Hiddleston.

Before Nick Fury, there was Joss Whedon.  Joss Whedon in the comic books is the one came up with the idea of the Avenger Initiative. No, not really but you’d think he did. In real life, Joss Whedon is the man who manages to write and direct character cluttered movies with extreme success. First it was Toy Story, and now it’s the long awaited Avengers.

Since studios started adapting comic book heroes, fans have been waiting for the day when they would release an Avengers movie. Finally it’s here and well worth the wait! If you’re a fan of the comic books, then the Avengers doesn’t disappoint. Joss Whedon stays close to home, and even looks to improve upon some past portrayals.

Who am I referring to specifically? The gamma radiation exposed Bruce Banner, which Ang Lee and Louis Leterrier failed to correctly portray in their films of the green beast (The Hulk 2003 and The Incredible Hulk 2008). Whedon instead goes back to the comics and TV Series to develop a far more source accurate super hero. Not to mention Mark Ruffalo is a great actor (which helps).

However, that’s not only part of the beauty that is the Avengers. Whedon manages to also write a witty and purely original script that invests enough time into each of our heroes’ character development (except Hawk-Eye). This allows us to see every move made by our heroes’ to be logical and tailored to their given background. The Avengers is well-built in this manner. Taking into consideration story before action (explosions, CGI, etc.).

Even with a star ensemble, Robert Downey Jr. manages to shine the brightest as playboy genius (Tony Stark). His comedic timing, and line delivery is hard to compete with. Both RDJ and Chris Evans (Captain America) share the most memorable moments in the film, as they try and come to terms with the differences that keep them from working together as a team. Tom Hiddleston is uncomfortably excellent as the exiled Asgard, Loki (Thor’s brother). Without his well executed performance, the film would have never had the balance necessary to succeed the way it did. His horrifying verbal exchange with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in the film is just one example of his dedicated performance.

When it’s all over, and you’ve caught both of the two extended scenes at the end of the movie (1^st is after the short credits, and 2^nd is after the extended credits) then you can truly appreciate the beautiful work done here. This by far is one of the best Super Hero flicks to be given the big screen treatment, and it gives me hope that those big budget studios still know how to make a quality film.

9 out of 10

21 Jump Street Movie Review

21 Jump Street

Directors: Phil Lord and Chris Miller

Starring: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, and Dave Franco

When you think of Jonah Hill what comes to mind? For most it’s the crude and hilarious chubby guy who hit his first serious break in Moneyball opposite Brad Pitt this Oscar season. What about Channing Tatum? What comes to mind? Probably the model turned actor who often gets type casted as the perfect man in romantic comedies or dramas. Then why the hell would anyone want to team these two up together?

Perhaps because the two directors who did it are genius... literally.

In attempt to reboot the TV series from the late 80’s, Co-Directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller had a better idea. Re-imagine the whole damn thing, and make their own masterpiece. Channing Tatum gets a break at his first leading comedic role, and even outshines the experienced Jonah Hill in this reboot of 21 Jump Street. Who knew two actors from opposite ends of the acting spectrum could have such great on camera chemistry. This is certainly the biggest surprise comedy of the 2012, and it sits up on the shelf next to The Hangover for best “Bro Comedies”.

Hill plays Schmidt, a once bullied high school nerd who joins the police force years after high school to toughen up. Tatum plays Jenko, one of Schmidt’s bullies who later join the police force because muscle and power is all he knows. It’s during the police academy where these two meet again, and soon after become great friends who help each other graduate from the academy. Once they graduate, the now partners find that being an officer of the law wasn’t what they expected (especially when you have to chase criminals in a park on a bicycle). After a mishap during an arrest, both partners are moved to a secret precinct known as 21 Jump Street. Jump Street is run by the trash talking Chief (Ice Cube), who puts them on an undercover mission as high school students. From here this is where scenes get raunchy and laugh out loud as Schmidt and Jenko try to relive their high school years (Scenes of Jonah Hill dressed up like Peter Pan are hysterical).

Although Hill and Tatum consistently steal the scene throughout the movie, other notable performances help make this movie a well paced time-bomb comedy. Ice Cube is great as Captain Dickson, and Caroline Aaron is hilarious as Hill’s on screen mother Annie Schmidt. (SPOILER ALERT) You also get an unexpected cameo from Johnny Depp who reveals himself near the climax of the film disguised as an older biker.

I don’t think of enough can be said about 21 Jump Street. It’s a MUST SEE theater watch, and it leaves you wanting even more at the very end of the film. Lucky for you, it’s already been confirmed that there will be a sequel being made by the same directors and writers.

8 out of 10