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Jobs (2013)
Jobs (2013)
To me, Ashton Kutcher playing Steve Jobs is a sign that he is trying to shed his pretty boy image. He has been in a few serious films, but for the most part he has stuck with comedy. Usually you are unable to take Kutcher’s characters or the movies that he is in seriously. He has been a likable goofball for the majority of his acting career. Before watching Jobs, I knew that it had the potential to be a game changer for Ashton Kutcher’s career. If he played his part well, then in a sense, he could earn his wings and continue making real movies.
Jobs is inspired by the true story of how Steve Jobs (Ashton Kutcher) co-founded Apple Inc. after dropping out of college and became one of the most innovative creators and entrepreneurs of our time.
The film was directed by Joshua Michael Stern and the rest of the noteworthy cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Matthew Modine, Josh Gad, J.K. Simmons, Ron Eldard, James Woods, Lukas Haas, John Getz, Kevin Dunn, Nelson Franklin, Robert Pine and Elden Henson.
Since the movie is inspired by a true story, I would be interested in knowing exactly which parts are true and which parts are fiction.
I will admit that before watching Jobs, I knew hardly anything about Steve Jobs. I knew that he founded Apple and he had a major role in the company’s success, but that was about it.
As a child, the first computer that my family owned was an Apple Macintosh. That always stuck with me. Fast-forward to now and Apple is still the best in the business and always evolving.
Jobs is an intriguing story about a hippie college dropout with a vision for greatness and an overwhelming passion to follow through on trying to make the world a better place.
This is Kutcher’s best performance as an actor so far. He did a heck of a job as Jobs. The movie certainly has the potential to change Ashton Kutcher’s image and I foresee more serious movies in his future. Is it a game changer for him? I think that it certainly is.
The rest of the cast did an excellent job in their supporting roles.
The film felt a bit long-winded towards the end and it lacked more development of Steve’s family life. However, the film was uplifting and inspirational. It’s a worthy tribute to a genius who left his mark on the world.
I rate this movie an 8 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Buy.
Stoker (2013)
Stoker (2013)
Stoker is a well-made, bizarre dysfunctional drama that is difficult to like, yet hard to stop watching. The acting was very solid. The dialogue was very delicately written. The editing was fantastic. However, the story was bitterly perverse. It was fine writing, but twisted subject matter. The filmmakers took a pretty messed up story and through the art of storytelling, they dressed it up and made it almost hypnotic.
Some parts of the movie were predictable, while others completely took me by surprise. For the most part, the film keeps you guessing throughout.
After the death of her father, India (Mia Wasikowska) and her mother (Nicole Kidman) are visited by his brother (Matthew Goode) whom she never knew existed. He decides to move in with them. Why she had not met him before is a mystery in itself. Why he waited to visit until after her father died is puzzling. His presence is disturbing and India becomes obsessed with learning more about him and what he wants.
The film is directed by Chan-wook Park and the rest of the noteworthy cast includes Dermot Mulroney, Jacki Weaver, Alden Ehrenreich, Lucas Till, and Phyllis Somerville.
In Stoker, Wasikowska proves that she has the ability to carry the majority of a film by herself. She is an excellent actress and I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets an Academy Award nomination in the near future.
Kidman continues to choose darker roles and this one turns out to be one of her better performances in recent years. Given her recent movies, that might not be saying that much.
This is the first film that I have seen Goode in and I thought that he was superb.
When the credits rolled, it was hard to tell right away if I liked or disliked the film. In that sense, it sort of toyed with my emotions. It does a great job of being disturbing.
If you are looking for a positive and uplifting movie, Stoker is not for you. If you like twisted dysfunctional stories, then you will probably enjoy this film.
I rate this movie a 7 on a scale of 1-10.
Buy, rent, or run? Rent.
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