The Adjustment Bureau DVD review

It's Tuesday, and if you're a movie fan like me, you're probably going to head to your local electronic store and pick up a movie or two.  Today, the new release is The Adjustment Bureau, starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt, directed by George Nolfi.  The movie is about choosing your own destiny, even as others try to stand in your way.

Matt Damon is an up and coming politician, he meets Emily Blunt's character by chance and it threatens to redirect his future.  The adjustment bureau steps in to keep the two apart to ensure Damon's future is what they want it to be.  It's the battle of free will against destiny.  Let's get right in to the likes and dislikes.

What I liked about the movie:
The Actors

Matt Damon is, and has been considered a great talent in Hollywood for years now.  He is versatile and dynamic, he can do it all.  Emily Blunt is also a respected actor in Hollywood.  I really enjoy her work anytime I see her in something.  The two have a great chemistry together.  As an audience, we can easily see why the two characters are attracted to each other.

There is enough to make the audience believe the two should stick together while eluding the adjustment bureau. 

The Premise
I enjoyed the idea that a bureau of men wanted to change the course of Damon's life.  It was interesting to see how they could bend the rules if you will, to make Damon stay the course they wanted him to.  The premise is one thing, unfortunately, the execution is far off.  I'm not really sure how the movie scored a 70+% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but it did.  Let me begin my list of dislikes. 


What I didn't like about the movie:
The Adjustment Bureau staff

They're mobsters?  No wait, Government agents?  Angles perhaps (more on that later)?  Who are these annoy ass guys that can't catch a politician and his girlfriend in a foot race.  My main problem is they never really came off like a threat.  I was thinking to myself, I would do whatever I want in that situation and not listen to them.  There was nothing to fear.


The Religious Implications

I don't consider myself a religious man by any means, nor do I balk at a movies with religious themes; but this movie was just too much.  It was a mess.  The script intended on giving winks about the implications, but it just becomes so blatantly obvious what they're trying to reference, it has no payoff.  I disliked all of it; the destiny, the people-angels reference, all that nonsense.

The Doors

I seriously thought I was watching a live-action Monsters Inc.  The doors are a huge part of the film.  I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the doors are used to basically teleport the main characters from one place to another.  The heroes use the doors in their plot against the adjustment bureau.  The storyline doesn't work at all.  Visually, they pulled off the effect, but it just about ends there. 


The Verdict:
Watch Monsters Inc. or Serendipity instead

Exactly what the title says.  Monsters Inc. uses the "door trick" in a much more creative way than this film does.  Monsters Inc. was an animated film, fine, but it was a lot more creative than this trip to church.  I'd much rather have put my DVD of Monsters Inc. in than The Adjustment Bureau.  Just saying.

And if you want to ditch the "thriller" aspect of facing destiny, and turn it in for a romantic comedy version instead, rent Serendipity.  It stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale as a couple that are destined to be together.  It's much better than this film.  Trust me.


The Blu-ray/DVD combo:
Fans of the movie will love it
If you liked the film, you'll like the features.  Here is a list from Bluray.com:

• Feature Commentary by Writer-Director George Nolfi. This is a somewhat haltingly delivered, but overall interesting, commentary that gives a goodly amount of background information on adapting the Dick story as well as the filming, including the rigors of all the location work in New York City.
• Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD; 6:54). Seven scenes are included, several with a supposedly comic Adjustment Bureau character named Henderson who was completely cut out of the final film.
• Labyrinth of Doors (HD; 33:57 total). This interesting but cumbersome supplement starts with a Google Earth map of Manhattan, with several Adjustment Bureau doors highlighted. Clicking on any door then zooms to a close-up of that location, with a "wormhole" option that takes you to another (often far flung) door, or allows you to view either a film clip or a behind the scenes segment associated with that location.
• Leaping Through New York (1080i; 7:36) is a nice featurette dealing with the location shooting in The Big Apple.
• Destined to Be (1080i; 4:51) has Damon and Blunt talking about their characters and the film's central love story.
• Becoming Elise (1080i; 7:08) should appeal to those who wonder if Blunt had any dancing experience before she took on this role.
• DVD Copy, Dbox and BD Live Enabled

I don't know what else to say really.  I didn't like the film (that's MY free will at work), and I'm willing to discuss it with anyone who did.  Let me know what you thought of the film?

For fun, just to make me smile

Who should star in all these new Superhero movies?

Yesterday I posted news of Wonder Woman, The Flash and Aquaman coming to life. I'm really excited about this. Ever since I was a kid, I remember having ideas in my head of what the superheros would look like in live-action adaptations. If you have ever read this blog, you will see the passion I have for superhero movies. So, what actors should take these roles? I'll tell ya!

This post is completely for fun, I have no say in any of this, but It's fun to use your imagination to match actors to superheros. Heck, one time I was right on the money. So let's go in order and discuss casting.

First, Green Lantern is already set, they're currently in production. Ryan Reynolds was not the person I wanted. It came down to Ryan Reynolds and Bradley Cooper; I was rooting for Cooper. Don't get me wrong, I love Ryan Reynolds in almost anything he does, but to me, Cooper was a better choice; especially coming off the success of The Hangover. Cooper was funny and witty in that film, something that would have to shine through for the character of Hal Jordan (Green Lantern).

OK, here's a biggie, Wonder Woman is a great character. There is no way to win this argument, but I'm looking at looks, build, and acting ability. She needs to be cast perfectly, you ready?... Kate Beckinsale. Now, I'm not the first person by any means to suggest this, but she would be perfect! She can act (The Aviator) and she can kick butt (Underworld). Look at these pictures of Beckinsale actually dressed as Wonder Woman for Halloween, classic! She deserves an online petition or something.

Next is The Flash, a character I really don't care for; with proper casting, Warner Brothers could quickly change my mind. So what do we know about The Flash? He's fast, obviously, but he's a smart character as well. Who has the physique and brains to play the character?... Ryan Gosling. I've been a fan of his since Murder by Numbers, and LOVED Fracture. He has what it takes.

And last but not least is Aquaman. More than any other character, I want to see Aquaman come to the big screen. I've been talking about it for years now, my pick?... Paul Walker. Listen, Walker is not going to be winning any Oscars any time soon OK; he looks the part EXACTLY. I've read the comics since I was a kid and Walker is a spitting image of Arthur Curry (Aquaman). Walker was Into The Blue, he was basically Aquaman in that movie. He's my pick and I'm sticking to it.

Let me know what choices you agree or disagree with (the blog is Agree to Disagree after all). This is a fun time for this blogger, the golden age of comic cinema.

Underworld 4 coming in 2011

Who is a fan of the vampire vs. werewolf franchise, Underworld? I was and I'm seriously surprised more people aren't. I loved the first Underworld starring the beautiful Kate Beckinsale. I thought it had a Matrix style look to it with vampires and werewolves. Underworld: Evolution also did well in theaters. I got a chance to see last years Underworld: Rise of the Lycans and liked it! Rhona Mitra starred and is beautiful as well. It wasn't the best movie ever, but had just enough story, visuals and acting to keep me interested.

Today, Shocktillyoudrop.com has announced Sony Screen Gem Pictures has agreed to an Underworld 4. No details on whether its a prequel or sequel or if Beckinsale or Mitra will star. It has a tentative January 2011 release date and will be shot in 3D, the new craze in Hollywood. The age of vampire movies is upon us, embrace it folks.

Nimrod Antal (Vacancy) tapped to direct Predators

You probably don't know who Nimrod Antal is. But he is a very up and coming director in the states. He directed the movie Vacancy in 2007 starring Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale. And he directed Armored, an action heist movie set for release later this year. Robert Rodriguez confirmed to AICN that Nimrod Antal will in fact take over the director's chair, here's what he had to say:

I know he'll be able to get the most out of what we want to be an outstanding cast. We really want to go with a character driven action movie, because that's what we all remember about the original Predator, and we want to take it even further with this.

I loved the first Predator. I really hope they follow through with their promise to go back to the original's look and feel.