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Dack Feels a Tad Cheated With Wolverine....

I was really looking forward to getting into the theater to see the first big blockbuster of the summer, X-Men Origins Wolverine. The Dack accepts big popcorn movies for what they are; a lot of entertaining noise, and as long is there's a hint of plot leading the film from beginning to end I'm usually completely satisfied.

Leaving the theater, I was satisfied. In fact, I even thought that I kind of enjoyed the movie, but the more I think about what took place on screen, the more I realize just how disappointing Wolverine was as a big, summer movie.

First the good: the Dack must say that Hugh Jackman IS Wolverine; he was born to play James Logan on screen. Also, the acting in Wolverine is above par for a superhero action film. Not one character felt cheated by the actor playing him or her. Besides Jackman, the most notable spots were Ryan Reynolds playing Wade Wilson (aka Deadpool) who steals every scene he's in, and Liev Schreiber, who plays Wolverine's brother Victor Creed.

The Dack's main complaint with Wolverine is not the story, which feels familiar and yet totally rushed. Really, how do you accomplish that? The beginnings of Wolverine as a superhero were basically covered in the first X-Men film, albeit skimmed over, but they were there nonetheless. No, the true sin of Wolverine as a summer blockbuster was the handful of totally cheesy special effects within the film. As moviegoers, we want to be wowed. The Dack loves when he sees something on screen that is totally unbelievable, and yet completely buys into it because it looks so believable. Unfortunately, the film's first 3 big actions sequences all contain a number of things the Dack could not possibly believe were happening. In fact, the only action scene that totally engaged the Dack was the last fight scene of the movie, which was sweet! However it could not make me forget how terribly fake several other action scenes were. The Dack can't possibly enjoy being underwhelmed by lame special effects especially if the movie is meant to be a special effect extravaganza summer blockbuster.

The Dack heard several people comment about how they enjoyed the pacing of Wolverine; that they were happy that it did not join the list of bloated lengthy superhero films. For the Dack, Wolverine felt rushed from beginning to end, as if the director was forced to cram too much into 2 hours. Perhaps another 15 to 30 minutes of film might have helped the pacing. After all, the Dack believes if a movie is good, it's worth sitting through, whether it's 70 minutes or 3 hours.

The Dack encourages Marvel Studios takes some time with their next film and make sure it's the type of quality product that fans have come to expect. Also, please pick directors who understand special effects, and effects studios that make said effects somewhat believable.

Wolverine hacked and slashed it's way to fiveDacks. Oh, and be sure to stay until the credits end for a special treat that is sure to make you leave wanting more.

The Dack previews this summers offerings...

Here at the Dack list we are not falling for Hollywood's push that the summer film season starts on May 1st...... We are going from Memorial Day Weekend... so this list won't have Wolverine or Star Trek.... even though the Dack is really excited about both of those films... we already covered them in our spring films to watch blog...

The Dack is very excited for this years summer slate of films..... it is true that there might not be as many blockbuster action films as some fanboys might be hoping for but that's because Hollywood is releasing two of those films in early May and also this year is not just about action and comic books films but comedy too... What you are about to read is by no means a complete list of everything coming out but the films that I the Dack am most looking forward too.

Terminator Salvation - May 21

I have already blogged once or twice about my excitement for this movie but it's only at the top of this list because of it's release date. With all the fantastic trailers the Dack is hoping for something truly special from McG. Finally a film that gives us an idea of what the battle between humans and machines will be like... the casting of Christian Bale as John Connor seems like a stroke of genius but we will have to wait for Memorial Day weekend to find out...

Anyone else out there have an craving for a Terminator marathon hit me up...

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian - May 22

This sequal to 2006's Night at the Museum has the Dack intrigued. I wasn't expecting much from the first film and didn't see it until last year but I really enjoyed it. Not sure if this story has legs for a second go around but if it does then it will be worth checking out.


Up - May 29

Pixar brings us a new film.... can they keep their streak of great films alive? The Dack totally thinks so and with this one in 3D, the Dack will be disappointed if it is anything less than great! Yeah, I know that might seem like high expectations but at this point how can you expect less from Pixar.

Drag Me To Hell - May 29

The director of the Spiderman films Sam Raimi returns to his horror film roots. The Dack is excited to see what the creator of Evil Dead and Army of Darkness has come up with. The story centering around a Loan Officer who forecloses on a old woman's home getting cursed sounds interesting plus a Dack List favorite Justin Long is in the mix, should at least worth a matinee ticket.

Land of the Lost - June 5

As a kid the Dack enjoyed this Saturday morning series...now with funnyman Will Ferrell headlining it could be hilarious like Talladega Nights or Anchorman. A lot depends on the supporting cast of Danny McBride and Anna Friel. If they can balance out Ferrell's over the top wackiness that he usually brings to his roles then it should be worth checking out, if not this could be another Step Brothers.

Year One - June 19

Lots of names in this one starting with Jack Black and Michael Cera. Not sure if this spoof of olden times is going to sink or swim but I am very curious to see if Cera's super straight man can compete with Jack Black.

Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen - June 24th

If you like big summer action films this is your movie. The Dack must admit he loved the first one and hopes to get a chance to catch this one in IMAX! If you need more convincing check out the newest trailer below. For people that have a problem with Shia LaBeouf.... get over it and enjoy the Giant Robots!!

Public Enemies - July 1

The director of Heat and Collateral brings the story of depression era super bank robber John Dillinger to the big screen. Oh, did I mention that Johnny Depp is playing John Dillinger and Christian Bale is the lawman tracking him down..... yeah, now you want to see it!!



Bruno - July 10

I'll be honest the Dack isn't sure if he is going to like this film or not but after Borat how can you not at least a little curious with what Sacha Baron Cohen has in store for audiences this time.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince - July 17

If you have read the books or seen the films.... get ready for a dark wild exciting ride. If you haven't well.... you are missing out on the greatest fantasy series in the last 30 years so do yourself a favor and check it out.

Funny People - July 31

The Dack is a huge fan of Judd Apatow.... this go around we get a combination with Adam Sandler.... I'm hoping for comedy epic!!

GI Joe - Aug 7

This is the cartoon that I used to run home from school to see..... I don't think there is anyway it will live up to my expectations but for the Dack it's a must see and that's all you need to know because as they say "knowing is half the battle, Yo Joe!

Inglourious Basterds - August 21

Quentin Tarantino brings his take on a WWII film to the big screen. It is sure to be one of the bloodiest war films ever... but the real intigue is in the cast with includes Brad Pitt, Eli Roth (yes, the director of Hostel) and B.J. Novak (yes, the guy from the Office). If you don't like any of Quentin Tarantino's other films don't bother, but if you do then expect to be entertained!!

The Dack enjoys some Sunshine Cleaning....

Last weekend the Dack got to check out a new indie comedy from Fox Searchlight.... I was expecting something along the lines of Little Miss Sunshine which came out a couple of years ago and I enjoyed very much. Although this film does have that dark comedy feel it also takes some bold chances by not just glossing over issues but really focusing on them. Although there are elements of comedy throughout the film, it is much more dramatic and emotional than I was expecting.....

The Dack is terrible at not ruining plots but it you don't want it ruined just skip this next paragraph.... Yes, this film will be unfairly compared to Little Miss Sunshine but this film tackles the issue of suicide while Little Miss Sunshine only barely covered it. I think most people will completely miss that this is the central issue of the film..... what happens to a family when one of them commits suicide... Yes, I know that seems really depressing and you are probably thinking.... well, thank you for telling me, now I can avoid seeing this movie.... but what this film really shows is that of course suicide is horrible for those left in the aftermath and yes it can really mess people up... but in order for people to truly heal from something like that they need to deal with it... Sunshine Cleaning is about a family whose lives are in complete shambles finally dealing with it.

The acting by Amy Adams and Emily Blunt as the sisters at the center of the story is wonderful and without it this film would not have succeeded. Alan Arkin who plays their father gives a performance that although feels very similar to role he played in Little Miss Sunshine (and won an Academy Award for) totally works because well, he is great at that character.

I am a big fan of movies that use comedy to show that darker side of family that we all have somewhere in our family trees. Yes sometimes it can be very serious but humor helps us get through. What made the Dack totally appreciate this fine piece of film making was not that it just showed the effects of suicide for family members but also that it didn't move on to the next issue or joke.... it really tried to show that in order for people to move on with there lives they have to deal with their feelings and let go of that anger, abandonment or whatever else they are carrying around with them. It made me want to laugh and cry at the same time and for that it gets eightDacks.

The Dack says I Love You, Man...

Finally the Dack gets to review something before it comes out. Two weeks ago the Dack got to attend a sneak preview of I Love You, Man.

The Dack enjoyed this movie... I'm a big fan of male friendship and believe that no man can be be complete without having some sort of male bonding in their life and this movie is says it all so much funnier. The story is about Peter Klaven (Paul Rudd) as a guy who has no male friends and seems to be just rolling with life.... until his new fiance and her friends point out to him that he has no guy friends... uncomfortable with not having anyone to be the best man at his wedding he goes on a search for a friend. After a couple of man dates set up by family members that totally back fire Peter meets Sydney Fife (Jason Segel) who is basically the opposite of Peter but after a couple of drinks they find enough common ground for friendship to blossom. The two main characters in this film are played by Paul Rudd and Jason Segel and their characters are very similar to other roles they have played.... this is not a bad thing. The Dack is a huge fan of both of these actors and them doing what they usually do becomes hilarious when you mix it together. The rest of the cast does a good job of providing extra laughs but your enjoyment of the movie totally rests on the shoulders of Rudd and Segel. I love you man isn't a complex movie by any means but the Dack doesn't need his comedy's to be deep, just funny and I Love You, Man fits the bill!

This movie is a bromance in the same line as Swingers and Superbad but targets those of us between 25 and 40 far better. This movie isn't perfect and does lag a bit but it totally pays off in the end. If you are a guy and didn't think you needed any strong male friendships I hope this movie shows you the error of your ways. There are some things guys just need to hear from other guys. The Dack laughed enough to give this one sevenDacks.