The Wolf of Wall Street is distasteful and disgusting but wildly entertaining.

8.5 out of 10

 

 

I walked in to the theater thinking I was going to see a movie about the corruption of the finance world. Within 30 seconds, I knew I was getting something else entirely. Wild debauchery and constant bad behavior poured onto the screen and continued for 3 hours. Meet Jordon Belfort, a young man with big ambitions. At the age of 22, he begins his journey by working as a stock broker. He soon learns the business and starts his own with the help of his friends. The movie follows his climb to the top and his fall to the bottom. It is distasteful and vulgar but is interesting all the same. Make no mistake, this movie should not be written off. It is directed by Martin Scorsese so it has to be good right? Well...

 

What could have been a cautionary tale of Wall Street corruption was instead a showcase of bad behavior. It was almost like someone sat down and said, "Let's make a very inappropriate movie! We can make the characters do A LOT of drugs and feature constant nudity and sexual content. And why not throw in every bad word under the sun!" Indeed, I often felt I was drowning in questionable content. I read that the F-word was said 414 times in this movie... and trust me, that is the least of your concerns. The movie seems to lose its way in all the partying. The woman who sat behind me agreed. At one point I heard her say, "Oh this is disgusting." Indeed, she was correct. I doubt she liked the movie very much. As soon as the credits rolled I turned to my father (I saw the movie with him) and said, "Well, that was interesting!" He turned to me and said, "You cannot blog about this." "Why not?" I asked. He looked me right in the eyes and said, "Because they will arrest me if they knew I took you to this movie." I can assure you my movie attendance was entirely legal but he had a point. I have no idea how this movie was not NC-17. The debauchery is tolerable, even entertaining, in the fist hour but by hour 3 it had lost its sparkle.

 

All that aside, I did enjoy myself. All 3 hours I was never bored. I always had a smile on my face... even if I was simultaneously rolling my eyes at the screen. With 3 hour movies, problems with pacing are common... not here. Sure they may have wasted time with party scenes but it didn't really affect the pacing. It was shot beautifully and the writing is very well done. The story itself was interesting, albeit predictable. The performances, wonderful. Leonardo DiCaprio was great and very funny. Jonah Hill was very funny. Everybody was funny! The movie was funny! I truly did enjoy it. My only major complaint is the constant explicit content.

 

It is not for young kids. It is not something you will want to enjoy as a family movie. It is not for the faint of heart. However, The Wolf of Wall Street may satisfy you... just know what you're signing up for.

 

The Wolf of Wall Street is rated R for sequences of strong sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language throughout, and for some violence. 

http://media2.firstshowing.net/firstshowing/img7/WolfofWallStreetNewposterNovrlsfull1.jpg

Tags: comedy, drama, R, recommended, the wolf of wall street, wall street, the wolf,

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is hilarious but often feels like it tries too hard.

7.5 out of 10

 

 

9 long years after the first, we are finally blessed with a sequel from the Channel 4 news team. This sequel finds Ron and Veronica married with a child and the news team disbanded. When Ron is fired from his job, he is offered a job at a 24-hour news station. The movie is a 2 hour nonsense trip. It is a joy to see the team and everyone is as funny as ever. Ron continues to blurt out racist and inappropriate nonsense and is as much a man-child as ever. Champ Kind is grossly underused and after his introduction, fades into the background. Brian Fontana is somewhat underused as well but he is still prevalent. Audience's wanted more Brick Tamland and they got it. Brick is around constantly and is always hilarious. He also has a romantic subplot with Kristen Wigg which is perfect.

 

Yes, Anchorman 2 is hilarious but immediately it felt like it was trying too hard. It takes the ridiculousness to a whole new level. The things that come out of the character's mouths are outlandish and silly but still manage to be hilarious. The sequel was not nearly as quotable as the first but still succeeds. Many of the jokes from the first movie are reused but they are still entertaining. However, in its conclusion, the movie becomes utterly ridiculous. Can someone explain to me why the ghost of Stonewall Jackson and the Minotaur are running around New York? Explosions and werewolves run amok and the movie begins to feel completely crazy. Is it worth watching? Absolutely! Just know what you are signing up for. Overall, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is very funny despite its flaws.

 

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, drug use, language and comic violence.

http://latino-review.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Anchorman2_Poster.jpg

tags: comedy, anchorman, anchorman 2, anchorman: the legend continues, anchorman 2: the legend continues, anchorman 2 the legend continues, anchorman the legend continues, PG-13, pg13,

 

Glee starts strong but soon becomes awful.

5 out of 10

 

 

When the pilot of Glee came on as a "sneak preview", I was unconvinced. It was about a high school Spanish teacher who wants to reboot the school's glee club. He assembles a diverse group of singers to compete in show choir competitions and together they overcome many obstacles from bullying to the evil cheerleading coach. Basically, it is a teenage soap opera with music. When I sat down to watch the second episode, I was hooked. I am unsure what about the second episode I found so attractive but it was good. From then on, one night a week, everyone had to take a vow of silence because Glee was on. It soon became a family affair and I was lost in the bliss of Glee.

The first and second seasons were awesome! The show was edgy, but still not over the top. Characters were interesting and Sue, the evil cheerleading coach, was hilarious and a joy to watch. The plotlines were twisty and follow the teens as they jump from one romantic partner to the other. The cast of characters is extremely diverse and had a "feel good" message. However, the greatest aspect of Glee was the music. Glee took new actors and made them superstars, expertly showcasing their talents. The musical numbers were very well done, featuring a wide variety of songs. Glee was great... until it wasn't.

 

Until season 3, I had never missed an episode of Glee. However, somewhere in the middle of season 3, I lost interest. What was once fresh and edgy was now dull and tired. The show focused too much on stupid romantic interests and the result was disappointing. I occasionally tuned in to an episode but never really liked it. Everyone just felt annoying. Glee is now a prime example of a show that refuses to give up even though it is time. It no longer feels genuine and is frankly a waste of time. Last week a Glee clip caught my eye on Youtube. Turns out it was a performance of "What Does the Fox Say?" done by the cast also holding puppets. It saddens me that Glee has fallen to such a level. Overall, Glee starts out fresh and engaging but fails in its later seasons.

 

Glee is rated TV-14

 

http://stuffpoint.com/glee/image/64878-glee-glee-poster.jpg

Tags:comedy, drama, musical, FOX, tv, television, tv14, TV-14, Glee

 

Closer is magnetic, heart-wrenching, and explicit.

9 out of 10

 

 

Closer is difficult to explain. It is a movie based on a play and centers on 4 adults in London. Life throws them together in a series of chance encounters and a story unfolds; a story of sex, betrayal, and revenge. But in the end, Closer is a story of relationships and the fickle nature of love. Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen star. Jude Law is the weakest link and often feels boring. He calmly explains his actions at times when I expected raw emotion. Julia Roberts has the same problem but to a lesser extent. It is more appropriate due to the fact that her character is a "depressive". Clive Owen is very good, successfully portraying the slimy character he is and I often felt his pain. He is a wounded man who seeks revenge and (in my opinion) ends up the most unlikable character. However, Natalie Portman steals the show as Alice. She expertly conveys Alice's naïvety and is a joy to watch. Her character is so complex and she tackles it with ease. All the movie's characters are magnificently complex and make for a strange but enjoyable experience. The movie itself is sexually-charged and occasionally uncomfortable. However, the explicit nature of the film serves a purpose. Through frank discussion and heated arguments, the topic of sex is explored and allows for a raw and affecting product. The movie is basically a play with about 10 scenes and the timeframe can be a little confusing so be sure to pay attention! The movie may not appeal to everyone, especially anyone who may be sensitive to the explicit content. However, if you can handle it, Closer may turn out to be a rewarding and affecting movie. Overall, Closer is beautiful but not for the faint of heart.

 

 

Closer is rated R for sequences of graphic sexual dialogue, nudity/sexuality and language.

http://www.impawards.com/2004/posters/closer.jpg

Tags: drama, recommended, R, Closer,

25th post celebration: 5 theme songs of comfort

 

Another milestone, another celebration. Today, I posted my 25th review. If you haven't read them all, feel free to take a gander at all the different movies I have reviewed. But we all know it wouldn't be a SkyScreening celebration without videos!

 

Today, I have assembled 5 theme songs that mean comfort. When I sit down to watch one of my favorite shows and it has an awesome theme song, I immediately feel comfort and relaxation wash over me. It is like knowing I am home. So these are 5 of the theme songs that give me this feeling. I urge you to listen and enjoy. Then perhaps, sit down for an episode of your favorite show and see if you feel the same way.

 

 

5) Weeds:

 

4) The Newsroom: 

 

3) Skins: 



 

2) Sex and the City: 

 

1) Friends: 

 

 

You now know all the theme songs are great... but what about the show itself? I have reviewed all 5 of these shows. Just type the title into the blog's search bar and it should come up! 

 

Thank you for visiting SkyScreening. The next celebrations will be when I have reached 1,000 views! Stay tuned! And remember, always check back for new material as it is being added often.

Skins (U.K) starts out edgy and addictive but becomes dark, weird, and semi-ridiculous.

7 out of 10

 

 

Note that this review applies to the U.K version. There is an American version of Skins, it's just terrible. Because the show is from England, it is uncensored. Skins follows a group of British teenagers as they navigate life and find strength in their friendships. Each episode centers on a different character but everyone's lives are largely intertwined.

 

When I began the first season, I was immediately hooked. It all felt so fresh and new. Perhaps it was the fact that everyone had an accent but it was a whole new experience for me. The show expertly deals with heavy and relevant issues among teens such as eating disorders, drug addiction, depression, and so much more. It would seem like the show would be a downer but it isn't! Instead, it mixes complex topics with humor. It should be noted that this show is largely aimed at teens due to the fact that the characters themselves are teens and behave in extremely questionable ways. The whole first season was fantastic. The show was funny yet dramatic (at times) and never failed to entertain.

 

Season 2 centers around the same characters but is a somewhat different. The show is considerably darker. For example, one episode centers on a stalker who stalks one of the regular characters. Throughout the season, she does some pretty crazy (and disturbing) stuff. The show is less humorous, instead opting for a more dramatic script. It succeeds in being heart-wrenching but sometimes takes it too far and becomes downright depressing. That is not to say it isn't enjoyable. The more dramatic side of the show was a great and refreshing aspect to add. The end of season 2 is particularly interesting and left with a cliffhanger. I often found myself marveling at the honesty of the show and found it incredibly enjoyable. After season 2, the show says goodbye to the characters and picks up a new cast in season 3 (every 2 seasons there is a new cast).

 

Season 3 has an all new cast and is (once again) different from its previous season. The show once more opts for a more humorous side and the result is somewhat off-putting. Where the show was once clever, it is now crass. One of the new characters, Cook, is a disgusting human being and made the show uncomfortable. Aside from him, the other characters are still good. The story is still occasionally heart-wrenching and beautiful but is sometimes ridiculous (putting Ecstasy in brownies and feeding them to a mother? Come on). The result (sometimes) feels more like a sitcom than the raw and honest show it once was. It is still fun... enough to make me sit for a 4th season.

 

Season 4 was the darkest and craziest yet. The show now feels entirely different but remains engrossing. The season starts out with a suicide which sets it up for the dark product it was. Some parts were good and enjoyable but towards the end, things get strange. It almost felt like the show's writers were sitting in a room thinking of ways to throw "curveballs to viewers". The show feels a little ridiculous but I tolerated it. After all, how much worse could it get. The answer was a lot worse. The season 4 conclusion was appalling. It completely shocked me, in a very bad way. After it was over, I immediately swore off Skins. I also began to notice a pattern that the show follows every 2 seasons. Season 4 was less than perfect.

 

After season 4, Skins was no longer released in the US (apparently they have different DVD players in England) but all 7 seasons are available on Netflix. I plan to continue watching the show and will add to this review once I finish watching. Overall, Skins is an addicting show but is inconsistent.

 

Skins is rated TV-MA

http://static.rookiemag.com/2012/01/1326966179skins-season-1-2007.jpg

Tags: comedy, drama, skins, TV-MA, tvma, TV, television



Awkward manages to entertain despite inconsistency

7.5 out of 10

 

 

 

Awkward is a scripted show on MTV centering on a girl named Jenna. One summer, she begins a causal relationship with the school hottie, Matty McKibben. She returns home to find a letter addressed to her. Inside is a list of reasons why Jenna sucks signed by "A friend." A freak accident follows that looks a lot like a suicide attempt and changes her from "invisible girl" to "that girl".

 

 Season one follows Jenna and her friends as they begin a climb up the social ladder and as she struggles to maintain the attention of Matty, all the while trying to find out who wrote her the letter. The result is utterly engrossing. Sure, it is stupid but it is also raw, honest and often funny. The show itself is utterly ridiculous as illustrated by fast talking and word-inventing Tamara and the completely inappropriate guidance counselor, Ms. Marks. Plenty of other character are interesting such as Jenna's parents and school bully, Sadie Saxton. Jenna is a character I could really root for as she generally had the best of intentions and was a victim of circumstance. All the actors and actresses are fantastic all the way through. They are funny and generally authentic. The mystery of the letter also adds a unique dynamic to the show. A sort of whodunit part left me wanting more and contributed to a successful first season.

 

With the drama of season 1 behind her and the mystery of the letter solved, season 2 find Jenna back but changed. She is now considered popular and has a new set of problems. Jenna is considerably more annoying, always complaining about her life. She often fights for the man she wants, changes her mind, changes it again... so on and so forth. Jenna, who was once the adorable underdog, now comes off as a floozy. I frequently found myself screaming at the TV, "PICK A MAN JENNA! STOP MAKING OUT WITH EVERYONE AND PICK A MAN!" And so I came to regard season 2 as the show's darker days, as it was ultimately less inspired. Let me be clear, the show still has some redeeming qualities, such as humorous scenes and a memorable heart wrenching moment, but mostly just feels like a cheesy teen soap.

 

Season 3 part 1 finds Jenna finally settled on a man... until she meets a new one. And just like that, all certainty goes out the window. Immediately, it veers into some darker territory by killing off one of the supporting characters. The characters then begin to try to piece together the death and determine the cause all throughout the first part of the season. This seems to be an attempt to recapture the "mystery" aspect of the show but ultimately fails. The show seemed more humorous than its previous season but still managed to frustrate. Jenna's promiscuous nature was really getting on my nerves and I wasn't sure if I could handle the inconsistency any longer.

 

When season 3 part 2 came around, I was skeptical. I sat down and once again found myself pulled in. It is a completely different product than the first season but still manages to be entertaining. Jenna is still confused about what she wants and in this season makes some terrible choices, which was an utter joy to watch. For once, she finally seems sorry for her infidelity and shares a lot of teary-eyed, heart-wrenching moments. The show finally is able to balance its humor with emotion and never feels sappy. Dialogue is poignant and affecting. I once again felt satisfied when the credits rolled and find it a joy to finally see scraps of a deeper, emotional component of this show. I am certainly glad I stuck with the show because this season is what I was waiting for. Awkward is almost done airing its 3rd season. Overall, Awkward is fun but very inconsistent.

 

Awkward is rated TV-14

http://www.sonotstraight.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/awkward-girl.jpg

Tags: MTV, comedy, drama, television, tv, TV-14, tv14, awkward, awkward.,

Friends is a television rarity that is utterly hilarious.

9.5 out of 10

 

How many sitcoms are about attractive young adults living in NYC? Countless. How many times do you see those young adults complain about lack of money while living in an impossibly large apartment? Too many. Well, Friends is one of those shows, but there is something more that makes this show such a success. The show follows a group of six friends that navigate life as adults in NYC. Such a loose and simple premise allows for plenty of freedom when it comes to keeping the show fresh.

 What allows the show to be so impressive is the characters and the actors that played them. Ross is an awkward science nerd that works in a museum. He begins to develop a crush on the newcomer Rachel. Rachel is a spoiled "daddy's girl" who has decided to live independent from her father. She is attractive (played by Jennifer Aniston) and naïve and relies on her new friends to navigate the concrete jungle. Monica is Ross' sister and is loud, crazy, and very OCD. She is a chef that is obsessed with cleaning and is always searching for "true love" and her future. Chandler is the "funny guy" of the group, always using humor as a way of defense. Joey is an aspiring actor. He loves to eat and is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Lastly, there is Phoebe (my personal favorite). She is a fan of the alternative lifestyle. Extremely spacy and always hilarious, she manages to be a hilarious addition to the show. Together, the Friends create a fantastic dynamic that is an utter joy to watch.

Another thing that need be noted is the writing. It takes great finesse to create 10 seasons of a show that never feels stale. Every new episode brings new surprises and adventures. The quick and clever dialogue is immensely satisfying. In its earlier seasons, Friends seems to opt for a more sentimental feeling. Every episode has heartfelt moments followed by laughs to break the tension. The show seems to cut out the heartfelt portion rather quickly which I see as a very good move. In the show's later seasons, the show becomes all about the laughs and the plotlines take a back seat. Instead of an overarching plotline, each episode functions almost entirely independent of the others which allows for a less affecting but goofier experience.

 The show ran for 10 seasons, all of which were spectacular. Overall, Friends is a TV gem absolutely worth watching.

 

Friends is rated TV-14

http://www.panicposters.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/f63dc5ec28f3175f8a7f615bd217eb71/p/p/pp31558-friends-poster.jpg

 Tags: Comedy, TV, TV-14, tv14, friends, recommended,