Jersey Boys

I needed to see a movie in theaters desperately and this was it. It wasn't a complete disappointment but it could have been better.
I was part of the problem as the story was not something I could get behind. Four petty criminals, some of whom have dealings with the mob, form a boy band and slowly their music works its way into the hearts of millions across the country. I don't like that criminals can still become famous. Now, sure it took a lot of hard work and some shady deals to get them there, but when they win over the hardworking, honest man, I just don't approve. And when they bring down the good, I just get angry. But that's a me problem.
If I get my personal opinion out of the film, it wasn't really bad. The performances were all decent, with John Lloyd Young as the lead singer Frankie Valli a particular stand out, but he received great support from Erich Bergen as Bob Gaudio, the writer behind the group, Vincent Piazza as Tommy DeVito, the evil wheeler-dealer of the group who digs them deep into debt and Michael Lomenda as Nick Massi who goes as far as to lie to his children, saying that he's really their uncle so he doesn't feel guilty about not being there to tuck them in at night. Christopher Walken (who has aged considerably since Hairspray just seven years ago) also appears as a staunch supporter of Frankie's who helps him out in the time of a jam. Renee Marino is Mary Delgado, Frankie's long suffering wife who turns to the bottle as her marriage fails. Joey Russo plays Joe Pesci, that's right, the guy who eventually becomes an actor got his start working at a bowling alley, convincing Tommy to add Bob to the group.
The music also grew on me as the film went along because the music is not of my generation and I have never heard it before and Valli's voice takes some getting used to. Full disclosure, having never heard Valli sing before, I have no idea if Young is nailing his distant singing style but I certainly hope he is.
Now the problems with the film. The film has changing narrators, with Tommy starting out and then Nick taking over before all of the briefly explain their lives at the end of the film when they reunite at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is odd but it is also odd that the narration isn't given in a voice over but the actor instead breaks the fourth wall, common in Boardway shows, uncommon in Hollywood and a technique that I don't really like in films because it breaks the realism and continuity for me. And the story is set up oddly, only after everything hits the fan do you go back and get more details from Nick's point of view. And though the film is largely an ensemble piece, the last half an hour or so focuses greatly on Frankie alone as he tries to rescue his daughter, Francine (Freya Tingely) from her destructive path of drugs, probably putting more blame on her mother than necessary. He fails and his first song back after her death did almost bring tears to my eyes as even though it is a love song, I felt like he was singing the whole thing to his daughter. That was, hands down, the best scene. They brush over the family lives of the others, making the title non-applicable.
A review I read complained about the aging make-up for the last scene, and while it wasn't great, that was only a brief scene, not long enough for me to have a fuss about it. And there was a dance number at the end while the credits ran, something which I really liked.
Mechanically, the film was fine, with good cinematography, art direction and editing with the costumes being a stand-out, but still, I seriously doubt I will see this film again as it could have and should have been better. The lesson is a hard one to swallow, sure these guys became famous, giving the world tons of great singles, one was so good that a radio station played it for seventeen staight hours, ignoring threats from the police, but at what cost? Was it worth it? Digging themselves deep into debt, Frankie touring endlessly to pay it off, abandoning their families and losing contact with them? I can't say if it's worth it or not, but for me it wouldn't be. We don't know if the jersey boys think everything was worth it or not, the answer might be a chilling one. Grade: B

Enlisted: Series Recap and Reaction

RIP, Enlisted, RIP. This was the best comedy of the 2013-2014 TV season and FOX never gave it a chance. They aired it on Friday nights and had the episodes out of order, causing confusion amongst the viewers. And that killed me.
It follows three brothers who are in the army, a specific unit, the rear detachment unit, which takes care of stuff at home. Pete (Geoff Stults) is the good soldier having served several tours in Afghanistan, but now, he's home to finish recovering from his injury. Derrick (Chris Lowell) has no purpose in life. Despite being in the army, he has no passion for anything really. He's just in the army because his whole family is in the army. And then there's Randy (Parker Young). He's a sweetheart and means well and has the potential to be a good soldier though he's too soft-hearted for that to be the case. Finishing out the core cast are Angelique Cabral as Jill Perez determined not to let her gender stand in her way of climbing up the ranks in the army and Keith David is great as Donald Cody, in charge on base. He also has a fake foot, which is white because they don't make prosthetics his size in black. The supporting cast is also brilliant as a much of well-meaning losers, with odd habits and likes. One really likes fire, another Lori Laughlin.
The season is rather strong, with only one really weak episode which involves a poop gun and spider-like contraption. But the troops help out with some veterans, plan a parade, have an epic prank war and throw Cody a celebration that he deserves and an epic dance fight and make out session that you could have never seen coming in hilarious fashion. And Pete teaches Randy how to be strong, forcing him to recite the plot line of Toy Story 3 without crying, which he finally does, but Pete realizes that he broke Randy, never a good thing.
The acting is also incredible with everyone creating real characters, flaws and all. I hope that Young manages to earn an Emmy nomination, proving that FOX was wrong in cancelling this show, despite all the critical praise and small cult following.
The show is a comedy and there are many funny scenes and hidden lines, but this show also tackles some serious issues, including the finale where Pete wonders why he has returned home while so many haven't, feeling incredibly guilty about the whole thing. Derrick weighs the consequences of whether or not to date a single mother. Everything is done in such style.
Sometimes the plot lines don't even tie up at the end of the episode, but that's life. It works. Again, I really wish FOX would have given this show a chance, especially after the great reviews it received. Finale: A, Season: A-