Let's talk for a minute about my love for Chris Pine. It's relatively new and yet I am quite happy about it. I have always enjoyed his work but I think that lately I am beginning to feel that he is slightly underestimated as an actor - mostly due to his dashing good looks. However, I have found since seeing a little film “Into the Woods”, I have grown to really enjoy him as an actor. So, let's explore my favorite ones...so far at least.
People Like Us
A movie about a guy that has lost his father and finds out he has a sister and a nephew that he never knew existed. Chris plays Sam, a very non present man that is just walking through his life and not fully living it. Being a girl that has always fallen for the guy who wants to commit yet finds himself unable to, I find myself drawn to Chris' s portrayal of Sam. Sam wants all the things in life that he thinks he is supposed to want but in the end leave him so alone. At the beginning of the film as a viewer you really don't want Sam to succeed, you think that he gets what he deserves but in the end you have fallen in love with the broken man that stands before you. Chris does such a great job of making Sam such a multi dimensional character, with so many different levels you can't help but find yourself rooting for him.
Small Town Saturday Night
I didn't know much about this film, but it popped up on my iTines suggestions. I saw that it had Chris Pine and thought “Why not”. After reading the synopsis of the film it seemed to be just another film about a guy wanting to pursue his dreams, move to Nashville, and be the next big thing. Side note, I live in Nashville and this is quite common. I pressed play on my Apple TV and thought at least I would get a little “eye candy” but I was pleasantly surprised. Chris could really sing and play guitar and pretty good I might add. He plays a guy named Rhett that is forced to choose between following his dreams or stay in this small town with the woman that he loves. There is this beautiful moment when Chris is sitting in the rickety old white lawn chair playing guitar, not saying one thing; and yet saying so many things. The film came out right after the first Star Trek and it just proves that Chris can do a major film and then turn around and act in a small independent film with the same dedication. A little perk, we get to see Chris act with his real life father Robert Pine in the film.
Into the Woods
“ I was raised to be charming, not sincere” is a line that I will not forget, and if you have seen any of the trailers for this film you know it, too. Chris plays the wonderful Prince Charming to Anna Kendrick's Cinderella. Note to all parents out there, this is not a film that you take little ones to see. It is more of a dark Brothers' Grimm adaptation of a fairytale rather than the Disney version. I had heard about the “Agony” scene and waited with anticipation for it, and when it finally arrived; it did not disappoint. If you rent this just to see this song, I promise, it is money well spent. A film where Chris is up against some pretty big heavyweights (anyone say Meryl Streep?) yet still holds his own quite well.
Star Trek & Star Trek Into Darkness
It takes a lot of gumption to step into the shoes of the great William Shatner, but Chris owns it in a way that is extremely impressive. Captain Kirk was always the guy that could do no wrong and would use luck and an excuse to continue to make the same mistakes, and Chris plays this perfectly. Growing up on the Star Trek franchise, I was a little leery when I found out that a new film was being made, especially using the original characters. Then I found out that JJ Abrams was directing and I love him. Being familiar with his work on Alias and Lost, I thought it would at least be decent. It was more than that, it was spectacular! When the first note of the epic opening title came through the speaker, I knew right then it was good. Along with Chris we get to see Zachary Quinto take on the role of Spock, Karl Urban as Bones, Simon Pegg as Scotty, Anton Yelchin as Chekov plus and several others. With an “I'm too good and have all the right answers” attitude I cannot think a better actor cast to play Captain James T. Kirk. Thank you, Chris Pine. If you have not seen either of these, you are missing out!
This Means War
This film did not do too well at the box office but I really enjoyed it. This is a film filled with some “eye candy”with not only Chris Pine, but also Tom Hardy. I knew Chris could be funny but I was not aware of that he was not only capable but really good at physical comedy as well. When two friends played by Pine and Hardy unexpectedly fall for the same woman they go to great lengths to win her love. In their attempt to convince her, a whole slew of hilarious events take place while both men are maintaining their work of being top level spies. Chris being the uber suave guy with all the right answers and the right “moves” finds himself unsure of himself when his best friend seems to be winning her heart. I was so impressed with his comedic timing and his willingness to make a fool of himself. Such fun!
There you have it, just a few of my favorites. I didn't even mention Unstoppable, where Chris stops a high speed train with the help of Denzel Washington. Or the Princess Diaries, with Anne Hathaway, or my favorite Horrible Bosses 2( I will be writing on this next week, so stay tuned). Hope you enjoy these; all of the above films are available at Red Box, iTunes, or Netflix. Have a great weekend!!