Doubt is set in a Catholic elementary school where a Sister begins to have doubts about one of the priests. What kind of doubt you ask?
This movie is summed up by its title, and by my first sentence. Delving into it further would spoil this for everyone out there.
What I can tell you is that this is a Master Class in acting. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis are kind enough to teach everyone how this is supposed to be done. I doubt that you will be able to find four superior performances in one movie. Apparently somebody agrees with me as they were each nominated for an Academy Award. Hoffman and Streep for Best Actor and Actress, and Adams and Davis for Best Supporting Actress.
I really can't say enough about this movie so I won't. I was absolutely enthralled from the minute it started. It is subject matter that we have become all too familiar with and the performances make it real. Amazingly real.
5 stars, and I don't give them out often. Pick up a copy, and I would love to hear what you think.
The Express, aka The Elmira Express, is a movie based on the life of Ernie Davis. For those of you who don't know, Ernie Davis had the distinct pleasure of following in Jim Brown's footsteps at Syracuse University. And being a black football player in the late 50's and early 60's was no easy task.
I am not usually a fan of "based on real events" sports movies. I know that sounds weird coming from a sports nut, but I usually find them too cheesy, too contrived, or very often too "feel good" to consider a fun watch. I would much prefer watching movies like Bull Durham or The Replacements, or the original version of The Longest Yard. They pretend to be nothing but entertainment, and to me that is a good thing.
True to life movies need to be very powerful, or deal with very poignant topics for me to stay interested. Brian's Song comes to mind as a real winner. On with it...
The Express does a really fine job of conveying a story that too few people remember. It's an easy one to know, and it's certainly predictable, but the story is worth telling and worth listening to. I enjoy stories about really good guys. Ernie Davis was a really good guy. It's easy to be a good guy when times are easy, but to endure the racism and struggles that he endured and still remain a good man, well that is saying a lot. I am continually embarrassed by our countries history with racism. I really hope that we continue to grow.
You aren't going to be surprised by much, and I don't think that you will be truly wowed, but this is a 4 star story that is worth 120 minutes of your time.
Rob Brown did a very good job portraying Davis however Dennis Quaid was as good as I have seen him in a long time. He pulled off Head Coach Ben Schwartzwalder flawlessly. He really had the old school hard ass coach down pat. Nice work.
Seth Rogan plays a good guy stoner, Dale Denton, who witnesses a murder by a drug kingpin and a corrupt cop. His one of a kind weed, Pineapple Express, links him as a witness and thus he must go on the run with his dealer.
I am going to keep this brief since none of us have tons of time to waste. I take that back, apparently we do if we are going to watch crap like this. That was kind, this is more than crap. It's borderline disaster.
I am a big Seth Rogan fan, and I also enjoy a good stoner movie, but this one just didn't cut it for me. I didn't find it funny at all.
It was a huge waste of time for me. 2 stars, and that is being kind.
I wasn't going to review Slumdog Millionaire, some movies are just so highly publicized that it's a waste of time. But keeping quiet has never been my style.
The Oscar winner for Best Picture, I can't imagine that there is a soul on the planet who hasn't heard of this movie. But for those of you soulless creatures, take a gander...
In a nutshell, the movie follows Jamal and Salim Malik, two brothers that grew up in the slums of Bombay/Mumbai. Jamal is a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and while breezing through the show he is accused of cheating. It's a concoction of fabulous story telling, gritty slum life, violence, and love. Director Danny Boyle knocked it out of the park with this one.
As I eluded to previously, the Oscar win for Best Picture, combined with 7 other Academy Awards tells the story of the success. And a success it was, however I found it to be a bit overrated. It is a really good film, but I didn't find it to be a GREAT film.
It hit all of the emotional elements, but it just didn't wow me with any particular one of them. I haven't seen a few of the other Best Picture nominees yet, but I can only assume that either none of them were great, or this one just tugged at the right heart strings of the committee members.
The blu-ray transfer is actually quite good. There were a few moments of significant grain, however most of the 1080p was impressive. The blu-ray really stood out with the DTS-HD Master Audio mix. A good soundtrack and more sound effects than I anticipated made it a really nice listen, much more so than I expected from this type of movie.
Oh, and Freida Pinto is a rising star. Incredibly attractive with "the look" that will take her a long way. I expect to see a lot more of her, and I expect her skills to keep increasing.
This is a very good film that is well worth the watch. 4 stars, but I don't think it's a repeater.
Elegy is a perfect example of the acting excellence that Sir Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz exude time and again. I am more and more impressed each time I see them. Take a look...
An adaptation of the novel The Dying Animal by Philip Roth, it does not stay particularly true to form but that is not a bad thing here. Essentially, this movie is about an aging college professor with a fear of commitment, and basically a fear of getting old. Sir Ben was perfect for the part. There are but a few "older" actors that could pull off the womanizer successfully and he is one of them.
His life is turned upside down when he falls for one of his students, the always stunning Ms. Cruz. I have gushed time and again about her, and I won't be shy to do it again. She is an absolute gem of a talent. Amazing skills and simply beautiful to look at. She is fresh off a win for Best Supporting Actress in Vicky Cristina Barcelona, but I strongly believe that this was a stronger performance. Perhaps this release was delayed as to not interfere with her run?
Dennis Hopper also makes an appearance as Kingsley's best friend and fellow womanizer. I've always liked Hopper, and he does do a pretty good job with this but I just don't see him in that role. No matter, as this was all about Kingsley and Cruz.
The movie can be summed up in a number of ways, and I would imagine that a woman's point of view will be much different than the man's here. Big surprise, right? It's ironic, perhaps sleazy, sometimes sentimental, but always poignant. It's a good look into the mind of an aging man. I recommend giving this one a watch. It's a pace that is slow at times, but it's one of those rewarding journeys that should be savored. 4 stars.
A quick shout out to the Class of '89 from MHS. It was really good seeing everyone. And to Petros, TJ, Louise, and anyone else out there reading me from time to time, a big THANKS! Hit that little comment button below and leave me a note about what you think.
Nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay by The Academy, Happy-Go-Lucky follows the life of Poppy played by Sally Hawkins. Poppy is one of those eternal optimists, always cheery, always looking on the bright side of life. She is so cheery that it is beyond nauseating. Take a look...
She's a 30 year old school teacher from London that lives with her best friend in a London flat. She also has no drivers license and rides her bike wherever she goes. One day, her beloved bike gets stolen and she decides to grow up, just a tad, and get a drivers license! Awesome stuff right?
The movie basically meanders through a few days in her life. Taking driving lessons, teaching school, partying with her friends, hurting her back, and even taking flamenco lessons.
It basically reminded me of the Seinfeld episodes when George and Jerry were writing their pilot for NBC. It's a show about nothing!
Good enough if you are into that kind of thing. Or if you are trying to fill 30 minutes with a sitcom. For me it just didn't work. Sure, there were a few good laughs and Sally Hawkins was quite good. But for nearly two hours of movie it nearly put me to sleep. You may get a few interesting moments, but not nearly enough.
Cadillac Records brings the music of the 1950's right into your living room. Sometimes gritty, never truly suspenseful, but mostly entertaining and fun to watch.
This is certainly one of Adrien Brody's best performances of recent memory. Playing club owner turned record exec, Leonard Chess, Brody has that certain savoir faire to pull this off without being too sleazy. Come to think of it, there is an endless array of strong performances. Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Columbus Short as Little Walter, and Mos Def as Chuck Berry each performed admirably and shove believability down your throat.
This soundtrack is top notch ass kickin music. That alone makes this worth the watch.
The problem here is the writing just wasn't strong enough. It was a little gritty in parts, but a movie such as this needs to be really gritty. It needs to make you feel the music, feel the pain behind it, and the joy involved when it hits the air waves. You need to feel the poverty, the successes, and the failures. For the most part, it failed in fully delivering.
Beyonce makes an appearance in the second half as Etta James. So much could have been done with her character. For the most part, she was wasted.
It's a good movie, just not a REALLY good movie. As I said, the music alone is worth the watch.
Sean Penn (in an Oscar winning role for Best Actor) plays Harvey Milk, an openly gay activist and politician in 1970's San Francisco. The story of Harvey Milk's life is well documented, so there are no surprises here. Take a look...
Like I said, unless you have lived under a rock and have never heard of Harvey Milk or George Moscone you know this story. Director Gus Van Sant stays true to form, for the most part, so I basically just sat back and watched some history unfold. There were no real surprises, no twists or turns so I felt as if someone was reading a book to me. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't my cup of tea either.
The movie is packed full of strong performances. Sean Penn was absolutely fabulous and deserving of his award. Say what you will about the man, but he has certainly mastered his craft. Well done.
Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, and Alison Pill each added fine performances with great depth. To leave an individual out is really doing a disservice to everyone. Each was as strong as the next.
I imagine I am going to stoke some reactions when I say this is a 3 star movie for me. I just got bored, I guess knowing the story doesn't help in a movie such as this. I saw everything coming from a mile away. However, it's a 3 star movie with 5 star performances so I recommend seeing it at your earliest opportunity.
If you would be so kind as to indulge me for a moment. When you watch this movie you are going to hear a lot about Proposition 6. I recommend reading about it here. For those of you that pay attention to our fine country, you will remember something during the last elections in California called Proposition 8. Please read about it here. Anyway...
Just what in the hell is everyone so scared of? Do the conservatives really think that gay men and women, if married, will tear down the moral backbone of our society? How moral are we, really? And why are civil rights up for a vote? I thought we were all equal in today's society. Far from it people, far from it. This needs to be addressed. Persecution is wrong, period.
This country has proven to be amazing in so many ways. We just elected an African-American President for crying out loud. We can overcome this, but we have to care enough to do it.
If nothing else, this movie will teach you just how persecuted gay men and women have been. That alone makes it a must see. Let it move you to thought.
Let me apologize right away. This review is going to be a bit different, a bit more off the cuff then the rest of my nonsensical ramblings.
Rachel Getting Married beat me up pretty good. It's a movie about a young addict name Kym, played by Anne Hathaway, who returns home from rehab for her sisters wedding. Take a look...
I forgot to mention that Anne Hathaway was nominated for Best Actress by The Academy, her first nomination. Jesus did she deserve it.
So here's the thing. This is a very well done movie, extremely well done in fact. Jonathan Demme did a fabulous job with this material. It's great to see him rockin and rollin again.
Let me try to put this into terms. First, the good points. This movie is absolutely mesmerizing. From the moment it starts it pulled me in and would not let go. The performances (yes I am saying it again) are amazing. Anne Hathaway showed talents that I never knew existed in her. And, if that isn't enough, this subject matter is something that is most easily recognized by all audiences.
The negatives...the subject matter is so real, so powerful, so poignant, and so painful. I don't recall the last movie I saw that left me feeling absolutely shitty for nearly two hours. There were very few smile points. Most people in my generation come from some type of family dysfunction, some obviously more than others. It doesn't have to be this severe, but when you come from dysfunction you don't always want to relive it. It touched me deeply.
Now many people think those negatives should be positives. It should make for a great movie. IT DID! Don't get me wrong, there are very few true bad points about this movie but it will not make you feel good. At least it didn't me.
That said, this is an absolute must see. Be prepared to become introspective, be prepared to cry, and be prepared to be touched. However, I would never watch it a second time. I don't think that I am man enough.
4 stars. Really close to 5, but I just can't recommend being this upset so highly! :-)
Dear Ms. Winslet, I have yet to see The Reader because, quite frankly, movie theaters suck. But I really hope you were as good as advertised. Ms. Hathaway was all that and a bag of chips. I dig you as well, so I can't wait to see it and compare the performances. Congratulations on your long overdue Oscar win.
I think I am done with my therapy session now, and I didn't even need to shell out a co-pay. I love the internet.
Straight from the land of Champagne, Cognac, foie gras, and maids comes a gem called I've Loved You So Long. An absolutely heart breaking tale of a woman just released from prison and moving into the home of her sister and her family whom she hasn't spoken with since her incarceration.
Kristin Scott Thomas plays Juliette Fontaine in a painfully gripping performance for the ages. It's amazing to me that she didn't get nominated for Best Actress by The Academy. Elsa Zylberstein performs very well as her sister Lea.
I am trying not to gush here but this is a truly fabulous movie. Let me remind you, it is a French film therefore the spoke language is French. The Blu-Ray version offers an English voice over but that is the easy, and annoying, way out. Turn on the subtitles and expand your horizons. Surely you can read for a little while. And the acting is so fabulous that you will feel what they are saying, you won't even need the words.
It isn't for everyone, especially if you are feeling a bit down in the dumps, or if you have a difficult time handling a movie that plays with your emotions. But if you can handle your emotions, and are in the right frame of mind, I challenge you to find a better, more gut wrenching picture out today.
This is a true 4 star drama that will make you laugh, smile, and most of all make you cry. I absolutely dare you not to cry.
In a nutshell, this is a film about Hollywood and the manic lives which make it go around. Perhaps I said that wrong, it's a satire about Hollywood...or...I have no idea what it is.
It's really just a hodge podge and a hot mess of a story told by a bunch of self indulgent nauseating fools. Like any of us need to see just how "rough" life is in Hollywood? Like any of us can relate? Or if any of us really care?
Do us a favor and tell us stories about aliens or something, just stay away from your "real life" satires and stories.
Give me a break with this mess. Skip this, or you will be wondering What Just Happened to the last 100 minutes of your life. 2 stars, simply because De Niro was in it. But he is trying my patience as well. This could not have been more predictable...
Oh, and if you are going to cast Moon Bloodgood, at least have the common decency to give her something to work with. She was the only good thing about Journeyman. WHY IS SHE NOT IN MORE MOVIES? Damn, Hollywood pisses me off sometimes.
Those three pictures were better than the movie. Go ahead, I will take the criticism. Fire away!
Pride and Glory follows in the footsteps of many police dramas that came before it. I feel like I have seen them all yet I never get tired of them. I wonder what that says for me?
A family of New York City cops gets torn apart in a corruption scandal. Edward Norton plays Ray Tierney, the good guy cop who was caught up in some type of scandal a few years back. He is obviously still scarred but the movie doesn't do a good job of telling that piece of the story. Still, Norton pulls this off like he does every other part. I prefer him to be a little more rough around the edges, but he is solid none the less.
Colin Farrell plays Jimmy Eagan, the rough and tumble somewhat stereotypical New York City cop with more than a few skeletons in his closet. Both Norton and Farrell light up the screen and make any movie worth watching.
It's a very strong cast and as I said, you have seen this before but the cast makes it move at a swift pace. In fact, I was quite taken with this film. I enjoyed it, right up until the end. The last 15-20 minutes seem to have been done by an amateur. It just unwound like a cheap spool of yarn. Such a disappointment at the end.
However, don't let those last few sentences fool you. I really did enjoy the movie, and I am a person that enjoys the entire ride, not just the ending. I was able to look past it and enjoy the cop drama and action. I am just a sucker for this genre!
This is a 4 star crime drama which I recommend for anyone who appreciates this type of movie, or anyone who appreciates those two actors.
Changeling is based on a true story about a hard working single mother named Christine Collins who's son goes missing one day while at work. After months of investigating by a seriously corrupt LAPD her son is returned to her, or is he?
Angelina Jolie, in an Oscar nominated role for Best Actress, earns that nomination with a fabulous performance. I have made it known that I am not a big fan of hers, and I will admit that I had a really hard time seeing past her overblown red lips. However she gives a truly solid performance that many will remember for years to come.
In a role that was rarely spoken of, John Malkovich pulls off a fabulous performance as Rev. Gustav Briegleb, an activist who has dedicated his life to stopping the rampant corruption in the LAPD.
The movie starts a bit slow as Director Clint Eastwood goes to great lengths to set up the 1920's drama. It was so in your face with the period set-up that it became too noticeable. But after the story kicks in you become totally engrossed. I had a hard time turning my head from the screen.
This is one of those rare stories where the journey is just as satisfying as the finish line.
Changeling is a terrific movie. One that will take your emotions on a wild roller coaster ride. If you can make it through the initial 20 minutes of stage setting you will be rewarded with a great movie, and an even greater performance.
Body Of Lies is a really nice addition to the spy/thriller genre. Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe team up as CIA operatives in the present day middle east operations unit, stationed in Jordan.
The fact that this movie was filmed with present day events in mind makes it that much more interesting. Too many of the thrillers are futuristic and although they are good fun, this brings just a little bit of believability to the table which only helps things. Remember, I said a little bit of believability. It does stretch itself from time to time.
Leo has come along way since Titanic and each film he does impresses me more. Crowe continues to be one of the leading men at his craft, and he beefed up mightily for this role.
Look at that chunkster!
A movie produced and directed by Ridley Scott is a recipe for success. He sometimes goes over the top but I have yet to see a film from him that does not entertain. I would see just about anything that he grinds out.
The Blu-Ray copy is very impressive. The desert scenes are spectacular, every grain of sand is evident. The Dolby TrueHD is average at best. The explosions lacked punch and left me wanting more. A few good bullet sizzles and the dialogue was crisp, so it wasn't awful. But with an action flick such as this, you really want to take advantage of the technology and let it rip.
All in all, this was a really good movie that is well worth the watch for anyone that appreciates this type of movie.
Man On Wire plays like an amazing work of fiction concocted by a borderline maniac. Perhaps not borderline, it plays like the work from a complete maniac.
For any of you that watched the Oscars last night, you may have noticed this won Best Documentary. And you may have also picked up on Philippe Petit running up on stage about 30 seconds after the acceptance speech started. Or how about him making the Oscar trophy bow to the audience? Or perhaps balancing Oscar on his chin? The man is certifiable!
Obviously this is a good one since it won the Oscar. But it isn’t the typical documentary in the fact that it won’t make you cry, won’t really make you think, or even move you to a somewhat extreme emotion. It did however make me laugh, and made me sit in amazement about how insane these people were. And at how ridiculous “security” was at the WTC.
In case you ignored the trailer, this is about Philippe’s lifelong quest to walk a wire between the Twin Towers. In 1974 it was simply insane, and it would be no less insane today.
I give this film 3 stars, only because the documentary didn’t completely immerse me in a topic that I care deeply for. That’s just my preference in documentaries, not a reflection on the work. It is well worth a watch, for nothing more than sheer amazement and a good amount of laughs.
W. is a biography directed and produced by Oliver Stone. He has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. When he hits the mark, his movies are awesomely entertaining. Born on the Fourth of July, JFK, Nixon, The People vs. Larry Flynt were all big winners in my book. This one, unfortunately, missed the mark by a mile.
I think that Oliver Stone went at this movie all wrong. First, I think the timing did him a disservice. In a moment when we had all seen enough of President Bush, we certainly didn't need a movie reminding us of the last 8 years when we were still living it.
Secondly, I think he tried to be a bit even handed to appeal to everyone in the political spectrum. It was a novel approach but it didn't seem to ring true. He did his share of bashing, making him appear to be a puppet, a drunk, and an illegitimate member of our society. But what that did was almost make you feel sorry for the man. And with that, it made me a bit embarrassed for our country.
He also tried to do too much. He tried to rehash everything from his college days at Yale all the way through current. It was too much to jam into a two hour film. Cramming all of that time into two hours made it feel sloppy and convoluted. He would have been better suited to pick a 10-15 year period and delve into it. Make us understand the rationale behind the decisions, the motivating factors, and help us understand the relationship with his cabinet.
Finally, I think Stone spent way too much time and energy on making the characters physically identical to the people they were portraying. Josh Brolin did a fabulous job playing the title role. I really felt like I was actually watching George bumble through the past eight years. Cheney, Rice, Rove, Franks, they all looked spot on. I do believe that Elizabeth Banks was mis-cast. Why pick a young, A-list girl and age her by 30 years and make her as boring as Laura?
The movie just needed more. It was all sizzle and no steak, if you know what I mean. And probably the most interesting dynamic that could have been portrayed, Colin Powell and W., was largely ignored. They made Powell look like an immature bumbling fool and I thought that was just completely wrong.
No matter which side of the fence you sit politically, I don't imagine too many people thinking that this was a well done film. It was a big dissapointment for me. I would rather watch a Saturday Night Live skit bashing him. At least it would have been amusing.
Frozen River is a small budget indie film that packs a big punch. Directed by Courtney Hunt, in her directorial debut, Frozen River tells the story of two women that form a bond smuggling illegal immigrants across the Canadian border into the United States. Although the women come from completely different worlds, it shows what desperation can do to people from all walks of life.
Melissa Leo gives a rock solid, performance of a lifetime as Ray Eddy. Playing a down and out mother of two, Leo has received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She deserves every accolade she gets. It would be a tough win for her considering she is going up against some real heavyweights and media darlings. Hathaway, Streep, Jolie, and Winslet...wow, what a lineup.
The still green Misty Upham also gives a strong and stoic performance. While portraying a rugged and tough exterior as poverty stricken Native American named Lila, she almost appears to have no emotion whatsoever. But just when you fell disconnected, she gives you just a glimpse into her character. Well done by the up and comer.
The movie is filmed in upstate New York and the material is just as cold and icy as the location portrays. There are very few moments to feel good about but that is not the point. It is simply not a feel good movie, but surely one of the best of 2008.
The indie's are always overlooked but do yourself a favor and do not overlook this one. It is a true work of art that will be appreciated for years to come.
How to rate this film? I kicked around a 5 star rating here, but I truly reserve those for what I consider knock your socks off films. This was really close. I am going to settle on a strong 4 star recomendation, but it was damn close. My rating is of no matter here, watch it as soon as possible.
Bigger, Stronger, Faster is an unbiased look at the rampant use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, and performance enhancing drugs in our society.
Three brothers, all admitted steroids users, examine just how rampant the usage is. The amazing thing about this documentary is that it was done from a very even perspective. I felt that there was no real slant on weather or not they should be acceptable. It laid out the facts and let you decide.
I was taken aback by how many people, doctors included, find the use of steroids to be acceptable in moderation. Have we as a society overblown this topic? US fighter pilots are required to take amphetamines before flying a mission. Musicians take beta blockers so that they can lose their fear of performing, students take prescriptions to help them concentrate. Aren't these all performance enhancers?
Baseball has been at the forefront. We are enthralled about digging up the past. Testing is in place, and very few are testing positive. More than a few football players have tested positive and admitted to use. Yet we hear very little. Should we as fans care at all?
I ask every one of you, if you could take something that you felt was safe, and it would help make you millions of dollars at your profession, would you take it? Be honest with yourself.
This is an interesting debate, but this is also a very well done documentary. Anyone with an interest in sports, or just an interest in the topic should watch this. Fascinating stuff.
Oh, and from someone that grew up in the 80's, you will love the WWF flashbacks. It definitely reminded me of my childhood.
Bottle Shock was a wonderful surprise. It’s a true story about the rise of California wines, and probably more shocking, the demise of the French wines. Well, perhaps that is an over statement. The French wines are obviously still prominent. But in the late 70’s it was widely thought that the only good wines were from France. This crew from Napa, with the help of a stuffy Brit, showed the “Frenchies” that there are more than French Fries coming out of this Bad Boy!
Alan Rickman is a complete stud. Not in a hot lady killing type of way, but in a fabulous actor sort of way. I don’t think that anyone can play a jerk, a snob, or a completely aloof and non-caring cold person like he can. I just know that when his name attached to a movie that I am in for a treat.
The story runs a bit loose and you will be left trying to put some pieces together. They also do very little to develop the characters and thus it becomes a bit difficult to get too emotional. But what they do give you is just enough. I found myself engrossed in the story none the less, and although you know the outcome you don't want to walk away.
Like I said, it’s a true story. I don’t know how many liberties were taken during the film, but they tie it together at the end quite nicely. And I even got to learn a bit, I always appreciate the opportunity to gain a bit of knowledge.
Oh, and the bad ass girl from Bring It On, Eliza Dushku appears for a small part. She has the cool confident chick role down pat. I dig it.
There were beautiful Napa Valley backdrops throughout the movie. That alone made me long for a Blu-Ray copy. Why not go all the way with it? I hate it when the studios get cheap.
Anyway, I really liked this flick. It smelled of bacon fat and layers of tangerine. And that’s a good thing. 4 stars all the way. Pop the cork, swirl it, sniff it, and savor it!
The Lucky Ones is a not so timely anti-war movie about three veterans returning from Iraq to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives. Tim Robbins,Rachel McAdams, and Michael Pena lead the cast of this movie with an agenda that has become oh so typical of Hollywood. I am hopeful that Hollywood will take a cue from President Obama and his “change we need” mantra. I don’t know if he will be successful but he is at least trying to package it nicely.
This movie is just short of a complete mess. No matter which side of the line you stand in our political nightmare this is just bad movie making. The above mentioned stars are all very talented and have expansive character range, but they have nothing to work with here. The writing gives them nothing to work with and they are left trying to clean up the mess.
Quite simply put, this is a “road trip” movie with three veterans that are portrayed as bumbling fools. The most inexplicable events happen minute after minute, and it becomes so utterly unbelievable and contrived that I was left hiding my head in a pillow due to the embarrassment. Each and every anti-war point is raised in the most obvious way, could this have been written by school children?
I am already upset at myself for talking this long about it so I am going to wrap it up.
2 stars, and the only reason it didn’t receive a 1 is because of the cast. They gave it a shot and I give them credit for not mailing it in. I wonder what each of them did to get saddled with this. Or, perhaps they are so ultra liberal (ahem…Mr. Robbins) that they just HAD to.
If you have nothing else to do on a Friday evening then take a nap. Don’t bother. Play Wii, or stare at the wall like Putty. You will get just as much enjoyment.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist straddles the line between the moronic teenage comedies that we have seen lately (which I love by the way) and a teenage rom-com. And it does a pretty good job of it. Receiving a 72% on the Tomatometer is no small task so it came to me with some build up. Take a look:
Make no mistake, this is most definitely a teenage movie with juvenile type comedy so if that doesn't float your boat then steer clear. If you secretly long for a return of those days, if you still have that sense of humor, and you still believe in puppy love then you won't be disappointed.
Michael Cera, a fixture in the teenage movies, plays his typical bumbling and hilarious self. His delivery is priceless.
Kat Dennings is an entirely different animal. She has been in more than her share of movies and even had a bit part on ER. At the ripe old age of 22 she has very good range, an infectious smile, and good girl charm. She has "it" and she is here to stay. It's fun to watch her grow.
Alexis Dziena plays the beautiful, but highly shallow, H.S. girl that every girl hated and every boy loved. She does it very well and with her looks she could be another one on the come. Hopefully she will continue to develop her craft and not "go Sweden" on us like Ms. Alba.
Get used to those faces because you are going to continue to see more of them.
This is a solid teenage rom-com, not spectacular, but if you are in the mood for silly fun one evening you should pick up a copy. The soundtrack is fabulous and the New York backdrop provides a nice touch.
Oh where to begin? Vicky Cristina Barcelona is Woody Allen's latest addition to his legendary vault of flicks with hot chicks. Over the last few years he has been quite taken by Scarlett Johansson, who plays the part of Cristina, the whimsical and sexual hippie American tourist. Rebecca Hall is her polar opposite best friend, and you guessed it, the movie takes place in Barcelona!
This is basically a PG foray into the sexual experimentation of young American women that go to Spain for the summer. Woody grabs the cliche that the beautiful woman will go to Europe and find the dashing, romantic, bohemian artist to show them what love and sex are all about. Fair enough, but I have heard this before, I think in Beverly Hills 90210. Didn't Brenda do that? Anyway...
It's a pretty good movie but I would be lying if I didn't say that I was let down. I was expecting an amazing romantic dramedy lead by two of Hollywood's most beautiful actresses.
So hear is how I see it. Rumor has it that Scarlett has been complaining about her beauty. She is "tired of being seen as a sex symbol." News flash...If you did not have your looks, you would be just another pretty face on the street. I am so unimpressed by her work.
Penelope, on the other hand, is the complete package. She is not only beautiful but her skills are crazy good. She stole the show and received an Oscar nom for it. Without her turn this film would be a failure. Thankfully I new she was coming or I may have turned it off.
The film does take a turn for the good when she comes into play and it stays pretty strong. She makes it worth your while.
Javier Bardem also does a commendable job as the leading man, Juan Antonio. If nothing else, he is much better to look at then when he played Anton Chigurh.
The Blu-Ray format is not to be missed. There are some fabulous shots of Barcelona and it makes you feel as if you are on the set. The audio is completely dialogue driven so you won't get any action from your sub or surrounds.
This is a 3 star movie, but could have easily been so much more. Give it a look...
The Duchess is a story about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Played admirably enough by Keira Knightley, I would probably have been more impressed had I not seen this from her before. In fact, it's tough to think of a recent time when she wasn't in a period piece or playing a pirate. She is quite talented but she needs to branch out a bit. This is her comfort zone and it is painfully obvious.
Ralph Fiennes was amazing at the Duke of Devonshire. He was dark, complex, cold, frightening, and even warm at times. Although he earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor I think he wasn't given his proper due for this role.
The movie plays out nicely, although it is entirely predictable from the beginning. There are no surprising turns, just good performances with a good story. Based on a true story, it's hard to surprise anyone here and one must just sit back and enjoy the film and take in the history of England.
This may seem like a weak and "meatless" review but it is what it is. It's a nice, well rounded film that you will enjoy however likely forget in a few weeks. You will most likely balk when asked if you had seen it a few years from now.
A good 3 star movie that could be enjoyed by many. If you are stuck for an idea one evening this is a good choice.
This is a difficult review to write. I heard a plethora of positive reviews about this movie. Scoring a whopping 83% on the Tomatometer is no easy task. Take a look.
Ghost Town is a comedy staring the hilarious Ricky Gervais that gets a lot right, but gets a lot wrong. I think it tries to do too much. It attempts to pull at your heart strings, make you think, and make you laugh.
I am generally appreciative of all of these qualities but the movie is a bit confused. Which is it? Which is the main draw? I am still unsure.
There were a few parts that I actually "belly laughed". Ricky Gervais is very, very funny. And to top it off, I am one of those guys who thinks that even the most average of comedic lines sound hilarious with a British accent. I am a sucker for the Queen's English.
Tea Leoni plays the confused, love lost soul opposite Gervais and never really grabs the role. I am not a Tea Leoni fan, but for this part I think she was given very little meat to work with. It wasn't her fault, it was just a really weak part that lends no believability.
In fact, none of the characters have much to work with. Greg Kinnear grabbed a supporting role and he has been quite good in other roles. He may have been the best of the bunch in this but it was lackluster for him.
Once again I could be in the minority. For those of you that are suckers for the heart tug, nothing wrong with that, you may buy into this and really like it. For me, it was a bit below average. Not enough true laughs, and not enough heart tugs to romanticize the work.
2 stars, but it should probably be given a chance by most. You may totally disagree with me and I couldn't fault you for it.
Circa 1998, Buffalo '66 is a seriously interesting and entertaining flick. Billy Brown, played by the psycho Vincent Gallo, is released from prison and he needs to go home and get on with his sorry excuse for a life. Let the entertainment begin...
Oh wait, there isn't a trailer in site for this movie! Probably because Vincent Gallo is a nut job self indulgent maniac that nobody can stand. But I digress.
Okay, seriously, this is a pretty good movie. Written and directed by Gallo, the movie takes place in Buffalo on the day he is released from jail. Gallo claims this is based on events from his life but I seriously doubt the integrity of that claim. Upon his release he needs to go home and face his parents, and then take care of some unfinished business.
To accomplish this, he needs to enlist the help of an 18 year old Christina Ricci, pre-purged. Perhaps that was mean so let me just say that I totally dig Christina. Both then and now, I find her to be amazingly talented and attractive. I wish she worked more but she is also know as somewhat "different" or enigmatic. Andy Konikowski was different, and I dug him, so I can empathize.
So, on to my point about Christina. This video is from Buffalo 66:
And now...
I can't tell the difference. Again, love you both ways Christina. Whatever works for you I am cool with. Just please do more movies.
I have rambled entirely too much so let me wrap this up. This is a good movie. Very well done and obviously on a limited budget. Vincent Gallo does an amazing job and sells his part fabulously. Ricci is probably as good as she has ever been here. They are both totally believable. It's heavy on the dialogue and there were parts that dragged but it does a good job of keeping you engaged.
It's a film with a cult following and one of those "get it or you don't" type films. I got it and I liked it.
4 stars.
Oh, and for the record Vincent...Christina Ricci was not great because of you, she was great because she is great. The Brown Bunny is trash and it was your fault. You can do wrong. Whew...I feel better. I "spanned time" with this one. :-)
Hellboy II is an interesting evolution in the franchise. The first installment was special because it had true darkness, humor, and a good feeling of human emotion tied with super hero strength. It drew me in and intrigued me. This one takes it to new levels. Take a look.
Guillermo del Toro is a genius, in my humble opinion. He has put out some true masterpieces. Pan's Labyrinth comes to mind. Pick that one up if you want to be wowed. It doesn't get much better.
Back to the lecture at hand. This one isn't fabulous. It gives into the big Hollywood schmaltz. It feels like it drifts along not knowing what it truly wants to be. A comedy? A super hero flick? A dark look into the underbelly? I really don't know and it troubles me.
Ron Perlman carried the first movie but his talent goes under utilized here. He lost his charm and comedic value. Selma Blair, as Liz Sherman, became too mainstream as well. I don't think tilting towards romance was the right way to go. It lost it's machismo.
Beyond that, this movie is a true visual feast. The Blu-Ray copy is out of this world. Nearly flawless with scenes to die for. The DTS-HD Master Audio is top notch as well. Folks, I tell you time and again that you need to adopt this format. You won't be dissapointed.
If you feel intimidated shoot me a question. I will gladly help you weed through the confusion and put you on the fast track to satisfaction.
As for the movie, it's worth a watch, especially if you liked the first one. It's a 3 star flick, and it's setup for a third installment. Go grab a copy and pop the corn.
In 2001, A Beautiful Mind won four Academy Awards including Best Picture. I don't know if I have ever been more sure of an award. This was a fabulous picture.
Simply put, it's a movie about an absolutely brilliant mathematician named John Nash. It starts during his college years at Princeton University and carries on through a dramatic and frightening turn.
That is probably as basic of a synopsis as I could give and it was purposeful. The movie is likely to mean something different to each individual that takes the time to view it.
As many awards as it received it also has its bashers. It has been panned because it embellishes on his life and struggles. Ron Howard took some liberties to "hollywoodize" the movie. That's okay with me since it worked completely. Embellished or not, it earned him Best Director.
The movie made me feel sad at the circumstance, amazed at his intellectual abilities, enthralled at Jennifer Connelly's performance (Best Supporting Actress) and convinced that Russell Crowe is one of the finest actors of our time. Nominated for Best Actor, he lost that award to Denzel Washington in Training Day. That's a tough call.
Let me reiterate. Jennifer Connelly was amazing! I never knew she had this in her. Where has she been since this movie and when will she get roles like this again?
Most of all, this movie left me feeling ashamed. Ashamed for two reasons actually. First, I learned that he is from Bluefield, West Virginia. That town had a major impact on me, but that's for another day.
Second, John Nash won the Nobel Prize in 1994 and was a fixture on campus while I was working at the University in 1995 and 1996. I am completely embarrased that I had no idea. But since I was an Assistant Baseball Coach, I didn't hang around the Math department too often. That would have been offensive for the students. :-)
This is an absolute must see. I have a feeling that many of my Y chromosome brethren have ignored this movie. Do not ignore it any longer! Pick up a copy and I promise you will love it.
It seems a bit odd to review a movie that is about 30 years old. But what the heck, why not? Apocalypse Now is a ground breaker.
It deserves another look from time to time, and the Redux version deserves a viewing as well. It seems daunting at a running time of 3 hours and 15 minutes but it moves quickly.
A star studded cast directed by Francis Ford Coppola broke down all kinds of barriers and changed the way war movies were made. However, this isn't really a war movie. It's a story about a Captain, played by Martin Sheen, who is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to kill a renegade officer during the Vietnam War.
Did I mention how much Martin Sheen looked like Charlie Sheen? My goodness it was scary to watch. It was as if I was watching Charlie in Platoon.
As I mentioned this is a great film and it has the awards to prove it. The problem you are likely to have is that if you are watching this for the first time you will feel as if you have already seen it. And you have. It's the most copied war movie of all time.
My only problem with the film is the final 30 minutes. You will go through about 2 hours and 45 minutes of fabulous work. But the ending is something out of a hallucination. It just does not make sense to me and quite simply, does not work at all.
I don't want to dive into it and spoil it but I would love to hear some thoughts.
This is a must see for any war movie buff.
4 stars. I just couldn't go for a 5 with that ending.
Al Pacino and Robert De Niro always sounds like a recipe for success. Righteous Kill is a movie about two NYC detectives that are working to tie a serial killer case to a crime they solved years ago. Or is it?
If you saw Inside Man you will see Russell Gewirtz's finger prints all over this one. But Inside Man was tight, this was loosey goosey and all over the place.
The plot felt so manufactured, and so damn predictable that you could read it from a mile away. There are a few twists and turns but nothing to grab you. And that is the problem here. It felt like it was another movie to grab two legends and put them together. The funny thing is that it almost works. These two could make me watch anything from start to finish. It kept me there, but never pulled me in.
The cast is pretty strong. Brian Dennehy, Carla Gugino, and John Leguizamo all do what they can with the material and do it rather well. There is just so much reaching, nothing ever tied together. 50 Cent is thrown in there to add some street cred, I guess...
The bottom line is if you like cop movies you will probably get by with this film. It will certainly not go down as one of Pacino or De Niro's shining moments, but it is a decent choice to fill some time. I guess I am being kind, but I find it so hard to think either one can suck. 3 stars from this guy, an average flick.
Oh, and De Niro has a really bad softball swing. Neither one of those cats should do anything physical on screen anymore. And that includes running. It just doesn't sell. Stick to the dialogue.
I totally missed it. I am a big fan of action/sci-fi/fantasy flicks. A big budget flick that pulls it off is even more rewarding because you get those big budget effects. Large booms from your sub, awesome and flawless 1080p Blu-Ray, etc. makes it so enjoyable.
Transformers got it right! I ignored this movie for so long and I paid the price. Now, I have not been a fan of Michael Bay. Most of his movies have been stinkers. Armageddon and Pearl Harbor come to mind as bogus attempts at entertainment. The Island was decent, but would anyone have liked it without Scarlett Johansson running around in tight outfits as Jordan Two Delta? That's a valid question...
I am not one to rehash plot lines. You can do that elsewhere and/or watch the trailer that I embedded for you. What I will do is tell you that this is plain old good fun. You have an ancient battle between robots/transformers that re-erupts on earth. And the aloof Shia LaBeouf doing a fabulous job in selling his starring role. Throw in David Silver's fiance, Foxy Megan, and you have a winning cast.
Self serving? Perhaps. But I couldn't help myself. Point made.
Anyway, tons of good action. It is certainly ridiculous, it IS robots for crying out loud. But it knows it's ridiculous. It eats it up. It has its corny moments, its schmaltz, and all that "good" stuff. Grab a copy and enjoy the 140 minutes of fun. And grab that Blu-Ray copy and you have a serious demo disc for your home theater. It's nearly flawless.
4 stars all around. Hopefully this is a turning point for Michael Bay.
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