The Movie Man

Jurassic World (2015) - ★★★½

2015-06-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Director: Colin Trevorrow

Writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Colin Trevorrow, Derek Connolly

Stars: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong

Jurassic World is one of the most financially successful films of all time. The sheer spectacle of having dinosaurs battle it out while humans become food is a good enough reason to push people out of their living-rooms and into the cinemas. The intense action and visual grandeur of the film were fantastic, but some of the characters were piss-poor time-wasters. They really let this film down.

I rolled my eyes a lot during this film, but there are some truly great elements in it. I saw Jurassic Park as a young boy, yet even then it didn't make me feel as tense as Jurassic World. What Jurassic Park lacked, Jurassic World fixed. However, Jurassic World lacked what made Jurassic Park a legendary film.

Jurassic World has been open for quite sometime and sales have plateaued somewhat due to people not being amazed by dinosaurs as much. So they had a brilliant idea to create a super-hybrid dinosaur to really bring in the customers. Guess what happens? ... The dinosaur escapes its enclosure, wreaking havoc on all in its path.

An infamous scene, turned immortal through internet memes.

This movie has its fair share of kick-ass events. The special effects looked great on screen. At first I didn't quite feel immersed because knew I was watching CGI dinosaurs. As time went on, I completely forgot about it and became fully immersed into the environment. You can thank the epic job they did at making the hybrid dinosaur more horrifying and real than I could imagine.

Chris Pratt is Hollywood's leading man at the moment. I can't believe the goofball from Parks and Recreation beefed up and came so far just on playing characters based on his own personality. He was a great fit for this movie, and played his role just fine. There's a warmth to him that makes it almost impossible to dislike him. If the media praise him too much, then he may just find people will dislike him for being too popular.

My favourite character in the film was none other than Claire, played spectacularly by Bryce Dallas Howard. I've loved this actress since The Village (2004). There's nothing more satisfying to me than seeing a character develop into a better person. She was a real shit at the beginning of the film, but when things got intense, I found I was rooting for her survival the most. I also loved that they made her get sweaty and dirty to keep the audience immersed.

What really let this movie down was its crappy fill-in characters. Their one-dimensional, monotonous speeches made me seriously want to neck myself. I like Vincent D'Onofrio, but damn he got on my nerves in this movie. I know his character is supposed to be an asshole, but this asshole was so damn boring to listen to. The problem was, HE TALKED TOO MUCH. Don't even get me started on Irrfan Khan as the man-child billionaire. Every single line he said fell absolutely flat.

With all that being said, I still enjoyed much of the film. It had more intensity than Jurassic Park, but failed to capture the beauty and wonder within. While the characters mostly let this film down, the special effects and action are nothing short of spectacular.

Spy (2015) - ★★★★

2015-06-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

Director: Paul Feig

Writer: Paul Feig

Stars: Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Miranda Hart, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Serafinowicz

Spy is a damn hilarious film. Not everyone can identify with Melissa McCarthy's humour, but I sure can. The way she improvs her lines gives the legends of cinematic comedy a run for their money.

It's a star studded, action-packed entertainment extravaganza that surprisingly won favour with many critics the world over. Is it one of the greatest comedies of all time? No. However, it manages to deliver the laughs in both clever and crass ways.

This is the kind of film I could watch about 10 times and still laugh. I'm going to give Paul Feig a big thumbs up and say, "you outdid Bridesmaids."

Spy follows Susan Cooper (McCarthy), who works for the CIA as someone who assists spies by giving them information through an earpiece. Dramatic events lead her to have to take charge and become a bonafide field-agent. As you can imagine, a huge amount of mishaps and hilarious exchanges occur as our hero smashes her way into the thick of a huge operation.

McCarthy is one of my all time favourite comedic actors. She came into the limelight with Bridesmaids, continued killing it with The Heat, and now she's a hilarious leading lady and box-office smash with Spy. I'm so proud of her.

Rose Byrne on the other hand gave me a big shock with her fantastic performance. Who would have thought she could pull of a role that requires meticulous comedic skill? Well, she did it marvellously. She is also working her way up into my favourite actresses list. Her role as the main protagonist in the film was so interesting and entertaining. She's no Bond villain, but she's a damn good villain for comedy. Her exchanges with McCarthy were absolute gold. I love how she can hold her own with people who live and breathe comedy.

Jason Statham and Jude Law were both entertaining in their ways. Neither of them really shined in the film, but that's because they had two HUGE personalities in the lead. The person who I really enjoyed watching most in a supporting role was Miranda Hart, who is a mega-star on TV in the UK. She played McCarthy's awkward and bumbling best friend in the film. It was great to see Bobby Cannavale and Peter Serafinowicz play minor roles too. This is a star-studded, beautiful cast for comedy.

Overall: I enjoyed Spy from start to finish. There's nothing truly special about it to warrant more than a four-star rating. It's simple, modern, GOOD comedy that I almost always love seeing. It's one of the best comedies made in recent years, and you can thank McCarthy's great talent for that.

Who Should Have Won at the 2015 Academy Awards!

2015-06-26T08:24:00.001-07:00

After watching at least 100 films from 2015, I've compiled my complete list of who I believe should have won at the Academy Awards.

I really hope you guys enjoy the video!

Don't forget to tell me who you believe should have won / deserved to win the Oscars!

Whiplash (2014) - ★★★★★

2015-01-24T04:28:00.002-08:00

Whiplash has been nominated for 5 "Academy Awards" this year, including for "Best Picture." It is nominated alongside 7 other films, each very memorable in their own right. For a film with quite a small-scale story, Whiplash has rightfully emerged as one of the biggest films of 2015.

It doesn't have the panoramic cinematography of "American Sniper," but it has an intensity that matches it. It doesn't contain the moving true story that "The Imitation Game" or "The Theory of Everything" does, yet it's every bit as interesting to watch. I think the ace up Whiplash's sleeve is the ICONIC performance of J.K. Simmons. While the other "Best Picture" nominees each contain their own wonderful performances by an array of great actors, J.K. Simmons managed to create something unforgettable with his role. This is a truly intense movie that is both entertaining and cringe-inducing. It won't win "Best Picture", but I would be cheering the loudest if it did.

You can just feel the electricity in the room crackle between Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons.

Whiplash follows Andrew (Miles Teller), a young drummer who is enrolled at the best music conservatory in America. He is mentored by Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), a great musician and teacher whose teaching methods are so cruel they're borderline torturous.

The reception this film received from critics has been insanely good. It scored an 88/100 on Metacritic, and 8.7/10 on IMDB (averaged score from 52,115 users). That doesn't surprise me. There's never a dull moment. Something worth mentioning is that this film isn't too complicated for the average movie-goer, and it isn't juvenile in the slightest for those looking for thought-provoking drama and entertainment.

While I personally find this film flawless, I don't believe it's a "grand" enough film to beat out the big Hollywood productions this year. I'll explain why I believe it is a worthy film to win.

Miles Teller gives arguably the most underrated performance of 2015 in Whiplash. The drive and ambition within his character, his fear of failure, the battle between feeling contempt and admiration for his mentor... all of these complex emotions were portrayed flawlessly by Teller. I consider him to be one of the best young actors around. I can think of one "Best Actor" nominee this year that isn't as worthy of a nomination.

J.K. Simmons for me has given the best performance of 2015 that I've seen so far. There are great performances that make me find hundreds of words to describe them. Then, every now and then, I will find a performance that is so good that I am just speechless to even justify why. Simmons has to be seen to be believed. What he did with his manic character Fletcher will be seared into my memory for as long as I can remember movies.

The electric atmosphere remains constant throughout the film, making it feel almost as if the whole film is a climax. Practically everything was a high-point to me. The world within that music conservatory made me gain so much respect for young musicians trying to become something big.

Getting down to the nitty-gritty, I'll answer the big questions. Yes, Whiplash is a worthy film to win "Best Picture," but it just won't win against the more popular films. J.K. Simmons should also win Best Supporting Actor, if the show isn't rigged. He is hands down the greatest of the nominees. However, I don't think Whiplash stands a chance at winning Oscars for "Adapted Screenplay," "Editing," and "Sound Mixing."

Whiplash is a great film that any lover of cinema should enjoy.

A Million Good Reasons To Return To Writing Reviews!

2014-11-23T05:14:00.001-08:00

I've recently found out that I have reached over 1,000,000 views on my humble blog. Thanks to the readers, old and new, who have made this possible and helped me get my opinions on cinema out there.

Because of this milestone, I've decided to come back to the old blog and start writing reviews again. I miss mingling with you all, and keeping this site as a personal diary of films I adore and films I will avoid at all cost.

Thanks again everyone. I'm so happy to be back again :)

The Maltese Falcon (1941) - ★★★★★

2014-11-23T04:08:00.000-08:00

Director: John Huston
Writers: John Huston (Screenplay), Dashiell Hammett (Novels)
Stars: Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Gladys George, Barton MacLane, Ward Bond, Elisha Cook Jr.

Believe it or not, this is the first time I've ever seen the masterpiece that is The Maltese Falcon. I've seen a lot of classic films that are hyped up to be something better than they really are. This happens to be a film with a high reputation that is fully justified, and if anything, underrated. I'd give it a perfect 10/10. It has complex characters and simple characters, moments of sharp wit and dry humour, truly incredible cinematography, and a story that keeps you guessing and begging for more. I found myself utterly wrapped in the mystery of the missing maltese falcon statue. Truly, it was the whirlwind performances by Bogart, Astor, Lorre, and Greenstreet which made the movie as legendary as it is.

Private Detective Samuel Spade (Humphrey Bogart) is plunged into a dangerous tango of murder and thievery when he is asked to take on a case by the mysterious Brigid O'Shaughnessy (Mary Astor). As stones are turned over and new facts come to light, we find that all of the trouble is over an extremely valuable possession. The Maltese Falcon statue.

I just adored the growing mystery and suspense in this film. Whether it be from introducing interesting new characters, or leading us down the wrong path, John Huston masterfully manipulates the audience into hanging on each new revelation.

Let me just say, this is the first movie I've ever seen where I thought Humphrey Bogart looked truly sexy. It was all in the way he talked, the way he walked, the way his mind worked, and of course, those piercing eyes. He had his youth here too, and damn it made for a handsome combination.

The most piercing eyes I've ever seen in a film.

Everyone was a valuable player in this film, but for me Mary Astor stole the show. She played a very complex, unpredictable character and knocked it out of the park. There were moments where her masterful understanding of her character just blew me away. It was subtle at times, and quite powerful too. I can name many scenes where she just commanded the room. The most notable would be when she was in talks with Joel Cairo (Peter Lorre), and she just man-handled him with such ease. She played a woman who was a master manipulator, with many different shades to her. It's hard to know if you ever see a glimpse of who she truly is.

Ahh, The Fat Man (Sydney Greenstreet). He's properly known as Mr. Gutman though, but I just love calling him The Fat Man. He gave one of the most iconic supporting roles in cinematic history here. I couldn't help but think,
"Greenstreet would be the perfect Bond villain."
He was simply unforgettable. Along with Bogart and Lorre (who both star in Casablanca with him), these three just share such dynamic chemistry on screen. I could never imagine anyone playing this role better than he. He was both hilarious and intimidating, which made it all the more entertaining.

These four actors together on screen make for one of the best castings I've ever seen in a movie. The electricity between all four of them just crackles. Mary Astor deserved the Academy Award for Best Actress because of the complexity in her role, and the perfect way she carried it. She did win an Oscar that year for Supporting Actress in a film called The Great Lie. The mixture of sharp wit, intriguing mystery, masterful cinematography, and iconic performances make The Maltese Falcon a movie that will live on through all generations.

Annabelle (2014) - Read my review here!

2014-10-02T22:44:00.000-07:00

Long time, no see! If you're interested in horror movies, or are planning to see Annabelle, then you should read my article first.

http://moviefinatic.com/articles/movie-review-annabelle-2014

BIG NEWS

2014-07-31T02:51:00.000-07:00

To my faithful readers and those just passing by,

I have big news. I am now writing for a new website called: ' SUBLIMEZOO.COM '

I deal exclusively with movie reviews, particularly with the new releases. It's a really cool site that dishes out all kinds of entertainment news to do with the world of cinema. If you want a taste of what kind of reviews I'll be doing, you can read my very first one here:

http://sublimezoo.com/2014/07/30/movie-review-22-jump-street-proves-that-sequels-can-do-it-better/

It's a review of the film '22 Jump Street.'

I will keep my blog, "The Movie Man," alive because... the sentimental value is too great. I truly loved the time I spent writing for you guys. The comments I've received and the friends I've made here has been such a joy.

I hope you can all support me, and read my reviews on Sublime Zoo. I haven't changed a thing about the way I write. I'm still The Movie Man, just on a different platform now.

Seriously, thank you all for making blogging one of the greatest experiences of my life. This is just a new chapter in my journey, and I hope you can all continue it with me.

Thanks again,

Ben 'The Movie Man."

El Orfanato "The Orphanage" (2007) - ★★★★

2014-06-22T22:48:00.000-07:00

Director: J.A. Bayona
Writer: Sergio G. Sanchez (screenplay)
Stars: Belen Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Princep

I rented The Orphanage, expecting to be scared out of my wits. I did not expect it to be one of the most touching horror films I've ever seen. It holds a very dear place in my heart now, for it is one of only two horror films that has ever made me shed a tear (the other being Hideo Nakata's stunning Japanese horror, Dark Water) (2002). It's the kind of movie that spends most of its time creating such a stunning, perfect atmosphere. With this atmosphere, there is no need for cheap scares and thrills. The suspense was constant for me. While The Orphanage was suspenseful, it made me scream out loud only once (and trust me, I scream many times during most horror films). So it isn't all that horrifying, but the story, the acting, the music, the cinematography... every other aspect in this film truly captivated me. I really enjoyed The Orphanage. It's one of the best "horror" films I've seen in many years.

Laura (Belen Rueda) spent her childhood in an orphanage with 5 other children. Years later, she returns with her husband Carlos (Fernando Cayo), and adopted son Simon (Roger Princep), to re-open the orphanage and run it herself. She soon realises that they are not alone in the orphanage, for it holds a dark secret and many ghosts.

The Orphanage fits more as a "thriller" and "mystery," rather than a horror film. I was constantly pondering the 'who's,' 'what's', 'why's', and 'how's,' right up until the incredibly emotional climax at the tail-end of the film. At times I wondered if it would enter into the genre of fantasy, based on the general mood and supernatural elements within the film. It took me on a thrilling ride to find out the answers, and once the answers were revealed, it left me feeling more than satisfied. I felt elated.

The reason this film is so damn good, is because of the style in which it was made. Yes, the orphanage itself was quite eerie. However, the cinematography of the landscapes surrounding the orphanage were just stunning. The way the camera followed its characters, the masterful use of sound-effects, and the colour-contrasts throughout the movie just uplifted the whole experience. Above all, I found the score by Fernando Velazques to be the single greatest aspect of the movie. There's nothing like a great string orchestra to perfectly accompany a story, and bring out the tears.

The acting was fantastic on all accounts. Belen Rueda played a sympathetic and easy to like heroine. Most importantly, she played a believable mother that loved her son. Horror films are the worst genre for miscasting, but The Orphanage got it so right. The pure emotion that Rueda could express, then the calmness she emanated at the end of the film, was done to perfection. The supporting performances were also flawless to me.

As a child-care worker, the story that centred around the children of the orphanage really got to me. Particularly the story about Tomas, who is seen in the photo above. While most people think of horror when they see that photo, this movie just made me feel the deepest empathy for these children. I found it very hard to feel scared, mostly because this movie did such a damn good job at bringing the emotion out in the story of the children. Let's just say that the climax of the film made me cry for a good 10 minutes.

If you love horror for the cheap thrills and quick set-ups, then avoid this movie. It may just disappoint you. However, if you love a film that takes time to create an atmosphere and build a story, then The Orphanage would be perfect for you. It is one of the most well-made horror films I've ever seen. It's unforgettable, and one of the most touching experiences I've had watching a film.

10 Film Facts You Didn't Know About Me

2014-05-18T01:34:00.000-07:00

1. The Land Before Time is a childhood favourite of mine. I work in a child-care, and I watched it with a new generation of children. They were all enthralled! Meanwhile, I had to turn away because I got overly emotional and had to fight back tears.

The Land Before Time (1988)

2. I truly enjoy watching "Twilight." It took me out of the depressing world of high school, and to this day I still think it's a good film. I guess it is my guiltiest pleasure of all.

3. James Franco is a good actor, but for some reason, I don't like him as a person. He annoys me so much!

James Franco everybody...

4. The only film I've ever walked out on was "Paul Blart: Mall Cop." I found it so unfunny that it aggravated me. It was my 14th birthday too. There's only so much "fat guy gets hurt" humour I can take, until it becomes as irritating as the sound of nails scraping a chalkboard.

5. I think Studio Ghibli is a vastly superior animation company to Disney, because of their quality of stories, scores, and even animation. Few Disney films stand up with the best of Ghibli.

A collection of some of the works from Studio Ghibli.

6. Two directors are notorious for their disturbing actions in the past. Woody Allen, and Roman Polanski. I tend to hold the viewpoint that "talent is talent," and these men have talent. I don't agree with their actions... but I love their films.

7. The first gay film I ever saw was an Aussie film called "The Sum of Us," starring Russell Crowe. I was 6 years old, and it was my first time seeing two men kiss. I can't even describe just how obsessed I was with that film. It was an important part of my life.

Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson in "The Sum of Us." Love these Aussie legends <3

8. Glenn Close is in my opinion the most underrated actress of all time. As much as I adore actresses like Bette Davis and Meryl Streep, I feel Close deserves just as much praise.

9. The score to the film "Monster" (2003), by Brian Transeau is one of the most moving pieces of music I've ever heard. No other score captures the feelings of heart-ache and depression quite like this underrated masterpiece.

Theron's performance, and Transeau's score, moved me to tears. Such a powerful, underrated film.
Listen to the score in the video below:

10. The film "United 93" devastated me to the point where my hands were shaking, and I couldn't even talk because I was so overcome with emotion.

I wasn't aware of what would happen at the end of United 93. I've never been so affected by a film in my life.

There you go guys. These are just some random facts about myself. I will try to do this at least once a month, so you can get to know me more as I review films. Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think!

Divergent (2014) - ★★★½

2014-05-09T18:49:00.002-07:00

Director: Neil Burger
Writers: Evan Daugherty, Vanessa Taylor (Screenplay), Veronica Roth (Novel)
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet

I've seen so many YA (young-adult) films in the past 6 years, that they're all starting to blend in together and fade out of my memory. I disliked almost every modern YA movie I've seen during this period of time, because they're more silly than entertaining, they're poorly acted, poorly written, poorly produced, and quite frankly, poor excuses for films. While there are a few exceptions, like The Hunger Games (2012), this whole genre, whether they be book or film, stinks to high heaven with a lack of originality.

Divergent is a silly film. Yet, I find its characters are interesting, the cast is brilliant, the soundtrack is unique, the set-production/cinematography is good, and most importantly, it's consistently entertaining. These critiques alone make Divergent stand as one of the best YA films made in recent years.

It is set some time in the future, in a city surrounded by a wall which keeps the people separated from some unknown danger that lurks outside. Within this wall are 5 different groups of citizens. They are: farmers, scientists, athletic nut-jobs, diplomats/lawyers, and charitable/good people (they have special names for them, but I can't be bothered looking them up). However, there is a 6th group, called Divergent. A divergent is a person that doesn't fit into a particular group, for they can conquer their fears, and challenge the status quo... or something like that. We follow the story of a young-woman named Tris (Shailene Woodley), who happens to be a divergent. She is in grave danger, as she delves into a world of tough challenges and dark secrets.

Divergent never reaches greatness. Yet, somehow it managed to make me feel many great things. I think the number one greatest aspect of this film is that it had an impeccable cast, which I will get into later. It didn't feel half-assed, or stupid either. If there is anything that will hold this film back, it is that there's nothing in it that screams 'pop-culture icon.' There's nothing ground-breaking within it that will stay in my memory, or stand the test of time. Divergent will fade as years go by, and when it is mentioned, it will take me a while to remember it. All I can say is that it is very well made, and I found it very entertaining.

I loved the sound-track, which featured songs by Ellie Goulding and a nice, suitable score. That's something most YA films aren't great with, with the exception of Twilight (2008), which has one of the best sound-tracks I've heard.

The costumes and set-production submersed me in the world, which honestly doesn't seem too different from ours. There's also a bit of social commentary... but everything comes second to the leading romance.

Woodley and James have great chemistry... unlike Katniss and her love triangle in The Hunger Games.

My heart raced during the action sequences, and I felt the suspense as the plot thickened. Yet, for once I was most excited about the romance more than the dramatic storyline. Tris and her trainer/mentor, Four (Theo James), have great chemistry. The sparks fly instantaneously, and they maintain this excitement throughout the whole film. I think this is because Shailene Woodley and Theo James aren't just run-of-the-mill actors. They've done difficult roles before, and they thrive together in this setting. While I haven't read the books, I can honestly say that they picked the right actors for the screenplay.

Shailene Woodley is my favourite up and coming actress by far. While Jennifer Lawrence has given many impressive performances, I can't help but feel that Woodley shows a great deal more emotion, and genuine emotion at that. She brought her A-game to Divergent, and blew me away. I felt nervous with her at the start, and instantly connected to her character. As she grew her confidence and stood up for herself, I couldn't help but smile and laugh. When it comes to the sadness and tears, Woodley is among the best in Hollywood at expressing such powerful emotions. I was just so impressed with her, and the development of the leading character Tris. This is why I really enjoyed the film.

Oh... I enjoyed the film for another reason. Not only is Theo a good actor, he is damn fine!

So I loved the main characters, the music, and the general look of the film. Divergent just needed one more thing to make it thoroughly entertaining, and that was a good villain... AND DAMN! Kate Winslet was flawless as the despicably ambitious Jeanine. I love Winslet in just about everything she does. Her role in Divergent is one of my favourites. She had a tone of voice, and a face that I just wanted to punch... yes, Winslet made me want to punch her, even though I love her so much. That's how good of an actress she is. There is a moment in the film, where she gets what is coming to her via a hard punch in the face. I remember exclaiming "YEAH!" when that happened. She brought a great deal of entertainment to the film.

I think Divergent is a film worthy of watching at least once. I on the other hand, enjoyed it so much that I may just watch it again. YA films aren't my cup of tea, but this one is a step up from the rest. It's certainly no Oscar contender, but it's a thoroughly entertaining popcorn movie.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - ★★★★½

2014-04-27T03:01:00.001-07:00

Director: Wes Anderson
Writers: Stefan Zwig (inspired by the works), Wes Anderson, Hugo Guinness (Story)
Stars: Ralph Fiennes, Tony Revolori, F. Murray Abraham, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Saoirse Ronan, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Murray, Mathieu Amalric, Edward Norton... and many more.

The Grand Budapest Hotel gave me one of the grandest experiences I've ever had at the cinema. It's stunning to look at, pleasing to listen to, and filled with characters that tickled my funny bone from start to finish. It reminded me a lot of Grand Hotel (1932), a classic that starred many of Hollywood's greatest actors of that time. Except it contained Anderson's flare for tongue-in-cheek humour, and over-the-top set production and style. I truly loved this film, and I loved seeing many of my favourite actors take turns in bringing their own personal flare to the screen. It's films like this that ignite my passion for cinema. You can tell that it's a labour of love, and a film that may just stand the test of time.

We follow the story of hotel concierge Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), who gets himself entangled in a dangerous web of murder. The story is told through the eyes of Lobby Boy, Zero (Tony Revolori), who is by Gustave's side as the story unfurls in a glorious fashion. We meet many unique, entertaining characters along this journey, and when all is said and done, it's a journey that rewards you greatly.

Gustave and Zero, running from the law whilst on a mission for answers.

Anyone who is familiar with Anderson's works will know that he makes very interesting characters, and The Grand Budapest Hotel is no exception. I loved the people, I loved their dialogue, and I loved the way this story unfurled. It's not a terribly long film, nor is its story very grand... yet, it felt like such a grand experience. The whole film felt like an epic.

Ralph Fiennes is the MVP of the film, starring in a role which I feel he was born to play. That is, a "candy-ass," airy-fairy concierge which smelt of perfume and spoke the word "darling" in such a soft, sincere manner. He was more than convincing to me. Fiennes truly became this character, and delivered 80% of the laughs in this film. He truly is a remarkable actor. I also give kudos to Tony Revolori. As the sidekick to Fiennes, he was a joy to watch.

With such a large cast, it is usually hard to pick favourites. While Fiennes was the clear star and greatest attribute to the film, I must say that Willem Dafoe was the funniest of them all. He played the private-detective, right-hand man of the evil Dmitri, played by Adrien Brody. Dafoe made me laugh so much, by the expression on his face alone. Brody was hilarious too, especially when he questioned Gustave's sexuality.

Saoirse Ronan is a rising star of the film industry, and she was a brilliant addition to this film, playing the love-interest of Zero. It was great to see Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Owen Wilson again, who are regulars in Anderson's films. Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, and Jude Law gave fine performances, but weren't in the film long enough to warrant special mentions.

One actor I truly enjoyed in this film was Jeff Goldblum, who is the absolute master at playing intelligent, nonchalant people.

The music, the cinematography, the costumes, and the set-production were all absolutely exquisite. I hope to see this film snag Oscar nominations for each of these categories, because it is one of the most remarkable looking films I've seen in a very long time. The set production is so meticulous, that I'd compare it to that of Titanic (1997). It sucked me into the environment, and brought me to a world that I wish still existed.

All in all, The Grand Budapest Hotel is one of the most entertaining films made in recent years. It's truly unforgettable, thanks to the magnificent cast and all-round wonderful characters that made up this enticing tale. It doesn't quite reach 'masterpiece,' status for me, but only because that's just my personal reaction to the film. I'm hard-pressed to find anything to fault, because it's just that good.

Noah (2014) - ★★★

2014-04-08T03:00:00.001-07:00

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Writers: Darren Aronofsky, Ari Handel
Stars: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Anthony Hopkins, Douglas Booth

I look back on Noah with fondness. It's hard to explain why, but I feel nothing but warmth towards this film after having seen it. Noah is far from a perfect film. It had an absolutely stellar first half, and an absolutely shit second half. They almost balance each other out, but I'd say the greatness we witnessed in the first half saved the film from being a bad movie. I don't know what people are talking about when they call this an 'epic.' Let me clarify... I don't think this is an epic film. The special effects and story itself is grand, that's for sure. However, the small cast and medium length running time just puts it into the category of 'big budget production.' Never the less, it was an entertaining film for the most part. There are things in it that are forgettable, and there are things that are absolutely unforgettable.

For those of us who were raised within Christianity, or know of the stories within the Bible, Noah is one of the most unbelievable, yet entertaining tales ever told. Darren Aronofsky and Ari Mandel chopped and re-shaped the story to make it into a longer film though. The film's version tells of a man named Noah (Russell Crowe), who receives a vision from God that the world will be cleansed by a gigantic flood. He then starts on the gruelling task of creating an ark to save two of each animal, so that life may start again once the destruction is over.

A different perspective on what a 'fallen angel' looks like.

I enjoyed some of the changes this film brought to the story, but for the most part, they were absolute crap. One of the things I loved most about Noah was their telling of the fallen angels. I don't remember there being anything about them in the story, but I could be wrong. In this film, they are gigantic rock monsters, and they come to help Noah build his ark. It was an epic twist on the classic tale. It took away from the very little realism there was in the film, however, it added a new dimension of entertainment and emotion that I truly enjoyed.

What I HATE HATE HATED about this film was the utter rubbish that consumed the second half of the feature. Once all of the epic ark building was over, and the gigantic flood devoured the world, it all just fell to pieces. They wrote sub-plots that were so ridiculous, I just wanted to pull my hair out. These extra story-lines just didn't come close to the quality of the original story, and quite frankly, looked completely stupid. I even asked my friend if we could go... it was just that bad.

All was not lost, for there was much greatness to be had in the first half of the film. The special effects were great, especially during the battle between the sinful humans and the fallen angels (sounds crazy, I know). It had a Lord of the Rings kind of feel to it. The score by Clint Mansell was divine, and could very well be an Oscar contender at the upcoming Academy Awards. They chose a pretty good cast to play out these characters... and the sequences where the animals gathered into the ark, were simply unforgettable.

Russell Crowe suited the role of Noah to a tee. Since Charlton Heston is no longer around to play these roles, it seems fitting that they had Crowe play the part. He brought strength and conviction to the role, and did nothing but uplift the film. It was nice to see him paired up with Jennifer Connelly again. They had great chemistry, and she was brilliant whenever she had to act like a normal person, and not throw in a lot of melodrama. Emma Watson surprised me, because I thought she would be almost completely terrible. She did well in the film... nothing great, but she certainly wasn't bad. Ray Winstone played a brilliant villain too. Above all, it was nice to see Anthony Hopkins play Methuselah, because his wisdom in acting made him such a believable character.

So should you pay money to see Noah on the big screen? The answer is no. I would definitely pay big money to see the first half on the big screen... if only the second half was up to that great standard. There are some stunningly beautiful scenes in this film, and really thrilling sequences that entertained the hell out of me. It even had me emotional at one point. It was a very well made film, that just lost its way because the writers didn't know what to put at the end of the story. It's a movie that you should watch at least once.

My Girl (2005) | ★★★★½ [Korean Drama TV Series]

2014-03-16T21:40:00.000-07:00

Genre: Korean Drama, Romantic Comedy.
Stars: Da-hae Lee, Dong-Wook Lee, Jun-ki Lee, Si-Yeon Park, Seok-Hwan Ah, Hie-bong Byeon, Ran Choi

My Girl is up there with the funniest Korean dramas I’ve ever seen. It was so refreshing to watch, breathing life into a genre that I was starting to find repetitive and unexciting. It contains many of the things I love about Korean dramas, and cuts out almost all of the things I hate about them. It’s just a perfect show for me! Words cannot do justice to how immensely joyful I felt whilst watching My Girl. The characters were hilarious, the story was hysterical, and the romance had everything I wanted and more. Each episode made me laugh, swoon, and more than a little emotional. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. If it weren't for the sub-par ending, I'd call this the greatest romantic-comedy I've ever seen.

"A female con-artist, Joo Yoo-rin, finds herself in a predicament with a young rich man, Seol Gong-chan, which leads her to fall in love. But as she falls in love with him she also is intertwined in a love triangle with his cousin, Seo Jung-woo and ex-girlfriend, Kim Sae-hyun." - IMDB

What I love most about this show is the leading lady, Yoo-rin (Da-Hae Lee). She is a fire-cracker, a free-spirit, she’s one tough cookie. I’m so used to seeing the same thing from leading female characters in Korean Dramas. Most of them are sweet, subservient doormats that occasionally show a spout of self-respect. Not this time, not in My Girl. Yoo-rin is a street-smart, confident, damned funny woman that always seems to get into mischief. When I saw her display in the very first episode, I literally breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, I had found a female character with a range of emotions, an interesting history, and plenty of depth. First and foremost, she’s the funniest lead I’ve ever seen in a K-drama. Secondly, you can’t help but like her even though she’s not exactly a good person. Thirdly, and most importantly, she happens to be quite intelligent and witty. These three qualities perfectly blend to make her story so much fun to watch. Of course, none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the unforgettable performance of Da-Hae Lee. I couldn’t imagine anyone better for the role.

Another thing I loved about My Girl was the leading man, Gong-Chan (Dong-Wook Lee). First and foremost, he’s absolutely my type of guy. I’d go as far as to say he’s the most gorgeous lead I’ve ever seen in a Korean Drama. My sister didn’t share my enthusiasm though, for she called him a “boof-head”, because his cheeks are much wider than his forehead. Oh well, I thought he looked amazing. I loved his character too, which happens to be quiet, intelligent, and steady. I’m used to seeing ass-hole leading men, so it’s a welcome change to have a nice-guy win the girl. I loved the banter between Yoo-rin and Gong-Chan. Their chemistry was fantastic, for she’d say and do crazy things, whilst he’d react in a charming and sometimes unpredictable manner. I couldn’t have asked for a better leading man. He just made me smile every single episode. My favourite line of his occurred when he was talking to Yoo-rin, for she was about to leave for good. He inquired as to whether she would call him after she leaves, and she said “But you don’t like me.” That’s when he said it. “I’ve never disliked you. There may have been times when you were annoying, but I’ve never disliked you.” It wasn’t cheesy or anything, it just felt sadly natural. It was a wonderful scene, all because this show built up to it perfectly.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Choi Ran in this show. I know her from the world-wide sensation that is ‘You’re Beautiful,’ a K-drama about a girl that joins a boy-band in the guise of a male. She played an aunty that is both detestable and lovable, making her one of my favourite characters in that show. Here, she plays yet another aunty, but this time a rich, sophisticated aunty that is caught up in her own little romance. She’s a marvelous actress, so it was a joy to see her light up the screen in My Girl.

There are some great musical moments in the show too. I adored the up-beat, 1990s style music that played every now and then. The usage of “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer was hilarious when they all played pool together. It was really cool that the snow-globe bought by Gong-Chan played the tune of ‘Yesterday’ by The Beatles. My favourite of all was when the song "Life is a Road" from the animated movie Anastasia (1997) started playing. There was always something new and exciting in the soundtrack to My Girl.

The ex girlfriend of Gong-Chan, Seo-hyun (played by Si-Yeon Park), was so unbelievably annoying! This woman is just like a tick, or a severe case of herpes. She just keeps coming back! There always has to be a villain in a Korean drama, and she had the dishonour of taking that role. She did a great job at making me want to scratch my eyes out, because she just wouldn't go away! All in all she didn't take the enjoyment out of the show, because there was more than enough entertainment to combat her presence. Oh, she's also supposed to be a professional tennis player.

Talk about the hilariousness of the fact that they know nothing about tennis. The crowd goes wild because she won a minor tournament, then there’s nothing about her making it to the quarter final of a grand slam. Also, grand slams go for about two weeks, and it’s pretty much impossible to travel out of the country and make it for your next match during that period of time. Somehow, she managed to make it to South Korea when she was due to play a quarterfinal. Matches usually happen within a day or two, so I find it pretty impossible for this to occur. I love The Hong Sisters, but they need to brush up on their tennis.

Jung-Woo Seo (Jun-ki Lee) took the honour of being my absolute least favourite character of the show. He was the third wheel of this love-triangle, and was nothing but an obstacle in the way of a happy ending. His entrance into the show was cheesy as f#ck, his personal style was the most unattractive thing I've ever seen on a man, and his actions were at times honourable, and at times absolutely loathsome. In the end, I found he was nothing but a tick that sucked bits of enjoyment out of the show for me. That was the role he had to play, and he did a great job at it.

My absolute favourite character was none other than Secretary Yoon (Eon-jeong Lee). She was the nicest, most beautiful character on the show. Her seriousness was intriguing, her vibrance when happy was heart-warming, and her actions showed she had more integrity than all of the characters. I couldn't help but grin like an idiot every time I saw her. Although she really wasn't that big in the show, she became the person I looked most forward to seeing.

The comedy in My Girl is unmatched by any Korean Drama I've ever seen. There are so many hilarious moments in this show that I couldn't possibly do justice describing them. Take my word for it, if you love cheesy comedy, then you HAVE to watch this show.

Once again, my description of the romance would only fall short of doing it justice. It's one of the most heart-warming, entertaining relationships I have ever seen. Just thinking about Yoo-rin and Gong-Chan left me feeling nothing but excruciating excitement for the next episode.

If you like Korean Drama's, then you must see this show. If you like romance, then you must see this show. If you like comedy, then you must see this show. I cannot praise My Girl enough. It's my favourite Korean Drama of all time, and I know for a fact that many others share my enthusiasm for it.

Spin-Off Blogathon!

2014-03-14T13:33:00.000-07:00

The amazingly awesome Sati at The Cinematic Corner created this really interesting Blogathon. If you'd like to partake, you can find the original article here.

Here are the rules:

1. Choose a character that you love and would like to see as a leading character in the movie and write why you chose this character and what that movie would be like

2. Don't choose leading characters or supporting characters with lots of screentime, the goal is to focus on minor characters who have between 1-5 scenes. However if you really loved a character who is on screen for more than that, go for it.

MY CHOICE IS:

Billy Elliot was an Oscar nominated film by Stephen Daldry. It is set in a coal mining town, where almost all of the miners are on strike. People can barely afford to eat, and the only pass time for the young children are: school, boxing for boys, and ballet for girl's. This is a film about a young man named Billy Elliot, who chose to do ballet, and overcame all of the adversity that came with it.

Michael Caffrey was Billy's best friend, who fully supported him in his efforts to become a ballet dancer. He is one of the kindest, most down to earth young men I've ever seen in a film. What makes him so interesting is the secret that he hides.

Michael likes to dress in women's clothing, and wear make-up. Imagine the kind of inner conflict this poor boy had to deal with... and the social stigma that he would have to face in the future. He lives in a town filled with sexist, bigoted miners that believe men should act a certain way. What I loved most about Michael, was the way he could see the silver lining in everything. He was the one supporting Billy, even though it was he himself who faced greater troubles. There were many scenes where I just wanted to give him a hug, because life must have been very confusing for him.

I would love to see a film about Michael, because there just aren't enough films that show the struggle of transgender children.

If Stephen Daldry made a film dedicated to Michael's journey to acceptance, then that would be a ground-breaking and remarkable piece of cinema. *SPOILER*, By the end of the movie 'Billy Elliot', you see Michael all grown up wearing women's clothing and sitting next to what appears to be his boyfriend. He looks like he made it into some kind of art community, and... he just looked happy. Imagine how powerful this story could be for a young transgender child struggling to come to terms with their feelings. Now this is a character that would be remembered for generations to come.

Starman (1984) - ★★★★★

2014-03-13T14:53:00.000-07:00

Director: John Carpenter
Writers: Bruce A. Evans, Raynold Gideon
Stars: Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Jaeckel

Starman is my favourite sci-fi film of all time, and one of my favourite romances. It saddens me to see that hardly anyone knows of this film, when there's so much beauty to be found within this tale. In my opinion, Karen Allen and Jeff Bridges give their career best performances in Starman. Their chemistry was as powerful as any I've ever seen captured on film, and the pure emotion they expressed was more believable than almost any other. It features some really nice special effects, fantastic cinematography, and some of the most beautiful dialogue I've ever heard in my entire life. On top of all this, it is scored by the brilliant Jack Nitzche, who created one of the most soul-touching compositions I've ever heard in a movie. I love this film as much, probably more, than any other I've ever seen.

After NASA (or something to do with Space) send a record containing greetings in many languages up into space, a being from another world comes down to learn more about Earth. He is faced with hostility from the US military, which results in him crash landing near the home of Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). He takes the form of her deceased husband (Jeff Bridges), and kidnaps her so that she can guide him to the place where he will be taken back to his home planet. They must get there in no less than three days, or else he will be stuck on Earth and will inevitably die. It's a whirlwind journey of discovery and romance.

What I love about this romance is that it's so different from anything I've ever seen in a film. Two beings from other worlds come together, and learn so much from each other. For the sake of this review, I will refer to Jeff Bridges' character as 'Starman.' The vulnerability of his situation, with him having hardly any idea about the behaviours and customs of human beings, made Jenny's presence so very important. She teaches him of many human feelings (both physical and emotional), such as satisfying hunger, or being in love with another person. Their arduous journey, and their beautiful relationship, are two of the most heart-warming things I've ever seen in a film.

"Love is, um, it's when you care for someone... more than you do yourself."

I just adored Karen Allen's performance. She really got to me, portraying a woman who is deeply crushed by the loss of her husband Sam. When Starman comes along and kidnaps her, of course she fought back and didn't want to go. As their journey moved forward, and she began to see just how vulnerable and kind he was, it was like she was given a new purpose in life. Allen played Jenny with such tenderness and subtlety, that I would have definitely awarded her the Oscar for Best Actress. One of my favourite scenes in movie history is when she explains what "love" is. I always tear up in this scene, because not only is she spot on about what love truly is, but you can tell that she deeply misses her husband. It would have to be one of the greatest displays of emotion I've ever seen.

I personally believe that Jeff Bridges gave his greatest performance in Starman. I can't think of any other actor who could have pulled this role off better than him. Not only was he fully convincing as a being from another world, but he managed to show that he was evolving in his understanding of Earth, and starting to care and love for Jenny. He was also the backbone of the entertainment within the film. The way he pulled of the quirky antics had me in stitches, like when he had his first taste of cherry pie. This is yet another one of my all time favourite performances.

"You are a strange species. Not like any other. And you'd be surprised how many there are. Intelligent but savage. Shall I tell you what I find most beautiful about you? You are at your best when things are worst."

The sheer amount of beauty in this film is at times overwhelming. One of my favourite scenes is when Starman comes across a dead deer that is tied to the hood of a redneck's truck. You could tell he felt the purest sympathy towards the poor creature. What he did next really touched me, and served as a wake-up call to just how precious life is. It was yet another moment in this film that I would rank as one of the most beautiful scenes I've ever come across.

When all is said and done, the reason I treasure this film so dearly to my heart is because it speaks to me. I really adore the relationship between Starman and Jenny. The dialogue is just absolutely beautiful, and shows the value of love better than any other film I have ever seen. The chemistry between Karen Allen and Jeff Bridges is the best I've seen since Bogart and Bergman in Casablanca. The soul touching score by Jack Nitzche has the power to make me tear up on its own. But most importantly, I enjoyed Starman from start to finish. To me, there is no greater sci-fi/romance film, for this is the complete package.

Please listen to the gorgeous music that is the score of Starman. You won't be disappointed.

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) - ★★★★

2014-03-12T11:38:00.000-07:00

Director: Francis Ford Coppola

Writers: Jerry Leichtling, Arlene Sarner

Stars: Kathleen Turner, Nicolas Cage, Kevin J. O'Connor, Jim Carrey, Helen Hunt, Sofia Coppola, Maureen O'Sullivan, Leon Ames, Barbara Harris, Catherine Hicks

Peggy Sue Got Married is a film with a premise that delves into many diverse, powerful emotions. Memories, nostalgia, lost relatives and friends, old crushes, new passions, and all the possibilities in the world are just some of the things explored in this thoroughly engrossing film. Kathleen Turner gives arguably her greatest performance as Peggy Sue, earning her a well deserved Oscar nomination for Best Actress. This film also served as an early spark in the acting career's of Jim Carrey, Helen Hunt, Joan Allen, and most notably, Nicolas Cage. It's far from a masterpiece. It seems more like a fun project that Francis Ford Coppola decided to take on. What I love most about this movie is the way it opens our minds to ask "what if I could do it all over again?" That made this film a really fun, emotional experience.

Peggy Sue, a middle aged-woman, (Kathleen Turner) has a hard time coping with her separation from husband/high-school sweet-heart, Charlie (Nicolas Cage). At her high-school reunion, she faints on stage and wakes up as a high-schooler again, 25 years in the past (1960). We follow Peggy Sue's journey through her past as she copes with the bizarreness of her situation, and discovers things about herself and those around her that she never noticed before.

The greatness of the film relied solely on the effectiveness of Kathleen Turner's performance. She was remarkable at playing this very complicated role. A lesser actress would have had a very difficult time trying to convince the audience that they were 16/17 again. Whereas Turner, in certain scenes, looked and appeared to be that age. Sure, there were a number moments where she looked older, but my point is that from the get-go I was sucked into the fact that she was her young-self again. The ferocity of Turner's emotions in this film were awe-inspiring.

One of my favourite scenes is when Peggy-Sue walks into her old family house, and sees her mother and sister are so much younger. I teared up, because the expression on Turner's face captured the emotion of that scene perfectly. Not only was there disbelief, but an unspoken joy within her that I could relate to so much. Another unbelievably good scene was when Peggy-Sue finds out that her grand-parents are still alive... now that is such an emotion stirring topic. I'd give anything to be able to go back in time and relive all of these moments.

Can you spot Nicolas Cage and Jim Carrey?

To be able to have that opportunity to help someone that needed a friend, or say something that should have been said, or to stop yourself from making a big mistake, is something that would intrigue anyone. I was engrossed in this concept, and the magnificent performances by Turner, Cage, and the rest of the cast, which made it a great experience.

I feel there were things that detracted from the story a little. One of them being the cheesiness of the relationship between Cage and Turner towards the end of the film. I also feel that there was so much more they could have done with such a concept. With that being said, I did like almost every moment in the film.

Peggy-Sue Got Married is far from the masterpiece one would expect from a director like Francis Ford Coppola, but that is purely the fault of the screenplay. Had there been more substance to it, and less cheese added in, this little film could have become an unforgettable classic. The cinematography is terrific, and the score by John Barry hauntingly captures the essence of what it would be like to relive the past. I truly loved this film, for it made me feel more than a bit emotional.

The Movie Man gets a Liebster Award

2014-03-12T02:16:00.001-07:00

The Vern at The Video Vortex has nominated me for a Liebster Award, and I couldn't be more happy or proud. It seems fitting that Vern has nominated me for my very first award, for he was the very first blogger to ever give me any feedback and encouragement (way back in 2012). You should visit his blog if you get the chance. I now have to nominate 11 bloggers, but first I need to establish the rules.

The Rules

The bloggers who have been nominated must link back to the person who nominated them.

Nominees must answer the eleven questions given to them by the person who nominated them.

Those nominated must choose eleven of their favorite bloggers who have less than 200 followers to answer their own set of questions

When you are nominated, you cannot nominate the person who nominated you.

Vern's Questions

1. What angers you the most when watching a movie in theaters?

Nothing angers me more than when people talk in the cinema. I have no qualms about telling someone to "shh!" when they decide to have their conversation in the middle of the movie. The way I see it is, any conversation can wait until the movie is over. I also can't stand when people make loud noises with their food, but I can sympathise with others when that happens.

2. What do you love about watching movies in theaters?

I love how you can sometimes share a mutual bond with the movie-going community. When I went to see Philomena (2013), I had heaps of conversations with some elderly strangers about it. Sharing the experience with strangers feels very special to me, and I've talked to some great people along the way.

3. Name a movie you never want to watch. Ever.

The first film that popped into my mind was the new "Need for Speed" movie that comes out this year (2014). When I saw the trailer, I just thought "Derpa Derp Derp." It looks like the most mind-numbing film made since... heck, there are mind-numbing films coming out every single week it seems.

4. Name a movie your ashamed you haven’t seen yet.

Children of Men (2006). All of my lists are deemed as incomplete because I haven't seen this film yet. I really want to watch it!

5. Favourite weekend hangout.

My living room. Every single weekend my sister comes over, and we drink wine and watch movies. We're practically a couple of Bridget Jones's, who love a good laugh, a good scare, and a good romance film.

6. Favourite band or music artist for the past week.

My favourite musician of all time would have to be P!nk, who I've loved since the 2nd grade. My favourite band is 'Hole,' whose lead singer is the infamous Courtney Love. However, this past week I've really gotten into Katy Perry, because I just bought tickets to see her concert in November.

7. 3D. Yay or Nay

Almost always nay. Every 3D film I've ever seen did nothing but detract from the overall enjoyability of the film. It looks much darker, the glasses are annoying, and sometimes I just want to take them off. The only time I've ever enjoyed a film in 3D was Life of Pi, for his hallucination/dream sequence going through the sea and space was just... powerfully beautiful.

8. Name a movie you wish you could have been on the set while it was filming.

I'd have to say, I wish I was on the set of Lost in Translation (2003). Bill Murray looked like he had a great time improvising his lines and just being his hilarious old self. Not to mention, it is set in beautiful Tokyo, Japan. I couldn't ask for much more than that.

9. How do you stream movies? Computer, BlueRay Player, Game Consoles like PS4 and Wii.

I stream movies on the old Computer and the BlueRay Player.

10. What are your top five favorite movie podcasts to listen too?

I regretfully have not listened to a podcast in my life. Never, ever, ever. I'm keen to start though.

11. Who is your movie celebrity crush? You have to answer for both guys and girls.

My celebrity man crush for the past few years has been Michael Fassbender, who I've drooled over since I saw him in Fish Tank (2009). As for girl, I've loved Rachel Weisz ever since The Mummy (1999).

Nominate 11 Blogs

I'm going to plagiarise the words of The Vern and say, "Here are the 11 sites that I am nominating but I wish I could have chosen more. This was a very difficult task in making this list and if your site wasn’t mentioned. Please know that I do love reading your stuff but I could only choose so many to be on here."

Ben's Basement - http://www.bensbasement.co.uk/

Fernby Films - http://www.fernbyfilms.com/

The Film Broadcaster - http://filmbroadcaster.weebly.com/

Heart of Cinema - http://heartofcinema.blogspot.com.au/

In the Frame Film Reviews - http://intheframefilmreviews.blogspot.com.au/

Karamel Kinema - http://karamelkinema.wordpress.com

The Running Reel - http://www.running-reel.com/

Sexta-Feira - http://sexta-feira-sexta-feira.blogspot.com.au/

SNG Movie Thoughts - http://iaretheshawna.blogspot.com.au/

That Dandy Boy - http://thatdandyboy.blogspot.com.au/

If you have been chosing please answer these eleven questions below and then nominate other blogs you like and help continue the circle.

1. If you had to pick between a horror movie marathon, or a romance movie marathon, which would you choose?

2. If you could take any actor/actress out on a date, who would it be and why?

3. What was the first film you ever saw that you can remember impacted you greatly?

4. What is one movie cliche that you can't stand?

5. What is one film that you're embarrassed to say you love?

6. What is one critically acclaimed film that you actually disliked?

7. Which decade of cinema was/is the greatest in your opinion?

8. What film should have won Best Picture at the most recent Academy Awards? (It didn't have to be nominated).

9. Have you ever gotten into an argument with someone over a movie? If so, which film was it and why?

10. Who is one actor/actress you absolutely cannot stand to watch?

11. What is your personal favourite movie/movies of all time?

The Top 50 Greatest Films of the Last Decade (2000 to 2009)

2014-03-10T00:55:00.004-07:00

Wolf Creek 2 (2014) - ★★★½ The Comeback Review!

2014-03-05T08:13:00.002-08:00

Director: Greg McLean
Writer: Greg McLean
Stars: John Jarratt, Ryan Corr, Shannon Ashlyn, Philippe Klaus

Wow. Wow. Wow. When I sum up my experience of watching Wolf Creek 2, all I can say is that it is one darn entertaining, suspenseful piece of cinema! This is the kind of film that will put you through a roller-coaster of emotions. It aims to horrify the audience, and keep them in a constant state of suspense. While I wasn't horrified in the least, there were moments that had me at the edge of my seat in anticipation of what would happen next! Not to mention, the humour and hilarious stereotyping that is the serial killer, Mick Taylor, made me laugh more than it should have! He said some truly hilarious things, and his over-the-top accent and Australian slang just made the funniness of it all increase by ten-fold. So one second I would be biting my nails in suspense, and the next I would be laughing out loud in the cinema! I really liked Wolf Creek 2. It's far from horrifying, but so worth watching!

I don't really need to explain the premise of this film to those who have already seen the first movie, which came out in 2005. Basically, our despicable yet likeable serial killer, Mick Taylor (John Jarratt), preys on more unsuspecting backpackers in the deserted Aussie outback. From a cute German couple, to an Englishman called Paul (Ryan Corr) who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, we follow the horror that Mick dishes out to them in a most cracking fashion.

"SORRY SKIPPY. HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!" - Mick Taylor

There were some negatives with Wolf Creek 2, but that's to be expected. At times the German couple's love sequences seemed a little bit cheesy, but for the most part they were terrific in making us invested in their story. The opening sequence of the film, which involved two police officers, is honestly one of the dumbest, most awesome things I've seen in a horror movie. BUT, it made the film seem silly from the get-go. I came into Wolf Creek 2 expecting to be petrified with horror and disgust, but left beaming with a grin about how much fun it was. That's not necessarily a bad critique, but it certainly didn't do the job it was intended to do. Finally, I thought the ending was such a cop-out. I hate movies that end the way this one did.

Now this movie had some seriously cool elements within it. The murderer is a mix between famous serial killers, mainly the "backpacker murderer" Ivan Milat. There were heart-stopping scenes that were reminiscent of Steven Spielberg's thriller, Duel (1971). The style isn't as gritty or realistic as it used to be. It's more of a "Hollywood" film now, which I liked and disliked. I liked that because it was a better quality film, and it suited the entertainment within. I disliked it because it just wasn't as horrific as the first film.

This movie took a lot of inspiration from other great thrillers. The obvious one being from the infamous gore film, Hostel (2005). I absolutely loved Hostel, because it did things that were so unexpected, putting me in a constant state of "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT." Wolf Creek 2 had the exact same impact on me! Mick Taylor was unpredictable, as was our hero Paul. The sequence in the photo above is one of my favourites in the film. Now, I'm not a sadistic person that likes torture or anything! I swear! What I DID love, was the outstandingly entertaining banter between Mick Taylor and the "Pommie bastard, smart c*nt of an Englishman." It was thrilling and funny at the same time, which is something only the best films can pull off. Not to mention, there was an English couple sitting right behind me, who said "That'd be right," whenever Mick insulted the English!

I think the acting was exquisite from all of the cast (except maybe the old couple within a rural house, but I won't go into that). John Jarratt is such a legend! The dialogue that comes from his mouth is absolutely ridiculous, yet he manages to make it seem like such a plausible thing for Mick Taylor to say! He is every racist Australian bogan and serial killer rolled into one big, charismatic personality. If it weren't for the silly stuff he said, I would nominate this man for an Oscar. As for Ryan Corr, he impressed the hell out of me. He captured pure fear perfectly, and is easily one of the best heroes I've seen in a suspenseful, gory film.

If you love the feeling of your heart sinking to your stomach, replaced by the feeling of a massive brick being stuck in your chest, then you will most likely enjoy Wolf Creek 2. I usually hate the sensation of watching thriller movies, yet this is a film that found a perfect balance between comedic moments and maintaining a state of serious suspense. I couldn't ask for more than that really. It was never going to be a masterpiece, but Wolf Creek 2 murdered its way into the depths of my heart forever.

Ahh... it's good to be back. Sorry for being away so long everyone. I've been busy with work, you know how it is.

The Academy Awards 2014 | My Official Predictions

2014-02-23T06:48:00.002-08:00

Best Picture

I think almost all of us realise that Best Picture will go to one of three movies. They are: 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, and Gravity. The other films are all fine films, and two of them I think are outstandingly good (Her & The Wolf of Wall Street). I'm almost certain that the top prize will go to 12 Years, but who knows, maybe the Academy voters will create an upset once again by voting for an inferior, "funner" film (such as American Hustle). After all the awards buzz, 12 Years garnered the top honours, which makes it a shoe in for the Oscar for Best Picture.

Best Director

Alexander Payne and David O. Russell seem to be the most unlikely of the nominees to win the award, for they themselves have garnered very little buzz. Martin Scorsese could surprise us all with a win, seeing as he's worked with many people in the business and turned out one of his career best films. Steve McQueen crafted what many see as a 'masterpiece of cinema,' so that makes him a big contender. However, it is Alfonso Cuaron and his magical directorial wizardry that garnered the most love during awards season, so I place my bet firmly on him.

Best Actor

I'd consider it a pretty big upset if anyone other than Matthew McConaughey won Best Actor this year. No one saw his turn as a cowboy dying of aids coming, and man did he make many jaws drop. Chiwetel Ejiofor is the clear runner up, followed by DiCaprio's hilarious turn as the villainous Wolf of Wall Street. Bruce Dern doesn't seem to be in the race, but god knows he deserves an Oscar. As for Christian Bale, he was good in American Hustle, but far weaker than all the other nominees.

Best Actress

I say with confidence that I think Cate Blanchett will win the Oscar this year. Of all the nominees, it was her stunning turn as the mentally unstable Jasmine that proved to be a performance for the ages. Judi Dench gave one of her greatest performances in Philomena, which could serve as an upset this year. Sandra Bullock and Amy Adams are the biggest threats to Blanchett, but they shouldn't even be serious contenders for the Oscar. Meryl Streep doesn't stand a chance, for she's been nominated too many times. Also, her performance, while fiery and outstanding, is not her greatest performance to date. Dench is the only REAL competition in the field, but popularity has served as a much bigger threat than talent in the past (such as when Gwyneth Paltrow beat Blanchett in 1998).

Best Supporting Actor

Supporting Actor is by far the most unpredictable category this year. Barkhad Abdi stunned everyone with his debut, and garnered much awards buzz this season. Jared Leto won many awards, and is a very popular, almost veteran actor that made a huge comeback this year as a trans-gender man dying of aids. I'd put my money on one of them, however, Michael Fassbender could surprise everyone and win for his portrayal as a detestable plantation owner. He is very popular, and in my opinion, he gave a perfect performance. As for Bradley Cooper and Jonah Hill, I thought they were both great in their respective roles, but neither of them stand a chance at winning. If I had to predict a winner, I'd go with Barkhad Abdi based on his recent popularity.

Best Supporting Actress

I have a sickening feeling that Jennifer Lawrence is going to win this year. She gave the most mediocre performance out of all the nominees in every acting category. However, her popularity amongst her peers, and indeed around the world, is what seems to make her such a heavy favorite at these awards ceremonies. Lupita Nyong'o on the other hand gave a heart-wrenching performance, and has garnered much awards buzz this season. Julia Roberts and June Squibb seem to have faded into the background of the nominees, which is saddening because they were both phenomenal. Sally Hawkins, who was perfection in Blue Jasmine, has also faded out of contention really. So I'll say Lawrence will win, even if it is a disgusting decision by the Academy.

The Greatest Romance Movies of All Time

2014-02-23T05:56:00.000-08:00

These are the greatest romance films I've ever seen. It is a list that shall forever grow with every masterpiece of love and heart-ache that I see. The romances range from the humble spark between tramp and flower-girl (City Lights), to the fiery passion between two young women (Blue is the Warmest Colour).

What are your favourite Romance Movies?

If there are great romance movies you think I haven't seen, please let me know!

Top 16 Best Supporting Actress Performances

2014-02-16T07:07:00.000-08:00

Top 16 Best Supporting Actress Performances

of the Last Decade (2000 to 2009)

If you think there are performances that should be on the list, please tell me in the comments. I probably haven't seen them yet, so it would be great to get some feedback. Thanks as always, - Ben.

If you like this list, check out my other lists!

Top 10 Leading Actor Performances of the Last Decade

Top 10 Leading Actress Performances of the Last Decade

The Red Shoes (1948) - ★★★★★

2014-02-12T00:29:00.000-08:00

Directors: Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
Writers: Hans Christian Andersen (fairytale), Emeric Pressburger, Michael Powell (screenplay)
Stars: Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring, Esmond Knight, Robert Helpmann

The Red Shoes is one of the most spectacular films I've ever seen. It turned me (someone who has never found ballet all that interesting) into a huge fan of the art. There are sequences in this film that are so magical... so exquisite... that they just take my breath away. This is a film that has everything a true fan of cinema could possibly want, from groundbreaking special effects, to mesmerising choreography, to the gorgeous score by Brian Easdale, and of course, the unforgettable performances by Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook. It is a film that is way before its time. It's the kind of film that puts modern cinema to shame. I've never missed the golden age of cinema more than now, and it is because The Red Shoes is such a perfect display of beauty and cinematic mastery. Not only is it one of the best movies of its genre, it's one of the greatest movies of all time.

The world famous ballet writer/creator, Boris Lermontov (Anton Walbrook), has written a new ballet based on Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, The Red Shoes. Meanwhile, the young Victoria Page (Moira Shearer) wants nothing more than to be a prima ballerina, because to her "to dance is to live." Lermontov has also hired an up and coming composer, Julian Craster (Marius Goring), to compose the music to The Red Shoes. The three get involved in a spiral of romance, drama, jealousy, and dancing in this suspenseful, beautiful tale.

Without a doubt, the thing that will always stay in my mind about The Red Shoes is the unbelievable ballet that is performed throughout the second act of the film. I gasped, I cheered, and I even flailed my arms in excitement. It was one of the most beautiful, thrilling sequences I've ever seen. Moira Page and Robert Helpmann are such masterful dancers, which made it all the more amazing. Besides the dancers themselves, the set-production, special effects, and music that accompanied this ballet were indescribably good. I cannot praise Powell and Pressburger enough for creating what I consider to be one of the greatest achievements in cinematic history. I didn't know that such masterful special effects existed back in the 1940s. If anything, this sequence made me long for true art to come back to the big screen.

Moira Shearer gave one of the most memorable performances I've ever seen as an ambitious, loveable, up and coming ballet dancer. While her dancing was exquisite, her dramatic performance out-shined it in my opinion. I was in awe of the conflict that was within Victoria, for in the end, she was left with an ultimatum that would drastically hurt her life no matter what she did. The ferocity in her eyes, and the sincere portrayal of her character, was just flawless.

Anton Walbrook was the true star of the film. He played a tyrant of the ballet world, who was talented, conceited, and an extremely selfish man that used Victoria Page as his muse. Walbrook gave one of the greatest performances I've ever seen. The venom in his spiteful voice could pierce through armour. The jealousy in his fierce eyes stared daggers into all that stared back at him. On top of all this, he also had a certain charm about him that made it almost impossible to hate him. His greatest scene came at the very end, where he announced some devastating news to the audience of the ballet. My father, who doesn't even like movies, said that he was absolutely brilliant.

Marius Goring also gave a stunning performance as the composer 'Craster.'

For every 10 films the movie industry releases nowadays, 5 of them are bad, 4 are mediocre, and 1 (if we're lucky) is great. The Red Shoes made me long for great cinema again. I haven't seen a film such as this in years. The closest modern film to this masterpiece is Black Swan (2010), yet it doesn't come close to being as good as this. I'd give anything to see less mind-numbing action films, or superhero films, which only pander to those looking for explosions and loud noises. How about some true art again? Like dancing, music, touching human portrayals, and magical cinematography? I'm not saying that the movie industry is worse today than it was 65 years ago. What I am saying is that they don't try hard enough to make films that contain real beauty, films that are entertaining without having to rely on computer animation. I just want less superficial, boring action movies, and a wider range of intelligent, gorgeous cinema.

I honestly can't praise The Red Shoes enough. It stands as a testament to how powerful cinema can truly be. It's so dynamic, so beautiful, and simply unforgettable. It made me realise that Hollywood, and indeed the world, needs to pick up its game and start producing films to this quality again.

Philomena (2013) - ★★★★

2014-02-10T18:01:00.000-08:00

Director: Stephen Frears
Writers: Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope, Martin Sixsmith (book)
Stars: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham, Barbara Jefford, Michelle Fairley

Philomena is one of my favourite films of 2013. In a year filled with many unoriginal and uninspiring stories, Philomena stands out with a truly emotional punch that hit me to the core. The touching screenplay made it such a beautiful film, as well as Judi Dench's stunning turn as a woman looking for the child that was taken away from her some fifty years ago. It really is one of the most moving performances I've ever seen. What surprised me about Philomena most is that it's an exquisitely crafted human interest story, with memorable cinematography and a soul-touching score by the great Alexandre Desplat. While some pan the film for being too "condemning" and not understanding enough of these nuns from 1950s Ireland, I thought Philomena said everything that needed to be said, and moved the audience more than the creators could ever have imagined.

We follow the story of Philomena Lee (Judi Dench), who as a teenager was forced to live in a convent after she fell pregnant. Her son Anthony was given up for adoption against Philomena's will. 50 years later, Philomena breaks her silence and wants to find her long lost son. This takes her on a journey with the shamed journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan), who is in need of a story to keep his career going. Together, they trace the steps to find Anthony. This isn't a story about hatred or bitterness. It is a story about a mother's undying love for her son, and the hope of reuniting with him.

I remember reading a review that harshly panned Philomena for being too biased against the nuns that took her child. Well we must have seen an entirely different film, because from what I saw in Philomena, it simply told the truth about what happened. For most of us with intelligence and brief knowledge about the history of the Catholic church, we already know that nuns and the Catholic belief back in the 1950s were very harsh and somewhat inhumane by today's standards. We also know that harsh penance against "sinners" was what the nuns were raised to believe and uphold, and that was acceptable in society back in their day. The movie didn't need to hold the audience's hand and explain this side of the story to us. If it had, the movie would be too long and dumbed down for the ignorant. Like I said, most intelligent people know the nun's side of the story. If telling the truth about Philomena's story is what some would call "condemnation" and "unfair" on the nuns, then that's their loss. No matter which point of view you look at, the nuns committed a terrible wrong to Philomena.

In my opinion, this is the greatest performance of Judi Dench's illustrious career. She was ~~philomenal~~ I mean, phenomenal! There were many shades to Philomena that I just fell in love with. Her light-hearted, old-soul ways were such a joy to be around (such as when she tries to explain the plot of a silly romance novel to Martin). It was whenever she grieved, or thought about Anthony, that I felt such powerful emotions. Dench was indescribably masterful in her conveyance of love, hope, and despair. She made me cry more than once, because she was completely believable in this role. I would be very happy for Dench to pick up the Oscar for Best Actress this year.

Steve Coogan gave a fine performance as a conceited and somewhat disheartened journalist. He doesn't believe in God, which created a fine contrast with Philomena's belief. At times he was impatient and insensitive, and at times he gave fine displays of caring towards Philomena. His greatest scene, in my opinion, was when he lost his cool at the nun responsible for tearing mother and child apart. I'm surprised at the lack of awards buzz he garnered, for he played such an important role in the film. Coogan played off Dench's whimsical and emotional qualities brilliantly, making this a film with nothing but perfect performances.

One of the most harrowing scenes in the film.

I don't believe this is a film that tries to manipulate feelings out of people. The story itself, and the exquisite performance of Dench, is enough to sustain a heavy emotional investment in all things to come. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece of cinema, or place it in my Top 10 films of 2013. However, there's something about Philomena that will stay with me forever. Perhaps it is that Judi Dench made me cry more than once, or perhaps it is the music from Desplat (which I've played over 40 times since downloading it). I've got a feeling that this is the kind of film that gets better with each viewing. It's just so effortlessly moving.