Movie Reviews

The Silence of the Lambs

2011-06-27T03:11:00.000-07:00

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

A young FBI cadet must confide in an incarcerated and manipulative killer to receive his help on catching another serial killer who skins his victims.

Trailer

"Well, Clarice - have the lambs stopped screaming?"

Films don't usually get as creepy or thrilling as the top-notch, first-class creepy and chilling thriller known as Silence of the Lambs. There is nothing that can take your breath away with so much style and wit like Silence of the Lambs does. You'll need to watch this film in order to understand how thrillers are created and executed.

The young and feminine Clarice Starling, who is training to be an F.B.I. agent, must find the whereabouts of a serial killer named Buffalo Bill. The only way possible is interviewing a captured serial killer named Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter.

Hannibal Lecter is perhaps the best movie villain that ever lived. Anthony Hopkins plays his role with perfection, because you will hear Lecter's voice stuck inside your head. "I ate his liver with fava beans and a nice chianti," will re-play in your head over and over. Hopkins deserves an Oscar for his portrayal of the most sinister character on the big screen. Creepy, sinister, devilish, clever and cannibalistic-How much better can it get? If the villain isn't enough to entertain you, then perhaps the hero will.

Jodie Foster, also a gem as the role, plays the feminine F.B.I agent in training, Clarice Starling. She is seemed to be well-liked (often flirted with) but insecure and very timid. Starling is very realistic, and shows how timid the human nature can be.

At a first viewing, all I could keep my mind on was the prison escape scene. I kept repeated the phrase "Oh God," and kept preparing myself for what was next. During a second viewing I realized the depth of the story line and the genius behind it all.

One thing this movie definitely has is atmosphere. The killings, the characters, the dialog, and everything else that leads up to the first appearance of Hannibal Lecter makes the film look so delightfully creepy. Even though Hannibal is silent when we first see him, it is considered one of the creepiest introductions ever made. Of course, we can't forget about this man. Even after the ending, he delivers one last line that sends shivers down our spines.

Silence of the Lambs may make you a bit disgusted, yet thrilled and excited. You will stay on the edge of your seat.

Silence of the Lambs is a masterpiece, atmospheric thriller.

10/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Insidious

2011-06-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Insidious (2010)

A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.

Trailer

"It's not the house that is haunted. It's your son."

When the movie began, it reminded me of one of those old, 1970's horror films with a scary sight, large words of the title appearing on screen, and the classic shrills from the violin as if to say "BOO!" At this point, I felt the film was trying too hard but I was giving it a chance since it just started.

Then we are introduced to the family moving in, enter Josh and Renai (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrnes) who have two boys and a baby girl. They just moved into a creepy looking house that looks right at home in Amityville, and like Paranormal Activity: strange things happen at night.

Things take a turn for the worse when their son Dalton falls into a coma and the doctors have no idea why. For three months they keep him on oxygen, and the other boy claims he walks at night. This is where they get strange visits from ghosts and the situation gets so bad, they did something the couple in the first Paranormal Activity should have done.... move. But then, things get worse, to the point where they call in a paranormal investigation team. It is there they discover what's really going on, and why Darth Maul is running around in their house.

The second half gets so outlandish and weird (though still implementing some good ideas) that it took me out of the movie. Even still, it was like the film lost sight of their main characters. In the first half of the film, we see Renai is struggling to become a musician, while Josh is teaching in school. But as the film goes on, it just seems like the two of them are just going through the motions, losing track of those plot points and just focusing on the entities and that stupid story they are trying to tell. Also, besides the use of the baby monitor, I didn't get why the baby was needed in the film. It didn't help with the plot device, only to serve for a couple of scares. This may be a result of some lazy writing, and the film itself could just be going through the motions.

One last criticism that needs to be addressed and I know I am not the first one to point this out: Darth Maul. I can't help but to think that the main ghost that's causing all of this looks suspiciously like Darth Maul. I was waiting for the double lightsaber to come out. This isn't something I should be thinking about when I'm watching a horror film!

Insidious is a hit and miss. It's an enjoyable experience, but it will only be enjoyable one time. It won't have the lasting appeal as some of the better horror films out there. If anyone is thinking of going to see this one, by all means go see it. It definitely has its moments. Unfortunately those moments are a one scare wonder.

7/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Sucker Punch

2011-06-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Sucker Punch (2011)

A young girl is institutionalized by her abusive stepfather. Retreating to an alternative reality as a coping strategy, she envisions a plan which will help her escape from the mental facility.

Trailer

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

If you have seen any of the trailers for "Sucker Punch", then you should already have a pretty good idea what you are in for before you sit yourself down to watch this movie. Because this is going to be a treat for the eyes and easy on the mind. True enough! It turned out to be exactly that...

"Sucker Punch" is phenomenal in its splendors of CGI effects and wow effects. There is spared no expense when the dazzling effects are allowed to unfurl on the screen. And it totally blows you away, because it looks so amazing. From the very beginning till the very end, you are in for a very visual treat, CGI eye candy indeed. And if for nothing else, then the movie is well worth watching for the effects alone.

And sad to say, the effects galore is what carries most of the movie. In between the dazzling CGI effects and mind-blowing action sequences, the movie feeds you a rather dull and uninspiring story of girls locked away at a mental institution, where they plan an escape. An escape that can become reality because of Baby Doll's dancing. Stop! Are you kidding me? This is as far from any story with any depth as it can possibly be. But hey, if you have a serious case of hangovers, then the movie is right up your alley, because you need no brain to keep up with the storyline.

Moving on to the characters in the movie. Well, you have five heroines that are clad in fairly interesting clothing most of the time. And it being five attractive women at that, helps along to appeal to the male audience. Sure it looks good, but it just helps to throw fire on the fuel of a no-brainer movie. Now, I am not saying that Emily Browning (playing Baby Doll), Abbie Cornish (playing Sweet Pea), Jena Malone (playing Rocket), Vanessa Hudgens (playing Blondie) or Jamie Chung (playing Amber) were doing a bad job or that they are not good actresses, far from it. But it is clear to everyone why they are in the movie... Moving on! It was interesting to see Carla Gugino (playing Dr. Vera Gorski) in this movie, and her role was quite interesting. And Scott Glenn (playing the Wise Man) was a good touch to the cast list.

My rating for this movie is for the extravagant CGI fest and action alone. It has long been since I have seen anything of the like as in this movie. I was totally blown away by the effects, and it is what immediately stuck with me. The movie is well worth watching for these two facts alone, because the storyline is weak and quite stupid really.

"Sucker Punch" came as no surprise to me, being what it is, and living up to what I had believed it to be. But still, it is definitely a movie that you would not want to miss out on. This is hardcore CGI effects candy for the eyes, hard-pounding action, hot women and a "click off your mind and enjoy the ride" movie for men of all ages.

6.0/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

The Boondock Saints

2011-06-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

The Boondock Saints (1999)

Fraternal twins set out to rid Boston of the evil men operating there while being tracked down by an FBI agent.

Trailer

"I'll catch you on the flip side."

Boondock Saints seems to be mixing styles of Guy Ritchie's twisted British crime stories with funny characters, some of Quentin Tarantino style dialogue and violence (although only the Unrated version is bloody) and loooots of strong language.

As the language goes, I have to say that I've seen lots of movies with much higher F-word count, but there seems to be a huge difference between an F-word and an F-word. As long as "Fu*k! Sh*t!" bartender scenes are super funny some of Funny Man's language is just hard to listen to. But enough with that.

As the movie goes, it is often compared to Pulp Fiction but the only major similarity I can find is a prayer before killing someone. Boondock Saints don't have the intelligence of Tarantino's writing at all, some dialogues are funny but non of them are that brilliantly written as Pulp Fiction's screenplay.

The showing of the story reminds me of Ritchie's "Snatch" - I have to say it is funny to watch both what happened and how the detective thinks it did. There is some hilarious scenes on the way, like the rope one, and some that are really well directed and filmed!

Willem Dafoe's acting is really good although I did not like that role that much (espiecially the ending costume part), while the rest of the cast is just good. Nothing stunning for sure.

Overall, Boondock Saints is a fun movie, for adults, that seems to be a mix of various styles and a parody of some and that has some good parts but also some pretty big flaws or parts that just could have been than so much better.

7/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Tucker & Dale vs Evil

2011-06-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)

Tucker & Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are attacked by a group of preppy college kids.

Trailer

I had no expectations going into the movie but I can honestly say I haven't laughed out loud at anything else like I did with this one in a long time. The combo of Alan Tudyk (Tucker) and Tyler Labine (Dale) was as good as it gets. They played their characters without missing a beat.

Dale's crush, Ali (Katrina Bowden), played her part pretty well too, but left a little to be desired. All in all I was pleasantly surprised. The rest of the cast was as expected. Shotty, first-time or small-time actors that finally got the chance to play a role with some decent stars in a B-movie that just might get them some publicity.

I realize this movie never made it to theaters, but I honestly can't understand why. If the budget was as low as I think, this should have been in theaters for sure. The movie definitely gets a thumbs up for the comedy in it. Tudyk was great just like he is in all of his roles, and Labine never let me down once. I've been a fan of his since "Reaper" and I'm just glad to see him working again.

I really think that this is one of the better comedy films I've seen over the last couple years. If you're looking for some comedy and a lot of guts and gore, this is definitely your flick.

7.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

The Omen

2011-06-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

The Omen (1976)

An American ambassador learns to his horror that his son is actually the literal Antichrist.

Trailer

"Look at me, Damien! It's all for you."

At one time supernatural horror films normally dealt with assorted monsters, vampires, ghosts and things that go bump in the night, but in the sixties and seventies the fashion arose for what might be called the theological horror film, dealing with such matters as Satanism, demonic possession and the end of the world. "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Exorcist" are films of this type, and "The Omen" is another in the same tradition.

The central character, Robert Thorn, is very much a part of the American establishment- scion of a wealthy old-money family, a close friend of the President and his country's Ambassador to Italy. While they are living in Rome, Robert's wife Katherine gives birth to a stillborn child, and he is persuaded to adopt a baby born on the same night in the same hospital, and whose mother died in childbirth. They name the child Damien, a name presumably chosen because of its closeness to "demon". Soon afterwards Thorn is appointed US Ambassador to Great Britain- Italian viewers may not be pleased to note that in the movie this is regarded as a promotion- and moves with Katherine and young Damien to London.

As Damien grows up, however, he becomes the focus of a series of strange and unsettling events, including the suicide of his nanny at his fifth birthday party. Thorn is warned by a priest that his adopted son is in fact the Antichrist, the son of Satan himself. At first he dismisses the man's warnings as the ravings of a lunatic, but later begins to suspect that there may be some truth in them, especially after the priest dies in a bizarre accident. Desperate to find out the truth, Thorn visits Rome and Israel with a photographer named Keith Jennings and realises that Damien is indeed the Antichrist.

From a technical point of view, the film is well-made. This was Richard Donner's first major film and he showed the abilities he was later to bring to other action films such as "Superman" and the "Lethal Weapon" series. The action sequences are well handled and contribute to a growing sense of tension; only occasionally, as in the scene where Jennings is decapitated in a freak accident, do the rather primitive seventies special effects show through. This scene was clearly intended to be horrific, but today it comes across as inadvertently comic. The look of the film is dull and autumnal, regardless of the ostensible time of year, with a muted colour scheme, and this adds to its sinister atmosphere, as does Jerry Goldsmith's musical score.

Gregory Peck was not the first choice to play Thorn- the producers originally wanted Charlton Heston in the role- but he plays it so well that one cannot imagine any other actor in the part. Thorn is similar to some other Peck characters, such as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Sam Bowden in "Cape Fear" in that he is a decent, liberal man suddenly confronted with the problem of evil, except that Thorn is confronted with evil in its purest form and with a dilemma- whether or not to kill his adopted son- even more stark than anything which confronted Finch or Bowden. There is another very good performance from Billie Whitelaw as the sinister Mrs Blaylock, who becomes Damien's new nanny after the suicide of her predecessor and quickly becomes his guardian angel. Or rather his guardian devil, as she is a servant of Satan sent to protect the boy form harm.

My reservations about this film are largely theological. I am normally prepared to suspend my scepticism about supernatural phenomena in the interests of good entertainment; I have never, for example, allowed the fact that I do not believe in witchcraft to spoil my enjoyment of the Harry Potter films. I tend, however, to make an exception in the case of films which ask me to accept the literal existence of Satan, or which preach that the end of the world is nigh, and there is a reason for this.

A literalistic interpretation of the Book of Revelation as a prophecy of a coming Armageddon has always struck me as a hallmark of the most reactionary and intolerant sort of Christianity, the sort which is always more ready to hate one's enemies than to forgive them and which finds it easy to identify the Antichrist with whichever enemy (the Pope, Muslims, the United Nations, whoever) is at the top of that particular sect's hate-list. I doubt if the makers of this film made it with the explicit purpose of furthering a Christian fundamentalist agenda; a much more likely motive was to emulate the financial success of "The Exorcist", which had been one of the biggest films of 1973. Nevertheless, I feel that that is the sort of agenda which this film, and others like it, may well inadvertently further.

6/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Triangle

2011-06-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

Triangle (2009)

The story revolves around the passengers of a yachting trip in the Atlantic Ocean who, when struck by mysterious weather conditions, jump to another ship only to experience greater havoc on the open seas.

Trailer (spoils way to much IMO.)

"Lets go sailing!"

Melissa George, still best known as Angel from Home and Away, plays Jess, an apparent single mother struggling to raise her autistic child. Given a chance to escape for a period on a boat trip, she joins her friends for a day's sailing while her boy is in school, but before long, things go from bad to worse and she finds herself in a battle for survival.

First off, I should immediately point out this is anything but a slasher flick - yes, there is blood, but it's ultimately a psychological thriller more than anything else - the gore is not the focal point of the story.

Secondly, the title was thoroughly misleading - I thought this was a disaster movie involving the Bermuda Triangle, which it absolutely is not albeit there were supposed to be originally links. In the end the title, and trailer, for that matter, should have reflected the kind of story it is, rather than lure folks like me in expecting something different.

That said, inasmuch as it isn't a blockbuster action flick, it is still a worthwhile movie - it would be fair to call it a psychological thriller mystery. And therein lies either its success or failings.

On one hand there's a puzzle in here, a puzzle of connotations and scenarios - something which many viewers will adore and try to pick at and analyse. On the other hand there's the Vanilla Sky audience, who want things explained to them in a conclusive manner - and this doesn't do that.

What you get out of this one is up to you, and what you expect from movies - it will be satisfying if you focus deeper and bite through the layers upon layers, which it must be said are extremely cleverly woven together. But if you want it spoonfed to you and an ending which explains the lot, you're at the wrong movie.

Abstract, different, and certainly worth trying out - but don't say you haven't been warned about thinking harder than Armageddon made you.

7/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Into the Wild (2007)

2011-06-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Into the Wild (2007)

After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.

Trailer

"When you want something in life, you just gotta reach out and grab it."

Into the Wild may not be the greatest movie of all time. However, this doesn't restrain it from the fact that it is a great film. Being the first time that i watched a creation of Sean Penn, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, and to be honest neither were the others who were watching the movie with me.

Into the Wild tells the story of a young graduate living in a high life society who escapes the comfort of his parents materialism and goes on the road to discover new places and most importantly, to live a new life. On his journey he meets hippies, farmers and much much more. As time flies by, he becomes more and more independent of money and builds up to his ultimate goal: To reach the high grounds of Alaska and live with and off the wild.

Into the Wild is a complex movie supported by a great cast, great scene of photography and a compelling story. It is a film which will leave you thinking, trying to find the true message Sean Penn was trying to insert into our heads. This is where Into the Wild truly shines, because there is no clear message. It is the audience which can decide the cause of the what,where,why and when. Sean Penn has created a masterpiece which allows us to establish the basis of the story and have it represent our own thoughts.

Beware tho, this movie is quite long (140 minutes) and to truly enjoy, you must not question the realism of the film, you must embrace it and only then will you find your own message and conclusion to the movie.

Into The Wild is a beautiful piece of art which will re-define your ideas on the needs of an adolescent.

Don't miss out!

9/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

I Spit on Your Grave

2011-06-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

A writer who is brutalized during her cabin retreat seeks revenge on her attackers, who left her for dead.

Trailer

"Tell me again how sorry you are."

The remake of a film that I found to be boring, dull and abrasive. I wondered if they would keep the same feel of the original, which was dirty and inane all in one. The problems in the first film are fixed in the remake, which turned out to be a lot better than I expected. It fits right in with Hostel or Saw and it feels like it leaves the exploitation genre back in the 70's.

Jennifer, a young and beautiful writer heads up to a remote cabin to write her next novel. While there she runs into some unfriendly young men, who brutalize her physically and sexually. They leave her for dead in a river, raped and beaten. She shows up alive and vengeful.

The stupidity of the original is cleverly ignored here. She used her sexuality to lure the men in the original, the same men who just raped and woman and left her to die. Would they really be stupid enough to fall for that crap? Here, she simply takes them by surprise and tortures them. To a degree of 'I need to look away'. There was one scene for me in which I cringed a bit, so bravo on that front. I'll never look at fish hooks and birds the same again.

The film has some pacing issues, but the content is brutal enough to make you think, or make you cheer. Bravo to Sarah Butler who braves the role, she bares herself on screen and is humiliated. The rape scene is nowhere near as graphic or violent as the original, or even the Last House On The Left remake, but she still deserves and applause for taking on such a role.

6.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Battle: Los Angeles

2011-05-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

A Marine Staff Sergeant who has just had his retirement approved goes back into the line of duty in order to assist a 2nd Lieutenant and his platoon as they fight to reclaim the city of Los Angeles from alien invaders.

Trailer

"Shit, I'd rather be in Afghanistan"

Aliens have invaded and it's up to a small group of Marines to hold ground in LA. They must rescue civilians and get the hell out of dodge before the city gets bombed.

Not a whole hell of a lot of plot in this one, but what else can you expect from an alien invasion movie. Battle: Los Angeles is a mix of Black Hawk Down and Independence Day, two films that are better than this one. You would think combining the two would lead to an sure fire winner. The film is loud and in your face, I mildly enjoyed it, but thought the overall experience was pretty lacking.

The camera is more jolting here than in most hand-held camera movies like Cloverfield or Quarantine. I honestly thought the cameraman dropped the camera and picked it back up in one scene and they decided to keep it in to hide the fact that they didn't know what they were doing. I went into this film not expecting greatness, I simply wanted to be entertained. The film somewhat accomplishes this, for a few short moments, but near the end I found myself watching the same scenes play out over and over again. They get stuck in some location, have to shoot their way out, repeat. This is a very redundant film.

I love some of the effects, the initial attack and carnage is great. The spaceships are mechanical so nothing too awe inspiring there. The aliens themselves are what really disappointed me. We never get a clear image of them and when we get something close enough, we see how uninspiring they are. The film is a war movie dressed up like a sci/fi, it should have been the other way around. It felt like an ad for the Marines.

The acting is as expected, nothing to talk about. People simply yell things at each other because they are in the heat of combat. Two civilians show up, Bridget Moynahan and Michael Peña, to make us feel like we are caught in the cross fire as well, since we are not marines wielding weapons. Speaking of the marines, I did not know who was who and I didn't give a damn. They all could have died and I probably wouldn't have noticed.

Battle: Los Angeles biggest defeat is how generic and blah it turned out to be. There was no awe moment, which I was waiting for. No kick ass moment or even a scene that stood out above the rest. The whole movie went through the war movie clichés and didn't even seem to try to make a mark in the sci/fi genre. Will we be talking about this movie in the next few years? Nope, I doubt we will be talking about it in the next few months. That's the problem, it's a forgettable action, sci/fi flick.

6/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

True Grit

2011-05-27T11:57:00.000-07:00

True Grit (2010)

A tough U.S. Marshal helps a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer.

Trailer

"I do not know this man. "

The Coen Brothers are great, making films that are dark and serious (e.g. Blood Simple, No Country for Old Men), comic (The Big Lebowski) and so that combine the two (Miller's Crossing and Fargo). Their remake of True Grit fits into the latter but their remake of The Ladykillers was reason to give some people concern. Luckily they know how to make a remake right this time.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) is a 14-year-old girl whom father had been murdered by one of his hired hands, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). She plans to gain revenge and make sure that Chaney is tried and hung for his crime, so looks to hire a bounty hunter. She hires the most ruthless deputy Marshall she could find, Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), an elderly alcoholic. But a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) also wants Chaney for a crime he committed in Texas, working both as an ally and a foe. They go into the Indian territories to find Chaney and avoid bandits in the area.

The Coen Brothers set out to make a more gritty, Earthy type of Western and this approach has been used in many recent Westerns, Unforgiven, The Proposition, Deadwood, 3:10 to Yuma and The Assassination of Jesse James. The Coen Brothers made the violence realistic but did not linger on it, getting shot was nasty but they did need buckets of blood to show it. The focus of the film was on the characters and the journey they had to go on. For a mainstream audience it works as a simple revenge story but it is the focus on the Mattie character that truly makes True Grit an interesting film. There action is not the main focus of the film: for the most part it was kept at a distance. The world The Coen's shows is bloody, dirty and hard, this is not a glamour version of the Wild West and more historical accurate. There is also plenty of dark imaginary, with the use of a wintry landscape, the dirt road town and the characters' clothes added with a soft, piano based score.

The acting is great in the film and Steinfeld is obvious talent for the future. Her performance had to hold the film because she was in nearly every scene. She should be nominated for Best Actress, not Supporting Actress. She made sure Mattie was a smart, quick witted character who was both funny and determined. She is a character who is still a young girl at the time. Bridges and Damon inject a lot of humour in the film and had excellent interplay with each other and with Steinfeld.

The best way to describe True Grit is that story and the imaginary is dark and serious, but the characters are make sure that the film is not a dower experience.

8.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Pineapple Express

2011-05-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Pineapple Express (2008)

A process server and his marijuana dealer wind up on the run from hitmen and a corrupt police officer after he witness his dealer's boss murder a competitor while trying to serve papers on him.

Trailer

"It's almost a shame to smoke it. It's like killing a unicorn... with, like, a bomb."

Do we really need another stoner comedy? With Dude Where's My Car? Harold and Kumar's various adventures, not to mention the Cheech and Chong movies already out there, surely Pineapple Express is a bong movie too far? Well fear not because this latest vehicle for the ubiquitous Seth Rogen is a likable and funny addition to the stoner buddy comedy canon.

Seth plays Dale Denton, a process server with a penchant for pot, who witnesses a murder. Unfortunately for Dale, in his panic to flee the scene he discards a joint made from Pineaple Express, a drug so pure and exclusive, only one dealer possesses it, the bad guys are soon after him and said dealer (James Franco). Franco is great as Saul Silver, laid back and poetic purveyor of illegal substances, his character is a million miles from the stuffy, stiff and wooden Harry Osborn he plays in the Spiderman movies.

The chemistry between Rogen's antsy chatter and Franco's addled musings is pitched just right, in a tight Rogen Goldberg script (Superbad) that throws in some sparkling dialogue for our heroes. Indeed, the script only really falters with the weak subplot involving an Asian gang muscling in on gangster boss Ted Jones'(Gary Cole) drug empire.

There are some great supporting characters, Danny R McBride's haplessly indestructible Red is a scream and has the best line in the film, "You just got killed by a Daewoo Lanos, motherf****r!" The bickering hit men Budlofsky and Matheson, played by Kevin Corrigan and an hilariously childish and camp Craig Robinson respectively, nag their way through the movie like an old demented married couple.

Throw in a hilarious car chase, which wonderfully subverts the machismo of more serious action movies, shoot outs, explosions, fist fights and not forgetting the greatest pot ever devised, Pineapple Express, that according to Saul is so good "it's like God's vagina!" And what you have are the ingredients for the world's first and best violent stoner action comedy.

7/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

The Usual Suspects

2011-05-23T05:39:00.000-07:00

The Usual Suspects (1995)

A boat has been destroyed, criminals are dead, and the key to this mystery lies with the only survivor and his twisted, convoluted story beginning with five career crooks in a seemingly random police lineup.

Trailer

"Who is Keyser Soze?"

"The Usual Suspects" starts out just like a crime film, but evolves into an almost classic mystery. It's the kind of film you need to watch twice in a relatively short period of time to truly understand the script's mastery. I've seen the film twice, but years apart, so my insight into the tremendous cinematic achievement of director Bryan Singer and writer Christopher McQuarrie is there but limited.

"Suspects" is derived from a concept of a line-up of hardened criminals who have been brought in not with any evidence, but just because they are "the usual suspects." Their union, however, soon finds them all on a job that ends up with a giant boat explosion and only two survivors, one of them being only one of the criminals, "Verbal" Kint (Spacey) a constantly rambling cripple who must explain the entire situation to the police. The story is told almost entirely from Kint's perspective, which already adds a shade of suspicion to the plot.

The film lines up in strong cast with Spacey including Gabriel Byrne, Stephen Baldwin, Benecio Del Toro and Chazz Palminteri. Their characters, especially the criminals, all add an interesting dynamic to the film, keeping all the scenes interesting when the greater mystery is really the film's greatest asset.

McQuarrie has lined the script full of gems so carefully that when he unloads one of the best twist endings in cinematic history, you are slapped across the face and filled with absolute glee. There's no other way to put it. Credit for this also should go to Singer and Spacey. There's no question that Singer's direction keeps up the intensity. It romanticizes the criminal lifestyle a bit, but it's necessary. Spacey's incredible portrayal of Kint, not only in his mannerisms but in his dramatic highs and lows keeps the storytelling engaging too.

You simply have to watch this film and then watch it again. Then you will unquestionably like it to some degree. If you need a heavy dose of action in all your crime films, that degree will be lesser. This movie does rely heavily on script and character to keep your attention. However, as far as pure mystery goes, you can't beat "The Usual Suspects."

9/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Red Cliff I / II

2011-05-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Red Cliff I / II (2008)

A two-part story centered on a battle fought in China's Three Kingdoms period (220-280 A.D.).

Trailer

"We must fight even if we cannot win."

As per any film directed by John Woo, you will be getting lots of action from the off, and despite this being set on old traditional epic battles, there is just a refinement to his old style. Big explosions, slow-motion detailed violence, and long drawn out fights are all bundled together as in many of his other movies. However, this film is more than that and is an intelligent look at the machinations of old field battles.

The premise of the movie is of an alliance of clan forces arming and battling against a belligerent megalomaniac who craves to take over the "Southlands" and the wife of one of his opponents. The whole film plays over the strategic plans and tactics each use over each other in graphic detail, be it a giant battlefield attack or navy manoeuvre. It's all a literary take on the art of war.

Some comic moments and characters release tensions at points, but the whole movie is a set of giant bonfires with the action ruthless in scale once it begins (as expected with John Woo).

Aside from the action, the scenery and direction is wonderful, and the acting very good from the multitude of characters (and there are many to get to grips with!). Add in some great set-pieces in the direction (the "tortoise" piece) and you don't get just some gung-ho blood fest as some battle movies have become.

Yet after all those positives, there's still something missing. There have been many great Chinese epics over the past ten years, and this is not amongst the lower rungs. However, it seems to have a gap in what it's trying to achieve.

The story was good but at the end not gripping and the length of the film made it at times feel to drag on. Was the film meant to be maybe just an action movie? I doubt it, but with the way the story was going you just wanted the action to get going to get it over with at times. That is the disappointing point. It was aiming to be greater than sadly it finally was. Not by any means a bad film, but it has a likely lot to live up to with its budget, star names and director.

8/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Road to Perdition

2011-05-19T08:18:00.000-07:00

Road to Perdition (2002)

When his pregnant fiancee becomes the latest victim of a serial killer, a secret agent blurs the line between good and evil in his pursuit of revenge.

Trailer

"May you get to Heaven an hour before the Devil knows you're dead"

When you say gangster movie, you immediately think about movies like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas". "Road to Perdition" is also a gangster movie but it's different. It's more stylish and focuses even more and goes deeper in on the characters.

Visually this movie is absolutely wonderful! The atmosphere is brilliant thanks to the likewise brilliant cinematography by Conrad L. Hall who won a well deserved Oscar for it. Unfortunately the brilliant Mr. Hall died 11 weeks before he could collect his second Oscar. "Road to Perdition" was a worthy last movie for him. Also the sets and costumes and last but not least the subtle and soft music by Thomas Newman all add further to the atmosphere.

Tom Hanks is absolutely wonderful in this film. At first he plays a strict father and tough gangsters but as the movie progresses his character becomes more and more loose and open. The way the father/son story is told is brilliant and almost touching. Not only the Sullivan/Sullivan Jr. story but also the Sullivan/Rooney father/son story. I can't say that I'm always happy the way Jude Law's character is used throughout the movie and about the character in general. Veteran Paul Newman of course is a wonderful addition to the solid cast.

The story is told in a wonderful way by director Sam Mendes with lot's of visual beauty. Result is a unique gangster film with some unforgettable scene's such as the rain shootout, which is absolutely a brilliant scene thanks to the cinematography, music and the sound or better said the lack of sound.

A wonderful character driven, crime drama.

8/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

The Descent

2011-05-16T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Descent (2005)

A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.

Trailer

"Hey, there's something down here... "

"The Descent" is a movie I've been wanting to get my hands on for quite awhile now. It had received near-universal positive reviews over the past few years and I was curious to see if it would live up to the hype. The answer is YES, it does, and in spades. "The Descent" is one of the creepiest, darkest, nastiest little movies I've seen in quite some time.

The setup is pretty simple: a group of women who enjoy extreme sports/adventuring start out the movie on a white water rafting trip. On their way home from that trip, Sarah (our eventual heroine) loses her husband and young daughter in a head-on car crash. A year later, the still-grieving Sarah meets up with the group again for a new adventure, this time exploring a cave in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

The main strength of "The Descent" is how it builds slowly; in fact we don't even see the creatures (dubbed "crawlers," though I kept thinking of them as "C.H.U.D.'s") until the film is more than half over. The first hour is scary enough without them, as the girls squeeze through holes in the rock in near-total darkness, occasionally getting stuck, fighting amongst themselves as the stress of the situation begins to get to them.

"The Descent" is one of those movies that actually works better on a TV screen, as long as you're in a dark room; it heightens the film's claustrophobic vibe. Make sure you pick up the "uncut, unrated" DVD, which contains the original ending from the British release of the film, rather than the truncated/fake "happy" ending of the American version.

Monster movie fans can pick up "The Descent" with confidence. Those with claustrophobia or fear of the dark should probably pass on it.

8/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Poltergeist

2011-05-15T00:21:00.000-07:00

Poltergeist (1982)

A family's home is haunted by a host of ghosts.

Trailer

"They're here."

It's not the scariest movie I have ever seen but it certainly is the most fun to watch.

Unlike many other horror movies this movie has very little gore but that doesn't mean it's not scary. It has lot's of sounds and visually scary moments. The tree and the clown scene are two of this very scary scene's!

Also unlike many other horror movies this movie is in a way fun to watch. The movie also have seem to be made with lot's of fun and there are some typical Spielberg comical moments and dialogue. Just one of the things that proof to me that Spielberg was more then just a producer/writer. Other things that proof this are the characters and the way some of the scene's are shot. Even the atmosphere is the same as in "E.T." that Spielberg made the same year. I don't know what Tobe Hooper did for this movie but it can't have been much.

The cast is excellent. Rarely have I ever seen such a great realistic and natural portrayal of a family. I especially like Craig T. Nelson as the father of the family. The characters that aren't part of the family are mostly extremely entertaining such as the neighbor Ben Tutthill or the pool workers who have to take at least one bite out of everything that's in the kitchen. But also of course Zelda Rubinstein as the extremely small but smart and wise Tangina Barrons.

Another wonderful thing about the movie is the cinematography, the editing but especially the music by Jerry Goldsmith. It's too bad he didn't won an Oscar for it but if you have to compete against John Williams score for "E.T." you just don't stand a chance and then it's no shame to lose.

The special effects are typical 80's like and can now days be described as with all respect; campy. They can be compared with the one's used in "Ghostbusters". But for some reason it adds to the charm of the movie and I extremely like it.

Wonderful movie with some scary moments that still is very fun to watch.

9/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Watchmen

2011-05-13T23:50:00.000-07:00

Watchmen (2009)

In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.

Trailer

"What, in life, does not deserve celebrating? "

Watchmen is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. The movie takes place in an alternate time-line. Set in 1985, and at the brink of nuclear war, Watchmen will either force you to be open-minded and accept this alternate reality, or reject the very idea of such an outlandish plot-line.

The characters are unique and very human. They make Wolverine (usually considered a brash and thuggish superhero,) look like Clark Kent. Our vigilante crew lacks superpowers , but they make up for it with attitude and maxi. Each member of the Watchmen are very different, so chances are you will end up loving at least one, and hating another.

The movie's opening credits are the real winner here. Set to Bob Dylan's ,The Times They Are A-Changin', you will be hooked from the first second. The colors, costumes, and "wax museum look-a-like still scenes" will mesmerize you. Don't Blink!!!

The movie is rated R and rightfully so. Parents should not let their kiddies partake in this orgy of blood, sex, nudity (both male and female,) and violence. This is no Fantastic Four!!! Watchmen is definitely more Scorsese than Superman!!!

At just over 2 hours, the movie's plot and ending lose a little clarity due to the time restraints, but not much. If for nothing else but the colorful scenes and fantastic soundtrack, I would say give Watchmen a try. And if you actually like violence, sex, and superheroes, and haven't yet seen the movie- What the hell are you waiting for??? The movie's music and scenes will stick in your head for days, and you will want to watch it again and again. I already have!!!!!!!

8.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

GoodFellas

2011-05-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

GoodFellas (1990)

Biography | Crime | Drama

Henry Hill and his friends work their way up through the mob hierarchy.

Trailer

"As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. To me, being a gangster was better than being President of the United States."

Martin Scorsese is hailed by many as the greatest living American filmmaker, but with the passing of Swedish master auteur Ingmar Bergman in 2007, I would argue that Scorsese is the greatest living filmmaker in the world. "Goodfellas" is a perfect example of the brilliance of Scorsese, as he takes his audience inside a world that is often misunderstood by the general population.

The film feels unbelievably authentic, not just because it's based on actual events, but because Scorsese understands this world as well as any filmmaker ever could. Growing up on the streets of Manhattan's Lower East Side, Scorsese had plenty of exposure to the violent world of the "Mafia." Scorsese understands better than anyone the destructive nature of the "mafia" lifestyle, but he also understands how appealing it can be. That is what makes "Goodfellas" such an incredibly powerful film, the fact that the characters are not portrayed as one-dimensional villains, but are presented as ordinary men who have been seduced by the lifestyle from an early age.

Scorsese does a masterful job of creating a world where death seems like an inevitability. The famous "Funny Guy" scene is one of the most powerful scenes in movie history because it so effectively captures the volatility of the mafia lifestyle. The truth is, your best friend one day, can become your worst enemy the next. Nothing gets in the way of business, and as a result, friendships are of secondary importance. No filmmaker is better at probing the psyches of violent men than Scorsese. He burrows into the world of the mafia and doesn't attempt to sugarcoat it, which results in a film that is incredibly violent and profane, but never gratuitous.

"Goodfellas" is not only a masterpiece and one of the greatest films of the 1990s, but it is further proof that Martin Scorsese is a filmmaker of incomparable talent.

10/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Hard Candy

2011-05-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hard Candy (2005)

Drama | Thriller

A mature 14-year old girl meets a charming 32-year old photographer on the Internet. Suspecting that he is a pedophile, she goes to his home in an attempt to expose him.

Trailer

This little indie flick introduced us to Ellen Page and director David Slade. Made for under a million dollars, the film made a big impact thanks its stand out performance by Patrick Wilson and the aforementioned Page. This film was shot with only four main actors over an 18 day period in California. Since then Slade has gone on to direct "30 Days of Night" and the upcoming Twilight film "Eclipse."

Ellen Page plays Haley, a 14 year old girl, who meets Wilson's 32 year old character, Jeff, over the internet. They decide to meet at a coffee shop to talk. Jeff is a photographer and interested in a lot of the same things as Haley. This in itself is a little creepy and unnerving. After a little pushing and teasing (the t-shirt Scene) Haley gets Jeff to invite her over to his apartment. The whole film has an unnerving balance to it. While Haley is far more mature that her 14 years, Jeff should surely know better. At his apartment, Jeff offers her alcohol and she accepts. They talk and Haley wants her picture taken. The story then does a complete 180 degree turn as Jeff's drink has been drugged. Haley ties him up and holds him prisoner and interrogates him on the other girls he's done this too. She wants him to admit he is a sick and twisted pedophile, but it he? He has obviously made some pretty poor decisions, but does he really deserve what Haley has in store for him?

Page is a actress that can convincingly play someone much younger that she really is. Although it wasn't much of a stretch in this film, as she was 17 during filming. Her shy girlish demeanor quickly transform into the smart, bad ass chick that physically and mentally tortures Jeff. You could say in some scenes that Jeff could easily over power Haley and take back control, but what can he do, she's only 14. No matter how you look at it, it's going to end badly for Jeff.

There is one disturbing scene where guys everywhere will cover their eyes and run away screaming. Haley decides to castrate Jeff to teach him a lesson; this is a difficult scene to watch no matter who you are. Does she really go through with it? You'll have to watch. The back and fourth between these characters is what elevates this film into something more that your average revenge fantasy film. The only problem I have with it is the ending. I can see how they arrive at it, but don't really agree with it. They never really tell you who Haley really is and her motivations for are kind of alluded to, but are still kind of fuzzy. This film is an intriguing little nugget that should be seen.

7/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Serenity

2011-05-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

Serenity (2005)

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

The crew of the ship Serenity tries to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their number who is telepathic.

Trailer

First of all, let me say that I am/was an ardent fan of the Firefly TV series. It absolutely amazes and depresses me that such an unbelievably well-done series would be canceled in its first season. This fact says a great deal about the artistic tastes and foresight of those who run the networks.

With regard to Serenity, as a movie by itself, it is excellent in many respects. Its characters are rich and their interactions are filled with emotion and humor. The pacing is excellent and the graphics are first-rate. You never feel that you are watching a digitally enhanced film.

Nevertheless, I felt that the movie departs in several respects from the feel of the television series which I loved. First of all, in the movie, the main characters (especially Mal) are much darker and more vicious than they were on television series. For example, in one TV episode, Inara tells Mal that the Madam, Nandi, who ran a bordello, kept her "family" together with the strength of her heart and will, with the implication that Mal does the same for the crew of Serenity.

In the movie, however, Mal comes across as much more heartless and authoritarian. Until the very end of the movie, Mal never reaches out to his crew members, nor does he make much of an effort to communicate with them, or understand their individual situations. He is also much more cavalier in his treatment of innocent bystanders.

Additionally, although there is humor in the movie, there is much less than in the television series. Is this Hollywood's effort to show that the movie is a "serious" cinematic event? Whatever the reason may be, the movie makes a determined effort to show that this is not simply a light-hearted, swashbuckler, but is a dark and brooding dramatic endeavor. Insofar as it departs from the joyful spirit of the series, I feel that this is a mistake.

Rated: 8.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Orphan

2011-05-08T01:26:00.000-07:00

Orphan (2009)

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be

Trailer

When I first saw the trailer for this I did not think much of it, it just looked like an average slasher with a little girl as the villain. But I was totally wrong, this is a horror, yes, but it is more of a drama/horror than straight horror. Not only does it go for two hours (very rare for a horror film, especially mainstream), but it has a great cast who portray characters with some depth who we actually care about...well, most of them anyway. The story itself is very simple, Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John Coleman (Peter Sarsgaard) have two children, but lost their third child during pregnancy. Therefore, they decide to adopt, and while at the orphanage stumble across a nine year old girl on her own, Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman). Both Kate and John bond with her instantly, and three weeks later she is part of the family. However, it does not take long before Esther's dark side shows, and the only person who sees this is the mother, but who would suspect innocent Esther of foul play? This is the set-up for a suspenseful, dark, disturbing horror film that packs an excellent twist and some truly frightening scenes. There is an excellent scene in a playground, in which Esther stalks a bully through a maze, and a very tense final ten minutes which I shan't reveal! However, these scenes feature some cheap false scares accompanied by a loud sound. These are very tired, and for most horror fans are not the least bit effective. It is a shame they are relied on throughout this movie, because director Jaume Collet-Serra (who directed the 2005 slasher remake of House of Wax) builds up tension very well, but spoils with scares which are hokey and outdated.

That was really my only problem with the film, nothing else bothered me at all. If I were to nitpick, Sarsgaard's John Coleman was written to be a little to naive I think, because it was fairly obvious that Esther was troubled. This is not Sarsgaard's fault, he does a great job, this was the writer's one and only fault.

The acting was outstanding, Farmiga is excellent as the mother. She basically carries the movie, and plays a strong female character who is easy to sympathise with. It is revealed she drunk after the death of her baby which led to an unfortunate accident. Not only does this lead almost everyone else to think ill of her, but leaves her to unravel Esther's past by herself. Fuhrman is simply amazing as Esther, playing a two-sided character so well at such a young age is kind of scary. Going from sweet little angel to scary-as-shite murderess is her specialty, and I can see her in many horror movies to come.

Many people say Orphan loses momentum towards the end and turns into a derivative slasher, but I could not disagree more. I think the end is perfect, with the twist being revealed with perfect timing to allow for a heart-racing finale. It ended perfectly, and even better, in a way which does not indicate sequel (I hate sequel-friendly endings very much).

Although it is not a perfect movie, it is a damn entertaining one, and for a horror movie, is surprisingly intelligent. It does go for awhile, but no scenes drag on, they all have a purpose in developing character and heightening the tension until the very end.

7.5/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Battle Royale

2011-05-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

Battle Royale (2000)

Action | Drama | Thriller

In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act.

Trailer

This is considered the apex of Japanese "shock" cinema, but this benefits from being based on a novel, and directed by an experienced and talented director Kinji Fukasaku. Fukasaku was old and near death when he decided to direct this, what inspired the decision was that Kinji was in a boarding school during the breakout of World War 2, and said he related to the book because he remembered, being abandoned by the adult staff, hiding in ruins beneath the corpses of other children. I'm adding this because a story which seems so fantastic to a lot of people, can be poignant and real to those with different experiences. That being said...holy s*&t! Holy s*&t was my first thought as I watched this movie, it was Lord Of The Flies, with arbitrary weapons and explosive collars. Between all the action is an immensely dark sense of humor (look out of the Godardesque in-titles), expressed through the children's immaturity and inability to comprehend the seriousness of their situation. Between the bullets there still 14 year olds, interested in crushes and clicks, which adds helpful drama and comedy to the constant mayhem.

The shock of the premise gives way pretty early on to one well developed scene after the next, as the body count rises. Takeshi Kitano, plays the teacher master-minding the project, and plays one of the best casual villains to ever grace a screen.

Not a movie for everyone, talks of the American remake were put on hold after the Virginia Tech shootings, and it's unlikely the mainstream of the states would accept a movie like this anyway. Highly competitive schools and high suicide rate, make movies like this and "Suicide Club" major hits in Japan and over seas, where the context makes more sense I guess. Anyway, believe the hype, if you get a chance see it.

I'd give the movie a 8/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

Natural Born Killers

2011-05-06T07:53:00.000-07:00

Natural Born Killers (1994)

Crime | Drama | Romance

Two victims of traumatized childhoods become lovers and psychopathic serial murderers irresponsibly glorified by the mass media.

Trailer

This was with good reason one of the most controversial films of the decade. Many people saw it as exploitive trash that glorified violence. This was one of those films that many people protested despite not having seen it (always a dangerous thing). What they didn't understand is that the film wasn't violence in the media, it was about violence in the media and America's morbid fascination with crime. In addition to those who hated it for all the wrong reasons, there were many people who loved it for all the wrong reasons. Some of the films audience whom where either not mature enough or intelligent enough loved it for the reasons that the film protested. They say it as an entertaining action flick and didn't seem to pick up on the deeper social implications.

The reality is that this is one of the most brilliantly conceived satires on the media ever made. Oliver Stone's film-making techniques usually have the subtly of a kick to the groin, but I feel that actually helped this film out. The editing and use of montage were superb and effectively drove home the film's statement about violence in the media. This is certainly one of the most experimental films to be financed by a major studio. At the beginning of the film, I was worried that the style would be cool for about half an hour and than wear off. Fortunatly it never did.

Many of the critics of the film proclaimed it to be hypocritical. Its all about the dangers of the media glorifying and exploiting violence, yet it was one of the most stylistically and excessively violent films ever made. I think it works simply because it forces the audience to question their reactions to what they see on screen. The acting is also very good. Woody Harrelson, best known for his light comedic roles, turns in a believable portrayal as a white trash serial killer. Juliette Lewis, who has been in a lot of films I didn't enjoy, is also superb. When you learn of their upbringings and how they were abused, the film makes it easy to sympathize for them without feeling like their actions are justified. The supporting characters are all one dimensional, but just like "A Clockwork Orange", it manages to make the lead characters and the satire all the more powerful. Robert Downey Jr deserves special notice for his hilariously over-the-top role as the host of one of a true crime show that latches onto the couple's killing spree to make money off of it.

I highly recommend this movie! 9/10

Have you seen it? If so, what's your opinion?

different blog topic!

2011-05-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

this blog is now about movie reviews, maybe i'll post a music video every now and then...