Friday, July 23, 2010
Inception
Posted by
William Yeager
Holy Shit. Let me just start with that and to be honest that could be the entire review because no matter what I say I can't do justice to the spectacle that is this movie. I mean it's films like this that make me wonder how the hell I ever even contemplated becoming a director. Anyway let me try to explain this movie and not give anything away.
So Cobb(Leonardo DiCaprio) is a guy who goes into peoples dreams and steals their secrets for people. Cobb can go into other people's dreams with many other people too.(dream sharing, crazy I know) After he and Arthur(Joseph Gorden-Levitt) screw up a job they are actually offered another one that is much more difficult and complicated(crazy I know, but trust me that is least crazy thing in the entire movie). So even though it is a very dangerous job that "can't be done" Cobb decides to do it in the hopes that if he completes the job he'll be able to return home and see his kids. So Cobb puts together his team and they embark on this impossible mission. They have to plant an idea into Robert Fisher's(Cillian Murphy) head so that he will break up his fathers company. Now this is very difficult for many reasons but mainly because the person who's mind you're trying to plant the dream has to believe that he came up with the idea(I'm not going to even try and explain the logistics of this movie because that would take way too long and just end up confusing you and most likely me). So they kidnap Fisher and embark on a journey into his mind.
So that is a terrible description of the movie but like I said trying to explain this movie would be like two drunk guys trying to giving driving directions to each other, it would take forever and everyone would be confused and then end up vomiting. Anyway all you really need to know is that it is awesome. It is shot so well and looks awesome. It's kind of hard to follow but not so much so that you're just confused as hell while you're watching it. I mean almost every aspect of this movie is great.
I wish I could point out on person and say, "oh man this guy was great" everyone was great. The acting was phenomenal and not just by Leo. I don't really like Ellen Page but even she did a great job and remember the guy from "10 Things I Hate About You"(aka Joseph Gorden-Levitt) he was great too. I will say my favorite person in the movie, other than Leo of course, was Eames(Tom Hardy) that might be because he provided most of the humor but he was also just cool. He was like Jason Statham in "The Italian Job". Which brings me to my next point.
This movie while original as shit and awesome did remind me of a cross between two other movies. (A side note here: just because a movie reminds me of another movie doesn't mean that it's not a good movie, it's just that I like to compare movie similarities and can't help but being reminded of other movies that I've seen. Wow I just said the word movies a shit load.) I found this movie to be somewhat of a cross between "The Matrix" and "The Italian Job". So you have the classic movie where you need to steal something so you have to round up your crew of men that have their own areas of expertise and bring something to the group, like a lot of movies but Eames kind of reminded me of Jason Statham's character in "The Italian Job" so I chose that film. Then it's like "The Matrix" because they are hooked up to a machine and go to another "reality" and also there are awesome gun battles. Oh and throw in a little bit of "Repo Men" too. You know because of the whole dream thing in "Repo Men" never mind no one actually saw that movie.
So now you've got my take on this film and I know that is very important to you so now go see it. It's going to blow you away. Oh yeah I didn't even mention the ending. It will leave you thinking and talking about it for days to come. I know I was. Hell in the middle of it I started to wonder to myself if I was dreaming or not, who knows? I could be dreaming right now, I hope I'm not though because I'm taking a dump and that would be a terrible thing to wake up too.
I give the film a high A. GO SEE IT.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Get Him to the Greek
So once again I've been slacking off and haven't updated the blog since I went and saw this movie. In my defense I have did move to DC and started an internship.(I know what you're thinking, "aren't internships for college kids?", yeah they are but I can't find a real job so I took this now get off my back, jackass.) Anyway by now I'm sure you've seen this movie and don't really need this review, especially considering I don't even think it's still in theaters but I'm going to give it to you anyway, that is if anyone is still reading this(my guess is no.
So this movie was funny as shit. It tells the story of Aaron Green(Jonah Hill) a dude who works in the music business(not really sure what his job really is) and pitches the idea of doing an anniversary show of Aldous Snow's(Russell Brand) concert at the Greek theater in L.A. As you've seen Aaron goes on a wild goose chase trying to bring Aldous to L.A. and hilarity ensues. Also added to plot is the trials and tribulations of Aaron and his girlfriend Daphne Binks(Elizabeth Moss). And of course P. Diddy is in it(or what ever he is calling himself these days) as Aaron's boss.
One of the funniest people in this movie is P. Diddy. A lot of this movie was improv and Diddy did a great job of holding his own. Brand and Hill are great as expected and delivered as expected in this one. It did have a "Funny People" element to it. It was serious in times and dealt with real shit. It also seemed very realistic like "Funny People" but this movie was well actually funny.
So if you can still find it in theaters and still haven't seen it then you should go. I give it a low A.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Robin Hood
So I've been slacking recently and haven't gotten around to writing this review. I saw the movie a few days ago and as everyone knows my memory is about as reliable as the pull out method. So anyway I'll do my best to remember my thoughts from the movie.
This is basically the "Batman Begins" of Robin Hood. This film is about how Robin Hood become the Robin Hood we all know. The film starts showing Robin Longstride(Russell Crowe),Robin Hoods real name, as a soldier in King Richards "The Lion Heart"(Danny Huston) army. Robin is already friends with Will Scarlet(Scott Grimes) and in the true mans man way becomes friends with Little John(Kevin Durand) by getting in a fight with him and beating the crap out of each other. At the same time Robin also becomes friends with Alan Doyle(Allan A'Dayle)(strangely close names) and the four of them decide to leave King Richard's army once he is killed. On the way back to London they run into Sir Robert Loxley(Douglas Hodge) who is dying. His dying wish is that Robin return his sword to his father in Nottingham. Robin being the honest man he is does this and the Robin Hood we all know starts to take shape. In Nottingham they run into Friar Tuck(Mark Addy). Robin returns the sword to Loxley's father who decides that Robin Hood will take his son's place and pretend to be him. This means that he now has a wife, Madden Marion Loxley(Cate Blanchett). They now have to help bring England together and fight the invading French. Of course everything works out, one of the down sides to a prequel, you kinda know what's going to happen at the end.
I like this movie. It was good enough. It had some good battle scenes and as the movie went on it got more and more bad ass culminating at the end with a perfectly place arrow.(of course, it's Robin Hood) I think this movie was a combination of "Gladiator" and "Braveheart" of course it wasn't as good as either but it's kind of tough to beat those two.
It was like "Gladiator" because Robin was a soldier in an army and left to go back to where that army's headquarters are and right some wrong. Oh also because it's Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott(director of "Gladiator")
It was like "Braveheart" because it's kinda the same time period and around the same area. It just has that feel when you watch it that it reminds you of "Braveheart". Also Robin has to band together with some of his countrymen and stop an invading army.
This movie also had some humor in it which always makes me like a movie. The only thing that I just couldn't get on board with in this movie was trying to make Cate Blachett sexy or desirable. I mean she's ok but she just doesn't raise the ole main sail. I mean I think she was cast perfectly for the role because she looks what I imagine the women back then to look like I just don't think she's hot, sorry Cate. (I doubt she's going to mind.)
Now, with any sequel or prequel or any other quel, you always compare the new movie to the old one. I loved the old Robin Hood with Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. That movie was awesome. It was gonna take a lot for me to like this Robin Hood better than that one and of course it didn't live up to it. However, I felt the same way about "Batman Begins" vs. the old Michael Keaton "Batman". I liked the original better. Speaking of "Batman Begins".(oh yeah I just made a sweet transition, you're welcome Mrs. Feamer, (9th grade english teacher.))
So like I said earlier, this is like the "Batman Begins" for Robin Hood and I think that the next Robin Hood in this line of films(because I think they will make a sequel and should)could possibly be like "The Dark Knight". You know because "Batman Begins" was ok but then "The Dark Knight" came out and was the shit. I think this could be possible for the next "Robin Hood" if they do it correctly. Lets hope so because "The Dark Knight" was the tits.
After all of my rambling I would have to say that I give this film a B. Go see it.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Iron Man 2
I never saw "Iron Man" when it came out back in 2008 but I had always heard that it was good. So in anticipation of "Iron Man 2" coming out I went out and rented "Iron Man." I liked it, I thought it was creative and funny. So because of that I was excited for "Iron Man 2" and I have to say I was not disappointed.
You don't really have to see the first one to get the second one but it helps, so if you haven't seen the first one I recommend that you do and then go see the second one.
"Iron Man 2" is the story of Tony Stark(Robert Downey Jr.) and his invention, the Iron Man suit. Tony is the CEO of Stark Industries which makes high tech weapons for the U.S. government. All of this you get from the first one. In the second one Tony is dealing with trying to live up to the hype of being a superhero, like all superheros do. He also is trying to keep the U.S. government from confiscating the Iron Man suit to use as a military weapon. The main plot line in this film is that Stark Industries is no longer making weapons for the U.S. government so Hammer Industries has taken over. Justin Hammer(Sam Rockwell) is the CEO and Tony hates him. You can easily see it coming so I'll just tell you that Justin is one of the bad guys.
You have to ignore all the stereotypes in this movie because it's a comic book movie, of course it's going to be stereotypical. It has great action sequences and is also pretty funny. I attribute the humor in the film to Jon Favreau being the director. Robert Downey Jr. does an awesome job in this, and the first one. He fits the role perfectly and mixes humor with sarcasm and is still believable as a super hero. This film like the first one also has awesome "future" technology in it which I love. One thing that this film has that its predecessor did not is Scarlett Johansson. Oh man, Scarlett Johansson. Now, I do have to say that I already have a huge thing for her but even if you don't she is so hot in this movie it hurts. She is an added bonus to all the things that made the first one great. I think that "Iron Man 2" is as good if not better than "Iron Man".
I say go see this movie, you won't regret it. You don't have to see the first one but I'm just too OCD about movies not to see the first one in a line of movies so I recommend that you see the first one. I give it a low A.
Death At A Funeral
So it was kind of a while ago when I saw this movie so the review might be a little lacking but that's ok because so was the movie. This is a remake of the 2007 British version. I haven't seen that version but I hear it was better than this one.
This is the story about the funeral of Aaron's(Chris Rock) father. Aaron meets with the funeral service to review his father in the casket and finds out that they sent him the wrong casket.(this is the scene from the previews that I saw a million times.) After this everything else just goes terribly wrong. This is a comedy of errors to say the least. Aaron's brother Ryan(Martin Lawrence) shows up but only manages to make things worse. He's a famous author and is the stereotypical "famous" relative. When then see Elaine(Zoe Saldana) and her boyfriend Oscar(James Marsden). As I'm sure you saw in the previews, Oscar accidentally takes acid basically and is tripping out for the entire movie. Then Norman(Tracy Morgan) and his friend Derek(Luke Wilson) go to pick up Uncle Russell(Danny Glover). Everybody finally gets to the funeral and things just continue to go down hill from there. But don't worry it all works out in the end. Yay.
This movie was ok. I wanted it to be funnier and I thought with the cast that it would be but it wasn't. It is kind of strange to take a british script and try do it as a black comedy. I thought that it would have been better if it had more black humor in it kind of like a "Life" or "Friday." Anyway, there were some parts that I laughed very hard at but overall it fell flat. I mean drug humor is another thing that gets to my funny bone so I liked James Marsden on acid. I think that the best people in it were Tracy Morgan, Danny Glover and James Marsden. They kept the film from being to boring and monotonous.(yeah I said monotonous)
Overall I give it a low C. Redbox it one night if your board and there is nothing better to get.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Date Night
So this movie was pretty much what I expected. If you like Steve Carell in "The Office" and Tina Fey in "30 Rock" then you will probably like this movie. However, I think this is more a comedy for people in their late 30's. (Not that there is anything wrong with people in there 30's but this is more high brow humor.)
The Fosters are an average couple in there 40's with two kids and normal boring jobs living in New Jersey.(I didn't realize New Jersey could be so boring and normal until this movie and "Everybody Loves Raymond" I thought it was full of Snookies and Gittlemans) They are stuck in the same routine and after they learn that one of their best couple friends is getting a divorce they start to look at their own marriage. They decide to go on a special date night in New York city at an exclusive new restaurant. However, they don't have a reservation so they take someone else's. They are then mistaken for that couple who has stolen something from the mob. They are then sent on a wile goose chase all over the city to find the real couple and restore there normal lives.
If you like goofy awkward white people then you will like this movie. It's more funny if you are in a long relationship or have been in one. There is a lot of relationship humor. It has funny parts but most of them are more sophisticated. As you all know I usually like dumb gross humor but I also like high brow humor when it's done well.
This film does have a lot of good people in it and the acting is good. It does feature a cameo from an actress from one of my favorite tv shows. Leighton Meester from "Gossip Girl" is in it. The girl that plays Blair Waldorf. Ok I'm just kidding I hate that show but my sister makes me watch it, I swear.
Anyway this movie was ok. It was funny enough. I'd probably see it again but not in theaters. I give it a high C.(like my favorite juice box.)
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hot Tub Time Machine
I went into this film with high expectations of a great dumb comedy and I wasn't disappointed.(too much) I wasn't sure how these four main characters would mix but they weren't too bad.
So this story is about three friends that have drifted apart over the years and had their share of life's problems. They are forced to come together when Lou(Rob Corddry) "attempts suicide"(really he was just drunk driving and when he got to his house he accidentally closed his garage door and revved his engine causing carbon monoxide poising.) This brings his two old friends Adam(John Cusack) and Nick(Craig Robinson) to his aide. They decide to go to their old hang-out, a mountain resort in a ski town. Nick brings his nephew Jacob(Clark Duke) because Jacob doesn't want to move in with his mom and her new boyfriend. Together the four of them head to the resort and talk about what is happening in each of their lives. When they get to the town they find it very run down and not how they remember it. Once they get settled into their room, which is the same room that they always get, they decide to get into the hot tub. They start partying and shit goes crazy. They wake up and after a few encounters with some of the other people at the resort they realize that they have traveled back in time to 1986. They also realize that they look exactly like they did in 1986. Now because they saw the "Butterfly Effect" they decide that they need to do everything exactly the same way they did it in 1986. They go about trying to do this and in the process they come back together as friends. Awww.
This movie was great. I would say it's a poor man's "The Hangover". This film is full of crude humor and cussing.(my favorites) I loved the fact that all of the funny parts in this film weren't in the previews. I hate when movies do that, it's like why did I even pay to see this movie all the good stuff was in the commercials, but this film wasn't like that. The four main characters in this actually do a pretty good job of working together and make it seem like they were actually friends. I was glad to see Rob Corddry get a bigger role than what he is used to, he did a great job. The only, somewhat, weak part of the main cast was Cusack. Going into it I thought he was a weird cast and maybe that's why I feel he was the weakest but he wasn't too bad. It made me laugh hard at parts and cringe at others. It threw in some aspects of another one of my favorite time travel movies, "Back to the Future." You know in "Back to the Future" when Marty McFly(Michael J. Fox) goes to the past and starts to disappear when the future isn't going to turn out like it's supposed to, well they do that in this one only a little more techy than they did it in 1985. Also George McFly(Crispin Glover)is in this one as the bell hop. I'm not sure if these two things were paying homage to the classic film or if it's just coincidence but either way I liked it. I will say it did have some slow and somewhat serious parts and Chevy Chase is randomly in it and not funny at all but other than that this is an awesome film. I loved it.
One thing that always bugs me with time travel movies is that there is always a hole in the story somewhere. Something always doesn't make sense but the great thing about comedy time travel movies is that your not supposed to take it seriously so it doesn't matter. You can't let yourself get caught up in that either just know it's dumb and don't give the time travel problems a second thought.
So I loved this movie. I would recommend it to anyone, well anyone that likes dumb comedies and doesn't mind low brow crude humor. I give it a low A.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Repo Men
I have to admit I had no real interest in seeing this movie but I had nothing better to do so I figured, why not. That being said I figured that this film wouldn't be that good so I went into it thinking I wouldn't like it. Now is the time where I'm supposed to say, "I didn't think it was good but I loved it", well I'm not. Haha got ya. It was only ok. I will say I liked it more than I thought I would but that's about it.
This film is set sometime in the future and tells the story of Remy(Jude Law) and his peculiar futuristic occupation. Remy is a repossession man(hence the name) that repossesses human organs. When people get sick and need a new organ or if they just want to "upgrade" an organ, such as better hearing or eye sight, then they go to The Union where they sell them to you. Now, you can either pay in full or go on a payment plan. However if you fall behind on your payments then the repo men come and take back the organ. Remy's wife Carol(Carice van Houten) wants him to quit being a repo man and move over to the sales department where the hours and pay are more stable. On the other hand Remy's best friend since childhood, Jake(Forest Whitaker) wants Remy to team up with him and do more serious repossessions, which would earn more money than being in sales. So of course Remy decides to become a salesmen but before he does he goes to do one last repo. While doing this he is shocked by faulty equipment and put in a coma. When he wakes up he realizes that he has been given a new heart and now has to start paying The Union. The day gets worse when he realizes that his wife is also leaving him because he did one last job and is taking their son, Peter(Chandler Canterbury), with her. After Remy gets shocked he grows a conscience and decides that he doesn't want to go around cutting people open and taking their organs anymore. Because of this he can't make any money and is now in debt to The Union. He decides to go on the run and try and hide from the repo men coming for him. While hiding he meets Beth(Alice Braga) who is also hiding from the repo men. Together they decided to go The Union headquarters and wipe out all the records so that no one owes anything. Does it work? I don't know I guess you'll have to go see.
So I know that was a long explanation of that movie but it could have been much longer. This film did manage to do something that I've never seen before. This film mixed action, gore and a deep message. I think that you should know going into this movie that is has a lot of gore. If you have a week stomach then you won't be able to handle this movie. The action was good, it kept me tense for parts and wondering what was going to happen next. Now, like I have said before I like deep movies. This movie came out at the perfect time with the health care debate raging on. It shows you in a very exaggerated way what it's like to need help with your health but what happens when you can't pay for that health. Another deep message is we are what we do. Your job says a lot about who you are and your beliefs.(That sounds about right considering I don't have a job) Those weren't the only deep messages but I'll let you go see it to get the other message.
Like almost every other film this film borrowed some ideas from other films.(Yeah I said film three times in one sentence, so what). Most prevalent was it's similarities to "Minority Report". Set in the future, futuristic building and cities and technology, a guy who works a futuristic job but then is hunted by the same people he worked for and is on a mission to clear his name. Then there is the small similarity to "Fight Club" in the way that Tyler Durden's mission was to erase everyone's debt so we all start over. This is what Remy is trying to do. Now there is only one scene of similarity to "Pulp Fiction" but it's a classic one. Your going to have to go see it to figure out which scene I'm talking about.
So overall I liked this film. It wasn't great or anything but it was worth seeing. Maybe just renting though. If I were you I wouldn't go see it in theaters. I give it a very low B.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
She's Out Of My League
So it's scary how much the main character in this movie reminds me of me. Some of the stuff he goes through and says it just like me(and no I don't mean blasting in my pants early, so don't even try and make that joke). I mean the main theme in this movie is one I can closely relate to.
The movie is about Kirk(Jay Baruchel, who is basically an older, more punkish with a squeeker voice, version of Michael Cera) who works at the Pittsburgh airport. He has been working there since he graduated high school and his dad spent his college money on a pool. He works there with his three friends Stainer(T.J. Miller), Jack(Mike Vogel) and Devon(Nate Torrence). One day Molly(Alice Eve) comes through security and forgets her phone which is collected by Kirk. When Kirk meets up with Molly to return her phone she asks him out on a date. When this happens Kirk's friends start to give him advice on what to do and begin to wonder how in the world someone that hot would go out with him. They keep telling him that somethings not right and how he shouldn't be with her. Kirk and Molly continue to go on dates and funny things happen. In the end it all works out, like always.
I liked this movie. It was funny enough. It wasn't a "Knocked Up" or "40 Year Old Virgin" but it was decent. It had a lot of cussing and like I said before that always helps me to like a movie. I thought that the funniest person in it was Kirk's best friend Stainer. His scenes were funny and the fact that he is in a Hall and Oats cover band is just awesome. Like in most movies like this the funny one is the sidekick or best friend. Now there was one part in this movie that grossed me out hard core, not in a way that made me dislike the movie, it was just real gross. You'll know what I mean if you see it, trust me. I would say if you like this type of what I call "reverse chick flick"(that's where it could be a chick flick but it tells the story from the guys point of view instead of the girls, which means there is going to be cussing and grosser things in it and less fellings) movie then you will like it. So go see it in theaters if you have some free time but most of you are better off just renting it. I give it a B.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Oscar Rant
I just want to take a second and talk about the Oscar results. I was so glad to see that the only Oscars that "Avatar" won were the ones for the graphics, because like I said in my first blog, "Avatar" was terrible except for the graphics. It was even better to see James Cameron's exwife win most of the awards. "The Hurt Locker" was very good and much better than "Avatar."
I was also glad to see that Jeff Bridges won best actor. Like I said he was money. The academy was very smart this season by also awarding Christoph Waltz best supporting actor. He was so amazing in "Inglorious Bastards."
So overall the academy was dead on this season with its awards. And thank goodness they didn't give "Avatar" any good awards, I can't stress that enough.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Alice In Wonderland
Basically I feel that this movie is one where you are either going to love it or hate it, there's not really an in-between. I believe that in order to love it you have to go into it knowing that it's going to be crazy. Don't try and rationalize it or make sense of it just enjoy the ride. If you try to take it seriously you won't enjoy it. This isn't an Appelbee's training video it's supposed to be entertainment. This movie is fun and a great chance to be a kid again.(which is good cause I still am one)
It does have a deeper message of being yourself and not being afraid to be different. I didn't really catch that when I was a kid. Actually when I was a kid this movie scared the crap out of me. But anyway, I enjoyed finally getting the message of standing out and being yourself no matter how crazy that might be. This story does a great job of showing you that by making a story that is nuts. I mean this movie asks the question "why is a raven like a writing desk?" It tells you to question authority and question what is "normal." I like that. It also throws in a bit of sibling rivalry and family dynamics. It shows how families sometimes view each other and how one sibling can be jealous of the other. I can relate because both of my siblings want to grow up to be me but I can't blame them.
I loved this movie. It was a great adventure and I really loved it in 3D. If you like crazy and are willing to let yourself be immersed in a story and just have fun then you will also love this movie. If you not ready to watch a movie of just nonsense and mysticism then you will hate this movie. You have to let yourself be taken away.(if you really want to know what I compare this to email or ask me and I will tell you, I just can't put it on this blog) Anyway because I think there is no middle ground on this film, I give it an A.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Crazy Heart
There must not have been a big budget for this film and I don't say that because it was poor production quality but because I don't think there was any money spent on advertising. Trust me I watch a shit load of t.v. and I never saw one ad for this film. It took till just recently for me to hear about this movie. What the hell, great movies like this should not go unnoticed. Before I start giving my opinion let me go through the same old song and dance of telling you the plot because if you're like me you have no idea what this movie is about.
Bad Blake(I know what a badass stage name, no pun intended)(Jeff Bridges) is an old country music star who is still touring the country playing in small dive bars and living the dream, somewhat. This is the story of his life on the road and what he encounters while trying to reclaim some of his star power. Along the way we find out that he helped a young country singer named Tommy Sweet(Colin Farrell, I know how random is he to play a country star he's Irish however Keith Urban is Australian so whatever, still a weird cast but it doesn't hurt the movie, anyway)get his start and become a huge country star. Along his travels Blake also develops a relationship with Jean Craddock(Maggie Gyllenhaal)and her four year old son Buddy(Jack Nation). Blake still parties like he's hanging out with Hank Williams jr., Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings but time is catching up with him and he is forced to deal with his problems.
This film was awesome. I am so pissed it took me so long to see it. It is so realistic and down-to-earth. I don't know exactly how to explain it but it just seemed like a documentary, it was so true and seemingly unscripted. If you see it you'll know what I mean and I fully recommend that you do. Jeff Bridges was fucking amazing. I apologize for such strong language but he was.(I don't really apologize, I wish the trailers on t.v. would show stuff like that not the same old Rolling Stone called it "Amazing" "Best Movie Of The Year" bullshit but "Holy Shit I Loved It" kinda stuff, how cool would that be) He was just so good at making you believe that he lived this life. He's funny and drunk and embodied this character so damn well. His performance was one of the best I've seen in a while. Robert Duvall was also pretty good in it even though he only had a small role. Even Colin Farrell did a good job as the new age pop-country star(unfortunately country music has turned more pop recently and this film kinda touches on that) The only thing I didn't like about it was Maggie Gyllenhaal. Man she is just the worst and I don't just mean in this movie but pretty much in everything. I just can't stand her and her terribleness really sticks out when you see Jeff Bridges up there being all money. I'll tell you what if you see this movie and like her in it be sure to let me know so I can give you a swift kick in the balls.
Anyway, I digress, other than her performance and some slow parts this film is great. It will help if you also happen to like country music but it's not a deal breaker. Its got a good bit of humor and cussing which always helps for me. The story, with its realistic style, is great and the acting is spectacular(except for Gyllenhaal of course) you really should go see it. I give it an A.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Cop Out
Now before I give you my thoughts on this film I should warn you that I like dumb and crude humor. I'm sure you all already know this but I just thought that I would reiterate this fact so people don't go see it and get mad at me for telling you it was good.
So the movie starts with Jimmy Monroe(Bruce Willis) and Paul Hodges(Tracy Morgan) celebrating their nine year anniversary. They then proceed to interrogate a suspect in a their usual technique where one guy pretends to be running from the police and wants help from the suspect. Then the other cop comes in and tries to talk the crazy one down and out of this crazy method they get information from the suspect. This adds a new flavor to the usual buddy-cop movie routine. This helped a little to make up for some of the other cliches.(I know cliche is supposed to have that accent mark over the e but I can't figure out how to do that so just let it go. Thanks.) After Hodges convinces Monroe to let him be the bad guy Hodges goes a long run of just quoting cop movies and being stupid. This, I believe, could've been funnier but I did enjoy the reference to "Die Hard" which Monroe(Willis) remarks "I've never seen that one." That was good. After this warm-up of comedy and introduction into how this movie is going to go, with it's bad language(which is always a plus to me) and relationship of Monroe disrespecting Hodges, they get down to the real plot. Monroe's daughter is getting married and wants a very expensive wedding which will be hard for Monroe to afford but easy for his ex-wife's new husband who offers to pay for the wedding. Because Monroe doesn't want to look like he can't provide for his daughter he is forced to sell his rare baseball card to pay for the wedding. However, when he goes to sell it he is tased by Dave(Seann William Scott) who steals the card and sells it for drugs. Now Monroe and Hodges have to go on a wild goose chase to reclaim the card and try to foil a drug dealers big plans in the process.
I found this to be a pretty good movie. It had me laughing pretty hard at parts. The addition of Seann William Scott's character was a big help. There are also some aspects of originality sprinkled throughout this movie which add humor as well as making this film stand out a bit. Morgan is pretty much how you would expect with his yelling and outlandish behavior. I think that guy is hilarious so of course I loved his craziness. Willis was also stereotypical with his, I'm-the-veteran-who-is-sick-of-Morgan's-antics, character. But hey it works.
Getting down to the point I liked it. It made me laugh which is why I went to see it in the first place. It also through enough curve-balls to keep me from thinking that I've seen this a million times. Kevin Smith(the too-big-for-airplanes director) did try to add another wrinkle with the other cops who are like the rival cops(you know, that old chestnut) but he tried to make them a little different than what we're used too. Unfortunately the characters weren't quite funny enough and he didn't really develop them thoroughly. But still not a bad try. It's worth renting unless you're like me and you like Tracy Morgan, Seann William Scott and dumb humor then I say go see it now. I give it a B.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Shutter Island
I have to say my first reaction as I came out of the theater was dissapointment but the more I think about this movie the more I like it. I went into the film already having an idea about what the big twist was going to be, because of this I was looking for it instead of just enjoying the movie. However, now as I review the movie in my head I enjoy it more and more.
So now I guess I should tell you what the film was about. "Shutter Island" takes place in 1954 and is the story of an escaped mental patient from an institute for the criminally insane. This escape is investigated by two U.S. Marshals, Teddy Daniels(Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule(Mark Ruffalo). Teddy has been a U.S. Marshal since he came back from the war, where he helped liberate a concentration camp. He is very troubled by the things that he did and saw in the war. He is also haunted by the memory of his wife who was recently killed in a fire in their apartment. When the two men get to the island they find that there are things going on that aren't quite right. Everyone there seems to know about something but are too afraid to tell it. The men in charge also seem unwilling to help the Marshals. The main doctor in charge, Dr. Cawley(Ben Kingsley), is the most helpful but even he won't submit fully to the investigation. As Teddy and Chuck dig deeper and deeper things get stranger and stranger until finally the truth is reviled.(The island is magical and can make you time travel and has clouds of black smoke that kill people. No wait that's another island. Just kidding that's a "Lost" reference in case you didn't get that.)
Anyway, because I was looking for this big twist at the end I wasn't as surprised but really it's not a very far-fetched twist. The film also, somewhat, eases you into this twist so when it hits your like oh ok that makes sense. Unfortunately I can not elaborate any more for fear of spoiling the film. This movie is one where you will walk out thinking about it and asking questions. I saw it yesterday and I think that I am now to the point where I almost understand the full effect of the story, with all it's different twists. This may be because I'm a little slow or maybe just cause I tend to over analyze films like this. Either way you will think about this one even after you have left the theater.
Now, it may just be because I'm a huge pansy when it comes to movies like this, but I was on the edge of my seat and looking through my hand for a good bit of this movie. Martin Scorsese(one of my favorite directors) does a great job of making you feel on edge, creeped out and guessing what's next all at the same time. DiCaprio also does a great job of playing the troubled Marshal who is frantically trying to find the truth and keeps you captivated with his intense conversations and internal struggles. You really feel for his character by the end of the film. I have to say, though, that Ben Kingsley makes the best performance of the film. He does such a good job of playing the main doctor and by the end of it you feel for him as much as you do for DiCaprio. This movie also provides some humor which helps to break up the tension and kept me from being completely freaked out.
One aspect that I enjoyed very much was the music. Since Scorsese directed "The Last Waltz", which is the final concert of The Band, he and Robbie Robertson(Singer,songwriter and guitarist for The Band) have worked on many films together including "Raging Bull." In this film Robertson does a great job of helping to create that eire mood which greatly adds to this film. I feel that the music makes this film as good as it is.
I really enjoyed this film and I recommend that you see it. Now you may find that you're not quite as surprised as you wanted to be, I know I wasn't, but it is still a good film that will leave you thinking. It will entertain you and get your heart racing. The performances were great all around, from directing to acting to the music. The only thing lacking is the story, because of its somewhat stereotypical ending, you'll know what I mean when you see it. I give it a solid B and I might just have to go see it again.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Valentine's Day
So those of you that know me, and lets be honest everyone who is reading this knows me, knows that I actually like chick flicks. I blame this on my sisters and mother for making me watch them when I was a kid. That being said, I have to say that this film is one of the better chick flicks that I have seen recently. "Valentine's Day" is the story of the struggles that everyone goes through on this most made-up of holidays. It's like the American version of "Love Actually" with it's many story lines and even the love sick little boy who is too mature for his age and misses his mother. However, this film gives you a lot of Los angeles flavor and takes pride in letting everyone know where this film takes place.
It has a terrific ensemble cast which includes Ashton Kutcher, George Lopez, Bradley Cooper, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Biel, Jennifer Garner and a shit load of other good actors and actresses. I do have to say that my personal favorite member of the cast has to be Taylor Swift. She and her at-the-time real life boyfriend Taylor Lautner have a small part in this film. Swift does a great job playing the ditzy high schooler madly in love with her high school boyfriend(Lautner). Now I may hold this opinion solely because I happen to love me some Taylor Swift but whatever.
This film jumps from story line to story line following the different character's events on Valentine's day. Of course like we've seen a million different times in this type of film all the characters are somehow connected. This film did have the very predictable outcomes like any chick flick but it had so many story lines that it did have some twists that you don't see coming. However, I feel that this film had too many story's to follow. At points it got somewhat confusing trying to follow all the stories. Also it had so many stories that I forgot about some until when it went back to them. Because of this it was forced to spend more time on some story lines and less on others leaving sometimes only seconds spent on one story. Eventually towards the end the film just drops some stories focusing completely on just a few. It may be that I have been spoiled by the master of this type of story telling Mr. Quentin Tarantino. I believe, he has perfected this story telling in films such as "Inglorious Bastards" and of course "Pulp Fiction." If you haven't seen these films I highly recommend them. And to be honest if you haven't seen "Pulp Fiction" by now what the hell is wrong with you.
Anyway I digress, in addition to not distributing the time on the story lines quite right the film also seems to drag on. At times it takes to long to get to the point which we all can see coming anyway. It could have easily told the same story with the same effect and lost some of the scenes that reinforce the same things that the film has already shown us.
After all of that being said I did like the movie. Chick flicks have to be a little funny so the guys watching don't just blow their brains out and this one was funnier than most. With funny people like Kutcher, Foxx and Lopez it gives you good one liners and funny situations that we can all relate to and some we can't, hopefully. With all of these great actors the film had well great acting. Imagine that. One of my favorite things about this film is how it gives you a lot of "side quips." You have to pay attention but every once in a while you get funny lines that come out of the blue. Sometimes you don't even see who says it but if you listen closely you'll get some added humor. It's got all the chick flick basics, it will make you laugh and cry and no I didn't cry. It's a feel-good movie that will make you glad that your in a relationship and gives those who aren't hope for the future. Either way your covered. I found this to be an above average chick flick one that I wouldn't mind buying for my sister's dvd collection. I give it a low B.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Avatar (Warning: Contains Spoilers)
So I guess the best movie to start with would have to be the new sensation "Avatar". For those six of you that haven't seen the movie it is about these humans that have traveled to another planet in search of an alternative energy source. The main character is an ex-marine, who has been wounded and no longer has the use of his legs, named Jake. His identical twin brother was a scientist who was originally going to the new planet to help learn from the natives in his genetically engineered avatar but he was killed so the other scientists were forced to use Jake. So Jake goes to the planet with another scientist and joins the entire team of scientists, or as I call them the "hippies." They just fit too easily into this stereotype. So eventually Jake gets accustomed to his avatar and starts making friends with the natives. He gains their trust and eventually decides that he doesn't want to help destroy their home, which is his objective from his marine commander. Just a side note the marine commander also plays the marine commander role to a stereotypical T, right down to the scars on his face and his hatred of the hippies. So Jake and the other hippies try to warn the natives that their home is about to be destroyed but they don't listen and stay to watch their home get blown up. Then the hippies and the natives band together to fight the humans for control of the forest. Now comes the big fight scene where Jake battles the marine commander and of course wins and saves the planet from the evil humans. But the corniness doesn't end there, Jake then decides to leave his old body for good and only live through the avatar with the natives forever. This is a very quick overview but this story doesn't need much detail considering it has been told a million times over.
Now, it has grossed more money than any other movie in history. However, I would like to point out that this is because of the inflation that has occurred over the years. In addition to that there is the fact that it was released in 3-D which adds about three bucks to the already staggering ticket price. It actually ranks about 17th all time according to some website(http://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm). Now, all that being said, I think you might be able to gather what I thought about this film. It sucked and it may be one of the most overrated films in the history of film. Now I'm not saying that it was the worst movie of all time but it just had one of the most unoriginal and predictable scripts that I have ever seen. I guessed the major plot lines of the entire movie within the first five minutes. What a shock the hippies want to save the planet from the evil capitalistic and marine people who are trying to exploit the planet for its recourses. In my opinion "Avatar" is a mix between "The Matrix", "The Last Samurai" and "FernGully". That's right I said "FernGully" and I'll tell you why.
First it's like "The Matrix" because like "The Matrix" in "Avatar" the hippies have to transport into the body of another being. Thats basically where the comparisons end because "The Matrix" is actually original and a good film.
Next we have "The Last Samurai", these films are similar because like in "The Last Samurai" the main character starts out working for the enemy and ends up being captured and then spends enough time with his enemy to see he actually likes them. Then the main character ends up fighting against the people he originally worked for. However, spoiler alert, in "The Last Samurai" (which is also a much better movie) the "good guys" don't win like they do in "Avatar." This is almost exactly what happened in "Avatar". Jake starts out trying to get the indigenous people to leave their home so the humans can get what they need but then he spends enough time with the natives to realize that he likes them and wants to help them fight against the people he used to work for.
Now to the comparison that you must be thinking is the most far fetched. "Avatar" is like "FernGully" because in "FernGully" the main characters live in a big tree in the middle of a forest and the "bad guys" want to bulldoze the forest and the big tree to make way for whatever it is they want to build to make money. See it is very similar, I told you. If you still don't believe me just go rent "FernGully" and you'll see. I also highly recommend renting either "The Matrix" or "The Last Samurai" if you have never seen them they are good films.
I do have to say that "Avatar" looked awesome. The special effects and graphics were spectacular and the 3-D aspect made it even better. Now because of the special effects and the 3-D I do recommend that if you haven't seen it that you do so but only if it's in 3-D. This is not a movie that is good unless it's in a theater and in 3-D. So after all of my rambling I have to say it's a decent movie but not one I would rent. Overall I give it a low C. It just barley makes it to a C because of the graphics, 3-D and action.
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