GEORGE CLOONEY SHAILENE WOODLEY AMARA MILLER
AS THE MOVIE OPENS, MATT KING (CLOONEY)'S WIFE HAS HAD AN ACCIDENT AND IS IN A COMA. IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE TRAGEDY, KING GATHERS TOGETHER HIS FAMILY; HIS TWO DAUGHTERS: 17 YEAR OLD ALEXANDRA (WOODLEY) AND 10 YEAR OLD SCOTTIE (MILLER). HIS GOAL IS TO REESTABLISH SOME SORT OF FATHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP WITH BOTH OF THEM. AS A SUB PLOT, KING IS DESCENDED FROM HAWAIIAN ROYALITY, AND HE AND HIS FAMILY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING THE LAST PARCEL OF LAND IN THEIR FAMILY.
CLOONEY DOES A VERY GOOD JOB IN THIS MOVIE. IT IS BASICALLY A STORY ABOUT HIS COMING OF AGE, THROUGH DEALING WITH THE TRAGEDY OF HIS WIFE, THE LAND DEAL AND TRYING TO BECOME A FATHER TO HIS DAUGHTERS. ALONG THE WAY, HE FINDS OUT SOMETHING ABOUT HIS WIFE THAT SHOCKS HIM, AND CLOONEY'S REACTIONS SEEM VERY REAL AND VERY WELL DONE. WOODLEY AND MILLER ALSO DO AN OUTSTANDING ACTING JOB: WOODLEY'S ALEXANDRA GOES FROM A TROUBLED TEEN TO A SUPPORTING DAUGHTER, ALTHOUGH IT SEEMED A LITTLE TO FAST AND EASY FOR ME, AND MILLER'S SCOTTIE PLAYS HER AGE VERY WELL, FROM WANTING TO BE LIKE HER SISTER TO FEELING THE LONLINESS OF NOT HAVING HER MOTHER THERE TO HELP HER. KING'S DECISION CONCERNING THE LAND SELL FEELS RIGHT, AND BY THE END OF THE MOVIE, IT APPEARS HE HAS BECOME A GOOD AND CARING FATHER. AS FOR THE END, IT IS VERY SATISFYING. WATCH THIS MOVIE.
RATING 4 out of 5
Monday, June 25, 2012
THE RUM DIARY
JOHNNY DEPP MICHAEL RISPOLI AARON ECKHART AMBER HEARD
GIOVANNI RIBISI RICHARD JENKINS
SET IN PUERTO RICO IN 1960, THIS MOVIE TELLS THE ADVENTURES OF PAUL KEMP (DEPP) AN ALCOHOLIC WRITER WHO GETS A JOB AT A LOCAL SAN JUAN NEWSPAPER. KEMP HAS RUN INS WITH HIS EDITOR (JENKINS) BUT MAKES FRIENDS WITH SALA (RISPOLI) A PHOTOGRAPHER AND MOBERG
(RIBISI) ANOTHER WRITER. KEMP ALSO GETS INVOLVED WITH SANDERSON (ECKHART) A SHADY REAL ESTATE AGENT AND SANDERSON'S GIRLFRIEND CHENAULT (HEARD.)
LOOSELY BASED ON THE BOOK BY HUNTER S. THOMPSON, THIS MOVIE DOESN'T HAVE A MAJOR STORYLINE, BUT MOVES THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT STORIES: THE ADVENTURES OF KEMP AND SALA, WHICH INCLUDE COCK FIGHTING TO A RUN IN WITH SOME LOCALS; KEMP'S NOT SEEING EYE TO EYE WITH HIS EDITOR; THE ATTEMPTED WOOING OF KEMP TO JOIN SANDERSON'S GROUP; AND FINALLY THE EMERGING LOVE STORY BETWEEN KEMP AND CHENAULT. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A JUMBLED MESS, BUT THE DIRECTOR KEEPS EVERYTHING FLOWING SO THAT IT IS ALL EASY TO FOLLOW. THERE ARE MOMENTS OF INTENSE DRAMA AND, AS ONE WOULD EXPECT WHEN BOOZE IS INVOLVED, MOMENTS OF LAUGH OUT LOUD HUMOR, BOTH WHICH MAKE THE MOVIE A LOT MORE INTERESTING TO WATCH. ALL THE LEAD ACTORS DO A GOOD JOB, AND I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE SUBTLE LOOKS ON DEPP'S FACE AS HE WOULD HEAR OR SEE SOMETHING UNEXPECTED, THEY CONVEYED HUMOR IN A VERY SLY WAY. THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE THAT SHOULD BE SEEN.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
GIOVANNI RIBISI RICHARD JENKINS
SET IN PUERTO RICO IN 1960, THIS MOVIE TELLS THE ADVENTURES OF PAUL KEMP (DEPP) AN ALCOHOLIC WRITER WHO GETS A JOB AT A LOCAL SAN JUAN NEWSPAPER. KEMP HAS RUN INS WITH HIS EDITOR (JENKINS) BUT MAKES FRIENDS WITH SALA (RISPOLI) A PHOTOGRAPHER AND MOBERG
(RIBISI) ANOTHER WRITER. KEMP ALSO GETS INVOLVED WITH SANDERSON (ECKHART) A SHADY REAL ESTATE AGENT AND SANDERSON'S GIRLFRIEND CHENAULT (HEARD.)
LOOSELY BASED ON THE BOOK BY HUNTER S. THOMPSON, THIS MOVIE DOESN'T HAVE A MAJOR STORYLINE, BUT MOVES THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT STORIES: THE ADVENTURES OF KEMP AND SALA, WHICH INCLUDE COCK FIGHTING TO A RUN IN WITH SOME LOCALS; KEMP'S NOT SEEING EYE TO EYE WITH HIS EDITOR; THE ATTEMPTED WOOING OF KEMP TO JOIN SANDERSON'S GROUP; AND FINALLY THE EMERGING LOVE STORY BETWEEN KEMP AND CHENAULT. THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A JUMBLED MESS, BUT THE DIRECTOR KEEPS EVERYTHING FLOWING SO THAT IT IS ALL EASY TO FOLLOW. THERE ARE MOMENTS OF INTENSE DRAMA AND, AS ONE WOULD EXPECT WHEN BOOZE IS INVOLVED, MOMENTS OF LAUGH OUT LOUD HUMOR, BOTH WHICH MAKE THE MOVIE A LOT MORE INTERESTING TO WATCH. ALL THE LEAD ACTORS DO A GOOD JOB, AND I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE SUBTLE LOOKS ON DEPP'S FACE AS HE WOULD HEAR OR SEE SOMETHING UNEXPECTED, THEY CONVEYED HUMOR IN A VERY SLY WAY. THIS IS A GOOD MOVIE THAT SHOULD BE SEEN.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
Sunday, June 17, 2012
THE DEAD
ROB FREEMAN PRINCE DAVID OSEIA
WHEN HIS EVACUATION PLANE CRASHES INTO THE OCEAN, LT. BRIAN MURPHY (FREEMAN), AN AMERICAN MILITARY ENGINEER, IS THE ONLY SURVIVOR. HE WASHES ASHORE AND IS IMMEDIATELY ATTACKED BY ZOMBIES. HE GETS AWAY, AND IN TRYING TO ESCAPE AND SURVIVE, RUNS INTO SGT. DANIEL DEMBELE (OSEIA) AN AFRICAN MILITARY OFFICER TRYING TO GET TO HIS SON. THE TWO MEN DECIDE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS THEM TRAVELLING THROUGH THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS TRYING TO SURVIVE.
THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ZOMBIE MOVIE. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED IS THAT THERE ARE ZOMBIES EVERYWHERE AND THE TWO MEN ARE NEVER REALLY SAFE. THEY CAN BE AND ARE ATTACKED AT ANY TIME. IT IS ALSO SOMEWHAT SLOW MOVING, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS A GOOD THING. IT GIVES THE CHARACTERS TIME TO DEVELOP AND IT ALSO RAMPS UP THE TENSION. THE MOVIE ALSO HAS A REAL FEEL TO IT, SINCE IN MANY OF THE SCENES THE ACTORS WERE ACTUALLY DOING WHAT WAS BEING SEEN: FIXING A CAR, DRIVING, CLIMBING ROCKS, ETC. THERE IS ALSO A SENSE OF DREAD THROUGHOUT, ALMOST AS IF THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ANYONE. THE MOVIE DOESN'T BUILD TO A FINAL CLIMAX, BUT ENDS AS IT SHOULD, COMPLETELY TRUE TO THE REST OF THE STORY, ALBEIT WITH A LITTLE HOPE THROWN IN.
RATING 3 out of 5
WHEN HIS EVACUATION PLANE CRASHES INTO THE OCEAN, LT. BRIAN MURPHY (FREEMAN), AN AMERICAN MILITARY ENGINEER, IS THE ONLY SURVIVOR. HE WASHES ASHORE AND IS IMMEDIATELY ATTACKED BY ZOMBIES. HE GETS AWAY, AND IN TRYING TO ESCAPE AND SURVIVE, RUNS INTO SGT. DANIEL DEMBELE (OSEIA) AN AFRICAN MILITARY OFFICER TRYING TO GET TO HIS SON. THE TWO MEN DECIDE TO HELP EACH OTHER AND THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS THEM TRAVELLING THROUGH THE AFRICAN WILDERNESS TRYING TO SURVIVE.
THIS IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ZOMBIE MOVIE. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED IS THAT THERE ARE ZOMBIES EVERYWHERE AND THE TWO MEN ARE NEVER REALLY SAFE. THEY CAN BE AND ARE ATTACKED AT ANY TIME. IT IS ALSO SOMEWHAT SLOW MOVING, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS A GOOD THING. IT GIVES THE CHARACTERS TIME TO DEVELOP AND IT ALSO RAMPS UP THE TENSION. THE MOVIE ALSO HAS A REAL FEEL TO IT, SINCE IN MANY OF THE SCENES THE ACTORS WERE ACTUALLY DOING WHAT WAS BEING SEEN: FIXING A CAR, DRIVING, CLIMBING ROCKS, ETC. THERE IS ALSO A SENSE OF DREAD THROUGHOUT, ALMOST AS IF THERE IS NO HOPE FOR ANYONE. THE MOVIE DOESN'T BUILD TO A FINAL CLIMAX, BUT ENDS AS IT SHOULD, COMPLETELY TRUE TO THE REST OF THE STORY, ALBEIT WITH A LITTLE HOPE THROWN IN.
RATING 3 out of 5
SCREAM OF THE BANSHEE
LAUREN HOLLY LANCE HENRIKSEN
WHEN AN ARCHELOGY PROFESSOR (HOLLY) FINDS A BOX SENT TO HER BY A RETIRED PROFESSOR (HENRIKSEN) SHE OPENS THE BOX AND RELEASES A BANSHEE WHO STARTS KILLING PEOPLE.
HOLLY AND HENRIKSEN DO AN OKAY JOB HERE. THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A STORY, MOSTLY JUST THE PROFESSOR AND HER INTERNS TRYING TO FIGURE HOW TO RECAPTURE THE BANSHEE. THEY FINALLY REALIZE THE RETIRED PROFESSOR HAS THE ANSWER AND GO TO HIM FOR HELP. HE DOESN'T EXACTLY WANT TO HELP, BUT IS FORCED INTO IT.
THE EFFECTS WERE DONE WELL, WITH VERY LITTLE CGI, WHICH IS A BIG PLUS. AND IN LISTENING TO THE COMMENTARY, THE DIRECTOR CLAIMS THAT THE MOVIE IS NOT WHAT HE WANTED SINCE MUCH OF THE POST PRODUCTION WORK WAS DONE WITHOUT HIS CONSENT OR KNOWLEDGE. IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER FILM DONE HIS WAY.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
WHEN AN ARCHELOGY PROFESSOR (HOLLY) FINDS A BOX SENT TO HER BY A RETIRED PROFESSOR (HENRIKSEN) SHE OPENS THE BOX AND RELEASES A BANSHEE WHO STARTS KILLING PEOPLE.
HOLLY AND HENRIKSEN DO AN OKAY JOB HERE. THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A STORY, MOSTLY JUST THE PROFESSOR AND HER INTERNS TRYING TO FIGURE HOW TO RECAPTURE THE BANSHEE. THEY FINALLY REALIZE THE RETIRED PROFESSOR HAS THE ANSWER AND GO TO HIM FOR HELP. HE DOESN'T EXACTLY WANT TO HELP, BUT IS FORCED INTO IT.
THE EFFECTS WERE DONE WELL, WITH VERY LITTLE CGI, WHICH IS A BIG PLUS. AND IN LISTENING TO THE COMMENTARY, THE DIRECTOR CLAIMS THAT THE MOVIE IS NOT WHAT HE WANTED SINCE MUCH OF THE POST PRODUCTION WORK WAS DONE WITHOUT HIS CONSENT OR KNOWLEDGE. IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A BETTER FILM DONE HIS WAY.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Monday, June 11, 2012
CONAN THE BARBARIAN
JASON MOMOA RON PERLMAN STEPHEN LANG RACHEL NICHOLS ROSE
McGOWAN
AS A YOUNG CHILD, CONAN (MOMOA) WATCHES HIS VILLAGE GET DESTROYED AND HIS FATHER (PERLMAN) KILLED AT THE HANDS OF THE EVIL KHALAR (LANG) AND HIS WITCH DAUGHTER MARIQUE (McGOWAN.) CONAN MAKES IT HIS LIFE MISSION TO AVENGE HIS FATHER'S DEATH. ALONG THE WAY, HE MEETS TAMARA (NICHOLS) WHOM KHALAR IS AFTER BECAUSE OF HER PURE BLOODLINE.
THIS IS NOT A REMAKE OF THE 80'S CONAN. THERE ARE SOME WISPS OF SIMILARITIES, BUT IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY. AND THE STORY IS FAIRLY SIMPLE, WITHOUT MANY PLOT TWISTS. IT IS STRAIGHT FORWARD ENOUGH SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEN YOU CAN JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE GETTING THERE. ALL THE ACTING IS QUITE GOOD, HOWEVER I REALLY LIKED TAMARA, A SPUNKY TAKE CHARGE WOMAN IN A TIME WHEN WOMEN WERE ONLY SERVANTS. HER SCENES WITH CONAN ARE PARTICULARLY FUN, HAVING HER TELL HIM NO, AND THEN HE JUST LOOKING AT HER NOT BELIEVING SHE JUST REFUSED HIM. THE FIGHT SEQUENCES ARE VIOLENT, BLOODY AND DONE VERY WELL, AND THE REST OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE GOOD. I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE SAND WARRIORS CONAN HAS TO BATTLE. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME ESCAPIST ENTERTAINMENT, THIS MOVIE WILL FILL IT FOR YOU.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
McGOWAN
AS A YOUNG CHILD, CONAN (MOMOA) WATCHES HIS VILLAGE GET DESTROYED AND HIS FATHER (PERLMAN) KILLED AT THE HANDS OF THE EVIL KHALAR (LANG) AND HIS WITCH DAUGHTER MARIQUE (McGOWAN.) CONAN MAKES IT HIS LIFE MISSION TO AVENGE HIS FATHER'S DEATH. ALONG THE WAY, HE MEETS TAMARA (NICHOLS) WHOM KHALAR IS AFTER BECAUSE OF HER PURE BLOODLINE.
THIS IS NOT A REMAKE OF THE 80'S CONAN. THERE ARE SOME WISPS OF SIMILARITIES, BUT IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY. AND THE STORY IS FAIRLY SIMPLE, WITHOUT MANY PLOT TWISTS. IT IS STRAIGHT FORWARD ENOUGH SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEN YOU CAN JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE GETTING THERE. ALL THE ACTING IS QUITE GOOD, HOWEVER I REALLY LIKED TAMARA, A SPUNKY TAKE CHARGE WOMAN IN A TIME WHEN WOMEN WERE ONLY SERVANTS. HER SCENES WITH CONAN ARE PARTICULARLY FUN, HAVING HER TELL HIM NO, AND THEN HE JUST LOOKING AT HER NOT BELIEVING SHE JUST REFUSED HIM. THE FIGHT SEQUENCES ARE VIOLENT, BLOODY AND DONE VERY WELL, AND THE REST OF THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE GOOD. I ESPECIALLY LIKED THE SAND WARRIORS CONAN HAS TO BATTLE. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME ESCAPIST ENTERTAINMENT, THIS MOVIE WILL FILL IT FOR YOU.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
I AM NUMBER FOUR
ALEX PETTYFER TIMOTHY OLYPHANT DIANNA AGRON TERESA PALMER
CALLAN McAULIFFE
WHEN THEIR PLANET IS ATTACKED, NINE BABIES, ALONG WITH PROTECTORS, ARE SENT TO EARTH TO SURVIVE. HOWEVER, THE ATTACKERS FOLLOW THEM TO EARTH AND KILL THEM IN ORDER. NUMBER FOUR (PETTYFER) IS NEXT. HE AND HIS PROTECTOR HENRI (OLYPHANT) END UP IN PARADISE OHIO WHERE NUMBER FOUR GETS A GIRLFRIEND, SARAH (AGRON) AND IS HELPED BY A FRIEND SAM (McAULIFFE) IN FIGHTING THE ATTACKERS. HE IS FINALLY JOINED BY NUMBER SIX (PALMER.)
THIS MOVIE REMINDED ME OF A SYFY CHANNEL MOVIE, ONLY WITH A BIGGER BUDGET AND BETTER PRODUCTION VALUES. IT STARTS OUT WITH A CHASE INVOLVING NUMBER THREE, THE ATTACKERS AND SOME CGI MONSTERS. IT ENDS WITH A FIGHT BETWEEN THE ATTACKERS, NUMBER FOUR, NUMBER SIX AND SOME MORE CGI EFFECTS. THE MIDDLE PART IS BASICALLY A LOVE STORY BETWEEN NUMBER FOUR AND SARAH. ALONG THE WAY, NUMBER FOUR BEGINS DEVELOPING POWERS HE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD AND THEN HAS TO LEARN HOW TO USE THOSE POWERS. THERE IS ALSO A SUBPLOT INVOLVING SAM AND HIS MISSING FATHER AND WHAT THEY MAY HAVE DISCOVERED ABOUT ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS.
THE STORY IS NOT GREAT SCIENCE FICTION, NOR IS IT A GREAT LOVE STORY--PRETTY MUCH ALL THE CLICHES YOU EXPECT ARE THERE--AND THERE ARE SOME STUMBLES ALONG THE WAY, BUT FOR WHAT IT IS, THE STORY IS OKAY. THE DIRECTING AND ACTING WERE GOOD, AND THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE DONE WELL, HOWEVER I STILL THINK CGI LOOKS CARTOONISH. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE ONLY IF YOU ARE A DIE HARD SF FAN, OR IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO WATCH.
RATING 3 out of 5
CALLAN McAULIFFE
WHEN THEIR PLANET IS ATTACKED, NINE BABIES, ALONG WITH PROTECTORS, ARE SENT TO EARTH TO SURVIVE. HOWEVER, THE ATTACKERS FOLLOW THEM TO EARTH AND KILL THEM IN ORDER. NUMBER FOUR (PETTYFER) IS NEXT. HE AND HIS PROTECTOR HENRI (OLYPHANT) END UP IN PARADISE OHIO WHERE NUMBER FOUR GETS A GIRLFRIEND, SARAH (AGRON) AND IS HELPED BY A FRIEND SAM (McAULIFFE) IN FIGHTING THE ATTACKERS. HE IS FINALLY JOINED BY NUMBER SIX (PALMER.)
THIS MOVIE REMINDED ME OF A SYFY CHANNEL MOVIE, ONLY WITH A BIGGER BUDGET AND BETTER PRODUCTION VALUES. IT STARTS OUT WITH A CHASE INVOLVING NUMBER THREE, THE ATTACKERS AND SOME CGI MONSTERS. IT ENDS WITH A FIGHT BETWEEN THE ATTACKERS, NUMBER FOUR, NUMBER SIX AND SOME MORE CGI EFFECTS. THE MIDDLE PART IS BASICALLY A LOVE STORY BETWEEN NUMBER FOUR AND SARAH. ALONG THE WAY, NUMBER FOUR BEGINS DEVELOPING POWERS HE DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD AND THEN HAS TO LEARN HOW TO USE THOSE POWERS. THERE IS ALSO A SUBPLOT INVOLVING SAM AND HIS MISSING FATHER AND WHAT THEY MAY HAVE DISCOVERED ABOUT ANCIENT ASTRONAUTS.
THE STORY IS NOT GREAT SCIENCE FICTION, NOR IS IT A GREAT LOVE STORY--PRETTY MUCH ALL THE CLICHES YOU EXPECT ARE THERE--AND THERE ARE SOME STUMBLES ALONG THE WAY, BUT FOR WHAT IT IS, THE STORY IS OKAY. THE DIRECTING AND ACTING WERE GOOD, AND THE SPECIAL EFFECTS WERE DONE WELL, HOWEVER I STILL THINK CGI LOOKS CARTOONISH. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE ONLY IF YOU ARE A DIE HARD SF FAN, OR IF YOU HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO WATCH.
RATING 3 out of 5
Thursday, June 7, 2012
EVERYTHING MUST GO
WILL FERRELL REBECCA HALL CHRISTOPHER CJ WALLACE
ON THE DAY HE LOSES HIS JOB, NICK (FERRELL) COMES HOME TO FIND HIS WIFE HAS LEFT HIM AND PUT ALL HIS STUFF ON THEIR FRONT LAWN. NICK DECIDES TO LIVE THERE AND DURING THIS TIME HE MEETS A NEW NEIGHBOR SAMANTHA (HALL). NICK ALSO DECIDES TO HAVE A YARD SALE, AND HIRES A NEIGHBORHOOD KID KENNY (WALLACE) TO HELP HIM OUT.
NICK IS AN ALCOHOLIC, AND THAT IS WHY HE LOSES HIS JOB AND HIS WIFE LEAVES HIM. THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT ROLE FOR FERRELL, MORE DRAMATIC THAN COMEDIC, AND HE DOES A VERY GOOD JOB. GRANTED, HIS PORTRAYAL IS LOW KEY AND NOT WITH A LOT OF EMOTION, YET WHEN HE NEEDS TO SHOW EMOTION, HE DELIVERS. I FOUND A NEW RESPECT FOR FERRELL, WHOM I HAVE NEVER REALLY LIKED, OR AT LEAST NOT LIKED THE TYPE OF CHARACTERS HE PLAYED. AS THE NEIGHBOR, SAMANTHA PLAYS THE LOVE INTEREST, BUT SINCE SHE IS MARRIED, IT IS MORE OF A FRIENDSHIP THAT ANYTHING ELSE. SHE AND NICK GO THROUGH THE STEPS OF THAT TYPE OF FRIENDSHIP: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER, THE BIG FIGHT AND THEN GETTING BACK TOGETHER. IT IS A SOLID BOND WITH A REAL SENSE OF TRUTH, EXCELLENTLY PORTRAYED BY FERRELL AND HALL. WITH KENNY, NICK GETS THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND CARING THAT IS MISSING IN HIS LIFE. ON THE SURFACE, THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A SIMPLE MOVIE, YET IT HAS MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS ALL TIED TO THE RECOVERY OF NICK FROM HIS DRINKING. IT IS MUCH MORE THAN A "YARD SALE" MOVIE, IN WHICH THE "EVERYTHING" REFERS TO THE STUFF ON NICK'S LAWN TO THE DEMONS THAT DRIVE NICK TO DRINK.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
ON THE DAY HE LOSES HIS JOB, NICK (FERRELL) COMES HOME TO FIND HIS WIFE HAS LEFT HIM AND PUT ALL HIS STUFF ON THEIR FRONT LAWN. NICK DECIDES TO LIVE THERE AND DURING THIS TIME HE MEETS A NEW NEIGHBOR SAMANTHA (HALL). NICK ALSO DECIDES TO HAVE A YARD SALE, AND HIRES A NEIGHBORHOOD KID KENNY (WALLACE) TO HELP HIM OUT.
NICK IS AN ALCOHOLIC, AND THAT IS WHY HE LOSES HIS JOB AND HIS WIFE LEAVES HIM. THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT ROLE FOR FERRELL, MORE DRAMATIC THAN COMEDIC, AND HE DOES A VERY GOOD JOB. GRANTED, HIS PORTRAYAL IS LOW KEY AND NOT WITH A LOT OF EMOTION, YET WHEN HE NEEDS TO SHOW EMOTION, HE DELIVERS. I FOUND A NEW RESPECT FOR FERRELL, WHOM I HAVE NEVER REALLY LIKED, OR AT LEAST NOT LIKED THE TYPE OF CHARACTERS HE PLAYED. AS THE NEIGHBOR, SAMANTHA PLAYS THE LOVE INTEREST, BUT SINCE SHE IS MARRIED, IT IS MORE OF A FRIENDSHIP THAT ANYTHING ELSE. SHE AND NICK GO THROUGH THE STEPS OF THAT TYPE OF FRIENDSHIP: GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER, THE BIG FIGHT AND THEN GETTING BACK TOGETHER. IT IS A SOLID BOND WITH A REAL SENSE OF TRUTH, EXCELLENTLY PORTRAYED BY FERRELL AND HALL. WITH KENNY, NICK GETS THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND CARING THAT IS MISSING IN HIS LIFE. ON THE SURFACE, THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A SIMPLE MOVIE, YET IT HAS MANY DIFFERENT LEVELS ALL TIED TO THE RECOVERY OF NICK FROM HIS DRINKING. IT IS MUCH MORE THAN A "YARD SALE" MOVIE, IN WHICH THE "EVERYTHING" REFERS TO THE STUFF ON NICK'S LAWN TO THE DEMONS THAT DRIVE NICK TO DRINK.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
PUNCTURE
CHRIS EVANS MARK KASSEN MARSHELL BELL BRETT CULLEN
BASED ON A TRUE STORY OF HOW TWO SMALL TIME PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, MIKE WEISS (EVANS) AND PAUL DANZIGER (KASSEN) TAKE ON A LARGE MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY WHICH IS TRYING TO PREVENT THE USE OF SAFETY NEEDLE DESIGNED BY JEFFREY DANCORT (BELL). THE MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY IS REPRESENTED BY NATHANIEL PRICE (CULLEN).
THIS IS THE CLASSIC STORY OF DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH, AND IT PLAYS VERY WELL. THERE IS INTRIGUE, COVER UPS, PAYOFFS, AND PERSONAL DEMONS -- WEISS IS A DRUG ADDICT -- THAT ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME. THE STORY IS COMPELLING: IT ALL STARTED WHEN A NURSE ACCIDENTALLY STICKS HERSELF AND THEN GETS AIDS. IT IS TOLD IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD STYLE WITHOUT TOO MANY TURNS TO CONFUSE YOU. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY BELIEVABLE: PRICE IS JUST WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT -- A WEASELLY LAWYER WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING TO WIN; DANCORT IS A NO NONSENSE OLDER MAN FED UP WITH THE SYSTEM AND TIRED FROM ALL THE HOOPS HE HAS HAD TO JUMP THROUGH IN TRYING TO GET HIS NEEDLE TO BE USED; AND WEISS AND DANZIGER ARE THE LAWYERS WHO BELIEVE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FIND THEIR WAY BLOCKED AT EVERY STEP, YET CONTINUE TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS. IF YOU LIKE WELL DONE DRAMAS DRIVEN BY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, THEN THIS IS A PERFECT MOVIE FOR YOU.
RATING 3 out of 5
BASED ON A TRUE STORY OF HOW TWO SMALL TIME PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, MIKE WEISS (EVANS) AND PAUL DANZIGER (KASSEN) TAKE ON A LARGE MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY WHICH IS TRYING TO PREVENT THE USE OF SAFETY NEEDLE DESIGNED BY JEFFREY DANCORT (BELL). THE MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANY IS REPRESENTED BY NATHANIEL PRICE (CULLEN).
THIS IS THE CLASSIC STORY OF DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH, AND IT PLAYS VERY WELL. THERE IS INTRIGUE, COVER UPS, PAYOFFS, AND PERSONAL DEMONS -- WEISS IS A DRUG ADDICT -- THAT ALL THE PEOPLE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND OVERCOME. THE STORY IS COMPELLING: IT ALL STARTED WHEN A NURSE ACCIDENTALLY STICKS HERSELF AND THEN GETS AIDS. IT IS TOLD IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD STYLE WITHOUT TOO MANY TURNS TO CONFUSE YOU. THE CHARACTERS ARE VERY BELIEVABLE: PRICE IS JUST WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT -- A WEASELLY LAWYER WHO WOULD DO ANYTHING TO WIN; DANCORT IS A NO NONSENSE OLDER MAN FED UP WITH THE SYSTEM AND TIRED FROM ALL THE HOOPS HE HAS HAD TO JUMP THROUGH IN TRYING TO GET HIS NEEDLE TO BE USED; AND WEISS AND DANZIGER ARE THE LAWYERS WHO BELIEVE THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FIND THEIR WAY BLOCKED AT EVERY STEP, YET CONTINUE TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS. IF YOU LIKE WELL DONE DRAMAS DRIVEN BY CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, THEN THIS IS A PERFECT MOVIE FOR YOU.
RATING 3 out of 5
Sunday, June 3, 2012
LITTLE DEATHS
AN ANTHOLOGY OF THREE MOVIES WHERE THE CONNECTING THEME IS SEX AND VIOLENCE. THE FIRST ONE TELLS THE STORY OF A COUPLE WHO LURE HOMELESS WOMEN TO THEIR HOUSE FOR SEX, BUT THEY PICK THE WRONG ONE THIS TIME. SECOND IS THE STORY OF A MAD SCIENTIST WHO IS USING MUTATED SEMEN TO CREATE A NEW DRUG. AND LASTLY, IS THE TALE OF A COUPLE IN A DOM/SUB RELATIONSHIP UNTIL THE SUB DECIDES HE HAS HAD TOO MUCH AND EVENS THE SCORE.
IN THE FIRST SHORT, THE WIFE TELLS HER HUSBAND "WE ALL HAVE APPETITES, JUST DIFFERENT TASTES." THIS IS A VERY FOREBODING STATEMENT AND COMES BACK TO HAUNT THE COUPLE. I REALLY LIKED THE WOMEN IN THIS ONE: THE WIFE WAS JUST KINKY ENOUGH TO BE SCARY AND THE VICTIM WAS QUIET WHEN SHE NEEDED TO BE THEN TURNED INTO SOMETHING COMPLETELY HORRIFIC.
THE SECOND SHORT WAS JUST BIZARRE AND TRIED TO SHOCK THE VIEWER MORE THAT ANYTHING ELSE. IT INVOLVED MUTATED MALE BODY PARTS AND THE HARVESTING OF MALE BODILY FLUIDS.
THE LAST SHORT DEALT MORE WITH REVENGE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. THE SUB IN THE RELATIONSHIP, WHO IS THE MALE, FINALLY HAS ENOUGH OF THE WOMAN'S CONTROLLING HIM AND WHEN SHE HAS SEX WITH HIS BEST FRIEND, HE DECIDES TO PAY HER BACK BY USING HER BIGGEST FEAR AGAINST HER.
IN LOOKING AT THE MOVIE AS A WHOLE AND JUDGING ON ACTING, DIRECTING AND STORYTELLING, THE FIRST WAS THE BEST, THE THIRD WAS OKAY AND THE SECOND WAS THE WEAKEST.
RATING 2.5 OUT OF 5
IN THE FIRST SHORT, THE WIFE TELLS HER HUSBAND "WE ALL HAVE APPETITES, JUST DIFFERENT TASTES." THIS IS A VERY FOREBODING STATEMENT AND COMES BACK TO HAUNT THE COUPLE. I REALLY LIKED THE WOMEN IN THIS ONE: THE WIFE WAS JUST KINKY ENOUGH TO BE SCARY AND THE VICTIM WAS QUIET WHEN SHE NEEDED TO BE THEN TURNED INTO SOMETHING COMPLETELY HORRIFIC.
THE SECOND SHORT WAS JUST BIZARRE AND TRIED TO SHOCK THE VIEWER MORE THAT ANYTHING ELSE. IT INVOLVED MUTATED MALE BODY PARTS AND THE HARVESTING OF MALE BODILY FLUIDS.
THE LAST SHORT DEALT MORE WITH REVENGE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. THE SUB IN THE RELATIONSHIP, WHO IS THE MALE, FINALLY HAS ENOUGH OF THE WOMAN'S CONTROLLING HIM AND WHEN SHE HAS SEX WITH HIS BEST FRIEND, HE DECIDES TO PAY HER BACK BY USING HER BIGGEST FEAR AGAINST HER.
IN LOOKING AT THE MOVIE AS A WHOLE AND JUDGING ON ACTING, DIRECTING AND STORYTELLING, THE FIRST WAS THE BEST, THE THIRD WAS OKAY AND THE SECOND WAS THE WEAKEST.
RATING 2.5 OUT OF 5
SHAME
MICHAEL FASSBENDER CAREY MULLIGAN
BRANDON (FASSBENDER) IS A YUPPIE IN NEW YORK WHO IS A SEX ADDICT. THE ADDICTION RULES HIS LIFE. WHEN HIS SISTER SISSY(MULLIGAN) UNEXPECTEDLY SHOWS UP, BRANDON MUST TRY TO DEAL WITH HIS ADDICTION ALONG WITH HIS FEELINGS FOR HIS SISTER.
THIS IS A VERY RAW FILM. IT IS RATED NC-17 FOR STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND FULL NUDITY, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE. FASSBENDER DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB, AND MANY OF YOU MAY BE SURPRISED AT HOW FAR HE GOES TO EXPRESS HIS ADDICTION. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR MULLIGAN, WHO IS TRYING TO RECONNECT WITH HER BROTHER AND FIND SOME LOVE IN HER LIFE. THE SEX IN THIS MOVIE IS NOT TITILLATING OR EXCITING, BUT IT IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR AN ADDICT, SIMPLY A MEANS TO AN END. AND IT IS IMPLIED BUT NEVER SHOWN THAT BRANDON DOES HAVE SEXUAL FEELINGS FOR HIS SISTER. ON THE NIGHT THAT BRANDON GOES OFF THE DEEP END AND ENGAGES IN ONE ACT AFTER ANOTHER, A TRAGEDY TAKES PLACE THAT YOU HOPE WILL FORCE HIM INTO GETTING HELP, BUT THAT DECISION IS LEFT UP FOR THE VIEWER TO DECIDE.
RATING 3 OUT OF 5
BRANDON (FASSBENDER) IS A YUPPIE IN NEW YORK WHO IS A SEX ADDICT. THE ADDICTION RULES HIS LIFE. WHEN HIS SISTER SISSY(MULLIGAN) UNEXPECTEDLY SHOWS UP, BRANDON MUST TRY TO DEAL WITH HIS ADDICTION ALONG WITH HIS FEELINGS FOR HIS SISTER.
THIS IS A VERY RAW FILM. IT IS RATED NC-17 FOR STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND FULL NUDITY, BOTH MALE AND FEMALE. FASSBENDER DOES AN INCREDIBLE JOB, AND MANY OF YOU MAY BE SURPRISED AT HOW FAR HE GOES TO EXPRESS HIS ADDICTION. THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR MULLIGAN, WHO IS TRYING TO RECONNECT WITH HER BROTHER AND FIND SOME LOVE IN HER LIFE. THE SEX IN THIS MOVIE IS NOT TITILLATING OR EXCITING, BUT IT IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR AN ADDICT, SIMPLY A MEANS TO AN END. AND IT IS IMPLIED BUT NEVER SHOWN THAT BRANDON DOES HAVE SEXUAL FEELINGS FOR HIS SISTER. ON THE NIGHT THAT BRANDON GOES OFF THE DEEP END AND ENGAGES IN ONE ACT AFTER ANOTHER, A TRAGEDY TAKES PLACE THAT YOU HOPE WILL FORCE HIM INTO GETTING HELP, BUT THAT DECISION IS LEFT UP FOR THE VIEWER TO DECIDE.
RATING 3 OUT OF 5
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