ANNA PAQUIN J. SMITH-CAMERON JEANNIE BERLIN MARK RUFFALO
JEAN RENO MATT DAMON MATTHEW BRODERICK
LISA (PAQUIN) IS SHOPPING FOR A COWBOY HAT WHEN SHE SEES A TRANSIT BUS DRIVER (RUFFALO) WEARING ONE. IN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE HE GOT THE HAT, LISA DISTRACTS HIM WHILE DRIVING, HE RUNS A RED LIGHT AND CRASHES INTO A WOMAN AND KILLS HER. IN THE AFTERMATH OF TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE ACCIDENT, LISA TRIES TO GET HELP FROM HER MOTHER (CAMERON), HER MOTHER'S NEW BOYFRIEND (RENO), TWO OF HER TEACHERS (DAMON AND BRODERICK) AND FINALLY THE VICTIM'S BEST FRIEND EMILY (BERLIN.)
THERE IS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT THIS THE MOVIE: THE ACTING. PAQUIN, CAMERON AND BERLIN ARE AMAZING IN THEIR ROLES. THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS CRAP.
FIRST, WE HAVE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DEBATING COMPLEX SUBJECTS AND SOUNDING LIKE PHD'S. THIS WASN'T BELIEVABLE, AND IT SEEMED TO ME IT WAS ONLY THE WRITER SHOWING OFF HIS ABILITY TO WRITE GOOD DIALOGUE. THAT'S OKAY, BUT THAT DIALOGUE HAS TO BE PUT IN A MOUTH WHERE IT'S TRUTHFUL TO BE HEARD, OTHERWISE IT'S JUST IRRITATING. HERE, IT WAS EXTREMELY IRRITATING.
SECOND, BELIEVABLE TEACHERS. THE TWO TEACHER CHARACTERS HERE ALLOW THINGS TO HAPPEN THAT NO TEACHER WOULD ALLOW, AND IN FACT IF I WERE TEACHING I WOULD BE INSULTED BY THE ACTIONS OF THESE TEACHERS.
THIRD, EDITING. THERE ARE SCENES THAT GO ON WAY TOO LONG, THERE ARE OTHER SCENES THAT JUST END FOR NO REASON AND STILL OTHER SCENES THAT ARE THERE ONLY AS FILLER AND HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAIN STORY OR ANY OTHER PART OF THIS MOVIE.
FOURTH, IN GENERAL IF THE STORY HAD BEEN KEPT TO THE MAIN IDEA OF THE ACCIDENT AND ITS AFTERMATH, THE MOVIE WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD, BUT INSTEAD WE HAVE ALL THESE SIDE STORIES THAT GET IN THE WAY AND ADD NOTHING TO THE MAIN STORY.
AVOID THIS MOVIE, UNLESS YOU LIKE HAVING THE FEEL OF YOUR SKIN BEING SLOWLY GRATED OFF.
RATING 1.5 out of 5
Thursday, August 30, 2012
MEETING EVIL
SAMUEL L. JACKSON LUKE WILSON LESLIE BIBB
JOHN FELTON (WILSON) HAS JUST BEEN FIRED FROM HIS JOB AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT, HAS BILLS PILING UP AND HIS HOUSE IS ABOUT TO BE FORECLOSED ON. HE THINKS HIS DAY CAN'T GET ANY WORSE, BUT THEN IT DOES WHEN RICHIE (JACKSON) SHOWS UP AT HIS DOOR. RICHIE TRICKS JOHN INTO GOING WITH HIM AND TAKES JOHN ON A WILD RIDE OF MAYHEM AND MURDER. MEANWHILE, JOHN'S WIFE JOANIE (BIBB) HAS SOME SECRETS OF HER OWN THAT MAY BE RELATED TO RICHIE SHOWING UP.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOVIES THAT LEADS YOU DOWN A PATH TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE ONE THING THEN AT THE END SUDDENLY CHANGES DIRECTION AND THE TRUTH TURNS OUT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE. IN SOME MOVIES THIS CAN BE OKAY, BUT IN THIS MOVIE, THAT TRUTH CERTAINLY DOESN'T GEL WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE BIG REVEAL. JACKSON'S CHARACTER IS EVIL IN THIS MOVIE, AND HE PLAYS IT JUST RIGHT SO IT'S A BIT CAMPY BUT VERY TERRIFYING WHEN NEEDED. IT APPEARS THAT RICHIE'S MAIN GOAL IN THIS MOVIE IS TO FORCE JOHN INTO GROWING A BACKBONE. THAT'S NOT TO SAY JOHN IS A WEAKLING, BUT HE DOES BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED BEFORE RESORTING TO VIOLENCE. RICHIE DOESN'T SEE THINGS THAT WAY. WILSON PLAYS JOHN CONVINCINGLY, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES HE SEEMS TO BE WHINING MORE THAN DISAGREEING WITH RICHIE.
ONCE RICHIE SHOWS UP, THE DIRECTOR KEEPS THE PACE GOING RAPIDLY AND DOESN'T LET UP UNTIL THE END. THE MOVIE IS VIOLENT BUT NOT REAL GORY OR BLOODY, AND WE SEE THE AFTERMATH OF THE KILLINGS BUT NOT THE ACTUAL DEED. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE, BUT ONLY BECAUSE JACKSON IS SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
JOHN FELTON (WILSON) HAS JUST BEEN FIRED FROM HIS JOB AS A REAL ESTATE AGENT, HAS BILLS PILING UP AND HIS HOUSE IS ABOUT TO BE FORECLOSED ON. HE THINKS HIS DAY CAN'T GET ANY WORSE, BUT THEN IT DOES WHEN RICHIE (JACKSON) SHOWS UP AT HIS DOOR. RICHIE TRICKS JOHN INTO GOING WITH HIM AND TAKES JOHN ON A WILD RIDE OF MAYHEM AND MURDER. MEANWHILE, JOHN'S WIFE JOANIE (BIBB) HAS SOME SECRETS OF HER OWN THAT MAY BE RELATED TO RICHIE SHOWING UP.
THIS IS ONE OF THOSE MOVIES THAT LEADS YOU DOWN A PATH TO MAKE YOU BELIEVE ONE THING THEN AT THE END SUDDENLY CHANGES DIRECTION AND THE TRUTH TURNS OUT TO BE SOMETHING ELSE. IN SOME MOVIES THIS CAN BE OKAY, BUT IN THIS MOVIE, THAT TRUTH CERTAINLY DOESN'T GEL WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE BIG REVEAL. JACKSON'S CHARACTER IS EVIL IN THIS MOVIE, AND HE PLAYS IT JUST RIGHT SO IT'S A BIT CAMPY BUT VERY TERRIFYING WHEN NEEDED. IT APPEARS THAT RICHIE'S MAIN GOAL IN THIS MOVIE IS TO FORCE JOHN INTO GROWING A BACKBONE. THAT'S NOT TO SAY JOHN IS A WEAKLING, BUT HE DOES BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED BEFORE RESORTING TO VIOLENCE. RICHIE DOESN'T SEE THINGS THAT WAY. WILSON PLAYS JOHN CONVINCINGLY, ALTHOUGH AT TIMES HE SEEMS TO BE WHINING MORE THAN DISAGREEING WITH RICHIE.
ONCE RICHIE SHOWS UP, THE DIRECTOR KEEPS THE PACE GOING RAPIDLY AND DOESN'T LET UP UNTIL THE END. THE MOVIE IS VIOLENT BUT NOT REAL GORY OR BLOODY, AND WE SEE THE AFTERMATH OF THE KILLINGS BUT NOT THE ACTUAL DEED. I WILL RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE, BUT ONLY BECAUSE JACKSON IS SO MUCH FUN TO WATCH.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Monday, August 27, 2012
ACOLYTES
JOEL EDGERTON MICHAEL DORMAN SEBASTIAN GREGORY JOSHUA
PAYNE HEATHER MANGAN LAWRENCE
AS ADOLESCENTS, FRIENDS MARK AND JAMES (GREGORY AND PAYNE) ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED BY GARY PARKER (DORMAN), WHO HAS CONTINUED TO HARASS THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. ONE DAY, WHILE WANDERING IN THE WOODS, MARK SEES A MAN, IAN WRIGHT (EDGERTON) BURY SOMETHING. MARK RETURNS WITH JAMES AND JAMES' GIRLFRIEND CHASELY (LAWRENCE) TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS BURIED. THEY DISCOVER A BODY. THEY THEN DECIDE TO BLACKMAIL WRIGHT INTO KILLING PARKER, BUT WHAT THE TEENS DON'T KNOW IS THAT WRIGHT IS A SERIAL KILLER NOT TO BE FOOLED WITH.
THIS IS YET ANOTHER WELL DONE AUSSIE THRILLER. I HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE STORY AND PLOT, MOSTLY WITH THE PLAN THE BOYS COME UP WITH: IS IT POSSIBLE FOR TEENS TO THINK UP SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEN BE ABLE TO PUT IT INTO ACTION? I ALSO FELT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO ALLOW THE STORY TO MOVE FORWARD WERE A LITTLE TO EASY, IE, REALLY NOT NATURAL BUT HAPPENED ANYWAY. THERE IS ALSO A SUB PLOT INVOLVING THE DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH OF A TEENAGE GIRL THAT SEEMS TO BE THERE TO CONVENIENTLY DISTRACT THE VIEWER FROM THE TRUE STORY. HOWEVER, I STILL THINK THIS IS A MOVIE WORTH WATCHING.
RATING 3 out of 5
PAYNE HEATHER MANGAN LAWRENCE
AS ADOLESCENTS, FRIENDS MARK AND JAMES (GREGORY AND PAYNE) ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED BY GARY PARKER (DORMAN), WHO HAS CONTINUED TO HARASS THEM THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES. ONE DAY, WHILE WANDERING IN THE WOODS, MARK SEES A MAN, IAN WRIGHT (EDGERTON) BURY SOMETHING. MARK RETURNS WITH JAMES AND JAMES' GIRLFRIEND CHASELY (LAWRENCE) TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS BURIED. THEY DISCOVER A BODY. THEY THEN DECIDE TO BLACKMAIL WRIGHT INTO KILLING PARKER, BUT WHAT THE TEENS DON'T KNOW IS THAT WRIGHT IS A SERIAL KILLER NOT TO BE FOOLED WITH.
THIS IS YET ANOTHER WELL DONE AUSSIE THRILLER. I HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE STORY AND PLOT, MOSTLY WITH THE PLAN THE BOYS COME UP WITH: IS IT POSSIBLE FOR TEENS TO THINK UP SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND THEN BE ABLE TO PUT IT INTO ACTION? I ALSO FELT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO ALLOW THE STORY TO MOVE FORWARD WERE A LITTLE TO EASY, IE, REALLY NOT NATURAL BUT HAPPENED ANYWAY. THERE IS ALSO A SUB PLOT INVOLVING THE DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH OF A TEENAGE GIRL THAT SEEMS TO BE THERE TO CONVENIENTLY DISTRACT THE VIEWER FROM THE TRUE STORY. HOWEVER, I STILL THINK THIS IS A MOVIE WORTH WATCHING.
RATING 3 out of 5
CRACKS
EVA GREEN JUNO TEMPLE MARIA VALVERDE IMOGEN POOTS
SET IN THE EARLY 1930'S, THIS MOVIE TELLS THE STORIES OF A GROUP OF GIRLS AT AN ENGLISH BOARDING SCHOOL AND THEIR BELOVED TEACHER,
MISS G (GREEN). MISS G IS COACHING THE GIRLS IN DIVING, AND THEIR TEAM LEADER IS DI (TEMPLE) WHO ALL THE GIRLS LOOK UP TO, ESPECIALLY POPPY (POOTS). DI HAS A CRUSH ON MISS G, AND THE FEELINGS MAY BE MUTUAL. EVERYTHING IS GOING ALONG FINE UNTIL FIAMMA (VALVERDE) SHOWS UP. SHE IS A RIVAL TO DI IN ALL WAYS, INCLUDING THE ATTENTION OF MISS G, AND DI DECIDES TO GET HER REVENGE. FIAMMA ALSO BEGINS TO EXPOSE MISS G FOR WHAT SHE REALLY IS, AND THIS LEADS THE TEACHER DOWN A ONE WAY PATH TO DESTRUCTION.
THIS IS A VERY SUBTLE MOVIE WITH MANY LAYERS THAT ARE SLOWLY PEELED AWAY TO SHOW THE RAWNESS THAT TEENAGE GIRLS CAN DO TO EACH OTHER. IT ALSO SMOLDERS WITH THE SEXUAL TENSION BETWEEN MISS G AND THE TWO GIRLS, DI AND FIAMMA. THE DIRECTOR, JORDAN SCOTT (DAUGHTER OF RIDLEY SCOTT) DID AN IMPRESSIVE JOB IN CREATING THIS SUBTEXT AND THEN LETTING IT PLAY OUT THROUGH THE LIVES OF THE CHARACTERS. EVA GREEN DOES A MASTERFUL JOB AS MISS G, STARTING OUT AS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A HEALTHY PERSON AND THEN SLOWLY AND TRAGICALLY SINKING INTO THE DEPTHS OF INSANITY AS THE TRUTH ABOUT HER BECOMES REVEALED. JUNO TEMPLE IS EQUALLY GOOD, BRINGING TO MIND THAT OLD SAYING 'IF LOOKS COULD KILL' FOR SOME OF THE STARES SHE GIVES TO FIAMMA. YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT THIS MOVIE.
RATING 3 out of 5
SET IN THE EARLY 1930'S, THIS MOVIE TELLS THE STORIES OF A GROUP OF GIRLS AT AN ENGLISH BOARDING SCHOOL AND THEIR BELOVED TEACHER,
MISS G (GREEN). MISS G IS COACHING THE GIRLS IN DIVING, AND THEIR TEAM LEADER IS DI (TEMPLE) WHO ALL THE GIRLS LOOK UP TO, ESPECIALLY POPPY (POOTS). DI HAS A CRUSH ON MISS G, AND THE FEELINGS MAY BE MUTUAL. EVERYTHING IS GOING ALONG FINE UNTIL FIAMMA (VALVERDE) SHOWS UP. SHE IS A RIVAL TO DI IN ALL WAYS, INCLUDING THE ATTENTION OF MISS G, AND DI DECIDES TO GET HER REVENGE. FIAMMA ALSO BEGINS TO EXPOSE MISS G FOR WHAT SHE REALLY IS, AND THIS LEADS THE TEACHER DOWN A ONE WAY PATH TO DESTRUCTION.
THIS IS A VERY SUBTLE MOVIE WITH MANY LAYERS THAT ARE SLOWLY PEELED AWAY TO SHOW THE RAWNESS THAT TEENAGE GIRLS CAN DO TO EACH OTHER. IT ALSO SMOLDERS WITH THE SEXUAL TENSION BETWEEN MISS G AND THE TWO GIRLS, DI AND FIAMMA. THE DIRECTOR, JORDAN SCOTT (DAUGHTER OF RIDLEY SCOTT) DID AN IMPRESSIVE JOB IN CREATING THIS SUBTEXT AND THEN LETTING IT PLAY OUT THROUGH THE LIVES OF THE CHARACTERS. EVA GREEN DOES A MASTERFUL JOB AS MISS G, STARTING OUT AS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A HEALTHY PERSON AND THEN SLOWLY AND TRAGICALLY SINKING INTO THE DEPTHS OF INSANITY AS THE TRUTH ABOUT HER BECOMES REVEALED. JUNO TEMPLE IS EQUALLY GOOD, BRINGING TO MIND THAT OLD SAYING 'IF LOOKS COULD KILL' FOR SOME OF THE STARES SHE GIVES TO FIAMMA. YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT THIS MOVIE.
RATING 3 out of 5
Monday, August 20, 2012
QUARANTINE 2: TERMINAL
AS A PLANE IS LEAVING LOS ANGELES FOR KANSAS CITY, SOME OF THE PASSENGERS BECOME INFECTED WITH A VIRUS THAT TURNS THEM INTO FLESH EATING MONSTERS. THE PLANE TURNS AROUND AND LANDS BACK AT LAX, BUT THE PASSENGERS FIND OUT THEY HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER QUARANTINE AND SEALED INSIDE A TERMINAL BUILDING. AS THE SURVIVORS TRY TO FIND A WAY OUT, THEY MUST ALSO CONTEND WITH THE OTHERS WHO HAVE BECOME INFECTED AND ARE TRYING TO EAT THEM.
FIRST, THIS IS REALLY NOT A SEQUEL TO QUARANTINE, SINCE THE TWO MOVIES ARE TAKING PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. HOWEVER, I DO THINK THIS MOVIE IS BETTER THAN THE FIRST ONE. IT IS WELL PACED, THE ATTACKS ARE FREQUENT AND VICIOUS AND THE TENSION MOUNTS AS THE MOVIE GOES ALONG. WE ALSO GET A LITTLE BIT OF BACK STORY ON THE VIRUS AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT. I ALSO THINK BY PLACING IT INSIDE AN AIR TERMINAL BUILDING, A LOT IS ADDED TO THE MOVIE: THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES TO HIDE, A LOT OF DARK CORNERS AND A MAZE OF CONVEYOR BELTS AND MACHINERY TO RUN THROUGH IN TRYING TO GET AWAY. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER HORROR MOVIES I'VE SEEN.
RATING 3 out of 5
FIRST, THIS IS REALLY NOT A SEQUEL TO QUARANTINE, SINCE THE TWO MOVIES ARE TAKING PLACE AT THE SAME TIME. HOWEVER, I DO THINK THIS MOVIE IS BETTER THAN THE FIRST ONE. IT IS WELL PACED, THE ATTACKS ARE FREQUENT AND VICIOUS AND THE TENSION MOUNTS AS THE MOVIE GOES ALONG. WE ALSO GET A LITTLE BIT OF BACK STORY ON THE VIRUS AND WHAT IT IS ABOUT. I ALSO THINK BY PLACING IT INSIDE AN AIR TERMINAL BUILDING, A LOT IS ADDED TO THE MOVIE: THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES TO HIDE, A LOT OF DARK CORNERS AND A MAZE OF CONVEYOR BELTS AND MACHINERY TO RUN THROUGH IN TRYING TO GET AWAY. THIS IS ONE OF THE BETTER HORROR MOVIES I'VE SEEN.
RATING 3 out of 5
MASK MAKER
NIKKI DELOACH STEPHEN COLLETTI
JENNIFER AND EVAN (DELOACH AND COLLETTI) ARE ENGAGED, AND AS AN EARLY WEDDING GIFT/BIRTHDAY PRESENT, EVAN BUYS A RUN DOWN FARM HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. THEY INVITE FOUR OF THEIR FRIENDS TO HELP CELEBRATE AND CLEAN UP THE PLACE, BUT WHAT NONE OF THEM KNOW IS THAT THERE IS A KILLER RUNNING AROUND THE FARM.
THIS IS A TYPICAL HORROR MOVIE THAT FOLLOWS THE SAME FORMULA AS MANY OF THE OTHER FILMS BEFORE IT. IN THAT REGARD, THE STORY IS JUST SO-SO WITH NOTHING REALLY NEW GOING ON. THE ACTING IS A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT, AND I FOUND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JENNIFER AND EVAN TO RING TRUE. ALSO, SOMEWHAT SURPRISING, THERE IS A LOT OF TIME SPENT ON DEVELOPING THE BACK STORY FOR THE KILLER, SO THE VIEWER ACTUALLY GETS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY HE IS THE WAY HE IS. AND, AS WITH MOST SLASHER MOVIES, THE SETTING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE CHARACTERS, HOWEVER I DIDN'T THINK THE OLD FARMHOUSE AND THE ADJACENT BUILDINGS WERE ALL THAT CREEPY. FINALLY, THERE ARE THREE OLDER CHARACTER ACTORS WHO SHOW UP AND ADD SOME JUICE TO THE MOVIE: TREAT WILLIAMS, TERRY KISER AND MICHAEL BERRYMAN. YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THE NAMES, BUT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE FACES, ESPECIALLY BERRYMAN'S.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
JENNIFER AND EVAN (DELOACH AND COLLETTI) ARE ENGAGED, AND AS AN EARLY WEDDING GIFT/BIRTHDAY PRESENT, EVAN BUYS A RUN DOWN FARM HOUSE IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. THEY INVITE FOUR OF THEIR FRIENDS TO HELP CELEBRATE AND CLEAN UP THE PLACE, BUT WHAT NONE OF THEM KNOW IS THAT THERE IS A KILLER RUNNING AROUND THE FARM.
THIS IS A TYPICAL HORROR MOVIE THAT FOLLOWS THE SAME FORMULA AS MANY OF THE OTHER FILMS BEFORE IT. IN THAT REGARD, THE STORY IS JUST SO-SO WITH NOTHING REALLY NEW GOING ON. THE ACTING IS A LITTLE BETTER THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT, AND I FOUND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN JENNIFER AND EVAN TO RING TRUE. ALSO, SOMEWHAT SURPRISING, THERE IS A LOT OF TIME SPENT ON DEVELOPING THE BACK STORY FOR THE KILLER, SO THE VIEWER ACTUALLY GETS TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND WHY HE IS THE WAY HE IS. AND, AS WITH MOST SLASHER MOVIES, THE SETTING IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE CHARACTERS, HOWEVER I DIDN'T THINK THE OLD FARMHOUSE AND THE ADJACENT BUILDINGS WERE ALL THAT CREEPY. FINALLY, THERE ARE THREE OLDER CHARACTER ACTORS WHO SHOW UP AND ADD SOME JUICE TO THE MOVIE: TREAT WILLIAMS, TERRY KISER AND MICHAEL BERRYMAN. YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW THE NAMES, BUT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE FACES, ESPECIALLY BERRYMAN'S.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Thursday, August 16, 2012
GOD BLESS AMERICA
JOEL MURRAY TARA LYNNE BARR
FRANK (MURRAY) IS FED UP WITH THE MEANNESS AND STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN CULTURE. HE BLAMES MOST OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR THIS, INCLUDING REALITY TV SHOWS, THE INTERNET, TALK RADIO AND CELL PHONES. ON THE DAY HE LOSES HIS JOB FOR A TRUMPED UP CHARGE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, HE ALSO FINDS OUT HE IS DYING FROM AN INOPERABLE BRAIN TUMOR. BELIEVING HE HAS NOTHING TO LIVE FOR, HE GOES HOME TO COMMIT SUICIDE, BUT THEN SEES ON A REALITY TV SHOW A BRATTY DEMANDING TEENAGER TREAT HER PARENTS LIKE CRAP AND DECIDES SHE HAS TO DIE. WHEN HE DOES THE DEED, IT IS WITNESSED BY ROXY (BARR) ANOTHER TEENAGER WITH SIMILAR VIEWS TO FRANK'S. SHE FOLLOWS HIM AND WHEN THEY FINALLY MEET, THEY BOTH DECIDE TO GO ON A CROSS COUNTRY KILLING SPREE TO GET RID OF ALL THE BAD PEOPLE.
THIS MOVIE IS A VERY DARK SATIRICAL LOOK AT MODERN CULTURE. IT PULLS NO PUNCHES, GOES FOR THE JUGGLER AND HAS MANY SHOCKING YET HILARIOUS SCENES. IT IS VIOLENT AND BLOODY, NO WHERE NEAR POLITICALLY CORRECT AND DELIVERS HARD LINE MORAL JUDGEMENTS ON THE RUDENESS AND STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THEN SUGGESTS KILLING PEOPLE AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. THE SATIRE IS SHARP, POINTED AND SOMETIMES UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT THAT IS WHERE THE COMEDY COMES FROM.
MURRAY PORTRAYS FRANK AS SOMEWHAT LETHARGIC, BUT DEEPLY SUPPORTIVE OF HIS BELIEFS. HE ACTS LIKE HE DOESN'T CARE, BUT HE DOES CARE AND IN FACT KILLS TO SUPPORT HIS BELIEFS. WITH ROXY, BARR HAS SHOWN HER TO BE INTELLIGENT, ABLE TO SPEAK HER THEORIES WITH ARTICULATION, AND YET IS REALLY A CRAZY TEENAGER WHO GETS OFF ON KILLING. IT IS A COMPLEX ROLL THAT BARR DOES VERY WELL.
THIS MOVIE WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT, AND HIS SUBVERSIVE TWISTED SENSE OF DARK HUMOR OOZES FROM IT. BE SURE YOU WATCH IT.
RATING 4 out of 5
FRANK (MURRAY) IS FED UP WITH THE MEANNESS AND STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN CULTURE. HE BLAMES MOST OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR THIS, INCLUDING REALITY TV SHOWS, THE INTERNET, TALK RADIO AND CELL PHONES. ON THE DAY HE LOSES HIS JOB FOR A TRUMPED UP CHARGE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, HE ALSO FINDS OUT HE IS DYING FROM AN INOPERABLE BRAIN TUMOR. BELIEVING HE HAS NOTHING TO LIVE FOR, HE GOES HOME TO COMMIT SUICIDE, BUT THEN SEES ON A REALITY TV SHOW A BRATTY DEMANDING TEENAGER TREAT HER PARENTS LIKE CRAP AND DECIDES SHE HAS TO DIE. WHEN HE DOES THE DEED, IT IS WITNESSED BY ROXY (BARR) ANOTHER TEENAGER WITH SIMILAR VIEWS TO FRANK'S. SHE FOLLOWS HIM AND WHEN THEY FINALLY MEET, THEY BOTH DECIDE TO GO ON A CROSS COUNTRY KILLING SPREE TO GET RID OF ALL THE BAD PEOPLE.
THIS MOVIE IS A VERY DARK SATIRICAL LOOK AT MODERN CULTURE. IT PULLS NO PUNCHES, GOES FOR THE JUGGLER AND HAS MANY SHOCKING YET HILARIOUS SCENES. IT IS VIOLENT AND BLOODY, NO WHERE NEAR POLITICALLY CORRECT AND DELIVERS HARD LINE MORAL JUDGEMENTS ON THE RUDENESS AND STUPIDITY OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND THEN SUGGESTS KILLING PEOPLE AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. THE SATIRE IS SHARP, POINTED AND SOMETIMES UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT THAT IS WHERE THE COMEDY COMES FROM.
MURRAY PORTRAYS FRANK AS SOMEWHAT LETHARGIC, BUT DEEPLY SUPPORTIVE OF HIS BELIEFS. HE ACTS LIKE HE DOESN'T CARE, BUT HE DOES CARE AND IN FACT KILLS TO SUPPORT HIS BELIEFS. WITH ROXY, BARR HAS SHOWN HER TO BE INTELLIGENT, ABLE TO SPEAK HER THEORIES WITH ARTICULATION, AND YET IS REALLY A CRAZY TEENAGER WHO GETS OFF ON KILLING. IT IS A COMPLEX ROLL THAT BARR DOES VERY WELL.
THIS MOVIE WAS WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT, AND HIS SUBVERSIVE TWISTED SENSE OF DARK HUMOR OOZES FROM IT. BE SURE YOU WATCH IT.
RATING 4 out of 5
THE BEAVER
MEL GIBSON JODIE FOSTER ANTON YELCHIN JENNIFER LAWRENCE
WALTER BLACK (GIBSON) IS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, AND AS A RESULT, HE AND HIS WIFE MEREDITH (FOSTER) DECIDE TO SPLIT UP. WALTER MOVES OUT, AND ONE NIGHT WHILE TOSSING STUFF IN A DUMPSTER, HE FINDS A BEAVER PUPPET, PUTS IT ON AND STARTS SPEAKING AND LIVING THROUGH THE BEAVER. MEANWHILE, WALTER'S SON PORTER (YELCHIN) IS WORRIED HE IS BECOMING JUST LIKE HIS FATHER, TO THE POINT OF WHERE HE KEEPS LISTS OF THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HIM AND HIS FATHER. PORTER IS ALSO TRYING TO START A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOT SMART GIRL AT SCHOOL, NORAH (LAWRENCE).
I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE A STUPID IDEA FOR A MOVIE, BUT GIVE DIRECTOR FOSTER PLENTY OF CREDIT FOR NOT DELVING INTO THE INANENESS THIS MOVIE COULD HAVE BECOME. INSTEAD, IT IS A MOVING AND REVEALING LOOK INTO THE DESTRUCTION AND HEALING OF A MAN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOW THAT ILLNESS CAN TEAR APART A SEEMINGLY STABLE LOVING FAMILY.
GIBSON ONCE AGAIN SHOWS US JUST HOW GOOD AN ACTOR HE IS. THERE ARE MANY SCENES WHERE HE CONVEYS MANY DEEP EMOTIONAL FEELINGS THROUGH A SIMPLE EXPRESSION. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIS PERFORMANCE. FOSTER IS ALSO VERY GOOD IN HER ROLE AS THE MOTHER AND WIFE. SURPRISE, SHOCK , SUPPORT AND ANGER ARE MANY OF THE FEELINGS SHE SHOWS AND SHE DOES THEM VERY TRUTHFULLY. YELCHIN, AS THE SON, HAS A VERY TOUGH ROLE: HE LOVES HIS DAD, BUT IS AFRAID HE IS BECOMING LIKE HIM, AND THEREFORE REALLY DOESN'T WANT TO BE AROUND WALTER. HE IS ALSO ATTRACTED TO NORAH, BUT MAKES A FEW STUMBLES THERE THAT ALMOST ENDS THEIR RELATIONSHIP. ALL OF THIS HE DOES TRUTHFULLY AND REALISTICALLY. FINALLY, WITH NORAH, LAWRENCE HAS A CHARACTER WHO IS TOUGH AND SELF-ASSURED YET IS HURTING AND FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT HER BROTHER'S DEATH. WHEN PORTER FORCES HER TO CONFRONT HER FEELINGS, LAWRENCE'S TRUE SKILL AS AN ACTOR COMES OUT AND IT IS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE.
BE SURE TO WATCH THIS MOVIE, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT HOW GOOD IT IS.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
WALTER BLACK (GIBSON) IS SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION, AND AS A RESULT, HE AND HIS WIFE MEREDITH (FOSTER) DECIDE TO SPLIT UP. WALTER MOVES OUT, AND ONE NIGHT WHILE TOSSING STUFF IN A DUMPSTER, HE FINDS A BEAVER PUPPET, PUTS IT ON AND STARTS SPEAKING AND LIVING THROUGH THE BEAVER. MEANWHILE, WALTER'S SON PORTER (YELCHIN) IS WORRIED HE IS BECOMING JUST LIKE HIS FATHER, TO THE POINT OF WHERE HE KEEPS LISTS OF THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN HIM AND HIS FATHER. PORTER IS ALSO TRYING TO START A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HOT SMART GIRL AT SCHOOL, NORAH (LAWRENCE).
I KNOW THIS SOUNDS LIKE A STUPID IDEA FOR A MOVIE, BUT GIVE DIRECTOR FOSTER PLENTY OF CREDIT FOR NOT DELVING INTO THE INANENESS THIS MOVIE COULD HAVE BECOME. INSTEAD, IT IS A MOVING AND REVEALING LOOK INTO THE DESTRUCTION AND HEALING OF A MAN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND HOW THAT ILLNESS CAN TEAR APART A SEEMINGLY STABLE LOVING FAMILY.
GIBSON ONCE AGAIN SHOWS US JUST HOW GOOD AN ACTOR HE IS. THERE ARE MANY SCENES WHERE HE CONVEYS MANY DEEP EMOTIONAL FEELINGS THROUGH A SIMPLE EXPRESSION. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIS PERFORMANCE. FOSTER IS ALSO VERY GOOD IN HER ROLE AS THE MOTHER AND WIFE. SURPRISE, SHOCK , SUPPORT AND ANGER ARE MANY OF THE FEELINGS SHE SHOWS AND SHE DOES THEM VERY TRUTHFULLY. YELCHIN, AS THE SON, HAS A VERY TOUGH ROLE: HE LOVES HIS DAD, BUT IS AFRAID HE IS BECOMING LIKE HIM, AND THEREFORE REALLY DOESN'T WANT TO BE AROUND WALTER. HE IS ALSO ATTRACTED TO NORAH, BUT MAKES A FEW STUMBLES THERE THAT ALMOST ENDS THEIR RELATIONSHIP. ALL OF THIS HE DOES TRUTHFULLY AND REALISTICALLY. FINALLY, WITH NORAH, LAWRENCE HAS A CHARACTER WHO IS TOUGH AND SELF-ASSURED YET IS HURTING AND FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT HER BROTHER'S DEATH. WHEN PORTER FORCES HER TO CONFRONT HER FEELINGS, LAWRENCE'S TRUE SKILL AS AN ACTOR COMES OUT AND IT IS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE.
BE SURE TO WATCH THIS MOVIE, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT HOW GOOD IT IS.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
Monday, August 13, 2012
NUDE NUNS WITH BIG GUNS
SISTER SARA IS KIDNAPPED AND BRUTALIZED BY A BIKER GANG AT THE DIRECTION OF HER PRIEST. WHILE AT THE EDGE OF DEATH, SARA BELIEVED THAT GOD SPOKE TO HER AND TOLD HER TO TAKE REVENGE ON ALL THE BAD GUYS SHE SEES. SHE GETS HERSELF SOME BIG GUNS AND STARTS TAKING OUT THE BADDIES.
THIS IS A GRINDHOUSE EXPLOITATION FLICK AND SHOULD BE WATCHED WITH THAT IN MIND. THE ACTING ISN'T BAD, THE DIRECTION IS OKAY AND THE STORY IS JUST BARELY THERE. HOWEVER, IT HAS ALL THE THINGS YOU WOULD EXPECT IN A GRINDHOUSE MOVIE: NUDITY, VIOLENCE, DRUGS, BIKER GANGS, CORRUPT PRIESTS AND A SENSE OF HUMOR. THAT IS WHT WE LIKE THESE MOVIES, THAT IS WHT WE WATCH THESE MOVIES AND THAT IS WHY I RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE. THE TITLE TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW, AND IT IS ALL THAT, BUT SO MUCH MORE.
RATING 3 out of 5
THIS IS A GRINDHOUSE EXPLOITATION FLICK AND SHOULD BE WATCHED WITH THAT IN MIND. THE ACTING ISN'T BAD, THE DIRECTION IS OKAY AND THE STORY IS JUST BARELY THERE. HOWEVER, IT HAS ALL THE THINGS YOU WOULD EXPECT IN A GRINDHOUSE MOVIE: NUDITY, VIOLENCE, DRUGS, BIKER GANGS, CORRUPT PRIESTS AND A SENSE OF HUMOR. THAT IS WHT WE LIKE THESE MOVIES, THAT IS WHT WE WATCH THESE MOVIES AND THAT IS WHY I RECOMMEND THIS MOVIE. THE TITLE TELLS YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW, AND IT IS ALL THAT, BUT SO MUCH MORE.
RATING 3 out of 5
X: NIGHT OF VENGEANCE
VIVA BIANCA HANNA MANGAN LAWRENCE
SHAY (LAWRENCE) HAS RUN AWAY FROM HOME AND ENDS UP ON THE STREETS OF SYDNEY AUSTRALIA. ONCE THERE, SHE TRIES TO BECOME A CALL GIRL, BUT THINGS JUST GO FROM BAD TO WORSE. MEANWHILE, VETERAN HOOKER HOLLY (BIANCA) IS PLANNING TO RETIRE. SHE HAS ONE LAST JOB BUT NEEDS A SECOND GIRL. BY CHANCE SHE RUNS INTO SHAY ON THE STREET AND HIRES HER. WHILE IN THE JOHN'S ROOM, SHAY AND HOLLY SEE HIM GET KILLED, AND THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS THE KILLER CHASING AFTER THE TWO GIRLS.
FIRST, BE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ADULT MOVIE: IT IS VERY OPEN AND STRAIGHT FORWARD IN ITS DEPICTION OF THE SEEDY SIDE OF SEX-ON-THE-STREET LIFE. BASICALLY, IT IS A CHASE MOVIE THROUGH THE STREETS OF SYDNEY. THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, ALTHOUGH WE DO GET A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFO ON BOTH SHAY AND HOLLY. ALSO, WE GET NO REASONS AS TO WHY THE JOHN WAS KILLED OR HOW THE KILLER IS INVOLVED.
THE ACTION WAS GOOD AND THE DIRECTION KEEPS THE MOVIE FLOWING, SOMETIMES FAST AND THEN AT TIMES A LITTLE SLOWER, BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF STOPPING THE MOVIE. THE ACTING WAS GOOD, ALTHOUGH SHAY, AT ONLY 17, SEEMED A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE ON THE STREETS.
THERE ARE SOME GOOD AND INTERESTING FILMS COMING OUT OF AUSTRALIA, AND THIS MOVIE WOULD BE ONE OF THEM. YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.
RATING 3 out of 5
SHAY (LAWRENCE) HAS RUN AWAY FROM HOME AND ENDS UP ON THE STREETS OF SYDNEY AUSTRALIA. ONCE THERE, SHE TRIES TO BECOME A CALL GIRL, BUT THINGS JUST GO FROM BAD TO WORSE. MEANWHILE, VETERAN HOOKER HOLLY (BIANCA) IS PLANNING TO RETIRE. SHE HAS ONE LAST JOB BUT NEEDS A SECOND GIRL. BY CHANCE SHE RUNS INTO SHAY ON THE STREET AND HIRES HER. WHILE IN THE JOHN'S ROOM, SHAY AND HOLLY SEE HIM GET KILLED, AND THE REST OF THE MOVIE IS THE KILLER CHASING AFTER THE TWO GIRLS.
FIRST, BE AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ADULT MOVIE: IT IS VERY OPEN AND STRAIGHT FORWARD IN ITS DEPICTION OF THE SEEDY SIDE OF SEX-ON-THE-STREET LIFE. BASICALLY, IT IS A CHASE MOVIE THROUGH THE STREETS OF SYDNEY. THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, ALTHOUGH WE DO GET A LITTLE BACKGROUND INFO ON BOTH SHAY AND HOLLY. ALSO, WE GET NO REASONS AS TO WHY THE JOHN WAS KILLED OR HOW THE KILLER IS INVOLVED.
THE ACTION WAS GOOD AND THE DIRECTION KEEPS THE MOVIE FLOWING, SOMETIMES FAST AND THEN AT TIMES A LITTLE SLOWER, BUT NOT TO THE POINT OF STOPPING THE MOVIE. THE ACTING WAS GOOD, ALTHOUGH SHAY, AT ONLY 17, SEEMED A LITTLE TOO COMFORTABLE ON THE STREETS.
THERE ARE SOME GOOD AND INTERESTING FILMS COMING OUT OF AUSTRALIA, AND THIS MOVIE WOULD BE ONE OF THEM. YOU SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.
RATING 3 out of 5
Thursday, August 9, 2012
A DANGEROUS METHOD
VIGGO MORTENSEN MICHAEL FASSBENDER KEIRA KNIGHTLEY
A MENTALLY DISTURBED YOUNG RUSSIAN GIRL, SABINA (KNIGHTLEY) ENDS UP IN THE CARE OF CARL JUNG (FASSBENDER). IN TRYING TO CURE SABINA, JUNG TRIES OUT A BRAND NEW METHOD DEVELOPED BY SIGMUND FREUD (MORTENSEN). THIS LEADS TO THE EVENTUAL MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO DOCTORS, WHERE THEIR FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPS BUT IS ULTIMATELY TORN APART BY THEIR DIFFERING APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY. SABINA IS ALSO A FACTOR IN BOTH OF THE DOCTOR'S LIVES. THIS MOVIE TELLS THEIR STORIES.
IN TELLING THE STORY OF THE DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JUNG AND FREUD, WE GET TO SEE THE CHARACTERS INTERACT AND THEREBY HOW THAT FRIENDSHIP BEGINS. DURING THE TIME THEY BREAK APART, WE ONLY GET TO SEE THIS THROUGH THE READING OF LETTERS THEY SEND EACH OTHER, WHICH SEEMS TO LACK SOME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. THERE WERE ALSO TWO OR THREE TIMES WHEN SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN, BUT IT WAS NEVER FULLY EXPLORED OR EXPLAINED, WHICH WAS BOTHERSOME.
MORTENSEN AND FASSBENDER DID A GOOD JOB AT PORTRAYING THE TWO DOCTORS: I FOUND THEIR ACTING TO BE BELIEVABLE. AS FOR KNIGHTLEY, THERE WERE TIMES IN THE FIRST HALF WHERE SHE SEEMED TO BE OVERACTING IN TRYING TO CONVEY HER MENTAL ILLNESS. THEN IN THE SECOND HALF WHEN SHE IS CURED AND A STUDENT, SHE ALMOST SEEMS TO BE UNDERACTING. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS HER DOING, THE DIRECTOR'S DOING OR IF THE SCRIPT WAS WRITTEN THAT WAY, BUT IT IS INCONSISTENT.
FINALLY, I THINK THIS MOVIE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE LONGER SO THAT MORE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT COULD BE ADDED, ESPECIALLY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO DOCTORS.
I WILL RECOMMEND, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
A MENTALLY DISTURBED YOUNG RUSSIAN GIRL, SABINA (KNIGHTLEY) ENDS UP IN THE CARE OF CARL JUNG (FASSBENDER). IN TRYING TO CURE SABINA, JUNG TRIES OUT A BRAND NEW METHOD DEVELOPED BY SIGMUND FREUD (MORTENSEN). THIS LEADS TO THE EVENTUAL MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO DOCTORS, WHERE THEIR FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPS BUT IS ULTIMATELY TORN APART BY THEIR DIFFERING APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY. SABINA IS ALSO A FACTOR IN BOTH OF THE DOCTOR'S LIVES. THIS MOVIE TELLS THEIR STORIES.
IN TELLING THE STORY OF THE DEVELOPING FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JUNG AND FREUD, WE GET TO SEE THE CHARACTERS INTERACT AND THEREBY HOW THAT FRIENDSHIP BEGINS. DURING THE TIME THEY BREAK APART, WE ONLY GET TO SEE THIS THROUGH THE READING OF LETTERS THEY SEND EACH OTHER, WHICH SEEMS TO LACK SOME CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. THERE WERE ALSO TWO OR THREE TIMES WHEN SOMETHING WOULD HAPPEN, BUT IT WAS NEVER FULLY EXPLORED OR EXPLAINED, WHICH WAS BOTHERSOME.
MORTENSEN AND FASSBENDER DID A GOOD JOB AT PORTRAYING THE TWO DOCTORS: I FOUND THEIR ACTING TO BE BELIEVABLE. AS FOR KNIGHTLEY, THERE WERE TIMES IN THE FIRST HALF WHERE SHE SEEMED TO BE OVERACTING IN TRYING TO CONVEY HER MENTAL ILLNESS. THEN IN THE SECOND HALF WHEN SHE IS CURED AND A STUDENT, SHE ALMOST SEEMS TO BE UNDERACTING. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS HER DOING, THE DIRECTOR'S DOING OR IF THE SCRIPT WAS WRITTEN THAT WAY, BUT IT IS INCONSISTENT.
FINALLY, I THINK THIS MOVIE NEEDS TO BE A LITTLE LONGER SO THAT MORE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT COULD BE ADDED, ESPECIALLY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO DOCTORS.
I WILL RECOMMEND, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
LONDON BOULEVARD
COLIN FARRELL KEIRA KNIGHTLEY RAY WINSTONE BEN CHAPLIN
MITCHELL (FARRELL) HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL. HE IS PICKED UP BY BILLY (CHAPLIN) A FRIEND AND A SMALL TIME HOOD. BILLY WORKS FOR THE LOCAL GANGSTER GANT (WINSTONE), AND BILLY IMMEDIATELY TRIES TO GET MITCHELL INVOLVED WITH GANT. BUT MITCHELL WANTS TO GO STRAIGHT, AND ONE NIGHT FINDS OUT ABOUT A JOB AS A CARETAKER FOR RECLUSIVE ACTRESS CHARLOTTE (KNIGHTLEY). HOWEVER, GANT STARTS PRESSURING MITCHELL TO COME WORK FOR HIM, AND WE FIND OUT HOW MITCHELL RESOLVES THIS PROBLEM.
WITH THIS CAST I WAS EXPECTING MORE FROM THIS MOVIE. THE ACTING IS OKAY: WINSTONE IS MENACING AS GANT, CHAPLIN'S BILLY IS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF GREASY, FARRELL MAKES MITCHELL TOUGH AND CARING, ALTHOUGH I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT MITCHELL WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PRISON A LOT MORE JADED THAN HE WAS AND KNIGHTLEY MADE CHARLOTTE SEEM BELIEVABLE. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS WITH THE WRITING: THERE ARE QUITE A FEW HOLES IN THE STORY, THERE ARE CHARACTERS WHO COME AND GO WITH NO REAL REASON TO BE THERE OR ADD TO THE STORY AND AS I SAID WITH MITCHELL, SOME OF THE CHARACTERS DON'T RING TOO TRUE. I ALSO FOUND THE ENDING TO BE A LET DOWN, ALMOST LIKE IT WAS DONE JUST TO END THE MOVIE WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE.
I THOUGHT THE PHOTOGRAPHY WAS WELL DONE, SHOWING LONDON ALMOST TO THE POINT OF IT BEING ANOTHER CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE. I THINK THE DIRECTOR WAS TRYING FOR A 1960'S FILM FEEL TO THIS MOVIE AND HE GOT IT ABOUT HALF RIGHT.
I WILL RECOMMEND, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
MITCHELL (FARRELL) HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED FROM JAIL. HE IS PICKED UP BY BILLY (CHAPLIN) A FRIEND AND A SMALL TIME HOOD. BILLY WORKS FOR THE LOCAL GANGSTER GANT (WINSTONE), AND BILLY IMMEDIATELY TRIES TO GET MITCHELL INVOLVED WITH GANT. BUT MITCHELL WANTS TO GO STRAIGHT, AND ONE NIGHT FINDS OUT ABOUT A JOB AS A CARETAKER FOR RECLUSIVE ACTRESS CHARLOTTE (KNIGHTLEY). HOWEVER, GANT STARTS PRESSURING MITCHELL TO COME WORK FOR HIM, AND WE FIND OUT HOW MITCHELL RESOLVES THIS PROBLEM.
WITH THIS CAST I WAS EXPECTING MORE FROM THIS MOVIE. THE ACTING IS OKAY: WINSTONE IS MENACING AS GANT, CHAPLIN'S BILLY IS THE PROPER AMOUNT OF GREASY, FARRELL MAKES MITCHELL TOUGH AND CARING, ALTHOUGH I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING THAT MITCHELL WOULDN'T COME OUT OF PRISON A LOT MORE JADED THAN HE WAS AND KNIGHTLEY MADE CHARLOTTE SEEM BELIEVABLE. MY MAJOR COMPLAINT IS WITH THE WRITING: THERE ARE QUITE A FEW HOLES IN THE STORY, THERE ARE CHARACTERS WHO COME AND GO WITH NO REAL REASON TO BE THERE OR ADD TO THE STORY AND AS I SAID WITH MITCHELL, SOME OF THE CHARACTERS DON'T RING TOO TRUE. I ALSO FOUND THE ENDING TO BE A LET DOWN, ALMOST LIKE IT WAS DONE JUST TO END THE MOVIE WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED BEFORE.
I THOUGHT THE PHOTOGRAPHY WAS WELL DONE, SHOWING LONDON ALMOST TO THE POINT OF IT BEING ANOTHER CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE. I THINK THE DIRECTOR WAS TRYING FOR A 1960'S FILM FEEL TO THIS MOVIE AND HE GOT IT ABOUT HALF RIGHT.
I WILL RECOMMEND, BUT WITH SOME RESERVATIONS.
RATING 2.5 out of 5
Friday, August 3, 2012
CHERRY
KYLE GALLNER LAURA ALLEN BRIT ROBERTSON
AARON (GALLNER) IS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT WHO GETS ACCEPTED INTO AN IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL AT 17. ONE DAY HE MEETS LINDA (ALLEN), A HOT 30 SOMETHING STUDENT, AND INSTANTLY BECOMES ATTRACTED TO HER. LINDA LIKES AARON ALSO AND INVITES HIM TO DINNER ONE NIGHT. WHILE THERE, AARON MEETS BETH (ROBERTSON), LINDA'S 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO HAPPENS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH AARON.
ONCE AARON GETS INVOLVED WITH LINDA AND BETH, HIS LIFE SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL. HE MISSES CLASSES, DOESN'T STUDY AND ALMOST FLUNKS OUT OF SCHOOL. HE STRUGGLES WITH HIS ATTRACTION TO LINDA WHILE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE BETH'S ATTRACTION TO HIM. HIS ATTEMPTS FALL SHORT OF THEIR GOALS.
THIS IS A MULTI LAYERED STORY THAT IS DONE INCREDIBLY WELL. KYLE HAS AN OVERBEARING MOTHER, HAS TO SURVIVE ON HIS OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAS TO DEAL WITH HIS ROOMMATE, FRIENDS AND CLASSES, AND HOW BEING A VIRGIN AFFECTS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH LINDA AND BETH. LINDA IS A RECOVERING ADDICT, TRYING TO BETTER HERSELF THROUGH SCHOOL BUT FAILING, HAS A REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER AND AN ABUSIVE BOYFRIEND. BETH, ALSO A VIRGIN, HAS HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER MOM, IS RECKLESS AND OUTSPOKEN, AND IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN HER LIFE. WHEN SHE FINDS THAT PERSON IN KYLE, SHE GETS REJECTED AND IT ALMOST DESTROYS HER.
I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF STUFF TO HAVE IN ONE MOVIE, BUT WHEN IT IS AS WELL DONE AS IT IS IN CHERRY, IT IS A MOVIE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
AARON (GALLNER) IS AN EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT WHO GETS ACCEPTED INTO AN IVY LEAGUE SCHOOL AT 17. ONE DAY HE MEETS LINDA (ALLEN), A HOT 30 SOMETHING STUDENT, AND INSTANTLY BECOMES ATTRACTED TO HER. LINDA LIKES AARON ALSO AND INVITES HIM TO DINNER ONE NIGHT. WHILE THERE, AARON MEETS BETH (ROBERTSON), LINDA'S 14 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO HAPPENS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH AARON.
ONCE AARON GETS INVOLVED WITH LINDA AND BETH, HIS LIFE SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL. HE MISSES CLASSES, DOESN'T STUDY AND ALMOST FLUNKS OUT OF SCHOOL. HE STRUGGLES WITH HIS ATTRACTION TO LINDA WHILE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE BETH'S ATTRACTION TO HIM. HIS ATTEMPTS FALL SHORT OF THEIR GOALS.
THIS IS A MULTI LAYERED STORY THAT IS DONE INCREDIBLY WELL. KYLE HAS AN OVERBEARING MOTHER, HAS TO SURVIVE ON HIS OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAS TO DEAL WITH HIS ROOMMATE, FRIENDS AND CLASSES, AND HOW BEING A VIRGIN AFFECTS HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH LINDA AND BETH. LINDA IS A RECOVERING ADDICT, TRYING TO BETTER HERSELF THROUGH SCHOOL BUT FAILING, HAS A REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER AND AN ABUSIVE BOYFRIEND. BETH, ALSO A VIRGIN, HAS HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER MOM, IS RECKLESS AND OUTSPOKEN, AND IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE IN HER LIFE. WHEN SHE FINDS THAT PERSON IN KYLE, SHE GETS REJECTED AND IT ALMOST DESTROYS HER.
I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF STUFF TO HAVE IN ONE MOVIE, BUT WHEN IT IS AS WELL DONE AS IT IS IN CHERRY, IT IS A MOVIE THAT SHOULD NOT BE MISSED.
RATING 3.5 out of 5
CARNAGE
JODIE FOSTER KATE WINSLET CHRISTOPH WALTZ JOHN C. REILLY
WHEN PENELOPE (FOSTER) AND MICHAEL'S (REILLY) CHILD GETS HIT THE FACE WITH A STICK BY NANCY (WINSLET) AND ALAN'S (WALTZ) CHILD, THE PARENTS HAVE A MEETING TO TRY AND WORK THINGS OUT. THE MEETING STARTS OUT TENSE BUT CORDIAL, HOWEVER IT QUICKLY SINKS INTO A VERBAL ATTACK BETWEEN ALL FOUR PARENTS.
CARNAGE IS A VERY DARK AND SUBTLE COMEDY. THERE IS A LOT OF DIALOGUE, AND YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT IS BEING SAID TO GET THE FULL IMPACT OF ALL THE PERFORMANCES. REILLY SEEMED A LITTLE OUT OF PLACE: HIS ACTING IS GOOD BUT IT'S JUST A TAD BELOW THAT OF THE OTHER THREE AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD SHOW. HIS CHARACTER MICHAEL TRIED TO KEEP THINGS CIVIL AND NOT LET THINGS GET TOO WILD. ALAN, AS PLAYED BY WALTZ, WAS A SELF-RIGHTEOUS LAWYER WHO CARED MORE ABOUT HIS CASES THAN HIS FAMILY. THIS MANIFESTED ITSELF QUITE HILARIOUSLY IN HIS USE OF HIS CELL PHONE. NANCY WAS A BIT CONSERVATIVE WHO WANTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT NEEDED TO VENT HER FEELINGS ON CERTAIN THINGS THAT WOULD LEAD TO A CONFRONTATION WITH THE OTHERS, INCLUDING HER HUSBAND. FINALLY PENELOPE, THE LIBERAL OF THE GROUP, CLASHED WITH THE OTHERS MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HER LIBERALNESS. AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED, THE MEN BONDED AND THE WOMEN DIDN'T.
CARNAGE WAS ADAPTED FROM A PLAY AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS MORE LIKE WATCHING A PLAY THAT HAS BEEN FILMED THAN WATCHING A FILM, BUT THE PERFORMANCES ARE QUITE GOOD AND THERE ARE MANY LAYERS IN THE CHARACTERS THAT WILL BECOME APPARENT AFTER A FEW VIEWINGS. CHECK IT OUT.
RATING 3 out of 4
WHEN PENELOPE (FOSTER) AND MICHAEL'S (REILLY) CHILD GETS HIT THE FACE WITH A STICK BY NANCY (WINSLET) AND ALAN'S (WALTZ) CHILD, THE PARENTS HAVE A MEETING TO TRY AND WORK THINGS OUT. THE MEETING STARTS OUT TENSE BUT CORDIAL, HOWEVER IT QUICKLY SINKS INTO A VERBAL ATTACK BETWEEN ALL FOUR PARENTS.
CARNAGE IS A VERY DARK AND SUBTLE COMEDY. THERE IS A LOT OF DIALOGUE, AND YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT IS BEING SAID TO GET THE FULL IMPACT OF ALL THE PERFORMANCES. REILLY SEEMED A LITTLE OUT OF PLACE: HIS ACTING IS GOOD BUT IT'S JUST A TAD BELOW THAT OF THE OTHER THREE AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD SHOW. HIS CHARACTER MICHAEL TRIED TO KEEP THINGS CIVIL AND NOT LET THINGS GET TOO WILD. ALAN, AS PLAYED BY WALTZ, WAS A SELF-RIGHTEOUS LAWYER WHO CARED MORE ABOUT HIS CASES THAN HIS FAMILY. THIS MANIFESTED ITSELF QUITE HILARIOUSLY IN HIS USE OF HIS CELL PHONE. NANCY WAS A BIT CONSERVATIVE WHO WANTED TO DO THE RIGHT THING, BUT NEEDED TO VENT HER FEELINGS ON CERTAIN THINGS THAT WOULD LEAD TO A CONFRONTATION WITH THE OTHERS, INCLUDING HER HUSBAND. FINALLY PENELOPE, THE LIBERAL OF THE GROUP, CLASHED WITH THE OTHERS MOSTLY BECAUSE OF HER LIBERALNESS. AS MIGHT BE EXPECTED, THE MEN BONDED AND THE WOMEN DIDN'T.
CARNAGE WAS ADAPTED FROM A PLAY AND SOMETIMES IT FEELS MORE LIKE WATCHING A PLAY THAT HAS BEEN FILMED THAN WATCHING A FILM, BUT THE PERFORMANCES ARE QUITE GOOD AND THERE ARE MANY LAYERS IN THE CHARACTERS THAT WILL BECOME APPARENT AFTER A FEW VIEWINGS. CHECK IT OUT.
RATING 3 out of 4
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