Hanna
Director - Joe Wright
Writers - Seth Lochhead and David Farr
Starring - Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett and Eric Bana
A teenage girl trained to hunt, fight, evade, and seek revenge by her ex-CIA father in the wilderness of Finland.
The young Ronan does an outstanding job playing the part of an outsider encountering an entirely new world. She's weird and different, awkward enough...and yet plausible.
The story is new and different, an excellent twist on an old genre.
Cate Blanchett never fails to impress, both in her abilities, and her choice of roles in excellent (if different) films. I'd like to note that I usually love different in this context.
This is no exception.
Hanna is a nonstop thrill ride, with short but excellently crafted fight scenes and chases interspersed with strange situations and great character development scenes.
Rent it, watch it, love it.
I made it my number 2 for the year.
-just missed your heart
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Your Highness
Your Highness
Director - David Gordon Green
Writers – Danny McBride and Ben Best
Starring - Danny McBride, Natalie Portman and James Franco
What to say, what to say…
Danny McBride, that’s really all I can put forth here.
Critics have referenced The Princess Bride but outside of the fact that this is a medieval adventure comedy…yeah I don’t see it.
So yes, Danny McBride.
If you don’t like him or his humor, you won’t like this film.
And I’d like to be original, but I can’t come up with anything better than the general consensus that this is what The Princess Bride would have been if William Goldman had been a 14 year old who was high as a kite when he wrote it.
That’s right…awkward dick jokes, and more swearing than most sailors would approve of.
It’s more like a bunch of freshmen hanging out telling ludicrously inappropriate jokes while some dragon adventure takes place in the background than it is a fantastic adventure.
That’s not to say it isn’t funny or quotable…just…yeah.
Watch it on cable, either drunk, high, or with a bunch of friends who are all looking for something stupid and immature…nothing highbrow.
Anti-highbrow actually.
Possible funny time had laughing with friends…but definitely not worth the price of admission.
For those of you who did spend money at the theatre, I apologize for taking so long to write this and warn you.
Sitting squarely at number 8 for the year.
-can do magic
Director - David Gordon Green
Writers – Danny McBride and Ben Best
Starring - Danny McBride, Natalie Portman and James Franco
What to say, what to say…
Danny McBride, that’s really all I can put forth here.
Critics have referenced The Princess Bride but outside of the fact that this is a medieval adventure comedy…yeah I don’t see it.
So yes, Danny McBride.
If you don’t like him or his humor, you won’t like this film.
And I’d like to be original, but I can’t come up with anything better than the general consensus that this is what The Princess Bride would have been if William Goldman had been a 14 year old who was high as a kite when he wrote it.
That’s right…awkward dick jokes, and more swearing than most sailors would approve of.
It’s more like a bunch of freshmen hanging out telling ludicrously inappropriate jokes while some dragon adventure takes place in the background than it is a fantastic adventure.
That’s not to say it isn’t funny or quotable…just…yeah.
Watch it on cable, either drunk, high, or with a bunch of friends who are all looking for something stupid and immature…nothing highbrow.
Anti-highbrow actually.
Possible funny time had laughing with friends…but definitely not worth the price of admission.
For those of you who did spend money at the theatre, I apologize for taking so long to write this and warn you.
Sitting squarely at number 8 for the year.
-can do magic
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch
Director – Zach Snyder
Writer – Zach Snyder
Starring – Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jena Malone
I should warn you that the critics didn’t like this movie at all. They felt suckered possibly…or punched. Neither leaves you happy and those folks definitely weren’t jovial.
Having said that…I very much enjoyed the film.
A bunch even.
The difference is that I didn’t expect any far reaching plot or in depth discoveries about myself as a human being. Let’s look at the constituent parts…
Zach Snyder brought us 300 and Watchmen. Two visually stunning movies…but in both cases the story is already written. 300 is a brutal and heroic tale from history while Watchmen is a morality play of the best sort…but a comic book that left little need for interpretation.
Perhaps Mr Snyder needs to work on his writing, but as for directing he has a talent for the grand and the beautiful. This movie is definitely both of those things, with overwhelming fight scenes that the critics will tell you were unbelievable and over the top.
The story is about an abused girl sent to a mental institution by her greedy stepfather. She escapes to a fantasy world to deal with the horrors of her situation. There is plenty in that setup to allow a viewer to ask for something…anything deep and meaningful. So I can’t really blame the critics when they are disappointed…but honestly…
Emily Browning is a newcomer. I can’t tell you that she did a poor job, but she won’t be nominated for an Oscar either.
Vanessa Hudgens is here not because she’s an action star…but because she’s a pretty face that some of you will recognize.
So what exactly is this film?
This movie is hot chicks battling dragons, robots, orcs, and Nazis…
Nazis!
With crazy explosions, guns, weapons, and lap dances…
Sexy sexy lap dances.
And let me tell you folks…that’s all I expected. Hot chicks, crazy battles, and explosions.
I was not disappointed in the slightest.
I can tell you that I really liked the way they bounced between imagination and reality, that at times it was a little bit confusing but not enough for me to mind. I appreciated that they grabbed you right at the very beginning and threw you straight into the movie. I didn’t like the gimmick they used to actually begin the crazy fight scenes…but eh…I don’t have a good alternative to offer so eh…
Whatever…you know what to expect now. I’m ranking it fairly high, number 4 for the year…but you also know what I was looking for. Keep that in mind.
- fierce as any dragon
Director – Zach Snyder
Writer – Zach Snyder
Starring – Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jena Malone
I should warn you that the critics didn’t like this movie at all. They felt suckered possibly…or punched. Neither leaves you happy and those folks definitely weren’t jovial.
Having said that…I very much enjoyed the film.
A bunch even.
The difference is that I didn’t expect any far reaching plot or in depth discoveries about myself as a human being. Let’s look at the constituent parts…
Zach Snyder brought us 300 and Watchmen. Two visually stunning movies…but in both cases the story is already written. 300 is a brutal and heroic tale from history while Watchmen is a morality play of the best sort…but a comic book that left little need for interpretation.
Perhaps Mr Snyder needs to work on his writing, but as for directing he has a talent for the grand and the beautiful. This movie is definitely both of those things, with overwhelming fight scenes that the critics will tell you were unbelievable and over the top.
The story is about an abused girl sent to a mental institution by her greedy stepfather. She escapes to a fantasy world to deal with the horrors of her situation. There is plenty in that setup to allow a viewer to ask for something…anything deep and meaningful. So I can’t really blame the critics when they are disappointed…but honestly…
Emily Browning is a newcomer. I can’t tell you that she did a poor job, but she won’t be nominated for an Oscar either.
Vanessa Hudgens is here not because she’s an action star…but because she’s a pretty face that some of you will recognize.
So what exactly is this film?
This movie is hot chicks battling dragons, robots, orcs, and Nazis…
Nazis!
With crazy explosions, guns, weapons, and lap dances…
Sexy sexy lap dances.
And let me tell you folks…that’s all I expected. Hot chicks, crazy battles, and explosions.
I was not disappointed in the slightest.
I can tell you that I really liked the way they bounced between imagination and reality, that at times it was a little bit confusing but not enough for me to mind. I appreciated that they grabbed you right at the very beginning and threw you straight into the movie. I didn’t like the gimmick they used to actually begin the crazy fight scenes…but eh…I don’t have a good alternative to offer so eh…
Whatever…you know what to expect now. I’m ranking it fairly high, number 4 for the year…but you also know what I was looking for. Keep that in mind.
- fierce as any dragon
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Rango
Rango
Director – Gore Verbinski
Writer – John Logan
Starring – Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher
An animated comedy poking fun at the Spaghetti Westerns of old, this movie packs a ton of references into a funny little package.
We start with a thespian lizard playing Shakespeare to an audience of none, but his fortunes change and a bit of quick thinking lands him a role as Sheriff of the town of Dirt.
That’s right, Dirt.
Dirt is in the middle of the desert, and as such, water is power.
Power isn’t really what our hero is good at…he’s much better at being self deprecating and afraid…but he does this with excellent comedic timing. Heh.
The real push for me as an adult though…was all of the other references that have been thrown in. Don Quixote, Planet of the Apes, Fear and Loathing, Pirates of the Caribbean…there’s even a cameo by a certain western star, though it’d have been far better if he’d actually done the voice.
On top of the quotes and references…the movie is beautifully animated and hilarious in its own right. Playing the fourth wall is well done here, it doesn't take itself too seriously. I don’t think you’d have been disappointed in spending the price for a ticket…so now that I’ve posted this months late…don’t feel bad about a rental. It is definitely worth the time.
Came in at number 5 for now…though I think it’s kind of a tie with Battle: Los Angeles…really just depends on what you want to see, explosions and aliens or comedic lizard western?
-enjoys a hearty puttanesca
Director – Gore Verbinski
Writer – John Logan
Starring – Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher
An animated comedy poking fun at the Spaghetti Westerns of old, this movie packs a ton of references into a funny little package.
We start with a thespian lizard playing Shakespeare to an audience of none, but his fortunes change and a bit of quick thinking lands him a role as Sheriff of the town of Dirt.
That’s right, Dirt.
Dirt is in the middle of the desert, and as such, water is power.
Power isn’t really what our hero is good at…he’s much better at being self deprecating and afraid…but he does this with excellent comedic timing. Heh.
The real push for me as an adult though…was all of the other references that have been thrown in. Don Quixote, Planet of the Apes, Fear and Loathing, Pirates of the Caribbean…there’s even a cameo by a certain western star, though it’d have been far better if he’d actually done the voice.
On top of the quotes and references…the movie is beautifully animated and hilarious in its own right. Playing the fourth wall is well done here, it doesn't take itself too seriously. I don’t think you’d have been disappointed in spending the price for a ticket…so now that I’ve posted this months late…don’t feel bad about a rental. It is definitely worth the time.
Came in at number 5 for now…though I think it’s kind of a tie with Battle: Los Angeles…really just depends on what you want to see, explosions and aliens or comedic lizard western?
-enjoys a hearty puttanesca
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Battle: Los Angeles
Battle: Los Angeles
Director - Jonathan Liebesman
Writer - Christopher Bertolini
Starring - Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez
Cloverfield meets Black Hawk Down.
That's really all you need.
There is a cool subplot regarding the main character, and the movie is well executed.
Aliens attack the planet, we don't see too much of them, the pace is frenetic at times, and there is definitely that macho war feel you get from Black Hawk Down.
Good Freaking Movie Man. I'm putting it at number 4 for the year, under Tron, but it's really close to a tie with that movie.
-obsessed with the fat lady
Director - Jonathan Liebesman
Writer - Christopher Bertolini
Starring - Aaron Eckhart and Michelle Rodriguez
Cloverfield meets Black Hawk Down.
That's really all you need.
There is a cool subplot regarding the main character, and the movie is well executed.
Aliens attack the planet, we don't see too much of them, the pace is frenetic at times, and there is definitely that macho war feel you get from Black Hawk Down.
Good Freaking Movie Man. I'm putting it at number 4 for the year, under Tron, but it's really close to a tie with that movie.
-obsessed with the fat lady
Thursday, April 07, 2011
The Eagle
The Eagle
Director - Kevin Macdonald
Writers - Jeremy Brock and Rosemary Sutcliff
Starring - Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland
This is a redemption tale.
Except there's no need for the main character to redeem himself.
This is a story of honor, except even that is muddled and sometimes pushed too far.
Okay, so it's an epic quest...pulled off through deception and thievery?
It's a buddy tale...as told in the last 30 seconds of the film where they make lighthearted jokes about the whole thing?
Man I'm confused.
Channing and Jamie do a decent job playing their roles, no complaint there. Sutherland has a good sized supporting role, and delivers well as always.
Here's the thing...the plot sucks and the story is mediocre.
But the history they tell and pictorals? Beautiful.
The cinematographer is fantastic...man deserves a medal. The fight scenes are really well done, and while much of the middle section of the movie is slow drudgery...it does so with fantastic scenery and visuals.
Don't spend money on this. It's number 5 for now, and will stay at the bottom unless something truly horrible comes along.
-the eagle is rome
Director - Kevin Macdonald
Writers - Jeremy Brock and Rosemary Sutcliff
Starring - Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, and Donald Sutherland
This is a redemption tale.
Except there's no need for the main character to redeem himself.
This is a story of honor, except even that is muddled and sometimes pushed too far.
Okay, so it's an epic quest...pulled off through deception and thievery?
It's a buddy tale...as told in the last 30 seconds of the film where they make lighthearted jokes about the whole thing?
Man I'm confused.
Channing and Jamie do a decent job playing their roles, no complaint there. Sutherland has a good sized supporting role, and delivers well as always.
Here's the thing...the plot sucks and the story is mediocre.
But the history they tell and pictorals? Beautiful.
The cinematographer is fantastic...man deserves a medal. The fight scenes are really well done, and while much of the middle section of the movie is slow drudgery...it does so with fantastic scenery and visuals.
Don't spend money on this. It's number 5 for now, and will stay at the bottom unless something truly horrible comes along.
-the eagle is rome
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Gnomeo and Juliet
Gnomeo and Juliet
Director - Kelley Asbury
Writers - William Shakespeare and Kelley Asbury
Starring - James McAvoy and Emily Blunt
I'm waaaay late on writing this one, and the next, and kinda late on even the one after that...forgive me?
Anyway...this is cute, funny, and highly quoteable for kids. I know because I took my lovely niece LittleA.
You know the story, or at least I hope you do. I liked the Elton John that was thrown in, but I hear many people didn't appreciate it at all. It is simple, with a ton of one liners, but I don't think they went over the top.
LittleA loved it, and the two of us quoted it the whole ride home.
As a standalone movie for adults...not at all. but the kid loved it so yeah.
For all of the little things, and the recommendation that you should definitely take the kids...it is at the bottom of the list for the moment at number 4.
-a weed by any other name
Director - Kelley Asbury
Writers - William Shakespeare and Kelley Asbury
Starring - James McAvoy and Emily Blunt
I'm waaaay late on writing this one, and the next, and kinda late on even the one after that...forgive me?
Anyway...this is cute, funny, and highly quoteable for kids. I know because I took my lovely niece LittleA.
You know the story, or at least I hope you do. I liked the Elton John that was thrown in, but I hear many people didn't appreciate it at all. It is simple, with a ton of one liners, but I don't think they went over the top.
LittleA loved it, and the two of us quoted it the whole ride home.
As a standalone movie for adults...not at all. but the kid loved it so yeah.
For all of the little things, and the recommendation that you should definitely take the kids...it is at the bottom of the list for the moment at number 4.
-a weed by any other name
Saturday, February 26, 2011
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet
Director - Michel Gondry
Writers - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Starring - Seth Rogen and Jay Chou
This is more of an anti-superhero movie more closely resembling Max Smart than it does Batman. Seth Rogen turns Brit Reid into a childish buffoon, and does such a good job that at times you really want to smack him. His sidekick Kato is the real hero, inventing crazy gadgets and performing over the top stunts.
Definitely cheesy, with one liners and slapstick thrown around in abundance...you'll definitely laugh.
I liked it, but I'm not a fanboy so the change in tone doesn't bother me. If you're looking for something different, with plenty of action and lots of laughs, this movie is for you.
I ranked it above Tron Legacy if that tells you anything.
Number 2 for the year so far.
-wasting his potential
Director - Michel Gondry
Writers - Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg
Starring - Seth Rogen and Jay Chou
This is more of an anti-superhero movie more closely resembling Max Smart than it does Batman. Seth Rogen turns Brit Reid into a childish buffoon, and does such a good job that at times you really want to smack him. His sidekick Kato is the real hero, inventing crazy gadgets and performing over the top stunts.
Definitely cheesy, with one liners and slapstick thrown around in abundance...you'll definitely laugh.
I liked it, but I'm not a fanboy so the change in tone doesn't bother me. If you're looking for something different, with plenty of action and lots of laughs, this movie is for you.
I ranked it above Tron Legacy if that tells you anything.
Number 2 for the year so far.
-wasting his potential
Friday, February 25, 2011
2011 Movie Reviews
You know the drill...
1. True Grit
2. Hanna
3. The Green Hornet
4. Tron Legacy
5. Sucker Punch
6. Battle: Los Angeles
7. Rango
8. Gnomeo and Juliet
*meh*
9. Your Highness
10. The Eagle
-wish he knew how to quit you
1. True Grit
2. Hanna
3. The Green Hornet
4. Tron Legacy
5. Sucker Punch
6. Battle: Los Angeles
7. Rango
8. Gnomeo and Juliet
*meh*
9. Your Highness
10. The Eagle
-wish he knew how to quit you
Thursday, February 10, 2011
True Grit
True Grit
Directed - The Coen Brothers
Written - Charles Portis
Starring - Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld
True Grit stays true to its roots.
I haven't seen the John Wayne version all the way through. Okay, that's a shame and something I should fix, I know...but from what I've seen of the two, the new movie deviates very little from the original telling.
Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper...all well done. I'll even say to look out for the young girl from the film...Hailee Steinfeld. We expect excellent work from the other names on that list, but she was no slouch.
Also, I love the dialogue in this film. In fact, I may just go get the book.
It's a well done retelling of a classic John Wayne western. You'll get exactly what you expect from that sort of description and I'd be shocked if you were unhappy with the results. I certainly wasn't.
Go see it, it's number 1 on my list so far this year.
-a saucy line
Directed - The Coen Brothers
Written - Charles Portis
Starring - Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Hailee Steinfeld
True Grit stays true to its roots.
I haven't seen the John Wayne version all the way through. Okay, that's a shame and something I should fix, I know...but from what I've seen of the two, the new movie deviates very little from the original telling.
Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Barry Pepper...all well done. I'll even say to look out for the young girl from the film...Hailee Steinfeld. We expect excellent work from the other names on that list, but she was no slouch.
Also, I love the dialogue in this film. In fact, I may just go get the book.
It's a well done retelling of a classic John Wayne western. You'll get exactly what you expect from that sort of description and I'd be shocked if you were unhappy with the results. I certainly wasn't.
Go see it, it's number 1 on my list so far this year.
-a saucy line
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Tron Legacy
Tron Legacy
Director - Joseph Kosinski
Writer - Edward Kitsis
Starring - Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde
Jack of all trades, master of none, this is the story of Tron Legacy.
It's a sci-fi, action, adventure, redemption, messiah, family, epic, love story.
By trying so hard to please everyone, I think they only managed to midly entertain most of the audience. Only the fanboys were really overjoyed.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie.
The 3D is beautiful, and the trick they played between the real world and cyberspace was well done. But still...meh.
The movie starts out strong, tries to make a dramatic point, and then ends with a great big pop.
Pop.
You would think bang...but it turned out to be a cork gun instead of a howitzer.
Go figure.
Again, I liked it but wanted more. They should have focused on one aspect, left some details out entirely or pushed them farther.
Anyway, worth seeing, and will end up number 3 on the list. But only because I had a ton of fun with one of the other movies. They are kind of a tie.
You'll see.
-he's different
Director - Joseph Kosinski
Writer - Edward Kitsis
Starring - Jeff Bridges and Olivia Wilde
Jack of all trades, master of none, this is the story of Tron Legacy.
It's a sci-fi, action, adventure, redemption, messiah, family, epic, love story.
By trying so hard to please everyone, I think they only managed to midly entertain most of the audience. Only the fanboys were really overjoyed.
Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie.
The 3D is beautiful, and the trick they played between the real world and cyberspace was well done. But still...meh.
The movie starts out strong, tries to make a dramatic point, and then ends with a great big pop.
Pop.
You would think bang...but it turned out to be a cork gun instead of a howitzer.
Go figure.
Again, I liked it but wanted more. They should have focused on one aspect, left some details out entirely or pushed them farther.
Anyway, worth seeing, and will end up number 3 on the list. But only because I had a ton of fun with one of the other movies. They are kind of a tie.
You'll see.
-he's different
Tuesday, January 04, 2011
Megamind
Megamind
Director - Tom McGrath
Writer - Alan J. Schoolcraft
Starring - Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, and Brad Pitt
This is your classic superman vs supervillian movie, with a decent sized twist. I liked Megamind. The boy and I saw this in 3D at the theatre in Carrickfergus. There were very little of the crazy 3D gimmicks. I think the film companies are laying off of that a bit more.
Just give me decent 3D. There's no need to throw anything directly at my face.
Thank you very much.
Yes, anyway...classic setup with a very good twist. The one liners are excellent and the voice acting is well done. This is a fantastic movie for a little kid. The boy is 9 now and his trip with me was his second viewing. He insisted on this movie too so I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he gives it a thumbs up.
This was a very good movie for the little ones while still managing to thoroughly entertain the adults.
Well, this adult was entertained.
There's an interesting idea put forth in the idea that when we fight for, or against, something for most of our lives...well...what do we do when that adversarial relationship is gone?
I liked it. Even ranked it #5 for the year, putting it just a tiny smidge under Harry Potter DH.
I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Go see it.
Or rent it maybe...this review is somewhat late.
Meh.
It also closes out 2010.
Tron is next on the list, and will be a sturdy #1 for 2011. But well...yes...just one movie for now so there you go.
-the black sheep
Director - Tom McGrath
Writer - Alan J. Schoolcraft
Starring - Will Ferrell, Jonah Hill, and Brad Pitt
This is your classic superman vs supervillian movie, with a decent sized twist. I liked Megamind. The boy and I saw this in 3D at the theatre in Carrickfergus. There were very little of the crazy 3D gimmicks. I think the film companies are laying off of that a bit more.
Just give me decent 3D. There's no need to throw anything directly at my face.
Thank you very much.
Yes, anyway...classic setup with a very good twist. The one liners are excellent and the voice acting is well done. This is a fantastic movie for a little kid. The boy is 9 now and his trip with me was his second viewing. He insisted on this movie too so I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he gives it a thumbs up.
This was a very good movie for the little ones while still managing to thoroughly entertain the adults.
Well, this adult was entertained.
There's an interesting idea put forth in the idea that when we fight for, or against, something for most of our lives...well...what do we do when that adversarial relationship is gone?
I liked it. Even ranked it #5 for the year, putting it just a tiny smidge under Harry Potter DH.
I don't think you'll be disappointed at all. Go see it.
Or rent it maybe...this review is somewhat late.
Meh.
It also closes out 2010.
Tron is next on the list, and will be a sturdy #1 for 2011. But well...yes...just one movie for now so there you go.
-the black sheep
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Harry Potter DH 1
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1
Director - David Yates
Writter - J.K. Rowling
Starring - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint
You should probably just read this...I agree with him mostly, though I'd say that I didn't find the book dull at all. I think the director did the best he could with the subject matter...but it's just so slow in the middle of the movie while they camp around the countryside.
Still a decent movie though. It wasn't so boring or slow that I fell asleep or wanted to walk out. More like a comeoncanwegetonwithit kind of boring.
Anyway, it came in at #4 for me for 2010. Closely tied with Megamind which the boy and I saw the week after. I'll review that one next. Then Tron.
Expect updates every few days for a bit. I'm working on it.
-not a witch
Director - David Yates
Writter - J.K. Rowling
Starring - Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint
You should probably just read this...I agree with him mostly, though I'd say that I didn't find the book dull at all. I think the director did the best he could with the subject matter...but it's just so slow in the middle of the movie while they camp around the countryside.
Still a decent movie though. It wasn't so boring or slow that I fell asleep or wanted to walk out. More like a comeoncanwegetonwithit kind of boring.
Anyway, it came in at #4 for me for 2010. Closely tied with Megamind which the boy and I saw the week after. I'll review that one next. Then Tron.
Expect updates every few days for a bit. I'm working on it.
-not a witch
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
RED
RED
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, as well as Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Look...it's an allstar cast beyond a shadow of a doubt. That alone is reason enough to recommend this movie.
Based on the D.C. Comic of the same name, this movie is about ex CIA operatives who have been tagged RED. That is to say they are Retired, Extremely Dangerous.
So the film centers around a group of folks who are probably in their 60s, have retired, and are living nice quiet boring lives.
At least until someone else decides that our heroes know too much and feels they should be whacked.
Then hilarity ensues.
That's the part I wasn't expecting...the hilarity. Because John Malkovich is brilliant (as always really but call me a fan boy) and because the plot lends itself to whacky moments. Not too crazy over the top when is this movie going to be over...but laugh out loud, that's funny, ooh what's next kind of gags. This is good stuff. I would never have expected a spy action comedy to be so entertaining but I stand corrected.
If nothing else, go see Malkovich pout with a stuffed pig, or because Mary-Louise Parker is cute as all hell as she rants about her bad date.
Good stuff.
Oh, and a distinct lack of gore. Sure...people die...but they handled that more disney...with a light sprinkling of blood and an absence of the attrocities you expect to see in Rambo or a war film.
I'm ranking it number 3 for the year. That is still high enough that I'd go see it again.
-Old man my ass!
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writers: Jon and Erich Hoeber
Starring: Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, as well as Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Look...it's an allstar cast beyond a shadow of a doubt. That alone is reason enough to recommend this movie.
Based on the D.C. Comic of the same name, this movie is about ex CIA operatives who have been tagged RED. That is to say they are Retired, Extremely Dangerous.
So the film centers around a group of folks who are probably in their 60s, have retired, and are living nice quiet boring lives.
At least until someone else decides that our heroes know too much and feels they should be whacked.
Then hilarity ensues.
That's the part I wasn't expecting...the hilarity. Because John Malkovich is brilliant (as always really but call me a fan boy) and because the plot lends itself to whacky moments. Not too crazy over the top when is this movie going to be over...but laugh out loud, that's funny, ooh what's next kind of gags. This is good stuff. I would never have expected a spy action comedy to be so entertaining but I stand corrected.
If nothing else, go see Malkovich pout with a stuffed pig, or because Mary-Louise Parker is cute as all hell as she rants about her bad date.
Good stuff.
Oh, and a distinct lack of gore. Sure...people die...but they handled that more disney...with a light sprinkling of blood and an absence of the attrocities you expect to see in Rambo or a war film.
I'm ranking it number 3 for the year. That is still high enough that I'd go see it again.
-Old man my ass!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Social Network
The Social Network
Director - David Fincher
Writer - Aaron Sorkin
Starring - Jesse Eisenberg
Based on the legal drama surrounding Facebook this movie actually shines.
A movie about a social network shows precisely how messed up a network can become and how quickly things can go horribly wrong. Well...if you aren't careful about how you treat your friends and whom you choose to surround yourself with.
Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job of getting you to hate him and feel sorry for him at the same time.
Also...and it pains me to say this...but Justin Timberlake has a short appearance and he didn't suck in the slightest. I don't know where he's taking lessons but his teacher is apparently amazing.
Keep in mind that I hadn't seen a movie in what feels like forever...but I really enjoyed this movie. I like watching the interplay of people.
Good stuff.
Go see it at the theatre, I strongly doubt that you'll be disappointed. I'm ranking it #2 for the year. Okay...that's just out of 4 for now...but still.
-written in ink
Director - David Fincher
Writer - Aaron Sorkin
Starring - Jesse Eisenberg
Based on the legal drama surrounding Facebook this movie actually shines.
A movie about a social network shows precisely how messed up a network can become and how quickly things can go horribly wrong. Well...if you aren't careful about how you treat your friends and whom you choose to surround yourself with.
Jesse Eisenberg does a fantastic job of getting you to hate him and feel sorry for him at the same time.
Also...and it pains me to say this...but Justin Timberlake has a short appearance and he didn't suck in the slightest. I don't know where he's taking lessons but his teacher is apparently amazing.
Keep in mind that I hadn't seen a movie in what feels like forever...but I really enjoyed this movie. I like watching the interplay of people.
Good stuff.
Go see it at the theatre, I strongly doubt that you'll be disappointed. I'm ranking it #2 for the year. Okay...that's just out of 4 for now...but still.
-written in ink
Monday, August 16, 2010
Inception
Inception
Writer/Director - Christopher Nolan
Starring - Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ellen Paige
Layers.
Onions have layers. This movie has layers. This movie is like an onion.
No. Wait. scratch that.
But yes...layers.
It's a heist movie, only it isn't.
It's sci-fi...but not crazy over the top otherworldly sci-fi. In this case a completely new impossible technology is involved, but it's cleverly placed into a setting that we will recognize and relate to. This is smart, making it far easier for us to accept the entire story.
There's also a small love story.
And a dash of espionage.
As I said...layers.
When we look for onions we test for many things...but looks, color, texture...these are the most important to me. Movies are no different, and the cinematography here didn't disappoint. Stunning landscapes and dream sequences abound. The astounding views and scenes shown in the trailers are carried throughout the film.
Onions will make you cry. This movie...
Well, okay, no crying.
Let's forget about the onions.
Layers though...from beginning to end you will be thinking about the many different levels and different plays taking place. It is definitely the best movie I've seen this year...but you won't likely walk out of the theatre with a smile on your face, because it isn't a feel-good king of thing.
Emotional draw is what this movie did best. You become invested in the outcome. Not just along a single story line either. I don't want to give anything away, but there are two poignant emotional moments that really struck at me. Both are similar in what they were supposed to be...but so different in the moments themselves. That's right, I'm a vague bastard. I'm also a badass and a sweetheart.
Because layers.
Exactly.
Yet for all of that...the plot was relatively simple. Not much in the way of twists and turns or unseen moments. Apparently some folks haven't liked this...but trust me, with everything else going on here, I think that would have made this movie too complicated, too intricate.
I'm going to tell you that Inception is a must-see. It is currently #1 on my list for this year. Just be prepared for a show that will make you think.
-dream weaver
Writer/Director - Christopher Nolan
Starring - Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ellen Paige
Layers.
Onions have layers. This movie has layers. This movie is like an onion.
No. Wait. scratch that.
But yes...layers.
It's a heist movie, only it isn't.
It's sci-fi...but not crazy over the top otherworldly sci-fi. In this case a completely new impossible technology is involved, but it's cleverly placed into a setting that we will recognize and relate to. This is smart, making it far easier for us to accept the entire story.
There's also a small love story.
And a dash of espionage.
As I said...layers.
When we look for onions we test for many things...but looks, color, texture...these are the most important to me. Movies are no different, and the cinematography here didn't disappoint. Stunning landscapes and dream sequences abound. The astounding views and scenes shown in the trailers are carried throughout the film.
Onions will make you cry. This movie...
Well, okay, no crying.
Let's forget about the onions.
Layers though...from beginning to end you will be thinking about the many different levels and different plays taking place. It is definitely the best movie I've seen this year...but you won't likely walk out of the theatre with a smile on your face, because it isn't a feel-good king of thing.
Emotional draw is what this movie did best. You become invested in the outcome. Not just along a single story line either. I don't want to give anything away, but there are two poignant emotional moments that really struck at me. Both are similar in what they were supposed to be...but so different in the moments themselves. That's right, I'm a vague bastard. I'm also a badass and a sweetheart.
Because layers.
Exactly.
Yet for all of that...the plot was relatively simple. Not much in the way of twists and turns or unseen moments. Apparently some folks haven't liked this...but trust me, with everything else going on here, I think that would have made this movie too complicated, too intricate.
I'm going to tell you that Inception is a must-see. It is currently #1 on my list for this year. Just be prepared for a show that will make you think.
-dream weaver
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Salt
Salt
Writer - Kurt Wimmer (also wrote Ultraviolet and Equilibrium)
Director - Phillip Noyce
Starring - Angelina Jolie
This is a spy thriller, no bones about that. More Jason Bourne than James Bond. Though, I think I liked that.
Heh...I just realized that those two spys have the same initials.
Anyway...the fight scenes are mostly believable, and the camera shots are kept clean. The only use of the jittery camera is during one of the car chases.
I've heard people say that Jolie doesn't deliver, but I don't think she had much to work with. The dialogue is kept to a minimum and the opportunity to show her character as anything other than an action hero are short and few. I think that those she did have were used relatively well.
The other thing I liked about this movie is that it wasn't so far out of whack that everything came from left field, but also not so simple that I was guessing all of the plot twists long before they happened.
It engaged me, kept my mind playing, and let me figure things out just before they happened. That's a key feature to the thriller and is pulled off very well here.
So, final verdict...it's worth the price at the theatre. I put it at #2 for the year. If you enjoy a good spy movie with a healthy dose of action and plenty of plot twists...this is the movie for you.
-not a russian spy
Writer - Kurt Wimmer (also wrote Ultraviolet and Equilibrium)
Director - Phillip Noyce
Starring - Angelina Jolie
This is a spy thriller, no bones about that. More Jason Bourne than James Bond. Though, I think I liked that.
Heh...I just realized that those two spys have the same initials.
Anyway...the fight scenes are mostly believable, and the camera shots are kept clean. The only use of the jittery camera is during one of the car chases.
I've heard people say that Jolie doesn't deliver, but I don't think she had much to work with. The dialogue is kept to a minimum and the opportunity to show her character as anything other than an action hero are short and few. I think that those she did have were used relatively well.
The other thing I liked about this movie is that it wasn't so far out of whack that everything came from left field, but also not so simple that I was guessing all of the plot twists long before they happened.
It engaged me, kept my mind playing, and let me figure things out just before they happened. That's a key feature to the thriller and is pulled off very well here.
So, final verdict...it's worth the price at the theatre. I put it at #2 for the year. If you enjoy a good spy movie with a healthy dose of action and plenty of plot twists...this is the movie for you.
-not a russian spy
2010 Movie List
Okay, so.
The idea here is to rank all of the movies I've seen this year...only I didn't review all of them and well...I'm not sure how to place them.
As a result we'll start with what I've seen in the past two weeks and go from there.
I will tell you though...Dispicable Me was awesome. Go see it.
Also...Toy Story 3...I've been told it's a masterpiece but I ho-hummed it. Don't know, maybe because I expected more than their stock storyline after all of this time?
Eh...if you liked the other two you'll still like this one.
Anyway...onto the list!
1. Inception
2. The Social Network
3. RED
4. Harry Potter
5. Megamind
6. Salt
7. The Other Guys
-everyone's a critic
The idea here is to rank all of the movies I've seen this year...only I didn't review all of them and well...I'm not sure how to place them.
As a result we'll start with what I've seen in the past two weeks and go from there.
I will tell you though...Dispicable Me was awesome. Go see it.
Also...Toy Story 3...I've been told it's a masterpiece but I ho-hummed it. Don't know, maybe because I expected more than their stock storyline after all of this time?
Eh...if you liked the other two you'll still like this one.
Anyway...onto the list!
1. Inception
2. The Social Network
3. RED
4. Harry Potter
5. Megamind
6. Salt
7. The Other Guys
-everyone's a critic
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