DemiRonin Reviews

Our Idiot Brother (2011)

Paul Rudd has always been a likable character, but likability alone is not quite enough to make for a memorable comedy

[27 August 2011]

Our Idiot Brother is an ensemble comedy about a brother who unexpectedly comes back into the lives of three New York sisters. Ned, played by Paul Rudd, is not exactly an idiot, but more like a happy-go-lucky puppy who sometimes pees on the carpet. Ned only sees the good in people and believes that if you give others the benefit of the doubt, things will work out for the better. Unfortunately for Ned, he lives in the real world and not everyone is the Honest-Abe Ned embodies.

The movie starts off with Ned being arrested for selling Marijuana to a officer on duty, who takes advantage of Ned's generous nature by telling him he's been going through some tough times. After being released from prison for good behavior Ned returns home to a co- op biodynamic farm only to learn that his long term hippie girlfriend (Kathryn Hahn) has replaced him with a new boyfriend, Billy played by T.J. Miller. Not only is she kicking Ned out the farm but she's also decided to keep Ned's best friend in the world, a golden retriever by the name of Willie Nelson.

With only a backpack to his name Ned moves back in with his family which consists of his mother and three sisters: Liz (Emily Mortimer) the busy mother of two who is married to an documentary filmmaker, Miranda (Elizabeth Banks) the career oriented journalist, and Natalie (Zooey Deschanel) the bisexual artist - slash - comedian. Ned moves from one sister's home to the next as his welcome is quickly depleted by Ned's inability to adapt his sisters' Type A personalities. Ned's just not used to the double faced lives of other people. His innocence doesn't allow him to keep track of what's a secret and what's not. Ned has the strange ability to reveal the darker sides of those around him, revealing truths that many would rather not acknowledge. Ned acts as the catalyst to disrupt everyone else's shallow lives so that they may live a truer and more loving existence. "Ignorance is bliss" is obviously a strong theme in this film.

The cast for the film is very dynamic with plenty of talent to hold the scenes together. However some of the sisters never quite garner enough sympathy from the audience. They are all so self absorbed that when they blame their problems on Ned it simply adds for the viewer's dislike for the characters. Our Idiot Brother is primarily about family but great family feuding films have great moments of forgiveness. This film has one of those moments but for some reason the forgiveness feels like there wasn't much of a struggle. The reason for this is there's simply no reason to hate such a simple and loving character. Yes, Ned can be a little blind to things going on around him but overall the anger towards Ned from his sisters just makes them look jealous of his honesty.

As for Ned you never really know where he's supposed to be going in the film. It is somewhat set up that he has dreams of living back on the farm or perhaps regaining his long lost dog but those desires are fairly weightless in the context of a movie. For this reason the film fails to be anything more than a slightly bigger version of your family sitcom episode. You'll still laugh, but tomorrow you won't remember why it was it was so funny.

This Film might not be for you if:

-You don't like Paul Rudd's charm

Fright Night (2011)

Fright Night is a respectable horror remake, a fun movie that accomplishes as a time killer

[15 August 2011]

In a time when Hollywood studios are looking for an easy buck by remaking every single popular movie they can get there hands on, it makes perfect sense to bring back the 1985 vampire classic Fright Night; the story of a horny teenage boy living next to a vampire. Anton Yelchin plays Charley, a popular high schooler living in a suburb of Las Vegas who happens to be dating Amy (Imogen Poots), the hottest girl in school. When Ed, Charley's nerdy childhood friend (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) warns him that kids have gone missing and that a vampire my be the cause, Charley shrugs it off. However once Charley learns the horrible truth he is tasked with the same nightmare Ed was unable to solve, convincing others that "Jerry the vampire" is murdering people. In order to protect his family and girlfriend from Jerry, played by Colin Farrell, Charley enlists the help of Vegas show runner Peter Vincent, played by the popular David Tennant of the TV series Doctor Who. Peter Vincent is a drunk ego maniac who is an expert on everything vampire. Unfortunately Peter is also a bit of a chicken when it comes to actually facing the undead bloodsuckers.

Fright Night [2011] stays fairly true to the original with the basically the same characters and plot line of the original. At the same time it's a well done modernization of the tale, making some of the elements of the previous iteration a bit more realistic. There is plenty of homage to the original but something new is the amount of comedy director Craig Gillespie's injects. There's plenty of laughs and references to the plague that is Twilight which makes watching a movie about a neighborhood vampire that much more fun. Another tweak between the versions is a more action based focus than the original. There are explosions, shotguns, and car chases making the film a bit more adventurous.

Fright Night's acting is mediocre except for the performance by David Tennnant, who brings most of the humor. Colin Farrell plays a decent vampire, who's charm allows him to disarm his would be accusers. However Farrell's body size works against him in that it takes away from the fear that you'd expect of a vampire . Colin Farrell has never really had an intimidating and threatening film presence and wearing clothing out of a Ralph Lauren commercial doesn't help. In contrast Chris Sarandon, the original Jerry, was a stalking six foot tree, who made all other actors sharing the screen shrink. Toni Collette's talent is pretty much wasted in this film. Her relationship to Yelchin never reaches believability as the two act more like chummy roommates rather than mother and son.

If I had to choose one Fright Night to rewatch the 80s version would win every time. Not only because the practical effects are simply amazing but also the fact that the classic took full advantage of its R rating which the 2011 version doesn't. There's something sexy about the 1985 version that the 2011 adaptation leaves behind. Sure, there are hot and skinny women walking around in lingerie and plenty of swear words but there's not the same sense of danger and seduction that was infused in the original.

As for the 3D, and speaking as someone who hates 3D, I begrudgingly recommend seeing Fright Night in 3D. The blood splattering and the glass flying at you makes the film feel like a carnival ride, which adds to Fright Night's fun. The original Fright Night is not a film that has aged particularly well, and neither will Craig Gillespie's version. However that doesn't mean teenagers and horror fanatics shouldn't take advantage of what is a decent vampire ride.

6 out of 10

This film is not for:

Film viewers expecting anything profound

Salvation Boulevard (2011)

Some viewers will find Salvation Boulevard's over the top characterizations of delusional religious fanatics to be in poor taste, over viewers will be in for some laughs.

[15 August 2011]

Salvation Boulevard is a star packed ensemble "dramedy" based loosely on Larry Beinhart's novel of the same title. Greg Kinnear plays Carl, a former "deadhead" (followers of the band Grateful Dead) who has settled into a nice quite life with his uptight and super religious wife Gwen, played by Jennifer Connelly. Gwen religiously attends the Church of the Third Millennium which is led by the charismatic Pastor Dan Day, played by Pierce Brosnan. Having enraptured the town with his holy message, Day sustains a small empire for himself made out of an adoring congregation that worships him like a prophet. With an ego of the size of Jesus' cross, Day aspires to build a "city upon a hill", a planned and private community, complete with a school and hospital. Not only will this provide a safe and convenient sanctuary for God's worshipers but as the chief developer of this colossal undertaking Day stands to make a healthy sum of money.

However, the meeting of renown atheist extraordinaire Dr. Paul Blaylock, played by Ed Harris, puts it all at risk. After a public philosophical debate, Blaylock and Pastor Day retire to Blaylock's office for a friendly nightcap. Carl tags along to the meeting as Day's newly evangelized prize. Here a genial discussion about a joint book venture turns awry when Day accidentally shoots Blaylock in the head with an antique pistol.

In a moment of panic, the Pastor disguises the incident as a suicide attempt with Carl in the room as seemingly the only witness to Day's deceit. Carl's life then spirals into disaster as not only do his wife and closest friends not believe his truthful story but there are others trying to kidnap and frame him.

Salvation Boulevard's story line has a similar feel to that of the Coen Brother's film The Big Lebowski [1998]. Like "the Dude" in The Big Lebowski, Carl plays a very passive protagonist who gets caught up in mortal danger through no fault of his own. He is seemingly moved from precarious situation to the next by all forces other than himself. Carl passivity is contrasted by the outrageous antics of the characters that surround him. Pierce Brosnan with his good looks, deep voice and smooth command of language personifies an excellent slimy and manipulative pastor. As Day's ego and paranoia grow throughout the film so does Brosnan's comedic affect as he literally starts to believe the devil is after him.

With such a wealth of idiosyncratic characters Salvation Boulevard was able to attract a large award winning cast, including Marisa Tomei who plays a free spirited security guard. Jennifer Connelly and Jim Gaffigan play Day's fanatical and easily persuaded followers. Some would say these characters are a cruel misrepresentation of the Evangelical community. They may have a point, but taking this comedic movie too personally deprives the viewer from finding all the comical religious Easter eggs in the film. One of which is a building with devilish horns on the roof where Carl is taken to by Day's zealots. The laughs in Salvation Boulevard are not gut busters but are subtlety sprinkled throughout the film.

On the down, this film has a less than satisfying ending and seems to end abruptly. The side characters don't get endings that are worthy over their performances. Instead they are given in the form of text. An extra ten minutes might have wrapped the film in a more imprinting manner. Salvation Boulevard is layered with jokes that lie not only in th dialogue and action but also in the art direction and cinematography, giving the film the rare quality of finding something new every time you watch it. Unfortunately, this film will probably go under appreciated as critics have slammed it for its obvious slant against Evangelical Christians. However, I have faith that in time Salvation Boulevard will find its audience, but they probably won't be as devoted as your average "deadhead".

7 out of 10

This Film is not for:

-People who don't find mocking religion funny

-People who have no interest in religion

The Devil's Double (2011)

Devil's Double is a film more concerned with recreating Scarface [1983] than it is in telling an authentic story, creating a bland and complete Hollywood white wash.

[15 August 2011]

Inspired by the true life story, Iraqi soldier Latif Yahia is transformed into a doppelganger for Sadam's notorious son Uday Hussein, the "Black Prince". Though born from the cloth of common folk, Latif physical appearance resembles that of Uday- making Latif invaluable as Uday's "fiday" or "bullet catcher". Iron fisted rulers of the past such a Stalin have used such look-alikes as decoys to confuses and trick would be assassins.

What starts as a friendly job offer turns to forced servitude when Latif is beaten into submission and his family's lives are threatened. Latif begrudgingly enters a world of kingly luxuries such as doting servants, fast cars, and ability to have whomever woman he desires as long she does not belong to Uday. However, during his eternal task of acting as Uday's body double, Latif must bear witness as Uday terrorizes his fellow countrymen, murdering and raping whomever he pleases.

Dominic Cooper plays both the role of the stoic Latif and the lustful psychotic Uday, delivering a career breaking performance. Cooper plays the calm and cool servant Latif who says a lot with few words. At the same time Cooper acts opposite to his alter ego, the needy and spoiled prince Uday, who sucks his thumb like a five year old in his mother's lap.

Latif, unable to escape, occupies himself by lusting after Uday's prized whore Sarrab, played by Ludivine Sagnier. Discussing their relationship is as pointless as their relationship's existence in the film. Sarrab acts as nothing more than a sexual object that garners no sympathy from the audience. On the other hand scenes where Latif personality starts to warp, becoming more alike his "evil twin" Uday, are much more interesting than the constant events of mindless sex and violence. It's not that the violence or sex are not well stylized. The production value in the set design and cinematography in Devil's Double are terrific. Production designer Paul Kirby who has worked on monster films such as Batman Begins [2005] and Captain America: The First Avenger [2011] does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of Iraqi elitism. However the action scenes have a feeling of fluff since Latif's character is so complacent. The audience cannot bond with Latif's tepid struggle for freedom when he himself does not care whether he lives or dies.

Interspersed in the film is actual war footage of the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the US military intervention. However these inserted shots of real events only act to emphasis the film's inauthentic and shallow portrayal of Iraqi life. There is not a single subtitle needed the entire film because apparently everyone, even the security guards and whores all speak English. What would have been a riveting and unique story of the harrowing experiences of the real Latif is instead transformed by Director Lee Tamahori into a empty Hollywood charade.

4 out of 10

This Film is not for: -People who get sick of pointless violence and sex quickly

13 Assassins (2010)

13 Assassins is overly dramatic with dialogue straight out of a Japanese anime. Luckily the samurai fighting is just as epic as it is in anime.

[7/10 · 9 June 2011]

In 13 Assassins a sadistic and psychotic warlord in feudal Japan must be killed before he ascends to the rank of Shogun. Lord Naritsugu, played by Goro Inagki, is son of the former Shogun. As such Naritsugu travels around Japan with his entourage of samurai raping and murdering whomever he chooses. When the war scarred samurai Shinzaemon, played by Koji Yakusho is witness to the atrocities of Naritsugu, Shinzaemon decides to assassinate the warlord before he reaches the capital city. Gathering a band of loyal warriors, Shinzaemon leads his samurai to what is surely a suicide mission in order end Naritsugu's terror.

The build up to the epic ambush in 13 Assassins is pretty confusing. A lot of it stems from the fact that there isn't enough character separation between all the main characters. They all blend with each other with similar dress and similar hairstyles. In this case yes, all Asians look alike. Another factor is that there's not enough close ups so that we can clearly get attached to faces. A lot of the conversations are shot with wide composition. This took me out of the human aspect of the film and I only really got attached to characters after the half way point when I could recognize them as "the leader" "the best fighter" and "the crazy forest man".

The cinematography fluctuates from being fabulous to being dull. All the action looks amazing and the the out door shots look brilliant. However a lot of the inside shots that took place during discussions were dry. It might be that American audiences are just accustomed to looking at faces with blurry backgrounds rather than seeing the whole room.

The end battle scene is exhilarating and totally worth the build up. 13 samurai vs 200 soldiers is a lot of fun to watch as the 13 hack and slash into the warlord's army, slowly and painstakingly whittling it down.

The acting is totally over the top and doesn't really work outside the context of the action. When they're talking about how evil Lord Naritsugu is every character has their own diatribe, which gets boring really fast. However it's not so bad coming from a badass samurai covered in blood after he's just cut down five men.

Who this film is not for:

-People who hate watching violence

Poltergeist (1982)

Come on Spielberg....don't lie. This film is obviously all your crafting, it has your handprints everywhere.

[6/10 · 5 June 2011]

Poltergeist is about a haunted house in the middle of suburbia. A family of five is living the peaceful life when one night their youngest daughter Carol Anne starts talking to something inside the TV. With the iconic lines "They're heeeere" a series of paranormal events occur with the Carol Anne being sucked through the closet and into the spiritual world. Refusing to leave her cursed home Diane, the desperate mother played by Jobeth Williams, contacts scientists and spiritualists, doing everything in her power to get her daughter back.

If the question is does Poltergeist scare then the answer seems to be a mixed yes and no. Unfortunately Poltergeist is a film that doesn't age well with time. The reason being is that Poltergeist relies heavily on its special effects and puppet techniques that simply seem ancient nowadays. With computer effects advancing at such a fast pace anything over 20 years will seem antiquated. At the time I'm sure the effects were miraculous but watching scenes from Poltergeist today is like going to a 50 year old ride at Disney land. Yes there's a bit of charm to it but the tricks are only going to work on toddlers. One example is the "tree" scene, where this tree made out of wire and molding is clearly not a tree at all and looks ridiculous obtuse in their suburban backyard. The scene I found the scariest actually occurred in the first five minutes and had no special effects. The scene is of a little girl with huge eyes and strobing lights. The vulnerability of the girl alone combined with the music is a powerful effect. Everyone knows this movie is going to be full of scares but not knowing what they're going to be is the terrifying part.

Poltergeist is a little long; six minutes short of 2 hours is far too long to sit still being scared every 15 minutes. The story is a little uneven with very important characters introduced into the movie very late. The acting is not too bad. Williams' desperation comes from a true place most of time but many of the side characters aren't all that impressive.

The film also starts to grow a little cancerous towards the last third. What I mean is that all of sudden the haunting expands in dramatic fashion but instead of being "scarier" Spielberg simply goes for "bigger". The special effects are enlarged in scope stretching beyond the house. This choice almost takes it away from horror and turns Poltergeist into scifi, which we know Spielberg is great at. However in this case I don't think a clear cohesion between the two genres was achieved. At its release Poltergeist was probably break through for its time. There are some unique scares which you will notice from other films that copied it but the overall Poltergeist doesn't contain that 'timeless horror' feeling like that the Shinning or The Exorcist.

Who this film is not for:

-People who don't like horror films

-People who constantly obsess over the quality of the special effects.

Hard Boiled (1992)

If you want an action film with amazing gun scenes, this is your movie! However if your not into bullets Hard Boiled has got nothing for yah.

[6/10 · 29 May 2011]

Hard boiled stars Chow Yun-Fat as detective 'Tequila' a stylish name to go along with a stylish character. Tequila is a ballsy, cigarette breathing, killing machine. His goal: stop the out of control arms smuggling in Hong Kong. After a huge gun battle leaves a number of dead civilians and officers, the reckless Tequila is removed off the case. Of course no higher up is going to be able to stop Tequila from shooting bad guys as Tequila continues to work behind the scenes. Simultaneously, undercover cop Tony, played by Tony Leung must murder and betray his way to the top of the underground weapons trade in order to take down the big fish.

John Woo is the master of action and Hard Boiled is a perfect case in point. Woo knows we go to the "movies" to see heroes flying through the air with double pistols and unlimited ammo. We're not there to see realism, we're there to watch in slow motion a gun being drawn and bodies drop to the floor in blood. Woo's command over the camera and his ability to squeeze every drop of "coolness" from his action scenes is truly at elite level.

Now that I've praised Woo's knack for action it's time to talk about the bad. Hard Boiled is far from the best action film out there. This film is over 2 hours long and the story is all over the place. In fact Woo had to shut down production for a massive rewrite after they shot the opening scene, then later their writer died in the middle of filming without having finished the script. There are scenes interspersed that perhaps show a little character development but don't do much for the story. It was pretty hard for me to follow the story and it felt uneven all around.

Many action scenes are gratuitously long. Towards the end of the film there is a section where the cops pin the gangsters in a hospital. This chunk of the film takes about 30 minutes! The scenes are just too indulgent stretching the adrenaline reserves of even the most die hard action junkies. Hard Boiled would have benefited from slightly better planning.

The acting is good, Chow Yun-Fat is obviously an Asian powerhouse and Tony has got some impressive acting chops. Overall this film is probably best just skimming through to the action scenes. If you really want to study the camera work you might watch the entire thing all the way through. For me at least the non-action scenes felt like overdramatized filler. However you definitely have to credit Woo for his action. Expendables has got nothing on this film.

Who this film is not for:

-If you don't like guns, no need for you to watch this film.

Tangled (2010)

Tangled may not quite be on par with the Disney classics of late 80s/90s but there's plenty of magic in Rapunzel's hair for most believers.

[7/10 · 16 May 2011]

Once upon a time there lived a selfish woman named Gothel who found a flower which returned her youth. She kept it a secret and told no one its location. When princess Rapunzel was still in the womb her mother became very sick. In order to save the queen and Rapunzel a search was called to find the magical flower. The magical flower was found and Rapunzel was saved but Gothel had lost her fountain of youth. The flower had transfered all its magic to Rapunzel's hair which could heal wounds and reverse aging.

In order to regain her fountain of youth Gothel kidnaps Rapunzel and raises her as her own. Gothel keeps her locked away in a tower and tells Rapunzel never to leave. She also never cuts Rapunzel's hair, for when it is cut it loses its powers. On Rapunzel's 18th birthday Rapunzel requests to leave her tower and go see the lights that have been appearing in the sky annual on her birthday. When Gothel refuses Rapunzel blackmails a thief named Flynn to be her guide and protector on a journey to the lights. Flynn begrudgingly agrees and the two start off on adventure with Gothel, henchmen and the royal guards all trying to stop them.

The animation is Tangled is good and the characters are well rounded if a little stereotypical. Rapunzel is pretty much the same girl you've seen in most children's film nowadays. She's beautiful, insecure at times but also fairly courageous. Equipped with a frying pan to defend herself Rapunzel also uses her long hair to great effect, using it as rope swinging from cliff to cliff and tying up bad guys. Flynn is the charming thief who learns there's more to life than image and wealth and Gothel is a pretty good evil step mother with a few shortcomings.

The jokes in Tangled are great, with characters making fun of the many of the exaggerated elements of fairy tales and the adventure is quiet charming. The songs are good but not classic and the side characters are fun, consisting of a chameleon and a horse that acts more like a dog.

However Tangled falls short in the last third of the film. It's not that the end of the film is bad in anyway but it's just not amazing or terribly clever. It might just be that audiences have gotten so inundated with fairy tales that they know the endings to most movies. The evil step mother, without any special powers of her own, is not a quiet as scary as let's say Ursula from The Little Mermaid. The only thing that Gothel can do is scheme and wield a dagger. Her schemes are good but Gothel just doesn't have enough of a screen presence to make the film scary, which those old Disney films had. The ending ties up a little too cleanly, at least for me. Also the horse Maximus which in the beginning wants nothing more than to apprehend Flynn switches sides rather dramatically which was a bit unbelievable.

Tangled is a bunch of fun and it's the closest Disney has gotten to bringing back their golden age of animation.

Who this film is not for:

-People who never liked the old Disney movies: Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin etc.

Thor (2011)

Chris Hemsworth may be mighty as a god, but his film is merely mortal.

[6/10 · 16 May 2011]

Thor is the Marvel comic book adaptation of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Thor played by Chris Hemsworth is the son of Odin, King of the realm Asgard. We are introduced to the golden world of Asgard during a ceremony in which Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins, is about to pass the throne to Thor. Unfortunately some frost giants from the realm Jotunheim ruin event by trying to steal a powerful magic artifact, an artifact that was once theirs but was lost in a long and bloody war with the Asgardians.

When the thievery is thwarted Thor goes into a rage demanding payback for the insolent frost giants. Thor request permission from his father to assault the frost giant's home realm. When Odin refuses Thor and his band of warrior friends leave for Jotunheim in secret. Equipped with his mighty hammer Mjolnir, which gives Thor super speed, strength, the ability to fly, and control over lighting and wind, Thor goes on a smashing spree in the ice world. Without heeding the words of his younger brother Loki, played Tom Hiddlestone, and with little regard for his friends Thor breaks the long truce between Asgard and Jotunheim.

Angered by Thor's arrogance and disrespect Odin strips Thor of his powers and sends him to the realm of Earth. Thor lands in New Mexico where the Astrologist Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman meets Thor by accidentally hitting him with her car. From here on it's a "fish out of water" story with Thor learning humility by living as a mortal. All the while back in Asgard, Thor's brother Loki plots to take power for himself.

Thor is competently made and for the most part you'll be enjoying the ride, but after it's over you'll most likely dive straight back into your busy life without giving Thor another thought. Thor is not the cinematic master piece that is The Dark Knight and it's no Iron Man 1. The reason being is that Thor's character development is at best, awkward. At first he's arrogant wanting nothing more that to bash some big frosty bodies. The next he falls in love with a scientist who basically all she does is drive him places and feed him. Thor's highs and lows are too extreme to build much an emotional connection to the audience.

However, Chris Hemsworth does have a magnetic aura and there's no doubt we'll be seeing much more of him in the future. Throughout the film Chris pulls off both bravado and comedy. Hopkins plays a great king and Hiddlestone can definitely act. The acting all around is superb but with one minor exception. You wouldn't think that this weak spot would come from a 2011 Oscar winner but unfortunately that is the chase in Thor. To her credit Portman did the best with what she had, but what she had can be summed up into a single thought - Fall in love Thor because he talks funny and is a hunk. There is absolutely no chemistry between the two and there conversations are literally: Portman - I don't understand you. Hemsworth - Don't worry it'll be okay.

The cinematography is alright but reminds me a bit of the 2009 Star Trek with all its flashy lens flares and overuse of tilted shots. The editing is fairly well done for a movie that has to jump back and forth between Earth and Asgard. The special effects are definitely up to par with Marvel's recent films, I especially liked the how the did the Metal guardian 'Destroyer'. My main visual gripe is with in the first battle scene. It's far too dark and up close to see much, it felt a lot like Batman Begins where you see all this cool action but you just wish the camera would back up 2 feet.

All in all Thor is an 'ok' film. It's not a disaster but it just feels like something you should to watch in order to be prepared for the up and coming Avenger film, rather than something to enjoy just for itself.

Who this film is not for: -People with high expectations

Major gripes:

-Battle scenes are in the wrong order. By far the coolest battle scene was the first one and the weakest one was the last one with Loki. In the beginning of the film Thor took on like a hundred frost giants by himself while Loki struggled to take on just two. How are we supposed to take Loki as a serious challenge to Thor at the end when they are so vastly different in power? Loki didn't even use the all power Frost Casket thingy that he used on the bridge guardian!?

-In the battle with Loki and Thor, Loki does an illusion Trick and is able to get a free shot in the back of Thor, yet when he does zap Thor with his staff, Thor's not even hurt!? He gets up and smashes his hammer into the ground and Loki flies 20 feet away.

-What happened to the Frost Giants saying blood will flow!? Whatever happened to that war?

-Natalie Portman and all the human characters were basically shallow vessels for plot. Kate Dennings' character is useless except for making jokes

-Odin conveniently having a 'heart attack' when Loki yells at him was a little over the top...way to be original Brangah....

-Thor accepting his fate on earth in like two days was a bit of a stretch. When his friends come to return him to Asgard Thor's like "it's cool dude, I'm just gonna stay right here, I don't care about being King anymore or seeing my mother or my home land or getting back my powers".... yeahh..... rightt......

Misery (1990)

Audience everywhere would rather be crippled for life than be nursed back to health by the psycho Annie Wilkes.

[8/10 · 5 May 2011]

Misery is the adapted film from the great Stephen King about novelist Paul Sheldon, played by James Caan, the successful writer of the "Misery" series. After having written Misery into the ground for several years Paul decides it's time to retire Misery and kills off the beloved character in his latest book. Moving onto his new project he spends months hidden away in a hotel in the mountains of Colorado writing his new project.

After completing his newest manuscript Paul checks out of his hotel and drives his old mustang back into town. However a severe snow storm makes driving an impossibility as Paul drives right off the hill.

Paul awakens in the guest room of Annie Wilkes, played by Kathy Bates, a retired nurse living by her lonesome in a secluded cabin. Annie tells Paul that she's his biggest fan and she has read every single one of his Misery books. With the storm knocking out the phone lines and roads Annie tells Paul it's best he just sit tight for awhile while his body heals. Paul's legs are shattered and one of his shoulders has been dislocated.

After a couple of days of being nursed back to health Paul is anxious to speak with his agent and daughter but when Annie reads Paul's latest Misery novel she explodes with outrage. She won't stand for her beloved Misery's death. Annie, showing her psychotic and violent tendencies forces Paul to burn his newest manuscript and holds Paul prisoner until he writes the revival of Misery. Locked in a room and presumed dead by the outside world, Paul only hope is the local sheriff, played by Richard Farnsworth who is slowly flowing bread crumbs of his disappearance.

Misery is great screenplay with a solid accumulation of twists and turns. The shooting style is a little dated but the use of wide angle close ups does wonders for making Annie Wilkes the scariest nurse you've ever seen. Her bipolar performance is definitely worthy of the Oscar. James Caan is also terrific as the witty and clever writer. I mainly know him from his stereotypical bad-guy roles but he also plays a great sympathetic cripple. One thing that I have to note is the amazing job done on the make up. The swollen broken legs of Paul look absolutely disgusting. Misery is a great horror flick and Kathy Bates will probably go down as the most terrifying nurse in cinematic history.

Who this film is not for:

-Even though I'm not into the horror genre, I really enjoyed this film. However some people who don't like scary movies will probably want to stay away.

Hanna (2011)

Like most action films Hanna suffers from plot holes and a few inconsistencies, but its unique style and slamin sound design will shadow most flaws.

[7/10 · 5 May 2011]

16 year old Hanna played by Saorise Ronan, has been raised her entire life in the secluded wilderness of Finland. Her father, ex-CIA agent Erik Heller played by Eric Bana has trained Hanna to be an efficient killing machine in preparation for the day she will inevitably have to defend her life. Hanna spends her days hunting, memorizing factoids from an encyclopedia and being drilled in weapon and hand to hand combat.

After seeing a plane fly overhead Hanna desires to see the world cannot be contained. She tells her father that she is ready to face Marrissa Wiegler, played by Cate Blanchett, the woman who wants to kill her. Erik, realizing the time has come for Hanna to leave the nest shows Hanna a signaling device. After she flips the switch agents will come for her and the two will have to separate until later rendezvousing at a safe house in Berlin.

Hanna flips the switch and is willingly captured by agents. Entrapped in a concrete fortress Hanna kills what she thinks is Wiegler and escapes the compound to meet her father in Germany. With no money or resources Hanna joins a British family traveling through Europe. The daughter Sophie instantly bonds to Hanna as she teaches Hanna the social aspects of friendship and cute Spanish boys. However Wiegler is still alive and sends a special team to capture Hanna while at the same time trying to neutralize the rouge agent Heller.

The film Hanna is unlike the stereotypical action film. Although the film has its chase scenes and killing it also works on developing Hanna as a girl longing for tenderness. Hanna doesn't know what it's like to live with electricity, to have a friend, or to have a romantic relationship. All she's ever known is the harsh life of the forest with her father constantly berating her to become stronger, quicker and more ruthless. Through the film Hanna start to learn that life has more to offer than just killing people. However it's a little ironic that Heller saved this girl from the cold blooded Wiegler only to mold Hanna into a merciless killer herself.

Hanna doesn't contain the most satisfying of endings and characters like the family and the strange magician at the safe house seem to drop in and out of the film ever so conveniently. Also the mystery as to why Hanna is being raised in the woods is fairly unoriginal but the soundtrack by the Chemical Brothers and the shooting style make Hanna fairly exhilarating to watch. The performances from all three of the main characters are terrific. Blanchett has the evil step mother down pat and Ronan amazingly shows instances of emotion while maintaining her stoic persona. Hanna, the dark fairy tale of a female child-assassin is a pleasant hybrid of action and art house.

Who this film is not for: -Old people who can't take hard electro music

Love in a Puff (2010)

Who knew something as cancer causing as smoking could lead to something so sweet and charming.

[7/10 · 2 May 2011]

Love in a Puff is a Hong Kong film about a boy and girl starring Miriam Yeung Chin Wah as Cherrie and Shawn Yue as Jimmy. Jimmy is the young 20 something, nonchalant, advertise pushing boy while Cherrie is the older 20 something, Sephora make up selling girl full of sass.

When Hong Kong starts to throw down the hammer on smoking, the areas in which people can smoke start to dwindle. Smoking areas become dens for these new outcasts as they huddle in cramped alley ways. With fire between their lips the smoking breaks offer an opportunity to swap ghost stories and catch up on the latest gossip. One day Cherrie mets Jimmy for the first time and as he lights her cigarette he the also lights the flame in her heart.

Aggressively she gets Jimmy attention by her seductive pushing and pulling. Yes, I'm into you, oh maybe I'm not. Yes, no, Yes, no, and on and on it goes because you know you like it.

The idea behind this film is extremely simple but it's the exquisite execution that's worth seeing. The director Ho-Cheung Pang masterfully directs his talented actors to show, not tell; to communicate through lies and body movement. It's not an easy thing to do to show the minute instances of attraction and jealously with just a way you say something.

The cinematography is great at capturing intimate moments between the two. However the constant shallow focus gets a little out of hand at times leaving some of the action out of focus. The music is also a very nice touch having a sort of floating sensation above the characters just like the smoke they exhale.

Love in a Puff is a well done romantic comedy, in the showing I was watching the audience was fully enchanted by the two love birds and laughed unreservedly at the jokes. It's definitely the perfect date movie for those wishing to inhale some laughs.

Who this film is not for:

-People who don't like subtitles

-People who take love too seriously

The Departed (2006)

One of the most overrated films of all time, but hey... when you got star power like this film had, who would dare say a bad thing about you?

[6/10 · 2 May 2011]

*Note: This film has too many big named actors for me to list them according to their roles. There is a such a plethora of characters in this film that they start to blur so I'm only going to refer to character names for ease sake. Actors you may recognize: DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Vera Farmiga, Alec Baldwin

Synopsis: In the beginning of the film we are introduced through montage and monologue to Frank Costello, the ruthless crime lord of South Boston. He preaches about power, grabbing life by the reigns, and about his general philosophy of the similarities between cops and criminals.

Next we are then thrown into another montage of Colin Sullivan and Billy Costigan, young cadets going through the police academy. After they graduate we see that Colin is a straight- A, climb the ranks kind of officer but also a double agent working for Frank. Billy on the other hand wants nothing more than to serve. However as a man whose family history is littered with low life criminals he is stuck feeling a bit out of place. Noticeably the black- sheep of his family Billy is given a super secret top mission to fail out the "Staties" and instead work undercover infiltrating Frank's gang. Billy thinks long and hard about his decision but in the end is persuaded by the father-like figure Captain Queenan.

After a 20 minute long intro, the movie begins as the two undercover operatives work on separate sides, doing their best to conceal their dual identities. In doing so there lives begin to morph and derange to the point they don't know if they're more cop or criminal.

The story is less to do with a singular event and more to do with when the two will be found out and gutted. There is a thing about some military microchips being sold to the Chinese but that story abruptly ends mid-movie. The driving force of the movie is more about how Colin and Billy must maneuver, bluff, and lie their way out of trouble. Both sides suspect a double agent among their ranks which increases the tension.

Madolyn is the on sight psychologist and while getting into a serious relationship with Colin she starts develop an attachment to Billy as their mandatory therapy sessions bring them closer.

Review: First of all this movie is almost 3 hours long! No movie should ever be that long unless it contains elements of fantasy or sci-fi. This film has so many stars and characters that instead of choosing who to focus on, Scorsese gives screen time to EVERYONE. It excessively gives moments of emotional development to Frank and Madolyn. Yes, Jack Nicholson plays a cool bad guy but he acts almost like a narrator spitting diatribe after another about cops, foreigners , and every other social intuition on the planet. Why in a movie that has to deal with identity and suspense is there so much "other stuff" added? There are themes about church, race relations, and about settling in your romantic life. All things that are great and interesting but simply should have been set aside for another movie.

The cinematography is nothing special and in fact can be distracting at times, best example is when Billy is being grilled by Wahlberg for his intent on making the force. The camera gets a little movement happy constantly closing in on heads while they talk. Although this film won for best editing I have to forcefully disagree with that recognition. The film is adequately edited but in no way is the editing outstanding. A well edited film has great pace, which this film struggles with in its entirety. It's a stop and go viewing experience with scenes ranging from a couple of seconds to five minutes. Maybe it was purposely done that way to keep the audiences awake, but you shouldn't have to sacrifice flow for attention. Otherwise you're simply shaking the viewer to pay attention instead of enrapturing them.

The acting is pretty good but none of the performances other than Wahlberg's is something new. DiCaprio mannerisms continues to be the same in almost everyone movie and only different thing about Matt Damon's performance is his accent.

The Departed is an American remake of the Hong Kong trilogy Infernal Affairs, which is probably why I am being harder on this film than usual. Also the premise of dual undercover characters has been done before the action film Face-Off so I don't understand all the buzz this film has gotten. Scorsese was a frontier shattering director and I loved his work in Raging Bull and Taxi Driver. However The Departed is far from ground breaking cinema and the clearest example I know of success by name.

Who this film is not for:

-People who don't like gangster/cop films

-People with short attention spans

Catfish (2010)

Catfish may not feel like the most authentic documentary. But then again, when you're dealing with the internet relationships, it kinda comes with the territory.

[7/10 · 2 May 2011]

Catfish is a "d o c u m e n t a r y" about Nev Schulman, a photographer living in New York. He rooms with his pushy filmmaker brother Rel and another friend. One day Nev gets a painting sent to him of a photo he published in the New York Sun. The painting is from an eight year old girl living in Michigan named Abby. Abby asks Nev if he can send her photos so she can make more paintings. Nev's says sure and from then on Abby's mother Angela consistently updates Nev about the family and they basically become pen-pals / Facebook friends. Rel speculates this talented 8 year old girl would be the perfect subject for a documentary and begins to document their growing relationship.

As Nev's ties with the family develop Abby's older sister Megan, who is quite the "hottie" based from her facebook photos, starts to build a separate relationship with Nev. The relationship starts to become romantic as the two to talk and flirt, both online and on the phone. As Nev's feelings for Megan deepen he tries to arrange an real physical get-together. But when Nev and his roomies find out Megan has been lying about her singing talents, a little bit of investigation starts to unravel a list of lies. With an abundance of curiosity and a desire to conclude the documentary the three roommates decide to take a trip out to Michigan to discover the real truth.

It's difficult to talk about Catfish because you really can't talk about it without giving the second half of the movie away. However I can say that Catfish was a enjoyable thrill ride of twists and turns. The trailer is a bit misleading, taking a sort of horror tone, but I feel it fits the theme of this film, which is illusion and deception. When the group finally gets to Michigan, you may be surprised at the outcome but I promise it's worthy of the mystery.

There is a lot of discussion about whether or not this film is actually a documentary and I do have a strong stance on that notion, but revealing it would would take the fun out of the film. Honestly whether your on one side or the other Catfish still manages to say something poignant about life and relationships, and isn't that what all documentaries strive for?

Who this film is not for: -People not interested in the softer and more sophisticated aspects of the human condition

Dog Pound (2010)

Dog Pound locks you in, throws away the keys, then squeezes until bones crack

[9/10 · 18 April 2011]

*Note I did not see the original 1979 french Film "Scum" by Alan Clarke

Dog Pound follows three teenagers as they are incarcerated into the Enola Vale correctional facility. One is a easy going drug dealer, the other a Chicano youth stealing cars, and the last is a simply soul filled with rage. From day one they find that fitting into the prison social structure is just as brutal as at adult prison. Contained In the grey walls are cold and robotic security officers, a tiered ranking system between inmates and even an underground drug commerce.

Dog pound is not the simple a-b-c plot line but a series of encounters that build up to some remarkable moments of violence. In between the violence are openings into the vulnerable sides of some of the characters but those are small carrots in a mostly dreary cage of concrete and metal.

Violence like the kind found in Dog Pound comes from a extremely raw place. This film has a fantastic sense of realism but without the overdose of handle held camera that many directors use as a crutch. Also the music adds a great touch to the sort of depressing and monotonous atmosphere. After each terrifying disaster occurs the ghostly music comes in and you're reminded that these moments of horror are simply the norm of prison life.

If you looking for good performances you'll find them here. Each kid does a great job of portraying both helplessness and the heart of a defier. This film is extremely well done in all aspects and I hope it finds its way to audiences. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for Kim Chapiron's next project.

Who this film is not for: -Children -Viewers who don't like dark films

Limitless (I) (2011)

Limitless' structure may be a bit atypical, but its journey is extremely entertaining.

[9/10 · 17 April 2011]

Limitless' structure may be a bit atypical, but its journey is extremely entertaining.

Bradley Cooper plays Eddie, a broke and struggling writer who spends his days staring at a computer screen without accomplishing a single written word. After being dumped by the love of his life Lindy, played by Abby Cornish for basically being a loser, Eddie runs into his Ex-Brother in law Vernon dressed in some very expensive looking designer clothes.

The two decide to catch up at a bar where Vernon, feeling sorry for Eddie decides to give him a hit of the newest drug he's been peddling, NZT. NZT is apparently a drug soon to be released on the market that lets your brain work at a super human level. On NZT your deductive faculties surpass that of Sherlock Holmes and your amped learning curve allows you to learn a language simply by listening.

With nothing to lose Eddie pops the pill and in one day he is able to seduce his land lord's wife and brilliantly finish a draft to his book. After experiencing life on NZT Eddie immediately comes begging for more but before he can reach some sort of deal with Vernon Eddie finds that Vernon has been put outta the picture.

Searching Vernon's apartment he finds a stash of NZT and within days transforms himself into the smartest and most charismatic man on the planet. With these new powers Eddie decides he can the change entire world but needs money in order to do it. So he takes a loan with an very unscrupulous Russian loan shark and starts playing the stock market. Eddie does so well on the market that he entices the eyes one of the most powerful business men in the world, Carl Van Loon, played by Robert De Niro.

The rest of the movie is a thrilling adventure with numerous character all trying extract something from Cooper, whether it's his skills on the market or his access to NZT. Cooper also has to deal with some of the territory that comes with a drug habit, including dependency and side effects.

Limitless uses some very nice special effects to show the effects of NZT by playing with lens and color. When he's not on NZT the film is sucked of its color and the world becomes noticeably dimmer than the golden fast tracked life of "NZT Eddie". The sound design is also splendidly done as while on NZT the film focuses on singular sounds like the rotating of a bicycle wheel.

The plot moves extremely fast with new characters and problems appearing one after another. This breakneck speed is fun to watch, but on the other hand, if you don't keep up you're going to be asking your friends how does "that" connects to "this". The film doesn't coddle you with character dialogue blatantly explaining every connection. Nor does it give you much room to breathe and connect every single dot, most people will have to do that after the film is finished. I watched the film twice by happenstance and thoroughly enjoyed Limitless just as much if not more the 2nd go around.

Bradley Cooper is a up and coming super star and in this film you not only see that he has range but that your eyes are glued to his every move. Andrew Howard plays a really good Russian bad guy and was quiet fun to watch, even if his role leans a little stereotypical. Abbie Cornish was also fairly good. De Niro played a very good upscale businessman but I felt was under utilized. Carl Van Loon is supposed to be an intimidating veteran of the game whose experience puts him at a level capable of threatening Eddie, but he never really lives up to that role.

*Filmmakers Note - When introducing a character such as De Niro that is supposed to be "the man who owns half on New York" don't have the first shot we see of him be a wide shot of him walking up stairs. Filmmaking 101, use low angles to give characters power, use high angless to lower power.

All in all this film is a blast. Every person who's ever felt lazy and wanted to be a better version of himself - motivated, charismatic, and intelligent will love this movie. For people who've gotten there the hard way, their mindset might take issue with this film.

Who this film is not for: -Neuroscientists who cringe at the saying "we only use 10% of our brains" who also can't get beyond the sci-finess and exaggeration of the premise (it can get a little ridiculous) -Extremely moralistic people who believe there are no short cuts in this world and that if you take drugs you don't deserve anything.

West Is West (2010)

A good film that kneads fun into what usually are painful immigration / identity stories

[7/10 · 17 April 2011]

*Note: I did not see the prequel East is East, but this film is self-contained and I was perfectly able to watch it on it's own.

Set in 1970's England, West is West is a story about a family with a Pakistani Father and a Caucasian Mother. Aqib Khan plays Sajid, who is a budding teenager going through a tough time in his life. He is being bullied at school, waging war with his parents, and stealing things while he plays hooky. In order to straighten him out Sajid's father George played by Om Puri, takes him back to his ethnic roots in Pakistan.

As soon as they get off the plane Sajid aggressively resists his new surroundings. Wanting nothing more than to return back home to his English life Sajid drags his feet hating the clothes, the people, and especially the fact that his house is without plumbing. However, slowly though the help of a friendship and a wise guru Sajid learns to calm his heart and appreciate his Pakistani identity.

The father George in tandem has issues of his own. For 20 plus years he has lived a double life leaving behind his 1st Pakistani wife and some children. Neglected most of their lives the only thing his Pakistani family have received over the decades are checks in the mail and the occasional scribblings on paper. Withered and aged George's Pakistani wife wishes George had never returned to reignite her conflicting feelings of obligation and resentment.

This film is as much about George as it is about Sajid but there are also a host of other characters in this film with stories of their own. There is George's English wife who must reconcile with her Pakistani alternate. A task seemingly impossible when words traveling to each other can only amount to gibberish. There is also another one of George's sons who cannot arrange a marriage for the fear that he too will leave his Pakistani wife just like his father.

During the first twenty minutes of the film I got a little scared that I'd be sitting through a 100 minutes of overhanded moments of characters crying and yelling about how they struggle with culture clashes. However West is West is filled with funny moments of cultural miscommunication and touching moments of reconnection. There are plenty of laughs and most audiences will find themselves smiling at the end of the film.

The acting is good and at some moments moving. The cinematography, editing and music are all fairly well done. You won't be knocked out of seat with laughter, but you definitely won't feel as though you've suffered. Although a little formulaic West is West is a great film that is able to maintain a nice balance of lightness with the serious and depressing issue of family separation.

Who this film is not for: -Very serious movie goers who like sharp and determined stances on culture clashes. -People not interested in ethnic stories of immigration.

The China Syndrome (1979)

With a STAR packed cast China Syndrome is a deservedly award winning film; pertinent in every society that uses nuclear power.

[8/10 · 17 April 2011]

With a STAR packed cast China Syndrome is a deservedly award winning film; pertinent in every society that uses nuclear power.

Story: China Syndrome stars Jane Fonda, who plays Kimberly Wells, a TV news reporter stuck doing irrelevant "fluff stories" who hopes to one day do some "real news". During the middle of their tour covering the nearby nuclear power plant an earthquake occurs. With alarms blaring Wells, with her camera man Richard played by Michael Douglas, witness what is a near Nuclear meltdown or China Syndrome. China Syndrome is when a reactor burns out of control and cannot be cooled, thus hyperbolically burning a hole of radioactive waste down through the earth all the way to China. Behind a soundproof glass they illegal record some footage of Jack the shift supervisor, played by Jack Lemon, as he furiously attends to one their overloading fusion reactors.

When the meltdown is averted Fonda and Douglas are told they were never in any serious danger. The plant then shuts down for a week and a government investigation is undertaken to assess the damage done to the reactor.

Dubious of the plant's corporate statement given to the public Fonda and Douglas investigate. Eventually realizing the danger of reactivating the plant the two, along with the help of Lemon, attempt to stop the power plant from going back on line. However the corporate executives will stop at nothing to ensure than their plant keeps running and their pocketbooks keep growing.

Review: I'm not always the biggest fan of older films because a lot of times the films can feel outdated, trapped in a time zone of nostalgia. However that doesn't happen with "the great" films and it's not the case with China Syndrome. From the opening scene where Jane Fonda is prepping for her close up you can tell this film not only did its research to maintain a great sense of realism, but also contains some very high level and modern film techniques. The camera angles to the editing are anything but simple and straightforward. The creative craftsmanship taken in this film really helps elevate it to where its enjoyable to even a youngster like me, who was born before its release.

The performances by the big three are excellent validations to their exceptional reputations. I really enjoyed Michael Douglas' down and dirty camera man characterization. Often times his upper class roles can get quiet repetitive so it was refreshing to see Douglas play as one of the lower class underdogs.

I also can't forget to mention Jack Lemon's performance. Many are probably aware of his comedic genius but if you ever wanted to see him in a serious dramatic role, China Syndrome is a great showcase. Here you can see Jack toe that very fine line of insanity and earnest desperation.

If you're into movies that deal with politics and global issues then your should really have a look see at China Syndrome, you won't regret what you find.

Who this film is not for: -Most people under the age of 21 -Viewers who need explosions, violence or fantasy in a film to be entertained

4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (2007)

Wow, just wow. This film was amazing!!! It kept my eyeballs glued for pretty much the entire film.

[9/10 · 16 April 2011]

This is a foreign film about about a girl in college who is living in communist Romania. She has a boyfriend who comes from a high echelon upbringing, she studies "tech" and lives in the dorms with her friend. Her roommate however got herself into a predicament as she got pregnant and wants to have an abortion. The film revolves around what happens during the day as she helps her friend get the abortion.

It's a really riveting film, and the sacrifices made for throughout the film are gut wrenching. I wanted to pimp slap that roommate so hard for being such a dumb bitch....Sorry excuse my language, but that's just good the director was at making the Roommate character so despicable. I mean you feel for her because she's scared of doing the abortion but man oh man is she such an inconsiderate whore. Again apologies, it just makes my blood boil how some people can treat their friends.

All in all a great film, normally I hate films that deal with abortions because often they're very heavy handed but this film took that debate to a whole new level. The sound is especially well done I noticed. Scenes like when the doctor is preparing his instruments, normally from a long shot you wouldn't be able to hear all the noises but you can hear every clank and scrap of the tools. The performances are also very strong.

The camera is very selective where it is put and there's hardly any editing and cuts, but the style fits the film perfectly.

Shot for under a million dollars this film is absolutely amazing. I highly recommend it for people who enjoy watching realistic dramas.

Taken (I) (2008)

You better Respect Liam Neeson's threats, cuz he's a comin!

[7/10 · 16 April 2011]

Okay...1st of all, this is an Action movie, no ifs ands or buts. So given that, you have to ask: Is the action awesome, are the plot holes bearable, are the bad guys bad enough and is the good guy kick-ass enough. The answer to most of these questions is YES!

Liam Neeson plays an ex-cia/super spy, who's sacrificed his family for his career. After retiring all he wants to do is be with his daughter who has just turned 17. She however wants to travel Europe. Coincidently of course, his daughter gets kidnapped by human traffickers the first day which sets Neeson on a gun busting daughter hunt all over Paris.

Some people might think this film is a bit too racist but I think it evens out the blame of human trafficking evenly among Westerners and non-westerners. The soft side of the film is a bit cheesy but doesn't go to the point where it makes the film unbearable, thankfully.

This film is badass! If you don't like action films then don't watch it, but as far as action films go, this is definitely one of the best in awhile. I think Die Hard 4 (Live Free or Die Hard) is very neck and neck with this film, so if you liked that movie you'll probably like this one. Except there's not really explosions in Taken but there's definitely plenty of bullet holes.

Side Note: I feel bad Famke Janssen has to do these roles where she's the broken/cranky/snarky woman in a bad marriage. Seems like that's her niche referring to The Wackness

The Machinist (2004)

A great performance by Bale but a film you'll probably need to see twice to get everything

[7/10 · 16 April 2011]

A psychological drama in which Christian Bale works as a machinist with very heavy and dangerous machines. He suffers insomnia and hasn't been able to sleep for the past year. He has a relationship with a hooker who he has slowly become more and more attached to. There is an accident at the start of the movie in which a co worker is maimed because of Christian Bales negligence. This sets off the mystery in which Christian Bale tries to figure out who the mysterious character is who distracted him at work and also who keeps leaving him mysterious notes in his apartment.

This is probably the best performance I've seen from Christian Bale so far and for that you should definitely watch this film. It was quite difficult to figure out the ending so as a mystery film it definitely succeeded.

However there just feels like something is off to this film. It might be that none of the other performances from the other characters really shined. Also the music at times was a bit overwhelming and was probably too much of a distraction. A lot of the film felt eerie but not in the ways in which it should have. Also some of the mystery in the film leaves you quite puzzled and you'd probably have to watch it at least twice to put everything together. Also the production value felt very low budget, making the world slightly unbelievable.

Splitting the main characters interest between two female characters also was a bit disconcerting. At the end of the film you find out why it happens but it leaves you feeling a bit cheated.

It's a great story and Christian Bale is superb but there are just a couple things holding it back from rising above a 7 out of 10.

Whatever Works (2009)

This movie is horrible and the only reason why I watched it all the way through was b/c I love Larry David

[3/10 · 16 April 2011]

This movie is horrible and the only reason why I watched it all the way through was b/c I love Larry David in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Woody Allen is one of the greats, but he ain't great in this movie, that's for sure.

This movie just screams out PLAY, but not even a good play. Like a horrible rinky dinky college play with talking heads. The cinematography in this film is horrible and the lighting is super flat. Why did they make this a movie and not a play!! There was absolutely no god reason why this script should have been on the big screen.

The dialogue just screams out Woody Allen and that's alright, but when you try to put his long monologues in 21st century settings with actors not from the 70s, they choke, and they choke badly.

Quick Synopsis: Larry David is a brilliant but cynical man. He attempts suicide and divorces his wife b/c he can't find any joy in his life. He meets a girl who is so dumb that all she does is spread joy and brightness in the world. Obviously b/c they're opposites they get married, even though they're decades apart both physically and mentally. The twist happens when the mother in law arrives which obviously strains the relationship.

This movie is a big flat nothing, and not even Larry David can save it. Also, it shoves philosophy down your throat in a very unsophisticated manner. Everyone who comes to New York receives happiness and enlightenment. You're going to choke on the happy ending and corniness.

Bang Bang You're Dead (2002)

A great about teen angst.

[7/10 · 16 April 2011]

I saw this movie at blockbuster and almost didn't pick it because it seemed so low budget. But I'm so glad I did. I picked it up b/c I think Ben Foster is just an amazing actor, he just has so much focus in all his roles.

Quick Synopsis: Ben Foster was bullied at school and made a bomb threat last year. He starts a new year with all the prejudices of being labeled an "at risk teenager". His art teachers played by Tom Cavanagh still has hope for him and the new girl from California sparks a love interest. Ben wrestles with bullies and the whole town as they try and tear him down.

The film is well acted all around. At first it seems like the bullying is a bit contrived and exaggerated but later on it's really given some heart. The cinematography definitely feels amateurish at times but hey, it is a low budget film. All in all the story is great and moving while the performances are quite stunning.

Every high school in the nation should show this film to their students.

9 (I) (2009)

9 is not very polished in terms of story, but contains very good visuals.

[5/10 · 16 April 2011]

The Film starts off with the awakening of nine who finds himself in a post apocalyptic world where there is no life except the little puppet creatures and the evil mechanical beasts. He joins up with the rest of his kind, and struggles to find out his purpose. Each of the puppet character each have their own niche. The brave one, the inquisitive one, the selfish one, the strong one etc etc.

The mechanical beasts seem to destroy everything including the little puppets, to what purpose?? Uhh... because they're evil?

There is some sort of black magic in which a human gave the little puppets a human soul which is why they can laugh and care for each other. They don't really explain how. There is a special device which can transfer and capture the human essence of the dolls. The main beast, is a mechanical brain that can create other diabolical beasts to do it's bidding. It uses the device to "eat" the souls of the puppets. Why?? uh... because they taste good?

The main problem with the film is that there are just too many plot holes that are not filled in. During the whole film you're trying to grasp the purpose and order of this fantasy world but just can't get your head around it b/c there's not enough information. The action sequences and creatures are all cool to look at but the story is just lacking. You never know why any of the creatures are doing what they're doing.

If you want to watch it for the animation and the art then go for it, but otherwise you can skip this film.

Coach Carter (2005)

A fairly mediocre film. Can't really say much besides that.

[5/10 · 16 April 2011]

The film centers around Richmond High school which is underfunded and has only a 50% graduation rate. Coach Carter played by Samuel L Jackson is a former alumni to the school comes in to take over the coaching position in his first season. The film doesn't have a central character but goes with an ensemble cast. The characters include the coach's son, a student drug dealer, a illiterate student, a teen pregnancy and etc etc.

I guess what separates this film from a normal basketball film is that Coach is very stringent on the grades his students must keep. Coach Carter sends the message that basketball is not the only trophy worthy of chasing for these at risk teenagers.

The acting is alright, no breakthrough performances. Some people have said that Samuel Jackson is great and.... he's okay, but we've seen better in other films.

Unless you're in a basketball mood, it's not really worth watching. I has good messages and good lessons to be learned but the drama is just not there. It's not gut wrenching and your not going to be at the edge of your seat to see what happens next. The film plays out very stereotypically with very few surprises.

But..... at least it's not terrible :P