status: 2010; on dvd
rating: * * * * * (5 out of 5 stars)
This is another perfect example of a movie I thought "eh, it could be funny, but I'm not so sure." Again, I was proven wrong. Jonah Hill, Russell Brand and Sean Combs are hilarious in this movie. Jonah Hill gets a job to bring Russell Brand, a fading rock star, to the Greek Theater for a 10 year reunion show.
The level of debauchery, drugs, and ridiculous antics that ensue is amazing. I was flat out floored by how funny it was. The movie had all the great elements of an Apatow production that fans know and love. If you like movies like Superbad, The Hangover, and even Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I'm pretty sure you will love this.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Felon
status: 2008; on dvd
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
This movie follows Stephen Dorff as a family man who accidentally kills a robber and goes to jail. He meets Val Kilmer, a respected prison veteran and murderer, and the harsh realities of being under the watchful eye of Harold Perrineau Jr. There are many extreme altercations and has elements of Oz and The Last Castle.
Its entertaining, but could be much better. The acting is a little bland at times and I feel like the fact the whole movie was based on Harold Perrineau Jr.'s lust for control wasn't enough. It was interesting to see Perrineau as an officer instead of an inmate like in Oz. I think better casting might have improved it.
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
This movie follows Stephen Dorff as a family man who accidentally kills a robber and goes to jail. He meets Val Kilmer, a respected prison veteran and murderer, and the harsh realities of being under the watchful eye of Harold Perrineau Jr. There are many extreme altercations and has elements of Oz and The Last Castle.
Its entertaining, but could be much better. The acting is a little bland at times and I feel like the fact the whole movie was based on Harold Perrineau Jr.'s lust for control wasn't enough. It was interesting to see Perrineau as an officer instead of an inmate like in Oz. I think better casting might have improved it.
Brooklyn's Finest
status: 2009; on dvd
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
The most recent film by Antione Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter, King Arthur) starring Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke as Brooklyn cops all looking for stability. Gere as a low-end traffic cop on the verge of retiring, Hawke as an underpaid cop trying to support his large family, and Cheadle as a successful undercover cop who wants his old life back, must face some tough decisions.
The idea is ok and the cast is decent, but the film doesn't really deliver. It's kind of a stagnant cop flick with very few glimmers of excitement. Coming from the guy who did Training Day and cast like this, I expected better. I guess this just adds another mediocre film to Fuqua's collection.
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
The most recent film by Antione Fuqua (Training Day, Shooter, King Arthur) starring Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke as Brooklyn cops all looking for stability. Gere as a low-end traffic cop on the verge of retiring, Hawke as an underpaid cop trying to support his large family, and Cheadle as a successful undercover cop who wants his old life back, must face some tough decisions.
The idea is ok and the cast is decent, but the film doesn't really deliver. It's kind of a stagnant cop flick with very few glimmers of excitement. Coming from the guy who did Training Day and cast like this, I expected better. I guess this just adds another mediocre film to Fuqua's collection.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Black Swan
status: 2010; in select theaters
rating: * * * * (4 out of 5 stars)
Let me start by saying, only Darren Aronofsky could make me interested in a movie about ballet. This film is nothing short of fantastic. This doesn't come as a surprise to this film-goer in the least. Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as a ballet dancer with dreams of being a star, Vincent Cassel as her coach and Mila Kunis as a fellow dancer.
The story follows Nina (Portman) in her struggle to be the best ballet dancer. She gets cast as the "Swan Queen" in a new rendition of Swan Lake. This proves to be very taxing both mentally and physically. Nina starts seeing a rash on her body, visions of a darker self, cuts on her fingers, what appear to be feathers, etc... Her inner turmoil to strive for perfection is tearing her apart. This coupled with a very touchy-feely coach (Cassel) and a potential threat to her role (Kunis), makes things all the more difficult.
Everyone's performance were incredibly believable and emotional stirring. Aronofsky's direction and the film's cinematography couldn't have been better. He has not lost his touch and this is a must see for any fan of his work.
rating: * * * * (4 out of 5 stars)
Let me start by saying, only Darren Aronofsky could make me interested in a movie about ballet. This film is nothing short of fantastic. This doesn't come as a surprise to this film-goer in the least. Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as a ballet dancer with dreams of being a star, Vincent Cassel as her coach and Mila Kunis as a fellow dancer.
The story follows Nina (Portman) in her struggle to be the best ballet dancer. She gets cast as the "Swan Queen" in a new rendition of Swan Lake. This proves to be very taxing both mentally and physically. Nina starts seeing a rash on her body, visions of a darker self, cuts on her fingers, what appear to be feathers, etc... Her inner turmoil to strive for perfection is tearing her apart. This coupled with a very touchy-feely coach (Cassel) and a potential threat to her role (Kunis), makes things all the more difficult.
Everyone's performance were incredibly believable and emotional stirring. Aronofsky's direction and the film's cinematography couldn't have been better. He has not lost his touch and this is a must see for any fan of his work.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Repo Men
status: 2010; on dvd
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
What has the idea from Repo: The Genetic Opera, a similar plot line to Equilibrium and Minority Report, and the ending of Vanilla Sky? Ya, I think you know...
Repo Men had potential, that I'll admit, but it fell short when it tried to be too many other movies. Almost everything in the film felt taken from something else, blatantly. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible. I did enjoy the dark ending and some of the comic relief, but it wasn't enough.
rating: * * (2 out of 5 stars)
What has the idea from Repo: The Genetic Opera, a similar plot line to Equilibrium and Minority Report, and the ending of Vanilla Sky? Ya, I think you know...
Repo Men had potential, that I'll admit, but it fell short when it tried to be too many other movies. Almost everything in the film felt taken from something else, blatantly. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't terrible. I did enjoy the dark ending and some of the comic relief, but it wasn't enough.
Friday, November 19, 2010
127 Hours
status: 2010; in select theaters
rating: * * * * * (being a true story i think makes it 5 out of 5 stars)
In describing my interest in seeing this movie, either familiar or not, most people were saying "that sounds boring". Well, I can definitely say that the movie is far from it. The movie revolves around the true story of Aron Ralston, a hiker, climber and adventurer falling in a canyon and getting his arm pinned under a rock for 5 days. James Franco plays Aron and gives a funny, painful, and unrelentingly powerful performance.
127 Hours was directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting) and showed that he is capable of bringing any story to film beautifully. The landscape was captivating and the mindset of Ralston was depicted very vividly.
The end is not for the squeamish, but it's necessary so you feel the gravity of the situation. I highly recommend this film and I stand by Danny Boyle as a fantastic director.
rating: * * * * * (being a true story i think makes it 5 out of 5 stars)
In describing my interest in seeing this movie, either familiar or not, most people were saying "that sounds boring". Well, I can definitely say that the movie is far from it. The movie revolves around the true story of Aron Ralston, a hiker, climber and adventurer falling in a canyon and getting his arm pinned under a rock for 5 days. James Franco plays Aron and gives a funny, painful, and unrelentingly powerful performance.
127 Hours was directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 28 Days Later, Trainspotting) and showed that he is capable of bringing any story to film beautifully. The landscape was captivating and the mindset of Ralston was depicted very vividly.
The end is not for the squeamish, but it's necessary so you feel the gravity of the situation. I highly recommend this film and I stand by Danny Boyle as a fantastic director.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Human Centipede [First Sequence]
status: 2009; on dvd
rating: * * (just for originality) (2 out of 5 stars)
After all the talk and hype, I decided to finally watch "The Human Centipede". The acting: atrocious, the scenario: cliche, the idea: original. The concept is really all this movie has going for it. The movie starts with two girls on a vacation in Germany. They head out to a club, get lost and get a flat (wow, new idea!). They proceed to wonder through the woods (what was wrong with the road) and come across a house. They come to find out its home to a demented retired surgeon who has a very interesting vision.
The bizarre nature of the idea and seeing it come to life is what sets this movie apart. That is the movie's only notable quality. Otherwise, its a low budget horror movie filled to the brim of bad cliches. Fulfill your curiousity if you need, but don't expect too much.
rating: * * (just for originality) (2 out of 5 stars)
After all the talk and hype, I decided to finally watch "The Human Centipede". The acting: atrocious, the scenario: cliche, the idea: original. The concept is really all this movie has going for it. The movie starts with two girls on a vacation in Germany. They head out to a club, get lost and get a flat (wow, new idea!). They proceed to wonder through the woods (what was wrong with the road) and come across a house. They come to find out its home to a demented retired surgeon who has a very interesting vision.
The bizarre nature of the idea and seeing it come to life is what sets this movie apart. That is the movie's only notable quality. Otherwise, its a low budget horror movie filled to the brim of bad cliches. Fulfill your curiousity if you need, but don't expect too much.
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