RocknRolla - Film Poster

So, as I have said in a previous post, I would do my best to actually see this flick in theaters.

And, so, I did.

Loved it.

This is the perfect follow up film for Guy Ritchie. Tempo is through the roof, dialogue is crisp and clean, acting is believable (mostly) and the characters are amazing. There honestly was not one single moment through the entire film that I felt bored.

I will say however, that the first 15 minutes are so are a little dry. Mostly because Ritchie is setting up the entire concept of the film in this 15 minutes. Once you get past that, the film explodes into many different stories which in the end, interact and connect – in ways you wouldn’t even imagine.

Simply put plot: when a series of not so legit business transactions take place, mixed with the activities of gangsters and “the wild bunch”, is put into a world that a painting can cause people to hate, love, fight, or steal… you have a series of multiple problems.

Now, don’t get me wrong, some of the outcomes are slightly predictable, but a few of the outcomes are certainly surprising – and pleasantly surprising at that. 

Mark Strong (left) and Gerard Butler (right)

Easily the two most interesting stories revolve from Archie (Mark Strong) and One Two (Gerard Butler). In the end, the way these two wind up so tangled is fantastic and makes the entire movie worth watching. The Accountant, Stella (Thandie Newton) is surprisingly dry – but I would honestly say, her character portrayed in any other fashion than dry would be…. well awful.

Anyone that has enjoyed Snatch, Revolver or Lock Stock, and even films along the lines of Smokin’ Aces or Lucky Number Slevin, this is a film for you.

**** — 4/5 stars.

JCVD - Film Poster

Is this a defining turn around point in Jean-Claude Van Damme‘s acting career? The past, oh, I dunno, lots of years, he has completely failed in his career. For the first time…. ever? myself and my roommates all watch this new trailer and want to see this film.

Should be great.

W. - Film Poster

It’s been awhile since the last post, however, I have a lot to say about Oliver Stone‘s recent release W. staring Josh Brolin, as George W. Bush. Honestly, let me just start off by saying, in no way did I leave the theater disliking the actual George W. any more than I entered the theater. In fact, I almost would go as far to say that I left the theater actually thinking I would totally want to have a beer with that man.

Now, hah, don’t get me wrong, I will definitely not say that I believe Bush has been a good President, or that his life story is in any way inspiring, however, I will say, it does seem that he has suffered from an extreme case of, the wrong person, in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Josh Brolin as W.

Early in the film, Brolin (as Bush) and Richard Dreyfuss (as Dick Cheney) sit at a dining table eating lunch together. The conversation they have comes down to Cheney asking Bush if there was a chance that the lettuce on his sandwich had a 1 in an oh so many chance of containing a harmful substance would he still eat it? Immediately Bush removes the lettuce and say’s absolutely no. This exchange describes Bush’s entire presidency with the use of a sandwich and that is what makes this movie great.

Stone’s film is by no way a mind blowing, groundbreaking feature, however it does show W’s presidencey in a perspective that allows the viewer to possibly relate to Bush, regardless of the viewer’s feelings. With no rationality would this film make someone think Bush is a successful president, but for certain makes me respect the man for at least trying. He made a few mistakes. One, he surrounded himself with the wrong staff (with the possible exception of Collin Powell played by Jeffery Wright); two he tried too hard to live up to his daddy, George Herman Walker Bush played by James Cromwell; and finally took the lesson of “finish what you start” way too far into his heart.

As a film, production wise, this film is a complete success. Above average casting, good tempo, a great combination of comedy and information, and finally the lead actor, Brolin, was insanely convincing as Bush- in fact, at times I forgot I was watching Brolin.

3.5/5 stars

RocknRolla - Film Poster

Uh. This will by far be the most underrated and over-criticized film of the year. Period.

I am yet to see a film by Guy Ritchie that I have not fully enjoyed.

Revolver was a mind blowing film, one that I personally consider to be one the best films in recent years. If you visit any site with any type of review or rating it will be extremely underrated. This film provides rules and guidelines within the film dialogue that are necessary for the viewer to adopt while watching the film. For this reason, many, many people just plain and simple didn’t get it. Watch it. Love it.

If RocknRolla can even come within a reasonable range of Revolver, it will truly be an epic mind blowing film. Promise.

I will for sure catch it, the first chance I get.

Appaloosa - Film Poster

Uh, yeah, I will be seeing this in theaters. For sure, no questions about it.

Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris. No doubt this will get harsh reviews from the critics, but I can almost promise, simply from the trailer, any viewer with a brain would enjoy this.

The list of films that I will be seeing in theaters for sure, just in the next couple months, is growing so fast. I know it is the holiday season, and this is the big time for award winning movies to start popping up, but holy cow they are coming from every which direction.

I am bursting at the seams with excitement.

Film Poster

Not your typical Simon Pegg movie. To be honest, I had seen only one trailer for this film before seeing the movie. I entered the theater expecting a Shaun of the Dead, or a Hot Fuzz- something I am used to seeing Pegg do- but oh was I ever surprised.

Believe it or not, it was not a bad surprise. Hell, I will even go as far to say that I did enjoy this movie. The story was better than a lot of overrated love stories, and the slap-stick dirty minded sick and twisted humor was incredibly funny. I would say less than half of the movie made me laugh, but the parts that made me laugh, made me laugh hard. 

Simon Pegg as Sidney Young

The plot is rather simple to grasp, and they make it very clear what the story line will be within the first 3 minutes of the film. It is more of a, well here is point B, now here is point A, and watch me go type film.

I would say it was nice to see Pegg branch away from his Hot Fuzz crew, and enjoyable to see Kirsten Dunst playing something other than Spider-Man‘s babe. Jeff Bridges‘ character makes an funny addition to the story- I can almost guarantee you that while he is one screen you will be laughing aloud. (Not to mention all of the Big Lebowski references coming out of the ying-yangs… no seriously, every 5 seconds.)

3/5 stars

Brick - Film Poster

A few years old now, I know, however surprisingly Brick kept me guessing what was next the whole way through the film. Although the end all result can be figured out with relative easy and accuracy, the means as to which this is achieved is…. well unusual to say the least. Director Rian Johnson gives a aggressive low budget thriller than honestly keeps you strapped to your seat on a roller-coaster ride of emotions and gambles.

The plot is as follows: Brendan (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a high-schooler, in a very, very unusual high-school. It is practically its own little city, in the sense that they have a small mob, a small hit squad, a small group known as the “in” crowd, and a drug dealer. Being in the “in” crowd will get you into any door, and into any group. They communicate with symbols and fast speaking, quick and catchy dialogue, almost in a poetic sense.

———-

Brendan Frye: “I’ve got knives in my eyes. Im going home sick.”

———-

Emily: ”Hows things?”

Brendan Frye: ”Status quo.”

———-

After being approached by a few different people, Brendan finds out that someone close to him, or atleast, someone he once considered to be close to him, is in trouble with the “in” crowd and could possibly be in danger. After some investigation, and stealthy spy moves, Brendan finds his ex-girlfriend Emily (Emilie de Ravin) has been murdered in a secret meeting location mostly known to the “in” crowd.

Emilie de Ravin - A slain victim

As the story progresses it becomes more clear that Brendan’s main motivation to finding her killer is that he is still in love with her. Brendan begins poking his head in some places it doesn’t not belong, and smacking some kids around well connected to the “in” crowd, and gets onto the drug dealers and mob squad’s radar. This shoves Brendan into a sequence of events that not even he can control.

****SPOILER****

One thing that I will warn about this film is that just over 3/4 of the way through the film, a very brutal and violent execution takes place. Although it is the second dead body shown in the film, it is the first act of murder shown in the film- and it is very, very violent. So there, fair warning.

****END****

All in all, this story is well written, and cleanly executed. I personally hope to see more of Levitt, especially after seeing this, and The Lookout (another well written, and well executed role.)

3.5/5 stars

Eagle Eye - Film Poster

Eagle Eye is the type of film that I probably would never buy on DVD, but would most definitely watch on TV. Typically, a film like this isn’t one that would pull me to the theater, but I was very much so in the mood to catch a film today and it just so happens this is the film we chose to watch.

 I would say that I was most definitely pleasantly surprised for a variety of reasons, but at the same time realized finally why the trailers fail to show anything about the movie except for cast and crew. The plot was empty, and incredibly easy to follow, which made the constant action very inviting. More than half of the film is people running around, things exploding, and people yelling- especially yelling the word “shit.”

Shia Lebouf plays the major male lead, while Michelle Monaghan led the female part. These two start off in the film complete and total strangers, and upon meeting one another immediately assume the opposite is the one ruining their life.

Without giving too much away, this film is seriously a combination of a few older films. Films like I, Robot, Terminator (especially Terminator 2), and Enemy of the State. The combination of editing style along with mainstream direction the movie has a very “Transformery” feel. I know, I know, Shia Lebouf is fueling that feeling in my subconscious, but really, just watch it and try to tell me opposite.

Billy Bob Thorton is surprisingly pleasent in this film, while only dropping the F-bomb once. I will admit, his single use of the F-bomb was awesome, but for the most part his character simply put was Mr. Detective.

I personally hope to see Shia Lebouf get away from films like this and into something more serious and something that requires much more character depth. In my personal opinion if Shia makes the right moves, him and Emile Hirsch could be the future of mainstream male leads. But hey, just an opinion.

3/5 stars

 

 

The International - Film Poster

(Trailer)

I am almost absolutely certain this will win zero awards, but I am sure I will see this in theaters for only 1 reason. Clive Owen.

I was never too certain about Owen until Inside Man, and more importantly, Children of Men. Although, I will be the first to say that his involvement in Shoot’em Up was sad, he completely blew me away in Children of Men.

 

 

Fast and Furious - Film Poster

(Trailer)

This…

Hah.

I will probably watch this on HBO or something. Won’t bother to rent it. Definitely will not see it in theaters. But hell, I will sure give it a look when it doesn’t cost me anything but some time.

The first 3… well… lets just say, they were funnybad movies. Yes, funnybad’s.

I expect this to be the same.