Today I'm going to do something a little bit different. Today I'm going to begin my salute to TOP 5's. Much like the movie High Fidelity I'm going to begin spouting out my list of TOP 5 everythings. Now of course in between these lists there will be movie reviews, but I guess I'm just doing this as a little change of pace. And for those of you poor souls out there that actually read this, maybe you send me back your TOP 5's and we will compare. Maybe you get a little bit more insight on just who exactly I really am. Today to start out I think I'm going to do two categories. The first being TOP 5 INDEPENDENT FILMS and then TOP 5 UP AND COMING MALE ACTORS.
So let's get started. For those of you out there that know me and read this from time to time, you should know that I love love love independent film. I think that it is such a great form of film and you really get to see just who people are though it, so without further ado I will give you my list of TOP 5's.
5. BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD - This movie is nothing less than spectcular. It is a thriller about two desperate brothers and what exactly people will do in times of desperation. I promise you that you will be shocked the entire time you are watching this film. Go out and see it.
4. BRICK- I absolutely love this movie. This was one of those movies that I will watch anytime anywhere. This is a noir story that takes place in its own unique world of high school. The look, the language, the acting. It truly is a movie like no other. I really want everyone to see this movie.
3. CHASING AMY- I love Kevin Smith more than anyone probably should and this is one of my favorite movies of his and maybe one of my favorite movies ever. This is the movie where I fell in love with BEN AFFLECK. Any guy who tries and successfully turns a leisbian is aces in my book. This is a movie about love, life, and friendship. And there are plenty of dick and fart jokes to go around. A must watch for our generation.
2. BEFORE SUNRISE/BEFORE SUNSET- I know , I know my 2 spot is filled with two movies and I really don't care. Because you need to watch them both back to back to get the full weight of it all if you ask me. They are both so very unique in their own right and they are both spot on. It is truly a masterful job of acting, story-telling, and filmmaking. I love these movies with all my heart they really do appeal to the hopeless romantic in me.
1. CLERKS- That's right none other than the movie that reignited the independent movie as far as I'm concerned. It's so simple it was all shot in one location and it is done in black and white. And sure it looks kind of shitty, but who cares because that's what independent film is, it's raw and it's wonderful, and it tells a real story about real people. This is the movie that started it all for me. Thanks COOP.
Now here is some man meat for all you ladies out there that love leading me. This is my up and coming list of guys that are pretty much ready to take hollywood by storm.
5. ZAC EFRON- I can't believe I'm even saying this and believe me a couple five months ago there is no way you would have ever caught me saying it, but this guy might just be the real thing. He seems to be wanting to break away from that High School Musical thing that made him so big and I for one applaud that. 17 AGAIN I have to say that I really do like it and I think that it is just a really good movie that i would watch anytime, and then him in ME AND ORSON WELLES pretty much sealed the deal for me. Look out for him.
4. JUSTIN LONG- This guy has been around for some time now you might remember him in JEEPERS CREEPERS I know I do. But really he hasn't until lately been used in the manner that really allows him to shine. If you don't believe me watch him in his blink and you'll miss it scene in ZAC AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO, and check out GOING THE DISTANCE and you'll know exactly what I do and that is that this guy is on his way.
3. JESSE EISENBERG- This guy is the real deal. The first time I remember seeing him is in a little movie called THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. And he really hasn't let of the gas since. The guy plays that sort of off beat nerdy social awkward everyman character like no other. He killed it in THE SOCIAL NETWORK this year, but he has been doing it long before that, really check out ADVENTURELAND, ZOMBIELAND, and THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS and you'll really know all about this guy.
2. TOM HARDY- Now this guy here really isn't so young at all and that's cool because this is my list and I feel like I want to talk about him. For those of you that don't know him he was EAMES in INCEPTION, probably for most the coolest character in the movie. I think this guy really is top notch and I think he is really about to pop off in the movie industry. The guy just has an air of cool about him. Really check him out in THE LAYER CAKE or in the wonderful ROCKNROLLA.
1. JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT- Who of you out there really didn't see this coming. To say that I have developed a man crush on him is an understatement. The guy really can do no wrong with me lately. Every since I saw his great performance in BRICK I have been captivated by this guy waiting to see what's next. I loved him in 500 DAYS OF SUMMER, and for me him as ARTHUR was the coolest part of INCEPTION. So all of you out there be on the look out for HESHER and his up and coming movie LOOPER.
As always, Don't start nothin', won't be nothin'
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
IT"S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY/ ME AND ORSON WELLES
It's me again gang, ready to drop a little knowledge on you all about the latest movies that I have seen. It's been a little bit but I have recently been busy getting my body used to the graveyard shift and now that I have it's movie review time.
Okay, so since it's taken me a little while to give you all a movie review I have decided as a special treat that I'm going to give you all two for the price of one. So with that let me start this whole thing off with my review of IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY. I guess I should preface this review by saying that when after I saw this movie I wanted to come home and write about it right away but I didn't quite know where it fit. I knew I really liked it just as soon as I watched it, but I needed a little bit of time to let it wash over me. And now that it has I can 100 percent say that I really really like this movie.
The best way I could describe this movie is by simply saying it is a movie written for not only my generation but that just a bit younger that me. It's hard for me to completely describe what genre I would put this movie in but if I had to I would say it is a sort of hybrid coming of age dramedy. It centers around a kid that comes from a very affluent family that has had everything that he could ever need in life but for some reason everything is getting to him and he is thinking about killing himself. So he checks himself in the adult mental ward in the hospital where he meets all different kinds of characters on his way to realizing and finding himself.
So who is in this movie? Well Keir Gilchrist plays the title character of Craig and for being such a young actor he really gives a good turn as this slightly awkward kid bumbling around in the mental ward trying to find himself. Emma Roberts plays the lovely Noelle who is another kid in the adult mental word who is Craig's love interest. I thought that she was great in the movie. The only problem that I found with her role is that there wasn't more of it. She comes from such a great pedigree and I can tell that she is going to be a force. The way she plays her role is subtle but it really leaves a lasting impression. And now on to the real star of this movie and that is Mr. Zach Galifianakis, playing the role of Bobby, a dad that is trying to make it out of this darkness that he has been in so that he can be there for his kid. I really like Galifianakis but after this movie I love him. Finally he gets to play a real person and not just a character which I feel that he does in most movies. Bobby is a really funny guy but he has depth. You are not just sitting there waiting for the next one liner to be thrown out there, he is real and you can see the pain that he is struggling through.
This is a movie that really flew under the radar and that is just too bad. I really do wish that more movies like this were getting the due that movies like Twilight does. Shame on all of you. Grow up, and go see this movie.
ME AND ORSON WELLES
What can I say about this movie besides, FFFFFUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK! I mean this is everything that a movie should be. To say that I love this movie is an understatement. RICHARD LINKLATER is an absolute god. He is one of my favorite directors working today. I mean the guy just knows how to tell a story, from DAZED AND CONFUSED to BEFORE SUNRISE to BEFORE SUNSET. I just love this man's work. This movie is just so damn fun I love it. I watched this the other morning after working all night long, and this movie kept me up and entertained the entire hour and forty eight minutes of its run time. The movie is about a young boy who is a bit of a dreamer and is aspiring to be an actor in 1937 and he lands a role in "Julius Caesar" that is directed by a young Orson Welles.
So who is in this movie? The title role of Richard is played by ZAC EFRON. I hate to admit this but this kid I is really going to be something I think. He is already a heart throb but the thing that is so great about this kid is the fact that he really is picking out smart roles to do. I sure there have been a number of roles thrown his way to try and cash in on the whole High School Musical success, but it appears that he has it in his head to really do good movies and I have to applaud him for that. CLAIRE DANES plays the lovely Sonja, who is the girl that is loved by everybody in the playhouse and young Richard eventually falls for her. She does a great job in the role, because she in not just this absolutely like able character, she is sort of this hot ice queen type that has is hard working yes but she really is driven by ambition and the fact that she is beautiful she uses it to her advantage. Then there is CHRISTIAN MCKAY who plays Orson Welles. To say that he is phenomenal in the movie would be an understatement. I don't know who this guy is at all but to play such an iconic role such as Orson Welles and do it this well really is something great. I mean this guy nails every single scene that he is in and it just seems effortless. I applaud you sir, somebody please cast this guy in something else.
This movie truly does have everything that a movie should have. It is fun and funny, but it is also serious and a little bittersweet. It is going to make you smile and then at times it is going to feel like it crushes you I am absolutely in love with it. The only other movie that I have enjoyed this much this year was the little known movie by the name of FLIPPED. I mean there is a great scene in the beginning of this movie when Richard is just getting used to the playhouse and they are all sitting around and him and two guys talk to him about the quadruple space which is just great. For those of you that don't know what it is, it is when two characters in a book are about to have sex the book with talk about a long hard embrace and then there is a quadruple space and it reads the next morning the sun is up and shining bright. They basically tell him that the best things in life happen in the quadruple space. I encourage everybody to go out and see this movie as soon as possible. This is a great movie and if you don't see it you should be kicked in the nuts, Boom!!!!
Like always, don't start nothin' , won't be nothin'
Okay, so since it's taken me a little while to give you all a movie review I have decided as a special treat that I'm going to give you all two for the price of one. So with that let me start this whole thing off with my review of IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY. I guess I should preface this review by saying that when after I saw this movie I wanted to come home and write about it right away but I didn't quite know where it fit. I knew I really liked it just as soon as I watched it, but I needed a little bit of time to let it wash over me. And now that it has I can 100 percent say that I really really like this movie.
The best way I could describe this movie is by simply saying it is a movie written for not only my generation but that just a bit younger that me. It's hard for me to completely describe what genre I would put this movie in but if I had to I would say it is a sort of hybrid coming of age dramedy. It centers around a kid that comes from a very affluent family that has had everything that he could ever need in life but for some reason everything is getting to him and he is thinking about killing himself. So he checks himself in the adult mental ward in the hospital where he meets all different kinds of characters on his way to realizing and finding himself.
So who is in this movie? Well Keir Gilchrist plays the title character of Craig and for being such a young actor he really gives a good turn as this slightly awkward kid bumbling around in the mental ward trying to find himself. Emma Roberts plays the lovely Noelle who is another kid in the adult mental word who is Craig's love interest. I thought that she was great in the movie. The only problem that I found with her role is that there wasn't more of it. She comes from such a great pedigree and I can tell that she is going to be a force. The way she plays her role is subtle but it really leaves a lasting impression. And now on to the real star of this movie and that is Mr. Zach Galifianakis, playing the role of Bobby, a dad that is trying to make it out of this darkness that he has been in so that he can be there for his kid. I really like Galifianakis but after this movie I love him. Finally he gets to play a real person and not just a character which I feel that he does in most movies. Bobby is a really funny guy but he has depth. You are not just sitting there waiting for the next one liner to be thrown out there, he is real and you can see the pain that he is struggling through.
This is a movie that really flew under the radar and that is just too bad. I really do wish that more movies like this were getting the due that movies like Twilight does. Shame on all of you. Grow up, and go see this movie.
ME AND ORSON WELLES
What can I say about this movie besides, FFFFFUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKK! I mean this is everything that a movie should be. To say that I love this movie is an understatement. RICHARD LINKLATER is an absolute god. He is one of my favorite directors working today. I mean the guy just knows how to tell a story, from DAZED AND CONFUSED to BEFORE SUNRISE to BEFORE SUNSET. I just love this man's work. This movie is just so damn fun I love it. I watched this the other morning after working all night long, and this movie kept me up and entertained the entire hour and forty eight minutes of its run time. The movie is about a young boy who is a bit of a dreamer and is aspiring to be an actor in 1937 and he lands a role in "Julius Caesar" that is directed by a young Orson Welles.
So who is in this movie? The title role of Richard is played by ZAC EFRON. I hate to admit this but this kid I is really going to be something I think. He is already a heart throb but the thing that is so great about this kid is the fact that he really is picking out smart roles to do. I sure there have been a number of roles thrown his way to try and cash in on the whole High School Musical success, but it appears that he has it in his head to really do good movies and I have to applaud him for that. CLAIRE DANES plays the lovely Sonja, who is the girl that is loved by everybody in the playhouse and young Richard eventually falls for her. She does a great job in the role, because she in not just this absolutely like able character, she is sort of this hot ice queen type that has is hard working yes but she really is driven by ambition and the fact that she is beautiful she uses it to her advantage. Then there is CHRISTIAN MCKAY who plays Orson Welles. To say that he is phenomenal in the movie would be an understatement. I don't know who this guy is at all but to play such an iconic role such as Orson Welles and do it this well really is something great. I mean this guy nails every single scene that he is in and it just seems effortless. I applaud you sir, somebody please cast this guy in something else.
This movie truly does have everything that a movie should have. It is fun and funny, but it is also serious and a little bittersweet. It is going to make you smile and then at times it is going to feel like it crushes you I am absolutely in love with it. The only other movie that I have enjoyed this much this year was the little known movie by the name of FLIPPED. I mean there is a great scene in the beginning of this movie when Richard is just getting used to the playhouse and they are all sitting around and him and two guys talk to him about the quadruple space which is just great. For those of you that don't know what it is, it is when two characters in a book are about to have sex the book with talk about a long hard embrace and then there is a quadruple space and it reads the next morning the sun is up and shining bright. They basically tell him that the best things in life happen in the quadruple space. I encourage everybody to go out and see this movie as soon as possible. This is a great movie and if you don't see it you should be kicked in the nuts, Boom!!!!
Like always, don't start nothin' , won't be nothin'
Sunday, November 28, 2010
CHEERS TO RACISM?
Well Folks you know who it is. Today I'm going to talk about something a little different. Sorry no movie reviews tonight, although next week should be full of them, so stay tuned for that. No today I'm going to talk about something different, something that has been bothering me all day but I just didn't know if I wanted to talk about it, because quite honestly it is something that is very personal and no matter how old I am or how long I've gone through it, it always hits home every time it happens.
I know you're on the edge of your seats waiting to hear exactly what I'm talking about so I guess I should just come out and say it. Today, in the we hours of the morning nursing the beginnings of a hangover after a fantastic night after the Sooners downed the Cowboys yet again, I silently endured some good old fashion racism. And this is that story.
So last night after a great night at Eskimo Joe's my good friend Cory and I were in no position to drive home, so being the mature and responsible(which we almost never are)people that we are we decided to crash at one of our other friend's Cousin's house. Now when we got there we were welcomed with open arms and we partied pretty much the rest of the night, and I didn't go to bed until probably 5 or 6 in the morning. It was in my opinion a pretty great night. And I enjoyed everyone there.
Then came the morning. To tell you the truth I really don't know who said it, because This place was pretty much your typical college guys house. It was a party house with an assortment of guys crashed out all over the house and I can pretty much picture that being the way it is most weekends. But in the early hours of the morning right before me and Cory left on our way home, I was just kind of waking up when I heard a couple of guys having a conversation. and it went a little something like this.
GUY1:"Man, what happened last night. I'm pretty sure after we took those twenty of thirty shots I blacked out." GUY2: "Yeah you were pretty much done by about 2 o'clock, we ended up saying up til about 6 I guess. It was a pretty crazy, this place is destroyed." GUY1: "I know, my parents came in here around 7:30 this morning and it looked just like this. did yall smoke some dank last night?" GUY2: "No, I drank a shitload but I don't remember anyone smoking last night." GUY1: "Well when my parents came in here this place smelled like straight dank. Maybe it was that NIGGER that pasted out on the couch. Wait where is he?" Guy2: "He's still laying right over there on the couch." GUY1: "Oh shit, Fuck I'm going back to bed."
You know it's funny, because no matter how many times I hear that word in my life, and I have heard it a time or two, I still feel so small under the power of it. And at that moment I just felt this thing come over my body and I didn't know what to do, all I could do is try to hold it all in, because I feel like if I let that part of my out then I will lose all control over myself. And I almost did this morning. I left that house and all I could feel was defeated. It sucks but I felt less than I know I am.
I debated on if I would write about this or not all day long, but in the end I decided I had to. I owed it to myself to let this all be known. To let people out there know that it isn't over and that there are still so many ignorant people out there. I want people to know that we as a country aren't past it even though some think that we are, and this is not okay. I am worth so much more than that, we all are. If you're reading this I hope you never know what something like this feels like, and I hope that we will all be more mindful of each other in the future, dare to dream right.
Until next time, Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'
I know you're on the edge of your seats waiting to hear exactly what I'm talking about so I guess I should just come out and say it. Today, in the we hours of the morning nursing the beginnings of a hangover after a fantastic night after the Sooners downed the Cowboys yet again, I silently endured some good old fashion racism. And this is that story.
So last night after a great night at Eskimo Joe's my good friend Cory and I were in no position to drive home, so being the mature and responsible(which we almost never are)people that we are we decided to crash at one of our other friend's Cousin's house. Now when we got there we were welcomed with open arms and we partied pretty much the rest of the night, and I didn't go to bed until probably 5 or 6 in the morning. It was in my opinion a pretty great night. And I enjoyed everyone there.
Then came the morning. To tell you the truth I really don't know who said it, because This place was pretty much your typical college guys house. It was a party house with an assortment of guys crashed out all over the house and I can pretty much picture that being the way it is most weekends. But in the early hours of the morning right before me and Cory left on our way home, I was just kind of waking up when I heard a couple of guys having a conversation. and it went a little something like this.
GUY1:"Man, what happened last night. I'm pretty sure after we took those twenty of thirty shots I blacked out." GUY2: "Yeah you were pretty much done by about 2 o'clock, we ended up saying up til about 6 I guess. It was a pretty crazy, this place is destroyed." GUY1: "I know, my parents came in here around 7:30 this morning and it looked just like this. did yall smoke some dank last night?" GUY2: "No, I drank a shitload but I don't remember anyone smoking last night." GUY1: "Well when my parents came in here this place smelled like straight dank. Maybe it was that NIGGER that pasted out on the couch. Wait where is he?" Guy2: "He's still laying right over there on the couch." GUY1: "Oh shit, Fuck I'm going back to bed."
You know it's funny, because no matter how many times I hear that word in my life, and I have heard it a time or two, I still feel so small under the power of it. And at that moment I just felt this thing come over my body and I didn't know what to do, all I could do is try to hold it all in, because I feel like if I let that part of my out then I will lose all control over myself. And I almost did this morning. I left that house and all I could feel was defeated. It sucks but I felt less than I know I am.
I debated on if I would write about this or not all day long, but in the end I decided I had to. I owed it to myself to let this all be known. To let people out there know that it isn't over and that there are still so many ignorant people out there. I want people to know that we as a country aren't past it even though some think that we are, and this is not okay. I am worth so much more than that, we all are. If you're reading this I hope you never know what something like this feels like, and I hope that we will all be more mindful of each other in the future, dare to dream right.
Until next time, Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'
Thursday, November 25, 2010
I'm loving... LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS
Hello folks it's me again, your favorite Internet critic that no one likes to read. Today I would just like to start off by saying Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there, I hope that you are celebrating with family and friends and that you are all having a blessed holiday. Now on to the business at had, LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS.
The Who: It has the lovely, the sexy, the talented Anne Hathaway, and then the male lead is Jake Gyllenhaal who gives one of his best performances. Also hanging out in the movie are Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, and Judy Greer. Now for me and my money Anne Hathaway is really turning out to be one of the better young actresses in Hollywood. And I would have never thought this was going to be the case when she was doing THE PRINCESS DIARIES. She plays the role of unavailable girl that all she wants in a relationship is sex to perfection. And for me this is the role Jake Gyllenhaal was born to play. he is this guy that comes from a good family and just seems to fly through life and the only thing he is really good as is banging chicks. But he's not the super cool guy that bangs the chicks. He is the guy that is just a prick and pretty much a pussy but he just happens to be able to push all the right buttons with guys.
I love this movie, I pretty much just love every minute of it. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie because it just doesn't at all play the way it looks on the previews. It isn't just this romantic comedy kind of love movie, it is much more. These aren't just two beautiful people that fall in love and some random road block gets in the way just before they make up at the end and live happily ever after. This movie is about two real people that are damaged in real ways. One damaged by himself and his family and the other damaged by a disease and how she has had to become because of said disease. This is not just a cookie cutter movie, it is so much movie and I love that about this movie.
Unexpected surprises about this movie: If you have ever wanted to see what Anne Hathaway's breasts look like this is the movie for you. I mean wow, they are awesome and you see them often in this movie, oh yeah and there is plenty of Jake for all of you girls out there. Thing that could have killed this movie: The brother of Gyllenhaal's character is suppose to play the comedic relief and boy is he not. He steals a lot of scenes in this movie and it is not at all in a good way. After a while I just felt like yelling I get it, now lets get back to the movie.
This is a very good movie with a very good cast, and a story that is both funny and touching. I highly recommend this movie to any of you this holiday season.
Until next time, don't start nothin', won't be nothin'.
The Who: It has the lovely, the sexy, the talented Anne Hathaway, and then the male lead is Jake Gyllenhaal who gives one of his best performances. Also hanging out in the movie are Oliver Platt, Hank Azaria, and Judy Greer. Now for me and my money Anne Hathaway is really turning out to be one of the better young actresses in Hollywood. And I would have never thought this was going to be the case when she was doing THE PRINCESS DIARIES. She plays the role of unavailable girl that all she wants in a relationship is sex to perfection. And for me this is the role Jake Gyllenhaal was born to play. he is this guy that comes from a good family and just seems to fly through life and the only thing he is really good as is banging chicks. But he's not the super cool guy that bangs the chicks. He is the guy that is just a prick and pretty much a pussy but he just happens to be able to push all the right buttons with guys.
I love this movie, I pretty much just love every minute of it. I was pleasantly surprised by the movie because it just doesn't at all play the way it looks on the previews. It isn't just this romantic comedy kind of love movie, it is much more. These aren't just two beautiful people that fall in love and some random road block gets in the way just before they make up at the end and live happily ever after. This movie is about two real people that are damaged in real ways. One damaged by himself and his family and the other damaged by a disease and how she has had to become because of said disease. This is not just a cookie cutter movie, it is so much movie and I love that about this movie.
Unexpected surprises about this movie: If you have ever wanted to see what Anne Hathaway's breasts look like this is the movie for you. I mean wow, they are awesome and you see them often in this movie, oh yeah and there is plenty of Jake for all of you girls out there. Thing that could have killed this movie: The brother of Gyllenhaal's character is suppose to play the comedic relief and boy is he not. He steals a lot of scenes in this movie and it is not at all in a good way. After a while I just felt like yelling I get it, now lets get back to the movie.
This is a very good movie with a very good cast, and a story that is both funny and touching. I highly recommend this movie to any of you this holiday season.
Until next time, don't start nothin', won't be nothin'.
Friday, November 19, 2010
I'm going to relish in THE NEXT THREE DAYS
Hello again all of you lonely misguided people out there, it's me again. Ready to drop a little more knowledge on all of you. And what will I be talking about today. I guess I'm going to do something that is really against the norm and talk about a movie. Today I had to pleasure and I do mean the extreme pleasure of going to see the movie, THE NEXT THREE DAYS. I guess I should start off by saying that I pretty much think that Paul Haggis is a movie god. There is something about his writing and now later in his career his directing that I find to be just fantastic. He always seems to focus on issues and characters that are so true to life that it seems to hit you right in the gut. And I feel like this movie does just that.
For those of you that don't know who Paul Haggis is check out movies such as CRASH, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, THE LAST KISS, CASINO ROYALE, and IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
So let's get into the WHAT: This movie is essentially this suspense sort of thriller that has to do with a mother of what seems to be a pretty stable family going to prison for life for a murder that she may or may not have committed. And her husband and his struggle to try and break her out of prison.
Now here's the WHO: This movie features Russell Crowe in the lead role, the wonderful Elizabeth Banks who has personally captured my heart and is becoming one of my favorite women to see on camera. It also has Liam Neeson who is well Liam Neeson and really what else needs to be said. Also playing a very good but understated role is Olivia Wilde, who is just so super sexy in pretty much everything she's in. And even though in this movie she is playing an understated mom she is still sexy as ever.
Russell Crowe in this movie here is pretty much just vintage Crowe. He seems to carry this movie somewhat effortlessly as this distressed father and husband who beyond all belief believes in the innocence of his wife and will not give up hope and will not let her give up hope that the life in prison is not the life that they will live. Elizabeth Banks is also extremely good in this movie, playing a mother in wife that is in prison for murder for life and you can tell that it is all just breaking her down.
For me the thing about this movie is that at the heart of it if forces the audience to ask the question, is there anybody that you would go to these lengths for? Or do you think the person that you are with will go to these lengths for you. The thing about it is that it is a completely crazy question because this situation just probably won't come up in your lifetime, but we just always want to know that somebody loves us enough to risk it all for us. Even if it would never happen in a million years. I thought about that throughout the whole movie, and I was almost sad leaving knowing that at this very moment in my life there just might not be a person that I could do it for. Even though I really thought that at one point there was. But really that's neither here nor there.
The other great thing about this movie is the way that it is structured. The first act of the movie really jumps right into it. It starts off with Crowe and Banks at dinner with another couple, Banks just having a hard day, and her and the other woman at dinner get into a heated exchange out the roles of women and men at work. Then the next day the police bust in and arrest her for murder. Now it doesn't go through the whole trial and all that jazz, and a lot of what you think might have happened with the murder happens in brief flashbacks. The audience never really knows weather she is or isn't innocent, they only know that Crowe's character believes this.
Then the second act sets up a lot of the dramatic performances in the movie, with them losing the appeal and Banks trying to come to grips with that fact that she will be in jail for life, and then Crowe trying to put in motion this plan to break her out of prison even though he is just an average everyday person. he is not a criminal and really doesn't know what he is in for, all he knows is that he loves his wife, and just like she can't make it in prison, he won't be able to make it without her as well.
Then comes the third act and once it starts it grabs you and it just doesn't stop. I spend most of the third act trying to figure out where the twists and turns were going to come from and I never could. It just kept hitting me from every angle and I will literally at the edge of my seat throughout. You just can't help but wonder are they going to get out or how are they going to get caught. For me it really is a beautifully crafted script and to tell you the truth I expect nothing less from Mr. Haggis. I won't give it all aways because I feel that you all need to get out there and check it out right now. This is the season for all those wonderful movies that a lot of people out there will overlook and come next year.
So until next time folks, don't start nothin',won't be nothin'
For those of you that don't know who Paul Haggis is check out movies such as CRASH, MILLION DOLLAR BABY, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, THE LAST KISS, CASINO ROYALE, and IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH. I promise you that you will not be disappointed.
So let's get into the WHAT: This movie is essentially this suspense sort of thriller that has to do with a mother of what seems to be a pretty stable family going to prison for life for a murder that she may or may not have committed. And her husband and his struggle to try and break her out of prison.
Now here's the WHO: This movie features Russell Crowe in the lead role, the wonderful Elizabeth Banks who has personally captured my heart and is becoming one of my favorite women to see on camera. It also has Liam Neeson who is well Liam Neeson and really what else needs to be said. Also playing a very good but understated role is Olivia Wilde, who is just so super sexy in pretty much everything she's in. And even though in this movie she is playing an understated mom she is still sexy as ever.
Russell Crowe in this movie here is pretty much just vintage Crowe. He seems to carry this movie somewhat effortlessly as this distressed father and husband who beyond all belief believes in the innocence of his wife and will not give up hope and will not let her give up hope that the life in prison is not the life that they will live. Elizabeth Banks is also extremely good in this movie, playing a mother in wife that is in prison for murder for life and you can tell that it is all just breaking her down.
For me the thing about this movie is that at the heart of it if forces the audience to ask the question, is there anybody that you would go to these lengths for? Or do you think the person that you are with will go to these lengths for you. The thing about it is that it is a completely crazy question because this situation just probably won't come up in your lifetime, but we just always want to know that somebody loves us enough to risk it all for us. Even if it would never happen in a million years. I thought about that throughout the whole movie, and I was almost sad leaving knowing that at this very moment in my life there just might not be a person that I could do it for. Even though I really thought that at one point there was. But really that's neither here nor there.
The other great thing about this movie is the way that it is structured. The first act of the movie really jumps right into it. It starts off with Crowe and Banks at dinner with another couple, Banks just having a hard day, and her and the other woman at dinner get into a heated exchange out the roles of women and men at work. Then the next day the police bust in and arrest her for murder. Now it doesn't go through the whole trial and all that jazz, and a lot of what you think might have happened with the murder happens in brief flashbacks. The audience never really knows weather she is or isn't innocent, they only know that Crowe's character believes this.
Then the second act sets up a lot of the dramatic performances in the movie, with them losing the appeal and Banks trying to come to grips with that fact that she will be in jail for life, and then Crowe trying to put in motion this plan to break her out of prison even though he is just an average everyday person. he is not a criminal and really doesn't know what he is in for, all he knows is that he loves his wife, and just like she can't make it in prison, he won't be able to make it without her as well.
Then comes the third act and once it starts it grabs you and it just doesn't stop. I spend most of the third act trying to figure out where the twists and turns were going to come from and I never could. It just kept hitting me from every angle and I will literally at the edge of my seat throughout. You just can't help but wonder are they going to get out or how are they going to get caught. For me it really is a beautifully crafted script and to tell you the truth I expect nothing less from Mr. Haggis. I won't give it all aways because I feel that you all need to get out there and check it out right now. This is the season for all those wonderful movies that a lot of people out there will overlook and come next year.
So until next time folks, don't start nothin',won't be nothin'
Monday, November 15, 2010
EDWARD BURNS, check him out please!!!!!!
Well Hello again my friends out there, all two of you that actually read this little thing. I am back with a little something different this time. I don't exactly have a movie review for you and I'm not really about to go out and ramble on about whatever has been popping in my head. What I came on here to do tonight is to give you guys a mere suggestion. Something that you can take if you want and you life with be better and more fulfilled because of it, or you can leave it and go on toward the downward spiral that you are probably already on. Now that suggestion that I am giving all of you out there is this. At some point in the near future you need to go out and rent or buy yourself an EDWARD BURNS movie. I'm not talking about a movie that he happens to be in, I'm talking about a movie that he himself has written, produced, and directed.
Now I know that a lot of you out there don't really know who EDWARD BURNS is, and the ones of you that do think that you know, I assure you that you probably do not. Because right now I'm not talking about the EDWARD BURNS that plays the dick head boyfriend in THE HOLIDAY, and I'm not talking about the EDWARD BURNS that plays the boss that Katherine Hiegel is in love in 27 DRESSES. Yes this is that guy, but I am of the firm belief that these characters are not really this guy. For those of you out there that don't know it, EDWARD BURNS really has a passion for writing and directing. And believe me anyone who has ever seen a movie that he has written and directed knows just how good he really is. The thing is he uses movies like THE HOLIDAY and 27 DRESSES are basically a paycheck so that he can fund his own projects which thank god, because I love his work.
Now his earlier work such as movies like THE BROTHER McMULLEN and SHE'S THE ONE even though they were critically acclaimed for the most part are still a bit rough around the edges and you really have to like movies to really get into those, but some of his later stuff to date, all I can say is that it is brilliant. Not only are they these great little independent movies which by the way I'm a sucker for, but they also have some of the brightest stars out right now playing these parts and making you realize how they can get some of these bigger roles that they get. A prime example of this is the actor PATRICK WILSON who really is blowing up right now, but I promise you if you go out and get the movie PURPLE VIOLETS you will see exactly why. I mean that movie is one of the best movies I've seen in the last 5 years.
A couple of other titles that he has done that are just really good movies that I feel that everyone out there should see, would be SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK and THE GROOMSMEN. I just love both of these titles. I mean the thing about BURNS is that he has a very unique perspective in his movies and after seeing a few you can really tell when you are watching a BURNS film which I really find kind of wonderful in the same way that you can tell when you are watching a SPIKE LEE or WOODY ALLEN film. I just really feel that people can get so much from his movies and I really am being to think that he is one of the best story tellers of the last 10 years. So if you're out at blockbusters and you don't really know what you want to rent, don't go to the new releases section, go try and find one of these EDWARD BURNS flicks I've just mentioned, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Until next time my friends. Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'
Now I know that a lot of you out there don't really know who EDWARD BURNS is, and the ones of you that do think that you know, I assure you that you probably do not. Because right now I'm not talking about the EDWARD BURNS that plays the dick head boyfriend in THE HOLIDAY, and I'm not talking about the EDWARD BURNS that plays the boss that Katherine Hiegel is in love in 27 DRESSES. Yes this is that guy, but I am of the firm belief that these characters are not really this guy. For those of you out there that don't know it, EDWARD BURNS really has a passion for writing and directing. And believe me anyone who has ever seen a movie that he has written and directed knows just how good he really is. The thing is he uses movies like THE HOLIDAY and 27 DRESSES are basically a paycheck so that he can fund his own projects which thank god, because I love his work.
Now his earlier work such as movies like THE BROTHER McMULLEN and SHE'S THE ONE even though they were critically acclaimed for the most part are still a bit rough around the edges and you really have to like movies to really get into those, but some of his later stuff to date, all I can say is that it is brilliant. Not only are they these great little independent movies which by the way I'm a sucker for, but they also have some of the brightest stars out right now playing these parts and making you realize how they can get some of these bigger roles that they get. A prime example of this is the actor PATRICK WILSON who really is blowing up right now, but I promise you if you go out and get the movie PURPLE VIOLETS you will see exactly why. I mean that movie is one of the best movies I've seen in the last 5 years.
A couple of other titles that he has done that are just really good movies that I feel that everyone out there should see, would be SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK and THE GROOMSMEN. I just love both of these titles. I mean the thing about BURNS is that he has a very unique perspective in his movies and after seeing a few you can really tell when you are watching a BURNS film which I really find kind of wonderful in the same way that you can tell when you are watching a SPIKE LEE or WOODY ALLEN film. I just really feel that people can get so much from his movies and I really am being to think that he is one of the best story tellers of the last 10 years. So if you're out at blockbusters and you don't really know what you want to rent, don't go to the new releases section, go try and find one of these EDWARD BURNS flicks I've just mentioned, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Until next time my friends. Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'
Thursday, November 11, 2010
MORNING GLORY!!!!!!!!!!
Well hello boys and girls, it's been a little bit since I've been on here. But here I am world, take me now or lose me forever. Some of you are probably thinking about the latter right now, and just let me tell you...I completely understand. So I'm back and I think we all know why that is, yes folks I have been to the movies today and I have another exciting review for all of you to read.
Let me start out by saying if ever there was a person that was in need of a win this week it was yours truly. Not that things are really going all that bad, but I have just been feeling really out of it lately and to tell you the truth until today I couldn't even force myself to go see a movie, but boy was I glad that I went and saw this one today. And being the good son that I am I went on ahead and took my mother with me and man was that an even better idea than me even going to this movie, because she too really enjoyed it.
I guess the best way to start out is to just come out and say that I really love this movie, and I think that most of you out there will too. The great thing about this movie truth be told is that is a popcorn movie. But that's not all that it is. It is a movie that really has something going on underneath and it really and truly has some pretty outstanding performances. You have Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, the wonderful and often overlooked Patrick Wilson. But none were better than that of one Rachel McAdams.
I mean I have for quite some time had Rachel McAdams on my radar, because I feel that she is oober hot. Like the first time I saw the Family Stone melt my face hot is the only way that I can describe it and I think I have been in some sort of love with her every since. And after seeing this movie she might have just past Brad Pitt on my list. (Yeah I know how that sounds but lets face it that guy is so beautiful even I would do things to him, no homo.) Really and seriously I have been rooting for her since I saw the Family Stone, but she never really could put it all together for me until this movie right here.
She really is just the heart and soul of this movie. And now I can finally sit back and just say it. "the girl has got some acting chops on her." I loved every single second that she was on camera, even when she seemed to be a little much. I hope that people love this movie, I hope that it does well in the box office, and that it does well critically because if it does then maybe McAdams will be able to get more movies on this level that I can go out and watch because I really feel like she deserves it.
So I guess after that little love letter I just wrote to McAdams I should probably tell you all a little bit of what this movie is about and why you all should go out and see it. So here I go. The movie starts out with McAdams character as the producer of a early morning TV show in New Jersey. She is married to her job, she works hard at it and she loves what she is doing. Because of all of this she really doesn't have time for much else such as dating. Early in the movie she gets fired from her job. She ends up landing a job as an executive producer on a national morning show that is on a made up network, but the show is really struggling and on the verge of getting canceled.
That is the basic premise and let me just save you the suspense right now, this is a feel good movie which I would hope that you knew going into so it ends pretty much how you would expect. But that really doesn't matter. Because if more feel good movies were done as well as this one, I wouldn't hate so much the term "feel good movie". The thing that really makes this movie great is the fact that you pretty much know how it's going to end, but that doesn't matter because the ride that they take you on is a great one.
Lets talk about some of the other performances. Diane Keaton was so great in this movie. I mean for the most part I really do like Diane Keaton I think she can be really great. But sometimes she is a little much for me with the frenetic way she is in some movies, but in this one she is dialed down just enough that she really comes off as a real person and she is just great. Harrison Ford I think is also great in this movie. I have seen some reviews out there that kind of bash is performance and say that he is kind of the weak spot but I would have to strongly disagree with that. He plays this legendary news guy that because of his attitude and drinking he was fired from his job and everybody hates him and he hates the idea of being on this fluff morning show but he is basically forced to. I really believe that it will be a completely different side of Harrison Ford. He plays the grumpy old rich guy that feels that he is better than everybody else, better than I have seen in years. And Patrick Wilson who I feel is just so underrated is great in this movie. I mean I have been for the last two or three years begun developing a movie crush on this guy and the work that he is doing. And if you want to see just a bat shit crazy movie that is super intense and has some great acting check him out in HARD CANDY.
The movie itself runs along fairly good, and for the first hour and fifteen minutes it is really good. When the morning show finally picks up there really are some funny and enjoyable scenes. The only real complaint that I would have about the movie is that the third act is a little bit clunky and it really is sort of anti climactic and it just sort of slides into the finish line. But that really is a minor note on a really good movie.
Like I was saying when I started this review, I really needed a win before I went to see this movie, and in watching it I feel like that is exactly what I got. Not a perfect movie by any means, but really a perfect movie experience. I walked into the movie theater and when I walked out both me and my mom were smiling and talking about how much we enjoyed it. I wish that more movies like this got made. Movies that to some extent are popcorn movies but they are just done so well that you feel great about them. I feel like in watching this movie my "fall movie schedule" has finally kicked off and I am so ready to see some of the great titles that will be coming out very soon.
Until next time my friends. "Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'"
Let me start out by saying if ever there was a person that was in need of a win this week it was yours truly. Not that things are really going all that bad, but I have just been feeling really out of it lately and to tell you the truth until today I couldn't even force myself to go see a movie, but boy was I glad that I went and saw this one today. And being the good son that I am I went on ahead and took my mother with me and man was that an even better idea than me even going to this movie, because she too really enjoyed it.
I guess the best way to start out is to just come out and say that I really love this movie, and I think that most of you out there will too. The great thing about this movie truth be told is that is a popcorn movie. But that's not all that it is. It is a movie that really has something going on underneath and it really and truly has some pretty outstanding performances. You have Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum, the wonderful and often overlooked Patrick Wilson. But none were better than that of one Rachel McAdams.
I mean I have for quite some time had Rachel McAdams on my radar, because I feel that she is oober hot. Like the first time I saw the Family Stone melt my face hot is the only way that I can describe it and I think I have been in some sort of love with her every since. And after seeing this movie she might have just past Brad Pitt on my list. (Yeah I know how that sounds but lets face it that guy is so beautiful even I would do things to him, no homo.) Really and seriously I have been rooting for her since I saw the Family Stone, but she never really could put it all together for me until this movie right here.
She really is just the heart and soul of this movie. And now I can finally sit back and just say it. "the girl has got some acting chops on her." I loved every single second that she was on camera, even when she seemed to be a little much. I hope that people love this movie, I hope that it does well in the box office, and that it does well critically because if it does then maybe McAdams will be able to get more movies on this level that I can go out and watch because I really feel like she deserves it.
So I guess after that little love letter I just wrote to McAdams I should probably tell you all a little bit of what this movie is about and why you all should go out and see it. So here I go. The movie starts out with McAdams character as the producer of a early morning TV show in New Jersey. She is married to her job, she works hard at it and she loves what she is doing. Because of all of this she really doesn't have time for much else such as dating. Early in the movie she gets fired from her job. She ends up landing a job as an executive producer on a national morning show that is on a made up network, but the show is really struggling and on the verge of getting canceled.
That is the basic premise and let me just save you the suspense right now, this is a feel good movie which I would hope that you knew going into so it ends pretty much how you would expect. But that really doesn't matter. Because if more feel good movies were done as well as this one, I wouldn't hate so much the term "feel good movie". The thing that really makes this movie great is the fact that you pretty much know how it's going to end, but that doesn't matter because the ride that they take you on is a great one.
Lets talk about some of the other performances. Diane Keaton was so great in this movie. I mean for the most part I really do like Diane Keaton I think she can be really great. But sometimes she is a little much for me with the frenetic way she is in some movies, but in this one she is dialed down just enough that she really comes off as a real person and she is just great. Harrison Ford I think is also great in this movie. I have seen some reviews out there that kind of bash is performance and say that he is kind of the weak spot but I would have to strongly disagree with that. He plays this legendary news guy that because of his attitude and drinking he was fired from his job and everybody hates him and he hates the idea of being on this fluff morning show but he is basically forced to. I really believe that it will be a completely different side of Harrison Ford. He plays the grumpy old rich guy that feels that he is better than everybody else, better than I have seen in years. And Patrick Wilson who I feel is just so underrated is great in this movie. I mean I have been for the last two or three years begun developing a movie crush on this guy and the work that he is doing. And if you want to see just a bat shit crazy movie that is super intense and has some great acting check him out in HARD CANDY.
The movie itself runs along fairly good, and for the first hour and fifteen minutes it is really good. When the morning show finally picks up there really are some funny and enjoyable scenes. The only real complaint that I would have about the movie is that the third act is a little bit clunky and it really is sort of anti climactic and it just sort of slides into the finish line. But that really is a minor note on a really good movie.
Like I was saying when I started this review, I really needed a win before I went to see this movie, and in watching it I feel like that is exactly what I got. Not a perfect movie by any means, but really a perfect movie experience. I walked into the movie theater and when I walked out both me and my mom were smiling and talking about how much we enjoyed it. I wish that more movies like this got made. Movies that to some extent are popcorn movies but they are just done so well that you feel great about them. I feel like in watching this movie my "fall movie schedule" has finally kicked off and I am so ready to see some of the great titles that will be coming out very soon.
Until next time my friends. "Don't start nothin' won't be nothin'"
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