There are a lot of lists aound the web about what the best films of all time. The American Film Institute has one, IMDB has one, different critics have one. I guess it's inevitable to put all these works of art into a list, to pit them against each other to achieve their proper rankings. Personally, I enjoy reading these kind of lists. I don't necessarily approve of the numbers/rankings, as I think it is impossible to gauge how one film is better than the other, but I still quite enjoy looking at these lists.
Sometimes, a film comes a long that challenges these lists. There comes a film that presents itself as a beautifully crafted piece of art that sets itself as a competitor for a spot on the list of the greatest. Let me now say that I don't think the movie was made to compete in any list. However, it's a film that can be on those lists. I firmly believe that in a few years, Inglorious Basterds will belong in the list of the greatest films ever made. Will it be the greatest? I'm not sure. I don't think so, but I won't be surprised if it finds itself on the top spots. It's one of those films that moves you in different directions, sparks curiosity and emotions.
No one can ever deny the genius that Quentin Tarantino is. He has established who he is in the film industry and I'm sure everyone recognizes the talent and passion that Tarantino oozes. He's a pure genius, that's exactly what he is. He was also able to use all the actors to portray a disturbing portrayal of a war story. Everyone in the movie's so good, especially Christoph Waltz. He actually struck fear into me, just minutes into the film. There were times when I just wanted to close my eyes because of the anxiety of watching his character strike fear and terror into others. It really felt real. Another standout was Melanie Laurant. Her portrayal of Shosanna allowed me to empathize with the character. She was really good in this movie. Everyone was phenomenal in portraying their own characters, but these two were exceptional in this movie.
I liked how each section of the movie was assigned a certain chapter. It was like reading a book, except not really. Still it was a nice touch to the film to have it organized that way. It became a smooth transition from one chunk of the movie to the other. The story of the movie was intriguing. There were basically two attempts to kill the Nazis, One was a form of revenge by a Jew, and the other was plotted by Germany's enemy. With that much characters involved, it's interesting to see how they all played a part in the story. Some had a bigger role than the others, but all of them were equally important. That's one of my favorite things about the movie. Every character was relevant, every detail was worth noting, every scene was significant. It showed the caliber of Tarantino's writing, which we all know exudes nothing but brilliance.
I had flashbacks from Schindler's List, one of my all time favorites. It tackled the same era, the same war, the stories of the same people. It had a different approach, it had a different plot, it had different characters, but the main essence of the both films, I thought, were similar. It's about the World War and how the war affected different nations, especially the Jewish nations. Although similar, Inglorious Basterds still set itself apart by having multiple elements to it. There's an element of revenge of a surviving Jew, a gang ready to kill the Nazis for all their atrocious activities,
This movie was very disturbing and very violent. I still liked it, though. Not because of the blood or the violence, but because it's probably one of the best movies created. It was invigorating and depressing at the same time as it showcased a variety of details in the storyline. The plot was strong and structured, the cast gave performances nothing short of excellence, and the whole way the movie was done, from the shots to the music, was painfully breathtaking. It's a movie that future generations will still watch. It's a film that will be discussed for a long, long time.
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie. Show all posts
June 25, 2012
May 21, 2012
127 Hours
127 hours was a film released in 2010 starring James Franco. It is based on the true story of Aron Ralston who got stuck in a boulder for five days, wit limited water, limited food, almost without anything. It was a very, very great and touching movie. It's downright inspiring and beautifully made. I'm a very visual person so I appreciaated the visuals of the movie. The scenery they used for the cinematography was breath-taking. It was really beautiful and it made me want to visit the place. I also liked how the film did not just focus on one scope, and it utilized three panels to portray a variety of things. It really was an excellent movie, and it has a long list of awards and nominations to back it up.
Coming into it, I expected a melancholy story of a man who got stuck, but minutes into the film I had a huge smile on my face. I even had to make sure that I was watching the right movie cause it didn't seem entirely right. James Franco appeared and the mood hasn't changed. I was enjoying it for the humor, for the scenery. Then all of a sudden the accident happened and the whole atmosphere changed. It went from light to heavy fast, as fast as him falling. It did have some sense of humor in it, but it was mostly about his struggle to get out, to be free and to escape.
Being stuck also served as a connection to his memories, a chance to look back and reflect on everything's that has happened in his life. Reminiscing simpler days with his family, going through a rocky relationship with his then girlfriend, hallucinating better situations, re-visiting regrets and thinking how things could have gone another way. It was emotional and deep and very moving. It even makes it more real the way Franco acted it out, every single muscle in his face, arms, the whole body, worked to depict just a portion of how Aron suffered and struggled.
Aron Ralston has to be one of the bravest men on earth. I didn't understand some of the things he did, but I understood the quiet, and sometimes noisy, desperation. It's impossible to fully understand his thought process. But at the end of the day, I respect and admire him. I truly find him inspiring for facing the challenge and being resourceful and creative. I also admire how despite the situation, he managed to throw in a few laughs and humor. I appreciate how he, a person stuck in the middle of nowhere, never gave up. Mostly I admire how even after what happened, he continued to be a climber. I respect the person he is, and what he's gone through. I admire his passion for doing the things he loves, and for not giving up on them when it almost made him lose everything.
I personally think it's a must watch. Just a warning though, there are scenes that can be unappealing. A couple of scenes are not for those with a weak heart or a weak stomach. Even I had to pause the movie just to take a moment off it and prepare myself. It was really bloody, borderline disgusting. However, it really was a fantastic movie. I read that the movie adaptation was actually close to the real events, so I'm betting that you'll be in awe of Aron Ralston by the end of the movie.
Coming into it, I expected a melancholy story of a man who got stuck, but minutes into the film I had a huge smile on my face. I even had to make sure that I was watching the right movie cause it didn't seem entirely right. James Franco appeared and the mood hasn't changed. I was enjoying it for the humor, for the scenery. Then all of a sudden the accident happened and the whole atmosphere changed. It went from light to heavy fast, as fast as him falling. It did have some sense of humor in it, but it was mostly about his struggle to get out, to be free and to escape.
Being stuck also served as a connection to his memories, a chance to look back and reflect on everything's that has happened in his life. Reminiscing simpler days with his family, going through a rocky relationship with his then girlfriend, hallucinating better situations, re-visiting regrets and thinking how things could have gone another way. It was emotional and deep and very moving. It even makes it more real the way Franco acted it out, every single muscle in his face, arms, the whole body, worked to depict just a portion of how Aron suffered and struggled.
Aron Ralston has to be one of the bravest men on earth. I didn't understand some of the things he did, but I understood the quiet, and sometimes noisy, desperation. It's impossible to fully understand his thought process. But at the end of the day, I respect and admire him. I truly find him inspiring for facing the challenge and being resourceful and creative. I also admire how despite the situation, he managed to throw in a few laughs and humor. I appreciate how he, a person stuck in the middle of nowhere, never gave up. Mostly I admire how even after what happened, he continued to be a climber. I respect the person he is, and what he's gone through. I admire his passion for doing the things he loves, and for not giving up on them when it almost made him lose everything.
I personally think it's a must watch. Just a warning though, there are scenes that can be unappealing. A couple of scenes are not for those with a weak heart or a weak stomach. Even I had to pause the movie just to take a moment off it and prepare myself. It was really bloody, borderline disgusting. However, it really was a fantastic movie. I read that the movie adaptation was actually close to the real events, so I'm betting that you'll be in awe of Aron Ralston by the end of the movie.
May 20, 2012
40 Year Old Virgin
A combination of Steve Carell, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Romany Malco, and Jane Lynch is the perfect mixture of pure comedy. Add Kat Dennings and Jonah Hill to that mix, pure awesome comedy! I've seen a part of the movie before, but I didn't realize how funny it was until I saw the whole movie.
It all happened when they were all cast to play different roles in The 40 Year Old Virgin, a movie written by Carell and Judd Apatow, also the director of the film. The movie revolved around the character of Carell who was still a virgin at 40 years old (as the title of the film suggests) It then followed the pursuit of his three friends to find him a girl and help him have a sexual encounter. They tried different things from bars to speed dating, but it still took a while for it to happened.
It was a hilarious movie, although the humor and visuals might offend certain people. It was funny nonetheless. They went on a crazy adventure and seeing them go with it brought laughter. The lines were pretty good and the delivery made it even better. It was also amazing how these characters have very different personalities - personalities that produced different opinions that led the 40 year old virgin to be confused.
They also added a romance aspect which I guess they did to build the character. It worked for me cause it provided the opportunity for Kat Dennings and Jonah Hill to show up. These two are funny and you have Dennings' 2 Broke Girls and Hill's movie career to prove that. Catherine Keener played the love interest role very well. The character was actually dynamic that had different sides. It was interesting to see it all play out.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that all these actors came together to piece this funny film. From the conceptualization to the film itself, it was amazing. It was really good and it was an awesome way to spend the afternoon - laughing and enjoying this fantastic movie. It was a rude and naughty comedy but it was a funny rude and naughty comedy. Sensitive people might want to stay away from this film.
It all happened when they were all cast to play different roles in The 40 Year Old Virgin, a movie written by Carell and Judd Apatow, also the director of the film. The movie revolved around the character of Carell who was still a virgin at 40 years old (as the title of the film suggests) It then followed the pursuit of his three friends to find him a girl and help him have a sexual encounter. They tried different things from bars to speed dating, but it still took a while for it to happened.
It was a hilarious movie, although the humor and visuals might offend certain people. It was funny nonetheless. They went on a crazy adventure and seeing them go with it brought laughter. The lines were pretty good and the delivery made it even better. It was also amazing how these characters have very different personalities - personalities that produced different opinions that led the 40 year old virgin to be confused.
They also added a romance aspect which I guess they did to build the character. It worked for me cause it provided the opportunity for Kat Dennings and Jonah Hill to show up. These two are funny and you have Dennings' 2 Broke Girls and Hill's movie career to prove that. Catherine Keener played the love interest role very well. The character was actually dynamic that had different sides. It was interesting to see it all play out.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that all these actors came together to piece this funny film. From the conceptualization to the film itself, it was amazing. It was really good and it was an awesome way to spend the afternoon - laughing and enjoying this fantastic movie. It was a rude and naughty comedy but it was a funny rude and naughty comedy. Sensitive people might want to stay away from this film.
May 19, 2012
Safe
Safe was a 2012 action film starring Jason Statham and Catherine Chan. It was a film directed by Boaz Yakin, who also wrote it. It puzzles me how this movie has not earned enough money to even recover the costs that went to production. That's a huge shame because it was a pretty good film. I know it's been showing in theaters for a while now in several locations. However, it's the first week of showing of it here (if I'm not mistaken) and I'm glad I caught it.
To be honest, I had mediocre expectations after I saw that it didn't do very well in the box office and the critics didn't love it. However, I've never relied on those things to measure a film. I have always felt that critics are way too critical at times, and box office don't necessarily reflect the quality of a film. I always have to see it before I can even make any conclusion; so despite the not very promising things I saw, I still went ahead and watched the movie.
The story was a little simple, yet a little confusing. It was all tied up well in the end, but at the beginning, it was hard to follow what was going on. It had the Russians, the Chinese, the police and it was all very chaotic at times. Things picked up though, marked by the meeting of Statham's character, an ex-MMA fighter who got caught with a conflict against the Russians, and Chan;s character, an eleven year old Chinese girl smuggled into the United States to be a counter. The film then followed how their relationship grow, and how they face enemies from all sides. They managed to crack the code, get what was involved and provide a happy ending to their story.
The choreography of the action scenes of the movie was very impressive. That covers everything from hand to hand combat to gun fights. There were a lot of fight scenes (after all, Safe was an action movie) but each had a different approach to it, and a different feel. Everything was very exciting though. Also, as I've mentioned before, I like a good car chase scene, and this movie had one. It even got accompanied by Mei's (Chan) wits and charm. I chuckled when she accused Statham's character as being crazy.
The movie had flaws but it was a pretty good movie. I expected an action movie and I got exactly that and even more. It had a rough guy and a charming kid as leads, what could possibly go wrong? But seriously, it was pretty good, and it was amazing to watch all those sequences. It also had a strong supporting cast which gave the movie an authentic feel to it. I can tell you that I left the movie place satisfied.
Fermat's Room
Fermat's room, or La Habitacion de Fermat, was a 2007 Spanish movie starring Alejo Sauras, Elena Ballesteros, Lluis Homar, Santi Millan, and Federico Luppi. It was directed by Luis Piedrahita and Rodrigo Sopena. The also served as the co-writes of the screenplay; and they did an incredible job with it. This movie had everything going for it and it was amazing
Several posts ago, I posted about Remember O Goddess, a Korean independent film I got the chance of viewing the preview of. Now I've also invaded Spanish cinema, much thanks to another request I got. The thing I like about requests is that they also serve as recommendations to films I must see. It allows me to expand my scope in terms of movie watching and that's always a good thing. I particularly appreciated how I got immersed in a very different type of cinema, one I haven't gone to yet. It was also great that the first Spanish movie I ever saw was this thriller.
The whole idea of the movie was fascinating to me. I never liked Mathematics when I was in school. But a couple of years ago I saw a Japanese movie called "The Professor and His Beloved Equation," which was also a math movie. That movie made me appreciate the greatness of numbers. In this movie, I again appreciated math. There must be something about math and movies that works magically cause I greatly enjoyed both films. I enjoyed how they utilized the numbers, the equations, and even the mathematicians to make the story flow. I'd like to give emphasis to the names since that scene gave me chills, and as I'm typing this, I got another one. That was insane.
This was different though as it was a thriller movie. It was a race against time, and solving more enigmas would buy them more time. The moment they take more time that was required, the room would start shrinking. That's the main premise of the movie, and that, for me, was a fascinating idea. The conceptualization, the writing, and the execution all came together. I also liked how there was a back story of how these people were related, there was a lot of substance to it and it worked. It toyed with a lot of things but remained technical as well. From the employment of numbers to the science of the technology involved, it all played equally important roles to make the film the awesome movie that it is.
Te movie was very engaging and very exciting. Just to illustrate how horrifying yet exciting it was at the same time, my heart was beating fast, and I couldn't sit still. How could you not feel for the people stuck in a shrinking room, solving mathematical problems for survival. I also liked the twists it had, it was well crafted and it was pure brilliance. I liked the transitions from casting the victims, to the meet-up, to the room itself, to the identification of who was behind it all. I liked the themes the movie used. I liked everything actually.
If you want to give Spanish cinema a try, or European cinema for that matter, this movie is a good place to start. Let me also say for those people afraid of thrillers, don;t be afraid of this one. It's a thriller but it's not a typical thriller. It's an intelligent one. In fact, this movie is probably one of the more intelligent films created. This can potentially leave viewers in awe and that is a clear sign of a really good movie.
If you also want to send requests or recommendations, you can email me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com. You can also follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer
Several posts ago, I posted about Remember O Goddess, a Korean independent film I got the chance of viewing the preview of. Now I've also invaded Spanish cinema, much thanks to another request I got. The thing I like about requests is that they also serve as recommendations to films I must see. It allows me to expand my scope in terms of movie watching and that's always a good thing. I particularly appreciated how I got immersed in a very different type of cinema, one I haven't gone to yet. It was also great that the first Spanish movie I ever saw was this thriller.
The whole idea of the movie was fascinating to me. I never liked Mathematics when I was in school. But a couple of years ago I saw a Japanese movie called "The Professor and His Beloved Equation," which was also a math movie. That movie made me appreciate the greatness of numbers. In this movie, I again appreciated math. There must be something about math and movies that works magically cause I greatly enjoyed both films. I enjoyed how they utilized the numbers, the equations, and even the mathematicians to make the story flow. I'd like to give emphasis to the names since that scene gave me chills, and as I'm typing this, I got another one. That was insane.
This was different though as it was a thriller movie. It was a race against time, and solving more enigmas would buy them more time. The moment they take more time that was required, the room would start shrinking. That's the main premise of the movie, and that, for me, was a fascinating idea. The conceptualization, the writing, and the execution all came together. I also liked how there was a back story of how these people were related, there was a lot of substance to it and it worked. It toyed with a lot of things but remained technical as well. From the employment of numbers to the science of the technology involved, it all played equally important roles to make the film the awesome movie that it is.
Te movie was very engaging and very exciting. Just to illustrate how horrifying yet exciting it was at the same time, my heart was beating fast, and I couldn't sit still. How could you not feel for the people stuck in a shrinking room, solving mathematical problems for survival. I also liked the twists it had, it was well crafted and it was pure brilliance. I liked the transitions from casting the victims, to the meet-up, to the room itself, to the identification of who was behind it all. I liked the themes the movie used. I liked everything actually.
If you want to give Spanish cinema a try, or European cinema for that matter, this movie is a good place to start. Let me also say for those people afraid of thrillers, don;t be afraid of this one. It's a thriller but it's not a typical thriller. It's an intelligent one. In fact, this movie is probably one of the more intelligent films created. This can potentially leave viewers in awe and that is a clear sign of a really good movie.
If you also want to send requests or recommendations, you can email me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com. You can also follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer
May 18, 2012
Sideways
Sideways was originally a novel written by Rex Pickett in 2004. That same year it was transformed to a feature film, directed by Alexander Payne, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Kim Taylor. It starred Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church, Sandra Oh, and Virginia Madsen. It went on to become a critical and a commercial success, earning more than 100 million dollars.
According to the research I did, the film is classified as comedy-drama. Critics named it as one of the funniest movies of that year, and those comments sparked up a few expectations. For me, it's a dramatic film more than anything, and a wine documentary with the amount of wine involved in it. I actually learned a couple of things about the different kinds of wine which was really nice. It did have several funny moments and scenes, but to be honest, I wouldn't classify this one as a comedy. Does that take away the brilliance of the movie or the story? Absolutely not!
As a drama movie I thought it was really good. People might have assumptions that it would be boring; even I did. But as it turned out, I actually liked the movie a lot. I wished I got the chance to read the book before I saw it. Hopefully, I'd be able to find a copy of the book soon and get into it. (Just a side comment: Rex Pickett followed me on twitter! How great is that?) I liked the story of two friends having a last week together before one of them got married. The development of that week, which turned for the crazy fast, was interesting to watch. The different dynamics of the relationship of the two engaged me into the movie.
The characterization of these two was amusing, and touching at the same time. You have one person falling apart, loathing himself for having a failed marriage that led to a divorce. You got another one who's about to be married and decides to screw around. The two are very opposites and yet their friendship works for them. Even the characterization of the women they encountered in their little trip blew me away, moreso Stephanie. The characters itself makes me want to read the book, and that;s saying a lot because I'm not really a huge fan of reading. There's just something about these characters that makes me want to explore their personas more, know a little more about them, get to know them better. All these characters have different baggage and I guess the interaction of all those played well in the movie.
I think I liked the movie because of its messages - the rise and fall of things. It's just brilliant. There was a variety of scenes that showcase the ups and downs we all are familiar with, and that in itself is brilliant. It was also metaphorical and philosophical which just emphasizes the depth of the story, I think. The whole story, as a lot of people have already pointed out, was truly moving and inspiring to a certain extent.
For wine junkies out there, this will suit you just fine. A bit of drama and a whole lot of wine isn't a bad idea for an afternoon movie. A lot of the things I wrote came from my perspective of it, and there's a huge chance my interpretations do not necessarily coincide with the writer's vision. But I hope I made sense. I also want to encourage anyone and everyone to see Sideways the Play. Rex Pickett, if I am not mistaken, wrote the play, and I'm sure it will be good. It's actually their opening tonight, and I wanted to do a little tribute. I really wish I could be there and watch the play because I know it's going to be amazing.
According to the research I did, the film is classified as comedy-drama. Critics named it as one of the funniest movies of that year, and those comments sparked up a few expectations. For me, it's a dramatic film more than anything, and a wine documentary with the amount of wine involved in it. I actually learned a couple of things about the different kinds of wine which was really nice. It did have several funny moments and scenes, but to be honest, I wouldn't classify this one as a comedy. Does that take away the brilliance of the movie or the story? Absolutely not!
As a drama movie I thought it was really good. People might have assumptions that it would be boring; even I did. But as it turned out, I actually liked the movie a lot. I wished I got the chance to read the book before I saw it. Hopefully, I'd be able to find a copy of the book soon and get into it. (Just a side comment: Rex Pickett followed me on twitter! How great is that?) I liked the story of two friends having a last week together before one of them got married. The development of that week, which turned for the crazy fast, was interesting to watch. The different dynamics of the relationship of the two engaged me into the movie.
The characterization of these two was amusing, and touching at the same time. You have one person falling apart, loathing himself for having a failed marriage that led to a divorce. You got another one who's about to be married and decides to screw around. The two are very opposites and yet their friendship works for them. Even the characterization of the women they encountered in their little trip blew me away, moreso Stephanie. The characters itself makes me want to read the book, and that;s saying a lot because I'm not really a huge fan of reading. There's just something about these characters that makes me want to explore their personas more, know a little more about them, get to know them better. All these characters have different baggage and I guess the interaction of all those played well in the movie.
I think I liked the movie because of its messages - the rise and fall of things. It's just brilliant. There was a variety of scenes that showcase the ups and downs we all are familiar with, and that in itself is brilliant. It was also metaphorical and philosophical which just emphasizes the depth of the story, I think. The whole story, as a lot of people have already pointed out, was truly moving and inspiring to a certain extent.
For wine junkies out there, this will suit you just fine. A bit of drama and a whole lot of wine isn't a bad idea for an afternoon movie. A lot of the things I wrote came from my perspective of it, and there's a huge chance my interpretations do not necessarily coincide with the writer's vision. But I hope I made sense. I also want to encourage anyone and everyone to see Sideways the Play. Rex Pickett, if I am not mistaken, wrote the play, and I'm sure it will be good. It's actually their opening tonight, and I wanted to do a little tribute. I really wish I could be there and watch the play because I know it's going to be amazing.
May 17, 2012
The Assasination of Jesse James
The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford was a 2007 film that got multiple recognitions from different award giving bodies, taking home some of them. It made several top ten lists, but was a box-office flop, according to Box Office Mojo. In a way I understand why. It's not a film that would really appeal to anyone. It's not something everyone would want to see or might be interested in. After all it's about an outlaw/robber - actually, it's about the death of an outlaw/robber. However, I believe this movie could have done a lot better and could have been a lot stronger. They had a brilliant cast, a good script, a fantastic setting, and I thought it had everything going for them.
I liked the film for that reason. I haven't seen much of Western cowboy movies, but I liked this one. It went slowly but was not boring. It revolved around several characters but was not confusing. It also had action and drama, with a bit of humor thanks to Bob Ford's (Affleck's character) fanboying over Jesse James (Pitt). It really was funny seeing Ford's eyes sparkle in the presence of Jesse James, and I have to give credit to Affleck for doing it exceptionally. I thought that in itself was a good reason to appreciate the movie. However, aside from that, the film also offered a variety of things. It's like an inside look to the life of the outlaws. It showcased different characteristics. I especially liked the paranoia(?) Jesse James was experiencing.
It was surprising and equally amusing when I saw the actors in the movie. I knew it starred Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck but I was surprised to see the other actors. For starters Jeremy Renner was in the movie, and I might have forgotten he did this because I had to go to the movie's Wikipedia page to make sure it was him. I was also glad to see Garret Dillahunt in it. I just realized he'd been on several movies that I saw and there's not a single one of them where he didn't deliver. The biggest surprise, however, was Zooey Deschanel. Seeing her in this movie was a little odd, it seemed so out of place only because I've never seen her in such a role/movie before. Of the films I've seen where Deschanel was a part of, she always had an upbeat energy, a calm and collected persona and the woman you cheer for. Deschanel does sweet and cute perfectly, but seeing her in this film made me see her in a different light; and that is a very good thing. Don't get me wrong, she was still cute and actually a little sexy, but she had a different feel to her in this movie in those few minutes she was shown.
I'm also glad this film provided Affleck the opportunity to be his own self, to be his own star if you'd like to put it that way. I felt like this movie allowed Casey Affleck to prove that he also have what it takes to make his mark on the film industry, just like his brother, Ben. I can tell you know that Casey Affleck was nothing but spectacular in this movie. He really did it. He was next to Brad Pitt, a huge star, but he made sure people would still notice him. Brad Pitt was amazing as usual. He is a great actor, and I think nobody doubts that. He has all those awards to prove just how talented he is at what he does, and his performance in this movie was no exception.
I'm a little disappointed it didn't do as well as I felt it should have. The movie was very interesting to say the least, well at least in my opinion. Although the pace of the scenes were a bit slow, it managed to hold my attention and I didn't get bored. I think I actually liked it a lot more than I expected. It was thrilling and exciting and I had a good time watching it. I guess anyone who's into cowboys, gangs, robbery type of movies will like it. The partnership of Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck must be a very good reason to see it.
I liked the film for that reason. I haven't seen much of Western cowboy movies, but I liked this one. It went slowly but was not boring. It revolved around several characters but was not confusing. It also had action and drama, with a bit of humor thanks to Bob Ford's (Affleck's character) fanboying over Jesse James (Pitt). It really was funny seeing Ford's eyes sparkle in the presence of Jesse James, and I have to give credit to Affleck for doing it exceptionally. I thought that in itself was a good reason to appreciate the movie. However, aside from that, the film also offered a variety of things. It's like an inside look to the life of the outlaws. It showcased different characteristics. I especially liked the paranoia(?) Jesse James was experiencing.
It was surprising and equally amusing when I saw the actors in the movie. I knew it starred Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck but I was surprised to see the other actors. For starters Jeremy Renner was in the movie, and I might have forgotten he did this because I had to go to the movie's Wikipedia page to make sure it was him. I was also glad to see Garret Dillahunt in it. I just realized he'd been on several movies that I saw and there's not a single one of them where he didn't deliver. The biggest surprise, however, was Zooey Deschanel. Seeing her in this movie was a little odd, it seemed so out of place only because I've never seen her in such a role/movie before. Of the films I've seen where Deschanel was a part of, she always had an upbeat energy, a calm and collected persona and the woman you cheer for. Deschanel does sweet and cute perfectly, but seeing her in this film made me see her in a different light; and that is a very good thing. Don't get me wrong, she was still cute and actually a little sexy, but she had a different feel to her in this movie in those few minutes she was shown.
I'm also glad this film provided Affleck the opportunity to be his own self, to be his own star if you'd like to put it that way. I felt like this movie allowed Casey Affleck to prove that he also have what it takes to make his mark on the film industry, just like his brother, Ben. I can tell you know that Casey Affleck was nothing but spectacular in this movie. He really did it. He was next to Brad Pitt, a huge star, but he made sure people would still notice him. Brad Pitt was amazing as usual. He is a great actor, and I think nobody doubts that. He has all those awards to prove just how talented he is at what he does, and his performance in this movie was no exception.
I'm a little disappointed it didn't do as well as I felt it should have. The movie was very interesting to say the least, well at least in my opinion. Although the pace of the scenes were a bit slow, it managed to hold my attention and I didn't get bored. I think I actually liked it a lot more than I expected. It was thrilling and exciting and I had a good time watching it. I guess anyone who's into cowboys, gangs, robbery type of movies will like it. The partnership of Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck must be a very good reason to see it.
May 16, 2012
How To Lose Friends and Alienate People
How to Lose Friends and Alienate people is a book written by Toby Young in 2001. It was transformed into a movie in 2008 starring Simon Pegg, Kirsten Dunst, Megan Fox, Danny Huston and Jeff Bridges. I am familiar with the book since I've seen it in bookstores. I've read the back of the book so I had an idea what it was going to be about.
The story of the film mainly focuses on a guy who moved to New York after he got hired by one of the more elite magazines. He then struggles to get a story in the magazine, wanting to see his work published. Eventually he got in to the famous circle, but felt conflicted. There's also a little romance going on the side. If I remember correctly, the book tackled a lot more, re-telling the tales of the adventure of Toby Young. Since this is a movie adaptation, of course scenes had to be chosen.
What I saw was far from the expectations I might have had. I don't know what expectations I had, but I'm sure this was not it. Seeing the book, I had the impression that it would be similar to I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-hope-they-serve-beer-in-hell.html) - that it would be an all out insane movie. The impression I got from the back of the book was that the main character would be a lot more adventurous that what I saw.
I absolutely enjoyed Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. I was actually shocked when I found out Kirsten Dunst was the female lead here because I haven't seen her in a while. I didn't know she did this. Simon Pegg was entertaining as usual. He really is funny from the way he speaks, the way he acts, the facial expressions. He's really good at providing some fresh laughs. I would know, I follow him on twitter and some of his tweets there are some of the funniest ones on twitter. Jeff Bridges was also great. Megan Fox not as much, but she was ok. She was good in Transformers though. (Unfortunately, those are the only movies I've seen of her)
The movie had several funny scenes. I think my expectations might have hurt me because I had an image of me laughing hard or something, and I didn't. I think if I didn't have those expectations I might have liked it a lot more. It wasn't bad at all; it's just a little underwhelming for me. It was definitely a fun movie to see, but like I said, I expected more. However, all in all, I was still entertained by it, and I had a good time watching it.
The story of the film mainly focuses on a guy who moved to New York after he got hired by one of the more elite magazines. He then struggles to get a story in the magazine, wanting to see his work published. Eventually he got in to the famous circle, but felt conflicted. There's also a little romance going on the side. If I remember correctly, the book tackled a lot more, re-telling the tales of the adventure of Toby Young. Since this is a movie adaptation, of course scenes had to be chosen.
What I saw was far from the expectations I might have had. I don't know what expectations I had, but I'm sure this was not it. Seeing the book, I had the impression that it would be similar to I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-hope-they-serve-beer-in-hell.html) - that it would be an all out insane movie. The impression I got from the back of the book was that the main character would be a lot more adventurous that what I saw.
I absolutely enjoyed Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst. I was actually shocked when I found out Kirsten Dunst was the female lead here because I haven't seen her in a while. I didn't know she did this. Simon Pegg was entertaining as usual. He really is funny from the way he speaks, the way he acts, the facial expressions. He's really good at providing some fresh laughs. I would know, I follow him on twitter and some of his tweets there are some of the funniest ones on twitter. Jeff Bridges was also great. Megan Fox not as much, but she was ok. She was good in Transformers though. (Unfortunately, those are the only movies I've seen of her)
The movie had several funny scenes. I think my expectations might have hurt me because I had an image of me laughing hard or something, and I didn't. I think if I didn't have those expectations I might have liked it a lot more. It wasn't bad at all; it's just a little underwhelming for me. It was definitely a fun movie to see, but like I said, I expected more. However, all in all, I was still entertained by it, and I had a good time watching it.
May 14, 2012
To Save A Life
To Save a Life is a 2009 religious drama film directed by Brian Baughn. It stars Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel, and many talented and amazing actors. It's not a very popular film, which is probably the reason why I haven't heard of it until now. It was a touching film dealing with current problems today.
There's a high probability that I never would have seen this movie if it wasn't for an e-mail I got requesting for a review of this movie. To tell you the truth, I wasn't all that convinced about it at first. After doing a few research about it, I went ahead and decided to watch it anyway. Now let me thank him for requesting it. It was good. It was not a groundbreaking movie but it had a certain level of depth. There was a direction to it and that in itself must be appreciated.
Suicide in itself is always a touchy subject, even more when it's teen suicide; and that's how the movie started. Jake, the protagonist, was attending the funeral of a friend who committed suicide, a friend his turned his back to. It narrated how the friendship was formed, and how the friendship was broken. The incident caused Jake to doubt a lot of things, to question anything and everything. Through this, he slowly transformed himself, transforming others as well along the way.
I think this movie could be categorized as a teen movie as well. Sure it's not the usual "teen movie" filled with smiles and romance and whatnot. I think this is even better because it's genuine as it tackles a lot of things kids these days go through, some of it I'd seen myself. It had suicide, desire for popularity, drugs, depression, pregnancy, divorced parents, desire to be part of something that mattered. Yup, the people who made this movie threw in a lot, and tried to work every possible angle in all these issues. As you can see, there's a wide scope of issues being tackled, from serious ones like suicide and depression, to relatively minute ones like desire for popularity. It did feel like it was one after the other, and at times it felt a little forced, but only in a few scenes. For the most part, they managed to keep it coherent and the story flowed.
I really liked everyone involved in this movie. From the stars to the supporting cast, everyone was really impressive, minus one scene that felt a little awkward for me. Randy Wayne fully embodied the persona of the popular kid who wants to things right, of course, Jake (Wayne) had the right motivation and experiences to do so. I'm glad that he's working on more projects so we should all be seeing a lot more of him soon. The ladies of the movie were just as brilliant. Deja Kreutzberg as Amy and Kim Hidalgo as Andrea, although playing very opposite characters, were equally superb. I got caught up in the relationship of Jake's parents, not because my parents went through something similar. It was more of David Starzyk and Laura Black really owning their characters and acting the hell out of it that I got caught up and felt sorry for them in a way. I guess that's how you know the actors are doing a fantastic job, when they start reeling you into the story and grabs you. My favorite character though was Chris, played by Joshua Weigel. Everything about the character Chris, and the way Weigel acted the part out were perfect.
It's a shame some critics did not particularly like the movie. Like I said, this movie was not revolutionary, but it was a really good film. Maybe I'm saying this because the issue is very current and very apparent. It's like an educational video I guess. People need to learn a lot more on these issues. I read that this movie got a PG 13 rating, which is understandable, but I don't think there are still people fooling themselves believing that these things aren't happening - that kids aren't experimenting with all sorts of things. Unfortunately, these things are now part of our society. The right thing to do is to guide them (well since I'm still part of the youth, guide us) - teach us about it and not pretend that it's not happening. I do think this movie can help in its own little way. After all, the characters involved are mostly teens. It had a message, and the movie delivered it. This can serve as an inspiration for people to save a life.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post. You can follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or follow this blog. You can also e-mail me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com if you have requests, just like this one.
There's a high probability that I never would have seen this movie if it wasn't for an e-mail I got requesting for a review of this movie. To tell you the truth, I wasn't all that convinced about it at first. After doing a few research about it, I went ahead and decided to watch it anyway. Now let me thank him for requesting it. It was good. It was not a groundbreaking movie but it had a certain level of depth. There was a direction to it and that in itself must be appreciated.
Suicide in itself is always a touchy subject, even more when it's teen suicide; and that's how the movie started. Jake, the protagonist, was attending the funeral of a friend who committed suicide, a friend his turned his back to. It narrated how the friendship was formed, and how the friendship was broken. The incident caused Jake to doubt a lot of things, to question anything and everything. Through this, he slowly transformed himself, transforming others as well along the way.
I think this movie could be categorized as a teen movie as well. Sure it's not the usual "teen movie" filled with smiles and romance and whatnot. I think this is even better because it's genuine as it tackles a lot of things kids these days go through, some of it I'd seen myself. It had suicide, desire for popularity, drugs, depression, pregnancy, divorced parents, desire to be part of something that mattered. Yup, the people who made this movie threw in a lot, and tried to work every possible angle in all these issues. As you can see, there's a wide scope of issues being tackled, from serious ones like suicide and depression, to relatively minute ones like desire for popularity. It did feel like it was one after the other, and at times it felt a little forced, but only in a few scenes. For the most part, they managed to keep it coherent and the story flowed.
I really liked everyone involved in this movie. From the stars to the supporting cast, everyone was really impressive, minus one scene that felt a little awkward for me. Randy Wayne fully embodied the persona of the popular kid who wants to things right, of course, Jake (Wayne) had the right motivation and experiences to do so. I'm glad that he's working on more projects so we should all be seeing a lot more of him soon. The ladies of the movie were just as brilliant. Deja Kreutzberg as Amy and Kim Hidalgo as Andrea, although playing very opposite characters, were equally superb. I got caught up in the relationship of Jake's parents, not because my parents went through something similar. It was more of David Starzyk and Laura Black really owning their characters and acting the hell out of it that I got caught up and felt sorry for them in a way. I guess that's how you know the actors are doing a fantastic job, when they start reeling you into the story and grabs you. My favorite character though was Chris, played by Joshua Weigel. Everything about the character Chris, and the way Weigel acted the part out were perfect.
It's a shame some critics did not particularly like the movie. Like I said, this movie was not revolutionary, but it was a really good film. Maybe I'm saying this because the issue is very current and very apparent. It's like an educational video I guess. People need to learn a lot more on these issues. I read that this movie got a PG 13 rating, which is understandable, but I don't think there are still people fooling themselves believing that these things aren't happening - that kids aren't experimenting with all sorts of things. Unfortunately, these things are now part of our society. The right thing to do is to guide them (well since I'm still part of the youth, guide us) - teach us about it and not pretend that it's not happening. I do think this movie can help in its own little way. After all, the characters involved are mostly teens. It had a message, and the movie delivered it. This can serve as an inspiration for people to save a life.
Hope you enjoyed reading this post. You can follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or follow this blog. You can also e-mail me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com if you have requests, just like this one.
May 13, 2012
Easy A
I've heard about this movie, have seen a few minutes of it when my friends were watching it. I just never brought myself to seeing the entire movie. That was dumb because this movie had me laughing so hard. To illustrate how much I enjoyed this movie, at this moment, while I am typing this, I am still smiling. This is Hollywood gold if there ever was one.
Let's start with the basics. Easy A was a 2010 comedy film directed by Will Gluck, written by Bert Royal. It boasted a stellar cast with Emma Stone as the lead. Other actors in it were Amanda Bynes, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Penn Badgley, Aly Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, and Thomas Haden Church. Lots of popular names. It didn't cost much though as the reported budget was only 8 million. Multiply that budget by more than 9 times and you have the reported revenue of the movie. Not bad at all.
Now let me tell you why I think this movie did so well - so well even critics liked it. First off, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, this movie had an awesome cast. Emma Stone was mad funny! The way she acted her part had me literally laughing out loud. She was phenomenal, and no wonder this movie boosted her popularity, she did everything right in this movie. She acted the dramatic scenes well, she acted the comedy scenes even better. She's like a chameleon. Aly Michalka showed some pretty serious acting chops here. Fiesty, mean, and sensitive all wrapped up in the body of Rhiannon. Amanda Bynes as a religious leader was a treat. She always cracks me up and I do hope she gets another shot at Hollywood and make more movies.
On to the older ones. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as Emma Stone's parents are probably one of the coolest parents, if not the coolest. I'm slowly becoming a huge huge fan of Stanley Tucci, from the Hunger Games to Easy A to Captain America. This guy is everywhere and I have no complaints at all. I was also glad to see Lisa Kudrow in this movie, mostly because I'm a huge fan of FRIENDS (watched every single episode). Glad her character also had a crazy side to it as it brought back the Phoebe days.
Second reason why the movie did well? The story and the script. For those who have seen it, you won't be able to deny how witty and hilarious the script was. This movie would not have worked at all with a less hilarious script. The screenplay was the main reason I liked this movie, so a big thank you to Bert V. Royal. As usual, there's a dramatic conflict/issue towards the end. Yet, even with the drama and the confusion and the self-doubts, the screenplay stayed true to its being a comedy film. It didn't try to hard to be emotional. Everything was just natural, with hints of laughter here and there. Of course with a script like that, a great director should be brought in, and Will Gluck rose to the challenge. Of course since he;s producing the film as well, he might as well make it amazing. That's exactly what he did. He took care of the blocking, the angles, and who knows what else. All these people involved made sure they'd create a film worth watching. Now we have Easy A.
I also just want to add that the scene with Emma Stone and Dan Byrd in the bedroom will probably be on of my favorite scenes in any movie ever created. That scene forced me to pause the movie and calm myself down. It was hysterical, and I mean that in the best way possible. But really, to whoever thought of that scene, thank you! That was my favorite part of the movie because it was hilarity at its finest. It didn't hurt that these two are talented goofballs who happened to be actors as well.
I personally would like to thank Blake Shelton for tweeting about the movie, which then encouraged me to actually go see it. I've heard only good things about it and I still don;t know why I never saw it before. I know I'm a little late with this, but as the famous saying goes "Better late than never." I'm just thankful I did see it cause missing its pure awesomeness would have been a shame. It was that good!
Let's start with the basics. Easy A was a 2010 comedy film directed by Will Gluck, written by Bert Royal. It boasted a stellar cast with Emma Stone as the lead. Other actors in it were Amanda Bynes, Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Penn Badgley, Aly Michalka, Lisa Kudrow, and Thomas Haden Church. Lots of popular names. It didn't cost much though as the reported budget was only 8 million. Multiply that budget by more than 9 times and you have the reported revenue of the movie. Not bad at all.
Now let me tell you why I think this movie did so well - so well even critics liked it. First off, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, this movie had an awesome cast. Emma Stone was mad funny! The way she acted her part had me literally laughing out loud. She was phenomenal, and no wonder this movie boosted her popularity, she did everything right in this movie. She acted the dramatic scenes well, she acted the comedy scenes even better. She's like a chameleon. Aly Michalka showed some pretty serious acting chops here. Fiesty, mean, and sensitive all wrapped up in the body of Rhiannon. Amanda Bynes as a religious leader was a treat. She always cracks me up and I do hope she gets another shot at Hollywood and make more movies.
On to the older ones. Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson as Emma Stone's parents are probably one of the coolest parents, if not the coolest. I'm slowly becoming a huge huge fan of Stanley Tucci, from the Hunger Games to Easy A to Captain America. This guy is everywhere and I have no complaints at all. I was also glad to see Lisa Kudrow in this movie, mostly because I'm a huge fan of FRIENDS (watched every single episode). Glad her character also had a crazy side to it as it brought back the Phoebe days.
Second reason why the movie did well? The story and the script. For those who have seen it, you won't be able to deny how witty and hilarious the script was. This movie would not have worked at all with a less hilarious script. The screenplay was the main reason I liked this movie, so a big thank you to Bert V. Royal. As usual, there's a dramatic conflict/issue towards the end. Yet, even with the drama and the confusion and the self-doubts, the screenplay stayed true to its being a comedy film. It didn't try to hard to be emotional. Everything was just natural, with hints of laughter here and there. Of course with a script like that, a great director should be brought in, and Will Gluck rose to the challenge. Of course since he;s producing the film as well, he might as well make it amazing. That's exactly what he did. He took care of the blocking, the angles, and who knows what else. All these people involved made sure they'd create a film worth watching. Now we have Easy A.
I also just want to add that the scene with Emma Stone and Dan Byrd in the bedroom will probably be on of my favorite scenes in any movie ever created. That scene forced me to pause the movie and calm myself down. It was hysterical, and I mean that in the best way possible. But really, to whoever thought of that scene, thank you! That was my favorite part of the movie because it was hilarity at its finest. It didn't hurt that these two are talented goofballs who happened to be actors as well.
I personally would like to thank Blake Shelton for tweeting about the movie, which then encouraged me to actually go see it. I've heard only good things about it and I still don;t know why I never saw it before. I know I'm a little late with this, but as the famous saying goes "Better late than never." I'm just thankful I did see it cause missing its pure awesomeness would have been a shame. It was that good!
Speed 2: Cruise Control
Speed 2: Cruise Control was the sequel to the 1994 film Speed (My review of Speed here http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/05/speed.html). Jan De Bont returned to direct this 1997 movie, only this time, he also served as a producer. Sandra Bullock also reprised her role as Annie, but Keanu Reeves turned down the offer to return as Jack. Jason Patric, also from the LAPD, then came aboard as Annie's new love interest and crime-fighting partner.
It started very slow. During the first movie, Keanu Reeves was saving lives, pulling people out from an elevator set to crash. There was action right from the get go. This film started with a car chase scene which had promise, but in terms of action, it was a bit underwhelming. It made sense though since it was set-up to introduce the new character, Alex, Annie's new boyfriend. The scene also introduced their relationship with one another, which apparently didn't start in the most honest way possible. It also gave the direction on how the two characters ended up on a cruise ship where all the action will happen.
Even when they were on the ship, things were still moving slow. This film, I guess, focused on the relationship between the two since they've been together for 7 months. I guess they wanted to fill in the viewers what had happened to Annie and Jack, and Annie and Alex. Personally, I liked the idea of it, since there's a gap. It was just a little too slow. But again, I appreciated how they were trying to tie loose ends and relaying a structured plot.
It was right at the one hour dot that things really picked up. The action started and I really started to feel excited. They started really utilizing the ship as a setting, similar to how they abused the bus to create tension and thrill. This is the core of the film, the fight against the psycho-criminal, the pressure to keep the passengers safe, the desperation to get the bad guy. From this point on, it really started to get better. There were a few scenes where I felt the sense of excitement I got from the first film.
I think part of the reason why some people were not pleased by the movie was the fact that there were too many things going on, including some unnecessary scenes and characters. Or maybe the coherence of everything was just not very clear. One example I noticed was Drew, a young deaf girl. I did not fully understand how she fit in the story except for the scene where she was being rescued by Alex when she got lost. However, looking at the big picture, I think creating the character did not really do anything for the story line. Although Christine Firkins did amazing portraying the lovable character, I felt like they were throwing different things to create more suspense than they needed to. I might be wrong; chances are I am. But that's what I thought while watching it,
It wasn't as bad as some people made it to be. Critics panned it, some viewers didn't like it, the box-office was just ok, especially compared to its predecessor. People made it seem like it was such a disaster, which I felt was too much exaggeration. Was it better than the first film? No. But it had its own merits. It had excitement and thrill, it had romance and drama with a pinch of comedy thanks to the supporting actors. I would have to say though that Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric were the best parts of the movie.
It started very slow. During the first movie, Keanu Reeves was saving lives, pulling people out from an elevator set to crash. There was action right from the get go. This film started with a car chase scene which had promise, but in terms of action, it was a bit underwhelming. It made sense though since it was set-up to introduce the new character, Alex, Annie's new boyfriend. The scene also introduced their relationship with one another, which apparently didn't start in the most honest way possible. It also gave the direction on how the two characters ended up on a cruise ship where all the action will happen.
Even when they were on the ship, things were still moving slow. This film, I guess, focused on the relationship between the two since they've been together for 7 months. I guess they wanted to fill in the viewers what had happened to Annie and Jack, and Annie and Alex. Personally, I liked the idea of it, since there's a gap. It was just a little too slow. But again, I appreciated how they were trying to tie loose ends and relaying a structured plot.
It was right at the one hour dot that things really picked up. The action started and I really started to feel excited. They started really utilizing the ship as a setting, similar to how they abused the bus to create tension and thrill. This is the core of the film, the fight against the psycho-criminal, the pressure to keep the passengers safe, the desperation to get the bad guy. From this point on, it really started to get better. There were a few scenes where I felt the sense of excitement I got from the first film.
I think part of the reason why some people were not pleased by the movie was the fact that there were too many things going on, including some unnecessary scenes and characters. Or maybe the coherence of everything was just not very clear. One example I noticed was Drew, a young deaf girl. I did not fully understand how she fit in the story except for the scene where she was being rescued by Alex when she got lost. However, looking at the big picture, I think creating the character did not really do anything for the story line. Although Christine Firkins did amazing portraying the lovable character, I felt like they were throwing different things to create more suspense than they needed to. I might be wrong; chances are I am. But that's what I thought while watching it,
It wasn't as bad as some people made it to be. Critics panned it, some viewers didn't like it, the box-office was just ok, especially compared to its predecessor. People made it seem like it was such a disaster, which I felt was too much exaggeration. Was it better than the first film? No. But it had its own merits. It had excitement and thrill, it had romance and drama with a pinch of comedy thanks to the supporting actors. I would have to say though that Sandra Bullock and Jason Patric were the best parts of the movie.
Accepted
I had no idea what this movie was about. I've never heard of it, had no idea there was such a film. But Justin Long and Jonah Hill were in it and that's enough reason to sit through it and watch the whole movie. It might have been a good move. I just saw it on TV and was entertained by it.
The main plot of the movie revolves around a high school graduate who didn't get accepted to any colleges, much to the disappointment of his parents. In his attempt to win over his parents' approval, he, with the help of his friends, created a fake school, with a fake website, a fake dean, and a fake acceptance letter. Of course, this will also serve as the main problem as people start finding out the real deal behind South Harmond Institute of Technology.
I did enjoy the movie and it was pretty funny. It had the right number of rejected college applicants, with just the right mixture of different personalities to add humor to the film. (I can't say it was an extraordinary film.) It was OK, and it was decent. I will say, however, that it was entertaining and it had some hilarious scenes, much thanks to Jonah Hill. It had a firm message as well. The main struggle of the movie was to stand up against the status quo of the educational system. Standards had been set, and we all follow it because the promise of doing so is enormous. However, this film pursued the idea of chasing your passions, learning what you actually want to learn and not be mere pawns to society's standards.
It also featured issues within the family. There are always expectations from parents, and sometimes these expectations don't necessarily reflect what we want, what we're passionate about. Although, building a fake school was a little extreme. But hey, (Spoiler!) he managed to build a learning institution, and managed to convince the higher-ups to put the school on probation, a step towards accreditation. That doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. I guess it's a way of portraying how something so wrong can just turn into something right and incredible.
As a whole, I can say that it was a nice feel-good comedy movie. Jonah Hill was definitely a stand out in this movie, and Justin Long did great as well. It's one of those relaxing movies you can watch at the end of a long day. A little humor will never hurt after an exhausting day.
The main plot of the movie revolves around a high school graduate who didn't get accepted to any colleges, much to the disappointment of his parents. In his attempt to win over his parents' approval, he, with the help of his friends, created a fake school, with a fake website, a fake dean, and a fake acceptance letter. Of course, this will also serve as the main problem as people start finding out the real deal behind South Harmond Institute of Technology.
I did enjoy the movie and it was pretty funny. It had the right number of rejected college applicants, with just the right mixture of different personalities to add humor to the film. (I can't say it was an extraordinary film.) It was OK, and it was decent. I will say, however, that it was entertaining and it had some hilarious scenes, much thanks to Jonah Hill. It had a firm message as well. The main struggle of the movie was to stand up against the status quo of the educational system. Standards had been set, and we all follow it because the promise of doing so is enormous. However, this film pursued the idea of chasing your passions, learning what you actually want to learn and not be mere pawns to society's standards.
It also featured issues within the family. There are always expectations from parents, and sometimes these expectations don't necessarily reflect what we want, what we're passionate about. Although, building a fake school was a little extreme. But hey, (Spoiler!) he managed to build a learning institution, and managed to convince the higher-ups to put the school on probation, a step towards accreditation. That doesn't sound like a bad deal at all. I guess it's a way of portraying how something so wrong can just turn into something right and incredible.
As a whole, I can say that it was a nice feel-good comedy movie. Jonah Hill was definitely a stand out in this movie, and Justin Long did great as well. It's one of those relaxing movies you can watch at the end of a long day. A little humor will never hurt after an exhausting day.
May 12, 2012
Runaway Jury
John Grisham is my favorite author, without a doubt. I don't read much; in fact I really do not enjoy reading as much as other people. That's one of the toughest part of school for me. Yeah there were some I really dived into, but I struggled to finish some. However, I always find it inspiring to read John Grisham's books. His books are real page turners - it is fast paced, has constant action, and has twists and turns. His way of writing engages me, an that's a hard thing to do in terms of book reading. I have read a few of his works and I enjoyed every single one of them. I understand how people can say they "can't put the book down" when I read his works, and for me that's a testament to the quality of his books.
One of the books he wrote was Runway Jury,which I though had a very interesting plot. Unfortunately, I haven't read the book. Fortunately, however, I saw the film. The film was released in 2003, starring John Cusack (I told you this would be a John Cusack day), Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, and more. It was directed by Gary Fleder.
The basic story line of the movie revolves around the justice system, an inside view of the possibilities that surround a court trial. It gave an insider's look, or a behind the scenes preview of what goes down in a court proceeding. Lawyers, I think, will love this film (and possibly hate it depends on which side they're on). It's a bit controversial actually. However, both sides will possibly agree that this film delivered. Some of the details were different from the actual book, but I guess it maintained a sense of loyalty to the material written by Grisham.
The start of the movie was pretty intense already. My heart might have skipped a bit because even I was surprised by how the film started. Like I said, I haven't read the book (though I already have a copy of it) so I only have a tiny fragment of idea on how the story would go down. Watching the initial portion of the movie caught me off guard. But it was a good thing since it engaged me into it quickly and I constantly anticipated the next scenes. It also served as the root cause of the trial, which then lead to the assembly of the jury. As it turned out, the jury is not as independent as one might think.
It went on to depict what happened to the jury members. The manipulation and deceit started and it was a matter of time before sides were revealed. Drastic moves were committed by the master manipulator, but he wasn't the only calling the shots. It soon became a battle for the power over the jury. The development of it was a little amusing only because I kept asking myself if these things actually happen. Chances are they do, but a part of me still doubts that. It really was a cat and mouse thing, it's just a matter of who will play the cat, and which party will play the mouse.
I felt like this story aimed to reveal the misuse of power in society, that even the justice system that's supposed to be fair isn't a leveled playing field anymore. People who the money have the power, those who have the power have the influence, and those people get their way, most of the time. It showcased how people can stand up to a person of stature to redirect a certain standard. Like the movie said, this was a David and Goliath sort of thing, and as we know, David beat the giant. No slingshots were needed in this movie though.
I liked how I got a taste of the legal system. The battle of deception and greed against the virtuous and honest. I felt like I got a taste of how the justice system works. I am not claiming that the justice system is flawed, or that all verdicts can be bought. Not at all. I do think, however, that a lot of things can be improved on. It was well-played out and it created this magnificent movie. I think To Kill a Mockingbird remains as my number one courtroom/legal movie, but that doesn't take away anything from the brilliance of this film. It was great in all levels, and I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
Follow me on twitter to get updates https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or you can follow this blog by checking the right side of the page. You can also send me e-mail at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com.
One of the books he wrote was Runway Jury,which I though had a very interesting plot. Unfortunately, I haven't read the book. Fortunately, however, I saw the film. The film was released in 2003, starring John Cusack (I told you this would be a John Cusack day), Rachel Weisz, Gene Hackman, and more. It was directed by Gary Fleder.
The basic story line of the movie revolves around the justice system, an inside view of the possibilities that surround a court trial. It gave an insider's look, or a behind the scenes preview of what goes down in a court proceeding. Lawyers, I think, will love this film (and possibly hate it depends on which side they're on). It's a bit controversial actually. However, both sides will possibly agree that this film delivered. Some of the details were different from the actual book, but I guess it maintained a sense of loyalty to the material written by Grisham.
The start of the movie was pretty intense already. My heart might have skipped a bit because even I was surprised by how the film started. Like I said, I haven't read the book (though I already have a copy of it) so I only have a tiny fragment of idea on how the story would go down. Watching the initial portion of the movie caught me off guard. But it was a good thing since it engaged me into it quickly and I constantly anticipated the next scenes. It also served as the root cause of the trial, which then lead to the assembly of the jury. As it turned out, the jury is not as independent as one might think.
It went on to depict what happened to the jury members. The manipulation and deceit started and it was a matter of time before sides were revealed. Drastic moves were committed by the master manipulator, but he wasn't the only calling the shots. It soon became a battle for the power over the jury. The development of it was a little amusing only because I kept asking myself if these things actually happen. Chances are they do, but a part of me still doubts that. It really was a cat and mouse thing, it's just a matter of who will play the cat, and which party will play the mouse.
I felt like this story aimed to reveal the misuse of power in society, that even the justice system that's supposed to be fair isn't a leveled playing field anymore. People who the money have the power, those who have the power have the influence, and those people get their way, most of the time. It showcased how people can stand up to a person of stature to redirect a certain standard. Like the movie said, this was a David and Goliath sort of thing, and as we know, David beat the giant. No slingshots were needed in this movie though.
I liked how I got a taste of the legal system. The battle of deception and greed against the virtuous and honest. I felt like I got a taste of how the justice system works. I am not claiming that the justice system is flawed, or that all verdicts can be bought. Not at all. I do think, however, that a lot of things can be improved on. It was well-played out and it created this magnificent movie. I think To Kill a Mockingbird remains as my number one courtroom/legal movie, but that doesn't take away anything from the brilliance of this film. It was great in all levels, and I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
Follow me on twitter to get updates https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or you can follow this blog by checking the right side of the page. You can also send me e-mail at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com.
Identity
Just a heads-up, this will be a John Cusack day. The next two entries will be about Identity and Runaway Jury, both starring John Cusack. I didn't really plan on it, but I guess it's not a bad idea at all. Allow me to start with Identity.
Identity was a 2003 psycho-thriller film starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes, and a whole more. It was directed by James Mangold, who is set to direct the 2013 movie The Wolverine, and written by Michael Cooney based on the novel of Agatha Christie's, "And Then There Was None." I am not familiar with the novel, but I want to thank Agatha Christie for inspiring the creation of this brilliant film.
Identity has always been one of my favorite films of all time. I think this is one of the smartest, most creative movies ever done in history. From its concept, storyline, cinematography, to castings, performances, and overall execution, this film had me. I re-watched a few minutes ago, and was again impressed.
It's about a man who suffers from multiple personality syndrome. As a traumatized child, he created different characters/personalities. The main problem of the movie revolved around his involvement in murder cases, killing 6 people. He's about to face execution, but a psychiatrist wanted to defend him, citing he was suffering from insanity; hence, he wasn't aware of committing those crimes. Thus started the core of the film, the 10 strangers stranded in a motel, being killed one after the other. In the end, only one would survive, and it better be the good one.
The development of the story, from the moment all of them came to the motel until the last survivor was revealed, was very, very exciting and thrilling (after all this is a thriller). I remember the first time I saw this film, my heart was racing, I couldn't keep still and I just wanted to know how it's going to end. That's still how I felt after re-watching it. That sense of vigor and excitement while watching the characters survive were still there. It was like watching the movie for the first time. I was at the edge of my seat, paused it at times when it was getting really intense, took a few moments and then pressed the play button again.
The whole cast was also strong. John Cusack was a great hero for this film. He was strong but also compassionate. Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, John Hawkes, Clea DuVall, John C. McGinley were all amazing. It was weird though seeing McGinley in this kind of role especially when he's played the role of Dr. Perry Cox on Scrubs for 9 seasons. But this had a strong cast to deliver and achieve the film's potential.
It gave me chills the first time, and it still gave me one today. I strongly believe that this is one of the best movies, not only in its genre, but all genres. It had excitement, drama, suspense, action, and the mixture of it all was just perfect. It was freaky, but it was the right kind of freaky. It had a lot of twists which kept it interesting, and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. From beginning til the end, this film did not disappoint at all. This would be one of those films, for me, that would never get old. I'd be happy to watch this movie over and over again.
The first time I saw the film, I knew it would be one of my favorites. I just loved the whole idea of it, especially the psychological part of it. Today, after re-watching it, I just proved that. It had the same effect on me as it did years ago. I was left in awe once again. There was still a joyful sensation in my body caused by how amazing the whole movie was. These reasons were exactly why I always encourage other people to watch it.
The next entry will be up in a few hours, hopefully. If you want to be updated with my latest entries, you can follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or e-mail me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com.
Identity was a 2003 psycho-thriller film starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes, and a whole more. It was directed by James Mangold, who is set to direct the 2013 movie The Wolverine, and written by Michael Cooney based on the novel of Agatha Christie's, "And Then There Was None." I am not familiar with the novel, but I want to thank Agatha Christie for inspiring the creation of this brilliant film.
Identity has always been one of my favorite films of all time. I think this is one of the smartest, most creative movies ever done in history. From its concept, storyline, cinematography, to castings, performances, and overall execution, this film had me. I re-watched a few minutes ago, and was again impressed.
It's about a man who suffers from multiple personality syndrome. As a traumatized child, he created different characters/personalities. The main problem of the movie revolved around his involvement in murder cases, killing 6 people. He's about to face execution, but a psychiatrist wanted to defend him, citing he was suffering from insanity; hence, he wasn't aware of committing those crimes. Thus started the core of the film, the 10 strangers stranded in a motel, being killed one after the other. In the end, only one would survive, and it better be the good one.
The development of the story, from the moment all of them came to the motel until the last survivor was revealed, was very, very exciting and thrilling (after all this is a thriller). I remember the first time I saw this film, my heart was racing, I couldn't keep still and I just wanted to know how it's going to end. That's still how I felt after re-watching it. That sense of vigor and excitement while watching the characters survive were still there. It was like watching the movie for the first time. I was at the edge of my seat, paused it at times when it was getting really intense, took a few moments and then pressed the play button again.
The whole cast was also strong. John Cusack was a great hero for this film. He was strong but also compassionate. Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, John Hawkes, Clea DuVall, John C. McGinley were all amazing. It was weird though seeing McGinley in this kind of role especially when he's played the role of Dr. Perry Cox on Scrubs for 9 seasons. But this had a strong cast to deliver and achieve the film's potential.
It gave me chills the first time, and it still gave me one today. I strongly believe that this is one of the best movies, not only in its genre, but all genres. It had excitement, drama, suspense, action, and the mixture of it all was just perfect. It was freaky, but it was the right kind of freaky. It had a lot of twists which kept it interesting, and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. From beginning til the end, this film did not disappoint at all. This would be one of those films, for me, that would never get old. I'd be happy to watch this movie over and over again.
The first time I saw the film, I knew it would be one of my favorites. I just loved the whole idea of it, especially the psychological part of it. Today, after re-watching it, I just proved that. It had the same effect on me as it did years ago. I was left in awe once again. There was still a joyful sensation in my body caused by how amazing the whole movie was. These reasons were exactly why I always encourage other people to watch it.
The next entry will be up in a few hours, hopefully. If you want to be updated with my latest entries, you can follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/sirfilmreviewer or e-mail me at mrfilmreviewer@yahoo.com.
May 11, 2012
Remember O Goddess
This will not be a movie review. I know this site is called mrfilmreviewer but for now allow me to be mrfilmPreviewer. I chose that name because I had the privilege of watching a short/medium length preview of the film Remember O Goddess, a Korean film directed by Yoon Jung Lee. I came across this movie thanks to certain networking sites: Stage32.com (a networking site for people in the film industry) and Twitter.
I can't emphasize the fact that I enjoy all kinds of movies from all sorts of cinemas. In fact, I've seen a number of Korean movies, although most, if not all, were mainstream movies. This is the first time I came across a Korean independent film and I liked the experience. Readers of this blog won't be too surprised to see another independent film title here. After all, I've already made reviews for Winter's Bone (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/winters-bone.html) and Good Day For It (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-day-for-it.html), both American indie films. However, this is the first time I'm writing about a non-Hollywood film in this blog.
The premise of the film is simple, yet interesting. There's a man who lost his memory and attempted to identify himself by reporting his disappearance to the police, hoping someone would recognize him and tell him who he really was. That hope then came in the form of a convenience store cashier, but he let his chance slide. We all have a place in this world. Sometimes, we get lost and sometimes we just need one person to rely on and guide us back. Unfortunately, he let his guiding light get away. This caused him to take drastic measures in order to have another chance of re-connecting with the people in his life.
The 25 minute talked about searching for one's identity, missing out on a valuable opportunity, desperation, and love. It had a comic relief here and there, but the film maintained the paradoxical balance of calmness and frustration, of satisfaction and despair. It was quietly moving, and definitely surprising. I think this film had power because it had a strong definite message. A lot of things were said in just 25 minutes.
I also want to point out how incredible Kim Tae Wook was. I particularly appreciated how the preview ended. It's attention-grabbing, and emotionally charged and very unexpected. With the way the preview ended, it could already stand on its own. It could be a short/medium film. That's the thing; the whole preview was smart and creative. If this preview was an indication of the quality of the whole feature, we could all be assured that the end product will be phenomenal.
If you want to see the preview, you can click this link http://rememberogoddess.squarespace.com/movie/ I'm very pleased to know that the project managed to raise funds to continue this amazing movie. If I only had the money, I would contribute to this project for sure because it would be worth every single penny. However, since I'm in no position to do so, let this blog entry serve as my contribution to the movie.
I can't emphasize the fact that I enjoy all kinds of movies from all sorts of cinemas. In fact, I've seen a number of Korean movies, although most, if not all, were mainstream movies. This is the first time I came across a Korean independent film and I liked the experience. Readers of this blog won't be too surprised to see another independent film title here. After all, I've already made reviews for Winter's Bone (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/winters-bone.html) and Good Day For It (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/04/good-day-for-it.html), both American indie films. However, this is the first time I'm writing about a non-Hollywood film in this blog.
The premise of the film is simple, yet interesting. There's a man who lost his memory and attempted to identify himself by reporting his disappearance to the police, hoping someone would recognize him and tell him who he really was. That hope then came in the form of a convenience store cashier, but he let his chance slide. We all have a place in this world. Sometimes, we get lost and sometimes we just need one person to rely on and guide us back. Unfortunately, he let his guiding light get away. This caused him to take drastic measures in order to have another chance of re-connecting with the people in his life.
The 25 minute talked about searching for one's identity, missing out on a valuable opportunity, desperation, and love. It had a comic relief here and there, but the film maintained the paradoxical balance of calmness and frustration, of satisfaction and despair. It was quietly moving, and definitely surprising. I think this film had power because it had a strong definite message. A lot of things were said in just 25 minutes.
I also want to point out how incredible Kim Tae Wook was. I particularly appreciated how the preview ended. It's attention-grabbing, and emotionally charged and very unexpected. With the way the preview ended, it could already stand on its own. It could be a short/medium film. That's the thing; the whole preview was smart and creative. If this preview was an indication of the quality of the whole feature, we could all be assured that the end product will be phenomenal.
If you want to see the preview, you can click this link http://rememberogoddess.squarespace.com/movie/ I'm very pleased to know that the project managed to raise funds to continue this amazing movie. If I only had the money, I would contribute to this project for sure because it would be worth every single penny. However, since I'm in no position to do so, let this blog entry serve as my contribution to the movie.
May 10, 2012
Speed
I just re-watched Speed after so many years just because I remember really liking it when I first saw it on TV. Unfortunately, me liking it and a couple other scenes were the only things I could remember. Watching it again made me confused since I couldn't remember seeing half the scenes on that movie. Then again, I saw it probably more than a decade ago so I guess it was a very good decision to watch this one again. It's like re-visiting childhood in a sense and I guess that's always a good thing.
Speed was a 1994 film starring Keanu Reeves as Jack, Dennis Hopper as Howard, and Sandra Bullock as Annie. It's was nominated for several awards, and it also took home a big fat paycheck, grossing around 350 million dollars on a budget of less than 30 million. To say that it had a decent income would be a huge understatement. The reason it earned the big bucks: it was an awesome movie.
The film went by fast! It's that kind of movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, stirring up all the excitement you have in your body. I was really impressed by how much they utilized almost everything on that bus, or any obstacles a running vehicle can encounter: traffic, unfinished freeways, a bomb! Just like Buried (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/05/buried.html), the film also had restrictions since the mojority of the film took place in a bus, and there's only so much you can do with a bus. However, unlike Buried, which filmed the whole film using just a single wooden box, Speed had a lot more locations to shoot at, and it also featured the other cast members in different locations. Having said that, the way Jan de Bont, the director of the movie, and Graham Yost, who wrote the film (and from the looks of it, Joss Whedon also helped in the writing process) abused the bus was downright amazing.
The beginning of the movie was very new to me. I remember the film as only being in the bus. Seeing the start of the film with the elevator was weird, but it was a good kind of weird. Plus, it also served as a lead to what would happen next. It set the introduction to the bulk of the film. The ending was also weird because I also couldn't remember it at all. (Semi-spoiler--Proceed to the next paragraph if you haven't seen the movie. But if you like spoilers, read on) In my memory the movie ended when Jack(Reeves) and Annie(Bullock) got off the bus. I distinctly remembered them putting a rod on the pedal of the bus, tying ropes to the steering wheel, and getting on the cover of the access panel. I remembered seeing them under the bus and swirling once the cover hit the ground. I also remembered the bus exploding, and Jack's boss talking to them. And that's it. I thought that was the ending. Everything that happened after that all new to me.
The middle part was just as good as I remember it. The whole sequence was very exciting - too exciting I was cheering on the characters. I know that's weird but it was pretty intense. Imagine having to drive a bus that couldn't go below 50 miles per hour. The pressure of it all was what excited me the most, and also, like I said, how they utilized the bus. The whole chunk was planned out very well and it kept the excitement going. It presented a challenge after the other, which kept the excitement at a constant.
Sandra Bullock has to be one of the most entertaining actresses in Hollywood. I always enjoy watching her, and I don;t think there's been a Sandra Bullock film I didn't like. Yeah, I'm easy to please, but I can't remember a movie where I didn't enjoy her being part of it. I'm probably sounding like a typical fan, but I'm just saying what I think. Keanu Reeves was a fitting actor to play Jack Traven. He was stern and firm, but also vulnerable. I kept thinking he's really good at action movies, having flashbacks of The Matrix. However, the stand out for me was Dennis Hopper as the twisted, demented bomber. He was very convincing playing a sick psycho rather well.
I'm very tempted to watch Speed 2:Cruise Control, which I know failed to impress the critics and the box-office. It was widely panned but I want to see it because it would be unfair to label a movie bad based on the thoughts of others. I want to see it for myself. It;s a little scary though since even Sandra Bullock was not very pleased. I'll let you know if it impressed me or not. At least I'm sure that its predecessor was absolutely fantastic. That's more than enough for me.
Speed was a 1994 film starring Keanu Reeves as Jack, Dennis Hopper as Howard, and Sandra Bullock as Annie. It's was nominated for several awards, and it also took home a big fat paycheck, grossing around 350 million dollars on a budget of less than 30 million. To say that it had a decent income would be a huge understatement. The reason it earned the big bucks: it was an awesome movie.
The film went by fast! It's that kind of movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, stirring up all the excitement you have in your body. I was really impressed by how much they utilized almost everything on that bus, or any obstacles a running vehicle can encounter: traffic, unfinished freeways, a bomb! Just like Buried (http://mrfilmreviewer.blogspot.com/2012/05/buried.html), the film also had restrictions since the mojority of the film took place in a bus, and there's only so much you can do with a bus. However, unlike Buried, which filmed the whole film using just a single wooden box, Speed had a lot more locations to shoot at, and it also featured the other cast members in different locations. Having said that, the way Jan de Bont, the director of the movie, and Graham Yost, who wrote the film (and from the looks of it, Joss Whedon also helped in the writing process) abused the bus was downright amazing.
The beginning of the movie was very new to me. I remember the film as only being in the bus. Seeing the start of the film with the elevator was weird, but it was a good kind of weird. Plus, it also served as a lead to what would happen next. It set the introduction to the bulk of the film. The ending was also weird because I also couldn't remember it at all. (Semi-spoiler--Proceed to the next paragraph if you haven't seen the movie. But if you like spoilers, read on) In my memory the movie ended when Jack(Reeves) and Annie(Bullock) got off the bus. I distinctly remembered them putting a rod on the pedal of the bus, tying ropes to the steering wheel, and getting on the cover of the access panel. I remembered seeing them under the bus and swirling once the cover hit the ground. I also remembered the bus exploding, and Jack's boss talking to them. And that's it. I thought that was the ending. Everything that happened after that all new to me.
The middle part was just as good as I remember it. The whole sequence was very exciting - too exciting I was cheering on the characters. I know that's weird but it was pretty intense. Imagine having to drive a bus that couldn't go below 50 miles per hour. The pressure of it all was what excited me the most, and also, like I said, how they utilized the bus. The whole chunk was planned out very well and it kept the excitement going. It presented a challenge after the other, which kept the excitement at a constant.
Sandra Bullock has to be one of the most entertaining actresses in Hollywood. I always enjoy watching her, and I don;t think there's been a Sandra Bullock film I didn't like. Yeah, I'm easy to please, but I can't remember a movie where I didn't enjoy her being part of it. I'm probably sounding like a typical fan, but I'm just saying what I think. Keanu Reeves was a fitting actor to play Jack Traven. He was stern and firm, but also vulnerable. I kept thinking he's really good at action movies, having flashbacks of The Matrix. However, the stand out for me was Dennis Hopper as the twisted, demented bomber. He was very convincing playing a sick psycho rather well.
I'm very tempted to watch Speed 2:Cruise Control, which I know failed to impress the critics and the box-office. It was widely panned but I want to see it because it would be unfair to label a movie bad based on the thoughts of others. I want to see it for myself. It;s a little scary though since even Sandra Bullock was not very pleased. I'll let you know if it impressed me or not. At least I'm sure that its predecessor was absolutely fantastic. That's more than enough for me.
May 07, 2012
Cars 2
I'm no longer a child, but I still enjoy watching animated films. I like children's movies. There I said it. I am not even ashamed to admit it. Who doesn't like watching those light, heart-warming stories? Only evil people will hate on animated films, especially the likes of Cars 2.
Cars 2 had a lot to live up to since the first one was not only loved, but also went on to be very successful. I personally liked the first one and I remembered watching it over and over again a few years back. That's also when I started rocking out to Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts. (After hearing Life is a Highway, I became a huge supporter of Rascal Flatts even though I'm not into country. Just a fun fact I guess) Going back to the movie, Pixar probably was pleased with the outcome. With an increased budget, the studio probably expected higher returns, and that's exactly what they got. The film grossed over 500 million dollars worldwide, beating the original.
I liked the first one a lot, but I must say that I liked the second one even more. The story was better, the cinematography was better. Overall, Cars 2 was better for me. The first one was like a drama-comedy film, except with cars in it. It was a self-exploration I guess for McQueen. This one was an action-comedy film, still with cars in it. This one had drama too, focusing on McQueen's friendship with Mater. However, it was more of an ass-kicking Bond-like film more than a tearfest.
I also liked the settings. I am extremely fascinated by Japan, both as a country and as a nation, and seeing it as venue for McQueen's race was a delight. I appreciated how they incorporated different stuff about their culture like geishas, their very high level of technology, and their language. It showed different aspects of the Japanese and that was well-appreciated. Italy was the other setting, and just like Japan, Italy's been on my list of places I want to visit. Their food is beyond words, and even the movie took note of that. Japan+Italy=best combination of venues for me.
I was also glad to find out that all the cast members from the first movie returned to do the sequel, especially Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy. I also liked the addition of Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer as Agents McMissile and Shiftwell respectively. These are some talented voice actors. Michael Caine made me have that Bond-like feeling while watching McMissile do his thing, and it was pretty badass.
I am really hoping for a Cars 3, although I don't know the likelihood of that. A guy can hope I guess. In the event they do make one, I surely hope all the actors will be back to reprise their roles. I want to see how Mater deals with the agent life of Shiftwell, or if McQueen can be an undercover spy in a race event. I think there are still a lot of possibilities to be explored and it will be a shame to not use them.
Cars 2 had a lot to live up to since the first one was not only loved, but also went on to be very successful. I personally liked the first one and I remembered watching it over and over again a few years back. That's also when I started rocking out to Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts. (After hearing Life is a Highway, I became a huge supporter of Rascal Flatts even though I'm not into country. Just a fun fact I guess) Going back to the movie, Pixar probably was pleased with the outcome. With an increased budget, the studio probably expected higher returns, and that's exactly what they got. The film grossed over 500 million dollars worldwide, beating the original.
I liked the first one a lot, but I must say that I liked the second one even more. The story was better, the cinematography was better. Overall, Cars 2 was better for me. The first one was like a drama-comedy film, except with cars in it. It was a self-exploration I guess for McQueen. This one was an action-comedy film, still with cars in it. This one had drama too, focusing on McQueen's friendship with Mater. However, it was more of an ass-kicking Bond-like film more than a tearfest.
I also liked the settings. I am extremely fascinated by Japan, both as a country and as a nation, and seeing it as venue for McQueen's race was a delight. I appreciated how they incorporated different stuff about their culture like geishas, their very high level of technology, and their language. It showed different aspects of the Japanese and that was well-appreciated. Italy was the other setting, and just like Japan, Italy's been on my list of places I want to visit. Their food is beyond words, and even the movie took note of that. Japan+Italy=best combination of venues for me.
I was also glad to find out that all the cast members from the first movie returned to do the sequel, especially Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy. I also liked the addition of Michael Caine and Emily Mortimer as Agents McMissile and Shiftwell respectively. These are some talented voice actors. Michael Caine made me have that Bond-like feeling while watching McMissile do his thing, and it was pretty badass.
I am really hoping for a Cars 3, although I don't know the likelihood of that. A guy can hope I guess. In the event they do make one, I surely hope all the actors will be back to reprise their roles. I want to see how Mater deals with the agent life of Shiftwell, or if McQueen can be an undercover spy in a race event. I think there are still a lot of possibilities to be explored and it will be a shame to not use them.
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