The Reader

Truly a remarkable film with amazing performances. The movie is off to a good start because it has amazing source material to work with. Then you add director Stephen Daldry into the mix and some fabulous actors including Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, and the young but great David Kross and an amazing script. I got completely sucked into the story and its metaphor on people coping post WWII and the Holocaust. The new generations reaction to their countries history and the story of this young boys affair with an older woman. I kept watching the film thinking this cannot be right she has to be good but she really is not. She is flawed she has done wrong. The performances in this movie are spectacular totally sweeping me away and it leaves you breathless. It makes you think about how fast life goes and you never know which way life will take you. This is definitely one of the best films of 2008 maybe even my favorite. I related to Michael's character very closely and saw a bit of myself in him probably because of our closeness in age. Then when seeing the older version of him and looking back at his life I sat wondering if this would be me. The story is epic, the performances astounding. The movie is sad, happy, erotic, depressing, thought provoking, and true. This is a movie everyone should see.

5 out of 5 Stars

War Horse

An absolutely beautiful film, almost too beautiful. Every single shot is pure artwork. For me this takes a little bit away from the realism of the picture, but I do not think that Spielberg cares. He has taken this story which is the perfect concoction for an epic. You can tell that Steven is really trying to make an epic but it doesn't matter that much because it works. You follow the story of this horse and all the people that come in contact with this dream horse seem to fall in love with it. You follow this story all the way and it is mainly about the boy who just wants his horse back but that is not what makes the movie good. It is when the war comes around in the picture and the movie shows that there are good people and bad people on both sides of the conflict. The most amazing scene is when one soldier from each side walk out into the open and help each other to free this horse from barbed wire and make a small friendship together. It really is incredible. The movie is pretty predictable at times and all of the characters are and do what are expected of them to fill the criteria of a typical Spielberg epic film but you know what, it still works. The cinematography, the score, and the acting all around is fantastic. In this film Spielberg makes me throw away some of my critical analysis and just let myself get caught up into this story and let the movie touch me. An enjoyable piece of work further showing Spielberg's skill as a director and at finding young talent to fill the roles in his movies.

4 out of 5 Stars

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

This is the fourth "Mission Impossible" film with Tom Cruise reprising his role once again. Based on the reviews on rotten tomatoes you would think this film to be spectacular, it really is not. It is a fun action flick, pure escapism and just fun to enjoy. I thought with the insanely good reviews it was getting that it would be pushing the envelope as an action film. It does not push the envelope it just is the envelope, the way it should be. It is an action movie done right. The script which is super confusing is pretty much there only to set up scenes in exotic locations with fighting. It feels more like a heist kind of movie rather then a spy film. The third film seemed more realistic and was very intense. This film relaxes on the intensity, adds more comic relief and just makes it a fun enjoyable ride. I liked it but felt a little let down after seeing all of the great reviews it was getting. It is a fun action flick the whole family will enjoy.

3 out of 5 Stars

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

I was extremely excited for the American remake of this fantastic Swedish film. With David Fincher behind the wheel of this project I thought it could only get better. The movie was good but a little bit of a let down for me. It is definitely geared towards an American audience used to going to blockbuster films. It opens as if it is the beginning of a James Bond film and then proceeds to follow the story that by now we know all so well. It really did not feel like a Fincher movie, by the way this film was advertised  and talked about, I thought it was going to break all the rules on the mainstream violence and sex level. I thought this would be the same thing but sexier, more graphic, and violent. Yes, there was more nudity but it did not feel sexier nor more graphic. The scene everyone talks about is worse and longer but not to the extreme everyone was making it out to be. The emotional impact of all these things was not there for me as much as it was in the Swedish film. In the original I really hated the bad men, these evil men, and I wanted to jump into the screen and kill them myself. In this version I did not feel that way. I do not know if this is because I have already seen it or what but it just did not hit me as hard. Everything is prettier in this film, all the good characters are more attractive and all the bad characters are uglier. The main problem that I had with this movie is it was not as intense. The solving of the mystery was not done as well as it was in the original, there really was no solving at all. In this film it felt more like they set it up and then they just immediately found out. There was no intense build up and it felt sort of predictable to me. The film is very long and went on after the original film ended which gave it a little of a feeling of "are we done yet." There is also a change made from the books and original film which is totally unnecessary but that is not my big complaint. I just felt this movie lacked as much oomph. You feel less for the big "James Bond" character then a real once unknown actor, and Daniel Craig gives no accent which was weird. Rooney Mara gives a great performance as Lisbeth Salander but you cannot help but think she is just completely copying off of Noomi Rapace's performance. There is more insight given into her character added in this movie but it is not that this movie gives more or better insight then the previous film it just gives different insight. Fincher adds some flair with cool camera angles and a more experienced director's take when shooting the film but the rawness in the Swedish film seemed to go with the subject. I like both movies very much and I am anxious to sit and watch this version again, just make sure you go into it with no expectations. I do find the Swedish film far superior but that does not mean this is not a good movie. The acting is all around great, the characters and story extremely interesting, and it is a joy to watch a favorite story done with a slightly different take on it. I feel the American version of "The Girl Who Played With Fire" could be better then its Swedish version because it is more of an action film with less artistry and that is what Hollywood is good at.

4 out of 5 Stars (Please see my Re-Review)

Hugo

Martin Scorsese takes us on a journey that never lets up and entertains us the entire time. I felt like I was eight years old again watching the most amazing 3D cinematography since "Avatar" and by seeing a children's story lead and turn into a homage for the birth of film and to the great director,  Georges Méliès. I think this film will go on to inspire children to become interested in classic film, rather then some of the trash released today that brain washes people. It may surprise you but there are people who thought movies like "The Box" and "Superbabies" were good thought provoking films. The cinema has so much more to offer and Martin Scorsese is one of the people who always produces quality film. "Hugo" has a great little charm to it and it has huge heart. I was swept away into the everyday lives of these two children who are just looking to discover. They are trying to "unlock the secret." Asa Butterfield and Chloe Moretz are fantastic as the two young leads. Moretz's character is almost like a new version of Hermione Granger from the first Harry Potter film. She is young and bright and eager to learn more. I identify with these children. I am a huge movie watcher and as they look and learn about early film and they discover the secret of Hugo's father and the automaton I find myself there. me, watching movies and learning and that joy you get by delving deep into movies. I loved this movie and yes, it made me cry. Martin Scorsese the master of gangster films and violence has come out with a children's movie that made me cry. This is why we go to the movies, this film right here explains it all. It is funny that the two great kids films from this year have in fact been about making movies. This film and "Super 8," it is hard for me to decide which is better.


5 out of 5 Stars

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

This movie has a lot of heart and is laugh out loud funny. The stars which include Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone all give fantastic comedic performances. We have Carell and Moore who are the experts and Gosling and Stone who are the newbies taking over. Emma Stone is good at comedy as she proved in "Zombieland" and showed her greater acting ability in this years "The Help." All of these stars do well in their roles whose stories are separated and predictably but in an unpredictable way, all connect. This is comedy done right. It has just enough serious realism in it to be believable and is not to graphically, grossly funny. It is a film the whole family can enjoy. It is not often when you can find the subject of divorce to be humorous but this film somehow figures it out, largely due to the well written script and the delivery of it from the actors. The film also pulls at the lovey, dovey heart strings just enough to make this the perfect romantic comedy for you and your date. Is the movie perfect, no, but how close to perfect can you get with a romantic comedy like this. This film does well at keeping you interested and actively involved in the thought process of the film. if you have not seen it yet then you should probably hold out till Valentines Day to watch this wonderfully enjoyanle film.

4 out of 5 Stars

The Ides Of March

George Clooney takes his seat in the director's chair once again following "Good Night and, Good Luck" and "Leatherheads" with this intense political drama/thriller about a presidential candidate and his campaign manager and what they go through to get to the top doing absolutely whatever it takes. Gosling is fantastic as he is always. He has proven himself especially this year that he is one of the best up and coming actors right now. He has come out with so many great films and has shown us some great acting performances and there is only more to come from him. In this year alone he has been the leading man in "The Ides of March," "Crazy, Stupid, Love.," and my favorite of the entire year so far "Drive." He is such a fantastic actor and has such a wide range of acting capabilities. I just cannot wait to see more and more films with him in it. Some other notable Gosling films to check out would be "Half Nelson," "Blue Valentine," and his career starter "The Notebook." Clooney is also good in this film giving an always promising performance but he is more noticeable behind the camera then he is in front. Clooney knows how to taske this political drama that could get slow and boring and keeps it intense and does it with an urgency. You may be watching a political drama but it feels more like you are watching Liam Neeson in "Taken." The movie keeps going and does well at not particularly siding with one party or the other whilst at the same time you feel like this is about Bill Clinton in a way. The film is completely star studded with A-list actors. We have here Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, and Jefferey Wright. This makes the film seem a little less real because of all of the familiar faces but it still works because they are portraying sort of political figures that would be famous and known and once you get past saying, "I know that guy" you get lost in the performance of that guy. The movie really is intensely gripping and emotional at the same time. My eyes were glues to the screen waiting to see what would happen next, it is one of the best films of the entire year and I am excited to see how it does during awards season. This will not be the last you hear of George Clooney as a director and it will not be long before Ryan Gosling brings home his own Oscar.

5 out of 5 Stars

The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest

After much delay I finally got time to sit down, pull up Netflix, and watch the third installment of "The Millenium Trilogy" before the American release of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This movie out of all of the Swedish films got the least love from critics for its lack of intensity almost like it was a let down. The film follows the story of the book which if you find less intriguing that is not the movies fault. I found this to be a fantastic conclusion to the whole series. The film sums up everything that has gone on with the characters even still leaving it open ended to imply story goes on. Everything is concluded but at the same time everything is not. It is hard to explain. Noomi Rapace gives a riveting performance as she did in the two previous films and this film seems to focus on to other sides of her character which we did not see before. Yes, this film is less intense but if you enjoy courtroom dramas and long to see what happens to these characters you should love this movie. The characters are just so intriguing and what happens to them is so intense. I do not think I could ever get enough of these stories and it is very unfortunate that Stieg Larrson, the author, has passed. The new American film is good but unfortunately does not hold up to the Swedish film and in my opinion every Swedish film is better then the David Fincher remake, I am excited for the future American sequels but they will not hold up to the fresh performances and direction found in the Swedish films. This movie is awesome but make sure to watch the previous films first. This is the final chapter of an intensely great story and the way it ends in its final minutes is so perfectly and artfully concluded.

5 out of 5 Stars

Secretariat

This incredible true story of the famous horse that broke all the records is truly captivating and inspirational. Disney does a good job in this movie by not making it feel like a Disney film. Diane Lane is what keeps this movie going by embodying her character and captivating her audience, just as she does in the more adult "Unfaithful." The film keeps everyone interested by its great story telling. Everyone knows how the film will end but because of our interest in all the characters and their emotions we stay impacted by the picture. The film makes Secretariat a character in the film itself, giving the horse emotion and feeling that probably was not truly there still makes for an interesting, fun, and kid-friendly story. A great family film to enjoy with your young children that exemplifies good values about never giving up no matter what anyone says that you cannot do. Randall Wallace directs his best film yet after a forgettable war flick, "We Were Soldiers" and an absolutely awful take on "The Man In The Iron Mask."

4 out of 5 Stars

Sunshine Cleaning

This film starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt has a freshness to it. It takes simple concepts often explored in other films and gives a little bit of a twist on it. It is not often you come across a movie about people who clean up after murders and suicides. Amy Adams does an exceptional job at playing the girl who had it all back in high school but is now living a life she would have never hoped to live. She is dissatisfied with herself and ultimately ashamed. Emily Blunt also does great playing her younger sister who is also ultimately unhappy. The movie is good but not great. Despite its original premise there really is not much about the movie that is original at all. It has predictable plot turns and eventually adds up to exactly what you would expect it to. The performances and witty script still touched me and was an enjoyable experience.

3 out of 5 Stars

Greenberg

A little slow and pretty depressing, Noah Baumbach's second feature is about a man in his forties who has recently been released from a mental hospital and is now staying in his brothers home to take care of his house and dog. He eventually starts to fall for his brother's nanny/helper person. The movie has funny moment but drags for awhile at parts where you just feel awful for Ben Stiller's character. Stiller does a fantastic job as Greenberg, giving one of the better performances of his career, the movie just drags you through the muck too much without giving much hope for anything but just enough. Fans of Baumbach's "The Squid & The Whale" will likely enjoy this film but not think of it as highly. This movie is pretty clever in its story and script but not nearly as much in his previous film. Stiller is the star of this movie and is the standout of the whole thing. He gets you to like and care for this incredibly rude and selfish character that is the kind of guy you would likely call an "asshole" when running into him at a high school reunion or work party. Stiller grabs your attention and gives you insight into a character that you normally would not want insight on. He makes you want the insight and then wants he gives it to you, you begin to understand, he has feeling too, you feel sad for him and then you see a little bit of him inside of yourself.

3 out of 5 Stars

Terms Of Endearment

A critically acclaimed, waste of time. If you enjoy spending your hours watching these women whine and complain about pointless issues and struggles just for there to be next to no conclusion in the end, this is the movie for you. If this does not describe you and you are actually a normal, living, and breathing human being then this movie will reveal itself to be the crap that it actually is. I have never wanted to turn off a movie so badly the only redeeming aspect of the film was Jack Nicholson who even still practically mailed in his performance. The movie is just pure stress and to think that it actually won the award for Best Picture sickens me. These kind of choices are what give The Academy less credibility. I literally wanted to jump inside the television and kill some of these women even at the times when you are supposed to admire them. I was very disappointed with this film. This is the movie that got James L. Brooks started as a director. He later went on to direct "As Good As It Gets" and "Spanglish" which are both movies I thoroughly enjoyed. To go back and visit his Academy Award winning film you would think to be a memorable experience and it was, but for the wrong reasons. A waste of time and money, only five dollars but still. There are many more great movies in the world out there that would be a much better use of time. Do your best to avoid this tormenting and depressing experience.

.5 out of 5 Stars

Blood Work (Clint Eastwood Summary)

A cool idea, a decent performance from Clint Eastwood, a smart and not so stupid plot, and a poorly written script with some horrible and annoying supporting actors, and an extremely obvious ending make up "Blood Work." It is your typical cop thriller with a twist, where the famous cop is searching for the serial killer whose victim gave him his heart. It is interesting in hindsight to see that this film was immediately followed by the often referred to "Clint Classic," "Mystic River." This film is considered a masterpiece and a popular favorite among Eastwood fans. It is crazy to think how a director could go from this and immediately to something great. Immediately following "Blood Work" Clint really got on a role dishing out fantastic films which make him among one of the most respected directors in the industry and a favorite filmmaker of mine. He can really be hot and cold at times. After "Blood Work" came "Mystic River," "Million Dollar Baby," "Flags Of Our Fathers," "Letters From Iwo Jima," "Changeling," "Gran Torino," and "Invictus." All of these films received critical acclaim, nominations along with awards and "Million Dollar Baby" received the prestigious Best Picture at The Academy Awards. Now that I have established what a good director Clint is let me talk about how bad "Blood Work" is. It starts out okay. The script is sort of cheesy but has like I said an interesting premise and seems like it would be fun to watch. It falls largely into the trap of having these terrible cardboard cut out characters that say and do exactly what you would expect of them. They do their little thing on the screen and then leave. Eastwood has no cool signature camerawork or any noticeable directorial style that comes across that is in so many of his other films. I am more critical on the film because Clint can do so much better. Paul Rodriguez should have gotten a razzie for his awfully annoying character, terrible acting, and ugly fat body. He was supposed to make the viewer laugh and I literally wanted to go into the screen and choke him. He is the first actor to speak in the whole film so it immediately started out bad. Why couldn't the serial killer murder him? At first I thought he would be a small role in one scene but he appears very frequently and seems to have more lines then Eastwood himself. As an actor Clint does fine amongst his terribly casted cast-mates but, he does what you would expect. The same kind of thing he does in "Gran Torino" and many others this just is not as good. What is cool about the movie is how you are trying to figure out how and why the killer is doing this, (sort of spoiler ahead) what exactly is his method, but almost all of this is forgotten because they take a small character and give it to an A-list actor who you know would never take such a small role in a movie unless there was more to his character. He is also way too typically nice. I knew he was the murderer from his very first scene. Clint drops the ball on this one. Is it the worst movie I have ever seen? No, not even the worst Clint film thanks to "Hereafter," but this film could have certainly been better.

2 out of 5 Stars

The Clint Eastwood Summary, as a director. I have not seen all of his films as there are 35 of them but I will list the ones I have seen and review them and will update this list as I see more.

Unforgiven-----------------------------------5 Stars (Top 100 List)
The Bridges Of Madison County-----5 Stars
Space Cowboys-----------------------------2 Stars
Blood Work-----------------------------------2 Stars
Mystic River----------------------------------5 Stars
Million Dollar Baby-------------------------5 Stars
Flags Of Our Fathers---------------------5 Stars
Letters From Iwo Jima-------------------5 Stars
Changeling------------------------------------5 Stars (Top 100 List)
Gran Torino-----------------------------------4.5 Stars
Invictus-----------------------------------------2.5 Stars
Hereafter----------------------------------------1 Star

Observe & Report

Another gross and hilarious comedy up for my review. "Observe & Report" starring Seth Rogen as a mall cop who wants to be legit. His big case at hand is a streaker, who flashed the hot girl at the salon. Normally Rogen plays a likable, high idiot. In this one he is really just a jerk. He is not a nice guy he is just really rude and mean to everyone. There are parts of the movie that I found hilarious but also a few full 5 minute instances that are not funny at all and the jokes fall flat. I can see the directors leaving all of it in laughing hilariously thinking it is all funny when really it is not and they need the length to fill the standard hour and a half length which it does not make. Particularly all the scenes with Michael Pena ("Crash") who really is a good actor are not funny. His whole character is kind of stupid. I feel like they casted him thinking he would be funny but he wasn't and they paid this A-lister to co-star in their film. Rogen is funny in the way he always has been but that is what everyone is paying for and expecting to see and Ray Liotta from "Goodfellas" and "Blow" does a good job, as does Anna Farris. I must say Celia Weston is the best by far. This is definitely a movie for older guys not like Kevin James' "Mall Cop" which was released the same year. This movie really did make me laugh and I have never been so surprised by a comedies ending.

3 out of 5 Stars

The Bank Job

Starting out slow and almost pornographic, "The Bank Job" picks up its pace and  become a quite enjoyable thrill ride. Statham does his usual thing, pretty much the same character as "Snatch" and "The Transporter." This film has more story to it, more depth. It engrosses you partly because of the fact that this is a true story, at least to a degree, this actually happened. It makes the film that much more entertaining with all the insane trickery and covert operations to know it is real. This is a heist film done right. The characters are likable and the action doesn't end after the robbery but more or less begins. Things get fun when the robbery is over. I liked the film a lot a just a fun movie to enjoy. The cast is strong and does well and the director knows how to do what he wants to do. A great film for a bunch of guys who want to watch a good heist movie. The film would get a higher rating but just like most of these films it really is not that deep or emotional. The script is clever but at the beginning it drags.

3 out of 5 Stars

The Savages

The critically acclaimed black comedy film from 2007 starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney about two siblings who live depressing lives and must come together and admit their ailing father into a nursing home is almost exactly what you would expect. The acting is great and the story is depressing. There are mildly funny scenes that make you smile but this film just does not feel as good as other movies like it such as "Sideways," "The Squid & The Whale," and "You Can Count On Me." All these movies have a similar independent filmmaking tone but this one didn't do it for me. The script is good and there really isn't anything specific to complain about except that the film did not really hit me emotionally. It was sad and depressing but not to where I was connected to it and felt sad it was more conscious and like "Hey, this is sad. Why am I watching this?" Linney got nominated for her strong portrayal as the annoying and sad sister however, she is better in other films and this is still pretty similar to some other roles she has played. This movie is lukewarm, not good or bad just simply..okay.

2 out of 5 Stars

Footloose (1984)

I bought this movie packaged along with "Flashdance" which I previously reviewed. Both of them are cult favorites among dancers and teens. Footloose is coming from the rebellious teenagers mad at the parents for their rules and restrictions. "Footloose" has since become a successful Broadway musical for its memorable song and dances. The movie is fun and Kevin Bacon does a good job. This is what made his career and he since become a pretty good actor. The film is very cheesy and a little overdone focusing a lot on the controlling pastor father who pretty much runs the town. There were some small towns like this but never to this extreme and not completely run by the church. Besides the good dancing which is only in one scene and at the very end the movie does not have much to offer, but it is a fan favorite for many and it is impossible for me to deny its popularity. The movie does represent what all young people feel in rebelling and having "our time." The fact is the movie is not that good and poorly executed. There is no extremely bad acting to complain about but there really isn't much there at all. I admit that when I stopped watching it I could not stop humming the song. I am interested in seeing the new 2011 remake which was accepted to generally positive reviews. I am hoping that the best qualities from this film came over into the new version.

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Flashdance

I finally got around to watching Adrian Lyne's "Flashdance" working my way backwards after seeing and reviewing "Unfaithful," "Fatal Attraction," and "Indecent Proposal." "Flashdance" is a pop culture classic and it is how Lyne really got his start and got noticed. You can see less of his directorial style here because it had probably not been developed and he probably had less control of his films. The movie is about a young woman who works all day as a welder and works as an exotic dancer all night. She dreams of being a real dancer and being all that she can be, and longs to get accepted into this high class ballet school. The movie is inspirational and has some fantastic dance numbers and a great lead song which won the Academy Award in 1983. The song is the best thing about the movie and is largely responsible for the attention the movie received. Jennifer Beals' performance is subtle and great and she is a stand out. The movie however is pretty predictable and follows the route that anyone would expect it to go but the way the story is told and the fine acting from the lead actress makes the film the cult classic that it is. It was a great start for director Adrian Lyne who eventually went on to create in my opinion some great movies and eventually mastered his style. It's a fun movie to enjoy and if you are in fact a dancer I can see how this could be one of your favorite films.

3 out of 5 Stars

Bruno

The follow up to Sacha Baron Cohen's critically acclaimed comedy "Borat" has some comic genius in it but mostly resolves to using absolutely gross humor. The movie is funny, mostly because of how Cohen gets real people to show their true sides. The best scene is probably the interviewing of all these parents who will do anything to get their infant children a modeling job. One parent agrees to their child being hung on a crucifix next to Christ. All of these outrageous things is what makes "Bruno" so outrageously funny. It gets gross however when it gets way too graphic, in which there is a long scene of Bruno's penis swirling and talking. It is not better then "Borat" as some critics have said but there are many sidesplitting scenes that you will cry laughing at but the movie can be extremely offensive and too much for many people to be able to handle. It pushes the envelope, sometimes a bit too far but even if you absolutely despise the homosexuality and the crudeness of its humor you still have to admit that it made you laugh and that it is made and done well.

3.5 out of 5 Stars

Dinner For Schmucks

This funny flick was in my opinion extremely entertaining. Steve Carell and Paul Rudd are a hilarious a comic team with some clever writing in their hands and great improvisation. I was at points crying with laughter. The movie is a feel good family film that most likely everyone will enjoy, but these PG-13 comedies keep getting away with more and more, leaning towards the R-rating side with their jokes. A sidesplitting scene about someone losing their wife's clitoris could be awkward to watch with your family depending who your parents are and the age of the children. The movie is all around funny filled with slapstick and double entendres. Everything that you would expect from a comedy like this. The ending however, does become absolutely ridiculous but it still remains funny and Zach Galifianakis continues to prove himself as a great comic. A good escape movie to just sit down and enjoy.

3.5 out of 5 Stars