Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Synopsis: Peter Highman is an expectant first-time father whose wife's due date is a mere five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan--on what turns out to be a cross-country road trip that will ultimately destroy several cars, numerous friendships and Peter's last nerve.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, Juliette Lewis, Danny McBride
Directed by: Todd Phillips
U.S. Rating: R
Definitely, one of the best comedy films I've enjoyed watching within the last couple of years. Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis were definitely the BEST couple for this film. The chemistry among them was perfect.
Director Todd Phillips, who previously directed one of the best (if not the best!) comedy films I've watched in decades, The Hangover, comes one more time with this unique comedy film with a pretty simple but superb script and the best cast he could get.
Robert Downey Jr. showed one more time why he's considered one of the best and most versitile actors in Hollywood. His role performed in this film was simply hilarious. Playing the role of a very stressed arquitect with very little patience who's on the way home to be present at his first child's birth and due to a series of inconvenient events, he meets a very, very peculiar guy who will have to join on a road trip accross the country back to California.
I had the chance to watch the film in theaters, and last week had the chance to finally put my hands on my DVD copy and watch it again. One of the best features coming on the DVD/BluRay is the gag reel section, a summary of the best gags and funny scenes they caught on tape while filming the movie.
In case you haven't watch it yet, here's the plot:
Peter Highman is a high strung, type A architect on his way home from Atlanta to Los Angeles to be present at the birth of his first child, a scheduled C-section, with his wife, Sarah. Once on the plane, Peter learns that Ethan Tremblay, who had just prior to boarding at the airport, accidentally run his car through his door, is sitting behind him in first class. After inadvertently using the words "terrorist" and "bomb", Ethan gets Peter shot by a Federal Air Marshal with a rubber bullet. Both Peter and Ethan are forced off the plane before take-off.
After being questioned by security, Peter discovers that he has been placed on the No Fly List and will have to find another way to get to California. After realizing that he had left his wallet on the plane, Peter reluctantly agrees to travel with Ethan, an aspiring actor hoping to make it in Hollywood, to Los Angeles. Ethan is on his way to Hollywood after the funeral of his father, and is carrying his father's ashes in a coffee can on the trip.
After stopping in Birmingham, Alabama to purchase marijuana, Peter and Ethan realize that they collectively only have $60 in cash. Peter decides to have his wife transfer him money. Since he does not have his identification card, Peter has his wife transfer the money in Ethan's assumed last name. Once at Western Union, Ethan recalls the fact that the money has been sent to his stage name and therefore not his real name, Ethan Chase, which is on his only government-issue I.D. The Western Union employee does not accept Ethan's head shot as proof of ID and declines the transfer. Frustrated and on edge, Peter verbally attacks the man who, even though he is a wheel chair-bound veteran, attacks Peter in retaliation, firmly beating him.
After spending the night at a rest stop, Peter waits for Ethan to go to the restroom and leaves Ethan behind, only to return soon after to pick up Ethan from the rest stop. Ethan drives while Peter gets some rest. After driving a while, Ethan falls asleep at the wheel and the car crashes. At a Dallas hospital, Peter, who has a broken arm and three cracked ribs, is picked up by his friend Darryl. Peter reluctantly decides to take Ethan along. Stopping at Darryl's house, Peter discovers that, nine months ago, Darryl and Sarah spent some time together. This information leads Ethan to accuse Darryl of being the possible father of Sarah and Peter's unborn child.
Darryl lets them use his Range Rover and, while driving, Ethan smokes marijuana as Peter dozes, and the smoke collects in the cabin, intoxicating Peter, as well. The two accidentally end up at the United States-Mexico border in El Paso when Ethan mistakes the security checkpoint for a gas station. Ethan flees from the border checkpoint and leaves Peter to be arrested for possession of the marijuana purchased earlier by Ethan. After being taken into custody by the Mexican Federal Police, Peter is broken out by Ethan who steals a border patrol truck in the process.
The duo stop at the Grand Canyon where Ethan spreads his father's ashes. Peter confesses that he did try to leave Ethan back at the rest area. Ethan then decides to also make a confession: he has had Peter's wallet since the plane. Peter attacks Ethan in rage. Sarah calls during the attack to inform Peter that her water has broken. Peter and Ethan immediately begin to rush toward California. Along the way, Ethan accidentally shoots Peter with a gun he had found in the truck's glove compartment. Peter does not stop to receive medical attention for his gunshot wound.
Arriving at the hospital while Sarah is in labor, Peter passes out in pain from his wounds. Peter and Sarah's healthy Caucasian baby girl is seen later in the nursery confirming that it was not Darryl's baby. Ethan recounts to Peter that he had assisted in Rosie's birth by cutting the umbilical cord, something that Peter had allegorically dreamed earlier in the film. The two go their separate ways with the promise that Peter will call Ethan to keep their friendship intact.
At the end of the film, Peter, Sarah, and Rosie watch an episode of Two and a Half Men, in which Ethan has landed a role.
Due Date is definitely a MUST watch. Totally recommended!
I would rate this movie with a 5/5
Directed by: Todd Phillips
U.S. Rating: R
Definitely, one of the best comedy films I've enjoyed watching within the last couple of years. Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis were definitely the BEST couple for this film. The chemistry among them was perfect.
Director Todd Phillips, who previously directed one of the best (if not the best!) comedy films I've watched in decades, The Hangover, comes one more time with this unique comedy film with a pretty simple but superb script and the best cast he could get.
Robert Downey Jr. showed one more time why he's considered one of the best and most versitile actors in Hollywood. His role performed in this film was simply hilarious. Playing the role of a very stressed arquitect with very little patience who's on the way home to be present at his first child's birth and due to a series of inconvenient events, he meets a very, very peculiar guy who will have to join on a road trip accross the country back to California.
I had the chance to watch the film in theaters, and last week had the chance to finally put my hands on my DVD copy and watch it again. One of the best features coming on the DVD/BluRay is the gag reel section, a summary of the best gags and funny scenes they caught on tape while filming the movie.
In case you haven't watch it yet, here's the plot:
Peter Highman is a high strung, type A architect on his way home from Atlanta to Los Angeles to be present at the birth of his first child, a scheduled C-section, with his wife, Sarah. Once on the plane, Peter learns that Ethan Tremblay, who had just prior to boarding at the airport, accidentally run his car through his door, is sitting behind him in first class. After inadvertently using the words "terrorist" and "bomb", Ethan gets Peter shot by a Federal Air Marshal with a rubber bullet. Both Peter and Ethan are forced off the plane before take-off.
After being questioned by security, Peter discovers that he has been placed on the No Fly List and will have to find another way to get to California. After realizing that he had left his wallet on the plane, Peter reluctantly agrees to travel with Ethan, an aspiring actor hoping to make it in Hollywood, to Los Angeles. Ethan is on his way to Hollywood after the funeral of his father, and is carrying his father's ashes in a coffee can on the trip.
After stopping in Birmingham, Alabama to purchase marijuana, Peter and Ethan realize that they collectively only have $60 in cash. Peter decides to have his wife transfer him money. Since he does not have his identification card, Peter has his wife transfer the money in Ethan's assumed last name. Once at Western Union, Ethan recalls the fact that the money has been sent to his stage name and therefore not his real name, Ethan Chase, which is on his only government-issue I.D. The Western Union employee does not accept Ethan's head shot as proof of ID and declines the transfer. Frustrated and on edge, Peter verbally attacks the man who, even though he is a wheel chair-bound veteran, attacks Peter in retaliation, firmly beating him.
After spending the night at a rest stop, Peter waits for Ethan to go to the restroom and leaves Ethan behind, only to return soon after to pick up Ethan from the rest stop. Ethan drives while Peter gets some rest. After driving a while, Ethan falls asleep at the wheel and the car crashes. At a Dallas hospital, Peter, who has a broken arm and three cracked ribs, is picked up by his friend Darryl. Peter reluctantly decides to take Ethan along. Stopping at Darryl's house, Peter discovers that, nine months ago, Darryl and Sarah spent some time together. This information leads Ethan to accuse Darryl of being the possible father of Sarah and Peter's unborn child.
Darryl lets them use his Range Rover and, while driving, Ethan smokes marijuana as Peter dozes, and the smoke collects in the cabin, intoxicating Peter, as well. The two accidentally end up at the United States-Mexico border in El Paso when Ethan mistakes the security checkpoint for a gas station. Ethan flees from the border checkpoint and leaves Peter to be arrested for possession of the marijuana purchased earlier by Ethan. After being taken into custody by the Mexican Federal Police, Peter is broken out by Ethan who steals a border patrol truck in the process.
The duo stop at the Grand Canyon where Ethan spreads his father's ashes. Peter confesses that he did try to leave Ethan back at the rest area. Ethan then decides to also make a confession: he has had Peter's wallet since the plane. Peter attacks Ethan in rage. Sarah calls during the attack to inform Peter that her water has broken. Peter and Ethan immediately begin to rush toward California. Along the way, Ethan accidentally shoots Peter with a gun he had found in the truck's glove compartment. Peter does not stop to receive medical attention for his gunshot wound.
Arriving at the hospital while Sarah is in labor, Peter passes out in pain from his wounds. Peter and Sarah's healthy Caucasian baby girl is seen later in the nursery confirming that it was not Darryl's baby. Ethan recounts to Peter that he had assisted in Rosie's birth by cutting the umbilical cord, something that Peter had allegorically dreamed earlier in the film. The two go their separate ways with the promise that Peter will call Ethan to keep their friendship intact.
At the end of the film, Peter, Sarah, and Rosie watch an episode of Two and a Half Men, in which Ethan has landed a role.
Source: Wikipedia
Due Date is definitely a MUST watch. Totally recommended!
I would rate this movie with a 5/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: After a run of bad luck, John, a compulsive gambler, runs away from Las Vegas and toward a normal job and life. Taking a nondescript position in an auto insurance company in Albuquerque, he tries to get ahead in the straight world, amid the ever-present temptations of scratch-off lotto tickets. When his boss, Mr. Townsend, asks John to accompany his top fraud debunker, Virgil on an investigation of a dubious car "accident" near Vegas, John sees an opportunity to get a promotion , though he's concerned about returning to the gambling game. Before leaving he becomes involved with his eccentric co-worker Jill, a dalliance that has the potential to become a real relationship. Soon John is on the road with Virgil, where they encounter a series of offbeat characters, including a wheelchair-bound stripper, a nude militant, a park Ranger, and a carnival human torch. While Virgil is the supposed leader of the investigation, it's John who begins to finally assert himself, pushing the case closer to a conclusion. Through the journey, John's confidence builds, and he realizes that he can't escape his gambling addiction by running away from it--it will follow him wherever he goes. It's only when he returns to Vegas and his experiences there finally send him on the path to breaking free.
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Romany Malco, Tim Blake Nelson, John Cho, Emmanuelle Chriqui
Directed by: Hue Rhodes
U.S. Rating: R
I personally believe Steve Buscemi is a very talented actor. He'son of those actors that hasn't found the perfect script and role to let him show the world his real talent. I've followed him for a very long time and watched some of the movies he's played in, and I always get really entertained with his roles and performance. In fact, he's having such a great moment with his role in the TV Series from HBO: Boardwalk Empire. I've been waiting for a while for it to come to the UK and enjoy watching it.
Anyway, Saint John of Las Vegas wasn't the script we were waiting for him to show his best. With this inicial comment I don't want to say that it was a bad script, I'm just saying that it wasn't the best one. I personally enjoyed the movie, no matter how bad the reviews, comments and criticisms were with the film.
Saint John of Las Vegas brings the story of a compulsive gambler who attempts to cure his addiction by moving from Las Vegas to Albuquerque. He tries to get a normal life living in a nice, peaceful neighborhood and working at an auto insurance company. The only problem is that far from being away from his old temptations, this job made it worse. He finds his old temptations cropping up once again when he's sent out to investigate a dubious car accident just outside of Sin City.
John works for Mr. Townsend, who pairs him with the company's top fraud debunker, Virgil, and sends them out on an investigation together. While John is eager to get a promotion, he's reluctant to go anywhere near Las Vegas just to avoid temptation, and before he leaves he strikes up a tenuous romance with his eccentric co-worker, Jill.
On the road, Virgil and John encounter a series of offbeat characters including Ned, a nude militant, Tasty D Lite, a wheelchair-using stripper, and a carnival human torch. But while Virgil is the one with the experience, John gradually begins to assert himself and soon his efforts begin to pay off as the case moves closer to conclusion. As John's confidence grows, he becomes increasingly aware of the fact that running away from his gambling problem is not the solution, and that he'll only be able to move forward by returning to Las Vegas to face his demons head on.
It is definitely the film for some good laughs, even though, it is a forgettable film. Steve Buscemi and Sarah Silverman make the film worth to watch at home on a lazy weekend afternoon or evening.
I would rate this movie with a high 2/5
Directed by: Hue Rhodes
U.S. Rating: R
I personally believe Steve Buscemi is a very talented actor. He'son of those actors that hasn't found the perfect script and role to let him show the world his real talent. I've followed him for a very long time and watched some of the movies he's played in, and I always get really entertained with his roles and performance. In fact, he's having such a great moment with his role in the TV Series from HBO: Boardwalk Empire. I've been waiting for a while for it to come to the UK and enjoy watching it.
Anyway, Saint John of Las Vegas wasn't the script we were waiting for him to show his best. With this inicial comment I don't want to say that it was a bad script, I'm just saying that it wasn't the best one. I personally enjoyed the movie, no matter how bad the reviews, comments and criticisms were with the film.
Saint John of Las Vegas brings the story of a compulsive gambler who attempts to cure his addiction by moving from Las Vegas to Albuquerque. He tries to get a normal life living in a nice, peaceful neighborhood and working at an auto insurance company. The only problem is that far from being away from his old temptations, this job made it worse. He finds his old temptations cropping up once again when he's sent out to investigate a dubious car accident just outside of Sin City.
John works for Mr. Townsend, who pairs him with the company's top fraud debunker, Virgil, and sends them out on an investigation together. While John is eager to get a promotion, he's reluctant to go anywhere near Las Vegas just to avoid temptation, and before he leaves he strikes up a tenuous romance with his eccentric co-worker, Jill.
On the road, Virgil and John encounter a series of offbeat characters including Ned, a nude militant, Tasty D Lite, a wheelchair-using stripper, and a carnival human torch. But while Virgil is the one with the experience, John gradually begins to assert himself and soon his efforts begin to pay off as the case moves closer to conclusion. As John's confidence grows, he becomes increasingly aware of the fact that running away from his gambling problem is not the solution, and that he'll only be able to move forward by returning to Las Vegas to face his demons head on.
It is definitely the film for some good laughs, even though, it is a forgettable film. Steve Buscemi and Sarah Silverman make the film worth to watch at home on a lazy weekend afternoon or evening.
I would rate this movie with a high 2/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Fresh out of prison, Mitchell lands a legitimate job as a handyman for a rich actress who's eager to reward him with cash, cars and sex. But Mitchell can never truly escape his violent past or the dangerous world of loan sharks, druggies and other bottomfeeders.
Starring: Keira Knightley, Colin Farrell, David Thewlis, Anna Friel, Ray Winstone
Directed by: William Monahan
U.S. Rating: R
Well, I must say that it is either because I'm not totally used to British films or because the plot was too slow or confusing for me. The thing is that it was extremely difficult for me to follow London Boulevard. I remember the first time I watched the trailer, it was right before the film was released in theaters, I thought it looked pretty interesting and entertaining. I never went to watch it to the theater since I preferred to watch other films before. Now that I had the chance to watch the film at home, I thought it was me, but after asking my wife, I noticed that both of us had the same problem: We couldn't follow what was happening!
London Boulevard is the story of a man newly released from prison who falls in love with a reclusive young movie star who recruits him as her bodyguard and finds himself in a duel with a vicious gangster.
The film brings a top quality cast but as I said before, I couldn't follow the story. I can't really say the reason, but the truth is that it didn't deliver what was sold on its trailer.
I would rate this movie with a 1/5
Directed by: William Monahan
U.S. Rating: R
Well, I must say that it is either because I'm not totally used to British films or because the plot was too slow or confusing for me. The thing is that it was extremely difficult for me to follow London Boulevard. I remember the first time I watched the trailer, it was right before the film was released in theaters, I thought it looked pretty interesting and entertaining. I never went to watch it to the theater since I preferred to watch other films before. Now that I had the chance to watch the film at home, I thought it was me, but after asking my wife, I noticed that both of us had the same problem: We couldn't follow what was happening!
London Boulevard is the story of a man newly released from prison who falls in love with a reclusive young movie star who recruits him as her bodyguard and finds himself in a duel with a vicious gangster.
The film brings a top quality cast but as I said before, I couldn't follow the story. I can't really say the reason, but the truth is that it didn't deliver what was sold on its trailer.
I would rate this movie with a 1/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Successful PR pro Marni heads home for her older brother's wedding and discovers that he's marrying her high school arch nemesis, who's conveniently forgotten all the rotten things she did so many years ago. Then the bride's jet-setting aunt bursts in and Marni's not-so-jet-setting mom comes face to face with her own high school rival.
Starring: Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Odette Yustman, Victor Garber
Directed by: Andy Fickman
U.S. Rating: PG
I would compare You Again with a painful mix of teen films played by mature and adult people. It was like watching Mean Girls with a touch of Bring It On played by inmature grand parents... Something like that.
The film starts with the tough life of Marni (Kristen Bell) during high school. Marni, an acne-riddled high school senior with glasses and braces is being tormented and bullied by Joanna, the cheer leaders group leader and her friends. Being so insecured about herself and what she can be and achieve, Marni video tapes her thoughts and situation at school. She hates Joanna, she can't help it.
Years later, that young, ugly, insecure Marni is history. She became a beautifu, gorgeous and higly successful professional. She's invited to her brother's wedding, but on the flight home, she find out the girl that is about to marry her brother is Joanna, that girl from high school that made her feel and go through so horrible things.
Joanna seems to be different, not the bully girl from high school. She's now involved in some important volunteer work, being sweet and careful about her new future family. Marni can't accept that change. In the other hand, Gail (Marni's mother - Jamie L Curtis), a cheer leader legend in high school meets Joanna's aunt, Ramona, who's the closest family member invited for the wedding. Ramona is a very successful business woman, but what Gail's family doesn't know is that Hail and Ramona had a history. After being best friends in high school, Gail couldn't forgive Ramona, who pushed her to the pool at Prom, right in front of the love of her life. She couldn't forget that past. When they saw each other, they inmediately brought that old revenge and, as well as their daugther and niece, they will try to hurt and do whatever it takes to beat each others.
At the end, Marni and Joanna, as well as Gail and Ramona, recognize the long road they have crossed and how much they've changed. It helped them to put all those old bad feelings and live their new lives and friendship.
Honestly, it had a very few short scenes and script lines that brought some good smiles to my face. But the truth is that it was a poor film, not funny at all. It was literally a waste of such an amazing cast.
I would rate this movie with a 1/5
Directed by: Andy Fickman
U.S. Rating: PG
I would compare You Again with a painful mix of teen films played by mature and adult people. It was like watching Mean Girls with a touch of Bring It On played by inmature grand parents... Something like that.
The film starts with the tough life of Marni (Kristen Bell) during high school. Marni, an acne-riddled high school senior with glasses and braces is being tormented and bullied by Joanna, the cheer leaders group leader and her friends. Being so insecured about herself and what she can be and achieve, Marni video tapes her thoughts and situation at school. She hates Joanna, she can't help it.
Years later, that young, ugly, insecure Marni is history. She became a beautifu, gorgeous and higly successful professional. She's invited to her brother's wedding, but on the flight home, she find out the girl that is about to marry her brother is Joanna, that girl from high school that made her feel and go through so horrible things.
Joanna seems to be different, not the bully girl from high school. She's now involved in some important volunteer work, being sweet and careful about her new future family. Marni can't accept that change. In the other hand, Gail (Marni's mother - Jamie L Curtis), a cheer leader legend in high school meets Joanna's aunt, Ramona, who's the closest family member invited for the wedding. Ramona is a very successful business woman, but what Gail's family doesn't know is that Hail and Ramona had a history. After being best friends in high school, Gail couldn't forgive Ramona, who pushed her to the pool at Prom, right in front of the love of her life. She couldn't forget that past. When they saw each other, they inmediately brought that old revenge and, as well as their daugther and niece, they will try to hurt and do whatever it takes to beat each others.
At the end, Marni and Joanna, as well as Gail and Ramona, recognize the long road they have crossed and how much they've changed. It helped them to put all those old bad feelings and live their new lives and friendship.
Honestly, it had a very few short scenes and script lines that brought some good smiles to my face. But the truth is that it was a poor film, not funny at all. It was literally a waste of such an amazing cast.
I would rate this movie with a 1/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: After 10 years in prison, Driver has a singular focus - to avenge the murder of his brother during the botched bank robbery that led to his imprisonment. Now a free man with a deadly to-do list in hand, he's finally on his mission... but with two men on his trail - a veteran cop just days from retirement, and a young egocentric hitman with a flair for the art of killing and a newfound worthy opponent. The hunter is also the hunted. It's a do or die race to the list's finish as they myster surrounding his brother's murder deepens, and new details emerge along the way hinting that Driver's list may be incomplete.
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Billy Bob Thornton, Maggie Grace, Oliver Jackson Cohen, Moon Bloodgood
Directed by: George Tillman Jr
U.S. Rating: R
Being such a huge fan of Dwane "The Rock" Johnson's films, I couldn't let this one go away, even more, because he's back to the action films.
Driver (Dwayne) has spent the last 10 years in prison waiting to come out and avenge the murder of his brother during a bank robbery. Driver and his brother were hit by another gang, taking the money they stole from the bank and killing every single one of them. The only problem is that Driver, being shot in the head, didn't die. They thought he was killed, but he recovered and was put in jail for this robbery.
After 10 years, he's got some help from an outsider, providing him with the list of every single person involved in that gang that killed his brother and shot him in the head. Without hesitation, he drives straight to every single target, killing them with no remorse. The only problem is that he's been put in a killing list, along with the same people he's been hunting down.
In the meantime, Cop (Billy Bob Thornton) and Cicero (Carla Gugino), both detectives from the local PD, try to follow Driver's steps and stop him.
At the end, Driver has avenged gis brother's death, killing every single one of the involved in this event, in addition to the leader of the team.
Dwayne Johnson performed such a great and entertaining role in this action film. It was a pretty good film, if... There weren't some other roles and situations that shouldn't be part of the plot. For example, I never understood the need of a narcissist hitman and his girlfriend to kill those people for just $1. I found these two roles and their scenes, totally unnecessary.
I'm so glad "The Rock" is back in business. He needs to be more involved in these kind of tdrama, thriller and ough action films, the ones that have given him the fame and reputation in Hollywood. If you're a huge fan of Dwayne Johnson's film, you will enjoy the film.
I would rate this movie with a 3/5
Directed by: George Tillman Jr
U.S. Rating: R
Being such a huge fan of Dwane "The Rock" Johnson's films, I couldn't let this one go away, even more, because he's back to the action films.
Driver (Dwayne) has spent the last 10 years in prison waiting to come out and avenge the murder of his brother during a bank robbery. Driver and his brother were hit by another gang, taking the money they stole from the bank and killing every single one of them. The only problem is that Driver, being shot in the head, didn't die. They thought he was killed, but he recovered and was put in jail for this robbery.
After 10 years, he's got some help from an outsider, providing him with the list of every single person involved in that gang that killed his brother and shot him in the head. Without hesitation, he drives straight to every single target, killing them with no remorse. The only problem is that he's been put in a killing list, along with the same people he's been hunting down.
In the meantime, Cop (Billy Bob Thornton) and Cicero (Carla Gugino), both detectives from the local PD, try to follow Driver's steps and stop him.
At the end, Driver has avenged gis brother's death, killing every single one of the involved in this event, in addition to the leader of the team.
Dwayne Johnson performed such a great and entertaining role in this action film. It was a pretty good film, if... There weren't some other roles and situations that shouldn't be part of the plot. For example, I never understood the need of a narcissist hitman and his girlfriend to kill those people for just $1. I found these two roles and their scenes, totally unnecessary.
I'm so glad "The Rock" is back in business. He needs to be more involved in these kind of tdrama, thriller and ough action films, the ones that have given him the fame and reputation in Hollywood. If you're a huge fan of Dwayne Johnson's film, you will enjoy the film.
I would rate this movie with a 3/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Doug MacRay is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang's latest job, when they briefly took a hostage--bank manager, Claire Keesey. Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, Titus Welliver, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper
Directed by: Ben Affleck
U.S. Rating: R
The Town, the second film directed by Ben Affleck, brings an intense and very interesting plot to its viewers. Ben Affleck didn't just do a pretty good job directing the film, but an amazing job as the lead role. With a strong plot and a first class cast, the film deserved all the good critics and comments received from its opening night.
Ben Affleck looked really mature and confident on his double role (director and actor), being considered one of his best performance to date.
The film is about Doug MacRay (Affleck), Jem Coughlin (Renner), Gloansy Magloan (Slaine), and Dez Elden (Burke), from the dangerous streets of Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston Massachusetts. When this group robs a local bank, they decided to take Claire Keesey (Hall), the branch manager as a hostage, and released her few minutes later in a local beach. Doug and his team kept her drivers license and threatened her to not talk to the FBI. Doug decides to keep an eye on Claire but suddenly, he falls for her and they begin a new relationship that obviously will put all their entire criminal operation in jeopardy.
The FBI gets closer to Doug and his team and finds out that Doug and his crew work for Fergie Colm (Postlethwaite), a dangerous criminal that works as a local florist. When Doug tries to walk out of a last job offer from Fergie, he's threatened by Fergie, putting in danger Claire's life. Doug also finds that his mom didn't leave him when he was a kid, as he was always told by his dad, but commited suicide after Fergie supplied her with drugs. The plan was simple, break into the Femway Stadium the morning after one of the important night games and steal over 3.5 millions of sales.
Doug and the team is sold to the FBI by Krista Coughlin (Lively), a junkie that is in loved with Doug. Dressed like cops, Doug and Jem steal the money and they're ready to escape from the stadium dressed as paramedics. They notice that the stadium is already surrounded by the FBI, police and Swat. Gloansy and Dez are killed, Doug and Jem dress back as police officers and evade the FBI. Detective Adam Frawley (Hamm) recognizes Jem and tries to stop him. Jez resists the situation and he's killed, while Doug escapes in a police car.
Doug knowing the risk of this failed operation, stops at the florist and kills Fergie and his assistant, keep Claire safe and get revenge of his mother's death.
Doug plans to leave Boston forever and move south, to Florida. He calls Claire one last time and evades one last time the FBI, who was working with Claire to get capture him.
I did really enjoy the film. It had an amazing directing job and a superb cast performance, especially Ben's perfomance. I personally believe that Ben Affleck is so, but so much better actor when he's behind the cameras as a director. I highly recommend the film.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Ben Affleck
U.S. Rating: R
The Town, the second film directed by Ben Affleck, brings an intense and very interesting plot to its viewers. Ben Affleck didn't just do a pretty good job directing the film, but an amazing job as the lead role. With a strong plot and a first class cast, the film deserved all the good critics and comments received from its opening night.
Ben Affleck looked really mature and confident on his double role (director and actor), being considered one of his best performance to date.
The film is about Doug MacRay (Affleck), Jem Coughlin (Renner), Gloansy Magloan (Slaine), and Dez Elden (Burke), from the dangerous streets of Charlestown, a neighborhood in Boston Massachusetts. When this group robs a local bank, they decided to take Claire Keesey (Hall), the branch manager as a hostage, and released her few minutes later in a local beach. Doug and his team kept her drivers license and threatened her to not talk to the FBI. Doug decides to keep an eye on Claire but suddenly, he falls for her and they begin a new relationship that obviously will put all their entire criminal operation in jeopardy.
The FBI gets closer to Doug and his team and finds out that Doug and his crew work for Fergie Colm (Postlethwaite), a dangerous criminal that works as a local florist. When Doug tries to walk out of a last job offer from Fergie, he's threatened by Fergie, putting in danger Claire's life. Doug also finds that his mom didn't leave him when he was a kid, as he was always told by his dad, but commited suicide after Fergie supplied her with drugs. The plan was simple, break into the Femway Stadium the morning after one of the important night games and steal over 3.5 millions of sales.
Doug and the team is sold to the FBI by Krista Coughlin (Lively), a junkie that is in loved with Doug. Dressed like cops, Doug and Jem steal the money and they're ready to escape from the stadium dressed as paramedics. They notice that the stadium is already surrounded by the FBI, police and Swat. Gloansy and Dez are killed, Doug and Jem dress back as police officers and evade the FBI. Detective Adam Frawley (Hamm) recognizes Jem and tries to stop him. Jez resists the situation and he's killed, while Doug escapes in a police car.
Doug knowing the risk of this failed operation, stops at the florist and kills Fergie and his assistant, keep Claire safe and get revenge of his mother's death.
Doug plans to leave Boston forever and move south, to Florida. He calls Claire one last time and evades one last time the FBI, who was working with Claire to get capture him.
I did really enjoy the film. It had an amazing directing job and a superb cast performance, especially Ben's perfomance. I personally believe that Ben Affleck is so, but so much better actor when he's behind the cameras as a director. I highly recommend the film.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: When Kenny is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, his sister Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction. Convinced that her brother is innocent, Betty Anne puts herself through high school, college and, finally, law school in an 18 year quest to free Kenny. With the help of best friend Abra Rice, Betty Anne pores through suspicious evidence mounted by small town cop Nancy Taylor, meticulously retracing the steps that led to Kenny's arrest. Belief in her brother - and her quest for the truth - pushes Betty Anne and her team to uncover the facts and utilize DNA evidence with the hope of exonerating Kenny.
Starring: Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Melissa Leo, Ari Graynor
Directed by: Tony Goldwyn
U.S. Rating: R
Conviction is one of those great films to watch. Sadly, it seems that it didn't do as good as it should, maybe it was just considered as a low profile film. Based in a true story, the film offered a predictable, but pretty strong plot, along with an amazing cast. All cast involved in this film played their roles brilliantly. Hilary Swank played her heart in her role as Betty Anne Waters, as she always does in every single one of her films. Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Melissa Meo and Juliette Lewis played such amazing roles in this film.
The film is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters and her brother Kenny Waters. Betty Anne and Kenny were really close to each other since little kids. Kenny used to break into other people's houses and just relax playing with her sister in beds, or stealing candy from the local shop. These little things always put him in trouble with the local police, since they always got caught. When they grew up, Kenny kept getting in trouble with the police, but always for minor things. By the time, Betty Anne was married with two kids and Kenny was also married and had a baby girl. During a funeral, Kenny is taken to jail and accused of murdering Katharina Brow, in Ayer Massachusetts (the murder occurred in 1980).
Kenny was wrongfully convicted in 1983, and since that moment, Betty Anne promised his brother that she would do anything to get him out of jail. She went back to school to earn her GED, then her bachelor's, a master's in education and finally a law degree from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.
While she was studying, she found information about attornet Barry Scheck, who led a team and project called "Innocence Project". This expert team helped to exonerate wrongfully convicted people through a new introduced forensic technique: DNA tests. She immediately asks for help and starts working with Barry Scheck on her brother's case. All this ambicious goal and dream, her effort studying and getting her degrees and all her fight to get the help and evidence she needed had a huge price in her life. She accomplished this while raising two boys alone and working as a waitress part-time. She lost her marriage and kids, when they went to live with their dad.
Betty Anne located biological evidence and then worked with the Innocence Project, to obtain DNA testing on the evidence—proving Waters' innocence and leading to his exoneration on June 19, 2001.
As said before, it was a very predictable but inspiring film. A woman who did and gave everything she could to get her wrongfully convicted brother out of jail, spent 18 years studying, earning all the degrees she needed, worked on finding all the evidence and tests she needed and finally proved in court his brother's innocence.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Tony Goldwyn
U.S. Rating: R
Conviction is one of those great films to watch. Sadly, it seems that it didn't do as good as it should, maybe it was just considered as a low profile film. Based in a true story, the film offered a predictable, but pretty strong plot, along with an amazing cast. All cast involved in this film played their roles brilliantly. Hilary Swank played her heart in her role as Betty Anne Waters, as she always does in every single one of her films. Sam Rockwell, Minnie Driver, Peter Gallagher, Melissa Meo and Juliette Lewis played such amazing roles in this film.
The film is based on the true story of Betty Anne Waters and her brother Kenny Waters. Betty Anne and Kenny were really close to each other since little kids. Kenny used to break into other people's houses and just relax playing with her sister in beds, or stealing candy from the local shop. These little things always put him in trouble with the local police, since they always got caught. When they grew up, Kenny kept getting in trouble with the police, but always for minor things. By the time, Betty Anne was married with two kids and Kenny was also married and had a baby girl. During a funeral, Kenny is taken to jail and accused of murdering Katharina Brow, in Ayer Massachusetts (the murder occurred in 1980).
Kenny was wrongfully convicted in 1983, and since that moment, Betty Anne promised his brother that she would do anything to get him out of jail. She went back to school to earn her GED, then her bachelor's, a master's in education and finally a law degree from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.
While she was studying, she found information about attornet Barry Scheck, who led a team and project called "Innocence Project". This expert team helped to exonerate wrongfully convicted people through a new introduced forensic technique: DNA tests. She immediately asks for help and starts working with Barry Scheck on her brother's case. All this ambicious goal and dream, her effort studying and getting her degrees and all her fight to get the help and evidence she needed had a huge price in her life. She accomplished this while raising two boys alone and working as a waitress part-time. She lost her marriage and kids, when they went to live with their dad.
Betty Anne located biological evidence and then worked with the Innocence Project, to obtain DNA testing on the evidence—proving Waters' innocence and leading to his exoneration on June 19, 2001.
As said before, it was a very predictable but inspiring film. A woman who did and gave everything she could to get her wrongfully convicted brother out of jail, spent 18 years studying, earning all the degrees she needed, worked on finding all the evidence and tests she needed and finally proved in court his brother's innocence.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Woody and Buzz had accepted that their owner Andy would grow up someday, but what happens when that day arrives? In the third installment, Andy is preparing to depart for college, leaving his loyal toys troubled about their uncertain future.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty, Don Rickles
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
U.S. Rating: G
Woody and Buzz Lightyear are back in what I personally believe, the BEST animated film I've ever watched so far. I've been a huge fan of Toy Story, like most of every single person that has seen the films. We could consider that Toy Story was Pixar's master piece, their Mona Lisa. Obviously, Pixar was working directly with Disney for this project, but this project gave them the unique reputation and success this small team needed to make it big, just like they've been doing with all their animated films.
Andy has become a young man and he's ready to enjoy his new adventure moving to college. While he's packing, he's facing a dilemma with his toys. He has not played with them in years and they feel forgotten and abandoned. When his mom asks him if he wants to donate his toys, Andy decides to take Woody with him to college and intends to store the other toys in the attic. By accident, Andy's mom throws the other toys away, making them think they are no longer wanted; they escape and decide to climb in a box to be donated to the Sunnyside Daycare. Woody tries by any possible way to save his friends before they get into the box, but then he'll be forced to travel with them to their new destination, Sunnyside, while he tries to convince them and explain them that they've been put in this situation by mistake. Andy didn't want to donate them, but they were put away by accident.
Andy's toys are welcomed by the numerous toys at Sunnyside, and given a tour of the seemingly perfect play-setting by Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear (a.k.a. Lotso), Big Baby and Ken, who Barbie falls for. All of the toys are quickly enamored with their new home, leaving steadfast Woody alone to attempt to return to Andy. He finds a way to escape from Sunnyside, but in his attempt, Woody is picked up outside the school by the imaginative toddler Bonnie. She takes him home and plays with him along with her other toys, who are well treated, happy, and readily welcome Woody. Woody is elated until he hears about Lotso from Chuckles the sad clown. Lotso, along with Big Baby and Chuckles, were once accidentally lost by their original owner, Daisy. The three found their way back to Daisy's home, but Lotso saw that he had been replaced. Though Chuckles realized the truth, Lotso, embittered, convinced Big Baby that they were abandoned, and used Big Baby's size to take mafia-like control over the toys at Sunnyside. To be honest, this Big Baby is FREAKY!!!
Worried for his friends, Woody hurries back to the daycare and finds that they have been put on task to be played with the rambunctious youngest toddlers. They are also kept under guard at night by Buzz whom Lotso has reverted to demonstration mode restoring his original "Space Ranger" persona and allying with him.
Woody rejoins his friends and they work out an escape plan involving the garbage dumpster. In the process, Buzz is accidentally reset into a Spanish-speaking mode during an attempt to restore him to normal. I personally believe this is one of the most hilarious moments on this film! The toys reach the dumpster, but are headed off by Lotso and his gang. As a garbage truck approaches, Woody explains to Big Baby that Lotso has lied to him and that his owner still loved him, whereupon Big Baby lifts and throws him into the dumpster. Unfortunately, Lotso manages to pull Woody in with him just as the garbage truck makes it. Woody's friends board the truck to rescue him, during which Buzz is hit by a falling television while saving Jessie, finally returning to his old self. The toys find themselves at the local landfill in Tri-County and are soon pulled onto a conveyor belt leading to an burn pit. They help Lotso to reach an emergency-stop button, only to have Lotso betray them and leave them to be burned. Believing they are at their last moments, they hold hands, but are rescued in time by the squeeze toy aliens using a giant claw. Realizing that being burned in an incinerator is much worse than Andy's attic, they take back everything they said bad about Andy. The toys initially vow revenge on Lotso but Woody successfully convinces them that Lotso is not worth it. They return to Andy's home, while Lotso is found by a garbage truck driver and is tied to the front grille of the truck as a decoration.
At Andy's house, Woody climbs back into the box with Andy's college supplies while the other toys resign themselves to the attic. Woody has a last minute inspiration, and leaves a note to Andy on the toys' box. Andy, mistaking it for a note from his mom, takes the box to Bonnie's home, introduces his old toys to Bonnie and gives her the toys to play with. In the end, Bonnie recognizes Woody, laying at the bottom of the box, to Andy's surprise. Andy is initially reluctant to give him to her, but eventually does so and then spends some time playing with her before he departs. Woody and the other toys find themselves wanted and played with again, and learn through notes passed in Bonnie's backpack that Barbie, Ken and Big Baby have improved the life of all the toys at Sunnyside.
One of my most recent surprises about this film is its Oscars Awards Nomination for Best Film. It was simply amazing to see that nomination. I'm totally convinced it will win the nomination for Best Animated Film, but the strong script, the fresh story and terrific characters are so perfectly assembled and brilliantly written that I could easily say that some important directors, producers and film creators should learn so many, many things from this master piece.
It was not just a huge pleasure to watch in theaters, but it is definitely a MUST to have in Blu Ray or DVD as part of your personal collection.
I would rate this movie with a HUGE 5/5
Directed by: Lee Unkrich
U.S. Rating: G
Woody and Buzz Lightyear are back in what I personally believe, the BEST animated film I've ever watched so far. I've been a huge fan of Toy Story, like most of every single person that has seen the films. We could consider that Toy Story was Pixar's master piece, their Mona Lisa. Obviously, Pixar was working directly with Disney for this project, but this project gave them the unique reputation and success this small team needed to make it big, just like they've been doing with all their animated films.
Andy has become a young man and he's ready to enjoy his new adventure moving to college. While he's packing, he's facing a dilemma with his toys. He has not played with them in years and they feel forgotten and abandoned. When his mom asks him if he wants to donate his toys, Andy decides to take Woody with him to college and intends to store the other toys in the attic. By accident, Andy's mom throws the other toys away, making them think they are no longer wanted; they escape and decide to climb in a box to be donated to the Sunnyside Daycare. Woody tries by any possible way to save his friends before they get into the box, but then he'll be forced to travel with them to their new destination, Sunnyside, while he tries to convince them and explain them that they've been put in this situation by mistake. Andy didn't want to donate them, but they were put away by accident.
Andy's toys are welcomed by the numerous toys at Sunnyside, and given a tour of the seemingly perfect play-setting by Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear (a.k.a. Lotso), Big Baby and Ken, who Barbie falls for. All of the toys are quickly enamored with their new home, leaving steadfast Woody alone to attempt to return to Andy. He finds a way to escape from Sunnyside, but in his attempt, Woody is picked up outside the school by the imaginative toddler Bonnie. She takes him home and plays with him along with her other toys, who are well treated, happy, and readily welcome Woody. Woody is elated until he hears about Lotso from Chuckles the sad clown. Lotso, along with Big Baby and Chuckles, were once accidentally lost by their original owner, Daisy. The three found their way back to Daisy's home, but Lotso saw that he had been replaced. Though Chuckles realized the truth, Lotso, embittered, convinced Big Baby that they were abandoned, and used Big Baby's size to take mafia-like control over the toys at Sunnyside. To be honest, this Big Baby is FREAKY!!!
Worried for his friends, Woody hurries back to the daycare and finds that they have been put on task to be played with the rambunctious youngest toddlers. They are also kept under guard at night by Buzz whom Lotso has reverted to demonstration mode restoring his original "Space Ranger" persona and allying with him.
Woody rejoins his friends and they work out an escape plan involving the garbage dumpster. In the process, Buzz is accidentally reset into a Spanish-speaking mode during an attempt to restore him to normal. I personally believe this is one of the most hilarious moments on this film! The toys reach the dumpster, but are headed off by Lotso and his gang. As a garbage truck approaches, Woody explains to Big Baby that Lotso has lied to him and that his owner still loved him, whereupon Big Baby lifts and throws him into the dumpster. Unfortunately, Lotso manages to pull Woody in with him just as the garbage truck makes it. Woody's friends board the truck to rescue him, during which Buzz is hit by a falling television while saving Jessie, finally returning to his old self. The toys find themselves at the local landfill in Tri-County and are soon pulled onto a conveyor belt leading to an burn pit. They help Lotso to reach an emergency-stop button, only to have Lotso betray them and leave them to be burned. Believing they are at their last moments, they hold hands, but are rescued in time by the squeeze toy aliens using a giant claw. Realizing that being burned in an incinerator is much worse than Andy's attic, they take back everything they said bad about Andy. The toys initially vow revenge on Lotso but Woody successfully convinces them that Lotso is not worth it. They return to Andy's home, while Lotso is found by a garbage truck driver and is tied to the front grille of the truck as a decoration.
At Andy's house, Woody climbs back into the box with Andy's college supplies while the other toys resign themselves to the attic. Woody has a last minute inspiration, and leaves a note to Andy on the toys' box. Andy, mistaking it for a note from his mom, takes the box to Bonnie's home, introduces his old toys to Bonnie and gives her the toys to play with. In the end, Bonnie recognizes Woody, laying at the bottom of the box, to Andy's surprise. Andy is initially reluctant to give him to her, but eventually does so and then spends some time playing with her before he departs. Woody and the other toys find themselves wanted and played with again, and learn through notes passed in Bonnie's backpack that Barbie, Ken and Big Baby have improved the life of all the toys at Sunnyside.
One of my most recent surprises about this film is its Oscars Awards Nomination for Best Film. It was simply amazing to see that nomination. I'm totally convinced it will win the nomination for Best Animated Film, but the strong script, the fresh story and terrific characters are so perfectly assembled and brilliantly written that I could easily say that some important directors, producers and film creators should learn so many, many things from this master piece.
It was not just a huge pleasure to watch in theaters, but it is definitely a MUST to have in Blu Ray or DVD as part of your personal collection.
I would rate this movie with a HUGE 5/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Six years ago NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America. Soon after new life forms began to appear there and half of Mexico was quarantined. Today, the American and Mexican military struggle to contain these alien creatures. In particular, here, we focus on a US journalist who agrees to escort a shaken tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.
Starring: Whitney Able, Scoot McNairy
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
U.S. Rating: R
I'm not into these Sci-Fi kind of films, but after watching films like Cloverfield and District 9, I thought I'd give Monsters a try.
I must say that it was such an amazing project, being produced with just a short budget (less than $500.000) and shot in just 3 weeks. Director Gareth Edwards and his crew did such an amazing job with this film. I must express my admiration for their amazing work. It is interesting to read about the project and how it was completed (places, people involved, budget, time, etc). This is the positive side of this review.
The negative side is that I wasn't convinced or entertained the way I'd expect. Thinking on previous films like Cloverfield, War of the Worlds, District 9, etc., I was expecting a film packed with some great CGI effects and action scenes. I must say it had some petty good visual effects, but the big effort was based on the emotional side of the plot, a romantic drama in a desolated environment controlled by monsters.
I've read a long list of reviews and comments about this film, and it seems that I'm the only one who didn't get it or like it! Most of the reviews and comments express their best concept and opinions about the film. I didn't like it or at least, didn't get its concept or main idea. My personal impression is that the plot was extremely slow and boring.
I might have to watch the film once again from a different perspective and try to get what other people got from this film.
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Directed by: Gareth Edwards
U.S. Rating: R
I'm not into these Sci-Fi kind of films, but after watching films like Cloverfield and District 9, I thought I'd give Monsters a try.
I must say that it was such an amazing project, being produced with just a short budget (less than $500.000) and shot in just 3 weeks. Director Gareth Edwards and his crew did such an amazing job with this film. I must express my admiration for their amazing work. It is interesting to read about the project and how it was completed (places, people involved, budget, time, etc). This is the positive side of this review.
The negative side is that I wasn't convinced or entertained the way I'd expect. Thinking on previous films like Cloverfield, War of the Worlds, District 9, etc., I was expecting a film packed with some great CGI effects and action scenes. I must say it had some petty good visual effects, but the big effort was based on the emotional side of the plot, a romantic drama in a desolated environment controlled by monsters.
I've read a long list of reviews and comments about this film, and it seems that I'm the only one who didn't get it or like it! Most of the reviews and comments express their best concept and opinions about the film. I didn't like it or at least, didn't get its concept or main idea. My personal impression is that the plot was extremely slow and boring.
I might have to watch the film once again from a different perspective and try to get what other people got from this film.
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: The test of wills between Jack Byrnes and Greg Focker escalates to new heights. It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers with wife Pam and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get "in" with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, however, Jack's suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam's entire clan -- including Pam's lovelorn ex, Kevin -- descends for the twins' birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack that he's fully capable as the man of the house. But with all the misunderstandings, spying and covert missions, will Greg pass Jack's final test and become the family's next patriarch -- or will the circle of trust be broken for good?
Starring: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand
Directed by: Paul Weitz
U.S. Rating: PG-13
What can I say about these Fockers? I'm a huge fan of the first film, Meet The Parent. It is actually, one of my top favorite comedy films. I also enjoyed the second film, Meet The Fockers. Having new cast members, it looked like it was going to be a huge success. It was good indeed, but to be honest, nothing compared with the first one. Good laughs, but there was something that didn't bring the good laughs that Meet The Parents delivered.
When I watched the trailer for the latest sequel of this franchise, I heard and read mixed comments and critics about it. Some people (including myself) were pretty excited about the idea, plot and cast. Some people said that it should have stopped with the first one. Now that I watched it, I must say that I'd stick with the second group.
It is such a sad thing to put together such an amazing cast for a film, when the plot is so lousy. The script was so boring, the cast didn't bring their best "improvising" moments to help it be the best it could be. I must admit I had some good laughs a couple of times, but in overal, it was a pretty, pretty lousy and unfunny film.
It's been 10 years since Greg and Pam married. Now with two twins in the family, they have decided to celebrate their 5th birthday inviting all the family. Jack has been facing some health problems, and a big disappointment with his other son in law, which turned into a bad husband and divorced from his wife. Being part of a great legacy, he's worried that he can't delegate this responsibility to his posterity. That's why he challenges Greg to be the "Godfocker".
Greg's mother is hosting a sex TV talk show and has signed a good contract for a second season. His dad, trying to find his inner truth decides to go to Sevilla, in Spain and learn to dance Flamenco.
Greg gets an interesting professional proposal, when Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba), a sexy pharmaceutical-company representative selling the erectile dysfunction drug Sustengo, offers him to conduct a serie of talks to other medical professionals.
Greg feels the burn of his new responsibility of giving his son the best options for his education, house and financial prosperity. Jack doesn't trust him and even worse, he believes he has an affair with Andi Garcia.
At the end, they celebrate the birthday party, Jack suffers another heart attack, Greg takes control over the situation and it helps to put their differences aside. The film ends with the three families in Greg's living room with the news that his parents are moving close to their home and Jack will also move closer to their house. Obviously, leaving the door opened for a future sequel. But the question is... Do we really need a new one?! Please... NO!
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Directed by: Paul Weitz
U.S. Rating: PG-13
What can I say about these Fockers? I'm a huge fan of the first film, Meet The Parent. It is actually, one of my top favorite comedy films. I also enjoyed the second film, Meet The Fockers. Having new cast members, it looked like it was going to be a huge success. It was good indeed, but to be honest, nothing compared with the first one. Good laughs, but there was something that didn't bring the good laughs that Meet The Parents delivered.
When I watched the trailer for the latest sequel of this franchise, I heard and read mixed comments and critics about it. Some people (including myself) were pretty excited about the idea, plot and cast. Some people said that it should have stopped with the first one. Now that I watched it, I must say that I'd stick with the second group.
It is such a sad thing to put together such an amazing cast for a film, when the plot is so lousy. The script was so boring, the cast didn't bring their best "improvising" moments to help it be the best it could be. I must admit I had some good laughs a couple of times, but in overal, it was a pretty, pretty lousy and unfunny film.
It's been 10 years since Greg and Pam married. Now with two twins in the family, they have decided to celebrate their 5th birthday inviting all the family. Jack has been facing some health problems, and a big disappointment with his other son in law, which turned into a bad husband and divorced from his wife. Being part of a great legacy, he's worried that he can't delegate this responsibility to his posterity. That's why he challenges Greg to be the "Godfocker".
Greg's mother is hosting a sex TV talk show and has signed a good contract for a second season. His dad, trying to find his inner truth decides to go to Sevilla, in Spain and learn to dance Flamenco.
Greg gets an interesting professional proposal, when Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba), a sexy pharmaceutical-company representative selling the erectile dysfunction drug Sustengo, offers him to conduct a serie of talks to other medical professionals.
Greg feels the burn of his new responsibility of giving his son the best options for his education, house and financial prosperity. Jack doesn't trust him and even worse, he believes he has an affair with Andi Garcia.
At the end, they celebrate the birthday party, Jack suffers another heart attack, Greg takes control over the situation and it helps to put their differences aside. The film ends with the three families in Greg's living room with the news that his parents are moving close to their home and Jack will also move closer to their house. Obviously, leaving the door opened for a future sequel. But the question is... Do we really need a new one?! Please... NO!
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Before becoming a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor, and country. She will prove loyal to these when a defector accuses her of being a Russian sleeper spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, protect her husband, and stay one step ahead of her colleagues at the CIA.
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Andre Braugher
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
U.S. Rating: PG-13
One of my favorite films watched this last Summer 2010. Even though, the film couldn't offer the kind of material to be considered a "Bourne" kind of film, it was actually really, really good and entertaining.
The plot is about CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), who's been kept captive in a North Korean prison, being tortured on suspicion of being an American spy. She's released as part of a prisoner exchange and she is assisted by Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber). All this prisoner exchange process was delivered thanks to the huge efforts of her husband, Michael Krause (August Diehl), a German arachnologist.
Two years later, Salt is back working for the CIA. Fifteen minutes before she leaves to celebrate her anniversary, a Russian defector named Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski) arrives to their offices and confesses he has vital information about an attempt to kill the Russian president. Orlov tells Salt about "Day X," a Russian plot to destroy the United States by using English-speaking sleeper agents trained from birth. Agent "KA-12" will kill the Russian President Boris Matveyev (Olek Krupa) at the funeral of the American vice president. Orlov reveals that KA-12 is named "Evelyn Salt."
Salt, understandably shocked by the accusation, tries to call and contact her husband because she realizes that he is also in danger but he doesn't answer. When Winter and Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) decide to detain Salt, she escapes and makes her way back to her apartment building. Finding signs that Michael was kidnapped.
After evading CIA pursuit, Salt works on a plan to "kill" the Russian president and through that event, be able to go back to the site where Orlov and his comrades are hidden. Salt kills them all and continues with Orlov's mission, meeting a fellow agent named Shnaider (Corey Stoll), who was her friend back in Russia, currently disguised as Czech NATO liaison Edvard Tomas. The two of them infiltrate the White House, where Shnaider sets off a suicide bomb, causing the President to be moved to the lower bunker, with Salt in hot pursuit. With everybody's attention focused on Salt, Winter kills everyone in the bunker except for President Lewis, revealing himself to also be a Russian sleeper agent. He then takes over the defense computers enabled by the President, and begins preparations to launch nuclear missiles to multiple targets in the middle east. Salt manages to penetrate the bunker, reuniting with Winter. Winter finds out that Salt didn't kill the Russian president and tries to kill her. Salt eventually aborts the launch, but is arrested by Secret Service while Winter is given medical attention. Salt manages to use the chain of her handcuffs to choke and kill Winter.
Salt is put on a helicopter with Peabody, and she explains everything to him, and that because "they took everything from her" she wants to kill the rest of Orlov's agents in revenge. A skeptical Peabody eventually accepts she is telling the truth after he receives an SMS saying that Salt's fingerprints were found at the barge, confirming her betrayal of Orlov. Because there are other moles, Peabody allows her to escape so she can go after them. He uncuffs Salt, says to her "Go get'em!", and Salt jumps into the Potomac River, free once more.
Salt is actually a pretty good and entertaining action flick, even though, as said before... It doesn't have the material to make it a huge franchise success like "The Bourne" trilogy, "James Bond" or any other memorable secret agent films franchise.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Phillip Noyce
U.S. Rating: PG-13
One of my favorite films watched this last Summer 2010. Even though, the film couldn't offer the kind of material to be considered a "Bourne" kind of film, it was actually really, really good and entertaining.
The plot is about CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), who's been kept captive in a North Korean prison, being tortured on suspicion of being an American spy. She's released as part of a prisoner exchange and she is assisted by Ted Winter (Liev Schreiber). All this prisoner exchange process was delivered thanks to the huge efforts of her husband, Michael Krause (August Diehl), a German arachnologist.
Two years later, Salt is back working for the CIA. Fifteen minutes before she leaves to celebrate her anniversary, a Russian defector named Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski) arrives to their offices and confesses he has vital information about an attempt to kill the Russian president. Orlov tells Salt about "Day X," a Russian plot to destroy the United States by using English-speaking sleeper agents trained from birth. Agent "KA-12" will kill the Russian President Boris Matveyev (Olek Krupa) at the funeral of the American vice president. Orlov reveals that KA-12 is named "Evelyn Salt."
Salt, understandably shocked by the accusation, tries to call and contact her husband because she realizes that he is also in danger but he doesn't answer. When Winter and Peabody (Chiwetel Ejiofor) decide to detain Salt, she escapes and makes her way back to her apartment building. Finding signs that Michael was kidnapped.
After evading CIA pursuit, Salt works on a plan to "kill" the Russian president and through that event, be able to go back to the site where Orlov and his comrades are hidden. Salt kills them all and continues with Orlov's mission, meeting a fellow agent named Shnaider (Corey Stoll), who was her friend back in Russia, currently disguised as Czech NATO liaison Edvard Tomas. The two of them infiltrate the White House, where Shnaider sets off a suicide bomb, causing the President to be moved to the lower bunker, with Salt in hot pursuit. With everybody's attention focused on Salt, Winter kills everyone in the bunker except for President Lewis, revealing himself to also be a Russian sleeper agent. He then takes over the defense computers enabled by the President, and begins preparations to launch nuclear missiles to multiple targets in the middle east. Salt manages to penetrate the bunker, reuniting with Winter. Winter finds out that Salt didn't kill the Russian president and tries to kill her. Salt eventually aborts the launch, but is arrested by Secret Service while Winter is given medical attention. Salt manages to use the chain of her handcuffs to choke and kill Winter.
Salt is put on a helicopter with Peabody, and she explains everything to him, and that because "they took everything from her" she wants to kill the rest of Orlov's agents in revenge. A skeptical Peabody eventually accepts she is telling the truth after he receives an SMS saying that Salt's fingerprints were found at the barge, confirming her betrayal of Orlov. Because there are other moles, Peabody allows her to escape so she can go after them. He uncuffs Salt, says to her "Go get'em!", and Salt jumps into the Potomac River, free once more.
Salt is actually a pretty good and entertaining action flick, even though, as said before... It doesn't have the material to make it a huge franchise success like "The Bourne" trilogy, "James Bond" or any other memorable secret agent films franchise.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Doug MacRay is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang's latest job, when they briefly took a hostage--bank manager, Claire Keesey. Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Brian Dennehy, Lennie James, Olivia Wilde, Ty Simpkins, Helen Carey, Liam Neeson
Directed by: Paul Haggis
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Definitely, it was a great way to start the new year. The Next Three Days is the kind of film I DO love to watch, especially, being the first film watched at the theatre this year.
With such an amazing cast and a smart and intense plot, I must say that we were really entertained watching this film.
John Brennan (Russell Crowe) is a school teacher married to Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) and they have a little boy named Luke. The film starts with John and Lara enjoying dinner at a restaurant with another couple,. Lara was a little bit late and was visibly irritated, pushing her to the point of having an argument with the other couple.
The morning after, when John and Lara were getting ready to leave home for work, she notices a mark with blood in her coat. While she's trying to wash it, the police knocks at their door and she's taken to jail for killing her boss. Lara had a big argument and fight at work with her boss, and then her boss was found dead at the parking lot.
Knowing that Lara was innocent, John tries everything he can to find the truth and appeal all the previous trials. When the last resource looks like it won't go through (appeal to the Supreme Court), he decides to do something more drastic. He contacts Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson), who was famous for breaking himself out of jail seven times. He gets all the possible information and advices from him and becomes obsessed with the idea of breaking her out of jail. Damon advises John to study the prison, saying "any prison has a key".
John starts planning carefully every single details about the jail and the different ways to break into the jail and get her out. Almost three years later, he has everything ready for his risky master plan.
After a few attempts and unexpected situations, John finds the way to get her wife out of jail. Since Lara was diabetic , John found the perfect key to get her out of jail and get the opportunity to get her and escape to a secure place.
In the meantime, the police is following closely John's steps and find the bags with parts of the papers, pictures, maps and complete information of his plan. They try to discern and guess his moves according with the information on these trash bags, but the time is the key element on this persecution.
After an intense fight against time and different dangerous situations, they're able to escape to their final destination: Caracas, Venezuela.
I must say that I was used to watch Elizabeth Banks in silly comedy films. She is a good actress, but I never saw her playing a key role in a thriller or drama film. After watching her on this film, I must say that she showed that she's not just another actress stuck in just an especific film category, but she has a great talent to play in more important roles, like the one played in this film.
I also liked Olivia Wilde role in this film. Even though she didn't do much or her role was a forgettable one, she did a good job.
And last, but not least, Caracas, Venezuela?! Why?!
Anyway, great film. If you're looking for a drama and intense thriller this film is totally recommended!!!
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Paul Haggis
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Definitely, it was a great way to start the new year. The Next Three Days is the kind of film I DO love to watch, especially, being the first film watched at the theatre this year.
With such an amazing cast and a smart and intense plot, I must say that we were really entertained watching this film.
John Brennan (Russell Crowe) is a school teacher married to Lara Brennan (Elizabeth Banks) and they have a little boy named Luke. The film starts with John and Lara enjoying dinner at a restaurant with another couple,. Lara was a little bit late and was visibly irritated, pushing her to the point of having an argument with the other couple.
The morning after, when John and Lara were getting ready to leave home for work, she notices a mark with blood in her coat. While she's trying to wash it, the police knocks at their door and she's taken to jail for killing her boss. Lara had a big argument and fight at work with her boss, and then her boss was found dead at the parking lot.
Knowing that Lara was innocent, John tries everything he can to find the truth and appeal all the previous trials. When the last resource looks like it won't go through (appeal to the Supreme Court), he decides to do something more drastic. He contacts Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson), who was famous for breaking himself out of jail seven times. He gets all the possible information and advices from him and becomes obsessed with the idea of breaking her out of jail. Damon advises John to study the prison, saying "any prison has a key".
John starts planning carefully every single details about the jail and the different ways to break into the jail and get her out. Almost three years later, he has everything ready for his risky master plan.
After a few attempts and unexpected situations, John finds the way to get her wife out of jail. Since Lara was diabetic , John found the perfect key to get her out of jail and get the opportunity to get her and escape to a secure place.
In the meantime, the police is following closely John's steps and find the bags with parts of the papers, pictures, maps and complete information of his plan. They try to discern and guess his moves according with the information on these trash bags, but the time is the key element on this persecution.
After an intense fight against time and different dangerous situations, they're able to escape to their final destination: Caracas, Venezuela.
I must say that I was used to watch Elizabeth Banks in silly comedy films. She is a good actress, but I never saw her playing a key role in a thriller or drama film. After watching her on this film, I must say that she showed that she's not just another actress stuck in just an especific film category, but she has a great talent to play in more important roles, like the one played in this film.
I also liked Olivia Wilde role in this film. Even though she didn't do much or her role was a forgettable one, she did a good job.
And last, but not least, Caracas, Venezuela?! Why?!
Anyway, great film. If you're looking for a drama and intense thriller this film is totally recommended!!!
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: A psychodrama based on the true story of a group of scientists who organized 20 people to carry out a psychological experiment for a cash reward. The chosen individuals are made to play the roles of both prison guards and prisoners to see how they behave in these positions. The guards are told to maintain order without the use of force, but once a revolt errupts, tragedy strikes.
Starring: Forest Whitaker, Adrien Brody, Cam Gigandet, Clifton Collins Jr., Travis Fimmel
Directed by: Paul T. Scheuring
U.S. Rating: R
I would start my review asking how it is possible to put in such an amazing thriller two Oscars winners (Forest Whitaker & Adrien Brody) and just release the film on DVD?! I must say that The Experiment was such an intense film with great acting performances and a pretty good plot. It would have been one of those great films to watch in theaters.
The Experiment is actually a film based on a true story. It is about a controversial study of the social behavior and psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard. The experiment was conducted from Aug. 14-20, 1971 by a team of researchers led by Psychology professor Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University. Twenty-four students were selected out of 75 to play the prisoners and live in a mock prison in the basement of the Stanford psychology building. Roles were assigned randomly. The participants adapted to their roles well beyond what even Zimbardo himself expected, leading the "Officers" to display authoritarian measures and ultimately to subject some of the prisoners to torture. In turn, many of the prisoners developed passive attitudes and accepted physical abuse, and, at the request of the guards, readily inflicted punishment on other prisoners who attempted to stop it. The experiment even affected Zimbardo himself, who, in his capacity as "Prison Superintendent," lost sight of his role as psychologist and permitted the abuse to continue as though it were a real prison. Five of the prisoners were upset enough by the process to quit the experiment early, and the entire experiment was abruptly stopped after only six days.
Here's a brief story of the film: Travis (Adrien Brody) has been laid off from his job. Desperate for money, he finds in a newspaper an ad for a twoo-week "behavioral experiment" job opportunity paying $1000 a day. He among other people respond to the ad, no matter how suspicious it could have sound. All the attendants have to face a serie of probing questions and a disturbing, mind-programming film before they were chosen for this study.
The director of this experiment informs the whole idea of this project. They will simulate a prison environment and they'd divide the selected group in two teams. One of the teams would play guards and the other group would play convicts. Michael (Forest Whitaker), a quiet and very polite man was chosen to be part of this project, and he would be part of the guards. Travis was chosen to be part of the convicts. Both of them shared a new very respectful and friendly relationship.
Directed by: Paul T. Scheuring
U.S. Rating: R
I would start my review asking how it is possible to put in such an amazing thriller two Oscars winners (Forest Whitaker & Adrien Brody) and just release the film on DVD?! I must say that The Experiment was such an intense film with great acting performances and a pretty good plot. It would have been one of those great films to watch in theaters.
The Experiment is actually a film based on a true story. It is about a controversial study of the social behavior and psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard. The experiment was conducted from Aug. 14-20, 1971 by a team of researchers led by Psychology professor Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University. Twenty-four students were selected out of 75 to play the prisoners and live in a mock prison in the basement of the Stanford psychology building. Roles were assigned randomly. The participants adapted to their roles well beyond what even Zimbardo himself expected, leading the "Officers" to display authoritarian measures and ultimately to subject some of the prisoners to torture. In turn, many of the prisoners developed passive attitudes and accepted physical abuse, and, at the request of the guards, readily inflicted punishment on other prisoners who attempted to stop it. The experiment even affected Zimbardo himself, who, in his capacity as "Prison Superintendent," lost sight of his role as psychologist and permitted the abuse to continue as though it were a real prison. Five of the prisoners were upset enough by the process to quit the experiment early, and the entire experiment was abruptly stopped after only six days.
Here's a brief story of the film: Travis (Adrien Brody) has been laid off from his job. Desperate for money, he finds in a newspaper an ad for a twoo-week "behavioral experiment" job opportunity paying $1000 a day. He among other people respond to the ad, no matter how suspicious it could have sound. All the attendants have to face a serie of probing questions and a disturbing, mind-programming film before they were chosen for this study.
The director of this experiment informs the whole idea of this project. They will simulate a prison environment and they'd divide the selected group in two teams. One of the teams would play guards and the other group would play convicts. Michael (Forest Whitaker), a quiet and very polite man was chosen to be part of this project, and he would be part of the guards. Travis was chosen to be part of the convicts. Both of them shared a new very respectful and friendly relationship.
The chosen team (guards and prisoners) are given a few basic rules that should be followed at all time. The most important one is that violence wouldn't be tolerated at any time. If any of the rules was broken, the red light would flash and the experiment would be immediately terminated. No one would get paid if this would happen.
Initially, things are lighthearted, but both the crimes and the punishments become increasingly serious by the day. All rules go out the window as the guards, under Michael's command, turn to brutality and the prisoners, led by Travis, teeter on the breaking point. Michael seems to be one of the first victims of this experiments, when he suddenly takes over the convicts' disobedience with an increasing violence that should be contained sooner than later, but the red light never flashes... pushing things to the limits, and I mean, to the very limits.
The experiment was initially designed to last 14 days, but things turned really, really ugly in just 6 days, when the experiment had to be cancelled and everyone pulled out of the fake prison.
This controversial experiment from 1971 had a huge impact and discussions after the embarrasing incidents faced in Iraq, during the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse, in 2004.
I would rate this movie with a high 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
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Synopsis: Roger Greenberg, single, fortyish and at a crossroads in his life, finds himself in Los Angeles, house-sitting for six weeks for his more successful/married-with-children brother. In search of a place to restart his life, Greenberg tries to reconnect with old friends including his former bandmate Ivan. But old friends aren't necessarily still best friends, and Greenberg soon finds himself spending more and more time with his brother's personal assistant Florence, an aspiring singer and also something of a lost soul. Despite his best attempts not to be drawn in, Greenberg and Florence manage to forge a connection, and Greenberg realizes he may at last have found a reason to be happy.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Chris Messina
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
U.S. Rating: R
Ben Stiller crosses the boundaries of what he's been doing for a long time... comedy films. Greenberg is nothing about comedy. Obviously, it has some funny moments, but not enough to make it a comedy film. Nevertheless, it is actually a good film with a Stiller's outstanding performance.
Phillip and Carol live in Los Angeles and they're taking a long vacation in Vietnam. Phillip counts on Florence, an extremely helpful and efficient personla assistant to take care of the errands while they're gone, but they have decided to bring Phillip's brother to take care of the house and their dog. Roger is a neurotic, depressed shaggy-haired forty-something who's been recently released from a hospital. He's recently gone through a psychiatric breakdown and has just decided to spend some time doing absolutely "nothing". Roger spent his last 15 years living in New York, so he's out of practice and lost some skills, for example, driving a car.
While he's at Phillip's home, Roger meets Florence, Phillip's personal assistant. Florence has an efficient professional life, but her love life is another story. Roger likes Florence but doesn't want to commit on a relationship, since that's against his plans, remember? Spend some time doing nothing! During those weeks, he tries to contact his old friends, but most of them have changed, hold bad feelings and deceptive memories towards Roger or just find him extremely boring. Roger tries to date his old girlfriend again, a divorced woman with two kids, but she immediately takes a step back making things worse for Roger, who has to fight with the old feelings for his ex-girlfriend and the new attraction he feels for Florence. The only big problem is that Roger's attitude and lack of commitment, goals and vision in life makes him to be a dork, hurting people around him, especially, those ones who have feelings for him.
The film is all about the battle of feelings and dilemmas Roger has to face during those 6 weeks in LA.
Ben Stiller shows through this film that he's not just a great comedy actor, but he's also reveals an amazing sensitive and artistically-inclined side to his acting talent.
I would rate this movie with a 3/5
Directed by: Noah Baumbach
U.S. Rating: R
Ben Stiller crosses the boundaries of what he's been doing for a long time... comedy films. Greenberg is nothing about comedy. Obviously, it has some funny moments, but not enough to make it a comedy film. Nevertheless, it is actually a good film with a Stiller's outstanding performance.
Phillip and Carol live in Los Angeles and they're taking a long vacation in Vietnam. Phillip counts on Florence, an extremely helpful and efficient personla assistant to take care of the errands while they're gone, but they have decided to bring Phillip's brother to take care of the house and their dog. Roger is a neurotic, depressed shaggy-haired forty-something who's been recently released from a hospital. He's recently gone through a psychiatric breakdown and has just decided to spend some time doing absolutely "nothing". Roger spent his last 15 years living in New York, so he's out of practice and lost some skills, for example, driving a car.
While he's at Phillip's home, Roger meets Florence, Phillip's personal assistant. Florence has an efficient professional life, but her love life is another story. Roger likes Florence but doesn't want to commit on a relationship, since that's against his plans, remember? Spend some time doing nothing! During those weeks, he tries to contact his old friends, but most of them have changed, hold bad feelings and deceptive memories towards Roger or just find him extremely boring. Roger tries to date his old girlfriend again, a divorced woman with two kids, but she immediately takes a step back making things worse for Roger, who has to fight with the old feelings for his ex-girlfriend and the new attraction he feels for Florence. The only big problem is that Roger's attitude and lack of commitment, goals and vision in life makes him to be a dork, hurting people around him, especially, those ones who have feelings for him.
The film is all about the battle of feelings and dilemmas Roger has to face during those 6 weeks in LA.
Ben Stiller shows through this film that he's not just a great comedy actor, but he's also reveals an amazing sensitive and artistically-inclined side to his acting talent.
I would rate this movie with a 3/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
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Synopsis: Frank, Joe, Marvin, and Victoria used to be the CIA's top agents -- but the secrets they know just made them the Agency's top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. To stop the operation, the team embarks on an impossible, cross-country mission to break into the top-secret CIA headquarters, where they will uncover one of the biggest conspiracies and cover-ups in government history.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfuss
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Red was actually one of the good films enjoyed this last Fall. With such an amazing cast (the best of the film), an entertaining plot and some really good laughs, this is one of the films I totally recommend for a good movie weekend at home.
The premise is simple: Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is a former black-ops CIA agent. He hates living a quiet life in retirement. Feeling so bored and lonely, he begins having often chats over the phone with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), who manages Frank's pension records at a pension office in Kansas City.
Frank's quiet and lonely life is disrupted when a hit squad attacks him and his house in the middle of a night. He inmediately knows that his phone might have been tapped and he leaves for Kansas City to protect Sarah. Frank takes Sarah with him... kidnapped? Sort of, he takes her with him against her will but she inmediately knows that he's really protecting her, when CIA agent William Cooper (Karl Urban) tries to kill them.
Frank goes to New Orleans to visit his mentor, Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), living in a similar situation (a boring and quiet life in retirement) to tell him about the hit squad. Following some clues, they meet with Marvin (John Malkovich) a paranoid conspiracy theorist who tried to kill Frank in the past. They all meet also with Ivan Simanov (Brian Cox), a Russian secret agent who had a secret romance with the last secret agent of this team, Victoria (Helen Mirren).
They will find that all of the people that have been previously killed were part of a secret list of people working in a secret mission in Guatemala. All of them (Frank, Victoria, Joe and Marvin) are part of the list, so theywork together to find the responsible of this killing list.
The plot of the film is plain and simple. The big success on this film is the great performance of all the amazing cast, along with some smart and hilarious script lines and situations.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Red was actually one of the good films enjoyed this last Fall. With such an amazing cast (the best of the film), an entertaining plot and some really good laughs, this is one of the films I totally recommend for a good movie weekend at home.
The premise is simple: Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is a former black-ops CIA agent. He hates living a quiet life in retirement. Feeling so bored and lonely, he begins having often chats over the phone with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), who manages Frank's pension records at a pension office in Kansas City.
Frank's quiet and lonely life is disrupted when a hit squad attacks him and his house in the middle of a night. He inmediately knows that his phone might have been tapped and he leaves for Kansas City to protect Sarah. Frank takes Sarah with him... kidnapped? Sort of, he takes her with him against her will but she inmediately knows that he's really protecting her, when CIA agent William Cooper (Karl Urban) tries to kill them.
Frank goes to New Orleans to visit his mentor, Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), living in a similar situation (a boring and quiet life in retirement) to tell him about the hit squad. Following some clues, they meet with Marvin (John Malkovich) a paranoid conspiracy theorist who tried to kill Frank in the past. They all meet also with Ivan Simanov (Brian Cox), a Russian secret agent who had a secret romance with the last secret agent of this team, Victoria (Helen Mirren).
They will find that all of the people that have been previously killed were part of a secret list of people working in a secret mission in Guatemala. All of them (Frank, Victoria, Joe and Marvin) are part of the list, so theywork together to find the responsible of this killing list.
The plot of the film is plain and simple. The big success on this film is the great performance of all the amazing cast, along with some smart and hilarious script lines and situations.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Every year the population of sleepy Lake Victoria explodes from 5,000 to 50,000 for Spring Break, a riot of sun and drunken fun. But this year, there's something more to worry about than hangovers and complaints from local old timers; A new type of terror is about to be cut loose on Lake Victoria. After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area's new razor-toothed residents.
Starring: Elisabeth Shue, Adam Scott, Jerry O'Connell, Ving Rhames, Richard Dreyfuss
Directed by: Alexandre Aja
U.S. Rating: R
The first time I watched the trailer for "Piranha 3D", I couldn't stop thinking on the big success the original film had in 1978. Obviously, I didn't watch the film at that time, since I was just a young boy, but I heard a lot of it in the news and got all the comments from my brother and his friends. I totally thought they would try to just remake it and bring the best of 3D to give a great entertainment time.
The story is simple: It is Spring Break at Lake Victoria (Arizona). The local sheriff, Julie Forester, is being pushed to her limits. She's being informed about the mysterious disappearance and death of a local, and at the same time, her town is being overrun by crazy unruly teenagers. She senses that there's something dangerous is lurking beneath the surface of the lake, but not even she suspects tof the horror waiting for them, mutant piranhas that are down there, waiting to fill up their bellies with all these crazy young people having wild fun under the sun in this lake. When they find the origins of this mysterious death and the great danger they're facing in this lake, they start a race against time to get everyone out of the water and find a way to kill these mutant piranhas. What she doesn't expect is that her 18-year-old son, Jake, who was supposed to be at home watching his younger sister and brother, is in the lake, stuck in a sinking boat with his younger brother, sister and girlfriend.
I was totally wrong. To be honest, I don't know what to think about the film. More than being scared of these dangerous creatures and the horrifying situations, I couldn't stop laughing of what I was watching. I mean, the acting wasn't bad at all, it actually had a pretty good cast. My problem was with the content. It was actually gross. Man-eating fish, blood everywhere... and I mean lots and lots of blood!, nudity, even some poor make-up and CGI scenes.
p.s.: What's up with the penis' scene? Was that really necessary?
So, if you were expecting an exciting thriller and scary plot, similar to the successful one 32 years ago, you'll be extremely disappointed.
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Directed by: Alexandre Aja
U.S. Rating: R
The first time I watched the trailer for "Piranha 3D", I couldn't stop thinking on the big success the original film had in 1978. Obviously, I didn't watch the film at that time, since I was just a young boy, but I heard a lot of it in the news and got all the comments from my brother and his friends. I totally thought they would try to just remake it and bring the best of 3D to give a great entertainment time.
The story is simple: It is Spring Break at Lake Victoria (Arizona). The local sheriff, Julie Forester, is being pushed to her limits. She's being informed about the mysterious disappearance and death of a local, and at the same time, her town is being overrun by crazy unruly teenagers. She senses that there's something dangerous is lurking beneath the surface of the lake, but not even she suspects tof the horror waiting for them, mutant piranhas that are down there, waiting to fill up their bellies with all these crazy young people having wild fun under the sun in this lake. When they find the origins of this mysterious death and the great danger they're facing in this lake, they start a race against time to get everyone out of the water and find a way to kill these mutant piranhas. What she doesn't expect is that her 18-year-old son, Jake, who was supposed to be at home watching his younger sister and brother, is in the lake, stuck in a sinking boat with his younger brother, sister and girlfriend.
I was totally wrong. To be honest, I don't know what to think about the film. More than being scared of these dangerous creatures and the horrifying situations, I couldn't stop laughing of what I was watching. I mean, the acting wasn't bad at all, it actually had a pretty good cast. My problem was with the content. It was actually gross. Man-eating fish, blood everywhere... and I mean lots and lots of blood!, nudity, even some poor make-up and CGI scenes.
p.s.: What's up with the penis' scene? Was that really necessary?
So, if you were expecting an exciting thriller and scary plot, similar to the successful one 32 years ago, you'll be extremely disappointed.
I would rate this movie with a 2/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn. Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru planning the biggest heist in the history of the world. He is going to steal the moon, yes, the moon. Gru delights in all things wicked. Armed with his arsenal of shrink rays, freeze rays, and battle-ready vehicles for land and air, he vanquishes all who stand in his way. Until the day he encounters the immense will of three little orphaned girls who look at him and see something that no one else has ever seen: a potential Dad. The world's greatest villain has just met his greatest challenge: three little girls named Margo, Edith and Agnes.
Starring: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Elsie Fisher, Ken Jeong
Directed by: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
U.S. Rating: PG
This was a particular succesfful year for animated films. We had all kind of great films, including How To Train Your Dragon, Tangled, The Princess And The Frog, Tinker Bell, Megamind, among others. But my two favorite ones are definitely... Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me. It will be tough to decide which one will get the Golden Globes and Oscars this year.
Gru is not a conventional villian. He gets satisfaction on those evil little things, for example, giving a balloon with an animal shape to a kid and then explode it in the kid's face, or just freezing everyone at a coffee shop just to avoid waiting in line, etc. He's a villian with huge plans and evil dreams, but with poor skills to make those plans work. So, even when he thinks he's the smartest villian, the world is facing the power of another smart villian in town... Vector. Vector has stolen the Piramids of Egypt, getting all the attention and respect for his evil work. Gru needs to come with a better and more impressive evil plan, so he decides to steal... The moon!
Gru never planned that three little girls he tried to manipulate to help him steal a powerful weapon, would become more important and meaningful in his life than any other plan or evil actions. Gru finally steals the moon, but it comes with a big price, and Gru prefers to pay the price (save the three little girls) instead of getting the world's evil recognition.
An extremely funny animated film for all ages. I loved the way they included some adult humorous details in this film, giving the fresh content for adults to fully enjoy it.
There's no doubt that my top favorite characters are: The Minions! Those little evil "twinkies" are HILARIOUS!!!
The digital copy recently released in the US comes with some extra content that I DO really want to watch. It is definitely a film that you must buy and have it at home. So I hope to have it for my B-day!
I would rate this movie with a 5/5
Directed by: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
U.S. Rating: PG
This was a particular succesfful year for animated films. We had all kind of great films, including How To Train Your Dragon, Tangled, The Princess And The Frog, Tinker Bell, Megamind, among others. But my two favorite ones are definitely... Toy Story 3 and Despicable Me. It will be tough to decide which one will get the Golden Globes and Oscars this year.
Gru is not a conventional villian. He gets satisfaction on those evil little things, for example, giving a balloon with an animal shape to a kid and then explode it in the kid's face, or just freezing everyone at a coffee shop just to avoid waiting in line, etc. He's a villian with huge plans and evil dreams, but with poor skills to make those plans work. So, even when he thinks he's the smartest villian, the world is facing the power of another smart villian in town... Vector. Vector has stolen the Piramids of Egypt, getting all the attention and respect for his evil work. Gru needs to come with a better and more impressive evil plan, so he decides to steal... The moon!
Gru never planned that three little girls he tried to manipulate to help him steal a powerful weapon, would become more important and meaningful in his life than any other plan or evil actions. Gru finally steals the moon, but it comes with a big price, and Gru prefers to pay the price (save the three little girls) instead of getting the world's evil recognition.
An extremely funny animated film for all ages. I loved the way they included some adult humorous details in this film, giving the fresh content for adults to fully enjoy it.
There's no doubt that my top favorite characters are: The Minions! Those little evil "twinkies" are HILARIOUS!!!
The digital copy recently released in the US comes with some extra content that I DO really want to watch. It is definitely a film that you must buy and have it at home. So I hope to have it for my B-day!
I would rate this movie with a 5/5
Here you have 3 of the Minions mini-movies released on the DVD & Blu Ray:
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: As a child, Ip Man learns Wing Chun from Chan Wah-shun together with Ip Tin-chi (Ip Man’s adopted brother) and Lee Mei-wai. After Chan’s death from illness, Ip continues to learn Wing Chun from his senior, Ng Chung-sok, before eventually leaving Foshan to study in Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, during a hockey match, Ip and his schoolmates are racially insulted by a Westerner. Ip Man defeated him and his popularity soared after the incident. While getting medicine to treat the Westerner, he meets master Leung Bik, who is actually the son of Leung Jan, Chan Wah-shun’s teacher. Ip Man learns a different, improved style of Wing Chun from Leung and his prowess in martial arts improves tremendously.
The film focuses on Ip Man’s early life and the story of how he learnt Wing Chun. In contrast, Ip Man and Ip Man 2 focus on the events in his life that took place during the Second Sino-Japanese War and after he moved to Hong Kong.
The film focuses on Ip Man’s early life and the story of how he learnt Wing Chun. In contrast, Ip Man and Ip Man 2 focus on the events in his life that took place during the Second Sino-Japanese War and after he moved to Hong Kong.
Starring: Donnie Yen , Yu-Hang To, Siu-Wong Fan, Sammo Hung Kam-Bo, Huang Yi, Rose Chan
Directed by: Herman Yau
U.S. Rating: PG-13
I had the chance this week to watch a digital copy of this recent film, "The Legend Is Born: IP Man". I heard of the first film a couple of years ago, but never had the chance to watch it.
I'm a martial arts movie lover, I must admit that. The only problem with these films is that in most of these films, all turns around the fight scenes, the rest of the plots are just empty stories, or just 'more of the same'. I've got impressed with the new martial arts experts, for example, Tony Jaa, but I never had the chance hear or watch anything about Donnie Jen, with such an amazing and sharp-skilled talent in martial arts.
This film is a prequel of the original film, IP Man, released in 2008. It brings the story of the legend in his early age, when he was just a young boy and never thought he'd become an expert and hero.
What I like about the film is the great drama and romance included in this period piece based in the ancient China. The production of this film was capable to balance the amazing fighting scenes with the great script. The fighting scenes covered all my expectations for a great martial arts film, they aresimply amazing! Great choreography.
It is highly recommended for any martial arts movie lover!
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Herman Yau
U.S. Rating: PG-13
I had the chance this week to watch a digital copy of this recent film, "The Legend Is Born: IP Man". I heard of the first film a couple of years ago, but never had the chance to watch it.
I'm a martial arts movie lover, I must admit that. The only problem with these films is that in most of these films, all turns around the fight scenes, the rest of the plots are just empty stories, or just 'more of the same'. I've got impressed with the new martial arts experts, for example, Tony Jaa, but I never had the chance hear or watch anything about Donnie Jen, with such an amazing and sharp-skilled talent in martial arts.
This film is a prequel of the original film, IP Man, released in 2008. It brings the story of the legend in his early age, when he was just a young boy and never thought he'd become an expert and hero.
What I like about the film is the great drama and romance included in this period piece based in the ancient China. The production of this film was capable to balance the amazing fighting scenes with the great script. The fighting scenes covered all my expectations for a great martial arts film, they aresimply amazing! Great choreography.
It is highly recommended for any martial arts movie lover!
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Detective Allen Gamble is a forensic accountant who's more interested in paperwork than hitting the streets. Detective Terry Hoitz is a tough guy who has been stuck with Allen as his partner ever since an unfortunate run-in with Derek Jeter. Allen and Terry idolize the city's top cops, Danson and Highsmith, but when an opportunity arises for the Other Guys to step up, things don't quite go as planned.
Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan
Directed by: Adam McKay
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Another great action comedy enjoyed this year. The Other Guys joins an amazing cast to a really funny and entertaining plot. With 5 of my top favorites actors (Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), I couldn't expect less than the great fun and loud laughs I had watching this film.
Detectives Danson ('The Rock') and Highsmith (Samuel L Johnson) are the toughest and most famous police couple fighting criminals in all the streets of New York. In the other hand, we have "The Other Guys", Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), a forensic accountant more interested in all the office paperwork than fighting crime on the streets and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), a frustrated and disgraced officer that has been assigned to be Gamble's partner ever since he shot Derek Jeter during the World Series.
Gamble and Hoitz receive no respect from the other officers, especially from Danson and Highsmith, no matter how much Gamble idolizes them. During a pursuit of a group of bank robbers, Danson and Highsmith (lost in their own 'invincible' ego) jump off a 20-story building onto the sidewalk, trying to catch these professional robbers. Now that the police department has lost their best Detective couple, the fight to conquer that position has started. While other officers try to do their best to fight crime and get their recognition, Gamble prefers to do his best at a very secure and quiet place, his desk. When an opportunity arises for Gamble and Hoitz, everything they do works against them. They investigate a very important scaffolding permit violation and corruption case led by multi-billionaire David Ershon to cover his company's losses. Gamble and Hoitz are forced to split up, Hoitz becomes a traffic cop and Gamble tries to investigate the case by himself. When he finally finds all the clues to solve the case, they reunite again and become the true heroes solving the case and putting behind bars the bad guys, Ershon and Wesley.
The film was loaded with spontaneous and really funny scenes. The cast brought their best talent to make the film really, really entertaining. I totally laught with Will Ferrell's role, especially when he goes back to his old life as a 'Pimp'. He was HILARIOUS! It was also really funny to see Michael Keaton working in this film, his role was really funny as the Captain of the police department.
I highly recommend this film as a good option if you're looking for a really funny movie and enjoy a good time.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Directed by: Adam McKay
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Another great action comedy enjoyed this year. The Other Guys joins an amazing cast to a really funny and entertaining plot. With 5 of my top favorites actors (Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Samuel L Jackson and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), I couldn't expect less than the great fun and loud laughs I had watching this film.
Detectives Danson ('The Rock') and Highsmith (Samuel L Johnson) are the toughest and most famous police couple fighting criminals in all the streets of New York. In the other hand, we have "The Other Guys", Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell), a forensic accountant more interested in all the office paperwork than fighting crime on the streets and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg), a frustrated and disgraced officer that has been assigned to be Gamble's partner ever since he shot Derek Jeter during the World Series.
Gamble and Hoitz receive no respect from the other officers, especially from Danson and Highsmith, no matter how much Gamble idolizes them. During a pursuit of a group of bank robbers, Danson and Highsmith (lost in their own 'invincible' ego) jump off a 20-story building onto the sidewalk, trying to catch these professional robbers. Now that the police department has lost their best Detective couple, the fight to conquer that position has started. While other officers try to do their best to fight crime and get their recognition, Gamble prefers to do his best at a very secure and quiet place, his desk. When an opportunity arises for Gamble and Hoitz, everything they do works against them. They investigate a very important scaffolding permit violation and corruption case led by multi-billionaire David Ershon to cover his company's losses. Gamble and Hoitz are forced to split up, Hoitz becomes a traffic cop and Gamble tries to investigate the case by himself. When he finally finds all the clues to solve the case, they reunite again and become the true heroes solving the case and putting behind bars the bad guys, Ershon and Wesley.
The film was loaded with spontaneous and really funny scenes. The cast brought their best talent to make the film really, really entertaining. I totally laught with Will Ferrell's role, especially when he goes back to his old life as a 'Pimp'. He was HILARIOUS! It was also really funny to see Michael Keaton working in this film, his role was really funny as the Captain of the police department.
I highly recommend this film as a good option if you're looking for a really funny movie and enjoy a good time.
I would rate this movie with a 4/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie? Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
Synopsis: Dom Cobb is a skilled thief, the absolute best in the dangerous art of extraction, stealing valuable secrets from deep within the subconscious during the dream state when the mind is at its most vulnerable. Cobb's rare ability has made him a coveted player in this treacherous new world of corporate espionage, but it has also made him an international fugitive and cost him everything he has ever loved. Now Cobb is being offered a chance at redemption. One last job could give him his life back but only if he can accomplish the impossible -- inception. Instead of the perfect heist, Cobb and his team of specialists have to pull off the reverse: their task is not to steal an idea but to plant one. If they succeed, it could be the perfect crime. But no amount of careful planning or expertise can prepare the team for the dangerous enemy that seems to predict their every move. An enemy that only Cobb could have seen coming.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Michael Caine
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
U.S. Rating: PG-13
NOTE: If you haven't watched the film yet, you might be completely spoiled with my thoughts and review.
I believe I was one of those thousands of people who had to watch Inception more than once to finally (hopefully) understand what really happened with Dom (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his final and most important job, the "Inception". I was patiently waiting for the digital copy, so I could watch it at home and be able to decipher what really happened in this film. I finally got my Blu Ray copy few days ago and watched it, keeping in mind some previous reviews, comments and some very, very important details provided by people involved on this film.
I would like to start my review with a thought that came to my mind this week. I remember the time when we went to watch Avatar. I must say that I still believe it is at the very top of technology. There not a single film in 2010 and yet to come in 2011 that could match Avatar's high tech and visual effects. James Cameron is a master on this matter, no doubt about it. I respect him for his talent using the latest high tech. But in the other hand, I was really happy to see that Avatar didn't win the Oscar for best film, since the plot had nothing special to offer. It was all about the visual, but not the content.
Inception is that kind of film that brings ALL the key elements to make it not just a memorable, extremely entertaining and visually amazing film, but a very smart, challenging and mentally demanding plot and content. It is the kind of film that not just fascinates you with all the amazing visual effects, but keeps you thinking ALL the time, trying to decipher what really happened and even makes you leave the theatre thinking (for days) about what was all about on this story.
Christopher Nolan, one of my TOP favorite directors, delivered such an amazing film. He brought not just an extremely smart, compact and complete plot, but a very high tech and amazing visual content and effects. Such a professional and unique cast, as well as a brilliant directing work.
Just few days after we went to watch the film, I found an article revealling some very important details related to the plot. One of the most meaningful comments was provided by one of the custom designers who said that Dom couldn't still be in a dream at the end of the film. This custom designer said it was not possible, since the kids dressed different cloths on the very last scene. That changed everything I believed! Since I initially believed he was dreaming all the time and at the end, he really didn't care to see if the totem stopped spinning or not because he just wanted to be with his kids. I had to wait all this time to finally confirm if this comment was true or false.
So, what do I believe about Inception? I'll try to explain it as simple as possible. I'll provide some of the key elements I believe supports my point of view and understanding of this plot.
The main idea I believe is that Dom (Leonardo DiCaprio) was living in a big and complex dream, incapable to decipher reality in his life. He was the best and most experienced person to execute the highest complex extraction, as well as the Inception, but he wasn;t planning and excecuting the Inception on Fisher's mind. All the big plan and multiple level of dreams he prepared were just part of the big Inception planned for him to bring him back to reality. This complex Inception was actually planned by Saito to bring Dom back and be able to live his real life. In fact, he was the one who finally "brought him home". What were the key elements that made me get to this conclusion?
1. Almost every single member of the team asked him to come back to reality. His dad had an important part on this request, when he went to visit him at the university.
2. Arthur told Ariadne that Dom always worked hard to do all those things he used to say that should be avoided. He was constantly creating levels, worlds and situations (most of them based on his memories) and couldn't escape of them, since he completely lost the capability of recognizing the real world. The scene when they went to visit the chemist is very important to understand this.
3. Even though there were multiple dream levels and a complete team involved in this Inception, something important to think about is that Dom always told Ariadne to never reveal the labyrinth created to prevent projections. These projections were people created by the person populating the dream world organized by the architect. Mal appeared in most of these levels and dreams, just because Dom was basically dreaming and populating the big dream.
4. He never had his own totem, he used Mal's totem to check if he was in a dreaming or not. That's why he couldn't know if he was finally dreaming or not. He explained clearly the purpose of totems and why it shouldn't be touched or used by other people. He was using Mal's totem, breaking the rules and purposes clearly defined for totems.
5. All the members of the Inception team pushed him always to give more and more, saying that his plan wouldn't work. Key phrases were always used by some of the team. Every single one of them played a key role creating and infiltrating the idea of this Inception in his mind to help him to come home... to come to reality. He thought he was creating and infiltrating the idea on Fisher's mind, but the team was really doing it on Dom's mind.
6. When he's finally back with Saito, every member of the team looked at him and showed through their smiles that he made it... he did break through his dreams and was back to reality. There was no conversation or words among them.
7. His dad was waiting for him at the airport, when he never planned that with him. He looked surprised when he saw him there. Obviously, his dad knew about the real Inception.
8. In the very last effort to save Saito, he finds that Saito aged, he never aged. The dream ends when Saito invites him to finish the job and bring them back. Saito invites him to do it, Saito is the one who finally helped him to come back to reality.
9. Most important... When Dom arrives home and sees his kids in the backyard, his kids are wearing different clothes, especially Phillipa, who is wearing a different dress. That clearly shows that he wasn't dreaming, since he ALWAYS kept the same perfect image and memory of his kids. The kids were also older, around 2 years older than the kids shown through his memories.
It's crazy how clever was Nolan. He never revealed what really happened at the end, but he left so many different clues (words, places, clothes, images, people, concepts, time, colors, etc, etc, etc) on this film. The most important thing to know is that no matter if he's in a dream or not, he finally achieves his most desired dream... to see his kids faces one more time and spend the rest of his life with them.
Definitely a pretty smart script, so clever to let every single person the opportunity to have their own opinion and idea of what really happened.
I would rate this movie with a HUGE, massive 5/5
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
U.S. Rating: PG-13
NOTE: If you haven't watched the film yet, you might be completely spoiled with my thoughts and review.
I believe I was one of those thousands of people who had to watch Inception more than once to finally (hopefully) understand what really happened with Dom (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his final and most important job, the "Inception". I was patiently waiting for the digital copy, so I could watch it at home and be able to decipher what really happened in this film. I finally got my Blu Ray copy few days ago and watched it, keeping in mind some previous reviews, comments and some very, very important details provided by people involved on this film.
I would like to start my review with a thought that came to my mind this week. I remember the time when we went to watch Avatar. I must say that I still believe it is at the very top of technology. There not a single film in 2010 and yet to come in 2011 that could match Avatar's high tech and visual effects. James Cameron is a master on this matter, no doubt about it. I respect him for his talent using the latest high tech. But in the other hand, I was really happy to see that Avatar didn't win the Oscar for best film, since the plot had nothing special to offer. It was all about the visual, but not the content.
Inception is that kind of film that brings ALL the key elements to make it not just a memorable, extremely entertaining and visually amazing film, but a very smart, challenging and mentally demanding plot and content. It is the kind of film that not just fascinates you with all the amazing visual effects, but keeps you thinking ALL the time, trying to decipher what really happened and even makes you leave the theatre thinking (for days) about what was all about on this story.
Christopher Nolan, one of my TOP favorite directors, delivered such an amazing film. He brought not just an extremely smart, compact and complete plot, but a very high tech and amazing visual content and effects. Such a professional and unique cast, as well as a brilliant directing work.
Just few days after we went to watch the film, I found an article revealling some very important details related to the plot. One of the most meaningful comments was provided by one of the custom designers who said that Dom couldn't still be in a dream at the end of the film. This custom designer said it was not possible, since the kids dressed different cloths on the very last scene. That changed everything I believed! Since I initially believed he was dreaming all the time and at the end, he really didn't care to see if the totem stopped spinning or not because he just wanted to be with his kids. I had to wait all this time to finally confirm if this comment was true or false.
So, what do I believe about Inception? I'll try to explain it as simple as possible. I'll provide some of the key elements I believe supports my point of view and understanding of this plot.
The main idea I believe is that Dom (Leonardo DiCaprio) was living in a big and complex dream, incapable to decipher reality in his life. He was the best and most experienced person to execute the highest complex extraction, as well as the Inception, but he wasn;t planning and excecuting the Inception on Fisher's mind. All the big plan and multiple level of dreams he prepared were just part of the big Inception planned for him to bring him back to reality. This complex Inception was actually planned by Saito to bring Dom back and be able to live his real life. In fact, he was the one who finally "brought him home". What were the key elements that made me get to this conclusion?
1. Almost every single member of the team asked him to come back to reality. His dad had an important part on this request, when he went to visit him at the university.
2. Arthur told Ariadne that Dom always worked hard to do all those things he used to say that should be avoided. He was constantly creating levels, worlds and situations (most of them based on his memories) and couldn't escape of them, since he completely lost the capability of recognizing the real world. The scene when they went to visit the chemist is very important to understand this.
3. Even though there were multiple dream levels and a complete team involved in this Inception, something important to think about is that Dom always told Ariadne to never reveal the labyrinth created to prevent projections. These projections were people created by the person populating the dream world organized by the architect. Mal appeared in most of these levels and dreams, just because Dom was basically dreaming and populating the big dream.
4. He never had his own totem, he used Mal's totem to check if he was in a dreaming or not. That's why he couldn't know if he was finally dreaming or not. He explained clearly the purpose of totems and why it shouldn't be touched or used by other people. He was using Mal's totem, breaking the rules and purposes clearly defined for totems.
5. All the members of the Inception team pushed him always to give more and more, saying that his plan wouldn't work. Key phrases were always used by some of the team. Every single one of them played a key role creating and infiltrating the idea of this Inception in his mind to help him to come home... to come to reality. He thought he was creating and infiltrating the idea on Fisher's mind, but the team was really doing it on Dom's mind.
6. When he's finally back with Saito, every member of the team looked at him and showed through their smiles that he made it... he did break through his dreams and was back to reality. There was no conversation or words among them.
7. His dad was waiting for him at the airport, when he never planned that with him. He looked surprised when he saw him there. Obviously, his dad knew about the real Inception.
8. In the very last effort to save Saito, he finds that Saito aged, he never aged. The dream ends when Saito invites him to finish the job and bring them back. Saito invites him to do it, Saito is the one who finally helped him to come back to reality.
9. Most important... When Dom arrives home and sees his kids in the backyard, his kids are wearing different clothes, especially Phillipa, who is wearing a different dress. That clearly shows that he wasn't dreaming, since he ALWAYS kept the same perfect image and memory of his kids. The kids were also older, around 2 years older than the kids shown through his memories.
It's crazy how clever was Nolan. He never revealed what really happened at the end, but he left so many different clues (words, places, clothes, images, people, concepts, time, colors, etc, etc, etc) on this film. The most important thing to know is that no matter if he's in a dream or not, he finally achieves his most desired dream... to see his kids faces one more time and spend the rest of his life with them.
Definitely a pretty smart script, so clever to let every single person the opportunity to have their own opinion and idea of what really happened.
I would rate this movie with a HUGE, massive 5/5
Have you watched the film? What did you like or dislike from this movie? What would you rate this movie?
Do you think my point of view is correct? Or do you have a different point of view, explanation or theory?
Share with us your thoughts!
Do you think my point of view is correct? Or do you have a different point of view, explanation or theory?
Share with us your thoughts!
Enjoy it!... Watch it!
