An Education - 8 stars out of 10
With that left dimple, Carey Mulligan will immediately capture your heart. She has definitely made a name for herself through this film. So much about the plot was so wrong. Is it socially acceptable in the UK for an older man to date a 16-year-old girl? My anger and frustration toward this concept is probably a testament to the realism of this movie. Peter Sarsgaard puts forth an impressive performance as he manipulates Jenny's parents into allowing them to spend time together. I always enjoy Alfred Molina and, though his performance cannot compare to his roles in Chocolat and Spiderman 2, he creates another memorable character. But truly, the highlight of this movie is the Oscar-nominee Mulligan as she transforms from a teenager into a woman over the course of 90 minutes.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Unforgiven - 6 stars out of 10
Unforgiven - 6 stars out of 10
"Unforgiven" was good but I approached it with a lot of skepticism, knowing that it beat "A Few Good Men" for the best picture Academy Award. Unfortunately, its inability to match the entertainment value and storytelling of A Few Good Men left me disappointed. The acting in this film is high quality (how can you go wrong with Eastwood, Freeman, and Hackman in one film) but I found the story to be slow and uneventful. I love Gene Hackman and he is one of my favorite villains, but this definitely was not his best role and I don't understand how he beat Jack Nicholson for the best supporting actor Oscar. Eastwood is one of my favorite directors but this can't compare to Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby.
"Unforgiven" was good but I approached it with a lot of skepticism, knowing that it beat "A Few Good Men" for the best picture Academy Award. Unfortunately, its inability to match the entertainment value and storytelling of A Few Good Men left me disappointed. The acting in this film is high quality (how can you go wrong with Eastwood, Freeman, and Hackman in one film) but I found the story to be slow and uneventful. I love Gene Hackman and he is one of my favorite villains, but this definitely was not his best role and I don't understand how he beat Jack Nicholson for the best supporting actor Oscar. Eastwood is one of my favorite directors but this can't compare to Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Million Dollar Baby - 10 stars out of 10
Million Dollar Baby - 10 stars out of 10
This is one of the best movies that I have ever seen. Period. Clint Eastwood creates movie magic in both his acting and his directing. This story of hope and tragedy will have you smiling with pride one moment and angry beyond words the next. Every character introduced into this story vividly comes to life, particularly Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman's characters. Perhaps the most effective (and upsetting) use of characters to create emotion appears in the form of Frankie's family. They have very minimal screen time but, as they use her for her money and treat her worse than an animal, their very presence will have you shaking with anger as they are more inconsiderate and selfish than any character I have seen on the screen. From it's feel-good moments to it's tear-jerking realities, Million Dollar Baby delivers from start to finish in one of our generation's finest cinematic acheivements.
This is one of the best movies that I have ever seen. Period. Clint Eastwood creates movie magic in both his acting and his directing. This story of hope and tragedy will have you smiling with pride one moment and angry beyond words the next. Every character introduced into this story vividly comes to life, particularly Hilary Swank and Morgan Freeman's characters. Perhaps the most effective (and upsetting) use of characters to create emotion appears in the form of Frankie's family. They have very minimal screen time but, as they use her for her money and treat her worse than an animal, their very presence will have you shaking with anger as they are more inconsiderate and selfish than any character I have seen on the screen. From it's feel-good moments to it's tear-jerking realities, Million Dollar Baby delivers from start to finish in one of our generation's finest cinematic acheivements.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Eastern Promises - 8 stars out of 10
Eastern Promises - 8 stars out of 10
Viggo is SICK!!!! Combine his finest acting performance with a fascinating story about the Russian mob and you have an adrenaline-pumping display of brutal violence that will force you to look away. Few movies have captured the essence of intimidation from the mob or achieved the intensity of this movie's shower knife scene. Vincent Cassel was the highlight of this movie for me. In American movies he often plays the thug, but I never expected the emotion and disregard for humanity that he successfully displays as Kirill. With this movie you will find great acting (including Naomi Watts and Armin Mueller-Stahl) and an amazing twist, but it is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.
Viggo is SICK!!!! Combine his finest acting performance with a fascinating story about the Russian mob and you have an adrenaline-pumping display of brutal violence that will force you to look away. Few movies have captured the essence of intimidation from the mob or achieved the intensity of this movie's shower knife scene. Vincent Cassel was the highlight of this movie for me. In American movies he often plays the thug, but I never expected the emotion and disregard for humanity that he successfully displays as Kirill. With this movie you will find great acting (including Naomi Watts and Armin Mueller-Stahl) and an amazing twist, but it is not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.
V for Vendetta - 8 stars out of 10
V for Vendetta - 8 stars out of 10
"Remember, remember the 5th of November..." The first time that I saw "V", I was expecting a superhero movie and was left incredibly disappointed. After 5 years, I decided to give this movie another chance - this time anticipating a futuristic political drama - and wish that I could take back every negative comment that I have made. This movie goes far beyond blood and fighting with strong political themes and a dark look at the future. Natalie Portman delivers pure emotion in (what I believe to be) her greatest performance outside of Black Swan. The anguished looks that appear on her face throughout the movie will just break your heart. My favorite aspect of this movie is the amount of emotion that Hugo Weaving masterfully brings to his character from behind his mask. His voice is so expressive that we never need to see his face to feel his intensity and emotion. Although there are fewer action sequences than you might expect, each one is thrilling and worth waiting for. See this movie, just know what you're getting into first.
"Remember, remember the 5th of November..." The first time that I saw "V", I was expecting a superhero movie and was left incredibly disappointed. After 5 years, I decided to give this movie another chance - this time anticipating a futuristic political drama - and wish that I could take back every negative comment that I have made. This movie goes far beyond blood and fighting with strong political themes and a dark look at the future. Natalie Portman delivers pure emotion in (what I believe to be) her greatest performance outside of Black Swan. The anguished looks that appear on her face throughout the movie will just break your heart. My favorite aspect of this movie is the amount of emotion that Hugo Weaving masterfully brings to his character from behind his mask. His voice is so expressive that we never need to see his face to feel his intensity and emotion. Although there are fewer action sequences than you might expect, each one is thrilling and worth waiting for. See this movie, just know what you're getting into first.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Jason X - 1 star out of 10
Jason X - 1 star out of 10
"This sucks on so many levels!" These words of warning are contained in the very script of "Jason X," one of the worst horror movies ever made. The horribly written characters of this film basically translate into The Breakfast Club in space with Jason. Yes, that's right: in space. And did I mention that it is 450 years in the future? Let me save you some time - Jason is on a spaceship with a bunch of people from the future and he kills all of them. I really wish that I was making this up. If the horrible concept wasn't enough, this film is filled with absurd one-liners that place the film in limbo somewhere between comedy and slasher film. When you use the line "He's screwed" to describe a character who was killed by falling onto a giant drill, you know that the writers are just making fun of the film. Did I mention that it takes place in space? The only redeeming quality (and I use that term very loosely) is the casting of Lexa Doig, who is VERY nice to look at. But what is the point when you keep on shooting something at close range and he just gets back up and kills you? If there is no realistic (or even unrealistic) way to kill the villain, the plot disappears and you are left with 90 minutes of a guy in a hockey mask killing a bunch of people and then some closing credits. It isn't even scary because the idea of Jason running around on a spaceship is so ludicrous. Oh yeah, by the way, they are in space. "Jason X" is laughable and truly a testament to the fact that the writers have given up on this film franchise and decided that the only way to make any more money off of it is by turning it into a joke. It certainly has fallen a long way since the 80's. And just to warn you, this movie takes place in outer space.
"This sucks on so many levels!" These words of warning are contained in the very script of "Jason X," one of the worst horror movies ever made. The horribly written characters of this film basically translate into The Breakfast Club in space with Jason. Yes, that's right: in space. And did I mention that it is 450 years in the future? Let me save you some time - Jason is on a spaceship with a bunch of people from the future and he kills all of them. I really wish that I was making this up. If the horrible concept wasn't enough, this film is filled with absurd one-liners that place the film in limbo somewhere between comedy and slasher film. When you use the line "He's screwed" to describe a character who was killed by falling onto a giant drill, you know that the writers are just making fun of the film. Did I mention that it takes place in space? The only redeeming quality (and I use that term very loosely) is the casting of Lexa Doig, who is VERY nice to look at. But what is the point when you keep on shooting something at close range and he just gets back up and kills you? If there is no realistic (or even unrealistic) way to kill the villain, the plot disappears and you are left with 90 minutes of a guy in a hockey mask killing a bunch of people and then some closing credits. It isn't even scary because the idea of Jason running around on a spaceship is so ludicrous. Oh yeah, by the way, they are in space. "Jason X" is laughable and truly a testament to the fact that the writers have given up on this film franchise and decided that the only way to make any more money off of it is by turning it into a joke. It certainly has fallen a long way since the 80's. And just to warn you, this movie takes place in outer space.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Blues Brothers - 5 stars out of 10
The Blues Brothers - 5 stars out of 10
While it does not provide a strong plot, The Blues Brothers establishes itself as a classic through entertaining music and awesome cameos by James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway. This movie's infamous car chases are awesome as they manage to destroy every kiosk in a mall and later create a pile-up of a dozen cop cars in the median. Although it is unlikely that I would ever watch this movie again with 100% attentiveness, I would definitely put it on in the background and focus during the music cameos and chase scenes.
While it does not provide a strong plot, The Blues Brothers establishes itself as a classic through entertaining music and awesome cameos by James Brown, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Cab Calloway. This movie's infamous car chases are awesome as they manage to destroy every kiosk in a mall and later create a pile-up of a dozen cop cars in the median. Although it is unlikely that I would ever watch this movie again with 100% attentiveness, I would definitely put it on in the background and focus during the music cameos and chase scenes.
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