Wow. This movie was awful. It moved incredibly slow, the story didn't really go anywhere, and the acting was terrible. You'd think that if they wanted to make a great movie, they could've made the wolf look a little better... and why does he need to be able to speak to Red Riding Hood. The incorporation of some characters didn't q...uite fit and the music really did not fit the time period (or the mood of the scenes, for that matter). I suppose that the producers win because their awesome-looking preview got me to the theatre to pay admission for their movie. Unfortunatley, they will never make any money off of me by purchasing this unimpressive drivel. I don't recommend taking the time to watch this film that resembles the fairy tale only in name while showing a fake-looking big bad wolf instead of hiding him to build anticipation.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Hereafter - 3 stars out of 10
Hereafter - 3 stars out of 10
I typically love Eastwood’s films. Masterpieces like Gran Torino, Million Dollar Baby, and Changeling have made him into one of my favorite directors; unfortunately, this film dragged on without much excitement and it just was not what I had expected. The opening sequence is particularly poignant after the recent tragedy in Japan. There are some beautiful emotional moments in this film, including Bryce Dallas Howard’s short breakdown in the stairwell and a great dialogue between Cécile De France and Neuvic in the restaurant. I enjoyed the film more once the three stories successfully aligned but that did not make up for the first 100 minutes of footage. The acting was decent but this film is a case of too much drama without substance.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) - 10 stars out of 10
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) - 10 stars out of 10
One of Hitchcock's finest thrillers! This film really speaks to me, particularly through the importance of music in the storyline from the cymbal crash to Doris Day's emotive rendition of Que Sera Sera. Day looks and sounds gorgeous throughout the film and Jimmy Stewart again proves to be the perfect fit for a Hitchcockian role. This movie does not rely on twists as much as a hopeless situation with an unpredictable resolution until the very end! Hitchcock's sparse comedic moments are strategically placed to give momentary relief from the constantly building tension. The combination of Day's heartfelt performance and Stewart's intense eyes will leave you breathless.
P.S. Hitchcock was a genius in giving his favorite movie composer a great and substantial cameo!
One of Hitchcock's finest thrillers! This film really speaks to me, particularly through the importance of music in the storyline from the cymbal crash to Doris Day's emotive rendition of Que Sera Sera. Day looks and sounds gorgeous throughout the film and Jimmy Stewart again proves to be the perfect fit for a Hitchcockian role. This movie does not rely on twists as much as a hopeless situation with an unpredictable resolution until the very end! Hitchcock's sparse comedic moments are strategically placed to give momentary relief from the constantly building tension. The combination of Day's heartfelt performance and Stewart's intense eyes will leave you breathless.
P.S. Hitchcock was a genius in giving his favorite movie composer a great and substantial cameo!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Other Guys - 9 stars out of 10
The Other Guys - 9 stars out of 10
After a string of annoying (and unentertaining) roles, Will Ferrell is back in one of his funniest roles to date! He is perfectly matched with Wahlberg, who steps out of his typical persona in this film. The film is cleverly written, particularly for a Ferrell film, as a few interesting twists are mixed with slapstick and ironic humor. Eva Mendes has never looked better and I couldn't get enough of Keaton's TLC references - I lost it by the time that "Creep Creep" rolled around. I highly recommend this to any fan of Will Ferrell as The Other Guys offers hilarious unexpected moments (The Rock and Jackson) and clever comedic dialogue.
After a string of annoying (and unentertaining) roles, Will Ferrell is back in one of his funniest roles to date! He is perfectly matched with Wahlberg, who steps out of his typical persona in this film. The film is cleverly written, particularly for a Ferrell film, as a few interesting twists are mixed with slapstick and ironic humor. Eva Mendes has never looked better and I couldn't get enough of Keaton's TLC references - I lost it by the time that "Creep Creep" rolled around. I highly recommend this to any fan of Will Ferrell as The Other Guys offers hilarious unexpected moments (The Rock and Jackson) and clever comedic dialogue.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Secretariat - 9 stars out of 10
Secretariat - 9 stars out of 10
How could anybody walk out of this film without being a Big Red fan? "Secretariat" offers incredible acting, an inspirational story, and is clean-cut all the way through. Unfortunately, based on the reactions of the children surrounding me in the theater, there is not enough horse racing to hold the interest of kids. This film is clean enough to be a family film but focuses more on the drama behind keeping the horse/stress on the family than it does on the horse's career. Perhaps this is the reason that it is rated PG, despite being clean enough to be G. "Secretariat" sports dramatic acting fit for any critic or movie buff. This is Diane Lane's finest performance (I'd compare it to Sandra Bullock in The Blindside, though nothing can match that). John Malkovich definitely steps out of character and shows versatility with his portrayal of Lucien, and where in the world did Margo Martindale come from (aside from her shining moment in Million Dollar Baby)!?!?!? She was delightful. Round out the cast with Ellis, Walsh, and James Cromwell, and you know that you have a winner. This film is as much of a triumph as the records that Secretariat shattered.
How could anybody walk out of this film without being a Big Red fan? "Secretariat" offers incredible acting, an inspirational story, and is clean-cut all the way through. Unfortunately, based on the reactions of the children surrounding me in the theater, there is not enough horse racing to hold the interest of kids. This film is clean enough to be a family film but focuses more on the drama behind keeping the horse/stress on the family than it does on the horse's career. Perhaps this is the reason that it is rated PG, despite being clean enough to be G. "Secretariat" sports dramatic acting fit for any critic or movie buff. This is Diane Lane's finest performance (I'd compare it to Sandra Bullock in The Blindside, though nothing can match that). John Malkovich definitely steps out of character and shows versatility with his portrayal of Lucien, and where in the world did Margo Martindale come from (aside from her shining moment in Million Dollar Baby)!?!?!? She was delightful. Round out the cast with Ellis, Walsh, and James Cromwell, and you know that you have a winner. This film is as much of a triumph as the records that Secretariat shattered.
Monday, April 18, 2011
RED - 10 stars out of 10
RED - 10 stars out of 10
Best. Action. Comedy. Ever. RED is everything that movies like "Knight and Day" aspire to be. It starts with one superstar as Bruce Willis lights up the screen. Then Morgan Freeman is added to the equation. They are followed by John Malkovich (who is hysterical) and Helen Mirren. Throw in incredible cameos by Brian Cox and Richard Dreyfuss, a kick-butt performance by Karl Urban, and Mary-Louise Parker in a geeky (but enchanting) role, and you have one of the most entertaining casts ever assembled. Aside from the amazing acting, RED seamlessly transitions between laugh-out-loud funny moments and adrenaline-pumping action sequences. The plot is clever, its one liners are perfectly timed, and there are even some hilarious visual gags without turning this into a cheesy comedy [cough cough Knight and Day]. I will typically see any movie simply because Morgan Freeman is in it, but RED offers much more than that. You MUST see this movie. That is not an option. Go see it right now.
Best. Action. Comedy. Ever. RED is everything that movies like "Knight and Day" aspire to be. It starts with one superstar as Bruce Willis lights up the screen. Then Morgan Freeman is added to the equation. They are followed by John Malkovich (who is hysterical) and Helen Mirren. Throw in incredible cameos by Brian Cox and Richard Dreyfuss, a kick-butt performance by Karl Urban, and Mary-Louise Parker in a geeky (but enchanting) role, and you have one of the most entertaining casts ever assembled. Aside from the amazing acting, RED seamlessly transitions between laugh-out-loud funny moments and adrenaline-pumping action sequences. The plot is clever, its one liners are perfectly timed, and there are even some hilarious visual gags without turning this into a cheesy comedy [cough cough Knight and Day]. I will typically see any movie simply because Morgan Freeman is in it, but RED offers much more than that. You MUST see this movie. That is not an option. Go see it right now.
The Last King of Scotland - 8 stars out of 10
The Last King of Scotland - 8 stars out of 10
100th Review
An amazing performance by Forest Whitaker, not only because of his believable representation of a character who is at first loveable and then detestible, but also because this is a complete departure from his typically mild-mannered roles. This movie will twist you through two totally different perspectives of the rising president and will surely make you cringe during its graphic finale!
100th Review
An amazing performance by Forest Whitaker, not only because of his believable representation of a character who is at first loveable and then detestible, but also because this is a complete departure from his typically mild-mannered roles. This movie will twist you through two totally different perspectives of the rising president and will surely make you cringe during its graphic finale!
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