Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movie review. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Opposite Movie Review: The Godfather

So, this is a based on a book by some guy that I never read. It's about a mafia family who do things like kill people and run rackets and stuff. There's a dad and his kids and what not. Long story short, this movie is terrible. It is three hours of garbage. I mean it starts with a wedding. Where's the fucking action? I think there's only one explosion in the entire film, and one crazy shoot out where the good guy doesn't even have a gun. Instead, this film relies on strong characters and plot to carry you through, but I wanted more explosions. Ooo, you build suspense. Big deal! There were not enough explosions and gunshots. Where's Michael Bay when you need him?

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Godfather Parts I and II

Hey everyone,

Over the last week, I watched these movies which are undisputed classics. This isn't the first time that I've watched these installments of the Godfather series. However, the difference was that, this time, I watched the commentaries for both movies. Coppola who directed both movies discussed the process which was very different for each movie. The first Godfather was terrible for him because he was a young director who they hired to make a small movie. At this time, the novel was not nearly as popular as it would become. At first, they wanted a contemporary movie with hippies and all, but, eventually, a closer adaptation of the novel would be created where the main story occurs in the late 1940s. Once the production began, Coppola would have to answer to executives constantly who he thought was going to fire him. They claimed that the scenes were not as good as they should have been and also claimed spending and casting issues. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino were two supposed errors. As you know, they would prove to be some of the best casting decisions. As a final blow, the studio wanted the movie to last less than two hours and fifteen minutes. Coppola's first version was two hours and forty-fve minutes, but he cut it down to two hours twenty minutes. Upon viewing this version, Bob Evans, a producer, would side with Coppola and tell him to add the material which had been removed. This would save the movie and prove to be the best decision made by the studio. The movie, of course, moved on to be a monumental success and even earned three Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

On the second movie, Coppola would have complete control from the studio. He would also receive a large paycheck as well as a piece of the ticket sales. Coppola would win three Oscars for producing, writing, and directing. Coppola described the production as smooth and much less stressful. While there is an argument about which movie is better, the second film is, at the very least, an equal in every sense. These two movies are considered to be a couple of the best films ever made filling two of the top three spots on imdb.com's list of 100 top rated movies. They also both made AFI's list of 100 greatest movies, and, if you haven't seen them, you are really missing out.



Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Hey everyone,

On Friday night, I went to see this movie starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and Kevin Spacey. The story begins simply enough. As a journalist in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bob Wilton (McGregor) has a normal life with his beautiful wife. Things begin to change when he interviews a man who claims to be able to use remote viewing, a psychic ability which allows the viewer to see anything in the world. With this ability, the man tells Wilton that the Loch Ness monster is a ghost of a dinosaur. Wilton can only draw one conclusion at this point, this man is clearly crazy. However, he also shows him a videotape where he supposedly kills a hamster using his mind. The video reveals a hamster that falls over, but the creature is not dead. Wilton asks how long it took this man to do this, and he responds: "three hours". The man also mentions the names of others in the program including Lyn Cassidy. Wilton doesn't think much of the encounter and continues on with his life. Soon, his life takes a turn for the worst, and he seeks a new adventure. Iraq becomes his new destination, but, upon arrival, he has a difficult time finding a way into the war torn country. To pass the time, he waits in Kuwait, where he meets Lyn Cassidy (Clooney) who begins to tell him about the First Earth Battalion, a secret paranormal psychic program to enhance soldiers. Leading this group is Lt. Colonel Bill Django (Bridges) who finds and encourages new age techniques to warfare. Cassidy quickly becomes the top pupil with abilities far beyond any other recruit. Soon, another recruit joins the team, Larry Hooper (Spacey) who hates everyone especially Cassidy and will eventually will bring about adverse consequences for the First Earth Battalion. Cassidy explains all of this as he and Wilton head into Iraq on a special mission. While I'd love to tell you more, I really liked this movie and think that you should go see it. 8/10

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Where the Wild Things Are

Hey all,

Last night, I saw this movie (it's also a book), and I was blown away. The story was fantastic. It was breathtaking, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and fun. The story centers around Max who just wants to play but no one wants to play with him. Eventually, he makes a scene around his mother and her boyfriend. She grabs him, and he bites her still trying to play. She berates him, so he runs away. At this point, he enters his fantasy world. Max hops into a sailboat and traverses the seas until he reaches an island. Once on the island, he encounters creatures who are an amalgam of different animals. There's Carol who is good at smashing and breaking things. Douglas who is Carol's best friend and a yes man. Alexander who no one listens to or even likes. There's Ira and Judith who are in love. Ira is good at making holes and Judith is a downer. Then, there's K.W. who Carol wants to be close to, but she has left. Eventually, they make Max king after he is able to lie about special powers and promises to take away all of the sadness. While the beginning is good, conflict erupts and things don't stay good. I won't spoil any more because it is worth seeing. I'll conclude by saying that this movie really affected me. I was on the brink of tears in the theater, and that almost never happens to me. Honestly, 10/10.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Zombieland

Hey all,

On Saturday, I went to see Zombieland. As the title suggests, there are zombies involved. In this take, the zombies have mad cow disease that causes a swelling of the brain, fever, and a taste for human flesh. All science aside, it is an innovative idea. For once, this is an intentional zombie comedy which can be gruesome at times, but it is a lot of fun to watch. It centers around four main characters who go by city names, so they don't become too personal with each other. There's Columbus who was effectively a hermit before the outbreak. He is the main character who has survived the two month outbreak by following certain rules. The main four are: Cardio, Wear Your Seat Belt, The Double Tap, and Beware of Bathrooms. After being alone for two months, he decides to head East looking for his parents. Along the way, he meets another survivor who is heading to Tallahassee which is also the name by which he is known. The man is a zombie killing machine, and it's a lot of fun to watch him work. The other two characters are sisters named Wichita and Little Rock who just happen to be scam artists. Consequently, they scam Columbus and Tallahassee and steal their vehicle. Revenge becomes the motive after they stop heading East and chase after the sisters, but they are scammed again and eventually join the sisters on a trip to California where a supposed safe haven exists. I won't spoil the rest of the film, but I liked it. It had good characters, good action, and great comedy. 8/10.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

9

Hey all,

I saw this movie opening night, and I have to say that I loved it. For those who don't know, the film centers around 9. He is a rag doll that has been brought to life by a scientist. He is able to speak and think, but he soon discovers that he is not alone. There are eight others who are all different from him. The world is the ultimate post-apocalyptic future where humanity has seemingly been destroyed by machines. However, the machines still exist and hunt the rag dolls. Nine first meets 2 who is apparently on his own wondering the ruins. Two also fixes nine's voice box and becomes his first friend. Soon enough, trouble rears its ugly head when a machine descends upon them capturing two. He tries to follow the machine but fails. Soon enough, he comes upon other rag dolls who are in hiding. They are largely fearful and controlling and refuse to after two, but 9 still does it anyway with the help of 5. This is where the story really takes off and I won't spoil anymore. Personally, I believe that the film presents an interesting argument and philosophy. Check it out. I loved it. 9/10

Monday, September 7, 2009

Extract

hey all,

The new film from Mike Judge is called extract. It's about a boss who owns an extract (vanilla, cherry, etc.) company. His name is Joel, but he isn't really satisfied with his life. Sex with his wife is a rare occurrence. The job is wearing and stressful, and when an offer comes to buy out the company, Joel can't wait to get out. After an accident at the factory, the sale of the company is in doubt. Enter Cindy who is established as a con artist in the first scene of the movie. She begins to flirt with Joel, but she is working on some other people as well. Things become complicated at this point. I will stop before I spoil the movie, but I will say that this movie wasn't as funny as I had hoped. The theater was dead silent through most of the movie. Now, this is in Fargo, North Dakota, so it may not be the best sample audience, but I was hoping for something more. Check it out if you really want to see it, but Idiocracy and Office Space were both way better. 5/10.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Inglourious Basterds

Hey all,

The new film from Quentin Tarantino is out after 8 year of work. I saw it today, but I have to admit that I was disappointed. With a running time of over 2 1/2 hours, the film felt long. The opening scene really drags and is loaded with dialogue. It's supposed to be dramatic and increasingly suspenseful, but I felt that it failed in this regard. These moments occur a few times throughout the movie, but they tend to be anti-climatic and wasted screen time. Honestly, I expected a fast paced action movie which I knew would be gory and violent, but the action was usually abbreviated which left me unfulfilled. And, for anyone who thinks that I just don't like Tarantino, I love Pulp Fiction and like Reservoir Dogs and, while the dialogue in those movies seems interesting and witty, it feels wasted and drawn out in this movie. I had incredibly high hopes for Inglourious Basterds, but it didn't live up to its expectations for me. On imbd.com, it's rated at 8.6, so I may have not watched it in the right mood. For any one who wants a synopsis, I'll discuss the beginning of the movie.

It starts in France with a character who is hiding Jews and gives them up (this must have taken at least 10 minutes if not 20) which introduces you to two of the central characters. Then, you meet the Basterds. They are a Jewish American force lead by a part-Native American lieutenant played by Brad Pitt. He's excellent in this role just like most of his movies. Honestly, he is probably the only face you'll recognize in the movie unless you know who Eli Roth, Sam Levine, or B. J. Novak are. The Basterds only have one mission, and that's to kill Nazis. Lieutenant Aldo (Pitt) also wants his men to scalp their enemies, and they oblige their leader. At this point, a short back story is provided for a couple of the Basterds. As the story advances, a German war hero takes a liking to a young woman who is a Jew that escaped execution at the beginning of the movie. This German has a movie about himself that he wishes to show in her cinema, and she eventually comes around to the proposition simply because she has no choice. This premier is such an opportunity for propaganda that many of the High Officers will be at the showing, and a plot begins. I won't tell you anymore. It's entertaining but not great. 6/10

Saturday, August 15, 2009

There are a lot of secrets in District 9

Hey all,

District 9 just came out yesterday, and I went to see it last night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. For those who don't know, the story revolves around a group of aliens who have been on Earth for over 25 years, but they live in slum conditions. There's a group that oversees these slums and is beginning an evacuation to a "better" location. This group is known as MNU or Multi-National United, and the man who is responsible for operating this move is named Wikus Van De Merwe.

At the beginning of this movie, he is less than compassionate toward the aliens who are derogatorily called prawns. The group enters the slums where the aliens are notified of their eviction, but they don't take it well. Whenever an alien acts out againt an MNU agent, the being is immediately shot and killed. At this point, the story switches to two aliens who looking for a specific fluid. They find it and head back to their home where they use a chemistry set to alter the fluid into something else. This fluid is then added to a cylinder which is of the utmost importance. However, MNU agents knock on the door to notify the residents of their eviction. They quickly hide the cylinder, but MNU searches the house and discovers it. Wikus finds it and, after playing with it for a second, is sprayed with some fluid. It's at this point where the story really takes off, and I won't spoil it for you. It's a fun wild ride, but it also is making a point about something. I'm really impressed with a film that makes a point while being well written and action packed. I can't recommend this film enough.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Watchmen

Hey all,

Many consider this to be the greatest graphic novel of all time. I don't know if I would call it the greatest ever, but it is very high on my list. The movie did not quite live up to its expectations. I've read it 8 times because it's complex and fun. I'll recap it quickly for anyone who's wondering what it's about.

The story revolves around a group of heroes who have been outlawed. The setting is 1985, and the world is on the brink of nuclear annihilation. Some of the heroes remain in hiding. One has continued to work as a vigilante, and the others work for the government. The heroes are largely like batman with no superhuman abilities. However, one does have superpowers, and he is also the only deterrent to nuclear war.

The trouble begins when a hero is murdered. This hero is the Comedian, and he has been working for the government. Another hero named Rorschach investigates and begins to suspect a plot to kill heroes. After contacting possible targets, another is exiled. The plot gains support, and the world may be at stake if the culprit isn't discovered soon enough. Back stories follow which provide plenty of character development. This is one graphic novel that does not disappoint, and I don't wish to spoil anything. Read it!

Friday, August 7, 2009

G. I. Joe

Hey all,

I just saw this movie, but I have to tell you that I wasn't a fan of it as a kid. I was just a little too young to really enjoy it, but my brothers loved the show and the movie. I also enjoyed this flick. It was campy, fun, and filled with action. The characters are developed well enough for a novice like me to identify and follow. But, seriously, the action was crazy, fun, and present throughout. As expected, the acting is less than oscar worthy, but, if anyone expects that level of acting, they will be disappointed. Finally, it was funny. And, I think, it was going for all of this. It's meant to be a little cheesy and somewhat laughable. Just in case people are wondering about the plot, I'll provide a little synopsis.

The story begins with the introduction of some new weaponry. A convoy is supposed to carry it to a safe destination, at which point, you meet Duke and Ripcord. The convoy is attacked by an unknown force (Cobra), and you meet the Baroness for first time. Just when things seem grim, the G. I. Joes show up with Scarlett, Heavy Duty, and Snake Eyes who save the day. The story is off as Duke and Ripcord join the G. I. Joes. To tell you more begins to ruin the fun, so I'm going to let you find out for yourself. You may be surprised just how enjoyable it is.