After escaping from kidnappers using makeshift power armor, an ultrarich inventor and weapons maker (Robert Downey Jr.) turns his creation into a force for good by using it to fight crime. But his skills are stretched to the limit when he must face the evil Iron Monger. Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges and Terrence Howard also star in director Jon Favreau's tongue-in-cheek superhero tale based on the popular Marvel comic.
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Stan Lee, Shaun Toub, Bill Smitrovich, Faran Tahir
Director: Jon Favreau...you know...this guy...
What can I say? It as very entertaining....and that's what summer blockbusters are all about. I can't believe it took me so long to see it.
Robert Downey Jr. did a great job and so did Jeff Bridges. I really like Bridges since watching The Big Lebowski. Terrence Howard's performance was a little iffy...but not as bad as in Fighting...oh lord.
The only performance I didn't like was Gwyneth Paltrow's. Was she supposed to be that pathetic...or was that her lack of acting skills coming through? And that whol attraction thing between her and Downey...I just wasn't feeling that.
Overall Recommendation: If you have waited too long to see this...just like I did...WATCH IT!
Budget: $140 million Gross: $585 million (45% non-US)
After he graduates from college, spoiled trust fund brat Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) finds himself stuck in a rut of meaningless late-night parties and lazy irresponsibility -- until he meets Aisha (Konkona Sen Sharma), a significantly older woman and writer. As their unlikely relationship evolves, Sid discovers how to step into the world as his own person.
My question to you: When is it time to grow up? When it time to act like a child again?
Looking back on this film, there wasn't a lot going on. Sid is a spoiled kid that decides to cut himself off, kind of. Aisha has just moved to the city in order to gain independence. It's the story of an unlikely friendship (how many times have you seen that in a plot summary). This film shows you that sometimes you just have to trust your instinct.
But there are some good characters and a few laughs. I somewhat felt connected to the characters. The little boy was my favorite. The man thing that i liked was that film was not all about Sid or all about Aisha. I got to know them both.
Oh, and there aren't any cheesy dances...maybe a few songs...but no dancing.
Overall Recommendation: If you have never seen a Hindi film then this is a good one to start with.
Gross: $4.3 million (83% non-US)
Trivia: The film got delayed three months during post production when Ranbir Kapoor grew a beard for a role in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and could not re-shoot some scenes.
Max (Max Records) imagines running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts -- Ira, Carol, Douglas, the Bull, Judith and Alexander -- crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways.
Cast: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine Keener, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara, Forest Whitaker, Chris Cooper, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Dano, Michael Berry Jr.
Director: Spike Jonze
I must say, I was very disappointed. I didn't even have such high expectation...but I did have expectations nonetheless. I can't even picture a kid enjoying this. I found myself hoping that Max would just go back home. The film was so dark. It just lack something...I can't even pinpoint it.
I did think that Gandolfini did a wonderful job playing Carol. Most the the time I always imagine the actors face in place of the character's but I didn't for this one. Maybe it's because the two look-a-like. :) My favorite character was probably Alexander, the goat, voiced by Paul Dano.
Catherine Keener [Please Give] did a wonderful job. She was the only good part of the very very boring beginning of the movie. But some things are meant to just be books.
Overall Recommendation: You may just want to skip this one but there are a few good scenes.
In this poignant drama, Holly (Thuy Nguyen), a young Vietnamese girl sold into prostitution by her family, tries to escape her dismal life by beginning a platonic relationship with a 40-year-old American named Patrick (Ron Livingston), a stolen-artifacts dealer. Twelve-year-old Holly has been smuggled into Cambodia, becoming one of countless children exploited in the sex trade; Patrick, who has his own troubles, may be her only hope.
Cast: Ron Livingston, Thuy Nguyen, Chris Penn, Udo Kier, Virginie Ledoyen, Sahajak Boonthanakit, Kosal Dang, Sethy Dy, Adi Ezroni, Hugh Kirk
Director: Guy Moshe
"Imagine you've been bought, sold, emotionally abused, and raped. Now imagine you're 4 years old."
This was on a pamphlet that Virginie Ledoyen's character handed out to men outside of the brothels. Her mission was to save young girls that had been sold into the sex trade by their families. Don't let this or even the synopsis scare you away from this film.
The film sheds light on a touchy subject...a subject that most people either choose to ignore or are oblivious to. And that's a shame.
Like: The acting was all around pretty good. Thuy Nguyen did an exceptional job...and she was only 14 when this was filmed. She acted in scenes that people most people can't imagine living through...and that's exactly was she did, put herself in that position. Sometimes I wonder about childhood actors and if they are even emotionally scarred from the roles they play.
My main dislike was that is was kinda slow in the beginning but eventually the story line picked up (I hate to say). In the end I did connect with the characters.
Overall Recommendation: If you can deal with such a dramatic storyline then this is a pretty good one.
Based on actual events, this exciting drama tells the story of World War II Danish Resistance fighters Flame (Thure Lindhardt) and Citron (Mads Mikkelsen). Taking orders from Resistance leader Aksel Winther (Peter Mygind), the two systematically assassinate Danish collaborators and Nazi officers. But they are far from heroic in their personal lives, and filmmaker Ole Christian Madsen explores the serious flaws of these complex men.
Cast: Thure Lindhardt, Mads Mikkelsen, Stine Stengade, Christian Berkel, Hanns Zischler, Peter Mygind, Rasmus Bjerg, David Bjergsø, Rasmus Botoft, Jesper Christensen
My question to you: Is there a cause that you would kill for? How do you decide who must be go?
The film opens with black and white footage of the Germans taking over Copenhagen. An unnammed narrator asks the viewer, "Do you remember April 9, 1940?" This made me realize that he has such strong feelings towards this day. The narrator turn out the be Flame. With such a calm voice he makes the perfect narrator- a voice that is almost forgettable...a voice that is not intruding.
The viewer is first introduced to the Flame and Citron duo when Flam walks out to the car where Citron is asleep in the backseat. Citron then starts driving, sweat glistening his face. This is a remarkable scene. Flame appears to be confident whereas Citron is nervous. This instills in the viewer that Flame is more like the #1 man...he is the narrator and all.
Like: The script allows for the main characters to have a line that is noteworthy:
Flame: I forgot we're not killing people, but nazis.
Flame: The only thing that you can do is eliminate them. One by one. Down to the last one.
Ketty: It was fun in the beginning. But it's different now. Everything is grey. I think I just want to survive.
Dislike: The viwer was not able to get to know Citron until Flame was shot. The narration seems to dissapear for a while and Citron's story slowly emerges. Citron's relationship with his wife has deteriorated. She says to him, "You're just not that kind of man," explaining that they won't be a functional family. She says this to him the day he doesn't have the nerve to shoot and kill a woman, only graze her. From here on, Citron feels the need to prove himself. He is the perfect person to take over for Flame while he is out of commission. The look into Citron's life, even though exciting, was rather short.
Dislike: The relationship between Flame and Citron was never really fully developed. Even though the title suggests that they are inseperable, I felt as though I miss out on the foundation of their relationship. The last shot of the film could have been much more effective if their lives together had been explored more.
Overall Recommendation: The film is a somewhat perfect blend of action, a little comedy, heart, and enough twists and turns to keep you enthusiasitcally watching.
Budget: $7.4 million Gross: $10.2 million (98.5% non-US)
Standing on a corner in midtown Manhattan every day, a Pakistani immigrant named Ahmad sells his coffee and bagels to the fast-paced New Yorkers from a cart -- all the while harboring secrets from a tragic past. After becoming friends with local newsstand worker Noemi and a wealthy man named Mohammad, Ahmad's inner demons begin to surface in this poignant examination of personal identity in the big city from director Ramin Bahrani.
Cast: Ahmad Razvi, Leticia Dolera, Charles Daniel Sandoval, Ali Reza, Panicker Upendran, Arun Lal, Razia Mujahid, Hassan Razvi, Mustafa Razvi, Bill Lewis, Altaf Houssein
Director: Ramin Bahrani
This film takes simplicity and turns it into a message...not every film has to be action packed...filled with tragedy, love, comedy, bad guys, good guys...whatever the typical ingredients are for a Hollywood film these days. Man Push Cart is simple compared to other films but in reality it is capturing....reality....and life is far from simple.
Day after day, Ahmad has the same routine...pushing a food cart down the busy streets of New York City at 3am. We can all learn something from this film. That is one of good things about most Iranian filmmakers...its up to your own interruption.
So why a 3.5...I don't know...it took me a while to get through it...a couple of weeks actually. I would see it on my queue and not have a desire to watch...maybe because it is too real.
So my overall recommendation is: just sit down and watch it...like you're in a theatre. It's 87 minutes...you can do it.
Director Neil Jordan's Oscar-nominated tale of bloodsucking immortals moves from 18th century New Orleans to a Grand Guignol theater in Paris to present-day San Francisco as it explores betrayal, love, loneliness and hunger. The lives of a trio of vampires -- cavalier Lestat (Tom Cruise), tormented Louis (Brad Pitt) and childlike Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) -- are interconnected for centuries in this adaptation of Anne Rice's romantic horror tale.
Cast: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Christian Slater, Antonio Banderas, Stephen Rea, Kirsten Dunst, Thandie Newton
Director: Neil Jordan
Tagline: Drink From Me And Live Forever
This film puts Twilight and True Blood to shame. All three were/are based on books...but Interview with the Vampire clearly comes out on top. I don't know if True Blood could be made into a movie...and Twilight caters to the teeny boppers...it's still entertaining I have to admit.
I watched this film when I was younger...14? The only part I remember is when Kirsten Dunst cuts off her hair and it grows back...the silly things kids remember. Speaking of Kirsten...I think this is her best acting performance. Yes, they may be a little harsh but she did a fabulous job. She was only 14.
Like: Most of the time the whole "I am going to tell you a story" blah blahnes doesn't seem to work out. But the cuts back to present day were superbly done. It didn't interrupt the storyline. And when Mr. Pitt would go back to telling the story, there would be a little narration for a couple of minutes. This could have been a big mistake but in the end I think this was the best way to approach the story.
Like: Even though I would have loved Johnny Depp instead of Tom Cruise (yes, he was offered the part- can you imagine Pitt and Depp as vampires...wow), I still think Cruise did a wonderful job playing Lestat. I almost kinda hate...no wait..I should say strongly dislike...Tom Cruise, I think it worked to the film's advantage. By me hating Tom Cruise the actor, it allowed me to hate Lestat the character.
Like: I was thoroughly entertained throughout. It's just over 2 hours...I felt satisfied, that I didn't miss out on anything, and most importantly, I wasn't bored. That is a hard feat for films. It was the perfect length. If anything I could have used a little but more Brad Pitt. (I can visit the other team can't I?) Oh and it has Antonio Banderas in it too.
Like: The shots of the cities were excellent...even if some of them were fake.
Overall Recommendation: If you like Brad Pitt, vampires, or just entertaining films then check it out!
Budget: $60 million Gross: $223,664,608 (53% non-US)
Quote:
Brad Pitt: That morning I was not yet a vampire, and I saw my last sunrise. I remember it completely, and yet I can't recall any sunrise before it. I watched its whole magnificence for the last time as if it were the first. And then I said farewell to sun light, and set out to become what I became. [it sounds cheesy but it just worked.]
Trivia:
Christian Slater was given the role of Daniel upon the death of River Phoenix, who was originally supposed to be Daniel. Then Slater donated his $250,000 salary to two of River Phoenix's favorite charities. [how awesome is that!]
Tom Cruise spent 3 and a half hours every day in the make-up chair. Cruise prepped for the role of Lestat by watching videos of lions attacking zebras in the wild. [maybe this is why he is crazy?]
Tom Cruise was placed on an elevated platform during some scenes to reduce the height difference between his character and other vampires. [haha]
In this drama based on real-life events, director Clint Eastwood tells the story of what happened after the end of apartheid when newly elected president Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup rugby matches to unite his people in South Africa. Based on John Carlin's book, the film stars Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon (both Oscar nominated) as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the scrappy South African team that makes a run for the championship.
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Adojoa Andoh, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt Stern, Julian Lewis Jones, Marguerite Wheatley, Leleti Khumalo, Patrick Lyster, Penny Downie
Director: Clint Eastwood
Writers: Anthony Peckham (screenplay) [Sherlock Holmes]
John Carlin (book)
Tagline: His people needed a leader. He gave them a champion.
Filming Locations: Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa
hmmmm....I just wasn't that impressed. I was never bored (or should I say really bored)...but even with low expectations, I was unimpressed. The biggest disappointment was Matt Damon. His accent was terrible, almost to the point where it was distracting. It would come and go....I just don't think he prepared enough that's all (accent wise). He definitely beefed up a bit...
I don't really know who would have played a better Francois Pienaar...Jonathan Rhys Meyers? Maybe.
Morgan Freeman did a pretty good job I thought. He definitely looks a lot like Mandela. As far as his accent goes, he did an OK job, better than Damon that's for sure.
According to iMDB (the greatest site ever!): The actors playing the New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks, had to learn the traditional Maori war chant, the Haka, which is performed at every game to intimidate rival teams. Out of a sense of verisimilitude and respect, the crew contacted the New Zealand Rugby Association to make sure the Haka would be done correctly. They sent over a Haka expert named Inia Maxwell, who assisted in Haka/rugby training and was present when the Haka was filmed so that it was portrayed accurately.
This scene...or should I say little clip...was a huge disappointment too! It was too short! Here is a real one..
I almost think that the film Forever Strong did a better Haka. (that's a pretty interesting movie by the way)
Back to Invictus.....
Favorite Scene: When the rugby team went and held clinics with the kids. It was just fun to watch.
Another Dislike: The film didn't really explore the relationship between Mandela and his family. The film hinted at it but only for a couple of minutes. The filmmakers either should have cut out all of the scenes with the daughter or added 5 more minutes.
Overall Recommendation: If you like Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood then check it out. But if you like Matt Damon then stay away---you may just lose all respect for him. And if you aren't interested in history or sports then stay away too.
Budget: $60 million
Worldwide Gross: $122,231,655 (70% non-US)
Good but cheesy line: I was thinking how a man could spend thirty years in prison, and come out and forgive the men who did it to him...
Last Line:
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.
Habitually isolated in her quiet apartment, a vulnerable girl (Marianna Palka) with a penchant for soft-core porn ventures out to a local video store, where she meets a store clerk (Jason Ritter) who vows to break down her emotional walls and win her affections. But as he pursues her in bizarre fashion, it's clear that their budding relationship will be anything but conventional.
Cast: Marianna Palka, Jason Ritter, Eric Edelstein, Martin Starr, Mark Webber, Tom Arnold, Charles Durning, Jesse Garcia, Josh Holt, Katherine Waterston, Elisabeth Waterston
Writer and Director: Marianna Palka
Tagline: What do you REALLY want?
Like: The one part that made this film is definitely the acting. Jason Ritter did a FABULOUS job. (and yes he's John Ritter's son) This goes for both Marianna Palka and Jason Ritter...it would be easy to think that they are creepy and need lots and lots of therapy. However, these two play their role perfectly. The viewer kinda feels sorry for them without thinking they are pathetic.
Like: the fact that the two main characters were not given names...but somehow the viewer can still become attached to them. The credits simply state "Woman" and "Man" Even though the viewer may connect with the two, being a little creeped out is still possible, which makes the viewer still intrigued by their lives.
Like: This film was daring. On top of not giving them names, the ending is what most filmmakers avoid...confusion. The viewer is not told directly what happens...it is left up to the imagination. Whenever I watch films where it ends on a more open-ended note, at first I feel unsatisfied a bit. Later, I come up with my own story to the ending...and these are often the films that I'll think about weeks, months, years later.
The only dislike that I have is that towards the end it's almost like it feels rushed. Music joins the two characters' lives, cutting back and forth. It is an ok technique, if the music is not terrible...and this music was prettty terrible.
Overall Recommendation: It's entertaining and fun...just don't let any young ones watch it.
Disabled Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) travels to planet Pandora to become an avatar, ingratiate himself with the natives and help Americans mine lucrative unobtainium. But he finds himself in an interstellar conflict after falling for Na'vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).
Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, CCH Pounder, Laz Alonso, Wes Studi
Director: James Cameron
Ok...so pretty much everyone and their brother has seen Avatar....and there are a lot more people out there that have given in-depth reviews of it. So I am just going to justify my 4 star rating...
The acting was sub-par...the script was lacking...BUT....
Watching it on Blu-ray was fabulous!!!! Technology has come such a long way...which brings up my main argument...or question...
If this movie was made 10 years ago, when the technology was not available...would we all think so highly of this movie?
Yes, it was entertaining and I wasn't bored...but should it go down as one of the best films ever? No.
