Torremolinos 73 - 2003

Movie #167

3 stars

Alfredo López (Cámara) is a struggling encyclapedia salesman who owes three months of back rent. It's 1973 and the world is changing. His boss has an offer for Alredo that he just can't refuse, shooting "scientific" sex videos with his wife for the Danish World Encyclopedia of Reproduction. Alfredo's obbsession with filmmaker Ingmar Bergman threatens the relationship with his wife, who becomes obsessed with having a baby.

(I've started making my own plot summaries...what do you think?)

Cast: Javier Cámara, Candela Peña, Juan Diego, Malena Alterio, Fernando Tejero, Mads Mikkelsen, Ramon Barea, Thomas Bo Larsen, Nuria Gonzalez, Marivi Bilbao

Director: Pablo Berger


The storyline was kind of interesting and there were enough things going on to keep my attention.  It was only 86 minutes though.  It is good that the filmmaker realized that a shorter length would be more beneficial.  I feel like a lot of times filmmakers want a 2 hour film...to showcase their talent...but if the storyline isn't there then it just isn't there.

Like:  Berger did a good job of actually making the audience believe that the couple actually had chemistry.  You have to admit, he's the lucky one.  If this hadn't been accomplished then it would feel more like a cheap movie...and not a film observing people's lives.  It might have also made the audience feel grossed out while they were filming their "scientific" movies.

Like: I can definately see the influence of Pedro Almodóvar in this film


Like/Dislike:  This is the kind of film that you can't tell if it is a good or bad thing that it is a foreign language film.  Are you missing out on something by having to read the subtitles?  Or are the subtitles covering up the bad?  I don't really have an opinion on the matter but I thought I would just throw it out there.

Dislike:  Mads Mikkelson.  Anybody who reads my reviews knows that I love Mads.  But I sure am glad this was not the first film I watched of his.  It wasn't that his acting was bad but it was more of just his character.  He was weird, slime-bally, and had no depth.  But in the end this might have been on purpose.  I didn't dislike the character but I didn't like him either.  It would take a lot more effort to like Mads if this was my first movie of his. 

Overall Recommendation:  It's a sub-par movie that isn't really worth watching.

Where the Wild Things Are - 2009

Movie #161

3 stars

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.

Easy Virtue - 2008

Movie #142
3 stars

American widow Larita (Jessica Biel) meets John (Ben Barnes), a wealthy young Englishman, in France and impulsively marries him. But when they visit his family at their country estate, Larita receives a chilly reception from her virulent new mother-in-law (Kristin Scott Thomas). As she waits impatiently to move on with life in London, Larita forms a subtle bond with John's father (Colin Firth) while John falls further under his mother's spell.

Cast: Jessica Biel, Ben Barnes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Kimberley Nixon, Katherine Parkinson, Kris Marshall, Christian Brassington, Charlotte Riley, Jim McManus

Director: Stephan Elliott

Filming Locations: London, Oxfordshire, and Nottinghamshire, England

Like/Dislike: The interior shots were amazing. The wide camera shots allowed the viewer to feel as though they were in the room. OK...this may also be a dislike. It is possible that the wide shots were favored because of Jessica Biels' somewhat lack of acting skills. Her role was the most important one...the role that would ultimately make or break this film. She may have tried too hard to feel uncomfortable in the current setting but at times it was kind of painful to watch long scenes that mostly evolved around her speaking.

Like: Kristen Scott Thomas did a fabulous job...just like she always does. She pegged the role of a somewhat angry mother perfectly. If she wasn't in this movie than I don't think I would (a) have been attracted to it, or (b) been able to finish the film.

Like: The dog :)
Dislike: THE MUSIC!!! We (or atleast I did) got the point of the era the movie was supposed to take place in. It is not necessary to play a blaring song every 10 minutes to remind the viewers it is not the 21st century. The interior of the house and the clothes say enough.

Dislike: I wanted to like this movie so much but in the end I just felt disappointed. Was the viewer supposed to feel a rush of excitement when we found out about Jessica Biels' past? Did the viewer even reallly get to know about her past?

Overall Recommendation: If you like Kristen Scott Thomas then you may enjoy watching it a little bit...but other than that don't expect very much.

Kristen Scott Thomas Quote: People will now go to films with subtitles, you know. They're not afraid of them. It's one of the upsides of text-messaging and e-mail. Maybe the only good thing to come of it.

Couples Retreat - 2009

Movie #136

3 stars

Desperate to save their marriage, one couple convinces three other couples to go in on a group rate price for an island retreat designed for troubled unions. But the "mandatory therapy" brews up nothing but trouble for everyone.

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kali Hawk, Jean Reno

Director: Peter Billingsley

Filming Location: Bora Bora and LA

Tagline: It may be paradise... but it's no vacation.













3 stars is pretty generous. The cast gave this movie so much potential...but it feel short...big time. Jason Bateman wasn't funny...he was pathetic. Vince Vaughn played the same old character he always plays and the only funny part of the movie was the little...and maybe the yoga instructor. "ENCOURAGEMENT!"

Overall recommendation: perfect movie for background noise...hey- you may even laugh twice...but you will not feel as though you wasted 2 hours of your life.

Trivia: A controversy arose when the UK posters were released and black actors Faizon Love and Kali Hawk had been removed. Universal claimed the change was to highlight actors who were more recognizable by UK audiences, but apologized for any offense and changed plans to use the modified poster in other countries.

Legion - 2010

Movie #129

3 stars

In the wake of an apocalypse of major proportions, a motley crew of survivors (including Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson and Kate Walsh) ekes out a living at an abandoned truck stop in the desert, never suspecting that the pregnant woman walking among them is carrying the Messiah. Paul Bettany co-stars in this thriller as the archangel Michael, who was sent to Earth to steer humankind away from darkness and toward the light.

Cast: Paul Bettany, Dennis Quaid, Tyrese Gibson, Lucas Black, Adrianne Palicki, Charles S. Dutton, Kevin Durand, Jon Tenney, Willa Holland, Kate Walsh

Director: Scott Charles Stewart


Filming Location: Sante Fe, New Mexico

What was even the point of this movie? Was it that you shouldn't lose faith in God because he will be angry? If so, that was a really bad movie previewing Clash of the Titans. Or was the point that one person could change the world? hmmm Whatever it was...this movie was seriously lacking.

The characters seemed shallow, the plot was shallow, the movie was just sub par...through and through. Even though the movie had decent actors the script must have sucked! The actors didn't have anything to work with...and in the long run...that makes for a sucky movie!

The one thing I guess I have to give credit to was the action and the special effects (if though there were hardly any!) It was pretty cool whe the eyes went black in those zombie things (oh, by the way, I am a little confused about what those things really were.) But...we saw the black eyes thing in Season 2 of True Blood (review coming soon).







That lady was pretty damn creepy!
Up until her part the movie was booooring









Best actor definitely goes to Kevin Durand. He played a really good Gabriel. I remember him from Dark Angel when he played Joshua...a dog man. He really can transform himself. But you gotta admit...his nose is kinda dog-like.





Trivia: The tattoos on Micheal are Enochian, a language supposedly of the angels as recorded by John Dee and his seer Edward Kelley in the late 16th century, which they claimed was revealed to them by angels.

Overall Recommendation: If you do watch it...don't have high expectations. You can really just watch the preview and be just as satisfied (if not more satisfied)....so here ya go -->



seriously...all you need to do is watch the trailer....believe you me...the ending isn't satisfying

Mister Foe - 2007

Movie #126

3 stars

In a darkly twisted plot, teenage voyeur Hallam Foe (Jamie Bell) spies on his stepmother, Verity (Claire Forlani), through binoculars, finding himself irresistibly attracted to her even as he becomes convinced she murdered his mother. When Hallam flees to the city and meets a woman (Sophia Myles) who resembles his mother, his binocular-spying obsessions begin anew. But when Verity and his father track him down, will the truth surface?

Cast: Jamie Bell, Sophia Myles, Ciarán Hinds, Claire Forlani, Paul Blair, Ewen Bremner, Gerry Cleary, John Comerford, Stuart Hepburn, Jamie Sives, Maurice Roëves, Ruth Milne, John Paul Lawler, Kirsty Shepheard

Director: David Mackenzie


Tagline: Some people see life differently

Filming Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Note: Although much of Hallam Foe is filmed in central Edinburgh, the film avoids showing Edinburgh Castle, which is visible from many of the real life locations. I did notice this

Likes: The writer was not afraid to make the characters F-ed up! I mean c'mon...Jamie Bell spies on people, is obsessed with boobs, he sleeps in his tree fort under a blown up picture of his dead mom, he wears war paint, sometimes wears his mothers dress, and pierced his ear with his mother's earring. CRAZZZY.

I guess the story was interesting and creepy at times but somewhat enjoyable. I really liked the scenes of Edinburgh...I think that if it was filmed in the US I would have given it a 2.5.

Dislikes: The music...it was sooo loud and it interrupted the storyline. The funny thing is...the soundtrack it thought to be good.

From Wikipedia: Domino Records provided the entire soundtrack with bands including Franz Ferdinand with their song Hallam Foe Dandelion Blow along with songs from James Yorkston, u.n.p.o.c., King Creosote, Sons and Daughters, Four Tet, Psapp, Juana Molina and Test Icicles, amongst others. The soundtrack has won several awards, and is integral to the film.

whaaa?

Another dislike is the fact that some parts were supposed to be dramatic...and well...they were comedic. Like the parts where Jamie Bell puts that crazy skunk head on (see below).

Overall Recommendation: You can watch this one as background entertainment

Tell-Tale - 2009

Movie #123

3 stars

In this thriller inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart," Josh Lucas stars as Terry, a single dad who's kept alive by another man's heart -- a scenario that suits him fine until he discovers that the ticker's original owner was murdered. Worried that he might come to a similar end, Terry embarks on a desperate search for the donor's killer.

Cast: Josh Lucas, Lena Headey, Brian Cox, Beatrice Miller, Dallas Roberts, Ulrich Thomsen, Pablo Schreiber, Jamie Harrold, Tom Riis Farrell, Tom Kemp

Director: Michael Cuesta

Tagline: Truth Lies a Heartbeat Away.

Filming Location: Rhode Island


Likes: The movie was interesting I suppose. There were times that were definitely suspenseful. I liked Josh Lucas and I like Lena Headey...but....

Dislikes: ....the writing was pretty bad. To say that the movie was inspired by the Tell-Tale Heart is an overstatement. Yes, the main character can hear his heartbeat...but that is about it. Even I guess my major complaint is just the fact that the movie dragged...a lot.

I was reading a review on IGN and this paragraph pretty much sums it up...

But ultimately the movie is a disappointment for fans of Cuesta's previous feature output who might be looking for something more than just a standard thriller here. The director seemed to feel the need to explain himself in this regard at the screening IGN attended, telling the audience prior to the film's start that this was much more of a genre picture than his other movies. That's pretty much all it is -- a decent if unremarkable little thriller.

The Last Word - 2008

Movie #113

3 stars

Reclusive writer Evan (Wes Bentley) has created for himself a unique job: writing suicide notes for people who are about to kill themselves. When he unexpectedly falls for Charlotte (Winona Ryder), the sister of one of his recent clients, his whole way of life is upended. Although Evan has a knack for the work he does, he's understandably nervous to have others learn about his secret job -- especially his new girlfriend.

Cast: Winona Ryder, Wes Bentley, Ray Romano, A.J. Trauth, Allan Rich, Gina Hecht, Kurt Caceres, Alison Moir, Paul Haasch, Katherine Boecher, Brendan Miller, Michael Cornacchia

Director: Geoffrey Haley


The power of one: Wes Bentley is paid to write people's suicide notes but his morbid life is threatened when he falls for a previous client's sister.

Basically, Ray Romano was this movie's saving grace. He was so sarcastic it was hilarious. "I think today is going to be pretty good...it started with a really good dump." Or this one-- "Whatever you do, don't f*** her in the ass. Sodomy changes everything"

Apart from Mr. Romano, the movie was bland. It's interesting to imagine people hiring others to write their suicide note. I could have turned the movie off at any point and not feel very motivated to finish it. However, the ending was the best part...and not because it was over but because it made watching the movie actually worthwhile.

The International - 2009

Movie #106

3 stars

Interpol agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) and New York Asst. DA Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts) team up to expose a global financial institution's money laundering, arms dealing and other illegal rackets in this tense thriller from director Tom Tykwer. As the pair race from New York to Milan and beyond to pursue their case, they soon discover that the ruthless bank will stop at nothing to continue its profitable activities.

Cast: Clive Owen, Naomi Watts, Jack McGee, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Ulrich Thomsen, Remy Auberjonois, Victor Slezak, Brian F. O'Byrne, Angelina Aucello

Director: Tom Tykwer



I thought this movie was just a big cop out. The music constantly told you how feel...the sound effects were way too loud...and the character were just blah. I never found myself rooting for Clive Owen. (don't you think that would have been a major objective) I did like seeing the different filming locations, like Turkey. Notice the movie poster: Naomi Watts was never in that scene...so why....I don't know...

Trivia: (courtesy of imdb)

• Inspired by the BCCI (Bank of Credit and Commerce International) banking scandal, which took place in the 1980s and early 1990s.
• Originally scheduled for release in August 2008. After badly-received previews, and re-shoots to turn it into more of an action film, it was released in February 2009, during the worst banking crisis in U.S. history.
• Shipped to theaters under the code name "Across Boundaries". Link this trivia
• An explosive shootout scene takes place inside New York's famous Guggenheim Museum. The production team used the Guggenheim's original blueprints to build a full-size replica of its interior in an abandoned locomotive warehouse. Construction took 4 months.
• During the movie, Eleanor (Naomi Watts) trades SMS text messages with a contact. The number which identifies the sender on her Blackberry is +352 22 28 09: the real phone number for the Luxembourg City Tourist Office.

Overall Recommendation: uhhh...you can skip this one

I do like Naomi with longer hair though :)

Dead Like Me:Life After Death - 2009

Movie #103

3 Stars

A new assignment hits home for grim reaper Georgia (Ellen Muth) when her latest reaping, Hudson Hart (Jordan Hudyma), turns out to be the secret love of her sister, Reggie (Britt McKillip). Meanwhile, Cameron Kane (Henry Ian Cusick) takes over as Head Reaper, but he's not highly regarded by his undead underlings Daisy (Sarah Wynter), Roxy (Jasmine Guy) and Mason (Callum Blue) in this feature follow-up to the short-lived Showtime cult hit.

Cast: Henry Ian Cusick, Cynthia Stevenson, Ellen Muth, Laura Harris, Callum Blue, Britt McKillip, Sarah Wynter, Jasmine Guy, Jordan Hudyma, Christine Willes, Justin Bradley

Director: Stephen Herek


Ok...compared to the show, this movie sucked!!! It is supposed to be 5 years later but it's like they abandoned everything that they had built up. The characters seemed shallow...which could have been because of cast issues.

The original Daisy was played by Laura Harris but she couldn't film the movie because she was working on Women's Murder Club. So, they cast Sarah Wynter as Daisy. The two actresses actually do look a lot alike (see picture below). They also played sisters on 24. BUT there personalities were totally off. I really started to like Daisy during the second season but Sarah Wynter's performance ruined it.



















Laura Harris (original daisy) and Sarah Wynter (fake daisy)


Also, Mandy Patinkin, who played Rube, was not available to shoot the movie because of Criminal Minds. Fortunately, they didn't try to recast him. Instead, the movie opens up with the Der Waffle Haus burned down and Cameron Kane is their new boss. I didn't like this character, or storyline, at all. They should have just waited until all of the original actors were available...or just not make the movie.

Overall Recommendation: if you liked the show...avoid the movie.

Highway - 2001

Movie # 91

3 Stars

Starring: Jared Leto, Jake Gyllenhaal, Selma Blair, Danny Comden, Sean Dalgarn, David J. Guppy, Kimberley Kates, John C. McGinley, Jeremy Piven

Director: James Cox

Synopsis: In 1994, two 19-year-olds (Jared Leto and Jake Gyllenhaal) with a couple of hoods hot on their tail flee Las Vegas and head to Seattle. Along the way, they pick up an abused prostitute (Selma Blair) and soon find themselves amidst thousands of grieving fans at a vigil following the death of grunge band Nirvana's lead singer Kurt Cobain. It's a road picture unlike any other you'll see.



My synopsis: Jared Leto screws an important person's wife while she makes him say "jack and jilly go up the hilly." Then the husband strolls on in...gets angry...sends the "Miranda Pandas" after him to break his feet...Jared Leto and Jake Gyllenhaal decide to escape from the Pandas and go to Seattle. On the way they meet Selma Blair, an escort that stole a bunch of shoes. Jared Leto falls in love...they have sex....the eventually make it to Seattle ....AND.....****spoiler alert**** Miranda's Pandas end up breaking both his feet (accompanied by really gross bone breaking sounds I might add)

Caution: when trying to find a movie to watch without subtitles- it is important to realize that stupid movies like this one are pointless. Don't get me wrong, it was kinda entertaining...I got a few laughs out of it. Like this scene with a drugged out Jeremy Piven....


























And Yes, that is Jared Leto grabbing is manly parts...and yes...that is Mr. Gyllenhaal....look how far he has come. (no his acting still kinda sucks)

Overall recommendation: it may be more entertaining if you were intoxicated while enjoying this wonderful cinematic masterpiece.....

Crimen Ferpecto (The Perfect Crime) -2004

3 stars

Synopsis: "Rafael (Guillermo Toledo), a top department store salesman with his pick of the comely female staff, thinks he has the perfect life -- that is, until a rivalry with co-worker Don Antonio (Luis Varela) ends in murder, forcing Rafael to find an alibi. Lourdes (Monica Cervera), the one salesgirl Rafael has hitherto spurned, comes to his aid … but at a price."

This movies only saving grace is its music. The music actually makes it funny. At times it seemed slow but its satire kept me hanging on by a thread.

Fun fact: The DVD was released in Croatia, titled Ševac i njegov pijevac which literally means "A fucker and his rooster."

Overall recommendation: not worth your time.