2001: A Space Odyssey - 1968

Movie #172

4.5 Stars

Astronauts David and Frank (Dullea and Lockwood) are sent to investigate an unusual artificact found buried on the moon.  The ship's intelligent computer, HAL, aides in their travel to Jupitar but everything is not as simple as it seems.  Stanley Kubrik's film not only looks at the mysteries of space but also the mysteries of life.

Cast: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Leonard Rossiter, Douglas Rain, Frank Miller, Alan Gifford, John Ashley, Arthur C. Clarke
 
Director: Stanley Kubrick


I don't know what to say about this film.  It was excellent...one of those films that everyone should see.  I'm not going to even try and analyze anything about this film...I would probably look like an idiot.  So I am just going to do my...

Overall Recommendation: If you haven't seen this film then watch it...NOW!...and if you have seen this film then watch it again.

There will always be something new to learn every time you watch a film like this.  I will post a review once I watch it again.

Get Him to the Greek - 2010

Movie #166

4.5 stars

Ambitious young record company intern Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) will let nothing get in the way of his planned rise to the top in the music business -- not even the unruly rock star (Russell Brand) he must escort to Los Angeles for the start of his anniversary concert. Doing whatever it takes to get the rocker from Point A to Point B, Aaron encounters all manners of mishaps in this comedy directed by Nicholas Stoller and produced by Judd Apatow.

Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Elisabeth Moss, Rose Byrne, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Colm Meaney, Aziz Ansari, Da'Vone McDonald, Lino Facioli

Director: Nicholas Stoller

This movie was hilarious.  But let me just get something straight right off the bat.  This movie was hilarious because I don't mind dirty humor....and this movie had a lot of that. 

Like:  I enjoyed every single actor and every single character.  Best actor definately goes to Elisabeth Moss though.  When I saw her in Mad Men I wondered if she could pull anything else off....and she definately can.  In a way her character was pivatol to the film...yeah...hear me out.  The film opens with Jonah Hill in bed and Elisabeth Moss, his girlfriend, comes home from working her night shift at the hospital.  If she didn't make the audience realize that her relationship with Jonah Hill could actually be legitimate then right off the bat we would have doubts about not only her character but Jonah Hill's character too.  And when the whole movie centers around Jonah Hill the audience needs to like him.

Like:  Russel Brand.  How can you not just love him.  He played the same character as he did in Forgetting Sarah Marshall....which was a good idea but the whole movie I kept thinking...ok...he was supposed to be in this 7 year relationship with Rose Byrne...so when did Sarah Marshall fall into all of this...was he still going out with Rose Byrne.  I think I need to rewatch Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  Oh and I liked how Russell Brand wasn't doing that crazy hair thing in the back. 

Like:  Rose Byrne did a great job...her character, Jackie Q, was just hilarous.  She was a musician...or singer I guess...and her songs were sooo hilarous.  Emily Blunt was supposed to play Jackie Q but I think it worked out better in the end with Rose Byrne.  Don't get me wrong...I love Emily Blunt but I just couldn't see her singing those songs or even being in a relationship with Russell Brand. 

Like:  The music was hilarous.  I want to buy the soundtrack...I'm not kidding.  The songs were actually song by Russell Brand under the fake name Infant Sorrow...there is actually a website.... http://www.infantsorrowband.com/  and even the song titles are hilarious...

Pound Me in the Buttox - Jackie Q
The Clap - Infant Sorrow
Bangers, Beans and Mash - Infant Sorrow

Like:  The downfall with any funny movie: every single funny part being in the preview.  This was not the case.  I laughed soo much.  I can't even pick a favorite scene.

Dislike:  ummm...i gotta think of one I guess...the movie dragged a little tinny tiny bit in the middle.

Note:  I don't know why I say films and why I sometimes say movies.  But I guess I just start typing...and for instance, I called this one a movie.  I'm not one of those omg you have to say film its a film.  I just type what I want....but I guess I would call this a movie...it wasn't made to be thought provoking it was made to be entertaining.

Overall Recommendation:  If you aren't a prude then you have to watch this movie!

Budget: $40 million
Gross: $68 million (15% non-US)  *estimate

Iron Man - 2008

Movie #163

4.5 Stars

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)

Flame and Citron - 2008

Movie #159

4 stars

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

Director: Ole Christian Madsen [Prague]

Filming Locations:  Berlin, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; Prague, Czech Republic

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)

Interview with the Vampire - 1994

Movie #157

4.5 stars

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]

Good Evening Mr. Wallenberg - 1990

Movie #150

4.5 stars

The story of Swedish businessman Raoul Wallenberg, who, in 1944, helped Jews in Budapest obtain Swedish passports to get them out of Adolph Eichmann's deadly path. Wallenberg's efforts helped save more than 60,000 people in Budapest's Jewish ghetto -- the most successful rescue of Jews during World War II. Aside from Winston Churchill, Wallenberg was the only other person ever to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States.

Cast: Stellan Skarsgård, Károly Eperjes, Miklos Szekely B., Erland Josephson, Jesper Christensen, Ivan Desny, Katharina Thalbach, Franciszek Pieczka, Geza Balkay

Director: Kjell Grede

The main selling point of this film was that it didn't try and go overboard.  When you are dealing with such a tragic issue it is easy to try and outdo everything else that has been made.  Kinda like Boy in the Stripped Pajamas...it was trying to send a message.  With Good Evening Mr. Wallenberg, it is apparent that they did not try to top every other film that tackled the subject.  The film simply told a story...and the story in itself was moving.  Yes, the film was pretty violent at times but not in order to entertain or keep the story interesting...it was violent because it was portraying real events.  And it's sad to say...but you don't need to add a Hollywood plot to make this a good film.

In addition, I think another reason this film was so good was because it is foreign.  Tom Cruise was not hired to entertain us for 2 hours....Stellan Skarsgard prepared himself for the role in order to let more of the world know more about who Wallenberg was.

Skarsgard has said..."There is no overacting, only untrue acting."  He did a fabulous job.  In no way did he overact.  When I was watching the film I was unsure about his acting.  When people would be murdered it was as if Skarsgard was underacting...his character did not seem sad.  But looking back on his performance, it was perfect.  Every single day Wallenberg witnessed people being murdered.  If his reaction every single time was that of sadness then he could not be the most effective he could be.  In order to save people he needed to think of a way to make the Germans stop.

The acting as a whole in the film was superb.  The shots of Budapest added to the affect of the story....even if it was portrayed a little bit more gray then it really is.  The reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because it did drag a little bit...but that is also what added to its greatness...it was a non-Hollywood film.

Overall Recommendation:  If you're not in the mood for something lighthearted...then watch this film!

Interesting Fact about Wallenberg:
Wallenberg rented 32 buildings in Budapest and declared them to be extraterritorial, protected by diplomatic immunity. He put up signs such as "The Swedish Library" and "The Swedish Research Institute" on their doors and hung oversize Swedish flags on the front of the buildings to bolster the deception. The buildings eventually housed almost 10,000 people

And yes...Stellan Skarsgard is Alexander Skarsgard's father.  I guess you can kinda see it..

Adam's Apples - 2005

Movie #140
4.5 stars

Utopian clergyman Ivan (Mads Mikkelsen) finds his starry-eyed outlook challenged by neo-Nazi Adam Pedersen (Ulrich Thomsen) in this black comedy from director Anders Thomas Jensen. Just out of prison and ordered to perform community service at Ivan's rural church, the sullen Adam is tasked with tending the chapel's beloved apple tree. But he's determined to undercut Ivan's rosy worldview … which proves harder than Adam ever imagined.

Cast: Ulrich Thomsen, Mads Mikkelsen, Nikolaj Kaas, Paprika Steen, Gyrd Lofqvist, Ali Kazim, Ole Thestrup

Director: Anders Thomas Jensen

Filming Location: Faaborg, Denmark

This movie is truly one of a kind! Have you even watched a movie where the character you identify with the most is a neo-nazi? Yeah...I didn't think so. The script was awesome...the actors were awesome...the film was just excellent.

Mads Mikkelsen has once again impressed me. His character is pivotal to the success of the film. He plays Ivan, a clergyman that looks at life in a totally different way than most people. Adam, a neo-nazi, is sent to the church to serve his community service. At first Ivan is portrayed as just a very good natured man, telling Adam that he doesn't see a neo-nazi when he looks at him. Ivan also explains that evil doesn't really exist, that people are just looking for it in others. So Ivan asks Adam what his goal is going to be while he is staying there. Adam sarcastically replies that he wants to bake an apple pie. Instead of responding to sarcasm with sarcasm, Ivan simple says, ok, you will take care of the apple tree until August 1 and then you will bake us all a big apple pie.

After this point...the viewer starts to realize that Ivan may be a little...well...nuts. Ivan's positive outlook towards life becomes almost ridiculous and Adam repeatedly tries to get under his skin. Ivan either brushes it off and pretends it doesn't happen or he simply says that he is being rude.

Under these crazy circumstances there is a real point to this film --> life may throw you the biggest curve balls but as long as you think positive, good things will come.

Overall Recommendation: This dark comedy is AMAZING! watch it :)

Favorite line: If we all listened to reason, the world would be a gloomy place. You need to follow your heart

The Queen and I - 2008

Movie #132

4.5 stars

Nahid Persson Sarvestani's thought-provoking documentary about her friendship with Queen Farah, the wife of the Shah of Iran, demonstrates how even those at most odds -- politically, idealistically -- can find middle ground and understanding. The royal answers questions about her husband's repressive principles, and the conversation becomes political and highly personal. Included with the film is a short called Liberation.

Cast: Empress Farah, Zinat S. Lloyd, Nahid Persson Sarvestani

Director: Nahid Persson Sarvestani





I will start with my dislike since there is only one: when Nahid would narrate, you could tell that she was reading. It was so obvious...obvious enough for it to be distracting.

Likes: I thought it was very objective...or as objective as it could have been given the fact that Nahid had spent a good part of her young adult life totally against her - supporting the overthrow of the shah.

If Farah (or her majesty as she liked to be called...even by her friend) wasn't as crazy as she was it may have not been as easy to get through. It is evident that she still views herself as the Empress by the way she carries herself in public.




















Even though Farah was a little full of herself it was nice to see her good natured side (despite the so called rumors about what happened to Iranians that were against the shah). One scene shows her reading "fan letters." One boy had wrote that he wanted an iPod. At first her response was that she can't give everyone everything that they want...but then she went on to say that she had bought a new iPod and she could give him her old one. On top of that gesture she called a man who had wrote to her. When he answered the phone, Farah introduced herself as the person you wrote the letter to....I guess for security reasons. But she wished his family well during a brief conversation. After she hung up, she said he probably wasn't expecting a phone call. Now who knows if she was just playing nice for the camera or if that's what she's really like.

The craziest thing about the documentary, in my eyes, is how every year, on the anniversary of the shah's death, a whole hell of a lot of people go to Egypt where the shah is buried. One lady even travels from Texas...every year.

It was sad when they talked about Farah's daughter Leila. She was 9 years old when the shah was forced into exile. She started modeling but suffered from anorexia and severe depression. In June of 2001 she was found in a London hotel. She had taken 5 times the lethal dose of sleeping pills. She normally took 40 pills...not the prescribed two. crazzzy.

Overall, this was a very interesting documentary. It was kinda weird to see the filmmaker featured so much. But in a way, that was the whole point of the documentary...these two women coming together to discuss their homeland. Both women were forced to leave but their thoughts about the rule of Iran was totally different. The only reason I am not giving this 5 stars is because I don't think I would watch it again.

Bones: Season 2 and 3

Movies 127 & 128

4.5 stars

In the second season of Fox's darkly comic series, the uneasy alliance between forensic anthropologist Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) continues. Despite wildly clashing styles -- both personal and professional -- the scientist and sleuth put their heads together to solve a number of puzzles, including the murder of a senator and the long-ago death of Brennan's own mother.

Cast: David Boreanaz, T.J. Thyne, Michaela Conlin, Eric Millegan, Emily Deschanel, Tamara Taylor






Favorite Episode: "Aliens in a Spaceship"- The episode opens with Bones and Hodgins waking up in a car...that is buried. I think I cried 4 times during this episode. :)

Trivia:

• Eric Millegan, who plays Dr. Zack Addy, a grad student younger than the other scientists, is actually one year older than T.J. Thyne, who plays Dr. Jack Hodgins, two years older than Emily Deschanel, who plays Dr. Temperance Brennen, his teacher, and four years older than Michaela Conlin, who plays Angela Montenegro.

I guess it's his hair cut that makes him look so young.

• The episode "Player Under Pressure" was originally suppose to air in April 2007 as episode 19, but was delayed in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, as the episode's plot featured finding human remains on a college campus. The episode later aired in April 2008 as apart of the third season, with new footage shot for the episode.

Favorite Character: Cam Saroyan - new head of the forensic division.
















Bloopers:





5 stars

Brilliant forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) return for a third season in this popular procedural drama about solving decades-old murder mysteries. Bones applies her unique ability of finding clues in the victims' skeletal remains, while Booth uses the people skills that she lacks. The hit series is based on the cases of a real-life forensic scientist.

Cast: Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, Michaela Conlin, Eric Millegan, T.J. Thyne, Tamara Taylor





This season was a lot better than season 2. The season featured a cannibalistic serial killer, nicknamed the Gormogon. The main reason I feel as though this season was better than season 2 is because of recurring storylines. At first I think the creators were trying to make Bones more like Law and Order, where the viewers can pretty much just pick up any episode and not be confused. Well, Bones proved to have a good following...there was no need to dumb down the storyline for new viewers.

Favorite episode: Definitely the season finale...it was soooo good.

Favorite Character: prosecutor Caroline Julian. She is soooo hilarious

Trivia:
The season took a 4-month hiatus due to the Writers Guild of America strike beginning after "The Boy in the Time Capsule" on December 20, 2007, with episodes resuming on April 10, 2008 with "The Knight on the Grid".

Bloopers: