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.

The Contractor - 2007

Movie #117

2.5 Stars

Ace marksman James Dial (Wesley Snipes) comes out of retirement to eliminate a top terrorist he failed to kill years earlier. But when the mission goes awry, Dial realizes he's been framed, goes on the run and gets unexpected help from … a 12-year-old girl (Eliza Bennett). With the British police hot on their trail, the unlikely pair joins forces to prove Dial's innocence in this explosive action thriller from director Josef Rusnak.

Cast: Charles Dance, Lena Headey, Wesley Snipes, Ralph Brown, Eliza Bennett, Velizar Binev, S.J. Evans, Richard Harrington, Sousila Pillay

Director: Josef Rusnak


Filming Location: Bulgaria-- whaaa? It was supposed to take place in London.

Tagline: The world's greatest marksman is now a marked man... (hmmmm---- sounds like Shooter- Rhona Mitra would have been a nice addition to this movie)












Likes: There was no cheesy music. I guess I should have put "like"

Dislikes: The complete lack of storyline. I found myself saying, "Ok...lets get on with it." The twist came halfway through the movie and from there it was as if the film lolly gagged towards an ending.

Overall Recommendation: Avoid this...there is a reason this went straight to DVD

But look at these numbers:

DVD Units Sold: 823,010
Consumer Spending: $15,623,319

I feel sorry for those 823,010 people...and the waste of $15 million!

Cashback - 2006

Movie #107

4 stars

After breaking up with his girlfriend, aspiring artist Ben Willis (Sean Biggerstaff) develops insomnia and takes a night-shift job at a supermarket to pass the hours. He soon discovers that he can freeze time and begins fantasizing about pretty checkout clerk Sharon (Emilia Fox). When he's not dreaming of Sharon -- who may hold the key to resolving his sleeplessness -- Ben roams the aisles disrobing beautiful customers and sketching them.

Cast: Shaun Evans, Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Fox, Michelle Ryan, Stuart Goodwin, Michael Dixon, Marc Pickering, Michael Lambourne, Nick Hancock, Keeley Hazell

Director: Sean Ellis

Filming location: London England

yes- there was lots of nudity but it wasn't completely unnecessary. There is one scene where Ben freezes everyone in Sainsbury's (a grocery store in London) and then pulls down..or up...womens clothing and then draws them. It is kinda silly but isn't that the point of movies sometimes.

There wasn't a moment when I was watching where I decided that I wanted to do something else...which happens a lot when I am watching movies. I also liked the crazy camera work. At first I thought it was cheesy but it started to be entertaining.

Trivia:

• The feature includes the 18 minute Oscar-nominated short film of the same title within its running time.
• In one shot, Ben clicks his fingers to start up time, it then cuts to Ben opening the door to his friend. Between those two shots is a two year gap as the short was filmed two years previously to the feature.
• The single shot of Ben falling from the payphone into bed was done in camera and a whole day to film out of the 25 day shooting schedule.

Tagline: Sometimes love is hiding between the seconds of your life (Clever but not very capturing)