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.

Altered States - 1980

Movie #165

4 stars

Harvard scientist Eddie Jessup's (William Hurt) mind-altering experiments on himself, involving a hallucinatory drug and an isolation chamber, get out of control when his handiwork shuttles him back and forth on the evolutionary spectrum -- from human to ape-man. Equal parts sci-fi actioner, 1960s psychedelic trip and farce, the film was based on a Paddy Chayefsky novel and received Oscar nominations for music and sound. Blair Brown co-stars.

Cast: William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid, Thaao Penghlis, Miguel Godreau, Dori Brenner, Peter Brandon, Drew Barrymore

Director: Ken Russell

Like: The very beginning of the film was amazing.  You see a man upright in a tank and hear clinky clanky noises.  The music is very unsettling.  This sets a perfect tone for the whole film...the feeling of just being uncomfortable.  [dislike:] I didn't like the credits though.  You could still see William Hurt's face in the tank but there were big white letters...intruding the scene.  The title slowly appears one letter at a time...huge letters...taking over the screen.  This interrupted the whole mood.  Not a fan.

Like:  The music was amazing!  Throughout the film it actually made me feel uncomfortable.  There was a scene where William Hurt was drinking some type of ritual blood mix and there were these really disturbing drum beats...think King Kong but way better.  The three men were walking into the cave and you see the sunset behind them.  The music then switches from the drums to this really weird swarming bug noise.  The music made the scene.  Instead of just feeling uncomfortable while he was drinking the blood you felt uncomfortable before, during, and after.  amazing.

There was also a party scene with Indian music.  My theory is that in 1980 that would be a little uncomfortable.  But I'm really guessing on that one..I wasn't even born yet.  Did people think Indian music was kinda strange in 1980?

Like:  Not only does the music make the viewer uncomfortable but the cinematography does too.  There is this really crazy sex scene towards the beginning of the film that is a close up, upward shot of William Hurt's sweaty face.  I'm sure this made the men feel uncomfortable. 

Like:  I was never bored during the film.  How could you be bored when a man turns into an ape. 

Overall Recommendation:  you have to watch this...maybe not alone though...pretty creepy.

Trivia:

• In his autobiography, director Ken Russell said he tried mushrooms during the making of the film, which resulted in a bad trip. 
• In a 1981 interview with the New York Times, Blair Brown said many of the actors and crew tried out the isolation tank. William Hurt actually hallucinated, while Blair Brown found it very peaceful. 
• Film debuts of both William Hurt and Drew Barrymore.

Gross: $19.8 million
Rank: #34 in 1980

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.

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]

Avatar - 2009

#154

4 stars

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.

That is all.

Transformers - 2007

Movie #144

3.5 stars

Based on the popular toys that transform into giant robots, this live-action Michael Bay megahit finds the planet Cybertron inhabitants engaging in a secret war for control of Earth's natural resources, which they desperately need for fuel. But much of the action centers on young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), an unlikely hero whose first car turns out to be an Autobot and helps him win over his dream girl (Megan Fox).

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachael Taylor, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson, John Turturro, Michael O'Neill

Director: Michael Bay



What can I say? The movie was somewhat entertaining. Isn't that the point of movies? On the other hand, the movie did get a little boring in the middle.

Like: The cast was awesome (minus Shia LeBeouf and Megan Fox). Anthony Anderson was funny...as always...and Jon Voight and John Turturro were perfect. If the cast was filled with sub-par nobodies then I may have given it a 3...or 2.5

Like: The scene where the parents thinks Shia LeBeouf was masturbating was hilarious. The comic relief was definitely needed to keep my attention.

Like: The CGI was pretty cool....but...dislike: towards the end of the movie it was just action action action...the movie could have easily been an hour and 45 minutes...instead of 2 hours and 20 some odd minutes.

Dislike: I really can't see Shia LeBeouf without picturing him in Even Stevens. (see below)

Gamer - 2009

Movie #141
3.5 stars

It's 2034, and humans can control and kill each other in a large-scale online gaming world. But Kable (Gerard Butler), a wrongfully convicted soldier forced to join the violent competition, tries to free himself by taking out its evil architect, Ken (Michael C. Hall). While being controlled by a rich kid (Logan Lerman), Kable must also save his wife, Angie (Amber Valletta), who's trapped in her own avatar world.

Cast: Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgwick, Logan Lerman, Alison Lohman, Terry Crews, Aaron Yoo, John Leguizamo, Milo Ventimiglia

Director: Mark Neveldine, Brian Taylor

Tagline: In the near future, you don't live to play... you'll play to live. (wow...how thought provoking...hmmm)

Filming Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Like: There were enough interesting characters to keep the movie interesting. I don't think there was a character that I felt was unnecessary...even John Lequizamo's creepy character. Michael C. Hall did a pretty good job...I'm not too sure about the southern accent he had going on though. He either did a really good job at it (meaning it was supposed to be bad) or he really screwed it up. But he is such a good actor that I think it was supposed to be that way.

Like: The plot was actually good...and thought provoking (while you are watching it). I don't think I will think about this movie 5 years from now and say, gosh, that movie was really good. It is one of those movies that you kinda forget about after you finish watching it. But...it was entertaining to watch. I kept thinking to myself, what if this really did happen?

Dislike: There were a lot of quick-cuts, especially in the beginning. I either got used to it or it wasn't so bad for the rest of the movie.

Dislike: The ending was kinda blah. For the movie to be so action packed the ending was kinda disappointing. ****spoiler alert**** I really wanted the little girl to start acting all crazy...like Michael C. Hall had corrupted her brain and she could control everyone...sequel?

Overall Recommendation: It's pretty entertaining. Just don't think about it too much.













Both Gerard Butler and Amber Valletta's lives are being controlled in some way. But is it by choice?

Don't Tempt Me - 2001

Movie #130


4 stars

A concussive brain injury could spell curtains for a boxer named Manny (Demian Bichir). But no sooner does a priest begin to spout the boxer's last rites than a couple of supernatural agents -- an angel from heaven (Victoria Abril) and a waitress from hell (Penelope Cruz) -- are sent to vie for his soul. A unique, enjoyable film that makes comic use of languages.

Cast: Penélope Cruz, Victoria Abril, Demián Bichir, Fanny Ardant, Gael García Bernal, Gemma Jones, Bruno Bichir, Elena Anaya, Peter McDonald, Emilio Gutiérrez Caba, Cristina Marcos, Alicia Sanchez, Luis Tosar, Elsa Pataky

Director: Agustin Diaz Yanes

Tagline: Heaven and hell are on Earth, and they're wearing heels.






The one thing that made this movie was the cast.

• Penelope Cruz - Hell's Angel
• Gael Garcia Bernal - Operations Manager for Hell
• Victoria Abril - Heaven's Angel
• Fanny Ardant - Operations Manager for Heaven

The film starts off with the two angels walking into a building and then pulling a mark over their faves. It then cuts to two months earlier.

Even though I'm not a big fan of this technique, this choice was probably for the best. The story lacked umph sometimes but if you get a little bored then you just start to wonder how the two women (supposed enemies) got there.

Best actor goes to Penelope. At first you think she is doing a terrible job because of the way she carries herself...but in the end you are like ohhhh!

There were also a lot of good quotes:

• Lola Nevado: Bad people never let you down, because bad people never change
• Carmen Ramos: Remember: either God wants all evil to disappear but can't do it, which means He's weak. Or He can, but won't, which means He's evil. Or He can't and won't, so He's weak and evil, and therefore not God. Unde malum?

My only major dislikes about the movie is (a) the subtitles were not as good as they could have been (white letters on a light background) but they are not the worst I have seen...and (b) I don't think I would rush to watch it again...the reason I'm not giving it a 5.

An interesting thing to note was that they speak French in Heaven, English in Hell, and the movie takes place in Spain...so Spanish on Earth.

Overall Recommendation: This is a good one!

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

Pandorum - 2009

Movie #119

4 stars

Upon rousing themselves from hyper-sleep, Payton (Dennis Quaid) and Bower (Ben Foster), a pair of crewmen assigned to work on a spacecraft, discover startling gaps in their collective memory -- including who they are and what, exactly, their mission was in the first place. The plot thickens when they realize they're not the only ones on board the ship. Cam Gigandet co-stars in this gripping sci-fi thriller.

Cast: Dennis Quaid, Ben Foster, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue, Cung Le, Eddie Rouse, Norman Reedus, André Hennicke, Friederike Kempter, Niels-Bruno Schmidt, Wotan Wilke Möhring, Yangzom Brauen

Director: Christian Alvart


Tagline: Don't fear the end of the world. Fear what happens next.

Likes: It seemed as though the movie was never boring. Just like Control, the storyline was interesting and though provoking. I liked how the creepy monsters all looked uniques, not like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory where all of the oompa loompas were the same. The oompa loompas were the best part of the original...















The major like of this movie was the ending...wow.

Dislikes: I can't really think of any major dislikes...i guess the only real reason I am not giving it a 5 is because of the fact that I don't think I would watch it again.











































Best Actor: Cam Gigandet-- His character was critical...and he sure did pull it off....oh...and he's not bad to look at. I can have a momentary slip :)





















Overall recommendation: you gotta watch this! (atleast once)