Law Abiding Citizen
I avoided this movie while it was in the theater based on the impression that it was just going to be a mindless killing spree ochestrated by the wrath of Clyde (Butler), in which would be followed by unnecessary violence and gore. Surprisingly it was a very enjoyable, but intense movie. The ending was very hollywood, but the moral suggestions throughout this movie were intriguing. Clyde watches helplessly as his wife and daughter are murdered before his eyes, and you're undoubtedly on his side, but then the the two sides become divided when Clyde begins to kill people. Nick (Jamie Foxx) now seems to be the apparent good-guy, with a family of his own and doing what "he" believes is the right thing in the name of the law. Clyde brings an excellent argument though. He questions the poor legal system and Nick. What makes you think twice about Nick though is that you learn Nick is more concerned with his conviction rate and doesn't care about Clyde as he accepted the deal with the murderer even before consulting with Butler. So now the overall moral argument is: "Are Butler's killings more justified than the legal system and Nick's sloppy and selfish judgement, releasing murders and rapists back into the streets?". That's the ultimate question of the movie, "Is it possible that the legal system can actually benefit the criminals more than the victims?" 8 out of 10. Outstanding performance from Butler, the movie ending slips a little though.
Law Abiding Citizen
Butler hanging on to his daughter's memory
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Chasing Ghosts in "Shutter Island"
Shutter Island
What you can expect from a movie like Shutter Island, at least you'd think, would be suspense and the seemingly overall creepy, noir atmosphere presented from the early trailers. Only one problem, I did not find any of this when I saw the movie. The beginning began slightly creepy, but quickly degraded to a directionless chase for the next hour and a half. An element that can make a movie so engrossing is the fact that as you are watching you are connected to the character and forget that it's even an actor playing the role. This is what makes The Dark Knight and other movies like Gran Torino so good is that you are in the movie and that the choices the characters make emotionally effect you. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't have that element. Leonardo DiCaprio is a good actor, but I have to think that this falls on Scorsese. There are too many awkward scenes that don't have anything to do with the rest of the movie and the tension never seemed to build as Scorsese tried to create a connection to Daniel's (DiCaprio) with repetitive flashbacks that distort the movie. 6 out of 10. Excellent book translated into a watered down, anti-climatic version.
What you can expect from a movie like Shutter Island, at least you'd think, would be suspense and the seemingly overall creepy, noir atmosphere presented from the early trailers. Only one problem, I did not find any of this when I saw the movie. The beginning began slightly creepy, but quickly degraded to a directionless chase for the next hour and a half. An element that can make a movie so engrossing is the fact that as you are watching you are connected to the character and forget that it's even an actor playing the role. This is what makes The Dark Knight and other movies like Gran Torino so good is that you are in the movie and that the choices the characters make emotionally effect you. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't have that element. Leonardo DiCaprio is a good actor, but I have to think that this falls on Scorsese. There are too many awkward scenes that don't have anything to do with the rest of the movie and the tension never seemed to build as Scorsese tried to create a connection to Daniel's (DiCaprio) with repetitive flashbacks that distort the movie. 6 out of 10. Excellent book translated into a watered down, anti-climatic version.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
A Monster Within
The Mist
Lately Stephen King's novels and movies have had more to them than monster spooks. We get put into the situtation of small town man, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) who travels into town with his son and neighbor (Andre Braugher) after a mysterious storm. In town shopping for supplies a loud siren eats at the silent day. Everyone rushes into the a nearby store looking for safety from the "mist". Some people with join together and some with split. Soon enough a ordinary day turns into a disastrous mess.
Just as Frank Darabont did with The Shawshank Redemption, he executes with perfection on this monstrous tale. The way this movie keeps you wondering on whats lying ahead and gives action with spine tingling chills, I give it a 9 out of 10. This is a must see.
Lately Stephen King's novels and movies have had more to them than monster spooks. We get put into the situtation of small town man, David Drayton (Thomas Jane) who travels into town with his son and neighbor (Andre Braugher) after a mysterious storm. In town shopping for supplies a loud siren eats at the silent day. Everyone rushes into the a nearby store looking for safety from the "mist". Some people with join together and some with split. Soon enough a ordinary day turns into a disastrous mess.
Just as Frank Darabont did with The Shawshank Redemption, he executes with perfection on this monstrous tale. The way this movie keeps you wondering on whats lying ahead and gives action with spine tingling chills, I give it a 9 out of 10. This is a must see.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
10,000 B.C.
Rolland Emmerich has delivered quite the stories. He takes you through time by the help of the Stargate, throws you into a clash between "outside" visitors in Indepedence Day, and Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal race against mother nature in The Day After Tomorrow. In his recent 10,000 B.C. he again proves his excellence in entertainment and storytelling. Though "critics" gave 10,000 B.C. petty ratings, I consider this movie a definate fun and action packed movie you can get into.
As it starts out D'Leh's (Stephen Strait) tribe is starving and the winter is threatening their survival on this land. Then a frightened young girl is brought into the people. Old Mother, the wise women of the group, tells the tale that this girl will help lead a resistance and a recovery of their people with the help of a brave and fearless man.
The group sets out to regain their people that were captured by ruthless warlords and run into a very interesting groups of animals, enemies, allies, and other "creatures" around in 10,000 B.C.
10,000 B.C. starts out slow and not promising, but in the end gets you into the action to show you how a man becomes the first hero.
Filmed and executed similar to Stargate brought my interest in. The story line of how to build yourself up and help accomplish the impossible. It's impossible I say but an average rated, 4 out of 10, gets a 9 out of 10 from me.
As it starts out D'Leh's (Stephen Strait) tribe is starving and the winter is threatening their survival on this land. Then a frightened young girl is brought into the people. Old Mother, the wise women of the group, tells the tale that this girl will help lead a resistance and a recovery of their people with the help of a brave and fearless man.
The group sets out to regain their people that were captured by ruthless warlords and run into a very interesting groups of animals, enemies, allies, and other "creatures" around in 10,000 B.C.
10,000 B.C. starts out slow and not promising, but in the end gets you into the action to show you how a man becomes the first hero.
Filmed and executed similar to Stargate brought my interest in. The story line of how to build yourself up and help accomplish the impossible. It's impossible I say but an average rated, 4 out of 10, gets a 9 out of 10 from me.
Monday, March 17, 2008
New To DVD: The Great and the "mmm... alright."
This year has brought in some distinct characters to us. From Anton Chigurh in "No Country From Old Men" to Vampires in "30 Days of Night." Plenty of them send us to the edge of our seat and wonder what else can happen. Then movies will end and we ask "uh, that was the end?"
"No Country Old Men" stars: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Tommy Lee Jones
The Coen Brothers delive a well-executed, semi-suspenseful entertainment. Though I love the actors and directorial aspect of the movie, it lets you down. A perfect creation, until the end of the movie when Chigurh has killed dozens of people and you can not understand the point. What? The point of the movie was a guy who gets in deep shit and runs from an estranged assassin the whole movie. The performances by Bardem and Brolin could not protect this movie from a very unsatisfying conclusion. Reduces to a 7 out of 10 at the ending.
"Michael Clayton" stars: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton
Refreshing. Tony Gilroy delivers a clever, action plenteous movie. This movie, start to finish is a wild ride of good, bad, and the in-between. It starts with Wilkinson babbling after thrashing his clothes off in a meeting, from there it takes off. Clooney gets involved by interacting with Wilkinson. Clooney doesn't "negociate" and throwns down a marvelous performance in a movie that deserved more than it got. Gets a 9 out of 10 for embracement and performance.
"30 Days of Night" stars: Josh Harnett and Mellisa George
Going into this movie everyone understand vampires, night equals blood, gore, violence. I thought "30 Days of Night" wasn't going to be that good. I came out different though. It surprised me significantly. David Slade devilers a powerful and intriguing vampire movie. Most of the town has left for the 30 days of darkness up and coming. A stanger rolls into town. Mysteriously guard dogs, phones, and sources to the outside are taken from the small town of Barrow, Alaska. The town in thrown into terror and the remaining few must band together to struggle to the finish of the dreadful month. Is a perfect movie for zombie, vampire fans, or just looking for a bang, bang dash from vampires. It deserves a 8 out of 10.
"Dan in Real Life" stars: Steve Carrell
If you are looking for one of Carrell's better movie this is one of them. "Dan in Real Life" had some funny moments. Although it is quiet for normal Carrell fans. It was mainly spread out on how he takes care of his children. He also has to figure a way to defeat the fact that the women he loves is dating Dane Cook, his brother. So it is pretty funny at some parts and touching. This is a movie if you are looking for something that does not include: violence, blood, gore, drugs, and other good aspects you known from other movies. I definately say if you are into this, go check it out and rent it. "Dan in Real Life" brightens you to a 8 out of 10.
"No Country Old Men" stars: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, and Tommy Lee Jones
The Coen Brothers delive a well-executed, semi-suspenseful entertainment. Though I love the actors and directorial aspect of the movie, it lets you down. A perfect creation, until the end of the movie when Chigurh has killed dozens of people and you can not understand the point. What? The point of the movie was a guy who gets in deep shit and runs from an estranged assassin the whole movie. The performances by Bardem and Brolin could not protect this movie from a very unsatisfying conclusion. Reduces to a 7 out of 10 at the ending.
"Michael Clayton" stars: George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, and Tilda Swinton
Refreshing. Tony Gilroy delivers a clever, action plenteous movie. This movie, start to finish is a wild ride of good, bad, and the in-between. It starts with Wilkinson babbling after thrashing his clothes off in a meeting, from there it takes off. Clooney gets involved by interacting with Wilkinson. Clooney doesn't "negociate" and throwns down a marvelous performance in a movie that deserved more than it got. Gets a 9 out of 10 for embracement and performance.
"30 Days of Night" stars: Josh Harnett and Mellisa George
Going into this movie everyone understand vampires, night equals blood, gore, violence. I thought "30 Days of Night" wasn't going to be that good. I came out different though. It surprised me significantly. David Slade devilers a powerful and intriguing vampire movie. Most of the town has left for the 30 days of darkness up and coming. A stanger rolls into town. Mysteriously guard dogs, phones, and sources to the outside are taken from the small town of Barrow, Alaska. The town in thrown into terror and the remaining few must band together to struggle to the finish of the dreadful month. Is a perfect movie for zombie, vampire fans, or just looking for a bang, bang dash from vampires. It deserves a 8 out of 10.
"Dan in Real Life" stars: Steve Carrell
If you are looking for one of Carrell's better movie this is one of them. "Dan in Real Life" had some funny moments. Although it is quiet for normal Carrell fans. It was mainly spread out on how he takes care of his children. He also has to figure a way to defeat the fact that the women he loves is dating Dane Cook, his brother. So it is pretty funny at some parts and touching. This is a movie if you are looking for something that does not include: violence, blood, gore, drugs, and other good aspects you known from other movies. I definately say if you are into this, go check it out and rent it. "Dan in Real Life" brightens you to a 8 out of 10.
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