tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5121496595633258622024-02-08T14:49:41.272-05:00Movie ReviewsWords of WisdomRob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-37480088815602259532012-02-06T01:22:00.001-05:002012-02-06T01:22:22.120-05:00Chronicle<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Chronicle</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Josh Trank</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Max Landis</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Three high school friends gain superpowers after making an incredible discovery. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker sides.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">This movie, figuratively, just blew my mind. I am stoked to hear that it is #1 in the box office this weekend since it is most deserving of it. I haven’t been this excited coming out of a movie since <i>Scott Pilgrim</i> or <i>Kick Ass</i> and <i>Chronicle</i> is surely at the same level of awesomeness as those two films.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Our main character of this film is high school loner, Andrew Detmer, who decides to start filming everything in his life, to help cope with his feelings of his Dad being an alcoholic. His cousin, Matt, and his friend, Steve, stumble upon a hole in the ground and decide to explore, leading to them getting powers. Some of the magic that was this film, took place during the scenes when they were learning about their powers. It was intriguing, hilarious, and dark to watch. As their powers grow they must learn to keep control of their new powers.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">All of the acting in this film was great too. They all pulled off their parts really well which made it all feel more realistic. Dane DeHaan, who played Andrew, stole the show with his portrayal of an outcast high school student. It really was powerful, and I am not surprised to look at his IMDB page and see he has many upcoming projects. What I am surprised about is how little upcoming projects Michael B. Jordan (The Wire, Friday Night Lights) has on his plate. He played Steve, the jock, and killed it, bringing a lot of humor to the screen. As for Alex Russell he got to play the noble, level headed one. He was the cousin of Andrew who tried to help Andrew make friends, out of pity.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><i>Chronicle</i> is filmed as a found footage film similarly to <i>Cloverfield</i>. That meaning all footage shot for the film comes from a character’s camera. I know I am a big fan of this style and unlike <i>Cloverfield</i>, the footage is not shaky for the entire film (which to be honest I didn’t mind in Cloverfield). </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The only thing that bothered me, and this is really nitpicking, is the editing of the film. It is suppose to be found footage, yet they cut all the time on conversation and it makes no sense why the person holding the camera at the time would have stopped recording int he middle of a conversation. Also, one camera is lost, so the footage would be lost, and the movie was from the point of view of over 20 cameras I would have to say. So that means who ever put together this footage, had to find every single camera and then edit it in chronological order. But now as I write this, the movie is called <i>Chronicle</i>, so maybe that’s where it comes from. I don’t know. Besides, none of it bothered me because it was effective and the movie was too awesome for me to really care.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><i>Chronicle</i> is a must see movie. I mean go see it right now, it’s awesome. I hope that they leave it at this one film, because they left it open for another, and their is no way that they could top this movie. Also, best superhero battles ever!!!!</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Rating: 9.5/10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-24584688254561279952012-01-16T16:26:00.001-05:002012-01-17T10:58:57.877-05:00Contraband<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Contraband</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Baltasar Kormakur</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Aaron Guzikowski</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">To protect his brother in law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b><br />
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<span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Mark Wahlberg is the man. He is always awesome in everything he is in, but I don’t always think his movies are great, including this one. <i>Contraband</i> was just an average film with average directing. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><i><br />
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<span class="s2"><i>Contraband</i> was about an ex-smuggler brought back into the business when his wife’s brother owes a drug lord some money. The first portion of the film was him planning out the details of a heist. What really bothered me about this sequence was that he was discussing the heist in public open spaces around a ton of people. It did not feel like they were taking any precautions going into this and they make Mark Wahlberg’s character seem a lot smarter than an amateur move like this. Of course all of his friends in the film were idiots and the fact that he ever associated with these people seems extremely unlikely. I know its just nitpicking but it really stood out in my mind.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
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<span class="s2">The drug lord, played by Giovanni Ribisi, was way over the top. I really liked Ribisi in Avatar. I thought he played the perfect smug docuhebag. But his past two roles, <i>The Rum Diary</i> and now <i>Contraband</i>, have felt over the top and almost feels forced on his part. I’d like to see him play another role where he dials down the crazy a little. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
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<span class="s2">Ben Foster has come into his own as an actor. I knew he would be a star ever since his role in Alpha Dog, which is an underrated film. Well now Foster has gotten some supporting roles on his resume and I would not be surprised if he takes the number one spot real soon, as he hits this role right on the head, playing a friend of Mark Wahlberg’s character.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
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<span class="s2">The reason I am not using any of the characters names is because this film was very forgettable. Wahlberg was great in this film but nothing else stood out. To go along with mediocrity of this film, was the directing. It almost felt like a B film at times. Almost no tripod was used and when it was, the pans were jerky. A lot of shots went in and out of focus and the camera was moving around constantly. I guess I am just not a fan of this style. Luckily the script saved some of the directing with good dialogue and a nice twist thrown into the mix as well. This is still one that you can wait for HBO or Netflix to pick up.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
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<span class="s2">Rating: 6//10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-92118155354426347002012-01-13T12:33:00.002-05:002012-01-13T12:33:26.140-05:00Carnage<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Carnage</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Roman Polanski</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Yasmina Reza & Roman Polanski</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2">Two pairs of parents hold a cordial meeting after their sons are involved in a fight, though as their time together progresses, increasingly childish behavior throws the evening into chaos.</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><i>Carnage</i> may have been on the short side, running around 80 minutes, but it did stop the film from packing a powerful punch. A film full of passive aggressive behavior, violence, squabbling, crudeness, hissy fits, crying, chaos, and enough wit to make it all hilarious. To watch four of the world’s best actors lash at each other’s throats in the most civilized way they can was really something to watch.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The entire film takes place in a Brooklyn, NY apartment where two couples are discussing a way to resolve a fight between their two sons. They start off being very civilized and try to be as friendly as possibly while insulting each other passive aggressive cheap shots. Things start getting out of control, especially when the scotch gets taken out, and chaos ensues. What starts with couple vs. couple turns into man vs. women and then even husband vs. wife. It’s a train wreck, you can’t look away and you can’t help but to think that the adults discussing the aftermath of their sons schoolyard fisticuffs seems tame compared to a case of boys just being boys.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The acting in this film was great as well. Christoph Waltz, Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet and John C. Reilly all played their characters perfectly. Three of the four already have little trophies for their acting and John C. Reilly shows that he deserves to have one as well. His character brought the greatest laughs. I always thought that John C. Reilly was a very underrated actor. I hate that he has been in garbage like Step Brothers because I think it is a waste of his talent. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Everybody really was fantastic in this film. The film had a little bit of everything in it. I also have a soft spot for films that run in real time. I always think it is a talent to pull off a good film in real time. Go enjoy the chaos that is <i>Carnage.</i></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Rating: 8.5/10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-42747769660083560412012-01-08T20:51:00.001-05:002012-01-10T22:43:07.261-05:00The Artist<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Artist</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Michel Hazanavicius</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Michel Hazanavicius</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Hollywood, 1927: As silent movie star George Valentin wonders if the arrival of talking pictures will cause him to fade into oblivion, he sparks with Peppy Miller, a young dancer set for a big break.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I took a a silent film class this past semester and after a semesters worth of silent films none of them can compare to Michel Hazanavicius’s film <i>The Artist</i>. To be honest I really thought I was going to dislike <i>The Artist</i> since I was not a fan of the silent films of the 1920s. But this film that took place in the 1920’s had something that those films did not have. Production value. Wow, what a difference it makes when there are good special effects or something as simple as camera movement. I came out of the theater enjoying the film very much. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>The Artist</i> is about George Valentine (Jean Dujardin), a silent actor, who does not adjust well to the talkies and Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo), an upcoming dancer/actress, who fall for one another. Besides the film being a classic love story, it is also about the love of cinema. It was a homage to silent film, giving you trademark lightening sequences and classic silent comedy, but with a twist of modern production. I also thought there were small undertones that talking cinema is better than silent cinema, even though <i>The Artist</i> is a silent film in itself. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Michel Hazanavicius should now be at the top of the international filmmakers list. He made a bold move making a silent film during an era were CGI reigns supreme. He made a relatively boring medium, very exciting. The shots he created were beautiful and the camera movements were well executed. He pulled off what seemed to be the impossible.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Jean Durjardin is another international star that may become a big hit in the states. He is typically a comic actor in France but gave a great middle ground between humor and drama in <i>The Artist</i>. He gave a extremely strong performance and is surely going to get a Oscar nomination. His co-star Berenice Bejo was also a wonder to watch as well. You were able to tell she had a fun time making the film and wasn’t too hard on the eyes either. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>The Artist</i> was really something special. I would have never thought a silent film would command my attention like <i>The Artist</i> did. If you are lucky enough to have it come to a theater near you, take advantage and give it a viewing.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 9/10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-8686251907377152202012-01-05T14:39:00.001-05:002012-01-05T14:50:21.883-05:00A Dangerous Method<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>A Dangerous Method</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: David Cronenberg</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Christopher Hampton</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A look at how the intense relationship between Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud gives birth to psychoanalysis.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">David Cronenberg completely changes gears to bring us<i> A Dangerous Method</i>, a film that explores the beginnings of psychoanalysis through the eyes of Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen). The film begins with a powerful opening when Carl Jung’s patient, Sabina Spielrein (Keira Knightly), comes into his hospital screaming and laughing hysterically. It completely grabbed my attention but after that slowly started to lose my grasp.</span></div><div class="p2"><br />
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</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Keira Knightly gave her best performance to date. I don’t understand why she does not get casted more as she is a beautiful young talent. She gives us a role where she plays manic on the verge of psychotic. Keira was the bright spot of this film. Her character has the best narrative arc and she made her character grow throughout the film.</span></div><div class="p2"><br />
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</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As splendid as Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen are and were in this film, there scenes together were rather boring. A flaw of the screenwriter, Christopher Hampton. He was also responsible for the script of the stage version of the film and it is rather obvious, as the film has a very theatrical feeling to it. The entire film was full of scenes where the dialogue wasn’t leading the narrative anywhere or developing the plot, and like I said before, was boring. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Another flaw to the film was the structure as the story would jump forward in time two or three years. It made the film seem very unconnected. Their was no smooth transition from the past to the future. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I always thought that a film with Freud in it would be a good idea, but <i>A Dangerous Method</i> did not live up to its potential. I would expect a Freud film to probe my mind a little more. The film is enjoyable and worth seeing for the spectacular performance from Keira Knightly.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 6.5/10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-41436009699972659162011-12-23T00:28:00.001-05:002011-12-23T00:28:15.494-05:00The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: David Fincher</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Steven Zaillian</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I declare <i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo </i>the best film of the year. David Fincher has done it again, created pure gold. It was hard to imagine this book being made into a movie, again, after the success of the previously adapted film series but Fincher knew what he was doing and it all started with the casting of the main character Lisbeth Salander, Rooney Mara.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Lisbeth is a socially awkward, computer hacking, rape victim that brings a powerful punch whenever she is on the screen. If you have read the books then you know to expect some graphic scenes with Lisbeth and Fincher was not afraid to show these scenes. In fact, these scenes locked Rooney Mara for an best actress nomination, maybe even a win. Daniel Craig was great as well, but was on the back burner compared to Mara.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The film stayed very to the books storyline and was a close adaptation. It being a lengthy book, it was a long movie at 157 minutes and got to include everything, including the long ending. It all leads into the second novel but it was a 20 minute ending that could have been wrapped up quicker.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo </i>is a thriller at its best. With a terrific mystery to solve, heart pumping suspense and great chemistry and acting from Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, it is not a film to miss. I really hope and would not be surprised if this is a hit, which could mean we can get the other two installments. If this happens, Fincher must direct it otherwise I would prefer no movie. As great as Mara was and her power to control the movie, nobody would be able to keep the same tone and direction Fincher just created.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 9.5/10</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-67633766836305453712011-12-21T16:38:00.000-05:002011-12-21T16:38:11.300-05:00The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Steven Spielberg</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, and Joe Cornish</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock's ancestor. But someone else is in search of the ship.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into this film. The trailers looked just okay and I had never read a Tintin comic before. But it did not matter, as the amazing motion capture animation, the spectacular camera movements, and clever editing sucked me right into the adventure of the film right from the opening credit sequence, which set the tone for the entire movie.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Spielberg really was the right choice to helm this project. He completely understands how an adventure story works and has even stated that Tintin was a huge influence on the Indiana Jones films. His choice to use motion capture was his best idea though. It would not have worked as live action with the dog and he wouldn’t have had the camera movement range if it was all CGI, and the camera movement made the movie. With one of the best scenes being a motorcycle chase done with no cuts through a village.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">So I was trying to figure out whether Tintin was a kid or an adult. He looks like a kid and everybody calls him kid but sounds like an adult, carries a gun, lives in his own apartment. I hear the comics also keep his age ambiguous but this bothered me a little bit as did his annoying catchphrases. It shouldn't bother me because it is staying true to the comic, but I have never read it so it bother me.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">If you have read the comics then you will surely fall in love with this film. I did the research and it stays true and accurate to the comics which is always nice to hear. It was a fun film that took you on a wild ride with some laughs along the way. I will not be surprised if a sequel is made, but I would have to dissaprove if Spielberg was not apart of it, since it was very obvious his mind was behind the heart of the film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Rating: 7.5/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-25692533493074168362011-12-16T15:51:00.003-05:002011-12-16T15:51:45.751-05:00Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (129 min)</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Guy Ritchie</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Muchele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2">Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty.</span></div><div class="p1"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">I am not going to lie, when the first Sherlock Holmes film came out, I was not that big of a fan. I mean the film was entertaining but it was just okay and I thought something was missing. Well, this time around Guy Ritchie must have found that something, and put that something into <i>A Game of Shadows</i>, because this film rocked. It was well paced, witty, funny, smart, great action and one of the most untraditional, traditional Hollywood endings, if you follow my logic.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Well, I hope you can follow that logic because if you can’t, your in trouble because my only quarrel with <i>Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows</i> is that it can be hard to follow at times. There is so much going on and Sherlock is such an intelligent character that when he battles wits against Professor James Moriarty, you now have two characters that are super geniuses working against one other. Although this film really demands your full attention, it is fun to be inside the minds of both of these characters.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">What makes this franchise so great is the bromance between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. I think the chemistry between the two of them is one of the strongest duos on the big screen. Downey Jr. gives a manic on the verge of psychotic performance and he makes a heroic and comedic action hero. The action scenes were fantastic, as Ritchie takes Sherlock’s logic and slows down the action again. This time around, he used this trick more often, which I thought was great. If you have scene the trailer, then get ready for the great slow motion action through the woods, because it is a wild ride.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">I am happy to say this is a sequel that was better than the first, as this rarely happens. If you want to go see a fun, smart movie around the holidays then Sherlock Holmes is for you. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Rating: 8.5/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-22449962756243543842011-12-13T17:06:00.001-05:002011-12-13T17:06:54.633-05:00Anonymous<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Anonymous</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Roland Emmerich</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: John Orloff</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A political thriller advancing the theory that it was in fact Edward De Vere, Earl of Oxford who penned Shakespeare's plays; set against the backdrop of the succession of Queen Elizabeth I, and the Essex Rebellion against her.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">What a poorly structured snore-fest. In a world that questions whether Shakespeare was a fraud, Roland Emmerich, takes an interesting concept and hacks at it with a machete. Not only structurally but historically. Emmerich and John Orloff (the writer) claimed that this film was “unbelievably historically accurate” and “obviously a lot more people do think Shakespeare wrote the plays. Obviously, in my movie, he didn’t, so a lot of people will say that’s not historically accurate and they are totally welcome to that opinion. But, the world within the movie, that that story takes place in, is incredibly accurate, like the Essex Rebellion and the ages of the characters.” So he pretty much just said that this movie is accurate based on the fake world I created. Also facts on the Essex Rebellion and the characters are not completely accurate. It’s worth the research.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Anyway, right from the first 25 minutes, I had already given up on this film. They start you out in modern times at a theater, then flash you back to the time of Shakespeare, then flash you back 5 years earlier, and then flash you back even further another bunch of years that is not specified. I couldn’t believe how sloppy it started out and the film never got back on its feet. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The film was also full of crappy costumes and horrific acting. The only actor that held his own was Rhys Ifans, the only star of the film. The films lack of star power hurt this film because this film was full of stand still scenes of just conversation. I couldn’t take a lot of the conversations seriously because of the “traditional” outfits they were all wearing. I think it was a little over the top and it only made be think the acting was worse. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I apologize if you have already seen it, because everyone that has deserves their money back. I do not recommend this film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 2/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-40391143706485971662011-12-09T21:05:00.003-05:002011-12-09T21:06:57.007-05:00The Sitter<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Sitter</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: David Gordon Green</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka</span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">A comedy about a college student on suspension who is coaxed into babysitting the kids next door, though he is fully unprepared for the wild night ahead of him.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I am surprised how much I liked <i>The Sitter</i>. If you liked <i>Pineapple Express</i> and <i>Your Highness </i>than this movie is for you. David Gordon Green has become the go to director for the action comedy. What should have been a quiet night of babysitting blows up in Jonah Hill’s face and everything goes wrong. From coke dealers to gangsters, from kick boxers to bat mitzvahs, this film takes you everywhere and gets you laughing along the wild ride.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The Sitter is a film that really tries to push the line of what is comedy. In one sense it is your classic Jonah Hill comedy and you tell his humor is written all over it but then you get some over the top scenes, like Sam Rockwell being a coke dealer surrounded by a bunch of gay weight lifters and believe it or not it kinda works. But along the way, I think there were some lines crossed with Jonah Hill’s character, Noah, dealing with the kids. If you have a twisted mind like me, you will find it funny, but I am at least aware that it was kinda fucked up. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The real reason you should go see this film is for the three child actors in this film. Each with a very distinct characteristic that makes them hilarious. Especially the little girl, played by Landry Bender. The first twenty minutes of this film when everything and everybody was being introduced was just non stop laughter. From that point on it was still hilarious and gave me belly laughs but their were some slow parts where Jonah Hill just sat down and talked about how his life is shit and he needs to change, which made the film drag a little. For a 75 minute film this shouldn’t happen.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Either way I recommend checking this movie out as it is a comedy that can not be missed. Plus this is the last film fat Jonah Hill will appear in, so you don’t want to miss that. It will be interesting if audiences will </span>still find him funny now that he is in better shape. </div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 8/10</span><br />
<span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad!</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-89555173508363770292011-12-05T16:25:00.001-05:002011-12-05T16:25:35.738-05:00Take Shelter<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Take Shelter</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Jeff Nichols</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Jeff Nichols</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I don’t know if you have checked out the trailer for Take Shelter but it is an enthralling experience. I mean the trailer hooks you in and makes you want to see more, but this trailer’s intensity is misleading, since the film’s intensity was just the opposite. In this 120 minute feature about a man who is losing his mind and trying to figure out why, it just dragged on and on. I looked at my phone to check the time 45 minutes into the film and every 15 minutes after that. It’s a shame that the Boardwalk Empire boys (Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham) wasted such great performances on such a slow, unsatisfying film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The film follows Michael Shannon’s character, who is hard working small town man just trying to get by with the money that he and his wife (Jessica Chastain) makes. On top of money issues they have a daughter that has lost her hearing. When Shannon’s character starts having hallucinations and delusions about a storm coming he starts building a storm shelter to protect his family, even though they are short on money. Only thing, his family and everybody else in town thinks he is crazy for doing this. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Michael Shannon is a fantastic actor. If you have not gotten chance to see Boardwalk Empire, you should. Not only because it is a great show, but because Shannon puts on some phenomenal performances. He continues his good work here in Take Shelter. Shannon straddles the line of sanity as he also tries to be a husband and father. His emotions all bubble under the skin until one day he snaps in front of the community in what made for the most powerful scene in the film. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I think this film would have been a lot better if say 30 minutes were cut out. By the time the ending came, I didn’t have very much interest. But I think of what could have made it a better ending. Shannon was a Noah figure and nobody would believe him that everybody should build an Ark (storm shelter).</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Only check this film out if you want to see the performance of a possible best actor nod but otherwise miss this one, since you won’t get a fulfilling story and will most likely be let down</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 3/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my reviews by clicking on an ad</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-5524165011858640422011-12-02T23:55:00.003-05:002011-12-04T10:38:08.002-05:00Hugo<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Hugo</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Martin Scorsese</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: John Logan</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and an automaton.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Martin Scorsese is a genius behind the camera. <i>Hugo</i> is unlike any other film Scorsese has ever made, but might be the closest film to his life. I mean it must have been so great for him to make a film about one of the fathers of narrative cinema. Scorsese’s <i>Hugo</i> is a homage to the silent cinema, specifically the films Georges Melies created and the overall backstory and the main points made about Georges Melies’ life are accurate. I am currently taking a Silent Cinema class and Hugo was relevant to what I am learning, which made it that much more enjoyable.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I think what will surprise many people is that <i>Hugo</i> is not a kids movie. It is family friendly, but the film gave something a lot deeper then a family friendly children's movie. Not only is the film heart warming, but the visuals are spectacular. Right from the very opening sequence I was entranced. The way he dissolved clockwork into the city of Paris was unbelievable. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As much as this was a film about a young orphan who lives in a train station, it is very much about Melies and his early cinema which was lost. Scorsese uses vintage clips of Melies cinema and re-imagines his work, doing recreations. He also used 3D to show them in a way that Melies could never do or dream of, but I am sure if Melies was still alive he would be simply amazed. Ben Kingsley played Melies and put on a spectacular performance.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As for the young ones in this film, Asa Butterfield (what a name) and Chloe Moretz were both fantastic. At some points I couldn’t believe that the two of them were just children because they were making such powerful performances. Asa Butterfield was just cast as the lead in the upcoming Enders Game project and I can’t wait to see him in it. As for Chloe Moretz, I love everything she has been in up to date, <i>Kick Ass, 500 Days of Summer,</i> her cameo in <i>30 Rock</i>, and now <i>Hugo</i> can be added to this list. Both of these actors have great futures ahead of them.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This film really hits a soft spot, and pulls at the heart cords, but Sasha Baron Cohen was an added pleasure in this film. Always coming in at the right moment to give you that comic relief. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">There is not too much to say about what was wrong with this film. The only thing that felt off was that Hugo’s father’s death affected his life so greatly and the resolution of the film did not seem fitting to his life altering experiences. Either way it was barely noticeable and did not bother me. This was a wonderful film to watch and hopefully will spark a love for film into the younger audience, to join the ranks of cinema lovers like me and so many others. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 9/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-22851817682928052202011-11-25T23:04:00.003-05:002011-11-26T17:18:13.222-05:00Melancholia<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Melancholia</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Lars von Trier</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Lars von Trier</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Two sisters find their already strained relationship challenged as a mysterious new planet threatens to collide into the Earth.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Holy moly, what a depressing and eye opening film. Right from the very beginning, Lars von Trier set the tone of the film shooting slow motion visual spectacles that lasted for at least the first 5 minutes of the film. This opening reminded me a lot of<i> Tree of Life </i>(http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/07/tree-of-life.html) , but <i>Melancholia</i> turned out to have more of a concrete narrative.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The film was broken up into two parts. The first half following Justine (Kristen Dunst) at her wedding reception with her husband Michael (Alexander Skarsgard). This might have been one of the strangest wedding receptions I have have watched but it gave so much character development that was needed for the second half of the film. The second half turned the focus onto Justine’s sister, Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her astronomer husband John (Kiefer Sutherland). John studies the planet Melancholia and seems very sure of himself that it will not pose a threat. It was very effective having the film split into two sections each focusing more closely on a certain sister because it gave us very different perspectives of each character. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Even with a narrative structure, there is a lot of room open for interpretation when the film concludes. I thought that there was very religious or spiritual subtext with Kristen Dunst’s character as the movie progressed.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Kristen Dunst gave her best performance to date. She is definitely past her <i>Spiderman</i> days and gave a moving performance. Lars von Trier uses a lot of close ups and Kristen Dunst always has the perfect expression on to convey what she is feeling. Charlotte Gainsbourg also gave a fantastic performance as the sister. She went from the sane one to the hysterical one trying to keep everything together and her son safe. Honestly, everyone gave a fantastic performance. It was nice to see Kiefer Sutherland not being Jack Bauer. Alex Skarsgard got to show his acting talents outside of True Blood and every other character in between had their own little characteristic that made the film special.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">With spectacular visuals that will blow you away, this slow paced piece of art should really make you think. Besides a couple little plot holes, like why Kristen Dunst’s family have british accents when she doesn't, this film is great. <i>Melancholia</i> really moved me and you walk away from the film thinking that you need to enjoy life while it lasts or it’s not worth living at all. I hope it moves you like it as moved me and you take something away from it, whether it’s the same message I took or another.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 8/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-56329952172018197052011-11-23T14:41:00.001-05:002011-11-24T10:39:36.697-05:00The Muppets<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Muppets</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: James Bobin</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>: </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">With the help of three fans, the Muppets must reunite to save their old theater from a greedy oil tycoon.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>: </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I was a little surprised to see that The Muppets was rated 97% on rotten tomatoes before I left for the theater but now I can see why. The Muppets was a crowd pleaser for sure. It is wild and witty and the musical numbers are extremely catchy. The Muppets are definitely aimed for kids though, and even though Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller (<i>Forgetting Sarah Marshall</i>) wrote this film, they keep true to who The Muppets are and don’t add crude or obnoxious jokes that are unfit for theThe Muppets personalities. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The movie follows a new Muppet into the Muppet universe. His name is Walter and he played the Muppet brother of Jason Segel’s character, Gary. The two of them grew up as huge fans of the Muppets and when Gary was bringing his girlfriend Mary, Amy Adams, to LA for their anniversary, Walter came along to see Muppet Studios. This is where the problems begin when Walter overhears a rich oil tycoon (Chris Cooper) who wants to shut down the studio and drill for oil. The Muppets must reunite to save their theater. Yes, the story narrative and story telling isn’t very complex, but it is for children and it doesn’t need to be. The movie was pure fun and it carried the movie along with its all star cast.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones, and Jack Black were the front stars in this film but there were a ton of cameos. Neil Patrick Harris, Selena Gomez, Ken Jeong, Jim Parsons (may have been my favorite cameo), Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Donald Glover, and many more all made small appearances and provided tons of laughs. Jason Segel was the lead in this film, which I thought was a problem. Jason Segel should not have been the lead in a Muppet movie. He felt too dominant and I get it, he wrote it and did a ton of work on it but he should have cut down his role a little bit to give more screen time to the Muppets. All the Muppets did get screen time and they left nobody out but some of the Muppets only appeared once in the fore front. Kermit and Walter had a ton of time, Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear had a decent amount of time but everybody else felt like they were left on the back burner to let Jason Segel have more screen time.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The musical numbers were the best parts of this film with nifty dance numbers to accompany them. The best one by far is “Man or Muppet” when we get to see a Muppet version of Jason Segel and a Human version of Walter, played by Jim Parsons. The Muppets is a celebration of what Jim Henson created and should bring back many fond memories. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 8/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-26337440130476080212011-11-18T22:13:00.003-05:002011-11-19T08:12:07.002-05:00Martha Marcy May Marlene<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Martha Marcy May Marlene</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Sean Durkin</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Sean Durkin</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>: </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Haunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Oh Martha Marcy May Marlene, how you will keep me awake at night. With a powerful and emotional tale about a woman who is taken in by a cult and when she escapes them, she can’t seem to forget them. The film cuts back and forth between Martha with her family and Marcy May (her new identity) during her time in the cult. It is so elegant the way they move from scene to scene as an action or dialogue that happens in one time zone is actually going on in the other. For a first time director and feature length writer it is really impressive, heck it’s really impressive either way.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As the story jumps back and forth you learn more about our heroine’s past and the experiences she had to face at the farm in the Catskills where the cult made camp. The cult family is set up beautifully with Patrick (John Hawkes) playing the father figure of the group, but even as he is this father figure to everyone by making everyone feel comfortable, safe, at home, he casts a great shadow over everyone. He comes across as a great evil that they learn to accept. Even after he rapes Martha, this is their initiation into the cult, he then sings a hauntingly beautiful song, featured in the trailer, where he serenades her by saying, “She’s just a picture, that’s all”. They focus in on her and Martha is framed as a picture for his connivence. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Martha was played by none other than Elizabeth Olsen. Who is this, you ask? She is the younger sister of the famous twins Mary Kate and Ashley. Well I would not be surprised if 22 year old Elizabeth became more famous that those twins in the very near future. She gives a tragically beautiful performance as a broken down girl who was brainwashed by the wrong people. When her and John Hawkes were on screen together it was just pure brilliance as they both were masterful in their respective roles. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">With multiple unnerving scenes that send shivers down your spines the cult actions go from things that unnerve you because they are in a cult to actions that overstep the bounds of normal society. This all overlaps to when Martha has escaped the cult and is spending time with her family and all of these situations come into play making her sister’s life very difficult.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Martha Marcy May Marlene is a movie that I will have to see again because a lot went on and I feel I will understand the movie better during a second watch through. It had a very ambiguous ending which I liked but it would have been nice to have some sort of concreteness to it. It was very abrupt, and I have my speculations and theories but I will not share them as it will ruin the movie. Enjoy the film, enjoy having your specualtions and theories and enjoy the fantastic performances from John Hawkes and Elizabeth Olsen. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 8.5/10</span></div><div class="p2"><br />
<span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad!</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-69611017847705062242011-11-18T14:57:00.001-05:002011-11-18T14:57:15.204-05:00The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Bill Condon</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Melissa Rosenberg</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A bunch of stupid vampires and werewolves care about some teenage girl who gets pregnant for some stupid reason.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I am now dead inside. To just make this clear, here and now, I have not read any of the books nor watched any of the previous films. I saw this film to purely rip on it. If you don’t like that stop reading and find the nearest bridge and jump because you like Twilight. My only enjoyment during the watching of this film was the fact that I ruined the experience of a theater full of tweens as I laughed constantly at the dialogue and story.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This movie was so bad I watched Adam Sandler’s Jack and Jill to make me feel better.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This movie was so bad even Hitler thought it was torture.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This movie was so bad after Joe Paterno saw the film he called the cops.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The only thing worse than this film is the fact that they split it into two movies. It is a shame to think that each of these films are going to make an estimated $500 million. I mean nothing happened in this film. Let me give you a run through. The first forty minutes were spent at a wedding where crappy jokes were made, minute long kiss scenes took place, and Kristen Stewart was nervous about having sex. The next forty minutes were spent on their honeymoon which was pretty much a forty minute montage. First a montage of them in a beautiful area of the world, then a montage of Kristen Stewart preparing to have sex, then a montage of Robert Pattinson not wanting to having sex with her anymore and then we find out she is pregnant. The first hour and a half of this film literally nothing happened. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The last twenty minutes were spent with Kristen Stewart looking like shit and a bunch of vampires and werewolves surrounding her like she is the one person to save them all. She dies giving birth but sadly is turned into a vampire so their has to be another movie. Ending ruined, sorry. There are books so get over it. </span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s a shame Kristen Stewart and Robert Patinson are attached to this movie, as they are talented actors. Check out <i>Water for Elephants</i> if you want to go see a good performance from Robert Pattinson. Kristen Stewart was great in <i>Adventureland</i> and <i>Welcome to the Rileys</i> and I’m looking forward to her next role in <i>Snow White and the Huntsman</i>. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Taylor Lautner on the other hand gives another one of his traditional no emotion, I might as well be a dead corpse performances where he has to have his shirt off in at least one scene. He is the worst. I rip on him more in my Abduction review, which is really a taylor Lautner bashing (<a href="http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/abduction.html"><span class="s2">http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/09/abduction.html</span></a>). </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I just don’t see the appeal in these movies. There are just so many points in this movie that pissed me off and are so out of place. In the first scene, Robert Pattinson tells Kristen Stewart that he hasn’t told her everything about himself. It’s the fourth fucking movie and they are about to get married and now all of a sudden their is more information. Then this information leads to nowhere and has no narrative meaning. The whole movie felt like a music video, with montage after montage with cheesy music. The CGI and green screen use was either terrible or obvious. Are werewolves suppose to be Samoan? Every actor that was a werewolf looks Samoan, I just don’t get it. And when the werewolves talk in their werewolf form I completely lost it. I laughed so hard and got so many dirty looks, it was the most glorious moment of my life. Other things out of place were the vampires watching college football for some reason and they googled hybrid human/vampire babies and all the information in the world was there including detailed pictures. Also why can these vampires walk around in the sunlight. That is the exact opposite of what a vampire should be. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Horrific acting, terrible dialogue, frightful storytelling, horrid science fiction series, abominable twilight fans. These are the things that are wrong with the Twilight franchise. Thankfully in six months time it will all be over with and these tweens can stop admiring this Bella Swan character, who is just a terrible terrible person. I hate you Twilight and all of your fans. Until Part 2 when I can copy and paste this review.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: ---0/10 (Triple negative zero because a double negative is actually positive).</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review my clicking on an ad!</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-22439355854449177782011-11-13T19:13:00.000-05:002011-11-13T19:13:24.345-05:00J. Edgar<b><u>J. Edgar</u></b><br />
Directed by: Clint Eastwood <br />
<div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Dustin Lance Black</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As the face of law enforcement in America for almost 50 years, J. Edgar Hoover was feared and admired, reviled and revered. But behind closed doors, he held secrets that would have destroyed his image, his career and his life.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">J. Edgar is one of the most powerful movies I have seen this year. It dove into the personal life of J. Edgar Hoover, during his career as the FBI director. It gave us an understanding of who is was as a person, how he was a man who lusted for power and the film strongly dealt with the acquisitions that J. Edgar Hoover was a closeted homosexual, which I learned tonight. I’m not going to lie, it threw me off when the film started dealing with these issues. Just because this was a powerful movie doesn’t make it an amazing film, don’t get me wrong it was great, but there was still a lot that went wrong in this film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The story was told through the eyes of an older Hoover as he was retelling his life story. He was retelling his life story for his memoir that for some reason was being typed up by other FBI agents, that would rotate on this duty. I bet they didn’t have something more important to do, like stop a crime. Anyway the story would jump from present to past and it was a little confusing to pick up at first, but eventually started to make more sense.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The big story of this film is DiCaprio’s performance which of course is fantastic. He really brought Hoover to life and he is lock for a best actor nomination. Leonardo DiCaprio gave an incredibly believable performance of a man in self denial about his sexuality. Even though, Hoover’s sexuality was only speculated, J. Edgar portrayed Hoover as 100% a homosexual and this kind of inner turmoil of a closeted gay man has never been so dramatized in such detail on the big screen. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Hoover’s lover goes by the name of Clyde Tolson, which was played by Armie Hammer and he gave a spectacular performance as well. I thought he started off slow but once he was in some intimate scenes with DiCaprio, Hammer’s talents really showed. The one thing that bothered me about his character was his make up as an older man. It was absolutely horrendous and was not believable at all. You would think they would have put a little more effort into since DiCaprio’s old man suit was great.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The big reason this film was not amazing and just great was the script. It wasn’t consistent with the character, dialogue, and story structure. I have already mentioned that the story structure was a little confusing as it jumped from present to past throughout the film, and it should be noted that some of the same shots were shown twice, for what seemed like no real narrative driving reason. But the character traits and their dialogue should feel consistent in a high profile film like this one. Leonardo DiCaprio had a great accent and would sound very old fashioned but then he would say something more modern a second later.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I know I did a lot of ranting on flaws in the film but really this film is enjoyable. At a 140 minuted long it does not feel like it drags even though it is a very slow paced film. Clint Eastwood gives you a beautiful looking (besides Armie Hammer’s makeup) film that really delves into the dark secrets that Hoover hides about himself and the country. Check it out, a likely best picture nomination and a definite best actor performance.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 7.5/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on an ad.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-34436619181103647252011-11-12T00:10:00.002-05:002011-11-12T08:11:56.359-05:00Immortals<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Immortals</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Tarseem Singh</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Charley Parlapanides and Vlas Parlapanides</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Theseus is a mortal man chosen by Zeus to lead the fight against the ruthless King Hyperion, who is on a rampage across Greece to obtain a weapon that can destroy humanity.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p3"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Immortals is a movie that you get exactly what you expect going in. Lots of action and no story. No amount of action could make up for the lack of story in this one. The script was a mess that jumped all over the place, adding in random characters just to get Theseus from one battle to the next. You don’t get attached to <i>any</i> of the characters, including the lead character Theseus, played by Henry Cavill. He just goes from one scene to the next killing people to avenge his mother. Even the lead actress, Frieda Pinto, was just put into the script to add a sex scene (great side boob shot) into the film and once Theseus had planted his seed, she completely disappears from the film with forty five minutes left to go. The action was great but the fact that I couldn’t get attached to any of the characters really hurt the film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The action was spectacular to watch once it got going, which took forever. They were trying to set up a backstory that was completely boring, very inaccurate and very slow paced, but eventually they got to the fighting. Obviously these were the best scenes and are the reason you go to the theater to see a movie like Immortals. The scenes with Theseus were great but whenever the gods got involved, the fighting was taken to a whole other level. Heads turning to dust, killing five people before they can even move, blood spurting out in all directions. It all put a big grin on my face. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The thing that surprised me the most coming out of this film was how psychotic and insane Mickey Rourke’s character King Hyperion was in this film. This might be one of the evilest characters in the film. The film focused on his demonic ways even more heavily than the fighting scenes in this film and were horrific to watch. It was surprising how graphic they got and how much focus was put on these images. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As Greek Mythology goes, I don’t think the writers are experts on it. The entire script is completely inaccurate to Theseus’s adventures and it would have been nice for them to put a little effort into making it a accurate film. For those of you who don’t know a lot about Greek Mythology I would recommend reading up a little bit about it before going to the film because you will not get very much information about Theseus’s backstory in this film.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Even though there was no character identification or development I thought the casting for this film was well done. Henry Cavill plays a great hero and I am excited to seem him next in Superman. Mickey Rourke played a great villain, which might have been the best character in the film. Henry Cavill’s and Mickey Rourke had a great final fight scene towards the end. Luke Evans, was casted as Zeus, which he pulled off really well. He got some badass fight scenes too. I think Luke Evans is very talented, he was last seen in The Three Musketeers and will be seen in The Hobbit as well. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Immortals is a very ridiculous movie. Don’t expect great characters, don’t expect a accurate mythology, don’t expect a clear cut story because there are a ton of plot holes in this film. Go into this film knowing that action is worth seeing and Mickey Rourke will give you one fucked up show.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 5/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my reviews by clicking on an ad.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-1265441055980783692011-11-06T18:31:00.004-05:002011-11-06T18:32:43.567-05:00Tower Heist<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Tower Heist</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Brett Ratner</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Ted Griffin and Jeff Nathanson</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Tower Heist was a fun film that exceeded my expectations. I thought this film was going to be a lost cause with former A-listers, Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy taking the leads and Brett Ratner behind the camera (I just can’t trust him anymore after his performance working in the X-Men franchise). But surprisingly it all works and had a great mix of a good comedy and a good heist film. It is very reminiscent of the Oceans movies, which is not surprising since one of the writers, Ted Griffin, worked on the Oceans 11 screenplay.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">This is also the second film I have seen in the past week relating to our countries economic state. The other being In Time (<a href="http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-time.html"><span class="s2">http://bigbobbosreviews.blogspot.com/2011/11/in-time.html</span></a>). In Tower Heist we get a Bernie Madoff type character, played by Alan Alda, who cleans out the pockets of the middle and lower classes, the everyday man. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">In Tower Heist the everyday man strikes back. With a great ensemble of likable, everyday men, misfits that come together to take down the titan that is Arthur Shaw (Alan Alda). Ben Stiller plays the leader of this group and the hero of the film. Ben Stiller was the Manager of the building they tried to rob. It was traditional Ben Stiller humor but he mostly played the straight character in this film and did not bring too many laughs. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">His supporting cast though made this film very funny. They include Eddie Murphy, Matthew Broderick, Michael Pena, and Casey Affleck. Eddie Murphy went back to his roots in this film. He went on rants, made great faces, and brought many laughs. I hope to see more of him in the future as long as he stays with his roots. He stole a bunch of scenes in this film. The character that brought the most laughs besides Eddie Murphy was Matthew Broderick. He played a Wall Street Whiz who was down on his luck. Pena and Affleck were both fine int heir respective roles. Pena played a elevator operator turned heist technician and Affleck played Stiller’s brother in law. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">One thing I really liked about this film was the script. It all flowed well and all of the character’s decisions and actions made sense. The reasons and planning of the robbery was logical. All relative to the world of the movie, of course. The film also did not have a cheesy romantic story or a cliche ending. I really thought I would hate the ending going into this film, but yet again i’ll say this film exceeded my expectations. </span><br />
<span class="s1"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Tower Heist was a very entertaining film and a movie that is hard to hate on. It is a great mix of comedy and heist and hopefully Brett Ratner will get some mojo back since this was probably his best work since Rush hour 2. If you want a fun film, go check out the not so washed up Still, Murphy, and Broderick in Tower Heist.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 7.5/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my reviews by clicking on the ads.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-45474360011040292822011-11-04T17:25:00.003-04:002011-11-05T09:26:23.186-04:00A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Todd Strauss-Schulson</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Six years after their Guantanamo Bay adventure, stoner buds Harold Lee and Kumar Patel cause a holiday fracas by inadvertently burning down Harold's father-in-law's prize Christmas tree.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Harold and Kumar have done it again. They have turned a moderate problem into a complete shit storm and found hilarious new situations for you to laugh at. In a film which you get everything that you would expect plus more, they also bring you a 3D movie worth seeing. This is hands down the best usage of 3D I have seen. The director really makes sure there are many different objects and bodily functions flying close to your eye balls. Lovely, I know. The script even adds a couple 3D jokes.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Gun fights, Mob Bosses, horny teens, naked nuns, drug addicted children and so much more make up this ridiculous film. Oh, and how could I forget the amazing Neil Patrick Harris or NPH for short. Like the other two Harold and Kumar flicks they are not afraid to make jokes about anything. You can go into this film expecting nothing but pure fun and the joy of knowing there will be lines crossed. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">What I find really amazing is how Kal Penn gets away with making a movie like this. He quit acting to join the Obama administration as an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement and then resigned to make this film (and a couple episodes of How I Met your Mother) and once shooting was over he took back his post at the White House. He must be really smart to keep a job in the White House after making a movie like this one. Anyway, Kal Penn and John Cho are both funny in their Harold and Kumar way. They don’t miss a beat and pick it right back where they left off in Guantanamo Bay. Harold and Kumar are heroes to the stoner community and it is hard not to root for them. I can’t think of a more likable pair in a stoner comedy. Neil Patrick Harris though was the star of this film. Even though he only had about 10 to 15 minutes of screen time he stole the show. Once he entered the film I could not stop laughing. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas is very much your typical Harold and Kumar film. It will follow the general rules of their universe and some of the charm was taken away since it is the third film, but it still manages to make you laugh. With a slow beginning, it quickly picks up speed and laughs keep coming. I can only hope they don’t make a fourth one.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 7/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Please support my review by clicking on the ads. </span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-59799662472298706752011-11-02T16:26:00.005-04:002011-11-07T15:39:48.758-05:00In Time<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>In Time</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed By: Andrew Niccol</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written By: Andrew Niccol</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">In a future where people stop aging at 25, but are engineered to live only one more year, having the means to buy your way out of the situation is a shot at immortal youth. Here, Will Salas finds himself accused of murder and on the run with a hostage - a connection that becomes an important part of the way against the system.</span></div><div class="p3"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I am not gonna lie, I am a Sci-Fi sucker. And there was no better way to treat myself on my birthday than this solid Sci-Fi Flick. In Time has a great premise which takes the old saying “time is money” and makes it a reality. It is set in a future world that is not so different than ours. The economy is in the dump, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Yup, sounds familiar.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">As great as the premise was, the pacing of the film was a little off. It jumped from fast paced to slow paced too often to gain enough momentum to make it a more exciting film. I would have loved to have seen a couple more fast paced scenes because when the film was rolling it got my heart pumping, especially the last half hour of the film. I liked the way they dealt with the transferring of time. You would hold on to the other person’s arm and can control it with your mind. With that being said, it does seem a little easy to get your time stolen.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">In Time was also an enjoyable movie because with a premise of nobody ages past the age of 25, there are a lot of beautiful people in this film, including Olivia Wilde (who was pushing 50) and Amanda Seyfried. Olivia Wilde plays Justin Timberlake’s mother and Amanda Seyfried is the love interest. Both giving solid performances, even Wilde who had very limited screen time. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Justin Timberlake may be becoming a star. I mean I guess he already is a star, but he could be an A-list actor sometime in the near future. Besides a scene where he cried, which he just was not very good at, he was spot on in this role. He has now proved that he can carry a film in its leading role after being a supporting actor in previous films. He must be doing something right because rumors have it that the Coen brothers are trying to attach him to their next project (<a href="http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/10/31/justin-timberlake-llewyn-davis/"><span class="s2">http://insidemovies.ew.com/2011/10/31/justin-timberlake-llewyn-davis/</span></a>)</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I have to mention quickly that I loved seeing Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory) in this film. I think he is great and he had some great cameos in Entourage as well. Anyway, In Time is a entertaining and a solid Sci-Fi movie that is worth going to see. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
Rating: 7/10</div><div class="p2">Please support my reviews by clicking on an Ad. Thanks</div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-28373632813972750632011-10-30T15:38:00.005-04:002011-10-31T11:11:32.129-04:00The Rum Diary<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>The Rum Diary</b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Bruce Robinson</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Bruce Robinson</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2">American journalist Paul Kemp takes on a freelance job in Puerto Rico for a local newspaper during the 1950s and struggles to find a balance between island culture and the expatriates who live there.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The Rum Diary might be one of the most unsatisfying movies of the year. First off the trailer was very misleading since I thought the film was going to a psychological journey through the mind of this writer. Instead we got a lot of filler scenes. I felt like I was waiting for something to happen the entire movie and then it ended. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The beginning of the story all felt forced with each line of dialogue being way to obvious about setting up what was going on. With ridiculously cheesy moments between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard that goes along with their unexplainable love connection I felt like I was being cheated of a real story. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">This film is based off a novel, which I have not read, but I don’t see how they thought the book could be adapted. There was too much irrelevant scenes and dialogue that took place to make me care about the main character or even get invested into the story.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Johnny Depp is always the man with a believable performance as a drunk but his supporting cast really hurt his performance. Michael Rispoli played one of his roommates and he just got on my nerves and played no part in driving the story. Someone that bothered me even more was Giovanni Ribisi who played a way to over the top alcoholic. Every word that came out of his mouth pissed me off and he contributed even less to the story.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The two people I wish were int he film more often are Amber Heard and Aaron Eckhart. They both gave great performances. It felt like the movie was going to revolve around the two of them and Depp but then abruptly they were both out of the picture. The abruptness of their departures from the film did not make sense or fit into the story.</span><br />
<span class="s2"><br />
</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">The main purpose of this film was to show Depp’s character find his voice as a journalist during his experience in Puerto Rico but I think the filmed did a terrible job at portraying this. At no moment did I feel that he was lost as a writer besides the one line of dialogue which he said he was lost and there was no moment where I felt he gained his voice. Sorry Johnny better luck next time.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Rating: 4/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Please click on the ads to show your support of my reviews. Thanks!</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-53763459040010650002011-10-21T21:31:00.001-04:002011-10-21T21:31:20.934-04:00The Three Musketeers<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Three Musketeers </u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: Paul W.S. Anderson</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: Alex Litvak, Andrew Davies</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The hot-headed young D'Artagnan along with three former legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">It does not please me to say this but I was very dissapointed with The Three Musketeers. I mean first off they should have called the movie The Fourth Musketeer as the film focused mainly on D’Artagnan’s character rather than the musketeers themselves. On top of the forced D’Artagnan love story, it was full of cheesy moments, and atrocious dialogue. The editing was all over the place and the film could not decide what tone and message it wanted to send. In a film that could have been something they really screwed the pooch on this one.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">The part that bothered me the most was the editing of this film. It was choppy and made me feel disoriented during simple conversations. It would be one thing if it was terrible during the action sequences but the action sequences were done rather well. But they couldn’t edit a simple conversation. A character would be in one spot during a conversation and then all of a sudden were at the opposite side of the room. It was extremely frustrating to watch while this nonsense was going on. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">A refreshing part of the film was seeing Orlando Bloom playing a villain. It is a change of pace for him and I think he pulled it off. It will be cool to see him play the villain character again in the sequel (pending this movie rakes in the dough). All of the casting in the film is spot on though and their acting jobs were okay int heir respected roles. I really liked Luke Evans as Aramis, who looks a little bit too much like Orlando Bloom. It did confuse me a little at the beginning of the film. The other notable performance was by Logan Lerman who I am sure will have another big blockbuster under his belt soon enough.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Luckily the action in the film was pretty good, as farfetched as it all was for the classic Three Musketeer story. It was all entertaining and exciting. One action scene bothered me though, when they tried to copy 300 with slowing and speeding up the action at certain points. Not gonna lie, it works a lot better when Gerald Butler is a giant Spartan then Athos (Matthew Macfayden) in funny tights. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">I wish this film could have been better. I wish there was a little more effort put into the movie because you can tell there was not a 100% effort put forth. The dialogue was awful and all of the side characters, especially the King, were unbearable. Yes, the film ends with the promise of a sequel. I think the way they make you believe there is going to be a sequel was just as bad as the rest of the film. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Rating: 4/10</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">If you could please support my movie reviews by clicking on a link. Thank You</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-12660437937887725682011-10-14T23:33:00.006-04:002011-10-15T08:34:07.708-04:00Footloose<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>Footloose</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Directed by: Craig Brewer</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Written by: Dean Pitchford, and Craig Brewer</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="s2"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">City kid Ren MacCormack moves to a small town where rock 'n' roll and dancing have been banned, and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="s2"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Who thought that remaking Footloose was a good idea? Seriously who? I guess for a dance movie it is better than a movie like Step Up, but who can realistically believe a town getting so enraged over an incident where they decide to make dancing illegal. This is completely outdated and on top of that it had no sense of era to it. All of the characters were still written like they were from the eighties but apparently it took place in present day Bomont since the main character, Ren McCormick (Kenny Wormald) listened to an ipod half the movie. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="s2">Some bright spots in this film include the stunning Julianna Hough. She might not be the best actress, but she sure rocks a pair of short shorts. The other bright spot was Ren’s best friend Willard played by Miles Teller. This guy was hilarious. He was the only character that made me laugh when I was suppose to laugh. Yes, the theater did burst into laughter at many cheesy moments throughout the film. I hope this kid gets some comedic roles as he has great comedy chops.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="s2">As funny as Miles and as stunning as Julianna Hough were in this film they both couldn't save this from being a flop. The dialogue was cheesy and I could not take the serious scenes seriously. There were multiple times where unexplainable things happened and Kenny Wormald is no Kevin Bacon. </span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="s2">Back to the realism issue. The movie portrayed the adults as old farts compared to these hip youngsters but if this movie is set in the present then these old farts grew up in the rock and roll era. They would have known what it was all about and been a lot more understanding rather than being so close minded. I really didn’t expect much but I did expect better story structure since this is a remake.</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s2"></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="s2">Rating: 4/10</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s2">Please support my reviews by clicking on an AD! thank you.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512149659563325862.post-15854477903104249792011-10-07T23:18:00.003-04:002011-10-08T17:24:51.942-04:00The Ides of March<div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b><u>The Ides of March</u></b></span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Directed by: George Clooney</span></div><div class="p1"><span class="s1">Written by: George Cloony, Grant Heslov, and Beau Willimon</span></div><div class="p2"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p2"><br />
</div><div class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Plot</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">An idealistic staffer for a newbie presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1"><b>Review</b>:</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The title comes from Ancient Rome. The term is most famously known as the date Julius Caesar was killed. His death was planned by a group of conspirators in the roman government. George Clooney did a great job by taking the basic concept and turning this concept into a well constructed, thought provoking modern drama. We get an intense inside look at how dirty politics can be.</span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The acting and writing in this movie were superb. All of the dialogue was fast paced and extremely witty. Ryan Gosling had some great one on one scenes with the female lead, Evan Rachel Wood. It’s amazing that Ryan Gosling has been in two great movies this past month. He has really hit it big and only bigger things are to come. He plays a character who is the media mastermind behind a governor running for president (the Julius Caesar character played by George Clooney.) His character in the beginning is a very kind, charming, and moral man but as the movie progresses we see some intense character development. </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Ryan Gosling’s character isn’t the only role that had some major character development. Every main character had 180 switches in their mannerisms and personalities. This is what made the acting in this film great. Other great performances come from George Clooney, Paul Giamatti, and my favorite performance, besides Goslings, Phillip Seymour Hoffman. </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">The Ides of March is what’s called a good movie. Not great, but very good. It keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what twist and turn that’s coming next, but since Gosling’s character has such a big character change it is hard to identify with him in the end. I kind of like this but I think others might find it unsettling. </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">I would really like the believe that our government isn’t actually as corrupt as this movie portrays, but I guess who am I kidding. </span></div><div class="p4"><span class="s1"></span></div><div class="p4"><br />
</div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Rating: 7.5/10</span></div><div class="p3"><span class="s1">Please show your support by clicking on an ad. Thank You.</span></div>Rob Goldmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11000250055372374883noreply@blogger.com0