DIRECTOR: Nora Ephron
STUDIO: TriStar Pictures
STARRING: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Rosie O'Donnell
RATING: PG
GENRE: Comedy, Romance, Drama
GRADE: B-
Ehh...that's all I can really say. Now, I love Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan separately. Actually, any work of them I've enjoyed, but together, they just lack chemistry. And maybe that was it. I was expecting AMAZING couples like "When Harry Met Sally..." and "Forrest Gump" and even though they only meet in one scene, I still didn't have the connection that I did with so many other film couples. You could say I'm a "shipper."
But, the cinematographer was outstanding! Just that opening shot, a few seconds in, took my breath away. It was filmed very beautifully and soundly and thought it was some of the best I've seen in years.
It's a very cute date movie and for those that believe in destiny and fate, go out and rent this movie. It's sweet and you'll definitely enjoy it!
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
The Social Network (2010)
DIRECTOR: David Fincher
STUDIO: Columbia Pictures
STARRING: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama, Biography
GRADE: C-
Wow. Am I the one who DIDN'T like this film? I mean, normally before I formally write my review, I check out other ones (Spill.com, Rotten Tomatoes, ETC), but it seems like every other critic really enjoyed this movie.
First off, I loved the concept! Facebook is something that EVERYONE uses, and of course, this movie will attract millions of people, but the problem is this played into a court-room drama, but without the court-room! I mean, the movie basically consisted of 3 acts, and the only one I really enjoyed and got into was the first act. It peaked and then just went plummeting down.
The actors were actually really great and I'm beginning to love Jesse Eisenberg, because just the way he enunciated his words fit his character. The supporting actors were great, too. However, the one thing I'll never understand is the characters of the Winklevoss twins. Their dialogue was some of the worst I've heard in a long time! I don't know if it was purposeful, but the way it was presented was serious and the characters actually meant it, so it was hard to distingish the proper reaction.
A lot of critics compared it to "Citizen Kane," which kinda makes me want to scream. "Citizen Kane' was an amazing, beautiful, artistic masterpiece that has so much depth, it's hard to even explain. This is a sloppy, thrown-together should-be-independent film that happens to sell well because of it's concept, not of its final product.
The film dragged in more places than it should, but the sad part is that it IS such an interesting story, but it was just presented in such a boring way to its audience. They're marketing to ages 12-25, but most are used to movies like "Zombieland" or "The Notebook" or "The Hangover" where the plots are so intense in every scene, that their attention spans have lessened.
STUDIO: Columbia Pictures
STARRING: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama, Biography
GRADE: C-
Wow. Am I the one who DIDN'T like this film? I mean, normally before I formally write my review, I check out other ones (Spill.com, Rotten Tomatoes, ETC), but it seems like every other critic really enjoyed this movie.
First off, I loved the concept! Facebook is something that EVERYONE uses, and of course, this movie will attract millions of people, but the problem is this played into a court-room drama, but without the court-room! I mean, the movie basically consisted of 3 acts, and the only one I really enjoyed and got into was the first act. It peaked and then just went plummeting down.
The actors were actually really great and I'm beginning to love Jesse Eisenberg, because just the way he enunciated his words fit his character. The supporting actors were great, too. However, the one thing I'll never understand is the characters of the Winklevoss twins. Their dialogue was some of the worst I've heard in a long time! I don't know if it was purposeful, but the way it was presented was serious and the characters actually meant it, so it was hard to distingish the proper reaction.
A lot of critics compared it to "Citizen Kane," which kinda makes me want to scream. "Citizen Kane' was an amazing, beautiful, artistic masterpiece that has so much depth, it's hard to even explain. This is a sloppy, thrown-together should-be-independent film that happens to sell well because of it's concept, not of its final product.
The film dragged in more places than it should, but the sad part is that it IS such an interesting story, but it was just presented in such a boring way to its audience. They're marketing to ages 12-25, but most are used to movies like "Zombieland" or "The Notebook" or "The Hangover" where the plots are so intense in every scene, that their attention spans have lessened.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
To Save a Life (2009)
DIRECTOR: Brian Baugh
STUDIO: Samuel Goldwyn Films
STARRING: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama
GRADE: C+
I watched this movie with my youth group, and I'm just going to say this flat-out: it's a Christian film, which usually gets written off as "a preachy, goodie-two-shoes movie about some dude/chick going soft." But, in reality some are very good quality films! Unfortuantely, this film DID have a great message, but was portrayed in not the best light.
So, my biggest problem was the editing. In almost every given scene, a shot wouldn't last more than 4 seconds, and even if it was just someone sitting in their car. The editors got too "cut happy" and even in flashbacks, the shots couldn't be more than a few frames.
Other than that, the movie was pretty solid. Acting pretty decent and directing wonderful! They had the right idea when making this film, and it definitely appeals to this generation. I'd probably recommend it to those who aren't even Christian, just too see how things can really be in church.
STUDIO: Samuel Goldwyn Films
STARRING: Randy Wayne, Deja Kreutzberg, Joshua Weigel
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Drama
GRADE: C+
I watched this movie with my youth group, and I'm just going to say this flat-out: it's a Christian film, which usually gets written off as "a preachy, goodie-two-shoes movie about some dude/chick going soft." But, in reality some are very good quality films! Unfortuantely, this film DID have a great message, but was portrayed in not the best light.
So, my biggest problem was the editing. In almost every given scene, a shot wouldn't last more than 4 seconds, and even if it was just someone sitting in their car. The editors got too "cut happy" and even in flashbacks, the shots couldn't be more than a few frames.
Other than that, the movie was pretty solid. Acting pretty decent and directing wonderful! They had the right idea when making this film, and it definitely appeals to this generation. I'd probably recommend it to those who aren't even Christian, just too see how things can really be in church.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Fight Club (1999)
DIRECTOR: David Fincher
STUDIO: 20th Century Fox
STARRING: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter
RATING: R
GENRE: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
GRADE: A+
This is my very first A+, and I'm proud it say it's a movie this epic!! Almost everything about this movie is flawless. The acting, the directing, the dialoge, the symbolism. Everything!!
Even towards the beginning, I noticed something odd about the connection between the two characters, Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, and it was so subtle, I just ignored it at the time. Edward Norton plays the transition from his white-collared job, condo-living man, to a radical rebel who fights every week perfectly. I've decided to watch some more work of Norton.
Helena Bonham Carter never fails to disappoint. Outstanding, as always and if anything, her character was the least developed, because of less screen time, but all in all, every moment she was on screen was genius. Definitely one of my favorite actresses.
The movie WAS a little long, (2.5 hours) but you really couldn't tell, because there were literally no boring parts in it. It's basically set up in 3 acts, and all are different, but perfect in how they're set up.
Surprisingly, this movie has very little fighting in it, but when it does, it plays a huge part in it. It's a way for the men to release their inner-instincts and the way the set is used, you can tell that they're only motivated by that.
So, please watch this film if you've yet to, because everyone needs to see a movie like this if they haven't yet.
STUDIO: 20th Century Fox
STARRING: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter
RATING: R
GENRE: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
GRADE: A+
This is my very first A+, and I'm proud it say it's a movie this epic!! Almost everything about this movie is flawless. The acting, the directing, the dialoge, the symbolism. Everything!!
Even towards the beginning, I noticed something odd about the connection between the two characters, Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, and it was so subtle, I just ignored it at the time. Edward Norton plays the transition from his white-collared job, condo-living man, to a radical rebel who fights every week perfectly. I've decided to watch some more work of Norton.
Helena Bonham Carter never fails to disappoint. Outstanding, as always and if anything, her character was the least developed, because of less screen time, but all in all, every moment she was on screen was genius. Definitely one of my favorite actresses.
The movie WAS a little long, (2.5 hours) but you really couldn't tell, because there were literally no boring parts in it. It's basically set up in 3 acts, and all are different, but perfect in how they're set up.
Surprisingly, this movie has very little fighting in it, but when it does, it plays a huge part in it. It's a way for the men to release their inner-instincts and the way the set is used, you can tell that they're only motivated by that.
So, please watch this film if you've yet to, because everyone needs to see a movie like this if they haven't yet.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Graduate (1967)
DIRECTOR: Mike Nichols
STUDIO: Embassy Pictures
STARRING: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross
RATING: PG
GENRE: Drama, Comedy, Romance
GRADE: A
It's hard to think what happened in 70s that made comedies in the 1960s and 1980s so different! Not better, nor worse, just polar opposites! Nonetheless, this movie isn't really a comedy, but I loved it all the same!!
Out of all the films I have ever watched, this one probably had the most symbolism, which I ADORED. I love it when the film makes you think more than an average one does, and it allows you to explore your mind.
This movie is about this guy, Benjamin, who just graduated from college, and doesn't really know what to do, career-wise, while his parents are concerned for his unknown future. An old family friend, Mrs. Robinson (We all know the song "...here's to you, Ms. Robinson...") starts to fatally get attracted to Benjamin, and seduces him. But, meanwhile, he starts to fall for her daughter, who has no idea about the affair!
The director of cinematography was phenominal! You connected with Benjamin and all the stress and excitement that was thrust upon him with this movie. The angles and lights and shadows created the symbolism needed for any particular scene. For some reason, Dustin Hoffman gets a lot of negative reviews for his performance, but his dry humor makes it all the more easy to laugh at.
It's a great movie, that is referenced for parodied many times in popular movies and shows. I know of one "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" episode, that parallels this almost completely! I'm sure you'd recognize at least one scene or line from this film.
STUDIO: Embassy Pictures
STARRING: Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman, Katharine Ross
RATING: PG
GENRE: Drama, Comedy, Romance
GRADE: A
It's hard to think what happened in 70s that made comedies in the 1960s and 1980s so different! Not better, nor worse, just polar opposites! Nonetheless, this movie isn't really a comedy, but I loved it all the same!!
Out of all the films I have ever watched, this one probably had the most symbolism, which I ADORED. I love it when the film makes you think more than an average one does, and it allows you to explore your mind.
This movie is about this guy, Benjamin, who just graduated from college, and doesn't really know what to do, career-wise, while his parents are concerned for his unknown future. An old family friend, Mrs. Robinson (We all know the song "...here's to you, Ms. Robinson...") starts to fatally get attracted to Benjamin, and seduces him. But, meanwhile, he starts to fall for her daughter, who has no idea about the affair!
The director of cinematography was phenominal! You connected with Benjamin and all the stress and excitement that was thrust upon him with this movie. The angles and lights and shadows created the symbolism needed for any particular scene. For some reason, Dustin Hoffman gets a lot of negative reviews for his performance, but his dry humor makes it all the more easy to laugh at.
It's a great movie, that is referenced for parodied many times in popular movies and shows. I know of one "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" episode, that parallels this almost completely! I'm sure you'd recognize at least one scene or line from this film.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Last Exorcism (2010)
DIRECTOR: Daniel Stamm
STUDIO: Lionsgate
STARRING: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Horror, Thriller
GRADE: D-
Here we go again! Okay...so a little flimsy camera is making a "documentary" and OBVIOUSLY, that makes it so much more scary!! Actually...it just means the production company has a pretty frickin' low budget! Oy, how that annoys me that people actually buy into the "realness" = "more scary" crap.
Well, now that that rant is over, onto the review. Not only did that make tons of demerits on my little score card, there were many problems with this film. Maybe it was the fact that the editor was sloppy. It almost seemed that there were 3 or 4 cameras, instead of just one, because in the same scene, it would jump locations in just a fraction of a second. Also, there was background music in some of the scenes! That just irritated me, too! If I'm not mistaken, there is no music playing behind the wall when something significant happens.
The acting was decent. Almost everyone had this weird, awkwardness about them that just set me off, but then I understood that it was the point. Everyone in that town had something wrong with them, and we understand why later on.
Overall, I hated this movie, but I would hate to give it my first "F" ever on a review, so "D-" it is. Even for someone who hates horror films and likes to make fun of them as I watch, this one is probably the worst of it's genre.
STUDIO: Lionsgate
STARRING: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Horror, Thriller
GRADE: D-
Here we go again! Okay...so a little flimsy camera is making a "documentary" and OBVIOUSLY, that makes it so much more scary!! Actually...it just means the production company has a pretty frickin' low budget! Oy, how that annoys me that people actually buy into the "realness" = "more scary" crap.
Well, now that that rant is over, onto the review. Not only did that make tons of demerits on my little score card, there were many problems with this film. Maybe it was the fact that the editor was sloppy. It almost seemed that there were 3 or 4 cameras, instead of just one, because in the same scene, it would jump locations in just a fraction of a second. Also, there was background music in some of the scenes! That just irritated me, too! If I'm not mistaken, there is no music playing behind the wall when something significant happens.
The acting was decent. Almost everyone had this weird, awkwardness about them that just set me off, but then I understood that it was the point. Everyone in that town had something wrong with them, and we understand why later on.
Overall, I hated this movie, but I would hate to give it my first "F" ever on a review, so "D-" it is. Even for someone who hates horror films and likes to make fun of them as I watch, this one is probably the worst of it's genre.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Scott Pilgrim VS. the World (2010)
DIRECTOR: Edgar Wright
STUDIO: Universal Pictures
STARRING: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anna Kendrick
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Comedy, Romance, Action, Fantasy
GRADE: A-
Honestly, this has been one of the hardest movies yet for me to decide whether to give it a B+ or an A-. And I've made my decision!...obviously. It's mostly because it was funny, cute, original and a very good film altogether, but did it REALLY deserve an A? Even a A-? That's what I will try to figure out.
The story is about a guy named Scott Pilgrim, who falls for this girl, Ramona, who has seven evil exes, and he has to defeat them all. Now, this world is kinda like a video game, where you have lives, powers, levels, ETC and if you defeat somebody, you get coins. He also discovers things about Ramona through defeating the exes and the story gets more complex, which isn't confusing, but makes it all the more fun for the viewer.
The director on this film was SPOT ON. Every single set item had a place and a place for every item. Things reflected on Ramona's hair and Scott's feelings, from clothing articles to trash cans behind the characters. Every scene blew me away with the details and it really made me appreciate the work of this director.
Now, me -not being a fan of action films- felt that some of the fighting sequences were a bit too long, but the editing was well for most, if not all. The acting was very substantial and dialogue pretty well written.
For the most part, there's not much wrong with this film. Some people may not enjoy the uniqueness of it, but that's what I loved most about it. I definitely stand by my rating and recommend this to EVERYONE.
STUDIO: Universal Pictures
STARRING: Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Anna Kendrick
RATING: PG-13
GENRE: Comedy, Romance, Action, Fantasy
GRADE: A-
Honestly, this has been one of the hardest movies yet for me to decide whether to give it a B+ or an A-. And I've made my decision!...obviously. It's mostly because it was funny, cute, original and a very good film altogether, but did it REALLY deserve an A? Even a A-? That's what I will try to figure out.
The story is about a guy named Scott Pilgrim, who falls for this girl, Ramona, who has seven evil exes, and he has to defeat them all. Now, this world is kinda like a video game, where you have lives, powers, levels, ETC and if you defeat somebody, you get coins. He also discovers things about Ramona through defeating the exes and the story gets more complex, which isn't confusing, but makes it all the more fun for the viewer.
The director on this film was SPOT ON. Every single set item had a place and a place for every item. Things reflected on Ramona's hair and Scott's feelings, from clothing articles to trash cans behind the characters. Every scene blew me away with the details and it really made me appreciate the work of this director.
Now, me -not being a fan of action films- felt that some of the fighting sequences were a bit too long, but the editing was well for most, if not all. The acting was very substantial and dialogue pretty well written.
For the most part, there's not much wrong with this film. Some people may not enjoy the uniqueness of it, but that's what I loved most about it. I definitely stand by my rating and recommend this to EVERYONE.
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