Summary: In this timeless classic, a riveting tale about Gordon Gekko(Michael Douglas) and how he shows his apprentice Bud(Charlie Sheen) the ropes of the Wall St. game. The center of the game lies in corporate battles and what is moral or not about capitalism.
Review: The setting of this classic is great and its acting was superb by Douglas and Charlie Sheen. It is a good tale that inspires questions about the morality of certain actions in life with materialism. I thought the supporting actresses were a bit weak with Daryl Hannah as a materialistic girlfriend.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is greed good? Is Wall Street as how the film makes it? Do people change because of money?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 The movie was a classic, and it had great lines by Gordon Gekko.
Favorite Quotes: Bud Fox: How much is enough?
Gordon Gekko: It's not a question of enough, pal. It's a zero sum game, somebody wins, somebody loses. Money itself isn't lost or made, it's simply transferred from one perception to another.
Gordon Gekko: The richest one percent of this country owns half our country's wealth, five trillion dollars. One third of that comes from hard work, two thirds comes from inheritance, interest on interest accumulating to widows and idiot sons and what I do, stock and real estate speculation. It's bullshit. You got ninety percent of the American public out there with little or no net worth. I create nothing. I own. We make the rules, pal. The news, war, peace, famine, upheaval, the price per paper clip. We pick that rabbit out of the hat while everybody sits out there wondering how the hell we did it. Now you're not naive enough to think we're living in a democracy, are you buddy? It's the free market. And you're a part of it. You've got that killer instinct. Stick around pal, I've still got a lot to teach you.
Gordon Gekko: You and I are the same, Darien. We are smart enough not to buy in to the oldest myth running; love. Diction created by people to keep them from jumping out of windows.
[laughs]
Darien Taylor: You know sometimes I miss you Gordon...You're really twisted.
Gordon Gekko: That's the one thing you have to remember about WASPs: they love animals and hate people.
Gordon Gekko: The point is ladies and gentlemen that greed, for lack of a better word, is good.
Gordon Gekko: Don't get emotional about a stock.
Gordon Gekko: If you need a friend, get a dog.
Bud Fox: Life all comes down to a few moments. This is one of them.
Lou: Just remember something. Man looks in the abyss, there is nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character, and that is what keeps him out of the abyss.
Gordon Gekko: Lunch is for wimps.
Gordon Gekko: You gonna tell me the difference between this guy and that guy is luck?
[points at a bum and businessman]
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Public Enemies
Summary: In this historically accurate film based on the exploits of John Dillinger (Johnny Deep) is pitted against FBI agent (Christian Bale) and his run away from the authorities while romancing "Billie" (Cotton Cotillard). It shows an accurate portrayal of Dillinger's escapes from prison and runs on the banks.
Review: It had a nice mood about it with the setting. I loved the suits and mannerisms of the time, but I wasn't captivated by the movie. I thought it was well made, but I just didn't like how it told the story. It had some fantastic dialogue and acting though. Johnny Deep did well in his portrayal of Dillinger, but it never went into the character. The trailers seemed to romanticize the idea of being a bank robber, but the movie did little of that as it was a bore.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Why was Dillinger declared a public enemy? Did Dillinger just draw upon people because of his natural charisma? Was it the poverty at the time that made it America's "golden age of crime age?"
Power Rating (Out of 5) 2 The movie seemed like a "good" movie, but it never really developed the characters. Its setting was the Great Depression, but I would have never guessed that because it never showed how the common folks were minus one scene where Dillinger tells a man to put his money away during a bank robbery. I also had a problem identifying or even recognizing the characters. I thought it tried to use too much action to tell the story rather than actually develop a portrayal of the story that happened. It should have been a lot more colorful with the topic.
Favorite Quotes: Dillinger: "I like baseball, movies, nice clothes, fast cars, whiskey, and you. What else you need to know?"
Review: It had a nice mood about it with the setting. I loved the suits and mannerisms of the time, but I wasn't captivated by the movie. I thought it was well made, but I just didn't like how it told the story. It had some fantastic dialogue and acting though. Johnny Deep did well in his portrayal of Dillinger, but it never went into the character. The trailers seemed to romanticize the idea of being a bank robber, but the movie did little of that as it was a bore.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Why was Dillinger declared a public enemy? Did Dillinger just draw upon people because of his natural charisma? Was it the poverty at the time that made it America's "golden age of crime age?"
Power Rating (Out of 5) 2 The movie seemed like a "good" movie, but it never really developed the characters. Its setting was the Great Depression, but I would have never guessed that because it never showed how the common folks were minus one scene where Dillinger tells a man to put his money away during a bank robbery. I also had a problem identifying or even recognizing the characters. I thought it tried to use too much action to tell the story rather than actually develop a portrayal of the story that happened. It should have been a lot more colorful with the topic.
Favorite Quotes: Dillinger: "I like baseball, movies, nice clothes, fast cars, whiskey, and you. What else you need to know?"
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Casino Jack
Summary: Kevin Spacey plays political lobbyist Jack Abramoff as he uses his connections and his former "friendships" in this American tale of politics. It's based on real life events and the scandals that had occurred. There were real charges and many politicians were brought down by this. Karl Rove once commented that the Republicans were losing their seats because of Ambramoff, but sadly his name seems to have faded. He has been released into home detention already after doing four years.
Review: Kevin Spacey is a tremendous actor and Barry Pepper was excellent in a supporting role. The film was surprisingly light-mooded despite the topic. It was well made and Spacey proves how versatile he is. The politics behind the movie were also simplified by a lot and it brought a lot of the cases involving Ambramoff into relevancy.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm curious to learn more about the Native American casino industry because of the film. Is a lobbyist the price of democracy? Is it really democracy? Can the end ever justify the means as I think Abramoff might have had some grand plans for the Jewish and American communities. It has been reported that Fiddler on the Roof really inspired Ambramoff and changed his life to becoming an Orthodox Jew. The reasons behind his actions may have even been more complex, and is religion an answer?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was an enjoyable watch and educated me on Jack Ambramoff, but I think more questions will always remain. It's tragic not many will ever know the stories behind Ambramoff and question how it occurred or if it's still going on today.
Favorite Quotes: "Why? Because my name is Jack Abramoff and I work out every day."
Review: Kevin Spacey is a tremendous actor and Barry Pepper was excellent in a supporting role. The film was surprisingly light-mooded despite the topic. It was well made and Spacey proves how versatile he is. The politics behind the movie were also simplified by a lot and it brought a lot of the cases involving Ambramoff into relevancy.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm curious to learn more about the Native American casino industry because of the film. Is a lobbyist the price of democracy? Is it really democracy? Can the end ever justify the means as I think Abramoff might have had some grand plans for the Jewish and American communities. It has been reported that Fiddler on the Roof really inspired Ambramoff and changed his life to becoming an Orthodox Jew. The reasons behind his actions may have even been more complex, and is religion an answer?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was an enjoyable watch and educated me on Jack Ambramoff, but I think more questions will always remain. It's tragic not many will ever know the stories behind Ambramoff and question how it occurred or if it's still going on today.
Favorite Quotes: "Why? Because my name is Jack Abramoff and I work out every day."
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Fair Game
Summary: The movie is a docu-mockery of the Valerie Plame Affair: the outing of an American CIA agent because of politics. I say it's a docu-mockery because I highly doubt some of the scenes were real and if they are, they should be classified. It is an good introduction to the story that most will probably never have heard of or will forget in time.
Review: I think it was filmed well and had some great moments with intriguing foreigners, but I wasn't fully sold on the movie as a great film that would win multiple awards.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Patriotism, life's pyramid; Are there any good reasons to fight a war?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It didn't capture my mind as much, but Sean Penn and Naomi Watts did give a good performance. I didn't think the film was as dramatic as I thought it would have been, but I didn't know the story as well. I don't think the full story will ever be known, and I think a bunch of scenes from the movie were complete fiction.
Review: I think it was filmed well and had some great moments with intriguing foreigners, but I wasn't fully sold on the movie as a great film that would win multiple awards.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Patriotism, life's pyramid; Are there any good reasons to fight a war?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It didn't capture my mind as much, but Sean Penn and Naomi Watts did give a good performance. I didn't think the film was as dramatic as I thought it would have been, but I didn't know the story as well. I don't think the full story will ever be known, and I think a bunch of scenes from the movie were complete fiction.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Due Date
Summary: An architect, Peter (Robert Downey Jr.), needs to get home before the birth of his first child. He has a mishap when he meets a Glaucoma sufferer, Ethan (Zach Galifianakis) and they're both forced to travel to "Hollywood" because of an airplane incident.
Review: Robert Down Jr. is an extremely versatile actor, and his deadpan humor actually shines through in this character. He doesn't seem that different than Iron Man, so maybe it's his actual character in real life. He's sarcastic and cavalier in the way he attacks others with his wit. Galifianakis cements his status as one of the funniest people in Hollywood right now. His eccentric characters are played to perfection and leaves plenty of wtf? moments.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Does a cross-country road-trip create a deep bond like the one with Peter and Ethan.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was quite the comedy. I couldn't stop laughing at many times. It was very enjoyable and the laughs don't stop. It wasn't overly deep, and it is a movie that's made by the great characters played by Downey Jr. and Galifianakis.
Favorite Quotes:
Ethan Tremblay: My father always had a saying "When a day starts like this it's all uphill from here.
Peter Highman: Uphill? No, it's all downhill from here.
Ethan Tremblay: But nobody wants to be down, everybody wants to be up. It's all uphill from here.
Peter Highman: But it's easier to go downhill. So your dad had no idea what the fuck he was talking about.
Review: Robert Down Jr. is an extremely versatile actor, and his deadpan humor actually shines through in this character. He doesn't seem that different than Iron Man, so maybe it's his actual character in real life. He's sarcastic and cavalier in the way he attacks others with his wit. Galifianakis cements his status as one of the funniest people in Hollywood right now. His eccentric characters are played to perfection and leaves plenty of wtf? moments.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Does a cross-country road-trip create a deep bond like the one with Peter and Ethan.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was quite the comedy. I couldn't stop laughing at many times. It was very enjoyable and the laughs don't stop. It wasn't overly deep, and it is a movie that's made by the great characters played by Downey Jr. and Galifianakis.
Favorite Quotes:
Ethan Tremblay: My father always had a saying "When a day starts like this it's all uphill from here.
Peter Highman: Uphill? No, it's all downhill from here.
Ethan Tremblay: But nobody wants to be down, everybody wants to be up. It's all uphill from here.
Peter Highman: But it's easier to go downhill. So your dad had no idea what the fuck he was talking about.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
The Company Men
Summary: A MBA educated corporate employee, Bobby Walker (Ben Affleck) is let go due to a downsizing and forced to change his life. He works for his brother-in-law, Jack Dolan (Kevin Costner) as a construction laborer while losing his house, car, and golf membership. The same firm also downsizes two older employees in Phil Woodward (Chris Cooper) and Gene McClary (Tommy Lee Jones). McClary makes out better because he was an executive and had options. The film looks at the impact of the downsizing culture and what happens to the men who lose their jobs.
Review: The movie had an all-star cast. It was very well made and it had a nice story to tell. The acting was superb with the older cast playing their age. The movie didn't tell the entire story, but had multiple scenes that made you get what happened without wasting the film time to do it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is corporate culture really as pervasive as the movie paints it to be. Are the employees always afraid to lose their jobs? How does the world even make sense? While the main protagonists and cast were middle management and above, I'm sure the thousands of "serfs" that lost their jobs had it much worse.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 My only problem with the movie is that it was on a good topic, but the truth is the world is a lot tougher than the one portrayed. I'm suppose to feel bad for employees who were clearing six figures with incentives throughout the film. I'm suppose to believe that construction is an available job nowadays in America if you lose your white collar job. It could have went deeper into some things in the movie, but I guess its brevity was a plus.
Favorite Quotes: Phil Woodward: "You know the worst part. The world didn't stop. The newspaper still came every morning. The automatic sprinklers shut off at six. Jeff, next door, still washes his car every Sunday. My life ended. Nobody noticed."
Jack Dolan: "Said he made 700 times what the average GTX worker made last year. What do you think? Salinger working 700 times harder than the welder pounding hot wheeler into the tanker all day?"
Review: The movie had an all-star cast. It was very well made and it had a nice story to tell. The acting was superb with the older cast playing their age. The movie didn't tell the entire story, but had multiple scenes that made you get what happened without wasting the film time to do it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is corporate culture really as pervasive as the movie paints it to be. Are the employees always afraid to lose their jobs? How does the world even make sense? While the main protagonists and cast were middle management and above, I'm sure the thousands of "serfs" that lost their jobs had it much worse.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 My only problem with the movie is that it was on a good topic, but the truth is the world is a lot tougher than the one portrayed. I'm suppose to feel bad for employees who were clearing six figures with incentives throughout the film. I'm suppose to believe that construction is an available job nowadays in America if you lose your white collar job. It could have went deeper into some things in the movie, but I guess its brevity was a plus.
Favorite Quotes: Phil Woodward: "You know the worst part. The world didn't stop. The newspaper still came every morning. The automatic sprinklers shut off at six. Jeff, next door, still washes his car every Sunday. My life ended. Nobody noticed."
Jack Dolan: "Said he made 700 times what the average GTX worker made last year. What do you think? Salinger working 700 times harder than the welder pounding hot wheeler into the tanker all day?"
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Love and Other Drugs
Summary: Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhall) is a ladies man who uses his charm for his job as a pharmaceutical representative. By chance, he happens to meet a woman, Maggie Murdoch (Anne Hathaway), who is suffering from the early stages of Parkinson's. Their romance is unconventional and a strange relationship develops while Jamie tries to become a top performer at his job.
Review: The movie had plenty of laughs and the plot was decent. Its acting was solid with Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway. Accolades must be given to Anne Hathaway for portraying a Parkinson's victim so realistically with the tremors and attitudes. The supporting cast wasn't bad with Judy Greer, Josh Gad, and Hank Azaria.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is love more than the simple lust for sex? That theme is further explored with the theme of Viagra and how it can leap over intimacy with the physical nature. The nature of the drug industry is also satirized in this movie, but the darker sides aren't brought out to full light.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was a solid watch, but it didn't have the epicness that I usually like to see to hand out the 5. It had humor and it had a compelling plot.
Favorite Quotes:
Maggie Murdock: "Oh right, right, right. I'm supposed to act like I don't know if it's right. So then you tell me that there is no right or wrong. It's just the moment. And then I tell you that I can't while actually signalling to you that I can, which you don't need because you're not really listening. Because this isn't about connection for you. This isn't even about sex for you. This is about finding an hour or two of relief from the pain of being you. And that's fine with me, see, because all I want is the exact same thing."
Jamie: Hey Lisa!
Jackson: Her name is not Lisa.
Jamie: I know, I know but if everytime I say hey Lisa then eventually she'll come up to me and she'll be like, you know, my name is not Lisa it's Jennifer whatever, and I´ll do a big apology, and I say I thought you were the Lisa who is mad at me for not calling, and from then on Jennifer or whatever her name is will think that I dated a girl who looked just like her who I rejected, she´ll develop this unconscious need to win my approval, and from then on it's a cake.
Jackson: Damn!
Review: The movie had plenty of laughs and the plot was decent. Its acting was solid with Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway. Accolades must be given to Anne Hathaway for portraying a Parkinson's victim so realistically with the tremors and attitudes. The supporting cast wasn't bad with Judy Greer, Josh Gad, and Hank Azaria.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is love more than the simple lust for sex? That theme is further explored with the theme of Viagra and how it can leap over intimacy with the physical nature. The nature of the drug industry is also satirized in this movie, but the darker sides aren't brought out to full light.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was a solid watch, but it didn't have the epicness that I usually like to see to hand out the 5. It had humor and it had a compelling plot.
Favorite Quotes:
Maggie Murdock: "Oh right, right, right. I'm supposed to act like I don't know if it's right. So then you tell me that there is no right or wrong. It's just the moment. And then I tell you that I can't while actually signalling to you that I can, which you don't need because you're not really listening. Because this isn't about connection for you. This isn't even about sex for you. This is about finding an hour or two of relief from the pain of being you. And that's fine with me, see, because all I want is the exact same thing."
Jamie: Hey Lisa!
Jackson: Her name is not Lisa.
Jamie: I know, I know but if everytime I say hey Lisa then eventually she'll come up to me and she'll be like, you know, my name is not Lisa it's Jennifer whatever, and I´ll do a big apology, and I say I thought you were the Lisa who is mad at me for not calling, and from then on Jennifer or whatever her name is will think that I dated a girl who looked just like her who I rejected, she´ll develop this unconscious need to win my approval, and from then on it's a cake.
Jackson: Damn!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Blue Valentine
Summary: Cindy (Michelle Williams) and Dean (Ryan Gosling) are going through a loveless marriage and there are flashbacks to their courtship. Dean is a sycophant, but Cindy views him as immature and struggles with her fidelity. Cindy doesn't want to end up like her parents' marriage, and she has a kid by an ex-boyfriend from before Dean.
Review: The acting by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams was great and the cinematography was excellent as well. The mood was somber and even when they were in the middle of the courtship, the somber mood was still there, but the lighter moments contrasted very nicely. The problem is just a storyline that this author fails to comprehend.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is Cindy representative of the majority of American women today? What is the magic that Ryan Gosling had in the beginning, and how did it just disappear? Do women enjoy the abuse because that seems to be what Cindy wanted Dean to do "act like a man" and "hit" her.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The acting was superb, but I was a bit confused by the hard to follow storyline of parallel times. Maybe I just don't understand yet.
Favorite Quotes:
Dean: In my experience, the prettier a girl is, the more nuts she is, which makes you insane.
Cindy: I like how you can compliment and insult somebody at the same time, in equal
Dean: I didn't want to be somebody's husband and I didn't want to be somebody's dad, that wasn't my goal in life. But somehow it was. I work so I can do that.
Dean: Do you think I could sit down because all these other seats are taken?
Review: The acting by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams was great and the cinematography was excellent as well. The mood was somber and even when they were in the middle of the courtship, the somber mood was still there, but the lighter moments contrasted very nicely. The problem is just a storyline that this author fails to comprehend.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is Cindy representative of the majority of American women today? What is the magic that Ryan Gosling had in the beginning, and how did it just disappear? Do women enjoy the abuse because that seems to be what Cindy wanted Dean to do "act like a man" and "hit" her.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The acting was superb, but I was a bit confused by the hard to follow storyline of parallel times. Maybe I just don't understand yet.
Favorite Quotes:
Dean: In my experience, the prettier a girl is, the more nuts she is, which makes you insane.
Cindy: I like how you can compliment and insult somebody at the same time, in equal
Dean: I didn't want to be somebody's husband and I didn't want to be somebody's dad, that wasn't my goal in life. But somehow it was. I work so I can do that.
Dean: Do you think I could sit down because all these other seats are taken?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Summary: A special force soldier and his partner get a chance to join an elite company that is on the borderline of fiction. In his quest to stop the evil forces that want to destroy the world to sell more arms, the past of all the characters are revealed in flashbacks and their motivations set forth.
Review: I thought the sound effects were amazing, but the storyline fit as well. It wasn't a fantastic film, but it sure did take my mind off of the real world and entertained for its duration. It was a fantasy film, and you'll enjoy it if you don't think too deeply about it. Channing Tatum was decent in his role. Dennis Quaid played a supporting general well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt really didn't have much of a role other than a villian hiding behind a mask and deep voice. Lee Byung-hun played an evil ninja well. Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols were nice eye candy to the film. The acting overall wasn't superb, but I thought this was definitely one of those movies more about action.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm not going to try to think too much about this and over-analyze it..
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I enjoyed the effects of the theme and didn't rate it as badly as some other critics. It was an action film and the sound effects were great. I read that it butchered the original from the comics, but I've never read the comics, therefore the story was refreshing to me.
Review: I thought the sound effects were amazing, but the storyline fit as well. It wasn't a fantastic film, but it sure did take my mind off of the real world and entertained for its duration. It was a fantasy film, and you'll enjoy it if you don't think too deeply about it. Channing Tatum was decent in his role. Dennis Quaid played a supporting general well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt really didn't have much of a role other than a villian hiding behind a mask and deep voice. Lee Byung-hun played an evil ninja well. Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols were nice eye candy to the film. The acting overall wasn't superb, but I thought this was definitely one of those movies more about action.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm not going to try to think too much about this and over-analyze it..
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I enjoyed the effects of the theme and didn't rate it as badly as some other critics. It was an action film and the sound effects were great. I read that it butchered the original from the comics, but I've never read the comics, therefore the story was refreshing to me.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Goya's Ghost
Summary: Goya's life is depicted in this historical drama. He is commissioned to paint the prominent citizens of the day and two of his projects Ines (Portman), a rich merchant's daughter, and a man of cloth in Lorenzo (Bardem) collide and the movie revolves around that. The timelines of the Inquisition and national politics of Europe of the time are also interwoven in this tale.
Review: I liked the setting and attire for the day. Natalie Portman is a great actor and her elegance constantly shown. Javier Bardem is an underrated actor in America, but he is Spanish.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There was a theme of karma and ironies of life that happens in the movie. It also features the "Question," as the Inquisition itself was. Why do certain works of literature, art and culture threaten the Church?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I enjoyed it, but the plot wasn't as captivating as it could have been. It was a nice film, but just didn't inspire as much emotion as some other drama films tend to do.
Review: I liked the setting and attire for the day. Natalie Portman is a great actor and her elegance constantly shown. Javier Bardem is an underrated actor in America, but he is Spanish.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There was a theme of karma and ironies of life that happens in the movie. It also features the "Question," as the Inquisition itself was. Why do certain works of literature, art and culture threaten the Church?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I enjoyed it, but the plot wasn't as captivating as it could have been. It was a nice film, but just didn't inspire as much emotion as some other drama films tend to do.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Nice Guy Johnny
Summary: Johnny, played by Matt Bush, is engaged and by chance he spends the weekend with his womanizing uncle, but ends up meeting a girl played by Kerry Bishe, named Brooke. They develop a connection, and Johnny questions his engagement and his life choices.
Review: The movie did tie together very well, and Uncle Terry was quite a womanizing character. Kerry Bishe gives a performance that almost makes me forget how awkward of a character she is from the last season of Scrubs. The movie definitely had its humorous moments and you can't help, but root for the connection of Johnny and Brooke to blossom.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there something as being too nice? Does one have to choose between family and career?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 The movie was a short delight. Its plot did tie together very well. For such a low budget film, it accomplished a lot and it made use of the scenery and had decent character developments despite its brevity.
Review: The movie did tie together very well, and Uncle Terry was quite a womanizing character. Kerry Bishe gives a performance that almost makes me forget how awkward of a character she is from the last season of Scrubs. The movie definitely had its humorous moments and you can't help, but root for the connection of Johnny and Brooke to blossom.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there something as being too nice? Does one have to choose between family and career?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 The movie was a short delight. Its plot did tie together very well. For such a low budget film, it accomplished a lot and it made use of the scenery and had decent character developments despite its brevity.
The Fighter
Summary: Mark Wahlberg plays a journey-man boxer, Mickey Ward, as he struggles to balance his fading career and his hectic family. Mickey Ward's mother manages his career while his brother, whose claim to fame was knocking down, or just a slip by Sugar Ray Leonard, is his trainer. His brother is unreliable and a crack-addict played by Christian Bale. Can Mickey Ward fight his way to the top while carrying the deadweight of his family is the tagline.
Review: Christian Bale was the true star of this movie overshadowing Mark Walhberg. The performance of Wahlberg was satisfactory, but he didn't really shine. He seems to be best as a silent type with no emotions whatsoever. Amy Adams played a great supporting actress. The cinematography was solid and the rest of the cast was decent.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There was a small theme of redemption in the movie, but it wasn't brought out to the affront as it should have been. The redemption theme could have been brought on more with Mickey's career and his brother's recovery from crack addiction.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a decent film, but wasn't anywhere as great as it was hyped up to be: "boxing/sports film of the year." I thought Bale made the movie, but the movie was lacking in executing even though it had a compelling storyline.
Review: Christian Bale was the true star of this movie overshadowing Mark Walhberg. The performance of Wahlberg was satisfactory, but he didn't really shine. He seems to be best as a silent type with no emotions whatsoever. Amy Adams played a great supporting actress. The cinematography was solid and the rest of the cast was decent.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There was a small theme of redemption in the movie, but it wasn't brought out to the affront as it should have been. The redemption theme could have been brought on more with Mickey's career and his brother's recovery from crack addiction.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a decent film, but wasn't anywhere as great as it was hyped up to be: "boxing/sports film of the year." I thought Bale made the movie, but the movie was lacking in executing even though it had a compelling storyline.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Hereafter
Summary: Matt Damon plays a former psychic named George who is a factory worker because he views his gift of communicating with the dead as a curse rather than a gift. He struggles through his life because of it and his brother wants him to use this gift. At the same time, there are two parallel stories with a twin brother who recently lost his twin and a French reporter who survives a tsunami after being dead.
Review: The movie was slow as to be expected and lacked many moments of drama considering it should have been pretty emotional with the topic. The one thing it does achieve though is the mood and music, but it just couldn't mesh together an intriguing enough of a story that I coudln't find the humanity in each of the characters.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there a hereafter or does the plug just get unplugged. Are some things better left unsaid?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 Matt Damon played a silent man well and there were moments in the movie that were touching, but the entire plot just seemed too forced. The supporting characters didn't get enough face time to where I felt like I understood how they affected the main characters. It was a movie that I was hyped to watch, but the film left me feeling like it lacked.
Review: The movie was slow as to be expected and lacked many moments of drama considering it should have been pretty emotional with the topic. The one thing it does achieve though is the mood and music, but it just couldn't mesh together an intriguing enough of a story that I coudln't find the humanity in each of the characters.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there a hereafter or does the plug just get unplugged. Are some things better left unsaid?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 Matt Damon played a silent man well and there were moments in the movie that were touching, but the entire plot just seemed too forced. The supporting characters didn't get enough face time to where I felt like I understood how they affected the main characters. It was a movie that I was hyped to watch, but the film left me feeling like it lacked.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Kick-Ass
Summary: An awkward, nerdy and with nothing going-going-for-him teen named Dave gets the crazy idea of being a superhero. He buys a costume and ends up calling himself Kick-Ass. The course of action he takes leads him into contact with two characters that actually have a plan and can execute with superhero like powers against the villains of the city.
Review: The only decent part of the movie was the acting. Despite my dislike for the plot as it was silly and absurd, the acting by Nicholas Cage as a deranged superhero was pretty awesome, Chloe Moretz seems very apt at playing precocious girls, Mark Strong at playing a megalomaniac, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as another awkward youth and lastly Aaron Johnson made the role work. I didn't enjoy the plot and thought the violence was over the top for it being a fun loving comic.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can one individual make a difference? At times, the monologue that Dave goes through does seem pretty profound. From the moments in the beginning to why he was choosing to be a superhero to the moments when he realizes what he would be missing from life if he chose to sacrifice in order to be a superhero.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 The acting was well done, but I just couldn't get into the plot even with Lyndsey Fonseca. It had its moments of humor, but maybe the genre just didn't appeal to me.
Review: The only decent part of the movie was the acting. Despite my dislike for the plot as it was silly and absurd, the acting by Nicholas Cage as a deranged superhero was pretty awesome, Chloe Moretz seems very apt at playing precocious girls, Mark Strong at playing a megalomaniac, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as another awkward youth and lastly Aaron Johnson made the role work. I didn't enjoy the plot and thought the violence was over the top for it being a fun loving comic.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can one individual make a difference? At times, the monologue that Dave goes through does seem pretty profound. From the moments in the beginning to why he was choosing to be a superhero to the moments when he realizes what he would be missing from life if he chose to sacrifice in order to be a superhero.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 The acting was well done, but I just couldn't get into the plot even with Lyndsey Fonseca. It had its moments of humor, but maybe the genre just didn't appeal to me.
Elephant White
Summary: A mysterious mercenary is paid to complete a job in Thailand by a father who claims to have lost his daughter to the "thug human traffickers." All is not how it appears in the movie and Church, played by Hounsou, has to soon become more immerse in a new culture as he tries to redeem himself. The white elephant is a symbol of fortune and prosperity as the mother of Buddha had a dream of a white elephant presenting her with a lotus flower before the birth of Siddartha.
Review: Kevin Bacon plays an eccentric, seemingly amoral gun dealer well. Dijimon Hounsou actually plays the leading role surprisingly well given that he has never excelled past a supporting role. The plot started out shallow, but grew as the scenes went on. The violent scenes were well shot, but how can you possibly mess up sniper scenes.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: The movie was deeper than simply a gang war and had layers to it. It brought in buddhist monks and spirits without being too overly weird in the end. It also brought up the theme of redemption and the problems of prostitution in Thailand that extends beyond that. It's the children trafficking, drug addictions and poverty that add beyond the act of sex.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, It was deeper than I thought it would be and a very short delight. It had just the right amount of violence and a plot that managed to redeem itself. The things it didn't explain with more scenes are the more powerful things in the movie.
Review: Kevin Bacon plays an eccentric, seemingly amoral gun dealer well. Dijimon Hounsou actually plays the leading role surprisingly well given that he has never excelled past a supporting role. The plot started out shallow, but grew as the scenes went on. The violent scenes were well shot, but how can you possibly mess up sniper scenes.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: The movie was deeper than simply a gang war and had layers to it. It brought in buddhist monks and spirits without being too overly weird in the end. It also brought up the theme of redemption and the problems of prostitution in Thailand that extends beyond that. It's the children trafficking, drug addictions and poverty that add beyond the act of sex.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, It was deeper than I thought it would be and a very short delight. It had just the right amount of violence and a plot that managed to redeem itself. The things it didn't explain with more scenes are the more powerful things in the movie.
9th Company
Summary: The film is based on a historical battle in Hill 3234 in 1988 when the Soviet Union was occupying Afghanistan. The film follows one company through the buzzing of their hair to the finality where every member is wiped out, but one. They face an intense drill sergeant who is suffering from PSTD and comradeship as they face the hardest assignment as evidenced by an Officer reprimanding an airport worker for scolding these men when they were flying to basic.
Review: The movie told a great story about humans. One individual was a great artist and he wanted to go to war because of his curiosities with how it would affect his art. Sexuality is also a big theme as one soldier gets a lot of trash from his comrades for never consummating his relationship with his beautiful girlfriend. The soldiers also joke about Jodies at home and how one soldier didn't consummate with his wife so he'll know if she cheats while he's away. There is also a nurse's daughter, Snow White, that they worship in training before they are shipped to the Stan. The filming of the movie was realistic and well done. The lighting and angles were superb from the start of the movie until the end.
Further Question/Theme/Philosophy: Is a war in Afghanistan ever winnable? How brutal are the realities of war?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The movie is on the intense theme of human emotion during war. The film brings out a lot of realities of war from the time the men were taken to train, the training itself, and finally the realities of war. It is a great tale on the individuals who go to war and how every war boils down to a few common human themes.
Review: The movie told a great story about humans. One individual was a great artist and he wanted to go to war because of his curiosities with how it would affect his art. Sexuality is also a big theme as one soldier gets a lot of trash from his comrades for never consummating his relationship with his beautiful girlfriend. The soldiers also joke about Jodies at home and how one soldier didn't consummate with his wife so he'll know if she cheats while he's away. There is also a nurse's daughter, Snow White, that they worship in training before they are shipped to the Stan. The filming of the movie was realistic and well done. The lighting and angles were superb from the start of the movie until the end.
Further Question/Theme/Philosophy: Is a war in Afghanistan ever winnable? How brutal are the realities of war?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The movie is on the intense theme of human emotion during war. The film brings out a lot of realities of war from the time the men were taken to train, the training itself, and finally the realities of war. It is a great tale on the individuals who go to war and how every war boils down to a few common human themes.
My Name is Khan
Summary: Shahrukh Khan plays a kind, autistic man named Rizwan who struggles to overcome his lack of connection with other individuals because of it. It follows his journey from a youth to a man who falls in love with a single mother named Haseena despite his handicaps. The movie goes into the prejudices and the effects of 9/11 on the Muslim community in the US.
Review: Shahrukh Khan is a great actor and this role was a hard one and the autistic tendencies of Rizwan are shown well through the acting of Shahrukh. Kajol plays a great female lead and her role transitioned very well from a friendly stranger, loving mother, and an angry individual. The movie sends a powerful message of human compassion and how we can all become lost in it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: It's interesting to note that if it wasn't a publicity stunt taht Shahrukh Khan was harrassed at the airport in the US due to his name despite his movie superstar status in India. Are connections as easily made to certain individuals as the one by Khan and Haseena.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 5 This was an epic movie and the only movie that I can think of that's similar to its style would be Forest Gump. Instead of "Run Forest Run," the line this movie would have is "My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist." It had everything that I would look in a movie: drama, comedy, and a sense of a message. The movie was superbly made and truly one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Review: Shahrukh Khan is a great actor and this role was a hard one and the autistic tendencies of Rizwan are shown well through the acting of Shahrukh. Kajol plays a great female lead and her role transitioned very well from a friendly stranger, loving mother, and an angry individual. The movie sends a powerful message of human compassion and how we can all become lost in it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: It's interesting to note that if it wasn't a publicity stunt taht Shahrukh Khan was harrassed at the airport in the US due to his name despite his movie superstar status in India. Are connections as easily made to certain individuals as the one by Khan and Haseena.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 5 This was an epic movie and the only movie that I can think of that's similar to its style would be Forest Gump. Instead of "Run Forest Run," the line this movie would have is "My name is Khan, and I'm not a terrorist." It had everything that I would look in a movie: drama, comedy, and a sense of a message. The movie was superbly made and truly one of the best movies I've ever seen.
Harsh Times
Summary: Jim, played by Christian Bale, is an ex-Ranger who promises his Mexican girlfriend, Marta, played by Tammy Trull, that they'll be getting married as soon as he gets a job in the US to sponsor her. Jim is also struggling with his demons as his previous job has really changed him as a person as evidenced by his actions, but his best friend, Mike doesn't see the full extent. Mike is married to Sylvia who is played by Eva Longoria disapproves of Jim and sees him for who he is. Mike is also trying to get a job to appease Eva Longoria, but he is running into the trouble that Jim is.
Review: This movie was a surprise as I wasn't expecting such a well made movie. Its plot did mesh together very well and Bale was excellent. The movie was very reminiscent of Training Day, both movies shared the same producers, but this movie was simply more over the top. It wasn't very realistic at times, but it was still worth the watch.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can we truly run away from the past being who we are. Sylvia has a tattoo with Mike's name on it.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, it was a great movie, but it was just too absurd at times. I really liked the setting and the plot, but it went too far in some of the coincidences. Maybe life is just strange like that.
Review: This movie was a surprise as I wasn't expecting such a well made movie. Its plot did mesh together very well and Bale was excellent. The movie was very reminiscent of Training Day, both movies shared the same producers, but this movie was simply more over the top. It wasn't very realistic at times, but it was still worth the watch.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can we truly run away from the past being who we are. Sylvia has a tattoo with Mike's name on it.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, it was a great movie, but it was just too absurd at times. I really liked the setting and the plot, but it went too far in some of the coincidences. Maybe life is just strange like that.
50 Dead Men Walking
Summary: The movie is based on the true story of a man whose "snitching" of the IRA saved fifty men. Martin McGartland is still hiding from the IRA today and was compromised by his handler. The film follows how the British chose and forced him to infiltrate and spy on the IRA. The character of McGartland is shown throughout the movie with his loyalties to a friend, but his questioning of what he's doing for his "homeland."
Review: The story was confusing at times, but the cinematography fit the theme. It was hard for me to understand because everyone had such a thick Irish accent. It had a few lighter moments, but they were definitely overshadowed by the realities of death and occupation by a foreign force.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: The themes of how loyal one can be is taken into question. Revenge and survival are also two important themes.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a thriller, but it was confusing in the beginning to those not initiated with the ordeals of the IRA in the 1990's of The Troubles.
Review: The story was confusing at times, but the cinematography fit the theme. It was hard for me to understand because everyone had such a thick Irish accent. It had a few lighter moments, but they were definitely overshadowed by the realities of death and occupation by a foreign force.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: The themes of how loyal one can be is taken into question. Revenge and survival are also two important themes.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a thriller, but it was confusing in the beginning to those not initiated with the ordeals of the IRA in the 1990's of The Troubles.
The Education of Charlie Banks
Summary: Jesse Eisenberg plays Charlie Banks who was immersed in college life and in unrequited love with Mary played by Eva Ammuri. His plans are dashed and his life changed when a figure from his past, Mike Leary, played by Jason Ritter, shows up. Mike Leary wants to just hang out with Charlie's roommate and is intrigued with the life his delinquent self never had.
Review: I think the movie lacked a concrete plot. Its baseline of a rebel getting a girl was overdrawn, and the climax of the film wasn't too thrilling. The cinematography was a bit lacking at times.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do people ever change? Why is the counterculture rebel always so popular with the youth and the girls?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The movie was slow at times, but it did redeem itself with Eisenberg's acting. It was a bit of a bore, but it had some nice moments with the characters and how they developed.
Review: I think the movie lacked a concrete plot. Its baseline of a rebel getting a girl was overdrawn, and the climax of the film wasn't too thrilling. The cinematography was a bit lacking at times.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do people ever change? Why is the counterculture rebel always so popular with the youth and the girls?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 The movie was slow at times, but it did redeem itself with Eisenberg's acting. It was a bit of a bore, but it had some nice moments with the characters and how they developed.
Easy A
Summary: In this modern-day high school adaption of Scarlet Letter, Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) lies to her best friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) about a sexual experiment. Rumors quickly spread and unintended consequences must be faced. The snowball effect starts when boys start paying Penderghast for "sex," but at a certain point, perception becomes reality.
Review: The supporting cast was strong with the family of Olive Pendergast and the film had its twists. It was entertaining for the majority of the film.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: When does a lying become okay? When does perception become reality?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had its moments of monotony, but Emma Stone's talents do shine. The premise of the film was intriguing as it was the retelling of an old story.
Review: The supporting cast was strong with the family of Olive Pendergast and the film had its twists. It was entertaining for the majority of the film.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: When does a lying become okay? When does perception become reality?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had its moments of monotony, but Emma Stone's talents do shine. The premise of the film was intriguing as it was the retelling of an old story.
Stone
Summary: Edward Norton plays a convict named Stone, who has a femme fatale wife played by Milla Jovovich and they both need to convince a retiring prison case reviewer to recommend parole for Stone. It's a drama that involves a lot of mind games in the lives of each of the individual to accomplish what they each want.
Review: The cinematography was decent and the mood created was very somber. It had the drama, but I just wasn't captivated with the plot. All the mind games didn't really intrigue me.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do people really change? How strong is faith?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 I really tried to like this movie as it had both Edward Norton and De Niro in it, but I just couldn't ever get into it despite great performances by both of them and Jovovich.
Review: The cinematography was decent and the mood created was very somber. It had the drama, but I just wasn't captivated with the plot. All the mind games didn't really intrigue me.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do people really change? How strong is faith?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2 I really tried to like this movie as it had both Edward Norton and De Niro in it, but I just couldn't ever get into it despite great performances by both of them and Jovovich.
Raajneeti
Summary: This is a political thriller and epic Bollywood movie that tried to draw from the politics of India. It follows a tale of Sooraj Kumar who is a Dalit and rises through to form an alliance with Veerendra (Manoj Bajpai). Veerendra Pratap is the son of Bhanu Pratap who has collapsed into a stroke resulting in the power struggle the film is about. Bhanu Pratap wants to hand over power to his brother Chandra and Chandra's older son, Prithviraj Pratap (Arjun Rampal). Chandra also has a younger son, Samar Pratap (Ranbir Pratap) who returns for holiday from studying in America. He has an American girlfriend named Sarah, but his childhood friend Indu is in love with him. The main powerbroker in the Pratap family though is Brij Gopal who is Bharti's brother. Bharti is the mother of the Pratap brothers and also Kumar who was her first born. Bharti recognized the dangers of the politcal situation in his day and by securing the marriage of his sister to Pratap, secured the future of his sister, gained money for his father's political coffers, and forged an alliance with the powerful Prataps. Bharti had an affair with the Leftist rival of her father before her marriage resulting in Sooraj setting up a future showdown between the brothers.
Review: Ranbir Kapoor played a difficult role in Samar because of his complexities. Ajay Devgan also plays a great role in another complex character. Even the hot headed Prithviraj Pratap was portrayed beautifully by Arjun Rampal as not just a monster. The plot was captivating and it had its normal Bollywood style musicals. There was a great deal of drama and it felt like an epic tale. Katrina Kaif was actually semi-convincing despite her weak acting skills. She was put in a role that was difficult to mess up too much and she is a beauty. The cinematography was exceptional and I can see how it brings out the raw emotions involved in politics.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Equality of castes, nationalism, politics, power, human emotion and how the dark side can come out from various situations
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 The movie was 167 minutes, but most of it was decent. Its plot got a bit absurd at times, but maybe life is that strange. I think the movie did a great job in developing the characters, and my only problem was with how absurd the premise of the plot was. It would have been a great movie even without all these incestuous relations that are hidden from the character because life isn't as small as when the Hindu gods presided. There are a lot more people in the world today, or maybe it is a small world.
Review: Ranbir Kapoor played a difficult role in Samar because of his complexities. Ajay Devgan also plays a great role in another complex character. Even the hot headed Prithviraj Pratap was portrayed beautifully by Arjun Rampal as not just a monster. The plot was captivating and it had its normal Bollywood style musicals. There was a great deal of drama and it felt like an epic tale. Katrina Kaif was actually semi-convincing despite her weak acting skills. She was put in a role that was difficult to mess up too much and she is a beauty. The cinematography was exceptional and I can see how it brings out the raw emotions involved in politics.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Equality of castes, nationalism, politics, power, human emotion and how the dark side can come out from various situations
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 The movie was 167 minutes, but most of it was decent. Its plot got a bit absurd at times, but maybe life is that strange. I think the movie did a great job in developing the characters, and my only problem was with how absurd the premise of the plot was. It would have been a great movie even without all these incestuous relations that are hidden from the character because life isn't as small as when the Hindu gods presided. There are a lot more people in the world today, or maybe it is a small world.
Takers
Summary: Matt Dillon plays a cop who is obsessed with his job. A crew of robbers with Idris Elba, Hayden Christensen, Paul Walker, Jay Hernandez, Michael Ealy, and Chris Brown are surprised by a former crew member who went to prison because of a job went bad in Ghost, played by TI. Ghost was also the former lover of Lily, played by Zoe Saldana, who is now the fiancee of Jake, played by Ealy. The crew just pulled off a successful job, but Ghost wants them to pull off another job in a short amount of time, and the tensions run very high along with the prize.
Review: The movie has a loaded cast, but the chemistry wasn't always there. The plot did get cliche at times and there just wasn't a whole lot of twists that were actual surprises. The explosives and guns made this movie pretty interesting, but it wasn't really deep in terms of plot.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can forgiveness ever be given as Ghost reminds us all. How deep does loyalty have to run and what constitutes as a betrayal.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 3: At times this movie got cliche. Even though it had a star-studded cast, they didn't all seem to mesh well at times. It was satisfactory because of the awesome actions scenes, but this movie could have done more with less star status, and more character development.
Review: The movie has a loaded cast, but the chemistry wasn't always there. The plot did get cliche at times and there just wasn't a whole lot of twists that were actual surprises. The explosives and guns made this movie pretty interesting, but it wasn't really deep in terms of plot.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can forgiveness ever be given as Ghost reminds us all. How deep does loyalty have to run and what constitutes as a betrayal.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 3: At times this movie got cliche. Even though it had a star-studded cast, they didn't all seem to mesh well at times. It was satisfactory because of the awesome actions scenes, but this movie could have done more with less star status, and more character development.
Agora
Summary: In this historical fiction drama, Rachael Weisz, plays Hypatia, a female philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer in Alexandria during 4th century A.D. of the Roman Empire. She is caught between the times as Christianity is gaining traction in the declining Roman Empire. She is also the professor at an elite school and the pupils and a slave eventually gain position in different sectors of colliding divisions. Hypatia is an atheist and this will prove to be her downfall while the city struggles through religious tensions after science is annihilated with the pillage of the library.
Review: The movie certainly was a good one in the bigger themes of religion and science, but it lacked a personal touch to it. It might have also tried too hard and much to make the point of a woman being special for the time for her being something other than objectified as a sexual creature as Weisz is pretty damn sexy. The film tried to create sexual tension between Hypatia and her pupils it sought to do and Rachael Weisz wanted that to be the focus along with the relationships between the students: it just never materialized and I barely realized any of the connections. The movies setting was awesome as it was a big budget in recreating the ancient setting, but it ultimately failed to have any epic cinematographic shots minus the final one.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm certainly going to look up the conic sections that is described by Apollonius. The movie also brings up the point that people have always been divided by religion and the fundamentalists of certain religions can't accept science. There is also the scene on the ship with the Prefect that stood out to me when a stone was dropped on a moving ship proving the Earth is moving? inertia?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, It was certainly well worth watching and intriguing, but it lacked moments of genius and some comedic moments that even the best dramas have. I felt the movie was missing that final touch, but it had the bases of a great film in it.
Review: The movie certainly was a good one in the bigger themes of religion and science, but it lacked a personal touch to it. It might have also tried too hard and much to make the point of a woman being special for the time for her being something other than objectified as a sexual creature as Weisz is pretty damn sexy. The film tried to create sexual tension between Hypatia and her pupils it sought to do and Rachael Weisz wanted that to be the focus along with the relationships between the students: it just never materialized and I barely realized any of the connections. The movies setting was awesome as it was a big budget in recreating the ancient setting, but it ultimately failed to have any epic cinematographic shots minus the final one.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: I'm certainly going to look up the conic sections that is described by Apollonius. The movie also brings up the point that people have always been divided by religion and the fundamentalists of certain religions can't accept science. There is also the scene on the ship with the Prefect that stood out to me when a stone was dropped on a moving ship proving the Earth is moving? inertia?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4, It was certainly well worth watching and intriguing, but it lacked moments of genius and some comedic moments that even the best dramas have. I felt the movie was missing that final touch, but it had the bases of a great film in it.
Havoc
Summary: Anne Hathaway highlights as a bunch of her peers want to become "cool" through gang culture. Eventually a chance meeting downtown with real hoods intrigues Anne Hathaway and a few of her female cohorts to get closer to the dangers of being "cool."
Review: The movie certainly had a nice looking cast with Anne Hathaway, Bijou Phillips, Alexis Dziena, and Laura San Giacomo. On the male side, there is Channing Tatum and Joeseph Gordon-Levitt. The cast seemed much too old to play the roles of bored high school kids, but the directing was outstanding as it made the script by Stephen Gaghan as realistic as it could be. I still didn't exactly buy into the script being real life as it was very over the top, but I'll try to believe that there are some silly White kids out there.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Has the rap culture really infiltrated the middle class society and forced unreasonable changes? Are parents so out of touch with their kids that the kids end up joining gangs to feel a sense of belonging?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3, It was enjoyable to watch Anne Hathaway being pretty, but the movie didn't really seem that deep. The gang culture that was in the movie also didn't seem as realistic as the rituals were too unrealistic.
Review: The movie certainly had a nice looking cast with Anne Hathaway, Bijou Phillips, Alexis Dziena, and Laura San Giacomo. On the male side, there is Channing Tatum and Joeseph Gordon-Levitt. The cast seemed much too old to play the roles of bored high school kids, but the directing was outstanding as it made the script by Stephen Gaghan as realistic as it could be. I still didn't exactly buy into the script being real life as it was very over the top, but I'll try to believe that there are some silly White kids out there.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Has the rap culture really infiltrated the middle class society and forced unreasonable changes? Are parents so out of touch with their kids that the kids end up joining gangs to feel a sense of belonging?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3, It was enjoyable to watch Anne Hathaway being pretty, but the movie didn't really seem that deep. The gang culture that was in the movie also didn't seem as realistic as the rituals were too unrealistic.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)