Summary: Willie (Tom Sturridge) has a lot of love with a girl, Emma (Rachel Bilson) from her childhood and decides to reveal his feelings for her by traveling back home. Things are complicated by the seemingly delusional ways of Will and Emma's dying father and cheating boyfriend. Will is also a bit off including his love for Emma who has no idea he has been following her.
Review: Sturridge had some talents in this movie and makes an appeal as a broken yet kind man. Bilson was satisfactory. The movie had some humor and I only wish the beginning of the movie was a bit stronger. The movie was a bit darker, but it did have a sappy ending though.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is unrequited love the worst? How does a mind become broken? Can a wanderer with few possessions really be a right way to live?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 2, I'm glad I trudged through the movie. It was a slow watch in the beginning and didn't start to make sense until the end. It had some decent acting by Sturridge, but the beginning of the movie was very slow. It took a while to develop as things didn't make taht much sense until all the pieces were put together throughout the movie.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Dilemma
Summary: Ronny (Vince Vaughn) and his best friend Nick (Kevin James) try to sell a business of combining electric engines to muscle cars for a Detroit company. Nick and his wife Geneva (Wionona Ryder) try to pressure Ronny into proposing to his long time girlfriend Beth. In a chance encounter, Ronny catches Geneva with another man. His qualms about telling his friend who is in a high pressure situation quickly leads his life to a downward spiral as he discovers relationships aren't as perfect as he thought they were and struggles how strong is his relationship with Beth.
Review: I think the movie was a little too serious, but Vaughn makes the movie. The plot was interesting, but for some reason everything just didn't mesh together. Kevin James seems to be a bit overrated to me for all his accolades for movies. I thought he was excellent on the television show King of Queens though. Connelly seemed decent even though I just don't think she fit the part too much. She seems very somber and is a good enough actress to warrant a better role. Wionna Ryder did an excellent job in portraying her character of a manipulative girl though. I liked the flashbacks during some of Ronny's stories though whether they were fiction or truth.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are we not meant to be monogamous? What is the loyalty code to a friend? How long do you have to know someone to know them? Are secrets okay? Friendship
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had too deep a plot for a comedy and it wasn't as hilarious as it should have been. Vaughn still makes the movie though with his rambling. He always has those famous rants and in this movie the best one is against the 2nd cousin in the anniversary toast. I thought there have been plenty of better Vaughn movies and Connelly is too serious for a comedy.
Favorite Quotes:
Ronny: "Great moments are born from great opportunities. That's what you have here tonight, Nick. That's what you've earned here tonight. One shot. You take it 10 times you might miss nine. But not this shot, not tonight."
Review: I think the movie was a little too serious, but Vaughn makes the movie. The plot was interesting, but for some reason everything just didn't mesh together. Kevin James seems to be a bit overrated to me for all his accolades for movies. I thought he was excellent on the television show King of Queens though. Connelly seemed decent even though I just don't think she fit the part too much. She seems very somber and is a good enough actress to warrant a better role. Wionna Ryder did an excellent job in portraying her character of a manipulative girl though. I liked the flashbacks during some of Ronny's stories though whether they were fiction or truth.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are we not meant to be monogamous? What is the loyalty code to a friend? How long do you have to know someone to know them? Are secrets okay? Friendship
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had too deep a plot for a comedy and it wasn't as hilarious as it should have been. Vaughn still makes the movie though with his rambling. He always has those famous rants and in this movie the best one is against the 2nd cousin in the anniversary toast. I thought there have been plenty of better Vaughn movies and Connelly is too serious for a comedy.
Favorite Quotes:
Ronny: "Great moments are born from great opportunities. That's what you have here tonight, Nick. That's what you've earned here tonight. One shot. You take it 10 times you might miss nine. But not this shot, not tonight."
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Source Code
Summary: An Army pilot wakes up in another man's identity in the last 8 minutes of his life. It's a "source code" or an alternative reality where Sean (Jake Gyllenhaal) has to find information about the train's bomber because a 2nd impending attack with a dirty bomb is suspected. He develops a connection with a passenger, Christina Warren (Michelle Mongahan) while trying to understand what's happening as he receives orders from Captain Goodwin (Vera Farmiga).
Review: Gyllenhaal was decent, Monaghan played a woman wit the smile you could fall in love with, and Farmiga played her role as a divided Captain well. The graphics were brilliant and the storyline was intriguing. The movie did bring into question of the greater society vs. the individual.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: What happens after death? Is there really a fate that we are all bound to? What are regrets? Can we really change the future sometimes? Majority vs. minority, soldier's death, does tapping into an alternate reality really create a whole new reality, what is identity, how does memory work, the little things, fate
Power Rating (Out of 5): 5 It was well made and definitely not just a tacky thriller. It had some nice themes going for it as well and had the layers of complexion in them.
Favorite Quotes:
Goodwin: The program wasn't designed to alter the past, but affect the future.
Colter Stevens: Beautiful day.
Colter Stevens: What would you do if you knew you only had one minute to live?
Christina Warren: I'd make those seconds count.
Colter Stevens: I'd kiss you again.
Christina Warren: Again?
Christina Warren: Look at me. Everything's going to be okay.
[suddenly the train explodes]
Colter Stevens: It's the same train, but it's different.
Christina Warren: Deep, I hope it's different. I feel the same way.
Colter Stevens: Do you believe in fate?
Christina Warren: Not really, I'm more of a dumb luck kind of gal.
Colter Stevens: This feels like exactly where we're suppose to be, doesn't it?
Review: Gyllenhaal was decent, Monaghan played a woman wit the smile you could fall in love with, and Farmiga played her role as a divided Captain well. The graphics were brilliant and the storyline was intriguing. The movie did bring into question of the greater society vs. the individual.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: What happens after death? Is there really a fate that we are all bound to? What are regrets? Can we really change the future sometimes? Majority vs. minority, soldier's death, does tapping into an alternate reality really create a whole new reality, what is identity, how does memory work, the little things, fate
Power Rating (Out of 5): 5 It was well made and definitely not just a tacky thriller. It had some nice themes going for it as well and had the layers of complexion in them.
Favorite Quotes:
Goodwin: The program wasn't designed to alter the past, but affect the future.
Colter Stevens: Beautiful day.
Colter Stevens: What would you do if you knew you only had one minute to live?
Christina Warren: I'd make those seconds count.
Colter Stevens: I'd kiss you again.
Christina Warren: Again?
Christina Warren: Look at me. Everything's going to be okay.
[suddenly the train explodes]
Colter Stevens: It's the same train, but it's different.
Christina Warren: Deep, I hope it's different. I feel the same way.
Colter Stevens: Do you believe in fate?
Christina Warren: Not really, I'm more of a dumb luck kind of gal.
Colter Stevens: This feels like exactly where we're suppose to be, doesn't it?
Monday, July 25, 2011
Black Swan
Summary: The movie starts with the crowning of a new Queen Swan, Nina, (Natalie Portman) and another ballerina Lilly (Mila Kunis). The former Queen Swan committed an act of getting into an accident because of her emotional state of being replaced as surmised by the director. It's a psychological thriller on how one deals with the pressure of being a ballerina and Nina worries about Lilly, her competition.
Review: The cinematography was great. The movie really was a thriller and had me pretty anxious at what was to come at times. The mood created was perfectly fit for the movie, but I think I just cringe at the sight of ligaments being outstretched to the point of snapping. Natalie Portman really shows her versatility as an actress and was fantastic in her role as a meek girl with suppressed emotions. Mila Kunis also does a great job exuding the sexuality she does in every role. The self mutilation by the Queen Swan was distressing. I did love the classical music though.
Further Questions/Philosophy/Theme: Does love inspire art as suggested by the director when he tries to release Natalie Portman sexually? Does it really take some kind of psychological damage or craziness to be "great" at something? Is there a greater theme to masochism? There was a nice theme of control and how discipline clash. The power struggles throughout the film were nice. The question of delusion with reality and identity are in play. Do we all have a black swan and white swan?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was a really made movie and I can see how it won all the awards it had, but I just didn't like it from a personal point of view. The emotions it touched upon were too personal for me and I guess I'm just not mature enough. I also found it hard to relate to ballerina, but I give the movie credit for captivating me for the entire time. I have to say it was a "good" movie though.
Favorite Quotes:
Thomas Leroy: Are you okay?
Nina: I'm fine.
Thomas Leroy: Nina.
Nina: What?
Thomas Leroy: I've already asked Lily.
Nina: Have you announced it?
[pauses]
Nina: After Beth do you really need another controversy? I'm here, Thomas. I'm doing it.
Thomas Leroy: The only person standing in your way is you. It's time to let her go. Lose yourself.
Nina: It's about a girl who gets turned into a swan and she needs love to break the spell, but her prince falls for the wrong girl so she kills herself.
Erica: It's the role, isn't it? It's all this pressure? I knew it would be too much. I knew it!
Nina: What happened?
Thomas Leroy: She walked into the street and got hit by a car. And you know what? I'm almost sure she did it on purpose.
Nina: How do you know?
Thomas Leroy: Because everything Beth does comes from within. From some dark impulse. I guess that's what makes her so thrilling to watch. So dangerous. Even perfect at times, but also so damn destructive.
Thomas Leroy: You could be brilliant, but you're a coward.
Nina: I'm sorry.
Thomas Leroy: [yelling] Now stop saying that! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Stop being so fucking weak!
Nina: I felt it. Perfect. I was perfect.
Review: The cinematography was great. The movie really was a thriller and had me pretty anxious at what was to come at times. The mood created was perfectly fit for the movie, but I think I just cringe at the sight of ligaments being outstretched to the point of snapping. Natalie Portman really shows her versatility as an actress and was fantastic in her role as a meek girl with suppressed emotions. Mila Kunis also does a great job exuding the sexuality she does in every role. The self mutilation by the Queen Swan was distressing. I did love the classical music though.
Further Questions/Philosophy/Theme: Does love inspire art as suggested by the director when he tries to release Natalie Portman sexually? Does it really take some kind of psychological damage or craziness to be "great" at something? Is there a greater theme to masochism? There was a nice theme of control and how discipline clash. The power struggles throughout the film were nice. The question of delusion with reality and identity are in play. Do we all have a black swan and white swan?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 It was a really made movie and I can see how it won all the awards it had, but I just didn't like it from a personal point of view. The emotions it touched upon were too personal for me and I guess I'm just not mature enough. I also found it hard to relate to ballerina, but I give the movie credit for captivating me for the entire time. I have to say it was a "good" movie though.
Favorite Quotes:
Thomas Leroy: Are you okay?
Nina: I'm fine.
Thomas Leroy: Nina.
Nina: What?
Thomas Leroy: I've already asked Lily.
Nina: Have you announced it?
[pauses]
Nina: After Beth do you really need another controversy? I'm here, Thomas. I'm doing it.
Thomas Leroy: The only person standing in your way is you. It's time to let her go. Lose yourself.
Nina: It's about a girl who gets turned into a swan and she needs love to break the spell, but her prince falls for the wrong girl so she kills herself.
Erica: It's the role, isn't it? It's all this pressure? I knew it would be too much. I knew it!
Nina: What happened?
Thomas Leroy: She walked into the street and got hit by a car. And you know what? I'm almost sure she did it on purpose.
Nina: How do you know?
Thomas Leroy: Because everything Beth does comes from within. From some dark impulse. I guess that's what makes her so thrilling to watch. So dangerous. Even perfect at times, but also so damn destructive.
Thomas Leroy: You could be brilliant, but you're a coward.
Nina: I'm sorry.
Thomas Leroy: [yelling] Now stop saying that! That's exactly what I'm talking about. Stop being so fucking weak!
Nina: I felt it. Perfect. I was perfect.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Killing Me Softly
Summary: Alice (Heather Graham) catches the eyes of a stranger, Adam (Joseph Fiennes) and a love blossoms even though she is engaged. Soon, she comes to find that he isn't who he is and there are clues that he is dangerous. His sister is played by Nathascha McEllone.
Review: The only positive about the movie was how hot Heather Graham was and the few bare breast shots. Heather Graham should really stick to just being a face and this movie really proves she has no acting skill at all for a drama or thriller. She seems decent in comedies and lighter television shows (Scrubs) though. The cinematography did seem decent at times, but there wasn't much substance.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do women just fall in love with the alluring and dangers of a mysterious man? Are passionate love affairs really just born out of a chance encounter of the eyes locking? It seemed like Alice really enjoyed giving up control to such a dominating man as evidenced by her "I loved it," sex scene with him controlling when she got to breathe.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 1 It wasn't a movie I particularly enjoyed and was bored throughout. I thought it had a chance to be a thriller, but it was just thrillingly boring. Despite all the sex scenes, it just felt like soft-core porn.
Review: The only positive about the movie was how hot Heather Graham was and the few bare breast shots. Heather Graham should really stick to just being a face and this movie really proves she has no acting skill at all for a drama or thriller. She seems decent in comedies and lighter television shows (Scrubs) though. The cinematography did seem decent at times, but there wasn't much substance.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Do women just fall in love with the alluring and dangers of a mysterious man? Are passionate love affairs really just born out of a chance encounter of the eyes locking? It seemed like Alice really enjoyed giving up control to such a dominating man as evidenced by her "I loved it," sex scene with him controlling when she got to breathe.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 1 It wasn't a movie I particularly enjoyed and was bored throughout. I thought it had a chance to be a thriller, but it was just thrillingly boring. Despite all the sex scenes, it just felt like soft-core porn.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Impostor
Summary: Spencer Olham (Gary Sinise) is a top military scientist who has his world turned upside down when the government think he's a replicator and sent to assasinate the chancellor. Spencer Olham is determined to prove that he's not an impostor and is exactly who he thinks he is. He needs the help of his loving wife, Maya Olham (Madeline Stowe) for that. The replicator is supposedly sent by aliens on Alpha Centauri. This is another film based on the work of Phillip K. Dick.
Review: The movie was filmed well and Gary Sinese was decent in the role. Vincent D'Onofrio plays a decent agent who is tracking Olham.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: What makes a person themselves? Does a human have a soul and that's the difference between a replicator and a human even if it has the exact biological build and memories. The soul seems to be the same though as what makes us are our memories, soul, and biological form.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 4 The movie was much better than the reviews and was a thrilling chase while having the philosophical questions of what is identity and reality. It was a twisting story with many surprises. It's interesting to note that I would say this movie was comparable to the Minority Report which was released in the same year, but Tom Cruise made that one a hit. The budget was twice as large in Minority Report and its special effects were a bit better. Still, I didn't think it warranted that much more success while Impostor tanked.
Review: The movie was filmed well and Gary Sinese was decent in the role. Vincent D'Onofrio plays a decent agent who is tracking Olham.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: What makes a person themselves? Does a human have a soul and that's the difference between a replicator and a human even if it has the exact biological build and memories. The soul seems to be the same though as what makes us are our memories, soul, and biological form.
Power Rating (Out of 5) 4 The movie was much better than the reviews and was a thrilling chase while having the philosophical questions of what is identity and reality. It was a twisting story with many surprises. It's interesting to note that I would say this movie was comparable to the Minority Report which was released in the same year, but Tom Cruise made that one a hit. The budget was twice as large in Minority Report and its special effects were a bit better. Still, I didn't think it warranted that much more success while Impostor tanked.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Just Friends
Summary: Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) couldn't seal the deal with his best friend and crush Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart) and is given another chance ten years later after he becomes a LA music hot shot agent. He attempts to seal the deal, but reverts back to his awkward High School ways. Ana Farris plays a crazy musician that Reynolds is suppose to sign.
Review: The movie plot wasn't terrible and it was hilarious at times. The brother plays a nice supporting character to show how brothers are. The characters didn't seem to have a connection despite the film having its humorous movies. It was a film that was decently filmed and better than most romantic comedies.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can a guy and girl be platonic friends?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a decent movie, but it suffers from the cliches of the theme. Ryan Reynolds seems to play the same character in every movie and he doesn't seem to have many different facial expressions.
Review: The movie plot wasn't terrible and it was hilarious at times. The brother plays a nice supporting character to show how brothers are. The characters didn't seem to have a connection despite the film having its humorous movies. It was a film that was decently filmed and better than most romantic comedies.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Can a guy and girl be platonic friends?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was a decent movie, but it suffers from the cliches of the theme. Ryan Reynolds seems to play the same character in every movie and he doesn't seem to have many different facial expressions.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Adjustment Bureau
Summary: David Norris (Matt Damon) is a young-gun politician who has his run marred by one bad decision and coincidentally meets an intriguing young woman in Elise Sellas (Emily Blunt). The connection that is sparked is genuine, but mysterious forces attempt to be keeping them apart because it was not written. Norris attempts to fight against these forces by chance and his will. The story is based off of a short classic by Phillip K. Dick.
Review: Matt Damon gives a fantastic performance as does Emily Blunt. Emily Blunt was excellent in her role as a dancer and her accent was sexy while her attitude possessed elegance. Anthony Mackie plays one of the "good" agents, John Slattery was proper in his role, and Terrance Stamp did play the menacing "hammer" agent. The cinematography was exceptional and the scenes were shot very well. The rain in some scenes also brought out the the theme of water being able to hide certain things as the rest of the themes were fantastic to the story.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there fate that is written and our free will is really just an illusion. Can chance really fight against the forces of destiny? The only thing that can defeat well measured forces is simply playing the probability as evidenced by Norris's run into a restaurant to ask where the dance class was held because well written plans in books can only be rewritten so much.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 5 I really enjoyed the movie and it was a romantic thriller. It had its lighter moments, superb acting, and a plot that represented something bigger. It has a message that asks how far can free will go even if it's against love. The dialogue was also superb and its length was concise enough that it leaves this viewer wanting more.
Favorite Quotes:
Elise Sellas: Were you just looking at my legs while I slept?
David Norris: I was helpless against the dress.
Elise Sellas: It's a skirt.
David Norris: It's a belt!
Elise Sellas: I'm not some hopeless romantic. I would never allow myself to be that way, but once I've felt, even for a moment, what I felt with you.
Elise Sellas: You ruined me. I didn't want to settle for less.
David Norris: I know the feeling.
Elise Sellas: It scares the shit out of me.
David Norris: I'm not going to hurt you.
Elise Sellas: You don't need to say that.
David Norris: I'm not going to hurt you.
David Norris: All I have are the choices I make, and I choose her, come what may.
Richardson: Now, there's something I need you to understand if I'm going to let you go?
David Norris: Okay.
Richardson: Very few humans have seen what you've seen today. And we're determined to keep it that way. So, if you ever reveal our existence, we'll erase your brain. The intervention team will reset you. You're emotions, you're memories, your entire personality will be expunged. You're friends and family will think you've gone crazy. You? You won't think anything.
[David just looks at him]
Richardson: You understand? Not one word about us.
[David nods his head in agreement]
Richardson: Okay. Oh, one more thing. You uh...you bumped into a woman this morning on the bus, Elise?
David Norris: What...what has that do with anything?
Richardson: Well, you were never supposed to see her again.
David Norris: What is...what does that matter?
Richardson: Because it matters.
[to his men who grab hold of David]
Richardson: It's in his wallet.
[the men search for his wallet]
David Norris: Hey! Hey! Ahhh! God! Hey! What's with you guys? Jesus!
[McCrady grabs his wallet and takes out the card with Elise's number on it]
David Norris: Oh, com on! No! No!
[Richardson hold the card and lights a lighter underneath it and it starts to burn]
David Norris: What the hell! Really? What the hell!
Richardson: Okay.
David Norris: Okay.
[to his men]
Richardson: Take him back.
[to David]
Richardson: Enjoy the rest of you day.
Harry Mitchell: You won't find her. They'll make sure of it. Even if they weren't tryin' to stop you, they're nine million people in this city. You'll never find her. Forget about her. Move on with your life.
David Norris:Yeah, I...rode the M6 to work everyday for three years, hoping that I'd bump into you. Oh, uh...listen, is there a place where we could go and um...and talk?
Elise Sellas: Don't you have to get to work or something?
David Norris:I just got sick.
David Norris: Okay, if you were married, then it would bother me.
Elise Sellas: But now you're just saying what you think I wanna hear. I'm single. Now, let's see you bullshit excuse for not calling me.
David Norris: I didn't have your number.
Elise Sellas: I gave it to you on the bus. I handed it to you.
David Norris: I was mugged. It was taken from me.
Elise Sellas: No, come on!
David Norris: No I...it...I...my wallet was taken, they took it.
Elise Sellas: Come on!
David Norris: Look, why else would I fawn all over you on the bus three years ago and then never call you?
Elise Sellas: Cause I don't know. You have a girlfriend, you felt terrible and...
David Norris: Okay, listen I swear to you that I did not have a girlfriend.
Elise Sellas: All right.
David Norris: Okay, listen. No...I...on my parents graves.
Elise Sellas: That's heavy.
David Norris: That's too heavy, I know. But it's true. I...I didn't have...I didn't your number. And I didn't even have a last name to go by. You know, if you Google just Elise you get seven hundred and...
Elise Sellas: You did not!
David Norris: ...fifty seven thousand hits. And none of 'em were you.
McCrady: We have a problem.
Richardson: What?
[he puts down a notebook showing map on Richardson's desk]
McCrady: David Norris is off plan.
Richardson: Son of a bitch! How did he find her?
McCrady: Chance. Just spotted her on the street.
Richardson: We never should have let him meet her in the first place.
McCrady: We followed protocol to the letter.
Richardson: The guy rides the same bus everyday for three years. Who does that?
Richardson: It's whole world of women out there. Thought we established this one was off limits?
David Norris: It's been a while, I must have forgotten.
Richardson: Doesn't change the fact.
David Norris: You put us together three times.
Richardson: That wasn't us. That was just chance.
David Norris: Why do you want to keep us apart?
Richardson: Because the plan says so.
David Norris: Well, then you misread the plan.
Richardson: No. There's no misreading the plan when it comes to you and Elise.
David Norris: The plan's wrong!
Richardson: You know who wrote it?
David Norris: I don't care.
Richardson: You should really show a little respect.
David Norris: If I'm not supposed to be with her, how come I feel like this?
Richardson: It doesn't matter how you feel. What matters is what's in black and white.
David Norris: What, you don't know why I'm not supposed to be with her do you? That's why you can't tell me. You don't know.
[he walks away from them]
Richardson: Who is this guy?
Thompson: Frustrating, isn't it? My name is Thompson.
David Norris: Whatever happened to free will?
Thompson: We actually tried free will before. After taking you from hunting and gathering to the height of the Roman empire, we stepped back to see how you'd do on your own. You gave us the dark ages for five centuries until finally we decided we should come back in. The Chairman thought that maybe we just needed to do a better job with teaching you how to ride a bike before taking the training wheels off again. So we gave you raised hopes, enlightment, scientific revolution. For six hundred years we taught you to control your impulses with reason. Then in nineteen ten, we stepped back. Within fifty years you'd brought us world war one, the depression, fascism, the holocaust and capped it off by bringing the entire planet to the brink of destruction in the Cuba missile crisis. At that point the decision was taken to step back in again before you did something that even we couldn't fix.
Thompson: You don't have free will, David. You have the appearance of free will.
David Norris: You expect me to believe that. I make decisions everyday.
Thompson: You have free will over which tooth past you use, or which beverage to order at lunch. But humanity just isn't mature enough to control the important things.
David Norris: So you handle the important things? Well, the last time I checked the world's a pretty screwed up place.
Thompson: It's still here. If we'd left things in your hands it wouldn't be.
Thompson: Why do you refuse to accept what should be completely obvious by now? You've seen what we can do. You can't doubt we are who we say we are.
David Norris: Look, it's not about who you are. It's...it's about who I am.
Thompson: Can't outrun your fate, David.
David Norris: I'm...just disagree with you about what my fate is. I know what I feel for her and it's not gonna change. All I have are the choices that I make, and I choose her. Come what may.
Thompson: In six twenty, if you leave now you can make Elise's show.
Harry Mitchell:[voice over] Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like you come along and knock down all the obstacles we put in your way. People who realize free will is a gift, you'll never know how to use until you fight for it. I think that's The Chairman's real plan. And maybe, one day, we won't write the plan. You will.
Review: Matt Damon gives a fantastic performance as does Emily Blunt. Emily Blunt was excellent in her role as a dancer and her accent was sexy while her attitude possessed elegance. Anthony Mackie plays one of the "good" agents, John Slattery was proper in his role, and Terrance Stamp did play the menacing "hammer" agent. The cinematography was exceptional and the scenes were shot very well. The rain in some scenes also brought out the the theme of water being able to hide certain things as the rest of the themes were fantastic to the story.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Is there fate that is written and our free will is really just an illusion. Can chance really fight against the forces of destiny? The only thing that can defeat well measured forces is simply playing the probability as evidenced by Norris's run into a restaurant to ask where the dance class was held because well written plans in books can only be rewritten so much.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 5 I really enjoyed the movie and it was a romantic thriller. It had its lighter moments, superb acting, and a plot that represented something bigger. It has a message that asks how far can free will go even if it's against love. The dialogue was also superb and its length was concise enough that it leaves this viewer wanting more.
Favorite Quotes:
Elise Sellas: Were you just looking at my legs while I slept?
David Norris: I was helpless against the dress.
Elise Sellas: It's a skirt.
David Norris: It's a belt!
Elise Sellas: I'm not some hopeless romantic. I would never allow myself to be that way, but once I've felt, even for a moment, what I felt with you.
Elise Sellas: You ruined me. I didn't want to settle for less.
David Norris: I know the feeling.
Elise Sellas: It scares the shit out of me.
David Norris: I'm not going to hurt you.
Elise Sellas: You don't need to say that.
David Norris: I'm not going to hurt you.
David Norris: All I have are the choices I make, and I choose her, come what may.
Richardson: Now, there's something I need you to understand if I'm going to let you go?
David Norris: Okay.
Richardson: Very few humans have seen what you've seen today. And we're determined to keep it that way. So, if you ever reveal our existence, we'll erase your brain. The intervention team will reset you. You're emotions, you're memories, your entire personality will be expunged. You're friends and family will think you've gone crazy. You? You won't think anything.
[David just looks at him]
Richardson: You understand? Not one word about us.
[David nods his head in agreement]
Richardson: Okay. Oh, one more thing. You uh...you bumped into a woman this morning on the bus, Elise?
David Norris: What...what has that do with anything?
Richardson: Well, you were never supposed to see her again.
David Norris: What is...what does that matter?
Richardson: Because it matters.
[to his men who grab hold of David]
Richardson: It's in his wallet.
[the men search for his wallet]
David Norris: Hey! Hey! Ahhh! God! Hey! What's with you guys? Jesus!
[McCrady grabs his wallet and takes out the card with Elise's number on it]
David Norris: Oh, com on! No! No!
[Richardson hold the card and lights a lighter underneath it and it starts to burn]
David Norris: What the hell! Really? What the hell!
Richardson: Okay.
David Norris: Okay.
[to his men]
Richardson: Take him back.
[to David]
Richardson: Enjoy the rest of you day.
Harry Mitchell: You won't find her. They'll make sure of it. Even if they weren't tryin' to stop you, they're nine million people in this city. You'll never find her. Forget about her. Move on with your life.
David Norris:Yeah, I...rode the M6 to work everyday for three years, hoping that I'd bump into you. Oh, uh...listen, is there a place where we could go and um...and talk?
Elise Sellas: Don't you have to get to work or something?
David Norris:I just got sick.
David Norris: Okay, if you were married, then it would bother me.
Elise Sellas: But now you're just saying what you think I wanna hear. I'm single. Now, let's see you bullshit excuse for not calling me.
David Norris: I didn't have your number.
Elise Sellas: I gave it to you on the bus. I handed it to you.
David Norris: I was mugged. It was taken from me.
Elise Sellas: No, come on!
David Norris: No I...it...I...my wallet was taken, they took it.
Elise Sellas: Come on!
David Norris: Look, why else would I fawn all over you on the bus three years ago and then never call you?
Elise Sellas: Cause I don't know. You have a girlfriend, you felt terrible and...
David Norris: Okay, listen I swear to you that I did not have a girlfriend.
Elise Sellas: All right.
David Norris: Okay, listen. No...I...on my parents graves.
Elise Sellas: That's heavy.
David Norris: That's too heavy, I know. But it's true. I...I didn't have...I didn't your number. And I didn't even have a last name to go by. You know, if you Google just Elise you get seven hundred and...
Elise Sellas: You did not!
David Norris: ...fifty seven thousand hits. And none of 'em were you.
McCrady: We have a problem.
Richardson: What?
[he puts down a notebook showing map on Richardson's desk]
McCrady: David Norris is off plan.
Richardson: Son of a bitch! How did he find her?
McCrady: Chance. Just spotted her on the street.
Richardson: We never should have let him meet her in the first place.
McCrady: We followed protocol to the letter.
Richardson: The guy rides the same bus everyday for three years. Who does that?
Richardson: It's whole world of women out there. Thought we established this one was off limits?
David Norris: It's been a while, I must have forgotten.
Richardson: Doesn't change the fact.
David Norris: You put us together three times.
Richardson: That wasn't us. That was just chance.
David Norris: Why do you want to keep us apart?
Richardson: Because the plan says so.
David Norris: Well, then you misread the plan.
Richardson: No. There's no misreading the plan when it comes to you and Elise.
David Norris: The plan's wrong!
Richardson: You know who wrote it?
David Norris: I don't care.
Richardson: You should really show a little respect.
David Norris: If I'm not supposed to be with her, how come I feel like this?
Richardson: It doesn't matter how you feel. What matters is what's in black and white.
David Norris: What, you don't know why I'm not supposed to be with her do you? That's why you can't tell me. You don't know.
[he walks away from them]
Richardson: Who is this guy?
Thompson: Frustrating, isn't it? My name is Thompson.
David Norris: Whatever happened to free will?
Thompson: We actually tried free will before. After taking you from hunting and gathering to the height of the Roman empire, we stepped back to see how you'd do on your own. You gave us the dark ages for five centuries until finally we decided we should come back in. The Chairman thought that maybe we just needed to do a better job with teaching you how to ride a bike before taking the training wheels off again. So we gave you raised hopes, enlightment, scientific revolution. For six hundred years we taught you to control your impulses with reason. Then in nineteen ten, we stepped back. Within fifty years you'd brought us world war one, the depression, fascism, the holocaust and capped it off by bringing the entire planet to the brink of destruction in the Cuba missile crisis. At that point the decision was taken to step back in again before you did something that even we couldn't fix.
Thompson: You don't have free will, David. You have the appearance of free will.
David Norris: You expect me to believe that. I make decisions everyday.
Thompson: You have free will over which tooth past you use, or which beverage to order at lunch. But humanity just isn't mature enough to control the important things.
David Norris: So you handle the important things? Well, the last time I checked the world's a pretty screwed up place.
Thompson: It's still here. If we'd left things in your hands it wouldn't be.
Thompson: Why do you refuse to accept what should be completely obvious by now? You've seen what we can do. You can't doubt we are who we say we are.
David Norris: Look, it's not about who you are. It's...it's about who I am.
Thompson: Can't outrun your fate, David.
David Norris: I'm...just disagree with you about what my fate is. I know what I feel for her and it's not gonna change. All I have are the choices that I make, and I choose her. Come what may.
Thompson: In six twenty, if you leave now you can make Elise's show.
Harry Mitchell:[voice over] Most people live life on the path we set for them. Too afraid to explore any other. But once in a while people like you come along and knock down all the obstacles we put in your way. People who realize free will is a gift, you'll never know how to use until you fight for it. I think that's The Chairman's real plan. And maybe, one day, we won't write the plan. You will.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
No Strings Attached
Summary: Adam (Ashton Kutcher) lands in an open relationship with a girl, Emma (Natalie Portman) and her fears of intimacy are challenged when Adam wants more than just a hook-up.
Review: The movie had its moments of awkwardness, but I think the cliches were too much at times. It was pretty funny though and was an enjoyable watch at times. Ludacris had some hilarious scenes as Adam's friend and the father was a decent character as well. The movie did dwell deeper into other relationships of the two main characters, but it was a classic romantic comedy.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Does intimacy develop after a physical connection?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was painful to watch at times because of all the cliches in the movie, but it was surprisingly well made for a romantic comedy. It had its hilarious moments and the dialogue was decent.
Review: The movie had its moments of awkwardness, but I think the cliches were too much at times. It was pretty funny though and was an enjoyable watch at times. Ludacris had some hilarious scenes as Adam's friend and the father was a decent character as well. The movie did dwell deeper into other relationships of the two main characters, but it was a classic romantic comedy.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Does intimacy develop after a physical connection?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It was painful to watch at times because of all the cliches in the movie, but it was surprisingly well made for a romantic comedy. It had its hilarious moments and the dialogue was decent.
Hall Pass
Summary: Two grown men, Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) receive a hall pass from marriage to their wives Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate). Rick's baby-sitter, Paige (Alexandra Daddario) and a barista, Leigh (Nicky Wheelan) provide temptation and it details how the men struggle to get laid.
Review: The movie was light as with any Owen Wilson movies and his character plays thrives in those awkward moments. The movie did flow and the supporting cast was great in their role.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are hall passes good for marriages because people aren't made to be monogamous?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had some laughs and a decent plot, but I thought it could have been made a little better. The entourage of the guys were funny, and cut off too short in my opinion.
Review: The movie was light as with any Owen Wilson movies and his character plays thrives in those awkward moments. The movie did flow and the supporting cast was great in their role.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are hall passes good for marriages because people aren't made to be monogamous?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 It had some laughs and a decent plot, but I thought it could have been made a little better. The entourage of the guys were funny, and cut off too short in my opinion.
Across the Line:The Exodus of Charlie Wright
Summary: Charlie Wright (Aidan Quin), a banker, is on the run and is being pursued by mercenaries hired by Russian mobsters, a Mexican underworld figure (Andy Garcia), and the FBI. For some mysterious reason, Wright chooses to go to Tijuana, Mexico despite pulling a Ponzi Scheme that likely has netted him a large amount of money into the billion dollar range that is hidden. Gina Gershon also has a role in playing the wife of Andy Garcia.
Review: The movie held much promise, but it didn't pan out. It had a few scenes that were decent action scenes, but the majority of the movie was a bore. The somber mood that was created gave the movie an elusive mood, but it never produced the result I thought it should have. It was also a plot that didn't seem well thought out and didn't expound on decisions and redemption. It left a lot of gaps in between, but I thought it could have lengthened the movie if it produced more of a story. There were plenty of ironies and twist in the end of the story, but I just wasn't emotionally attached to appreciate any of it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There are some fleeting moments in life that decide everything that happens. Redemption
Power Rating (Out of 5):2 It drew me initially because of the seduction of the themes of a banker on the run with elements of the underworld, but the movie didn't turn out to have a cohesive plot at all.
Favorite Quotes:
Wright: "My dear Isabel, When a man finds himself at the end of his days He has to take an account of his life He has to be able to live with what he has done If he can find the goodness somewhere If there is a chance to find some kind of redemption Before we leave this earth Then life's moments will have mattered This is the story of failure Of my failure For all of the failures of this life Of my life Fade to nothing Just fleeting moments And as I find my way My exodus from this place I can know that this life was not so bad And like the cleansing sun and the beautiful sounds that lie just beneath the words All that is good in me lives on in you."
Wright: "They say that in the end life all comes down to a few fleeting moments. And when we draw our last breath, only a few things will have really mattered."
Review: The movie held much promise, but it didn't pan out. It had a few scenes that were decent action scenes, but the majority of the movie was a bore. The somber mood that was created gave the movie an elusive mood, but it never produced the result I thought it should have. It was also a plot that didn't seem well thought out and didn't expound on decisions and redemption. It left a lot of gaps in between, but I thought it could have lengthened the movie if it produced more of a story. There were plenty of ironies and twist in the end of the story, but I just wasn't emotionally attached to appreciate any of it.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: There are some fleeting moments in life that decide everything that happens. Redemption
Power Rating (Out of 5):2 It drew me initially because of the seduction of the themes of a banker on the run with elements of the underworld, but the movie didn't turn out to have a cohesive plot at all.
Favorite Quotes:
Wright: "My dear Isabel, When a man finds himself at the end of his days He has to take an account of his life He has to be able to live with what he has done If he can find the goodness somewhere If there is a chance to find some kind of redemption Before we leave this earth Then life's moments will have mattered This is the story of failure Of my failure For all of the failures of this life Of my life Fade to nothing Just fleeting moments And as I find my way My exodus from this place I can know that this life was not so bad And like the cleansing sun and the beautiful sounds that lie just beneath the words All that is good in me lives on in you."
Wright: "They say that in the end life all comes down to a few fleeting moments. And when we draw our last breath, only a few things will have really mattered."
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Leap Year
Summary: Anna (Amy Adams) makes plans for her entire life and has decided to go to Ireland to propose to her longtime boyfriend while he's at a medical conference. Due to some unfortunate circumstances, she is forced to go to Dublin where her boyfriend is at by traveling with Declan (Matthew Goode). On their adventures, she slowly becomes captivated by him.
Review: Amy Adams makes the role with her personality, but the film was a bit stale overall. It didn't have many refreshing moments and was an overplayed cliche many times. The few moments that it did have were brief, and it was only touching at times despite being a "love story." It was hilarious in that it gets a bunch of cheap laughs though.
Further Question/Theme/Philosophy: Can someone just fall in love just like that? It seemed that Declan had all the tools that PUA's talk about: the no appeasement policy, the pre-selection with a photo of a former woman, and many other tiny details. Do we make too many plans in life? Is traditionalism leaving slowly and marriage is as important as the older generation thinks?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I thought it was a decent film because I'm a sucker for romcoms that aren't a complete bore. This one might be borderline, but it redeems itself for me by having a foreign setting such as Ireland.
Favorite Quotes: Bride: May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you. Cheers!
Review: Amy Adams makes the role with her personality, but the film was a bit stale overall. It didn't have many refreshing moments and was an overplayed cliche many times. The few moments that it did have were brief, and it was only touching at times despite being a "love story." It was hilarious in that it gets a bunch of cheap laughs though.
Further Question/Theme/Philosophy: Can someone just fall in love just like that? It seemed that Declan had all the tools that PUA's talk about: the no appeasement policy, the pre-selection with a photo of a former woman, and many other tiny details. Do we make too many plans in life? Is traditionalism leaving slowly and marriage is as important as the older generation thinks?
Power Rating (Out of 5): 3 I thought it was a decent film because I'm a sucker for romcoms that aren't a complete bore. This one might be borderline, but it redeems itself for me by having a foreign setting such as Ireland.
Favorite Quotes: Bride: May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you. Cheers!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps
Summary: Jake Moore (Shia LaBeof) is a young gun who is rising in the world of Wall Street. He is also in a lovely relationship with Winnie (Carey Mulligan) whose father is the infamous Gordon Gecko (Michael Douglas). Gecko has been released from prison and is writing a book while trying to come to terms that he is no longer who he once was. Jake has his world thrown into a crisis when his firm gets hammered and is on the edge of collapse.
Review: Shia LaBeouf is the next superstar actor in America. Michael Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gecko well. Josh Brolin plays a banker well despite his limited screen times. The lessons of the movie extend to well beyond just its financial depictions of America today again. Those lessons are accurate however with the bailouts and the bankers that profited while shorting the same cdo's and insurance they sold to their clients. Jake's firm is reminiscent of Bear Stern's while the winner of Bretton James' (Josh Brolin) firm is obviously Goldman Sach. It also does a fantastic job of hammering in the concept of moral hazard being the simple definition of people taking excessive risks when it isn't their money.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are bubbles not only a cycle in the financial markets, but of life in general? When will the excesses of Wall Street stop? Why has America become a country of socializing risk and privatizing profits or has it always been this way? The human elements in the movie were also touching as it shows one man's redemption while realizing the importance of the important things of life.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 This was a fantastic movie and did well in tying in the current financial crisis on Wall Street. The first one was appropriate for the times, and the second one even more appropriate for the current times. There is an important lesson to be learned from this movie about the human nature and sometimes it might even feel good to be a realist.
Favorite Quotes: Jacob Moore: If it weren't for people who took risks, where would we be in this world?
Gordon Gekko: It's not about the money. It's about the game between people.
Gordon Gekko: Payback. Except I'm not in that business anymore - because the one thing I learned in jail is that money is not the prime asset in life. Time is.
Gordon Gekko: Stop telling lies about me and I'll stop telling the truth about you.
Bud Fox: So, does Blue Horseshoe still love Anacott Steel?
Gordon Gekko: "Someone reminded me I once said, 'Greed is good' Now it seems that it's legal because everyone is drinking the same Kool-Aid."
Jacob Moore: "Bubbles are evolutionary. They kill excess, lean out the heard, but they are never completely destroyed. They just come back in different forms and when they burst they give light to a new day, always creating change."
Gordon Gekko: "I've been considered a pretty smart guy and maybe I was in prison too long. But sometimes it's the only place to stay sane and look out through those bars and say, 'Is everybody out there nuts?!"
Gordon Gekko [Speaking to an audience of college students]: "You are part of the NINJA generation. No Income. No jobs. No assets."
Gordon Gekko: "A fisherman always sees another fisherman from afar...I think you ougtha start calling me,Gordon"
Review: Shia LaBeouf is the next superstar actor in America. Michael Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gecko well. Josh Brolin plays a banker well despite his limited screen times. The lessons of the movie extend to well beyond just its financial depictions of America today again. Those lessons are accurate however with the bailouts and the bankers that profited while shorting the same cdo's and insurance they sold to their clients. Jake's firm is reminiscent of Bear Stern's while the winner of Bretton James' (Josh Brolin) firm is obviously Goldman Sach. It also does a fantastic job of hammering in the concept of moral hazard being the simple definition of people taking excessive risks when it isn't their money.
Further Question/Philosophy/Theme: Are bubbles not only a cycle in the financial markets, but of life in general? When will the excesses of Wall Street stop? Why has America become a country of socializing risk and privatizing profits or has it always been this way? The human elements in the movie were also touching as it shows one man's redemption while realizing the importance of the important things of life.
Power Rating (Out of 5): 4 This was a fantastic movie and did well in tying in the current financial crisis on Wall Street. The first one was appropriate for the times, and the second one even more appropriate for the current times. There is an important lesson to be learned from this movie about the human nature and sometimes it might even feel good to be a realist.
Favorite Quotes: Jacob Moore: If it weren't for people who took risks, where would we be in this world?
Gordon Gekko: It's not about the money. It's about the game between people.
Gordon Gekko: Payback. Except I'm not in that business anymore - because the one thing I learned in jail is that money is not the prime asset in life. Time is.
Gordon Gekko: Stop telling lies about me and I'll stop telling the truth about you.
Bud Fox: So, does Blue Horseshoe still love Anacott Steel?
Gordon Gekko: "Someone reminded me I once said, 'Greed is good' Now it seems that it's legal because everyone is drinking the same Kool-Aid."
Jacob Moore: "Bubbles are evolutionary. They kill excess, lean out the heard, but they are never completely destroyed. They just come back in different forms and when they burst they give light to a new day, always creating change."
Gordon Gekko: "I've been considered a pretty smart guy and maybe I was in prison too long. But sometimes it's the only place to stay sane and look out through those bars and say, 'Is everybody out there nuts?!"
Gordon Gekko [Speaking to an audience of college students]: "You are part of the NINJA generation. No Income. No jobs. No assets."
Gordon Gekko: "A fisherman always sees another fisherman from afar...I think you ougtha start calling me,Gordon"
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