Lgutrent Movie: 2013

Saturday, October 12, 2013

The Good Life

Cheating
Grass is not always green on the otherside. Love and appreciate what you have . You will always have a storm , it is how you handle the storm .

Not good...
Best thing about this movie was looking at Christian Keyes the 10mins he was in the movie. The pacing of the film was terrible, the scenes were long and drawn out. Too many scenes of Honey in the car calling Jacque on her bluetooth, ranting and raving. The acting was sub-par and there were no real consequences to their actions. If you are trying to make a statement in a movie there has to be consequences that are heart-wrenching and thought provoking so that the audience can get the message loud and clear. Statistics at the end and clever statements or quotes at the end are not sufficient enough to arouse emotion. You have to build character in the relationships, make people care about them, sympathize, and identify with them. When you are able to do that, then hit them with the realities of bad decisions and their inevitable consequences.

Great movie
This was a very good movie.. I enjoyed the fact that both couples were successful... Great lessons in this movie.., be careful what you go looking for...

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Bullfighter and the Lady

An Outstanding Film that needs to be rediscovered
Director Budd Boetticher's "The Bullfighter and Lady" gets a well deserved Blu-Ray release after a extensive restoration by UCLA in the 1980's. It's been restored to its original 124 minute running time after being cut down by John Ford to 87 minutes which he and John Wayne (the producer) felt was good enough for second feature on a double bill. If you are interested in Bull Fighting or honest human drama this is a wonderful film. I'm not going to comment on the Blu-Ray disc (which I don't have yet), but I will give the reader some background on the making of the film, some trivia, and the restoration it went through in 1980's.
The director Budd Boetticher, was a former Matador who served as technical advisor for the earlier bullfighting film "Blood and Sand." He was able to convince John Wayne to go ahead and do his own bullfighting film to be shot in Mexico. He got Robert Stack to play the Americano lead, Gilbert Roland as Mexico's most famed Matador, and Katy Jurado as his...

I've had the Laserdisc version of this film for years
Let me tell you a funny ANECDOTE about this film. I've been watching this film in its restored version for years on my Republic laserdisc, which came out in 1992. The disc is 127 minutes, which may include the original theatrical trailer running time. I have been a huge Budd Boetticher fan ever since I discovered his Ranown westerns with Randolph Scott. This film is based on Boetticher's experiences bullfighting in Mexico. So in this world of blu-rays and 3D etc, I have relied on my trusty laserdisc players (still running great) to bring me these types of lost gems for years. Of course, I made a DVD copy of the laserdisc for my own use with my DVD recorder also (no copy protection on laserdiscs!). So in essence, laserdisc is the ANTIDOTE for movies where there is no DVD version. Nice to see the modern world catching up, but given the quality of print of this film, I don't know how a hi def blu-ray version is going to vastly improve upon a 450 line laserdisc transfer to any signficant...

old movie
it was a old movie that played like you think it would on a old Vhs movie player did ok

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West Of Memphis

ALFORD PLEA IS NOT JUSTICE!!!
This movie shows a true mistake in the American justice system. If you know anything about the case of the west Memphis 3 than you know that Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr were wrongfully convicted of the murder of 3 eight year old boys. West Of Memphis shows the damning amount of evidence against Terry Hobbs a victims step father. He is the only parent of the victims that still believe's the West Memphis three are the killers. What is truly sad is that because the state of Arkansas will not admit a mistake, Terry Hobbs has gotten away with murdering 3 eight year old boys. This movie shows when the West Memphis 3 walked free after accepting an Alford Plea. If you don't know what that is it means the West Memphis 3 can maintain their innocence but must plead guilty to the murders. That means that the case is closed and the real murder Terry Hobbs gets away with it. This shows that the state does not care about justice AT ALL they only care about being right.

Riveting and revolting documentary is a MUST SEE
"West of Memphis" (2012 release; 147 min.) brings the story of the West Memphis Three case, in which three teenagers in West Memphis, Arkansas are accused and convicted of the 1993 murder of three 8 year old boys in what appears to be a "satanic" killing after sexual abuse. But we know by now (and this is not ruining the 'plot') that the three teenagers would eventually be released. Several comments:

First, in the retelling of the events, the documentary reminds us that one of the three teenagers in fact confessed to being at and witnessing the murders, even though in fact he did not. This is reminiscent of that other documentary from last year ("Central Park Five"), in which a group of teeneagers confess to a crime they did not commit. Why do the innocent then confess? Just watch! Second, there are a lot of interesting tidbits in the movie that will make you revolt against the way the prosecution AND the jury AND the West Arkansas community at large essentially railroaded...

The Agony and the Ecstasy
I have to give this documentary 5 stars because it was even more riveting, thought-provoking and devastating than the original Paradise Lost film which I saw on HBO when it first came out in 1996. Though a bit long and drawn out in parts (should have been edited down to make it a neat 2 hours) I simply could not stop watching. I have never been convinced one way or the other about this case. On the one hand, I thought the evidence against the WM3 as presented in Paradise Lost and several of the books written about the case was minimal, I don't think I ever lost sight of the fact that 3 beautiful little children were viciously ripped from the world by someone and, putting the evidence together as it was presented by the prosecution, I could understand why the 3 were found guilty. This film doesn't gloss over that evidence or pretend it didn't exist but carefully and precisely dissects that original evidence presented in the prosecution's case to illustrate how it was misinterpreted,...

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Welcome to the Punch

Pretty fun, I liked the super good bad guy.
This movie to me was enjoyable. The evil plot that is slowly revealed throughout the movie is not exactly new and you will see it coming and you wont really care.

I think if you like this movie (like I did), you will like the idea of a bad guy turning good, well at least sort of good. Think 4-10 to Yuma, where the main bad guy decides to help the protagonist turn him into the law at the train station. So there is an element of a bad guy doing some good, but won't tell you which bad guy and there are many. So it made for a rich(er) character. I also liked how he was ultra awesome and unstoppable, something fun about those characters.

The few twists in this movie you will see coming and the secondary bad guys and the plot are not that interesting. However the bad guy and his relationship that develops with the "good" guy is fun to watch.

Plus Bald People are AWESOME!

The Enemy Of My Enemy: Stylized Violence And A Killer Cast Highlight This British Crime Saga
Despite a somewhat tepid critical reaction, I was still looking forward to the British crime drama "Welcome to the Punch." The movie is loaded with a tremendous cast that includes James McAvoy, Mark Strong, David Morrissey, Peter Mullan, and Andrea Riseborough. This, along with stylish action and beautiful cinematography, made the film a lot more involving than I had anticipated. Trust me, nighttime in downtown London has never looked so glorious! At the heart of "Welcome to the Punch" is a weathered cop (McAvoy) and the seasoned criminal (Strong) that haunts him. We've seen this obsessed cat-and-mouse dynamic played out in countless other films, but the evolution of their relationship still seemed quite fresh. As they both get involved in a dense plot of corruption and murder, they may have surprising common interests. And as the film progresses, I was more and more caught up in this developing bond. In the capable hands of McAvoy and Strong, this tenuous alliance has more impact and...

CALAMITY JANE
Max (James McAvoy) got shot in the knee by a major league criminal Jacob Sternwood (Mark Strong). Three years later Max's knee still bother's him as does the fact he let one get away. Max teams up with Sarah (Andrea Riseborough) as it appears they may have a second chance at him. In this partnership Max has the brains and Sarah has the kahunas.

The film is a bit twisty and it is easy to get lost if you don't pay attention. This is a crime action adventure which has its fair share of drama, enough to slow it up for a breather. The action scenes are spread out to a finale at the OK Corral. It is worth a rental if you are a fan of British crime movies, but not the one you would want to wean yourself on.

Parental Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

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The Place Beyond the Pines [HD]

A rare occasion where EVERYONE should listen to the VERY positive reviews
Stunning. Amazing. Beautiful. Powerful. Genuinely Effective. That my friends is what can be said about The Place Beyond the Pines. I had been hearing very good things about this movie for a long time and today I finally got to watch it. My oh my what a movie. I have yet to see Man of Steel, American Hustle, or any other movie besides 42 that has really impressed me. But this is already one of the best films of 2013. Ryan Gosling took a big leap from his lackluster performance in Gangster Squad and gave a strong standout performance as Luke Glanton. Supporting cast includes Eva Mendes as Romina, Bradley Cooper(he is getting better with each role as an actor) as Avery Cross, Ray Liotta as Delucca who also did a great job (there has to be a guy everyone loves to hate) and Dane Dehaan (who is also a great actor for his age) as Jason Glanton. The whole cast did a beyond superb job. The Place Beyond the Pines makes you forget that the people in it are just characters; you generally come to...

The first exceptional film of 2013
Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling) has a good thing going with a traveling carnival. He's got a pocketful of fame thanks to his motorcycle stuntman status and makes just enough money to get by. He meets up with Romina (Eva Mendes), an old fling, in Schenectady, New York and finds out that their one night together resulted in a little one year old boy named Jason. Luke quits the carnival and intends to provide for his son, but Romina has moved on and is currently in a relationship with Kofi (Mahershala Ali). Luke crosses paths with a mechanic named Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) who talks Luke into robbing a few banks to get some quick cash to support his newfound fatherhood. But Luke gets addicted to the thrill of the hunt and the money and gets overzealous, which attracts the New York police department and rookie cop Avery Cross (Bradley Cooper) in particular.

Director Derek Cianfrance last worked with Ryan Gosling in "Blue Valentine" from 2010, which got a noticeable amount of attention...

Another great film portraying the weight and cruciality of fatherhood
This movie had me from beginning to end. I loved the depth of all the underlying themes that intersected throughout the movie. The significance of a man's role in the family and in a marriage is heavily explored from start to finish. All the main characters appeared very raw and believable. The casting was expert and the complexities of each character were portrayed very subtly without the need for much dialogue, which is always the genius of a well-written movie. The sins of our fathers was a reoccuring theme throughout, and you can feel the inadequacies, hopes, and fears of each character as time unfolds. What gets me the most is witnessing the sweetness and kindness behind each character despite their depravity or past mistakes. This is a very moving story of humanity. You can't help but empathize with each character.

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Filly Brown (English Version)

Enjoyable Latino hip-hop family drama
Imagine my surprise when out of nowhere and without any pre-release fanfare this movie showed up this past weekend at my local art-house theatre here in Cincinnati. I figure that this would not be playing long, so I decided to see it (as it turns out, on the very last day of its screening here, as it is already gone after one week).

As "Filly Brown" (2013 release; 101 min.) opens, we see Majo (played by Gina Rodriguez) performing at an in-studio radio session as Filly Brown, a hip-hop singer who is trying to find success. In the very next scene we see Majo visiting someone in jail, and we learn very quickly that it is her mom Maria (played by Jenni Rivera), who is serving time on a drug charge. Maria is quite the manipulative person, and she is trying to get Majo to somehow get several thousand dollars so that Maria might perhaps get a retrial. We get to know the lawyer who will head up the effort to get a retrial, Leandro (played by Edward James Olmos, who looks to be...

Successful Film on Many Levels
As a movie fan in general, I enjoyed Filly Brown. But as a longtime urban music journalist, I also appreciated just how true to life this movie was. What makes Filly Brown stand out from movies like Hustle and Flow or 8 Mile is both how it deals with women in urban music, and having a female lead that offers a powerful performance.

Filly Brown tells the story of Majo Tonorio, a Latina rapper who dreams of performing for huge audiences. The Los Angeles MC builds her buzz rapping on the radio as Filly Brown, but her desire to get signed gets put into full gear because of her family. Filly's mother (played by Jenni Rivera) is serving a ten year prison sentence, her only hope for early release depends on whether Filly can come up with fast cash. What follows is a story of desire, manipulation, and redemption.

Despite having a low budget, Filly Brown was shot well. But what really stands out about the movie is the cast, a mix of film veterans and new faces. Gina...

Grade A Performances!
What a great film! The acting was superb from start to finish. Much like 8 mile this movie has a very real element to it, I would highly recommend it!

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The Sapphires

Bold Acting, Sensibly Handled Senstive Issues
This "gem" of a film is a treasure that's been buried under shallow box-office movies.

"The Sapphires" is not a glitzy Hollywood romp romanticizing the late 1960s. Neither is it a raw shock-value film of the Vietnam crisis. What it is is a gritty story about the conflicts of race issues, betrayal, family conflict, and the loss of innocence. And while the film doesn't shy away from the themes of exploitation, sexuality and confusion, it also doesn't saturate the screen with images to meant to overwhelm the viewer.

The based-on-life story of four sister/cousins (Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens, Miranda Tapsell) who boldly belly-up to the auditions for entertainers for the Vietnam Troops is inspiring. The fights between the girls are fast, furious and leave you breathless. The manager (Chris O'Dawd) pushes back with worthwhile pressure. The family dynamics are complicated and real.

The story stays focussed on the issue of the girls...

FAIR GO! Great movie, WRONG US dvd cover!
Not much more I can contribute to the very shabby treatment the great girls who are the Sapphires receive when it comes to the U.S. dvd cover that previous reviewers haven't already touched on.
I really like Chris Dowd but he is NOT 'the movie' as the dvd cover would strongly infer. I think the cover dismisses the girls as mere 'bit players' or 'backing singers' which is not the case at all. BUY the movie and see why the cover is an injustice to who the girls are, what they achieved and why it's so disrespectful! In Australia we always think that everyone is entitled to a 'fair go' so how about changing that cover eh?

"Dream Girls" Australian-style!!!
I refuse to spoil this movie for you, because you should experience it yourself at every level -- and there are many. What I will say is that, if you love American soul music and you hate racism of any kind, you'll like this film. Inspired by a true story, three aboriginal sisters and a cousin set out on the journey of their lives accompanied by the aspiring group's white "Soul Brother" manager. Their "dream" is to sing for the U.S. troops in Vietnam during the war.

This movie is both heart-warming and heart-wrenching! Sometimes, you'll laugh and, sometimes, you'll want to cry -- in between which you'll probably sing and dance. The power of music and the power of love mix here for a very "soulful" experience.

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The Sapphires [HD]

Friday, October 11, 2013

The Jeffrey Dahmer Files

The Serial Killer Next Door: An Effective Documentary Interviews Three Subjects Close To The Case
Even after twenty years, the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer still haunt us and exemplify the notion of the serial killer next door. By all accounts, Dahmer was a polite (if socially awkward) young man who committed the most heinous murders practically in plain sight. In 1991, he was arrested for killing and mutilating 17 victims over a thirteen year period and was sentenced to 957 years in prison. Dahmer has received such notoriety in the media and much coverage in other documentaries and news features, I wasn't sure what "The Jeffrey Dahmer Files" might offer that was unique. However, I must say, I liked the approach of this little film. It interviews three subjects that were close to either Dahmer, the investigation, or both and they share their recollections of the pivotal moments leading up to the trial. Within these contemporary interviews, the movie is intercut with recreated footage of Dahmer going about a rather mundane existence. It's a great device, these moments are played...

The movie itself should serve a 957-year sentence
Just as its subject, the film commits the cinematic equivalent of murder: It bores the audience to death. The movie has no goal, just simply lays out tidbits of mundane information that three interviewees present to the filmmaker (who prays the viewer will find substantial in some way). Perhaps the movie succeeds at showing the side of Jeffrey Dahmer we did not care to see before, but we are vindicated because there is simply nothing to see. Anyone with an interest in serial killers will find they are almost always human voids. Again, the film reflects its subject.

The filmmaker himself has presented this at festivals with the story of how he won a filmmaking grant and did not know what to do with the money, so he decided to just start shooting his buddy walking around Milwaukee dressed as Jeffrey Dahmer to see if anything would come of it. Nothing did.

Great Documentary, Mostly Focused on the Case Itself
No matter how many times I hear about this case it never ceases to amaze me.

The unbelievable dichotomy of Jeffrey Dahmer's two worlds: the inner monster capable of such hideous crimes and the meek loner harboring secrets of homicidal violence, homosexuality, and alcoholism.

His story is twofold. On one hand it's disgusting, shocking. On the other, sad.

This film briefly explores both sides of Jeffrey Dahmer through recreated vignettes. However, a majority of the film revolves around first-hand accounts from those who interviewed, lived next to, and collected the evidence piled up by Dahmer.

If you're looking for all the bloody, gory details, you may be sadly disappointed... but if you're looking for an overall account of the case, as it broke in the media, this documentary is a winner!

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The Place Beyond the Pines

Between Us

Awesome, intense film with great performances
This is a terrific film with amazing performances. It's a super intense look at two couples going through tough times, played to perfection by all four of the actors. Definitely the best performance I've seen Julia Stiles do in years, plus Melissa George nearly steals the movie for me. I saw the film with an audience at a film festival, and it gets quite a lot of awkwards laughs, but make no mistake, it's not for the feint of heart. If you've ever been through a tough relationship or made difficult life choices, this hits you hard. Hats off to the director and playwright for doing an adaptation that's way less claustrophobic than Carnage. It feels like a real movie.

Two couples share a complicated relationship
Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, this is the intricate story of two couples who know each other well; perhaps too well. Finally, a film without outlandish CGI or other special effects, which simply tells a story of how people get along - or sometimes don't. This is the way people really are, with little pretense.

I Hate "Artistic" Movies
This movie is so annoying because the characters seem to only care about themselves. I felt the script was flimsy as well. It was like the two couples had the same experience with their spouse on 2 different nights 2 years apart. I didn't feel like there was any meaning to the movie. I didn't "get" the message. Maybe there wasn't one. But that annoys me, too. I don't like movies that are so "art house", and that don't have a point to them.

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What Maisie Knew

Excellent movie
No laws, or social programs, exist to protect children from emotional abuse. In 'What Maisie Knew' the Maisie character is in the center of a collapsing adult world of increasing desperation, where emotional abuse is the final weapon. The story line follows Maisie as the sometimes intended, sometimes accidental, victim as she copes with life.
Excellent acting, casting and directing. The girl who played Maisie is brilliant.

"You are my 6th favorite girl!": Unlikeable Characters Course 101
"What Maisie Knew" (2013 release; 93 min.) brings the story of Susanna (played by Julianne Moore) and Beale (played by Steve Coogan) and their young daughter Maisie (played by newcomer Onata Aprile). As the movie opens we see Susanna, an aging (has-been?) rock singer, and Beale, an arts dealer, arguing frequently and loudly, and in front of Maisie. It doesn't take long before Susanna changes the locks on the front door, and Beale gets his own place. Maisie finds some relief with Margo, the sitter. Susanna and Beale go to court, where Susanna gets denied sole custody, so off goes Maisie between Susanna's place and Beale's place. Maisie is very surprised to find out that Margo has moved in with Beale. At that point we are about 35-40 min. into the movie and to tell you more would surely ruin your viewing pleasure, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: first and foremost, this is a tough child custody drama in which the child sadly...

A perfect example of why everyone should not be allowed to have children. A must see with amazing performances. I say A.
"None of this is your fault." Susanna (Moore) and Beale (Coogan) and going through a bitter and nasty divorce. Stuck in the middle is their 6 year old daughter Maisie. While they focus on their own lives and how to one up the other their new partners are left to care for the little girl. There are some movies that after you watch leave you speechless because words don't do the movie justice. The two for me that come to mind are The Passion Of The Christ and We Need To Talk About Kevin. This is in another category of movie where it leaves you speechless because there are so many things you want to say about it but find it hard to express. The little girl who plays Maisie really steals the movie from Moore and the other big names by portraying a girl with such innocence that you really want nothing but the best for her in the hell she is going through. Besides being a very great movie it will also make you feel different about being a parent and why putting your child's welfare ahead of...

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Art & Copy [HD]

Masterfully presented
Excellent. This documentary carries a message that redeems much of what global advertising fails to do, which is mainly to connect us with something artful and truthful, something that joins us in the journey as opposed to assaulting us along the way. The individuals interviewed were thoughtful and subtle in their explorations and it took the greater part of the film for them to reveal the beliefs that drive them and some few others in their profession to success. I feel their message applies to whatever path one walks through life: if you wish to live a meaningful life and do meaningful work, you have to retain the courage continually to reconnect your life and work with creative and truthful intent. Thank you for this inspiring film!

The real mad men
Excellent list of important ad agencies and clearly got good access and caught their passion for their work very well!

Fun to Watch
Upbeat, rosy-hued take on marketing. Refreshing and fun, though not extremely depthy or provocative. Argues that advertising, done right, rises to the level of art, and even at times, activism.

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Thursday, October 10, 2013

Oblivion (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy + UltraViolet)

(BLU RAY UPDATE) 4 1/2 stars for a visually arresting sci-fi beauty
There may be spoilers.

Some critics have panned this new film from director and co-writer Joseph Kosinski, in this his second film ("TRON: Legacy"), as being highly derivative. But let's face it, how many films are so fresh and new that they delve into uncharted territory? In any case, don't care. Whether it's a drama, a comedy, a horror movie or even a romantic comedy, it's how well it is delivered that counts. And this film delivers.

Like "TRON" the film is visually arresting. Seen on a big screen, the sets are huge but sparse, drawing the audience in. Set in a war-ravaged Earth of 2077 devoid of humans, all of whom have resettled on a moon of Saturn, only Jack (terrific Tom Cruise) and Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) remain. They are partners (both romantic and professionally) whose mission is to watch over the drones that patrol the area for a smattering of "Scavs" who were the defeated invaders. While Earth won the war, they lost the planet which...

Entertaining Sci-fi Flick!
Oblivion wasn't a dynamic bang `em up, annihilate the universe sci-fi. It was steady, uncomplicated and extremely enjoyable. Cruise's performance is good (not a big fan of his, but he does have that charisma that is caught on film and makes it work extremely well). The premise was really good; the plot was a twist I did not even anticipate, but it was a really nice surprise for a sci-fi flick. The visuals and special effects are outstanding! Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable and entertaining Saturday night movie. For you sci-fi fans who need a fix, give this a look-see! Highly Recommend!

Oblivion in IMAX
When I first saw a trailer for Oblivion, I felt like it was custom made for me. Then, last night, while watching it in IMAX,they started playing a Led Zeppelin song in the movie, I knew it was made for me. Oblivion was a mix of the greatest Sci-Fi already made and yet it was still unique in its own way. Other reviewers have said that the writing is better in the first half and that the movie becomes predictable or not as strong in the second half. I completely disagree. I felt like the script, while borrowing bits from other Sci-Fi, remained engaging and well-done through out the whole movie. If you see this movie in IMAX, in addition to being blown away by the incredible surround sound, you will actually see more of the picture than in a traditional theater. They opened it up for most of the movie. There were a few parts (only one I noticed was around the beginning) where it was the more narrow widescreen picture. For the rest of the time it filled up the huge IMAX screen. The...

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I Think It's Raining

Simply incredible.
I've seen this film twice. After each viewing, I found myself seeing Renata all around me, and thinking about her and the untolds of her story. Alexandra Clayton does an amazing job at capturing her pain and joy, and curiosity. Bravo Joshua Moore for seeing such talent, and bringing it out in such a delicious way.

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Kon-Tiki [HD]

Visually Stunning and Inspirational, the Sailing Sometimes Seems Too Smooth
A Norwegian-filmed dramatization of Thor Heyerdahl's legendary expedition across the Pacific Ocean on a flimsy wooden raft. Lovingly constructed and beautifully filmed with a sharp eye for the grandiose, it's eye candy on the same level as Planet Earth, if to a slightly more reasonable scale. The plot is a gentle balance between nature-watching and temper-managing, as the crew of six men and a parrot get to know a bit too much about one another over the course of their hundred-day adventure. Several of the journey's more dramatic moments feel manufactured (and, upon review, actually are) but I'd hardly call that unexpected and it may have been necessary to give the story a bit of punch. After all, where's the excitement in watching two hours of smooth sailing against a tropical horizon? It's an uplifting tale, if not an especially challenging one, and excellent fuel for escapist daydreams. Definitely worth catching on Blu-Ray if you're as big on our planet's sights and sounds as I am.

Power of Faith
I just saw the latest Kon Tiki film that debuted in 2012
at the Nashville Film Festival. It was an inspiring film
that brought out raw emotion for the six men that made the
101 day journey together. Thor was a calm leader that kept
his wits about him even under the toughest of conditions.
And it was incredible that he could not swim! I am not sure
if all of the facts are true in this film, but it was
extremely well done. The actors are fantastic and engaging.
Truly one of our modern day adventurers, Thor Heyedahl had
a vision that he shared with the world. This is a must see
movie. Even if you doubt his theory that South Americans
crossed the Pacific to land in Polynesia, the story is one
that you will enjoy and keep you on the edge of your seat!

*BEWARE* US release is cut by almost 30 minutes
I had been eagerly waiting to see "Kon-Tiki" for quite some time, and this weekend it finally opened at the local art-house theatre here in Cincinnati. I went to see it right away.

"Kon-Tiki" (2012 release from Norway; original duration 118 min. US length approx. 95 min.) brings the story of how Norwegian scientist/esplorer Thor Heyerdahl wants to prove that Polunesia was first stlled by Peruvians, contrary to the accepted belief at that time. As the movie opens, we see young Thor already wanting to be a daredevil in hiw own backyard. Next we find Thor and his girlfrien/eventual wife Liv spending time in Polynesia in the late 1930s, and it is there that Thord gets the idea that Polynesia was settled by "travelers from the east" (which would be South America). Thor spends the next 10 years trying to prove this theory, until he is dared by a publisher to provide the ultimate proof: replicate the 5000 mile journey from Peru to Polynesia on a raft, the same way it was done 1500...

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Olympus Has Fallen

When this comes out in DVD, I will be purchasing.
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I went to this movie. The decent action flicks of yesterday have been replaced by superheroes shooting space aliens or super gory, gross movies that are so hardcore they turn me off before I ever get past the trailer. But this movie takes you back to the really cool action thrillers of yesteryear and frankly, I was riveted throughout.

The action is non stop and the acting is superb, especially for this type of movie. I had never seen Gerard Butler in a movie before but from now on, he is on my watch list. His portrayal of Mike Banning is gritty and down to earth, never over the top. Aaron Eckhart does a very good job with the rather thankless role of the Hostage In Chief. He, too, never stoops to caricature; just a man faced with a horrifying situation. Morgan Freeman and Angela Bassett are solid and realistic as the Speaker of the House and the Director of the Secret Service. Rick Yune is a absolute chiller of a villain...

Exciting, Edge of Your Seat (with some flaws)
This movie is fantastic for these people:

- You like the film concept of a foreign government capturing the President inside the White House, with a single hero (as in Die Hard) who tries to save the day (and the world) - against all odds.

- You're looking for an exciting, heart pounding, non-stop action flick.

- You like movies with lots of explosions, surprises, and situations that look really impossible.

- You don't care if there are some things about this film that are a bit cliché. They can work in films. And you're just looking for some entertainment anyway.

- You're okay with a character theme that's been done before. There's some time taken to show you the woundedness of Gerard Butler's character, and some of what makes him tick. It's not a new theme. You've seen this before. But you're ok with that.

This movie is not for you if:

- You can't stand cliché's in movies.
- You're...

Olympus Has Fallen Review
Best action movie of the year.
Even though the White House is a very unlikely site for the plot, it is not an unlikely story in view of the latest and older
developments in the recent history of the US.
Edge of your seat action, does not let off for a single minute. You will definitely never get bored.

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The King of the Streets

A rebel with too many flaws
Yue Song is the writer, director, action director, and editor of "The King of the Streets." He's obviously taking a Jackie Chan-like approach with this film, which is also probably a project that's very close to his heart. Unfortunately, "The King of the Streets" is nothing to boast about.

As you can likely already foresee, "The King of the Streets" wants to wow you with action over everything else. The story is lacking in every sense of the word. It's extremely cliché and predictable; a reformed rebel trying to turn his life around is sucked by into the world he tried to leave behind. The film also repeatedly references Bruce Lee not only in name but in presentation as well as "The King of the Streets" makes it a point to constantly re-use and or re-imagine the Japanese school fighting scene from "The Chinese Connection."

You begin to question the logic Feng has, as well. Who in their right mind would confidently walk up to 85 guys with weapons and try to...

Kung-Fu fighting!!
This movie has lots of punch and lots of non stop action!, that keeps you wanting more. I'll give thee black belts!!

Good
This movie is a good movie. Keeps your attention and the storyline was great. I was really impressed with this movie.

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On The Road

A film that captures that elusive spirit of Jack Kerouac's novel
There is bound to be a generational gap in the audience response to Walter Salles' and Jose Rivera's adaptation of Jack Kerouac's immensely important book ON THE ROAD, a story about the 'first beatnik' who in the aftermath of WW II found the world not only confusing but senseless, and his way of trying to find his place as a writer spawned his book that is in many ways a diary of three years of living on the lam, penniless except for occasional odd jobs to finance gas, food and crash pads. It is a Whitmanesque song of independence and yearning for meaning and love and acceptance and Salles and Rivera, with considerable assistance from the musical score by Gustavo Santaolalla and the cinematography of Eric Gautier.

The young unfocused writer Sal Paradise/Jack Kerouac (Sam Riley)is joined by free-spirited Dean Moriarty/Neal Cassady (Garrett Hedlund in a magnificently realised portrayal) and his girl, Marylou/Luanne Henderson (Kristen Stewart) and Carlo Marx/Allen Ginsberg...

It Was a Beautifully Filmed, Well-acted, Classic in the Making
Let's just get this out of the way - the movie is not the book. Now that we've established that truism for most book-to-movie adaptations, let's move on.

Just to give a little background on my mindset before I viewed this movie, I am not a Kerouac fan. Reading Kerouac as a black woman, is like repeatedly sticking a fork in my eye in some parts. It's painful to read the misogyny and the romanticism of picking cotton (When I read he thought he could make it his "life's work," I almost threw the book out of the window). But, I continued and actually understood his mindset by the end of the book. However, I really never wanted to be in his head again. It was a scary place.

So, as you could probably tell, I had my reservations about the movie. However, the cast won me over. When you have Amy Adams, Viggo Mortensen, Steve Buscemi, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, Sam Riley, and Kirsten Dunst all in one movie, you can practically guarantee some fine...

CENSORED VERSION
What a let down. This is some sort of re-cut version, not the theatrical version that I seen. Censored and re-cut. Hopefully there will be an unrated version released. I feel cheated. Not recommended.

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Frostbite!

SHE MUST BE GIGGLES,
The original Canadian title for this film is "The Movie Out Here," neither of these titles have anything to do with the plot. Adam (Robin Nielsen) plays a straight man to the sometimes zany comedy of this feature. He is a low level corporate Toronto lawyer who returns to his home town of Fernie to close a deal...a deal that will take his friend's Theo's (James Wallis) Business. Wallis comes across as a light version of Zach Galifianakis. Let's throw a party to save Theo...

We add to this comedy, Sasquatch, a bad engagement (Lisa Durupt), a bad boss (Karin Konoval), two local cops (Nils Hognestad,Artine Brown) and a series of running jokes. The humor ranged from mildly humorous to a good over the top belly laugh. This is a typical 3 star teen-type comedy with the addition of a few great scenes such as the bathroom scene and the nursing lady (Rebecca Husain) on the plane.

Worth a Redbox rental for a fair comedy.

Parental Guide; F-bombs, brief sex and...

Not As Funny As I Thought It Would Be
I expected more action and for it to be alot more like Hot Dog: The Movie and Out Cold. If I had it to do over again I might rent it but not buy it.

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Night Vision

WOULD YOU LIKE A BOX?
Spencer (Darryl Dougherty) is a womanizing reality TV show producer. Lance (Ali Adatia) is trying to pitch him a new show, one where you watch a man's life get destroyed. The womanizing Spencer doesn't like it. Reality shows must have scripts because real life is boring. The show must create excitement, and people must believe it.

The film opens with thriller music as we see a woman(Noelle DuBois) hiding a suitcase. The music was far more exciting then what was on the screen. Later that same woman shows up at Spencer's door "selling cookies." Spencer invites her in and she films them having sex using his equipment. She leaves with the tape. (Who uses tape anymore?) Spencer believes the woman is certifiably crazy.

When the house loses power, Spencer discovers his security system doesn't have a temporary battery backup, like the one in my trailer. The movie turns into an abduction film.

I fell in love with Noelle during the film, but Dougherty's...

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Among Friends

Not so bad
Frankly it' s not a masterpiece, but for a first movie it's not so bad. Danielle Harris is a great scream queen, and with a little more work a good director. And so it's always a pleasure to see her friends, Kane Hodder, Mickael Bieh, Xavier Gens & co.

Horror Has a New Director
*******THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS************
Among Friends is the directorial debut of horror queen Danielle Harris. It would appear to be, on the surface, a similar hash of the tired torture horror that has been overdone since the endless Saw sequels and Hostel ripoffs but it actually brings some fresh air to the subject. The story revolves around a group of 6 friends who have come to a 80's themed party hosted by their friend Bernadette. They are drugged by one of the group and forced to see their sins displayed and they have to answer for them. You see them violate the trusts of others and they violate each other to the deepest core. Before the night is over none of them will ever be the same if they can make it through the night. Ms. Harris called in all of her friends to help with this one and you can see she has a very talented group of friends. Standout performances from Alyssa Lobit, AJ Bowen, and Brianne Davis. Abley supported by Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Christopher Backus,...

disappointment of the year!!
To call me a Danielle Harris fan would be a tremendous understatement, and I was so excited for this movie I paid for expedited shipping. Unfortunately, I find myself wickedly disappointed. The film simply is boring, formulaic and completely unoriginal.

I would give Danielle Harris even benefit of the doubt, but this film offers absolutely nothing new. Its your standard fare revenge film, where a wronged girl dupes a bunch of bad guys into a private party and ambushes them into her revenge plot. As the night unfolds, she introduces various evidence that "justifies" her actions as she does something brutal to one of the wrongdoers.

The movie is not engaging on several fronts First, to any fan of horror films, the story purely replays other far more imaginative revenge films. Second, copy cat films can be entertaining, but this one is not; the entire story was just boring, no other word for it. Even as the story unfolds, we're left with no understanding of...

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In My Pocket

Genuine Genius
It's been awhile since I saw the movie opening, so I can't comment on the specifics of greatness, but I remember this film was beautifully composed and entertaining from the first second to the last. The music was handpicked with care. It's real people going through the realness of life.

Addiction does not discriminate
Here is a good looking bright kid that comes from a very successful family that tried to beat addiction but the temptation was too great to resist. Movie was interesting and will be educational for some.

UNBELIEVEABLE !!!!!!!!!!!
Deserves an Oscar !!!!! THIS MOVIE WAS SO GREAT AND THE EFFECTS WERE VERYGOOD.
Congrats to these smaller film makers who put out great stuff.

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Arthur Newman [HD]

Melancholic road movie with great performances
Imagine my surprise when out of the blue and without any pre-release buzz or ads this movie showed on a single screen for all of Greater Cincinnati this weekend. I figured that this will not stick around very long and hence I went to see it right away.

"Arthur Newman" (2013 release; 100 min.) brings the story of a man (played by Colin Firth) who is in the dumps: he just got fired from his job, his ex-wife does not care for him, and his 13 yr. old son hates the mere sight of him. As the movie opens, we see Colin Firth acquiring a new identity, actually someone who passed away a few years ago named Arthur Newman. He then fakes his own death and takes off, as a "new man". Arthur plans on driving from Florida to Terre Haute, IN, where a job as a golf instructor awaits. But on his first night on the road, he makes the acquaintance of a young woman (played by Emily Blunt), who herself is running away from her own troubles, and using her twin sister's identity ("Mike") along the...

Fake Your Death; Hit the Road
Be careful what you wish for! Sometimes the dream is far better than the reality, but it is the dream that drives our eponymous hero to plan and execute some drastic action. This R-rated dramedy is more drama than comedy; furthermore, if you have any trouble hearing dialogue, you might want to consider closed captions, either in a theater, or wait for the DVD. You don't want to miss the finer points in this plot.

We watch:
* Colin Firth ("A Single Man" and "The King's Speech") speaking American (!), is Arthur Newman, a frustrated wanna-be golf pro who, after a down-hill slide, has decided to reinvent himself. "New man," get it? He cleverly fakes his own death and hits the road.
* Emily Blunt ("Your Sister's Sister") also speaking American, is Mike, a young woman with nothing to lose. She encounters our hero on the road and they proceed to go adventuring...
* Anne Heche ("Cedar Rapids") is Mena, the girl he left behind. She knows he's boring, but she...

Good movie with great acting that is worth watching but be prepared. It's a little depressing. I do recommend though. I say B
"So you just ditched Wallace Avery for a total strangers half baked promise?" Wallace Avery (Firth) is a divorced man who hates his job and his life. Wanting to start fresh he decides to stage his own death and head to Indiana to become a golf teacher. Changing his name to Arthur Newman he is on his way when he meets a woman named Mike (Blunt). Both on the run from their own lives the begin to assume other people's identities but memories of their old lives begin to creep back up. This movie first and foremost has great acting and is very interesting and worth watching. On the other hand though it is a little slow in parts and seems repetitive. This is a movie of fiction but has the feel of a true story. I do recommend this movie but it isn't really a movie you can watch over and over because it is pretty depressing. It's hard to talk about this movie with out giving anything away and it really is a pretty good movie but don't expect a happy movie. Overall, a good movie with great...

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Emperor [Blu-ray]

Great historical war drama
"Emperor" (2013 release; 98 min.) brings the true story of how General/Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces MacArthur (played here by Tommy Lee Jones) was sent to Japan following Japan's surrender to end WWII, to assess which top ranking officials from Japan, including possibly Emperor Hirohito, should be brought to justice and stand trial. MacArthur enlistens the help of General Fellers (played by Matthew Fox) for the actual investigations, focusing on the Emperor, the Prime Minister and a few other top Ministers. The problem is that Washington demands a conclusion in only 10 days. The movie's script (based on the book 'His Majesty's Salvation' by Shiro Okamoto) intertwines the political and military aspects with a romantic involvement by Fellers with a Japanese woman whom he gets to know in the 1930s in the US, but who eventually returns to Japan without telling Fellers. Fellers is determined to find her now that he is back in Japan. Will Fellers find his former flame? Will...

Thought-Provoking Historical Drama
At the conclusion of the War in the Pacific ("V J Day," for those of us old enough to remember), the Allied forces had a dilemma: Should the Emperor of Japan (the Emperor of the Chrysanthemum Throne) be tried (and hung) for war crimes? Few of us gave it a moment's consideration at the time, but here is a thought-provoking drama that examines the issue.

It stars:
* Tommy Lee Jones ("Lincoln") as General Douglas MacArthur, tasked with reconstructing Japan, writing a constitution and restoring the economy. (Plus MacArthur really wants to run for President of the United States.) Is Jones getting all the good parts lately, or does he just make his parts seem that good?
* Matthew Fox ("Alex Cross") as General Bonner Fellers, the guy who understands that if Emperor Hirohito is hung, an insurrection will be inevitable and the war will NOT be over. Fox does great suppressed rage. Watch for it!
* Eriko Hatsune ("Norwegian Wood") as Aya, the sweetheart Fellers met...

Masatoshi Nakamura
I saw emperor shortly after it was released. I went to see it not only because I am interested in Japanese culture and history, but because I wanted to see the renowned Japanese actor and singer Masatoshi Nakamura in one of his rare appearances in an, American movie. He had a small part in it, but in my opinion he did a wonderful job. He had about a 5 minute speech which was quite powerful and moving. Mr. Nakamura has a long list of accomplishments and is very well known in Japan, so I am very happy that he had the opportunity to play an important role in an American movie.

Overall I think the movie was very well done. I would recommend it to anyone especially those who are interested in American and/or Japanese history.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Adored

Interesting Character Study Leaves A Few Unanswered Questions In Its Finale
We, as people, are always the most curious puzzles, and I think that's because we're always prone - at certain stages or periods in our lives - to do something in character that causes us unintentional harm. As much as we like to believe we're all creatures of fate, that old rub called `free will' inevitably forces us into dark alleys or (worse) the darker recesses of our mind where we think strange thoughts. Some of us even act on those strange thoughts, and that no doubt might lead us down into even darker alleys or into even darker places where the way back is either too treacherous to find or no longer the lesser of evils.

In many respects, that's the ground trod in THE ADORED, a character study of two women (and maybe even one man) that only flirts usefully with the kind of desolation we all shackle ourselves under in some way, shape, or form.

(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and...

Great tension
I think the tension that builds throughout the movie is incredibly intelligent. The performances of the actors is a testament to the writing and direction of what is a rather emotional journey.

Just utterly stupid!!
I will not see this again. A waste of time and money. It could have been a better storyline. Don't waste your time with this movie.

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I Killed My Mother

Hard
Wow, what a powerful film, a bombardment of strong emotions and frustrations.
I cried, felt sadness and emptyness and though I absolutey adore Xavier Dolan with every inch of my body and soul, he was an unlikeable brat in this one, but relateable at the same time.
Superbly acted, beautifully edited (the painting/love scene!!) and excellently scored, this is a movie for filmlovers and not just gay ones at that.

Great movie - highly original
A terrific movie , so real and so original - one of the best I have ever seen :)
The dialogue is superb , the situations are so real ... Just love it !

Interesting first film by Xavier Dolan
I had been wanting to see this semi-autobiographical film for 2 years (since it was never distributed nationally in the U.S.) I really enjoyed his second film ("Heartbeats") and was curious to see the one that proceeded it.

I enjoyed the plot and the acting is very good. If you like foreign films (this is made in Quebecois with English subtitles) you will probably enjoy it. Dolan's character is a bit of a brat and is a little over-bearing. It can be really distracting at times... that's the main reason I didn't give it 5 stars, but YMMV.

I recommend it, as well as his second feature, "Hearbeats."

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No One Lives

Potential Future Horror Classic.
- Synopsis - If you've seen the trailer then you know basically the entire movies premise. A couple is driving down the road looking to 'relocate'. They stop for a night at a motel and get some dinner. While having dinner they are harassed by a member of this group of criminals before the leader stops him. Later on the couple is run off the road by the man who harassed them and kidnapped. Though at first the leader disagrees when finding out what has happened, he changes his mind soon enough. One of the bigger members of the group is threatening to torture the couple in a secluded location. Suddenly the lady takes her own life before anything can happen to the surprise of the torturer and dismay of her handcuffed lover. The man escapes his handcuffs and kills the torturer, showing a violent well trained side to him and sets out to get revenge on the rest of the group. But the couple have been hiding a terrible secret this entire time that will disturb even the ruthless criminals who...

***A Hardcore Serial Killer Movie...Brutal and very Gory***
Running time approx.86 min. 5.1 Dolby Digital. Widescreen picture. As a (B) rated movie, this particular film was produced to (A-list) level quality. Hardcore action, blood, and gore all the way through. A group of career criminal thugs happen to cross paths with a real (Serial killer). The criminals make the deadly mistake of pissing him off, and he teaches all (roughnecks) a lesson they will (NOT) live to regret. A great story! Its stunning how well this movie was both written and produced. Its a (5) star movie hands down! There are NO flaws in this movie. It's shockingly good! Its pure entertainment and action all the way through. The sets, props, wardrobes, effects, and acting were spot on. The cinematography was very good. Every aspect of this movie was well managed;it was money well spent and my compliments to all producers involved. Luke Evans, the only (A-list) actor in this movie, carried it very well and gave a hardcore performance that only a seasoned actor could do...

Very surprised...
Went into this expecting a "B" movie, or worse.
I was pleasantly surprised. The movie kept me interested the whole time. Good action. Good acting. Some effects were a little over the top, but even those were pretty well done. And the plot keeps you intrigued.
I really liked the characters. I felt the more prominent ones were fairly well thought out.

If you're looking for a really good "B" movie, check this one out.
I don't say this often, but... I'd see this one again.

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The Big Wedding

Oh come on, it wasn't THAT bad
The reviews here are pretty funny, I think these people thought they were looking at the next big award winning comedy or something. It is just a grab some popcorn and relax for a couple hours type of movie. Nothing amazing, nothing terrible. Should it have been better with all the stars in the cast? Perhaps. But at least if you know this going in maybe you can enjoy it more and not be set up for failure like these other folks.

It had its funny, it had some heart tugs, it had some raunchy, and a few yawning moments. All in all it was a decent comedy and I did not think I wasted my time with it. It is a slow paced comedy, won't have you jumping out of your seat in laughter but you should smile throughout most of it.

If you need a lighthearted movie night flick and nothing else is jumping out at you, this will do.

So much worse than I even feared
This movie was terrible-start to finish. I read some of the reviews and thought- "Oh, it's a romantic comedy, how bad could it be." Really, really, really bad! That's how bad. If you have a moral fiber in your being it will repulse you and if you don't it is just a really dumb movie. Such a waste of money and time.

Family dysfunction at its finest at 'The Big Wedding'
There isn't one specific comedy in the history of film that everyone can agree on as being a good (let along funny) film. With that being said, you can only expect so much when you hear about the release of another movie centering on a wedding, which happens to have some of the biggest names in Hollywood on its guest list. It's disturbing to see such harsh criticism for a film that was always going to have the majority of critics attacking it from the get-go - either because they aren't smart enough to see the humor in the situations of a purely over-the-top melodrama, or they're just a huge crank that can't appreciate absurdly hilarious family interactions. The goal of this genre of film is to make you laugh, clearly by any means necessary. But, for all of the critical writers out there that thrive on attacking a simple R-rated wedding comedy for the sake of being negative - well, I'm sorry, but you need to lighten up on the elitism and embrace the chaos. Please, do yourself a...

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The Wishmakers

A bit disjointed, but generally amusing and positive.
Ben, a dancer who recently reconciled the fact that he is gay, moves to West Hollywood to join two friends from college: Jason, a young man (and budding alcoholic) with limited talent who wants to be a star, and Corey, an androgynous young loner who works as a personal assistant for an eccentric former TV actress (played by Sally Kirkland). Finding work as a pilates and yoga instructor, Ben tries meeting guys through online ads, sex parties, and tries to get closer to another dancer he met at one of his classes, but nothing seems to be going as planned. Meanwhile, Jason sets his sights on a boyfriend who can help his career goals.

A somewhat bitter, but mostly realistic, look at the gay dating hell that can be WeHo, but an otherwise positive story in which the guys adapt to their circumstances and achieve happiness. Acting is capable and mostly amusing, despite some trite dialogue. The film's direction seems a bit disjointed in parts, including a rather lengthy dance...

Good, But I Wish It Would Have Been Great
The Wishmakers is a comedy-drama about three gay men on their quest for love and success. It's not a great movie, but it is charming and has many attractive men in its cast. Drew Droege is only in three scenes, but he steals all of them and plays the funniest character with a voice that sounds like a muppet. There is brief nudity, but there should have been more. I guess the Eating Out series has spoiled me as it has set the bar so high for gay comedies. Lots of nudity, lots of laughs. The Wishmakers has neither of those things, but it is fairly entertaining just the same.

Not Bad
Less than I expected. This movie could have been a bit more engaging. Script was a bit choppy and dialogue less than convincing.

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Nacho Mountain

Shane
I usually don't go for anything but big blockbuster type comedies that I've already heard about, so this was a gamble for me. It paid off! It was freaking AWESOME. I've loaned it out like four times already

Hilarious!
This was hilarious. Campy comedy...I bought it because I love comedies that aren't so mainstream. This one was actually better than I expected. I suggest you watch with a big bucket of movie theater style nachos.

super funny
This was hilarious. Campy comedy...I bought it because I love comedies that aren't so mainstream. This one was actually better than I expected. I suggest you watch with a big bucket of movie theater style nachos.

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Sing Yoursel Silly/Elmo's Musical Adventure

Sing Yourself Silly/Elmo's Musical Adventure
I bought these videos for my 20 month old granddaughter. Although she's very young and can easily be distracted, she sat still through the entire showing of "Peter and the Wolf" where Elmo was the star. She adores Elmo and his friends and Sing Yourself Silly gets her on her feet and dancing. She wants everyone to dance with her. Good fun for everyone!! This product was well worth the small investment!

Don't care for it
My 3 year old loves Elmo and there was barely any Elmo at all. It was not entertaining enough to keep him engaged in it, he asked for a different video.

so silly!
so many classics are on here...honestly, we haven't seen the elmo story cd yet - but the SING YOURSELF SILLY is very entertaining...and brings back many memories...it's nice to share this with our child.

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The Powerbroker: Whitney Young's Fight for Civil Rights

Informative & Evocative
Until I watched this documentary, I mistakenly believed that I had a firm grasp of the who's who list among the leaders of Civil Rights Movement. Though I had heard of Whitney Young, I had no idea how pivotal his role was in the movement. I had always credited Dr. King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Andrew Young and a few others with the actual work of breaking down racial barriers in corporate board rooms and with the remediation of employment discrimination generally - though that is not yet complete. Also, because Dr. King was present when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act, I have until now credited President Johnson's support of the Act and his subsequent War on Poverty legislation to his relationship and quasi friendship with Dr. King

Apparently, that was not the case. In politics looks are deceiving because what is presented to the American public is often little more than stagecraft. President Johnson's relationship with Dr. King was, in reality, little more than...

Forgotten hero of the civil rights movement
Whitney Young Jr level the civil right movement on the corporate front and is responsible for corporate commitment to diversity. Now forgotten, he is a true hero of the movement, a hero to social workers - and social workers could use an activist leader like Whitney as an example now.

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Stranger Within

A little generic but still worth checking out. Has some creepy elements but still feels made-for-TV. I say B-
"I'm just glad that your here and you're willing to help me." After living through a nightmare, Hollywood star Emily Moore (Warren) and her husband Robert (Baldwin) decide to take a trip to clear her mind and recharge. On their first night a woman in hysterics shows up talking about a terrible accident and the two decide to help her. Little by little she begins to wonder what the girl really wants from them. My expectations for this were not that high mainly because of the cast. I will admit that the movie isn't bad but it is basically a made-for-TV movie with nudity. This is a perfect example of why I try not to watch trailers for movies before I watch the movie. If I went off the trailer I would expect an exciting tense thriller. While this was tense in some parts it was a little slow. The "twist" is something that you can see coming but it was still a good idea for the movie. A lot of times the ending can make or break a movie. This is the rare time where the ending left me...

I KNOW ABOUT SOPHIE
Emily (Estella Warren) is an actress who is married to Robert (William Baldwin), a psychologist. Emily has issues, especially having to deal with the fact her friend Sophie (Katia Winter) killed herself. Emily is later kidnapped and tortured by an unknown assailant. Her husband takes her away to an island as a get away, only to have Sarah (Sarah Butler) show up, a woman who just lost her boyfriend at a nearby cliff accident.

This is a film where you suspect the twist is coming. The actors were less than convincing in their roles in an improbable plot that felt phoney. The film is fairly boring, even during the 'exciting" parts.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, sex, rape, nudity (Sarah Butler)

Waste
This movie is the worst ever made bad acting bad script bad
Bad everything.....AVOID at all cost bad bad bad...

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Tropical Heat: Sweating Bullets: Second Season

Awesome Show!
I loved this show when I was young! It was called Sweating Bullets when it aired every week after the 11 o'clock news. I stayed up late every week to see this show. The lead actor Rob Stewart was not only hot and sexy looking, but also a great actor. He brought a realness to his character Nick Slaughter! He was so believable as a private detective. I just loved him! The show had a lot of sexual overtones to it, but not so much that it makes you sick. The partnership between Nick and Sylvie, was a joy to watch. They made a great team! If you love the old late night TV detective shows, you'll love this one. It has everything: drama, romance, action and comedy. It is just a true gem!

A really fun show!
Please see my review for Tropical Heat, Season three. My remarks there also stand for Season 1 and 2. I believe most people would find the show well worth watchin.

Movie of my childhood
I loved the actors, catchy tunes, easy to watch series. Received with no defects. The box got broken while in the mail. A little dirty but not too bad, better not to watch around kids.

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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Now You See Me

exhilarating fun
I just saw this movie at a screening tonight and more than once the audience cheered and clapped with excitement. This is and intelligent, entertaining film that's fun, funny, and exhilarating -- refreshing in the summer of sequel blockbusters a la Ocean's Eleven. I didn't think it'd be this good, but the plot is written extremely well. I don't want to spoil anything, thus I'll just say that this is one of the best executed cat-and-mouth chases I have seen where everything is truly an illusion.

Don't blink, or you'll miss a lot of the intricacies of the plot. This is definitely a movie to watch and rewatch several times.

Now you see me -extended cut!
Compare with the original cut, the story and relationship among characters are much more intense and make sense better!
I watched Now you see me 3 times in the theater and bought the bluray/dvd combo, yeah I'm quite a big fan of the film and waiting for the sequel as well.
This is why I'm giving 5 stars :) Please enjoy!

THE CLOSER YOU LOOK, THE LESS YOU SEE
The film opens with four quick character introductions of "street" magicians. Daniel (Jesse Eisenberg) uses street magic to meet pretty women. His former assistant Henley (Isla "Legs" Fisher) does a stage act. McKinney (Woody Harrelson) is a hypnotist who uses his ability to shake down people. Jack (Dave Franco) uses his slight of hand to pick pocket people.

The four are summoned by Tarot cards (Lover, High Priestess, The Fool, and Death) to a common location. After the credits they become the world's greatest stage magicians while performing crime. They are followed by FBI Dylan (Mark Ruffalo) and Interpol Alma Dray (Mélanie Laurent). Meanwhile Thaddeus Bradley (Morgan Freeman) is exposing their seemingly impossible tricks on the Internet.

The film keeps you interested as to their next trick. The movie drops clues as to what is going on, but again there is the classic misdirection here too. It is s fun popcorn action film filled with mystery, drama,...

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Pawn Shop Chronicles

SALVATION COMES IN MANY FORMS
Alton (Vincent D'Onofrio) runs a pawn shop in small southern town. It provides the connecting link for three stories which are also loosely linked. The first tale involves the misadventures of crack heads wanting to rob their manufacturer. The second tale involves Richard (Matt Dillon) attempting to track down his long lost wife (Pell James). The third involves a down on his luck Elvis impersonator (Brendan Fraser).

This could be described as a grindhouse, "Creepshow" style. The episodes are clever dark comedy, marvelously written, directed, and acted. For those like their films on the oddball Tarantino side, check this one out. Yes, it had me laughing out loud, especially the first episode.

Warning: Film contains scenes of captive women who had been abused and treats it on the light side.

Parental Guide: F-bomb, N-word, Masturbation (Elijah Wood) TV screen sex, nudity (Pell James, plus many more)

Interesting
This movie isn't something you should let your children watch. It's star-studded by some of the biggest actors in recent film history and while you think they'll be prevalent throughout the movie- they're not, at least visually. Pay close attention to little details, as each of the stories is tied to the next, because that ending will have you gasping in your seat. The first story is hilarious, Paul Walker's accent as a hillbilly is on point! Make sure you keep your eye out for that Elvis impersonator too! This movie isn't one of those blockbusters and it isn't meant to be one, if you watch it, do it with that in mind. It's not meant to keep you on the edge of your seat but rather to keep you laughing. If you get into it enough, you'll want to rewatch it for anything you may have missed.

How do you become so jaded that you can't see how funny this movie is?
I was amazed to see this film's 12 percent rating at Rotten Tomatoes. Proves how narrow-minded and establishment-oriented that site has become. This film is wonderful. The first episode is worth the price of admission. The second one is pretty extreme but just keeping reminding yourself that it's going to have a punchline. And Brendan Fraser's sad-sack Elvis impersonator is an inspiration for us all. All the actors are wonderful and you also get the unbeatable Vincent D'Onofrio as a bookend character for all the segments.

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Koch

Entertaining, if flawed, documentary about Ed Koch
I saw this movie some 2 months ago in the theatre here in Cincinnati, and notice that it is now finally listed on Amazon as a future DVD release.

"Koch" (2013 release; 95 min.) is an entertaining, if flawed, movie about Ed Koch, the three-term mayor of New York (1978-1989). The movie can essentially be divided up in two (concurrent) parts: there is a look back at Koch's tenure as New York's mayor, and that is interspersed with a look at how Koch goes about his life when the movie is filmed (in 2010), giving his candid thoughts on anyone and everything. By far the best part of the movie is the first half hour, as we see how Koch wins a tough election race as an underdog against Mario Cuomo and others, and then gets to deal with the state of affairs in New York, at that time as good as bankrupt (finacially and otherwise). The archival footage from those days remains fascinating to watch. We see Koch dealing with the housing crisis, the AIDS crisis, and so on. What is alomost...

To know himself is to love himself
Released just before the death of Edward I. Koch, the 2013 documentary KOCH literally follows the man around both present day and, via archival footage, during his spectacular rise and crashing fall as New York City's 105th mayor. As significant as anything in his political career, KOCH reminds us, was that Koch was at the forefront of the Democratic Party's sellout of working people, a "fiscal conservative and a social liberal."

Guys, let's say what it is. "Conservatives" represent the interests of the affluent, "liberals" of regular folks. Maybe Ed Koch came around, albeit not that quickly, to support gay men's health in the wake of the A.I.D.S. crisis. Sure, it's great to be alive in New York City but if you can't find an affordable place to rent because Koch policies support the real estate giants - oh, excuse me, I mean "conservatives" - moving poor people out and, with taxpayer subsidies no less, replacing their homes with luxury housing, well, there's always New...

a warts-and-all biography of one of NYC's most colorful figures
Marking the directorial debut of journalist Neil Barsky, the documentary "Koch" provides us with a comprehensive look at one of the most outspoken, colorful and controversial mayors in New York City history. Ed Koch served in that role for three tumultuous terms, from 1978 to 1989. He continued on as a robust, politically active advocate for the city he loved until his death on February 1, 2013 at the ripe old age of 88 (an event that happened shortly after the release of the movie).

The movie begins in 1977, a low point in New York City history, when the city itself was facing bankruptcy, the serial killer known as the Son of Sam was terrorizing the citizenry, and crime and hopelessness were the order of the day. It was into this quagmire of despair and seemingly intractable problems that a comparatively obscure New York congressman named Ed Koch ran for and won the highest office in the biggest city in America. The movie goes on to chronicle the ups and downs of Koch's...

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Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp [HD]

The real thing
This documentary is an eye opener on an unknown world to most of us. From his early childhood through the turmoils of his life we have a vivid portrait of the man who became an influential writer. In-depth interviews with now famous rap stars as well as invaluable information from Slim's own family, especially his now deceased wife and daughters, give an even more intimate picture of this complex writer and his life. His experiences cover most of the social spectrum and we are able to view him with all his bumps and accolades. Photo images and clips from the past to the present help to give us a rounded picture of the way street life was while he was living it. Very enlightening, engrossing film.

Really Good Movie
Very good documentary and very enlightening! I enjoyed watching every minute of the documentary and was even surprised by some of the things I found out in the world of "pimping".

THE Definitive Movie on Hustling GET IT!
Really shared a VERY interesting history that happened in my city (Chicago) a life I will never know (pimping). But like the movie Goodfellas this is a REAL story of the good bad and the ugly. He is not PROMOTING or GLAMORIZING pimping. It is just the OPPOSITE as he (Iceberg Slim) is talking against young men getting in the game. And to see him talk about it LIVE in person over the span of 50 years + and understand the history is AMAZING.

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Racing Stripes/Kangaroo Jack

good movie
good movie but warning to parents the kanga jack movie needs to be watched first by you, there is some content thats not suitable for younger age ranges

AWESOME VIDEO
MY GRANDSON LOVES STRIPES,AND WILL WATCH IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.WE HAD NEVER SEEN KANGAROO JACK BEFORE AND THIS ONE WAS QUITE ENTERTAINING ALSO.

For kids
It was cute, but unrealistic. The movie is fairly well made as far as actual viewing goes, but the little zebra with his medium speed supposedly beating huge horses in a race, well, the illusion did not hold up well.

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Air Speed

"It's not good or bad, it just is."
Well, if you are looking for a good movie to make fun of, this is certainly it. The plot is rather ridiculous, and lacks realism to the max. Somehow a plane is struck by lighting, and this destroys several control components, and injurs the pilots. Somehow, the lights and radio are still functional, but a hole has been ripped in the side of the plane. But it's a good thing that the hole only sucks things out at oppoutune moments, but allows the girl to walk by without flying out of the plane on several occasions. And it's a good thing she has a cell-phone on board, for when the radio mysteriously explodes. And since there was no "do not attempt these stunts at home" disclaimer, I think I'll try jumping off the back of a refueling plane onto the landing gear of a nearby plane, hopefully suffering no personal injury, despite the high velocity at which I would be traveling.

Yes, a bad movie, but definitely worth seeing, it's a good laugh.

Oh yeah, and the box...

Elisha Cuthbert is great!
Elisha Cuthbert, the lead, is one of the best child actresses i have seen! I love this movie and hope it makes it to DVD!

Not Bad.....
A by-the-numbers thriller aimed at the family market (no real violence, the lead is a teenage girl). Familes concerned with what their kids get exposed to won't mind it. Anyone else will find it satisfactory, in that it keeps moving and usually keeps things in order:no outlandish plot twists or exasperating acts of stupidity to keep the suspense going. However, it is rather perfuctionary and, inevitably, disposable entertainment.

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