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Narconis · 07-30-2014, 12:49 PM

A Night at the Roxbury!

I was in a 90's mood.

Spangle · 08-01-2014, 04:40 PM

6/10 - Killing Them Softly is a solid film, but certainly not a good film. The acting is very good here, especially from Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, and Ray Liotta. James Gandolfini is also particularly strong in this one. The direction from Andrew Dominik is very good and the violent sequences are very well directed and the effects put on the shots are very cool to look at. In addition, the political overtones are handled well and the message here is quite clear at the end: screw capitalism. However, beyond all that, the film struggles. The length is just perfect at 90 minutes, because I simply could not imagine it going on any longer. There is a ton of dialogue, but some of it is just honestly not relevant (a good chunk of the dialogue between Pitt and Gandolfini was spent on hookers, which is largely inconsequential and could have been shortened significantly). The dialogue that has more of an application to the film is interesting, well written, and well acted, but the repeated tangents on things that do not have a huge impact is annoying and, as I said, a waste of time. In addition, even with the plot being pretty intriguing, there is just not much going on here. You get what you get and there is not much you are receiving, which is a bummer for sure. Overall, I was not expecting a ton and I did not get a ton either. The acting is great and the direction very good, but I just wish there was something else I could cling onto for this one.

5/10 - Overall, Clockers is quite the disappointing film. The acting from Mekhi Phifer, John Turturro, and Harvey Keitel is good, as well as some good supporting players here make this a very good look at life in the projects, murder, and drugs. The message about black-on-black violence is also very poignant and hard hitting. However, Spike Lee just cannot help himself and his racism here, as every single non-black character is the most racist pig ever to hit the planet Earth. I get it, cops in the projects are racist, but he hits us over the sledgehammer with it repeatedly as if we are some kind of idiot who does not get it. On top of that, many elements of the plot do not stick together very well and there are some plotholes for sure, as well as some things that are added in for really no reason, and things that are just very much unlikely to ever happen in real life. Minus the forced commentary on racism, some iffy plot elements, and Spike Lee's direction of those elements, Clockers is an interesting drama that could have been so much more with a different director.

8/10 - This one is very well done. Nicolas Cage and Sam Rockwell make for a great pair of leads. Both are very likable and convincing as con men. Cage, in particular, as a man struggling with OCD is very good and really portrays the struggles of an OCD man very, very well. Alison Lohman is also very convincing in this one and does a good job in her role. Ridley Scott's direction is also very strong as usual and shows good focus. The script is also solid. This one is called a comedy drama, but it was never really that funny, so it missed the mark there, but the drama was well done. The characters were all very well developed and you really feel like you know them all by the end of the film. In addition, the ending is particularly strong and very unexpected, which makes it all the more effective. Overall, this one is not some world beating film, but it is a well made one and a very entertaining film that keeps you hooked until the very end.

8/10 - Vile, twisted, disgusting, disturbing, perverted, over the top, and violent, Killer Joe is actually a really good film. Now, it is entirely twisted, but the pitch black comedic moments lighten things up a bit. The sexual scenes are also a little much for my taste and at times this one was basically pornographic. However, Matthew McConaughey is so good in this one it hurts. Joe Cooper, his character, is easily one of the best villains I have seen in a long time, maybe the best I have seen since Hannibal Lecter. Twisted, sadistic, and entirely crazy, McConaughey's Cooper commands the screen and incites terror the first time you see him and even more so as you see just how insane and sadistic he truly is. Nobody is really safe from his wrath, not even the viewer, as by the end, it feels like he has even taken a piece of you. This one is violent and a tough watch, so it is not for everybody without question, but if this one does not leave you speechless at the end, I do not know what will. Very well made film here with a phenomenal, Oscar worthy turn from Matthew McConaughey.

9/10 - This was honestly awesome. I came in with low expectations since i had never heard of the Guardians of the Galaxy before and was unsure if I really even wanted to see it as of a month ago. However, I am very glad I came around, because this was bar none by favorite Marvel movie yet. It is funny, thrilling, well acted, well written, well directed, moving, touching, and endlessly entertaining. All of the characters are very well developed and lovable in their own ways, though my personal favorites were Groot and Rocket. The special effects are very well done and I am certainly glad I saw it in 3D, as it is very much well worth the higher price. I cannot recommend this one enough and if this one does not touch you and leave you with a smile on your face at the end, you are simply not human. There is a lot of hype surrounding this one and, for me, it more than lived up to that hype. In Marvel we trust?

Maxy · 08-01-2014, 04:43 PM

When I first heard that there was a Marvel film with Andy from Parks and Rec, Batista from WWE, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel I thought this is going to be a train wreck. But I've heard nothing but good things about the movie and Chris Pratt has really been given high praise which is something I'm happy to see as he seems like a likable guy.

Killer Joe seems interesting after reading your review. I really do not like Matthew McConaughey he just annoys me for the most part but he's a very talented actor and Juno Temple naked? I may have to give it a watch Tongue

Spangle · 08-01-2014, 04:59 PM

Quote:Originally posted by Maxy@Aug 1 2014, 04:43 PM
When I first heard that there was a Marvel film with Andy from Parks and Rec, Batista from WWE, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel I thought this is going to be a train wreck. But I've heard nothing but good things about the movie and Chris Pratt has really been given high praise which is something I'm happy to see as he seems like a likable guy.

Killer Joe seems interesting after reading your review. I really do not like Matthew McConaughey he just annoys me for the most part but he's a very talented actor and Juno Temple naked? I may have to give it a watch

Indeed. I was very skeptical, but well worth it. How they pulled it off, I'll never know.

And ya, McConaughey is awesome in it. I stared at the screen as the credits rolled unable to wrap my around what I just saw, but I definitely liked it. Now, I felt like I had go repent after finishing, but them's the breaks.

Jedi · 08-01-2014, 05:36 PM

Watched "Son of Batman".

It was okay. Animation was good, story was alright.

Alucard,Apr 14 2016, 03:33 PM Wrote:May the harvest be with you, young spud.

enigmatic,Aug 26 2016, 10:05 AM Wrote:Jedi could have 1 TPE and still improve any team

First ever Norwegian IIHF Goal!!

Code:
2. Team Norway , Jackson Rodgers-Tanaka 1 (Isabella Esparza-Osvaldson, Aleksander Andrezjeck) at 5:50

Special Thanks to Count Chocula for the Hugo G sig <3

Spangle · 08-05-2014, 06:25 PM

7/10 - Dallas Buyers Club is certainly a pretty good biopic of a man dying of AIDs who decides to try and help other victims get the drugs they need. I think the hype over the acting is a little over the top. Their transformations are amazing and the acting is great, do not get me wrong, but it is certainly not McConaughey or Leto's best performance. To me, McConaughey was better in Mud, Killer Joe, and (later) True Detective. Leto was better in Requiem for a Dream and Mr. Nobody. However, both were great here and deserved their Oscars, if not just for this film, but for their body of work. Jennifer Garner is also good here, though she somehow managed to fly under the radar for many. The biographical elements here are solid and the film itself is a alright, but certainly not anything great. What really makes this one click is the aforementioned acting from McConaughey and Leto. Their chemistry is great too and is truly contagious. They both do a great job playing their respective roles and the praise they received is deserved. The praise for the film itself, however, may be a little much, but I enjoyed it regardless.

7/10 - Overall, Eight Men Out is a solid little flick. The acting is good and the direction is swell, though neither are extraordinary and are relatively straight forward. The story is also extremely interesting, especially as a baseball fan. The beginning is a little hectic and could have been handled better, but once it settles in, it really manages to be quite gripping and intriguing, even though I knew the outcome. The film is nothing extraordinary, but as a baseball movie, this one is certainly quite good and entertaining.

9/10 - I honestly loved this one. Coming of age stories are nothing new, but this one feels entirely fresh and authentic. Watching this film felt like watching the actual lives of some small town teens and the things they go through in their lives. Miles Teller is great, as are Shailene Woodley and Brie Larson. As I said, everything here felt authentic and that was in large part thanks to their acting. They all played the roles of high school seniors heading into the rest of their lives very well. The direction is also great and feels very focused. The film is certainly of a slower nature, but so much is happening in the development of these characters and their relationships with one another that it never gets boring. In addition, the relationships between them, the setting, and the cinematography, all contribute to an overall beauty to the film. As a whole, this one is great and easy to watch. Based on what I have seen, it is definitely one of my favorite films from 2013.

7/10 - This is definitely a very solid little flick. The script from Tina Fey is really strong, particularly when it comes to comedy. The jokes pretty much unanimously work very well and the one liners are great. Lots of quotable lines, as has been obvious since this film's release. Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried, are all really good, especially McAdams. Lindsay Lohan is also great and this should have been a star-making turn for her and watching this makes me sad thinking of all the lost potential for her. The film is certainly very chick flicky, but is a good one at that and is still enjoyable to me as a guy. Plus, even though is focuses on the problems facing girls in high school, a lot of the things they discuss about high school rings true all the same. Overall, this one is an easy one to watch and even easier to enjoy. Obviously not an Oscar-worthy film, but a quality flick all the same.

3/10 - This one was really bad all around. Now, it was not complete trash or completely unenjoyable, but it was certainly hard to enjoy. Firstly, the acting is terrible almost unanimously. Overly cheesy (not helped by a very cheesy and stupid script) acting and reactions made me think I was watching some crappy b-movie. The sets are also horrible. The great part about movies is that you watch a movie that is filmed on a set and it makes you suspend belief and think that everything is real. However, here, everything looks like it was filmed on a set and it really does very little to hide that. The gremlins also look fake, a major part of what were largely horrible special effects. And lest we forget the lack of tension and scares. I thought this was a horror film? The scariest part of the night when watching this was one of the lights in my house flicked on for no reason. This movie could learn a lot about scaring its audience from my lightbulb. In addition, everything dealing with the dog (in particular the constant threatening of a slow, painful death for the dog) angered and upset me to the point that I hated the movie as a result. Poor choice on everyone's part to include that. And I almost forgot that everyone in this movie seems to suffer from stupidity, since they do everything they are told not to, just so the movie can take place. It becomes annoying to the point that the movie is not enjoyable. However, there are some elements that are enjoyable, in particular the ending and the comedy, at times, does work. Or, maybe there was no comedy and I was laughing at how horrible this was. Not sure. If you like cheesy horror, this one is for you. Sadly, I do not.

6/10 - This one is pretty good and is ultimately a good, fair look at James Brown's life. It did not show just all the success and positivity he had, but it also showed the negative elements of him and his life and, overall, felt very complete and well done. The storytelling could have been a little better (it kept jumping around in time throughout), but the direction was strong for the most part and felt very focused. The soundtrack is also great, as expected. The acting from all is also good, however, the real superstar here is Chadwick Boseman. In a true Oscar nomination-worthy performance, Boseman really embodies Brown to a t and really brings the "funk" and "groove" in his performance and his dance moves. This was a true powerhouse performance from an actor who is clearly somebody on the rise. At the end of the day, it is a biopic and it is hard to cover everything in a person's life in a 2 hour+ time frame, but I think this one did pretty well (even if it did jump around and gloss over some things) and, as I said, felt very fair. But, this one will be remembered as the film that made Boseman into a star, more so than for any other element of it.

Spangle · 08-08-2014, 05:59 PM

8/10 - This one is certainly very good. It is slow, but never creeps into "boring territory". Rather, it commands your attention and full wraps you into its world. The storytelling here is really is most unique element, as it essentially feels like a visual book in the way it is told and it really benefits from it. Not only does it set it apart from other Westerns, but it breathes a certain amount of life into the film that is very beneficial. The acting from a great cast including Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Rockwell, and Jeremy Renner, is great as always. Pitt and Affleck both really stand out as stars in this one for sure. The writing here is also very strong and the relationship between James and Ford is very well done. Really, all the relationships here are very diverse and well written to the point where it feels as though we know everybody and their motivations. This film is really about the characters, in large part thanks to the great writing of the characters. And finally, Roger Deakins kills it with the cinematography here. Just absolutely stunning cinematography that is really picturesuqe at every single turn. Each shot is just breathtakingly gorgeous and really give this film a fantastic look. Overall, this one has a long, unconventional title and a unique way of telling its stories and is a rounding success.

7/10 - Overall, this one is very Terry Gilliam. It is weird in a Gilliam kind of way and is really effectively weird. As such, the direction here is strong as expected. It is not perfect, but is good as usual. In terms of the acting, Robin Williams hits a grand slam and absolutely kills it here. He really steals the show, even though Jeff Bridges is awesome as well in this one. Ultimately, their acting is what makes this film what it is, but the film itself is a weird, oddly effecting, and charming, little flick that really covers all of its bases. On top of this, the script is pretty strong and it has a really nice combination of comedy and drama that go together very well in this one and the transititions between the serious and the comedic moments are almost seemless. In addition, the characters are very well developed in such a short time frame and it really lets you know their motivations well and why they act the way that they do. As a whole, The Fisher King is a solid film that works very well for what it is.

8/10 - This one is a really good film and certainly one of Martin Scorsese's least Scorsese films, though still a great one from him and it certainly is a great example of his skill as a director. This is also a great showcase for Robert De Niro. This one may be a comedy, but it is classic De Niro as he plays this weird, troubled character brilliantly and really elevates this one up a level without question. The script is also riotously funny and poignant at the same time, in particular the ending, which undoubtedly rings true. The more thrilling and dramatic elements are also very good and this film can be very "edge of your seat" at times. Overall, The King of Comedy is a very good, very funny, very entertaining, film from Scorsese and De Niro that really shows how great the two are together.

4/10 - This one could have been far better and, as it sits, is undeniably below average. Viggo Mortensen and Michael Fassbender are great here and have solid chemistry with one another and, at the end of the day, are two of the lone positives I can truly find here, aside from an interesting and engaging story. I like Keira Knightley and her physical performance is solid, but her accent sounds off and fake to me, which turns me off from her performance entirely. The story, while interesting, feels rushed and hurried. Many things were essentially skimmed through and relationships amongst characters left missing crucial elements to really make you give a damn. I did not really find this one boring and the dialogue was solid, but as I said, the script could have been far, far better. The costume design is nice and everything really fits the time period well, but clothes do not save a film from being a disappointer for me. On pretty much every front, A Dangerous Method is a skin deep look at two men and a woman who explored the mind and all of its capabilities. These people deserved a better film and sadly, David Cronenberg's film does not provide that.

8/10 - I am surprised at the mixed response to this one from the audience, but I really liked Enemy. It was unique, weird, and incredibly confusing, but that is what makes it fun at the end of the day. I love films that leave you wondering, "What the hell did I just watch?" and this one fits the bill to a t. Jake Gyllenhaal is phenomenal here as Adam Bell and Anthony Claire. He plays these two different, but very similar men brilliantly and is able to switch between the two at the drop of a hat, which is really cool to watch. In addition, it is gorgeously filmed. I loved the lighting at night and, on top of that, the shots during the day are also very beautiful. It truly is eye candy. It also functions great as a psychological thriller as, even though it slow going in the beginning, when it kicks into high gear, you are left wondering "Wtf wtf wtf wtf" as events unfold. This was one of my most anticipated films of 2014 and now that I have finally been able to see it, it does not disappoint at all. I have no idea what any of it means, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this one will benefit from repeat viewings.

~~GroupMeIsKindOfOkay~~ · 08-08-2014, 06:07 PM

Assassination of JJ is great.
Might actually watch that again

Spangle · 08-12-2014, 11:51 AM

7/10 - This one took me a bit to get into as the first half is just not that good. It is necessary, but not interesting in the least. However, the second half really knocks it out of the park and leaves you with tears in your eyes for practically the entire final 20 minutes. Now, the ending is a little sentimental, but the film gets points for not going as sentimental as I thought it could have, so thank God for that. Haley Joel Osment is a revelation in the lead role and absolutely kills it. This film rests on his shoulders and the fact that he, at age 13, handles that burden this well and performs the way he did is stunningly impressive. The direction from Stephen Spielberg is also strong, though I would have loved to see Stanley Kubrick's take on this film, as I do think Kubrick would have done better with the materials he was given, not to say Spielberg did poorly. While the effects are great and the cinematography gorgeous, the real strength of this one is the pathos and pure child-like magic that really touches your heart. Without it, this one would be entirely lackluster. The ending goes on for a bit too long, but is actually filled with a lot more questions than initially meets the eye. At the end of the day, A.I. is an interesting film that is a success due to the emotions it provokes and how it utilizes its fantasy elements.

5/10 - This is pretty much what I expected from this one, so I guess you could say I am oddly satisfied. The acting here is fantastic, led by Q'Orianka Kilcher, Christian Bale, Colin Farrell, and Christopher Plummer. The score and costume design are good, as well. However, the star here is the cinematography. As always, Terrence Malick manages to find a gorgeous area to shoot and really maximize that beauty. Every shot is more gorgeous than the last and really capture the region well and feel entirely authentic to the time period. However, all of those positives are ultimately off-set by the major negatives. As with all Malick films, the story is just horrible. It is incoherant, poorly developed, and emotionless. For a romance, it manages to keep you at a distance and not feel any of the passion between the characters. In addition, it skims far too much. For example, Pochahontas gives birth at one point, with them never having shown her being pregnant. What? The baby just comes out of thin air. In addition, the script is not good. The actors all go a great job with this terrible script, but it just does not really do anything for me. Both the story and the script also combine for the final negative: the film is entirely boring. Not once was I overly interested in what was happening on screen, aside from watching some great acting and cinematography, which sadly, could not save this one. Great shots and acting can only do so much for the final product. At the end of the day, you need an interesting story to go with those. I keep giving Malick films a chance and they keep making me feel the same way, that he is a great artist, but not a great filmmaker.

8/10 - This one is not for everyone due to the pace at which it goes, so if you do not have patience, stay away from "A Most Wanted Man". However, if you appreciate great acting and a slow burning, incredibly intense plot, this is the one for you. Philip Seymour Hoffman is stellar and it almost brings a tear to your eye realizing that this is his final role. Robin Wright, Rachel McAdams, and Willem Dafoe, are also all really good here, in addition to the supporting cast. It is a true actor's showcase here. The story is admittedly slow, but never ceases to be entirely engrossing and truly had me from the very beginning. It was a twisty and turny ride, especially the ending, which is fantastic and unexpected. "A Most Wanted Man" is a departure from the usual spy thrillers of today that seem to always involve excessive action sequences. Here, it is dialogue driven and on the back of a great script, direction, and acting, is a resounding success. I truly hope this one can get some more buzz so that Hoffman can get another Oscar nomination, because he deserves it for his work here.

8/10 - A truly great crime drama/thriller. David Michod's direction of this one is stupendous. Across the board, the acting is phenomenal. James Frecheville, Ben Mendelsohn, Guy Pearce, Jacki Weaver, Joel Edgerton, Sullivan Stapleton, Luke Ford, etc etc, the list goes on, just great. The story is dark, bleak, and unrelenting, but is very engaging and interesting. In this one, if something can go wrong, it will, is undeniably the case as things get darker and darker throughout. The drama is very well done, thanks to a great script, which develops all of the characters very well and makes them very realistic and authentic. In addition, the ending is fantastic. The beginning is admittedly slow (not boring, but certainly slower), but the ending...wow. It really hits you right in the face and leaves you shell shocked. I wish this one got more attention, because it is certainly worthy of praise.

8/10 - Overall, In the Line of Fire does not take too many steps off the typical thriller path, but in spite of that, it does it very well. John Malkovich is fantastic as the bad guy and really gives you the chills. He has the right amount of hurt and insanity for the character he played and did it phenomenally. Clint Eastwood, though a little old, is very good as well. The story is intense and Wolfgang Petersen does a great job creating a ton of tension. The pace is brisk and I liked the focus on dialogue, rather than a focus on action shootouts like in many thrillers. I think the love interest element was unnecessary and just tossed in there, as it added really nothing to the film, honestly. As a whole, In the Line of Fire is a good, intense thriller that works from every angle and though formulaic, it is a great example of using a formula very successfully.

Spangle · 08-13-2014, 12:51 PM

6/10 - What About Bob? is a funny little comedy that does not try to do too much and is largely successful thanks to the great performance from Bill Murray. The comedy works for the most part and it is easy to watch and enjoy due to how light it is. The script is also pretty good and the characters are well-written. There is not too much going on here that differentiates it from other odd couple comedies, so there is not too much to say about this one that has not been said for plenty of other movies. Richard Dreyfuss is fine, though I do wish his character was not so over the top. He plays a good counter to Murray, but his character overdoes is a bit for my liking. The ending is also not very good and is very, very over the top. The whole film is a little odd and unrealistic, but the ending takes it to a whole 'nother level, which is way too much for my liking. The film as a whole is pretty easy watching and not to be taken too seriously, so it is hard to get mad at it, especially since Murray is so great here.

8/10 - This is the rare sequel that is just as good as the first one. I think I would give the first one a slight edge, but that is no knock against this one because it was honestly awesome. Sigourney Weaver is fantastic here as expected as she reprises her role as Ripley. The whole cast really does a very good job as well. The direction from James Cameron is also great and I liked the added action sequences, but I am glad that he did not ignore the horror elements brought by Ridley Scott in the first film. He did a very nice job blending the scares from the first one with a more actiony premise. This combination of thrills with the action is ultimately the film's largest success, as it makes it a very fun one to watch. It is hard to look away throughout because so much is always going on. The special effects were also, largely, good. There were some sequences that looked beyond fake, but all of the stuff with the aliens was convincing and well done. There are definitely some moments that feel a bit cliche here, but regardless of that, Aliens is a very successful sequel that takes what Alien did great and adds a little bit of greatness to it.

8/10 - Impossible not to fall in love with this one. It really is a great example of how fun a film can be and how enjoyable watching a film can truly be. The acting from Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, and Karan Soni, is great and very authentic. These people truly feel like real human beings and because of that, you can really identify with them. This is in large part thanks to the very good acting and the very good writing. The story really strikes a chord with you and the way it is presented is very good. I also like the the combination of comedy, romance, and sci-fi here. All are very well done and provide enough to keep your interest high. Overall, Safety Not Guaranteed is a funny, charming, touching, and exciting, little film that is worthy of the small amount of praise it got, though it may even deserve a bit more. It is not one of the best films ever, but it is a fun little watch that makes the hour and a half fly by like nothing.

8/10 - American Beauty may be a tad overhyped, but it is very good all the same. Kevin Spacey is fantastic as is the rest of the cast. Everybody really embodies their character thanks to great casting all around. The direction from Sam Mendes is great and it is amazing to think that this was his debut. The script is very good. It is witty and dark at the same time. It is hard to place my finger on what the film is about. It is not overly complex, but there are so many things that are going on, that you cannot really say what this one is about in a sentence without leaving out a ton of information. But, I will try. Ultimately, to me, American Beauty is about life and the facade's we all put up around our lives to project an image of what we want we to be, rather than what we truly are. However, even in saying that, it leaves you a lot of the topics discussed, such as self-liberation, sexuality, and love. Yet, I think my simplistic sentence briefly covers all of those to some degree, as they all deal with pretending things are not what they are. In addition, I really love the title. There are so many different meanings behind "American Beauty", whether it be the roses that are shown throughout the film, Mena Suvari's character, the beauty of the American Dream, or many other things. The film is not overly complicated, but has so many different plausible interpretations that it a fun film to dissect. American Beauty is a truly great work that is fun to watch and fun to discuss thanks to great acting, direction, and writing.

EuroCap · 08-13-2014, 12:55 PM

Spangs are you a movie critic now?

Btw watched Bad Boys II last night. Good, but I think the original Bad Boys still beats it.

Spangle · 08-13-2014, 01:09 PM

Quote:Originally posted by EuroCap@Aug 13 2014, 12:55 PM
Spangs are you a movie critic now?

Btw watched Bad Boys II last night. Good, but I think the original Bad Boys still beats it.

:lol:

I wish.

Spangle · 08-15-2014, 07:56 PM

8/10 - This one is a little slow in the beginning, but by the end, it is impossible to deny its greatness. Paul Newman and Robert Redford are brilliant here, as usual. They truly are a great duo, especially with director George Roy Hill who is great here. The way he tells the story is great, as it was in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Very unique and interesting to watch. The script is much heralded and it really lives up to the hype. It was very well-written and developed. All of the characters really come to life here. The set pieces and costume design are also top-notch and this film screams 1930s. Now, it has aged a little and it shows that age at times, but it really manages to hook you in and leave you shocked at the end. The way it manages to even con its audience is a very great thing to watch that makes the viewing experience all the more fun.

9/10 - This is certainly a great film. Ulrich Muhe (RIP) is splendid in the lead role and really kills it. The suspense and thrills of the spy genre are also here and in full force. This one manages to keep you on the edge of your seat without multiple action sequences and shootouts. It is a film built on tension and shows you how to create it without those scenes. As such, the direction from Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck is great, as is the script from him. Both his direction and the writing are top-notch. As with all foreign films, the fact that is in another language can be a barrier of entry for some, but for me, this one felt like it was in English. I barely even noticed they were speaking German I was so engrossed in the story. In addition, the ending is fantastic and really brings everything to a wrap nicely. As a whole, this one is deserving of the praise it has received and stands as one of the best spy films of the past 10 years.

6/10 - This one has many things going for it, but ultimately, does not live up to those parts. Firstly, the acting across the board is great. Nicolas Cage proves he still has it in 2014, Tye Sheridan is great, and Greg Poulter (RIP) is great in his only role ever. The look and feel of this one is very realistic thanks to the alright direction from David Gordon Green and the great cinematography. However, the ultimate undoing of this one is that while it is always interesting, there is just not enough happening. I cannot really point to ways in which these characters changed throughout the film, rather they seem to be about the same. In addition, the plot does not really do much and does have much depth to it. Thus, this film is essentially about a man who takes a kid under his wing, which is a film we have seen many times, such as Mud, which sounds very similar on paper and takes the elements it has and does brilliant things with them. Here, however, Joe squanders all of its good parts and winds up just being "ok". I cannot be mad at it, because it is enjoyable, but there is just not much to write home about here.

7/10 - This one is a pretty good biopic that provides a fair picture of a serial killer, who is portrayed brilliantly by Charlize Theron, who goes from being of the most beautiful women in Hollywood in many films to one of the ugliest people I have ever seen in this one in an amazing transformation. Christina Ricci's performance here is also quite strong, though she does get overshadowed by Theron's towering performance. As with many biopics, this one struggles to drum up enough drama to keep you interested, though it managed to always remain something that was intriguing to watch unfold. Ultimately, there is just not much to say about this one. For the most part, it is your usual biopic, except this time it is about a serial killer. The film does many things well, but none of it is great, except for Theron's performance, which really makes the film. There is nothing I can really point to that I did not enjoy here, I just did not love any of it. As a whole, Monster is a pretty good little film that packs a powerful performance from Charlize Theron.

7/10 - Another solid entry into the Coen Brothers' extensive filmography, Inside Llewyn Davis is a very pleasant and enjoyable look into the life of a fictional folk musician in 1960s New York. Oscar Isaac is phenomenal in the lead role and Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, and John Goodman, all stand out as some of the good supporting performances, in particular Mulligan, who really killed it. The music is also very good here and the fact that they are also results of the actors actually singing them is all the more impressive. The cinematography here is also splendid and I, in particular, really enjoyed the slight blue filter. It really captures the mood well and it simply looks really good and gives this one a distinctive look. The plot is simplistic, but very interesting and it feels entirely authentic to the times and the life lived by musicians at the time. Overall, Inside Llewyn Davis is a solid little film that is not, as a whole, great or very good, but it is very easy to watch and even easier to enjoy.

Spangle · 08-18-2014, 05:59 PM

8/10 - This one was very good and quite enjoyable. James Stewart and John Wayne are great together and for my first John Wayne film, I was not disappointed at all. Vera Miles is also good and Lee Marvin plays a great villain. The story was very interesting and I like the way it was told and introduced. It made it all the more intriguing to follow. The set pieces and costume design are also both very good, as is the cinematography. Now, the film looks very 1960s, so some of the acting and such is a bit over the top, but for me, that made this one all the more endearing and fun to watch. As with many of the old Westerns

7/10 - This one is very impressive. I am not a huge fan of John Hillcoat's, but his direction here is good as usual and he really manages to tell quite the beautiful and tragic story here. Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee are phenomenal. Robert Duvall, Charlize Theron, Michael K. Williams, Guy Pearce, and Molly Parker, all have very small roles here, but all are good in their roles and really make the film all the more tragic. Unrelentingly bleak, the worst (best?) part of this one is how it will give you a glimmer of hope from time to time and then it just rips your heart out again and steps on it. This makes the somewhat hopeful ending, almost depressing, since you know the positive will not last forever. This one is gorgeously filmed and it really shows how much beauty there is, even when things are going bad. Each shot, with its largely gray and bleak colorization, is breathtaking and, for me, is the true star of this film. While the acting is great, the cinematography is the true powerhouse here. The story is also solid, even if bleak. As a whole, the end result for this film is pretty good. It is not an amazing film, but it is most certainly powerful, beautiful, tragic, and filled with despair, all of which make it one that is tough to watch, but make for a good watch all the same.

5/10 - This one is alright. Robert Redford is very good, Brad Pitt is solid, and the plot is interesting, but beyond that, things struggle. First off, the plot is a little overcomplicated. There is so much going on that it can be hard to follow, even if you are paying attention. In addition to being overly complicated, the plot is 100% implausible. Some elements likely ring true, but the way things turn out and the events leading to the ending are completely implausible and simply not believeable. Speaking of the plot, it is entirely formulaic. I usually do not mind formulaic films, but this one is obnoxiously so. At times, it works and at others, it simply becomes too predictable. In terms of the direction, I am not a huge fan of Tony Scott. His storytelling here is sketchy and then other elements of this one are simply not for me. As with many of his films, he is simply too formulaic of a director and does nothing extraordinarily well. The editing is also bad, which is almost a guarantee in a Tony Scott film. In one scene in particular, it just kept cutting from a two-shot to close ups obnoxiously and without need, which was very distracting. Bad editing is usually when it is distracting and in many scenes here, it is distracting. Ultimately, however, Spy Game is in fact entertaining and fun to follow. Thanks to great performances and a satisfying ending and premise, this one is just mediocre, rather than a complete and utter disaster.

7/10 - I am not sure why this one is not more critically acclaimed honestly. Johnny Depp is fantastic here, as are Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, and Jason Clarke. The direction from Michael Mann is great as usual and he does a great job creating great thrills and excitement here. At times, things can get drowned out in a hail of bullets, but for the most part, things are very tense and exciting. The cinematography is good, the costume design is very good, and the production design is very good. The script is also solid and gets the job done. Now, this is not the best gangster film I have seen, but it is a darn good one and a very entertaining and well done look at the last days of John Dillinger that is bolstered by great direction and acting. Overall, this one is not a great film, but is certainly a good one that did not deserve the mixed reception it received.

8/10 - This was way better than I expected. Early on in the film, I was scratching my head as to why it was so critically acclaimed. However, by the end, I was sold. It is funny, exciting, touching, inspirational, and way more than some children's movie or just some movie about toys. I loved the animation technique and the voice acting from everyone is great, in particular Will Arnett as Batman, who is hilarious. I like all the references to different elements from Lego and different elements of the characters they portray. It really added to the humor and made the ride all the more enjoyable. The whole Lego World they created here is marvelous and they truly brought it to life. It was like watching my imagination from childhood, but with things actually built correctly and alive. A truly magical experience, The Lego Movie works on nearly every level imaginable and is worthy of the praise it has received.

EuroCap · 08-21-2014, 02:04 AM

I don't care what anyone says about Undercover Brother it will always be hilarious to me!

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