Fantastic Mr. Fox QUICKSHOT REVIEW!

Wow! Wes Anderson can direct a animated film and he comes off like a pro his first time through! Definitely a fantastic and well made film and everything works so well, but you can smell Wes Anderson from a far. Some of the jokes are sorta out of place, but doesn't detract from the heart of the picture. The animation is weird, but that fades away quickly and you end up losing yourself in the story! FULL-PRICE!!!

Antichrist REVIEW!

There comes a film that once in a while completely baffles me in terms of where to place it. In the whole time I reviewed films, I've rarely come across those films. Lars Von Trier's ANTICHRIST is definitely one of those rare and exceptional films. Without giving out too many spoilers this film was clearly written in a state of depression or in a time of pure grief. Von Trier has transported me to a world where you just feel the pain, blood, sweat, and tears present in every single frame of this beautifully shot film. However, I while I did enjoy the film to an extent, I can't quite defend it. It is a divisive film. There are a number of conflicting opinions on the film. Some call it an artistic achievement. Some call it just an offensive and terrible film and that the director is just "masturbating" on-screen. I called it a visceral experience and definitely not for the faint of heart.

On the positive side, this film has two great performances. Willem Dafoe is great in the role as "HE." His character is very sympathetic and you feel as if he is a character that is conflicted between choices of the intellect and choices of the heart. He is a well rounded character and I thought Defoe did a great job portraying that. The main thing that stood out for me was Charlotte Gainsbourg. She was fantastic in her role. She communicated that grief aspect to her character. I thought that she had a lot to say with simply her eyes and you do feel she has changed by the end of the picture. Both Her and Defoe did a great and believable performance, but Gainsbourg pulled a career defining performance. It takes a lot of bravery for Gainsbourg to pull off the emotions that she portrayed in the film. This is not a easy performance to watch or portray and she did a great job. You can see she is an actress with a lot of potential. The cinematography is just excellent. The film looks amazing and it has all of these nightmarish imagery that will shock you and stay with you for a long time to come.

On to the negatives.

While the visuals and the performances are definitely there, there doesn't really seem to be a rhyme or a reason as to why the extreme things are happening onscreen. There really isn't much to be said or much to connect by the end. Although this film has a lot of thematic material that is reaching out to a higher concept, the film just seems as if it is made more to shock than anything else. The film is just a visceral experience. It is stunningly shot, but it is very much an art house film of a different sort. The symbolism of the picture gives it a conflicting tone. It is called Anti-Christ, but the last act of the film doesn't really connect well to the promise from the first two acts. The last act is an all out endurance test. The two climatic set pieces that guarantee this will get an NC-17 rating, will have you cringe in your seat. It is pretty outlandish. The nudity in the film also becomes very distracting at points. The film after a while just had me question what is the purpose of trying to gross out or offend the audience. It is just buying into it's own ideals a bit too much and you get the sense that the director has completely alienated his audience for the sake of shock value.

Ultimately, I feel that the film was a strong experience in cinema, but not one I'd go back and rewatch again anytime soon. I'd say it's a beautiful looking film and it makes you dive into the nightmarish dreams of the director. It's definitely not a film for everyone. People will be split on the integrity of the film. While I did think it was worthwhile and not boring, I wouldn't recommend all to see it. I would say this film is a MATINEE, only because you owe it to yourself to see it in a cinema and get the full experience of the picture the way it was intended to be seen. This film is unapologetic as is Lars Von Trier's vision of a couple's descent into madness.

8 of 10

Gentlemen Broncos REVIEW!

In walking into this screening, I wasn't particularly too excited to see this. I tried to distance myself for my personal hatred towards Jared Hess. I don't think Napoleon Dynamite was one of the funniest films of this generation, I thought it was painfully boring at times. I thought Nacho Libre was a bit funnier, but still pretty bland and boring. Now comes to this. I heard about what kind of film this was, and noticed the talent attached behind it. Jermaine Clement and Michael Angarano was attached to this! I am a fan of Jermaine's work on Flight of the Conchords and I have been a fan of Michael's work in the underrated Snow Angels, so I actually was willing to give this movie a shot! Walking into the theatre, I experienced something I didn't think was going to happen. For the first 30 mins, I was really digging this movie! I was laughing! I thought this movie was going to a place that was going to have me really dig the shit outta it, but then again...it's a Jared Hess film...

HE FUCKS UP ROYALY IN THE LAST HALF OF THE FILM and HE LOSES ME!!!

GODDAMN IT!!!

Ok I am going to list some of the positives. On the positives, the thematic ideas behind the film easily push this film into the realm where it is Jared Hess' best work to date! The opening act of the film is a really interesting set-up. Jermaine Clement is hilarious in the film! Michael Angarano is good in the role. I actually liked his character for the most part. I thought that the 2 leads were great! We can't ignore Sam Rockwell! Sam Rockwell's scenes are all ridiculous, but are hilarious! Overall, the cast and the opening act is what this film has going for it.

What this film doesn't have going for it? Well in Essence...it's JARED HESS and the script. Goddamn was I betrayed by this film. I thought that the opening acts of the film were leading up to a really thoughtful story about what it means to be a writer and to get all of these bad stories out of your system. I connected to the film because I myself am a struggling writer! I bought all of the insecurities and the lame ideas that come from writing really bad stories. I thought this film was going to go places...but it fucking didn't. The opening acts really have some meat on the bones, but then the later half of the film turns into a total Jared Hess film and he has to throw all of the cheap cop-out/gross-out jokes and it becomes a tremendous mis-fire. The midpoint of the film had nothing else to say. The film reached a point where I was questioning "why is the director making THIS the main idea for the last acts?" I was saying to myself at the screening "No!....No!!! I WANT TO LIKE THIS!!! PLEASE!!!" The last acts tembling of the film seems abrupt and not becoming of the interesting ideas that this film had presented to me in the beginning! The feeling I felt coming out was just pure betrayal. The leads are all well cast and are built up enough to an ending that fuckin goes nowhere! The last act is where it all fuckin gets ridiculous. The jokes are all lame, boring, and in low taste and then out of her ass, one of the side characters pulls out a plot device that just comes out of nowhere and you can't believe for a single second that this character has the remote mental capacity to even contemplate doing what she does in the very last few minutes of the film. The film fucks up badly.

This is a film with a lot of potential. I was surprised by Jared Hess, but he went back to his old ways and screwed the film into the dirt despite having the wonderful talent behind him on this. I'd say that this film is a SOME OL' BULLSHIT!!! Skip out on this. If you really need to see this, watch the trailer as all of the best moments and pretty much the whole film is in it. Otherwise, It's not worth the time.

Saw VI + Paranormal Activity REVIEWS!

Hi guys! I decided to catch a double feature before the halloween weekend! I thought I'd give ya a double review!

First off

Saw VI

While this has a all of the elements of a Saw film, this was actually quite a surprise for me. While I think that this film won't garner new fans to the series, but this one holds up as a solid horror film. I've always liked the character of Jigsaw and this film actually has you sympathize with him for who he has gone after. Also the main story-line is actually interesting to the point where these traps are all well-conceived to where they people an emotional test for the audience as they are for the characters. Granted this is not great material, but it is one of the better written of the Saw sequels since the first 3 films. The traps do not disappoint and neither does this sequel. The positives have more to do with the story and it's a great close to Jigsaw's storyline and all of the major questions are solved, but it still leaves it open for a new film. The negatives of the film is that the acting apart from Tobin Bell (who is still great after 6 flicks) but the cast are all bad. Costas Mandylor is still terrible and I hate his character.

Overall, not a bad sequel to Saw. I dug it and thought that the film was good enough to redeem the series. You can take it as a satire that points out the flaws in the healthcare system, the traps are all elegantly constructed and great, and the story-lines are starting to wrap up. Saw VI is what the fans wanted from a Saw movie since Saw III. Easily one of the better films in the series. It is a MATINEE! Check it out!

7 of 10

Next Up

Paranormal Activity

I thought this film was quite Effective! It used no gore effects and it had enough legitimate scares that will pull you in and leave you in your seat just creeped out. While not as scary and amazing as people lead you to believe, it's a solid thriller. The film is a typical couple moves in story and all of this crazy stuff starts to happen. It's not particularly a great storyline, but the execution of the film is what drew me in. The lack of answers and the way these events unfolded were paced just fine. There are a number of scenes here that are just uncomfortable to watch and there is no monster in the picture. Just a force of nature and it's about how these kids make all the wrong choices and how their story concludes. The postives of the film have to be the set-pieces and the pacing of them. Each of the set pieces build up in tone and just leave you on the edge of your seat. The negatives is that the acting can become quite bad. Some of the moments just didn't play out real to me despite how realistic the filmmakers tried to make it. The situations take major leaps of faith in terms of what these characters would do.

Overall, with these minor complaints I found the film to be a breath of fresh air. While it maybe comprared to blair witch, I found this a much better film. It employed real scares with legitimately scary and creepy sequences. These sequences made me feel uncomfortable to where the film connected with me on that fear of being messed with in that vulnerable state of sleeping. Overall, I'd say this a a MATINEE! Not the masterpiece and becoming one of those overhyped films, it is a strong recommend to see this with a crowd or on a date and just have fun. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

(7 of 10)

Here ya go guys!!! Hope ya enjoyed and check these out soon during the weekend. Definitely a great time with a midnight screening crowd, friends, or with a date!

TAKE CARE GUYS!!

FUNNY PEOPLE Review!!

The Plot: This movie was spot on about what it has to say to be a comedian and how most of the great jokes that have come out of life are usually the horrible things that happen to us. The film sets up the fact that Sandler's character is a secluded comedian that is dying from a disease and when he gets wind of his impending death, he has nobody close to him to tell. This movie is about the bad mistakes that one goes through in life and what that means for you in the end. The main theme of this movie is what happens when life doesn't go exactly your way and what that means when you know exactly where you are supposed to go and you go in a completely different direction and about how we lie to ourselves to make our lives better. Director Judd Apatow nails so many different aspects of what it is to live in the life of an entertainer whose worse moments are the one the audience pays to hear about. He plays on the fact that both Ira and George are really two sides of the same coin and they parallel each other so well in terms of what Ira can become and what George used to be as a struggling comedian. The script also manages to create characters that are dimensional. The film knows what it wants to be and it achieves that so brilliantly. The script is written well to where we cringe at moments where these characters just have no spark in their comedy routines and we can't help but laugh along with the audience at the jokes that are working. It has you rooting for the characters when they crawl their way of the crap situation that they are in and just hate, but understand them at the points where they become competitive and cutthroat in getting their names out there. How it is in the real world. Everybody is waiting for the moment to play their card. When it comes they'll take it, but what are the ramifications of doing so. That is not to say that this film ain't funny. The jokes are almost kinda of incidental to the plot. The real funny bits comes from the more depressing moments of the film, but that is the point to it where our worst moments are our funny bits and we take those shitty moments and try to make people smile with them. But this film is definitely funny, but its not the typical Judd Apatow film. It also is funny in the fact that they are congruent with the real world that you get one of the characters going to see a movie that just opened up in theaters a few weeks ago, and making jokes about how Seth Rogen lost too much weight and needs to gain it back to be funny. It had me chuckle a few times at those moments when it realized there is a real world. It leaps beyond being a comedy and actually tells an engaging and heartfelt story about a guy who comes to a point where he realizes where he is going to end up and realizing he has nothing. The film is quite depressing at times, but that is exactly the intention so that we come to care for each of these characters and Apatow nails it! Overall, a great script and the ending is great and sentimental.

The Acting: The acting in this film is very subdued and not as over the top as some of the other Apatow films. This isn't 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up, but it isn't trying to be or outdo them. It is more comparable to Punch Drunk Love or Spanglish. This is a more introverted, deeper, and darker story. With that said, all the performances are pretty much excellent. The standouts in this film has to be Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen. The both play their parts very subtly and they aren't trying to outdo each other. They complement each other and they work as a duo in this film. I also liked how Apatow was able to reign in Sandler from being "Adam Sandler" and just have him give a strong dramatic and comedic performance. Seth Rogen was also great and he plays everything a bit more straighter than any of his previous films and he is a idiot like the rest of us, but that is why he works so well in this film. He doesn't know where to start his career off as a comedian, and he isn't funny. The writing for his character shows an arc that is very satisfying by the end of the picture. The performance by Leslie Mann was also effective and I did enjoy watching the scenes between her and Sandler as they added a lot of depth to the narrative and punctuates the mains points of the film so well. The one actor that really surprised me was the Eric Bana character. Without giving too much away, you kinda are lend to not like this cat from the ads and even in the film, but when you are introduced to this character, you would gladly have a beer with this guy because he is a good dad. If he is a good husband, I'll leave that to you to find out. Overall, great cast with appearances by famous comedians and the typical Apatow crew all shine in this film at various points.

The Negatives...

Well, there isn't much I have to say against the film except that the film had a rough start. The film felt as if there was an uncertainty of tone and it felt as if it took awhile to find itself, but that is a minor quibble and that went away fast. I just enjoyed the film, but it does run a bit long at times. Some of the scenes could have been trimmed without hurting the film, but its just a case of tightening the film up.

Overall, I enjoyed the hell out of this film and this isn't 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up, this is something completely different. It is a very relatable story and it is effectively maybe Judd Apatow's strongest piece of writing thus far as it doesn't rely on the jokes as his other films do. I'd give it a FULL-PRICE! I enjoyed the hell out of this film!

Till next time keep the laughs coming! :P

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince REVIEW!

Harry Potter in the past few years since this engrossing series has debuted, it has become one of the most well-known story arcs of this generation. Harry Potter is a global phenomenon. J.K Roweling has in fact created such memorable characters that charm both children and adults alike. It has become one of our most endearing and debated film adaptations to date. People argue about these films and what they left out, and the endless debates about how in the hell the 7th book will be adapted properly to film. The Harry Potter franchise has it's devotees and it's wild fan-base. I myself, wouldn't have called myself that. I didn't read the books. I just decided to sit down and see each film as it is. I started with the second film. I came late into the series, but as soon as I saw The Chamber of Secrets; I dug the franchise and I couldn't wait to check out the first film and see the next one! The Prisoner of Azakban was fantastic! Goblet of Fire was my favorite to date because it was both thrilling and it gave me some surprises. I thought that Order of The Phoenix was a bit of a misfire. I remember being at the Chicago test-screening for part 5 back in February and being disappointed. I waited till I saw the completed film in IMAX 3D and was still a bit disappointed because the series at that point had started to turn into "filler-films" until the next one, with no real conclusion.

Which brings us to this film. Overall, I felt that this film was better than the last Potter film. It definitely harkens back to the spirit of the third film where it was a more character-driven film. One of the things that struck to me about this series is that as the kids are growing, so is the stories. In the first film, it played most of the twists safely where you knew these kids weren't in any real danger, but it was still thrilling. That all went out the window with the forth film in which all bets were off! I was excited for that turn and dug the films more for it. As much as I didn't enjoy Order of the Phoenix, there were certain aspects that I loved about it that I'd wish they spent more time developing.  With all that said, this film feels like these stories are growing to be more adult and mature stories and it definitely should because it only makes sense to grow as these characters are growing with us.

The Plot of the film is very interesting in which Harry is delving deeper into the Death Eaters by way of following Malfoy's involvement in the group and going into some of the backstory of Voldemort's childhood and his stay at Hogwarts. The plot is very much a character driven piece with not too many action sequences. There is maybe only two action pieces in the whole film. Nothing really happens, but this isn't that type of film. This film is trying to tell a more introverted story and it's about how these characters are finding themselves by the choices they make that leads to what they will come to deal with later on in their lives, not just against Voldemort, but also with each other. The film to me is about choice and the repercussions that come along with that. So for myself, I enjoyed the plot.

Everyone in the film is as strong as they have been. The real standouts of this film is Hero Fiennes-Tiffin and Frank Dillane as the Voldemort/ Tom Riddle at ages 11 and 16 respectively. Young Tom's story is really the hook for this story. You watch the kid's performances and you look into their eyes, and you see the evil that they are more than capable of later on in their lives. Espiecally Hero Fiennes-Tiffin, because you read his performance and it you sense this kid is not one to be trusted for those few scenes he is in. Voldemort doesn't appear in the movie, but you feel his presence all throughout the film. They also clearly establish a tone for this film. This series of films are gettin progressively darker and mature. The structure of this film is simliar to some of the great sequels in which these characters are all put to the test and you see the change that has occured in them, especially in Harry. The last film felt more passive at times, but in this film by the end you see he is ready to take on the journey that lies ahead of him. Malfoy is also a good performance as his character gets a lot of screentime and you feel that he and Harry are both trying to live up to the image that have been pushed upon them. I got more of the sense that these two are very silmilar in nature as opposed to the previous films in which it seemed more like a rivalry. This is the rivalry gone sour. There is definitely a lot of meat on the bones of this story for sure. The visual effect sequences are still amazingly well done, but I can't really picture what sequences are going to use the IMAX 3D technology. This film seemed a bit anti-climatic with just action set pieces that occur way before the climax of the picture.

On to the negatives...

The pacing of this film was definitely off at times. There was definitely things that could have been cut down. This film runs at a two hours and thirty minute runtime and that can get a bit tendious at times. There is some interesting stuff happening, but it does feel a bit too long. Another big complaint that people had walking out of this screening was the fact that nothing happens. While I was fine with that because I know that there is going to be two more Harry Potter movies, this is definitely going to hurt the film because it leaves a weird taste in your mouth when the credits roll. You just feel as if you saw more filler film until Death Hallows part I comes out (which will be another filler film until part 2 comes out) I know that by the time the next film rolls out, they will have to stop holding back and really let this series go out with a bang. I was with this film halfway in and then it started to drag. 

Some of the character relations seem a bit forced at times. The love stories between both Ron and Harmonie and Harry and Ginny's relationship seemed a bit forced. It seems as if Ron and Harmonie built up their relationship to where it could work, but how it happened just seemed a bit off. Harry and Ginny's relationship seemed to have happened too fast for myself. I felt as if there was no real lead up to it and that it happened simply because it happened in the book.

I can see why the first test screenings for this film had such a negative response, but I wouldn't call this movie a bad one. Overall, I did have enjoy the film for what it was, but I know a lot of filmgoers are going to be left a bit disappointed, but the fans will eat this film up! For myself, I'd give it a MATINEE! I enjoyed it more than part 5, but I hope in part 7 Harry goes all out. What I am enjoying about this film is the promise of what is to come in future films. This was a good character piece, but this is a set up for part seven. That film is going to pick up where this one leaves off and I want to see that story!

Till Next Time guys, heres my two cents!

Bruno REVIEW

To call this film offensive would be an understatement. The best way I can possibly describe this movie is...well for lack of better word: GAY! Like I'm talking really GAY! But that is not to say that this is a bad movie at all. 

First off I actually laughed my ass at this movie! Watching Sasha Baron Cohen do his thing as Bruno is frickin' hysterical and he definitely fits more awkward turns as Bruno than he does with Borat with this being a exaggerated outspoken gay male. That is the point to this film. People tend to view gayness as a taboo subject. It seems people have a much bigger problem with gay people than they do with foreigners. That is where Sahsa's Bruno comes into the picture. He is basically there to exploit this fear of gayness to the point where it becomes over the top and funny. The first ten minutes of this film very clearly set up what this film is going to be in terms of gay content and it just tops itself over and over again. That is to say that this film achieves everything it sets out to do as a comedy. It just wants to make us laugh awkwardly and hysterically. It works, but I can definitely say coming out of this first screening that it's not going to be a film for everybody. It plays very heavily on the gay jokes. Note that these gay jokes isn't Sasha going over the top with some of these jokes. He is just rolling out evidence that he is gay and we watch how everybody in the film freaks out at his various and over the top ways of showing how proud he is to be gay. The joke is more on the audience rather than Bruno. This film presents gayness and tells you to deal with it because nobody is going to or should hold back. It presents the idea that being gay is fine and the only problem with it is YOU because you can't deal with it. If you can take the gayness of this film, then your in for some laughs.

Going over the film, the acting and plot of the film...is almost non-existent. It is a mockumentary that is funny and it doesn't try to achieve anything more than that. The talent of Sasha Baron Cohen is not wasted and he takes the audience to the full extent of what can pass as funny. The technical aspects of this film are almost incidential and they don't really add much to this film. It is meant to be more about what is being presented on-screen rather than how it is being shown.

I know a lot of people are going to be compraring this film to Borat. But the fact of the matter is that this film is not trying to outdo Borat. This is more or less the same film with the same beats. Only difference this time is that Borat was a revolutionary film in the fact that it decided to use real life and real people in bizzare situations as the backdrop for the humor in a way that hadn't been presented to a mainstream audience before. Borat was the revelation, Bruno is the evolution. In that sense, these two films and characters are radically different from each other and they both work for different reasons. The filmmakers and Sahsa both were clearly trying to say something different with this film. For the most part, they definitely achieved that.

As for the negatives, I really can't think of too many. Sometimes some of the situations ran a bit too long and needed to be cut, but this film is an hour and twenty minutes, so time is definitely not the issue. This is a very small complaint.

Overall, I laughed, gaged, was disturbed, but I had a fun time. I'd give this one a MATINEE. It's definitely a movie to see with an audience. Funny film! Thanks Sasha for disturbing me and throwing a few laughs in the mix. Bruno is funny, but it's not Borat, nor does it need to be. This stands out on it's own.

Till next time, here's my two cents folks!

Public Enemies Review!

I had high hopes for this film. You would have thought that a film with such a high calibar cast with the likes of Christian Bale, Morian Cotillard, and the always great Johnny Depp as the famous John Dillinger, with direction by Heat director: Michael Mann would surely be a sure fire and a definite hit. I am sad to say that as a fan of Michael Mann's, Christian Bale's, and Johnny Depp's work and the legacy of the outlaw that was John Dillinger that this movie is just ok.

To start off with some of the positive aspects about this film. The acting is definitely good. Christian Bale did a suitable job as Pervis, and so did Marion Cotillard as Billie, but the standout of this film is definitely Johnny Depp as John Dillinger. Johnny was definitely the right person for the role of Dillinger. Depp captured the sagger and he definitely was the most well defined of all the characters. Depp is radiating charisma on-screen that you just can't help but cheer for him. He has such a scene stealing presence that you really want this guy to win. Depp was good as Dillinger, but not fantastic. The film also captured the vibe of the 1940's very well. I thought that it was represented onscreen and I believed the world that was presented. The shoot outs were cool, but flawed with the shakey camera. The sound is awesome in these sequences. The intensity is definitely there and is vivid in these sequences! The opening sequence definitely well establishes the mood for the film and it's definitely there at different points in the film.

Now onto the negatives...

First off, much of the blame for why this film just doesn't work for me has to go to the Director Michael Mann. I know Mann is capable of doing great things with a story, but here, he just feels very amateur and the film feels very anti-climatic because of it. The action scenes have no real payoff at the end of them. The Bank Robbery sequences almost feel secondary. My problem with the film has nothing to do with the talent at all, my problem is what Michael Mann decided to focus on in the story. What he chooses to focus on is the romanticized love story between Depp and Marion. Which can be fine, but Mann doesn't make it interesting for the characters or to the audience. The script for the film just isn't all that interesting. The love story to me, just didn't work here. It feels very underdeveloped by the climax of the picture and you have no sense of feelings for these two to be together. They miss certain aspects about John Dillinger that would have told a much more fascinating story. John Dillinger got into robbing banks for one reason: The People. He wanted to in some way show the rest of the country that they didn't have to take shit from the upper class and that everybody deserves a slice of that pie. He was there for the granduer. They briefly only hint at it at scenes, but that was the essence of Dillenger. Dillenger was a bad guy to begin with and Depp captures that well, but not to the full extent that it could have. The conclusion in which this character comes to feels out of character and not Dillinger. And what they decide to focus on in thr film in place of that just doesn't seem all that interesting. The dialogue has no real pop to it and the rest of the cast is just a bit underused.

One of my major gripes with the film is that just looks like crap and looks very amatuerish. This is not steming from the fact that it was shot on digital, its just the all the hand held stuff in the film becomes too much at a point and you just want Michael to stop fuckin shake the camera during a quiet 2 way conversation. I have no problem with shooting digital. One of my favorite films of last year (Slumdog Millionaire) was shot with sequences in digital, but those sequences were very climatic and definitely worked for that film well, and it looked gorgeous! The shakey camera sticks out like a sore thumb in a lot of this film and it becomes a distraction. Keep in mind, I loved Cloverfield, but the handheld stuff doesn't complement the narrative in this film. The editing choices in the film are also sometimes downright horrible. The editing is very amateurish at times. The cuts feel very unmotivated at times and pull you out of the experience of the film altogether. The looks of the film is very compromised due to the excessive use of the hand held altogether to where you really noticed the technical obstacles that this film just doesn't overcome. The pacing of the film is all over the place. It starts off strong, then it becomes very slow to a tortoise pace. Although I was able to stay awake through the film, I was only halfass engaged with the film at these slow points. I was more encompassed by Depp in this film than anything. Overall, much of the flaws this film has is stemmed from Mann's direction with the film.

Overall, Much of the film feels like a missed opportunity. This film could have been amazing, but it is hendered by a lot of the problems inherent in Mann's Collateral(2004) and Miami Vice(2006). I wanted to love this film. I wanted to say that this was the Mann that we were waiting for since 1995's HEAT. But it is unfair to comprare this to Heat because this is a radically different animal than that film was. Overall it was just ok, but definitely a missed opportunity that could have been fantastic. I'd give it a RENTAL at best. I know I am biased to a certain extent because I am very familiar with Dillinger and what the great depression did to lower class folks to push them to these limits. Not a total mis-fire. Sorry guys, but John Dillinger definitely deserved better.

Till next time, keep the films rolling!

TRANSFORMERS 2 REVIEW

Loud and even louder. This sequel is a mixed bag for myself. First off, I did like the first Transformers film a lot. There was definitely a lot to love about the original and I had a lot of entertainment from it. Which brings us to this sequel. This sequel has a lot of trade offs in which some aspects are better and some aspects are worse. 

On the positive side, the action sequences are much more better and bigger than the previous film. Michael bay definitely proves that he is a master with shooting action sequences and he definitely shows his talent in each frame of the big set pieces. Each action sequence eclipses what the previous action scene had in it's previous set piece. the biggest improvement is the ROBOTS! The CGI is as masterful and better looking than the previous film's CGI. The Robots are so highly detailed that you are just going to be amazed by the film. The robots covered a wide range and they get more and more crowd pleasing. They provide for some fantastic action sequences and are huge crowd pleasers! For those who were disappointed with Megatron in the first film, you won't be disappointed in this film. He has a much bigger role in this film. The editing of the film also is more improved than the last film. Bay has heard our prayers for a more cohesive editing style for a transformers and he delivered. 

Onto the negatives. These all stem from story-line and the script. I didn't really connect to the film as I did the last time. There are some moments in this story line where you just have to kind of take big leaps of faith, even for this material. The plot makes no sense whatsoever! You can smell the fact that Michael Bay wrote this film and had the writers (Kurtzman, Orci, and Kruger: The same team who gave us the great STAR TREK film this film!) try to connect his shitty script to make some sense. Another improvement is that the film was seem-lying focusing on was Sam and the transformers relationship and then they dump it out the window! There is a twist that had me question where are the boundaries in the Decepticon's "transformations?" It becomes too much at one point and it becomes almost comedic to where it pulled me out of the film. The film could have done without this "human" transformation, it was just weird and juvenile.

The other compliant with this film is from the actors and the story. I couldn't connect to the emotions and the characters in the film. One problem stems from the new villain of the film "The Fallen." The backstory behind how these transformers are on Earth seemed a bit shoe-horned to buy it. What I didn't like with the edition of The Fallen was the fact that they turned Megatron into Darth Vadar with their master and apprentice relationship. I also thought that some of the humor didn't belong in this film and it seemed real out of place. Another big problem is that the Transformers are not interesting at the least! They are boring me! Character development (if you can call it that) was horrible and sacrificed for the great action sequences. 

One of the biggest complaints I have about this film, is that is it downright overly offensive at times. With the transformers that play radical racial stereotypes that just don't fit in the film and you get the sense that Bay let his ego get to his head and just put whatever he felt was funny into the film. It was something that I just thought the film definitely didn't need and it was just out of place. This film just feels as if the bad jokes from Michael Bay's other films (Bad Boys, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor) have made their way into this film, 10 fold!

Overall, I'd place this film right next to the original. Some improvements, but it is very flawed. It's as entertaining and awesome as it can be expected. Overall, I'd say this is a MATINEE to see it on a big screen. This is definitely meant for the big screen. It's a summer action film, but it is very flawed. definitely not Bay's masterpiece, but I liked it fine as dumb summer entertainment and it was ok. Check it out on the big screen because this definitely dumb summer entertainment, but don't try to take this movie seriously at all. A supervisor from work was angry that the whole theater laughed at the screening, and there is no way you can go through the whole film without laughing your ass off! Go see it, and just turn your brain off. For those of you who are going to pay to see this film in IMAX, there is some sequences shot for IMAX, but MICHAEL FUCKIN BAY IS NOT A CHRISTOPHER NOLAN!!!! The IMAX sequences are weird for the shots that Bay decided to choose to shoot on IMAX. THE DARK KNIGHT was a fucking technical achievement in IMAX, but Bay seems to have only a case of "IMAX-envy" from DARK KNIGHT's record breaking numbers at imax, that he wanted to try the same thing. When the film comes out on BLU-RAY, it's going to be a near schizophrenic transfer that will drive people nuts! I wouldn't say it's really bad, but I'd say it's everything I thought it was going to be, only worse. Check it out once in the summer and you'll never see it again.

Disapointed by Transformers...(sigh)

See ya next time guys!

YEAR ONE REVIEW!

Hey guys! Just got back from a pre-screening of Harold Ramis' YEAR ONE starring Jack Black and Michael Cera, produced by Judd Apatow.

Bottom line? The movie was ok. I found myself laughing at seeing the usual Apatow crew and noticing where they were scattered. The story didn't really cut it out for me, as much as the message behind the film was strong enough, but everything else was kind of flat.

The Positive aspects about this film as with any Apatow film is the casting. Peppered throughout the entire film are cameos from Apatow regulars in unexpected roles (Bill Hader, McLovin, Hank Azeria, Paul Rudd, and Kyle Gass to name a few) Jack Black and Michael Cera work surprisingly well for this type of film. I am personally always annoyed by Michael Cera doing his whole "I am uncomfortable in my own skin with members of the opposite sex" act that I thought I was going to hate him, but I actually did like him in the film. Faring as well was Jack Black. He pulled his whole Jack Blackism as he does in every film, but had fun watching him in this. I thought the one character that stole the show a lot of the time he was onscreen was Oliver Platt as the High Priest. He was hilarious and the conclusion his character comes to just has you laughing all through. The low points of this film is the storyline. The storyline is very cheesey and predictable and seems to just shoehorn biblical elements for the sake of parodying them. The scenes that worked the best for Me was in the first act and 3rd act and beyond. I wasn't really bored, but that second act was real weak and it was leaving me a bit bored at times. Overall, the movie was ok and it was entertaining. However, I can't quite recommend this one to everybody. This film seems like a misstep for the guy who wrote classics such as Caddyshack and Ghostbusters. It definitely is one of the weaker of the Apatow films to come out. I can't say it's horrible, but I can definitely say that it's a solid RENTAL. Don't pay to see it one the big screen, you'll have a much better time being able to have a few drinks and watch this film (as I was able to for this screening :D) but it's an ok film, just be sure to rent it at best if you really want to see it.

There ya go, Disapointed by Judd and crew. Maybe this will be their slight start of a downfall or will this be Judd's Drillbit Taylor and will he redeem himself with Funny People this summer? Time will tell! Till next time guys!

Still laughing and still on about THE HANGOVER! ;D

I enjoyed the hell out of this film! This is about a solid of a comedy as I have seen in a while. This is definitely the Todd Phillips we have been craving for since he did Old School. Like that film as well this is pretty much about guys who decide to have a guy's ramp, and that goes horribly wrong. This film is hilariously paced to where as each revelation is uncovered, you get the sense that these guys went through too much too quickly. Although highly implausible, it's a comedy and this very much plays to the points where the plot becomes nearly impossible, but its pretty damn hilarious. What this film also does is create characters that we can easily relate to or know from our lives. 

The plot is very much a mystery/comedy. They are trying to find that one member of the group that is getting married and they are busting their balls trying to find this guy. That is the whole point to this film is that by the beginning of the last act, all bets are off and you don't know how this could possibly end. It was enjoyable to have these moments play out for the laughs. The actors are all perfectly cast as well. I liked Bradley Cooper's character in the film, Ed Helms is pretty naive and hilarious at that too, but the real standout of the film has to be Zack Galifianakis. It's funny because last year Zack was in a little film called WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS (2008) and the only laugh I got out of that piece of FOX mediocrity was when Zack Galifianakis appeared on screen for those 2 minutes, and this film is definitely his calling card because he just steals every scene he is in and makes everything that much more uncomfortable and hilarious! He's such a great comedian and it's definitely good to see him shine in a film like this because he rightly deserves so. This is definitely a Todd Phillips film. Peppered throughout the film is some great comedians and cameos that you'll just love. 

Overall, this is definitely going to be a classic in every sense! This is very much a film by people who have clearly been on this type of night out and they are willing to bring you along on this crazy ass trip, and if you take it you'll have a great time. This film as any great night out ends with a few horrific revelations and laughs with your buddies!

With that said...

HIGH FULL PRICE!!! GO SEE IT NOW AND SEE IT WITH SOME BUDDIES...

and a few drinks on top of that won't hurt neither!...Until...

The hangover starts up. Ha ha ha ha

Enjoy the Flick guys!

Till next time, here's another two cents!

Drag Me To Hell Mr. Riami!!!!

Dear Mr. Sam Riami:

Thank You for giving us yet another great hard nipple in the rain sequence!

With that said...

Thanks for coming back to your horror roots for another fun time at the movies! 

This film is just a really fun time at the movies! This film is meant to be over the top and a thrill ride and Riami delivers, and beat for beat this works as well as his older forays into the horror genre. There is a nice blend of obesity and comedy with some truly scary imagery in this film. The film is essentially Riami's love letter to his Evil Dead and horror fans and it works to where you don't have to be a lover of those films to appreciate the film he's given us here. Even anybody who is a fan of the Spider-Man films can love this film (as I was, because I got fish-hooked into the Evil Dead series after seeing the Spider-Man films) but Sam is back in the best way. Say what you will about Spider-Man 3 (2007) and as much as I actually enjoyed the film, you can tell Riami's heart was definitely into this film every step of the way. The basic premise is a young girl that gets cursed by an ol' ass hag of a gypsy and she needs to find a way to break the curse. Simple, but effectively hilarious and over the top. I really dug what Riami was going for in this film as he does provide some gag inducing moments in the film (I say it in the best possible way) with good horror moments. Alison Lohman does a suitable job in this picture and I did like her arc as a character and the ultimate conclusion that this film comes to is suitable and it does fit. I remember hearing about how Ellen Page was cast in the role Alison ended up playing, and was really excited because I do like Ellen Page's work, but Alison Lohman really does work well in the picture. I liked Lohman in the role. You can't not talk about the cast without mentioning Lorna Raver as Mrs. Ganush as she is freakin creepy as all hell and the moment she appears onscreen she does give the sense that you don't want to mess with this ol' woman! She does a fantastic job in the role and she makes it her own. The scenes between her and Alison in the very beginning is sure to draw applause, laughs, and gags! Its all so deliciously good! The plot has a lot to love about it. It is not being serious in the least. It is simply going to tell a story and just deal with it. I know some people gagged at the fact this was PG-13, it makes no difference whatsoever! This is Riami, and he is doing what he loves and if you're willing to go for the ride, you'll have a lot of fun with this film! I enjoyed the "hell" out of this film! I'd say a definite FULL-PRICE!!! Go see it with a couple of friends and with some alcoholic beverages in hand because I can't morally endorse drug use. Fun time at the movies! Go see it!!! 

Till next time! Here's my two cents!

UP review!

Wow! Within the first 10 minutes of the film, I got more story than most of the films I have seen so far this year! I loved the Hell out of this film. This is high "up" there with the best pixar films since Finding Nemo. Its personally better than Wall-E because you fall in love with the character of Carl very early on and you love this mean old man. This film is just a great Exercise in storytelling. The film doesn't prepare you for the emotional punch that this film hits you with time and time again. This is a film that is so radically different than any animated film you have seen. I love the direction that Pixar is taking with their films since the Incredibles by making their films much more mature, but having enough visual and storytelling interest that will draw the younger audiences. This film just hits you so hard emotionally and comically that you are just going to love the hell out of this film. The story is stunningly emotional and its above all a great kid's and adventure film. The animation is great and the 3D was cool. The voice acting works. Talking about the voice acting, you can't not talk about the talking dogs. The talking dogs are so damn funny and they make the talking dog idea work in a way we have never seen before. Dug is obviously one of the best characters of the film and you can't help but easily fall in love with a character in this film. I also love that there is not a single pop culture reference in the whole film and the last 45 minutes are fantastic! Overall, this is one of the best pixar films of all time. The emotional impact is amazingly delivered. I love the overall message of the film! It's such a fantastic piece of film that it's got "classic" written all over it! I say it's a HIGH FULL-PRICE!! GO SEE THIS FILM! 2D or 3D the film is fantastic, hilarious, and emotional! This is one of the best films of 2009 and it's about time for an animated film to win best picture, thats how great this story is!

Terminator Salvation!

Ok, so I have been waiting for a new Terminator film for the past 18 years of my life since the last one Terminator 2 came out in 1991. Note that I said Terminator 2 was the last one, not fucking Terminator 3 from back in 2003. Terminator 3 was a shit storm of an action movie that just didn't work. I couldn't connect to it or care about any of the characters. Terminator 3 left me speechless in the sense that now the franchise was going down and no hope of light at the end of the tunnel. I hated what the third film stood for which was sucking the tit from James Cameron's masterful creation. That movie just didn't work and it wasn't as deep as any of the films that had come before it and it just left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Now the news of the director of the Charlie's Angels movies was at the helm to direct the next Terminator film? I cried that this film was going to suck balls. Then I heard that my all-time favorite actor Christian Bale had signed on to play John Connor. Hook line and sinker, I was going to see this film no matter what. That was about a year and half ago. Which brings us to now! 

The trailers for this film got better and better. It showed that this had potential to be awesome. I got the see the film after much debacles and mix-ups, but I finally got to see it at a packed 10pm screening on Thursday night! Needless to say...I DUG IT ALOT! I thought that this film was spot on the action sequences. This one definitely has more action than T3, but T3's action set pieces seemed very forced and were terribly edited. Terminator Salvation's set pieces seemed to fit together in more of the grand scheme of the way the action fit into the first two films. Is it any better or as good as the first two? Not by a mile unfortunately. But that is not to say that this is a bad film by any stretch. Far from the turd that was T3.  

The basic premise of this film follows John Connor's search for Kyle Reese (true fans will know their relationship) and his rise in the resistance to attaining that symbol of hope for the future as was told in the last 3 films, while we also follow a death-row inmate named Marcus Wright, who was put to death in 2003 and wakes up in the post apocalyptic world. The plot of the film had more meat on the bones than did T3. T3 was just a rehash of T2 in every respect. Salvation feels like it's own thing now. It feels as if it is paying respect to the original films and it is merely trying to build upon those moments in the future that were only glimpses at. This is it's own animal. They are not trying to outdo Cameron, simply pay tribute to his films. The acting this ok. There are Three stand-outs from the film. Christian Bale as John Connor was awesome, but he was kind of one note. It seemed as if he played the role a bit too badass and rough. With that said, he was an awesome John Connor. He does not feel as weak as the previous ones and does a very suitable job with the role. This is the future and hard-edged John Connor and Bale pulls it off. But he wasn't my favorite role in the film. This is turning into Anton Yelchin's breakout summer with this and Star Trek. As he did in Star Trek, he nails a role that was loved by many and does an awesome job and gives a very loving and respectful portrayal of Michael Biehn's role in T1. You feel for this character as he is trying to survive and how he came to become who he was in the first Terminator.  

The real standout in this film and I guarantee he will be the next big thing is Sam Worthington! He fucking does a fantastic job with the role of Marcus Wright! I loved his character and the angle they decided to play it off with in the mid-point of the film. Marcus was the one character I connected to and just wanted to see more of and he steals this picture from Christian, and that is a tough act to pull as a newcomer. So kudos to Sam! He's got this, James Cameron's AVATAR (2009) due out in Christmas!, and the remake of Clash of the Titans coming out, it is no doubt that he will be the next big thing and all I can say is bring it on Sam!  

In terms of the directing, McG does a surprising job with the film. It is clearly lacking in the direction at times and it feels as if he could have helped tone his actors a bit more in some scenes, but he did a much better job with the film than Jonathan Mostow did with the last film as you can smell it from a mile that McG can handle himself with this material better and I am glad that he can, cause he made one badass of a Terminator Flick.  

Overall, this film was an awesome ride. This is on it's way to being one of my favorite films of the summer. It was badass! It was everything it needed to be to breath some life into this series that was flatlining after Terminator 3. Terminator 3 nearly killed the franchise, and this film Salvaged it. While the ending was a bit of a stretch, and seemed a bit off, I took it. This is the Terminator film that I wanted with Terminator 3, but it is not perfect. This film has a couple of flaws to it in terms of some of the acting and the script, but it was a thrill-ride and I had a shitton of fun with it! I'd give this one a HIGH FULL PRICE! Definitely a worthy entry into the franchise! This film is clearly made by people who love the Terminator Mythos and get it. Lots of references for the die-hard fans that will just eat this film up! I love the direction this series is heading with this arc. Fun time at the movies and killer summer action flick!

Till next time, Heres my 2 cents! Enjoy the flick and have a great memorial day weekend!

The First Post!

It's Andres!

Your Friend and humble newcomer to the blogosphere! I decided to take it upon myself to give my two cents to some of the new entertainment news that has been going on. First off, I want to start off with some of the current events in the news. So with that said, I don't believe in absolutism. I have an opinion and I understand everyone else will have an opinion. I actually like to be wrong or have someone change my mind because I don't believe in being closed minded. I want to expand my mind, if you have an opposing opinion, I'd love to hear it. I do not claim to know more than anyone else, but I do love to comment on random ass things and I'll drop a line for my films here and there. With that said, if you enjoy rants, vulgarities, and an opionion on random ass facts by Some Random Spanish dude? Then sit back and enjoy. I will post as often as I can and bring you my two cents every now and again!

Enjoy Guys!