Crash is about a group of people whose lives effect one another unintentionally in dramatic ways.
Crash possesses all the characteristics a good movie should, a good cast, action, emotion and excitement. The entire cast is connected in ways that they would never realize. They speak different languages, make different amounts of money and have different colored skin but they interact with each other everyday.
An upper-class white couple, an upper-class black couple, a Persian storeowner and his family, two gay police officers, a Mexican locksmith and his family, two African-American car jackers, an innocent white rookie cop, a middle-aged Korean couple – all living in Los Angeles and by the conclusion of the movie they all collide.
Many stereotypes are addressed, many hard to believe but realistic attitudes are uncovered and in the end, each character learns a valuable lesson.
“Crash” is the film equivalent of a 'crash course' in the horrible results of racism. This film took me through just one day of the lives of several different people on the financial and cultural ladder in L.A.
Starring: Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon & Sandra Bullock. Ludacris is also in this film & surprisingly does a good job as do all the other actors.
The movie is eye-opening to say the least but definitely enjoyable.
If your looking for a solid drama that closely resembles the many problems that Americans face on a daily basis then watch Crash.
Score: 8 out of 10
Recommend? yes absolutely.
My Cousin Vinny
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
An older film, out in 1992 but still one of my favorite comedies is My Cousin Vinny. The movie is about two young New Yorkers (Billy and Stan) from New York traveling through rural Alabama on their way to college. They forget to pay for a can of tuna and are arrested, all the while thinking its because of the tuna.
But they end up being falsely accused of murder because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
They call in Bill's cousin, Vincent Gambini (played by Joe Pesci) to defend them but the only problem is Cousin Vinny has no courtroom experience and had to re-take the bar exam 6 times. He's actually a personal injury lawyer and nearly incapable of managing this case.
Vinny brings along his fiance, Mona Lisa Vito (played by Marisa Tomei) for support but she actually gives Vinny a run for his money. VInny and Mona Lisa are hilarious together and will always stand as two of my favorite comedic characters. Decked out in black leather and big hair with thick Brooklyn accents VInny and LIsa are quite a site for Whazoo City, Alabama.
It's a straight up clash of cultures that makes for great comedic acting.
Vinny goes into the case with no experience but works hard and comes out successful with a lot of laughs along the way.
Probably the most hilarious scene in the film is when Stan is in jail, horrified at the prospect of being paired up with an affectionate cellmate. In his initial meeting with Stan, Vinny doesn’t clearly indicate that he’s Billy’s cousin and the conversation that occurs between Stan and Vinny is one of the funniest comedic sequences I've ever seen.
A classic.... you've got to go rent My Cousin Vinny. It's better than many of the comedies being released today, you'll enjoy it of sure.
SCORE: 10 out of 10
Recommend? ABSOLUTELY!!
But they end up being falsely accused of murder because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
They call in Bill's cousin, Vincent Gambini (played by Joe Pesci) to defend them but the only problem is Cousin Vinny has no courtroom experience and had to re-take the bar exam 6 times. He's actually a personal injury lawyer and nearly incapable of managing this case.
Vinny brings along his fiance, Mona Lisa Vito (played by Marisa Tomei) for support but she actually gives Vinny a run for his money. VInny and Mona Lisa are hilarious together and will always stand as two of my favorite comedic characters. Decked out in black leather and big hair with thick Brooklyn accents VInny and LIsa are quite a site for Whazoo City, Alabama.
It's a straight up clash of cultures that makes for great comedic acting.
Vinny goes into the case with no experience but works hard and comes out successful with a lot of laughs along the way.
Probably the most hilarious scene in the film is when Stan is in jail, horrified at the prospect of being paired up with an affectionate cellmate. In his initial meeting with Stan, Vinny doesn’t clearly indicate that he’s Billy’s cousin and the conversation that occurs between Stan and Vinny is one of the funniest comedic sequences I've ever seen.
A classic.... you've got to go rent My Cousin Vinny. It's better than many of the comedies being released today, you'll enjoy it of sure.
SCORE: 10 out of 10
Recommend? ABSOLUTELY!!
Fight Club
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Another stellar performance from my favorite, Ed Norton and of course the flawless Brad Pitt.
Fight Club is a unique story about a severely disturbed individual who is unnamed (played by Ed Norton)
His lack of sleep, mundane job and lack of friends are slowly starting to drive him crazy. He begins attending several different support groups, a different one for every day of the week. He PRETENDS to have testicular cancer, or blood parasites and attends these support group meetings. For a while, this new hobby acts as a serious emotional release for him and he's finally able to sleep until another faker, a woman named Marla, begins to attend the meetings as well claiming she goes because it's cheaper then a movie and there's free coffee. Marla is also mentally unstable and the two develop a relationship... or do they?
You see, the movie becomes extremely complicated from this point on.
It is exceedingly difficult to give a brief synopsis of the plot, which is busy and convoluted, becoming less and less linear as it goes along.
Everything changes one day on a plane. Norton meets, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), an angry-at-the-world soap salesman who leaves an impression on him. After the initial meeting Norton returns to his condo and finds that it has exploded and no one knows how. He ends up living with tyler in his disgusting, falling apart home and their relationships develops quickly. One day they fight each other and the fight turns into an underground fight club where men who feel they are being opressed by society can take out their anger by beating the crap out of each other.
There are rules & assignments & its all a HUGE secret. The club becomes nation-wide somehow and turns into "Project Mayhem" which is a sinister organization of brainwashed men all working toward a goal that Norton doesn't know about.
I really can't say anymore, the rest of the movie comes together on it's own. Another movie where you have to pay close attention to detail.
One thing I can promise is that you will be completely shocked by the end, or sooner... depending how smart you are and how quickly you catch on which for me did not happen until the end.
The performance is outstanding, Edward Norton once again proves his ability to mold into any role given to him.
Brad Pitt takes advantage of the role and really shows some good acting skills. The pair together are unforgettable.
FAIR WARNING: do not be turned off by the strange-ness of the dialogue or the creepy-ness of the setting, events, characters etc. There isn't much color or positive emotion throughout the film but there are plenty of other elements that make it a great movie to see.
Recommend: ABSOLUTELY YES
Score: 9 out of 10
(by the way - i don't believe I've explained my scoring system. It's just based on my own personal opinion about the movie and how I felt about it... it's not a very sophisticated scoring system at all so don't take it so seriously people)
Fight Club is a unique story about a severely disturbed individual who is unnamed (played by Ed Norton)
His lack of sleep, mundane job and lack of friends are slowly starting to drive him crazy. He begins attending several different support groups, a different one for every day of the week. He PRETENDS to have testicular cancer, or blood parasites and attends these support group meetings. For a while, this new hobby acts as a serious emotional release for him and he's finally able to sleep until another faker, a woman named Marla, begins to attend the meetings as well claiming she goes because it's cheaper then a movie and there's free coffee. Marla is also mentally unstable and the two develop a relationship... or do they?
You see, the movie becomes extremely complicated from this point on.
It is exceedingly difficult to give a brief synopsis of the plot, which is busy and convoluted, becoming less and less linear as it goes along.
Everything changes one day on a plane. Norton meets, Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), an angry-at-the-world soap salesman who leaves an impression on him. After the initial meeting Norton returns to his condo and finds that it has exploded and no one knows how. He ends up living with tyler in his disgusting, falling apart home and their relationships develops quickly. One day they fight each other and the fight turns into an underground fight club where men who feel they are being opressed by society can take out their anger by beating the crap out of each other.
There are rules & assignments & its all a HUGE secret. The club becomes nation-wide somehow and turns into "Project Mayhem" which is a sinister organization of brainwashed men all working toward a goal that Norton doesn't know about.
I really can't say anymore, the rest of the movie comes together on it's own. Another movie where you have to pay close attention to detail.
One thing I can promise is that you will be completely shocked by the end, or sooner... depending how smart you are and how quickly you catch on which for me did not happen until the end.
The performance is outstanding, Edward Norton once again proves his ability to mold into any role given to him.
Brad Pitt takes advantage of the role and really shows some good acting skills. The pair together are unforgettable.
FAIR WARNING: do not be turned off by the strange-ness of the dialogue or the creepy-ness of the setting, events, characters etc. There isn't much color or positive emotion throughout the film but there are plenty of other elements that make it a great movie to see.
Recommend: ABSOLUTELY YES
Score: 9 out of 10
(by the way - i don't believe I've explained my scoring system. It's just based on my own personal opinion about the movie and how I felt about it... it's not a very sophisticated scoring system at all so don't take it so seriously people)
The Illusionist
Friday, February 19, 2010
Featuring one of my FAVORITE actors of all time...... Edward Norton (also in Fight Club, American History X and Pride & Glory)
This movie was definitely my absolute favorite for a while. It's one of those movies that explodes at the end and thats when everything makes sense and trust me, you'll LOVE what happens.
The movie tells the story of Eisenheim a wildly talented magician in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century Victorian period who uses his powers to win the love of his upper-class, childhood sweetheart. Eisenheim is the son of a cabinet maker and Sophie von Teschen is a wealthy young woman. Because their love was unacceptable, a heartbroken Eisenheim leaves Austria and explores the world but never forgets his dream of one day returning to the beautiful duchess who has his heart (played by Jessica Beil). 15 years later, Eisenheim is a polished, talented illusionist and returns to Austria only to learn that Sophie is engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold. Sophie and Eisenheim have an affair which enrages her fiance the crown prince and this begins an action filled war of love. I can't say anymore because the movie is full of secrets and surprises that you have to pay close attention to in order to understand. But a breath-taking ending makes the confusion throughout the movie worthwhile.
If you enjoy watching portrayals of the past and want to see a terrifically composed love story with a lot of magic, rent the Illusionist!!!!!!!
Edward Norton is phenomenal as always (he's my favorite) and Jessica Beil is stunning.
Recommend: YESSSSSSS
Score: 10 out of 10
trust me, you won't regret watching this one.
and by the way, it is NOT a chick flick. you guys out there will love it too!
This movie was definitely my absolute favorite for a while. It's one of those movies that explodes at the end and thats when everything makes sense and trust me, you'll LOVE what happens.
The movie tells the story of Eisenheim a wildly talented magician in Vienna at the turn of the 20th century Victorian period who uses his powers to win the love of his upper-class, childhood sweetheart. Eisenheim is the son of a cabinet maker and Sophie von Teschen is a wealthy young woman. Because their love was unacceptable, a heartbroken Eisenheim leaves Austria and explores the world but never forgets his dream of one day returning to the beautiful duchess who has his heart (played by Jessica Beil). 15 years later, Eisenheim is a polished, talented illusionist and returns to Austria only to learn that Sophie is engaged to the Crown Prince Leopold. Sophie and Eisenheim have an affair which enrages her fiance the crown prince and this begins an action filled war of love. I can't say anymore because the movie is full of secrets and surprises that you have to pay close attention to in order to understand. But a breath-taking ending makes the confusion throughout the movie worthwhile.
If you enjoy watching portrayals of the past and want to see a terrifically composed love story with a lot of magic, rent the Illusionist!!!!!!!
Edward Norton is phenomenal as always (he's my favorite) and Jessica Beil is stunning.
Recommend: YESSSSSSS
Score: 10 out of 10
trust me, you won't regret watching this one.
and by the way, it is NOT a chick flick. you guys out there will love it too!
Blow
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Okay, so turns out I love action movies and cat/mouse chase movies full of crime and deceptions.
I promise... I'm not a bad person. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I've always been good and obedient, never getting in trouble or causing trouble... perhaps thats why I love these movies so much.
ANYWAYYYY
next movie I've chosen is Blow. Similar in ways to Catch Me If You Can AND The Shawshank Redemption... starring another favorite of mine, the incredible Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Taking place in the 60s, this story is a roller-coaster of emotions and suspense.
It's another story based on a real life drug dealer named George Jung. George (Johnny Depp) was raised in Boston but moves out to California and starts selling marijuana. He becomes a weed entrepreneur, if you will, and his business soon spreads from the west coast to the east cost thanks to his girlfriend Barbara who works as a stewardess and carries pounds of marijuana across the country in her suitcases that don't get checked.
One thing leads to another and George ends up in jail where he meets Diego and together they decided to conquer the cocaine smuggling trade. George starts working for a Columbian drug lord, Pablo Escobar and marries Mirtha (Penelope Cruz). Life is good and luxurious... George has the world at his fingertips. But things don't stay perfect for long.
The movie turns very sad when Mirtha and George have a child but George's good luck streak comes to an end.
The FBI are dedicated to taking George and his team down but he fights to be a positive influence for his daughter.
The movie creates a range of emotions and is certainly full of entertaining and unpredictable turns.
Johnny Depp is remarkable as alwaaaaays and this movie is definitely worth seeing. It's an interesting look at a lifestyle full of drugs, money and crime - which, unfortunately, is a very realistic aspect of our country and a multimillion dollar industry to this day.
Recommend? YESSS PLEASE
Score: 9 out of 10 (i LOVE it)
I promise... I'm not a bad person. In fact, I'm quite the opposite. I've always been good and obedient, never getting in trouble or causing trouble... perhaps thats why I love these movies so much.
ANYWAYYYY
next movie I've chosen is Blow. Similar in ways to Catch Me If You Can AND The Shawshank Redemption... starring another favorite of mine, the incredible Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. Taking place in the 60s, this story is a roller-coaster of emotions and suspense.
It's another story based on a real life drug dealer named George Jung. George (Johnny Depp) was raised in Boston but moves out to California and starts selling marijuana. He becomes a weed entrepreneur, if you will, and his business soon spreads from the west coast to the east cost thanks to his girlfriend Barbara who works as a stewardess and carries pounds of marijuana across the country in her suitcases that don't get checked.
One thing leads to another and George ends up in jail where he meets Diego and together they decided to conquer the cocaine smuggling trade. George starts working for a Columbian drug lord, Pablo Escobar and marries Mirtha (Penelope Cruz). Life is good and luxurious... George has the world at his fingertips. But things don't stay perfect for long.
The movie turns very sad when Mirtha and George have a child but George's good luck streak comes to an end.
The FBI are dedicated to taking George and his team down but he fights to be a positive influence for his daughter.
The movie creates a range of emotions and is certainly full of entertaining and unpredictable turns.
Johnny Depp is remarkable as alwaaaaays and this movie is definitely worth seeing. It's an interesting look at a lifestyle full of drugs, money and crime - which, unfortunately, is a very realistic aspect of our country and a multimillion dollar industry to this day.
Recommend? YESSS PLEASE
Score: 9 out of 10 (i LOVE it)
Catch Me If You Can
I decided to step away from the action genre for a little and tell you about an amazing movie based on a true story with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks... (two of my favorite actors) and directed by the phenomenal Steven Speilberg.
This story is about a real life con artist named Frank Abagnale who worked as a doctor, a lawyer and a co-pilot for a major airline all before he was 18 years old. In short, Frank Abagnale was the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States before his 17th birthday. Being a master of deception and a brilliant forger, Frank learns all he can about these fake careers and cashes fake checks to make millions. Tom Hanks comes into play as Carl Hannratty, a swift check fraud FBI agent whose on Frank's case. Frank loves the chase and makes sure to keep Carl close by for entertainment purposes, calling him and giving him leads every so often.
The movie is so enjoyable and involves comedy, romance and crime all in one.
Catch me if you can will always be one of my favorite films because of it's clever plot and star-studded cast... did i mention Christopher Walken is involved?!
If you love Leo (who doesn't?) and enjoy a good cat and mouse chase with plenty of unpredictable twists and turns, you'll LOVe this movie as much as I do.
Don't forget you don't always have to watch newly released movies. This one is nearly 8 years old and is a great pick at your local video store. and its a true story!! even better.
Trust me, I know how hard it is to go into Blockbuster and choose a movie out of alllll those shelves. You can end up spending a half hour in there and leaving with a movie you've already seen 3 times! Don't do that, get Catch me if you can. i guarantee you'll love it.
This story is about a real life con artist named Frank Abagnale who worked as a doctor, a lawyer and a co-pilot for a major airline all before he was 18 years old. In short, Frank Abagnale was the most successful bank robber in the history of the United States before his 17th birthday. Being a master of deception and a brilliant forger, Frank learns all he can about these fake careers and cashes fake checks to make millions. Tom Hanks comes into play as Carl Hannratty, a swift check fraud FBI agent whose on Frank's case. Frank loves the chase and makes sure to keep Carl close by for entertainment purposes, calling him and giving him leads every so often.
The movie is so enjoyable and involves comedy, romance and crime all in one.
Catch me if you can will always be one of my favorite films because of it's clever plot and star-studded cast... did i mention Christopher Walken is involved?!
If you love Leo (who doesn't?) and enjoy a good cat and mouse chase with plenty of unpredictable twists and turns, you'll LOVe this movie as much as I do.
Don't forget you don't always have to watch newly released movies. This one is nearly 8 years old and is a great pick at your local video store. and its a true story!! even better.
Trust me, I know how hard it is to go into Blockbuster and choose a movie out of alllll those shelves. You can end up spending a half hour in there and leaving with a movie you've already seen 3 times! Don't do that, get Catch me if you can. i guarantee you'll love it.
Avatar
Monday, February 15, 2010
okay.. so I almost wanted to avoid reviewing this movie but I decided to give it a shot
truth is, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about Avatar.
Did I enjoy watching it? yes.
Did I find it very interesting and thrilling? yes.
Doesn't that mean I like the movie...? not necessarily.
For some reason I was a little conflicted while watching, again, i wasn't sure exactly HOW i felt.
TO be honest, the whole concept is very strange and it's hard to get a good grasp on it, afterall they are on another planet called Pandora and trying to take it over as we took over this land from the Native Americans in real life history.
The visual affects and the music and the animation and the graphics... especially it being in 3D gives the movie a real WOW factor. It is, under all the bells and whistles, a heartfelt love story but the only thing that makes it weird is that it is between a strange, blue, alien creature and a handicapped, wheelchair bound human that this love comes to grow. I think people are actually relating it to Pocahontas and I can definitely see that connection.
Theres so many details and small components... this movie is one you could see 3 or 4 times and still pick up on something new every time.
Instead of explaining the WAYYYYY too complex plot... I'm just going to say.... go see the movie with an open mind. It is definitely one of a kind and something that the big screen has, in my opinion, never seen.
Theres a lot of action, theres a lot of romance, theres a lot of fascinating technology and ideas... its not a waste of time, it's just something that needs to be approached with a completely open mind. And ladies... the main character, Sam Worthington who plays Jake Sully is absolutely gorgeous and his character is very admirable & lovable...(THIS IS ALWAYS A PLUS)
Recommend: yes (especially recommend in 3D!)
Score: 8 out of 10 (because I was just a little weirded out throughout the film)
also.. i may be a little bit unnerved by the fact that this movie cost somewhere around 300 million dollars to make and over 12 years to complete.
but the creativity and uniqueness of the film is something you don't want to miss.
they wouldn't let me embed the trailer.. but click here to be directed to youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKqq2vR3lnc
truth is, I'm not sure exactly how I feel about Avatar.
Did I enjoy watching it? yes.
Did I find it very interesting and thrilling? yes.
Doesn't that mean I like the movie...? not necessarily.
For some reason I was a little conflicted while watching, again, i wasn't sure exactly HOW i felt.
TO be honest, the whole concept is very strange and it's hard to get a good grasp on it, afterall they are on another planet called Pandora and trying to take it over as we took over this land from the Native Americans in real life history.
The visual affects and the music and the animation and the graphics... especially it being in 3D gives the movie a real WOW factor. It is, under all the bells and whistles, a heartfelt love story but the only thing that makes it weird is that it is between a strange, blue, alien creature and a handicapped, wheelchair bound human that this love comes to grow. I think people are actually relating it to Pocahontas and I can definitely see that connection.
Theres so many details and small components... this movie is one you could see 3 or 4 times and still pick up on something new every time.
Instead of explaining the WAYYYYY too complex plot... I'm just going to say.... go see the movie with an open mind. It is definitely one of a kind and something that the big screen has, in my opinion, never seen.
Theres a lot of action, theres a lot of romance, theres a lot of fascinating technology and ideas... its not a waste of time, it's just something that needs to be approached with a completely open mind. And ladies... the main character, Sam Worthington who plays Jake Sully is absolutely gorgeous and his character is very admirable & lovable...(THIS IS ALWAYS A PLUS)
Recommend: yes (especially recommend in 3D!)
Score: 8 out of 10 (because I was just a little weirded out throughout the film)
also.. i may be a little bit unnerved by the fact that this movie cost somewhere around 300 million dollars to make and over 12 years to complete.
but the creativity and uniqueness of the film is something you don't want to miss.
they wouldn't let me embed the trailer.. but click here to be directed to youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKqq2vR3lnc
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
