| Name | brad s |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| I'm From | flixsterville, ca |
| Member For | 268 days |
| Last Login | Fri. May 16 |
| Profile Views | 267 |
| MCT Score |
| Movie: | the big lebowski, spinal tap, the godfather (1 & 2), dancer in the dark, you can count on me, fear and loathing |
|---|---|
| Actor: | mark ruffalo, johnny depp, meryl streep, brando, that little kid from friday night lights |
| Director: | wes anderson, terry gilliam |
| Quote: | "when you ride that bus, you get there" - fear of a black hat |
| my movie taste is all over the place. i guess that's what the Move Compatibility Test is for. i like contemporary dramas, absurdist comedies, and documentaries. it's rare for me to find an action flick i really love. i'll watch pretty much anything with johnny depp or meryl streep in it, though. when are those two going to do a movie together? |
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brad's Recent Reviews
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Hot Fuzz
R
I was pretty surprised at this one. I liked Shaun of the Dead, and this one was a lot better. It reminded me of the Broken Lizard crew (Super Troopers, etc.) but much better (esp. the screenplay and overall quality of the production).
brad's Favorite Movies
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2.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
R
the visuals here are incredible. the source text is superlative. and the casting is perfect. yes, it's long and confusing and, at times, unpleasant; but sometimes art ain't pretty. watch it and pour out a little for the good Doctor.
3.
You Can Count On Me
R
this is an incredible study of sibling relationships and a fine portrait of small town american life in the northeast. the acting is spectacular as is the screenplay. and note men rated this higher than women. we have some enlightened dudes in the crowd, ladies.
4.
Dancer in the Dark
R
look: bjork said the experience of making this was so wrenching and brutal that she'll never do another film again. how's that for intriguing. i'm not even a dyed in the wool bjorkophile, and i found this film absolutely engaging and devastating. I HATE MUSICALS, and i love this film. (hint: don't watch this with an unsuspecting first date like i did. we felt like victims of violent crime afterwards, which isn't conducive to pleasant but asinine conversation. then again, it did force us to go to the bar.) oh, and one of the nihilists from the Big Lebowski plays the male love interest. how sweet is that?
5.
The Godfather
R
This is a total masterpiece, and only communists, anti-semites, and terrorists will tell you otherwise. don't trust anyone that is against the Godfather (except III -- that one blew ass).
6.
Fight Club
R
invigorating, freeing, ridiculous, etc. and the cast makes me want to jump into a pool of fuzzy duckies. good stuff. and, yes, this is a boy movie. but how many times have i been dragged to a girl movie? probably not enough, but a lot. so no excuses, girls.
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cjones911posted 3 days ago -
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I recommend you see...
Hors de prix (Priceless)
by CraigDirected by: Pierre Salvadori.
Starring: Audrey Tautou, Gad Elmaleh, Marie-Christine Adam, Vernon Dobtcheff.
<< I'd like too...I'd love too... >>
The story follows Jean, an average, shy bartender who works in a fancy hotel. On a quiet night in the bar, he is mistaken by a beautiful opportunist as another millionaire for her to flirt with. But things soon turn around when she finds out who he really is and a series of events take both of them down a path they never expected each other to go.
This won't be the first time I'll say this in this review...but Priceless is one hell of a surprise. The main reason I picked this up was because of Audrey Tautou, who is up there as one of my favorite actresses. I got more than just her amazing presence.
Priceless succeeds on more levels than one. The obvious one where it slips into cliché is the ending...but a lot of people should know by now that in any romantic comedy, it's not the ending we want to be surprised at, its the trip there.
The direction is simple but never confined. Armed with some exquisite locations and set designs, Pierre Salvadori really has the room to expand the amazing tones of the script and places them nicely into every frame...and the script is certainly a surprise. Sweet, charming and witty are few words to describe the content. Throughout a majority of the film, these charming characters are given a rather sweet spark to work with and they get there avoiding cliché along the way, twisting its way through in a rather witty style, its surprising to see that it doesn't fall into another annoying rom-com.
The performances are brilliant. Audrey Tautou continues to show her incredible presence and charm in everything she tackles and its her greatest performance in years...and shes even more beautiful than ever. Alongside a very good supporting cast, Gad Elmaleh impressed me more than I expected to be. He successfully manages to play the ways of the character in such a smooth and realistic way without any slip-ups, from the shy, stumbling 'virgin' to life...to the charming, believable millionaire, its something worth mentioning.
Priceless is a surprise. Alongside obvious brilliant performances, the production values and some exquisite cinematography and set design also add the right effect to the underlying tones of this incredible little film with help from some sharp direction. The ending is obvious, but the trip there is 'Priceless'.Definitely look around for this one, should be relatively new on DVD shelves in most countries.
posted 16 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Hey everyone, this story needs to me top of the page stuff, so if you could please + the story, that would be great! Thanks
http://www.flixster.com/news/2008/04/29/when-all-the-dark-knight-hope-was-losta-bootleg-appears567
Oh yeah, and its the bootleg copy of The Dark Knight trailer, the one we were conned of today where we have to wait another week for HD.posted 17 days ago -
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I recommend you see...
Zoolander
by CraigDirected by: Ben Stiller.
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell, Milla Jovovich.
<<"I'm pretty sure there's a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking. And I plan on finding out what that is.">>
The story follows Derek Zoolander, worldwide fashion model and an icon to everyone in the industry...but is as clueless as they come. After an event where he accepts the award for male model of the year in a state of confusion, a band of political assassins posing as male models see there chance to brainwash someone to kill the prime minister of Malaysia, someone who uses child labor that they want for there fashion production.
Its one hell of a far out plot right there, but when you plan to do an 'idiot' comedy, anything goes...as long as you can do it right. I usually hate Ben Stiller as an actor, continuously repeating role after role with his wooden persona, but with his own creation 'Zoolander', that he not only starred in, but directed, produced and co-wrote, hes at the top of his game.
What made this film steps above many is the sharp take on making this film a satire. Not only is it successful in creating a realistic portrayal of such an industry and ridicules it at every turn, but its truly respectful to everything and everyone in that business and that is thanks to some sharp writing and impressive direction from Ben that has some great attention to detail.
The performances are brilliant for what they try to achieve. Ben Stiller achieves the moronic ways of the character through simple facials and well delivered lines and it makes a change to see that he can actually achieve something and do it well. Owen Wilson stands alongside Ben with the same idea and achieves the same style...and alongside a great supporting cast, it all works extremely well...and Will Ferrell is as crazy as ever before and he delivers.
What some people forget to accept is that this is intentionally an 'idiot' comedy and the fact that it is underrated because of that shows who the real idiots are. Zoolander is leagues ahead of Dumb and Dumber and a majority of Farrelly Brothers film thanks to its excellent blend of sharp satire and great comedic timing. A cult classic that has stayed memorable...people just need to experience it again.Had to re-watch and I'm glad I did...an underrated cult classic.
posted 22 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Street Kings (The Night Watchman)
by CraigDirected by: David Ayer
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Chris Evans, Hugh Laurie, Common.
<<"This is my power. This is my crown. I'm the king of secrets, Tom. I know which city councilmen is doing lines. I know who likes boys, I know who's selling contracts, I know who beat his wife. I own them, even the chief. He's in my pocket, Tom. How do you think I've been able to protect you all these years? What do you think is it you're doing? All these missions. How do you think you're able to touch the untouchables? I'm going to be chief. I will be chief! I will be man! This is our world, Tom! So let's take it!">>
Tom Ludlow is a veteran LAPD cop who finds life difficult to navigate after the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.
Sorry, I couldn't be bothered writing my own 'synopsis' above for this film because basically, I don't care. This is another trap I fell into by thinking the trailer made the film look good and I came out as expected.
David Ayer has really gone downhill the last few years. After his impressive work on Training Day, he dropped down to the halfway decent S.W.A.T, the mediocre Harsh Times (which was also his directional debut) and now this, the lowest of the lot. The impression I got from this film was that it was trying to be a throwback to the gritty cop drama of the past decades, but not only does it manage to fall into cliche, but it gets there in the dullest and most formulaic way. I'll start on the direction. OK there is nothing overly wrong here, has a set, gritty style and with some great cinematography, it ain't all bad...but the fact is is that Ayer doesn't have any sort of sense of depth on what he is trying to portray. Alongside the generic, twisty script that tries more ways then one to be creative and crafty, he can't seem to raise any interesting points or characters to place on the screen, I was even expecting L.A to be a little bit more livelier and more formed as a deserving backdrop to what could have been something more...and why did it have to resort to some of the most generic camera work used in thrillers and action films today, I couldn't help but sigh.
The performances couldn't even impress either. Keanu Reeves continues to be as flat and lifeless as his face. He has now hit the realm of 'possible voice-over guy' for generic action trailers, his hammy and cued delivery does it all and is never convincing for this role...and do his eyes continue to get blacker and bigger? I guess it goes with his blank expressions. Forest Whitaker has gone way down since his Oscar win. He over delivers every line given and has a suspect connection with the leading man that was probably entirely unintentional...and from there every sub-character is a 'star', I guess its there way of selling the film, even when they have the smallest of roles.
I should know better, but the power of trailers pulls me in. Street Kings is nothing more than a B-grade, generic cop drama that fails at being a throwback and falls flat at being anything thrilling.Haha, no it ain't a recommendation and I bet a majority of you are already staying away from this film...and for good reason.
posted 24 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Once
by BellaRayI don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out
We all fall in love with certain movies at different times, and in different ways. I knew the exact moment that Once had me - When an unnamed 'Guy' and an unnamed 'Girl' sit together in a music store, their voices joining in a duet so lovely I knew all at once I had discovered not just one of my new favorite films, but also one of my favorite songs - all in the span of a few minutes.
Once is a musical you've never seen before. It's a simple story about the meeting of two kindred spirits, who meet by chance on the streets of Dublin, and come together through their love of music. He's struggling to make a living singing on the street, and she sells roses to passersby to support her mother and young child. Struck by this guy singing his heart out, she starts a conversation and takes him to a music shop where she practices at lunchtime. Hansard's character is talented, funny and tormented by the woman he has lost, while Irglova is wondering what to do about the husband she left back home. It is impossible not to root for these appealing people to get together, but it might be the wrong time and place for them.
Once is a near perfect melding of music and film making. The set-up of the film allows for wall-to-wall music. The tunes, most of them written by Hansard and Irglova, are powerfully performed with a Gaelic directness in a folk-rock vein. The Guy works on a bittersweet tune called 'Lies' as he watches home video images of himself and his former love from happier times, which gives us insight into how deeply he was hurt. In a later scene, the Guy and the Girl put together a recording session with a tribute band. Their naïveté about how such a session works initially convincing the studio engineer they're a waste of time. But as their performance of "When Your Mind's Made Up" builds to a crescendo, we see the engineer's subtle realization that he's misjudged them - and the moment couldn't possibly work if the song itself didn't have such a unique power. As the songs come together in the studio, the music and their feelings build to a climax that is achingly real.
In a Hollywood film, there is no doubt that they would wind up together. Here the maturity of the film making allows for the possibility of disappointment. The accomplishment of the film is that it's just as satisfying. This is one of those rare films where the acting is so naturalistic and each scene so true to life that you almost feel as though you're intruding. Shot on digital cameras with beautiful hook laden songs to drive the story forward, Once is spellbinding from start to finish.The 97% 'Fresh' rating on rottentomatoes.com says it all really.. A film undoubtedly worthy of 88 minutes of your time.
posted 27 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Once
by Craig
Directed by: John Carney.
Starring: Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova.
<<"How come you don't play during daytime? I see you here everyday"..."During the daytime people would want to hear songs that they know, just songs that they recognize. I play these songs at night or I wouldn't make any money. People wouldn't listen"..."I listen.">>
The story, like a modern-day musical, is set in Dublin where 'Guy' is a busker who plays guitar on the streets to get his way through. When he meets a beautiful immigrant during a busy week, they soon find a connection between themselves through there music.
Wow...this film is bound to keep me breathless for some time. Not in such a long time have I seen a film so beautifully rich and pure in what it tries to bring forward in its story. The films idea is simple enough, even to the point that the main characters names are simply Guy and Girl...but thats never the point of the film, what makes it work is everything else. Underneath the musical surface lies a simple story, a guy meets a girl and they share a connection through there passion for music. Now without the music this would still have been a fine little film, with both leads having an incredible spark on screen together and the story touching nicely upon its well laid out characters, but what takes it up many levels is the music. Not in a long time have I felt touched by what has been played on screen. Glen and Marketa's music is pure poetry, such thoughtful and rich lyrics and a beautiful tone to every song played, each verse and chorus adds a brilliant emotional core and meaning to the films themes, it nearly bought me to tears...and for Glen and Marketa's first acting roles, outside their brilliant performances with their music, they deliver perfectly.
An exquisite and rich story of the bonds between two people through there love for music. A beautiful love story without the clichés, Once is up there with the greatest films of 2007...and one of the best 'musicals' in years....Wow.
posted 27 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Halloween (2007)
by CraigDirected by: Rob Zombie.
Starring: Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell, Sheri Moon, Danielle Harris, Tyler Mane.
<<"The darkest souls are not those which choose to exist within the hell of the abyss, but those which choose to break free from the abyss and move silently among us.">>
The story follows Rob Zombies new vision of a horror icon. Sixteen years ago,a ten year old boy called Michael Myers brutally kills his step father, his elder sister and her boyfriend. After being committed to an institution, sixteen years later he breaks out in search of his younger sister.
Same old story, different day. I had heard many bad things about this film but also a few promising. I thought it be time to finally sit down and watch this and I will admit that it ain't bad...but having said that, it ain't great either.
Rob Zombie has really came out of no where as a filmmaker. A musician to most, he showed an interesting visual style with House of 1000 Corpses but it was ultimately a horrible film. The Devil's Rejects I didn't like but I do respect it as it is a major step up and showed promise...Rob doesn't quite hit the right level here. The problem does not lye in the backstory (which I thought would be unnecessary, seeing as such an icon should stay absolute), but the direction that the film takes in the final hour.
I'll take a step back and mention the first 3rd...lets just say I was impressed. I always thought that an icon such as Michael is scarier when there motives are never explained, when there actions come from no where...I am still right, but Rob didn't do badly here. The first 30 minutes cover Michael as a young boy, his family is broken and full of hate and disrespect and he grows up around this, feeling ugly. Its an impressive study and with some highly impressive camera work and a brutal style, it works. From there we are shown Michael as a young boy in the institution, this is where everything starts to go downhill. Too many unnecessary ideas fill this section and dull the pace, even with the interesting turn from her mother, we can't help but feel uninterested...and for the third act, its one cliche after another. Each kill comes during or after a sex scene and although brutal and intense in its depiction, no new ideas are risen amongst the familiar feel and you just feel like your watching yet another formulaic slasher...even when the final 10 minutes come at you in a bloody punch.
I'd like to say that I enjoyed it, but I didn't overly. Thankfully it is in no way disrespectful to the original and Rob did show promise with it, even when he loses focus for the final 2 acts. Something to check out of DVD but not something I can say that stands close to the original...at least its better than the sequels....my review says it all.
posted 29 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Whale Rider
by BellaRay"A long time ago, my ancestor Paikea came to this place on the back of a whale. Since then, in every generation of my family, the first born son has carried his name and become the leader of our tribe... until now."
Let me start off by saying, I typically barely EVER enjoy watching Kiwi films, so I was prepared for another failure when I sat down to watchWhale Rider. I couldn't have been more wrong! This is one of the most moving, beautiful and powerful films I have seen in years. This film goes straight to the top of my list of favourite festival films and it may even be my best New Zealand production - outside of LOTR, of course.
The story is of young Paikea Apirana, a Maori girl of New Zealand. The day she was born both her mother and her twin brother died. Her father, Porourangi (Cliff Curtis) is the eldest son of the chief, Koro (Rawiri Paratene), who has been awaiting the birth of his grandson, convinced the boy will grow up to reunify the Maori and lead them into the future. But Koro has no need for a granddaughter. His son, who is an artist and not a leader, leaves New Zealand, his father, and his daughter behind, but not before one final act of defiance: he names his daughter Paikea, after the legendary ancestor of their people who rode the whale from Hawaiiki to this land.
The story continues twelve years later. Pai's father returns for a brief visit to renew the ancient conflict with his father by bringing news of a pregnant girlfriend in Germany. In a burst of anger Koro tells Porourangi to take Pai with him when he leaves because she is of no use to him. Pai overhears this and while we would expect her to be devastated, she is not: she knows her grandfather's heart better than he does himself and even to be with her father she will not leave Koro and her community. Without ever forcing the matter director Niki Caro, who also did the screenplay from Witi Ihimaera's novel, makes it clear that young Pai is the future of her people and wise beyond her years. At one point in the film Pai recalls her family history and adds, "But I was not the leader that my grandfather was expecting." This is certainly true, but the great irony of this film is that Pai is a leader beyond the old man's expectations. She proves this not only in the wonderful climatic scene of Whale Rider but during the most poignant and heartrending scene, when she gives a speech at a school concert that makes it clear that before she becomes a teenager she already knows exactly what her people need in terms of leadership for the future. She also knows that she is keeping faith with her ancestors and her ancient namesake.
Keisha Castle-Hughes delivers a powerful debut performance, certainly worthy of the Oscar nomination she received. She will have you in tears. Simply amazing.
It is clear from the start that Whale Rider is a very good film. It has the tone, the characters, and the story line of one. But where it becomes a great movie is where it sets up the pivotal moment in the film, the point at which Koro will recognize the truth about his granddaughter and acknowledge that she is the leader he has been awaiting. All of the pieces are in place and I would not be surprised if many viewers already have tears running down their cheeks. But instead of providing the obvious, Whale Rider transcends the awaited moment and gives us something larger and more wonderful. We should not have been surprised because the film had an earlier opportunity to bridge the gap between Koro and Pai, as she has been successfully completing on her own all of the tests her grandfather is giving to the young boys of the village in his search for a new leader, but her grandmother, in a moment of understated epiphany declares, "No. He is not ready yet."
The obvious impulse is to call this a magical film, but that misses the mark for me on two scores. Whale Rider is not only mystical instead of magical, it has a grounded sense of reality as well. Both Pai and Koro speak of their family and their people as going back countless generations to the ancient ones. How else do you explain a climax that transcends mere metaphor and visual beauty? Whale Rider should not be considered a children's movie, because few children of Pai's age would be able to appreciate the depth of this exquisite film. I love this film and I hope if you see it, you'll love it too.One of my favourite kiwi films, powerful and poignant. Check it out people!
posted 29 days ago -
I recommend you see...
There Will Be Blood
by mmmmmEXCELLENT!!!! Daniel Day-Lewis is the meanest son of a bitch!!! He has evil oozing out of every pore on his body! After seeing this movie it's no surprise why he won Best Actor. In this movie he took evil to a whole new level to achieve his dream, even if it left him alone in the end. By the time the movie is over you don't realize 2 1/2 hours are gone!
Evil at its best! Highly recommended!!!
posted 32 days ago -
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I recommend you see...
All the Real Girls
by mmmmmAll around excellent movie...Not a real well known cast but the way they come together is undescribable.
Excellent Indie movie! Great cast which most is now becoming recognizable in other movies...
posted 39 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Such a great title to communicate with!
Just thought I'd pass this link on. As you all know I am a big film fan (obviously) and for some that don't know, I am at a film school (no, its not in the majority where you do theory all the time, its a rare PRACTICAL ONE). Recently we got to finally do something a little bigger and got to each create a music video to any song we wanted. So heres my go at it (and first time at editing as well) with the song My Own Summer by Deftones, keep in mind that I had to do this on a shitty handicam and with NO budget. Directed by me and I'm playing guitar. Tell me what you think and I'm sorry about the quality, its Youtube shrinking the file and it has affected it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzywMpXQk1Aposted 40 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Into the Wild
by BellaRay"Rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness... give me truth."
Based on Jon Krakauer's bestselling book of the same name, Sean Penn's Into the Wild is a breathtaking piece of art from beginning to end. The film tells the story of a young, idealistic and fully realized Christopher McCandless, who sheds all vestiges of his upper middle-class American materialistic life to travel to Alaska, the one place where he feels he can find true happiness by living off the land.
After graduating from university, McCandless (Hirsch) promptly hands over the majority of his remaining college fund to Oxfam, burns the rest by the side of the road and then sets out on foot to travel across the country. The film, beautifully shot and magically paced, carefully tracks the journey of McCandless, who takes on the alter ego of Alexander Supertramp, as he travels around the U.S. from California to Mexico and back again. Along the way he meets a cavalcade of interesting people, all of whom are touched in a way by his energy and help him with his eventual goal of making it to Alaska.
Penn has stated in numerous interviews that he wanted the landscape of Into the Wild to be as much a character as McCandless himself. It's impossible not to be aware of this throughout every single moment of the film, from the beautiful shots that pan incredible tree-filled mountain ranges of Alaska to the moments of glorious sun-filled days spent on the glistening beaches of California. Even when the landscape is the grungy, underbelly of Los Angeles, there's a magical quality about it all - as if you're truly seeing the world through the eyes of McCandless. Penn's dedication to the landscape's portrayal is even further heightened by its coupling with the clearly inspired soundtrack by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, whose music seems to match the visual images note for note.
McCandless' leather-tramp philosophy is celebrated with a sharp undercurrent of reality: you can't skate the edges of reality, burn your money in a heap and leave all your material possessions behind without consequence - something that Chris doesn't realize until it's too late. Yet there's a fundamental belief in his spirit that drives the film. And in no place is this more determined than in the enigmatic, enthralling performance by Emile Hirsch, who commits to being McCandless/Supertramp in such a way that it becomes impossible not to identify with him. There are moments, when he's white-water rafting, climbing a California mountain to prove a point, or floating naked down a cold Alaskan river that transcend even Penn's hand and seem to embody the experience in a way that's hard to put into words. There's a kindness and an infectious sense of human curiosity to Chris that makes it easy to see why so many people took him under their wing - at least, as far as he allowed them to.
The excellent performances in the film elevate it to new heights. Hal Holbrook gives a remarkable performance of a man plagued by crippling sorrow and was fully deserving of the Oscar nomination he received earlier in the year. He only shows up in the last act of the film but his presence and his heart-breaking role make you see why the academy decided to honor him with the nod. On the other end of the age spectrum is Kristen Stewart who perfectly captures the stinging pain of youthful desire left unfulfilled (their duet for an audience of hippies is one of many highlights). Catherine Keener, Jena Malone, William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden are likewise all wonderful at exhibiting their own particular brand of loss and heartache. William Hurt has a short moment towards the end of the film that is delivered without dialogue and is utterly heart-breaking. They all support the picture's main goal: to prove that McCandless was so much more than a boy who wasted away in the wild, but a survivor who was truly someone special.
Into the Wild is a thoroughly engaging, superbly directed film about a remarkable young man, with an Oscar-worthy performance from Emile Hirsch. It cemented my feelings that there are certain people who are born incredibly smart yet wholly incapable of feeling at ease amongst our world. They burn twice as bright, attracting us all in the process, and subsequently leave us stunned in the shadow of their absence. Into the Wild is a great film that both laments and celebrates this condition. Highly recommended.Impressively directed, beautifully written and superbly acted. I am so in love with this film!
posted 43 days ago
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