CultofMovies

by Gregorius

Directed By: Tim Burton
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, Marion Cotilard, Danny DeVito, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup

My Review:

An adventure as big as life itself. Life is adventure.

For this movie, yeah, maybe for this movie only, I will make it shorter I hope. One way or two to describe this movie? Wonderful and very creative. Who else could be that creative except Tim Burton, that eccentric director. Yeah, this movie is imaginative, and I've mention the way I describe this movie above.

The cast are good, especially Ewan McGregor of course. This movie is quite colorful, unlike Tim's other movie that contain Gothic style. Maybe it's Tim Burton best romance since that Edward Scissorhand. Same Tim Burton but different Edward eh? Well, I love the score, the story, quite confusing in first five minutes but stunning for the rest of it, and also heart-melting in the end. Nice cinematography, fresh humor, romantic scene and quotes, also full of wise words.

Short isn't it? Well, I dunno why, but I just wanna make a short and simple review for this movie. There are some fish that cannot be caught. It's not that they are faster or stronger than other fish, in this case, that fish is Tim Burton's Big Fish.

Memorable Moments:

Every story about young Edward. Especially when he met Sandra in her college, calling her name, surrounded by lots of daffodil.

Memorable Quotes:

Young Ed Bloom: You don't know me but my name is Edward Bloom and I love you.

Young Ed Bloom: Sandra Templeton, I love you and I WILL marry you!

Sandra Templeton:Daffodil!
Young Ed Bloom: Your favorite flower.
Sandra Templeton: How did you get so many?
Young Ed Bloom:I called everywhere in 5 states. I told them this is the only way to get my wife to marry me.
Sandra Templeton: You don't even know me.
Young Ed Bloom: I have the rest of my life to find out.

by V

Every year, one in 700 people wake up during surgery. When they planned her husband's murder, they never thought he'd be the one.

Rated: (R)

Directed by: Joby Harold

Genres: Mystery & Suspense

Starring: Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin

"Am I supposed to still hear you?"

-CLAY BERESFORD-

THE MOVIE OUTLINE

"In "Awake," a psychological thriller that tells the story of a man undergoing heart surgery while experiencing a phenomenon called "anesthetic awareness," which leaves him awake but paralyzed throughout the operation. As various obstacles present themselves, his wife must make life-altering decisions while wrestling with her own personal drama. "

MY APPRAISAL

To be honest, this Awake movie brought me a nasty surprise. And it wasn't because the last time I checked on rottentomatoes, it got 24%. Haha. What's so suprising? It's exactly what the movie deserves. The movie twist never surprised me and this is like what, THE WORST MOVIE TWIST EVER?? It's unpredictable, yes, but the actors brought it up with weak performance and dreadful acting. Jessica-Hayden are real jaw dropper in idiocy. But for what it's worth THE BEST ALBA PERFORMANCE OF HER CAREER. The dialogue was dumb and there's absolutely nothing I admire about this movie. Besides, plots are messy. The movie is AWAKE, but the audience are ASLEEP. It was soo boring yet one day it may be recalled as "ASLEEP".

The shocker came from a very unpredictable source. My most respected flixster buddy that I admire the most gave this Awake movie 2,5 stars while on the other hand he gave 2 stars on Titanic! And oh, he mentioned this Awake (or Asleep. Who gives a sh*t?) thing isn't that bad! I mean, I always look up to him and I always trust how he rates movies. As a matter of fact, I depend on his review! But THIS!!? Oh dear, what the hell happened to you?

"Clay would have his revenge, and justice would finally be served, but despite all the secrets, despite all the lies, and a terrible loss, one thing really matters now, he....is....awake."

-DR. JACK HARPER-

by Robert

I'm going to be generous here and chalk up all of the problems that I had with this film to "budget restrictions".

I'll follow that up by saying that I think the basic premise here is intersting and while there have been variations of this "theme" over the past several years...I think this film had a (rather) fresh approach to it.

One of the main issues I had is that it felt like they just couldn't decide (character wise) what they were going for here.

At times their approach felt very "tongue in cheek", some parts felt like they were going for "deep, dark and brooding" and at times it felt like they wanted that "torture/horror" feel that seems to be all the rage lately. Each of which can be effective in the horror genre, but are very difficult to do (WELL) all in one film. Had they decided on one or even narrowed it down to two, it may have been better.

Making this even more of a challenge was the acting, which was mediocre and slightly cartoonish at times. And the dialog was often times painfully bad.

As a first/early film for the Butcher Brothers, it's impressive. As a horror film in general...it is simply o.k.

by Craig

Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckart, Michael Caine, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman.

<< "You see, madness is like gravity, all it takes is a little...push" >>

The Dark Knight continues the legacy of Batman. Based a year after his encounter with Ra's Al Ghul and his thugs, the streets remain the same and Batman continues to do what he can with the help of newly appointed Commissioner, Jim Gordon and Gotham's new D.A, Harvey Dent. Before long a menacing madman called the Joker introduces something into Gotham that no one would have ever expected.

This is no doubt the hundredth review you have read on this film, massively hyped for years by fans and recently by the general public, reviews have been pouring in by the bucket load...my review is simply just a reminder, from both an obsessed fan and a general moviegoer, that this film is beyond anyone's expectations, especially mine and that it simply...is...outstanding.

Everything about the first film is simply raised in level here, both in quality, complexity and story; everything seems to be in a new direction, yet never forgetting what made Begins so great. Christopher Nolan has always been one of my favorite directors and he has simply proved it here by a mile. To many it might appear flashy that he has taken hold of the newest technology for the film with IMAX cameras etc and in the wrong hands it would have just been for show, but Nolan is god behind these cameras and the sweeping, epic scope is deftly handled and perfectly assured, the man is long overdue to be recognized more...and Wally Pfeister once again, dazzles with his thoughtful tone on this epic scale, it adds such a lovely feel.

The Nolan brother's screenplay is simply remarkable and again, 'beyond' everything I expected from the film. I was one of the men who knew the film was going to be more than just a Batman film, the footage I saw showed it, the dialogue rang true of it and as I am no doubt repeating in this review, it's more than you would ever expect. In Batman 89, the problem that fell on it was the fact that the storytelling was lax and extremely second-rate, while the Joker became a first rate character over Batman, who simply became third rate. Begins proved that Batman and Bruce Wayne can be powerful forces and complex humans and faces and TDK continues that power by delving that much deeper into the complexities of human emotions and morals. Morally complex from every angle, it's a perfect crime saga under the superhero cover. Each character is given special treatment and in one word, a 'soul'. Bruce Wayne must now face the facts of Rachael being with another man, especially the one appointed as the challenger to Batman's moral values on Gotham. Harvey Dent is seen as the 'White Knight' of Gotham, a man without a mask who is ridding the streets of Gotham of its criminals. Batman has to make that choice on where he stands in Gotham and where exactly his morals have taken him, especially when revenge, the one thing he has pushed himself away from doing, lingers so close. That there is the simplistic overview of the films elements, it delves so much deeper. The Joker is also never given a major origin story and thank god for that, because the direction of Nolan's vision didn't need it. He's unrelenting, mysterious much like Batman yet so self destructive and simply one hell of a scary, menacing clown that promises anarchy and chaos...and that he delivers.

I can't go on without mentioning something highly under-looked in films...the score. It is the first soundtrack I would have ever bothered to sit down and listen to throughout and for good reason. Its a rich force that blends beautifully with the complexities of the films morals and emotions, beautifully adding richness to every epic scene on screen, its up there as one of the greatest pieces of music I've heard that can add so much to the moving image.

You all knew I was getting to this...the performances. Christian Bale once again proves to be the greatest mix put on screen for these characters and has settled in nicely. As Bruce Wayne, he continues to show the charming and cheeky wit around the way he is seen in city, yet he remains so human, dark, and troubled and battles the strong emotions with others as we all do. Aaron Eckhart simply blew me away, especially when everyone is going in for Heath. He's perfect...there I said it and easily blows Tommy Lee off the face (no pun intended) of the earth. He's got the perfect charisma to play this all American man as D.A of a major city and really is a nice threat for Bruce in his personal life, because he is not only similar in statue as the force of Gotham, but he has won Rachael over, who no doubt sees him as Bruce without the mask...and when Harvey changes into who he is destined to become, Aaron is scary as hell and really is compelling and chilling. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great replacement over the horribly sub-par Katie Holmes and is given much more to work with this time around and she blends in just well, showing an intimidating streak where need as her character should....AND of course Heath Ledger. What more can I say that no one has already said? Many still believe a posthumous Oscar win would be a sympathy vote; the truth is, if anyone said that, they deserve no audience. If the man was still alive today, he would wipe the supporting field for what is quite possibly the greatest villain to ever grace celluloid...and that will be argued. Equally unexpected and expecting, his performance as the Joker will stand for a lifetime. Sure Cesar and Jack will always have a face for Joker as the showman side of the character, but Heath is the dark side everyone knows from a 50+ year old character. Charismatic, dark, edgy and scary as all fucking hell, he breezes into every scene easily stealing it and delivering something so intense, so unexpected, yet so real. It?s a performance to be remembered by someone who died so suddenly and whether or not he wins the truly deserved Oscar, he's already in the hall of fame in my eyes.

The Dark Knight is a fucking masterpiece. This is, of course an 'opinion', because no one can stand as being right, it is up there as one of the greatest films I have ever seen and blew my obsessive and very high expectations right out of the water. Moral complex, beautifully captured, deftly controlled, greatly performed...all the elements I look for in a film, put to near perfection. I still can't say that the film is 'flawless' and I ain't going to nitpick at what those flaws are, but The Dark Knight comes so damn close...and being a film so deserving of everything it gets and a film of such exquisite quality and somehow managing to beat my insane expectations, it comes so daringly close for me...as perfect.

98/100

<< "You truly are incorruptible, aren't you? You won't kill me out of some misplaced sense of self-righteousness...and I won't kill you because your just too much fun. I think you and I are destined to do this forever." >>

by Craig

Directed by: Christopher Nolan.
Starring: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman Katie Holmes.

<< "People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting." >>

Batman Begins reboots the legendary comic book character we all know...Batman. Lost away in a Chinese prison, he meets a man, Henri Ducard, a dangerous ninja who works for Ra's Al Ghul, who mentors him to find out who he truly is, many years after his parents are murdered and when Gotham is falling to pieces.

I was never a very big fan of Batman. I mean sure, being a kid, I distinctly remember having some toys and as I got a little older, I watched all the previous Batman films (yes unfortunately, all). The main thing that drew me to this film I'd say, among the other things we were promised, was Christopher Nolan's name on it and his decision to create the origins for Batman, something that no doubt sounds intriguing but it can go horribly wrong...thankfully, it doesn't.

The movie is close to being a true masterpiece, by my opinion and is, as you all know, critically received...and for a damn good reason. Christopher Nolan has created a movie so respectable and so faithful to the title character and with such incredible depth, that it will please any 'film goer' or fan. In previous adaption's, mainly Burton's pieces, Batman came in like a ghost and we accepted the character because of his name, his 'mythology' as such...and the fact that with any comic book character and film, you can suspend your disbelief and enjoy the extraordinary world. Nolan has seem the human flaws of this character, rich in morals and with a stand on his beliefs and created a back story so fulfilling, setting him up in a much more realistic world makes it that much more.

The draft script was written by David S. Goyer and big credit to him for creating what is a great base story with the core ideas, but the script is very much full of Chris' sharp, intellectual writing based in reality and brilliantly developed characters. The flaw of Burton's Batman was the fact that aside from all the, shall we say, amazing spectacle, he was simple a third rate character. Nolan's is very much the Batman we all want to see. Questions on moral judgment seep through every scene, really asking a few of the many questions of life...'Who are we'...'What do we stand for', alongside the intricate study into the difference of justice and vengeance...and even the power of love. Now even with this great focus on our leading man, the plot never ceases to be strong and the dialogue never stays mature or serious for too long, with its nice touch of wit...and not to forget the additional developed character of the film which was lacking in previous films, Gotham itself.

Having said that, another key achievement of the film is the cinematography. Wally Pfister adds exactly what is needed for both character and story. Any vivid contrasts and colors are completely removed to be replaced with grungy, murky tones...which are just perfect. A dark, gritty and intense atmosphere, it adds tone to Bruce Wayne's consciousness and quite importantly, Gotham's depression, where the city is simply being eaten from the core up. The set design is superb; there's no eccentric fantasy based sets like in the first film, Gotham is finally made into a realistic and gritty world, pulled to an underworld.

Now I am blabbering about all the amazing technical features of the film without mentioning Christopher Nolan's direction, the man to lead it all. He has a brilliant assurance with his vision which is made only the more better that he co-wrote the script, he deftly balances character and spectacular with such grace. His action sequences are where the film falls just a little. The car chases and the like are not in question though, as they are brilliantly shot and certainly thrilling, but it's the shot setups for the fight sequences that are iffy and with too much quick cutting, it ruins it. I understand Nolan's own words state that he shot it that way to give the effect of 'the victims point of view', but any movie goer, no matter where they stand on film watching wants to see the fight in full frame, without the unnecessary, jumpy quick cutting, which is a shame when Lee Smith's editing elsewhere is superb.

The acting ensemble is amazing, with Christian Bale creating what I see as the very best Batman/Bruce Wayne ever put onto film, which is a hard title to take. He has a powerful essence on screen that is needed and his sheer commitment and great range he gives to both roles is everything that is needed for these fully developed characters. Michael Caine is the perfect Alfred, he is a true British bloke through and through and he adds the right charm, care and humor to his role. There are also some very fitting and strong performances from Liam Neeson, Cillian Murphy, Gary Oldman (genius) and a small role from Morgan Freeman...the only piece that doesn't fit is Katie Holmes, who delivers a relatively sub-par performance. Set for the role as an assistant DA, a character with powerful charisma and strong morals, Katie Holmes is a bad choice.

I think I've said all I can say about this film and no doubt I've missed something. Batman Begins is simply a near masterpiece. Christopher Nolan has created a world that was really needed for such a character, he has made a flawed superhero nearly flawless and kept full focus on not only Batman, but the dark veil that is Gotham, by making it realistic, gritty and another character in itself. Easily up there as one (with major competition) of the best comic book films ever made and the perfect direction for the remaining installments.

90/100.

<< "It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." >>

by Gregorius

Directed By: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, John C. Reilly.

My Review:

Oh yeah, another biopic for me. This time is Scorsese's. Well, it's a good one, though I hardly tried to like it, but well, finally I like it. I describe this movie as Scorsese's good work, good for the critic but maybe not for most of the audience.

Well, Scorsese, now I understand why he failed, receiving his first Oscar for this movie, he's good, but maybe not good enough to earn an Oscar. The main actor, it's Leo! Hey, it's one of his best, yeah, I couldn't say anything else to describe how well was he in this movie. Cate Blanchett, gave a solid performance in this movie, giving her an Oscar. The rest of the cast? To be honest, there's too many cast here such as Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsale, Jude Law, William Dafoe, etc, so I won't reviewing them.

Alright, the score, was unique, make me feel watching a classic maybe? The story, is a little bit hard to swallow (I worked hard in order to understand it), the usage of camera, yeah, it's a good one.

I couldn't talk much for this movie. it's a little bit boring, and for me, 3 hours minus 10 minutes is a very long duration for a biopic, and you know what? A good friend of mine fell asleep while she watch this movie, is it? Well, I'm not sure. Well, the duration, maybe it's because there's too many Howard Hughes in Howard Hughes.

Memorable Moment:

Howard Hughes debating in hearing, against Senator Brewster for 3 days, defending his company and counter claiming Brewster's charge.

Memorable Quotes:

Spencer Tracy: Something the matter?
Katharine Hepburn: There's just too much "Howard Hughes" in "Howard Hughes". That's what's the matter.

by Inez

A true story of survival... declassified.

DIRECTED BY: Werner Herzog
STARRING: Christian Bale, Steve Zahn, Jeremy Davies, Galen Yuen, Abhijati 'Meuk' Jusakul, Lek Chaiyan Chunsuttiwat, Craig Gellis, and Zach Grenier

Synopsis

In 1965, while bombing Laos in a classified mission, the plane of the German-American pilot Dieter Dengler (Christian Bale) is hit and crashes in the jungle. Dieter is arrested by the peasants, tortured and sent to a prisoner camp, where he meets five other mentally ill prisoners. He becomes close to Duane (Steve Zahn) and organizes an escape plan; however, the unstable Gene (Jeremy Davies) opposes to Dieter's plan. When they discover that there is no more food due to the constant American bombings in the area and their guards intend to kill them, Dieter sets his plan in motion. However, an unexpected betrayal split the group and Dieter and Duane find that the jungle is their actual prison.

Source: IMDb

My Review

First, I want to blab something (again) about the pitiful condition in Indonesia. You know what? Rescue Dawn had just been released a few weeks ago, instead, they now already promoting about High School Musical 3: Senior Year everywhere. The trailer, banners, oh.. This really got my concern, fully. THIS IS IRONIC.

Now, back to the movie itself. I am not addicted to war movies, especially, it is not really my type of movie. But the trailer caught my breath, it had me at 'hello'. So the true story about Dieter Dengler was brought to us PERFECTLY. I can't imagine something with more humanity, combined with thrills and excellent characters development, as it is brought by Rescue Dawn.

The main idea about the movie is, THE CHARACTERS DEVELOPMENT. It is where the true power of the movie lies on. The intrigue between characters, the anger and sadness, all seem REALISTIC. So you have seen Bale in bunch of great movies to realize how great he really is. Started with Empire of The Sun, Ameican Psycho, Batman Begins, I'm Not There, The Dark Knight, an other brilliant works, but Rescue Dawn is one of those movies that really brought Bale's brilliant performance, focusing on the characters and all, Bale is flawless here. Steve Zahn played the scene-stealer as Duane. No one can really brought the movie's soul as much as Zahn did. All the desperations, emotion, and how the scenes showed how vulnerable he is, this is the movie's point. Without Zahn, Rescue Dawn would be like Pulp Fiction without Samuel L. Jackson and The Dark Knight without Ledger.

The scriptwriters maybe didn't have to do a tough job writing when they had so many talents like Bale and Zahn. The brilliant script brought alive by one of the best duo in Hollywood history. Rescue Dawn is a movie where we can find full of personality, humanity, and a gold between another shits parading around. (Should I mention again the High School Musical-ceae family?)

Empty what is full. Fill what is empty. Scratch what itches.

-Dieter Dengler-

by Sam

One day when my mother and father were singing together in the forest, a great storm blew up out of nowhere. But so passionate was their singing that they did not notice, nor did they stop as the rain began to fall, and when their voices rose for the final bars of the duet a great bolt of lighting came out of the sky and struck my father so that he lit up like a torch. And at the same moment my father was struck dead my mother was struck dumb! She never spoke another word.


Directed by: Jane Campion
Starring: Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Niell, Anna Paquin, Kerry Walker

Genre: Drama/Romance

Running time: 121 minutes




My review:

A mail-order bride, Ada, and her young daughter arrive on the shores of New Zealand with only a few possessions except a large piano, her most treasured item. Her new husband, an unwelcoming cold landowner, cant understand her love for the piano so leaves it on the beach. Baines, her husbands assistant takes in the piano and asks for lessons in return, however they soon begin a passionate affair. This film really inspired me because obviously it is quite a disturbing film but it is really a beautiful film to that people can look at in different ways. I think the main inspiration for me of this film was that Ada used her piano to express herself and to show her beautiful colours but after she loves it so much, it sort of takes over her life. It made me feel really tense because of Adas affair with Baines and also more about Adas daughter Flora aswell. I think the one thing that I loved so much about this film was that everything about it was so powerful. What can I say? The acting was absolutely outstanding from the whole cast. Holly Hunter delivers an absolutely phenomenonal performance as Ada McGrath. Her performance really inspired me an awful lot because her performance and her win of the Oscar proved an absolutely huge and also very true key point. That key point is:

Acting isnt just words.

Ada McGarth is a mute woman who does not speak at all. It is Hollys facial expressions and the emotions that she uses in this film that earned her the Oscar win. Holly was really good and really clever at sign language which was another excellent point of her performance in this film. Her performance is one of my new all time favourite leading actress performances of all time because it truly shows what acting really is. Also, Holly shows us something that not many actors have shown with their characters and that is to believe in the actor with the character and to try and believe that the character and actor is a real person. The only ones that have made me feel that way before is Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump in Forrest Gump, Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence Of The Lambs, Holly Hunter as Ada McGarth in The Piano, Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve, Heath Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight, Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction, Cate Blanchett as Sheba Hart in Notes On A Scandal, Juliette Binoche as Hana in The English Patient and Natalie Portman as Alice in Closer. Harvey Keitels performance as George Baines was another very powerful performance in this film but I have to say that Keitel made Baines like a total pervert and that he was using her for sex and first but then he truly fell in love with her. I liked Sam Niell in this film but I have never seen him play any character like this before. He made Alisdair Stewart a really powerful, emotional and quite sick and cold character to come across. I loved Anna Paquins performance too as Flora McGarth. Her character was very powerful, emotional and very clever character too because of being able to speak for her mother from sign language to actual English. She is like an interpreter so to speak. Annas voice was totally different in The Piano compared to her real life voice. Flora is like a real hero because she tries to help her mother not only because of her not speaking and her having trouble with her husband but mostly because she is one of the very few close people to Ada who appreciate Adas love for her piano which makes Anna Paquins performance one of the best young actor/actress performances of all time. I loved everything about the direction from Jane Campion because this film was really well filmed and adapted together to make a masterpiece. The writing of this film also makes it a masterpiece too because of the heartbreaking, touching and drastic lines that are spoken by the characters (apart from Ada). This film shows that female directors aswell as male directors can make excellent films too. Another brilliantly filmed masterpiece from a female director was Lost In Translation which was directed by awesome director but crap actress Sofia Coppola. I havent seen any of Jane Campions other films before but I need to now. This film is a typical romantic film because there is a lot of love between the characters. This is Titanic like film as far as the romance is concerned. It is like a romantic-period and period-drama film. The chemistry between Ada and her husband Alisdair is very emotional, personal and often very tense because Ada doesnt really like her new husband because of not having her piano with her. He never did anything wrong to her until something drastic and horrible happens. I liked the chemistry between Ada and Baines but I am afraid to say that I think that Harvey Keitel was a bit too old for Baines. I could feel the romance between them though. I simply loved Adas relationship with her daughter Flora because I could easily tell that they both loved each other despite that both of them are very different. It must be hard for Ada because she has never heard her mother speak before. Ada and Floras partnership is one of the most powerful partnerships I have ever seen. There was a huge twist involving Ada and Alisdair and also between Ada and Baines too. At first, I thought that this film was a true story but I was quite disappointed that it wasnt because Ada made us believe that she was real person. This film wasnt really violent but had one scene with a violent action but dont see anything. There wasnt very much bad language but it was a very saucy film with a lot of sex scenes and nudity too which actually made it a rated R/15 film. There was a few scenes where you see Harvey Keitel naked and also Holly Hunter too. It has a scene where it really looks like that George and Ada are really having sex when they obviously really arent. If a young teenager is watching it, it sort of teaches them about sex and what it really is like. I wasnt this film to be half as sexual as it really was. This film had absolutely outstanding cinematography as I said because of the awesome way it was filmed. It had even better costumes which is very typical romantic-period films like Titanic, The Notebook, Romeo And Juliet, Sense And Sensibility, Grease and more. The costumes, cinematography and characters almost made this film like an epic. It had simply amazing music with an outstanding soundtrack which is very beautiful and heart warming. This film was a winner of 3 Academy Awards: Best Leading Actress (Holly Hunter), Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress (Anna Paquin). Paquin became the second youngest person to win an Academy Award at only 11 years old. This film was a nomination of Best Picture 1993, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing and Best Director (lost all four to Schindlers List but Steven Spielberg for Best Director). It also was nominated for Best Costume Design (lost to The Age Of Innocence). It won Golden Globe for Best Leading Actress (Drama) for Holly Hunter but was nominated for Best Picture (Drama) (lost to Schindlers List), Best Supporting Actress for Anna Paquin (lost to Winona Ryder in The Age Of Innocence), Best Director for Jane Campion (lost to Steven Spielberg for Schindlers List), Best Screenplay (lost to Schindlers List) and Best Original Score (lost to Heaven And Earth). I would probably say that probably is Holly Hunters best performance even though this is the only live action film I have seen her in. I have never heard her actually speak in a live action film after only seeing The Piano and The Incredibles. After seeing Anna Paquin in the X-Men trilogy, I have to say that this is probably her best film too. I dont think anything at all disappointed me with this film because everything about it was simply superb. I can only finish my review by saying that this film is a masterpiece and was a third of the five nominees of Best Picture 1993 that are all masterpieces including The Fugitive and Schindlers List aswell as The Piano.

by Anthony

Best Western in years, sounds stereotypical in it's synopsis, but because of it's taunt direction and rich characterizations, it becomes something much more.

by Inez

DIRECTED BY: Matthew Diamond
STARRING: Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, featuring Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas

Synopsis

Camp Rock, a music-filled Disney Channel Original Movie, features the Jonas Brothers as members of a leading musical group, Connect 3. When member Shane Gray (Joe Jonas) needs to counter his bad boy rocker image, he is sent by his fellow band members Nate (Nick Jonas) and Jason (Kevin Jonas) to the music camp as a guest instructor. There he meets camper Mitchie Torres (Demi Lovato), a teen girl with an extraordinary voice and a driving ambition to be a pop singer but unfortunately she can only spend her summer at the expensive camp by helping her mom work in the mess hall between classes. When Shane overhears Mitchie singing from behind closed doors, he sets out to find the girl with the beautiful voice.

Source: About.com

My Review

It's like the three High School Musicals are not enough, they made this SINGING'O'CRAPPY all over again. Please, they are not as cool as think they are. Obviously, the Jonas brothers can't act. And Demi Lovato was so over the place. I can't believe that Disney, once brought us the beautiful Beauty and The Beast, the masterpiece Lion King. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THOSE ERAS?

Hey, being a jerk is part of the rock star image.

-Joe Jonas as Shane Gray-

by V

The Only Thing Greater Than the Power of the Mind is the Courage of the Heart

Rated: (R)

Directed by: Ron Howard

Genres: Drama

Starring: Russel Crowe, Jennifer Connely, Ed Harris, Paul Bettany, Josh Lucas





"Imagine if you suddenly learned that the people, the places, the moments most important to you were not gone, not dead, but worse, had never been. What kind of hell would that be?"

-Dr. Rosen-

THE MOVIE OUTLINE

"At Princeton University, John Nash struggles to make a worthwhile contribution to serve as his legacy to the world of mathematics. He finally makes a revolutionary breakthrough that will eventually earn him the Nobel Prize. After graduate school he turns to teaching, becoming romantically involved with his student Alicia. Meanwhile the government asks his help with breaking Soviet codes, which soon gets him involved in a terrifying conspiracy plot. Nash grows more and more paranoid until a discovery that turns his entire world upside down. Now it is only with Alicia's help that he will be able to recover his mental strength and regain his status as the great mathematician we know him as today. "

MY APPRAISAL

It took 2 hours and 16 minutes and voila! It's on my all time top 6!

A BEAUTIFUL FILM!

Among the ocean of Oscar worthy films of 2001, A Beautiful Mind is what I consider the very best and thank God the Oscar are also in the same opinion. I'd be really pissed off if LOTR: The Fellowship of The Ring got the BEST PICTURE title! Moulin Rouge was OK, but I don't fancy musicals (I lied. I HATE musicals, they bore me). So that leaves Ron Howard's A Beautiful Mind to gain the upper hand.

At first, I'd have to mention Russel Crowe because he deserved to. His acting was so damn brilliant!! I was totally amazed!! Noone could play the John Nash part as great, as astounding, and as excellent as him. He is absolutely gripping and able to transform himself into John Nash completely and viewers will forget that he is playing a role. This might be the second greatest role he'd ever done in his career (since The Gladiator). It's a sad thing he lost the Best Actor title to Denzel Washington from The Training Day.

The script writer must've known that the general idea about schizophrenia (I could barely spell it!) is an Oscar bait. It's rare but f*cking brilliant! The story toy with our emotion easily as it's superbly acted and remarkably directed.



Jennifer Connelly wasn't entirely annoying like she was in HULK. She's fairly OK. But it would've be much better if she was replaced by someone else. But other casts are excellent. A Beautiful Mind teaches a very important lesson that we may conquer all the beasts, even the strongest one in the world but the biggest enemy is our every self. And it is important to us to win over ourself and never let your illusion controls you.


INSPIRING AND AN ULTIMATE MASTERPIECE

"Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart."

-JOHN NASH-