Cheryl's Talk

Moon

sam rockwell, puts in a terrific performance, as a employer of a major coperation, harvesting the moon to provide electricity to earth, doing it alone, with only his faithful computer to aid him, andnearing his end of contract, of 3 years, but bad visions, causes him to crash, and when awokend, finds himself having to deal with another him, a exact model, why is he there, what happend at the crash, and, is he a clone,are all questions he has to answer, this film is very well made, thestory engageing from the fantastic opening credits, right through to the end credits, rockwell plays two charactors, who are the same person, but adds so much depth to each, and the interaction between both isso great to watch, great use of effects to get them together also, lots of interactions, the music is exellent also, and kevin spacey puting in great vocal work as gerty the robot, a film very 70s in its style for me, and, 2 films, soloris, and silent running, being 2 films you should see, if you havent, a great suprise for 2009

The International

A conspiracy thriller film which aimed high and fell short. The plot was good, but the script fell short and aside from the great opening and a couple of action scenes, the story just crept on and on. A bit too long and sometimes boring, at least Clive Owen was easy on the eyes.

Public Enemies

Not the masterpiece I was hoping for! For some reason I thought Mann was going to make this into the Dark Knight for summer 2009. He didnt fail altogether mind you,but enough to make this film a disapointment for me. I mean this movie had the potentail to be a great one.
The main problem I had with this film was the narrative strucuture.To me the movie seemed all over the place. Mann should have stuck with more of the back story. That would have been much more interesting I think. Instead he just expects you to know who John Dillinger is and to put emotional involvment into him. Not only that but Mann involves this love story that is fucking all over the place and theres hardly and depth to it. I did like the actress that played his love interest mind you. She was quite the find,her eyes told the audeince everything she was thinking, amazing...
I wish that was the only problem with this film but its not. Now I'm a Christain Bale fan,but this has got to be his worst performance yet! Their was no depth to that character at all. It was so boring,most of his scenes he seemed to be uncompterable in his own skin. Shocking I know! I hated his southern accent too, so flat and dry.

My final complaint( I'm sure I could think of more,but I dont want this to sound like the worst movie ever made) i fucking hate Mann's use of the digital cam. It looks like shit! Why must you do this Michael Mann whyyy?? There was grain everywhere and some of the scenes looked like they were taken from a home movie or somthing, i kid you not! Not only that but some of the scenes were shot held,what the hell! Is he trying to start a new trend,I thought it was cool in the movie Cloverfield,but it sure as shit doesnt work for this one!
Now for the good stuff...Johnny Depp is a God among mortals!! This is the prime example of why is an American movie legend. he saved the movie for me,much like he did in the Pirates series. When ever the movie was dragging on Depp pulled it out and stealed the show.Without him I may have given this film 3 stars or maybe even 2.5 stars! Damn Depp, I mean every freaking word just poured out of him like potery,that accent that he did for the movie was damn near perfect. This goes down as the top five Depp performances!
In end this film wasnt what I expected it to be. However it was nearly as bad as Miami Vice. Most defentitely worth the look just for Depps performance alone!

Cruising

Highly controversial in it?s time, both in subject matter and portraying the Gay scene and Leather scene in a bad light. It?s very much a film way ahead of it?s time.

Partially based on true events and a real-life undercover cop situation, the film is of interst on many levels. What the film lacks (to it?s credit) is lack of explanation, justification and a particular view point ? leaving viewers to make their own views on the film itself.

I think this film is of interest more as a controversial piece than perhaps just it?s storyline, but one that was an interesting watch, suggestion and subliminal messaging are key behind it?s non graphic impact.

Moments of confusion from the story can be easily cleared up by the Special Features, which are worth taking a look at.

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead

An extremely surprising find with possibly Ethan Hawke?s best performance to date, plus great performances from both Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Albert Finney. The flashbacks are a tad tiresome at times, but the editing of them are very clever in the storytelling. A unique angle for the ?robbery? theme films and one that just got better and better as it went on.

Annie Hall

A totally unique take on a love story, with very enjoyable performances by both Woody Allen and Diane Keaton. A great character who is filled with anxious energy and conspiracy theories, who babbles his way through educated quotes and half serious jokes, an enjoyable comedy which devles into the depths of the over thinker.

I.D. (Undercover)

Actor Phil Davis takes a Directional role in perhaps one of the best films within the football hooligan theme. Set in the 1980?s, amidst the height of the much publicised football violence in Britain, I.D. is perhaps, not perfect in it?s acting, but an interesting undercover story and one that is definitely worth watching.

Gran Torino

The best non-action packed film aside from In Bruges that I've seen from 2008. A multi-layered, engaging, entertaining and surprising look at 'old school' attitudes through the life of Korean War vet Walt Kowalski. Eastwood brings Walt to life in a way only Eastwood can, with magnificent clarity. This film feels genuine in its story, the emotions and the lessons being offered. Definitely a film for which Eastwood should always be remembered.

Hansel & Gretel

not the fairytale you know or love, more inspired id say, you certainly can see the storys influence, a young man has a car crash, and ends up at this house in the woods, and once meeting the seeminly perfect family, cant get away, he tries, but the forest traps him in, and theres more to family than meets the eye, a great little chiller from the east, some nice touches and moments, and great performances, especially the three kids vital to story, it looks great, very tim burton at times

Anvil! The Story of Anvil

anvil were to make it big in the eighties,with the likes of bon jovi, metallica and many others, but never did, making over 13 records to this day, but certainly not raking it in and here we see them doing there day jobs,and a spinal tap like tour around europe, we see the highs and very lows of this troubled band, its very entertaining to watch them live the dream, or what there is of it, and looking to the future wit a new album. there passionate about there music and especially being in anvil

Star Trek

For the record i just want to say that that im not a trekkie.I was always interested in the story but i wasent impressed with pretty much all the predecessors,altough the characters were intresesting. Now with this one,i proudly admit that i was impressed.

This movie had a stong story line with a very good cast playing the legendary characters.The f/x and sound were amazing not to mention the music.They gave it a fresh start for making a best Star Trek franchise

Boo

cheesy gore like they threw it on the walls and people with buckets but the melting people were kinda cool and the acting was so so and the film making was good so it made up for the cheesy gore is watchable

American Teen

what apears to be a documentary on a group of teens in warsaw a middle america town, but clues give it away this is actually actors or non actors, working under a loose script, or thought out actions before hand, but what ever it is, its entertaining, as we follow the kids through there last year of high school,and thinking about college, the highs and lows of high school life, the actors/real life people, whatever they are are genuin, and not like you see in hollywood movie, this is part of the charm as you watch the whinny kids go about there day, some are annoying, some just sad,and some,,bitches, all the events you get in hollywood highschool films make it in here, but with authenticity, if this is fiction of course, if not,ainteresting doc

Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (The Baader Meinhof Complex)

a interesting look at a group of radicals during 1960s germany, protesting out against americas involvment in vietnam,and especially there ocupation in germany as bases for there preparation,what starts as protests to the streets turns into bombings and murder, they were germanys most wanted, the film with great detail takes us through a groups beginnings and getting in too deep, showing the 1960s through to the 70s where events became bigger and bigger, and inprisonment for most of the people, the story is well told, lots crammed in its two and a half hours, and lots of action, bombs being set of as part of there attack, all performances are good especially moritz bleibtreu,as the guy in control, another filmabout germanys past that isnt nazis and killing jews

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Quite simply one of the best Woody Allen films I have ever set my eyes on! Thats saying alot,the guy is a movie legend. I would rank this up there with Annie Hall,which is often regarded as his best film.
First off I love how the movie opens up. The scene in the resurtant when Javier Bardem's character suggests that Vicky( Rebecca Hall) and Christina( Scarlett Johanson) should fly to Spain with him and perhaps going site seeing and afterwords "make love" I love how he was so causal about the whole situation and how appualed Vicky was by the suggestion. At the same time Christa embrasses the opportunity. That scene says so much about all three characters and sets up the story perfectly. You can defentitly tell that Allen has complete control over this film.

From there on you see the relationship unfold. It has a very seductive feel to it. So incredibly sexy and provocative these scenes are.Spain was the damn near perfect place to set this film,it really does a great job and seduces the viewer,very effective! It plays this very thin line on relationships. Just how long can a relationship last? How do you know if its meant to be? Can love be free or must it be contained. These are some very important and controversial issues that the film adresses.
As for the performances,well one might say that Penelope Cruz steals the movie. And you know what I think she does,however I was surprised that she didnt come into the movie until the fifty minute mark. It was also nice to see Javier Bardem play a more sane character. He has so much range in this film,through his facial expression one could tell that he had seduced these young girls. Scarlett Johansson didnt wow in this film,probualy the weakest link. Rebecca Hall though,she was in her element. With this and Frost Nixon she has had quite the breakout year.
Overall you cant go wrong with this sophisticated love story. For all you guys out there who might not give this film a chance because its a " chick flick",well shame on you.

Juan Antonio: Maria Elena used to say that only unfulfilled love can be romantic.

Blood: The Last Vampire

this would get a nice 4 star rating, but two action sequences where a vampire monster atacks our two girls is awfully done the effects are really bad,and notwell executed, oncewas bad enough but when it came back, i was disgusted, the story it self is very stylish concerning a vampire good girl, exellently played by jeon ji-hyeon, killing for goverment spooks her fellow monster,whilewaiting for the showdown with the foe who kiled her father, some exellent fight scenes, throughout, full of samuri swordplay, jeon ji hyeon, loks great in her sailor outfit, giving a look thats maybe iconic,the film is wel directed giving the 1970s seting authenticity,especially army base school scenes, while the fight scenes, production looks great, also settingb up for more adventures, hopefully this will happen, as its based on a anime cartoon, theres lots of places to go, but please next time save some money for monster effects

Sunshine Cleaning

from the creatures of little miss sunshine, a filmsharing many elements,and of course the word sunshine, amy adams puts in another winning role, if a bit whinny, and alanarkin has good stuff in a role quite similer to his little miss sunshine performance, but yet again, its emily blunt, who steels the show, great to watch, both humorous and emotional, as the down on her luck sister. the story is enjoyable as they set off on there new venture, and situations great to watch,

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

This time around Michael Bay gives us plenty of explosions, average CGI and a decent plot buried beneath hot shots of Megan Fox and many sexual one liners. There is very, very little character development and the affection one felt for the autobots first time around is not built upon. Though the film is enjoyable and brings quite a few hilarious moments (dependent upon ones sense of humor), it lacks the emotional connection and 'cuteness' which was so audience friendly in the first one.

The Outlaw Josey Wales

along wth the good the bad and the ugly, best western ever made, aND really moody but very interesting, not a action western but certainly films like unforgiven got there edge from films like this, eastwood a great presence and directing talent

L.I.E.

a young paul dano performance, remember him the brother in little miss sunshine, and exellent as eli in there will be blood. hes exellent here too as a young lad living around the long island expressway, the lie of the title, when he gets i with another troubled kid again exellently played by billy kay, robbery is on the cards,but also some sexual awakenings, but to hisfriend not women. when some guns are stolen on one of there heists, he is turned in by his buddy to the owner again played exellently by brian cox, but this guy is a bit of a kiddy fiddler and gives him options, with his best friend now runaway, he strikes up afriendship with the dirtry old man. exellent performances all round fkay danoandcox are superb. and the direction from michael cuesta is very indie, and looksgreat, great music also,a great teen film dealing with inportant issues