TerrorAustralis
http://www.flixster.com/user/terroraustralis
| Name | Terror Australis |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| I'm From | Cobar |
| Member For | 774 days |
| Last Login | Fri. Jul 25 |
| Profile Views | 495 |
| Age | 23 |
| MCT Score |
| Movie: | Pulp Fiction, LOTR Trilogy, Star Wars, The Exorcist, Monty Python & The Holy Grail, Goodfellas, Jaws, The Sixth Sense, The Goonies, Wolf Creek, Forrest Gump. |
|---|---|
| Actor: | Robert De Niro, Mel Gison, Johnny Depp, Cate Blancett, Kate Winslet, Nicole Kidman, Paul Giamatti, Mickey Rourke, Toni Collette. |
| Director: | Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Tim Burton, Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Woody Allen, M. Night Shyamalan, Christopher Nolan, Hal Ashby, Robert Rodriguez |
| Quote: | "You see this car is 100% death proof. The only way to get the benefit of it, honey, you really need to be sittin' in MY seat!" - Grindhouse (2007) |
| You really wanna know you're gonna have to ask me. ;) |
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crispy1987
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Terror's Recent Reviews
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The Happening
R
As self-confessed fan of writer/director M. Night Shyamalan since "The Sixth Sense", I look forward to anything the man does. After his last film "Lady in the Water" flopped (while it was deeply flawed but I still found it to be a decent film nonetheless) returns to his roots for latest horror/thriller. Personally I didn't think that it was as bad as everyone made out to be, althought I will admit it does have its problems. The acting from the cast was on-and-off at times, there were moments that silly, some dialogue felt a bit off and the ending was pretty underwhelming. However despite that I still found to be compelling and a really disturbing film at times. Even when the explanation of what is causing people to commit violent suicides which everyone might find stupid, I actually went along with it. So I suppose that is why I like it more than everyone else did. Say what you will about Shyamalan but it definitely knows how to build eeriness and intension, which I felt from this film from beginning to end. Like "Lady in the Water" this another film from Shyamalan that a lot of people are probably gonna hate but personally I dug it, so I guess that makes me one of the only few people in the world who did. Oh, well at lest I have Roger Ebert to keep me company.
Speed Racer
PG
After taking five year from making the two "Matrix" sequels (as well as writing & producing "V for Vendetta") the Wachowski brothers return this time they are tacking on the family film genre with their adaptation of classic anime cartoon series of the same name. The first thing that came to my head after watching this film was that is was a massive head trip, luckily I sitting wwwaaayyy back from the screen because I'm pretty sure my head would have exploded just from seeing all those bright vibrate colours...and you know what? I enjoyed it a lot! This is absolute visual spectacle that has outstanding visual effects, solid acting from its all-star cast, exciting car races and so many over-the-top moments that I found to be a lot of fun. On the negative sides though I thought that was little too over long (it would have been better if it were trimmed by 10 minutes), some clunky dialogue and there were times there the plot became a bit convoluted (I think that a lot of younger kids would find it a little too confusing for them). In the end this is a well made and visually stunning piece of entertainment that I think you might get a kick out of, just make it you sit in the back row of the cinema if you don't want to suffer a seizure.
Grace Is Gone
PG-13
John Cusack gives one of the best performances of his career (why the hell wasn't he nominated for an Oscar for this?) in this beautifully made and very moving drama about a man who after wife was killed in Iraq, he takes his two young daughters on a road trip but he finds it hard to tell them the news that their mother is gone. Cusack doesn't do his usual shtick here instead he inhabits a character that it is a complete oppersite to himself in real life and he does it terrificly. He isn't the only one who gives a great performance, both young newcomers Shélan O'Keefe and Gracie Bednarczyk are also great as the daughters. Writer/director James C. Strouse does a terrfic job in his directorial debut, Clint Eastwood's score is fanatstic as usual and the ending was one moving scenes I have seen in a long time, it literary had me in tears. One of the most underrated films released in 2007 and I highly recommend you guys to check it out.
The Incredible Hulk
PG-13
While it has been 5 years since I first watched, I agree that Ang Lee's "The Hulk" (3.5/5) was a pretty underrated film that didn't deserve all the hate that it received. Sure it was't perfect but I do appreciate what it was trying do by adding more psychological layers to it. This sequel/re-tool (which has a new cast and director) may not have the depth of that film but it sure makes up for it as a piece of action-packed entertainment, actually I haven't such a great time in the cinema since "Transformers" (4.5/5). Edward Norton does a great job as "Bruce Banner" (which Aussie Eric Bana played in the original) and the entire supporting cast (Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt, Tim Blake Nelson) were all equally good as well. The direction was solid, the action scenes were exciting and the special effects were well done (there were certain points where they a little off but that bother me to much). Also tthe cameo at end was also a killer. Without doubt this would be my favourite comic-book film of the year so far...until I see "The Dark Knight" of course.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
PG-13
19 years after the last film, director Steven Spielberg, executive producer George Lucas and star Harrison Ford bring back the beloved character of "Indiana Jones" back to the big screen. Like everyone else I am a huge fan of series since childhood and I couldn't wait to see it (plus this would be the first "Indy" film I would see in a cinema). Since it has been released it has split fans right down the middle, some liked it, and some hated it. So the question is, what did I think of it? IMHO I really liked it despite some a few things that bugged me. Instead of going into too much detail what does things are, I'll just put it simply this: CGI monkeys, CGI Gophers, Shia LaBeouf swinging from vines and the ending, which I thought was pretty stupid. All the other stuff that everyone has mentioned never bothered me. To me this was still a well made and very entertaining film that I had an absolute good time with. It's nice to see Harrison Ford back as "Indy" (it was to see him in a role which you can tell he is having fun playing 'cause I was started to get bit bored with the "I want my family back!" parts that he has been doing for the last few years) and the supporting cast all did good job with their roles: Cate Blanchett and Shia LaBeouf were the stand-outs plus it was also great to see Karen Allen again as "Marion Ravenwood". Spielberg's direction is terrific as always, the production design is well crafted, the cinematography is stellar and the action scenes were well staged and fun. Overall while it isn't perfect and I can understand why some fans would have been disappointment by it but in the end I found it to be quite satisfying return of Indiana Jones.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
PG
While I still perfer the first film but this was still a well made and entertaining second film in the series that has some solid acting and great visual effects.
Terror's Favorite Movies
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(60) | Create a MovieBoard
1.
Wolf Creek
R
I don't care what all of you think, this is hands down one of the best (and scariest) horror films released in the last few years. Beautiful shot Aussie film that leaves every other "so-called" American horror films in the dust. John Jarratt is chilling as Mick Taylor.
2.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
PG
I'm just gonna go out and say it, it is hands down one of the funniest films of all time. Period.
3.
Kill Bill: Volume 1
R
What can I say it's Tarantino at his very best. A great, bloody martial arts action film with a brilliant performance by Uma Thurman.
4.
Pulp Fiction
R
One of the best films ever made. Brilliant acting, brilliant direction and, most importantly, a brilliant script with memorable characters, scenes and dialogue. Tarantino, you are a legend.
5.
The Matrix
R
An original sci-fi action film is both visual stunning and entertaining. Great cast, script and special effects. A modern day classic.
6.
The Descent
R
One of the best horror films made in the last couple of years. Very well-acted and intense. Definitley got a lot of jumps out of me. A must see!
Terror's Movie Scrapbook
Terror's Talk
View All (1099)
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I recommend you see...
Le Scaphandre et le Papillon (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly)
by the dudeposted 1 day ago -
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I recommend you see...
The Dark Knight
by CraigDirected 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 story follows Batman a year after his accounter 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 hype for years by fans and recently by the general public, reviews have been pouring in by the bucketload...my review is simply just a reminder, from both an obsessed fan and a general moviegoer, that this film is beyond anyones expectations, especially mine and that it simply is outstanding.
Everything about the first film is simply raised in level here, everything seems to be in a new direction, yet never forgetting what made Begins so great. Christopher Nolan has always been my favorite director 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 epic scope is deftly handled and perfectly assured, the man is long overdue to be recognised more...and Wally Pfeister simply dazzles with the assured tone on this epic scale, it adds such a lovely feel.
The Nolan brothers 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, its more than you would ever expect. In Batman 89, the problem that fell on it was the fact that the storytelling was lax and rather second-rate and 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 adding so much more. Morally complex from every angle, its 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. Joker is 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.
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 remains so human, dark, 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 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. Maggie Gyllenhaal is a great replacement over the horribly wooden Katie Holmes and is given more to work with this time around and she blends in just well....AND of course Heath Ledger. What more can I say that no one has already said? Many still believe an posthumous Oscar win would be a sympathy vote, the truth is, if the man was still alive today, he would still win it 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. Its 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. To be, of course as 'opinion', because no one can stand as being right, it is the greatest film 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...simply outstanding. I still can't say that the film is 'flawless', because I still believe no film can or ever will, but The Dark Knight comes 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 will be my first film ever I have rated a 5.
<< "You see, nobody panics when things go according to plan. Even if the plan is horrifying. If I told people that a gangbanger was going to get shot, or a busload of soldiers was going to get blown up, nobody would panic. It's all part of the plan. But tell people that one tiny little mayor is going to die and everyone loses their minds!" >>What should I be saying here, read my review :) You know my obsession is good for it.
...and I was annoyed enough to have to wait until the 24th (release date) here to see it.posted 2 days ago -
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I recommend you see...
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
by the dudeA inside look at the behind the scenes work on Apocalypse Now. I felt it was more of a character study as Coppola fought to keep his sanity along with the cast and crew. Over 200 hundred days of shooting. Script rewrites, actor fees and health, a typhoon almost kept the film from being made but it was made after long hours of hard work. Great documentary into how far filmmakers go to keep their vision and their dreams alive.
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 4 days ago -
I recommend you see...
The Dark Knight
by .:SexiVixxENlol,Like I was ever going to give this anything less than 5 stars.In fact just imagine that I drew another 3 or 4 stars on there,Cause YA its just that dam good.I was ready to be blown away and I got just that.Incredible sound too,I want to marry the THX guy.Anyway The cast is so good,I dont know about Maggie though I just don't dig on her too much,but thats a personal thing nothing to do with the movie.So lets get dirty then,Non stop action,It was over before I knew it,A few people have commented how long it seems and that they thought it should be shorter,Um I wasn't ready for it to be over.The whole ferry scene was really a trip,I didn't expect that,very cool.Heath Ledger was absolutely magical,in fact his magic trick made my tummy do a little flip too,but he IS the joker,I will probably get a lot of shit for this I DON"T CARE!Bring it!!! Not only does Heath Ledger play the Joker he evolved into the joker and I am sorry I think he makes Jack Nicholson's joker look like child's play.He smacked his version right outta the dam park !There just IS no comparison.Dark,demented,FEARLESS.I love every twisted second he was on the screen.I can't explain the exhilration of finally getting to see this after waiting for what seemed like eternity,It seemed like the wait got longer too after Heath passed away.But it's like stepping into the front car of the brand new roller coaster and literally after the DC comics logo flashed and it was beginning I felt myself take a deep breath,I knew I was in for a great ride.I shit you not I was like Christmas for me today.I know there will be other good movies this year,I won't LET anything in my heart or mind surpass this movie.Oh and families on a tight budget,I get it,but hear me out.If you have 1 movie that you can go to all year and see in the theater you want it to be this one,I guarantee it.Anyone who waits for this to come out on DVD ,you are cheating yourself out of the full experience.Nolan is a brilliant ,brilliant man,nothing was left out.Seriously,riveted the entire time,the music,plot,characters,everything was totally ON POINT.Here I am adding my extra stars here.Go see this movie ASAP!!! =)***** and 5 more for Heath *****
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 5 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Batman Begins
by .:SexiVixxENOk ya'll OMG! I KNOW I am going to hear so much crap about this,but hear we go I am stepping out on a limb and owning this.Ok for some wacko reason I thought I had seen this movie thats why it was rated this whole time.Um yeah well,over the past week I have been in an argument with myself about Christian Bale being Batman,I remember Kilmer,Keaton blah blah but trying to recall details with Bale was leading to no where.So luckiliy it was showing on cable and lo and dam behold I just watched this for the first time tonight.What an AWESOME movie.Liam Neeson was a great surprise.I loved it beginning to end,I am SOOOOOO ready for The Dark Knight its like the kid who can't sleep the Night before Christmas.It's ridiculous!Anyway so there is my ugly confession of the week.I sure do wish I knew the reason that Katie Holmes did not want to play Rachel in the Dark Knight,if anyone knows will you please fill me in.Oh,by the way if you as well have not seen this.I totally recommend it.Especially if you want to be fully ready for The Dark Knight.=)
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 6 days ago -
I recommend you see...
The Road
by KevinThis is the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's latest novel. You might know him as the author of such classics as No Country For Old Men and Blood Meridian. No Country For Old Men was the novel that turned into an Oscar winning film directed by the Coen Brothers and Blood Meridian will soon be made for the screen by director Ridley Scott.
The Road, known to be the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction, is an absolutely fantastic read and one of my favourite novels. Me being a huge fan of both Cormac and the book, hopefully, the film version doesn't disappoint. I mean with Viggo Mortensen and Kodi Smit-McPhee portraying the main characters of father and son plus director John Hillcoat what can go wrong?This is set to be released in cinemas on 26 November 2008. So I'm just making sure that people are aware of this film. I mean c'mon it's written by Cormac McCarthy!
For more info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0898367/.posted 6 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Into the Wild
by .:SexiVixxENChristopher McCandless: [written into book] Happiness only real when shared.
(In and of itself,How powerful and profound is that?)This is movie was so much more than I expected.A real journey,a breaking free from everything.Emile Hirsch has a whole new respect in my book,any actor thats willing to drop alot of weight for films is pretty dedicated.I also read some other interesting things on IMDB.Anyway this is a very emotionally driven movie.It was so sad at points with his family that was left behind,so utterly broken from his 'disapperance'.Only his sister really understood him.He met some unconventional characters along the way,he had fun,he had an amazing adventure and this man saw things in this world most of us will never ever, even get close to.He found the beauty in the simplicity of just being.This is a beautiful but tragic true story this is highly recommended =)Hey, you should really see this!
posted 10 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Shortbus
by .:SexiVixxENAlrighty then!!! eh Hem.Next time I will do a lil more research before I just pop down and watch the next friendly Flix recomendation.Ok so no this isn't porn,but its right up there,and a lot of people I know would have not made it past the first 5 minutes.But because I am open minded I wanted to give it a chance.Not all scenes were for me,saying that there actually is a great story that goes along with this film.About real people,with real problems,and real sexual issues that are just trying to get their lives sorted out.If you can be open minded and know there will be guy on guy scenes you will be fine.If not don't bother,You will just get mad at me for not warning you.Have fun =)
Hey, you should really see this WARNING:NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!
posted 11 days ago -
I recommend you see...
A Walk to Remember
by .:SexiVixxENAhhhh God,22 and a half tissues later.This was really good,Yep going to the Tearjerker list with this one.If you haven't seen it,have a FULL box of tissues handy.Cause if you aren't crying through half this dam movie you got the dam burning watermelon stuck in your throat that is threatening to burst at any moment.Fair warning.Excellent movie.Highly recommended! =) (sniff)
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 12 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 13 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Fight Club
by CraigDirected by: David Fincher.
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf, Jared Leto.
<< "Self improvement is masturbation. Now self destruction..." >>
The story follows the narrator of the film, an office employee, a heavy consumer to the world, who suffers from insomnia and does what he can to try and cure it, but when someone gets in his way, it vents up. He soon meets Tyler Durden on a business flight and together, aside from there differences, they put together 'Fight Club', an underground male fight group to help relieve male aggression.
I've seen this film countless times and I think it takes my number 1 spot for that reason. I find it difficult to pick a favorite film and even then I see no film as perfect, but the fact that I can keep re-watching this film and finding something new and refreshing every single time keeps it as one of my 'favorites'.
This film showed me one of my favorite directors...David Fincher. I would also count Se7en as another film that really brings forward the genius (it was released before this), but I saw this first. Key words is really all I can give you for his work here...brilliant, stylish, taut and a very original directional style, even when a lot of it comes from the CGI, his deft control and visual mind are present in every computerized moment and whats delivered is more than just CGI.
Now I have never read Chuck Palahniuk's novel that this film is based on (but I definitely plan to read it), so I can't judge how faithful this film is, even though people say it is. Whether or not the book is more complex and layered or whether it's the other way around...either way, Jim Ehl's screenplay is something astonishing. Many still believe that even though its a film for the mind, the visceral content make it that much more...wrong. The screenplay is complex and chock full of layers. Its thoughtful, controversial and truly outstanding. Its not only a film full of crafty thrills, brilliant characters, superb and thoughtful dialogue and a twist to shock many (your not smart to 'figure' it out before the end, you can only take guesses), buts its so much more...a corporate advert to show the deterioration of man, a consumers guide to how life is, every character action, every frame tells another story about everything we live for, all while keeping you extremely engrossed elsewhere...reading the basic synopsis for this film tells you nothing, it is not just a film about fighting, its about what man is really capable of, because we are blinded by how unreal the world has become, where we aim for unnecessary goals, where we want a certain lifestyle that we don't need, like Tyler Durden says in the film, 'Things you own, end up owning you'...trust me, I am only telling you one small factor of the film here.
The acting is brilliant, although Brad Pitt delivered a strong and weird performance in 12 Monkeys before this, this film showed the world he really is an actor and not just a celebrity. His performance that is darkly hilarious and strangely captivating...and Edward Norton gives the 2nd strongest performance of his career (after American History X), enough said.
Fight Club was a critical success, which is rare thing for a film that is now seen as a 'cult classic', seeing as it flopped at the box office...it got the best of both worlds without the worlds money. I could continue to rant on and on about how much I love this film and how the film stands alone as something great, but I'll stop soon. The film is a masterpiece in my eyes, a film of kinetic beauty and a film to tell so much to so many...many will see this film as a degeneration of the world, but its actually exposing the world for what it is...a nice twist.
<< "Hitting bottom isn't a weekend retreat. It's not a goddamn seminar. Stop trying to control everything and just let go! LET GO!" >>Yeah yeah you've all seen it...but I had to finally give it the review it deserved, especially since its in my top 5.
posted 13 days ago -
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I recommend you see...
Unleashed (Danny the Dog)
by .:SexiVixxENYou know,I remember seeing a trailer for this forever ago and thought the story sounded so intriguing.Here I just stumbled back across this.What an awesome flick,To be honest (cause I am bare bones honest in my reviews) I was expecting more action/fight scenes,But this was ok too.A great twisted plot about a guy that takes a boy and makes him his little killer pet.Anyway great cast with Bob Hoskins,Morgan Freeman and the Amazing and multi-talented Jet Li.This story had heart and was really good,I totally recommend this one.Very entertaining! =)
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 15 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Get Smart
by .:SexiVixxENIf you are already a Steve Carell fan you will probably love this.It was pretty funny.Again its that stupid silly humor that you are just going to laugh no matter how hard you might try not to.Anyway I would wait for DVD on this one unless you just HAVE to see it now lol.=)
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 15 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Hancock
by CraigDirected by: Peter Berg.
Starring: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan, Jae Head.
<< "Call me an asshole, one more time..." >>
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD
The story follows a drunk superhero known as Hancock. The entire city knows who he is and although he really is the only savior they have against crime, they don't trust him, seeing as he is careless, drunk and carries an attitude for all to see. But when the city really needs him the most, the closest people he has met along the way must help him to clean himself up and take on what he is asked of.
Yeah the plot sounds predictable and it is...but god the twisted take sounds like it really could be great and when I first heard it I thought 'wow, its great to finally see a twist on the superhero genre that doesn't sound like another parody'...the plot still sounds great to me, but it isn't fulfilled to it potential here.
I shouldn't really be 'spoiling' the opening scene, but I really have to here, because it shows you why I nearly felt like walking out. Without going into to much detail, a car chase/shootout is happening on the highway, Hancock is drunk and asleep, someone calls upon him to help and he flies to help in a drunk state...this sounds decent and funny, but that isn't the case as it is horribly executed here. The CGI is appalling, I get the idea that they are trying to do him flying drunk through the air but it looks very iffy...and THEN he smashes into a sign on the highway that causes a 20 second sequence of blatant CGI bits smashing into countless cop cars that flip and crash in every direction...a very 'Michael Bay' moment made worse playing to the song 'Move Bitch'.
But to be fair, the movie did step up for the next hour. Peter Berg does go to far into the familiar hand-held style that he did in The Kingdom and it does become a little distracting for where the story goes, but he manages to keep the pacing right and really helps to deliver the humor. That is definitely the strong point of the film, its humor. From such a character created (which is actually standard and goes through the basic motions throughout the film...nothing great), its cheeky, witty, a little dirty and very 'in your face'...I definitely found myself having a great time.
The performances were rather acceptable. Will Smith is obviously the right man for such a role. Although getting greedy with the 'celebrity status' he now has, he can still entertain and can act...and his sly attitude and humor really adds presence to the film. Charlize Theron works well with Will and they have unexpected chemistry together...and shes so damn hot throughout. Jason Bateman is...well, Jason Bateman.
Then the film goes downhill from what was actually a rather decent and acceptable 1st and 2nd act. The final act, while watching it, is done well, remained gripped and the visual style was amazing (underneath the mediocre CGI), but by the time the credits rolled, I felt horribly cheated...the film simply changed note harshly and what was for a while a decent, cheeky, witty piece turned into a overly dramatic film that took itself way to seriously.
The film is really problematic. The characters are stock, theres no strong villain presence and the ending really pulls the film down, especially after what I saw as a rather acceptable, funny and witty twist on the superhero genre with a strong performance from Will Smith...pity.Watch on DVD maybe.
posted 17 days ago -
I recommend you see...
WALL-E
by .:SexiVixxENVery sweet movie.You cannot help but fall in love with Wall E.Pixar did another amazing job,I hope they can keep topping themselves.This is most definitely recommended!
Hey, you should really see this!
posted 18 days ago -
I recommend you see...
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
by CraigDirected by: Sidney Lumet.
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Albert Finney, Marisa Tomei.
<< "The thing about real estate accounting is that you can, you can add down the page or across the page and everything works out. Everyday, everything adds up. The...the total is always the sum of its parts. It's, uh...clean. It's clear. Neat, absolute, but my life, it doesn't add up. It, uh...nothing connects to anything else. It's, uh...I'm not, I'm not the sum of my parts. All my parts don't add up to one...to one 'me', I guess." >>
The story follows two brothers who organize a robbery of there parents jewelery store. Everything is set nicely, they are to rob it when there parents are not working, to ensure they don't get hurt, the insurance will cover it all and they will get the money that they so badly need. But when everything goes wrong, it sends everyone of them into a chain of events that none of them can change.
What can I say? I knew the film was going to be worthy of a watch yet I still held off a bit from seeing it...how stupid of me.
The screenplay from first timer Kelly Masterson is simply outstanding. It acts more as a character drama rather then a full on crime thriller and it works better that way. The films pacing might have some people lost in the dust and it jumps a fair bit around in time from character to character, but without that, the film wouldn't feel as complete as it really is. Each character is given special treatment and such a brilliant study on the events that occur, it contains so many layers I really don't think I can tap them all.
Sidney Lumet really is back at the top of his game here. I could go on about the overall craftsmanship of the film making seeing as I can now see it from that angle (being a filmmaker myself), from the incredible continuity and setups, but its really how Sidney directs that people should worry about. It deft, its thoughtful and its damn near flawless. He still has it in him to create something great and thats what you get.
The acting really is superb and exactly what is needed for such characters. Philip Seymour Hoffman gives his best performance since his Oscar win. His character has different raging sides of emotions and Philip deftly portrays this hateful man perfectly. Ethan Hawke sits nicely in the background showing that he can do good without stepping forward, knowing he isn't as great as the leads around him, but he does incredibly well. Marisa Tomei still looks amazing for her age but it is strange to see her going topless in her recent films, she may be a little underused here, but we know that she can act around her body...and Albert Finney is simply fantastic. Heartbreaking, intense and simply gripping, he gives the best performance I have ever seen from him.
There is so much to this film and still by the end of it, I felt fully satisfied, its a rare film that you can see as 'complete'. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is masterful work, with a stunning, character driven screenplay from first timer Kelly Masterson, deft and near flawless direction from Sidney Lumet and some outstanding performances from the main leads, especially Albert Finney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Quite the masterpiece indeed and up there with Lumet's best.The critics are certainly right here. A very satisfying film.
posted 18 days ago -
I recommend you see...
We Own the Night
by CraigDirected by: James Gray.
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Duvall, Alex Veadov.
<< "Remember. It's better to be judged by twelve people, than carried by six." >>
The story follows two brothers who have chosen different paths. Ones a New York nightclub manager. On the rise, hes in talks to manage another club and the drugs are available to him where ever he goes. The other is a cop, who has followed in his fathers footsteps. After he raids his brothers nightclub for a Russian Thug, things start to spiral out of control when a hit is put on one of the brothers.
The plot idea really has the potential to be something great. A powerful tale of brotherhood and the complexities of the crime syndicate that went on in the late 1980's...unfortunately this film doesn't reach that.
What pulls this film down is James Gray's undeveloped and weak script. As a director, he is impressive. The film has amazing production values and is competently told with his keen eye for visuals, but the script really starts to lose things after the decent first act. The characters go by the numbers, going through the motions and being there for every silly setup to create conflict in the story. Mark Wahlberg's character especially is horribly undeveloped after a great start. I sat there wanting to see what he could do from the corner he is pushed into. But it isn't just about the characters though, James Gray squeezes in too many dramatic moments and silly dialogue that really pulls the film down after many great scenes, especially the shootout between the cops and the Russians that really is intense and shocking.
The performances are actually quite acceptable, considering what they are given. Joaquin Phoenix is rather underrated by many and needs to be seen as more of a powerhouse actor. He inhabits the characters attitude with flair and battles through what he has to work with. Mark Wahlberg is acceptable and is better here than what we have seen of him in the last 2 years (post-Departed)...and Eva Mendes delivers her better performance as the girlfriend fighting an internal battle to keep supporting her lover.
We Own The Night had major potential to be seen as a classic crime thriller...but it falls short. For the most part it stays above what we see nowadays with some solid performances and impressive direction by James Gray, who shows a decent portrayal of 1980's New York accompanied with some great scenes...but it fails at being anything more because of way too many unnecessary moments to create conflict and overall bland characters that don't give anything. Its worth a watch, even though I felt frustrated...but my attitude by the end of it was simply...meh.Thought I'd wait till DVD...glad I did.
posted 19 days ago
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