Star's Talk

The Hurt Locker

"You'll know when you're in it."

Based on recently declassified information and the personal wartime experiences of journalist Mark Boal (who adapted his experiences with a bomb squad into a fact-based, yet fictional story), director Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq War drama The Hurt Locker presents the ongoing conflict in the Middle East from the perspective of those who see the fighting firsthand -- the soldiers. As an elite Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team tactfully navigates the streets of present-day Iraq, they face the constant threat of death from incoming bombs and sharp-shooting snipers.

Review
Action woman Kathryn Bigelow returns to form in this intense war drama about an elite Bomb Squad whose job is to disarm and diffuse deadly bombs that plagues modern day Iraq. Her first film since 2002's K19:The Widowmaker, this movie is the best way to make a comeback and I just hope people will notice that. Rarely does a woman captivate the action junkies out there by putting together a series of intense, breath taking scenes and with the lightning fast pace she simply won't let you recover and you'll find yourself glued to the screen for the whole two hours of the movie.

Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty all gave good performances though not memorable in any way, they carry the sentiments of the soldiers currently serving in the Iraq war and I believe justice is brought to each of their roles. Supporting roles include Ralph Fiennes, who is everywhere right now, Guy Pearce and David Morse. Although much of them are pretty much in only a scene or two, they did pretty well considering. The Hurt Locker is a movie that transcends politics and all that mumbo jumbo. Simply put, this movie is a kickass action pic that grabs you by the throat and won't let go until the end credits roll. If you're into this kind of stuff, then this is a must see.

The Wackness

"Summer 1994. The girls were fly. The music was dope. And Luke was just trying to deal."

A psychiatrist (Ben Kingsley) is put into a moral quandary when a young drug dealer who's been supplying him with pot in exchange for clinical treatment ends up dating his daughter in this comedy from All the Boys Love Mandy Lane's writer/director Jonathan Levine. Josh Peck, Famke Janssen, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Method Man co-star in the Occupant Films production.

Review
A movie that hit so close to home, The Wackness is a beautifully crafted coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a hot, dreary summer in NYC of 1994. Every kid out there in some way can relate to Shapiro's dope summer of '94, from the parents always fighting to the steamy first love affair, you can't help but reminisce the things that defined your childhood and the memories that will stay with you forever. Every aspect of the film is remarkable. The directing is top notch, the writing, not a word was wasted and the acting was pretty impressive. Josh Peck, that kid from the Nickelodeon show made a complete 360 from cracking jokes to doing crack. That kid is going places I can tell you that. He took a big risk by doing the role and the payoff was grand. No more stupid humor and toilet jokes for this kid. Olivia Thirlby is delightful as the object of Luke's affection and Ben Kingsley, always the great actor transforms himself into a hippie therapist suffering in a mid-life crisis and well, its Ben Kingsley, an Oscar award winning actor and three-time nominee, need I say more?

One notable aspect of the film is the excellent use of 90's music that defined the teen generation of that decade. All thanks to the film scorer of course, David Torn. Without him, The Wackness wouldn't be as memorable to the audience as it would have been. Ultimately, The Wackness is a character driven piece beautifully crafted by the director and showcasing some impressive acting by the cast most notably Kingsley and Peck. This film is a must-see.

Twilight

Read about 1/4 of the book.

Straightheads (Closure)

With movies such as Hostel and Saw XXVI (joke) part of the norm today, I didn't think I could be shocked anymore. I was wrong. The revenge scene made me cringe and I cannot get it out of my head, although you really do not see it. There is a total male/female role reversal here, but it works. Although I did find myself wishing Mulder would show up and save the day.

Heading South

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

"Life isn't measured in minutes, but in moments"

David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story, re-teams the director with Brad Pitt, who takes on the title role. What makes Button such a curious case is that when he is born in New Orleans just after World War I, he is already in his eighties, and proceeds to live his life aging in reverse. This sweeping film follows the character's unusual life into the 21st century as he experiences joy and sadness, loves lost and found, and the meaning of timelessness. Cate Blanchett co-stars along with Tilda Swinton, Elias Koteas, and Julia Ormond.

Review
Words cannot express how truly magnificent this film is. This is what filmmaking is all about, pure escapism. You forget reality for two hours and you'll get an amazing masterwork helmed by a genius, written by a visionary and defined by high standard acting. Everything is so right in this film, from the acting, to the vivid cinematography. The directing and writing were beyond excellent. Some people complained about its length and I am not one of them. Believe it or not, I actually wanted more out of it, it is that good but I believe the ending is just as magical the way it is. David Fincher, one of the greatest directors in our current generation takes another risky project and turns it into one of the most beautiful films of recent memory. From Fight Club to Seven and 2007's sleeper Zodiac, the guy has yet to make a bad film. Well, except for Alien 3 but that is nothing but history now. Kudos also to the guys who wrote 'Button', the geniuses Eric Roth and Robin Swicord, their work is simply masterful I wouldn't omit a line from the film. Every second is treasured and wasn't wasted.

Brad Pitt has come a long way since Thelma & Louise. The dashing debonair didn't resort to his boyish good looks but instead acts wonderfully. There is a certain charm about him that makes Benjamin an interesting and memorable character. He puts his all and the payoff is grand. Cate Blanchett is just superb as Daisy. No other actress could have portrayed Daisy like Cate did and the chemistry between them is just magic. Taraji P. Henson deserves at least a Best Supporting nod, what she did to Queenie couldn't have been better. Its just amazing. The make-up department deserves a round of applause too, the effects that renders Pitt into an old, frail child were just a thing of beauty. All in all, 'Benjamin Button' is a 2008 masterwork that you can't afford to miss. Highly recommended.

The Alphabet Killer

This movie didn't know if it wanted to be a supernatural thriller or a lame "based-on-true-story" dud. I thought that with Timothy Hutton and Cary Elwes acting in this it wouldn't be that bad. I was wrong.

Heading South

The film takes place in Haiti in the late 70's and is about three older single women visiting a beach resort to take advantage of the sun, sea, sand, and young Haitian men. I loved this film. It feels very French in its tasteful restraint. Actual sex is never shown, yet it is every bit as titilating as if it were. This movie asks questions you didn't want to think about and turns perceptions around. The sad revelations at the end of the film say a lot about human nature will keep the film in your mind.

El Cantante

Marc Anthony gave a stellar performance. I have been a fan of his for a while. The movie is about the life of Hector Lavoe (Marc Anthony) from the point of view of his wife Puchi (Jennifer Lopez). The musical numbers are beautifully shot and edited. Marc was very instinctive and laid-back with his acting approach, but it worked wonders. The singing/concert scenes just seemed to validate his superb talents as a singer in his own right even more.

Passion in the Desert

This wonderful movie raises some uncomfortable and ultimately fascinating questions about the possibility of a human falling in love with an animal...and it explores these questions gracefully and without sensationalism. The leopard should have won an award. She was just that good. Ben Daniels' acting with leopards only was amazing. This is a very underrated film.

Låt den Rätte Komma In (Let the Right One in)

Absolutely one of the best vampire movies I have ever seen. Won 18 awards & 2 nominations These two child actors blow away any American child star. I recently read that Hollywood is going to remake this. Please let it be a lie. They will ruin a beautiful and haunting movie. There is no way it could ever hope to capture the magic of this one. Just dub it for people who don't want to read subtitles and leave it at that!

There are some truly disturbing scenes, but this is not exploitation. As I watched, I wondered just who is really evil? Vampires? Or humans and what we do to each other?

It's heartfelt and beautiful...gory and shocking. The pool scene I will not soon forget, and the ending was just perfect.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

I loved this movie. I was so swept up in the "moment" of the movie, I never noticed the "time." Time's presence in this film is a character itself. The lesson reaches out and grabs you and shakes you. Time stands still for no one. Memories are sometimes all we have. Make every second count. See this with everyone you love.


Something I noticed on the movie's title page here is that two great actors, Taraji P. Henson from Hustle & Flow and Mahershalalhashbaz Ali from The 4400, are not even pictured or listed with the main actors. And Taraji was awesome in the film as Brad Pitt's adoptive mother. Ali is a phenomenal Shakespearean actor and does not get the recognition he deserves.

The Wrestler

Randy 'The Ram' Robinson: "In this life you can lose everything you love, everything that loves you. Alot of people told me that I'd never wrestle again, the only one that's gonna tell me when I'm through doing my thing, is you people here."

His sense of identity fading into nothingness after the spotlights dim and he experiences a close brush with mortality, a retired wrestler begins to evaluate his life while considering the comeback that could very well kill him in director Darren Aronofsky's poignant portrait of an introspective former superstar in the twilight of his career. Back in his heyday, wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was an icon in the ring. His image immortalized in action figures and video games, he would headline arenas across the globe. Twenty years later, those glory days have passed, and Randy is forced to earn his keep by brawling before handfuls of fans in high-school gyms and community centers around New Jersey. In the wake of a heart attack, the former icon attempts to earn a little extra cash while working in a deli and making an effort to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter, Stephanie (Evan Rachel Wood). Yet, despite Randy's continued attempts at convincing local stripper Cassidy (Marisa Tomei) to settle down with him in his humble trailer, the ring still calls to him. Later, when the prospect of a high-profile rematch with his longtime nemesis presents itself, Randy is forced to weigh his mortality against his desire to hear the crowd roar one last time.

Review
A deeply moving film that tugs your emotional heartstrings in all the right places, The Wrestler is as real as you can get, its honest to the core and absolutely no BS. Aronofsky told us a story and he told it at flaming speed. Coupled with great set design and amazing cinematography (I just can't get enough of those over the shoulder shots), The Wrestler is a defining moment in 2008 cinema and it is gonna be remembered for the years to come.

I know its all said and done, but Mickey Rourke gives a career defining performance as Randy "The Ram". Rourke is Ram, there can be no other actor who can portray the character like Rourke did. The Ram reflects Rourke's real life struggles and he puts it to good use by using his raw, unnerved emotions on-screen. Tomei also knocked it out the ballpark portraying a sullen, single mom working as a stripper at a nightclub. The spark between her and Rourke is just pure magic but with a depressing mix to the equation when you realize these are people who are in the twilight of their careers and they have nobody else to turn to but each other. Evan Rachel Wood plays the daughter and although she is only seen in a couple or so scenes, she makes up for it with great acting and no doubt, this stunning lady is going places. Aronofsky, known for his previous depressing and sad films, gives us another one to cry our hearts out on so if you still haven't seen the film, ready your Kleenex because the ending will be one for the books.

A must see.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki wo kakeru shojo)

"There is a future that we can't wait for."

When a typical young high school girl discovers that she has the unique ability to traverse space and time, her efforts to use the power as a means of preserving the relationships she shares with her closest friends reveals the perpetually shifting nature of personal relationships in Digimon: The Movie director Mamoru Hosoda's warmhearted fantasy.

Review
What an amazing film this was. Its funny, its heartwarming, its emotional during certain points and if you are in touch with your emotional side, there is a chance that you will cry buckets. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a Japanese animated film that dwells in high school life and all that comes with it, the crushes, the puppy love, the platonic friendship and friendship that soon blossoms into romance. To spice things up a bit, the creators incorporated time travel in the mix and gave it to our klutzy heroine Makoto and the end result is absolutely satisfying as it manages to hit all the right spots and tug your heartstrings. The animation is just gorgeous to look at. It reminds you of a Ghibli movie due to its breathtaking use of rich colors and lavish texture, the film itself almost comes alive with its near perfect animation. The voice work done is perfect as well, integrating it seamlessly into the film thus giving life to the colorful and cheerful characters on screen. While the Sci-fi part and the time travel stuff may not be ironed out to the highest level, I suggest you leave your Einstein mindset right at the doorstep and just enjoy the story that the film is telling. All in all, if you look at it, the film is a touching tale bursting with emotions and it just warms your heart in all the right places. Highly recommended.

Greenfingers

Greenfingers, which is inspired by actual events, is a wonderful movie. Prisoners being reborn through gardening may not seem very action-packed or interesting, but this movie will keep you interested and curious as to the outcome, and Clive Owen keeps his cool in a part that begs for overacting. Even though the movie falls back on a time-worn formula, it's a good formula. I enjoyed it.

Twilight

Ok...I give in. I'm officially a fan. Never read the books, though, and from the reviews I've read I may not. Books are always better then film and since I loved it so much I don't want to be disappointed. I for one, was happy that they left off the blood and gore. I think I"ve had my fill of that genre for a while.

The Day the Earth Stood Still

Keanu Reeves is set to star in "The Day the Earth Stood Still," the re-imagining of the 1951 Robert Wise - directed sci-fi classic.Yes you read correctly, Keanu Reeves. He apparently committed over the weekend (hey, I posted this Sept 21) to play Klaatu, the humanoid alien who arrives on Earth accompanied by an indestructible, heavily armed robot and a warning to world leaders that their continued aggression will lead to annihilation by species watching from afar. I've seen the previews and I'm praying they don't screw it up.

+++++++++++++++++++++


Well, As I feared...they screwed it up. I was hoping against hope. It's official...HOLLYWOOD MUST STOP with the remakes!!!!!! Good special effects and that's it. I'm a huge Keanu fan, but this was bad, bad, bad.

Kinky Boots

If you really want to feel good after watching a movie...this is the one. A stellar performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor. The songs are wonderful. The story does have its predictable parts, but the characters save it. The movie rises above its formula because of its characterizations. Chiwetel brings flamboyance to Lola, but not to the point where he is just a stereotype. There is also a sense of seriousness to the Lola character. Ejiofor plays a beautiful and very convincing woman, both in and out of a dress, and is a great character emotionally and physically. I would have loved to have known the "real" characters this movie was based on!!