Director: Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz [which was pretty good, but this is only his third film)
Stars: Michael Cera (Superbad, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Death Proof, Final Destination 3)
YesNoSoso: 2
I don't usually do this, but a blog I read, Filmdrunk, reviewed Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (here) and said everything I think of this movie much more elegantly than I ever could. I loved it. I might even give it an Emphatic 2 (I did). A movie littered with video game imagery and tongue-in-cheek video game references, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World executes its intended style with perfection. Edgar Wright's finished product is unlike any film ever made and is wildly entertaining. I know this is terse and uninformative. Just read the review at Filmdrunk or better yet, go see it.
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Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts
5/17/10
Star Trek (2009)
Director: J.J. Abrams (Mission: Impossible 3, "Alias" [I've never seen])
Stars: Chris Pine (Smokin' Aces [which was pretty bad], Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement)
Zachary Quinto ("24", "Heroes" [Both bad shows])
YesNoSoso: 2
Well this movie was a pleasant surprise. Mission: Impossible 3 was also surprisingly good, so I suppose I shouldn't have been shocked that I enjoyed Abrams take on Star Trek. He has just envoked so much hatred in me for the direction "Lost" has taken and I haven't really enjoyed the Star Trek franchise up until now. Abrams reboot though, is extremely entertaining and very well executed. Very good performances from Pine and Quinto that helps establish that camaraderie between Kirk and Spock seen in the titular television show. Well paced action and quality (but not over the top) special effects make this a very enjoyable movie experience.
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Stars: Chris Pine (Smokin' Aces [which was pretty bad], Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement)
Zachary Quinto ("24", "Heroes" [Both bad shows])
YesNoSoso: 2
Well this movie was a pleasant surprise. Mission: Impossible 3 was also surprisingly good, so I suppose I shouldn't have been shocked that I enjoyed Abrams take on Star Trek. He has just envoked so much hatred in me for the direction "Lost" has taken and I haven't really enjoyed the Star Trek franchise up until now. Abrams reboot though, is extremely entertaining and very well executed. Very good performances from Pine and Quinto that helps establish that camaraderie between Kirk and Spock seen in the titular television show. Well paced action and quality (but not over the top) special effects make this a very enjoyable movie experience.
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12/27/09
True Lies (1994)
Director: James Cameron (Terminator 2, Titanic)
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Total Recall, Batman & Robin)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Trading Places, Freaky Friday)
YesNoSoso: 2
True Lies is the movie I always forget when I'm blasting James Cameron. This movie is absolutely incredible and really one of a kind. Its almost as if Cameron tricked Schwarzenegger into doing this movie. True Lies is essentially a satire of Arnold's movies, but its also (in my opinion) his best one. It pulls off the ultra-rare feat of trying to satirize a specific genre of movie, being successful and also making a great movie WITHIN the genre it was trying to satirize. I would imagine if I told 1000 people that I believe James Cameron has only one Emphatic 2, I'd get a whole lot of Terminator 2's, some Aliens, a few Titanics and an Abyss or 2, but not a single True Lies. (BTW if your curious T2 is a begrudged 2 (I don't think its stood the test of time), Aliens and Titanic are f-ing zeros and I don't remember the Abyss enough to give it a rating [not a good sign]).
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Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger (Total Recall, Batman & Robin)
Jamie Lee Curtis (Trading Places, Freaky Friday)
YesNoSoso: 2
True Lies is the movie I always forget when I'm blasting James Cameron. This movie is absolutely incredible and really one of a kind. Its almost as if Cameron tricked Schwarzenegger into doing this movie. True Lies is essentially a satire of Arnold's movies, but its also (in my opinion) his best one. It pulls off the ultra-rare feat of trying to satirize a specific genre of movie, being successful and also making a great movie WITHIN the genre it was trying to satirize. I would imagine if I told 1000 people that I believe James Cameron has only one Emphatic 2, I'd get a whole lot of Terminator 2's, some Aliens, a few Titanics and an Abyss or 2, but not a single True Lies. (BTW if your curious T2 is a begrudged 2 (I don't think its stood the test of time), Aliens and Titanic are f-ing zeros and I don't remember the Abyss enough to give it a rating [not a good sign]).
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11/4/09
Taken (2008)
Director: Pierre Morel (has only directed one other French movie that I've never heard of)
Stars: Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, Evolution)
Maggie Grace ("Lost", The Fog)
YesNoSoso: 2
Ok, so the internet doesn't love this movie (57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic) but I am not (that) ashamed to admit that I did. This should come as a surprise to those familiar with my movie tastes. I am usually pretty hard on action flicks because quite frankly they are ususally f-cking terrible. Too many action movies use camera tricks and special effects as a substitute for a plot or interesting characters. While Taken isn't heavy on either, it is solid. Nothing too flashy, just a good old fashion action flick.
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Stars: Liam Neeson (Batman Begins, Evolution)
Maggie Grace ("Lost", The Fog)
YesNoSoso: 2
Ok, so the internet doesn't love this movie (57% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic) but I am not (that) ashamed to admit that I did. This should come as a surprise to those familiar with my movie tastes. I am usually pretty hard on action flicks because quite frankly they are ususally f-cking terrible. Too many action movies use camera tricks and special effects as a substitute for a plot or interesting characters. While Taken isn't heavy on either, it is solid. Nothing too flashy, just a good old fashion action flick.
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8/31/09
The Hurt Locker (2009)
Director: Kathryn Bigelow (Point Break, K-19: The Widowmaker)
Stars: Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, S.W.A.T.)
Ralph Fiennes (In Bruges, Maid in Manhattan)
YesNoSoso: 2
Dear Hollywood Action Directors: next time you are planning to use a handy cam to film a fight scene, watch Heat or The Hurt Locker, and witness what a realistic action scene feels like. The Hurt Locker is a heart pounding action film with complex characters and pertinent themes. Why can't more movies like this come out every year? I swear to G-d, its fucking September and there have been like 5 movies in 2009 that haven't sucked total ass.
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Stars: Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, S.W.A.T.)
Ralph Fiennes (In Bruges, Maid in Manhattan)
YesNoSoso: 2
Dear Hollywood Action Directors: next time you are planning to use a handy cam to film a fight scene, watch Heat or The Hurt Locker, and witness what a realistic action scene feels like. The Hurt Locker is a heart pounding action film with complex characters and pertinent themes. Why can't more movies like this come out every year? I swear to G-d, its fucking September and there have been like 5 movies in 2009 that haven't sucked total ass.
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7/8/09
Sunshine (2007)
Director: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, The Beach [not that bad])
Stars: Cliff Curtis (Three Kings, 10,000 BC)
Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins, Red Eye)
YesNoSoso: 2
Bizarre, but awesome. I have to admit, I will have to watch this movie again to fully understand what happened. I think readers of YesNoSoso are well versed in my hard-on for awesome concepts and this movie is no different. In Sunshine a bunch of astronauts are sent to the Sun in the year 2057 to reignite it, kind of like Armageddon. Unlike Armageddon, the ensemble cast they employed to act as the crew can actually...act (my apologies to Steve Buscemi). Also there is a supernatural and spiritual element to the plot that makes an interesting balance to the technical aspect of the science fiction genre.
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Stars: Cliff Curtis (Three Kings, 10,000 BC)
Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins, Red Eye)
YesNoSoso: 2
Bizarre, but awesome. I have to admit, I will have to watch this movie again to fully understand what happened. I think readers of YesNoSoso are well versed in my hard-on for awesome concepts and this movie is no different. In Sunshine a bunch of astronauts are sent to the Sun in the year 2057 to reignite it, kind of like Armageddon. Unlike Armageddon, the ensemble cast they employed to act as the crew can actually...act (my apologies to Steve Buscemi). Also there is a supernatural and spiritual element to the plot that makes an interesting balance to the technical aspect of the science fiction genre.
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Terminator: Salvation (2009)
Director: McG (Charlie's Angels, We are Marshall [both sucked unbelievable balls])
Stars: Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, Reign of Fire)
Sam Worthington (Hart's War [This is the only movie of his I've even heard of, never seen it though)
YesNoSoso: 0
What a steaming pile of dog poo. This movie has absolutely nothing to offer except action (which is that good) and a hot chick (awesomely named Moon Bloodgood). Christian Bale completely phones it in and there is zero plot and absolutely awful dialogue. There were multiple occasions when the audience started laughing at very serious but poorly delivered and placed lines. Never see this movie. Your welcome.
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Stars: Christian Bale (The Dark Knight, Reign of Fire)
Sam Worthington (Hart's War [This is the only movie of his I've even heard of, never seen it though)
YesNoSoso: 0
What a steaming pile of dog poo. This movie has absolutely nothing to offer except action (which is that good) and a hot chick (awesomely named Moon Bloodgood). Christian Bale completely phones it in and there is zero plot and absolutely awful dialogue. There were multiple occasions when the audience started laughing at very serious but poorly delivered and placed lines. Never see this movie. Your welcome.
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JCVD (2008)
Director: Mabrouk El Mechri (some French crap you've never heard of)
Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme (Bloodsport, Double Team)
A bunch of French people you've never heard of
YesNoSoso: 0
The concept of this movie is one of the most original and incredible I've heard in a long time. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Jean-Claude Van Damme, aging and struggling to find work. Fighting to gain custody of his child, JCVD suddenly finds himself in the middle of a bank robbery. I know, it sounds awesome, its just not. The movie has some cool, JCVD-type action (a lot of badguys staying still while JCVD does some ridiculous moves) but it really drags. The knowledge of its existence provides more cinematic satisfaction than actually watching.
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Stars: Jean-Claude Van Damme (Bloodsport, Double Team)
A bunch of French people you've never heard of
YesNoSoso: 0
The concept of this movie is one of the most original and incredible I've heard in a long time. Jean-Claude Van Damme plays Jean-Claude Van Damme, aging and struggling to find work. Fighting to gain custody of his child, JCVD suddenly finds himself in the middle of a bank robbery. I know, it sounds awesome, its just not. The movie has some cool, JCVD-type action (a lot of badguys staying still while JCVD does some ridiculous moves) but it really drags. The knowledge of its existence provides more cinematic satisfaction than actually watching.
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5/11/09
Apocalypto (2006)
Director: Mel Gibson (Braveheart, Last Temptation of Christ)
Stars: Rudy Youngblood (nothing else really)
nobody else really
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie blew me away. Say what you will about Mel Gibson and his antisemitism, the man understands plot development (shout out to Matt and Trey for that one). Mel Gibson basically took the "chase" genre down to its most simplistic and humanistic form and wrapped it around a period piece looking at the breakdown of the Mayan civilization. One of the best movies I've seen in a while.
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Stars: Rudy Youngblood (nothing else really)
nobody else really
YesNoSoso: 2
This movie blew me away. Say what you will about Mel Gibson and his antisemitism, the man understands plot development (shout out to Matt and Trey for that one). Mel Gibson basically took the "chase" genre down to its most simplistic and humanistic form and wrapped it around a period piece looking at the breakdown of the Mayan civilization. One of the best movies I've seen in a while.
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4/1/09
Watchmen (2009)
Director: Zack Snyder (300, Micheal Jordan's: Playground)
Stars: Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Mission: Impossible III)
Patrick Wilson (Running with Scissors, Lakeview Terrace)
YesNoSoso: 2
Yes, I actually saw a movie in a theater, but I wanted to see it in IMAX, which was impossible since Watchmen got bumped in favor of Monsters vs Aliens and Under the Sea 3D (fuck you Dreamworks...and I suppose whoever made Under the Sea 3D). So I watched on the regular 30 foot movie screen like a commoner, and it was still quite awesome. The main complaints I've been hearing from people and the blogosphere (LOVE that word) are that its too long and the ending sucks (also that there is too much blue penis). I can definitely identify with both of these complaints (the blue penis was barely present and was certainly not "in your face", you really had to go out of your way to look at it. If your into that sort of thing). I was riveted to the screen for the first 2 hours of the movie but started wishing it would just end for the last half an hour. But still I don't know what should've been cut, this may be a case where I need to get my ADHD in check and just suck it up. I had no qualms with the ending, I just don't see any real reason they couldn't have just filmed the graphic novel's ending. Maybe a giant tentacle guy would've been too hard to believe or something. Pussies. All in all I am extremely happy with Snyder's Watchmen. To say I was upset when I found out a Watchmen movie was being made would be an understatement. I've always viewed Watchmen as the quintesessntial product of its medium and I was having a hard time believing a director (while resisting producers) would be able to accuratley portray its themes. Much like I don't think Citizen Kane would make a good book, I didn't think a Watchmen movie would work either. While the movie is nowhere near as complete as the book, Snyder did as good of a job as could be expected and has created a rather amazing peice of cinema.
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Stars: Billy Crudup (Almost Famous, Mission: Impossible III)
Patrick Wilson (Running with Scissors, Lakeview Terrace)
YesNoSoso: 2
Yes, I actually saw a movie in a theater, but I wanted to see it in IMAX, which was impossible since Watchmen got bumped in favor of Monsters vs Aliens and Under the Sea 3D (fuck you Dreamworks...and I suppose whoever made Under the Sea 3D). So I watched on the regular 30 foot movie screen like a commoner, and it was still quite awesome. The main complaints I've been hearing from people and the blogosphere (LOVE that word) are that its too long and the ending sucks (also that there is too much blue penis). I can definitely identify with both of these complaints (the blue penis was barely present and was certainly not "in your face", you really had to go out of your way to look at it. If your into that sort of thing). I was riveted to the screen for the first 2 hours of the movie but started wishing it would just end for the last half an hour. But still I don't know what should've been cut, this may be a case where I need to get my ADHD in check and just suck it up. I had no qualms with the ending, I just don't see any real reason they couldn't have just filmed the graphic novel's ending. Maybe a giant tentacle guy would've been too hard to believe or something. Pussies. All in all I am extremely happy with Snyder's Watchmen. To say I was upset when I found out a Watchmen movie was being made would be an understatement. I've always viewed Watchmen as the quintesessntial product of its medium and I was having a hard time believing a director (while resisting producers) would be able to accuratley portray its themes. Much like I don't think Citizen Kane would make a good book, I didn't think a Watchmen movie would work either. While the movie is nowhere near as complete as the book, Snyder did as good of a job as could be expected and has created a rather amazing peice of cinema.
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3/5/09
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Director: Louis Leterrier (The Transporter 2 [which sucked ass])
Stars: Edward Norton (Fight Club, The Italian Job)
Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings, Armageddon)
YesNoSoso: 0
I appreciate the effort of skipping the entire origin story and the beginning subplot of Bruce Banner trying to control the Hulk through meditation and training, but it doesn't deliver on an entertaining movie. Look, Hollywood, I know you want to make a Hulk movie, but perhaps our CGI/Special effects just aren't up to snuff yet to legitimately pull it off. I literally went to the kitchen and made a sandwich when The Hulk and The Abomination were fighting, I just can't get into those CGI fight scenes (The Neo/Mr Smith brawl in the second Matrix comes to mind). And the best Hulk villain you can come up with is essentially another Hulk? How boring is that?
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Stars: Edward Norton (Fight Club, The Italian Job)
Liv Tyler (The Lord of the Rings, Armageddon)
YesNoSoso: 0
I appreciate the effort of skipping the entire origin story and the beginning subplot of Bruce Banner trying to control the Hulk through meditation and training, but it doesn't deliver on an entertaining movie. Look, Hollywood, I know you want to make a Hulk movie, but perhaps our CGI/Special effects just aren't up to snuff yet to legitimately pull it off. I literally went to the kitchen and made a sandwich when The Hulk and The Abomination were fighting, I just can't get into those CGI fight scenes (The Neo/Mr Smith brawl in the second Matrix comes to mind). And the best Hulk villain you can come up with is essentially another Hulk? How boring is that?
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1/29/09
Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
Director: Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Blade II)
Stars: Ron Perlman ("Batman: The Animated Series", Police Academy: Mission to Moscow)
Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions, A Guy Thing)
YesNoSoso: 2
Sooooo cool. I will fully admit that if Guillermo hadn't directed this movie it would have probably been an emphatic 0, but he did, so its not. Imagine the same awesome effects seen in Pan's Labyrinth combined with a relatively interesting comic book Hero storyline and you have the Hellboy series. Del Toro is somehow able to tell a fairly complicated story laced with ludicrous characters without making it seem ludicrous.
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Stars: Ron Perlman ("Batman: The Animated Series", Police Academy: Mission to Moscow)
Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions, A Guy Thing)
YesNoSoso: 2
Sooooo cool. I will fully admit that if Guillermo hadn't directed this movie it would have probably been an emphatic 0, but he did, so its not. Imagine the same awesome effects seen in Pan's Labyrinth combined with a relatively interesting comic book Hero storyline and you have the Hellboy series. Del Toro is somehow able to tell a fairly complicated story laced with ludicrous characters without making it seem ludicrous.
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1/15/09
Shoot 'Em Up (2007)
Director: Michael Davis (100 Girls which sucks and some other stuff I've never seen)
Stars: Clive Owen (Children of Men, The Pink Panther)
Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Fred Claus)
YesNoSoso: 1
Check it out, but it just simply missed. I have nothing but respect for a filmmaker who takes an obvious risk in trying to deliver a truly original piece, but this just isn't very good. Plus, I trust Clive Owen's judgment in movies so much I will watch ANYTHING he acts in. Seriously, look at his IMDB page. If it wasn't for his uncredited role in The Pink Panther, there's not a single bad movie in the bunch, I would've had to go with King Arthur or Inside Man, and both of those were SOLID YesNoSoso 1's if not YesNoSoso 2's. Shoot 'Em Up has a ludicrously sensational plot and several elaborate gunfights. Combine that with Monica Belucci and its certainly worth a look.
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Stars: Clive Owen (Children of Men, The Pink Panther)
Paul Giamatti (American Splendor, Fred Claus)
YesNoSoso: 1
Check it out, but it just simply missed. I have nothing but respect for a filmmaker who takes an obvious risk in trying to deliver a truly original piece, but this just isn't very good. Plus, I trust Clive Owen's judgment in movies so much I will watch ANYTHING he acts in. Seriously, look at his IMDB page. If it wasn't for his uncredited role in The Pink Panther, there's not a single bad movie in the bunch, I would've had to go with King Arthur or Inside Man, and both of those were SOLID YesNoSoso 1's if not YesNoSoso 2's. Shoot 'Em Up has a ludicrously sensational plot and several elaborate gunfights. Combine that with Monica Belucci and its certainly worth a look.
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Death Proof (2007)
Director: Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill [Both simply fucking amazing])
Stars: Kurt Russell (Big Trouble in Little China, Overboard)
Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Josie and the Pussycats)
YesNoSoso: 2
I WILL (and this is a big deal) that this is Tarantino's worst movie, but it is still fucking awesome. Excellent, though juvenile, dialogue surrounding a truly entertaining plot. Plus a classic Tarantino 'music video' with an ridiculous song by The Coasters. Movie does require the slightly suspension of logicality, but well worth it in the end. Plus it has Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who makes Sydney Poitier look like Sidney Poitier.
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Stars: Kurt Russell (Big Trouble in Little China, Overboard)
Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Josie and the Pussycats)
YesNoSoso: 2
I WILL (and this is a big deal) that this is Tarantino's worst movie, but it is still fucking awesome. Excellent, though juvenile, dialogue surrounding a truly entertaining plot. Plus a classic Tarantino 'music video' with an ridiculous song by The Coasters. Movie does require the slightly suspension of logicality, but well worth it in the end. Plus it has Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who makes Sydney Poitier look like Sidney Poitier.
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Planet Terror (2007)
Director: Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, Spy Kids)
Stars: Rose McGowen (Bio-Dome, Monkeybone [Bio-Dome is a stretch])
Freddy Rodriguez ("Six Feet Under", Lady in the Water)
YesNoSoso: 2
I usually have a tough a stomach for movies (except "embarrassment" humor like "Curb Your Enthusiasm), but even I had to look away a few times during my viewing of this movie. Still I'm a sucker for over-the-top craziness and this is the most over-the-top over-the-top movie of all time, at least as far as gross-out scenes. If you don't mind the violence this movie is pretty damn entertaining.
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Stars: Rose McGowen (Bio-Dome, Monkeybone [Bio-Dome is a stretch])
Freddy Rodriguez ("Six Feet Under", Lady in the Water)
YesNoSoso: 2
I usually have a tough a stomach for movies (except "embarrassment" humor like "Curb Your Enthusiasm), but even I had to look away a few times during my viewing of this movie. Still I'm a sucker for over-the-top craziness and this is the most over-the-top over-the-top movie of all time, at least as far as gross-out scenes. If you don't mind the violence this movie is pretty damn entertaining.
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1/2/09
Eagle Eye (2008)
Director: D.J. Caruso (Two for the Money [yeah he sucks])
Stars: Shia LeBeouf (I, Robot, Constantine)
Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor)
YesNoSoso: 1
If there was ever a movie that actually WAS a non-stop thrill ride, it would be Eagle Eye. From start to finish it is adreniline pounding cut scenes and car explosions. Unfortunately that's about all it has. There were a number of relativley important revelations at the end that aren't really explained. I don't hate Shia with the same passion that most movie nuts do, but irregardless, he was pretty lame in this movie. Watch it once if you want an action flick and the ability to turn your brain off for 2 hours.
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Stars: Shia LeBeouf (I, Robot, Constantine)
Michelle Monaghan (Gone Baby Gone, Made of Honor)
YesNoSoso: 1
If there was ever a movie that actually WAS a non-stop thrill ride, it would be Eagle Eye. From start to finish it is adreniline pounding cut scenes and car explosions. Unfortunately that's about all it has. There were a number of relativley important revelations at the end that aren't really explained. I don't hate Shia with the same passion that most movie nuts do, but irregardless, he was pretty lame in this movie. Watch it once if you want an action flick and the ability to turn your brain off for 2 hours.
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12/1/08
Oldboy (2003)
Director: Chan-Wook Park (first movie I've seen by him)
Stars: Min-sik Choi (some Korean shit)
Je-tae Yu (some other Korean shit)
YesNoSoso: 2
Incredible. Seriously get off your fat ass and rent this movie now. I think its fair to say that part of my excitement about this movie is that it is a diamond in the rough and Speilberg and Will Smith are rumored to be planning a remake. Apparently when it previewed @ Cannes, Tarantino was the head judge and wanted to give it the Palm D'or, but the other judges couldln't be swayed away from Farenheit 9/11. Not really sure where I was going with that, but fuck you if it wasn't an amusing enough anecdote.
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Stars: Min-sik Choi (some Korean shit)
Je-tae Yu (some other Korean shit)
YesNoSoso: 2
Incredible. Seriously get off your fat ass and rent this movie now. I think its fair to say that part of my excitement about this movie is that it is a diamond in the rough and Speilberg and Will Smith are rumored to be planning a remake. Apparently when it previewed @ Cannes, Tarantino was the head judge and wanted to give it the Palm D'or, but the other judges couldln't be swayed away from Farenheit 9/11. Not really sure where I was going with that, but fuck you if it wasn't an amusing enough anecdote.
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Iron Man (2008)
Director: Jon Favreau (Made, Elf)
Stars: Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder, The Shaggy Dog)
Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Heaven's Gate)
YesNoSoso: 2
I thought this movie was solid and well done, but I don't understand the glorified hype surrounding it. Obviously, Downey Jr. was incredible (if you haven't seen Tropic Thunder, movie the Sex and the City movie down the queue and add it) and the ensemble cast including Bridges, Terrance Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow definitely held their own. However, I didn't at any point feel that it was anything other than a moderatley well made super hero movie. The only differentiating characteristic was less "crime-fighting" action. There really is only one scene in which Iron Man fights evil doers. This would be great as it is in the very good super hero movies (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, X-men 1 & @, Spiderman 1 & 2) but only when the lulls in action are used to add depth to the hero character. Downey's brilliant acting help in this regard, but the plot and overall writing do little to assist him.
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Stars: Robert Downey Jr. (Tropic Thunder, The Shaggy Dog)
Jeff Bridges (The Big Lebowski, Heaven's Gate)
YesNoSoso: 2
I thought this movie was solid and well done, but I don't understand the glorified hype surrounding it. Obviously, Downey Jr. was incredible (if you haven't seen Tropic Thunder, movie the Sex and the City movie down the queue and add it) and the ensemble cast including Bridges, Terrance Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow definitely held their own. However, I didn't at any point feel that it was anything other than a moderatley well made super hero movie. The only differentiating characteristic was less "crime-fighting" action. There really is only one scene in which Iron Man fights evil doers. This would be great as it is in the very good super hero movies (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, X-men 1 & @, Spiderman 1 & 2) but only when the lulls in action are used to add depth to the hero character. Downey's brilliant acting help in this regard, but the plot and overall writing do little to assist him.
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11/12/08
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurii (1999)
Director: Jim Jarmusch (Dead Man, Coffee and Cigarettes [both awesome])
Stars: Forest Whitaker (Bird, Phenomenom)
RZA [in a very small role, but I don't know anyone else in the movie] (American Gangster, Derailed)
YesNoSoso: 2
So fucking awesome. I can't even fully put my finger on why I loved this movie so much, but I did get off your ass and see it. Forest plays a calm and, dare I say, badass gheto-fied ninja fucking up some mobsters and RZA does the soundtrack. RZA has a cameo late in the movie which is incredible in its simplistic glory.
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Stars: Forest Whitaker (Bird, Phenomenom)
RZA [in a very small role, but I don't know anyone else in the movie] (American Gangster, Derailed)
YesNoSoso: 2
So fucking awesome. I can't even fully put my finger on why I loved this movie so much, but I did get off your ass and see it. Forest plays a calm and, dare I say, badass gheto-fied ninja fucking up some mobsters and RZA does the soundtrack. RZA has a cameo late in the movie which is incredible in its simplistic glory.
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10/30/08
Layer Cake (2004)
Director: Matthew Vaughn (Stardust [awesome and his only other film as of 2008])
Stars: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, I Dreamed of Africa)
Tom Hardy (Marie Antoinette, Star Trek: Nemesis)
YesNoSoso: 1
Pretty solid action flick. Sienna Miller in her lingerie getup make it more than worth a YesNoSoso 1. Word has it, this was the film that landed Daniel Craig his role in Bond. And after looking over his Bio on IMDB I would just like to say Kudos. He was real good in a number of real good movies before hitting it big with Bond and I like to see actors grind it out and finally make it. Definatley worth checking out.
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Stars: Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, I Dreamed of Africa)
Tom Hardy (Marie Antoinette, Star Trek: Nemesis)
YesNoSoso: 1
Pretty solid action flick. Sienna Miller in her lingerie getup make it more than worth a YesNoSoso 1. Word has it, this was the film that landed Daniel Craig his role in Bond. And after looking over his Bio on IMDB I would just like to say Kudos. He was real good in a number of real good movies before hitting it big with Bond and I like to see actors grind it out and finally make it. Definatley worth checking out.
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