Article ITT I attempt to review every movie I've seen.

[Sexy Beast]

Title: The Tree of Life
Year: 2011
Country of Origin: US
Director: Terrence Malick

Story: The film opens with a couple in possibly the 70s finding out that one of their children died. Then we see one of their children in present day still struggling with the death of his brother. Then we we are sent back to the start of the Universe and the earth, following the evolution of life up until a meteorite wipes out the dinosaurs. Then we finally start the story about a family in 1950s suburbia.


Review: I'm not entirely certain of what to say about this film. Chances are most people who read this review will probably hate the movie...regardless of what I have to say about it. Heck, about a week on I'm not entirely certain if I liked this one or hated it. I can say for certain that there is nothing like this film out there. It comes off as a cross breed of Darren Aronofsky's The Fountain and Koyaanisqatsi, which is a weird combination to say the least. The story, for the most part, is impenetrable. I could essentially say it's about Life, the Universe, and Everything and that would be an accurate description of the plot. Still, if you can make it through this film and give it the benefit of the doubt, it can be a rewarding experience...I guess.

[5/10]

 

[Sexy Beast]

Updated the list in OP. Check it out, I'd appreciate some feedback.

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Year: 2010
Country of Origin: US
Director: Jon Turteltaub

Story: The plot has something to do with the apprentice of Merlin looking for the reincarnation of Merlin that the he may finally destroy a great and evil wizard.

Review: 2010 was not a great year for Jerry Bruckheimer, both this movie and the Prince of Persia failed to charm critics. Though more importantly, both films failed to set the box-office on fire. Which is not surprising considering they're both pretty mediocre...though The Sorcerer's Apprentice is really mediocre. Plot wise there aren't any surprises in this film, see everything coming from a million miles away. Nic Cage is alright in his role, though he is playing it way to safe for my taste. Alfred Molina does pull off a pretty entertaining role as the films antagonist, but he can't save this film.

[5/10]

 

[Nosh]

The Professionals (1966) - My favorite western of all time. Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Jack Palance, and the amazing Claudia Cardinale.

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Public Enemies
Year: 2009
Country of Origin: US
Director: Michael Mann

Story: This movie is about: John Dillinger as a bank robber, John Dillinger's love life, John Dillinger and his public opinion, John Dillinger and the beginning of the FBI, John Dillinger and organized crime, John Dillinger and how his crime has changed U.S. law, John Dillinger and his dealings with other bank robbers, and John Dillinger the man.

Review: The above synopsis is the main problem with the film, if they stuck with one or two of the above it would have been a better movie. As it is right now, it's an unfocused film that deals with way to many aspects of John Dillinger. Because of this, the film is slow, dull, and pretty uninteresting. Michael Mann does his best to cram the whole thing into one cohesive film and to his credit he almost manages to pull it off. Unfortunately the key word is almost. Outside of the plot issues, the film has great cinematography and some decent performances from the cast. Overall the film is a disappointment and with some more focus in the plot department it could have been something great.

[6/10]

 

[Sexy Beast]

The Professionals (1966) - My favorite western of all time. Lee Marvin, Burt Lancaster, Jack Palance, and the amazing Claudia Cardinale.

Haven't seen it. But after see that cast I'll have to.

 

[ChocolateVillain]

Kind of a new movie. But wondering if you have seen The Eagle?

Have not really heard much about the film for that matter from anyone I know.
Was wondering if it was worth queuing up?

 

[Sexy Beast]

Kind of a new movie. But wondering if you have seen The Eagle?

Have not really heard much about the film for that matter from anyone I know.
Was wondering if it was worth queuing up?

Haven't seen it. The Eagle is the kind of film that I catch when its on Showtime, HBO, Starz, etc...

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Salt
Year: 2010
Country of Origin: US
Director: Phillip Noyce

Story: Angelina Jolie plays a CIA agent who is accused of being a Russian sleeper agent.

Review: I wish I could say that this is film is a fun action movie that simply gets the job done. I can't though. Actually that is a little vague so let me explain. Salt is a film with a fun first act, but veers into stupidity in the second act. Which is unfortunate since the first act is plays like B-grade Bourne movie...which the film could have carried to its finally. While the second act is over-plotted and over baked. Jolie does an admirable job in her role and proves that she can still star in mediocre action movies (See Tomb Raider). The whole production just feels sloppy and over produced, then again what do you expect from a film written by the same guy who wrote Sphere and Ultraviolet.

[4/10]

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Heat
Year: 1995
Country of Origin: US
Director: Michael Mann

Story: After a successful armored car robbery, which left three guards dead, a hard nosed detective and a tenacious criminal are forced into a duel of whits and gun fire.

Review: This somber drama is easily Michael Mann's best film. Its a film that is as much a character study of the two lead characters as it is a heist film. Both Al Pacino and Robert De Niro are great in their roles, of course the same can be said for the rest of the cast. The mood and pacing isn't what you'd usually expect for an action film. This is a dark movie and its pacing is slow and deliberate, which might turn off some viewers. The film's plot and its writing are both top notch. This helps to create realistic characters and helps the audience to understand the rational behind their actions. Though what really makes the film is its cinematography and the direction, which lends a distinct sense of realism to the film. This movie also features on of the best action scenes ever filmed. Heat falls under the category of ?must see.?

[9.5/10]

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Knight and Day
Year: 2010
Country of Origin: US
Director: James Mangold

Story: Camron Diaz plays a somewhat normal person who gets caught up with Tom Cruise...who is a super spy. Queue fish-out-of-water romance action thing.

Review: This is a middle of the road romance action comedy that does just well enough to keep the viewers attention. Its the kind of film that doesn't do anything spectacular and excels at being just good enough. Cruise and Diaz have pretty good chemistry and they're pretty much what hold this one together. All in all, this is basic box-office fodder and nothing more.

[5/10]

 

[ChocolateVillain]

Well saw The Eagle...
Not bad... Reminded me of a mod on Mount & Blade Warband. Would say it's one of the better movies I have seen lately...

Also a movie I kind of stumbled upon called Godkiller.

Was wondering if you seen it or even heard of it?

From my understanding it received very crappy reviews but had kind of a cult following that just love the "film".

Note it is not an anime but a "illustrated film".

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Bad Teacher
Year: 2011
Country of Origin: US
Director: James Mangold

Story: After her engagement is called off, a shallow and narcissistic Cameron Diaz is stuck teaching middle school as she attempts to raise money for a boob job and attempts to woo a thickheaded millionaire.

Review: The worst part about Bad Teacher is that I know it can be better and that if the film just went a little farther it could have been brilliant. Unfortunately it didn't and we are left with a flawed but amusing film about the most shallow person ever...which is a good thing. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you think the protagonist learns a lesson in this film...then you are dead wrong. Its this that helps the film avoid being completely mediocre. Diaz does a pretty good job in her role and is funny enough to get the job done. Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel both do a great job, especially Timberlake who play an weird role. This one is worth watching, but not worth the price of admission.

[6.5/10]

 

[Sexy Beast]

Well saw The Eagle...
Not bad... Reminded me of a mod on Mount & Blade Warband. Would say it's one of the better movies I have seen lately...

Also a movie I kind of stumbled upon called Godkiller.

Was wondering if you seen it or even heard of it?

From my understanding it received very crappy reviews but had kind of a cult following that just love the "film".

Note it is not an anime but a "illustrated film".

Yeah, I'll have to see it eventually. I think Carmine mentioned it when it first came out.

Anyway I've never heard of Godkiller, which is odd considering it sounds like the kind of thing that would get my attention. I'll have to take a look at it.

 

[pillar]

Hey Sexy, did you ever get a chance to see the remake of The Mechanic (stars Jason Statham)? I remember you saying that youre not big on remakes. Anyways, I just finished watchin it & was wonderin if you ever considered watchin it.

 

[Go team seaslug!]

You should check out Chungking Express. It is a Hong Kong film from 94 (I think) by Wong Kar-Wai. It is a little strange as it fits together two very different stories (one about a drug smuggler, and the other about a stalker like love), but it is pure genius.

 

[Sexy Beast]

Hey Sexy, did you ever get a chance to see the remake of The Mechanic (stars Jason Statham)? I remember you saying that youre not big on remakes. Anyways, I just finished watchin it & was wonderin if you ever considered watchin it.

I'll probably wind up watching it when it hits one of the pay channels.

You should check out Chungking Express. It is a Hong Kong film from 94 (I think) by Wong Kar-Wai. It is a little strange as it fits together two very different stories (one about a drug smuggler, and the other about a stalker like love), but it is pure genius.

I've heard of this film, but never looked into it. I'll have to check it out.

 

[Sexy Beast]

Title: Rubber
Year: 2010
Country of Origin: France
Director: Quentin Dupieux

Story: This sums up the movie better than I ever could:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rmf5EqJVDw[/ame]


Review: I suppose this is exactly what I'd expect from a movie directed by one of the Ed Banger people. Its a film that's simultaneously; smart, pretentious, dull, witty, stupid, funny, and clever. Its the kind of film that most people will hate just because it is so full of itself, the whole production reeks of self-importance and intellectual masturbation. Despite what the film is, I sort of enjoyed, especially the second half where the absurdity really takes off. Will you enjoy it? It depends if you're willing to put up with something that at times feels like a student film. Though it is a film that is worth giving a shot if only to understand how pretentious indie cinema can get.

[7/10]

 

[Dodgy]

I have a suggestion. Watched it recently and was pretty surprised considering I went into it not wanting to see it. Wild Target.

 

[Sexy Beast]

A Pillar Review

Title: The Mechanic
Year: 2011
Country of Origin: US
Director: Simon West

Story: Follow an elite hit man as he teaches his trade to an apprentice who has a connection to one of his previous victims.

Review: So I would like to inform those who don't know that this is a remake of the original, which came out in 1972 starring Charles Bronson. I managed to find the original on Netflix bout 2 months ago & now understand why the original wasn't 1 of Bronson's best films. I turned off the original after like 15-20 mins because the pace that they started it off was the speed of bout a snail. That's one reason I like the remake; they keep the pace steady throughout the whole movie. When I originally saw the trailer, I thought it was another Transporter movie, but found to be wrong on that assumption. Overall, this movie is good except for a few issues. If you don't notice the issues & feel that my rating is lower than you like, feel free to PM me & ill be glad to fill you in. Must say that Ben plays a great job in the role of the apprentice tho.

[6/10]