Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Funny People-Trailer Review

Now that award season has come to an end, I can start to show my true side. I'm a sucker for Adam Sandler movies no matter how bad and untasteful they may be. His new film with Seth Rogen, "Funny People" actually looks well done. It has a very entertaining trailer that just made me want it to come out into theatres already. Here is the premise. George Simmons (Sandler) is a very successful yet self-involved stand-up comedian who learns that he has a blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. Ira Wright (Rogen) is a struggling up-and-coming stand-up comedian who works at a deli and has yet to figure out his onstage persona. One thing these different men have in common is that neither of them has any close friends. One night, George takes notice of Ira when they perform at the same club and he hires him to be his semi-personal assistant and opening act at his performances. George and Ira form a close bond as George teaches Ira how to win the crowd and Ira helps the dying George find closure in his legacy. Release Date: July 31, 2009

Saturday, February 21, 2009

The Reader

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Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes star in the movie with a complicated love affair between a German teen and a mysterious woman considerably older than he is. The Reader opens in post-World War II Germany, where teenager Michael Berg has fallen ill with scarlet fever. Nursed back to health by Hanna, Michael eventually makes a full recovery and decides to thank her in person. When he shows up in her apartment, Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and the pair quickly enters into a passionate yet concealed affair. Later, after readings of books such as The Odyssey and Huck Finn, Hanna vanishes without warning, leaving Michael heartbroken. Nearly a decade later, Michael is a law student observing Nazi war crime trials. When Hanna comes into the courtroom and takes a seat in the defendant's chair, her past comes into focus just as Michael uncovers the secret that will have a lasting impact on both of their lives. The movie is passionate and mysterious. The affair between these two characters unfolds into something that they remember their whole life. The acting in this picture was beyond fantastic. There is unbelievable screen chemintry between Winslet and Kross. Overall, after thinking about it days after I watched it, I have come to appreciate it more than I did walking out of the theatre. I understand that the depth and the sincerity of this film is what makes it successful. Great piece of film that I would without a doubt, watch many more times. 4 out of 4 stars.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Revolutionary Road

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Set in 1955, Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) and April Wheeler (Kate Winslet) move to Revolutionary Road in a Connecticut suburb, and have a daughter and a son. April is dissatisfied with her life as a suburban housewife. Frank despises his marketing job at Knox Business Machines, where his now-deceased father worked for twenty years in a similar position. The Wheelers feel they are unique and special, but trapped in the conformity of life in the suburbs, where they moved to raise their children. From time to time they have bitter arguments, with Frank berating April and acting out physically. From time to time, they have outlandish ideas about moving to Paris for a change of scenery. They are struggling with their marriage but are afraid to leave each other. I thought the film was fantastic. Who knew that such a simple storyline could tell the story of almost every couple that struggles with their marriage. The sincere acting of Kate Winslet blew me away. 2008 was without a doubt, her year. DiCaprio's performance was nothing short of excellent as well. Michael Shannon did an outstanding job playing the role of the Wheeler's realtor's son who lives in a mental institution. He is often outspoken and speaks the truth about Frank and April's life. This movie is a roller coaster of emotions and I recommend that everybody sees this work of art. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Academy Award Predictions Pt. 2



BEST PICTURE: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

COSTUME DESIGN: The Duchess

DIRECTING: Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire)

FILM EDITING: Slumdog Millionaire

VISUAL EFFECTS: The Dark Knight

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Waltz With Bashir

MAKEUP: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

WRITING (ADAPTED SCREENPLAY): Doubt

WRITING (ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY): Milk

SONG: Jai Ho (Slumdog Millionaire)

SCORE: Slumdog Millionaire

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Academy Award Predictions Pt. 1

ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE: Sean Penn (Milk)

ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE: Kate Winslet (The Reader)

ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE: Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: WALL-E

ART DIRECTION: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Slumdog Millionaire (Although "The Reader" is better suited for this award, Slumdog will take this catagory.)

Sunday, February 8, 2009

The Pink Panther 2

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This funny sequel stars Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau to solve another case to capture the person who stole the pink panther diamond. Three of the most expensive artifacts have been stolen from museums in Britain, Italy and Japan, and the only clue is a card left by the famous thief, The Tornado. The Government of France plans to make a Dream Team of detectives to solve the case. Of course, with some hesitation, They end up giving the job to the inspector. At this time, Clouseau is working as a parking officer. They let him be part of the case. The rest is pure insanity when he gets himself into tons of trouble. This film is much funnier than the first one. I laughed more than I have laughed for the first movie in 2006. To this day, I still have a sour taste in my mouth from this franchise because of the horrible experience of sitting through the first one. The movies are just stupid, but the American film industry is going down the toilet anyway, so it's best to cherish stupidity for what it does: make you laugh. 2 and a half out of 4 stars.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

He's Just Not That Into You

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This film stars many A-list actors for better box office numbers. People will rush into the theatres solely based on the movie's cast. It doesn't always mean that it is any good. The combination of Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston, Ben Affleck, the Connely siblings, as well as Scarlett Johannson and Drew Barrymore called for a mediocre storyline. Some parts of this film were true and laughable. I have to give Drew Barrymore some props for this. The was the executive producer and star of this film. Though she did not play a huge role, the story always seemed humble when you saw her face. Overall, this movie was a disappointment, but it has potential. Let me remind you that I am not a female, so I wouldn't know a good chick flick. With all of that being said, I will leave the rating of this movie in your hands, readers! I simply cannot decide on a rating to give this movie. Help me out and maybe I'll go with your opinion.
__ out of 4 stars.

Friday, February 6, 2009

NEW FEATURES!

I will now start to post my song of the week or movie trailer of the week. The trailer will be of a movie that is coming out for the upcoming weekend. If there are no movies that I recommend, then there will be a song that I like that's featured in a motion picture. I will also begin to feature reviews on newly released trailers. I hope you enjoy the new additions to my blog!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Best Movies of 2008

This is my personal list of best movies that came out in 2008.

1. The Reader
2. Gran Torino
3. Doubt
4. Revolutionary Road
5. Slumdog Millionaire
6. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
7. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
8. Frost/Nixon
9. The Dark Knight
10. Last Chance Harvey
Movies that just missed the cut: Burn After Reading, Seven Pounds, Tropic Thunder, Iron Man, Role Models, Mamma Mia!

Keep in mind that this list is my opinion only. Feel free to leave comments! They are a great motivation for me to continue this blog.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Slumdog Millionaire

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Slumdog Millionaire begins with Jamal, a teenager who grew up in the slums of India. This is a genius idea that entails him going on to win 20 million rupee's on a game show. The people behind the scenes of the show question whether or not he cheated. He didn't lie at all, but there was a crazy coincidence: the answers to the questions on the show were based on what he went through in his life with his brother and a girl named Latika. This is a passionate story of finding lost love and realizing that one only needs to know what he or she has been through in life. It turns out that you don't need to be a rocket scientist to win a game show or maybe to even succeed. 3 and a half out of 4 stars.