The Watchmen

"The world will look up and shout 'Save Us'. And I'll whisper back, 'No'".

Yes, I am beyond excited for The Watchmen. Ever since I saw the first trailer months ago, I have been hooked.

That end quote just sent chills down my spine the first time, and every time therafter of hearing it. It really truly is the PERFECT line in any 'superhero' type genre of film.

This trailer is amazing!!!!


Each shot is just beautiful, and I think it greatly helps with the great Smashing Pumpkins song as the trailer's soundtrack. =)

I really hope this film is at least half as amazing as I'm truly thinking it will be.

Although, after seeing the trailer with virtually every movie in the theaters right now, I am hoping that the whole film is not in slow-motion....hmm.... Now, don't get me wrong, I love a good slow-motion shot, but only if it's done right, and probably not all the time. lol :)

Well, we'll all find out 6th of March 2009. Yeah! :)

Now I will sadly admit that I have not read the graphic novels (yeah, I know, I'm totally losing coolness points right now), but I have been told about them for years now. There really is no excuse, I should go out and read them. ;)

Happy viewing everyone! =)

The International Review

So yes, my weeks of waiting on the edge of my seat for a new Tom Tykwer movie with my amazing Clive Owen finally came to an end the other day. A promise of a great espionage thriller was presented to me. But was it really all I had hoped it would be? Was the wait really worth it?

Well, not exactly. Now before I go on, I didn't hate it, in fact it was quite the contrary, but I didn't especially love it either.

Basic premise: Our hero wants justice of the villains, in an unjust world. The story is that of an Interpol Agent, Louie (played by Clive Owen), who has been trying to take down these high figures in the bank world for years now. He finally just might have his way of doing this, when he finds help with the US government. (This is where Naomi Watts comes in). This classic tale of cat and mouse becomes dated with the use of our financial world really using all this money to fund terrorism. This is actually the true brilliance of this tale - a terrifying, real scenario, but somehow gets lost along the way, with unrealistic ventures.

The film opens in the mystifying Berlin, it seems like the perfect opening, we are on a mission of some kind. People are doing deals, and risking their lives. It really is a great start to get us all in the film. But then...something happens. I cannot quite pinpoint when it loses it for me, but it could quite possibly have been when we are sent to New York. Something just didn't quite seem to fit. And I also kind of kept getting the feeling that it was trying to be the next Bourne movie, or maybe that it was trying not to be it? It's hard to say.

There were some great action sequences, although they did feel a little out of place compared with the rest of the tone of the film. The battle in the Guggenheim is splendid, as is the chase in the markets of Istanbul. The places really made this film. And actually, in all honesty, I really loved the end of the film, set in Turkey. It had something to it, that touched on greatness...but maybe again, it was just that the locations were so spectacular? Hmm...

The amazing thing this films does have going for it, is on its quest for a more dialogue enriched film, it does allow us as the audience to be given the chance to be our smart selves. It does not dumb itself down for us, which I always admire in films.

Clive Owen is someone I always enjoy watching. He does not disspoint me in this. He's great. He has this air about him, that he really doesn't care what anyone thinks, that find to be extremely captivating. I was also quite amused that by the end of the film he look quite the mess! Unlike most Hollywood films, where the stars must remain perfect, even though they've been under heavy fire for the last 5 days. ;)

Naomi Watts, however, did not entertain me so much. Now I usually love her work, she really is one of my favorite actresses, but she just didn't really bring anything to this role. I feel like really anyone could have played this character.

Armin Mueller-Stahl is brilliant though! He really is a treat to watch. He never once let the absurdity bother him from bringing a truly great performance.

The director, who also gave himself to help with the actually really great film score, Tom Tykwer, offered some great scenes, but it is nowhere near the level of genius that Run Lola Run offered. But, then again, that is quite a film to have to follow ;).

Overall The International is better then most out there. It has a great idea, and some really great locals, and for that I would recommend it. It's not perfect, but then again, what really is nowadays. Clive Owen fans will be entertained, and again, it really is quite better then some other ones out there. I give it a 7/10.

This film is rated R and runs 118 minutes.

Happy viewing everyone! =)

Revolutionary Road

Themes of happiness, settling, and just other general issues of life come up quite a bit in Sam Mendes' Revolutionary Road. It is a beautiful story of a couple's life set in the almost non-understanding time of the 1950s.

If you are looking for a sweet romantic film, this is most certainly not the film for you. But if you are looking for a realistic portrayal of married life, then you have found exactly what you may be looking for. Revolutionary Road begins with our young couple, Frank and April Wheeler just trying to figure things out. April is performing in an amateur theatre group's play while her husband Frank watches. April is less then thrilled with her work, and really doesn't need her husband to play on this doubt. The two seem perfect to almost everyone around them, but the truth is far from this. They have a heated argument, and we as the audience get a feel for what we have gotten ourselves into.

We are given a few flash back scenes to see how this couple met, how much they were in love, and how many dreams and ambitions the two really had. Unfortunately, their dreams were less then met. They move into a cute little house that Mrs. Helen Givings (played brilliantly well by Kathy Bates) found for them. Frank is working at the same company his father once did, despite how many times he vowed never to turn into his father. And again, this is a very true theme. We quite often fall into the same paths as our parents, even though we so desperately wish for something different. Maybe it is because that is all we really know? Maybe we think that is what we are supposed to do? Whatever the reason, it is more then common.

Frank and April Wheeler continue to have marriage problems, but when April gets the idea that the two should run away to Paris and start all over, things seem to look up for the two. This seems like their perfect way to escape the boring normality that they have found themselves in. As time continues on, things look to be looking up for the young couple. But when an unexpected occurrence happens, the young couple is left with a very real decision to make.

The film poses many interesting questions, like when is it time to give up our dreams of our youth, and accept what life has given us? Never is the answer I like to think of, but then again...? Possibly the decisions of the film come from being afraid of change? I won't go too far into it, as it really is a great film (well, maybe those aren't the best words...but, you get what I mean) to watch.

The lighting is beautiful, especially in one of the last scenes with April and Frank sitting across from each other and having breakfast together. It is a beautiful scene to begin with, but the lighting really adds to it. The cinematography throughout the entire film really is breathtakingly beautiful.

Both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet give amazing performances. It really is hard to find anything wrong with their choices, both actors were quite dead on. Kate Winslet brings this determination and optimism that is just strikingly brilliant, while Leonardo DiCaprio brings this great sense of doing what must be done. Both are strong, confused, misunderstood, and deep down both just want to be loved.

Michael Shannon also gives a wonderfully brilliant performance as the crazy son of Kathy Bates whom comes to visit the Wheelers one dinner. He may seem on the outside crazy, but the truth is, he is the one who truly understands people the most. The scene where he confronts the couple is hurtfully truthful, and exactly what both of them need to hear.

Overall I think Revolutionary Road is a beautiful look at married life in the 1950s. But even more so, it can be adapted even today. It's a timeless story that we all can relate to. And I'm told the book of the same name is also quite a treat. While this is not a film for everyone, I personally loved it (the Q&A's with the cast, and also the premiere I attended in Westwood probably helped my liking as well). But really, I think this is a truly beautiful film, but then again, I did witness it before most others so I had no idea going in, what I was about to see. I'm just glad it wasn't a Titanic 2, lol ;).

Revolutionary Road has great performances, and beautiful scenery. I give it an 8/10. The film is rated R and runs 119 minutes.

To read this full article, feel free to visit: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1464048/revolutionary_road_pg2.html?cat=40

Happy Viewing Everyone! =)

Let's Talk Razzi 2009

Aw The Razzi Awards...the perfect way to celebrate all the bad cinema for the past year. And hey, why not? I mean we have countless award shows to acknowledge the best, why not the worst? They have needs to!

Well, it's no surprise to find the following nominees...(although I have to admit that a few of them see a little unnecessary). I will say, though, I'm a little surprised to see Indiana Jones only get one nom...hmm... oh well...=)

The nominees for Worst Picture Include:

Disaster Movie    
The Happening    
The Hottie and the Nottie    
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale    
The Love Guru    
Meet the Spartans

The only film I saw out of those was The Happening. And I wouldn't call that the worst film of 2008.


The nominees for Worst Actor Include:

Larry the Cable Guy, Witless Protection    
Eddie Murphy, Meet Dave    
Mike Myers, The Love Guru    
Al Pacino, 88 Minutes and Righteous Kill    
Mark Wahlberg, The Happening and Max Payne

Only saw the Al Pacino and Mark Wahlberg flicks. I think Mark Wahlberg's films were not the worst performances...but Al Pacino? Look, I love the guy, I mean anyone associated with such films as The Godfather, Heat, and Scarface is alright by me. Although....

The nominees for Worst Actress Include:

Jessica Alba, The Eye and The Love Guru    
The cast of The Women (Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Meg Ryan)    
Cameron Diaz, What Happens in Vegas    
Paris Hilton, The Hottie and the Nottie    
Kate Hudson, Fools' Gold and My Best Friends' Girl

I only saw Fools' Gold out of these. I didn't think Miss Hudson was that bad in it. I do love the nom for the entire cast of The Women...hahaha! I mean really, who saw that movie?! lol :)

The nominees for Worst Supporting Actor Include:

Uwe Boll (as himself), Uwe Boll's Postal    
Pierce Brosnan, Mamma Mia!    
Ben Kingsley, The Love Guru and The Wackness    
Burt Reynolds, Deal and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale    
Verne Troyer, The Love Guru and Uwe Boll's Postal

Aw, I love Ben Kingsly...although I did not see either of his films nominated. Wasn't the Wackness supposed to be good though? I actually wanted to see it. I understand Pierce Brosnan's nom, but I definitely do not think he was the worst. =)

The nominees for Worst Supporting Actress Include:

Carmen Electra, Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans    
Paris Hilton, Repo: The Genetic Opera    
Kim Kardashian, Disaster Movie    
Jenny McCarthy, Witless Protection    
Leelee Sobieski, 88 Minutes and In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale

Only saw 88 minutes out of these. Leelee Sobieski was pretty brutal in that though. It was hard to watch.

The nominees for Worst Screen Couple Include:

Uwe Boll and Any Actor, Camera or Screenplay    
Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, What Happens in Vegas    
Paris Hilton and either Christin Lakin or Joel David Moore, The Hottie and the Nottie Larry the Cable Guy and Jenny McCarthy, Witless Protection    
Eddie Murphy and Eddie Murphy, Meet Dave

Wow, look at this Uwe Boll guy racking up the nominations, lol. I didn't see any of these...maybe I should see more movies? Well...maybe not ;).


The nominees for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel Include:

The Day the Earth Stood Still
Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans    
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull    
Speed Racer    
Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Yeah, what was up with The Day The Earth Stood Still?! The original was so good! Oh, and don't even get me started on Indiana Jones...lol ;)

The nominees for Worst Director Include:

Uwe Boll, 1968: Tunnel Rats, In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale and Uwe Boll's Postal    
Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans    
Tom Putnam, The Hottie and the Nottie    
Marco Schnabel, The Love Guru    
M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening

Wow. Yeah, I don't know about Shyamalan being the worst director. Hmm...


The nominees for Worst Screenplay Include:

Disaster Movie and Meet the Spartans    
The Happening    
The Hottie and the Nottie    
In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale    
The Love Guru

Only saw The Happening...I didn't find it to be all that bad.


Worst Career Achievement:

Uwe Boll

This is hilarious! Poor guy. I read somewhere that he is “Germany’s answer to Ed Wood”. That’s an amazing statement. But hey, at least he will be able to say he's an award winner! LOL ;)

Don't forget to check out all the Razzi winners February 21, 2009. Yes, the day before the Academy Awards.

Happy viewing everyone! =)

Bride Wars Review...

Yes, yes...I saw Bride Wars...and you know what? It was actually better then I thought.

While it looked to me to be a film simply with two characters fighting the whole time, it was actually a sweet story with some very funny lines.

Was it the greatest film I have ever witnessed? No. But I was entertained for the hour and a half length.

Although the title gives it away, the film is about these two life-long friends who have both been dreaming of marriage since childhood. They grow up, each have careers, nice boyfriends, but...still no wedding.

This all changes, however, after Liv (Kate Hudson) finds a Tiffany Box the size of an engagement ring in her closet. This box actually sparks some really funny moments, and I will agree that I loved the proposal scene with Liv and her fiance.

Needless to say, the two girls get engaged, get their dream wedding planner, and think they have scored their perfect wedding locations for their June weddings. But, as movies do need conflicts, the dates for their June weddings have accidentally been scheduled for the same day. One of them will either have to choose a different venue, or a later date.

Chaos emerges as the two fight for that June wedding date.

The film is a sweet little escape, but that's about it. Both Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway are very fun to watch. I especially loved the whole International Butter Club thing..."So, you sit around and eat sticks of butter from other countries?" Haha...wow.

I give the film a 6/10. It is rated PG and runs 89 minutes.

Push Review

Push is a 'Heroes' type film that involves a special group of very talented people who must find a way to stop the evil government from following through with their evil plans.

According to this film, back during WWII, the Nazis made expieriments on people with slightly hieghtened abilities. From here various "special" people were created. There are Pushers, Movers, Warchers, Bleeders, Spiffs (I think?)...and yeah, feel like you need to take notes yet?? ;)

This film produces a lot of information with not a lot of room to expand. The premise really is quite brilliant, but however much it tried, and believe me, it really did try, it just seemed to have a really hard time of reaching greatness. Infact, it never really made it. It circled around it for a while, but just never really arrived.

This is not to say that I didn't enjoy the film. I actually liked it a lot, it was fun, entertaining, and just what I needed at the day at the movies.

Dakota Fanning was really great as Cassie (a Watcher). I think that girl is way mature beyond her years.

Cris Evans was alright in the film. I kind of feel like anyone could have done his role though, but he fit quite well.

Djimon Hounsou is always great, and he was very fun to watch in the opening scene - I really loved when he coolly walked in with his shades on, haha, awesome! =)

The shots of Hong Kong are amazing - it offers a whole other level of a character. It almost has a Blade Runner feel to the whole thing.

So is Push worth your money? Well...if you're in the mood for super-human people trying to save what they know, then yes, I think you will enjoy this film. I did. It's a good time at the movies. I give it a 7/10.

Blindness

Fernando Meirelles' Blindness is one of those films that is better if you don't listen to what others are saying, and just let it wash over you. Although I'm going to give my opinion of it, I really think you should watch it for yourself, and make up your own mind. ;) It is not a film for entertainment purposes, but very much a true work of art. It is beautiful on every level, and really should not be overlooked.

Blindness is about an epidemic that seems to be spreading across the world and causing people to become blind (hence the title of the film). When a young man suffering from this new disease, visits an eye doctor (Mark Ruffalo), he then spreads it to him. The disease seems to be carried on to everyone, except for the doctor's wife (Julianne Moore). Soon the stumped government (surprise, surprise), sends the infected to a special 'prison-like' center. From here the film goes on to many other different levels. There's the fact that Julianne Moore is the only who can see when everyone else is going blind, the running out of food problem, and many more deeper meanings that I will let you all discover for yourselves.

Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo give amazing life into their roles. Danny Glover and Gael Garcia Bernal give great performances as well. The whole cast really is outstanding.

It's a film about not taking things for granted, understanding and truly enjoying the little things, and also quite a good look at how undeniably cruel people really can be towards other people. There is also a great sense of love, and needing to belong to some kind of family that I for one find quite comforting.

Overall I think this film is truly brilliant, and was sad to hear it was so overlooked. It really is a true masterpiece. But like any work of art, you have to allow it to truly speak to you.

I give it 9/10. This film is rated R and runs 120 minutes.