Thursday, January 14, 2010

Movie Reviews

I will use plot summaries from www.imdb.com so that I can focus on what I think of the films.

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-Renowned adventurer Allan Quatermain leads a team of extraordinary figures with legendary powers to battle the technological terror of a madman known as "The Fantom." This "League" comprises seafarer/inventor Captain Nemo, vampiress Mina Harker, an invisible man named Rodney Skinner, American secret service agent Tom Sawyer, the ageless and invincible Dorian Gray, and the dangerous split personality of Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. Written by Anonymous

Now for my review. I really want to like this film because I love team-up types of films. Superheroes are a perfect example of the or 'verses' movies like Jason Vs. Freddy, Frankenstein Vs. The Wolfman etc. I thought this would be a great way to see many of the great folks from books long ago come to life....Well I was wrong. The dialog and acting is so laughable I don't blame Sean Connery for retiring after this debacle of a film. Though I hate to have seen him go out like a punk. He was probably so embarrassed he just wanted to go into hiding. You have TERRIBLE i mean really bad CGI work. You actually have stand-ins or doubles for the main stars pop up on the screen and the camera sits on them. The stunt doubles are so obvious and it just takes you out of the movies. There are two scenes in particular like this. First, a stand in for Connery is in full shot of a scene and the camera lingers on the old chap. Then there is a scene with Nemo and you see this really young Indian dude with this HUGE fake beard fighting and not the actor. The just put the camera right on him and it looks like the guy is in a Halloween contest. I have no idea what this movie is suppose to do, but it is just so sad and pathetic I almost feel sorry for the people involved. The do have a few really good actors in this, but none of them show up here.....I would say only watch this if you like to hurt your brain and eyes!

Stuck-Brandi is a hard-partying, overworked, nursing assistant desperate for a promotion at the retirement home where she works. After a night of drug-binging and partying, she accidentally hits a certain Thomas Bardo a deadbeat and recently evicted man who gets stuck in the windshield of her car. Not wanting to call for help since she is driving under the influence, Brandi, chooses not to get Thomas medical help and instead drives home and leaves him clinging to his life in the windshield of her car. While Brandi frantically tries to decide what she is going to do, Thomas, tries to free himself knowing his time is running out. Written by Anonymous

Stuart Gordon directed this gem of a movie based on a true story http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chante_Jawan_Mallard. It stars Mena Suvari and Stephen Rea. They both give truly amazing preferences here. Mena, plays the ghetto fabulous white girl who thinks that she is black. She has it down and in a scene where she finds her wannabe thug boyfriend cheating on her with another woman she shows us how ghetto fab she really is. Stephen, plays the down and out just becoming homeless man to the T. He really makes you feel bad for the guy. He is tying his hardest to make his way through life and just keeps getting stepped on by everyone. Gordon shoots this perfect and of course the story itself is true, but the outcome is far less dramatic than what Gordon puts on film here. He fills in the gaps with some great dialog and some interesting takes on life. There is a scene where a Hispanic family hears him in the garage, but they choose not to help because they might be deported back to wherever they are from for being here illegally. Also, the thug boyfriend is all talk and we soon find out out that Suvari is tougher than he is....I was totally blown away by this movie. It is a little out of the norm for Gordon who usually dwells within the walls of Horror/Sci-Fi, but beings his A game here. I hope he shows us that he can make more movies like this. It was an excellent film in every way. There are a lot of interesting back and forth with the secondary players as well (Mena's boss and friend) come to mind. I would highly recommend this film for a buy It is well worth watching this story of true human tragedy. Buy it NOW!!!!!

Street Kings-A disillusioned LAPD detective, Detective Tom Ludlow, rarely plays by the rules and is haunted by the death of his wife, even though he has a girlfriend named Grace. Ludlow and all of the cops in his unit, including the unit's commander, Captain Jack Wander, bend and break the rules of conduct on a regular basis. Their intention is often to deal with crime in a manner that they perceive to be more efficient, which leads them to routinely lie, falsify reports and manipulate evidence to cover up for their wrong-doings.

I have read and heard a lot of people crap on this film. So my expectations were not very high. However, I was really pleased with this movie. Keanu Reeves does an excellent job here as Ludlow. This movie also has Forrest Whitaker as the Capt. of the Vice Unit. With many a great actor showing up in this in smaller roles. There are A LOT of twists and turns here and you really don't know which way is up until the end. However, before the real BIG twist you probably can start to guess where it is going. I don't want to say much about the plot since it is a fun ride IMO at least. I just wanted to say they shot Los Angeles beautifully and for a 20 million dollar film it looks great and with the cast and talent they brought it really shows up. I have no idea why it didn't do better. Maybe people just don't think Reeves can pull of a serious role like this. However, his portrayal of Ludlow is really spot on. I would say at least rent this, but I would also say if you can find it for a decent price buy it. I recommend this flick.

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