Nothing But The Truth I was expecting a political thriller but I got a good entertaining drama with a little bit of thriller. As far as the story, I liked everything except for the ending. There was some minor plot issues I had. A lot of good acting. Vera Farmiga is becoming one of my favorite actresses. I liked the pacing of the movie. It keept me interested. Grade B-
New Release Tuesdays Presents: What Doesn't Kill You It felt like an average crime drama. Nothing I never seen before. I guess it was cool to check out but there was times where it was being too preachy. If I make a bad decision, I know what's going to happen. I give the director props for giving his shot. It was based on his life. Mark Ruffalo is a good actor. Ethan Hawke, there's only two movies I like that has him in it: one is Fast Food Nation and the other is Training Day.
Notorious This was an alright movie. Same kind of theme used in other movies done in the same kind of way. I didn't like most of the acting. I didn't like the actor who played 2pac. The story was kind of bias, of course, because Puffy was the executive producer. But still, this was a little entertaining. My favorite part was the first 20 minutes, when Biggie was a kid. I expected the acting and the feel to be more in the lines of Boyz in the Hood or Menace to Society, but this was not the case. I enjoyed Get Rich or Die Trying better.
Frost/Nixon Brilliant. It made me feel sorry for this former president. Excellent photography. It kept me interested through the whole thing. Famous quote: "When the president does it, that means it is not illegal." This made me want to watch Oliver Stone's Nixon and W. This was worth the rent. If I ever decide to start a political based collection, this one will be on the shelf.
New Release Tuesdays Presents: The Wrestler Freak Ya!! A very satisfying drama. What I love was the great editing of the story and the story itself. Good ending. My favorite scene is when he quits his job at the meat market. Sad But True kind of movie.
Donkey Punch This has a similar plot to the movie, "Very Bad Things." Young people wanting to party and then an accident happens and then little by little people start dying. This movie doesn't get good until about the 1 hr mark. From there, I say, it's awesome. Overall, I give this a C+
The Spirit I tried very hard to like this movie. I was looking for any excuse to say that this movie is bad ass. Other than two scenes I liked, the rest of this wasn't good. The main problem I had was the dialogue and the acting didn't fit well together. The story is supposed to be kinda cheesy and comical, but it look like it was trying hard to be cool. It's not worth the rent. I rather go see Sin City again.
The Reader At first I was a little agitated saying to myself, "oh no, what did I get myself into?" But as the story developed, I found it a little bit interesting. Although, I don't consider this a WW2 or holocaust film, this has a big reference to it. I love the connections that I encountered in the 2nd half. The ending was good. I normally don't watch these drama/romance movies, but this one was good. It was very slow but the story slowly unfolds to be a good one. It tested my patience, I was about to turn it off about the 40 minute mark, but that's good I didn't.
I love Asian cinema. They do things differently. In a given month I probably watch two or three asian films. As of today, I would like the 2nd Monday of every month to be Asian Cinema Monday. I'll still continue watching Asian films here and there, but it's going to be mandatory every 2nd Monday. Unless: it's a holiday or something comes up. On Foreign Thursdays, I'll be watching any film that is not American or Asian. So today is the second Monday. Let's see what we have, oh yes, it's Asian Cinema Monday.
Asian Cinema Monday Presents: 3 Extremes Three different stories from three different directors. One from China, one from Korea, the other from Japan. Each story is way different than the others but share one thing in common: the characters go into extreme in their actions.
The first part is called, "Dumplings." This chinese movie is the sickest and the most disturbing out of the three. But it was my favorite.
The second part is from my favorite Korean director, Chan-Wook Park, it is called, "Cut." This is one is kind of bloody but very artistic. I didn't get the ending.
The third and final part is the one I was waiting for. It is from none other than Takashi Miike. This is called, "Box." Although, this japanese story was very weird, it didn't meet my expectations from a Miike film. It wasn't over the top crazy shit he usually does. This movie was mostly very quiet and subtle. But it did remind me of a David Lynch movie.
So overall, 3 Extremes as a whole, was just a little better than okay. This was mostly bizarre and shocking with some horror. I'll never eat a dumpling ever again.
The Crying Game This came out back in 92 and this is my first time seeing it. I was researching Irish stuff and this popped out. The movie had wonderful shots. Props to the DP. I was feeling the story at first but then I lost interest. I was sitting there wasting my time waiting for this to be over. I could of turned it off. I wanted to give it a chance. But no, I wasn't feeling it anymore. So I focus on the shots and it was the only thing I enjoyed, that and the first 30 minutes of the film. I can't believe it was nominated a few times that year for the Oscars. Maybe because it had a few surprises in the story, but I seen other movies with better surprises.
Yes Man When I first saw this trailer, I said to myself, "great another goofy Jim Carrey movie like Liar, Liar." Not in a bad way, just saying, it's kind of the same stuff. But after I saw it tonight, it wasn't what I expected. Yes, it's some of the same old Jim Carrey stuff, but with a different style. What I liked about this film is all these characters in it. Without all these characters and the actors that play them, this movie would of not been good. For example, that one dude from Flight of the Conchords, Zooey Deschanel and that one dude from That 70's Show. All these mix of people created a funny movie. So I say Yes to Yes Man. Good to rent for one night of entertainment.
Timecrimes I was blown away with this great time travel film. It's a spanish film titled, "Los Cronocrimenes." I first heard about this during the Fantastic Film Fest last year. When it came out last week on dvd, I knew I had to put it on my list to see. From beginning to end, this movie captured my attention. It's so complex and yet entertaining. Let me guess, Hollywood wants to remake an American version!! Fuck that mess. This is worth to see and possibly buy. Nacho Vigalondo did a great job (director and the supporting actor of this film).
New Release Tuesdays Presents: Doubt I enjoyed the direction and the story. Good drama. Good actors. I have nothing bad to say about this. I think it was way worth the rent. Will I see it again sometime in the future? Most likely so. Meryl Streep can play one tough mean old nun and I love movies that make me think (even after its over).
Tell No One This French movie is a fair mystery thriller. It's got a story that kept me going throughout the plot. I saw some good acting and good shots. There was times that I had to go back to understand what they were saying. But other than that, this is an average mystery thriller that it is worth the rent.
Friday at the Grindhouse Presents: Chinese Hercules Whenever I watch an exploitation film, I have to set my mind that I'll be watching a sleazy and cheesey film. If I was to take these movies seriously, I would probably trash most of them. But having that mindset, I enjoyed this martial arts flick. A little slow here and there. But a good story and some alright fighting scenes won't hurt much.
and Black Dragon This martial arts flick started out good but then I wasn't feeling the second half as much. But I remained patient because this movie was a bonus movie that came with Chinese Hercules.
Seven Pounds At first I was totally lost in what was going on. But that was the purpose of the movie. You're not going to get all the answers until the end. It was alright. I try to stay away from Will Smith movies, but he's got some good ones out there. But I will not, I repeat, I will not watch Old Boy (the American version that Spielberg is planning to make with Will Smith). Nothing is confirmed yet. This was a little depressing for me. But I liked the message.
