Husbands and Wives (1992)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Director

Woody Allen

Country

USA

Cast

Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Judy Davis, Sydney Pollack, Juliette Lewis, Liam Neeson, Lysette Anthony, Cristi Conaway, Timothy Jerome, Ron Rifkin, Bruce Jay Friedman, Jeffrey Kurland, Benno Schmidt, Nick Metropolis, Rebecca Glenn, Galaxy Craze, John Doumanian, Gordon Rigsby, Ilene Blackman, Blythe Danner, Brian McConnachie, Ron August, John Bucher, Matthew Flint

Storyline

When their best friends announce that they are separating, a professor (Woody Allen) and his wife (Mia Farrow) discover the faults in their own marriage.

Opinion

After the funny "Shadows and Fog", Allen goes serious again with "Husbands and Wives", a sensitive, mature film about the nature of marriage.

Allen has treated this territory a bit too much already, so the story itself is nothing new, presenting another quarter of sophisticated New Yorkers neurotics falling in and out of marriage, but he still successfully manages to show what makes a marriage fall apart.

If the story doesn't seem like a good reason to watch the film, the characters should because they all are very interesting and complex, from Allen's character, the brilliant professor-novelist wooed by his twenty-year-old student 'trapped' in a passionless but intellectual marriage, to Liam Neeson's secondary character, a romantic man who just falls for the wrong woman. 

The most interesting aspect is the documentary-style that the film adopts that gives the impression of fragments stolen from the life of the characters, and manages to wonderfully show how and why a relationship changes. This is what makes the film feel even more like an autobiography of the real downfall of Woody Allen and Mia Farrow's marriage. 

The cast is excellent, from Sydney Pollack and especially Judy Davis, who play a bored married couple announcing a trial separation, to Woody Allen and Mia Farrow, the shocked couple of friends. It must be said that this is one of Allen's finest performances, as he kind of dismisses the nerdy character to be a more reserved and human one. Juliette Lewis is also good as Allen's student, and Liam Neeson - it still feels weird to see him younger and in love - does a decent job. 

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Gabe: Change equals death!

Judy: What kind of bullshit? That's just a bullshit line! Maybe you fool your twenty-year-old students into thinking that's some kind of a, an insight or something, but it means nothing! Change is what life is made of! Change - if you don't change, you don't grow, you just shrivel up!

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Genre

Comedy | Mystery

Directors

Joel Coen | Ethan Coen

Country

USA

Cast

Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Alison Pill, Verónica Osorio, Emily Beecham, Heather Goldenhersh, Wayne Knight, Max Baker, Christopher Lambert, Fred Melamed, Patrick Fischler, David Krumholtz, Fisher Stevens, Alex Karpovsky, Clancy Brown, Robert Picardo, Natasha Bassett, John Bluthal, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Gambon

Storyline

The film follows a day in the life of Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), a Hollywood fixer for Capitol Pictures in the 1950s, who cleans up and solves problems for big names and stars in the industry.

Opinion

Hail, Joel and Ethan! Seriously there's nobody that has such a firm grasp of all - or almost - film genres and knows how to rock them all like the Coen Brothers, and they just did it again this year with "Hail, Caesar!", this great comedy that shows us Hollywood like we have never seen it before.

After reading the storyline I was wondering how fun could the life of a "fixer" be, but I knew the Coens wouldn't have disappointed me, and they haven't. The story indeed has a lot of sense of humour, but what makes the film fun isn't the story, but it's how the Coens are "celebrating" films we have idealized too much, and they are able to be funny in a smart way without being boring. Their love letter to the film industry, to what they do better is what makes this film such a great time.

Now, going back on the plot, it is gripping, and its mystery element will surely keep you glued to the screen until the end which is neither banal nor obvious, and it will probably surprise you as well.

The direction is great as usual, and the screenplay features brilliant, and witty dialogue - although many think otherwise - and quirky, fun characters. The soundtrack is also amazing, and the photography is quite good too. 

The cast is probably the best part of the film though. I have to say I was worried it was going to be all about Clooney. Thank God I was wrong. Josh Brolin manages to carry the storyline wonderfully, and isn't overshadowed by Clooney at all. Everybody else is equally great, from Ralph Fiennes - who takes part to one of the most hilarious scenes of the film - to Jonah Hill, to Channing Tatum, to Tilda Swinton. However, there are two actors that stand out: Alden Ehrenreich is absolutely adorable and despite being the least familiar actor, steals the show. The other one is Scarlett Johansson. Words are not enough to describe how it feels like to see her in a different role for once, and she actually does a great job. 

Sure, some parts could have been developed better, like the subplot involving Johansson and Hill, and it sure isn't the Coens best work, but ultimately "Hail, Caesar!" is a good film, and definitely worth checking out.

GoldenEye (1995)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Martin Campbell

Country

UK

Cast

Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, Joe Don Baker, Judi Dench, Gottfried John, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, Tchéky Karyo, Desmond Llewelyn, Samantha Bond, Minnie Driver, Serena Gordon

Storyline

James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) teams up with the lone survivor (Izabella Scorupco) of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent (Sean Bean) formerly believed to be dead.

Opinion

After the 6 year long break - only a week for me - the producers needed to make a good film, the most famous spy ever is back with a new face, Pierce Brosnan', in "GoldenEye", a surprisingly good entry in the franchise.

The plot involves the Russians - why doesn't that surprise me? - but probably for the first time it doesn't have the Cold War to fuel the storyline, and allows the film to step into new territories, the post-Communist Russia after the dissolution of the USSR. The Cold War was over so it was essential to find new plot elements.

Of course it was essential to find a new enemy as well, and here comes Alec Trevelyan, a former MI6 agent who has sworn revenge on the country that was responsible for his parents' suicide, Great Britain.

Also the film has a more modern appearance: the unforgettable Aston Martin has been replaced by a beautiful BMW - I'm glad that happened because when talking cars, Germans do it better - and the role of M is for the first time given to a woman, brilliantly portrayed by Judi Dench.

Like most films, "GoldenEye" does have its downs. The film is considerably increased in action and adrenaline, and while most will enjoy this new feature, I didn't because the spy story kind of takes a back seat. And I have mixed feelings about the Bond girls. Natalya Semyonova is a pleasing and resourceful character, but Xenia Onatopp, the bad one, is quite annoying.

As for the acting, Pierce Brosnan portrays James Bond amazingly well; he's witty, charming and he looks freaking good in a suit, Sean Bean does a wonderful job as Alec Trevelyan, and he's probably one of the best villains in the series, Famke Janssen also does a good job as Xenia Onatopp, but Alan Cumming is irritating as he uses every nerdy cliché possible.

Thursday Movie Picks: Affairs

It's Thursday Movie Picks time, a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

This week's topic is affairs. I know, cheating is NOT a good thing to do, it's unrespectful, and a lot of other things. But, they happen to make movies about it, and some are very good, and when I say "very good" I mean the affairs. There's so much passion, you can't help but cheer for the lovers. Without further ado, here's my picks:

The Kids Are All Right (2010)

Nic and Jules are a lesbian couple who have each conceived by artificial insemination. Their kids want to find out who their biological father is, and when they find him, the five of them start spending time together, and the family's dynamic is affected by it as Jules has an affair with the father. I have to admit this one is kind of fucked up, there is nothing romantic about it, but the film is terrific, touching and features a talented, mostly female cast. 

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

A photographer stops in a farm in the middle of nowhere to ask for directions. That's when he meets Francesca, and it's love. Unfortunately, she is married with children. This movie, man I love this movie. It has the right amount of romance, it has a devastating ending, it features wonderful cinematography and score, and Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep have such a chemistry, their love seems so real. Who knew Clint had the sensitivity to handle such a role.

The Deep Blue Sea (2011)

The wife of an upper-class judge is trapped in a passionless marriage and life. But things are about to change when she meets Freddie, a troubled former Royal Air Force pilot. The affair between these two is so passionate you can't help but hope they get to be together. Yes, the film is a little depressing, and heartbreaking, but it's also deep and wonderful, and Rachel Weisz gives a hell of a performance here. 

Alive (1993)

Genre

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Director

Frank Marshall

Country

USA

Cast

Ethan Hawke, Josh Hamilton, John Haymes, Bruce Ramsay, David Kriegel, Jack Noseworthy, Kevin Breznahan, David Cubitt, Gian DiDonna, John Cassini, Richard Ian Cox, Nuno Antunes, Gordon Currie, Sam Behrens, Michael Taylor, Steven Shayler, John Malkovich

Storyline

In 1972, the plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashes on the Andes Mountains, and considered dead, the survivors are forced to use desperate measures to survive.

Opinion

I always wanted to watch this film but never got around it. I knew the story and that was enough to keep me away from it. Then yesterday I was in the mood for something "heavier", and I finally played it. It blew me away.

"Alive" is a remarkable, emotional survival film that demonstrates the determination of mankind and fight for survival. It's one of those films you wouldn't believe if you didn't know in advance that it's based on true events. It's one of those films that is an endurance test for the audience as well, because it is not very easy to watch at times.

I haven't read Piers Paul Read's "Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors", but like I said before, I knew the story - we talked about it in High School and I read all I could on the internet - and I can tell that the film is a good transposition of what those people had to go through. 

The story of these young men, some who had never seen the snow before, that were able to survive for 72 days on the Andes is truly uplifting, and shows some of the best sides of humanity. Each person in this film is unique, you can easily find yourself sympathetic with the viewpoints of the each of them, yet at the same time you wonder what would you have done if you were in their place. 

"Alive" features an impressive crash sequence that skilfully captures the horror and helplessness of those trapped in that plane that hardly leaves you untouched. Same goes with the rescue scene, where the expression on Carlitos' face is worth more than words.

The portray a real story in the right way you need a great cast and the film sure has it. Ethan Hawke as Nando Parrado, the optimistic and irrational one, and Josh Hamilton as Roberto Canessa, the pessimist, stand out, especially because of the debate between the two men.

Death Proof (2007)

Genre

Thriller

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Country

USA

Cast

Kurt Russell, Zoë Bell, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Ferlito, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Tracie Thoms, Jordan Ladd, Rose McGowan, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Quentin Tarantino, Marcy Harriell, Michael Parks, Eli Roth, Omar Doom, Michael Bacall, Jonathan Loughran, Marley Shelton, Monica Staggs

Storyline

Two separate sets of voluptuous women are stalked at different times by a scarred stuntman (Kurt Russell) who uses his "death proof" cars to execute his murderous plans.

Opinion

Back in 2012, Tarantino said "Death Proof" is the worst film he's ever made, not a terrible movie, still the worst. I can't argue with that. But I guess it was supposed to be. It's an homage to Grindhouse films after all. 

The plot is pretty simple: Stuntman Mike, a psychotic yet cool scarred stuntman who goes around in a death proof car - those automobiles used in TV Shows to simulate clashed - to pick up and kill girls based on their appearance. Nothing more.  

The style is totally Tarantino's: long and exhausting nonsense dialogue - maybe this time a little bit too long - served with futile and vulgar topics, typical camera movements of the sixties, spectacular chases, vibrant red blood splashing everywhere just to not take this whole thing too seriously. There is all of this. Unfortunately, if it wasn't Tarantino's, the film would have passed completely unnoticed because it doesn't really have anything special.

Okay, maybe the soundtrack is special. I mean, after all nobody manages to use popular music in the way Tarantino does. You gotta give him that.

The casting of Kurt Russell was perfect though. He finally has the opportunity to go all bad again, and man, he goes bad. Even when he is supposed to be friendly, he exudes a sense of menace that doesn't' leave until the end of the film.

Superman (1978)

Genre

Action | Sci-Fi

Director

Richard Donner

Country

USA

Cast

Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder, Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando, Ned Beatty, Jackie Cooper, Glenn Ford, Trevor Howard, Jack O'Halloran, Valerie Perrine, Maria Schell, Terence Stamp, Phyllis Thaxter, Susannah York, Jeff East, Marc McClure, Sarah Douglas, Harry Andrews

Storyline

The infant Kal-El, of the planet Krypton, makes his journey to Earth in a ship constructed by his father, Jor-El (Marlon Brando), just as the planet explodes. As he grows to manhood, Kal-El (Christopher Reeve) learns he possesses super-powers, and becomes the Earth's greatest superhero.

Opinion

Although I've been addicted to "Smallville" for about 10 years, I've never been a Superman fan. Singer's "Superman Returns" wasn't that bad, and the new Snyder's films are okay. Still, not enough to make me love the Kryptonian. I thought maybe the original movie would have changed my mind. Turns out I'm probably the only one on the "Superman is a terrible movie" island and I honestly don't get why people love this film so much.

I mean, "Superman" is a very boring, poor film, aged in the worst way, with a screenplay that seems written by a 5-year-old kid.

I haven't read the comic books, so I don't know how faithful the film is, but I can point out the dumbness that laying in the plot. I used to think Kal-El was a smart guy. Apparently he is so smart that tells to a reporter all of his secrets, especially his weaknesses, so said reporter can publish every single word he said for his enemies to read. Deserving a price for smartest guy in the film is also Lex Luthor. Just like his enemy, he is so smart that brings Superman at his own secret place and tells him his plans. As if being that smart wasn't enough, Lex isn't even some insane criminal, but just a crook who wants to take over some real estate. In the process of stopping this badass, Lois Lane dies, so Superman travels back in time to save her. But why didn't he time travel to prevent the nuclear bomb to go off?

I really can't believe Mario Puzo, the guy who wrote a masterpiece such as "The Godfather" took part in this. How that even happened?

Anyway, what makes me cringe the most are the special effects. I'm not comparing them with modern films but with films of the same era, like "Star Wars" that came out one year earlier. And I fail to see how this movie managed to win the Oscar for best special effects. I really fail to. Also the sets, especially the alien ones, are goddamn awful.

However, the film ain't a hundred percent rotten. I really liked Clark Kent as he is the best, funniest part of the entire film, John Williams's score is beautiful, and Christopher Reeve is actually able to give a believable performance as Superman, and despite the film he makes you care for him.

Spirited Away (2001)

Original Title

千と千尋の神隠し Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi

Genre

Animation | Adventure | Fantasy

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Country

Japan

Voice Cast

Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Bunta Sugawara, Yumi Tamai, Tsunehiko Kamijō, Takehiko Ono, Akio Nakamura, Tatsuya Gashūin, Yō Ōizumi, Ryūnosuke Kamiki, Takashi Naitō, Yasuko Sawaguchi, Koba Hayashi, Ken Yasuda

Storyline

During her family's move to the suburbs, sullen 10-year-old Chihiro (Rumi Hiiragi) wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches, and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.

Opinion

I'm not an anime lover, therefore this movie has drawn my attention for no reason other than being the only anime that has won the Oscar for Best Animated Picture. What can I say, "Spirited Away" is a stunning, magical achievement in animation that really deserves all the good things that have been written about it.

Hayao Miyazaki addresses the problem of the transition from childhood to adolescence of Chihiro, a 10-year-old girl that has to face difficult choices independently, and he does it beautifully making use of a spectacular metaphor: the solitary one way trip; in fact, with her parents transformed into pigs, Chihiro can only approach this growth path relying on her own strength only.

In the film, loneliness is seen as the crucial moment needed to figure out who can be trusted and who can not be trusted, and as that essential step to reach maturity.

In addition unlike Americans, Japanese have a culture that embraces spirituality and they always manage - at least in the animated features - to blend together tradition, technology and spirit beautifully, and to give the film the ability of touching the audience. 

The animation gives a real sense of cinematography, and the drawing, and the colours make the film stand out in a way that American films rarely do. The musical score by Joe Hisaishi is spectacular and contributes to the creation of this masterpiece.

If you can, watch it in Japanese with subtitles. It's the best way to do it. 

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Zeniba: Once you do something, you never forget. Even if you can't remember.

Shadows and Fog (1991)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Woody Allen

Country

USA

Cast

Woody Allen, Kathy Bates, Philip Bosco, Charles Cragin, John Cusack, Mia Farrow, Jodie Foster, Fred Gwynne, Robert Joy, Julie Kavner, William H. Macy, MAdonna, John Malkovich, Kenneth Mars, Kate Nelligan, Donald Pleasence, James Rebhorn, John C. Reilly, Wallace Shawn, Kurtwood Smith, Josef Sommer, David Ogden Stiers, Lily Tomlin, Daniel von Bargen

Storyline

With a serial strangler (Michael Kirby) on the loose, an insignificant bookkeeper (Woody Allen) wanders around town searching for the vigilante group intent on catching the killer.

Opinion

Woody Allen goes rogue from the serious-serious stuff with "Shadows and Fog", a very interesting, often funny, and at times strange mild satire of Kafka.

Once again Allen shows us his dark, pessimistic vision of the world, where the man is alone, and abandoned in the indifference of the universe and is unable to find any kind of consolation. Refuge can only be found in illusion, just like the magician of the film says - "Loves them. They need them. Like they need the air."

In an ironic-ish manner, emerge some themes that are recurrent in Allen's filmography: god, love, death, the irrationality of life, the need for illusions, and the difficulty of finding a place in this play called life.

The story is typical Allen, with overlapping plots, people who in a way or another are interrelated to one another and only serves as a plot device, and the characters are all individuals and they all have a nice moment on screen.

With a beautiful black and white photography, Allen evokes the German Expressionism, and throws in some Franz Kafka's "The Process" in the process.

Brecht's score is wonderful and the cast is probably the best of Allen's movies; it's unbelievable how each actor manages to stand out.

Ultimately "Shadows and Fog" is not Allen's best, but I don't really understand why it was so underrated by critics, and most of the audience.

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Kleinmann: I can't even make a leap of faith to believe in my own existence.

Concussion (2015)

Genre

Biography | Drama

Director

Peter Landesman

Country

USA

Cast

Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Morse, Arliss Howard, Mike O'Malley, Eddie Marsan, Hill Harper, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Stephen Moyer, Richard T. Jones, Paul Reiser, Luke Wilson, Sara Lindsay, Matthew Willig, Bitsie Tulloch, Eme Ikwuakor

Storyline

In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.

Opinion

Last night I finally watched the film with a lot of interest because of its sensitive subject and because of Will Smith's performance that according to everybody was Oscar worthy. I was disappointed.

"Concussion" would have been a compelling drama, and an excellent biopic if it wasn't so long and so unfocused.

So the film tells the story of Nigerian pathologist Bennet Omalu who discovered that football players, just like boxers, can suffer from CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), and the NFL knowing it and did not say anything about it, more or less accurately. The problem is the way it tells it, so awful it made the film barely watchable.

It is a sport related story, but the film doesn't really establish a relation between the doctor and the sport. American football gets mentioned only to attract fans of the sport, it doesn't really have another purpose. 

Then the filmmakers thrown in a romantic sub-plot in order to give Smith something to do other than cut brains of dead footballers. A romance that is pointless, flat and whose only purpose is to lengthen the film. 

It also seems like the filmmakers tried very hard to make a mess out of the film. In addition to a non-linear narration that doesn't make any sense, and an awful editing, the focus shifts from the legal battle to the inner struggle of Bennet Omalu to be considered a doctor in America.

At least Will Smith's performances is excellent. I actually was afraid that his attempt on Nigerian accent would have made him into a caricature, but thank god that didn't happen. Instead, he brings a lot of intensity in each line spoken, and his portrayal of the character is amazing. The supporting cast is average, nobody really stands out. 

What can I say? Maybe it just needed to be a documentary.

Mention-Worthy Quotes

Bennet Omalu: Need is not weak. Need is need... You have to be the best version of yourself. If you don't know what that is you pick something and fake it

Licence to Kill (1989)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

John Glen

Country

UK

Cast

Timothy Dalton, Carey Lowell, Robert Davi, Talisa Soto, Anthony Zerbe, Frank McRae, Everett McGill, Wayne Newton, Benicio del Toro, Anthony Starke, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Desmond Llewelyn, David Hedison, Priscilla Barnes, Robert Brown, Caroline Bliss, Don Stroud, Grand L. Bush, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Christopher Neame, Diana Lee Hsu

Storyline

James Bond (Timothy Dalton) goes rogue and sets off to unleash vengeance on a drug lord (Robert Davi) who tortured his best friend, C.I.A. agent Felix Leiter (David Hedison), and left him for dead and murdered his bride after he helped capture him.

Opinion

The second and final movie of the Timothy Dalton era, "License to Kill" is a serious and dark entry in the Bond franchise.

This film is radically different from nearly all the previous installments. The story is an original one, not from Ian Fleming's novel, and the revenge plot fits perfectly to the kind of James Bond Dalton played, and shows the spy at his merciless best.

Despite the film shows a different Bond that doesn't work for the British government anymore and pursues his personal vendetta, the film, at first, doesn't seem very different from previous entries. Maybe it's because of the spectacular underwater shots that we have seen over and over again. I don't know.

Anyway, what makes this film better is the transformation of the main character. Bond goes from being an impeccable agent, loyal to his superiors - even though in the previous film his obedience began to wobble - to being a human being that acts for personal purposes only.

Also Q finally has the screen time he deserves. He would usually appear at the beginning or later is the movie, just to give Bond his gadgets and send Bond off on a mission. But not this time. For once, he is part of the mission. And let me say it, he's just amazing.

Timothy Dalton may not be the best James Bond - he's my favourite though - but he really embodies and brings emotional depth to the character. On the other side of the coin we have a terrific Robert Davi - a very underrated actor - as drug lord Franz Sanchez. He's genuinely terrifying, and one of the best villains so far. Finally for the joy of men there are two Bond girls, both gorgeous, and for the ladies a young Benicio del Toro, who also happens to give an excellent performance.

Thursday Movie Picks: Astronauts

Hello there, and welcome to Thursday Movie Picks, a weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.

This week's topic is astronauts, those lucky bastards that travel in space like there's no tomorrow. Well, actually sometimes they don't have a tomorrow because they die, but not in my three picks. Oops, sorry for the spoilers.

Gravity (2013)

Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are doing their thing in the space when a catastrophe happens and destroys their shuttle, leaving them adrift in orbit. Man, I wouldn't want to be one of those right now. Anyway, this multi-Academy Award winner is thrilling, absorbing, a little emotional and visually spectacular. And Sandra Bullock gives one of her best performances ever. Maybe her best.

Interstellar (2014)

In the near future, a team of explorers must find the human race a new home and in order to do that they travel through a wormhole. I know it's kinda dangerous, but it seems so cool, and the film is spectacular. It is entertaining and mentally stimulating, the special effects are top-notch, and Hans Zimmer's score is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard in a sci-fi film. Yes, Matthew McConaughey happens to be here, and I don't like the man, but the film is so great it makes up for him.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)

Kirk is quite depressed because he's on his last space mission of his career, but then the infamous Khan Noonien arrives, and Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise must stop Khan from destroying the universe. This movie is thrilling, has a strong story, good acting and is my favourite of the franchise. And I haven't told you the best part yet: you don't need to see the awful first film to enjoy this one. Isn't that great?

21 (2008)

Genre

Drama

Director

Robert Luketic

Country

USA

Cast

Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo, Kieu Chinh, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts, Jack McGee, Josh Gad, Sam Golzari, Helen Carey, Jack Gilpin, Spencer Garrett, Jeff Ma, Kris Williams

Storyline

In order to be accepted into Harvard School of Medicine, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) will have to save $300,000 for the course. Only problem about this is the Ben can't get this amount of money. After being impressed by his skills in his Math's lesson, Prof. Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) invites Ben to become a member of a small group; a group who are planning to walk out of Vegas with millions, thanks to Ben's card counting.

Opinion

Filmmakers love casinos. Probably because casinos always have some kind of charm. Robert Luketic is no different than others, and brought to the table "21", an entertaining, but very clichéd gambling/heist film.

So the film is based on Ben Mezrich's "Bringing Down the House", and it's my understanding it is inspired by a true story. Let me start by saying that I did not read the book, and I am not familiar with this particular story. That being said, the story is decent but very clichéd up until the end where things are very unpredictable, and the ending is really unexpected. And that kind of makes up for earlier plot points.

The film is well paced, and gracefully alternates between fast-paced Vegas casino action and slower moments wherein the group plan the heist. But two hours are a lot of time, and filling some of that time with that half-baked love story, and Ben taking in the high life is a waste.

The performances could have been better. Kevin Spacey, seriously my favourite actor and the reason I watched this film, and Laurence Fishburne give routine performances as if they didn't care much for the film. They are not bad, they just seem careless. Jim Sturgess is decent as Ben, the leading mathematical genius, but he doesn't quite manage to pull off the various emotional shadings required. And Kate Bosworth contributes with her typical flat performance as the love interest.

Accepted (2006)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Steve Pink

Country

USA

Cast

Justin Long, Jonah Hill, Adam Herschman, Columbus Short Maria Thayer, Lewis Black, Blake Lively, Mark Derwin, Ann Cusack, Hannah Marks, Robin Lord Taylor, Diora Baird, Joe Hursley, Jeremy Howard, Anthony Heald, Travis Van Winkle, Kaitlin Doubleday, Sam Horrigan, Ross Patterson, Artie Baxter, Kellan Lutz, Brendan Miller, Ray Santiago, Greg Sestero, Ned Schmidtke, Jim O'Heir, Darcy Shean

Storyline

After being rejected from every college he applied, Bartleby Gaines (Justin Long) creates his own institution of higher learning, the South Harmon Institute of Technology, on a rundown piece of property near his hometown.

Opinion

I don't remember watching this film before yesterday, but I have had this seen-it-all-before feeling throughout the whole film. So either I've seen it ages ago and forgot about it - but to be honest that never happens to me - or "Accepted" is just another college movie that uses the same formula that has been plugged into summer comedies since dawn of time. If I were to guess, I'd go with the second.

Anyway, the story is a little different than usual - a high school kid creates his own college just to impress his parents. But it's also kind of ridiculous and unbelievable. And predictable. And it has some troubles deciding between being an inspirational piece or a party movie. But it does manage to blend those two aspects of the story quite well and the inspirational part is very well done. 

The screenplay isn't particularly good, but it does offer some funny dialogue, unevenly balanced with a lot of cheap gags. It also offers no character development at all, and characters that aren't really characters, just stereotypes. But, while some are annoying and unnecessary, some others are slightly interesting and kind of fun to watch on screen.

But seriously, who cares about all that when the film is just supposed to be a stupid comedy. I kinda had a good time after all, some of the jokes are laugh-out-loud funny, and even though I wound't watch it again, it was worth seeing once.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

J.J. Abrams

Country

USA

Cast

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Alice Eve, John Cho, Peter Weller, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Leonard Nimoy Noel Clarke, Nazneen Contractor Christopher Doohan, Amanda Foreman, Jay Scully, Jonathan Dixon, Aisha Hinds, Joseph Gatt, Bill Hader, Deep Roy, Sean Blakemore

Storyline

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction.

Opinion

Before "Star Trek" I didn't care at all about the franchise. I knew there was Kirk, a spaceship and an alien with pointy ears (Spock), that's all. As you saw last week, I'm completely crazy about that film, and I was excited as hell when this one came out - I mean, it even stars Benedict Cumberbatch. How can it get better than that? And J.J. Abrams gave me pretty much what I wanted with "Star Trek Into Darkness", another visually spectacular, and quite solid installment in the Star Trek franchise.

If the 2009 film was the reboot of the first Star Trek, this one can be considered a modern "The Wrath of Khan". Now if you have followed my journey, you know how much I loved that film: it has a great plot, great characters development and a spectacular villain, Khan. How about this one? Well, it's a little bit weaker than the original. 

The story - which I believe it's an alternative reality - is very interesting, and focuses a lot on the love/hate relationships between the characters. Still, among friendship, love, and jealousy, the film has some plot holes. Actually there's some giant plot holes, if you think about it, and it seems like Abrams hoped, or thought that some dazzling special effects would have hidden that.

Like I just said, this one is weaker, also because the characters development could have been better. Also some of the characters are simply put in the film to appeal to older Star Trek fans, e.g. Dr. Carol Marcus. Yes, she was in the original, but she basically has no purpose here.

But it's not all bad, really. Benedict Cumberbatch is an incredible, intense villain - perhaps even better than Ricardo Montalbán -, and the film is worth seeing for his performance alone. The special effects, like I've already mentioned a bazillion times, are spectacular. The score is great, and the acting, well, once again I can't complain about that.

Hopefully "Star Trek Beyond" won't have the same problems with the script.

Monsters University (2013)

Genre

Adventure | Animation | Comedy

Director

Dan Scanlon

Country

USA

Voice Cast

Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Helen Mirren, Peter Sohn, Joel Murray, Sean Hayes, Dave Foley, Charlie Day, Alfred Molina, Tyler Labine, Nathan Fillion, Aubrey Plaza, Bobby Moynihan, Julia Sweeney, Bonnie Hunt, John Krasinski, Bill Hader, Beth Behrs, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Noah Johnston

Storyline

Since he was a kid, Mike (Billy Crystal) wanted to becomes a scary monster and planed to go to the Monsters University. Unfortunately when his dream is about to come true, he meets the lazy student James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) that threatens to mess off with his plans. 

Opinion

I really did not know what to expect from the prequel to a great film like "Monsters, Inc.", considering the film was made more than 10 years after the original. And knowing that usually prequels and sequels are kind of weak didn't help. But I guess Disney Pixar did what they do best, they made another good film.

So not only "Monsters University" marks Pixar's first prequel, but it gives us back the pleasure of the companionship of Mike and Sulley with a pleasant story of friendship.

If the original was a portrait of an odd couple, this one shows us the origin of the friendship between Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan in their freshman year at Monsters University. The plot pays many homages to the classic college comedies, and is based on the American college life, and despite the lack of any identification with my country, the film is funny and entertaining, and doesn't hold out on laughs.

It was interesting to see how all the main characters of the original had met, and what their relationships were like in the earlier days, but it was also great to meet some new characters, and despite the film lacks of Boo, there's a memorable and intimidating Dean Hardscrabble - voiced by Helen Mirren - that is remarkable. 

And, as usual, Pixar the animation is amazing. Yeah, I know, it's a cliché to say that but once again they crafted unique, appealing, vibrant, colourful, wonderfully detailed characters.

Alice (1990)

Genre

Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

Director

Woody Allen

Country

USA

Cast

Mia Farrow, Joe Mantegna, William Hurt, Blythe Danner, June Squibb, Holland Taylor, Peggy Miley, Keye Luke, Judy Davis, Alec Baldwin, Bernadette Peters, Cybill Shepherd, Gwen Verdon, Patrick O'Neal, Diane Salinger, Bob Balaban, Caroline Aaron, James Toback, Elle Macpherson, Lisa Marie, Rachel Miner, Kristy Graves, Laurie Nayber

Storyline

Alice Tate (Mia Farrow), a spoiled Manhattan housewife mother of two, re-evaluates her life after visiting Dr. Yang (Keye Luke), an oriental herbalist.

Opinion

After the spectacular "Crimes and Misdemeanors", Woody Allen returns to the rhythm of jazz and tango, and a modern "Alice in Wonderland" with "Alice", a light, and strange film that is a bit of a let down.

The script and the story are a well-balanced mix of comedy, drama and fantasy, and I'm actually impressed by the way Allen has handled the fantasy factor.

The plot dabbles in mysticism and magic, just like in "A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy" and his segment of "New York Stories", and sees this woman, Alice, that becomes invisible and cheats on her husband, and finds out that her husband also cheats on her. Unfortunately, it isn't particularly gripping or that hilarious, and since it relies on characters I couldn't either relate to or like, the film was a little disappointing.

But I guess there's nobody like Allen, because he is probably the only director that successfully manages to introduce philosophy in a story that isn't particularly engaging without being tedious, or falling into superficiality.

Mia Farrow is unexpectedly charming, and gives one of her nicest performances, and excels as the naive, confused, spoiled housewife. The supporting cast doesn't provide much support though: Joe Mantegna and William Hurt are both good actors but here they have really nothing to do here.

Haywire (2011)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Steven Soderbergh

Country

Ireland | USA

Cast

Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas, Michael Angarano, Mathieu Kassovitz, Eddie J. Fernandez, Anthony Brandon Wong, Tim Connolly, Maximino Arciniega, Aaron Cohen, Natascha Berg, Fergal O'Halloran

Storyline

Mallory Kane (Gina Carano) is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive.

Opinion

Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's Trilogy was good stuff overall, right? So was "Eric Brockovich". Then, why shouldn't this film be good? Because it fails on a lot of levels, at the end "Haywire" is nothing but just another action flick, that doesn't do anything special to stand out or to remain in the memory of the viewer.

It is the typical revenge story carried up by the super professional who is framed by his superiors - no, it's not "The Bourne Identity" -, and completely lacks any depth or originality. However, there still is something original, the protagonist is a woman. 

Anyway, the story is also not really appealing, and a bit hard to follow - if you look away for one second you might not understand the whole film.

When an action film has so little to offer in terms of plot, one would expect it to have great action sequences. Well, sorry to let you down, but this is just not the case. The few action scenes seem amatorial, and most of them are utterly pointless. Like when the protagonist chases a "bad" guy because she doesn't like to leave things halfway, and when she finally catches him, she just beats him.

Sure, Gina Carano can fight - she indeed moves with ease in the fighting scenes - but her smiles and facial expressions are a little random aka they have nothing to do with what is going on in the movie. The other characters are so superficial, I guess the only reason they casted Ewan McGregor, Michael Douglas and Michael Fassbender is to make people pay to watch the film.