Unfinished Business (2015)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Ken Scott

Country

USA

Cast

Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, June Diane Raphael, Ella Anderson, Britton Sear, James Marsden, Nick Frost

Storyline

Hard-working small business owner Dan Trunkman (Vince Vaughn) and his two associate, Tim McWinters (Tom Wilkinson) and Mike Pancake (Dave Franco), travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every way imaginable - and unimaginable.

Opinion

Given the awful reviews all over the internet, I wasn't expecting much from this film, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this film actually was. Okay, maybe I'm being too generous.

Suffering from a poorly written script, Unfinished Business does have its moments, but the humour is not always on point.

The plot is always the same trite, seen thousands of times, and totally lacking in originality - it's like The Hangover met Eurotrip -, yet the film manages to entertain a little - or not bore, which suits better in this case - through the misfortunes affecting the three main characters.

Like most comedies these days, the film does not spare vulgarity. On one hand the language is a bit more chaste than usual, but on the other hand the film "recovers" with sex and nudity scenes. 

Writer Steve Conrad, the same guy who wrote The Pursuit of Happiness, should probably work on more serious projects, as he appears to be awkward when it comes to writing comedies. When watching this film it comes to the attention that he is not able to write jokes. Vince Vaughn running in a woman's jogging clothes will never be funny, nor will be laughing at someone just because of his last name.

Also, the subplot with Vaughn's family is unnecessary since it's not properly developed, and shouldn't have been included because it feels completely out of place in such a film.

However, the performances are able to increase the level of the film. Just a little bit. Vince Vaughn does a good job, but he once again plays that character he does in every film he does. Tom Wilkinson's talent is definitely wasted here, but he give a solid support to Vaughn. Dave Franco really impressed me. I, like everyone else, am used to see Franco playing this pretty douchebags with egos bigger than Kim Kardashian's butt, and finally seeing him in a different role, playing an awkward, shy and mentally challenged guy was pleasing.

I have a question for my American readers. Why do you guys always portray Europeans as sex freaks?

The Book Thief (2013)

Genre

Drama | War

Director

Brian Percival

Country

USA | Germany

Cast

Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer, Nico Liersch, Sandra Nedeleff, Hildegard Schroedter, Rafael Gareisen, Gotthard Lange, Godehard Giese, Roger Allam, Oliver Stokowski, Barbara Auer, Heike Makatsch, Lein Liam, Carina Wiese

Storyline

While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel Meminger (Sophie Nélisse) is forced to live with adoptive parents Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and Rosa Hubermann (Emily Watson). She will eventually find solace by stealing books and sharing them with others, especially with Max (Ben Schnetzer), the Jewish refugee being sheltered by her foster family.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

A few month ago I read this beautiful, extraordinary, moving book called The Book Thief, written by some Markus Zusak. Never before I felt so engaged, and enchanted by a book. It left me speechless, and I've been thinking about it quite a lot, more, however, than I usually do. I loved every single aspect of the book. The characters. The plot. The tragic, yet beautiful ending. The Death.

Then last night I watched this film, and I could barely make it through it. Probably one of the worst screen adaptation ever made, Percival's The Book Thief is a tedious, bloody awful film.

The film is bad on so many levels it's hard to explain, but I'll try. First of all, calling a cinematographic adaptation a thing that barely follows the book, and basically skips half of it, leaving tons of important events, and scenes behind, is an insult. The script jumps from a thing to another, and it's impossible for someone who read the book to follow. 

One of the strong elements of the book is the creative narration. Instead of just using a third-person narrator, Zusak used Death and he was able to offer a unique perspective on all the death and dying occurring during this dark period in history. In the film, Death is barely there, she just shows up at random. Furthermore, the final image of Death walking along the streets is nothing but inappropriate, and completely disconnect from the content.

The characters, what a mess. Every single character, even minor ones, has a strong development in the book. Here, there is no character development, and you feel completely disconnected to all of them. Rudy is annoying, and acts like a jealous boyfriend, and his relationship with Liesel is so downplayed. Then, when he dies at the end of the film, it does not have the same emotional charge that it should have. Actually, it has none.

As if all of that wasn't enough, the film doesn't even manage to capture the horrors of Nazi Germany, and that's really bad considering this is an American and German production.

The acting pops out like a dandelion in the snow, but I must say that none of the actors looked how I imagined the characters. Despite the awful script she had to work with, young Sophie Nélisse does a good job in the role of Liesel Meminger. The other young lead, Nico Liersch, also does a good job. Geoffrey Rush as Hans Hubermann and Emily Watson as his wife do their best to save this unsavable mess. Ben Schnetzer does not an awful job as Max, but he is less convincing than the others.

The sad thing is that this film could have had Oscar written all over it, but it is just a waste of time and money. Do yourself a favour, avoid this film and read the book, instead.

Pitch Perfect (2012)

Genre

Comedy | Music | Romance

Director

Jason Moore

Country

USA

Cast

Anna Kendrick, Anna Camp, Brittany Snow, Rebel Wilson, Ester Dean, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, Kelley Alice Jakle, Shelley Regner, Wanetah Walmsley, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Adam DeVine, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Michael Viruet, David Del Rio, Gregory Gorenc, Wes Lagarde, Steven Bailey, Brian Silver, Michael Anaya, Nicole Lovince, Caroline Fourmy, Freddie Stroma, Jinhee Joung, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, John Michael Higgins, Elizabeth Banks, John Benjamin Hickey

Storyline

After a disastrous failing at last year’s finals, the Barden Bellas, an all-girls a cappella singing group, are forced to regroup. Among the new recruits is freshman Beca (Anna Kendrick), an independent, aspiring DJ with no interest in the college life. Injecting some much needed energy into their repertoire, The Bellas take on their male rivals in a campus competition.

Opinion

Did you know that in Italian “cappella” also means making a huge mistake? Probably the people who made this film knew it, because it’s aca-awful. Anything but perfect, Pitch Perfect is just another teen movie that seems made out of weaker Glee episodes.

The storyline can be summarized in a word: predictable. Everything goes exactly as somebody with a functioning brain would think. The jokes, revolving around Jewish, menstrual cycle, penetration, and eating a twin in the womb – creepy, right? -, are not funny at all. 

The characters aren’t that good themselves. Beca is an arrogant brat that hates to go to college and be with people. Perfect setup for character development, right? No! After apologizing for being herself, she a social butterfly. Jesse is the clichéd love interest of every single teen rom-com. The other secondary characters are unlikable and annoying, with the exception of Fat Amy because she is funny. Pardon, she will slightly make you chuckle.

More shamefully is that the film constantly offended people, being racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic. It is disrespectful towards Asians. The two Asian character are simply awful. One is a racist, rude bitch; the other is a crazy pyromaniac who enjoys rolling in vomit. It literally gives no shit about the black girl. After the moment of confession, when she opens up, and talks about her gambling problem, everyone is still concerned about her sexuality. To be honest, the attitude to her isn't better during the rest of the film.

Anna Kendrick is too sweet for the lead role of Beca, but she knows how to lead, and her solo with the coffee mug is the brightest spot in the film. The rest of the cast does not deserve a mention.

Everest (2015)

Genre

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Director

Baltasar Kormákur

Country

UK | USA | Iceland

Cast

Jason Clarke, Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Sam Worthington, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson, Thomas Wright, Martin Henderson, Elizabeth Debicki, Naoko Mori, Clive Standen, Vanessa Kirby, Tom Goodman-Hill, Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson, Charlotte Bøving, Micah Hauptman, Chris Reilly, Chike Chan, Vijay Lama, Mark Derwin, Mia Goth

Storyline

On the morning of May 10, 1996, climbers from two commercial expeditions start their final ascent toward the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. With little warning, a violent storm strikes the mountain, engulfing the adventurers in one of the fiercest blizzards ever encountered by man. Challenged by the harshest conditions imaginable, the teams must endure blistering winds and freezing temperatures in an epic battle to survive against nearly impossible odds.

Opinion

Once again I had high expectations and once again I've been disappointed. Stuffed with famous names, Everest is a well done chronicle film, that only invites to observe and not feel.

With an overlong first half focused on the preparation of the climbing itself and acclimatization to the high altitude, and a second half focused on the tragedy itself, the film does not lack credibility or attention in the reconstruction of the events, but it's soulless. Apart from the fact that the division between part one and part two is like a clear cut, the film does not go beyond telling the facts as they are, and completely fails in showing the difficulties you may encounter in such a climbing, and the hostility of the environment.

The characters are a washout. The only well outlined character is climber Rob Hall, that with his company Adventure Consultants guided even clients with little experience on the top of the Everest. Unfortunately, Hall's rival Scott Fischer is very superficial, portrayed as an reckless drunkie. The other characters are just plot elements, and characterized by some small details - like Doug, the mailman pursuing his dream, or Yasuko, the woman completing the seven summits. Also, Anatoli Boukreev definitely deserved more space in the story.

The actors are wasted. While Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin give good performances, Jake Gyllenhaal's only purpose is delivering stupid lines, Emily Watson's New Zealand accent is unconvincing, Keira Knightley occasionally shows up crying, and Robin Wright doesn't even need to be in the film.

We Are Marshall (2006)

Genre

Drama | Sport

Director

McG

Country

USA

Cast

Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie, Arlen Escarpeta, David Strathairn, Ian McShane, Kate Mara, January Jones, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Brian Geraghty, Tommy Cresswell, Christian Kanupke, Nina Jones, Mike Pniewski, Robert Patrick

Storyline

When the most of the football team and coaches of Marshall University die in a plane crash, the team's new coach (Matthew McConaughey) and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.

Opinion

I'm back with another McConaughey movie, that also features Matthew Fox, the other Matthew I can't stand. Luckily, the sacrifice was quite worthy.

Run to the end zone by McConaughey, We Are Marshall is tedious, but rises from the ashes thank to the message it delivers.

My expectations for this film were kind of low. Even though I knew it is based on a true story, I was expecting the typical stereotyped feel good sport film. I was wrong. 

The plot isn't much different from any other sport films out there, and so would seem to be the outcome. The football does play an important role in the story, but, as I mentioned before, there's a message delivered, and it redeems the film from the sport genre. The whole point of the film is dealing with loss, and getting back to the daily business of life, and it uses football to deliver a message of hope, showing how winning just one game provided enough hope to set an entire town on the path of recovery. 

Some people have been complaining about the ending, saying that it killed the climax. So, should have the film ended after winning the game against Xavier? No way, unless you don't want just another sport film.

Having said that, the big fail is McG's direction. He doesn't manage to fully capture the emotions in Huntington at that time, and the result is a sad film with no real feeling. 

Matthew McConaughey really did a wonderful job portraying coach Jack Lengyel, and basically carried the whole film. Looking lost and in pain, Matthew Fox also did a good job as the assistant coach. Anthony Mackie wonderfully portrayed Nate and caught his spirit of leadership.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Genre

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, Todd Field, Sky du Mont, Rade Šerbedžija, Vinessa Shaw, Fay Masterson, Leelee Sobieski, Alan Cumming, Leon Vitali, Julienne Davis, Thomas Gibson

Storyline

New York City doctor William Harford (Tom Cruise), who is married to art curator Alice (Nicole Kidman), pushes himself on a harrowing and dangerous night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery after his wife admits that she once almost cheated on him.

Opinion

Last night I finally saw Eyes Wide Shut, film that will always be remembered for being the last work of Stanley Kubrick, one of the greatest filmmakers in film history. Just like every film he has made, this one has caused some controversy, and, I am sorry to say it, it did really disappoint me.

Overlong, tedious, and uneventful most of the way, Eyes Wide Shut is a major disappointment, and the writing is to be blamed.

Based on Arthur Schnitzler's 'Traumnovelle', the concept behind the story - a husband and wife rediscovering their passion through sexual experimentation outside the marriage - is interesting. But the slow moving story as a whole isn't particularly involving, and fails to make the viewer feel sympathy for the protagonists and care for their marriage.

The way too verbose screenplay does not tell through images, but through mostly banal dialogue most of the events.

Also, the film adds little to the stories of love, sex and betrayal used out of proportion in the film industry, and the veil of mystery and ambiguity that covers the film is not enough to save it.

Despite everything, the touch of Kubrick is there and you can feel it in the disturbing and creepy orgy scene, that shows perversion, and the negative side to lush without falling into pornography.

Fine acting from Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack and Marie Richardson, but the upsetting thing is that there is no chemistry between Cruise and Kidman, and they were even married at the time.

Quotes

Dr. Bill Harford: No dream is ever just a dream.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

Genre

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

Director

George Miller

Country

USA

Cast

Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, Veronica Cartwright, Richard Jenkins, Keith Jochim, BEcca Lish, Carel Struycken

Storyline

On a Thursday night, three female friends, Alex (Cher), Jane (Susan Sarandon), and Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer), conjure up a mystery man, who could satisfy all their desires. Arriving in town the following day is Satan, disguised as mysterious stranger Daryl Van Horne (Jack Nicholson). One by one, Van Horne seduces each of the women, and then strange things begin to happen.

Opinion

Happy Halloween! This year I've decided to go with something a bit different, and instead of watching the same horrors over and over again, I've picked this dark comedy, which is the perfect alternative for a Halloween night at home.

Despite everything, The Witches of Eastwick is a bizarre, funny and enjoyable fantasy horror comedy.

The film doesn't offer anything new on the plate, the story is quite poor, and wastes the great potential it has, but somehow manages to be entertaining and engaging. I was definitely expecting more magic and fireworks from a film starring the devil himself, but then again the film was surprisingly good.

Despite the lack of a good story, the dialogue is surprisingly good and interesting, especially during the three games of seduction performed by Daryl Van Horne.

Four main characters are a lot to focus on, but the film gives each an equal amount of screen time, and makes each character important, without that ever going at the expense of another character. Also, the characters are solid and complements one another.

The three female leads, the beautiful and seductive witches, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer don't seem much inspired, but they are quite believable as a group of friends. Notable acting comes from the Veronica Cartwright, mesmerising as Felicia. Jack Nicholson, however, seems to be gifted with the ability to give always good performances, and over the top as usual, I bet he had lot of fun here.

Quotes

Daryl Van Horne: Men are such cocksuckers aren't they? You don't have to answer that. It's true. They're scared. Their dicks get limp when confronted by a woman of obvious power and what do they do about it? Call them witches, burn them, torture them, until every woman is afraid. Afraid of herself... afraid of men... and all for what? Fear of losing their hard-on.

A Perfect Murder (1998)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Andrew Davis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen, David Suchet, Sarita Choudhury, Michael P. Moran, Novella Nelson, Constance Towers, David Eigenberg, Will Lyman, Maeve McGuire, Stephen Singer, Adrian Martinez, Laurinda Barrett, Aideen O'Kelly, Reed Birney, Robert Vincent Smith

Storyline

When millionaire industrialist Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) learns that his wife Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow) is having an affair and is in love with an artist, David (Viggo Mortensen), he approaches the man and sets out to commit the perfect murder. Unfortunately for Steven, the perfect plan doesn't go as planned. 

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I know I should have watched Hitchcock's first, but I think this way I'll be able to give the film an impartial review. And it really needs one.

Atrociously written, A Perfect Murder is an average thriller whose only source of suspense is the tons of surprise events. 

Spending time and money trying to make a beautiful looking film populated with good actors doesn't have a point if you don't take some time for the writing, which is the most important part. And here, the lack of a good script pops out like an oasis in a desert.

The film starts promisingly but then it bumps into a series of unfortunate events. 

First let's talk about plot holes. Why would Emily leave a hot bath to answer the phone? I would never do that. Why is Steven so easily dismissed as a suspect? The phone call doesn't prove he didn't hire someone to do the dirty work. Why does it matter than Emily's ring his in David's loft? If he blackmailed Steven, I suppose he would have copies of those photos. And lastly, when Steven and David meet in Washington Square Park, David says "commemorative copy", which basically sells out the ending.

The characters are another major issue. I don't know if this was just me, or the director wanted it to happen, but I've found myself cheering for Douglas's character. I know he was the villain, but I really wanted him to get away with the murder(s). Maybe it's also the fault of Paltrow's unlikable characters. Also, I don't get why we need to know Emily speaks all those languages. But the real problem is the detective. The way he is introduced suggests that he'll have an important role, but then he disappears, only to appear again later, only for a moment.

Michael Douglas once again proves what an actor he is, and deserves all the credits for making you feel sympathy for his character. Gwyneth Paltrow gives a quite convincing performance as Emily. Viggo Mortensen is also good in the role of the artist/lover. But, pairing Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow as the leads was not a good idea. There is no chemistry between them. Same goes for Paltrow and Mortensen, as their love affair doesn't exactly transpire passion.

Back to the Future Part III (1990)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Mary Steenburgen, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, James Tolkan, Elisabeth Shue, Jeffrey Weissman, Flea

Storyline

Stranded in 1955, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) must travel to 1885 to rescue Doc (Christopher Lloyd) from death at the hands of yet another member of the Tennen clan. However, there are a number of complications preventing a quick return to the future: a lack of gasoline for the time-traveling DeLorean, a band of gunslinging outlaws and a schoolmarm (Mary Steenburgen) with affections for the smitten Doc.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I should have probably waited till Tuesday to review this film - October 27th. Unfortunately, I've just realized that, and since it's not 1985, it's not that big deal, is it?

Final chapter of a wonderful trilogy, Back to the Future Part III is an exciting and funny two-hour trip to the wild west that lives up to the original.

Following the events of Back to the Future Part II straight away, this film brings us back in time, providing a wonderful journey in the old west, without missing to quote some of the most famous western films.

One of the best things about it is the face off between past and present - or future, I don't know. It's funny to see Marty's reaction to the water that has been served to him - water that does look like mud -, or people in the Saloon thinking that Marty's Nike are Native Americans moccasins, or everybody laughing at Doc when he says that in the future people will walk just for fun because cars will be invented.

This time, the characters change a bit. While Tennen is still an asshole, and Marty is pretty much the same - perhaps a little less sentimental -, Doc faces some changes. While he still is a crazy, creative scientist, he has to deal with the most irrational event that could ever have occurred to him: falling in love at first sight.

I know that many consider this one the best entry in the trilogy, but I disagree, and the main reason lies in the lack of logic. In all the previous films, Doc never failed to point out the dangerousness of time traveling as it can change the present/future drastically. So, with Doc staying in 1885, isn't he going against all he said? And raising a family in the old west wouldn't rewrite the past and complicate the future? In Back to the Future, 1985 changed quite a bit for just a punch.

Once again in Marty McFly's shoes - and Seamus as well -, Michael J. Fox does a good job. Christopher Lloyd is magnificent, and more human than ever as Doc. Mary Steenburgen gives a wonderful performance as Clara. Good job also from Thomas F. Wilson.

Quotes

Marty McFly: Hey, Doc! Where you goin' now? Back to the future?

Doc: Nope. Already been there.

A Year and Change (2015)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Stephen Suettinger

Country

USA

Cast

Bryan Greenberg, Claire van der Boom, T.R. Knight, Marshall Allman, Jamie Chung, Jamie Hector, Kat Foster, Natasha Rothwell, Drew Shugart, Kate Sanford, Woody Schultz, Dan Thiel, Cruz Kim, Alison Whitney, Laurie Folkes, Cassidy Thornton, Gene Ferrick

Storyline

After drunkenly falling off the roof at a New Year's house party, Owen (Bryan Greenberg) decides that it's time to make some wholesale changes in his life. Over the next year, he re-enters his estranged son's life, reignites old friendships, quits drinking, and falls in love with Vera (Claire van der Boom), a bank teller and fellow divorcee…all in an attempt to surround himself with a family - subconsciously replacing the one he'd lost prematurely. Owen, a vending machine proprietor, soon finds that sometimes in life, you just need a little change.

Opinion

The short version of this review? I loved A Year and Change. A real pleasure to watch, and I'm glad I had the chance to be one of the first - of many, I hope - to see it.

Extremely well paced, beautiful and uplifting, A Year and Change is a brilliant dramedy about real people that gracefully alternates drama and laughs while dealing with real life problems.

Debut feature of director and writer Stephen Suettinger, the film follows up a year of Owen's life, and witnesses his maturity. The Owen we met at the beginning is a guy that gets wasted every weekend with his "friends" like a teenager would do, has commitment issues and a life nobody would envy. He eventually realises that his friends are not real, that he has to put his act together and start living. And it is sublime to see his life come to life, and getting better every day, like in real life.

One of the things I appreciated the most are the characters: relatable and feeling real, they all are well developed, and they are not just plot elements.

I am not a fan of voiceovers, but I did really appreciate it in this film because it allows you to get into Owen's head, and even though most of the things that come out of there are just ordinary thoughts, they feel essential. Then, from time to time, there are some deep lines addressed to Jen, that will stick with you.

As if all of that wasn't enough, the film can claim a beautiful musical score by Jeff Toyne, that fits perfectly. It does enhance the feelings delivered by the story and blends with the other sounds surrounding.

Worth of a mention are the slow motion sequences. Whether capturing ice stalactites defrosting, dandelion blowing in the wind or wood being cut, those shots are of indescribable beauty.

Last but not least the acting. Mostly made up of unknown television actors - I only knew Bryan Greenberg and Jamie Chung -, the cast does a great job, and the lack of A-List actors allows each to stand out. Bryan Greenberg and Claire van der Boom have a great chemistry and both deliver outstanding performances. Not least is the supporting cast, among which, and now I'm going to contradict myself, T.R. Knight as Uncle Kenny stands out.

I'd highly recommend A Year and Change to anyone who likes great dramas.

Quotes

Owen: Dear Jen, isn't it strange that sometimes you can surround yourself with a whole crowd of people, yet still feel alone?

Owen: You shouldn't let the fear of the unknown to stop you from trying something new.

Owen: There's people in this world who are just really unhappy. It's like they, they have so much pain inside of them that they don't think they'll ever be happy again. And so they make themselves believe that the only way to end the hurt is to live this life. And I think uncle Kenny was one of those people. Unfortunately, there's nothing that anyone could have said or done to take away his pain. 

Back to the Future Part II (1989)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Thomas F. Wilson, Lea Thompson, Elisabeth Shue James Tolkan, Jeffrey Weissman, Crispin Glover, Flea

Storyline

Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) has only just gotten back from the past, when he is picked up by Doc (Christopher Lloyd) and sent through time to the future to resolve a few problems with the future McFly family. But when the two return home, they soon discover that the present is not as it was supposed to be.

Opinion

Where are we? When are we? asks Marty, to which Doc replies we're descending toward Hill Valley, California, at 4:29 pm, on Wednesday, October 21st, 2015. And here we are, October 21st, 2015, waiting for Marty McFly's arrive, so what a better moment to talk about this film? This kind of opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Once in the human existence actually.

Still having that magic feeling of the first installment, Back to the Future Part II is one great ride through time, as well as a really interesting and very well made sequel.

A few things I can say for sure. First, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale do really have a lot of imagination. Second, they took a hell of a risk making a film that requires the view of Back to the Future, otherwise the non-understanding of a multitude of things.

From the present to the future, back to the present, and then back to the past is what happens in a nutshell. So many things could have gone wrong here, but Zemeckis and Gale did a wonderful job, reproposing scenes from the old film seen from different angles, and thus offering a whole range of new scenarios to accommodate the variations of the new past.

Every paradox of time travel is explained very well in the film, and the dangerousness of meeting their other selves is embraced with clever-ish camouflages, chases and lot of suspense.

Michael J. Fox is a bit older and you can tell, but he is still our Marty, the charismatic, sympathetic guy we met back in 1985 - or was it 1955? How about Christopher Lloyd? I don't know, he is just spectacular as Doc, and Fox and him keep their characters as entertaining as they were before. Worth of a mention is Thomas F. Wilson, who is brilliant is the double role of Biff Tannen and Griff.

Quotes

Doc: Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads.

Back to the Future (1985)

Genre

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

Director

Robert Zemeckis

Country

USA

Cast

Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, Thomas F. Wilson, Claudia Wells, James Tolkan, Marc McClure, Wendie Jo Sperber

Storyline

The year is 1985 and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox), a typical American teenager, is accidentally sent back to 1955 in a plutonium-powered DeLorean invented by his good friend Doc Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd). Now Marty has to come to grips with being in the 50's and get his parents to fall in love to set straight the damage his presence has done to the events of the past.

Opinion

This film has recently turned 30 -- in Italy was actually released today thirty years ago, what a coincidence -- but the unbelievable thing is how well it aged, and its ability to deliver, every single time, the same feelings of the first time.

First chapter of un unforgettable trilogy, Back to the Future is a spectacular, entertaining, and exciting mixture of adventure, comedy, science fiction, and engaging events capable of making the viewer dream.

Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's wonderful script mixes humour and unpredictability in a plot than is far from simple and obvious. Never boring, the story is exciting and upbeat and will keep the viewer glued to the screen from start to finish.

I think the point of the film lies in getting the viewer to understand how a simple action, or a simple word can change the outcome of one or more lives, which bring us to an inevitable question: how would the world be if time travelling was possible?

The ball scene when Marty plays Johnny B Goode leaving all the 1955 kids stunned is just epic. Also the soundtrack is spectacular.

The cast goes along with the film. Sympathetic, charismatic, and effervescent, Michael J. Fox is the perfect main character and really does a great job with Marty McFly. However, Christopher Lloyd is superb as the over-the-top mad scientist (the friend that every teenager, and non, would like to have). Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover both do a good job as Marty's parents.

Quotes

Dr. Emmett Brown: If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour... you're gonna see some serious shit.

Marty McFly: Whoa. Wait a minute, Doc. Are you trying to tell me that my mother has got the hots for me?
Dr. Emmett Brown: Precisely.
Marty McFly: Whoa. This is heavy.
Dr. Emmett Brown: There's that word again. "Heavy." Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the Earth's gravitational pull?

Pride and Glory (2008)

Genre

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Director

Gavin O'Connor

Country

USA | Germany

Cast

Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich, Shea Whigham, Frank Grillo, John Ortiz, Manny Perez, Lake Bell, Rick Gonzalez, Christina Cabot, Jennifer Ehle, Declan Quinn

Storyline

Honest homicide detective Ray Tierney (Edward Norton) is assigned to investigate the death of four cops of the precinct run by his potentially crooked older brother Francis (Noah Emmerich). As the investigation begins to reveal some troubling facts about the precinct, it gradually becomes apparent that Jimmy Egan, the policeman who is also Tierney's brother-in-law, may be the man orchestrating many of the suspected crimes.

Opinion

Edward Norton has long been one of my favourite actors, and even though he hasn't chosen particularly good projects lately, I decided to give this film a try, also because it stars Colin Farrell too, another of my favourite actors. Well, they didn't disappoint me, but the film, what to say about it.

Atrociously written, predictable, tedious, and tenseless, Pride and Glory is a complete mess, hard to watch, and hard to follow.

First of all the length. This film could have been easily a half hour shorter: maybe the result would have been better that way.

The writing is an absolute disaster. The storyline is good, but it's unbelievable how terribly it has been developed. The story jumps from place to place until it makes no more sense. Some parts are completely useless, such as the football game at the beginning - was it supposed to make you think Jimmy Egan is a good guy? I don't know.

The good cop/bad cop story slowly turns into a family drama. The dying wife is a good motivator, but we don't need to see so much of her story, same goes with Jimmy as a family man. Also, every single character has an emotional breakdown. 

The dialogue completely lacks intelligence. Basically everybody swears. Then there's Spanish. There are some scenes where they talk in Spanish, but no subtitles are given. I understand a little bit of Spanish, but I know how frustrating can be watching something and having no clue of what their saying.

The up and down camera movements are annoying, and the editing is another big fail - the constant switching between the game and black screen in the opening isn't good to look at. So basically the film is just flat until Sage Francis's Waterline over the closing credits.

The acting is good though. Edward Norton and Colin Farrell both give a strong performance. But I have to say that Farrell sounds a bit Irish here and there, and he wasn't the right guy to play the tough cop - come on, Farrell willing to burn a baby for information is the less credible thing on this planet. Noah Emmerich and Jon Voight do a good job.

Vanilla Sky (2001)

Genre

Fantasy | Mystery | Romance

Director

Cameron Crowe

Country

USA

Cast

Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Kurt Russell, Jason Lee, Noah Taylor, Timothy Spall, Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, Ken Leung, Shalom Harlow, Oona Hart, Ivana Miličević, Johnny Galecki, Jhaemi Willens, Alicia Witt, Jennifer Aspen, Steven Spielberg

Storyline

Playboy David Aames (Tom Cruise) finds romantic redemption when he falls in love with Sofia (Penélope Cruz). However, before the relationship can begin, David is coaxed into a car driven by an ex-lover, Julie (Cameron Diaz), who drives her car off a bridge, killing herself and disfiguring David. Reconstructive surgery and the loving support of Sofia seem to reverse David's luck, but eerie incidents are soon making him question the reality of his existence and his control over his life.

Opinion

Once upon a time there was a film directed by a young Alejandro Amenábar called Open Your Eyes, a little gem of Spanish and European cinema, balanced between reality and fantasy. And then came this film by Cameron Crowe - not Mr. Nobodies -, that unfortunately does not find balance, and makes the entire story revolve around Tom Cruise, who is too busy watching his reflection in the mirror to "transport" the viewer into the story.

Having said that, Vanilla Sky is not awful, but completely lacks authenticity: almost everything seems fake, from the scenography to the performances.

The story - it's Amenábar's after all - is very interesting. There's mystery, romance, and a little bit of fantasy, which is good. The problem is how it has been told. Infact, the slow storytelling does not keep the audience on the edge of their seat and guessing for the whole time, but is kind of soporific, and makes of the excessive length a real problem.

The music. Although the songs are good on their own, put together as a soundtrack for this film are completely inappropriate and ruin some scenes. 

Lastly the acting. As mention before, Tom Cruise is too narcissist, even when disfigured, and he doesn't even try to put as much as tragedy and intensity in this role as Eduardo Noriega. Penélope Cruz, who also played Sofia in the Spanish film, apparently did not take very seriously this remake, and the result is a flat performance - not to mention the flatness of her character. Cameron Diaz is just awful. And she plays a whore, not the interesting character played by Najwa Nimri. Finally, while the rest of the cast is ridiculous, Jason Lee does a decent job.

Do I recommend this film? Maybe. If you have seen the original, avoid it. If you haven't, give this one a try, you might like it. 

Quotes

Sofia: Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.

Brian: Just remember, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour, and I know the sour.

Breathe In (2013)

Genre

Drama | Romance

Director

Drake Doremus

Country

USA

Cast

Guy Pearce, Felicity Jones, Amy Ryan, Mackenzie Davis, Ben Shenkman, Alexander Wentworth, Hugo Becker, Brendan Dooling, Kyle MacLachlan, Lucy Davenport, Jenny Anne Hochberg, Elise Eberle, Nicole Patrick, Brock Harris, Stephen Sapienza, Matthew Daddario

Storyline

When a foreign exhange student (Felicity Jones) arrives in a small upstate New York town, she challenges the dynamics of her host family's relationships and alters their lives forever.

Opinion

Remember Like Crazy? That beautiful romantic drama directed by Drake Doremus and starring Felicity Jones? I do, so I was expecting big things from this one. Unfortunately, it let me down.

Utterly predictable, Breathe In is an extremely tedious melodrama as well as a waste of incredible actors. 

Co-screenwriters Drake Doremus and Ben York surely did not a good job here. Pretty much nothing happens in the film until the ending comes. I must correct myself. Until the predictable ending comes. Maybe they wanted to make a portrayal of midlife falling apart, or maybe it was all about the affair, I don't know, it just didn't work. They spent most of the running time "cooking" the characters' emotions, only to let them explode - and waste them - in the ending.

The dialogue is also weak. And Jones's Sophie's long and intense stares at Pearce's Keith were kind of annoying.

Also, as pointed out by Pearce in the movie, Sophie seems much older than she is. The reason? Felicity Jones is way too old to play a 18 year old. Period.

Neither the beautiful cinematography, nor the wonderful soundtrack, nor Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones's good performances can't turn this mess into gold, or anything close to gold.

I conclude saying that the only breath of fresh air came from my window, as I needed some to stay awake.

Quotes

Sophie: It's so hard to actually do what you want to do.

I Am Sam (2001)

Genre

Drama

Director

Jessie Nelson

Country

USA

Cast

Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, Laura Dern, Marin Hinkle, Stanley DeSantis, Doug Hutchison, Rosalind Chao, Ken Jenkins, Wendy Phillips, Scott Paulin, Kimberly Scott, Michael B. Silver, Eileen Ryan, Mary Steenburgen, Elle Fanning

Storyline

Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). As Lucy turns seven and begins to intellectually surpass her father, their close bond is threatened when their situation comes under the scrutiny of a social worker (Loretta Devine) who wants Lucy placed in foster care. Faced with a seemingly unwinnable case, Sam forms an unlikely alliance with self-absorbed, high-powered attorney Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), and in the process will teach her the value of love and family.

Opinion

I am shocked. I can't see how it is even possible for this film to have a 34% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. If those people have actually seen the film, there's no way they could have written all those negative reviews.

Delivered by some stunning performances, I Am Sam is a truly emotional, and powerful film dealing with mental disability and the power of love.

This film lacks in originality - it feels like Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man had a baby -, it might deal with such a complex issue in a simple way, and it might be a little unrealistic because in real life cases such as this one wouldn't be even considered, but it's still a great drama. 

What director Jessie Nelson did here is to put emphasis on the main character's feelings, on the chance of seeing her daughter growing up in the best way possible, not availing of intelligence but of the ability to transmit an incredible love.

Technically speaking is all whole different story. Nelson seems to be under the influence of the documentary style, with an hand-held camera, not brilliantly used, that unfortunately doesn't add anything to the sentimentalism of the film. No wonder the cinematic world has lost her tracks.

The performances are outstanding. Once again, Sean Penn proves he can act. He gives an incredibly realistic performance as Sam, and comes very close to Dustin Hoffman's performance in Rain Man. There's one flaw though: he didn't get an Oscar for the role. Michelle Pfeiffer is charming - and gorgeous as usual - as lawyer Rita Harrison. Dakota Fanning is fantastic in the role of Lucy. She seems incredibly natural.

If you are looking for something that leaves you feeling and thinking, go for this one, you won't regret it.

Quotes

Rita: I just don't know what to call you: retarded, mentally retarded, mentally handicapped, mentally disabled, intellectually handicapped, intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled...

Sam: You can call me Sam.

Speak (2004)

Genre

Drama

Director

Jessica Sharzer

Country

USA

Cast

Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Robert John Burke, Hallee Hirsh, Eric Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, D. B. Sweeney, Steve Zahn, Allison Siko, Laurie Halse Anderson, Leslie Lyles

Storyline

After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda Sordino (Kristen Stewart) enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.

Opinion

After finding out Kristen Stewart can actually act, I was curious to see how she was before the Twilight Era, so I gave this film a try. I ensure you they - both the film and Stewart's performance - are worth your time.

A little too slow at times, Speak is a different kind of teen movie that delivers a great message, and deals with such a serious subject matter - rape - in an unusual way.

Based on Laurie Halse Anderson's novel of the same name, this film's story is very simple, so simple that the trauma is completely predictable, therefore there are no surprises to come. However, the film finds part of its strength in its simplicity, which is full of expressiveness, and in the realistic story. Also, for once, the voiceover is appropriate and brings us inside the head of the fragile, and interrupted girl played by Stewart.

Jessica Sharzer does a great job both writing and directing this film: the camera work is good, the flashbacks work fine, and the key moments are not over dramatized.

This film also finds its strength in Kristen Stewart's leading performance. She gives a stunning, raw, and honest performance in the role of Melinda, the traumatized girl dealing with her rape. Part of the merits goes to the character whose apathetic expression very simplified Stewart's job. Standing out from the crowd is also Steve Zahn in the role of the Art teacher.

If you have the chance to watch this, please do, you won't regret it. 

Quotes

Melinda Sordino: All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. No one really cares what you have to say.