My Ali-like Return to Ring

After a long hiatus "No Man" will start back, reviewing movies as I see them.  Hope to read all your gripes and comments.  Please don't hold back.

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 18

Day 18 – A movie that you wish more people would’ve seen

Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels

So this is probably a movie that a lot of people that consider themselves movie watchers have seen, I don't know maybe it isn't, but as an avid movie watcher my grip on what the average person has seen is not necessarily tight.  There's quite a few movies I could pick here, definitely a lot I've already either reviewed or done on the 30 day challenge so I picked something that I haven't mentioned yet and this one was on my mind for a few reasons.

  Lock, Stock is a Guy Ritchie film and for anyone who has seen one of his movies knows they're filled with the spunky British slang that we Americans love so much.  It also in my opinion has probably the best opening 5 minutes I've ever seen, which is saying a lot.  Strongly, strongly recommend it. 

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 17

Day 17 – A movie that disappointed you the most

Where The Wild Things Are

I pride myself on being a pretty good judge on whether a movie is going to be good or not.  And since I am quite the movie snob, I rarely dance around in the sub-par movie levels where it may be harder to judge whether a film will be good or not.  Undoubtedly Transformers should either be here or a close second, but since I have already referenced it above I decided to pick something different.  Arcade Fire is, at least of the modern age, one of my favorite bands, therefore when their song Wake Up was used for the trailer, I was quite excited.  Needless to say the fact that is was Where the Wild Things Are also made me excited.  Unfortunately, the movie was pretty sad, annoying, and dragged on, even though it was under 2 hrs long.  I admit that there was a lot of whimsical beauty in the music, costumes, buildings, and scenery, but unfortunately that only counts for a small portion of what's consider a great movie.  By the end, I was ready for the credits to roll, 2 of my friends actually walked out before it was over.    

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 16

Day 16 – A movie that you used to love but now hate

E.T.

I wouldn't say I hate E.T.  To be honest, I actually still kinda like it, but I do feel it is overrated.   I don't really have any movie that I used to love and now hate, except for maybe a Land Before Time or something, but I don't feel purely kids movies should be considered here.

As for E.T. there was a time, when I was in kindergarten, when I would get off school at noon, and come home, eat lunch, and watch E.T.  Pretty much every weekday for like 10 weeks straight I watched E.T.  I loved E.T.  Our dog was named Gerti after Drew Barrymore's character.  Both that and Wizard of Oz were my goto's at that age.  And I'd also like to say that I am not burnt out on it, I just grew to realize how overrated Spielberg is, and now that I am an adult have a plethora of movies to watch rather than the various VHS my parents own.  

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Not really sure why I decided to watch Pulp Fiction again today.  I think I was thirsting for some Samuel L. and this is one of the only movies I have readily available, up to the standards with him in it.  I've seen it quite a few times and do own it, but even though I am Tarantino fan don't rave about it like most of his fans do.

The lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.

41/50 Eggs

Tarantino has probably seen the entire list of 1001 movies you should see before you die, plus any other list one would create of movies to watch.  Because of this he has a bevy of scenes that references or nods in his films.  In a way I look at it as being quite unoriginal, but I also admire the amount of films that he has scene and the way he makes them his own.  While there are quite a few unoriginal bits in Pulp Fiction, which to the non-avid movie watcher seem like a nuance, there are also a lot of newly created memorable quotes and scenes courtesy of Tarantino himself.  The scene where Tarantino himself talks to Jackson and Travolta is probably my favorite scene.  One thing I really admire is the casting Tarantino does.  The only poorly cast person was the Mallory character, I mean Yolanda, sorry couldn't help myself.  I understand the crazy, but I think more comical crazy not criminal crazy.  The acting I realize is supposed to seem rash, after all they are robbing a restaurant, stupid idiots, but it doesn't seem realistic.  Even considering this is a Tarantino film, I thought it felt forced.

As for the plot in general, I noted back in the Traffic review that making a fragmented plot automatically makes it better, or at least gives it a better chance.  The only thing is avoiding a drawn out feeling and making sure everything wraps up tidy, either good or bad.  The wrapping up is great, all the loose ends tied, extremely well executed.  As for the pace, I note my rule of never giving subtitles or chapters, whether narrated or typed, unless the plots are completely and it is necessary.  I can't describe the precise psychology behind why this makes a movie seem longer than it is, but it always does.  That, plus the fact that the dialogue heavy scenes Tarantino always does, make the pace for Pulp Fiction feel considerably long.  Oh yeah, and its 2 and a half hours.  The plot itself is pretty entertaining, though I can't say the whole pawn shop part was pleasant or 100% necessary.  That is, however, Tarantino's choice, and while I do make my complaint, in the end it was successful in its intentions.  I also don't see the whole Vincent and Maurice's wife go on a date scene as being relevant to the story line.  Tarantino does things for weird reasons, maybe I don't see it, but being that the EpiPen scene is pretty much the most famous one in the movie it is now not without merit, eh.

I realize I'm being overly hard on Pulp Fiction, but as you can see by the score, I did give it a 41.  I am just trying to be a little more detailed in my reviews from now on.        

Green Lantern (2011)

I wasn't nearly as excited for this movie, as I think most people were.  However, it did come available, practically on the day it came out, online and, being that it was free, I figured I'd watch it.  Green Lantern is probably one of the cooler superheroes, at least in my opinion, I mean he basically can create anything as long as he has a ring on, although I do admit pictures of him carrying the lantern are kinda lame looking.

A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.  After being doubted by the other green lanterns, he returns to Earth where he is wrapped up in a plot to overthrow the intergalactic squadron.

29/50 Eggs

Even though I went in with low expectations, this movie still undershot.  Let me first say that originally the lead role was cast for Bradley Cooper, at least as far as I heard, and when I heard that I was pretty excited about the film.  As I stated above Green Lantern is one of my favorite superheroes so I'm somewhat familiar with and Bradley Cooper would've been a perfect match.  Unfortunately, Ryan Reynolds is not.  Green Lantern is like all superhero movies in that it must hit all genres of comedy, romance, action, kid's drama, and adult drama.  You could say a superhero movie is generally a jack of all trades.  Unfortunately in the movie world a jack of all trades "ain't much o'nuttin'".  I realize that maybe not everyone liked Watchmen, but I feel 10 years from now people may still mention that.  Perhaps everyone just hopes to be the next Ironman success.  So as for the movie, like I said, Ryan Reynolds was a poor cast for the part.  I did like Blake Lively as the love interest though, she acted well, the chemistry was good, definitely better than Thor, not to mention the eye candy factor.  It was a pretty film, although I lost a little of that in the quality, but I'll assume it was nice.  As for the plot well..... the green lantern is cool, and the first half of the movie they describe the origination of green lantern, easy enough, therefore first half of movie pretty good.  The second half practically tanked like the Titanic.  The plot was weak, writing was REALLY cheesy, and the action wasn't great.  I realize action sequences take money, but its green lantern.  He can create any structure or system or anything in defense or attack.  Imagine the possibilities for a fight sequence.  If they would've gone above and beyond in this respect I could have looked off some of the other flaws, but they took the easy way out.  I will say Sarsgaard who contributed a lot to the second half of the film was great.  Both in the casting and the acting.  I think if you really want to watch it wait till you can redbox it, watch it with a friend, and make them pay for it.

The Wizard (1989)

I've been wanting to watch this for quite awhile since I heard about it on theangryideogamevnerd.  I was going into it with high hopes or anything.  Its not exactly critically acclaimed, but I definitely expected to enjoy it since I am a video game junkie and its basically about Nintendo.  This I also watched a few days ago and am now getting around to writing about it.

A boy and his two friends run away from home and hitch cross country to compete in the ultimate video game championship.

24/50 Eggs

So, I heard courtesy of TheAngryVideoGameNerd how this movie was basically a promotional movie paid for by Nintendo.  I was, however, surprised at how much this was true.  First point worth noting is the film is your typical cheesy written movie made in the 80s.  With Fred Savage and Christian Slater, I expected at least a small amount of decent acting, but.... no.  The plot was pretty lame, but the basic fact that video games were involved made it mildly interesting.  Yes, another partial statement made by me.  On top of everything mentioned the continuity issues in the film and the authenticity of the Nintendo information provided just made me hate it more.  A simple thing as showing level 3 and calling it level 2 irks me a little, I mean its not like the game was still in production.  It was slated to come out within a few months of the movie release, they had to have level 2 finished.  I don't know maybe it's little things that I shouldn't worry about, but I do.  Chances are you shouldn't watch it.

Also, for anyone who knows what the Power Glove is, comparing how well it actually performs to the pure epic awesomeness the movie tries to portray is pretty hilarious.

The Company Men (2011)

Picked this up in the Redbox down the street to watch during the day.  I can't say I was super excited to watch it when rented it or back when I saw the trailer for it but something about it made me get it.  Really it was just that I wanted to watch a movie and for a a lot of different reasons it needed to be out of the Redbox.  So, yea watched this a few days ago and am now getting around to writing the review.

The story centers on a year in the life of three men trying to survive a round of corporate downsizing at a major company - and how that affects them, their families, and their communities.

34/50 Eggs

It ran about exactly how I expected.  I don't mean it was necessarily unoriginal or I new what was coming, only that it neither wowed or unimpressed me.  Being familiar with the out of work searching for a job feeling, I may have appreciated it a bit more than most.  Even though the movie would seem very emotional and dramatic, since were following people out of work, the scenes are never written with powerful displays of emotion.  Chris Cooper has a few scenes that required and elevated level of dramatic performance which I thought he did a good job with, but really it felt like the same old Chris Cooper role (Not a bad thing).  Ben Affleck was enjoyable to watch, which can be a rarity, so I commend him on that.  I really wouldn't recommend this as a first choice even though I gave it a 34, but if you're interested in the storyline, it won't disappoint.  

Moneyball - Trailer

Sports movies generally prove to be good, especially when there inspired by a true story.  Maybe I don't know enough baseball history, or the time period that they're placing the film was not when it actually happened, but I don't remember this.  Either way whether it's true or not Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill look to have some good chemistry in the trailer so I am a little excited.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman was shown, without any lines, but shown so hopefully he'll provide a bit extra.

 

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 15

Day 15 – Favorite scary movie

The Shining

I'm not sure if the shining is the scariest movie out there, to be honest most people over 18 probably wouldn't even describe it as scary, but when I think of scary I think horror, and at least at Blockbuster Shining is in the horror section.  The Shining although isn't "scary" per-say is just creepy.  Every part of the film from the casting, the setting, the music all intertwine to make for a great suspenseful horror flick.  It doesn't rely on jumps or gore to make it good, it just "IS" good.  It, being adapted from a King novel, also carries a great storyline with the Kubrick addition we all expect.  It's one of Nicholson's greatest performances, which is truly saying something. 

Flicker Show Media - Spun

So this is the first production by Flicker Show Media, and my first attempt at editing any sort of film.  My main goal is to practice editing by creating trailers for old movies.  I would of course create new trailers if I had the whole movie, but baring some crazy haxx that's not possible.  So this trailer is for Spun, the music is by Bassnectar.  Please leave comments if you watch this.

Where have I Been....

So you're probably wondering where the hell I've been, well to tell you the truth I've been right here.  Currently I am on a television binge, watching all the shows I wanted to go back and see, unfortunately I think I have run out of material for the moment, so now back to watching movies.  As for the 30 Day Challenge, it will resume today rather than me catching up by writing like 6 today.

Sorry Guys.

Super 8 (2011)

Was planning on seeing this Saturday night, but as I mentioned before I wasn't feeling to well.  Woke up today, went for a run, got some yard work done, and then me and the moms went to Bowtie for a matinee of Super 8.  The 7.50 price is still pretty steep, but its better than 11.

After witnessing a mysterious train crash, a group of friends in the summer of 1979 begin noticing strange happenings going around in their small town, and begin to investigate into the creepy phenomenon.

41/50 Eggs


I admit I may have read a few too many reviews before seeing the film.  It is an unfortunate problem that I sometimes find myself committing.  Going in I had a lot of doubts due to the low performance of Spielberg over the last few years, but J.J. Abrahms was enough for me to want to see it in theaters.  I'm very glad I did. The movie was mad as an homage to Spielberg's early days.  Of the monster movies of ye old times, and that is exactly what it is.  The almost overdone comedic relief brought by the kids seals the preferred emotion of joy that Abrahms hopes to create, rather than the fear that most would expect in a monster movie.  I really enjoyed it, and am glad I saw it in theaters.  I can't say was surprised, since I did read the reviews, but the performances by the kid actors were very solid.  Solid enough to carry a big budget movie like this.  The only draw back was the ending.  In my opinion, it was quite as bad as some critics are making it out to be.  Did it take away from the movie? Yes.  Did it ruin the movie? No.  It felt like a cop out, which left some holes in the plot.  Needless to say, as a wannabe filmmaker, I would offer a few suggestions, but I won't mention them here.  Even with the comment about the ending, I still think you should spend your money in the theater and go see it.        

Finding Forrester (2000)

Watched this Saturday night with the moms.  We were planning on going to see Super 8, but I wasn't feeling too well and I also wasn't sure it was quite worth playing $11 dollars to go see it.  Yes I am finally paying to go see a movie in theaters.  Well Super 8 had to wait and instead I picked this out of movies I own to watch.  I think my mom had seen it before, but it had been a little while.  I enjoyed it and I think she did too.

A black American teenager is invited into a prestigious private high school. By chance, Jamal befriends a reclusive writer, William Forrester, through whom he refines his natural talent for writing and comes to terms with his identity.


43/50 Eggs


This is one of my favorite Sean Connery movies.  I never really thought he was that great.  I think most people think of him as they do Sylvester Stalone, or Jean-Claude Van Damm, maybe with a little more respect.  I apologize if I offend any avid Connery fans, but I've never been wowed by his amazing acting ability.  However, having said that, this role is pretty powerful.  Aside from the Untouchables, anyone who is reading this who would like to suggest a role that exemplifies his greatness please do, and don't say bond.  Okay so my mild-manor rant aside, back to Finding Forrester.  A point worth making, that I didn't realize, is that the movie is actually directed by Gus Van Sant.  Normally Van Sant takes it just a hair to independent, making it difficult to be that perfect level of "entertaining" that a 50/50 should have.  However, in this one he holds back just enough while still giving us the cinematographic effects and music that make his films great.  The plot itself makes for eloquent lines of inspiration and beauty, which give the film admirable character.  I definitely suggest it.        

1900 (1974)

As I've noted in a few recent posts, I've had 1900 for a while but the 5 and half hour run-time has turned me off on trying to watch it.  I did finally get around to it but I stretched it over two days, which I don't see as a problem.  The movie really is like three movies put together.  Watching LotR or either one of the Star Wars series would be the same thing.  Well maybe not the "SAME" thing, but close.  I finished it up yesterday and now am getting around to writing a review on it.

1900 follows the lives of two boys, born on the same day, from 1900 to 1945, one a landowner, one a day-laborer working on the land owned by the landowner.  It is a strong graphic depiction of fascism, communism, and class systems in Italy during the 1900 to 1945 time period.

41/50 Eggs

Due to the length of the film, I feel I need to be a little lenient when it comes to small errors.  I also think the first question you should ask is "How bad was the editing for the film to be that long".  I'd like to say that this film was way too long and that parts should be taken out, but I can't.  Perhaps the plot was a bad choice or atleast an endeavor that couldn't be perfectly executed but in my opinion the whole movie was necessary.  To take anything out would have taken away from the film.  Both Robert De Niro and Donald Sutherland's performances are exquisite.  They're powerful. believable, and shocking, all necessary for such a painfully graphic historical depiction.  Hands down though, the inspirational acting of Gerard Depardieu as Olmo, the voice of the revolution, was the shining sun.  Every seen he was in was incredible.   Without him the film would have faltered.

The setting of the film was also quite beautiful.  I like the tactic of making the villa more gloomy as it became more and more fascist.  It helped show the personality and spirits of the laborers.  I have to make a note that there's no way without CGI you could do the "Communists are like pussy cats" scene nowadays and it be legal.  If your reading this and want to the see the scene, but not the movie, then youtube the above quotes and 1900, beware to the cat lover though.                   

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 14

Day 14 – Favorite foreign movie

Pan's Labyrinth

I would probably consider both M and Amelie above Pan's in this category but since I already used them, I will choose something else.  Foreign movies don't really bother me that much, so this category was pretty big to pick from.  Foreign films don't have the filter that American films tend to have, a filter I tend to hate.  They can be a pain to read, but sometimes that adds to the flavor.  This movie is incredibly creative and first introduced me to Guillermo Del Toro.  After watching this, I now feel the need to watch anything he does.  Can't wait for The Hobbit.  If you can handle subtitles watch this, watch this, watch this! 

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 13

Day 13 – A movie that is a guilty pleasure


Devil Wears Prada

I've always had a little Hollywood crush on Anne Hathaway.  Her dark hair/fair complexion is almost spot on my type and even though her roles tend to be directed more toward the woman's taste, I find myself enjoying them.  My stint at GAP has also given me a joy for fashion which is satisfied throughout the film.  It's definitely not what I'd consider one of my top favorites but I do own it and guiltily watch it from time to time.

P.S. - I don't feel like this is against the norm for most guys to enjoy it.  It's just like "Since you've been gone" by Kelly Clarkson, totally okay.  

The 30 Day Movie Challene: Day 12

Day 12 – A movie that you hate


Transformers 1/2


Well the amount of movies I hate goes on and on, pretty much the whole horror genre could go here, but instead I'll pick a movie at least a lot of people really like.  The Transformers movies to me are some of the most overrated films to date.  They're poorly written, poorly acted, and rely almost completely on CGI.  Some of the choreographed action sequences are pretty cool and it is Transformers after all but in my opinion its a pretty lame series.  I figured after the second one they would have stopped since it cost so much money to make movies like this, but apparently stupid Michael Bay thinks he can make some more money.  Shia, who I feel could strongly carry a more independent script to the fore-front, will have to wait a little longer for the call.

The 30 Day Movie Challenge: Day 11

Day 11 – Favorite sports movie

Hoosiers

Basketball is probably my favorite sport and therefore a basketball movie will probably be my favorite movie.  That may be flawed logic but for me that's the case.  I can't say any sports movie is at the top of my favorite movies list or even top 10, but this one is close.  Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper's performances are among there best and it's a great inspirational story.  Anyone who hasn't seen it should definitely watch it.    

Taken (2008)

Normal Tuesday night with nothing to do and not much on TV, well except this.  My mom got kinda wrapped up in it.  I was planning on watching 1900.  I've had it for awhile now but the daunting 4+ hr run-time is scaring me.  I'm sure I'll get around to it here in a few, probably not tomorrow though.  So yea, just watched this with the moms because there wasn't much else.

After reluctantly agreeing to let his 17-year-old daughter, Kim, go to France with her best friend, Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) is horrified to hear that she is kidnapped by an Albanian gang whose specialty is prostitution rings. With only 96 hours to go before he'll never find her again, Bryan rushes to France to save her. As a former CIA agent, he has all the skills necessary to rescue her - if he can only find her.

36/50 Eggs

I went into this film with low expectations after reading the review from Empire. It received a 1 star for all the wrong reasons. In a nutshell it basically said that this film was nothing more than a bloodfest, which believe me is quite far from the point of this movie. The acting is fairly well done (spy turned caring father is quite a hard role to fill), and casting Neeson was a good idea. The camera, sound and lighting are also well done.  Admittedly the film is heavy on the action end and doesn't contain enough storyline to be great, but I don't agree with Empire that it is without drama.  I was surprised by the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it.