Gamer(C)

Sorry for the short hiatus, but here we go again. Today's selection is none other than the Death Race/Crank-esque film, Gamer. Gamer stars Gerard Butler(300) and Michael C. Hall(Dexter). This movie for me, was a much needed adrenaline pumping, action film with over the top ideas and some very silly moments. I went into this with pretty low expectations considering this movie came from the same people that brought us Crank and its even sillier sequel Crank: High Voltage. I must admit however, that I enjoy anything Gerard Butler is in. He is just a very charismatic actor. That being said, I found this film to be good at times with spots of disappointment. There were scenes of ridiculous and gratuitous nudity and abnormal behavior. I felt like some of the things presented could have been left out. Like Michael C. Hall doing his little song and dance number toward the end. The action scenes are a little choppy at times and its hard to follow in some sequences. With millions of bullets going off around Gerard Butler, its hard to believe his character has survived so long in a game of mortality. The premise of the film is simple. Death-row inmates are controlled by people and fight for their chance to be freed. Live through 30 games and the prisoner earns his freedom. Gerard Butler does his thing as the hero and Michael C. Hall definitely makes you yearn for his demise. The other characters come and go with no one really adding much more to the movie. I would recommend this to anyone who likes Gerard Butler or is looking for a lil' dose of action in the theatres.

Grade: C

The Hurt Locker(B+)

The Hurt Locker does the whole war thing like other movies but manages to stay fresh and original. This film takes the perspective of the brave men and women that are given the near-suicidal task of disarming bombs during times of war. The film has a very real look to it and the camerawork is spectacular. There are some very beautiful shots throughout this movie. Suspense lingers at every scene where the protagonists are thrust into enemy territory. I often found myself waiting for something really, really bad to happen to someone. Jeremy Renner really portrays his character well. He brings a certain level of intensity and subtlety to the character he plays. All performances are on point and the plot keeps you wondering what is going to happen next. This is a good action film/drama that provides some thought and injects some reality into a movie season filled with over-the-top Hollywood blockbusters.

Grade: B+

District 9(A+)

In my opinion, this is one of the greater films of the sci-fi genre. Hands down it is one of the best films of the year. District 9 is a multi-faceted film. It deals with issues like Apartheid, racism, human-rights, and many more without ever getting too heavy. Just when you feel there is a lecture on one of these issues coming up, WHAM! the action starts up again and your wrapped up in an adventure out of this world. The CGI in this film is seamless. The documentary-style filming they used on the film only gives it an extra edginess and raw-feel. The acting is also superb. Newcomer Sharlto Copley is phenomenal. His character Wikis Van De Merwe transforms as the circumstances change throughout the film. At times he can be very compelling and vulnerable while at other times he is the quintessential corporate tool and worker-drone. Director Neill Blomkamp does a tremendous job and really put forth a first-class film. Hopefully this will allow the big studio-execs to see that Blomkamp's previous task, a live action Halo movie, was actually right up his alley. I would be weary of any other director they give that project to after seeing this film. All-in-all, this film is a winner. It does not disappoint at all and I highly recommend it to anyone venturing out for a sci-fi film in the near future.

Grade: A+

The Time Traveller's Wife(C-)

See, so I have this theory that you can only watch films like this with a female by your side if your a man. That in mind, I happened to be able to find a very beautiful female companion to join me for this film. I didn't go in expecting a whole lot out of this one, and rightfully so. There wasn't much buzz behind it even though the two leads are quite talented(I personally find Rachel McAdams waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more talented than Eric Bana or any male actor out there. But that doesn't even pertain to their acting chops.). Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams do their best to inject emotion and pull the audience into a film that doesn't do very well in pulling the audience in. Granted there are some emotional scenes that will get to those who find themselves easily teary-eyed, but in general, this film doesn't quite do anything but show us how time travel could be used with good intent for things that ultimately pan-out in a not-so-fortunate manner. Furthermore, I find it pretty creepy that Eric Bana goes back in time as a forty-something year old man to coerce a six-year old girl to love him when she is older. Not to mention, he ends up naked whenever he time travels. Throughout the film, I kept wondering what would happen if he appeared out of nowhere in the past to see a young Rachel McAdams and her dad was with her. Needless to say, the result would be a much shorter film.

Grade: C-

Inglourious Basterds (B)

Well, I literally just came back from seeing this movie and I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it could be. The news coming out of many of the film festivals was that this film was all dialogue with very little action. And although I agree there seems to be scenes lingering on a few minutes more than they should have with extra lines, the dialogue itself was entertaining and engaging. But do keep in mind that this is a Tarentino film. There is blood and guts and some crude humor. At times, the gore can be a bit excessive(Never knew what scalping a human being actually looked like before this film.). For the ladies, this may not be the greatest choice of films, especially if your squeamish. For the fellas, there is some action but not enough if you plan on getting your action-movie fix. But the guy in me loved when the action hit and even when some of the excessive violence occurs. After looking past all the lengthy dialogue, the only true problem I have is the acting of Eli Roth. Roth, who directed films such as Hostel and Cabin Fever, comes off a bit creepy and weird. His character is spoken of as the ever-imposing and all-around-badass "Bear Jew". I envisioned something else when they spoke of the character, sadly Roth was revealed to be the character of the Bear Jew. His presence annoyed me through the length of the film. Luckily there are other great characters featured. Two of my favorites being Hugo Stiglitz(Til Schweiger) and Colonel Hans Landa(Christoph Waltz). Christoph Waltz, steals the movie. I find him to be the most entertaining and intriguing character in the film. Brad Pitt plays the all-American-tough-guy leader of the Basterds. Pitt's accent is a little over-the-top at times but he is still enjoyable. Overall, the film isn't a letdown and offers an alternate look at the take-down of Hitler and the Nazis.

Grade: B

Welcome!

Hello and welcome all visitors to my blog. The purpose of this blog is to provide a more down-to-earth and human review of some of the movies currently playing in our local theatres. I plan on eventually attending film school but for now, my only credit to the film-world is my vast knowledge of film and my passion for the big-screen. I will do my best to serve you with comprehensive reviews of the films you may be planning on seeing or are debating on. So stick around because the reviews are coming soon!