Reviews by moviemaniac126

All reviews - Movies (36) - DVDs (7) - Music (2)

very entertainging ,however different

Posted : 2 weeks ago on 11 November 2009 07:54 (A review of The Box)

Based on Richard Matheson's Short story "Button, Button". Richard Kelly(Donnie Darko, Southland tales)directs and writes this fine piece of film. The box has a very simple plot, it seems at first. The short story is basically summed up in the first thirty-five minutes of the film. Excluding the the end for a very promising, but different finale. The Box stars Cameron Diaz as Norma Lewis and James Marsden as Arthur Lewis respectively. A couple on the brink of losing everything they own, Then, Mr. Arlington Steward ( a very good and well chosen Frank Langella) delivers a package at their door-step with a note, saying that he will call at five 0' clock. Needless to say Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are offered a deal of a lifetime push the red button in the brown box and receive one million dollars for the death of someone they don't know. The suspense of the original story was does Mrs. Lewis push the button? and who dies? Richard kelly not only does this but takes us father and deeper than we have been before with this story. which is what happens after Mrs. Lewis pushes the button? The message here is clear and simple, individualism will be the end of humanity. The Box will not only please Richard kelly Fans but anyone who is interested this very cool premise. The acting is academy award worthy on Frank Langella's end.

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good but not the original

Posted : 3 weeks, 1 day ago on 3 November 2009 11:22 (A review of The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3)

the original Taking of Pelham ONE TWO THREE starred Walter Mathau (Bad News Bears, Grumpier old men) and Robert shaw(From Russia with Love) in one of his best performances to date. However the original film was racy,funny, and even ironic and yet very truthful to what the viewer was seeing. it also had a very unique cast which included Julius Harris, Jerry Stiller, Martin Balsam, and Hector Elizondo.With the unique cast the film not only worked well but the characters had an undying chemistry that made the film what it is and how it is known today.Needless to say with the films success it was again re-made later with Edward James Olmos(Battlestar Galactica) and vincent D'Onofrio. As we all know Hollywood likes to re-make films when it's ideas get predictable and tends not to sell as well. so Pelham was greenlit for a third round. this time with Denzel Washington in the lead role as walter Garber and John Travolta in the role of Ryder( Mr. blue of the original film). The new Pelham takes on a more personal role of it's characters and adds intensity to it. which clearly gets away from the comedy of the original version. Directed by Tony Scott (Man on Fire) the film is very jumpy and to the point but also has slow-mo views of New York which is a tony scott trademark. the film pays homage to the original film in many ways but in the end takes its own spin on things. so if you want to watch a film that will have you on the edge of your seat this is for you. the film in question co-stars James Gandolfini as the Mayor and Luis Guzman as Phil Ramos.

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very good Tarrantino stikes again

Posted : 2 months, 3 weeks ago on 4 September 2009 09:18 (A review of Inglourious Basterds)

Quentin Tarantino returns for yet another fun and crazy ride in Inglorious Basterds. A world war 2 film set in Nazi-occupied France, the film focuses on one Jewish Survivor Shosanah Dreyfuss(Melanie Laurent) who escaped Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), Who found her hiding place. Then there is the Basterds commanded by LT. Aldo Raine(Brad Pitt in his best role since Fight Club) hell bent on killing every nazi possible. Til Schwieger plays Hugo Stigllitz a very funny and to the point man who has killed thirteen Nazi commanders and then joins the basterds.What happens in this film is extraordinary and very memorable, and what would have been nice to see happen in world war 2. The acting in is the film is superb as well as it's soundtrack which features David Bowie's "cat people (putting out the fire)" in what could a Miami Vice opening title sequence , In which Soshanah sets out to get revenge.Inglorious Basterds includes cameos from Mike Myers as the english General Edward Fenech and Samuel L. Jackson as the narrator. Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds is one of this year's best films "and believe me cousin, in business of killing Nazis ,business is a boomin'"-Lt. Aldo Raine

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not bad,very dramatic

Posted : 3 months ago on 26 August 2009 10:26 (A review of Adventureland)

set in 1987 this supposed romantic comedy is about James Brennan(Jesse Eisenberg in a Michael Cera role). James was supposed to be going to Europe for the summer to learn and hopefully become a writer and move to New York. However none of this happened. Becasue his parents(Wendie Malick and Jack Gilpin) can't afford it.On top of it all he is dumped by his girlfriend. James is then forced to get a job, and wherever he applies (due to lack of work expierence) he does not get the job. So he applies for Adventureland, a games and rides kind of place (more like a year around town fair).James is willing hired as a games guy by Bobby(Bill Hader) and Paulette(Kristen Wiig).James is easily bored with his new job as the games guy, then James meets Emily(Kristen Stewart)a fellow employee of adventureland and student in new york, who saves him form being stabbed. However Emily is not all that she seems to be and is having an affair with connell(Ryan Reynolds) the maitinence man who is married. Things then get complicated when Lisa P.(Margarita Levieva) a hip clubber asks James out for a date. Adventureland not only captures the feel of the 80's but also how it feels to work in the workforce and have a relationship with a fellow emplyee, Adventureland is directed by superbad alum Greg Mottola.

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hullarious

Posted : 4 months, 2 weeks ago on 13 July 2009 11:30 (A review of Brüno)

Sacha Baron Cohen returns to complete his personality films in Bruno the third film based on Da Ali G show(the orgin of Cohen's characters which was on HBO for a whopping two seasons). With the first film being ALi G Indahouse, the second the highly controversial Borat-cultural Learnings of America for make benefit glorious nation of Kazahkhstan. Bruno who is just as crazy as Cohen's other characters and is an Austrian gay model who screws up on his walk on the stage. Then resorts to coming to Los Angeles to become a famous movie star. Bruno is a very funny film , although it is a required taste in comedy. The poster for Bruno says that Borat was so 2006 which makes us think it will be better. however, Bruno doesn't quite top Borat nor do I think it had any intentions of doing so. Bruno is filled with plenty of misadventures and just outright sick(meaning disgusting or did i really need to see that )scenes Fans of Da Ali G show will enjoy Bruno and will find it worth their every bit of ten dollars.

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very good ,typical abrams film though

Posted : 6 months, 2 weeks ago on 11 May 2009 11:03 (A review of Star Trek)

the Elventh film to date for the star trek franchise. is a good bridge between the show Star trek: Enterprise and the original series. Directed by J.J. Abrams the film focuses on the loss of james T. Kirk's father and mother. we learn (for those of us who don't know the origin of kirk's name) the origin of his full name James Tiberius Kirk. the film also focuses on the relationship of both Spock and Kirk. the character of kirk is different compared to the series. although the basics of kirk are there and he is played by Chris Pine(smokin' aces). Spock's character provides us with the basic idea of vulcan life and is also portayed once more by Leonard Nimoy in a time travel/blackhole expierence. which is the plot of the film. spock is also played by a very good Zachary Quinto(heroes , 24). and of course there are the other who make up the crew of the enterprise and they include as follows Anton Yelchin who plays pavel checkov the russian whose performance is good but will never top that of walter Koenig's. John Cho as hikaru Sulu , Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura who is more of a major character in the film, Karl Urban as a very good Leonard "bones" Mccoy Kirk's friend and doctor of the enterprise , and Simon Pegg a very good choice to play scotty. the film's villain is played by an un-recogizable Eric Bana as Captain Nero of the romulans. and plays the antagonist for the plot in the story. Star trek is a very good , fast paced film with plenty of humor and drama. there is however little things that J.J. Abrams likes to include in all of his films that reference his telveision shows. for example the red ball which can be seen in alias(a major point in the plot in the movie as well as in alias) and when kirk orders a slusho drink. this scene also references star wars as well (see IMD.com Trvia). but overall star trek is wonderful film that all trekkies alike will love and is meant to attract newcomers as well. the performaces from all the actors is superb. go and see it it is well worth the moeny.

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lame , did not deserve the hype

Posted : 6 months, 3 weeks ago on 6 May 2009 10:43 (A review of The Wrestler)

Mickey Rourke stars in this very dark film. as a wrestler by the name of Randy "Ram" Robinson. A profesional wrestler coming of age. the film also stars Marisa Tomei as cassidy/Pam ,Robinson's love interest, who is also a stripper who is losing the interest of her customers. and the very beautiful and talented Evan Rachel wood who plays Stephanie, Robinson's daughter who absolutley hates him. I found this film to be very slow moving and to have very little meanginful dialogue. Directed by Darren Arrpnofsky(The Foutain) The wrestler is true to it's tagline "love, pain, glory". Although this does not change my feelings toward the film. Rourke and cast do provide very good performances. Although I do not find this to be my favoite Rouke performance either( I prefer sin city in the role of marv). This film is plain and very bland especially for an Aronofsky film. Also, I belive that this film shouldn't have gained all the hype it did ,beacue it was very low budget and big in star power. Although I did like Aronfosky's approach to directing this film. But in my opinoion skip this film you won't miss anything and its also nothing that hasn't been done before.

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very good and entertaining

Posted : 9 months, 2 weeks ago on 11 February 2009 10:47 (A review of Vicky Cristina Barcelona)

woody allen's (match point) latest film Vicky Christina Barcelona which is exactly what the title says it is Vicky(Rebecca Hall) and Christina(Scarlett Johannson) get invited to Barcelona by Vicky's mom Judy(Patricia Clarkson) to Barcelona. Vicky Christina Barcelona is a very entertaining film which has it's main characters looking to find their niche'. this film along with Woody Allen's recent films Match Point and Scoop have been better than the ones in his past which now i can actually say that I enjoy his films which took me awhile to understand why people liked his films. However now I understand They are very fun, amd filled with wonderful dialogue. which is in every way possible what Vicky Christina Barcelona is. if you are a Woody Allen fan I highly reccomend this film.

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very good, a must see

Posted : 9 months, 3 weeks ago on 2 February 2009 09:02 (A review of Taken)

Liam Neeson stars in Pierre Morel's very fast moving film which is written by Luc Besson(Leon, The Proffesional) and Robert Mark Kamen(the Transporter 3). Nesson plays Bryan Mills a former spy who is very good at what he used to do. Although not much is mentioned about his former duty. He proves his point with the no- nonsense attitude to make James Bond even smirk . "I'll tear down the Goddamn ifiel tower if i have to" is one line to tell you just how motivated mills is in getting his daughter/brat kim (maggie Grace) back. THe film opens with a short home video of kim when she was in her early years, as a child. however and unlike Death sentence the film quickly moves through this little bit. When Kim decides she wants to go to paris with her best rich friend amanda (Katie cassidy) does Mills start to think right then and there that it's a bad idea to begin with. However Kim can't go until Mills signs a waiver saying she can leave the country. and as easy as any action film goes he signs the waiver. knowing very well what will happen to her. This rare type of action is very smart but does have just enough story to acutally make it work. THe chase scenes in this film or anything in which mills is driving a vehicle will make jason Bounrne rethink how quickly he destroys his vehicles where as mills doesn't even put a scratch on any of his even though he's driving thorugh buildings and flipping other cars. if you like mindless action and not a whole lot of plot "taken" is highly reccomended.

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academy award worthy film

Posted : 10 months, 1 week ago on 20 January 2009 06:20 (A review of Gran Torino)

Clint Eastwood stars,directs, and produces this wonderful film.Eastwood plays Walt Kowalksi an old predjuiced man who moved into a detroit nieghborhood in Michigan before it got shitty. And thus this moves the plot forward in traditional eastwood style by not showing us a flashback (but is not needed here). Gran Torino could be considered Either a Comdey or a Dark drama (at times). when at first a chinese gang is taking young Thao (Bee vang) away by force do they cross his property and does Walt decide to do anything about it . He takes his old rifle from when he fought in korea to get them off his lawn. this event leads to many of highlights shown in the trailer for this magnificent film. the acting is superb from the entire cast. the only other american actor who plays father Janovich is Christopher carly and plays a major role in the unfolding of the plot. THe film focuses mainly on when Thao breaks into Kowalski's house and attempts to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. This Disgraces thao from his family and he then owes Kowalksi 100 hundred hours of his time to help with chores around the house and etc. and Kowalski becomes kind of a father figure to thao and where most of the comedy comes from. Kowalski pretty much watches and takes care of the nieghbors but gets way to involved and gets pressured by father Janovich and thao to take vengeance against the local gang. the end is very satisfying indeed do not miss this film. it's possibly eastwood's best film yet.

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