Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Delivery Man



What I liked:

  • The same guys that did the original French version of this film did this one:
    • Written by: Ken Scott and Martin Petit
    • Directed by Ken Scott
  • The US version is almost identical to the French version:
    • It's funny, interesting and heartwarming.
    • David still wears a lot of interesting t shirts.
  • The US version stars Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Bobby Moynihan, and Brit Robertson.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Counselor



What I liked:

  • Michael Fassbender and Penélope Cruz are beautiful people.  When they are on screen together, it is hard to know who to look at.
  • Cameron Diaz plays the mean girl very well.  While I didn't understand her eye makeup, it totally worked for her character.
  • Javier Bardem's hair gives another outstanding performance.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa



What I liked:

  • This movie is ridiculous and hysterical.  It had the entire theater roaring.
  • Johnny Knoxville and Jackson Nicoll have great chemistry.
  • The reactions from the unsuspecting people are great.

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete



What I liked:

  • Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon are fabulous as Mister and Pete.  Both had some heavy material to work with at such a young age.  They looked and acted like pros.  A lot of people are calling out Brooks but I think Dizon was just as fabulous.  He could say so much with just a look.
  • Jennifer Hudson and Jordin Sparks are great.
  • Mr. Eko (!) as Sergeant Pike.
  • It is a heartbreaking story to watch.  If you are looking for a feel good movie, this is not it.  However, it is an important story to see.  It might make you want to help someone less fortunate than you or at the very least, be grateful for the life that you have.

Last Vegas



What I liked:

  • It has a great cast: Robert de Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline, & Mary Steenburgen.
  • It has a good supporting cast: Joanna Gleason, Jerry Ferrara, Roger Bart, Romany Malco, and Michael Ealy.
  • Steenburgen does her own singing.
  • It's definitely geared towards an older crowd.
  • It has some funny parts.
  • There is a 50 Cent cameo.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

About Time



What I liked:

  • It's rated R so it's not your typical Romantic Dramady.
  • Domhnall Gleeson is charming.
  • Bill Nighy is captivating and entertaining.
  • It also stars Rachel McAdams, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard Cordery, Joshua McGuire, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Will Merrick, and Vanessa Kirby.
  • There are some great scenes between Gleeson and Nighy.
  • It has a good soundtrack.

The Fifth Estate



What I liked:

  • It's an interesting, based on true events, story that does a good job of showing both sides.
  • Benedict Cumberatch is awesome as Julian Assange.
  • Daniel Bruhl is great as Daniel Berg.
  • It also stars Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, STanley Tucci, Peter Capaldi, David Thewlis, Anatole Taubman, Alicia Vikander, Mortiz Bleibtreu, and Alexander Siddig,  Carice van Houten.
  • It makes you think about the pros and cons of WikiLeaks and whistle-blowers.  What information should be public and what should be kept private?

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Captain Phillips



What I liked:

  • It's based on true events.
  • It's the best performance that Tom Hanks has had in a while.
  • The four Somali pirates were fantastic, especially since this was their first time acting: Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, and Mahat M. Ali.
  • Michael Chernus, Catherine Keener, David Warshofsky, Corey Johnson, Chris Mulkey, Yul Vazquex, Max Marini, and Omar Berdouni also star.
  • I like that the story is not one sided...both sides are shown equally.
  • It's full of suspense even though you know somewhat how it ends.

Gravity



What I liked:

  • It has beautiful views of space.  
  • The 3D effects show a lot of depth.  Things are not coming out at you.
  • Sandra Bullock gives a fantastic performance.
  • George Clooney is his usual suave self.
  • Ed Harris has a great voice for radio.
  • It's just the right length.  Any longer and you would have lost interest.
  • It's action packed.

Runner Runner



What I liked:

  • Anthony Mackie is the best thing about this film.
  • Looking at Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake for 90 minutes isn't a terrible waste of time.
  • Gemma Arterton is beautiful.
  • It also stars Oliver Cooper, Christina George, Sam Palladio, David Costabile, and John Heard.
  • I liked how it ended.

Prisoners



What I liked:

  • It's interesting, intense and suspenseful.
  • Hugh Jackman gives one of his best performances.
  • Great acting by Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Maria Bello, Terrence Howard, Melissa Leo, and Paul Dano.
  • Kudos to hair and makeup for transforming Leo.
  • I liked the way that it ended although I could see some people hating it.

Rush



What I liked:

  • It is based on the true story of the rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
  • Chris Hemsworth is a good looking man who can also act.
  • Daniel Bruhl was fantastic.
  • Hemsworth and Bruhl had great chemistry together.
  • Also stars: Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Piefrancesco Favino, Natalie Dormer and Christian McKay.
  • The special effects were good.
  • I liked how Ron Howard used interesting camera angles to capture the moments.
  • It's always cool to see footage of the real people.

Enough Said



What I liked:

  • James Gandolfini was a lovable teddy bear.
  • Julia Louis-Dreyfus was good.
  • Great supporting cast: Catherine Keener, Toni Collette, Ben Falcone, Tracey Fairaway, Michaela Watkins, Tavi Gevinson, Eve Hewson and Jessica St. Clair.
  • It's well written with heart and humor.