seven out of ten
I've been meaning to watch this movie for a very long time since I am a fan of America Ferrara the heroine in this film. The movie is about a chubby girl who is pressured to lose weight, not go on to college despite great potential and instead work at her sister's 'sweat shop' where she sews dresses too expensive for any of the workers to ever dream of owning. Its a story with heart about body acceptance, and the struggles that are inherent when you are the children of immigrants but one that I did not feel was directed or told as best as it possibly could- still it was good and there is a sequence in the dress shop where America encourages all the women to love herself that is worth watching the entire movie for anyways!
Showing posts with label 7/10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 7/10. Show all posts
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Extract
seven out of ten
I give this a seven because its not a bad movie. It's just not great. Made by the Mike Judge, director of my favorite movie Office Space I guess I just expected more. The movie follows the main guy who is trying to sell his factory and has a marriage he wishes was more passionate. There is a con artist girl, a guy who she tries suckering in. . . eh. . . it was just kinda dull.
I give this a seven because its not a bad movie. It's just not great. Made by the Mike Judge, director of my favorite movie Office Space I guess I just expected more. The movie follows the main guy who is trying to sell his factory and has a marriage he wishes was more passionate. There is a con artist girl, a guy who she tries suckering in. . . eh. . . it was just kinda dull.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Invictus
seven out of ten
This movie is very well acted and focuses on Nelson Mandela's first years in office as he tries to help rescue a losing rugby team. The rugby team symbolized racism for many in South Africa and after Mandela came to power there was a strong push to shut down the losing team. Mandela, however, chose to use the rugby team as a symbol of the country uniting, forgiving the past and moving forward together. Its a good movie but it was more sports focused than I expected. Perhaps the movie in truth deserves to be an 8/10 but because of my expectation that it was going to focus more on Mandela I was a touch disappointed.
This movie is very well acted and focuses on Nelson Mandela's first years in office as he tries to help rescue a losing rugby team. The rugby team symbolized racism for many in South Africa and after Mandela came to power there was a strong push to shut down the losing team. Mandela, however, chose to use the rugby team as a symbol of the country uniting, forgiving the past and moving forward together. Its a good movie but it was more sports focused than I expected. Perhaps the movie in truth deserves to be an 8/10 but because of my expectation that it was going to focus more on Mandela I was a touch disappointed.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Taken
seven out of ten
A divorced father looks to have a relationship with his teenager daughter by moving close by and pushing away his dangerous CIA-like past. His daughter decides, against his will, to go on a trip to Paris where she gets kidnapped and possibly sold off into slavery. This short action packed film is about the father getting his daughter back. Though I knew how the story would play out the acting and the fast paced editing kept me hooked. I would highly recommend this movie to you if you're looking for a fun thriller superficial but entertaining.
A divorced father looks to have a relationship with his teenager daughter by moving close by and pushing away his dangerous CIA-like past. His daughter decides, against his will, to go on a trip to Paris where she gets kidnapped and possibly sold off into slavery. This short action packed film is about the father getting his daughter back. Though I knew how the story would play out the acting and the fast paced editing kept me hooked. I would highly recommend this movie to you if you're looking for a fun thriller superficial but entertaining.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Fracture
Anthony Hopkins rocked this movie, he plays an eerie character very well. In this movie he stands trial for attempted murder of his wife and plays cat and mouse with the prosecutor. Some things in the story are a bit implausible, however, all in all very interesting and well acted.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Burn After Reading
I didn't know what to expect with this movie but I really enjoyed it. This is a movie about a group of workers at a gym who come across some irrelevant CIA material and get caught up in a strange drama that was totally unnecessary and so very very bizarre and hilarious. The directors call it a tragic comedy. That is indeed the best way to describe it.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
There Will Be Blood
seven out of ten
This is a very well acted movie by the great Daniel Day Louis set in the early 1900's about a man who finds his wealth through oil. The story shows him as he sets up camp to drill for oil at a small town on the West Coast after purchasing land on the cheap from the Sunday family whose son had come to tell Plainview of the oil that bubbled to the surface around their home. The movie trails Plainview and his adopted son, and Eli, the Sunday's son an ambitious pastor set on making his church an incredible creation. The story shows the characters of the two men and the story of their lives.
I liked the story and I felt gripped despite its length (2.45mins). However, I felt the ending was incomplete and I needed more. I dont want to go into it as not to spoil it but I was sad to see the lack of compassion that Plainview ultimately showed his son... This disappointed me.
Still this is a movie that will certainly make you think, and for that it is worth it.
This is a very well acted movie by the great Daniel Day Louis set in the early 1900's about a man who finds his wealth through oil. The story shows him as he sets up camp to drill for oil at a small town on the West Coast after purchasing land on the cheap from the Sunday family whose son had come to tell Plainview of the oil that bubbled to the surface around their home. The movie trails Plainview and his adopted son, and Eli, the Sunday's son an ambitious pastor set on making his church an incredible creation. The story shows the characters of the two men and the story of their lives.
I liked the story and I felt gripped despite its length (2.45mins). However, I felt the ending was incomplete and I needed more. I dont want to go into it as not to spoil it but I was sad to see the lack of compassion that Plainview ultimately showed his son... This disappointed me.
Still this is a movie that will certainly make you think, and for that it is worth it.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Juno
seven out of ten
Perhaps I had too high hopes for this movie which got 100% positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes. This movie is about a high schooler who gets pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. It follows her dealing with pregnancy and also her interactions with the prospective adoptive parents. I thought she was kind of annoying. The baby daddy was not nearly as sympathetic to me as I think he was supposed to be. And Jennifer Garner did an okay job but every time I see her in anything, I always just feel her acting. I get taken out of the movie. The movie was okay. For a review that I agree with more read this.
Perhaps I had too high hopes for this movie which got 100% positive reviews from Rotten Tomatoes. This movie is about a high schooler who gets pregnant and decides to give the baby up for adoption. It follows her dealing with pregnancy and also her interactions with the prospective adoptive parents. I thought she was kind of annoying. The baby daddy was not nearly as sympathetic to me as I think he was supposed to be. And Jennifer Garner did an okay job but every time I see her in anything, I always just feel her acting. I get taken out of the movie. The movie was okay. For a review that I agree with more read this.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Into the Wild
seven out of ten
This was an enjoyable film based on the true story of a boy named Chris who upon graduating college donates his trust fund to charity, burns his money and abandons his car and sets off on a two year adventure through the US with the ultimate goal of reaching the Alaskan wilderness and spending some time living off the land with tragic consequences.
I thought the movie could have been edited a little better as it went on about 30 minutes too long. I also felt concern that it glamorized his decision though it seemed that Chris may have suffered from some type of mental illness. Knowing that this kid is now idolized by many others I hope that others don't make the tragic mistake that he ended up making.
This was an enjoyable film based on the true story of a boy named Chris who upon graduating college donates his trust fund to charity, burns his money and abandons his car and sets off on a two year adventure through the US with the ultimate goal of reaching the Alaskan wilderness and spending some time living off the land with tragic consequences.
I thought the movie could have been edited a little better as it went on about 30 minutes too long. I also felt concern that it glamorized his decision though it seemed that Chris may have suffered from some type of mental illness. Knowing that this kid is now idolized by many others I hope that others don't make the tragic mistake that he ended up making.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Black Snake Moan
seven out of ten
This is a story of two troubled souls. One, a girl in her twenties whose boyfriend is off at sea while she battles a lot of... issues. The other, an older man whose wife left him for his brother and is coping with the anger he feels. He finds the girl on his lawn one morning, nearly dead. He helps her heal and as he gets her help he learns she has a... reputation. He decides its his job to cure her and help her fix herself. What follows it the meat and potatoes of the film.
Its a good film, superbly acted and worthy of Oscar nods for Ricci though I'm unsure she'll be nominated so. Its not as deep as I thought it might be or as the movie thinks it might be, but its interesting, its different, and it does make you think.
This is a story of two troubled souls. One, a girl in her twenties whose boyfriend is off at sea while she battles a lot of... issues. The other, an older man whose wife left him for his brother and is coping with the anger he feels. He finds the girl on his lawn one morning, nearly dead. He helps her heal and as he gets her help he learns she has a... reputation. He decides its his job to cure her and help her fix herself. What follows it the meat and potatoes of the film.
Its a good film, superbly acted and worthy of Oscar nods for Ricci though I'm unsure she'll be nominated so. Its not as deep as I thought it might be or as the movie thinks it might be, but its interesting, its different, and it does make you think.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Music and Lyrics
seven out of ten
This is a classic romantic comedy with Hugh Grant and Drew Berrymore. I admit it, I think Hugh Grant is pretty cool and so this movie review might be biased in my like for it. I love the 80s references, I love the cute predictable romance that develops between the two as they come up with the music and lyrics to make a comeback to the music world. The dialogue was quite and it was definitely funny at moments but I think its a movie that worked because of who the actors were.
This is a classic romantic comedy with Hugh Grant and Drew Berrymore. I admit it, I think Hugh Grant is pretty cool and so this movie review might be biased in my like for it. I love the 80s references, I love the cute predictable romance that develops between the two as they come up with the music and lyrics to make a comeback to the music world. The dialogue was quite and it was definitely funny at moments but I think its a movie that worked because of who the actors were.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Kite Runner
seven out of ten
The book is better. That being said, this is an interesting movie and it shows the situation abroad in a way that makes it more real to those unaware of the reality. Still, the book is better and the movie brushes over some of the parts that made the book really come to life and touch my heart. I wouldn't say don't watch the movie, but I would say that the book is much more important.
AND- Im sorry but would it have been hard to give Amir the adult authentic hair? I knew just from looking at this dude he was Egyptian. I mean, a wig, how hard is this???
AND- I dont know if this will come out in the DVD but in one of the first sequences of the two boys sitting and talking... you can see that little Hassan has red and green braces. Hee!
The book is better. That being said, this is an interesting movie and it shows the situation abroad in a way that makes it more real to those unaware of the reality. Still, the book is better and the movie brushes over some of the parts that made the book really come to life and touch my heart. I wouldn't say don't watch the movie, but I would say that the book is much more important.
AND- Im sorry but would it have been hard to give Amir the adult authentic hair? I knew just from looking at this dude he was Egyptian. I mean, a wig, how hard is this???
AND- I dont know if this will come out in the DVD but in one of the first sequences of the two boys sitting and talking... you can see that little Hassan has red and green braces. Hee!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Blood Diamond
seven out of ten
This movie is about responsibility. About thinking about how you might contribute to the violence and bloodshed overseas. I went to Whole Foods a few weeks ago with Huda and she pointed out a cocoa product that was sold via fair trade. I didn't even know what that meant. It meant that it was a product that was made in such a way that the people who made it earned enough to live on. So that means, that the ones without this label are not sold in the fair trade market. That means they can't live off the work they do. Soy farming in Brazil causes murder and devastation and we unknowingly sip our soy lattes unknowingly contributing to the death toll. I say this to say that we contribute a lot to the harm in the world without ever knowing it.
If you watch blood diamond and then research the facts you will likely never buy another diamond ever again. The movie explores two characters, one a South African diamond smuggler and the other a resident of Sierra Leon whose world is shattered when his village is destroyed, his son is taken as a child soldier and his wife and daughters are shuttled off to refugee camps from which they cannot escape. The movie follows the villagers attempt to get his family back, and the smugglers attempt to get one of the most priceless diamonds ever discovered. Both are in their separate goals together to the end. Its one of those important movies like Hotel Rwanda that grabs us by the back of hair and yanks us to see the reality that our counterparts exist in and that though we may think we don't contribute to the devastation overseas, we unknowingly do.
This movie is about responsibility. About thinking about how you might contribute to the violence and bloodshed overseas. I went to Whole Foods a few weeks ago with Huda and she pointed out a cocoa product that was sold via fair trade. I didn't even know what that meant. It meant that it was a product that was made in such a way that the people who made it earned enough to live on. So that means, that the ones without this label are not sold in the fair trade market. That means they can't live off the work they do. Soy farming in Brazil causes murder and devastation and we unknowingly sip our soy lattes unknowingly contributing to the death toll. I say this to say that we contribute a lot to the harm in the world without ever knowing it.
If you watch blood diamond and then research the facts you will likely never buy another diamond ever again. The movie explores two characters, one a South African diamond smuggler and the other a resident of Sierra Leon whose world is shattered when his village is destroyed, his son is taken as a child soldier and his wife and daughters are shuttled off to refugee camps from which they cannot escape. The movie follows the villagers attempt to get his family back, and the smugglers attempt to get one of the most priceless diamonds ever discovered. Both are in their separate goals together to the end. Its one of those important movies like Hotel Rwanda that grabs us by the back of hair and yanks us to see the reality that our counterparts exist in and that though we may think we don't contribute to the devastation overseas, we unknowingly do.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Stranger Than Fiction
Seven out of Ten
I think this movie would have been more appreciated if it wasn't billed as a comedy. There are some funny moments in the movie but I don't know if its necessarily a comedy. Its a very thought provoking film about a man who lives his life by a certain inner order and suddenly has to question what it is all for when he begins to hear a voice inside his head telling him the road his life will lead. I feel that if you go into this movie considering it to be an analogy type film, not a movie to be taken for face value but to be even deeper than that, and really think about it after you watch it, you will love it. Its the type of film that might make you reflect on your life and its meaning and purpose. Unfortunately, by marketing it towards the Will Ferrel fans as a silly comedy of a man who hears voices, its not going to be appreciated for the insightful human drama that it is.
I think this movie would have been more appreciated if it wasn't billed as a comedy. There are some funny moments in the movie but I don't know if its necessarily a comedy. Its a very thought provoking film about a man who lives his life by a certain inner order and suddenly has to question what it is all for when he begins to hear a voice inside his head telling him the road his life will lead. I feel that if you go into this movie considering it to be an analogy type film, not a movie to be taken for face value but to be even deeper than that, and really think about it after you watch it, you will love it. Its the type of film that might make you reflect on your life and its meaning and purpose. Unfortunately, by marketing it towards the Will Ferrel fans as a silly comedy of a man who hears voices, its not going to be appreciated for the insightful human drama that it is.
Superbad
seven out of ten
Superbad is funny. Its not as funny IMHO as everyone says it is, but it is funny. Superbad is the story of two teens as they face graduation and battle the thoughts that weigh on their minds. (Seriously, trying so hard to stay PG here). I found it a little crude and at times I felt embarrassed by the lewd and lascivious behavior before me but what made it for me with this movie was the whole McLovin storyline. "McLovin" is a nerdy high schooler who gets a fake ID which results in one of the funniest story lines I've seen in quite some time. It's McLovin which made me like this movie enough to recommend it but just be warned that if you are not appreciative of the cruder sense of humor, then keep your finger on the FF button at all times.
Superbad is funny. Its not as funny IMHO as everyone says it is, but it is funny. Superbad is the story of two teens as they face graduation and battle the thoughts that weigh on their minds. (Seriously, trying so hard to stay PG here). I found it a little crude and at times I felt embarrassed by the lewd and lascivious behavior before me but what made it for me with this movie was the whole McLovin storyline. "McLovin" is a nerdy high schooler who gets a fake ID which results in one of the funniest story lines I've seen in quite some time. It's McLovin which made me like this movie enough to recommend it but just be warned that if you are not appreciative of the cruder sense of humor, then keep your finger on the FF button at all times.
American Gangster
Seven out of Ten
I know, its weird, but I LOVE Gangster flicks. There is so much drama, and romance, and intrigue. I love the family relationships, the respect, the suspense. Its all so exciting! So when I saw the trailers for American Gangter which included: Gangsters + Denzel.... I was SO there.
American Gangster is what the title portends. It traces the true life story of a notorious drug dealer who sold the purest crack around. He eluded authorities and adversaries but slowly inevitably the tangled web he wove does come undone. The story traces his rise and fall.
I liked the movie but I didn't love it. Part of this is because the movie is almost 3 hours long (which if you add in commercials/trailers is about right) and I get fidgety sitting still that long. Also, they explored Denzel's character in depth but I felt they could have explored other characters such as his wife as well. She ended up being simply a wooden cardboard figure on the screen. Perhaps, she was not much more in real life but it would have been nice to get a deeper perspective.
Denzel's good. The movie is good because of him. But I wonder if the movie would have been GREAT if he wasn't carrying it through and through. Yes, Russel Crowe does a good job, but I almost felt his entire storyline was from a different movie all together. Though he did a good job, I felt his storyline to be rather disjointed.
I know, its weird, but I LOVE Gangster flicks. There is so much drama, and romance, and intrigue. I love the family relationships, the respect, the suspense. Its all so exciting! So when I saw the trailers for American Gangter which included: Gangsters + Denzel.... I was SO there.
American Gangster is what the title portends. It traces the true life story of a notorious drug dealer who sold the purest crack around. He eluded authorities and adversaries but slowly inevitably the tangled web he wove does come undone. The story traces his rise and fall.
I liked the movie but I didn't love it. Part of this is because the movie is almost 3 hours long (which if you add in commercials/trailers is about right) and I get fidgety sitting still that long. Also, they explored Denzel's character in depth but I felt they could have explored other characters such as his wife as well. She ended up being simply a wooden cardboard figure on the screen. Perhaps, she was not much more in real life but it would have been nice to get a deeper perspective.
Denzel's good. The movie is good because of him. But I wonder if the movie would have been GREAT if he wasn't carrying it through and through. Yes, Russel Crowe does a good job, but I almost felt his entire storyline was from a different movie all together. Though he did a good job, I felt his storyline to be rather disjointed.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Simpsons- The Movie
At the start of the film Homer Simpson yells at you "Why are you paying to see what you can see at home for free?" The audience laughs but by the end of the film you nod at Homer's sage advice. This is classic Simpsons of years past, the humor is sharp and biting and the jabs related to current events are awesome. But then again they say they've been working on this movie for three years.. it should be somewhat good? My conclusion is its a fun movie but its really nothing more than an extended Simpsons episode, a really good episode. If thats worth a $10 movie ticket, then this is a movie to catch in theaters, otherwise, DVD will work just as well.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Children of Men
If you want to watch an original movie that has not been done before, with a plot that makes you think, this is the movie for you. Fast forward 20 years from now and no more children are being born. Infertility abounds, and Britan seems transformed into a chaotic, police-like regime. Immigrants are set in cages and sent to rot in ghettos where armies drive through for target practice. In the midst of it all there is a hope, one pregnant girl. The catch- she is in the hands of an uprising movement and they want to use the baby to unite their cause. Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? Watch the movie to find out. I found the film troubling but engrossing, hopeful yet devestating. Its a film that will leave you thinking for days later, and in my book, a film that can make you think, is a very important film to watch. My one advice would be to watch it with close captions because the voices are often rather muffled, and keep the volume button on hand because it gets ear piercing loud at times and that can take away from the film.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
The Prestige
seven out of ten
This is a suspense story following the lives of two magicians, once partners, now sworn enemies after a fateful day when a tragic event inspired closing the heart of one magician towards the other forever. Their animosity turns to obsession as they both move up and down the theatre circuit trying to learn one another's secrets.
I liked the movie because it kept my attention and it was like a riddle that you were trying to solve. The magic tricks (save one which will be obvious) are all real ones that have been developed and done. I watched it twice because the second go around makes you understand it better.
Its good, not amazing or fabulous, but worth a rental.
This is a suspense story following the lives of two magicians, once partners, now sworn enemies after a fateful day when a tragic event inspired closing the heart of one magician towards the other forever. Their animosity turns to obsession as they both move up and down the theatre circuit trying to learn one another's secrets.
I liked the movie because it kept my attention and it was like a riddle that you were trying to solve. The magic tricks (save one which will be obvious) are all real ones that have been developed and done. I watched it twice because the second go around makes you understand it better.
Its good, not amazing or fabulous, but worth a rental.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Borat
seven out of ten
One of the few times in recent memory that I have seen a movie on opening night. I forgot how exciting it can be! One guy even came dressed as Borat!
The movie was funny and got the laughs that I thought it would. What I really liked about it was that though he was an idiot and offensive in every way, you knew that he was fictional. Yet the sad part was the unaware people he filmed? They thought he was a real person and gave him the most bigoted and hypocritical responses I ever heard. In some ways Borat showed that when he came to the US he ddnt necessarily find people who were all more refined than his native country, just a little less obvious. But for some the bigotry was bured just steps below the surface. I think for this reason Borat is an intelligent film but I dont know how many saw this message or how many simply laughed at the stunts. I think more dd the latter because at one point n the move there is a very inapproprate lewd scene between the two men which I DID NOT NEED TO SEE. But that is what got the most laughs. f that part had been edted out this would have been at least a 9.5 on my review scale.
I recommend it but only if you can handle some lewdness or have the quickness to avoid it by coverng your eyes when it comes up. Note: ts when he's getting out of the shower! 'nuff said!
One of the few times in recent memory that I have seen a movie on opening night. I forgot how exciting it can be! One guy even came dressed as Borat!
The movie was funny and got the laughs that I thought it would. What I really liked about it was that though he was an idiot and offensive in every way, you knew that he was fictional. Yet the sad part was the unaware people he filmed? They thought he was a real person and gave him the most bigoted and hypocritical responses I ever heard. In some ways Borat showed that when he came to the US he ddnt necessarily find people who were all more refined than his native country, just a little less obvious. But for some the bigotry was bured just steps below the surface. I think for this reason Borat is an intelligent film but I dont know how many saw this message or how many simply laughed at the stunts. I think more dd the latter because at one point n the move there is a very inapproprate lewd scene between the two men which I DID NOT NEED TO SEE. But that is what got the most laughs. f that part had been edted out this would have been at least a 9.5 on my review scale.
I recommend it but only if you can handle some lewdness or have the quickness to avoid it by coverng your eyes when it comes up. Note: ts when he's getting out of the shower! 'nuff said!
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