MOVIE REVIEW: INCEPTION

IN THEATERS

INCEPTION



Visionary filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Memento, The Dark Knight) writes and directs this psychological sci-fi action film about a thief who possesses the power to enter into the dreams of others. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) doesn't steal things, he steals ideas. By projecting himself deep into the subconscious of his targets, he can glean information that even the best computer hackers can't get to. In the world of corporate espionage, Cobb is the ultimate weapon. But even weapons have their weakness, and when Cobb loses everything, he's forced to embark on one final mission in a desperate quest for redemption. This time, Cobb won't be harvesting an idea, but sowing one. Should he and his team of specialists succeed, they will have discovered a new frontier in the art of psychic espionage. They've planned everything to perfection, and they have all the tools to get the job done. Their mission is complicated, however, by the sudden appearance of a malevolent foe that seems to know exactly what they're up to, and precisely how to stop them. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Christopher Nolan

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page

Release Date: Jul 16, 2010

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and sequences of action

Runtime: 2 hr. 22 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Christopher Nolan’s Inception is like watching someone play make-believe on an epic scale. Everything is large about this film, heady themes mixed with aggressive visual and multilayered story arcs crisscrossing about that one could easily be lost by sneaking out to a quick bathroom break. Nolan’s persistent dedication to playing with the audiences perceptions is very much at play here in this sci-fi thriller that is a really a heist movie at its heart. While Nolan crafts an impressively complex and intriguing storyline it’s also one that bears a lot of hallmarks of previous films, clearly showing Nolan’s inspirations for this endeavor. Sadly, this makes certain aspects of the film fairly predictable. It’s original and derivative at the same type, perhaps a purposely imposed paradox from Nolan. The cast is all in fine form and each make the most of their roles regardless of how limited it maybe in some cases. Leonardo DiCaprio is appropriately dour and determined throughout. He doesn’t quiet let this character breathe as much as he should making his realization at the end come off as a tad artificial. Marion Cotillard is clearly having the most fun in the entire film as she gets top play varied versions of the same person throughout. Her performance runs the gamut of tender and heartfelt to mildly terrifying and selfish. She commands the screen every time she’s on it and makes the strongest impression throughout. Ellen Page gives the smart ass shtick a break and plays her character well with a nice sense of wonder and discovery. Joseph Gordon Levitt, Ken Watanabe and Tom Hardy are all quiet strong in supporting roles each giving their characters recognizable traits in limited screen time. Cillian Murphy isn’t given much too do outside of looking like a mark. As a whole this is another win for Nolan’s increasingly impressive resume, even if he couldn’t resist an open ended finale.

A-

Bluray quality; Video is nearly perfect showcasing the wonderful visuals throughout; Sound mix is impressive across the board, extremely active.

I was hand-selected to be a member of Blu-ray Elite, a beta program from Warner Home Video which has graciously sent me this free Blu-ray disc.

MOVIE REVIEW: PREDATORS

IN THEATERS

PREDATORS



A group of hardened killers are hunted on an alien planet in producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród Antal's entry into the popular sci-fi action franchise. Mercenaries, murderers, gangsters, and convicts, they were the most feared men on Earth. But now they're a long way from home, and when the predators become the prey, fearless mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) prepares for the fight of his life. And he's not alone, because Mexican gangster Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Israeli Defense Forces veteran Isabelle (Alice Braga), notorious mass murderer Stans (Walton Goggins), Russian Special Forces operative Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), RUF death squad member Mombasa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), and sword-wielding Yakuza Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien) are all armed to the teeth, and out for blood. The odd man out is Edwin (Topher Grace), a once-prominent physician whose career came to an end following a big scandal. When the motley crew encounters Noland (Lawrence Fishburne), a resourceful human who has somehow managed to survive on the alien's hunting grounds for some time, they prepare to take the ultimate stand against the most powerful Predators yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Nimród Antal

Cast: Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne , Topher Grace , Danny Trejo

Release Date: Jul 09, 2010

Rated R for pervasive language, gore and strong creature violence

Runtime: 106 min

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The sequel that should have been made 20 years ago Predators hits the screen feeling like a throwback from the start. Nimrod Antal makes his intentions clear from the start and he delivers the action filled sci-fi follow up you’d expect needless to say it’s predictable in everyway you can imagine but it’s still good fun. Once you get past the face that you’re watching a movie directed by someone named Nimrod, he also directed Vacancy, you’ll find that he directs the action well and hits all the key points for the suspense needed for this type of fare. Taking cues directly from the 1987 John McTiernan Arnold Schwarzenegger testosterone filled classic, Antal uses everything that made the original so enjoyable with a mild twist. When I say twist I should clarify in that Antal uses so much from the original that it almost feels like a remake but it could be worse, see either of the Alien v Predators movies. Adrien Brody is dutifully self serious and self centered as the “leader” of this group of predatory victims, yes the title has double meaning. I couldn’t help but notice that Brody, while passable, is taking himself way too serious throughout. Alice Braga does what she can with a thinly written role and she has one too many damsel in distress moments for my taste especially considering she’s supposed to be a trained killer. The supporting cast is underused which is a sham since there are so many impressive character actors on the cast. Of them only Fishburn and Walton Goggins make an impression. Once we reach the final reel, with the people you know would still be alive, you can feel Antal spreading his wings a little having more fun after a commendable effort of righting what was wrong with the thrown together sequels of the past 20 years.

C+

Full Machete Trailer

The level of win just keeps going up and up on this film....

MOVIE REVIEW: KNIGHT AND DAY

IN THEATERS

KNIGHT AND DAY



A fugitive couple (Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz) wages a war between truth and trust while speeding across the globe in an attempt to avoid capture by a determined federal agent (Peter Sarsgaard). Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Maggie Grace, and Marc Blucas co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard, Paul Dano, Viola Davis, Olivier Martinez, Maggie Grace

Release Date: Jun 23, 2010

Rated: brief strong language and sequences of action violence

Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Comedy

Review:

Silly, predictable and occasionally fun Knight and Day is exactly what it looks like, nothing and nothing less. A thinly veiled plot which only serves to move Cruise and Diaz from one set piece to another so madcap action can ensue. James Mangold shoots his stars as such and it’s light and fluffy with never an ounce of weight or depth. Mangold takes full advantage of the budget with beautiful locales all the while using his general “splosion” money well. Cruise is light hearted and fun, pretty much doing his Ethan Hunt character from Mission Impossible throughout. Cameron Diaz does her usual tomboy but I’m cute deal, something she has down pat, and smiles her Joker smile shrieking intermittently. She’s not as grating as she could have been so that’s always a positive considering what’s required of the role. The strange thing here is that Cruise and Diaz are strangely disconnected throughout as if they are both doing their own thing and the only reason we know they like each other is because the film tells us so. The supporting cast is pretty just going through the motions doing what’s required of their paper thin characters. In the end, it’s Cruise and Diaz showcase; if you enjoy them you’ll enjoy this overlong predictable film.

C

MOVIE REVIEW: YOUTH IN REVOLT

ON DVD

YOUTH IN REVOLT



Superbad's Michael Cera discovers a vacation romance in Youth in Revolt, a teen comedy from Charlie Bartlett's screenwriter, Gustin Nash, and director Miguel Arteta (Chuck & Buck). The film is an adaptation of C.D. Payne's first book in a series of best-selling satirical novels starring Nick Twisp, a sexually charged 14-year-old whose intelligence and hormones get him into all sorts of adventures. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Director: Miguel Arteta

Cast: Michael Cera , Portia Doubleday , Jean Smart , Zach Galifianakis , Adhir Kalyan

Release Date: Jan 08, 2010

Rated R for sexual content, language and drug use

Runtime: 1 hr. 30 min.

Genres: Comedy, Comedy, Romance, Romance

Review:

Take one part Wes Anderson, one part Napoleon Dynamite and a sprinkle Fight Club’s split personality, mix with a teen angst story line and you’ll have Youth in Revolt. A subversive and off beat film that a bit off kilter but occasionally hits the sweet spot with its originality. Director Miguel Arteta gives his film a subtle pop that serves it well throughout. The script is kind of hit or miss with a few segments hitting an impressive stride but there are more than a few dead spots along the way. Cera and Doubleday’s characters also speak like they are intellectual yuppies in their late 30’s. Cera though does a solid job of making it feel naturalistic and Twisp feels very much like the kind of character we’ve become accustomed to seeing him play. He has a lot more fun playing his imaginary alter ego Francois. He’s clearly enjoying himself on screen and I think the character is underused as he mostly disappears from the film near the end. Fresh faced Portia Doubleday delivers an impressively naturalistic performance and handles the material well. The supporting cast mostly sit in the shadows and have fun with fairly clichéd stock characters. Having watched the film I understand the difficulty in marketing this film because it’s very atypical, fun if not perfect especially if you’re looking for a comedy that’s off the beaten path.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BOOK OF ELI

ON DVD

THE BOOK OF ELI



In the not-too-distant future, some 30 years after the final war, a solitary man walks across the wasteland that was once America. Empty cities, broken highways, seared earth--all around him, the marks of catastrophic destruction. There is no civilization here, no law. The roads belong to gangs that would murder a man for his shoes, an ounce of water--or for nothing at all. But they're no match for this traveler. A warrior not by choice but necessity, Eli seeks only peace but, if challenged, will cut his attackers down before they realize their fatal mistake. It's not his life he guards so fiercely but his hope for the future; a hope he has carried and protected for 30 years and is determined to realize. Driven by this commitment and guided by his belief in something greater than himself, Eli does what he must to survive--and continue. Only one other man in this ruined world understands the power Eli holds, and is determined to make it his own: Carnegie, the self-appointed despot of a makeshift town of thieves and gunmen. Meanwhile, Carnegie's adopted daughter Solara is fascinated by Eli for another reason: the glimpse he offers of what may exist beyond her stepfather's domain. But neither will find it easy to deter him. Nothing--and no one--can stand in his way. Eli must keep moving to fulfill his destiny and bring help to a ravaged humanity.

Director: Allen Hughes , Albert Hughes

Cast: Denzel Washington , Gary Oldman , Mila Kunis , Ray Stevenson , Jennifer Beals

Release Date: Jan 15, 2010

Rated R for some brutal violence and language

Runtime: 1 hr. 58 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

The Hughes Brother’s have always had more talent than they’ve been given credit for, kind of lost in the mix and failing to make their mark after their break through film Menace 2 Society. The Book of Eli, unfortunately, won’t leave any sort of lasting impression either. Dour and lacking any sort of real heart, this overly serious and only occasionally interesting post apocalyptic road movie thinks it’s a lot more important than it actually is. The script has a message and the screenwriter could have taken some interesting angels on the subject matters of faith and religion in general, instead we get generic heroes and villains dialogue with a fairly pain by the numbers action sequences. The Hughes Brother’s shoot the film with enough style to give it an impressive if overly glossy look throughout even if we are left with the impression that the end of the world looks like Arizona. Denzel Washington is the strongest player in the entire film. He plays Eli with serious single mindedness vigor, giving the character a depth that isn’t in the script. It’s a shame he’s mostly wasted because I think that he could have done something interesting with a meatier more interesting take on the general concept. Washington plays his dutifully and looks believable during the films action sequences. Mila Kunis isn’t asked to do much in her role, much like the rest of the ancillary characters. Gary Oldman is asked to play a one dimensional villain and no one could fault for collecting a play check here. Ray Stevenson and Jennifer Beals are thoroughly wasted barely say a word. If you’d seen the more enjoyable classic The Road Warrior or the more thoughtful and gut wrenching The Road then there’s really no reason to waste your time here outside of waiting for a ludicrous curve ball at the end of this film.

C-