Star Trek Into Darkness (film review)

I just finished watching the new Trekkie film and found it to be a very enjoyable summer action flick. I especially liked Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance, even though it was like watching Sherlock Holmes in outer space.

Skyfall - film review

I just saw Skyfall and wanted to know… how do I get that Red Box machine to give me my money back? I’m being superfluous, but not by much. Half of it was your standard action flick and the other half was like watching Masterpiece Theatre. I want Quentin Tarantino to write & direct the next one and to use his suggestion to have it set in the sixties again.

And I want more babes in the next one too!

.

Killing Them Softly (Film Review)

Killing Them Softly

 
Killing Them Softly is an anachronism.  It does what no other recent films do today: it takes its time to tell a story and develop the characters.  You won’t get a narration explaining everything, or see countless CGI scenes to keep you interested for more than 30 seconds, or even much of a soundtrack from this gritty crime drama.  If instant gratification is your thing, then this film isn’t for you.  But if you’re willing to be patient and pay attention to the story, I recommended you watch this film. It took guts to be involved with this movie, and it was a financial failure, so you won’t see anything this risky again for a while.  

Favorite Line:
Coogan (Pitt): I guess these guys just wanna go to jail.  They probably feel at home there.

Stake Land (Film Review)

I recommend a film called, “Stake Land.”  If you liked the dystopia flicks like Phantasm or The Walking Dead, you’ll enjoy this also.  The film offers really good performances by unknown actors and keeps the CGI to a minimum.  Something you don’t see in vampire flicks lately.

Favorite Line:
Martin: You’re very good at that (using crossbow to shoot vampires).
Peggy: I get a lot of practice

Posted via email from Dario Cruz's Posterous

The Killer Inside Me

I originally read the crime novel about a year ago and was surprised how good it was, especially considering it was written in the early fifties. Unfortunately this film isn’t that good. It’s one of those films that shouldn’t have tried to stay true to the novel. The pace is just too slow for a modern film and the character isn’t explained enough so that you stay interested for 2 hours. Frankly I think the director realized this because a third of the way through the movie, Casey Affleck’s starts narrating what the main character is thinking, and by then, you’ve already lost interest.

This is the second film I’ve seen with Casey Affleck as the main character and I just don’t think he’s lead actor material. Affleck tries to be an Everyman, ala Henry Fonda, but just can’t pull it off. Like his brother Ben, he just doesn’t have enough charisma and acting ability.

Unfortunately, I have to say skip this and just read the book. The book is worth your time. I’m not saying that it’s an awful film; it’s just that it isn’t very good. If you want to watch something along this line that is good, then go rent American Psycho with Christian Bale.

Favorite Line: It’s always lightest just before the dark.
.

Drag Me to Hell

What's the best thing you can say about a horror flick- man was that scary!  I have to admit that it's been awhile since I've seen anything that made me want to turn on the lights but "Drag Me to Hell" was it.  Please remember that I generally don't like this genre since actual suspence has been replaced by CGI and gore for the last 3 decades, but Sam Raimi has come close as anyone. That's not to say the film doesn't have problems: pace of the story, acting, no chemistry betwen the main characters, ear splitting volume , and a ridiculous ending.  But if the goal is to scare the viewer, then mission accomplished.

What became lost in the movie is that it deals with 2 major moral dilemas: what what you do for money and what would you do to save yourself.  A lot of us have faced the former and we can't sympathize with the heroine of the flick (played by Allison Lohman), especially since most would compromise and just do what the boss wanted.  That's the saddest aspect of the movie, with a little bit of effort, Raimi could've made something the equal of "The Exorcist" or "The Shining."

For all it's fault, it's a film worth renting.
.

The Fall

I agree with all the reviews about the beautiful cinematography but really can't give this film a thumbs up.  Generally fairy tales are aimed at children but I've never seen a fairy tale so dark, so violent, and so geared for a more mature audience.  And that's the flaw, it seemed to try to be both a adult and a childrens film at the same time.  In the end, "The Fall" misses it's mark with either group. 

Also, while the little girl Alexandra (played by Cantinca Untaru) was cute as a button, unfortunately her accent was so thick that I was expecting subtitles. And why is the main character Roy (played by Lee Pace) dressed-up like Lady Gaga?

A better choice to watch would be "The Princess Bride." 

Shutter Island

Shutter Island

This film reminds me a lot of Angel Heart with Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet, with a tribute to Alfred Hitchcock from Marty Scorsese.  The twist in the end really works. It wasn’t difficult to figure out (especially when Leo’s character started talking to his dead wife) but it was hard to be certain if  there wouldn’t be another twist to the twist.  

I have to say that I’m beginning to appreciate Leonardo di Caprio more.  I think he’s become a great actor. He gets better and better after each movie.  I just noticed that I’ve watched probably all his films in the last 10 years.  Not bad for someone I considered a punk pretty boy once.

Unfortunately this was not Scorsese’s best film.  I don’t know if it’s because it takes time for the story to develop, which isn’t ever done anymore, or because I originally thought it was a ghost movie.  Either case, I thought it was a fine but I’d wait for it to show on HBO.    

.

Sarkar

First, let me confess that I love Hulu. The best film on it right now is an Indian film called Sarkar It's loosely based on Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo's "The Godfather" I'm not giving you a link to The Godfather, since if you haven't seen it or heard about it, you probably don't know anything about cinema since (in my humble opinion) its the greatest film ever.

Going back to Sarkar, its a definite must see and in some ways as good as The Godfather. The cinematography, acting, story are all there to enjoy. My only complaint is the movie wasn't dubbed in English. I usually don't mind subtitles (it's in Hindee) but since I watched this on a 19" monitor, dubbing would've been nice. But hey, it's free to watch, so I'm not complaining.

Gran Torino

Gran Torino

What would happen if your sons grew up to be disappointments, your wife dies, you become a foreigner in your own neighborhood, and the world you knew disappears a little bit everyday? You might become Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood). Walt is the Everyman that lives down the street from you. A grumpy old man, who might not be overtly racist, wouldn’t mind if all the people of color would move away. Then again, he probably wouldn’t mind if all of humanity would leave him alone. He values his car more than people; hence the title of the film.

I guess the question this film asks is- if you provide some kindness to someone, will they not only reciprocate but also will actually become a better person? I appreciate the fact that Kowalski doesn’t suddenly turn into Scrooge (Merry Christmas one and all). No this film is a bit more realistic about people. We never can be certain if his last act is an act of sacrifice or just plain suicide.

I also have to wonder if this is Eastwood apology for all the Dirty Harry movies he made, similar to what he did in Unforgiven for all his spaghetti westerns. If I wasn’t so skeptical, I’d like to believe it was.

Slumdog Millionaire

On the surface it’s Oliver Twist and Great Expectations revolving around the TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” (fortunately without Regis Philbin). No one can understand how Jamal Malik (a kid from the slums) could possibly know the answers to rather difficult questions of the show. After all he’s no Good Will Hunting, or Rain Man, or even Forrest Gump. So how does he do it? It’s simple, he goes into total recall mode and the answers drop into his lap.

Unlike the rest of us, Jamal completely knows the meaning of his life. Jamal must suffer through life so he can answer the questions, and without the questions, he can’t get the girl, and if he doesn’t get the girl, he can’t find happiness. Jamal gets the money but we, the viewer, receive the answer to the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people.

I do have to warn you that this film doesn’t hold anything back on how rough life can be, and it will make you flinch at some of the scenes. But with that said, go watch this, it should win best foreign film.

Favorite Line:

Policeman: How does he know how to answer the questions?
Jamal Because I know what the answers are.

No Country for Old Men

It’s a film noir/western tale set in 1980 rural Texas. You know… the distant past. Imagine a Louis L’amour novel with hombres running around with Uzis and 4x4s and you have this fantastic film. At the center of this movie is the age old question of what would you do for money? For $2 million I’d probably do the same thing as the protaganist, that’s well played by Josh Brolin, and take the money and see if I could get away with it. Carpe Moolah- Seize the Buck!

What separates this from your typical shoot’em up B movie that’s sprinked with CGI and slow motion action shoots are Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem. Tommy Lee with “In the Valley of Elah” and this movie should get at least an academy award nomination, if not the actual Oscar. He plays a grizzled old small town sheriff that’s confused with the mindless violence of this modern world and what he can do about it. His character has no delusions that he’s Gary Cooper in “High Noon,” He’s an everyman that knows his limits and does what he can.

Javier Bardem provides one of more memorable villain since Anthony Hopkin in “Silence of the Lambs.” He doesn’t yell, sneer, or even raise his voice but meet him once and you automatically cross the street if you see him again.

Favorite Line:

(Woody Harrelson’s character is asked about Anton Chigurh (played by Bardem))

"He’s a psychopathic killer… outside of that he’s fine."

300

Better title: 300 Guys Who Need Acting Lessons and a Script

Do you remember those Hercule's flicks from the sixties? Just imagine those same flicks with CGI animations and you have 300, except that Gerard Butler (King Leonidas) is no Russell "the Gladiator" Crowe or Steve "Hercules" Reeves. Save your time and money and just rent "Conan the Barbarian" starring Governor Arnold.

Hannibal Rising

I don't know what was worse, the storyline or the acting/directing. You have to go past suspension of dis-belief and straight to hallucinogenic drugs (or a lobotomy) to enjoy this flick. Hannibal Lecter fascinated movie goers originally because he used his intelligence and sophistication to commit his evil deeds. Kind of a modern Jekyll and Hyde, or a Frasier Crane by day and a Jason (Friday the 13^th) at night. In this movie, Lecter suddenly becomes a Samurai action figure with no brains or finesse. They should of just cast Tom Cruise. The actor who does play Hannibal, Gaspard Ulliel, would have made a wonderful "hip" vampire from the movie Blade, except he looks more like a pouting teenager from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Save your money and just rent Silence of the Lamb or Manhunter.

Superman Returns

Whoops, I never did do a review for this one. It was as good as the original Superman with Christopher Reeves. I didn't think they needed to update the characters (i.e. Lois Lane as a unwed mother, and Clark Kent having a beer with Jimmy Olson) but perhaps I'm being a prude. Though I do have to admit that Parker Posey just wasn't pretty enough to be Lex's moll. Its worthing renting anyway.

V for Vendetta

Please someone hit me over the head the next time I watch a movie adapted from a comic book. I will admit this film is different in the sense that most comic movies are lacking in dialogue. This one has a script written by a hack that thinks he’s the next Bill Shakespeare.

I don’t know if this movie is more Batman playing the Phantom of the Opera or one of the Village People mangling the lines to “A Midsummers Night’s Dream.” I do know that I kept looking for a remote with a fast forward button

It’s the 21^st century and you got a guy throwing knives at his enemies. Buy a gun stupid!

Inside Man

You know when I was sitting in the theatre and found out that Spike Lee was the director, I was ready to bolt. Let’s face it Spike, you’ve had some real stinkers recently. Fortunately I didn’t leave, or I would have missed a great movie. Who would of thunk a Spike Lee directed movie starring Clive Owen would be good.

Let me just summarize the plot as a bank robbery with a twist. I didn’t think it needed the twist but it is a Hollywood flick after all. It’s not really different from any recent Cops and Robbers flick but it has enough good directions, an interesting script, and a very good cast to make it interesting.

The best part of the film is that Denzel Washington plays Denzel Washington in the movie. And what's wrong with that? After all, Cary Grant usually just played Cary Grant and James Cagney usually just played James Cagney. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I would also like to thank Christopher Plummer for not reciting Shakespeare with Klingon fangs. We all know you’re competing with Peter O’Toole for the Biggest Ham Award, but I guess common sense and decency prevailed. Way to go Chris!

Favorite Line:
(Scene: police are interrogating a female suspected of being one of the bank robbers. They suspect her because the sole female robber is also well built.)

You’re arresting me for breaking section 34 double D of the penal code?

Capote

Capote is one of the most honest films I’ve seen in awhile. It’s a fascinating no holds bar look at Truman Capote. No one in this movie looks like a star, the scenery is dreary, the characters are all flawed (but fascinating), and the story isn’t one-dimensional. Let me repeat, this is an honest movie and probably wouldn’t appeal to most people. But if you’re looking for a cure for the all CGI graphics and super hero/villain flicks at the cineplex, this is it. It’s a great movie and I recommend you see it.

Syriana

Two words: long and boring. The characters aren’t interesting (with the exception of the suicide bomber), the plot is convoluted & meaningless, and George Clooney looks really stupid in a beard. Hey Georgie, you’re an action figure! Either act or sin!

I knew I should’ve watched King Kong instead.

Jarhead (Welcome to the Suck)

If you can picture the kids from “Stand By Me” or “The Sandlot” joining the Marines, you can imagine Jarhead. But it’s more than just a “coming of age” movie set in a Marine barracks, that’s just the surface of this movie. Think Albert Camus with a crew cut and “Semper Fi” tattooed on his arm.

Jarhead is a camouflaged existentialist with a bad attitude. The main character, Swofford (Jake Gyllenhaal), while sitting on the toilet and reading “The Stranger,” meets his new sergeant. The sergeant (played by Jamie Foxx) offers him the opportunity to join an elite sniper squad. In essence, if Swofford kills, he will have the meaning he desperately wants in his life. By the end of the film you realize, nothing is really black or white about Swofford or joining the Marines, or fighting in a war. But unlike reading “The Stranger,” you don’t feel like slitting your wrist at the end of the movie. It’s a Hollywood flick after all.

I have to tell you about my most favorite scene in the movie. This when the platoon, (with a look of almost religious ecstasy) watches “Apocalypse Now” and hums along with Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries. At one level, you the audience, remember the power of that scene from Apocalypse Now, while at another level your watching Jarheads with an equally memorable scene, and at another level you realize that the two scenes are creating a symbiotic relationship.

So should you go watch Jarhead? If you’re expecting Platoon or even Rambo, you’ll be disappointed. There are limited action scenes in the movie and Swof never gets to kill anyone. With that said, I think its worth the 9 bucks.

Favorite Line:

Drill Instructor (yelling): What the hell are you doing in the Marines?

Swofford: I got lost on my way to college!