Up In The Air is a drama focused around a man named Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) who travels around the country, living out of a suitcase and being held down by nothing or no one. When his company wants to begin utilizing new technology, Bingham's job is in jeopardy. As he pleads to keep his job, he takes a new employee, Natalie (Anna Kendrick) on one of his business trips and learns more than he could have ever imagined in the mean time.
My impression of this movie teetered throughout the movie. I initially was kinda mixed, then the story slowed down and I was becoming bored, then the end came around and I moved into a category where I loved it. I can definitely see why this movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture; if fact, I think this movie was better than the movie that won the Oscar.
The movie conveys some mixed signals in regards to marriage. On one hand it completely bashes the idea of being tied down and in a committed marriage, including promoting affairs, but then it turns around and pushes a character to commit to marriage because the alternative does not sound like a positive scenario.
One message the movie pushed was that you should always follow your dreams. Don't just do something because it is convenient and easy. I liked how they tied this into the story.
I noticed the product placement in this movie like no other movie I have seen. It was ALL over! Hilton Hotels, American Airlines and Hertz rental car must have paid some big bucks to this movie because I don't think you went 5 minutes without seeing one or more of these products displayed.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 out of 5. It wasn't flawless, and had a few times that I was quite bored with the constant dialogue. There is some good comedy lines that get you laughing, but I can't recommend this to the young ones. There is some language and adult scenes and situations that make it an adults only movie. It's on DVD... go rent it! (I personally prefer RedBox!)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day
Theres two kinds of people in this world when you boil it all down. You got your talkers and you got your doers. most people are just talkers, all they do is talk. but when it is all said and done, it's the doers that change this world. and when they do that, they change us, and that's why we never forget them. so which one are you? do you just talk about it, or do you stand up and do something about it? because believe you me, all the rest of it is just coffee house and bullshit.
All Saints Day is the sequel to The Boondock Saints that debuted in 1999. The saints (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) are living a quiet life in Ireland when back in Boston, a man tries to replicate one of their trademark murders except this time it is of a priest. The brothers cannot let this happen to tarnish their good name in Boston, so they return to find the man who set them up and to kill him. Little did they know that they were not dealing with your average mob boss. As tension escalates, there is only one person who can stop the bloodshed, but will they step in?
I loved the first Boondock Saints movie, and this one did not disappoint. It was full of flashbacks to the first movie, but was definitely a movie in itself. There were many parts of the movie that required you to have seen the first movie to understand, so I would definitely recommend seeing it before you see All Saints Day.
The movie although full of action and violence does have a plot which requires you to sit back and think a little bit. Of course, you probably would not catch on to this if you did not see the first movie.
There was a TON of violence and language in this movie, so it is definitely not a "watch with the young ones" movie. The F-word is used multiple times in this movie, much like the first movie, so if you could not stand it then, this one won't be any different. There is also some scenes where you see a little too much of some of the guys body, which was kinda disturbing. I could have done without that.
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. I love that they were able to bring back the original cast after so many years. AND they definitely left the end open for another sequel. If you have seen and liked the first movie, odds are that you will like All Saints Day.
"And shepard's we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that we may swiftly carry out Thy command. We shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."
All Saints Day is the sequel to The Boondock Saints that debuted in 1999. The saints (Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus) are living a quiet life in Ireland when back in Boston, a man tries to replicate one of their trademark murders except this time it is of a priest. The brothers cannot let this happen to tarnish their good name in Boston, so they return to find the man who set them up and to kill him. Little did they know that they were not dealing with your average mob boss. As tension escalates, there is only one person who can stop the bloodshed, but will they step in?
I loved the first Boondock Saints movie, and this one did not disappoint. It was full of flashbacks to the first movie, but was definitely a movie in itself. There were many parts of the movie that required you to have seen the first movie to understand, so I would definitely recommend seeing it before you see All Saints Day.
The movie although full of action and violence does have a plot which requires you to sit back and think a little bit. Of course, you probably would not catch on to this if you did not see the first movie.
There was a TON of violence and language in this movie, so it is definitely not a "watch with the young ones" movie. The F-word is used multiple times in this movie, much like the first movie, so if you could not stand it then, this one won't be any different. There is also some scenes where you see a little too much of some of the guys body, which was kinda disturbing. I could have done without that.
I give this movie a 4 out of 5 stars. I love that they were able to bring back the original cast after so many years. AND they definitely left the end open for another sequel. If you have seen and liked the first movie, odds are that you will like All Saints Day.
"And shepard's we shall be, for thee my Lord, for thee. Power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that we may swiftly carry out Thy command. We shall flow a river forth to Thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patri, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti."
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Hurt Locker
I probably would not have seen this movie if it were not for the fact that it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and 5 other categories including Best Director. Several times in the past, I have not agreed with the Academy in their choice foe Best Picture, so I wanted to see for myself if they chose the best.
The Hurt Locker follows the deployment of Bravo Company during their deployment in Iraq in 2004. When Sgt. Thompson (Guy Pierce) is Killed In Action, Staff Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) joins Bravo Company for the final leg of their tour of duty. James is a bomb tech who specializes in disarming IED (Improvised Explosive Devices). His presence in the Bravo Company and his manner in which he does his job pushes some of his fellow soldiers to the edge. Will James and his men survive to return home or will their last resting place be on a street in a city in Iraq?
This movie is an intense drama that makes you feel like you are in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are multiple scenes where you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering if they are going to deactivate the bomb or will someone trigger the arming device before they can get away.
The problem I had with this movie are that it was somewhat slow. I understand that you can't have a movie that is all action and fast paced content, but to me, it seemed like it drew on too long.
The movie had a few subtle hints at some political propaganda, but I was actually surprised that Hollywood produced a movie that was not a bash a former President and the war movie. I was happy to see at the end of the movie that they made a point to put an emphasis on the fact that these men are serving our country in Iraq so that we can continue to have our freedom in America.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 stars out of 5. It was put together really well, but did it deserve Best Picture when comparing it to the other movies that were nominated? No. I liked the movie, but it wasn't a movie that I would have watched and said, "Hey! That movie is gonna win Best Picture for sure!"
*edit - Also, for a movie that won Best Director, you think they would get some of the goofs right. For example, the movie was based in 2004, but during the movie, one character has a iPod touch that was released in 2006 (or 2007), and is playing Gears of War on an Xbox 360, which wasn't released until 2005.
The Hurt Locker follows the deployment of Bravo Company during their deployment in Iraq in 2004. When Sgt. Thompson (Guy Pierce) is Killed In Action, Staff Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner) joins Bravo Company for the final leg of their tour of duty. James is a bomb tech who specializes in disarming IED (Improvised Explosive Devices). His presence in the Bravo Company and his manner in which he does his job pushes some of his fellow soldiers to the edge. Will James and his men survive to return home or will their last resting place be on a street in a city in Iraq?
This movie is an intense drama that makes you feel like you are in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. There are multiple scenes where you are sitting on the edge of your seat, wondering if they are going to deactivate the bomb or will someone trigger the arming device before they can get away.
The problem I had with this movie are that it was somewhat slow. I understand that you can't have a movie that is all action and fast paced content, but to me, it seemed like it drew on too long.
The movie had a few subtle hints at some political propaganda, but I was actually surprised that Hollywood produced a movie that was not a bash a former President and the war movie. I was happy to see at the end of the movie that they made a point to put an emphasis on the fact that these men are serving our country in Iraq so that we can continue to have our freedom in America.
Overall, I rate this movie a 4 stars out of 5. It was put together really well, but did it deserve Best Picture when comparing it to the other movies that were nominated? No. I liked the movie, but it wasn't a movie that I would have watched and said, "Hey! That movie is gonna win Best Picture for sure!"
*edit - Also, for a movie that won Best Director, you think they would get some of the goofs right. For example, the movie was based in 2004, but during the movie, one character has a iPod touch that was released in 2006 (or 2007), and is playing Gears of War on an Xbox 360, which wasn't released until 2005.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Shutter Island
Shutter Island is a suspenseful thriller based on an island off the coast of Boston in the 1950's. Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a U.S. Marshall that is sent to Shutter Island, a psychiatric prison, to investigate the sudden disappearance of one of the prisoners (or patients). As he and his partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) arrive on the island, they begin to see firsthand, the strange things happening on the island. Teddy's investigation leads him all over the islands, into deep, dark places that reveal the pieces of the puzzle about Shutter Island. Will Teddy and Chuck be able to make it off the island, or will it become their final resting place?
Wow! Martin Scorsese is a genius (he directed the film btw). He did a wonderful job on this movie. I really have no complaints about this movie. I am trying to rack my brain for anything that I didn't like, but I can't come up with any. While I was watching the movie, I had a few, but those were quickly answered before the movie was over. All of the holes that are usually left open in most movies, seemed to be answered and no stone was left unturned.
The script is well-written and DiCaprio does a great job of playing the main character in this film. You can really connect with him throughout the movie, and especially at the end when everything seems to fall apart.
When you think the movie is coming to a close and you have it all figured out, the plot takes a twist that I could not see coming. You are left with so many questions as to what is going on, but Scorsese does a good job in the following scene of answer those questions.
I give Shutter Island 5 stars out of 5! It is an awesome thriller. Its one of those scary movies that requires the viewer to actually think through the whole movie, rather than sit back and be scared to death. There was really only one jump-scene in that regard, but there were a few scenes that were slightly scary in nature. Definitely not a movie for the kids. And for those who are scared of scary movies... you may or may not like Shutter Island. I didn't find it to be all that scary, but some people might. I really wanted to talk my friends who don't like scary movies to come and watch and after seeing it, I am still undecided about whether they would like sitting through it or not.
If you like movies that make you think and aren't completely intimidated and afraid of slightly scary movies, you definitely have to see this movie. I don't think much would be lost in the DVD version, but I would recommend seeing it at the theaters so that you won't have to wait 4 months til the DVD release!
Wow! Martin Scorsese is a genius (he directed the film btw). He did a wonderful job on this movie. I really have no complaints about this movie. I am trying to rack my brain for anything that I didn't like, but I can't come up with any. While I was watching the movie, I had a few, but those were quickly answered before the movie was over. All of the holes that are usually left open in most movies, seemed to be answered and no stone was left unturned.
The script is well-written and DiCaprio does a great job of playing the main character in this film. You can really connect with him throughout the movie, and especially at the end when everything seems to fall apart.
When you think the movie is coming to a close and you have it all figured out, the plot takes a twist that I could not see coming. You are left with so many questions as to what is going on, but Scorsese does a good job in the following scene of answer those questions.
I give Shutter Island 5 stars out of 5! It is an awesome thriller. Its one of those scary movies that requires the viewer to actually think through the whole movie, rather than sit back and be scared to death. There was really only one jump-scene in that regard, but there were a few scenes that were slightly scary in nature. Definitely not a movie for the kids. And for those who are scared of scary movies... you may or may not like Shutter Island. I didn't find it to be all that scary, but some people might. I really wanted to talk my friends who don't like scary movies to come and watch and after seeing it, I am still undecided about whether they would like sitting through it or not.
If you like movies that make you think and aren't completely intimidated and afraid of slightly scary movies, you definitely have to see this movie. I don't think much would be lost in the DVD version, but I would recommend seeing it at the theaters so that you won't have to wait 4 months til the DVD release!
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