Went and saw Inside Out in the theaters. Absolutely brilliant (As is to be expected from Pixar).

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

Originally posted by Elyk@Jun 9 2015, 12:35 AM
One of my friends saw Focus and he loved it

Focus is dope af. Will Smith and the female main character are on point, she looks good too lol.

RIPDAVE

Originally posted by Trill@Jul 8 2015, 02:06 PM


Focus is dope af. Will Smith and the female main character are on point, she looks good too lol.

One of the best parts of Wolf of Wallstreet by far.

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

Training Day
10/10

Former
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5/10 - Overall, Absence of Malice has a compelling story and great acting from Paul Newman (who plays Paul Newman here) and Sally Field, but fails to generate enough interest in the proceedings to keep you hooked. Luckily, the acting is good enough to largely overlook that, but at the end of the day, film must entertain and Absence of Malice, though not a total bore, certainly struggles in that area. Not hard to see why the Academy would recognize the acting, but not much about the film itself (other than the writing).



7/10 - City Slickers is a wickedly funny little 90's comedy that really manages to capture more than just laughs from the audience, but also their emotions. The film also delivers some thrills thanks to those emotions. The acting from Billy Crystal, Jack Palance, Patricia Wettig, Bruno Kirby, and Daniel Stern, is really good and Crystal, in particular, really gives a charming performance here that really brings you onto his side. Overall, City Slickers is a fun and touching film about three men's midlife crisis and the way they deal with it.



6/10 - Man of Steel, the first film in the new DC Cinematic Universe, is certainly a very flawed film, but for me, I think there is enough in the "pro" category to outweigh those negatives. Firstly, I really liked the acting and the casting throughout. Some were unhappy with Amy Adams' Lois Lane, for both the way she was portrayed and for her not looking like Lois Lane, but as a person who is not a huge comic book guy, I did not really care. She's a great actress and it is able to show in this film to a degree. In addition to the acting, the special effects were spectacular and the cinematography was stupendous at times. There were some seriously gorgeous shots in this one and it is one of the few superhero movies where I really noticed that area. However, I will say that it does try to do a lot and struggles from typical origin story pitfalls. The pacing can be extremely bad at times and the dialogue is pretty horrendous at times and middling at best. Overall, Man of Steel is a slightly above average film that succeeds in some areas and fails in others, but overall does a nice job setting up the new Superman story and the new universe.



8/10 - Fury is a film that incredibly brutal and intense at times, but manages to be a stirring and emotional war film throughout due to its focus on brotherhood and the friendships formed during war times. The direction from David Ayer was great here and the war/action sequences were expertly put together. Ayer has a knack for some real great action sequences and Fury is no exception to that. Brad Pitt, Shia Labeouf, Michael Pena, and especially Logan Lerman, were all stellar in their respective roles. The costume design and makeup in the film were also very great as these men look the part and look war battered. However, where Fury is the most successful is in the realism. Incredibly faithful to reality, the film feels authentic, especially when it comes to the blood and gore of war. As a whole, Fury is no Saving Private Ryan, but is definitely the best war film in a while and stands as a very good film in what was a great year for film in 2014.



6/10 - Jurassic World is the definition of a popcorn flick. Placed under any level of scrutiny, its quality as a film deteriorates rapidly. The plot is questionable and it does nothing not already seen in the original Jurassic Park. However, it really, really delivers in the entertainment category. Ultimately, film is supposed to be entertainment and this film entertains. It is a ton of fun for the whole family, provides numerous thrills and a ton of nervous excitement as the situation down in Costa Rica takes a turn for the worse due to the humans being stupid and selfish. The human drama placed into the film is idiotic and never really works on any level, but damn, there are a bunch of really cool dinosaurs that attack and eat people. The special effects are impeccable, Chris Pratt makes a case for being one of the strongest leading men right now with a decent acting performance that was best in the one category that matters, charisma. Jake Johnson was also great and a showstealer at times. The characters were pretty dumb, sure, but I don't know, I kinda dug Jurassic World. I feel dirty and hypocritical, but watching dinosaurs eat people is a ton of fun.



7/10 - At this point, if you walk into a Marvel movie you know what to expect. Ant-Man does not divert from the Marvel script at all and certainly finds a place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (at least this one is self-aware). Yet, it manages to be wildly entertaining and one of the funniest Marvel movies yet. Paul Rudd turns in a super charismatic performance as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man and Michael Douglas is very good as Hank Pym. As with all Marvel movies, the villain is pretty non-descript. However, the visuals are top-notch and the special effects are very well done throughout. A film that works well as a heist movie as well, Ant-Man pleads for you to care about its characters by playing on emotion and family. Though this fall flats, the film is fun and funny enough to overcome it. This is in large part due to Michael Pena who is hysterical here and honestly steals the show. If anybody needs a larger role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it is obviously his character. Overall, Ant-Man is a well done superhero flick that will entertain people who like the Marvel formula. If you are tired of superhero movies, this one won't restore your hunger.



7/10 - As expected, The Drop is a crime drama. It never really reinvents the wheel at any time, but it does follow the best elements of the genre and executes them very well. In addition, it is a fantastic starring turn for Tom Hardy and the late James Gandolfini. If anybody still had doubts about Hardy, this film (as well as his entire filmography) should be solid evidence that he is one of the best actors working today. He is the perfect guy for this role and he knocks it out of the park. Noted author Dennis Lehane's script is very well done and the dialogue works throughout. The film is also well directed and well paced, never becoming boring. You are constantly invested in the goings ons and though there are a good number of moving parts, it never gets hard to follow or feels cluttered. For a first time screenwriter, that is pretty good and shows that Lehane's talents as an author (namely Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River, and Shutter Island), can translate to the big screen not just in adaptations, but also in his penning the script. Overall, The Drop is a good crime drama that soars thanks in large to its acting and good writing.



8/10 - After not enjoying the first Terminator, it took me a while to get around to the second installment in the franchise, but I am very glad that I finally watched it. A brilliant action film that is perfectly directed by James Cameron, Terminator 2: Judgment Day is well ahead of its time in terms of special effects and is overall just a very well done and very entertaining spectacle. Arnold Schwarzenegger is great here as the Terminator and Linda Hamilton is very strong as Sarah Connor. The child actor who plays John Connor is pretty spotty and the film itself can be a little campy at times, but it never fails to entertain. Beautifully filmed action sequences combine with good drama here to make a very good film that is also very well written and quite funny at times. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is what big budget action movies should look and feel like.



7/10 - After the largely negative reviews, I figured I would wait to catch Chappie until it came out on DVD and I am bummed to have waited so long. I have no idea why the critics hated it so much. No, it is not as good as District 9, but it is still a good action science fiction movie from a guy, Neill Blomkamp, who seems to be quite adept at making socially conscious action movies. But heck, don't listen to me, I liked Elysium too. To me, Blomkamp is a very good director who is very ambitious in his films. They do not match his ambitions more often than not, but the end result is also quite positive. The themes here are similar to the rest of his films and Johannesburg will certainly continue to be viewed negatively worldwide due to its portrayal here, but all the same, it is a very fun and well made film. The cast as a whole is good and quite believable in all of their roles. I know Die Antwoord got a lot of criticism for their performances, but I truly believed them and they did not stick out at all. The development of Chappie was great and he is certainly one of the best characters in a film in recent times, in my humble opinion. The film really delivers in the heady sci-fi elements viewers come to expect from the genre (as well as a ton of Biblical elements, such as "genisis" and referring to the guy who created Chappie as his "maker", plus some characters being obviously religious). The action is well done and the film can be quite adorable (thanks to Chappie) and funny throughout. It is also oddly touching, as it always amazes me how much I can be made to care about a robot. Overall, Chappie does have flaws, namely in the way of plotholes or points where it feels like the story just skipped ahead a bit. It also manages to cram a lot into a short time period, which is a unique criticism, but one I feel is justified. All the same, Blomkamp's films always are very sleek and stylish and the way the robots are designed is super cool (just as the aliens in District 9's design was great). As a whole, Chappie was unfairly torn apart for some of its flaws, while many ignored the many positives it delivered. Not as good as District 9, but Blomkamp certainly took a step back in that direction here, as it is better than Elysium. Definitely looking forward to his Alien film (hopefully set in Joburg, because why not).



8/10 - I do not watch a ton of animated films, but Inside Out wound up being an exception and I am really, really glad it was. Brilliantly animated and voiced, Inside Out entertains in spades with fantastic comedic writing throughout. However, the true area of success for this one is in the way it explores emotion and the way we think and operate. A thought provoking film, Inside Out is easily one of the best films of 2015 for the way it really almost caters to the adult audience and provide a ton of interesting commentary on how we function. Magnificently written and a great representation of bringing a complex concept to life, Inside Out should easily find a home alongside the other phenomenal releases from Pixar.

I look at Jurassic World as a reboot almost. I think more than anything its to get younger people interested in that world and it certainly worked. I took my My 9 yr old brother to see it and he has not stopped talking about it almost every time I see him. I expect the 2nd one to hopefully bring something new to the world and find its own footing instead of piggy backing off of the original films success.

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

7/10 - This biography of Brian Wilson is quite good, largely thanks to the acting. As the young Brian Wilson, Paul Dano brilliantly portrays his slowly emerging madness, while as the older version, John Cusack is perfect as the sick and abused Wilson. Paul Giammati and Elisabeth Banks are also very, very strong in this one. As with all music biographies, the music winds up being one of the highlights. Getting to see classic songs being made is a really cool experience, even if it is just a reenactment. The way the old scenes of them in the studio are shot is really well done, as it looks like old footage you would see on a music documentary. This one is pretty well written, though I did not feel it was overly inventive with the music biography genre, as many reviews state it was. While not entirely conventional, I did not think it differed too much from that formula, even though I really do enjoy the formula. As a whole, Love & Mercy is a good film that will likely get lost in the shuffle of 2015, which is too bad since Dano and Cusack deserve some kind of recognition for their performances.



8/10 - Beautifully shot, wonderfully acted, and very well written, Nightcrawler is a great debut for director Dan Gilroy, another feather in the cap for cinematographer Robert Elswitt, and yet another example of why Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the top actors working today. Creepy and unhinged, Gyllenhaal's performance in the lead was great, as you truly believe every word he says and all of his mannerisms and oddities. However, to me, one of the films best features was the cinematography, in particular the lighting. In line with other great films that capture Los Angeles at night such as Drive and Collateral, Nightcrawler is beautifully shot and lit. Another major plus for this one would have to be the way it operates as a biting criticism of the television news industry. Showing them as morally questionable and willing to do anything for ratings, this one certainly shows the shady side of television and raises many questions that should be answered, such as the morality of showing some of the footage shown. Overall, Nightcrawler is a thrilling, intense, and very creepy, experience that should help propel both Gilroy and Gyllenhaal to further success.



7/10 - Having seen the first four Mission: Impossibles, I can safely say that MI3 is my favorite installment, solely because of Philip Seymour Hoffman. The best villain in the series and, honestly, one of the better ones in recent memory, Hoffman's performance here is fantastic and deliciously evil. Tom Cruise is fantastic as well here, doubled by him performing most of his own stunts, which I continue to find very, very impressive. The action is well directed by JJ Abrams and the film most certainly entertains. Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Keri Russell, are also really good. The scene with Russell has also left me paranoid whenever I have a headache, so thanks for that Mission: Impossible III. Overall, this one is a very good action film that entertains in spades and thanks to Hoffman's spectacular turn as the antagonist here, it is elevated above the other installments in the series.



8/10 - Though the special effects have considerably aged since 1954, the film is still incredibly entertaining and a very harrowing experience. Plus, for 1954, these special effects are pretty spectacular. Them! is a fun science fiction film from the 1950's that in my mind, certainly stands the test of time and, to me, a remake would be a pretty fun idea, though with the market flooded with creature features now, it is hard to imagine it happening. A landmark film in science fiction and monster movies, Them! is a classic in every sense of the word.



8/10 - A taut, intense, adult thriller, The Gift is a film nerds dream. Packed to the brim with references to other films, thematically riveting, and above all, thrilling beyond all imagination, the film is incredibly well done. Thanks to a great script and direction from debut director Joel Edgerton, the story is a slow burn that really all comes together and still leaves you thinking about what you just experienced. Each line of dialogue is crucially important and revealing about the character who says it, but it is left to you to decipher what it could possibly mean. The film is also really well shot and much of the tension comes from the framing of these shots and the mystery surrounding the proceedings. Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton are phenomenal in this one and Rebecca Hall also turns in a very strong performance. A film that will leave you wondering where the truth lies, The Gift is truly a "gift" to 2015 and stands as one of the best psychological thrillers in recent memory. It is haunting, scary, and thrilling, but above all, wildly entertaining.

7/10 - Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation does not reinvent the action spy thriller, but rather takes the best elements of the genre and uses them to great effect, Tom Cruise and Rebecca Ferguson have fantastic chemistry and both turn in top-notch performances. Simon Pegg is also very good (and very funny) is a supporting role here, as is Jeremy Renner. Super stylish, the film truly does come to life in IMAX and look sleek and is beautifully shot. Above all, it is magnificently choreographed. The action sequences are masterfully put together and look beautiful to the eye. As a an overall film, Rogue Nation is alright. As I said, it certainly does not reinvent the spy genre and uses many of the tried and true cliches along the way. If it was not so wonderfully done, it would have been a lot less enjoyful due to this fact. However, as it stands, Mission: Impossible continues to be an impressively long lasting franchise in large part thanks to Tom Cruise's refusal to age.



4/10 - Featuring a fantastically interesting world and brilliant production design (ok, it is really bad, but would look really cool if they did it today), Escape from New York is a cheesy film that is so 80's it hurts. Where to begin? Well, the acting is quite bad. Kurt Russell brings a ton of charisma to the role, as does the rest of the cast, who are all enjoyable characters, but the acting is poor. This is likely done purposefully, but all the same. The dialogue is incredibly quotable, yet that does not make a script good. Plus, it is largely quotable because they simply keep repeating the same lines over and over again in different scenes. The plot is pretty interesting and the world that is introduced is riveting, but terrible pacing (too fast) and, again, the poor dialogue suffocate any life the plot could have had. Overall, Escape from New York is a cheesy, poorly made action flick that was obviously well received back in the day, but holds up horrifically if watched without nostalgia glasses on.



6/10 - Featuring a similar style to the first Sherlock Holmes, A Game of Shadows struggles due to a poor story and my general lack of amusement from Robert Downey Jr.'s antics as the famed private investigator. However, the villain is compelling and the cat-and-mouse game does provide entertainment. The real star here for me is certainly the costume and production design, as well as the stylish way it is shot. Jude Law is great, as is Noomi Rapace. Guy Ritchie does pretty well in the director's chair as though I did not think the story was nearly as good as that of the first film, it is told well. Yet, the reason why I got any enjoyment out of this one was the aesthetic elements that I mentioned before. Downey does not do it for me, but luckily, the way this one truly captures the time period and makes it come to life is what really appeals to me. Overall, this one falls short of the original, but every film would be improved if it had this set.



8/10 - The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was a ton of fun. Thanks to incredibly charismatic performances from Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, and Alicia Vikander, a film that could have fallen flat truly excels. Smart, funny comedic writing blends with an interesting plot and stylish set pieces to make for a very entertaining action spy comedy flick. I should also mention that the costume design matches this style brilliantly with some seriously great suits and dresses. Not a fashion connoisseur by any means, but man did both the guys and women in this film look sharp. As a whole, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. never takes itself too seriously and is very funny, while also having very thrilling action sequences throughout that are incredibly well shot and well directed. For me, I preferred this to the other recent spy film, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, though both are very different as that one aims to be serious, while this film takes a far more comedic approach. Regardless, this one is a very good film that entertains in spades.



8/10 - From what I understand, this is a terrible adaptation of Isaac Asimov collection of stories, though that criticism can similarly be applied to Stanley Kubrick's classic film The Shining, which is a terrible adaptation of the Stephen King novel. To me, that is a non-issue. At face value, this film is very entertaining, very well directed by Alex Proyas, very well acted by Will Smith and Bridget Moynahan, and very interesting when it comes to the questions it raises about creation and robots. It stays relatively constrained and believable when it comes to its science fiction ideas and though this may not be the way things are in 2035, it is relatively believable that this could come to fruition. The few plot twists that are here are also interesting and very much throw you for a loop at times. It is well paced, well written as well, though my main complaint was some blatant product placement for Converse and Audi. These do not usually bother me, but the Converse ones were particularly obvious and clearly shoehorned in later on. Overall, I, Robot is not a seminal science fiction by any means, but is a very, very well made one that entertains in spades and features enough heady thrills and a very well thought out future to make it a very good film.

2/10 - Kingsman: The Secret Service is a loud, obnoxious, stupid, and over the top action film that fails to not just properly spoof the spy genre it tries to mock, but also fails to be a spy film at all. Firstly, the action sequences are well done, but are completely pointless and over the top (thanks to stupid CGI blood effects). In line with this, the plot as a whole was beyond dumb and unbelievable. Spy films, though often outlandish, deal with things that you could see actually happening. This one felt more like a science fiction film masquerading as a spy film, while not being completely either. In addition, the writing was incredibly weak. I have no problem with swearing, but it was used as a crutch throughout and overused. Finally, it was never funny. For a film trying to be a satire of spy films, it was never funny and the jokes fell flat every time. Oh and lest we forget the stupid ending with the reference to anal sex. The joke fell flat and I am not a huge fan of nudity, unless it makes sense. Here, it was sexed up for the hell of it, which to me, is the sign of a bad movie that needs to have sex scenes to make things interesting. The only positive I can think of, other than the well shot action scenes, was the acting. In particular, Samuel L. Jackson was great. However, on the whole, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a horrific film that baffles me how people enjoyed it. Stupid, stupid, stupid.



2/10 - An incredibly stupid film that tries to be like "lol old people shooting guns" throughout, RED falls flat on its face repeatedly. The acting is fine due to the very talented cast, but the plot is beyond dumb and the film, intended as a comedy, is never funny at all. Overall, this one left me largely speechless as I am unable to think of much else since practically all of it sucked. The acting saves it a touch, but that is not enough when the plot, writing, and crutches it leans on are all so dumb.



7/10 - Sure, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines does not rise to the heights of its predecessors, but all the same, it is still very good. Arnold Schwarzenegger turns in a classic Schwarzenegger performance here, Nick Stahl is good, and Claire Danes is also very good. As we near Judgment Day, Rise of the Machines sports very good modern special effects and a very compelling story (as well as another great terminator sent to, well, terminate). The film is also very well directed, even though James Cameron is not sitting in the director's chair for this one. The pacing is strong and the story comes together just as it should with a very pretty backdrop and some incredible set pieces they destroy as if destruction and chaos are goingout of style. Oddly enough, the film also has some seriously beautiful shots in it, which is always unexpected with these big blockbusters. Overall, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is a very well made and ever entertaining action sci-fi flick that continues the story of John Connor and Arnold very well.



6/10 - Ricki and the Flash is far from being outstanding, but certainly serves a role in being above average entertainment and a showcase for some of the actors. Meryl Streep, in classic Streep fashion, is fantastic as Ricki/Linda, the wannabe rockstar who tries to mend her fractured relationship with her children. Mamie Gummer is also great as her daughter and Rick Springfield does quite well as Ricki's bandmate and boyfriend. The film is quite well written by Diablo Cody and well directed by Jonathan Demme, though neither are fantastic, but get the job done here. The film is also quite funny and touching throughout, seamlessly transitioning between serious and comedic scenes with nary a hitch. Overall, Ricki and the Flash is an entertaining film that certainly is no Award winner, but you could do far worse going to the cinema here at the end of summer.



5/10 - The A-Team is an over-the-top, destructive action film that despite sometimes drifting into some seriously silly and idiotic sequences, never fails to be entertaining. At no moment is The A-Team ever even remotely original, but all the same, it manages to keep a hold of you as you try to see how they will figure out how to best the bad guy in stupendous fashion. Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Sharlto Copley, and Patrick Wilson, are all quite good here and one certainly wishes they would all appear together in a better film. Yet, as is, their chemistry is quite good here and they all go very well in this one, so I cannot complain too much. The action sequences are well put together, even if the over the top nature of the film is a bit much to believe and the CGI is quite noticeable at times. Yet, going back to that pesky entertainment aspect, the film is always a fun thrill ride that provides more than a few laughs along the way. As summer action movies go, The A-Team is solid entertainment that certainly lacks quality, but is fun nonetheless.

Alicia Vikander can sit on my face. Although this movie had one major muckup that only I would catch. Time period was set before the first Jaguar E type Roadster came out so that was a major boner killer since they got that wrong. Shame on you Guy Ritchie. Although there was a Jag E type roadster so my boner came back. Because dat car pretty.

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7/10 - Hitch was a film I expected to not like, but at the end of the day, I really had a lot of fun with this one. A funny and charming buddy comedy, Hitch features a great comedic duo in Will Smith and Kevin James that really carry this one. Smith's charisma was a perfect match for James' awkwardness. The film was also really well written for a comedy and the jokes were, largely, smart instead of low brow, which I greatly appreciated. The main sin committed by this one is the classic love story element here where an unexpected guy manages to land the gorgeous girl that is way out of his league. In addition, much of the conflict arises from easily explainable situations that just get blown out of proportion. Without these, the film would be better, but also likely wouldn't exist, so I cannot complain too much. Overall, Hitch is a fun film that is light entertainment.



8/10 - An incredibly inventive and fun animated film, Wreck-It Ralph is an incredibly cool and fun take on old arcade games and the world they could exist in. Featuring great voice performances from John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, and many others, the film is brilliantly animated and never ceases to entertain from beginning to end. In addition, the world it imagines for all your favorite arcade characters is both vast and incredibly creative. The writing is also very well done and the characters are very well done, multi-dimensional characters. This lends into the story being very entertaining and as creative as the world it exists in. I did not expect to love this one as much as I did, but ultimately, Wreck-It Ralph is a brilliantly animated film that hits all the right notes.



8/10 - A true science fiction classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still has a fantastic premise that is very well executed and stands the test of time. The film also has very good special effects for 1951 that obviously look bad by today's standards, but are impressive to be 64 years old. In addition, the film is rightfully very influential for the genre and you can really see why with just how entertaining and masterfully put together this one is. Overall, The Day the Earth Stood Still is just as harrowing and entertaining as it was 64 years ago.



7/10 - As a huge rap fan, I was very eager to check this one out and I am ultimately very glad that I did. An authentic look at NWA and the hype surrounding them, the film works as both a biopic and as a drama. The acting, from a relatively unknown cast, is great. O'Shea Jackson Jr, Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, R. Marcos Taylor, and Keith Stanfield, all stood out in particular. Though very negative towards the police, the film does a very good job presenting the film from the viewpoint of our, admittedly, biased narrators. That is not to say I doubt the authenticity of the film at all though, because cops can certainly be racist, especially in Los Angeles. Overall, Straight Outta Compton is an expertly made film by director F. Gary Gray and presents Hollywood with a number of very talented black actors to now start casting in future films hopefully. Entertaining, well directed, well written, and well acted, Straight Outta Compton is never great, but certainly met my expectations. Oh and the music is awesome, of course.



7/10 - At times, the sequel to one of the best comedies ever made reaches the heights of the original, but generally, it falls short of those highs. Not nearly as funny or quotable, the film fails to be as good as its predecessor. However, it is still hilarious and incredibly quotable, which certainly helps matters. Though the plot is pretty dumb, Leslie Nielsen is still the man and the film really works as intended, which is all you can ask. A fun film from beginning to end.

8/10 - Captivating and spooky from the very beginning, Alejandro Amenabar's The Others lives up to my expectations of a creepy and scary horror film. Featuring a stellar score composed by Amenabar himself, The Others also has a great lead performance from Nicole Kidman and good supporting turns from Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann, and James Bentley. Relying largely on the fear of the unknown, the film is a major success and really keeps you on the edge of your seat as you try to piece everything together. The great music accompanying the film is also a major player in this role as he truly keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot as a whole is also very good and the storyline is well conceived and executed. In addition, the twists and turns this one takes really elevate it above your typical ghost story. Finally, the cinematography is gorgeous. Largely taking place at a single location, the film utilizes it to its full creepy potential and quite beautifully at the same time. Overall, The Others is an expertly crafted horror thriller that manages to entertain while also bringing a lot to the table artistically.



4/10 - 6 Years honestly has a lot going for it. It is well directed by Hannah Fidell and is well acted thanks to the turns from Taissa Farmiga and Ben Rosenfeld, though the whole cast does a good job. The film also does a great job capturing the sad mood in the air as this relationship is put through the ringer. It does a very good job capturing the feelings experienced by both partners and leaves the viewer feeling deeply affected by them. Treated with respect, the couple feels entirely human and the film does a great job letting the viewer decide for themselves who is at fault for everything that happens, as it never takes sides. However, where the film suffers is that not only is it largely unoriginal, but the path it travels on has been explored before by much better films. Maybe those films are not as visceral and the relationships may differ, but a film about a relationship in turmoil or the nature of these long-term relationships is nothing unique. Compared to those, this one is quite light and nowhere near as good, though it never truly missteps at any singular point. Overall, there are better choices for films about relationships, but if you choose to watch 6 Years, you could do a lot worse.



8/10 - Overall, Black Mass is a good film largely elevated by the acting. While Scott Cooper's direction is tight and taut of the film as a whole, he does his best work bringing out the best in his cast. Just like his previous films, the acting is where it soars. Johnny Depp is stellar, Joel Edgerton is fantastic, while the rest of the cast highlighted by Benedict Cumberbatch, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, David Harbour, Peter Sarsgard, Rory Cochrane, Adam Scott, Brad Carter, and Juno Temple, are all also great in the film. Truly, no one does a bad job, but those are just the ones who stood out to me the most. Yeah sure, I named most of the cast. Sue me. The film's writing is also very good and it does a great job telling the story of Whitey Bulger and shows his multiple sides; the friend, the father, the husband, and the ruthless killer. Great at capturing the visceral terror inspired by Bulger and the sense of fear surrounding him like a black cloud, the film does a great job capturing the atmosphere needed. Another major strength of the film is the makeup. Both Depp and Plemons' transformations stand out the most, but they are truly remarkable and unrecognizable in their roles, while becoming their character looks-wise (and acting-wise). Finally, the costume design was also very good and looked the part. Overall, Black Mass is a very good gangster biopic. There are far better gangster flicks and far better biopics, but not many films have such a fantastic cast from top to bottom that knock all of their roles out of the park.



7/10 - The Mist is truly a mixed bag. The beginning is quite weak. Though as hectic as it should be as the townsfolk try to piece together what is happening, the acting really holds it back. However, once we get into the swing of things, the acting remains negligible but the increased tension and edge of your seat moments of terror are worth it. Though far from being a truly horrifying film, the film manages to be incredibly intense and thrilling and, thanks to the camerawork, chaotic and somewhat claustrophobic. However, what truly sets the film apart from practically anything I have ever watched is the ending. Oh my God what an incredible ending. The book ending sounds nice, but holy cow this blows it out of the water. The film up to that sequence is solid, but far from being near extraordinary. The ending transcends the rest of the film and truly elevates the preceding ~two hours. Wow. Overall, The Mist is a good science fiction horror film with a killer ending that will stick with you for a while.



8/10 - A definite slow burn, A Most Violent Year is an at times thrilling, but always riveting film. From the establishing shot, the first is entirely captivating and truly ropes you in as you become invested in the going's on of the characters. Interestingly, it feels like a gangster film with the way it is shot and the way in which things occur, even though it is not, which I believe to be intentional due to the way the characters toe that line throughout. The film is gorgeously shot, as anticipated. Truly, it has to be one of the most beautiful films I have watched recently and one of the best examples of cinematography this decade. Honestly, it is ravishing. The acting equals the brilliance of the camera work as well, thanks to stellar performances from Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, David Oyelowo, and the rest of the cast. If Isaac does not become recognized as one of the best actors of this generation soon, I may cry. The same goes for director J.C. Chandor who has to be one of the best directors working right now. Following up top-notch films in Margin Call and All Is Lost with this flick is impeccable. I am eagerly anticipating what he puts together next and he certainly is a talent that is demanding to be focused on. One of the top films of 2014, A Most Violent Year flew painfully under-the-radar and demands to be watched.



8/10 - A truly compelling film about disgraced journalist Stephen Glass, Shattered Glass rides on the impressive performances of its cast and fantastic storytelling. The writing and direction from Billy Ray are both great and make for a fantastic film, but as I said, the real success here is the acting. Peter Sarsgaard steals the spotlight from the title character throughout with a fantastic performance as Chuck Lane, the new editor at The New Republic. However, Hayden Christensen is still phenomenal as Stephen Glass, while Chloe Sevigny, Steve Zahn, and Hank Azaria, are also all really good here. Billy Ray's debut feature, Shattered Glass is better than his follow-up to it, Breach, solely because this one never feels boring. Sure, the length helps with that, but it always manages to entertain, inform, and be an overall great watch. A very good film with A+ acting, Shattered Glass tells a cautionary tale about the loopholes that can be found in journalism.



7/10 - The long-awaited sequel to Top Gun has apparently already been made; it is titled "Days of Thunder". Essentially, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell has become Cole Trickle and a NASCAR driver. That is honestly the only difference between the two films. As such, this one is incredibly enjoyable. The racing scenes are intense and very well done. The characters, much like Top Gun, are enjoyable and though quite generic, they are pretty well put together. But, sure, the similarities to Top Gun do hurt it because they did just take the same plotlines and re-do them, but since Top Gun is absolutely hysterical and over-the-top enjoyable, so is Days of Thunder. Plus, even as a non-NASCAR fan, I truly believe it was a great portrayal of racing and racers. For that, Days of Thunder is nowhere near as bad as many say it is, rather it is a very good popcorn flick that entertains in spades.



7/10 - Everest is an absolute thrill ride that needs to be experienced in IMAX 3D. Featuring solid acting and a decent emotional story, the real success of Everest comes with the incredible visuals and special effects. Honestly, I felt cold felt watching these guys try to climb Mt. Everest successfully. As a story, it may feel generic and the guys who are portrayed here do deserve a better film about their true story and their life as guides on Everest. However, this one does do a decent job telling their story and certainly treats its real life people with tremendous respect and grace. Just because the story takes a backseat to the visuals does not mean it is ignored. An obvious front runner for numerous technical Academy Awards, Everest is a visual wonder that pulls all out of the stops visually and emotionally as you watch their harrowing climb and tragic demise.



8/10 - Up in the Air continued Jason Reitman's early hot streak before his more recent missteps and though I prefer Thank You for Smoking and Juno, Up in the Air is still a good film. With a great emotional center and theories on loneliness, happiness, marriage, and purpose in life, the film has a lot to say throughout. The writing is spectacular as is the direction and when the characters feel hurt, so does the audience. This is largely thanks to the great acting from George Clooney, Anna Kendrick, and Vera Farmiga. However, the true success of the film comes from how real it all feels. It never feels fake and it almost feels as though you are watching a documentary about these regular people. In addition, it was very timely with its release, as it focuses on a guy who fires people for a living and came out in 2009. On the topic of starting over, the film does a very good job and portrays these people with a lot of compassion and honesty. Overall, Up in the Air is a very good film that has a great emotional center that makes it really hit home for people of all ages and features Anna Kendrick's breakout performance, which really stole the show.



7/10 - An action-packed thrill ride, World War Z does a great job blending those two genres with some elements of horror and really manages to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Brad Pitt is great in the lead role and entirely convincing as humanity's last hope. The film also does a great job eliciting emotion from the audience, as there are a few scenes that really keep you on the edge of your seat and that take you by surprise. This is in large part thanks to the some great direction from Marc Forster and some very good cinematography. The special effects with the zombies are also incredible, as is the makeup. The film definitely feels as though it is setting up for a sequel and I would definitely love to see one be made, especially considering how this one does not quite feel finished due to that. Overall, World War Z is an expertly made action-thriller that manages to entertain throughout.

8/10 - A look into the dark, twisted world of the porn industry, Boogie Nights manages to be a film about porn that never slips into being actual porn. Thanks to the great direction and writing from Paul Thomas Anderson, Boogie Nights may have subjective subject matter, but uses that solely as a springboard into the lives of dark, troubled people who are actually incredibly sympathetic, believable, and relatable. In a sign of things to come, the film uses an ensemble cast to great effect with phenomenal performances from Mark Wahlberg, Burt Reynolds, Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, John C. Reilly, Alfred Molina, Thomas Jane, and many others. Truly, Anderson knows how to get the most out of ensemble casts and this film plus Magnolia stand as stunning proof of just that. A brilliant character study, Boogie Nights is a brilliant work from a brilliant mind that may not be his best work, but is an incredibly impressive film to have come from a sophomore director.



3/10 - A cautionary tale about the abuse of painkillers, Perfect High definitely exceeded my expectations. I truly anticipated this being the worst film I would ever watch, but it was actually pretty engaging and serves as a good warning to the target audience about the trappings of drugs, which is a good cause. The acting, writing, and direction, are all incredibly poor, however. There are also many better films that showcase the downfall of addiction (Trainspotting and Requiem for a Dream come to mind), but as the teen version of those films, this one does hit the same themes and serves its purpose. Taken as a warning against drug use, this one is not that bad. I would not recommend it, but if you are forced into watching it, you could do far worse.



9/10 - The Omen is an absolutely terrifying film. Riding on mood and tension, as created in large part by the terrific score, The Omen manages to entertain and terrify throughout with bone chilling reveal after bone chilling reveal. The score is not the only phenomenal part of the film, however, the direction and writing are also quite good, as is the acting from Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, David Warner, Billie Whitelaw, and Harvey Spencer Stephens. Overall, The Omen lives up to its title as a "classic" and is a truly harrowing cinematic experience.



6/10 - A fun and campy horror gorefest, From Dusk Till Dawn certainly ranks up there with the weirdest movies I have encountered during my journey through film. From the major tonal shift to the fact that it exists as a decent movie in many different genres, and to the fact that it stars George Clooney viciously killing vampires, From Dusk Till Dawn is quite the experience. It is never truly a horror film in the sense that it scares you, but it is one in the sense that it truly just lingers within you. Once you watch this one, you have become the undead and will never switch back. Weird turn after weird turn reveal a wildly entertaining if over-the-top film that truly never fails to live up to my expectations for it. It is not a great film, but is a fun one and has some classic Tarantino writing and gore, plus a good performance from George Clooney, and solid direction form Robert Rodriguez. A Tarantino-Clooney-Rodriguez group project can never truly can too awry, now can it? Overall, this one is a nice, light break from more serious horror films during the lead up to any Halloween.



8/10 - Rosemary's Baby is always a capable psychological thriller, but truly becomes horrifying at the end when the baby is finally due. Throughout, you almost wonder how much is really true, but by the end, oh my is it scary. Mia Farrow is phenomenal as the titular character. John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, and Sidney Blackmer, are all also very, very good in their roles. Roman Polanski, despite all of his personal shortfalls, is truly a wondrous director. Though I prefer Chinatown, this one is still phenomenal in every category relevant. Truly a master class example of the psychological thriller genre, Rosemary's Baby is deserving of its crown as a classic.



8/10 - Wow, Corpse Bride truly shocked me. Ultimately, what we got was a beautiful blend of Tim Burton's creepy gothic look, a Halloween-esque backdrop, and a wonderful meditation on love and marriage. Featuring brilliant voice acting from the entire cast, especially Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, and Albert Finney, the film strikes many a chord throughout, but never ceases to be visually stunning. Honestly, this may be one of the best animated films I have ever encountered. The attention to detail and true visual splendor, is incredible. The final sequence may be one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in a film before. Just...wow. In addition, the music is stellar, but all things created by Danny Elfman have to be, no? I think that is a rule at this point. Overall, Corpse Bride is a wonderful animated film that is funny, romantic, charming, and magnificently animated and created.



6/10 - The Weather Man is a decidedly average film, but does present many strengths. Hyper realistic with great and relatable characters, the film really hits home quite often. Nicolas Cage, Hope Davis, and Michael Caine, are all great in their respective roles and, much like the film itself, bring a human quality to their characters. The writing is also very good and the direction from Gore Verbinski is solid, all winding up with a top-notch character study. However, what truly hurts this one, is the main character. Though realistic and relatable, he is entirely too easy to hate to the point that when things go well for him, we do not care. When things go poorly, we feel he deserves it. This may be the point, but it makes it tough to enjoy a film when you hate the protagonist. Honestly, serial killer and mob movies have more likable people as the protagonists than this one. Despite this, as I said, The Weather Man is decidedly average on a wholistic level, but does bring a lot of quality to the table and was quite an easy watch and never drifted into boredom territory, in large part thanks to its honest and realistic approach to its characters.



7/10 - The Bourne Identity is in many ways your classic spy thriller and in many ways not your classic spy thriller. The ways in which it subverts it genre largely rest in the blending of mystery with the action spy thriller genre. The mysterious nature of the film and its protagonist really help it to become different than your classic spy movie. However, it still is a spy movie, right down to the over-the-top European location. This does not mean it is not a good spy movie, however. Endlessly entertaining with brilliant action set pieces, added in with the twists and turns of every good spy movie, The Bourne Identity really does it job well. Mat t Damon, Franka Potente, and Chris Cooper, are all very good in their roles and it is no surprise as to why this one exploded the way it did. Overall, very satisfied.



7/10 - A decidedly jarring and terrifying experience, The Nameless is a criminally underseen and underrated film (just 5 reviews on RT with a 20% approval rating). A Spanish horror flick, The Nameless is quite mssed up, but does a great job terrifying the viewer with a pretty good score, darkness (be afraid of the dark honestly), and some pretty good cinematography. It does meander a bit and gets a bit bogged down in the details at times, but really keeps you on the edge of your seat and manages to scare you on multiple levels. Creepy, atmospheric, and entirely twisted, The Nameless really keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Have you seen Matchstick Men Spangs? One of my favorite Nic Cage movies.

Thank you to My boys @Merica and @Ragnar for the lovely sigs!

saw the martian was good go see it faggots