YOUTH AND REVOLT

SUMMARY: Michael Cera plays a lonely teenager named Nick Twisp. He has an interesting way of thinking, and funny taste in movies and music for his age. That intern keeps him a virgin. He lives with his mother who only wants attention, which leads her to picking D- guys as boyfriends. Nick basically has nothing to live for. Till him, his mom, and boyfriend go on a "vacation", he soon after meets the girl of his dreams and to win her over he must get some help. Help from inside himself, the dark side.

ACTING: Michael Cera plays two completely different characters in this movie. That is amazing in itself, if you say Cera cant act, i'll call you a liar to your FACE. Not only that but this movie was a comedy even though no "jokes" were said. The dry humor was like a desert, but the audience were laughing till tears flowed. Also, new comer Portia Doubleday played a great confusing, yet intriguing girl named Sheeni.

SCRIPT: This movie is based off a book, which after hearing the dialogue I REALLY want to read. There is always a subtle town of sarcasm or a joke at someone's expense. Everyone's lines just flowed together so well, I love when its all natural speech.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: The camera placement for each scene was rather good. Most impressive was the use of slow motion for the life changing moments and having epic music playing in the background. Great use of green screen as well.

RE-WATCHABILITY: I actually want this movie on DVD. It gives an interesting perspective on first love, and an out of this world adventure of what you would do to keep it. If you liked Super Bad and have an odd sense of humor then you'd probably want to watch this... repeatedly.

PLOT: The idea of creating an alter ego, and showing what the ego would look like from the creators perspective was very new. Being able to see the "other Nick" made the movie so much better. Especially with them both being on the screen at the same time. I have no idea how parallel the movie is with the book, but either way it was great!

RATING: ☃☃☃☃

SHERLOCK HOLMES

SUMMARY: A more modern day look on the book "Sherlock Holmes" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Directed by the always improving Guy Ritchie, this movie was one of the top of 2009. Even though this was a modern day look on the movie, it was still set in the same time period. The film follows Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Watson, on trying to uncover the truth behind this magician's mysterious resurrection.

ACTING: Robert Downey Jr. at his finest once again. Able to capture such a unique english accent, he makes it impossible to forget his character. Playing the usual witty/asshole keeps the movie funny and interesting. Jude Law (to my surprise) did exceptionally well. Not as useless as the Watson in the actual book but a doctor and ex-military man. More of the normal one he seemed to have his head screwed on straight but also liked danger as well. I saw the characters of the story, not the actors.

SCRIPT: The whole movie was fast pace action and a fast pace story line. So of course the dialogue was the same, quick wit, mixed with even faster retorts. Sherlock and Watson go back and forth through the entire movie. In their english accents they sound quite sophisticated but still have a child like sense of humor.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: ...OMG. Was the thought I had while I was watching the movie. Guy Ritchie made sure to play with the speed of the camera, as well as showing short clips when he "explained" a before scene. Such a visual explanation on how Holme's came to his conclusion, helped the audience piece together and understand the storyline. So, applaud him.

RE-WATCHABILITY: Personally, I've seen this movie three times. Don't ask, but each time, I catch myself still in aw of the fight scenes, laughing at the same jokes, and walk away pleased that I was there for it. Yes, once the mystery is reviled it takes a certain "aw" away from the movie, but now I can watch the other aspects of the film.

PLOT: In the books of Sherlock Holmes, the crimes were much more realistic and earthly. In the movie, how ever, they play with magic and very cool devices. Again, just another twist the seems to ripen the movie instead of taking something from it.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃ one of the top 3 movies of 09'.

Upular

I have yet to see "UP" but this really caught my eye.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

SUMMARY: This epic imaginative tale is based on the picture book by Maurice Sendak. A recreation of a fond memory was aimed to please and hit its mark. I refuse to even give up a sliver of real information in hopes that you'll see it. The journey of this boy will be remembered for lifetimes.

ACTING: The main character, A little bad ass kid named Max, is played so well for his age. The connection your able to form with Max, brings you to feel like you know him, understand him, and start to care about him. The monsters he encounters, the monsters inside himself, also have there very own specific personalities, allowing for each character to stand out and be noticed.

SCRIPT: Since the movie was first a picture book. There wasn't very much of a script to go off of, just a story. Yet, what was written to fill in the blanks from the book only enhanced and enriched the story ten fold. The speech was so natural for such an unnatural tale, that some of the one-liners will certainly become classic. The symbolism in this movie would definitely be more enjoyed by psychologist and not children.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: I cant express how important the way this movie needed to be filmed. To bring back the feelings of childhood and imagination, there were certain angles that needed to be captured. Spike Jonze, the director, had a vision that was pertinent in seizing the feeling we all longed for.

RE-WATCHABILITY: WHO COULD EVER GET TIRED OF THIS? If my day was good, if my day was bad, I could inject this DVD in the player, and only increase my "happiness level". For people who weren't read the book as a child or do not remember as vividly the story, this movie will not have the same effect. But, for people like me, who could recite the whole thing, you can only pray that your soul doesn't explode with love.

PLOT: This timeless story is like nothing ever published. Its great for children (confusing for them) and adults (also confusing), but because of the feeling you get after watching you feel like you understand. Like an abstract painting, it's not the image on the screen, but the one in your heart. You begin the movie highly interested and leave satisfied. Thats all the plot you really need...

Bonus: MUSIC: The soundtrack for this movie, again, can only be described as abstract. Wild chanting, upbeat sounds and rhythm, you find yourself smiling for no reason. Since this is such an original story its only right that the music be the same way.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃☃ because you can't rate love.

OBSSESSED

SUMMARY: A young and very high-up business man (Idris Elba), is enticed,tormented almost, by a beautiful new temp. Luckily, he is in love with his wife (Beyoncé Knowles) and does everything he can to stay faithful.  This one sided office romance becomes something way more as the story goes on.

ACTING: I was happy to see Idris Elba not typed cast in this role. He played this upper-class black man very well. But lets move on....Beyoncé....Beyoncé Beyoncé Beyoncé (shaking my head). Frankly, she needs an acting coach, her lines had no feeling but were just recited.  As much as I wanted to see a loving wife I just saw....well, Beyoncé. The most enjoyable to watch by far was Ali Later, she WAS the crazy office girl. From her eyes to her creepy smile I can honestly say she was the most unsettling to watch and most fascinating.

SCRIPT: Not that interesting, especially when read by a person who will not be named. The story sometimes flowed from being days, to being months, not much of a transition but the movie did progress. It was also interesting how well the two women could fight...being corporate and all.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Nothing too serious with the camera.

RE-WATCHABILITY: If you love Beyoncé as much as I do, you'll even by the Blu-Ray!!!! Zero re-watchability, some thrillers you miss somethings and have to recap. This movie is figured out one time through.

PLOT: The story-line was amazing, I haven't seen a white woman chasing a black  man since To Kill A Mockingbird; made me think about Jungle Fever if it had gone terribly wrong.  I enjoyed the idea of the movie more then the movie itself. Hopefully in 25 years the remake will make me proud.

RATING:☃☃

WATCHMEN

SUMMARY: WHY ARE MOVIES GETTING SO GOOD??!? This  director, Zach Snyder, captured the dark side of superhero movies and comics perfectly.  When life doesn't have happy endings and the truth is hard to see.  Touching on the topics of whose right is it to judge and if you have the power to do something, anything, should you use it?  Powerful stuff.

ACTING: A lot of people rate The Dark Knight as the top superhero movie because of the incredible acting done by Heath Ledger (RIP).  Yet, I argue this tops it because of the amazing acting done the whole crew.  Everyone goes all out on this movie and the emotions can be felt.  Each superhero is given his/hers own background that intertwines with the others.

SCRIPT: The same type of monologue like in 300, Sin City, and The Spirt let you know this is still a comic book. The superhero Rorschach likes to talk to himself, lucky we can listen. Letting you inside the main characters head, and letting the viewer think he/she is seeing everything... but the main character can get tricked.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:  In the beginning credits there is a slow moving camera shot that I have never seen for a long period of time.  A type of still shot that must have only lasted for 5 seconds or less, but because of the slow moving shot it takes on a longer scene.  Taking you through the years of the superhero and how when the world evolves, so do the heros.  It gave a brief history of real events and fake ones but that were related to the movie.

RE-WATCHABILITY: Is a long movie no doubt but I reeeeeeally want to see it again. So what does that say?

PLOT: The setting of the movie was set during Nixon, Carter, and Reagan during the time of tension between the United States and Soviet Union.  Although, in the actual movie Nixon is president for 5 terms.  It gives a alternative perspective on history about wars. Yet, I think what offsets this movie from not only any other comic movie, but any movie in general, is the humor.  This movie is a pitch black dark comedy, that is sad but funny.  It takes you into the psychology of people, and what the human race really is.  It holds a mirror to your face without you even noticing it, and has you look upon yourself.  Life is a cruel joke, but try and be the last one laughing.

Bonus:FIGHT SCENES: No kung fu movies have come out in America in a while. So its nice to see some fight sequences done correctly.  With the sound effects done at full throttle and made amazing your almost grimacing at every sound of a face punched in.  Along with special effects, there is no nice fighting happening in this movie. Graphic novel would be the correct term with out a doubt.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃

THE READER

SUMMARY: The Reader is a romance film, originally a book, that crosses over very well.  The story is about a young German teenager who meets an older woman and begins an affair with her.  Coming from two different generations, sparks fly during the movie, but love knows no bounds....right?  

ACTING: First and foremost, congratulations to Kate Winslet for winning her Oscar.  She is amazing in the movie and deserved every bit of praise.  Her passion was very realistic and had me in awe the whole time.  I didn't know Ralph Fiennes was such a good actor either.  Surprising me with his off reality perception and always in the past gases, he makes you wonder what he has been through.  David Cross is also an up and coming actor who seemed to grow with his character grew.

SCRIPT: Probably an amazing book because the dialogue was so good, but also each scene keeps you engaged with another thought and another feeling every time.  Since people were suppose to be speaking in German, there was still that no nonsense feel to their speaking even though in english.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: Like most good movies now a days, there is very specific and perfect camera placement.  Allowing for what would be the best spot to view the specific scene, thus it needs to be appreciated.

RE-WATCHABILITY: A top romance in my opinion, your choice if its date worthy, but I enjoyed it even though I'm not much a romantic kind of guy :).  

PLOT: I call this film a Drama as well because it has so many turns and keeps you guessing all through the movie.  My jaw was dropping constantly on every twist in the story.  No way to guess what happens.

RATING:☃☃☃☃☃

PRESTO

This was an Oscar nominated film that didn't win, but I think the concept is great. The animation is really well done, I mean it's Pixar, what did you expect!? Enjoy.

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

SUMMARY: Daniel Plainview is an oil-man. He has been drilling oil almost his whole adult life, and knows everything there is about finding it. He loves only one thing, his son, and only knows one product, oil. There Will Be Blood takes you through the life of Mr. Plainview, and how the greed of oil can destroy you and the ones you love.

ACTING: Daniel Day-Lewis is hands down one of the top five actors of our time. He envelops himself in the role and becomes the character he plays. His acting can scare the audience into forgetting this is a movie. Paul Dano, the needle in Daniel's side, also delivers a heavy role as a preacher and is captivating to the end. Together these two make an amazingly dark movie, colder, with every scene.

SCRIPT: For the first ten minutes of the film (I won't ruin anything), there is pure anticipation. The movie is very long but the dialogue is shorter then most movies on average. The facial expressions, movement of characters, and feel of the movie make it what it is, top notch.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: The characters had many one shot takes, when there was only one camera and no mistakes coud be made. That is a hard thing for the actors and film crew to accomplish but is amazing once pulled off. Many times the film was rolling way before any words were spoken, pure genius, takes a good director and an even better film crew.

RE-WATCHABILITY:A long movie, but exceptional in every way. When there is a movie-a-thon going on in the house, this is an easy selection for adults. Not for the virgin ears or eyes though.

PLOT: Not a lot of oil movies out that I have heard of, but this must be the best. Taking a complex character like Daniel Plainview and putting him into the competitive world of oil, had to have made for a good book. Since the movie is so good, I am assuming the book is even better. I digress, the multiple conflicts that lead to the one ultimate climax, keeps the viewer on edge through this long movie. Something hard to do in the age of short attention spans.

Bonus: MUSIC: The soundtrack was made by the lead guitarist of RADIOHEAD, so you alread know the genius involved. With very subtle violins and other strings, it builds the scenes up and can bring them down. Nothing like you have ever heard, so make sure you remember and peep while you watch.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃

OBSERVE AND REPORT

OBSERVE AND REPORT trailer