Major Update

So my laptop is dead, and I got screwed by HP with their warranty, fuck them

Here is a major update, I'm trying to remember everything I've seen since I've last updated, bare with me.

Black Swan:

Holy shit, Aronofsky can still make insane flicks. I really do hope that this gets some award wins. The acting is great from the whole cast, the cinematography was insane, and the story works. My only complaint was it ended in a similar way like one of his previous films, I won't tell you which one.

Overall Grade: A-

Enter The Void:

Wow, this movie was a total fucking trip. Quite possibly one of the most ambitious films I've seen in years. Noe's camerawork isn't as nauseating as Irreversible, but I think this film is very well-done. NOT FOR EVERYONE!

Overall Grade: A

The Fighter:

While this is one of those predictable, yet inspiring sports biopic, there was a real edge to this one that stand outs. I'd say the adult-orientated subject and it's often funny as well. David O. Russell's choice of biopic was perfect for him. I really do hope that Christian Bale gets nominated cause he was fucking good. Mark Walhberg was Mark Walhberg, but that isn't a bad thing cause Marky Mark is a badass.

Overall Grade: B+

Faster:

This film tries too hard to be a clever revenge tale, that is really is just a cliched revenge film. There were certain aspects with this film that you can tell that the writer thought he was a genius when he wrote this. The Rock (I don't give a fuck if he doesn't go by that anymore, he's still The Rock to me) is giving much to do, just walk fast, look angry, and shoot people. The film characters' name were fucking archetypes (Cop, Killer, Driver), GEE, HOW FUCKING ORIGINAL. I originally thought that this was going to only focus on The Rock, but it focus on two other characters, Billy Bob Thorton as a junkie cop and some annoying British guy as a killer assigned to kill The Rock. The killer portion of the film was so pointless, just of bunch of pretentious rambling that doesn't make any sense. At first, I thought this film was average, but once the plot twist comes in, I was instantly turned off.

Overall Grade: D+

Micmacs:

Normally, I'm a huge fan of Jean Pierre Jeunet. While I'm not saying this film was bad, I still liked it. It just wasn't as strong as his previous work (Amelie is fucking amazing). While Jeunet's films rely on whimsical visual gags, I thought it was too whimsical. It seems like he was overdoing it to cover the flaws. I will say, I still liked the film.

Overall Grade: B

127 Hours

James Franco gives an award worthy performance in this, since he is pretty much the film. The films plays like your typical Danny Boyle film, but that is not really a bad thing though.

Overall Grade: B+

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

While I did like this film, I think it relied too heavily on plot twist, there was a twist every 10-15 minutes, after awhile I just wanted it to get on with the conclusion.

Overall Grade: B

Skyline:

This is quite possibly one of the worst films that I've ever seen, I have nothing good to say about and my complaints with this film will take forever. I think I might just do a separate entry on this just to talk about how much I hated it.

Overall Grade: F

Valhalla Rising:

I call this the brutal, yet artsy viking movie. I was expecting something more action-packed, but I got something better. Go an watch this one. Nicolas Refn Wedding is slowly becoming one of my favorite directors (check out Bronson....fucking amazing, plus is stars Tom Hardy, who is going to be huge).

Overall Grade: A-

Life During Wartime:

Just as good as Happiness, the approach was rather unique. I can't say that this film is for everyone, the issue tackled in this and Happiness can be disturbing for many people. Others will find the humor in this, I hope Todd Solondz doesn't take another 6 years to make another film.

Overall Grade: A-

Update

The Social Network

Well-acted and directed, my only complaint was that Trent Reznor's score was a little much at times.

Overall Grade: B+

Dogtooth

Quite possibly one of the most unique and disturbing films I've seen this year, not for everyone, but if you're able to sit through it, you'll find something that is quite powerful.

Overall Grade: A

Trash Humpers

This is not for everyone, this is possibly the best work from Harmony Korine, while I laughed at some parts, I was disturbed throughout the majority of it.

Overall Grade: B

Middle Men

Didn't feel like there was much of a movie, just a bunch of narration to me. Luke Wilson isn't bad, but it just seems like it relied too heavily on the narration aspect.

Overall Grade: C-

The Town

Ben Affleck proves that he is a much better director than he is an actor. The story was good and the acting was mostly good. While I don't consider this ilm amazing, you should still check it.

Overall Grade: B

The Killer Inside Me

This movie is fucking brutal, there are a couple scenes that could be a little much for people. I thought one scene was just pure overkill on how one violent scene was directed. I saw improved perormances from Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson, but Casey Affleck seemed like he was doing more of the same.

Overall Grade: B-

Update

The American

This film reminded me of the old Europeans film that would contain one american, that being Clooney. The film is beautifully made, but its pacing may turn off casual movie goer. My only complaint was the tastefully cliche ending.

Overall Grade: A-

Machete

This is pure violent fun, this doesn't dissapoint. I personally thought they could have trimmed at least 10-15 minutes. The cast was obviously having fun with this one.

Overall Grade: B+

Resident Evil: Afterlife

I still haven't changed my mind about Paul W.S. Anderson, he still sucks. These sequels get more stupid every time.

Overall Grade: D-

Another catch up

Predators

While it's not better than the first one, it sure beats the shit out of the AVP movies. Plays more like a reboot of the second film. This one is also better than the second film as well. The cast does its job with the material, despite the insanely predictable twist ending with a certain "out of place" character. Still a good entry regardless.

Overall Grade: B

Piranha 3-D

Similar to My Bloody Valentine in 3-D, but far more superior. This film provides boobs, gore, and laughs. This is possibly one of the most fun films I've seen this summer. If your expecting something serious, you should see something else.

Overall Grade: B+

The Square

This film is similar to films like Body Heat and Blood Simple, but made by Austrailians. It is definetly one of the best neo-noirs that I've seen in awhile. You should definetly check out this film debut from Nash Edgerton, I'm keeping my eye of this guy's future work.

Overall Grade: A-

Massive Update

So I obviously haven't been on in awhile (enjoying my summer and working now), I've also caught plenty of flicks

Inception

Would I call this one of the most amazing films ever? No. Is it good? Indeed it is. Everything works so well when it opens and flows well throughout, my only complaint was the predictable ending. Any movie that involves the blending of dreams and reality always seem to end the same way, I'm pretty sick of that.

Overall Grade: B+

Dinner For Schmucks

Oh, Paul Rudd, why did you take part in this piss-poor remake. The original was a good and somewhat dark comedy and it also didn't pack a hypocritical message like this new version did. I can't believe what has become of Steve Carrell, went from a good start to now playing the same character in all his movies. The only semi-amusing part was Jermaine Clement from Flight of the Concchords. Dinner For Schmucks schucks.

Overall Grade: D-

Salt

The first hour starts off pretty good, after that, it becomes plot twist after plot wist after plot twist. This film eventually progressed to a giant mess of twists and turns into a rather stupid movie.

The Expendables

Funnest action film this year, while the story is not a strong point, that is not the reason people come to watch this. We want old school actions dude, tons of action, and over the top violence, and the film delivers that. I just wished the film was as awesome as the last 30 minutes.

Overall Grade: B

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

This is the closest to a video game movie that an actual video game movie is going to reach. The film is funny and it's also quite a visual spectacle. I'm surprised Michael Cera has been able to keep this act going after this and Youth In Revolt.

Overall Grade: B

Mother

This film is just so odd, the story is somewhat pretty straightforward, but the way the story is told is so interesting. I have to see this is one of the best films I've seen in involving the relationship between the mother and her son. The film is also pretty funny and very well-made. One of my favorites this year.

Overall Grade: A

Chloe

This film starts off like it's going to lead up to a good erotic thriller, but it just leads up to almost nothing. The film is basically a build-up to nothing. I was enjoying the build-up too, especially when there is a naked Amanda Seyfried.

Overall Grade: C

The Other Guys

Farrell and McKay are still on a roll with this team-up. Mark Wahlberg is fucking great in this as well. If you enjoyed their other mash-ups (Anchorman, Step Brothers), you'll like this.

Overall Grade: B

A Serbian Film

This is quite possibly one the most insane and fucked up movies I have ever seen. I don't want to go into description into what I witnessed. This film is NOT for everyone, and you will not see this playing at a theater near you. While the film is well-made and acted, there is some satire, but the message doesn't exactly pack the punch. If you can stomach films like Salo, Antichrist, and Irreversible, then this film is for you.

Overall Grade: B

Film Review: Greenberg

Greenberg is the latest film from Noah Baumbach (The Squid And The Whale, Kicking And Screaming, Margot At The Wedding), it is also contains one of the best performances from Ben Stiller.

Ben Stiller is Roger Greenberg, a 40 year old who just got out of the hospital after suffering a nervous breakdown. It comes back to LA to "do nothing", he housesits for his brother who is in Vietnam for vacation, gets into an interesting relationship with his brother's assistant Florence (Greta Gerwig), reconnects with some old friends (Rhys Ifan, Mark Duplass (who is really funny in this), and Jennifer Jason Leigh).

To me, this contains the best performance from Stiller, people will tell that he is actually trying to act in this movie. It makes me hope that Stiller will start taking more of these roles. The film perfectly blends comedy and drama.

The only reason someone may not like this movie is the fact that Stiller's character can come off as unlikeable. But that aside, this film is worth your time, you need to go out and find it.

Overall Grade: B+

Film Review: Cyrus

Cyrus is the latest comedy from The Duplass Brothers (The Puffy Chair, Baghead). Like their previous films, these brothers are now taking their mumblecore genre with some mainstream appeal.

John (John C. Reilly) has been divorced for seven years and is still having trouble adjusting to the single life. After going to a party, he meets Molly (Marissa Tomei), John thinks he has found his possibly new life partner. After a couple dates, he finally meets her 21 year-old son Cyrus (Jonah Hill). John is trying to make the romance work with Molly, but he gets the feeling that Cyrus is trying to destroy the romance.

While this cast work very well with the material, it may not be for everyone. The humor is dry and it doesn't play like an Apatow movie. There are good performances from Reilly, Tomei, and Catherine Keener. The real standout for me was Jonah Hill, his performance was rather creepy and dry. Whenever he had this bug-eyed look, he looked rather creepy, but that definetly seemed like what the Duplass Brothers were going for.

Besides the cast, the film is also frequently funny. My only complaint with the film was that I thought that the dark comedy elements just didn't get dark enough. Hill's performance gave this vibe that made it seem like the film was going to go to a dark place. Put it just didn't dig deeper into that element.

If your a fan of the cast and liked either The Puffy Chair or Baghead, this one is worth your time.

Overall Grade: B