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

Catch Up

Toy Story 3:

While I don't consider this one to be as good as the first two, this latest entry is still good. It would have been up there with the other two if the film stayed to be as good as it did in the first 15 minutes. Some new stuff worked (the daycare plot, the toys at that little girl's house) and others than didn't (spanish Buzz Lightyear, Ken doll). I think it's still worth your time.

Overall Grade: B

The A-Team

Is it like the TV show, in ways, yes. This one is much more action packed. Some of the action scenes ranged from cool to completely idiotic. The cast was hit and miss. If you're looking for something big and stupid, it'll most likely be worth your time.

Overall Grade: C+