Movie Review : Blitz
This is all action without even trying to, Jason is at his best natural self, or what feels like it. Back in form and in England as a cop looking for a cop killer. His pink side on screen partner or boss, is also good and plays just well as a support.
No mistake, this is all action with Jason in the middle, British accent might get a bit jumbled sometimes but not always which also is a good reason to watch it, just because dialogue sounds so manly, civilized with proper etiquette yet so brutally blunt and straight to action.
There is no hiding the facts and mystery for this story, its all plain and out there, but this just serves the purpose, we knowingly watch it to have a good darn time and for the action, but the story is not that bad also, just being honest that the story is not the draw. Good acting with good action intensity, which is not too much not to little, just the right amount of blood.
Best to watch when you are in a happy mood, full of energy and looking for something to watch to pump up the energy levels higher.
Movie Review : Revolver
This movie rocks! The story line is absolutely brilliant and as the movie starts and you hear the narration you immediately feel the movie to be from Guy and that this will be a really good movie.
Its a bit awkward to see Jason with long hair and a beard and I did not even recognize him at first with my mind trying to grasp the visual representation of Jason with all that hair. I think this in itself was part of this whole story, so as we don't immediately input into our minds the preconceived notion that Jason is all action because this movie does not have him do any notable action scenes, mostly running and dodging though.
Ray Liotta as expected is at the top of his game for this one, his on screen personality melded so well with his character that I could not think of anybody else who would be a good fit, it was great to have him on-board for this movie.
As the movie progresses and as the plot thickens, you would think that story would try to hold-off in spilling any info on the mystery, but Guy and this story does not even try to, I think the main point is not to have a big bang at the end with the people having an intense experience while watching the entire movie waiting for the revelation at the end. I think the point is to have a good movie, enjoy the action, the drama the interaction, a bit of mystery enough to have your mind turn and bang, that's it!
Best to watch over the weekend with a clear mind and a bit of junk food on the side.
Movie Review : Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
I recently watched this movie that made prominent internationally Guy Ritchie, Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham and it's just absolutely brilliant. A good mix of a unique intertwined story, action and a bit of scenes to laugh me off my seat.
Multiple story lines that interact with each other was executed very well, acting was perfect for this movie as well as the cast selection.
I can see where the later movie by Guy title Revolver where comes from and it can definitely be only directed by the same person. This kind of story telling is appealing to me and its very entertaining.
A really good watch for the weekend.
Movie Review : Man from Snowy River
This 1982 Australian film with superb acting by Kirk Douglas playing dual roles effortlessly and I did not even notice it was him until almost in the middle of the movie. I found this from one of the online list of gread Australian movies and seeing Kirk's name on the bill just added a bit to my curiosity.
This feels a lot more like it was made in 1970 than 1980 but nonetheless, it still is good. The story is based on a poem by Banjo Paterson which also shares the same title.
This is a story of lad growing up and seeking his own place in the world after he is left alone when his father dies. Tom Burlinson as the lead is really good and it really feels like he started out young with a lot of naivete and as the story unfolds he learns the ropes faces his own demons and overcomes them. Tom's acting is as good as Kirk's but I think Kirk's dual role was the highlight and was just exceptional acting with good directing as even when both roles where face to face, without using so much special effects which was a limitation at the time, the scenes where flawless and seamless.
This movie was so successful that there was a sequel, The man from snow river 2 in 1988 but it did not have Kirk to reprise his role. This a real down under film without hiding it, there are scenes where it sometimes feels like a american western film, but it recovers with great Australian scenes and accents from the actors.
Good to watch in the morning or for brunch during weekends, not for everyone's taste especially for those not interested in western genre or oldies movies.
Movie Review : 13
This one I just literally stumbled upon, I saw Jason Statham's name together with Micky Rourke and I said, this has gotta be a good action movie.
My assumptions were really off, both Jason and Mickey do not even interact in the movie. But that's not such a bad thing, just shows how off from basic assumptions this movie will be.
This is a remake of the 2005 French movie 13 Tzameti by Géla Babluani and she also directs this american version. I haven't seen the original so I cannot compare both.
This film is all about the story, the emotional reaction of a man or boy perhaps thrust into a situation unthinkable by many. This is intense acting from the leads and the focus is on him and the story. This is probably why the movie did almost felt like it did have a background soundtrack, even on the most intense scenes which made me felt like I was watching a 1960's film which just helps make the viewer focus more on the scene and the acting.
Even before knowing this was helmed by a frenchman, it already felt 1960's and foreign, a bit of tingling notion that it really feels like a french movie but seing Mickey and Jason just adds to the confusion in the mind which also adds to the aura of this movie.
The movie was good but some acting were lacking and at worse, so so. 50 cent I think should just stick with making good music and Mickey Rourke was just ok, probably understandable due to his roles' lack of depth even though it seemed to have its own story line and a bit too much screen time which did not feel to fully developed.
Jason's acting was as expected, very dependable deep thinking good action and a really good fit for the character. The lead, Sam Riley, was good and the intense scenes he had was executed really well, although not an A-list actor and with not much experience he was good but there was scenes where it felt a bit lacking and flat, especially at the beginning.
Very good movie to watch if you have time to concentrate, probably on nights when you cannot sleep and need something to do, turning off the lights with the ambient twilight sound also helps add more depth to the movie you are watching.
Movie Review : Amigo
Shot entirely in the island of Bohol in the Philippines written and directed by John Sayles set in 1900 Philippines during the Filipino-American war. This stars Chris Cooper, who works frequently with John, Garret Dillahunt, DJ Qualls and Filipinos Joel Torre, who also co-produced the film, Bembol Roco and Rio Locsin.
The film had its international debut during the 2011 Asian American International Film Festival last August 10 in New York but had a Philippine debut last year during the 2010 Cinemalaya on July 14. Currently making its round of film festivals and playing in selected North American cities.
Story and director looks good with good american which includes Chris Cooper and add to that great Filipino actors Joel Torre and Bembol Roco with another great Filipina actress Rio Locsin, this will surely be a good movie to look forward to.
No word yet of this one coming to Singapore so I'm waiting for this on DVD, as soon as I get my hands on this one I'll update this post.
Movie Review : The Messenger
The main draw for me to this movie is Woody Harrelson, the description of the movie was not so enticing but since I did not have any other choice at the time, I went for this one.
I was glad at the end to have watched this, the story is not great but the acting and the directing was done well that the movie notched up from what could have been just a simple story.
Woody Harrelson did not overdo his role and just played it very well to support Ben Foster, but their tandem was so good and both acted so well that it felt like the story was about both of them and not just concentrated on Ben's character.
The story gives a back at home feel of how it is coming back from serving in active duty as well as the not so glamorous work of informing family of fallen soldiers. There apparently must be a precise way to break the news and guidelines on how to properly react and conduct oneself in a distinguished manner to uphold the honor of the service, the country and the fallen comrade.
It's not overly complicated and you do not need to concentrate to much, it's good drama and acting and this just shows how a not so great story can be a good movie with good directing and acting.
Best to watch anytime, probably at night before you sleep.
Movie Review : Memento
This one is really good, I started without reading reviews and such and with a clear mind. I half-heartedly expected a movie between good and bad, but it turns out this is an Avant-garde of a film helmed by Christopher Nolan who would later on in his career direct the Prestige, Inception and the new Batman series.
Memento was released in 2000 and was a collaboration with Nolan's brother, Jonathan, although it's not a adaptation because the movie was released prior to the his brother publishing the short story.
This is the only movie with a story unfolding backwards, if you watch this without watching from the start, you better start over again. It's confusing at the beginning but it just fuels you more to be attentive and concentrate on the story and character.
It's just an excellent movie after the finish. If you want a no brainer feel good, slouch in the couch movie, this is not it. This is pleasuring your intellect and mind, pleasure and satisfaction comes at the end and you are at the edge of your seat not because of the thrill or the shock, but because of the movie and as it unfolds, you do not get the big picture until you are at the end and then you say, oh! so that's why!
Watch it anytime when you have energy to concentrate and when you think you need some stimulation for your mind.
Movie Review : Oranges and Sunshine
This is a good recent release movie from down under. It's drama with a cause and against all odds. The story is about the forced migration of children from the UK to former colonies with most going to Australia.
The forced migrations started early last century and only ended in 1967. The movie is centered around the Margaret Humphreys and her uncovering of the forced migrations in past decades.
I think the acting is good, story is good and it plays out really well. Not to boring, just enough drama and there is enough stickiness to keep me on my seat and watch the whole thing.
Best to watch on weekend mornings.
Movie Review : Welcome to Dongmakgol
This is one of the good ones South Korea has made in recent years. The story and acting is perfect, the story, direction, visual effect and the actors came together really well. This movie was South Korea's entry into the Academy Awards in 2005 under the foreign language film category, unfortunately it did not progress and the Sea Inside from Spain won the category.
The story is set during the Korean war and soldiers from both sides merge on a village on a mountain which seems to be disconnected to what is happening in the peninsula. A mix of an american in the cast brought a bit of freshness but the real stars where Rhee Soo-hwa and Pyo Hyun-chul.
Aside from a really good story and cast, the visual effects and cinematography is just excellent, with a really good score the senses are pleasured. Some scenes are enhanced so well it could be packaged as separate shorts or MTV.
I can't say anything else except that this is a really good one, best to watch if you want to enjoy and nothing hanging over your head.