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Showing posts from September, 2011

Drive (2011) R

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It's taken me weeks to find time to write this review, and I just hope that you had a chance to catch this thrilling drama when it was still in most theaters. I'm sure you've heard the buzz surrounding Drive for some time, but that doesn't mean you manned up and took a chance on it. Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson, Valhalla Rising) has proven himself overseas with some terrific films, especially Tom Hardy's (Warrior, Inception) breakout film Bronson . With this being his first American film, he's really outdone himself and created one of the best films in recent memory. It came as no surprise that the cinematography was breathtaking. Cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Three Kings) is one of the best in the business, and Winding Refn's films are always top notch in that category. The original music by Cliff Martinez (Solaris, Traffic) set a deep, dark tone which helped capture the hearts of film-goers everywhere. As the openi

Warrior (2011) PG-13

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Despite getting high praise from critics and audiences, this film epically boomed at the box office. It didn't come as a huge surprise, mainly because nobody has ever heard of Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) or Joel Edgerton (Animal Kingdom, The Square). Yes, I'm looking at you. And it's a darn shame because not only is this an intense, heartfelt film, Hardy and Edgerton are terrific actors. Hardy first caught my attention in Nicolas Winding Refn's (Drive, Valhalla Rising) Bronson . He's simply electric in that trippy, entertaining "biopic." I'm no stranger to Edgerton either. His best two films are The Square and Animal Kingdom , both films are pure Australian gold. You haven't seen the last of these two young(ish) stars in the making. They both have a big couple years ahead of them that will make or break their careers. My money is on make. Hardy plays Tommy Riordan, an ex-Marine with a nasty streak. He's channeled his hatred towards his alco

2011 Fall/Winter Preview

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In this segment I will count down my 25 most anticipated fall/winter 2011 films. These are all upcoming, unreleased 2011 films (no 2012 films will be covered). The majority of these films should be available to view at most theaters, but a few of them will be difficult to find when they're released. At the bottom I will give honorable mention to ten other films that barely missed this list. Enjoy! 25. The Rum Diary (10/28) - Directed by Bruce Robinson. Starring Johnny Depp, Aaron Eckhart. -- This is supposedly a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas sequel, which should intrigue some. But this is one of those rare roles that should actually bring the best out of Depp (Public Enemies, The Tourist). He's definitely not one of my favorite actors, but he can be quite talented when given the opportunity. 24. The Sitter (12/9) - Directed by David Gordon Green. Starring Jonah Hill, Ari Graynor. -- Green did make Pineapple Express and Jonah Hill (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad) is a

Fright Night (2011) R

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When word first got out about a Fright Night remake, I was skeptical to say the least. The original 1985 film is rather campy, silly and scare-less. It is however, entertaining and enjoyable. Although this film is considered a remake and the original names are kept in tact it's a very different film. It has a completely different feel. It's dark, much more intense and actually rather unfunny. Going in I thought Colin Farrell (In Bruges, Miami Vice) was going to be the weak link; false. Farrell is what keeps this film moving, and actually delivers the majority of the laughs with his little facial expressions and quick one-liners. There are some miscast characters which ruin some scenes quite honestly. Are people sick of vampires? Yes. Yes they are. Don't start with me on the Twilight "saga." Those aren't vampire movies. They are teen romance films with shirtless dudes, pale people and some timber wolves. In order to be a vampire film there needs to be bloo