Tag: 2010

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Movie Review

Inception (2010)

Director: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Ken Watanabe, Dileep Rao, Cillian Murphy, Tom Berenger, Marion Cotillard, Pete Postlethwaite, Michael Caine, Lukas Haas
 
Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his trusted partner in crime Arthur (Joseph Gordon Levitt) are on a job trying to steal information from Saito (Ken Watanabe). Only these two are not your normal thieves, They go into the mind and steal from the memories of the victim. The job goes wrong when the subconscious of Cobb’s wife Mal (Marion Cotillard) turns on the two of them. Cobb races to gather in information from Saito’s mind.
 
When they wake up Cobb has to find another way to gather the information and goes more old school by trying to beat it out of him. Things get worse when Saito learns they are still in a dream and the architect Nash (Lukas Haas) hasn’t created a perfect dream world.

They all wake up on a train and Cobb, Arthur and Nash all go their separate ways. Cobb and Arthur meet back up to discuss where to go next only for Saito to find them after Nash sold them out. Saito offers them a job to do Inception and after Saito offers to get Cobb back home to America he accepts the job and they set out to find a new team.

Cobb goes to Miles (Michael Caine) to find a new architect. Miles introduces him to his best student Ariadne (Ellen Page). Cobb sets her a task of drawing maze and takes her into the dream world to see what she can create, while she learns more from Arthur Cobb goes to find a forger Eames (Tom Hardy). Eames is the best Cobb knows and also knows a chemist who has created a formula to make them sleep longer Yusuf (Dileep Rao).

The team is now set and the job is simple enough. Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy) is going to become sole heir to a multi million dollar company when his father Maurice (Pete Postlethwaite) dies. Saito wants Robert to disband his company a rival to Saito’s but in order to do this they have to enter Robert subconscious and give him the idea. The plan involves using Robert’s relationship with his father and godfather Peter Browning (Tom Berenger) to make him make the decision.

With the plan under way we learn about the relationship between Cobb and his Wife. Ariadne believes Cobb will cause problems having Mal in his subconscious. Can the team complete the job without any hitches and will Cobb get to see his children again. watch and you will find out.

This is something very rare nowadays in Hollywood a truly original story. the special effect are breath taking from the folding streets in France to the anti gravity fight scene. Each character is very well developed

  • Cobb with his mysterious past
  • Arthur by the book guy
  • Eames shady professional
  • Ariadne young and ambitious
  • Saito business man who wants more and more
  • Mal always in Cobb’s dreams

The music by Hans Zimmer adds to the tension being built from start to finish and will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through. The action scenes are thrilling keeping you guessing how they will get out of the situations they end up in. The twists in the story will keep you wondering what has happened and what will happen and even the end will leave you working out what actually happen give this movie such great re watch value.

This simply is the best action thriller you will ever see more than an absolute must see. Making a stunning $820million this is one of the best money making movies ever.

My rating 100%

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Movie Review

Tekken (2010)

Uncover Tekken’s Elite Fighters with Jon Foo

Uncover Tekken's Elite Fighters with Jon Foo

Director: Dwight H. Little
Starring: Jon Foo, Kelly Overton, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Ian Anthony Dale, Cung Le, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Luke Goss, Mircea Monroe, Tamlyn Tomita, Candice Hillebrand, Marian Zapico, Gary Daniels, Lateef Crowder, Anton Kasabov

Jin (Jon Foo) a runner with a big fighting skill in the outside city of Anvil get discovered by Tekken the corporation who control the world they come after him and kill his mother Jun (Tamlyn Tomita). Setting out on revenge Jin goes to become the wild card entry in the iron fist competition against the Tekken elite fighters.

To earn the wild card entry Jin meets Steve Fox (Luke Goss) an ex fighter who is hustling crowds to find someone to fight Marshall Law (Cung Le). After becoming victorious Jin is now the people’s choice and Steve becomes his agent/trainer taking him to the iron fist tournament.

Heihachi Mishima (Cary Hiroyuki Tagawa 47 Ronin) is the leader of Tekken with his son Kazuya (Ian Anthony Dale) the next in line and head of security. Jin’s goal is to take out the Tekken leader in revenge for his mothers death but first he has to beat the fighters.

Cast

  • Christie Monteiro (Kelly Overton)
  • Raven (Darrin Dewitt Henson)
  • Nina Williams (Candice Hillebrand)
  • Anna Williams (Marian Zapico)
  • Bryan Fury (Gary Daniels)
  • Eddy Gordo (Lateef Crowder)
  • Sergel Dragunov (Anton Kasabov)
  • Yoshimistu (Gary Ray Stearns)

Can Jin over come the odds and become the first wild card Iron Fist winner ?

This is based on the video game Tekken and from the few i have played i have only heard of a few of the fighters in the movies. I think most Tekken fans will be disappointed with the film as many characters and twist do not follow the games very well. One the other hand having mainly human fighters it will make more sense to an unknown to the series.

As a one of fighting movie this is not actually a bad movie with some well constructed fight scenes. The story is easy to follow seeing who the good and bad guys are but the twists are not as hidden as they could have been. All in all i think i would rate this movie well.

My rating 70%

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Movie Review

She’s Out of My League (2010)

She’s Out of My League: A Review of the Director Jim Field Smith

She's Out of My League: A Review of the Director Jim Field Smith

Director: Jim Field Smith
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Alice Eve, T.J. Miller, Mike Vogel, Nate Torrence, Lindsay Sloane, Kyle Bornheimer, Jessica St. Clair, Krysten Ritter, Debra Jo Rupp, Adam LeFevre, Kim Shaw, Jasika Nicole, Geiff Stults, Hayes MacArthur

Starting with a genuine nice guy Kirk (Jay Baruchel, In the End) who gets put down by his family Dylan (Kyle Bornheimer) Debbie (Jessica St.Clair) and his parents (Debra Jo Rupp, Adam LaFevre) and his ex girlfriend Marnie (Lindsay Sloane) and her boyfriend Ron (Hayes MacArthur). While Kirk just gets on with his life.

Kirk works at the airport with his best friends Stainer (T.J. Miller), Jack (Mike Vogel) and Devon (Nate Torrence) when he meets Molly (Alive Eve) a beautiful woman and with this chance meeting he starts a relationship neither of them are ready for.

Using the idea that everyone has a rating out of ten and we are in a league system we see how Kirk who believe he is a five starts seeing Molly a ten with both friends and family and even Molly’s ex boyfriend Cam (Geoff Stults) making Kirk question how and why Molly is seeing him, We see how Kirk grow into the person who doesn’t need to see a rating system, But the question remains will he learn in time?

This is a nice little rom-com not full on laugh out funny but a nice tale told of being able to judge people not only on looks but personalities. With a great chemistry in the four friends with all different opinions on how relationships could work out.

Having a good soundtrack for all the montage scenes all tunes are catchy and sum up what is going on during the scenes. Having Stainer being in a cover band for Hall & Oats give it an added comic value

My Rating 75%

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Movie Review

The Next Three Days (2010)

Director: Paul Haggis
Starring: Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Ty Simpkins, Jason Beghe, Aisha hinds, Olivia Wilde, Helen Carey, Brian Dennehy, Liam Neeson, Jonathan Tucker, Lennie James

John Brennan (Russel Crowe) and his wife Lara (Elizabeth Banks) have a normal life, but one morning there is a knock at the door. Detective Quinn (Jason Beghe) and Detective Collero (Aisha Hinds) are there to arrest Lara for the murder of her boss. With evidence against her including finger prints on the murder weapon, a co worker seeing her leave the scene and an argument that day at work. John is left with his son Luke (Ty Simpkins) he tries to find all the legal ways to prove her innocence.

Having failed to find any way to get Lara out legally, John arranges to meet one man who has escaped from jail before Damon Pennington (Liam Neeson). Damon explains all the thing John must do if he goes through with this escape plan. With help from Grace and George Brennan (Helen Carey and Brian Dennehy) John’s parents on raising his son. John keeps the plan very secret with his casual spying on his everyday routine. Meeting Nicole (Olivia Wilde) a parent of a child the same age as Luke he starts to see how things in his life could be by opening up to her about his Wife’s situation.Check Spelling

We are left now with the questions of What is John’s plan? How far will John go? Was Lara innocent? with this adrenaline ride we set out on a great view for all action thriller fans.

Paul Haggis director of Crash really gives us a tension built action film which never really goes all over the top action focusing more on the thriller side which keeps the audience interested from the start to the finish. Even tho i am not a fan of Russel Crowe i found that this performance of an average guy pushed to limits for love but still keep a calm composure about himself one of his best to date.

One other thing you will notice is an excellent sound track perfectly fitting every scene adding to the tension moving you closer to the edge of your seat wait for the story to unfold and build up to its big climax.

My rating is 91%

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Movie Review

Black Swan (2010)

Director: Darren Aronofsky
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Benjamin Milepied, Ksenia Solo, Kristina Anapau, Janet Montgomery, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway

A Young ballerina Nina (Natalie Portman) who has spent years under the tutelage of her over obsessive mother Erica (Barbara Hershey) gets a shot to play the lead role in a new Swan Lake. Nina Portrays the white queen perfectly with her innocents and grace but lacks the ability to play the Black Swan. Nina has a rival for the part in Lily (Mila Kunis) who is the opposite to her being able to play the Black Swan well but lacks the innocence’s to play the white swan.

With an angry ex lead dancer Beth (Winona Ryder) who can not accept she has been replaced by a new dancer and one she feels is a lot worse than her confronting at her grand announcement by the director of the show Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). Thomas sets out to force Nina into turning into the Black Swan by pushing her into a rebellious way and driving her sexual desires. Lily uses her style of life to befriend Nina and try and push her into the Black Swan.

Having Thomas and Lily pushing her Nina mind starts to unravel she is left to question her own sanity. Nina is left wondering how badly she wants the lead role giving her ever changing mental state.

Natalie Portman Oscar is very well deserved with this outstanding performance as the ballerina pushed to the limit, with great supporting roles from Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel. Adding the great direction from Darren Aronofsky who follows up ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Requiem for a Dream’.

Giving that i know nothing about ballet i found this young woman quest to find herself and deliver the best role a truly brilliant piece of cinema with great story that keeps you guessing what will happen next and what has really happened in the psychological thriller. The tension grows through out the film giving an excellent climax that will shock all viewers.

My overall rating would be a stunning 97%

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Movie Review

Tooth Fairy (2010)

Director: Michael Lembeck

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ashley Judd, Stephen Merchant, Ryan Sheckler, Seth MacFarlane, Julie Andrews, Billy Crystal,

Derek Thompson (Dwayne Johnson) is an aging ice hockey star playing in the minor leagues, he shatters children’s dreams because his was taken from him. With a new superstar joining the team and a building relationship with his girlfriend Carly (Ashley Judd) and her two children Randy and Tess, Derek starts to notice his age.

He then gets summered to be a tooth fairy to make up for his dream breaking. transformed to the fairy land he meets Tracey (Stephen Merchant) who becomes his almost like parole officer for his sentence give to him by head tooth fairy Lily (Julie Andrews). Now Derek must learn to become a better person.

This is the last Disney comedy Dwayne Johnson appeared in and yet again he appears as an aging sports star like the Game Plan. With a great cameo like role for Billy Crystal as Jerry the guy who goes through the different tools to make Derek a better tooth fairy.

It offers a strong family message with the whole never give up on your dreams and has the typical comedy scenarios and everyone performs well throughout the movie.

My overall rating would be a 75%

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Movie Review

Buried (2010)

Director:Rodrigo Cortes

Starring: Ryan Reynolds

A man Paul Conroy (Ryan Reynolds) is buried in a coffin and has 90minutes to raise $5 million simple sounding movie right?

From the opening scene or Paul stirring awake realising where he is you just know you have to see this through to the end. Finding out he has a lighter, cellphone and the contents of his pockets. After making several phone calls trying to he starts finding solutions but just as one closes another one started.

This movie is one the most suspense driven movies you could possibly see Ryan Reynolds shines in this outstanding performance that will have you seating on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Rating a nail bitting 90%

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Movie Review

Red (2010)

Retired and Extremely Dangerous that is Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) Marvin Boggs ( John Malkovich) Victoria (Helen Mirren) and Joe Matherson (Morgan Freeman) these characters are trying to figure out why the C.I.A after trying to kill them. Being lead by William Cooper (Karl Urban) our veterans play a game of cat and mouse which slowly unfolds the reasons for the hunt down by the C.I.A.

Full of lots of action sequences and one liners and a storyline that keeps you interested all the way through. Brucie does what he does best, John Malkovich shines as the one who has lost his mind and Karl Urban does a very good job as the government guy.

with all the twists and turns this movie is one for all action movie fans i will give it a solid 82%

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Movie Review

Shutter Island (2010)

Director:Martin Scorsese

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Ted Levine, Jackie Earle Haley, John Carroll Lynch, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Max Von Sydow, Michelle Williams

Following The Departed Martin Scorsese directs this mystery thriller.

Set on Boston’s shutter island two US Marshall’s Teddy Daniels (Leonardo Dicarpio) and Chuck (Mark Ruffalo) are set to Ashcliffe Hospital to investigate the disappearance of one of the patient. Guided around the island by Dr John Cawley (Ben Kinsley) and the wardens men, they start to discover a bigger picture. With a storm hitting they get stranded on the island giving them more time to investigate the goings on on the island. Haunted by nightmares of his dead wife Dolores (Michelle Williams) he starts to question his own sanity on this difficult case.

the atmosphere through out the whole movie is brilliant Leonardo delivers one of normal excellent performances with quality supporting cast. The story keeps flowing through out leading you one way only to turn you the over.

overall this is a most see 95%