Director: Mel Gibson
(2006)
Now I'm not a big fan of killing for sport or even for sacrifice and killing for defense is only growing on me. There is A LOT of that in this film. a lot.
In the beginning I felt as if I were being forced to watch the film. Everyone wanted to see it but me but after the first human sacrifice and a little explanation I couldn't tear my eyes away. Especially when the cat and mouse chase began. I hated watching humans kill other humans as a way of sacrifice. I hated that. It was if they were saying they were much better than them and that they were lowly enough to be put on chopping block with no remorse for the killers. Not to mention these people were all the same race, etc.
I thought I might be done when the had the little boys killing the older men in the form of a sport but once Jaguar Paw made his get away I was kept wanting to know what would happen next. I wanted him to succeed and prevail, especially since his expecting wife and young child were trapped in a cave of some sort. I wanted him to get back to them as soon as possible.
Jaguar Paw was extremely saavy and I was so proud of him for all of the methods he used to get around his stalkers (for lack of a better word). I was especially impressed with the use of the dart gun with darts poisoned from a frog. He was extremely courageous.
I understand Mel Gibson wanting to keep with the actual language that those people speak/spoke but its a fictional/action film, not a documentary, etc. so I dont think a little english would hurt anything! Reading the subtitles while trying to keep up with the chase was tedious! (maybe its just me, but he did the same thing with The Passion of The Christ and I was kind of annoyed then too.)
4.16.2007
4.15.2007
Black Snake Moan
Director: Craig Brewer
(2007)
Can someone please explain to me what on Earth an actor like Samuel L. Jackson is doing acting alongside the likes of Christina Ricci (former Addams Family star), Justin Timberlake (former BOY BAND member), and David Banner (best left behind the scenes in the rap industry)? He must truly be on hard times. I can't imagine what posessed him to do his last four films: The Man (wtf?!), Freedomland (gag!), Snakes On a Plane (I really just don't want to go there), and Black Snake Moan.
Anyway, Black Snake Moan is horrible for a number of reasons, not just the casting. It has many questionable social implications especially when it comes to women. I can definitely tell that Craig Brewer is a male who's playing the scorned lover right now for his portrayal of women in this film. Ok, first and foremost there is Lazarus' wife who leaves him for his brother and then Rae, the sex addicted, uber dependent boyfriend leech who freaks whenever her boyfriend leaves her for the army. Her nymphomania is taken advantage of and she is raped in a football field in a crowd of people at a party, beaten and left for dead where Lazarus' finds her, nurses her back to health and then chains her to a radiator to cure her of her demon. Its outrageous! It implies that a woman is nothing without a man and the women throughout the film are treated so brutally and depicted as worthless sluts.
As a woman in 2007 I am naturally dismayed by it and I certainly think that Samuel L. Jackson is worthy of MUCH, much better roles.
The only parts of the film that I enjoyed was the speech by the blues artist at the beginning of the film and when Lazarus performs in the club. Oh yes, and of course a third thing, the appearances of S. Epatha Merkerson! She's been on her way up since Lackawana Blues (what a treat?!)! And this is not saying much for 116 minutes of film.
(2007)
Can someone please explain to me what on Earth an actor like Samuel L. Jackson is doing acting alongside the likes of Christina Ricci (former Addams Family star), Justin Timberlake (former BOY BAND member), and David Banner (best left behind the scenes in the rap industry)? He must truly be on hard times. I can't imagine what posessed him to do his last four films: The Man (wtf?!), Freedomland (gag!), Snakes On a Plane (I really just don't want to go there), and Black Snake Moan.
Anyway, Black Snake Moan is horrible for a number of reasons, not just the casting. It has many questionable social implications especially when it comes to women. I can definitely tell that Craig Brewer is a male who's playing the scorned lover right now for his portrayal of women in this film. Ok, first and foremost there is Lazarus' wife who leaves him for his brother and then Rae, the sex addicted, uber dependent boyfriend leech who freaks whenever her boyfriend leaves her for the army. Her nymphomania is taken advantage of and she is raped in a football field in a crowd of people at a party, beaten and left for dead where Lazarus' finds her, nurses her back to health and then chains her to a radiator to cure her of her demon. Its outrageous! It implies that a woman is nothing without a man and the women throughout the film are treated so brutally and depicted as worthless sluts.
As a woman in 2007 I am naturally dismayed by it and I certainly think that Samuel L. Jackson is worthy of MUCH, much better roles.
The only parts of the film that I enjoyed was the speech by the blues artist at the beginning of the film and when Lazarus performs in the club. Oh yes, and of course a third thing, the appearances of S. Epatha Merkerson! She's been on her way up since Lackawana Blues (what a treat?!)! And this is not saying much for 116 minutes of film.
The Prestige
Director: Christopher Nolan
(2006)
"Obsession is a young man's game!" I totally agree!
The Prestige is an outstanding movie with marvelous acting! And its yet another Scarlett Johansson film! I don't know why she's my favorite but she is. =)
I want to watch this film over and over again. I've only seen it twice though due to lack of time but its amazing! And the twist at the end is completely unexpected! That is what I love about the film, it is incredibly unpredictable and there is a surprise at every single turn that keeps you wrapped up in the story line until the very end and at the very least what woman would be able to restrain herself from gawking at actors like Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.
There is no way that you can sympathize with either of the two magicians because of the fateful game that they played with each other. They let their ruthless obsessions with magic and trumping each other ruin thier lives and the lives of the people around them as well. I hate that such unadulterated ambition took them to the places that it did because usually people expect ambition to be a good quality but I suppose there is as thin a line between ambition and obsession as there is between love and hate.
I'm surprised that I am so impressed with this film as I'm not usually a fan of period pieces because they are scarcely done well but I felt just as great if not better about this film than I did about Girl With a Pearl Earring (yes, yet ANOTHER Scarlett film). The Prestige is sensational.
See it NOW! That is all.
(2006)
"Obsession is a young man's game!" I totally agree!
The Prestige is an outstanding movie with marvelous acting! And its yet another Scarlett Johansson film! I don't know why she's my favorite but she is. =)
I want to watch this film over and over again. I've only seen it twice though due to lack of time but its amazing! And the twist at the end is completely unexpected! That is what I love about the film, it is incredibly unpredictable and there is a surprise at every single turn that keeps you wrapped up in the story line until the very end and at the very least what woman would be able to restrain herself from gawking at actors like Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman.
There is no way that you can sympathize with either of the two magicians because of the fateful game that they played with each other. They let their ruthless obsessions with magic and trumping each other ruin thier lives and the lives of the people around them as well. I hate that such unadulterated ambition took them to the places that it did because usually people expect ambition to be a good quality but I suppose there is as thin a line between ambition and obsession as there is between love and hate.
I'm surprised that I am so impressed with this film as I'm not usually a fan of period pieces because they are scarcely done well but I felt just as great if not better about this film than I did about Girl With a Pearl Earring (yes, yet ANOTHER Scarlett film). The Prestige is sensational.
See it NOW! That is all.
The Last Temptation of Christ
Director: Martin Scorcese
(1988)
Though this film is simply an imaginative adaptation of the life of Christ I really, really enjoyed it and I believe that it is a truly significant revision of the story of Jesus Christ.
The Last Temptation of Christ offers a portrayal of Jesus that is much different from the one that we are given in the Holy Bible. Jesus in TLTC is fearful and burdened and doesn't want to accept the responsibility of the messiahship. He also builds crosses for the Romans crucifixions which makes his disciples and the people of Judea look down on him because he is a Jew who is helping to kill other Jews. Also the role of Judas in the film is much different from the role of Judas in the Bible. He is Jesus' best friend and confidante, and even ventures into the role of his voice of reason. He also betrays Jesus in the film out of loyalty to him to fulfill the prophecy and not out of spite or for monetary gain like he does in the bible.
The film also offers a dream sequence which portrays what Jesus' life might have been like had he refused the messiahship where he marries Mary Magadalene, conceives children with her, and lives a normal human life yet on his death bed his disciples return to him and Judas scolds him for not holding up his part in fulfilling the prophecy and reveals to him that his so-called guardian angel is actually satan. Upon gaining this knowledge Jesus cries out to God that he wants to die on the cross, that he wants to save the people. This extends a new dimension to the story of Jesus the Christ. It notes that his sacrifice was more of a choice than an obligation, which is a very important and stimulating idea.
I found this film to be quite fulfilling even though it is different from the Bible stories that I've read and the other films about the life of Christ because even though it is relatively different Scorcese does a marvelous job weaving the Truth with his imagination so as to not compromise the gravity of the legend.
(1988)
Though this film is simply an imaginative adaptation of the life of Christ I really, really enjoyed it and I believe that it is a truly significant revision of the story of Jesus Christ.
The Last Temptation of Christ offers a portrayal of Jesus that is much different from the one that we are given in the Holy Bible. Jesus in TLTC is fearful and burdened and doesn't want to accept the responsibility of the messiahship. He also builds crosses for the Romans crucifixions which makes his disciples and the people of Judea look down on him because he is a Jew who is helping to kill other Jews. Also the role of Judas in the film is much different from the role of Judas in the Bible. He is Jesus' best friend and confidante, and even ventures into the role of his voice of reason. He also betrays Jesus in the film out of loyalty to him to fulfill the prophecy and not out of spite or for monetary gain like he does in the bible.
The film also offers a dream sequence which portrays what Jesus' life might have been like had he refused the messiahship where he marries Mary Magadalene, conceives children with her, and lives a normal human life yet on his death bed his disciples return to him and Judas scolds him for not holding up his part in fulfilling the prophecy and reveals to him that his so-called guardian angel is actually satan. Upon gaining this knowledge Jesus cries out to God that he wants to die on the cross, that he wants to save the people. This extends a new dimension to the story of Jesus the Christ. It notes that his sacrifice was more of a choice than an obligation, which is a very important and stimulating idea.
I found this film to be quite fulfilling even though it is different from the Bible stories that I've read and the other films about the life of Christ because even though it is relatively different Scorcese does a marvelous job weaving the Truth with his imagination so as to not compromise the gravity of the legend.
I Think I Love My Wife
Director: Chris Rock
(2007)
This film is totally predictable and I hate, HATE the title. You think you love your wife? you think you love her? you married her! how could you NOT love her, idiot? You know what's going to happen. You know that the main character, played by Chris Rock, who at first glance is a good husband, father, banker is tired and bored of his married life, you know that a femme fatale will enter the picture and take him on a wild ride for a few weeks and that even though they may not be having sex, he's lusting after her, and that in the end he'll end up going back to his wife. Good always prevails in the end.
At some points I can understand Cooper's desire to stray from his boring marriage as the wife was unreasonably boring and she withheld from him which I have to assume would be most disappointing in marriage. I dont know what was most annoying about the wife character: the time at the car show when she was more interested in the Minivans than the hot dream cars at the car show or the fact that well, there is no difference in any of her scenarios she was just boring all together. Just enough to go along with the rest of the dry movie.
I wasn't particularly impressed with the femme fatale character either. Kerry Washington just wasn't the right choice in casting. Her demeanor calls for demure characters not the balls out, supersexy coquette she plays in I Think I Love My Wife.
The film is obviously staged so that you sympathize with Chris Rock's character but there is no way that I could sympathize with him. He cheats on his wife! Though, not in a sexual way, in a way where he lies to her and gives his precious time to another woman with intentions of having a sexual relationship with her. That doesnt inspire sympathy within me. I was, however, glad that he went back to his wife in the end because nothing is more important than the sanctity of marriage and family and I am glad that even through the problems the couple was able to work out their differences. It sends the message that divorce is not the only option, marriages can be saved.
(2007)
This film is totally predictable and I hate, HATE the title. You think you love your wife? you think you love her? you married her! how could you NOT love her, idiot? You know what's going to happen. You know that the main character, played by Chris Rock, who at first glance is a good husband, father, banker is tired and bored of his married life, you know that a femme fatale will enter the picture and take him on a wild ride for a few weeks and that even though they may not be having sex, he's lusting after her, and that in the end he'll end up going back to his wife. Good always prevails in the end.
At some points I can understand Cooper's desire to stray from his boring marriage as the wife was unreasonably boring and she withheld from him which I have to assume would be most disappointing in marriage. I dont know what was most annoying about the wife character: the time at the car show when she was more interested in the Minivans than the hot dream cars at the car show or the fact that well, there is no difference in any of her scenarios she was just boring all together. Just enough to go along with the rest of the dry movie.
I wasn't particularly impressed with the femme fatale character either. Kerry Washington just wasn't the right choice in casting. Her demeanor calls for demure characters not the balls out, supersexy coquette she plays in I Think I Love My Wife.
The film is obviously staged so that you sympathize with Chris Rock's character but there is no way that I could sympathize with him. He cheats on his wife! Though, not in a sexual way, in a way where he lies to her and gives his precious time to another woman with intentions of having a sexual relationship with her. That doesnt inspire sympathy within me. I was, however, glad that he went back to his wife in the end because nothing is more important than the sanctity of marriage and family and I am glad that even through the problems the couple was able to work out their differences. It sends the message that divorce is not the only option, marriages can be saved.
Dead Silence
Director: James Wan
(2007)
I don't know who or what convinced me that watching a film about killer ventriloquist dolls was a good idea or something that I might enjoy doing. The director of the supremely entertaining Saw Trilogy decidedly struck a wrong chord with this boring flick.
Hey! dont scream or you'll die! But screaming no, not screaming, yawning is what you'll be doing when you try watching this film.
Its ultimately about a film about a man who's interested in investigating the mysterious murder of his wife and finds out that her murder is linked to the murder of a ventriloquist whom one of his family members murdered in an earlier generation. As a result the ghost of the ventriloquist and her dolls that were buried with her terrorize the families of the people responsible for killing her. She cuts out your tongue and kills you but only if you scream.
The only thing slightly favorable about the film is the interesting twist at the end of the film which seems to be the Saw Trilogy's writers/directors' trademarks which they are succeeding at. Even in light of this, fair warning: don't waste your money or, furthermore, your time on this film.
(2007)
I don't know who or what convinced me that watching a film about killer ventriloquist dolls was a good idea or something that I might enjoy doing. The director of the supremely entertaining Saw Trilogy decidedly struck a wrong chord with this boring flick.
Hey! dont scream or you'll die! But screaming no, not screaming, yawning is what you'll be doing when you try watching this film.
Its ultimately about a film about a man who's interested in investigating the mysterious murder of his wife and finds out that her murder is linked to the murder of a ventriloquist whom one of his family members murdered in an earlier generation. As a result the ghost of the ventriloquist and her dolls that were buried with her terrorize the families of the people responsible for killing her. She cuts out your tongue and kills you but only if you scream.
The only thing slightly favorable about the film is the interesting twist at the end of the film which seems to be the Saw Trilogy's writers/directors' trademarks which they are succeeding at. Even in light of this, fair warning: don't waste your money or, furthermore, your time on this film.
300
Director: Zack Snyder
(2007)
I must admit that I only watched this film to see the innumerable half naked buff men that it had to offer. I had absolutely no intellectual input toward the conversation that went on when the film was over and I listened half-heartedly as my macho boy cousin tried to explain the significance of it to me. "I know, I know" I replied after every enthusiastic statement "I took 6th grade social studies!"
300 didn't seem like other based on real war films that I've seen in the past like Troy, which I enjoyed. It just seemed like a who's balls are the biggest contest that I couldn't get into. I thought it was entirely too long and that the warriors were not drawn to scale! When you see Xerxes you'll know what I'm talking about. He doesn't even seem like he could ever be real! and when the warrior elephants (yes, warrior elephants) went over the side of the mountain I wanted to scream, cry, or something. Also, I didn't like that narration. I hate movies that have an actual narrator/background, extraneous narration. I wish that filmmakers would simply let the actions that take place within the scenes tell the story, not some voice over. Its perfectly irritating and a bore all at once.
This was definitely a quintessential for Males Only film from the portrayal of the women in the film to the extreme, over the top violence in the film. I never ever want to see a man watch his son get beheaded by the rival army. That's doesn't make me want to smile or frolic in a field full of poppies, it just makes me wence. And have bad dreams. terrible dreams. See 300 if that's your thing.
(2007)
I must admit that I only watched this film to see the innumerable half naked buff men that it had to offer. I had absolutely no intellectual input toward the conversation that went on when the film was over and I listened half-heartedly as my macho boy cousin tried to explain the significance of it to me. "I know, I know" I replied after every enthusiastic statement "I took 6th grade social studies!"
300 didn't seem like other based on real war films that I've seen in the past like Troy, which I enjoyed. It just seemed like a who's balls are the biggest contest that I couldn't get into. I thought it was entirely too long and that the warriors were not drawn to scale! When you see Xerxes you'll know what I'm talking about. He doesn't even seem like he could ever be real! and when the warrior elephants (yes, warrior elephants) went over the side of the mountain I wanted to scream, cry, or something. Also, I didn't like that narration. I hate movies that have an actual narrator/background, extraneous narration. I wish that filmmakers would simply let the actions that take place within the scenes tell the story, not some voice over. Its perfectly irritating and a bore all at once.
This was definitely a quintessential for Males Only film from the portrayal of the women in the film to the extreme, over the top violence in the film. I never ever want to see a man watch his son get beheaded by the rival army. That's doesn't make me want to smile or frolic in a field full of poppies, it just makes me wence. And have bad dreams. terrible dreams. See 300 if that's your thing.
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