It is absolutely incredible that men marry woman like this. And this is after they know they have a mother in law just as terrible as the daughter. Should society feel sorry for this person or man who chose to marry this woman?
Well, this man is Morris Chestnut who plays Dave Johnson, just a regular guy who has an unhealthy marriage does not realize it. His wife harangues him on every issue. The only good thing in the movie is when she gets hurt in the car wreck and not him. Ofcourse she lives, which is a tragedy and she just verbally assaults Johnson during her rehab. On top of that, the mother in law has moved in to "supervise" the rehab. The ironic detail here is, is that it is her fault her husband got into the car wreck. Luckily they were not sued in civil court and did not lose everything. Johnson's wife, Taraji P. Henson who plays Clarice Clark plays this role exceptionally well. The nasty and man hater role, she receives an A- in this role. It also appears her mother probably drove her father away since he is never shown. It would not surprise me at all.
Johnson has two loyal friends who are both professionals and have stable careers but the mother in law thinks they are gang members.
His wife diatribe's are pushing him away. She does understand men at all. He wants to have children and she wants to spend money they do not have. She tries to buy a meal for a bunch of people when she has not been working and her husband is not content with that. They are married so his money is her money but the way she says like she has full control and just asserts herself like that, not good. The card bounces and this only exacerbates the situation. Fortunately, another diner at their table picks up that tab. But this does not prevent his wife from screaming at him when they return home.
More tragedy occurs when one of Johnson's kids dies in a swimming accident. That is a freak accident and perhaps may be a little too fictional but it does bring more drama to this well shot film. Johnson is an active child mentor, in baseball and in swimming. Something his wife and mother in law despise. That is right, they loath him for it. Fascinating. He married the wrong woman.
This movie verifies it's theme: be careful who one marries and be happy with what one has. Decent music in the movie, nothing memorable. Not a spectacular film, but solid nevertheless.
Wood Harris from Remember the Titans is involved in this film. He was one of the fierce linebackers on the team. He is a strict father who kills the idea of his son having a dream. Just because he tossed away everything and chose drugs over his baseball scholarship, he targets the world for his bad choices. He does not allow his boy to have fun and is integral on why the boy is to tightly wound. This is another element to this movie.
Johnson has a friend who provides some comedy relief. He is funny.
Johnson's wife realizes she has been in the wrong and horrible to be around. She explains this to him and they call off the divorce. This movie works itself in the end, it took some physical exertion and a different perspective. The characters figure it out. And Johnson and his wife are set to have a baby at the end of this film. Allot of dramatic scenes but happiness and sensibility prevails.
I allocate three stars to this movie.***
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Apparently Kevin James has done something right since he is receiving his own movies now rather than sharing them with other stars, aka Will Smith.
This movie James plays a mall cop. Obviously he is over weight and much of the comedy stems from this fact. He is one of the few guys in the world who actualy profits off of this poor health. He is funny but this movie does not amount to much. I did laugh a lot as expected, probably more than Hitch. But, this movie was not as well done as Hitch, and despite Hitch having a terrible ending with Smith begging the girl to date him after she tried to ruin his career and lie about him, Hitch had better and more credible characters.
This movie did show the segway a lot which is a tremendous machine. But this movie shows why using this machine all day can lead to lack of exercise and unlike other negative aspects about someone, one can not hide fat.
Jayma Mays was in this movie. I am not saying one should know who she is but she was not highly attractive in the movie. But online, her real life pictures and appearance, she is only half as attractive which is not a compliment. But in this poor economy, I can see why the studio would choose her for this role.
The movie had a pleasant ending. It was predictable but I did not expect a movie or story like Syriana.
The funny parts are probably when James is drunk and feeling the cell phone store manager's ear, when James is trying to hide from some robbers and his stomach is failing him, and when he is involved in an obstacle course and he falls down and then falls asleep.
Paul Blart is basically a pitiful loser and has many fallabilities. But he has an honest and works hard and the indignities and narcissism of mankind preys on the Blart's of the world. No one is impeccable, but Blart's naivity and softness allows people to walk all over him. In some cases and with certain people, stand on him. Despite this, he has people that love him and he loves them. James can play this character all day, as can Adam Sandler. But James is clearly an obese man and the writers tie this to his character.
The movie is hokey and totally unrealistic. A crowded mall would not be cleared that easily, where was mall management, and James's Paul Blart would be unable to continue any physical activity after jumping off a speeding vehicle and impacting the ground.
The movie did not have any special music, below average writing, and forgettable characters. But James is funny and when his character eats half eaten lolly pop he finds on the ground to increase his sugar content, is nasty but entertaining. It symbolizes how deplorable this character is. But he is innocent and a soft hero.
I allocate this movie one star.* It was still 6 times better than Nicolas Cage's Wicker Man.
This movie James plays a mall cop. Obviously he is over weight and much of the comedy stems from this fact. He is one of the few guys in the world who actualy profits off of this poor health. He is funny but this movie does not amount to much. I did laugh a lot as expected, probably more than Hitch. But, this movie was not as well done as Hitch, and despite Hitch having a terrible ending with Smith begging the girl to date him after she tried to ruin his career and lie about him, Hitch had better and more credible characters.
This movie did show the segway a lot which is a tremendous machine. But this movie shows why using this machine all day can lead to lack of exercise and unlike other negative aspects about someone, one can not hide fat.
Jayma Mays was in this movie. I am not saying one should know who she is but she was not highly attractive in the movie. But online, her real life pictures and appearance, she is only half as attractive which is not a compliment. But in this poor economy, I can see why the studio would choose her for this role.
The movie had a pleasant ending. It was predictable but I did not expect a movie or story like Syriana.
The funny parts are probably when James is drunk and feeling the cell phone store manager's ear, when James is trying to hide from some robbers and his stomach is failing him, and when he is involved in an obstacle course and he falls down and then falls asleep.
Paul Blart is basically a pitiful loser and has many fallabilities. But he has an honest and works hard and the indignities and narcissism of mankind preys on the Blart's of the world. No one is impeccable, but Blart's naivity and softness allows people to walk all over him. In some cases and with certain people, stand on him. Despite this, he has people that love him and he loves them. James can play this character all day, as can Adam Sandler. But James is clearly an obese man and the writers tie this to his character.
The movie is hokey and totally unrealistic. A crowded mall would not be cleared that easily, where was mall management, and James's Paul Blart would be unable to continue any physical activity after jumping off a speeding vehicle and impacting the ground.
The movie did not have any special music, below average writing, and forgettable characters. But James is funny and when his character eats half eaten lolly pop he finds on the ground to increase his sugar content, is nasty but entertaining. It symbolizes how deplorable this character is. But he is innocent and a soft hero.
I allocate this movie one star.* It was still 6 times better than Nicolas Cage's Wicker Man.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Hurt Locker
This was an interesting movie. It had some major names here but I guess with budgetary constraints they could not afford them for longer than 5 minutes. Guy Pearce is one of them, his role was in the beginning and he died from a IED bomb blast. Yes, this is an Iraqi war movie and I am sure they will have several of them coming out for the next couple of years. Perhaps longer. I am not sure how Pearce died since he had the full gear on and the blast was about 40 meters behind him. So, that was not filmed that accurately.
Ralph Fiennes graced us with his presence. But he died as well from a sniper fire. The sniper scene in the middle of this movie takes about 15 minutes was well filmed. The dried lips, thirsty heat, bugs in the eye, and the nuts and bolts of ground combat in Iraq were documented in this scene. This is where the three of soldiers bond. After Pearce's death, this new leader steps in. He is a renegade and has a bravado about him that imresses some but frightens up his immediate two team members.
Jeremy Renner is this new recluse I am describing. He was the villian in SWAT. Anthony Mackie is a black guy who we have seen in Eagle Eye and We Are Marshal. I like him, he is a solid actor and seems to take his roles seriously.
The Lost star Evangeline Lilly makes an appearance at the end. He is Renner's wife. Renner loves being in the military. This is a realistic military movie. Some people enjoy it, others do not. Renner does his time in Iraq, flies back to the states, kisses his wife, cleans the rain gutters, probably changes the oil in the car, and kisses his baby. After a couple of weeks or relaxation, flies back to Iraq for another year of bomb disposal. Wearing the bomb suit, at the end, which seems to have some buttons on the right wrist area, a little more high tech and safer than the previous version, this seems to be the reason to pinpoint the camera on that slight detail. Another way to look at is, is that technology may change, but evil never stops. The twisted and wicked are still in shape to wreak havoc and cause mayhem. Good thing the USA and other freedom loving countries have someone like Renner on our side. We would not have freedom any other way. Renner and Mackie's characters are what the miltary work and have outlasted Al Queda in Iraq.
This movie did not have any special music. There were some humorous scenes. What makes this movie tick and good is that it has many characters, several intense scenes, allot of action, and the type of action in this movie was so varied. I thought this was an excellent movie. But, there were some dialogues with some characters that were not that well done, they stretched the movie in a way that one could construe this movie dragged on. That is the knock on it, I know this movie did not have any magnificent expectations. And, I guess the budget did not want to fit in a musical director or anyone in that department with atleast half way talent. Music is what puts a movie over the top. Just go ask the makers of Juno and more recently Slumdog Millionaire. Putting cutting edge and creative music like that in a movie is not an accident. One is a fool if one thinks it is.
I would allocate this movie 3 stars.***
Ralph Fiennes graced us with his presence. But he died as well from a sniper fire. The sniper scene in the middle of this movie takes about 15 minutes was well filmed. The dried lips, thirsty heat, bugs in the eye, and the nuts and bolts of ground combat in Iraq were documented in this scene. This is where the three of soldiers bond. After Pearce's death, this new leader steps in. He is a renegade and has a bravado about him that imresses some but frightens up his immediate two team members.
Jeremy Renner is this new recluse I am describing. He was the villian in SWAT. Anthony Mackie is a black guy who we have seen in Eagle Eye and We Are Marshal. I like him, he is a solid actor and seems to take his roles seriously.
The Lost star Evangeline Lilly makes an appearance at the end. He is Renner's wife. Renner loves being in the military. This is a realistic military movie. Some people enjoy it, others do not. Renner does his time in Iraq, flies back to the states, kisses his wife, cleans the rain gutters, probably changes the oil in the car, and kisses his baby. After a couple of weeks or relaxation, flies back to Iraq for another year of bomb disposal. Wearing the bomb suit, at the end, which seems to have some buttons on the right wrist area, a little more high tech and safer than the previous version, this seems to be the reason to pinpoint the camera on that slight detail. Another way to look at is, is that technology may change, but evil never stops. The twisted and wicked are still in shape to wreak havoc and cause mayhem. Good thing the USA and other freedom loving countries have someone like Renner on our side. We would not have freedom any other way. Renner and Mackie's characters are what the miltary work and have outlasted Al Queda in Iraq.
This movie did not have any special music. There were some humorous scenes. What makes this movie tick and good is that it has many characters, several intense scenes, allot of action, and the type of action in this movie was so varied. I thought this was an excellent movie. But, there were some dialogues with some characters that were not that well done, they stretched the movie in a way that one could construe this movie dragged on. That is the knock on it, I know this movie did not have any magnificent expectations. And, I guess the budget did not want to fit in a musical director or anyone in that department with atleast half way talent. Music is what puts a movie over the top. Just go ask the makers of Juno and more recently Slumdog Millionaire. Putting cutting edge and creative music like that in a movie is not an accident. One is a fool if one thinks it is.
I would allocate this movie 3 stars.***
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
There is not too much to say about this movie. It is not special, it is dark and dreary. But this is what one should expect. Despite this, it still still too dark and the movie was not that good to overcome this. No gorgeous Kate Beckinsale, Rhona Mitra was the hotty in this film but the skinny look she displayed in Shooter is a turn off. Mix in a burger, skip the cabbage. She is too skinny and not much is shown so that aspect is ruled out.
I still like these movies because the same characters and actors are used. So the viewer, me, does not have to spend half the movie trying to figure who replaced who and what happened to the original charactor or actor.
Good to see Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy back. I guess the elder, Victor, he does not have wings. Because the second Underworld presented us with some pretty powerful vampires, frightening actually, who could fly and use their wings as some serioius weapons. I would like to see them fight Wolverine or the Terminator. That would be fascinating.
This movie was not that good though. By far, the worst of the three. The entire movies takes place in central Europe somewhere, probably around the dark ages.
The acting was nothing to call anyone up about, there was not any good musical scores, the storyline was simple and redundant, the action was OK, there was some blood and fast movements. I am sure this movie will not see a second weekend in the movie theatres.
The ending had some decent action. The elder vampire, ran like a coward at the end. Amazing people would fight for such a terrible leader.
I have some questions: who were the wolves roaming around the castle? Why would vampires want to create wherewolves or likens? Victor appeared to have died at the end but I knew he could not die since he was alive in present time, in the first Underworld. Selene, the amazing Beckinsale, slices his head diagnally at the end of that spectacular film. That one was much better than this one. Like the Blade series, each one is worse than the previous. But this movie is actually worse than Blade III.
Who are the vampires who just follow Victor around? Just mindless zombies? Death dealers were mentioned in this film but not shown. Whatever.
I went back and watched Underworld, just the part where they show the scene where Lucian's lover is killed. It was not Rhona Mitra but that is fine. Apparently they had no idea the series would extend to three. It may not get to four because this third one was pretty weak. They better spend a little more time with the story line if they want to make a 4th. I would like to see a wherewolf fight an alien from the movies, Aliens.
I would allocate this movie one star. *
I still like these movies because the same characters and actors are used. So the viewer, me, does not have to spend half the movie trying to figure who replaced who and what happened to the original charactor or actor.
Good to see Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy back. I guess the elder, Victor, he does not have wings. Because the second Underworld presented us with some pretty powerful vampires, frightening actually, who could fly and use their wings as some serioius weapons. I would like to see them fight Wolverine or the Terminator. That would be fascinating.
This movie was not that good though. By far, the worst of the three. The entire movies takes place in central Europe somewhere, probably around the dark ages.
The acting was nothing to call anyone up about, there was not any good musical scores, the storyline was simple and redundant, the action was OK, there was some blood and fast movements. I am sure this movie will not see a second weekend in the movie theatres.
The ending had some decent action. The elder vampire, ran like a coward at the end. Amazing people would fight for such a terrible leader.
I have some questions: who were the wolves roaming around the castle? Why would vampires want to create wherewolves or likens? Victor appeared to have died at the end but I knew he could not die since he was alive in present time, in the first Underworld. Selene, the amazing Beckinsale, slices his head diagnally at the end of that spectacular film. That one was much better than this one. Like the Blade series, each one is worse than the previous. But this movie is actually worse than Blade III.
Who are the vampires who just follow Victor around? Just mindless zombies? Death dealers were mentioned in this film but not shown. Whatever.
I went back and watched Underworld, just the part where they show the scene where Lucian's lover is killed. It was not Rhona Mitra but that is fine. Apparently they had no idea the series would extend to three. It may not get to four because this third one was pretty weak. They better spend a little more time with the story line if they want to make a 4th. I would like to see a wherewolf fight an alien from the movies, Aliens.
I would allocate this movie one star. *
Friday, January 23, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
This is a spectacular movie. There is a lot of strong elements. But I did not learn much besides seeing how some of those people in other countries become disfigured. Apparently it is not always a childhood birth defect, some abnormality, or from a war. It is another person purposely scarring them. It is sickening.
Why would someone do this? So they can entice an instant sorrow feeling from the passing sucker tourists or other money carrying natives to donate money to this poor looking child. I am not sure how India became this over crowded but it is horrendous. I would not ever want to visit such a place.
This movie has tremendous music and that is what sets it apart. The song in the beginning is tremendous when the kids are running from the security force that is attempting to protect the airport. Why this over weight, uniformed man is trying so hard to catch these kids is beyond me? They only have to scare them off the run way and that is it. But perhaps his superior wants him to actually grab one of these kids and return with them. Whatever.
The two brothers are forced to make money and survive in any way shape and form after their mother is murdered because they are Muslim. The Hindus kill them one day while the police are too busy playing cards or something like that. This forces them to hop on passenger trains and hock items and steal food. They steal money to unsuspecting folks watching an open air opera. They hock more items at the Taj Mahal and pose as tourists. This is what they do after they escape the gangster who pimps out children to beg. Along this ride or much of it is a gorgeous girl called Latika played by Freida Pinto. The storyline has them fighting over this girl but we all know the girl is only really interested in one of them.
I think it is better than Benjamin Button because of the music. This is what sets them apart. To me, it is hard to look at that ugly baby in the beginning and Button's old man appearance is hideous. But that is how it is supposed to me. He is funny though, when he asks that man what it is like to live in a cage. That was funny.
The movie falls back and forth to the game show and the interrogation tactics of the game show's managers. One of the brothers, the nicer one who was violently told to leave from the room after it was his idea to find Latika. I guess the other brother was pretty happy and impressed when they saw Latika after a year or two had passed. But the brother who proves he is not afraid to use violence is correct, he had to kill that child pimp since he would have been hunted by the gangster and his men for years to come. No one wants to live by always having to look over one's shoulder.
The two brothers go there separate ways. Latika, as a young girl, did not seem to object when the gun toting brother told the peaceful brother, the one who came back to find her, to bust off. Movie changing scene. Kids grow up fast. The ugliness of the world came home. One brother ended up working for a rival gangster and the other one worked through his teenage years. The latter somehow earned a shot at India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? After he wins the money the game show producers electrocute him since they believe he cheated to have answered so many questions correctly.
The movie had the pretty girl, outstanding music, it was entertaining and powerful. I can not find a flaw. The movie is impeccable. Well, we will see. Better than Braveheart, Shawshank Redemption, Apollo 13, Backdraft, The Transporter, Ocean's 13, The Departed, 7 Pounds? Those movies had greater budgets and superstars in them. The only thing I can fault this movie is is that I did not learn anything. I knew India had slums, the largest in the world, I know their economy has been magnificent in recent years, and I knew India had some pretty woman. The story is fun and the plight of the brother's are not really sad since they are basically childhood thieves. The brother's mother is attractive as well, too bad she is brutally murdered and dirt poor. Why people in slums choose to procreate is beyond me? China has the one child per family rule which is sensible. I am not sure if India has ever invoked such a law when they should have about 70 years ago or perhaps even before that.
Body of Lies, which was intriguing, riveting, and exciting, is one the movies in the past couple of months that is exceptional. 7 Pounds is probably the best though in recent months. Yes, 7 Pounds is better than Button. The Wrestler I do not think as good as any of these movies. But I like Mickey Rourke and I am glad he has rebounded from his shaky state.
Leaving Las Vegas and The Wrestler are on the same level. The latter is the most recent obviously but is not nearly as good as 7 Pounds, Slumdog, and Body of Lies.
I did not like the scene when the American woman insists that her husband give the boy some money when he is being beaten by a larger man. It is all a scam. The woman being a sucker and ordering her husband to fork over money, this has been done before. The man kowtowing to his wife and the wife being such a sourpus. It gets old.
Why did the brother have to die at the end? Is it because he stole the girl from his brother's girl in the middle of the movie? He is the one who made her freedom possible in the first place by bringing the gun. But he was reluctant to pursue her any how. Oh well, he had some fun in life before going out and he took out two terrible men. So perhaps his purpose was fulfilled. He died surrounded by money while he was born with nothing.
The ending was not as powerful as the beginning but it was solid. The boy gets the girl, this ending was not nearly as dramatic as 7 Pounds. Nor was it as creative as the ending of Button. It also was not a true story like Defiance but it had much better music than all of them. I think this is best music in a movie since I saw Juno. I would watch this movie again over Button, most likely. Slumdog is a marvelous movie though, for sure.
I allocate this movie four stars.****
Why would someone do this? So they can entice an instant sorrow feeling from the passing sucker tourists or other money carrying natives to donate money to this poor looking child. I am not sure how India became this over crowded but it is horrendous. I would not ever want to visit such a place.
This movie has tremendous music and that is what sets it apart. The song in the beginning is tremendous when the kids are running from the security force that is attempting to protect the airport. Why this over weight, uniformed man is trying so hard to catch these kids is beyond me? They only have to scare them off the run way and that is it. But perhaps his superior wants him to actually grab one of these kids and return with them. Whatever.
The two brothers are forced to make money and survive in any way shape and form after their mother is murdered because they are Muslim. The Hindus kill them one day while the police are too busy playing cards or something like that. This forces them to hop on passenger trains and hock items and steal food. They steal money to unsuspecting folks watching an open air opera. They hock more items at the Taj Mahal and pose as tourists. This is what they do after they escape the gangster who pimps out children to beg. Along this ride or much of it is a gorgeous girl called Latika played by Freida Pinto. The storyline has them fighting over this girl but we all know the girl is only really interested in one of them.
I think it is better than Benjamin Button because of the music. This is what sets them apart. To me, it is hard to look at that ugly baby in the beginning and Button's old man appearance is hideous. But that is how it is supposed to me. He is funny though, when he asks that man what it is like to live in a cage. That was funny.
The movie falls back and forth to the game show and the interrogation tactics of the game show's managers. One of the brothers, the nicer one who was violently told to leave from the room after it was his idea to find Latika. I guess the other brother was pretty happy and impressed when they saw Latika after a year or two had passed. But the brother who proves he is not afraid to use violence is correct, he had to kill that child pimp since he would have been hunted by the gangster and his men for years to come. No one wants to live by always having to look over one's shoulder.
The two brothers go there separate ways. Latika, as a young girl, did not seem to object when the gun toting brother told the peaceful brother, the one who came back to find her, to bust off. Movie changing scene. Kids grow up fast. The ugliness of the world came home. One brother ended up working for a rival gangster and the other one worked through his teenage years. The latter somehow earned a shot at India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? After he wins the money the game show producers electrocute him since they believe he cheated to have answered so many questions correctly.
The movie had the pretty girl, outstanding music, it was entertaining and powerful. I can not find a flaw. The movie is impeccable. Well, we will see. Better than Braveheart, Shawshank Redemption, Apollo 13, Backdraft, The Transporter, Ocean's 13, The Departed, 7 Pounds? Those movies had greater budgets and superstars in them. The only thing I can fault this movie is is that I did not learn anything. I knew India had slums, the largest in the world, I know their economy has been magnificent in recent years, and I knew India had some pretty woman. The story is fun and the plight of the brother's are not really sad since they are basically childhood thieves. The brother's mother is attractive as well, too bad she is brutally murdered and dirt poor. Why people in slums choose to procreate is beyond me? China has the one child per family rule which is sensible. I am not sure if India has ever invoked such a law when they should have about 70 years ago or perhaps even before that.
Body of Lies, which was intriguing, riveting, and exciting, is one the movies in the past couple of months that is exceptional. 7 Pounds is probably the best though in recent months. Yes, 7 Pounds is better than Button. The Wrestler I do not think as good as any of these movies. But I like Mickey Rourke and I am glad he has rebounded from his shaky state.
Leaving Las Vegas and The Wrestler are on the same level. The latter is the most recent obviously but is not nearly as good as 7 Pounds, Slumdog, and Body of Lies.
I did not like the scene when the American woman insists that her husband give the boy some money when he is being beaten by a larger man. It is all a scam. The woman being a sucker and ordering her husband to fork over money, this has been done before. The man kowtowing to his wife and the wife being such a sourpus. It gets old.
Why did the brother have to die at the end? Is it because he stole the girl from his brother's girl in the middle of the movie? He is the one who made her freedom possible in the first place by bringing the gun. But he was reluctant to pursue her any how. Oh well, he had some fun in life before going out and he took out two terrible men. So perhaps his purpose was fulfilled. He died surrounded by money while he was born with nothing.
The ending was not as powerful as the beginning but it was solid. The boy gets the girl, this ending was not nearly as dramatic as 7 Pounds. Nor was it as creative as the ending of Button. It also was not a true story like Defiance but it had much better music than all of them. I think this is best music in a movie since I saw Juno. I would watch this movie again over Button, most likely. Slumdog is a marvelous movie though, for sure.
I allocate this movie four stars.****
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Notorious
Jamal Woolard is not someone anyknows. He performed pretty well as Notorious BIG. This movie will draw the inner city and mainly black audience. I found it interesting since I am from the west coast and I like Ice Cube. I grew up listening to him and I had little clue who Notorious BIG was. Never heard of this person really until he was murdered.
I am not sure why, after Tupac was shot, he would be driving around, late at night, without any body guards. But it does show how callous ghetto people are, shooting each other, stealing the car, not caring about anything but themselves. But that is the world Notorious lived in and exploited. Live by the talk, die by the talk. Promote that world, die by that same world.
Derek Luke, I like him. Denzel helped him establish his career with the decent movie called Antwone Fisher. He plays Sean Combs in this was the agent that brought us Biggie Smalls. I think he makes the movie, I like the way he talks and walks. His demeanor is funny when it wants to be and his countenance is serious when has to be.
This movie was not an epic by any means, it was not spectacular, and it there was anything memorable with this movie. It probably will not last longer than 1 weekend in the theatre. Regardless, it's purpose is fulfilled: to share the story of this talented but violent and over weight rapper. Do I think he had the talent or lyrics as an Ice Cube? Not even close. The movie stated this point, there was not anyone else, so anyone with halfway talent could make stardom and give some east coast rap some respect.
The fat rapper's mother is Angela Bassett and she is still wonderfully appealing.
The story of Notorious is similiar to many other rappers. He was a successful drug dealer who started from the bottom. How he became to run corners and not someone else, I am not sure. Did he work harder, remain more focused, and/or have superior sale's skills, could be all of them. He rapped on the side and finally someone told him to put a song on record. Some people liked it, so spoke with Sean Combs and they pumped out an album. This was successful. But Notorious did not wise up, was involved in some sort of car wreck, had or already had two children, so he decided to drop another album on the public at large. When promoting this album in LA, after Tupac was shot, him and his friends were shot by some gangsters that approached them on the other side of the car while they flirted with some ugly whores standing on the sidewalk. Typical. Brain dead.
I am glad Ice Cube has been smarter to either remain above this fray or avoid this type of behavior. I mean driving around at 0200 and talking to some useless and tore up woman while being in the wrong neighborhood. Perhaps Ice Cube never visited an east coast city, along with Dr. Dre. Regardless, they remain alive.
I like Ice Cube's lyrics in his 2006 Album, "I never got jacked, never got got in a parking lot." Something like that, that is even better than me.
Good to see Eminem come along and blow the rap world apart with an entire new set or lyrics and different style. His politics and jacked up but aren't they all? Even Ice Cube is radically against responsibility and still blames the white man for mythically holding down the black man. Comical. Excuses, and it only diverts the real reasons many black people can not figure it out. Bill Cosby is right. Shameful the mainstream media allows inner city blacks to blame the white man. Do Japanese and Koreans make the same complaint? Do they have race baters like Al Sharpton representing them? Hell no.
I would never spend any money on this movie but it was worth watching for free. Derek Luke is a good actor, too bad he has not taken off but he is not unemployed. Not by a long shot.
I allocate this movie two stars.**
I am not sure why, after Tupac was shot, he would be driving around, late at night, without any body guards. But it does show how callous ghetto people are, shooting each other, stealing the car, not caring about anything but themselves. But that is the world Notorious lived in and exploited. Live by the talk, die by the talk. Promote that world, die by that same world.
Derek Luke, I like him. Denzel helped him establish his career with the decent movie called Antwone Fisher. He plays Sean Combs in this was the agent that brought us Biggie Smalls. I think he makes the movie, I like the way he talks and walks. His demeanor is funny when it wants to be and his countenance is serious when has to be.
This movie was not an epic by any means, it was not spectacular, and it there was anything memorable with this movie. It probably will not last longer than 1 weekend in the theatre. Regardless, it's purpose is fulfilled: to share the story of this talented but violent and over weight rapper. Do I think he had the talent or lyrics as an Ice Cube? Not even close. The movie stated this point, there was not anyone else, so anyone with halfway talent could make stardom and give some east coast rap some respect.
The fat rapper's mother is Angela Bassett and she is still wonderfully appealing.
The story of Notorious is similiar to many other rappers. He was a successful drug dealer who started from the bottom. How he became to run corners and not someone else, I am not sure. Did he work harder, remain more focused, and/or have superior sale's skills, could be all of them. He rapped on the side and finally someone told him to put a song on record. Some people liked it, so spoke with Sean Combs and they pumped out an album. This was successful. But Notorious did not wise up, was involved in some sort of car wreck, had or already had two children, so he decided to drop another album on the public at large. When promoting this album in LA, after Tupac was shot, him and his friends were shot by some gangsters that approached them on the other side of the car while they flirted with some ugly whores standing on the sidewalk. Typical. Brain dead.
I am glad Ice Cube has been smarter to either remain above this fray or avoid this type of behavior. I mean driving around at 0200 and talking to some useless and tore up woman while being in the wrong neighborhood. Perhaps Ice Cube never visited an east coast city, along with Dr. Dre. Regardless, they remain alive.
I like Ice Cube's lyrics in his 2006 Album, "I never got jacked, never got got in a parking lot." Something like that, that is even better than me.
Good to see Eminem come along and blow the rap world apart with an entire new set or lyrics and different style. His politics and jacked up but aren't they all? Even Ice Cube is radically against responsibility and still blames the white man for mythically holding down the black man. Comical. Excuses, and it only diverts the real reasons many black people can not figure it out. Bill Cosby is right. Shameful the mainstream media allows inner city blacks to blame the white man. Do Japanese and Koreans make the same complaint? Do they have race baters like Al Sharpton representing them? Hell no.
I would never spend any money on this movie but it was worth watching for free. Derek Luke is a good actor, too bad he has not taken off but he is not unemployed. Not by a long shot.
I allocate this movie two stars.**
Friday, January 16, 2009
Defiance
Daniel Craig is back but it is not as a James Bond hero but as a regular man tossed into a whirlwind of struggle and calamitous misfortune. I am not sure really where this movie takes place, in Poland or Germany. Most of it take's place in the woods, retreating and hiding from the Germans.
Craig plays Tuvia Bielski who is a brother who is forced to become a leader. He has the strength, health, and wherewithal to be that leader. He chose to only live by himself he would be considered a failure. When the Germans first started to round up Jews for systematic slaughter and deportation into work camps, or both, he hid out and escaped.
Liev Schreiber who has played in many movies, like The Sum of All Fears and The Manchurian Candidate, excells in another film. Craig's name may be larger now than Schreiber's but the latter has been on the big stage longer. Both are brother's in this wonderful tale which is based on a true story. Jamie Bell is the third brother, the youngest, who can barely hold it together when the Germans first begin to murder Jews. By the end of the film, he a motivational and energetic leader who enables the large Jewish contigent to successfully evade the Germans.
The Bielski brothers soon become locally famous since they the leaders of this group. I would not say they were are a resistance because they are not seeking this, they are merely seeking survival and escape. Apparently, the Jews have been labeled weaklings by the Russians and others for not fighting. More on this later.
The movie is frought with struggle, strife, and accomplishment. The hiding brothers soon take in more fleeing Jews who are not that able bodied but do not want to be mistreated by the Germans all of the same. They are not sure what to do, nor which direction to go.
The movie does mix in some humor. It is well balanced and I think the subtitles are fine because they are not completely through. Tossing in the other languages reminds us Americans that this is not nearby and the language difference is just the beginning. The Russian, Jewish, and German language are necessary for accuracy and to instill in the audience who these people really are. Cultural differences are spoken about and depicted in this excellent film. There is allot of killing but that is the nature of this brutal time.
An internal struggle erupts in the first half of the film with the Bielski brothers. Tuvia and Zus have different ideas on how things should done. Tuvia is more a social savior, he wants to take in as many Jews as he can and support and feed them. Zus disagrees with him for many reasons. He believes the more people they absorb, the easier it is for the Germans to find them. Which is true. Zus also is not inclined to help many of these Jews since allot of them are from the wealthy class in Jewish society and would not lift a finger to help them just months prior. Would not allow their daughters to even look at them, and so forth. This leads to a public fist fight, Zus, the largest, middle brother and Tuvia fight it out. Zus is tired of attracting the masses, he does not want to be a civic leader, he wants to seek revenge and be surrounded by people with this same notion. He wants to have a lighter, more fluid group of people. Whereas, Tuvia is apt to attract the masses. Tuvia wins the hand to hand conflict but loses his brother. Zus storms off, but in control, and announces his intentions and asks for those wanting to fight the Germans to come with him. Many younger males, not wanting to hide out in the cold forest for an unknown amount of time, leave with him.
Zus and his Jewish loyalists kill some Germans in a series of small hits at checkposts and what not. After this, Zus meets up with a lost Russian outfit that is also hiding out in the forest. By this time, the Bielski name is widely known, even by the Russian leader. The Russian soldiers, or this small brigade, are attacking the Germans in small confrontations when the time is right. Eventually the Russians take off and the brothers reunite when Tuvia and the other Jews are in dire straights with some attacking and approaching Germans. The Germans sent a tank this time and this after an air attack on their small forest shelters.
Their was some happy moments when the youngest Bielski brother married a cute Jewish girl. The Jewish wedding traditions are shown here. The movie never did show any hunting scenes, like for deer and other meat. An attacking dog was killed in one frightening scene, and they were growing potatoes since a large amount of potatoes were shown once or twice in the movie. The brothers settled the group near a water stream since having a constantly fresh water supply is obviously important.
In one scene, a Jewish lady is bathing in the stream and says she is getting too skinny and she jokes with some friends that when she returns to society she will eat nothing but cakes to fatten up. I guess she does not understand that fat is ugly and unhealthy. I understand it is a different culture though.
The movie was well spread out. The ending was suspenseful and Tuvia finally breaks down at the end. He has had to make so many life saving and balancing decisions, their dilemma after the German bombing attack and where to go, just overwhelms him. His psyche is about to give way when the youngest brother steps forth and leads them through these swamps.
The movie has a pleasant ending. Apparently, 1200 Jews live in the forest for for a couple of years and build a small town out of the forest. Hard work and perseverance is the centerpoint here.
Good characters, well casted, intense action, realistic scenes, creatively written, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It is more entertaining that Schindler's list but it does not have the big time director that that movie had. It could win some awards though. Interesting to see Craig not as the super human, imposing, and totally confident James Bond but as a solid man nevertheless thrust into this human made carnage.
I would allocate this movie four stars.****
Craig plays Tuvia Bielski who is a brother who is forced to become a leader. He has the strength, health, and wherewithal to be that leader. He chose to only live by himself he would be considered a failure. When the Germans first started to round up Jews for systematic slaughter and deportation into work camps, or both, he hid out and escaped.
Liev Schreiber who has played in many movies, like The Sum of All Fears and The Manchurian Candidate, excells in another film. Craig's name may be larger now than Schreiber's but the latter has been on the big stage longer. Both are brother's in this wonderful tale which is based on a true story. Jamie Bell is the third brother, the youngest, who can barely hold it together when the Germans first begin to murder Jews. By the end of the film, he a motivational and energetic leader who enables the large Jewish contigent to successfully evade the Germans.
The Bielski brothers soon become locally famous since they the leaders of this group. I would not say they were are a resistance because they are not seeking this, they are merely seeking survival and escape. Apparently, the Jews have been labeled weaklings by the Russians and others for not fighting. More on this later.
The movie is frought with struggle, strife, and accomplishment. The hiding brothers soon take in more fleeing Jews who are not that able bodied but do not want to be mistreated by the Germans all of the same. They are not sure what to do, nor which direction to go.
The movie does mix in some humor. It is well balanced and I think the subtitles are fine because they are not completely through. Tossing in the other languages reminds us Americans that this is not nearby and the language difference is just the beginning. The Russian, Jewish, and German language are necessary for accuracy and to instill in the audience who these people really are. Cultural differences are spoken about and depicted in this excellent film. There is allot of killing but that is the nature of this brutal time.
An internal struggle erupts in the first half of the film with the Bielski brothers. Tuvia and Zus have different ideas on how things should done. Tuvia is more a social savior, he wants to take in as many Jews as he can and support and feed them. Zus disagrees with him for many reasons. He believes the more people they absorb, the easier it is for the Germans to find them. Which is true. Zus also is not inclined to help many of these Jews since allot of them are from the wealthy class in Jewish society and would not lift a finger to help them just months prior. Would not allow their daughters to even look at them, and so forth. This leads to a public fist fight, Zus, the largest, middle brother and Tuvia fight it out. Zus is tired of attracting the masses, he does not want to be a civic leader, he wants to seek revenge and be surrounded by people with this same notion. He wants to have a lighter, more fluid group of people. Whereas, Tuvia is apt to attract the masses. Tuvia wins the hand to hand conflict but loses his brother. Zus storms off, but in control, and announces his intentions and asks for those wanting to fight the Germans to come with him. Many younger males, not wanting to hide out in the cold forest for an unknown amount of time, leave with him.
Zus and his Jewish loyalists kill some Germans in a series of small hits at checkposts and what not. After this, Zus meets up with a lost Russian outfit that is also hiding out in the forest. By this time, the Bielski name is widely known, even by the Russian leader. The Russian soldiers, or this small brigade, are attacking the Germans in small confrontations when the time is right. Eventually the Russians take off and the brothers reunite when Tuvia and the other Jews are in dire straights with some attacking and approaching Germans. The Germans sent a tank this time and this after an air attack on their small forest shelters.
Their was some happy moments when the youngest Bielski brother married a cute Jewish girl. The Jewish wedding traditions are shown here. The movie never did show any hunting scenes, like for deer and other meat. An attacking dog was killed in one frightening scene, and they were growing potatoes since a large amount of potatoes were shown once or twice in the movie. The brothers settled the group near a water stream since having a constantly fresh water supply is obviously important.
In one scene, a Jewish lady is bathing in the stream and says she is getting too skinny and she jokes with some friends that when she returns to society she will eat nothing but cakes to fatten up. I guess she does not understand that fat is ugly and unhealthy. I understand it is a different culture though.
The movie was well spread out. The ending was suspenseful and Tuvia finally breaks down at the end. He has had to make so many life saving and balancing decisions, their dilemma after the German bombing attack and where to go, just overwhelms him. His psyche is about to give way when the youngest brother steps forth and leads them through these swamps.
The movie has a pleasant ending. Apparently, 1200 Jews live in the forest for for a couple of years and build a small town out of the forest. Hard work and perseverance is the centerpoint here.
Good characters, well casted, intense action, realistic scenes, creatively written, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It is more entertaining that Schindler's list but it does not have the big time director that that movie had. It could win some awards though. Interesting to see Craig not as the super human, imposing, and totally confident James Bond but as a solid man nevertheless thrust into this human made carnage.
I would allocate this movie four stars.****
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