ADN

(Oh! Snap. I am sorry Darth Wiggums. Hey, this is raum, misusing my mod abilities and hitting edit, not reply. Sorry, I got that flu bug and screwed this all up. Ayhja, can you fix it?)


The Amateurs

The small town of Butterface, U.S.A. is full of colorful characters, who are led from crazy scheme to crazy scheme by Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges in his best role since and reminiscent of "The Dude" in the Big Lebowski). His new plan is one to make his success, and to do so in a thriving industry that will almost guarantee success. Butterface is gonna make a pr0n film!

Now all they need is a few women, a few hung studs, a good ten thousand dollars, and a script that doesn't include backdoor lovin' while diffusing a bomb!

This movie is awesome. Immediately it looks and feels like a play, and its strong dialogue would be well translated to a play, or (dare I dream) a Musical. Yes, I like musicals, especially bawdy, vulgar, and campy ones. Jeff Bridges is almost exactly the same character as The Dude with alot of added motivation from his family and the people he feels so close to, and while not being chased by Germans in gimp suits, he does manage to have a fair share of adventures, mostly are situational and non-violent. The nonchalant manner the all-star cast of characters speak about sex on screen was enough to make my girl blush, but that was a good thing! This was ultimately a good movie, the end became somewhat predictable, but that was more of a sign of how sincere it is, and never did I get the feeling the characters in the story were more informed of the ending than I was.

I highly recommend this rental movie as a non-action comedy with some real heart, and a bit of serendipity and romance.

The Mist

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0884328/
AF Link: N/A

Synopsis: A freak storm unleashes a species of blood-thirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole-up in a supermarket and fight for their lives

My $0.02

<-- Pros --> Taken from a story written by Stephen King...Ever read a Stephen King story that was less than awesome..? Right...So, already we're on the plus side of the rating scale...Stephen's stories are always awesome to read, and more often than not, those stories can be lost in the Hollywood translation...Fortunately for us, this isn't the case with this movie...Characters thrust into a pot and everyone starts to cook...Wonderful storytelling, kick ass cinema...If your mouth isn't hanging open at the ending, I'll process you a refund...Definitely one for the DVD collection...

<-- Cons --> The CG was a bit shaky...I would have liked to see some Rick Baker magic on a few choice scenes...And somehow, at the end of the movie, I found myself wanting to know more about the source of the issue for some reason, even though there was a remote explanation...But really, all in all, there isn't much to gripe about here, this shit rocked...

Rating: :D :D :D :) :)

3:10 to Yuma

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381849/
AF Link: N/A

Synopsis: A small-time rancher agrees to hold a captured outlaw who's awaiting a train to go to court in Yuma. A battle of wills ensues as the outlaw tries to psych out the rancher.

My $0.02

<-- Pros --> From this point on, I will assume that anything that Christian Bale is starring in will be a hit...Dude is probably the most underrated actor this side of Don Cheadle...He absolutely sells this movie, and by the end of this one, you'll probably feel along those same lines...Russell Crowe also does an amazing job in this...This is a very average type story that blossomed into something awesome...The characters actually had depth, so that when you see them reacting and making decisions, its not hard to be in their shoes...Excellent film...

<-- Cons --> Well, again, not much I can say here...It's a western...That automatically puts things into another perspective...I can't really offer any real critique...It's not a MUST see film, but if its on you need to watch it...

Rating: :D :D :D :D :)

^^ I will be sure to post Christian Bale's filmography for you. He is one of my favorite actors out there. Anything I've seen him in has been absolutely stunning. If you get the chance check out The Machinist. It's a bit strange but SO damn good!

I agree with what both of you said, except for one thing: I think 3:10 to Yuma is a must-see film. It has to be one of my favorite films of the past year. And Bale is simply the man ... he can do no wrong. Now if he somehow pulls off the John Connor role in the new Terminator movies under the direction of McG, then I'll have even more respect for him - as if that were possible.

Rented from Blockbuster.

This is a great flick. Little or no action, in fact one of the main cast is not even able to move on her own. You see, she's in a wheelchair, and can't speak.

THIS IS GOLD!

Lars Winstrom, played by Ryan Gosling shines is a unfamiliar cast of totally familiar characters. He is withdrawn. SEVERELY. When he is at work, his cubemate shows him a site called www.realdoll.com when you can have a near lifelike model of any women you want ANATOMICALLY correct and everything made and delivered in six weeks.

Six weeks later, Lars confides in his brother and his sister in law that "Bianca", a girl he met on the internet has come to live with him... but since they are not married she needs to stay in the "Pink Room", his mom's old room, because it wouldn't be right if they spent the night alone. From there, Lars and the whole town get to know Bianca, and through the process, get to know Lars. Lars is however suddenly shocked when he sees just how big a member of the community Bianca becomes and soon, through her job, her volunteer work, and even her days shopping with the girls and choosign the right stylist.. he has to face some hard facts. and he does so with a smile on his face that is as delusional as his idea that happiness can be manufactured.

Let me clarify, this is not some "wacky" Adam Sandler kinda crazy. This is a about a man who is REALLY delusional. He BELIEVES she is alive, and being that she is from South America, he needs to translate for her. It is a story of love, on a higher octave than a man and a woman. It is a story of the love of a community, and a town of real people, who have true and real compassion for one of their withdrawn members. I have no qualms stating that one part even made me cry.

We prolly all know a Lars. I know I do. And if I could, I would see if Bianca has a sister for him, if he would grow into love half as much as Lars does.

Juno

IMDB Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0467406/
AF Link: N/A

Synopsis: Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, an offbeat young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child.

My $0.02

<-- Pros --> The two main characters are well cast...Michael Cera makes me laugh just to see him on camera, and the lead, played by Ellen Page, was just spot on...Its almost as if the movie was written for her...Its not what I expected, I was thinking more Superbad type comedy, but it was more American Beauty type comedy...Nonetheless, it was a decent film...The supporting roles were all well done, to be honest...

<-- Cons --> I did not understand the relationship dynamics...The character dynamics were cool, but the relationships were way off to me...By the time you get to the end of the movie, you're wondering about the way they make decisions...Faced with a similar scenario, I'm sure may of us would have acted very differently...Without trying to give too much away, you'll hardly see Cera and Page together, and by the end you're supposed to understand that they're soul mates or something...The relationship Juno has with Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman is even weirder...Maybe this was a chick flick, or better yet, I just didn't get it...Would love to talk to someone who did though...

Rating: :D :) :roll: :| :|

Juno is an important film for teenagers. It's not the only one. Years ago it was The Breakfast Club, but now kids deal with new issues. Every teenager should see it.