Denzel Washington gives one of the best performances of his career in Robert Zemeckis' 'Flight'.
Washington plays an airline pilot named Whip Whitaker who saves a plane from crashing in one of the most terrifying and realistic crash sequences to hit the silver screen. While he is celebrated as a hero, an investigation leads to speculation that Whip was drunk while landing the plane.
The performances from the supporting cast in the film are superb. From John Goodman to Bruce Greenwood to Tamara Tunie, each member of the cast adds a layer of depth and emotion to the film. Though Melissa Leo only appears towards the end of the film, she is masterful.
While I have seen this film twice already, I just can't watch it again only because of that terrifying crash sequence!
While it might not strike gold at the Oscars, this is a film that will not be forgotten due to its incredible performances and fantastic direction by Robert Zemeckis.
Highly recommended!
Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller star in one of the best coming of age films that's come around in a long time.
Logan Lerman stars as Charlie, an introvert freshman who is trying to find his place in the real world. At a high school football game, Charlie is introduced to two seniors (Ezra Miller and Emma Watson) who work to break him out of his shell. Charlie is a very layered character who holds many secrets which are revealed as the film continues to its cathartic climax.
The performances are fantastic all around. Logan Lerman shows true potential as Charlie. Emma Watson also shows that she can break out of the 'Harry Potter' mold. Above all, the true star of the film is Ezra Miller. His character is just so well-written and his performance is incredibly moving.
Overall, I highly recommend this film. It's a movie I can personally relate to and I'm sure others can relate to it as well.
'Pitch Perfect' is definitely one of those films that you're either going to love or hate from the get-go. You're either going to find the constant acapella singing extremely annoying or you're actually going to find it quite entertaining like I did. There's no doubt that the film holds many similarities to 'Glee' (*vomits*), but the film is infinitely more charming and keeps the extreme cheese to a minimum. Anna Kendrick is fantastic in the film and Rebel Wilson ('Fat Amy') damn near steals the show. The supporting cast which includes Skylar Astin, Brittany Snow and Anna Camp, all hold their own. The only gripe I have with the film is a constant vomit gag that runs throughout most of the movie. It was unnecessary and flat-out crude. Overall, the acapella performances are wonderful and if you keep an open mind, you will definitely find a lot to like in 'Pitch Perfect'. Give it a chance! Recommended.
Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons and Dennis Quaid give it their all, but can't save the convoluted mess that is 'The Words'. Here's your brief plot description! Dennis Quaid stars as Clay Hammond, a celebrated author whose new book parallels the lives of Rory Jensen and Dora (Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana). Rory is an author who lacks inspiration. Rory's wife Dora buys him a leather satchel which ends up containing an old manuscript. Rory begins to read the manuscript and is immediately inspired to...well... plagiarize. The book is a huge success and Rory and Dora are living happily ever after, until an Old Man approaches Rory and tells him of his own life story. His life story turns out to be the manuscript. Rory is intimidated and tell his wife of his actions. Guilt ensues...and the film's climax feels similar to 'Inception'. There is no doubt that all of the actors in the film are trying to rise above the material, but the screenplay is so confusing when it really doesn't need to be. I'll praise some of the cinematography, but the film only warrants a rental. 'The Words' is a one-time watch for me!
Tobey Maguire stars as a devoted husband and father who suffers the consequences of his actions in 'The Details'. While the film starts out as a comedy, it quickly becomes darker in tone. The way the film plays out is almost like a chain reaction. For example, in an attempt to trap the raccoons roaming his backyard, Maguire's character poisons a can of tuna. In return, he kills his crazy neighbor's cat. This leads to even deadlier consequences. The film is definitely not for everyone because of how outlandish it becomes towards its climax. The performances are great all around from Kerry Washington, Ray Liotta, and especially Laura Linney as the crazy neighbor. I recommend this film as a rental at best. The film is currently on VOD (Video On Demand).
Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones star as an unhappily married couple who go on a retreat to invigorate their sex life in 'Hope Springs'. The film is both poignant and incredibly moving. The film also does not hold back when it comes to the subject of sex in an unhappy marriage. Steve Carell is excellent as a sex therapist whose sessions with Streep and Jones manage to be both hilarious and extremely uncomfortable at the same time. It truly is refreshing to see such a heartwarming film nowadays. The film is a must-watch, and with two of the most fantastic actors of the silver screen, you can't go wrong. Highly recommended!
Oh boy. Where should I even begin? 'Silent Hill Revelation' is right behind 'Resident Evil Retribution' as one of the worst films of the year.
Just how bad is this film? Lets just say it makes the first 'Silent Hill' film look like a work of art. To be honest, I didn't mind the first film and it definitely has some replay value. This film is a different story.
The plot follows Heather Mason (the protagonist of the game 'Silent Hill 3') as she returns to Silent Hill in order to find her father who was kidnapped by The Order. Tagging along with her is Vincent played by Kit Harington of 'Game of Thrones' fame. If you want me to delve any further into the plot it would basically be spoiling the entire confusing and downright perplexing plot. For those who have played 'Silent Hill 3', the film does follow the game's plotline, but takes its liberties. Most of which are not good.
I've been pretty nice so far. Here's where I cross the line. 'Silent Hill Revelation' features some of the worst acting I have ever seen on screen. Kit Harington should stick to 'Game of Thrones'. He was painfully bad in this film. Adelaide Clemens embodies Heather Mason, but she can't rise above the material she's given. I won't even comment on Malcolm McDowell and Carrie Anne Moss because they are in the film for only about five minutes.
The film's dialogue is brutal. The film drew many unintentional laughs because of how bad some of the lines were. The film feels like a first draft that no one else had the chance to revise.
What I will say is that the film is aesthetically beautiful. The atmosphere of the games is beautifully translated to the screen. This is only enhanced by the wonderful 3D. In fact, the 3D saves the film. If you don't see the film in 3D, you will definitely run back to the ticket vendor and ask for a refund. The ashes that engulf the town of Silent Hill really pop out of the screen, and a scene involving a mannequin monster is probably the best scene out of the whole film. Pyramid Head also pops up in the film and the 3D aspect definitely serves him well.
Overall, I really can't recommend this film. I can't even recommend it to fans of the games because you will probably walk out of the film enraged. If you must see it, you must see it in 3D.
I think it's safe to say that there won't be a 'Silent Hill 3' anytime soon.
