Dreadful!

Posted : 2 days, 18 hours ago on 13 May 2008 02:52 (A review of Are We Done Yet?)

"I can fix that." (It would have been nice if Ice Cube was referring to the screenplay...unfortunately he's not)

Unfortunately, as long as Hollywood sees a profit in them they will continue to roll out these types of appalling, strictly by-the-numbers children's flicks. When it comes to this genre quality is never the concern. It's the money. They hire the cheapest cast and crew they can and supply a reasonably small budget. Filtering little money into the film means that they'll easily return a large profit at the box office, even more easily returning its original budget.

This inevitable sequel to the inexcusably dismal 2005 film Are We There Yet? is just as bad as its predecessor, if not even worse. Ice Cube continues to dig a bigger hole for the corpse of his career by starring in films like these.

After the events of the first film we once again follow Nick Persons (Cube) who is now married to Suzanne (Long) and is now the stepfather of Suzanne's kids. The four of them are living in Nick's small condo that can barely accommodate them all. After Suzanne falls pregnant they soon decide that a bigger house is necessary to support the growing family. While looking for a house they meet wacky realtor/contractor/building inspector/policeman Chuck (McGinley) who convinces Nick to buy a big luxurious house that he can barely afford. Predictably, trouble strikes in the form of termites, dry rot, loss of electricity, falling through floors, and so on.

This then begins the film's journey down into the world of conventional storytelling that we've seen before as things go from bad to worse. It's a bunch of unfunny slapstick gags strung together as a sequel to an already appalling movie.

All the gags and pratfalls are easily predictable several minutes before they occur. I mean who would have predicted that Ice Cube would begin falling through collapsing walls and floors...? Aside from that it's also predictable that he will get struck by lightning, fall from ladders and get attacked by a cavalcade of different animals. And then of course the trademark cherry on top: Suzanne begins to go into labour at an awkward and inconvenient moment.

What's more - it's a credited remake of the 1948 movie Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (complete with an RKO logo at the beginning). But Ice Cube is no Cary Grant. The film is even more tragic by its references to several other (better quality) movies like Jaws and The Birds.

Just like its predecessor, Ice Cube's performance is somewhat questionable. The kids have further lost their appeal because now they're not young. Now they are older annoying snots who are even more irritating. I couldn't believe someone like John C. McGinley agreed to appear in this film. The man can be funny when given good material. Unfortunately there are no clever lines of dialogue for him to work with.

Are We Done Yet? is almost a rehash of the original with a house being wrecked as opposed to an expensive car. The film is phenomenally bad, notoriously unfunny, and pitches a more valuable question to the viewing audience: are we done with this series yet? One of the poorest films of 2007!

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A Time To Dance

Posted : 2 days, 21 hours ago on 12 May 2008 11:24 (A review of Footloose)

My Favorite Quote!

Ren: You like Men At Work?
Willard: what men?
Ren: Men at work.
Willard: well where do they work?
Ren: No, they're a music group.
Willard: well what do they call themselves?
Ren: Oh no! What about the Police?
Willard: What about 'em?
Ren: You ever heard them?
Willard: No, but I seen them.
Ren: Where, in concert?
Willard: No, behind you.

Footloose is such a terrific movie. From the shoe-stomping opening credits to its down and dirty small town ways, I love it so much.

Ren McCormack and his mom just moved to Bomont and he's having trouble fitting in. When he hears about the no dancing/no loud music laws, Ren (Kevin Bacon) knows he can make a difference. With the help of Ariel (Lori Singer), his dream of a senior prom becomes a reality.

I'd reccommend this film to anyone who enjoys a passionate yet fun-filled story, along with a great soundtrack!

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El poder de la imaginación

Posted : 3 days, 3 hours ago on 12 May 2008 05:30 (A review of Nido vac)

Encontrarse con lo que uno puede llegar a ser y saber que nunca cubrirá las expectativas, sentirse solo y especial, y saberse común y normal; eso es lo que deja ver la película y, en medio de tanta simplicidad, lo fantástico del encuentro.

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Just perfect

Posted : 3 days, 4 hours ago on 12 May 2008 05:17 (A review of Forrest Gump)

A stunning story, the perfect way of discovering a brand new outlook on life. I could watch this movie a hundred times...

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Durval Discos review

Posted : 3 days, 7 hours ago on 12 May 2008 01:53 (A review of Durval Discos)

Filme muito criativo, uma pequena obra de arte pouco conhecida.
Durval é proprietário de uma loja de discos, que aos poucos é esquecida devido a utilização então recende dos CDs, fato que o frustra bastante e para aos que que insistem em perguntar por CDs, ele dispara: "O nome da loja é Durval Discos - só trabalho com vinil, pô".
Um filme engraçado, surpreendente e muito envolvente.

A cena que mostra a Kiki montada num cavalo branco dentro do quarto pintando a parede de sangue é inesquecivel!

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Now and Then review

Posted : 3 days, 8 hours ago on 12 May 2008 01:04 (A review of Now and Then)

Amigas se reúnem após 20 anos para lembrar de um certo verão, que se tornou especial em suas vidas.
Fico emocionada sempre que assisto.

É o filme que marcou minha infância.

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Surprisingly entertaining.

Posted : 3 days, 12 hours ago on 12 May 2008 08:28 (A review of 28 Days)

"Yeah, I know I drink a lot, I know I do because I'm a writer and that's what I do, I drink. I'm not like those people out there, I can control myself!"

Normally I tend to avoid these kinds of chick flicks. Over the years I haven't viewed many girly films that have ended up being anything more than fluffy clichéd entertainment. I approached 28 Days because of the outstanding cast that this film had to boast. I am pleased and happy to report that this film isn't as bad as I was originally anticipating.

A free-spirited big-city journalist named Gwen Cummings (Bullock) is a raging alcoholic who spends most of her time getting drunk with her equally boozy boyfriend Jasper (West). Frequently the two endlessly party all night; binge drinking into the early hours of the morning. Gwen turns up to her sister's wedding not only late, but also hopelessly inebriated. During the wedding she makes a complete fool of herself by falling onto the wedding cake while dancing uncontrollably. She then aims to replace the cake on short notice and ends up crashing a limousine into a house. Charged with a drink driving offence she is given the choice of jail time or a 28-day rehab program. Not surprisingly, Gwen chooses rehab. At first she is hesitant to get involved in any of the treatment programs; instead denying that she has an addiction to both cigarettes and alcohol. The whole thing seems like a bad joke to her. However after getting to know some of the fellow patients she re-examines her life and slowly conforms to the activities that the other patients are involved in.

28 Days is not so much a comedy but a poignant look at the troubled people of contemporary society. The audience can easily relate to all the characters because we see them commonly on the streets around us. The story is more concerned with Gwen finding a way to deal with life. I thought that this was a refreshing film because I've seen far too many comedies that fail when trying to be something more meaningful than it actually is.

Even after saying that, 28 Days is a film that also contains a bunch of fantastic gags. I adored the clever parody of the typical daytime soap opera. Because of how convoluted and hilariously over-the-top soapies actually are, it's great to see a soapie that is actually meant to be funny.

Many of the laughs can also be attributed to the sensational cast. Sandra Bullock has never played anyone quite like this character. This has even been called her best performance to date. Bullock suits her role perfectly. She's entirely believable and perfectly cast. However, the major stand-out for me was the gay German dancer played by Alan Tudyk. Now this is a focused performer! Throughout the film he never breaks his complete concentration. Every line is delivered in an amusing German accent. His testimony about forks was entirely improvised by Alan on the spot! All his mannerisms are very funny at times.

28 Days, of course, is a great comedy with a few good messages about life. On the contrary there's also a selection of flaws. There are some laughs, but I felt a distinct lack of quality laugh-out-loud moments of which the film has precious little. Naturally, this is a matter of taste. I also thought that the film was heavily clichéd at times as well as being highly predictable during its middle section. Even with those clichés being present, I must also say that the film manages to avoid many of the typical conventions of the genre. This is always a good sign.

Overall, I found 28 Days to be great viewing if you're bored on a rainy afternoon or if you want a night of good laughs and drama. Don't raise your expectations too high and you won't be disappointed. Certainly worth a screening or two.

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Brilliant! Classic Monty Python!

Posted : 3 days, 16 hours ago on 12 May 2008 05:18 (A review of Monty Python's Life of Brian)

"He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy!"

After the Monty Python troupe bathed in the massive success of their hilarious low-budget picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the team soon regrouped to produce another silly, incredibly hilarious comedy. Life of Brian is a brilliant sacrilegious production that combines irreverent humour as well as political and religious satire. The results are as outstanding and hilarious as they were when first released about 30 years ago.

Logically enough, Life of Brian is a film about a boy named Brian Cohen (Chapman). Brian is born in a stable on the original Christmas right next to the stable where Jesus is born. As a result the three wise men mistake Brian for the Son of God and present his bewildered mother with gifts...soon rectifying their mistake. We then jump forward a number of decades to "Judea, AD 33, Saturday afternoon...about tea time" when Brian is a fully grown man. Brian's mother had raised him to believe that his father was a certain Mr. Cohen, but one day Brian discovers that his father was a Roman centurion named Naughtius Maximus (joke name, of course). Brian, fuelled by his hatred for the Romans and refusing to believe he is one, is horrified and decides to join a rebel group called the People's Front of Judea (not to be mistaken for the Judean People's Front). After joining this rebel group a very amusing string of events begin to unfold. This includes being captured by the Romans, being mistaken for the Messiah and even being assigned for crucifixion.

Life of Brian is a film I truly adore! Being a big fan of Monty Python for numerous years I always find their style of humour to my liking. This film suffered criticism for its sometimes offensive views on religion. If you are one of those people and take the Python's views on religion seriously then I think you have a problem. Maybe you should go watch some religious propaganda and feel a lot better about the content in that. The film was even banned in certain parts of the world. Can't priests and heavily religious people just accept a good laugh?!?

I loved the performances from everyone in the cast. Even though the six members of the Python team play several roles, they are determined and give it 100%. They all have their moments of utter hilarity...even if it means a bunch of nudity. (Yes, Graham Chapman, I am looking at you. R.I.P.) The filmmakers cover all the basics...from Caesar with a speech impediment to Jesus delivering a sermon atop a mountain to a crowd who seem to be more concerned with insults concerning noses.

The six Monty Python members can certainly write a good script while in each other's company. In this film there's creativity and original humour all over the place. The film was shot in the beautiful location of Tunisia. The production values are quite good for a low-budget comedy (we can excuse a few minor technical faults for the sake of entertainment).

Life of Brian could be the best Monty Python movie in existence. This and Holy Grail are both downright hilarious and entertaining. Highly recommended! Interesting trivia fact: the film was financed by George Harrison of The Beatles.

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So dreadful it hurts your brain!

Posted : 3 days, 18 hours ago on 12 May 2008 02:48 (A review of Are We There Yet?)

"I love a happy ending! Hahaha!" (An actual quote from the film. Although in this case I wouldn't mind any ending...as long as it's over!)

Pointless family movies are another disease in Hollywood. Every year without failure the studios continue to roll out standard by-the-numbers family movies that are clichéd beyond all belief. Why do the studios do this? Simple - because they don't cost much to make and they are capable of pulling in stacks of money from the younger audience.

Are We There Yet? is yet another indescribably appalling mess of a family movie in the vein of those aforementioned clichéd family flicks. The only difference is that this film is one of the worst I have experienced in a long time, and it's a film that I wish had never come to fruition.

Nick Persons (Cube) is a swinging bachelor who meets divorced attractive single mother Suzanne (Long). As Suzanne leaves on a business trip, her ex-husband cancels his plans to take care of the kids...and Nick volunteers to take them. From there the film sinks into the world of clichés, predictability and just plain unoriginality as Nick takes the kids in his new car to Vancouver to meet with Suzanne. The two kids have never liked any of the men her mum has dated in the past...and of course try everything they're capable of to make the trip a nightmare for Nick.

It's typical black comedy we've seen millions of times before as things get destroyed and begin going from bad to worse (not to mention the complete implausibility of a deer turning into Mohammad Ali and beating the crap out of Ice Cube).

Are We There Yet? is the typical American family film strictly for the kids - i.e. corny lines, cheesy, happy ending, predictable, impossible events just for the sake of getting a giggle out of a child...gee, I could go on all day. I think it goes without saying that the acting, directing, screenwriting - basically the all round filmmaking is typical for the genre.

Ice Cube has done some good work in the past. I haven't seen any excellent work from him and I don't expect him to. But hell, he has got to make some good career moves. Anaconda, xXx: The Next Level and now this pile of manure. The two young performers playing the kids are both annoying little snots. We're not supposed to like them and hence have motivation to empathise with Ice Cube's situation. However it's a little hard to do this when it's really clear that the only reason Ice Cube's character is doing this is to get into the good books of a pretty woman. And this is supposed to be a film for the kids?

The ending was the final insult, and the last nail in the coffin. It's the same movie we've seen billions of times before with a different title slapped on it. Ice Cube...your career is over and all previous respect I had for you is gone.

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An amazing crime drama!

Posted : 3 days, 18 hours ago on 12 May 2008 02:30 (A review of American Gangster)

"Frank Lucas is the most dangerous man walking the streets of our city."

American Gangster is another film of 2007 that separates the audiences who seek rubbish blockbusters (like Transformers, Spider-Man 3, etc) and those who seek fine filmmaking no matter how slowly the film is paced. To like this film, you must be part of the latter.

Ridley Scott's latest directorial outing is nothing short of a masterpiece; an expertly crafted intense American crime drama led by talented stars and a director in top form.

Before getting on with this review I must be perfectly frank: the trailer for American Gangster was the worst way to advertise the film and does no justice to the final product. I wasn't at all interested in the film after watching the trailer; however I was pulled along after winning tickets. I entered the cinema with little expectations...but after exiting that cinema I realised that I had just witnessed one of the best films of 2007 and possibly Ridley Scott's finest hour. American Gangster is very powerful and heavy at times; showcasing strong violence, drug use, nudity and lots of profanity...the rating reflects the maturity and age one must reach in order to view the material. While I was in the cinema watching the film I was shocked to see youngsters as young as five or six being allowed by their parents to exhibit this heavily mature production.

American Gangster is based on the true story about drug kingpin Frank Lucas (Washington) who became the first black man to successfully smuggle drugs into the United States. He begins his smuggling career by using coffins containing dead soldiers (and high class drugs) shipped back from Vietnam. Frank's product is the purest on the market and is in massive demand amongst the consumers. We follow Frank as he grows his drug industry, while at the other end of the law he is being shadowed by a cop named Richie Roberts (Crowe). Richie's objective is to finally bring the drug kingpin to justice and prevent any further damage to the American population.

Ridley Scott's directing absolutely blew me away. Every scene is meticulously crafted and adds new meaning to the plot with not a wasted second: this film is one of the finest of its genre. With his skilled direction and authoritative images, the audience will feel compelled to shut up and watch for the film's duration of almost 3 hours. Scott is always a perfectionist when he is behind the camera. His determination shines.

I must also mention the performances from everyone in the cast...they were all incredibly amazing. Denzel Washington is flawless in the title role. We have never seen Denzel portray a character like this one. This alone shows his versatility as a performer. Russell Crowe's portrayal is stellar and concentrated. While watching the movie I was especially engaged in every line that Crowe delivered. He is also realistic and believable. Credit must go to each and every cast member for their stellar efforts.

Throughout the film's running time there is little action and hence will be found boring by those who crave Michael Bay rubbish. However the action that unfolds on screen during those rare occasions is both heavy and difficult to watch. I sat in awe; hypnotised by the film's power and brilliance. After the screening of the film concluded I left the cinema in silence. I was stunned at the brilliance of this masterpiece.

Many people overlooked this movie because of its long running time and automatically classified this as "boring" due to little action. It's a shame that modern movie audiences only look for blockbusters that are created far too frequently these days. Masterpieces of this stature are rarities in Hollywood during this day and age. I wish that filmmakers would focus on masterpieces in lieu of blockbusters.

I'm going to make this very clear: if you're expecting non-stop action and 2D characters, stay very clear. But if you're looking for an expertly crafted modern masterpiece, watch this movie without hesitation. Plain and simply, American Gangster is one of the best films of 2007.

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