Hello everyone!
Starting this blog is something I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time. I’ve been a movie geek for about as long as I can remember. I see a lot of movies, I buy a lot of movies, I know probably too much about movies, and I love analyzing/talking about movies. I’ve never really had a good way to channel that passion…UNTIL NOW. Though I fear my dad is the true blogger in the family, I’m going to do my best to hold my own. I plan on using this forum to review new movies, reminisce about older ones, discuss, analyze, critique, and debate. Please, always feel free to comment…questions, compliments, complaints, criticisms, attacks, and raging insults are eagerly encouraged.
Me and the movies-
Favorite actors: Denzel Washington, Edward Norton, Daniel Day-Lewis, Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Favorite actresses: Meryl Streep, Jodie Foster
Favorite Directors- Martin Scorsese, Cohen brothers
All time favorite movie- Good Will Hunting
For this first blog, I’m going to throw out a few brief reviews of movies I’ve seen over the past few weeks. Read em’ over and tell me what you think!
Grade: A-
Though I’m admittedly not as much of a crazed Potter fan as I was as a youngin’, It’s hard to deny the brilliance of the last few films, especially the latest installment. Director David Yates does a fantastic job of bringing this whole world to life and engaging the viewer; he is quite an artist. Though almost every aspect of this movie is top notch, the thing that really stuck with me after leaving the theatre was the cinematography. Though all the Potter films have been generally well done works, the Deathly Hallows is the first one to incorporate such breathtaking scenery. Even more impressive is some of the camera work, which stands alone as an element that is uniquely awesome in this installment of the series. The only critique I could think to give would be that the second half of the film was a little too “Lord of the Rings-y.” The chase scenes through the forest, hiking across New Zealand-looking countryside, mountain climbing, and even the constant presence of an evil ring made parts of this movie seem almost painfully reminiscent of LOTR. That being said, rather or not you’re a fan of the books, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this flick.
Grade: A
Easily the best movie I’ve seen so far this year. If anyone had any doubts as to Ben Affleck's legitimacy as an actor or director (which you shouldn't have after Gone Baby Gone), you won't after seeing this movie. Tremendous acting, great character development, intense and realistic action scenes, and the most immaculate ending to any robbery/heist movie ever made, period. If this movie isn't nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor in a leading role (Affleck), Best Director, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Hamm or Renner), the academy can lick my butt. The combination of action, suspense, drama, romance, and intensity could not be more perfectly blended. Do yourself a favor- SEE THIS MOVIE.
Grade: B
There isn’t a ton to say about this movie. Very similar to the first one, both visually and plot-wise. The family and baby factor do make it a bit more intense than the first, but all in all, if you dug the first one, you’ll dig the second one.
Grade: B+
This movie was actually quite a surprise. I, like most people, went into it expecting something similar to The Hangover. It didn’t quite top that brilliant piece of hilarity, but it came pretty close. Straight forward plot, Robert Downey Jr. needs to get back home to California to be there for the birth of his son, so he hitches a ride with Zach Galifianakis, who plays a whack job aspiring actor. The thing that made this movie unique was the chemistry of these two actors. Zach’s role is similar to his role in The Hangover- hilariously eccentric, while Downey Jrs role is pretty typical for him- uptight asshole who looks to have not shaved in a fortnight. The result of this odd pair-up is comedy that is sometimes dark, sometimes outrageous, sometimes slapstick, and often a combination of the lot. If you’re looking to get your laugh on, I highly recommend it.
Grade: F
AWFUL. The saddest thing about this movie is that it had so much potential. Up until the last twenty minutes or so it was, in my opinion, one of the better Exorcism movies made to date (save for The Exorcism of Emily Rose). Approaching it from an angle of mockery and doubtful speculation was uncharted territory for an exorcism movie, and they developed the story tastefully for the first 75% of the movie. That all being said, the ending was so atrocious that it completely negated all the good film making of the earlier parts of the movie. I would think it obvious that there is no pseudo-classy way to film a satanic sacrifice of a newly born demon fetus, but apparently the writers of the film thought they had it in them. FAIL
