DVD Release Date: January 11, 2011
In The Social Network Jesse Eisenberg stars as Mark Zuckerberg, the world’s youngest billionaire. Based loosely on actual events, The Social Network recounts the creation of the largest social networking site on the internet. Take a look:
When I heard that they were making a movie about facebook I rolled my eyes. When I learned that Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher were linked to the project I was Perplexed, although cautiously optimistic. David Fincher has become one of the great modern directors, with both Se7en and Fight Club reaching cult classic status. But, both of those films are dark and gritty, how would he fare directing a comedy/drama about facebook?
It turns out not only was he successful in creating the right tone for the film, he was also able to seamlessly transition between scenes of humor to scenes with intense drama. Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross composed the score, and throughout the movie the music helped to create a mood of sadness, which really worked to highlight Mark’s underlying jealousy and depression.
The film is topped off by one of the greatest performances of the year by Jesse Eisenberg. Do yourself a favor, if you didn’t see The Social Network in theaters, go out and rent it.
Final Grade: A
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Top 5 Rentals This Week (With Ratings)
1 (C-) Disney's A Christmas Carol
2 (C-) Shrek Forever After (Shrek 4)
3 (A) Toy Story 3
4 (A) Inception
5 (D-) The Last Airbender
2 (C-) Shrek Forever After (Shrek 4)
3 (A) Toy Story 3
4 (A) Inception
5 (D-) The Last Airbender
Dinner For Schmucks Review
DVD Release Date: January 4, 2011
Dinner for Schmucks is about a businessman named Tim (Paul Rudd) who is working his way up the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, in order to get the promotion of his dreams he needs to find an idiot to bring to a special dinner for schmucks. Initially Tim is skeptical with the idea, until of course he runs into Barry (Steve Carell), and decides to go ahead with the dinner with Barry as his guest of honor.
The film runs for about two hours and I have to say the middle hour or so is extremely painful to watch. The start is pretty funny, a hilarious appearance from Jemaine Clement gets things rolling. But, once Barry is introduced it goes from funny to annoying. For a good thirty minutes it seems joke after joke falls flat, and the movie feels awkward and forgets to be funny.
The director is Jay Roach, who directed the Austin Powers movies, as well as the Meet the Parents movies. This is, by far, my least favorite of any of his films. The slapstick is awful, and Paul Rudd is playing the same bland character he seems to be playing in every movie. When the film finally gets to the dinner at the end, even though it’s funny, I found myself so bored and irritated that I just didn’t care anymore.
The only saving grace of this film is the quality of the comedic actors. Steve Carell, Jemaine Clement and Zack Galifianakis are all great, but there’s nothing they can do to save this slow, tedious comedy.
Final Grade: D+
Dinner for Schmucks is about a businessman named Tim (Paul Rudd) who is working his way up the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, in order to get the promotion of his dreams he needs to find an idiot to bring to a special dinner for schmucks. Initially Tim is skeptical with the idea, until of course he runs into Barry (Steve Carell), and decides to go ahead with the dinner with Barry as his guest of honor.
The film runs for about two hours and I have to say the middle hour or so is extremely painful to watch. The start is pretty funny, a hilarious appearance from Jemaine Clement gets things rolling. But, once Barry is introduced it goes from funny to annoying. For a good thirty minutes it seems joke after joke falls flat, and the movie feels awkward and forgets to be funny.
The director is Jay Roach, who directed the Austin Powers movies, as well as the Meet the Parents movies. This is, by far, my least favorite of any of his films. The slapstick is awful, and Paul Rudd is playing the same bland character he seems to be playing in every movie. When the film finally gets to the dinner at the end, even though it’s funny, I found myself so bored and irritated that I just didn’t care anymore.
The only saving grace of this film is the quality of the comedic actors. Steve Carell, Jemaine Clement and Zack Galifianakis are all great, but there’s nothing they can do to save this slow, tedious comedy.
Final Grade: D+
The Last Exorcism Review
DVD Release Date: January 4, 2011
Eli Roth is back as a producer for the first time since Hostel. He brings us a faux documentary horror film about a man who performs exorcisms:
Although The Last Exorcism seems to draw from past handheld horror films (Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project), it really comes out as its own unique film. The documentary style of filming really helps to make the audience believe the premise, making it very frightening when things start to go wrong.
Everyone involved in the film did a great job of acting. The standout performance was definitely Caleb Landry Jones, who plays the creepy son in the film. Whenever he’s on the screen I found myself feeling unusually uneasy, not knowing what he’s going to do or say next.
The Last Exorcism was going strong and the ending was looking to be quite refreshing… However, the final twist destroyed the momentum of the film. Not so much because it was a bad twist, on the contrary, it was a really cool idea. But, it was handled so poorly, and happened so fast that it will leave you confused rather then scared.
Even though it was a disappointing ending, it wasn’t bad enough to stop me from enjoying the overall picture.
Final Grade: B-
Eli Roth is back as a producer for the first time since Hostel. He brings us a faux documentary horror film about a man who performs exorcisms:
Although The Last Exorcism seems to draw from past handheld horror films (Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project), it really comes out as its own unique film. The documentary style of filming really helps to make the audience believe the premise, making it very frightening when things start to go wrong.
Everyone involved in the film did a great job of acting. The standout performance was definitely Caleb Landry Jones, who plays the creepy son in the film. Whenever he’s on the screen I found myself feeling unusually uneasy, not knowing what he’s going to do or say next.
The Last Exorcism was going strong and the ending was looking to be quite refreshing… However, the final twist destroyed the momentum of the film. Not so much because it was a bad twist, on the contrary, it was a really cool idea. But, it was handled so poorly, and happened so fast that it will leave you confused rather then scared.
Even though it was a disappointing ending, it wasn’t bad enough to stop me from enjoying the overall picture.
Final Grade: B-
Monday, December 27, 2010
Top 5 Rentals This Week (With Ratings)
1 (C-) Disney's A Christmas Carol
2 (C-) Shrek Forever After (Shrek 4)
3 (A) Toy Story 3
4 (A) Inception
5 (D-) The Last Airbender
2 (C-) Shrek Forever After (Shrek 4)
3 (A) Toy Story 3
4 (A) Inception
5 (D-) The Last Airbender
The American Review
DVD Release Date: December 28, 2010
George Clooney stars in The American, an interesting look into life of an aging assassin:
One of the most underrated films of 2010 has to be The American. I think the biggest problem with the film is that it’s marketed as if it was an action movie, which it’s not. The film is an interesting character study of what happen when a spy grows old. It almost reminds me of a cross between a Kubrick film, The Wrestler and a classic thriller. There is very little dialog throughout the film, and you learn so much about George Clooney by really studying his subtle mannerisms.
The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and will make anyone want to visit Italy. The score and the direction really help to slowly build tension and uncertainty throughout the movie, although sometimes it seems slightly manipulative. The pacing of the movie is very deliberate, so I can understand a few people finding the film a little slow. The screenplay is also a little weak, and the ending feels a little shallow as a result.
The American is a beautiful and interesting take on very common subject matter.
Final Grade: B+
George Clooney stars in The American, an interesting look into life of an aging assassin:
One of the most underrated films of 2010 has to be The American. I think the biggest problem with the film is that it’s marketed as if it was an action movie, which it’s not. The film is an interesting character study of what happen when a spy grows old. It almost reminds me of a cross between a Kubrick film, The Wrestler and a classic thriller. There is very little dialog throughout the film, and you learn so much about George Clooney by really studying his subtle mannerisms.
The cinematography is absolutely gorgeous, and will make anyone want to visit Italy. The score and the direction really help to slowly build tension and uncertainty throughout the movie, although sometimes it seems slightly manipulative. The pacing of the movie is very deliberate, so I can understand a few people finding the film a little slow. The screenplay is also a little weak, and the ending feels a little shallow as a result.
The American is a beautiful and interesting take on very common subject matter.
Final Grade: B+
Resident Evil: Afterlife Review
DVD Realease Date: December 28, 2010
Alice (Milla Jovovich) is back in the third installment of the Resident Evil saga. Based on the iconic video game series, Resident Evil somehow keeps audiences coming back for more and more.
The first two films were your typical zombie movies. They consist of: survive, kill a lot of zombies and escape. Those films knew what they were, and how to deliver to an audience. As the series progresses the filmmaker seem to lose the plot, clawing to try to make sense of the most recent twist. As a result, the first half of this movie is spent trying to make up for the ridiculous premise set up in the last film.
Zombie movies don’t need a plot; zombie movies don’t need good characters; Zombie movies need zombies. It takes half the film before the first zombie is killed. When you rely heavily on a fan base wanting action it’s a good idea to give them action!
Once the film finally gets going there’s enough blood and violence to go around, and the action is definitely shot very well. If you’re a fan of the first three films, go out and rent it; otherwise, stay clear.
Final Grade: D
Alice (Milla Jovovich) is back in the third installment of the Resident Evil saga. Based on the iconic video game series, Resident Evil somehow keeps audiences coming back for more and more.
The first two films were your typical zombie movies. They consist of: survive, kill a lot of zombies and escape. Those films knew what they were, and how to deliver to an audience. As the series progresses the filmmaker seem to lose the plot, clawing to try to make sense of the most recent twist. As a result, the first half of this movie is spent trying to make up for the ridiculous premise set up in the last film.
Zombie movies don’t need a plot; zombie movies don’t need good characters; Zombie movies need zombies. It takes half the film before the first zombie is killed. When you rely heavily on a fan base wanting action it’s a good idea to give them action!
Once the film finally gets going there’s enough blood and violence to go around, and the action is definitely shot very well. If you’re a fan of the first three films, go out and rent it; otherwise, stay clear.
Final Grade: D
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