My Movie Review: The Town

My Movie Review: The Town

3.5/5

Opening Statement: Ben Affleck and friends are back in Boston, this time they are causing serious bank robberies. After their first robbery the take a hostage temporarily, played by Rebecca Hall, after she is released Affleck follows her around for a bit and eventually falls for her. As FBI Agent, played by John Hamm, is closing in on the group, and Affleck plans on leaving, they are dragged into another couple robberies.

What's Good: You won't be robbed spending money on this film. Affleck has once again he is a story teller. Still an average actor, but under his own direction can only help him shine. Performance wise Renner (The Hurt Locker) as his friend is spectacular. I toss the term "Oscar-worthy" a lot this time of year. But I think Renner has a shot at a spot for supporting actor. The ensemble does its job well, the story is what is really compelling. There is not stops for bizarre emotional symbolism (which I usually like if done right) but more so a straight forward story. With mind-ful action, not mindless. There is one of the greatest car chases in cinema in this movie, they don't show off their action to much, but each action scene is done more beautifully than I thought one could be. 

What's Bad:I will have to admit, while the whole film is eye candy and fun entertainment. I don't think I had the full effect of the drama. We have this very tense (actually feels tense) scenarios of robberies. Then we have our main character, Affleck talking about making a change, and wanting to leave. I am not saying this shouldn't have been in the movie, I just thought it need a little more drama to the situation. I didn't feel for Affleck's character fully I was rooting for the robberies to be successful and for him to make it off with Hall's character, the direction the story took was fine, but there wasn't enough emotion toward Affleck's goal.

The Rant: None.

Oscar Possibilities: Best Picture, Supporting Actor: Renner, Editing, Art Direction, Cinematography

Consensus: The Town is highly entertaining, and its story pushes forward with full interest. A lot is owed to Affleck's excellent direction.

My Movie Review: Devil

My Movie Review: Devil
2.5/5

Opening Statement: During a suicide investigation 5 strangers find themselves trapped in an elevator.  As we learn about their dark pasts, and the dark pasts of the people trying to save them. We start understanding biblically why they were brought there, as they die off one by one.


What's Good: Devil is entertaining to say the least, it also has a few good scares to it. I wouldn't go so far to call it terrifying. The negative chemistry between the characters in the elevator feels real, nothing out of the ordinary acting or screenwriting. It feels good enough to keep your attention. The "twist" at the end isn't predictable, but the resolution to the twist is. It ties very well in the end showing a very scary finally. It is said that aspects of it have been based of an Agatha Christie novel, I wouldn't know to much about that, except to say it was probably a good novel.


What's Bad: While the thrills are tight, and the film is entertaining. What it lacks is trust toward its audience. This movie is a biblical fable, with a moral ultimately at the end. That intrigues me, you don't see many modern fables like this. However they spoon feed you everything. You have a mexican christian chanting and explaining the story about the devil whole-heartedly and how he works and such. I feel if they would've kept the camera on the more interesting characters (in the elevator) and let is analyze its moral toward the end ourself, this film would've stayed on the mind much longer. They way it settled is "mindless" unfortunately. I will probably never think about this movie again, I might see it again, but thats it.


The Rant: Shymalan produced the film, and I like this guy. Signs is one of my favorite horror films of all time. I loved The Sixth Sense too. Here is my problem. How has public opinion of this man deteriorated so much? The Village was ok (2.5/5), I never saw The Lady in the Water. The Happening, which everyone hated i'd say was another solid 2.5 along with The Last Air Bender. What i'm basically saying here is there is a serious case of underrated with this man. No he's not a great director, but he's not THAT bad. I think all the negative hype is getting to the general audience. NOTE: I know this isn't Shymalan directed, just thought i'd point out that I will still see the mans movies.


Consensus: Devil is entertaining but it suffers from spoon feeding its not-so-complicated morality tale step by step to its audience. 

My Movie Review: The Social Network

My Movie Review: The Social Network
4.5/5

Opening Statement: The re-telling of the invention of facebook starring Jesse Eisenberg as MArk Zuckerberg a young man  who started the billion dollar network all starting from a break up and a drunk night in his dorm room at Harvard. He finds himself in several lawsuit disputes toward the future.


What's Good: Aaron Sorkin is the biggest player here with a witty, yet touching screenplay. He is simply telling us a story, no pauses to reflect on emotion, in fact the emotion is pretty much displayed in the words each character says. I have never seen a story told to me this way. Fincher's excellend direction helps to, we have a nice dark tone to the film. This isn't the "Facebook: Movie" you probably see the facebook site itself 2 times only in the runtime which stretches a bit over 2 hours. This is a movie about invention in a modern day world. There is one scene that is spectacular with the Winklevoss twins (played by Armie Hammer) as they go to see the Harvard president about getting their billion dollar idea stolen. The president basically talks to them like children who just had a toy stolen. This movie touches base on several emotions, but in a subtle way. Toward the beginning you empathize with Zuckerberg, toward the middle you start disliking him, and by the end you understand his character fully. This movie is the most intelligent movie of the year, definitely one of the better ones which deserves Oscar nods for Picture, Director, Screenplay, and acting nods for Eisenberg primarily who has genuinely evolved since Zombieland (4/5) from an awkward comedic virgin to a person I now know can really REALLY act. 


What's Bad: For me, absolutely nothing. For others, I can see this movie touching them but them still believing its not perfect. It was tough for me not to give this brilliant film a 5/5 I was on edge the whole time. But outside my own perspective of the film, audiences may think its just great, no larger use of the word.


The Rant: THIS IS NOT A MOVIE ABOUT FACEBOOK. If you were hoping for a two hour movie about wall postings and shit, you are out of luck. So many stubborn online people have taken the liberty to say this film CAN NOT be good cause it is ABOUT facebook. This movie is about the invention of facebook, and probably not much of that either. It is about the loss of innocence, the modern day inventions, the damaged characters. So if you tell me that its about FACEBOOK I will get in your face (about to fight style) and tell you off...so be ready.


Consensus: This movie is the most brilliant film of the year. Eisenberg gives an Oscar worthy performance along with directer and writer Fincher/ Sorking. This goes beyond the simple website facebook to the emotional struggles of its invention. This is the movie of the year.

MY CLASSICS: The Truman Show

MY Classics: The Truman Show (1998)
5/5


            "We accept the reality of the world which we are presented" a quote from Christof, the producer of 'The Truman Show' a classic that came out tweleve years ago. On the outside this movie can seem like just a complex satire on the tv-watching age. Take a second to pay attention to that quote. Now for that quote really to make you wonder, think about our world. We breathe, we walk, we think and we accept it. This is how our reality works. Of course we question it and are giving a brief scientific explanation,  then we accept those explanations. The Truman Show is a reflection on something bigger than media satire.
             In The Truman Show we are introduced to a man named Truman, played enthusiastically by Jim Carrey.  I might start including spoilers here in a moment. Truman is living his life, a job, a wife, however he starts picking up odd signs that things aren't right. Almost as he is developing his own mid-life crisis and wanting to  escape to Fiji for a little bit. What we discover as an audience is he is living in a world of actors, surrounded by water which he is scared to cross. Halfway through the film we are introduced to the people in the sun, who are playing God to Truman, the technical team behind The Truman Show. The producer, played very well by Ed Harris, is interviewing on why what they do with Truman gives inspiration to the troubled outside world.
             Christof, the producer, insists that the world he has given Truman is for his own protection, and in a magnificent sequence.. there are a series of giant TV's showing Truman's face while sleeping as Christof starts petting his nose, almost acting with a parental love. This character can be two-sided, a man who cares about the show, or one that cares about Truman. He becomes corrupt wanting to keep him at Seaside to the point of nearly killing him in an ocean. Till one of the greatest scenes in movie history occurs. Where Truman's boat hits the wall and he has to take it all in that his world was unreal. As he climbs stairs and goes to the door Christof talks to him from the sky. Acting almost as God. This scene is gorgeous, moving, and refects both characters overall emotions.
             This movie is an instant classic in my book, it works poetically, and it is a very important film. It expresses imagination and elements of true movie magic. This is how movies should be made, with great entertainment, comedy, lovable characters, deep symbolic moments, and high emotions. This is a perfect film and on my list of classics. A new segment on Wades Films.

My Oscar/ Golden Globe Predictions: FALL SEASON

I have just now...at 2 AM...made a decision to post my Oscar predictions each season. And Golden Globes...so yeah...lets see how I did. (Lots of shots in the dark here)

THE OSCARS

Best Picture
127 Hours
Black Swan
Inception (5/5)
The Kid's are All Right (4/5)
The King's Speech
The Social Network
Toy Story 3 (4.5/5)
The Tree of Life
True Grit
The Way Back

Telluride, and other festivals showed 127 Hours, Black Swan, The King's Speech, and The Way Back are going to be good films. True Grit and Tree of Life i'm still skeptical with but there is a lot of talent behind them. Inception is almost certain, along with Toy Story 3 (don't hold me to that.) The Social Network is generating pretty good buzz to, great script which I had the pleasure of reading for a class. Sorkin is a shue in for screenplay.

THE WINNER: The Kid's Are All Right
Yep, I'm crazy, however this is one of the few movies that have great reviews set in stone, I am more confident it'll squeeze out a nomination than most predictors. All-Star cast and everything.

MY YEAR IN ADVANCE PICKS (March)
The Beaver (yeah...haha)
Get Low (Still a possibility, moderate reviews though)
Inception (Got one so far)
Leaves of Grass (Never got to see it...who did?)
Robin Hood (Trust me, everyone thought it be better)
Secretariat (still a possibility, Alex Carlson at filmmisery.com said it could this years "Blind Side")
The Social Network (That's Two, I knew this movie would get buzz)
The Tree of Life (Three, However it is possible this could get pushed back.....AGAIN)
Tron: Legacy (Doubtful, with Inception being this years Oscar nominated blockbuster)
True Grit (Four, Coen Brothers are good, but I haven't heard much about this film)
4/10


BEST DIRECTOR
Lisa Cholkendo, The Kid's are All Right
Joel/Ethan Coen, True Grit
David Fincher, The Social Network
Terrence Malick, The Tree of Life
Christopher Nolan, Inception (5/5)

This looks like a globetrotter list of directors, on one hand my belief in The Kid's Are All Right winning Best Picture  can usually add Cholkendo (hope I spelled that right) to the bill. Coen Brothers are always a dynamite duo. Fincher finally got his buzz for Benjamin Button (4/5) which wasn't even one of his best. The Social Network could get him there, if not close. Malick might be delaying his film because he's trying to make it absolutely EXCEPTIONAL. So that could happen (if it comes out >=( )

THE WINNER: Christopher Nolan, Inception

No, I am not a fanboy. I love the movie, it is very well directed and it is made with old fashioned movie magic. Not brutal CGI. Nolan directed an all-star cast and the pictures of the set, and everything is beautiful. This could be his year. If not, a nomination for sure.

MY YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Joel/Ethan Coen, True Grit (nailed it, that's one)
David Fincher, The Social Network (Again! I am awesome)
Jodie Foster, The Beaver (Mel Gibson...you ruin everything)
Christopher Nolan, Inception (Of course =) that's three)
Aaron Schneider, Get Low (Too shot in the dark....WAY too shot in the dark)
3/5


BEST ACTOR
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King's Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Mark Wahlberg, The Fighter


"Holy Shit Wade Eisenberg for Oscar, yeah fucking right" No need for that language. Yes I picked the geeky kid from Zombieland (4/5) for a nod, I know he's a character actor (which will prevent him from winning) but his mannerism make it almost seem he was born to play Zuckerbarg. Gyllenhaal looks like a Tom Cruise from Jerry Maguire (5/5) in Love and Other Drugs, plus he does deserve more recognition. Wahlberg is very talented, I can see nods coming in and out throughout his life, but I can't see a win...i'd like to though. Colin Firth also generated a lot of buzz, he'd be the one to beat.

THE WINNER: James Franco, 127 Hours
He has the buzz down, almost a guranteed nod. Firth has the same situation, and the politics of the Academy would pick Firth. However I can see audiences being really impressed with the dramatic tension, and drama in this character-driven film.

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception (If the campaign is good, he's in)
Robert DuVall, Get Low (Still a good chance, but the movies buzz might hold him back)
Paul Giamatti, Barney's Version (Don't know this movie at all well, Giamatti is over due though)
Mel Gibson, The Beaver (He'd never get a nod now, but come on, its a perfect role for him)
Edward Norton, Leaves of Grass (Just came out a little too early, reviews were a little too mixed)
0/5


BEST ACTRESS
Annette Bening, The Kid's are All Right
Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone (4.5/5)
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine


This will be tough, Lawrence was perfect in Winter's Bone which is one of my personal favorites of the year, unfortunately that little brilliant film is a little to small. Williams in Blue Valentine seems resonable with the December release date...but idk bland performance. Then we have the fab three. Hathaway is generating great buzz for Love and Other Drugs where she is naked a lot...cool. Along with Portman who has a lesbian scene in Black Swan, also she has more buzz than a bee hive...yeah.

THE WINNER: Annette Bening, The Kid's Are All Right
She really deserves it, it might end up being known as a snub toward Portman, but Bening deserved it back in 99 for American Beauty (5/5)

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Annette Bening, The Kid's are All Right (Nice!)
Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs (That's two)
Helen Mirren, The Tempest (still a HIGH possibility, maybe trade her out for Williams?)
Hilary Swank, Conviction (Still possible, there is something about this movie though...i dont see it)
Kristen Stewart, The Runaways (3.5/5)(She did great, she isn't ready for an Oscar yet though)
2/5


SUPPORTING ACTOR
Christian Bale, The Fighter
Josh Brolin, True Grit
Andrew Garfield, The Social Network
Ed Harris, The Way Back
Mark Ruffalo, The Kid's are All Right

Ruffalo was excellent in The Kids are All Right, Moore and Benning shadowed the hell out of him though. I don't know much about 'The Way Back' but Ed Harris is a great actor, and the movie is war related. Garfield could go to his Never Let Me Go performance, but I think The Social Network will be more recognized by the Academy. Brolin...idk he's in a Coen movie they drive their actors to perform.

THE WINNER: Christian Bale, The Fighter
And well deserved, of course just because he loses weight doesn't mean he simply gets handed the Oscar. I have to see the movie. Emile Hirsch lost a ton more weight for Into the Wild (5/5) and got the snubbed like crazy.

YEAR IN ADVANCED (March Pick's)
Christian Bale, The Fighter (I always pick the ones I pick to win..am I a narcissist?)
John Malkovich, Secretariat (could be the years Sandra Bullock)
Bill Murray, Get Low (Still possible, but yeah...you know)
John C. Reilly, Cyrus (Not supporting...but he did do good)
Sam Rockwell, Conviction (Still very possible, I love this guy)
1/5



SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, The Fighter
Jessica Chastin, The Tree of Life
Marion Cotillard, Inception
Elle Fanning, Somewhere
Julianne Moore, The Kid's are All Right

Saw some clips on youtube of The Fighter being filmed, Adams looks excellent. Don't know much about Chastin or Fannings movies. I know Fanning got raves along with Coppola's Somewhere. So there could be something there. Cotillard is for the fanboys, she probably did the best in that movie (next to Cillan Murphy, but no on noticed him) plus I personally think she did great as a villain.

THE WINNER: Julianne Moore, The Kid's are All Right
I have no idea if this is supporting, if its lead shes getting a nod and losing, if it is supporting she is getting a nod and winning (so far) IMO.

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Jessica Alba, The Killer Inside Me (Thought she'd surprise us, thought the film would too)
Marion Cotillard, Inception (yay I got one!)
Dakota Fanning, The Runaways (Should've picked the sister)
Mila Kunis, Black Swan (Strong contender still, don't count her out!)
Sissy Spacek, Get Low (Still possible...but yeah the movie...)
1/5



ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
The Fighter
Inception
The Kid's are All Right
Somewhere
The Tree of Life

I don't know much about screenplay, just I know some of these have good writers, I have seen Inception and I know Nolan is very knowledgable, don't know how well the script was though.

THE WINNER: The Kid's are All Right
Best part about the film, and if I have it winning Best Picture its gotta have the screenplay award.

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
The Beaver (This film is killing me)
Inception (That's the first one)
Leaves of Grass (This one is killing me too)
Secretariat (Eh, Idk about this one)
The Tree of Life (Another Pick of mine, still possible winner)
2/5



ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
True Grit
The Way Back
Winter's Bone

I have only seen Winter's Bone and Toy Story 3, TS3 had a solid script, but its really not much of an 'adaptation' Winter's Bone however was excellent in that field.

THE WINNER: The Social Network
Read the screenplay for class, I have never moved so majestically through a screenplay in my life. Aaron Sorkin can write.

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Get Low (Wow!)
Robin Hood (I am shaking my head)
The Social Network (There we go!)
The Town (Is it an adaptation?)
True Grit ( There's one!)
2/5



FOR THE REST OF THESE I WILL JUST HAVE MY PREDICTIONS, MY WINNER, AND YEAR IN ADVANCE. So I don't have much of an explanation for most of these, just sheer guesses from articles.


ANIMATED FEATURE
How to Train Your Dragon (4.5/5)
The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole
Toy Story 3

THE WINNER: Toy Story 3

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Despicable Me (will get it Guardians fails)
How to Train Your Dragon (most def)
Legend of the Guardians (Got another)
Tangled (nah)
Toy Story 3 (didn't expect such a blow out for this third film)
3/5 (thought there were 5 slots early on)


FILM EDITING
Buried
The Fighter
Inception
The Social Network
The Tree of Life

THE WINNER: Inception

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March picks)
Clash of the Titans (2.5/5) (hahahahah)
Inception (of course)
Robin Hood (wow)
The Social Network (That's Two)
Tron: Legacy (Still a possibility)
2/5



CINEMATOGRAPHY
127 Hours
Buried
Inception
The Social Network
The Tree of Life

THE WINNER: The Tree of Life

YEAR IN ADVANCE PICKS
Black Swan (Still possible)
Inception (I loved this movie and I knew I was going to love it)
Miral (Reviews aren't looking to good)
The Town (Maybe)
The Tree of Life (Two again!)
2/5


ART DIRECTION
The Fighter
Inception
The King's Speech
The Tree of Life
The Way Back

THE WINNER: The Tree of Life

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Black Swan (Strong contender)
Inception (nice)
Robin Hood (...)
Tron: Legacy (Very doubtful)
True Grit (I can see that happening)
1/5



COSTUME DESIGN
Alice in Wonderland (1/5)
Inception
The King's Speech
The Tree of Life
The Way Back

THE WINNER: The King's Speech

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
The Conspirator (not sure about this one)
Conviction (Maybe, doubtful)
Hereafter ( I left this one out, i'm afraid Gran Torino (4/5) / Invictus (3/5)/ syndrome will strike it)
Robin Hood (Actually, still possible)
True Grit (possible)
0/5


MAKEUP
Alice in Wonderland
The King's Speech
Splice (3.5/5)

THE WINNER: Alice in Wonderland

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Conviction (Why?)
The Conspirator (maybe if it comes out)
Robin Hood (eh)



SOUND MIXING
The Fighter
Inception
The Social Network
Toy Story 3
Tron Legacy

THE WINNER: Tron Legacy

YEAR IN ADVANCE (March Picks)
Clash of the Titans (nah)
Inception (it might win it)
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (3/5) (na)
Robin Hood (probably)
Tron Legacy (yep)
2/5



SOUND EDITING
How to Train Your Dragon
Inception
Iron Man 2
Toy Story 3
Tron Legacy

THE WINNER: Inception

YEAR IN ADVANCE
Clash of the Titans (doubtful)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (very possible)
Inception (yes!)
Robin Hood (noooo)
Tron Legacy (might win)
2/5


VISUAL EFFECTS
Alice in Wonderland
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Inception
Iron Man 2
Tron Legacy

THE WINNER: Inception

YEAR IN ADVANCE (only had 3)
Clash of the Titans (no way)
Inception (yep)
Tron Legacy (yep yep)
2/5


ORIGINAL SCORE
Carter Burwell, True Grit
Randy Newman, Toy Story 3
John Powell, How to Train Your Dragon
Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, The Social Network
Hans Zimmer, Inception

THE WINNER: Hans Zimmer, Inception

YEAR IN ADVANCE
Black Swan (possible)
Inception (of course)
Robin Hood (omg)
Toy Story 3 (NICE)
Tron Legacy (Actually still very possible)
2/5



NEW ADDITIONS (No year in advance)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Casino Jack and the United States of Money
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Inside Job
Restrepo
Waiting for Superman

THE WINNER: Waiting for Superman



FOREIGN FILM
Biutiful
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Micmacs
Outside the Law
A Screaming Man

THE WINNER: Biutiful


ORIGINAL SONG
"untitled" Burlesque
"Despicable Me" Despicable Me
"Furry Walls" Get Him to the Greek
"We Belong Together" Toy Story 3
"Shine" Waiting for Superman

THE WINNER: "We Belong Together" Toy Story 3





GOLDEN GLOBES
Since this blog is already brutally longer than it needs to be, Im just gonna do the acting and picture Golden Globes, supporting and others would be the same prediction wise


BEST PICTURE DRAMA
127 Hours
Inception
The Social Network
The Tree of Life
True Grit

THE WINNER: Inception



BEST PICTURE COMEDY/MUSICAL
Burlesque
The Kid's are All Right
Love and Other Drugs
Somewhere
Toy Story 3

THE WINNER: The Kid's are All Right




ACTOR Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio, Inception
Jesse Eisenberg, The Social Network
Colin Firth, The King's Speech
James Franco, 127 Hours
Mark Wahlberg, The Fighter

THE WINNER: James Franco, 127 Hours


ACTOR Comedy/Musical
Stephen Dorff, Somewhere
Michael Douglas, Solitary Man
Robert Duvall, Get Low
Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs
Ben Stiller, Greenberg

THE WINNER: Jake Gyllenhaal, Love and Other Drugs


ACTRESS DRAMA
Jennifer Lawrence, Winter's Bone
Carey Mulligan, Never Let Me Go
Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Hilary Swank, Conviction
Michelle Williams, Blue Valentine

THE WINNER: Natalie Portman, Black Swan


ACTRESS COMEDY MUSICAL
Gemma Arteron, Tamara Drewe
Annette Bening, The Kid's are All Right
Anne Hathaway, Love and Other Drugs
Rachel McAdams, Morning Glory
Julia Roberts, Eat Pray Love

THE WINNER: Annette Bening, The Kid's are All Right

My Movie Review: Going the Distance

My Movie Review: Going the Distance
2.5/5

Opening Statement: This romantic comedy follows the story of two people (played by Justin Long and Drew Barrymore) who fall in love within six weeks before Barrymore must leave back across the United States for a long time. They decide to handle a long-distance relationship. Meanwhile they struggle with common long-distance couple problems.


What's Good: I would almost call this your typical romantic comedy, but there was a bit more realism toward it. At times it followed the general format of a romantic comedy, relationship goes good, goes "great", uh-oh conflict and then we spiral into delusion before a happy ending. Very formulaic, however it doesn't ever hit that formula to hard. The best part about this flick is the dialogue, Charlie Day was very believable as the "eccentric" friend, I know that characters is cliche'd but in reality we all have one of them. We have Long and Barrymore with excellent chemistry and acting skills (didn't have to do much, they are already dating), actually for them it is really quite impressive, unfortunately 'Going the Distance's' mild tweaks on the formula to make a more realistic film, can't save the tired plot. And goddamn this plot is tired.


What's Bad: I guess I kind of covered my mixed feelings on the formula above....well...yeah..ANYWAYS. Going the Distance has a pretty slow pace, well I mentioned its realism. It tells the story of long-distance relationships in a very moderate way. Meaning this is pretty much what happens with most long-distance relationship, that or they end tragically. I guess I kind of spoiled the ending already, my bad, I probably just ruined your entire LIFE. I liked this cliche's ending though, primarily because I was rooting for this relationship to succeed the whole time. I'd say may main couple of negative criticism's would be it's highly forgettable, like most romantic comedies. Also they need to be concerned that their realism might drive audiences to boredom.


The Rant: Romantic Comedies....yeah....Forget it. No matter what I say they will keep coming.


Consensus: Going the Distance takes the very low rated romantic comedy genre and pushes it up to average. The characters are lovable with realistic actions and dialogue. However the film settles for cliche' a little too much to be properly recommended. 

My Movie Review: Machete

My Movie Review: Machete
3.5/5

Opening Statement: Danny Trejo plays Mechete a man who is out for vengeance after being left for dead and double crossed. Taking place all during an election with campaign circling around illegal immigration, Machete teams up with other friends such as Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, and Cheech Marin. 


What's Good: Machete is one hell of a time, it is incredibly violent and bloody, just as it was advertised to be. Machete works as a film that goes over the top on purpose, for comic/ dark sense of humor. Another film that uses this method might be Piranha 3D. Machete exploits the Taratino ideals primarily though. It's great to see Trejo in a lead role, throughout the years of seeing him in cameos in films like Anchorman, Bubble, ect. Its nice to see he finally landed a lead. Machete masters the art of exaggeration, unrealistic death sequences, naked women, ect. Granted there are films out there like Machete, its not a complete original idea. It is still nice to see people are trying in the world of cinema where remakes and reboots reign supreme.


What's Bad: Usually an exploitation film like this can only be good if it is true to its exploitation. For the most part it is. There could've been a little more action sequences and a little less story, however the story itself isn't that bad. So all in all the bad thing about Machete is that it had the ability to do more, but they seemed to enjoy the easy route a little more. The film also seems like its on the balance of 'remember in 10 years' or 'completely forget forever in 10 years'


The Rant: Ok, Exploitation films. I kind of have a problem with them. There have been quite a few in recent years, almost to say they are parodying films that are simply "over-the-top." I, and many other critics use the word "originality" in our reviews for Machete, but is this film isn't a pure original. Its original at its take on parody and satire by transforming others originality. It's not something to rant about to the point of complaining, and while these films are moderately entertaining. They have to stop or we are going to have a very underwhelming selection of movies in the future.


Consensus: Machete is really fun. It has its bloody shock sequences that you will be talking about at work the next day. Unfortunately it's mild weakness in balance between story and gore might make it forgettable once the next shock movie comes out.