My Movie Review: The Good Heart

My Movie Review: The Good Heart

3/5

OPENING STATEMENT: The Good Heart tells the story of how a suicidal homeless man became friends with a cranky dying bartender. Soon the bartender takes him in and puts him to work. Both the characters come into realizations about each other and about themselves in this dark story.

WHAT's GOOD: The premise of the film at the beginning drew my eye to the screen, 2 excellent actors in roles that challenge them. The darkness of suicide, death, and all the symbolism around it. Also I loved how this film was shot, there is sort of a smoky, gray tone to the film that enhances the mood. A lot of the symoblism comes together in the end too. The drama in this movie feels real, and it may stay on your mind for awhile.

WHAT'S BAD: Low replay value, not seeing it again. I also HATED the fact they tried to add humor into it. Maybe it would work if it actually lightened the mood, and did its job, but it just felt out of place and unnecessary. At some points the film took directions that were predictable, they didn't bother to hide anything that well. I knew how it was going to end halfway through. Overall it seemed too poorly executed and convoluted, which probably earned its low score critically, which leads me to think...Who is this film for? I can't see a mainstream film audience liking it, and it doesn't sit well next to other excellent indie films. So indie lovers might not like it.

CONSENSUS: All in all, The Good Heart gives you a dose of reality, the darkness that people have inside, the characters attitudes bounce off each other and work well, however it gets its point across too subtle for it to impact anyone appropriately. Maybe see this movie, if you have time to squander away.

HALFWAY POINT: Top 10 Movies of 2010

10- Hot Tub Time Machine

SCORE: 3/5

CONSENSUS: "I'd say this is a good movie to see with your friends, the couple of laughs it gives is worth the ticket price. But after its over you will probably not feel filled with as much comedy or story as you hoped to get out of it."

9- MacGruber

SCORE: 3/5

CONSENSUS: "A Fun, Vulgar comedy. It succeeds in making you laugh. See this movie if you are looking for a good dose of comedy."

8- Remember Me

SCORE: 3/5

CONSENSUS: "A little melodramatic at times, and drags in areas, but ultimately Remember Me delivers its surprises. See this movie, instead of some stupid romantic comedy."

7- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

SCORE: 3/5

CONSENSUS: "As a veteran to the game I think it is worthy, but not of high honors to the game series. However for people who haven't you will get either one of two things and that is cheesiness that you dislike or cheesiness you embrace and love"

6- Crazies

SCORE: 3.5/5

CONSENSUS: "Go see this movie, there are not many great horror films out there today, last year we had the over rated Paranormal Activity and that was about it, horror comedies has been where its at, here we got finally a legit thrilling horror flick, however don't go in expecting another 28 Days Later."

5- I Love You Phillip Morris

SCORE: 4/5

CONSENSUS:"If you love Carey and McGregor and would like to see them act their hearts out, see this. It is also pretty funny, but like I said it is not for everyone, not because it is a homosexual movie, but because the comedy isn't like normal Jim Carrey comedy, it is smarter in my opinon. You be the judge."

4- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

SCORE: 4/5

CONSENSUS: "Not for the faint of heart, or for the person with a small attention span. But this is no doubt one of the best mystery thrillers of all time that I have seen, it is gritty, realistic, and ever so dark. See this movie...if you dare."

3- How to Train Your Dragon

SCORE: 4.5/5

CONSENSUS: "Kids, adults, whoever the hell you are, see this movie. Its worth the ticket price and the 3-D price, I wish I could see this in IMAX. This is a heart-warming tale, that will pull you in from beginning to end."

2- Greenberg

SCORE: 4.5/5

CONSENSUS: "I won't suggest this film to everyone, those who appreciate art and independent film will love it along with those who like this kind of movie, Baumbach's dysfunctional style. This is an amazingly deep movie."

1- Kick-Ass

SCORE: 5/5

CONSENSUS: "Probably going to see it over and over again if I can. Remarkable, artistic comedy, this and How to Train Your Dragon should be Best Picture contenders this year. But the academy will defintley decide against this."

My Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

My Movie Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

4/5

Opening Statement: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is a foreign film that follows the story of a journalist who was just found guilty of libel by court and sentenced to 3 months in jail. He is given a job before he has to serve his sentence investigating a dark secret of a family that live on an island. Meanwhile during his research a female gothic computer hacker who is on probation watches his research and soon they start working together to solve the crime.

What's Good: The execution of the adaption was very well done. There is a lot of emotion flowing through this movie, but it never smoothers you, this film takes the cliche' mystery film and adds in a realistic yet peculiar darkness in it all. This film definitely has a graphic nature to it. It is violent, disturbing completely no-holds-barred to its realism. The mystery has you making guesses throughout the 2 and a half hour duration of the film, the acting is superb as well, never have I seen these actors on screen before, but I can't wait to see them again. Mystery with a side of dark sadistic personalities. This film is not for the faint of heart.

What's Bad: There were moments where the movie wasn't necessarily dragging, however some things weren't necessary. The moment when the film feels like it is ending, there is still a lot more to tell. Making it feel rushed toward the end. The thing I found most interesting about this movie was that it wanted to show the darkness in some people...this darkness has never been conveyd this way in the movie world, and I actually wish they would've done a little more with that. Just a litte. Because there is still plenty to go around.

Consensus: Not for the faint of heart, or for the person with a small attention span. But this is no doubt one of the best mystery thrillers of all time that I have seen, it is gritty, realistic, and ever so dark. See this movie...if you dare.

My Movie Review: Prince of Persia The Sands of Time

My Movie Review: Prince of Persia: Sands of Time

3/5

Opening Statements: Based off the very popular video game series (all games I have played and beat) Prince of Persia The Sands of Time is the story of Prince Dastan a prince who during a battle comes in possession of a mystical dagger that can turn back time in moments. This dagger is key to destruction, destruction some people wanna get there hands on (no spoilers).

What's Good: Not up to the games standard, but honorable none-the-less. The action is slick in Prince of Persia, the parkor is fun, The overall premise is well thought out by Jordan Mechner the writer of the original game. The Sands of Time ultimately isn't a cliche' historical action film. It isn't even historical fiction, it is straight up fiction, which is why I won't bitch about the accents, or about the historical or geographical accuracy like most critics do. Also a lot of critics believe the premise of the dagger going back in moments is just a set up to redo mistakes in gameplay. There really is much more to the story than that, that is what makes the games so interesting, not the fact that you running up walls constantly but the fact you want to know what happens next in this amazing story. Let me also state every actor in this film did great. Any negativity in the acting means the critic didn't like the character. All these characters made me care. To extents.

What's Bad: Everyone says it is the story and the substance....the story is great, but the storytelling is weak. They chose the wrong things to change between making the adaption from the game. Some of the dialogue went on to long and honestly didn't give us time to care. The video game kept you in chills. There aren't any chills in the film. I think I am pretty bias having played the games, but did I mention that I don't care. Because I am at an advantage having played the game, I see the story beneath the storytelling. The reminder of the amazing adventure. Also I blame some of it on Bruckheimer. I usually don't bash any specific film maker, Bruckeheimer is one of those sleezy producers who just uses money to make money with film. The director behind it Newell is an artist, he did great with Harry Potter movies, his cinematography is beautiful, everything is well shot, however he was forced to add in the CGI effects and weak screenplay which was probably written around Bruckeheimer who would rather spend money on explosions than a decent script.

Consensus: As a veteran to the game I think it is worthy, but not of high honors to the game series. However for people who haven't you will get either one of two things and that is cheesiness that you dislike or cheesiness you embrace and love.

My Movie Review: MacGruber

My Movie Review: MacGruber

3/5

Opening Statement: A Saturday Night Live skit, turned into a 99 minute film. The story of MacGruber played by Will Forte and how him and his team of three help America by stopping the evil bad guy played by Val Kilmer from launching a missle into the White House.

What's Good: First things first, this movie is hilarious. Probably the funniest so far this year. I like the attack of cliche' action flicks this parodies. The acting is over the top, the action is ridiculous, but they all contribute to the overall goal of this film. I never lost interest.

What's Bad: Some of the jokes are misses, unfortunately you can't land them all anymore. This film is no where near as clever as past comedies such as The Hangover, Observe and Report, and Pineapple Express. At least there is something new for us to laugh at while we wait for the next comical masterpiece. The vulgarity of this film goes from funny to just plain immature at times. They tell the joke and I would just think to myself, the writers are more clever than that. But I was impressed the unimpressed.

Consensus: A Fun, Vulgar comedy. It succeeds in making you laugh. See this movie if you are looking for a good dose of comedy.

My Movie Review: Shrek: Forever After

My Movie Review: Shrek: Forever After

1.5/5

Opening Statement: Another installment to the box-office successful franchise, in the beautifully animated Dreamworks fairytale. Shrek has gone through many adventures. Now once he hits the "happily ever after" nothing seems "happy" about it. Totally taking inspiration from It's a Wonderful Life, Shrek makes a deal with the deceptive Rumpelstiltskin to live one day like he use to, surprisingly there is a loophole. Now he must win back Fiona in an alternate universe where he never existed.

What's Good: A step up from the God-awful third film. The film has a good way of pulling you into its little world at times. And often you find things on a path where they can become quite interesting, but then they stray away from that path.

What's Bad: This franchise was tired after the second one was released. I don't care anymore, I don't care about the adventures of Shrek, the jokes are old and recycled, and I often find the humor in these movies painful. We as movie critics made the mistake of praising the first one so highly that Dreamworks decided it needed to be a series to take our money again. There is no heart in these films, they are just being made for money now, money from parents whose kids beg them to see it. Kids will be aroused mostly, but the inner child in me would be bored.

My suggestion to parents is to convince your children to see the beautiful How to Train Your Dragon again. At least in that Dreamworks film there were characters I cared about, and conflict with adventure. It says "The Final Chapter" lets hope it stays that way. These are some of the most annoying characters in the history of film. Especially Rumpelstiltskin himself, who makes an unbelievably annoying villan, that was the point, but the point is delivered at the audiences expense who pay extra for a pointless third dimmension just to be annoyed. A waste of my time, and a waste of money.

Consensus: If you looking to give Shrek another shot after the third one, don't bother. He has failed you again. Please refrain from seeing this film and if the kids are begging and yelling to see it, at least try to avoid the expensive 3D.

Cannes Film Festival: Not So Impressive this year.

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: Not So Impressive This Year.

By Matthew Wade Durham

I have not yet seen any film that has or will be played in the Cannes Film Festival. So this is basically an opinon topic, to take with a grain of salt. The Cannes Film Festival is undoubtedly the biggest film festival in the world. This year they kicked off the festival with Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. Robin Hood got moderately low mixed reviews from the American critics alone. Pretty much didn't stand a chance up against the hardcore movie buff Cannes critics. These critics basically take anything you'd look at and say it is average and they slap a 1/4 rating on it. Very strict. So Robin Hood wasn't exactly the best start, then as American what arouses our interest is Oliver Stones Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps. A sequel from the amazing classic starring Michael Douglas. It has mixed reviews as well, some are much higher than normal though, possible oscar bait maybe for the acting.

Three other films grab my interest as of now, all 3 have had rave reviews. Am I dying to see this movies? Not really. In fact I probably won't see any of them. We have Javier Bardem's Biutiful. This has may interest primarily because Bardem is a fantastic actor. Then we have Mike Leigh's Another Year. I haven't read much into this film, but the reviews are pretty positive. And finally we have Blue Valentine. Starring Ryan Gosling. I like Ryan Gosling and he is over due for an Oscar. Maybe this could be his break....doubtful.

I have almost lost all my interest in this festivale by now. I am more interested in what has been going on in America's blockbuster season. Which is dark times for film. The time where movie makers sell out. Oh well Prince of Persia, Inception, and Last Airbender here I come.