REIGN OVER ME

"Live every day like it's the best day of your life."

This is a gutsy movie. I don't know how else to describe it. Not gutsy in the way it's normally used, like brave or courageous, or even groundbreaking. This movie is gutsy because it makes you feel it in your gut, deep down in that place that tells you your in love, or tells you your wrong, or most of the time tells you your hungry. That's where this movie gets you.
Adam Sandler gives a surprising performance in an even more surprising role. There is a bit of his usual humor thrown into this film, but it's very minimal and sparsely distributed. Don Cheadle is outstanding as well. Come to think of it, all the actors in this movie were well chosen and played their parts to perfection. And Donald Sutherland's brief role at the end was awesome.
This movie is long, the soundtrack is great, and Mike Binders writing and direction really gave the audience a chance to empathize with the characters, a feat most movies miss. But don't be fooled by the trailer, which makes this movie out to be another Sandler comedy. It's a drama through and through. I highly recommend this movie, as well as Mike Binders other somewhat recent film THE UPSIDE OF ANGER.
REIGN OVER ME was released this year, 2007.



Blogroll Me!

THE BOONDOCK SAINTS

"They're on a Mission From God"

My friend turned me on to this movie one rainy saturday afternoon. She is of course Irish, and was equally appalled that I had not seen this movie and that I had never even heard of it. Since then I have seen the error of my ways. (lol).
This is up there on my list with THE MATRIX and EQUILIBRIUM for great action that goes hand in hand with a great story. Above all, this movie surprised me, and surprise is a quality in a film that I greatly value.
The story of two brothers, I should say Irish brothers (because it matters in this movie), who take it upon themselves to be God's avenging angels in a time in Boston where crime, violence and sin are perpetrated on the innocent and the guilty without distinction. Alone, they stand between all that is evil and all that is good, and not quite knowing if they themselves are one or the other. If I didn't know better, I would think this was a comic book.
And for all you who are familiar with this movie, the sequel IS coming, just be patient.
Willem Dafoe also delivers a magnificent performance as an FBI agent on the brothers case.
Released in 1999. Starring Sean Patrick Flanery, Norman Reedus and Billy Conolly. Directed by Troy Duffy.



Blogroll Me!

THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

"America is living in spin."

This is one of the best satirical comedies I've seen. Period.
It's funny, it's deadly serious, and it looks at multiple angles of a question that matters in our world today. Hell, it's a social and political commentary wrapped in the skin of humor and farce.
Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is a spokesperson for the big tobacco industry, spinning their product into something that is not bad for average person, but in fact may be a needed factor of life. For this kind of job, I can see why he would be payed a ridiculous salary. However, throughout the movie Naylor struggles with being a father and a role model to his son, whom he sees wanting to be like him. Is this a good thing? he asks himself. Who knows, but the movie is hilarious and at some points truly on the ball with issues and arguments we face in daily life.
Co-starring Maria Bello, David Koechner, J.K. Simmons, Todd Louiso, William H. Macy and Katie Holmes. Written and Directed by Jason Reitman.
Released in 2005.



Blogroll Me!

STRANGER THAN FICTION

"Harold Crick isn't ready to go. Period. "

Ok, hands down one of the best movies I've seen out of any category in the past year. This movie almost changed my life. If movies like this can be made, and manage to impart such strong feelings to the viewer, then creativity and originality still live, and even thrive, in the world of cinema.
Harold Crick (Will Ferrel) is an IRS agent. He leads a normal life, he has a steady job with the government, and he brushes his teeth the prescribed number of times each day. But Harold Crick might not be in control of his life.
This is all I can write about this movie because it's so well done that it would be a shame to spoil it any further.
Suffice it to say that supporting cast Emma Thompson, Dusting Hoffman and Maggie Gyllenhall all give tremendous performances, and Will Ferrel's comedy couldn't be better. If I believed in rating movies with a number, I would give this movie 4 1/2 stars out of 5!
Released in 2006.



Blogroll Me!

BE PREPARED BEFORE YOU WATCH THIS

AMERICAN HISTORY X:
"See reality in your eyes when hate makes you blind."

This movie really had a profound effect on me when I first saw it at a friends house. Granted, I don't think he should have owned it at that age, but I don't think his parents knew about it.
Anyway, AMERICAN HISTORY X recounts the story of a highly intelligent and introspective neo-nazi skinhead (Edward Norton) who gradually discovers that all in life is not black and white. Subsequently, before this grand realisation, he is incarcerated in a state prison, only to be paired with a black man in the laundry room. What follows is a journey of self-discover and a painful march towards higher logic, a true show of how much strength is needed to overcome a lifetime of prejudice and hate, to expand into a life of knowledge and acceptance, and most importantly, of change.
Edward Norton gives a powerful performance, only adding to the importance of a film like this to open our eyes (albeit a little late) to the fact that everything is not all right with the world, and at the same time giving hope for unstoppable change.
This movie is rated R for a reason. There is non-stop racism, brutal racist violence, prison violence, and strong language. Having said that, if you are at an age where you are capable of moving past these kinds of things to get to the philosophical heart behind, then this is a must see. If not, wait until you are.
Released in 1998, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Fairuza Bailk, Avery Brooks, Beverly D'Angelo, Ethan Suplee, Elliott Gould and Guy Torry. Directed by Tony Kaye.




Blogroll Me!

BULWORTH:
"Brace yourself. This politician is about to tell the truth!"

Written and directed by Warren Beatty, and nominated for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and Best Actor Golden Globes, BULWORTH was and still remains one of the best movies in years.
For Senator Jay Billington Bulworth (Warren Beatty) life is coming to an end. His career finished, the senator decides to hire a hitman to kill him, in the hopes that going out in flames will somehow make him more memorable in the minds the voting public. But once Sen. Bulworth has taken out the contract on his own life, he feels undeniable urges to break loose, break the rules and be totally honest. And he's in politics!
Finding himself the unexpected favorite in the polls, Sen. Bulworth then meets Nina (Halle Berry) a young, beautiful activist that sparks his desire to live back to life. With the hitman still intending to kill him, and the political race in full swing, the Senator must find a way to cancel the contract on his life or face the consequences.
An astounding drama and entertaining comedy about the possibilities in life when you have nothing more to lose.

Co-starring Oliver Platt, Sean Astin and Don Cheadle.



Blogroll Me!

Kevin Kline at his best

IN & OUT:

Grand hand gestures, a stellar supporting cast including Matt Dillon, Joan Cusack and Peter Selleck, and an upbeat soundtrack give this movie it's heart and soul. Kevin Kline plays a quiet town English Literature teacher happily engaged, upstanding member of the community and an all around decent human being. "Of course the guy thinks your gay!"
When a former student of Kline's turned movie star declares at the Oscar's that Kline's character Howard is gay, everything takes a turn for the twilight zone, and maybe for the better. Throw a bicycle, a wedding junkie for a mother, and an anchorman intent on getting the whole juicy story into the mix and out comes one of Kevin Kline's best films. This, and I Love You To Death, but thats for another day.
Sincerely heartfelt and cleverly devised, IN & OUT delivers a standing invitation to all of us who have trouble being honest with the ones we love, and even with the ones we don't.

For more information go to www.imdb.com

The Greatest Movie Year After Year

THE GREAT RACE:

One of the few movies I have seen that represents almost every genre of film out there, this movie is so well crafted that it became a family tradition to watch it every Christmas without fail, all encompassed by a story that fills the heart with contentment and stirs the adventurous spirit in its viewers.
Written and directed by Blake Edwards, mastermind behind The Pink Panther movies, The Great Race stars Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood and Peter Faulk.
The story of an early 20th century car race, a newspaper woman who is the only female driver, and an evil nemesis with a soft side and his sidekick, coupled with great scenery and a fantastic set of destinations, some real and some not, all add up to a great laugh. This film is without a doubt a landmark in comedy, and having been made in 1965 produces quality and intelligent wit that has been missing since. i know that i highly recommend almost all the movies on this blog, but this film is indisputably worthwhile.