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!

YOU KILL ME

"Love is always worth another shot."

This is going to be another one of those movies where 80% of people are not going to like this at all, 15% of people are not going to have any particular feelings either way, and 5% of people (like me) are going to enjoy it.
Ben Kingsley's deadpan delivery is killer, only to be surpassed when Tea Leoni's is in the scene with him. I haven't seen a solid dark humor comedy in a long time, and I think I was overdue.
This film is about an alcoholic hit man who moves to San Fransisco, trying to stay on the wagon, and not kill anyone in the process. But what he wasn't counting on was the support of a newfound community and the possible love of a wonderful woman that might just complement his personality perfectly. Shot throughout with sporadic action, an interesting musical score (maybe some sort of string instrument) which made it almost soprano-like in a lighter way, and some great lines really made this movie a joy to watch. I picked it off the shelf simply because someone had reviewed it as being "an uproarious instant classic" (or something to that degree). Maybe this kind of selection process will work for you too.
Released in 2007, co-starring Bill Pullmand, Luke Wilson and Dennis Farina. Directed by John Dahl.



Blogroll Me!

THE LIVES OF OTHERS

Wow.
This was a truly fantastic film, as most reviewers and recommender's would agree, but it's beyond that. THE LIVE OF OTHERS branches into the realm of gifted storytelling and realistic drama, to say nothing of the superb character development, portrayal and acting. It was quite simply excellent in all respects.
A warning; the movie runs about 2 and a quarter hours, so it's a bit long, but the writing and the directing are so accomplished that it's a pleasure to watch and worth the time. Also, this film is German, so it has to be watched in subtitles, but don't let that stop you. This movie could only be what it is BECAUSE of the spoken German language. It wouldn't have any of it's realism if it was in English, or dubbed.
THE LIVES OF OTHERS goes back to chronicle the lives of persons in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) before the wall fell. It's story concerns itself around the Stasi (State Security/The SS) and the possibility for change in the human soul (of an SS captain), when conscience is upheld no matter the cost, and personal ethics and beliefs of a common person are not cast aside in the face of overwhelming power and control.
A great cinematic achievement, THE LIVES OF OTHERS is such a well fashioned piece of art that it should not be passed up. (By anyone)
A new release, it was put out in 2006 and is now available to rent on DVD.



Blogroll Me!

Pick of The Week 10/8/07

I'M REED FISH:

I was a little skeptical about this movie the first couple of minutes into it, but I held true and trusted that I picked a good one at the video store. So when you rent this, give it some room to breath and stretch out to its full potential before passing any cinematic judgment.
I'M REED FISH is actually written by a man named Reed Fish, in what I can only assume is a part of his life's story, which is very interesting to consider when watching certain parts of the film.
Reed Fish (played by Jay Baruchel, of Million Dollar Baby and winner of the best actor award for this movie) is a small town disc jockey and a local landmark in the town of Mud Meadows. He has a beautiful fiance (Alexis Bledel, of Sin City), loving in-laws, a supporting community and a fulfilled life in its own small way. The trouble is, he isn't really happy. So, when his old crush Jill (Schuyler Fisk) comes back to Mud Meadows for the summer, his seemingly perfect life is given the chance to become what Fish has always wanted it to be. His own.
Co-starring DJ Qualls (The New Guy) as his best friend, this movie is filled with laughter, sorrow and some good music, and despite being slightly unorthodox, is a fantastic screenplay.
Well worth watching if your in the mood for something genuine from the heart that will make you laugh as easily as it will make you identify with the film scenarios.



Blogroll Me!

A STRONG FINISH TO A SOLID TRILOGY

THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM:
"Remember everything. Forgive nothing."

I'm not sure if this movie is still in theatres, but man was it good! Throughout this entire set of movies I was continually impressed by the level of book to screen adaptation. I read all three of Robert Ludlum's 'Bourne' books when I was about 14 ,after finding my grandfathers collection of Ludlum novels, and they have stuck with me for years afterward as really solid writing. I was overjoyed that despite some rewriting to fit Jason Bourne and his story onto the screen, this movie carried with it some of that same intensity that made the novels so gripping.
Absolutely no spoilers for this movie. If you have seen the other two, then you know what to expect. And if you haven't, then I suggest that you rent all three of these movies that I'm sure will become a classic trilogy in the near and far future.
And read the books!



Blogroll Me!

Third Pick of the Week

THE VALET:

I just finished watching this movie, and I laughed so hard throughout the whole thing that I can safely say that my neighbors probably think that I am clinically insane.
Words are failing me, I can't even begin to describe how good this movie was. For those of you who don't like subtitles, you will have to take one for the team because there is no reason why anyone should miss this film.
A valet who has to live with a supermodel to earn enough money to save the bookstore of the woman he loves, a supermodel who has to live with a valet to save a billionaires marriage, a billionaire who's going crazy about the supermodel living with the valet, and the billionaires' wife toying with them all. Watch this movie and take part in this hilarious comedy about love and what it costs.
A truly original story, one that makes sense when you step back to look at it. It will leave you with the feeling that everything is right in the world. A gem.

If you're still a little skeptical, click on the link below to watch the trailer, or just go to www.imdb.com and type in The Valet, then click on La Doublure, and click on watch the trailer.
Enjoy!

http://imdb.com/title/tt0449851/trailers-screenplay-E34435-10-2



Blogroll It!

A Piece of Craftsmanship

ZODIAC:

Based on true events taken from Robert Graysmith's books and criminal case files, this movie will have you engrossed from the first minutes to the end credits.
Jake Gyllenhal plays Rober Graysmith, a cartoonist for a large newspaper, who becomes entangled and ultimately obsessed with the Zodiac, a serial killer who in the 60's and 70's wrote to newspapers claiming responsibility for various murders. Also entangled in the web is co-newspaper man Paul Avery (Robert Downey Jr.) and lead investigator David Toschi (Mark Ruffalo), both men wrapped up too tight in the Zodiac for their own good.
A true thriller, Zodiac will have you watching so intensely you'll forget your even watching a movie.