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Man Up (2015)
Lake Bell' steals the show in Ben Palmer's fast and funny Romantic Comedy!!!
Some very strange things happen in Man Up, Ben Palmer's surprisingly likable romantic comedy, starring Simon Pegg and Lake Bell. the real star here is the American actress (and sometime director) Lake Bell – an established pro at accents and who steals the show with her rubbery, expressive face and penchant for self-humiliation. Ignore the sieve-like plot, though, because the script is largely excellent, Pegg and Bell sizzle on screen together trading flirty one-liners and bitchy ripostes like well-timed highfives. With its action condensed into a single afternoon and evening, Man Up expertly conveys the feel of one of those great first dates that just kept going, it's got an endearing and awkward Britishness that makes its characters relatable and in the shape of its gifted leads an on screen couple you'll genuinely root for. Man Up has enough breezy pleasures to make it worthy of recommendation
My VoTe--7/10
The Watch (2012)
YawNNNNNnnnnnnnnnNNNNNNNNnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Four likable guys and fine screen actors make a meal of this loony, gross-out sci-fi comedy, but you wonder if it isn't time for them to leave behind juvenile alley. Maybe they don't think so. Anyway, the screenplay is full of penis gags (pay attention, there is a penis plot point), gross gags and bad taste gags - until we almost gag.
The scenario is an excuse to overdo everything: aliens have parked their giant gizmo under the Costco in middle class Glenhaven - because it really does have everything under one roof, from power to provisions. In the dead of night they take their human targets and use the skin to hide. Nobody even bothers to remark that their physical shape is totally unlike ours and more like that bitch in Alien; hell, don't be pedantic Andrew.
Evan (Ben Stiller) is the serious one who manages the Costco store and his newly Americanised Latino friend who works the security night shift has been murdered, his grisly remains splattered on the floor. An angry Evan sets up a neighbourhood watch squad - but only gets three others to join. Jonah Hill and Vince Vaughn bring their diverse and entertaining comedic bag of tricks and Richard Aoyade is a standout as the bespectacled Englishman with a secret, whose quietly spoken manner is also a comedic tool.
In the meantime, Evan and his wife (Rosemarie DeWitt, lovely) continue to try making a baby, but there is a reason why they can't which provides the film's one attempt at a serious message - about talking problems through with your partner. Well done, since the target market probably needs to hear that.
Message delivered, it's back to slapstick and schtick. They say youth is wasted on the young; well in this case, talent is wasted on the movieBut it all sounds funnier than it is. Much of the film is a yawn a minute with plenty of low-points with most of the humour failing the joke-metre. The young male target market will probably enjoy it, though, together with mates and a beer or two or three.
Exit (2011)
'X' Hits All The Right Thriller Marks!!!
We all remember Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (1971) or Michael Haneke's Funny Games (1997) for example, well Jon Hewitt is following in large footsteps ...
He's made a short, sharp and edgy thriller that's as effective and engaging as his Red Ball (1999), which was set in the world of corrupt cops. He has retained some of those elements but the central characters are two women, a 30 year old call girl hoping to start a new life and a 17 year old out of towner also hoping to start a new life, they meet on the streets of Kings Cross where fate awaits them in a hotel room. Viva Bianca is vivacious as the blonde Holly Rowe, a proud and determined woman who knows how to handle herself after 15 years as a hooker. Hanna Mangan Lawrence plays the homeless and broke Shay, a vulnerable newcomer dazed and confused by what she's got herself into.
Characterisations are sufficient for the genre and the technicals are all excellent. Special mention to David Franzke and Byron Joel Scullin for the terrific sound & music scape. The screenplay links the story points with an authenticity that's satisfying and the thrills are well orchestrated, including a couple of street fights, a chase or two and some dramatic confrontations - as well as a surprise or two, It all comes together terrifically in a film that while blessed with more than a couple loose ends, still offers a stunning visual and emotional roller-coaster ride. It takes a while getting started and seems to follow a particular formula until—BANG! —a gunshot changes everything.
X is a mostly-satisfying genre thriller.
My RaTiNg- 7/10!!!
The River Murders (2011)
WrItTeN By SoMeOnE WiTh DeLuSiOnS Of GrAnDeUr AnD QuEsTiOnAbLe MoRaLs!!!
One of my all-time favorite films is Martin Scorcese's "Goodfellas", that film made me a life-long Ray Liotta fan. He has had a bit of a rocky career, even sometimes going WAY over the top or being WAY out of place, he is still one of those guys that when he does hit his mark, you can't take your eyes off him. I always liked Ray Liotta's acting, no matter the movie he stars in. He's always good, always electrifying and enjoyable. In "The River Murders" he's in good company, acting alongside Ving Rhames (plays Captain Langley) and Christian Slater (plays FBI agent Vuckovich).
In this little thriller, Ray Liotta plays Jack Verdon, a homicide detective, who is on a strange case – he's investigating a series of murders that all seem to have a connection with him. Verdon ends up becoming the prime suspect, when FBI uncovers his close personal ties to all the victims. So, naturally, now Verdon has to find the real killer, clear his name, and try to save some people on the way, the whole film circles around these sexual relationships of Liotta's character with other women he had in the past. By the looks Liotta has in this movie (he's not really in shape anymore), it's hard to imagine this "detective, who slept with over 100 women", but who knows right? everyone has his/her taste.
The killer in the movie is revealed rather early (he actually turns out to be a religious fanatic), and the rest of the film is filled with Liotta's desperate attempts to catch this guy, get along with his wife(who has also been cheating on him), and engage into these bitter talks with Christian Slater's character.
To sum it up, this is definitely not Liotta's best movie, and overall just a passable, forgettable pathetic thriller. Ving Rhames looks out of place here, and Christian Slater doesn't get enough of screen time and portrays a rather blank FBI agent character. I'd recommend this only to really die-hard Liotta and Slater fans, Otherwise, you might as well skip this film.
My RaTiNg- 2/10!!!
The Son of No One (2011)
OK.... cop thriller.,.,!!!
The Son of No One is a run-of-the-mill cop thriller. The film is largely focused on themes we've seen before like police corruption and post-9/11 repercussions, and like many other films of its genre, it values violence over character enrichment. Though it doesn't break any new ground, it's still engaging as both a thriller and a mystery. The script could have benefited from more character development, particularly for Katie Holmes, who does little more than toss glaring looks and accusations at Tatum. With that said, I was'nt impressed with Tatum's performance as Jonathan. As the film's leading man, Tatum should have brought enough intensity and compassion to carry the film.
Right after I've seen this movie I went to IMDb website and I was quite surprised that the score for this movie was 6 out of 10, My final Rating - 5/ 10. A standard rating for a average movie. It takes all the clichés but could'nt handle them well. Not a great movie but a so- so, cop story.,.,.,!!!
My Cousin Vinny (1992)
"One of the best ever comedies , A Masterpiece!!!!!!
"My Cousin Vinny" is easily the most inventive and enjoyable American film farce in a long time, even during those extended patches when it seems to be marking time or when it continues with a running gag that can't stay the distance.
The film has a secure and sophisticated sense of what makes farce so delicious, which may not be surprising, since its credentials are about as impeccable as you can find in the peccable atmosphere of Hollywood.
The cast is very good. Mr. Pesci, recently the embodiment of out-of-control evil in "Goodfellas" and a burglar of singular ineptitude in "Home Alone," is a puzzled delight as he attempts to gather his wits, being helped not at all by Mona Lisa's loudly articulated common sense and her ability to read law books and retain their contents.
It was extremely hilarious and is great for anyone over the age of 10! From start to finish this film is comedy at its best. Highly Recommended,,,,10/10 .
The Aviator (2004)
A Remarkable Story For A Remarkable Man!
In The Aviator, star Leonardo Dicaprio delves deeper into the psyche of his character than he has for any performance previous. Not since his breakthrough performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape has DiCaprio fallen in so believably into his role. Beyond his uncanny resemblance to the reclusive Howard Hughes, DiCaprio's emotional output in the role is emotionally stunning. His performance eclipses all others in the film, despite his co-stars' not insubstantial contributions to their characters.
The Aviator is a movie that simply succeeds on multiple creative levels. It is also an emotionally gripping biography and a beautiful film in both technical achievement and performance. A stellar cast, fastidious period detail, staggering production standards, a highly compressed narrative and a defiantly downbeat ending reminiscent of Scorseses 1970s heyday.
Scorsese utilizes every tool at a filmmaker's disposal. But for all of the film-making pyrotechnics, it is the clear-eyed empathy Scorsese brings to The Aviator that makes it one of the most emotionally rewarding films of his career.
you don't wanna miss this!
A perfect 8/10