annliebe's Reviews

Like Crazy (2011)

6/10

In a sentence- The love story is not believable.

21 November 2011

"Like Crazy" is a romantic drama directed and co-written by Drake Doremus. Starring Anton Yelchin, emerging actress Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize for best film at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

No question Doremus has a lot of talent, he is a great young director and it shows it with the great cinematography in this film. Throughout, the performances are good and natural.

The love story was inspired by events of Doremus's real life. Unfortunately is far from been one of the greatest love story of all time. It fails to deliver "emotion" at all levels, which is one of the most essential components in a love story. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the two main characters failing to portrait that passionate connection they supposedly have in the film.

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Immortals (2011)

9/10

Visually appealing

11 November 2011

"Immortals" is a fantasy Action 3D adventure directed by Tarsem Singh and produced by the producers of 300 and the remake of the Clash of the Titans. Stars Henry Cavill, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, John Hurt, Stephen Dorff, and Mickey Rourke.

What makes this film different from the previous productions is that Singh, the director, has a unique and artistic style which adds an edgy and dark touch to the movie. He is best known for his films "The Fall" and "The Cell". This film is very aesthetically appealing, from the cast to the cinematography.

The story is set in 1228 BC, ancient Greece, and tells the story of Theseus (Henry Cavill), a peasant touched by the gods, chosen by Zeus (Luke Evans) to fight King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) in an attempt to save humankind.

Freida Pinto plays Phaedra, a Virgin Sybelline Oracle who has the gift to see the future. Her visions helped guide Theseus to his destiny. She falls in love with Theseus and gives up her gift to see the future.

Towards the end of the movie, King Hyperion, finds the long lost Bow of Epirus and awakens the Titans. Once the Titans are resurrected the Gods of Olympus are able to step in to stop the Titans. The ending is very predictable, but in general exceeded my expectations.

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J. Edgar (2011)

8/10

A Hero?? Or The Most Hated Man In American History?

11 November 2011

Warning: Spoilers

"When morals decline and good men do nothing evil flourishes. Society unwilling to learn from the past is doomed. We must never forget our history. We must never lower our guard."

"J. Edgar" is a biographical drama directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer, Naomi Watts, and Judi Dench. The screenplay was written by Dustin Lance Black who is best known for his Oscar winning screenplay MILK. The movie is based on a true story; some scenes are based in pure speculations.

This film tells the life story of J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) taking the audience back and forth in time between his early years in the justice department and the years during his tenure as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), until his death on May 2nd 1972.

The film has a great storyline. It develops focusing on Hoover's career and his lifetime dedication to the FBI. For the most part, the movie is told from Hoover's perspective as he dictates his life story to a few different typists (Young FBI agents) because he felt that it was time for people to know the other side of the story. Hoover is presented as the hero of the story; at times, exaggerating his accomplishments. The tale portrays Hoover as a young dedicated patriot, perfectionist, dedicated to create order, with an obsession against communism, working his way up, overcoming challenges, accumulating power throughout the years, and later becoming one of the most powerful men in history of the United States.

The movie reminds us that Hoover wasn't afraid of bending the rules a little in order to keep the country safe. Perhaps, Hoover is best known for his infamous wiretaps and the never found secret files. As we see in the movie, a clever Hoover making files on anyone that crossed his way. Allegedly, even using these files to blackmail presidents to manipulate their actions and that way managed to keep his position as head of the bureau through nine presidents.

At the same time, Hoover shows a weaker side and is portrayed as a childish man with a speech impediment who was influenced by Annie Hoover (Dench), his mother. Mrs. Hoover is portrayed as a very religious, rigid and conservative person that tells her son in an occasion that she'd rather have a dead son than a daffodil.

Assistant Director of the FBI and long time friend, Clyde Tolson (Hammer) FBI Secretary Helen Gandy (Watts)

Overall, J. Edgar is a good movie with a good cast and great performances. This is a very well done movie. There were a few flaws; the makeup used to age some of the characters was a little odd and not convincing taking away from the movie.

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The Ides of March (2011)

9/10

Compelling and Gripping Political Film

17 October 2011

"The Ides of March" opens in theaters on Friday, October 7th. Idus Martias (Middle of March) were the first words that came to my mind when I read the title of this movie on my calendar, reminding me the story about the assassination of Julius Caesar, a story of idealism, betrayal, conspiracy and political corruption and that is exactly what this film brings to the table. "The Ides of March" is a compelling and gripping political film directed and written by George Clooney and is an adaptation of Beau Willimon's stage play Farragut North. This is the fourth film directed by Clooney. The movie has a great cast starring Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Evan Rachel Wood, and the list goes on. No doubt it will have a few Oscar nominations. It's one of the best political thrillers I have seen.

The plot evolves around a political campaign battle during the last days of the Ohio presidential primary. Winning Ohio will determine Mike Morris(Clooney) presidential nomination for the Democratic Party and eventually the presidential seat in the White House.

Mike Morris is the liberal Governor of Pennsylvania who plays a Charmin, exceptional candidate who later on will remind us again the cynical side of politics.

Stephen Myers (Gosling) is a young idealist press secretary willing to do anything for a noble cause as long as he believed in it. And he truly believes that Morris is the only candidate that will actually make a difference in peoples' lives. Ironically, his eyes are opened to the truth of the dirty game of politics; he learns a lesson and gets his first bite of the bitter sweet taste of success.

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Machine Gun Preacher (2011)

6/10

A very touchy movie

21 September 2011

"Machine Gun Preacher" is an inspirational melodrama directed by Marc Forster and starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan and Michael Shannon. This film is based on the true story of Sam Childers a former gang biker who finds god, becomes a pastor and has dedicated his life and all his resources ever since to rescuing and protecting orphans in Sudan, Africa. Childers founded Angles of East Africa an orphanage located in South Sudan.

Marc Forster has under his belt an impressive resume with films like Quantum of Solace, The Kite Runner, Finding Neverland and Monster's Ball.

Reviewing this film has been very complicated because of its subject matter. The movie has a strong religious subject, addresses the civil conflict and severity of the crisis in Sudan, ideals, hypocrisy and religious fanaticism. This film will divide Christian audiences because of the redemptive arc of the tale.

This is one of those movies that will provoke both sympathy and aversion. Sam Childers (Butler) is not an ordinary preacher; he carries a machine gun and kills LRA rebels in self-defense looking at it as helping God's children. Sam had a troubled life, was a gang member, drug dealer, junkie, married a stripper, but his life dramatically changes around when he finds god or god finds him, as he states in the movie. He claims to be a soldier fighting for freedom and becomes a member of the SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army).

Mark Foster does a good job bringing such a complex and controversial story to the big screen utilizing his well-known visual skills. This movie has a lot of graphic and violent scenes, showing the horror caused by a civil war, torture, savage murders, and how entire villages are destroyed.

MPAA rating: R Runtime: 2:03 mins Production Co: Relativity Media, Virgin Produced, Apparatus Productions

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Moneyball (2011)

9/10

Good Movie

19 September 2011

"MoneyBall" is drama/comedy directed by Bennett Miller. True story based on Michael Lewis's book, Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game. The director has done a good job combining a smart script with humor. Brad Pitt was a perfect pick for the role his dry humor adds a lot to the movie. I'm not a baseball fan and you don't have to be a fanatic to enjoy this film.

Bennett Miller kept his docudrama style adding comedy to keep it fun and interesting for all the different types of audiences. he's a great director, has shot numerous documentaries. He's best known for his biographical film "Capote" about Truman Capote released in 2005.

I wasn't very excited about this movie after watching the trailers; it seemed to be like any other sports drama where everybody wins and has a happy ending, but ended up been better than what I expected. I gave this film its fair chance to impress me and it definitely did. I recommend it.

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Straw Dogs (2011)

7/10

"Straw Dogs" a psychological thriller directed

15 September 2011

Last night, I screened "Straw Dogs" a psychological thriller directed by Rod Lurie. This movie is a remake of the 1971 original version directed by Sam Peckinpah who was known for his explicit description of action and violence in his films.

Based on the novel "The Siege of Trencher's Farm" by Gordon Williams. Rod Lurie shows his version with a few variations from the script keeping the plot very close to the original. The director touches controversial topics stirring your interest and emotions. This is a very engaging, character driven film with a lot of disturbing moments. It starts with slow opening scenes and gradually builds suspense and raises intensity towards the end delivering an explosive ending.

I have mixed feelings about this movie, but I honestly think that it's better than the original version.

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