Persepolis (B+)
This is an amazing animated movie about a girl named Marji growing up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution and the Iraq/Iran war. She is raised into an extremely progressive family whom supports the revolution. Yet following the dismantle of the Shah, Iran turns into an extremely repressive state. Shortly after the revolution, Iraq invades Iran in September of 1980, in an atrocious war that that lasted nearly 8 years. During this time Marji is sent away from Iran to study abroad in Austria. Here she begins to find her identity, befriending anarchists, and becoming very independent. Living in Europe she takes in tons of culture, yet also discovers that she shouldn't be ashamed of her Iranian heritage. It is an incredible animated story about a girl growing up in the backdrop of a terrible time. Also a very interesting historical period in the Middle East.
The Wackness (B)
It's hard to think that a film set in the 1990s could be considered a period piece, yet it was a good ten to twenty years ago, so I guess its about time. This one was incredibly done, set in New York City, where hip hop and rap music were king. Josh Peck, the former Nickelodeon star, delivers an amazing breakthrough performance as a drug dealer trying to find some summer love. Opposite him is his weird pyschiatrist played by Ben Kingsley whom trades therapy for marijuana. As well as his love interest the psychiatrist's step-daughter played by Olivia Thrilby. Its an all around great independent film, with especially stellar performances from Kingsley and Peck.
District 9 (B-)
When watching the previews for this one I wasn't sure what to think. Sure it was produced by Peter Jackson, and although he created a masterpiece in Lord of the Rings, he disappointed me with King Kong. Well after seeing this one nominated for so many awards, I was definitely interested. The movie is very different, filmed like a documentary. It is set in South Africa, Johannesburg where a mother ship of aliens has landed over the city. For the past 20 years the aliens have been evacuated from their ship and sent to a refugee camp away from the rest of civilization. A government agent named Wikus is put in charge to relocate the 1.8 million alien residents out of District 9. During the project, he inhales an alien fluid and slowly begins to transform into an alien. He thus becom
es hunted by the government to utilize his new-found strength. Wikus must escape the government and find safe refugee within his new species in District 9. The film has an exciting story and great special effects.
Appaloosa (B-)
I've never been a big fan of Western movies, yet this one directed by Ed Harris was very suspenseful. Its a story about two lawman who come to the town of Appaloosa to protect the town, and bring justice to a recent murder. Ed Harris plays the lead as the stubborn Marshall Cole and Viggo Mortensen plays his loyal deputy. Both men are ruthless and without emotion until a new girl played by Renee Zellwegger wins both their affection. The two men eventually capture the murderer played by Jeremy Irons, yet have to deal with his entire gang trying to free him. The film has an incredible ending, with a classic Western-style shootout, and a heroic moment from Viggo Mortensen. Definitely worth checking out!
Waltz with Bashir (B)
This is another incredible political animation, with amazing artistic visuals. It tells the story of a veteran in search of his lost memories from the Lebanon War of 1982. He visits many of his old friends to try and discuss the war and put together a vision he constantly has of the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The animation is unlike anything I've seen before, full of 3-dimensional flash animation. The movie takes you up and down through incredible visuals from one extreme to the other. As well as an enticing soundtrack to compliment the stimulating visuals.
Gone Baby Gone (C-)
This one sadly to say was quite boring. Directed by Ben Affleck it had a long list of big name actors, and was said to the next Mystic River, yet could hardly compare. It's a mystery case in search of a missing girl. Casey Affleck takes the lead in this one as a private investigator who uses his knowledge of the streets to find answers. He eventually discovers the scheme of the kidnapping. The girl's grandfather goes to the police to help her granddaughter find a better life. The chief of police (Morgan Freeman) takes her in secretly away from her mother. Although his intentions are for the best, it is a corrupt move and the chief of police is arrested while the child is returned to her terrible mother, played by Amy Ryan. Not even strong performances from Ed Harris and Amy Ryan could save this painfully dry film.
This is an amazing animated movie about a girl named Marji growing up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution and the Iraq/Iran war. She is raised into an extremely progressive family whom supports the revolution. Yet following the dismantle of the Shah, Iran turns into an extremely repressive state. Shortly after the revolution, Iraq invades Iran in September of 1980, in an atrocious war that that lasted nearly 8 years. During this time Marji is sent away from Iran to study abroad in Austria. Here she begins to find her identity, befriending anarchists, and becoming very independent. Living in Europe she takes in tons of culture, yet also discovers that she shouldn't be ashamed of her Iranian heritage. It is an incredible animated story about a girl growing up in the backdrop of a terrible time. Also a very interesting historical period in the Middle East.
The Wackness (B)
It's hard to think that a film set in the 1990s could be considered a period piece, yet it was a good ten to twenty years ago, so I guess its about time. This one was incredibly done, set in New York City, where hip hop and rap music were king. Josh Peck, the former Nickelodeon star, delivers an amazing breakthrough performance as a drug dealer trying to find some summer love. Opposite him is his weird pyschiatrist played by Ben Kingsley whom trades therapy for marijuana. As well as his love interest the psychiatrist's step-daughter played by Olivia Thrilby. Its an all around great independent film, with especially stellar performances from Kingsley and Peck.
District 9 (B-)
When watching the previews for this one I wasn't sure what to think. Sure it was produced by Peter Jackson, and although he created a masterpiece in Lord of the Rings, he disappointed me with King Kong. Well after seeing this one nominated for so many awards, I was definitely interested. The movie is very different, filmed like a documentary. It is set in South Africa, Johannesburg where a mother ship of aliens has landed over the city. For the past 20 years the aliens have been evacuated from their ship and sent to a refugee camp away from the rest of civilization. A government agent named Wikus is put in charge to relocate the 1.8 million alien residents out of District 9. During the project, he inhales an alien fluid and slowly begins to transform into an alien. He thus becom
es hunted by the government to utilize his new-found strength. Wikus must escape the government and find safe refugee within his new species in District 9. The film has an exciting story and great special effects.Appaloosa (B-)
I've never been a big fan of Western movies, yet this one directed by Ed Harris was very suspenseful. Its a story about two lawman who come to the town of Appaloosa to protect the town, and bring justice to a recent murder. Ed Harris plays the lead as the stubborn Marshall Cole and Viggo Mortensen plays his loyal deputy. Both men are ruthless and without emotion until a new girl played by Renee Zellwegger wins both their affection. The two men eventually capture the murderer played by Jeremy Irons, yet have to deal with his entire gang trying to free him. The film has an incredible ending, with a classic Western-style shootout, and a heroic moment from Viggo Mortensen. Definitely worth checking out!
Waltz with Bashir (B)
This is another incredible political animation, with amazing artistic visuals. It tells the story of a veteran in search of his lost memories from the Lebanon War of 1982. He visits many of his old friends to try and discuss the war and put together a vision he constantly has of the Sabra and Shatila massacre. The animation is unlike anything I've seen before, full of 3-dimensional flash animation. The movie takes you up and down through incredible visuals from one extreme to the other. As well as an enticing soundtrack to compliment the stimulating visuals.
Gone Baby Gone (C-)
This one sadly to say was quite boring. Directed by Ben Affleck it had a long list of big name actors, and was said to the next Mystic River, yet could hardly compare. It's a mystery case in search of a missing girl. Casey Affleck takes the lead in this one as a private investigator who uses his knowledge of the streets to find answers. He eventually discovers the scheme of the kidnapping. The girl's grandfather goes to the police to help her granddaughter find a better life. The chief of police (Morgan Freeman) takes her in secretly away from her mother. Although his intentions are for the best, it is a corrupt move and the chief of police is arrested while the child is returned to her terrible mother, played by Amy Ryan. Not even strong performances from Ed Harris and Amy Ryan could save this painfully dry film.
1 comment:
ooo i gotta update soon too. I'll do the movie update also. I thought District 9 deserved an A- considering a lot of it was ad lib and low budget. I loved the movie and its social undertones.
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