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Movie Reviews and Ratings

Jack Rico

By

2011/03/26 at 12:00am

Sucker Punch

03.26.2011 | By |

Sucker Punch
Jack Rico

By

2011/03/23 at 12:00am

Karen Posada

By

2011/03/22 at 12:00am

The Tourist

03.22.2011 | By |

Rating: 2.5

Rated: PG-13 for violence and brief strong language.
Release Date: 2010-12-10
Starring: Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/thetourist/

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Who doesn’t want to go see a movie starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, two of the biggest stars of Hollywood; specially when it is the first time they encounter each other on and off the screen? Did I mention they have some of the biggest female/male followings? These give ‘The Tourist‘ a recipe for success. Unfortunately, these great actors are not enough; neither are the great sceneries or the storyline that has the potential to be #1 at the box office. It was disappointing not to see many action scenes (when Jolie is one of the best female action stars out there) and to experience so much sexual tension (no one can deny these two could deliver some steamy scenes in the right movie). Basically, this movie has everything it needs, but it didn’t reach its potential to make it worth the wait at the movie theater.

I got the pleasure of experiencing the first scenes of the movie, which are set in Paris and taking a cruise down the Seine river shows the authenticity of the set, as well as the romantic feel of it. Director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck told me how he wanted to bring the glory days of Hollywood back on screen, which he believes to be those of films like Casablanca not films like The Transformers. He also told me how tough it was to make such a different film from The Lives of Others, he had to remind himself not to get too dark. He definitely achieved his goal, he made an elegant, sophisticated and somewhat romantic film.

The main focus of the movie is Elise Ward (Angelina Jolie), an English woman who lives a life of loneliness and luxury. She carries a day to day routine in Paris, where she is patiently waiting to hear from her lover. Her lover Alexander Pearce disappeared after stealing millions from his former employer, a gangster named Shaw (Steven Berkoff), he is also wanted by the London police for not paying back taxes; the main investigator is Acheson (Paul Bettany) who’s made it his life’s work to catch this guy. Elise finally changes her routine when she is instructed by Alexander to get on a train to Venice and choose a stranger to be him. We see men melting at Elise’s sight, but she chooses Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp) an American math teacher who is touring around Europe to forget his past love. Frank follows Elise’s game nervously, he can’t shake off her charm and doesn’t understand why she would pick him. Elise is very self assured and starts molding Frank into what she needs quickly, she is aware of her impact on others. When the train reaches Venice they each go their separate ways only for Elise to reappear minutes later to take him into the ride of his life. She introduces him to her life of luxury, he goes along without questioning much until everyone that is after Alexander Pierce begins to think Frank is him and start following him with guns. We follow Frank to his imprisonment in Italy and the rest of the labyrinth this mysterious woman built for him. We slowly start getting to know Elise, trying to figure out whether she is “good or bad” is the rest of the story.

Frank is one of the least physically attractive characters Depp has represented, but the utter innocence and niceness is Frank’s appeal. This is one of Jolie’s most girly, elegant and sophisticated roles; her sex appeal can’t be denied here since that’s Elise’s greatest tool. Elise is meant to be tough but at the same time feminine and it’s really hard to see Jolie in a role like this; she herself told me that was the biggest challenge in this film for her, to “slow down”. Bettany has shown us what a great villain he can be in movies such as The DaVinci Code, although he’s not directly a villain here; his character’s frustration makes him one of the most real characters in the film.

The best things in the movie: the scenery, locations like Paris and Venice elevate its elegance.Also, Depp’s character, he is the hilarious part of the movie; he really is one of my favorite parts of the film. That said, this movie calls for a lot of action and if they would have let Jolie loose at least a couple of scenes that would have really helped. The romance in the film is very light, yes they wanted to keep it PG-13, but it needed some sex scenes; the sexual tension takes away from the joy of the movie. There are a couple of twists in the movie which are appreciated but the grand finale is not so grand, it is predictable more than anything.

Jack Rico

By

2011/03/22 at 12:00am

Skyline

03.22.2011 | By |

Rating: 2.0

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some language, and brief sexual content.
Release Date: 2010-11-12
Starring: Joshua Cordes, Liam O’Donnell
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.iamrogue.com/skyline

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Jack Rico

By

2011/03/18 at 12:00am

The Switch

03.18.2011 | By |

Rating: 3.0

Rated: PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual material including dialogue, some nudity, drug use and language.
Release Date: 2010-08-20
Starring: Allan Loeb
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.theswitch-movie.com/

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‘The Switch’ could have been very good but ends up being just okay. Jennifer Aniston has more of a supporting role here while Jason Bateman is clearly the star of the film. The chemistry between them is non existent and the story, although intriguing, fails to compel because of an over-extension of plot. This is a clichéd trick screenwriters use to fill gaps of time in the middle of a movie to build ‘momentum’ for the final scenes. Case in point, writer Allan Loeb over-extends the inevitable confrontation scenes between Bateman and Aniston so much that when it arrives, you’re annoyed and ultimately uninterested.

The premise is a good one though… A single 40-year-old woman (Aniston) turns to artificial insemination in order to become pregnant. Seven years later, she reunites with her best friend (Bateman), who has been living with a secret: he replaced her preferred donor’s sperm sample with his own.

At its best, The Switch is reminiscent of About a Boy starring Hugh Grant but it never goes deep enough to illicit a tear. If something could be praised about the film is the acting by the supporting cast. Jeff Goldblum who plays Bateman’s cynical and wise cracking friend still can deliver a funny line. I don’t know why he’s not working more frequently but he is a delight on screen. And we can’t forget young actor Thomas Robinson who plays Bateman’s 6 year old son Sebastian. The kid has the goods and delivers some true acting as a melancholic pessimist who thinks he has hypochondria.

The Switch generates some occasional cheap laughs, but it doesn’t come together. It feels generic. There are two directors on the film, Josh Gordon and Will Speck, and if two people couldn’t get this right, then its probably not worth the theatrical viewing. This film might play better on a Saturday night at home on DVD.

Jack Rico

By

2011/03/18 at 12:00am

Mack Chico

By

2011/03/16 at 12:00am

Danny Trejo to star in a movie called ‘Pendejo’

03.16.2011 | By |

Danny Trejo to star in a movie called 'Pendejo'

Danny Trejo has joined the cast of “Pendejo,” a romantic comedy by writer/director Jairaj Walia, of Gr8 Dane Films.

Trejo (“Grindhouse,” “Machete,” “xXx”) plays the role of Pedro, the gangster father of the main character’s love interest, Jenny.

“Pendejo” which the filmmakers translate as “idiot,” but is far more vulgar, is about a spoiled party boy whose wealthy father orders to either take a low-level position at the family company or lose his inheritance.

Walia said that the movie addresses both the Indian and Latin cultures.

The cast includes Raja Fenske (Nickelodeon’s “Unfabulous”), Fernanda Romero (“The Eye”), Laksh Singh (“Little Fockers”), Marissa Caprielian (“Entourage”), Darlene Vazquetelles (“Kings of South Beach”) and Sevier Crespo (“Fast Lane”).

Bob Walia and Kim Walia are producing through Gr8 Dane. Crespo is producing through New Slant Productions.

Jack Rico

By

2011/03/14 at 12:00am

Brody, Cruz get ‘A Matador’s Mistress’ June release

03.14.2011 | By |

Brody, Cruz get 'A Matador’s Mistress' June release

Austin, TX (March 14, 2011)- Nolan A. Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, announced  today the acquisition of Video On Demand (VOD) and digital rights to A Matador’s Mistress, formally known as Manolete, starring Academy Award winning actors Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz. Gravitas Ventures is licensing the film from Viva Pictures and it will be available On Demand through cable, satellite, telco and online providers in June 2011.
 
“We are thrilled that A Matador’s Mistress will be available nation-wide this summer so that film lovers will have the opportunity to appreciate the fine performances of Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz” remarked Nolan Gallagher Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures.  “Video on Demand is increasingly allowing larger audiences the opportunity to enjoy wider access to well regarded independent films.”
 
A Matador’s Mistress tells the story of Manuel Rodriguez Sanchez (Adrien Brody) – famously known as “Manolete” – the most celebrated matador in Spain. Finding himself always on the road, Manolete spends his life between solitary hotel rooms and the arena. Despite his fame, Manolete is a quiet and reserved man – all of which changes when he meets Lupe Sino (Penelope Cruz), a beautiful and mysterious woman. Directed by Academy Award nominee Menno Meyjes (The Color Purple), the film tells the tale of a tragic romance between a man who flirts with death and a woman in love with life.

“We are confident that no one is better positioned to exploit this epic high-value production on a digital platform.  We look forward to not only this film getting released through Gravitas, but many more star driven films later this year.” Said Victor Elizalde, President Viva Pictures LLC.

Mack Chico

By

2011/03/07 at 12:00am

‘Rango’ is #1 at the box office

03.7.2011 | By |

'Rango' is #1 at the box office

Paramount Pictures’ Rango easily commanded the North American box office this weekend as the Johnny Depp-voiced feature easily beat out three other newcomers: the Matt Damon and Emily Blunt romantic fantasy The Adjustment Bureau, the Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens Beauty and the Beast reimagining Beastly, and the Topher Grace ’80s laffer Take Me Home Tonight.

 

The nowadays rare 2D computer-animated feature was directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) and also features the voice talents of Ilsa Fisher, Bill Nighy, Ned Beatty and Abigail Breslin. The wild, at times just plain weird PG-rated comedy was a hit with critics.

Here are the top 10 films of the week according to ticket sales:

1. ‘Rango, 38.0 million dollars.
2. The Adjustment Bureau, $ 20.9 million.
3. Beastly, $ 10.1 million.
4. Hall Pass, $ 9.0 million.
5. Gnomeo and Juliet, $ 6.9 million.
6. ‘Unknown, $ 6.6 million.
7. The King‘s Speech, $ 6.5 million.
8. Just Go With It, $ 6.5 million.
9. I Am Number Four, $ 5.7 million.
10. Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, $ 4.3 million.

Jack Rico

By

2011/03/07 at 12:00am

Arnold to do remakes of ‘Terminator,’ ‘Predator’?

03.7.2011 | By |

Arnold to do remakes of ‘Terminator,’ ‘Predator’?

Since leaving his post as governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger has said publicly that he is interested in returning to the profession he loves – no, not bodybuilding – movies. Hollywood has heard the call of the ex Mr. Olympia and he is already considering one of three scripts. During his competitive bodybuilding he organizes every year, the Arnold Classic, Schwarzenegger was asked to give an update on the projects he is viewing.

“Well, first of all it’s more like 15 films, obvious ones from ‘The Terminator’ to remakes of ‘Predator’ and ‘The Running Man’ and all of those things,” he said.

Schwarzenegger added that there’s “also a lot of original stuff too. But I am also packaging a comic book character right now. I’m going to announce that sometime by the end of March or the beginning of April.”

Surprisingly, McG won’t be involved in any other Terminator films after his big flop with ‘Terminator: Salvation’. Justin Lin and screenwriter Chris Morgan, who are currently working on ‘Fast Five’ are now in talks for a fifth ‘Terminator ‘ with or without A-R-N-O-L-D!

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