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Movie Reviews and Ratings

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/17 at 12:00am

‘Shutter Island’: The Movie Review

02.17.2010 | By |

'Shutter Island': The Movie Review

The new psychological thriller, “Shutter Island,” based on the popular novel by Dennis Lehane, comes from the dexterous and practiced hands of legendary director Martin Scorsese. The film is deluged with a plethora of twists and turns, brilliant acting by Leonardo DiCaprio and jarring scenes of suspense created and framed to perfection by its helmer. You should be excited to see this film… the entertainment value is high and the production quality is of the highest caliber. It’s definitely a must see movie!

For those of you who unfamiliar with the plotline, we’ll reveal only a succinct version.  The film adaptation tells the tale of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a prisoner from the island’s fortress-like mental ward. Not much can else be revealed because anything more can ruin the movie experience.

One thing you will take away from this movie is Scorsese’s prowess in the visual department. Some of the camera shots seen make you wish the projectionist could pause them and play it over and over again. After seeing all of DiCaprio’s films, Shutter Island, in my humble opinion, is perhaps one of the top 3 best performances of his career (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Shutter Island and Basketball Diaries, in order). That is what you await at your local theater this weekend.
 
A major subtext in the movie’s theme is a question asked by all of us, at one point or another in our lives: Am I mad, or is the world around me mad? What’s real and what is not? (I’ve been there before). Just like Hitchcock, the story is constantly deviating us from our path of clarity, creating scenes that don’t really exist and submerging us into a nightmare we can’t manage to wake up from.

At first, the film seems to be just another intriguing noir detective story but it is so much more than that. The references and homages in the film are multiple, everything from “Out of the Past” to “Shock Corridor” and “The Snake Pit” to Hitchcock’s “Spellbound.”

“Shutter Island” is a world where nothing is what it appears to be. It’s suspenseful, mysterious, ambiguous and insane. Now that sounds like a fun movie!

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/17 at 12:00am

Shutter Island

02.17.2010 | By |

Shutter Island

The new psychological thriller, “Shutter Island,” based on the popular novel by Dennis Lehane, comes from the dexterous and practiced hands of legendary director Martin Scorsese. The film is deluged with a plethora of twists and turns, brilliant acting by Leonardo DiCaprio and jarring scenes of suspense created and framed to perfection by its helmer. You should be excited to see this film… the entertainment value is high and the production quality is of the highest caliber. It’s definitely a must see movie!

For those of you who unfamiliar with the plotline, we’ll reveal only a succinct version.  The film adaptation tells the tale of two U.S. marshals, Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), who are summoned to a remote and barren island off the cost of Massachusetts to investigate the mysterious disappearance of a prisoner from the island’s fortress-like mental ward. Not much can else be revealed because anything more can ruin the movie experience.

One thing you will take away from this movie is Scorsese’s prowess in the visual department. Some of the camera shots seen make you wish the projectionist could pause them and play it over and over again. After seeing all of DiCaprio’s films, Shutter Island, in my humble opinion, is perhaps one of the top 3 best performances of his career (What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Shutter Island and Basketball Diaries, in order). That is what you await at your local theater this weekend.
 
A major subtext in the movie’s theme is a question asked by all of us, at one point or another in our lives: Am I mad, or is the world around me mad? What’s real and what is not? (I’ve been there before). Just like Hitchcock, the story is constantly deviating us from our path of clarity, creating scenes that don’t really exist and submerging us into a nightmare we can’t manage to wake up from.

At first, the film seems to be just another intriguing noir detective story but it is so much more than that. The references and homages in the film are multiple, everything from “Out of the Past” to “Shock Corridor” and “The Snake Pit” to Hitchcock’s “Spellbound.”

“Shutter Island” is a world where nothing is what it appears to be. It’s suspenseful, mysterious, ambiguous and insane. Now that sounds like a fun movie!

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/15 at 12:00am

Interview with Leonardo DiCaprio on Shutter Island!

02.15.2010 | By |

Interview with Leonardo DiCaprio on Shutter Island!

It was a cold day in New York City as I arrived at one of New York’s top hotels, Le Meridien, to attend an exclusive press conference with Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, author Dennis Lehane, amongst others, to discuss ‘Shutter Island‘, Scorsese’s new cinematic effort.

First off was Lehane and his crew. Every one got off questions, including me. Then Scorsese’s crew came in and only 4 questions were asked – I was one of the lucky ones to get one in.

What you will hear in the audio slide to the left to you are the questions I asked DiCaprio, Scorsese and Lehane, in order. Essentially, this audio encompasses DiCaprio’s thoughts on his acting, how difficult it was to film these scenes, along with Scorsese’s directorial style and Lehane’s thoughts on the film adaptation of the book.

Without further adieu, here is the official interview from the stars of ‘Shutter Island‘.

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/10 at 12:00am

‘Spider Man 4’ to be in 3D in 2012

02.10.2010 | By |

'Spider Man 4' to be in 3D in 2012

So we finally have a real date for what is to be the reimagining or reinvention of the new, younger Spider Man films. It also will feature the 3D technology for an ultimate movie going experience. Across our email we received the new press release from Columbia Pictures regarding the news:

Spider-Man will swing into theaters worldwide in 3D beginning July 3, 2012, it was  announced today by Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution. The new film which is still untitled, will begin production later this year directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt. Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin will produce the film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios.
 
Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, “Spider-Man is the ultimate summer movie-going experience, and we’re thrilled the filmmakers are presenting the next installment in 3D.  Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and we know audiences are eager and excited to discover Marc’s fantastic vision for Peter Parker and  the franchise.”

Karen Posada

By

2010/02/09 at 12:00am

The Wolfman

02.9.2010 | By |

The Wolfman

Unfortunately The Wolfman was exactly what I expected it to be, a movie where action prevails and the plot is predictable and hollow, it is basically secondary. I had a moment of hope during the climax of the movie that it was going to be better than I expected, I was wrong. I do give credit to the animation crew as well as those who worked on the settings because they are fantastic.

The main character, Lawrence Talbot (Benecio del Toro) belongs to a theater group in London; he’s a man who is lonely and hasn’t spoken to his family since he was a child. His father sent him to the U.S. to keep him away from his childhood traumas. He’s a man full of pain and suffering, he only returns
home because his brother’s fianceé Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt) writes to him about his brother’s disappearance and at his arrival asks him to solve the mystery of his murder. His father (Anthony Hopkins) greets him coldly but with loving words, he’s mysterious and he’s estranged from his family. He lives in a castle where we start to learn about Lawrence Talbot’s childhood and begin to see that although he had a privileged childhood he didn’t have it easy.

 

The movie develops at a nice rhythm, but since very early on we are able to make conclusions about how it will end. The Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro does the role of a man with a dark past and an even darker future perfectly; as a fan of the original movie and a collector of ‘wolfman’ paraphernalia, he studied his character well. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the main role, although there is not much to work from; Del Toro did a good job, especially in the scenes where his physical pain was very real. Hopkins was perfect for the role of the creepy and enigmatic father, it was almost like seeing Lecter with a ‘paternal’ side.

 

I knew the movie was a thriller but I didn’t know it was also supposed to be a horror flick; it does have moments that startle you but it is far more gory than scary. The cast did a good job and the panorama is beautiful, also the fact that it is placed in the times of Jack the Ripper makes it more attractive. It would have been a better movie if the plot were more engaging. It is definitely not for kids, although at some point it becomes a version of ‘The Beauty and the Beast’ but for adults.

Namreta Kumar

By

2010/02/08 at 12:00am

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

02.8.2010 | By |

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

For anyone who loves the movie going experience this a perfect match. Chris Columbus has brought yet another beloved children’s book to life in his adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. The Lightening Thief is a charming lighthearted fare; that has smartly been adapted for the screen.
Percy Jackson’s (Logan Lerman) world changes when he discovers that he is a demigod. Soon he finds that his inadequacies serve him well; and that the Greek myths, the ones we all forget in grade school, are more than just ancient history.

 

Chris Columbus does a great job of making Greek mythology feel like home in the Western world. In fact the juxtaposition of our modern realities to Greek mythology are what make the film charming to all ages. The CGI is all tailored to fit in well with the needs of the script and doesn’t over power it. Whereas other films of it’s nature have spent much more time working on some of the more flamboyant points of the novel Chris Columbus’ The Lightning Thief seamlessly blends all the elements together. While films like Harry Potter fail to capture the essence of the book, Percy Jackson and The Olympians does a remarkably better job.

 

That being said some alterations have been made. For those of you that have read the book, sorry to say, as dictated by Zeus, the Kronos topic is closed for discussion. The “family” relationship that the book focuses on is the crux of this film. But don’t get too excited, if you hoped to see the jerk cousin from the book’s prophecy he doesn’t make the cut either. Although major arcs have been dismissed from this adaptation, it does a great job of keeping the heart of the book in the forefront.

 

The cast also shares the credit for blending the two worlds seamlessly. They do an excellent job adapting the characters from the myths to the modern world. Brandon T. Jackson exceptionally modernizes the Greek satyr, Grover, by cleverly adapting modern style to the flirtatious and quirky nature of his character. Jake Abel carries Luke’s altered character off well, but due to some editing of the books for screen, it doesn’t all seem to add up on screen. Logan Lerman is the heart of the film. He not only ties together the film’s other cast and characters, but also reels in the audience. Percy Jackson feels like an accidental hero (to himself) in the book, and Lerman plays those insecurities and his perseverance well.

 

When I left the theatre I remember feeling as light as my own childhood memories of going to the theatre. The best part about the film is that as an adult you get to re-live the wonderment of grade school mythology; and as a child you can almost believe that the old hero stories aren’t all lost. Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is an old fashioned good time at the movies.

 

Also just a tip (especially for those that enjoyed the books): Don’t miss the end of the credits, I promise you will get your just reward.

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/07 at 12:00am

Dear John

02.7.2010 | By |

Dear John

The great classic romance movies of history such as Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, even Titanic, have served as a measuring bar for today’s love stories. Lasse Hallstrom’s ‘Dear John’, based on Nicholas Sparks book, should not by any means be compared to the aforementioned, but it also shouldn’t be discarded as syrupy blather. Rather, it is a likable, warm story that manages to rouse a tear and perhaps incite a small swelling in the throat. I would not label it a typical run of the mill ‘tearjerker’, but it has a few moments that garners your emotional attention.

The film revolves around the love letters a soldier (Channing Tatum) and a young woman (Amanda Seyfried) share for a few years. John meets Savannah at the beach near his home and they eventually begin dating, but as soon as 9/11 happens he has to pick between her and the duties of war. How it turns out is for you to see.

‘Dear John’ isn’t going to devastate you or scar you emotionally. It is not Nicholas Sparks best, but it manages to awaken some sentiments of sadness, anger and loss that can be attributed to some descent acting and empathic screenwriting. The best part of the movie is Richard Jenkin’s performance as John’s father. His scene near the end provides perhaps the most compelling and dramatic scene of the movie. If you haven’t seen the wonderful, but small film The Visitor, try and squeeze it into you Netflix queue to see and appreciate Jenkin’s Oscar nominated performance. Just marvelous.

This valentines week’s film options should be an easy romantic choosing – Dear John over Valentine’s Day. The former is a failure in so many levels. Whether it is your other half or just a friend, Dear John is your best watch for eliciting some of those valentines sentiments your looking to draw out.

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/05 at 12:00am

‘Mun2’ to begin Friday night movie series

02.5.2010 | By |

'Mun2' to begin Friday night movie series

Mun2 is setting the stage for a new Friday night movie showcase.

The NBC Universal-owned cable network aimed at bicultural U.S. Latinos will bow “Have You Cine” on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. (ET/PT) with drama Harsh Times, starring Christian Bale and Eva Longoria. Mun2 will flank the linear offering with online interviews with actors and movie makers via holamun2.com/cine.

In addition to the weekly Friday night movie showcase, the network will continue offering the exclusive, “Have You Cine Chronicles,” a weekly short-form vignette covering the biggest movies out in theaters. The capsules will premiere as part of the network’s entertainment show, The mun2 Shuffle and will run throughout the programming day within mun2’s music blocks.

“Mun2 has been committed to movies for the past few years, bringing our audience exclusive interviews with artists ranging from Hugh Jackman to Gael Garcia Bernal,” said Flavio Morales, senior vice president programming and production for mun2. “The Have You Cine‘ franchise has evolved, as do the needs of our audience, and we’re excited to not only offer them this fresh, new movie line-up, but also bring our viewers closer to their favorite stars via holamun2.com.”

The rest of the Have You Cine Friday-night lineup this month: Feb. 12, Talento de Barrio, starring Daddy Yankee;

Feb. 19, Chasing Papi, starring Sofia Vergara and Roselyn Sanchez;  and Feb. 26, Fast Lane, starring Melina Lizette and Kenyetta Lethridge.

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/04 at 12:00am

Jack Rico

By

2010/02/02 at 12:00am

From Paris with Love

02.2.2010 | By |

From Paris with Love

When it comes to action movies ‘From Paris With Love’ delivers. It’s not the best action film since Wanted, but it did do a good job of extracting a few ‘ooooohs’ and ‘aaaaahs’ from me. I must confess that according to the trailer, the film looked worse to me than what it was. Perhaps this is why I think better of the film, because I was expecting pure detritus. What you need to know is that John Travolta – though he might look a tad silly, one gets over it quickly – is once again intense, amusing and entertaining. Johnathan Rhys Meyers looks like an amateur actor and disappoints tremendously all the while french director Pierre Morel (Taken) is the new John Woo! When people talk about action directors such as Guy Ritchie, Woo and Luc Besson, Morel has to now be a part of the conversation.

The storyline has some interesting twists and turns, enough to dial you in. While in Paris, a young employee (Johnathan Rhys Meyers) in the office of the US Ambassador hooks up with an American spy (John Travolta) looking to stop a terrorist attack in the City of Lights.

This is the type of film you go to when you had a stressful week at work or at home and feel like seeing someone splatter some person’s brain on the wall with a semiautomatic silencer. Definitely a stress reliever.

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