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Green Zone
Jack Rico
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2010/06/22 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Green Zone

06.22.2010 | By |

Rating: 3.5

Rated: R for violence and language.
Release Date: 2010-03-12
Starring: Brian Helgeland
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://www.greenzonemovie.com/

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‘Green Zone’ is the army version of the Bourne movies. It’s a full blown political thriller a la Tom Clancy with high octane action. The acting is superb, but the action is relentless. From the tense opening scene, and then for almost two hours, it’s non stop bullet battles, zig-zagging car and helicopter chases, and enough explosions to uncomfortably increase your heart rate and blood pressure! Is it as good or better than The Hurt Locker, another action war drama? No way. But it is definitely more entertaining. 

The plotline is simple and easy to follow: a U.S. Army officer (Matt Damon), based in Iraq, goes rogue when he questions the validity of the Weapons of Mass Destruction he’s been sent to look for.

Paul Greengrass, the director of the last two Bourne movies and United 93, loves that jitter cam. It’s the directing style where the camera jumps up and down at a staggering pace. It works well here and creates a tension throughout the whole film.

The acting is top notch here. Matt Damon is one of the best actors we have today and even in these genre films, he manages to embody credibility and a connection with the audience. You really do immerse self with him in this war and the corruption around him.

Compared to other action war films such as The Kingdom, this is the most entertaining one due to the amount of action the movie possesses, but it also doesn’t match up to the level of substance that The Hurt Locker accomplishes. Green Zone falls apart at the end with the type of Hollywood rubbish that we just detest. Nevertheless, you don’t see this film to see it win awards, but rather for diversion. There, it really works.

For people who enjoy thrillers and action films this movie is a must see this weekend.

Lindsay Lohan could be in ‘Twilight 4’
Mack Chico
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2010/06/22 at 12:00am

Movies

Lindsay Lohan could be in ‘Twilight 4’

06.22.2010 | By |

Lindsay Lohan could be in 'Twilight 4'

I know she’s trying to revive her career and the following news report might be just what gets her to over the hump. A source close to Lindsay Lohan says the actress is doing everything possible to casted in the fourth installment of the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn. Both her mother Dina Lohan and her ensure that being part of the cast would reestablish the controversial actress once again in Hollywood.

The same source added that after knowing that Lohan had passed her detoxification test, rumors began circulating that the singer of 24 years could join Robert Patinsson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner in the film (Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn).

Dawn will begin shooting in August this year and will be released in two films on November 18th, 2011.

I Am Love
Jack Rico
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2010/06/18 at 12:00am

Reviews

I Am Love

06.18.2010 | By |

I Am Love

One of the best actresses in Hollywood, in my opinion, is Tilda Swinton.

Her new film ‘I Am Love‘ is an ambitious, complex and sumptuous melodrama, that has at its core a tragic love story of a married woman who falls for the best friend of her son and unleashes a wave of problems that will forever change her family.

This Italian film written and directed by the talented Luca Guadagnino, is spoken in three languages and is a visual opera with perhaps the best soundtrack of the year composed by John Adams. The performances are splendid and emotional, a rare treat that stays with you long after you leave the theater. The look, feel and pacing of this film is reminiscent of 1950’s italian movies, as portrayed in the popular Fellini films such as La Dolce Vita.

 

‘I Am Love’ is one of the few showpieces of 2010. It is one you need to see if you love sweeping dramas.

Cyrus
Jack Rico
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By

2010/06/18 at 12:00am

Reviews

Cyrus

06.18.2010 | By |

Cyrus

What I feel is the best of comedy of 2010, Cyrus is a gem amongst the Paul Rudd and Apatow films of the last 2 years. If you are looking to laugh heartily, I recommend Cyrus in limited release.

 The comedy style is not like Get Him To The Greek, but rather a psychological and black. The plot revolves around a recently divorced man, wonderfully played by John C. Reilly, who finally finds the woman of his dreams, played by the seductive Marisa Tomei. What our hero did not expect was having to face her 22 year old son Cyrus, played by Jonah Hill, who will do everything possible to ruin their romance.

 

Reilly’s performance is what makes Cyrus one of my favorite comedies of the year. He is truly one of the great comic actors we have in Hollywood due to the dry and serious take he brings to comedic roles. Hill on his part needs to be applauded for comprehending his range and not stretching beyond his acting limits. His role here is a good representation of it.

If you are looking for a unconventional and clever comedy with superb performances, ‘Cyrus’ will not disappoint.

Raavan: Movie Review
Namreta Kumar
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2010/06/18 at 12:00am

Movies

Raavan: Movie Review

06.18.2010 | By |

Raavan: Movie Review

Raavan is a film much like its inspiration, it hangs somewhere indistinctly between good and bad. This film has such undeniably great moment, you must watch it; but because something doesn’t quite add up it may just fall by the wayside for most.

Beera, played by Abhishek Bachchan, is the Raavan of this story. He is a man living in a remote corner of India, Lal Maati, who has taken on the role of Robin Hood for the lower class by terrorizing the upper class and creating his own law making system. Dev Pratap Sharma, played by Vikram, is not quite Ram, he is much more human and arrives in Lal Maati assuming that the world is distinct shades of black and white. Aishwariya Rai Bachchan essays the role of Ragini, who is a very interesting version of Sita. Unlike the epic Ramayana this is much more a story of these characters and most specifically Raavan and SIta.

Mani Ratnam has a very strong grasp of his story and it shows in the very intriguing writing and the distinguished direction that he lends to it. Unfortunately he spent too much time making Beera seem more human than his primal instincts and thus the balance he was trying to achieve gets muddled in what the audience perceives. Another loss was the acting by the leads. The strongest performance was delivered by Govinda, playing the role of Sanjeevani Kumar or Hanuman. Not only was he the most convincing but it seems his was the only actor and therefore character that understood what was really happening here.

The best part of the story, by far, was the excellent cinematography. Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan provided some of the best parts of the film through their colorful and distinct vision. The best scenes between the leads are almost only so because of the story arc provided by the visuals. Even though the story gets muddled in poor acting the core of Raavan is in its visuals, direction, and music. AR Rahman’s music paces the film in conjunction with the direction and has a way of being stuck in your head hours later. Each track is blended into the script with the background score so well it seems only natural.

The first two things I distinctly remember wanting to experience again from this movie is the excellent cinematography and the music that movies it forward. If you like films that resonate in the quieter moments, this is a film for you; otherwise it is perhaps better taken in at your own leisurely assessment at home.

Toy Story 3
Namreta Kumar
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2010/06/17 at 12:00am

Reviews

Toy Story 3

06.17.2010 | By |

Toy Story 3

How many ways can we say Pixar does it again? The best things about Disney-Pixar‘s repeat success is the oxymoronic innovation it brings with.

Toy Story 3 sets a precedent all its own. The film is a natural resolution for long-term fans, but equally rewarding to new comers. The film picks up days before Andy is going to leave for college. Due to some miscommunication between Andy and his mother, our favorite toys end up bound for Sunnyside Day Care. The adventure of finding their true home begins there.

As is the case with sequels and trilogies, there is always the fear of destroying the original, but with Toy Story 3 the story development and screenplay is as consistent as the first. Pixar does a very good job of making sure the integrity of the first two Toy Stories remain in tact, while consistently creating the next chapter.

Furthermore, like the first Toy Story, technological innovation is a major component to the success of Toy Story 3. Unlike other films in which you can easily forsake 3D as a waste, Toy Story 3 uses 3D seamlessly. It is not a gimmick but a component of the film that places you into the wonderful world of the Toys.

As for the Toys themselves, they definitely have grown and they definitely have diversified. A large new cast is added to the film, but no screen time is lost on the old favorites. Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz (Tim Allen) still share the same undeniable friendship. Woody and Jesse (Joan Cusack) still feel like they are opposite sides of an issue. Buzz is still in love with Jesse, but he is finally able to express that infatuation thanks to a little Spanish charm.

These endearing moments lead to certain heartache at the climax of the film that is bound to move you. Thanks to the high quality animation and the true to heart development of the story you don’t necessarily need to know all the characters to be swept away by the film’s layered message.

Whether you are a child or an adult, whether you have seen other Toy Story films or not (which if you haven’t do yourself a favor and watch them too), whether you like innovation or story, Toy Story 3 is one film not to be missed.

Youth in Revolt
Jack Rico
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2010/06/15 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

Youth in Revolt

06.15.2010 | By |

Rating: 3.5

Rated: R for sexual content, language and drug use.
Release Date: 2010-01-08
Starring: Gustin Nash, C.D. Payne
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://youthinrevolt-themovie.com/

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One of my favorite films of the year is ‘Youth in Revolt’ from Puerto Rican director Miguel Arteta’s. The premise is simple – boy meets girl, girl meets boy and boy wrecks two cars and goes to jail for his love. But what is most appealing and absorbing is the sophisticated english dialogue written by Gustin Nash, based on C.D Payne’s – Youth in Revolt: The Journals of Nick Twisp. Michael Cera could not have been more perfectly casted as the intellectual, Frank Sinatra loving, sardonic virgin teen who comes from heavily dysfunctional parents.

The film revolves around the life of Nick Twisp (Michael Cera) – a unique, but affable teen with a taste for the finer things in life. He falls hopelessly in love with the beautiful, free-spirited Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday) while on a family vacation.  But family, geography and jealous ex-lovers conspire to keep these two apart. With Sheeni’s encouragement, Nick abandons his dull, predictable life and develops a rebellious alter ego: Francois. With his ascot, his moustache and his cigarette, Francois will stop at nothing to be with Sheeni, and leads Nick on a path of destruction with unpredictable and uproarious consequences.

It is very rare nowadays to see films that dare to challenge young audiences with words through a high level rhetoric. We saw this template used originally by indie director/screenwriter Kevin Smith in ‘Clerks’. A total hit and a great way to pick up the dictionary and see how many ways you can say “let’s have sex” to a girl. This was also part of the success behind the creative strategy that screenwriter Kevin Richardson used for his television series Dawson’s Creek in the late 90’s. I personally love this take on a teen romantic film – ‘Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,’ also with Cera, played with this notion to a degree as well.

The other layer that I thoroughly enjoyed is the worldly and sophisticated tastes that the two protagonists shared in music, film and poetry. Cera loves Sinatra (the first frame opens up with the 1960 album Nice ‘n’ Easy), and he invokes Fellini’s masterpiece ‘La Strada’ in a DVD store as he tries to explain it to a girl he is trying to pick up. Ms. Doubleday loves french standards from Serge Gainsbourg and has an infatuation with New Wave french actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, in particular his breakthrough film ‘Breathless’ from Jean-Luc Godard. It’s this and other highbrow idiosyncrasies that seduced me from the onset.

What didn’t seem to mix well was the roguish alter-ego of Cera’s character Francois, as well as some of the casts contributions. One highlight was that of South African actor Adhir Kalyan, who played Cera’s lascivious friend. Very funny scenes! Does today’s youth really think and act like this today? No, but one hopes it inculcates a desire to explore the arts and culture side of them.

From a Hispanic perspective, it is wonderful to know that a born talent from Puerto Rico directed this film. There is a scarcity of great movies coming from ‘La Isla del Encanto’ these days. Arteta is perhaps more of an American in culture than Puerto Rican, but nevertheless, it is gratifying to hear the sound of a Latino last name next to a good work such as this and his previous (The Good Girl, Star Maps). Actually the last good film I saw come out of Puerto Rico was ‘Maldeamores’ directed by Carlos Ruiz Ruiz. It’s a Woody Allenesque romantic tale with a caribbean twist. A definite DVD rental this weekend.

For those who like teen romantic comedies ‘Youth in Revolt’ is a very enjoyable film peppered with laugh out loud moments. It is rated R so be warned that the sexuality is a bit vulgar and strong.

When in Rome
Jack Rico
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By

2010/06/15 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

When in Rome

06.15.2010 | By |

Rating: 1.0

Rated: PG-13 for some suggestive content.
Release Date: 2010-01-29
Starring: David Diamond, David Weissman
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://touchstone.movies.go.com/wheninrome/

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‘When in Rome’ is everything that is bad with movies nowadays. A romantic comedy with a recycled and absurd premise, vacuous humor, and a script as predictable as the weather in LA. These are the types of movies that you should never pay to see for many reasons including a lack of soul, depth or real substance to any of these characters. Everything ssems to be a fantasy passed off as reality and the producers must think we are the fools that will buy it.

Here’s the storyline. Beth (Bell) is a young, ambitious New Yorker who is completely unlucky in love. However, when she impulsively steals some coins from a reputed fountain of love during a whirlwind trip to Rome, she finds herself aggressively pursued by a band of suitors with one of them becoming her one true love.

The protagonists seem to be better than what the script constrained them to. Kristen Bell showed promise in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Josh Duhamel (who looks like Joey Lawrence’s long lost twin brother) could be either an action leading man in his future or continue to do rom-com’s. The acting wasn’t the big problem, the screenwriters, David Diamond, David Weissman and the director Mark Steven Johnson are fully responsible for this ignominious failure.

The standard for today’s romantic comedy was set with Rob Reiner’s ‘When Harry Met Sally’ and some would argue Woody Allen’s ‘Annie Hall’. But ‘When in Rome’ looks like a disaster from the onset and should not be worth your time or money at the movies. Perhaps a DVD pick? Not even. It is one of the worst movies of the year.

The Book of Eli
Jack Rico
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By

2010/06/15 at 12:00am

DVD ReviewsReviews

The Book of Eli

06.15.2010 | By |

Rating: 3.0

Rated: R for some brutal violence and language.
Release Date: 2010-01-15
Starring: Gary Whitta
Director(s):
Distributor:
Film Genre:
Country:USA
Official Website: http://thebookofeli.warnerbros.com/

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George Romero breaks down Zombies!
Jack Rico
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By

2010/06/15 at 12:00am

Interviews

George Romero breaks down Zombies!

06.15.2010 | By |

George Romero breaks down Zombies!

In the interview you are about to see, George Romero opens up about the origins of his cultural roots, the things he likes and dislikes of the ‘deadheads’, and what his favorite zombie films are.

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