Gone Baby Gone (2007)

This movie takes place in a very tough neighborhood in Boston where a 3-year-old girl, Amanda, has gone missing. The girl's mother is a drug-addict and a neglectful mother who was doing drugs when her little girl was taken. Patrick (Casey Affleck) and his girlfriend Angela (Michelle Monaghan) run a private detective business who are hired by the little girl's aunt and uncle. Patrick uses his knowledge and contacts in the neighborhood to find out who the child's mother was hanging around and what she was up to. Patrick and Angela are working with two cops, one of which is played by Ed Harris, to find the little girl. The police chief is played by Morgan Freeman. They find out that the mother stole a large sum of money from a drug dealer so at first it seems that the drug dealer also kidnapped the little girl. So an easy exchange of the money for the little girl, right? Of course not. The exchange goes wrong and it seems that the little girl gets lost in the mess. But nothing seems to add up and Patrick starts looking back at what he thought were truths. The end of this movies poses a very troubling and tough decision. I am still not 100% sure what the right decision is. My gut says clearly the obvious one but that one isn't perfect either. Plus, with the ending you are almost assured that your initial gut instinct was right. Great movie.

What Dreams May Come (1998)

I know, I know. I can't believe I am just now getting around to watching this movie. This movie stars Robin Williams as Chris Nielson who finds his soulmate in Annie (Annabella Sciorra). The classic story of they meet in a very romantic, chance encounter and fall in love. They get married, build a life and have children. And then tragedy befalls this seemingly atypical family. First, their two children are killed in a car accident and then, four years later Chris dies in a car wreck himself. Once Chris is dead, he encounters Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s character who guides him through the new and strange stage of his afterlife. At first, Chris has a hard time leaving his wife because she is having a very hard time with his death. After awhile, though, he realizes he is actually making her grief worse and decides to fully embrace his reality. He slowly finds and meets some people in the afterlife who are very special people. Then he finds outs his wife who has not been able to cope with his death, has killed herself. The unfortunate part is she doesn't get to join him in the wonderful afterlife he has discovered because of her suicide. She has to remain in hell unless she can forgive herself and let go of her current reality which she believes she is still alive. This seemingly is an impossibility. Chris is determined to find her and try to convince her and save her. The cinematography and visual effects in this movie are absolutely spectacular. Such a creative and tangible use of colors and imagery. A major point of this movie was about true and deep love transcending life and death. This movie made me think about my own views not of heaven and hell but of true love and soul mates. Do they actually exist? Part of me thinks this movie is extremely uplifting and the other part of me feels like the idea of soul mates can be an daunting endeavor. Maybe, I am just in a weird mood. Anyway, definitely a great movie that makes you feel good and think about things.

You Again (2010)

So this movie is a pretty enjoyable, easy to watch film. Marni (Kristen Bell) who was a dork in high school who was terrorized by Johanna (Odette Yustman). Marni has successfully shed her old high school nerdy ways to become a success in PR. She is heading home for her brother's upcoming nuptials to a bride she has yet to met and the bride, of course, turns out to be Johanna. Also, Jamie Lee Curtis plays Marni's mom whose rival in high school was Johanna's aunt played by Sigourney Weaver. Betty White plays Marni's grandmother who is absolutely hilarious, as always. I thought this movie was very similar to 27 Dresses, especially the rehearsal dinner scene. At first, Johanna pretends that she doesn't remember Marni from high school which of course makes Marni that much more uncomfortable. And it seems while Marni has been gone, Johanna has made herself comfortable in Marni's family. Then it becomes to clear (only to Marni) that Johanna does in fact remember her from high school and has no intention of apologizing or admitting to anyone what she was like in high school. On top of all of this, Marni's mom and Johanna's aunt are having their own competition going on. Johanna seems to be a different person than the horrible person she was in high school but you are always unsure if it is all just an act. Eventually, it all comes out in the most embarrassing of situations but of course there is a very happy ending for everyone. I enjoy watching movies like this every once in awhile. Definitely, a feel good movie. Kind of a mix between 27 Dresses and Never Been Kissed.

The Collector (2009)

So I absolutely love scary movies. My dad and I are always looking for more scary movies. The scarier, the gorier, the better. You have to watch a lot of bad ones too. Maybe sometime I will make a list of the top worst ones I have seen. Now that would be fun!! Any way, so about The Collector. This movie opens to, of course, a seemingly perfect, rich family that is having some home maintenance before they head off for a family vacation. Arkin (Josh Stewart) is a local contractor fixing small things around the house and there is also a team of exterminators. Initially, Arkin seems a bit shady. The man of the house is kind to Arkin and gives him extra money when he is paying him to help take care of Arkin's family, especially his daughter. Turns out Arkin's wife owes some loan shark an unknown amount of money. Arkin had promised to return with the amount but falls short and promises to come up with the rest. Arkin makes plans with some friends from his time in jail to break into the house he has been working on.

Unfortunately for Arkin, someone is already in the house. While trying to determine the safe combination, he hears the woman of the house scream for her life. So the family has a dad, a mom, a teenager daughter (played by Madeline Zima), and a young girl named Hannah. He maneuvers around a crazy man in a super creepy S&M type mask throughout the house to find the mom and the dad in the basement. He finds out the older daughter left before the crazy man attacked but Hannah is missing. Not to mention that the crazy man has psycho booby-trapped the entire house. The movie is pretty gory, lots of torture and suspense. The ending is very typical of this type of movie. Don't watch if you have a weak stomach but definitely worth a watch otherwise!

Munich (2005)

A very emotionally charged movie about the horrific tragedy that happened at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Eric Bana's character, Avner, is a Mossad agent that is tasked with a team of five to take down the 11 people responsible for planning the kidnapping and killing of the Jewish athletes at the Olympic games. Geoffrey Rush and Daniel Craig are included in the mixed group that help Avner to execute their mission. The scenery of the movie is awesome as it takes place over various different geographical locations such as France, Germany, Greece, England, New York, Beirut, and Israel. I think the overall theme of this movie is that violence doesn't solve violence, it just escalates it. I know this movie touches on a very sensitive and divided topic about the Israel/Palestine debate. I think this movie tries to make arguments for both sides of the conflict but is definitely more towards the Israel side. This movie was very well made and I loved all of the different uses of languages. I think this is a good movie to watch for a glimpse into the unfortunate struggle of these people that has been going on for too long with no end in sight and no clear solution. Maybe it will make more people aware of this situation that is still very real.

Battle: Los Angeles (2011)

So I literally just watched this movie at the theater. Basically, it was a alien/war movie. I thought the emotional component was definitely there. I thought that the movie's overall theme was our human nature being tested. Our emotional and vulnerable sides being tested against unfeeling, robotic like creatures. Aaron Eckhart plays a conflicted staff sergeant who is struggling with ending his career as a marine after a horrible combat situation and fighting for his life with a group of marines who believe he was a careless leader. The movie also had a lot of comedic relief considering the intensity throughout the movie. I did think that we could have seen more of the aliens or maybe learned more about their culture, background, etc.

Sorry it has been awhile...

It has been awhile since I last posted anything. I have more time on my hands now and so I plan on keeping up with this blog much more regularly. I have still been watching tons of movies so more reviews to definitely come.

Elizabethtown (2005)

This movie was a really touching story. The main character, Drew Baylor played by Orlando Bloom, is having a really rough time. He was supposed to be this dream child at his job and came up with this really awesome, creative design that turns out to be the biggest failure in his company's history. To add insult to injury, his father passes and he has to go back to the town his dad grew up in. At first it is odd when he goes back to this small town that seems to almost idolize his father and therefore, accepts Drew with open arms. He realizes this is a whole portion of his own history that he never knew. On the way to the town, Drew meets a very friendly, quirky stewardess played by Kirsten Dunst. She is there for him and helps him to realize his life is not over because of his failure and he should take this opportunity to do something great with it. Will he do something bold?

Sidewalks of New York (2001)

This was an interesting film, sort of set up like a documentary about romance, love, and reality. It of course takes place on the streets of New York. Basically it is a tangled web of unrequited love and lust. Sort of like a he loves her, she loves this guy over there and on and on. Stanley Tucci plays a married guy who serially has affairs on his wife played by Heather Graham, she is unhappy and is thinking about possibly sleeping with a client. Really you are wondering why a woman like Heather Graham would be with a guy like her husband. Stanley Tucci's character is not really like able and in the end gets exactly what he deserves which is quite fitting. Watch the movie and decide for yourself.

Me Without You (2001)

This was an interesting story about two girls, Holly (Michele Williams) and Marina (Anna Friel), who are the best of friends from childhood. The story starts in London in the 1970s where the girls are next door neighbors and inseparable and continues through adolescence, college and adulthood. While the girls differences are celebrate and embraced when they are young, the differences become what tries to tear the girls apart. Although I can definitely sympathize with both characters, as Marina gets older she definitely gets less likable. While I think a majority of her issues stem from her family life, selfish mother, on again/off again father, there become a point where you need to rise against the hand you were dealt. Holly's character plays more of the victim in the story which is more relate-able but at the same time you just want her to DO something about it. It seems that Holly is too afraid to take any risks, and if she isn't careful she will end of losing something substantial. I don't think this was the greatest movie but it was definitely entertaining. I think this story illustrates how people grow apart but if you let it you can learn to love the differences in people again.

Gattaca

I know this movie came out in 1997 and it is ridiculous that I am just now getting around to watching it because it was a great movie! As far as science fiction goes, I thought this was a very realistic story. The main theme throughout this movie was how unpredicatable the human spirit is. Even in situations where you have genetically altered a human being's body and mind to be as perfect as it can possible be, fate and will power still need to be taken into consideration. Another amazing aspect of the human spirit is determination. Just because an individual has every disadvantage not to succeed does not mean that you should automatically discount them. This movie tells the story about a man who is so determined to accomplish something even though the odds are stacked against him and he still manages to succeed. I could see how a society such as the one in this story where you have genetically perfect people could eventually make people very lazy. You would have the individuals who weren't perfect or the Invalids that would just give up because they thought it was impossible to make anything of themselves. And then you would have the genetically perfect individuals or the Valids who would never have to challenge themselves because there is no guessing or striving to accomplish anything because it was always possible for them. Also, just because someone is created genetically perfect does not automatically guarantee a happy ending. I thought this movie told the story in great detail and with significant human emotion. Definitely loved it!

A River Runs Through It

This review is dedicated to Jake Hiller! Interestingly enough I just got around to recently watching this movie. If you like Legends of the Fall, I definitely think you would enjoy this movie as well. First of all the scenery throughout this movie is incredible. It definitely made me want to go camping or fishing very soon! This movie follows the story of two brothers growing up together in rural Montana where people consider fly-fishing a religion. Brad Pitt and and Craig Sheffer play the brothers and are both constantly trying to discover who they are and what they should be while trying to live up to their father's, a Baptist minister played by Tom Skerritt, expectations. Brad Pitt plays the younger brother who has always been on a more daring and confident path than his older brother. Brad Pitt does a wonderful job of making the character endearing and full of life. The older brother is much more concerned with how he should live, what his father wants him to do then doing exactly what he wants to do. The movie exemplifies the significant differences between siblings but also how those differences can make those bonds stronger. The older brother definitely disagrees with a lot of the decisions that the younger brother makes but because they are brothers the older brother bails the younger brother out of some situations. This movie is a great movie that shows the love between family and also reminds you of those people you have met that have touched your life. It reminds you that those special people that have touched your life by just being themselves are rare and you should treasure them for as long as you have with them.

Sorry for the lapse in reviews...

I am sorry I haven't been updating this page. I wasn't sure if anyone was reading it or not... I have definitely been watching lots of movies so I have plenty to put on here! Thanks for all the comments!!

Stay

This was a great movie. I just stumbled upon it because of Ryan Gosling, who I think it absolutely adorable but also an immensely talented actor. This movie a psychological thriller that starts out leading the viewer to believe and think one way but as the movie progresses that reality is slowly unraveled. The character that Ewan McGregor plays is a psychologist that is trying to help Ryan Gosling's character. This is pretty black and white but as the movie continues the lines blur and everything just starts turning gray. You start to doubt McGregor's character's sanity and all the while trying to figure out what the heck is going on. The cinematography is very choppy and disjointed much like Mulholland Dr. The choppiness definitely aids in the overall tone and feel of the movie which is utter confusion of reality and fantasy. I definitely recommend this movie.

Mansfield Park

This is a movie based off of the Jane Austen novel which is supposedly the most autobiographical of all of her novels. I thought this was an excellent movie adaptation. The story centers around what all of Austen's novels center around which is poverty and marriage. The main character Fanny Price (Frances O'Conner) is sent to live with her aunt for an education and a better life. Also, probably because her parents couldn't afford her anymore. One of the main points of this story is about marrying someone that you truly love and not just because there is an offer. The story also touches on truly knowing a person and loving everything about them. This movie inspired me to watch Becoming Jane again.

2 Days in Paris

This was such a great movie especially if you are an American that has had the opportunity to travel to Europe. At first I wasn't sure because the movie started out very blurry but the picture was much clearer as the film progressed. Jack (Adam Goldberg) does such a good job of the American traveler abroad. He wasn't the typical annoying tourist or anything but his American roots definitely show through. For example, when him and his girlfriend Marion (Julie Delpy) are waiting in line for a cab when they arrive in Paris, Jack does not want to wait in line, and he doesn't want take public transit. He is fearful of terrorist attacks but in a humorous way. My favorite scene of the entire movie is when Jack goes to a fast food restaurant by himself. The lady behind the counter does not speak English so he is having a hard time ordering from her. I do find it odd that no one behind him in line tried to help him out. Anyways, even after it is clearly established that the lady behind the counter does not speak English whatsoever, Jack continues to joke with her in English. I have had similar experiences with individuals I have traveled with. It is hard for them to grasp that these people really don't understand them. Anyways, this movies is hilarious and definitely shows the differences between the French and American cultures.

Juno

So, people have been telling me ever since this movie came out that I need to see it. Well, they were right!! This movie was so good. I would say this movie is a nice mix between Napoleon Dynamite, Accepted and Clueless. The script and dialogue in this movie is one of the wittiest and smartest I have seen in a long time. It is hilarious because no 16 year old that I know would ever talk like that. Juno (Ellen Page) plays this likeable but odd character. She never really engages in small talk, everything she says has some kind of meaning or comes out of left field. The way the dialogue happens between the characters in this movie is almost musical. I also think this movie does a good job of portraying life as a teenager in a more awkward, realistic way. Not everyone goes to prom or is excited about it but that doesn't make them the Goth rebels that are usually portrayed in movies. It is also cool how Juno's best girlfriend is a cheerleader and popular. This helps to illustrate that sometimes people are actually really friends in high school. That cheerleaders hang out with more than each other and the football players. I thought for the most part this was one of the more acturate portrayals of high school that I have seen in a long time.

The Fountain

I had heard good things about this movie when it came out in theaters but I just never made it in time. This is a weird movie, for sure. There are definitely two almost three different stories going on. They all intertwine in some way. I was definitely left wondering at the end of the movie especially how the third story fit it to it all. I mean each story had pretty much the same plot/theme but it was obvious how the first two related but the last one was not explained. I am thinking it is up to the audience to decide how that story is relevant. The movie's biggest theme is the human quest for eternal life. Each story dealt with different ways of achieving this goal. The second part of that theme, I suppose is that trying for a quest like that will always leave you disappointed. I guess in order to achieve eternal life, it will come with consequences. Which makes sense to me anyways. You can't hope and pray for something so fantastical and just expect it to happen without sacrificing anything. The special effects are definitely very cool. And Hugh Jackman does a great job in this movie. I definitely recommend watching it.

Breaking and Entering

The reason that I added this movie to my netflix queue was of course because Jude Law is in this movie and secondly because it did look intriguing. I thought this movie was ok. Will's (Jude Law) character at first was a little one dimensional. He really didn't seem to have much emotion or feeling about anything in his life. Which actually could be due to the relationship he was in with his live-in girlfriend. He really just seemed to be floating along oblivious to things around him. His character starts to develop a little bit more after the business he owns is broken into twice. At first, there is a prostitute he is spending time with while waiting for the burglars to come back. He is clearly not interested in her at least not sexually but he continues to let her hang around. I guess you can tell he is looking for something but he doesn't want to settle for just anything. He does find a connection with a woman but it doesn't really seem completely reciprocated and definitely causes problems as any affair does. I am not sure if this movie really has a theme that I am just not getting. It is an interesting story but other than spouse seeks love when his significant other is pushing him away all at the same time other parts of his life are in turmoil. The ending turned out nice because it does show a little bit of kindness and compassion towards others.

The Other Boleyn Girl

I thought this movie was pretty good considering you already know the ending. I don't agree with what most of the critics say about this movie where the actresses' roles should be switched. I think both girls do a great job in their respective roles. For those people who don't think the Natalie Portman can play deceptive character you need to see the movie Closer. She does an excellent job in that movie. I think the Scarlett Johansson does a great job of playing the innocent and 'good' sister. I think that the king's character is a bit of a wuss not to say that Eric Bana did a bad job of portraying it if that was the writer or director's intention. It is scary to think that pretty girls could have that much influence over the decisions of an entire kingdom. I think this movie shows how weak guys can be sometimes when they aren't thinking clearly. It almost always ends in disaster. I love seeing a woman in a powerful position. But this movie also showcases how easily you can lose that control and how devastating it can be to one day have a man completely obsessed with you and then the next he can't stand you. This movie also touches on the idea that if the method in which you gained his affections were dishonest or corrupt that is all you can expect from him. Anyway, I thought this movie did a good job of portraying famous historical story in a fresher light. Definitely makes me want to read the book that this movie is based off of.