Movie Review September 17-19 (aka....We Watch A LOT Of Movies)

Easy A
I saw the movie Easy A. I really liked this movie. The movie had some very funny moments. Although I have to admit that for the first 10-25 minutes of the movie I wasn't paying attention to anything but Aly Michalka's chest... very distracting but I'm sure the director did this on purpose because the dialogue after those 10-25 minutes was quite funny.

The movie basically takes place in some campus sized high school in California. Olive is basically an average high school student who is very smart and is hardly noticed by anyone. Things begin to change quite rapidly when her best friend, Rhiannon (Rhi for short) invites her to go camping with her hypie family one weekend. Olive makes up an excuse to get out of the weekend, a lie takes a turn for the worst when an unwanted listener, in the form of Marianne overhears their private conversation and spreads the news (rumor) around the school. This is where the movie takes off... everyone's morals and perspectives are placed into question and so on and so forth.

Like any high school focused movie it was a little over the top, but it brings up some very interesting topics. I like the new age take it took on the Scarlet Letter. Emma Stone is funny, pretty, and really lovable in the movie so when it goes bad on her in the movie (as it does in almost every single comedy) you still stay on her side. I could not stand Amanda Bynes's character, and you aren't suppose to. I really cant stand people who act super holy anyway. Sin is sin, but that's another post. Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci (who is always great to me) play really great fantasy parents. I found myself almost wishing they were my parents. They were just too cool and very understanding. This movie was pretty solid to me. I didn't expect too much from it and I ended up walking away with a good feeling about myself and some inspiration. maybe my mind was just feeling absorbent today.
I think everyone should check this movie out this fall.
-VP

The Town
Before I begin, I ask you to clear your mind of any preconceived notions you have of Ben Affleck as an actor due to his track record of cinematic ridiculousness (Daredevil, Gigli, Surviving Christmas, etc.). With "Gone Baby Gone" and now "The Town", it's safe to say that he is much more talented behind the lens than in front of it. He wrote, directed, and starred in the movie which is based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan.

The film follows a team of four thieves that are Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck), Jem Coughlin (Jeremy Renner), Gloansy (Slaine), and Desmond "Dez" Elden (Owen Burke) from the Boston suburb of Charlestown (referred to as "the bank robbery capital of the world" by some). They are being hunted through the streets of Boston by FBI agent Adam Frawley (Jon Hamm) and a woman who might inadvertently infiltrate and destroy them all.

Over the years, Doug's fearless partners in crime have become something of a surrogate family to him. Jem, the most ruthless and reckless of the bunch, is the closest thing Doug has ever had to a brother. But a divide begins to open between the two career criminals when Jem takes bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) during a particularly tense heist, and the group subsequently discovers that she hails from their own tight-knit suburb. When Jem proposes that the gang make an effort to find out just how much Claire recalls about the crime, Doug fears that his volatile partner may do more harm than good and volunteers himself for the job. Later, Doug turns on the charm while pretending to bump into Claire by chance, and becomes convinced that she doesn't suspect him of being the same man who just robbed her bank. Just as the feds turn up the heat on his group, Doug finds himself falling for Claire, and searching desperately for a means of cutting his ties to his criminal past. But with each passing day, Jem grows increasingly suspicious of Doug's true motivations. Now caught between two worlds with no chance of turning back, Doug realizes that his only hope for finding a happy future is to betray the only family he's ever known

The action in this film is excellent and shockingly realistic. Very vivid and not much is left to the imagination which I fully appreciate. From the chase sequences to the fights and shootouts, attention to detail is definitely achieved if that was the goal. Some viewers prefer a more subtle approach, but if you're like me, the more the better.

As far as performances, Jeremy Renner and Jon Hamm stole the show for me. I was already introduced to Renner via "The Hurt Locker" but after "The Town", I am a fan.  Affleck's performed decently....I was able to sympathize with the emotional and moral dilemma that his character faced. I found myself questioning myself as to what I would do if I were faced with the same decision.  I like that this element is added to the story to make it multidimensional. It's always good to see criminal movies that delve beyond the surface to give the audience a more personal connection with the "bad guys". You often find yourself rooting for them even though you shouldn't because you were exposed to their side of the story and somewhere along the line you identified with them.  I challenge everyone to take this way of thinking and apply it to our everyday lives (but that's another post). 

I recommend this film to anyone. I think Ben has found his niche'....as long as he stays single lol...think about it, most the horrible movies he made were during the time he was married to J-Lo or Jennifer Anniston. But I digress....check out "The Town".

-GB

The Last Exorcism

The Last Exorcism, from the previews i supposed it would be another scary thriller with a bunch of different twists and turns until the end. Honestly i got exactly what i expected, a good movie from a 1st person p.o.v. While im not fond of this mode due to movies like Blair Witch Project i think it gave this film more of the documentary look and feel than most others of this style. Although like most others it starts very slow you wont fall asleep on it. The movie gives you a little bit of insite to what some people who maybe seen as "very religious" may be.

I dont want to say to much to give away this movie so this one is short but i will say this... while the movie is descent it is one that you willl need to pay attention to understand the ending... is it worth the $8 at the theatre... personally no but at the end of the day the dollar movie would do JUST FINE... i give it a C or 2 and a half thumbs up... Must see? not by far... not thing to do/watch? check it out

Jrome


Inception
 We know and understand that Inception has been out for quite some time, but we really promote this movie. If you have not seen this movie, then you need to get your life in order. Of course we do realize that you may have too much of a life and not had time to experience this wonderful film. Even so please make sure you take the time to see it. It is a really great movie and we encourage you to experience it.

Machete

Two words: Bad & Ass. It's about an ex-Federale who gets betrayed by the organization who hired him to assassinate the Senator of Texas, so he goes on a rampage of revenge.  Quentin Tarantino is listed as an "uncredited" producer for this film but within the first 5 minutes you see his name written all over it. So you already know what to expect. And if that isn't enough, Michelle Rodriguez AND Jessica Alba.........Lord have mercy.

Great story....and seemingly right on time with the whole immigration fiasco going on in Arizona currently. Awesome fight scenes...gory as hell but what else would you expect? Good performances all the way around. Check it out!

- GB