Wendy & Lucy (7.5/10)

I had a rather interesting argument that lead me to watch this movie. Well interesting for me. I was speaking with my dad about movies as we occasionally do after we both saw "Hesher". We talked about how great it was Natalie Portman can do a role in a small indie movie and look normal rather than standing like a major hollywood star would. This lead to her acting and how we both thought some scenes of her's in "Black Swan" were sort of overacted. I said that Michelle Williams that year in "Blue Valentine" probably gave the best acting performance (Her or Benning) but Portman still should have won the Oscar. My dad said that both Portman and Williams are good but not great actors. I was appalled. Portman I can see the bashing every now and then (her recent movies are not flattering but in the end she's great) but Michelle Williams is fantastic. He said Williams will never be as good as Kate Winslet because Williams only plays certain typecast roles. Where she yells and has big emotional breakdowns. I said have you seen "Wendy & Lucy". I heard vey positive things about her here. he said no, so to prove my point of how great Williams is I needed to watch this. Sorry for this unnecessary paragraph but I'd rather put it in then leave it out entirely.

So does Michelle Williams give a great performance here? You bet your ass she does. Natural and simple. She gives so much warmth to a character that could have been quite boring. Williams makes her interesting. "Wendy & Lucy" is the story of a Wendy and her dog Lucy. She's about 23 or so trying to get to Alaska. In Oregon her car breaks down and her dog runs away. If this sounds like a boring plot well go enjoy whatever dumb crap you'll watch and go "look at all the gunfights, this is great!" This is a moving film that makes a great plot out of something so minimal. I should expected this from the director of "Meek's Cutoff". The film has a dreamy aspect to it that readily shifts to more urgent and nightmarish states. It's a better film then the rating I'm giving it but it's still not perfect in anyway. I enjoyed watching it but it is slow, feels long even with a short running time. Maybe I like some gunfights every now and then too. Anyway "Wendy & Lucy" is just another reason to me why Michelle Williams is just a real talent in today's movie scene.

7.5/10
Recommendation: If you like simple things and Michelle Williams. Most people don't want both which is a shame.

Hesher (6/10)

Hesher is an odd man to say the least. Is he a badass? Maybe. Is he a dick? pretty much. Does he have a heart of gold? Unfortunately I think so. Personally I'd like to say that he would do things just to see what the hell would happen. Why not? What I do know is the he is played by a incendiary Joseph Gordon Levitt.

I don't really want to talk about the plot. It's sort of poor. What you need to know is TJ (Devin Brochu) has lost his mother in a accident. His father (Rainn Wilson) is on so many pills he's more dead than alive. One day he meets Hesher and grocery store clerk Nicole (Natalie Portman) and he'll get into some crazy shit. This is a rough movie. The filth spewing from their mouths is ridiculous. I have no problem with cursing, I enjoy it even. I just think that they were swearing here not spice up the dialogue ("The Departed") but just trying to give a dangerous image. After watching the movie I can say that I did not real care for the plot. What I did like was the actors and what they did during the film.

Devin, Joseph, Rainn and Natalie have all done great work here. Devin Brochu is just a child but has a lot of talent for acting. Child actors don't know what not to do so they just act with pure emotion. I like that. Rainn Wilson gives is first really dramatic role, good for him. Natalie Portman having released this just before her recent strings (pun) of bad movies has shown she is still worth the trouble. One good Natalie Portman performance is worth three bad ones. I'm glad her and Levitt can still do indie films and look normal. Imagine Tom Cruise doing a low budget indie movie, can't be done. Joseph Gordon Levitt gives a great performance as always and I'm glad he did this film. It really shows the range he has as an actor. I'm glad he can do a movie like this and fit in quite well after the recent "Inception" exposure. As a film it's meh, but the actors it''s something to put on their resumes.

6/10
Recommendation: Once again if you like the actors

Moneyball (9.5/10)

Take a moment to feel the crisp air. Break out the jeans and gaze upon the the leaves changing colors because Autumn is here. The fall is also the start of the best time to go to the movies. We're done with all the summer blockbusters and thank God! Don't get me wrong, We had some great ones with "Super 8", "Bridesmaids" ,"Harry Potter" and surprisingly "Rise of The Planet of The Apes", but anymore movies like "Transformers", "Conan The Barbarian" and "The Change Up" and I don't know what I would do. Granted I skipped most the bad ones but to even watch the commercials was painful at times. However Fall is here and this is where all the big production companies release the Oscar bait movies because the closer to the voting the better. "Contagion" was considered the official start but while that was good it was overshadowed by the masterpiece known as "Drive" coming out the following week. So we're getting on average one great movie a week, sweet deal I'd say. Now two or three weeks in (if you want to consider "Drive" the official jumpstart) we have another top notch movie. People I am here to rave and praise not only of the best movies I've seen all year, but one of the top ten sport movies of all time. "Moneyball" is here people and it needs to be seen.

I'll say sort of upfront that I am no fan of baseball. Not that I think it's a bad sport but I just can't stand watching it on TV. However what does "Moneyball" do? It throws a wicked curve ball at you and says this isn't some inspirational sports movie like "The Blind Side". Nor is it a biopic here to tell the story of a man like "Cinderella Man". No because "Moneyball" is a movie that stands high on it's own two feet as something original and innovative. It's the smartest movie I've seen since "The Social Network". Which is a high compliment indeed.  I knew the general story from trailers and reviews but I did not expect the in depth scope of this film. It's something truly wondrous.

"Moneyball" is the story of Billy Beane (a marvelous Brad Pitt) and the Oakland Athletics in 2002. After coming close to winning it all in 2001, Oakland must start nearly from scratch. They had the lowest budget of any baseball team at the time and their three biggest names were all picked up by big name/big money teams. Billy meets Peter Brand (Jonah Hill in a truly exceptional performance) while in Cleveland and things change. Peter has never played baseball but he has a love for the sport. His love has lead him to look past big name players plus hot young names to look at the stats. Peter uses math and statistics to help Billy come up with a team of misfit players that are cheap and can play the game in ways the big faces can't. They're older, injured and have a bad reputation but what they can do is get on base and make catches. They're team can change sports forever in they're successful. The movie follows the backstage facts that sports are based on. While it's fun to watch as fans, it's a business and thus thinks like a corporation. If computers ran our teams I'm sure we'd get the best games ever but that's just a scary thought. What isn't scary is how powerful "Moneyball" is.

This is a really fantastic movie. I loved it and this is coming from a guy who is far from a baseball fan. What I did love is the tension, acting, morals, intelligence and overall everything it takes to make a good film. I got a decent grasp on soccer stats so backstage politics and gutting was something I could easily follow here in baseball. To see the sport ripped down to math and and contracts was such a great twist on the tiring genre. Hatteberg (A great Chris Pratt) has a small scene where he says his biggest fear in the world is a baseball being hit in his general direction when he's a first baseman. It's kind of funny but at the same time haunting, that's how I like my dialogue. Throw in the always welcomed Phillip Seymour Hoffman as manger Art Howe and you have s small but dynamite cast. Director Bennett Miller who got Hoffman's Oscar for "Capote" may be looking at some more nominations coming his way for this film. To end it off as goofy as possible, "Moneyball" is a home run.

9.5/10
Recommendation: One of the best sports movies ever. Maybe the best. I see "Raging Bull", "Caddyshack" and "Field of Dreams" using their respective sports as large plot devices for getting a bigger point across. "Moneyball" makes it easy to "get romantic about baseball". It's a lot of heavy and quick dialogue so you may get lost every now and then but the end goal is too rich to ignore.

Top Ten Movies Per Year

I had this list on phone and thought I'd put it up. The lists may change from time to time but overall this is the general order. The list's based on what movies I saw, I may not have seen them all but I got the majority of the big ones.

2011: (Note: This list is based only on the films I've seen so far, this list is DEFINITELY going to  be changing)

1.) The Tree Of Life
2.) Melancholia
3.) Drive
4.) Beginners
5.) Hanna
6.) Midnight In Paris
7.) Moneyball
8.) Bellflower
9.) Jane Eyre
10.) Bridesmaids

2010:


1.) The Social Network
2.) The American
3.) 127 Hours
4.) Never Let Me Go
5.) Black Swan
6.) The Secret In Their Eyes
7.) Animal Kingdom
8.) Monsters
9.) Ghost Writer
10.)Blue Valentiene

2009:


1.) A Prophet
2.) The Road
3.) The Hurt Locker
4.) Inglorious Basterds
5.) Up In The Air
6.) District 9
7.) 500 Days of Summer
8.) A Single Man
9.) Moon
10.) Avatar

2008:

1.) In Bruges
2.) The Dark Knight
3.) Hunger
4.) Waltz With Bashir
5.) Milk
6.) Frost/Nixon
7.) Rachel Getting Married
8.) Encounters at the End of the World
9.) Revolutionary Road
10.) Gran Tornio

2007:


1.) The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
2.) There Will Be Blood
3.) No Country For Old Men
4.) Atonement
5.) Zodiac
6.) Eastern Promises
7.) The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
8.) Into The Wild
9.) Michael Clayton
10.) Before The Devil Knows Your Dead

2006:

1.) Babel
2.) Children Of Men
3.) The Prestige
4.) The Fountain
5.) Little Miss Sunshine
6.) The Departed
7.) Pan's Labyrinth
8.) Half Nelson
9.) A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints
10.) Thank You For Smoking

2005:


1.) The Proposition
2.) The New World
3.) Brick
4.) The Beat That My Heart Skipped
5.) Good Night and Good Luck
6.) A History of Violence
7.) Brokeback Mountain
8.) House Of Flying Daggers
9.) The Squid and the Whale
10.) Jarhead

2004:


1.) Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind
2.) Sideways
3.) Collateral
4.) Howl's Moving Castle
5.) Closer
6.) The Aviator
7.) The Sea Inside
8.) Shaun of the Dead
9.) Garden State
10.) A Very Long Engagement

2003:


1.) Lost In Translation
2.) All The Real Girls
3.) Lord of The Rings: Return of The King
4.) City of God
5.) Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
6.) Finding Nemo
7.) Cold Mountain
8.) Big Fish
9.) Kill Bill Vol.1
10.) 28 Days Later

2002:


1.) The Pianist
2.) Punch Drunk Love
3.) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
4.) Minority Report
5.) Adaptation
6.) The 25th Hour
7.) Roger Dodger
8.) About Schmidt
9.) The Road to Perdition
10.) Solaris

2001:


1.) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2.) Spirited Away
3.) In The Bedroom
4.) Black Hawk Down
5.) Amelie
6.) Mulholland Dr.
7.) Sexy Beast
8.) A.I - Artificial Intelligence
9.) The Royal Tenenbaums
10.) Donnie Darko

2000:


1.) Almost Famous
2.) Memento
3.) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
4.) Amores Perros
5.) You Can Count On Me
6.) American Psycho
7.) Requiem For A Dream
8.) Traffic
9.) High Fidelity
10.) O Brother Where Art Thou?

1999:


1.) American Beauty
2.) Magnolia
3.) Fight Club
4.) Princess Mononoke
5.) Being John Malkovich
6.) The Matrix
7.) The Talented Mr. Ripley
8.) Three Kings
9.) Bringing out The Dead
10.) The Insider

My lists go to 1989, I'll update more later

Casino Jack (5.5/10)

I don't like people like this. I doubt they like themselves all that much too. They need to be moving forward or otherwise they'd die. They are lobbyists in the not cool way ("Thank You For Smoking"). They look to get ahead only for themselves and don't care how they do it. I didn't like the characters and in a film where it's the focus. Well what can you do? All you really need to know is Kevin Spacey and Berry Pepper play two of the lobbyists. They deal with casinos, restaurants and other enterprises. They're looking for money fast. Perhaps If I liked the characters I could say better things but I didn't so I won't. Kevin Spacey does a great job though. A well deserved Golden Globe nomination. I'll give some points for that alone It's just not my kind of people so I guess one can say not my type of film.

5.5/10
Recommendation: If you want to learn more about lobbyists.

Meeks's Cutoff (8/10)

I may never see a film like this one again. It's perhaps the most minimal movie I've ever seen. The sound, costumes, cinematography and acting is trying to be as realistic as possible. There's no CGI, barely any music and no dramatic twists. Just emotion and genuine strife. The mood it sets will suck you in and in your head you'll make the dramatic score as something unfolds. Every little action has a universe of words to say something about.

"Meek's Cutoff" is about pioneers making their journey. Michelle Williams and Paul Dano are the most recognizable names in the pioneer group. They are lead by Meek (a great Bruce Greenwood). A bearded drifter who says he can get them to where they're going. Is this true however? The lack of water and a Indian cause a devilish experience for the pioneers that will change their lives. They'll come out different people by the end. This makes it a great film but it's minimalist element is tiring. It's a strength as much a weakness. It works at the end of the day however.

8/10
Recommendation: Action junkies should stay away, but if your looking for a film trying something new then watch this.

Jane Eyre (9/10)

Classic literature at it's best! "Jane Eyre" is a film so well made from a marvelous source that your not sure what your lost in; film or story. What you do know is you like what you see. Dare I say love because this is truly a beautiful movie. I could watch it any day of the week and just about every shot would have the same affect. "Jane Eyre" is something to rent ( it's well out of theaters since being released earlier this year).

In a fresh opening we see plain Jane Eyre (Mia Wasikowska one of the best young actresses working today) fleeing a forbidding manor. The outside world isn't any prettier. Jane Eyre wanders out in a haze, tears streaming down her face. If she want's to live or just escape is a fine line. She stumbles upon a house where St. John Rivers (JaimeBell) and his sisters live. He being a missionary and the sisters being kind take her in as she gets back on her feet. We then are launched into a flash back on how Jane Eyre became the woman she is. Dealing with themes such as sin, church morality, gothic horror, unbridle passion, love and class differences this is a compelling tale. Jane Eyre enters the service of a Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender one of the best actors working today). She leavers her piety run boarding school to become the governess of Thornfield Manor. She makes friends with the caretaker Mrs. Fairfax (Judi Dench) and looks after the young french Adele (Romy Settbbom Moore). Rochester takes a interest in Jane Eyre. He is the perfect balance to her. As a heroine of the story Jane Eyre has it all. Strong willed, smart, not afraid to speak her mind, humble and spirited. Her plain features ( I guess, I still think she's pretty) plays a large role. Rochester is dark, brooding, cynical, witty, handsome (it's up for interpretation) and a man with a presence. Their passion is the driving force of the film and damn is it good.

Of the "Jane Eyre" adaptations I've seen, this is probably the best. Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender are the perfect examples for their roles. I prefer Fassbender's style over Orson Welles and Timothy Dalton's now. The gothic romance is something when done well is fantastic. Since "Twilight" is more or less gothic passion then I can't blame their interest entirely. Just know that the two are in different leagues of quality. "Jane Eyre" may not have vampires but the dark mood and tone is more than enough to send shivers through your body. Director Cary Fukunaga who also made the fantastic "Sim Nombre" has made a excellent adaptation. Cinematographer Adriano Goldman makes a eloquent experience. Dario Marianeli score is heaven to the ears. "Jane Eyre" is one of the years best.

9/10
Recommendation: Actually I think that this film has something for anybody. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the source material but it real is genious work.

Contagion (7.5/10)

If this rating seems low because of my recent trend of eights it's not. Imagine this as 3/4 stars. "Contagion" is fantastically made, one of the years best in that affect. That's really it though. The story while making sense never sucks you in and before you know it, the movies over. You'll leave, wash your hands better for three days or so and let the movie slip from your memory. It's a shame because what it does well is ingenious.

"Contagion" is the story of a virus. The illness appears seemingly from nowhere. In a few days you'll die (well 1/4 of the time). The film opens on a rather sickly looking Gwyneth Paltrow eating from a bowl of airport peanuts. Everything she touches and soon late carries touch is treated with a longing eye. The camera focuses on it or at least the human eye will. It's a terrifying thought that you may die from just touching a door handle. Soon a global pandemic begins and chaos happens in a controlled sense. Doctors and scientists race for a cure. Specialists look for where the virus came from. a blogger (Jude Law) looks to blame the government and thinks they are responsible. Then regular citizens try to deal with something they aren't prepared for. There is a impressive cast here that if I mentioned every name here I know, It'd be a while. So let's just say Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet, Laurence Fishburne, John Hawkes and Bryan Cranston also play roles in this massive scale movie. That's part of the film's strength, it does really feel like a global pandemic. What sucks is that you'll leave rather unaffected (despite a stellar finale). The characters aren't well measured enough to get you truly to care other than the fact you've seen them in other movies. No connection and fantastic production values make this a very good, but not fantastic film.

7.5/10
Recommendation: I'd say wait for the DVD, but when you can watch it do so because it is quite something still.

Drive (10/10)

Call up your friends, send out a mass text and jump in the car and go see "Drive" because this is one of the best movies of the year. Remember to buckle your seat belts because this movie is revved up and ready to go full speed to a dazzling finish. It's a ride unlike any other. It's completely original and yet a throwback to a dozen other films at the same time. You can watch movies for years and never see one this good. It's built up with such precision that like our hero there is a fine line between machine and hero. This is the movie to love.

The film revolves around Driver. He has no name as any good existentialist would. Instead he's named for what he does best, drive. Perhaps he could be called Lover or Killer as the film progresses but more on that later. Driver is played by Ryan Gosling in a performance unlike anything he's done before. He's mesmerizing and fits the role perfectly. Driver is a skilled and quiet man. Sound familiar? He's a Blondie for a new generation. Just replace horse for car and gun for... well a lot of weapons.  Gosling let's his eyes do the talking and they sure can do that. True emotion comes through in a simple expressions in unbelievable ways, Thank you Gosling! Anton Chigurh watch your back because Driver is ready to make an impact on the world.

Driver is a stuntman/mechanic at day and a getaway pro at night. You rob the place and he'll get you to safety. He's got the speech he tells these robbers memorized down to the smallest detail. This isn't like some stupid trashy "Transporter" shit where it's all about making it look cooler than to actually make sense. The film opens with such a marvelous chase. Driver outsmarts the cops in the most brilliant ways. Hiding in the shadows, knowing his overpasses and using a large crowd are just some of the tricks I'm sure he has up his sleeve. All of this to pulsating score and you have a WOW of a beginning. Speaking of music, they couldn't have done a better job. Each song in the film fits so perfectly there were a few times I was speechless over it.

Driver has a cute neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan). With a kind face and short blond hair tied back with little berates it's no wonder why Driver falls for her. They make cute in simple but moving scenes. Driver isn't a smooth talker, he's speaks when he feels like it. Some may say something is wrong with him for being so quiet but to them I say your just poisoned by the cool guy boring hero. Ever watch an old Clint Eastwood movie? He speaks when he has too and isn't there to make idle chit chat. What Driver feels is  apparent in his eyes. Irene's husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from jail not long after the two become close. He's a good man at heart but Irene still seems him as a man who's done wrong. Standard owes some money to heinous people who'd have no problem hurting Irene and her child. Driver looks to help but like all movies, things won't go smoothly.

"Drive" starts off as one movie and ends another. The earlier half is dedicated to building characters wisely as it should. The second is a holds no barred thrill ride that knocks the audience around. "Drive" is a throwback to many movies while maintaing it's originality. It's got the 80's vibe with an unusual but wicked supporting cast and a pop soundtrack. It's similar to films like "Le Samourai" and "The American" where the hero has a dark and empty past that sets the mood of the film. There's work here inspired by "Bullit", "Vanishing Point" and "To Live and Die in LA". I could go on and on and each time I felt the impression of these other films was thrilling.

The supporting cast is something to boast about here. Those I mentioned are fantastic but that's not all in the bag of goodies. Christina Hendricks of Mad Man has a small but all too great cameo. Bryan Cranston shows why he's true asset to his field as the mechanic that supplies Driver his cars. Ron Perlmen plays a dastardly gangster running his business out his pizzeria. So many talented TV actors here. However I've saved the best for last. Ladies and gentlemen I'd like to introduce you to what should be best supporting actor nominee Albert Brooks. Brooks is playing against his typecast to such an extreme that every second on screen is a devilish delight. Brooks is known for playing good men (he did the voice of Marlin in "Finding Nemo") but here he is a bloodthirsty gangster. The things he'll do with a knife will drive a chill down your spine. Something I found hilarious was Brooks' character once made B films in the 80's. There was a lot of violence in them and one critic even called them "european". Are they trying to reference their own movie? Either way Brooks gives a tour de force of sheer intensity that should not be ignored during Oscar season.

I'd like to take a minute to point out the talented work by cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel. His use of light and filters deserves all the praise I can give it. What I would like to say something about is the scope of his shots. His depth of focus is so well created that some scenes become beautiful in the simplest ways. There's a shot of Driver and you can see his reflection in a car window. You can see everything around him in decent detail except for Driver. He is black, I like to think this is referencing his past. Another scene is when Standard returns home. They throw a party and as he gives a little speech there's a picture in the background. He's talking about what he did hurt his family and the picture is a house with a crack going throw it. How smart is that? There must be at least ten scenes like this but maybe you should discover the delight of finding some on your own.

When "Drive" turns into a revenge driven thriller at the end it never losses it's art house roots. It's the perfect blend of artsy and action. Something you don't see often. There's a scene in a elevator that I think can be broken down in such ways that film classes should be analyzing it in the future. Driver, Irene and a stranger stand in a elevator. Driver sees the gun in the man's coat and knows he's there to hurt him and maybe her. Driver takes her aside and gives her a passionate kiss and then turns his attention to smashing in the man's head. The film has shifted in this scene so much from a man trying to escape his situation to a pure grade A revenge film. Driver also is showing to Irene that this is the way things need to be. One last pure innocent moment before he must do the horrible thing that needs to be done. it's a perfect scene for a perfect movie.

Nicholas Winding Refn has done some beautiful things here. It's phenomenal work that deserves attention. He won best director at the Cannes Film Festival which is very prestigious. I can see why. "Drive" is a tremendous film on all fronts that never loses it's steam. Paced fantastically from beginning to end. This is a movie that needs to be seen. It's a cult classic in the making. Years from now I'm going to be looking kindly on "Drive" and I know I won't be alone.

10/10
Recommendation: To me there are two people in the world now. Those who love "Drive" and then those who don't meet that category. You should make the time for it because I can honestly say this is one the best of the year and deserves the unanimously praise.

Bellflower (9/10)

Lord Humongous is going to reach his mighty hands beyond the mere mortal screen, dominate you and you'll be begging for more. "Bellflower" is a riveting experience of such vivid and intriguing visuals that the brain screams in a painful lust. A film cooked up in a mad laboratory to fulfill the needs of the creaters. It's a dazzling debut and just a great film in general. Prepare for domination.

There is a brief 30 second series of images that start this film off with a gigantic bang. Several key scenes play backwards until we wind up at the beginning. It's over before you know it but you won't be forgetting it anytime soon. Two friends Woodrow and Aiden have big dreams. As kids they sat glued to the television as Mad Max ran rampart in a post apocalyptic world. The two want a similar experience. So they set out to build weapons and war mobiles in wild hopes that such a future comes to pass. The call their gang "Mother Medusa" (along with coming up with wasteland names aka Lord Humongous) and they begin preparations. I want to say that all the things they build are 100% genuine. A real flamethrower and car that shoots out smokescreen were built for this film. The two friends shoot a propane tank in a experiment and it cause quite the sight. If you told me that was their first test while filming, I'd believe it.

One night Woodrow and Aiden go out drinking and everything changes. Woodrow unwillingly enters a cricket eating contest (they're actually healthy for you) against stranger Milly. Aiden looks at her with a small glance that says perhaps this girl is very special. The two go on a wild date the next day and when he asks her to be his girlfriend she says"I'll hurt you". There will be pay and joy to come for sure. Woodrow, Aiden, Milly, and her friend Courtney are stepping into a strange new world.

The film has a style all it's own and it sure is engaging. It's loud, bright, fresh and all around fun. It also has the substance to get your personal investment involved. What's funny is that this is a mumble core movie at heart. It's an upcoming genre that is to much to explain in a few sentences so I suggest looking it up. While Mumble core at it's center, "Bellflower" trades off the usual comedy seen in the genre and introduces pain. Yes this movie will sting you like a angry hornet. You won't see a movie like this anywhere else. Which is all the more reason to see it now.

9/10
Recommendation: So much style your head may burst. If that sounds appealing then go for it. I still think it's such a powerful film that anybody who gets to see it will at least remember the experience.

Attack The Block (9/10)

Add this to the movies I plan on showing my kids (well when they're a bit older) because this one is a running riot. I'd imagine directors such as Abrams, Spielberg and Tarantino are going to watch this and be cheering until their lungs hurt. It's sci-fi heaven with comedy and action to boot. Go out of your way to watch this one because it really is a blast of excitement.

"Attack The Block" takes place in South London. The location is important because it's the equivalent to South Providence to us. Chances are walking alone at night your going to get mugged or worse. Sam (Jodie Whittaker) happens to fall into this problem. She's mugged by five young hoodlums and are rudely interrupted by an object falling from the sky. Well this object so happens to be an alien and it's only the first of many. So now our five gangbangers, Sam, some weed dealers, two young whippersnappers and a scarred/stoned white boy are going to have to fight off an alien invasion or die trying. Watch out for John Boyega who played Moses, the leader of the five muggers. It's a potential breakthrough performance (meaning I hope he makes it big), he's got the makings of a young Denzel Washington.

There is so much fun in to be had in this movie I don't know how to explain it all. In fact I don't want to, you should see it for yourself. Watching kids fight aliens with bottle rockets and a katana is thrilling. It's fast paced and evolving so by the end it'd have grown a little in heart. As soon it was finished I wanted to watch it again.

9/10
Recommendation: Great little sci-fi action/comedy. I'd suggest it to anybody under any circumstance. This came out the same week as the disappointing "Cowboys & Aliens", every day of the week I'd say watch "Attack The Block" first, even if it means skipping the other.
PS: As of today it's playing at Providence Place Mall, it's a must see.

JCVD (7.5/10)

Watching "JCVD" not to long after "The Expandables" was quite funny. The latter film I found to be a failure while "JCVD" is surprisingly affective. It's not a real action movie but a satire in the minimalist state. When your laughing your not to sure if you should be. That idea is better than it sounds. Why not show our hero for what he is? A normal and confused human being.

Jean Claude Van-Damme Plays himself in "JCVD". The film opens on a lengthy action scene where Van-Damme's character doesn't use a gun to show us "purity". Nobody in the film nor the audience believes that for a second. Van-Damme at the age of 47 is having some problems with his family and career. By a complete accident he walks into a bank that's being robbed. Things turn into a hostage situation and the robbers decide let everyone think that Van-Damme is robbing the bank. The action legend makes the situation more complicated then three starstruck crooks ever could. Van-Damme may be playing himself but it's acting to the finest degree. It's the best performance your typical action star has ever given (eat your heart out Jason Statham!). I liked the movie in general for it's witty script and use of camera filters but Van Damme's performance clenches this as something more than just your average movie.

7.5/10
Recommendation: If you like those movies where the action star (Segal, Stallone, Li, and a few others) blows things up I'd watch this. It's as much tribute to those movies as it pokes fun of them.

Nowhere Boy (6.5/10)

Many people said after watching this film, you'd understand John Lennon better than you've had before. While I learned a few things my image of Lennon remains unchanged. Say what you want about The Beatles, but Lennon was a dick. He cared only for himself at the end of the day. While talented at what he did, I can't just overlook as attitude like I can with say the Gallagher brothers. Hell, Oasis wouldn't be the same if the two weren't pricks. I say this because when you don't care much for your lead in an emotional way, how can the film be all that great.

John Lennon (Araron Johnson) didn't grow into the man he was but was really born him. At a young age Lennon was making trouble and loving music while avoiding any responsibility. He lived with his aunt Mimi (Kristen Scott Thomas), a strong and scary woman. Lennon manages to get into contact with his real mother who he's never understood why she left him to Mimi. The two get along but the ugly past is going too rear it's head one day. The acting is pretty great here. Aaron Johnson doesn't so much look like Lennon but embodies what he stood for. It's a good biopic but it's been a week since I saw the film and already it's fading from my memory.

7/10
Recommendation: Beatle fans

The Go-Getter (7/10)

This is about as realistic and far fetched a road trip movie can get. Mercer (Lou Taylor Pucci) has a revelation one random day and takes his new idea to the extreme. He steals a car so he can find the brother he never knew (He's 18 years older and moved out when Mercer was a child). This is a odd way to start your film. Our hero is a timid young car their? Not in this kind of movie. However they played it off fantastically. The owner of the car left her phone in there and calls Mercer. She can tell he's a scared kid that has a good heart, so she loans him the car. In exchange Mercer must call her and give frequent updates on the trip. Mercer is intrigued as we are and we learn a little more about the mysterious yet lovable Kate (Zooey Deschanel) as the film goes on.

Mercer meets plenty of odd characters while looking for his brother but nothing seems to crazy. It's simple even when Mercer hangs out with a children's band on probation. Is this a movie to remember years from now and look back kindly on? Probably not. I'll remember a few keys scenes (one being a marvelous tribute to the cafe scene in "Band of Outsiders") and that's really about it. A road trip is remembering the key events most the time, not every pit stop. So I guess the "Go-Getter" should be remembered for something like that.

7/10
Recommendation: A good road trip movie if you like the actors (I say that way to much but it's true). If it's on TV or you see it sitting on a shelf, I'd watch it.

Elvis and Anabelle (8/10)

I'm going to be upfront with you and say I'm not to sure of what to make of this movie. I know I liked it a lot so that's a good sign. However does that mean it deserves such high rating? I think the answer is yes if I judge it based on what it is. By holding it up to older films of the 40's and 50's I think "Elvis and Anabelle" plays it quite right.

It's a strange story but those are the kinds I like best. Elvis is a mortician that does the work of his father. Since his father Charlie (A fantastic Joe Mantenga) is becoming older and losing his grasp on what's going on around him. Elvis illegally carries on the family business. Elvis is played by Max Minghella in a performance Paul Newman would be proud of. He's a got a brooding look and even a simple drag of the cigarette speaks more about him than some dialogue could ever do. He could be the next James Dean if he wanted but I'm still excited over his recent movies ("The Social Network" and "Ides Of March"). Elsewhere there is Anabelle (Blake Lively), a beauty queen. After winning a big competition, she falls over on the stage and dies. Her body is brought to Elvis' practice and just as he about to embalm her, she wakes up. Apparently there have been conditions where a person who's been dead for a day or two may wake up (I had to look it up even). Well Anabelle looks to escape the press she's getting by hiding out with Elvis and his father. You could probably guess that there will be some romance here.

The film has the charm a old James Stewart movie might have. So by judging it along side something of that quality it holds up pretty well. I had fun watching it and really outside of a bit of a sloppy ending can't find any real flaws. It's worth your time.

8/10
Recommendation: Fan's of the actors should like it. Actually if by some chance you ever have the opportunity to see it, I'd make the time in your day for it.

The Debt (8.5/10)

Spy thrillers always have the benefit of the doubt in my mind. I’m a sucker for an old fashion espionage cat and mouse chase. “The Debt” is as much a throwback to older spy films as it is new and original. So what if it’s a weaker version of “Munich”? It’s a fun ride with romance, violence, life changing questions and all in a nicely paced 1:44 long film. It’s an explosive time.

In the 1960’s three Mossad soldiers returned from a top secret assignment. They were charged with bringing back Nazi criminal Vogel (Jesper Christensen). His crimes include switching limbs, injecting paint into the eye among other heinous deeds as his time as a concentration camp doctor. He’s been in hiding in East Germany and Israel wants to kidnap him and bring him to their country to stand trial. An accident happened and they say that they shot him dead. Is that the whole story however? Years later the truth is brought up again and what will it cost them to continue the story they’ve told.

The film is technical force. It’s sharply edited to a pulsating score. It moves around and never comes close to stale. The story is interesting enough to keep you entertained. So choose your poison, plot or style and you’ll have a winner either way. Some terrific acting from Helen Mirren, Tom Wilkinson, Ciaran Hinds, Sam Worthington, Marton Csokas and the beautiful Jessica Chastain make that whole side worth it. It’s got some deep thought to it and its pretty damn entertaining. “The Debt” is worth it.

8.5/10

Recommendation: Very well done, suspense (including a fantastic set of scenes involving an gynecologist), romance, action and drama. I’d watch it for sure.

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark (7.5/10)

Don’t be mistaken; this is a Guillermo Del Toro movie at its core. Just because he let fist timer Troy Nixey sit on the director’s chair doesn’t mean the style is gone. Del Toro is one of the most imaginative people making films today. He’s the master of the adult fairy tale. “Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark” brings in Del Toro’s visual flare but it isn’t a great horror film. The trade off is fine but one can now only dream if the film had both.

Blackwood Manor is a place I wouldn’t want to live in. At first site the mind just thinks “creepy”. It’s horror movie heaven though. Sally (Bailee Madison) comes here to live with her father Alex (Guy Pearce) and his new girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes). Since this film is a remake of a 1970’s horror story they both have a similar ground. However the lead in the 70’s version was a normal woman, not a 10-year-old girl. Having Sally be a young girl is the smarter move. She doesn’t understand yet why those creepy whispers coming from the vents shouldn’t be normal. She like Del Toro lives in an imaginary world. Sally begins talking to small creatures that stalk her around and skulk the house at night. They’re not that scary (part of that being they are shown in full form far too early) but do have a rich history. Kim believes Sally’s wild stories while Alex thinks she needs help. Rich characters make a horror film better and here is a great example of that. It’s not going to make you jump but it’s well crafted. Nice characters and acting, perfect environment and relatively fresh material make this worth the money.

7.5/10

Recommendation: Don’t go expecting to be scarred, but you’ll get the creeps. It’ll keep your attention through out (it should).

Lullaby For Pi (7.5/10)

"Lullaby For Pi" is crafted with wise hands. Director Benoit Philippon has an eye for style and he's found his. His film looks like it's cut straight from the pages of an old pulp magazine or jazz album cover. The sets are golden brown and have certain intoxicating aura to them. The music of course is jazz with a hint of the blues is just velvet to the ears. Everyone smokes and drinks as if they've never left the 1940's. The movie has gloomy flare to it that some will love. I sure did so that's why when the scenes of other nature were present I lost some interest. A film doesn't need two styles of different levels.

Sam (Rupert Friend) sits in hotel room alone. He comes here to think and escape for a bit. While watching "Some Like It Hot", in comes ironically named Josephine (Sarah Wayne Callies). She has the key to his room in an odd mixup. The surprise and hostility ceases and they watch the rest of the movie together. They get married and let's flash forward about two years. Josephine has been dead for nearly a year and Sam is still taking it hard. He drinks and smokes more and has given up singing (he frequents a jazz bar). He returns to the hotel room at the beginning hoping for some sign of her. He has wild fantasies that she'll come back, call or maybe he'll realize he has to move on. Well another woman running into his room and locking herself in the bathroom was something he didn't expect. Her name is Pi (the radiant beauty known as Clemence Poesy) and she's trying to escape her boyfriend (now ex-boyfriend). Sam is calm and kind and tries to talk to her. Pi doesn't want to come out but doesn't want to be left alone. Sam returns to the hotel room several times and Pi does too. The repeat this situation as we learn more about the mysterious Pi.

What we have here is a classic and cool romance for artsy types. Not like "The Tree Of Life" or anything but those wanting romance but with the style of Mad Men. The romance is fine and so is the acting. It's just nothing we haven't seen before. Also Sam's friend William (Matt Ward) is unnecessary. Not the character itself but his own personal story. Him bringing Sam to a rap battle is too odd in a movie that had such a strong jazzy style. It's kind to the eye and mind and worth the watch in the end.

7.5/10
Recommendation: Like jazz? Like romance? Like the actors? then you have your next film to watch.

Another Year (8.5/10)

So rarely will I see a film crafted to such a perfection. Mike Leigh is one of the most talented men working today. He has a large following and his name instantly gets Oscar buzz when he starts filming. Many love his work but I on the other hand only like it. He's a great talent in my mind but his film's aren't my style. When I get older I feel like I'll have a better appreciation for it then.

"Another Year" follows one couple and their friends through out a year. They are all in a stage in their lives where they've settled down for the most part and the surprises are down to the minimum. They experience in these later years, melancholy, sudden romantic desire, fun, death and boredom. The couple is Tom and Gerri played fantastically by Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen respectively. The cultivate a large garden and live well off in london. They're charming and wise people and while they come from a upperclass background, they seem like the average couple. They have a son Joe (Oliver Maltman) that shares much of the tale too. It is however Lesley Manville that plays their friend Mary who steals the show. She is a strange woman to say the least who seems to have the same problems all year round. She complains that her life isn't all it should have been and the audience (like the other characters) just listen to it as minor ranting. By the end though her character goes through such a transformation in the eyes of the viewer that are sympathies could not be higher. Mary is in a dark place and everyone treats her in such a childish way. The audience will be shocked by this change in feeling (I was). The ending shot of Mary and her painful stare as others laugh around her is haunting. The characters may have just gone through another year and while life hasn't changed, things are just getting harder to do the normal. Mike Leigh has done done fantastic work.

8.5/10
Recommendation: Dialogue junkies will like it. The most basic of conversations become fascinating here. It's slow but worth the watch.

Adam (7/10)

Hugh Dancy's and Rosy Byrne's chemistry is so magnetic that it nearly burns the film reel. That's the best thing about this movie. The plot on the other hand is nice but I doubt you'll really get into it. It's just so predictable and average. Dancy plays a man with aspergers who begins  a friendship and latter romance with a teacher of course played by Byrne. Learning something about the disorder while being entertained is a nice way to do it. They never really get into the actual basics of the syndrome though which seemed like it would be appropriate. The two leads do a fantastic job but the film and it's script can't quite keep up. Still nice in the end however.

7/10
Recommendation: If you like the leads I'd watch it. A good way to learn something too.

Sarah's Key (8/10)

Knowing nothing but what one TV commercial told me was how I viewed this movie. That rarely happens. I often know all the actors, read the reviews, watched all the trailers. I wouldn't say I'm spoiling the movie as more I'm interested in it. Although there as been times I've had a movie partially ruined for me because of my research (don't watch the "Dream House" trailer). "Sarah's Key" comes from a widely successful book I knew next to nothing about. This was as fascinating as it is deadly.

The plot is almost two completely separate stories with a central character. There are flashbacks of Paris in 1942 during Nazi occupation. Thousands Jewish Parisians were locked up in a sport's stadium for days under grueling conditions (they said it was 10x worse then New Orleans' Super Dome). Sarah and her family go there but not her brother. When being taken away Sarah hides her brother in a closet and takes the key. She promises to come back and must in order to save him. Well the Nazi's aren't going to let her just go. Now flash forward to the present and a journalist played marvelously by Kristen Scott Thomas is looking into the story. There is a dark connection to her husbands family and Sarah's that you'll have to find out on your own.

The flashback scenes are fantastic and done so well it makes the present day ones seem almost empty. Thomas' acting is the saving grace. I was so unfamiliar with the movie actually that I had no idea when it would end and thought it would end any minute for at least half an hour. This was irritating and I don't think it was just me. Holocaust movies are a dime a dozen but rarely will you see a bad one. This one is quite good, great even. Just nothing that will be remembered like "Schindler's List" because they are in different leagues.

8/10
Recommendation: Remember what I said about "Winter In Wartime"? Well just look at my recommendation there and it goes just the same here.

The Art of Getting By (6/10)

George (Freddie Highmore) is interesting. It's not so much what he say's or does, but what he believes. George has taken the message that we'll die one day, so what's the point? So George as a senior in high school has stopped doing his work because what's the point if we're going to all die one day? I like his ideas, I've thought like that once, but George is a phony. I'll just say right now that George will start caring once he realizes he'll fail his senior year if he doesn't do his work. Did he really forget about that? A near fatherless up bringing brought up these ideas (probably with a reading or two of Catcher In The Rye). I like how he runs with his goals, but he's to quick to change his mind. George was just looking for meaning his life, his dying dreams were just that... dreams.

George begins a friendship with a popular girl, Sally (Emma Roberts). The two are mismatch in the unfortunate way. Meaning they don't suit each to such an extreme that there's no cute opposite idea to them. The two run around NYC having fun, drinking (which I guess is easy because they order beer like it's nothing) and getting into trouble. So I'd say this movie's theme is finding something worth living for. It's a descent theme but it's been done better before. The film is pleasant in part to a short running time (83 minutes) so there's that. I'd hate for George to meet Nicholas Cage's character in "Bringing Out The Dead" though. Cage would smash his face in for being so focused on dying but not doing anything about it.

6/10
Recommendation: Unless it's on I'd pass it by. It would be a good way of killing time when doing something else (I often type papers with movies on the background).

Drag Me To Hell (9/10)

God bless Sam Raimi! He's done it again and I'm glad I never doubted him. I envy all those who saw this in theater. I wish I could have laughed and been scared just like the masses that crowded into the theater wanting to watch something new. Also seeing those faces of confusion would have been gold to me. "Drag Me To Hell" is all that and a bag of chips (Oh yes, we're going cheesy here). It's probably the best horror movie since "The Descent" (of the top of my head at least). Here's the kick in the teeth/dentures though. It's classic Sam Raimi. I love two types of horror movies. Those with dreadful and intoxicating atmospheres such as "The Shining", "Alien" and "The Descent". The other type is Raimi's style. He's the king of comedy horror. You'll see images in his movies that are startling and yet humorous at the same time. Whether your laughing or screaming, Raimi is giving the audience something special, a fantastic time at the movies.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman perfectly casted) steps in for Ash as Raimi's unfortunate lead. She is a kind woman from the country and works in a bank. She has her eyes on an assistant manager position that is currently vacant. Yet she needs to prove herself in order to get the job. An old woman Sylvia (Lorna Raver) comes in looking for another extension on her mortgage. Christine unfortunately turns her down to show she can make the tough decisions and Sylvia will not go out quietly. Soon the chaotic fun begins as Sylvia chases after Christine and puts a curse on her head. Christine will  confront demons and startling nightmares. What Raimi does so well here is that the violence is gory, scary, funny, and fresh all at the same time. It's truly entertaining.

So many movies just float around and do nothing special. Raimi has put his all into "Drag Me To Hell" and he's done great things. Christine is a fantastic lead that we can really feel for. The curse may be on her but the audience may also be cursed. We see all the scares she does and trust me when I say you'll be nauseated and cheering for every shock. This is a very original twist on the classic horror story. Raimi's direction is flawless, it may be his best work (big words coming from the director of both Evil Dead II and Spider Man 2). It's wickedly scary, outrageously funny, goretastic and just so well done. Why not have the time of your life?

9/10
Recommendation: If you haven't seen it yet please do. It's got so much going for it. I also suggest all of the "Evil Dead" trilogy. The genius of Sam Raimi's work is well deserved cult classic.

The Expendables (5/10)

So this is the equivalent of watching a porno with John Holmes' limp dick. You get it? So "The Expendables" which looked like it would be the end all action movie. Composed of the most ass kicking stars out there why wouldn't it be? Well first of all watching the movie I felt certain big stars were left out (Segal, Van Damme, Norris, Snipes etc). The film has made promises it couldn't keep. The remaining action stars are mostly on the same side in the fight, poor choice. We want to see who's the best and what Jet Li would look like fighting Stallone (we get two instances of this, not enough). The actual movie also has a boring plot and not much attraction. The character's are small minded and dull. Instead of prop gore they give us CGI blood which looks awful. This movie has a lot problems and not enough good qualities to make up for it. It's overall a failure on what could have been something very special. Part of me blames Stallone, they guy does not know how to write interesting characters anymore.

5/10
Recommendation: It's not what it cracks itself up to be, I'd pass it by but maybe you'll still want to give it a chance for some reason or another. However since it's been out for a bout a year, if you haven't seen it already there's no real point.

Winter In Wartime (8.5/10)

Every boy has to grow up sometime, war is the ultimate trail for such a case. European films always seem to do things better. I got a few theories why. One is that they really do try to make the best film they can. "Winter In Wartime" looks authentic, is kind to the eye and works well with what was probably a small budget. The actors all do a fantastic job as the characters learn a lesson or two. This is a truly great movie an here's the kick... it's a Dutch movie.

The film takes place in Holland 1945, The Winter of Starvation. A young boy Michiel (I'm not going to list actors names here, I doubt you know anybody except for maybe one) witnesses a plane crash. A RAF plane is shot down and lands in the countryside. The Germans are garrisoned in the town and Michael's father, the former mayor is kind to them. He doesn't help them but his kindness is what Michiel despises. Michiel through some circumstances comes in contact with the pilot that was in the plane. The young pilot Jack is injured and Michiel looks to help.

I can say quite proudly that this Dutch film is really fantastic. It actually has some of the best pacing I've seen in years. The story movies around without ever reaching a slow point nor does it need constant action to keep your attention. Outside of some confusion where your left to guess some answers this film does just about everything right. "Winter In Wartime" is crafted nearly to perfection.

8.5/10
Recommendation: Want to learn something while being entertained? Well now you have a reason too.

My Sassy Girl (8/10)

I said in my "London Boulevard" review that a film is only as good depending on how much you enjoy it. Movies like "Enter The Void" and "Sherlock Holmes" have a large amount of fans, but they're not for me. Both are well made movies but how can I give it a good rating when I was bored senseless. "My Sassy" Girl" was very fun to watch. It's not groundbreaking but it is a step up from your normal romantic comedy, which is very nice in my book. It's humorous, cute and at times emotional. I was pleased from beginning to end. Well to a sense, some scenes are eye roll worthy. Well two or three mediocre scenes won't stop a huge amount of joyous ones.

I watched this movie for three reasons. The first is as you may tell with some of my recent reviews (scroll down), I'm in a indie phase. I'm a huge indie fan so let's add another to the list. The second reason is that the film is based off the Korean film/book of the same name. It got overwhelmingly positive reviews and was a massive hit. I knew the basic story but could never find the film. So I settled for the english remake. The third is well... Elisha Cuthbert is in the film. She's in my top five for most beautiful actresses so any film with her is one I will be watching. Anyway, let's move on, most of that was useless information, onto the actually review.

Our hero and lead is Charlie (Jesse Bradford). He's a small town kind young man in NYC for school. He's got an interesting story and knows how to narrate a tale. Well since this is a true story, the feelings are genuine. One day he see's Jordan (Elisha Cuthbert) in the park and later in the subway. She is drunk off her ass. Charlie saves her from nearly having her arm taken off by the train and soon she passes out, but not before calling him "darling". He takes her home so she doesn't remain passed out in a NYC subway station, that's just spelling disaster. Well let's jump forward a bit and the two become quick friends and spend a lot of time together. Jordan is alive in a way I've nor Charlie have ever seen before. She's chaotic and impulsive. However she's kind, sweet and the most interesting person around. Charlie put's up with her irrational behavior because she makes him feel alive. The movie doesn't have that many twists and turns but is quite entertaining. Watching every man Charlie deal with the situation works with the audience. The crowd also loves to see what Jordan will do next ( I did and it appears to be the same with the Koran version). The two's bizarre relationship is a worthy drive for the film.

So like I said I had a lot of fun watching this movie. That way I saw the best the film had to offer. The two leads really grow on you. I'm not a big Jesse Bradford fan and I thought Adam Brody who really impressed me with "In the Land of Women" might have done a better job. Bradford won me over and really fits the character quite well. Elisha Cuthbert starts off a tad annoying but that's her job. Like Charlie we see a girl that should be our type but she's very drunk and bizarre. Charlie saw something very special in Jordan and so did I. She's strange but somebody like that makes life truly worth it. Throw Jordan on the "dream girl list" (movie character edition) alongside Ramona Flowers, Clementine Krucynski, Em Lewin along with a few others for me. Director Yann Samuell was the right choice for this. I've seen bits and pieces of his "Love Me If You Dare" and he seems to have a eye for this type of film. Whether or not this is a classic (it's not), it's a very entertaining way to spend your time. Don't we all want what Charlie feels for Jordan?

8/10
Recommendation: I imagine it'd make a good date movie. The actors do a great job if you like them. Also if your looking for one of the more interesting and fun characters in a film then Jordan is that and more. I still can't believe that this is a perhaps all a true story (I really hope it is).

Thumbsucker (7/10)

This movie probably should have been called "Ritalin". The film follows high schooler Justin Cobb (Loy Taylor Pucci) who ironically is also on the debate team ("Rocket Science" was the film I watched before this). He sucks his thumb as a habit when stressed. He doesn't do it in front of everyone but that doesn't mean his family doesn't know. He breaks free from it one day and everything in his life will change. It's a chaos theory of sorts (one change = many changes). The problem is that he starts to take Ritalin which is the real cause for his changes. Thumbsucking lead him there but the Ritalin is the reason for what he becomes. Mike Mills has a great idea on how to create characters and mood, I gave his latest film "Beginners" a 10/10. It's just the general story here that is not so interesting this time. It's a great debut into feature films and since this came out in 2005 we know he'll become a major talent (once gain, "Beginners").

7/10
Recommendation: If you like indie movies then I suggest it if you have the chance. Vince Vaughn and Keanu Reeves play interesting supporting roles if you like the two actors.