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Skyfall (2012)
Bond is back, better than ever! Skyfall is a cinematic joy, visually stunning.
The way I love Skyfall, as well as all of the Daniel Craig Bond films, is unparalleled.
Until Daniel Craig took the helm of James Bond, I didn't have much appreciation for the Bond franchise. I had seen clips of the early movies but since most of them were before my time, I wasn't familiar with the history of the franchise. And then , sadly for me, my first foray into Bond was Pierce Brosnan. Those movies were everything I detest - phony, poorly acted, poorly written, Michael Bay type movies with no realism or story. And I hated them with intense passion. So when I heard about the reboot, I was less than excited.
Well, imagine my surprise when I saw Casino Royale in the theatres, and it went on to be one of my all-time favorite films (and I see a LOT of movies). It was beautiful, featuring exotic locales, brilliant acting and a script so good it moved me to tears. While I very much enjoyed Quantum of Solace, it lacked a little of CR's magic. Needless to say, by this point I had fallen in love with Craig's Bond, the character and the iconic role he portrayed.
So after 4 agonizing years, Skyfall lands in theatres. I am happy to say that it is a stunning masterpiece. Cinematically perfect, visually stunning, each segment of the film was more beautiful than the last. Director Mendes really brings sheer beauty to every shot, as if the screen is a canvas with paintings coming to life. He made colors pop and did dazzling work with lighting contrast in ways I've not seen. Each segment had a unique look to it, almost like mini movies throughout. Then of course there was the brilliant story (now a given), incredible acting and beautiful, haunting music. There were so many nods to past Bond incarnations which was such a delightful treat on the eve of the 50th Anniversary. Mr. Fleming would be most proud, I've no doubt.
Skyfall is everything I could want in not just a James Bond flick, but a film in general. Can't wait for 007 24!
Pan Am (2011)
Unfortunate show without a Direction
As a fan of the new series "The Playboy Club", which is absolutely fantastic, I decided to give this other period drama a look. Sadly, it was a waste of 42½ minutes.
Pan Am, a show about flight attendants and pilots in the 1960's during the airlines "golden age", falls quite short of the mark. It is disjointed and chaotic and has no real structure. It jumps back and forth and really goes nowhere. They try and pull off the "Lost" trick by showing flashbacks to other times and places, but sadly without the same effect. There is some sort of back story involving some covert branch of the government, but it is very poorly explained and filmed and just comes off as confusing and unbelievable. That made me lose interest rather quickly.
The acting, in general, is about average except for Christina Ricci, who is great which is why this show got a 2 instead of a 1.
Sadly, this is a show without a solid premise and really nowhere to go. If you're looking for an interesting, well written, plot & character-rich period show, try "The Playboy Club" instead. Don't let the name fool you; it's all class.
Ringer (2011)
Absolutely Fantastic! Don't think you know what it's all about.
It's been too long since the very beautiful and talented Sarah Michelle Gellar has graced our television screen. She is back now, better than ever, in this very complex, wonderfully dark new show.
For those of you who don't know, Sarah Michelle plays twins - Bridget & Siobhan. Bridget is the estranged twin who has a history of stripping and substance abuse, who is the witness to a brutal crime that has her fearing for her life. Her sister Siobhan is the privileged New Yorker who seemingly has the perfect life - a successful, wealthy, attractive husband; tons of money, great friends and a beautiful home.
Bridget and Siobhan clearly are strained; from the looks of it, something happened to Siobhan's son, and we don't yet know Bridget's part in it. However, they have mended ways enough for Bridget to get the offer to stay with Siobhan in New York. On a boating trip, while Bridget naps, Siobhan disappears overboard and is presumed dead. But only Bridget was there, so she is the only one who knows this. Grieving aside, she figures stepping into her sister's shoes, her sister's life, will help her hide from those out to kill her. She easily slides into Siobhan's life.
You know what they say about the grass being greener? Well, be careful what you wish for. It turns out that Siobhan's life was anything but carefree. Bridget realizes that her sister's marriage was in shambles; her stepdaughter hated her; she was sleeping with her best friend's husband; and, worse of all, someone is trying to kill Siobhan as well.
This show is very dark, which I love, and very well written. The surrounding cast, although small, is equally wonderful. I can say that this show is much deeper, much more complex than it may be given credit for. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, you realize that you don't. It's very suspenseful, creepy and downright scary at times (how about a dead body in a trunk, cell phone ringing, in a room full of wealthy party goers?). New York, as it often does, plays a character all its own. Set in the unfinished lofts and plush Park Avenue Pent Houses, don't let the high pedigree fool you. The cinematography is rich and gorgeous; lots of dark shadows to give you an appropriate sense of foreboding. It's like watching a really fun scary movie, without the gore but including all of the suspense.
Lastly, I saw someone compare this to ABC Family's "The Lying Game", which I also watch and think is absolutely fantastic. I assure you, it's nothing like that. "The Lying Game" is somewhat lighter in tone and the twin sisters are working together while maintaining contact. Here, they most assuredly are not.
To summarize, this is a wonderful show that should be given a chance to grow. Hopefully, the CW will realize its worth and give it a full season.
The Playboy Club (2011)
Fabulous and Smart! One of the best new shows of the Season!
I am not at all sure what the other posters are watching, but to say this show is boring is completely off the mark. Then again, I guess it depends on what you are looking for.
An incredibly beautiful and quite talented cast tells the story of the Playboy Club, Hef's legendary Bunny-laden gentleman's club, circa 1963. In a time when the average woman was expected to be very domestic and agreeable, the Playboy Club profiles smart, sassy, intelligent women. The gorgeous & talented Amber Heard plays Maureen, a new Bunny who is the club's latest cigarette girl. She finds herself being aggressively cornered by a slimy client who tries to have his way with her. This event leads to what is sure to be the season's story, and I'm not going to spoil it by revealing the details, but let's say that it's a heavy burden for the sweet and, until now, rather innocent Bunny to carry.
Eddie Cibrian plays Nick Dalton, a former mobster-turned-up-and-coming attorney who stumbles upon Maureen's dilemma and becomes embroiled in assisting her. His ties to his old "family" pose quite a problem for a man trying to leave that life behind.
Then there's Laura Benanti who is intriguing as Carole Lynne, an aging Bunny with a superiority complex and also Dalton's current love interest.
In a period of mundane television where so many shows are alike, The Playboy Club shines like a diamond on a jewel-encrusted pair of bunny ears. The rest of the cast is great as well and each one has a story to tell. The character development is going to be a treat to watch. Several sub-plots with secondary characters have already been started, and I'm very much looking to see where it goes.
The Playboy Club is the cure for the common, boring, cookie-cutter, dumb-sitcom or annoying-reality show. If you enjoy smart writing, great acting and period dramas (like Mad Men, but way sexier), then you should definitely check this show out.
I give it a 9... out of 10.
Black Swan (2010)
A beautiful and horrific masterpiece that transcends genres
I know that this review will more than likely become buried deep within the reviews here on IMDb. That being said, I couldn't pass up the chance to comment on this film. It is too wonderful for me to be negligent in placing a review.
Very few movies come along that change the way you view the world. Interestingly enough, for me, Natalie Portman has been in two of them. She is always dazzling. My favorite movie is V for Vendetta. That incredible film changed my entire outlook in so many ways. It remains my favorite, but now, we have Black Swan.
This movie is as beautiful as it is horrific. It is a study of incredible contradictions. It is a study of intense character. Of the human condition. Of the thin line between sanity and insanity, good and evil. Of the pursuit of perfection to quell the indestructible demons that lie within. Unlike most films, Black Swan can't truly be identified as one specific genre. It never falls into one category, but rather masters several at once; its main elements are a blend of psychological thriller meets horror. There is also a very gritty, real, independent feel to the film without ever causing it to feel low budget. It is really a beautiful blend with something to please even the most discriminating movie goer.
Aronofsky takes an incredibly stunning, disturbing and enthralling story and brings it to life beautifully with intricate close shots and over the shoulder follows. There are so many shots where you feel as though you are walking behind the characters, or right there beside them. This visual achievement allows you more intimate access to the story and characters as they develop throughout the film.
Natalie Portman is superb and Oscar worthy in hands-down the finest performance of her career. She plays Nina Sayers, a professional ballet dancer who has always strived to achieve perfection. Ever the studious daughter, Nina still lives at home with her overbearing and smothering mother (Barbara Hershey). As the movie progresses and you see interactions between Nina and her mother, you begin to realize where Nina gets her insatiable quest for perfection and her instability from. Always eager to please her mother, she has never allowed herself to grow from a child into a woman (subtly of this character flaw is evident in Nina's still-childlike bedroom). This works for her mother who forever wants to keep her the child she is in her mind.
Nina is finally given the lead role of her dreams at her ballet company in"Swan Lake", for which she has to portray elements of good (the White Swan) and evil (the titular Black Swan). She easily taps into her good side, but struggles to express the darkness within. Despite finally getting to fulfill her dream, it is here that Nina begins to go off the rails. The closer she gets to the show, the more she starts to lose touch with reality. She begins to hurt herself in ways that are unfathomable to a well mind. Aronofsky uses this to his advantage so that we, the viewer, are at times unable to separate fact from the fantasies of Nina's delusional mind. Her fractured psyche comes into play, and the people around her become more aggressive in their attempts to undermine her. Sadly, it becomes glaringly obvious that her downward spiral is not due to any outside influence, but her rapidly deteriorating mind.
Some of the finer moments, to me, are when Nina is discovering not only her sexuality (several scenes are highly intense but very tasteful), but when she is shedding her "White Swan" to make way for her "Black Swan". The transition is flawless and terrifying. She begins letting go of her inhibitions, of the things that have held her back in her life, that have kept her with an unstable mother who, due to her own mental instability, hindered her growth. Natalie plays this character so well that you honestly forget that you are watching Natalie Portman, but actually see her as Nina instead. For someone with a film resume as long and varied as hers, that is the mark of a truly brilliant and skilled talented actress. I think she is the best actress of our time.
I also wanted to give a mention of Mila Kunis, who is brilliant as Lily. She has been in the industry for a very long time and is finally coming into her own as the gorgeous, talented lady she is. Her performance really shines in an already stellar cast. I look forward to Mila's future work. She and Natalie Portman have both been nominated for Golden Globes, and I'm sure Oscar noms won't be far behind. Both nods are VERY well deserved.
Black Swan is what separates movies from cinema. It is art in its purest and rarest form, not just trash on celluloid as the majority of Hollywood releases today. If you haven't seen Black Swan yet, please, do yourself a favor and treat yourself this holiday. You will be horrified. You will be mesmerized. And, if you're like me, you will be changed.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
Best of the Series - So Far!
As a moderate Twilight fan (by no means a Twi-hard), I've thoroughly enjoyed both Twilight and New Moon. Eclipse, however, is the best of the series! Great action sequences (love the wolves). The acting was what you've come to expect (though I did find Pattinson's performance improved this time around) - an overall nice experience.
A major bonus was when Tyler Lautner took off his shirt and there wasn't a theatre full of screaming women (as happened with New Moon). I guess they're finally used to seeing him without a shirt. :-) If you are a fan of the series, you of course must see this, but I'm sure you have already. If you are not a fan, this honestly is the best of the 3 films in the series so far.
The Last Airbender (2010)
What is wrong with everyone??
I am stunned by the hatred and loathing I am seeing at this site for The Last Airbender.
I did not watch the show. I am not a fan at ALL of M. Knight Shyamalan. Therefore, I did not have high expectations for this movie. I am happy to say that I was wrong!! This is the FIRST... the VERY FIRST... Shyamalan movie I've enjoyed! This movie is epic! The acting is FANTASTIC - everyone is great. The CGI effects and created worlds are visually stunningly and beautiful. And the ending - what a great, unexpected surprise, making way for another one! From what I gather, there were 4 books to this TV series when it was on. There is NO WAY that any filmmaker can put so much content into a 2 hour film. Instead, he smartly left it open for other movies.
I wish everyone would watch this movie with an open mind and just enjoy it for what it is. If you haven't seen it yet, please watch it and judge for yourself. People are being unnecessarily harsh on it.
Justified (2010)
Loving this show is Justifiable
As a heartbroken fan of Nip/Tuck, which just ended its 6 season run, I was keeping an eye out for another FX show I could enjoy. With FX, original series can be either hit (Nip/Tuck, Dirt) or miss (The Riches). Justified is a show I normally wouldn't have looked at even once. Being a city girl at heart, I'm not a fan of westerns or anything country. One thing I am a fan of is Timothy Olyphant. When I saw one of my favorite actors (brilliant in "Hitman") was going to be in a new show, I of course had to watch. A pleasant surprise awaited me.
It's as if Timothy Olyphant was born to be US Marshal Raylan Givens, a good ol' country boy with personal issues. After shooting a man in Miami old west style ("It was justified"), Raylan is punished by being sent back to his old home town in Kentucky to work the local cases, many involving people he knows. His estranged father, former best-friend-turned-criminal, an old flame and a complicated ex wife round out the engaging cast of colorful characters. Raylan has a reputation for being a bit trigger-happy, a branding he hardly thinks is fair ("only if it's justified"). He is never without his 10 gallon hat (unless someone steals it), he can talk down a hostage situation with whiskey and a bucket of fried chicken, or shoot a guy for "taking one more step". It's all in a day's work for Raylan.
Justified is one of those shows that makes you forget you're watching a show being acted by actors. It's as though you are observing actual people live their lives. I feel like I'm in the scene, watching everything unfold before me. The dialogue is fresh, gritty, real and absolutely hilarious. The characters bounce between utterly ridiculous and completely relatable. And the actors, everyone from the main stars to the day players are right on the money.
If you haven't yet seen Justified, do yourself a favor and catch it when it re-airs on FX. Or wait for the DVD's to come out. If this show doesn't win an award or two, well, that ain't civilized.
The Stepfather (2009)
A great time and very worthy flick. Be sure to give it a chance!
Let me preface this by saying (apologetically) that I have not seen the original film of the same title (the 1987 version with the always brilliant Terry O'Quinn). Therefore, I can't compare this movie to that one. As a bit of a film buff, it generally takes a good story, good acting, good character development, good production value and a healthy combination of all these factors to get me really involved in a movie. I am pleased to say that this is a disturbingly tense and deliciously entertaining little film.
Although the story isn't entirely original (the previous film had a similar concept), the fantastic acting was enough in this case. Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl) plays Michael Harding, a young man who after several months at military school, comes home to find his recently divorced mother (Sela Ward) engaged to David Harris (Dylan Walsh, Nip/Tuck), a man he's never met and doesn't know. At first, the man who has quickly ingratiated himself into this family seems mild and relatively harmless. Before long, however, and after a series of suspicious events, Michael starts to suspect there is more to his future Stepfather than meets the eye. Penn Badgley is wonderful, down to earth and very relateable as the cautious teenager who is torn between following his gut instinct or what everyone else is telling him. Dylan Walsh is very, very scary in this role, quite a change from the nice guy Sean McNamara we've come to know on 6 seasons of Nip/Tuck. Whether or not you are familiar with his work he will scare the bejesus out of you here.
I won't say anymore in regard to story so as not to spoil it for anyone who has yet to see it, but I had a blast watching this movie. I was immediately pulled in from the get go an found myself gripping my theater seat during the climatic final act. Incredible acting by both Badgley & Walsh make this movie a must-see for any fan of the suspense/thriller genre.
Halloween II (2009)
Absolutely terrifying! Scared me out of my mind!
Let me preface that I am a frequent solo movie goer. I often like to enjoy movies by myself without others talking or interrupting my experience. I can honestly say this is the first time I regret going to a movie alone. This film is absolutely terrifying and I wish I had brought someone with me. I can't remember the last time I was that genuinely scared, freaked out and just overall spooked by a film. It takes a LOT to frighten me. Most horror movies don't scare me in the least. This one knocked the wind out of me.
Rob Zombie truly is a master of horror. His direction is eerie and haunting, the cinematography is breathtakingly beautiful, dizzying and brilliant... it never fails to freak you out. As always, he hired many actors that have that hippy, back-country-psycho look about them. They give each scene more true authenticity. One thing note worthy is that Zombie did cut back on the nudity and expletives in this one (compared to his original HALLOWEEN). He did not, however, cut back on the terrifying and gory scenes, keeping true to its roots.
Scout Taylor Compton is back, and has upped her A-game. She is a wonderfully skilled, genuinely real actress who breathes life into every single scene she is. There is something so beautiful and heartbreaking about her portrayal. She has mastered the "scream" in a way that Jamie Lee never could (IMHO).
And I won't say much more about the movie specifically (I don't want to ruin it for anyone), but I want to point out the two scariest scenes in my opinion were the Ambulance scene, and one in which Laurie Strobe was having a nightmare. Just thinking about them... oh, man.
If you want to be scared stiff, go see this movie. I still have finger nail marks embedded into my palm.
The Dark Knight (2008)
I'm at a loss for words
I've never been this stunned about a movie before. This film is beyond incredible; beautiful & haunting. It's just perfect. This is so much more than a Batman film. This is a cinematic masterpiece. Everything you could ever want in a movie is there. The script is beautifully crafted to be complex, poignant and impressive. It's an intricate web that explores basic human nature: the good and bad in each of us, and how one single event, one single decision, can impact our lives. The cinematography is skillfully used to make lighting and camera angles characters all their own. The action scenes are BREATHTAKING. And then there's Heath. I mean, everyone's great, but let's face it, he's the real star. I knew he'd be amazing but... Sweet Baby Jesus. His portrayal of the Joker is the most satisfying, haunting yet beautiful thing you can imagine. I can't really put it into words. You have to see it to know what I mean.
If you haven't seen it yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?? GO. NOW. Run, don't walk. You can thank me later. :-)