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oldskoolmj
Reviews
Children of Men (2006)
A Surreal Film!
Very rarely, do I leave a movie theater in awe of a film. After seeing "Children of Men", I was so taken by it, I had to soak it in before talking about it. What a spectacular movie. This is why I go to movies! "Children of Men" is why you should go to movies! It is intense, it is surreal and I felt like I was in the movie the entire time. It felt like I was on a roller coaster. I know a lot of critics and reviewers say cliché things like "It's a roller coaster ride!" Yes, it really is!!! I felt kinda out of it afterwards- like I did when I got off the "Superman" ride at Great America this past summer. I had a minor headache after the movie was over- I'm not sure if this helps endorse "Children of Men", but I felt like I was Clive Owen running through a bombed out town. This is a movie that is more than enhanced by the theater experience! I'm not going to get into what this movie is about, because anyone reading this should just go see it and trust me. Watching it on DVD will not do it justice. I was not a film major in college (I chose radio, maybe I should have went with film) but I know this movie looks like few before it. "Children of Men" has an unbelievable quality about its filming. The cinematography in it is second to none.
Before I get to hung up on the visual greatness of this film, the cast is equally great. Clive Owen is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Owen reminds me of Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner" in this futuristic masterpiece about an era where women become infertile and Owen has to protect a refugee who has done the unthinkable- become pregnant! Julianne Moore and Michael Caine give outstanding supporting performances as well. Caine plays a weed-smoking hippie who assists Owen in hiding the pregnant refugee. Can not go on with out giving mad props to director Alfonso Cuaron. I don't know much about him, but I will watch anything he is involved with after seeing his outstanding epic. Bottom line- Go see this movie!!! I'm tempted to re-do my best of 2006 list and put it number one or two. "Children of Men" is the best movie I've seen since "The Departed" and I hope everyone who enjoys a good story and loves great cinematography, will come away feeling like they just walked out of a bomb shelter and feel glad they did. If getting headaches after movies means I loved the film, then I welcome the next headache.
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Rocky goes out swingin'
Rocky: "Ah come on, Adrian, it's true. I was nobody. But that don't matter either, you know? 'Cause I was thinking', it really don't matter if I lose this fight. It really don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood." When it comes to Rocky movies, you won't find many bigger fans than me. My favorite Christmas gift this year was the "Rocky Collection". Unfortunately it includes "Rocky V", oh well! When I first heard that Slyvester Stallone was going to do another Rocky movie, I was skeptical to say the least. How could he try and do another Rocky movie? Even a big fan like myself, doesn't want to see another sub-par Rocky film. As previews started to play on TV and I heard more about it, I started thinking "it might not be that bad!" To get myself pumped for the release, I watched the previous five all over again on OnDemand. I even dug out my Rocky soundtrack on vinyl and blasted that to get excited about seeing the new one.
Wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and sporting a black winter hat- just like "The Italian Stallion" I went to see it. Man, I really liked this movie!!! I liked it so much, I changed my 2006 best movie list to include it (sorry Marky Mark, you got bumped, only room for one movie about an underdog from Philly!). "Rocky Balboa" feels like the first two, kinda low budget and very grainy. What made Rocky such an icon is the fact that it felt so real, so relatable. That's what makes this new and last installment so good.
Rocky is back in the old neighborhood and owns a restaurant named after his recently passed wife Adrian. It was weird watching a Rocky movie without Adrian. He's retired, doesn't have a close relationship with his son and only has Paulie to keep him company. His conversation with his son about "Sunshines and Rainbows" speaks to why everyone loves Rocky. He's one of the more endearing characters ever on screen. Of all of the Rocky movies, the boxing "villain" in this movie is the weakest. Mason "The Line" Dixon is champion and has alienated boxing fans by not beating talented boxers. I don't need to tell you what happens next.
Without saying to much about the movie, Rocky regains his pride and gets back in the ring and proves he is still a "fighter". It's really a fitting end to a great movie saga. Sly, who wrote and directed "Rocky Balboa", went back to the roots with this final Rocky movie. To bad George Lucas didn't use this formula for his "Star Wars" prequels.
If you like Rocky, you should really enjoy this one. This movie made me want to go and run up some stairs afterwards. There is nothing like that theme song. Once you hear that "Rocky Song", you know it's time for Rocky to get in shape and whoop some ass! It's just awesome to see him on the big screen again! Big up Sly for bringing back Rocky and giving him some dignity on the way out. Rocky, you're not "just another bum from the neighborhood"!
Punisher: First Round (2005)
it's better than the movie!
It's hard to judge independent movies like you would a regular feature film. Obviously, there are some issues with acting and effects, but I enjoyed it because it captured the essence of The Punisher. The two movie versions could not do that. The opening title with the comic book is awesome! I have to admit, with the two Christmas music choices I felt like I was watching Die-hard (same music used in the opening sequence). I liked some of the dialogue (what am I on mute?), but like it's been said on the boards, Punisher spoke too much. I met Cory at the Comic-con in Chicago and that's how I heard about this movie and of course bought it there. He has a genuine appreciation for the characters of Punisher and Wolverine and he's a comic fan like the rest of us who wants to see a good Punisher movie like all of us do. Basically, most Punisher fans should enjoy it for it's attempt to bring Punisher back to his rawness, even if it lacks in the acting and effects department. By the way, the women are hot!!!!