One actor, one set. It's a premise that's been done before, but the effectiveness that it's pulled off with in Buried's story of a man who wakes up in a coffin is to be commended. The film never cuts away from the coffin, always staying with Ryan Reynold's character as he goes through a panoply of well-acted emotions and engages in a surprising amount of thrills considering his predicament. Telling you much more would give away whether he lives or dies, so I'll just say that this movie left me pretty speechless for a while afterwards. Terrifying.
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This blew me away nearly as much as Inception. However, don't let that description lead you into believing this is at all like that movie; Black Swan is all about the character, her emotions and her art. Everything in this movie seems to be crafted to perfection: shock value, acting, sound, lighting, makeup, disguises, editing, music and script work so beautifully together and so cohesively with the main themes that I have difficulty even explaining it. To be honest, though, I think it's better if you go in knowing as little as possible, so just trust me and go see this amazing movie. It will haunt you for days.
This is a great movie with great performances and an effective script. However, it was not nearly as good as I thought it would be considering the people involved. To be fair, the story was limited by the original book, and I did have a bit of trouble understanding Jeff Bridges when he was talking, but it just didn't quite grab me quite as much as I would've liked. Still, it's enjoyable and definitely worth watching for you wild west fans.
Colin Firth delivers one of the very best performances I've ever seen. He completely grabbed me and made me forget I was even watching an actor in a film; his performance alone makes this a must-watch. However, there is much more to love here: Geoffrey Rush is also fantastic, and the both of them are supported by a script that is both deeply touching and tons of fun, itself based on a fascinating true story. Definitely in my 5 favourite films of the year.
This movie achieves a perfect balance of visual and auditory spectacle, propelling some scenes into the all-time most badass film moments hall of fame. I have difficulty seeing how they could have improved on some of these scenes. However, much like the original film, the story is simplistic and lacks depth, and the acting is mediocre, save for Jeff Bridges who is once again awesome. Nonetheless, a real treat for the senses, and a movie you definitely should watch with the largest screen and best audio system possible.
I cannot believe this was possible in 1982. Sure, it's a bit messy and quite rudimentary by today's Hollywood standards, but I can't think of any movie that even approached this level of Avatar-style visual stimulation for at least 10 years after the release. Even today it still feel like you're seeing a strange, alien computer world (albeit a distinctly 80s version of one). However, the actual script is quite basic and not that engaging. Jeff Bridges' charm is basically what holds up the part of the movie that isn't visual effects, with only a few other elements being at all memorable. Still, definitely worth watching for the funky 80s piece of SFX history.
Assassin's Creed 2 was going to be my GOTY 2009, until the very last second when I played Uncharted 2. It was all I could ever ask for in an Assassin's Creed game, combining a surprisingly fascinating story with excellent, unique gameplay and a world teeming with life and things to do - it was the perfect sequel, not only fixing what AC1 did wrong, but adding lots of things I never knew I wanted.
Well, this game keeps all of that. It isn't nearly as big of a jump forward as AC2 was, however, despite improving a lot of things. The biggest difference in the single player is how much better the 2012 storyline is, but there also seems to be exponentially more things to do in Rome than in any of the AC2 cities (I don't think I could name all of them off the top of my head), with each activity being more varied than those of AC2. Assassin's Tombs return (this time labeled Romulus Lairs), and each of them is more fun than all of the AC2 ones combined... however, the armor that is unlocked at the end comes close to looking amazing, but ultimately just looks weird (I went back to my original, badass custom design). If I had to complain about anything, it would be that there is less tone variation than AC2, which is sort of expected with Rome being the only city.
And then, of course, is the multiplayer. I'm not a multiplayer person (as you may have noticed, I barely ever review multiplayer sections of games), but this was the most fun I've had in standard quick-match competitions in ages. In direct opposition to basically every MP game out there, this game is based on finesse, subtlety and cunning rather than repetition, reflexes and luck. Players that only just started playing can demolish experienced players simply because they played smarter - it's stressful, exhilarating, and frankly the only competitive multiplayer I've properly enjoyed since Battlefield 2.
In a sentence:
Don't let this game's weird half-sequel status keep you from playing it - this is easily on par with Assassin's Creed 2, improving many things at the sake of a few others, in addition to featuring the best competitive multiplayer in years.
Breathlessly fast, edge-of-your-seat action isn't exactly a rarity in Hollywood, but very rarely is it ever this good. It's one of those action movies that has more than one layer, giving the audience a proper reason to want the characters to survive and the train to stop. Obviously, it does fall to some stereotypes, but the direction here is strong enough to make this one of the better action movies of this type in a long time.
While this movie was better than I thought it would be, and while it raised some very interesting and very pertinent points about teen apathy, I think it was ultimately brought down by its overly optimistic tone and reliance on completely unrealistic events to tie the plot together. While the movie is based on a very important discourse, the actual events that unfold are caricatured and simplistic, with no trace of nuance. It's like they wanted to achieve a Ferris Bueller-like tone, but they completely missed the mark. The character here is unlikeable and would have been completely ignored and a complete failure in real life. The actors do a good job of propping this up in a way that makes it looks somewhat plausible, but a deeper look causes the whole thing to collapse upon itself.
I suppose the thought exercise is worth watching this for, though - why are kids these days so apathetic?
Fascinating look at the JFK-era Secretary of Defence's take on his legacy. It's brilliantly put together, and offers an intriguing blend of understanding and critique, which helps us understand where McNamara is coming from without necessarily knowing everything. The 11 "lessons" that he gives out are definitely worth hearing.
This was obviously very similar to Call of Duty in gameplay, but surprisingly different in tone. Whereas games like Modern Warfare 2 go all-out with crazy situations and over-the-top action, this game went for a more subdued, but more realistic and subtle approach to the military. Obviously it's still unrealistic in that a single squad takes down hundreds of foes, but at least they don't spawn infinitely. The situations you'll find yourself in are basically hyperboles of real-life ones, which makes you feel like a precise and effective soldier rather than Rambo. Weapons feel FANTASTIC, like they have proper weight behind them as they take down the enemies with animations far superior to CoD's, and the graphics that back up the game manage to make the desert wastelands and large mountain ranges look amazing. Basically, the whole thing is like Call of Duty, but with subtlety and a footing in reality.
I would say the only real downside that I found was when the game took control of the camera from you, instead of allowing you to look around during cutscenes like Call of Duty does. This really takes you out of the game and harms immersion, so I hope they don't resort to this for the next game.
In a sentence:
A more realistic and nuanced take on the Call of Duty formula that is a blast to play through but is over far too quickly.
This movie is definitely very very dated, and is the sort of thing you catch on some random Cable channel in the evening. It's very easygoing though, with some nice CIA evasion type of stuff. Plus, the fact that it really takes its time means that this is was a calm and relaxing little movie to watch - it's just that I wouldn't recommend watching it on purpose, really.
The epitome of predictability and cerebral lightness, with basically nothing at all even remotely close to being original at all. The two leads have a bit of interesting chemistry, but really this is the sort of movie you will only enjoy if you're looking for a simple, easygoing and forgettable movie to pass the time.
Meh, this was entertaining enough. It had some good jokes, good chemistry between the actors and an interesting premise, but you have to look past the plot that makes little sense, the clichés and the lack of originality. But basically, it's a good little film to watch with friends.
This is basically an inferior version of the A-Team remake - it's got style, but it doesn't have the heart or originality from that movie. It also has no ending, the filmmakers clearly intending to leave the good part for a sequel. Also, as with all modern B-movies, the acting is fairly wooden, the plot is predictable and the characters are devoid of any depth. That's all to be expected, as the only reason to watch this is the stylized action and editing, though to be honest, you're better off just (re)watching the A-Team.
After reading the reviews, I was expecting to be blown away - I wasn't. However, this was a fantastic example of modern filmmaking, featuring some surprisingly original directing and awesome performances all around, as well as an amazing, if avant-garde, soundtrack. It is also extremely culturally significant; it really makes you think about the world we're living in (and going to live in). It's also obvious that the whole tale has been dramatized fairly heavily, but it works, as the film never falters from its breathtaking pace, which is a nice fit for the information age.
Surefire contender for Best Picture and Best Script.
If this movie can make old, clunky, beige tech and an 80s soundtrack feel so cutting edge in 2010, I can't begin to imagine what it felt like back in 87. This movie is fast, smart, brilliantly acted and extremely relevant and interesting. In the end, it doesn't really say anything particularly new ("Wall Street crime is bad!"), but seeing it all evolve and getting an idea of what it's like behind the scenes is fascinating. It's also great at using tons of financian jibber-jabber and details while still allowing the less knowledgeable viewers understand what's going on. At any rate, a fascinating movie if you're curious about Wall Street excess at all.
I was surprised by how much I loved this movie. It's a great take on american crime movies, with some fantastic character development, great acting, lots of style and some truly great robbery scenes. It's one of those movies that critics like so much due to its near perfect blend of emotion and intellect, as well as its methodical and intentional filmmaking. Heartily recommended.
Emma Stone is why you should see this movie. She is quirky, cute, funny, confident and perfectly cast in this parody of 80s movies with a twist. Sure, the story takes some rather cheesy turns near the ending, but it's all in good heart, and it's not like you watch this sort of movie to find a new meaning to your life. Tons of fun, and will make you love Emma Stone.
This is what gaming was always prophecised to be - an interactive movie that is entirely dependent on your actions. If you don't run fast enough, you will get caught - but the game keeps going, you've only changed the outcome. If you don't see an important clue, you might not catch the killer in time. If a character dies, he stays dead. It's a very exciting mechanic, and it makes the action sequences vastly more exciting to know that you can really fail. It's a shame, then, that the game is lacklustre in the actual game department - walking controls are clunky, the camera is annoying, and sometimes your frantic button mashes don't register. But frankly, the story is so ridiculously engaging, and the system makes for such amazing moments that you don't really care about all that other "game" stuff. This is a taste of the future.
There are only three characters in this sharply written and constantly surprising film, yet tensions are always near breaking point and intrigue is always bursting at the seams. There are more twists than I thought possible within this structure, and the actors do a great job with what is a very actor-dependent script. All in all, a very cunning and intelligent yet emotional and brutal film that will please thriller fans.
Well, you've heard all about this game already, and the reviews had it right. The graphics are still mind-blowing 3 years later, but the gameplay never strays far from mediocrity. The beginning portions of the game when you can roam around freely and choose how to approach your objectives are the high point of the game, and the unremarkable linear alien sections of the late-game are the low point. The game is definitely not bad - it has its moments - but there are many, many superior shooters out there.
I watched this because it's seen very highly by many comedians and actors (Michael Cera, for instance), but I was expecting something much better than a decent parody of 80s summer camp movies. The movie has 3-4 truly great moments, but it's dissolved by average everything else - it's quite reminiscent of SNL. It's worth watching and you'll definitely be entertained, but it's not the comedic masterpiece some people make it out to be.
This is a very strange movie, playing off the fact that it knowingly has no point - much like Burn After Reading. The characters are stupid but supremely memorable and brilliantly acted (my favourite is "Jesus"), and the filmmaking from the Coen Brothers is top notch. Basically, it's weird and random, but somehow the directing and acting makes it all feel completely intentionally unintentional.
Probably my second favourite Will Ferrell movie after "Stranger Than Fiction". This movie actually feels like it has some heart behind it. The jokes are still classic Ferrell, but instead of running through the motions like in, say, "Land Of The Lost", he seems to be creating them as he goes (which makes sense considering it's his first movie after quitting SNL). The character of Ron Burgundy is also decidedly superior to Ferrell's other characters, and the backing cast here is above-average for this kind of movie as well (especially in the hilarious battle royale scene which includes a ton of awesome cameos). The movie doesn't do much in the way of story, but it does have a neat setting and theme that feel relatively original. So basically, it's an above-average Will Ferrell movie, which means it's just a "good" movie in my book.
In a sentence:
Will Ferrell plays an interesting character in an interesting setting with some above-average actors alongside him, and a higher than usual good-joke-to-bad-joke ratio. So it's an above-average Ferrell comedy.
Eric's Reviews
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- I watch a ton of movies and TV Shows and play a ton of games, which is rather unproductive. So, I have decided to review as many things as I can, to at least get something that might be useful to others out of it. Sorry if I end up bashing a movie you like, as I'm in critic mode when I write here. In reality, I can enjoy every movie, even zero star ones! Hope you enjoy the site!
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