Reviews

In the future, mutants are all united under one common enemy: the Sentinels. Unfortunately, the mutants - and the humans helping them - are all getting slaughtered by the Sentinels, machines that were created in 1973 by Dr. Bolivar Trask (played by Golden Globe Winner Peter Dinklage) by using the DNA of Mystique (played by Academy Award Winner Jennifer Lawrence). Professor Charles Xavier (Played by Golden Globe Nominee Sir Patrick Stewart) explains that, in order to win this battle, Wolverine (played by Academy Award Nominee Hugh Jackman) must travel back in time to 1973, using Kitty Pryde's (played by Academy Award Nominee Ellen Page) abilities. He must join up with younger versions of Professor X (played by Golden Globe Nominee James McAvoy) and Magneto (played by Academy Award Nominee Michael Fassbender) to help prevent the Sentinel program from taking form.

What an amazing film. Not just great; AMAZING. Everything from the direction to the acting is awesome. The effects are amazing. The soundtrack is amazing. The actors are amazing, particularly Jackman and McAvoy :) I'm just going to say it; this movie is GREAT!!!

"Irish" Mickey Ward (played by Academy Award Nominee Mark Wahlberg) is considered a stepping-stone for those who are on their way to the top in the world light welterweight title. His trainer is his brother (played by Academy Award Winner Christian Bale), his mother is his manager (played by Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo), and his girlfriend is his number one support system (played by Academy Award Nominee Amy Adams). This movie details his million-to-one rise to the top as he goes to show that he is not just a stepping stone. However there are more problems than just his fight; his brother is a drug abuser who hangs out at a crack house, thus pushing Mickey away and leading him to be pulled in two different directions by his family and his girlfriend.

What a great film. Plain and simple. The editing of this film was on pace with the rest of it, and the story - which is based on a true story, btw - is an absolutely astonishing one. I recently reviewed David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook," which he made after this. Both movies prove that the director is a modern genius. Whether you agree with his tactics or not, you cannot deny that the guy is talented and knows how to get the best of the best from his cast.

And speaking of which, I just got to say that the cast all brings their "A" game to this movie. I would like to talk about the supporting characters first, because their characters are just as important as Mickey himself. Amy Adams is brilliant as his no-nonsense girlfriend, while Melissa Leo is great as his no-nonsense mother. While I do believe that they weren't the most deserving people to win Best Supporting Actress that year (that should have gone to Helena Bonham Carter for The King's Speech, imo), both actresses provide their characters with enough of a hard attitude that it's not surprising to see them fighting against each other for Mickey. Yet you can't help but love either one of them; as a result, both actresses at least deserved the nomination. The same can be said for Christian Bale; while I don't think he was the most deserving actor for his category (that award should have gone to Geoffrey Rush for The King's Speech), he gives the most well-rounded performance in the whole entire movie. He is the loser who once had his shot but who is now considered a lost cause. He is considered a pity case. He is a drug addict. And yet, due to the love he has for his family and his brother, you can't help but love him and hope that he defeats his battle against drugs. Bale did not miss a beat; thus he did also deserve a nomination. However, the one actor who did not get an acting nomination was the main man himself, Mark Wahlberg. While he did get nominated for the Best Picture category as a producer on the film, I found it tragic that he wasn't recognized in the lead actor category. He should have been nominated over Javier Bardem's performance in Biutiful; Wahlberg is the guy that you hope gets the shot that he needs for his career. He is amazing in this role and he hits all the right notes.

Finally, I got to pay my respects to Mickey Ward and Dicky Eklund, who both fought very hard battles to get where they are today. While I do not watch boxing, I have nothing but respect for those who fight for what means the most to them. Fighting against drug addiction is hard and so is being considered a stepping-stone. Here's to two men who truly are...THE FIGHTERS.

All in all, a great film! Go and watch it!

The Golden Mile. A quest that only the bravest, most noblest souls can endure. It is a quest that entails drinking a pint of beer at 12 pubs, ending in the fabled Worlds End. It's a quest that Gary King (played by Simon Pegg) has wanted to accomplish since the night they finished High School and attempted to conquer it, but couldn't. 20 years later, he decides to bring the gang back together in order to finish what they had started. Old wounds come out and the friends star to question why they are doing the pub, but it's the least of their worries. Something is completely wrong with the town and the boys have to decide: should they run and hide or finish the quest and save the world?

I remember on the old Siskel and Ebert show that when they were reviewing Ghostbusters, the movie combined two genres that usually did not work: Sci-Fi and Comedy. Not that this movie is as good as Ghostbusters, but it is safe to say that The World's End pulls off a similar feat. In a way, the plot is actually kind of similar to Ghostbusters, in that a group of friends get together and try to defeat evil forces that are not from this world. Director Edgar Wright, who has been with these guys since Shaun of the Dead, knows his way around a comedy; in his Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, he aptly blends comedy with another genre for each film - horror (Shaun of the Dead), Action (Hot Fuzz) and sci-fi (this one) - and he does it brilliantly.

Also the characters in this film are extremely hilarious. Once again, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost prove that they are the Abbott and Costello of this generation. They play off of each other hilariously, and they very clearly love working together. Rounding out the films main cast is Golden Globe Nominee Martin Freeman, BAFTA Film Award Winner Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, and Academy Award Nominee Rosamund Pike. Needless to say, every single one of these actors delivered hilarious lines and I for one enjoyed my time with them.

All in all, go and watch this film! A great film!

Danny Ocean (played by Academy Award Winner George Clooney) just got out of jail. The first thing he wants to do? Rob three Las Vegas casinos: The Bellagio, the Mirage and the MGM Grand. All three casinos are owned by Terry Benedict (played by Academy Award Nominee Andy Garcia), who also is seeing Danny's ex-wife, Tess (played by Academy Award Winner Julia Roberts). To pull off a heist like this, Danny needs the best team alive, so he brings in Frank Catton (played by the late Golden Globe Nominee Bernie Mac), Rusty Ryan (played by Academy Award Winner Brad Pitt) and Linus Caldwell (played by Academy Award Winner Matt Damon). With a crew like this, the question is this: Are you in or out?

Suffice it to say, I am in! This is an entertaining film that never lets up. All the actors involved in this film are at the top of their game, and they are having a good time at this. Also rounding out the cast includes major actors like Academy Award Winner Casey Affleck and Academy Award Nominee Don Cheadle, so this is definitely one to see. Oh and I forgot to mention that it is Academy Award Winning Director Steven Soderbergh who brought THIS crew together to steal our hearts and walk away with a smile!

Needless to say, a great film! Go and watch it!

Imagining awakening up after about 70 years of being ice cold. That is what Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) has to deal with, and it's not just about watching every single classic movie since the 40's. It's also about morality and finding out that those who you trust may not be so trustworthy. When Captain goes after the Winter Soldier, he is branded as a traitor and must line up with Black Widow (played by Golden Globe Nominee Scarlett Johansson) and Falcon (played by Anthony Mackie) to get to the bottom of what is going on here. He also finds out that the Winter Soldier is more than just an assassin.

Let me just say this: Spider-Man is my favorite hero, while Batman has produced the best superhero of all time (The Dark Knight). But, when it comes to the MCU, my favorite hero is Captain America. In this film, not only does he fight for what's good for America, but that also includes going against government officials whose morals have gone out the window. If the American government is corrupt, he will go against it. Captain America is a hero that we need in this time of government turbulence.

As for the actors, well they all play their parts well. Steve Rogers practically IS Captain America, and he conveys the confusion and the morality of Captain America well. Scarlett Johansson is at her MCU best in this film; she is the one who stays by Captain America throughout this whole process. Academy Award Nominee Samuel L. Jackson is his Samuel L. Jackson self in this film, which is always a good thing. But this time we get a couple of newcomers. Anthony Mackie is awesome as Falcon, as he gets a few pretty sweet moments himself. And the great Academy Award Winner Robert Redford always does a great job with whatever role he is presented with.

All in all, a great film! Go and watch it!

It's the end of the 2001 season and the Oakland A's just lost the American League Division Series. To add insult to injury, they have just lost their star players Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi and Jason Isringhausen. Needless to say, the Oakland A's and their General Manager Billy Beane (played by Academy Award Winner Brad Pitt) is caught in a rut, and it doesn't help that he has the lowest salary constraint in baseball. If they want to win the World Series, they have to come up with something new. Eventually, he and his new assistant Peter Brand (played by Academy Award Nominee Jonah Hill) shake up the game when they use statistical analysis to place value on the players that they pick - a decision that has their entire scouting team and coach (played by Academy Award Winner Phillip Seymour Hoffman) up in arms about.

This is a great film. Plain and simple. This film was nominated for a number of Academy Awards and, although it didn't win any, it clearly deserved each nomination. I don't know much about Sound Mixing and Film Editing, but kudos to those guys also getting some Academy love! However, let's start with the writing. First off, amidst two other guys, one of the writers is Academy Award Nominee Aaron Sorkin, who also penned A Few Good Men, Charlie Wilson's War, The Social Network and Steve Jobs. Needless to say, this guys is a natural talent, and it was good to have him on here. Academy Award Nominated Director Bennett Miller is a master of knowing how to use his actors in each scene he directs; his movies are all about character development, and they delve into the psyche of each character. He really should've been nominated for Best Director for this film over Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life.

But of course we must now turn to the actors involved. First I want to start off with some of the more supporting actors in this film. In one scene, you have Golden Globe Winner Robin Wright who, in her one scene, is absolutely amazing :) Then you got Chris Pratt, who is especially well known for his portrayal of Star Lord in the MCU, Emmet in The Lego Movie franchise and Owen in the Jurassic Park franchise (yes I know he's in Jurassic World, but let's face it, that's an entire franchise from 1993 - present); he does a good job with the limited amount of lines he's given. But now to the main three actors. First off to Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He plays the General Manager Art Howe, a man who is a traditionalist; he believes that baseball was built on the greatness of the scouts and players. Hoffman captures the gruffness very convincingly; he is a great actor who is still sorely missed. The biggest surprise to me was Jonah Hill. The mark of a great actor is when they can pull off different genres. While Hill is most well known for his comedies, this was his first non-comedy movie, and the next year he would star in the action-comedy 21 Jump Street. Needless to say, I believe that Jonah Hill will be considered a great actor in the years to come. I was hesitant to see him in this role, but he knocked it out of the park and he was excellent as Peter Brand. But of course, most of the credit has to go to Brad Pitt as Billy Beane, the sports GM who is looking for a way to change the game in their favor, since it is his job that is on the line. If his way doesn't work, he will be out on the streets. Pitt conveys the desperation that Beane went through at that time; you can see the pain of a man who was once a promising young baseball player but who ended up being a disappointment. He really wants that ring on his finger, and he is willing to pull out all the stops to do it. Kudos to Pitt for such a great job!

Overall, go and watch this movie! It is a great movie!

In between the events of Episodes III and IV, it seems like all hope is lost for the rebellion when they find out the existence of the weapon known as the Death Star, which is well-known in the movie universe as a weapon that can destroy whole planets. However, when it is learned that there is a weakness in the Death Star plans, the rebellion - led by Jyn Erso (played by Academy Award Nominee Felicity Jones) - go all out to get the plans to the Death Star so that there can once again be hope in the galaxy.

All in all, a great movie! The actors are all great in their parts. Felicity Jones plays off the plucky, rebellious hero well; she is dealing with the absence of her father, who was taken by the Imperial forces when she was a young child. Diego Luna is fantastic as her right hand man, while Emmy Nominee Alan Tudyk (who by now is well known for his voice over roles) provides comic relief as K-2SO. We also get some accomplished veterans that join the Star Wars universe; Academy Award Winner Forest Whitaker plays the wise Saw Gerrera, while Mads Mikkelsen portrays Jyn's father.

While the only well-known director in the Star Wars universe used to be George Lucas, in recent years, it has gotten more well-known directors in the directors chair, such as J.J. Abrams, Rian Johnson and Ron Howard. This time, it is Emmy Nominee Gareth Edwards, who is well-known for his direction in Monsters and the big monster blockbuster Godzilla. Here he takes the Star Wars direction to new places, and while I did miss the lightsabers, it was a refreshing change of pace for the Star Wars franchise. He focuses more on the war aspects of the story and not just the characters or the flashy moments.

All in all, a great Star Wars film! Go and watch it!

In a desperate attempt for ratings, a reality TV network decides to film the life of an average person 24/7. They receive audition tapes from average people, including that of Ray (played by Academy Award Nominee Woody Harrelson). But it's not Ray that producer Cynthia (played by Golden Globe Nominee Ellen DeGeneres) chooses; it's his brother Ed (played by Academy Award Winner Matthew McConaughey) that she picks for the show. Eventually, the show becomes a hit, but at certain costs: it can provide certain uncomfortable moments, like when he is with the love of his life (played by Golden Globe Winner Jenna Elfman) or when his real father (played by Academy Award Nominee Dennis Hopper) comes back into his life. However, that doesn't stop the studio head (played by Academy Award Nominee Rob Reiner) from manipulating the show and Ed for more ratings.

Honestly, while this isn't a great film, it is good entertainment. All of the actors do a good job in their parts; heck, there are even more actors in this than the ones I mentioned. Academy Award Nominee Sally Kirkland, Academy Award Winner Martin Landau, Elizabeth Hurley and Clint Howard all play supporting roles in this film, so it really does have quite a stacked and talented cast. As for Ron Howard, while this isn't his greatest film, he does seem to know his way around a good joke and a good concept. It does feel like a wasted opportunity, but in no way is this his worst movie.

All in all, a good film if you're looking for a night of fun, relaxation and laughter. Go and watch it.

18 year old Susanna (played by Academy Award Nominee Winona Ryder) is disillusioned with reality and so she overdoses. As a result, she is checked into a mental hospital for her disorder. However, she has trouble coping with that too, and things turn even more dramatic when she meets a crazy patient named Lisa (played by Academy Award Winner Angelina Jolie).

I have no idea why this got mixed reviews when it first came out because it is a great film! A lot of it is because of the performances. First off, let's start with Ryder. She is a very capable lead who is struggling not just to fit in with the patients of the mental institution, but also with herself and how to deal with the effects of her disorder. She portrays that struggle very well, showing us that Susanna was indeed a real person. The film also boasts an incredible supporting cast including Academy Award Winners Whoopi Goldberg, Vanessa Redgrave and Jared Leto, all of whom do fine work in what little screen time they have (okay, maybe not so much with Goldberg, but you get my drift). But the star of the show is without a doubt Angelina Jolie. I don't feel like her Oscar win was deserved (it should have gone to Toni Collette for The Sixth Sense), but she definitely is the one who deserved the nomination and all the recognition for this movie. She is the reason to watch this movie and, in this movie, she proves that the acting chops that her father had have indeed been passed down to her.

In a nutshell, go and watch this movie! Definitely a great movie!

In this movie, married couple Simon and Robyn (played by Golden Globe Winner Jason Bateman and Golden Globe Nominee Rebecca Hall) are happy and healthy, until an old acquaintance from his past named Gordo (played by Golden Globe Nominee and director of the film Joel Edgerton). Gordo seems nice at first, but when Simon is suspicious of his motives, things get twisted really fast and past secrets are revealed. Simon and Robyn have to decide: is the past in the past or are some sins too unforgivable for forgiveness?

You should really go and watch the film! It is a beautiful thriller that has an awesome twist for an ending, but I won't spoil it! First off, I gotta give props to Jason Bateman; known mostly for his comedic roles, he decides to switch it up here for dramatic effect and it works! Hopefully he does more dramatic work alongside his comedic roles. Rebecca Hall is also great too as the woman who questions everything she thought she knew about the one person closest to her.

But let's face it, if anybody deserves the applause the most, it's Edgerton. As I stated before, not only does he play Gordo, but he is also director and writer for this film. Is this really his first film behind the camera? Because if it is, then it's a strong start for him! Sometimes when a director plays a main character on screen, it can come off as vain, but not here. Edgerton wisely chose another male to take the lead role (Bateman, in this case) and he relishes playing Gordo, the man who seems nice but actually has deeper motives. He knows the character more than anybody and I would be interested in seeing some sort of followup with his character!

All in all, it's a great movie! Go and watch it!

Zombies have officially taken over the United States of America, thus making it the United States of Zombieland. Columbus (played by Academy Award Nominee Jesse Eisenberg) is surviving due to his list of rules that he follows. Soon enough, he meets up with a zombie-hating cowboy named Tallahassee (played by Academy Award Nominee Woody Harrelson) and, later on, two sisters (played by Academy Award Winner Emma Stone and Academy Award Nominee Abigail Breslin). Can they each survive the zombie apocalypse and, more importantly, each other?

This is such a fun movie. It is so clear that each and every performer in this movie had the time of their lives making this film! What makes this film even more enjoyable is the fact that there really isn't a standout performance between each of the four leads. They each have their own moments to shine in the hilarity spotlight. There is even an awesome cameo in this movie that makes it even more fun!

Honestly, the only complaint about this film is that it is way too short. That is really the only reason why I gave it the 8 rating and not higher. But seriously, if you're looking for a fun night out with the guys, rent this movie and just enjoy the laughter! It's definitely worth it!

Pat Solantano Jr. (played by Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper) is just getting out of the mental hospital; he was in there for beating the man that his wife was cheating on him with. He comes home to live with his parents, go to therapy and to find the silver lining in things. Eventually he meets Tiffany (played by Academy Award Winner Jennifer Lawrence), who has her own problems. He forms a connection with her and she even offers to help him get a letter to his wife, and in exchange he helps her with a dance competition. Pat Sr. (played by Academy Award Winner Robert De Niro) and Dolores (played by Academy Award Nominee Jacki Weaver) are Pat's parents and Pat's father is somewhat OCD; he likes his remotes a certain way, he doesn't want anybody in his study and he believes that his son is the positive juju that the Eagles need to win the Super Bowl. The question is: Can Pat Jr. find the signs? Or will life get him down?

This is a great movie, plain and simple. The editing and writing of this film is top notch. David O. Russell is at the top of his game with this film and he earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for both writing and directing the film. Whether you agree with his directing style or not, it is clear that he loves these characters and, in spite of all their faults and differences, he makes them all likable in many ways. Kudos to Russell for pulling off such an amazing feat!

But let's face it: the real stars are the stars themselves in this movie. Let's start out with our main character. Cooper is a revelation in this role. This was the role that got him out of his comfort zone - the comedy zone - and into the world of versatile acting. He is now known for his supreme acting chops and he knows how to make it work in a drama. He knows how to create characters that can be crazy but in a good way. Definitely deserving of the Oscar Nomination. With Jennifer Lawrence, while I can't say that she deserved the Oscar (it should have went to Emmanuelle Riva for Amour), I can say that this is the best she's ever been. She is on the top of her game in this role and it is clearly a role that she loved to play. Her and Bradley Cooper went on to star in two more David O. Russell films - American Hustle and Joy - and it is very clear that they love working with each other; you can practically feel the chemistry that these two share. She definitely at least deserved the nomination.

But let's talk about the supporting characters. Robert De Niro is a prime example of "when you grow older, you start getting the grandpa roles in crappy movies." While the dude can act, it's no question that he is in a slump. It's this movie, however, that showed that he's still got it and that he is not going away anytime soon. This is the guy who won awards for being a younger version of Marlon Brando and for boxing other guys in a ring. It's good to see that guy again; definitely deserving of the nomination. But the person who I believe should have actually won in their category was Jacki Weaver for her performance in this movie. She is the Mom who is worried sick about her son because he was in a mental hospital and she just wants him to be a part of the family. She is amazing in this role and she also gives the best performance of her career!

Needless to say, a great movie! What more can I say?

It's 2029. The mutant population is pretty much gone, with only Wolverine (played by Academy Award Nominee Hugh Jackman), Professor Charles Xavier (played by Golden Globe Nominee Patrick Stewart) and Caliban (played by Emmy winner Stephen Merchant) left. Logan, aka the Wolverine, has aged quite a bit, is an alcoholic and even his healing powers are dwindling. The three live out the rest of their days in an old steel mill in El Paso, Texas. However, once a little girl (played by Dafne Keen) comes into play, the Wolverine is brought back into action. It turns out that this little girl has powers just like the Wolverine and she is being chased throughout the desert by dark forces - the dark forces that made her from Wolverine's DNA. With all this going on, the Wolverine must decide: should he live out the rest of his days in peace or is it finally time for one last fight?

I can't stress enough what a near-perfect movie this is. As a matter of fact, the only X-Men movie that surpasses this one is Deadpool 2. Make no mistake, though; this is a Wolverine film, through and through. While it is a superhero film, it is not a superhero film for the faint-hearted. That R rating is well deserved here and it is the only way to tell the final chapter in the Wolverine story. We finally see Wolverine's berserker rage in all its rated R glory and it truly is glorious! The writing in this film is also spectacular, even getting an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay (which it should have won for sure). James Mangold ups the ante from the previous Wolverine film "The Wolverine," proving that he truly was the best director to bring the hardened Canadian hero to life.

But let's talk about our three starring performances. First of all, this is not just Hugh Jackman's final outing in an X-Men film. Patrick Stewart is also back as an ailing Professor X whose tragic past continuously haunts him. He is originally seen as a mumbling fool by Wolverine when he continuously says that he is waiting for someone (turns out he is right). It is kind of sad to see the Professor like this, but Patrick Stewart also gives his best performance in the series. He is more compelling than he ever was in the X-Men franchise; while he was a crowd favorite, this is his best performance by far. Also along for the ride is Dafne Keen, a newcomer who plays Laura, the little girl who Wolverine protects. Has she really only started acting last year? While she may be just a kid, she acted like she had been in the game for more than 20 years. I hope she gets more roles as she gets older; she is a sight to behold as Wolverine's daughter. She even shares a similar story to Wolverine: someone who has had it rough, who has been unfortunately turned into a monster, and who now needs the guidance that Professor X gave Logan. Only this time, it's Logan who has to guide her. She is just absolutely astonishing in this role; she nailed it.

But of course, who are we all here for? We are all here for the man himself, the Wolverine. Not only does Patrick Stewart give his best performance as Professor X, but Hugh Jackman gives his best performance as Wolverine. This is his last X-Men film, so he lays it all out there. He puts all of his cards on the table. He goes out with an unimaginable bang. Each X-Men film that stars Wolverine starts out with him having lost his hope, but this is different. Here we truly see a broken man who, until Laura comes in, seriously has nothing left to fight for. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will go down as one of the greatest film heroes the world has ever seen and one of the greatest super hero portrayals ever. He is Wolverine. No one will ever even come close.

Here's to you, Wolverine. Don't be what they made you.

I'm going to give this a short review. I never was a fan of Kevin Hart beforehand; I always found him loud and abrasive. However, after seeing this, I have a completely different viewpoint. The dude is funny! The bit about his kids is especially hilarious. Needless to say, go and watch this if you want to have a laugh because it is FUNNY! I will probably watch some more of his stuff soon!

Will Hunting (played by Academy Award Winner Matt Damon) has a brilliant mind. He can solve any equation and loves to read school books, thus he is very smart. He is also there for his friends, particularly his best friend Chuckie (played by Academy Award Winner Ben Affleck). But he is also very young and reckless. After one too many brushes with the law, Will is placed in jail, but he is offered a way out: study mathematics while his professor (played by Stellan Skarsgard) tries to get him job offers and he will get psychiatric help. After going through many psychiatrists, he finally meets his match in Sean Maguire (played by Academy Award Winner Robin Williams). Whilst doing these math problems and going to appointments, he also meets a beautiful young woman named Skylar (played by Academy Award Nominee Minnie Driver). All of these people are amazing people who are there for Will. The question is: Can he figure out his own problem before he pushes them all away?

This is a beautiful movie. Plain and simple. The editing...the music...the song "Miss Misery" by the late great Elliot Smith...there are so many things that are worth mentioning here. But let's start with the writing. I said that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won Oscars in their career. Well, it was for this movie and it was for their writing skills. This is the movie that put both actors on the map and they have done it in a way that nobody else has ever done. There is a lot of swearing in this movie, yes, but it is essential to the story. It's an amazing thing, the writing in this movie; they were in their twenties and they both wrote this movie as if they had been doing this for a long time. An Oscar that was well deserved.

Also worthy of praise is the great Gus van Sant. While he hasn't directed a lot of films, two of the three that he is well known for show his greatness as a director (Every director has their own personal "Psycho" remake, unfortunately). While he was also nominated for his direction of "Milk" in 2008, it's this film that shows his strengths as a fine director. He knows what to do; he is a hands-on director. One such example of his hands-on approach is the painting in Sean's office. That painting was painted by van Sant himself. It is just a small but vital example as to how van Sant knew what he was doing. Honestly, he should have gotten the Best Director Oscar that year.

Speaking of well-deserved Oscars, let's talk about the cast here. The two main cast members that were not nominated for Acting Oscars - Ben Affleck and Stellan Skarsgard - both do an outstanding job nonetheless. If Ben Affleck's movies have convinced you that he can't act, check this movie out. Without a doubt, he pulls it off. And Stellan Skarsgard pulls it off as a professor who just wants to see Will succeed wherever he's at. But let's face it: there is a reason why Damon, Williams and Driver got nominated for Oscars. They are the true standouts here. Driver is so much more than just a girlfriend to Will; she has her own backstory and, although it is only briefly mentioned, you can tell that it is an important moment in her life - a moment that has defined her. Driver definitely should have gotten that Oscar. Damon is also amazing in the main role; there are a couple of scenes where he gets to me, particularly one where he truly reveals what has happened in his past. When he reveals what has happened in his past, it is very clear as to why he acts the way he does - why he pushes people from his life. Damon portrays that inner conflict very well in a role that should have landed him his first Acting Oscar (no disrespect to Jack Nicholson, though).

However, the standout performance is that of the late great Robin Williams. A lot of people remember him for his comedic roles like Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin and Good Morning Vietnam. Some remember him for his dramatic roles in Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, One Hour Photo and Insomnia. Some remember him for his adventurous roles in Hook and Jumanji. But this...this is my personal favorite performance that he has ever done. He is able to tone done his crazy antics for the most part, but when he does up the crazy a bit, it is certainly viable to the scene. But that park bench scene and a certain scene towards the end are my two favorite scenes that he has ever done.

While I spent a lot of this review giving credit where it was due, I do have to end off by saying: Thank you, Robin. Thank you for all the magic that you have given us. Thank you for the laughter, tears and smiles that you gave us through your amazing performances. I am truly sorry that you could not find that joy within yourself, but I hope to someday see you up in Heaven with God and the rest of His Angels. Just remember: it's not your fault.

1942. America has just entered the war and Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) wants to join. However, he is skinny, small and extremely sick, so he is constantly rejected. That is, until Dr. Erskine (played by Academy Award Nominee Stanley Tucci) recruits him for a science experiment that turns him into a buff, healthy young man - namely, Captain America. Although initially used as a propaganda tool, he proves to be more than just a soldier when he rescues 400 soldiers from behind enemy lines, including his friend Bucky (played by Sebastian Stan). They, along with no-nonsense Colonel Chester Phillips (played by Academy Award Winner Tommy Lee Jones) and the beautiful agent Peggy Carter (played by Golden Globe Nominee Hayley Atwell) plot to take down Hydra leader Johann Schmidt, aka the Red Skull (played by Hugo Weaving), before he and the entire Hydra army unleash havoc on the world.

Honestly, it's pretty typical origins story stuff here. There's nothing new and that's kind of a problem. We know what's going to happen; we know that the hero is going to save the day, fall in love with the girl, and become a true hero, etc. Director Joe Johnson kind of plays it safe and that's the films weak point.

However, the actors all bring it up from mediocrity. Chris Evans, who was still reeling from his disastrous turn as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four movies, finds the true hero that he was meant to play in Captain America. He is good; he is pure; he is ready to fight for the good of the people. Evans brings out that patriotism that Captain America imbues, proving that he was right for the role all along. All of the supporting actors are great as well. Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter is not a damsel in distress, but rather a woman of action in a time where women still stayed home during the war. She is more than capable of proving her own. Sebastian Stan is the best friend that everybody wants to have in this movie. Tommy Lee Jones, who also encountered a bit of failure in the Superhero genre with his disastrous turn as Two-Face in "Batman Forever," more than makes up for that in his portrayal of the Colonel. He does have a couple of comical moments, but he is never loony like in said Batman film. And finally, while Red Skull isn't exactly compelling, Hugo Weaving has had a history of playing bad guy roles - looking at you, Mr. Smith - that he clearly relishes playing the over-the-top bad guy. Safe to say, he does it very well here. Like I said, not compelling, but definitely memorable and fun.

Overall, I'd see this movie. It's not new territory, but it's fun and the actors are all having a good time doing it. It is a good set-up to The Avengers, as well as to the future Captain America movies.

Plain and simple. You cannot dispute this fact. There are some filmmakers where from the very beginning you can tell that they are going to be legendary. Steven Spielberg obviously comes to mind, but I also think of filmmakers like Francis Ford Coppola, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, and James Cameron. But there's one other name that I think should be on that list: Christopher Nolan. This man has yet to make a film I didn't like or even didn't think was at least great. From the Dark Knight trilogy to Interstellar, from Inception to Dunkirk, this man has done so many amazing things with film-making today. I have yet to see his first three films "Following," "Memento" and "Insomnia," but from what I've heard, they are also great films. As for The Prestige, well, that is just another amazing films in a career of amazing films!

The story is this: In London, there are two men named Robert Angier (played by Academy Award Nominee Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (played by Academy Award Winner Christian Bale). These men are helpers to a famous magician, but when a magic trick goes horribly wrong - thus resulting in the tragic death of somebody close to them - the two men turn on each other and become enemies, sabotaging the others' shows whenever they can. However, Alfred performs a trick that is so memorable that Robert is obsessed with finding the secret - an obsession that has tragic results.

I've already talked about Christopher Nolan, but now let's turn our attention to the main cast. First off, to our two leading men: Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale are equally superb in their parts. They keep you guessing every single time they are on screen - perfect for the role of magicians I'd say. But they are not alone: Golden Globe Nominee Scarlett Johansson plays Olivia, a woman stuck in between the rivalry of the two men. Unfortunately, Johansson is the weakest thing about this movie, but she's not actually there for too much of the movie, so it didn't hamper the movie's greatness. Academy Award Winner Michael Caine - a favorite actor of Christopher Nolan, since he has used him from everything since Batman Begins (whether it's a main part or a small voice cameo in Dunkirk) - is sort of like the narrator of the film, telling us what has happened and why the men became bitter rivals. He is always entertaining to watch, so he definitely pulls it off here.

To put it simply: Go and see the movie! It's amazing! The vast majority of the actors know what they're doing, and Christopher Nolan...well, he's Christopher Nolan. Need I say more? Oh, and another thing that Christopher Nolan does well is twist/ambiguous endings, and boy does he pull it off with this one! Definite recommend!

This film is about the life of Stephen Hawking - played by Academy Award winner Eddie Redmayne - and his wife Jane - played by Academy Award Nominee Felicity Jones. When he was at Cambridge, he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease, with the doctors giving him only two years to live. Needless to say, he was distraught. But it was his love for Jane and her love for him that pushed him forward. Needless to say, he lasted way longer than two years. As his condition deteriorated, his mind soared to new heights and he is considered to be one of the best scientists of all time. But it was the struggles and the triumphs with Jane at home that really tested their relationship.

You can't review this film and not talk about the phenomenal performance that comes from Eddie Redmayne. I simply cannot say ANYTHING bad about his performance here. He throws himself into the role and his dedication to it was absolutely astounding. Apparently, he sat in that wheelchair for so long that he altered his spine. But in the end, it was worth it, as his dedication and performance earned him the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. It was well earned and well deserved, as his performance reminded me of Daniel Day-Lewis' Oscar winning performance as Christy Brown in My Left Foot. Yes: Redmayne was THAT good.

However, what makes this film truly great is that neither of the two leads outshine each other, which brings us to Felicity Jones' performance. Her performance provides the other half of the emotional weight of the film. As Jane, you can see how much she loves Stephen...how much she cares for him...and how much it crushes her to see his condition deteriorate. You can also see the emotional toll that it takes on her, as she balances dealing with a husband whose condition is worsening and kids running around the house. You can see the struggle that she faces while juggling all of these things. While Eddie Redmayne's performance was superb, Felicity Jones was just as good, and both of them provided the story with an amazing amount of drama.

Absolutely go and see this movie. Go and see it for these two performances. While there were many great things about this film, it's really Redmayne and Jones that bring out everything great about it. It's the chemistry between them; it's the sadness between them; it's the joyfulness between them; it's everything between them. They are the film, and they truly shine!

The movie - based on a true story - is about a woman named Maria Altman - played by Academy Award winner Helen Mirren - whose painting of her aunt was taken by the Nazis in World War II. She hires Randy Schoenberg (Golden Globe Nominee Ryan Reynolds) to help in her battle. Not only was this a battle for what belonged in her family for centuries, but it was a crusade for justice of yet another crime perpetrated by the Nazis.

While this got mixed reviews from the critics, I personally thought that this was a beautiful movie that was elevated by the performance from its two leads. Helen Mirren is always a sight to behold in each of her movies and her performance here brings a sort of history to the movie, as we are reminded once again of the crimes that the Nazis have done (and I'm not just talking about the artwork). Ryan Reynolds is always fun to watch, but here he downplays the comedic persona for something a little more serious and it surprisingly fit him like a glove! Even in some of his more serious movies, he had a bit of comedic charm to him, so it was nice to see him go way more dramatic in this role. The supporting actors are all good as well. Katie Holmes did a good job as the wife that Reynolds is supporting (thus being a big reason as to why he's taking on the case), Golden Globe Nominee Daniel Bruhl is always a talented actor no matter what he does, and Golden Globe Nominee Tatiana Maslany does a great job in portraying a younger version of Helen Mirren.

Overall, go and see this movie! It may seem a bit cheesy at times, but the actors all bring life to an interesting subject, particularly Mirren and Reynolds. It's a great film; don't miss it!

Over the years, Mel Gibson had developed a bad rep in Hollywood, most notably for his drunken anti-Semitic rants. It seemed like he was going to be blackmailed for the rest of his life by Hollywood. But, in a Robert Downey Jr.-like moment, he has returned in full form with his first directorial feature film since Apocalypto and, I have to say it, it is so good to have him back in the good graces of Hollywood!

Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector who joined the army in the midst of World War II. However, due to his beliefs, he did not allow himself to touch a weapon, thus causing a rift between him and the rest of his fellow men. However, once they arrive at Hacksaw Ridge in the Battle of Okinawa, they - along with us - see a true hero emerge as he saves the lives of countless men fighting alongside him.

As mentioned before, Mel Gibson has created a masterful stroke of genius, and it was so good to see him get recognized once again by the Academy over 20 years after his previous Oscar wins for Braveheart. While he is a good actor, it is behind the camera where he shines the most; he knows what angles to use, what direction to take. Also, since this is a war film, I must remind everybody of one of Mel's previous films, The Passion of the Christ. Since that movie is considered one of the most violent movies ever, it is safe to say that once the war scenes come in this movie, you know that Mel will not hold back. But with a war film, that is definitely a good thing. There is no sugar coating war of any kind and thankfully they got the right guy to direct the film.

But he is not the only one who gets all the praise. Andrew Garfield received his first Oscar nomination as Desmond T. Doss in a role that cemented him as a great actor. While Garfield is well known for his turn as Spider-Man, it is his turn as Doss that will go down as one of the greatest movie heroes ever. Throughout the film, you see the struggle with his morality - you see it when he is being beaten by his own men for not touching a weapon and you see it when he is in the throes of battle. Garfield pulled it off so effortlessly that I truly believe that he was the one who was truly deserving of the Oscar that year. As a matter of fact, this film should've won Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in my humble opinion.

But this film would not have gotten made if it weren't for one man. On that note, I must pay my respect to soldiers who give their life to fight not just for their country, but for all countries in all the world. While I am not a supporter of war and violence, I have a lot of respect for those who stand up to the bully. As for Doss...where there was hell, you showed us Heaven; when there was darkness, you showed us light; when there was despair, you gave us hope. Thank you so much for never giving into your morality and for saving all those men on the battlefield. Your courage has not been forgotten.

"With the world so set on tearing itself apart, it doesn't seem like such a bad thing to me to want to put a little bit of it back together." - Desmond T. Doss, Hacksaw Ridge

Seriously, do NOT listen to the critics on this one. This is a great movie that deserves way more praise than it got. It is just an absolutely beautiful film and I think we should learn a lesson when watching it.

The film is about a man named Ben Thomas (Will Smith), who is constantly reminded by a secret. This secret is what sets him on a path to change the lives of seven strangers. Once he starts on this path, there is absolutely nothing that can change his mind, until he meets a woman (Rosario Dawson) that he is willing to save.

The story itself is one of redemption and kindness. Ben is a man who wants to make things right by doing something amazing for seven people he doesn't want to know. Smith plays Ben as someone who is struggling and is looking for a way to save himself, and he pulls it off flawlessly. The beautiful Rosario Dawson is amazing in this film; she is kind of the emotional weight of the story in ways that you will not know until you see the movie. Then you also get Woody Harrelson, who is an amazing actor and, in so little scenes, makes us care about his character.

So, don't listen to the critics on this one. They are absolutely wrong in every sense of the word. Seven Pounds is a beautiful film that is well-acted and well-told that shows us that it is never too late to redeem yourself. Watch it!

I had never heard about this film; I only came across it on YouTube and decided to see how it was. To my pleasant surprise, it was very enjoyable!

The movie is about a man named James, who has lived in a bunker his whole entire life. He watches the show Brigsby Bear Adventures, but when the show ends, his life is changed, and he sets out on a quest to finish the story himself by doing one thing: making a Brigsby Bear movie. That's really it; there's not a whole lot to it, but there's a lot of good characterization and great acting involved in this.

If you look at the cast list, you'll see that, in spite of its non-familiarity, there are quite a few well-known actors in this one. First off, there's Mark Hamill, so if you want the chance to see Luke Skywalker in a film that is not Star Wars, this is a perfect one to view. Then there's also Claire Danes, a 4-time Golden Globe winner well-known for her role in Homeland. Then there's Greg Kinnear, who people remember well for his Academy Award Nominated Role in As Good As It Gets. All of these guys are really good. But, in all honesty, it is the main actor, Kyle Mooney, who brings home the goods in this movie. He is naive, he is sensitive, he doesn't know how the world works, and you just want to see him succeed in making the film.

I also found the supporting characters rather interesting as well. Kinnear's character is a police officer who wanted to be an actor and gets his chance to finally act in a movie. The parents are very concerned for their sons well-being when he is so obsessed with finishing the movie; however, when they see how he has been hanging out with his friends, they are incredibly supportive. However, out of all the supporting characters, I found Mark Hamill's character the most interesting, and you'll find out why when you watch the movie.

So, yeah, give this little-known movie a watch. It's these movies that are a diamond in the rough; in a world that is full of action and suspense, sometimes we all just need to sit down and watch a kids show about a big bear on amazing adventures. Definite recommend!

You could pretty much say the same thing about this movie. Although over 30 years old, this movie holds up incredibly well to today's standards: fun, action packed, exciting, with a bit of religiosity in it (you'll see what I mean when I tell you the plot summary). This is everything that you could possibly want in an Indiana Jones flick.

I know that pretty much everybody here has seen the film, but for those of you who are living under a rock, here is what it's all about: Indiana Jones (played to perfection by the legendary Harrison Ford, a man who's made his career in playing grizzled action heroes), an archaeology professor, sets off to find the lost ark of the covenant - the ark which was supposed to hold the broken pieces of the tablets which had the ten commandments on them (like I said, religiosity). He travels with his love interest Marion (the best female sidekick of the series, played immensely well by Karen Allen) to Egypt to dig it up, but his old nemesis Rene Belloq and a whole bunch of Nazis are also searching for the ark in their pursuit of power.

Okay, do I really need to say how amazing this movie is? It's a classic! Harrison Ford is known for playing heroes such as Han Solo from the Star Wars franchise and Rick Deckard from the Blade Runner franchise; here he plays possibly the world's greatest adventurer and he seems to really love the part. While I have also mentioned Karen Allen's performance, I must also give a nod to Paul Freeman for convincingly playing an evil archaeologist whose lust for power is not healthy to say the least. All of the other supporting players do superb jobs as well.

But you can't review this movie and not give credit to the two men who are responsible for getting it made: Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. What's to say about Spielberg? This is the guy who made Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Jurassic Park, Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, etc. When it comes to directors...heck, when it comes to movies...he is the guy who changed the game forever. And as for George Lucas, say what you want about his Star Wars prequels, but he was the one who introduced us to a galaxy far far away. Simply put, these are two of the greatest storytellers of all time.

I think I've said enough. Now go and watch Raiders of the Lost Ark.

That is the question that this movie asks. Whether or not it was the case in which you're currently in or a previous case, what would you do if the person you were defending was guilty of a crime? Would you continue doing your job or would you fight for justice to be served?

In this movie, Matthew McConaughey portrays Mick Haller, a defense attorney whose office is in his Lincoln (hence the title of the film). When a Realtor is accused of beating up a prostitute, Haller is called in to defend him. However, as the case goes on, Haller finds that this case has a lot of similarities to a previous case of his, and he realizes that his client might not be quite as innocent as he portrays.

Overall, a great movie, perhaps the one that brought in the McConaissance. Before this movie, McConaughey was known as the dude on the beach in all those romantic comedies; nowadays, you'll find him more in dramas and doing a stand-up job in them. This one is no different; he portrays a man who defends the scum of the earth, yet when this client comes around, he starts to realize just how far he can take the filth of his clients. Ryan Phillipe is also great as the client that may or may not be hiding more than what he's saying. The supporting cast - which includes Oscar winner Marisa Tomei, Oscar nominee William H. Macy, Oscar nominee Bryan Cranston, John Leguizamo, Josh Lucas and Trace Adkins - all do a fine job in helping the movie move along.

My one complaint about the movie was that I felt it kind of went a bit too long. I think that they could have cut off about 10 minutes of the movie and it may have been even better. But overall, it's a great movie that I definitely recommend, especially if you like courtroom dramas.

In this film, Charlie, played by Logan Lerman, is an outsider who is coping with the suicide of his best friend, as well as with his own mental illness. He struggles to find friends, but soon finds them in Sam, played by Emma Watson, and Patrick, played by Ezra Miller. He is particularly smitten with Sam and they go on adventures, showing him what it's like to be a teenager.

This is such a beautiful film. It really is one of the greatest young adult films ever, and it's all sold in the main three actors' performances. Logan Lerman is perfect as the guy who nobody notices at a party, while Ezra Miller is great at playing the wild and unusual character. The one who really surprised me, though, was Emma Watson as Sam. It was going to be hard for her to come out of the shadows as Hermione Grainger, but she does it so effortlessly that I think that, although it will be her most famous role, she doesn't seem to have any problems branching out and trying new things.

What really got to me more than anything was the characters themselves. You really cared about these guys. You wanted them to just be there for each other through thick and thin, no matter what the cost was. This is a beautiful film about friendship and I just can't say enough about it. Go and watch it. You'll know what I'm talking about.