blindredemption Reviews

The Expendables (2010)

Pretty stupid but purely awesome

[6/10 · 13 August 2010]

If this movie were released say, 15 years ago, it would have probably failed, but since we're given almost every action star of all time thrown together, we get such a rush of nostalgia that we don't even care if it's good, we're just stoked to see so many terribly aged killing machines working under the same banner that we turn off our inner critic and shut our brains down for 2 hours.

Technically speaking, the movie is pretty bad. The direction is all about the payoff and less about the tension. Every character's development was done in a previous movie (every actor here, is essentially playing their most famous character to date, just now they have a different name) and the music is exactly what you expect.

The Expendables is thin on plot, directional fortitude and character development, but it's actually really fun. The joy of the movie is that you can shut your brain off and still feel pretty smart! Normally this would offend me as a viewer but this time however I enjoyed it.

Even though it sounds like I was essentially ripping the Expendables, I was actually having loads of fun with it.

6.5 out of 10

Shutter Island (2010)

Genre Film-making

[8/10 · 22 February 2010]

Shutter Island is a thriller that sees Two Federal Marshals (DiCaprio, Ruffalo) investigating a missing inmate of a mental hospital on that said island. Almost immediately after their arrival, DiCaprio's character starts having bad thoughts and is certainly concerned about the Island workers' dodgy demeanours.

Quickly the investigation takes a turn for the ugly as a hurricane sets it's sights on the island, keeping the marshals stranded. DiCaprio digs deeper into the island's history and finds more and more dark secrets, all of which he plans to take back to the mainland and show the world what is really happening at the facility. But will he be able to make it back?

Scorcese certainly proves he is still one of the best directors working today with creating this wonderful claustrophobic atmosphere and tight camera work. The cinematography should earn an Oscar nomination as will editing. As far as the acting goes, the shout outs are to DiCaprio, who is every scene nearly, Ben Kingsely, as the brilliant Dr. Cawley, and to the biggest surprise, Michelle Williams takes a wonderful turn and most likely could've earned a best supporting actress nomination if this were to have been released in Oscar Season.

All and All Shutter Island gives you a genre movie with some wonderful camera work and acting. Worth multiple viewings.

8 out of 10

Avatar (2009)

What the Cinema should be

[7/10 · 21 December 2009]

Remember when you went to the movies to be entertain and not to judge? Yeah me neither, so enter Avatar, pure fun, pure visual adrenaline mixed with a basic but effective story. Lets face it, we're pretty done with original stories we're left with original ways to tell it, again enter Avatar.

Now Avatar has of course changed the way movies CAN be made and can be SEEN, which is praise enough in itself but there is more to it than visual. I happened to enjoy the stories, the simple effective story and dialogue, i think an overly complex approach to an already complex visual would A) be boring and B) defeat the purpose of a movie going experience.

Jake Sully's twin scientist brother is killed a week before shipping out to a distant world called Pandora, where he would control an Avatar (an avatar of the natives of Pandora, the Na'vi) and Jake is called to fill in his place. With the incentive to get some money and face a new challenge Jake accepts. Of course Jake clashes personality wise with science in general and bonds well with the military, but soon accepts "science" after he really gets the hang of his Avatar body. during an outing in his Avatar Jake meets Neyteri (an oddly attractive Navi) and here enters the love story and of course Jake's reason for not wanting to deceive them all. So there we have our love interests and personal conflicts which of course will create outer conflicts, all of which pay off nicely in this movie.

I digress i know so i'll just skip to it. Avatar = a movie who's story enables you to be transported into a NEW world and enjoy the ride while it lasts. A first step in the right direction.

Let Avatar 2 give us complex story in a world we'll then be familiar with.

7 out of 10.

Entourage (2004–2011)

A show that started grand and fell into mediocre territory.

[6/10 · 29 September 2009]

Now let me start off by saying: this is only a good show. It is not great.

Entourage started off with such promise, I can fully remember truly wanting Vince and the gang in succeeding. They were fun and ultimately they were learning the ropes as we were as the audience (with Ari Gold as our teacher essentially).

Since season 2 however I started caring much less for every character who wasn't Ari or one of the guest stars. The "entourage" are arrogant, undeserving and sadly uninteresting. Kevin Dillion is the only one of the bunch that brings actual character to them.

Ari with his assistant and his constant drive to make his clients succeed is the only fun part of the show now, and I suggest a switch in momentum towards that.

Sadly 6 out of 10.

Inglourious Basterds (2009)

Offensive, Brutal, Vulgar and a sheer Joy to watch!

[9/10 · 24 August 2009]

Quentin Tarantino has delivered one of the most bizarre films i've seen in the theatres in a long time, from the beautifully evil and charismatic Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz), the silliness and brutality of the Bastards (Pitt, Schweiger, Roth, Novak etc...) to the calm and beautiful Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) we get a strange roller coaster of scenes that explode at the ending.

While the movie's violence is truly brutal it fits the story and the characters who make that violence happen. I found myself wincing at time but couldn't take my eyes away, it is just so incredibly hard not to watch due to the direction being sublime and playful.

I won't get into the plot details other than it oozes and relishes in every moment of revenge and violence and in every moment of beautifully acted scenes (Melanie Laurent, Diane Kruger, Christoph Waltz and Pitt stand out).

9 out of 10 for the bastards and crew Chistoph Waltz is sure to win plenty of awards.

District 9 (2009)

Finally

[8/10 · 16 August 2009]

A sci-fi actioner that doesn't dumb down the elements or make it too complicated. District 9 starts off slowly and gains so much momentum it nearly explodes at the end, but it doesn't self destruct, it comes to a close rather beautifully.

There is a subtle social commentary (more obvious if you know anything about Johannsburg's history) but it certainly is not preaching. The movie eventually turns into a balls to the wall visual action treat, but it doesn't ever once seem like a cheap-shot to the audience, in fact it's a reward.

The direction is sublime, the acting is a huge surprise from a cast of mostly unknowns and visually it's realistic and actually quite lovely to watch.

The story is simple but not dumbed down and the pacing is pitch perfect. A well deserved 9 out of 10 for District 9.

Public Enemies (2009)

Different style of Crime

[7/10 · 3 July 2009]

Public Enemies is beautiful in ways one wouldn't have expected. It isn't flashy, it isn't shot with a clean style loaded static camera angles or slow zooms and portrait shots, no instead Public Enemies was shot almost entirely with hand-held cameras and because of that, makes you feel that you're at the table with John and the gang, or with Melvin Purvis addressing his fellow G-Men. That style choice makes Public Enemies unfold in an entirely different way. I felt like I wasn't watching characters, instead i felt I was watching real people, wonderful style choice in my honest opinion. (I can understand that hate for such a style choice though) The true surprise here wasn't Johnny Depp's unusually toned back and powerful performance or Christian Bale's quiet strong underlining supportive role, it's actually Marion Cotillard's performance, she holds so much emotion it's astounding. (a scene near the end between Marion and a G-man is almost hard to watch) Direction, performances and cinematography are all top notch, expect a handful of Oscar Consideration for this one. Wonderful film.

8 out of 10

Man on Fire (2004)

"Creasy, You're smiling"

[8/10 · 3 June 2009]

A semi-retired, problem drinking militarily trained man, played by a delightfully quiet and somber Denzel Washington, is hired, at a discounted price, to protect the daughter of a wealthy man. The daughter play by Dakota Fanning is smart, likable and chatty, she gets along with everyone, even Washington who is resistant to allow his feelings come out (due to his turbulent past involving his job). This relationship between Washington and Fanning's characters is the cornerstone of the movie and takes a little bit before they really let each other both in. When Pita (Fanning) says to her bodyguard "Creasy, You're smiling" we really see how much of a liking these two have for each other. A man who never thought he could feel anything other than pain again feels happiness and purpose.

After a length of time Pita is kidnapped after her piano lesson, in which Creasy is gunned down in the ensuing gun fight. He survives, oh boy how he survives.

Creasy takes some sweet sweet revenge on all who are responsible in Pita's kidnapping (I won't get too into it all, but boy is it one hell of a ride) A beautiful performance from Denzel Washington and a solid supporting cast, fun direction from Tony Scott and a solid script make Man on Fire an action ride with heart.

8 out of 10

Wall Street (1987)

Mixing Uppers with Downers

[7/10 · 3 June 2009]

Is the best way to describe Wall Street, at least in my honest opinion. On one hand we have brilliant acting from Mr. Douglas, good direction from Oliver Stone and a strong script, but on the other hand we have an unusually weak/boring supporting cast (Ms. Hannah).

The story follows Charlie Sheen's ambitious character's journey through the trading world under the mentor-ship of the wonderfully evil and greedy Gordon Gecko. Now you think that Wall Street would break anyone and everyone but not Charlie Sheen, nope instead he does what he can do to make things "fair" so to speak. The story is a joy to watch unfold, even if it gets bogged down by the supporting cast.

A fine film that could've been brilliant through and through if someone spent a little more time on casting :)

7 out of 10

Terminator Salvation (2009)

Effin' Fun

[5/10 · 19 May 2009]

Let me start this off by saying that TS is very but not entirely different from the previous installments. T1 was thrilling and fun, T2 elaborated and twisted the original's plot and themes, and the unnecessary T3 is almost entirely ignored (aside from the Kate Connor character).

Now TS takes to the beginnings of the battles and war between Skynet and humanity. If you know anything at all of Fallout series of games, the atmosphere and landscape of those games is almost identical to that of TS'.

I'm sick of reading the same review (ie. Plot sum up etc.) we are all familiar, so let me say this simply with Pros and COns

Pros ----

-Solidly continues the legacy without repeating the same idea (send a terminator back in time to kill one of the Connors) - Characters are likable (although kinda wooden here and there) - Action is fantastic - Score is actually engaging (i love the old school synth soundtrack, but i prefer Danny Elfman's live strings more) - Visually fantastic (direction, cinematography)

Cons ----

• Stated above, while the characters are likable they are wooden-ish - Script is a little rushed (a few moments of cheese :P)

There you have it.

Not THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE!!!!!! but a damn fine film and WORTHY film to be included with T1 and T2.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

A great film but suffers from the dreaded Third Act Fumble

[6/10 · 24 April 2009]

This movie starts off wonderful and takes us through a beautiful credit montage that solidifies the foundations of Wolverine and Sabertooth's relationship (need each other but don't really want to accept it).

We're thrust into action practically right away with Wolverine and Sabertooth joining up with a "special team" a sequence that is much too short but gets in a decent amount of "comradery" between the team. Now after having differences with the team, Wolverine walks away to start a new life, which he very well starts to do. At this point the movie is still a fine piece of action a little light on characters (aside from Wolverine and Sabertooth). Now I'm not going to get too far into this but I felt by the end of the movie it back away from a potentially great character driven movie into a laid back action movie.

I DID see the work-print, but I can tell you the CGI and such isn't the problem it's the slight let down around the third act. Still a solid film and a for sure see.

PS. Gambit was decent, not enough Deadpool and what's the deal with Weapon XI being who he was?

Dead Space: Downfall (2008 Video)

Half Decent

[7/10 · 5 April 2009]

This isn't by any means an amazing anime film that can hold it's own in a genre that boasts titles like Akira, Princess Monokee and Howl's Flying Kingdom etc...which take us on epic journeys with deeper characters and that indulge in fantasy and sci-fi fun!

That being said this isn't bad though and if you are a fan of the game (which I am) you'll enjoy and be disappointed by Dead Space: Downfall. See in the game it's fun, scary and well paced. This is that as well but all to a lesser degree, mostly do to it's "wooden" feel.

A moderate companion and counter part to the great video game, Downfall earns a very modest 7 out of 10

Fast & Furious (2009)

Semi Mindless Action film

[5/10 · 5 April 2009]

Fast and Furious is certainly everything it promises, but that isn't a whole lot. We get all kinds of suped up cars that will give any sixteen year old the hots and the babes to make the illegal car racing all the more glamorous.

Now when I say it's all babes and cars I mean it, there isn't any new character development in any of the characters and the action, while good, is extremely basic, but at least it isn't terrible.

Entertaining for a viewing but it doesn't give us anything new to a franchise that has been extremely one note from the get go. Enjoy it and watch the racers act like rock stars! a very modest 6 out of 10

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Action!

[7/10 · 17 November 2008]

Is certainly what director Marc Forster literally must have called out before each time the film started rolling. QOS is a train heading fast destroying all in it's path. Car chases, fist fights, fire fights, explosions, it has it all, but. Oh yes I said but, it's all very pale in comparison to the golden piece of cinema called Casino Royale.

QOS delivers all the action & then some over Casino Royale, but QOS falls a little short in character, in which Casino Royale thrived upon. We understand Bond is out on the war path to avenge the woman he loved, but could he also show it without bullets & magnificent car chases? I say there could have been a few scenes that could have been expanded upon so to speak.

So falling short of expectations that had been set to high heights, Quantum of Solace is still a great ride & is still very enjoyable. A SOLID 7 out of 10.

Rope (1948)

Far ahead of it's time

[9/10 · 5 November 2008]

Much like Rear Window, Alfred Hitchcock masterfully utilizes a simple plot, with a small cast on a small set, to a massive effect.

The camera work in this movie out ranks 80% of the camera work of all movies, plenty of long takes, tracking shots, and clever maskings to hide scene changes. It's no mystery why Alfred Hitchcock has influenced so many film makers.

The substance of the movie is in it's characters, the two killers are split down the middle personality wise. One feels they've done a bad thing, the other is bold and arrogant as well as charming, totally pleased with what they've done. Jimmy Stewart is extremely charming as always & brings the much needed level of humour to what would be an otherwise morbid piece of cinema.

To think this was made 60 years ago is beyond baffling. Bravo to all involved 9 out of 10

Batman: Gotham Knight (2008 Video)

Very cool

[7/10 · 21 October 2008]

Gotham Knight is both entertaining & beautiful to watch. Told in separate stories, through different perspectives, Gotham Knight isn't so much a straight-up tie-in to Christopher Nolan's brilliant franchise, but a companion piece. You don't NEED it but it's certainly worth the watch.

While it does serve as a companion piece to the uber-realism of the Nolan franchise, Gotham Knight is very different in the fact it dwells on fantasy & the bizarre, for example Batman battles Croc, a deformed & gigantic monster in the sewers beneath Gotham. In this case however it is very fun to watch all of these different writers and animators take new and exciting twists on Batman's character, but keeping in tone with his morals.

So while not necessary to see, I still recommend Gotham Knight highly to anyone who is a fan of any and all incarnations of the Batman.

7 out of 10

Righteous Kill (2008)

Two great performances make Righteous Kill.

[6/10 · 16 October 2008]

Al Pacino & Robert DeNiro have always been top notch, not always in good films, but themselves, top notch. Righteous Kill is no different.

A simple cop film, with decent plot twist, can be very watchable given the right talent behind it, Kiss the Girls comes to mind. It doesn't take long though to realize you're going to get some good acting.

The two leads are very believable, but we've already seen these two do these characters before. Pacino, we've seen him as a top notch cop four or five times already. De Niro does his bad ass, semi-insane-evil-antihero bit very well. Their friendship is simple, they know each other inside and out & they apparently would do anything for each other.

Although Righteous Kill has strong acting (at times) everything else is average or below average. Cheesy lines, clichés, boring direction that would be more well suited for a made for TV movie, and the abundance of slow motion brings the word "arrrrgh!" to mind.

If there is nothing else on, you'll enjoy Righteous Kill based on Pacino & De Niro.

a generous 6 out of 10

We Own the Night (2007)

Difficult to care for.

[4/10 · 5 October 2008]

On the surface, We Own the Night promises a heavy hitting cop drama. In fact what we get is a Cop drama that offers little more than a tap on the shoulder to get your attention.

The movie starts off a little slow & hardly ever picks up, save a rather visually satisfying car chase in the rain. There were so many opportunities to have some "pick-up" but every attempt seemed to come across as forced or uninspired (see the drug raid)& a lot of the time out of no where.

While I believe Jaoquin Phoenix & Mark Whalberg are great, they have the most character development (esspecially Jaoquin), the rest of the cast seems bored & uncaring for the script. Which brings me to the major failing of this movie, The villains come across as clichéd & not intimidating. I'm sorry but simply because the drug dealers are Russian doesn't make them anymore intense or intimidating than a gang banger sporting a wife-beater thinking he's the next Tony Montana.

Too many promises that are granted with horribly overused clichés like "your either with them or us", & weak characters make We Own the Night a failure in the Cop Drama category.

Flight of the Conchords (2007–2009)

Not for Everyone

[9/10 · 26 September 2008]

But it certainly is for me. Flight of the Conchords is all about the quick & subtle comedy & hardly gets in your face (aside from the musical interludes of extreme greatness).

Bret & Jermaine are two struggling musicians living in New York, they deal with some ordinary situations in odd ways, as well as dealing with odd situations with awkward delight. They have a band manager Murray, who is usually a scene stealer & is not without his own personal problems, which just adds to the hilarity of the whole show.

Now the comedy isn't for everyone, it's something you either love, or just don't care for. I Care for it quite a bit, it's one of the shows I actually WANT to watch.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Hilarious Great Fun.

[7/10 · 21 August 2008]

Even before the opening credits this movie starts with the comedy & rarely leaves you with a moment of something hilarious.

Now I can tell you this movie is really NOT for everyone. There are plenty of reasons to get offended I suppose but it's not done with the intent of offending someone. For example Robert Downey taking his characters way too serious "I don't leave character until I do the DVD commentary".

Everyone in the cast is great, with the stand outs being Robert Downey Jr. & the surprise cameos especially from Tom Cruise. The rest do their jobs as needed to drive home the comedy.

Now the action is pretty funny as well, overly dramatic & overly graphic sometimes but never overwhelming.

A great directorial debut from Stiller & a wonderful reminder why some of these actors are as loved as they are. Hilarious Great Fun.

Made of Honor (2008)

On Par Romantic Comedy

[5/10 · 27 May 2008]

Out of the gate Made of Honor is pretty standard, with it's cliché characters and dialog. We have Patrick Dempsey's character, a womanizing playboy type who's best friend is Michelle Monaghan, a lovable and pretty friend who "accepts" Dempsey's character. Michelle Monaghan's character is out of town for a few weeks, and during this time Dempsey's character has a personal reflection period, in which he realizes he cares for Monaghan's character more than he thought, he wants to be with her. So she's back in town and they meet for dinner. Here's the kicker, it's so she can introduce Dempsey's character to her fiancé. When it comes down to it, she asks him to be her made of honor.

Now the plot is not really new, just a gender reversal of "My Best Friend's Wedding" but it's charming. The chemistry between the film's two leads is great and is the saving grace, as you really do see why Dempsey's character is fighting for. Not much else about the movie is that new, the direction is on par with the given genre, the acting is on par with the genre, and most of the jokes are that of the genre. That being said the movie isn't bad, but you certainly aren't going to walk away with the feeling you'd get from classics like "When Harry met Sally".

Not bad but, a charming On Par addition to the Romantic Comedy genre.

a modest 5 out of 10

Speed Racer (2008)

Strange

[5/10 · 20 May 2008]

Strange is the first thing I've always thought about when I saw Speeder Racer stuff, it's such a neat and strange show. I thought it could have been a movie, but done in a proper way.

I'm pretty sure they did here, almost perfectly. I mean it looks like a cartoon, take that how you will, but this is the way it's SUPPOSED to look like, Like a strange cartoon. The racing is a really new level in cinema, not groundbreaking like the Matrix's affect on action, but they've certainly stumbled onto a strange new way of making films. I liked it actually, the whole strange cartoon dialouge, look, and action. It was Fun, and i don't think it was to be taken in any other way.

Good time if you're open to it, a laughable joke if you're not.

7 out of 10

Transformers (2007)

Great Action Film

[6/10 · 19 May 2008]

I always thought Transformers seemed like one of those franchises that wouldn't transfer well onto film. This actually transfered pretty well. By no means is it perfect, some names have actually been changed, and some of the Transformers' alternate forms have been changed, (most likely for legal and copyright reasons). Those minor changes don't really harm the film at all.

The Special Effects is what makes this movie a great action film, you are aware that these are giant robots, so you know it's special effects, but they move so fluidly and blend into the real-life setting in which they've been placed, that it's hard to not forget that they aren't real. I do wish that they made the Transformers a little more character, you get that there are GOOD and EVIL but you basically only get that because you're told who's evil or good. The film relies on the Human's perspective of the situation, not really the Transformers. Some more character development for both the Decepticons and Autobots would have made this movie A lot better. I do realize that sounds weird, but the movie is called Transformers for a reason.

This is Mr. Bay's best film in my books.

7 out of 10

The Forbidden Kingdom (2008)

Campy, but it works.

[8/10 · 12 May 2008]

Think action, think campy, think chipper with the slightest underlining drama. That is basically what you get here with The Forbidden Kingdom.

Most films with that genetic Hollywood make-up stumble into a overly sappy, buddy-picture lameness, but instead The Forbidden Kingdom stands strong actually. See where other films lay the campy-ness on thick, TFK makes sure it doesn't go too far, and of course it has that Chinese, Hong Kong trademarked action fight scenes that are fun to watch.

Although this isn't the Jet Li, Jackie Chan movie we were expecting, TFK is sure to please and surprise most movie-goer's.

8 out of 10

Spider-Man 2 (2004)

Best of the Bunch

[7/10 · 7 May 2008]

This fine piece of cinema is sandwiched between two inconsistent films, those being Spiderman, and Spiderman 3. The first lacked a truly frightening and threatening Villain. The Comics displayed a more solid vision of the Goblin. But that said the film saved itself by showing Peter's dealings with becoming Spiderman, while attempting to keep a sane life. The Third tried to be bigger than it could, and it fell flat on it's face.

This Film shines strongly, Spiderman starts this film off with him being in control, an established Superhero. Peter seems to be doing just fine in life, but his powers soon slip, something is causing him to loose them. To make the problem worse Doctor Octopus is raging havoc. The Doc challenges Spidey on all fronts (moral, physical, emotional, and personal) The way a bad guy should challenge the hero. The action is great, better than most superhero films actually.

All and all this movie is what Comic book movies are supposed to be. The best of the Spiderman bunch.