daberaz Reviews

Secret Window (2004)

"(The Ending) is the most important part of the story" - then why did you have to ruin it?

[8/10 · 22 May 2010]

Secret Window is a very well made psychological thriller. There isn't really anything bad to say about it. It's well directed - of course, it's not Hitchcock and it's not Psycho, but there are several symbolical hints here, too. Cinematography and music is very alright. The acting perfect - Turturro and Depp as always. Then the story - of course the concept of dissociative identity disorder is pretty popular right now and overall not really original but still very enjoyable. The story is suspenseful and interesting wanting us to see the ending.

"(The Ending) is the most important part of the story" is a line repeated a few times in the movie. I couldn't agree more. So why did they have to ruin it?

And I'm not talking about the story. I'm saying that the movie should end after the main character kills his ex-wife, camera moves back showing the lake house from some distance and in the background the lines from the book are repeated. The lines that even he will forget about the fact that he killed her. Then the black screen and the credits. That WOULD be a perfect ending.

But no, they had to add a part where Sheriff comes and tells him that he's gonna go away soon, so it can be pg-13. Also what's the significance of his sudden 'change'?

STill, a good movie

The Boondock Saints (1999)

Execution prayer doesn't make it Pulp Fiction

[7/10 · 26 April 2010]

Boondock Saints seems to be mixing styles of Guy Ritchie's twisted British crime stories with funny characters, some of Quentin Tarantino style dialogue and violence (although only the Unrated version is bloody) and loooots of strong language.

As the language goes, I have to say that I've seen lots of movies with much higher F-word count, but there seems to be a huge difference between an F-word and an F-word. As long as "Fu*k! Sh*t!" bartender scenes are super funny some of Funny Man's language is just hard to listen to. But enough with that.

As the movie goes, it is often compared to Pulp Fiction but the only major similarity I can find is a prayer before killing someone. Boondock Saints don't have the intelligence of Tarantino's writing at all, some dialogues are funny but non of them are that brilliantly written as Pulp Fiction's screenplay.

The showing of the story reminds me of Ritchie's "Snatch" - I have to say it is funny to watch both what happened and how the detective thinks it did. There is some hilarious scenes on the way, like the rope one, and some that are really well directed and filmed!

Willem Dafoe's acting is really good although I did not like that role that much (espiecially the ending costume part), while the rest of the cast is just good. Nothing stunning for sure.

Overall, Boondock Saints is a fun movie, for adults, that seems to be a mix of various styles and a parody of some and that has some good parts but also some pretty big flaws or parts that just could have been than so much better.

50 First Dates (2004)

A pleasant surprise

[7/10 · 25 April 2010]

50 First Dates is a pretty big mix. There's some traditional Adam Sandler humour, there's some hilarious lines and situations while there's also some that are just not... even though they meant to be. There's a romantic story, that is really nice and cute to watch. There's also a twist that kind of mixes 'Memento' into this whole story making it one of the most original romantic comedies recently.

Adam Sandler is not different than other of his roles, while Drew Barymore is just great. There is some laugh-out-loud jokes and a cute romantic story plus an original twist.

Overall it's an easy and nice watch, that you should enjoy in many ways!

50 First Dates is a very pleasant surprise in the genre.

The Blind Side (2009)

Highly overrated!

[6/10 · 22 April 2010]

The Blind Side is a movie like a thousand others. It's the same movie that you can find on Sunday afternoon on TV, that nobody really has heard of before. Why was it such a blockbuster then?

Honestly...? I have no idea!

Yeah, the story is true, I know that, but even when the story is true you don't have to make a movie absolutely predictable - that's just bad directing. What's even worse is the screenplay - the dialogues are completely unrealistic, unbelievable and often simply trashy. Some scenes are like copied from B class trashy family movies. That's how bad it gets. As for the acting, the main character Big Mike - Quinton Aron - is just not really good, the scene when he's walking on the street 'being cold' is the best example of that and the sad facial expression gets boring pretty soon, he's still likable when he starts smiling etc. though. As for Sandra - nothing even close to being worthy for an Oscar NOMINATION, - and award is a joke. Not that I don't like her - it's just... just no.

Overall, don't get me wrong, the movie is OK-made, it is enjoyable, it's a good movie for the whole family, that teaches values as... family and not only, and has got some pretty good Football scenes, but for those of you that prefer something better in the cinema, it's just not the right choice, sorry.

Highly overrated!

John Tucker Must Die (2006)

American college teens and their 'love' problems... again....?

[5/10 · 12 April 2010]

It was a Friday night, me and my friend sitting by the computer, thinking what movie to rent on iTunes. I picked John Tucker Must Die, hearing one day from a friend that is absolutely hilarious, that it is going to a comedy classic in a few years and lots and lots more of... BULLSH*T.

John Tucker Must Die is simply your another "stupid-teen-(romantic)comedy". The story is unbelievable, the "invisible" in the beginning main character is much prettier than the rest of the girls and that's not only my opinion. As for the acting its typical teen-movie acting - you know what to expect. The only reason one might find this movie enjoyable is because there are a couple of pretty girls in it, but that's not a good reason enough for me to waste 1.5h of my life. As for laughs,what I expected from it, I didn't find any laugh-out-loud moments and trust me, I do like various types of humour from Leslie Nielsen to Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers. I laughed about 4 times total, and maximum 2 times, it was a laughter that could have been heard if someone was sitting really close to me.

The movie is not TRASH but why waste your time to watch a comedy that's not really funny, a romantic movie that is predictable from the very beginning till the last minute of it and that's just a copy and a mixture of dozens of other romantic movies, a teen movie that has unbelievable characters...? trust me - you can find better things to do in this time!

Dexter (2006–2013)

The Ice Truck Killer & The Bay Harbor Butcher

[10/10 · 6 April 2010]

In the era when TV is getting better and better all the time, in the era of not only great HBO productions like Rome or Band of Brothers, but also Fox or ABC hits like Prison Break and LOST, "Dexter" is another great choice to watch; But unlike LOST or PB is not forced family-friendly show with no swear words, no brutal violence or really bad characters to be disgusted by. "Dexter" is realistic and fresh. In "Dexter" people talk how they normally do, there are swear words, there are crude jokes, there is lots of dark humour but there's also a great, dark plot which reveals dirty cops, serial killers, bad childhood memories... Dexter is no question, the most likable serial killer you will ever get a chance to meet, but as the serial goes there's nothing bad to say about it. Even though the Pilot is not shockingly good, the further into the story it grabs you stronger, by the end not letting you go to bed any time soon. The story is suspenseful, surprising, revealing more and more each episode, the acting is flawless, music adds to the climate. "Dexter" is an excellent choice of more adult TV series. You won't be disappointed!

edit - Second Season - The Bay Harbor Butcher Second season goes to the more psychological areas of Dexter's past, revealing more and more to the story about Harry and young Dexter, what caused him to be like this and why with every episode, being a little bit less suspenseful for the most of the season but really important to the good understanding of the story. Also - a complication in the relationship with Rita emerges and a hazard that Dexter's identity may be revealed to the whole world. Last few episodes are really suspenseful and overall more is happening then than in the whole first season. Still just great. 9.5/10

Band of Brothers (2001)

Excellent war mini-series!

[10/10 · 5 April 2010]

Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks (who also directed one of the better Parts) "Band of Brothers" through 10 parts, the first one being training, the second D-Day and the last ones victory in Europe, follows the men of paratroppers' Easy Company through big battles, trench warfare, surprises, death, loses,shock, helplessness, laughter, conflicts, friendship, love and their everyday lives.

Almost every episode is better than the previous one, and each one of them starts with mini-interviews with the real men from the Easy Company, the same ones we see the adventures of on the screen. It is the last episode though, that we learn "who is who". Those last words, of the real soldiers who survived this war, make a man cry... Trust me!

As the film-making goes, the battle sequences are huge, and in some middle Parts are almost whole-episode-long. The violence is realistic. Not always bloody, sometimes extremely. Like war. The characters are realistic, the acting absolutely believable. I cannot find anything bad to say about cinematography either. The music stays in your mind after those 10 Parts, and... that's a good thing. a Beautiful score. And a beautiful story.

"Band of Brothers" stands alone as one of the best military productions ever made! Hands down!

The Ninth Gate (1999)

6.66 out of 10?

[7/10 · 5 April 2010]

Right now, the average grade of this movie, here on IMDb is 6.6 A coincidence?

"Ninth Gate" is another, after cult classic 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968), example of critically acclaimed and controversial director's Roman Polanski... fascination with evil.

The story looks simple. A rare book dealer Dean Corso (Johny Depp) gets an assignment to compare - by first finding the missing ones - the three last copies of a medieval "Ninth Gate of the Kingdom of Shadows". Of course the hunt for the book, gets more and more complicated as strange things begin to happen and Corso gets himself involved in something beyond imagination...

"Ninth Gate" brings out of memory the "Devil's Advocate" with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino but in many ways it's totally different. First - Roman Polanski proves he is such acclaimed director for a reason. In every scene, you feel his existence, you feel that almost every scene has its powerful significance. Part of that is great, cold and suspenseful Cinematography. Great Score by Wojciech Kilar adds to the climate of the movie.

Johny Depp is great as always, and in the seconds plan actors you won't find a bad one. The screenplay is witty, there is unexpected humour in a lot of situations which makes it an easy, fun watch until... the ending. The ending turns the movie into a dark thriller leaving lot of things open, unsaid. We can almost FEEL the evil, in the end.

7/10

Four Rooms (1995)

Three (or maybe even two?) rooms...

[6/10 · 2 April 2010]

It's hard to give a good grade to the movie, that's good in the half of it.

'Four Rooms' is a story of one night in the life of the belly hop, the New year's Eve, which turns out to be one of the most unexpected nights in his life. He ends up being involved in four different stories as the night goes on, every one of which is like a single short film.

The first room ("MISSING INGREDIENT") starring Madonna is an part-erotic story about a coven of witches trying to resurrect a goddess. They're missing one ingredient, though. Pretty bad, actually... One of the very few good things about it is Tim Roth. It had a potential to be more sexy too... 4/10

In the second room ("THE WRONG MAN") Ted, the Bellhop finds a woman tied into a chair, and a man that turns out to be her husband holding him at a gunpoint. Good acting, some funny, dark humour dialogues and scenes. Much better than the first one, but still not satisfying. 5/10

In the third room ("THE MISBEHAVERS"), Ted gets involved in baby-sitting two children, of Mexican-gangster-looking-a-like Antonio Banderas. ROdriguez is directing. Banderas is awesome in his role, lots of (dark) humour and crazy events. Very good! Lots of fun! 8/10

The fourth room ("A MAN FROM Hollywood") is the best one. Directed by Quentin Tarantino, and starring himself and Bruce Willis tells a story about a crazy bet, our Ted gets involved in. Tarantino once again proves his mad skills for writing witty dialogues, great acting and simply amazing dark humour. Strong 9/10

As you can see, the further into the film, the room is better, but it's still hard to give an overall grade for a movie that included amazing Tarantino short, great Rodriguez one and two very decent, and even bad (the 1st one) ones. As the violence, one of Tarantino's trademarks is involved there isn't surprisingly almost any. And the pervasive language is the worse in the first two episodes I have to say.

Two good things that connect all four rooms, are the music and Tim Roth, in a very weird but great performance.

I hate to say but the overall grade has to be 6+

Rent it, for the third and fourth room!

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Dark, violent and sad (fantasy?) tale, that is not flawless but the ending will leave you thinking for at least a while...

[8/10 · 1 April 2010]

Pan's Labyrinth is a movie, that starts out like Alice in Wonderland. But during the war. And with the scenes happening in the real world, too. Including the sadistic captain, stepfather to plot's main character - Ofelia. The movie can be described by many words, but there are a few that definitely fit to it perfectly. It's not a masterpiece. I don't think so, there were flaws in the screenplay, in the direction, too, but here one might argue. It has lots of strange, weird scenes as fantasy is involved. It's dark and shockingly and brutally violent. It's getting more and more complex as the plot goes on, adding new subplots and leading, finally, to a great finale.

The ending is something that changes a grade for this movie from 6 for making, meaning sets, makeup, special effects, pictures, acting which is all flawless to solid 8, for a great, beautiful and extremely sad, symbolical tale with lots of lessons to learn and things to think about after the watch.

It's one of those movies, that you know how they say, you'll either love it or hate it? well, maybe not that extreme here, I would say, but its one of those movies that you won't just stand by it not moved by it at all. The ending completes the story, adding it a much better, more complex outlook creating a dark, violent and sad tale that will leave you thinking for at least a while.

Brothers (I) (2009)

A perfect, powerful motion picture!

[10/10 · 30 March 2010]

Jim Sheridan, the director of movies like My Left Foot, In the name of the Father and Boxer, here, in Brothers, shows again unique skills to create a simple but emotionally powerful and believable movie with great direction and actors.

Jake Gyllenhal is good in his role but Tobey "Spiderman" Maguire towards the end, not only proves he can act but proves he is an AMAZING actor if has a good role. From the already famous scene in the kitchen till then end, it's an Oscar-worthy performance. Natalie Portman delivers one of the best performances in her career, and... two kids of the screen pair.. are simply stunning!

The story is simple, but really emotional, moving, believable, realistic, not easy, makes you think a lot...

The music. U2 - Winter and nice, calm soundtrack with more powerful parts during war clips work perfectly.

I have to say I haven't seen a movie as good as BROTHERS in quite some time. The movie that is that flawless in terms of direction, acting and the story and was so underrated by the critics.

A must see for everyone, an example how to make movies!

2012 (I) (2009)

A whole new lev... size, of disaster movies!

[6/10 · 29 March 2010]

I admit, as a kid I loved disaster movies, and I don't know what is it about them, but they are always enjoyable and thrilling and watching building collapse, tornados pick them up etc. was always great fun. Not only for me.

When I first saw the trailer for 2012, I thought "Damn, this will be a good disaster movie! Look at those special effects!" and then I thought that I had similar expectations after seeing previous Emmerich's blockbuster - 10.000 BC, which turned out to be.. eh.. that's not the review. Let's go back to 2012.

So, apart from the effects I saw in the trailer, the cast didn't look bad - John Cusack and Amanda Pett (funny.. I just saw the Identity the night before), Danny Glover, Thandie Newton and... Woody Harrelson. The acting in the movie is decent, but nothing amazing.... only Harelson gives a great performance being also most colorful character of the plot.

As the plot goes, it's Emmerich - so the great Americans are saving the whole world once again, the president is black and everything is ultra-politically-correct while every single piece of the story i surprising and as far from being original as it's possible.

So what is good, you may ask? Well.. the effects! I have to say, no matter what people say about this movie, it might be just heaven for hardcore disaster movies fans. Of course, the CGI is nothing compared to Avatar (it's still perfect though!) and such, but that's not the point. The SIZE is the point. The destructions are amazingly big, perfectly shot with clear, realistic CGI and some scenes are easily breathtaking. And even though I gave the movie a 6, it's basically for Harelson and... the destruction. And still, I wish I had seen it in the cinemas.

Trust me, the disasters in the movies have never been so powerfully huge and enormous yet!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

"Twilight" was decent... "New Moon" is worse.

[5/10 · 28 March 2010]

OK, so, I've never read the books, but I have to say Twilight was a decent movie (6/10). The cinematography was beautiful, the cold blue filter gave it a cool "feel" and the most important thing - the music was great. The story was easy but nice to watch.

Here, most of the pluses of the first one are gone, and most of the minuses of the first one are... even bigger. But from the beginning.

The story is not bad, but the screenplay, I have to say, it's AWFUL. It makes you feel like Rosenberg wrote it in a few days or even better just to get the paycheck. The dialogues are mostly terribly awkward, the storyline skips to fast making the story unbelievable etc.

The acting now. Robert Pattison is NOT better. Maybe he wanted to be like that, maybe he was supposed to be just acting a cold guy with one face expression, that doesn't actually act at all, but seems to be tired of being on the plan, because he has some smiles (2 maybe?) that may suggest so, but that's to little. Kirsten Stewart, whom I thought was a good actress (after Into The Wild), and who I though played well in Twilight, here... it's not bad at all either. Surprise. I really liked her.

The music. No "Super Massive Black Hole" in the songs from the movie, no "Bella's Lullaby", dramatic drums and Burwell's talent on the Score. Much more forgettable, but the main theme (Meadow) might be better than lots of music composed in the cinema in recent years. Beautiful. If only there was more...

As the cinematography goes, no more cold blue filter here, but still some nice shots. The best scene, I though, was a scene with "Hearing Daamge" song in the forest, hunting for Victoria. Very nicely shot and edited, working with the music well. Only hope the whole movie was that way....

Never Back Down (2008)

Rocky for the new generation?

[8/10 · 28 March 2010]

Y'all remember Rocky right? Well, this is the Rocky new generation. For American teens in XXI Century. Is it bad, you can ask,? Well, depends what do you mean by that.

Never Back Down continues the stereotype of American teens driving Ferrari-s and other cool sport cars, organizing huge pool parties with half-naked girls including open lesbians in their parents' houses and not doing anything else in their free time but that and maybe fighting.

The story is predictable from the very beginning to the very end, using every possible theme already used somewhere before. The teen that's poorer, bad relationship with his mother, falls in love with a girl, a girl uses him asked by her boyfriend. Her boyfriend beats him up... blah, blah, blah. I don't want to spoiler for anyone so that's it's it about the story from me.

So,... why the hell did I give this movie an 8 out of 10, you may ask?

Well, I did gave this movie an 8 out of 10, for a few reasons actually.

First, for a great role, as always, by Djimon Hounsou. Secondly, the movie enters a new era, by showing the world MMA. Finally. I admit, I am writing this as not only a fan, but a fighter, myself, but the movie shows MMA at its finest. Of course, it is pg-13, of course some things are made to look more effective than useful, but it shows a great difference between a fight and... a fight.

The scenes of training are very well edited, shot and feature great music (not the score, but a perfect choice of popular rock/rap and other songs are the best thing in this soundtrack). The same with actual fight scenes.

The movie tells a predictable but e very enjoyable story, it is another American-teen movie and not really at the same time. It tells a lesson, it may show some people that Mixed Martial Arts is not Human CockFighting and as a sport movie should be - the training and actual fight scenes indeed ARE very inspirational and powerful!

Twilight (I) (2008)

Nice cinematography and great music!

[6/10 · 28 March 2010]

OK, so Twilight, a movie which almost every (usually female but not only) teen saw, after reading the book. I haven't seen the movie up to now, and I've never read the books so the only thing I'm reviewing is the actual movie by itself.

TWILIGHT opens with a well-shot action sequence that shows already two main reasons to watch this movie - cinematography (also the blue, cold filter through most of the movie was a great idea!) and score by Carter Burwell (most of Coen Brothers' movies) who did a great job. His "Bella's Lullaby" is simply beautiful and the rest of the score includes some great, suspenseful music with the use of both drums and the guitar. The film also features some popular songs, which work well with the movie.

As the story goes - it's not a horror. Not in a bit. It's a teen-romance with vampires in it. The story is nothing amazing but enjoyable as it is something new, I have to say.

The acting. Robert Pattison is really BAD. I heard he's a better actor than it looks here, well, I'll have to see it myself, but most of Twilight (with maybe the exception of the last, dancing scene) he's terrible.

Kirsten Stweart had better roles before Twilight (Into The Wild) but here she's not that bad either.

The screenplay is pretty stupid at times and definitely shortened from the book, some poor direction and funny scenes that weren't supposed to be funny, but still it is an enjoyable watch!

For those two, main reasons..

9 (I) (2009)

Burton, Bekmabetow and a post-apocalyptic animated tale

[7/10 · 23 March 2010]

I have to say, that I had great expectations of "9". Firstly it was produced by one of the most imaginative filmmakers of our time, Tim Burton and by Timur Bekmambetov (Day/Night Watch and Wanted). The second thing that made me want to see this movie even more, was the trailer. It show some great animation & great, not kids' action. It looked very epic, and the music in the trailer was awesome. So I expected the same thing from the movie.

Where I was right, where I was wrong?

True, "9" isn't your next Disney Pixar whole-family movie. It's basically a sci-fi tale with lots of suspense and action violence. Only almost no humans in it...

True, "9" amazes with great animation, details, new ideas, originality, that's its strongest attribute!

The problem is, even though there is lots of action, and the movie is only 79minutes long the story starts to bore you somewhere in the middle, when you already get used to the stunning animation.

I agree that the ending is cheesy, but still it is very emotional and I liked it.

I also missed some more "rock" guitar based style soundtrack, like from the trailer. Think that would fit here perfectly... too bad, but the OST itself is not bad either.

To sum up, "9" delivers some amazing animation (here, better than UP in my opinion), and great action sequences but the story and screenplay is not that exciting as it could have been.

Precious (II) (2009)

Get rid of your skepticism!

[9/10 · 22 March 2010]

I have to admit I was very skeptical about the response to the movie, being afraid that it might have been the political reasons that made it so popular. I waited for quite some time before I finally put it in my player and I should have done it much earlier.

It is not only amazingly acted (both Mo'Nique who deserved every single bit of her Oscar and a fresh star Sidibe give powerful performances. Lenny Kravitz is a nice surprise in his role), but beautifully shot (Cinematography itself is much better than in Avatar which took an Oscar for it) and edited.

You have to know that some parts of the film are hard to watch, even for and adult (see the reason for its R-rating. that's why.) but it was needed, like it or not, for the effect of the movie.

As the story goes, maybe it's not incredibly original, maybe not that original at all, some may say, but works well with such brilliant film-making.

The movie is incredibly powerful, as nothing I've seen in some time, amazingly acted and beautifully shot.

Very, VERY good!

Flashforward (2009–2010)

Season 1: part 1

[7/10 · 22 March 2010]

This is the review of Flashforward, Season1:Part 1 (10 episodes).

FlashForward begins very epic. The cinematography is nice, the visual effects look nice, too.

After a while, a few episodes maybe we are sure - the budget is pretty big, but some CGI are not good enough. in fact, they look like from the PC game. But, wait, even Band Of Brothers had the same ones, so? who cares? The "disaster" scenes are unusually big for the show.

As the acting goes Joseph Fiennes who is usually a good actor (Shakespeare In Love, Enemy at the Gates) here is kind of... like wood. Not much of acting, too bad. Plus we have an Asian guy from Harold & Kumar and Pam and Charlie, both from LOST. The rest of the actors do a decent job, but it's not LOST here either.

As the plot goes, it is mysterious. There are some questions. There are some question marks ending the episodes, but you have a feeling they are revealed to fast. You have a feeling the makers do it much to fast. Some are predictable, too.

But is it enjoyable? Oh yeah. That's the best part. It is still pretty enjoyable, interesting (the main questions are still not answered and I can't wait to know the answers!) and well made television!

Harper's Island (2009)

If there's one thing true about this series...- it's totally addicting!

[8/10 · 21 March 2010]

The Harper's Island is an Island where 7years ago sociopath John Wakefield brutally murdered 6women. Now, Henry comes back to the island where he spent his whole childhood with his fiancée to get married there. The guests include the family from both sides, best friends and especially one, a woman whose mother was one of those 6women, then. She's the main character of the show. Soon, people are starting to get brutally killed in various ways...

As in the title, if there's one thing true about this series, it is that is totally addicting, and NO MATTER what you think of some characters and their stupid moves, no matter what you think of some twists and how predictable you may find them, no matter what you think of some of the screenwriters' ideas - you will watch it right to the end. And you will watch REAL FAST!

As the film-making goes, it's flawless, great climatic cinematography, and some special effects when needed.

As to the characters, they're all believable which is good, and all the actors do a great job, which is nowadays not that easy to find on TV.

Some great music and songs used, too!

A the plot goes, it will keep you guessing to the very end, your predictions may probe to be wrong, OR right, but the sure thing is, you will be fooled a few times before you know what's going on. And the majority of you, me including here, will be shocked by the ending. And of course, lots of twist all the way through.

It will keep you on the edge of your sits, doesn't matter if its, people becoming missing one by one, them figuring out that they're getting killed, murderer's hunt for the rest of them, or their hunt for the murderer.

It's not perfect, but it's still a very good television!

Prison Break (2005–2017)

Dangerously close to being the best TV show of all time!

[10/10 · 21 March 2010]

Along LOST, Prison Break is for sure one of the best shows to ever air public (not HBO etc.) television.

The story is great, and as it starts with Lincoln Burrows' (wrong?) accusation of murder and being imprisoned as well as hid brother getting into the prison to break him out... it evolves into something much bigger, when the next pieces of puzzle are being revealed.

This is one of those shows, like LOST that you won't be able to wait till the next episode, and all 4 season (with optional alternate ending in the feature movie - Final Break) will keep you entertained, at the edge of your seat and guessing, while being fooled and surprised in almost every episode.

GREAT characters, one of the best on TV, ever, too!

You HAVE TO love this show!

Man on Fire (2004)

A modern masterpiece!

[10/10 · 21 March 2010]

Man On Fire tells a story of an ex-special forces guy with a drinking problem who accepts a job as a personal bodyguard of a little girl in Mexico during the wave of kidnappings for ransom. At first he's not to friendly, but then they befriend with each other, he decides to stop drinking etc., etc... then one day she gets kidnapped... and killed...

And HE, won't stop at anything to get the revenge.

That's basically the story of Man On Fire but expect some big twists at least a few times including the ending which is beautiful and will probably make you cry.

That's also because of the great music Harry-Gregson Williams with Lisa Gerrard (Gladiator) composed.

But the strongest part of the movie... wait... the thing is, everything here is perfect.

First - acting. Denzel Washington is at his best, Mickey Rourke and Christopher Walken good as always, great Radtha Mitchell and AMAZING young Dakota Fanning. And that's not the end of the list...

Then come the cinematography which is dazzling and along with superb editing, should have won an Oscar for sure.

The story is... not just a revenge movie. The story is intelligent, the story makes you think... and is pure beautiful. Really.

This is one of those movies you need to see in your lifetime, at least once!

Mystic River (2003)

into the Mystic...

[8/10 · 20 March 2010]

The Mystic River is another example, after Million Dollar Baby of Clint Eastwood's flawless directing. The scenes are made with perfection. The story for some may be only a "who's the killer?" crime but even though trying to solve the crime is still exciting here, that's not exactly the whole point. The point of the story is the exploration of human soul, humans, what do we do, when and why, what can cause what...

The strongest part of the movie are performances, especially by Sean Penn, but also Tim Robbins and a lot more. They're one of the best performances in years of film-making, for sure.

The story itself and the plot in my opinion at parts is to slow, but now that I think about it, I think it might have been because I was really sleepy and it was late as I can't - analyzing the whole movie - think of one single scene that was either unnecessary or not strong enough. That's directing enough.

The story, after the ending makes you sit for a while and think about what you just saw and that's good. It's dark, it's surprising, it's very emotional and believable.

It's a very good movie, but somehow I seem to think that Gone Baby Gone made me sleep less nights thinking abut what would I do, who was right, blah blah blah, but as the directing and performances as well as the plot itself - Mystic River is a simply strong and important movie.

Alice in Wonderland (I) (2010)

Pure magic!

[9/10 · 20 March 2010]

I have to say that I'm not familiar with neither Disney animated version, any other film adaptations or the books themselves. I knew the basics of the story, I enjoyed some Tim Burton movies very much and I liked the special effects in the stills I saw, so I decided to go ahead and give it a try.

Alice In Wonderland is a film you WANT to see in Imax, as in my opinion which I'm not afraid to proudly stand - the 3D is more impressive than in Avatar. Not the special effects, don't get me wrong, the 3D itself, some sequences are really impressive.

I mentioned special effects - here, I'm pretty sure there are no competitors for an Oscar for 2010! Simply perfect!

The plot is crazy but that's how it's supposed to be, the characters the same with Johnny Depp in another flawless performance leading the group as a Mad Hatter. Lots of great creatures, talking animals etc. that you'll love.

The world Burton created competes with Pandora pretty equally, it's the matter of opinion, but the magic is seen everywhere. The costumes and makeup are sure Oscar nominations.

But enough about MAKING, let's say something about the MOVIE.

Well, alright. The movie is a little bit more than 1.5h of pure magic. I caught myself watching this spectacle with open mouth, smiling all the time. What we see is again the work of great imagination, and perfect film-making.

Awesome adventure!

Cop Out (2010)

Funny but could have been much better.

[6/10 · 20 March 2010]

First of all, the main question of lots of people will be - should I buy this ticket and go see it in the theatres? Well, the answer is easy. No, you don't want to do that. You really want to wait for a DVD release which shouldn't take that long, and spend that 10bucks on something more useful.

Cop Out start hilariously, with great dialog, great Tracy Morgan and still good Willis holding up with his usual half-smile. It also starts with the homage to lot of cult movies. And that is THE SIGN. The sign that the whole movie was supposed to be a homage to buddy-cop movies of '80s and before/after that like Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour and stuff. The old school music gives it away. So does a few scenes that are parodies of scenes from other movies, and a theoretically twisted but really stupid, easy plot.

Basically the movies would have been a whole lot better without the story. Without trying to make it an action movie, putting twists into the story. I really wished Smith just stayed with making a pure comedy, because some parts are HILARIOUS!

Just wish there was more...

Avatar (2009)

Feast for an eye, not much more, but... who cares?

[8/10 · 20 March 2010]

AVATAR... is fun. It's huge fun. The whole movie is huge. There is everything here, there is enormous explosions, shootings, space ships, but that's not the best part.

The best part of Avatar is the world that Cameron created. And that world AMAZES however we think about the plot. It's perfectly designed, totally believable and simply beautiful. And magic. It is magic. It's not Tim Burton's magic, it's different magic. BIGGER, more epic and simply - breathtaking. Enough about it.

The story is new Pocahontas but some good messages mixed in. The acting is decent but nothing award-worthy here, apart from an evil military guy who was really good.

The movie is epic, and whatever you and your friend think about it, YOU NEED TO GO OUT AND SEE IT, IN 3D! because this movie, -even though not a success at the Oscars (well, effects were certain, pictures a surprise but still not that many here) - will, and already did, make a history becoming real fast the biggest grossing film in HISTORY of the world. And I think the movie that will beat it, will be Avatar 2 Cameron's is planning to start working on real soon.

Trust me, you want to see it.