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1/25/2010

Sherlock Holmes

1/15/10

A Serious Man

11/24/09

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans

11/12/09

Made it to an early sneak of Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans last week, which is a film based on a character from the original movie Bad Lieutenant (1992), starring Harvey Keitel. Nicholoas Cage plays Terence McDonagh in this dark dramedy showcasing a horribly, yet effective unethical detective carrying numerous addictions including drugs and gambling. I was concerned about seeing Cage in this film after several sub par, predictable performances, but I found myself pleased overall his character. Yes, there is some Cage quirkiness, and the rest of the acting is very questionable, but somehow, I really enjoyed this movie. Also, this movie falls into my category of the uncomfortable "rooting for the protagonist even though that character does awful things," a la Godfather-esque rooting for Michael Corleone. Give this movie a chance and you will catch yourself enjoying and laughing and scenarios that you probably shouldn't.

Zombieland

10/31/09

Caught this comedy horror flick late on Halloween night, and to my suprise, I really enjoyed it. Yes, I dozed of one time, but that had more to do with the long day and late night because I found myself laughing during the parts that I was awake. Zombieland is pretty self explanatory as indicated by the title, but essentially you have a couple of guys that have figured out a way to survive in a land that has been overtaken by zombies. Originality alone gives this film a solid "B" for me, but when we meet Bill Murray playing himself in a cameo role, it is worth the price of admission alone. Have a good time and check out this film whether at the theater or on DVD.

Paranormal Activity

10/18/09

"Shhhhhhhh, Did you hear that?"

-Katie

The Informant!

9/25/09

I have to say that The Informant! may very well be the most difficult movie that I review all year. See if you can follow me here. First, I will say that films that include scheming crimes as the basis of their sublot typically fascinate me. The Informant! fits this bill to a "T" as we find Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) as the vice president of an agri-business giant turned informant leading the F.B.I down a trail of lies as he misguides them to find what he wants them to find. Matt Damon does a great job in this movie (gaining 30 pounds to do the flick), but I have never seen a movie that was so stoic throughout the entire running time, and even though there is a plot twist during the film, you aren't suprised at all when it is revealed. While based on a true story, this would have been better displayed on a 30-minute segment of Dateline. Lastly, another strange occurence in this movie is the vast 70's feel that you get, though the time period throughout the film is the early 90's. My best recommendation is this: If you are wanting to see this movie, you need to see it at the theater, because if you wait for the video, you will never sit long enough to watch it to completion. You figure that out.