Film and Movies Reviews

30 days of night movie review

2008-05-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

I don't remember when I saw the trailer of 30 days of night, but I do remember that I was intrigued by the movie. I believed the concept or idea behind the film was original and the bits I could see on the trailer showed some talent. At least some talent on the editing of the trailer. I just watched the film yesterday and I was happy to see I was not mistaken. The movie is good. And is scary.

The plot of 30 days of night is as follows (at least the bits I can't tell): In a small town in Alaska, on deep winter, there are 30 continues days when the Sun does not come out. On that same day most of its inhabitants move to other cities, and leave a hundred taking care of everything while this 30 days of night pass by. But is it not this the best period of time for a group of hungry vampires to attack a city? When there is no danger to day light exposure? How come nobody thought of this before?

30 days of night is directed by English film director David Slade, the person behind the multi awarded "Hard Candy". The film stars: Josh Hartnett and Melissa George among others. 30 days of night was nominated in 2 film festivals in the UK and in the US.

30 days of night is the best movie for two hours of entertaiment. When you look for this, entertainment, is not because you are planning to question every other character on the movie, and you easily accept the idea of vampires and stuff. If have the attitutude of cleverness and you just don't like monsters, vampires, zombies, etc. 30 days of night is not a movie for you. Other than that, the film makes an excellent 2 hours of fun and entertainment. I am even looking forward for a second part.

The best scene on 30 days of night? This is the best scene:

If you are interested on the movie, here you can find the trailer of 30 days of night:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/05/30-days-of-night-movie-trailer-david.html

SAW 2 movie review

2008-05-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

While I am not a fan of gore movies, I do like terror films such as The Night of the Living Dead, or your average b-movie such as the Blair Witch Project or, in our case, SAW. The original film, SAW, came out in 2004 and I just got to see the film last year, 2007 that is. I was positevely surprised as somehow I totally missed the hype over SAW and I just rented it following the logic that, when a terror film gives way to sequels, might be because the first part is good. I did not know the secret of SAW at all. Which, I am happy to say, surprised me of the movie.

I was so surprised that I had loads of curiosity over the second part. I am a strong fan of films and cinema to know that sequels are rarely good, but I was curious still. Today finally they showed the film on the TV and finally I managed to see the second part of SAW, and I did not pay anything. Just two hours of my precious time. I was not dissapointed, because I did not have big expectations, which is what exactly what you should do when watching SAW II.

I won't tell you the plot of SAW 2 nor my favourite scene of the movie. I do want to tell you that is not really worth paying money to watch it, buit it does make a good two hours entertaining film. I will stop on the second part of SAW and I won't go for the rest of the movies of the series.

Hidden Agenda movie review

2008-05-08T06:14:00.000-07:00

I just finished watching Hidden Agenda. I am a fan of Ken Loach even though I have not seen more than 5 of his movies. It is a film that is relatively easy to get your hands into, as you can get it in any shop in a DVD. Hidden Agenda was premiered in 1990 and was nominated for a Goya award in Spain and was also nominated in Cannes where it got two awards.

If you are going to watch Hidden Agenda I strongly suggest you get informated about Ireland, Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and the IRA; otherwise you are not going to understand much and, most important of all, you won't understand the main point of the movie. It is no secret, I believe, that Ken Loach likes Ireland. It must be said that Hidden Agenda depicts an Ireland from the early 80's. I've been in Dublin and Belfast several times and the present day does not resemble anything to the movie.

The plot of Hidden Agenda, as much as I can tell without spoling the movie for you, is as follows: Two American lawyers are in Belfast, gathering information about the violation of human rights in Northern Ireland. One of them is contacted by a British Soldier who says has very important information for them. And then...

Hidden Agenda is a good movie for a good afternoon. But it is not for entertainment or for a 2 hours fun. If you are not interested in events going outsite your country or you could not care less about the difference between Ireland and Scotland, then Hidden Agenda is not for you. On the other hand, if you are interested, it is a great film. It is also a good point to start if you want to get to know more about contemporary Irish history.

What I did not like about Hidden Agenda is that perhaps is a bit short. My favourite scene in Hidden Agenda? The conversation between the detective and the chief of the police.

Here is the movie trailer of Hidden Agenda:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/05/hidden-agenda-movie-trailer-ken-loach.html

Persona non grata movie review Oliver Stone

2008-04-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

If it would not be because an special edition of a series from the french department store FNAC, I don't think I would have come across the movie "Persona Non Grata". Even on the Internet is difficult to get some information about this film of director Oliver Stone. The movie is less than 70 minutes long and it is a documentary.

The main character in Persona Non Grata, if I may call him like that, is Oliver Stone and Yasser Arafat, as we follow during the film the former, looking to interview the latter. The recently deceased ex Palestinian president is the referred character of the movie title, the Persona Non Grata, the un-wanted person. It was filmed in 2002-2003, when the situation in Israel and Palestine was particularly difficult.

The plot (story line is better) of Persona Non Grata is as follows: Oliver Stone comes to Israel and Palestine looking to interview all the parts involved in the conflict. He witness some massacres and, let's say, day to day situations, going on on both sides of the border.

Obviously, Persona Non Grata is not a film for entertainment. It is more a movie to get an insight into the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as, I believe, it portrays a balanced perspective. If you do not really understand who is who in the conflict, Persona Non Grata might be a good starting point and a front line account of the conflict. You must have a little knowledge though of who, for example, Ariel Sharon is, Yasser Arafat himself, etc.

In Persona Non Grata the editing is sometimes a little bit annoying, and sometimes the sounds effects are out of place. But in general, it is an interesting documentary.

The most interesting part of Persona Non Grata? The interviews.

Be kind rewind movie review

2008-04-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

What happened to Michel Gondry with "Be kind Rewind"? Don't get me wrong, the movie is great, I loved it. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much and so loud when watching a film. But there is something wrong with the Script, you can feel it, specially in the second half of Be Kind Rewind, not to say the ending. My theory is that someone in Hollywood did not like how the movie was going and edited the film or influenced it somehow. I am 100% sure that the movie was much longer and the producers or the distributors shortened it drastically. Anyway, Be Kind Rewind is still a great enjoyable film.

The plot of Be Kind Rewind is as follows: In the corner of a derelict city surrounding New York, lives and old man who owns a video shop, Elroy Fletcher. A video shop rental with VHS videos only. And with the threat of demolition, he goes to the city to learn how to improve his business and give up VHS for the DVD format. Meanwhile, he leaves someone in charge of this video shop, the character of Most Def, Mike. He is friends of Jerry (Jack Black), who somehow gets his body magnetised and inadvertently erases all the VHS tapes. They must find the way to have movies to rent to their few customers and at the same time help Fletcher to save the building and the video rental business.

Be Kind Rewind is absolute fun. It is the imagination behind Michel Gondry that drives the movie and the unbelievable funny scenes. The film is a good two hours entertainment. My complain is, Be Kind Rewind could have been even funnier, but it is obvious someone put his hands on the film. A producer, a company, something or someone. We will have to wait for the DVD to see if there is a longer version, deleted scenes, a director's cut, etc.

Still, I laughed a lot.

The best scene in Be Kind Rewind? I prefer to say that the first half of the film is the funniest.

Here is the trailer of Be Kind Rewind:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/04/be-kind-rewind-movie-trailer.html

Our brand is crisis movie review

2008-04-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

I honestly don't remember where was the first time I read about the movie "Our brand is crisis". But I am sure it was several years ago. And just today I had the opportunity to watch the film. Perhaps "Our brand is crisis" is part of the political films that have been produced in the last years. Or perhaps before Bowling for Columbine, it was not so popular to produce, direct and watch this kind of movies. In any case, "Our brand is crisis" is not an overrated film and it is not easy to come by.

The "plot" of "Our Brand is Crisis" is as follows: the president of Bolivia (in 2002) seeks reelection and hires an American company to help him. The film follows all the decisions made behind some of the tactics used by Goni (the then-Bolivian-President) and its team, the speeches, the focus groups, the ups and downs, and some of the moves which lead him to be reelected. And the aftermath of the reelection.

Obviously "Our Brand is Crisis" is not a film for entertainment, at least is not what the film looks for. This is a movie that you really sit to watch, that makes you think and reason, not only during the almost two hours of the film, but hours later and perhaps (and hopefully) days later. You can enjoy the film, as you will enjoy a glass of wine or a fine cheese. But you won't if you are looking for is a bottle of beer.

The best scene in Our Brand is Crisis? I can't tell you.

Here is the Our Brand is Crisis movie trailer:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/04/our-brand-is-crisis-movie-trailer.html

Robocop movie review

2008-04-07T03:29:00.001-07:00

The Robocop movie was a huge success. It became a cult movie, 2 more Robocop movies were filmed (with less success), several Robocop video and arcade games, Robocop TV series and animated cartoons as well. But if we isolate the film of Dutch Filmmaker Paul Verhoeven and look at it ignoring the marketing created afterwards, we can say that Robocop is a very good film.

The film entertains, has believable characters, does not take part in Hollywood cliches, the script surprises the audience throughout the movie and has a lot of the characteristics of a B-movie: some gore, some violence, rough characters, the bad guys are more powerful than the good guys, etc.

The plot of Robocop is as follows: Detroit is falling into the hands of private companies. They want to issue a robot cop who will control the violence and insecurity that prevails in the city. After some failures, the Robocop project is introduced. At the same time, a rookie policeman is in the wrong place at the wrong time, and he is ambushed by some criminals and almost gets killed.
The body of the policeman is then used for creating Robocop. But then he meets the criminals who killed him and finds out that...

Robocop is great entertainment. Even better now, a few years later, when we can make aside the failed second and third parts of the movie. It is part of an era, the era of the B-movies, that makes you wonder if something like that will happen again: low budget films with great scripts. Highly recommended. Looks like the DVD edition has interesting extras.

The best scene in Robocop? The last scene.

Here is the Robocop movie trailer:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/04/robocop-movie-trailer.html

Steamboy movie review

2008-04-05T10:09:00.001-07:00

I am not a fan of Anime, but I do like to watch this kind of Japanese films from time to time. Yesterday I went for Steamboy and it positively surprised me. I had seen the trailer once, in English, and I did not have any sort of expectation.

The plot of Steamboy is as follows: set in England (Manchester-London) at the end of the 19th century, a science talented small boy gets involved in a struggle between the American Foundation that supports the research of his father and grandfather, English scientists, and, most important of all, the nature of science itself. He most guard what their father and grandfather sent him, because - they believe - the philosophy behind science is the progress of humanity and not profit.

Steamboy is just like the 4 or 5 Anime films I have seen so far. Sophisticated animated pictures, with sophisticated scripts and characters, without been too serious not to be considered cartoons. There is someone who is the bad guy, someone who is the good guy, loads of good/bad people and the hero: James Ray Steam, the little kid.

Steamboy is good for entertainment, it is also good - I believe - for Anime fans, but you should be prepared for a more or less sophisticated story. And of course I highly recommend to watch the film in the original version with subtitles. It is worth to mention that the detail and colour of the images, is amazing. The atmosphere created to make Steamboy to look like is settled at the end of the nineteenth century is incredible as well.

The best scene in Steamboy? All the action scenes in the movie.

Here you can see the Steamboy movie trailer:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/04/steamboy-movie-trailer.html

Hot Fuzz movie review

2008-04-01T03:19:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard about Hot Fuzz, around one year ago, I was looking forward to watch it. Even the Financial Times had good reviews of the film. When it finally made it to the cinemas where I was living, it was available only dubbed. And I just could not bear to watch an English film in another language. I finally watched Hot Fuzz in DVD some weeks ago. I was not disappointed. It is really funny.

The plot of Hot Fuzz is as follows: An English policeman in London -Nicholas Angel- is so good at his work, that the Police Department decides to send him to the city in England with the lowest criminality rate in order not to make his colleagues look bad. Sandford city is normal, boring and quiet. However...

I would like to have more movies like Hot Fuzz each year. Sort of like The Full Monthy, when you don't expect much of the film, but you end up laughing a lot and having a great time. Even better when you don't know any of the actors in the film. Hot Fuzz is THE film to watch for a great entertaining evening. The movie makes intelligent fun of action movies and the action genre, and entertains at the same time. Strongly recommended!

Hot Fuzz is not a piece of art or a cult film of course. But it is funny and entertaining.

The best scene in Hot Fuzz? The chase of the Goose

You can see the Hot Fuzz movie trailer here:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/04/hot-fuzz-movie-trailer.html

28 days later movie review

2008-03-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

28 days later is a Zombie-Movie and I like zombie movies a lot. Now, the fact that Danny Boyle was involved and after watching in the 28 days later trailer that London was an empty city in the film, I was looking forward to the movie. At the end I was not disappointed.

The (little bit I can tell) plot is as follows: Somehow a plague spreads in England. Cillian Murphy's character wakes up in an empty hospital in downtown (empty-people-less) London. The only "humans" in the city are aggressive blood thirsty zombies. He has to find his way to survive and...

28 days later fulfills expectations. Specially if you watch it at night, at the cinema, with the lights off and/or at home, at night as well and with no interruptions. You have to create yourself the atmosphere to enjoy 110% the movie. This was the first big movie of Cillian Murphy who later went to make it big to films such as Batman, the last movie of Ken Loach, etc.

28 days later makes it for a good one hour and a half entertainment. If you like terror movies, good terror movies. And even better if you like zombie movies. If this is not your cup of tea, better stay away from the film.

The best scene of 28 days later? By far, the beginning, since he wakes up alone at the hospital, the walk through London, until the moment where he is in the board with the missing people. Looks like Danny Boyle himself composed the music.

You can watch the 28 days later movie trailer here:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/28-days-later-movie-trailer.html

The Goonies movie review

2008-03-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

The 80's was a glorious decades for movies and the Goonies is definitely one of them. I am not sure if we can call The Goonies a B-movie as Steven Spielberg is related to the film, but it is for sure one of the best, and/or, most entertaining film of the eighties.

Spielberg is a genius, even though sometimes doesn't know how to end properly his films (A.I. for example). The plot of the Goonies is as follows: it tells the story of a kid with a great imagination, and how after his parents have financial problems, tries to get money for them to stay in the neighbourhood where he has grown, and where his friends - The Goonies - live. He finds a map (who did not have this dream as a child!!) for a treasure and the goes after it with his friends and his brother's friends.

The Goonies in pure entertainment and a bit of nostalgia after the 80's. If you lived this decade, you are for sure a fan of this movie, and if you are not, watch it again and you will change your mind. If you are not related to the 80's decade, you are still going to enjoy the film.

The best scene of the Goonies? The booby traps and the chase of the Fratellis behind the Goonies. And the scene were Chunk starts telling the whole truth.

You can see the Goonies trailer here:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/goonies-trailer.html

Die Hard 4 movie review

2008-03-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

I am not going to lie to you, I am a fan of Bruce Willis movies. As long as the movie is good enough, of course. I am also a fan of the Die Hard films, specially Die Hard 3. That's why I was particularly looking forward for this film and I was not disappointed. John McClane was back, and, if Indiana Jones is going to have a fourth film and Rocky and Rambo (sadly and painfully) did return, why shouldn't be expect Die Hard 5?

The plot of Die Hard 4 is as follows: Detective John McCain is asked to go and pick up a teenager hacker who might involved in a recent attack to the FBI computers. He gets in the way of the bad guys who are trying to kill this hacker and the action starts. A series of computer attacks begin, trying to bring down the energy, transit, communications systems of the US and McClane and the Kid are going to try to stop them. With the necessary car chases, involving helicopters, trailers, airplanes, etc. And McClane's daughter of course.

Die Hard 4 is excellent for entertainment. A good two hours entertainment. The script does have some problems, and at the end you really have to believe how lucky McClane is to end up exactly where the bad guys are. But Die Hard is not an art film nor intends to be one. Is pure entertainment.

The best scene? When the helicopter comes down and when the plane is chasing the trailer.

Here you can see the trailer of Die Hard 4:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/die-hard-4-trailer.html

Disturbia movie review

2008-03-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

I just watched Disturbia and I enjoyed it. It is good entertainment. Disturbia is certainly not a masterpiece nor is going to enter into the best 1000 films ever, but makes a good two hours fun.

The plot is as follows: a teenager spies on his neighbor who might nor might not be an assassin. That's as much as I will say, no to spoil the movie for you.

It is obvious that Disturbia borrows elements from "Rear Window", but you still can enjoy the film, aware that Hitchcock did it first and better. The young actor (Shia LaBeouf) is getting popular and famous. He was in Disturbia, later in Transformers and soon in the new film of Indiana Jones.

As for the rest of the actors in Disturbia, it is funny to see Matrix's Carrie-Ann Moss as a normal mother. The work of David Morse is outstanding.

The best scene in Disturbia? Mmm, if I tell you won't be the best scene anymore. Just think of me when you see the twinkies.

You can see the Disturbia trailer here:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/disturbia-trailer.html

Joint Security Area JSA movie review

2008-03-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Joint Security Area (JSA) is a very good Korean movie. I remember I saw the poster of the film and called my attention in 2001 0r 2002 in the advertising of a film festival somewhere. I really regretted then that I could not see the movie. And finally, I rented "Joint Security Area" some months ago.

The plot is as follows: in the border between South Korea and North Korea, a group of soldiers have been assassinated. They already have the killer, but the UN wants to be sure that they have the correct person. The official of the UN must investigate what happened then between the soldiers from the North and the ones from the South. With the difficulties that working at the border of two countries who are still technically at war have.

Joint Security Area is a thrilling movie. You won't know what happened or why, but almost at the end of the film. You need to know a bit of the history of Korea, to make the story more interesting. This movie will make 2 good hours of intelligent entertainment. Highly recommended.

The best scene? The soldiers playing and singing together.

Here is the Joint Security Area trailer if you want to take a look:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/joint-security-area-trailer.html

"Hudson Hawk" movie review

2008-03-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

What a joy of film. One of the most entertaining two hours I had watching a movie. Hudson Hawk is the right film for spending a fun evening. The fact that Bruce Willis wrote part of the story behind the film, should not put you off watching it.

The story behind Hudson Hawk is as follows: A thief goes out of prison, and his best friend is waiting out for him. He convinces him for doing another job. But he is not sure, he just wants to drink and enjoy a cappuccino. Finally, the accepts, and then the problems begin. They steal a work of Da Vinci. But is it the original? Did his friend betrayed him? Who is the client? Why does he end up in Italy?

Bruce Willis can be quite funny and pathetic funny. In this film he is both, not as violent as Die Hard or The Last Boy Scout, but still pathetic funny. I would even recommend buying the film, as is fun to watch again and again. It is not Citizen Kane or Casablanca, not all. But you enjoy your time.

The best scene? Bruce Willis and Danny Aiello singing "Swinging on a star" while stealing the Da Vinci Horse.

"Spider-Man 3" movie review

2008-03-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Again, what a waste of time and money. Luckily, as I heard and read that Spider-Man 3 was not as good as the Spider Man 1 and Spider Man 2, I did not go the cinema but I rented the DVD instead. I was looking for some fun and entertainment, what I got was annoyance and desperation as the movie is incredibly stupid and risible.

I am a follower of Spider Man. I used to read the comics a lot when I was young and I know that the first two movies were very good. I did not like Kristen Dunst, but the rest of the cast was very good indeed. As an Spider Man reader, I know everything behind Green Dublin, Rhino, Venom, etc. I was looking forward to Spider Man 3 when I saw in the posters and the trailer that Venom was going to be part of the movie.

Is not worth telling the plot, as it does not make sense and is banal and stupid. Save your money for the coming movie of Iron Man and Hulk. I hope they are just as good as the trailers.

The worst scene? From minute one to the last minute.

If you are still interested, here you can find the Spider Man 3 trailer.

"Vantage Point" movie review

2008-03-18T03:55:00.000-07:00

What a waste of time and money. Again, I was misguided by the trailer and a good group of actors put together. But it is not really worth it. At the end of the movie, you end up laughing at the ridicule dialogues.

The plot is as follows: the president of the us goes to Spain to make make an historic deal to bring world peace. However he is assassinated in front of hundreds of people and TV cameras from all around the world. Then, you get to see this happening from different points of view: a camera crew, a little girl, an American tourist, a Mexican policeman and one of the president's bodyguard.

At the beginning of the Vantage Point, you think is going to be good. At the middle of the film, you start to think the worse. At the end of the film you want your money back, and you don't know whether to laugh with the audience about the ridiculous dialogues or cry because you cannot claim your money back.

Please don't go to watch Vantage Point.

The worst scene: the end, when the president is saved by the character of Dennis Quaid, and says: "Than you, Sir." After watching "24" and Jack Bauer, this is just laughable and ridiculous.

Here is the Vantage Point movie trailer if you are interested:

http://film-movie-trailers.blogspot.com/2008/03/vantage-point-trailer.html

"The Darjeeling Limited" movie review

2008-03-17T05:04:00.000-07:00

It is all about the trailer. Again. I watched the trailer of "The Darjeeling Limited" some months ago, and I could not wait for the movie. However, when I read the critic in the Financial Times weeks later I was a bit disappointed. But when finally I had the opportunity to watch the film, I took it.

I liked the film. I had a good time, and even laughed. I am not fan of Owen Wilson or Wes Anderson who directed "The Royal Tenenbaums" as well, a film during which I fall asleep. But the trailer misguided me, again. I thought the film to be as a light comedy, but it isn't. It is a comedy, but not light and a little bit clever.

The plot is as follows: three brothers meet somewhere in India, where they begin a trip to explore and find themselves, and, to meet their mother. However, is more complicated like that. Or better said, is not as simple as that. The dialogues are clever, the story is not simple and the surroundings are marvelous.

The Darjeeling Limited is a film for entertainment, not light entertainment. On the other hand is not complicated.

The best scene? The "travelling-sequence" where you can see different characters of the film in wagons-like rooms.

Here you can find the The Darjeeling Limited trailer.

"The Yes Men" movie review

2008-03-14T04:02:00.001-07:00

With the "The Yes Men" movie, I made a mistake. I had high expectations and ended up disappointed. It wasn't because the film is bad, not at all, the film is good. But the trailer promises something, and the film goes to another direction.

"The Yes Men" movie follows a group of people who impersonate executives from the WTO (World Trade Organisation). They don't visit conferences and other organisations. They are invited to give speeches, do presentations, and most important, to introduce proposals to the world's problems. The proposals are shocking, but the reaction of the viewers are what drives this film and the further presentations they keep on doing.

The Yes Men is a kind of a documentary, but the main characters are also actors, who act for you and for the people who attend their speeches. Is a powerful film, because, if you are interested in political movements, you can see how sometimes working hard an idea, pays off. If you are not interested at all, it is also a fun film to watch.

However, you must at least know what the WTO does. And the difference with GATT. Otherwise you might end up bored in the middle of the movie.

The best scene? The conference in Finland.

"Paprika" Movie Review

2008-03-13T05:08:00.000-07:00

The first time I heard of "Paprika" was two years ago. I watched the trailer in one of this video websites on the Internet. I had the opportunity and I bought the film some weeks ago. I was not disappointed at all. If you are reading this, is because you are over any argument over Anime been for children or not. So I won't spend time with this sort of discussions. However, if you are still sceptic, keep on reading, and you might end up convinced to watch Paprika.

One company is developing a machine to control dreams. It has designed a character (Paprika) to guide you trough these dreams. But, oh surprise, the machine gets out of control. It starts controlling people's minds, who then start hallucinating, to later commit suicide. Who is behind this? The scientists? The detective? The company? Paprika?

If you are looking for action, this movie has action. If you are looking for an intelligent script, this movie has it. The characters are human enough to make the film believable (despite the fantasy involved).

Personally, I find it more interesting to watch the film in original version with subtitles, even though sometimes it is difficult to appreciate some ideas behind the script. This happened to me with Ghost in a Shell as well.

The best scene? Each time you get to listen to the music from the main dream.

This movie is good for two hours of pure entertainment as much as for two hours of an intelligent movie with an excellent story behind.

"War photographer" Movie Review

2008-03-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

I bought this film one year ago, and I finally watched last week. I own several books on photo journalism and photographers, so I was looking forward to it. I must confess that I knew already a few of the photos shown in the film, but I did not know James Nachtwey was the author.

The documentary, follows silently the career of the photographer James Nachtwey, and I say silently as there is no voice over to comment anything, which is brilliant. The film takes us from somewhere in the Balkans, to New York, Hamburg, Indonesia and Palestine.

The piece on Indonesia was for me of special interest (I am not Indonesian if you wonder). He tried to represent how hard and harsh life is for some people in the planet. You can tell he is very human. On the other hand, you get to know how the life of this sort of photographer is. What his colleagues think of him and he tells himself how the work of a war photographer is.

The photos of Nachtwey are of great quality, which complement the persona of the photographer. He is not arrogant, he is not interested in fame and he is not intrusive in the lives of the people he takes photos of.

If you are interested in photojournalism, this film is a must. If you are not, but you like documentaries, the film is still very interesting to watch. On the other hand, if you are looking for two hours of relax or fun, this not your movie.

As I mentioned earlier, I found the scene of the Indonesian family particularly moving.

"No country for old men" Review

2008-03-11T04:50:00.000-07:00

I watched "No country for old men" last week. I must say it really fulfilled my expectations. Javier Bardem is terrific and terrifying. The story is as follows: A lonely sort of cowboy finds money and is chased down to the border with Mexico by a sadist assassin.

The pace of the film is great. The actors and actressess are great as well, texan accents included. The photograpy, typical of the movies set in the south of the US (such as Wim Wender's Paris-Texas), is very good as well.

The movie is based on a book. The movie is long enough, but I believe it would have been better to focus a bit more on the story of the character of Tommy Lee Jones, than in Javier Bardem. I am not saying that the film is bad, quite the oppossite, I liked a lot. But we could have used a little bit more of the side of Tommy Lee Jones.

The Cohen's are geniuses.

"They Live" Movie Review

2008-03-10T14:31:00.000-07:00

I have seen this movie several times. I just love it! John Carpenter was the king in the 80's. I might have been no more than 15 years old when I watched and totally got the gist of the film.

The director, John Carpenter (who is also a musician), was responsible for films such as "The Fog", "Escape From New York" (Snake Plissken!), "Halloween" (Michael Myers, yes), "Christine" (the assassin car!), to name a few. He was very good in the 70' and in the 80's as well. I still have to see a good film from him after 1990.

The story is as follows: In a near future (the future from the 80's at least) an unemployed man, discovers something or someone is controlling people's minds and lives, and he has to convince everybody about the danger. But who or what is behind everything? how can you make the difference between the good people and the bad people?

No professional actors. No familiar faces. Not your conventional-futuristic-Steven-Spielberg-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right kind of film. A pure and real B-Movie.

A great film for a great evening.