-----CLINT EASTWOOD-----

December is always period for presents and gifts. And if there is some I do love is to buy DVDs for either family and friend or even myself.

Therefore and with the aim of checking offers there might be at HMV Store, I popped in and I found something I couldn’t resist to buy, Gran Torino for a friend of mine whom is a devotee of Mr. CLINT EASTWOOD (in capital letters). And I have to say, I can’t blame him for this worship towards him.

As the day was cold, and in order to check whether the DVD was in right conditions (no skips on it, good excuse anyways…) I put it on my laptop.

And during the movie I forced myself to write something about who I consider the greatest (at least one of them) personalities on the history of the cinema.

Not only because Gran Torino is a master peace with a superb script and an amazing direction-interpretation on Eastwood side, with memorable moments as the barber shop scene… (I did need subtitles to fully enjoy it. However this is one of the most enjoyable moments in cinema in the last years)

And then make us cry a river. Or dialogues as the following, in one of the opening footages of the movie;

“-Get off my lawn-(Eastwood)

-Go back in the house-(Gangbanger)

-Yeah, I blow a hole in your face and then go in the house. And I sleep like a baby. We used to stack fuck like you 5 feet high in Korea and use you for sandbag.”

He is a living legend not only for that, but for all he made during the last 50 years as both director and actor.

When talking about Clint Eastwood, the first thing that comes up in mind is his tough character in roles such "Dirty Harry", or the large list of westerns he played all around his entire career. Under Sergio Leone’s and Don Siegel’s umbrellas Clint reached the status of big and bright Start within the spaghetti western with such unforgettable titles as “Il buono, il brutto,il cattivo”, “For a few dollars more”, “A fistful of dollars” or “2 mules and Sister Sara”.

However, would be unfair just to remember him for that.

Because, even though his very best performances have been under these 2 colossus of the 3rd art, and the role that placed him forever within the memory of all those cinema lovers will always be Harry Callahan (directed by Siegel once again); his contribution to cinema has been much more important.

He proved that sometimes words ain’t needed for making a good script, a shocking dialogue. A blood soaked fist whilst smoking peacefully a cigarette is more overwhelming than a 1233 words-conversation with snob and old-fashion words within as regular viewer believes.

He is the finest example of director-actor all-in-one despite attempts I do consider far away form his (Woody Allen as an example).

And instead of loosing efforts on either run o play, he is able to come up with a masterpiece of direction (Million Dollar Baby, Best Achievement in Directing Oscar Award) and a breathtaking performance alongside (acknowledged with a Nomination).

What’s more and to be fair with Eastwood, I should have written two different articles.

One just focused on his achievements as director and other on his awesome performances as a

n actor.

However I did decide to print my admiration towards him with a blend. Cause a fully comprehension of his work is not possible if they both don’t came gathered.

With "Unforgiven" (1992) established what many critics consider the summit of westerns,being nearly impossible to enter again in this genre nowadays without looking back to this piece.

Years later, in 1995, with "Absolute Power" he changed the rules of cops-and-robs movies as known till then, with a thriller not only well built but supported on great performances (Gene Hackman and Eastwood himself).

If all said so far hasn’t proved how meaningful and even necessary has been his contribution to the industry; somehow and beside his appearance of tough guy he shown in roles like "Dirty Harry" (1971) or even Sg. Highway in "Heartbrake Ridge" (1986), he is also able to show up with touching stories like "A perfect world" (1993), "Gran Torino" (2008) or "Mystic River" (2003) which without any doubt was the film that brought him the worthy acknowledge of both public and critics.

His prolific career still keeps him on the cutting edge (I hope for a long, long time) with a film per year. The amazing of this is that none vary substantially in quality from its previous.

And this is something to bear absolutely in mind when speaking about this art.

None has been able to cover all genres with same success Clint Eastwood has done. He is “god” when speaking of Westerns (always without ruling out other “gods” in Western Olympus such John Ford and Eastwood’s mentors Siegel and Leone). He is a reference when naming action (and with action I mean cop-and-robs and detectives kind of than popular then in the 70’s and 80’s).

But above all is a genius in the widest sense of the meaning.

Because this is the only definition I can think of when mentioning for the man who brought or upgraded such must-see and never outdates films like "Mystic River", "Unforgiven", "Il buono…", "Flags of our fathers" and "Changeling" to the category of master pieces.

.

Where The Wild Things Are

Director: Spike Jonze

Cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Pepita Emmerichs, Mark Ruffalo

Year: 2009

Genre: Fantasy

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 7.4
IMDB – 7.8
FilmAffinity – 6.8


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Max (Max Records) is a lonely and imaginative child living within a mono-parental family looking desperately for an exit to the world he has to live into. And is after a discussion with her beloved mother (Catherine Keener) when in a getaway wearing his wolf custom finds himself in a world full of magic, 3 meter-tall and peaceful monsters in which he ends up being the king.

Beside living in a perfect kingdom with his new friends such as Carol, Ira or Douglas; he will soon discover than there is something growing deep on his heart that urges him to go back home.

Cinema-Reader Review:

Spike Jonze adapts Maurice Sendak’s classic children story where Max (superbly played by newcomer Max Records), a lonely child with a powerful and imaginative mind, shelters himself from reality into a world populated by kind-hearted creatures.

Touching film that tries to spread this classic tale aim at children to an adult audience.

And Jonze actually got it with a well driven direction and through his well-known skills in the usage of speed-movement of the camera gained during his period onto video clip industry (check as examples works with Beastie Boys, Bjork or Chemical Brothers).

AVATAR

Director: James Cameron

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi

Year: 2009

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 8.4
IMDB – 8.3
FilmAffinity – 8.7

(click picture for Trailer)

Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

When Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), an ex-marine paralyzed waist down, arrives in planet Pandora he does not expected what is about to happen.

He just enrolled into the Avatar program, which will allow him to walk again although on the shoes of an Avatar.

However planet Pandora is also populated by the Navi, which peaceful existence will be interrupt as the main goal of the humans is to extract a new and priceless energetic resource down the soil of Pandora, just bellow one of the native villages.

In order to gain the trust of the Navis, Jake will have to infiltrate into their civilization as an Avatar.

This is when Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) shows up in Jake’s life, changing his perception about nature, life and Pandora itself making him to make up his mind and fight standing on Navi’s side in an epic battle against humans commanded by merciless Colonel Augustine (Stephen Lang) that jeopardize harmony within Pandora.

Cinema-Reader Review:

James Cameron’s return behind the camera after Titanic is a stunning visual piece under the umbrella of new motion capture system that makes this movie a superb experience for the viewer, even more in 3D.

According to Cameron himself, the project landed somehow on his hands years ago but is now when he felt confident enough on the current visual techniques to fulfil with this ambitious project, becoming the most expensive movie ever made so far.

All around the plot is meant to be socking for the viewer. From the natives, 3 metres tall blue creatures with ability to jump around the nature in Pandora; including Pandora and its breathtaking landscapes.

A visual exercise that for sure will make this movie became a referent in what is about to come in the future in the cinema as other movies did before within this genre (Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Ring, Tron, Blade Runner or Matrix).

A new concept in CGI Effects that makes this movie pure entertainment throughout the nearly 3 hours it lasts.

The men who stare at goats

Director: Grant Heslov

Cast: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey, Stephen Lang

Year: 2009

Genre: Comedy

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 7.1
IMDB – 6.9
FilmAffinity – 6.9


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

A reporter looking desperately for a story and which life is falling apart after being dumped by his wife (Ewan McGregor) finds himself involved in a crazy and secret mission in the middle of Iraqi desert along Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a former US army soldier working for a secret government unit.

He will be handling what a first sight seems his lifetime opportunity to straight his upside-down career.

However, he’ll soon realise that this unit under Larry Hooper’s command (Kevin Spacey) is a bit strange as they are developing completely different military techniques.

Supported on researches carried on by a nuts and hippie stylist General Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), this unit tries to create the ultimate warrior training soldiers in the usage of psychical powers using goat as targets.

Cinema-Reader Review:

After checking the cast, the viewer can expect some more than actually gets.

Clooney manages this kind of roles quite brilliantly as seen before in previous examples like “O Brother, Where are you?”, and McGregor has a natural talent to connect with people making him being just simply funny.

However, and besides the script (an adaptation of the book by Jon Robson), the movie doesn’t get let say the standards required for being a reference in the genre. What’s more, won’t be even remembered as one of the best movies of the year.

Is a pity because it has all ingredients for success.

However, without the proper blend, the outcome resulting is not attractive enough.

Cracks

Director: Jordan Scott

Cast: Eva Green, Juno Temple, Maria Valverde

Year: 2009

Genre: Drama

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 7.3
IMDB – 7.4
FilmAffinity – 6.0

Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Miss G. (Eva Green) is a young and enigmatic teacher on an all-girls English school during the II WW leading a group of young students on her swimming classes.

Her conception of life; travels and love is catching deeply on them all, especially on Di (Juno Temple).

However, the appearance of Fiamma (Maria Valverde), a Spanish new student, will suppose a huge change into life and principles of every girl within the group, changing even their devotion and fascination towards Miss. G.

They soon will discover life goes further than they'd ever imagined, far away from the schools fences and walls surrounding them.

Cinema-Reader Review:

Jordan Scott’s first movie ever (Ridley Scott’s daughter and Tony's niece) dives into life of a group of young girls, their fascinations, desires, hopes, dreams and problems; all reflected on the figure of Miss. G (Eva Green).

Eva Green (already a long way since her first main role in Bertolucci’s "The Dreamers"), that looks gorgeous on screen by the way, seems perfect for the role of an enigmatic woman full of security and fear at the same time within her inner existence, and although of her french roots, she overtakes this handicap to achieve a priceless outcome with a really outstanding performance.

Cracks moves into the same story line than other movies like "Dead Poets Society" or "Mona Lisa Smile", but without falling in the short cut of being a copy cat of the before named pieces.

Well driven and with a good taste for eroticism (rushing away from manners and straight conception of eroticism of other European authors like Almodovar), this movie tries to explore deeply how admiration can be mixed up becoming a false and blind worship.

Besides something is missing in its way, the movie ends up as a very advisable choice.

-----501 MUST-SEE MOVIES-----

December. Christmas time is coming upon us.

That means time for editorial to launch new releases in what can be considered as the most prolific period for sales.

Loads of books aims at cinema are now on the bookcases of all libraries all around the world.

Books with different topics, ideas, styles. However all with a common denominator: the 7^th Art.

And here I come with my last purchase, and in this case is not a DVD to place among my already enormous collection. A book. Yes, this is me buying a book.

Do not panic. I haven’t made up my mind. I’ll always wait for a book made movie.

However just the title of this book attract my attention despite is not something new.

“501 must-see movies”.

A list that displays what can be deemed as the top 501 movies ever made so far.

A list classified by genre, in chronological order according to opinion of 5 well-known critics within the film industry.

Despite I do not agree with some titles included, there is something great within this book. Choices go further than box, or even awards.

Writers picked some movies that you’d never include in this list because you might be pretty sure film archives are plenty of films better than the one included. However, and this is the great point of it, these movies has been placed within this list because they has been a starting point in cinema.

They supposed a change in the way a genre was made. What could have been of adventure and Sci-fi genre without Matrix and his image capture techniques?

This is a clear example of how this list has been carried out. Matrix is not the best Sci-fi movie ever, but however created a precedent that has been used, sometimes overused, afterwards.

Other movies have been included just for the fact they are masterpieces. Spartacus, Ben-Hur, Metropolis, Cleopatra, Lord of the Ring, The odd couple, It’s a wonderful life, The bicycle thief, Night of living dead, Roman Holiday, Out of Africa, Seven, The Dirty Dozen or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

However, and as said before, there are others I don’t agree at all.

Ruling out such a great movies as The Bridge on the River Kwai, A man called Horse or either old-style or brand-new The Bourne Identity whilst ruling in such bullshit as Austin Powers, The Mummy, A.I. and Troy can be considered just as a slip-up…Nothing is perfect…

Here you can find the entire list. Check it our and make up your own opinion.

http://www.listology.com/list/501-must-see-movies

Enjoy it.

“501 must-see movies”

Bountry Books Ed.

31/12/03

(PVP 9.99 €)

Planet 51

Director: Jorge Blanco

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Jessica Biel, Gary Oldman, John Cleese

Year: 2009

Genre: Animation

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 7.0
IMDB – 6.0
FilmAffinity – 6.1


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

All in Planet 51 is completely normal.
Sunny day means BBQ. Ladies take a walk with their dogs and milkman leaves his deliver in the front door every day like clockwork.

However, something is about to change their life and idea about the Universe, above all for Lem, a teenager working in the local planetarium as a junior assistant that is pretty sure the universe is 5000 miles wide; when a space rocket lands on his back garden, bringing big-mouth and pig-headed Captain Charles T. Backer (Dwayne Johnshon) within.

What at the beginning seemed as a pushover space walk for Backer turns into an adventure helped by his new fella Lem to get back on time to the spaceship for the take-off and to runway of General Grawl (Gary Oldman) and a nutty doctor obsessed with extracting brains for scientifically proposes (John Cleese).

Cinema-Reader Review:

Although it has been panned by the critics with such tough reviews as “a lame-brained toon that even kids will recognize as an insipid goof on sci-fi conventions (Variety)”, and I partially agree, but I consider is probably a bit overrated not to acknowledge the fact that the 3D animation is simply terrific.
The script is on Joe Stillman, the mind who brought us both masterpieces like Shreck I and II. I do agree with the point that the script is a little disjointed. Tries to get an easy laugh with references of other movies that labelled this genre like "E.T.", "2001: A Space Odyssey" or "Star Wars".

However I consider that overtakes what we saw in other recently 3D charts like "Cloudy with chances a of meatballs".

Summing up, the first raid on 3D high budgeted animation fulfilled by a Spanish company is simply good.
Is not great because whatever we compare with a Pixar creation tends to have no good ending.
Won’t be remembered in following years because we have already seen "Toy Story", "Shreck", "Monster Inc" or "Wall-E".

Despite of all these, I am happy with the outcome of this “Made in Spain” movie.

New Moon, The Twilight Saga

Director: Chris Weitz

Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattison, Taylor Lautner, Michael Sheen

Year: 2009

Genre: Romance

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 4.9
IMDB – 4.6
FilmAffinity – 5.7


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

After vampires attack suffered by Bella (Kristen Stewart) and a nasty incident during her birthday party, Edward (Robert Pattison) realized that keeping her aside from his world will be a tough task. Therefore, he takes a harsh call deciding to keep her far from him in order to avoid jeopardize her life.
However, she does not see that in the same way, falling into a deep sorrow that will disturb her dreams since then.

What seemed to be impossible, Edward showing up again into Bella’s life; did happen caused by a misunderstanding. However, this will lead both to deal with something against their unnatural and strong love.

Cinema-Reader Review:

I don’t get what people see on this movie and the whole saga though.
Starting since minute 1 I already had a weird sensation going around. Somehow I found myself being stuck on the seat, when I should have been running down the aisle heading the emergency exit.
However and against what seemed reasonably, I stood still until the end of a movie basically made to raise money on the blockbuster robbing straight from teen’s pockets. Because this film is aimed to they and all those which their lineal thinking avoids see what´s on in the cinema besides crap and rubbish.

The starring couple; no words… What a deathly dull performance…
And the dude that used well every second on screen to show his “six-pack”…

Haven’t seen such a lousy movie in a long while. Check out the rates. No further comments regarding this.

Law Abiding Citizen

Director: F. Gary Gray

Cast: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx, Colm Meaney, Bruce McGill

Year: 2009

Genre: Thriller / Action

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 7.2

IMDB – 7.3

FilmAffinity – 6.4

Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Justice ain’t fair once again when Clyde Shelton (Gerald Butler) loses his wife and daughter under brutal circumstances, as the killer is released when Shelton’s plaintiff lawyer, ambitious Nick Rice (Jamie Foxx), reaches an agreement with defendant in order to secure the case.

After feeling betrayed, Clyde Shelton turns into a merciless psycho and starts a countdown punishing in his own way, and thanks to his wide knowledge of engineering, to all those he considers responsible for his family murder and the lack of justice made during their prosecution. Even when locked down under custody in a secure prison, Clyde still is being able to strike with his particular hammer of justice without anyone, Rice included, could do nothing to avoid it.

Cinema-Reader Review:

New action/thriller movie that grab the topic of a normal guy living a normal live till something happens. This something is the murder of his wife and daughter.

Witnesses of this awful happening, Clyde Shelton (Gerald Butler) becomes into a particular avenger full of anger and hate towards all those he believes are responsible for the death of his entire family.

Sounds familiar, isn’t it?

It is indeed.

However, and somehow (I couldn’t figure it out yet) this films turns more interesting according the time passes.

Finally Gerald Butler gets another role since breathtaking "300" that makes him being on of the starlets within the current film industry for his own rights after such unclassified failures as "Gamer", "The Ugly Truth" or "P.S. I Love you" (what the hell he was thinking of?).

Alongside him, Jamie Foxx (always solid performing) and the superb Colm Meaney (I almost open up an account with Halifax after seeing him on its ad…)

Harry Brown

Director: Daniel Barber

Cast: Michael Caine, Emily Mortimer, Liam Cunningham

Year: 2009

Genre: Thriller

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 8.0
IMDB – 7.9
FilmAffinity – 6.9


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Harry Brown (Michael Caine) is a retired ex serviceman of the Royal Marine and recently widower living peacefully within one of the most dangerous and lawless hoods in England, ruled by gangs of youths and drug dealers.

However, this peace will be stopped when his all time friend is brutally murdered by one of these gangs.

As police enforcement lead by stubborn Detective Frampton (Emily Mortimer) is unable to prosecute the killers, Harry decides to take law on his own hands turning a merciless vigilante taking revenge for his friend death.

Cinema-Reader Review:

On his second ever movie, Daniel Barber brings a brutal view of the increasingly problem suffered by some inner cities in England where drugs and gun related crime are a daily basis routine. An approach close to a mix between Scorsese (at his very beginning) and some details "made in" Guy Ritchie (i.e. the first frame of the movie).

The film has caused a huge controversial on the always narrow-minded and two-faced British society, due to the explicit violent scene that contains. However, this dismay has been justified by the filmmaker saying this movie had to be made. And I totally agree.

Beyond the fact that has violent frames indeed, the film dives deeply in a suburban world in which violence and smuggling are the only ways to keep you alive, avoiding any kind of clichés always used when showing street gangs.

And violence is the only way to show violence.

Having said that, I must confess Michael Caine (never imagine this kind of role could suit on him that much) plays a stunning role, making this film really interesting.

DISAPPOINTMENTS 2009

Setting a precedent, I’m going to first speak about some that is not a movie, several though.

Knowing that the race toward the Oscar Ceremony is about to start, is time to comment those all movies made along this year. However, I’ve chosen those won’t be fighting with bare fist for any award (probably some will do it for Razzies instead)

The disappointments of the year.

Films with huge budgets and great starlets within that either didn’t reach the level expected or just were a simple crap.

There are cases in which, and despite the quality of the cast, screenplay and director (i.e. Public Enemies); the result in the box was simply devastating from the looking glass of the production company.

Cause quality doesn’t always go alongside success. Is not the first time, and won’t be the last, a movie applauded by the critics is panned by the public. And vice versa.

Start Trek, a lousy movie that made me waste 3 hours of my priceless time, has been one of the blockbuster of the year so far (always awaiting for result 2012 and Avatar would harvest) all around the world although being such a crap…

Having said that, here I display what I do consider disappointments, failures or just simply mistakes during this year 2009 that is coming to and end. Enjoy it, if ye can…

- Dragon Ball Evolution

The adventures of Goku and his crew searching for the Dragon Balls was one of the biggest disappointments of the year.

After waiting years for this moment, countless fans of Toriyama’s anime comics felt as pissed as I did. A movie without plot basically focus on the box (off you go with your fucking outcome), plenty of inaccurate references from the comic and with a master Muten Roshi (no disrespect toward Chow Yun Fat) closer to a copycat of a drunkard Pat Morita rather than the character itself.

They threatened us with an entire saga. After the outcome harvested with this first attempt, I’m not pretty sure if another raid will be made.

- Final Destination 3D

After the success of the first part in box and reviews 10 years ago (with Jessica Alba and the “disappeared” Devon Sawa), this year the third part was released. Unfortunately.

Cause the topic was already hackneyed with Final Destination 2.

- Year One

Jack Black made it again!!

Probably one of the most overrated comedians nowadays. Somehow he manages to mess up every movie he takes part lately. King Kong, Tropic Thunder, Be Kind Rewind… a never end list with outrageous failures within.

- Land of the lost

Speaking of witch… Alongside with the above mentioned Jack Black, here it come Will Ferrell; other of those lucky bastards that somehow are able to make people believe they are funny. Not only that, he gets paid for that!!

Land of the Lost, Bewitched, Boat trip, Semi Pro… Certainly US is a country plenty of opportunities. Otherwise which is the explanation one of the less profitable blocks within the film industry according to a survey carried out by Forbes is still getting screenplays in his hands… No further comments.

- G.I. Joe: the raise of Cobra

Another personal disappointment.

A whole childhood playing with these action toys. And as usual, the film remake of the well known animated series ended up becoming a closer approach to a mix between Matrix, Street Fighter (Denis Quaid was the old-fashion version of Mr. Jean Claud Van Dame) and Transformers plenty of X effect just completely pointless for the plot.

Thank god, Sienna Miller is among the cast making the wait till the end of the movie not just a crocked torment.

- Gamer

Movie which argument spins around a former Special Forces member unfairly in prison that ends up being part of a futuristic war game where blood and death are more than realistic, real indeed.

However, Mark Neveldine (with other “success” movies like Cranck I and II) spoils what at first glace seemed an interesting idea.

Another proof that does confirm my affirmation that the bigger the special effects on a movie, the worse it will be.

- Public Enemies

In spite of being claimed during its marketing campaign as the predecessor of the new age of cop-and-robbers, and a stunning cast plenty of acknowledge names such Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Stephen Dorff or Stephen Graham, Michael Mann’s film didn’t get good reviews.

Neither the public bailed him out. The only way in which a new slip-up within the box office receipts would be avoided has to be DVD sales.

- Bruno

Another attempt from the creator of the hilarious Ali-G and the controversial (that doesn’t mean brilliant) Borat to create a debate within the current US society.

On this film, Sacha Baron Cohen falls into an excessive usage of “explicit” sex footage and the same index of jokes already shown in his former films in order to criticise some the world’s already aware long time age, US narrow-minded society.

Nothing new that is becoming with every movie more and more gone off.

I do prefer by far Sacha’s prior philosophy, just focus on the fact of having a craic.

- Surrogates

More futuristic rubbish located on a future run by surrogates.

Just the fact of seeing Bruce Willis with that wig (as well as happens with Nicolas Cage although his isn’t a wig…) makes the viewer be more worried about in which footage of the movie that rat is gonna came out of his head.

2012

Director: Roland Emmerich

Cast: John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Chewetel Ejiofor

Year: 2009

Genre: Action, Sci-Fi

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 6.3
IMDB – 6.6
FilmAffinity – 5.5


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

The end of the world as known before is closer than humankind had though, doom caused by a huge change within the deep down of the planet and foreseen by ancient civilizations with a fixed date, 21/12/2012.

Geologist Adrian Helsmley (Chewetel Ejiofor) discovered it.
However arrives late for the future of the humanity, which will be shaken by terrifying earthquakes, huge tsunamis and what the final destination of the mankind seems.

In order to skive this, some people have raised funds necessaries to build up what will held the last hope for few.

Cinema-Reader Review:

Blockbuster of the year so far, Roland Emmerich brings his new apocalyptical view of the end of the world after formers successful movies under the same topic as “Independence Day” or “The day after tomorrow”.

Stunning special effects that recreate what the end of the world and human being would look like.
This alongside a cast made of well-known faces (Amanda Peet, Danny Glover, Woody Harrelson) make sure a booming success on the box all around the world.

Having said that, let’s speak about the script and plot.
A predictable story already seen in many other movies that jumped over this topic (“The day after tomorrow, “Dante’s Peak”, “Volcano”) in which a group of survivors, children included among them (of course...), struggles to keep them alive in what seems a sure death but surprisingly they always avoid by centimeters (followed by a bad-joke)... everything really American. Only thing missed was an US flag spread whilst happening all the events.

John Cusack leads this group and the cast. Despite I do consider this won’t be his best performance ever (“High Fidelity” would be deemed as his best role, without leaving behind the bureau officer in “Con-Air”), fits well into the role of this nowadays hero. Thanks god no more slips such as “Serendipity”. Keep my fingers crossed.

Summarizing, it’s a really good entertainment though based on one of the most accomplished X-effect in a movie lately. It won’t remain remembered as a must-seen movie. However is very advisable if you have spare time on a raining Sunday afternoon.

The Fourth Kind

Director: Olatunde Osunsanmi

Cast: Mila Jovovich, Will Patton, Elias Koteas

Year: 2009

Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 6.1

IMDB – 6.8

FilmAffinity – 5.6

Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Dr Abigail Tyler(Mila Jovovic) is a psychologist working in Noma, a small town located within the middle of Alaska. Her routine of dealing with others problems as psychologist is mixed with her own suffering after the loss of her husband one year before upon unsolved circumstances.

Nothing unusual until one day she will find herself handling a disturbing happening. Some of her patients are suffering sleep trouble. Same dream, same figure (a white owl) she has been dreaming during the last nights.
Is then when she is determined to find out what is disturbing her patients, and consequently herself, through hypnosis sessions.

However, these sessions will turn into terrifying encounters where will be implicit an encounter with something that doesn’t belong to the earth.

Cinema-Reader Review:

Sci-Fi thriller shot under the umbrella of a false documentary, using footages claimed as real records during hypnosis sessions carried on by the “real” Dr. Abigail Tyler.
Universal Studios used what is known as “Guerrilla Marketing” to create an atmosphere of actual events surrounding the film. This fact makes the movie a bit disturbing and even different at the beginning, to finally end up falling in same mistakes of films within the same genre over and over.

At the beginning is a nice approach to something that really involves the viewer to the plot, that cause hesitation among the public whether or not the events described are real; to then mess all achieved up using clichés already seen countless time before.

Nice ideal awfully fulfilled.

Couples Retreat

Director: Peter Billingsley

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, John Favreau, Kristen Bell, Jean Reno

Year: 2009

Genre: Comedy

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 6.0
IMDB – 5.7
FilmAffinity – 5.8


Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Jason (Jason Bateman) and Cynthia (Kristen Bell) are a couple falling apart and bound to the divorce. However, and in order to struggle one last time for their marriage, they decide to go to Eden West Resort; a resort into a tropical island aimed to couples with problems.
In their effort, they drag with them their friends, 3 other couples with their own problems; a marriage fallen into the boredom (Vince Vaughn, Marlin Ackermann), a just divorced 40 something block going out with a new 20 year-old girl and a couple that passes more time cheating on each other rather than even speaking (John Favreau and Kristin Davis).

What since the beginning seemed as a week holiday having fun within a beautiful place, turns into a nightmare for them all as every couple problems will blossom, causing more than a tricky situation

Cinema-Reader Review:

Having a first sight into the cast, it is easy to foresee that this movie is becoming one of the blockbusters of this year into the boxes all around the world.

It’s all ingredients; a cast full of acknowledge faces of TV as Kristin Davis (Sex on the city) and cinema as Kristen Bell (Forgetting Sara Marshall) or Marlin Akermann (Watchmen) as well as well-known supporting actors as John Favreau is (In good company, Very bad things).
In addition, Vince Vaughn and Jason Bateman leading the cast. Whatever in which they are involve is meant to be good, fucking good.

Thereafter this movie seems to be worthy, and as said above; it will be a blockbuster with all the consequences it entails.
Consequences as a weak screenplay (sorry Vince but your touch doesn’t work in here…) that makes this comedy being so predictable with an end the viewers can see coming from the first footage, messing up any effort (not huge by the way) on Vince and Jason side.

On the other hand, c’mon: is Vince Vaughn!

If you don’t have anything better to do, think twice before choosing this movie.
Then, keep thinking.
There are many other choices on the screen. Either way, is your call…

UP

Director: Pete Docter / Bob Peterson

Cast: Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai

Year: 2009

Genre: Animation

Rating:

Cinema-Reader – 8.7

IMDB – 8.6

FilmAffinity – 8.2

(Click here to watch trailer)

Cinema-Reader Synopsis:

Carl Fredricksen is a seventy something year-old man which life has fallen into boredom and sadness right after his beloved wife did pass away. Their all time dream had been to settle themselves into an idyllic place in one of the farthest and unexplored places in the planet.

When Mr. Fredricksen finds himself and his house in jeopardy, he decides to take that dream further, packing all his belongings, including the house, and fulfil with this dream flying away towards this place.
However, he won't be doing this trip on his own. Russell, a junior Wilderness looking desperately for his last badge in order to become a Senior Wilderness will be alongside him.

Both will carry out their lifetime adventure, with talking dogs, bizarre birds and Mr. Fredricken's childhood hero turned into their evil enemy.

Cinema-Reader Review:

When Pixar seemed not able to better itself after awesome movie such Wall-E, Finding Nemo or Monster Inc; they show up with UP, a movie aim at children and not that children.
Not only is different, but spiky movie with an outstanding screenplay that fits into what Walt Disney though must have every good film; one tear for every laugh caused.

It won’t be a surprise if around February we see UP among all candidates into Oscar’s ceremony awards, and not only included within Animated Film contest. All my money goes for Best Original Screenplay.

And this could be the following brick placed in the building that Toy Story started already in 1995, the building of the computer-animated films. With titles like Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Wall-E, Planet 51 (incoming in following dates) or UP itself, the traditional hand-made picture film industry will be left out into a secondary background, although efforts on Disney’s side with films like The Princess and the Frog (pending of date of release).

Great movie. Probably one of the best of this year.
We will see if able to make history...