Category Archives: movies

Film Review: Immortals…

Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto, Stephen Dorff
Directed by: Tarsem Singh

Today, I decided to hit the mall to catch a movie, and I ended up seeing, “Immortals” today. Here is my review…

Plot/synopsis: Eons after the Gods won their mythic struggle against the Titans, a new evil threatens the land. Mad with power, King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) has declared war against humanity. Amassing a bloodthirsty army of soldiers disfigured by his own hand, Hyperion has scorched Greece in search of the legendary Epirus Bow, a weapon of unimaginable power forged in the heavens by Ares. Only he who possesses this bow can unleash the Titans, who have been imprisoned deep within the walls of Mount Tartaros since the dawn of time and thirst for revenge. In the king’s hands, the bow would rain destruction upon mankind and annihilate the Gods. But ancient law dictates the Gods must not intervene in man’s conflict. They remain powerless to stop Hyperion…until a peasant named Theseus (Henry Cavill) comes forth as their only hope. Secretly chosen by Zeus, Theseus must save his people from Hyperion and his hordes.

This film is getting mostly negative reviews by critics and movie fans. The reason I wanted to see this film is because I like Greek mythology, and I was curious on how good Henry Cavill’s acting skills are since he is the new Superman for, “Man of Steel”. I never saw any of his work before, so he is pretty new to me.

So the question is, did I like, “Immortals”? Yes I did. Let me correct that for ya, I actually loved the film a lot. So far, I think this is one of the best films of 2011. I don’t understand how this movie can get negative reviews.

I did think Henry’s acting was very good. As I watched this film, I pictured myself watching, “Man of Steel”. I kept seeing Henry as Superman in this film even though this movie wasn’t Superman. Do I think Henry is going to make a great Superman? Yes. He will make an amazing Superman. Henry Cavill is a very like-able hero. He’s very entertaining on the screen.

The movie was very stylish and different. The visuals and special effects were very impressive. Most 3D movies aren’t very good, 3D effects wise, but this movie looked very good in 3D. I think this movie could get some Oscar nods on Best Visual Effects and Cinematography.

Mickey Rourke plays a great villain like usual. His character in this film, he does a good job on making you want to hate this guy. He’s very evil, scary looking, big and muscular.

There is also plenty of action, violence, and gore throughout the film. I thought the fight scenes were pretty intense. It kept you watching. I thought the best fight scene of the whole movie was when Henry’s character, was fighting this guy dressed up as a horned bull in this small circular room. You probably know the scene I am talking about. Henry is the type of guy that you want to see in action and kick some ass. Henry is a jacked dude in this movie as well.

The most popular complaint about this movie is that most everyone is half naked and shirtless in this movie. Well, if you understand Greek mythology that’s how it always was with people. That was their thing to not wear a lot of clothing.

After watching, “Immortals”, it makes me think that gives me an idea of how they’re going to make the upcoming, “God of War”, movie based on the video game. I thought, “Immortals”, was way better than, “300”, and the “Clash of the Titans” remake.

I thought this film was pretty amazing. Two thumbs up for “Immortals”. Check it out.

Score for “Immortals” = (4 stars as in = “excellent”)

Kev

Netflix Pick (DVD) Insidious

Last night, I watched the movie, “Insidious” on DVD. It was a Netflix DVD rental. I think this is one of the best horror movies I’ve seen in a long time. It really was a great film. James Wan is a great horror film director. He was the one who directed the first, “Saw”, and he also did the horror film, “Dead Silence”. He didn’t direct too many movies over the years, and I wish he would direct more.

“Insidious” is about this boy named, Dalton who lives with a family who moved into this new house. Dalton’s father is a school teacher and his mother is a musician & singer/songwriter. Dalton also has a brother and a baby sister. Dalton was put into a coma after he fell off a ladder in the attic. They thought it was a coma but they discovered it was something different. Mysterious things have been happening around the home and they assumed it was haunted. It was also assumed that Dalton could be possessed. What they discovered wasn’t exactly being haunted or possessed, it is something called, Astral Projection. Dalton is still alive but in an another world, called the Further. The family tries their best to get Dalton back.

Enough with the synopsis, on with my thoughts. I thought everything about this film was perfect. It’s just the way a horror film is supposed to be. Not bad for a PG-13 rating. It was very scary and creepy as hell. It’ll have you at the edge of your seat throughout the film. Finally we have a new horror film where both the writing and acting is really good.

It’s another low budget movie. It pretty much has no musical score, there’s no music at all through the film and that’s what makes it scary. There’s no gore either. I also thought the storyline was pretty original. They did a good job making you think the house is haunted or if the boy is possessed when it isn’t either of those. This movie might remind you of other films such as “Poltergeist” and, “The Exorcist”, but this film is different.

There’s probably going to be a sequel to this movie ’cause I believe the ending left open for another movie. The ending was predictable but other than that, this is a great film. I look forward to the sequel now. I know I’m late checking this movie out, but it’s hard trying to catch up with all the new releases sometimes. So many movies, so little time.

Kev

Thought: How I would like to see the Michael Jackson biopic get made…

As soon as the news of the Michael Jackson biopic film moving forward was announced this week, I am a little worried on how they’re going to make the film. There are questions you have to ask yourself about the film. How much are they going to put in and how much they are going to leave out of Jackson’s life? Will they even use the pedophile and Conrad Murray stuff?

Since this film is going to be by the Jackson estate, I’m a little worried they’re going to leave out all the negative stuff about Jackson’s life, and focus on the positive things out of respect for Jackson’s family. I hope they use everything about Jackson’s life even the controversial stuff. Yes, they even need to use the part where Jackson hangs a baby out the window. Jackson losing Neverland Ranch needs to be in the film too. All that controversial and dark stuff about Jackson’s life needs to be in the film, if they want it to be a powerful drama. This shouldn’t be a family friendly Jackson biopic ’cause we already got the family friendly Jackson with the, “This Is It”, movie.

The film also shouldn’t be a musical ’cause we already got that with, “This Is It”. It needs to be a strictly biopic movie think of films like “La Bamba”, “Ray”, and “Walk the Line”. If they want this film to work, and if they want this film to land some Oscar nods, they need to be a little careful with this film. It’s going to be difficult and challenging to make a Jackson biopic.

It needs a really good writer and good director. Kenny Ortega will probably direct this film, but I would appreciate if they pass the torch to someone else. Spike Lee might do a good job. I would also like the great Martin Scorsese to direct it too. MJ and Martin Scorsese worked on a few music videos in the past before, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they go after Scorsese. Scorsese would probably be the best choice out of everyone though.

The film also needs to be long, at least 2 1/2 hrs. to 3 hrs long. A Jackson biopic would be good. It should focus on the history of his life from his childhood to his death. It should focus everything on his life from his music career, movie career, family life, romantic relationships, drug addiction, etc. Everything needs to be in it. It’s not a biopic movie if they decide to leave stuff out, right?

Whether you like MJ or not, he is king. They don’t call him the, “King of Pop”, for nothing. I’m a fan of MJ, always has been. I don’t care what other people think.

Kev

Report: Michael Jackson estate finally moving forward on making the biopic film about the King of Pop…

So the Michael Jackson estate executor, John Branca, has finally started to shop for producers and studios to help make the biopic film to the big screen about the late, King of Pop. Branca approached, Montecito Pictures, which is owned by Ivan Reitman and Tom Pollock, to help finance and produce.

Read more on the story, here.

This is just the early stages and just moving forward. So there are no screenwriters, directors and no cast yet. I bet the director will be none other than Kenny Ortega who did, “This is It”.

As for who to cast Michael Jackson himself, they would need 5 different actors to play him because of his various transformations over the years on his image. They would need black actors to play the younger Jackson of course, but as for the full grown Jackson, any actor can play him. You know about Michael Jackson’s white skin due to his bad plastic surgery, any actor (including a white actor) can play that kind of Jackson.

I think I remember Johnny Depp, wanted to play Michael Jackson for the biopic, and I think that’s a perfect choice right there, in my opinion. Depp would make a good Jackson. They would probably get Jaden Smith for the child Jackson of the Jackson 5 era.

If they do a good job and make it right, I can see this movie being a very powerful drama. Will they do everything about Michael’s life in this movie? Will they even add the pedophile trial and the Conrad Murray stuff into the film? They probably will, wouldn’t surprise me.

As for who to play the young Jackson during the “Off the Wall” to the “Thriller” era, I’m not sure, but they would need a young black actor for that too. It’s gonna be difficult to cast Jackson for sure. I vote Forrest Whittaker or Laurence Fishburne for Conrad Murray.

Anyway, it’s gonna be a long while to see the Michael Jackson biopic arrive to the big screen. I see it being released in 2013 – 14. Glad they’re finally starting to do one. I’m looking forward to it!

Kev

 

Cool Video: So which version of “Snow White” live action do you prefer to see now?

Not too long ago, we’ve just seen the trailer for “Snow White and the Huntsman”, that stars Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth and Charlize Theron. The film is directed by, Rupert Sanders.

Well here’s another new Snow White movie coming out, by a director named Tarsem Singh, his version is called, “Mirror, Mirror”, which stars Lily Collins, Julia Roberts, and Armie Hammer.

Which version do I think that looks better? Honestly, I think Tarsem Singh’s film, “Mirror, Mirror” looks better than, “The Huntsman”. “Mirror, Mirror” is getting a lot of negative reviews on this trailer. I think I’m figuring out why.

“The Huntsman”, is an action adventure popcorn flick with special effects, “Mirror, Mirror” is not. “Mirror, Mirror” is a different style. Tarsem Singh is an Indian, so of course, his version of the film will feel a little bit, Bollywood-ish. I think “Mirror, Mirror” is a stylish and unique looking film. It looks pretty similar to the original Disney story and faithful too. Plus, Julia Roberts looks enjoyable in this movie. Even though I don’t like Julia Roberts too much, I’ll admit, I had a smile on my face watching her in this trailer. Julia made me smile more than Charlize Theron did as the Evil Queen in “The Huntsman”. That’s why people are bashing, “Mirror, Mirror” because it’s a different film.

I will see both versions in theater, just to see the different take and vision. Plus, I enjoy the Snow White story. It’s my favorite out of all the Disney classics.

Watch both trailers and take your pick.

Kev

Cool Video: Michael J. Fox shows he really does know how to play “Johnny B. Goode”…

Michael J. Fox is not letting his Parkinson’s disease getting in the way of something that he loves doing, and that is playing the guitar! Michael does his yearly Cure for Parkinsons benefit concerts in NYC, and here he is, the man himself, playing the guitar to the song, “Johnny B. Goode”. He may have played this song for the film, “Back to the Future”, but that was obviously acting. In this video, this is for real. He really does know how to play, “Johnny B. Goode”, and he even plays the guitar solo.

Whether you think this is a good performance or not, you still got to give Michael the kudos for the effort. You can see that he’s standing while playing guitar and that’s pretty ballsy when you got Parkinson’s. Even though it looks like he’s having a hard time standing, he played right through the whole song and he does look like he’s having a blast. It’s great to see Michael that he still plays guitar even though he is sick. Rock on, man!

Kev

Thought: I think Brad Pitt is crazy to retire at the young age of 50…

Brad Pitt is too young to retire from acting. Yes, 50 is young. In my opinion, he should keep going. Maybe not in leading roles, but he could just do supporting roles or cameos. He shouldn’t give up acting completely. He’s not one of my favorite actors but he is a good one who has made plenty of fantastic films. What are some my favorite Brad Pitt films?

Well here are ten of my favorites, in no particular order: Fight Club, Seven, Moneyball, Sleepers, Meet Joe Black, Inglorious Basterds, 12 Monkeys, The Devil’s Own, and the Oceans trilogy.

Hopefully Angie doesn’t retire along with him as well. It does seem like she’s going to retire soon. If you’ve noticed, Angie’s been staying away from leading roles in films more often and concentrating on directing more. I’m a fan of both of their films.

Kev

Cool Video: “The Hunger Games” trailer finally arrives online…

“The Hunger Games” full trailer with footage from the film, finally arrives online today. I’m very impressed with it. The movie actually looks pretty good. Don’t compare this to “Twilight”, because this is something totally different as you can see. This franchise don’t really shove the teen romance down our faces. “The Hunger Games”, can get really violent and graphic at times. This is one film I’m looking forward to in 2012. It looks great, and I’m definitely seeing it in theater.

Enjoy.

Kev

I loved “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”…

Last night, I started to watch that Marilyn Monroe, DVD boxset. The first one I watched was, “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”. There is something about Marilyn that puts a smile on your face as soon as she came on screen. She immediately became enjoyable and like-able. She has that power to keep that smile on your face throughout the whole film. Now I can understand why she is so iconic and popular. She had the full package. The beautiful looks, the singing talent and she was an amazing actress.

Jane Russell was great in this film as well. I’m probably going to become addicted to Marilyn Monroe flicks after watching this film. In the past, I was never into Marilyn that much. I only saw a few of her films,”Some Like it Hot”, and “The Seven Year Itch”, were the only two I’ve seen before, but I really should watch more of her films.

I think visiting L.A. and Hollywood is what did it to me. Visiting Hollywood inspired me to get into her more. I want to collect her movies on DVD as much as possible now.

I know I said I would start a blu-ray collection, but I think I will stick with DVD. I’ll only buy Blu Ray discs of my favorite movies, but I will continue to buy random movies on DVD though. I honestly like old school DVD more. I just want to watch the movies, you don’t really need better picture & sound with Blu Ray if you think about it.

Kev