Cloverfield Lives up to Expectations
By Peter* 1/19/2008
In a film that is hauntingly reminiscent of 9/11, Cloverfield pulls the audience into the story and delivers an experience like nothing they have experienced before. From its unique perspective to its hand held camera filming style, this film feels more like an amusement park thrill ride. I was one of those viral groupies for this film since I saw the first trailer before Transformers. Ever since then, I have been scouring the internet for secret and fake websites set up for the film to provide insight into the plot and monster as well as build hype. Let me just preface this review by saying that the film most definitely lives up to all its hype and though the viral marketing provided a little more back story as well as a more rewarding viewing experience, it was not necessary in order to enjoy this movie.
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There Will Be Excellence
By Bob 1/8/2008
Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood was simply put, one of the most amazing works I have seen this year, or any year for that matter. It was unquestionably a classic, and might go down as one of the greatest films of all time thanks to the performance of its lead actor: Daniel Day-Lewis.
Day-Lewis was hauntingly thorough, and his speech impeccable. Not only did he deliver his lines with incredible gravitas, but he was able to carry an already excellent film to an entirely new level. I would say that this performance might possibly be the best I have ever seen, and it is certainly the most outstanding performance of the past decade.
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Okay Debaters
By Aaron 12/26/2007
The Great Debaters is based on the true story of Wiley College Texas’ 1935 National Championship debate team. Melvin B. Tolson (Denzel Washington, who also directs) picks an unusual team of Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), Samantha Brooke (Jurnee Smollett), James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker, not Forest’s son), and Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams). Tolson whips the team into shape and leads them through an undefeated tear of all the major African American Colleges of the 30’s. The last remaining challenge, and Tolson’s goal, is the white colleges and universities. Will they succeed at the Oklahoma State University? Will that punch their ticket to Cambridge to challenge Harvard? Perhaps I gave the movie away, but come on, most of the papers already told you that much. And Oprah produced the movie, so you can better believe you’re going to get a happy ending.
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Depp and Burton: Bloody Brilliant
By Aaron 12/26/2007
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Tim Burton’s latest movie, follows Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) a.k.a Benjamin Barker, as he sets out to take revenge on those who wronged him. Think, a musical Count of Monte Cristo except with a razor instead of a sword. Todd returns to London after being sent away by the jealous Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) who coveted Barker’s beautiful young wife and has now taken Todd’s daughter, Johanna (Jayne Wisener), as his ward/prisoner. Todd opens a barbershop above Mrs. Lovett's (Helena Bonham Carter) Meat Pie Shop, on Fleet Street, where Todd lived with his family. With the help of Mrs. Lovett, Todd tries to kill all those who have ever done him wrong. Continue the Article Here
Something to Atone For
By Aaron 12/20/2007
It is hard to explain the plot of Atonement without giving away what makes the movie great. If you have seen the preview, it is easy to describe the premise of the movie without giving it away. On the eve of World War II, an upper class family plans a dinner for their son’s guest and invites a friend of the family, their maid’s son (James McAvoy) to the dinner. He is in love with their daughter (Keira Knightley), who also loves him. But when they get carried away and Keira’s sister (Saoirse Ronan) walks in on them, misinterpreting what her innocent eyes had never seen, she accuses McAvoy of raping her sister and another girl, and McAvoy is promptly taken away and locked up. When World War II breaks out the prisoners are given the opportunity to fight for their freedom. Will he live to get back to her? Will he ever escape the weight that hangs over him from that one night?
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