Chronicle [2012] Action // Sci-Fi

Grade: B
Stars: 8.3

"Three high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of control, and their darker sides begin to take over. -- (C) Official Site"


DISCLAIMER: I'm pretty drunk typing this. Sorry y'all.


Alright, so Chronicle is one of those ridiculous "lost footage" movies that we've all come to hate...thing is, this thing smashes the mold and totally breaks the standard. It's freaking amazing!! This movie shocked me to be honest. It blew my expectations so far out of the water that I couldn't help but say "DAYUM".

The story is about three extremely plausible / realistic high school students who find a magical rock (or something) that gives them super powers. Basically, they end up with psychic powers that allow them to become Mewtwos or something.

The story doesn't go into depth on why, but strangely I forgot myself asking after awhile because the acting was surprisingly captivating and the realism / plausible story-line was so enthralling that I found myself completely immersed.

This is the only "lost footage" film that genuinely felt like both "lost footage" and a real cinema experience.
Acting, the acting is top notch, which surprised me, and the story (however linear) was extremely east to follow but by no means not balls to the wall fantastic.

The pace of this movie was perfect. There was never a wasted scene or moment. The cinematography was decent, and at some points extremely creative.

Anyhow, without giving spoilers I can say that this movie's climax was absolutely epic. I was not expecting it to be this good. It wasn't just some bullshit where things explode or characters die, it was fucking moving. It was profound. Further, this movie actually had a message and a lot of subtle themes stitched in, ranging from the classic (wah wah) don't bullshit, to child abuse.

This movie accomplished a lot in that it didn't follow the normal structure of a standard 'film' but still delivered the same punch and impact of fully any other film.

There was nothing too cliche or recycled from this film, and the side character Steve is the fucking man.

Basically, you should watch this movie. You will not be disappointed. It's extremely well executed and I would recommend this movie to anyone/everyone.

The Good Sheppard [2006] -- Drama // Crime // CIA

Stars: 7.9 (really, it's probably like a 6.0)
Grade: C+/B-

Personally, I am heavily bias for this movie. As many of you might know, I'm a huge history buff when it comes to the CIA and the Cold War as I publish another blog on similar topics and work closely with thepeopleshistory.net guy. www.noonesecurity.blogspot.com

This film inherently is nothing profound and I think it over-reached its grasp with what it set out to accomplish. It often times convoluted, extremely slow, and always always forces you to rely on a host of history you (the audience) simply don't have. Despite that, it's still a fantastic film. The attention to detail (specifically history and props etc) is staggering. Even the lingo (although little dialogue) is time accurate.

If you go into this film WITH that historical background, technologically, politically, and cultural, the movie becomes a beautiful masterpiece into the world of the early CIA. I think one of the most jarring aspects of this film is the fact that it takes place at two completely separate junctures of time, which are incredibly difficult to differentiate between, due largely to the fact that the main actor (Matt Daemon) is seemingly ageless. Although they try to show the difference by clothing and attire and background, it's still incredibly difficult to follow the story lines. Often times you are playing catch up and filling in blanks, but the pieces don't fit together.

Although I am partial to these types of subtle (Tinker Tailor etc) CIA films, this one takes the cake. This is *NOT* Jason Bourne. Understanding the characters and the way they're acting is something I don't think a film when compared to a book can accomplish. The story and character's profoundly deep story lines become more evident each time you watch the film (I doubt anyone would get through it twice...let alone 4 like I have). I think the director failed in this aspect. It is NOT captivating and it is not profound the first time.

This is the type of film that unless you lived it, studied it, or you're high as balls and don't care, you just wont enjoy. Don't let me deter you, if you've got the mind for it by all means watch it... but with a grain of salt that it's more a character study than a dramatic story of the CIA.

This movie starts with the creation of the CIA (watch this documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pAmhsqqQqE) and ends just before the height of the cold war. The historical hints are so subtle (a news paper article, a passing character in the background, a picture on the wall) that the audience misses it. It's like trying to put all the nuanced pieces of 'There Will Be Blood' in context the first time. It's impossible, dull and isn't worth watching. That is the best paralle I can draw.

I think Daemon was well casted, as well his wife (who I believe becomes a cocaine addict in the 60s story line? It's not clear at all what goes wrong with that).

This is a realistic portrayal of espionage and concentrates more about the characters internal struggles than it does on high action bombs and explosions. There are few moments of tense conflict, but if you can look past the poorly thought out convoluted clusterfuck the move can be, it's actually fantastic.

I'd only recommend this movie to people with an interest for the history or who absolutely love character studies. This is the type of movie where if you haven't read the book, you're in the dark (I actually don't know if there is a book).

Still at the end of the day, this film is somehow still on my list of top 10 favorites.

The American [2010] // Drama // Failed-Thriller

Stars: 4 / 10
Grade: D+

The opening scene of this movie is fantastic. Fully everything after that point is down hill. There is no roller coaster. Just down. It was dry, it was dull, dreary, repetitive, and uneventful. This is perhaps one of the worst movie's in it's genera of all time. It calls itself a thriller, but it fails to thrill or even entertain in the slightest. It's like trying to understand Tinker Tailor Solider Spy, but there is literally no story to follow even if you could. It's just shitty cliche dialogue, boring shots of scenery in a foreign country and the vibe that something is going to happen. It never does. Although the trailer hyped it up to be a Tom Clancy (RIP) book, it was more like a textbook from the 40's. Dreary and dull. It honestly felt like watching paint dry on a screen.

Between the close ups and boring cinematography, you end up with a mess of story telling (what story?) and shitty character development. I just got done watching it (again) and I'm just as pissed as the first time. I can't honestly tell you the plot, because there is no plot. There is an American. He kills people. No one cares. Nothing happens. The end.

I really wish I had more to say about this review, but this movie was so profoundly uneventful that there is quite literally NOTHING to talk about. It's just George Clooney walking around and staring just outside the cameras field of view. Honestly? The movie was [in all probability] super realistic in its portrayal of the life of an assassin. Dull, and lame. More sitting than action.

This movie sucked. I really can't say more.

Gravity [2013] // Unclassified / Sci-Fi(?)

This movie was intense. It's beautiful. I'm honestly not sure what to compare it to, because there really is nothing else like it. And that's a good thing. A really really good thing. This movie is hopefully the new paradigm of cinema and first-person story telling. We've all seen that Blair Quarantine-Field REC nonsense....but this...this is something special. This is 100% the opposite of that bullshit.

I can't even say that the story was lacking, because despite the fact that the story is so linear, so profoundly simple, it's perfect. It's poetic. It is visually mind blowing. I think I clocked 12 minutes into the film before the first 'camera cut'.

The film utilizing all the things we've hearing about for years. Long exposure, no-motion blur, hi-resolution pixels etc etc. It's a work of art and technological accomplishment that really puts other films to shame. They need to catch up or shut up. Looking at J.J & Star Wars 6.

The physics, or the computer algorithms or wizard animators that figured it out how objects in space would REALLY react were of the highest caliber. There was no sci-fi in the physics or realism...only Sci. This is the 2013 "Apollo 13" of cinema mixed with cutting edge technology and breath taking scenery and the same quality acting from Bullock and Clooney. This movie can only be described as suburb, revolutionary and breath taking and stunning. Literally. Although there were a few points where ...yeah...it's a stretch to think it's completely real, at no point did my brain say "That's not even possible. That's not even plausible..."
No, all my brain could say was "Wow...that's amazing..." followed closely by "holy shit" you actually feel like you can't breathe.

I'm glad to have the chance to just describe things like 'Long Sequence Cinematography' something my second favorite movie 'Children of Men' pioneered. This movie however takes the cake. The Director of Jason Bourne should be ashamed of himself with that choppy sequence nonsense. This film honestly feels like you're floating through space and you're right there beside (or inside the eyes of) the characters.

 I wish I could give a better review, but there isn't much to be said other than if you've ever loved space, wanted to go to space, or thought about what would happen if the Movie "The Core" was actually even remotely good after it's opening sequence...you will love this film. The music, the sound (or lack there of) is all super nerve racking.

THE TRAILER IS NOT THE MOVIE!! IT IS DIFFERENT!

Go on a quite night, be alone in the theater, see it on the biggest screen possible, and absolutely spend the extra $ on the 3D. This is coming from the broke college kid who can only afford movies because his friends run the theaters.

Generations to come will look back and say "This...this is the movie that started it" ...alright maybe Avatar, but that shit is on a different page.

Tl;dr

See this movie. Everyone. Everyone should see this movie. It is an accomplishment for man kind. Really.

Prometheus [2012] -- Horror // Sci-Fi

Grade: C
Stars: 7.0

"Prometheus is a reboot prequel to Ridely Scotts Alien. The movie doesn't feature the Alien, but is still gorgeous to watch."

Gosh this movie was a disappointment. I actually prefer the trailer to the film. The coherent narrative was at least refreshing, but to be honest the themes, and even genera felt schizophrenic at best. Was this sci-fi, horror, chiller, philosophical, action, or just an overly self-indulgent smorgasbord board of bullshit from our lovely friend the writer / director / religious zealot Ridley Scott.

Now, I'm not going to rip into Scott that much, but let's be real here... Prometheus, compared to what it S/could have been, was a disaster. The characters were extremely weak to say the least, and all of them felt incredibly forced, and fake. Notwithstanding the main character, an actress who did a great job, although her accent was a bit obnoxious, every other character felt as cliche as the movie did holistically. It was absolutely a sum of it's parts and it's parts were broken, uneven, mismatched and straight up confusing.

Look, this movie was certainly no Alien, but it was worlds and bounds better than A.V.P. Of course, we all know only the ORIGINAL Alien was directed by Scott, but with that said, it may have been for the best. Prometheus was not advertised overtly as a prequel and I think that was the correct decisions. It is simply the same universe, but the story is, for all intents and purposes, completely stand alone.

Sure, we got a look back at the xenomorph (Alien) and unlocked some secrets about the "SpaceJocky" (can't explain it, go google it) but did the movie really have to include either? No. Not at all. In fact, the "Alien" featured in this movie was little more than an homage / tribute to the first film.  And you know what, that pissed me off. This movie had such amazing potential to be an absolute world shattering revelation movie where we see the Alien's genies in our (relatively speaking) life time and how it progressed to now classic 'Alien' film that preceded it...in the future...in space...

The plot is super meh. It's trying so hard to be something it isn't...profound. It was not true to it's roots and felt like a shitty Indian Jones knock off in space. The characters run around having seemingly random bad shit happen to them (snakes in the suit? wtf?), chased by holograms (wtf?) and I think the worst offended The fucking zombies. WHY THE FUCK WERE THERE ZOMBIES?!

Yeah, we can go on several chat forums and see what the self proclaimed experts take on it is, but if I have to resort to getting my answers from an external source (Donny Darko exempt) then I can't help but write the movie off as poor editing / writing.

Oh and one more thing, why the fuck was Guy Pierce even in this movie? It's so utterly pointless, since they dressed him up all old and shit. He must have asked for the part...it made no sense to cast him. None.

Alright, so without giving away spoilers of the (shitty) plot, onto the good stuff.

Visually, this movie is breath taking! I saw this in theaters and damn was I impressed. From the moment that giant space ship touches down on our pseudo-earth we know we're in for a serious ride. The visual effects are equally impressive, as I'm sure much of the story's cogent writing team was sacrificed for Ridley Scott's nonsense and a large CG budget. Yes, CG. The lack of aniamatronics largely disappointed me, but at least the CG was decent enough. None of that flashy lens flare J.J shit.

The movie didn't really feel scary, but did it at least sorta kinda-ish make you wonder about ...all that...profound like...stuff ...like ...life and ..stuff... I guess? I don't know, the movie was pretty subpar.

To wrap it up, this movie is a very interesting unique experience. It's not necessarily that fantastic, but in it's own rite it's pretty decent. I wish it had kept to a genera and stuck to it, or kept to a character and stuck to it, but it was over the top, balls to the wall, brutal, and did at least resemble Alien, even if it didn't capture anywhere near the emotion that Alien did.

I'd recommend this movie to just about everyone actually, although it doesn't come highly recommended. It's just a decent sci-fi 'horror' film (I think) and it opens a lot of interesting philosophical questions (where did we come from....where are we going etc).