Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
Ghostland (2018)
Damn you Laugier...
I'm a horror fan, and it's my favorite genre (minus slashers/torture porn/found footage mostly).
Actually my love is really for psychological thrillers, dramas or horror movies. I've seen my share of effed up, creepy and bizarre films and I generally do not find them all that scary. It's rare when this happens. Life is scary, real people scare me. Ghosts, spirits, not really.
One movie from the time when French cinema was all the rage with Gaspar Noe's Irreversible, then Inside, Ils, Malefique, Sheitan...
Noe is actually one of my favorite directors.
I was planning on watching Martyrs because I somehow missed it back in the day. Not anytime soon now.
Ghostland is one of the VERY few movies that scared me, or disturbed me. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because Pascal Laugier wanted to get a reaction, and boy he got me with this film. And he's a sadist, he wanted to torture the audience, he's said so himself. It worked...
The result is I want to forget about this movie, not because it's bad - it's really good! - but because it REALLY disturbed me.
I do find him irresponsible for what happened to Taylor Hickson but she's beautiful and well, so I'll just pretend I don't know how responsible he was and hope for the best.
Highly recommended as a horror film. You may not find it that scary but it did scare me and for this I gotta give it at least a 8 out of 10...
Moon Garden (2022)
This movie is some kind of Miracle...
Very, very small budget.
Plenty of talent and creativity involved.
We enter the world where a comatose girl trying to get out of her difficult "situation".
A *very* small girl (and her potentially great talent for acting after this role) And this fantastic world is not always such a great place. But there's a lot more to this than what I'm telling you.
By the end, it brought a tear to my eye.
I'm kinda still in love with this film. It was something really special. I hope it gets seen by more people. Yes, it's derivative at first look, but also done whofully originally.
I went in blind and I recommend you also do so, with an open mind.
Only then you'll see through the eyes of a child, with psychologically-infused tones, a miraculously well-done child fantasy and horror experience.
Well done to Ryan Stevens Harris and his crew. Amazing creativity and talent in creating something really special with so little money.
Absentia (2011)
One of Flanagan's best, actually. A great first calling card
I saw "Oculus" first, and loved it. "Ouija: Origin of Evil", a proper good horror movie and a great surprise because it's supposed to be a sequel to a mediocre movie, is amazingly good. "Before I Wake" with its more psychedelic-like fantasy tones than real horror, has remained really special to me since I first saw it... I already knew this Flanagan guy was consistently good. Hush and Gerald's Game, while nothing special, still good movies.
I haven't seen much of his recent work since then, and I haven't watched his Netflix miniseries stuff either. So I decided to finally check out his first horror film, which happens to be one of his best.
It was partially funded by Kicktarter, made with a very limited budget, but everything works beautifully. By the end, I was amazed and a bit haunted, actually.
The actors were very convincing and that surprised me. Great talent and creativity with near-perfect execution.
Very impressive from a film making appreciation point of view, as well.
Every Flanagan fan should watch this, in my opinion. Great surprise and an excellent "debut in horror".
Strange Darling (2023)
Manipulation indeed
Well, this movie is indeed about a serial killer, it is told in chapters out of order and it has an unexpected twist.
If you don't like serial killers or true crime documentary type stories about this kind of stuff, and I sure don't, it's better to skip this one. I was in doubt because this was getting so much praise, so I gave in.
There's some good acting and the movie was, technically, well made.
I tried to avoid spoilers, and well, it did surprise me. This one had an effect on me like I heard people talk about past films from Von Trier, Haneke and Gaspar Noe, all of which I usually like better than most people.
So if manipulating the audience was the intention, it definitely does its job.
This is torture porn for masochists (and sadists, or both, I guess) disguised as art-house horror.
There's a twist. But there's no real story. Other than subverting expectations, there's no point, really. While I can't really say anything else about it, it definitely made me feel "something": The feeling of wasting my time and being duped.
Some days are better than others, I guess.
Cuckoo (2024)
Lots of fun - if you're open minded
I want to write a review because I might be the right audience for this. Most people are not.
I almost gave up on watching this film after a few thankfully spoiler-free bad reviews.
I see reviewers complaining about this being too "weird"and alleged flaws about the third act and the meaning of it all.
You know guys, "Some things are better left unsaid"...
This movie knows what it is and it delivers it, nothing less, nothing more.
The plot is quite simple at first but things get more complicated than they seem. And it's kinda weird. But maybe because I've seen too many weird Japanese movies or just my taste, it wasn't that weird. And to my surprise it had a delightful tense, yet darkly humorous tone through it all. This isn't really a horror film, more of a thriller with some subtly dark comedy.
This won't appeal to everyone, but if you like, or don't mind some light weirdness and want to have some fun you may end up being pleasantly surprised. Try to go in blind.
I was really invested an interested in *Gretchen's* story. I wasn't *that* interested about the overarching story. I didn't want to know any more about why or how this or that, happens. Maybe that's a key difference in expectations and enjoyment.
The acting is phenomenal overall, Hunter Schafer was fantastic and the guy playing Mr. Könich was amazing.
The use of music was something that stood out for me, specially in one particular scene, which had an effect on me I had not felt for many years watching movies.
I think it the third act is perfection, and it ends just as it should. What a ride.
Just don't expect thorough information or a rabbit hole investigation about how or even why all that happened.
Cuckoo doesn't want or need to explain anything more than it does and it's all the better for it. Many movies these days are kinda ruined by this.
I highly recommend this one.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Action, Comedy, Romance. Fantastic entertainment.
We need more of these movies. This was such a nice surprise, a tribute to the stuntmen who are always sidelined.
I don't like Romantic movies. But this works beautifully. Is it sappy? Sure. But it made me tear up a few times, which is something I didn't expect at all.
I don't really like Action movies. This works on every level here.
I don't really like movies about movies, the 'meta' thing has gone too far these days. But this one makes it all work.
And I've been hesitant to watch comedies because lately most are trash. This is a gem.
The plot is convoluted but it all makes sense, somehow.
And I don't like dogs in movies. This dog is a good boy.
What a wonderful surprise. Ryan Gosling proves once again how good of an actor he is. Colt Seavers is a such a memorable character.
I can't recommend this enough. Pure entertainment!
Jigureul jikyeora! (2003)
Yeah, no. Meh
Maybe, if I had watched this movie a good few years back, when it was first released, or around that time...
I was much younger, life was "better" and I had developed a bit of a niche fascination with Asian films, more notably the horror/suspense/mystery genre - as well as some more "wacky" comedies, specifically from Japan and Korea. I couldn't get enough of them,mostly great films. Stuff like "A Tale of Two Sisters", "Adrift in Tokyo", Kim ki-duk, Miike and the like.
(You can see this for yourself as I did review a few of them on this site many years ago)
I watched this last night and while there is much to be admired... The acting and the film-making are great. The story is a bit of a mess. And I wasn't expecting a comedy.
Other reviews, mostly very positive, describe this as a genre-defying movie and whatnot, and how genius and inventive it is, etc. Maybe, back then it was something amazing and new?
I was left confused at the end of an admittedly hard time to actually finish the movie. So, this is about madness? Revenge? Conspiracy? I'm supposed to feel confused? Good and bad at the same time? Surprised?
I felt nothing. Good editing and camera work, but the plot is weak. The ending was, to me, at the same time, predictable and stupid. Not to mention some bizarre and unnecessary real life imagery thrown into the mix late in the game.
I didn't have fun and I was not invested in what was happening. I wasn't grossed out, this is not a violent or gory movie, not really. Just... Meh.
Maybe I'm old and jaded. My taste in movies has undeniably changed. In retrospect, I'd review and/or rate so many films very differently now.
But then again... I know that VERY recently I came across a few amazing Asian movies: "The Wailing", "Tag (2015)", "Welcome Back Mr McDonald", "One Cut of the Dead" and stuff I hadn't seen from Kurosawa before, like "Retribution" and "Seance". A few more even...
So... Yeah, "Save the Green Planet", not even close to be being a good movie in my opinion.
5/10.
Saint Maud (2019)
Mesmerizing & Haunting
Fortunately this is not what I expected.
What a debut from director Rose Glass.
A slow-burn, hypnotic and ultimately surprising film.
A character driven and VERY well told story.
This involves loneliness, desperation and 'hope", or rather blind faith in religious/spiritual significance and redemption.
The last 20 minutes of this movie made reevaluate everything and watch it again. And again.
The visual storytelling is perfect, the few actors are incredible and even some of the cgi effects which are purposefully cheesy are well placed.
Rarely have I seen a movie depict a descent in madness this well. Such a realistic portrayal of isolation and mental illness.
This will stay with me for a long time. It's not for everyone, but to me it's a treasure.
Annihilation (2018)
One of the best films of 2018 & destined to be a cult classic
If you're expecting act
Directed by and "based on a dream of his about the book", Alex Garland (who made Ex Machina) brings us something so intensely beautiful, haunting and mesmerizing that it makes one question the sanity of whoever decided to not release it on theaters worldwide.
Featuring an almost entirely female cast, starring Nicole Portman as Lena, a cellular-biology professor and former soldier and an ensemble piece really, with quality acting from all fronts - including Jennifer Jason Leigh in a great role.
It features an alien invasion... but it's probably not how you expect it to play out. Think "Stalker". Think "The Happening", but a marvellous work of art instead of a waste of your time.
More than a few scenes here are particularly tense, bone-chilling and memorable, and the story is ambiguous enough to make you want to see it a second time right away. Every scene looks fantastical, beautiful, out of this world, and both natural and supernatural. However there are some very ugly things that happen, and there's some gruesome "body horror" for good measure.
I can't really go into the technical details as I'm not an expert, but from the direction, to the screenplay, from the cinematography to the acting this is a perfect, completely solid science-fiction film that also serves as an allegory and metaphor for guilt, grief, disease, self-sabotage and frankly, evolution and life itself - but in the most amazing and natural way possible.
The Soundtrack is also very notable and is used incredibly effectively. It's a masterpiece of sorts and compliments the movie perfectly.
Science minded people will not be disappointed and neither will most cinephiles who have a preference for movies that are able to both respect and awe their audiences.
This is one of those such rare movies which deserves to be seen and appreciated.
Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010)
Hilarious and effective comedy "horror" done in a different way
Tucker & Dale vs Evil is a movie I've cherished for quite a few years now, having seen it shortly after it was released. I've just finished rewatching it for the the nth time now, and I just have to recommend this as great entertainment.
It's a shame this movie isn't more well-known, for it is a perfect exercise in taking a premise and turning it upside down on its head. The movie is smart as well, featuring and exploring the ideas of perception, prejudice and lack of communication, but in a quick and very entertaining way. The acting is top-notch, specially Dale as portrayed by Tyler Labine.
I don't want to get too much into the story, but when the villain(s?) are made clear, it's actually scary, and the ending was honestly quite riveting, with a perfect, sweet last shot that left me more than satisfied - and still laughing as the credits rolled.
Totally recommended if you want a great bonafide comedy that's both smart and a laugh riot.
Before I Wake (2016)
Dark fantasy-horror hybrid Fable
Having seen and liked Flanagan's other movies, I still approached this with some caution. The reviews and even the director himself were referring to this as a dark fantasy tale, but having seen it I would classify as a mix of that and horror, because there are certainly some horrific events taking place in this movie - until you realize, by the end, that it's also a fable and a dark one at that, for my money.
While I didn't know in which direction this one was going, I can see some why folks might have frustrated by this - either because it's not a pure horror film, or those who may have seen the ending coming from a mile away.
I would summarize this movie as a series of metaphors about how we deal with loss, memories, and the limits of imagination. At the same time, I can't help but think of this movie with fondness and awe of the beauty of these things, but also knowing one has to let go, after all - life goes on.
Oculus (2013)
Optical Illusions
Having seen and appreciated Mike Flanagan's "Ouija: Origin of Evil", I decided to watch this with reasonably high expectations.
The plot is basically about an alledgledly "cursed" mirror, which is mainly explained to us through the eyes of Kaylie, brilliantly played by Karen Gillan. He brother is released from a mental hospital from some dark event that happened when they were kids. The film takes its time and is very well paced and this works in its favor.
This is a solid horror film that plays with time, reality and illusions, and it succeeds at every level, not letting go until the very end - which is weirdly satisfying.
Leave (2011)
Stay.
Just as a sign of how much this film moved me, this is my first review on IMDb after 3 years of not having much to add or say about countless other movies.
As other reviewers have written, it's tough to talk about "Leave" without spoiling it.
The best I can do is recommend you read the synopsis, perhaps watch the trailer and make up your own mind. Don't fall for the abysmal ratings on IMDb. You can leave and dismiss it as I almost did or stay and be surprised. Do what you want.
You have a choice. One minute into the film and I wasn't sure if this was for me. I chose to let go and enjoy the trip. Turns out this was just what I needed.
I'd describe it as a slow paced psychological thriller. It's a short movie and it's perfect as it is.
I can say I've watched this twice in a row and I'm still thinking about it. I cannot recommend this enough.
The Chosen One (2010)
Light hearted, spiritual drama with a few comedic elements
I found the above description on this movie's board on IMDb, and it's better than anything I could come up with.
This is relevant because anyone expecting a typical Rob Schneider movie (The Hot Chick, Deuce Bigalow, Big Stan) will be very disappointed, or worse, depressed.
Rob Schneider plays Paul, a depressed alcoholic car salesman who tries to kill himself after being dumped by his lady. 3 shamen and a girl from Colombia find him, claiming he's the chosen one who will save their mountain. Paul then faces a series of situations at work and in life which help him make an important decision.
I certainly didn't expect a movie like this, as it is very bittersweet, and potentially a career-destroying move. But it has its heart in the right place, it feels honest, and I believe it must be commended for that.
Unfortunately, I can't say it's very good movie. "The Chosen One" looks cheap and feels very disjointed, with special effects that look like the ones found in Discovery Channel's documentaries from ten years ago. The pacing is weird, everything seems a little bit "off" and "direct-to-dvd".
The few comic moments are mostly black humor, and almost all of them are in Steve Buscemi's scenes. He's a top notch actor, and his superior quality clearly shows here when he elevates the whole movie to a whole new degree.
But I did like it, amazingly, and can certainly recommend it to people who need a little more light in their lives.
Just don't watch this thinking it's a comedy.
Insutanto numa (2009)
Instant Fun
After watching "Adrift In Tokyo", I couldn't wait to check out other works from director Satoshi Miki. So, hoping for the best, and intrigued by the one review I had read, I decided to risk this. I was not disappointed.
"Instant Swamp"'s masterful hyperactive opening lets you know right away that this is not your regular quirky movie. However it's a bit of a red herring, at least in the beginning, as it takes some time to get used to the not-that-fast pace and the characters' mannerisms. But once I was in, I was hooked.
This is full of surprises, and I was glad to see a movie that wasn't either too predictable nor too weird. It's hilarious too, some times very subtly, but still packed with gags. I can't say enough good things about the acting, specially Morio Kazama (Light Bulb) and Kumiko Asô (Haname), who carries this movie and really makes it work.
As in "Tenten", half the fun here is in experiencing the events unfold, in a sort of free-form mode. The plot is about Haname, a (very) lively young woman. Among many other things, her mother goes into a coma and Haname wants to find out about her toys which she threw into an allegedly "cursed" swamp. Doesn't help much, right? Don't worry though... one thing I can guarantee is that there isn't a single depressing or boring moment in this film.
This isn't for everyone, that's for sure. Those with low tolerance to people constantly screaming in Japanese, fantastic/ridiculous events and somewhat aimless humor will be quick to dismiss this one. But if you like Miki's style or you're a fan of over-the-top quirkiness and fun, chances are you'll be satisfied.
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Could've been a masterpiece, but it's still hilarious
I'm one of those who really likes Gervais type of humor, but I understand those who hate it. Different tastes, and that's okay.
If you're like me, be sure to check out this one. It's hilarious, really, and probably his best movie yet. I liked Ghost Town though.
This has parallels with "Liar Liar", which was a disappointment to me, and the "Life Of Brian", probably my favorite movie ever. That's kinda how I feel about "Invention Of Lying".
Ricky chooses a great concept, inserts hilariousness and surrealism, some drama, but gives in, rather sadly, to Hollywood conventions and sappy romance, specially in the second half. This mix doesn't work at all here, in my opinion. There are other problems, like some jokes which are repeated ad nauseam once the movie goes out of steam, and the casting of Jennifer Garner, which doesn't work for me.
It's all good though, and I still recommend this if you want to laugh and maybe think a little about life.
8/10
Men at Work (1990)
Harmless Fun
When Charlie was on SNL he 'apologized' for Men at Work. That and some reviews led me to think this was a disaster of a bad movie.
For me, it was a very fun way to pass the time. This is not laugh-out-loud funny, but the (few, subtle, stupid, recycled) jokes in this movie do work. Some smart movie references here, too.
If you like Charlie Sheen and/or Emilio Estevez (the movie's writer and director), check this one out.
BTW, the actor brothers are clearly having fun, and one performance in particular, by the main 'villain', John Getz, manages to be somber, and yet hilariously campy. Some of the actors can't hide their laughter very well, and it shows. Well, at least we know that production was harmonious.
Forget plot. Forget logic. Accept it as it is.
And as it is, I think it is a fun, harmless, refreshing comedy.
6/10
The Ten (2007)
Not even close to a Ten
This is a bit like Kentucky Fried Movie, only about stories loosely connected to the Ten Commandments, complete with intermissions by guest star Paul Rudd. It's a bit SNL-ish, too.
The movie uses the same actors and characters in an interesting way, intertwining their stories. There are a LOT of pop culture references here, and I bet Juno would love this movie. Unfortunately some of the best jokes are kinda 'buried' within the stories.
While this is not a bad movie, it's not as funny as it could have been. Some jokes just don't hit the mark, and some are kinda unnecessarily offensive.
However, most of the 'episodes', or sketches, have something memorable and really funny in retrospect, in some weird way. It's a great film for drinking games or for those who like hilarious one-liners.
The greatest thing about "The Ten" are the subtleties. These are the things that made movies like Airplane! and Naked Gun so funny. In the case of The Ten, there's not as much humour or laugh-out-loud moments, but the subtle jokes and set-ups, which require some attention from the viewer, make this movie worth watching for those who like comedies.
"The Ten" has very little to do with religion, and a lot to do with sex. There is no 'christian agenda' at all as some claim. It's a silly comedy with some great moments, and it works as a good, quick escape from reality.
6/10
Disaster Movie (2008)
Not that bad
There seems to be a boycott going on against this movie (and the 'spoof movie' series), as the rating indicates. Granted, those movies have an old, tired formula, and they're all very similar, so I really don't know why people who don't like these kind of movies insist on watching them.
Silly jokes, vulgarity, impersonations - that's what this movie is about. It's a mindless comedy that tries to cram up as much pop-culture as they can make fun of. The plot can probably be summarized in one line. You don't really have to pay attention to this movie, and as such, I was entertained.
There were several laugh-out-loud moments here, but unfortunately this movie (like all others in this vein) suffers from over-repetition of jokes, some go on for too long and some that are not really funny.
While "Disaster Movie" isn't a comedic masterpiece, it's not nearly as bad a film as people make it out to be. I'd say it's okay. So if you don't like silliness, stay away. I had some fun, and that's what I was expecting.
Blindness (2008)
An eye for an eye, and soon the whole world is blind
It's very easy to understand why people hate this movie.
Blindness is directed by acclaimed film-maker Fernando Meirelles, with a story based on a novel by award-winning writer Jose Saramago. It stars Julianne Moore and Gael Garcia Bernal. What could go wrong?
Well, this is one the most depressing movies I've seen in recent years.
Don't be fooled, the genre of this movie is Horror, albeit done in an ultra-realistic way, much like the Brazilian movie wave of the 70/80's - gritty, violent, dirty, and ultimately hopeless.
However it's not a horror movie in the common sense. It's not scary because it has ugly monsters. It's not frightening because there is a lot of gore and blood. What freaks me (and others) out over this movie, is that it tells a story that could happen, and actually, is happening. If one can't see that, then one is as blind as the characters in the film.
The movie is technically brilliant, with great acting and top-notch effects. The story takes place in a non-specific city, but some of it was clearly filmed in São Paulo. The movie poses the question, "what if suddenly everyone in the world became blind"? This is a practical question as much as a metaphorical one.
I don't think this movie can be "enjoyed". The violence is suggested rather than seen (which IMHO makes it scarier). It can, however, be appreciated, as its shocking nature is nothing more than a wake-up call for humanity.
Having said that, Meirelles took a huge risk (the novel was considered to be un-filmable) with this film, and the result was a lynch-mob reaction from both critics and audiences. I wonder how this will impact Meirelles' future works.
I will dare to suggest that, if this had been filmed in Spanish or Portuguese, it might have been hailed as a cult movie. As it is, it's too alienating for audiences that are used to happy endings and fake-violence, or people who watch movies solely to pass the time.
This one is for 'hardcore' movie fans - don't watch it if you're depressed or sad. And it offers the viewers very little in the way of comfort. However, it's so well-executed and disturbing, that you can't help but agree that their goal was reached. Unfortunately, the marketing and the names involved with 'Blindness' misled many viewers who otherwise would never dream of watching this.
It's not a perfect film by any means, though. The music (specially in one crucial scene) just feels out of place sometimes. And If you can't picture yourself as a blind person, some things may not make a lot of sense, too. There is a scene however in which one of the characters sings a very popular song in a slightly different way - one you are not likely to forget anytime soon.
Approach with caution, and preferrably, alone. You don't want to lose any friends or potential dates. But I also think that to miss out on this movie is like losing a chance to watch one of the most thought-provoking films of this year.
7/10
Human Nature (2001)
Humans are weird
As a fan of Charlie Kaufman's works (and Gondry's as well) I was missing out on this movie big time. That's because I was initially put off by the description and most reviews which consider this a lesser movie. Well, they were wrong - this is an excellent movie on its own right.
"Human Nature" is an extremely ironic and realistic movie in an exaggerated sort of way. Granted, it's not for everyone - there's a lot of semi-nudity (very light stuff), sexual tension and a story that requires you to think a little bit.
Actually, that's a lie - this movie has layers upon layers of symbolism, and that's just half the fun. The main characters are well thought-out and have their 'peculiarities' (like all humans do) taken to the extreme, which serve to illustrate the point further. And the execution is brilliant, with Kaufman's usual non-linearity - you never know exactly what's going to happen.
The casting is perfect. Great acting all around, and Rhys Ifans in particular does a marvelous job here. You can also spot Hillary Duff as a younger Lila.
And finally, pay close attention to ending. Hilarious.
Geomi sup (2004)
Cyclic Interpretations
"Spider Forest" is a South Korean movie which would be better classified as a psychological thriller, in my opinion. Some would say it's a drama. Others would argue that it's really a horror movie, depending on your interpretation.
And that's what this movie is about: Interpretation. Much like David Lynch's puzzle movies, this one is all about what's real or not, and it's up to you to decide what's happening.
Two things I can say about it - it's that the movie has a cyclical nature, and that there's no real closure on screen. The ending can be interpreted as hopeful or depressingly frustrating, or anything else entirely. It's up to the viewer to decide.
So, While "Spider Forest" has many elements borrowed from other movies ("Mullholland Dr", "The I Inside", and to a lesser extent "Memento" and even "Lost" in the forest scenes), they are done well here, and help make a quality movie that poses a lot of questions, answers them all only to have you wondering what really happened in the end.
If you like this kind of movie (I know I do), get inside the Spider Forest...
8/10
While She Was Out (2008)
The Magic Toolbox
This is what you need to know about this movie, besides the fact that I recommend it as solid thriller: Kim Basinger, suburban mother of 2, lives with abusive husband. On Xmas she decides to go buy some stuff at the mall and while she's out, a series of bad things happen - getting her into serious trouble.
I wouldn't read more before watching the movie. Not because there are any great twists, but because it's worth watching without any, even minor, spoilers. It's also filled with irony - sometimes it reminded me of Predator and Home Alone - being a horror movie only in the sense of the cat-and-mouse game hunt.
In a role that's surprisingly physical, Kim Basinger does a good job as the protagonist. I can't help but remember what Kim went through with her marriage problems and all, and somehow connect this movie as a catharsis of sorts for her.
"While She Was Out" might not be very well-known, but it should, in my opinion. It's a refreshing take on a genre that's been tirelessly explored, and most important of all, fun.
6/10
.45 (2006)
Different stuff from Milla
I went into this movie thinking it would be another one of those predictable, but usually fun action movies in which Milla Jovovich kicks ass. She carved a nice niche for herself with "The Fifth Element", then with the "Resident Evil" series and even "Ultraviolet", all of which I hold dear in my heart - although I never watch them for the story, just for the action. So in my mind Milla was as much as an actress as Arnold Schwarzenegger for example.
".45" it's quite the opposite of what I've come to expect from her previous movies. Angus Macfadyen plays Big Al, a small-time sleazebag guns dealer who kinda owns the neighborhood, with the right tones of menacing and pathetic. Stephen Dorff and Sarah Strange both want to take Milla's Kat from Big Al, whose relationship is doomed from the very start.
There are interludes with the main characters' parents, trying to explain what happened to each of their kids, but only succeeding in showing the cycle of abuse, violence and disregard for each other in our so-called "normal" lives. Kat is a complex character, but Milla does a fantastic job here - I can now safely think of her as a serious actress. The movie has its twists and turns, and the action is not presented the way you might think it would.
There are indeed some flaws in the movie, but nothing that made me too curious.
Overall, a movie that manages to touch several subjects in a refreshing and novel way. Just don't expect your usual Jovovich kicking zombie ass.
6/10
Burn After Reading (2008)
The Burn Supremacy
Burn After Reading is in many ways a typical Coens movie. It's filled with dark humour and quirky characters. But after No Country for Old Men, a fantastic movie, they decided to reinvent not only one but a few movie genres, including their own of course.
The A-list cast serves a well-defined purpose, which to an extent is to parody themselves. With the exception of Tilda Swinton, all of the characters were written with the specific actors in mind, and it works very well. In particular Brad Pitt seems to be having a lot of fun and Clooney plays one of his strangest and funniest characters ever. Coens "Regular" McDormand plays a cosmetic surgery / internet love obsessed gym staffer and Malkovich, well, he has had some experience with self-parody and it shows.
In fact the whole movie is a role-reversal of sorts, specially spy/thriller movies - Burn After Reading has all the right elements but twisted in the Coens own particular way. One of the reasons this movie works is because there is a constant feeling of "what's gonna happen next?", which keeps it interesting; and the constant surprising twists and turns the story takes. Even the McGuffin element here works this way.
This is a sometimes dark, but always humorous film - the CIA scenes in particular cracked me up. If you're a Coens fan, this is an obligatory treat.
However, if your first and only exposure to the brothers work was No Country For Old Men, be prepared for something very different in both scope and approach; perhaps a viewing of their previous movies would be in order for this to be fully appreciated.
8/10