2012 (2009)

You quite certainly get what you might have expected after seeing this one; it delivers enough edge of your seat moments, and the film is on par with other end of the world disaster films. Maybe at times some of the scenes were far too Hollywoodish, and were dumbed down a bit much. I anticipated this being visually exciting to see with all the special effects, and I wasn’t let down. Some of the scenes were surreal in their appearance; you can’t help but appreciate the hard work that went into bringing these disastrous moments to life sort of speak. German director Roland Emmerich directed this, he is known for his past contributions to end of the world films. He has been the executive producer and director for the hit film Independence Day (1996) and The Day After Tomorrow (2004). Harald Kloser worked on the screenplay with Roland Emmerich.

Although I respect a number of the actors who play parts in this film, it seemed like they were a bit off in their performances and didn’t match the story as unknown or upcoming actors might have. I think this would have made the film better overall. I guess what I’m saying is there is a lack of depth to the characters; the film’s leading characters are the CGI special effects that really stood out among everything else. Perhaps the actors didn’t have enough to work with and it fell short somehow.

Many people were disappointed from the lack of the Mayan prophecies which were not explored or explained in some way and then projected into the film. Basically, the story follows around a man named Jackson Curtis and his rocky relationship between his children and wife. Liam James plays Noah Curtis and Lilly Curtis played by Morgan Lily wife. John Cusack plays Jackson Curtis and his wife is played by Amanda Peet as Kate Curtis they share many scenarios together. These trials and tribulations lead them to a somewhat predictable ending.

We also see Adrian Helmsley played by British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as a geologist who has read many books as a child and helps to predict what will happen next. Thandie Newton appears in this as the president’s daughter Laura Wilson. Danny Glover is President Thomas Wilson, Oliver Platt is Carl Anheuser, Thomas McCarthy is Gordon Silberman, Woody Harrelson is Charlie Frost, Zlatko Buric is Yuri Karpov, Beatrice Rosen is Tamara, Alexandre Haussmann is Alec, Philippe Haussmann is Oleg, and Johann Urb is Sasha.

This would be considered an action film, with some almost comedic moments of cheesy unrealistic scenes which play out. I still think however it is something you can enjoy at home while eating some popcorn.

2012

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

2012 (2009) Review

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

I went to see this with my sister and friend on a weekday afternoon, there were a few people there in the theatre with us. We suspected it to be a pretty good film, and walked out of the theatre liking the film and felt we got our money’s worth. The cast was loaded with major or future major Hollywood players. Christian Slater did the acting for the role of Daniel Malloy for free and gave the money he would have earned to River Phoenix’s favorite charity. Originally River was selected for the part of Daniel Malloy but tragically died. Christian’s late friend was a lost talent and taken too early from this world.

Neil Jordan directed this film originally based upon the writings by author Anne Rice a New Orleans native. She also did the screenplay as well for this film. Neil Jordan has directed other features such as the controversial The Crying Game (1992).

You will see Brad Pitt playing a vampire named Louis de Pointe du Lac and is the leading character in this story. He is accompanied by Tom Cruise playing a vampire named Lestat de Lioncourt. Also keep your eyes open for a very young Kirsten Dunst who plays Claudia. This was her early breakthrough role which gained her popularity. To see all three of these actor’s as vampires is worth the watch itself. But, there is an interesting storyline which surrounds them as well.

Also, keep your eyes open for Thandie Newton playing Yvette. The cast is rather small, but there are other appearances by Antonio Banderas as Armand, Stephen Rea as Santiago, Virginia McCollam as the Whore on Waterfront, John McConnell as the Gambler, Mike Seelig as the Pimp, Bellina Logan as the Tavern Girl, Lyla Hay Owen as Widow St. Clair, Lee E. Scharfstein as the Widow’s Lover, Indra Ové as the New Orleans Whore, Helen McCrory as a Whore, Monte Montague as Plague Victim Bearer, and Nathalie Bloch-Lainé as the Maid.

Overall, I think you will find this to be quite an entertaining film, if you like horror films and films with narrative sequences in them you will certainly like this. The story is told in a number of flashback scenes which are fittingly done. This is a vampire tale you have to watch!

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire ...

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Interview with the Vampire (1994) Review

Crash (2004)

This was an Oscar winner, so obviously it got lots of attention. I wanted to review it also; this movie was extremely well done in a very subtle way. The interconnected stories are all meshed together in some way or another. This makes the story dynamic in different ways, so you have to see and read between the lines of what is there. The movie was directed by Paul Haggis who has talent growing out of his shoulders, even though the man has lost his hair. You might know that he also won for his writing of the screenplay for Million Dollar Baby (2004) which was directed by Clint Eastwood. This means only since 1950 he is the only screenwriter who has won two back to back best film awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. That’s quite an achievement. He directed this film also.

You will see a lot of familiar faces in this one, including Sandra Bullock playing Jean Cabot who is a rich woman without any real friends in life, until she wakes up to realize who is important to her. The unique Don Cheadle plays Det. Graham Waters who is a partial centerpiece for the film. You will also see Tony Danza in this as Fred and Brendan Fraser as Rick Cabot. Keith David is Lt. Dixon, Loretta Devine is playing Shaniqua Johnson, Matt Dillon as Officer John Ryan, Ryan Phillippe as Officer Tom Hansen and Jennifer Esposito is Ria. Also, Terrence Howard is in this playing the role of Cameron Thayer and his wife is played by Thandie Newton. The actor Michael Peña also gives a great performance. There are others of course, but you will have to see this yourself.

The performances given in this were excellent. The movie shines light on racial tensions, and takes place throughout various locations in Los Angeles. The open setting of the story takes place with several people involved in multiple car crashes, the movie flashes back to the daily lives of each of the central characters and from there we get a sense of what really happened and how things unfolded. I highly recommend this, and it will be put on my best picks list. The tagline for this film was: “You think you know who you are. You have no idea”.

Crash

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Crash (2004) Review

Run Fat Boy Run (2008)

This was quite an unusual film in different ways. I did like it, and thought that it was well put together. The simple story goes like this; a man leaves his pregnant fiancée at the altar and gives in to his insecurities. He then must prove his love to her all over again in a witty tale of love gone wrong. Funny man Simon Pegg is bloody brilliant in this movie. He plays the lead character Dennis Doyle. His fiancée is played by Thandie Newton as Elizabeth Olivia ‘Libby’ Odell who you might remember from Norbit (2007) or Oscar winning Crash (2004). They both have great chemistry on screen together, and it works well.

Another noticeable actor in this is played by Hank Azaria who is Dennis Doyle’s rival throughout the story. His characters name is Whit and eagerly tries to compete for the affections of Elizabeth Olivia ‘Libby’ Odell. This competition leads to a marathon race throughout the city.

Elizabeth Olivia ‘Libby’ Odell also has a child named Jake played by young newcomer Matthew Fenton. The Irish comedian Dylan Moran plays Simon Pegg’s best friend named Gordon. And he certainly is on equal ground playing off Simon in each of their scenes together. I also wanted to mention Simon Pegg is in the new Star Trek (2009) movie playing “Scotty” Montgomery Scott. This movie was an entertaining find and I enjoyed it very much. Go get this one!

Run, Fat Boy, Run

Post from: Chewypopcorn.com
Written by: Terry Larch

Run Fat Boy Run (2008) Review