Nibbler007 Reviews

11.22.63 (2016)

Loved it! Faithful to the outstanding novel!

[10/10 · 16 February 2016]

I loved this first chapter!

Very good idea, first of all.

The original best-selling book deserved to have a movie or a miniseries. Mr. King's "22-11-63" novel is outstanding, I find very few people not going for the book as a fantastic sci-fi-horror-love- political story. King portraits an entire era with so many details I imagine it's impossible to capture that on filming. We only see glimpses of King's Mastermind.

JJ Abrams and his crew managed to do well, shortening dense novel passages but keeping most important events with an action twist. King's original book sometimes seems like a political thriller, but it is, at last, a love story and some passages of SK's book are very gruesome and gory (trying not to spoil). Some other passages of 22.11.63 are very dense in detail and politics, we know that some people may not like this, but of course, is the plot of the story as a whole.

Stephen King's tenderness in writing is faithfully reproduced in the series so it has the spirit! Some adaptations on TV or cinema from his books lacked this essential feature from King. There are some good examples to follow, like The Green Mile and Shawshank Redemption. I think this series goes in that direction without losing the nerve. You get familiar with the characters, and care for them, especially for Harry, as this is an essential subplot for the story, because it's a story inside another, but it is fundamental part of Jake Epping's development as a hero.

I just saw the first chapter, it completely hooked my eyes to the screen. Very different to Under the Dome which is not faithful to the amazing book SK wrote.

A very nice Al Templeton portrayed by Chris Cooper, by the way. James Franco is very suitable for the role and also does a good job. The ambientation is superb, and that's what I loved the most. Digital or not, the Dallas shots on the city in the sixties, the vehicles, the people, Kennedy's attendance to his speech, are this first chapter's highlights. An excellent set and scenario production. The scenery on Dealey Plaza is outstanding.

Some people may not fall for this, but I think as a King fan that 22.11.63 is very promising in the first chapter. Can't wait till next Monday!!

Knight of Cups (2015)

Terrence Malick Sucks

[1/10 · 11 January 2016]

I really came to see the movie without knowing who directed it..

Knight of Cups had that familiarity of nonsense only saw in Tree of Life. I wanted to know who the director of this lame thing was after 10 minutes of pretentious, stupid and dumb ghosts with a not understandable plot. Then I remembered: these kind of ghosts are familiar to me! This is Tree of Life II! Reminds me of Malick and his mithocondriae!

I am not reviewing a movie that I saw, I am, for the first time in my life, reviewing a movie I didn't see, because I found this long video-clip without sense of cohesion was directed by Terrence Malick ten minutes after I sat to see it and I immediately abandoned all hope, and, of course, the theatre.

AVOID.

The Visit (I) (2015)

Who said this wasn't a horror film?

[8/10 · 3 October 2015]

I rarely do film reviews, but when one does deserve an opinion, whether is overcritisiced or overrated, I always feel I have to give my point of view.

The Visit was a film I didn't expect to be one of a kind, or really captivating. Mostly because of Blumhouse Productions' fondness of sick-and-tiring mockumentary and Shyamalan's filming and writing wreckage these years. Both making a horror film could've mean a disaster together. Imagine a very low budget Blumhouse mockumentary with Shyamalan's obsession with lame scripting on those last movies he did.

I was very wrong.

The Visit has the grittyness of Sinister and Paranormal Activity, but M. Night Shyamalan's famous -and sometime infamous- twists. It's a welcome beginning of I expect a new formula in terms on writing and producing at least. Blumhouse + Shyamalan = explosive horror combo!!!! You even forget it's a mockumentary! That's an achievement!

I wonder how much does M Night Shyamalan to do with the whole process, but he seems to take the wheel on this one, and he can still give us goosebumps (heavy ones), he knows how to do it and boy he delivers.

God damn it scared me the whole ride! Mostly because Deanna Dunagan 's grandma character. Oh, man... you have to see her to believe me.

A good horror movie is not about how gory it is, it's about how scary it can get, and this one is damn scary no matter how comedic it may seem from time to time. Stephen Kings' IT -the miniseries- was comedic too. Comedy sometimes is cynicism. Every little or big horror film has to bring some forced comedy, because makes the horror a lot better, as a counterpart. I didn't hear any complaints about zombie B-movies we all love which have a lot of twisted humor. Sorry to say the fun gags here were not so funny and sometimes were out of place. OK, for the detractors of this film I give you that as a concession, but no less. This movie stills being a horror standout in its own terms.

Found myself talking about Stephen King? This one has a less sadic resemblance to his work, but still remind me of him in some passages, mostly on claustrophobic sense of horror (found some tribute to The Shining), and sociopath characters too. This movie also does a mostly well-done tribute to some Japanese classic and its Hollywood threshed horror. Pay no mind on flaws, The Visit is all things put together with good results. Fierce drama, scary horror, spoofed comedy, good acting overall.

And I thought this one was not funny at all despite unnecessary comedy and unfunny gags. It really did scare me, and scared me the whole ride.

I liked this movie very much.

Could be better? There is always room for improvement. I am very optimistic about that.

Enjoyable, but after all, the few words I can give you as a conclusion: scary, entertaining and very enjoyable M Night Shyamalan 's film. OH God, love to say this. He is absolutely back!

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Amazing action, but no script

[5/10 · 18 May 2015]

It's quite difficult to review negatively one of my favorite franchises since I saw the first Avengers movie and totally loved it.

But this film is not quite impressive as it seems to be. Joss Whedon had to stick to his plan: in Avengers the first, he managed to balance everything in order. Script was nearly perfect and action scenes were quite impressive but not too overwhelming. You felt (in Avengers first deliver) that it was not another Transformer-ish, Michael Bay-ish, film.

Although darkish than the first one, Age of Ultron lacks of originality, but its worst flaw is the lack of well crafted dialog. Everything is mayhem. Chaotic. Script does not stand alone for its merits. This goes right for an action film, or kind of a B-movie. But we were expecting more. There are at least three or four amazing scenes with superb CGI, and again, Whedon gives every hero its right place, but something is missing comparing the two Avengers movies: script of the first one was flawless, this one is not.

I know it's a high standard with a major casting. So we're expecting the best. And on script terms, the movie does not deliver a bit.

Our villain (Ultron) is weaker -conceptually- than Loki. The man (or machine) is blabbering the whole movie through with unintelligible concepts, and some of the cast members looks too tired to carry on (Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr.) . I have an awkward feeling about this flick. The waiting took too long. Joss Whedon decided to present action before drama, nonsense chaos before logic. So then the results are quite obvious. He was too eagering to create a new Avengers generation when the actual one had not the opportunity to fly high.

Man, this is as cheesy as can be. One-dimensional story.

Our expectations, as fans of the first one, were not at all fulfilled. This looks like another Transformer's movie.

Whatever happened to Thanos (end credits in the first one), I cannot guess. Studios and budgets can spoil everything. I felt they ruined a wonderful saga. Let's hope the next one surpass this second part, totally forgettable.

I mean, it's not a bad movie, but on Avengers standards, this is a bluff.

Cheers!

Leviathan (2014)

Land of Confusion

[10/10 · 14 February 2015]

This excellent and superb tale is no other thing that the filming of Hobbes' thoughts and ideas, Leviathan. Leviathan is the State as we mostly know it, the reasons why a Republic exists: to avoid men killing each other, and to avoid suffering from its members, attending to the concept of "homo homini lupus". The "social contract".

Oh, boy, What a slap in Putin's face!

This movie is absolutely political. This is about the organization or system (a.k.a. the government, and more especially the Russian government), becoming the enemy of its members, its the State and the Law against the Law, forgetting the meaning of the organization itself. A fabulous concept, and most significant in almost any town, city or country in the modern world. Especially where I live in, when we are struggling nowadays with these issues (government accused of the death of a prosecutor who was investigating them). It's an urging movie to see in Argentina. And it touches really deep fibers in the foundations of people's thoughts about how they build their society.

Leviathan shows how the so-called system has all the power and can use it against you when needed. And it will, without hesitation. Your home, your family, yourself. This is no Job's story. This is the weight of the monster falling upon you when needed, there's no recourse to the Law. This asks lots of questions, and this is, as I said, a slap on Putin's Face.

The scene with the pictures of the ex-presidents is hilarious and I think this film gives its message in that short scene. How people see all of this.

Technical aspects: it's well crafted. Good acting, good filming. The dialogs are punching once and once again. There are no flaws. The story is thrilling, and I think another part of the movie that tells you the whole plot is when Roma -Kolya's Son- throws a stone into the sea. That image stood in my mind a lot. Thats the motto on Leviathan, a sadistic powers game starts with one action, but the domino effect is unstoppable. Like the waves the stone make after is lost in the sea.

This film is described as depressing. For me, it's not. Not at all. It gives us lots of issues to think as a society. Religion is absolutely criticised here, and it's another slap in the face, because they show what they truly are. I don't have to tell you in order not to offense people's beliefs, but you read the news after Charlie Hebdo and you'll know what I mean.

This movie is not for everyone. This movie is for people aligned with freedom.

More like a documentary to me, but it depends on where you live. A Russian gem, this is my definitive favorite on the Oscars to best foreign picture. I don't think it's gonna win because Academy won't be so politically incorrect.

But I hope Leviathan wins. It is more Argentinian than our beloved Relatos Salvajes, which was a blast.

But this is different. This is another category. This is philosophically a masterpiece. It CAN make a change, because it CAN show people how bad is to give so much power to so little people. That's why is so important. It's very welcome.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

You can fool some people some times but you cant fool all the people all the time

[1/10 · 13 January 2015]

This review's title goes to A. G. Iñarritu. How pretentious and messy can you get when you write and direct a script? Birdman-type. A whole new adjective for a movie suspiciously similar to Synecdoche New York, from Charlie Kaufman.

This is not a movie theatre experience. This is self-pretentious, lisergic pseudo intellectualism. Not to say, plagiarism.

What did we do to deserve this, I don't know. This movie is madness out of boring. Actors did quite well, but the film's clumsy and drags them along, merging with pseudo intellectual scripting, one-shot style in a NY theatre's backstage... this cannot be so over-hyped for Christ's sake.

Worst movie Hollywood sold me in quite a long time. Can not understand the positivism about this. This is like 12 years of Slavery, now absolutely forgotten because it was a forgettable movie.

St. Vincent, Gone Girl, even Wild Tales (Relatos Salvajes)from Argentina, have lots of more fun than this, without the "I know what's going on, you idiot, you don't know sh**" attitude from director. This kind of subliminal and liminal messages Iñarritu sends in the middle of this pretentious form of art as he claims is what pisses me off the most. I can even understand the bad script, the no-story plot. I can understand it. But I don't know how this guy manages to go with other filmmakers and stand in front of those men with his face unaltered. I'd be crying in shame asking for forgiveness. First, for robbing the plot from Charlie Kaufman. And then, for torturing all of us with that drum soundtrack that puts us on our nerves. For a drum solo story, go and see Whiplash. That's a movie where it fits well.

I mean, even Babel had its moments. This is nude wrestling, one-shot theater pomposity I don't need in my life, and no one should have to suffer from this.

I had to overcome Babel, giving it a chance, and saying I'd mostly liked it. I didn't want to confront the massive positive opinion about that. 21 grams.. passable, but pretentious too. Now Birdman is Iñarritu at his best: one of the most irritating directors of all time.

Worst movie I've seen in a few years. Since Tree of Life, I guess.

I'm sorry for Michael Keaton, they are using his talented gift to sell this rubbish.

What happens next is that Keaton will still be Michael Keaton and we'll love him forever. I can not say the same on the person who shot this lame movie.

Interstellar (2014)

Nolan overwhelms with a rock solid epic movie... again.

[9/10 · 30 December 2014]

Quantum physics and relativity are not easy subjects to understand if you're not a physic. Buy I can assure you this is a plot with thought provoking topics, not typically Hollywood pop-corn film.

My only criticism is about the dialog in this one: way too cheesy and when not too cheesy, too complex to absorb in matter of seconds.

It is undeniable that Chris Nolan did a good and hard work on this film. Visuals are just a backup of the story, and not as Kubrick's 2001 nor Quaron's Gravity; which put visuals up front leaving script behind. This is another kind of film. This is ambitious (not pretentious as some critics said) The good old Nolan couldn't disappoint his long-term fans with his twists, his (sometimes) cold and detached way of telling the story. But he manages to wrap it up upon his own errors.

I said there were mistakes, I felt it a little too much complex, but that's because the subject is complex itself. And when we leave the confusing dialog scenes and the detached direction, he turns back 180º and blushes all of us with his tenderness. That I felt a little awkward. But such a premise in the script, can't bring the movie down. The movie is solid as a rock. And it's unique in that level. Boy, you got to have the nuts to go and imagine this movie and put it all together like a puzzle. Well, it's C. Nolan, he has experience on that issue.

Maybe not too far away, this film could be eclipsed by new scientific discoveries, theories refuted and so on. But nowadays, it seems scientifically accurate in terms of possibilities. This is not metaphysical, it's a possibility, like Schrodinger's cat. Like quantum mechanics.

And I Know, most of the people didn't come to theater for that. They came for a Gravity approach or so.

For me, it is a 9 because sometimes Nolan overwhelmed too much, and it's a long film for overwhelm people. But maybe that's my problem, I am not a quantum-physics scientist.. I Feel I could have enjoyed it more if I were one. But there's one thing for sure, he indulged me to go and learn more about this whole thing. I still enjoyed a lot and got carried away for the fantastic ending in my opinion.

Greetings from Argentina!

The Grand Seduction (2013)

I liked it a LOT, great little gem.

[8/10 · 14 November 2014]

Can't explain why I go for the little films that move me instead of reviewing the mainstream movies. Maybe it's a small-team, small-budget spirit, I don't know.

This particular one catched me from the very start right to the end. A very tiny little story, somehow spoiled by the tiranny of time. I had that strange feeling of watching it and never wanted it to end. This film could be splitted into a miniseries I think.

In fact, there are so many little stories about Tickle Head's people interacting you could watch this forever, involving yourselves at full. There's a story in every man, in every random people you just can't encompass in the nearly two hours of script that's shown in Grand Seduction. That's the power of film-making, so as Stephen King's tell- tales do. This, of course, has nothing to do with horror or prisons, but the spirit is the same. The every day random actions of sinful and faithful people and how they (or we) cope with them. A whole town gathered to get themselves happiness commanded by the great Brendan Gleeson in a superb and a suitable role.

I'm not in the position to write an acting review since this movie surpassed me completely. This story is a hell of a good story, full of British humor I know this is not for everybody, but merges well in the script. Overall, is the story that stands for itself. Actors are very good at their roles, but that script starting with that simple premise, (the little poor town trying to "catch" a doctor and a career opportunity at the same time, can give you a fantastic thrill even though this is not a thriller film.

Brightful, somehow dark, roughly told, hilarious at times, there are for certain some flaws and stories that could've developed better. But after all, it's a beautiful adventure.

I liked it very much. A lot. That's why I'm giving it an 8. I love movies that move me. That's why Im writing. Grand Seduction haunted me, I was so sad when the credits rolled, because it ended. That's what some people who are in this business should learn. To "catch" their audience, to generate sympathy.

Greetings from Argentina and sorry, of course, my English is a little rusty.

Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

I told you! (Don't you dare!)

[9/10 · 27 December 2013]

I told you guys, two years ago, when Insidious (chapter 1) came through. Here's a part of that review:

"There are some cinematographic deliverances that made me enjoy extatically the mastership of Wan when it comes to film. But he didn't relie on his talents, he used other people talents (like Kubrick's The Shining) to deliver a classic horror film. I'm not comparing Wan with Kubrick, but some of the camera works, some of the angles, are truly brilliant, rarely seen in a horror film. This is a movie you can analyze in many levels... "

The fact is that I was right. I saw James Wan's obsession with Kubrick's "The Shining" (here's the part where I'm not being humble). This chapter 2, confirms it. I loved this film as much as I loved the first part. I would not argue with those who think this film and The Conjuring are the best horror films this year. They are perfect, though I liked most the Insidious series because I have a sick fanatism for this story in particular.

It completed the circle, totally. I hope they won't ruin the third part coming soon. And I beg to Mr. Wan to continue delivering horror movies. This is what suits him. Thanks for this two beautiful classes on horror.

Cheers from Argentina.

Contracted (2013)

Hey! It wasn't that bad!

[8/10 · 27 December 2013]

As a die hard horror film lover, searching for something new to see, this film wasn't that bad. I've seen worst movies on the genre.

Sometimes it may have some make-up defects and unrealistic situations, but that's not a problem to me. The plot was simplistic but I think it still has a good gripping sense of thriller and drama. You keep guessing until the end what is going to happen. And that's the good point on Contracted. It's somehow dramatic, I liked that pace the film has. I must tell I wasn't looking for gore, so if you are, avoid this one. But I liked the main theme of the movie that is becoming a corpse because you f**cked with some guy. It reminds me of those eighties slasher movies that I keep close to my heart. Sex is death, definitely.

As a medical student, those parts our beautiful Samantha goes to the doctor, didn't make sense at all. That's not an ambulatory patient, dear doc!! I would've studied scientifically more on that patient, but the script would've go to hell. But aside that, there is some good acting (specially Najarra Townsend as Samantha), hints of good cinematography, and a satirical view on religion and prejudice towards drugs and sexual choices. That's enough for me. I liked Contracted. Hope it develops in a good zombie movie further on.

I think this film is a little underrated. I will remember it, though. I had a good time seeing it.

Cheers from Argentina!

It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)

Madhouse is out there...

[9/10 · 20 December 2013]

When "Kind of a Funny Story" came out, I didn't pay attention to it, I must be honest. I thought the plot line didn't have that much to drawn me onto theaters or whatever. The fact is I was wrong.

Brilliantly thought-provoking, this film has so much to offer as a deep observation of normality and how people deal with common sense, which may not be as "common" as we think.

I was sincerely moved by the movie. See.. we have this institution where the rejected interact with each other. By far, suicidal tendencies, anger management and dealing with modern stress and depression (the main pathology of our times) are the subjects which lock them up in this asylum. Those who have enough sensitivity to avoid our "normal" world's demands, are sent inside. They're too cracked up to make things work. Of course there are other kind of patients with real pathology, but it impressed me how some of them are simply as human as they can be. Teenagers, old people, caring needed people.

As a consequence, it is not awkward that we find true love stories, false love stories, genius team work, wise advices, wiser thoughts and awesome discovering about life's purpose, all inside that institution. Maybe the place to learn to care about your fellows, more than any outside-world institution. Government, stores, universities, schools, whatever you think of.

This movie shocked me with its message. And Zach G. is awesome, too. This is our modern "One Flew Over..", but less formal. Brilliant.

The Conjuring (2013)

Mr. Wan did it again!!

[9/10 · 9 August 2013]

Now we have to admit that James Wan has created a style of his own in order to do scary movies. It began with Saw, then Dead Silence, then Insidious. He evolved again in The Conjuring.

Saw it yesterday. Pop-corn chewing noises and coughs along the theater didn't happen at all throughout the second half of the movie. People were tense and scared as f**ck. I was, too.

Wan's way of filming is particularly disturbing. He pulls out tricks you rarely see in a director nowadays. He knows faces can be scary as hell. He knows about the primal fear we all have for the possessed puppets. Scary witches, powerful demons, chilling strange sounds, anacronic music, wicked kids. He displays so much on screen is hard to memorize those tricks, but one thing is shure: they work.

In The Conjuring, jumps and scares are rarely predictable. As a horror fan who saw lots of those movies I can't tell you how do I appreciate that. So you never know how you gonna be frightened out next time. That drives you crazy. You get so tense you forget to breathe. It's gripping and delightfully crafted. James Wan explores everything he can to twist a super known genre and manages to give it a fresh view.

And this time, the movie has an excellent crescendo (like Insidious) but flaws a little at the end. I think it could have been a little longer and explore a little more on the grand finale. I didn't buy so much the end of the movie. Bethsheba was a badass old witch. But I won't be so harsh on the ending: I jumped and scared and got what I wanted to see: Mr. Wan did it again (in that 70's style).

Cheers from Argentina.

Amour (2012)

Love.

[10/10 · 18 February 2013]

Another Haneke's gem. Amour may divide the audiences by this simple statement: those who lived Georges and Ann experiences, and those who didn't. In that issue I have to tell you I am so simpathetic about the whole movie through. I'm so touched with the awesomeness of the actors in the plot. This is not a movie for everyone, this may not be a movie to watch at cinema with your soda and pop-corn. There are very deep matters involved..

I have to tell you I had to live those experiences myself in terms of taking care to a beloved familiar through the illness, through perspectives of death. That awkward feeling of miscarriage. Helplessness. Fury, anger, unaffordability. Coping with the uncopable. It's a very harsh movie for those who didn't have that painful feeling of loss.

And it involves so many perspectives. In those cases of terminal illnesses you do what you can, what you feel. And what you feel all the way through is love.

And all these elements are present in this masterpiece. And I mean masterpiece because no one I've noticed had the guts to tell these situations as they are, really. They are unbearable, but somehow, you do manage to bear them with that obscure ingredient that is our humanity. How do we cope with death, or its proximity.

The feeling that lingers is LOVE.

This movie came to me as the rain in the desert, because I had to cope myself with those situations not so long ago. And I understand every bit of it, I feel I'm not the only one who thinks the same about a terminal illness. About the respect our beloved ones deserve when they feel their time has come. And our behavior in those terms.

Needless to say, the actors are wonderful, and Haneke wrists it wonderfully in his own style (which sometimes made me lose my nerve-that 's because his still-camera all the way through).

Superb. Poignant. Sad. Harsh. But absolutely REAL. And absolutely full of love.

I don't know if it deserves the Academy Awards (I personally think that this is too much for those guys to handle, because it messes with the real deal and the deepest human behavior). But nevertheless, it's a gem I'll never forget.

Thank you, Mr. Haneke. I'm not alone on that feeling: LOVE.

Cheers from Argentina.

The Master (2012)

The odd ways to an Oscar

[6/10 · 4 February 2013]

The Master is a pointless movie, that's for sure. The only thing about it is the perfection of Joaquin Phoenix's "Freddie Quell" role. He's astonishing. My latest news from him were that he turned out to be the REAL Johnny Cash. So, I expected his Freddie Quell to be another of his charismatic roles, but I discovered far more. We face the best acting skills on 2012, along with Cristoph Waltz's "Dr. King Schultz" from Django Unchained. The always brilliant Phillip Seymour Hoffman in this movie is totally eclipsed by Phoenix's character. Freddie Quell's an animal. Literally. He reminded me a lot to the Great Ones like Marlon Brando. I think he's a good example of a method actor. He's chilling as Freddie Quell. Awesome acting, Joaquin. A consagratory gem from him as an actor.

His deserving Oscar brilliancy is, of course, merged into The Master. A pseudo intellectual nothingness.

I don't want to go against those who liked The Master, but I really don 't understand Anderson's "filmic poetry". The Master is the story of two guys who had one thing in common. They are pointless people. With pointless behaviours, in a slightly pointless world.

I would approve the cinematography. Some colourful scenes and dressings provide some nice 50's ambiance. But this is not enough. There's no story to tell. Or if it is a story, is absolutely pointless. A cult charlatan (Hoffmann) and an alcoholic animal (Phoenix) who is taken under Hoffmann's wing to redeem himself. Imagine the results.

In some other cases you would see redemption stories, even buddy comedies or worthy and memorable twists and turns. Well. This is not the case. It soon becomes dull.

The Master is not a movie easy to follow, some of you will want to throw something to the screen (and with good reasons). But believe me, it worths the watch only for Phoenix and Hoffmann's high-standard roles.

So it's a little weird to review a movie that I didn't like at all, but for the actor's sake, even with apparently no script, but with a good cinematography and better and above the average Oscar deserving roles, like Phoenix's Freddie Quell, is why I'm doing it. Probably the best Phoenix ever.

It's a shame about the script. There's no subtle messages. The Master is pointless and a little pretentious. But I can't figure which are those pretensions. It has simply no point at all. It's a boring, boring and bizarre odd film. But those guys made me stay until the end.

Cheers from Argentina.

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Cooper Flew Over DeNiro's Nest...

[9/10 · 11 January 2013]

I'm not a fan of romantic movies. In fact, I recently bad-reviewed Bradley Cooper's "The Words" for the plot lacking thing those awesome actors did not so long ago.

But then I saw Silver Linings Playbook. And it's so darn difficult to review! I have the feeling this is a very good movie in the genre, but I can hardly describe why.

I saw that tandem (Deniro and Cooper) on an action flick about mindbroading drugs and all that stuff . I didn't like it, really, but seems this subject is to be exploited by the guys involved in this film.

Bradley Cooper took a step forward in his career and made a nutcracking role. Not easy to pretend to be a bipolar if you're not one, though towards the end, he seems to control his temper more easy than I would 've thought, and that's the only flaw I can tell.

Jennifer Lawrence is a shocking and beautiful girl who captived my attention all the movie through, and that's not easy for me to say. Not that I am a misoginist or something like that, but I often don't give too much credit on young girls on important roles. They tend to ruin all the prospect. But this is not the case. I love her, I definitely love her (hope my wife doesn't read this review). She's perfect.

I mean, it resembled me a little to One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, may be a tribute somewhere there. You know, the loonies on the path who are tough enough to face society and prejudices, the ones who are diminished by others and they point the finger on us, on things what we consider "normality" and how sometimes you have to be very very special to fulfill a dream, or if not, to be clever enough to get yourself up together and do things right. Every member of Pat's family has an issue. Selfishness, tolerance, fanatism, pedanticism, quirk, pressures, ingenuity, obsessions, etc. A good point on the script is to vanish the psychiatry issue, and picture them as virtues somehow, instead of negative human qualities.

So this is about redemption, this is about love, and this is about little pathos thing we all have and how we handle it. The linings of sickness and sanity sometimes are so thin. In love, specially.

Still don't know how to justify my 9 out of 10 score. I simply loved it. Maybe because is an original piece, with a beautiful (and all-the-way- rocker) soundtrack -yeah, Stevie Wonder's "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" is a delicious choice, and so Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be", with glimpses of DeNiro's awesomeness... we should cherish this one as a gem for the future, a cult movie of its own. It has a lot of great elements which merge together fine though it's a hell of a ride.

DeNiro is the absolute man. He may be old, but has that shine I can barely describe on other actors. Yes, he's the Italian tough guy, yes, he's an old man autoportraiting himself nowadays, but he's a legend, and he's a key role in the story. And does it so well. He'd bet your daughter that he can.

Sometimes the film has the predictability we hope for, but that's no harm. Romances must end well. And this one does. Though the paths which lead this beautiful story may be a little odd.

Very, very good and touching movie.

Cheers from Argentina.

Flight (I) (2012)

I'm not a hero..

[8/10 · 30 December 2012]

Bob Zemeckis got a hold on Forrest Gumps' Jenny. That poor little girl who got catched up with illegal things and sadly died from her illness. I think he based the whole movie "Flight" upon this character in a way. And then, exploited it. With no less than success, because this is a movie full of human (and machine) mistakes.

Denzel is the man. Absolutely, he's back on the road. Whip Whitaker is the portrait of a pariah, an incidental hero. Despite his good will, he 's not the reliable man, or pilot (though he manages as a brilliant one). A lot of big big struggle. Alcoholism is a harsh reality in our times. "Flight" is maybe the best example on screen. An alcoholic portraited perfectly by our man Denzel. It can be very moving sometimes, and I think it is one of the movies you'd show up on an AA meeting. The story of a guy who cannot get rid from his addiction.

As "Cast Away", we have the memorable aviation incident. But this is only the beginning. Denzel unfolds a very complex character in search for the booze, and lastly, in search for the truth.

A moving drama with good and bitter elements. John Goodman appears only a few minutes, but he's the relie on a very touching situation. "Flight" reveals the hard fight about our very demons, even though you sprinkle the situation with altruistic moves. Even though you are the best man in the world; you have flaws, and those flaws are what you may become. He was not a hero, but after seeing this brilliant film, many people can stop and think about the issue.

Alcoholism is a silent disease, mostly denied by those who suffer it, and by the society. Finally we have a naked truth about it, and it is very welcome on mainstream films.

Sometimes I though it was a little dull in passages, but the whole experience was although, satisfactory.

Because of the issues that are put on screen, the acting of the man, Denzel Washington and more than good supporting roles, I give it an eight. I liked it, very much. And I'd see it again, without hesitation.

Cheers from Argentina.

Frankenweenie (2012)

Burton for Kids...? I enjoyed it, though

[9/10 · 27 December 2012]

When Edward Scissorhands came out on the early nineties as a classic movie, I was a little fellow, maybe eight years old.

The Edward Scissorhands thing sticked with me all this time, and there's no doubt Tim Burton made such a thing again in 2012. I may be thinking of this because of my attachment to those beautiful scores written by Danny Elfman, which have never been so close to that epic and beautiful film as they are now on Frankenweenie. Or maybe because Winona Ryder's voice and Johnny Depp's/Victor style. Or maybe because of that quirky self referential humor Burton displays on every frame, reminds me of Edward Scissorhands a lot, not to mention the scenery (mill on a hill and a humble "american dream"-like neighbors.

Kids wouldn't know that this is the director of a very poignant Batman series a long time ago. But we have lots of bats, even that strange umbrella.

So, Batman-ish umbrellas, Beetlejui-sh scary pet monsters, Vincent Price-ish eccentric European mad professor, Igor Edgar Poe-ish sidekick on those experiments; Godzillas from the oriental monster mythology, even glimpses to Hitchcock's "Birds".

All of them condensed in a delightful children and adult story. For me, who felt like the child I was on Edward Scissorhands and for the nowadays me, who is an adult and enjoyed Frankenweenie as well, the movie just filled every memory and emotions I needed from Tim.

What more can I say, I just forgot how massively brilliant can be Mr. Burton when he sticks with that sense of beauty from the awful and the unnatural. Nobody can bring the dead alive so beautifully.

I shall put it on my list: Ed Wood, Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Frankenweenie, Vincent and a step lower Bride's Corpse (maybe I'm a fan of his "darkest comedies"). They are Burton at his best. And that's really good news. We can rewatch Frankenweenie in a few years as part of a definitive Burton legacy.

Yeah, on the other hand you can say this is a spin-off from previous movies. Don't worry, it won't bother you at all, the script is still a good one. Frankenweenie stands for itself.

That's a nine for me. Mainly because it somehow moved me like no other animation film he had done previously.

Cheers from Argentina..

The Bay (II) (2012)

Get a Vademecum, Mr. Levinson...

[1/10 · 24 December 2012]

How can you be scared ? The Bay is anything but a horror movie. Barry Levinson totally disappointed me. This film is 100% inaccurate, both medically and on script terms.

I'm not the guy who rationalizes everything he sees. But if you mess with public environment, health or technologies available to control plagues, pollution, etc., you play with fire. The Bay is a negative example of that.

It made CDC and EPA look like morons, actually. Not to mention the awful medical behavior. There are treatments that could be tried before amputation and shotguns... I urge Barry Levinson to get a Vademecum in order to get familiar with drugs that kill parasites. They are not mentioned at all. Even later, when the parasite identificated, THEY DID NOT TREAT THEM with drugs! Unbelievable. How can you fear a 2 centimeters cockroach who is isolated, studied and should be treated as well...

One of the fear factors in a movie is when you have a situation out of control, when you ignore the cause of the plague, when you mess with a bad guy who seems unstoppable. Nothing of this happens here. Levinson tries to be seriously scary, but such thing didn't succeed. I think that if you want to be believable and threatening, you got to handle reality facts as well in order to be believable. Unnatural things can become natural if you are clever enough. I remember Contagion. Not the best movie of all times, but it had a good reality factor, and it was medically believable.

The Bay is unbelievable, absurd, and people seems to be retarded, especially those who are in charge of the situation.

I hate when directors do that. You got to study the subject a little when you are producing and filming, it's the least you can do.

Awful, boring, lacking credibility, lacking fantasy, lacking acting, lacking plot, people is portraited as idiots. And I tend to think that the guys in this film think that I'm an idiot, too. Insulting. Don't see it.

The worst movie I've seen in a long time.

The Words (2012)

Oh my... awful in every aspect...

[3/10 · 15 December 2012]

I'm a drama lover. "The words" is bullshit. I waited for so long to see Jeremy Irons comeback and oh my god, he and the rest of the fellows who 've taken part on this movie disappointed me as hell.

C'mon!!

This movie is an entire flaw!! Reminiscence scenes for too long, clichéd talking, the script is terrible, Dennis Quaid totally unacceptable, derivative guidelines, bad, terrible acting skills...

It bored me as hell.

I love Mr. Irons, he's the IronMan. Dennis Quaid, he's the man, even Brad Cooper tends to be a cool guy. But "The Words" spoiled them as a cast. Absolutely.

Fragile, derivative, boring as hell, bad directed and full of flaws, it reminds me "Inception" without C. Nolan and the rest of the crew. Two or three awfully boring stories poorly depticted, misfully edited (they're too long and boring for a good drama-paced story) and all the dull things you can imagine. Oh, Jeremy Irons, what did you do to get such a bad script?

It bored me as hell, and I'm surprised because I tend to overrate movies when my favourite actors are together in screen.

My Lord, don't see this crap. And if you see this, oh, let's not be so harsh. It's just a bad hollow movie with a stellar cast and that's all.

Regards from Argentina.

Fire with Fire (II) (2012)

Gomer Pyle is back!

[7/10 · 30 November 2012]

In spite of all the negative reviews and the low scoring this movie got, I have to say I liked it more than Stolen (that Nicholas Cage B-movie recently filmed).

In that order, do not expect Bruce Willis to get to action; this time he 's an administrative cop with grief and goes no further.

The plot is awfully predictable and sometimes insulting, but it manages to keep an eye on the movie, and that's because one man and one man only.

Vincent D'Onofrio is as good as Gomer Pyle (from Kubrick masterpiece "Born to Kill), ruthless, stone-cold mean faced in this film, and that's the only part of a predictable, cheesy movie you should watch. Vincent's role worth the watch.

Josh Duhamel is not bad in this new kind of action role, but I support him for comedy.. it suits him best.

Anyway I was dreadfully bored, tired of waiting for The Walking Dead series to end the mid-season, so I watched Fire with Fire cos I didn't have to wake up early and my pop-corn was ready. And I really didn't have to go out. So, if you ever find yourself in my situation, go see it.

Not the worst action movie I ever saw, only entertaining for a few moments, good cast, and Gomer Pyle scared the sh**t out of me.

That is why I give it a 6.

Cheers from Argentina!

Clandestine Childhood (2011)

Even a kid could realize...

[9/10 · 26 November 2012]

Infancia Clandestina is a very touching movie.

This review is written by an Argentinian so I felt it as a very interesting film in terms of script and acting, but more interesting as a historical testimony of our "dark ages" in terms of dictatorship and guerrilla. It would be fair to write the review in Spanish in order to put my feelings properly, but IMDb is mostly an English language site so I want to give other people from foreign countries my point of view with the little English I speak.

From my perspective, the movie is accurately told in terms of storyline. I would recommend it as a documentary, because Benjamín Avila relived his own experience on this movie, and because most of the facts really happened (with the names changed and that sort of thing).

The fact that underlines the tragic story of Juan/Ernesto, is that he is, as a child, forced to live in a world of fear, constantly missing what we think a normal childhood should be. His parents are loving ones but put him in abnormal situations in terms of caring for their livings and raise their children in those violent conditions. In fact, the story of the 70's here was that fearful and violent. You are obliged to take a part in the story. That's what the film left me. It's a thought- provoking one. And asks a lot of questions more than it tells answers.

Ernesto Alterio (very good in his role) as Tío Beto is the bond of Juan/Ernesto to a happy childhood; but even with knowing how his life could end from one moment to another, tried to remind Juan/Ernesto and the rest of the family, those little moments of humanity that could have been forgotten in the middle of tragedy. There is plenty of humanity, but that feeling is volatile and more close to self-indulgence than true happiness, knowing the curse of events.

On the other hand, the guiding line of Juan/Ernesto's family is that he 'd become one of their "soldiers" when he'd grown up. Rootless, full of hate for losing one by one his loved ones, Juan/Ernesto becomes an adult from one day to another.

But this review is not complete if I don't give you a personal opinion of the whole situation.

Ideologies, partidisms, dogma, they all conceived death as a part of them. During the movie I often compared the situation with Islamic children (or whoever is forced to live in war since a child). They are children, and they are manipulated taking part on massacres, kidnaps, war and dismemberance of their families. They are brutally witnessing the grown-ups stupidity, the absurd sacrifice. Yes, it was absurd then and it's absurd now. And that's the thing with the title of this review. Even a kid could realize the barbarism, the destruction of life that is presented in the movie. Unfortunately there is little room for choice.

I'm not in position to judge the events since I was born after the dictatorship. I'm a son of democracy (whatever that means) and those stories are told to me, but fortunately I didn't have to live those tragic times. But I feel sorry for those kids who had a sad childhood and couldn't choose for a better life. And I blame the dictatorship as well as the contraire ideologies that put them in those awful and despicable situations.

Coming back to the movie, it's a must. Even if you're not Argentinian. It's beautiful and a bit surrealistic. And it makes you think that some things can never be repeated for our children's sake.

Greetings from Argentina!

Sinister (I) (2012)

Not overrated, but close...

[7/10 · 20 November 2012]

I left the theater with mixed feelings. Reviews on IMDb blew my mind with comparisons (Insidious, one of my all time favourites) so I guess I gave Sinister a chance because of some good reviews. I'm not at all disappointed, but may be not the huge horror movie I expected to see.

The thing with Sinister is that you have this wonderful music composed by Christopher Young. Chilly as hell. The best soundtrack for a horror movie in a while. Music is a factor of fear by itself in Sinister. I liked the plot though it may be redundant and have not so many surprises. I liked Ethan Hawke at the final part of the movie. He portraits so good his character. In fact, it has some connections with The Shining in order to character development. One man who begins to freak out and loses his temper and calm with things occurring. His annoying wife, though, spoiled the entire movie. She's not the bond Ethan needs to continue with his obsession to find the killer of those families.

Nevertheless, Sinister has some good scare jumps, but lacks in gore. This was a movie which could've improved the path of Insidious. Of course, demons, haunted houses, but no James Wan. Neither gory scenes. But yes, good scares guaranteed.

It is pretty solid plot, I find no holes in it, but from time to time, situations on the movie become a little overexposed and boring.

We have a villain, people! Bagghul is badass, I liked the inventive on this issue: it becomes harder these days as horror movies go by, to create a menacing villain. This is the case, and that's a good point to mention.

But I'm not sure this is THE horror movie of the decade. It's a good one, better than many, but still a little clichéed and lacks in development of the villain and his awful methods as well as my hunger for gore and spectacularity was not fulfilled.

But it's still worth the watch. It is all-the-way tense (at least in Ethan's crime investigations and the eventual finding of Bagghul), but there were some scenes that conspired against perpetuating the tense feeling. Kind of relief scenes which could have been erased. Also, there is a lot of redundancy on common images and themes. C'mon, Bagghul! You could have killed some more families! And for those who ask; nothing to do with Saw.

I liked Sinister, don't say I didn't. It deserves a 7 out of 10. Excellent soundtrack, good plot, better acting, tense moments, a little naive snuff and scary jumps spreaded once in a while. It is a 7.

Cheers from Argentina!

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

We'll miss Nolan's Batman...

[9/10 · 11 August 2012]

So here I am reviewing this unique movie for those who might be interested in what do I think about "The Dark Knight Rises". I have to say it is a privilege to do so. But on the other hand, I think it's better to review the whole trilogy as one piece. Because it is that way intended.

I've come from the theatre (gladly I saw it in IMAX-screen format) and my first impression is that Nolan caught me again with his same old formula. And it is not bad. Oh, what am I saying, it's still awesome for true comic and cinema lovers!!! Huge, astounding scenarios, spectacular script, but the most important of all. He hadn't forget to pay his tributes to acting roles. Even though you know there will be plenty of fetish actors. It happens on most directors. Yeah, but this was not Inception.

Probably the most human of superheroes, Batman is cherished for being a 100% human being. Not for Hollywood standards, the Dark Knight had to be a pariah, border-limit vigilante, thoughtful and concerned maybe overwhelmed hero. And to make this set interesting, Batman had to be a 21st. century hero. That's what Chris Nolan quickly took advantage of.

So he unfolds tricks and treats with super budgets but never forgetting the most important subjects of the Gotham world. The people. The individuals, the collective feeling. The poor, the lonely, the rejects. And surprise! FX are not the most important thing of all in the series. Though really amazing, they were never the strong point of the whole Dark Knight stories.

Let me say it. If trust, care, belief, perseverance, friendship, love, mercy and hope are not the most important words in our language, we're absolutely done.

So the whole series of this Nolan's Batman made a cult from these words. Doesn't matter the budget. Imagine what happened to the quirky Joel Schumacher's Batman. Doesn't matter the setting. Imagine Burton's ultra grotesque Gothic Batman, and you'll see what I'm talking about. Nolan gets the point from the start on Batman Begins. And repeats (with more or less luck) the spirit on his sequels.

Well, TDKR is the perfect ending for a big big romance we all had in this last decade.

He guarantees you villains with human touches and relivable statements, love-hate relationships, honor, pride, madness, humour, glamour, flawlessness, minimalism, humanism and heroism in the same dose. And God we loved that!!

And that's the uncomfortable idea I felt when I left the room. It was over. The waiting was over. Four years of waiting plus three after Batman Begins makes seven. Almost a decade under the Nolan's shade. Almost a decade with those perfect impersonations of Gordon, Fox, Pennywise, Dent, Napier, now Bane and Blake, Tate and Selina Kyle. Almost a decade of a Bale's Bruce Wayne. The perfect Bruce. And I'm saying it as a Michael Keaton fan.

And I also think of the casts all over these years. Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman will never be so charming, memorable and breathtaking as they were on these Batman series. They achieved their new (or last) stand.

I truly hope that Nolan agrees to do a new trilogy some time further. It could have not ended this way (we have a bit of an open and full of new- Batman-series ending). But if this really ends, I'd like to say thank you, Chris Nolan. You brought back our love and fuc**ing belief for the Batman. He was not a dancer, neither a ridiculous Maxwell Smart type of hero. Yeah, we got it. We could be heroes, just for one day. It's his legacy. We are the Batman. He represented all of us.

And, as a message for C.Nolan, there's no Superman forecoming franchise capable of surpass this memorable trilogy.

I put it on my list along with The Godfather, Star Wars and Back to the Future series. Above the Matrix's one, of course.

I'm still a little sad. At this point TDKR is a bit irrelevant as an individual. It's the ending. Don't be so concerned about we the reviewers with technical aspects or script devariances think. We should shut up and behold the might of Nolan's Batman. Plus, you won't get a hint if TDKR is the first film you watch from the whole series. So, catch up f you didn't, Batman Begins, Dark Knight, then go sit on a cinema, and let yourself go. You won't be disappointed. Every dollar or peso, or lira will worth it. Enjoy with a sad tear, the finish of the Dark Knight series.

But you MUST see it, in spite of all the reviewers here. Sure you won't care what people say about this. You just will go and see it for yourself. Cos you loved the two last ones, and absolutely will love this one as well.

Cheers from Argentina.

Long live the Batman.

Bowling for Columbine (2002)

The Kids Aren't All Right..

[10/10 · 25 July 2012]

I must confess. I saw this film again for the third time -most of the blame is on the Batman's f**king issue- but I never reviewed "Bowling..." I though there was enough saying about that on 2003 or so.

But then, I sincerely had to make a statement of my own. Here it goes....

This is not a movie, neither a documentary...It's a humanistic way of thinking. Any film made almost ten years ago couldn't be such a thought- provoking smash as Bowling For Columbine is.

It isn't about the comparison of criminal rates in several countries (we know.. statistics are some kind of mathematical lie). It's not about how fears constructs societies (even nowadays with the power in which mass media stands). It's about non-sense/no humanistic way of living in the name of profit. It's about how we, the real expendables, deal in this kind of revolting subculture of violence and poverty and deceit. Our madness as "Homo" subspecies... "Bowling" stills being a shock ten years later. It still stands tall as a documentary, and should be shown on every corner of the street.

As a documentary it may have some flaws, but at the end of the movie I thought I wish I had the fuc**ng balls Michael Moore showed when Bowling For Columbine was rolled. His achievement should be celebrated, in spite of all the technical criticism we the home-cinema geeks could wield, or do.

I strongly recommend it for those who haven't seen this gem yet.

You see, it's not like we are talking about "Green Lantern" here.. BFC's kind of film plots are the spinal cord of what we are as a society. And I mean worldwide. I really do believe so, and that is why, no matter how many flaws BFC has (and there are little ones, anyway), I give it a 10. And if this film does not give you even a spark of thinking about it... well...shame on you, my human brother.

Who dares to face this kind of statements anyways? We should viralize these thoughts; maybe the change are WE. Despite politics, I mean individually. I hope we have the urge to worry about how we manage our anger issues, our criminals, our very lives.

Bowling for Columbines is a must. Wherever you live, whatever you think, whoever you are.

I said it, a 10.

Thank you, Michael Moore.

Cheers from Argentina (and sorry for my crappy English).

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Oh, it was such a ride...

[7/10 · 9 June 2012]

Everything about this slapstick comedy horror sci-fi film has many things to consider.

The first opinion I can give is that Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard put on script and on screen lots of classic horror influences. So that makes "Cabin in the woods" a must see for every horror fan.

Imagine mixing together Evil Dead, Jeepers Creepers, Cube, The Truman Show, 13 Ghosts, The Ring, IT and Braindead.. surely we find ourselves placed in one or another of these movies in several moments of the film, which could have been a mess.. or, in this case, useful to tell a different story, yet so familiar to us horror lovers.

I think those references were put together on purpose, as a huge tribute film, certainly with sadistic humour, a few scary jumps, and not so many, but good gory scenes.

I didn't like the ending, though; too much plot ambition and some holes in it.

I think it's normal since the whole film worth the watch just for those elements. It's gritty, thrilling, entertaining, a little creepy. But mostly, cynical. Love cynical movies!!

Still, Cabin in the woods is sooo weird. Ludicrously weird. That's good news for us fans. You'll finish watching it and asking -WTF did I just see?

The final scenes are naturally misguided by an overthought plot. Not everybody can "do a Nolan" script.

But that's a little flaw in an intriguing, well-delivered film. It has a virtue, too. It makes you try to predict what is going to happen next, and you'll never guess it. That's the definition of a good thriller. Especially in the first parts where you are forced to think what's the connection between those weird guys at the control center and the boys in the cabin.

You'll like it, dislike it, and WTF about it all in same proportions. But certainly remember it as it is: a fresh cynical horror film with old elements.

Cheers from Argentina!