My Favorite Movies

Saw it again...
And I've come to the conclusion that I don't find this movie to be brilliant... I think it's beyond that. I can't help but stand in awe whenever I see it.
The sad news is that I don't quite believe that there can ever be another movie like this one.
I really wished I had more stars for this rating.
(This is the best I can do when it comes to review this movie. I know that if I try to describe it, I won't be happy with whatever words I may choose, because it will always feel like I'm not even beginning to do it justice.)

First of all, let me just put it this way: WOW!
I already knew this would probably be a good movie, but I never thought that it was this GREAT! Bale is absolutely perfect as this uptight, deranged, lunatic, apparently refined, psycho guy. His performance couldn't possibly have been better. And what a ride it was to follow his insane line of thoughts throughout his everyday life. Needless to say, a very different in a twisted way kind of living. The insanity which characterizes this movie is so intense that I've found myself to be completely astonished and in awe while watching it. Also, it has one of the brightest scripts I've ever had the pleasure of coming across with. Very clever lines from the beginning till the end of the movie. And the words that come out of that psycho's mouth turn his social interactions in the most comical of situations:

- Would you like to hear today's specials?
- Not if you want to keep your spleen.

This character is definitely a laugh... Yes, there are some very vile actions coming from his side, but I'm sure you'll find him to be very amusing, nonetheless.

What a great movie for exercising your brain. While you're watching it, you can be sure to feel your neurons connecting to each other at a high speed - assuming that you, who are reading this, have enough brain cells to engage in such an activity. This is what I most liked about Memento. You don't just stand there and watch it, like you do when a movie is so basic that you even start to feel numb. Instead, you take part in solving a puzzle frame by frame, the whole time you're watching it. If you haven't seen it yet but intend to, I recommend one thing: while you're watching it, keep storing as much information as you can, because you are going to need it as the plot starts to thicken.

This is what I call an "is it or is it not" movie. Don't you just love it when a film has the hability to surprise you? It's so refreshing when I can't figure out what the ending is going to be like. But The Game goes way ahead of that since, not only it got me surprised at the end, but also during the entire movie. The twists are just brilliant! They play with your mind, trick you, and lead your thoughts to where they want them to go. At a certain point, you just can't be sure of anything anymore - hence the "is it or is it not" part.

It's utterly sad the way this movie is SO underrated! I had to watch it again before I could review it, because I think it's definitely the high point of Shyamalan's career, and I wouldn't wanna babble about it without having a vivid memory of it first... The screenplay is just amazing! I think it deals with some real important aspects of the way people lead their lifes and also the way they are affected by the choices they make (and vice versa). The human condition is in fact very well captured in this movie. You will be presented with a splendid array of emotions which range from the darkest to the noblest ones of humankind. I believe there's a lesson to be learned in this film. And, in my opinion, the fact that you'll ejoy it or not will depend on how well you understand that particular lesson. And it has nothing to do with wits. It's all about life experiences and common sense... So, besides the wonderful screenplay, you also get the bonus of some astounding performances. The acting is so good that you almost feel like you are really taking part in the events of that village. (Oh, and I take my hat off to Brody. His performance is just flawless.)... Summing it up: one of the most well achieved movies I've ever seen! Great plot, great screenplay, great performances, and the ability to touch you without the lameness factor.

Picture, if you will, a world where real people and fairy tail characters can meet each other.
That is Lady in the Water: fairy tail meets reality.

All right, now you must be thinking, 'What a boring movie this one must be! What do I care about Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, or the likes?'
Well, this is really not a fairy tail movie per se. It's more like a 'cruel reality undermines the fairy tail concept' movie. And it is very interesting to see how both worlds are so cleverly intertwined.

I really enjoyed this film, but I have to say it is one of those that you either love or hate.

This is movie art at its finest and in the simplest form.
It's amazing how much this movie has accomplished with such a low budget.
Eat your heart out, all you mega-movie productions out there, and feast your eyes on this quasi-masterpiece put together almost from scratch.
It has almost everything you could ask for in a movie. A great concept (one of the best, in my opinion), a terrific mind-blowing plot (with such a great concept there was almost zero chance of screwing the plot up), and also some very good performances (not top-notch ones, but quite good all the same).
The only reason why the above rating isn't a full 5 star one is merely because of the poor special fx in some of the scenes. I know they couldn't have possibly made it any better since I'm sure they lacked the means to do so. But still, it is enough to make it lose half a star.
And, trust me, half a star doesn't mean jack shit in this case, as this movie's already great as it is.
Art from (almost) scratch...
You gotta respect that.

Just watched it for the second time. A few years gone by since the first time I've seen it, and I realize now - with a different state of mind and a few more wrinkles than before - that it really puts things into perpective... How do you handle everything that sorrounds you while you're growing up? How do those things affect you and shape you throughout your entire life? What's the meaning you make of your environment and to what extent is that meaning really your own? How can you tell when you've become a puppet of other's ideologies instead of the ones you really believe in?... Many questions start popping up while you're watching this movie. Cruel reality is thrown right at your face and all you can do to shut your "big mouth" mind and stop it from questioning is either close your eyes and cover your ears, or simply turn off the tv. Otherwise, you have no choice but to face the fact that social influence can definitely be a total pain in the ass (literally speaking, in this specific case).
As for the peformances, I'm glad to say they all played their parts very well and in a realistic manner. Nevertheless, and as usual, Norton's acting was there to shade everyone else on the set. His performance is almost spotless in this movie and kills every possibility for others to shine brighter than he does. There are certain scenes where the nazi Derek Vinyard really can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. And this is how real and convincing he was as a "junior KKK" of modern times.

Lets see, now... If you're planning on seeing this movie, I say you couldn't make a better choice. But, if you're not... Then, I'm gonna have to ask you to go outside, lie down on the street next to the side walk, and put your mouth on the curb...
That's it! Now say good night.

WARNING: This movie may contain scenes of a romantic and dramatic nature. Viewer discretion is advised.

It's romantic, and it's also dramatic. Lame? Not even close. Not when you've got the main character as a sadistic gentleman trying to make his cheating wife go through an agonizing death by cholera. Adding to this the fact that he is also a masochistic gentleman trying to get himself killed by the same disease, then you've got yourself the perfect S&M romantic/dramatic plot. Also, you've got yourself the perfect actor and actress playing the main characters. The performances are great, both by Norton and Watts. Even in the silent scenes, you can actually know what the characters are thinking or feeling at the moment. And I think that says it all about the quality of the acting.
Unlike other movies of the kind, this one flows so smoothly that there isn't a single boring moment in it. And it's not a tearjerker at all. It has an interesting screenplay with some amusing dialogues along the way. Plus, all the scenes have a purpose of being where they were put and you don't find them to drag forever. That's the beauty of this movie: they didn't waste time focusing on the lame 'yawning' aspects of the story. Praised they shall be for that wise choice.

I waited a long time for this one and I must say I was a little afraid it would let me down, as I had some high expectations concerning it.
Gladly, it lived up to what I was hoping for.
I was almost certain it would fall on my good side because of their attempt to make everything look as real as possible through the style of direction. Had this been a conventionally directed film, I'm pretty sure it would have sounded like a plain, dull, commercial one to me. So the direction makes all the difference here. Couldn't have been done in any other way in order to work.
Some have said before that they've found the camera's shaky movement to be a downside here. But I couldn't disagree more. The way I see it, it is really that particular style of direction that makes this movie so great.
Ehr... Here. Let me rephrase that... It's the style of direction that makes this movie. Period.
And I don't mean to say it's the only good thing in it. What I mean is that without it, it would have been just another "been there, done that" kind of film. And that would have really been a shame.
But since they've made a wise choice in that area, they managed to save the day and accomplish a movie that is gripping all the way through and with an amazing sense of reality.
Also, I've read some people in here saying that the performances are terrible. Once again, I disagree. I think the cast has done a pretty good job here. Apart from Yustman, the only one who hasn't been able to convince me, they were all capable of showing the right emotions at the right time. And it felt as if though they were really there going through that unsettling situation.
Now... Praises aside... There are some downsides in this film. But then again, I never said it was a perfect one.
Well... The truth is that I've found things to be a little far-fetched at times. I won't talk about it here, because I would be spoiling the movie for those who haven't seen it yet. But, nonetheless, not to worry. The far-fetchedness is almost nonexistent. Or, otherwise, I wouldn't have enjoyed this movie as much as I did.

Lynch not only directed this movie, but he also wrote the script... So, my diagnosis is: fucked up psycho genius. Forget what you saw in terms of movies until today - at least in terms of non-Lynch's movies - and watch this one with your mind as open as possible. It will make you feel lost, dazed, confused, but it will also make you hang on to the screen wanting to know more about those freaky situations that you just can't seem to add up. And although I've found the movie pace to be somewhat slow at times, I think the schizo ambiance emanating from each and every scene make up perfectly for the occasional slowliness. Having said this, be advised that this is not one of those movies where 1+1=2. You'll be surprised to find that, after all, you might have been deceived throughout your math classes. In Lynch's world 1+1 may equal 3, or even 50, or even 19247... Just be sure that, after watching this film, you'll have no strings attached to any specific meaning and will be left to theorize about it at your own free will. I already have my theory on it, but I bet that yours will differ from mine up to at least a certain point. And no, putting 2 and 2 together doesn't always do the trick. Not in this case anyway.

Finally!... Finally I got to watch this movie! And it really was worth it. Definitely (and thankfully) not your ordinary film at all. It takes you into the life of this screwed up young man and defies you to reach some kind of understanding concerning the twisted aspects of his mind. It has such a mysterious and overwhelming plot that you will be left wondering about each event throughout the entire movie. Also, the complexity of the story line is exponential in some way, which means you'll find yourself still trying to solve the puzzle even after the film is over.
The ending will dictate your interpretation of this bizarre story, as it leaves enough room for your imagination to go wild.
Or crazy, if you're as neurotic as myself.

This movie is sarcasm at its pure form. So, needless to say how much I've enjoyed it. This one was in fact one great comedy movie to me. The screenplay in itself, the character's speech, and the way they behave, it all screams out: ISN'T SARCASM JUST A BLAST? And it really is, when it comes out the way it did. Great plot, also. Somewhat complex and confusing, as the lives of the several characters start to bump on each other. The only downside, in my opinion, is that some of the actors fail a little bit on their performances in some scenes of the movie. In these rare - but existing - moments, they couldn't convince me on believing the story as a real one. But the rest of the film makes up brilliantly for this unfortunate flaw.

Surprising and full of twists! You'll follow the story of two rival illusionists on their quest for recognition in their line of business. They seem to have nothing in common except for the fact that both of them want to be number one and are willing to do almost anything in their power to achieve it. They come up with the most despicable ways of putting the other fellow magician into a corner, and do it without a shred of remorse. Extremely good screenplay! It will lead you smoothly through this story and will provide you the answers to the questions you might have at the right time. In fact, it will also provide answers to the questions you do not have, since the twists will surprise you a few times along the movie. The performances are great. Terrific acting by Bale, as usual. A must see, in my opinion.

I've got two words for you: 'Paul' and 'McGuigan'.
You might as well write this name down. The direction was just superb! I had never heard of this director before, but I'm glad to have found this precious gem of the 7th Art. If all of his movies are as great as this one, then I still have a few more hours of good entertainment ahead of me. The talented bastard reminded me of Fincher! Need I say more about the direction?
Now, as for the screenplay... Just great! Loved it! It's very well plotted and has a few twists along the way. You will only fully understand what's really happening once the movie gets near the end... And the acting... Well, you've got Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Ben Kingsley,... Even Josh Hartnett managed to surprise me in a very good way, so... I rest my case.

Now you must be thinking:
'If it's such a great movie, then howcome it's only worth 4 stars?'
Well, to be honest, I didn't like Lucy Liu's performance all that much. I think she should really stick to comedies. And also, there were some boring useless romantic scenes that just didn't belong there. All they did was break the movie pace... Other than that... This film is definitely a great watch!

It's just great!
One of those puzzle movies that will keep you guessing until that final moment when everything finally makes sense.
The whole film is in itself a presentation of a series of events which are apparently disconnected from each other. And of course we know they've got to have a connection of some kind, but that's exactly where the beauty of this movie lies. In fact, the most exciting thing while watching this film is that you keep constantly wondering and trying to find out the missing piece that will complete the puzzle you have been putting together right from the beginning.
It's a mind challenging movie with some odd funny scenes along the way. Some of them particularly odd, I must say. (You'll know what I mean when / if you watch it.) But, in my opinion, it is in fact the oddness about it and also the dark humour in it that turn this movie into a rather funny one to watch.
If you look closely, there's no way you can possibly go wrong here. You've got the mind puzzling factor, the oddness, and also a touch of dark humour to spice things up a little bit.
And although I didn't mention this earlier, the performances are also great.
And that's a lot to say, giving the fact that I usually tend to puke whenever Mr. Swayze shows up on the screen.
Didn't happen this time, though.
So I guess it's safe enough.
No, no, no...
Scratch that.
Not safe enough.
A must see, really.

WOW!... I mean... Fucking WOW!... Great movie from the beginning till the end. Finally a decent zombie movie comes to town! It was about time I got out of a theater room with a feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction, and wearing nothing but a big smile upon my face. (Don't ask... Some kinky theaters we've got around here.) The screenplay is just terrific and everything happens at the right pace. There's no time for boredom while watching this one. Plus, the script adds a perfect dark humour to it and makes everything even more enjoyable. Rodriguez definitely deserves a big praise for having put this movie together in such an astonishing way. It's not easy to surprise me when it comes to zombie movies, as they're all pretty much "same shit, different day". But this one gladly managed to keep my full interest and attention all the way through. I got pleasantly surprised by its originality. And also pleasantly surprised by the performances. They all fit their parts rather well and... Wait... Wait just a goddam minute... They ALL fit their parts well?... ALL of them?!... DAMN! I've just realized something... Brolin can actually act!... See? I told you this was a surprising movie.

I had a feeling this one would probably be a good movie, but somehow it managed to exceed my expectations. I don't usually go for war movies and, as I've said once in some other review around here, they have to be rather good so that I can truly enjoy them. Gladly, Rescue Dawn is one of those rare exceptions.
I decided to take a shot, because I knew it wasn't focused on war itself, but rather in some situation involving POW'S. And besides, I also knew Bale had the leading role, so there was almost zero chance I would be disappointed to the verge of tears. And it turned out I wasn't disappointed at all. Quite the opposite, actually.
The story is very well plotted and will leave you hanging on to the screen from the beginning till the end. The scenes are as vivid as possible and you can actually feel as if though you are there taking part of the action. (One of my very favorite qualities when it comes to movies.) It's a very complete film in terms of reality display. Sometimes it's brutal, sometimes it's touching, sometimes it's tense, sometimes it's unexpected, sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's... I could go on, but I think you get the picture by now.
Another thing I truly liked about the screenplay was the fact that they were able to add just the right amount of humour to a situation that is by no means funny. And they did it with enough elegance to get away with it, even if dealing with such a dreadful subject as war.
As for the performances... Man! Do you know what it's like when, in the middle of a theater room, you realize your chin has fallen and that it's been like that for quite some time?... That's how good the acting was. Bale did an amazing job as usual, and the supporting cast was able to keep up with his genius performance. I must say I couldn't find a single flaw when it comes to the acting. So, if you do find one, please let me know. As it turns out, I'm always up for proving people wrong.

Asami, my heroine!

Teach me.
Oh, great master, teach me.

(Awaiting reply...
Sitting on my ass. Or else I'll get tired of waiting.)

DAMN!
I must take a bow.
The japanese movie people have finally made it. And I say it was about time they did.

This one starts off as what it seems to be an ordinary movie about relationships and such mundane issues. And if you still don't know what this story is about when you start watching it (or, at least, haven't yet seen one of your twisted friends saying great things about it around here), you might actually think it doesn't get any better than that.
Well... As it turns out... You couldn't be more wrong.
All you really have to do is wait until the story starts to unfold. From that moment on, it gets better and better by the minute.
And although the movie pace is somewhat slow most of the time (especially in the beginning), I'm quite happy to say it doesn't ruin the enjoyment of watching it. In this particular case, I actually think it is a suitable pace. Or else, I would have been bored at some point. Which wasn't the case.
So... I've come to a conclusion... I guess the asian fellows should definitely leave the supernatural horror aside (which, in my opinion, shouldn't even be labelled as horror, considering that it isn't horrifying at all) and just stick to a more earthly kind of horror.
Like, say...
Oh, I don't know... Mad screwed up female human specimens with long sharp needles as their friends.
Just an idea, though.

WTF just happened there?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yes, there will be a review... eventually. Right now, the only thing that comes to mind is... WTF?!

It's nice going to the theater and watch a quality movie for a change.
I had to go see it in a theater a bit faraway from where I live (because the stupid theaters around here are all blockbusters worshipers), but it really was worth it.
This movie's in fact about Russian mafia, but not quite so. It portrays a lot more than that. Gladly, it wasn't specifically focused on the organization itself, but rather on a much more humane related story.
Don't be fooled, though. When I say humane, I do not mean to say it is a tender loving story. Quite the opposite, actually. I mean it like focusing on a story concerning some delicate, brutal issues that are a reality for many people all around the world. And not only mafia related issues.
As for the acting...
Astonishing! Mortensen at he's best.
Gosh! I never knew he could speak Russian. Or even attempt to do so.
And...
Gosh! He should have really kept he's clothes on. We didn't need the disappointment.

This movie is (I'm glad to say) a true anti-Hollywood anthem in all its essence. Its main guiding question seems to be: 'What would Hollywood NOT do?'. Because almost every single thing in it breaks (or at least defies) the rules that usually guide major movie productions. And it felt as if though it was meant to be a declared war against the traditional blockbuster pattern.
No wonder the theater room was almost empty. This is by no means a movie for the masses. And if you like your motion pictures with extra Hollywood dressing, then I would advise you to stay away from Funny Games. I'm sure you won't find it to be all that funny after all.
I, on the other hand, felt quite refreshed after having watch it. It was like the first breath of fresh air after having been locked inside a closet reeking of mothballs and old socks. It was undoubtedly a very pleasant way of breaking the blockbuster routine and somehow taking a rest from all the commercial movies that linger in the international film sector. It's like an epidemic tendency, nowadays. Every movie seems to follow the same steps as the previews ones. And maybe it has been like this all the time. But that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it. I actually don't. And that's why I'm thankful for the fact that at least a few movies still manage to avoid the dominant, tiring commercial cycle.
The thing I most liked about Funny Games is that it has the ability to pull the strongest feelings out of the viewers. Well, at least in my case it worked like a real button pusher. Tension was the word of the day. From a particular moment on, few were the scenes that didn't make me anxious to at least a certain degree. The story is gripping, the plot is great and the supposedly funny games are just outrageous (in a very good way, I mean). Plus, the performances are as fantastic and realistic as can be. I was already expecting it to be that way when it comes to Watts and Roth, but... HELL! Even Pitt managed to fall on my good side. He couldn't have done a better job. And his character... Absolutely out of this world!

'WHERE'S THE REMOTE?'

Priceless!
I'm sure not everyone will enjoy this particular scene, but I, for one, tend to think it was a clever move.

And, finally, the only reason why the above rating isn't higher is because of a few anti-climactic scenes that somehow broke the pace of the movie. Those particular scenes should have been shorter, in my opinion, because at some point they started to get a bit boring.
And I don't know... Maybe it was supposed to be that way....
Let's just say it didn't work for me.
And who knows?... Maybe it'll work for you.

First of all, this is a dramatic feature. And, yes, it is also a romantic one. Not my favorite kinds of movie. At all. Let alone when they're hand in hand.
But I've got to be fair. When something's good... then something's good.
Well... DUH!
Anyways... Moving on...
Surprise of the surprises... Guess what...
I'm sure you won't believe me when I tell you this, but no, you won't have to use your brain activity all that much while watching this film. Call me crazy, but here's what I think: drama / romance screenplays are not often too demanding when it comes to synaptic effort.
I didn't wanna be the one to break it to you, but there... I've said it.
So, when you have a movie that, despite not being all that mind challenging, is still pretty decent to watch in your opinion and also high in quality... Then you've got yourself a good movie, even though at first it seemed to have almost everything in it to make you feel nauseous.
And it really doesn't. I watched it till the end and didn't throw up once. Not even close, actually.
But I gotta tell you... Although I don't quite know how to put this... Let me try, anyway...
Hum... Well... The way I see it, there are certain movies that, in order to win you over, have to be 'felt' rather than just watched. What I mean is that, if you're not 'in tune' with whatever the hell is being presented to you while watching those particular films, then they won't be able to bring out any kind of emotion in you, and you most likely won't enjoy them.
And this is exactly what happens with Atonement.
But then again, this could be just the drugs kicking in.
I guess you won't know for sure until you watch it.

And just in case you do decide to give this one a go, let me keep you updated in terms of the goods and the bads about it:

The best:

The library sex scene.



It was SO good, I came twice in a row.
And then one more time in another row.
(I like changing seats while in the theater.)

The worst:

Edward Norton not having the leading role.
Although I must say McAvoy didn't do bad either.
Three times in just a few minutes is not something that can be easily disregarded.

Well, well, well... Who would have thought I would actually enjoy a movie entirely spoken in my own language...

(No, I'm not brazilian, in case you guys are wondering.
Bet I've just wiped the smiles off a few faces, huh?)

Anyways, as you have probably guessed by now, this film really did surprise me in a very good way. Just another one of those with that special quality I so truly enjoy: 'in your face' reality from the beginning till the end. And although (gladly, I must say) I've never found myself in a rough environment such as the one displayed here, I'm pretty sure they didn't try in any way to soften it. The daring screenplay, the crude direction, the wonderful performances, all come together to give you this 'what you see is what you get' feeling and, consequently, make you reassess your thoughts about the world out there. You can't possibly be indifferent to it whether you decide to watch it. And that's really one of the many reasons why you should.

This is life. A great display of real life. So vivid that I sometimes felt like screaming and eventually kicking some of the characters right in the ass.
And this is exactly what I most liked about this movie. The fact that it was capable of bringing out all sorts of emotions within me while I was watching it.
Most of the time, I tend to really appreciate a movie that is capable of remaining truthful to reality. And that was exactly what happened here. The plot is presented in such a realistic manner that you won't be able to become indifferent to it. Every situation will somehow cause you to feel some kind of emotion towards what is being displayed, and you will actually feel like you are watching it live and not on your tv set. Real life characters such as these are very hard to find when it comes to movies nowadays. And, to me, that's what makes this movie so special. It portrays people as they really are and not as either plain good or plain evil. Because people aren't like that at all.
Most films tend to fail in that specific area, in that they often present the clichéd segregation between 'the good guy' and the 'bad guy'. In Crash, all the characters are both the good and the bad guy at the same time. They really are like you and me, and everybody else around. And when it comes to heroes... I guess you can say there are a few heroes in this movie. Real life ones, I mean. The kind of heroes that you would find just around the corner on any given day.
So, yes, this movie is indeed as realistic as it can be and, gladly, not far fetched in any way. Plus, the screenplay is very good and also very intense emotionwise.

How could one possibly not like it, then?...

Don't answer.

Five guys wake up in a warehouse without being able of recalling any past events. They're all in a pretty messy shape, and seem to have gone through some very hard times, but none of them knows WTF just happened there. The characters will slowly start to recover some crucial memories, and begin to unveil the mystery sorrounding that ftreaky situation they've found themselves in. Needless to say, it's one of those movies that will keep you guessing til the end. I really liked it, but I think it could have been much better than it was. They had it all to turn this one into a 5 stars movie, if only they had plotted it in a different way. The downside is that, at some point, they start to reveal things too quickly and the guessing part seems to fade away a lot faster than it should. Nonetheless, I think it might surprise you just when you think that there is nothing further to be unfolded.

Crazy, crazy action flick!
Quite different from all the rest, I can tell you.
First of all, and unlike most action movies out there, it's not supposed to portray reality while at the same time using some ridiculous, annoying far-fetched scenes as a way of dealing with the infamous plot holes. This happens all the time in this genre. You know like, for instance, when a plot is flowing in a somewhat tidy fashion and then out of the blue comes a car flying over a burning bridge, only to fall on the road later again and keep on moving as if it never happened.
No, Wanted's not like that at all. It was never meant to portray reality as we know it. It's way too insane for that.
Let's just say they put the far in the far-fetched and manage to go beyond it. And what usually looks ridiculous in other movies becomes acceptable and even enjoyable in this one. Because they're not breaking any reality-bound rules. And how could they? The whole movie makes us feel that there are absolutely no rules to be broken. It's like they've created a whole new reality where anything goes. A quite clever move in my opinion, as it completely obliterates the far-fetchedness problem. Truth is, you can't have a far-fetched scene in a movie where all the scenes are meant to look unreal.
And that's really the beauty of Wanted.
That and also the dark humour in it. Sharp and unconventional, just the way I like it.
Also, the directing is just amazing. Definitely not ordinary in any sense of the word. Sometimes it's sheer madness, with very specific scenes rushing after each other to provide you with a sense of being in the characters' shoes and seeing things from their perpective, not only in terms of what they're capturing with their eyes, but also in terms of how those images and situations affect their state of mind.
Yeah, some shots are really that good.
But I guess I won't be mentioning any more about the directing. Better watch for yourself. As it turns out, reviews are no match for the real deal. Which in this case is well worthy of your time and attention.

Although...
And you know what they say...
All good comes to an end, right?...
Right.

(Except for Fight Club, that is. And very few other movies... But that's really not the point here.)

Well, despite all the good things I've been mentioning until now... I gotta be honest. The movie theme is not all that exciting or even original. And it's my belief they didn't make all that much effort while working on the plot either. Which means the storyline could have been a lot more breathtaking and also a whole lot more awe-inducing.
Very entertaining, but by no means brain candy.
Still, it beats the crap out of most movies lacking a top-noch plot. And considering the amount of films which fit in that category, I'd say Wanted is a pretty goddamn good movie in the overall.
And that's that.

It's a very entertaining movie and it has a very good screenplay. It tells you the story of an illusionist with a taste for magic since an early age. Following the forcible separation between him and his loved one, the young Edward leaves his hometown in pursuit of improving his skills as a magician, and also in the hope that he would forget the one he had left behind. After changing his name to Eisenheim, he returns to the city he grew up in and starts to perform his shows. The following events will lead you through a plot of love, crime, power and, of course, illusion. And although I spotted the twist miles away, I still found this movie to be quite enjoyable, as the story is very well plotted. As for the performances: so-so for Biel; excellent for Giamatti; and almost great for Norton... Yes, fellows, I too can be impartial when it comes to my favorite actor.

Finally some mind screwing scary shit!... See?... And you don't really have to rely solely on gore scenes while making a frightening movie. The way I see it, psychological horror can actually be far more intense than just plain visual horror. And that's exactly what happened here. If you're only looking for some bloody messy scenes, then do not watch this. But if you enjoy jumping a few times out of your seat while watching a chilling movie, than you've got green light to give this one a go. The screenplay is a very good and original one, with some pretty good humorous lines all the way through. It's the kind of screenplay that can surprise you in a very good way, just when you thought it had surprised you in a very bad way. And the performances are just fantastic. Plus, the room's dark sense of humour (a rather egocentric kind of room, I must say) is the cherry on top of the cake. They really can make you believe that the goddam room has a mind of its own. Evil and twisted, but not like all the other evil displays in former movies. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there's something about the way this wicked room operates that makes it different from all of the other 7th Art's evil real estates. And, needless to say... different = fuck yeah!

Lovely movie! Romance meets good comedy.
Yes, there is in fact some romance in it. There had to be, or otherwise it wouldn't work at all. Yes, there is a princess who falls madly in love with a 'farm boy', but that's also the exact thing that triggers such a funny plot as this one. Plus, it never gets lame beyond unacceptable, as you've got this 'lameness supervisor' kinda character who always makes sure things don't get too much on the mushy side...





So, not to worry. The romance factor is only here to set the foundations for an entertaining humorous screenplay. In fact, this tale is told in such a way that I believe its primary purpose is to make you laugh other than move you.








As for the downside... It is a rather old movie, so... Do not expect remarkable special effects, as they're really not good at all. But I'm sure that won't keep you from enjoying this movie, nonetheless.

First of all, I have to say I'm probably not the right person to recommend this film. Most of the times, I tend to regard originality very highly when it comes to movies. And this was exactly what happened here. It's like you're entering a twilight zone between light and darkness, in which rationality as we know it have no place whatsoever. Without a doubt, one of the best displays of 'good vs evil' I've ever seen.
Also, the direction is great. Right down to the detail just the way I like it. And the performances couldn't have been better, at least for most of the cast.
As for the downside... It can get a little far-fetched sometimes. And, yes... Sadly, the originality I so truly enjoy gets way over the top on occasions. At some point, I found myself thinking something like: 'C'mon! Enough is enough. That's not even original anymore. That's... ridiculous!'.
But do not let this minor detail get in the way, because the movie isn't all like that. Just some particular scenes that should have been revised before editing. That's all.

I was a little curious about this movie. I mean, it's Kevin Costner, the prince of thieves (Mr. Goody Two Shoes in the flesh), Whitney Houston's bodyguard (AAAAARRRGGGHHH!!!), the guy that writes love letters and puts them inside bottles (aw! how cute!), and so on, and so forth... So I thought that there was no way he could play a serial killer and get away with it... Well, it turns out I couldn't be more wrong. He really did manage to surprise me in a very good way, as he portrayed a rather self-confident, twisted, clever, sarcastic, split-persona kinda killer. A round of applause to Mr. Brooks, then. He definitely deserves it. Also, Hurt's performance couldn't possibly have been better. If you think Brooks is twisted, wait until you have the chance to meet Marshall. Fantastic dazzling character. And the interactions between the both of them are absolutely amazing. They provide a lot of good humorous moments while talking to each other (if you're fond of a twisted kinda talking, that is). Now, the way I see it, Demi Moore's character was almost unnecessary here. It adds nothing new to the story. The divorce settlement scenes were a little too boring for my taste. As for the plot, good, in my opinion. Not great, but nonetheless quite good. And once more, the thing I didn't like was the slow place in some of the scenes. Other than that, a really good movie and the chance to see Costner play a part which doesn't involve helping people in need of rescue, or some other good deeds of the kind. Quite the opposite, actually.

I have to say that, while watching this movie, I almost felt tempted to drag my lazy ass out of bed and literally bow down to Dr. Lecter's bright sarcastic remarks. There's no possible way you won't find yourself to be dazzled by this unique character. Ok, so he is sort of into the cannibalism thing. So what? If Will Graham was still drawn by him after he tried to have him for dinner, who are we to judge the doctor's deeds?... And who better than Hopkins to portray those deeds in the most gracious way? That gentleman's acting is definitely flawless. You can really see the madness in his eyes throughout the entire movie. Also Norton with a great performance, as well as the rest of the cast.
And yet, despite all the compliments, I've only found it to be a 3 1/2 stars movie... Well, you can blame it on the blond haired Norton... Just kidding. Actually, the rest of the stars are missing because it's too much of a cop movie for my taste. Nevertheless, I think the plot is clever enough to make it worthwhile.

Is it?... Bad, I mean?
Nah. At least not from where I was standing when I saw it. And I know it wasn't the best seat in the whole theater room, but nonetheless it still seemed pretty ok to me. Yeah, I admit there were some holes in the plot. So, no, it's not a perfect film. It's very hard to find one of those and everybody knows that. And besides, the slips in it are very few and somewhat excusable. Nothing that will make you stand up and scream 'What the fuck?', or throw a couple of vodka bottles at the screen, or some other thing like that. (Which was a good thing, because those types of bottles weren't really available at the time... Go figure...).
All this to say that, despite the no-no's in the screenplay, I still found this movie to be very enjoyable and not a bit boring. It has a very decent plot and the story flows at just the right pace. Also, Kidman's performance is just great. I mean, in my opinion the whole cast did a pretty good performance job, but that woman really knows how to behave in order to bring her characters to live.
And, DAMN! She looks prettier than ever! The whole time all I could think of was: 'Great! Just super!... Thank you, Nicole, for making me have to spend yet another year in therapy due to my latent bi tendencies... I'll send you the bill later'.

I don't usually go for mobster movies and my tendency is to avoid them at all cost. And that's why I was a little reluctant to watch this film. (A little... Well, ok, a lot. I admit it. Seventeen years went by till I came round to watching it, so... Can't really go against the facts.) Well, but now that I've finally given it a chance, I must say it really did surprise me in a very good way. And unlike what I was expecting, it wasn't boring at all. Plus, the storyline is so carefully plotted that I was pleased not to have found a single hole in it. Great screenplay, very good direction, and also a rather wise soundtrack choice, as it manages to highlight the irony behind some of the movie scenes. And as for the performances... De Niro is flawless, Pesci pulls it off quite well, and Liotta... Well, I guess he does ok, but... Let's just say he still has a long way to go before he can convince me of his true acting skills.

And being this one a movie that I would have never gone for without at least a little incentive in that way, I really couldn't let this one go by without thanking a couple of people who so highly recommended it to me at some point. So... *Thanks for the recommendation, Tuco! I really did enjoy it!*... And last but not least, a very special thank you to that wise twisted soul mate of mine... *If it weren't for your nagging about it, this movie wouldn't have even been on my homework assignment list, let alone on my DVD collection.*

(I've just finished watching this movie, so let me catch my breath here for a while...)

Ok... All recovered from that astonishing acting now.

This movie turned out to be even better than I was hoping for! I can't say that the screenplay was a very original one - because in fact it wasn't - but the way they've plotted it makes it undoubtfully worthwhile seeing. De Niro and Norton really make an outstanding team together and, in my opinion, they are the body and soul of this movie. It is indeed a battle of the titans that you do not want to miss. And as it turns out, Norton managed to steal most of the credits for himself and ended up taking that "performance combat" award home. You have to watch it to fully understand his true versatile acting skills... Well, Mr. Norton, let me just put it this way: you really make a hell of a retard when you want to!