Inception Review

Inception

A+

    Two years after the Dark Knight was released and made a crap tone of cash, Christopher Nolan returns to the movie scene with Inception. Dose this mind bending thriller live up to the Dark Knight? The answer is yes. Inception doesn't only live up to the Dark Knight it surpasses it.

 

    Inception is complicated, very complicated. I will simplify. Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) an extractor (a person who steels secrets from people's dreams) after failing a mission is given a job by the leader of a major energy corporation Saito (Ken Watanabe) to do something that is thought to be impossible an inception. An inception is where you plant an idea into someone's mind. Cobb is given an offer to get his life back and also knows an inception can be done because he has done it before. He assembles a team consisting of a young brilliant architect Ariadne (Ellen Page) who builds the landscape of the dream, a man who can impersonate anyone in a dream Eames (Tom Hardy), a chemist whose drugs keep people in a dream state Yusef (Dileep Rao), and his long-time partner Arthur (Joseph-Gordon Levitt). The target is Robert Fischer Jr. (Cillian Murphy); they need to plant the idea to split his father's empire. Cobb has one big problem though, his subconscious is haunted by his wife (Marion Cotillard) who died. Cobb keeps revisiting his wife and can't let go allowing memories of his wife to interfere with the job.

 

    This is a film you must keep your brain checked into at the door or else it will not make sense to you. The plot is brilliant from beginning to end. It will hook you than keep you hooked. Some people will find themselves but it never feels lost at all and is pretty straight forward at times. Cobb and gang are well developed and you care about these characters when the fireworks begin to happen. Nolan keeps you guessing when needed but always is clear about where he is going. That is a true sign of brilliance.

 

    Speaking of Nolan, this is a Nolan film through. The camera work and dialog as well as the amazing score from Hans Zimmer's all fee very Nolan. The action scenes are very Matrix mixed with Nolan. The last half of this film is a continuous flow of action scenes and development of the plot all driven together in multiple stages of the dream. All of witch is handled very well and is actually pretty straight forward (for the thinker).

 

    Performances are key in this type of film and DiCaprio is the perfect choice for the role. It's just his type of role. While he's not his very best he doesn't have to be as the role just fits him. Ellen Page and Marion Cotillard steal the show as the dead wife and the concerned Architect. All the supporters are great and do what they have to, support. Overall this is one interesting and believable dream planting group.

 

    One word can be used to sum up Christopher Nolan's latest film Inception, brilliant. The complicated plot, great characters and a keep you at the edge of your seat feel all are wrapped up into one superb movie treat with a stunning and brilliant ending to boot. My favourite Nolan movie so far (have not seen Memento) even over one of my all time favourites the Dark Knight. Inception is a must see in this summer of uninspired 3D crap and is my new favourite film of the summer.

 

Toy Story 3 Review

Toy Story 3

A review by Frederick Cholowski

A+

    It has been around almost ten years when we saw our lovable toys and now they're back!! Pixar is taking a huge risk by making a third film considering the curse of the third film and the satisfying ending to Toy Story 2. Dose the risk pay off? Yes yes it dose.

 

    Toy Story 3 takes place years after Toy Story 2. Andy is off to Collage and the toys have not been played with for years and years. When Andy is packing for college a mistake is made and the toys are thrown away instead of put into the attic. They narrowly escape that and the toys go into a donation box straight to daycare. Woody (if you don't know he is the sheriff toy ) is totally against this he still thinks that they have a place with Andy but Buzz and the rest of the gang see the day care center as a paradise. This soon changes when the true motives of the daycare toys are clear (and evil) the toys go on a mission to bust out of the daycare.

 

    Simple but hugely satisfying. The plot is familiar within the Toy Story code. The parts that really make this movie are the subtle humour and the last half of the film witch tugs on the heart strings. The ending is both satisfying and has great themes. The film is also hilarious. There are some great lines and awesome scenes that are really subtle and cool (and Spanish Buzz Lightyear for the win!!).

 

    As performances go all the old favourites are back. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are, as usual the best as the dynamic duo of Woody and Buzz. Their are so many other roles I won't cover the rest I'll just say that they are great and not one is out of place. That is the best complement I can give it.

 

    The animation as usual with Pixar is amazing. It looks even better than the first two Toy Stories the films that revolutionised animation. It is sharper and crisper. There is also greater detail and brighter colours.

 

    Overall Toy Story 3 is the complete package. Funny, entertaining and satisfying. All the things you want out of a Pixar film. One of my favourite animated films, Toy Story 3 is the whole package with a great ending too boot. I can't wait to se what Pixar dose next.

 

Iron Man 2 Review

Iron Man 2

A review by Frederick Cholowski

A-

 

    Well it is here the 2^nd film in the marvel phenomenon called Iron Man. 2 years ago the first film shocked movie audiences with its pure awesomeness. Now we have the second film dose it live up to the fans big expectations? Well I'm glad to say it is on par with the last film witch is a big complement.

 

    The story of this film comes just 6 months after Tony Stark's (Robert Downey Jr) "I am Iron Man" revel to the public. Things seem to be going well. All except for one thing his blood is becoming more and more toxic. In other words the thing that is keeping him alive is killing him. Also he gave the position of CEO to his assistant Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow). Party is crashed though when Whiplash (Mickey Rourke) busts Toni's race car and reviles that Tony is not the only one with the palladium technology. Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) the leader of the compeering company Hammer industries is interested and decides to put him to work to make Tony's model look like an antique.

 

    The whole plot is good but has issues, especially in the pacing department. The first part of the movie is great started with a hilarious court scene. There is good set up and the race car action scene is awesome. Then it slows down to a halt. It just gets boring after awhile and there are some parts that are setting up other movies (cough cough the avenger's movie) and it is well pointless. But than the last 30 minutes goes back to what an Iron Man film truly is. It's one big action scene and is totally awesome and makes you completely forget about the middle of the film.

 

    As for the action. Yes the meet and potatoes of this movie. There are some cool moments at the beginning than a very dry middle with only an average iron man to stolen iron man fight. Than the last 30 or so minutes it explodes to pure awesome action with lots of explosions. Nuf said.

 

    Robert Downey Jr and Sam Rockwell steal the movie. They are ying and yang. They are the only standouts in the movie and they play basically the same sort of characters but they are on opposite sides. They are both absolute jerks to (the characters not the actors) so it makes for a hilarious fun filled ride. Mickey Rourke is sort of there, Gwyneth Paltrogh is fine, and Scarlet Johansson as black widow is also just there as a attraction to immature people in there teens and twenties.

 

    Iron Man 2 is a fun awesome ride. Although the supposed bad guy is just there and the middle is dry, the combine powers of Sam Rockwell, Robert Downey Jr and the last 30 minutes make this film a worthy successor to the first and an awesome way to start off the summer.    

2009 Movie Awards

    Well another year has gone by and good and bad movies have emerged. It is time to honour the movies of both sides of the spectrum with the 2009 movie awards. Please note I do not have supernatural ability and have not seen all notable films of 2009 this includes Inglorious Bastards and Precious (by the way every time they say the title of that film they say based on a novel push by Sapphire I don't get it). So without further due here are the films of 09.

 

Biggest Surprise:

    Watchmen actually getting realised

        Apparently it sucked I have not seen it so I can not comment. But the war between Fox and Warner came to a halt and the long awaited film got released. Now if it where only as good as the graphic novel (witch by the way is awesome)

 

Runner up: District 9

 

Best Action movie:

    The Hurt Locker

        No real competition in this category. It was this or G.I. Joe (and if I had to pick G.I. Joe I would be shot upon posting this). Despite its haters the Academy Award winner for best picture was a great movie that kept you on the edge of your seat to the end of the show. That and some awesome characters made this one heck of a ride through a life of a bomb diffuser.

 

Runner up: Sigh G.I. Joe

 

Awesomeness line of the year:

    "Madame I need you to remain calm and trust me, I'm a professional. Beneath this pillow lies the key to my release." Sherlock Holmes. The girl runs and screams, guess witch area the pillow covers!

Runner up: 80% of the dialogue Bones says in Star Trek

 

Best Drama:

    Up in the Air

        Funny, cool, and satisfying. Three words that describe this awesomeness film about a guy who fires people for a living. With George Clooney (man I hate that guy) putting on a great performance. It also had a great story and wonderful characters and witty writing.

Runner up: Public Enemies

 

Best Trailer of the year:

    Star Trek trailer 2

        I really really wanted to put the watchmen trailer at this spot but than I found out it was released in 2008 and well this is the 2009 movie awards. The close second was this awesome Star Trek trailer. Really well edited it hit the important parts of the movie and got you really jacked up for it. Turns out the movie was awesome to witch is a bonus.

Runner up: Avatar trailer 2

 

Best Screen play:

    District 9

        This film doesn't get enough credit at all. Weather for its awesome action scenes great plot or well developed characters. I mean this film was made with 30 million dollars!!! That is a low budget film with high budget looking action scenes. Well back to the screenplay. Ya up in the air came real close but it dose not match the power this script provides. Not just that but Neil Blomcamp took a 5 minute short film and turned it into a well written full length masterpiece.

Runner up: Up in the Air

 

Best Sci-Fi movie

    Avatar

        Surprisingly the most hotly contested genre categories of the year it was a really tough choice. Avatar barley beets out District 9 and even Star Trek. Avatar had it all great story, big production values, awesome action scenes and the best 3D by far that anyone has seen yet. It is an awesome movie that deserves every cent of the over 2 Billion it made worldwide.

Runner Up: District 9

 

Most Disappointing:

    Sherlock Holmes:

        Sigh, I had really high expectations for this film and well how do I say it nicely... Failed most of them miserably. The only thing that saved this thing from fullness was Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. Nuf said.

Runner up: Transformers 2

Best Director:

    James Cameron for Avatar:

        This guy no's how to make a freaking movie. Not only that but when all the business people said that this movie wouldn't make any money and guess what it made 2 Billion dollars. A great plot awesome camera work and good writing James Cameron propelled his vision to awesomeness.

Runner up: Neil Bloncamp for District 9

 

Worst Film of the year:

    And the nominees are:

        Transformers 2

        2012

        G Force

    And the loser is:

        2012

            I would have preferred to watch Transformers 2 5 times in a row than watch this film. It in one word is horrible. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E the main characters aren't even developed and yet they expect you to care about all these random stupid family members and friends. I would have been happier just watching the world explodes for an hour without characters and story. Ya it was that crappy

Runner up: G Force

 

Movie of the Year (Best Picture):

    And the nominees are:

        Avatar

        District 9

        The Hurt Locker

        Public Enemies

        Up in the Air

 

    And the winner is:

        

 

 

        Avatar:

            James Cameron's epic had a lot going against it. The massive budget, the predictions about how much it could make, and the "Titanic" (get it huh huh ok that was bad) expectations. Well not only did it make over 2 Billion dollars but it also exceeded all of my expectations with flying colors. Also the 3D was awesome and the only movie I thought was worth paying the extra $5 for. An awesome movie and the best film of 2009.

The Hurt Locker Review

The Hurt Locker

A Review by Frederick Cholowski
A+

The other contender to rack up big awards at the Oscars (by James Cameron’s ex wife none the less) is present and ready to hold its ground to the massive beast of a movie that is Avatar. The Hurt Locker directed by Kathryn Bigelow is an edge of your seat war thriller that also works as a great character story of how war can affect the human man.

The Hurt Locker starts off with a bang as it shows an average day in the life of a bomb defusing team. But something goes wrong and the man defusing the bomb is blown to his death. Insert James (Jeremy Renner) the senior replacement and new leader of the unit, an adrenalin junkie who comes back to war a lot of times just to get his next fix. Him and his squad of bomb diffusers (played by Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty) work through the last days of their “shift”.


The key words here are character development and it is superb in this film. You get attached to the unit instantly all three have their distinctive personalities and problems. The standout of the three is Jeremy Renner though as he plays his role as the smart and kind in a funny way yet addicted to adrenalin and defusing bombs leader. He definitely deserves the nods he is getting at the Oscars. Otherwise the development is superb and let’s us see the intensity yet touch of vulnerability that comes with the job.

The action here is superb and keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end of the film. While it may not have the production values but it has that pacing and the fact that you really care about the characters that sets it apart from the pack.


The Hurt Locker is a really good film that is definitely another addition to my top contenders for film of the year awards. Relentlessly paced and awesomely developed the Hurt Locker earns its place as one of the best of the year.

Sherlock Holmes Review

Sherlock Holmes

C+

A Review by Frederick Cholowski

Old characters they seem to like to be brought back in its new age. While after JJ Abrams brought back Star Trek, and very well succeeded there were sure to be more to follow. Sherlock Holmes is the next attempt to bring back old characters that seem to have drifted away over the years, but does Guy Ritchie do as excellent of a job as JJ Abrams. Well sorry to say he doesn't and Sherlock Holmes falls flat on its face in multiple ways.

This movie was disappointing for multiple reasons. First let's start with the plot line that involves Sherlock Holmes(Robert Downey Jr.), who has been off the job for quite a while and is going quite insane. His ex-partner Watson(Jude Law) who Sherlock is living with is annoyed with the shenanigans that Sherlock is presenting in his house such as shooting the wall and doing multiple experiments on his dog. Also, Watson is getting engaged with a beautiful woman named Mary(Kelly Reilly) and does not want to be disturbed by Sherlock, but when an old nemesis Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) rises from the grave, Watson and Sherlock are forced to hunt down their old nemesis and find out what evil plan he's up to.

There's couple other characters as well. Rachel McAdams plays Alder a girl who's trying to woe Sherlock but ends up failing most of the time. She also ends up being a double agent for a larger threat. And there's also a chief of police to get made fun of a lot.

Overall, the plot kind of sucks. It's your average good guy, trying to defeat the bad guy from doing evil stuff plot and doesn't really go far and enough. In other words, it's an origin story that doesn't really speak of any origins. Also, the ending sucks, it's the whole Terminator Salvation thing "oh we beaten this guy, but now there's something even bigger that we have to go destroy" it satisfies even less than Terminator.

The action could have saved this for mediocrity, but some of those scenes are just bad. There is one scene in the middle of the movie, where explosions are going off everywhere in slow-motion, and it just looks terrible and really cheesy. There are some points in this movie, where you wonder why you're even watching it. This may sound harsh, but scenes like the explosions scene does make you shake your head.

The best thing about this film and the thing that saves it is the acting. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are really great and have this great chemistry. It's like they've been doing these rolls together for years, and it's fun to watch them constantly yapping at each other. On the other hand, Rachel McAdams kind of sucks in this movie, and does not capture her role as I would've wanted. And then there is that police guy who gets made fun of a lot. Oh and Lord Blackwood is serviceable as well.

Sherlock Holmes is a fairly average film, which is disappointing because I expected a lot out of it. The plots to straightforward the ending sucks, and the actions cheesy and overall it just doesn't live up to expectations. Hopefully in the sequel (which is definitely coming by the way) will improve on multiple things that this one fell short of. It's not a terrible film, but Sherlock Holmes fails to meet expectations on multiple levels. And that's definitely disappointing.

District 9 Review

District 9

A+

Alright let's start on this note. In my review of Avatar I said somewhere on the lines of this film has to be really really good to knock become a contender with Avatar for film of the year. I have to say now after watching this film that I'm conflicted on what my movie of the year is.

Well to the movie now, District 9 is an interesting take on human contact with aliens. The movie starts with an alien mother ship landing over of all places Johannesburg South Africa. After a few months of the ship just sitting there the army of South Africa go in and raid the ship and see what's up. They find 1 million malnourished and unhealthy aliens. They under pressure from the rest of the world create a camp for the aliens come to stay and eat. This camp due to weapons is now heavily militarised and then as soon as you know it it's a slum. Then revolts begin to happen and before long the alien affairs group of MNU is forced to move them to a new camp. Unfortunately though all the legality is a white wash and they take advantage of the aliens who are only "Prawns" beings who are not smart and have lost there leaders.

This is the first third of the film shot mainly in a documentary style with some cinematic portions thrown in there as well. This gets the entire deep back-story of the film introduced before we jump into the last to parts of the film witch are more cinematic and less documentary.

span style="font-size:12;"> The next two thirds are about the leader of the moving the alien project Wilkus Van De Merwe (Sharlto Copley). He has a lovely wife and a good job at MNU but isn't the brightest. While evicting aliens he finds a mysterious liquid while searching through an alien's shack. He accidently sprays the liquid at himself and begins a slow, painful, and gruesome transformation into an alien. He soon is captured by his own company MNU and attempts to use his now alien arm to use weapons. After finding out he can use weapons, they use him as an experiment. He (of course) dose not like this and runs and takes refuge in district 9. He joins an alien Christopher Johnson on a campaign to get the liquid back and try to get the aliens home.

The whole story is amazing and layered with lots of stuff to soak in. This is the probably would happen if aliens landed. It proves how mean we can be and what the evil things we have done during the ages.

This is a low budget film but you won't even notice. The aliens look amazing and the action scenes are both creative and look great. There is one scene that involves a meck suit that is my personal favourite action scene all year with multiple layers to it and amazing all out skirmishes. Just the pure creativity of this film is amazing from the documentary style at the beginning to the depth and the pure awesomeness of the action scenes at the end it is just amazing.

Just a note though this movie is 14a in Canada but I do not recommend it for a younger audience at all. The violence is extremely gory and they say the f word alone 150 times (give or take 2-3 and yes I actually counted watching this my second time through). Stick with the R rating in the US because the rating in Canada in my opinion is a bit light.

Overall District 9 is an amazing film that is bursting with creativity and depth. The message is strong, the writing is great and the action scenes for 30 million dollars are amazing. Overall this is by

far one of the best of the year and a contender against Avatar for film of the year.