TRAILER: "THE AVENGERS'

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

TRAILER: 'J. EDGAR'

Another gem directed by Clint Eastwood portraying the controversial life of J. Edgar Hoover, founder of the FBI, played by Leonardo Di Caprio.




OPENS: NOVEMBER 9TH

REVIEW: 'KILLER ELITE'

Based on true story and book called 'Feather Men' by Ranulph Fiennes, Killer Elite takes place in 1980 and tells the story of ex-spec ops gun for hire played by Jason Statham as he is dragged back into a life he has long shunned to save the life of his friend and mentor played by Robert De Niro.
On the surface the movie seem like a simple good guy vs bad guy mindless shooter. It is not. And I question the wisdom of other critics who have rated it so poorly. Yes the film has its flaws but it is far from terrible. There is plenty of spy vs spy espionage and intrigue. The biggest problem with the film is that there is not a true villain. The "bad guys" aren't really bad guys in the normal sense, they all just have different reasons for doing what they do. One of these characters is actually left out of the pot summaries and clips but the simplest motivation that begins the string of events in the movie is revenge.
A rich a powerful sheik in the middle east in exile wants revenge on some british now ex-special forces members that killed 3 of his sons in a past war (which was vaguely talked about). Not only do they have to be killed, it has to look like an accident. Deniro is taken hostage as an incentive for Statham to do the job. Clive Owen plays an british ex-special forces member, and member of a secret military society who becomes privy to the plot on his friends and takes it upon himself to stop Statham.
Although that is just brief rundown, which I left plenty of plot points out on purpose, you can see that everything isn't so cut an dry. The plot is in fact quite complex but strife with holes and unanswered questions. Even so it doesn't make the movie less enjoyable to watch or bad as some would have you think.
Plot holes and Clive's corny mustache aside, Killer Elite is a great action movie, with Statham still showing he's the best man in the action game.
I have not read the book, but it is stated that everything in it was fully denied by the British government as was any involvement related to the war vaguely described within. That only makes me want to read it more. If you can appreciate Killer Elite for its complexities and the intrigue it offers, as it did me for now wanting to read the book, you see its more than just the average action film.

Score: B

REVIEW: 'MONEYBALL'

Coming from someone who thinks baseball is the most boring and wackest sport ever, this is the best baseball movie I have ever seen. And yes I have seen many baseball films because in movie form the sport seems way more interesting.
Moneyball is based on the true story of the Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, as he goes against the standard convention of building a team through scouting, recruiting, and trades. With a limited budget he is forced to build his team by a new method; acquiring undervalued players based on statistics and formulas with the help of an Yale economics grad played by Jonah Hill. Even though these players statistically can pitch, hit, and score runs, they have all been shunned by scouts in the league for having some flaws.
So in a sense, Beane is a revolutionary. The team manager played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, unhappy with his current contract with the team, disagrees with Beane's methods and fights him every step of the way. And the teams scouting department also disagrees and believes Beane is running the team into the ground. The movie follows the teams 2002 rocky but historic season.
Its a smart and witty film. Pitt brings energy and life to his role. He is the standout not just because of his name but in acting. He's not the typical manager. His character was a former player and one the youngest to hold his position. His relationship on screen with Hill was very enjoyable as Pitt's energy an personality contrasted and complimented Hill's shy and soft spoken demeanor.
Now don't expect to see a bunch of baseball played in this movie. This is about the business side of the game. What is takes to build a championship team and one man's vision and struggle in doing so. His triumphs and his failures. A Great movie for baseball fans and non-fans alike.

Score: A+

REVIEW: 'DRIVE'

After I saw this movie, I was sort of at a loss for words. not because its the greatest movie I ever saw, but because it was not what I expected nor a typical action movie.
This movie had style. It was artful and paced. Cool and calculating as an action film could be. There was always a mood set by the director with just music (electronica is heavily used for the score) and shots of Gosling behind the wheel.  These elements are what make the movie special but also its nameless main character played by Ryan Gosling. The mysterious loner who is only referred to throughout the movie as "The Driver". All we come to know about this character is the fact that he is an stunt driver for Hollywood movies and does less reputable work as a getaway driver. His only friend, who also gets his "work", is played by Brian Cranston (Breaking Bad). Carrie Mulligan plays the Driver's neighbor, who he falls for, but also happens to married to a recently released inmate that can't seem to stay out of trouble. And it is Driver's feelings for her and her son that compel him to help the husband do one job to clear his debts.
Now the most peculiar thing about Gosling's role is the lack of dialogue from his character. I mean for the whole movie, all his lines could probably fit onto an index card. This further adds to aura of mystery. And behind the wheel, he's so calm and focused, it almost takes away from the suspense and adrenaline of certain scenes. In even the most tense of situations it doesn't seem as if he breaks a sweat. He's always just very calm and cool.
Ultimately I would describe this movie as an artsy action film. More upscale and elegant than than typical run n gun action movie. Upscale with a retro vibe. Again the electronica music contributes to this. Its like 80s pop music that can be off-putting at first but ultimately is accepted. It is a movie that definitely deserves your money, but because of its uniqueness, may require your patience as well.

Score: A-