'Drive' trailer

You could say this is a Transporter knock off, but this looks to be less "flashy and cool" as the Jason Statham movies and more gritty and suspenseful with Ryan Gosling. I prefer the latter. I wouldve liked to see more chase scenes in it but I guess they gotta save the good stuff for the movie right? Check it out.

Opens September 16th

'Contagion' trailer

I love these survival thriller type movies where mysterious virus has the potential to wipe out everyone. Mostly because this kind of thing isnt far-fetched at all. Its a "what-if" situation, that you actually put yourself in a characters shoes and ask what would you do and how would you survive.

So here's Contagion staring Matt Damon, Lawrence Fishburne, and Gweneth Paltrow. Opens September 9th.

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' trailer

Based on the best-selling novel I havent read yet so I have no idea what its about. So heres the wikipedia introduction, a general plot description:

"An epic tale of serial murder and corporate trickery spanning several continents, the novel takes place in complicated international financial fraud and the buried evil past of a wealthy Swedish industrial family. Through its main character, it also references classic forebears of the crime thriller genre while its style mixes aspects of the sub-genres."

'The Ides of March' trailer

Not too often you get a good political drama on film. Theres enough to see on CNN. But heres 'The Ides of March' directed by and starring George Clooney, as a presidential candidate. Leo Di Caprio is the executive producer.

OPENS October 7th

'In Time' Trailer

Just another reason why Justin Timberlake won't be making music again. This movie looks GOOD.



OPENS OCTOBER 28TH

RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES: Review

There is always the improper labeling of movies as remake's when they are in fact just reboots. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is the latter. I've seen many negative reviews saying its a remake of the original and doesnt live up to the original. But its not. Its a new beginning. And what an excellent beginning for this version of the series it is.

What immediately stands out while watching are the CGI motion capture effects which give the chimps the most life like and most expressive facial qualities not easily achieved by men in suits. This same technology, which was created for Avatar and now applied to 'Apes', makes you realize this movie couldn't have been made without it.

The star of the movie was the chimp Caesar, the offspring of chimps that were tested on and altered by a drug being developed to cure Alzheimer's. The drugs function is to restore brain tissue, but goes far beyond that as to increase intelligence. The doctor heading this research is unconvincingly played by James Franco.Perhaps it is the dialogue which makes him to be more of PETA than a doctor. But you are immediately sympathetic to his passion for his research as we learn Franco's father, played by John Lithgow, has Alzheimer's.

The development of Caesar's character from the smart baby chimp to the mature and determined leader of a revolution is where the movie shines. Its a remarkable transformation. Its the emotion invoked during this time that is truly surprising. The initial joy you feel seeing a baby grow and learn. The sadness and sympathy when seeing others reactions to and abuse. When he is put in a helpless situation you feel sorry for him, and at some point in the movie you're just gonna think "wow we really are assholes to animals". But it is this feeling that makes the second half of the movie that much more satisfying.

With his ever increasing intelligence he is able to empower and liberate himself and other apes, also exposing them to the drugs that made him so smart. This leads to a Caesar's revolution. And boy were they organized. There are some great scenes on Golden Gate Bridge as the apes easily outsmart and dispose of the police forces out to kill them.

In the end Caesar's revolution wasn't about killing humans or revenge, it was just about freedom and respect for his animal kind. He ultimately showed mercy on almost all those that tried to kill him and the other apes. He wouldn't even allow the other apes to kill humans. There were some understandable exceptions. But the ending had many surprises as you will see. Most importantly a plot point which gets greatly underplayed and underdeveloped, is how it becomes a "planet" of the apes. So stay a little after the credits start rolling to see that little scene and pay attention to the background graphics when credits are rolling.

Overall it was a great movie and origin story. A-

'Red Tails' trailer

A film inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen, produced by George Lucas' (Star Wars) studio. Looks good. You'll a lot of familiar faces.

OPENS January 2012