Sally's Talk

The Bank Job

Very entertaining a good heist movie

Shoot 'Em Up

This movie is full of action and laughs from start to finish. i didn't know that a carrot serve so many functions.

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

''Jin-tae: [pulls out Jin-seok's pen that he lost] I found this in the fire. I've been holding onto this for you.
Jin-seok: Give it to me... when I see you again.''



I wish this was all just a dream. I want to wake up in my bed, and over breakfast, I'd tell you that I had a strange dream. Then I would go to school, and you and mom would go to work.



Early, one Sunday Morning, in late June of the year 1950, was the beginning of a terrible turbulent conflict that would rip a people apart. Thousands of casualties, a whole unity of a nation being the biggest of all. Korea, a country still plagued by a guilty past, divided even to this day.

Told through the eyes of Jin-tae Lee, played by
Dong-Kun Jang and younger brother Jin-seok Lee played by Bin Won , who go to war and are cruelly ripped from their family and become embroiled in a war North against South.

The acting is sensational, the cinematography perfect, the battle sequences rivaling Saving Private Ryan and Letters from Iwo Jima possibly even surpassing them.

How do you criticize a masterpiece?
Answer is you can't.

Raw brutality, compelling humanity and even inhumanity. Emotional, powerful, shocking and some of the greatest scenes that had me getting teary eyed and come the film's climax crying my eyes out.

Ideologies, communism and capitalist imperialism. This film shows them for what they are, dangerous. There's always some cause of war be it religious beliefs/persecution or idealistic propaganda.

A gripping tale and account of two brothers and the meaning of sacrifice.

In my opinion it's the greatest brutal raw emotional film seen recently.

Still haunted by Jin-seok standing over the bones at the end and all the senseless killing, families divided, this demands to be watched.

For brotherhood, for family, for love shining through and a journey of emotion and epic proportions.

Dreamgirls

''It's about fairness, Curtis. It's about people paying their dues. Isn't that what you keep telling me? "Get in line, Effie. Wait your turn". So why am I sitting here without so much as a B-side on a 45, when an amateur like Martin Luther King Jr. gets his own freaking album? I mean, can he even sing?''



In 60s Detroit, entrepreneur Curtis Taylor Jr. moulds teen girl group The Dreamettes into superstars of his recording empire. But their dreams come at high personal cost, and creative compromise has tragic consequences.

Jamie Foxx as Curtis Taylor Jr does another fantastic role since Ray and Miami Vice he's become a talented actor immersing himself in roles with ease. A brilliant bond with Beyoncé's character Deena.
Beyoncé Knowles as Deena Jones, i really liked her performance and she sends out a lively vibe.
Danny Glover and
Eddie Murphy also two talented actors who have been around give depth to the story and the film on a whole. Even Eddie Murphy loses his trousers on stage that was humorous.
Jennifer Hudson as Effie White plays it with fiery temperament which i feel made it not surprising when she won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars.

The whole film has soul and it's done in a way that isn't the usual musical proportions but more of a modern twist and style.

Emotional, at times glorious, could re-watch this interesting biopic time and time again.

Hairspray

''Well, love is a gift, a lot of people don't remember that. So, you two better brace yourselves for a whole lotta ugly
comin' at you from a never-ending parade of stupid.''


Set in the 60s, Tracy Turnblad, a girl with a dream gets the chance to star on the popular, ''The Corny Collins Show.'' A love interest, a rival and a world in need of change beckon her.

The whole film explodes right from the word go, lively springy and once you are immersed into it and go along with the ride it melts your heart.

It's grown up stars:

John Travolta : Edna Turnblad

Michelle Pfeiffer : Velma von Tussle

Christopher Walken : Wilbur Turnblad

Amanda Bynes : Penny Pingleton

James Marsden : Corny Collins

Queen Latifah : Motormouth Maybelle

Particularly impressed by John Travolta in that suit and the level of concentration and detail he does with his character.

It's younger stars who do an even more sensational job:

Brittany Snow : Amber von Tussle

Zac Efron : Link Larkin

Elijah Kelley : Seaweed

Allison Janney : Prudy Pingleton

Nikki Blonsky :Tracy Turnblad

Taylor Parks : Little Inez

Jayne Eastwood : Miss Wimsey

To be noted Nikki Blonsky was sensational for one of her first acting roles. She had a cuteness and charisma that makes the audience warm too.

Being a fan of more traditional musicals such as Phantom Of The Opera or Tale of Two Cities, this Hairspray and Chicago have revamped my faith in film adapts in Musicals.

I like this more because a hidden message of integration, equalness and good conquering comes shining through. Dance and music really do add to the energetic flair of the star cast affair.

A hearty musical which assaults your senses with happiness, like a sweet as you reach to the juicy interior, it overloads you.

Eragon

''There was a time when the fierce and beautiful land of Alagaësia was ruled by men astride mighty dragons. To protect and serve was their mission, and for thousands of years, the people prospered. But the riders grew arrogant, and began to fight among themselves for power. Sensing their weakness, a young rider named Galbatorix betrayed them, and in a single bloody battle, believed he had killed them all, riders and dragons alike. Since then, our land has been ruled by Galbatorix. He crushed all rebellion, including the freedom fighters known as the Varden. Those that survived fled to the mountains. There, they hoped for a miracle that might even their odds against the king. Our story begins one night, as Arya, an ally of the Varden, rides for her life, carrying a stone stolen from the king himself. ''

A boy named Eragon comes in possession of a blue orb, and becomes engrossed in a mission to free the land after finding a dragon guardian.

Edward Speleers as Eragon is a newcomer. Wasn't sensational acting on his part but he can be forgiven for the material he's given. Pretty bland in his acting.
Jeremy Irons is Brom. Poor poor Irons first with Dungeons & Dragons now with this, his agent ought to be shot for this. Such a waste of his talent. Advisable to keep away from any Dragon movie for future reference. Redeems himself slightly by the killing off of his character.
John Malkovich as Galbatorix with his camp villianous acting surprisingly underused and disappointing his lack of involvement. Felt disconnected from the story.
Robert Carlyle as Durza did have some good moments of evil intent too in his acting but his character just reminded me of a more aggressive Grima Wormtongue LOTR character except far less interesting in all counts.
Djimon Hounsou as Dijhad, another fine actor wasted in this mess.
Rachel Weisz as the voice of Saphira the Dragon, instantly recognized her tranquil tones. Her involvement was the best thing in the film and that can't be a good sign.

It's got some good ideas but poorly structured and too often than not boring and unoriginal. I'm a great lover of fantasy films and this was a big let down.

If a sequel is done, key area's to improve on would be to concentrate on plot and acting.

Another example of Film Companies churning out another clone Fantasy motion picture.

Needed a much stronger execution and level of realism to keep audiences interested not stretched thin over 90 minutes which frankly feel like 3 hours due to dullness.

Frustrating that an imaginative film can be so unimaginative.

Love Me If You Dare (Jeux d'enfants)

Are you game?



''Tell me that you love me first because I'm afraid that if I tell you first you'll think that i'm playing the game.''

A story of two best friends, Julien and Sophie who we see journey through life. Starts of in their childhood and their seemingly playful game in which they dare each other with a rustic tin. The game continues throughout their adult life and begins to spiral out of control, and a hidden love undeclared.

Marion Cotillard who plays Sophie, i last saw her in ''La Vie en Rose'' and this film also proves what a versatile actress she is.
Guillaume Canet who plays Julien is equally impressive and displays dazzling emotion and fiery temperance.
Thibault Verhaeghe and
Joséphine Lebas-Joly also deserve a mention who play Julien and Sophie as children.

Such vast imagination and an obssessive daring game. Wonderfully surreal and some of the scenes will shock. Watched this with Rachael and i thoroughly enjoyed it as i do with all films watched with my darling wife.

Visually it's shot excellently and some very clever effects jumbled together that tell the story well.

It's a long story and how far the two go to outdo each other is compelling. When you get to it's ultimate conclusion, ''The Dare of Dares'' the film cleverly let's your mind decide what conclusion to make.

A classic example of how dangerous a game can be and the complicated entanglement that is love.

'' Are you game? , well the answer has to be without a doubt YES!

Psycho

''A boy's best friend is his mother.''

A young woman steals $40,000 from her employer's client, and subsequently encounters a young motel proprietor too long under the domination of his mother.

Anthony Perkins: Norman Bates

Janet Leigh: Marion Crane

Throughout his life, illustrious director Alfred Hitchcock thrilled and captivated audiences everywhere, but never before or since as well as he did with the psychological chiller, Psycho, which introduced the cinematic world to a guy named Norman Bates. And now nearly fifty years later even in an age of fading, worn out sensibilities, graphic horror and the likes of psychological Silence of the Lambs, and American Psycho, Hitchcock's masterpiece Psycho remains, even after repeated viewings, truly frightening and intrinsically disturbing.
For Psycho unlike a cheap blood-and-gore flick routine, actually has a philosophy of life to go along with all its horrors and dramatics. In the world of film and sin, such as Marion's stealing her boss's money, will always be followed by repercussions in Karma or the cosmic balance.
The long conversation between Norman and Marion over dinner probes some pretty serious psychological depths and ideologies. "We're all caught in our private traps," says Norman, and the movie illustrates how first Marion, then Norman, becomes trapped. What's most shocking about Norman is how pitiable he results in being, especially when compared with the villains of alternative horror movies.

Psycho also undeniably has one of the most famous scenes in the history of cinema, the genius and illusion soaked sequence, yes you've guessed it...''The Shower Scene''.
The shower in question is in the Bates motel, run by Norman Bates, and his mysterious mother. Even in modern times, if someone looks strange, many still make comparisons to the hermit like Norman Bates.
If someone has a clingy or moaning, temper induced mother, many a Norman Bates reference is implied. Psycho has become tattooed and injected into modern culture thus becoming a glowing household name of sorts.
Why?...because the film was and still is a milestone of unmeasured significance, not just of splatter and gore, but of cinematic effects and technique. Psycho is, all at the same time, smooth, mesmerizing yet frightfully terrifying. It is a textbook example of how to captivate an audience, and then shock them right up until and during it's climax.

''A hobby should pass the time, not fill it.''

Psycho in effect was essentially a totally new way of writing a plot, and manipulating threads of a story. The supposed lead heroine is killed early on in a bizarre shocking twist of fate and events, a replacement protagonist suffers a similar twist of fate, and all the audience are then left with are the utterly desperate and confused Lila Crane(sister) and Sam Loomis(boyfriend), who have only their fears and assumptions to propel them to the damning answers they seek. We the audience connect to them if only for a glimmer of a moment, because we know that Norman's mother murdered Marion Crane.....or so Hitchcock leads us to believe.

Psycho only runs for around an hour and a half, but that is all that is required for one of the greatest psychological horror/thrillers to be born. Not one scene is wasted on being a space to fill in, every scene serves a purpose, remains powerful, and in effect, extremely economical.
Even though Psycho was made on a relatively low budget, having Hitchcock behind the camera makes for lots of subtly effective shots, images, motifs, etc. He orchestrates two frightening death scenes, a suspenseful beginning that fools you into thinking that Marion is the protagonist, and a quietly chilling conclusion. Bernard Herrmann's score really is as good as everyone says, and not only the shrieking violins during the famous shower scene. In particular I liked the scene where Marion is debating whether to steal the money, and the music mirrors her indecisiveness.
Pace is startlingly quick when required, yet at times also slow and hypnotic when emotion and fear need to be emphasized.
The long scene as Norman Bates cleans up the murder scene serves as a haunting reminder to what just occurred, letting us the audience soak it up like a sponge.

The script is well conceived and written obviously, with some flourishing dialogue that even overshadows some wooden acting from John Gavin.
Cinematography is brilliant, with great use of lighting and shadows. And, of course, the directing is just simply cutting edge, even for today. Anthony Perkins does a perfectly chilling job as the psychotic Norman Bates, and Martin Balsam is a completely natural private eye. And famously, to complement these ground-breaking plot twists, are the chilling and perfectly executed murder scenes.

''She just goes a little mad sometimes. We all go a little mad sometimes. Haven't you?''

''Yes. Sometimes just one time can be enough.''

Two things overall in Psycho as mentioned prior. One is that harsh, driving Bernard Herrmann score which fits the mood of the film so well. The other is Hitchcock's direction and his use of black-and-white photography to convey a threatening mood. He said that he used black-and-white to make the film less gory, in fact, it seems far more eerie and frightening than a colour version ever could.

It's easy to take Psycho for granted now, it has been imitated so many times in so many ways by far lesser talents. Indeed, it's one negative is that it inspired so many pale imitations, including its own three sequels and a very bad remake. Yet even so, Psycho remains a one and only original carbon print. And its iconic status can't be denied or criticized, Psycho redefined the concepts of what a Hitchcock film was and what a horror film could be.

''You know what I think? I think that we're all in our private traps, clamped in them, and none of us can ever get out. We scratch and we claw, but only at the air, only at each other, and for all of it, we never budge an inch.''

Bone Sickness

well if u like those low budjet movies with awfull blood spurting effects this is the movie 4u lol

I Am Legend

''My name is Robert Neville. I am a survivor living in New York City. I am broadcasting on all AM frequencies. I will be at the South Street Seaport everyday at mid-day, when the sun is highest in the sky. If you are out there... if anyone is out there... I can provide food, I can provide shelter, I can provide security. If there's anybody out there... anybody... please. You are not alone.''

Years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters, the sole survivor in New York City struggles valiantly to find a cure.

Will Smith: Robert Neville

One man who is immune against a deadly virus that has wiped out humanity tries to survive and find any remnants of humanity with his trusty canine pal Sam.

Will Smith who plays Robert Neville does his part. Although he's been in this kind of hero-type role previously. A slight nutty character.

''God didn't do this. We did!''

What a glorious first half of a film which spirals off yet still retains resonance.
A few scenes which were intriguing and provided scary atmospheric suspense were impressive. Reminiscent of silent Hill or Pulse. The night creatures look menacing although they could be something out of Harry Potter(Dementors) the way they do the lighting.

The look and feel of post apocalyptic New York is really a visual treat. The plastic covers over the buildings, blown bridges, grass growing everywhere...really added to the seriousness of the storyline.

''Come on, Sam. We gotta go''

His thoughts and delusions feel real and although humorous at times, underlined the fact that he is alone save his best friend Sam.
I can only put my self in his shoes to replicate his loneliness and sadness. It was gut wrenching to see him lose his best friend Sam and the way he chose to end her pain. That scene had me choking...

I didn't care much for the ending though. For those expecting to see a resident evil type movie, don't watch this. There is much more depth to this movie and it's definitely a serious thought provoking movie with bits of action thrown in.

My only gripe is the zombies are a little too powerful and intelligent for overheated creatures.
Effect wise it wasn't too bad but I feel I'm being kind as it wasn't perfect. Sounds, music and visual concepts were astounding.
Brilliant concept and starts of so compelling shame it's 2nd half is comprised of some sadness. Worth a watch.

''In 2009, a deadly virus burned through our civilization, pushing humankind to the edge of extinction. Dr. Robert Neville dedicated his life to the discovery of a cure and the restoration of humanity. On September 9th, 2012, at approximately 8:49 P.M., he discovered that cure. And at 8:52, he gave his life to defend it. We are his legacy. This is his legend. Light up the darkness.''

All positives aside, there are a number of key elements from the book that Legend virtually ignores:
The overall vampire legend itself, Neville's personal struggle to save his little family from the dust-borne plague, his undead wife returning to him; the daily vampire hunt, his former carpool buddy and neighbor, Ben Cortman, who has become his nightly nemesis and most importantly, the near fatal "stopped watch" incident, which even The Omega Man indirectly paid homage to. All of these items would have required the screenwriter and producer to do some actual writing, rather than letting the CGI guys take over the production.

The 1954 sci-fi/vampire novel I Am Legend by Richard Matheson has now been filmed three times: as The Last Man On Earth in 1964 originally scripted by Matheson himself, as The Omega Man in 1971 without the vampire elements, and now with the original title and expensive sets and special effects. This time the seemingly sole survivor of the worldwide pandemic Robert Neville is played by Will who is an actor with real charisma and charm and considerable box office appeal who has beefed himself up for the role.
The principal weakness of the movie, however, is the realization of the surviving victims of the virus. The CGI characters are almost as silly as they are scary but, above all, they are presented as more cannibalistic monsters than human. The Omega Man handled these characters much better presenting them as sad as well as scary. The other serious fault is the lack of clarity in the narrative - at times, it is simply unclear what is happening and why and a longer director's cut would be welcome. Finally the references to Ground Zero and God may play well with US audiences but will not be so resonant to audiences elsewhere.

There were definitely some great parts, the cinematography was fantastic and the computer generated scenes of a dilapidated and seemingly uninhabited New York were amazing. It most certainly was scary on the dark scenes, although animation in daylight was appalling and not particularly impressive, in fact, it reminded me alot of the movie 28 Days Later but not it's equal by far. Smith once again proved himself a very capable and believable actor as said before. The first half is great, though the second will definitely leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

''I can help. I can save you. I can save everybody.''

1408

Based on the short story by Stephen King. A skeptical writer Mike Enslin who stays in rooms for stories is given a rude awakening when he gets more than he bargained for when coming across the infamous 1408 room at the Dolphin Hotel.

John Cusack who plays the main protaganist Mike Enslin. Its one of those typical roles he plays. Does it justice though and conveys a demeanour fitting.
Samuel L Jackson who plays Olin does his part well although for being one of the main actors in it he's not given much screen time.

I like movies and books like this. Gives a sense of entrapment.
Suspenseful tense concocted music and electrifying sound add to the shroud of tension and illusion.

Number of scenes i really felt were very clever such as when Mike is waving to a window adjacent from his hotel room only to find himself being mirrored and greeted by an all too familiar face.

It tries very hard, sometimes too much to be clever and trips over itself as it ties itself in knots.

Reminded of Silent Hill: The Room,a very prominent computer game in the Silent Hill series,where it's main guy is trapped in a room.

Always love keyhole shots. Head-turning shocks and twists.

This film reminds me of :

Secret Window




The Others




Identity



To conclude it's a film for me satisfies, shocks and keeps you intrigued but ultimately it's conclusion and 2nd half lacks finesse and lustre's in the process.

Begins to trundle along and gets murky. Maybe some kind of reason or redemption could have sufficed at the climax.

Although to stretch this from a short story may explain a few plot discrepancies.
Very good effort nonetheless.

The Painted Veil

''A gripping tale of infidelity and revenge''

''A tense love story not to be missed''

A period romance of sorts based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The story of a young married couple in the 1920s who marry yet don't know each other. What follows is an affair and a journey into a deadly epidemic.

Niaomi Watts: Kitty

Walter Fane: I knew when I married you that you were selfish and spoiled. But I loved you. I knew you only married me to get as far away from your mother as possible. And I hoped that one day... there'd be something more. I was wrong. You don't have it in you.
Kitty Fane: If a man hasn't what's necessary to make a woman love him then it's his fault not hers.

Beautiful locations and scenery, wonderfully shot.
Ambient sounds and soothing entrancing music, the piano playing all you can desire for the senses.
Excellent scale and clothing fitting to the period. Conveys an artistic vision and a keen eye for cinematography.

Directed by John Curran (possible relative I assume). He has done a wonderful job on all counts.
John Curran's nearly pitch perfect film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's The Painted Veil begins slowly and patiently, with leisurely flashbacks that elliptically bring us to a singularly absurd predicament: circa 1925, a British doctor (Edward Norton in his second romantic lead following The Illusionist) has brought his lovely young wife into the middle of a Chinese cholera epidemic purely out of spite. It's a wickedly clever little set-up that becomes increasingly more complex and absorbing.

The note-perfect and delicately layered performances of Watts and Norton, two thespians typically acclaimed for their edgy and independent work and playing against type, are anchored with the literary genius of Maugham and Curran's keen eye and steady hand behind the camera. It's all perfectly accentuated by the brilliantly subversive music score by Alexandre Desplat. These cleverly designed elements coalesce deliciously into a fully fleshed-out whole, and allow The Painted Veil to grow in your mind organically and slowly slip under your skin like an infectious disease.

''As if a woman has ever loved a man for his virtue.''

Ron Nyswaner does a great job of translating Maugham's writing to the screen. Virtually nothing is lost. That keen British wit, the dramatic sense of irony, and the sincere exploration of many heady themes including loveless marriages, adultery, imperialism, charity, religion, and redemption are all captured beautifully by director Curran and screenwriter Nyswaner. Watts and Norton are given plenty to chew on, not only great lines, but great scenes full of lush scenery, and beautiful and textured visual details that serve as perfect backdrops for their complex and unpredictable relationship.

Edward Norton plays Walter to the right degree. A doctor who is up tight and proper, prudish and stubborn who slowly breaks out of his shell.
Niaomi Watts as Kitty his wife, she plays her character well. At first seemingly spoilt and wild yet later evolving and emotionally drawn.
Toby Jones who plays their neighbour was a most jovial likable character, very charismatic.

''When love and duty are one, grace is within you.''

An interesting story of a love that starts one sided and slowly transitions into something so beautiful. Was frustrating at times watching the couple not make any progress yet ultimately compelling and satisfying when they did.

''I think China belongs to the Chinese people, but the rest of the world seems to disagree.''

See this if you liked:

The piano,

Memoirs of a Geisha

A story of forgiveness and love yet mixed with a tragic twist. Worth watching for it's beauty, visually and musically it offers richness.

''If people only spoke when they had something to say, the human race would soon lose the power of speech.''