An Honest Movie Reviewer

I am a fan of all movies, regardless of the genre, and plan to review new films as well as films that I highly recommend. Feedback is always welcome and I am more than open to recommendations. I hope everyone enjoys my reviews.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button artfully telly the tale of a very picular child born aging in reverse. The story takes the audience through the pivetal moments in young Benjamins life, showcasing the wildly different characters he meets and the life lessons they offer along the way.

Every aspect of this movie deserves praise. The acting is phenomenal from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett to Taraji P. Henson. Everyone delivers very solid performances and succeeds excellently in drawing the audience in to the life of Benjamin. The supporting cast shouldn't be overlooked either. There are a number of characters Benjamin meets along his difficult life that all have something valuable to offer.

Visually the film is very pleasing. Every stage of Benjamins life offers a change of scenary, be it France, New York or his hometown in New Orleans. Director David Fincher does an amazing job bringing not only the different locations to life, but their respective appearances for the time eras the film covers.

Overall, there is nothing bad that I can say about this film. It truly is a masterpiece, and the 13 Academy Award Nominations speak to this fact. If you didn't get a chance to see this movie in the theaters I recommend you buy it on DVD as soon as it is released.

     Taken is an excellent start to 2009's action genre. Liam Neeson believably portrays an ex "Preventer" searching for his daughter. What I really loved about Taken was the way it doesn't pretend to be anything else. I've heard several people compare Taken to the Bourne Ultimatum or even Casino Royale, but it's just not true. There is just about as much action in Taken as there is in those other films, but the story is what sets it apart.

     At the heart of Taken there lies a tale of unrelenting determination and the love of a father for his daughter. Liam's character wastes no time in violently working his way to his beloved daughter and those responsible for her kidnapping. Now, while his methods are pretty reminiscent of Jack Bauer's, I feel it should be said the violence isn't over the top by any means. Most of what transpires on screen is in the form of some impressive gun play.

     The action elements aside, the story not only drives this film but it takes it in a direction that has been highly underlooked. The film touches on the overseas black market trade of young women as sex slaves. We are shown just how easily young women can disappear with little to no questions asked.

     Visually, the movie is smooth and chalk full of beautiful shots of France all through out. The acting is very well executed, with Neeson taking the lead as far as noteworthy performances for the film go. All in all, I recommend this movie to anyone wishing to see a truly satisfying action thriller. 9/10

Clint Eastwood as truly outdone himself this time around.

Gran Torino follows Walt Kowalski (Eastwood), an old racist Korean War vet, as he learns to accept the kindness and changes around him. Contrary to what the trailers portrayed, this movie is not about revenge or any type of action for that matter. This is a drama plain and simple, and it completely succeeds.

Eastwood drives the whole of this film with the same gritty, frozen heart of gold that he has shown in previous films. That being said, I should warn those wishing to see this film that Mr. Eastwood has a never ending supply of racial slurs waiting to be hurled at everyone on screen. Coming from a mixed family (Black and White) I actually found the slurs to be hilarious. I'm not racist nor did I take offense to anything being said, because the language used truly served to help illustrate how bitter and set in his ways Walt Kowalski has become.

Clint Eastwood is not the only one that delivers on the acting front in this great film. Walt's next door neighbors, Thao (Bee Vang) and his older sister Sue (Ahney Her), more than hold their own with the Hollywood vet as the Hmong family living next door. A lot can be said for Bee Vang and Ahney Her as this is there first time on screen and it doesn't even show. The rest of the supporting cast is amazing as well, from Walt's disappointing sons' to the young priest that wishes to console Walt.

I can't begin to praise this film enough. If you haven't seen this yet then I recommend you buy, don't rent, this when it comes out on DVD. 

I recently got a chance to watch Lakeview Terrace on DVD. I'm a fan of Samuel L. Jackson and have been for as long as I can remember. That being said, as usual with Sam, I liked the movie.

The plot is rather simple. An interracial couple (Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) move into a new neighborhood, right next door to a LA Police Officer (Jackson). Everything seems to be going great for the couple until it is made openly apparent that their neighbor that has been sworn to protect and serve wants them out of "his" neighborhood. What follows is hell for the couple.

Sam Jackson really delivers as an overly bitter widower that is clearly racist toward interracial couples. Wilson and Washington both do a great job playing the new home owners excited to be in their very own home. I really liked Wilson when I first saw him in Hard Candy as the main "villian".

This movie touches on a subject that not too many people realize is still a problem even today; reverse racism. Generally in the black community it is acceptable for a black male to date a white woman, however, when a black woman dates a white male a problem seems to arise. This movie shows the audience what I'm sure many have no idea even goes on.

I would say give this movie a rent, but definitly check it out.