Those Who Wish Me Dead

 

                        I never thought in a million years that I would find a Angelina Jolie film that I would declare amazing moreover I was kind of fine with that because really looking at her filmography I was not finding anything that would intrigue me, though sure watching her as Lara Croft I was but that was when I was a teenager so that technically doesn't really count plus I haven't seen that movie in a while so it's probably not as good as I remember. Unfortunately, the end is nigh because I have found an Angelina Jolie film I actually considered amazing and right now I feel like the guy from Leprechaun 2 where see screams OMG, which I still feel weird because I never was a big fan of her films, though I praise her for her humanitarian work, but think less of her film choices. Yes this film is staring Angelina Jolie, but this film is directed by modern day John Ford, Taylor Sheridan who does amazing work from Hell or High Water and Wind River to also Yellowstone for which I just bought all three seasons on my phone so I'm planning on binge watching that show. So deep down when you see his name on the credits you know that this was going to be in intriguing film to watch. So, if you haven't seen any of Taylor Sheridan's work than I would suggest watching some of it, because if there was any writer/director out there that I would give the modern day John Ford award, it would most certainly be Taylor Sheridan.

                        Still reeling on the loss of three lives, Hannah (Angelina Jolie) is a smokejumper who's perched in a watchtower high above the Montana wilderness. She soon encounters Connor (Finn Little), a skittish boy who's traumatized and on the run in the remote forest. As Hannah tries to bring him to safety, she's unaware of the real dangers that follow: two relentless killers (Nicholas Hoult and Aiden Gillien) hunting Connor, and a fiery blaze consuming everything in its path.

                        Now in all honesty I don't have in all out favorite actress although there a few I admire and respect, but when it comes to actresses in lead roles it has to be decided in terms of whose behind the writing and directing and so once I saw Taylor Sheridan's name the writer/director credits, than I was like "okay I'm defiantly intrigued, moreover you had me at Taylor Sheridan", and for many reasons is there are rare few filmmakers and writers out there that do in exceptional job in portraying actresses in these strong like leads, for many examples I can give our Kathryn Bigelow with Zero Dark Thirty, Steven Soderbergh with Haywire and a really good example Patty Jenkins with the first Wonder Woman movie, oh and I almost forgot Ridley Scott with Alien and James Cameron with Aliens. So, with great writers and directors like that who can take those matters on a serious note then that will be something I will most certainly be intrigued by not like other Hollywood filmmakers out there who will make these idiotic overrated nonsense like Elizabeth Banks Charlie's Angles or the Resident Evil films. Moreover, Sheridan has always done well show more of a realistic tone of what a modern western should be especially exploring the concept in today’s world where it's nothing different than what our forefathers had to go through during the 19th century west furthermore Sheridan does an exceptional job with creating these exciting modern day westerns but also give you the chance to think as well as make you feel for the character and their personal motivations throughout the story.  Also what Sheridan does a great job at is what I'm thinking is, pushing his actors to toughen up furthermore to really push them to the limit of their emotions as well and I think Angelina Jolie does a great job at is making you believe in her troubled past event moreover doing whatever it takes to protect the boy, and both Jolie and the young actor Finn Little does a tremendous job with the chemistry of both of each other protecting one another for one night of terror from a blazing fire and two assassin's. For which leads us to the two assassins actors Nicholas Hoult and Aiden Gillien, both men do great work in playing the hitmen after this kid but yet pose another threat in building the fire, also I think it’s kind of nice to see both Beast and Littlefinger getting some good and modest work when it comes to movie roles. So I in closing, if you’re not a Angelina Jolie fan just listen, it's not all weird in finding a movie she's good in believe me I found it strange after watching this great film, but this is written and directed by a man who written and directed great films like Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River and now this great film so, if you loved those movies then I'm confident you'll love this movie as well. Plus, this is a western, name me a person that doesn't love westerns, I mean if you don't love the western genre then you are not American nor love freedom.  

May Recommendation: Be Kind Rewind

 

                              There are rare few moments where I can point to a Jack Black movie and go this was awesome. Though sure I love the movie High Fidelity but in all honesty that's technically John Cusack's movie so that really doesn't count in a natural sense. Although I was recommended to watch this movie if I got the chance and sure enough, I don't know whether laugh or vomit. Though surprisingly this was actually pretty good for which receives my May recommendation, and that movie is Be Kind Rewind, a buddy comedy that is in a sort of ways weird at first but very intriguing when it comes to reenacting the movies they do when something bad unexcitingly happens to the VHS movies, but also while watching this amazingly entertaining movie it really felt like going through a nostalgia trip of how amazing your childhood was and what cool ways you can do when it comes to film your personal movie with a VHS camera. So, let's talk about Be Kind Rewind.

                               Acting manager Mike (Mos Def) of the Be Kind Rewind rental store makes in attempt please his boss (Danny Glover) in making sure his friend Jerry (Jack Black) doesn't enter the store. Although, after attempting to sabotage the local power plant Jerry is somewhat become magnetized and erases majority of the VHS movies at Be Kind Rewind. Horrified by what just happened furthermore running out of options Mike decides to use in old VHS camcorder and remake all the movies, for which is some surprises becomes a big success to the store as well.

                               Now before I go any further I would like to tell everyone to never, ever in a million years tries this at home for starters it’s a criminal offense to do what the movie did moreover if your own rental style store has its own movies erased there's no hope for you or your business. Uh, another good term I can throw out would be that your business just died a horrible death. Okay, so all that being said, I have to say that this was one of the most bizarre but yet well fascinating film that I would highly recommend watching even though some of those weird stuff about the power plant I still would recommend watching for many reasons some of the most unique ways they can do with a simple VHS camcorder and I was just at awe especially when they were remaking some of these classic movies, though yes it does look like crap and an intelligent person like me would know that they were making a scam out of this, but deep down I was kind of laughing inside when it comes to some of the customers wanting more to watch. And props to writer/director Michel Gondry who surprisingly I recommend his past film in February Eternal Sunshine of Spotless Mind for which I admit I completely forgot at this point but hey I can at least say these were two of his best films, though I what I like most about this movie is the he was able to contract some of these unique ways you can do with a old VHS camera I was just shocked and awed at the same time moreover thinking to myself why didn't I think of it especially in way we're the neighborhood along with Mos Def is finally making their own film about  the famous Jazz player they talk about in the film, all of those MacGyver esch-like gadgets they use to make this, old school like silent film I myself thought that was ingenious. So if you're a no-budget filmmaker with no money moreover have a very old camera this would be a movie I would highly recommend watching because look watching movies yes is an important tip in terms of deciding what kind of movies you want to make furthermore this a perfect movie to gain some inspiration in terms of elements or gimmicks of resources you can develop with your own mind and what value of ideas you can make work. I'm not a big fan of Jack Black, but this is one of those films I have to say he does a great job in especially his supporting actors like Mos Def and Danny Glover who both help him out in not just being the solo star of the film, and each of the actors have their grand moment throughout the film and yes I know it does sound weird in say that I have a favorite Jack Black movie, but really it all boils down to whoever is supporting him when he's in a staring range, if it’s one of his friends or any actor/actress that's okay then I'll have some issues. So if your wanting to get a film made but have no money I would highly recommend this film to anyone whose wanting to get his movie fix going because you'll be inspire and hopefully will help you find your way in life. And for those who aren't wanting to get into the film business I still recommend this in the month of May mainly because it's something new and different moreover unique, also it's never a crime to try new and somewhat weird things, though I'm not trying to tell you to watch something that's beyond weird like Mulholland Dr. or Deliverance though I'm just saying I would never want to do that ever. In closing, never be afraid to try new things.

            

Femme Fatale

 

                      

                                 There are times when I have a random movie night and I think okay what's the worst that can happen, and usually there's a film I found that really not bad and kind of dig this film, but then there's films I find and I just think to myself "what in God’s name did I watch?" Well this is one of those movies I found on HBO Max and was good at first but then you saw the ending that pretty much killed it for you. The film's called Femme Fatale and the best way I can describe this film is mostly a very sexy film noir type thriller. Directed by Brian De Palma the same man who told George Lucas that he didn't understand Star Wars but yet went on to make in overrated movie called Scarface, a decent Mission Impossible in which spawned so many sequels and a terrible movie I remember watching in the theaters called the Black Dahlia. Also starring Antonio Banderas and a very sexy Rebecca Romjin, and to this films credit at least gave her stardom for a certain movie called X-Men. So, without further ado let’s start talking about Femme Fatale.

                              Laurie (Rebecca Romjin), a member of a crime ring, lifts an extravagant set of jewels from a model at a red-carpet event. But instead of splitting the loot with her partners, Laurie flees. While running from the crooks she betrayed, she comes across Lily (also played by Rebecca Romjin), a woman nearly identical to herself. When Lily ends her life, Laurie assumes her identity and starts life anew. But paparazzo Nicolas (Antonio Banderas) has been tracking her and may reveal all her dark secrets.

                              I'll firstly start off in giving some of the more reasonable pros to this film so not to make it look like I hate this film. In all honesty this film as all of the elements of a great sexy thriller esc film noir type film, it has a sexy female trying to outsmart her partner but also doing whatever it takes to keep her identity secret even if it means manipulating people that are getting to close to her life. Moreover I love these kind of thriller type films where female anti-hero's or protagonist use there sexuality's stay ahead of the game or outsmart there enemies I mean come on Bond did that so why can't the ladies do that, and Romjin does a great job in making me believe that also both her and Banderas do great chemistry work both don't like one another but they couldn't resist each other. Moreover, Banderas as well does a good job playing the pawn in this story desperately trying to clear his name when he realizes how bad of a situation, he's in. And see, these are all the great elements into what makes a tremendous story for a film noir type film. But then, along comes to the ending of the film. The ending of the movie was almost like Mulholland Dr. where it was all a dream and it wasn't even real, and it was like everything I thought about this movie was just a lie and all of my expectations just felt really low moreover started to have doubts. And sure I would prefer this movie over Mulholland Dr. but that's kind of an overrated statement because they both have same bizarre twist ending that clearly doesn't make any sense at all, and deep down if you’re going to do a twist ending, just don't because then your clearly turning into M. Night Shyamalan. I mean, for God's sake just leave the twist ending to more experience filmmakers who know how to perfect those crafts like Christopher Nolan or Alfred Hitchcock, at least those men know how to give a story a twist. And so, this film is bad but not all bad, meaning I probably won't watch this film ever again unless there's anything else on although that's of course I ever plan to ever use cable TV and that's a hundred percent doubt. So, I would say, ah screw it I can't take this anymore the more I talk about this movie the more I begin to hate it even more so look whatever do if you ever in a million years find this movie for free just leave it alone because then your face will melt and you'll never experience life ever again. 

         

Mother's Day Recommendation: The Secret Life of Bees

 

                           Mother's Day is coming up so I figured what better way to review a movie my own Mom has recommended me to watch, now to be honest I was a little weary about wanting to watch this for many reasons I am not much of a big fan when it comes to Queen Latifah's movies. Although this movie surprisingly proved me wrong and sure I had a conversation with my mom about what a mother's day movie should be and what she said really does make sense in some ways especially with this movie. Though with this film, it shows a lot of what we look for in life and overcoming the pain we have to go through in life. Dakota Fanning also does a great job in this movie to, moreover lets you feel for her character as well. Although I have some minor gripes with the movie but will get to those in a little bit because right now we're going to about this great film to watch on Mother's Day.

                           Haunted by memories of her late mother and abused by her father (Paul Bettney), 14 year old Lilly Owens (Dakota Fanning) runs away with her friend and caregiver Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson) to the South Carolina town that holds the key to her mother’s past. There, Lilly meets the Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys), who takes her in and teach her about Beekeeping. Lilly also discovers the truth about her mother is closer than she thinks.

                            My own Mom is actually taking a hobby in her day life, beekeeping herself so there no coincidence she may of found this movie and told me to watch this, now I'm just assuming so it could be a random movie night she and my Dad had so, it could be one of those things. I will admit watching this film I had that mood of I don't want to watch this for many reasons mainly consist of Queen Latifah not as a person in all honest truth, but it has a lot to do with her choice in movie roles and trust me when every time I think of Miss Latifah I think of those movies with Jimmy Fallon and Steve Martin and I can already look at those films by watching the trailers and I'd think to myself "THAT SUCKS". But with this film I believe she does a great job playing a more wise character in the movie moreover providing a guardianship and guide to Dakota Fanning's character furthermore, Latifah does amazing work along with her fellow co-stars. Though this is the kind of thing that bugs me a little bit, maybe a whole lot but not all of it, is that she does such a tremendous job in a all serious drama but yet she continues to do movies that aren't all that great Valentine's Day, 22 Jump street and Joyful Noise? Now let's not forget this was made in 2008 and those were the movies she made after the Secret Life of Bees, before this great movie she made Taxi and Mad Money. And sure I know it's expensive to live in LA but it’s a real loss of talent when you do such a great job in a movie like this movie, but yet you continue to do movies that after the first look of your future and past movie were on the stupid side. A side from Latifah's great performance, Dakota Fanning really does a great job playing the main protagonist whose haunted by traumatic events that occurred in her past life moreover makes me as in audience member care about her and her struggles when it comes to overcome the bad things that are happening in the South parks of the U.S. but yet still living for some of the goods stuff that happens along the way. Moreover I think that's another thing about what makes this movie truly amazing, is that when it comes to making a movie that's based on the civil rights movement in the sixties, you really have to develop characters that will make you care for them until the final frame furthermore you really have to have that relate too aspect of it and the shock of what happens to these characters at the very end moreover have actors and actresses that will most certainly pull their own wait in making each of their characters believable, and everyone in this movie does exactly that and the same goes to the writer/director of the film Gina Prince-Bythewood. This film was really great to watch furthermore surprised me in a big way of how well directed and well-acted in what a drama should be, and a lot of this credit goes to my mom who loved every second of this movie and took the time to tell me about her experience in watching this film was for her so, in writing this review my mom deserves a hundred percent of the credit. So, in closing if you have a mom and general speaking majority of us do in some ways, take the time and ask her if she has a movie, she wants to watch or recommend watching on this Mother’s Day. Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers out there.