Camp X-Ray (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Peter Sattler 

Country

USA

Cast

Kristen Stewart, Peyman Moaadi, Julia Duffy, John Carroll Lynch, Lane Garrison, Joseph Julian Soria, Tara Holt, Ser'Darius Blain, Cory Michael Smith, Mark Naji, Anoop Simon, Robert Tarpinian, Yousuf Azami, Marco Khan, Kyle Bornheimer, Nawal Bengholam, LaDell Preston, Daniel Leavitt

Storyline

Army private first class Amy Cole (Kristen Stewart) is placed as a guard at Guantanamo Bay detention camp. Her convictions become less certain after she strikes up a tenuous friendship with one of the detainees (Peyman Moaadi).

Opinion

Surprisingly good, intense, and solid, Camp X-Ray is one of those films that doesn't even leave you after the end credits.

The film should serve as an eye-opening to those who believe in the legitimacy of the Americans wars against the eponymous enemy. Also, it is an ode, a praise to humanness. It shows that living all together in peace, as John Lennon hoped, may be just a utopia, but from an individual perspective, it is possible to make a difference, to knock down those walls that separate different, yet similar people.

In his directorial debut, with a million dollar budget, Peter Sattler achieves a fantastic result, result to which Michael Bay has failed to get even close with multiple stratospheric budgets.

The storytelling is slow, and repetitive, and it would be natural to wonder why some scenes haven't been cut in the editing room. But as you go on with the film, you realise that's how it was supposed to be, because that's the only way to fully immerge the audience in the claustrophobic prison's cells blocks.

The acting surprised me the most. Kristen Stewart has finally found the kind of thing that suits her. Being done with that teen garbage, she finally shows that she can act, playing the lead very well, and delivering the message. However, the real star is Peyman Moaadi. He delivers a brilliant performance and reaches the heart. 

Quotes

Ali Amir: You're asking me why do I want to die, but you don't see that I'm not even living. You gus control everything. You tell us what to eat, when to sleep. Even when we don't want to eat, you tell me we must. It is your life... it is not ours.

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

Genre

Horror

Director

Ana Lily Amirpour

Country

USA

Cast

Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh, Dominic Rains, Mozhan Marnò, Rome Shadanloo

Storyline

In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire (Sheila Vand).

Opinion

The critics loving it, and VICE Films distributing it gave me the input to watch this film. After watching it, and taking some hours to think about it, I still can't come up with something to write that is good enough and appropriate for the film. 

I can say that A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is the first Iranian film blending Spaghetti Westerns, graphic novels, and vampire flicks; it is unique, weird, yet beautiful, and brilliant. But, like with music, or art, or food, I can't give you an explanation for like it.

Iranian director and writer Ana Lily Amirpour is clearly influenced by Jim Jarmusch's aesthetic, but also by David Lynch's nonsensical narrative.

The plot not revealing too much is a good thing because many plot twists works better if you don't expect them. Of course, you can enjoy a second view as well. The film has some scary moments, and it keeps you guessing throughout the whole time. Subplots and secondary characters do not deviate from the original story, but they do are essential to it.

The characters are involving and interesting. You can't help but like the young man; you can't stand the pathetic, drug-addicted, old man; you hate the drug dealer; the girl is weird, but you like her: she is not some crazy vigilante, but she protects good people.

The stunning black and white photography by Lyle Vincent is definitely the first thing you notice, and the unusual, yet beautiful soundtrack fits perfectly into the story, as it was a Tarantino film.

Sheila Vand is great as The Girl, and I'm sure the director choose her for her hypnotic eyes. The others give decent performances.

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Shawn Levy

Country

USA

Cast

Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Adam Driver, Rose Byrne, Corey Stoll, Kathryn Hahn, Connie Britton, Timothy Olyphant, Abigail Spencer, Jane Fonda, Aaron Lazar, Ben Schwartz, Cade Lappin, Debra Monk, Will Swenson

Storyline

When their father passes away, four grown siblings are forced to return to their childhood home and live under the same roof together for a week, along with their over-sharing mother and an assortment of spouses, exes and might-have-beens.

Opinion

I am really surprised by the amount of bad reviews this title got. Lot of people said you must be Jewish and/or in your 30's or 40's to enjoy this film. Now I can't see why I, an atheist in my 20's, I enjoyed it.

Having said that, based on Jonathan Tropper's novel, This Is Where I Leave You is a brilliant, sweet, and meaningful dramedy, and even though it doesn't manage to gracefully alternate the laughter and tears, it still has its moments, and it made me both smile and move.

Adapted by Jonathan Tropper himself, the screenplay is clever, and tight. Maybe the intelligent dialogue between grown-ups and the lack of car chases and explosions is the reason why people didn't like it.
Of course, you can't build 10 characters in 103 minutes the way you can in more than three-hundred pages, still the characters are developed. Also, there are many storylines so you really have to pay attention to pretty much everything to not miss something important.

Director Shawn Levy, mostly known for mediocre films like "Night at the Museum" and "The Internship", managed to craft something wonderful from Topper's screenplay.

The starry cast does mediocre job. While some do a great job, others completely fail. Jason Bateman and Jane Fonda deliver terrific performances - I'm thankful she has been casted instead of Goldie Hawn. Tina Fey, better known as a comedian, surprised me with a great performance. While he shines in his previous films, Corey Soll looks a bit lost in this one. Adam Driver gives an awful, one-dimensional performance. Rose Byrne tries her best, and has some chemistry with Bateman, but unfortunately her character is nothing more than a love interest.

Quotes

Judd Altman: It's hard to see people from your past when your present is so cataclysmically screwed up.

Playing It Cool (2014)

Genre

Comedy | Romance

Director

Justin Reardon

Country

USA

Cast

Chris Evans, Michelle Monaghan, Topher Grace, Aubrey Plaza, Ioan Gruffudd, Anthony Mackie, Ashley Tisdale, Matthew Morrison, Patrick Warburton, Giovanni Ribisi, Martin Starr, Luke Wilson, Philip Baker Hall, Scott Evans

Storyline

The narrator (Chris Evans) is a writer and wants to write action but his publisher Bryan (Anthony Mackie) wants him to write a rom com first. The problem is, the narrator doesn't believe in love. But when he meets Her (Michelle Monaghan), he falls for her, only to find out that she is already engaged to Stuffy (Ioan Gruffudd).

Opinion

I'm not much into romantic comedies - I can see if it's a good one though -, but I'm definitely into Chris Evans so I gave this thing a try. What a mistake!

You know that wow factor everybody looks for in a film? This one has it, but unfortunately it is a disappointment wow. Playing It Cool is the king of clichés, not that funny or romantic, and it is so bad that left me speechless, and as I'm writing this review I'm still not sure about what to write, or where to begin.

I'll go with the huge problem, the writing. I wonder if screenwriters Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair were high as a kite when they wrote this crap. 

First of all the names. Every single character is given a name except the two leads, and Her boyfriend. 

The narrator is a douchebag that lies and uses women because his mommy left him when he was a child. Please tell me how realistic this is. Nowadays half of the kids grow up with just one parents, and I do know some of them, and they are not like this at all.

Her is engaged and happy with Stuffy - seriously? -, then she meets the narrator, who lies and lies to her, insult her as well, and at the end, surprise surprise, they end up together. And that's never going to happen, and I know that because I'm a woman.

Then, there are way too many fantasy sequences, annoying and pointless to be honest, and from the very first scenes you can tell where the film is going: abyss.

Shafer and Vicknair tried hard to write something clever, but the results are disappointing, and I can't even imagine how bad can be dating one of them. 

Unfortunately, the really strong cast, and the great chemistry between Chris Evans and Michelle Monaghan are not enough to save the film.

Quotes

Narrator: I'm gonna tell you this one from my point of view so you can put yourself in there.

So the story goes:The guy falls in love with a girl the second he meets her, but it takes them a lifetime to get it together.

When they do they end up on a boat, and they realise the only way they can stay together is to never go ashore.

So they raise the yellow colour flag so no port would take them and they drift out to sea 'till the end.

And it makes you realize there are people in your life so important that they dwarf everything else.

It's up to you to figure out who they are.If you have to give up everything else and spend the rest of your days on a boat, who are the must haves, the ones you can't live without?

Figure out your own list and then do everything you can to let them know how much they mean to you.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Director

Marc Webb

Country

USA

Cast

Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Marton Csokas, Chris Cooper, B.K. Novak, Denis Leary, Michael Massee, Aidy Bryant, Stan Lee

Storyline

As Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) finally managed to balance life as both Spider-Man and Peter, a new villain treats the city: socially awkward Oscorp worker Max Dillon (Jamie Foxx), who is obsessed with Spider-Man, ends up becoming the hero's new foe.

Opinion

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

If J.K. Simmons was still playing J. Jonah Jameson he'd say, "Damnit! This thing is dragging on and on!".

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is just not that amazing, and focuses more on the emotional element, developing the relationship with Gwen - it almost feels like watching Twilight -, and leaving thrills and action behind.

However, the main problem of the film is the same that occurred with Spider-Man 3: the writing. There are way too many awful things going on, and two and a half hours - which feels like eternity - are just not enough to stand the whole thing.
Let's start with Electro. He is not the same guy from the comic books. This Max Dillon is naive, shy, has low self-esteem, is ignored by everybody, and people barely remember his name, in other words, he is a loser. And he works for Oscorp. Turning into Electro after falling into a tub of electric eels, he heads to Time Square, where he sees his face all over the screens, and he suddenly become a badass because the whole city is watching him. He doesn't really have any motivation to do what he does. Not to mention his costume, that looks like it has been stolen from the Fantastic Four's trash.
Harry Osborn and Rhino are two wasted, cheesy characters. Also, the 3-minute grainy video in which Peter's dad basically tells us "Oscorp is evil" is pointless, because at that point you are already aware of that, and if you don't, well, you probably think Spider-Man is the villain.

While flying sequences are great, the fights are not epic, totally forgettable, and some of them even boring - the one with the Russian for instance -, and the fight between Spider-Man and Electro is just bad. It's not all of course. Why did Electro and Harry Osborn/Goblin attack Spider-Man separately? Why didn't the police show up near the power plant? Why didn't Gwen bleed when she hit the floor? Why did Harry kill Gwen? Wasn't Norman supposed to? And more important, is Harry normal or still "infected"?

At least the acting is still good. Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone are good as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy, and their chemistry is amazing. Though his character development is bad, Dane DeHaan delivers a good performance as Harry Osborn, and same does Jamie Foxx as Electro.

Quotes

Gwen Stacy: It's easy to feel hopeful on a beautiful day like today, but there will be dark days ahead of us too. There will be days where you feel all alone, and that's when hope is needed most. No matter how buried it gets, or how lost you feel, you must promise me that you will hold on to hope. Keep it alive. We have to be greater than what we suffer. My wish for you is to become hope; people need that. And even if we fail, what better way is there to live? As we look around here today, at all of the people who helped make us who we are, I know it feels like we're saying goodbye, but we will carry a piece of each other into everything that we do next, to remind us of who we are, and of who we're meant to be.

Cake (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Daniel Barnz

Country

USA

Cast

Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza, Anna Kendrick, Sam Worthington, Mamie Gummer, Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Chris Messina, Lucy Punch, Britt Robertson, Paula Cole, Ashley Crow, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Camille Guaty, Allen Maldonado, Camille Mana, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Evan O'Toole, Pepe Serna, Misty Upham, Rose Abdoo, Alma Martinez

Plot

Claire Bennett (Jennifer Aniston) becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman in her chronic pain support group while grappling with her own, very raw personal tragedy.

Opinion

I watched this film with very low expectations due to the tons of negative reviews I read. I'm glad to say it is not as bad as I thought, but it is not even that good. 

Cake is a one of those films that does not emphasize the plot or the characters, but the states of minds of the latters.

At some points it is very tedious, and I wished Claire did jump off the bridge so to save us another hour and so of torture. 

The plot isn't bad itself, but there is a bizarre, and unnecessary subplot about the girl from Idaho, and the film loses his track after Aniston's confrontation with William H. Macy.

Despite all I said before, the film is worth a watch for the outstanding performance by Jennifer Aniston. Yes, I just said outstanding, because finally, after 20+ years, Aniston dismisses the Rachel kind of character and shows off her great potential that has been unexpressed until now. Depressed, and curmudgeonly, she has the opportunity to confront herself with the amazing Adriana Barraza.

Quotes

Claire Bennett: Tell me a story where everything works out in the end for the evil witch.

300: Rise of an Empire (2014)

Genre

Action | Fantasy | War

Director

Noam Murro

Country

USA

Cast

Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Lena Headey, Rodrigo Santoro, Jack O'Connell, Hans Matheson, Callan Mulvey, David Wenham, Andrew Tiernan, Yigal Naor, Andrew Pleavin, Ben Turner, Ashraf Barhom, Peter Mensah, Gerard Butler, Michael Fassbender, Caitlin Carmichael, Jade Chynoweth

Plot

Greek general Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton) leads the charge against invading Persian forces led by mortal-turned-god Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and vengeful commander of the Persian navy Artemisia (Eva Green).

Opinion

After eight years, they thought it was appropriate to release a sequel/prequel/simultaneously-story to 300. Unfortunately, they didn't do a good job.

300: Rise of an Empire is numbingly dull, and a huge waste of money - both mine and the producers' - and time. However, somebody may seen it as a great Act II of Men's Health Magazine's theatrical transposition.

Passing over the historical errors, which are fewer in number compared to the first film's, scenes are not extra filled with over-colour-correction. Instead, there is light coming from everywhere.

The film only seems to exist to glorify the CGI blood industry: I've never seen such copious - and a bit unrealistic - a spilling of blood before. I have the suspicion director Noam Murro has a fetishism for blood since the camera doesn't miss a chance to capture the 'essence' of it.

In the first film warriors looked like a group of bodybuilders; in this one, not only warriors but also farmers, poets, and sculptors look like a bunch of oiled guys showing off their sculpted abs. The female character has a more important role, however, the pointless sex scene couldn't be missing. And the hunchback, who previously made all the Spartans die, kinda helps the Greeks winning. 

The acting is so bad makes you cringe. 

Quotes

Themistocles: I would rather die free than live as a slave. 

Serena (2014)

Genre

Drama

Director

Susanne Bier

Country

USA | France | Czech Republic

Cast

Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Rhys Ifans, Sean Harris, Sam Reid, David Dencik, Blake Ritson, Ned Dennehy, Charity Wakefield, Michael Ryan, Kim Bodnia, Ana Ularu, Bodil Jørgensen

Plot

In Depression-era North Carolina, the future of George Pemberton's (Bradley Cooper) timber empire becomes complicated when he marries Serena (Jennifer Lawrence).

Opinion

I was pretty excited about this film because I couldn't wait to see Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper working together for the third time. Judging from reviews of Ron Rash's novel of the same name, I was expecting a good film, but it is a total disaster.

Serena is a huge misfire on all fronts, absolutely nothing works, from storytelling to filmmaking. It fails in being involving and entertaining. The only positive thing about this film is Morten Søborg's cinematography.

At some point in the film, Jennifer Lawrence says, "I think you've taken nine months to do about six months work", and that's funny because the film took over 18 months to be completed, while it could have been easily made in a few months, and still have the same crappy result.

The setting in the woods reminded me of when I saw Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone, but the comparison only ended up disappointing me. This could have been J-Law's Black Swan performance, but she is over the top and the emotional scenes are not believable. Bradley Cooper totally loses his charm, but the fault is of the script. At least, there is chemistry between the two actors and you can tell.

In a nutshell, the film is the proof - or reminded - that Hollywood stars such as Cooper and Lawrence can make lousy choices just like the rest of us.

Into the Woods (2014)

Genre

Adventure | Fantasy | Musical

Director

Rob Marshall

Country

United States | United Kingdom | Canada

Cast

Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Johnny Depp, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, MacKenzie Mauzy, Billy Magnussen, Tammy Blanchard, Lucy Punch, Frances de la Tour, Richard Glover, Joanna Riding, Annette Crosbie, Simon Russell Beale

Plot

The film follows the tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)-all tied together by an original story involving a baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.

Opinion

After many - and endless - months of waiting, the film has finally been released in Italy. It wasn't as good as I was hoping, but not even as bad as many people said it was. Into the Woods is a humorous musical, a good twist on several of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, with a delightful first half, and a gloomy ending, but not a kids film.

Having not seen the stage version, I've searched the Internet to be more familiar with it, and it turned out that many changes were made in Act II. Disney has actually cut everything important and meaningful for the show, such as the death of Rapunzel, making the character completely pointless now. Furthermore, in Act II, the narrator is almost gone.

On the other hand, the costumes, Meryl Streep's makeup and the sets are great, and the singing is good - great in some cases.

Among all the performances, which are pretty good, Meryl Streep's stands out. She is wonderful as usual, and several times she induces laughs from the audience.

Quotes

Witch: You're not good, you're not bad, you're just nice. I'm not good, I'm not nice, I'm just right. I'm the witch. You're the world.

Cinderella's Prince: I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

Witch: Stay a child while you can be a child.

Rating

7.0/10

Frank (2014)

Genre

Comedy | Drama | Music

Director

Lenny Abrahamson

Country

United Kingdom | Ireland | United States

Cast

Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Scoot McNairy, Carla Azar, François Civil

Plot

Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), a young wanna-be musician, discovers he's bitten off more than he can chew when he joins an eccentric pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender).

Opinion

Oscar Wilde once said, "Every man lies, but give him a mask and he will be sincere". This film is an example of that. Frank is a funny, clever, moving, surreal and unusual film.

The autobiographical experience of screenwriter Jon Ronson, upon which the film is based, certainly helps, but Lenny Abrahamson's film is something more than a man in the papier-mâché head. The film shows the thin line between artistic talent and insanity, and also the difference between going viral and being popular.

Michael Fassbender's performance as Frank is stunning. Despite the covered face, he manages to show the depth of the soul of such a complex character through gestures and voice modulation. In the spectacular closing scene, when Michael/Frank finally takes the mask off, all we see is a man in tears embarrassed by the awareness of being different.

Quotes

Frank: I say, tell everyone everything. Why cover anything up, right?

Rating

9.0/10

Foxcatcher (2014)

Genre

Biography | Drama | Sport

Director

Bennett Miller

Country

United States

Cast

Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave, Sienna Miller, Anthony Michael Hall, Guy Boyd, Brett Rice, Samara Lee, Jackson Frazer, Jane Mowder, Daniel Hilt, Lee Perkins, David Bennett

Plot

The film tells the dark and fascinating story of the unlikely and ultimately tragic relationship between an eccentric multi-millionaire and two champion wrestlers.

Opinion

Finally released in Italy last Thursday, I went to see it last night. I don't like wrestling and I wasn't expecting much from this film, but it disappointed me in a good way. Foxcatcher is a story about defeat, that goes beyond the sport, and delves into the complexities of the protagonists' psychologies.

The acting is excellent. Channing Tatum proves that he is not just a pretty face, but he act and he is quite good. The way his character punished himself reminded me of "Of Mice and Men"'s Lennie. Forget about the sex comedies guy, because this Steve Carell is different and unrecognizable - great job on the make up - and he delivers an excellent performance, definitely his best so far. Mark Ruffalo gives a superb performance.

Quotes

John du Pont: You're going to do great things, Mark.

Mark Schultz: I'm gonna give you everything I have.

Rating

8.5/10

Let's Be Cops (2014)

Genre

Comedy

Director

Luke Greenfield

Country

United States

Cast

Damon Wayans Jr., Jake Johnson, Rob Riggle, Nina Dobrev, Keegan-Michael Key, James D'Arcy, Andy García, Jon Lajoie, Tom Mardirosian, Natasha Leggero, Rebecca Koon, Nelson Bonilla, Jeff Chase, Jwaundace Candece, Briana Venskus, Alec Rayme, Ron Caldwell

Plot

Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.) and Ryan (Jake Johnson), two pals disappointed about their life, dress as police officers for a costume party. When they are mistaken for real cops, they take advantage of it and have some fun. However, soon they get tangled in a real life web of mobsters, and the real trouble begins.

Opinion

Critics won't agree with me, but Let's Be Cops is an enjoyable cop comedy. It lacks a bit of originality - the story and the little ending fight between the two pals remembered me of 21 Jump Street - but after all it isn't that bad. I have to admit it is not very logical or realistic at some points, but it's a comedy, and as such we shouldn't take it too seriously. The jokes are not brilliant, yet they are funny.

There's chemistry between Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson, and they both do a good work with their characters. Although I believe their comic potential has been wasted in this film. 

Buy on Amazon.com | Buy/Rent on Amazon Instant Video

Quotes

Ryan: I got promoted to sergeant!

Justin: You got promoted to sergeant?

Ryan: I felt like I deserved it.

Rating

7.3/10

Still Alice (2014)

Genre

Drama

Directors

Richard Glatzer | Wash Westmoreland

Country

United States

Cast

Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Hunter Parrish, Shane MccRae, Stephen Kenken, Victoria Cartagena, Seth Gilliam, Daniel Gerroll, Erin Darke, Kristin Macomber, Caridad Montanez

Plot

Alice Howland (Julianne Moore), happily married to John Howland (Alec Baldwin) with three grown children, Anna (Kate Bosworth), Tom (Hunter Parrish) and Lydia (Kristen Stewart), is a Columbia linguistics professor who starts to forget things.

When she is diagnosticated with an early onset Alzheimer's disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested.

Opinion

Based on Lisa Genova's novel of the same name, Still Alice is a powerful, realistic, raw, emotional and heartbreaking story about a woman whose life totally changed. The direction is flawless, the screenplay is great, the cinematography is amazing. 

Julianne Moore's performance is not good in the lead role, she is mesmerizing, devastating and heartbreaking. She delivers in such an incredible way, and she successfully shows the struggle, the anger, the pain, the fear and the confusion of having such a disease.

The supporting cast is also good: Alec Baldwin's performance, who plays Alice's husband, is one of his best; Kristen Stewart's, who plays Alice's daughter, is her best performance so far.

Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon Instant Video | Buy Lisa Genova's novel on Amazon.com

Quotes

Alice Howland: Good morning. It's an honor to be here. The poet Elizabeth Bishop once wrote: 'the Art of Losing isn't hard to master: so many things seem filled with the intent to be lost that their loss is no disaster.' I'm not a poet, I am a person living with Early Onset Alzheimer's, and as that person I find myself learning the art of losing every day. Losing my bearings, losing objects, losing sleep, but mostly losing memories... 

[she knocks the pages from the podium] 

I think I'll try to forget that just happened. 

[crowd laughs]

All my life I've accumulated memories - they've become, in a way, my most precious possessions. The night I met my husband, the first time I held my textbook in my hands. Having children, making friends, traveling the world. Everything I accumulated in life, everything I've worked so hard for - now all that is being ripped away. As you can imagine, or as you know, this is hell. But it gets worse. Who can take us seriously when we are so far from who we once were? Our strange behavior and fumbled sentences change other's perception of us and our perception of ourselves. We become ridiculous, incapable, comic. But this is not who we are, this is our disease. And like any disease it has a cause, it has a progression, and it could have a cure. My greatest wish is that my children, our children - the next generation - do not have to face what I am facing. But for the time being, I'm still alive. I know I'm alive. I have people I love dearly. I have things I want to do with my life. I rail against myself for not being able to remember things - but I still have moments in the day of pure happiness and joy. And please do not think that I am suffering. I am not suffering. I am struggling. Struggling to be part of things, to stay connected to whom I was once. So, 'live in the moment' I tell myself. It's really all I can do, live in the moment. And not beat myself up too much... and not beat myself up too much for mastering the art of losing. One thing I will try to hold onto though is the memory of speaking here today. It will go, I know it will. It may be gone by tomorrow. But it means so much to be talking here, today, like my old ambitious self who was so fascinated by communication. Thank you for this opportunity. It means the world to me. Thank you.

Rating

9.0/10

Whiplash (2014)

Genre

Drama | Music

Director

Damien Chazelle

Country

United States

Cast

Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Chris Mulkey, Jayson Blair, Kavita Patil, Michael Cohen, Kofi Siriboe, Suanne Spoke, April Grace

Plot

Andrew Neiman (Miles Teller) has a dream: becoming one of the greatest jazz drummers of his generation.

Since the competition is fierce at the New York's prestigious Shaffer Conservatory, and to impress his instructor Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), Neiman practices hard day and night, until his hands bleed. 

Opinion

Whiplash is an incredibly powerful film with lot to teach: never give up, pursue your dream, no matter what. Damien Chazelle, young and talented, becomes part of the history of cinema with this thrilling, exciting masterpiece. The constant drumming that stays with us for almost the entire film is amazing.

Miles Teller is surprisingly good, actually he is fantastic and this is his best performance so far. J.K. Simmons delivers a flawless and astonishing performance, which got him a Golden Globe for best supporting actor, and an Oscar nomination, which surely will turn into a win.

Buy on Amazon.com | Buy on Amazon Instant Video

Quotes

Terence Fletcher: There are no two words in the English language more harmful than good job.

Terence Fletcher: I was there to push people beyond what's expected of them. I believe that's an absolute necessity.

Rating

10/10

Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)

Genre

Action | Adventure | Drama

Director

Ridley Scott

Country

Spain | United Kingdom | United States

Cast

Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, María Valverde, Indira Varma, Hiam Abbass, Kevork Malikyan, Anton Alexander, Golshifteh Farahani, Tara Fitzgerald, Dar Salim, Andrew Tarbet, Isaac Andrews

Plot

In the ancient tale of the Hebrews, Moses (Christian Bale) gathers the faith to free his 400,000 enslaved people from the Egyptian Rule. King Ramses (Joel Edgerton), who he grew up with, must face his once best friend in a battle that exceeds the mere mortals and endures the act of God.

Opinion

Exodus: Gods and Kings is a huge disappointment. This story, which has been told and retold for thousands of years, deserved something better than this. And it really means a lot coming from an atheist. Ridley Scott brought to the screen his own interpretation of the Bible, and is it good? No, it isn't. $140 Million probably spent for special effects, costumes and a cast full of stars, but surely not on the script. I was expecting a spectacular Red Sea parting, but there is no trace of it. It is a mystery how Scott did such a poor movie.

Christian Bale is mediocre, delivering an emotionless performance - I wasn't expecting this from him at all. Joel Edgerton is surprisingly good.

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Quotes

Ramses: You sleep well because you know that you're loved. I've never sleep that well.

Moses: Follow me and you will be free. Stay and you will perish.

Rating

5.0/10

Unbroken (2014)

Genre

Biography | Drama | War

Director

Angelina Jolie

Country

United States

Cast

Jack O'Connell, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund, Miyavi, Finn Wittrock, Jai Courtney, Luke Treadaway, Travis Jeffery, Jordan Patrick Smith, John Magaro, Alex Russell, John D'Leo, Vincenzo Amato, Ross Anderson, Maddalena Ischiale, Morgan Griffin, Savannah Lamble, Sophie Dalah

Plot

Louis Zamperini (Jack O'Connell), an Olympic athlete, joins the armed forces during World War II.
Captured by the Japanese navy after a plane crash in the Pacific, and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp, Zamperini must continue his fight by surviving through the war.

Opinion

This film got so much hate and I sincerely don't understand the reason. Based on Laura Hillenbrand's "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" Unbroken is a brilliant film about friendship, inner strength and love.
A great and bright cinematography is provided by Roger Deakins. Coldplay's "Miracles" - ending credits - perfectly fits in the story and I couldn't imagine of a better song.
Jack O'Connell - I recently mentioned him in Eden Lake's review - is the real deal, and puts his efforts to portray such a man. Miyavi as The Bird does a great job.

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Quotes

Pete: A moment of pain, is worth a lifetime of glory.

Rating

8.5/10

90 Percent Of World's Screens Are Digital - 3D Continues To Dominate Screen Conversions

90 percent of all the world's screens are now digital and marks an obvious important milestone in deployment. Not long ago film dominated the market. How things change.

Furthermore, 73 percent of all screens being converted to digital in 2014 was 3D says IHS Cinema Intelligence of London. That is a hugely significant number because 3D remains extremely significant in overseas markets, especially the soon to be largest market of all - China.

Many fail to realize that the North American market is not the dominate player it used to be. In fact more and more decisions about what gets made and for how much is being made overseas. 3D remains an important component of overseas and especially Asian markets and I am thrilled that the format has been so overwhelmingly received and nurtured there.

The countries topping the list of 3D screens installed were China, USA, Mexico, Russia and Brazil.

Source: IHS Cinema Intelligence via Variety

Birdman (2014)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Country

Canada | United States

Cast

Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Lindsay Duncan, Merritt Wever, Jeremy Shamos, Frank Ridley, Katherine O'Sullivan, Damian Young

Plot

Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), famous for portraying an iconic superhero, Birdman, struggles to mount a Broadway play. In the days leading up to opening night, he battles his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career, and himself.

Opinion

Alejandro González Iñárritu is a fucking genius. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is an ironic, intelligent and surreal film that certainly needs to be seen more than one time.

For a moment I thought this film would have had a Black Swan finale - Riggan just wanted to be perfect and does what he does - and I really liked the end. 

The cinematography is outstanding: it involves the viewers in such a manner that makes them feel like part of the crew.

The score, by Antonio Sánchez, is simply perfect: the rhythm of the drums perfectly blends with the story.

The cast is fantastic: Michael Keaton is mesmerizing; Zach Galifianakis proves to be a good actor; Edward Norton seems to be born to play this role; Emma Stone delivers a fantastic and intense performance. 

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Quotes

Riggan's dressroom mirror: "A thing is a thing, not what is said of that thing." - Susan Sontag

Mike Shiner: Popularity is the slutty little cousin of prestige.

Birdman: You were larger than life, man. You saved people from their boring, miserable lives. You make them jump, laugh, shit their pants. All you have to do it... That's what I'm talking about! Bones rattling! Big, loud, fast. Look at these people. Look at their eyes. They're all sparkling. They love this shit; they love blood. They love action, not this talky, depressing, philosophical bullshit.

Rating

9.0/10

Winter's Tale (2014)

Genre

Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Director

Akiva Goldsman

Country

United States

Cast

Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, Russell Crowe, William Hurt, Mckayla Twiggs, Eva Marie Saint, Will Smith, Ripley Sobo, Matt Bomer, Lucy Griffiths, Finn Wittrock, Kevin Corrigan, Kevin Durand

Plot

Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) is a thief a thief raised by a supernatural demon posing as the gangster Pearly Soames (Russell Crowe).
After disappointing his mentor, on the run, Peter encounters a white horse that points him in the direction of the Penn mansion. Initially looking to steal something, he changes his mind when he meets and falls in love with Beverly (Jessica Brown Findlay), the beautiful daughter of the homeowner.

Opinion

Many critics said this film was a huge fail, so I wasn't expecting a lot for it. But you know what? I loved it. Based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Mark Helprin, Winter's Tale is a good film of its genre, and moved me. The story is lightly told, and its 118 minutes slip away like a bird in flight.
Colin Farrell is wonderful: he is perfect in the role of the thief who falls in love. You can clearly see he puts himself entirely in the characters he plays; Russell Crowe's character Pearly Soames, obsessed with Farrell's, reminds me a bit of Javert (Les Misérables), the evil version of course. He didn't impress me though.

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Quotes

Peter Lake: Don't know who's more foolish; The horse who won't listen to his master or the master who listens to his horse.

Peter Lake: Is it possible to love someone so completely, they simply can't die?

Rating

7.8/10

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES Eying $1 Billion - Opens To $50m In China!

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES has opened to $49.5m in China which is just about as much as the first Hobbit movie made during it's entire run in the country! Goes to show the recognition that the movie brings now to the Chinese as well as the further development of the theater industry there - especially 3D. With FIVE ARMIES being made in native 3D with world leading 3ality Technica rigs, these box office results underscore what great movie making can achieve.

Peter Jackson's finale to the Hobbit trilogy has raked in $866 million worldwide as of now and as China is it's last major market the echos of the release may be enough to push it to the magic billion dollar mark despite being obviously snubbed by the Academy for Oscars this year. The movie only managed to be nominated for Sound Editing. How it is not at least nominated for Visual Effects is beyond me.

Will THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES hit $1 billion? Will we ever return to Middle-earth again any time soon? I'd dearly love to see some spin offs from these movies - character origins stories, adventures and the like. I doubt the Tolkien estate would allow it, but there would definitely be a huge market for it. Even a bridge movie bringing Legolas together with Strider as described at the end of the movie would be huge.

Can't wait to get the extended trilogy versions on Blu-ray! All the behind the scenes action is what I really enjoy in these boxed sets. Stay tuned for further box office updates!