4 new movie clips: Closed Circuit (2013)
Martin and Claudia are lawyers -- and ex-lovers -- who find themselves put at risk after they join the defense team for an international terrorist's trial. From: IMDb.com
Martin and Claudia are lawyers -- and ex-lovers -- who find themselves put at risk after they join the defense team for an international terrorist's trial. From: IMDb.com
Trailer: Closed Circuit (2013)
Martin and Claudia are lawyers -- and ex-lovers -- who find themselves put at risk after they join the defense team for an international terrorist's trial. From: IMDb.com
Directed by: John Crowley
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Eric Bana, Jim Broadbent and others
Current release date: August 28, 2013
Iron Man 3 (2013) Directed by Shane Black
Is this movie good action entertainment? Yes, sure! Is it a great movie as well? No, definitely not!
To be frank, this movie never lives up to expectations. That of course doesn't mean that the movie is a bad one as well but it nevertheless was disappointing to see how little this movie actually did that was new, or differs from any of the previous Iron Man movies and superhero movies in general.
This movie promised to be a somewhat darker and more serious in tone Iron Man movie, in which Tony Stark gets truly tested, falls and has to rise up again as Iron Man. But really, all of the villains and situations Stark gets himself involved in this movie aren't necessarily all that different and more threatening or dangerous than any of the situations and characters Iron Man had to face before, in any of the previous Iron Man movies and lets count in "The Avengers" as well. As a matter of fact, the movie pretty much has the same tone as the other previous Iron Man movies and isn't really that much darker or less silly, both story-wise and comedy-wise.
I have to say that in some regards this even is a somewhat poor movie. Especially story-wise it's lacking. The pacing is off and the story feels somewhat messy for the first half of the movie and also please don't watch this movie expecting to get any depth or decent enough background to anything. It's shallow, big, action entertainment, that constantly pushes its characters to the background and rather wants to focus on- and show you the next big action set-piece.
This definitely goes at the expense of the whole Tony Stark and Pepper Potts relationship but also at the expense of the Stark and James Rhodes friendship. It's hard to detect any emotions or heartfelt moments in this movie and it's therefore also hard to truly feel involved with the story and characters at times.
The whole villainous plot is also somewhat disappointing. It's just too simple really. They are terrorist and they are evil and that's it really. There is no big plan to conquer to world, get rich, or anything along those lines. It's also 'annoying' how little screen time the main hero and main villain of this movie get to share on the screen. I never like it when a movie its villain and hero basically are miles away from each other and hardly have any form of interaction.
It shows you how lazy and simplistic the writing can get at times for this movie. But this actually also goes for its action moments. I lost count the moments that Tony Stark got saved, at the very last moment, by his suit. Tony Stark falls off something? Don't worry, his suit will save him! Somebody throws/fires something at Tony Stark or holds him hostage? Don't worry, his suit will fly in again to save him! It just isn't very creative and too easy really. Especially of course when the movie starts repeating the same patterns over and over again.
But oh well, this movie still remains pretty much up to par with the other Iron Man movies, as weird as that may sound after all my criticism. This is not any better but also most definitely not any worse than any of the previous two Iron Man movies. It just never does anything new or special with its concept or characters, which is the reason why this third movie mostly feels like a disappointing one. Some more creativity and originality would have been nice!
But Robert Downey Jr. is still in great form and all of the right action and special effects are still there, to turn this movie into an enjoyable, silly, overblown, action spectacle. Action-wise this movie doesn't disappoint and it's the main thing that keeps this movie going and entertaining to watch.
So it's all still good and fun to watch! Just don't expect the ultimate Iron Man movie or one that does things completely different from any of the other Iron Man movies.
7/10
Watch trailer
Trailer #2: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Tony Stark uses his ingenuity to fight those who destroyed his private world and soon goes up against his most powerful enemy yet: the Mandarin. From: IMDb.com
Directed by: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow and others
Current release date: May 3, 2013
Teaser trailer: Iron Man 3 (2013)
Marvel's "Iron Man 3" pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds (Mandarin). When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man? From: IMDb.com
Directed by: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow and others
Current release date: May 3, 2013
Lay the Favorite (2012) Directed by Stephen Frears
You have comedies and then you have some comedies that are...well, not
even comedies really. But what's even worse about this movie is that
it's not just a lacking comedy but also a terrible mess of a movie!
Something went terribly wrong here. Don't know what really happened but it seemed to me that at some time during production they ran out of either time or money, or both and had to rush it to completion.
The movie is horribly constructed and the movie never has a really pleasant or natural flow to it. As a matter of fact, it feels like entire scenes are missing at times, that were supposed to set the mood or help to buildup a certain plot line for a certain character. Now often stuff just happens, without a half decent buildup to any of it. This means that a person can be the one moment happy about something, while in the next he/she is suddenly sad of fed up with the same thing or person, just to give an example.
The way characters respond to situations and each other is often crazy and terribly confusing. People constantly change opinions of each other, without giving you an apparent reason as to why a certain character suddenly makes such a 360 degree turn.
It is a big part of the reason why none of the characters ever work out in this movie. None of them are set well enough up and also therefore are never quite likable and involving enough to follow around, throughout this movie. On top of that, Rebecca Hall was an absolutely horrible lead in this. She might be a good actress, just not for this type of movie, in this type of role. She acts in the sort of exaggerated and over-the-top comedy way, that you might get away with in a Will Ferrell movie but this is simply not a Will Ferrell type of comedy at all.
It's truly a comedy without any comedy. Only thing you could say the movie its approach and style is good for is that it helps to keep things light. But really, I just don't see how anyone could get any laughs out of this movie, simply because there are absolutely no real comical situations in it, or any clever and witty type of dialog.
And I also just really don't get why you would want to cast Bruce Willis in your movie when you are going for a comedy approach. He's still great and has plenty of charisma and screen presence to him but just not in this movie. He feels terribly out of place and seemed to be constantly struggling with both the script and the dialog. And you might think; 'well, at least Vince Vaughn still shows up in it. He probably still adds plenty to the movie its comedy.' But really no, he doesn't. His role is pretty small and besides too insignificant, to leave an impact of any kind.
It's quite amazing how many great actors showed up in this but perhaps it's no big surprise since it got directed by Stephen Frears, who still has a pretty big and good name in the industry, especially when it comes down to comedies. This movie is however perhaps his biggest misfire, as of yet!
It seemed, especially during its second half, like the actors and film-makers themselves had given up on this movie as well and literally had no idea what scene they were doing, what their lines were supposed to mean and how it would fit into the movie. It really feels that messy and horrible all.
It's truly more terrible then you could ever imagine!
3/10
Something went terribly wrong here. Don't know what really happened but it seemed to me that at some time during production they ran out of either time or money, or both and had to rush it to completion.
The movie is horribly constructed and the movie never has a really pleasant or natural flow to it. As a matter of fact, it feels like entire scenes are missing at times, that were supposed to set the mood or help to buildup a certain plot line for a certain character. Now often stuff just happens, without a half decent buildup to any of it. This means that a person can be the one moment happy about something, while in the next he/she is suddenly sad of fed up with the same thing or person, just to give an example.
The way characters respond to situations and each other is often crazy and terribly confusing. People constantly change opinions of each other, without giving you an apparent reason as to why a certain character suddenly makes such a 360 degree turn.
It is a big part of the reason why none of the characters ever work out in this movie. None of them are set well enough up and also therefore are never quite likable and involving enough to follow around, throughout this movie. On top of that, Rebecca Hall was an absolutely horrible lead in this. She might be a good actress, just not for this type of movie, in this type of role. She acts in the sort of exaggerated and over-the-top comedy way, that you might get away with in a Will Ferrell movie but this is simply not a Will Ferrell type of comedy at all.
It's truly a comedy without any comedy. Only thing you could say the movie its approach and style is good for is that it helps to keep things light. But really, I just don't see how anyone could get any laughs out of this movie, simply because there are absolutely no real comical situations in it, or any clever and witty type of dialog.
And I also just really don't get why you would want to cast Bruce Willis in your movie when you are going for a comedy approach. He's still great and has plenty of charisma and screen presence to him but just not in this movie. He feels terribly out of place and seemed to be constantly struggling with both the script and the dialog. And you might think; 'well, at least Vince Vaughn still shows up in it. He probably still adds plenty to the movie its comedy.' But really no, he doesn't. His role is pretty small and besides too insignificant, to leave an impact of any kind.
It's quite amazing how many great actors showed up in this but perhaps it's no big surprise since it got directed by Stephen Frears, who still has a pretty big and good name in the industry, especially when it comes down to comedies. This movie is however perhaps his biggest misfire, as of yet!
It seemed, especially during its second half, like the actors and film-makers themselves had given up on this movie as well and literally had no idea what scene they were doing, what their lines were supposed to mean and how it would fit into the movie. It really feels that messy and horrible all.
It's truly more terrible then you could ever imagine!
3/10
Watch trailer
Trailer: Iron Man 3 (2013)
The plot is unknown at this time. Rumor has it Tony Stark/Iron Man will head to China to face his toughest opponent, Mandarin. From: IMDb.com
Directed by: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Guy Pearce, Gwyneth Paltrow and others
Current release date: May 3, 2013
The Awakening (2011) Directed by Nick Murphy
This little movie came a bit as a surprise. I don't think anyone expected anything good from it but as it turned out, this is simply being one fine and very atmospheric genre movie.
This is not necessarily a typical horror/ghost movie but more one that relies on its mystery, rather than on its scares. And it handles its mystery quite effective and compellingly. It tells its story well and keeps things interesting at all times, making this basically a good watch from start till finish. Granted that you can see the big 'twist' coming from miles away already (well, at least if you are somewhat familiar with these type of movies already) but for some reason this didn't bothered me all that much and didn't prevented me from really liking this movie.
The mystery of the movie also heavily relies on its atmosphere, which is simply a great and very suiting one. It has some nice cinematography and also the right required settings.
Another aspect I also really liked about the movie was its main character, played by Rebecca Hall. It was a strong female lead, which isn't all that common for a movie of this sort, especially not one that is set in the very early 20th century. It worked out well and helped to keep things fresh and original, while in essence this is of course still being a very formulaic genre flick.
Yes, if you have seen plenty of movies involving a ghost story already, this movie really isn't anything that new or surprising to watch but it at least, unlike some other genre examples, never really has a dull moment in it and keeps things going and interesting at all times, even when there is not an awful lot happening. I think that this is actually the foremost reason why I ended up liking this movie so much, despite all of its still present and obvious (story) flaws and weaknesses.
Simply a good genre movie, that is well worth checking out.
7/10
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UK Trailer: Lay the Favorite (2012)
A dramedy centered on a thirtysomething woman who becomes involved with a group of geeky fiftyish men who have found a way to work the sportsbook system in Las Vegas to their advantage. From: IMDb.com
Directed by: Stephen Frears
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Bruce Willis, Vince Vaughn and others
Current release date: June 22, 2012
The Prestige (2006) Directed by Christopher Nolan
(Review originally written at 1 July 2007)
Basically this is just a very well made movie. It has both style and a good story, with some interesting twists and great actors in it.
What gets noticed first is how incredible good and style-full the movie is looking. The cinematography, costumes and make-up are all fine looking and provide the movie with a great atmosphere, that is also suiting for the time period the movie is set in.
But also the story is also fine and intriguing. At first sight the movie doesn't sound like anything too tense or spectacular; two rivaling illusionist who literally start to battle each other. However the movie does become tense and good as the story progresses. The whole way their rivalry gets portrayed in this movie is done so well, even when it starts to take extreme and obsessed forms. You also never really get to pick sides for any of the characters. At times you're for the one and against the other but eventually both characters have their good and likable sides and their evil and unsympathetic sides. You never love them but you also most certainly don't ever hate them.
And finally a movie again with a real good surprising ending! The movie does has some predictable tendencies but eventually the elements in the movie always end up differently then you expect them to, including the ending.
The movie does get unnecessarily hard to follow at times, which is due to the way of storytelling. You know, I hate it when movies use non-linear storytelling, just to look more smart. But with Christopher Nolan movie's this never really is a big issue, since he handles this always so well, with of course "Memento" as a perfectly executed example.
Not every story element in the movie works out. Especially the relationship elements in the movie shows some flaws and have some unused potential. It just doesn't seem to me that portraying and using romantic relationships in movies is really Nolan's thing.
Christian Bale was impressive as always. I love it how he always uses a different accent, though his way of acting always remains the same. But Hugh Jackman was also surprisingly great. I'm glad that he isn't being typecast since his first appearance as Wolverine in "X-Men". With this movie he once more shows that he also can handle far more 'heavier' and demanding roles. David Bowie surprisingly also shows up again in a good role. Guess it sounds weird but I really think David Bowie is one of my favorite actors. It was also fun to see Andy Serkis. Amazing, 5 years ago nobody would had ever thought about casting Andy Serkis in their movie, even though he has been active in the business since the early '90's. Amazing what playing Gollum did for his career.
Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson also have parts in the movie but their characters would had been just as good and interesting if they were being played by John and Jane Doe, though I like Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson as actors and appreciate them being in this movie.
Even though the movie is tense and told in a difficult way, the movie also remains a perfectly entertaining one to watch. All of the magic tricks in the movie are done well and it also gives us a look in the way magicians worked and how tricks were created and executed. I also love how they kept the movie and its tricks also always as authentic as possible. It always looks like a magic trick and never like a computer effect or anything. Something that wasn't the case to that other and definitely also lesser illusionist movie "The Illusionist", also from 2006.
I wish there would be more movies like this.
8/10
Watch trailer
Basically this is just a very well made movie. It has both style and a good story, with some interesting twists and great actors in it.
What gets noticed first is how incredible good and style-full the movie is looking. The cinematography, costumes and make-up are all fine looking and provide the movie with a great atmosphere, that is also suiting for the time period the movie is set in.
But also the story is also fine and intriguing. At first sight the movie doesn't sound like anything too tense or spectacular; two rivaling illusionist who literally start to battle each other. However the movie does become tense and good as the story progresses. The whole way their rivalry gets portrayed in this movie is done so well, even when it starts to take extreme and obsessed forms. You also never really get to pick sides for any of the characters. At times you're for the one and against the other but eventually both characters have their good and likable sides and their evil and unsympathetic sides. You never love them but you also most certainly don't ever hate them.
And finally a movie again with a real good surprising ending! The movie does has some predictable tendencies but eventually the elements in the movie always end up differently then you expect them to, including the ending.
The movie does get unnecessarily hard to follow at times, which is due to the way of storytelling. You know, I hate it when movies use non-linear storytelling, just to look more smart. But with Christopher Nolan movie's this never really is a big issue, since he handles this always so well, with of course "Memento" as a perfectly executed example.
Not every story element in the movie works out. Especially the relationship elements in the movie shows some flaws and have some unused potential. It just doesn't seem to me that portraying and using romantic relationships in movies is really Nolan's thing.
Christian Bale was impressive as always. I love it how he always uses a different accent, though his way of acting always remains the same. But Hugh Jackman was also surprisingly great. I'm glad that he isn't being typecast since his first appearance as Wolverine in "X-Men". With this movie he once more shows that he also can handle far more 'heavier' and demanding roles. David Bowie surprisingly also shows up again in a good role. Guess it sounds weird but I really think David Bowie is one of my favorite actors. It was also fun to see Andy Serkis. Amazing, 5 years ago nobody would had ever thought about casting Andy Serkis in their movie, even though he has been active in the business since the early '90's. Amazing what playing Gollum did for his career.
Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson also have parts in the movie but their characters would had been just as good and interesting if they were being played by John and Jane Doe, though I like Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson as actors and appreciate them being in this movie.
Even though the movie is tense and told in a difficult way, the movie also remains a perfectly entertaining one to watch. All of the magic tricks in the movie are done well and it also gives us a look in the way magicians worked and how tricks were created and executed. I also love how they kept the movie and its tricks also always as authentic as possible. It always looks like a magic trick and never like a computer effect or anything. Something that wasn't the case to that other and definitely also lesser illusionist movie "The Illusionist", also from 2006.
I wish there would be more movies like this.
8/10
Watch trailer
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