Tigerland

In September 1971, a platoon of recruits arrives in Ft. Polk, LA, for infantry training before leaving for war. The final week takes place in Tigerland, a swamp similar to Vietnam. Jim Paxton has enlisted; he wants to experience everything and write books later. He befriends Roland Bozz, a cool Texan with a gift for getting into trouble and for helping misfits get discharges. At least one sociopath in the platoon hates Bozz, even as the sergeants grudgingly recognize his leadership abilities. As the platoon heads into its week in Tigerland, Paxton's body gives out, Bozz makes plans to go AWOL, and the sociopath gets hold of live ammo. Is vietnam as bad as this?

This movie brought a new perspective to the whole vietnam training scenario. I never thought about the war from a legal stand point. I liked it a lot because it really dove into the fear that a man feels while being faced with going to war and how people handle the pressures of those around them. I give this movie an 8 out of 10. Check it out if you want a twist on war movies without seeing the war.

Smokin' Aces

In these interlocking tales of high stakes and low lifes, Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel (Piven)--a sleazy magician who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Vegas mob. The FBI, sensing a chance to use this small-time con to bring down big-target Sparazza, places Aces into protective custody-under the supervision of two agents (Reynolds and Liotta) dispatched to Aces' Lake Tahoe hideout. When word of the price on Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be, it entices bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin' hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters to join in the hunt.

I felt that this movie could have used a little more shooting and less love story. HAHAHAHA I'm just kidding this movie was an action megafest from start to finish. The entire story was interesting. The only thing that i couldn't understand is that if all the hitmen and hitwomen were the top people than how did they not know one another even just a little bit. To me that was hard to believe. The way the movie was put together though made up for the small discrepancies that you might be able to pick out. I liked it as a whole so i give this movie an 8.5 out of 10. If you are into action than this movie is for you.

Gangs of New York

As waves of immigrants swell the population of New York, lawlessness and corruption thrive in Manhattan's Five Points section. After years of incarceration, young Irish immigrant Amsterdam Vallon(Leonardo DiCaprio) returns seeking revenge against the rival gang leader who killed his father. But Amsterdam's personal vendetta becomes part of the gang warfare that erupts as he and his fellow Irishmen fight to carve a place for themselves in their newly adopted homeland! Along the way he meets a Jenny (Cameron Diaz) who herself is aligned with the murderer of his father a Mr. William "Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day Lewis). Most of the men in high points of power and some aligned with Butcher are former members of Amsterdams fathers gang, The Dead Rabbits. Amsterdam plans to get close enough to Butcher as he will not expect his right hand man to be plotting against him.

I really liked this movie a lot more than i thought i would when i first came across it. The acting is done very well especially by Lewis and DiCaprio. he rest odf the characters are placed well amongst the stars as to complement them nicely. The only downfall this movie really had was the length of it becuase it runs damn near 3 hours long. So unless you have the time to invest in this movie it might not be for you. But if you have the time it is a very good movie. I rate it a underated 8 out of 10. Thats only because you might have to watch it in two installments and that ruins it for me sometimes. All in all its worth the time to me so check it out.

Boondock Saints

rish brothers Connor & Murphy MacManus live and work in Boston. Feeling that God's will to rid Earth from all human Evil was given to them as a mission, they set out to do their divine deed. A public outcry is never heard, and even FBI agent Paul Smecker, who follows their trace of bloodshed, admits that the boys are doing exactly what he secretly always has wished to happen. Risking their lives for their beliefs of Veritas (truth) and Aequitas (justice), the Boondock Saints are hyped by the public, for they are doing good, which only few dare to admit. The two brother's decide that they should relieve the world of the scum of the earth. They allow a friend of theirs to join in and help them on their quest of destruction.

I love this movie to death. The characters will make you laugh and some will make you think. The bartender at their favorite joint is hilarious with his turrets. The crowning achievement of this film comes from the acting of Willem Dafoe who plays agent Smecker and is also a homosexual. The way this movie comes off is not only witty but funny as hell. I give this movie a 9.5 out of 10. Check this movie out as soon as possible. You will ot regret it.

Babel

4 interlocking stories all connected by a single gun all converge at the end and reveal a complex and tragic story of the lives of humanity around the world and how we truly aren't all that different. In Morocco, a troubled married couple are on vacation trying to work out their differences. Meanwhile, a Moroccan herder buys a rifle for his sons so they can keep the jackals away from his herd. A girl in Japan dealing with rejection, the death of her mother, the emotional distance of her father, her own self-consciousness, and a disability among many other issues, deals with modern life in the enormous metropolis of Tokyo, Japan that is literally the size of the state of California. Then, on the opposite side of the world the married couple's Mexican nanny takes the couple's 2 children with her to her son's wedding in Mexico, only to come into trouble on the return trip.

I thought this movie was gonna be really cool because of all the story lines entangled to build one story. I figured it would be confusing until the end when all the stories would come together and we would get every aspect of it. To my dismay the stories collided but not in a good way. I was left confused about why the hell they spent so much time with the japanese girl when her father wasn't really all that fucking important to the story line itself. I can understand the rest of the stories and their importance all the way through. So why did everyone hype this movie? Was it because of Brad Pitt being in it or Cate Blanchett because she was decent but he was just ok in this movie. I hate to say it but why did anyone even care about this movie that much. I mean it wasn't aweful but it wasn't good great either. I guess if I had to rate this movie it would get a 5 out of 10. So see it or not but don't let anyone tell you it's great and you have to see it. If they do tell them to cram it you have something better to do( like wash your car, mow the lawn, Scratch your ass, etc.).

Pi

Max is a genius mathematician who's built a supercomputer at home that provides something that can be understood as a key for understanding all existence. Representatives both from a Hasidic cabalistic sect and high-powered Wall Street firm hear of that secret and attempt to seduce him.
They use money, power and brutallity to try and convince him that they should have the secret before anyone else.

To be brutally honest this movie is basically about the different religions believing that the number of Pi(3.14 etc.) is the key to discovering the meaning of the torah, bible, koran, and even the teachings of any other religion on earth. This movie is entirely in black and white but with camera angles and quick shots it really messes with your mind. I advise any partakers in alcohol or any drugs to not watch this while high. IT WILL BREAK YOUR BRAIN. This movie kept me thinking about life and the extremes into which we go to understand ourselves and the world around us. I gave this movie an 8 out of 10. Go and see it and be weirded out for yourself.

Flags of Our Fathers

In February, 1945, one of the fiercest battles of the Pacific theater of World War II occurs on the tiny island of Iwo Jima. Thousands of Marines attack the stronghold maintained by thousands of Japanese, and the slaughter on both sides is horrific. Early in the battle, an American flag is raised atop the high point, Mount Suribachi, and a photograph of the raising becomes an American cause celebre. As a powerful inspiration to war-sick Americans, the photo becomes a symbol of the Allied cause. The three surviving flag raisers, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, and Ira Hayes, are whisked back to civilization to help raise funds for the war effort. These three men are thrust into a life of basic sevitude to a cause they believe in but don't feel they are the ones to be given this honor alone. These men must find it within themselves the tenacity to keep the chirade alive without haing themselves.

When i first started watching this movie i was real excited about the story itself and the cinematography was incredible. The farther i got into this movie the more i saw of the side of the war that didn't really interest me at all. I understand that this is basically what happened but at the same time i was yearning for more war scenes and less salesmanship. I still liked the movie as a whole but was a little let down by it. I rate this movie a solid 7 out of 10.

If you like war movies that are true stories than this is the movie for you but if you just want to see the action of the war then only half of this movie is for you.

Clerks

Dante Hicks is a clerk at a local convenience store in New Jersey. On one particular Saturday morning, he gets called in on his day off. Once there, he must deal with multiple problems. The shutters outside won't open. His ex-girlfriend, whom he is still in love with, is getting married. His girlfriend, who bugs him about starting college, has revealed certain, uh...stuff about her past. His boss hasn't come in to take his place. He has a hockey game at 2 o'clock. Another ex has died, and today's the last day he can go to her wake. He must deal with customers that aren't so intelligent. His friend, Randal, a clerk at the video store next door, is even less dedicated to his job than Dante, and is always bothering Dante's customers. And the biggest problem of them all: HE'S NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TODAY!

This is one of my all time favorite movies about life and how we cope with all the stupid crap that comes up everyday. Yes it is a bit farfetched that all this would happen in the same day but hilarious that it does. The thing that gets me is that the movie was made for a film school project and had such a big following that they made it into a full length feature film. What i really liked was the comraderie between Dante and Randal and how they interact on such a deep level even though they are talking about complete horseshit for most of the movie. I guess it just reminded of me and my friends when i was in high school.

The other side of this movie is the relationship between two pot headed drug dealers one who can't keep his mouth shut and the other one that never seems to open his pie hole. The two I speak of are Jay and Silent Bob and they end up in every installation of the director Kevin Smith's movie series. I implore you to gve this movie a shot especially if your tired of the same old big budget crapfest. I rate this movie a 9.5 out of 10. If you haven't seen it yet run don't walk to the video store and at the very least give it a rent cause your probably gonna end up buying it.

Shaun of the Dead

Shaun is having many problems in life. His long-time girlfriend has dumped him due to their almost-daily expedition to Shaun's favorite pub, the Winchester. His temporary management job isn't going well at Foree Electronics, with his subordinates not even giving him the time of day. His deadbeat flatmates, Pete and Ed, are at each others' throats. And, oh yeah, London is overrun with multitudes of zombies. In the midst of this, he must save himself, Ed, his ex, his mom, and his precious record collection. There is a time when a hero must rise...from his couch.

This film was everything i could have hoped for in a zombie movie spoof. I got a kick out of the hilarious antics they went through as they smashed in zombie skulls and talked about everything that wasn't important to the situation along the way. The only part that bugged me was that it had a slow start, but lucky for us after that it was great to the end. I rate this movie an 8 out of 10.
If you like scary movies and want to laugh while you watch one here is the movie for you.

Willow

In the dungeons of the castle of the evil Queen-sorceress Bavmorda, a prisoner gives birth to a child who, according to an ancient prophecy, will put an end to the reign of the Queen. A midwife saves the child from the wrath of Bavmorda, but is forced to throw her cradle in a river when reached by the Hounds of the Queen. The river brings the child near a village of nelwyns, and little Willow finds and adopts her. When the Hounds reach the village, Willow begins a difficult journey to bring the baby back to her people and to fulfill the prophecy. In the this time of a war torn world the littlist hero will arise.

Willow was an incredible adventure from start to finish and i hate to say it but having dwarves as heroes put this movie over the edge. It was an amazing story done in a fun way to make you feel like if they could do this that you can do anything. I wish there had been more movies like this when i was younger. Val Kilmer played a cool character that when i first saw it i wasn't expecting. I like him as a jerk with a heart deep down inside. So if you ever get a chance you should check willow out. I rate this movie a 8 out of 10.

Batman Begins

When fate prevents him from avenging the deaths of his parents, young Bruce Wayne (Bale) flees to Asia where he seeks counsel from a dangerous ninja cult leader known as Ra's al Ghul (Watanabe). When he returns, Bruce finds that Gotham City has become overrun with crime and corruption, and that there are forces at work trying to remove him from his inherited place as the owner of Wayne Industries. Remembering the cave under his home from a fall during his childhood he takes on a new identity to prevent Gotham from getting worse.

I really liked this movie more so than the other batman movies. It explained a lot of what happened to make batman who he is and how he learned to fight the way he does. I thought the struggle of Bruce Wayne within himself as much as his foes showed the depth of the character more than ever. To me this movie takes you into the characters inner being and lets you feel his pain a little. I give this movie a 9 out of 10. If you are expecting this one to be like the other batman movies be prepared to be in awe but if you weren't a fan of the othrs than this movie will help you enjoy the story of batman to it's fullest.

The Last Castle

Three-star General Irwin (Robert Redford) was a prisoner of war in Vietnam and a revered hero in the Persian Gulf and Bosnian campaigns. Now, he has been court-martialed for disobeying orders and he is sentenced to serve time at The Castle, a maximum-security military prison run by Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), a hard-nosed disciplinarian. A battle of wills soon emerges between the two men, as The Castle's prisoners and guards find themselves drawn to Irwin's natural leadership abilities.

The movie unto itself is very strong and empowering. The only problem that you might see if you watch it is that it's a rip off of a classic film, Cool Hand Luke, and isn't original. If you don't care to see the classic film than this movie will be very entertaining and inspiring. I have seen both the classic film and the new one and i'd have to say that i liked both of them a lot. Of course I liked the classic better but thats because I prefer the actng of PaulNewman better than that of Robert Redford. If I were you I would definitely check this one out even if you've seen Cool Hand Luke just to see the simularities and a fresh take on an old flick. I rate this movie an 7 out of 10.

Hannibal Rising

Mischa and Hannibal (Gaspard Ulliel), baby brother and sister, are inseparable; it is their love for each other that ties their bond. Their companionship is forever binding, until, with their family, while hiding from the Nazi war machine a twisted set of circumstance sets the pace for a most vicious attack on the future of one Hannibal Lecter for the sworn vengeance for the brutal killing of his baby sister. Years later, we find Hannibal, the teenager, setting up in Paris, and living with his aunt Lady Murasaki Shikibu (Li Gong) and studying at medical school here he finds his forte. Still searching for his sister's murderers, still bitter and still ever hopeful of satisfying his desire for retribution.

This movie started out a bit slow but once it got going i was enthralled till the very end. I really enjoyed the evil that comes out of this character Hannibal. Ulliel is perfect person for this role in that even without him speaking the look on his face takes your mind to every evil mankind can think up and then some. It had me wondering how messed up he really is to be able to think up the punishment he deals out. I'd have to say the character is very inventive in his destruction. If you see this movie and don't see the evil look and start to think than your not alive. I give this movie a 9 out of 10. Go see it and prepare to be disturbed and excited.

Instinct

Two years after going to study apes in africa Dr. Ethan Powell(Anthony Hopkins) is found after killing 3 men and hospitalizing two of them. After he has committed this crime he is imprisoned in a florida mental institution until it can be determined if he is insane. Dr. Theo Calder (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is sent there to find out why he attacked those men and how he became the man he is now. During their sessions Dr. Calder finds out a lot more about Dr. Powell than he ever imagine.

This movie was thrilling and at the same time at moments tugged at your heart. It was an interesting topic done to perfection. The acting of Anthony hopkins was amazing in how he brought you in to his world and you could see it as if you were doing it yourself. The rest of the cast did an ok job. I'd have to hand it to Cuba gooding for his performance but he was obviously overshadowed by Hopkins' throughout. I would give this movie an 8.5 out of 10. I really wish that the other actors would have done nearly as well as Hopkins because it would have made this movie elite.

The 13th Warrior

In AD 922, Arab courtier Ahmad Ibn Fadlan accompanies a party of Vikings to the barbaric North. Ibn Fadlan is appalled by the Vikings customs-- their wanton sexuality, their disregard for cleanliness, their cold-blooded human sacrifices. And then he learns the horrifying truth: he has been enlisted to combat a terror that slaughters the Vikings and devours their flesh.

I was at first not willing to see this movie because i wasn't a big fan of Antonio banderas. Boy was I wrong on this one. This is a very cool movie about a man without a land who fights along with people who are not his own. He see's things that terrify him yet at the same time intrigue him. The ways of the vikings that he accompanies aren't his but he adapts to their ways in his own way and fights for the good of the group. I give this movie a 9.5 out of 10. I suggest anyone who likes fight scenes and bloodshed to see this movie fast. And you might as well just go pick up a copy cause your gonna love it.

We Are Marshall

We are Marshall is the true story of the 1970 Marshall University football team that died in a plane crash upon their return from an away game. A few players who weren't at the game because they were injured and one coach who was on a recruiting trip survived the fatal day. The school along with the town that surrounds the university must get throught his tragedy and look towards the future of the football team and their own lives.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt movie about life after a tragedy. It took balls to look past it not only for the friends and teammates of the team but for the families also. I don't think i would have been able to do it myself because I don't think I am that strong mentally. The acting was done well especially the leadership of their coach, Matthew McConaughey, who seems to have a way to fix everything that comes up. The movie was a bit cheesy but at the same time i could connect because i like a bit of cheese in my sentimental movies. If i had to rate this movie it would get a strong 7 out of 10. If you like movies that inspire you and if you like sports than i suggest you see We Are Marshall whenever you get a chance.

The hills have eyes 1

The hills have eyes is about a family that goes on vacation and decides to take a shortcut through the desert. On their way their RV mysteriously breaks down. They are then attacked by a group my freaks and weirdos until most of the family is dead or raped.

This movie is a culminationof every bad plot and bad acting horror flick you have ever seen in your life.If you like pure gore and horrible acting than this might be the movie for you. The only saving grace to this movie is the movie makeup that is used to make the evil characters really nasty looking. I was actually impressed on that part of things.

If you ask me though i would avoid it at all costs unless you are a glutton for punishment. I rate this movie a 2 out of 10, and thats giving it credit for the movie makeup. Otherwise run, run away as fast as you can from the hills have eyes and never look back again

The Prestige

This movie is set back in the late 1800's. The theme of the movie is that two magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden(Christian Bale) that start out working together for a trick designer named Cutter(Michael Caine). In a freak accident during a trick Angiers wife dies due to drowning in an escape contraption. Soon after the two go their seperate ways to work on magic alone. They eventually start acts in which they try to outdo one anothers tricks. They begin trying to rip off each others acts and do underhanded things to ruin the others show.

I was in awe of the depth that the jealousy would go and the extent of what these two would do to one up each other. The acting as well as the story line is awesome. The supporting cast did very well also and the entire movie will keep you guessing until the end. I give this movie a strong 9.5 out of 10. the only reason that i didnt gve it a perfect score was because i started to catch on a few minutes before the end but still ended up surprised. All in all i suggest you see this movie ASAP!

Remember The Titans

Now here is a movie that gets me everytime. I have watched it countless times and each time i see certain scenes i love it that much more. With a cast ,that for the most part nobody new who they were, they did an excellant job all around. Of course you have Denzel Washington who is the center of a great cast playing coach Boone who was the first black coach in virginia high school history. But not only was there Denzel but the supporting cast did an incredible job.

This movie is a historical reference to a time when color still mattered and everyone knew about it. The strength and passion in this movie is intense. This movie isn't just about sports or segregation or the civil rights movement but so much more. If you're like me and you like great movies that can make you feel good about something than this is the movie for you. I give this movie a perfect 10. It's funny, inspirational and just a great find for anyone.

The Usual Suspects

This movie will keep you guessing the whole way through till the end. I really enjoyed the way they pieced together some of the cut scenes and didn't over do some of the other stuff. The movie was a fresh look at the underworld through the eyes of liars, thieves, and just plain bad people. I loved every minute of it.

I think this movie will be good for anyone who likes a movie that messes with the mind. I give this movie a 9 out of 10. A must see for any movie afficianado! I've watched it several times and every time i like it a bit more.

Freedom Writers

The movie i have just seen is Freedom Writers. This is a movie based on a true story of the students at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. The movie begins with Ms. Gruwell (Hilary Swank) starting a job at the high school that has just been forced into integration and has clashes of students at every turn. Once she gets to know the students and decides they arent all bad she actually is able to teach them through things they allready understand.

This is a touching story of a teacher reaching the unreachable students that she should never be able to do in real life. I was very intrigued by the way it pulls you to the dreary side of life and then slowly brings you back to comfort. If i were to say it was like some other movies i have seen i would say it was a cross between, Stand and Deliver/ Dangerous Minds. I recommend this movie to anyone who can appreciate how powerful the written word can be.

I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

The 300

The movie the 300 is based off a historical battle between the spartans of Greece (isle of sparta) ,who are led by king Leonitas, and the army of the great Xerxes from Persia. Xerxes tries to pay off the spartans so that they will not put up a fight, but Leonidas won't be bought off. The Spartans will stand and fight to prove to the world that Sparta can't be bought at any price.

This movie was great from start to finish. The movie had an intensity that i have not seen in any movie ever. It's hard for me of all people to say but this intensity made the movie a thousand times better than if it were just the battle scenes and back story alone. If you like a movie with action and emotion then the 300 can't miss.

This movie rates a 10 out of 10

P.S. I am just starting out on these movie critiques so any and all questions and comments are welcome. The Big Critic