Review: Push (2009)

I found this movie to be pretty interesting. Could have been better with the good cast and the storyline. It was sometimes bit slow and confusing.
This movie reminds me of the TV series Heroes, Some parts are very similar.
This movie keeps you guessing to the end with unexpected twists and turns.
I was disappointed to see Djimon Hounsou in the bad side.
You can see a much mature performance by Dakota Fanning, yes she is grown up.

Story:
Two strangers with special abilities must find a special girl in Hong Kong before the secret american government organization (aka Division) finds her.

Special abilities you'll find in the movie,
Watchers - Can see the future
Movers - telekinetic
Pushers - Can put any thought in your mind
Sniffs - Can detect any place
Shifters - Can shape objects
Shadows - Can hide from Sniffs
Bleeders - Scream the hell out

Starring Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Djimon Hounsou

Directed by Paul McGuigan

Distributed by Summit Entertainment

Running time: 111 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Push)

Review: Lesbian Vampire Killers (2009)

Not bad for a comedy horror movie, Had some really humorous moments. Tried to copy Shaun Of The dead but if you try to compare the two Lesbian Vampire Killers is way behind.
I have never seen a movie that is better than Shaun Of The dead.
Lot of hot lesbian women to keep you entertained ;) Acting was silly but not bad.
By looking at the end you can guess that Gay Werewolf Killers is on the way :D

Story:
Two messed up friends (Fletch and Jimmy) took the wrong village (Cursed with Lesbian Vampires) to go on a adventure, Jimmy soon finds out it is his destiny.

Starring James Corden, Mathew Horne, Paul McGann, Emer Kenny

Directed by Phil Claydon

Distributed by Momentum Pictures

Running time: 88 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Lesbian Vampire Killers)

Review: Bronson (2009)

Really interesting biographical movie about the most violent prisoner in England (Michael Gordon Peterson).
I don't think that the artist narrating method is suitable for a movie like this. Sometime it made the film really boring.

Movie does not try to justify anything. In the end we are left clueless on weather to feel sorry for him or not. Really good acting by Tom Hardy replicating a man who is completely don't care about the results for his actions.

Starring Tom Hardy

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Distributed by Vertigo Films

Running time: 92 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Bronson)

Review: The Horsemen (2009)

Good thriller. Kept the suspense all along with a unexpected twist in the end. Zhang Ziyi was super creepy. It had some shocking moments that completely takes you by surprise. Serial killing, Biblical prophecy (Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse), Gore, physiological suspense. What else do you need to keep your attention :)

Plot: Detective who is distant from his kids and lonely from his wife's death tries to solve a string of killings that were done by a religious cult who calls themselves Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. He soon finds out that he also has links to the murders.

I didn't like the ending. It just ended pretty quick.

Starring Dennis Quaid, Zhang Ziyi

Directed by Jonas Åkerlund

Distributed by Lionsgate

Running time: 110 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (The Horsemen)

Review: The Ramen Girl (2009)

Cute, sweet, funny and at times a sad movie. I think Brittany Murphy is really suitable for her role. She just gives that spunky little spark the movie needs. You also get a good taste of Japanese culture and people. The movie made me really hungry and love Ramen.
Story was bit cheap and rusty. It gets worse to the end but really worth a watch.

Story is about a young American girl who was stranded in Japan when her boy friend just leaved her. Lost and confused she then started training to become a ramen chef under a very rude Japanese master.

Starring Brittany Murphy, Toshiyuki Nishida

Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman

Distributed by Media 8 Entertainment

Running time: 122 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (The Ramen Girl)

Review: Thick as Thieves (2009)

This is a decent movie flick. The plot was very weak for such highly rated stars.
Predictable story but had a nice twist. Freeman was good as always. Actually I watched the movie because of his acting. Worth a watch if you have some spare time to burn.

Story is about a top thief who teams up with a younger talented thief to pull off his final heist to repay his debt to the Russian mob.

Starring Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas, Radha Mitchell

Directed by Mimi Leder

Distributed by First Look International, Lionsgate

Running time: 99 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Thick as Thieves)

Review: Winged Creatures (2009)

I cannot really get the main point of this movie.
This plot had lot of potential been a thought provoking drama but it lacked a solid background that help us make sense of each character.
Not a bad story you should give it a try.

The story is about five individuals who are traumatize after surviving a random shooting at a Los Angeles diner.

Based on a novel by Roy Freirich with the same name

Starring Dakota Fanning, Forest Whitaker, Guy Pearce, Kate Beckinsale

Directed by Rowan Woods

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Running time: 100 minutes

Rating: 6/10 (Winged Creatures)

Review: Notorious (2009)

This is the Biography of Christopher Wallace aka Biggie Smalls and The Notorious B.I.G.
Hip Hop lover or not you should watch this movie because Notorious B.I.G was one of the most influential Hip Hop artist that revolutionized the industry.
Movie contains some performances of Biggies greatest hits.

"No Dream Is Too Big"

Starring Jamal Woolard (BIG), Angela Bassett, Derek Luke

Directed by George Tillman, Jr.

Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures

Running time: 123 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Notorious)

Review: Echelon Conspiracy (2009)

Action, Thriller and Mystery all in one package. Reminds me of the movie "Eagle Eye", Echelon Conspiracy is like a low budgeted version of Eagle Eye. Could have been lot better. Acting was also bit corny. Some scenes looked really dumb but I must say that you can enjoy the movie without getting bored.

Story is about a young man receiving text messages by a unknown person that gives him tips on how to win lot of easy money. Soon he finds himself in middle of a big international conspiracy.

Echelon Conspiracy is also know as The Gift in USA.

Starring Shane West, Edward Burns, Ving Rhames

Directed by Greg Marcks

Distributed by After Dark Films

Running time: 105 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Echelon Conspiracy)

Review: What Doesn't Kill You (2008)

I have seen very few movies of Mark Ruffalo having a leading role. This must be one of the best in his career. Excellent performance by both starts Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke.
I like the way how Mark Ruffalo's character transist between diffrent personalities.
Sometimes he's a bad-ass, drug addict and a struggling but loving father. The only complaint I have for this movies is that it's bit slow at times. So some viewer will think this is a boring story. If you can bare with the slow moments and watch the full movie, you can experience a realistic movie that shows how bad choices of life can ruin lives all around you.

Story is about Crime, Drugs, Alcohol and a man trying to raise living standards of his family which force him to do more crime.

(Based on real life events of the movie's director Brian Goodman.)

Starring Mark Ruffalo, Ethan Hawke, Amanda Peet

Directed by Brian Goodman

Distributed by Yari Film Group

Running time: 100 minutes

Rating: 7.5/10 (What Doesn't Kill You)

Review: The Uninvited (2009)

Really good Psychological thriller. Worth a watch. I'm not going to tell anything much because you only need two words to spoil the whole movie. I could have enjoyed it more if I knew very little about the movie. Horror scenes were good but not hardcore like a complete horror movie. Acting was very good by all the cast specially Emily Browning.

Story is about a young girl who returns from a mental institution to her home. She finds it difficult to cope with her fathers new cruel girl friend and the memories of her dead mother.

This movie is an American remake of the South Korean horror movie "A Tale of Two Sisters"

Starring Emily Browning, Arielle Kebbel, Elizabeth Banks, David Strathairn

Directed by Charles Guard, Thomas Guard

Distributed by DreamWorks, Paramount Pictures

Running time: 87 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (The Uninvited)

Review: Fanboys (2009)

This is the worst it can get for a comedy. Total waste of time, I cannot believe I did not laugh a single time, YES not even a smile. I don't know why this movie has so much hype, really boring and poor acting. Some people may like the style of humor in this movie but definitely not my taste.

Story is about four Star Wars nerd fans who are on an adventure to Skywalker Ranch to steal an early copy of "Episode I: The Phantom Menace".

Starring Jay Baruchel, Dan Fogler, Sam Huntington

Directed by Kyle Newman

Distributed by The Weinstein Company

Running time: 90 minutes

Rating: 5/10 (Fanboys)

Review: Crossing Over (2009)

Very moving story. Deep look into USA immigration, shows us both sides.
Dramatic and progressive presentation. If you liked "CRASH" you will like this movie.
Harrison Ford is doing a very good job in his intense character.

Story is about struggles of immigrants in USA to achieve legal status. Story Switch between Mexican, Jews, Islamic, Australian wanna be actress and Korean immigrants.

What I don't understand is why people just don't stay in their motherland and do something to build their own country. Why risk everything and come to be treated as an Alien and low level. In the end they return to their own country disgracing his/her own country.

Starring Harrison Ford, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd

Directed by Wayne Kramer

Distributed by The Weinstein Company

Running time: 113 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Crossing Over)

Review: The International (2009)

Good political thriller with powerful message. Very loosely based on true events.
First 30 minutes is very slow and boring but it picks up momentum and keep you interested. There is some action too.
plot is somewhat similar to Lord of war. Not a shoot 'em up movie, the story build up gradualy with slow pace.

Story is about a Interpol agent trying to bring down a bank that is involved in a huge arms deal scam.

Best quote in the movie, regarding war and banking industry by Umberto Calvini the Italian prime ministerial candidate.

The IBBC is a bank, their objective isn't to control the conflict, Its to control the debt the conflict produces. You see the real value of a conflict, the true value is in the debt that it creates. You control the debt you control everything.

You find this upsetting, yes but this is the very essence of the banking industry. To make us all weather we be nations or individuals slaves to debt.

Starring Clive Owen, Naomi Watts

Directed by Tom Tykwer

Distributed by Columbia Pictures

Running time: 118 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (The International)

Review: He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

Nice interconnected story (Comedy) about misinterpretation and misunderstanding about obvious human behaviors in relationships. Movie has some funny parts, many laughing points are stupid ideas we have in life, so its kind of laughing at ourselves
This is kind of a Chick flick, so ladies you are gonna love this one.
I'm pretty sure that you'll find some part of this movie to be a documentary about your life.

Watch out for the Gigi's monologue in the end of the movie, you can learn lot from that.

Movie is based on a book by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccillo (Same name)

Surprisingly there are lot of big names in the movie,
Starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Scarlett Johansson, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Justin Long, Ginnifer Goodwin, Bradley Cooper, Kevin Connolly

Directed by Ken Kwapis

Distributed by New Line Cinema

Running time: 129 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (He's Just Not That Into You)

Review: Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia (2009)

This movie was a time waster for me. Acting was terrible and seems like low budgeted.
It has some good action but when you compare it with the first movie this is awful.
This movie stars World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) "Mr. Kennedy" (Kenneth Anderson). If you are a wrestling fan, then you should probably watch this movie because Mr. Kennedy is a Top Gun who plays a major role in the movie.

The story is about a special unit of Navy SEALS who are fighting Colombian special forces to regain their honor and rescue a hostage.

No real story only non stop Action.

Starring Kenneth Anderson, Joe Manganiello

Directed by Tim Matheson

Distributed by 20th Century Fox

Running time: 94 minutes

Rating: 6/10 (Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia)

Review: Dead Like Me: Life After Death (2009)

Frankly I found this movie to be very boring, Nothing funny till the 25th minute. Maybe I missed the best part or something else. acting was also bit rusty and shady.
I had high hopes for this movie, turned out be a big disappointment for me.
The story line is original for a movie (based on Dead Like Me television series).

Story is about a group of reapers who are under a new head reaper Cameron Kane.

Starring Ellen Muth

Directed by Stephen Herek

Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Running time: 87 minutes

Rating: 5/10 (Dead Like Me: Life After Death)

Review: Wonder Woman (2009)

Theme is simple, Don't mess with the Amazon Women :)
Good animation with Action and a Fighter jet dog fight. Some fight scenes were stupid they could have been better. Good story with a Ironic ending.

Story is obviously about how Wonder Woman became to be the super hero we all know.

Nice quote from the movie,

Secretary: Mr President the threat has been neutralized.
Mr President: How?
Secretary: It seems by a group of armored Super Models.

Voice: Keri Russell (Wonder Woman), Nathan Fillion (Steve Trevor)

Directed by Lauren Montgomery

Distributed by Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics

Running time: 75 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Wonder Woman)

Review: Taking Chance (2009)

Good drama movie about war and how it affect a nation. War is cruel and blind it consume everything around it and leave the side effect for years to come.
This movie emotionally unfolds how a fallen American soldier is brought back home.

Story is based on true events about a volunteer military escort officer (Lt. Col. Michael Strobl) taking the body of Marine Chance Phelps to his home town.

I hate war and I hate politics. War is all about politics.

Naturally, the common people don't want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship . . . Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. (at the Nuremberg Trials, shortly before being sentenced to death)

Hermann Goering

Starring Kevin Bacon

Directed by Ross Katz

Distributed by HBO Films

Running time: 77 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Taking Chance)

Review: The Wrestler (2009)

Great movie peaking into a wrestlers real life.
You can find out how the real wrestling act is done. How they pre plan all the moves done in the ring. Even though all moves are planned it takes lot of skill and stamina to survive in the ring. One false move could be fatal.
Sometimes the movie was slow but the overall experience was good.

Story is about a retired professional wrestler Randy "The Ram" who tries to put together his shattered life.

Mickey Rourke's performance was pretty good.

Starring Mickey Rourke (Randy "The Ram"), Marisa Tomei (Pam)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures

Running time: 115 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (The Wrestler)