Review: A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)

This movie had some really funny moments. No fancy acting, no dirty jokes just plain classic humor that everyone can enjoy.
Nice simple and charming story with good amount of everything that completes the movie. Predictable story but well worth the watch.

Story is about a faded Hollywood action star who was tricked by his agent into playing King Lear in an amateur charity production in England.

Starring Burt Reynolds, Samantha Bond

Directed by Andy Cadiff

Running time: 96 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (A Bunch of Amateurs)

Review: Waltz with Bashir (2008)

The first ever documentary I have seen done totally as an animation. The movie pace through in a different animation style. Story gradually take us on the journey of Ari Folman trying to dig up the lost horrible memories of 1982 Lebanon War.
As the movie digs deep we witness the disgusting horrors of the Sabra and Shatila massacre.
Sometimes I was puzzled to understand the message Ari Folman tried to convey, yes war stinks is the big message but he tried to convey something else I didn't completely understand.

Movie is in Hebrew. It's not that hard to follow the story reading the sub-titles.

Directed by Ari Folman

Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics

Running time: 86 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Waltz with Bashir)

Review: Passchendaele (2008)

This maybe the best Canadian movie I ever seen. Nice story with good cinematography.
It is amazing to see that Paul Gross has directed, starred and written this fine movie. Very good details of war scenes that has the standards of Saving Private Ryan.
Movie has also successfully inserted a heart warming romance to it.

Story mainly resolve around troubled war veteran, a nurse who is his girl friend and her brother who is enlisted to fight in the bloody WW I battle of Passchendaele.

It's good to see these kind of movies so we can remember that their were lot more countries involved in the war that made a difference other than America.

This story is partly based on real life events.

Starring Paul Gross, Caroline Dhavernas, Joe Dinicol

Directed by Paul Gross

Distributed by Alliance Films

Running time: 114 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Passchendaele)

Review: Milk (2008)

Part biography part documentary of Harvey Milk the American gay rights movement leader during 70's who was assassinated in 1978. Harvey Milk was the first openly gay man elected to a USA political office. Acting was excellent by all cast and deserve an award. This movie will change your opinion if you are against gay men.

I felt uncomfortable when two men openly kiss and make love in the movie but when it comes to their rights, I think all men needs to have equal rights whatever their sexual orientation be.

Notable quote from the movie,
"I am not a candidate, I am part of a movement. The movement is the candidate."

Starring Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, James Franco

Directed by Gus Van Sant

Distributed by Focus Features

Running time: 128 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (Milk)

Review: Repo The Genetic Opera (2008)

Good rock horror musical with little bit of dark humor. Scenes are extreme bloody and has a touch of gore. Songs were good but could have been better. You cannot compare this to a Rocky Horror Picture Show they are far better than this.
Guess what Paris Hilton does a good job with her character it really matches her.

Story: World is spread with a organ failure disease and only GeneCo has the cure for it by organ transplant. Anyone dares to miss a payment for their transplants will be retaken by the killer Repo.

This movie is a reamke of 2006 short movie with the same name.

Starring Alexa Vega, Paul Sorvino, Anthony Stewart Head, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton

Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman

Distributed by Lions Gate, Twisted Pictures

Running time: 97 minutes

Rating: 7/10 (Repo! The Genetic Opera)

Review: The Lucky Ones (2008)

Really smooth and solid story with nice humor in it. Well thought out characters. Keeps you well entertained till the end. Cannot agree if someone tells that this movie is a war movie. I don't know why this movie is underrated.
Kind of a movie that makes you feel, "WOW I wish I could have seen more".

Story is about three soldiers returning from Iraq find themselves stuck together for a life changing Road trip to Vegas.

I hope more films like this, comes out very often.

Starring Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins, Michael Peña

Directed by Neil Burger

Distributed by Lionsgate

Running time: 115 minutes

Rating: 8/10 (The Lucky Ones)

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)