Nothing to lose, 1997

Nothing to lose, 1997
Director: Steve Oederkerk
Cast: Martin Lawrence, Tim Robbins





Nothing to lose in short: Nick Beam's life couldn't get any worse. He discovers he has been living a lie and is on the verge of a nervous breakdown. So when T. Paul, a carjacker, attempts to rob him, it is the last straw for Nick. With everything to gain and nothing to lose, he kidnaps T. Paul and attempts to put his life back together.


Stage: home TV selection, Saturday night


Preps: None in perticular. But I have nothing more interesting to do, hence..


Reality: This kind of movies should be prohibited. There should be a test under which a movie rates high enough to enter TV selection. Nothing really close to a comedy. The story is not believable, but this isn't the only sin this movie is making. All sorts of mistakes and misbeliefs, but nothing can settle the initial problem the movie has. The drive. What is this man, after he discovers he's being betrayed, after? What will he do and why? The viewer should have the answers, not make them up as we go through the movie.
Martin Lawrence, as the role of the chimp monkey that waltzes around Robbins all the time, trying to get his attention or prove his intelligence and misfortune that drove him to be a robber. Quite predictable, with stupid delivery and unpersuading cast. Things that happen to them while they are on a road, could buy (maybe) a child, and by that I don't mean to be offensive towards children or underestimate their intelligence. But this piece definitely underestimates our intelligence. Hence, delete and forget forever. I can't believe this was on the prime time of the local TV.



My personal rating: 0 (yuk. don't waste your time)

Nothing to lose on IMDB

National Treasure: Book Of Secrets, 2007

National Treasure: Book Of Secrets, 2007
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicholas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha


Stage: Home TV selection, Saturday evening


National treasure in short: While Ben Gates is presenting new information about John Wilkes Booth and the 18 pages missing from Booth's diary, a man by the name of Mitch Wilkinson stands up and presents a missing page of John Wilkes Booth's diary. Thomas Gates, Ben's great-grandfather, is mentioned on the page. It shows that Ben's great-grandfather was a co-conspirator in Abraham Lincoln's murder. When doing more research, the conspiracy takes Ben, Abigail Chase, and Riley Poole to Buckingham Palace (which they break into). They discover a plank that has early Native American writing on it. The plank has only one symbol that Patrick Gates can identify. The symbol is Cibola (see-bowl-uh) meaning the City of Gold. In order to define the rest the have to go to Ben's mother, Patrick's divorced wife. After 32 years it brings back old arguments.


Preps: I have seen this once already. Not really something remarkable, but maybe worth another seeing and reviewing.


Reality: Yep, I am right. Nothing remarkable. A nice adventure, something to brighten up your afternoon. No special effects, some historical travelling through the american history. I need to confess I never thought Nicholas Cage to be a very persuasive leading action hero, neither did he convince me in this perticular piece.
Furthermore, they teamed him up with Diane Kruger, who we saw dazzle in Troy (in 2004), here she is yet another blonde face we soon forget, without any perticular points I can give her for the cast. The same goes for all other action figures in the piece.

There is something worth mentioning, though. This is one of more fun-driving treasure hunts. It takes you through familiar places, known people, american history. In some ways, it's the juvenile version of The Da Vinci Code. Of course, the latter is of bigger proportion and has made a bit more homework. In terms of belief, the Da Vinci Code is superior in comparison with the National Treasure. But National Treasure is still a good copy of The Code from 2006. It will take you to the president's chamber and make you think about all the national secrets every nation keeps dear in a hidden place noone dares to taste. In this sense you will be stumbled with numerous events and occasions (coincidences) that occur in the piece and drive you to think about conspiracy theory, etc. Plus, they will also (similar to Da Vinci Code), make you go through your closets and wardrobe closets, looking for the secret pocket and secret map. And drive a bit of adventure you forgot since being adult, in your veins.

A good Sunday entertainment. Since our local TV decided this is the crown jewel of a Saturday night, I don't recommend it in that way.


My personal rating: 5,0 (watchable adventure, will ease your mind :) and make you curious about US history and its treasures).


National Treasure on IMDB

The Fifth Element, 1997

The Fifth Element, 1997
Director: Luc Besson
Cast: Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman


Stage: Home theatre, late Saturday TV screening

The Fifth Element in short: Two hundred and fifty years in the future, life as we know it is threatened by the arrival of Evil. Only the Fifth Element can stop the Evil from extinguishing life, as it tries to do every five thousand years. She is assisted by a former elite commando turned cab driver, Korben Dallas, who is, in turn, helped by Prince/Arsenio clone, Ruby Rhod. Unfortunately, Evil is being assisted by Mr. Zorg, who seeks to profit from the chaos that Evil will bring, and his alien mercenaries.



Preps: Seen this already, in fact several times. I love it, as it really poses something extraordinary with unique idea of destruction of the world, being put on screen, with more than enough entertainment.


Reality: As said, this is one of my favourites of all times. There are several points I need to make with this movie, because the story is unique and can be depicted in so many ways, however only few of them are so original and extraordinary as this one.
Luc Besson really nails it again, the images he created, are beyond belief. Plus, he successfully embedded the portray of the hero (of past) into the present in the movie. I am speaking of Bruce Willis, with the same role we have been seeing for some time on screen, but in rare cases it works as good as in this one. The all-time hero, on the quest for saving the world. The similar one as in Die Hard, Armageddon and several more. In this case, the protagonist of the habits people have, the yearning (for love), fight until the last breath, and the fact that the luck shows up at the back of the brave ones (yeah :) ).
In any case, the successful portraying of alternative Earth/Heaven, with the lucky prize contest and the weirdo Ruby Rhod (superbly played by Chris Tucker) - you can just die of laughter when watching him. On the other pole, Milla Jovovich, as the angel which will serve us as a tool to defeat evil. The innocent creature, that comes up to speed with our history and things we do in the most effective way. In some way or up to some extent you can tell how a perfect foreigner would see us from a different perspective. From non-burdened history.. and with the eyes of someone that doesn't have a clue what an Earth person is. The images we can see can trouble our mind for at least some time. Plus, the screening itself and the learning process is really funny. Obviously, like any Earth person would, also Willis finds his angel whom he wants to marry and cherish until the rest of his life. Obviously she falls in his arms and at the end, we have a Hollywood ending. Who could resist Bruce anyway, right? :)
The music in the movie is brilliant, also one of my favourite soundtracks of all times. Eric Serra as the composer, accompanied with some good artists, like Khaled, Lionel Ritchie. Absolutely above average and worth having at home.

The movie itself is unique and something really special, works in many environments and in this sense can be really universally shown. No extra praise upon US nation, just a surreal image of what the future might be in some weird imagination. It will make you think. And you will enjoy the escape with Bruce and Milla. Obviously, the world is saved in the last moment, but the irony behind it remains.

Leeloo: Everything you create, you use to destroy.
Korben Dallas: Yeah, we call it human nature.




My personal rating: 9,0 (one of my favourites of all times. I adore the idea, music, the delivery with the cast, mmmmm. Love to see it every now and then).


The fifth Element on IMDB

Hostage, 2005

Hostage, 2005
Director: Florent Emilio Siri
Cast: Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, Jimmy Bennet, Ben Foster



Stage: Home theatre


Hostage in short: Jeff Talley, a former LAPD hostage negotiator, has moved himself away from his failed career outside of Los Angeles, and away from his wife and daughter. When a convenience store robbery goes wrong in his turf, the three perpetrators move in on an unsuspecting family. But the family's father has a secret which might compromise his kin, and one of the criminals is about to jump over the edge. Jeff Talley has to get everybody to survive the night......if he can.


Preps: Hm. Nothing more interesting to do on a Sunday evening. So I check out the TV offering. Bruce Willis is always a treasure to a girl's heart. And sore eyes :)


Reality: Well, this is another piece in line with several similar, to this topic. Panic room (to name one of the ones I saw recently) is a similar movie, but more profound in the way the burglars get into the house. This one happens more or less by accident - because of a line of some events that seem more or less usual. Three guys running around in a wagon, trying to entertain themselves, pull off a stage act of them trying to frighten a young teenager, but end up with them being in a house in a role of a burglar, taking hostages and not really knowing what they are trying to get. A juvenile burglary, it seems at the front end. Still, they find troubles or, better put, the troubles begin when one of them shoots a cop.
After that, it's a downfall. All sorts of people have a part in this piece. Turns out the victims are a bad guy's family. So you are feeling with the pain of losing children, family, on the other hand you are satisfied that at least once someone that is doing wrong, is getting robbed.

A secondary story is running in the backgrounds. Willis as a cop/negotiator/specialist, who once lost a child's life at negotiations, still trying to get over this. (How obvious) he will fall into this scene again. This time the bad people also pressing to his family. I thought there was an unwritten rule that you cannot be a negotiator/specialist AND have a family. Because they will always find them and press on your feelings for them. So no surprises here, in this piece. Obviously they press on soft spot that Willis has for the family and make him bend the rules a bit with the rescue.

The piece is a solid action. No special surprises. Willis as always, wins the game, wins the dame and rescues everybody. And the bad guys get wasted. Or die in the process. The three burglars end up dead after their little game. The "FBI" people don't get hurt in a deep sense. But the director gives a good feeling of corruption in their ranks, as you watch this piece.

A good Sunday entertainment and action. As said, always a pleasure watch Willis in one of the "Die Hard" roles. Unfortunately, there is only one Die Hard. Even in that fourology (or were there already five?), well, the first two are the best, after all they lose their breath when they breed to number 3,4.


My personal rating: 6,0 (a solid, action-full, entertaining piece. No real depth, but a good action rating).


Hostage on IMDB

Spanglish, 2004

Spanglish, 2004
Director: James L. Brooks
Cast: Tea Leoni, Adam Sandler, Paz Vega



Stage: Home Theatre, TV selection of the week


Spanglish in short:John Clasky is a devoted dad whose skills as a chef have offered his family a very upscale life, including a summer home in Malibu and a breathtaking new Mexican housekeeper, named Flor. She and her daughter Cristina have recently emigrated to L.A. from Mexico and are trying to find a better life. When they move in with the Claskys for the summer, Flor has to fight for her daughter's soul as she discovers that life in a new country is perilous!


Preps: Wanted to see this several times, because I was told it was a good one. Never had the opportunity until now.


Reality: mmmm, music by Hans Zimmer, one of my favourites. The music is really good, although in this piece doesn't have the same value as in several where his music is really put on the pedestal. But it gives the movie a romantic sense and touch, so you feel quite safe and loveable while it poses down your veins.
The second surprise is the duet Tea Leoni and Adam Sandler. As I saw Sandler in some movies, he strikes me more of a family romance type of movie. Or a "chick" movie per se. Which means that this should be his genre and definitely feels very comfortable in the shoes of a modern guy that gets a good looking girl at the end, as a reward for being a good guy. As oppose to his wife, who screws it up and finds herself alone and miserable.

The funny part of the story is tackled right at the beginning. Being a maid and serve for a family that doesn't understand a word you are saying (and vice versa) gives a playground for many funny scenes so the director really took good advantage of those. Plus, all of those scenes are really easy to penetrate into your mind and make you laugh. The beauty of the new maid gives a flashy add on to those scenes and at the end you are just waiting for the chemistry to happen. I might add that during the movie you don't really have the feeling of some attractions going on between the two.
On the opposite side, we have a battle between a poor mum that loves her child and a rich mom that wants the best and needs to buy it. Something we see in Desperate housewifes developed to the last bit :) But in this case, there are serious disputes, deriving from the limits that poor people have, regarding education, home supplies, modern devices, etc. And the influence that these can have on a child. A good ground for you to think about it and what would you do if you were in her shoes.

The jump into this story serves as basis for university entry from the only child the spanish maid has. And the story how her mother was her biggest influence and inspiration. Sort of a tribute to mum. Therefore, all of mothers that are dying to get praised by their children, are definitely a target audience for this piece. And the message, that there is no love like mother's love, shines through.


My personal rating: 6,5 (a solid romantic piece about making a better future. Or to reason with the teenage child, if that is even possible).


Spanglish on IMDB

While you were sleeping, 1995

While you were sleeping, 1995
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman, Peter Gallagher


Stage: Home theatre, TV selection


While you were sleeping in short: Lucy's life consists of constant loneliness that is until she saves Peter's life. Now she is a part of his family, and with a strong heart and fate on her side, others begin to realize what a terrific person she is, especially Jack, Peter's brother. An extraordinarily true-to-life sequence of events begin to take place as Lucy and Jack become closer and learn more about each other and themselves than one would ever expect from such coincidental, yet believable events.



Preps: wow, a wonderful surprise on a Thursday evening. I adore Sandra and also Pullman. I saw this piece a few times and it makes me dream away every time.


Reality: As always, not dissappointed. The storyline is interesting, the philosophy behind it even more. How far are you going with things you make up and where do you choose to have the limit? Especially if you are as sad and yearning for love and someone to love (and that would love you back). So she makes something small up which afterwards comes up to a giant fat lie she can't back away from. She grows into the heart of his family, she plays the game until she falls in love with the brother. After that still plays the game. Do women really want to be comfortable until the very last breath?
The charade is really fun to watch and I love the witty scenes and the confusion she brings with her intelligent statements. Also the side role of her friend in the building that proposes to her constantly, is really intriguing.
Setting is placed around Christmas, the perfect time you can forgive her for making things up. The perfect time to be with the family and ones you love. You can easily feel with a person that is all alone, working on Christmas. So with the personification of the viewer, a bit of romance, fluffy yearning.. and the director wins the homerun.
Can you give me any reason I shouldn't marry your brother?, she asks Pullman. What would be the answer if he told her he loves her? Then the charade of the wedding, family love, etc, would vanish and she would be stuck with her conscience. The mixup at the wedding scene is really touching. We all need to confess our sins, especially if they are mixing with other people, influencing other people's feelings. The proposal at the ticket station is so romantic it really makes your heart turn a bit mushy. Life doesn't always turn out the way you planned.


My personal rating: 7,0 (a solid romantic comedy. You will love it, especially if you are fond of family way of living and are cheering for happy endings).


While you were sleeping on IMDB

Le Concert, 2009

Le Concert, 2009
Director: Rado Mihaileanu
Cast: Aleksey Guskov, Melanie Laurent, Dmitri Nazarov



Stage: Home theatre, early morning on a morning I couldn't sleep, cultural holiday. Maybe the best beginning of such a day with some culture in the piece.


Le Concert in short: Thirty years ago, Andrei Simoniovich Filipov, the renowned conductor of the Bolshoi orchestra, was fired for hiring Jewish musicians. Now a mere cleaning man at the Bolshoi, he learns by accident that the Châtelet Theater in Paris invites the Bolshoi orchestra to play there. He decides to gather together his former musicians and to perform in Paris in the place of the current Bolshoi orchestra. As a solo violin player to accompany his old Jewish or Gypsy musicians he wants Anne-Marie Jacquet, a young virtuoso. If they all overcome the hardships ahead this very special concert will be a triumph.



Preps: Heard many great reviews about this piece, yet never came to its place on my perfect night. Now I have a perfect morning, the dawn of our national cultural holiday to celebrate with this piece.



Reality: An extraordinary piece, touched me to my heart and soul. Besides miraculous music, also great interpretation and great story. Reminds me somehow of a hungarian movie I saw a while ago, however that piece consisted on the dancing (maiden danced to death .. ). This one consists on music and bringing back virtually dead people to live again on stage.

The real story is about revealing real parents to a young talented violinist and telling her the story about her life as it really is. The parallel story is about getting some rusted russian players (concert players, artists) to perform again, with a real attitude, in Paris, the centre of culture (up to a russian standard, obviously also to the rest of the world). Numerous funny scenes happen inbetween, the russians somehow manage to assemble themselves and fly to Paris, however once they are in the city, they get loose of their strings, per se. Which means they act less serious than ever and don't really have in mind they came here to perform to a crowd of critics and eager people.

The movie has a genuine depressive drama mode, accompanied with the mindset of a true russian, as presented here - some would say even balcan way of thinking (we would call it "lako čemo" or we will get by). Which means that the real artists like this violinist would never perform with such a crowd of sheep for the lack of respect and interest in such barbarians. Still, somehow, the dramatic effect of the first subtle story about someone reaching to the parents and this clown artist story on the other hand, somehow collide in a superb concert they manage to deliver at last.
The final scene is breathtaking and makes it worth staying behind the screen until the movie lasts. It touches your innerself and makes your body shiver. The music collides with the feelings and the confession or the real story, which is told inbetween. Brilliant piece, in term of seeking something that touches you deeply.

Now, can IRL some people just go to the airport and print some passports, or on the other hand, can they deliver an excellent concert without practising at all? I really doubt. The movie is also filled with subtle hints how russian (or eastern) people are supposed to be and brings a dark spotlight upon them. I doubt things are really like this, however, if we see too many movies on this topic made in the same way, we might consider this to be the truth. Similar with our prejudice towards some US citizen (because of some movies that show them more stupid as I really think they are). So in some sense, this movie is humiliating the attitude towards russian nation and some eastern nations as a whole. Still, I got to laugh quite a bit. You will, too.

Some hindback for me; it's a russian movie, I saw it with spanish subtitles. I am not as fluent in spanish as in english or german, still, I got it all. But do yourself a favour and download english subtitles. Most of the jokes will be funny instantly, not after one minute (once I got them :)


My personal rating: 8,0 (a splendid piece, worthy seeing on a cultural holiday. I love the story and I love the outcome. the music will rock your bones).


Le concert on IMDB

Girl, Interrupted, 1999

Girl, Interrupted, 1999
Director: James Mangold
Cast: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Whoopi Goldberg



Stage: Home theatre, late Sunday night


Girl, Interrupted in short: Susanna is rushed to the hospital. Afterwards she discusses this with a psychiatrist. She had been having some delusions. She had also been having an affair with the husband of her parents' friend. The doctor suggests that combining a bottle of aspirin and a bottle of vodka was a suicide attempt. This she denies. He recommends a short period of rest at Claymoore. Claymoore is a private mental hospital full of noisy, crazy people. Georgina is a pathological liar. Polly has been badly scarred by fire. Daisy won't eat in the presence of other people. Lisa is a sociopath, the biggest exasperation for the staff - like Nurse Valerie - and the biggest influence on the other girls in the hospital. Lisa has a history of escapes, so gaining access to personal medical files is not a problem... Susanna's boyfriend Toby is concerned that she seems too comfortable living with her institutionalized friends.


Preps: Angelina got an oscar for this piece. Winona was nominated, I think. Something I haven't seen before and definitely need to see it. It's an oldie, but I think I might like it. The trailer tells me it's the topic that interests me.


Reality: Narrator (Winona) begins with.. "Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted"

Winona is right. Sometimes you need to go a bit crazy to understand the real world. Where else do you submit to be analyzed and cured at an institution which doesn't want to give you a leave or let you go. It's a bit sad watching how an institution can influence a sane person (or at least turn someone with a few weird characteristics into a complete looney). A place, where sane people are kept because they tread on the system, and sick ones are left home, where they cut their veins and keep chicken in the fridge to please the father that's raping them.

The movie will strike you with the reality of the scenes and the horror it might pose down your bloodstream. You are terrified to find yourself once in a place like this and you need to think out of the box to convey the message. If you are placed in an institution, lie because otherwise you won't escape :)
To be quite honest, this must be one of the best Angelina Jolie's casts. I adored her also in the Changeling - the serious role of a mother that loses a child. I think that serious drama movies fit her better than action movies. Yes, she's a hot chick, but appereantly she can contribute much more to the cause than just a nice ass and hot lips. So use her in those roles, instead of only action Lara Croft figures! :) (Maybe action brings more money, I don't know. But I have grown a deep respect for her in drama casts).

Winona is superb also. I just love the dialogue these two "more sane" women are having all the time and the adventures they are a part of being kept in a looney house. It devastates my mind to think about the impact you have on your soul, if you are working in a place like this. The scenery is superb, the dialogues are witty and intelligent, the music brings /adds on, where necessary.

The movie is more than worth seeing. It's worth thinking about it and the limit you are willing to admit (to yourself and to others), what is a sane person and what an insane looks (feels, thinks) like. When are we insane and aren't we all in certain moments? Should we all be locked or would the locking benefit to our image of ourselves at some point? Winona after a while doesn't want to leave the institution that she took shelter in. The same I have at home, she says and refuses to leave.
As if we build the cage we are caught in. And are our own prisoners, keepers and managers.

P.s. Exclusively nice to see Whoopi Goldberg, even though it's a relatively old movie.


My personal rating: 8,0 (a splendid show-off of lunecy vs. sanity. And a superb cast. You will enjoy the two dames in their prime roles. Plus, have fun with the dialogues and looney actions.)


Girl, Interrupted on IMDB

Bringing down the house, 2003

Bringing down the house, 2003
Director: Adam Shankman
Cast: Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Eugene Levy



Stage: home theatre, Sunday evening, randomly chosen


Bringing down the house in short: Peter Sanderson is a divorced, straight-laced, uptight attorney who still loves his ex-wife and can't figure out what he did wrong to make her leave him. However, Peter's trying to move on, and he's smitten with a brainy, bombshell barrister he's been chatting with online. However, when she comes to his house for their first face-to-face, she isn't refined, isn't Ivy League, and isn't even a lawyer. Instead, it's Charlene, a prison escapee who's proclaiming her innocence and wants Peter to help her clear her name. But Peter wants nothing to do with her, prompting the loud and shocking Charlene to turn Peter's perfectly ordered life upside down, jeopardizing his effort to get back with his wife and woo a billion dollar client.


Preps: well, nothing more exciting to do on a Sunday night, plus I am a bit tired. This was on my list a while ago, however I need something sweet and relaxing. I know this one will be no brainer for my cells.


Reality: Well, true to the last bit. It is no brainer. You need no cells to burn. Easy and simple to understand, filled with some sit com moments, no smart laughing, but fun.
It's amazing how Queen Latifah can wear so many clothes in such various colours, that would never fit a rounded lady, but she looks hot in them. I could call this a special Queen Latifah genre, as these movies that contain her, are very similar. She is either a cop, a detective, a baby sitter, a criminal(name the profession), she always has a guy besides (more or less attractive) and makes a "cool" impression. You get to learn the cool vibes, the cool language.. so you feel equipped to go under the hood and in one of those districts.

As said from starters, it's not a specifically intelectual piece. And it's not even trying to be. It has the energy and the moves, it has the good music that makes you want to dance all night long and it has humour that relaxes you. Plus, in this perticular piece we have the privilege to see Dear John again, which is also the plus of it. I haven't seen this guy ever since, so I am quite excited about this.
Now, being Queen Latifah is something, but trying to copy her is another. This is why Martin looks like an idiot when trying to do it. Joan Plowright from The Golden Girls is another addition to this movie and she casts a strange old lady that is a good flavour to this movie.

It gives second thoughts to our prejudice we carry in our inside. Are people really what they seem to be or is it on us to discover their innerself, may it be good or bad. And how much that prejudice influences our decisions? Would a lawyer from a good family really take a convict under his roof? Don't really think so. Would this same person really change everything he knows or stood for? Also, not really likely. But in this piece, it is shown in the most humorous way. As I am against most of movies Queen Latifah plays in for the same reason (find the humour really stupid and underestimating to the viewer), I need to admit that this piece is above the average in this made-up genre. Entertaining, but not really profound.


My personal grade: 5,0 ( a cute comedy to have on a Sunday night).


Bringing on IMDB

Panic room, 2002

Panic room, 2002
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart, Forest Whitaker




Stage: Home TV, late Saturday selection


Panic room in short: Recently divorced Meg Altman and her daughter Sarah have bought a new home in New York. On their tour around the mansion, they come across the panic room. A room so secure, that no one can get in. When three burglars break in, Meg makes a move to the panic room. But all her troubles don't stop there. The criminals know where she is, and what they require the most in the house is in that very room.



Preps: Hm. I have seen this piece at the movies in 2002, I liked it. Now I see it has Kristen Stewart, known for vampire saga Twilight as a beautiful Bella. Here I need to see her as a child.


Reality: Wow, beautiful Bella once really was a child. Here as Jodie Foster's diabetic daughter, she gains my confidence in her act. She was developing at that time, but least I see she has been working hard from the beginning (same thing as Drew Barrymore, for instance, starting off with ET.

Now, the Panic room is a perfect shelter for people that don't get excited in closed spaces. Ironically enough, Jodie Foster plays someone that really doesn't like closed rooms, nor supervision through cameras. An unusual story, where some leftovers are hidden after the last owner and aren't taken away quick enough. This is why the burglars come to claim the property, not knowing the house has been sold in the mean time and even more, has now new owners, actually living in the house. The threesome is amusing, showing underappreciation towards burglars. Maybe Finches' own fears or attempt to teach us about how things should be in this world. I doubt that most burglars come as a)fathers that want to give their son the best they can; b)really stupid coleric individuals that don't think two cm below their dicks or c) that they meet at the scene of the job with an armed really weird individual.

In any sense, the movie has a temper and energy, it will keep you high all the time and you will feel the need to ask yourself about the reality these characters are showing. Is it really impossible to get into the safe room? The only way to make the viewer believe is if you make an expert part of the burglar team, namely one that builds such cages. Even if the goal is to prevent burglars from getting into one of those.
Also, some tweeks, I don't buy. You just don't get your hand caught by steel doors and it is still there. It should be cut off. Maybe the choice of director to avoid 18+ rating. And some others.. barefeet people running on the glass not getting hurt is one of them. Hitting a man so hard and him still being conscious, another.. And a lot more. Still, a good showoff of what it might happen somewhere if..

The ending is a bit romantic and could be done a bit differently to get the tention to the peak, not to release it. I claim it to be a fairly good choice of a Sat night movie. It will make you think what would you do if you were in their shoes.


My personal grade: 6,0 (solid proof of concept for a Saturday night. Will get your blood running a bit faster. And you will rehearse the SOS code again :)


Panic room on IMDB

War Horse, 2011

War Horse, 2011
Director: Steven Spielberg
Cast: Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis


Stage: Home theatre.


War horse in short: Dartmoor,1914: To his wife's dismay farmer Narracott buys a thoroughbred horse rather than a plough animal but his teenaged son Albert trains the horse and calls him Joey,the two becoming inseparable. When his harvest fails the farmer has to sell Joey to the British cavalry and he is shipped to France where,after a disastrous offensive he is captured by the Germans and changes hands twice more before he is found,caught in the barbed wire in No Man's Land four years later and freed,due to a bizarre truce. He is returned behind British lines where Albert,now a private,has been temporarily blinded by gas but still recognises his beloved Joey. However as the Armistice is declared Joey is set to be auctioned off. After all they have been through will Albert and Joey return home together?



Preps: One of the hot ones at the movies, got some recommendations and am anxious to see it.



Reality: This must be one of the more touching movies I have seen in a while. I cannot remember crying like this from Lassie, or some similar movies.
In any case, the scenery is fascinating. Is UK really that beautiful? I need to see it desperately! The beginning of the movie is harsh and realistic. They really didn't have money to get through life and couldn't afford anything. Still, this beautiful horse comes in the story as the fresh mint in your breath. Gives energy to that family and makes miracles. Miraclous horse, they say. Agree. I am a fan of animals, not really horses per se, but you fall in love with this one, when seeing this piece. You need to love this horse and Spielberg took care of the bond somewhere in the beginning of the movie.
By the way, the movie starts off with the most beautiful music, probably carefully chosen for this piece and it follows us within the movie all the way. Love it!!
Also, the novel that was the base for this piece, is written by a young novelist Michael Morpungo. Spielgerg got excited with the piece, in 2007 it had a theatre screening and he was figuring out how to get this piece on true screen. Now, in the real style of Finding Private Ryan, a good remake of this spectacle.

The main drive with the movie in my eyes, is the feeling of the horse. I got my eyes wet every time I saw torture of the horses, being dragged into a war. Especially this stallion and his black friend. I am not really a fan of scenes like this, but I am realistic also and know that millions of horses died while people were fighting for any kind of cause in the WW. It stroke me several times with the ruthness the sides in WW had and the cruelty they have shown towards all, people and animals.

One of the best scenes is saving Joey from the front, being caught by a nasty fighting fence. While two soldiers from opposite sides (english and german) cut the fence from a horse, they almost get friendly. A sad story. A lot of people were dragged into the war without them wanting it. In this piece, a lot of young warriors are shown, with terrified fearful look in their eyes, before they go to fight. They need to go, other way they will be shot. Terrible. This is not human. And yet, I understand, this is the way it was.

The story of this brave horse is a breath taking one, wrapping your love and heart into a bundle and if you are a softy as I am, it will definitely make you cry. I loved it, I deeply recommend it.


My personal grade: 9,0 (beautiful, just beautiful. I would cut down the scenes from the battle, but this is merely personal. Without them it wouldn't be so real and harsh. I can only applaude to Spielberg).


War Horse on IMDB

Single White Female 2: The Psycho,2005

Single White Female 2, The Psycho, 2005
Director: Keith Samples
Cast: Kristen Miller, Allison Lange, Todd Babcock


Stage: Home theatre, late Friday night


SWF in short: In New York, the PRs colleagues and roommates Holly Parker and Jan Lambert are disputing a promotion in their agency. The unethical Jan deceives Holly and sends her to Chicago; meanwhile, she seduces Holly's boyfriend David Kray, in the opening of the fancy restaurant of his own, and they have one night stand. When Holly arrives back home, she finds that David cheated her with Jan, and she decides to move to a new apartment. She schedules a visit with the needy Tess Kositch, and they become roommates and friends. When Tess cuts and dyes her hair identical to Holly's style, she sees that her new roommate is obsessed on her. When Holly follows Tess to the underground night-club "Sin", she realizes that the girl is deranged. But Tess wants to be her friend and put Holly out misery, eliminating her former bad friends.


Preps: None in perticular. Wow, part deux. I did like the first part, it's a good horror movie. What more do they have in stock?


Reality: Bad. Worse. If you saw the first part, you will be dissappointed. It's like seeing Cruel Intentions, which comes up to a fairly decent piece, and after that Cruel Intentions 2, which is a bad remake and your eyes hurt when seeing this piece.
Now, the story isn't something new. You have a roommate which copies everything her friend does, from hair colour, to the dressing, make-up, etc.
In the first movie the movie starts without pre-story. In this case, the first third is dedicated to two career chasing women which are arguing about an account and afterall in a dirty game they win it.
The true remake begins, when one of these two ladies moves out, because of a betrayal. Now the real comparison can begin. Up to this point the movie is somewhere on the range of Legally blonde, and nothing more. This is supposed to be a horror movie, but it's very far from that. I am amazed that they picked two gorgeous actresses, obviously the guy they are chasing as the account is also gorgeous. In the first run (first third) you really get this competitive edge, that most people are facing when chasing a career.
The next level should be an upgrade to the SWF 1, but it's really quite the opposite. It is truly underestimating the viewer, if you are demanding, because you demand more, on the basis of SWF1. If you watch SWF 2 independent, you might even like it, it looks like a teenage horror movie and it has some nice and romantic scenes that are tailored to the mind of a teenager. The love scenes seem vague and without energy. The two friends just make up after the deed that split them apart, in an elevator? This might have been invented by a male person. Women just don't forgive in a second, not a betrayal by a friend who you lived with.

Another question that this movie poses but doesn't answer is the limit of friendship. How far do you go with your girlfriend, in sense of copying, renting clothes, etc. Plus, it has a really weird turnover, when we find out that the prudent roommate is a sexual slave. Hm. Doesn't fit in the profile. Or it could, if the director took this turn and exploited this situation a bit more. As it is, it doesn't contribute to the movie at all.

In any case, I cannot claim it's a waste of time. Not a horror, anyway, but if you never saw SWF 1 you won't come up with the same expectations as I had when trying to watch this. for all of those that think SWF is a good one, don't watch this one, because you will be dissappointed. I was.


My personal score: 5,5 (can't decide. Don't really recommend this but it is appropriate, if you sell it to your teenage kids as a horror :)


SWF on IMDB