Gone, baby, gone, 2007

Gone, Baby, Gone, 2007
Director: Ben Affleck
Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, John Ashton



Stage: Home TV selection


Gone in short: When 4 year old Amanda McCready disappears from her home and the police make little headway in solving the case, the girl's aunt Beatrice McCready hires two private detectives Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro. The detective freely admit that they have little experience with this type of case, but the family wants them for two reasons - they're not cops and they know the tough Boston neighborhood in which they all live. As the case progresses, Kenzie and Gennaro face drug dealers, gangs and pedophiles. When they are about to solve their case, they are faced with a moral dilemma that could tear them apart.


Preps: I have seen this at the movies already and I liked it a lot. A good drama, thriller, if you like. Morgan Freeman is one reason to see this. 


Reality: I believe movies about serious kidnapping of a child or a teenager and police chasing this or detectives, are always a promise to success. However this isn't enough. I am just claiming that as in romantic comedies, when you have a cute couple, the movie has a better chance to succeed than if you have a really ugly cast - the same thing here. The story can do the trick. Now, we know a lot of stories on this topic. What makes winners really win and what obstacle haven't losers thought of?

We have several hot shots in the oven. Firstly, Ben Affleck, one of his first directing acts. Luckily we only have him on the director's seat and not in the cast. Noone (ok, I give this to Clint Eastwood and some others) can't do both. Secondly, cast. Morgan Freeman, to start with. He makes these investigations and everything obscene in the movies as if you had a big godfather looking down to us and giving us fatherly advice when we are lost.

Two really young detectives, a couple, is on a quest and takes us through the background of the story, to the mortal endings and really filthy people that they scratch from beneath the surface. The aim in my opinion is only one, to really make the audience relate to the story and wish their children would never fall in the hands of such villains. I believe Affleck emphasizes this to the point where you are really appalled by everything that can happen to this four year old Amanda, i.e. to your kid. And where you are on the field with the detectives, trying to figure what happened and where is the young lady.

Normally I wouldn't expect such a connection between private detectives and police. I buy it in this case.
The music covers the fearsome parts of the piece and is carefully chosen. The scenario is well driven, some dialogues are a bit clumsy, but all in all, I am eating it from the beginning from the end like my favourite cheese from the plate.


My personal rating: 8,0 ( a strong piece on kidnapping. Morgan Freeman on godfather role. Action, thriller. Worth seeing and thinking about).


Gone, Baby, Gone on IMDB

Deep Impact, 1998

Deep Impact, 1998
Director: Mimi Leder
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Robert Duvall, Tea Leoni, Elijah Wood


Stage: Home theatre, late TV selection

Deep Impact in short: A teenage astronomer and his teacher discover an object amongst the stars at night. Little do they know that it's a comet on a direct collision course for earth. After the teacher dies in a car crash trying to report his findings the President announces the comet's existence. He also states that there is no need to panic, because NASA is going to send astronauts on the space mission, Messiah. Their mission is to destroy the comet before it gets too close to the earth. When Messiah backfires, the President announces that special caves will have to be built, and the government will have to have a lottery-of-fate to randomly select 800,000 ordinary American citizens to go along with 200,000 scientists, soldiers, and other officials. These 1,000,000 people will be set aside to save the population from extinction when the comet hits.

Preps: Hm, isn't this one of the "The earth will be destroyed unless" clones? I am not sure.


Reality: Yep, I am right. I remember now, when the plot comes thru the first scenes. I have seen this one before. It's a special genre, if it would exist for real, several very notorious movies would fit into this. Because they all describe the same thing, fear of all fears. This time not in shape of alien, but in shape of a comet (meteor), usually found by one weird scientist, then making all the world upside down. The first and maybe the one with most lovely actors, in this sense, would be Armageddon, surprisingly enough made in the same year. Who copied from who, remains the question. Because Deep Impact is virtually very similar to Armageddon or vice versa. But doesn't have the famous cast as the Armageddon has. Nevertheless, Deep Impact in comparison, holds a few plus points - for instance: the stories before the comet appears and the parallel stories about relationships, that go very deep (in comparison with Willis's ship). Surprise from viewer's perspective, and refreshing, anyway. In some deep imagination I would guess that most of the viewers just are anxious to see the impact or the rescue mission itself and the vaporization. They don't really care what the relationships between people in this story are. Just the mere wolfy observation of the impact would be enough. And can drive powerful enough.
In this case, you are dragged into various relationships and traumas the people going on the mission (or reporting about it) are having from the past. And the way some of it is resolved up to a point. Tea Leoni seems to have the last quote here, but I would rather not spend any money on trying to make journalist profession not a voulter one. It is such and any time spent on persuasing audience it isn't so, is a long gone investment. Beside the point, we are talking about extinction and therefore it doesn't fit into yellow journalism anyway. Why bring up the honour and pride (or commitment to the public must know dogma)?

In any case, case closed at the end of the day, humankind solved, heroes (again US and Russian - how predictable :( No extra adventure or fun here.


My personal rating: 4,0 (some entertainment and a good start. Also like the side part of the movie, when you wipe the impact out :)

Deep Impact on IMDB

Seven, 1995

Seven, 1995
Director: David Fincher
Cast: Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey, Gwyneth Paltrow


Stage: Home cinema, TV selection on a nice Saturday Evening

Seven in short: A film about two homicide detectives' desperate hunt for a serial killer who justifies his crimes as absolution for the world's ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The movie takes us from the tortured remains of one victim to the next as the sociopathic "John Doe" sermonizes to Detectives Sommerset and Mills -- one sin at a time. The sin of Gluttony comes first and the murderer's terrible capacity is graphically demonstrated in the dark and subdued tones characteristic of film noir. The seasoned and cultured Sommerset researches the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to understand the killer's modus operandi while green Detective Mills scoffs at his efforts to get inside the mind of a killer...
Preps: Hm.. n'th time to be seeing this. So good I cannot dare to miss it again, even though it's a tv version.


Reality: One of Fincher's most remarkable pieces. I absolutely adore the storyline and the disgusting tone he's following. Pitt brilliantly playing the rookie, Freeman also brilliant in the role of retiring cop. Paltrow one of the side roles, still remains true to the idea of the movie. The murders follow a pattern, still are exceeding each time with the evil note they possess. I have seen several similar case studies involving several murders, after all this is a grateful genre with a wide range of audience, however this one somehow reminds of the Silence of the Lambs in its evilness and making the viewer respect the murderer's actions - in a sense, I am not able to say he's punishing the wrong people. I just disagree with the idea that he is the mesia, taking God's hand into his own. Or justice, for all the atheists like me.
When Spacey is revealed, this is mere a cherry on the top of a pile of delicious fruit. It draws attention even more to the other side, making me respect the mind of someone so vicious and dangerous. The last deed is indeed the most vicious and psychological the hardest one to take into your system and you are just waiting for Pitt to explode in the last scene. Scenery carefully chosen, dialogues are leading to perfection. Some of dark humour involved, especially in the family atmosphere scenes (when Freeman comes to Pitt's home and meets the wife). Seeing the soft side of the rookie is somehow entertaining, however it brings the emotional part to the movie and attaches the viewer also to Paltrow, which was obviously the purpose to see the last scene in the most emot spirit ever.

There are several overachievers in the business, Seven seems to be one of them. In my opinion, one of the best movies in the genre, difficult to miss with its many repetitions. Also, remarkable flow of the cast at the end - vice versa as it was supposed to be. Finally, remark about the music. If you don't notice it during the piece, you will be surely surprised in the defilee - the last words coming out of director's mouth.


My personal rating: 9,5 (absolutely a must see)
Seven on IMDB

The Bucket List, 2007

The Bucket List, 2007
Director: Rob Reiner
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson




Stage: Home theatre
The Bucket List in short: Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers have nothing in common except for their terminal illnesses. While sharing a hospital room together, they decide to leave it and do all the things they have ever wanted to do before they die according to their bucket list. In the process, both of them heal each other, become unlikely friends, and ultimately find the joy in life.



Preps: I have seen this once or twice, a good piece. Nicholson is the reason to make me watch it again. The same goes for Freeman. Nothing but energy could be deriving from these two.



Reality: Now, what is the thing you will do if you think or believe you only have six months to go? I have created some philosophical dilemmas prior to this post regarding several movies that play with the philosophy. The idea is strong and will make you think about how you indulge your everyday life and if you get out of it more than you give into it.

Where would you go, what would you do? The two newly fresh friends make a journey beyond the imagination. Every person in this world would go into something like this. The images are fascinating, the imagination goes wild when watching. But. Yes, there's always a but. You need loads of money to make this true. Billions of people can just remain dreaming about it. Therefore, beside giving crazy ideas about how you can invest into free time and the wonders of the world you can see.. well, it's definitely stunning. But all in all.. the idea, the thin red line of the movie as I see it, is make every day count.

The movie is filled with fresh, ironic approach, the true gift of Nicholson. Freeman ads somehow divine approach to coping with things and voila.. you have a perfectly watchable and pleasant piece. No sudden expectations, solid humour and a short trip around the world that will make you want to take it at once.



My personal rating: 7,0 ( a good piece that will make you rethink the way you lead your normal life. Needless to say, you don't need to wait for the deadly disease to make every day count).


The Bucket List on IMDB

The Code, 2009

The Code, 2009
Director: Mimi Leder
Cast: Rade Serbedzija, Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas


The Code in short: A veteran thief recruits a younger crook to help him pull off one final job in order to repay his debt to the Russian mob.


Stage:home theatre
Preps: again one of those, standing in line, striving to get the attention. I see Morgan Freeman in lead cast and I am satisfied, I simply adore the man. I wonder what the latest achievement is, so the curiosity drives my attention.



Reality: Hm, first a surprise. I have it (the movie) under Thick as Thieves. WTF is the Code? And why? Is this even the same movie? Curiosity drives me to go ahead with the piece. It resembles the best of Mission Impossible, some russian spy movies and some great theft movies. Hence the title, Thick as Thieves. Banderas as a thief that you can lick your fingers upon - based on his expertise, and Freeman, as one of the most haunted criminals (thieves) ever.. joining forces to steal something impossible to steal.

The movie is filled with witty dialogues, amazing impossible scenes, some unreal and others to admire, what some people are capable of ( I mean those in real business ;)
The power of money is exposed, passing the limits one would go over just to get more of it in his wallet. And on the other hand, some philosophical dilemmas. Are you supposed to have a spouse, if you are a shooting target? Is a modern Robin Hood more or less the villain the genuine Robin Hood was? Last, but not least - how come all the "impossible to break in" - vaults have a movie way to get into them.. a lot of material to think about and the movie is already over. Good Sunday entertainment, but nothing really beyond this.



One of the best quotes:
Keith Ripley: Some people were born to compose music. Others to split the atom. I was born to steal shit.


My personal rating: 7,0 (a pretty decent piece, and good to see Morgan Freeman and Banderas again, in not such bad roles - maybe they could think a bit more about their mutual energy before going into some scenes - because the cast in some of them is truly awful.)


The Code on IMDB

Invictus, 2009

Invictus, 2009. Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon


Short synopsis: Nelson Mandela, in his first term as the South African President, initiates a unique venture to unite the apartheid-torn land: enlist the national rugby team on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup


Stage: home theatre

Pre-phase: the new Eastwood wave inspires me to see the movie regardless of the cast, scenario, etc. The name is enough. Seeing the topic (or the trailer), I am convinced, I am going to see at least half of Mandela's biography or at least an important part of his life. A political then, I think. Rivalry, competition, bribes, etc. Classic political. I couldn't be more mistaken, as the movie is something completely else.

Reality:
Eastwood dances with both separated parts of complete nation of South Africa, divided by apartheid and fighting amongst each other. In an attempt to solve this, a "devine" hand is given, in shape of Nelson Mandela, beautifully performed by Morgan Freeman. I am a bit lost in the weird english that is used at first, however it seems pretty much genuine and you get used to it. Despite the fact that I really expected a political saga (and in this way also the movie begins), Eastwood tricks his way through the most frequently used tool to connect nations, I suppose - sports. In this case rugby. The quest for winning the championship overruns the complete movie and represents the mainframe for the spectator as the perfect way to make people happy and neglect everyday problems. It glorifies the efect of sport to the nation and at least for a second or two you can sense the nation unified.


Some of my key "grande" thoughts when watching this..
Is sports truly the way to handle a nation's tolerance among the people? (from the president's perspective) Or is just like in roman times, when you need some bread and games to make the crowd happy not to see everyday worries.. in a sense I can see the similar thing happening in my homeland, with the football and basketball euphoria. Or in the last two months, the glorification of winter sports and unifying the nation in front of tv and celebrating in the streets. In some cases also I am not an exception to this charming happinness. Maybe it's the simplest way for the leading party in the pairlament to catch some votes. In my country, sadly enough, we only want to stand behind sports when they are doing splendid. The point is.. if we think of Mandela, do you really suppose he would cast his votes this way? Invictus is a movie, based on true story. During the movie, I am thinking constantly, which president would really take the time and come and cheer for the team, come to the practice, invite the captain of the team for a cup of tea. On the other hand, it was our head of pairlament that cleaned the shoes of our football team when they won and entered world championships (ironically - also in South Africa).

I believe that many people will find the movie inspiring. In my country also, the happening in the movie could be easily transported or also applied to balkan countries in general.

Morgan is working magic with his performance, also Damon has one of his better rolls. I still cannot get rid of the feeling that I wanted to see more of Nelson Mandela, not just a fanatic rugby fan. The energy within the movie is somehow similar to the one, made in "Remember the Titans". And also the ending. I have to remind myself, that is based on the true facts. And that Invictus, by the way, means unconquered. A poem, written by William Ernest Henley, that inspired Mandela during his prison time to change his perspectives.

More reviews on the movie: http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2009-12-10-invictus10_ST_N.htm

I am sure you will like the concluding tunes, president thinking to himself..
I am the captain of the beat,
I am the master of my soul.


My personal rating: 6,5 (enjoyable). + some of the match scenes on big screen take your breath away. Still makes me wonder, why do this to oneself and one's body (rugby I mean) :)

p.s. IMDB peak: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/