Tobruk

Tobruk was the story of a regiment of Czechoslovakian soldiers fighting the Nazis in North Africa inspired by Stephen Crane's novel "The Red Badge of Courage".

This film had very good production values: great cinematography, great direction, great set design. But what the film lacked was a good story. The movie was very slow and in the middle of the film it seemed to completely change which character it would focus on. The film starts with new recruits being brought to North Africa. One man, Lieberman, suffers from some initial hazing because he is a Jew. The first half of the film focuses on him, but then about half way, the focus changes to Lieberman's friend without giving much description to who this character is. Like I said, the story was very slow. The soldiers trained, were sent to the front lines, and then for the majority of the movie they were hunkered down in the trenches not saying much to each other. The film was 1 hour and 40 minutes, but it felt like a 2 and a half hour movie. Needless to say, Tobruk was not my favorite film in the festival.

My rating: 2 out of 10

Straight to the Bone

The next film that I viewed was entitled Straight to the Bone. The plot of this movie is about a girl who has been with her boyfriend for several years and is ready for him to make a bigger commitment, but he is not ready for that big of a step.

This movie was long and slow. It really seemed to drag on and about halfway through I was already going, "Okay, let's wrap it up." I was impressed to learn, during a Q&A session with the director, that the script of the movie was totally improv. There were some good points in the movie, such as a next door neighbor who completely stole the show anytime he was in a scene. Being that it was improv makes me give a big kudos to the actor. In all, it wasn't a very happy movie...the boyfriend leaves for a weekend trip and the girlfriend goes out with another guy to find some fulfillment in her life. The movie ends with the girl and her first boyfriend still together, but upset at each other and you don't know if they stay together or if they separate. All in all, just wasn't my favorite.

My rating: 2 of 10

Holy Hell

The first film that I went to was called Holy Hell a comedy about a financially struggling church that decides to make a horror film to keep their church afloat. The film was funny because none of the church members were technically qualified to make a film and had no idea what they were doing. The pastor of the church desperately wants the film to work so that the church that he has worked so hard to build will be saved. However, being that the church is making a horror film other Christian organizations are quick to criticize them for trying to market evil. This leads to protesters following the filmmakers wherever they go and bringing national attention to the church's plight.

All around good movie with funny and witty dialog kept the movie going at a good pace. It was interesting in how it portrayed Christian groups. For example, the organization behind the protests comes across as incredibly over-zealous. A pastor of a mega-church is shown to care more about the number of people he can attract. Then there is church trying to make a film to save their small congregation. Another point I found interesting is that the film did not have any "perfect" characters. By that I mean characters that have everything together and are the undisputed good guy (or girl). The filmmakers all are struggling with personal problems and lose sight of the true reason for trying to make a film. The other groups portrayed come across unloving, judgmental, or self-serving. But it is because of that fact that made the film enjoyable.

My rating: 5 out of 10

Austin Film Festival

This week (October 22 -29) is the 16th Annual Austin Film Festival. I have purchased a pass and am geared up for a week of watching films and participating in the festival! Of the movies that I see, I'll give reviews and rate them just like normal! Stay tuned!

The Wolfman

Of all the horror movies that were made in the 1930s and 40s, the one that I remember scaring me the most when I watched it was 1941's The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney, Jr. It's been a while since I have watched it, but I just remember thinking that it was really good. For example, the special effects of having Lon Chaney turn into the Wolf Man was incredible for the time period. I've seen the old Frankenstein and other horror movies such as the Creature from the Black Lagoon movies, but I always thought that The Wolf Man was the one that was truly scary or creepy. Because of that, I was incredibly happy to learn that there is going to be a remake of The Wolf Man that will be released in 2010. It stars Benicio del Toro as Lawrence Talbot/Wolf Man with other big names such as Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving. I saw the trailer and was blown away. It looks like it's going to be awesome!

Here is the trailer:

The Informant!

The Informant! (2009)

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Matt Damon, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale

Rating: R (Language)


This movie was...interesting. I've decided I actually need to see a movie that doesn't have plot twists so I can go a little bit more into detail about it without spoiling it for everyone who hasn't seen it. I didn't expect this movie to be this way, but it was, so I'll do the best I can!

Matt Damon stars as Mark Whitacre, a biochemist for ADM, which is a agricultural company that creates food products. In this true story, Whitacre decides to become a whistleblower after witnessing and being forced to partake in illegal activities. He goes to the FBI with his information and becomes involved in an investigation that soon makes him think that he's in way over his head. Things are going well for the FBI in their investigation until it becomes clear that everything is not what it seems.

In my opinion, the movie didn't quite meet what I was expecting. I was expecting a laugh-out-loud comedy, but it more of a quirky drama. I enjoyed the move, it just wasn't what I thought it would be. What I did find to be hilarious about the film was Whitacre's rambling narration of the film that would come randomly about topics that didn't have much to do with the current scene other than the fact that the situation seemed to trigger a memory in Whitacre's mind. An example is he is in a restaurant, and then in narration, he says: "I saved a guy in a restaurant once...He was choking on a chicken bone and I bent him backwards in his chair to clear his airways. He sends me cards during the holidays....just to say thanks...and tell me what his kids are studying in school."

If you are a fan of movies that contains mostly dry humor, then you would probably enjoy this movie. If not, it might not rank in your top ten. Matt Damon does give a good performance; I must admit it was different seeing him with the added thirty pounds that he put on for the role...not exactly reminiscent of Jason Bourne.

Overall, an okay movie with some humor, that seemed to drag on longer than I thought necessary, and wasn't what I was expecting. Because of that, I rate this movie a 5 out of 10.

Rest in Peace Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze: August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009

Live Action Star Wars TV Show

For a while there have been rumors of a TV series of Star Wars that will run on network television. It seemed that the show might never take off, but at a recent DragonCon, Steve Sansweet, a LucasFilm executive, gave a few details that the Star Wars show is still in the making with writing taking place. According to Sansweet, production should begin in 2010 with the first season airing in 2012.

Obviously, for Star Wars fans everywhere, the thought of a TV show is incredible. It will be interesting though to see how it plays out. It would be a little awkward at first if Luke, Leia, and Han were still in the story because the thought of anyone other than Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford playing these characters would be a little hard to handle. It's for that reason that George Lucas announced that the show would not be centered around the Skywalkers or characters from the films.(E! Online.com) I think this is a smart move and also opens up the possibility for great characters and story lines from the multitude of Star Wars books to get their shot on the screen.

But even though it Star Wars wouldn't be the same without Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, I would still love to see another Star Wars trilogy based on the Grand Admiral Thrawn books! That would be sweet! Thrawn would be an amazing villain not to mention getting to see his elite bodyguards, the Noghri, in action! (By the way, the Thrawn trilogy books are: Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command by Timothy Zahn)

Gladiator and Braveheart on Blu-Ray!

Just learned this exciting piece of info! Two amazing films, Gladiator and Braveheart have both been released on Blu-Ray!! These movies were amazing before but now to be able to see them in the incredible clarity that is Blu-Ray will be a whole new experience! Now just to get a Blu-Ray player....

State of Play

OUT ON DVD TODAY!!

STATE OF PLAY (2009)

Director: Kevin Macdonald

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachael McAdams, Helen Mirren

Rating: PG-13 (some violence, language including sexual references, and brief drug content)





I have anxiously awaited the release of this film! I saw it in theaters and it definitely places in my Top 10. With an ensemble cast comprised of Russell Crowe, Rachael McAdams, Ben Affleck, Helen Mirren, and Robin Wright-Penn, State of Play is an exciting movie that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Plot Summary:

When a member of Congressman Stephen Collins' (Affleck) staff is murdered he launches an investigation into PointCorp, a private defense contractor with controversial dealings. Collins believes that his murdered staff member might have been killed to keep Collins away from PointCorp. Along side Collins' investigation, reporter Cal McCaffrey (Crowe) launches his own investigation into the matter.

This is a great political thriller that kept me guessing through the whole film, therefore, I give it a 7 out of 10.

Movie: Seven Pounds (2008)

Director: Gabriele Muccino

Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson

Rating: PG-13





I watched this movie last night and let me tell you, I was impressed! Seven Pounds has a very interesting story that, unfortunately, I can not say too much about because it will give it away. Will Smith plays Ben Thomas, an IRS agent who when considering a citizen's requests such as granting extensions, etc., will hunt to find out their character. Are they a good person or a bad person? It is evident from flashbacks that Ben has had a troubled past that still upsets him. Ben meets and takes a special interest in Emily Poya (Rosario Dawson), a woman suffering from congenial heart failure and owing the government a large sum of money. Eventually, Ben and Emily begin a relationship together during which, Emily continues to try to find out about Ben's past with Ben still refusing to reveal anything.

This film was very entertaining in how director Gabriele Muccino (who had previously teamed up with Will Smith for The Pursuit of Happyness) weaves the story in a way as to hide Ben's past and why he takes such an interest in the lives of the people he's investigating but still giving hints along the way. The movie also allowed audiences to see Will Smith excellently tap into his emotions to provide a very impassioned performance as the evidently tortured Ben Thomas.

All in all, this film was very well directed and acted. As I said, I wish I could give more detail into the story, but it would ruin the movie. Another aspect of the film that I liked was the coloration. Colors were bright and vibrant, but some colors of the characters were enhanced to characterize a certain aspect of that person. For example, one character is blind. To draw your attention to that fact, his eyes are discolored, but still a very piercing blue that makes them stand out.

My rating for Seven Pounds: 8 out of 10

Intro

Hello Everyone!

This is the first post in my new blog "Cut to Scene". Within this blog I will write reviews of movies that I see, movie news, and any other randomness related to film that I feel like posting. The movie reviews on the site will not cover the content of movies as much as it will their artistic qualities. I have provided links to movie content review sites so you can check those out if you want.

Hopefully, you will find this blog entertaining and fun to read and that I will be able to get you readers as interested in film as I am! It's pretty fun stuff! Check back often for new posts!

Jerrett