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Bronson Trailer

I have always been a fan of “Based on actual events” type films. This is no different. This artsy, brilliant look into the life of England’s most notorious prisoner. Keeps you engaged the entire time.

Michael Peterson (Tom Hardy) was your average run of the mill bloke. Trying to raise money for his newborn. Michael saws of the barrel of his shotgun. And decides to rob a post office. But, he gets nabbed. Now faced with a four year sentence. Michael decides he wants to make a name for himself. So, he transforms himself into his alter ego. Charles Bronson. From here on out Bronson raises so much havoc and damage. That he is released and sent back on the streets. Quickly he is back in jail and causing more chaos. From kidnapping gaurds to fighting all the gaurds. Bronson is a loose cannon. Spending 34 years in jail. 30 of which are in solitaire. Bronson certainly makes a name for himself.

At first I thought this film was going to be much like my beloved film “Chopper”. Though there are similarities. This film takes a look into the psyche of a mad man. I recommend sitting down and taking a look at this film. I give this a nut kicking

Black Dynamite Trailer

Ahhhh Hell Yeah! Bring back “Blaxploitation” films. This is a throw back to the great films of it’s genre. With films like “Superfly”, “Shaft” and “Foxy Brown”. And who could forget the classic “Gayniggers from Outer Space”. Yes, that was a film. “Black Dynamite” brings back the pimpin’, hard hitting lifestyle to film.

When Black Dynamite’s brother is killed by Heroin dealing gangsters. This former C.I.A agent is given his license to kill. Set out to find his brother’s killers. Dynamite stumbles upon a government funded plan. Now Dynamite must stop this diabolical plan.

I absolutely enjoyed this film. It is what it is. A “blaxploitation” film. It pulls no punches or tries to hide that fact. With a stunning cast. Including Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson, Brian McKnight and Michael Jai White as “Black Dynamite”. This film is entertaining and laugh out loud hilarious. I want more of these films. I give this a Malt liquor tilting

Valentine’s Day Trailer
OK. Lets be honest. This film was packaged way too neatly. Hollywood is losing creativity on a daily basis. So, they decided to grab a few of Hollywood’s best eye candy. Write some fluff of a script. Throw in some flowers, and a clean looking Los Angeles. And put it out on a Hallmark holiday. So, couples can go and share in some fantasy of love and lies. Then leave the theater with questions of “Why don’t you do those things?” echoing in your now coma like existence.
Do I dare give you the storyline? Boy loves girl. Girl loves boy. Boy and girl get heart broken. Then realize they should be together. Add that with some phone sex, a politically correct gay lifestyle, a young love scenario and you have a terrible version of “Love Actually”.

Now, I am fully aware the female viewers will have a different take. But, all in all it was a mediocre film. Ignore the fact that it is Valentine’s Day. The need to show your love on one particular day is absurd. Love should be a running theme in your life everyday. Wait for DVD or forget it exists!

Precious Trailer

I have watched some depressing films. But, this may take the cake. I couldn’t bring myself to cry. The only emotion that kept creeping up on me was ANGER.

Precious (Gabourey Sibide) an overweight, illiterate Harlem teen. Pregnant with her second child. Finds herself expelled from school. An opportunity for her to attend a secondary school is offered to her. Mary (Mo’Nique) Precious’ mother refuses to let her daughter go. For fear they will take away her welfare. Precious goes anyway. Finding the strength she needs at this school and the inspiration in her teacher Miss Rain (Paula Patton). Precious decides to come clean with the welfare department. Explaining to them the abuse endured by the hands of her mother. She also reveals the father of her children is her own father. You raped her.

The film is brilliant. The direction and acting is amazing. However, I could never recommend someone to watch this. It is too depressing. I am not sure if this based on some sort of reality. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t. I give this a very cautious

Crazy Heart Trailer
“The Dude” is now “Bad”. Bad Blake that is. Bad Blake (Jeff Bridges) is a washed up country singer. Sent out on the road by his manager. Bad is playing every low end juke joint and roadhouse in the South. And like every country cliche. It is all whiskey, women and song. Bad finds himself falling in love with a local Santa Fe reporter. Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) a single mother knows nothing good could come from loving a four time loser at marriage. But, despite that feeling. Jean gives Bad the benefit of the doubt. Well, like most old country songs. It is never upbeat.

The acting by all cast and characters is great. Jeff Bridges steals the show. The film is real and gritty. The troubles Bad endures. We as an audience can relate to. This is one of the best films of 2009. It deserves any award it wins. I give this film a sobering

(Rare) Apocalypse Now trailer

This is one of my top 5 films of all-time. I could watch this film over and over again. And still feel like I missed something. I am not sure why it resonates with me. Perhaps having a Father who served in Vietnam. Or it could be it questions our belief in God or God like figures. Anyway you slice it. The Film is brilliant. Francis Ford Coppola’s labor of love. Based upon Joesph Conrad’s novel “Heart of Darkness”.

Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) is tasked with the mission to head up river and assassinate a “God” like Green Beret. Colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando) has questioned the intent of the war. Defecting and creating his own tribe of warriors. Colonel Kurtz is wanted for war crimes. As Capt Willard makes his way up river. You are introduced to a cast of characters. One such character Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore (Robert Duvall) is the Officer in charge of 1st of the 7th Cav. A rag-tag group of veteran soldiers who fly in on helicopters and destroy their target. But, these soldiers enjoy their missions and their surfing. “Charlie don’t surf” proclaims LC Bill Kilgore. But in desperate need to get his mission accomplished. Capt Willard needs the Cav to get his boat into a dangerous area up river. The mission and this film is amazing.

I know I am not the only fan of this film. Based upon Anthony Bourdain’s references to this film. I would have to say he loves equally. This a must see film for all. But especially filmmakers. This filmed revolutionized the way films are made and watched. This gets the biggest

Felon Trailer

Mix some “A” list and some “B” list actors. Throw them in a powerful jailhouse drama. And you get “Felon”.

Hard working family man. Wade Porter (Stephen Dorff) finds an intruder in his house. Armed with a bat Wade chases the intruder out of the house. Where Wade strikes the burglar in the head. Wade’s intention was to strike the man in the shoulder. But, the blow lands on the head and kills the man. Now forced to take deal to lessen his jail time. Wade is now having to serve a 3 year sentence. Unfortunately, on the ride to the prison. A man is brutally stabbed. And Wade is framed for the crime. Not knowing much about prison life. But, knowing enough to keep his mouth shut. Wade has some extra time added on to his sentence. While in his new home. Wade is forced to choose to align with the “Arayan Brotherhood”. Or go alone and be killed. Wade is soon roomed with life prisoner John Smith (Val Kilmer). John teaches Wade the rights and wrongs of prison life. However, on a daily basis Wade is forced to fight in the yard by sadistic prison guards. As this daily ritual reaches it’s boiling point. John and Wade devise a way to bring it all to a stop.

Although the film was not widely released. It is a good old fashion entertaining film. I was pleasantly surprised by Stephen Dorff’s acting. Even more shocked at how fat Val Kilmer has gotten. But, I enjoyed the film. If you are looking for a Friday night popcorn movie. This is a good start. I give this a “don’t drop the soap”

2010 Nominees
So, the Academy announced the Nominees. Not much of a surprise. “Avatar” is all over the place. Why? I don’t know. The biggest surprise was “District 9″ in the Best Picture category. Now I will give my choices. Followed by what I think the Academy will say. I have a funny feeling they will make some bad choices. But, we all have our opinions. So here it goes. Top categories only.

My choice. (Academy)

Best Actor:
Jeremy Renner. (George Clooney)

Supporting Actor:
Chritopher Waltz. (Christopher Waltz)

Best Actress:
Meryl Streep. (Gabourey Sibide)

Supporting Actress:
Anna Kendrick. (Mo’Nique)

Best Director:
Kathryn Bigelow. (James Cameron)

Best Picture:
The Hurt Locker. (Avatar)

Please post your opinion to comments!

Oscars website
Tomorrow the Academy will announce their nominations. I am sure my humble opinions won’t matter. And I am positive some amazing performances will be overlooked. So, tomorrow. When the nominees are announced. I will weigh in on my predictions. So, please post yours’ to the comments!