Changeling

Changeling

I deliberately avoided going to the cinema to see “Changeling“.  Why?  Because, I probably knew too much about it and whatever I didn’t know, I assumed.  What I knew was that this film was a drama about missing children, directed by one of the most dramatic directors ever – Clint Eastwood, and starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich.    While I do appreciate drama, it’s had for me sometimes to take all the sadness in the film, especially when there is a beautiful woman who is sad.

With missing children somewhere in the story, I thought, it was almost guaranteed that Angelina Jolie would be sad for a significant chunk of the screen time.  That’s hard to watch on its own.  Multiply that by Clint Eastwood’s directing, and add to that John Malkovich, who is a sort of actor that can multiply anything happening on the screen ten-folds, and the result would be something so sad that it would border with depressing.  That’s why I was trying to avoid this film a bit.  But I knew that I’d watch it anyway.  And so I did.

This film is a beautiful piece of art.  It is an interesting, slowly unfolding, story.  It’s an authentic look back at Los Angeles during 1920-1930’s.  It’s an excellent cast, with some really talented actors.   And its an excellent directorship.

It is a sad movie, yes.  But not as sad as I thought it would be.  It is in sad in a very sensible way.  Plus, it gives a lot to think about.    The film brings topics of family, humanity, social responsibility and bureaucracy.

Overall, highly recommended.  My rating: 5 stars.

Kung Fu Panda

Being a great of kung fu movies, I aboslutely had to see “Kung Fu Panda“.  Even though it is an animation, it still features Jackie Chan and lots of kung fu training and fights.  I don’t know what it is about kung fu movies that drags me in and occupies my attention, but it’s always the same.  And “Kung Fu Panda” was no exception.

And it wasn’t a disappointment.  Great animation, good humor, and the best of kung fu – it’s all there.  The last dumpling fight is up there with the rest of the best kung fu fights.  And an extra point for choosing the animals for characters and kung fu styles.  Lots of fun.

Overall, a 7 out of 10.  Recommended for any fans of animation, Jack Black, or kung fu movies.

Wanted

The other day I went to the cinema to see “Wanted“.  I’ve been waiting for this film for some time now, since I liked the trailer and heard quite a few positive reviews from people who saw it earlier. It wasn’t a disappointment at all.  On the contrary.  I really liked it.  In fact, I’m planning to go and see it once again, while it is on the large screen, and then I want to get myself the DVD with all the extras and special features.

Excellent special effects, great soundtrack, and quite a few twists in the story – some of which are predictable and some are not – all these makes it into an excellent entertainment.  Of course, Angeline Jolie with gun fights and car chases is a major attraction as well.  Morgan Freeman is a nice addition.  But what I liked the most about the movie is its originality.  Not breathtaking kind, but the kind which really made me watch it in full attention.  Rarely do I come across something from Hollywood and have this feeling.

Overall, 9 out of 10.  Strongly recommended.

Alexander

Alexander

Alexander” is one of the big time movies of the last year that I missed in the cinema. Olga was in her late pregnancy already when the movie came here and we thought that with all the battles it would be scary for the baby to live through almost three hours of it. So we skipped. Today I got my hands on a copy and watched it.

Directed by: Oliver Stone
Genres: Action, Adventure, Biography, Drama, War
Cast: Anthony Hopkins, David Bedella, Jessie Kamm, Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Fiona O’Shaughnessy, Connor Paolo, Patrick Carroll, Brian Blessed, Peter Williamson, Morgan Christopher Ferris, Robert Earley, Aleczander Gordon, Christopher Plummer, Gary Stretch
IMDB raintg: 5.5
My rating: 4 stars

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Mr. & Mrs. Smith

One of the films that I was waiting to come out, but never managed to go to the cinema, was “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” Finally I saw it and can now participate in all those discussions…

Directed by: Doug Liman
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Romance, Thriller
Cast: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Vince Vaughn, Adam Brody, Kerry Washington, Keith David, Chris Weitz, Rachael Huntley, Michelle Monaghan, Stephanie March, Jennifer Morrison, Theresa Barrera, Perrey Reeves, Jerry T. Adams, Melanie Tolbert
IMDB raintg: 6.7
My rating: 7.5 [rate 7.5]

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