The Wrestler

With the release of Black Swan, Darren Aronofsky has successfully made people care about ballet. He did the same thing last year with The Wrestler. Aronofsky is known for his art house perspective of film making. I love his films and cannot wait for his take on the new Wolverine movie. It will be his first mainstream studio "should be blockbuster". I remember the hooplah surrounding The Wrestler and the comeback of Rourke. But beyond that it is what it is. A brilliant movie about the paths we choose and how they affect every inch of us. This film follows Randy "The Ram", a once on top of the world wrestler who has nothing to show for it, and the struggle he faces in giving up the only thing he has known. As a former WWE wrestler myself, I understand the struggle he must deal with. His life is in shambles. He is trying to juggle road gigs that pay very little for the amount of abuse he endures, His day job as the meat man at a local grocery store, trying to mend his failed relationship with his now grown daughter he abandoned, and to top it all of he has a crush on a stripper, who wants nothing to do with him outside the club. Talk about dynamic. The story is so real, and brilliant. Marisa Tomei is the stripper mentioned earlier. She gives a great performance and she shows her cans in several scenes, which is just an added bonus to the already masterful film.  Ram was a superstar, but was unwise about it. He lives in a crap trailer, has no one in his life, still wrestles for the occasional crowd consisting of a couple hundred people. He seems ok with his choices until he really must make a decision. Health problems, plus mental problems are going to be his demise. Nominated for both Best Picture and Best Actor and winning neither was tough. It deserved both, but I am not going to disagree with the actual winners. Sean Penn took Best Actor for Milk. REALLY?!? and Best Pic went to Slumdog Millionaire which I don't have an opinion. Either way The Wrestler is an awesome flick that if you've seen, you know why. If you Netflix'd it and let it sit on the counter for 3 weeks, you have missed out. You know who you are. It is so much fun to watch and shot perfectly. I enjoy it every time I watch it and I don't think it'll get old. Never being a Rourke fan, I was glad to see him get a second shot and not squander it.

NBM rates The Wrestler - Phenomenal

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The Fighter

A special thanks to Dean-O for giving me a day off.

I’ve always been a fan of boxing, so I’ve always been a sucker for a boxing movie. There have been some great ones (Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, almost anything starting with the word “Rocky”) and some not so great ones (The Great White Hype, Undisputed, Rocky V). When I heard that The Fighter – a movie based on the true story “Irish” Micky Ward - was going to star Mark Wahlberg and that he was pushing for half a decade to get the movie made, I had some pretty high hopes that they would do this right. I can honestly say that my expectations were exceeded. After reflecting on it, I think the main reason this movie was so good is that it’s really a movie about family. Boxing is the vehicle that brings this family together…tears it apart…and brings it back together again. Wahlberg gets a chance to go back to his Boston roots in his portrayal of Micky Ward, and the role is a great fit for him. The absolutely most shocking, amazing, and award-worthy performance in the film belongs to Christian Bale. Bale plays Micky’s older half brother, Dicky Eklund. Dicky’s real life claim to fame is that he knocked down the then insurmountable Sugar Ray Leonard during his boxing career. Although he lost the fight, he became known as “The Pride of Lowell, Mass.” As with many athletes past their prime, he was trapped in the memories of his glory days and lost focus on the world that was progressing all around him. This eventually led to a crack addiction, and Dicky’s battle with this addiction becomes a driving force in all that happens to the Eklund/Ward family. Bale is NOT Batman in this film – he’s gaunt, he’s skittish, and he absolutely nails the Boston accent. There’s a clip during the credits where the real life Micky and Dicky are seen talking on camera. Only then can you truly appreciate just how perfect Bale’s performance was. As I was watching it, part of me always realized “That’s Mark Wahlberg…that’s Amy Adams…”, but there were moments when Bale’s performance was so complete that you almost forget you’re watching one of the biggest stars on the planet. When the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor is handed out, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t win for this performance. Knowing that this was based on actual events, the interplay between Micky, Dicky and their mom, Alice Ward…there was more than one occasion that I felt genuinely bad for the real Alice Ward. Not because she was a victim, but because the portrayal of how she lead her extended family paints her in a sometimes horrible light. Let’s just say that good choices and clarity of judgment aren’t her strongest traits. All in all, this was a fantastic movie. As independent evidence of this claim, I brought my wife with me to see it. While she was pleased to see that Mr. Wahlberg spent an appropriate amount of time with his shirt off, she was equally as moved by the film as a whole.

No Bad Movies rates The Fighter - Phenomenal
A great review should urge someone to watch a film he/she has not seen or does not want to see. I have not seen The Fighter, but I want to. Dean-O's review does what it is suppose to do, as now I actually want to see it in a more timely manner than before I read this.

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Cassandra's Dream

This is a movie about brotherhood, family, and the ties that bind. It follows two young men in desperate money trouble and is based present day London. I don't know why I like films based and shot in the UK, but most of the time they are quite good, great even. Terry (Ferrell) works as a car mechanic, and doesn't mind it so much. Ian (McGregor) on the other hand is always going for the big score. Gambling mostly. Well, one day he gets in too far. He needs little brother to bail him out, or there may not be a him left, if you catch my drift. Terry gives what he can, considering he has a wife and young one to take care of, but he knows he cannot turn his back. You kind of get the feeling that they are close, but this is not the first time this has happened. Ian is positive he can flip a coin with his bro's $$$ and be free and clear. Unfortunately like all addicts, it doesn't go as planned. Wait a tick, Ding Ding Ding!!!! Let's get the money from our rich Uncle Howard. He won't tell our folks and we can pay him back. Easy enough? Not quite. Howard has an issue of his own. He needs a colleague of his "taken care of", and I don't mean in that assisted living kind of way. This guy has major dirt on Howard (who is played by the ever so brilliant Tom Wilkinson). If the boys do this and Howard is in the clear, then they will have the funds necessary to keep living, and they won't even have to pay him back. The story is not really about the deed ate hand, but rather how the boys will each deal with their guilt. Ian is a real genuine Douche. He feels he got a "get out of death" free card and all he has to do is cash in. He also wants to put all his earnings into a new hotel or high rise or something of that nature. I'll admit, I'm not 100% positive on the details, but they are minor and sort of a sub plot anyway. Cassandra's Dream is the name of the family boat that they like to hang out on, in case you were wondering. It comes to an intense ending that I didn't see coming. It comes from one of my favorite writer directors, Woody Allen. I did not know this at the time I watched it, but only came to realize when looking it up just now. Amazing. Even I learn stuff every now and again. It's a good look at how far family will go to stick together.

NBM rates Cassandra's Dream - Awesome

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The Game

You will not know when it begins. It can start at any time, and there is only one way to stop it. Michael Douglas plays Uber rich businessman Nicholas Van Orton. A man who is bored and depressed even though he is wealthy without a care in the world. Sean Penn is his slacker younger brother, Conrad. Nicholas is constantly battling demons in his life. Especially the suicide of his Father, which took place when he was young. His brother never seems to take flight as his big brother did. Nicholas took his Father's company and has done very well with it. Conrad is constantly battling addiction and unemployment. He wants his Big Bro to be proud of him, at the very least appreciate the thought that goes into the birthday gift Conrad has given him. Nicholas needs nothing. If he wants it, he buys it. What Conrad is able to give him is something no one would buy for themselves. Conrad gives him the gift of "The Game". There are very few rules to this game. It is merely an experience. Or is it something more? He is told the rules and given a small pamphlet, but pays it no mind. After a day long physical and mental examination by the company that offers the game, he is told he does not meet the requirements and is shown the door. Naturally, with his type A personality this pisses him off, but he lets it go. His brother has told him to pay attention, which comes natural to this shark of the business world. He is also told not to trust anyone. This is when it gets interesting. He comes home to find a clown on his driveway. Unlike myself, he decides to take it inside. No thanks. Inside the mouth of the clown is a key on a lanyard. From this point on, it is all down hill. Not the "good" down hill, but a rough, bumpy, deadly terrain of a down hill. He is now running for his life because his ignorant brother gave all his info to a group of scam artists. He is almost killed, he has his bank accounts wiped clean, and now they are after his brother as well. It really turns into a cluster F*&@. At first he thinks it's just a game, then, when he almost dies, he realizes it's so much more. By the end he has been put through the ringer and knows the only way out of this game is by drastic measures. A complete mind F^%& of a movie, that I absolutely love. I really enjoy films that enter one's Psychey, and only exit through a vodka induced exorcism. Director David Fincher is the best in this field. With other brilliant films in his repertoire such as Panic Room, Se7en, and my favorite, Fight Club. I will continue to love what The Game represents, which is originality. I've seen it a dozen times and will watch a dozen more. If you haven't seen it, it is probably on my top 10 list of movies I highly recommend. If you live in town and haven't seen it, let me know. I've got it and will gladly open your blind eyes to the wonders of The Game.

NBM rates The Game - A Work of Cinematic Art

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10 Items or Less

This may be the first film I write about that I think I can guarantee not a single one of my readers has seen. If you have seen it, I commend you. I hope you let me know that you've seen it and you will be rewarded with a congratulatory wink and nod from myself. That said, I love this movie. It is definitely the most "Indie" film I have reviewed. Having only grossed 70k, which is probably more than it cost to make, it comes off as an extremely earnest movie. Morgan Freeman plays an out of work actor. Not the ordinary out of work actor, but at one time he ruled Hollywood. A big time player in the biz, He or Him as he is referred and credited is about to take his first role in 4 years. He is terrified of failing which explains the drought. In order to research the upcoming role, he is dropped off at a Latina supermarket outside of LA. He basically wanders around the store asking questions to various employees. He then come to the lady who runs the 10 Items or Less checkout line. Scarlet hates her job and wants better things. She is a firecracker who doesn't kiss His ass the whole time. She is mouthy, and fresh. He likes that about her. When the day ends he asks for a ride, to which she agrees. He feels he has started a friendship that will last longer than the one day. He also feels he can help Scarlet with what she wants. He helps her prepare for a job interview. He takes her shopping and teaches her how to "act" her way throughout the process. He knows she can get what she wants, she just needs to know that for herself. Along the way, he discovers himself. He comes to a very specific niche and he enjoys it. This brings him to a decision. Keep acting, or retire and do this new path to happiness full time. A short, sweet movie about the kindness of people. I've only seen it one time about 3 years ago, but it made such an impression for being an extremely honest forthright comedy with drama thrown in. If you can find it or come across it on IFC, I urge you to take the opportunity and enjoy every second of this no frills indie film.

NBM rates 10 Items or Less - Awesome

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The Ugly Truth



Ever since his role as King Leonidas in 300, Gerard Butler has been taking every role thrown at him. He is Hollywood's current "It boy", and he has done what every other actor in his situation has done. Nothing quite as solid or good as 300, and loads of Romantic Comedies. So far he has not struck gold in that genre. He is way better rated in his action roles such as Gamer, Law Abiding Citizen, and Rock N Rolla. On the other hand why not do something you obviously like. When we watch him in the comedic roles, we can tell he is having fun, and that comes across to the audience. Like I said, if Seth Rogen or Judd Apatow are not attached then it will get ripped apart. I don't understand that. This film feels like Apatow. Super raunchy with sexy quips and dirty language. No nudity, but the words that are used makes you think, Did he just say that? AP and my wife saw it together in the theater while A-Bomb and I hung out. They insisted that we would like it, so when it came on DVD we rented it and we were blown away. One of the funniest "failures" ever. I have seen it 4 times now and it doesn't get old. Mike Chadway (Butler) is the creator and host of a TV show called "The Ugly Truth". A in your face Q&A about what make women and men tick. Totally put off by Mikes theories, Abby (Heigl) calls in to  give him a piece of her mind. Hilarious conversation ensues. Abby actually produces a morning TV show with plummeting ratings. Then her boss hires Mike without her knowledge to spice things up. He does just that. His on screen banter with the two hosts, Georgia and Larry, who happen to be unhappily married is absolutely astounding. He then makes a wager with his new producer who happens to hate the very existence of his being. He bets her that if she does exactly what he tells her to, she will land the man of her dreams. Intrigued by the possibility that he would be wrong, she accepts. She has to do and say things that were previously unacceptable to her. She is a bit of a prude, and he must re-invent her. That is what I like about the film. Women are always trying to change the men in their lives, and this is the opposite. The Vibrating panty scene at the dinner table was hysterical, and like all Rom-Coms it is predictable what direction it is going, but they continue to produce them and we continue to watch them. This film made somewhere in the 90 million dollar range. Not to shabby for a movie that topped out at 14% on RT. Butler carries this movie, but I actually think this is a better role for Heigl than even Knocked Up was.

NBM rates The Ugly Truth - Awesome

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A Christmas Story



Deranged Easter Bunny



One of the greatest stories ever told. Just so happens to be about Christmas. It takes place in the 1940's but was released in 1983, thus adding to the brilliance of a simpler time. TBS knows what's up. They show this film on a non stop 24 hour loop beginning at midnight Christmas morning, and of all the homes (In laws, Parents, and close friends) we visit every Dec.25 it is always playing. The story follows a young boy named Ralphie. Like all kids during Christmas, there is that one gift that would make the entire year of waiting worth it. Ralphie must convince his extremely safety precautious mother and strict Father that a Red Ryder BB gun is perfectly safe for him to have and use. the one line constantly following his request is, "you'll shoot your eye out." What strikes us as such a positive point in the film is his Father's attitude towards everything. He is strict and all about business, but when he gets his son that red ryder gun as a surprise that not even his mother knew about, you really get an inside look at a Father's love for his son, and his son's happiness. This story about a kids struggle through school, a look at his imagination, and the way in which it is narrated are absolutely brilliant. Bumpuses' dogs followed by the duck and fararara at the chop suey restaurant. Like I said, all around genius film that never gets old. Easily able to watch anytime of the year. And I personally guarantee that when you are finished watching you will have absolutely no reason to say "FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUDGGGGE"
Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year

NBM rates A Christmas Story - A Cinematic Work of Art

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Jingle All the Way

Guest post written by The AP

A.P. here. When Jester asked me to review Jingle All The Way, the first thing I said was, "It's the epitome of every parents Christmas nightmare!" Jester is way too young to remember the Cabbage Patch Doll craze when my dad had to fight off some ladies at the Hills Department Store so we could have one for Christmas. It never fails that my kids want one of the hottest toys around for Christmas. And Howard Langston's (Arnold Schwarzeneggar) son is no different. Howard, a busy salesman, forgets to get his son, Jamie, a Turbo Man action figure long before the Christmas rush. He soon discovers that everyone else in the city is also looking for one. As he goes on his comical quest for the Turbo Man, he gets into all kinds of trouble. He soon becomes rivals with a crazy postal worker Milton (Sinbad). The two start competing with each other when the radio station has a contest for a Turbo Man and battle it out for the rest of the movie. Sinbad was perfect for this role and their scenes together produce some great laughs. Their antics get the attention of a policeman who always seems to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time. If that wasn't enough, he has to deal with Ted, (Phil Hartman-I miss you Phil!), the divorced, super dad, neighbor trying to move in on Liz, (Rita Wilson), Howard's wife. Howard decides that he has had enough of Ted and breaks into his house to steal his Turbo Man. Holiday stress makes you do crazy things sometimes. He ends up kicking a wise man into the fireplace, punching a reindeer, then getting caught. Phil makes a great supporting actor and his scenes are just hysterical. But is there a movie that Phil didn't bring some great laughs too? I don't think so. If you think of one, just send all comments to the Jester. The movie wraps up at a parade where Howard acts as Turbo Man and Milton as Dementor, Turbo Man's arch nemesis. Turbo Man, Dementor, and Jamie go at it one more time. After a semi-fight scene, Jamie finally gets his Turbo Man doll. And Howard finds out that Jamie is happier that his dad is Turbo Man, a very predictable ending. Rounding out the cast, are a few actors you may know; James Belushi, Robert Conrad, Martin Mull, and Richard Moll. Is Jingle All the Way the best Christmas movie? Far from it. It's not even in my top five. Is there ever going to be 24 hours of Jingle All the Way on TBS? Better not be. But it is good for a few laughs during the holiday season and for that reason, I give it a Great rating. Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope that kids everywhere get that hottest toy on their wish list this year.

AP and NBM concur: Jingle All the Way - Great

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The Bounty Hunter

Granted there was nothing spectacular about The Bounty Hunter, but to only get 7% at RT is ridiculous. I mean the combined hotness of Aniston and Butler earns a 30% minimum, plus if he is shirtless add 5% (BTW, he is shirtless). It is a predicable movie, as all rom-com's are. I knew the end before I even watched it. With movies of this caliber, the only reason one would want to watch it would be to hope that the laughs are good and earned, and maybe just maybe there will be a ray of hope that gives you a new perspective. I will tell you at the end what that was for me. Butler is an Ex cop turned bounty hunter. He chases down the bail jumpers and earns his Ten percent. He enjoys what he does and still has cop buddies looking out for him. One normal day his ex wife jumps bail, not because she is stupid, there were just more pressing matters at the time of her court appearance. She ends up on his hit list. If he brings her in, it's 5 grand in his pocket. The story goes: they dated for six months, got married, it lasted 9 months til the divorce. There is a bit of animosity to say the least. He sees this as the advantage of a lifetime. When it comes to bringing criminals to justice there aren't many rules and he is gonna love every minute of it. What would normally look like a kidnapping seems perfectly fine since she is on the lam. He must bring her to jail and collect. Unfortunately she is a reporter who knows too much about the wrong people and they need to erase her from the Earth. Butler doesn't want her dead, and he needs his bounty so now he needs to keep her safe. Loan sharks get involved, so do dirty cops. I enjoyed the jokes and the movie is not as bad as that 7% would depict.

**Life Lesson Learned: What would be the sweetest non violent revenge to do to your Ex? How about breaking into her home and DELETING ever single bit of programming she has recorded on her TIVO. When he did that to her, it made me think how pissed I would be if someone erased all my shows.

NBM rates The Bounty Hunter - Greatly entertaining

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Moon

What can you say about Sam Rockwell? One of the best actors working who does get a fair amount of work, but not the recognition he deserves. Here at NBM we like to review films that may not have fared so well. On the other hand, I pride myself in watching movies so independent you may not have seen it. Is Sam Oscar worthy for his performance in Moon? Yes! Did he get recognized? Not at all. A film that I was eager to see didn't even show in my hometown, which pisses me off. Only making $4 million nationwide, nobody heard of Moon. It was unpublicised and therefore lost in the realm of the mainstream. Moon takes place...well, on the Moon. It's not a fictitious place at all, but actually exists. If you don't know what I speak of, go outside and look at the white ball of light in the dark night sky. Sam Bell (Rockwell) is the lone wolf. He is an astronaut under contract with with a company called Lunar Technologies for 3 years. The Moon turns out to be a very valuable resource for Earthlings. Lunar Technologies has built a dwelling on the rock for Sam to live in while he serves his 3 years. He mines or harvests the Moons particles which help Earth with it's once prominent energy crisis. Once his 3 years are up, he will return to his family and some new astronaut will take his place. He is all alone. The only thing he has to talk to is GERTY. Voiced by Kevin Spacey, GERTY is the on board supercomputer in charge of his dwelling. He conserves the energy, maintains the equipment and keeps Sam from losing his mind. With mere weeks left before he gets to return home, something crashes on the rock. He is urged by GERTY not to take a look, but he must know. What he finds is absolutely mind boggling. He ends up in an all out war of words with GERTY, who tries to calm him down. GERTY ends up locking him down for his own good, but after a while Sam finds a way around that. Directed by first timer Duncan Jones, who happens to be the son of David "The Goblin King" Bowie, shoots an absolute beautiful movie. If this was the first film I had directed I would be scared to do the next one fearing it could not live up. Moon is an absolute pleasure. I've seen it once by rental, bought it the other day and look forward to watching it again. Rockwell is this film. Essentially a one man cast he makes anyone watching not want to ever go to the moon, for fear of boredom. Once I watch it again the rating may bump to the top, but for now....

NBM rates Moon - Phenomenal

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Beerfest

If you've seen Super Troopers, you've probably seen Beerfest, unless the film released between them, Club Dread, turned you off to the Broken Lizard guys. It did not deter me at all, and Beerfest if the greatest film dedicated to the art of competitive alcohol consumption ever made. It's true. Beerfest follows two brothers, Todd and Jan, (S.T's Rabbit and Foster) as they go to Germany after their Grandfather dies. They don't mind the trip back to the home country because it happens to be Oktoberfest. The greatest beer festival in the world. While they drink and get kicked out of the festival for being silly drunk Americans, they get escorted to the "real" festival. An underground tournament involving loads of countries competing to be #1. They are quickly shown the door after being humiliated by Ze Germans. They then make it their mission to do 3 things. Enter the next years fest as trained Americans. Prove they did not steal the family recipe from Ze Germans which are accusing their Gam Gam of doing. And lastly, to prove Gam Gam is not a whore. They assemble a team of their old buddies and the training begins. The training is some of the funniest stuff that makes you ponder if you could keep up. Their Preparation for the games pays off as they are able to compete in the games and do well. Its got all the Broken Lizard guys we love. Farva plays "Landfill" and Landfills twin brother who wants to be called "Landfill". Mac (Bulletproof Cup) is a Jewish scientist who gets mad which in turn gives him "the eye of the Jew". And last but not least is the first half of Car Ramrod, Rammathorne. We find him as a male prostitute trying to forget his past of destroying opponents on the beerpong table. I love this movie, and it may be the first "Play along as you watch" film ever made. I especially love the scene where Rammathorne is trashed at the bar and we see both perspectives. His perspective as a smooth operating playboy, who no matter how drunk he may be, he can still close the deal with a hot piece of A. Then we see how everyone sees him and it his absolutely classic. If you haven't seen this film, it has one scene in particular that makes it worth watching. They brew their own beer recipe and upon drinking it, the exclamations are absolutely brilliant. I can't go into the specifics here, because we are a family friendly site, but I urge you to watch this extremely underrated film. DAS BOOT!!!!!!!!!

NBM rate Beerfest - Phenomenal

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Transformers



A film with the line in the credits, "Based on the Toys made by Hasbro", says it all. It's ludicrous, asinine, and absolutely brilliant. When this film came out in 2007 I was so happy. I saw it 4 times on the big screen, bought it the day it was available, and have seen it another 20. Something about bringing that great concept back that we grew up with. Michael Bay takes a lot of crap, but I feel he was the right man for the job. Only he could go that much over the top and not look cheesy. It was at the time the best special effects I had ever seen. The attention to detail during the transformations alone. Most Transformations were quick and instant. Just to get his point across Bay had Optimus morph slowly one time. We got to see where every piece of the puzzle went. The tires, engine, windshield. It was amazing. It still amazes me today when I watch it. It brought back all those wonderful memories and introduced us to Megan Fox. Nice. A-Bomb and I watched it the first time together and when it was over we wanted more. Not more as in turn around and watch it again. We wanted sequels. Very few films get that kind of feedback so quickly after being viewed. So the story in a nutshell. Sam Wittwicky has the key to a civil war between the Autobots and the Decepticons. They bring their war to Earth and Sam is right in the middle. He doesn't know it, but he holds the location to Decepticon leader Megatron.  Having to deal with technology that shouldn't exist, he thrives on. He also is a hero and gets the girl. It's a great American film. The battles are epic. It's a big adrenaline rush that is still fun to watch, even though we know every scene, line, and ending. That's why it is underrated. That's why it is great.

**I consider myself an Autobot. I am constantly vexed whenever I see cars or apparel bearing the Decepticon badge. Is evil really more fun than being a hero for good? You tell me. Are you a Decepticon or an Autobot? Leave a comment.

NBM rates Transformers - Phenomenal

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Adventureland

NOT A COMEDY! When I first saw previews of this I felt it had a very Superbad feel to it. Turns out, not so much. Dark Comedy comes close, but I would straight categorize it as a Drama. It is funny, because of the language used. If it hadn't had an R rating, i don't see it carrying as well. It really follows the story of a young man, James Brennan (Jesse Eisenberg), as his entire future and plans are shot to hell. He has everything planned out, down to the penny. His food budget, rent budget, traveling schedule. He is on top of it. Unfortunately his parents screw it up. His Dad is sent to another department at his job, so they can no longer afford to help him out at all. He must now get a summer job in town, as opposed to traveling Europe for a month before he moves to NYC. His lack of experience and BS degree doesn't help either. So in the summer of 1987 this college grad must get a job at the theme park Adventureland. Adventureland ends up being the bane of his existence, but at the same time helps him grow up and meet some people that could be life long friends. Although he is a recent grad, he has the bit of immaturity to him, while being extremely mature. It's a strange dynamic, but Eisenberg delivers. He really is becoming one of the weirdest looking leading men in Hollywood. He is fresh out of a heartbreaking 11 day relationship. Fortunately he meets what he thinks is his dream girl. Emily or Em as they call her is played by the always brooding Kristen Stewart. I mean, is it really that hard to look like you are having a good time, ever? She changes his whole perspective of what "It" should be like. I say "It" because it's different for everyone. He lost his dreams, but may find love out of it. In the short course of things she is able to save his heart and destroy his heart within a couple weeks. No matter. He has Lisa P. to fall back on. She is the hottest employee at the park, and considered untouchable. Fortunately she likes him so that's not an issue. Ryan Reynolds adds an interesting character. It is not his normal role. He is depressed and sort of the wise man of the park. He is the park mechanic who gives advice whether it is wanted or not. His character is not on screen a whole lot, but he adds the biggest gut punch to the script of all. It is a really fun movie to watch. It is funny (Big Ass Panda), but the darkness brings it home. I was gonna rate it Awesome, but after recalling it while writing I think I must bump it.

NBM rates Adventureland - Phenomenal

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Tron: Legacy

Visually stimulating. Overly Bright. A two hour mangasm. It states, "What 3D was made for." That I disagree with. While it was awesome, and I do not regret paying the extra 300 pennies, I do proclaim that Avatar was still a better 3D offering. Not necessarily story wise, but the 3D effects popped more. I guess I am not sure if I had watched Tron in 2D if anything would have been lost. Tron: Legacy is getting ripped based on its "weak" story, and it's being praised for it's visuals. I say they are half right. The visuals do make the film, but the story is powerful. All I kept thinking was, what if I had no choice, and I were imprisoned by what I had built? I cannot imagine missing out on 20 years of my son's life. Not being able to explain to him where I was, only hoping he would not hate me if we were to be together again. Tron is deeper than critics are realizing. They are expecting something the doesn't exist. Another movie that could predict the future like TRON (1982) did is gonna be hard to reproduce. Tron:Legacy does a fantastic job for a sequel 28 years in waiting. I really enjoyed the two Jeff Bridges battling each other. Flynn is trying to create a perfect world inside a program. He creates CLU in his own image to do the work when he is unavailable. I thought Garrett Hedlund, who plays Sam Flynn, did a superb job. He is informed by Alan, his Dad's best friend and Sam's interim Father of sorts, that he received a page from Kevin's office at the arcade. The strange thing is the number has been disconnected for 20 years. Sam can't ignore it and goes to check it out. This is when he gets sucked into the program that has kept Kevin a hostage for the past two decades. From here the plot is thin, the action is thick, and the special effects are outstanding. It is very retrospective of the first film when Sam enters the program. He and his Father had the same mentality about it at first. Sam is much more aggressive than Kevin ever was, and this is helpful to his survival. Not to mention the technology Sam grew up with gives him the advantage of what to expect, and what may or may not be possible. We see a lot of the same aspects in this film as we did in the original. The speeder bikes, discs which hold memory, Transport vehicles, but it is so much more special. It just feels so real. Olivia Wilde is a hot program name Cora. She helps Sam and Kevin, and she longs to feel and see a sunrise. The whole film comes to a head when the object is revealed. I won't give anything away, because I didn't even know that was where it was going. I must admit it is hard to watch Bridges do anything anymore without adding Dudisms to his lines. Mostly the word Man to the end of every line does it pretty well. Fortunately he did that himself for most of the film. It felt at times like the laziest man ever, El Duderino, had somehow stumbled his high, White Russian drinking ass into a program. I also feel Bridges can do no wrong. What an Icon. TRON (1982) changed and predicted the future. This one makes us wonder, but stops there. It is a very fun movie, that is definitely worthy of the title "Big Screen Movie".

NBM rates Tron : Legacy - Phenomenal

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TRON

Considered one of the biggest flops in cinema history at the time. TRON was made for $17 million back in 1982 and only grossed out at $33 million. In 1982 computers were the size of rooms and unaffordable by common men. I think that is why it had box office woes. Today computers are ubiquitous, but in 1982 the words "computer program", and "software" were not relative terms. We did not own our first computer machine until 1995 and it was, by today's standards, a piece of crap. Not only did it suck, but it cost a fortune. Windows 95 and all. Amazing how far we have come since then, let alone 1982. I think I watched TRON once as a child and was so lost I never watched it again. With the release of Tron: Legacy, I have watched TRON 3 times in 3 days all taking place about 6 weeks ago. It's genius cannot be described, but must be witnessed first hand. It is still mind boggling to me and I am not the ignorant little boy who couldn't afford a computer, but now I own several, and I know a bit about them, but still cannot fathom being thrust into a program and having to survive. Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) is a gamer and game designer who feels his old company stole his idea, so he hacks in to get proof. The MCP or Master Control Program sucks Flynn into the computer where his alter ego Clu must survive. TRON is the new security program sent to shut down MCP for all his wrong doing. Clu and TRON must thrive in this environment and take down MCP to save reality. Clu thinks it's just a game. He doesn't realize if he dies, it's game over for him and Flynn. TRON must eliminate MCP for the greater good of both worlds. It is a film that should have you in awe the entire time. A film this advanced for it's time that very few movie goers probably even understood. The sequel comes out today and I am excited. Looks like a great premise for a sequel and the technology finally caught up. What started out as simple espionage to prove he was ripped off, Flynn is in for the fight of his life. I predict Tron: Legacy will exceed the $300 million mark domestically, which sounds like a lot, but with a budget in the high $200 millions, percentage wise it would be more of a failure than the first film, but I bet it is not seen that way at all. Just my opinion. We are having a viewing party of the first film followed by a trip to the theater to watch the second film tonight and I could not be more stoked. Unless I don't get tickets, you will get that review on the morrow. I hope the 3D doesn't suck. I am still on the fence about that reason to boost my ticket price.

NBM rates TRON - A Work of Cinematic Art!!!

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True Grit (1969)

Multi-Tasker

On the verge of another great Coen Brothers film being released, I felt I oughtta watch the original, which I had never seen. All I've been hearing about the new True Grit is, "it's not the Duke". I respond, "Nope, it's The Dude." A-Bomb and I watched this film last night as I like to watch originals, before remakes are released. I also like to watch prequels before seeing the sequels. True Grit (1969) is a brilliant movie. Not long into it I realized it was just as much comedy as it was drama. Rooster Cogburn (Wayne), is a drunkard US Marshall who is well known for bringing perps to justice. Usually his justice, but nonetheless, he is good at what he does. John Wayne has a great no nonsense delivery of his lines and actions. It was fun to watch him work knowing he won his only Oscar for the role. When Frank Ross is murdered by his employee Tom Chaney, Frank's daughter Maddie Ross is not going to be denied justice. She personally hires Rooster to hunt down Chaney so she can kill him. Rooster wants nothing of it, but the money is right and according to sources, Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) who got away from Rooster the last time they encountered has been seen with Chaney and that's all the convincing he needs to take the case. As good as John Wayne is in this film, I really believe the acting by Kim Darby, who plays Maddie Ross, is spot on and at times hilarious. A Texas Ranger by the name LaBeouf (Pronounced La Beef, translated- La meaning The, and Beouf meaning Beef) makes everything a bit more complex. He has been hired by the Governor of Texas to bring Chaney back there alive to be tried for the murder of a Senator and his dog. Maddie will not hear of it. She wants him hanged in Fort Smith where he killed her father. Rooster doesn't care where he goes until LaBeouf tells him of the bounty he would earn for the transport to Texas. Maddie is a spark plug firecracker of a 14 year old. She is quite entertaining, but John Wayne's portrayal of the drunkard Marshall with a chip on his shoulder is legendary. The Coen Brothers will not ruin this great film by redoing it. According to all the trailers I have seen, and cross comparing it with what I watched last night, it appears to be a word for word remake. I picked out at least 6 dialogue lines that I have seen in the trailer of the new one. That's a lot considering we are talking about 2:30 minutes. I am looking forward to the Dude abiding as Rooster and to see if Matt Damon is as big a prick as his predecessor Glen Campbell in the role of LaBeouf. Also keep an eye out for a very young Dennis Hopper. He is not there very long, so pay attention.I know Bridges will do it justice as I feel he may be the best working actor in Hollywood today. With 77 film under his belt, 5 Oscar Noms and his first win last year, I would love to see him win back to back Oscars which I don't think has ever been done. Not only that, but has the Oscar been handed to two different actors for playing the same role? Interesting. I doubt it. One way I feel the Coen's are already tributing the original is that Bridges wears hisa eyepatch on the opposite eye. I noticed that immediately. I think it's out of respect for another's brilliant work. Just my opinion. I very much plan on seeing this in the theater and I will let you know how awesome it is.

NBM rates True Grit (1969) - Phenomenal

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Galaxy Quest

I'll admit, I did not want to see this all those years ago upon it's release, but being the good guy I am, I eventually rented it and was quite entertained. The more I see it, the better it gets. What a great basis for a film. Sci-fi geeks and conventions. It's an easy topic, but done right and it can be brilliant. Tim Allen has not had the greatest big screen career, that is to say when he is not a cartoon. This is probably his best role, yes better than The Santa Claus, which unlike Galaxy Quest can grow tiring. I have now seen G Q over 20 times in it's entirety, which pales in comparison to how many times A-Bomb has watched it. His love of the film is the reason I watched it the last 15 times. It's what we call a "Garage Movie". By that we mean, you can play it whilst hanging out in a garage setting, because you don't have to pay close attention to it to enjoy what is taking place. It's the best background noise. Other "Garage Films' include : Old School, Hangover, Shaun of the Dead etc... As you can see " Garage Films" are comprised of comedies only. Galaxy Quest follows a bunch of actors who were on a "star trek" type show called Galaxy Quest. Their TV run is over, so now the "Crew" tour sci-fi conventions where die hard fans who show up in the correct attire to get autographs and pictures with this group of has beens. Tim Allen plays the James T Kirk, if you will, of G Q. One day he is visited by some aliens who he thinks are just crazed fans. Turns out, they are aliens who don't understand the concept of scripted television. They think it was all real. They take him up to space and plead for his help against the evil Sarris. Once back on Earth he tells his crew what has happened and what they must do. They are hesitant to say the least. Once they are unwillingly beamed up they have no choice. The ship Mathezar (Lead alien) has built for them is exactly as it was on the show. Tim hates his life so much, he would rather go down in a blaze of glory than continue hanging out at the conventions. The jokes are hilarious and with awesome supporting roles by Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Sigourney Weaver, and an extremely young Justin Long. It's a brilliant movie that form first appearances should've been a dead fish, but really works out for viewers and critics alike.

NBM rates Galaxy Quest - Phenomenal

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The Long Kiss Goodnight

Today's post is Scribed from out of the state from where I reside and all my previous posts have been born. Guest post by the Talented Andy.

The recent Pulp Fiction discussion made me move this movie to the top of my Netflix Queue with the Samuel Jackson link. This is a movie with a little bit of everything. It has Action, humor, and a government conspiracy all taking place at Christmas time. It stars Geena Davis as a woman who was discovered eight years previous on a beach and two months pregnant. She has amnesia and has no memory except for the past eight years. She has been hiring high priced private investigators to find out her past but eventually worked her way down to the cheap ones. Samuel Jackson is a low end private investigator currently on her case. He is screw up, an ex con, and a bit of a con artist. A break in her case paired with an appearance on the local news set the movie into action. Geena Davis leaves her daughter at home with her long term boyfriend for a couple days to follow up on lead from her past with Samuel Jackson. As the story progresses Geena Davis regains bits of her memory of her former life. You witness her transform from happy home maker to bad ass. As Geena Davis transforms you can see her taking the alpha role in the relationship. During their adventure the dialog between Geena Davis and Samuel Jackson fantastic and provides a little comic relief. They ultimately find themselves trying to stop a conspiracy/terrorist plot. I think this may be my favorite Samuel Jackson role; Mitch Henessey. It is pretty close with Jules from Pulp Fiction. Even though it is hard to miss when watching this movie you have to take note of Samuel Jackson’s wardrobe. It is a little slice of awesome. Don’t make the assumption that you can miss this movie if you have not already seen it. You know what happens when you make assumptions.

Talented Andy and NBM concur

 The Long Kiss Goodnight - Phenomenal

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Disturbia

This film holds a special memory for me. It represents the year of the drive-in movies for me and my wife and our friends. A drive-in theater opened up about 20 minutes away and Disturbia along with the third Shrek film. It marks the first time I remember being at a drive-in. My lady who isn't a big fan of being frightened wasn't sure about Disturbia. She was ready to depart after Shrek and call it a day. A-Bomb got out his trusty Blackberry and got enough details to convince her that it was not a horror film, but more like a suspense film. That worked out awesomely, because it ended up not only being a great movie, but being able to watch it outside, in the dark, next to the woods really kicked the suspense up a notch. In fact during a pretty intense scene a Father in the crowd snuck up on his tween girls and scared the crap out of them. It was hilarious to hear them shriek, followed by him and loads of other patrons laughing. Disturbia follows a 17 year old boy Kale (LeBeouf) who is struggling with life after the passing of his Father. He is constantly in trouble, but it rains down on him when he punches his teacher in the face. He is put on house arrest with an ankle monitor and everything. He then tests his boundaries, literally. He stakes off his property to know where he is able to roam. He seems to be getting by until his new neighbor is one hot piece of apple pie. (I just made that phrase up, and don't really know what it means.) Because he is unable to leave and his insanely hot mother (Carrie Ann Moss) cut his TV cord so he goes old school and spies on his neighbors. One day he films his other new neighbor (David Morse) getting frisky with a date, but then it appears she is running through his house as if her life was on the line. A few hours later she leaves so he writes it off as a possible kink fest. He still isn't sure about this guy. Too many things add up to Kale that he is a serial killer. He has his buddy, Ronnie, break into his car to get into the garage. It's a terrifying sequence that is perfectly done. The cops don't believe him and if his monitor goes off one more time he is going to Juvi. This doesn't deter him from either busting this punk or looking like a punk himself. The whole film has a great flow and doesn't stop it's quick pace. It also introduced me to Kings of Leon's music. Taper Jean Girl was played during the movie and the credits, but was not on the soundtrack. It's a catchy song that I'm sure you will hum and for your reference, it is on their best album in opinion. Their second album.

NBM rates Disturbia - Phenomenal

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Inception

There are 2 words that can be said about Inception. Best Picture!! Another 2 words: Game Changer. Every ten years or so a film comes along that is so original and brilliant it changes the face of film and how things are done. Avatar did only come out last year, but that changed things in another perspective: 3D. Inception, however, is gonna do what the Matrix did in 1999. It felt at times like The Matrix, in the fact that the "rules" of the dream are bendable. In The Matrix they are trapped in a program. Inception is alike and completely different at the same time. With a run time a 2 1/2 hours it's a risky bet to place on the RLS ridden American nation. What I did notice when watching last night was, when I noticed the time lapsed on the player had just reached an hour I was really excited to know we had 90 more minutes left of this brilliance. I had also heard that once it was over you would feel extremely satisfied with what you had seen, but at the same time, extremely confused. I don't know if that info helped my mentality going in, but I was so invested from minute 1, I don't feel anything was lost on me. Sure after a major sequence inside the 20 minute mark, A-Bomb and myself locked eyes and both stated, "I don't know what just happened,  but it was awesome." That was the last time we were confused. So, like the Matrix the majority of this film takes place in a non reality, people's dreams. In a person's dream their subconscious is working overtime, and extractors like Cobb (DiCaprio) and Aurthur (JG Levitt) enter the dream of the mark to extract ideas that can make people rich or bring people down. Whatever the financier wants with the info. There is way too much going on to explain in written word. That's why it took Nolan 2.5 hours to explain. The Direction of a film is often lost. People usually just think of the story and the actors on screen. Inception makes you think about all the things going on and how they were even possible to do. Nolan is a master of his craft, and when you look back at his work: Memento, The Prestige, The Batman movies, and now Inception he is a rising star that viewers will soon go to anything with his name attached, much like Spielberg and Tarantino. I don't see anything beating Inception in the Oscar race, but that is what is wrong with that particular awards program. I have disagreed with the Best Picture winner more than I've agreed with it. The film could be sequeled, because there are always missions available and never ending story lines, but Nolan is smarter than that. He will put it to bed and be done with that idea altogether. I also feel Joseph Gordon Levitt finally got the role that will thrust him to super stardom. I think if he went with my name for him JG Levitt it would happen even faster,  but that's just me. A couple of surprises showed up on screen. By surprises I mean actors I did not know were in the film. Nolan's favorite Michael Caine is in two scenes, Tom Berenger is an intricate part, and Cillian Murphy from Batman Begins is the brain the extraction team is focused on for most of the film. I'd also like to add that with such a complex script, Nolan did not water it down with the team going through job after job after job, only to be offered an "impossible" job. It really only deals with two minds. The financiers and The Mark's. Not diluted at all, only perfection. I cannot find anything I didn't like about the film. Just remember, if I wrote this post from my dream state, it would be way smarter, with bigger words, and would probably go on for all eternity. I do wish I had known more people who watched it in the theater to urge me not to miss it. I was going to go watch it on 3 different occasions, but never quite made it. If I had known then what I know now I would have made time. It makes me happy to think about what I saw, and I will continue to think about it until I watch it again, which will be soon.

**One last Matrix reference. When JG Levitt is fighting in the spinning hallway it is quite reminiscent of the Neo/Trinity shootout in the Lobby. This scene is shorter, but just as powerful.

 

NBM rates Inception - A Work of Cinematic Art

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Knowing

Being a "use to be" Nicolas Cage fanatic I still usually watch everything he does, hoping he returns to glory. The films that make up his legacy are raising Arizona, The Rock, and Con Air. As of late his choicer of roles seems to be less about the film and more about staying active to pay for his lifestyle. Nonetheless, I remember the trailers for Knowing and thinking this may be it. This might just do it for his career. I was wrong. Great move, don't get me wrong, but he still hasn't recaptured his magic. Knowing is the story about a list of numbers. At first glance, it seems all too random. The list was comprised by an 8 year old little girl and sealed in a time capsule for the next 50 years. Once dug up it was given to a little boy name Caleb. Caleb's Father John (Cage) is a cynical professor at MIT. He feels there is no point and we are here, then we die. That's it. There is no changing things. If it's suppose to happen, it will. When Caleb shows the list to his Father, he doesn't think much about it. Then a group of numbers jumps out at him. It could be a date. He google's said date and a tragedy took place on that date. The numbers that followed the date on the paper he noticed were the exact number of deaths related to the tragedy. He spends all night typing dates and trying to debunk the list. He wants it not to be true, because the girl that wrote it 50 years earlier had predicted numerous future tragedies. For John this is a nightmare, but getting anyone to believe him is the worse part. Once all the dates have been processed, only three dates remain and they take place in the coming days. Unfortunately for his case, there are several numbers that are unaccounted for. He cannot figure out what they are. This is where it gets interesting. He figures out those extra numbers and knows he needs to try and save those victims. From this point another aspect is introduced that we are not sure about til the end. We also meet the little girl who wrote the list daughter (Byrne). She doesn't want to remember how crazy her mother was, but eventually can't deny it anymore. The clock is running out, and we find out very important things about the list in the last half hour of the film. It really keeps us guessing up until that point. I like how it ended, that is to say the first ending. This is a film with two ending. Not an alternate ending found on the DVD, but it ends and then someone thought it would be a good idea to drag it on for another 2 minutes and add an unnecessary controversial ending that was pointless. It should have ended then credits. It didn't ruin the whole movie for me, but I did question the thought process. Lots of spoilers I am not going to give away. I do recommend this film, because I think the reviews were too harsh.

NBM rates Knowing - Greatly Awesome

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Iron Man 2

A while back I asked a buddy of mine, who happens to be 7, what movie he would like me to write about. He said he didn't know. I said, what movie do you like. Then he said, you should write about Iron Man. Iron Man was awesome, and Iron Man 2 was as well. Iron Man 2 took a lot of crap, because "the first one is better." Well, duh. No one is saying it's not. What I am saying is sequels by definition are inferior films. The only ones that come to my mind that exceed the first are X-Men united, Godfather 2, and The Empire Strikes Back. Why does anyone expect any sequel will be better than it's predecessor? With that said, I feel Iron Man 2 was a huge success, and I'm not talking about box office numbers. The film is fun and dark simultaneously. We find out that Tony is dying, and he has loads of trouble coming to grips with it. He turns into an alcohol imbibing looney toon. That's the fun part. His dark past and possible non existent future is the dark part. The introduction of 2's villain(s) couldn't be better. Mickey Roarke play Whiplash. A Russian who inventor father work for Stark's father. He is a mad physics genius who only wants revenge on the Stark family. He is able to construct the only thing to give The Iron Man a run for his money. He also delivers a creepy fondness for his bird. He says the best line of the movie after his first dual with IM when he is detained. "When you make god bleed, people stop believing"  Roarke is the ultimate bad guy and is very likable by the audience. We like him a whole lot more than President Doucebag of Hammer industries Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). He has a vendetta for Stark and needs Ivan/Whiplash to help him design an army of pilot less remote controlled iron man like killing machines. Nick Fury gets good screen time, and Scarlett Johanssen adds a sexy punch as Black Widow. All of the cast members from the first one return except for the Rhodes character. Originally played by uber prick Terrence Howard is replaced by uber cool Don Cheadle. Being a Cheadle fan, I appreciated this move. The new suit is cool and the briefcase system is awesome and fun to watch. The action is as good as the first film, and it was fun to watch Him get his ass kicked. It was also fun to watch drunk iron man entertain a bunch of party guests at his home. The War Machine was definitely the Bee's Knees of the film. Operated by Rhodes and going back to back with Iron Man in the all out battle with Ivan's droids was awesome. I can't wait for the third film as I know Favreau will do it justice. I am really looking forward to see how the Avengers dynamic works out with so many A list stars attached.

NBM rates Iron Man 2 - Phenomenal (which is the same rating I would give Iron Man)

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Anaconda

Any movie that spawns 3 sequels, including one starring David Hasselhoff couldn't be that bad, right? I quite enjoyed the star studded cast in the original Anaconda. This is a story about a film crew shooting a documentary in the Amazon that goes terribly awry. Dr.Cale (Eric Stoltz) is the anthropologist on board, along with film makers Terri (Lopez) and Danny (Ice Cube), and sound man Gary (an unknown at the time named Owen Wilson) the boat seems to be packed. Is there room for one more. Absolutely. Enter Paul (Jon Voight). A seasoned poacher who knows these waters better than anyone else on the boat. Something is just a little off about him to the rest of the travelers. Seems to me like he would owe them since they pretty much saved his arse. His boat had crashed and the storm was getting worse. They bring him aboard and then chaos ensues. They don't know whether to believe what he tells them, or write it off as BS. Everyone is getting where they need to go until the boat gets hung up and Dr. Cale needs an emergency tracheotomy. Paul does not hesitate to save his life, then the agenda is flipped. Cale is going to die without medical attention. Paul now at the helm takes a "shortcut" to get him there quicker. This is where we find out -Gangsta voice: "There's snakes out there this big?" Thanks for that Ice Cube. You made this movie. So now we know Paul wants to catch an Anaconda alive because it would be worth $1 million. I remember wondering if that was true, then I saw an anaconda in the St. Louis zoo. In fact they had 2. Doubt they are worth that much. I also know they don't hunt people, they are slow as molasses even though they are portrayed as lightning fast and nimble. The crew has been stalked by the beast for too long and Paul won't give up. Good action and pretty good effects for the first on screen digital anaconda. The puppets looked pretty good as well. Paul is not going to quit until he has what he wants, even if he has to kill the people who have helped him. It ends in such a good fashion: Regurgitation. the way the movie is directed and scored is awesome. Any movie that keeps us wanting for the beast, constantly thinking it's about to show it's face based on the music and actors emotions, but making us wait is good film making. Finally once he shows up, he does not disappoint.

NBM rates Anaconda - Awesome

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