The Amazing Spider-Man Teaser Trailer

So I enjoyed the original Spider Man series, but I will admit, I think Tobey was the wrong choice. I never believed him as The web crawler, and though I saw each of them and own each of them, I am very excited to see Andrew Garfield spin the web. The first thing I read about this was negative. Compared to the first Sam Raime trailer, this one comes off flat. I disagree. I think it will be great. I also don't know if it was only used for trailer purposes or if it will actually be in the film, but the first person visual of Spidey running over roof tops and flying through the city are insanely cool visuals. I hope they do use that scene, but that is to say, not "over use" that perspective. I feel if it was used once it would be perfect, but more than once would feel diluted. Enjoy the following trailer.

Machete

Never have I heard of a film put into production because of the buzz a Fake trailer produced. When The Grindhouse films, Death Proof and Planet Terror came out, they had fake trailers made specifically for them. The trailers were made in the same effect as the grind house films, so to say, these movies are the real deal. When a 3 minute trailer featuring Danny Trejo and Lindsay Lohan aired in front of the film, people went berserk. A film about a renegade Mexican who's weapon of choice is a Machete got so much feedback, this fake trailer turned Danny Trejo into a leading man after a decade or so of being a character actor. I love that Robert Rodriguez shot this film exactly like the fake trailer. Just like 70's grind house. Scratchy film, dull color, and campiness as far as the eye could see. When Machete (pronounced Mu-chet-Tay), a Federale, is betrayed by his own countrymen, he is pissed. Unfortunately he does not have time to dwell on that for too long before a powerful man named Torrez (Steven Seagal) kills his wife and Daughter, yet fails to kill him, putting him into a state of melancholy. He is now in the USA trying to rebuild his life. What is currently going on in Texas has the Mexican population in turmoil. A Senator (DeNiro) along with a local Texas independent border patrolman (Don Johnson) are trying to keep our borders Mexican free. They take drastic measures to ensure this. When a local man comes to Machete and pays him to assassinate said Senator, he gets set up big time. The Senator takes one in the leg from someone else, while Machete is framed for Attempted Murder. Now he is on the run, but he gets help from a couple of sources to help him bust this conspiracy wide open. It is a bit of a blood fest. The cast is amazing. Jessica Alba as the Immigration Officer, Cheech Marin as a Priest and brother to Machete, Michelle Rodriguez as a local restaurateur always fighting for the Mexican cause, and Lindsay Lohan. She is not around a whole lot, but she is naked and it does show her bits. YAY. When the Mexican's face off against the Texan vigilantes, it is one helluva great action scene. Machete is like the Latino Martin Luther King, minus the speeches and all that. He has been appointed their leader and he will stop at nothing. This is one of those films that if you take it seriously, you will hate it. You have to appreciate the effort Robert Rodriguez put into making a film placed in the present day, but looking like it was shot 40 years ago. It is just a good, fun movie to watch. I was considering rating it Phenomenal, but I do not think many people would understand why. In order to keep my credibility...


NBM rates Machete - Awesome

Faster

When getaway Driver (Dwayne Johnson) gets nicked for a bank job, he gets 10 years. That's not the bad part. He and his crew were set up, but by whom is the real question? He and his crew do get away initially, but are soon tracked down and killed in their safe house. This is why Driver is so pisses off. His brother was killed for no reason at all and he was put behind bars. At this point there is nothing to stop him from getting his revenge on those responsible for his Brother's death. From the opening scene once he is a free man, you are in for a ride. He drives an absolutely BA 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS - I'm guessing it was the 454 and not the 396, because Driver doesn't seem like the type of cat to puss out on the engine size to save a couple bucks. He has the biggest gun I've ever seen, especially revolver style. When I asked A-Bomb what caliber he thought it may be, I answered before he could with 1". If you know guns, you know that would be of astronomical size. He is out to pick off each person that was present at the hide out, and he will not be stopped. Literally, he is a man on a mission, and I don't even think if you killed him, he would stop. The is a true revenge flick in the fullest of terms. Think Payback. Think of how much Mel wanted revenge in that film and then multiply that  by 6. That is about where Driver is in his life. The best part is the fact that all the people that wronged him have been awaiting his return. They knew it was inevitable, but there really is no prep for what he brings to the table. Before Driver gets too out of hand, a sub plot is integrated that really was not all that necessary, but at the same time, it did not dilute or take away from the movie I was enjoying. Sub plot: A "Hitter" has been hired to take Driver out of the equation. That story is pretty good, but the story is really about the man behind the man behind the Huge gun. A great action film, and very violent and bloody at times. If you like The Rock, and you wanna smell what he's been cooking, he basically cooks up an ass whooping in Faster. With supporting roles from Billy Bob as the cop on his tail, and a cameo by Tom Berenger as The Warden, along with the lovely Moon Bloodgood, the movie really turned out well.

NBM rates Faster - Awesome

The Sting

As The Jester quickly approaches the end of his first year of daily movie reviews, I figure he’s got to be getting a little worn down. Jester – consider this my gift to you – a day off!

Flipping through the channels last night, I stumbled across The Sting playing on Retroplex. Jester has referenced many a movie over the last year that he will drop everything for to watch if it’s on, even if he’s already seen the movie a dozen times. For me, The Sting is one of those films. It was filmed in 1973…it’s based in the 1930’s…and it just has a timeless feel about it. At a high level, the film is about con men, but after you’ve seen it a few times you appreciate that there is so much more to it. For me, there are three elements that stand out above the rest. First – the intricacy and complexity of the plot. The main character is Johnny Hooker (Robert Redford), a small time con man who frivolously wastes every score he collects. As the movie progresses, Hooker is essentially trying to juggle four “secret lives” at the same time: working with Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) and his crew to run a “big con” against Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw), pretending to be turning against Gondorff to gain Lonnegan’s trust, running from the Joliet cop who has been chasing him for years without letting his Gondorff know for fear of losing his spot in the “big con”, and reluctantly working with the FBI against Gondorff to clear his name. Confusing? Maybe. The first two times I saw it I had trouble connecting all the dots. Trust me when I tell you that I’ve now come to fully appreciate the flawlessness with which they pulled this all off. In the end, there isn’t a loose string left hanging anywhere, and they’re brilliant in the way that it all ties together. The second element I’m really impressed with is the cinematography. I wouldn’t call myself a “film geek”, but even I have come to appreciate the set-up of some of the shots in the movie. Two that stand out: a scene where Hooker is peering over the shoulder of one of Lonnegan’s bodyguards, he and the bodyguard both had to his specific marks so you can barely see Hooker’s eyes as he sizes up the much larger bodyguard, and a scene where there is action set in front of a storefront window, and just when you think that scene is over they zoom in on the window itself and you realize that there one of the con men monitoring the action from a 2^nd story apartment across the street. These are subtle touches, and in today’s film world they’d probably be done with CGI instead of slick camera work and direction. The third element I’m always impressed with is the on-screen chemistry between Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It’s not a “bromance” kind of chemistry, so don’t take that the wrong way. These guys are the epitome of the “buddy movie” pairing. They work so well together, they seem like a natural fit. In the movie, Gondorff and Hooker clearly have the “Mentor/Mentee” relationship, and I have to believe that same relationship existed between Newman and Redford in real life, as well. It’s always fun to see two masters of their craft working side by side.

So, the next time you’re flipping through the channels and you see The Sting listed in the channel guide, give it a shot. You will not be disappointed. 

Dean-O guarantees it.

NBM rates The Sting - Phenomenal

The Others

I will be the first to tell anyone that I do not care for the horror genre or the scary beyond belief films that so many people seem to love. On the other hand, if a movie can be creepy and twisted with a superb ending, then I am in. The others is more of a suspense thriller than anything else. It does have a few shock and awe factors built in, but mostly it is just a story we are trying to figure out. When Grace (Kidman) moves her and her two children to a Jersey mansion near the end of WWII, all is well. They move into this house that they must board up almost immediately due to both her children having a light sensitive disease. This makes this huge home very dank and extremely creepy and dark. They are basically shut ins, and all Grace is waiting for is her husband to get back from the war. When Grace and the children begin hearing things, she begins to wonder. When they begin seeing things, then she is certain that they are treading on the territory of ghosts or spirits unable to crossover. Possibly the previous owners. She is unsure, but she doesn't like it. Short and to the point, she wants her home spirit free, so her family can go about their lives in peace. Like I said, a few quick scares, a couple shocking moments, but when it comes down to the money shot, the answers we have been seeking, what we realize is crazy cool. A great ending that I didn't see coming, which says a lot. Well written, smoke in mirrors, Nicole Kidman is fantastic, and I will watch this again.

NBM rates The Others - Awesome

The Lincoln Lawyer

So I had heard from one person this movie was great, but I'm not sure how much I believed him. He only watches about 5 movies a year and tends to have the opposite opinion on film as I usually do. This one, however, he hit the nail on the head. Right from the get go we see what Mick (McConaughey) is all about. he is a top notch, no BS, very successful defense attorney. Basically, he represents the scum of the Earth, but he likes it that way. He is good, and no one can deny that. When he is presented a case involving a millionaires son charges with loads of bad things, he accepts it. Two reason: His cockiness, and the paycheck. When he meets his client, he has the 20 questions, but never asks anyone if they actually did it. His motto is along the lines of "Everyone is guilty and we may get them off, I WILL not be responsible for sending an innocent man to prison." In his mind, innocence does not exist. His 32 year old, wealthy, playboy client claims he has been set up. Louis (Phillippe) is a smooth talker, but when faced with 25 years in prison, he is still a pretty smooth talker. He states that the innocent don't hide, so he is gonna do whatever it takes to get this behind him. With Mick and his PI, Frank (Macy) on the case, they should have this aggravated assault with a deadly weapon whilst attempting to rape a prostitute thrown out rather quickly. Mick is better than good at what he does. He knows it, but so does everyone else who knows him. When the digging begins, Mick is more than a little unhappy with what he finds. Louis has been lying to him about some of the details, which gets Mick's gears turning. What starts out as a pretty standard court room drama quickly escalates into an extremely intense thriller, and a guessing game of who is playing who, and what is the real deal with Louis? What Mick finds out floors him, and now he does not know what he is to do. He is a man with no conscience, which is why he is so successful, but when faced with a decision to make, will he make the right one? An extremely smart movie that makes you feel it has ended, and then here comes another bomb. Clever, and well written, but the supporting cast alone should make you more than willing to shell out $1 to rent it. Marisa Tomei as a prosecuting attorney who also happens to share a daughter with Mick. Then we have the prosecuting attorney on this particular case is Josh Lucas. John Leguizamo is always welcome, but the best role is mildly unrelated to the thick plot of this film is played by Trace Adkins. The Country music singer plays a BA biker in a California gang who always seem to have business with Mick. These bikers add a really good perspective to the film. It shows how even though not many people in judiciary system may not care for Mick, there are a lot of real world people who appreciate what he may have been able to do for them, and life is all about who ya know.

NBM rates The Lincoln Lawyer - Phenomenal

Brick

This is a fantastic independent film that everyone should see. Well, maybe not everyone. Definitely those who love Joseph Gordon Levitt (JGL) or independent films, or films about the seedy underground of the drug industry. Illegal drugs, not pharmaceutical drugs. That's not the real story though. The real story is of Brendan (JGL) trying to figure out what happened to his ex girlfriend. I know most people would not care about their ex, but because their relationship recently demised, and she had been acting strange before she broke up with him, he felt something was off. Apparently she had gotten into Brick-a new drug with a teenage demographic. When he finds her dead body near a sewage tunnel, he doesn't want to hand it over the police. He wants to know why she was killed. She had called him a couple days earlier in a bit of a panic and somewhat incoherent. He recalls some of the key words she used and from here he begins his investigation. He asks a lot of questions around his high school and some of the people do not like being asked about their business, hence his face pictured above. He must know why Emily is dead, and he also wants to make the one(s) responsible pay. It is a deeper revenge flick than most. Extremely smart also. Sometimes too smart. I have only seen it once, but would definitely like to watch it again. Brendan's drive is unlike that of most high schoolers, but his loner attitude probably helps out with that. When he really gets going, he finds out this goes so much deeper than he could have imagined. He gets further and further underground, and at this point he feels even his life may be at stake. Brilliant movie, perfect ending. Superb. 

NBM rates Brick - Phenomenal

Trapped in Paradise

Yet another film based on the relationship of 3 brothers. This time it's a comedy about the ties that bind. It follows Bill Firpo (Coppola Cage) and his two younger brothers, who both happen to be currently in prison. They get out shortly into the film and claim to be cleaned up. His brother Dave (Lovitz) is a con man, while Alvin (Carvey) is a semi retarded kleptomaniac. When they get released from their most recent stretch, they have a plan. Unfortunately for their eldest bro, who has never been in the klink, they wanna get him involved in their latest scheme which is to take place in the small town of Paradise. It is an absolutely no fail bank robbery, and Bill cannot say no. They travel to Paradise for the "smash and grab" heist and from here everything goes wrong...I mean funny. The rest of the middle of the film shows how this small town bands together to preserve Christmas and the spirit that it holds. The brothers stole money from the bank, but essentially stole the dreams of every resident in this small town. When they fail to get out of town [car trouble], a local offers them a hot and a cot. They accept, thinking they can be on their way in the morning. The house this good Samaritan takes them to is actually his parents house, who happen to be the owners of the local bank that was just robbed. They sit there and eat this feast while listening to these poor people trying to figure out how they are going to move forward, but the thing that gets Bill's goat is the fact that these lovely people never bad mouth the bank robbers. They figure these robbers must have had a real need for the money they stole. This not only baffles Bill, but makes him regret his actions. No matter how hard they try to get out of Paradise, nothing works. It all comes to a frightening conclusion when more ex-current-cons end up in Paradise as well. They are there to get the money the brothers stole as they claim the bank heist was their idea. A super sweet movie about how people can generally be super sweet. Many people may see this and chalk it up to Hollywood fiction in the terms that "People are not that way. That nice. That forgiving. That gracious." I say, you must have never been in the small town Southern USA. The South offers loads of people that are just this way with these traits and they are completely real and honest. The 3 brothers wanna do what's right, but it may be too late. Too many parties are involved at this point, and the guns have been drawn.

NBM rates Trapped in Paradise - Awesome

Four Rooms

By special request, NBM brings you Quentin Tarantino's most underrated film. I, on the other hand love Four Rooms. It is comprised of Four different segments which are all tied together with a bellhop named Ted (Tim Roth) on his first day of work. Each segment is directed by a different person and two of the four happen to be Robert Rodriguez and Tarantino. The other two are really not important. I mean, when one thinks of this film, the two that stand out are "The Misbehavers", and "The Man from Hollywood." So Ted is basically having the worst first day of any career ever. He starts out as cheeky as possible kissing ass, and doing his job at 110%. Then after the first couple rooms, he just stops caring. The first room is a coven of witches and that story is cool because of the nudity, but it doesn't last long and then it is over. The second room is a pissed off Italian who sticks a gun in Ted's face with certain accusations that Ted is able to weasel out of. This is all filler that leads to the 3rd and 4th rooms. The 3rd room, aptly named after what Antonio Banderas (The Father) is constantly telling his kids. "Don't ... Misbehave!!" This is the room that puts him over the edge. He is given very specific, threatening instructions by the Father to basically babysit his children. Then everything goes wrong and lets just say that the young boy smokes, they watch porn, a dead hooker is found in the mattress and a hypodermic needled from God knows where ends up in the flesh of Ted. Hilarious and very bad for our rookie bellhop. Then we get to the final room where Ted's night from Hell may pay off if he plays his cards right. Bruce Willis, and Tarantino show up on screen in this room. They have made a very serious wager that involves a lighter, $1500, and a man's pinkie finger. This is where Ted, an unbiased third party, can make his day all worth it. It may be the best ending possible, or the best ending of any movie ever. As A-Bomb stated tonight, the visual with Ted and the Meat cleaver, along with his lack of hesitation is among the best visuals ever. It is a fun movie to watch, and is very much re-watchable. And remember, any time you may be having a bad day, and someone asks you, "What's the problem?", be sure to reply with, "I have PROBLEMS!! Plural!!

NBM rates Four Rooms - Phenomenal

Just Married

Another movie about a wedding? It's ok, because this is 100% comedy gold. This is the love story of Tom (Kutcher) and Sarah (Murphy). These two star crossed lovers meet and get hitched rather quickly. Maybe too soon. One should never get married before they have a huge fight and get back to good from that fight. They do and her Father is not happy. He feels Tom is after the family money. Her Family is extremely wealthy and Tom is extremely broke. It's not that at all, but their "love" will be tested sooner than they hoped. They survive the wedding, but the European honeymoon is the story. It is the funny stuff. It all starts with the "compact" rental car once in Europe. Apparently a "compact" across the pond is quite different from here in the US of A. It only gets better from there, and our newlyweds realize marriage is work. Not only work, but hard work. They get kicked out of their posh digs for shorting out the entire electrical system with their sex toy, then they are on their own. The picture above is when her Father's choice for Sarah to marry shows up in Venice. Unbeknownst to her, he is on his own agenda to break them by arising jealousy issues. He succeeds and they travel back to the states separately. Now he has to fight for her, or decide whether he made the right decision at all. His Father gives him a speech and that seems to light a fire under Tom's pooper. This leads to the funniest and most horrific scene in the film. "I'm going to RAM the gate!!!!. The ramming part is ok, but with a cherry 1969 Dodge Charger? I don't know of a thing on Earth that would cause me to ruin that car. Great movie, great memories.

NBM rates Just Married - Awesome