Looper

So, is it possible to have an original idea these days? Yes. Case in point: Looper. I was more than expecting to love this movie. In fact, it would have taken a complete meltdown of story, acting, and effects for me to not have enjoyed it. Exactly the opposite happened. It is coherent story telling at its finest. There are tons of ins and outs, and what have yous, and I cannot believe how perfect it was. Anyone who owns a TV should know the premise of this film. Loopers are assassins in the year 2044. "Marks" are sent from 30 years in the future to be wiped out by the looper. Loopers are paid well in a mostly poor economy. They live well, they love their drugs and women, and as long as their record remains at 100%, life will remain good. That is what the trailers have fed us. We also know that one day, Old Joe (Willis) appears in front of 2044 Looper Joe (JGL), and JGL fails to do his job. This is only the tip of the iceberg of all the different aspects of this film. It goes in so many directions, yet is so engaging, it is almost impossible to not follow along. There was one point when I thought to myself, what the Hell is happening, then it plays out very well. There is also one aspect before the Joe/Joe situation happens that shows where this can go when failure occurs. I won't ruin it, but it was hard to watch, yet so over the top brilliant in its delivery. Where the story goes after Joe lets Joe get away is absolutely mind boggling. It goes forward and back. It is constantly edge of your seat good, and what is introduced, which becomes the main plot point really, caught me off guard. It was a twist of sorts. I was under the impression it would be about a battle against one's own self, but what it evolved in to is way better. It is deeper, and at times, hard to watch due to subject matter. Old Joe has his own agenda, while Looper Joe is trying to figure out what he needs to do. The writing of this in depth story very well could have derailed and become crap in a can. Instead it ultimately becomes the most original, most enjoyable film since Inception. The always gorgeous Emily Blunt plays a very good character, and Piper Perabo (Remember her? Coyote Ugly) seems to have a small part that turns out not to be that small. I cannot get the film out of my head, which proves how imprinting it is. Films that do that become legends and eventually get remade due to the lack of originality in Hollyweird. Rian Johnson who wrote and directed Looper was born by indie film cred. Looper is no different for him. The only difference is he got a bigger budget to make this film. The film, at times, looks as indie as they come. No soundtrack, no background music, no frills. I was a little concerned, as a lot of folks were, about JGL's prosthetics. I will say, it actually played well. It was not distracting and I appreciated the dedication to make this more real. I did find it hard to believe people in 2044 are still driving 2011 Smart Cars (33 years old), 1998 F 150's (46 years old), and late 2000 model Chevy Silverados (mid 30 years old), but at the same time, I appreciate budget money not being spent to make futuristic props that would have no bearing on the story itself.  That was the only thing I questioned in this futuristic, Sci-Fi Thriller. Everything else was fantastic, and I know why I LOVED it, but I am curious to see how other audience members feel. I did hear some grumbles when the credits rolled, yet I laughed it off and grinned ear to ear at what I had just seen. I already want to watch it again. That is saying something with the ridiculous ticket prices these days.

NBM rates Looper - A Work of Cinematic Art

National Treasure vs. Sahara

 

  VS.   

We're gonna do it a

little different tonight. Most days I review one movie, pretty straight forward. This is our first comparison duel between two films released only 5 months apart with similar plots. Some people say these two films cannot be compared, to which I respond, "They are both treasure movies. Am I wrong?" In our first battle, based purely on the looks of our heroes, Dirk (McConaughey from Sahara) wins hands down on our "Pretty Scale". I mean Nic Cage is awesome and all, but those muscles and those long beautiful locks Dirk sports are crazy good, especially for the ladies.  2nd battle is which film had the better sidekick? Riley Poole (Justin Bartha) of NT vs. Al Giordino (Steve Zahn) of Sahara. Riley is way more sarcastic than Al, but Al adds more to his movie I feel. 2-0 Sahara. 3rd test - Villain. Sean Bean of NT plays villains in almost every movie he is in and he so good at evil doings, he can't be beat. 4th is based on The Hot woman of each film. Penelope Cruz or Diane Kruger. This is purely based on looks alone, not acting. I tend to be more for the light skin blondies, rather than the Dark skin, hair combo. Looks like we are all knotted up at 2 a piece. Last thing is the most important thing, the plot high points. Dirk and Al are BFF's from way back and they hunt down lost treasures at sea with their Commander in charge, William H. Macy. Macy add so much to this film, including his boat, which was used by Dirk and Al to "pull a Panama". Funniest scene in the entire film. Ben Gates (Cage of NT) is more historian than treasure hunter. When Ben is commissioned by Bean to find the lost treasure of our American forefathers, he does his job perfectly. Unfortunately one treasure leads to another, but they are just clues to get to the big one. The one that is not suppose to exist. When Ben realizes to final clue is on the back of The Declaration of Independence, he knows he must stop his pursuit. Bean, on the other hand, decides to move forward and steal this historical document. Ben knows he must steal it first, in order to keep it safe. Ben knows he could face the rest of his life in prison for this, but that's better than the alternative. I love the scene where Ben has the document, which is behind bullet proof glass (makes sense), and Bean's goons start shooting at him down the hall. He uses the document as a shield. It is intense and perfect. While Sahara faces global problems in Africa, National Treasure uses American History fact and adds their own bit of fiction to make it quite entertaining. Harvey Keitel joins the NT film as an FBI agent hot on Ben's trail. It's smart, witty, and extremely entertaining, especially when Ben steals his Dad's (Jon Voight) car, and tie him to a chair. Sahara is more action than brains, but still a really fun film to watch. Plot goes to National Treasure, therefore crowning it victorious in our first ever battle de film.

I would really like your opinion on which one you like better. Post a comment at the bottom of the post or post it on our Facebook fan page located here. I will tally all 12 votes I'm sure I will get and post the results next week some time.

NBM rates National Treasure - Phenomenal

NBM rates Sahara - Awesome

Buy Your Copy Today