Did not expect to see Salma Hayek here! In a movie like this...

She looks amazing though. And plays her role well, of course.

The plot's simple. It's the story of a French man traveling back to the US to inherit his mother. That's all.

Then Hayek comes along.

They focus on scenery and interactions. The moments. Life.

It's really down to Earth. It's not bad, but also not my type of movie.
Maybe because I didn't live this type of life? Because it's too artsy? Because it's as inconclusive as real life tends to be, and not the life I flee to the movies to see?

It left me feeling a little confused. Not sure anymore. What what.

But it looked amazing.

 rated 3.5/5: not bad at all

In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet Agent within MI6.

They really go in for the details with this one! Gary Oldman manages an impressive English accent, and on almost both looking and sounding like Bill Nighy too. Though I wonder why they call him Smiley...

It's a good movie. They focus on details - as mentioned. They capture emotion. They convey the moments. They convey the moods. It looks like they might have a greenscreen behind them when the plane roles in, but other than that I can't spot a thing that feels off. The pace is refreshingly slow and the roles are impeccably played yet... it feels vague. Too cryptic. Too inconclusive. What about Anne? About about the Russian?

What about a lot of things.

Maybe it's the kind of movie I'd appreciate more if I see it again, and really take in the details, but as it is it didn't go all the way for me, impeccable as everything may have been presented here.

I'm impressed yet left feeling cheated, somehow.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Read on...

Animated renditions of an Internet bulletin board system. A reporter trying to get on board, looking for a scoop. A trio of bullies looking to bring down the 'Justice Girl'. A certain set of personalities working a varied set of occupations that the camera cycles through every time a visual response is required for a certain online scenario...

You'd think it's kind of silly at first. Like a movie made by old people. Without any know-how of the net. Or made for old people. The culture simplified and collectivized to the point it's not just a visual simplification but like a parody in itself, but then...

Give it a chance won't ya?

If you don't like romantic movies though look elsewhere.

If you like heartfelt endings look back.

I was thinking I'd maybe at least give this a three for poppin' visuals, but when it's all said and done this was so much more than that.

It's a reflection of our true selves. It's humankind in the twentyfirst century. It's a parallel world, with strengths and weaknesses just like ours, and a testament and hope to our human nature.

That people really are inherently good.

It's a promise. It's a gift. It's a dream.

What it could truly become if it isn't already. A little alternative cybernetic utopia you reach through a screen.

Like the underground: It's best a scene.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle

Drew a little something for the occasion. :P Yes the sloppy letter placement does bother me too, but I shall leave it be! And move on! And achieve great things! And realize my dreams!

Happy Mar 10 y'all.

A lady suckers a retired military Colonel into saving her sister from certain death by means of poison, which only her sister has the antidote for. Though unfortunately it occasionally gives him stomach cramps, that set in at the most inopportune moments.

Unexpected bits of comedy amidst an otherwise pretty serious venture! And quick wit, like:

"The stories... are they true, or are they all lies?"
"It's all true, especially the lies."

It starts with slow ride through the steam of an old locomotive, a wintery wilderness, and the girl, and then the Charles Bronson look-alike steps in... Just like with Escape From Death Block 13 it takes a while to get into the story, maybe because of his not that great acting, but once you do it's beautiful.

There's a twist at the end too. You won't see it coming. At least I didn't.

Don't mind that it was clearly filmed in a tourist ghost town - they even show a modern picnic table at one point. But the action's not bad, the sceneries are even better - refreshingly natural, and you grow to like the characters, which is really the most important part.

They turn a sub-par B-movie into something better here. Appreciate it.

Think I'll be watching a bit more of this Robert Bronzi guy...

 rated 3.5/5: not bad at all

Here's a testament to nature, to the wonder and beauty thereof, and to a literary classic. And to adventure, and fantasy, and love.

The emotional moments were surprisingly emotional. The special moments surprisingly magical and atmospheric. The rain track ride back to the now though unfortunately very fake-looking.

Might've been one of my favorite bits when I was little.

And some of the supposedly comedic bits are maybe a bit overly-expressive. Everyone shouting even when you can clearly hear them...

The special effects in this one did not age gracefully. Not all. I remembered it as more immersive, though it's not bad. With the water-based scenes in particular they really manage, and sometimes it doesn't matter so much if it's real or no, like with the flesh-eating plants. The styles merge well. And it has that distinct early-two-thousands movie kind of quality to it now. Wonder if it's the camera, the culture or the characters. Maybe a combination thereof.

Whatever happened to Brendan Fraser though? He was in a lot of movies when I grew up...

But all that said this one's still a trip. A good one, like the old Jumanji. Like a movie made for the movies. With heart.

And with a Scandinavian lady in the mix no less?

Can't go wrong with that.

 rated 4/5: fo shizzle