noahspurlock12 Reviews

Ex Machina (2014)

Amazingly smart and outstanding...

[9/10 · 16 July 2015]

OK, Oscar Isaac is just f***ing astoundingly incredible and all I'm asking for from the Academy is to give him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The story seems like a typical A.I. film but it isn't because this in my opinion is a scientific evolution type of film and rings a bell of biblical implications. I say biblical because Nathan(Oscar Isaac) is like God in this case and creates a consciousness, but this God has created evil instead of good and evolutionary. Alicia Vikander is stunning and she goes from intelligently lovely to terrifying. She is scary good and Alex Garland's script just is remarkable because it makes Ava a humans' worst nightmare(don't fall in love with her). Domhnall Gleeson was fine but decisions he made were questionable, but if you watch it all again and pay attention, analyze and break it down, it makes sense. This film makes you think about what it will be like when A.I.'s are created; will they be trustworthy? Ava sure wasn't when she left Caleb behind after she killed her creator, who in the end was not as weird and evil as he seemed. Why did the helicopter guy just let her on though? I analyzed a lot and came up with my opinion, but I won't sit here and explain everything again. Alex Garland has developed something revolutionarily haunting.

Daredevil (2015–2018)

Charlie Cox is just perfect

[9/10 · 2 May 2015]

Daredevil needed this because Ben Affleck nearly ruined the character and now Charlie Cox has outstandingly revived the character. OK so I'm just going to pick the most memorable parts in my opinion of the first season. The first episode hit me really hard emotionally, right off the bat with Matt's confessional session in the church, which Charlie Cox makes you feel his pain and his damage. When he talks about his dad letting the devil out and losing it, it just made me almost break down to tears. Episode 2 has a masterful fight scene, very reminiscent of The Raid and OldBoy. The constant focus of the fight and capturing the brutality, made me love this show more. Elden Henson sometimes got annoying as Foggy, but he played the character very well. Deborah Ann Wolf was really good as Karen Page and I can't wait to see more development of her in season 2. Episode 6 was excellent to me because of the intensity Charlie Cox brought and the dialogue with him and Wilson Fisk, played brilliantly by Vincent D'Onfrio. Scott Glenn was perfect as Stick and his past with Matt will come into play next season most likely. Elektra was sort of referenced as the Greek girl Matt took Spanish class to talk to. Loved the acknowledgment of the rest of the MCU, worked very well. Charlie Cox is the heart of the show and he is astoundingly perfect for the role. Vincent D'Onfrio was unlike anything we've seen from a villain in the MCU and he's exceptional. Look at the wall and think about what you've done... We love you Marvel.

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Not the '27 Yankees, but still can whip into shape...

[6/10 · 2 May 2015]

It's amazing how far Marvel has come and just how great Joss Whedon makes these films. Robert Downey Jr. is just a joy to watch as always and the rest of the team have almost surpassed his interest level. Now let's get something out of the way; this movie gets convoluted with the plot especially the Thor stuff, but it's all just set up for Thor: Ragnarok. Ultron is exceptionally played by James Spader, but for some reason I wish he was in the film just a little more. The Hulk and Black Widow romance was fine I guess, but I'm looking forward to Vision and Scarlet Witch. Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were actually valuable to the film and I enjoyed them even though Quicksilver sadly dies. I loved the Civil War foreshadowing with Captain America and Tony Stark. Hawkeye was freaking amazing and can't wait to see him more because I love Jeremy Renner. Vision was brilliant and Paul Bettany was solid, I mean he picked up Thor's hammer(Cap almost does too, loved that comic reference). Andy Serkis was hilarious and awesome, can't wait for Black Panther. Ultron didn't have a big fight at the end with the Avengers, but he did his part and the film was still superb. Vision killing Ultron was so good because of the dialogue, "You are incredibly naïve", "Well, I was born yesterday." Excellent dialogue. Possible Planet Hulk set up, not sure. Same beats as the first, but it was amazing and is just as good as the first honestly. No Spider-Man end credits scene, but we get Thanos preparing to raise some hell in Infinity Wars.

Furious 7 (2015)

For Paul....we all love you and miss you.

[7/10 · 4 April 2015]

After Paul Walker tragically died, I had wondered how this film would get made. I worried about it being canceled completely, but it didn't and it was gracefully executed. I had one simple problem with the film: Very little Dwayne Johnson. I felt like it'd be even more fantastic with more of Hobbs, Johnson is full of life with his jokes, physicality and personality. The action is amazing, yet it being insanely over the top, which makes it even better because it knows what it is. James Wan, usually known for his chilling and suspenseful horror films did an excellent job with taking over the franchise. Seeing the crew together always makes me smile because the chemistry between them all is wonderful to watch. They are like a real family and you can see it in the last scene. The final scene was truly touching, seeing Brian(Walker) pull up next to Dom(Vin Diesel) and saying "Are you gonna leave without saying goodbye?". Seeing them smile at each other and then drive down the road together, honestly brought me to tears. "He will always be with me. He will always be my brother..".

Gone Girl (2014)

David Fincher is great again.

[9/10 · 26 January 2015]

Ben Affleck stars in this twisted thriller, based off the best selling novel by Gillian Flynn and boy was it perfectly adapted to the screen. Now Ben Affleck I thought was gonna shine over everyone, but Rosamund Pike's twisted, dark performance improves this film to a near masterpiece mystery. I thought Ben Affleck was just great, but he didn't get the Oscar nom, well there was just way more competition. The David Fincher direction is very noticeable in the film and he has perfectly made another dark mystery, making it more effective with every twist. Rosamund Pike, she very well gives the best performance of the year for a female, also just acting in general. This woman knocks it out of the park and she embodies the twisted, insane darkness of Amy from the book. Tyler Perry was a huge surprise of all and he didn't ruin the film and actually improved it. Neil Patrick Harris was OK, but he just wasn't the right guy for this role. This film was snubbed by the Oscars in the Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score categories. Let's just hope they reward the only thing nominated; Ms. Amy Elliot Dunne.

The Imitation Game (2014)

The Imitation Game...would you like to play?

[9/10 · 25 January 2015]

The Imitation Game is a new British film about Alan Turing, the brilliant man who broke the Nazi Enigma code. Benedict Cumberbatch has been in the middle of a pretty good track record at the moment with his roles and this is the one that stands out as great. This is a very well depiction of Alan Turing, a genius mathematician who was chosen to attempt to crack the enigma and he was also a homosexual, which was illegal at the time. This man went through his life of being scared he was going to be persecuted and chemically castrated. The film has a very good pace and Cumberbatch is so mesmerizing, his emotional power works, making this film more effective. The story is so powerful, heartbreaking and moving along with the Oscar nominated script for adapted screenplay. Very deserving of the nominations it has gotten because of how impactive it is to a person and everyone can understand the complex, but incredible story of Alan Turing.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

Michael Keaton is triumphant..

[10/10 · 24 January 2015]

I've known Birdman was gonna be a gem ever since the teaser. Michael Keaton was my main buzz about the film at first, then it expanded to more when watched it. Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu is a masterful director, the continuous shot was so engaging. Writing is not just good, but they make good writing inside of a film with good writing(The theater play). Edward Norton is fantastic and superb, still overshadowed by Keaton. Emma Stone was not as great as she is being said to be in the film, she delivers probably a career best performance. This film gives you an experience like no other and its captivating. Birdman was like nothing I saw in 2014 and in a while, the uniqueness is so intriguing. Michael Keaton is definitely gonna win Best Actor at the Oscars and hopefully maybe this film wins Best Picture, you never know.

Foxcatcher (2014)

Channing Tatum steals the show....

[9/10 · 4 January 2015]

Well before I never thought I'd see Steve Carell and Channing Tatum in a drama together, but it happened and it was a great film. This film has perfect direction from Bennett Miller, who directed Capote and one of my all-time favorites Moneyball. When I first heard about this film I told myself this is going to be the best film of 2014. Well I was almost right. The performances really made the film for me, Steve Carell was crazy mesmerizing, but not worth all the award hype he's getting because Mr. Tatum was the heart and soul for this film truly. Mark Ruffalo was great he is the only one in the film who honestly for sure is getting an Oscar nomination. Jon Du Point was a strange, insane and tormented man who thought he could help America soar again, but in a violent way. Mark Schultz himself says the film is mostly false and well it's a movie, not exactly always fully true. Masterful acting excels the movie into a great story and this is a film that's just so out there, crazy and depressing you only need to watch this powerful story unfold just once.

The Interview (II) (2014)

James Franco knocks it out of the park!!!

[9/10 · 28 December 2014]

James Franco probably gives one of the best performances of his career and its just fantastic witnessing it in the comfort of my home. This film has some unnecessary controversy around it and it makes me happy I get to watch it whenever I want on my Xbox and IPhone. The first 30 minutes of this film is hilarious and I thought I was watching the best comedy of 2014, but then it slowed down and wasn't so funny with all the C.I.A. stuff and don't worry it picked up a lot and made laugh so hard and it was great. Now this film is uproarious, funny and raunchy also outrageous and it works. Seth Rogen is funny as usual and Randall Park as Kim Jong-Un was hilarious and he did very well. The cameos and the references to pop-culture are smart, funny and witty which makes the film not so controversial about North Korea and people need to chill out. The film was just so funny and I think Sony shouldn't of backed down because people need to see that its not racist or terrorism in any way, but extremely hysterical.

The Maze Runner (2014)

Good acting, amazing action and better than mediocre.

[7/10 · 28 December 2014]

When I first heard about that the book was being made into a film I was doubtful, but it surprised me very well. Dylan O'Brien unexpectedly did extremely good and so did Wes Ball at directing, and what about Will Poulter with another fantastic performance. Now the book was obviously better because it has many differences and took risks with language and violence but it's toned down in this film. Thomas has a lot more emotional tense moments in the book and that's why I liked it so much and the movie converted some, meanwhile Teresa was way under used in the film. Now when Thomas, Newt and the others make it out and find the outside world in the book it lasts longer and here its too quick, especially the death of Gally and Chuck. There is the most obvious "There's gonna be a sequel scene ever" I mean hey there's other books, but Jesus you don't have to force the upcoming sequel in our faces. I enjoyed the film so much from start to finish and The Runners' have a bright future for the big screen.

Into the Woods (2014)

Wonderful Musical

[6/10 · 25 December 2014]

I was expecting this film to be mediocre, it was far from it and the experience was magically adventurously mesmerizing. Meryl Streep was fantastic as usual, but Emily Blunt was so good and how about James Corden. People in the audience were complaining about too much singing...how about you realize it's based off a "musical" and go watch Les Miserables, you'll get way more singing.The story telling was so amazing and I felt like a kid again watching all this fairy tales come to life all together.Ignore every person who complains about the morals or Meryl Streep's character or the singing. This was a great film to watch on Christmas and it made my holidays that much better along with gems like Unbroken,Big Eyes,American Sniper and yes The Interview. Into The Woods is definitely a film to remember and is memorable with every song.

Interstellar (2014)

Masterpiece

[10/10 · 25 December 2014]

Interstellar is honestly one of the best films I've ever seen. Christopher Nolan has made a film that just put him one step closer to legendary. Matthew McCounaughey is sitting on the top of the world after his Oscar winning performance in last years Dallas Buyers Club and getting an Emmy nod for True Detective. When I was sitting in the theater watching this wonderful film unfold I was truly mesmerized and I was speechless. The camera work was magnificent and Christopher Nolan probably won't get the credit he deserves from the Academy. I was thinking in my mind "Man too bad this won't get all the awards it deserves", this shouldn't be the way it was with 2001:A Space Odyssey where a great film that takes science fiction to the next level and the special effects;flawless. Listen up Academy, it's time to show respect to Christopher Nolan because he's giving us moviegoers and cinema lovers gold and he's the best director in the biz at the moment.

Whiplash (2014)

Can we give J.K. Simmons the Oscar now?!

[10/10 · 25 December 2014]

I was completely hyped for this film ever since I heard about it. I heard about it and thought "This is gonna be an Oscar caliber film", Well was I ever more right. This was the most powerful and riveting film I've seen in awhile and I loved it from beginning to end. I have been wanting to see Miles Teller give charged dramatic performance ever since I saw him in 21 and Over because he looked like he had that raw emotional energy. J.K Simmons kills it in this movie and he is absolutely going to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Simmons gives the performance of a life time and he is so powerful and he convinces you he'll push any body to their limits and beyond. The script is fantastic and powerful, Damien Chazelle is just a great young director and he knows how to capture intense powerful moments and he does so with this masterpiece. Acting is prime in this film and it's a Best Picture nomination for sure and Simmons will getting his Oscar February 22nd, 2015.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (2014)

The Hunger Games doesn't disappoint

[8/10 · 25 December 2014]

Even when it loses a step it's still amazing and that's something "Twilight" and "Divergent" fail to be. Jennifer Lawrence puts it all out there in every film she's in and she is wonderful. Francis Lawrence makes the book series I loved in elementary a mesmerizing, great storytelling adventure. The film fails to deliver action though and is kinda slow, but the script keeps it intriguing and you can never doubt The Hunger Games to succeed even when it has flaws. The world of this war torn country gets more unique and beautiful with every new entry in this film series. Liam Hemsworth actually steps up to the table and delivers some intense, moving and emotional lines and delivers the Gale I remember from the books. Julianne Moore as Alma Coin I thought was pretty cool and Phillip Seymour Hoffman is so good and I like what the direction their going with his character. Hoffman will get some intense emotional scenes to remember in Part II which will be a great way to respect him. In loving memory of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

Unbroken (I) (2014)

Jack O'Connell is outstanding..

[7/10 · 25 December 2014]

Lets just say I just saw a great movie about loyalty, courage, survival and redemption. Angelina Jolie has fantastic directing skills and its Oscar worthy. Jack O'Connell knocks his performance out of the park and he's proved himself with this great performance along with his performances in "Starred Up" and "'71". He embodies the characteristics of Louis Zamperini and the great wonderful life he lived. Jai Courtney had a small role, but really good surprisingly, can't wait to see him as Kyle Reese in next summer's Terminator reboot. The movie slowed at a point but picked it up and blew me away, O'Connell gives an Oscar worthy performance, but given the competition it's unlikely. Who cares though? This is one of 2014's best films and you'll see it at the Oscars I promise you that.