pianoman904 Reviews

Gran Torino (2008)

Not only Eastwood's best, but one of Hollywood's best in years

[10/10 · 11 January 2009]

I rarely ever comment on movies. I either comment if the movie is really bad so people can save their money, or if its really good so people can enjoy a good movie. And let me tell you folks this is one of the best.

I went into this movie knowing only what I saw in the trailers and TV spots. So to be honest, what I was expecting was sort of an unoffical Dirty Harry movie. I thought it would be Clint going around shooting bad guys. Sort of a Charles Bronson "DeathWish" type movie if you will. But let me tell you, it was sooo far from that. I don't want to reveal too much of the story. But let me tell you a few things. This movie was just all around great. What I had expected to be a vigilante movie turned out out to be a touching, moving, gritty, and actually funny movie. Thats right, funny. To be honest one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. But it has its own breed of humor. When you see it, you'll know what I mean. And the movie also has a lot of lessons and morals tucked underneath its gritty and comical surface. Lessons about life, death, racism, religion, revenge, and justice. The acting in the movie is perfect. Clint Eastwood gives what may be the best acting performance of his career. And the actors who played his Hmong neighbors nail their parts to a T.

Bottom line here. If you want a movie that will stay with you after you leave the theater, this is it. Most of the people in the theater were crying when the movie ended. I myself, had to sit in my seat well into the credits to get myself together before I left. Great Movie, PERIOD!!

-Expect a lot of Oscar nominations and wins from this Gem.

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)

Forget what you think, this is a LOVE STORY! And a Good one!

[9/10 · 2 November 2008]

Let me begin saying that I love Kevin Smith. But I love him as a film maker. So I was looking forward to see him do something new. I am a huge fan of his "View Askewniverse" movies, but I was excited to see him step out of his comfort zone and try something new. And the result was a surprisingly sweet and charming story. But hey guys, don't let me discourage you....there's plenty of Kevin's trademark raunchy humor and witty dialogue to keep you interested.

Here's a brief synopsis of the film. Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are two long time platonic friends who life together. The two find themselves hitting hard times. The water and power in the their apartment get shut off, and the have no money to pay the rent. The two of them face possible eviction. And as a last attempt to make ends meet they come upon the idea to make a "porno" movie. And through making the movie, they realize that they might have more feelings for each other than just friends. Now as brief and almost dumb as this plot may seem, it is handled with care and cleverly written and seems believable enough to me.

The casting in the movie is great. Its a combination of the Kevin Smith clan, and the Apatow crew. The usual suspects (ie Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes, Craig Robinson, Jeff Anderson) are all hilarious. Craig Robinson was especially hilarious and Justin Long's cameo will definitely have you talking after you see the movie.

All in all this movie is a perfect blend of comedy and romance. Its the ideal date movie. The guys will be cracking up at the crude humor. And the girls will be in awe watching one of the most intimate and sweet love scenes ever put to film. Enjoy!

Jackie Brown (1997)

Personally, I find it to be Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece

[10/10 · 15 June 2008]

Sometimes a movie requires more than one viewing. The first time I sat down to watch Jackie Brown, I wasn't so impressed. I didn't hate the movie, but I didn't love it either. I thought it was decent. The second time I watched it, I knew the plot already so I really got to indulge in the characters of the film. And thats exactly what the film is, it's a character piece.

Those of you who expect an energetic, stylized, violent, comic book-esque film like Pulp Fiction will not get that from this movie. Its a lot more tamed, and to say the least realistic. I love Pulp Fiction, its one of my all time favorite movies. But I doubt in the real world there would be two hit men in matching black and white suits. The scenarios of that movie, while fun and totally entertaining, aren't too realistic. Jackie Brown on the other hand has totally real characters that don't come off as too over the top.

All the actors in the movie are superb.The lead is played by actress Pam Grier who nails the role. Tarantino again shows you don't need an a-list actor to carry a movie. Grier plays Jackie Brown, an airline stuartess in her 40s. Samuel L. Jackson plays Ordell Robbie, a gun dealer who uses Jackie to bring him in money from Mexico. Robert DeNiro (in a smaller role for such a big actor) plays Louis, Ordell's friend who recent got out of jail. Bridget Fonda plays Melanie, a "blonde haired surfer girl" who lives with Ordell. Michael Keaton (my all time favorite actor)plays ATF agent Ray Nicollette who wants to take down Ordell. And Robert Forster plays Max Cherry, a bail bonds man. Without giving too much away, all of these characters in one way or another are all after $500,000 of Ordell's money. Every character in this movie is great and unique in their own way. But for me, Robert Forster steals the show. Max Cherry is without a doubt my favorite character in all of Quentin Tarantino's movies.

To some people, this movie is just a crime/heist movie. But to me there is something quite beautiful to this movie. After a few viewings of the film, you will notice that underneath it all, this movie is really about two people. Jackie Brown and Max Cherry. Two people who are middle aged, lonely, and tired of their dead end jobs. Two people that meet in a very unlikely way. Two people that together figure out a way to steal $500,000 and get away with it. Take this movie however you want it. But to me, thats the heart of the movie, and thats why the movie works so well.

In conclusion, Jackie Brown is not a graphic crime story like Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction that preceded it. Nor is it a stylized revenge saga like Kill Bill vol. 1 & 2 that followed it. Instead it is a stand alone film. A wonderfully acted character study. And for me, an absolute gem of a film. It's Quentin Tarantino's underrated MASTERPIECE.

Prom Night (I) (2008)

Horror is gone in Hollywood

[2/10 · 13 April 2008]

I am the guy who usually keeps opinions to himself, but I just got back from this movie, and felt I had to express my opinions. Let me start by saying that I am a HUGE horror fan. But what makes a horror movie? I sure like to see even a tiny bit of a good script and character development. I know they often lack in horror movies, but Prom Night looked like it didn't even put forth ANY effort in that department. Next, we all love suspense. That on the edge of your seat suspense with unpredictable surprises. Yeah, Prom Night had none of that! Of course, we like a terrifying killer. Prom Night have that? Nope, it has a pretty boy with a cute lil' knife. And when all else fails...at least horror has its guilty pleasure to make it enjoyable like gore gore gore, and the occasional nude scene! Yeah, well when you have a horror movie rated PG-13 like Prom Night, they leave that stuff out too. So with all of these elements missing, I ask....does this still count as a horror movie? Nope. I'd call it more of a comedy. People in my theater were laughing more at this then they were when I saw "Semi-Pro" that was supposed to actually be a comedy (which also sucked, but thats another story!). I think I am just going to have to give up on new horror. All the good horror movies of the good ol' days have been remade into garbage so movie studios can make money. The people I went to see it with didn't even know this was a remake! Which made me mad! I wonder what will happen when there's no more movies to remake??? Where will horror go next???

Halloween (2007)

It could have worked...but it just didn't!

[4/10 · 1 September 2007]

Before I begin this let me just say that the original Halloween is not only my favorite horror movie, but one of my favorite overall movies of all time. When I heard they were remaking this I wasn't a little disappointed but when I heard it was being made by Rob Zombie I started to look forward to it because I loved The Devil's Rejects and I know Zombie is a Halloween fan.

Believe me, I wasn't trying to compare this to the original when I went to go see it. I knew it was a "reimagining" so I went into the theater with an open mind. But there were a few crucial "Halloween" trademarks I was looking for.

Things I liked: I actually like the whole first half for the most part. I thought it was cool seeing how Michael turned out the way he did. Granted, I always liked the "mystery of Michael Myers" aspect of the original. Not knowing why he killed was always made him that more creepy....but I was into the whole backstory thing. I also was really impressed with Sheri Moon Zombie's acting. Malcolm McDowell was also an adequate Dr. Loomis...Lord knows he had SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL! The music was also great. Touching in on John Carpenter's classic score as well as some new creepy overtones. Things I didn't like: Pretty much the one BIG thing that killed the movie was how fast the second half went by. As soon as you were introduced to the characters the were killed. I really had no sympathy when people were killed. John Carpenter spent plenty of time letting you get to know the characters so that when something happened to them...you really felt bad. It added soooo much to the horror. Why do horror directors feel that movies need to fit into like a 90-120 minute time slot. This movie NEEDED to be longer. Sorry, but sometimes its just necessary!!! I also didn't like Michael Myers. Funny to say, but he ruined it for me too. He was way too big. He made Jason Voorhees look like a dwarf. I think an average, phantom-like, quiet, creeping Michael is much creepier than a huge hulking beast Michael. And Michael was pretty much always in your face. Soo more for the "stalking aspect of Micahel". The ending also wasn't that satisfying. I am not gonna give anything away...just that...not good what the movie needed. There's plenty more that bothered me. But nothing worth getting into.

I guess there's something to be learned here. Some movies are just too perfect, too flawless to remake. Halloween was a groundbreaking movie that used suspense and tension to scare not blood and gore. A technique long lost by todays horror filmmakers.

Bottom line here folks. Rob Zombie's Halloween started off with a bang. Great back story, actors, etc. But the second half needed at least another half hour added to it to slow down its terrible fast pace. Hopefully there will be a DVD release with a directors cut or something with some cut scenes. Hopefully scenes with dialogue and character development. Some things people look for in a movie.