Paul

Funny but language and druggage will keep this from being a family movie.  The comedy team of Pegg and Frost cross with Rogen and one of his group Bill Hader: together in Superbad (2007), Knocked Up (2007) and  others.  I liked it because it was bizarre, unexpected, and pretty funny. 

Seth Rogen's voice and hessian character are put in a 3.5 foot tall alien.  Through the movie, references to previous movies dealing with extra terrestrials abound: ET, Close Encounters, Starman, etc.  Script was hilarious and the acting was perfect for the roles.  Cinematography was awesome as was directing.  Biggest recurring surprise for me is Jason Bateman.  In each movie I see him in, he puts on a solid performance.  Good movie for adults!

In the Arms of my Enemy

BaLeak!  Man this was something.  I can't really decide if I liked it or not.  I guess the way to look at it is that there are a ton of movies out there so this is one you could pass on.  On the other hand, I did watch "Hall Pass," and this beat the crap out of that.  Two sets of brothers are surviving by their wits in mid 19th century Eastern Europe.  In each pair there is the dominant older brother who looks out for and protects his younger (somewhat challenged) brother.  One set joins the Cosacks and the other set makes a living from stealing and selling horses.  The paths cross and a set survives.

This was a gritty amazingly well acted, directed, scripted, and filmed work, but God!  It was nasty in places and awful in places and depressing at almost all times.  Ahhh, what to say, a great work of art but kind of like Edvard Munch's "The Scream."  Well done but disturbing. 

The Man from Nowhere

2 Words....SEE IT.  There are the familiar story lines of "the odd ball who triumphs (or the ugly duckling kinda deal)," "the ex-secret agent who qiuts the game only to have to resurrect the skills to save the innocent (kind of like the Incredible Hulk)," etc.

If asked what this was about, I would not be able to do so decently within the time a tall (bloat causing) egg nog latte would afford.   It has gangsters, secret agents, saving kids (which I totally appreciate), revenge, drugs (which...nevermind), killer fight scenes, etc.  Just trust me, see it.  It has awesome action, emotional pull, great acting, cinematography, directing, and writing.  This is an all around KICK A#^ film!

Only after a hook of vague recognition was plunged in my grey matter did I check a bit more.  The lead actor Bin Won has been in 2 other awesome films that I have seen: "Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004)" which has to be one of the best that I have seen in years and "Mother (2009)."  This dude can act as evidenced by the contrast of his role in "Mother" and this role.  In "Mother," he plays a retarded man superbly.  Then to see him in "The Man from Nowhere!" wow, this dude can act and has a great range!

See it

Sucker Punch

I felt uncomfortable watching this.   I have no idea how old the girls in this are, but they seemed really young...too young for what they were saying and wearing.  The whole movie was like watching the first five minutes of a porn film starring underage girls..."Traci Lords, is that you, are you in here?"

The dreamworlds were pretty cool, but each got old after a bit.  It seemed the director felt that too, so in an attempt to keep the audience in, he made sure the girls dressed like prostitutes in some Southeast Asian brothel.

What also was grating was the soundtrack which was the remakes of classic (and newer) tunes with a crack influenced, techo-rave style.  No, I guess I have to face that I am either right about this or that I am too old a dude for this stuff.

Bail.

Hall Pass

Bail.  Lame, predictable, bad.  If you are a die hard Owen Wilson fan, okay, he does his usual sarcastic and "carry the joke just to the edge of uncomfortable," stuff, but it isn't enough.

The Company Men

Wow.  Very sobering.  Okay, the dealio on this blog is to find movies you might not otherwise hear of due to independent fillm makers, unknown actors, foreign, etc.  Occassionally I have to get one that features US hitters like Ben Affleck, Tommy Lee Jones, Kevin Costner, etc.  I took a chance on this and wow.

It was good from a variety of perspectives but it is not an upliftng film.  It was sobering.  Affleck, Jones, and others are let go from a company that is losing business and looking to make itself attractive enough for a buyout.  In the effort, Craig T. Nelson's character (the CEO) needs to keep the revenue stream while cutting expenses so that stock value rises.  To do this, he cuts the payroll.

Suddenly men who had been with the company 10-30 years are out of work.  Hit hard are the 50 year old plus dudes who are pretty much unemployable at this stage.  What I appreciated most was the character changes that Affleck goes through as evidenced by his interaction with his brother-in-law Costner.  What I also really appreciated was that this film stayed true to following the characters: IT DID NOT OVER VILLIFY "CORPORATE AMERICA."  I so appreciated that.

This is a good movie and I recommend it.  Good acting, directing, script, and cinematography.

The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

Woe is meeee!!  I am so bummed!!  The trilogy is over.  Man, what a series of films; "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "The Girl who Played with Fire," and this, "The Girl who Kicked the Hornets' Nest."  All of them can be seen on their own but seen in order, man, what a great series.  Yes, there are some knarly disturbing images and scenes, but they are not gratuitous....nothing in this film is and it ain't over till the thin lady KICKS ASS!

Man, cinematography, directing, acting, and writing are all just awesome.  The cast is the same throughout (which is one thing that nailed the Hannibal series: Jodie Foster to Julianne Moore...no, no good) and their roles/characters are true and unchanging throughout.  The tension is great and yadda yadda yadda...just get it and see it!!!

Okay, Mr. Killjoy here, they are remaking this in an English version from what I hear...crimony, leave it alone.