REVIEW: The Raid: Redemption

Here is a film that is being described by Rotten Tomatoes as "No frills and all thrills, The Raid: Redemption is an inventive action film expertly paced and edited for maximum entertainment". It currently sits at 83% Certified Fresh. It only proves that sometimes the Tomatometer is inaccurate. The Raid is all action and no story, but somehow manages to keep your attention, but is that a good thing?

REVIEW: The Cabin in the Woods

In general originality is hard to come by in films. Originality is even harder to come by in films in the horror genre. Most horror films of late try to follow the path of Hostel. Extreme violence over actual horror and scares. Joss Whedon has said that this film is a love letter to the horror genre. In reality The Cabin in The Woods is actually a dissection of the horror genre. Joss and screenwriting partner Drew Goddard(director of Cloverfield)present the audience a traditional horror narrative. For those who have not seen the film but are reading this first, please be warned that major spoilers loom ahead.

Louie: Poker/Divorce Review

In film school one of the first assignments we are told to do is to shoot a poker scene. The purpose is to practice the 180 degree line. In order to deliver an intelligible edit. The opening to this episode is a poker scene. However it is not how the scene is shot that is important or even the poker game itself. What's important is the conversation that takes place. What starts off as a couple of guys making jokes towards their gay friend, turns into a rather important and touching social commentary. To me this is always when Louis CK is at his funniest. Like the great George Carlin, Louis is able to pinpoint reality and creatively analyze our everyday life. All while being funny. He has his beliefs and he expresses them.

Louie: Pilot Review

My 8th grade English teacher would describe Louis CK as someone who is rude crude and unattractive. The great thing about Louis is he knows he is all of these things and embellishes it. I've seen three of Louis comedy specials and I have to say the man is talented. Really good comedians always impress me. I cannot understand how it is they come up with new material at the rate that they do. His new show Louie feels like somewhat of an autobiography of his life. The show is acted written directed and edited by Louis which is very odd. Odd because you typically wouldn't see this on a network. But supposedly FX wanted him so badly that they offered him 200,000 to basically do what he wanted, which apparently was a much lower sum then other networks offered him albeit without the creative control he now has.

REVIEW: American Reunion

During American Reunion's credits there is a montage of all the actors as they appeared 13 years ago during American Pie. It's a sentimental piece for a movie that has such crude humor. If there ever was a reason to bring the cast back for one more film it only makes sense that it be a reunion movie. The film is chalk full of 90's nostalgia, as well as retaining the same 90's humor that was first introduced into the series 13 years ago.

REVIEW: Titanic 3D

15 years ago Director James Cameron proclaimed he was the king of the world after winning both Best Director and Best Picture for his film Titanic. He received a lot of criticism for his arrogance, but hell if I just made Titanic I would feel the same way he did.

REVIEW: A Separation

The beauty of A Separation is how the elegantly the film is able to throw the audience into the world and culture of the characters on screen. Everything is fleshed out and detailed. I never once found myself lost or confused, despite a rather complex plot. Despite never visiting Iran or being apart of the culture, I felt like I understood everything. The story is so universal yet so personal to these people.

REVIEW: The Artist

The Artist is a throwback to films made during the Silent Era. I was going to write my review directly after watching the film a few months ago but I knew that the film had to resonate inside of me before I could be honest about what I watched. Or else the review would have easily been a negative one. To truly enjoy The Artist is a difficult task for those who do not have a passion for film. The film has been said to be a film for film lovers and to an extent it is true. However I do not need a silent film to tell me why I love movies. There is a reason why silent films are no longer made.

REVIEW: Act of Valor

The action in this film is great. The use of real Navy Seals is effective for the action sequences because you become involved with the film in a way you normally wouldn't in a typical action film. The Seals portrayed are for the most part real Navy Seals, however they also are accompanied by trained actors. The moments when the real Seals interact with trained actors is where film suffers most.