Well, hello there, kind folks. If you’re visiting this blog of mine, I presume that you have a certain interest in the cinema. As for me, even since my early childhood, I have had a deep love of everything related to movies and television. As far as I can remember, I have been more at ease in front of a screen than in the yard, outside, playing. It is a great way to travel, though other people’s stories, without having to foot any kind of steep bill. Over the years, I feel that movie-watching has even fuelled my own creativity.

All that being said, I welcome you in my Cinephile’s Nest. I hope you enjoy it here, feel free to come back at any time. Here you will find reviews of current movies and older ones. TV shows also. Some classics that have remained some of my favourites, some that have disappointed me. I will use a very basic star (*) system to grade them from 1 to 5 (5 being sliced bread level). Remember, these are just my tastes. I will try to explain in each review what I liked about these particular movies, without giving spoilers.

Il y aura aussi des critiques en français pour les films francophones, car j'aime également le cinéma dans ma langue maternelle. Avant d'apprendre l'anglais, plus jeune, je louais des tonnes de films traduits en français, surtout ceux de Bud Spencer et Terrence Hill. Ma mère a eu le choc de sa vie lorsqu'un jour, dans la boîte d'un de ces films, Deep Throat avait malencontreusement inséré. Une expérience formatrice pour le jeune cinéphile que je suis.

Bienvenue à tous, amusez-vous bien.

I welcome you all here, enjoy yourself.

Monday, October 31, 2016

Felony (2013)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Matthew Saville
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Tom Wilkinson, Jai Courtney
Running time: 105 minutes



Mal Toohey is a well-respected police detective who gets shot in the line of duty during a raid, but is saved by his protective vest. That evening, he goes out to celebrate with his fellow officers. As he drives back home, after drinking too much, he hits a teenage boy who was traveling on his bike. Mal calls an ambulance, but fails to tell anyone of his involvement in the accident. An honest young cop, who falls for the boy’s mother, suspects Toohey of being the person responsible, so he starts investigating the matter, though his superiors are trying to convince him to let it go.

While the subject matter of this Australian thriller is nothing really new in itself, the script and the directorial job done by Matthew Saville manage to breathe some freshness into the concept of the good cop trying to do his job in spite of the bad ones trying to protect each other.

There are some solid acting performances here, especially on Tom Wilkinson’s part. The veteran actor does a solid job as the senior detective trying to protect his younger officer, in spite of the fact that he knows he did something terribly wrong. A few of Wilkinson’s dialogues with his fellow cast members were really intense and well done.

Overall, this is a really good movie. I especially appreciated the fact that the filmmakers did not try to paint a rosy picture by the time the movie ended. It is a more realistic way of seeing things to say that, sometimes, people do choose to ignore the reality in certain situations.


Rating: ««««

Le Dîner de cons (1998)

Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisateur: Francis Veber
Distribution: Jacques Villeret, Thierry Lhermitte, Daniel Prévost
Durée: 77 minutes



Chaque semaine, Pierre Brochant, éditeur, organise avec ses amis un dîner de cons. Le but de cet exercice mesquin est d’inviter quelqu’un que l’on voit comme un con pour se moquer de lui abondamment. Cette fois-ci, grâce à un ami, Pierre a trouvé tout un spécimen : François Pignon, un employé du ministère de Finances qui construit fièrement des maquettes de lieux célèbres en allumettes. Peu de temps avant le dîner en question, Brochant se fait un tour de reins en jouant au golf, mais il espère tout de même être des festivités et il invite Pignon chez lui pour l’étudier un peu. Il n’a alors pas idée à quel point le karma va le rattraper.

Le Dîner de cons est en fait une adaptation de la pièce de théâtre du même nom. Le film garde une grande théâtralité, ce qui lui donne beaucoup de charme.

La chimie entre Thierry Lhermitte et Jacques Villeret à l’écran est absolument fabuleuse. Autant on a envie de détester l’un qu’on ne peut s’empêcher d’aimer l’autre. Je suis particulièrement fan de Villeret. Juste au moment où on n’en revient pratiquement pas à quel point son personnage peut être con, il réussit à nous toucher à nous attendrir. Le regretté Villeret fait un travail de maître ici, et son comparse est très convaincant lui aussi dans le rôle de l’éditeur Brochant.

Ce film est une grande petite comédie. Bien qu’il ne dure pas très longtemps, il en a beaucoup à offrir. Film à voir et à revoir.
Rating: «««««

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

30 Rock (2006-2013)

Genre: TV / Comedy
Starring: Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin, Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, Jack McBrayer
Number of seasons: 7



Liz Lemon is head writer for TGS, a sketch comedy show ala Saturday Night Live. As part of her job, Liz must contend with Jack Donaghy, the very controlling network executive for NBC. Over the course of the series, Lemon and Donaghy develop a very special working relationship. She must also learn to deal with lazy writers, egotistical actors and a load of funny characters at work, not leaving her much time for her ailing personal life.

This show was created by the wonderful Tina Fey, who took inspiration from her years as a writer for SNL. I can imagine the things she has seen there at 30 Rockerfeller Plaza.

Fey also plays the lead role in 30 Rock. The character of Liz Lemon was tailor-made for her and she was great in it. That said, the shining star here for me was Alec Baldwin. He brought Jack Donaghy to life and made you forget it was an actor here delivering lines. This show gave me a bigger appreciation for the better-known Baldwin brother.

As far as secondary roles go, I really popped big for Rachel Dratch in her many appearances as various zany characters. Chris Parnell, as Dr. Leo Spaceman, and Dean Winters, as Dennis, a former flame of Liz Lemon, were other highlights for me. I have used that “Hey Dummies” line many times.

It took me longer to get used to the characters portrayed by Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski. They grew on me as the show went along, but they were never favorites of mine.

30 Rock offers loads of laughs, through a long list of classic episodes. It was also a lot of fun to see the various cameos through the seven seasons of the show. Overall, this is well worth watching for comedy fans.

Rating: ««««

Monday, October 24, 2016

Home Run (2013)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: David Boyd
Cast: Scott Elrod, Dorian Brown, Charles Henry Wyson
Running time: 113 minutes



Cory Brand is an alcoholic, just like his dad was. Now a pro baseball player, his definite talent for the game is marred by his destructive behavior on and off the field. After his latest incident got him suspended by his team, Cory is sent by his agent back to his hometown to take part in a publicity stunt. On the way there, Cory is involved in a car crash, where speed and alcohol was a factor, which leaves his brother badly hurt. The fallen hero is then forced to enter a 12-step program and to do some community service, by coaching a young baseball team.

The message of this film comes at you like a baseball straight in the middle of the plate, that you can see coming a mile away. This is a movie with a Christian theme where a man with demons is forced to surrender himself to a higher power to find redemption. Not necessarily my cup of tea, but, at least, the filmmakers are clear in their intentions here.

Home Run is not a bad film in itself. The cast members are all mostly unknown, except maybe for Vivica A. Fox, but they all do a decent job. For this genre, I have seen so much worst. The story is also compelling, though you can clearly see the strings. The tender and harder moments are highlighted in a major way with sappy music. And, in the end, everything seems to come together a little too easily. Nonetheless, this is one of the better sappy Christian feel-good movies you can find.


Rating: «««

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Genre: Musical
Directed by: Baz Luhrmann
Cast: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo
Running time: 128 minutes



In 1900, Christian, a depressed British writer who moved to Paris the year before, looks back on his relationship with cabaret singer and courtesan Satine, with whom he fell in love while at the Moulin Rouge.

Visually-speaking, this is a magnificent film. The colors, the costumes, the sets: the whole thing comes off the screen with a loud and beautiful scream. The story of Moulin Rouge! is an eternally compelling one, about the battle between monetary considerations and absolute feelings in the matters of the heart.

The two leads, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, are very good in their respective roles. The supporting cast also did some solid work here.

It was an interesting choice to adapt and use modern songs in a movie set in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. It gave the movie a very fresh and distinct feel.

Overall, though musicals are not necessarily my favorite thing and this one offers a good dose of cheesiness, which was to be expected, it remains a very good film.


Rating: ««««

Thursday, October 20, 2016

The Endless Summer (1966)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Bruce Brown
Cast: Mike Hynson, Robert August
Running time: 95 minutes



Director and narrator Bruce Brown follows two surfers, Mike Hynson and Robert August, who are traveling around the globe looking for the best waves. They start out in Hawaii, but then travel to Africa, to Australia, to New Zealand, and to Tahiti. Along the way, they interact with the locals, learn about their ways and initiate some to the love of surfing.

I must admit that it took me a little while to get my feet wet and find my wave with this documentary. At first, I was really wondering what the point of it all was. It really started slow and almost lost me, but then I got it. I was hooked for the trip through the surfer’s world, though I have never and will never surf.

The images in The Endless Summer are simply majestic. Though the film was shot in the 1960’s, they are clear and crisp, really putting the viewer in the heart of the action. You can feel the power of those waves coming up and crashing down around those daredevils of the sea. Brown’s narration is also very good. He manages to be bring a good dose of humor to the proceedings, without having to try too hard.

All things considered, I highly recommend this film. Even if you are not an adept of the sport of surfing – I sure was not -, you can get a lot of entertainment out of it.


Rating: ««««

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The Dreamers (2003)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Bernardo Bertolucci
Cast: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel
Running time: 115 minutes



Matthew left California to go study French in Paris at the end of the 1960’s as an exchange student. During a protest at La Cinématèque, he meets Isabelle and Théo, twin brother and sister, who have a very particular incestuous relationship. Soon, Michael moves in with them and falls madly in love with the lifestyle of having sex and of talking movies, music and books. But, can something so idyllic really last?

Set against the backdrop of the student riots of 1968, in Paris, The Dreamers offers a very compelling look back in time, when young people were trying very hard to liberate themselves and each other, be it sexually, spiritually or politically.

While I found the main characters a little pretentious and annoying at first, they soon became so honest and real to me that they brought me back to my former years of ideals, when we so wanted things to be like in the movies and in the books. I most certainly never got to liberate myself sexually quite as much as Matthew, Isabelle and Théo, but I sure did talk art and dream a lot. There was some solid acting here by all three main actors.

From the director that also gave us Last Tango in Paris, The Dreamers is a very good film about the dreams of youth. Whatever the generation, the kids are always more eager for change. Some scenes, involving nudity, sex and blood, might shock and disgust some people, but it is well worth watching for those open minded enough to take it.


Rating: ««««

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

300 (2006)

Genre: Action
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Cast: Gerard Butler, Lena Heady, David Wenham
Running time: 116 minutes



Based on the comic series of the same name, 300 is a fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae, during the Persian War. Despite contrary orders from the Oracle, King Leonidas decides to lead 300 Spartan men into battle the Persian God-King Xerxes.

The gladiator and such genre is not my regular cup of tea, but I must admit that this epic fantasy war action film is stunning from a visual standpoint. The images and the colors are amazing. You can clearly see Zack Snyder’s signature on this one.

The acting is a bit over-the-top and cheesy, and so are the dialogues, but that is kind of the nature of the beast with this genre. The characters are also very one dimensional. 300 is a fun and entertaining film that lacks depth but offers a lot of sizzle.


Rating: «««

Monday, October 17, 2016

Beerfest (2006)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: Jay Chandrasekhar
Cast: Paul Soter, Erik Stolhanske, Donald Sutherland
Running time: 110 minutes



After their grandfather’s funeral, Jan and Todd Wolfhouse, two Americans of German descent, are told that family tradition demands that they travel to Germany to spread the ashes there during Oktoberfest. During that trip, they end up at Beerfest, a yearly underground event consisting of drinking games. There, they discover that their grandfather is a relative of Baron Wolfgang von Wolfhausen, who runs Beerfest, and that the two had a major falling out years before. Outnumbered, the American boys are humiliated. Back in the States, they decide to assemble a team of friends and train to seek their revenge the following year.

This film, made by the Broken Lizard comedy group, does not offer much in terms of hilarity. A few scenes, like the one illustrating the difference between perception and reality in the seeking of a one-night relationship while drunk and the fake sequel preview at the end with Willie Nelson, really made me laugh. As for the rest, there were barely a few chuckles.

The material was not that funny, the acting was bad, and the German accents were over-the-top. All things considered, I would not recommend this title. Seek some highlights to see the little this one has to offer.


Rating: ««

The Office - US (2005-2013)

Genre: TV / Comedy
Starring: Steve Carell, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer
Number of seasons: 9



The employees of the fictitious Scranton, Pennsylvania, branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company are taking part in the shooting of a documentary. Over the course of 9 seasons, we see them interact with each other and talk directly to the camera as they go on with their daily routine.

This American TV series is based on the British original, created by Ricky Gervais.

Steve Carell did an awesome job as Michael Scott, the regional manager of the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin for most of the serioues. Michael was a good salesman, but he is a lousy manager. He has a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong times and he does not have much to offer in terms of work ethics. Carell brings the Michael Scott to life without copying Ricky Gervais’ portrayal of David Brent, in the original version. There are similarities in the characters, but there are different tones and colors too.

Another big element of The Office – US is the loving relationship between Jim and Pam. The makers of this show sure did milk it for all it was worth, and they may have dragged a little too long on it, but the chemistry between John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer was undeniable in the roles of the two love birds.

There are a slew of other great characters in this show, too many to mention them all. Acting-wise, there was not really a bad note here. Every character was well defined and well delivered on screen.

I felt that the American version of The Office went a little too long. It should have ended after Steve Carell left the show, at the end of season 7. A show based mostly on awkward situations that can happen in the workplace can get old and repetitive quite fast, but, through nine seasons, there were many classic episodes. Though I feel like the last two seasons were not necessary, at least, the show ended on a strong finale, which is a feat in itself.

Rating: ««««

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

The Rundown (2003)

Genre: Action / Comedy
Directed by: Peter Berg
Cast: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Seann William Scott, Christopher Walken
Running time: 104 minutes



Beck works as a retrieval expert AKA bounty hunter for Billy Walker, but his dream is to open a classy restaurant. Beck tells his employer of his desire to leave the business, but he is convinced to take one last job before getting the money he needs: Retrieving Walker’s rebellious son Travis from a small town in Brazil. Beck will find himself in a strange land, in the midst of a war for the possession of a precious artifact.

The Rundown is a very entertaining film that mixes action scenes with comedy. The Rock and Seann William Scott have a great comedic chemistry on screen and they play quite well off each other. They had me laughing out loud quite a few times. Christopher Walken was also a treat, in the role of bad guy Cornelius Bernard Hatcher.

This 2003 film does not take itself seriously and does not pretend to have a very deep message to convey. It is pure, fun, entertainment. In that sense, the movie does what it aims to do.
Rating: ««««

Dr. No (1962)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Terence Young
Cast: Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Joseph Wiseman
Running time: 109 minutes



In this very first film of the famous 007 movie franchise, James Bond is sent to Jamaica to investigate the disappearance of a fellow British agent. His efforts to uncover the truth leads him to the underground lair of Dr. No, who is planning on disrupting an American space launch with a radio beam weapon.

Dr. No offers a good deal of cheesiness. The special effects are dated and some of the action scenes are laughable, but it remains an entertaining film. Sean Connery is among the best James Bond in my book and he had already captured the essence of Bond here. The role fitted him quite well. And what about that scene where Ursula Andress, as Honey Ryder (yeah, I know), is coming out of the water in that bathing suit? I am sure it was the object of many a boy’s wet dream.

Overall, this remains a fun movie, in spite of its evident flaws.

Rating: «««

Sully (2016)

Genre: Biographical / Drama
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney
Running time: 96 minutes



On January 15, 2009, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and First Officer Jeffrey Skiles were just starting their flight out of La Guardia Airport when a flock of geese hit their plane, stopping both engines. Fearing that he could not go back to La Guardia or reach another airport nearby, Sully chose to land the plane on the Hudson River, feeling that it was the safest option. The 155 people on board made it out alive. An inquiry by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) followed to figure out if the captain made the right decision.

This film, directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, was inspired by Sullenberger’s autobiography, Highest Duty.

Tom Hanks is absolutely brilliant in the title role. He manages to make you forget the actor at work and care for his character. He carries the emotions on his face all the way through. The supporting cast was also good, but Hanks, not surprisingly, shines through the screen.

The portrayal of the NTSB inquiry was disputed, but I must admit I found it frustrating to see a group of suits telling an experienced pilot how he should have done his job. Whether it reflects reality, I will never know for sure.

Yet again, Clint Eastwood brings us a compelling story to the big screen with talent and flair. This is a wonderful, well-directed film, with talented actors doing what they do best.
Rating: «««««

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The Den (2013)

Genre: Horror
Directed by: Zachary Donahue
Cast: Melanie Papalia, David Schlachtenhaufen, Adam Shapiro
Running time: 81 minutes



Elizabeth receives a grant to conduct a social experiment on a webcam-based social media website called The Den. Her plan is to talk to as many people from around the world as she can. After having a few weird and interesting conversations, she comes upon a user whose webcam seems to be broken. Soon enough, that same webcam cuts to a girl who gets murdered by a mysterious man in her room. As she tries to investigate the matter, with not much help from her entourage, Elizabeth soon becomes the target of a stalker, through that same webcam account.

The Den uses the found footage style of horror with most images of the film being shot through webcams. While I find this style a tad gimmicky and I feel that it gets old fast, at least, with this film, they kept it short. The story is compelling and is effective at keeping us wondering what will happen next. We have all wondered how safe we really are while using the Internet.

I must admit I found it funny to see the stalkers easily disposing of all these people, except for the main character: this small young woman who turns into Ronda Rousey in an octagon all of a sudden, when push comes to shove.

Nonetheless, if you don’t mind horror films of the found footage style, you might want to give this one a shot.

Rating: «««

Children of Men (2006)

Genre: Science-Fiction / Thriller
Directed by: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine
Running time: 109 minutes



In 2027, in a world on the edge of collapsing following 18 years of global human infertility, civil servant Theo Faron is recruited by a militant group led by his ex-wife to obtain transit papers for a young pregnant refugee who is looking to escape the dire situation. In this world where most people have hidden agendas, Theo soon becomes the only person the young lady can count on to keep her safe.

This 2006 film is based on the P.D. James novel of the same name, published in 1992.

Clive Owen is really solid as Theo Faron, a former activist who sort of gave up after losing his child. He sees the safety of the young refugee and her baby as a personal mission he will do everything to accomplish. It was also a treat to see Julianne Moore, albeit for a very short part of the movie, and Michael Caine, in a very different role for him.

Overall, Children of Men is a wonderfully directed film about hope and the importance of children in society. This movie beautifully combined the genres of Science-Fiction and Thrillers, with a storyline and action scenes that keep the viewer guessing. All things considered, I highly recommend this title.

Rating: ««««

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Best Man Down (2012)

Genre: Drama / Comedy
Directed by: Ted Koland
Cast: Justin Long, Jess Weixler, Tyler Labine, Addison Timlin
Running time: 89 minutes



The night of Scott and Kristen’s wedding, in Phoenix, the best man Lumpy, a loud fellow known for his excesses in the partying department, suddenly dies. The newlyweds cancel their honeymoon and travel back to their home state of Minnesota to plan the funeral and to inform Lumpy’s friends and loved ones. On their trip, they meet Ramsey Anderson, a teenage girl with a complex family situation that the deceased had befriended a short while back. Through the eyes of this young girl, Scott and Kristen get a glimpse of another side of their departed friend’s personality and life.

While short and lacking in real action, this film is absolutely charming. It has been blasted by critics, but I, for one, loved it. I love it when a character you first see as one dimensional is fleshed out like that through flashbacks and various developments.

The acting is pretty good here. Young Addison Timlin is particularly touching as Ramsey Anderson.

I highly recommend this sweet little ditty. Give it a shot; if you don’t like it, at least, at 89 minutes, it will not take much of your time.
Rating: ««««

Wonderland (2003)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: James Cox
Cast: Val Kilmer, Kate Bosworth, Lisa Kudrow
Running time: 104 minutes



On July 1, 1981, four people were murdered in an apartment on Wonderland Avenue, in the Laurel Canyon section of Los Angeles, as retaliation for a robbery committed in gangster Eddie Nash’s house. Famous porn actor John Holmes, who was at that point a junky playing both parties involved in this tragic conflict to score some dope and money, was a suspected accomplice in these murders.

Val Kilmer offered a decent performance as John Holmes. He did not attain Jim Morrison-like levels here, but he was still good. Kate Bosworth was very good as Dawn Schiller, John Holmes’ underage girlfriend. She was very convincing as the young lost soul, looking for love in the wrong places and searching for something to hold on to.

As for the film itself, it is your generic dark crime drama that fails in telling a compelling story. It is very difficult, based on what is put on screen, to care for these characters in any way. By the end of the movie, it felt like nothing more than a lost opportunity. It could have been so much better.


Rating: ««

Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me (2014)

Genre: Documentary / Musical
Directed by: James Keach
Cast: Glen Campbell
Running time: 116 minutes



This 2014 musical documentary chronicles country singer Glen Campbell’s farewell tour after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

After officially announcing his health problems, in 2011, Glen Campbell, who is known for such hits and Rhinestone Cowboy and Gentle on my Mind, launched a new album, Ghost of the Canvas, and went on a farewell tour across America, with three of his kids in the band.

I’ll Be Me is a beautiful, yet heartbreaking, documentary film. To see such a talented man fade more and more each day because of that awful disease is so sad. Some might question why Campbell and his family lived these moments in such a public fashion, but I like to believe that it was a great way for them to get closure. He got to say goodbye to his fans by doing what he did best, even though it was more and more difficult for him to do it towards the end. The crowd seemed so appreciative and supportive.

I highly recommend this one, but make sure to keep a box of tissues handy, as tears are going to flow. There is still a good dose of humor, as Campbell himself comes off as a very witty man in these most difficult times from a health standpoint.


Rating: «««««

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Tropic Thunder (2008)

Genre: Comedy / Action
Directed by: Ben Stiller
Cast: Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise
Running time: 106 minutes



Tugg Speedman, Jeff Portnoy and Kirk Lazarus are three over-the-top prima donna actors on the decline who are hired to play in a Vietnam War movie based on the memoirs of a vet. When the trio’s antics on set start becoming an issue that threatens to ruin the movie, the director decides to drop his actors in the middle of the jungle and to film the whole things with hidden cameras. Unfortunately for the group, things do go as planned, and, soon enough, they have to really fight for their survival.

Tropic Thunder starts strong, with great faux trailers that gives us a glimpse of the characters we are dealing with. And then Ben Stiller serves us more of that dark humor he has accustomed us to as a director. It is a very entertaining, albeit scathing, look at Hollywood, egos and actors. I wonder if Eddie Murphy was offended again.

The cast is really good here. Stiller and Black are solid, but Robert Downey Jr. deserves much praise for his dedication to his role. He was fantastic here and he stole the show. Tom Cruise also offered a great performance. His transformation was amazing; he was almost impossible to recognize.

The humor in Tropic Thunder is over-the-top, but it is still funny. Some of the stuff has offended people, mostly because of the portrayal of mentally-handicapped people, but some people just need to get a grip and grow a sense of humor.

All things considered, this film is a very good comedy that has something to say, without taking itself too seriously. Very charming combination of elements.

 Rating: ««««

The Counselor (2013)

Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Javier Bardem, Brad Pitt
Running time: 118 minutes



A high-level lawyer, known only as The Counselor, gets in way over his head after getting involved in a deal prepared by a Mexican drug cartel. Soon, he and his soon-to-be-wife find themselves in grave danger.

Considering all the talent involved, both in the director’s chair and in the cast, I expected so much more out of this film. Unfortunately, what I got was a convoluted mess of a story and very unspectacular acting. Cameron Diaz was particularly unconvincing in her role. Javier Bardem, who is usually great, was bland here.

Overall, The Counselor felt to me like an absolute waste of time. I made it to the end, and I was happy when it ended.

Rating: «

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Le Guide de la petite vengeance (2006)

Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisateur: Jean-François Pouliot
Distribution: Marc Béland, Gabriel Gascon, Michel Muller
Durée: 105 minutes



Bernard est comptable dans la bijouterie Vendôme. Avec sa vie de couple qui bat de l’aile et un patron tyrannique qui lui rend la vie abominable au travail, Bernard est au bord de la folie. Un jour, Robert, un ancien comptable à la même entreprise, revient dans le portrait et incite Bernard à se joindre à lui pour se venger contre le tyran. Bernard accepte, et les deux comparses se mettent au travail à l’élaboration d’un plan de vengeance.

Il est facile pour la plupart d’entre nous de s’identifier à ce genre d’histoire. Nous avons pratiquement tous, un jour ou l’autre, eu un patron qui nous rendait la vie plus difficile. Dans certains cas, c’est carrément pénible.

Le Guide de la petite vengeance traite de ce sujet particulier avec beaucoup d’humour. Le jeu des comédiens est très juste. Le hic, selon moi, se trouve au niveau du scénario, qui me semble incomplet, avec des raccourcis bien faciles. Cela dit, le film n’est pas sans charme. Le résultat aurait pu être bien meilleur, mais cette comédie demeure divertissante.
Rating: «««