Dark Blue (2002)

Genre: Film noir / Thriller
Directed by: Ron Shelton
Cast: Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Speedman
Time: 118 minutes

 

In the days leading up to the infamous Rodney King trial, a group of crooked LAPD cops are trying to cover up a case where deadly force was used by a young detective in an arrest. As events unwind, things get messier and messier.

Kurt Russell offers a good performance here, but, other than that, this film fell kind of flat for me. It was very formulaic and clichéd, and it became hard to get emotionally invested in the fate of these characters.

Rating: ««

47 Ronin (2013)

Genre: Fantasy / Action
Directed by: Carl Rinsch
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tanadobu Asano
Time: 118 minutes

 

In 18^th century Japan, a group of masterless samurais called Ronin join force with a half-breed outcast to avenge the death of their lord by battling the rival that caused his demise.

I was not quite sure what to expect with this one, but I was pleasantly surprised. The acting was decent and the story was compelling. While not my regular cup of tea, this was an entertaining flick, in spite of what the critics might say.

Rating: «««

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Genre: Fantasy
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Live Tyler
Time: 179 minutes

 

Now separated from the rest of the fellowship, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee continue their long journey to Mordor. Along the way, they cross path with the mysterious Gollum, a former bearer of the magical ring that Frodo now wants to destroy. The other members of the fellowship and engaged in a battle of their own.

Again, while this sort of film is not what I would call my sort of thing, I must give it its props for the cinematography and the visual aspect of it. It is incredible what they managed to put on screen. It is mind blowing. As for the rest, it is not my cup of tea, but I still find it entertaining for what it is.

Rating: «««

Becoming Jane (2007)

Genre: Biographical / Romance / Drama
Directed by: Julian Jarrold
Cast: Anne Hathaway, James McAvoy, Julie Walters
Time: 120 minutes

 

This biographical romantic drama tells the story of Jane Austen as a young woman. She is an aspiring author and remains unmarried. The suitor she is expected to marry does not strike her fancy, and then Thomas Langlois Lefroy, a young lawyer with a bad reputation, comes into her life, turning everything upside down for the young lady. While it might be an impossible love, the heart wants what the heart wants.

This film is fine for what it is. The acting is good, the story is interesting. Stories from that era are not really my cup of tea, but this is not a bad movie. 

Rating: «««

Bon Jovi: The Crush Tour (2001)

Genre: Musical
Directed by: Rudi Dolezal and Hannes Rossacher
Cast: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan
Time: 124 minutes

 

Crush was a very successful album for the American band known around the world as Bon Jovi. I saw them live myself during that period. Here, we have a stadium concert they performed in Switzerland. The band was in full force and Jon was a solid frontman at that point in his career. Hit after hit was performed, to the delight of the crowd. It was a great collection of songs. The only weak spot for me was the version of Runaway, just keyboard and voice. I kept waiting for the regular beat to kick in — it never did. Other than that, a great show.

Rating: ««««

Live! (2007)

Genre: Documentary / Drama
Directed by: Bill Guttentag
Cast: Eva Mendes, David Krumholtz, Rob Brown
Time: 96 minutes

 

Katy is an executive at a fictional TV station. As she is followed by a film crew, she holds meetings to find the new idea to boost ratings. The new idea they come up with is a game show where six contestants at a time play Russian roulette. One at a time, they put a gun to their head and pull the trigger. Five of them walk away with 5 million dollars. The loser dies and gets nothing for his family.

This is a mockumentary style film. In that sense, it is really well done, as you feel right in the midst of these people coming up with one hell of a crazy idea. That being said, in this crazy world we live in, this might not be that far-fetched. Eva Mendes is quite effective in the lead role. This film offers an interesting look on the voyeurism of modern society.

Rating: ««««

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Genre: Fantasy
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Live Tyler
Time: 178 minutes

 

Hobbit Frodo Baggins inherits a magical ring from his old uncle Bilbo. In the wrong hands, this ring could mean the end of Middle-Earth. With a group of eight companions, Frodo forms the Fellowship of the Ring and starts a treacherous journey to Mount Doom, in Mordor, the only location where the magical ring can be destroyed.

This type of fantastic tale is not my regular cup of tea, but I must admit here that the cinematography is something to witness here. The images shot in that scenery are majestic. The story itself and the acting are fine for what they are meant to be. Overall, it is entertaining, in spite of gibberish spoken in the script.

Rating: «««

American Hustle (2013)

Genre: Comedy
Directed by: David O. Russell
Cast: Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams
Time: 138 minutes

 

Irving Rosenfeld and Sydney Prosser are lovers working together as con artists. They get caught by FBI agent Richie DiMaso, who forces them to line up for him a series of cons involving corrupt politicians to save themselves from the law.

This film was inspired by the FBI Abscam of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Sure, the story can be a little convoluted at times, but the style brought forward by the director on screen and the work of the cast made this a very enjoyable movie. Special mention to Christian Bale. His transformation was quite something to witness. I was hooked from the moment it started until the final credits. The music also brought a compelling atmosphere to the whole deal. Overall, a very good film.

Rating: ««««

Mud (2012)

Genre: Drama
Directed by: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Matthew McConaugher, Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard
Time: 130 minutes

 

Ellis and Neckbone are teenagers and best friends who spend most of their days hanging out on and around the Mississippi River, in rural Arkansas. One day, while venturing on a small island, they meet Mud, a vagrant who is escaping from the authorities after killing a man for messing with his girlfriend. The two young boys form a bond with Mud and decide to try to help him meet up with his girlfriend again and escape from the law.

This is a very compelling coming-of-age drama. Sure, the outlook on love is a little grim, but heck, it is certainly not always easy for everyone. The acting, especially from Matthew McConaughey, is very convincing. In spite of a few hard to believe twists in the story, I was hooked all the way through. Good film.

Rating: ««««

Bon Jovi: Live from London (1995)

Genre: Musical
Directed by: David Mallet
Cast: Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, David Bryan
Time: 90 minutes

 

This is a concert video of American band Bon Jovi performing live on stage in Wembley Stadium, in London, England, in 1995, as part of their tour to promote the These Days album. What we have here is a band in top form, very tight and efficient on stage. The stage presence is solid, and the songs are well delivered. The band rocks. I could have taken a few more songs. Incredible to think of how that band has fallen in the last few years.

Rating: ««««

Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais: Jokes Chapeau Maman Magie Piano (2024)

Genre: Franco / Comedy
Réalisation: Alec Pronovost
Distribution: Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais
Running time: 109 minutes

 

Pierre-Yves Roy-Desmarais est considéré comme étant un des jeunes humoristes de l’heure. Il obtient beaucoup de succès, mais il ne figure pas parmi mes préférés. J’ai tout de même décidé de donner une chance à son premier one-man-show, disponible sur tou.tv.

Dans ce spectacle durant un peu plus d’une heure, Roy-Desmarais nous offre un humour très physique, avec des gags et des chansons comiques. Mon problème, c’est qu’il met beaucoup l’accent sur le procédé, donc sur l’enveloppe, plutôt que sur l’humour en tant que tel, donc le contenu. Beaucoup de tics et de manies qui ne servent pas vraiment l’humour, à mon humble avis, quoique le public semble avoir embarqué.

Cela étant dit, lorsque l’humoriste prend la peine de se concentrer sur la joke, il est capable de beaucoup d’efficacité. Bien des gags m’ont fait rire fort. Tout le flafla autour était une distraction.

Rating: «««

Let the Right One In (2008)

Genre: Romance / Horror / Foreign
Directed by: Tomas Alfredson
Cast: Kare Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
Time: 114 minutes

 

Oskar is a meek 12-year-old boy living with his single mother in a suburb of Stockholm. As he gets constantly bullied in school, he dreams of fighting back. One evening, as Oskar dreams up his latest revenge, he meets Eli, a mysterious child his age living in his apartment building. The two strike up a friendship that brings them both on a rollercoaster of emotions.

This film is based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. In spite of the fact that this is a Swedish film subtitled in English, the story was quite easy for me to get in. The storytelling was very intelligent, and the acting was solid. The pace felt a little slow at times, but, overall, a good horror film. Not overly scary, but it sets a mood that is quite efficient in keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Rating: ««««