Week 16 Film Review

Week 16 was a very average week having only three films above the 7.0 mark, and none above 7.6. I was impressed with Stuck On You and Taking Lives, while Shaun of the Dead was a solid zombie film. The Van Wilder first and third parts were below the average 6.0 line, with the latter being a bad film at best.

Munich

Release Date: 2005

Director: Steven Spielberg

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Eric Bana (as Avner Kaufman) Daniel Craig (as Steve) Ciarán Hinds (as Carl) Mathieu Kassovitz (as Robert) and Hanns Zischler (as Hans)

Based On: the Israeli government's secret retaliation attacks after the massacre of Israeli athletes by the Black September terrorist group during the 1972 Summer Olympics.

IMDB Rating: 7.7

My Rating: 6.5

Length: 163 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $77 million/$130 million

I attempted viewing this film a few years ago around the time it came out, but didn't grasp the concept and quit early (something I would never do today). My second time around I actually came to respect the film some (hard not to respect a Spielberg film), though I had issues with the closure and getting a meaning out of it (besides don't perform acts of terrorism or repay them by hiring untrained hitmen). Some solid roles played, and a somewhat strict plot due to the historical relevance involved, it contained too much drama for a hitman/wanna be badass Jewish film. Again I have more respect than appeal for its quality. 

The Wrestler

Release Date: 2008

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Mickey Rourke (as Robin Ramzinski/Randy "The Ram" Robinson) Marisa Tomei (as Pam / Cassidy) and Evan Rachel Wood (as Stephanie)

IMDB Rating: 8.1

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 109 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $6 million/$45 million

Another mid-level quality drama, The Wrestler's concept did not help it's boding in my book as I have never had much interest in the world of professional wrestling (yes, I was a deprived child). However, Mickey Rourke is close to the level of Pitt, Smith, Hanks, and Freeman, guys who just flat-out act, no matter what their role or character. Rourke really really sold out his impoverished, out-of-his prime, and lonely fighter who's only friend and supporter that stayed with him through the end was the very thing that ended his life. A really deep and emotional film that explores the rise and fall of popularity and life, The Wrestler and Mickey don't disappoint.

Stuck On You

Release Date: 2003

Director: Bobby Farrelly and Peter Farrelly

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Matt Damon (as Bob Tenor) Greg Kinnear (as Walt Tenor) Eva Mendes (as April Mercedes) and Wen Yann Shih (as May Fong)

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 7.6

Length: 118 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $55 million/$66 million

Stuck on You had been a romantic/brotherhood comedy that I had been avoiding for a while, due to my perception of it being a cheesy and lackluster form of laughs (and the fact that Damon doesn't due much in the comedy section as a norm). In contrast, Stuck actually was more-or-less funny and entertaining throughout, with a great moral and decent enough resolution in the finale. It also did a good job of inserting performers playing themselves that kept the film realistic. Goes to show me that my predetermined biased opinions don't always pan out. 

Taking Lives

Release Date: 2004

Director: D.J. Caruso

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Angelina Jolie (as Illeana Scott) Ethan Hawke (as James Costa/Martin Asher) and Kiefer Sutherland (as Christopher Hart)

Based On: the novel of the same title by Michael Pye.

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 7.4

Length: 103 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $45 million/$65 million

The second pleasant surprise of the week, Taking Lives added another quality film to Jolie's resume, and gave the audience a solid murder mystery. I personally didn't like Ethan Hawke's role as the antagonist, however, it did aid in the mystery by causing the audience to think the identity was someone else. A great ending twist and a good overall plot contributed to this film's success in my ratings and opinion of its quality.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Release Date: 2009

Director: Grant Heslov

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Lyn Cassady) Ewan McGregor (as Bob Wilton) Jeff Bridges (as Bill Django) and Kevin Spacey (as Larry Hooper)

Based On: the book of the same title by author Jon Ronson.

IMDB Rating: 6.4

My Rating: 6.4

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $24 million/$69 million

This comedy (questionable genre, as its comedy was sparse) was a really weirdly developed and contained sketchy plot that lacked motivation and a purpose. The integration of the army and psychiatric experimentation didn't interest me overall (jumping through walls? killing goats with brain waves?) It was saved from being average by solid acting by Clooney (again) Bridges, and Spacey, but it still had issues gaining my full attention. The film would have been better suited had it displayed signs of a consistent plot and more believable main theme. 

Van Wilder

Release Date: 2002

Director: Walt Becker

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast:  Ryan Reynolds (as Vance "Van" Wilder, Jr.) Tara Reid (as Gwen Elizabeth Pearson) and Kal Penn (as Taj Mahal Badalandabad)

Based On: Bert Kreischer

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 5.8

Length: 92 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$38 million

A slightly better than usual raunchy college flick, Van Wilder did better than most by using a solid protagonist (Reynolds) coupled with a theme that most can relate to (not wanting to leave the fun of college). Though not terribly deep and well-acted other than Reynolds and Penn, Wilder sticks with a good simple plot that doesn't try to do much more than save Wilder and his followers while allowing them to enjoy their time at Coolidge College. An unusually decent attempt at laughter intended for young adults.

Van Wilder: Freshman Year

Release Date: 2009

Director: Harvey Glazer

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Jonathan Bennett (as Van Wilder) Kurt Fuller (as Dean Reardon) and Kristin Cavallari (as  Kaitlin Hayes)

Based On: Bert Kreischer

IMDB Rating: 4.9

My Rating: 4.1

Length: 98 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/Unknown

One point I want to start emphasizing when it comes to sequels and prequels is that films use as many of the same characters as possible, age-contingent of course, especially the main 3 or 4 characters. Thus, when a film does not use one of the same characters (this film) I lose a lot of respect and trust in the film's quality of budget. The acting in this prequel was horrendous by almost all involved, as well as a plot that was so uncontrolled that I had the beginnings of a headache. Don't bother.

Planet of the Apes

Release Date: 2001

Director: Tim Burton

Genre: Science Fiction

Main Cast: Mark Wahlberg (as Capt. Leo Davidson) Tim Roth (as Gen. Thade) and Helena Bonham Carter (as Ari)

Based On: based on Pierre Boulle's novel

IMDB Rating: 5.5

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 119 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $100 million/$362 million

Overall I thought this film presented a sweet idea of the alternative universe and a different species of rulers on that planet, however, the costume design and the overall portrayal of the apes by the performers was what made the film corny and less than desired. Wahlberg did a solid role as the main protagonist, but the fact that the apes looked and acted exactly as the humans did plus some hair didn't make their dominance as a separate species believeable. I liked the concepts presented by this science fiction remake, but I hope they do a better job in the prequel that comes out late this year.

Shaun of the Dead

Release Date: 2004

Director: Edgar Wright

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Simon Pegg (as Shaun) Nick Frost (as Ed) and Kate Ashfield (as Liz)

IMDB Rating: 8.0

My Rating: 7.0

Length: 99 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $3 million/$30 million

I was expecting a good zombie film from Edgar Wright after the 8.0 I gave his previous similar genre film in Hot Fuzz. The greatness of Zombieland has really somewhat biased my opinions towards other film of similar themes, as Zombieland was exceptionally done and accomplished much more than Shaun did in similar time limits. I felt like Shaun didn't leave a 15 mile radius and that it resolved all to easily. Still an above average action comedy zombie flick from Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

A big group of slightly above average films this week that resulted in some decent watches and only one major film to steer away from. Stay tuned for more reviews as I attempt to catch up to the current week.
-Jarid Holliday

5 Best Potential Films Still To Be Released This Summer

One of my early posts this year, Upcoming Film Premiers, elaborated on the big names being released this spring and summer. My few trips to the local theatres have resulted in a few crossed off the list, including: The Fighter, Unknown, Battle: Los Angeles, Your Highness, Thor, and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Unknown and Your Highness were mostly disappointing, while The Fighter, Battle: LA, Thor, and Pirates were all great to excellent. The following 5 films are my Top 5 that are still left to release this summer:


5. Transformers: The Dark Side of the Moon (June 29)

The third installment of the ever popular robot-action series, Transformers 3 should be another heart-pounder that will be best viewed in the theatre setting. Minus Megan Fox and following the worst of the two parts will be two slight negatives that move it down on the list. 

4. Captain America: The First Avenger (July 22)

Following in the line of The Incredible Hulk, The Iron Mans, and recent release Thor, the Marvel team completes its pre-Avengers films with this superhero/world war hero action flick. I am a pretty big fan of all the aforementioned films minus Hulk, and was impressed with Thor's quality recently. Should be another solid addition to the building comic series.

3. X-Men: First Class (June 3)

By far the most excited I have been for new part in a series (More than Pirates, as I didn't think the series could get better, and it didn't. Also, most excited until Batman 3 in 2012) The Wolverine Origins was a solid addition to the series, but this should answer many questions about the overall origins of the other key characters, and how the wars of the mutants and humans came about. This is a must see sci-fi.

2. Mr. Popper's Penguins (June 17)

I generally stay away from hyping comedies for the most part, as they usually have the tendency of disappointing or not being overly better than I predict. However, a Jim Carrey-led classic book (which I used to read) story is sure to be hilarious, deep, and meaningful all in one. A must see, eventually, but not a have-to in theatres. Save your dough for the actions, as comedies look the same on all screens. 

1. Cowboys and Aliens

A modern action western. Aliens. Alien Technology. Daniel Craig. Olivia Wilde. Harrison Ford. Jon Favreau (Iron Mans and Elf director). All of those ridiculous factors combine to make a film that I have been psyched to see since November. Another factor that is the best of them all? July 29th is the day before my 21st. Happy Birthday to me from myself. Movie of the summer. 

Mark your calenders folks. If you have the smallest bit of a sense of humor and action/sci-fi taste, you know where you will be on the aforementioned dates. And if you have 4 hrs open on a night, heck, why not see two?

-Jarid Holliday

New Shooter Games for 2011

Some new and future releases that i have found interesting in the gaming world:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Yes it is the 8th release of the Call of Duty series, and yes it is the third installment of the Modern Warfare series (obviously). With neither of those being a negative, and with its predecessor MW2 garnering the second most video game sales of all time, MW3 only has the potential to be no less than superb.  A change of scenery occurs as MW3 leaves the cold winters of Russia in Modern Warfare 2 and invades the Western European nations. Activision also took back the reigns of the series from Treyarch's Black Ops, and will aid the lacking graphics that Ops brought with it. I personally enjoyed MW2 at the times, but got overly tired of the maps. Black Ops' graphics were slightly sketch, but the maps and weapons (especially from the Map packs) were much better than the previous installment's. Looking forward to seeing if this newest game can combine the positives presented by its past relatives, and also whether it continues the ever-popular Zombie maps with more new aspects to the survival mini-game as it releases in early November.

Rage
Really the only reason I checked into this game was because my boy Blake Griffin did a comical trailer with the series. However the post-apocalyptic racing action seems a pretty sick concept, and should be a viable game for the 2011 season. Check the trailer for more info:

Brink
Another first-person shooter that I have seen a lot of ads for recently and that just popped out on the shelves is the new concept of Brink. Within Brink's gameplay, the gamer can be any one of four different classes of men, while being equipped with a equipment and weapon line unlike most any other game. The advantages of this game hinge around its ability to get all players involved within a multiplayer team, involved in different aspects that all help the cohesiveness of the group in its goal to win the selected match. A sick concept especially within a online party. Below is the trailer that relates more:

Hopefully these three reviews aid you in looking into some of the action games out this summer and fall, that you can get the most out of your system and the time you put into it.
-Jarid Holliday

Steven Tyler on Idol

Now normally I am not an American Idol nor classic rock music genre fan, though I do watch idol on occasion. However, Steven Tyler's performance of Dream On on the series finale last night was pretty incredible. To be able to relate that kind of passion that the man still has in music on a tv show in a position where he didn't have much to gain.

Definitely my favorite song by Aerosmith, and a very solid performance as well. Props to Steven, and keep on dreaming on...
-Jarid Hollliday

Week 15 Film Review

Now 4 weeks and many potential blogs behind due to school and finals, I am finally getting to Week 15. which turned out to be another average week with one major positive. I thoroughly enjoyed Zombieland, which I'll get to later, but didn't get much out of Babel and Grandma's Boy. The remainder of the films during the week were all in the 6-7 range, giving the overall average of the 9 films a 6.7 value.

Zombieland

Release Date: 2009

Director: Ruben Fleischer

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jesse Eisenberg (as Columbus) Woody Harrelson (as Tallahassee) Emma Stone (as Wichita) and Abigail Breslin (as Little Rock)

Based On:

IMDB Rating: 7.8

My Rating: 8.9

Length: 88 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $24 million/$102 million

Since viewing this film, I have really sort of gotten into a zombie film fix, although none that I have seen (The Crazies, 28 Days Later..., Shaun of the Dead, Dawn of the Dead) have not come close in both comedy and action, two attributes I expect in similar movies. Zombieland did an excellent job adding text graphics, while keeping the apocalyptic theme of survival and big guns. Acting all-around was solid, a given with Harrelson, but the film was really sold by its action comedy that did not cease throughout. The concept of being some of the last people on earth attempting to survive (the I am Legend theme as I call it) was more than enough to keep me entranced and cover up the films shortened time (88 minutes). I anxiously await a sequel for this gem. 

Hulk

Release Date: 2003

Director: Ang Lee

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Eric Bana (as Dr. Bruce Banner / The Hulk) Jennifer Connelly (as Betty Ross) Sam Elliott (as General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross) and Nick Nolte (as David Banner / The Absorbing Man)

IMDB Rating: 5.7

My Rating: 7.2

Length: 138 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $137 million/$245 million

Having been moderately disappointed in the newest Hulk issue of the comic series, 2007's The Incredible Hulk, I didn't have a whole lot of faith in this older, more-animated version. However, despite it's animation-heavy graphics, I felt that this version, unlike the new one, actually had a glimpse of a plot and gave a decent representation of the origin of the superhero, per say. Acting was similar to the 2007 version, with Bana and Norton and Connelly and Liv Tyler all playing similar roles. An all around decent film, but I expect a lot more from the superhero/comic book genre.


Michael Clayton

Release Date: 2007

Director: Tony Gilroy

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Michael Clayton) Tom Wilkinson (as Arthur Edens) Tilda Swinton (as Karen Crowder)

IMDB Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 119 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $25 million/$93 million

Another pattern I have been into in previous weeks has been seeing a lot of George Clooney films, which really hasn't been on purpose. I am not a huge fan of him in general, but I do feel he does a solid job overall, and I give him respect for that. He plays quite a few different roles in films, which a lot of performers don't do these days, but he always retains his common deviant attitude throughout all of them, essentially he rarely plays by the book. Michael Clayton is exactly that. Clayton is the fixer who takes care of problems within his company's departments, however, when Clooney is sick of the corruption that surrounds him, he stops putting up with it and causes changes to happen. A decent political film with a good flashback/tie-in that kept me interested, though not entranced.


Jackass 3

Release Date: 2010

Director: Jeff Tremaine

Genre: Documentary

Main Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O and Ryan Dunn (as themselves)

IMDB Rating: 7.1

My Rating: 6.4

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $20 million/$170 million

This movie is pretty self-explanatory since it is nearly identical to it's 2 (and a half) predecessors. Numerous men of low common sense and high pain tolerance perform stunts, often extremely perverted, for the entirety of 94 minutes. While this can be extremely comical at times (and make the male gender feel sick to their stomach due to specific injuries), I get tired of it after a limited amount of them eating dirt. Some of their stunts are actually interesting in the Myth-Buster sort of away (namely the small-engine airplane air force), but are best suited, in my opinion, in the television series it was initially designed for. 

The American

Release Date: 2010

Director: Anton Corbijn

Genre: Action

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Jack/Edward) Violante Placido (as Clara) and Thekla Reuten (as Mathilde)

Based On: 1990 novel A Very Private Gentleman by Martin Booth

IMDB Rating: 6.5

My Rating: 6.3

Length: 105 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $20 million/$68 million

The gunsmithing/hitman theme of this film proved to be about the only interesting part of the film to me, as it resulted in beeing an extremely slow and unproductive romance drama lacking the necessary action. By unproductive I mean that literally nothing of value within the plot took place throughout the entire film. In fact, the conclusion doesn't even make a conclusive decision as to whether or not Clooney survived to change his murderous ways to escape with his newest girlfriend. I was not impressed with this film in the least.

Babel

Release Date: 2006

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: An ensemble cast

IMDB Rating: 7.6

My Rating: 5.1

Length: 143 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $25 million/$135 million

Babel is the only Brad Pitt and/or Cate Blanchett film that I have thoroughly disliked. This murder mystery-type film did a decent job of tying in the plot throughout the multiple storylines, other than that there was really no positives that I could take from the 2+ hours of filming. I really despised the immensely insecure Japanese girl sideplot, as it really disgusted me and caused the film to go from bad to much worse. Also the depressing themes of death, depression, being stranded, and losing loved ones really didn't get me into the film whatsoever. I would not suggest this film to anyone.

Blow

Release Date: 2001

Director: Ted Demme

Genre: Biography

Main Cast: Johnny Depp (as George Jung) Jordi Mollà (as Diego Delgado) Penélope Cruz (as Mirtha Jung) and Ray Liotta (as Fred Jung)

Based On: real life stories of George Jung, Pablo Escobar, Carlos Lehder, and the Medellín Cartel.

IMDB Rating: 7.4

My Rating: 7.5

Length: 124 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $53 million/$83 million

I was really impressed with the overall themes and plotline that this American Gangster twin presented. Depp was absolutely superb throughout, the norm for any of his roles. The story of drugs, money, greed, love, and fall from grace hits its low when the true account of Jung getting caught for the last time and losing his relationship with his daughter in the finale. The whole plot of the drug mogul elevating from being a simple pot dealer to prominent cocaine lord keeps the audience riveted while still understanding the inevitable end.

Grandma's Boy

Release Date: 2006

Director: Nicholaus Goossen

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Allen Covert (as Alex) Linda Cardellini (as Samantha) Peter Dante (as Dante) and Doris Roberts (as Grandma Lilly)

IMDB Rating: 6.9

My Rating: 5.6

Length: 96 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$38 million

Grandma's Boy was the usual cheap stoner comedy that provided some laughs and had a heavy video-game emphasis. There was really no true meaning or moral throughout, accept that Alex needed to grow up. The usual type of film provider of quick laughs, not a film that I will need nor want to be seeing for a second time in the near future.

Big Daddy

Release Date: 1999

Director: Dennis Dugan

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Adam Sandler (as Sonny Kaufax) Dylan and Cole Sprouse (as Julian) and Joey Lauren Adams (as Layla)

IMDB Rating: 6.1

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 93 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $34 million/$235 million

I really thought Big Daddy proved to be a solid watch for my first time viewing it in its entirety, the plot easily followed by those of all ages. Sandler did an above-average role as an irresponsible man living on pension from a automobile accident that falls into being the caretaker of a young boy. The two's bonding throughout the film seems realistic and heartfelt, as does the father-son bonding between Sandler and his father in the court scene finale. The Sprouse twins (all over the Disney channel today) also do an excellent job combining their talents to make a funny orphaned youngster. This is a very good comedy that both serves a purpose and contains meaning.

A decent week of films that had it positives and negatives, while a host of average films that aren't anything to go out of your way to watch. Here's to getting caught back up on my reviews...
-Jarid Holliday

Rob and Drama's First Pitches

TV Show stars Rob Dyrdek and Drama of Fantasy Factory have both made their respective appearances for the Mariners and Dodgers (Rob threw one for each) throwing out first pitches. While there are 30 teams playing 162 games in the Major Leagues, getting an invitation to throw out a pitch isn't handed out to anyone. I found it fitting that both received invitations within this season apart (Rob also threw one out for the Dodgers last August), and how it shows the rise to prominence that both have been a part of under Fantasy Factory, Dyrdek's Street League, the new professional skate organization, and Drama's Young & Reckless clothing brand and his production company. Below are their opening fastballs:

Rob Mariners 2011

Rob Dodgers 2010

Drama Dodgers 2011

Rob's arm looked like it belonged it same late relief positions, while Drama looked like his movement could land him in a set-up role at best (sarcasm). As a sidenote, I have never seen the first pitch be redone, so props, or nonprops, to Mr. Dyrdek. 

-Jarid Holliday

Greyson Chance

Thirteen year-old Greyson Chance has emerged as another one of the top YouTube stars of this past year, as well as creeping into the the national spotlight with his Bieber-esque voice and prodigy piano skills. Having started playing the piano at age 8, he never received any formal vocal training. His skills emerged with the video of him playing Lady Gaga's Paparazzi for a 6th grade talent show. The video made it rounds by being talked about by Ellen Degeneres, Ashton Kutcher, and Ryan Seacrest, and eventually garnering over 39 million news. Since then, two of his own songs have gotten over 12 million combined views, while he is now on tour with similar rising pop star Cody Simpson. His first single and video is shown below, broadcasting his ridiculous vocal and piano talents at such a young age, as well as three of his other productions. I really like Waiting Outside the Lines, especially since it shows some emotion and depth for a 13 year-old.

Paparazzi

Broken Hearts

Stars

Waiting Outside the Lines

I will be very interested to see what this phenom does in the future. Let us hope he focuses more on his talents than the popularity he receives from them. 

-Jarid Holliday

Nike Recycled Ad

One of the older Nike ads that I still love seeing now and again, the ad shows a compilation of previous Nike advertisements that have been shown throughout the years. Always a Pre fan, I love the clips of him shown throughout in his USA Olympic gear, as well as the Kobe-jumping-over-the-car one and the amputee running the 400m.

Nike's innovation continues to astound...

-Jarid Holliday

A7x-So Far Away

An emotional tribute to the passing of "The Rev" Tholomew Plague in late 2009, So Far Away is an incredibly deep track with its music video containing snippets of recorded material of the band throughout their career with The Rev. I personally attended one of Avenged's concerts months after his passing where emotions were still running high towards the infamous drummer's passing. Avenged has yet to name a replacement, as The Rev had such an instrumental part in all of their work, especially their newest album Nightmare (He had recorded and sang for the song Fiction three days prior to his death).

Another true example how life can end in the prime of one's career.
-Jarid Holliday

Psychosocial Baby

A really provocative video mash-up, Bieber and Slipknot's sound comes together well in this interesting piece. I initially found it slightly creepy and annoying, but I have really come to like the chorus's blend of Corey Taylor's vocals and Bieber's instrumentals. Most non-adolescents snicker at any mention or playing of Bieber, but I personally give the kid some respect. A.) The kid can sell music, despite his immature stances on love and relationships. B.) His collaborations with other artists have been improving, Sean Kingston, Ludacris, Kanye West, and Chris Brown showing that he can get beyond pop-centered Miley. Thus, if this collaboration with Slipknot or another metal artist actually occured, I would be very interested and impressed. Until then, we have to stick to the computer-generated mash-up, but I still enjoy Bieber's time in the rock genre:

-Jarid Holliday

Week 14 Film Reviews

Week 14 was a rather disappointing week of 9 films, as I finished some 2 series's and some random films that proved to be not that great. Within the low average of 5.7, Youth in Revolt and The first and third installments of the Transporter series were the better films of the week, though they didn'te eclipse 7.0. Of the  5 bad films below the 6.0 rating, Syriana, The Ex,  and the American Psycho series received the lowest ratings of 5.1, 5.3, 5.3, and 3.8 respectively.

Youth in Revolt

Release Date: 2009

Director: Miguel Arteta

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Michael Cera (as Nick Twisp / François Dillinger) and Portia Doubleday (as Sheeni Saunders)

Based On: C.D. Payne's epistolary novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 6.7

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 89 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $18 million/$19 million

Youth was kind of a weird and awkward comedy that actually turned out to be a decent show. Michael Cera is one of the few people who can pull off such awkward characters with awkward lines that can be that comical. That coupled with a decent supporting cast resulted in a decent comedy within a decent storyline of a deviant alter ego. I also evidently felt the same as 23,000 odd other IMDB voters as we both gave it a mid to hi 6, a mid-quality film.

American Psycho

Release Date: 2000

Director: Mary Harron

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Christian Bale (as Patrick Bateman) Willem Dafoe (as Donald Kimball) and Reese Witherspoon (as Evelyn Williams)

Based On:  Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 7.5

My Rating: 5.3

Length: 101 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $7 million/$34 million

I really didn't enjoy this film much at all, as it was rather confusing and really creepy. I had kind of hoped it would share some similarities to another alter-ego thriller, The Number 23. However, the film differed greatly from the solid presentation The Number 23 put forth. This week's films contained 3 alter-ego films in a row, this one and it's even worse sequel being the worse of the three. I just really couldn't get into the film with the character that Bale played, granted it was a very good performance, I am not moved by ultra-creepy sex-driven psychopaths that are delusional. That aspect is something I also dislike in films when they lead the audience to believe one thing for a 95% of the film, before changing the entire plot in the film's closing moments. I don't like being deceived, and neither should any other audience.

American Psycho 2: All-American Girl

Release Date: 2002

Director: Morgan J. Freeman

Genre: Thriller

Main Cast: Mila Kunis (as Rachael Newman) William Shatner (as Prof. Robert Starkman) and Geraint Wyn Davies (as Dr. Eric Daniels)

IMDB Rating: 3.9 

My Rating: 3.8

Length: 88 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $10 million/Unknown

A straight-to-DVD, very poorly IMDB-rated, and sequel to a poorly-constructed initial film in my opinion, Psycho II had the probability of being a very poor film as well. Per my projections, this film was really bad, possibly worse than bad. Kunis had absolutely no purpose for her killing's in the film besides getting into the FBI to solve murder cases, highly hypocritical. Horrendous acting, horrendous '90's pop soundtrack and audio effects, and a mostly scattered plotline. The only positive of the film came in a decent twist towards the end of the film in that it explained Kunis's extravagant plot to get into the FBI. Beyond that minor bright spot, stay away from this awful psycho-thriller.

Requiem for a Dream

Release Date: 2000

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: Ellen Burstyn (as Sara Goldfarb) Jared Leto (as Harry Goldfarb) Jennifer Connelly (as Marion Silver) and Marlon Wayans (as Tyrone C. Love)

Based On: Hubert Selby, Jr.'s novel of the same name.

IMDB Rating: 8.5

My Rating: 5.4

Length: 101 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $5 million/$7 million

Requiem's extremely different camera splits and extreme drug use really creeped me out throughout the film, as its dark and sadistic themes made it hard to find a positive moral. The hole that the main characters dug themselves in with their addictions was insurmountable in the end, and the realism and negativity really gave the film a sad sense of truth, falsified happiness. As real and moving this film was, and even with its quality acting by most involved, I could not bring myself to like that depressing of a film.
 

Black Sheep

Release Date: 1996

Director: Penelope Spheeris

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Chris Farley (as Mike Donnelly) David Spade (as Steve Dodds) and Tim Matheson (as Al Donnelly)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 6.1

Length: 87 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/$32 million

Extremely similar to Tommy Boy and many other cheaper 1990's comedies, Black Sheep was a clean and comical at times comedy in which Farley and Spade attempted to reconcile their screw-ups and save the situation, in this case Farley's brother's governor campaign. Not much in depth or character development, Black Sheep did manage, however, to stay consistent throughout it time limit, and remained a good comical piece, typical of Farley's usual solid works.

The Ex

Release Date: 2006

Director: Jesse Peretz

Genre: Comedy

Main Cast: Zach Braff (as Tom Reilly) Amanda Peet (as Sofia Kowalski-Reilly) and Jason Bateman (as Chip Sanders)

IMDB Rating: 5.6

My Rating: 5.3

Length: 92 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: Unknown/$5 million

The Ex proved to be a really subpar romantic comedy that had an unrealistic and inconsistent plotline, as well as lackluster acting and hardly a resolution. The cast was especially bland, and I really didn't have much good to say about the film, beyond that nothing was absolutely awful, just boringly simple. Really not a good, even decent film, suggested only if you need something to fall asleep to, or to feel better about your own life.

Transporter

Release Date: 2002

Director: Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jason Statham (as Frank Martin/The Transporter) Shu Qi (as Lai Kwai) and François Berléand (as Inspector Tarconi)

Based On:  BMW Films' The Hire series

IMDB Rating: 6.6

My Rating: 6.6

Length: 94 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $21 million/$44 million

I had seen and currently own the second installment of the Transporter series, thus I had some prior knowledge of the series. Transporter 2, which I again had already seen, was the worst in the series, as it occurs in the States is about transporting and securing a boy. This first film in the series gave decent background on the origins of Frank Martin, as well as a better storyline in delivering a girl while racing throughout the streets and alleys of Europe. The action and car control of Martin made it a thrilling watch. There were really no major flaws, just the lack of a telling plot that most action/car chase films do not incorporate.

Transporter 3

Release Date: 2008

Director: Olivier Megaton

Genre: Action

Main Cast: Jason Statham (as Frank Martin) François Berléand (as Inspector Tarconi) and Natalya Rudakova (as Valentina)

IMDB Rating: 5.9

My Rating: 6.7

Length: 104 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $30 million/$109 million

The 3rd film in the Transporter series had almost an identical plot, Frank Martin transporting a woman to a destination for pay, though the plot shifts when obstacles arise and situations change. I felt like this installment had slightly better car escape scenes than the first did, including a scene in which Martin drives his trusty Mercedes out of a lake he escaped into. Overall a solid action series, with not much plot depth or character development. But, as far as action films go, you could do much worse.

Syriana

Release Date: 2005

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Genre: Drama

Main Cast: George Clooney (as Bob Barnes) Matt Damon (as Bryan Woodman) Amanda Peet (as Julie Woodman) and Jeffrey Wright (as Bennett Holiday)

Based Loosely On: Robert Baer's memoir See No Evil.

IMDB Rating: 7.1

My Rating: 5.1

Length: 128 minutes

Budget/Gross Revenue: $50 million/$94 million

Syriana proved to be an extremely confusing and politically-heavy drama that didn't overall impress me. The entire plot hinged around oil-drilling, terrorism, corruption, and politics, 4 topics that really don't interest me much at all. It also reminded me of the average-drama also starring George Clooney, Michael Clayton, minus the oil-drilling and terrorism. I have somewhat been in a Clooney fix lately, though I am not a huge fan of him, he does provide some comedy within his dramas (Men Who Stare at Goats, Michael Clayton, and The American). Overall the film was saved from disaster by the always-respectible acting of Damon and Clooney, but not anything that I would recomend to most.

This week's film list was mostly rated high by IMDB with multiple in the post-7 range, as well as award-winning with multiple awards and nominations. However, I didn't feel that most of those high ranked films were anything amazing, as most are popular for aspects that don't interest me in the film industry. Not my favorite week of watching by any means.

Stay informed,
Jarid Holliday