Kell's Corner
CINDERELLA MAN
As
most of you know (and some of you may not know, especially those not registered
or posting, uh hhmm).
I have a tendency to write reviews of movies I have seen two were "Amityville
Horror" which is posted at The Horror Of the Hollywood Horror Re-make in this
sectiona as well as my thoughts on "Revenge of the Sith" (Sit down Johnny, I'm
not bashing it anymore, I like it alot more). Know Kiddies I am going to talk
about "Cinderella Man". Which I saw on opening night.
I am a big Russell Crowe fan as well as Ron Howard. I also am a sports fan,
especially Football and Boxing. This film has a special place in my heart,
becasue Jim Braddock (played by Crowe), is a Jersey boy as I am. Evenmore so
becasue Braddock hails from North Bergen in Bergen County which is about 10 mins.
away from Hackensack where I grew up and currently live after being away for
some time.
Crowe delivers the goods again as well as Howard, it is a great story of Love,
Hope, Family and Courage. The fight scenes were realistic and believable (as
this is a true story, which kind of sucked for me becasue I knew how it would
end). Paul Giamatti is fantastic as Braddock's trainer and friend, everyone in
this film is great.
However, I loved this film the first time I saw it when it was called "Rocky".
Now Rocky was a fictional story based on half truths. Stallone was inspired to
write "Rocky" after seeing a fight between Muhamad Ali and Chuck Wepner (known
as "The Bayonne Bleeder") this fight took place in 1974-75. Wepner a huge
underdog got a shot at the title, the fight went 15 rounds. In the 8th round Ali
got knocked down (some say he slipped) and the round went to Wepner. The fight
was bloody and hard hitting with Ali finally knocking out Wepner in the 15th.
Later on Ali would say that the Wepner fight was the hardest fight he ever
fought. That's just a little back story on "Rocky". Other inspirations for
"Rocky" of course were Rocky Marciano, Jim Braddock, and "On The Waterfront".
Even Rocky's style of fighting is taken from Jim Braddock and Chuck Wepner. They
are just Big old Bruisers.
If you see this film you will see a lot of similarites between Jim Braddock and
"Rocky". They are both down on their luck (different time periods and
circumstances but both down and out). Rocky gets a title shot out of the blue
and Braddock gets re-instated into the boxing commision and evetually works his
way up to getting a title shot. I'M TRYING NOT TO GIVE SPOILERS HERE. So you'll
see a lot of the same things and some different things.
All in All "Cinderella Man" is a great film (I don't think it's as great as all
the critic's are saying, and I don't think it's gonna win an Oscar, but it is
still a wonderful film). Ands it is a true story, but Stallone kind of told this
story 30 years ago, so he got to it first. Also I film wise I have to say I
enjoyed "Million Dollar Baby" more than "Cinderella Man".
Mostly becasue going to see "Million Dollar Baby", I was expecting "Rocky" with
a chick, (Kudos to Clint, never gives us a happy ending, but man that film was
AMAZING). And seeing "Cinderella Man" was like seeing "Rocky" starring Russell
Crowe. But I still like it anywho.
BATMAN BEGINS!
Holy Backstory Batman! This movie was great! Batman the way Batman was meant to
be! If you have a chance I strongly suggest you go see it. I'm not gonna say to
much, but Chris Nolan & Christian Bale deliver the goods in this one. A stellar
cast, production, story and everything else to boot. And the Scarecrow my
personal favorite Batman villian.
This Movie beats the pants off of the 1989 Tim Burton Film, and I really like
that one.[/b]
And I love how Gotham City, is a realistic backdrop, not some ornate
unbelievable place. Why are you still reading this? Go, go know and see it.
OK, OK,
ALL RIGHT! I have been sherking my movie reviews, and I've noticed Rod has been
layin' down his thoughts on the summer movies. So I'm not gonna review the ones
he has already but just to throw in 2 cents, here are some movies I've seen that
Rod has allready mentioned:
War of the Worlds: should've been better (story wise)
Land of the Dead: expected more
Wedding Crashers: AWESOME!
Which brings me to the one I saw last night:
THE DEVILS REJECTS!!!!
I have to admit, I had no interest in seeing this movie but I was dragged.
And I have to tell you I sure am glad I went to see it!
IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!
Rob Zombie certainly learned from his mistakes in his first film.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoyed it. I was expecting gory drek,
but was given a thrill ride.
It was more of an Outlaw Road Film than a horror flick, which is what made it
great. After the opening scene and the opening title sequence I didn't need to
see anymore to know how good it was.
The film was gritty, violent, harsh, hilarious and artistic. It's not for
everyone, but man did he tell a great story. It reminded me of such films as
Easy Rider, Telma & Lousie, Deliverence, Pyscho, Duel, Natural Born Killers
(however, this film beat that one out in my opinon) and yes Texas Chainsaw
Massarce.
The style of editing was perfect for this picture. Now you have to understand
the editing only works with this type of film. It was set in the 1970's and was
cut like a film from the 70's. Which has a lot of freeze frames and slide
transitions. This style is rarely ever used anymore for obvious reasons, but
here it was perfect. I felt like I was watching a film from the 70's. That's how
authentic it was. Also Zombie shot this film on 16mm and then blew it up to 35mm
for it's release. This process is done for two reasons:
1) 16mm is alot cheaper to shoot on than 35mm. (However it is still expensive to
shoot on).
2) It gives it that grainy look, and the coloring is slightly paler.
THE CAST: AWESOME, you'll see some familiar and some old faces in this film
like;
Willam Forsythe: This man needs no introduction.
Danny Trejo: If you don't know who he is you should be shot, burned and dragged
through the street!
Geoffrey Lewis: High Plains Drifter, Salem's Lot (the original) plus many more.
And a very good friend to Clint Eastwood I might add.
Bill Mosely: "Johnny" from the 1990 re-make of "Night of the Living Dead", Also
the deadite captain in Army of Darkness. And that other Rob Zombie Film.
Ken Foree: Orginal "Dawn of The Dead"
Leslie Eastbrook: Lt. Callahan from the "Police Academy" Films
Priscilla Barnes: Suzanne Somers replacement on Three's Company.
NOW DON'T LAUGH AT SOME OF THESE CREDITS!!!!! These Actor's are great in this
movie!
Also I loved the soundtrack, that's actually what hooked me in the frist 3mins.
of the film. I mean everybody has a little Red Neck in 'em! I mean I've never
seen anyone do a slow mo, slash and run scene to "Midnight Rambler". That's all
I'm gonna say about that.
I'm tired now so that's all I have to say about that. Hope you enjoy it 2.
BTW also so a teaser last night for "SAW II" can't wait. It better be good.
Just saw "The Pukes of Hazzard". The best thing about it
is the car. Man do I love the Dodge Charger. I've always wanted one myself. Oh
yeah also Jessica Simpsons rear and chassie, sweet. Actually she was probably
one of the better actors in the film. Her southern was way better than
Knoxville's and Stifler's. Oh yeah and the guys from Broken Lizzard make cameo
appearences considering Jay directed the thing. Oh well, and I expected it to be
better than "Starsky and Hutch".
The 40-year Old Virgin
Has got to be the funniest movie I have seen in a long time! Do you hear me
people!? It was better than The Wedding Crashers, and that was some funny sh^t!
Steve Carell is the new king of comedy, he carried this film so well, I love
understated quirky comedic performances. There the best! I strongly suggest you
go see this movie, (it's a great date movie by the way
)
Some of the stuff is so great I couldn't stop laughing, the one liners and jokes
were just too funny. And if your still a virgin...like me, you may learn a thing
or too. (You hear that chicks, yeah I'm a virgin, I'm saving myself for the
Playboy Mansion...I mean marriage....)
Ok fine you got me I'm not a virgin, but if your reading this you probably are!
Ha Ha, got you!
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Wow! If you like Law and Order and The Exorcist, this is the film for you.
I was waiting for Jesse L. Martin and Dennis Farina to pop up (just kidding).
It was really good. I had a scare or two (possibily more if it wasn't for the
stupid HS kids in the audience talking on their cell phones, and making stupid
comments. It almost turned into "The Murderous Rage of Eddie Bergtold", but back
to my review).
If your into trial movies aka A Few Good Men, The Rainmaker, and A Civil Action,
You'll love this film. Just gonna say Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson and Campbell
Scott (Singles, love that movie) were excellent. But many Kudos go to Jennifer
Carpenter in the role of Emily (her other credits include White Chicks and
D.E.B.S, both horrible but she hits the nail on the head in this one). And she
only had a max of like 10 lines in this film. All the possession sequences are
done in flashbacks during the trial.
The wonderful thing about her performance was how little make-up and F/X they
used. The way she would contort her body and the faces she made were down right
disturbing.This
movie is NOT a Rip Off of The Exorcist
Also do you know how
hard it is to act in Latin? It ain't easy. My suggestion is to go see this movie
on a weekday night with a small audience, WITH NO HS KIDS. The trial is
sometimes hard to follow so pay attention.
EGO sum unus quisnam
habito intus!!!
A
History of Violence
Sounds like a description of my last relationship (on her part) but I digress.
He is Viggo, yes he is. Going from swinging swords and hooking up with hot
elvish chicks, to shooting bad guys and going down on Maria Bello in a
cheerleading outfit (what did you expect it's a Cronenberg film), man does this
guy have the life or what?
Viggo is Tom Stall (or is he?) a mild mannered family man and diner owner in a
small town when a couple of bady guys walk in and are about to do nasty things
to the female waitress and the rest of the patrons until Arragorn I mean Tom
Stall (Viggo) steps in and saves the day. He is then thrust into the national
spotlight as a local hero who stood up for himself and those around him. But
Alas or hero Tom must have a dark seceret cause all of a sudden these bad guys
show up and start calling him Joey (like a one eyed Ed Harris). Does he have a
life he left behind or is it a case of mistaken identity? HINT: If you see the
movie you'll find out.
A History of Violence is a fantastic blend of a family drama and extreme
(you guessed it) violence. Cronenberg doesn't do it over the top, it's
gennerally like any other film where people get shot but he shows the after
effects of the bullet wounds like: Jaws twitching after some one's head is blown
off from the back and a dude's face after his nose is bashed clean off his head.
Quick, effcient (can we get spell checker on these boards?) and visually jarring
but in a good way.
All in all I have to say it's such a simple concept but I've never really seen a
story like this told so I'll have to admitt it is pretty original. I enjoyed the
family drama part of it cause it takes us to a different place in the story and
there's actually more about the family drama than all the violence. SPOLIER
ALERT: It's really about the fact that we can never really run from our past no
matter how much we think we can change, we'll always carry those demons with us.
And how we choose to share the past with those we love. Are will willing to give
up our happiness today to be honest with the ones we care about most? And the
fear of losing them if we do.
Domino
Oh, Oh, Oh, Domino. In this loosely based bio pic about real life super model
Domino Harvey turned bounty hunter, Kiera Knightly plays the title role.
Supported by the suddenly ressurected Mickey Rourke, with special guest
apperances by Ian Zeirhing and Brian Austin Greene (who gets his noise broken by
Knightly in one scene) as well as long forgotten Dabney Coleman (I thought that
guy was dead) and did I mention Walken, who plays a TV producer who is trying to
make a reality show of Domino's life. Directed by Tony Scott this movie has the
bang bang excitement of any action film with subtle comedy and a Boogie Nights
vibe. I always like the way Scott lights and photographs his films.
Not everything that happens in the film actually occured, but that's creative
licesening. I enjoyed it, not the best movie I've seen but enjoyable, and
nothing beats as sexy chick blowing away mobsters with an M-16, if nothing else
go see it to see Kiera Knightly naked
Waiting...
Not a really good movie, but pretty hilarious. I have to admitt I was pretty
whacked when I went to see it so who knows, it was funny at the time. If you
like toliet humor and have ever worked in a resturant, you should see this
movie. It nails the stereotypes on the head. The edgey cool guy, the slut, the
guy who wants more out of life, the hot lesbian bartender, the jailbait, the
crazy disgusting cooks, the gansta white bus boys, the p-whipped loser, and the
idiot manager. It also covers, the parties, the booze, the drugs, the intimate
one night relationships (which are my favorite) it's got them all. And the spent
whip cream canasters (if you worked in a resturant you know what I'm talking
about, and are probably guilty of doing that the same as I).
Ryan Reynolds was ok, but Andy Milanakas (don't know if I spelled it right), was
pretty hilarious and does a gansta rap over the closing credits which was pretty
good. So if you don't have anything better to do, go see Waiting...before it's
too late. Which is probably tomorrow.
The Fog
They should have left that one out to sea. Awful, and I really liked the
original. (This actually belongs in "The Horror of The Hollywood Horror",
thread) And why don't I have The Kell's Corner section yet Sam? Hmmmm? I work
and I slave, saving up all my pennies an nickels to go see these movie? ARHGK!
Ok so I had a few drinks after the movie and decided to post, sorry