This movie, very nicely, moves from a mystery to a thriller to a horror film. It almost fools you into thinking it’s a different type of movie than it actually is, and this is a good thing. The surprises keep coming even up to the end. The role of the little girl Lilith was played very well by Jodelle Ferland. There were times when I really felt concerned for her saftey and others where I feared for everyone elses.

Case 39 takes you on a trip and you can’t help but follow along as the story twists and turns. I watched it with someone who doesn’t normally watch horror movies and they didn’t know it was one until they were caught up in watching it. I really enjoyed this movie and give it a 4 out of 5 marks.

All the actors were pretty good but the only one I recognized was Max von Sydow. He played the part of a Jewish survivor of the Holocaust and was the only character that spoke English in the entire movie. Intacto is a Spanish film. When I rented it I was prepared to sit down and read subtitles but I found the DVD does have a 2.1 English track you can choose instead of the 5.1 surround sound Spanish one. I opted to listen in English.

One of the great things about this movie is the discovery of this world of underground gamblers, the games they play to test their luck, and the currency they put up as collateral in order to compete. I would have liked for there to be a visual representation of the luck of the gamblers as it changed bodies and was used. The concept of how luck could be absorbed and given out by certain people was interesting. This was one of those films where you just go along for the ride and enjoy it’s twists and turns. I rented this movie based solely on its premise and was pleased to find it was much more. I give this film a 3 and a half out of 5 marks. Here’s the trailer:

This movie is for all intents and purposes a “B” movie. It’s low budget. It’s about the hood and the drug game, and it has only one or two recognizable actors. That being said, I found it to be more enjoyable than I expected. Ving Rhames was disgustingly evil and every evil act he did was as fun to watch as it was out of bounds. Another thing that made this movie interesting is how it portrayed the drug game. Everyone who comes from the hood has their idea on how the drug game should be played and the way the main character played it is how anyone would expect a successful drug dealer would. The way that the devil explained his motivation and actions was surprisingly clear and almost fair. If not for the supernatural element, I’d say this movie almost celebrates the drug game. I enjoyed this film and give it a 3 and a half out of 5 marks. Check out the trailer:

There were a lot of recognizable actors in this movie and I’d say the movie was well acted as a whole. Even Luke Wilson wasn’t terrible and while Téa Leoni’s character was a bitch, she was quite a likeable one. The film is definitely a comedy but it’s not really laugh out loud funny though it does make you smile a lot. Ben Kingsley is awesome and the movie is really just plain fun … even when it tries to be serious. I give it a 3 and a half out of 5 marks but I’m considering giving it 4. Here’s the trailer:

I was looking back trying to figure out why I hadn’t seen this movie in the theater and found out the movie was released in the U.S. on only a few screens due to the actual columbine incident. It was later re-released seven years later. There is already a sequel which I have seen and also recommend called The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day. It’s nearly, if not just as good, as the original. I ended up screening both movies back-to-back with friends and a good time was had by all. I consider them both classics and easily give the original 5 out of 5 marks. Check out the trailer for the original:

This movie is subtitled but the conversations happen slow enough for them to be easily read without missing anything important in the movie. Some parts of the film play out like  a Kung Fu movies with guns instead of hand to hand combat. The personalities of each of the friends are relatively distinct and each is likeable in his own way. There are plenty of action scenes and since there are lots of bullets flying, there is plenty of blood but not to the point of it being gory. The enduring friendship of the main give guys is fun to watch as it plays out amidst the backdrop of bullets, crime, and gang bosses. The movie takes place in Macao, China and has its appropriate comedic and dramatic moments woven into this action piece.

None of the actors were recognizeable to me but everyone seemed to play their part well. This was an enjoyable film. It was directed by Johnny To who I never knew but now have an appreciation for. I easily give this movie a 4 out of 5 marks. Enjoy the trailer below then go rent the movie.

There are a lot of interesting little characters here, each with their own little story, the hotel owner, the whore, the doorman, the guy who works in the hospital morgue, and others. This story is more about the challenges, hopes, and dreams of the people you tend to ignore as you go on about your personal business. The taxi drivers, janitors, maids, and countless others are people you pass by and don’t give a second thought but their lives can be vibrant, challenging, and full of flavor. I enjoyed this movie and give it a 4 out of 5 marks.

I came across this film sort of by accident. It was the title and premise that made me give it a shot and for the most part I was pleasantly surprised. The characters did a lot of what I considered I might do with a time machine. It did hurt my brain at times to keep up with everything but I didn’t mind the challenge. This film has few, real special effects but manages to make the time travel device seem plausible. None of the actors are well known and in truth, the film didn’t require incredible amounts of acting chops. The story is the star here.

This film isn’t for everyone. It’s definitely low budget Sci-Fi and while it can be confusing at times, it was also interesting and rather intelligent. I consider it worth checking out and give it a 3 and a half out of 5 marks. On a good day I’d give it a 4.

One of the things I like most about the movie is the soundtrack. It is made up entirely of East Coast Hip Hop music though there is no African American male starring in the entire movie. In fact the protagonist character in the movie played by Giovanni Ribisi comments that he is embarking on the White person’s version of selling crack rock, becoming a stock broker. The movie has a cast of well known young actors including Ben Affleck, Tom Everett Scott, Jamie Kennedy, and Vin Diesel as well as Ron Rifkin as the Father and Nia Long as the love interest and only African-American member of the cast.

This movie was enjoyable all the way through and I especially loved the soundtrack. I give it a 4 out of 5 marks.