wristcutters - a love story
directed by goran dukic
screenplay written by goran dukic
inspired by "kneller's happy campers," short story written by etgar keret
starring shannyn sossamon, patrick fugit, shea wigam, leslee bibb, tom waits
don't be put off by the title... there's this place where people go when they "off themselves", but have a second life in an altered state. this movie is quirky, but unbelievably sweet. its pace is a little slow, yet so worth the funny (subtle, not necessarily laugh out loud) and endearing moments. patrick fugit (zia) and shannyn sossamon (mikal) show real chemistry in an understated way. i highly recommend this indie flick. a story about friendship, love (not the heavy handed kind) and how the people in charge run things when they forgive. the music is cool too (original music by bobby johnston, joy division, gogol bordello, del shannon). one of the songs is going to stick with me for a few days. if you see said flick, you'll see why. "when there is trap set up for you in every corner of this town... the only way to go, is underground..."
deception
directed by marcel langenegger
written by mark bomback
starring hugh jackman, ewan mcgregor, and michelle williams
the premise is pretty clever, but the execution fell a little short. ewan mcgregor plays an auditor, johnathan mcquarry, who inadvertantly lands himself in a dangerous place. because i'm a c.p.a., i could not help but know the holes in the story where it concerned an auditor. the set up could have been stronger because there were places where the hints were too obvious. i don't like to figure out a movie too quickly. you're supposed to be on the edge of your seat in a thriller. the tension did not maintain itself and the ending was too hollywood. i try not to give too much away in case you still wanted to see deception. i would recommend to wait for it on dvd.
hitman
directed by xavier gens
written by skip woods
actors: timothy olyphant (catch & release), dougray scott, olga kurylenko
action flick based on the video game. pretty good as action films go, the action sequences are well done. there is a great fight scene in a train depot and some good ol' shoot 'em up scenes. timothy as agent 47 is cute, but not quite bad ass enough to pull it off completely. dougray scott is the best actor in this movie, as the interpol agent, hot on the trail of agent 47. olga (nika) is eye candy for straight boys to be sure. final analysis: good rainy day action dvd or on demand.
shoot 'em up
directed by michael davis
written by michael davis
actors: clive owen, paul giamatti, monica belucci
this is quite possibly the worst action film i have ever seen. and that says it all. remember, chloe is an action junky. even 'transporter' (jason statham) was better than this. how did it go so wrong? it had the hot guy: clive owen, hot girl: monica belucci and nefarious bad guy: paul giamatti. formula action film inserting actors does not work. the plot has to be strong enough to stand up to the action and has to be original if its going to work. the writer/director tried too hard to emulate others (quentin tarantino, robert rodriguez, ian fleming) and failed miserably. the gore tried to be shocking and campy and was neither. the dialogue was so strained and awful. the neurotic bad guy was not believable in the least. i can quite firmly say that this was a thorough waste of my time. i shouldn't keep railing on. i just can't believe how terrible this flick was. trust me, skip it.
enchanted
directed by kevin lima
written by bill kelly
starring: amy adams, james marsden, mcdreamy a.k.a. patrick dempsey, and susan sarandon
i couldn't help myself. earlier this week, i was having a bum day and needed something light. evil stepmother (sarandon) exiles princess (adams) to the real world and prince (marsden) tries to save the day and princess is confused by handsome attorney (dempsey). it is what a fairy tale should be silly, romantic and fun. disney actually poked fun at the quintessential fairy tale while still having all of the elements. refreshingly, the princess actually finds some independence. i know, shocking! this was sweet and cute - definitely chick flick and/or children's movie. there is after all, a happily ever after and magic.
ok. insomnia is now cured. that's a wrap kids. see you next edition.
ciao,
chloe
