UshiMu Blog

Under discussion:

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen  (2009)

There isn't a whole lot to say about this movie... seeing as it is a sequal, I would be lying to say my expectations weren't high. Dispite the fact that about fifteen minutes into the movie I was pleading for the credits to roll, the plot was bearable and the acting wasn't the worst. AND dispite the fact that a major selling point for the movie was banked on Megan Fox's unfortunately gorgeous bod- I was hoping that the Transformers would be a main part of a movie that holds the title "TRANSFORMERS"... What I got was a washed up storyline revolving around the Military & a college student named Sam... The transformer Bumble-Bee (a main character in the previous film,) barely held a part in this movie. I was dissapointed to find myself losing intrest so quickly, and had to force myself to pay attention to the rest of the film... all in all, I wish it would have been better!

Under discussion:

9  (2009)

9 was an animated film intended and advertized for adults. However, I found the movie more suited for a younger audience, prehaps a more young-adult audience (This is why I think the movie was appropriately rate PG-13) The Character's and storyline were obvious & straightforward, which was refreshing. Acker did a good job portraying an interesting and evolving post-apocolyptica. However, I found the ending a little stilted, uncomfortable, & brief. All in all, Elijah Wood gave a stunning vocal performance, and I found the movie very Tim-Burton-Esk, as he (Burton) was appropriately one of the many producers.

Under discussion:

Land of the Dead  (2005)

This was my very first zombie movie, and I was a little surprised;
I was expecting a lot more of the “un-expected”. According to my friend Robby, this isn’t a typical zombie movie- in this film, the zombies have the ability to learn and evolve. I found the story line predictable, and it appeared to me that the zombies (although they feasted on human flesh and were the walking dead,) were more of an interesting character study then the actual leading characters in the movie. My favorite scene was when John Leguinzamo's character killed the main greed-addled opportunist guy. All in all, it wasn’t bad; I enjoyed it.

Under discussion:

The Shawshank Redemption  (1994)

I learned of this movie when someone told me it was their "all time favorite" skeptical, I rented it (knowing it was a prison film, I was worried that it would be lacking in plot, steeped in depth and realism, but lacking... structure,) However, I was gladly proven wrong. This film is a true work of "art" (for lack of a better word,) It almost absorbs you in, leaving you completely unaware you are viewing a movie. The acting is spectacular. Morgan Freeman & Tim Robbins are fantastic leads, but the "Villians" (again for lack of a better word,) were what truly gripped me, I really wanted to hate them, and felt quite justified when they got what was coming to them. Although it was brutal at points, it was a raw and completely honest film. Entierly enjoyable. 5 Stars!

Under discussion:

Wild Wild West  (1999)

In my opinion, Will Smith has only ever made two mistakes in his career: Wild Wild West & Hancock.
Smith unwisely turned down the role for Neo in the Matrix in favor of James T. West, Although it worked out well for Reeves, Smith was left with having his name on this film for eternity. At best, it was "Okay" but it wasn't great. 

Under discussion:

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street  (2007)

Albeit the theatre I chose to view this (amazing) piece was full of unappreciative, disruptive teens (i.e. cell phones echoing their terror, blinding side-kick screens glowing with their textless glory, people actually talking ON THE PHONE during the film, loud random bursts of laughter).. I was still able to enjoy the movie, which is saying something- because normally that would entirely ruin it for me.

The story is phenomenal, and I have to applaud Tim Burton for his, truly crowning achievement. I’ve always enjoyed Sweeny Todd as a story, but taking it from the stage to the screen, I was very, very impressed.