Tag: Drama

Movie Review: Hours

IMDB, Hours“Hours” on IMDB

Drama/Thriller, 97 Minutes, 2013

Nolan has problems. His wife has gone into premature labor. The hospital is really busy. Her blood pressure is high and she may be preeclampsic. Oh and, yeah, there’s a category five hurricane knocking on the door. Since this is 2005 and this particular hurricane is named “Katrina”… yes – Nolan has problems.

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Movie Review: American Hustle

IMDB, American Hustle“American Hustle” on IMDB

Crime/Drama, 138 Minutes, 2013

Con men Irving (Christian Bale [IMDB] playing the tubby, balding veteran) and Sydney (Amy Adams [IMDB] and her breasts as his brilliant protege) comfortably execute precise, just small-enough scores on people that probably deserve it. When they’re pinched by FBI agent Richie (Bradley Cooper [IMDB]), they’re forced to work with him to bring down some local hustlers.

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Movie Review: In Bruges

“In Bruges” on IMDBIMDB, In Bruges

Drama/Comedy, 107 Minutes, 2008

Ken (Brendan Gleeson [IMDB]) and his protegé Ray (Colin Farrell [IMDB]) are hit men. When Ray’s first job goes horribly pear-shaped, Harry (Ralph Fiennes [IMDB]), their viscious boss, sends them to Bruges, Belgium to get them out of the way for a while. The worldly Ken looks forward to some down time in a quiet town filled with classic art, medieval architecture and fine food. The immature Ray can’t stand the thought of it.

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Movie Review: The Trial

“The Trial” on IMDBIMDB, The Trial

Drama/Mystery, 100 Minutes, 2010

Written, directed and produced by Gary Wheeler [IMDB], a man who’s catalog is filled with made-for-TV, faith-affirming, saccharine dramas this movie is, perhaps not surprisingly, a made-for-TV, faith-affirming, saccharine drama. The Christian message isn’t quite overbearing, but it’s also far from subtle.

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Movie Review: Stuck in Love

IMDB, Stuck in Love“Stuck in Love” on IMDB

Drama/Romance, 97 Minutes, 2012

You know what makes a good love story? When you can’t decide if the people involved are assholes or not, that’s what. If they’re clearly assholes then it’s easy: they don’t deserve love and it’s a bad love story. If they’re clearly not assholes then it’s also easy: they’ll get love but it won’t matter because it’s not real and it’s a bad love story. On the other hand, if you’re honestly not sure there’s a good chance that those characters may be worth caring about. Real people are assholes sometimes and a good love story needs real people.

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Movie Review: We Need to Talk about Kevin

IMDB, We Need to Talk about Kevin“We Need to Talk about Kevin” on IMDB

Thriller, 112 Minutes, 2011

Kids suck, amirite or amirite? I mean you’re perfectly happy living your life, spending your disposable income and sleeping through the night. You want to go out; you go out! You want to beat “Final Fantasy VII” in a sitting; you do it! Then, out of nowhere, BAM! Then, nine-months later it all goes to hell. The crying, diaper changing and total lack of privacy. And don’t get me started on the enduring antisocial behavior, diminished empathy and remorse, and disinhibited or bold behavior!

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Movie Review: This is 40

IMDB, This is 40“This is 40” on IMDB

Comedy/Drama, 134 Minutes, 2013

This is Judd Apatow’s [IMDB] “sort-of sequel” to 2007’s “Knocked Up” [IMDB], the growing-up comedy about accidental pregnancy. This features two of the secondary characters, married couple Pete (Paul Rudd [IMDB]) and Debbie (Leslie Mann [IMDB]). Like that film and his last big film, 2009’s “Funny People” [IMDB] this movie is very well done, features a horde of insanely talented people and is long. Really, quite long.

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Movie Review: Don Jon

IMDB, Don Jon“Don Jon” on IMDB

Comedy/Drama, 90 Minutes, 2013

Joseph Gordon-Levitt [IMDB] has made a remarkable transition from television child-actor to featured roles in many critically-acclaimed blockbusters. While luck has likely played a part, there’s no doubting his talent in front of the camera.  “Don Jon” is his writing/directing debut. With an excellent A-list cast, he also stars.

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