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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated American Ultra (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Jesse Eisenberg plays a “stoned” cold killer without a memory in the new action comedy American Ultra. But when the pompous government weasel played by Topher Grace decides to eliminate the asset, Stoner Eisenberg finds himself running for his life and yet relying on secret spy skills he didn’t know he had. Think Jason Borne meets Pineapple Express. Only with way more low budget action and far less stoner humor. Which is a shame because American Ultra doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. If it would have made a commitment to either the action or the stoner comedy, we would could have and a solid movie in either direction, but instead we just get, meh.
That isn’t to say the film is bad. I went in with low expectations and enjoyed myself. It has some chuckles but they are few and far between. Kristen Stewart seems right at home with her performance of Eisenberg’s girlfriend who is caught up in the ride and helps him along the way. While Jesse Eisenberg and Topher Grace are not menacing and their action sequences seem stiff and awkward. However this film makes it clear that it doesn’t take itself seriously and thus if you just go along with the ride you may enjoy it.
That isn’t to say the film is bad. I went in with low expectations and enjoyed myself. It has some chuckles but they are few and far between. Kristen Stewart seems right at home with her performance of Eisenberg’s girlfriend who is caught up in the ride and helps him along the way. While Jesse Eisenberg and Topher Grace are not menacing and their action sequences seem stiff and awkward. However this film makes it clear that it doesn’t take itself seriously and thus if you just go along with the ride you may enjoy it.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated The Hummingbird Project (2018) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Portrayal of successful businesswoman in Selma Hayak (even though she's painted as the villain) (2 more)
Non standard story, and a very non-standard story-arc
Alexander Skarsgård - different role for him... great dance moves!
Engineering Porn with His Cousin Vinny.
A curious oddity of a film with a non-traditional story and an interestingly different story arc. One to really like if you are into heavy machinery, drilling rigs and electronics!
Kevin Phillipson (10018 KP) rated Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) in Movies
Oct 24, 2019
Woody harrelson (4 more)
Jesse eisenberg
Emma stone
Abigail bresslin
Stay to the end credits
Just finished watching movie was it the wait of ten years Definitely worth the wait. Loved the sequel loved the first zombieland and the sequel delivers the same humor plus new zombie types. The gangs all back plus new characters like Madison who's my favourite of the characters made me know end. Plus stay to the end credits won't spoil it there's a extra scene that calls back to the first film
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Double (2014) in Movies
Aug 16, 2020
Jesse Eisenberg has definitely paved his own path. The Double is another in what is becoming a long string of movies that are pretty far off the beaten path and outside the normal route of Hollywood stardom.
Jesse actually stars in two different roles, Simon James and James Simon. There were quite a few elements of the movie that reminded me of Fight Club, but not in physical form. More in regards to the mental aspect than anything else. The notion of "creating" an alter ego to live a world you formerly only dreamed of without consciously realizing that it's happening.
Bit of a mind bender, but in a good way. I love the stylistic approach to sets and costumes that the film employs. I've never seen a combination quite like it.
Jesse actually stars in two different roles, Simon James and James Simon. There were quite a few elements of the movie that reminded me of Fight Club, but not in physical form. More in regards to the mental aspect than anything else. The notion of "creating" an alter ego to live a world you formerly only dreamed of without consciously realizing that it's happening.
Bit of a mind bender, but in a good way. I love the stylistic approach to sets and costumes that the film employs. I've never seen a combination quite like it.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated The Art of Self-Defense (2019) in Movies
Jul 11, 2020
Full transparency: I'm a Jesse Eisenberg fan. With that being said, the role he plays (Casey) seems like it was literally made for him.
Casey plays a wallflower everyman who has a life altering encounter that creates a cascade of events that concludes with the pinnacle of satisfaction. Immogen Poots performs a stellar role as a jaded Karate student who, with the help of Casey, finally gets her comeuppance.
I would love to elaborate more, but my doing so would give away pivotal development points of the plot, and I try not to include spoilers in my reviews. Do yourself a favor and give this a chance. If nothing else it will put a smirk on your face.
Casey plays a wallflower everyman who has a life altering encounter that creates a cascade of events that concludes with the pinnacle of satisfaction. Immogen Poots performs a stellar role as a jaded Karate student who, with the help of Casey, finally gets her comeuppance.
I would love to elaborate more, but my doing so would give away pivotal development points of the plot, and I try not to include spoilers in my reviews. Do yourself a favor and give this a chance. If nothing else it will put a smirk on your face.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) in Movies
Aug 26, 2017
If I ever have to see Bruce Wayne's parents die on screen again, I'm never watching another Batman movie. It was so unnecessary. I didn't mind Ben Affleck as Batman (my unpopular opinion=Christian Bale was an awful Batman). Henry Cavill was the quiet, conflicted Superman, as he was in Man of Steel. No comment on Amy Adams as Lois Lane (because I have nothing nice to say). The shining moment: Wonder Woman. Though, if I didn't know who Wonder Woman was, I wouldn't have had any idea of who she was, because they never actually introduce the fact that she's Wonder Woman. Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg, I mean, Lex Luthor, was, well... interesting?
Hey, it was a better movie than Suicide Squad.
Hey, it was a better movie than Suicide Squad.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The End Of The Tour (2015) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
The End of the Tour tells the story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter and novelist David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel), which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace’s groundbreaking epic novel, Infinite Jest. The film is based on Lipsky’s critically acclaimed memoir about this unforgettable encounter, written following Wallace’s 2008 suicide.
So there is the summary. And it tells you what this movie is about. However what that summary does not tell you is the depth of emotion to which both Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg deliver in their performances.
Jesse Eisenberg gives a performance that we come to expect from the Oscar nominated actor. Not only can you feel, but you can also and understand his curiosity and jealousy towards Segel’s success. A less successful writer, he wants the notoriety that Segel has. So much so, that he is constantly trying to find the holes in Segel’s persona under the guise of an interview and yet is forced to ponder the things that Segel is saying to him.
Jason Segel’s portrayal of David Foster Wallace is not understated by the word phenomenal. I was skeptical that Segel would not be able to deliver a dramatic performance of this caliber, but I am glad to say I was wrong. He steals every scene he is in and his performance is so deep and thoughtful that Jason Segel himself disappears and we are instead left with a performance of what I will always believe David Foster Wallace was like in real life. This performance is one of the best I have seen this year and I believe he will receive an Oscar nomination for this role. I was fascinated with Segel’s performance that I actually downloaded David Foster Wallace’s book Infinite Jest on my drive home.
Performances aside, this movie is not for everyone. If you are looking for an inactive cinematic experience then this film is not for you. This film makes you think. It is like being a part of a deep conversation with friends trying to make sense of the world. It brings perspective to the society we live in and the loneliness we find ourselves trying to avoid while clinging to meaningless things that bring us simple pleasure. A simple way of living where we go from A to B to C to find meaning, only to obtain those things and then not knowing what we do next. But for those who are looking to escape the mundane summer blockbusters and want to see stellar performances, be sure to check this one out.
So there is the summary. And it tells you what this movie is about. However what that summary does not tell you is the depth of emotion to which both Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg deliver in their performances.
Jesse Eisenberg gives a performance that we come to expect from the Oscar nominated actor. Not only can you feel, but you can also and understand his curiosity and jealousy towards Segel’s success. A less successful writer, he wants the notoriety that Segel has. So much so, that he is constantly trying to find the holes in Segel’s persona under the guise of an interview and yet is forced to ponder the things that Segel is saying to him.
Jason Segel’s portrayal of David Foster Wallace is not understated by the word phenomenal. I was skeptical that Segel would not be able to deliver a dramatic performance of this caliber, but I am glad to say I was wrong. He steals every scene he is in and his performance is so deep and thoughtful that Jason Segel himself disappears and we are instead left with a performance of what I will always believe David Foster Wallace was like in real life. This performance is one of the best I have seen this year and I believe he will receive an Oscar nomination for this role. I was fascinated with Segel’s performance that I actually downloaded David Foster Wallace’s book Infinite Jest on my drive home.
Performances aside, this movie is not for everyone. If you are looking for an inactive cinematic experience then this film is not for you. This film makes you think. It is like being a part of a deep conversation with friends trying to make sense of the world. It brings perspective to the society we live in and the loneliness we find ourselves trying to avoid while clinging to meaningless things that bring us simple pleasure. A simple way of living where we go from A to B to C to find meaning, only to obtain those things and then not knowing what we do next. But for those who are looking to escape the mundane summer blockbusters and want to see stellar performances, be sure to check this one out.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) in Movies
Aug 18, 2020
This movie is criminally underrated and bashed as such. Of course it's not the best superhero movie ever. It's not even the best Zack Snyder film. But it does tell a good story with good acting and great action.
Regardless of the beating in the media, Ben Affleck did just fine as Batman. Jesse Eisenberg also did a fine job as Lex Luthor, although you couldn't tell it by reading "professional" reviews. I feel like he brought an accurate neurotic element to the character.
I find it interesting that the MCU is often praised for taking a bit of a darker approach to its films while the DCEU is almost exclusively criticized for a similar approach. Yes, I do understand they are very different. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the MCU, but hypocrisy runs rampant.
Regardless of the beating in the media, Ben Affleck did just fine as Batman. Jesse Eisenberg also did a fine job as Lex Luthor, although you couldn't tell it by reading "professional" reviews. I feel like he brought an accurate neurotic element to the character.
I find it interesting that the MCU is often praised for taking a bit of a darker approach to its films while the DCEU is almost exclusively criticized for a similar approach. Yes, I do understand they are very different. I'm not saying I don't enjoy the MCU, but hypocrisy runs rampant.
Bostonian916 (449 KP) rated Vivarium (2020) in Movies
Sep 17, 2020
I'm a sucker for Jesse Eisenberg. Something about his presence in a film draws me to it and probably allows me to enjoy it more than perhaps what the film itself deserves.
With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Vivarium. While primarily focused on two (perhaps two and a half, depending on perspective) the movie draws you in emotionally and doesn't let go until the bitter end.
While various interpretations are definitely possible, I saw it as a scathing review on the social levity that we place on tangible things and the role we allow them to play in our lives. While a bit alarming in pace at times retrospectively, I found the drive of the movie quite satisfying. From the love of a young couple starting their future together to the unenviable realization of what has become, this movie is a ride worth taking.
With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie Vivarium. While primarily focused on two (perhaps two and a half, depending on perspective) the movie draws you in emotionally and doesn't let go until the bitter end.
While various interpretations are definitely possible, I saw it as a scathing review on the social levity that we place on tangible things and the role we allow them to play in our lives. While a bit alarming in pace at times retrospectively, I found the drive of the movie quite satisfying. From the love of a young couple starting their future together to the unenviable realization of what has become, this movie is a ride worth taking.