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Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated The Dark Knight (2008) in Movies
Jun 24, 2019
Wanna know how I got these oscars?
directed, produced, and co-written by Christopher Nolan and Based on the DC Comics character Batman.
the second installment in Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) allies himself with Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to reduce crime in Gotham, but are seemingly outsmarted by a criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger) who seeks test Batman's influence by creating chaos in Gotham.
also Michael Caine reprises his role as Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.
This was unfortunately Heath Ledger's final movie before his untimely passing and is considered his greatest portrayal, which won him the Oscar award for best supporting actor.
The Dark Knight grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, becoming the fourth film in history to gross more than $1 billion worldwide and the highest-grossing film of 2008.
the second installment in Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy.
Bruce Wayne/Batman (Christian Bale) allies himself with Lieutenant James Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to reduce crime in Gotham, but are seemingly outsmarted by a criminal mastermind known as the Joker (Heath Ledger) who seeks test Batman's influence by creating chaos in Gotham.
also Michael Caine reprises his role as Bruce Wayne's butler Alfred Pennyworth, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Rachel Dawes, and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.
This was unfortunately Heath Ledger's final movie before his untimely passing and is considered his greatest portrayal, which won him the Oscar award for best supporting actor.
The Dark Knight grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, becoming the fourth film in history to gross more than $1 billion worldwide and the highest-grossing film of 2008.
Andy K (10826 KP) rated Dragged Across Concrete (2019) in Movies
May 5, 2019
What a thrill ride!
So to say director S. Craig Zahler is one of my favorites working today is an understatement. I was a HUGE fan of his first two films, Bone Tomahawk and Brawl in Cell Block 99 (read my reviews on both on Smashbomb) so I was really looking forward to this one. Of course the film did not play at a cinema local to me, so I had to wait until Blu Ray to give it a watch and I was enthralled.
Two cops on suspension for using excessive force against a drug dealing hoodlum leave very different lives off the job. One is prone to violence living in a bad neighborhood desperate for better for his wife and child and the other just wants to marry the girl of his dreams and is now worried she will no longer have him.
Out of desperation, the men decide to participate in a criminal enterprise to better their own personal situations and end up inside something much bigger. The decisions they make within the context of the second act of the film will have profound repercussions throughout the remainder of their lives.The two cops do what they have to do to try and make their lives better and help their families through hard times.
I don't want to sound like a movie snob here, but after viewing the film I checked out the MANY 1 star reviews this film received on IMDb and was not surprised. I am not making fun of the modern movie going public at all. I enjoy explosions and superheroes as much as anyone; however, for some time I have strived to find the different, unusual, deeper film where its heroes don't wear spandex and everything is not just black and white. Those films have their place.
This film was kind of "Tarantino-esque" in the way the story was told, the way the characters conversed with each other and even the fact that the characters were multilayered and very interesting. There were also several stories going on simultaneously at the beginning and didn't combine until well into the film. One could argue the 2 hour and 40 minute film "dragged" (no pun intended) at times or had unnecessary scenes, but no one complained when Marge Gunderson had lunch with Mike Yanagita, so that didn't bother me here.
Both of Zahler's previous films were violent and had that one squeamish scene you could hardly believe happened as did this film.
I can safely say this movie isn't for everyone and its slow pace will turn off some modern moviegoers who expect non stop action. Having said that, I still highly recommend this movie and would love to know your opinion once watching it.
Two cops on suspension for using excessive force against a drug dealing hoodlum leave very different lives off the job. One is prone to violence living in a bad neighborhood desperate for better for his wife and child and the other just wants to marry the girl of his dreams and is now worried she will no longer have him.
Out of desperation, the men decide to participate in a criminal enterprise to better their own personal situations and end up inside something much bigger. The decisions they make within the context of the second act of the film will have profound repercussions throughout the remainder of their lives.The two cops do what they have to do to try and make their lives better and help their families through hard times.
I don't want to sound like a movie snob here, but after viewing the film I checked out the MANY 1 star reviews this film received on IMDb and was not surprised. I am not making fun of the modern movie going public at all. I enjoy explosions and superheroes as much as anyone; however, for some time I have strived to find the different, unusual, deeper film where its heroes don't wear spandex and everything is not just black and white. Those films have their place.
This film was kind of "Tarantino-esque" in the way the story was told, the way the characters conversed with each other and even the fact that the characters were multilayered and very interesting. There were also several stories going on simultaneously at the beginning and didn't combine until well into the film. One could argue the 2 hour and 40 minute film "dragged" (no pun intended) at times or had unnecessary scenes, but no one complained when Marge Gunderson had lunch with Mike Yanagita, so that didn't bother me here.
Both of Zahler's previous films were violent and had that one squeamish scene you could hardly believe happened as did this film.
I can safely say this movie isn't for everyone and its slow pace will turn off some modern moviegoers who expect non stop action. Having said that, I still highly recommend this movie and would love to know your opinion once watching it.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) in Movies
Jun 17, 2019
Surprisingly Fantastic
Honestly couldn't believe I enjoyed this film. I hate drug use and for a film that has so much of it I still don't understand why I like it.
The direction is superb, the sequence of how he went from the start to the big office is awesome. The narration is awesome too, sometimes it can be like YEAH I GET IT but i felt it was appropriate.
The acting is probably one of the best I've ever seen, how leo didn't get his oscar from this I don't know. Just the scene at the hotel payphone is (despite my pure hatred for drugs) just phenomenal. Also Jonah Hill, he really became the character. He is so underrated it's ridiculous, he's usually typecast to the chubby geeky guy but in this he's a sleezy, philandering a**hole and he plays it to perfection, the way he commits is something people aspiring to become actors should watch and take notes. Margot Robbie, for her first major role in film DAMN. I'm a straight woman but she just oozes sexy. Her accent is spot on, especially when you know she's actually Australian. She got the part and she made it hers, no one else could have played Jordan's wife but her.
The Matthew McConaughey scene is something that will go down in movie history for one of the best (and slightly odd) improvisation moments.
Jordan's character progression is timed perfectly, it's gradual enough to be subtle, but not so slow it's boring
I didn't like the whole shaven head thing, found that a bit omg, as with the prostitutes was too much but the pros of this film outway all that.
I found it to be gritty, sexy, funny, disturbing and a fantastic movie. Definitely should watch it, though maybe not for a family film night!
The direction is superb, the sequence of how he went from the start to the big office is awesome. The narration is awesome too, sometimes it can be like YEAH I GET IT but i felt it was appropriate.
The acting is probably one of the best I've ever seen, how leo didn't get his oscar from this I don't know. Just the scene at the hotel payphone is (despite my pure hatred for drugs) just phenomenal. Also Jonah Hill, he really became the character. He is so underrated it's ridiculous, he's usually typecast to the chubby geeky guy but in this he's a sleezy, philandering a**hole and he plays it to perfection, the way he commits is something people aspiring to become actors should watch and take notes. Margot Robbie, for her first major role in film DAMN. I'm a straight woman but she just oozes sexy. Her accent is spot on, especially when you know she's actually Australian. She got the part and she made it hers, no one else could have played Jordan's wife but her.
The Matthew McConaughey scene is something that will go down in movie history for one of the best (and slightly odd) improvisation moments.
Jordan's character progression is timed perfectly, it's gradual enough to be subtle, but not so slow it's boring
I didn't like the whole shaven head thing, found that a bit omg, as with the prostitutes was too much but the pros of this film outway all that.
I found it to be gritty, sexy, funny, disturbing and a fantastic movie. Definitely should watch it, though maybe not for a family film night!
Lizz Cook (11 KP) rated Practical Magic in Books
Jul 3, 2018
Good Witches based book!
I liked the book on a few different levels. Being a writer can be difficult, and she wrote in third person which to me can be very difficult.
The mother is the main character because she overshadowed her daughter's actions (lives). It's about the Owen's family, mainly the sisters who resided in Massachusetts with their aunts. I love the themes of a family bond, they have to learn to appreciate each other and for who they are but also highlights the differences in the sisters. Learning that magic doesn't always fix everything. They use magic sparingly, only when they needed it.
Alice made Fate a real and breathing thing, the secondary theme. If you haven't read the book, prepare yourself to have an open mind because the story is a bit darker than you would expect. It can be entirely entertaining towards the right audience.
The mother is the main character because she overshadowed her daughter's actions (lives). It's about the Owen's family, mainly the sisters who resided in Massachusetts with their aunts. I love the themes of a family bond, they have to learn to appreciate each other and for who they are but also highlights the differences in the sisters. Learning that magic doesn't always fix everything. They use magic sparingly, only when they needed it.
Alice made Fate a real and breathing thing, the secondary theme. If you haven't read the book, prepare yourself to have an open mind because the story is a bit darker than you would expect. It can be entirely entertaining towards the right audience.
David McK (3857 KP) rated Daredevil by Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev: Ultimate Collection, Book 1 in Books
Jan 30, 2019
So: Daredevil.
AKA MAtt Murdock: Blind Lawyer by day, Vigilante by night.
And a character that, unlike (say) your Superman or Spiderman or Batman's, only really came to my attention with the (so-so) 2003 movie of the same name, and the more recent (and better) Marvel Netflix series'.
I'd also never read any of the comics/graphic novels before, although I knew that the TV series, in particular, drew heavily from that source, but had heard good things about them. With all that said, I thought I would take a risk on this particular collection (purchased, and read, via Comixology on my iPad) to see what all the fuss was about.
And, at first, I wasn't overwhelmed - I found the first story arc just so-so, and couldn't really get to grips with the art-style.
However, things picked up (for me) once the collection went back to a more conventional art style, with the whole story arc around the attempted coup against the Kingpin, followed by his estranged wife's revenge, then by the outing of Murdock's secret identity (wow!) and the trial of the Costumed Superhero (not him) that follows a succession of whammies (for want of a better word) one after the other ...
More, please!
AKA MAtt Murdock: Blind Lawyer by day, Vigilante by night.
And a character that, unlike (say) your Superman or Spiderman or Batman's, only really came to my attention with the (so-so) 2003 movie of the same name, and the more recent (and better) Marvel Netflix series'.
I'd also never read any of the comics/graphic novels before, although I knew that the TV series, in particular, drew heavily from that source, but had heard good things about them. With all that said, I thought I would take a risk on this particular collection (purchased, and read, via Comixology on my iPad) to see what all the fuss was about.
And, at first, I wasn't overwhelmed - I found the first story arc just so-so, and couldn't really get to grips with the art-style.
However, things picked up (for me) once the collection went back to a more conventional art style, with the whole story arc around the attempted coup against the Kingpin, followed by his estranged wife's revenge, then by the outing of Murdock's secret identity (wow!) and the trial of the Costumed Superhero (not him) that follows a succession of whammies (for want of a better word) one after the other ...
More, please!
What Just Happened?: Bitter Hollywood Tales from the Front Line
Book
Forget everything you've heard about Hollywood. What Just Happened: Bitter Hollywood Tales from the...
Nicole Kidman: Anatomy of an Actor
Book
A comprehensive study of Nicole Kidman's work through the lens of ten of her most iconic roles...
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Swallow (2019) in Movies
Jan 13, 2021 (Updated Jan 13, 2021)
To be fair, I'd rather swallow a screwdriver than hang out with rich white people too. Gorgeous, nasty, and mean - but never disrespectful. Medically accurate? Perhaps not, but these seldom ever are anyhow so what can you do? In fact I found this to be much more compelling and satisfying as a depiction of obnoxious old-money business whities having their perfect little synthetic image destroyed by people who refuse to shape themselves around it than a portrait of pica. As everyone has already pointed out, Austin Stowell and in particular Haley Bennett are just astounding - easily not only her best performance to date, but the type of galvanizing role that should propel her star-power vastly beyond just Jennifer Lawrence comparisons considering that this is way better work than anything J-Law has done in years anyhow (excluding 𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳! [I'm a simp for stupid, manic arthouse cinema I know you don't have to tell me]). Deeply, deeply, *deeply* unsettling - can pleasantly report that its reputation is as airtight as claimed. Super messy but I think that gives it more character tbh, and what an excellent use of music. A bit too on-the-nose at times but also the type of movie that's destined to be misinterpreted by morons everywhere.
David McK (3857 KP) rated Black Adam (2022) in Movies
Jul 2, 2023 (Updated Jun 15, 2026)
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson did a lot of cheerleading for this movie.
Like, a lot.
I was still completely unaware, however, that it would include Pierce Brosnan's Dr Fate nor Hawkman nor Atom Smasher nor Cyclone (all of which, for me, were the first time I had seen any of them on the big screen).
It also fits into the - current - DCEU - with Black Adam getting his powers from the same council of Wizards as Shazam (and using the same word), alongside cameos by Viola Davis' version of Amanda Waller and - in possibly the worst kept secret - a certain superhero during the end credits (the actor for whom was told he would be returning to that role, then told not).
Anyway, this sees The Rock's Black Adam released from his tomb 5 centuries after being imprisoned within it, to modern-day Kahndaq which is now occupied by foreign invaders with some very advanced weaponry. The plot is then your usual run-of-the-mill softening of Adam's hard edges, teaming up with his supposed enemies to fight his real enemies, lots of destruction and a few general quips thrown in ...
The result? Somewhat messy; not as good (or surreal) as, say, Aquaman or Wonder Woman. Maybe a B+.
Like, a lot.
I was still completely unaware, however, that it would include Pierce Brosnan's Dr Fate nor Hawkman nor Atom Smasher nor Cyclone (all of which, for me, were the first time I had seen any of them on the big screen).
It also fits into the - current - DCEU - with Black Adam getting his powers from the same council of Wizards as Shazam (and using the same word), alongside cameos by Viola Davis' version of Amanda Waller and - in possibly the worst kept secret - a certain superhero during the end credits (the actor for whom was told he would be returning to that role, then told not).
Anyway, this sees The Rock's Black Adam released from his tomb 5 centuries after being imprisoned within it, to modern-day Kahndaq which is now occupied by foreign invaders with some very advanced weaponry. The plot is then your usual run-of-the-mill softening of Adam's hard edges, teaming up with his supposed enemies to fight his real enemies, lots of destruction and a few general quips thrown in ...
The result? Somewhat messy; not as good (or surreal) as, say, Aquaman or Wonder Woman. Maybe a B+.