Search

Search only in certain items:

Cinderella Man (2005)
Cinderella Man (2005)
2005 | Action, Drama
9
8.2 (6 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Classic
Cinderella Man is one of those films where I ask myself, "Why in the world has it taken me thirteen years to watch this?" It could be the fact that I've never had a strong love for films based on true stories or that I'm all binged out on boxing movies. Whatever the case may be, I'm glad Movies 365 has brought this film into my life and now into my heart.

There's so much to like about the movie, I'm not even sure where to start. Maybe Paul Giamati giving the performance of his life as trainer Joe Gould? Talk about playing a fabulous role. He's brash and straightforward, yet full of heart. He's not a fighter, but will go toe-to-toe with anyone to protect the people he cares about. Outshining him, however, is a stellar lead performance by legend Russell Crowe playing man of the hour James Braddock. Crowe makes you feel this guy, makes you love him. In one of the early scenes where Braddock gives his entire breakfast to his starving daughter before leaving for a strenuous day of work, you quickly realize that this is a guy you want to get behind and root for.

In the same vein, kudos to Ron Howard for using the source material to flesh out the stakes. The story could have just as easily been about a man trying to get back into boxing, but he made it about a man trying to feed his family and survive. It's painful to watch at times, but necessary. If you're not the least bit inspired after viewing this film, I don't know what will do it for you.

Howard also succeeds with excellent pace management. Seamless cuts between fights keep the action fresh and the viewer engaged. You don't get a whole lot of time to catch your breath. The cinematics are shot in a way that's gritty and real, beyond fitting for the Great Depression era when the film takes place.

Other than me almost going hoarse from screaming at the screen so much, I can't find many flaws with the film (hiccups, nothing major). I challenge you not to love this film about an aging boxer that just wants to keep his family alive. I give Cinderella Man a 95.
  
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross
Games
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
App Rating
If you are a fan of the anime or manga, then you will enjoy the episodic nature of this turn based role playing game.


The game follows the events that we have seen unfold within the anime.
It does this by interspersing amazing cinematic cutscenes, with turn based battles, and some written/'speech' cutscenes (with character animations).

The gameplay is simple, you get to select 3 characters, and 1 reserve.
During the battle you are allowed to select 3 different actions (if you have 3 heroes standing) in each round, you can buff/debuff, heal, remove ailments, or select one of many types of attacks.
The amount of enemies per level differs, but you will usually remove 3 enemies, and then the boss will appear, sometimes accompanied by a few more mobs.

As you move through the story you will have some characters added to your 'Heroes' tab. However, there are many events that allow you to draw tickets in hopes of receiving more.
There is the usual in-app purchases, this comes in the form of gems, and you can use these to purchase characters, weapons, and some other items.
You can also earn gems through other methods, and I have been content enough with the amount I have been able to obtain.

There are so many different ways to enjoy this game, as there are so many things that you can improve with regards to your characters.
I feel like there is something for everyone in this game, as there is a PVP element, and you can also join 'Knighthoods', so that you can work with others to attack bigger bosses (a bit like raids).

I recently enjoyed the crossover event with Attack on Titan, and in a limited time (due to my being unable to play) managed to unlock one of the characters.
This isn't the only other anime crossover that they have done, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

I have been playing this for a long time now, and am still enjoying it, and have a long way to go to complete the story.
If you are a fan of The Seven Deadly Sins then I highly recommend this game, as it is really immersive, and is like living through the anime/manga yourself.
  
President Under Siege (2016)
President Under Siege (2016)
2016 |
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Michael is the Prime Minister of Belgium, he is about the close one of the biggest deals of his career with a meeting with the President of United States of America, but he must show his levels of commitment to his cause and his family, when he gets blackmailed into killer the President. We get from this character a man that is pushed to his limits to do the right thing and protect his family. Christine is Michael’s wife, captured and forced to wait for her husband to complete his tasks while caring for their children. Eva is the assistant that has a secret with Michael and forced into playing into the games that are being played.

Performances – Koen De Bouw is great in this leading role, we see his desperation to keep his family safe and the turmoil he is feel inside about which decision to make. Tine Reymer is good as the wife which is shown to be strong for the children. Charlotte makes for a good supporting character too. The performances from the whole cast are good because they all play their part in the puzzle.

Story – The story follows the idea that a person in power is blackmailed into committing a crime which will ruin their career, life and legacy. We see how he tries to figure out a way to allude the enemies, while playing along with the game. As for twists and turns we are kept on edge wait to see where thing could go next, this is a highlight of the film and like all time-based movies, this story works for everything we are seeing.

Thriller – This movie does keep us on the edge of our seats from start to finish, we are left to see just how everything will unfold.

Settings – We do get multiple settings for this movie, this shows the life of the Prime Minister when it comes to having guests from America over for big announcements.


Scene of the Movie – Alone with the President.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Strange decisions being made by the Presidents staff.

Final Thoughts – This is an interesting thriller that does keep us guessing, it shows how politicians can be pushed to limits, even the good ones and throws up a story which would leave us wondering if it could happen in real life.

 

Overall: Thriller that truly does keep us guessing.