From within (2008)

Sometimes the critics on Imdb, don't represent the real quality of a movie. I think this flick deserved a better rate though. The reason is that this simple horror film was actually a small surprise instead of its low budget production. In a small town at the States countryside, evil is all around. It possesses all witnesses of several suicides, making them following their deadly path. Started from a curse of an outcast teenager who blamed the authorities for his innocent mother's killing. Lindsay is a young girl who used to be friend with Dylan, son of the local preacher who becomes fanatic and attacks on Aidan, brother of the first dead teenager, accusing him for the deaths. He also penetrates people to take the law on their own hands but the curse is not going to end this way. Secrets are going to be revealed and death will take place everywhere. Excellent script, interesting story line and an surprising end as well.

Killshot (2008)

A quite watchable film, based on a pulp fiction book. Armand aka 'Blackbird' used to be one of Mafia's hitmen. Now he wants to retire but after finishing his last job, he interferes at the personal matters of the big boss who now wants him dead. He will meet Richie Nix, an arrogant and ambitious thief who wants to be teached the tricks of crime business. Soon they got more troubles as Nix unsuccessfully tries to blackmail a real estate agent. Now police chase them and Armand also finds new targets to eliminate at the faces of Carmen Colson and her ironworker husband Wayne who witnessed the incident. As they placed in the Federal Witness Protection, they will find also a shelter that help them to reconsider the problems that leaded them to break apart. Mickey Rourke's delivers an interesting performance and the direction that sometimes flaws, finally keeps you satisfied.

Death race (2008)

This was a quite entertaining film but nothing more. With Jason Statham as Jensen Ames, a construction worker who is being accused for his wife murder. Madam Hennessey, the evil director of Terminal Island prison alongside with her assistant, Ulrich are behind this plan. Jensen is a tough guy and doesn't want to stay long in this hell so he will accept the offer to participate at the 'Death Race', a game where criminals race armored cars and kill each other. The one who wins five times, is getting released. Jensen will find difficulties in there as Pachenko and his brotherhood want him dead. He will take the place of Frankenstein, an ex former but now dead champion and with the help of his technical team will find the way to freedom! Action in high levels and fast direction are the points of this production.

Father and Daughter - Michael Dudok de Wit (2001)

Can you really express the sadness of the loss of someone beloved? One of the best animations ever, with plenty of awards worldwide. Just open your heart and feel the emotions. Excellent script, sound track and direction as well. Enjoy!

Colombiana (2011)

The Catelaya or Cattleya Flower is a genus of orchid found from Costa Rica to Tropical South America. Cataleya is also the name of a little girl raising at the tough neighborhoods of Bogota, in Colombia. Her father Fabio used to work with Don Luis in illegal operations. But now their relations have been broken and soon Don will send his mercenaries to kill Fabio and his family. Cataleya will witness her parents slaughter and will escape in Chicago finding her uncle Emilio. She will ask him to train her as a killer as she wants to pay back Don Luis. After two decades and some violent murders, she will be ready to confront the mobster who ruined her life. Agent Ross is also on her trails in order to arrest her but he will be unable to proceed more as she always lead the game. Luc Besson was on the screenplay of this entertaining film. Nice action scenes, a beautiful female hero and a little bit of drama, just perfect for a relaxing afternoon.

Harold & Kumar escape from Guantanamo bay (2008)

In my previous article about the last Harold's and Kumar's adventures, after the happy ending where we found our heroes enjoying their meal at the White Castle, Harold finally spoke to Maria and expressed his feelings towards her. So on this sequel, Harold and Kumar decide to go to Amsterdam because Harold doesn't want to wait ten days to see Maria again. But on the plane, they will be accused as terrorists due to Kumar's childish behavior who started smoking weed into the cabinet. So they will be arrested and sent to Guantanamo Bay. But hopefully they will escape before trying the horrifying cock-sandwich and they stop by a friend in Florida asking for help. They will continue their trip to Texas in order to find Kumar's ex-girlfriend's fiancé, Colton, and try to prove their innocence. But Kolton is ruthless and will lead them back to the blind justice of racist agent Ron Fox who actually wants them dead. Once more our fellow guys will face racism, ignorance and despair but they will finally gain freedom. And of course Neil Patrick Harris will be there one more time for them. More hilarious than the prequel this film is just a huge comedy. John Cho and Kal Penn are good actors and the script is working correctly as well. Enjoy and laugh loud!

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

Harold Lee and Kumar Patel are two roommates who live in a parallel universe. The first one is conscious office worker and the second is a lazy medical ex student. They both have a passion, smoking weed. Harold is also very shy and feels uncomfortable to contact with any woman instead of Kumar who is thinking all the time about sex. One day as they feel hungry, they decide to organize a trip to White Castle, a famous fast food restaurant. But they encounter a lot of problems, including racist cops, a raccoon, a bunch of punks who always laugh on them and a horny Neil Patrick Harris. It will be a long trip where the two buddies will realize that even the simplest goals in life can be impossible to achieve, due to such disturbances as irony, circumstance, error, and misfortune. One of the coolest and funnier flicks I saw this period. Full of sarcasm and satire for many issues as it is racism, capitalism and the American way of life. Just excellent.

Grave encounters (2011)

Another horror flick at the style of 'Blair Witch Project'. Lance Preston is the showman of 'Grave Encounters'. With his crew, he travels around the States and investigates paranormal phenomena in haunted places. Their next show is given at the abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital. A huge place that used to hostel thousands of psychopaths since the 1930s. There was also another dark issue, the case of Dr. Friedki, an insane doctor who experimented on the bodies of the poor patients. Lars and his partners will lock themselves into this building but they willbe trapped  in a labyrinth maze of endless hallways and corridors, terrorized by the ghosts. Time stops there and insanity starts. The problem here is that you will not see something new. People who get lost around a haunted place, ghosts that roaring like lions are not looking real, the script also was not excited. You will listen over fifteen times the word 'Fuck' instead of a normal dialogue between the actors. It is worth seeing and it is much better than 'Paranormal Activity' as well.

The man with the beautiful eyes (1998)

This marvelous animation won a Bafta prize back then. It is based on a Charles Bukowski poem. It is about a bunch of kids who are playing around, near to a quiet house surrounded by a pond full of goldfishes. The owner is a healthy strong man with clear eyes and they noticed him only once when he went out drunk and saluted them. He became a symbol in front of their innocent eyes but the society doesn't accept so easy our idols and tries to disappear our hopes and dreams. Just great!

The Man with the Beautiful Eyes from Jonathan Hodgson on Vimeo.

Immortals (2011)

A long period ago before first humans start walking on the land, there was an epic battle between Gods and Titans. The first won and put the Titans into a jail, in the bottom of mount Tartaros. But now, a new warlord, crazy for glory and power, Hyperion conquers ancient Greece piece by piece. His army kills innocent masses, destroy everything as they seek for a legendary weapon, the Epirus Bow. The only one that can unleash the Titans. Zeus has been transformed into a wise old man who advices brave Theseus, a young strong peasant to follow his destiny and save humanity from Hyperion and his hordes. Stylish and gory as '300', it was a nice gem especially if you watch it in cinema. I liked Mickey Rourke once more for a very satisfying role. The direction was fine and the visuals just amazing. The only disappointing thing was about the plot that disturbs the ancient Greek Mythology blending Theseus and the Minotaur legend with the epic battle between 12 Gods of ancient Greece and the Titans. As well no one God never died actually. But it is still an enjoyable movie.

Rango (2011)

Rango is a pet chameleon who lives in his fantastic universe containing life and action in his glass box.One day, after an accident he will fall out from his owner's car outside in the middle of a desert. Now survival is a difficult task. But he finds shelter in an old western town called Dirt. Citizens don't welcome him as they confront more serious problems, especially when their water deposit begins to empty. Rango after some hilarious incidents becomes the Sheriff of this town and he really feels for it. But being a hero and playing a hero are two completely different things and Rango is going to understand it soon. The Mayor who is a foxy turtle has plans for this city. And Rango is a problem. So he calls for Rattlesnake Jake, a vicious cold blood killer to end his life. Nice screenplay, interesting direction and a cool cast including Johnny Depp are the right components for this successful animation.

Kokuhaku aka Confessions (2010)

Revenge has been served. And no one is going to escape from it. Yuko Moriguchi's four years daughter becomes a victim of two twisted pupils. Shuya Watanabe has a psychological complex with his mother who abandoned him and used to torture him. She was a scientist, a mechanical engineer who preferred her career that raising properly her son. The other boy who was being involved in this crime was Naoki Shimomura, an ordinary but not so clever student who tried to become friend with Shuya even if the second always thought he was just better than him in everything. So Yuko organizes a crazy plan that drive these two insane and send them into a hell trip with no return. Mizuki Kitahara is also another young killer who poisoned her whole family and now tries to help Shuya. But hope is not enough. This was one of the best psychological thrillers of the decade for me. Much stunning as 'Old Boy', suspenseful and creepy, it was just perfect. RECOMMENDED!

The Illusionist (2010)

A great animation from the French director Sylvain Chomet, also well known for  'The Triplets of Belleville' back in 2003. Hand drawn in a specific style, this is another stunning spectacle. A French magician or illusionist (call him whatever you prefer) can't find a serious collaboration and live a proper life. He spends his time wondering around and decides to travel to Scotland and give there another show. He will meet a young woman working as a house maid at the local pub and she will escape with him into an adventurous trip. The meaning of life and sharing things in a beautiful canvas that make you smile. Nice!

Thought of You - Ryan J Woodward (2010)

I believe actually that you don't need words to describe your feelings sometime. So this is a nice example of remaining speechless watching this emotional gem. It is about acceptance of the other side. A dancer who lives in color is being sad because his beloved girl lives in another state of consciousness. When she will try to change at his own level and liberate herself from being a free spirit, they will be finally together. But is this the point of their love or was it just a perception of reality for him? Thinkable and sensitive as well.

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Mobius - Vincent Laforet (2011)

This is a great short from the talented director and photographer Vincent Laforet. One of the best sci fi shorts I saw this year. A journalist tries to investigate the cause of a brutal death in the middle of a desert. There are rumors of vanished people and strange things flying on the sky. When he will  be chased by two killers, he will try to hide on a park with abandoned airplanes. But time and space are not as they seem and he will live a real endless nightmare.

Mobius from Vincent Laforet on Vimeo.