Movie Review Author Date Added
Body of Lies This wasn't a bad movie, but a little put off by it as there were some elements I thought were gonna be emphasized and basically this movie leaves it's audience cold on the world and the outcomes of the modern religious crusades. After seeing the previews, it looked like Leo would be combining his last two performances into one, which would've been cool, but he's moreso a third type of character altogether. This man has seen first hand the politics and violence of all the conflicted parties at war. As a spy, he's caught smack dab in the middle which is why it feels like he could get killed at any time. The film doesn't hesitate to let it's audience keep up, so you better be on your viewing game. As you're zigging, it's already zagging. That said, once you realize what's going on, it's a pretty engaging story. There is a subplot romance that most people are put off by, but it didn't bother me too much. DiCaprio is once again a pleasure to watch. Funny how he's now a designated tough guy and soldier. How many people saw this coming? Crowe is sort of on the back burners, but the juxtaposition is one of the important themes. Some of the brilliant things in this movie is having a refreshing commentary that's not 'liberal' or 'conservative'...if anything it combines both so masterfully. It justifies why we're out there fighting while calling the whole thing senseless. Not because we are or aren't lied to by the government, but because these modern crusades are rendered useless in the modern world where civilians are caught in the crossfire and die for nothing. That's one of the biggest strengths and weaknesses of this movie. It's hard hitting, but almost too hard hitting to really be entertained by. However, I'm sure down the line, it'll make it's way into my movie collection. fb62100288 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies The only interesting idea that comes out of Ridley Scott's newest spy-"thriller" is this: terrorism can be extremely boring. Maybe it's because we live in the post-9/11 age, one in which names like Hussein, bin Laden, and Al Jazeera have been thrown around so much that they've suddenly become outdated and cliched. It's not really even debatable anymore that Americans are tired of fictional undercover agents in hodgepodges of Middle Eastern villages and metropolises--"heroes" of the Mission: Impossible Ethan Hunt sort. What's truly impossible is trying to remember where any of the action in Body of Lies is taking place. There are location changes every three minutes, with names of cities in white text on black title cards flashing across the screen amid faux-scary music. One minute, we're in Washington, then Dubai, then Amman, then Iraq--and, honestly, it doesn't really matter where anything happens: the film's screenplay, written by William Monahan (The Departed), features every incomprehensible element of The Departed's script but none of its suspense-stirring plot points. (Martin Scorsese must have had a lot of influence on the storyline of the 2007 Best Picture Oscar winner; otherwise, it likely would be just as difficult to understand as Body of Lies.) Plus, there's no rat scampering across the screen at the end--just lame one-liners that aren't even remotely funny until near the film's conclusion. Maybe the biggest surprise of all, however, is that both Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe play easily forgettable, hardly defined characters that spew out junky words in non-Earthling accents from the beginning of the movie to the end. Crowe's character, CIA veteran Ed Hoffman, helps us to discover that DiCaprio's character, CIA operative Roger Ferris, is a native North Carolinian--but he doesn't sound anything like one. And from where does Mr. Hoffman hail? No one knows. His drawl is somewhat indicative of President Bush's: a slow, stubborn, and southern one. But it makes little sense that this similarity would be anything other than a coincidence. The Crowe still comes through clearly, and it's not very CIA-like. As well, Crowe's character is a strange one in and of itself: Hoffman eats constantly, whether it be Goldfish at his daughter's soccer game, cereal on his front porch, or a candy bar at the office. He lives his life in a peculiar amalgam of scenarios--alone, in thought, in his backyard; running back and forth from his kids' schools while on the phone, in uncensored and profanity-ridden speech toward Ferris; suddenly appearing in the Middle East with his cohort in intelligentsia--yet his personal life seems to be completely devoid of any pattern. Nevertheless, the two most powerful performances in Body of Lies come from supporting characters. Mark Strong, who comes off as a more sophisticated and intimidating Andy Garcia, does a great job in the role of Hani, head of the Jordanian intelligence. But who really shines in the film is the Iranian marvel Golshifteh Farahani, who plays the nurse in Jordan's U.S. embassy and Ferris's love interest, Aisha. Farahani is remarkable in every subtlety that comes from her body language, her facial expressions, and her slow, semi-flawed, intelligent English speech. She dominates every scene she's in, and, in fact, these are the only scenes in the film that are truly captivating. In real life, Farahani refuses to return to Iran for fear that she will be exiled for her role in Body of Lies. An Iranian judge told her, "We have to see the movie and then decide what we're going to do with you." This true-life situation for Farahani seems to seep through into her character; in Aisha's eyes and ever-pensive motions, there exists a unique fear and wariness that is rarely seen on the silver screen. Farahani deserves an Oscar nomination (Best Actress in a Supporting Role) for her work in this film. The strength of the two major supporting characters adds effect to the movie, but the rest of the film's scenes are hardly tolerable. As well, director Ridley Scott (American Gangster; Gladiator) exhibits his masterful camerawork, making Body of Lies a flowing motion picture of intense action sequences and interesting frame transitions. If the screenplay were of as high a standard, Body of Lies would be a very different, and better, film. Unfortunately, however, it's stuck where it is--in monotonous oblivion--and it's therefore not a cinematic tour-de-force but rather an average attempt at a terrorist thriller. C fb1547730072 Sep 9, 2008
Quarantine Story line wasn't too bad but it reminded me of 28 days later. The way the movie was shot it was like a reporter reporting or documenting the story. I did not like that from the start. The way it was shot reminded me of cloverfield which I hated. fb31210055 Oct 11, 2008
City of Ember A slow start revels in the details, but takes a tad too long to get moving, unfortunately when it does it's over all too quickly and anti-climatically. Still, a fun, interesting and surprisingly bleak ride. fb515970470 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies Not bad at all, but disappointing by Ridley Scott standards. Much like Syriana, the plot left me confused and itching for more clarity. On the plus side, there are some terrific shoot-out sequences and -- again, like Syriana -- an edge-of-your-seat torture sequence involving fingers. AdamOmega Oct 13, 2008
Blindness The film did a good job at showing the "good" and "bad" side of humanity and the social decay of mankind once the infection hits but parts of the movie did not flow as well as others. The acting and cinematography was impressive and the plot was original. My only complaint was to much of the film was spent in the institution which made the ending feel really sloppy and rushed. fb1668150099 Sep 14, 2008
Blindness Being a fan of the book, I was apprehensive about the movie. The movie actually is very faithful to the book's storyline. But the full depth of each character is not as well developed. The acting is super and the imagery is beautiful. Overall I was not disappointed. I recommend it. fb1413600631 Oct 13, 2008
City of Ember I have never read the book that this movie is apparently based upon but I certainly want to now! The set design alone makes this film a high recommend from me. The story is a good fun adventure film and the concept is quite interesting. Add some great acting, FX and design (set,costume,sound) and you get one very enjoyable film that will entertain adults and kids alike. fb681445037 Oct 13, 2008
City of Ember The movie was rather good...geared to young to middle teens, but with a decent story line and rather good acting...I wish it could have been longer, the movie seems to have so much more to say. However over all, definetly a watch for young a middle teens. fb678170793 Oct 13, 2008
Beverly Hills Chihuahua This was definetly a good family movie, it was funny with some romance but not overdoing on romance. I thought there would be singing and stuff though like the movie trailers thats the only thing that dissapointed me. otherwise a great movie. fb737668438 Oct 8, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Nick and Nora if ever there was a soundtrack that could make a movie better than what it really is, Nick and Nora is it. For how hip the film tries to be, it really isn't that much different than your standard romantic comedy with the classic case of guy mets girl, guy and girl have misunderstanding that could only happen in the movies, then guy and girl fall in love. I was hoping for a film on the level of Raising Victor Vargas, but instead was left with a great soundtrack and some beautiful photography of New York... Dobler Rating: B- fb644757189 Oct 13, 2008
Beverly Hills Chihuahua this movie was def the bomb...i actually liked it...it make me laugh throughout most of it even though some part were alittle sad but predictable but still i was surprised at how good it was!!! Loved it!! fb513054452 Jul 10, 2008
Body of Lies I would say Must Go! Like this movie except the ending. A very different spy movie, a great acting on Leonardo's part. fb654238044 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine Theres nothing redeeming about this movie. It had the potential to be great but they took all that potential and shit all over it. The frigging movie poster here on facebook IS THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE!!! WHAT KIND OF RETARD DOES IT TAKE TO SPOIL THE END IN THE FUCKING PREVIEWS!?!?! The main actress, Jennifer Carpenter, I honestly wanted to go out and kill her myself, she was overdoing the "freaking out" just a tad bit too much, yes the situation is scary but it was overdone and exaggerated. The only good actors/characters in the movie get killed off rather early, and it takes a special kind of retard to approach someone foaming from the mouth, making gurgling and snarling noises, ontop of being super still and covered in blood. Seriously. The suspense and plot took a huge turn for the worse by introducing (very briefly) a stack of newspaper adds in the attic along with experiment equipment that mentioned "experimental war virus" and an accident involving it. But it takes that bit and throws it away literally seconds after scanning the papers (which literally you could blink once and completely miss), and everyone is assumed dead. The ending wasn't terrible but for fucks sake... its in the fucking commercials... and not even just some of the commercials.... its in ALL OF THEM. If you're looking for a bad movie to go see and bash afterwards, this is right up your alley. As the suspense is cliche'd, the plot is as dry as the sahara if not dryer, the characters are average at best, and the shaky camera is as bad if not worse than cloverfield. fb1076306158 Sep 16, 2008
Quarantine terrible movie and really disappointing. it's supposed to be a horror movie but it seemed to be more of a comedy in a situation such as this. what seems odd is how a firefighter knows how to kill people effectively. barely better than The Blair Witch Project. fb30110961 Oct 7, 2008
City of Ember Sort of a steampunk Logan's Run for kids, Ember is a bit more dark, humorless and slow than your typcial children's fare. Meaning that it will probably bomb and then be reasessed in ten years time as a minor classic. It seems like the makers of the film were aware of the 'slow' part of that equation because it felt like quite a few scenes must have hit the cutting room floor--leaving it entertaining, but flawed. fb123701555 Oct 12, 2008
Body of Lies If you enjoy watching Leonardo DiCaprio kicking ass, you have come to the right place. Russell Crowe kind of switches away from his usual role of a badass to being a overweight pansy. If you are looking for a meaningless action-packed story, you will most likely not enjoy Ridley Scott's take on our newest war. fb1426110017 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies The love interest stuff is cliche.The war on Terrorism ended a while ago.We will now be dragged into the Hollywood war on Scar-ro-ism. fb690350389 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine It had the potential to be much more entertaining, but since it made me laugh and anxious to see what would happen next at the same time this remake is alright in my book. That being said, the suspense felt fairly forced and the typical dumb characters were the cause of most of the failure. On a closing note, this film, for the most part, exploited the cameraman's pov much more efficiently than Cloverfield. +1 Internets to Quarantine. fb741310712 Oct 13, 2008
Happy-Go-Lucky Quite a good movie. Not a lot "happens", but the way the people "simply live" and deals with happiness/lack-of is entertaining. fb1014360984 Oct 12, 2008
Body of Lies Another great Ridley Scott film. A little slow and a little long though. But Leo is such a great character in this film. And Russell was ok. He had to put on about 50 pounds to get into this role though. fb694730009 Jun 3, 2008
Quarantine I really do not know where to begin to rate this film. A weird but funny movie at the same time with a few jumps and some hilarious gore. Acting was decent but if I were you I'd wait for it on dvd or download it. BurymeinBlack3 Oct 13, 2008
Ashes of Time Redux Stunning in how it revisions Wong's trademark themes through its ravishing aesthetic of beauty, a film in which you can lose yourself in time, much like its very own characters indeed. All of it, of course, impeccably restored through this Redux. fb518297872 Oct 13, 2008
City of Ember Entertaining story of a city build beneath the surface of earth over 200 years ago. The city begins to fall apart, and a few kids decide to try and find a way out. The first half of the movie (i.e. the set-up) was thoroughly entertaining. Loses a bit towards the end as we're just watching the kids solve puzzles we aren't given enough info on. Bill Murray has the best role as the corrupt but charismatic mayor. All in all, good family fun. Be warned, however - I saw this with my girlfriend, sister, and father and they all hated it. BlueTorch Oct 12, 2008
City of Ember Quite a good story, only really went to see it as my mum was in it as an extra and she got loads of screen time yipeeeee DarrellCroan1 Oct 13, 2008
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People Very enjoyable Rom-Com-ish film that manages not to be too soppy. Its by no means Peggs best film, but is a good way to spend 2 hours. fb510968135 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist It was cute and definitely laugh out loud at times. I could have rented it though and it would have had the same effect. fb5019823 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine it was ok. could've been better, could've been worse. the bad was the shaky camera, so sit at the back of the theater. the good was the action and the 'zombies' were really intense. fb587413941 Oct 13, 2008
Rachel Getting Married Anne Hathaway is indeed great and she's in the company of a phenomenal ensemble. Bring your kleenex. fb527851869 Oct 13, 2008
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People i like simon pegg and it had such potential, but i guess you can't make a good movie with kirsten dunst in it. fb16722808 Oct 13, 2008
Happy-Go-Lucky Sally Hawkins is pretty much amazing, but I was itching for a plot much earlier than one was provided. fb527851869 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine i liked this alot the begining of the movie was alittle slow but then it picks up. the last 20 minutes of this movie is full of terror and suspense. if u like horror movies i suggest you see this you won't be disappointed, it will keep you on the edge of your seat moviefan68 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies intense -- some preposterous moments, but it is a spy thriller, so this should be no surprise -- well acted fb1079956818 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist This movie was OK. I liked Juno better, I liked Charlie Barlett better. The whole gum thing was just gross and made me want to barf along with her. Yuck. And I just feel like the whole movie had no point. Sorry. fb531023976 Sep 27, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist really cute but that's pretty much it. not as romantic as i thought it would be. yes, the background music is good but there's something really familiar about the movie. have i seen this before? no, no.. it's just all those typecasted actors playing the same old roles again. except they've come together. fb701814992 Oct 5, 2008
How to Lose Friends & Alienate People After seeing Simon Pegg's previous 2 films and walking away empty and cold, this one was vastly superior. Several laugh out loud moments including holding the cock of a lady man. shamimcortazzi1 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist Another teen movie with some funny scenes...Definitely a good dvd movie but I have no complain watching it in theater...It was entertaining. mystique0804 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies Ridley Scott's solid exercise in formulaic filmmaking is a richly entertaining thriller. "Body of Lies" is overstuffed, much like many of Scott's other films, but it delivers on fluid action sequences and an implausible plot that is thoroughly rooted in reality. Scott is able to push the plot along, never allowing the viewer to sit back and evaluate the plausibility of action, but instead keeping them invested in the rich characters and an intricate web of double-crosses and lies. The acting is excellent, although many of the dramatic choices such as DiCaprio's accent and Crowe's gut were unnecessary, and DiCaprio gives an intense, blistering performance. Special kudos is due to Mark Strong, who's suave, calculating Jordanian Intelligence chief steals scenes and is this decade's answer to the KGB spies of the 1980's. Ultimately, "Body of Lies" is a solid thriller with a subtle, underlying political message that succeeds more than the heavy-handed lessons the other films dealing with the War on Terror attempt to preach. areob Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies This geo-political CIA thriller is too complicated to appeal to the masses. It will appeal to people seeking something beyond the Bourne films and more similar to Syrianna. It's long and there are too many minute details that aren't needed to tell the story. fb746340864 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine Another Blair Witch - Cloverfield style movie, Quarantine is pretty entertaining. When you go to a movie like this, I feel the more jumpy and panicked you get, the more the movie delivered - I was pretty squirmy! There was also some really unique, clever shooting to be seen. Worth the 10.50 - really? It is 10.50 now? fb775763858 Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies I got to say going in this not really knowing about it, kind of made it all the more interesting. Watching everything unravel at the start was great. It just takes you right in there and leaves you there. Ridley Scott is perfect for this type of film, and he has such a great cast. Leonardo is such a fantastic actor and he was perfect for the role, I thought he was fantastic. Russell Crowe was good, he was better in American Gangster imo, but he was quite solid. Mark Strong was fantastic as Hani, I thought he was quite the surprise. He gave a very multi-layered performance, which made his character all the more intriguing. Actually Vince Colossimo was pretty good, what a surprise to see him. I felt a few things were predictable in the film (the stuff with Aisha), but there were some other things I actually didn't see coming, so it was good in that respect for me. It kept me interested all the way through, which was great, it takes a different direction half way through but it did work for me. I'd recommend this one for sure, especially check it for DiCaprio, he is fantastic. marceyness Oct 12, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist entertaining. also realy cool walking outside after the movie into times square and realizing that not only are you right in the heart of the movie's action, but that it was no fantasy at all - the movie's world is at your beck and call fb514981323 Oct 13, 2008
City of Ember Quite a bit better than I was expecting from reading the NY Times review. The set designs were amazing. fb203033 Oct 13, 2008
Quarantine Blair Witch meets Cloverfield. Main character gets absurdly annoying half-way thru and you can't wait for her demise. fb599726780 Oct 13, 2008
An American Carol Quite funny! Finally having some fun at the expense of the "left'. If you are a Republican, you will love it. If you are a Democrat, you will hate it! jrhtarkus Oct 13, 2008
Body of Lies pretty good. Non-stop action. Did not push an agenda... I was expecting this because of all the other recent releases. fb656547211 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist While not nearly as meaningful or perceptive as the 2007 indie-hit Juno, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist still has that rarely touted ability to make you feel exactly as you would if you were one of its characters. Michael Cera's first true leading role as Nick O'Leary--a Hoboken high school senior and the only straight member of a queer-core rock band that takes forever to decide its name but finally settles on "The Jerk-Offs"--is a brilliant one: that savvy, intelligent, laid-back drawl of immense cogitation for which Cera is famous fits perfectly with Nick's persona. In what seems to be an endless search for an underground performance by his favorite rock group, "Where's Fluffy," Nick grinds the streets of New York City in his old but well kept Yugo and eventually comes across Norah Silverberg, a wealthy, college-bound Manhattanite whose dad owns a major music studio in the city. Nick's gay friends seem to be the only ones who truly recognize Norah's perfect fit for him, and they blatantly encourage such a relationship. In fact, what makes Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist somewhat of a landmark film is the fact that--unlike any other movie of its kind, if there even is such a kind--it features the consummate depiction of the New York youth of 2008. We see terms and phrases--like "bridge and tunnel," referring to kids who live outside of Manhattan--that only 21st century teens would come up with, and these youngsters' definition of "fun" fits perfectly with the times. (You have to deal with that one girl who's constantly drunk and out of her mind, that ruthless teen bitch who thinks of only herself and must always have her way, and that kid whose socioeconomic background is so different from yours and thus can't really communicate with you.) Eventually, of course, Nick and Norah come together--though it doesn't look like it'll happen at first!--and each finds solace within the life, words, and actions of the other. What keeps Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist from being a truly great film is that many of teens' most common troubles are not fully explored, and the overarching theme of music within the two lovers' lives doesn't do justice to the plot itself. Nevertheless, this cute and heartwarming movie reminds us that the complexity of teens' lives, especially in a place like New York, can in fact allow for such an overly long and multifaceted night on the town, and that 2008 is indeed a different time than the '50s of American Graffiti, the '60s of The Graduate, the '70s of Dazed and Confused or Almost Famous, the '80s of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, or the '90s of The Wackness. We're seeing a very new and technologically advanced generation of young Americans, a group of which Nick and Norah not only fit the mold but are in many ways responsible for creating it. B+ fb1547730072 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist I had no real regrets seeing this movie. It wasn't laugh out funny but I didn't expect that. To sum it up I'd say it was somewhat charming with solid performances by the leads. I continue to enjoy Cera's work, and he showed a bit more range in his skills. Well done. There were a few things that didn't work for me though. The drunk girl was annoying as all hell. The hunt for the band Fluffy didn't work either. It was all just too pre-teen-feel-good-cheesy bullshit. This movie wasn't great, but I've seen much worse. I will forget about this movie soon. fb510279719 Oct 13, 2008
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist eehh.... to much sweetness in this, not enough funny. Just not my type of flick. There are laughs in this, don't get me wrong. With all that said, I still thought it was a pretty good movie. cooper417 Oct 13, 2008
Beverly Hills Chihuahua I'm not to big on dog flicks, but I'm sure I will see this eventually. My son is a dog freak and my daughter has already asked if we can go see it! agh! fb652560746 Oct 13, 2008