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I’m way late to this party and as a Terminator fan I should be shot by Sky Net. I wanna thank the pal that called me out on this because this movie rules! I know I always say “This shit ruled…” but I found Terminator Salvation to be very fulfilling. It goes like this, The first Terminator was obviously a classic. The second was strong, very strong when you add G ‘N’ R into the mix and three was entertaining but the story was weak. This one fits neatly after the first one in my opinion. I think everyone assumed the Terminator concept was losing steam and didn’t really pay this one much attention. Hey I admit it, I was like “Oh hell yeah, the music rules, Bale as Connor!, can’t wait, front row opening night!” but really in the back of my mind I was like, “This is gonna be an extension of three, more of the supped up Wile E. Coyote (Terminator) and Road Runner (John Connor) running around post judgement day.” And McG at the helm…., “Ummm, fun but it will go overboard considering the material.” Wrong wrong wrong. I owe McG an apology. When Charlie’s Angels came out it was what I expected from a video director, fast & fun. But then We are Marshall came out and it landed on my DVD shelf next to Brian’s Song. SO I’m sorry McG for letting Salvation slip through the crack. I loved this movie because along with the great action, effects, etc. the story returned. We’re a long way from 1984 so it was gratifying when the film spoke to the hardcore Terminator fans by bridging the story back to the original and it was hopeful for bringing in new fans so we can keep this train rolling. I have rejoined the resistance. And after this summer’s outburst Bale has proved he’s a credible John Connor. Oh, and stick with it in the beginning, if you’re as slow as I am you’ll be lost momentarily early on. But it all unfolds….oh yeah! OH OH, and the new improved, nod to 84′, beginning title sequence jam master jams!

If you threw Precious in the ocean it would sink at mach 2. This is a Heavy Chevy ladies and gentlemen. I think twice about making goofy humor in my review about this movie but then I remember Gabby’s performance and I think, “You know, she made the difference in this movie from it being endearing instead of what a lot of independent dramas fall into, heavy artistic anchors with no mercy that make you want to search for the nearest ledge. The acting was so good in this movie that the stand in’s may get oscar nods. Really. You know those scenes you find yourself in sometimes and the issue at hand is already uncomfortable and dark and then comes the performance that can’t sell it? Well almost every scene in this movie could have gone that way. But because the cast brought their A game and Lee Daniels didn’t over do it Precious is a superb film. You manage to find hope when the worst only gets worst.

RULES. Ok, I’m from the south and the components of this story annoy me a little because they easily put a target on the back of this film for the critics. A WHITE family brings in a BLACK kid off the streets and everything ends up hunky dory. Well those are the facts of the true story and whoever wants to criticize it because it’s too uplifting or ethically unappealing can go jump in a river. The Blind Side is a great film based on a true story about football (In the South), the south, and true characters that learn from each other. Sandra Bullock is absolutely perfect in this movie. Tim Mcgraw, perfect in this movie. Quinton Aaron, very precise in this movie and Jae Head steals the show with his knowledge of football.  I thought it was very impressive that the filmmakers were able to bring in many of the actual coaches that were involved with this story. It added to the reality needed to a geographic genre that is constantly screwed up by filmmakers. Refreshing to see.

For some reason these are working. Yeah I went trying to take a few years off my age and maintain my “See everything” creed but in reality I’ve liked both of these films. Why though? Edward looks like a sickly James Dean ghost and all the girls love him, Jacob is ridiculously cut up yet falling all over Bella even though she’s made it obvious nothing will ever go past the hanging out stage, and Bella who is annoying because she seems to me as one of those people in high school that was always too cool, or things were just too hard with all the drama, or “Life sucks,” you know those people. And she never smiles. There is no sex, drugs, or rockin roll so to speak in this film yet I like it. I would say I love it but I didn’t read the books so I can’t justify the “Love” status. But as a filmmaker I completely respect the transformation from book to screen by Catherine Hardwicke, with the first one and here with the sequel from Chris Weitz (Who I thought was a great choice for this because of Golden Compass). I didn’t expect New Moon to keep up the pace but surprisingly it has increased it. The question is will Eclipse do the same or start the decent similar to the Harry Potter fade saga. Oh, and maybe I get it with the Edward thing because every vampire girl in this movie is hot.

A great book.

A. Gary Gray gives us a film that pulls you in with one of the most compelling story lines of all time. Vigilante Justice. An A-List cast plays a sloppy game but ultimately wins in this thrilling and very entertaining movie.

Alright, I have a formula I never run from and always gets me to your movie. Historical Figure + epic = me in front row. Amelia had both, AND it has the unsolved, mystery factor as well. I like Hilary Swank and I think she’s great in this. Very likable. I like Richard Gere and even though he played a doormat the whole movie I thought he was good. The flying was beautiful and REAL and I really appreciated that Mira Nair. It all seemed to come together until it was done. Actually, it was like a plane ride for me without the fear. The film started out great, a little back story and we’re up. Going great. Oh look at the view, this is exciting, and it was for a minute. Amelia made her first trip over the Atlantic as a commander. I was in it. Then the film continued and ole Amelia’s true colors came out. Basically, this guy Putnam/Gere financed her dream and she did pretty much whatever she wanted. She banged whoever, flew away whenever, went for whatever record she wanted and endorsed everything from clothes to tackle boxes (Not really). Wait, she did some great work for Womens’s Rights but I can’t remember, some plane race or something. STILL, I  hung in there because I could kind of relate, chasing goals and all that. I get it, she loved to fly. So here we are flying along, we KNOW the facts. We know where we’re going, and before we know it we’re here. The last flight. This will be sad but cool right? Wrong. This film was flat as the Earth before Columbus. I hate that I have to try and take the air from Amelia’s wings (Terrible) but I’m the demographic. I’m your man. I liked Pearl Harbor, I was alright with Alexander, and I re-watch Troy frequently so if you don’t pull me in you fucked up somewhere, excuse the language. Remember those “Think Different” Apple adds about 10 years ago and how inspiring they were? With Ali, Ghandi, and AMELIA! I was excited because her story is so inspiring. Niar’s Amelia was not. It was like the last piece of bread in the loaf. Yeah it’s edible and I’ll eat it…but it’s just not that good.

10 years later here we are again watching a couple of filmmakers make it big on a nothing budget horror film. The Blair Witch Project closed the door on the independents hope of any Studio success. Or did it? Now I can’t sit here and rifle off the numbers and specifics but I’m pretty sure we can agree the independent world has declined dramatically over the course of ten years. Fair enough? Yeah we’re in a shit storm. Phenomenon’s such as Paranormal Activity give us hope that the independents still have a shot. Hats off to Oren Peli and his cast and crew that have reminded us once again in these cinematic dark ages that compelling storytelling can still prevail. Now excuse me, I have to go into my lab and work on my Untitled 2019 Horror Project.

PS - Don’t drink coffee during this. Mixed with the shaking camera equals nausea.