Day #73 - Paprika

Movie #74

Paprika
If you thought Inception was complicated, think again as Paprika is way more confusing and engaging as it explores the dream/reality specter; little surprise that it actually inspired Christopher Nolan's Inception.

This is one weird mystery/sci-fi/fantasy/thriller as it really tasks the viewer mentally and the plot -- one word ... "Mesmerizing", with beautiful set of animated designs that integrate 2-D and 3-D; add to that some really interesting characters and you get one of the finest animated movies ever made.

This 2006 adaptation really deserves to to be tagged a great film/anime.

Movie #73 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Day #72

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
This is my favorite of the Harry Potter series, because of two simple factors -

Day #71 - Reservoir Dogs & Mean Streets

Movie #71

Mr. White/Larry: If you shoot me in your dream you better wake up and apologize.

Reservoir Dogs
It's a slow, bloody, intense and explosive debut for director, Quentin Tarantino.

Well written and intimately directed, Reservoir Dogs's really brilliant in the manner through which a "simple robbery gone wrong" is being told through the various characters, and as Tarantino digs into the characters the plot thickens ... a quite unique form of film making.

PREVIEWS - February Movies (Limited)

The Innkeepers

Set in the venerable Yankee Pedlar Inn, which is about to shut its doors for good after over a century of service. Believed by many to be one of New England's "most haunted hotels," the last remaining employees, Claire and Luke are determined to uncover proof before it shuts down for good. As the Inn's final days draw near, odd guests check in as the pair of minimum wage "ghost hunters" begin to experience strange and alarming events that may ultimately cause them to be mere footnotes in the hotel's long unexplained history.

Written and directed by Ti West, and starring Sara Paxton, Pat Healy, Kelly McGillis and Lena Dunham.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. Genre: Horror Rated: R

Movie #70 - Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Day #70

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - click here!

PREVIEWS - February Movies

Big Miracle

Based on the 1989 book Freeing the Whales by Tom Rose, which covers Operation Breakthrough, the 1988 international effort to rescue gray whales trapped in ice near Point Barrow, Alaska. Big Miracle follows a non-profit aid worker and a government worker spark romantically as they work together in the effort to free three California gray whales who have become trapped in a hole in the ice of the Arctic Circle.

Directed by Ken Kwapis, and starring Drew Barrymore, John Krasinski, Kristen Bell, Dermont Mulroney and Tim Blake Nelson.

Opens: February 3, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min. Genre: Drama, Adventure Rated: PG 

Movie#69 - 300

King Leonidas: You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I've chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same!
Messenger: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
King Leonidas: Madness...?
[shouting]
King Leonidas: This is Sparta!

Day #69

300

This is a movie about a legendary battle about a few free men who stood against a tyrant and his monstrous army, a movie about few who stood against many, filled with really awesome battle sequences.This is a movie that was made to entertain plain and simple, there is nothing artsy about this movie as its makers (with Zack Snyder as director) going for a very graphic live-action movie instead. And it did so excellently!

Movie #68 - Gladiator

Commodus: How dare you show your back to me! Slave, you will remove your helmet and tell me your name. 

Maximus: [removes helmet and turns around to face Commodus] My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.

Day #68

Gladiator
This is an epic story/film about the general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor. Winner of five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Director and Actor included), five BAFTAs and two Golden Globes.

Complete list of Winners from the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

MOVIE:

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Jean Dujardin, "The Artist"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Viola Davis, "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Christopher Plummer, "Beginners"

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Octavia Spencer, "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture : "The Help"

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2"

Day #67 - The Petrified Forest

Movie #67

The Petrified Forest
It's in black and white, funny, thrilling (somewhat), stylish, literary and Humphrey Bogart's breakout role!

Adapted from a stage play, The Petrified Forest also features Leslie Howard as Alan Squier and Bette Davis as Gabrielle Maple, who both gave the film a more theatrical look with their extended dialogues, as Slim Thompson as Slim and John Alexander as Joseph provided the funniest moments in the film are when Slim offers Joseph a drink (you've got to see it to understand the joke) and Mr. and Mrs. Chisholm's interactions played by Paul Harvey and Genevieve Tobin.