#100 - The Departed

Frank Costello: When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?

Overtime

The Departed

This is the final film for The Aj/Cinephile Project and director, Martin Scorsese's eighth appearance in this outstanding cinematic experience. Like The Town and Mystic River, Boston plays an integral role in the film as it blends perfectly with the theme -  which focuses on crime and police corruption infused with the Irish mob.

PREVIEWS - March Movies (Limited)

Being Flynn

Nick Flynn is shocked to have his eccentric and long-absent father, Jonathan reach out to him unexpectedly. Still feeling the loss of his mother in the midst of starting a new relationship with Denise, the last person Nick wants to see is his father. But you can't outrun fate and slowly Nick comes to realize he has been given the chance to make a real future not only for himself, but for his struggling father too.

Directed by Paul Weitz, and starring Robert De Niro, Julianne Moore, Paul Dano and Olivia Thirlby.

Opens: March 2, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 26 min. Genre: Drama, Comedy Rated: R

Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

Movie #99 - The Passion of the Christ

Jesus Christ: Forgive them, Father. They know not what they do.

Overtime

The Passion of the Christ

It may be graphic, bloody and violent, But isn't that what Christ went through? I was shocked to see some reviews as I feel that Mel Gibson's (director) aim was to show the torture and death of Christ in the most realistic manner he knew, and in my opinion he made a wonderful movie in the process.

PREVIEWS - March Movies

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax

This is a tale of a young boy, Ted  who lives in a town where nothing is quite as it appears; everything is plastic, including the plants. Hopelessly smitten by the beautiful Audrey, who dreams of one day seeing a real tree, Ted boldly leaves the city determined to find the flora and grant her wish. Along the way, the young adventurer crosses paths with the Lorax, a diminutive, mustached defender of nature who doesn't take kindly to human intruders.

Directed by Chris Renaud and Kyle Balda; starring the voices of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zach Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White.

Opens: March 2, 2012 Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min. Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure Rated: PG

Project X

Movie #98 - The Usual Suspects

Verbal Kint: The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.

Overtime

The Usual Suspects

Usually films about deception keep the viewer in the loop, but The Usual Suspects does exactly the opposite, deceiving the characters and the viewers, except for Verbal Kint (played by Kevin Spacey) who held all the cards and carefully dazzled everyone - me included, till Special Agent Dave Kujan (played by Chazz Palminteri) and the sketch artist's impression figures out for us just who Keyser Söze truly is. Now that's intrigue at its best.

Movie #97 - The Town

Fergus 'Fergie' Colm: You know they either geld a horse with a knife or with chemicals. When your Daddy said "no" to me, I did him the chemical way.

Overtime

The Town

Ben Affleck really knows his stuff, as co-writer, director and lead actor. But the real star is Jeremy Renner whose performance in this film is on par with his acting in The Hurt Locker, which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

The cast - Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively and Pete Postlethwaite - were absolutely amazing!

Movie #96 - Bram Stoker's Dracula

Dracula: Do you think you can destroy me with your idols? I who served the cross, I who commanded nations, hundreds of years before you were born?

Overtime

Bram Stoker's Dracula
Now this is how you make a Vampire/Romance film, not the ridiculously depressing Twilight series; though Francis Cord Coppola did overdo it especially on the romantic front, as the story felt a bit overcrowded but certainly made up for it with his approach, making Dracula more than just a blood thirsty vampire but an undead man with heart.

The production was visually scintillating and the art direction is amazing. While the acting department (supporting actors that is) was limp, Gary Oldman totally embodied his director's vision thereby making his performance one of the best portrayals ever!

Movie #95 - Gangs of New York

Boss Tweed: Remember the first rule of politics. The ballots don't make the results, the counters make the results. The counters. Keep counting.

Overtime

Gangs of New York

This is the seventh movie by Martin Scorsese appearing on the cinephile project; which comprises of brilliant production, historical accuracy, impressive screenplay, amazing mise-en-scène and costumes, and superb acting from Daniel-Day Lewis.

Movie #94 - Akira

The Colonel: It is not a soldier's duty to make policy. I follow my orders.

Overtime

Akira

I can't believe this film was made in 1988, the idea behind it is surreal and the animation is awesome.
This techno thriller was fantastically made with momentum (right from the start), bloody good violence, thought provoking and a fast paced story line - which is not bad considering its source is a 2000 page manga.

Kaneda's red bike is iconic. This is not just a brilliantly made anime, it's a Classic!

Hope they don't mess up the live-action remake.

Complete list of Winners from the 84th Academy Awards

BEST PICTURE

The Artist Thomas Langmann, Producer



DIRECTOR

The Artist Michel Hazanavicius



ACTOR in a LEADING ROLE

Jean Dujardin in The Artist


ACTOR in a SUPPORTING ROLE

Christopher Plummer in Beginners


ACTRESS in a LEADING ROLE

Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady

ACTRESS in a SUPPORTING ROLE

Octavia Spencer in The Help