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Showing posts from 2014

Love Actually

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Written and Directed by Richard Curtis Cast:  Hugh Grant (The Prime Minister), Martine McCutcheon (Natalie), Liam Neeson (Daniel), Laura Linney (Sarah), Bill Nighy (Billiy Mack), Gregor Fisher (Joe), Rory MacGregor (Engineer), Colin Firth (Jamie), Sienna Guillory (Jamie's Girlfriend), Emma Thompson (Karen), Kris Marshall (Colin Frissell), Heike Makatsch (Mia), Martin Freeman (John), Joanna Page (Just Judy), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Peter), Andrew Lincoln (Mark), Keira Knightley (Juliet), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Sam), Alan Rickman (Harry), and Rodrigo Santoro (Karl). So, I’m not a movie reviewer. I don’t get all caught up in the names of the actors, or really care much about the other films they have made. You’re lucky if I know a director and when it comes to film styles, I’m just a mess. That’s part of the reason I was so surprised that Henry actually said I should do a review as a guest writer. My guess is that it has to do with building rankings – and trusting me becau

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause

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I Director: Michael Lembeck Writers: Ed Decter & John Strauss Leo Benvenuti & Steve Rudnick (Characters) Cast: Tim Allen (Santa Clause/Scott Calvin), Elizabeth Mitchell (Mrs. Claus/Carol), Eric Lloyd (Charlie), Judge Reinhold (Neil Miller), Wendy Crewson (Laura Miller), Spencer Breslin, (Curtis), Liliana Mumy (Lucy Miller), Martin Short (Jack Frost), Ann-Margret (Sylvia Newman), Alan Arkin (Bud Newman), Abigail Breslin (Trish), Art LaFleur (Tooth Fairy), Aisha Tyler (Mother Nature), Kevin Pollak (Cupid), Michael Dorn (Sandman), and Peter Boyle as Father Time. The story starts off with Santa Claus (Tim Allen) and Mrs. Claus (Mitchell), she is expecting a baby which makes things difficult in the North Pole.  The elves want Santa (Allen) to oversee toy production, his whole attention is in his work.  Mrs. Claus just wants attention, the baby is coming and all she gets from him is, toys, lists, and many more.   Santa tries to work things out for Mrs. Claus inviting the i

Scrooged (1988)

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Directed by: Richard Donner Written by: Mitch Glazer & Michael O'Donoghue Based on the novella "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Starring: Bill Murray (Frank Cross), Karen Allen (Claire Phillips), The late John Forsythe (Lew Hayward), John Glover (Brice Cummings), Bobcat Goldthwait (Elliot Loudermilk), David Johansen (Ghost of Christmas Past), Carol Kane (Ghost of Christmas Present), Alfre Woodard (Grace Cooley), John Murray (James Cross), Robert Goulet (Himself), Buddy Hackett (Scrooge), John Houseman (Himself), Lee Majors (Himself), Mary Lou Retton (Herself), Anne Ramsey (Women in Shelter), and Chaz Conner (Ghost of Christmas Future).   The opening sequence is in the North pole, Santa Claus's homestead. The elves getting ready for the big night, December 25, Christmas.  Suddenly, light flashes, the homestead is bombarded by unknown blasts coming from afar; An unseen enemy.  Santa and his wife run for safety towards the back of the gift room, wh

The internship

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www.reeltimemoviereview.com Director: Shawn Levy Writers: Vince Vaughn and Jared Stern Cast: Vince Vaughn (Billy McMahon), Owen Wilson (Nick Campbell), Rose Byrne (Dana), Aasif Mandvi (Mr. Chetty), Max Minghella (Graham Hawtrey), Josh Brener (Lyle), Dylan O'Brien (Stuart), Tiya Sircar (Neha), Tobit Raphael (Yo-Yo Santos), Josh Gad (Headphones), Jessica Szohr (Marielena), Rob Riggle (Randy), Eric Andre (Sid), Harvey Guillen (Zach), with Will Ferrell (Matress Salesman), and John Goodman (Nick and Billy's Boss). Billy (Vince Vaughn), and Nick Campbell (Owen Wilson) are watch salesmen, on the way to meet a "Big" customer, which is held in a restaurant.  "Ironic" Alanis Morissette playing in the car radio.  They stop, feeling excited about the sale they are about get. Big customers, big exchanges.  On the way in they find their guy, he sits smiling waiting for them.  The customer tells them there former business is completely done, because of the technolo

Saving Mr. Banks (2013)

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Director: John Lee Hancock Writers: Kelly Marcel & Sue Smith Cast: Emma Thompson (P.L. Travers), Tom Hanks (Walt Disney), Annie Rose Buckley (Ginty), Travers Goff (Colin Farrell), Ruth Wilson (Margaret Goff), Paul Giamatti (Ralph), Bradley Whitford (Don DaGradi), B.J. Novak (Robert Sherman), Jason Schwartzman (Richard Sherman), Lily Bigham (Biddy), Kathy Baker (Tommie), and Melanie Paxson as Dolly. Australia, 1906 a young girl by the name of Ginty (Annie Rose Buckley), playing make believe in the front yard.  Travers Goff comes in and says, "Winds to the East , mist coming in, like something is brewing, about to begin.  This sets the tone that begins "Mary Poppins." 1961, Pamela "P.L." Travers (Emma Thompson), already found success in the Mary Poppins series, her esteemed agent tells her that there is no money coming in, all the sales have dried up.  She must hear the studio out, but the no animation clause is in the contract. Pamela agrees to meet

Raid 2

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Directed and written by Gareth Evans Cast:  Rama (Iko Uwais), Arifin Putra (Uco), Tio Pakusodewo (Bangun), Oka Antara (Eka), Alex Abbad (Bejo), Very Tri Yuilisman (Baseball Bat man), Julie Estelle (Hammer Girl), and Yayan Ruhian (Prakoso). The film starts off with a man on his knees begging for his life.  Bejo (Alex Abbad) stands looking down at Andi (Donny Alamsyah), they are in an open field.  Two of his men are digging a hole; Bejo (Alex Abbad) taking the bag off of Andi's head lectures him on ambitiousness.  After his speech, gazing into the eyes of his victim, he pulls out a gun and kills the man that was undercover for the police for years, Brother of Rama, his service for the department is over, his body falls, hits the ground.  The men grab him, and throw him in the hole, a dead cop, his years in deep cover is over.   After the events of the Raid a determined police officer tells Rama (Iko Uwais) sitting across from him, that corruption still infects the department,

Winters Bone

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Director: Debra Granik Writers:  Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini (screenplay). Novel:  Daniel Woodrell Cast:  Jennifer Lawrence (Ree), Isaiah Stone (Sonny), Ashlee Thompson (Ashlee), Valerie Richards (Connie), Shelley Waggener (Sonya), Garret Dillahunt (Sheriff Baskin), Lauren Sweetser (Gail), John Hawkes (Teardrop), Kevin Breznahan (Little Arthur), and Dale Dickey (Merab). Winter's Bone best motion picture of the year in 2011, also the lowest grossing film nominated since The Dresser (1983).  That being said let's jump right into the review, this film has so many emotional experiences, i will try to get to all of them.   The story is about a 17 year old girl faced with many challenges, one of which taking care of her siblings, along with their mentally ill mother.  The beginning of the film, Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) is told by an officer that her father, Jessup is due to be in court in a week, his whereabouts are unknown.  The property is put up for collateral for his

Avengers (2012)

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Director: Joss Whedon Writers: Joss Whedon and Zak Penn Cast: Robert Downey JR. (Ironman), Chris Evens (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), Paul Bettany (Jarvis), and Alex Denisof (The Other). Shield headquarters outside Santa Fe, New Mexico, during the evacuation; the Tesseract, an energy source of unknown power has awakened.  The portal is opened, someone has emerged from it.  The Norse god, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) stands as the energy dissipates from around him.  Above, in the rafters, a lone soldier, a shield agent code named Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) gazes below at the situation, he defends the powerful cube by trying to keep Loki from it; a failed attempt and Hawkeye (Renner) is taken by the Norse god.  The staff which he holds powerful energy, enabled Loki to control

The Conjuring

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Director: James Wan Writers: Chad Hayes and Carey Hayes Cast: Vera Farmiga (Lorraine Warren), Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren), Lili Taylor (Carolyn Perron), Ron Livingston (Roger Perron), Shanley Caswell (Andrea), Hayley Mcfarland (Nancy), Joey King (Christine), Mackenzie Foy (Cindy), Kyla Deaver (April), Shannon Kook (Drew), John Brotherton (Brad), and Sterling Jerins (Judy Warren). 1971, in Harrisville, Rhode Island a farmhouse, a family just moved in.  Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger Perron (Ron Livingston) with their five daughters.  The transition went smooth as the family gets comfortable with the home.  The dog Sadie, barking, not entering the house.  Worried, Roger (Livingston) secures the dog outside, not ever thinking that something evil is lurking about.   The next day, the family finds their dog Sadie dead, next to the house.  An unexplained circumstance or something else.  Suddenly, paranormal activities occur, clapping from within the house, doors opening a

The Purge: Anarchy

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The Purge: Anarchy Directed and written by James DeMonaco Starring:  Frank Grillo (Sergeant), Carmen Ejogo (Eva Sanchez), Zach Gilford (Shane), Kiele Sanchez (Liz), Zoe Soul (Cali), Justina Machado (Tanya), John Beasley (Papa Rico), Jack Conley (Big Daddy), Noel Gugliemi (Diego), Michael Kenneth Williams (Carmelo Johns).  The story opens with a group of employees, nervous, waiting to be dismissed by their boss.  The group discuss on what to do on the evening of the purge.  Afterwards the employees depart and go to their perspective places before commencement.   Eva (Carmen Ejogo) comes home to Cali (Zoe Soul) her teenage daughter, and father Rico (John Beasley).  Cali is watching a video online of a man called Carmelo Jones (Michael K. Williams).  A man with a very large plan, he rallies followers against the New Founding Fathers and their acts against people that are from poverty.   Rico (John Beasley) has written something for his daughter and Grandchild.  He said in the le

Labyrinth

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The Labyrinth (1986)   Directed by Jim Henson   written by Dennis Lee and Jim Henson, screenplay by Terry Jones.   Starring: David Bowie (Jareth The Goblin King), Jennifer Connelly (Sarah), Toby Froud (Toby), Shelley Thompson (Stepmother), Christopher Malcolm (Father), Fairy (Natalie Finland), Shari Weiser (Hoggle), Brian Henson (Hoggle/Goblin), Ron Mueck (Ludo/Firey2/Goblin), Rob Mills (Ludo/Firey), Dave Goelz (Didymus/The Hat/The Four guards/Left door/Firey 3), David Alan Barclay (Didymus/Firey1), David Shaughnessy (Didymus/The Hat/The four Guards/Goblin), Karen Prell (The Worm/The Four Guards/Goblin), Frank Oz (The Wiseman).   The story begins with Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) enacting a part in her favorite story called the Labyrinth.  A storm is on the way and she continues with the riddle that came from the book.  The rain starts slow, but realizing she is late, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) runs home.  Her Stepmother (Shelley Thompson) angry about her lateness, Sarah st

Rubber

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Rubber (2010) Director: Quentin Dupieux Written by: Quentin Dupieux Stephen Spinella (Lieutenant Chad), Jack Plotnick (Accountant), Wings Hauser (Wheelchair guy), Roxane Mesquida (Sheila), Ethan Cohn (Film buff Ethan), Charley Koontz (Film buff Charley), Daniel Quinn (Dad), Devin Brchu (Son), Hayley Holmes (Teenager Cindy), Haley Ramm (Teenager Fiona), Cecelia Antoninette (Black women), David Bowe (M. Hughes), Remy Thorne as Zach.  And the Tire (Robert).   The accountant makes his way through a maze of chairs positioned, he waits, until his boss the lieutenant Chad addresses the spectators.  The Mojave Desert is a great place to start his live action film; Chad (Stephen Spinella) is a great mind, these people here today are about to witness a classic in the making.   A police undercover squad takes down every chair, slowly hitting it, as the car moves closer to the accountant (Jack Plotnick).  Chad gets out of the trunk, he approaches the spectators, letting them know

Lucy

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Lucy Directed by: Luc Besson Written by: Luc Besson Starring: Scarlett Johansson (Lucy), Morgan Freeman (Professor Norman), Min-sik Choi (Mr. Jang), Amr Waked (Pierre Del Rio), Julian Rhind-Tutt (The Limey), Pilou Asbaek (Richard).   The film starts off with Lucy (Scarlett Johansson) arguing with her boyfriend Richard (Pilou Asbaek).  He wants her to deliver a briefcase to the building behind them.  1000.00 is the amount paid on delivery, he tells Lucy that the money will be split between them.     Entering the building, uncomfortable, nervous she approaches the front desk, she tells the man that she is here for Mr Jang (Min-sik Choi).  Holding the briefcase up, so that the man could see.  Suddenly five men approach, grabs Lucy (Johansson) by the arm and takes her to there destination, Mr. Jang.  Catching a small glimpse of her dead boyfriend, splattered on the glass.  She tries to scream but fear takes hold of her, as the men continue on.   Mr. Jang wants to know what i

Sharknado

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Sharknado   Directed by: Anthony C. Ferrante   Written by: Thunder Levin   Starring:  Ian Ziering (Fin Shepard), Tara Reid (April Wexler), John Heard (George), Cassandra Scerbo (Nova Clarke), Jason Simmons (Baz Hogan), Marcus Choi (Palmer), Israel Saez de Miguel (Captain Carlos Santiago), Chuck Hittinger (Matt), and Aubrey Peeples as Claudia.   The story begins in the harsh environment of the stormy ocean, a hurricane is about to form.  A lone ship dares to engage the dangerous weather, the crew aboard has sinister plans, they are shark hunters.  The Captain and his associate are engaging in a million dollar deal for shark meat.  Captain Santiago (Israel Saez de Miguel) slides the tasty shark in a bowl to his associate, Palmer (Marcus Choi).  The contents are good, but Palmer offers 500,000 to the harsh looking Captain.  He disagrees, and gives Palmer no options.    Meanwhile the storm continues a large water spout containing sharks spins above the ship.  Palmer suddenly r