Alan's Blog

Daniel Craig stars as Tuvia Bielski, one of four Jewish brothers who escape from Poland into the forests of Belarus during World War II to lead a band of resistance fighters and create a safe haven for Jewish refugees. The real-life sanctuary established by the Bielski brothers saved more than 1,000 Jews from persecution and death. Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell and George MacKay also star in this moving historical drama based on actual events.

I remember seeing Daniel Craig promoting this movie on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” In this interview Daniel Craig confessed he was nervous about being on the show and around Jon Stewart. A very happy Jon Stewart responded “oh my God, I make James Bond nervous. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!” Daniel Craig was very proud of this movie.

I am giving this one 4 stars. The movie itself is 3.6 but with the extras on the DVD I am giving it 4 stars. The extra on the Bielski brothers’ families were very moving and inspiring.

The Bielski brothers were real people and this movie is based on actual events. I do question some things like how the brothers keep finding each other after they get separated. I also question some of the discussions at the camp.

I have read other reviews of this movie. Either people really liked it or they really disliked it. There does not seem to be any middle. I am in the “really liked it” camp.

The Bielski brothers had different ideas on how to handle a situation and each one of them was right. There are no easy answers in life. That is what I am taking from this movie. Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Film Movie Critic
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: alan@internetguy.ws

Tags: Daniel · Craig · Tuvia · Bielski · Jewish · brothers

Career bank robber Doug (Ben Affleck) and his volatile partner, Jim (Jeremy Renner), hit a roadblock when Doug falls for bank manager Claire (Rebecca Hall), whom he kidnapped during their last heist. Worse, an FBI agent (Jon Hamm) is now trailing the thieves around their Charlestown, Mass., territory. Affleck directs and co-writes this smart, intricate actioner that co-stars Blake Lively as Krista, Jim's sister and Doug's troubled former flame.

The only problem with this movie is the title. I am a fan of "Entourage" and when I think of "The Town" I can’t help but think of Johnny "Drama" Chase television show "Five Towns" where he plays the Irish older brother. The character of Johnny Drama is trying to make a big comeback just like Ben Affleck. I can’t help but laugh at the similarity.

Having said what I just said I loved this movie. This movie is what “Heat” starring Al Pacino and Robert Deniro should have been. The one scene with Ben Affleck and John Hamm had together reminded me a lot of this and they both did a much better job. Kudos you guys! I am willing to buy all of you a pitcher of Guinness.

I know society is still mad at Ben Afflect for the whole “Bennifer” thing but after seeing this movie I say let’s forgive him. I loved how this movie played out. I understood all the characters’ motivations and this movie worked on so many levels. The only reason I can’t give this movie a solid 4.0 stars is I think escaping a police road chase to be impossible. There are helicopters and cameras everywhere. I have to give this one 3.8 stars. It is a really good movie and I recommend it.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
http://www.filmmoviecritic.com/?p=178
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: alan@internetguy.ws

Tags: Affleck · Jon · Hamm · Rebecca · Hall · Jeremy · Renner

Barney (Sylvester Stallone) leads a ragtag band of hired guns charged with overthrowing a South American despot, a job no official military unit is willing to touch. But once on the ground, the team learns there's more to the mission than they were told. Their next move determines whether they survive -- or are, indeed, expendable. Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Dolph Lundgren and Jet Li round out a stellar cast.

This movie is a throwback to classic 1980’s action movies. This movie is about fists, kicks, explosions and one-liners. That's it! There is nothing more to it. Do not expect any character development. I liked this film as it doesn’t pretend to be anything else.

Dolph Lundgren and Jet Li are just horrible in delivering their lines. Please note I am not complaining as it was fun to watch. My favorite scene is in the beginning with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis in the Church going over the mission.

The only two people missing here are Steven Seagal and Jean-Claude Van Damme. I am actually glad of this because I never thought they had much of a sense of humor. Sylvester Stallone definitely has one as he did star in “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.”

I say suspend belief in this and enjoy the film. I am giving it 3.5 stars as I have seen a lot of different action movies over the years and it was fun to watch them work together.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Film Movie Critic
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: alan@internetguy.ws

Tags: Sylvester · Stallone · Bruce · Willis · Jason · Statham

Joni (Mia Wasikowska) and Laser (Josh Hutcherson), the children of same-sex parents Nic (Annette Bening) and Jules (Julianne Moore), become curious about the identity of their sperm-donor dad (Mark Ruffalo) and set out to make him part of their family unit, often with hilarious results. But his arrival complicates the household dynamics, and nobody is sure how he fits in -- if at all -- in this Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe-winning comedy.

This movie is about strained relationships. I did like it but wouldn’t consider this a “feel good comedy.” About halfway into this movie Julianne Moore’s character has an affair with the sperm donor dad. The last half of this movie deals with the fallout. Annette Bening does a fantastic and convincing job as a person who has been betrayed. I admit I would not be friends with her bossy character in real life but I did feel sorry for her and was mad at the other two characters for causing this kind of pain. There is nothing cool about betraying another person’s trust.

I have mentioned before I do have a little crush on Julianne Moore. She was Amber Waves in Boogie Nights and she does have some steamy love scenes here. She is good in the drama department but feel she is lacking in the comedy. I still like her but she is no Zach Galifianakis.

I found this film to be thought provoking. One scene has Annette Bening putting down Mark Ruffalo’s character as he is into organic gardening and leads an alternate health lifestyle. Mark Ruffalo’s character on the other hand makes fun of the Mexican gardener. It always seems we have to put someone down to make us look better in front of others. It is something I have noticed in human nature and something I really don't care for. I guess people do this when they are insecure.

I am giving this movie 3.2 stars. It is not the best movie ever but it goes by quick. In the end is really is about the kids being alright. They are tougher than they look and deal with things like everyone else, one day at a time.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
Film Critic Extraordinaire
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: alan@internetguy.ws

Tags: Annette · Bening · Julianne · Moore · Mark · Ruffalo

In the world of this sci-fi thriller set in the not-too-distant future, artificial organs are readily available to anybody with a credit card. But what happens if a buyer falls delinquent on his payments? Jude Law stars as an organ repo man who's now fleeing his ex-partner after failing to keep up the payments on his own recently installed ticker. Miguel Sapochnik directs; Forest Whitaker and Liev Schreiber co-star.

I wish I had my two hours back. There are only two things I liked about this movie. I liked the actors and the soundtrack. The soundtrack included songs like "Cry Me a River", "Feeling Good" performed by Nina Simone and "Dream A Little Dream Of Me" performed The Mamas & The Papas. I would not mind owning a copy of the soundtrack for this movie.

This film started strong. I liked the potential and immediately thought it could be true sci-fi dark classic like RoboCop and “Starship Troopers.” I did not buy the transformation of Jude Law’s character. He starts off being completely unsympathetic and even makes fun of his victims. Then when his character gets a new heart he gets a new heart (pun intended). The story did remind me a bit of 1976’s classic “Logan’s Run” where the character development was handled better.

This story does have a twist at the end which I felt was horrible. I do know others who have seen this movie are agreeing. I am giving this movie 2.3 stars. It had potential of being a good satire but instead seemed focused on showing tremendous amounts of blood and violence. I did not like this movie.

Click here for the Netflix link in case you would like to add it to your queue.

All the best,

Alan
Alan Zibluk
The Film Movie Critic
Cell: (203) 500-3834
E-mail: alan@internetguy.ws

Tags: ude · Law · Miguel · Sapochnik · Forest · Whitaker